All My By Self

Hey...did you think I got lost? I sort of did...LOL. Just took a wee trip to see my grandson and do a little "tick or tweatin" with my little Mickey Mouse! He had the best time...I think he enjoyed the KNOCK KNOCK on the doors just about as well as the candy. He loved the little bags of M's (M and M's) in his little Elmo bag.

At 2, Cole is becoming very independent. He is trying to dress himself, putting his legs in his shirtsleeves or his feet in his neck opening LOL!!!This image, Sumpin's Wrong- digi from Mo's Digital Pencil Too makes a perfect card to send to his Mama. My, my...Cole is becoming a little boy and growing up so fast!

When his Mama, (my oldest daughter Erin) was his age, she used to always tell me that she wanted to do things "All MY BY SELF"! She did get her wording just a little mixed up, but I knew what she meant! Just another one of the many family sayings she created that has stuck with us for over 30 years LOL!


A few changes this week...

Irina introduced a new Guest Design Team for November and December today on the La La Land blog. Several of the new DT are good stamping friends I have known since my blogging days began, and the others I have gotten to know through the challenges! I am so excited for them. I hope you can take the time to visit and join their PINK challenge this week! I had a fun time working with this GREAT bunch of stampers.

Also, there will be no 3 Clovers Thursday Challenge tomorrow. Our fearless leader Kerry is a little under the weather, so we postponed this week's challenge. Feel better soon Miss Kerry!


....and oh...I bought some blog candy when I was in the big city...keep your eyes peeled...I will be posting soon. I just need to decide what I can part with LOL!

Good night all!

Inger Harding Freebies

If you have never been to simply Inger you are missing out. I first saw her amazing creations on the Inspirational blog. Upon browsing her blog, I found that she is also sharing some of her wonderful digi's for free. Look on the right side of her blog for a couple packages labeled Freebies.

I made this card for my daughter's birthday this week. 32 years ago...where has the time gone? It seems like just yesterday and she was two years old singing You are my Sunshine to me!

I am in Eugene today visiting her family and taking little Cole trick or treating to a few houses...now how much fun do you think this gwamma is going to be having!!!! I hope you all enjoy your weekend, I know I will!

Card Details:

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Stamps: Free digi image from Inger Harding, Sentiment Celebrate Good Times ER1094 Stampabilities (this came with a House Mouse of the month stamp), Erin's name made with a Just Ritealpha stamp set

Cardstock: Garden Green, Me and My Big ideas mat pad

Ink: SU! markers for sentiment, Copics

Misc: SU! oval punches

3 Clovers Thursday Challenge #37-Teenagers

The challenge at 3 Clovers Thursday Challenge this week is to make a card for teenagers. I just couldn't find a fun or funky stamp suitable for a teen in my many, many stamps (imagine that) ...but I did find this stamp about ATTITUDE that I thought would be appropriate for a teen LOL! I have always loved these kid saying stamps by Inkadinkadoo. I see now they have them out in a clear stamp set at Michaels. I think you get 6 or 7 sayings included in one set. What a deal!

I love this yummy DP...it reminds me of Hawaii! Such vivid and colorful colors!

I can't believe this is already challenge #37! Where has the year gone? This month has disappeared before my eyes...and November is just a few days away. That means Christmas decorations and cookie baking! My favorite time of the year!

Take a hop, skip and a jump over to Kerry's blog and check out all the other Teen cards this week!

Card Details:

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Stamps: Saying stamp by Inkadinkadoo

Cardstock: Red, Night of Navy, DP is Cosmo Cricket Early Bird Sunrise

Ink: SU! markers Red, Pumpkin, Night of Navy, Old Olive

Misc: Nesties, SU! buttons, embroidery floss

La La Land Weekly Wednesday Challenge 10-Ribbon!

Holy Bat Cave! I love Martha's bat punch can you tell?

Challenge #10 this week at La la Land Crafts Blog is ribbon. I had an idea come to me in my sleep for this challenge, unfortunately this is NOT what I had in mind...maybe another card sometime. I added this fun orange polka dot ribbon to this card and YIKES...it was wayyyy too bright and wayyyy too stuck to take off...What's a stamper to do? I took a little chocolate chip ink and a sponge and toned it down a lot. Viola!

Now, I know Irina will make a card with some amazing bow on it-she is good with ribbon like that...can't wait to see what this challenge brings.

Stamps and Smiles Sketch

I used a fun sketch from Jennifer Meyer's challenge blog. I love interactive cards...so I had to give this one a whirl. Click on the link above to visit her blog.

Card Details:

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Stamps: Pirate Rosie by La La Land Crafts, Sentiment by Inkadinkadoo

Cardstock: Bo Bunny, Basic Black

Ink: Versafine Black, Memento Black, Copics

Misc: Nesties, Martha S bat and goop punches, SU! circle punch to make notch, redline tape, spider button, misc ribbon

Here Comes the Bride.

I spent all day Saturday making these bridal shower invitations to ship to my sweet SIL Becky in Hawaii. I hope they make it across the ocean safe and sound! (too bad I wasn't personally delivering them to her)!

These heart cards open at the top and are closed with some SU! white taffeta ribbon. To open you would just slip off the little silver tie. All words inside and out were computer generated. I googled "bridal shower invitation words-sentiments" and come up with a nice saying inside with all the details.

Sorry for the wacky picture...I am learning how to edit in photoshop now that my computer moved to Windows 7. I am a little slow...I told my son it was easier to have him do it than to teach me LOL! I will get the hang of it soon!

I used a pack of SU Patterned Designer Series Paper in retired color of Tempting Turquoise, so there are many different patterns here. (of course I tend to like polka dots!)

I counted how many trips through my Big shot these cards took...125 oh my! Had to cut and emboss all of the invites. If you count how many times you "big shot" you must be either sick of it, or very thankful for all the help it gives!

Card Details:

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Stamps: None

Cardstock: Su Tempting Turq DP, GP White for card base

Ink: None

Misc: Heart Nesties, SU! taffeta ribbon and silver cording (I am sad this is no longer carried by SU!), Cuttlebug folders, turq crystals

Three Clover's Thursday Challenge #36--a sketch

The challenge this week at 3 Clovers Thursday Challenge is the fun sketch below! And boy...did our girls come up with some great creations for your inspiration...You must go take a peek and hopefully play along with all of us this week!

I made this card to thank my newly married friends (I went to their wedding in Vegas last week). They had their reception at this wonderful Italian restaurant. Delicious! If you ever get a chance to eat at BUCA di BEPPO...don't miss out! We 'sort of' ate ourselves silly!

This fun stamp set named Viola worked out just perfect. I paper pieced his clothes and hat as well as adding the "sketti" on dimensionals.

ahh...the pretty inside-love this punch!

Card Details:

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Stamps: Viola! by Stamping Up, sentiment by Hero Arts

Cardstock: Black, RHRed, Vanilla, Summer Sun (all SU!), misc piece of shiny silver for the platter, Graphic 45 DP

Ink: Memento Black, copics, Versafine for the sentiment, Staze On for silver paper, Graphic 45 DP

Misc: Nesties, dimensionals, black pearls, cuttlebug embossing folder, EK Success border punch

Card size: A2

La La Land Weekly Wednesday Challenge #9-Sparkle

Sparkle is very hard to capture in a photo, but the stars on Maya's wizard robe are very "glittery"! I was so pleased when I finished this card...the sparkle really does add that extra touch. So I bet you have figured out that Challenge #9 on La~La Land Crafts blog this week is SPARKLE.

