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Friday, November 30, 2007
No stamping for a while...
Thanks for stopping by and thanks for the prayers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, November 22, 2007
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!
I decided that I would use the sketch challenge on SCS for a card to thank our friends for having us over on Thanksgiving. I have so many things to be thankful for and I hope you're all able to take some time to realize all you have to be thankful for whether it's your health, your family and friends or that perfect parking spot when you're in a rush. ;-}
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Non traditional Christmas card
The color challenge for today was pretty in pink and wild wasabi. Emily also suggested we try out a Christmas card with these colors and sh was right! Not traditional Christmas colors, but still VERY festive. I'm so happy with this card! The only *official* Christmas set I kept here with me was snow flurries, so I added the swirl from the Priceless set for a little more interest. While placing a workshop order the other day, I added a pack of build a brads for myself (SHHHH, don't tell dh ~ we already have lots of stuff to mail out!). How cute is that brad??!! I also decided to jazz up the card base by accenting the dots on the swirl with a white gel pen. Added some piercing here and there, a little ribbon and that's it!
card info: paper ~ wasabi, pretty in pink, shimmer white. stamps ~ snow flurries, priceless, holidays and wishes. ink ~ wasabi, black. access. ~ marker, gel pen, piercer, build a brad, ribbon.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
More fun coloring
Here's a card I did for the Featured Stamper challenge on SCS. Today's FS is Shelly (papermoon) and man, her gallery is gorgeous! I'm so hooked on this new set, I don't know when I'll put it down!! I colored again with my trusty ol' SU markers. Such *happy* colors!
On a different note, we only have 15 days here until it's time to get on a plane! And let me tell you, I'm having quite a bit of anxiety over flying. I just do NOT like to fly. And to think of my entire family on a plane, just physically makes me ill. So, if anyone has any words of wisdom or advice on how to deal with this or if you just share my fear, please let me know! I pray and pray and pray every night that I we will have a safe flight. I'm just having a stressful time with this move (did I remember to pack this, do I have all of our important papers, etc...). I just want things to go smoothly. Ok, I vented enough ~ thanks for listening (ok, reading)!!!!
I love my FREE stamp set!
I finally received my FREE set from Stampin' Up last night! What a fun set and so generous of Shelli (Stampin' Up founder, incase you didn't know!) to give one of these NEW level 3 hostess sets to all demonstrators! I colored this in with my trusty ol' SU markers (no cut out or added layers, just shading). The leaves were actually stamped on the Petals and Paisleys designer paper and cut out. The larger panel is from the same pack of designer paper. I used the sketch from Beate's blog for this week and also did this for Jen's (Jen70) Saturday blog challenge. This set will be wonderful for coloring and paper piecing ~ can't wait to play with it more! Hope everyone's having a great weekend! Thanks for stopping by!
card info: paper ~ real red, whisper white, petals and paisley dp. stamps ~ time well spent (a new level 3 hostess set in the upcoming Spring/Summer catalog!). ink ~ black. accessories ~ ribbon, eyelets, cropodile, markers, gel pen, piercer.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Swirly priceless heart
Alrighty, I managed to get this card done tonight ~ started it before Grey's came on, finished after ER (come on, priorities!!!). I really love guava and ruby red together and I'm thinking they go pretty well with saffron. This is the first card I've made in a couple of weeks that I actually like! Great ~ just when I'm feelin' a little mojo, it's time to ship off the rest of my stuff!! Wah, wah, I know!! Ok, so pretty simple ~ had to do my piercing, of course. It's late and we're hitting the beach in the morning!! Thanks for stopping by!
card info: paper ~ guava, ruby red, chocolate, white, dp. stamps ~ priceless. ink ~ guava, chocolate. access. ~ piercer.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
I miss my stuff!
I can't tell you how many times I've thought, "Oh, I should've kept this or that" in the past week! Oh well, can't do anything about it at this point. So here's my improvised card for today's Color Challenge over at SCS. I masked the edges of the large flower panel to help give the illusion of more layers. Lots of masking on the small flower panel, also, for extra dimension. I did keep my Crop-o-dile and some eyelets, so at least I can embellish, right?!! And I did color in the *friend* and *you* on the sentiment with my caramel marker.
We're all going a little stir crazy with having such an empty house. I am SO glad I kept some stamp stuff here! We're down to less than 3 weeks til we fly out, which totally gives me butterflies since I do NOT like to fly!! Yep, I'm working overtime in the praying department!
