Traveling Spots!

Happy Thursday to you all!  I am busy running around finishing laundry, get groceries and packing for my 4 day trip to Arizona this weekend to teach.  I'm so looking forward to it--it will be in the 90's--wahooo!  I have to leave the house in complete ship-shop-shape before I leave everytime, LOL---if ALL the laundry isn't done I could get a text from a manic teenager saying I "forgot to wash her fave jeans---whine--how could I --- whine!!" and stuff like that.  And then one from my son saying "you forgot to get my chips and dip at the store---whine----what am I gonna eat now? whine" LOL!  For real that is what happens soooooooooooo everytime I leave I make them add their top 3 requests to my grocery list, wash every darn last bit of clothing in the house and leave a few lists (for hubby, for kids, for dogs, lol)!  But no matter what I'll still get a text or call with someone wanting/needing something while I'm gone NO MATTER how many times I say "I'm across the country, in a different time zone, I cannot help you, dad's in charge, you are bugging me, I'm sleeping, what do you want?" LOL!  Yes I realize hubby can go to the store, but inevitably the cart will be FILLED with JUNK & not any food that might be good for ya.  And after several mishaps with shrunken laundry the hubster is NOT allowed near the washer/dryer unless under dire circumstances!  Soooo anywho, that makes Suzanne a very busy girl today along with finishing up class materials and packing my suitcase and TRYING to get to bed at a reasonable hour (ha ha ha) since I have to be up at 3:15 am to be at the airport at 4 am, yikes!  Can you say sleepy-time on the airplane for Suzanne, LOL--and I land at 10:30 am in AZ after guess what..........wait for it...................YEP ANOTHER layover in Denver.  I'm hoping to get the same gate and same Southwest dude so we can have another sing-a-long in the airport, hee hee.  Yes if you missed it last time I got about 30 people to sing along to John Denver tunes during our layover flight in Denver.  This time I want to sing Journey songs :) and don't you worry I will do it---so if you are in the area and you see singing people and crazy me leading them along---well then, you'll know you found me, LMBO!  Gotta have a good time in this life ya know?  We only get one shot so we might as well have as much fun as we can---that is my motto everyday!  Wanna dance--then break it out? Wanna sing--then sing?  Wanna laugh--laugh?  LOL---hang around me for awhile and I'll teach y'all about Good Times :)  By the time I'm off the plane I know at least 25 people's names/occupations/locations and we might have sung a tune or too !  If you are BORED you can always follow me on Facebook while I'm traveling---I update it regularly with my hijinks, hee hee!

NewsBitz:

-For those that participated in the Birthday Challenges over at the CMC Classroom, I will be picking all the winners later this afternoon and announcing them on the classroom and via a mass email to all members.  So make sure and check there tomorrow to see if you are a lucky winner! Thanks to everyone for the fun, support & participation.  It's gonna take me a loooooooong time to get thru all of them, lol!

-Get ready for some new Elisabeth Bell for SCACD Stamps heading your way on April 8th!  These are so cute you will smack yourself if you don't get some (lol)! Check out sneak peeks today---see HERE for info. and sneakie peekies by some of the DT!



-Interested in taking a Copic Class with me in person?  Check out my site www.cmcroad.com which will be updated soon with more locations!  Next up is Stafford Springs, CT and there are still spots if you want to come (convenient to NYC area too)!

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Seeing Spots Yet?

I've got a cute one for you today featuring a CC Designs "Swiss Pixies" stamp for the 7 Kids Challenge Blog!  This week our hostess Lisa Summerhays challenged us to "See Spots" LOL--in any form on our projects!  Well after hours on the laptop I REALLY am seeing spots now, hee hee!  Make sure to stop at the 7 Kids Challenge Blog to see all the DT cards, our Top 3 and the prize you can play for if you join in with us!

I just adore the CC Designs Swiss Pixies---so cute and fun to color---this one is called "Sweetheart Birgitta".  All of my papers are the newer, smaller My Mind's Eye "Fine & Dandy" and I love the candy colors and polka-dots in different sizes too!  The circle frame around the main image is by Marianne Designs along with the scrolls (my faves) and then I added some layered Primas and topped them with fun buttons.  I believe the pom-pom trim is Prima and I picked up a few colors at the super-fab Stamping & Scrapbooking Room store in Greensboro, NC (if you are nearby make sure to stop in for fabulous finds)!  The sentiment is "Signature Greetings" by PTI stamped in black ink.

Yes this cutie was colored with Copics: BG14,BG11,BG10/R22,R20/Colorless Blender/YR24,YR23,YR20/E11,E00.  Then I added stardust stickles to her dress, wings and around the circle frame for bling-ety-bling!

Hope that got you to think of some candy (hmmmmm jellybeans, chocolate peeps, etc., lol) and made ya smile!  I'll see ya back here tomorrow with a fun post too!

Peaches-N-Cream!!