This was a fun card to make with all this fun Halloween Bo Bunny DP to set off the darling Maya image. I just love that bold orange and black tree DP..so fun! (and I am not known for liking orange much...)

I used Beate's WSC102 for the sketch lay out of this card. I also used an Inkadinkadoo spider web stamp for the inside.

Card Details:

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Stamps: Wizard Maya from La~La Land Crafts, Sentiment is a $1 Studio G stamp set, Inside spider web by Inkadinkadoo

Cardstock: Black (SU!), Bo Bunny DP

Ink: Copics, Memento Black, Versafine for the sentiment and inside stamping (it stamps so very black...the best for sentiments!..but not for copics)

Misc: Oval and circle Nesties, ribbon from Libby :)

House Mouse and Friends-3 Men And A Baby

I made this for the current House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge #54...use a movie title as an inspiration for your challenge card. I chose Three Men and a Baby and used this darling little Happy Hopper for my "baby"!

You know those old sepia tone pictures that were then hand colored with very pastel colors? That is what this image reminds me of. I gave Itty Bit just a touch of pink on her nose and ears and a touch of blue on the rim of the baby bottle. Itty Bit is stamped in chocolate chip brown with no extra coloring on her body.

She is cut out with an oval nestie and matted several times, with teeny tiny brown pearls around the rim of the scalloped nestie. There are also so shiny brads in each corner. The inside says
'Congratulations on the birth of your beautiful baby'.

I am not sure if Itty Bit is a boy or girl bunny...but this is definitely a boy baby card!

ETA: Okay...Carol wants to know where I hid the THREE MEN! Don't tell her I sent them to her blog LOL! Silly girl....

Card details:

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Stamps: Sleepy Head (Itty Bit) HMGR1016, Sentiment inside by Stampin' Up!

Cardstock: SU Parisian Breeze, Baja Breeze (both retired)and Choc Chip

Ink: Choc Chip, copic

Misc: SU Baja Breeze ribbon, brads, oval nesties, swiss dots cuttlebug folder

Three Clover's Thursday Challenge #35-Nature

I'm back! I had a great time on vacation...vacations are just never long enough! The weather was perfect and the company wonderful!...and not a computer in sight!

The challenge this week at 3 Clovers Thursday Challenge is NATURE. Now I should be thinkin' nice leaves and trees and 'stuff' like that...but this is what I came up with! This Penny Black stamp just tickles me and fit in great with this weeks challenge don't you think? Although you can't tell from the picture, the PB image is 3D with the head and wings layered on dimensionals as well as the circle image.

I added a strip of trees made with an EK Success border punch and a little of the last of my beloved RHR satin ribbon. sniff sniff . The sentiment was made with a Just Rite letter stamper.

Hope you can join us this week!

Card Details:

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Stamps: Penny Black Surprise 2890F, Sentiment made with Just Rite stamper, Retired speckle background stamp (SU!)

Cardstock: RHRed, Celery, Garden Green from SU!

Ink: Memento Black, Versafine Black, Copic markers

Misc: Nesties, EK Success border punch, SU! ribbon

La La Land Crafts Blog Christmas Release Reveal

Wow, did we ever have a fun blog hop last week! Whiskers finally gets to show off today!


You can see at the top what the actual stamp looks like and see that the little bird got a dye job for this card and became a red robin with a Santa hat! Just gotta mix it up a little to show how each stamp can be used for many different seasons. Whiskers could be drinking coffee, tea, or cocoa during any season of the year. I had some stickers that I received in some junk mail with little Santa hats and they just happened to fit little birdie perfectly! Made for a fun little winter card.

Make sure to visit La-La Land Crafts blog and La-La Land Crafts Store to check out the new releases and find out who won the big blog candy that is being given away today.

You will be able to see all the newly released stamps tomorrow at the store and samples made with the new stamps on the blog! I am looking forward to viewing all the cards made with the new holiday stamps too!


I want to thank you all for stopping by and making this a FUN hop...and now on to my blog candy...............

Shirley N said...

looks like a cute kittie! Thanks for the chance to win your awesome candy!

October 7, 2009 7:50 PM

The winner of my Copic atyou Spica pens is #58(picked by random.org)............................Aloha Shirley N at Stampin for the Fun of it! Shirley...please send me your address so I can send your pens to Hawaii!


Card Details:

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Stamps: Cocoa Whiskers, sentiment from retired SU! set Winter Wilma

Cardstock: Red and Temp. Turq from SU!, DP from Bo Bunny

Ink: Memento Black, Choc Chip (SU!), Copics

Misc: Santa hat sticker, circle nesties, new in color SU! ribbon

Mo's Pumpkin Patch

When I saw this image from Mo's Digital Pencil, I knew I had to have it. It reminds me of last year when I went to the pumpkin patch with Cole. He tried so hard to carry the pumpkins! He may be able to pull it off this year...He is a big boy of 2 now!

I colored this image to match the pictures I took last year...gotta match the outfits ya know!

For those that are fans of Mo's digital images...there will be a new line of actual stamps coming soon...so keep your eyes peeled!

This is another Michelle B at Just Painting Around inspired "scene" card.


Card Details:

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Stamps: Mo's digital image, Studio G sentiment

Cardstock: Black (SU!) and Debbie Mumm DP

Ink: Versafine for the sentiment

Misc: Square Nestie

House Mouse and other things!

Wow, lots of happenings this week after weeks of not too much stamping...Whew! I had to play with my new SU! snowflake die tonight, so what better way to show off my little meeces? Peppermint Delight has always been one of my favorite House Mouse stamps. It is a tiny stamp, so it is easy to make it a focal point on a card.

The card is cut using a nestie, and then layered with DP and the diecut snowflake(which I covered with Martha Stewart chunky glitter). I tied some ribbon and added it below Monica with a glue dot.

Now, I am suppose to be packing my suitcase and heading off to bed...Yes, I am heading off on vacation and will be back next week . I do have a Mo's Digital Pencil card that is dear to my heart pre-scheduled for this weekend, so I hope you like it as much as I do!

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The winner of my blog candy, Trick or Treat Lala is Mary from Maine! I want to thank you all for stopping in and leaving your wonderful comments. I so love hearing from you all! I have made the "bestest" friends through my blog!

I do have some other really fun blog candy posted HERE if you would like to take a peek and then take a turn at the blog hop too.

Okay Okay...I have to get to bed....morning comes to soon for us late night stampers LOL!

3CTC-Fall or Halloween Treat Holder

Make a treat holder for Fall or Halloween! What fun over at 3 Clovers Thursday Challenge this week! Should be some great treat holders for you all to peek at this week!

This was a project I meant to make last Halloween, but darned if I didn't run out of time. I did make these cute pumpkin bag treat holders though. They are both creations I found on Martha Stewart's site. You can read her directions on how to make these Witches Brooms HERE. I also found a great tutorial with pictures HERE. (sorry my pic does not show the whole "broomstick", but I had to crop so you didn't see the pile of paper plates on top of the microwave LOL)

I have a lot of random Halloween stamps, so this gives me a chance to use a lot of them. I don't get too fussy as the kids will just rip them open in two seconds anyway.

I knew I was going to make these this year, so my sweetie cut these branches for me in the spring, so I had them cut and ready to go!

