DS96: What's New?!

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Hi sweet peeps!

How'd it get to be Thursday already?! I swear it was just Monday and I was wishing for it to be Friday...and it almost is! But before we get there, it's time for another Deconstructed Sketch, right?! I mean, what would a weekend be without a sketch to play with?! ;) 

I think you're going to love this week's sketch, DS96. It's got lots of great elements and enough room to use a nice sized stamp! I chose this stamp of Gossipy Stella from Stamping Bella because it's been lying in my drawer - unstamped - for at least a few years now. I just hate that thought! So I showed her lots of love by completely blinging out her dress! Every girl deserves something sparkly in their lives, right?! And because I'm on a purple hair bend, Stella's hair HAD to be purple too! The sentiment is from a Kraftin Kimmie Stamps sentiment set....I can't remember which one, sorry!

Please take a minute to check out what the rest of the Deconstructed Sketch girls did with the sketch:

Amber Hight
Arielle Gordon
Cresta Woodruff
Dawn Easton
Donna Wardle
Jen Shults
Joni Wilson
Judy Rozema
Kadie Ensley
Lori Boyd
Sandra MacLean
Sheri Gilson
Tobi Crawford
Tracey Pickersgill

I hope you can play along with us this week!
Have a great weekend!

PS. A question was asked yesterday about the Cool Caribbean color I use on my sky backgrounds. Unfortunately, it is a retired SU In Color from a few years ago. I'm not familiar with the current SU colors, so I can not recommend a similar color - sorry!

DS87: Make A Wish!

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Happy Thursday everyone!

Another week almost over! Personally, I can't wait for this week to end! Work has been off-the-hook CRAZY BUSY and I haven't been getting to bed early at all! The truth is I've been working on a new cross stitch that came in the mail this week and I can't put the thing down! lol You girls know what it's like when you get something new, like a book, and you can't put it down...that's my problem! When I'm in front of the TV, I can't stop stitching! Then before I know it, it's midnight and I have to get up for work in 5hrs! lol Oh well; at least I'm having fun, right?! :)

Since it's Thursday, it's time to share another Deconstructing Sketch with you all! This week's one, DS87, is fabulous for using up all those scraps before the new CHA papers start shipping!

Fabulous isn't it?! Who doesn't love banners?! Here's what I came up with using it:-

She's so stinkin' adorable!! This is one of the pixies from The Pixies Set A from Stamping Bella. Don't you love her blue hair?! I squealed out loud when I finished coloring her in! lol If you can't see the sketch, tilt your head to your left...I turned it on it's side. :) Instead of using different papers for my banners, I used some washi tape! Because washi tape is slightly transparent, it creates a subtle pattern and doesn't overpower the base patterned paper. And just to give the tape some presence, I sewed down the middle of the cream colored tape.

Here's a close up of the image:-

 I really, really love how this card turned out! I watercolored the image with my SU reinkers and sponged the edges of the image panel with Antique Linen, Tea Dye and Vintage Photo Distress Ink. Then I stamped the sentiment, from PTI's Mixed Messages set, off to one side. Then, because all pixies and fairies must have fairy dust, I used my Quickie glue pen to add some glitter to her wings and hair.

Not sure about the sketch? Need more inspiration?? Check out what the DT girls did with it!

Amber Hight
Arielle Gordon
Cresta Woodruff
Dawn Easton
Donna Wardle (Donna's on vacation for January)
Jen Shults
Joni Wilson
Judy Rozema
Kadie Ensley
Lori Boyd
Sandra MacLean
Sheri Gilson
Tobi Crawford
Tracey Pickersgill

Thanks for popping in this week! I'll be back next week with a surprise! ;) Mwhahahaha! 

Have a great weekend everyone!

Supplies

{Stamps} Stamping Bella 'The Pixies Set A' and Papertrey Ink's 'Mixed Messages'

{Papers} Bazzil Basics, PTI Kraft Cardstock, Canson Manga Cardstock, PP - Simple Stories 'Fab{U}lous' collection

{Inks} StazOn 'Jet Black', SU's Creamy Caramel, Cool Caribbean, Pretty In Pink, Rich Razzleberry, Going Gray, Buckaroo Blue, Distress Ink 'Antique Linen, Tea Dye, Vintage Photo and Broken China'

{Access} Spellbinders Deckled Oval and Oval Nestie, Washi Tape, Ribbon (Michaels), Hemp Twine, Sponges, Sewing, Dimensionals

Make A Wish...Eloise Greengrass!

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Happy Sunday everyone!

I had a humungous job at work this week....to design an entire building (2 floors) retrofit with offices, cubes, kitchen and cafeteria, bathrooms and such to suit all the departments that make up our firm. I used to work for architects, but that's it! I'm thrilled to be given this chance to show what I can do though. Hopefully it will lead to more design work!

Besides that, I had a little fun this week. Last month, when I had my two stamping besties, Kadie and Mary over my place, I threw together a little card kit for us to work on. Well, time wasn't on our sides (to work on them) when they were here, so we took them home and agreed to share them with each other and our followers today! So along with you, I'm seeing them for the first time too!


Isn't she the sweetest thing you have ever seen?! Meet Eloise Greengrass from the Chichiboulie Fairie line of stamps from Stamping Bella. In the kit was this funky paper from Basic Grey, called Out Of Print, some paper flowers, a brad, some spotted ribbon (which I ended up not using) and some of this gorgeous lace.

