Bellarific Friday Sketch & Ocean's 11 Challenge

What a fun week I have had! See, I think I am finally getting the balance of the kids home for summer and some time at the craft table! Ironic, being as summer vaca is almost over, but I am ecstatic none-the-less!

Once again, I had to play with the Bellarific Friday Sketch. This one was a doozy for me. Rather than put the image on the vertical rectangle panel, I just *had* to insist of inking the long horizontal panel. I am so stubborn sometimes!

After a few choice words, here is what my card ended up looking like:

I tried to show my 100 yen store find...this yummy gathered black ribbon! It is right under the green panel. I liked the look of the black on black. You can see it better in real life. :)

And the sketch:

Additionally, I needed a card for DS' friend. This is also based on the sketch, but helps to meet another challenge my Ocean's 11 Blog Group is doing. Amy challenged us to pair 3 colors we would not normally use together. Blue, Red, Green. Not normal for me; totally guided by that patterned paper!!


Funny...I was so limited in this card because of DS. He did NOT want me to embellish it! I guess 9 year old boys aren't so much into the bling and shimmer, now are they?! I did sneak some Liquid Glass onto the balloon, which he loved. :)

Hey, and how about my ability to use my scraps?! The pattern paper is all from the scrap pile and I dusted off the deckle scissors for the sentiment! Seriously, those scissors are circa 2001. Scary. But I think it worked!

As a side note, Stampingbella.com is having a release today! Woo Hoo! I am in love with the sneak peeks, so I can only image how over the moon I will be when I see it all!

Thanks for taking the time to visit today!

Happy Thoughts Recipe:

Stamps: Funky Clothesline (Stampingbella.com), Think Happy Thoughts (SU)
Paper: Basic Black, Tempting Turquoise, Green Galore, DCWV All Dressed Up Mat Stack, PTI White
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics (C-7, C-5, C-3, C-1, B02, B05, YG03, YG05, YG06)
Accessories: Circle tag, Button, Silver Cord, Turquiose Ribbon (SU), Robin's Nest Dew Drops, Ruffle Balck Ribbon (100 yen store)

Monstah Bash Recipe:

Stamps: Monstah Bash and sentiment (Stampingbella.com)
Paper: Brocade Blue, Real Red, PTI White, Pattern Paper from my scrap pile! :)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics (R46, R43, R00, B45, B41, YG06, YG05, YG03, YG01, C-3, C-1)
Accessories: CTMH brads, Liquid Glass, deckle scissors

Playing Along with Verve

I recently "discovered" Verve Stamps. (I love you, my blog buddies...but you sure are horrible enablers!) After browsing their website and penning a wish list that was a mile long, I settled for a few sets to get me started!




This is the very first card I made with my new stamps! I am posting it today because I decided to play along with their "Divine Details" Project Parade! You should play, too! Everyone likes a chance to win some stamps!

So, my divine details are:

• the clear dew drops for an understated embellishment
  
• the orange scalloped nesties around the circles to play off of the flower petals on the patterned paper, then adhered with dimensionals
  
• the contrast of green/orange/brown
  
• the big, chocolate stain ribbon

Stamps: Flowers of Tomorrow (Verve)
Paper: Whisper White, Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango, Chatterbox Patterned Paper
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie and Old Olive markers, direct to stamp
Accessories: Robin's Nest Clear Dew Drops, SU Chocolate Satin Ribbon, Circle and Scalloped Circle Nestabilities

Thanks for stopping by! :)

Warm Wishes & an Award

I made this card for my blog buddies who had June birthdays. (As a side, I actually sent these cards out on time; I just did not want to post this before they arrived at their destinations!) I know this set is retired, but it is new to me! I just *had* to have that palm tree!!

Stamps: Balmy Breezes, Hugs & Wishes (SU)
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Brocade Blue, Naturals Ivory, Always Artichoke, Always Artichoke DSP (thaks Gale!)
Ink: Chocolate Chip, SU Markers in Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, Brocade Blue, & Always Artichoke
Accessories: Chocolate Rafia (Mikes), Brads, dimensionals

The blogging world continues to amaze me. I have "met" the neatest people by simply blog hopping, leaving a comment, and then getting someone in return who visits me! Martha Kay is one of those gals and I am grateful she thought of me when passing this award on! Domo Arigato, Martha Kay!!


