1.30.2011

I don't do color combos

...but I did this one from Moxie Fab World. Too yummy to resist. :) I also combined it with Lucy's sketch.


Don't you just love those clocks? It's from Hero Arts "Cuckoo" which I wanted ever since I saw Dawn McVey's card using one of the clocks in the August issue of CARDS.{swoon}
Now that I have the set (thank you, HERO ARTS!!)....


...it's time to celebrate. ;)

To thank Hero Arts for their super awesome-ness, I am going to give away a NEW 2011 Hero Arts stamp/set. Not telling ya what set/stamp it is, but it's awesome. Well, I guess that's kinda obvious, since it's Hero Arts, but anywho...

To be entered, just leave a comment. Oh, and you just might get an extra entry if you become a follower...just maybeeee. ;) I'll leave this open till...hm...when I'm done celebrating, how 'bout that?

Anyways, thanks for stopping in and for all the sweet comments! I hope to return them all this afternoon! :)


ps - how do you like the new blog look? Blogger has new fonts (I just discovered them yesterday), and there are TONS of great ones, so you might want to check it out. :)


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Card recipe
Cardstock: Bazzil
Stamps: Hero Arts "Cuckoo"
Ink: Staz-on
Ribbon: Seam binding available HERE
Pearls: Kaisercraft

Tools: trimmer, adhesive, scissors, sewing machine

1.28.2011

why...?

...do my mom and sister really like this card?


I mean sure, it's got some beautiful Waltzingmouse and Hero Arts stamps on it, but what else?


{sigh}...I dunno. I've been wondering about this for awhile, and I still don't understand it. I'm just not a big fan of this card, I guess. Though I do like the color combo, from Moxie Fab World. :) I really did fit all the pinks in there - you probably can't tell, but those two pink pearls on the butterfly? Well, they're different shades. I'm not kidding.

Seriously.

I'm not!

Anyways, this is also for the Walzingmouse CASE challenge - my card was inspired by Laurie. I kinda went with the sketch of her card, but I was really taken with Laurie's use of vellum - I can't even remember the last time I pulled this stuff out before this card!

Have an awesome weekend and thanks for popping in! :)

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Card recipe
Cardstock: LSS
Stamps: Waltzingmouse, Hero Arts "Sew Artsy"
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink "Walnut Stain" and "Worn Lipstick", Joann Fabrics ink
Pearls: Prima
Other: twine

Tools: trimmer, adhesive, Cuttlebug, Nestabilities

1.26.2011

Thinking of You doll

Thanks SO much for all the sweet comments - they really make me smile (and even blush!)! Just thought I should mention once again how much I appreciate you. :)


So, about a week or two ago, I got rid of almost two thirds of my patterned paper stash, by giving it away online.

It felt soooo good. :)

I decided to do some further cleaning (to make way for 2011 Winter CHA releases!) by challenging myself to make cards using 'old' papers.

October Afternoon "Fly a Kite" and "Thrift Shop" were the first collections I went after. For this card, I actually didn't use too much of the paper, but even though it was just one scrap, I still feel proud, because I didn't let it just gather dust!


I had already colored in the doll one day, (for fun because I usually don't like putting colored images on my cards) and it happened to slip out with the papers I already had out.


Mmm, how do you like that ribbon? It's a new color now available in my shoppe. I also have lots of vintage images that I've added, with samples coming soon. :)

I want to mention that our computers software was switched (for better protection from viruses), so now all the quick links I had of blogs I visit are gone. I am trying to go through all the blogs and bookmark them again, but if you notice I am not commenting regularly on your posts, then your blog might've slipped my notice. If so, just leave a comment/drop an e-mail letting me know, because I do not want to miss out on any of your creations. :)

Anyways, thanks for stopping in and have a happy hump day!

ETA: This card was made for this weeks SSC and WeeMemories challenges. :)

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Card recipe
Cardstock: LSS, Hero Arts
Patterned paper: October Afternoon "Fly a Kite", K&Company
Stamps: Hero Arts "Dolls" and "Thinking of You messages"
Ink: Staz-on, Tim Holtz "Walnut Stain"
Ribbon: Seam binding available HERE
Pearls: Hero Arts
Other: flower

Tools: trimmer, adhesive, scissors, Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Glossy Accents

1.21.2011

friends

Hey!

