New Nestabilities

So, as I mentioned on Wednesday, I got new Nestabilities from my In-Laws. Woo-Hoo! The cards I have to share for the next few posts will most likely have scalloped edges with some embossing! Those things are so amazing though, really! I was telling hubby how I'd like to have the circle and square set too. We'll see! By the way, we are going to look at a house tomorrow. First one ever. I am nervous and excited all at the same time. We all would love a place of our own but I just get scared to death of being in debt like that. It's bad enough that we are still paying on Joe's school and will be for a long while still. But, at least when we pay monthly it would actually be going towards something if we got a house. Anyway, if it's meant to be right now then it's meant to be!

Well, onto the cards. I made this one in the Perfect Plum and liked it to much that I wanted to do it in different colors. In the end the Brocade Blue ended up being my favorite.

• STAMPS- Blossoms Abound (SU), Paper Tray (Paper Trey Ink)
• PAPER- Perfect Plum, Brocade Blue, Positively Pink (yes, I still have this color!)
• INK- Perfect Plum, Brocade Blue, Positively Pink, Stazon Jet Black
• OTHER- Nestabilities rectangle and scalloped rectangle dies, Cuttlebug embossing folder, Pearl Ex

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope everyone has a good weekend! It's like 20 degrees out right now but I hear it's supposed to be 50 next week. Let's see how that goes!

Pirates, bears, and sweets, Oh my!

I definitely have a mix of cards for you guys today but first I want to say that I am so looking forward to Grey's Anatomy tonight!! I was on vacay last week with the season premier so I had to watch it online yesterday (the first chance I have had this week!) and I was pretty impressed! I cannot wait to see what happens with Izzy and George! One part of me hates their relationship because he is married but the other part of me wants him to drop Callie and be with Izzy. How many of you feel the same way?

Alright, I'll get to the cards now. My first one is an invite for my niece's 4th birthday party. They are going to Build a Bear but after that they will go to my sisters house and dig up burried treasure by following a map. I think they will have lots of fun! My sister is going to give out pirate attire as part of the goody bags.

I paper pieced the bottom of the boat and the brown flag. I also paper pieced the sail but popped it up. I tore the paper for the waves, chalked it to darken it a bit, and added stickles. I also added hair to the pirates on the invites that were going to girls.

• Ahoy Matey (SU) stamp sets
• Bashful Blue, Creamy Caramel, white CS
• Copic markers (except for the pants)
• stickles
• pop dots
  

The next one is for the same sisters birthday. It is the first time I have gotten to use my Tier of Treats stamp. I just love that stamp! I also got to try out flocking for the first time. They had 2 pack for 1.99 at Hobby Lobby plus 40% off so you know I couldn't pass it up! I got 4 different colors, light green, pink, white, and blue. There wasn't a yellow in sight (obviously not a Christmas color) otherwise I would have snatched that up too! They did have pack of red and green though so I'll probably get that next time I am in. Anyway! I flocked all of the pink, white, and green on this card. You can't really tell but it looks (and feels) really cute in person!

• Tier of Treats (Stampendous), 1/8 inch snap (Karen Foster) stamps
• MME and SEI patterned paper
• black, white CS
• Stazon jet black ink
• Copic and ZIG markers (can YOU tell the difference?)
• glue pen
• ric rac
• pop dots

The next two are for my design team for Starving Artistamps. These stamps seem to make my creativity flow so easily! Although I have noticed that I seem to do a lot of cards that focus on the left side. If you take a took at all of the creations I posted today you will see what I am saying! I guess it's just a 'classic' way to layout a card. I am going to challege myself though that for the next 5 cards I make I won't do one that looks so similar to these in layout. I don't think it will be too hard. At least I hope not. {wink}

I ran a piece of Bashful Blue through my Sizzix with the snowflake Cuttlebug die and then I dragged my Versamagic Cloud White ink pad over the top to highlight the snowflakes just a little bit. I highlighted the bear with my gray Copic marker **If you never get any other Copic marker, invest in the gray one! You will not be dissapointed!!!!** and added some flocking to hs hair, ears, and the hair on his legs. Once I was done with that I colored under him with my blue C. (Copic) marker and added stickles and a black line.

• Polar Bear KSAI-317 (Starving Artistamps) stamp
• Bashful Blue, white, black CS
• Satzon jet black, Versamagic cloud white chalk inks
• Cuttlebug snowflakes embossing folder
• Copic Markers
• glue pen & white flocking
• black pen
• stickles
• ribbon

This one highlights the fall/winter scene from the set of two from SA. I wanted to make the colors very muted so after I colored them with my Prismacolors and OMS I sponged Chocolate Chip over the whole piece. I also used the new Mellow paper from BasicGrey. Now that is a sick obession of mine! BG paper! But that's a whole other story! **sidenote: When I just typed 'whole other' I wanted to type 'whole nother'. LOL That's how I say it out loud.....whole nother.**

• Tree Duo KSAI-208 (Starving Artistamps) stamp
• BasicGrey Mellow DP
• Chocolate Chip ink
• Prismacolors and OMS
• brads
• push pin

I also decided to start labeling my posts. I think I am going to try and go back and label most of my previous posts from this year too. I never even noticed it in the beginning and then when I did notice it I didn't think it was that big of a deal. Now, after browsing through blogs that have easy ways to get to the cards you wanna see, I definitely think it's important. So, keep an eye out for it!