I would like to pass this along to:

• Amy
• Kim
• Grace
• Kay
• Laura

Thank you for taking a peek into my world today!

Bellarific Friday Sketch

Oh, happy day! I got a chance to "play" today!

Here is the Bellarific Friday Sketch for this week:

And here is my take on it:

Stamps: Loopy Flower (StampingBella) & Cute Converse (SU)

Paper: Ruby Red, Confetti White, Bashful Blue DSP, Certainly Celery DSP, Wild Asparagus Patterned Paper

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics (Y000, Y00, Y11, Y13, Y15, G21, C1)

Accessories: SU Scallop punch, Circle Nestabilities, Robin's Nest Dew Drops, Dimensionals

Thanks for looking! Hope you get some ink time today, too!

Smooching & an Award!

To start, I have a card for you today that I made a while back. (I am sooo behind in my posts! **sigh** Maybe once the kids are in school, I will have some semblance of sanity and can be more timely!)

I love SU's Upsy Daisy set, but due to its popularity I was trying to think of a unique way to use it. The "kissing" technique came to mind. (Isn't that a darling name?! Makes me giggle every time!)

Stamps: Upsy Daisy & Paisley BG (SU)

Paper: Whisper White, Tangerine Tango, Pacific Point

Ink: Versamark, Tangerine Tango, Pacific Point

Accessories: Tangerine Tango Ribbon, Silver Brads, Clear EP

To make this card, I inked up my background stamp with Tangerine Tango, used that like a stamp pad and laid the Upsy Daisy stamp on it. This transferred the ink to Upsy Daisy, and then I stamped that on my Whisper White. (Since I wanted to use Clear EP, I actually inked Upsy Daisy with versamark first.)

Last but certainly not least, I never cease to be amazed that someone would want to give me an award. :) I am the one who is truly awarded every time I visit all of my blogging buddies! Thank you Holly and Amy! You made my day brighter!

Now, for the "rules":

• Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link.
• Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

Here is my list:

• Suzi
• Karen
• Michele
• Tessa
• Heather
• Traci
• Jennifer
• Gale
• Samantha
• Christy
• Becki
• Pickle's Mom

And the Winner is...

Sorry for the delay in posting the winner of the masculine/CAS challenge below. I had a heck of a Monday! Do you want to hear about it? You do? I thought so! (I am snickering...)

My day started out by almost stepping in a puddle of liquid on my kitchen floor. As I have 2 dogs, I immediately (and under my breath )blamed it upon one of them with some choice words. As I was grabbing the paper towels **drip** on my head. Oh yes, the roof was leaking! Thankfully the landlord was here in 10 minutes with workers!

Once that was fixed, the dog puked...on the carpet. I have hardwood in 80% of my house. Why, oh why, do my dogs ALWAYS seem to be sick on my rugs?!! Of course, I am out of Spot Shot.

Then today...getting ready to leave the house when I hear a dripping noise. The roof was fixed yesterday...now what? Our AC unit is dripping water ON TOP OF my son's Wii Rock Band drum set. When I went to move the drum set, I noticed it was making a sloshing sound. Oh yes, there was a ton of water INSIDE of the drum set. It was fun taking it outside watching the water stream out of it. (NOT!) At any rate, once again, landlord called, workers immediately here and fixed the AC unit. **sigh** I hope the drum set works. I am not trying to use it until I know it is completely dry. Keeping my fingers crossed!!

So...that is why I could not post until now. :)

Our big winner with all of the cards ranked correctly is:


peggysue said...
Oh dear, a game, I'm not good at these.
I myself like the pocket card best, so here is my vote:

1. Pocket card
2. Sanded blue
3. Lovely as a tree
4. Argyle

July 10, 2009 11:51 AM

Congratulations Peggysue!!! I cannot wait to send you your goodies!!

Thanks to everyone for playing and for "listening" to me rant about my crappy day. I feel better now!

CAS-y Masculine and some FUN!