I pulled out my reinkers and aquapainter brush and colored Eloise up in some dainty colors - Tattered Rose and Victorian Velvet from Distress Inks. Then I colored in the background with SU's Cool Caribbean and Old Olive for the grass. The teeny, tiny sentiment is from PTI's Mixed Messages stamp set. I kept the layout pretty simple since the paper was so busy.

Now pop on over to Miss Kadie's and Miss Mary's blog to check out what they did with their kit! I know they're going to knock your socks off!

Thanks so much for stopping by this week! We're spending the day outside cleaning up the yard getting it ready for Spring. I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend!


PS. This month's Dirty Dozen gallery is open for viewing and the theme is 'In Stitches'! If you love a laugh or just love stitching on cards, this gallery is a must-see!

Supplies
Stamps: Stamping Bella 'Eloise Greengrass' and PTI's 'Mixed Messages'

Inks: StazOn 'Jet Black', SU's Blushing Bride, Old Olive, Cool Caribbean, Morning Marigold, Pumpkin Pie, Really Rust, Distress Inks 'Tattered Rose and Victorian Velvet'

Papers: Strathmore Bristol Vellum, Bazzil Basics, Georgia Pacific, PP - Basic Grey 'Out of Print'

Access: Lace, EK Success Corner Punch, Basic Grey Brad, Recollections Paper Flower, Stampendous Crystal Glitter Snow, Machine Stitching, Sponges, Dimensionals

Happy Holidays!

Friday, December 24, 2010

Happy Christmas Eve everyone!!

Are you excited yet?? I know my little one is! We're all home today, so we have a day of cooking, eating and lots and lots of singing ahead of us. The cheesecake is setting in the fridge as we speak (or write!) and I'm preparing the soup this morning ahead of time. Then we'll bake a couple dozen cookies and watch a Christmas movie or two. Loooove Christmas Eve!

I couldn't let this season go by without coloring up this little guy from Stamping Bella!

I say 'little' in the visual sense of the word because the stamp is anything but little! As far as stamps for cards are concerned, it's huge! He's the King of the Candy Canes and he's from the Tiddly Ins line of rubber stamps at Stamping Bella.

I needed to make a quick and easy card with a equally easy layout, so I CASED this card by the fabulous Jeanie Witmer. You should do yourself a favor and check out her blog....it's gorgeous! The rules for CASING a card require you to change at least 3 things from the original, so I changed the image (obviously), the paper (it's from The Girls Paperie) and last, but not least, the size of the card. I made mine into a 5.5" x 5.5".

Before I sign off for the holidays, I wanted to share with you all some (really bad) photos of my living room dressed up for Christmas. I don't have a great camera for these night shots especially when I refuse to use the flash - it takes all the warmth out of the photos!

Our living room (That chair was $25 on Craigslist!)

Garland on the banister - SO PRETTY!

Our tree (That's my little milk glass collection up there on the bookcase!)

The sideboard next to the front door (LOVE those sidelights!).

Other side of the living room, the wood stove and the hallway (Can you spot our Elf on the picture?)

So until next week, from my family to yours, I wish you all a wonderful Christmas Day!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Supplies
Stamps: Stamping Bella 'King Of The Candy Canes', There She Goes 'Penguin Pals'
Inks: StazOn ;Jet Black', Creamy Caramel, Soft Suede, Regal Rose, Ruby Red, Cranberry Crisp, More Mustard, Old Olive, Going Gray, Sahara Sand, Cool Caribbean
Papers: Strathmore Bristol Vellum, Georgia Pacific, Bazzil Basics, PTI Kraft Cardstock, PP - The Girls Paperie 'Tinsel and Twigs'
Access: Ribbon, Fiskars Decorative Scissors, Stampendous Crystal Snow Glitter, Sakura Glaze Pen, Machine Stitching, Sponges, Dimensionals

All of the Wonderful Things Winter Brings!

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Good Morning!

Hope your week is panning out to be a good one. My week has been a consistant one of sleeping, working, eating and sleeping again. Nothing much out of the norm. I'm using the time to plan ahead and prepare....mentally! The Little One has a birthday party to go to on Saturday, The Man as a job interview the same day, Sunday will be spent at the Mall, next Wednesday is Little One's Christmas Party at school, and I have to decide on what I'm serving for dinner on Christmas Eve when the immediate family come over! 'Tis the season! :) What's your calendar look like?? Much the same?

Today's card is another Christmas one...surprise, surprise! ;)

I received the TGF newsletter yesterday and in it I spied a card by Melissa Connolly. Her work is amazing and so well put together. I had to case it since it was the perfect layout for this Snowy House stamp from Stamping Bella!

I've seen some amazing cards done with this stamp from Lindabella and Paulabella and I don't mind saying that my card does pale in comparison, but that's ok, because it's all about practice. Practice makes perfect, right? :) I'm regretting the location of the sentiment on that busy paper...bad decision on my part. Some lessons are harder to learn than others!

Here's a close up of the house. I added some crystal glitter (with a Quickie Glue Pen) to the snow and the sky around the house. In real life, this card sparkles! The snowflake was punched from some white glitter paper I found at Michaels and I popped a Basic Grey Jovial brad in the center.