I'm feeling soooo much better now - thanks to all for the well wishes, and super sweet comments! They are much appreciated. :)


Some card I made a long time ago, that I'm not quite sure if I shared with you already...hm...

Anyways, just quickly popping in - I've got some cookies in the oven I've got to tend to right now. :)

Have an awesome weekend!

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Card recipe
Cardstock: Bazzil
Patterned paper: Sassafras, K&Co
Stamps: Hero Arts
Ink: Staz-on
Ribbon: Seam binding available HERE

Tools: trimmer, scissors, Cuttlebug, Nestabilities, hole punch

1.17.2011

Just dropping in to say...


How are ya? Sorry for not popping in for awhile - I was visiting some friends this past weekend, and while visiting, got a fever/cold which I'm still recovering from, which is why this is going to be a short post.
Blech, I hate sickness.
Anyways, just sharing a card I made awhile back (and published here on the blog) that was published in the December CARDS issue. One stamp, Hero Arts. Go figure. ;)

Oh, and thanks to all for the sweet comments, and to WMS for the Top Mouse award! I'm so honored. :)

Thanks for stopping by!

1.13.2011

Just Saying Hello

I am so in love with THIS Hero Arts set. I kinda doubted my decision to get it at first because I wouldn't really need to give cards out using houses, but I've warmed up to the adorable images and sweet sentiments. :) And how about THIS beautiful background? Love it, love it.


Instructions: Cut and score card base, and distress edges with ink. Cut patterned paper out, adhere to base and distress. Adhere colored doily to base, then tie bow around base; embellish bow with bloomer. Sew bottom edge of card. Adhere pearl swirl to base. Cut out die, stamp, distress, and embellish. Adhere to base.

Oh, and if you want to know how to make the stamped frame, there is a tutorial for it HERE.


Made this card for this weeks SSC Card challenge (frame technique) and Waltzingmouse Sketch challenge.

Thanks so much for stopping in!


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Card recipe
Cardstock: LSS
Patterned paper: Crate "Restoration"
Stamps: Hero Arts "Mi Casa" and "Musical Background"
Ink: Tim Holtz "Walnut Stain", Martha Stewart
Ribbon: Offray
Flower: Websters Pages
Half pearls: Prima, unknown
Other: Faber-Castelle coloring pencil

Tools: trimmer, adhesive, scissors, Cuttlebug, Nestabilities (Labels Four), sewing machine

1.11.2011

1/11/11

I just love all those ones - I scheduled this post for 1:11 pm for more ones. Come November 11th, I hope to have a 11/11/11 post at 11:11...that is, if I can remember! ;)

So, anyways, my promised 'eleven elevens'

Eleven inspiring artists (in no particular order)
  1. Sarah Martina
  2. Laurie Willison
  3. Ashey Newell
  4. Alice Wertz
  5. Lisa Spangler
  6. Kryssi Nygi
  7. Jenn Biederman
  8. JooJoo (Afsaneh)
  9. Carole
  10. Jill Foster
  11. My knitting sister! No blog though ;)

Eleven cute/favorite photos
  1. Beautiful snail
  2. Sweet bunny
  3. Yummy looking ellies
  4. Adorable pandas
  5. Llama!!
  6. Weirdly cute alien 
  7. Pretttttyyy necklace
  8. Cute hat - gorgeous model
  9. A cross-stitched Mr. Pringle...?
  10. Another elephant!
  11. 'Tweet' earrings
Eleven favorite products/companies/lines
  1. Doilies
  2. Websters Pages bloomers
  3. Seam binding
  4. Mulberry roses
  5. October Afternoon  - name any collection, I love it
  6. Crate 'Restoration'
  7. Hero Arts stamps
  8. Tim Holtz ink
  9. The Girls Paperie
  10. Butterfly punches
  11. Pearls
Eleven favorite cards (that are not undergoing publication)











    Whew! That was a LOT of elevens!