Each bag takes the following supplies:

1. 2 paper sacks-I used sacks about 6 1/2 inches tall, small treat size. If you use too big of a sack...it will hold a load of candy. This bag holds about 8 minature type candy bars/bags. You will fill one bag and set it inside of a shredded bag.

2. Twine

2. Branch or a big pretzel rod works equally well. Should be about 12 inches long or so.

4. Lots of good treats!

This image was gifted to me. I believe it is a Darcie's stamp...so cute...wish I had more!

Sally the Witch by Stampabilites

Spooky Snoopy by Stampabilites and a Studio G/ Michaels $1 stamp

Studio G/$1 Michaels stamps bought last year.

Go take a peek at what the other stampers created and maybe get a headstart for Halloween!

La La Land Crafts Blog Christmas Release Blog Hop!

Hello there! Fun stuff going on at this week and next week at La La Land Crafts Blog!

I want you to meet Hot Cocoa Whiskers. This is the image and card I will be showing you next week on my blog.

This week I am sending you on a hunt to find the pot of gold! Sweet Irina is offering some great blog candy to all of you who follow the links below and leave the correct answer at the end of the hop!

Darn, I wish I could win...there is some great candy here, so don't miss out. I am going to sweeten the deal with some candy of my own...A set of Atyou Glitter pens by Copic. Sorry, my order didn't come in the pretty package as shown, but as individual pens...but they are all here waiting for you to win them. You might even find more blog candy along the trail too! All you have to do to win my blog candy is leave me a comment here. That's it...pretty simple! I will announce the winner next Wednesday, so don't forget to come back and check to see if these babies are yours!





We can't wait to show you the new images to be released. Read the text below that will be posted on La La Land's blog to find who I am linking to(hint...look for the green name that starts with K) Make it easy on yourself...start at the beginning...click on the link provided in red below and it will take you to the La- La Land Crafts blog.

Posted on the La- La Land Craft Blog:


Hi Everyone,

Welcome to La- La Land Crafts' Christmas Release Blog Hop. To celebrate the release of the fabulous Christmas stamps on October 14th, we are having a fun Blog Hop. Each DT Member and all the Guest DT-members will show you a sneak-peek of one of the new Christmas stamps...

What's in it for you???

Besides seeing all the cute sneak peeks of our new images? The winner of the Blog Hop will receive not one but THREE of our new stamps (winner's choice!!) PLUS all of the items in the photo below:




- Limited Edition Spellbinders Shapebilites Create a Flake 1
- Spellbinders Shapeabilites Create A Flake 1
- Spellbinders Shapeabilites Pendants Fleur De Lis
- Spellbinders Borderabilites Fleur De Lis
- JustRite A Merry Little Christmas Set
- Basic Grey Holiday Ornaments Chipboard
- Cuttlebug For You Ornament Die Cut and Embossing Folder combo
- Copic Marker Soft Case for 24 Markers
- Three Copic Markers: E11, E33 and B41
- The Paper Company Bordeaux Filigree Accents
- Hero Arts Gemstones



Some of our DT members and the Guest Designers are also offering a little prize, randomly chosen from the entries on their own personal blogs.

What do you have to do to join our Blog Hop????

* Start your Blog Hop here at the La-La-Land Crafts' blog
* Each Dt-Member will guide you to the next Blog in the Blog Hop
* Final stop is back here at La-La-Land Crafts Blog where you have to leave a comment telling us how many different stamps there are in our Christmas Release (it can be tricky, be careful )

If you started the blog hop at La-La Land Crafts and followed all the links, then your next stop is Kathy Page at Distessed Stampers.

If you are just stopping by and want to join the Blog Hop, then just go to La-La Lands Blog and start there!

Have fun and good luck to all of you!

Witch Way to the Candy!

I made this card for the challenge over at House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge.

This is the first time I tried out my little copic sprayer (for the night sky). It definitely has a learning curve and I will need lots of practice!

The challenge for HM&FMC is buttons. Well...I didn't use a typical button, but these fun spider buttons I found in my stash. I also found this neat plastic covered wire in the same drawer and thought it would work perfect for the spider web...stash drawers can be so much fun!

I also used a new Halloween set from Inkadinkadoo. I stamped the web second generation grey over the sentiment. I cut the sentiment stamp apart to change it into one line. This House Mouse stamp has a cute sentiment that compliments it, but I wanted to use this one first.

Card details:

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Stamps: Witch Way to the Candy (Muzzy and Monica) HMUR1067 Stamp of the Month, Sentiment and web from Inkadinkadoo.

Cardstock: Lavender, Apricot (SU!), Debbie Mumm glittery DP

Ink: Memento Black, Versafine Black for the sentiment, Going Grey, copics

Misc: Nesties, Martha Stewart web punch, spider buttons, plastic covered wire.

Blog Candy!

Don't forget to leave your comment for my fun La La Land Crafts blog candy HERE!

Three Clover's Thursday Challenge-Pink!

I love "purty" cards but I don't make them too often. This card is a pink version of a card I have had in my head for months and just can't seem to get around to making. Maybe someday I will get to that card too !

The challenge this week on 3 Clover's Thursday Challenge is PINK. We all know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness with pink being the signifying color. Both my mother and my sweetie's mother are breast cancer survivors of nearly 20 years! Hallelujah!

Although, October is associated with Breast Cancer Awareness, this October my family will be fighting a different type of cancer. My brother was diagnosed with advanced kidney cancer last week. He had a 7 hour surgery yesterday to remove his kidney and is now recuperating in a hospital miles away from most of his family. I ask all my blog friends out there to not only celebrate and pray for a cure for breast cancer, but for all cancers. I know too many friends and family facing this long struggle and I know a friend and a prayer can help so much during this difficult time.

My challenge to you is to make a pink card (or any card for that matter) and send it out to someone facing a struggle such as this...I know...actually put your card in an envelope, stamp it and mail it! I am so bad about mailing cards, but tonight I will be addressing several cards to friends that could use a simple lift of spirits that a card brings. As Nike says..."Just do it!"

I don't usually share personal details on this blog...(except for showing off my adorable grandson)
so my apologies for straying so far from the world of crafts, but I thought this important enough you would forgive me. If any of you would like to send a card to my brother, just email me and I will send you his address.

Okay Okay...on to card details:

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Stamps: Sentiment from Stampin' Up

Cardstock: Chocolate Chip and retired Pink Pirouette DP from SU! GP white

Ink: Choc Chip

Misc: Cuttlebug folders for the embossed image, pink pearls, square nesties, and Martha heart border punch.

LLWWC7-Color Combo +

The challenge this week on La La Land Weekly Wednesday Challenge really seemed hard, but it turned out to be one of the easiest cards I have made in a while...it all went together so easily. I love it when that happens!

This week the challenge is:

Color Combo-Red, Brown and Cream (Strawberries, Chocolate and Cream)
2 Different DP's
Paper Piercing
Embossing (dry or heat)
Scallops


I used Rosie with cat for this week's card. I even added a wee bit of paper piecing on her shirt.
This card is pretty straight forward, so not much to describe.

I am going to offer some blog candy this week!

The winner of Trick or Treat Lala will be picked out of the hat from the comments left on this post by October 6th. I will post the winner on next week's La La Land's Weekly Wednesday Challenge post.