Question: Which Basic Grey collection is your favorite?? Mine would have to be the Figgy Pudding collection - loved all the colors and patterns in that one!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Stamps: Stamping Bella 'Snowy House' and There She Goes 'Snowy Days'

Inks: StazOn 'Jet Black', More Mustard, Really Rust, Old Olive, Going Gray, Cool Caribbean, Regal Rose, Ruby Red, Soft Suede, Distress Inks 'Antique Linen, Tea Dye and Frayed Burlap'

Papers: Strathmore Bristol Vellum, Bazzil Basics, Kraft Cardstock, PP - Basic Grey's Jovial Collection

Access: PTI Bakers Twine, EK Success Edge Punch, Stampendous Crystal Snow Glitter, Machine Stitching, Sponges, Dimensionals

Season's Greetings - Part 2

Friday, December 3, 2010

Happy Friday Everyone!

Have you ever seen a grown man jump for his life?!?? I did last night! Apparently, my 260lb, 5'-11" husband is deathly afraid of mice! LOL I was in the living room and I hear our daughter yell "Rat!", quickly followed by "It's a mouse!" and then "Sandra, come here now!". So I walk into the kitchen to find our daughter pointing at the floor near my husband who is holding himself up on the kitchen countertop with his feet off the floor!! Bhahahahahaha! It was the funniest thing ever! There was a mouse and apparently it was dying because it didn't move a muscle when I scooped it up. Poor thing, but I'd rather it outside then in! Anyway, so now I have this funny mental picture of my husband petrified of a mouse and if I ever get down about something in the future, that's the image I'm going to conjure up to make me smile again! hahahaha

Today's card is part 2 of the Season's Greetings theme I started earlier in the week.

Aren't they the funniest bunch of misfits you have ever seen caroling?! :) I love this stamp! I colored it with my reinkers and aquapainter brush and added some glaze to their noses to make them wet and shiney, just like real noses on animals. The ground was watercolored with Sahara Sand and the sky was sponged with Cool Caribbean and watercolored around them.

Here's a close up of the image and sentiment, also from Stamping Bella (but I couldn't find it when I went searching for a link). The paper is from Basic Grey's Jovial collection and I sponged each panel with Vintage Photo and machine stitched to some cardstock. The layout is one of Mercy's sketches from a couple of weeks ago.

Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? I haven't. I'm hoping to next week, but we'll see. Unfortunately the Man lost his job a few weeks back and we're waiting for the unemployment checks to start up before we spend anything. Life is such a rollercoaster isn't it?! Sometimes a nice, leisurely Sunday drive would be nice instead. *sigh*

Have a good one!


Supplies

Stamps: Stamping Bella 'The Choir' and 'Seasons Greetings' (possibly retired)

Inks: StazOn 'Jet Black', Creamy Caramel, Soft Suede, Close To Cocoa, Going Gray, Old Olive, Morning Marigold, More Mustard, Buckaroo Blue, Regal Rose, Ruby Red, Cranberry Crisp, Sahara Sand, Cool Caribbean, Distress Inks 'Vintage Photo and Walnut Stain'

Papers: Strathmore Bristol Vellum, Bazzil Basics, PP - Basic Grey 'Jovial' collection

Access: Ribbon, Spellbinders Deckled Oval Nestibilities, Machine Stitching, Sponges, Dimensionals

A Kiss Is Just A Kiss!

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Hello Sunshines!

Another week almost done! Awesome! I'm looking forward to weekends now that the festive holidays are right around the corner. I don't think I'm quite ready to host my own Thanksgiving dinner for family (I have to adjust to my new gas stove first!), but I think Christmas Eve in our new house is definitely on the cards! I received the latest copy of Kraft's Food and Family magazine the other day and it had the most delicious sounding menu in it - potato and leek soup, roast beef with maple glazed carrots and a raspberry and cranberry cheesecake for dessert! How amazing does that sound?! My mouth is watering already! :)

Ok, so please excuse the bad lighting in this photo but I was desperate and in a bit of a rush. Last Sunday was my In-law's wedding anniversary and the extended family went out for dinner. I spent the afternoon coloring in this adorable image and thought I had ample time to turn it into a card, but that was not the case! Around 4pm, The Man comes inside (after playing with his new backpack leaf blower) and informs me we have 1 hour to get cleaned up, dressed and drive across town for the dinner! WHAT?!?? Why do they (and I mean men) insist on doing this to us even after 10 years of marriage?! You'd think they'd know better than that! Anywho...the lighting is bad in the photo because I had to take it in the bathroom of our new place....I told you I was desperate! Hahaha

Since it was an anniversary card, I knew this adorable image from Stamping Bella would be perfect for my In-laws! Eunice and....I can't remember the other mice's name, were colored up with my SU reinkers and aquapainter brush and the purple area around the two was watercolored using Milled Lavender Distress Ink. That delicious paper is from Crate Paper's Pink Plum collection - I needed a bit of Spring in my life that day! :D The beautiful silk ribbon is from Die Cuts R Us.