Well howdy my friends and Happy Tuesday to you!  How are y'all doing today?  I'm feeling MUCH better thank goodness and Alexa is at school so she's doing better too. Boy its a nasty bug out there, hope none of you get it---terrible!  Knocked me down for a bit but I HAVE BOUNCED BACK--yay!  Anyone watching the Country Music Awards on Sunday night?  I have to TIVO it since I'll be in AZ but I have threatened my family that if they erase it they are in big dog-doody, LOL.  I cannot wait to see the Zac Brown Band---I am obsessed with them and love them soooo much!  See their awesome video below of my fave song--you will fall in love with their voices too!  Now if we're talking singing talent AND fabulous-cuteness well than I would say Chuck Wicks and Tim McGraw, LOL!  There's something about a country dude in a cowboy hat, boots and who can sing---wooooweeeee, LMBO!  No worries, hubby knows how I feel about that---I'd pop a hat on him if he'd let me, hee hee (wink)!  I KNOW that in his eyes I'm a Victoria Secret model too (wink, wink) so don't ruin the illusion 'kay?

My FAVE Zac Brown Band Song:

NewsBitz:

**I'm still trying to raise money thru March 30th on the CMC Donation Page to World Vision which benefits the Japanese Earthquake/Tsunami Relief Fund.  For every $3 you donate you will be entered to win a Brand Spankin' New 2011 Ltd Edition Cricut Expression (donated so generously by Provocraft to raise money for this great cause) & a $50 Gift Cert. to Oozak.com.  Or you can just donate anonymously!  All funds go to a great cause!  You can DONATE or find out more HERE!

If you haven't checked out the new Provocraft products click HERE!  And their new Ltd. Edition Cricut Expression is premiering very soon---it will have wi-fi functionality soon, new touchpad screen and more! YOU will want it, LOL--but you can enter to win it above!

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Peaches-n-Cream!!

Today I'm sharing a fun card I made using a fabulous image by Carmen Medlin for SCACD called "1st Signs of Spring".  Isn't she just gorgeous?  I wanted this card to be super romantic so I piled on the feminine elements, papers and bling!  Spring is for romance, love and flowers right? What better way to express that than with a card--this is perfect for birthdays, wedding showers or just for a friend of course!

My papers are from the fabulous new smaller K&Co paper pad "Julianne"--I love that their prints are now smaller, perfect for cards.  I used a Marianne Designs frame die and then ran it thru with a CB "swiss dots" embossing folder.  The peach cs was run thru a different CB Embossing folder--I love lots of texture.  The green elements were done with newer Marianne Designs dies as well---I love adding them to beautiful flowers like these by Prima.  (Make sure to check out all the new Prima 2011 flowers here, they are GORGEOUS!)  Some pearls finish it off nicely.

Yes this cutie was colored with Copics: YR02,YR00,YR0000/YG99,YG97,YG93/E11,E00,R20/E29,E25,E31.  And then I accented with Stickles on her shoes and dress trims--a gal's gotta have some pretty bling!

And because I'm such an enabler I thought I'd share with you some fabulous new products in stock at SCACD that you MIGHT need, LOL! Now don't blame me if you HAVE to buy some ;)

Kaisercraft flowers 4 new colors added

http://www.susanascustomartandcarddesign.com/products.php?cat=216

Kaisercraft paper - Chanteuses and Lullaby

http://www.susanascustomartandcarddesign.com/products.php?cat=161

New Spellbinders

http://www.susanascustomartandcarddesign.com/products.php?cat=141

New Scrap Fx laser cut chipboard

http://www.susanascustomartandcarddesign.com/products.php?cat=220

New Tonic Punch Sets

http://www.susanascustomartandcarddesign.com/products.php?cat=215

New Petaloo (sweet fabric flowers OH SO YUMMY)

http://www.susanascustomartandcarddesign.com/products.php?cat=89

goosebumps (fun stuff spray some on your paper for a embossed effect or resist)

http://www.susanascustomartandcarddesign.com/products.php?cat=89

In the Odd and Ends section check out Canvas Tags, Tassels and ribbon slides

http://www.susanascustomartandcarddesign.com/products.php?cat=130

Hope you enjoyed this today and I'll see you back here tomorrow with a new challenge card for 7 Kids College Fund and the winner of my blog candy!

Thank You Spring Hop!

Hello my friends and Happy Monday to you (ugh, are Monday's ever happy,LOL)!  I am feeling MUCH MUCH better and eating just a bit and drinking homemade juice from my juicer for energy.  Slowly but surely I'm bouncin' back and getting the ole' rear in gear!  Nothing like being kicked HARD in the pants when you've got lots to do and now my daughter is sickie poo too.  They said the viral infection I got was very contagious and even though I quarantined myself in my room I guess the germs got out.  So hoping it doesn't wipe thru the whole house.  I leave on Friday morning (4 am) to fly out to Phoenix, AZ for the weekend to teach and I'd like to know that everyone at home is a-ok.  It is supposed to be 90 degrees in AZ---DID YOU HEAR ME?  90 BEAUTIFUL DEGREES, LOL and I am going to love every minute of it, hee hee.  I get in at 11 am and me and the hotel pool has GOT LOTS OF PLANS together you see for a few hours--we will be very close, LOL!  Gotta soak it in while I can and then I'm teaching all day Saturday.  I really want to go to the Zoo or Botanical Gardens on Sunday if I can so I can spend some time outside---then I fly home on Monday.  I tried to fly home on Sunday but no flights out in the time frame I needed so Monday it is.  Looking forward to seeing Tab of 7 Kids College Fund and the other ladies in class---it will be fun!