Card Details:

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Stamps: Rosie with cat from La La Land Crafts

Cardstock: chocolate chip and DP all from SU!

Ink: Memento Black, copics

Misc: EK Success border punch, paper piercer, SU RHR retired ribbon, button and silver cording.

3 Clovers Thursday Challenge-Arithmetic and Numbers

I love my meeces to pieces! They had to come out and play for this week's 3 Clovers Thursday Challenge. We are all using numbers or arithmetic on our cards.

I have had this stamp for ages, but it has taken me a while to want to tackle it. It was quite scarey to start coloring this stamp as it is so detailed. It took a while to finish, but it brought me back to the days of crayons and colorbooks! I just colored and had the "bestest" time!

Both my girls are teachers, so this months theme of Back to School on the 3 Clovers Thursday Challenge has been fun for me. Lots of fun cards to send to them. I made this card for my daughter Erin aka Mrs. Newton! And if you look at all those crazy meeces/students...the little one dancing on the eraser has to be my " little Abby"! My daughters are both dancers and their teachers used to tell me how they were always tap dancing everywhere they went!

The House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge is back and for their Year In Review Anniversary Challenge #52 you are to pick your favorite challenge from the previous year and make a new creation. My favorite challenge was #44- Paper Tole. I use this technique on most of my meece cards. On this card...all the meeces are on dimensionals....a lot of cutting around their tiney little tails...and they still all have one!

CUTE ALERT!!!! I went over and took a sneak peek of the rest of the cards the 3 clovers Team made and OH MY GOODNESS they are so CUTE! You must go take a peek yourself!



Card Details

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Stamps: Mice Lessons 101. HMPR1037 Stampabilities, pencil from Yvonne Albritton

Cardstock: Black, Green Galore and Lavender (SU!) DP by DCWV 2nd Grade Stack

Ink: Memento Black and copics

Misc: Dimensionals

La La Land Weekly Wednesday Challenge-Paper Piecing

This week's challenge on La La Land's Weekly Wednesday Challenge is paper piecing. Okay, Okay...I admit to only piecing the broom, so is that cheating? Nawww.....

Actually, this witch was just too much fun to color to add too much piecing! I have to tell you, these images have taught me so much about my copics! And...I really wish all my stamps created such wonderful images. I really am a red rubber girl!

I got out all of my Halloween punches, stamps and papers and decided it was time to play with them...How fun! On this card I used some Debbee Mumm DP, and added Witch on the Broom Rosie on dimensionals. The black oval I put through a cuttlebug spider embossing folder.

There are lots of stampers joining our Wednesday challenge, you don't have to use a La La Land image, but it really is a bonus for us to get to see Irina's stamps "in action". Come join us with your paper piecing for this week's challenge.

Card details:
-----------------------------

Stamps: Witch on the Broom Rosie from La La Land Crafts, Sentiment is from a Studio G $1 set

Cardstock: Lavender, Black and Dusty Durango(all SU!) and Debbee Mumm DP


Ink: Memento Black for image, Versafine Black for the sentiment, copics

Misc: Martha spider web and bat punches, spider cuttlebug folder, spider web ribbon(thanks Libby), oval nestie

3 Clovers Thursday Challenge-Doodle on your card

The challenge this week on 3 Clovers Thursday Challenge is writing...doodle on your card-freehand. YIKES...first an embellishment challenge and now this...I think those girls are trying to unravel me LOL! I don't like to write on my cards...I usually end up just messing things up. Now... there are some wonderful doodlers out there and I always admire their work, but I am not one of them! For this card I managed to add dash marks around my apple and the squares on background...that was pretty racey for me.

This month we are using school theme challenges, so of course I had to use my new DCWV paper and this very retired SU set named Definitely Decorative Country Apple. I loved this set then and still love it! It came out in 2001...wow...that seems ages ago is" stamping years"- Ha!

I used the sketch challenge from this week's Crazy4Challenges. Another great sketch from Cindy Haffner!

Yahoo was having a wee bit of problem last night, so downloading pictures has been a problem for our challenge team..the weekly post over at 3 Clover's may possibly be up a wee bit late this morning...or maybe not! Hope you all take a quick peek over there and see all the good stuff Kerry has to show off today!

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Stamps: Definitely Decoratrive Country Apple--retired from SU!

Cardstock: DCWV 2nd Grade Stack, real red and garden green SU!

Ink: Real Red, Choc Chip, Garden Green and versafine black onyx for the sentiment

Misc: ribbon, dimensionals

La-La Land Crafts Challenge #4 -Embellish!

This week's La La Land's Weekly Wednesday Challenge is EMBELLISH!

Welllllll....Embellishments are not really my thing. I tend to like simple and clean with lots of layers, but I gave this a shot! Irina (the owner of La-La Land Crafts) is just a master at embellishing, so I am anxious to see what she comes up with! Her creations are always an inspiration!

Emblellishments strain my brain, but I managed to use twill ribbon, a punched sentiment, and some little green leaves under the ribbon. Whew!( I know that sounds silly...)

I used the sketch challenge this week from Mary Jo's Technostamper Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge #87. Mary Jo always has GREAT challenges.

I stamped up Sweet Rosie for this challenge. I added Rosie to this very pretty Basic Grey (BG) gift tag (this is a pretty big tag(6.5 x 3.5 inches), that was embellished with some BG DP. I also added a touch of blue, kiwi kiss and rose colored cardstock for accents.

La La Land has posted their cute Halloween images HERE! You should see samples of these coming your way soon. Also, all US orders over $50 are shipped for free during the month of September! ...and I have seen a sneak peak of the Christmas images...fun, fun, fun!


Tag Details:

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Stamps: Sweet Rosie from La La Land Crafts, sentiment retired from SU!

Cardstock: Basic Grey Tag and DP, rose, kiwi, blue from SU!

Ink: Memento black, copics, versafine onyx black for the sentiment

Misc: twill ribbon, EK Success punch, SU scallop and circle punch, paper shaper vine punch, dimensionals

From Courtney's Closet Special Playdate!

image is © Mo's Digital Pencil Too

Once a month Libby's From Courtney's Closet Inspiration Challenge invites a special playdate to be the inspiration for that week's outfit challenge. Looky who is the playdate for September??? yep...that's my little grandson Cole! Hasn't he grown? He is now 2 and just a chatting up a storm. He is pretty busy though and doesn't have much time to chat with Gwamma on the phone because he has to go play with all his trucks. If he is not playing with a ball...then he is playing with TRUCKS! ....and of course he loves his new TRUCK pajama's. When he speaks, Cole never says "trucks", he has to say "TRUCKS!" Ha! He is not a quiet child!

I tried to capture his little rosey cheeks and his two freckles, one on each cheek (I don't think those show tho)

I am pretty rusty at making boy cards, so this was a challenge for me to just come up with an idea. I tried paper piecing a fire truck (it looked like something Cole would have made--YIKES), I tried stickers and then finally decided on this digital image from Mo's Digital Pencil Too! I still have not taken the time to figure out how to resize the images, but luckily Cole's Uncle Matt helped me out again! I have several of her digi's I need to make into cards...Her drawings are amazing!

Look at my TRUCK Gwamma!

Make sure to visit Libby's Little Addiction and join in this week...I would love to see your
creations!