I'm pleased to say that the card was a hit! Mental note to self: Stock up on anniversary cards. Last minute cards don't ever go smoothly! ;)

Supplies
Stamps: Stamping Bella 'Kiss Me You Fool'
Inks: StazOn 'Jet Black', Going Gray, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Regal Rose, Cranberry Crisp, Soft Suede, Pretty In Pink, Cool Caribbean, Distress Inks 'Antiqu Linen and Milled Lavender'
Papers: Strathmore Bristol Vellum, Bazzil Basics, PP - Crate Paper's Pink Plum Collection
Access: May Arts Wrinkled Solid Ribbon - Pink, Machine Stitching, Sponges, Dimensionals

Spoooooky Stella!

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Happy Hump Day!

I hope you're not sick of Halloween cards yet! I have a few more up my sleeve in the weeks to come. I can't help it - I love this holiday! :)

It's not like my stamp collection is lacking in the Halloween department, but I couldn't help adding Spoooooky Stella to my cart at my last Stamping Bella purchase! How can you not love Stella?! She ROCKS!

For this card I colored Stella with my reinkers and aquapainter brush on Strathmore Bristol Vellum cardstock. Then I added some Crystal Snow glitter to her wand and tiara. I used this week's Sketch Saturday #123 for my layout and I had completely forgot I had this stack of Halloween paper from Making Memories! Each panel was sponged with Vintage Photo Distress Ink and then machine stitched with black thread. I used the corner punch with the guard off to create the scalloped border and then I added some of Taylors Tiny Twinkles in black to the centers of them. This was a fun card to make! :)

Thanks for stopping by today! (Only two more days until the weekend! woohoo)

Supplies

Stamps: Stamping Bella 'Spoooooky Stella', Recollections 'My Little Monsters'

Inks: StazOn 'Jet Black', Creamy Caramel, Soft Suede, Pumpkin Pie, Really Rust, Going Gray, Morning Marigold, Old Olive, So Sahara, Distress Inks 'Dusty Concord, Vintage Photo'

Papers: Strathmore Bristol Vellum, Bazzil Basics, PP - Making Memories 'Spook Alley'

Access: Ribbon, Stampendous Crystal Snow Glitter, Taylors Tiny Twinkles, Spellbinders Large Circle Nestibilities, EK Success Corner Punch, Fiskars Pinking Shears, Sponges Machine Stitching, Dimensionals

Mousey Love

Friday, September 17, 2010

Happy Friday everyone!

I am very thankful that this week will soon be over. My Little Ray of Sunshine's second week of school did not run as smoothly as last week. Dropping her off at school each day was an emotional roller coaster to say the least! Monday and Wednesday went well, but Tuesday and Thursday was tough! She had to be held by her teachers so I could leave and she cried out for me like I was leaving her in the worst place in the world! Urgh. We have talked about how all her other daycare classes took a little time to get used to them, so she knows that Kindergarten will be the same, but she still reacts the same way. I'm almost positive it's all overwhelming for her right now; new rules, new classes, new friends and new routines, so hopefully she'll work through it these next few weeks. Fingers crossed! :) Lord knows, mama needs it to!

I haven't participated in a Bellarific Friday challenge in a long, long time, so since I had nothing going on today, I thought I'd play along this week. This week's challenge was a sketch - LOVE those! :)

Meet Eunice and Irving! How cute are these two?!! I threw them into my shopping cart because I thought they'd make for a great card or two. Maybe I'll get to go to another wedding and I can make these two into a bride and groom! Alas, I think I'm past having friends getting married and the such. But they would still make fabulous anniversary cards! :) I knew I bought them for a reason! ;)

As usual, I colored Eunice and Irving with my reinkers and aquapainter brush on Strathmore Bristol Vellum. Then, using the sketch, I cut up pieces of some old My Mind's Eye paper and created the base for the two lovebirds. Nothing fancy here. Just a nice card with a nice image. Sometimes simple is good! :)

I hope you all have something great planned for this weekend. We're laying low since we're trying to save money at the moment. There might be a new house in our near future! ;) Have a good one!


Supplies
Stamps: Stamping Bella 'Eunice and Irving', PTI 'Mixed Messages'
Inks: StazOn 'Jet Black', Going Gray, Pretty In Pink, Regal Rose, Ruby Red, Old Olive, Cool Caribbean, Soft Suede, Colorbox 'Ice Jade' Chalk Ink
Papers: Strathmore Bristol Vellum, Bazzil Basics, PP - MME
Access: Ribbon, Button, Bakers Twine, Machine Stitching, Sponges, Dimensionals

Oh Ida....

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Happy Hump Day again!

A couple of weeks ago I couldn't resist snapping up some more stamps from Stamping Bella and one of them was this cauuuuutie-patooootie!

Everyone - meet Ida. Ida's from the Lulu collection and I up until now, I wasn't sure about these Bella's. They are a little different, but I've completely changed my mind about them now! I added her to my cart because I've seen some amazing images colored up by Paula and Linda, so...it was their fault! They totally enabled me! ;)

Ida totally reminds me of a 20's diva, so I went with a vintage color palette of pale pink, cream and black. I used Tattered Rose and Frayed Burlap Distress Ink to color her outfit and Cool Caribbean for the background. I've been consciously reminding myself to leave plenty of white space around my images when I color them. Especially if I'm trying to recreate an outdoorsy look. I'm still learning too!

I immediately pulled this subtle pink piece of patterned paper from Making Memories then I remembered about that black and cream filigree paper from October Afternoon's Thrift Store stack. That's another thing I've been consciously doing - picking contrasting paper from different collections. I love how Miss Mary does it and how much a card will pop more when I do it. Love learning new things with this hobby! :)

Thanks for stopping by today!