Gotta go! Have a great TV night Grey's fans!!

Great news and I'm still Dirty!!!!

So, first of all I want to share my super awesome news that I made the design team I was trying out for! The company is smART works rubber stamps. I should be getting started next week and I am so excited!! Thanks Susan for this great opportunity!!

I also finished some more challenges from the Splitcoast Dirty Dare. This one was JanTInk's challenge for no dark colors. I think I was walking the line by using Mellow Moss but it's still a light color in my opinion! I used the Stardust glaze pen one the edge of the Pale Plum and Barely Banana and also on some of the pattern on the Paisley and over 'thoughts of you' too. As soon as I drew it on I used my finger to blend it in.

• Mellow Moss, Barely Banana, Pale Plum CS
• Deco Designs (TAC), Paisley BG (Cornish Heritage Farms), Thoughts of you (Michael's $1 bin) stamp sets
• Versamark and Stazon jet black inks
• Sakura Stardust glaze pen
• deco edge scissors
• ribbon

This one I made for JulieHRR's challenge. I knew she would come through for me with a no layer card!! Woo-Hoo!

• Fabriano watercolor paper
• Falling Down (TAC), Simply Said (SU) stamp sets
• Sahara Sand, Old Olive, Close to Cocoa, Bashful Blue re-inkers
• aqua painter

Cambria prompted this next card with an all pink challenge along with BadSherry's Monet challenge which included the cracked glass technique along with the wet watercolor technique. It's hard to see the cracked glass part, but it's there! I stamped the flowers in Pretty in Pink and the took one of my ZIG markers and outlined it. I added a bit of glitter before I embossed and punched it out with my Mega scalloped punch.

• Rose Red CS
• Bo Bunny (Candy Dots) DP
• Happy Harmony (SU) stamp set
• Marvy Mega scalloped circle punch
• clear embossing powder

Okay, now I am a fan of BadSherry because well, sometimes she is BAD! And with this challenge she asked us all to be bad! Man was that fun! I still have several other cards floating around in my head but haven't had all of the right stuff to make then, so for now they will just stay there!

• Gable Green, black, and white CS
• rhino (unknown), On the Spot wheel (SU), Karen Foster 1/8 inch snap stamps
• Stazon jet black ink
• Marvy Mega scalloped punch
• push pin

Okay, last but not least JeanneS's paper piecing challenge (which also works for Julie's no layer card too!). This is very similar to a card I made before with the Diva Dresses set from TAC. This time there is no pop dots, no watercoloring, and instead of the sentiment being 'Hello beautiful girl' it says 'My beautiful girl' which would make it great to send to a daughter ir younger girl that is special to you. Hopefully I ccan get my MIL to sell it where she works!

• Diva Dresses (TAC), Word Play (TAC) stamp sets
• Stazon jet back ink
• rhinestones
• push pin

*****

So before I go I need to ask you guys what kind of 'cookie' you think my card making style is. I was thinking something plain like sugar cookie or peanut butter but then maybe something cool on the inside like a snickers bar or something. What kind of cookie do you think I am? And if any of you say "something with nuts of course" then so help me!!!!!! {wink}

Go ahead, stone me!

I know! I deserve a good old fashioned stoning for being away so long! But to me, my stupid computer was a blessing in disguise. My regular computer has been on the fritz lately and it apparently still is. Every time I turn it on, the tower beeps telling me that my computer is getting too hot and I need to shut it down. The only way I can upload photos anywhere is on that computer. Right now I am typing all of the info on Joe's laptop so all I need to do on the other 'wacky' computer is crop and paste the photos. But even though I was making cards the whole time I was 'gone', I got extra time with my family that was much needed. I've been pretty busy lately and the girls were feeling a little deprived of attention. So, with my sincerest appologies and a promise to never leave you hanging like that again, could you ever forgive me? Please?! Oh, I know you have to love me! {wink}

That being said, I'll share my favorite one first. I think this is the second time I have used this set and have had it over 2 years. Hey, before I get a lecture it was a hostess set! I really like the set, just never seem to pull it out. I also used the polka dotted center from the Paper Tray set. I love that little stamp!!

• The Earth Laughs (TAC), Paper Tray(PaperTreyInk), Happy Everything (SU), Enjoy ( Studio G)
• kraft CS
• ColorBox Olive Pastel chalk ink, Stazon jet black ink
• push pins
  

This one uses the Blossoms Abound set from SU that I fell in love with but have no idea how to use it! So, I made a smaller card so it would look like it fit better. I also added a few spots of the Stardust glaze pen and then rubbed it around with my finger before it dried so it sparkled up the whole flower.

