Adventures from the Monkey Hut

UIT: All About Winter

2012-01-10T01:00:00.000-09:00

This week at Use It Tuesday our theme is All About Winter...and boy do I know all about that! I know all about it to the tune of -42F (the coldest I have personally experienced). I can honestly say that seeing temps that low was certainly NOT on my bucket list of 'must dos' but hey, the Northern Lights were and I guess you have to pay in some way to experience such beauty. (Kind of like the pain of eyebrow waxing??!)

Anyway, we would LOVE to have you join us this week! Use your hoarded supplies, link up your creation, and play away! You have until Jan 20th!

This card was particularly fun because DH bought me the PTI Stamps and matching dies last Christmas and they had yet to see ink! I love working with the matchy-matchy stamps/dies they have! Plus, I used up another SU ribbon slide and ribbon from a dusty multi-pack!

Hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Joy...and The Hunt

2011-12-12T21:45:00.003-09:00

This year I decided to include a card with my annual Christmas story...because the card's sentiment is exactly how I feel when I retell this year after year...

For the past 3 years, I have shared a story here on my blog. It is about the Christmas spirit and trust me, it will be worth the read! It is my favorite Holiday story ever...and one that I never tire of telling! I hope you will take the time to read it. :)

Historically I get a lot of comments asking if readers can share the link to this post. In short: Absolutely!

It was December 22, 2001. We were living in Utah at the time. I was 8 months pregnant with my second child, had a 22 month old baby running around, my husband was living in Egypt for a year (for work), and we had our house up for sale. Yes, life was a little chaotic, but good!

Due to my husband's inability to make it home for Christmas, our dear friends had invited my son and I over for Christmas dinner. Awesome! My son is the pickiest eater EVER, so making turkey and the fixings only for myself would have been depressing.

At 6:30 pm on the 22nd, my doorbell rang. I answered it and was greeted by some overly cheerful people wearing reindeer antlers and Santa hats.

"Hello!" they exclaimed, "We are on a Christmas Scavenger Hunt and hope you can help us!"

"Sure," I said, intrigued by this proposal, "what are you looking for?"

"Well," the lady replied, "We are trying to provide a needy family with enough food for Christmas breakfast and dinner. Do you happen to have some green beans, a pound of bacon, or rolls?"

I excused myself and went to check. Opening the pantry door, I was reminded of the fact I was not cooking anything this year! No green beans...no rolls in the fridge...and no bacon. Darn! This was such a cool scavenger hunt and I really wanted to help!

"Sorry," I sadly said to the cheerful hunters, "I don't have any of those items."

"Oh, that's OK," she gleefully replied. "We are also taking donations to buy the family a gift card from Target so they can do some Christmas shopping. Would you care to donate to that?"

I ran to my purse as well as I could being so pregnant! Opening my wallet I realized I literally had NO money. Nope...not even a dollar. How embarrassing!

I sulked back to the door and had to tell them how sorry I was I could not help. "But good luck to you," I exclaimed!

About 8:45 pm my doorbell rang yet again. Oh my...now it is getting late. Who could this be? I opened the door to see 25 people on my porch spilling onto the walkway and into my front yard. Candles were lit and carols were being sung. Before I could react, they were in my house, delivering boxes upon boxes of toys and food.

"Merry Christmas," the same jolly lady replied, "Part of our scavenger hunt was finding the needy family...and YOU are it!"

I was literally speechless. Of course, being hormonal, I started to cry. What a dismal sight I must have been...BIG pregnant, young child, house up for sale, no husband in sight! All I could do was stand there. There was no telling them to stop! They were SO HAPPY to have found me! I could not bear to tell them I was NOT the needy family!

They only stayed for a few minutes, finishing a beautiful rendition of Silent Night and Joy to the World, ending with a round of hugs from all. After they left, I stood there with a tear stained face just looking at the boxes upon boxes of things, wondering what I should do with it all.

The next morning, I called our church office and relayed my story of the night before. By divine intervention just hours before my call, 2 needy families contacted my church asking for immediate help. I quickly loaded my Ford Excursion, which was FULL to the brim with boxes, and drove over to make my special delivery. It felt so good passing this wonderful gift on to someone else who truly needed it.

Our pastor shared this story with each church service that day. It put a smile on our congregation's face and led to many jokes about my "neediness" and inability to keep anything in the pantry or a dollar in my wallet!

I love this story. Whenever I retell it, I get the same feeling in my heart as the day it happened. It is truly a testament to the generosity of strangers and the true meaning of Christmas.

May the joy of the season bring warmth to your heart as it did mine.

Amber Ink WINNER!

2011-12-06T17:57:00.002-09:00

Thanks for playing along with Amber Ink! The winner from my blog is:

Erika Owens said...

I've been naughty only a little bit - but you're being super nice by giving us a chance to win the cutest elves! Thanks

December 5, 2011 4:08 PM

Result: 3 Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Erika, please email me at UseItTuesday {at} gmail {dot} com so I can give you the information you need to claim your prize!

Thanks for playing and congratulations!

Hopping with Amber Ink!

2011-12-05T06:00:00.008-09:00

eta: Good grief! Those elves have been naughty today! My picture was there when I looked at 6:20 this AM...then I had to do some 'magic' to the html code to get the icons below to work...I think the 'magic' erased my picture! Sorry! :)

Hello from the North Pole! (Literally...I live 10 minutes from North Pole, Alaska!) And welcome to our second annual Amber Ink Holiday blog hop. This year our alumni are tapping in to their inner elves for some fun and frolic.

We've made our list but you'll probably want to check it twice.
Or check it thrice. We just don't know who'll be naughty or nice.

There are 23 commenting spots to be precise
And 23 prizes to help entice.

So see those badges down below?
Roll the dice. Let elf magic flow…

Hop on Monday
Hop on Tuesday
Prizes on Wednesday

One Grand Prize winner will receive an Elf of the Shelf gift set, so be sure to visit every single elfin spot. The final list will be sent to Santa, so remember… the only person you are really competing with is your elf.

Thanks for coming. Now hop on!!!

THE ELF ON THE SHELF

And

The Fabulous Amber Ink Alumni

present our 2nd annual Holiday Blog HOP!!!

There are elves and prizes behind every badge.

Giving Thanks

2011-11-21T21:26:00.004-09:00

Just a quick 10-minute CAS card for our challenge over at Use It Tuesday! The theme this week is 'giving thanks'...and I had fun using my hoarded washi paper tape for the project. :)

{Before we moved from Japan, I went a tad-bit crazy and bought 42 rolls of various colors/patterns of washi tape. How many cards have I made with it in the 18 months since I purchased it? Two. Until now! Yay for using my stash!}

I wish all my American friends a wonderful Thanksgiving full of fun, food, and football! And, as always, thanks for taking the time to visit my little corner of cyberspace. :)

Burrr...

2011-11-14T11:36:00.003-09:00

Can you hear my teeth chattering? -17 this morning. Yes, that is a negative. Good day to stay inside and stamp some!

This card used up some of my much loved and hoarded SU paper from a few years back, as well as my CTMH snowflakes! I put flocking on the furry areas of Bella's outfit. She told me she prefers Arctic Fox. Expensive taste. ;)

I wish I looked this cute in my winter clothes!

Warm wishes for your week!

Cooking with UIT!

2011-11-07T21:30:00.002-09:00

We are cooking up some fun at Use It Tuesday! We would love to have you join us by making and linking a creation that has something to do with cooking!

In addition, we are having our second Design Team call. If you are interesting in being part of an awesome team, head on over to the Use It Tuesday blog for all the details. :)

As for the card...I pulled out my neglected Cricut Imagine and used it to make the images. I also tore into my hoarded SU stash of papers for the accent pieces. And, since we are spilling the beans (or is it apples?), my Janome sew mini had to be dusted before I stitched the card. Sad. ;)

Hope you play along with us! Thanks for looking!

Daisy Birthday Wishes

2011-10-28T21:34:00.004-08:00

Happy Friday! I have an easy 10-minute card to share today. The best part about this creation? I used my hoarded SU ribbon! (...and buttons...and stamps...)

You know the sets of 5 types of ribbon Stampin UP sells? Well, I had NO IDEA what to do with the 1 1/2" ribbon. I used it as the inspiration for the card, thus I wanted to keep it simple to showcase it.

I used the direct marker to stamp technique and finished it off with some clear embossing powder for a little pop. :)

For those of you who Pinterest, my dear friend, Sami, added a little Pin It to my blog! Isn't it cute? And how lucky am I to have a friend who helps me with all that HTML gibberish?! ;) Thanks again, Sami!!

I would love to enter this card in the following challenges:
-Crafty Ann's: Clean and Simple
-Prairie Fairy Fridays: Heat Embossing
-Inspire Me Fridays: Anything Goes
-Pals Paper Arts: Ribbon
-Simon Says Stamp: Anything Goes
-Whimsy Inspiration: Buttons
-Crafty Sentiments: No Designer Paper
-Make It Monday: Anything Goes

Wishing everyone a fabulous weekend! Thanks for stopping by!

Batty Treat Boxes

2011-10-24T22:00:00.000-08:00

The challenge over at Use It Tuesday is to make a project using orange, purple and/or black. You should see what the other girls created! So many GORGEOUS creations that are not at all Haloweenie! (Do you like that word?) ;)

Anyway, I pulled out my neglected Sizzix pillow box die, old cardstock and patterned paper, never used stamp set and my much loved but hardly ever used SU scallop circle die to make little treat boxes. They were super easy and fun!

We would love to have you play along! You have 10 days to play and can enter as many times as you like. :) Use that stash!

Thanks for flying in!

Happy Dance!

2011-10-17T21:37:00.005-08:00

Oh my gosh...I got the cover!!! I got the cover!!! I made the chicken card on the left...Isn't she darling?! She is one of the sets I used a lot while I was guest designing for Paper Pretties!

And the icing on the cake...I also had 7 other cards picked up!

Even better...I know a few blogger friends who also had cards picked up! :) Love seeing my crafty sisters in print!

Thanks for celebrating with me. As for DH, he is happy for me, but you know...I don't think he gets it. Or maybe he is just thinking "how much is this gonna cost me"? ;) Just adds fuel to my fire, honey! Thanks for putting up with my addiction to paper!

Kite Marks the Spot

2011-10-13T20:47:00.003-08:00

Today I saw snow flurries from my office window...I am already thinking about spring and next summer! A girl can dream, no? Hence this bookmark that will allow me to escape winter while reading one of my favorite authors...

Speaking of, who is your favorite author? I think my all time favorite for "beach reads" is Janet Evanovich! What a riot...her books always put a smile on my face and more often than not, I end up with a full-up belly laugh out loud!

At any rate, I had fun with this one...made the background sky paper from scratch using a sponge dauber which was like magic! The kite is paper pieced and elevated using a dimensional. And...I actually used that horded jumbo brad...**sigh** It is difficult to let go sometimes!!

And...I made this for the following challenges:
-Use It Tuesday: Metal
-Crafts and Me: Orange
-Art Impressions: make a tag or bookmark
-Stamp Insanity: Anything but a card
-Crafty Cardmakers: Anything Goes
-Heartsong Inspirations: Sponged background
-Hooked on Craft Challenges: Anything but a Card
-Make it Monday: Anything Goes
-Woodware: Anything Goes
-Sentimental Sundays: Anything Goes + a sentiment
-Stampin' Sisters in Christ: Anything Goes

May you all have a blessed week! Thanks for stopping by!

Chocolate

2011-09-26T22:13:00.002-08:00

This week at Use It Tuesday is all about CHOCOLATE! What fun!

I chose to dust off my Cricut Imagine and made this super easy card based on a sketch from Clean & Simple Stamping. The paper was printed from my Imagine as well, because I don't have enough paper already in my stash. **snort** ;) Of course I do...but this just matched so perfectly, I could not resist...

Used some SU ribbon from my stash, as well as the rhinestones that I got from the 100yen store while living in Japan. Stickles dressed up the cake and we finished it off with one of my favorite sentiments from Papertrey Ink!

Thanks for looking and have a fabulous week!

Favorite Flower

2011-09-24T08:00:00.000-08:00

This post is bittersweet, as it is my last as part of the design team over at Stamp, Scrap and Doodle Saturdays. The past 8 months have been so much fun and I am forever grateful to Regina, Linda and rest of the team for their support, encouragement, and faith in my abilities. Thanks for the fun, ladies!

This week's challenge is all about your favorite color! Now how much fun is that?! I do have a little admission...I don't really have a 'favorite' color...but I was in love with the aqua fabric I found this week at Walmart (.97 for a fat quarter!...and no, I did not stop at buying one...LOL). This was so much fun to run through my Big Shot with my SU Flower die. :) This is also the very first fabric flower I have ever made. I need to work a little more with it, but overall I was happy with the result.