ETA:
Karen and Mary have tried to get me to join their Copics Creation Challenge...but still being new to copics...I was very hesitant...but I think I am getting there! Maybe I will give this challenge a go! Red's are hard for me, but they are my fave! They seem to just make a mess, but I was real careful with my copics on this one! LOL

ETA: I am proud to have this card featured HERE on Mo's Digital Pencil TOO! blog!

Card details:

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Stamps: NONE! Digi image from Mo's Digital Pencil Too

Cardstock: Going Grey, Riding Hood Red and RHR DP (SU!)

Ink: Image colored with copics

Misc: Circle punches (SU!), Fun zone sentiment is a sticker.

3 Clover's Thursday Challenge #30-Letters!

So sorry if you got this post twice...I messed up a wee bit when posting LOL!

This week at 3 Clovers Thursday Challenge we were to use letters on are creations...not words, just letters.

I chose to whip up this little Bind It All sticky note holder for my new little school teacher Abby! I love this DCWV paper. I could not get a good picture of this for the life of me...don't know what the deal was...I think the camera just loved that ribbon! I love this Bo Bunny ribbon too...wish I could find it again...it is double sided polka dots and ties so easily!

Not a lot to explain. I covered a couple coasters with this fun DP, added some chipboard letters, used my BIA , added some ribbon and stuck a post it pad inside. Simple and cute!

Now...I couldn't wait and have to confess I have peeked at the other creations this week and they are sooooo cute...don't forget to visit Kerry's blog and see what the rest of the girls whipped up!

Details:

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Cardstock: DP from DCWV - The Grade School Stack

Misc: Bo Bunny ribbon, Basic Grey chipboard letters, BIA and chipboard coasters

Let's Distress! La La Land's Weekly Wednesday Challenge #4

Where has the time gone? It is already week 4 of our La-La Land's Weekly Wednesday Challenge. This week it is all about distressing!

I chose to use Window Lala for my creation this week. Sitting her in a window is pretty simple! I used my new nesties (I think they are label four), but I am not sure. It is late and my brain has gone to bed already LOL!

This beautiful DP set the tone for this card...and sorry I don't know the name...maybe Irina can help me with that as she sent it to me along with this sweet Lala!

I don't think this card needs too much explanation. My distressing is around the edges of the card and and the turquoise layer also. I used that cute little pink Heidi Swapp distresser to rough up the edges. The flowers are cut from some of the coordinating DP and layered with dimensionals.

Come join us this week...it has been fun to see all entries! Irina added Mr Linky, so that simplifies everything...so no excuse not to play this week! Come be one of the top 3!!!

Card Details:

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Stamps: Window Lala from La-La Land Crafts, Sentiment from Hero Arts

Cardstock: Blush Blossom and Choc Chip(SU!) , Turq is DCWV and the DP (?)

Ink: Memento Black, Choc chip, copics

Misc: Labels and tag nesties, memories twill ribbon, dimensionals

From Courtney's Closet and Penny Black!

When I saw this challenge picture of wee little Courtney...I could only look at those cute little piggy tails...so....here is my pink piggy "tale" card. Look how big cupcake is growing...she is changing so fast!

If you have never visited Libby's From Courtney's Closet Challenge...you should!

This card also qualifies for this week's Penny Black Saturday Challenge (see that little heart in one of the hats?). I used an amazing sketch by Cindy Haffner from her brand new challenge blog Crazy 4 Challenges...This sketch is challenge #1!

Wow, I am not usually one of those multi-tasking Pile It On girls, but by golly I got 3 going in one card! Whew!

This is a really bright card and I wasn't sure I liked it...but it has kind of grown on me! LOL

Cupcake with her little piggy tails.

Card details:

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Stamps: Pinky and Porky (3110K) by Penny Black

Cardstock: Old Olive from SU! and DP from Bo Bunny I think

Ink: Memento Black, Copics and Piggies colored with my Prisma's and OMS

Misc: Nesties, SU buttons, SU rose ribbon , EK Sucess border punch.

House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge-gift card

Ahhh, House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge is back...and again I am always the last in line! But I had fun and amused myself making this little gift card. Learned a few things along the way and finished a baby gift too! I saw this little holder HERE and wanted to make one too!

This is just a simple tri-fold gift card with a magnet closure (hey those are slick!) Sorry I forgot to take a picture of the inside darn it! Inside I used the SU! slit punch to hold the gift card in place. (The orientation of my holder is opposite of the one I linked too)

I cut the cardstock 4 x 8.5 inches and then cut the pretty scallop edge with my new nestie. You can see how to feed the paper in above. (a little tip here---) When you cut, DO NOT roll all the way over the nestie, just half way so you don't get an impression from the second half of the nestie in the middle of your cardstock. I am sure there are other ways to do this, but this is how I did it!

I got my nestie cut off just a wee bit on the plaid piece...I think I fed it in a little crooked, but now I know what to watch for...it was not a "do over" as that was my last piece of gingham!

Score from the straight end at 2 3/4 inches and 5 3/4 inches...and you're done except using your slit punch in the middle section to hold your card. If you don't have a slit punch, you could just attach the gift card with glue dots even.

I did add a little white piece or cardstock on the last inside panel for a sentiment and a personal note that measured 3 3/4 by 2 1/2.


This is how I cut out the house mouse without loosing his tail...in truth, the mouse on the card is a "do-over" because somewhere along the line when I was adding all the little pearls, I accidently ripped off his little tail...OUCH....I was not a happy camper LOL! (note to self: add pearls and then attach image)

I stamped and colored my image, cut part of the tail with that handy dandy little knife you see in the picture- placed the circle nestie where I wanted and then pulled the piece of tail out of the cutting area.

Details:

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Stamps: Nap Time 02 (HMER1018) Amanda by Stampabilities, sentiment inside is by SU! that says hello little baby, welcome home!

Cardstock: Blue from SU!, Misc piece of DP

Ink: Memento Black, copics

Misc: Nesties, pearls

3 Clover's Thursday Challenge #29-Primary Colors

The wheels on the bus go round and round, round and round, round and round...

I bet you are singing along with me by now LOL! The challenge this week on 3 Clovers Thursday Challenge will be a school theme...Primary Colors! Doesn't this challenge remind you of those crayon packs you used to buy with the 5 or 6 big, round basic colored crayons in them??? (oh goodness, now I wonder if they still sell such a thing! It's been years since my kids were in primary school.)

I made this card to honor my daughter Abigail (Abby Jo to family). Yes, the same Abby that used to wake me up at 5am (see the previous post). Abby just received her teaching license in the mail today! I am so proud of her. She went back to school to get her masters and teaching license after realizing she wasn't getting anywhere with a general degree. She has put so much effort and time over the last 2 years to earn this degree. Now, my Abby is still little...she is 4 ft 9 inches tall if we fudge just a little. I tell her she needs to stick with kindergarten, 1st or 2nd grades because after that, the students will tower over her! I am excited to see what this next year brings for her...GO ABBY!

I made the BG paper with misc stamps from this little set. I bought these stamps out of a rubber bin at Yvonne's booth at the last convention I went too. They are just the cutest...with the little stitching around each image. I had to think of a way to 'pop' my school bus as it just got lost with the busy BG. I decided to slip the red and black circle behind it, pop up the bus and VIOLA!
Sentiment is a SU! celebration sentiment I cut apart.

If you get a chance, come visit Kerry at 3 Clovers Thursday Challenge and play with
primary colors!