• Bossoms Abound (SU), In my Thoughts (Studio G) stamp sets
• kraft CS
• ColorBox Olive Pastel and Rouge chalk ink, Stazon jet black ink
• Startdust glaze pen
• ribbon
  

I wanted to do a quick and simple card with this one. Mission accomplished, I just don't know if I like it that much. I used the Paper Tray set but instead of using the flower I used the Cuttlebug flower die.

• Paper Tray (PaperTreyInk), Thank You (Studio G) stamp sets
• Cuttlebug flowers dies
• Versamagic Aloe Vera chalk ink, ColorBox Yellow Citrus and Lavender chalk ink
• ribbon

This one is an anniversary card. I am just loving that paper by . I used my Marvy super jumbo to punch out the couple sitting at the table. I also stamped the hearts twice onto the BasicGrey paper and cut them out and popped up one of them.

• Hearts (Studio G) stamp set
• Hot off the Press polkda dot DP, Colorbok 'Little People' DP, BasicGrey Lilly Kate DP
• Stazon jet black ink
• Marvy super jumbo and mega scalloped punches
• stickles
• push pin, ribbon, pop dots

This is a card using a stamp from smART works, which is the design team I am trying out for. This is one of the ones I made but decided not to send. I got this ribbon at Walmart and I love it!

• Friends Trio (smARTworks) stamp set
• Versamagic Sea Breeze chalk ink
• Close to Cocoa, Positively Pink CS
• SU Slit punch
• Cropadile
• corner rounder
• ribbon

My sister is turning 42 this week and she has a great sense of humor so I made her a card from a unmounted rubber stamp swap I was in. The stamp says 'Born in the USA, a looong time ago." But, I already had that to send out and forgot to take a picture. I also made her another card that was normal and flowery but forgot to get a picture of that one too. Go figure. However, I did get a picture of this one. This one is made with a stamp that I got in the swap too. I don't know who makes it though. I used the Karen Foster snap stamps for the outside sentiment that says "You're only as young as you feel" and the inside reads "Happy 16th birthday" She really is so young at heart! I love her!

• Marilyn Monroe frog (unknown) stamp
• Karen Foster 1/8 inch snap stamps
• Stazon jet black ink
• Copic markers
• Stardust glaze pen
• blue Souffle pen

Okay, now that I am all caught up here I am going to go do some of the Dirty Dozen challenges on Splitcoast and catch up on all of the blogs I have missed for the past 2 weeks!

By the way! I have a new niece Chloe! Momma and baby are healthy and happy! Gives me baby fever!

Christmas already?

No, I don't mean I fell into lots of money and I get to spend it like it's Christmas. {sigh} I mean I have a few Christmas cards!

I know I have been MIA for about a week but things have been super busy (in a good way) around here. On Saturday I went to my cousin Tiffany's house and made Christmas cards with her and Amy. I also met to super cool friends of Tiff's, Jenny and Heather (Hi Heather!!). We had such a great time! I got a lot of inspiration but in true Heidi style I only got 2 cards done in 5 1/2 hours! Well, a girls gotta talk right? So, here are the two cards that I did make!

On this first one I used the Tsukineko Essential Glue Pad with ultrafine iridescent glitter and I found it hard to use at first because you can't see where you stamped. I was stamping snowflakes across the paper but I had to do one at a time because I couldn't see the imaged I had just done with the glue pad. I also wanted to say that by the time I got it home and pulled it out to show hubby, 90% of the glitter was off of it. I didn't have it seriously rubbing up against anything, just another card sitting on top. I dunno, maybe it was just me but it convinced me NOT to purchase this product. Might want to try someone else's before you take that plunge.

• white CS
• Happy Everything (SU), Snowflakes (TAC) stamp sets
• Versamagic Sea Breeze, ColorBox Chalk Warm Red inks
• snowflake punch
• edge distresser
• rhinestone, stickles, pop dot

This one is done with one of my favorite Christmas/winter sets! These snowmen are just the cutest! Card is 4 1/4 x 4 1/4.

• Certainly Celery, Tempting Turquoise, white CS
• Snowman Smiles (TAC), Snowflakes (TAC), Karen Foster 1/8" snap stamps
• Stazon Jet Black
• Marvy Giga and Mega scalloped squares
• Word Window punch
• Prismacolors and Odorless Mineral spirits
• ribbon, pop dots, push pin

This next one I did a little here and a little there all weekend. I stamped the Javabellas onto watercolor paper while I was at Tiffany's (thanks Tiff!) so I could bring it home to use!

• Javabellas (Stamping Bella), Friend (Studio G $1 set)
• KI Memories patterned paper
• Pumpkin Pie CS
• Re-inkers (several) and aquapainter
• Stazon Jet Black ink
• Cropadile and eyelets
• scalloped edge scissors
• McGill tag punch, SU slit punch
• ribbon, jump ring, pop dots

And last but not least this is one I did quickly this afternoon for hubby. I love him lots and sometimes I just like to make him a card to remind him how much I do.