Our generous sponsor this week is My Creative Time! I used a sentiment from their stamp line on my card and I just love it! It is clear which I really love for placement ease, stamped crisply, and I love the font! Hope you play along with us!

Birthday Sundae

2011-09-17T10:18:00.004-08:00

Yay for sundaes! Do you have a special childhood memory of your birthday? Mine was being able to go to Farrell's for an ice cream party! It was SUCH a big deal! And this little ice cream sundae immediately reminded me of what they would deliver to the birthday boy or girl as they were singing Happy Birthday dressed in their red and white striped uniforms! Such a fun time...

At any rate, our theme this week at Stamp, Scrap and Doodle Saturdays is BIRTHDAYS! We would love for you to create a project with that theme in mind and upload it in the challenge. There is a $15 gift certificate to Whimsy Stamps on the line! And I am using one of their images for this card...isn't it darling?!

We sure hope you play along! Have a great weekend!

Use It Challenge #15

2011-09-13T11:30:00.000-08:00

2 posts in one week! Don't fall over! My hours at work have finally been cut back to 16 so I have a little more time for my neglected friends Paper and Ink. (Between folding socks and keeping the little monkeys fed, of course!)

I made this card for the Use It Tuesday challenge...to use an uninked stamp. The only difficult part was choosing which uninked stamp to use! And if my husband is reading this, I only had 2 to choose from. If you are a crafter, you know I may have underestimated that number just slightly. ;)

At any rate, I picked up this sweet fairy from Paper Makeup a while back. I got her to use on birthday cards. She lends herself to coloring, which I love to do. :) And the sketch came from my friend Susanne at Scrap, Stamp and Doodle Saturdays.

We would love to have you play along with us at Use It Tuesday! Link a card using an uninked stamp to the blog by 23 Sept! You know you have an uninked stamp...or 2! We would love to see what you make!

SSDS Thanks

2011-09-10T03:00:00.000-08:00

Hello friends! Happy Saturday! Our weekend is PACKED with kids' activities. So much so in fact that I wish the drink on the card was real! :)

At any rate, at SSDS we are thrilled to be sponsored this week by Designed2Delight! Please check out the SSDS blog for all the contest info. All it takes to enter is a thank-you card! So fun!

Designed2Delight graciously allowed us to choose the image we wanted to showcase for this challenge. I am ALWAYS in need of masculine cards and tend to struggle with them. This set is fabulous and can be used for many different occasions. In fact, the beer actually had a candle coming out of the foam (hilarious!), but since I was doing a Thank You card, I just chopped it off and there you go! Easy!

Enjoy your weekend! Now that I am down to 16 hours a week, I hope to be posting and blurfing a little more regularly. :)

SSDS Sketchy Saturday

2011-08-28T10:01:00.003-08:00

This week at Stamp, Scrap, and Doodle Saturdays we have a sketch for you to play with. And guess what? I made the sketch. ;) No pressure. LOL

This was a super fun 1-layer card! I used my SU paper, stamps and Sizzix dies as well some PTI stamps & dies, CTMH stamps & rhinestones, CM corner rounder, Cuttlebug embossing folder and American Crafts ribbon. Love when all those products come together to make something that flows. I also used up my spool of ribbon! One down, an unmentioned number to go. Heh.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend! Those of you that a little sprinkly of rain ;), hope nothing was damaged and you gained some much needed family time playing games by candlelight.

Fun With Paper

2011-08-13T10:07:00.006-08:00

Oh goodness, has it really been 3 weeks since my last post? Wish I could say I have been busy at my craft table during that time, but sadly not so much! Working full time has been a major transition not only for my craft time, but also my family. Thankfully in the next couple of weeks I will drop to the 16 hours I was hired for and life should start resemble some set of normalcy. I hope! ;)

This week at SSDS we are sponsored by Robyn's Fetish!

I chose to play with her digital papers and I am in love! I used the Oriental Beauty paper pack to make this Asian inspired card. The way I used the paper panels reminded me of a stack of obis. :) And what is even better...this was done in under 15 minutes!

We would love to have you play with us this week! Head on over to Scrap, Stamp and Doodle Saturdays and check out the weekly challenge!

Come Celebrate with Us!

2011-07-22T22:47:00.004-08:00

Scrap, Stamp & Doodle Saturdays has an amazing challenge this week! We are being sponsored by Amber Ink, which of course is near and dear to my heart! Amber Ink is celebrating its very 1st birthday! We sure hope you play along for your chance to win a very generous credit to the store!!

To add icing to the cake...or the olive to the martini...or the salt to the margarita...we are having a sketch challenge and the sketch was designed by our own Sue! Sure hope you play along!

Stamps: Hostess with the Mostest Digi
Paper: DCWV mat stack, Black, Silver, White
Ink: Copics to color
Accessories: Rabin's Nest Dew Drops, Washi Tape

Happy Birthday, Amber Ink!
Here is to many, many more happy years in craft-land!
Cheers!

X Marks the Spot

2011-07-16T10:25:00.005-08:00

Know any friends who love mystery novels? Or just an ex-friend/boyfriend/girlfriend? Well I have the PERFECT gift idea for you! :) HA HA HA Seriously, this whole line of images at Bugaboo had me rolling! (used here...Stella Tidbits-Hide Bodies)

So the challenge this week at SSDS is to make a bookmark. The best part...the winner gets 7 digis from Bugaboo as a prize! I so wish I could play along!! Remember to link up to the SSDS site by Friday for your chance to win.

Those keeping up with my 'normal' life will be happy to hear I survived my first week at work! :) I was full time last week and it about kicked me in the pants. I am trying to recover today...doing laundry, grocery shopping, etc. Sound like fun?! Ick! Anyway, I go down to 24 hours for the next few weeks. I am trying to find a good balance...kids are back in school in 4 weeks which will help. :) Hope all my blogging friends are doing well!

Color Me Back

2011-07-10T17:01:00.002-08:00

Well, we are back from vacation! It had been 3 years since my kiddos had seen their cousins and grandparents. It was a fabulous time full of food, sun, and touring, despite my 11 year old's broken foot. The crutches were an added bonus for the trip. A summer to remember on so many levels! :)

I honestly think you need to have a vacation from your vacation! Laundry, cleaning, paying bills...it is difficult to get caught back up! Needless to say, blogging took a backseat and I am finally on top of things again...for now. ;)

This week at SSDS we are playing with color!! Use creme, brown and one other color of your choice for a chance to win a fabulous prize with Circle B Enterprises! I had fun pulling out a Verve set that had never been used as well as using up some of my hoarded Prima flowers. :)

For some fun news...I finally found a great job! I start on Monday...full time this week for orientation and then down to 16 hours a week. I am thrilled, excited, and honored to be back in my field!

Have a great week!

Back To School

2011-06-25T03:00:00.000-08:00

Yes, I realize it is only June 25th. And I am obviously dreaming. Let me live in my own fantasy land!!

We are so excited to be working with Robyn's Fetish this week at SSDS! She has some darling digital images, one of which that I used here on my card! I made my little backpack red because it reminded me of the little schoolchildren in Japan who carry red backpacks jam-packed with gear! So stinkin' cute!

And, this week is a SKETCH challenge! Now, I am not sure who made that sketch (me), but it looks like fun so you surely want to play along, RIGHT?! :) As an incentive, Robyn's Fetish is giving away a PRIZE!! So link up by Friday! And good luck!!

Stamps: Robyn's Fetish Backpack, sentiment is Lawn Fawn
Paper: DCWV School Pack, SU for cardstock
Ink: Copics and Memento Tuxedo Black, PTI Fresh Snow
Accessories: SU Ribbons and Brads

Chariots of Purple Fire

2011-06-20T22:14:00.004-08:00

Today is the big day...the day I have been both dreading and enthusiastically waiting for!

The whole 'relay' concept of Amber Ink's Th{ink} Tank is so unique! It certainly keeps the inspiration fresh and new...and just might capture a card maker {or two} who had yet to play with all the digi world had to offer.

Yes, I was speaking about myself...and it is only two people if you are not wearing your glasses or had one too many margaritas. :)

I can't thank Jane enough for passing the purple torch on to me! It was such an honor! And now I get to pass that purple light on to another gal who I know will make some amazingly inspiring projects and keep that light shining bright! She is a colorer extraordinaire and is so crazy talented!

So, CAMMI, it is all yours! Shine bright, find your stride, and catch a good tail wind, my friend! I am so excited to pass my torch on to you!!

And here are the other amazing artists that are catching the fire and roasting a s'more today...(or maybe just eating the Hershey's chocolate, which quite frankly, is the best part...so can you blame them?!)

PINK: Penny Vickers
BROWN: Nina Miksimainen
BLUE: Lee Anne Verret
ORANGE: Lynette Brown

The Beginning of the End

2011-06-19T03:00:00.001-08:00

**sniff, sniff** This is my last project as an Amber Ink Torchbearer!

I wanted to post something that was a culmination of my growth during the process. Not only did I make this little ladybug scene in Photoshop Elements, but I tilted the title AND I colored the ladybug digitally! I think I am a little verklempt.

(How many of you remember Coffee Talk from SNL?! Not that I would know anything about that other than from re-runs of course. Sheesh, I don't even think I was born when that aired. HA! And don't worry, I have a surge protector on my laptop so the lightning bolt won't do too much damage.)

Just a short month ago there would have been NO WAY I could have designed anything with a digi, let alone make an entire scene. Such a new, fun world and I am happy I was able to be mentored by such a great team! Thanks Amber and Pam for rockin' it!! And now I am a digi addict! DH thanks you for that. ;)

So, more on the project! Amber Ink is sponsoring this week's challenge over at Cupcake Inspirations! The challenge, which we know you will accept :), is to make a card inspired by this YUMMY picture:

Seriously, I am just wondering, did looking at that just add 5 pounds to your hips?? My mouth is watering, dang Pavlov... Do you think they are vanilla or chocolate? Or Red Velvet...or...or...

Stamps: Wild Animals with Heart: Love Bug, Love Bug Sentiment
Paper: Crackle Dot Black on White, Basic Black, Whisper White, Poppy Parade
Ink: All digital!
Accessories: Rhinestones, SU Ribbon, SU Top Note Die, White Gel Pen

Have a yummy Sunday!

Are You Inspired?

2011-06-18T03:00:00.001-08:00

It is Saturday and you know what that means! No, not laundry...it is another Stamp, Scrap and Doodle Saturdays challenge! This week we want you to make something inspired by this photo:

I obviously went with the wedding theme, using my never-before-inked SU set! And that patterned paper...it is actually a Halloween paper! Scary, isn't it? (Yeah, that was bad but I could not resist!)

You know you want to play along this week! Our own IKE is sponsoring and the winner gets 3 free digis from her store!!

Stamps: Blissful Bride
Paper: White, Black, Pink, unknown patterned paper
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Pink marker
Accessories: Rhinestones, Seam Binding Ribbon, Stickles

Hope you have a wonderful Saturday!

You say Fun Guy, I say...

2011-06-16T00:45:00.000-08:00

You say Fun Guy, I say Fungi...let's call the whole thing off! (sung to the tune of the Louis Armstrong hit "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off")

Look, I made the perfect card for a break up, complete with a mushroom for your little troll to hide under! You can thank me later. :)

In all seriousness, is this image not DARLING?! And I just love that whole 'Punny' line at Amber Ink...makes me laugh!

Anyway, guess what I did? (Clue: It has nothing to do with trolls....) I colored the image digitally using Photoshop Elements! So much fun! Once again, Amber has a fabulous tutorial on You Tube. There is no way I could have figured out how to do it on my own!

Stamps: I Think You're a Fungi
Paper: Georgia Pacific White, Poppy Parade, Pear Pizzazz DSP, Basic Black, Crumb Cake
Ink: Off my Canon, Copics for the grass
Accessories: Nestabilities, Kaisercraft half-backed pearls, SU ribbon and Top Note Die, White gel pen

Wishing you a troll free day! :)

Dies, Oh My!

2011-06-14T01:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Tuesday! Since it is the 2nd Tuesday of the month I have a fun creation to share with you based on the challenge at Use It Tuesday: Punches, Dies and Cut-outs, oh my! You need to use one of the aforementioned items that you have not used previously.

I chose to use my lattice die by SU. It is a die I knew I "had" to have after seeing some amazing creations made with it. (Darn all you horrible enablers!) It was so fun to use and I can't wait to break it out again!