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Stamps: Yvonne Albritton school set, SU! sentiment

Cardstock: Real Red, Basic Black

Ink: Memento Black, Versafine Onyx Black for the sentiment, Copics

Misc: Nesties, black ribbon for the 'road', dimensionals

La-La Land Crafts Challenge #3 BLING!

The challenge this week at La-La Land Crafts blog is BLING! I hope you can see all the blingy stars in the sky around Sleeping Whiskers. I thought this was the cutest image because poor Whiskers is just snoozing away...with this little chick waiting and waiting for Whiskers to wake up.

This little chick could be my daughter Abby, and I could be Whiskers. When Abby was a wee one (around 3) she decided to be a morning early bird. Every morning I would wake up to this child staring at me...her little face was no more than 2 inches away from my eyes...When I would open my eyes, she would smile at me and say "Mom, I need sumthun" ...now mind you- I was not in the habit of serving her breakfast at 5 or 6am! It took a long time to break her of that habit, but I still remember her staring at me at 5 am...26 years later! (and yes she is still an early bird girl!)

Card Details:
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Stamps: Whiskers Sleeping by La-La Land Crafts, Sentiment by SU! celebration set Happy Harmony

Cardstock: Blue(SU!), DP by g.c.d. studios

Ink: Memento Black, copics

Misc: Nesties, ribbon and sparkly "star" crystals
---------------------------------------

I hope you all can jump over to the La-La Land Crafts' Weekly Wednesday challenge with your "blingy" cards!

And check out some great sneak peeks of 11 new Halloween stamps to be released on September 10th! You can have a shot at winning one of the new releases by leaving a comment here.

Smarty Pants House Mouse

This is the new House Mouse of the Month stamp named Smarty Pants. Great little image for back to school don't you think?

I used some of my new curry ribbon and paper to set off some turquoise and plum papers...a pretty bright combo!

House Mouse and Friends Monday challenge is suppose to be back tomorrow after their summer break...Yeah!!! I have missed all their talent.

Card Details

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Stamps: Smarty Pants HMJR1078 (Amanda), sentiment is a Studio G

Cardstock: Pkum, Turquoise and Curry all SU!

Ink: Memento Black and copics

Misc: border punch, SU! ribbon, SU! punches, dimensionals

So Many Years...In One Yesterday!

So Many Years...In one Yesterday

This week's challenge on 3 Clover's Thursday Challenge is to use photos on your creation. What perfect timing for me. This past week was my parents 60th anniversary and I had this card mapped out in my brain for weeks! This fun fold card has always intrigued me- so of course I finally had to jump on the band wagon and give it a try! There is a tutorial on SCS here.

I used some of my wonderful Parisian Breeze Specialty paper now retired from SU! (another sad face).
As you can see, I am the only girl child in this group of yah-hoo's! The front pic is a more current pic and the older pic is from 1961 I think! I think I might have been about 5 in the second pic! It looks like the photographer got at least 4 of us looking at the camera at the same time...quite a feat!

My techie son helped by printing the pics in a sepia tone for me as well as printing out the words I used in the punched oval in brown for me! I guess this card has two creators! Thanks Matt!

The medallions are stamped on theSU! DP and then cut out and matted on the brown and cut out again, some pearls added and then it was all added onto the card with dimensionals. I used the last of my Hero Arts pearls on this card...just the right touch.

This is by far one of my favorite creations...and my parents loved it!

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Stamps: Simple Thoughts-Memories by Clear Stamps, words are computer generated

Cardstock: SU! Parisian Breeze

Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa

Misc: SU oval punches, Hero Arts pearls, SU choc chip ribbon

Cherish Everyday! La-La Land Crafts Challenge #2

On to challenge #2 at La-La Land Crafts blog ! I chose to use Sitting Lala for the challenge this week...Stitching! I love to sew on my cards, but I don't do it often enough. I am so glad for the challenges that make me fire up my machine. Hmmm...I seem to faintly recall that I have started a Christmas quilt for my little grandson...Gwamma better get crackin'!

My card was inspired by this week's From Courtney's Closet Challenge. #54. Little Cupcake is wearing the sweetest little cherry patterned dress--- and you know I can't resist cherries! (and polka dots- right Libby?) If you have never joined in on Libby's Little Addiction challenge...you are missing out! It is so fun to watch her sweet babies (Carter and Courtney) grow up before my eyes.

The DP and ribbon are retired product from Stampin Up (sad face).

You can't read the little chipboard sentiment, but it says Cherish Everyday.(thanks Irina!)

Now if you have never visited Irina's blog, you will be totally inspired by her wonderful creations. Irina is the owner of La-La Land Crafts store. I have been a follower of Irina's blog for quite a while and that is where I read about her La-La DT call. This has been a lot of fun for me and I want to thank Irina for this opportunity! Don't forget to visit her personal blog, Everything Paper Crafts.

Count Your Rainbows!

I made this first little cherry card for this week's From Courtney's Closet Challenge #54. (card #2 to be posted Wednesday!) Although not the color scheme of Cupcake's dress, it does have cherries!

This was a pretty easy card to make, so not much 'splainin needed! I love SU! ribbon, it matched this DP so nicely!

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Stamps: Inkadinkadoo Sentiment

Cardstock: SU! cardstock Rose? and Certainly Celery, DCWV cherry DP

Ink: Rose and Celery markers

Misc: Hero Arts pearls, nesties, SU ribbon

Blog Candy winner!

The winner of my Sweet Rosie stamp from La-La Land Crafts is Charlene!

If you have never been to Charlene's blog, go take a peek at Paper and Ink Playground! Charlene has many, many wonderful creations...and she is a good cookie baker too!

Don't forget my Blog Candy!

Don't forget to leave a comment to win my blog candy for this Sweet Rosie image from La-La Land Crafts. I will draw the winner on Sunday night. Just leave me a comment HERE. That is all it takes. If you are a follower and leave a comment, I will enter your name twice! Be sure to let me know! Leaving a comment on this post will not enter you in my drawing.

3 Clover's Thursday Challenge #27-Planes, Trains and Automobiles

This week on 3 Clovers Thursday Challenge #27...Planes, Trains and Automobiles! I really had to look for a good stamp for this challenge. When I rediscovered this retired Stampin Up set while rifling through all my stamps...I knew this would be my choice. It is my Dad's birthday soon and we both have a love for old cars.

This month there was a "cruise in" in our town where old cars drive around town and show off their stuff. Everyone grabs a chair or a sidewalk curb, a Pepsi, and sits in the warm evening air to watch the cars cruise by all evening. My Dad, Mom and I took our lawn chairs this year and had the best time. My Dad and Mom showed me a car similar to what they brought me home from the hospital in..... and many, many more stories of their travels through life! My Dad will be 79 this year and who else can claim they chopped off the top of a 1936 Ford with an ax to make it a convertible and used apple boxes for car seats. I told him to remember that story when any of his grandkids do something stupid...maybe they inheirited a little craziness from him LOL!

And today is my Mom and Dad's 60th anniversary! Holy Toledo!

Not much here to tell about...a pretty simple card. I did dig out my Heidi Swapp edge distresser and used it on several layers of cardstock.

Card Details:
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Stamps: Antique Auto's (retired Stampin Up)

Cardstock: SU! Choc Chip and Very Vanilla, DP by Paper Adventures

Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa

Misc: Sixxiz alphabet from current SU! catalogue, Nesties, Su! taffeta ribbon, Heidi Swapp edge distresser

Flower Power!Meet Rosie from La-La Land Crafts...and blog candy!