• white CS
• Barbeque (Scraptrends 'Summer Party'), Karen Foster 1/8" snap stamps
• Stazon Jet Black ink
• Prismacolors (scarlet lake) and OMS

Hope he likes it! {wink}

*****
I had a cookout with my family on Sunday and while we were there I brought back two of my nieces to stay so they could play with all of my stamping stuff. They were here until yesterday till around 4pm so I have been pretty busy doing fun things with them. I HAVE to share a few photos of my nieces that I took while they were here though. Wow, they are such good subjects and so photogenic! Thanks Hannah and Ivy!

This is Ivy (13). I took her pic by our front tree with the sun going down. The pic was pretty good but I added a vingette and did an Urban Acid action on it in Photoshop. I think the look is so 'teen'!


This is Hannah (12). I also did an action in Photoshop with hers. This action is called Midnight Sepia. Love it!


So, sorry for the long post! I will be back tomorrow. And by the way, consider my tip on the glue pad our 'Product Talk'! I know, I know, I'm such a wienie!

True Talent Tuesday-delayed

Good morning all! Unfortunately there will be no True Talent Tuesday today. The person I contacted about this did not get back to me and being the goof I am, I didn't have a back up!! So, next week expect a FANTASTIC paper crafter!!!

I completely forgot to share yesterday that I got a new lens for my camera!!! I absolutely love it!!!!! It's a Canon 50mm f/1.8. Pretty much it's a portrait lens. The f stop is low so you can get more of a blurry background so the focus goes more to your subject. Here are a pic taken with it.

This was a toad that Jolee caught and carried around for a while. I swear she is such a tomboy, and I love it! She has caught a toad 3 days in a row now.

This card is one I made Kraftin' Kimmie's Korner but I completely forgot to upload it yesterday. They were 'due' last night at midnight. The challenge was to use pastels and black. I like how this turned out and it's nice to have a card with no sentiment on the front so I can use it for whatever I need at the moment.

• Happy Harmony stamp set
• Cuttlebug Swirls EF
• Bashful Blue, Black CS
• Marvy mega scalloped circle punch
• Marvy Super Jumbo circle punch
• eyelets (and Cropadile)
• ribbon, ZIG markers, pop dots

Well, I need to get busy on some SCS challenges and Amy's Sunday Sketch! I'm fallin' behind!!! Be back later!

Lots to share!

Wow! What a busy weekend! It seems like I have been here there and everywhere (including JoAnn's) {wink}! Thursday afternoon I went to visit Joe's aunt (my other mom!) because she and hubby got a new house. She used to live right next door to me but now she lives next door to her daughter Amy (my other sister!) about 40 minutes away from me. The move was bittersweet because I loved having her next door but I am so happy she can be right next to her daughter and grandkids!!!! And don't worry, she's one of those moms that you wouldn't mind living next door to!
After I visited a little Joe's cousin Tiffany and I went off to JoAnn's to shop a little. She had never been in a Super JoAnn's before! Well, poor girl I cured her of that! I'm sure I'll be getting a letter of complaint for her husband!!!! Uh Oh! We then took the kids to McDonald's and they had a great time! If I could only bottle all of those giggles!!!

Saturday morning was the community yard sales where my MIL lives. Bought not one thing for myself but I ended up getting Jolee about 39 pieces of clothes (mostly GAP and Children's Place) for $25! After that I had $5 left and ended up getting them each a little folding camp chair for when we go fishing. Man I love yard sales!!!! I also had a birthday party to go to and ended up staying there for about 2 1/2 hours. After that I was super tired! I came home and slept a little till Joe got home.

Sunday totally threw me off. Joe worked this weekend (the first in a while) so I kept feeling like it was Monday. It was a really good card day though! Got 5 done! And they are all in their envelopes with stamps ready to go to my mailbox! Now that is an accomplishment! To actually get them sent out on time! One of them really a week late though but we won't count that one! {wink}

So here they are!! All 5! I have to say I really like this batch!

The first one is for my sister. She swears she will never find another man (she's divorced) so I had to make her a card to remind her why doesn't doesn't need one! {giggle} The color of the paper is off a bit in this pic. It's really more of a light sage-y green.

• Colorbok patterned paper
• Close to Cocoa CS
• Marvy Giga and Mega scalloped circle punches
• Cosmobella stamp (Stamping Bella), Men's faults stamp (RiverCityRubberWorks)
• sewing machine
• aquapainter
• Copic gray marker (for shadows)
• eyelets, pop dots, ribbon

This next one is for a blogging friend who shall remain nameless so they don't know this card is coming to them. I think kraft is my new obsession. I just love how clean it looks!

• BasicGrey Lilly Kate paper
• kraft CS
• Cuttlebug flowers die
• Paper Studio big brad (LOVE these!)
• For my Friend stamp (Studio G)

This card is the one that is a week late! Shame on me too! It's for my niece. I picked up this paper at JoAnn's when I was there the other day. I LOVE it! Especially these two together. I glued a piece of the polka dot paper onto a coaster I snuck from Outback, ran it through my Sizzix and viola! Super easy accent!