If you are wanting to take a Copics Class with me you can see all the upcoming locations on my site www.cmcroad.com!  I will have more dates coming on the site including North Carolina, Chicago (weekend before Summer CHA), Florida, Canada and more!

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Spellbinders Thank-You Blog Hop

The Gina K Designs team would like to welcome to you this special Spellbinders Thank You Blog Hop! Recently Spellbinders generously gifted each member of our Design Team with the amazing new Grand Calibur! What an exciting gift for sure and we are absolutely enjoying this fabulous machine!! We have made some special cards and projects to showcase the new Grand Calibur and why we are loving it so much! Thank you so very much Spellbinders!  


To start the hop at the beginning you need to go to Carolina's Beautiful Blog HERE!

**Make Sure to See the List of DT Members participating in today's Hop at the Bottom of this Post! **

I had been wanting to use this beautiful butterfly image from the new Gina K StampTV set "Springtime Silhouettes" since the beginning.  I think its just a stunning image all by itself so I kept the colors to navy and dark cream with no distracting patterned paper other than the polka-dots in cream.  I wanted the butterfly to be the main attraction.  And if you don't use Spellbinders dies---WHERE THE HECK HAVE YOU BEEN? LOL--you NEED them in your collection and I used a whole slew of them!  I use the dies every day along with the new Grand Caliber---which I loveeeee (it embosses soooo beautifully too)!  These are the SBs dies I used:  Fleur de lis Pendant, Labels 16, and Classic Lace Border Grand! I embossed the background of one of the labels with a CB emboss folder and inked all the edges with SU ink.  Bow was made with my Bow Easy---love the dark navy against this darker cream color--one of my fave color combos!

Isn't that a beautiful butterfly? I stamped it in SU ink and then accented it with Stardust Stickles--my fave since they let the color beneath shine through.!  My cardstock was from SU and PTI because I didn't have the Gina K cs but you can find a great navy luxury cs by Gina HERE!

Now make sure to make your way to the next designer's fabulous blog for some gorgeous inspiration

~ Tami Mayberry!!!

Doin' The Easter Bunny Hop!

Happy Friday Friends! Thanks to all for the well wishes from those of you who found out I was very sick.  I was in the hospital with a nice and nasty viral infection that got into my stomach and intestines and has caused me a lot of pain, bleeding and vomiting.  But I am on bed rest thru today and then hopefully the prison warden......ahem........my husband (lol) will let me up to do some work.  I like bed rest and hospitals about as much as SNAKES, blech and yes I'm NOT a good patient at all.  I'm argumentative, stubborn and a pain in the rear I know, LOL, I was not meant for sitting for long periods of time.  And this is why they sent me home I believe, not only am I HIGHLY contagious (lol) but they were a bit scared of me, hee hee.  When I'm ready to go, I'm ready to go---I know how to take out an IV line as I've done it a few times before (don't ask, lol) and they saw that crazy look in my eye.  I'm sure they were on the verge of calling the mental ward, but hey--they let me go........lucky them! bwhahaha

Pros of being sick:
* lost 7 lbs in 2 days, how often does THAT ever happen?
*caught up on all my email and 4 classes of copic homework are checked
*totally finished reading the last 2 months of Pioneer Woman's blog who I had been neglecting, but never fails to cheer me up & make me laugh (I happen to think we are sistah's from anotha' motha' LOL)
*listening to my extensive & eclectic ITunes library--where was ITunes when I WAS a teen, I love music like I love a good book! A must-have in my life!
*got to pretend what a life of leisure would be like---guess what?  I'm sooooo NOT diggin' it!
Cons of being sick:
*nausea & vomiting, need I say more
*an increasing to-do list that is growing by the minute
*kids in house doing lord knows what when momma ain't lookin'
*blurry vision
*nausea & vomiting, LOL AND NO CHERRY COKE--my life is ending people!  Wahhhhh!

But Thank god hubby didn't take my lifeline.....errrrr....laptop away from me! So if you got a response email from me that made NO SENSE, chalk it up to my meds, LOL and being sick!  So don't worry about me, I'll be just fine---I bounce back like the Energizer Bunny!  I wanted so badly to do some reading but my concentration level isn't so good and my vision a bit blurry so that I haven't done but I did load up with some new books which I'm itching to get at soon--will let you know my review after I'm done with them.

Want some awesome recommendations that I just read or music I currently love (well sorry if you don't, just skip the next section, LOL):
READ:
*Emily & Einstein by Linda Francis Lee---if you love animals and a great read, get this NOW! Read it in one night :)
*The Four Ms. Bradwells by Meg Waite Clayton (her "The Wednesday Sisters" from a bit ago is awesome too)
*The Dressmaker of Khair Khana--awesome and great for book club readers too, very eye-opening!

