Fall Invites

I have been a busy crafter this week! I was asked to make a set of invitations for a Japanese-American Friendship group. Since the theme was going to revolve around a fall progressive lunch, I knew I wanted to stick to fall colors.

I found this Washi paper a few months ago and fell in love with it! So, I built the card around the paper. I know the stamped leaf looks like it has green on it, but it is actually Navy. :) I stamped the leaf once in Summer Sun, once in Orange, then rock and rolled it in the Navy. I then took my Navy marker and ran over the leaf veins lightly. I love this SU set and was sad to see it retired out!



Stamps: Lovely Leaves & Sincere Salutations (SU)
Paper: Night of Navy, Brushed Gold, Only Orange, Washi Paper, Confetti Creme
Ink: Summer Sun, Only Orange, Night of Navy, Brillance Gold, Versamark
Accessories: Gold Brads, Gold Embossing Powder

So, now to the Paper Challenge!! I made a total of 16 invites!

I am now at 67/100 projects complete!!!

I can almost smell the paper I am going to buy when I am in US in Oct...muhahaha!!

Hope this finds you happy and healthy!

Bellarific Friday Sketch...late!

This was actually the Stamping Bella sketch for last week. I had it done, but did not get it posted! (oops!)

This card also fits the bill for our Inky One's Challenge hosted by Lou to use a color or colors we don't normally use. So, confession time...this was my first time using the SU In Colors for this year! (I know, I am dodging the tomatoes...I am such a hoarder!!). That Rich Razzleberry is gorgeous! And...I finally used my Liquid Pearls!! Sankari would be proud! She is the liquid pearl queen, you know!

Stamps: Bella's Garden
Paper: Ballet Blue, Rich Razzleberry, Kiwi Kiss, PTI White, DCWV patterned paper
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics
Accessories: CTMH Grosgrain Ribbon, Bella Charm, Stickles, SU Texturz Plate

My 7 year old LOVES to play in the sketch challenges...so she posted a creation as well! I think I have created a monster...

DH was saying he liked it better when I was not working and I must admit, I agree with his sentiment! I had a lot more time to play! I think once I get settled, things will be in a better routine around here. We can hope anyway...

How could I forget the Paper Challenge?!! LOL

51/100 projects complete!

How are you doing?? :)

Rest in Peace, Travis

I don't know Travis personally, but he meant a lot to a friend of mine. He passed away last month as a result of an AED in Afghanistan. He was 19 years young.



As I made this card, I used specific colors for a reason. The black is for his eternal peace, the brown is for Afghanistan and the utility uniform, and the red represents the blood red stripe down the Marine dress uniform.

I clear embossed the stars and the sentiment for a subtle effect. The main image is stamped/colored on watercolor paper and placed up on dimensionals.


As you view my blog today if you feel so inclined, please say a prayer or think a positive thought about our troops serving all around the world protecting our freedom.

On a lighter note, my first weeks of work are going well! I hope to get myself in a good routine so I have more time to craft and blog. Thanks for your patience as I get used to my new schedule!

As always, thank you for visiting!

Paper Challenge: 1 card completed, so 50/100 projects complete!!

Drum Roll Please...

And the winner of the seaglass is...BECKI!!!! Becki...what are the chances I could hand deliver this to you next month? :)

As a side, I had so many people who were interested in this blog candy that I may do another in the very near future! Stay tuned!

My 20 year High School reunion is in October. I know...you likely have your mouth wide open in disbelief. It is not everyday one can graduate from High School at 9 years old. (At point do I have to give up "pretending" to be 29 and move up to 39?? ;) ) At any rate, my reunion is in California, where I was born and raised...and Becki lives there, too! I am hoping we can meet in real life. Although she has some lame excuse dealing with hunting season...sheesh!!! ;)

I guess I ought to share a card or something. :) Here is a little something I made over the summer using one of my favorite SU sets, Inspired By Nature.

Stamps: Inspired by Nature, Best Yet (SU)
Paper: Really Rust, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White (all SU)
Ink: Really Rust, Wild Wasabi, Close to Cocoa all sponged onto the rubber for the image, markers used for the sentiment
Accessories: Wild Wasabi ribbon, Hodgepodge Hardware

And...just so it is out there, here is the list of participants that I entered into Random.org:

There were 17 items in your list. Here they are in random order:
Becki
Suzi
Gina
Stephanie
CoveredInCrafts
Rachel
CathyRose
Gale
Jen
ScrappinMominKY
Grace
Jenn E
Naomi
Kay
Karen
Teresa
Louise
Timestamp: 2009-09-07 11:28:42 UTC

Thanks for dropping by!

Domo Arigato with some Sake

If you have been following me for a while, you know that I have a fondness for Asian inspired images. When Stampingbella came out with the Ketto line, I was immediately in love!


I made this card when I played in one of my first Bellarific Friday Sketches. The Washi paper was purchased locally. It has such a neat feel to it, almost like fabric! It really adds that special touch to the card.



Stamps: Sake Ketto (StampingBella)
Paper: Red Riding Hood Red, Brushed Gold, Basic Black, PTI White, Washi Paper
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics
Accessories: Red Riding Hood Ribbon (SU), Gold Pen (CM), dimensionals


I have a few blog awards to post and some other catching up to do, so please bear with me! I am starting a new job and my schedule is a little strange as I get oriented and update all of my mandatory requirements. :) My, how CPR has changed since I last certified!


I hope all my American friends have a wonderful holiday weekend! Are you doing anything fun? I am going hunting for seaglass on Monday! :) Taking the kids and hubby with me, too. Don't forget to leave me a comment on my post below if you want to be in the running for a jar of it!

My New Hobby...and a Give-Away!

I know I left you hanging last week and I apologize! Between the kids going back to school, orienting to my new job, and trying to fall into some semblance of a new routine, my craft/computer time has been slim to none!

Of course, it does not help that I been trolling the beaches of Northern Japan either. :) My new hobby is sea glass hunting. You have to be careful...I always go armed with a plastic cup to ward off the seagulls. :)

So, I hate to admit this...but the beach is less than a mile from my house and I had not ever been! In my defense...it is not a swimming beach. The undertoe is so strong it could suck you in and deliver you to San Francisco! At any rate, you can see my hesitation with 3 small children.

My friend, Tiffany, invited me to go and, quite frankly...started the addiction!

Here are some pics of the beach...note we had a tropical storm coming in, so the sun is hidden behind the clouds.

And this is what the glass looks like as it is sitting on the rocks (look at the blue-ish stone in the center of the picture)...

And what it looks like in my glass jar!

See? Isn't that gorgeous?!! I just love how the light reflects off it. It is going to be a wonderful keepsake of our time here!

Now for the good part! If you would like your own small jar of authentic Japanese sea glass hand collected by yours truly, leave me a comment on this post! I will draw for a winner on Sunday night! (I need a reason to go back out this week...tee hee!)