Supplies

Stamps: Stamping Bella 'Ida Lulu', There She Goes 'Bloom'

Inks: StazOn 'Jet Black', Creamy Caramel, Cool Caribbean, Old Olive, Sahara Sand, Distress Inks 'Tattered Rose'

Papers: Strathmore Bristol Vellum, Bazzil Basics, PP - October Afternoon 'Thrift Store' and 'Making Memories 'Noteworthy-Addie Brocade Dot'

Access: Ribbon, Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist - Pearl, Fiskars Decorative Scissors, Machine Stitching, Dimensionals

SFYTT: Best Wishes

Saturday, July 31, 2010

Good Morning friends!

This week I finally got to the point where I had had enough of the congestion in my chest and went to see the doctor yesterday. As a mum and wife to a kidney recipient, I usually make sure everyone else gets to their appointments, but when it comes to my health, I'm not as persistent. So apparently I have an agitated airway (ya think?!) and I now have an inhaler to help alleviate the problem. Keep your fingers crossed that it works, because I'd really like to hold a conversation again without coughing midway though! lol

I've got my last card as guest designer for Jen's Sketch For You To Try to show you this morning. I've had such a fantastic time playing with these sketches every week. And yes - it is SUPER FUN playing with them before everyone else sees them! :D

I think you're going to love this sketch because it's one that can be turned on it's side and still work for you! My first obstacle was finding a stamp small enough to fit inside that main panel. Then I had (mental) issues with all the weight being on the right hand side of the card, but I persevered! lol I scoured my stash of stamps to find something small enough...and I found my Ketto's! :)

I don't use these babies nearly enough! They're soooo cute and whimsical!

First I colored up Maisy Ketto with my reinkers and aquapainter brush. Then sponged around her with Antique Linen Distress Ink. I decided to use up some of my old Basic Grey paper (Origins) since I'll be adding a few more pads to my collection soon (yay!) with their new CHA releases. I tried something different with the smaller rectangular panel and created a pleated strip instead. I scalloped the longer strip, then sponged each panel with Frayed Burlap Distress Ink and machine stitched them.

For some final touches, I added some glitter with a quickie pen to her wings and some gloss (with a clear jelly roll pen) to her crown and shoes. I'm off to check out what the SFYTT diva's have created with this sketch this morning and you should do the same! Here's a list of their blogs:

Jen del Muro
Susan Liles
Amy Rohl
Amy Sheffer
{Taking this week off.}
Megan Lock
{Taking care of new baby Emma Grace}
Amber Hight
Sony Christoph
Jodi Collins
Jenn Diercks
Kelly Lunceford
Carole Burrage
{At CHA - lucky duck!}

Well, that's it from me. I hope you've enjoyed my cards for Jen's sketches this month. I know I've had a BLAST playing with them! :)

Don't forget that tonight, starting at 9pm EST, in the forum, There She Goes is having their August release party and trust me when I say - you WON'T want to miss this one!! Jess is moving house and the Trendsetters are taking over the release celebration!! Woohooo! And on Sunday will be The Greeting Farm's 2nd Anniversary Blog Hop starting at 7pm CST and you don't want to miss out on that!

Supplies
Stamps: Stamping Bella 'Maisy Ketto' and PTI's Mixed Messages
Inks: StazOn 'Jet Black', Creamy Caramel, Pretty in Pink, Old Olive, Ruby Red, Really Rust, Distress Inks 'Antique Linen, Tea Dye, Frayed Burlap and Black Soot'
Papers: Strathmore Bristol Vellum, Bazzil Basics, PP - Basic Grey 'Origins'
Access: Spellbinders Circle Nestibilities, Black Rhinestones, Sponges, Machine Stitching, Dimensionals

Enjoy

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Good Morning!

Remember how I mentioned that I was building 3D site computer drawings at work? Well, from those models I've been creating some fly around videos of the site. They take between 3-5 hours to create and they tie up my computer for that long. So for the past week I've basically been sitting at my desk babysitting my computer! Arghhh! Talk about mind numbing stuff! Wish I could bring my stamps and ink to work - now that would be time well spent! :)

With all the design team work I've been doing, I've severly neglected my Stamping Bella stamps! I've missed coloring them up, so last night I had some free time and (instead of getting an early night) I colored up Missmatch Ketto. Isn't she pretty?? :)

Of course, I colored her up with my reinkers and aquapainter brush on Strathmore Bristol Vellum. I sponged the edges of the big scalloped die cut with Antique Linen Distress Ink. The designer paper is from The Girls Paperie and I snagged it in a 6x6 sample pack at Die Cuts R Us.

Tomorrow is the official release of the June sets for Taylored Expressions, starting at 8am PST! I have a card or two to help celebrate it, so stop by tomorrow if you can. :)

(Sorry for the short post today! I wrote this at 12am last night and I'm pooped! Forgive me?)

Supplies

Stamps: Stamping Bella 'Missmatch Ketto', PTI 'Mixed Messages'

Inks: StazOn 'Jet Black', Creamy Caramel, Pretty In Pink, Regal Rose, Old Olive, Soft Suede, Morning Marigold, Cool Caribbean, Distress Inks 'Antique Linen, Tea Dye, Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain'

Papers: Strathmore Bristol Vellum, Bazzil Basics, PP - The Girls Paperie

Access: Ribbon, Button, DMC Thread, Spellbinders Big Scalloped Circle Nesties, Martha Stewart Edge Punch, Machine Stitching, Sponges

A Couple of Lollipops!