I am so happy to show you my first challenge project for La-La Land Crafts Weekly Wednesday Challenge as a member of the Guest Designer Team for the new stamp company La-La Land Crafts. Our first challenge is Flower Power and anyone can join in! The only requirement is that you have at least one flower on your card or project! Now, that is pretty easy don't you think?

For my project I chose to make this cute box from a challenge I found online. Now, I can't find the darn challenge again...I have lost it! If you find it...let me know and I will post a link for you all. I hate that when that happens.....

You can read more about the Flower Power challenge on the La La Land Crafts blog HERE.
If you add your card to SCS, please use the keywords LLWWC1 or La La Land Weekly Wednesday Challenge.

If you choose to participate, here is what you can win on the blog.

- The Top Three will receive buttons for their blogs.

- The Winner of the challenge will receive a 25% discount at the online store in addition to the button.

- To kick off the Challenges, everyone who participates in the first challenge will be entered into the drawing for a FREE Window La-La stamp.

For my blog readers I am going to offer up a new La-La Land stamp too.....Sweet Rosie (02004).
Follow the link to visit Rosie! All you have to do is leave me a comment(and if you are a follower and leave me a comment, you will get two chances)! You have until Sunday night to enter (that's when I will be home from celebrating Cole's birthday)

I hope you have enjoyed this project and will join in for the very first La-La Land blog challenge!


Here are the details for this project:

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Stamps: Rosie with Bird (02001) by La-La Land Crafts , sentiment is a Studio G Clear Stamps series 7

Cardstock: Pink Passion by SU!, Dp is from The Paper Company-Green Mini Flowers

Ink: Memento Black and copics

Misc: downloaded template for box, Martha spooky fence punch, misc flower brads, misc ribbon, SU! ribbon punch

Cole's Turning two! Penny Black invite

I call him "baby boy" when I talk to his mama on the phone, but really, he is growing up so fast! He is not a baby boy anymore but a funny little walking, talking moving machine LOL!

I have been busy making the invites to send for his 2nd birthday celebration and finally finished them up and put them in the mail...whew.

Cole loves anything to do with balls. When you are around him, you have to be on your toes so as not to get hit with one flying through the air. It can be a little "ouchie" if you don't pay attention LOL.

This is another of my Michelle B inspired scenes. I just love her creations! I tried to keep this simple enough so that I could make 12 of them pretty fast.

I colored with copics and sponged the sky with Baja Breeze ink from SU...I am so sad that color is gone...I loved it! I also used the SU! retired cloud stencil. I drew in some more grass on the sides of the image and then cut out the hedgie with my nestie and matted it on several colors and then added it back on with dimensionals. The hat, lady bug and mitt are also on dimensionals. His mama wrote up a cute little ditty for the inside about coming over to play ball with Cole...cute!

I can't wait till I get to see the little bugger next weekend for his celebration...I will be sure to share a pic or two! You will me amazed at how he has grown!


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Stamps: Penny Black Field of Dreams 2365F, Batter Up sentiment--a great garage sale find and perfect for this PB stamp...Stamps etc. CRI-059

Cardstock: Real Read and Creamy Caramel both by SU!

Ink: Memento black, SU! Baja Breeze, and copics

Misc: Dimensionsals, nesties

3 Clover's Thursday Challenge #26-Techie Time

3 Clovers Thursday Challenge this week is Techie Time....now let me tell you...I am so MAD at Kerry...look what she has started! Kerry...what have you done to me???? I have a hard enough time resisting stamps but you have opened up a whole new arena of stamping.

KERRY...you are in so much trouble...oh wait...I think I have that wrong...I am in so much trouble! I have found some wonderful digi sites you might want to browse! I fell in love with Mo's digi's(Digital Pencil Too) from my very first siting! She has some wonderful little boy digi's as well as LOTS of others too. I bought this digi from her site HERE.

I have not really messed around with digi's before, so this was a learning curve for me. I had a digi project all completed when I found this digi a couple days ago. I ran home from work last night, downloaded it in just a few minutes and then tried to figure out how to resize it. I am not that techie and since I had to be out the door in 15 minutes (BUNCO night) I asked my son to resize it and print it out on some GP white and make the size about the size of a small apple. Pretty specific directions huh? Well, I got home well after 10...grabbed my small apple sized digi(s) and ran upstairs to play. La de dah...next thing I knew it was 12.30am! These images are just addictive and fun to play with!

I did not have any trouble with the printed image bleeding or smearing with my copics, but the images had been printed for several hours before I got to them so maybe that worked as well as heat setting the printer ink!

I am sure many of you have seen Dustin Pike's digi's! He has some of the cutest out there. Every Wednesday he shares a freebie on his site. I have always downloaded them, but have not sat down to work one up yet...I am sure that is going to change.

I suggest you hop on over to "the trouble maker's" blog and see what the rest of the challenge team came up with for this fun techie challenge! I think you will find a whole new world out there...I have...


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Digi Image: Patrick in the Pumpkins by (Mo's Digital Pencil Too), sentiment stamp by Studio G

Cardstock: Really Rust,DP by K& Company and Crate Paper Co.

Ink: Printed on the computer, Copics

Misc: Martha scary fence punch, small sisal cording, nesties


More Digi sites:



Listing of digi sites HERE.

List of Pro's and Con's to digi's HERE

Dan Fogelberg

Today I pay tribute to a man whose music gives me so much joy.

Daniel Grayling Fogelberg was born August 13th in 1951. He was given a gift that only few possess. I have listened to Dan's music from my teenage years and still listen to this day. I listen to his music when I am happy, when I am sad, when I am crafting, even when I am pulling weeds in 100° weather...his music is calming, soothing and inspirational to me.

Although Dan passed away in December of 2007 of prostate cancer, his music lives in me. Although I can not carry a tune, nor play one musical instrument...I can be inspired by music that touches me.

"You have been given the most sacred of gifts; you must be fearless now and follow"...Dan F.

I found these video's on You Tube and hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Leader of the Band is probably by far my favorite. It is a loving tribute to his father, a high school band teacher. I always think about how much I love my Dad and Mom when I hear this song!

Believe In Me is just a flat out beautiful song.

Same Auld Lang Syne takes me back to the days of youthful lost love...a true story Dan wrote after bumping into a high school girlfriend in a grocery store while on a trip home to visit his family. Bittersweet.

You can read more about Dan his website here.

"...and he gave to me a gift I know I never can repay". Leader of the Band, Dan Fogelberg

La La Land Crafts Grand Opening Tonight!

Just a little reminder!


La-La Land Crafts will go live tonight at 11pm! The website will go live at 11 pm PST!

To celebrate the Grand Opening on the online store, Irina will be offering a 10% discount storewide!! This is a limited time offer! It will only last for the first 24 hours!!

Penny Black Saturday Challenge- a sketch

Penny Black and Basic Grey...what could be better? I love this Wassail DP by Penny Black...very classy stuff for this classy Penny Black critter don't you think? LOL

I uncovered my sewing machine (which reminds me that I need to finish Cole's Christmas quilt!) and did some sewing on this card. I love sewn cards but rarely use it on my cards...too lazy I guess even though my machine is about 4 feet from me...goodness- get with it Sue!