Ok, off to get my first haircut in almost a year!!!! Not taking much off, so shouldn't be too dramatic. It just needs a trim in the worst way! Oh, and I'm so hoping I get the free stamp set that SU is sending all their demos this week!! Yay for FREE RUBBAH!!! Have a good one!
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Simply limited
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Yay, I got to stamp!
I love today's Color Challenge over at SCS, but man, did it take forever to make this card! That always happens when I'm not able to stamp on a regular basis. And add the fact that I have limited supplies with me since we're moving. Oh well, at least I got to stamp, right?! I made sure to keep my markers so I at least have all of the colors to play with. I only kept one circle punch here, so I punched out some wasabi twice to layer behind the sentiment. I also kept my Crop-o-dile (love that thing!) because I needed it for a workshop this past Sunday.
It's so strange having such an empty house. We have one couch, a dining table with 5 chairs, 2 lamps, 2 end tables, a full bed (yuck), 3 twin beds and 3 dressers. That's it! Take about easy cleaning! Makes me think about how simple life could be without a lot of extra "stuff". Alright, enough pondering for now. Thanks for stopping by!!
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Is it December yet??
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Random things about me
1. I got my first (and only, so far!) tattoo when I was 35 ~ OUCH!!
2. I am absolutely TERRIFIED to fly. When my oldest was only 2 mths, I passed up a trip home because I just couldn't bring myself to get on a plane. I'm talking sweaty palms, cold chills down the back TERRIFIED.
3. I could eat ice cream for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
4. I love watching Ghost Hunters and home decorating shows.
5. I haven't worked outside of the home in 7 yrs. and am extremely nervous to go back out into the *working world* next year.
6. I really, really, really would love to get some of my work published but hesitate to send anything in because I worry it won't be *good enough*.
7. I love to refinish furniture.
Whew, that was hard!! Ok, I'm thinking that almost everyone has probably been tagged at this point, so whoever would like to write some random things about themselves, please do so!
Festive birthday colors
Monday, October 29, 2007
Another Christmas card
Here's a card I plan on doing at an upcoming workshop. My hostess requested that I show the bleaching technique, so I thought it'd be cool to have some bleached *flurries*. Super easy technique with really cool results, I just hope it doesn't get messy at the workshop!! I almost didn't add the swirls on the card base, but now I think it just makes it look more festive.
We're getting down to just a few days before we get our things all packed and shipped out! I'm so excited and nervous. I really hope my youngest handles it well. My other two are old enough to realize what's going on, so maybe they'll be *good* big brothers and help out their youngest bro. Well, if I can ever figure out how to add a counter to my blog, I may actually get to a point where I'll give some blog candy!! If anyone can give me some help with that, I'd greatly appreciate it! Hope everyone has a great week!
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Basic pomegranate color challenge
I started this one a few hours ago, then the little one woke up and well, I'm sure you know the how the rest of your day goes when you have a little one! Anyway, I do like this stamp set, but didn't feel like coloring it all in and that's where the Spotlight technique came in! What a great technique when you're feeling *lazy* or just don't have enough time. The *snowy* parts of the colored image have liquid applique on them. I sponged over the basic grey textured cs to soften it, plus it helps accentuate the texture. This is also my card for Beate's sketch challenge, WSC24 ~ her blog is listed on the right, so go check it out!! Alright, lots to do today ~ geesh, what else is new ~ so I better go! We are getting very *short*, as they say. We're down to 42 days left in paradise. I can't believe how quick the time flew, but time to move on. Ok, I'm blabbin'... thanks for stopping by!!
New banner?
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Fall color wishes
Friday, October 19, 2007
Limited elegance
I have to say that I love Jen's limited challenges. Sometimes having too many options just makes my head spin! We were only allowed to use one flower image stamped once, one swirly type image, ribbon as the only embellishment. We were also allowed to use punches, paper piercer and sponging. I just received my True Friend set earlier this week, so this is the first time it's seen ink. Such a pretty set and it was kinda cool to be able to just pop out the die cut stamps, adher to the wood and ink! I did the shadowed swirl using celery and white craft. I don't have a stamp-a-ma-jig, so I just line it up and hope for the best!! Ok, lots of errands to run, so off I go!! Hope everyone has a great weekend!!
card info: paper ~ celery, guava, white. stamps ~ true friend, baroque motifs. ink ~ celery, guava, white craft. access. ~ punches, ribbon, marker, piercer.