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

A happy Wednesday morning to you all!

Are you up for another sketch challenge from the Diedrich kids?! Yes, it's Whimsical Wednesday time again and this week's awesomely easy sketch is drawn by Nikolas Diedrich. Head over to the Whimsical Wednesday blog to check out the sketch and this week's featured Daredevil, Jaqueline Nordaune!

I have had these adorable Lollipop kids (drawn by Lori Boyd for Stamping Bella) since October last year and because of all the DT commitments I had going on I didn't have the time to ink them up. And it was such a shame too because I was so missing out! These stick figures with their cute little hands are easy peesy to color and are done in no time at all!!

They were so perfect for Nicky's sketch that I couldn't resist creating two cards! One with Avery the ballerina, and the other with Ethan, the skater. They're cute aren't they?? I didn't veer from the sketch much this week, but that's ok because sometimes the sketch just works as it is, like this one! Both images were watercolored with reinkers on Strathmore Bristol Vellum. I couldn't resist adding some Stickles to Avery's bow and skirt....it was begging for some!

Want to see more inspiration?? Check out what the Daredevils have created with this week's sketch:

Cassie Larson

Heather Schlatter
Jacqueline Nordaune
Jacquie Peifer
Jessica Diedrich

Kim Ross
Kris Palakiko
Randi Wall
Rebecca Ednie
Val Urtiaga (posting later today)

It's your turn now! We wanna see what you can do with the sketch! Leave a link to your creation using the Mr Linky at the bottom of this week's Whimsical Wednesday blog post. Thanks so much for stopping by today and be sure to come back tomorrow! I will have some candy up for grabs! :)

Supplies
Card 1
Stamps: Stamping Bella 'Avery Lollipop'
Inks: Creamy Caramel, Close To Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Pretty In Pink, Regal Rose, More Mustard
Papers: Strathmore Bristol Vellum, Bazzil Basics, PP - K&Company 'Lovely Collection'
Access: Ribbon, Fiskars Decorative Scissors, Machine Stitching, Rangers Stickles, Sakura Micron Pen, Dimensionals

Card 2
Stamps: Stamping Bella 'Ethan Lollipop'
Inks: Creamy Caramel, Pumpkin Pie, Really Rust, Going Gray, Cool Caribbean, Close To Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Sahara Sand, Old Olive, Distress Inks 'Frayed Burlap'
Papers: Strathmore Bristol Vellum, Bazzil Basics, PP - Cosmo Cricket 'The Boyfriend Collection'
Access: Fiskars Decorative Scissors, Machine Stitching, Sakura Micron Pen, Dimensionals

Bellarific Friday: Faux and Sew

Friday, December 18, 2009

Hi again!

I couldn't resist whipping up a card and playing along in this week's Bellarific Friday challenge because I bought a bunch of images a while back and haven't had a chance to ink them up yet - how wrong is that?!

So this week's challenge was all about sewing, or faux sewing. I love to sew on my cards, so this was a no brainer and well, I needed that this week! I colored up Suck It Up Stella with reinkers and an aquapainter and while coloring her, I decided to dedicate this card to me. :) I've moped long enough over my recent employment status and it's time to SUCK IT UP SISTAH! :) I used my sewing machine and did some straight and zigzag stitching all over that yummy K&Company paper.

Thank you to those who left words of encouragement and support. It really did help me yesterday. :) I'm truly grateful to all of you.

Next week, I have sneak peeks for the new stamps from There She Goes, so stay tuned!


Supplies
Stamps: Stamping Bella 'SuckitupStella'
Inks: StazOn 'Jet Black', Creamy Caramel, Close To Cocoa, Old Olive, Pretty In Pink, Sahara Sand, Going Gray, Morning Marigold, Ruby Red
Papers: Strathmore Bristol Vellum, Bazzil Basics, PP - K&Company 'Carolyn Gavin Greenhouse Collection'
Access: Ribbon, Spellbinders Label Four Nestibilities, Machine Stitching, Stickles, Dimensionals

FFF Color Challenge

Friday, December 4, 2009

A very happy Friday to you all!

I'm so glad you all enjoyed yesterday's hilarious conversation with my little one. :) She's quite the handful at times, but I wouldn't want it any other way. It makes her who she is. :) Funnily enough, the only thing that snaps her out of her nightmares at night is when I sing her a lullaby. Although, I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing anymore! LOL

It's time for another Farm Fresh Friday challenge and this week we have a color combo challenge for you! The colors you see in the swatch refer to SU's Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss (Or Old Olive), Baja Breeze and Whisper White. Now, normally I stay away from color challenges because I don't own any SU paper but the girls have said it's A-OK to use Bazzil or Prisma cardstock, just as long as you get keep to these color families! Phew!