We would love to have you play along with us! As always, you have 10 days to play, so no excuses! You know you have the stash!

Stamps: Oh my gosh, NONE! Is that allowed??
Paper: Basic Black, Peach Parfait, Pear Pizazz DSP
Ink: None
Accessories: MS Butterfly sticker, SU Gold Cord

Squiggly Saturday

2011-06-11T02:00:00.000-08:00

This week at Scrap, Stamp & Doodle Saturdays is all about Dad! We want to see your Father's Day cards! You know you made yours already...it would only be the men in our lives that would actually wait until the day before (OK...the day of...) to get a card. :)

SSDS is being sponsored this week by Squigglefly! In fact, my image above is from their website! Isn't it darling? Squigglefly has all of it and a bag of chips! (Their section called After Dark is SO FUNNY!!)

As for my project, I wanted my card to have a vintage feel...so I made it black and white as if you were seeing it in an old photo album. On the middle layer, I sanded down white core black paper to give it a worn look. I had really wanted to use photo corners...the black ones I had were MIA so I used brads instead. Of course just just yesterday I ended up finding the photo corners "hiding" right where they normally live. Is this what getting old is like??!! :)

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend celebrating Dad!

Stamps: First Dance, sentiments from SU
Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White, CTMH Black paper
Ink: Copics to color
Accessories: SU Brads & Ribbon, Stickles, Ticket Corner Punch

Grow Green!

2011-06-09T22:15:00.003-08:00

History in the making, folks...I made this garden scene using Photoshop Elements and digi stamps all by myself! And with very little foul language involved! Shocking, I know! I could not have done it without chocolate and the help of Amber's video...she is remarkable!

Anyway, here is a quick little card I pulled together once again using Amber Ink's iPaper and digis! You an recreate this in 15!

Stamps: Grow Green
Paper: NoKaOi Green Blossom, Swiss Dots Sunny Yellow, Crumb Cake, PTI White, Lavender Lace
Ink: Copics to color
Accessories: Amuse Scallop Die, Linen Thread, Stickles

Until next time! (And in case you were wondering...it was Dove dark chocolate eggs left over from Easter) :)

A Wee Bit o' Fun!

2011-06-04T20:21:00.010-08:00

This week Amber Ink is sponsoring the challenge over at Wee Memories...and you know what? It is an Anything Goes theme...so no excuses for not playing, k! ;) You even have 2 weeks to play! Seriously, can it get any better? Oh yes it can!! If the crew over at Wee Memories chooses your creation as the winner, you get a $15 credit to spend over at Amber Ink!!

As for my creation, I was lucky enough to get to play with Amber Ink's iPaper! So. Much. Fun! The coolest part, I can feed my paper addiction without the actual paper taking up space on my shelves! I am happily maintaining a title given to me by my scrappy friends: Paper Ho. And normally anything with a "Ho" at the end not associated with a fat man in a red suit would be considered derogatory, but the title was given in love. :) Don't I have the bestest crafty friends?!

This was my very first time attempting to make a little scene where the images overlapped. It was pretty easy to do, although I think I have a ton to learn.

(especially since my husband bought me Photoshop Elements 9 last weekend. Well, technically I bought it and then asked him if he cared...and his response was "does it really matter what I say?" Trained well, I say!!)

Anyway, Amber Ink has a great video tutorial program for those of us who are 'in need'! I will be studying this with a glass of wine and hopefully wine you...I mean WOW you next time!! :) So much fun!

DigiStamps: Grow Green, WAWH Butterfly with Heart (Amber Ink)
Paper: Swiss Dots Sunny Yellow, NoKaOi Green Blossom, Chocolate Chip, White
Ink: Copics
Accessories: Chocolate Chip Ribbon, SU Button, Karen Foster Scrappers Floss, Dimensionals, Stickles, Dew Drops

Desk Scraps

2011-06-03T22:43:00.004-08:00

It is time for another Scrap, Stamp and Doodle Saturday challenge!

This week we want you to use what is on your desk. You know you have those little scraps, or shall we call them 'inspiration items', laying around!

I have had this Cricut Imagine cartridge laying in front of me...unused...for months. So I pulled it out and made a card with it! Tah Dah!

We hope you play along this week! The prize comes all the way from Alaska (**wink, wink**)! Yes, it is from me and no, it is not a moose or mosquito! Your prize will be 2 brand new Bella stamps! Yes, I am feeling generous! LOL

Stamps: PTI for sentiment
Paper: Cricut Imagine printed papers, PTI White, Pixie Pink
Ink: Versafine Sepia
Accessories: Nestabilities, Ric Rac Ribbon, Dimensionals, rhinestones, sewing machine

Retro Lights

2011-05-31T15:19:00.004-08:00

So, apparently you CAN teach old dogs new tricks!

I told y'all (and yes, I used to live in Texas so I can rightfully use that word!) that until last week I had not ever used digital images. Well, this week I challenged myself to make a scene using them!

And nope, it was not the type of profanity laced, computer throwing scene you were probably thinking of! It was a sweet scene, full of fun digis!

And guess what?? I got 3 digis on this one card! Since they were the focus of the card front, I was able to whip out this CAS creation in 15 minutes!

But wait, there's more!
Did you say that in your best infomercial voice??

I saved it on my computer so I can recreate it at the click of a button! Although DH might get a little jealous if I sent this to just anyone! ;)

Stamps: Mod Kitch Kitsch and Say it Like it's 1959
Paper: PTI Stampers Select White, DCWV Tahiti
Ink: Copics to color
Accessories: SU Gold Twine & Brads, Stickles because all cards need a little bling :), Amuse Scallop Edge Die

Sketchy Saturday

2011-05-27T23:16:00.006-08:00

First and foremost, sorry for my 'silence' lately. (Or maybe that was really a blessing to you! HA!) It seems blogger is having a little tiff with Firefox. I keep trying to get into my blogger account...only to be in an endless loop of entering my password and being sent back to the log-in screen. Mind you, I can get all my emails...**sigh**.

Then...an epiphany! I tried using Safari...and viola! I am baaaccckkkk! Just in time for our SSDS challenge, too! :)

So this week we have a fabulous sketch made by one of our own, Sue!

We would love to have you play along! A Cuttlebug Embossing folder is up for grabs! Just link your creation up to the challenge post by Friday!

I hope all my American friends have a restful and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend!

Stamps: Hero Arts

Paper: Basic Black, Tempting Turquoise, White, unknown patterned paper

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics

Accessories: Felt, Stickles, PTI Cloud Dies, SU Embossing Plate, Grosgrain Ribbon, Nestabilities, Eyelets, Half-backed Pearls

Hi, Hot Stuff!

2011-05-23T23:54:00.004-08:00

Seriously...how freaking cute is this image and sentiment?! I adore the whole line of Amber Ink images, but their We Are Punny line has to be my favorite. Shocker, I know! ;)

And a little confession...this is the first time I have used a digi stamp. Ever.

I felt the air come out of the room just now...and you are probably thinking of great nicknames for me, like SioStampasaurus. I can't blame you, really.

And the best part...it was so EASY!!
They even have a You Tube Video that shows you how to do it. :)

But for those of you who like stamps, they have those, too!

So, here are the deets:

Images: Mod Kitch Kitsch and Say It Like It's 1959
Paper: PTI Stampers Select, DCWV Retro Pack, Chocolate Chip, Marina Mist
Ink: Copics and my PRINTER!
Accessories: Button (CTMH), Linen Thread, Brads

Hey, Hot Stuff...thanks for dropping by!

I am on FIRE!

2011-05-23T01:00:00.000-08:00

Well, OK not really...but I did have a torch passed to me!

The awesome Jane Matsumoto over at Whoopsie Daisy passed the Amber Ink Purple Torch to ME! ME! And yes, I do feel like an Olympic Hero!

I am soooo excited to play with Amber Ink this month! I am joined by a rainbow of other torchbearers...

PINK: Nancy

BROWN: Laura

BLUE: Renee

ORANGE: Toni

You know the best part? Besides fabulous digi stamps and clear stamps, Amber Ink carries iPaper! That would be paper that you save to your computer and print as you need it! See, I can be a paper hoarder and not have to worry about all the space it takes on my shelves!

Yes, I think I may be in LOVE! Don't tell my husband...;)

Use It Tuesday DT Call

2011-05-22T03:00:00.000-08:00

Sami and I are humbled to have had such success with our little challenge blog!

Due to the response of our fellow 'collectors', we are currently looking for applicants to make our first Design Team. This is an open call; we are looking for people with all experience levels.

Requirements:

- have an online gallery and/or a blog

- if you have a blog, you need to be a follower of Use It Tuesday to apply

- be able to work with deadlines

- make and post 2 inspiration projects per month

- comment on players’ projects

- be a team player

- have a positive attitude

Term: June 1-Dec 31

Interested? Please email the following completed application to UseItTuesday@gmail.com by May 28^th.

1. Name

2. Links to your online galleries and/or blog

3. Your previous DT experience, if any.

4. Please tell us a little about yourself.

5. Please tell us why you would like to be on our team.

6. Please share one fun fact about yourself.

Thanks and we look forward to hearing from you!!

SSDS Military

2011-05-21T03:00:00.002-08:00

The theme this week over at Stamp, Scrap and Doodle Saturdays is MILITARY! Too bad I don't anything about that topic, huh?! ;) Needless to say, this challenge is near and dear to my heart.

We would love to have you play with us! Just link your creation to the challenge post at SSDS by Friday!

Stamps: The Free and the Brave (SU)
Paper: Basic Black, River Rock, Real Red, Watercolor Paper
Ink: Palette Noir, watercolors
Accessories: SU Gold Brads and Elastic Cord, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder

Oldies but Goodies

2011-05-14T04:00:00.001-08:00

Wow...Blogger was a nightmare this week. So glad it finally got fixed...and just in time for our next challenge over at Stamp, Scrap and Doodle Saturdays:

We want you to use your stash!

Yes, this stamp set was retired a few a years ago.
Yes, I have never used it.
Yes, it is sad!
But it is never too late! :)

So come on, pull out your old supplies and give them some love! We would love to have you join us this week!

Stamps: Blooming with Love (SU), Monthly Word Puzzle (CTMH)
Paper: Watercolor, Crumb Cake, Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry, SU Patterned Paper
Ink: Palette Noir, various SU inks for watercoloring
Accessories: Dew Drops, Stickles, SU Ribbon & Button, Scrapper's Floss

Saturday on Wednesday

2011-05-11T10:00:00.003-08:00

Yes, it is Wednesday...and I am just now posting my DT creation for Stamp, Scrap, & Doodle Saturdays. :) I just wanted to be sure everyone was paying attention. LOL

OK, in all seriousness, we had a little technical issue over at SSDS so I did not post until the challenge was up. Speaking of, our challenge this week is a sketch! We sure hope you play along. There is a stamp set by Inkadinkado up for grabs!

Stamps: Bird on a Branch (SU)
Paper: Basic Black, Ivory, Wild Wasabi, Elegant Eggplant, DCWV Latte pack
Ink: Black, Wasabi, Eggplant
Accessories: Dew Drops, Stickles

Use Your Bling

2011-05-09T22:11:00.004-08:00

The challenge this week at Use It Tuesday is to use your bling! I thought it was totally appropriate for the challenge after Mothers Day. :)

I made this gift set for Teacher Appreciation Week. :) The first day we were supposed to give our teachers a package of our favorite seeds. Of course, I can't just throw the seeds in my son's backpack, I have to decorate them up! {curse of the crafter, right?!}

And I hope you noticed they are California poppy seeds. :) You can take the girl out of California...

And my next project is a post-it note holder. I wanted everything to coordinate, so I went with the same color palette and general design. This was super easy and fun to make! You can find the template on SCS.

Sami and I would love to have you join us this week! Just link up to our challenge blog by the 20th! Thanks for looking!

Stamps: NONE...which is wrong on so many levels...
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Wild Wasabi, Tangerine Tango, White, DCWV Mariposa
Ink: NONE
Accessories: MS Butterfly, Stickles, Robin's Nest Dew Drops, Nestabilities, SU Ribbon, Mike's Ribbon, Jumbo Eyelet

SSDS Celebrating Mom

2011-04-30T03:00:00.002-08:00

This week celebrates Mom over at Stamp, Scrap and Doodle Saturdays!

I had fun with this card...used a new stamp I picked up a month or so ago during a sale at JoAnn's. LOVED coloring it with my Copics...hope my Mother In Law and Grandma like it...I made one for each of them!

We would love to have you join us this week! Just link up your Mother's Day creation by Friday on the SSDS blog.