Altered frame
I've had this wood frame that I bought at Walmart for several months and finally finished it thanks to Julia's Ways to Use It challenge yesterday. I'm so happy with how it turned out and these are so easy to do! Even my hubby was impressed with it!! Ok, I have a card to upload and lots of other things to do today, so I better get going!! Don't hesitate to ask me any questions about this project or anything else!!
Thanks for stopping by!
project info: wood frame from Walmart. paper ~ outlaw dp, caramel. ink ~ choc, white craft. access. ~ scallop punch, taffeta ribbon.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Pink for awareness
This week's color challenge was anything pink. I decided to go with this fun Lizzie Anne Designs set. (drawing a blank on the name of the set at this time and I've got hubby sitting to my right waiting for the puter, so I'll add the name of it later!) I masked the flowers and colored them with my trusty SU markers. Used a jumbo eyelet for the center of the cut out flower and knotted some ribbon through the center of it. Decided to add some faux stitching on the sides of the rose red panel. I sponged the edges of the main panel and the card base with pretty in pink, not sure if you can tell. Ok, I have one more card to upload, but again, hubby is hovering, so I'll post later! Oh, also, the layout is this week's sketch challenge on SCS! Thanks for stopping by!
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Cutie Pie sketch
Finally found some time to do the sketch challenge for today on SCS. Unfortunately, I had to wait for my hubby to get home to upload it since I left the camera in his Jeep ~ grrr! Anywho... the only stamping on this is the sentiment! I really wanted to use designer paper, so I decided on the Cutie Pie dp. The cut out flowers on the sentiment panel are from a different sheet of the Cutie pie dp. I used the ticket corner punch on most of the panels and for a little extra pop, decided to faux stitch using a black marker. I think this sketch just begs for designer paper and would be great for quick Christmas cards. Alrighty, that's it for now!
card info: paper ~ celery, white, rose red, cutie pie dp. stamps ~ hugs and wishes. ink ~ black. accessories ~ punch, brads, mat pack, marker, pop dot.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Bleaching on Basic Gray
This card was done using the CC135 colors ~ River Rock, Basic Black and Basic Gray. I've always loved bleaching on cardstock because you just never know what color you'll get once the bleach is dry. Who would've thought that basic gray turns to river rock when bleached??!! Once I did the bleached basic gray layer, I knew I had to use it on my card! These colors are very soothing and elegant to me, also perfect for a *man* card, I think. I'm running VERY low on river rock cardstock, so I took a piece of white and brayered it with river rock for the main image layer. I stamped the Queen Anne's Lace stamp (which I now know that it's not a weed!) in basic gray after stamping off once. I highlighted the tips with a white gel pen. The card base was done with the En Francais BG stamp in basic gray which I also stamped off once. Oh, just wanted to add that I just use one of those little trays from a microwave meal (such as lean cuisine) for my bleach. They're the perfect size since you don't need to use much bleach for this technique. I lay a few layers of paper towels or tissues on the bottom and pour a little bleach on top.
Well, this is the boys last day of their fall break, so we're going out to the beach. I'll have to see what I can get cleaned once they go back to school tomorrow ~ yay, lucky me!!! Ha! I can't believe we're having our entire house packed in just 3 weeks!! Fortunately, the new house seems to be moving along nicely (thanks Tara!) and I'm praying we may actually be able to move in it BEFORE Christmas!! Though I'll try not to get my hopes up too high, but Christmas in a hotel is no fun, especially with 3 kids! Been there, done that!!
card info: stamps ~ oh so lovely(hostess), en francais bg, baroque motifs, circle of friendship. paper ~ river rock, black, basic gray, white. ink ~ basic gray, river rock. accessories ~ bleach, punches, piercer, taffeta ribbon (yum!), hardware.Sunday, October 7, 2007
Triple cuteness!
These are the quickest little set of cards I've ever done! The featured stamper for today is Anna Wight ~ her coloring is amazing!! I know these don't come close to her, but I knew I'd have to do some coloring if I was going to CASE her. I also decided to go with these cute little 3x3 cards for Sharon's blog challenge. I didn't have the scalloped edges originally, but while taking care of middle ds's meal worms (yea, gross!! but they're for school work), something got on the bottom of one of the cards ~ grrrrr!! Well, it was close enough to the edge to snip off with the corner rounder, so I went with the scalloped edge look. Adds a whole other dimension of cuteness, if ya ask me!! Moral of the story: *there are no mistakes*!!! I think that's why I love this craft so much ~ it's very forgiving!! All coloring was done with my trusy SU markers.