I have to apologize for the bad photo. You see, a certain 'festive tree' is hogging all the daylight my big picture window brings into our teeny tiny apartment and combined with some overcast weather yesterday morning, this is about as good I could get it! Sorry! Anywho, I inked up the cute little Library Mouse that was just released from The Greeting Farm this week. He really is a strong little mouse isn't he?? Carrying all those books! I colored him with reinkers and an aquapainter brush on Strathmore Bristol Vellum. I am getting used to how to color on this stuff and very rarely use watercolor paper anymore. It absorbs the ink and water a whole lot more quicker than the watercolor paper does, so I just have to work a lot quicker and more deliberately. The sentiment is from Stamping Bella and I thought it just went perfectly with this image. I used this week's Mojo Sketch #115 for the layout.

Ok, now it's your turn to show us what you can do with this color combo!! Create your card and upload it to TGF gallery by Wednesday Dec. 9th for a chance to win some TGF stamps! Can't wait to see them all!

Got any plans for the weekend?? I'm hoping to get some custom cards finished night, then Saturday I want to complete some projects to show you next week, then Sunday is baking day! Syd and I are making banana bread and some cheese pepper bread for her teachers at school.

Have a great weekend!

Supplies
Stamps: The Greeting Farm 'Library Mouse', Stamping Bella sentiment (retired?)
Inks: StazOn 'Jet Black', Going Gray, Cool Caribbean, Sahara Sand, Taken With Teal, Old Olive, True Thyme, Close To Cocoa, More Mustard, Really Rust, Buckaroo Blue
Papers: Strathmore Bristol Vellum, Bazzil Basics, PP - My Minds Eye 'Dreamy Street Collection'
Access: Ribbon, Button, PTI Rustic Button Twine, Spellbinders Large Circle Nestibilities, Decorative Scissors, Fiskar's Circle Cutter, Sponges, Dimensionals

Happy Birthday Mary!

Friday, November 20, 2009

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARY!!

It's Mary's birthday today and I wanted to wish her a very happy birthday! I hope you have a lovely day and you get some sweet crafting things! :)

I made her this card because she's a sassy and hip girl just like Elizabella! And Mary loves to shop! There's a good chance there's A LOT of stamping supplies in her bag! hehehe

I used this week's Mojo Sketch Challenge (MOJO113) for the layout and some old and new paper from Scenic Route and Dream Street. And I couldn't send the card without some bling! So I added a teeny tiny rhinestone to her belt and some Stickles to her handbag.

If you know Mary, hop over to her blog and wish her a happy birthday! I know she'd love it!Enjoy your day Mary! Wish I lived closer so we could go for drinks and see New Moon together! (((hugs)))


Supplies
Stamps: Stamping Bella 'Elizabella', MFT 'Essential Sentiment'
Inks: StazOn 'Jet Black', Creamy Caramel, Close To Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Ruby Red, Cranberry Crisp, Cool Caribbean, Sahara Sand, Morning Marigold, More Mustard, Distress Inks 'Black Soot'
Papers: Strathmore Bristol Vellum, Bazzil Basics, PP - Scenic Route '??', Dream Street '??'
Access: Ribbon, EK Success Circle Punches, Rangers Stickles - Orange Peel, Taylor's Tiny Twinkles, Dimensionals

Preggers!

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Good Morning!

As I said yesterday, I've missed out on the last few Bellarific Friday's lately because of my workload, but I had to create a very special card for a very special lady!


The fabbie mama this card is going to just found out that she's having a baby boy and I swear I dug and dug and dug through my paper collection to find some boy colored paper, but alas, no such luck! I have a little girl, so boy stuff doesn't exist in my house! LOL I compromised and used a bit of blue from Basic Grey's Lemonade collection. The layout came from last week's SCS Sketch Challenge (SCS249) because it was perrrrfect for a Bella. Pregabella was colored with reinkers and an aquapainter brush and the horizontal strip was created with a combination of decorative scissors and a Martha Stewart edge punch. Cute and simple little card hey? Hopefully mama loves it. :D

I think I need to do some Bella shopping again so that if Ms Em decides to do a Christmas or thanksgiving themed challenge, I'll be all set. LOL

Have a good one!


Supplies
Stamps: Stamping Bella 'Pregabella', MFT 'Essential Sentiments'
Inks: StazOn 'Jet Black', Creamy Caramel, Soft Sky, Cool Caribbean, Sahara Sand, Close To Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Distress Ink 'Frayed Burlap'
Papers: Georgia Pacific, Bazzil Basics, PP - Basic Grey 'Lemonade Collection'
Access: Ribbon, Martha Stewart Edge Punch, Decorative Scissors, Dimensionals

Thanks For The Tip!

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

A happy Wednesday to you all!

Are you ready to be dared again by the Diedrich kids?! It's Whimsical Wednesday time again and the kids have an awesome sketch for you all this week! The sketch can be found on the WW blog and this week's Featured Daredevil is the very creative Darla Wilson.

I will admit that the sketch had me a little bit scared seeing all those layers on top of one another, but I quickly figured out that if I kept the colors to a minimum, then the layers weren't too bad. (And then I removed one, so it got a whole lot easier! LOL) I also wasn't sure if the layers had rounded corners or if each layer was rectangle on a circle base, so I rounded a few corners just to be on the safe side! :D

I've been so busy lately on Fridays, that I haven't been able to ink up any Stamping Bella's for Bellarific Friday, so I'm getting my fix today (and tomorrow)! I bought 'I-deserve-a-tip-abella' because I thought she could have anything stacked up on that tray (cupcakes, presents, a birthday cake, etc). For today's card I stamped out the word 'tip' with a Studio G mini alphabet stamp set I got way back. After I stamped it, I realised how similar the font was to the Stamping Bella sentiment I paired with the image. Weird how things like that happen. :)

Need to see more inspiration for this week's challenge? Check out what the other Daredevils created with this sketch!