LISTEN TO:
*Adele's "21" album---each song is a jewel! (her voice is like what I THINK mine sounds like in the shower--and yes I know it doesn't which is WHY you will never hear me sing outside the shower, lol)
*Zac Brown Band's "Colder Weather"--gorgeous & my fave (their "Chicken Fried" is fun too)
*Chuck Wicks' "Old School"--just fun & reminds me of summer in high school (and did I say he is C-U-T-E) ;)
*David Gray is my perpetual fave and go to music any day--discovered him over 10 years ago and still love all his songs---best IMO is "As I'm Leaving"
*Panic at the Disco---"Let's Kill Tonight"--rocker anthem I love it
*Ellie Goulding--"Lights"---light but energizing
*Raphael Saadiq---"Radio"--old & new school pop coolness
*Eli Young Band "Crazy Girl"--just fun & cool
*Anything by Colt Ford--crazy country rapper but "Ride thru the Country" & "Dirt Road" are my faves (reminds me of my growin' up times)
*And how can you NOT LOVE Glee's new one "Loser Like Me"--lovin' it!

NewsBitz:

* NEW Prisma Pencil Class 1 is up and premiering at the CMC Classroom!  My pal Marti Wills is the instructor and she has done a fabulous, detailed job on this class.  You will find a full class description at the classroom HERE (hover mouse over Class Description/Pricing tab to see class)--it includes video instruction & printables along with weekly chats.  So if you are wanting to delve into coloring or improving your coloring with colored pencils, this is the class for you!
**Also if you haven't entered for my yummy Spring Blog Candy yet--you can still do so, just click HERE!

**I'm still trying to raise money thru March 30th on the CMC Donation Page to World Vision which benefits the Japanese Earthquake/Tsunami Relief Fund.  For every $3 you donate you will be entered to win a Brand Spankin' New 2011 Ltd Edition Cricut Expression (donated so generously by Provocraft to raise money for this great cause) & a $50 Gift Cert. to Oozak.com.  Or you can just donate anonymously!  All funds go to a great cause!  You can DONATE or find out more HERE!

If you haven't checked out the new Provocraft products click HERE!  And their new Ltd. Edition Cricut Expression is premiering very soon---it will have wi-fi functionality soon, new touchpad screen and more! YOU will want it, LOL--but you can enter to win it above!

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Doin' The Easter Bunny Hop!

I should've had another project for you today but it didn't get finished in time due to my lil' hospital trip, LOL.  So I'm sharing a fun project I did for mine & Marti's magazine "Through the Craftroom Door".  The magazine site HERE is open for everyone to come by and use, you just need to join.  If you subscribe there is a special area for subscribers only as well.  We will be celebrating our 1 Year Anniversary over there next month so stay tuned for that!

I used some fabby new digi stamps by Stamp Fairy--her images are so sweet and cute and GREAT for copic coloring.  (See my other project here I did).  If you haven't stopped by her store you really should--and we all know how easily digi images store and they are instant gratification which I'm a big fan of :)  I created a Spring/Easter card and a matching boxy-basket---perfect gift set for someone and easy to recreate!

All of my papers are by My Mind's Eye "Fine & Dandy" line--perfect candy colored-spring colors and all cs is by Paper Trey Ink.  For my images I used images from the Stamp Fairy called "Clementine Easter Set 1" which Gerda the owner created for me to use in the magazine (she is soooo sweet)!  The swirls are by...yep...my favorite dies by Marianne Designs.   And I added a fun bow made with matching PTI ribbon and some PTI buttons.

Yes Ms. Clementine the Bunny got colored with Copics---I kept her in soft grays to match the sweet pastel like colors:  C3,C1,C00/R22,R20,R000,BG14,BG11,BG10.  The egg got a coat of Diamond Glaze & then I topped off the paint and her hair bows with Stickles for some sparkle.

Here is my matching box-basket to go along with the card.  This is EASY to make I swear, lol!  I used some of those AWESOME NEW Spellbinders Grand Nestabilities in Oval to create it.  If you think the Grands are for scrapbookers only--you are so WRONG!!  The first 4 shapes in each set will fit thru your Cuttlebug and mat the other smaller nesties you own perfectly and they create great shapes for these kind of projects or shaped cards.  I don't have room for my Cricut Expression (sadly) to sit in my craft room so I rely on dies most of the time and these large ones are fabulous!  AND yes I do love the Spellbinders Grand Caliber--it embosses beautifully and fits all the large sized dies too.  The grass on the bottom of my basket was done with a fabby MFT Die-namics die HERE (they look to be out of stock, but email them if you really want/need one).  The sentiment is from a PTI stamp set that I cut into sentences so I could stack them into a shorter version--easy to do with those acrylic stamps!

To create the box-basket you need to cut out your ovals first with your dies and then measure them across and just make a simple box pattern according to your new dimensions for width & height.  I made mine a bit higher on the sides so you could easily stuff some larger goodies in there.  Fill that baby up with some yummy treats & small gifts and anyone would love to receive this on Easter morning!

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend!  I hope to see you back here on Monday :)  I fly out next Friday for Phoenix to teach and will come home the following Monday--looking forward to the sunny weather!