So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Anna and Beth!!! And thanks for another great challenge, Sharon!
card info: paper ~ whisper white. ink ~ black. access. ~ markers, ribbon, punch. How much simpler could it get?? hehe!
Friday, October 5, 2007
Challenge combo card
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Lookie what I did!!!
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Hmmm, whatcha think?
I'm in a Christmas tag swap on SCS and have finally sat down to try to come up with something! I'm not sure if there's a certain size it's supposed to be but this one is 2 1/4in X 3in. So, whatcha think? Would you like to get this in a Christmas tag swap?? Is it *good* enough?? Thanks for your input!
Monday, October 1, 2007
Simple wheel challenge
Here's a quickie card I did for Sharon's (notimetostamp) blog challenge. The challenge is to make a card using wheels as your main focal point. I *love* my wheels, but don't use them nearly enough, so I really thought this was a great challenge. Wheels are the best when you need a really cute card, but don't have the time to break out all your stamps. I colored in parts of the main image with markers to help tie the colors together. A few little loops of ribbon and some brads ~ which, btw, I probably should've done a different color because I think they blend in with image a little too much ~ are just enough to add a little extra *cuteness* to this card. And it just wouldn't be one of my cards if it didn't have piercing or faux stitching on it! The sentiment if from one of the Take Three stamps inked up with a marker.
Well, this weekend I really kicked it up a notch {BAM! think Emeril} and started cleaning and organizing and all that other fun stuff - NOT - in preparation for our big move to Katy, TX. We don't want to bring any stuff back with us that we no longer need or want. And so... the fun has begun and won't end until we get everything packed (by a gov. contracted mover, thank God!) around the end of October!! The good news is a great customer of mine would like me to do a workshop for her in early November which gives me an even better excuse to hold onto some of my stampin' supplies even after the packers are long gone! I've been trying to come up with a way to tell my dh {dearest hubby} that I really *NEED* to keep some supplies here so I didn't have to go so long without my beloved *rubbah and ink*!! And now I have the perfect excuse!! Because really, once everything has been packed and shipped, what am I going to do for the next month until we fly outta here?!! Yes, of course, hit the beach ~ duh!! But in between doing that, a-stampin' I will be!!! Have a great one!!
Card info: stamps ~ Doodle wheel, Take Three. paper ~ Turquoise, pretty in pink, white. Ink ~ black, turquoise. Access. ~ brads, ribbon, gingham, markers, piercer, white gel pen.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Christmas sketch
I loved today's challenge because it was perfect for this image that I had colored about 2 months ago! This set isn't what I would consider *me*, but felt it could really make some pretty Christmas cards. I have some ideas for the holly leaves in this set (the stamp I used on the bashful layer) ~ may work on that later. I almost layered with black, but felt basic gray would work better and I'm happy with how it turned out. I used liquid applique (such fun stuff!!) here and there for snow. The coloring looks much better IRL (doesn't it always work that way?!).
Now to more important matters ~ who's excited for the Grey's Anatomy premiere tomorrow?? MEEEE!!!!! OMW, I can't wait! I'll be watching *Addison* on Private Practice in about 40 minutes ~ I'm hoping that one is as good as Grey's. We'll see. Hope everyone's having a great week!
Card info:Stamps ~ Sleigh Bells Ring
Cardstock ~ Olive, Bashful, Basic Gray, Red, WW
Ink ~ Black, Basic Gray, plus lots of others for coloring
Accessories ~ watercolor brush, punches, piercer, wide olive grosgrain, gingham
Sunday, September 23, 2007
FS33 ~ Birthday wishes
Today's Featured Stamper on SCS is Kristina, starofmay. What a wonderful gallery, so clean and crisp. I finally got my Lizzie Anne Designs Floral Frenzy set on Friday, so you know I was itchin' to use it! I colored in those little flowers with my trusty ol' SU markers (no copics here!!). I'm so happy with how they turned out. Add a little ribbon and piercing and call 'er done! Pretty simple, but still cute, doncha think?
Ok, the kids are preoccupied (including the BIG kid), so I'm going to see if I can get another card done. Enjoy!!
Stamps: Hugs and wishes, Floral Frenzy by Lizzie Anne Designs. Paper: bordering blue, night of navy, whisper white. Ink: black, moss. Accessories: piercer, markers, moss ribbon.
I've been tagged for the first time!
Judy (StampinQueenJAR on SCS) tagged me ~ thanks, Judy! I've seen this one on other blogs and thought it was so funny!