• Flower paper (Sandyloin), polka dot paper (Hot off the Press)
• Paper Tray stamp set (PaperTreyInk)
• Cuttlebug flowers die
• Chipboard frame (painted with black acrylic paint)
• eyelets
• ribbon, stickles

This is for a relative of a blogger friend who is ill. Just wanted to send well wishes to her. I did Lisa's card challenge on this one again. I just love this layout. So quick and easy to put together! And just for the record this card looks better IRL!

• Happy Harmony (SU), Thoughts of You (Michael's $1 bin)
• Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip CS
• Mega scalloped circle punch
• ZIG markers
• sheer ribbon
• corner rounder
• pop dots

This is my favorite of them all. I found this cool paper at JoAnn's too. It's by Colorbok and it's called "Little People". It has a bunch of different little cute scenes all over it. I decided to punch out the people with the umbrellas. My sis's hubby just got laid off and she is stressing right now. Been there! Done that! Just wanted her to know I was thinking of her. I used my sewing machine to make the holes. And I swear I could not live without my snap stamps!
*outside reads "sometimes when it rains"
*inside reads "it pours"

• BasicGrey Lilly Kate paper, Colorbok "Little People" paper
• kraft, red CS
• Karen Foster 1/8 inch snap stamps
• Mega scalloped circle punch
• Super Jumbo circle punch (finally invested, Wow! Love it!)
• Sewing machine
• pop dots

Whew! I think I'm done now! I am going to make blog candy post today! So check for it!!!! Thanks for stopping by!

My new favorite card!

Hope everyone had a great weekend! We did! Saturday we went and swam in my MIL's pool. It's just one of the bigger ones that you take down every year. Now, if Joe has 'that look' on his face when he gets into it, you know, the 'this is colder than a well diggers butt' look, I don't get in. I personally don't like swimming in cold water, but that's just me. Ava and Jolee got in and were having a great time but when I put Clinton in with Joe he started screaming. Wha? Screaming? Could he possibly be like mommy and not want to stand in ice water??? So, he and I ended up playing around on the patio instead. I'll share a few pics later on but for now I want to show you THIS.....


I think this is my new favorite card. I just love the crispness of it! But wouldn't ya know the pirate ship paper piecing is not my idea. I got the idea from debils on SCS. Here is the link to her card. Mine is a little different but credit needs to be given where credit is due! The sunshine is all me though. I punch a 1" hole into Barely Banana and lined up the Cuttlebug flower die over it and ran it through my Sizzix. Then I punched a hole in the paper, glued the outer rim of the sun to the CS and the adhered the inner circle on the the inside of the paper. Stamped Ahoy, Matey and voila! Then I just paper pieced the ship. I will definitely be making more of these!

• Ahoy Matey stamp set
  
• Bashful Blue, Bliss Blue, Barely Banana, Creamy Caramel, white CS
• Stazon Jet Black ink
• Cuttlebug flowers die (are they really JUST flowers? I think not!)
• 1 inch circle punch
• red marker, stickles, pop dots

***
Okay, so now let the torture begin! Pictures of my kids! {wink} I know these need to be photoshop'd but all I had time to do was crop and add my watermark.


I think we have the top of the cheer pyramid girl here! Joe has been doing this with her since she was a baby.


Ava did it too but she gets a little more scared. She hasn't had as much experience as Jolee.

*And by the way, I let my hubby do this because I think his arms are one of the sexiest things on his body!!!! Gotta keep 'em in shape!!

Don't forget to tune in tomorrow for True Talent Tuesday!!!! It's gonna be a good one!!!

Happy Summer!

I am so glad it's summer! I am lovin' that the kids can go out and play in their pool all afternoon while I scour things to photograph! BTW I am still so amazed at how much there is still left to learn about my camera. I am really enjoying figuring everything out though! I just downloaded a free 30 day trial of Photoshop CS3. The real software is around $600-$700 so I'm sure I won't be getting that sucker (although with Joe's school discount I could get it for $400, and Yes! I checked). It will be nice to know what program I really want to get though by comparing what one has versus the other. I really hope to be making some money off of this sometime in the near future. But, first things first, still gettin' comfy with my settings and whatnot first. I would love to do Senior pics. Just set a flat fee for the shoot, make a CD of the pictures, hand it over to the parents and let them decide what they want to print out and where. Plus, I have lots of nieces and nephews to practice on! One of my nieces will be a senior this coming year so maybe she could get some word out. Oh, don't I think big! Let's move on shall we?

Just wanted to make a quickie with my adorable Scraptrends stamps. Love this swim suit! I just inked it up this morning. I also don't know what I would do without my snap stamps!!! They are such a fantastic item to have in your stash! I heard they aren't selling them any more. I hope that's not true because for those of you who might not have gotten them (what, were you having mental problems!? {wink}) I would hate for you to have to miss out!

