Happy Birthday!!

I received a birthday card (along with some amazing stamping goodies) from my friend, Terri, a few weeks ago. I loved it so much that I very shamelessly CASED it for a friend's birthday that's coming up next week. I think this is probably a first . . . that I've actually made the card and mailed it out BEFORE the birthday. Woohoo!! Maybe I'm finally growing up!! Huh? No way!! LOL Anyway, Terri very kindly stamped off some of these images for me because I loved it so much. Wasn't that sweet of her? This is such a cute layout and image that I will most definitely be CASEING it again. Hehehe Thanks, Terri! I hope my friend likes it. You should run over to Terri's blog and see all the other yummy goodies that she has. DE-LISH!!

Stamps: Fairy With Balloon (Stamps Happen), Sentiment (Papertrey Ink)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)

Paper: White CS (Neenah), Spring Moss CS (PTI), Imaginisce DP

Accessories: Edge Punch (Martha Stewart), Copic Markers, Dazzling Diamonds, Quickie Glue Pen, Stampin' Dimensionals

Thanks for stopping by!

Life's A Beach!!!

LOL That sentiment just cracks me up!! I created this card for the sketch challenge over to Susana's Custom Art and Card Design on Papercraft Planet. The sketch was created by Suzanne Dean. I love how the main image is tilted to the side. I'm such a straight line girl, that doing that gives me gas. LOL But, in the spirit of competition, I did it!! And I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. In addition to using the sketch, you also had to use a stamp that Susana carries in her store. Well, luckily, I had just received my most recent order from her a few days before I made this. This funny little image is from Eat Cake Graphics, and it just makes me smile. If you love a sketch challenge, you should run right over to Susana's group and play along. You have until 2/23, and if you win, you get to choose a stamp from Susana's store. Woohoo!!

Stamps: Gwendalyn's Ready for Sun (Eat Cake Graphics), Twisted Sentiments (MFT), Itty Bitty Sunshine (Lockhart)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)

Paper: Snocone CS (Poptone), Summer Sun CS (PTI), White CS (Neenah), Hoop La Collection DP (Rubber Soul)

Accessories: Quickie Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds, Scrapper's Floss (Karen Foster), Glue Dots, Xyron, Copic Markers, Ribbon, Stampin Dimensionals, Rectangle Classic and Scalloped Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Circle Classic Nestabilities, Clear Buttons (SU)

Thanks for stopping by!

Card Contest Entries!

Hola! I've had a house full of guests the last several days, so I've been MIA. But I had a chance to make some cards for a card contest that's being sponsored by a stamp convention that's coming to Mesa on March 7th & & 8th. My friend, Terri, won this contest last year. She won $100 that she got to spend at the convention at any of the booths!! How fun would that be?!! There's a different theme for each day of the convention. Saturday's theme is "Front Porch" and Sunday's theme is "Mother and Child."





I really struggled with what to do for the Front Porch theme. I finally decided to create a "Welcome to the Neighborhood" card using one of my favorite October Afternoon clear sets and matching DP called "Weathervane." My coloring is a bit messed up, but it'll have to do because I mailed the cards off on Thursday. Except for the coloring, I'm pretty happy with how this turned out.


Welcome to the Neighborhood:






Stamps: Weathervane (October Afternoon); Pin Dot Scrapblock (Cornish Heritage Farms); Year Round Puns and Limitless Labels (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento), Snow Cap Pigment Ink (Ranger)
Paper: Kraft CS (PTI), Aqua Mist CS (PTI), Dark Chocolate CS (PTI), Vintage Cream CS (PTI), Weathervane DP (October Afternoon)
Accessories: Crop-A-Dile, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, 7/8" Circle Punch, Bronze Eyelet, Button (SU), Brown Satin Ribbon (Target), Aqua Mist Polka Dot Ribbon (PTI), Sticky Strip, Fence Edge Punch (Martha Stewart), Scor-Pal, Label Die Cut (Spellbinders), Rectangle Classic and Scalloped Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Corner Rounder, Scrapper's Floss (Karen Foster), Glue Dots, Copic Markers


The theme for Sunday was a little easier for me, understanding of course that I loosely interpreted the "Mother and Child" theme to include bunnies and birds. I bought this cute bunny image at the stamp convention last year - it's by Magenta. The bird image is from Pink Cat Studios . . . it's also one of my favorites.