1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car) - Lady Trailblazer (lol, I love it!)
2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fav. ice cream flavor, favorite cookie) - Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chocolate Chip
3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name) - A-Riv
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal) - Red Dog
5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born)- Mary Marrero
6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first) - Rivan
7. SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd favorite color, favorite drink put “The”) - The Pink Vanilla DC!
8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers) - Lloyd Wiler
9. STRIPPER NAME : ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne, favorite candy) - Pink Peppermint Patty (hehe!)
10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names ) - Rose Wayne
Ok, not sure if these people have been tagged, but I'm tagging them anyway!
Carole Burrage
Dawn Easton
Tara Fullmer
Ok, now I'm off to sneak upstairs and try to stamp today!! Hopefully I'll have something to post later!
Friday, September 21, 2007
LSC134, Limited Layers
Here's my card for Jen70's LSC134, Limited Layers challenge on SCS. I was so shocked to see that she had listed one of my cards as a sample! How cool?! I had already stamped the main image for Julia's WT132, Basic Gray challenge and once I saw Jen's challenge, I figured I'd combine the two. I love how the piercing frames the main image. I'm so glad I got all the SU markers ~ I still don't have all of the ink pads yet, so I use the markers all the time! I stamped the same flower on the sentiment layer in white craft ~ I think it adds just a little something. HAD to add an eyelet because I just can't stop using my CROPODILE!! That tool is just the coolest!
Ok, I have to share something funny my 4 y.o. son said to me today. We were walking in a parking lot to our car and he walks up next to me, kinda eyes me, then grabs my hand. Then after a few seconds I hear him say something and I ask him what he said and he repeats, "I'm not going to fart on you" just very matter-of-factly. I laughed and just said, "well, good!". I live with 4 boys, so it's not uncommon to have *bombs* dropped near you or on you! Alright, probably more than y'all wanted to hear, but I thought it was funny! Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!!
card info: stamps ~ garden silhouettes, short and sweet. paper ~ amethyst, cameo, ww, text basic gray. ink ~ basic gray, cameo and amethyst markers, white craft. accessories ~ piercer, sponge, eyelet, taffeta ribbon, stickles (one the flowers, not sure you can see them here).
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
SCS Sketch Challenge 142
Ok, this was not completely easy to do. Well, let me back up a bit. We have another (and possibly final!) visitor staying with us who just arrived today. Now it's all fine and dandy to play hostess, cook for extra people, drive them around the island, go to a luau for the UMPteenth time (I know, wah-wah, right? They are really cool and a MUST if you visit Hawaii, but 7 in 2 1/2 yrs is more than enough to catch the *aloha* spirit), pack lunches for everyone when we go to the beach ~ wait, did I say having visitors was *fine and dandy*?? HA! Back to my point ~ yes, there is a reason for the blabbing ~ when friends/family come to visit they sleep in MY STAMPIN' ROOM! So, tonight my hubby took our guest, his buddy, out for a *few* to catch up, so I decided to drag some things to my bedroom so I could work on the challenge. Point being, it's rather difficult to stamp/cut/measure sprawled out on your bedroom floor! But after all that trouble ~ and running back and forth from my bedroom to my stamp room because I forgot this, that and the other ~ I'm rather happy with this card! I have to thank my fellow stalker/friend, Faith, for the inspiration on the hardware and sentiment. I never would've thought it was *ok* to adhere things ON TOP of the hardware ~ whoda thunk it??? And I also took a cue from Beate and used my All In a Row for my faux stitching. Ok, I think this is enough jabbering for one night, whatcha think??
Stamp sets: Baroque Motifs, All in a Row, Take Three
Cardstock/Paper: Bashful Blue, Rose Red, Whisper White, Cutie Pie DP
Accessories: hardware, ribbon, slit punch, eyelet, ticket corner punch, large and small oval punches, piercer
Ink: Celery, Rose Red, Bashful, White craft
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Today's SCS Color Challenge
Here's the first card I did for the color challenge. I finally broke down and bought a non SU stamp set!! I've always loved the sets from Lizzie Anne Designs, so I decided to order from them. Well, I received this set yesterday and HAD to use it! I love the fact that their sets are still rubber, just on cling foam. Anyhoo, this is such a warm color combo. All coloring on the stamps was done w/ my SU markers. And if you haven't tried the taffeta ribbon from SU, you MUST! It has such a nice sheen to it. Ok, that's it for my first post. Feel free to give feedback, suggestions, anything ~ I'm new to this blogging schtuff!!