Closet Treasures!

Hello there Friends & Happy Wednesday to ya!  Boy, what a day I had yesterday---woooheeee! LOL!  First I was woken at 3 am in the morning my one of my lovely cats (1 of 5 yes, lol) who decide that MY HAND under the covers was a FREAKING MOUSE and decided to pounce and clutch at it with her very long claws.  OwWwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!  Yep she got my right hand pointer finger and sliced it open badly--I was dripping blood everywhere (ewww I know) and poor hubby was very SLOW to respond---like slow as in barely waking even though I'm smacking him in his head, LMBO!  Then I ask him to get me a tissue so I can stop the bleeding---what does he do?  Goes in the bathroom and starts CUSSING about how we have no band-aids and he can't find the antiseptic.  I'm like "Hellllllllllloooooooooooo there---I JUST NEED A FRIGGIN' TISSUE before I bleed all over the bed!" LOL--geez men I tell ya! Finally after 3-5 mins of cussin & ranting he finally brought me...........................wait for it..................a COTTON BALL!  Yes a DRY cotton ball so the cotton could get all stuck in my finger and stuck in the blood---WHAT!  OMG by this point I was laughing and he finally brought me a band-aid---YEP a STAR WARS band-aid!  The only band-aid he could find, LOL!  So I got up and found the antiseptic and a normal band-aid right where I said they were!  Oh my poor hubby--he tries so hard to help but he's just slow and funny, hee hee!  And yes my finger is very SORE and its my main coloring & typing finger too---the bad cat.  She got a paw-dicure first thing yesterday afternoon that's for sure!  Then I had the grand idea to tackle my closet--yep I sure did!  It had taken on DISASTER LEVELS for sure.  I have my own walk in closet and basically you could not walk in anymore, LOL--it was HORRIBLE & a terrible mess.  But I knew it was a huge job and I just haven't had time lately to invest that time into it.  Well I had enough yesterday and yes it took me 7 hours to fully organize, clean and re-fold/hang everything but it is BEAUTIFUL NOW!  I love organization but when your time is limited it is very easy for things to get out of control.  Now to tackle my craftroom (ugh)---anyone want to come help me?  I have bins of stuff I need to get rid of that's for sure---its another whole day kinda job!  And it ain't happening this week, LOL--no way jose`! Maybe next week though, hee hee--it's driving me nutso!

**CMC Classroom Birthday Challenges are still on-going if you want to join in--just head over to the Classroom and click on the Birthday Events tab and scroll thru!


**I'm still trying to break the $1000 mark on the CMC Donation Page to World Vision which benefits the Japanese Earthquake/Tsunami Relief Fund.  For every $3 you donate you will be entered to win a Brand Spankin' New 2011 Ltd Edition Cricut Expression & a $50 Gift Cert. to Oozak.com.  Or you can just donate anonymously!  All funds go to a great cause!  You can DONATE or find out more HERE!

**Also if you haven't entered for my yummy Spring Blog Candy yet--you can still do so, just page down to yesterday's post to enter! **

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Springtime Silhouettes--Snazzy Style!

Today the Gina K DT has another fun blog hop for you featuring the Stamp TV set "Springtime Silhouettes"!  I think this set is beyond fantastic---so many beautiful images & sentiments for many different uses!  When you buy this fabulous set NOT only do you get the stamp set but 24 sheets of luxury cardstock, brads, ribbon and exclusive pattern papers!  Fantastic deal and think of all the cards and projects you could make with those supplies and these stamps!  I love them and I decided to do a snazzy fashion styled card that would be perfect for a stylish friend!

I used some silvery cardstock and embossed it with a CB emboss. folder and then used some b&w scrap papers (Anna Griffin I believe) to dress it up a bit.  The image is matted with Spellbinders Oval and Scalloped Oval nestabilities.  I added a bow made with reversible May Arts ribbon & my Bow Easy, and then some small pearls to the fun sentiment.

I stamped the main image in black ink and then added some silver stickles to parts of the dress-form for extra sparkle.  These fabulous shoes were embossed in silver and then I added spots of black with my black Spica pen just for some more interest (hmmmmmm maybe I need to add these shoes to my closet too, hee hee---I have A LOT of shoes, shhhhhh don't tell hubby, lol)!

Ok, so now you need to hop around the DT blogs today to see what they made with this fantastic set!

• Gina K
• AJ Otto
• Carolina Buchting
• Cathy Tidwell
• Deb Felts
• Donna Baker
• Emily Giovanni
• Giovana Smith
• Janice Whiting
• Jennie Harper
• Lee Murphy
• Melanie Muenchinger
• Michelle Woerner
• Nina Brackett
• Sharon Harnist
• Suzanne Dean (that's me, thanks 4 stopping by!)
• Tami Mayberry
• Theresa Momber
• Tina Gilliland
• Valerie Stangle
• Vicki Dutcher

Slow as a Snail!? Naw!