If you have been reading my blog for a while, you know that 2 things really, really challenge me: CAS and Masculine cards.

So, a friend of mine asked me to make a set of note cards for her husband to use. (Can you see the deer in the headlights look from there?!!) She specifically asked for cool tones with regard to the cardstock colors and to "keep it simple" while incorporating her DH's initials.

My, oh my...this one was indeed a challenge!

Here are the 4 samples I made for her.

Card 1: So Saffron Pocket Card

Card 2: Lovely as a Tree Clear Embossed

Card 3: So Saffron Argyle with a touch of ribbon

Card 4: Sanded Blue

Let's play a game!

Post, in order, which ones you think she liked best. A rank of "1" is her most favorite; a rank of "4" is her least favorite! Then, on July 12 I will "award" the person who picked correctly with a prize!

If more than 1 person ranks the cards correctly, I will do a little drawing here. If you are not a crafty gal, please play anyway! I would be happy to send you a little somethin'-somethin' from Japan!

Thanks for stopping by!

ETA: the metal swirl on the pocket card is NOT part of the card! It just a stand I had to lean the card up against to get the picture. :)

Domo Arigato, my friends

When I started my blog in August of 2008, I had no idea what kind of response I would get. I am so blessed to have developed a network of "invisible" friends. Who knew one could develop such relationships online?! I value each and every one of you who come to visit me in my little corner of cyberspace.

With that said, I am continually humbled and honored to be given blog awards. I apologize for not always posting them right away. Please know they are always appreciated!

My first award is from Martha Kay at Raining Rubber. (One would have hoped I could have had this posted in a more timely manner considering the award, huh?!)

The Karma Award: "These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind of bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly written text into the body of their award."

Thank you Martha Kay! This award means so much to me! I am honored that you think of me in this manner!

Here are my choices:

• Jill from At Home in the Country
  
• Cathy from Stop and Smell the Roses
  
• Rachel from Jazzy Creations
  
• Stephanie from Paper Crafter Thoughts
  
• Becki from Rocky Road Forever
  
• Jen from Sabbatical Mom
  
• Suzi from Suzi's Scraps
  
• Shawndra from Shawndra Turner (Shawndra passed away from Colon Cancer in March. This award is dedicated to her young daughter and husband. Rest in Peace, Shawndra.)

My next award was given to me by Peggy Sue at Roses by My Window.



The Lemonade Stand: "Choose seven ladies who according to this award show an attitude of gratitude"

Thank you so much, Peggy Sue! I am humbled you think of me in this manner! I would like, in turn, to give this award to:

• Heather at Scrappy Dayz
  
• Katie at Katie's Niche
  
• Naomi at A Stamper's Paradise
  
• Karen at Time Crafted
  
• Jane at Whoopsie Daisy
  
• Kathy at StampinMN
  
• Traci from Stamping: Life's Prescription

And last but certainly not least, this award was given to me by Traci at Stamping: Life's Prescription. Thank you so much for for giving it to me!


Kreative Blogger Award: "Here are the rules of the blog award. Thank the person who nominated you and link to their blog. Copy and post the award on your blog. List 7 things about yourself that people might find interesting. Post links to 7 blogs that you are nominating and leave them a note they have received the award."

So here are 7 things that people might find interesting about me:

1. I have always owned a convertible car.
   
2. I always knew I wanted to be a nurse. In fact, in 8th grade I was the coordinator of our school's clinic.
   
3. I grew up in California and when I go home, the "valley girl" talk immediately starts spilling out between my lips.
   
4. IMO, the best chocolate in the world is See's Candy.
   
5. I would like to retire in Colorado Springs.
   
6. For some reason, I have a mental block when it comes to learning new languages.
   
7. I love attending school! In fact, I cannot wait to get back to the US so I can start another degree! (Although it won't be in a foreign language...LOL)

My seven choices are:

• Peggy Sue at Roses by My Window
  
• Diane at Diane's Designs
  
• Dell at DaDoodleDiva
  
• Jennifer at Paper Pie Keepsakes
  
• Lou at Louise? Yeah, that's Me
  
• Kim at Desperately Seeking Stamps
  
• Mary at On Life and Creating

Thanks for stopping by!