• White CS
• Scraptrends flexible stamps (found them on clearance at JoAnn's)
• Karen Foster 1/8" snap stamps
• True Blue Prismacolor pencil (one of my fave colors)
• Gamsol and blending stump
• Copic gray marker
• stickles
• ribbon
  

This is one that looked so much better in my head!!! I think by the time I got everything on it might have been just a tad too much. I dunno. I hope you like it Tiffany! Cause it's in the mail and comin' to you! I used chipboard again. Painted it white and distressed it with sand paper. Punched holes in the scallops and added stickles to the holes. Also added stickles to the Cuttlebug flower.

• Cosmo Cricket Dutch Girl paper
• Riveting stamp set
• Cuttlebug flower and slides dies
• Mellow Moss classic ink
• Stazon Jet black ink
• Chipboard frame
• ribbon, pop dots, stickles, sand paper, brad

I hope all of you have a good weekend! Make the men in your life have an excellent father's day!!!

RAK and angel wings

So, yesterday was a really odd day for me. I didn't stamp at all. But, the oddest part is, I didn't want to stamp. I have been so tired lately that I didn't even want to put forth the effort to ink a stamp. Other than mowing the grass and doing a little laundry, most of my day was spend snuggled up with my little ones on the couch watching movies or relaxing in the sun while they played in their pool. I did need it though and feel much better today. Although I haven't stamped any yet, I will, I just have been busy this morning trying to get Joe up and ready for class and then I resized and watermarked all of my pics for The Sweet Life Photography too. I made this on Tuesday morning but just haven't uploaded yet. It's the SCS color challenge. I really like these colors together! These images were from an image swap about a year ago. I love this set but don't have it. I think this kind of card is so sweet for someone who you just want to let know that you appreciate and love them.

I tried something new with this card too and I have a feeling that I will be using it more! I thought the edges needed something more than the sponging so I pulled out a pencil, inked up the eraser, and started making scallops on the edges. I have used a pencil eraser before to make dots, but never for scallops. Next time I'll take my time a little more and they won't be so wonky but I like the outcome.

• Furnished with Love (I think!), Paisley BG (Sonlight Impressions)
• Certainly Celery, Cameo Coral, Chocolate Chip CS
• Chocolate Chip, black, versamark inks
• Mega scallop oval
• pencil eraser
• push pin, ribbon, stickles, pop dots
  

*****
I did get happy mail yesterday though! A RAK from Allison and bunches of Bella images! I can't wait to play!!! Thanks Allison!


Well, I need to get off here and get the kids ready. We are heading in to the library to sign them up for the summer reading program. Our goal this year is 115 books. Last year our goal was 100 but we ended up reading more than that. If they reach their goals their names get put in for prize drawings. Ava won a stuffed kangaroo last year. Jolee was jealous. I tried to explain we didn't do it to win things but when you're 4 you want cool prizes. Maybe her name will be drawn this year!

Hey cupcake!

You guys might be noticing my new banner. I can't keep the same one for very long. I like to change it up every once in a while, kinda like my furniture. I also get better with the digi scrapbook stuff as time goes on. Speaking of digi scrapbooking stuff, I was browsing a lot today and ordered some stuff and also downloaded some free stuff too. The new banner uses Corina PhunkyPower paper and the corner overlays from Traci Murphy Designs.

I made this birthday card with some scraps I had laying around. I got this cupcake stamp last week because I NEEDED one. You all know how that is!

• MME patterned paper
• DCWV CS
• Cupcake stamp (Stampabilities)
• Karen Foster 1/8 inch snap stamps
• Mega scallop oval punch, Word Window punch
• aqua painters and re-inkers
• Stazon Jet Black ink
• ribbon, pop dots, stickles, push pin

I do have to say that I am very proud of myself! Last week I did 5 out of the 7 daily challenges on Splitcoast! I rarely ever do any of the challenges over there but I have loved the cards that I have made with the challenges in mind! So, I might end up like a few of the other 'stalkers' on there and get more of a direction on what I can do to expand my paper crafting. Speaking of which, here is my FS18 challenge. Every Sunday they feature a stamper with awesome talent and style (maybe one day I'll be feature, *sigh*) and then you CASE on of their cards. The stamper this week is Seewah. I paper pierced the lines above and below the good friends and I also paper pierced all of the dots on the flourish stamp. I inked the edges with Versamagic cloud white ink and distressed the pink layer.

• Paper Tray (PaperTreyInk), Flourishes (Rhonna Farrer), Simply Said (SU) stamp sets
• kraft, DCWV pink CS
• Stazon Jet Black, Versamagic Pixie Dust, Versamagic Cloud White inks
• ribbon punch
• ribbon, edge distresser, pop dots, push pin

Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a fantastic day and be sure to check back tomorrow for a new special weekly feature!!