Happy March 22nd Friends!  Wow--the first day of Spring here yesterday was F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C!!  In the mid 70's and sunny---I walked the doggies down to the creek and spent some time on the patio.  Boy if every day was like today I might NEVER get any work done, hee hee.  Now let's hope that the snow & cold bitter weather we had all winter are long gone.  And to those in the NE who got snow yesterday--I'm crying for you cuz' I know you are sick of it too---here's hoping Spring comes soon for ya!  Yesterday marked the last day of the CMC Classroom's Birthday Week---boy it sure was fun and thank you to everyone who stopped by with comments, jokes, and joined in on the challenges!

**I'm still trying to break the $1000 mark on the CMC Donation Page to World Vision which benefits the Japanese Earthquake/Tsunami Relief Fund.  For every $3 you donate you will be entered to win a Brand Spankin' New 2011 Ltd Edition Cricut Expression & a $50 Gift Cert. to Oozak.com.  Or you can just donate anonymously!  All funds go to a great cause!  You can DONATE or find out more HERE!

**Also if you haven't entered for my yummy Spring Blog Candy yet--you can still do so, just page down to yesterday's post to enter! **

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Cute As A Bug---Gina K Blog Hop!!

Today the Gina K DT is having a fun Blog Hop featuring some of the new sets released last Thursday including this fabulous one called "Cute As a Bug".  This set is illustrated by Rupa Shevde and is so cute--great images and sentiments for many occasions!  Make sure to hop around to everyone's blogs listed at the end of this post!

I chose the snail image to use this time cuz I think it's sooooo cute!  And I used these new yummy papers by SEI's "Couture" paper pad---I love the pairing of lilacs and aquas, so fresh & springy!  The aqua die mat behind my image is Spellbinders Labels 16 that I ran thru my "swiss dots" CB folder.  Then to make the dots stand out I ran some lavender ink over it :)  The flowers are all by Prima and the leaves are a Marianne Designs die.

Come on repeat after me---"awwwwwwwwww"!  LOL!  I colored with Copics V15,V12,V000/G12,G000/YG67,YG03,G20 and then coated the shell with Stardust Stickles for some sparkle.  I also coated the leaf die cut-outs with stickles too---I love me some sparkle! 

Now make sure and hop around to the other DT blogs today to see their awesome projects--you won't want to miss them!  Enjoy!

• Gina K  
• Nina Brackett
• Sharon Harnist
• ME (thanks 4 stoppin' by)
• Tami Mayberry
• Tina Gilliland  
• Theresa Momber
• Vicki Dutcher
• AJ Otto
• Carolina Buchting
• Cathy Tidwell
• Colleen Schaan
• Deb Felts
• Donna Baker
• Emily Giovanni
• Giovana Smith
• Janice Whiting
• Jennie Harper
• Lee Murphy
• Melanie Muenchinger
• Michelle Woerner

Spring Bliss!

Hellooooooooo Friends & Happy Monday to ya'll!  How was your weekend?  Mine was fabulous--the weather was just beautiful here in VA.  Friday it was 80 degrees---yeah 80 in March--whooohooooo! But blue skies & sun all weekend which made Suzanne a very HAPPY GIRL! LOL!  My mom was visiting and we grilled out, did some shopping (just a lil' hee hee) and had movie night.  So it was really nice and I enjoyed every minute of family time that we had.  This week I'm crazy busy with work projects and kid activities---Alexa starts back up in gymnastics and Riley is doing Football Spring Training.  I swear that boy grows 2 inches every night--he has outgrown his NEW jeans again, arghhhh!  I cannot KEEP UP, LOL!  I don't know but I think he might be heading for 6'5---he's already 5'11 and still growing and wearing a size 13 shoe.  Do you know how MUCH size 13 tennis shoes cost for a teen boy that busts them up every 2 months? A LOT! LOL!  Coupled with his new jeans every couple of months and a sky-high grocery bill and I might go BROKE I SWEAR--thank goodness I only have 1 boy, hee hee!  I really have NEVER seen a person sit and drink a whole gallon of milk at dinner and eat his whole plate of food and still be hungry--its like dumping food into an empty barrel every day ;)  CRAZY!  My "baby" has grown that's for sure!

Tonight we are having a fun CHAT on the Color Me Creative Classroom to wrap up the birthday festivities that we had this past week.  The chat is on the main page and EVERYONE is welcome to stop by at 7:15 pm EST!  I sure hope you all that participated had as much fun as I did--it was so great to see you all participate in the challenges & chat on the site.  I love ya all and so appreciate your friendship & support!  Remember some of the challenges are still on-going so you still have a chance to win.  And you can still DONATE HERE (every $3 donated gets you 1 entry) to be entered for the Grand Prize of a NEW 2011 Ltd Edition Cricut Expression and a $50 Gift Certificate to Oozak.com!

NewsBitz:

-NEW Prisma Pencil Class 1 is up and premiering at the CMC Classroom!  My pal Marti Wills is the instructor and she has done a fabulous, detailed job on this class.  You will find a full class description at the classroom HERE (hover mouse over Class Description/Pricing tab to see class)--it includes video instruction & printables along with weekly chats.  So if you are wanting to delve into coloring or improving your coloring with colored pencils, this is the class for you!