Spring has totally sprung in Alaska! We are enjoying 16+ hours of daylight now, growing by 7 minutes a day! Yes, the kids are all going crazy! ;)

Stamps: Inkadinkado, sentiment is SU
Paper: Basic Black, Baja Blue, Tangerine Tango, PTI White
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics, Versamark
Accessories: Swirl Clip, Top Note Die (SU), Seam Binding Ribbon (SU), Stickles, Embossing Folder, Stickles, Clear Embossing Powder

Happy to enter this at:
-Hand Stamped Sentiments (Mother's Day)
-Joyful Stamper (Anything Goes)
-Totally Papercrafts (Glitter)
-Paper Cutz Challenge (Anything Goes)

UIT Fasteners

2011-04-25T08:24:00.005-08:00

As many of you know, I am a co-owner of Use It Tuesday...the challenge blog for hoarders. :) When I developed the list of challenges, I had to take a little peek at my own supplies, of course. I have a feeling many of you (not naming names) have similar issues, so this should be easy for you!

We want you to use your fasteners! We are talking buttons, brads, eyelets, grommets...and whatever else you think applies!

I used 10 buttons on this card. Yes, it did cause heart palpitations, I won't lie! But then I looked at what was 'left over' in my stash. It was a quick recovery. :)

This card started out to be quite linear, with the buttons all nicely lined up in little squares. When I slid the buttons off to tape my squares, I loved the randomness of the look, so I kept it. What do you think?

We would love to have you play with us this week! See you over at Use It Tuesday!

Stamps: PTI for sentiment
Paper: PTI Stampers Select, Tempting Turquoise
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Buttons, Karen Foster Scrappers Floss, SU Felt Flowers

SSDS Tagalicious

2011-04-23T09:34:00.005-08:00

This week at Scrap, Stamp and Doodle Saturdays, we want to see what you can do with your tags! I decided to go with a little box of chocolates, made with a stamp set that I had yet to use by SU. I figured it would be perfect for Easter weekend! :)

We would love to have you play along! The winner is going to receive a package of goodies that will include ribbons, brads and rhinestones, oh my!

Stamps: Eat Chocolate (SU)
Paper: Pretty in Pink, DCWV
Ink: Versamark, Chocolate Chip, SU Markers
Accessories: SU Sizzix die, rhinestones, SU Ribbon, Karen Foster Scrappers Floss, Button

Wishing you a blessed Easter weekend!

Sew Easy Recipe

2011-04-16T06:16:00.003-08:00

Sew much fun at Stamp, Scrap, and Doodle this week: use our recipe to stir up a great card!

3 patterned papers
3 sparklys
1 ribbon

Isn't that fun? Especially the sparkly part. :)

Thanks for dropping by! Hope you play along this week! Have a great weekend!

Stamps: Lawn Fawn (Sew Lovely)
Paper: DCWV Craft Stack, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, PTI White
Ink: Memento, Copics, Espresso
Accessories: Primas, Rhinestones, CTMH Ribbon, Clear Embossing Powder

Ribbon Hoarder

2011-04-12T19:32:00.002-08:00

Hi. I have a problem with ribbon. I have a lot of it. And I like to hoard it. Not on purpose, of course, but I hate to cut into that pretty ribbon for fear if I use it up, I won't be able to find it again.

**sigh**

But I am letting go!! I got this ribbon 4 years ago...it was at a Michaels in Milpitas, CA when I went home to visit from Japan. Rescued it from the $1 bin! It was love at first sight. But my sweet little ribbon does not want to spend its life on a spool. (Would you?!) It wants to fulfill its destiny...so I did it...I used it. A little 'favor' to my friend, the ribbon.

Hope you like my card that was totally, 110% inspired by that ribbon!

Do you hoard ribbon? Join us at Use It Tuesday and let your ribbon fulfill its destiny too! :)

Stamps: Baroque Motifs (SU)
Paper: Early Espresso, Crushed Curry, Tangerine Tango
Ink: Early Espresso, Versamark
Accessories: Yummy Mikes Ribbon, Clear Embossing Powder, Dew Drops, Felt Flower

SSDS Spring Lanterns

2011-04-09T01:00:00.002-08:00

The challenge this week at Scrap, Stamp & Doodle Saturdays is Clean and Simple! If I am being honest, I have a love/hate relationship with white space. It is totally growing on me, but I can't help but want to fill it up with pretty embellishments! (And paper, because goodness knows, I have enough of it!)

So, take your turn at a CAS card and play along with us this week!

As a side, these are new stamps I got a few weeks ago from Lawn Fawn. Can you say love? So cute! Click on over...but I can't promise you won't end up with a cart full of goodness!

Stamps: Lunar Lights (Lawn Fawn)
Paper: PTI White, Tempting Turquoise, Wild Wasabi
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics
Accessories: Stickles, Dew Drops

Also happy to play along with:

If the Shoe Fits (spring)
Pattie's Creations (spring or Easter)
Dutch Dare (spring has sprung)
Some Odd Girl (CAS)
Tuesday Throwdown (sparkle and bling)
Craft your Passion (anything goes)
Paper Playtime (anything goes)
Stamping Scrapping Challenge Central (sparkle)

Three Wishes

2011-04-06T21:15:00.003-08:00

Since everyone seemed to like the last pages I posted (heh), I had enough courage to post another set. :)

Another super simple layout, courtesy of one of my fab sketch books (this was either CK or Becky Higgins). Tons of white space, doodles around the edges (that are blinged up with random rhinestones), and I used up a bunch of scraps!

Pretty much all of this is Creative Memories, with the exception of the Crumb Cake cardstock.

Making some progress on the books! :) Thanks for stopping by!

SSDS Sparkle!

2011-04-02T03:00:00.001-08:00

Oh, how I love any challenge that includes the words "glitter, bling or sparkle"! This week at Scrap, Stamp and Doodle Saturdays, we want you to do just that!

I chose classic classy colors: red, black and white. Originally I wanted to do a card all about the 'little black dress', but decided the splash of color would be fun to work with. :)

I hope you play along this week! We would love to see how your life sparkles!

Stamps: image is TAC, sentiment PTI
Paper: PTI White, Black, Real Red, pattern paper from my stash
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics
Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder, Rhinestones, SU Ribbon

Gator Bait

2011-03-30T09:00:00.001-08:00

So my blog buddy Jennipher asked me to post some scrapbook layouts. I think I don't post them regularly because 1) my scrapbooking is so neglected and 2) I am a total CAS scrapper and I don't think my pages compare to many others out there.

With that said, I had a blast making these pages...and yes, they are pictures from our summer vacation in 2008! Don't be a hater! I am so behind! :) My in-laws live in Saint Augustine and each time we visit, we hit the Alligator Farm! The park is really cool and my kids love it!

I am having fun following my favorite "recipe" books by Becky Higgins and Creating Keepsakes. White space is something I am finding I really love on my pages! (I would not be caught dead with white space 5 years ago! LOL)

Since I did not plan on posting these, I have no idea what supplies I even used! It all came from my endless stash though! And yay...scrapbooking uses up so much more paper! :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Spring...or snow?

2011-03-28T10:02:00.003-08:00

Well, I woke up this morning to snow flurries! We only have maybe an inch on the ground, but still...I am ready for flowers, green grass, and bunny rabbits! ;)

I was excited to get to play in a few challenges this weekend! I have been kind of absent from them because I spent the last 2 weeks doing some scrapbooking. I seem to neglect the books to make cards! Oops!

I played this week with Paper Pretties (Spring is in the Air) and Pals Paper Arts (Embossing). I background embossed the Crumb Cake layer with a SU embossing plate and I also embossed the image on watercolor paper.

Thanks for looking! I hope you see sunshine and blue skies today!

Stamps: Everyday Miracles (Paper Pretties)
Paper: Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Baja Breeze, Pear Pizazz, DCWV Linen pack, Watercolor Paper
Ink: Palette Noir, Watercolored with SU ink
Accessories: Clear EP, Half-backed Pearls, Crumb Cake Ribbon, SU Embossing Plate, MS Branch Punch

SSDS Cup of Tea

2011-03-25T23:14:00.009-08:00

The theme this week at Scrap, Stamp & Doodle Saturdays is an Inspiration Challenge! Just make whatever inspires you after seeing this gorgeous picture!

I ended up being inspired by the teapot. I happen to love a great cup of tea...ironically enough, and only because I am sure you are dying to know (HA!), my favorite tea is one you can find easily at any grocery store: Lipton Island Mango and Peach White Tea. Add a little touch of honey and some sugar = a little cup of heaven! See, I don't have expensive taste with everything in my life...just my hobbies! :)

So, I used a die cutter to cut my teapot and decorated it with some old Creative Memories paper I had in my stash. I also used some gorgeous flowers I had been hoarding. My friend Becki made them for me...and I could not bear to use them until now! Dressed the pot up with some liquid pearls and ribbon. I also stamped the background of the paper with a retired TAC set...Tea Time.

I hope you find this inspiration challenge is your cup of tea and decide to join us this week at SSDS! :)

Stamps: Tea Time (TAC)
Paper: CM retired patterned paper, SU Early Espresso
Ink: Crumb Cake
Accessories: Liquid Pearls, SU Ribbon, Button, White Twine, Bo Bunny Acrylic Swirls, Brown Lace, MS Butterfly & Branch Punch, Flowers from my friend, Prima flower, Half-backed Pearl

Red

2011-03-22T09:03:00.002-08:00

As many of you know, I lived over in Japan for 4 years, only returning back to the US this past July. When the earthquake and tsunami hit, I knew I wanted to do something to help. Since Sami and I "own" Use It Tuesday, we figured why not use it as a forum to help raise awareness and make it a fun way to donate to the cause!

The challenge over at Use It Tuesday is to make a project using the color RED in honor of Japan. Remember to use something from your stash you have been hoarding and please tell us in your post or project description what that item (or items) is!

As an added twist...we are going to make a donation to the Red Cross based on the number of participants we have! If we get 1-25 players, we will donate $50; 26-50 players we will donate $75 and so on up to $400! So feel free to get the word out! We would love to make a great donation on behalf of our fellow crafters. :)

Even if you are not a regular player over there, I hope you will consider playing along this time. :) You have until April 1 to upload your creation!

SSDS Numbers

2011-03-19T22:41:00.005-08:00

Yay for another Saturday!

This week at Scrap, Stamp & Doodle the theme is numbers! I hope you can see mine embossed behind the image panel. Sad but true...I have had that embossing folder for 3+ years and it has never been used...until now! Why don't you join in the challenge and use your stash as well?

Stamps: A Slice of Life (SU), sentiment (PTI)
Paper: Pacific Point, Whisper White, Tangerine Tango, Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry, PTI Stampers Select White
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics
Accessories: Rhinestones (CTMH), SU Melon Mambo Ribbon, Nestabilities, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Stickles

I hope you have a fabulous weekend! Thanks for dropping by!

Spring Has Sprung...

2011-03-12T15:38:00.004-09:00

The challenge this week at Scrap, Stamp & Doodle Saturday is Spring has Sprung! Has it sprung where you are? Not so much here...but rumor has it we don't really get a spring. It kinda goes from snow to summer! Oh summer, please get here! ;)

I keep my card sweet and simple this week. I just love the look of pink and green on kraft paper!

I hope you play along! There is a great prize for the winner, so check the blog for all the details!

As a side note, many of you know I just recently moved from Japan to Alaska. My heart is breaking watching the devastation from the earthquake and tsunami. Please keep the Japanese people in your thoughts and prayers during the period of aftershocks, loss, and rebuilding.

Stamps: PTI Blooming Button Bits, Handwritten Notes
Paper: Crumb Cake, Certainly Celery, Close to Cocoa, Certainly Celery DSP, DCWV patterned paper
Ink: Versafine Black
Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder, Nestabilities, SU Buttons, Karen Foster Scrapbook Floss, SU Ribbon, CM Circle Punch

Why I Love Alaska

2011-03-10T16:19:00.005-09:00

For those of you who do not know, we relocated from Japan to Alaska in July. I had always heard about how gorgeous this state was. Its natural beauty is something you really cannot appreciate unless you have spent a fair amount of time here. The geography, wildlife and free light shows courtesy of the Northern Lights are amazing to say the least.

I have been fortunate enough to witness the Northern Lights on several occasions, but none was comparable to the show we saw last night! There was a solar event on the 8th which resulted in a lot of activity in our skies.

I am NOT a photographer by any stretch of the imagination, but I was able to pick these up with my DSLR (manual/bulb, ISO1800, f/3.5). The bands of light are in constant movement, kind of like fireworks. In some cases they were moving rapidly changing from green to white with tips of pink and at other times they were more a quiet, vibrant green.