Mother and Daughter Chickies:





Stamps: Tweet (Pink Cat Studios), Quilter's Sampler Sentiments (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Paper: Snocone CS (Poptone), White (Neenah), Wild Wasabi CS, Scenic Route DP, Linen Vellum (Papertrey Ink)
Accessories: Buttons, Scrapper's Floss (Karen Foster), Stampin Dimensionals, Labels (Spellbinders), Aqua Mist Polka Dot Satin Ribbon (Papertrey Ink), Copic Markers, Rectangle Classic and Scalloped Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Dazzling Diamonds, Quickie Glue Pen, Piercing Tool, Mat Pack


Bunny Mother's Day:





Stamps: Bunnies (Magenta Stamps), Women of Life (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Paper: White CS, So Saffron CS, Sweet Blush CS (PTI), Spring Moss CS (PTI), Imaginisce DP
Accessories: Label (Spellbinders), Rectangle Classic and Scalloped Nestabilities, Stampin Dimensionals, Spring Moss Polka Dot Satin Ribbon (PTI), Lyra Colored Pencils, Gamsol, chalks, Dazzling Diamonds, Quickies Glitter Pen, Scalloped Edge Punch (SU), Scrapper's Floss (Karen Foster)

Terri had kind of decided that she wasn't going to enter this year . . . I hope she changes her mind. IF I win, she said she'd help me spend my loot! Woohoo!! I'm not going to hold my breath though . . . .


Thanks for stopping by!!

Final Shirley's 2 Girls . . . for a while, anyways!!

This is the last of my Shirley's 2 Girls images and since it's "technically" a Valentine image, I thought I'd go ahead and post it here today. It is, however, an image that I think can be used for other occasions other than Valentine's Day. Don't you think so, too? I kind of cased a darling birthday card that my friend, Terri, gave me (see it again, HERE). But when I started cutting everything out, I realized that I wasn't going to have room for the sentiment that goes with the stamp. Crap!! So, I said to myself, "Self, there HAS to be a way to include the sentiment that would be fun and innovative." And sure enough, I figured out a fun and innovative way to include the sentiment (cause I'm smart like that)!! It's sort of like a slider card. The sentiment is hidden behind the main image frame, it's encased in foam mounting tape, and it slides out by pulling on the flower. Isn't that just BRILLIANT?!! I'm pretty sure I didn't invent this little technique, but I'm still going to pat myself on the back for figuring this out. Ultimately, I ended up printing the sentiment out on the computer, because I just couldn't get it to fit otherwise. Anyway, I paper-pieced Gracie's Dress (the image is called Gracie With Balloons), as well as her leggings and sleeves. I colored the rest of her with Copic Markers and added some much needed bling (because every Valentine needs to have bling, don't you think?), and VOILA!!

Here's a picture with the sentiment pulled out. Am I just brilliant, or what?!! Okay, that's probably it for me for awhile. Terri's coming over to play on Monday, but after that no more crafting for me for a while. Gotta clean house for my brother-in-law's arrival. I believe that the fabulous ladies at Shirley's 2 Girls are designing some adorable Doggie images, so if you're a doggie lover, stay tuned!! I believe that they'll be released March 1st, and hopefully they send some my way so that I have something more to play with!

Stamps: Gracie With Balloons (SG 28 Shirley's 2 Girls)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)

Paper: Sweet Blush CS (PTI), Rose Red CS, Green Apple CS (Poptone), Lovey DP (Luxe Designs), Stamper's Select White CS (PTI)

Accessories: Edge Punch (Martha Stewart), Foam Mounting Tape, Tag (Spellbinders), Cuttlebug, Rectangle Classic and Scalloped Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Copic Markers, Quickie Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds, Stampin Dimensionals, White Eyelet, Crop-A-Dile, Green Polka Dot Ribbon (American Crafts), Glue Dots

Thanks for stopping by!

More Shirley's 2 Girls and Chintz Bowl With Apples

Another fun gal from Shirley's 2 Girls called Cooking (SG 508). This woman represents the story of my life right now. Cooking is not my bag and with it just being my husband and I at home, and being on funny eating schedules (he's always golfing, I'm always doing other stuff), we do a lot of eating out. That's probably why my butt and mid-section keep getting bigger. hehehe Anyways, I won't bore you with the crap from my life. I just love this funny lady.