-My upcoming locations for Copic Classes are Phoenix, Connecticut, Michigan & South Carolina.  Soon to be announced are North Carolina, Vegas, San Jose (CA), and Canada (Toronto).  All details on classes & registration are at www.cmcroad.com !  I'd love to meet ya!

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Magnolia-licious Blog Hop--- Spring Bliss!

Today we have an exciting Blog Hop for you---BOTH the Magnolia-licious DT and the Challenge DT are putting on a fun hop for you featuring all Spring/Easter Projects.  Right now there is a FANTASTIC Easter/Spring Extravaganza Contest that Magnolia-licous is having and you can find all the details on the Magnolia-licious Highlites Blog HERE---winners could win up to $150 in gift certificates!  There are 3 separate categories that you can choose from to do (or do all 3 if you'd like)---each of the DT members has chosen a category (or 2) to do for their projects today to get you inspired so you can go and get crafty & enter in the contest 'kay?!  LOL!

You can find a full list of the DT gals who are doing the hop today at the Magnolia-licious Highlites Blog as well in case you get lost CUZ I'M THE LAST STOP on the Hop today. 

***After reading thru my post (for some sweet candy too) you need to start from the

BEGINNING OF THE HOP you need to go to Angie Hunt's Blog Here! ***

I chose to do 2 of the categories cuz' I couldn't stop at just 1, LOL!  These new "Butterfly Dreams" Collection stamps from Magnolia-licious are too delish and cute to stop at just one KWIM! I adore this whole line--maybe the cutest line evah!  I created a gift/candy box and a matching card for my projects---the white pail in the top picture is from Target & stuffed with candy & stuffed bunny (its for my neice).  I used "#363 Tilda & Her Bunny" and "#560 Wheelbarrow" for both of my projects.  The sentiment is an older Hero Arts stamp set that I adore & use often.  Those fabulous papers are new by Memory Box "Minuet" and I'm soooooooooo loving them, such soft pretty patterns & colors.

This fabulous gift/candy box is a template from My Time Made Easy Templates called "Creative Card Candy".  I love Lauren's templates--you can buy them in cut (svg & other) files or pdf files.  Since I don't use my Cricut (shhhhh---its shameful I know, LMBO) I always get them in pdf and just print them out & cut since I don't mind cutting so much.  There are tons of fun ones to choose from, easy to put together and make great gifts!  This one could hold candy like I filled mine with or other small treats and gifts.  I decorated the cover with that cute "Tilda and her Bunny", pretty papers and the swirls are Marianne Designs dies that I looooove!  And yep, the project is held together with fabulous Scor-Tape--I love that stuff--the best!  I used a MS border punch to create the paper lace around the center of the box and the ribbon is by SU. (SU if you are listening please bring back Soft Sky cs--I need more, lol)

Isn't "Tilda and her Bunny" adorable--omgoodness I just love her!  She's colored with Copics: B04,B02,B000/YG25,YG03,YG000/YR24,YR23,YR21,YR20/E11,E00,R20/C3,C1,C00/E29,E25,E31,E50.  I gave her bow and shirt some pale blue polka dots with my Spica Pen in Sky Blue.  The bunny's tail got some Doodlebug Flock (25% off) on it for fuzziness fun!  Her bow also got some Stickles for sparkle.

For the card I used that fabulous new spring "Wheelbarrow"--I love, love tulips and this image is just fabulous on its own OR paired with a cute Tilda or Edwin.  I used the same colors and papers as the candy box on this card.  The white cs on both projects was embossed with a new larger (5x7") CB folder called "polka-dots".  I added a bow made with the Bow Easy & topped it with a Prima Pearl Center and added some pearls to the left side of the card as well.

For the main image I used Stickles on the bases of the tulips and on the swirls.  Then I used Viva Decor Pearl Pen (ice white) to create pearls on the dots for more texture.  Isn't this a gorgeous image?  I just love it and it's perfect on its own for so many occasions.

**Spring Candy---Want to win 3 of these NEW Magnolia Butterfly Dreams Stamps (your choice) and  a $10 Gift Certificate to My Time Made Easy Templates?  

Just tell me "What is your favorite Magnolia stamp EVER?"  

by Friday, March 25th on this post only!

Since I'm the last stop on the hop, make sure to visit Angie's Blog Here to start from the beginning.  And head over to the Magnolia-licious Highlites Blog to learn how you can enter into the Magnolia-licious Spring/Easter Extravaganza Contest!!  You won't want to miss out on it!

Chattin' Retro Style!!

Big Hello's to You All this fabulous Saturday in March!  Hope your weekend is off to a swell start!  My mom is in town visiting and we had an GORGEOUS day of weather in VA yesterday.  It was high 70's with a light breeze and sunny blue skies--my kind of weather.  We have all the windows open and it's so nice to get the house aired out after a long, brutal winter!  We spent most of the day and evening outside on our patio.  We grilled out and then had dessert in front of our outdoor fireplace. We're hoping to get lots of enjoyment out there this year and on Sunday we are going to pick out a few trees and shrubs for the landscaping around the patio.  I can't wait to get my hands in the dirt and plant our garden and fill all of our outdoor pots with beautiful flowers---I just love the greens and pretty colors that spring brings.  Totally energizes me and makes me so HAPPY!  Today we are going shoe shopping (hee hee) and then out to lunch as a treat and maybe have a movie night as well.  So I hope you all are enjoying some awesome family time as well!  I'll see you back here on Monday with a fun Magnolia-licious Blog Hop!