Cassie Larson
Darla Wilson
Heather Schlatter
Jacquie Peifer
Jessica Diedrich
Kim Ross
Lisa Hjulberg
Lisa Slusser
Rebecca Ednie

We sadly say goodbye to Daredevil Taylor Usry this week. We're so sorry to see her go, but wish her well. Thanks so much for stopping by today!! Have a great day!

Supplies
Stamps: Stamping Bella 'I-Deserve-A-Tip-abella' and 'Thanks For The Tip'
Inks: StazOn 'Jet Black', Creamy Caramel, Cool Caribbean, Pretty In Pink, Regal Rose, Distress Ink 'Frayed Burlap'
Papers: Strathmore Bristol Vellum, Bazzil Basics, PP = Bo Bunny 'Back To Basics Collection - Tutu Dot and Alissa Twirls'
Access: Ribbon, EK Success Corner Punch, Machine Stitching, Dimensionals, Sponges, Taylor's Tiny Twinkles

Anyone for Bingo??

Friday, September 18, 2009

TGIF right?!? Sooo happy about that! LOL

I've been stamping like a mad woman all week and in dire need of a good night out! Actually, who am I kidding? If I went out tonight, I'd have one drink, call a taxi and be in bed by 9pm! LOL I'll settle for PJ's and a glass of wine though. :)

Ms Bella is getting set for a night out....playing bingo! hehe

As I was filling my online shopping cart with Bella's I stumbled across Bingodabbabella and decided I HAD to make a card for sweet lady who lives in the apartment underneath us. She loves her bingo nights and I often see her leave with her carry case full of bright colored dabbas. So I *think* this card will put a smile on her face. :)

This week's Bellarific Friday sketch challenge was a nice and easy one. Should have taken me no time at all right? Yeaaaaah. It took me 3 hours. *rolling eyes* I couldn't pick the right paper, then I couldn't get a sentiment to work. Argh! Finally I decided on some paper and left off a sentiment. Less is always more, right?! hahaha Again, Ms Bingo was colored with reinkers and an aquapainter on Strathmore Bristol Vellum for that smooth finish I am liking so much lately.

That's it from me this week. Have a good one!

Supplies
Stamps: Stamping Bella 'Bingodabbabella'
Inks: StazOn 'Jet Black', Creamy Caramel, Close To Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Cool Caribbean, Sahara Sand, Pink Passion, Going Gray, Distress Inks 'Frayed Burlap'
Papers: Strathmore Bristol Vellum, Bazzil Basics, PP - Basic Grey 'Mellow Collection - Taper'
Access: Large Oval Nestibilities, Large Oval Scalloped Nestibilities, Ribbon, PTI Vintage Button - White and Cream Mix, PTI Rustic Button Twine, Sponges, Dimensionals

Love Is In The Air

Friday, September 11, 2009

A very happy Friday to everyone!


Personally, I'm VERY glad it's Friday because I need to catch some Zzz's and be with my family. How about you?? Got any plans for the weekend? Stella has plans... ;) hubba hubba!

Stella has some BIG plans for the weekend! Love is definitely in the air for her. It's Bellarific Friday again and there was really no excuse to play along this week because Em had the sketch posted for over a week! (She came down with something and subsequently there was no BF last week.)

Most porcelain tubs are white but that's really hard to portray when you color. You can either use gray tones or pale blue hues. I went with the latter this time. I'm not 100% happy with it but I do like how it looks against the pale pink background wash. For some sparkle, I added a bit of glitter to a few of the hearts and Stella's wand with a quickie glue pen. The rest of the card came together pretty easily. Nothing too fancy going on here. :)

The first time around I really enjoyed coloring this Stella doing a Balancing Act in. Second time; not so much. The third time was painful. What you see below is what happens when you decide to spray Glimmer Mist to an image that was colored 6 days ago and you try to fix the bleeding by scrapping away at it with a blade. Mental note to self: don't apply glimmer mist to any red ink...WHAT SO EVER!! I almost cried when I had to redo the image, but then I tried rushing it and had too much water on my brush, all the colors ran into each other and what you see on the card now is my third attempt! LOL What a morning that was!


I hope you all have a lovely weekend what ever it is you're doing. Remember a few weeks back how I said I needed to clean out my car?? That's on my list of projects this weekend...we'll see if I get to it! LOL

Supplies

Stamps: Stamping Bella 'Stella Doing A Balancing Act' & 'Love Is In The Air'

Inks: Creamy Caramel, Cool Caribbean, Pretty In Pink, Regal Rose, Ruby Red, Sahara Sand, Distress Inks ' Tattered Rose and Frayed Burlap'

Papers: Strathmore Bristol Vellum, Bazzil Basics, PP - Basic Grey 'Pink Lemonade Collection -

Access: Ribbon, Doodlebug Brads, Stampendous Glitter, Large Oval Nestibilties, EK Success Hole Punch, Decorative Scissors, Machine Stitching, Taylor's Tiny Twinkles, Dimensionals