When they were really vivid and more light green to white, the whole sky was lit up and it was noticeably lighter outside! These pictures were all taken around 11:00pm on the 9th. This is what makes -40 degree temperatures in the winter worth it...well, almost! ;)

I hope you enjoy a little taste of my skies! I wish you could see the Northern Lights in real life...they are truly a wonder of the world!

Ruff Sketch

2011-03-07T21:00:00.003-09:00

I love sketch challenges so I was thrilled when my very talented partner in crime at Use It Tuesday made one for this week!

Since it was a Use It challenge, I decided to grab some stamps that had never seen ink (as if that would be difficult)! In addition, I allowed myself to use my coveted ribbon that a friend bought for me while she was vacationing in Korea. Isn't it yummy?

We would love to have you join us at Use It Tuesday this week! You have 10 days to play, in fact! Just head on over and make a commitment to use your stash! :)

Stamps: Inkadinkado
Paper: Basic Black, Real Read, Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Real Red DSP
Ink: Versamark, Real Red
Accessories: Nestabilities, Dimensionals, Black Embossing Powder, Ribbon, SU Top Note Die

SSDS Thank You

2011-03-05T02:00:00.000-09:00

This card says it all...THANK YOU to Regina at Scrap, Stamp, & Doodle Saturdays for choosing me to be part of her Design Team! :) I found her challenge blog a year ago and have been playing with them ever since. I am so excited to be part of her amazing team!

This week's challenge is to make a little something based on this sketch:

My card started with a spool of ribbon that I ended up not using (isn't that how it goes?! LOL). Anyway, it had brown and turquoise stripes on a white background. Once I got everything put together I decided it was too busy and went with solid turquoise instead. And the stamp was a little something I treated myself to last week. JoAnn had their stamps 40% off and I had an extra 10% off coupon...I am such a sucker for a sale! ;)

You have until Friday to link up your creation to the SSDS Challenge Blog! Hope you play along with us! Have a great weekend!

Stamps: Inkadinkado
Paper: Early Espresso, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White, retired DSP from SU
Ink: Versamark, Tempting Turquoise, Early Espresso
Accessories: MS Butterfly Punch, Stickles, Crystal Effects, SU Buttons, White DMC floss, SU Ribbon

{heart} you friend

2011-02-26T22:12:00.004-09:00

As I typed the post title I thought how cute it would have been to add the letter "u" on the heart! Meh. You get it as is! ;)

The inspiration for this card came from the challenge at Hand Stamped Sentiments to use die cuts as the focus of your card! I ran for my SU Hearts & Brackets die (which I seem to use more than other die I own!). I also decided to try out my PTI pocket die that DH got me for Christmas. :)

Stamps: CTMH sentiment, PTI Library Card
Paper: Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Poppy, Naturals Ivory
Ink: Versafine Black, Versamark
Accessories: Clear and Iridescent ice embossing powder, Poppy ribbon, CTMH Sprinkles, Heart & Brackets die, PTI pocket die

Hope you are having a fabulous weekend!

PWC142: Glittery Oz

2011-02-22T21:06:00.003-09:00

My Guest Designer term with Paper Pretties ends this week. I want to say THANK YOU to Heather for her confidence in my ability to represent her marvelous company and also to Frances and the Paper Pretties DT for being so good to me the past 2 months. It was a blast!

This week's challenge is a glittery challenge! All you need to do is add glitter in some way to your card. I can be glitter, glitter glue, glitter paper etc. I knew IMMEDIATELY that I wanted to make some red, glitter shoes. :) And I thought the sentiment was a perfect addition. I hope Dorothy would be proud!

If you play this week, you will have a chance to win the set "One of these Days" You do not need to use Paper Pretties stamps in order to play along, but if you do, you will get a bonus entry into the drawing! Please be sure to mention our challenge and link back to the Paper Pretties blog in your project posting. When uploading to SCS or PCP please use keyword PWC142.

Stamps: Sassy Shoes (Paper Pretties)
Paper: Early Espresso, Whisper White, Crushed Curry
Ink: Versafine Black, Cats Eye Chestnut
Accessories: Lots of ribbon from my stash, Rhinestones, Stickles, Bo Bunny Swirls, Clear Embossing Powder

Hope your day is magical!

Pretty, Pretty Paper

2011-02-21T22:07:00.004-09:00

I have a problem with paper. Pretty, pretty paper that I don't want to slaughter...I mean cut into...because it is so pretty. :) It only makes sense that this week's Use It Tuesday would be to cut into that paper, right? I mean, how can I make a fun challenge that would not be applicable to me and yet painful at the same time? ;)

I dusted off the DCWV Rockstar Mat Stack I have owned for longer than I care to admit and got to work. I chose this pretty, pretty piece with gorgeous flocking and layered it on a coordinating pattern out of the same pack! So I used 2 pieces of uncut paper! Yup, I am just a little proud of myself!

I would love for you to head over to Use It Tuesday and play along! Our challenges are open for 10 days so you have no excuse not to play! I know you have the pretty, pretty paper stash! ;)

Stamps: Sentiment from StampingBella
Paper: DCWV Rockstar, SU Early Espresso and Very Vanilla
Ink: Versamark and Early Espresso
Accessories: Seam Binding Ribbon (SU), Rhinestones

Love is in the Air

2011-02-17T23:12:00.003-09:00

The challenge this week at Scrap, Stamp & Doodle Saturdays is to make a card about love. Very fitting for the week, no?

I am in the mode of using sets that have yet to see ink, so I went to my stash of TAC sets and found this darling little girl holding a balloon! With a little help of the Hearts & Brackets Sizzix die, I changed the shape of her balloon. :) Much better for the occasion!

Stamps: main image is TAC, sentiment Timeless Love (Paper Pretties)
Paper: PTI Stampers Select White, Poppy Parade, Daffodil Delight, Tempting Turquoise, Wild Asparagus patterned paper
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics to color
Accessories: Poppy Parade ribbon, skittles, Hearts & Brackets Sizzix die, stickles. Glassy Glaze, white gel pen, SU Scallop Edge punch

Hope you have a fabulous long weekend!

PWC141 Cards for Kiddos

2011-02-15T16:37:00.006-09:00

With 3 kids in the house under 10 (for another day, anyway!) I am always in need of a birthday card for a child. Both of my girls are soooo into horses! Needless to say, when they saw this image from Paper Pretties, they were immediately enamored!

And just to elaborate so no one thinks anything bad, my son turns 11 tomorrow! I am not sending one off into the wildness for some boot camp...yet anyway. Heh. ;)

This week's challenge at Paper Pretties is to make a card for child! One random lucky participant will win the set ""Wade E Bug"" You do not need to use Paper Pretties stamps in order to play along, but if you do, you will get a bonus entry into the drawing! Please be sure to mention our challenge and link back to the Paper Pretties blog in your project posting. When uploading to SCS or PCP please use keyword PWC141.

Stamps: Horsin' Around
Paper: Basic Black, Riding Hood Red, Kraft, PTI Stampers Select White, patterned paper from my stash
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics
Accessories: Kaisercraft black rhinestones, Crystal Effects, Stickles, Distressing Tool, SU Scallop Border Punch, Seam Binding Ribbon

Horseplay is allowed...hope you play along!

Ribbons and Lace

2011-02-13T21:03:00.004-09:00

Ribbons...got 'em! Lace...humm...thankfully I had some left in my stash from the 100 yen store in Japan! I am not so much a lace user and I am not sure why. It is pretty and adds a fun touch. Maybe I don't want to fall in love with it because if I do, undoubtedly I will try to hoard it. ;)

The challenge this week at Hand Stamped Sentiments was to use Ribbons and Lace. I chose to pair it with a new stamp set I got from Sale A Bration, Bliss. So, since this was a new, never been inked set, it also met my challenge requirements at Use It Tuesday! Yay for twofers! (Which I stole from my friend, Lisa!)

Stamps: Bliss (SU)
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, Pretty in Pink
Ink: Versamark, Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink
Accessories: SU Ribbon, Lace, Adhesive Pearls, Liquid Pearls, Buttons, Linen Thread, CM corner rounder

Happy Valentine's Day! I hope your day is full of chocolate, love, and chocolate. :)

SSDS Stripes and Dots

2011-02-11T14:52:00.004-09:00

When the Scrap, Stamp and Doodle Saturdays challenge was for stripes and dots, I knew exactly what I was going to do! I have a friend expecting a baby girl and I wanted to give her a card that reflects what girls are all about: animal print, bling, and shoes. Enough said. ;)

Don't know if you can tell, but the black shoe is done up in Crystal Effects so it can look like patent leather. Only the best for the new little lady! ;)

Stamps: Shoebag (stampingbella.com)
Paper: Basic Black, Temping Turquoise, Pretty in Pink, Pretty in Pink DSP and my scraps of the zebra print paper :)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black and Copics
Accessories: Crystal Effects, Stickles, Dimensionals, Dew Drops, SU Ribbon

It all started with...

2011-02-11T08:54:00.006-09:00

It all started with a confession on SCS about my little addiction to stamps. You see, I love stamps...those images just call out to me...ideas flutter in my brain...and then I find myself pulling the same sets to create with! I have so many stamps that have yet to see ink.

And you know what I found out? I am not alone!

So I got thinking, we all need a little kick in the booty to use what we have. My friend Sami used to run a segment on her blog called Use It Tuesday...I loved that name...and from there we developed our new challenge blog Use It Tuesday!

Our challenges will run twice a month and are not product or project specific, rather they will have a little twist to get you to use something you are hoarding! Our first challenge is up now and runs through the 18th of February. We are asking that to participate you use an image (digi or otherwise) that you have not used previously!

Here is the card I made for the challenge:

And we won't talk about how long I have had the March Word Puzzle sitting my shelf...I think it might even be retired now...eekkk!)

Stamps: March Word Puzzle (CTMH), Mini Card Creations II (SP & Company)
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Garden Green, Whisper White (SU)
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie, Garden Green (SU), Versamark
Accessories: American Crafts ribbon, SU Buttons & Linen Thread, Stickles, Clear Embossing Powder

Thanks for dropping by today! I hope you join us at Use It Tuesday!

Hopping with Paper Pretties!

2011-02-08T20:00:00.000-09:00

So very happy, happy, happy to be hopping along with the Paper Pretties design team for the February new release showcase! Hopefully you arrived here from Pam's blog! And you can find the start of the hop on the Paper Pretties blog here.

Happy Days is such a versatile sentiment set! When I saw it, I immediately knew I wanted to pair it with Ballerina Sophia. My 5 year old just started back at ballet after her teacher was out on maternity leave. Sophia could not look any happier to be dancing, just like my little one: Happy, Happy, Happy!! And, I don't know about you, but with 2 girls at home, I am always in need of a birthday card for an upcoming party. (And always last minute, because my 8 year old has a tendency to pull the invite out of her backpack the day prior to the party. :/)

Stamps: Happy Days & Ballerina Sophia (Paper Pretties)
Paper: Basic Black, Pretty in Pink, White, DCWV Mat Stack
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics, Versafine Balck
Accessories: Bling and SU Ribbon, Stickles

The Wednesday challenge for this week is an Inspiration Color Challenge! Use Valentine's Day as your color inspiration, but you don't have to make a Valentine's Day card! When uploading to online galleries, use keyword PWC140. You can find more information on the Paper Pretties Blog! Hope you play along with the fun!

Thanks so much for stopping by! The next stop on your hop is Heather's blog for some more new release goodness!

So Very Happy!

2011-02-07T22:08:00.002-09:00

Nothing makes me happier than animal print and bling! (Man, I am slowly becoming those ladies that walk around Vegas in gold, heels, and animal print, aren't I?)

Anyway, this versatile sentiment set is a new release at Paper Pretties this month! I actually made that black panel background with all of the "happy" words in the set. It was so fun!

Be sure to head over to the Paper Pretties blog to leave some love, as one random lucky commenter each preview day will win the set being previewed.

Stamps: Happy Days (Paper Pretties)
Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Real Red patterned paper, Zebra print from the stash
Ink: Versamark, Versafine Black
Accessories: American Craft Ribbon, bling from Japan, SU Scallop Edge Punch, Clear Embossing Powder

Thanks for popping in!

Smile Monkey

2011-02-05T20:45:00.003-09:00

It is release week over at Paper Pretties and just look at this darling monkey! Isn't he cute? He is one of 4 sets being released this month, so be sure to go check them all out! You will also want to head on over to the Paper Pretties blog, as one random lucky commenter each preview day will win the set being previewed!