NewsBlitz:

-The Birthday Celebrations are STILL ongoing thru the 21st at the CMC Classroom!  Everyone is welcome to come and join in on all the fun.  There are lots of challenges and FANTASTIC PRIZES including a grand prize that you won't want to miss AND a way to donate for Japan Relief thru World Vision.  So stop by HERE to check it all out!

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Chattin Retro Style!

If you missed out seeing the new Retro Style stamps from Victoria Case for SCACD, then you are MISSING out, LOL!  These images are so much fun & just make ya smile :)  I did a Mrs. Cleaver project HERE using another one of these cuties!  This image is called "Call Me"--I love her style and fun phone.  Do you remember using those phones? I sure do and I remember trying to stretch the cord as FAR AWAY from my family and into the bedroom as I could until I finally got my own phone when I was 13, lol---ahh the memories.  Nowadays kids wouldn't know what to do with a phone like this, hee hee!

I picked my fun color scheme from these awesome new BoBunny papers called "Ad Lib" which seem to be made just for this image!  I love the retro style and colors of these papers and I totally played off of those.  I cut rings using my different shaped Spellbinders Circle Dies and scattered them around---I always think rings/circles are very retro.  I added a bow with a button topper and the lil' fun sentiment is from an older Hannah Stamps set--so perfect!

And yep this cutie is colored with Copics: BG45,BG43,BG10/YR18,YR15,YR12,YR00/Y06,Y02,Y00/E11,E00/E25,E50,E31.  I added stardust Stickles to her top, bow and shoes for bling and some Smooch Ink to the phone for some metallic shine on the dialer.

Hope this card brightened up your day and I'll see you back here on Monday!  Enjoy your weekend!

Beeeee Happy!

Hello and Happy TGIFriday---yay its the weekend!  I love weekends don't you?  LOL!  My mom is coming in today to stay for the weekend which will be nice.  It's been at least 5 months since she's been able to visit and we are supposed to have beautiful weather.  I hope to grill out tomorrow night and enjoy the outside fireplace & patio a bit.  And Happy-Belated St. Patty's Day to you all too---my Irish grandma is dancing a jig somewhere up in heaven still.  She always sent me a card this time of year and she was Irish thru & thru.  I sure wish she hadn't passed away so soon (I was 11 when she died) as I would love to chat more with her about our family & her life.  My other grandma will be 90 this summer and I think sometimes she can STILL run circles around me---so if you think I'm the energizer bunny than you know where it comes from LOL!  I will be up visiting her again this summer for a bit and teaching in Canada again too.  Everytime I visit my grandma I learn more stuff about my family--its FANTASTIC, you never know what you may find out, LOL.  And she LOVES to feed me---omgosh, she wants to feed me a trucker's worth of food at every meal and I don't eat very much at all.  It's so funny--she says "I'm going to tell your mom you aren't eating", bwahahaha---I'm like "grandma, I'm 36 years old, mom doesn't care!"!  LOL---gotta love grandmas---they are the BEST!  So if you are lucky to still have a grandma--send her some love & hugs today!

NewsBitz:

-The CMC Classroom is still having its 1 Year Birthday Celebration thru March 21st so make sure to stop by to see the fun contests, challenges & AWESOME prizes!  Everyone is welcome to the site and in the challenges!

-I will be in Phoenix, AZ on April 2 & 3 teaching Copic classes if you are interested in coming---go to www.cmcroad.com for the info and other upcoming locations (CT, MI, SC)!!

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Beeee Happy!

Today I get to share with you a new Gina K Release called "Cute as a Bug" (illustrated by Rupa Shevde).  Last night was the hoppin' Release Party and these new sets will NOT disappoint--each one unique and fabulous to use.  I love the sweet bugs and sentiments in this set---too cute!  You can see the new videos by Gina on how to get the most out of these sets HERE at StampTV!

I decided to go with grays and yellows instead of the usual black---a little softer and elegant me thinks.  I embossed the gray cs with a CB emboss. folder.  The yellow dp is from Gina K StampTV set--love the marbelized pattern.  (the black & white dp is a scrap and then I took my yellow copic and added yellow to it).  The matting behind the bee is a Spellbinders die called "Lacey Circles" and then the yellow is just a small SB circle die.  I used my Bow Easy for the bow and then dropped a little metal bee charm from it for fun.

I colored the bee with Copics:  C7,C5,C3,C1/Y06,Y04,Y00,Y000).  Then I stamped the bee again and colored just the wings and added them on top with dimensionals so they pop up---and added Stickles (stardust) for sparkle.  Isn't he the cutest lil' honey bee?  Awwwww---just no stinging, LOL!

Alright, make sure to stop by Gina K's store HERE to see the new releases!  And I'll see you back here tomorrow with a new SCACD project too!