Stamps: Cooking (SG 508 Shirley's 2 Girls), Pin Dot Scrapblock (Cornish Heritage Farms), Recipe Background (Great Impressions)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Ladybug Red (Memento)
Paper: Stamper's Select White CS (PTI), Poppy Red CS (PTI), Basic Black CS (PTI)
Accessories: Rectangle Classic and Scalloped Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Library Clip (Making Memories), Red and Black Gingham Ribbon (PTI), Rhinestones (Jolee's Boutique), Edge Punch (Martha Stewart), Copic Markers, Stampin Dimensionals


Do you ever have one of those days when everything just comes together like it was made to be together? That's how this card came together. I found this DP on a little retail therapy shopping trip last week with my friend, Terri. I grabbed it this morning, matched it with some CS, and knew that I wanted to make something with it. When I saw the challenge on the Fans of Karen Lockhart group on Papercraft Planet, I knew that this image would be PERFECT for this DP . . . just like they were made to go together, right?!! If you love Karen Lockhart images like I do, you should run on over to the Fans of Karen Lockhart Papercraft Planet page and play with us!! There are prizes for the winner!! Woohoo, gotta love prizes, right?!!





Stamps: Apples In Chintz Bowl (Karen Lockhart), Simple Little Things (PTI)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Paper: Snowcone CS (Poptone), Spring Moss CS (PTI), Stamper's Select White CS (PTI), Lynden DP (Scenic Route)
Accessories: Buttons, Spring Moss Polka Dot Satin Ribbon (PTI), Square Classic and Scalloped Nestabilities, Labels One Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Stampin Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, Glue Dots, Copic Markers

Thanks for stopping by!!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Hope you're having a wonderful Valentine's Day so far!! I'm not much into the whole Valentine's Day thing . . . but I love doing stuff for my kids, especially when they're far away at college. I didn't get around to sending my youngest DD's Valentine's package this year, and she called the other day and let me know how disappointed she was. Oddly enough, I've gathered some stuff up for her over the past several weeks, but just never got around to sending it. Between our trip to NYC and getting my DT work done, I just haven't had time to pack it all up. But my plan is to head to the Post Office today, so hopefully she'll forgive me for being a slacker mom. I hope your Valentine's Day is filled with sweet thoughts and lotsa love!!


So, now on to more creating. I've been a crafting fool the past couple of days. Gotta get it all done before my brother-in-law arrives. Unfortunately, I don't have a dedicated craft room, so I have to drag all my crap out into the kitchen and family room when I want to make stuff. I want it all put away when they arrive - gotta at least give the appearance that my house is clean. hehehe Anyways, I digress . . . so I've been doing more stuff with my fun Shirley's 2 Girls stamps. They're just such fun images to work with, and they inspire all kinds of creative thinking . . . so much so that my brain won't shut off at night and I dream about Shirley's 2 Girls all night long!!


Isn't this gal fabulous?!! This is another one of those Ladies With Attitude from Shirley's 2 Girls (SG507 Once Is Enough). I've GOT to meet the brilliant ladies behind these images, because they are just so fun and sassy! I think I'd really like the people who come up with these funny ladies . . . they're just so ME. I saw this layout on Amy Sheffer's blog a while ago and filed it away in my sketches to try file. I used some of my new Tea Party DP from Stampin' Up, and colored her with my Copics. I added some Kaisercraft pearls and some ribbon from my stash. I'm pretty happy with how this turned out.





Stamps: Once Is Enough (SG 507 Shirley's 2 Girls)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Paper: Almost Amethyst CS, Certainly Celery CS, Stamper's Select White CS (PTI)
Accessories: Curvy Rectangle Nestabilities, Rectangle Classic and Scalloped Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Stampin Dimensionals, Flower and Leaf Buttons (Doodlebug), Self-Adhesive Pearls (Kaisercraft), 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Scrapper's Floss (Karen Foster), Copic Markers





This is another design for the Shirley's 2 Girls Dog In Chair (SG 607) image. I just love the bright and fun colors in this Collage Press Citrus DP, don't you? It just makes me happy. I paper-pieced the chair. I also stamped the dog on the orange CS and ran it through my Cuttlebug using the Swiss Dots Embossing Folder. You can't really see it in the picture, but he's got all kinds of fun texture.







Stamps: Dog In Chair (SG 607 Shirley's 2 Girls)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Paper: Rose Red CS, Summer Sunrise CS (PTI), Stamper's Select White CS (PTI), Citrus DP (Collage Press), Regal Rose CS
Accessories: Buttons, Raspberry Fizz 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon (PTI), Summer Sunrise 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon (PTI), Stampin Dimensionals, Rectangle Classic Nestabilities, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Cuttlebug, Glue Dots

Full Cup of Raspberry Hot Chocolate!!