Stamps: Smile Monkey (Paper Pretties)
Paper: Early Espresso, Wild Wasabi, Crushed Curry, PTI Stampers Select White, Rusty Pickle Summer Luau
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics to color
Accessories: Stickles, Robin's Nest Dew Drops, Distressing Tool, Wild Wasabi Ribbon, SU Scallop Edge Punch

I knew I wanted an island theme to showcase this image. Thankfully I had this perfect piece of double sided patterned paper sitting in my paper stash! See, sometimes it does pay off to be a paper hoarder. ;)

Thanks for looking and have a great remainder of your weekend!

HSS Romance

2011-02-05T14:52:00.004-09:00

Oh la la, Hand Stamped Sentiments Weekly challenge is to use romantic colors! They called specifically for shades of red, with accents of black and whisper white or very vanilla.

Since HSS is run by SU Demos, I sometimes try to make my card SU only. (They don't care what product you use; it is a little self imposed restriction I like to put on myself!) This week I almost succeeded! Those pesky rhinestones are compliments of the 100 yen store in Japan...oh how I miss it so!

I have also found myself leaning more toward CAS cards lately. **gasp** I know. I actually think it is just that I can't quite bring myself to cut into the paper I like to hoard...LOL...

Stamps: Baroque Motifs, Short and Sweet
Paper: Very Vanilla, Cajun Craze
Ink: Versafine Black, Versamark
Accessories: Clear EP, Hearts & Brackets Big Shot die, rhinestones, CM corner punch

I hope everyone is having a fabulous weekend! :)

Sketchy Chick

2011-02-01T21:42:00.006-09:00

Isn't this the cutest chicken stamp?? I just fell in love with it the moment I saw it! And the whole set comes with the most darling sentiments that are so versatile! I will be using it a lot for sure!

It was so fun playing with the sketch this week at Paper Pretties! One random lucky participant this week will win the set "Angel Wings Sophia" You do not need to use Paper Pretties stamps in order to play along, but if you do, you will get a bonus entry into the drawing! Please be sure to mention our challenge and link back to the Paper Pretties blog in your project posting. When uploading to SCS or PCP please use keyword PWC139.

Stamps: Cluck Part II (Paper Pretties)
Paper: Basic Black, Cajun Craze, Daffodil Delight, PTI White
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics to color
Accessories: Nesties, Kaiser Black Rhinestones, Stickles, SU Gingham Ribbon, Dimensionals

I hope all of my virtual friends who are getting pounded with snow and cold weather are hanging in there. This would probably be a bad time to say we are having gorgeous weather here...positive 24 today. You can thank me for sending you that little arctic blast later...no cards required!

CAS Love Struck

2011-01-31T21:21:00.004-09:00

Well, it is official; I am finally getting my groove back after Christmas! And...drum roll please...I have another Valentine's Day card to show you!

This card is based on the sketch at Clean & Simple Stamping this week. Isn't it fun? And it also meets the criteria over at Scrap, Stamp, & Doodle Saturdays to use a punch on your card! I chose my most favorite punch, the SU Scallop Edge. :) Yay for fun challenges!

I have 2 cards posted: one is blinged out with stickles and the other is plain. I can't decide which I like better! The glitter really shines IRL...thought it would be a fun touch. What do you think?

Stamps: Timeless Love (Paper Pretties), A to Z Accents (SU)
Paper: Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Melon Mambo, Pixie Pink, Pink Passion, Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink
Ink: Versafine Black
Accessories: Baker's Twine, Stickles, SU Scallop Edge Punch

Have a fantastic day! Thanks for dropping by!

Timeless Love

2011-01-27T19:40:00.003-09:00

Yay! I finally posted a Valentine's Day card! After seeing all my blog buddies working on them, I felt like a total underachiever! (We won't talk about the girls who do Christmas Cards all year...my hat is off to them!)

I was excited to have a chance to play in some of my favorite blog challenges this week. This card meets the requirements for:

Clean & Simple: Sketch
Hand Stamped Sentiments: Use Hearts
Scrap, Stamp & Doodle Saturdays: Anything Goes

Woo Hoo! 3 challenges in 1! That is a lot for me...I know many of you can do like 10 in one. You have official superhero status in my eyes!

Stamps: Timeless Love (Paper Pretties)
Paper: PTI White, Old Olive, Cajun Craze, Basic Grey Indian Summer
Ink: Versafine Black
Accessories: SU Old Olive Ribbon & Button, DMC floss, Stickles, Nestabilities, SU Scallop Edge Punch, CB Embossing Folder

As a side, the ribbon off the edge was a total mistake! I tried to take the card apart to tuck it under but the darn cardstock started to tear. Anyway, then I kind of liked it! Sometimes mistakes work!!

Wild Stitches

2011-01-25T21:59:00.003-09:00

It is Wednesday and that means another challenge over at Paper Pretties! This week was scary for me...we were asked to used some form of sewing on our creation! As you can tell, I cannot sew well at all...not even in a straight line, but I think that just adds character, no? ;)

(And of course you could have used faux sewing, but if I tried that my little Janome Sew-Mini would have mocked me the entire time I made the card, being quite the distraction.)

One random lucky participant this week will win the set "One of these Days" You do not need to use Paper Pretties stamps in order to play along, but if you do, you will get a bonus entry into the drawing! Please be sure to mention our challenge and link back to the Paper Pretties blog in your project posting. When uploading to SCS or PCP please use keyword PWC138.

When I chose to use this darling stamp set, I immediately thought of attitude and sassiness! Don't you just love that shoe?! And I knew I had the perfect paper to pair it with (no pun intended)!

Stamps: Sassy Shoes (Paper Pretties)
Paper: Basic Black, Pink Passion, Whisper White, Zebra paper from my stash
Ink: Versafine Black, Copics to color
Accessories: ribbon, Stickles, rhinestones, circle/scalloped circle nestabilities, my trusty ol' Janome Sew-Mini :)

We are having a little warm spell here! Tomorrow's forecast...a high of 7! YES! A positive 7! It is the little things...;)

Hope you have a blessed day!

PWC137 Paper Piecing

2011-01-18T21:27:00.004-09:00

Yay for another Wednesday challenge at Paper Pretties! This week's theme is Paper Piecing! I love this technique! It helps me use my stash...which I have a **slight** tendency to hoard. ;)

One random lucky participant this week will win the set "Simply Special" You do not need to use Paper Pretties stamps in order to play along, but if you do, you will get a bonus entry into the drawing! Please be sure to mention our challenge and link back to the Paper Pretties blog in your project posting. When uploading to SCS or PCP please use keyword PWC137. Hope you play along!

Isn't this little Sophia darling? She comes with a gorgeous Thank You sentiment. I chose to pair her with the Happy Birthday sentiment because I always seem to need birthday cards! She was fun to paper piece as well! Her dress really lends itself to the technique.

Stamps: Giving Thanks-Sophia, Make A Wish Sophia (sentiment) all from Paper Pretties
Paper: PTI Stampers Select White, Certainly Celery & Bashful Blue (SU), Patterned Paper from my stash!
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics to color
Accessories: Stickles, Rhinestones, Buttons, DMC Floss

I am officially surviving winter here in Alaska. Last night on my drive home, the car thermometer read -30! On the bright side (no pun intended!) we are gaining 7 minutes of daylight a day. Yippee! Summer here rocks and I cannot wait for it!

Wishing you a blessed day!

PWC136: Unique Fold...Origami Lanterns

2011-01-11T22:30:00.000-09:00

I have some exciting news to share! I have the honor of being a guest designer at Paper Pretties for the months of January and February! Needless to say, I am totally excited and I can't wait to share the fun with you!

This week's challenge at Paper Pretties is to make something with a unique fold or a non-traditional fold. When I saw the border of hibiscus stamps in Aloha Sophia I immediately thought...origami lanterns!!

I took traditional origami paper and stamped the hibiscus with versamark and then heat embossed with gold embossing powder. The neat thing...each lantern is stamped differently! One red lantern is stamped with several parallel lines, the other with intersecting lines; the yellow has the hibiscus stamped diagonally over half of it leaving the other half blank; and finally for the black, I stamped one hibiscus randomly all over the paper. I was amazed at all of the different designs I could get out of one border stamp!

After I stamped and embossed the paper, I used this balloon pattern from an origami website. Once they were folded, I attached them to a string of Christmas lights by sticking the light right into the open end of the origami balloon...making a little string of lanterns!

And if you don't have a line of lights, you can just put these in a bowl and display them, as shown in the picture at the top of my post. Here I am showcasing them where they sit in my house now...on an end table in my living room. :)

We would love to have to play along with us this week! You do not need to use Paper Pretties stamps in order to play along, but if you do, you will get a bonus entry into a drawing for some free stamps! Please be sure to mention our challenge and link back to the Paper Pretties blog in your project posting. When uploading to SCS or PCP please use keyword PWC136.

Stamps: Aloha Sophia (Paper Pretties)
Paper: Origami paper from Japan
Ink: Versamark
Accessories: Gold Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Christmas Lights

As a side, it feels soooo good to be back! My family enjoyed a 3 week vacation to Florida where we were able to not only visit with our family, but also see Mickey Mouse! The weather was gorgeous...and the shopping was fabulous! I hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday as well!

The Hunt-Take 3

2010-12-11T08:00:00.000-09:00

For the past 2 years, I have shared a story here on my blog. It is about the Christmas spirit and trust me, it will be worth the read! It is my favorite Holiday story ever...and one that I never tire of telling! I hope you will take the time to read it. :)

Historically I get a lot of comments asking if readers can share the link to this post. In short: Absolutely!

It was December 22, 2001. We were living in Utah at the time. I was 8 months pregnant with my second child, had a 22 month old baby running around, my husband was living in Egypt for a year (for work), and we had our house up for sale. Yes, life was a little chaotic, but good!

Due to my husband's inability to make it home for Christmas, our dear friends had invited my son and I over for Christmas dinner. Awesome! My son is the pickiest eater EVER, so making turkey and the fixings only for myself would have been depressing.

At 6:30 pm on the 22nd, my doorbell rang. I answered it and was greeted by some overly cheerful people wearing reindeer antlers and Santa hats.

"Hello!" they exclaimed, "We are on a Christmas Scavenger Hunt and hope you can help us!"

"Sure," I said, intrigued by this proposal, "what are you looking for?"

"Well," the lady replied, "We are trying to provide a needy family with enough food for Christmas breakfast and dinner. Do you happen to have some green beans, a pound of bacon, or rolls?"

I excused myself and went to check. Opening the pantry door, I was reminded of the fact I was not cooking anything this year! No green beans...no rolls in the fridge...and no bacon. Darn! This was such a cool scavenger hunt and I really wanted to help!

"Sorry," I sadly said to the cheerful hunters, "I don't have any of those items."

"Oh, that's OK," she gleefully replied. "We are also taking donations to buy the family a gift card from Target so they can do some Christmas shopping. Would you care to donate to that?"

I ran to my purse as well as I could being so pregnant! Opening my wallet I realized I literally had NO money. Nope...not even a dollar. How embarrassing!

I sulked back to the door and had to tell them how sorry I was I could not help. "But good luck to you," I exclaimed!

About 8:45 pm my doorbell rang yet again. Oh my...now it is getting late. Who could this be? I opened the door to see 25 people on my porch spilling onto the walkway and into my front yard. Candles were lit and carols were being sung. Before I could react, they were in my house, delivering boxes upon boxes of toys and food.

"Merry Christmas," the same jolly lady replied, "Part of our scavenger hunt was finding the needy family...and YOU are it!"

I was literally speechless. Of course, being hormonal, I started to cry. What a dismal sight I must have been...BIG pregnant, young child, house up for sale, no husband in sight! All I could do was stand there. There was no telling them to stop! They were SO HAPPY to have found me! I could not bear to tell them I was NOT the needy family!

They only stayed for a few minutes, finishing a beautiful rendition of Silent Night and Joy to the World, ending with a round of hugs from all. After they left, I stood there with a tear stained face just looking at the boxes upon boxes of things, wondering what I should do with it all.

The next morning, I called our church office and relayed my story of the night before. By divine intervention just hours before my call, 2 needy families contacted my church asking for immediate help. I quickly loaded my Ford Excursion, which was FULL to the brim with boxes, and drove over to make my special delivery. It felt so good passing this wonderful gift on to someone else who truly needed it.

Our pastor shared this story with each church service that day. It put a smile on our congregation's face and led to many jokes about my "neediness" and inability to keep anything in the pantry or a dollar in my wallet!