Challenge cards with good 'ole Dutchy

Okay, so once I got my stuff yesterday I was torn on what to use first but my longing for the CC paper was too much to bear, so I had to tear it open. This is what I came up with the first time around. It was the SC127 on Splitcoast. I really like this layout and I think I might try it again. I still that it is lacking something but I think if I add anything else I would be overdoing it. However, I did have to add some stickles to make it shine! I also made everything popped up. I think there are like 3 different levels to this bad boy.

• Cosmo Cricket Dutch Girl paper
• Wonderful Words stamp set
• Real Red classic ink, Tim Holtz Walnut distress ink
• scallop edge scissors
• spronge, stickles

This is my #2 card with DG paper. I made this for the Ways to Use It challenge #116 on Splitcoast. The challenge was chipboard. Well, whaddaya know!?! I have a new pack of bare naked chipboard sitting on my desk! Yay! I painted a few coats of white onto the chipboard frame and let it dry. Then I took regular sand paper (not the fine grit) and sanded the edges so it would match the distressed look of the paper. The flower is just two of the Cuttlebug flowers stacked on top of eachother (the bottom one in the pic). I really enjoyed doing this card and I just love how it turned out!

• Cosmo Cricket Dutch Girl paper
• Noteworthy stamp set (SU)
• Cuttlebug flower dies
• Cosmo Cricket bake named chipboard buttons
• white acrylic paint, brad, velvet ribbon

I hope to be making even more tonight! Oh, and I am getting ready to go update my photography blog! Check it out!

If wishes could make you well

This is a card I made months ago and forgot I had made it. One of Joe's younger cousins got her face burnt when hot oil splashed out of a pot. Thankfully, everything healed well and she is doing just fine now!

The card is watercolor paper in 4 1/4 x 4 1/4 size. I don't have any of the Fabriano note cards so I try and get the effect of those by using watercolor paper for my whole base.

• Little Friends (TAC), Curvy Verses (SU) stamp sets
• Stazon Jet Black ink
• Barely Banana, Summer Sun, Pumpkin Pie, Going Grey re-inkers
• aqua painters
• ribbon and rhinestone

***
Okay, so I used to be a big fan of scary movies. I loved watching them and I loved being scared. But now-a-days scary movies aren't what they used to be. I like House on Haunted Hill and Amityville Horror and movies like that where there are 'spirits' or 'ghosts' chasing people around. What happened to those kind of movies? It seems like every movie that has come out lately that I can think of (other than the remake of Amityville and Grudge 2-which I can't watch cause the kid freaks me out!) has to do with sick demented perverts that chop people up and never get caught. I mean seriously! In the end they are walking away whistling or smiling. I can't watch these movies! I watched Saw when it first came out and those images still pop into my head occasionally. It makes me sick to my stomach. I think things changed once I had kids. I would watch movies and never think 'hey, I hope someone doesn't creep into my house tonight and slit my throat.' Now though, that I have children, I think of anything that could possibly happen and what I would do in that situation. There really are people out there that are sick and crazy!

I guess this all stems from watching Hannibal Rising last night. I watched Silence of the Lambs and it was a good movie. It was a movie and not a gore fest. I also watched Red Dragon. I don't remember much of it but I do remember thinking it was good. So, I had to watch this one. This one, well, this one was okay. It was really odd but then again he is supposed to be an odd character. It does make you think though about some of the torment kids go through in certain situations and home lives. It made my heart hurt for those who sustain such abuse.

I'm sorry, I got off on a tangent. I just would like to see a decent ghost movie. But it appears as though the oldies will always stay the goodies. Until something else comes out I'll stick with my comedies! Gotta love Will Ferrel!

Caarvarks conest entry

I had to make several cards today to send out. There are 3 of my nieces, 1 cousin, and 1 anniversary and they are all tomorrow! I also have another niece in a few days (have yet to make that one either). It seems that since it has gotten warm outside all I have been doing is playing outside with the kids, giving them baths after playing outside, organizing the house, and taking pictures of everything that I see! Anyway, moving on.....

This is my favorite card of the bunch. I love the 'bling' in the treasure chest which is why I had the Caardvarks challenge in mind when I thought this up!

• Ahoy Matey stamp set, Matey's Map jumbo wheel (SU)
• Kraft and black CS
• Stazon jet black ink, Versamark ink
• gold tinsel embossing powder
• Prismacolors and gamsol
• Marvy Giga scallop circle punch
• twine
• pop dots

*I do want to add to that I absolutely love the idea of stamping the background on the kraft paper and coloring with the Prismacolor pencils. Love the look and saves time!

***
This is just a quick Anniversary card for my sister and her hubby. I wanted to keep it understated and clean. The heart is much more sparkly though in person!

• black CS
• chipboard heart (Joann's)
• love stamp (Studio G)
• Versamagic white chalk ink
• Iridescent embossing powder
• white Soufflee pen
• satin ribbon
• pop dots

I'll save the other two for later just in case I don't get a chance to make any tomorrow.