I'm baaaaccck!!! LOL Are you sick of me yet?!! I've just been craftin' my life away the last few days - and having so much fun in the process!! I have a few more projects in my sick little head that are just screamin' to get out. Hopefully I can get them out before my head explodes!!

This is a fun little Hot Chocolate Pocket Card that I created using another image from Shirley's 2 Girls. It's called Coffee Hearts (SG 158). How fun would it be to give this to your sweetie for his morning coffee (or hot chocolate hehehe) on Valentine's Day?!! Yummmmm-oooo!! I think I'll do that for my sweetie. I'm a Starbucks Grande Raspberry Mocha kinda girl myself, but if someone gave this to me, I'd be happy.

Those sassy ladies at Shirley's 2 Girls have lots of fun images at their online store - AND they're designing a BUNCH of cute little doggie images. Soooo cute!! They'll be releasing them on March 1st, so stay tuned. In the meantime, check out their other stuff. You won't be disappointed!

Stamps: Coffee Hearts (SG 158 Shirley's 2 Girls)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)

Paper: Raspberry Fizz, Dark Chocolate, and Stamper's Select White CS (PTI), Romance DP (American Crafts)

Accessories: Raspberry Fizz Polka Dot Satin Ribbon (PTI), Stampin Dimensionals, Dazzling Diamonds, Quickie Glue Pen, Copic Markers, Long Rectangle Scalloped and Classic Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Sticky Strip, Button (American Drafts), Word Window Punch (SU), Scalloped Edge Punch (Nestabilities), Scor-Pal

Thanks for stopping by!

Blogger Group #7's February Sketch Challenge!

Wow! Two posts in one day!! You all are probably falling over dead at my prolific blogging the last few days. Or, I could just be talking to myself! LOL Anyway, Nancy (Jeanstamping2 on SCS), one of the sweet ladies in my SCS Blogger Group #7 that I belong to posted a challenge for us to create a card using the above sketch. We also had to create our card using shades of green and blue. Lately, I've been inspired by some of the blogs that I blurf everyday. The cards I find myself attracted to lately are simple and kinda quirky. This is what I came up with for the challenge. What do you think? I love the color combo, and that DP. It just makes me happy. All in all, I think I like it. Thanks, Nancy, for such a fun challenge! You should run on over to Nancy's blog and check out all of her fun creations.





Stamps: Polka Dot Scrapblock (Cornish Heritage Farms)
Ink: Summer Sky (Memento)
Paper: Rain CS (PTI), Green Apple CS (Poptone), Milan DP (Me & My Big Ideas)
Accessories: Thickers (American Crafts), Poppy Polka Dot Satin Ribbon (PTI), 1 1/4" Square Punch, 1 3/8" Square Punch, Glue Dots, Buttons, Scrapper's Floss (Karen Foster), Stampin Dimensionals


Thanks for stopping by, again!!

Once Is Enough and Nap Time!

Okay, so you all don't know me, but this is how I look when I wake up in the morning!! LOL Isn't she BEE-U-TEEE-FUL? This is an image designed by those clever ladies over at Shirley's 2 Girls. I'm just loving her pretty hat and that bling - so Princess Diana-ish, don't you think? Shirley's 2 Girls products can be found HERE. This particular stamp is called Once Is Enough (SG507).





Stamps: Once Is Enough (SG507 Shirley's 2 Girls)

Paper: Basic Black CS, Riding Hood Red CS, Soft Sky CS, Stamper's Select White CS (PTI), American Crafts DP

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)

Accessories: Rhinestones (Impress), Quickie Glue Pen, Stampin Dimensionals, Copic Markers, Rectangle Classic and Scalloped Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon (American Crafts)

This next image is called Dog In Chair, and it's another one of Shirley's 2 Girls' darling designs. Isn't he just too cute? I love how realistic the dog looks, but whimsical at the same time. KWIM? I'm not a big dog lover, but I tell ya if I had a dog this cute, I might just change my mind. My cat, Maggie, might have something to say about that, however. She doesn't play well with others. LOL

Stamps: Dog In Chair (SG607 Shirley's 2 Girls)

Paper: Tangerine Tango CS, Old Olive CS, Stamper's Select White CS (PTI), Lemon Tart CS (PTI), Ashville DP (Scenic Route)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)

Accessories: Polka Dot 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Stampin Dimensionals, Rectangle Classic and Scalloped Nestabilities, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Cuttlebug, Copic Markers

Thanks for stopping by!!