I love this story. Whenever I retell it, I get the same feeling in my heart as the day it happened. It is truly a testament to the generosity of strangers and the true meaning of Christmas.

May the joy of the season bring warmth to your heart as it did mine.

Naughty List?

2010-12-08T09:09:00.003-09:00

{hanging head low} I have been a bad blogger! A week...a whole week since I posted?!! Eeekkk! 'Tis the season...trying to fit it all in between cookies, sending packages and mailing out my Christmas cards (which, in case you are wondering, were made by Snapfish)!

And the worst part of all? For the first time in 13+ years, my card is going out...Without. A. Letter. **sigh** I know. And for the record, I am not "the" type that sends "those" letters...you know what I am talking about, right? You know you do! Mine are every bit as comical as my blog (HA!) and poke fun at every member of my immediate family. I am sure that will just add to the couch time my children have to endure later in life.

Now, on to the card...fun with the brayer!! And the white gel pen was used to make stars! My favorite part? Rudolph's nose!

Stamps: 96916 Inkadinkado
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, SU DSP
Ink: Versafine, Night of Navy, Bashful Blue, Summer Sun, Apricot Appeal
Accessories: CTMH Sprinkles, White Gel Pen, II Embossing Powder, Robin's Nest Dew Drops

I hope your Holiday preparations are going without a hitch!

SSDS: Sketchy Holiday

2010-12-01T10:11:00.004-09:00

This week's challenge at Scrap, Stamp & Doodle Saturdays was a sketch! When I saw it, I was immediately reminded of a present. As you can tell, I took that theme and ran with it!

I gained my inspiration from a Christmas tree, making the colors red and green and putting the star on the top! Now, I will admit, my original vision was to have the star be a shaker...but I could not get my thin acetate to work with the star! I will have to try again another time with a more basic shape. Regardless, I love the beaded star and maybe it was just meant to be! ;)

Stamps: sentiment (CTMH)
Paper: Real Red, Garden Green, Crushed Curry (SU)
Ink: Versafine Black
Accessories: Red Polka Dot Ribbon (SU), beads, eyelets, Cricut for the star tag

Happy December! Can you believe it is already the 1st?!

Flutter By Thanks

2010-11-29T10:31:00.003-09:00

It has been a while since I played along with Flutter By Wednesday's challenge. This week it was meant to be, as I just purchased a new stamp from Mikes that was waiting to catch some ink!

The theme this week was to make a thank you card; how appropriate for the time of year! Speaking of, I hope all my American friends had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I was absent from blogland for a while due to a freak ice storm, worst in 70 years, that closed the schools all week. I had not planned to have little ones running around, thus my creative time was limited to say the least! Plus, I had to get busy in the kitchen!

Alright, back to the card...my favorite thing is to make the butterflies 3D...and blingy! You can't really see it, but I put stickles on the butterflies to help accent them. (Well, really because I have a little addiction to glitter...)

Stamps: On Butterfly Wings (Hampton Art), Sentiment (PTI)
Paper: PTI White, Lavender Lace, Garden Green
Ink: Copics to color, Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Crystal Effect, Stickles, Ribbon from the stash

Thanks for looking!

Imagine Birthday Princesses!

2010-11-17T13:17:00.003-09:00

By an act of divine intervention (well, really our movers but there must have been a higher power involved...) my Cricut Expression died on the day of the HSN Imagine release. Really, I had to do it. My household would not function without an electronic die cutter. Period. :)

If you have yet to sneak a peek at one of these machines, you probably want to close your eyes! It is sooooo cool! It prints images then cuts them out to perfection! Admittedly, had my Expression not bit the dust, I would not have shelled out the money for it. But I am so glad I did. :)

On short notice, I was asked to make cards for 2 little birthday princesses. I decided to use the Imagine so I would not have to color anything. I chose the images, told it to cut, and viola! I just matched up the papers and had these done in like 30 minutes total. (The stickles actually took longer to dry than it did to make the cards!)

Rumor has it the princesses loved them...or maybe it was just the sugar high after the cake!

Supplies used are just Stampin UP paper, sentiment & linen thread, buttons, stickles and the Best Friends cartridge for my Imagine.

Thanks for stopping by today!

The Fall Girls Blog Hop!

2010-11-11T06:00:00.000-09:00

First and foremost Happy Veterans Day! I hope as you read my blog today, you will take a moment to think about those who currently serve, who previously served, their families, and those that gave the ultimate sacrifice for their Country.

Welcome to the Blog Hop for the Fall Girls! We are so glad you are hopping along the way with us today! Hopefully you made it here from Tina's Blog!

The Fall Girls is a group of bloggers from one of my favorite online places, SplitCoastStampers. If you have not visited SCS, I highly recommend it! It is full of crafty enabling...I mean goodness!

As part of our hop, we are supposed to say why we wanted to join a blog group. Well, I am part of 4 blog groups and I love them all! They offer fabulous inspiration and I have met some wonderful virtual friends along the way!

Now on to my project...it all started with JoAnn's and their 40% off sale...LOL. I had been eyeing this stamp for a while, and it finally found its way home! I decided to pull out my Prismas and Gamsol to color it. It had been a while since I used them and although it took a while to color it in, I was happy with how it turned out!

Stamp: Inkadinkadoo
Paper: Basic Black, Crushed Curry, PTI White
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol, Stickles, misc. ribbon from my stash

Your next stop on the Fall Girls Blog Hop is with Pam! Thanks so much for dropping in!

SSDS It is Fall, Y'all

2010-11-08T19:02:00.004-09:00

...or really winter here in Alaska! We have snow on the ground, but nothing compared to what I am used to. It is like a really light dusting...and we only have a inch or so. It is the strangest thing! In Japan we had approximately 130" a year, so this is a break for me. Now, it is COLD! Highs of 30's...and it will get down to -50 in January! Bundle up and play with stamps, I say! ;)

Enough of my rambling...the challenge this week at Scrap, Stamp, & Doodle Saturdays was to make something in Fall theme! I had some extra notebook die cuts from an incorrect size I plugged into my Cricut Imagine, so I used one on this card! I just love the accent! And the ribbon was a Thrift Store find at 25 cents!

Stamps: Gifts of the Earth (SU), sentiment (PTI)
Paper: Crumb Cake, Elegant Eggplant, Really Rust, Old Olive, Watercolor Paper
Ink: Palette Noir, Elegant Eggplant, Really Rust, Sahara Sand, Crumb Cake, Summer Sun, More Mustard, Old Olive, Early Espresso inks for watercoloring
Accessories: Cricut Imagine for the notebook paper die, Robin's Nest Dew Drops, Stickles, Ribbon, Distressing Tool

Thanks for dropping by! I hope your week is going well thus far!

HSS Branching Out with Color

2010-11-06T14:59:00.004-08:00

Yippee! I love color challenges, and this week at Hand Stamped Sentiments was a festive and fun one! We were asked to use Pear Pizzaz, Cajun Craze, and More Mustard. (And yes, I totally cheated by using Crumb Cake for the tree. I had to! I needed a brown for the trunk!!) ;)

Additionally, I also tried to stay 100% SU since the HSS Blog is run by a group of fabulous SU Demos. They do not require that at all, but I thought it would be fun to try. I think I did pretty well minus the Dew Drops!!

I have been challenged by a friend to make some one layer cards. Eeekkk! Those really challenge me creatively as well as layout wise. There is no room to hide! So I thought I would give it a run with this set. What do you think?

Stamps: Branch Out, Happy Harmony (SU)
Paper: Very Vanilla. Period. :)
Ink: Pear Pizzaz, More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Pear RIbbon (SU), Stickles, Dew Drops, Clear Embossing Powder (for the sentiment)

Thanks for stopping by today!

PWCO Sketch Harvesting Love

2010-11-04T10:33:00.003-08:00

Guess what? I found a new-to-me fun stamp line, Paper Works Co,...and the icing on the cake...they do weekly blog challenges! Woo Hoo! Of course, when I saw this sketch, I knew I had to participate this week. I love sketches!

And alright, I have a little admission to make...I have a good bit of ric rac. That. Has. Never. Been. Used. Yeah. I know. Sad...but the good news is that I got to use it on this sketch, hence why I think it was calling my name. :)

My card was guided by the color of my ric rac, which happened to coordinate perfectly with this TAC patterned paper. A little match made in heaven!

Stamps: Treasure Life(CTMH)
Paper: SU Pixie Pink, Cool Caribbean, Soft Suede, Whisper White, TAC Patterned Paper Rustic Chic
Ink: Versamark, Soft Suede, Cool Caribbean
Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder, MS Butterfly Punch, Robin's Nest Dew Drops, Stickles, SU Ric Rac, Nestabilities

Thanks for stopping by my little slice of the web today. :) I hope your day is fabulous!

SSDS How Many Buttons...

2010-11-02T08:00:00.003-08:00

...can you get on one card?! The challenge this week at Scrap, Stamp, & Doodle Saturdays was to use...BUTTONS! (I know, betcha could not tell!)

I had a blast with this card! I tend to be a hoarder so it was freeing to have "permission" to use the stash. ;)

This card is based on an altered notebook I made previously for my friend Naomi. I did change it up a bit with colors and layout. I must admit, I love this sketch (from SCS) and I know I will use it again!

Stamps: Minty Coffee & Sentiment (StampingBella.com)
Paper: CM patterned paper from the stash, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, PTI White
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics
Accessories: Buttons! (American Craft, SU), Ribbon (SU), Embroidery Floss, dimensionals, Stickles

Thanks for dropping by!

HSS From a Card to...

2010-10-30T22:40:00.005-08:00

What a fun challenge at Hand Stamped Sentiments this week! They wanted us to make a project based on a card. Well, lucky for me I had to complete a project just like this for a little silent auction on base next month.

I started with the card which was made for a Bellarific Friday challenge at StampingBella.com. I liked the colors together so much (with that pretty flocked SU paper!), that I decided to complete an entire gift set around it.

The notepad set was CASED from a good SCS friend of mine, Gail, who I had the honor of meeting up with in San Francisco last year. She made these little sets for the 4 of us that met up. Not only that, but we ate at Cheesecake Factory AND shopped. I know! The. Best. Day. Ever!

And then I made the little bag to hold it all together. :)

Stamps: Christmastini (Stampingbella.com), sentiment (Papertrey Ink), Merry & Bright (SU)
Paper: Basic Black, Brushed Gold, Whisper White, SU DSP from last year
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copcis to color, PTI Fresh Snow
Accessories: CTMH & Michael's Ribbon, SU Brads, Stickles, MS Snowflake punch, Eyelets, SU Punch

Thanks so much for stopping in. I hope you are having a wonderful weekend!

SSDS A Colorless Holiday

2010-10-27T15:29:00.003-08:00

OK, so this is not really colorless, but the challenge this week at Scrap, Stamp, & Doodle Saturdays was to create a Holiday card sans red or green! You have no idea how difficult it was for me to omit a red, sparkly button on that ribbon!

Anyway, here you have it! Black, white, & gold...with some sparkle on the button and snowflakes for good measure!

Stamps: Vintage Santa (TAC)
Paper: Whisper White, Brushed Gold, Basic Black (SU)
Ink: Versafine Black
Accessories: Ribbon (CTMH), Button (SU), Stickles, Gold Cord (SU)

This was a fast, fun, and easy card to put together...and I have to admit, I kind of like it without any real color. But you know, if I remake a few, I can't say that red button won't make it on there! ;)

Everything is Better in 3's

2010-10-26T08:50:00.007-08:00

I am really having fun playing over at Clean & Simple Stamping! It is a constant reminder that a card does not have to have all the bells and whistles to make a statement!

(Unless, of course, my husband is reading this...then YES, I do need all that stuff!)

This week's sketch is shown below. I knew I wanted to make something with snowflakes, as I am trying to get ahead with my seasonal cards. I guess that is kind of cheating, as I pretty well bypassed Thanksgiving. :)

This card was easy peasy, complete in under 15 minutes! Love cards like that!

Stamps: Winter Wonder (Verve), sentiment (CTMH)
Paper: All SU (Whisper White, Bashful Blue, Brilliant Blue)
Ink: All SU (Bashful Blue, Brilliant Blue)
Accessories: All SU (Iridescent Ice EP, retired ribbon)

This is an appropriate card to post today, as we are enjoying some flurries as I type! Apparently we have enjoyed a mild winter thus far, which is fine by me! I enjoy the snowflakes on my cards, not so much in my driveway. :)

Wishing you a wonderfully crafty day!