*****
On another note I wanted to link you to Amy S's homeschool blog. Her latest entry is so true to me and it's nice to know I am not the only homeschooling momma out there who struggles sometimes! It's also nice to know I can call her if I need a pick me up! After all, she is my cousin!

Now, I am off to watch the season finale of House. Let's see if everything on that show falls apart like Betty and Grey's did last week! Sheeh!

More felt and thanks

First of all, I want to say thanks to those of you who quickly offered to help me with my Bella dilemma! It's so nice to have friends! I really appreciate all of you guys!

*****
I played around with some more felt. This is one of those 'it looks great in my head' cards that doesn't turn out quite like I wanted. I think it might be that the felt is too bright. I can't decide. I picked up this Rhonna Farrer Swirls set at Wal-Mart for less than $9. I'm really really liking have more 'swirly' options. I have the Flourishes set but it's a nice compliment to this one.

• Swirls (Rhonna Rarrer)
• Hello (JoAnn's $1 set)
• Cuttlebug Asterics die
• Certainly Celery, white CS
• Marvy Giga scallop circle
• Versamagic Aloe Vera chalk ink
• felt, rhinestone, ribbon, pop dots, push pin
  

With this one I wanted to imitate the look of the American Crafts rub ons. I'm kind of on the fence about this card too. I should have stamped the images higher on the card. Oh well, can't make everything perfect can we?

• Happy Harmony, Small Script stamp sets (SU)
• Chocolate Chip, Tempting Turquoise dye ink
• aqua painter
• ribbon

*****
I wanted to mention that if you have made any cards for the troops from Dawn's site you need to get them sent out so they get to her in time!

Ahoy Matey, and a request

It's kind of hard to see the boat on this card. I stamped it in Versamark and then stamped 'ahoy, matey' with black on top of it. I hand cut the waves but thought they needed a little something more so I added some glitter glue to them.

• Ahoy Matey stamp set
• Cool Caribbean, Tempting Turquoise, white CS
• re-inkers
• aqua painters
• Stazon black dye, Versamark inks
• edge distresser, glitter glue, pop dots
  

*****
Okay, now for the request! I need some Bella images! Badly! I have a few sentiment stamps that would go so well with Grumpabella! So, here is my proposition. I would like these images...
*Beachabella
*Cosmobella
*Diplomabella
*Grumpabella
*Javabellas
*Pmsabella
*Staceyfishabella
*Tinkerbella

I know, I know, that's a lot of Bellas! But this is what I could offer in return.
*Marvy Giga scallop circle pieces
*Marvy Mega scallop circle pieces
*Marvy Mega scallop oval pieces
*Marvy Mega scallop square pieces
*Gardenbella
*Cakeabella
*Lots of other sets!

For each image I will punch one scallop piece in whatever color you want (as long as I have that color). I need a whole sheet of each of the Bellas. Can ya help a buddy out? {insert puppy dog eyes} Either leave a message on this post or email me. Thank you ladies!!!

Playing around with felt

I never thought I would be able to use felt in such a cute way! I am loving seeing what everyone is doing with it! It inspired me to run it through my Sizzix with the Cuttlebug Asteriks die. I did find out though that not all felt will work with the cuttlebug dies. This felt was pretty thin and somewhat stiff. It did work great though! I like the red flowers but wish I had another color on hand to work with. I'll pick some more colors up when I am out next.

• Happy Everything (SU), Flourishes (Rhonna Farrer) stamp sets
• Aloe Vera Versamagic chalk ink, Real Red classic ink
• Cuttlebug Asteriks die
• red felt
• rhinestones
  

Now this card came out of absolutely nowhere. I threw it together in about 10 minutes. I like how it turned out though. Nothing too bold. I thought about using ribbon where the paper piercing is but thought that might make it over done. I did pop another dress up on top of the one underneath that I had already colored.

• Diva Dresses (TAC), Paper Tray (PaperTrey) stamp sets
• Regal Rose re-inker
• Black Stazon ink
• push pin, rhinestones, pop dots

*****
Allison tagged me to tell 7 things about myself and then tag 7 people to do the same. So, here goes.

*I have never smoked a cigarette even though both of my parents were smokers (I think that's why!).

*When I get scared while watching a movie I wiggle my toes.

*If I ever came into some money, the first thing I would do is get my teeth fixed. They have never been straight.

*I am a cat person and grew up with all kinds of animals as a kid. However within the last 3 years have developed allergies to pet dander and pretty much sneeze my head off any time I get near any. That includes our Guinea Pig Franklin.

*I belch quite often. And usually quite loudly! But don't worry, I always say excuse me!

*I love to fish! Hubby is teaching me the in and outs of bass fishing though and hopefully we get to plan a day to go together.

*Lately my absolute favorite indulgence is Ferro Rocher chocolates!!! Good gracious they are yummy!

Alright, now I will tag the following....

Amy S.

Meli Mitchell

Amy Westerman

Jovi

Rose Ann

Stephanie

Julie Masse

Can't wait to hear what you ladies have to say!