    Now would you mind playing along and leaving a comment with just one;
    inspiring artist
    favorite photo
    product/company
    and/or
    project
    ??

    Thanks so much for stopping in and have a fabulous day! :)

      1.05.2011

      Friendly flower...(again)

      I have something fun to share with you today. My friend Brandi at Yankee Bell Stamper tagged me to do the list of fours - thanks Brandi!:) It's a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers a little better, and here is my list:

      1. Four shows that you watch:
      • Castle
      • Ace of Cakes
      • Cake Boss
      • The Pittsburgh Penguins show! haha, not really a show, but my favorite thing to watch on tv!
      2. Four things you are passionate about:
      • Family and friends
      • Paper crafting
      • Volleyball
      • Making/eating cookies!
      3. Four words/phrases you say a lot:
      • Darn it
      • Drat
      • Your face! (inside joke)
      • Silly (insert name here)
      4. Four things you've learned from the past:
      Mine are all pretty boring...nothing inspirational here...
      • Don't talk super fast - people can't understand you and may think you're weird (of course, they'd be right in my case, butttttt.....)
      • Not to complain a lot about our Christmas Eve supper (always squid and smelts - yuck!) - it'll make the dinner a lot less annoying to you and a lot less fun for your brothers who enjoy teasing you ;)
      • When the going get tough, the tough get going!
      • Staying on the computer for long periods of time is not conducive to good eyesight!
      5. Four places you would like to go:
      • Portugal
      • Michaels
      • Pat Catans
      • Hero Arts place in California ;)
      6. Four things you did yesterday:
      • Went to a Pittsburgh Penguins practice!
      • Got a lot of new goodies at Michaels
      • Cleaned
      • Made a card (surprise surprise)
      7. Four things you are looking forward to:
      • Four very exciting card related packages to come
      • Some good friends to come up that I haven't seen in a long time
      • Volleyball practices to start again
      • Seeing the April issue of CARDS ;)
      8. Four things you love about winter:
      • Christmas!
      • Christmas break
      • Having all the family here for break
      • Hockey
      9. Tag four people to play along:

      And a card that was also published in the November CARDS....


      Thanks for stopping in and enjoy your day! :)

      1.01.2011

      Here's to a bright 2011!

      HAPPY 2011!! 

      I was going to post this yesterday, but I lost track of time, so here it is now!

      I want to share a card that was published in the November issue of CARDS. Kind of an odd month to publish something so...sunny, I'd think. ;) But, because it's so bright (and today's weather is sooooo dreary!), I thought I'd share it with you today.
      So, continuing on with the 'things/techniques-I-thought-I'd-never-try-at-the-beginning-of-2010' theme, this card uses a little technique I never knew existed until a couple months ago. You may not be able to tell, but I put clear nail polish on the bee's wings so they would shine - I hadn't heard of glossy accents yet, so nail polish it was! ;)
      The other technique is using sandpaper to distress the paper; I saw Sarah Martina's white distressing on cards, and it took me awhile to realize she was using white ink, not sandpaper! ;)


      Pleating seam binding is a great way to use up those scraps - I don't think it would work quite so well
      with,...say, satin, but non-crinkly seam binding looks pretty nice like that.

      Now for a couple head-ups;
      • On 1/11/11, I am going to share with you my top eleven blogs, cards, techniques, etc .I was going to do a ten thing for New Years Eve, buttttt....kinda lost track of time! lol! 
      • I'll be having a giveaway(s?) soon, sometime around/after the ninth, so be forewarned. ;)
      • I have added, and will be adding some more items to my paperie shop.
      • Might be changing up the blog look again...I've playing around with some stuff and am getting the urge to change the look again already!
      Thank you so much for a YEAR of support, inspiration, funny stories, hugs, YOU!

      Many hugs and wishes to you for a wonderful, blessed, healthy NEW YEAR!

      *****************************
      Card recipe
      Cardstock: Bazzil
      Patterned paper: October Afternoon "Thrift Shop" and "Fly a Kite"
      Stamps: Hero Arts "Be Happy"
      Ink: Staz-on
      Other: ribbon

      Tools: trimmer, scissors, adhesive, nail polish, sandpaper