SSDS Sketch: Holiday Quilt

2010-10-21T22:39:00.004-08:00

Oh my word. Ever have those times where you can't make anything work for you? Well, that was me playing with this week's sketch at Scrap, Stamp and Doodle Saturdays! Mercy me, this sketch was my nemesis! I am not sure why I could not find my mojo!

I did have fun once I got my idea rolling...this was my 3rd attempt with different stamps/themes/papers! ;) My favorite part was playing with the Bo Bunny swirl! I rarely add flourishes to my cards...and I just love the added dimension.

I am not 100% certain I love the tree with the crystal effects on it. I am bummed that it seemed to smear the ink a bit underneath. On the other hand, since it is up on dimensionals, the crystal effects seems to strengthen the design.

Stamps: Season of Joy and sentiment (TAC)
Paper: Retired SU DSP, Whisper White, Old Olive, Real Red, Chocolate Chip, Vellum
Ink: Old Olive, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: SU Ribbon, Bo Bunny Flourish, Crystal Effects, CTMH Rhinestones, Stickles, Glue Dots, Dimensionals, corner rounder

Are you floored? I am actually posting Holiday cards in October! We won't mention that I have yet to post a Thanksgiving card. ;) Thanks for dropping in! Have a wonderful weekend!!

Spring Wishes

2010-10-18T23:02:00.004-08:00

Wow...I must be yearning for spring by the looks of this card! ;) Darn it, I have a longggg time to wait!

This card was made from a sketch at Clean & Simple Stamping. I just love their blog! You should really check it out for some yummy CAS inspiration.

My ribbon choice guided the entire card...I love the colors together! And I had yet to use that really cool TAC set for the border.

Stamps: Edge Designs (TAC), Celebration of Thanks (Verve)
Paper: Gable Green, Early Espresso, Whisper White (SU)
Ink: Versamark, Early Espresso, Pumpkin Pie
Accessories: Clear EP, Prima Flower, Brad (Making Memories), Ribbon (American Crafts), Glue Dots

I hope you are having a wonderfully crafty week!

HSS Sketch: Scary Tree

2010-10-16T20:13:00.004-08:00

Let me tell ya, it was killing me that I had not yet made a Halloween this year!! So, when the Hand Stamped Sentiments Sketch Challenge called for a Fall or Halloween card based on the sketch, I pulled out one of my favorite spooky sets and got busy!

This was so much fun to make! I knew I wanted to use ribbon rather than cardstock for the strips under the image. And, may I just say...I LOVE the new Stampin' UP in-color ribbon! It feels so rich!

Stamps: SU (House of Haunts)
Paper: Basic Black, Wild Wasabi, Elegant Eggplant, Creative Memories patterned paper for the orange
Ink: Versamark with Black Embossing Powder, Black Cats Eye for over the web
Accessories: Kaiser Craft half-backed black pearls, SU Ribbon, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, dimensionals

In case you can't tell, I put the main image up on dimensionals. I also took black ink and ran it over the web for some spooky dimension. Boo!

Thanks to the ladies at HSS for another fun challenge! And I hope everyone is having a fantabulous weekend!

Daisy Scout Kaper Chart, v. 2

2010-10-14T23:25:00.006-08:00

I have a confession to make. Yes, I have a blog is mainly about cards and scrapbook pages. You know how many hits I get a month via a web search for Kaper Charts? This month...over 1,400!!

Yes, 1,400+ views for 2 posts that show my Kaper Charts... you Girl Scout Leaders are resourceful! And I hope that I inspired you, which is exactly why I shared in the first place!

This year I am honored to be my youngest daughter's leader. Although I must say, when I told here I was the leader, she responded with a super flat "Oh". **sigh** It starts already! :)

For the Kaper Chart, staying with my tradition, I used a normal piece of poster board. My vision was to design a daisy that had a task on each petal. To do that, I used my Cricut Gypsy, and skewed the oval from George a bit, then cut 8 of them. I cut the center of the daisy with my Creative Memories circle cutter. I had to add some bling, so I took my Versamark pad and added some Stampin UP Iridescent Ice embossing powder so the center is sparkly!

I used the Cricut to cut the letters, all from Printing 101. The butterflies and bugs are from Walk in My Garden.

The tasks I chose to be very basic. In case you cannot read them (you can click on the picture to make it bigger), they are: Pledge, Promise, Law, Song, Closing, Buddy and 2 Clean Ups. (Buddy is for the bathroom buddy)

Each girl has their name on a butterfly that is attached with velcro so I can move them around.

I would love to see what other leaders are doing! Please leave me a comment or a link so I can check it out!

Hope you have a wonderfully rewarding year!

Yours in Scouting,
The Mama Monkey

CAS Joyful Flower

2010-10-13T16:54:00.003-08:00

I stumbled upon Clean & Simple Stamping and immediately fell in love with the style of it! Their current challenge involves a sketch you can find here. And luckily enough, I had a pack of 4 gorgeous Prima flowers that fit the bill for the sketch!

Stamps: Papertrey Ink
Paper: Stamping UP's Basic Black, Silver, and Shimmery White
Ink: Versafine, SU Melon Mambo
Accessories: Prima Flower, SU Gingham ribbon

Has everyone used their 50% off Martha Stewart coupon for Michael's? I have been there twice this week and you know, I just cannot find anything I need. I hate to let a good coupon expire. :( Something obviously must be wrong with me!!

Thanks for dropping by! I hope you had a wonderful Wednesday!

Falling in Love with Ketto!

2010-10-11T20:13:00.006-08:00

Fall is my favorite season! I just love the changing colors, the crisp air...unfortunately, in Alaska, we only get 2 weeks of it! I woke to the "s" word on Sunday! It was only a dusting, but still! :)

I made this card for Stamp, Scrap and Doodle Saturday's weekly challenge and for Bellarific Friday, as they both called for Fall Themed cards! Additionally, Flutterby Wednesday's theme was open this week, so I got this in just in time!

I could not resist this navy gingham ribbon I found in my stash! It guided my whole project this week.

Stamps: Anise Ketto (StampingBella.com), sentiment: PaperTrey Ink
Paper: All SU: Night of Navy, Rich Razzleberry, Crushed Curry, PTI white
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics, SU Night of Navy
Accessories: SU Embossed Dots background, Stickles, ribbon from my stash

I do have some fun news to share! First off, I won the Artist Pick from Hand Stamped Sentiments for my card made in the post below. Then, I got 4 cards published in the latest issue (Fall 2010) edition of Just Cards! I think this deserves some sort of celebration! What shall I get myself as a "reward"?? :) Unfortunately I just spent a good bit on some Decor Elements for the house, so I am looking at the reward on my wall! And boy, are they pretty! I will have to post some pics so you can see, too!

Thanks for stopping by!

HSS Color Challenge!

2010-10-07T10:09:00.001-08:00

Nothing made me happier this week than to participate in one of my favorite blog challenges over at Hand Stamped Sentiments! This week's color challenge was to use Pear Pizzaz, Real Red, Early Espresso, and Pacific Point.

I decided to pull out a fun Stamping Bella image that had yet to see ink (sad, I know!) because I really wanted to use my Copics! Of course, since I was in tool withdrawal, I had to find an excuse to use my Big Shot (embossing). As I pulled open an embellishment drawer, my beloved Stickles were just begging to be used! Oh. My. Gosh! It feels so good to have my stuff back again! :)

I used the SU Background stamp, Dotted on the Pear layer with Versamark to give it some dimension, which you can barely make out in the picture.

Stamps: Daisy Balloon (StampingBella), sentiment (PTI), Dotted (SU)
Paper: Early Espresso, Pear Pizzaz, Real Red, PTI White
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Sepia, Versamark
Accessories: SU Ribbon, SU Brads, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Stickles, Dimensionals, Spellbinders Nestabilities

Thanks for a fun challenge, Hand Stamped Sentiments! I missed playing with you lovely gals!

Just Breathe...

2010-09-27T22:58:00.001-08:00

Hello my crafty friends! I have sooo missed all of you! My family and I successfully made it to Alaska! Our household goods arrived earlier this month and I am finally settled. It feels good to breathe again!

For those keeping track, I "survived" exactly 91 days without my craft room. And I did that without any pharmaceutical intervention! Unless of course you count chocolate...;)

We l-o-v-e it here! I see moose almost every day and the other night I saw the Northern Lights! So very cool! And speaking of cool, we had snow flurries on Sunday morning. In September. Boo to that! And it is cold at night...down to the teens already. Hey, at least I will have a GREAT excuse to sit in my warm house and play all day, no?? :)

The card I am sharing with you is compliments of my new Cricut Imagine! (My Expression sadly did not fare so well after the move so I had to replace it.) The base paper is all SU and the notebook paper, sentiment area and butterfly are all cut and printed from my Imagine! It was so easy and fun...this card took me 10 minutes to make!

Thanks for taking the time to visit today! I promise to get to everyone's blogs to leave some crafty love!

It is great to be back!

Simply Daisy Wishes

2010-06-29T05:23:00.003-08:00

Hi friends! I know, it has been a few weeks. Honestly, I have been busy...doing a lot of last minute shopping! It sure is a good thing I did not discover all of these antique stores previously or we would have been in the poor house! I am going to try to take a good picture of the Wedding Kimono I found...stunning!

On the crafting front, I have some big news! I got 3 cards picked up in the Summer 2010 edition of Just Cards! :)

OK, now for what you are really here for...I did save some supplies, albeit it limited, from the hands of the movers! I figured I could do a lot with some paper, ribbon, tape, stamps and Martha Stewart embellishments. I must admit, I really like how this CAS card came out! And the best part...this took me under 10 minutes to make!

Stamps: Papertrey Ink
Paper: Stampin UP Melon Mambo and PTI White
Ink: Versafine Black
Embellishments: Martha Stewart flowers, SU Ribbon

I am going to do my best to write a few more posts and continue to regularly comment on everyones blogs, but please bear with me through this transition! I despise moving...but at the same time, I am ready for our next adventure! (OK, really to unpack my craft room...but let's not say that out loud!)

Until next time~

Diaperbella Bag

2010-06-13T05:31:00.003-08:00

So tell me, is this not the cutest diaper bag stamp ever?! I know! And I love it paired with the DCWV mat stack. Just perfect for that little bundle of joy!

I know I said previously we had a lot of babies in our squadron this year. I think I still might have a few more shower cards to share, but don't quote me! While my house is completely cleaned out, my computer is not! I had planned to use this time of "living simply" to clean out my electronic life, alas I am finding other things to keep me busy!

Speaking of keeping busy, I did get the chance to make cards on Saturday with my group here. :) We had a blast. It was also "fun" to make cards with very limited supplies! Pictures, you ask? Ha! I am not that organized yet! For now, you get to see the files that I already have on the computer!

My limited supply list: Stamp by Stamping Bella, Sentiment by Papertrey Ink. Paper is SU and DCWV. Ink is Copics and Memento Tuxedo Black. Accessories: Robin's Nest Dew Drops, Yummy SU Ribbon, misc button, CB embossing folder, SU punch.

Thanks for dropping in! T minus 30 days until we land in Alaska!!

Time to Relax!

2010-06-07T03:30:00.003-08:00

Ahhh...it is now time to relax, put my feet up, and take a breather before the big move! Our household goods were packed up, crated, and hopefully on their journey to Alaska. They are saying it can take up to 3 months to get there.

Did you hear that primal scream? That was me freaking out about being apart from my beloved paper for that long...

At any rate, this is a card I created for a friend before the pack out. It is based on an old SCS sketch. I loved the colors, which were inspired by the ribbon.

My supply lists are going to be limited until Fall, as I don't have my stock to refer to when making them. Please bear with me!

Stamps: PTI; Paper: SU; Ink: SU; Accessories: American Crafts ribbon, Robin's Nest Dew Drops, CB Embossing Folder, Clear EP

Thanks for dropping by today!!

Okinawa Thank You

2010-05-17T04:41:00.003-08:00

My husband let me and the children tag along on a business trip to Okinawa this spring! Can you say heavenly?! What made it wonderful was not only the gorgeous tropical environment, but the loads of friends we have stationed down there. Which begs the question...how do all of our friends end up in tropical environments and we end up in the frozen tundra?? Hummm...

At any rate...I wanted to send a little thank you to our friends for putting up with us that week. Well, it was really for having to put up with my husband...I am a joy to be around! ;)

Stamps: Kodomo, SU sentiment
Paper: Basic Black, Tangerine Tango, Ballet Blue, PTI White
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics to color
Accessories: Stickes

I included a sea glass necklace with this card. You might remember my post about looking for sea glass here. My talented friends make jewelry out of the glass they find...mine sits in jars! LOL Guess my meager talent ends with paper!

Thanks for stopping by today! :)