The challenge this week over at Penny Black's Saturday Challenge is a fun sketch. I have missed the last few challenges, so I thought to myself...today is the day! Off to PBSC I go....

This card really doesn't need much explanation. The oval image is on dimensionals as well as the one little star on the oval image. The inside is finished with some of the solid olive DP with a little star inside also. The sentiment is by Penny Black .

Wonderful creations this week by their design team too!

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Stamps: Stamps by Penny Black --Shine on me! 1865F, ...love xmas 3760E (bought HERE from pbstamps.com)

Cardstock: Retired Baroque Burgandy, Basic Grey Wassail DP

Ink: Memento Black, copics, SU markers old olive and baroque burgandy for the sentiment

Misc: Nesties, sewing machine, dimensionals, stamp a ma jig to make the sentiment one line

La La Land Crafts!!!

Check out this sneak peek!

I am excited to finally share with you all that I have been asked to join as a member of the Guest Designer Team for the months of September and October for the new stamp company La La Land Crafts.

The grand unveiling of these new stamps will be August 12th with the La La Land Crafts Store website going live August 12th at 11pm that night. Be sure to be there...put on your robe and slippers and join us at 11pm!

You can visit their blog Here and read about the announcement!

Visit the blogs of the new Design Team to view some wonderful creations and see some great La La Land creations coming soon!!

Design Team:

Jane Matsumoto- Whoopsie Daisy

Sheila Lygo -Doubtfire Musings

Kim Yu-Kimbee's Creations

Maureen Wong-My C.A.S.E. Studies

Lisa Hjulberg-My Crafts Meow

Kathy Page-Distressed Stamper

Guest Design Team:

Karen Hoeve-Scrap Everything

Marcea Watkins-Marcea's Crafting Corner

Paul Ford-Crafty Blogocks

Kim Blakey-Poppy Petal Designs

and...lil ole Me!!!!

3 Clovers Thursday Challenge #25-Summer Bounty

The challenge this week on 3 Clovers Thursday Challenge is Super Summery! Make a great "summery" card!

I thought to myself...nothing reminds me more of summer than all the bountiful fruits and veggies growing in everyone's garden!

I used to can all sorts of fruits, veggies, beans etc when my children lived at home. I don't can anymore...except a batch of apricot pineapple jam here and there. I miss that yummy bounty!

On to the details of this super summery card:

I changed the layout of this darn card so many times and really thought about just throwing it out, but in the end...I think I like it...I really like it :-)

This is meant to look like an old time kitchen shelf full of freshly canned goodies. This kitchen wall has the old time flowery wallpaper, ruby red wainscoating and white beadboard on the bottom(made with my scorepal). I think you can see better detail by clicking on the card to enlarge.

I am glad I didn't give up on this card...I think it will be a favorite!

I hope you can join Kerry and all of her team in making this a fun challenge!

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Stamps: Canning Time G316 by Great Impressions, Sentiment is computer generated

Cardstock: More Mustard and Ruby Red, Misc SU! DP also

Ink: Memento Black, Image colored with copics

Misc: EK Success border punch, scorepal, dimensionals for the shelf, SU oval punches

Card Size: 5 1/2 x 5 1/2

From Carter's Closet this week!

My eyes are a wee bit tired after a long day at work...always seems you have to work so hard when you come back from vacation...sometimes it leaves you wondering if it was worth it!

I'm thinking these pics might be a wee bit blurry...or my contacts are...can't tell at midnight for sure LOL!

I made this cute little High Hopes card for this weeks From Courtney's Closet Challenge- Carter's Turn!

Now, of course I was just happily crafting away before I realized...DRAT...Carter has a dinosaur on his shirt, not a dragon....oh well...they both have spikey things so they must be related! Well I like it anyway...

I did pull out a couple of older sizzix dies to cut out the frames and a nestie label for the sentiment. (I used a cuttlebug folder to add some texture to the blue frame)The image was colored with Prisma's. It has been a while since I have pulled my pencils out...but I so love the effect and shading with prisma's and OMS.

I cut out a little wee bit of his tail so that is stood out over the frame also.

I enjoyed the change to Carter being the star this week...if you get a chance, go check out Libby's cute creation as well as this fun challenge.


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Stamps: High Hopes Gavin (image was gifted by my stampin' Sister...thanks H!), Studio G Happy Birthday Sentiment

Cardstock: Real Red, Bril Blue and some misc DP

Ink: Black for Sentiment and prisma's and OMS to color image

Misc: Sizzix frame dies, cuttlebug folder, Nesties, SU buttons

3 Clover's Thursday Challenge #24-Fruity Tuitty

oh... this weeks 3 Clovers Thursday Challenge must have been decided with me in mind (NOT).
Yep, make a card with fruit on it...DOH! This is a no brainer for me. We have cherries coming out our ears here in Oregon! I can't wait to see what the other "fruits" on the DT create for this challenge!

I used this cute House Mouse image 'Fruity Fun'. I also used the sketch from the House Mouse and Friends Challenge blog.

Add in some fun Creative Imaginations paper and bellies and Viola! (and I just realized this morning that this card color coordinates with my blog...can I say I planned it that way?)

Quick and simple this week! If you get a chance...why not join us and make your own fruity creation!

Weather alert!

It is hot here in Oregon...111° on Monday, 117°(no Libby that is not a typo) on Tuesday and 108° on Wednesday...let's see what today brings...I am heading off for my annual trip to Sweet Home for the Oregon Jamboree Country Music Festival tomorrow...yeah!!!!!...harvest is still trickling on, but slow enough I can get away for a few days...I sure hope it cools off this weekend or I will be crispy when I get home on Monday!

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Stamps: Fruity Fun HMIR1015, Fruits and Nuts DR1096 both by Stampabilities

Cardstock: Real Red and Baja Breeze by SU!, DP by Creative Imaginations

Ink: Tuxedo Black, Copics and SU! markers to color the sentiment.

Misc: Creative Imaginations cherry, SU! satin baja breeze ribbon

Sparkly Bling

Ahh this was my first attempt at BLING! I guess this was my trial run at the 3 Clovers Thursday Challenge. It really is very pretty, but was a real pain to photograph and get a true color (sort of like purple!)

This card is made of brushed gold, real red and handsome hunter from SU! I also used SU gold embossing powder and some fun little blingy/glittery stick on brads. I embossed the Penny Black sentiment and added some SU! ribbon.

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Stamps: Great Impression H167, Penny Black Sentiment

Cardstock: Real Red, Handsome Hunter, Brushed Gold

Ink: Versamark, and gold embossing powder

Misc: Nestie, SU ribbon, misc glitter dots

Card size: 5x5

3 Clover's Thursday Challenge #23-BLING

The challenge this week on 3 Clovers Thursday Challenge is BLING...use anything sparkly, glittery or blingy! I have come to realize I am BLING challenged for sure. My stamping style is fairly CAS (Clean and Simple) so I really had to strain my brain to come up with a "blingy" card. This is the second card I made and my favorite. I will have to post effort #1 a little later in the week. I am still trying to get the correct colors to photograph! (obviously it was not my fave)

I first used my square nesties to cut out both the red and white squares , added the brads and then I had to figure out what to do with the darn things....I tried so many different layouts before I settled on this one. (the card ended up being 5x7) I have to say that I love that SU! DP...the pretty black with the clear embossed cherries and stripes on it...I just wasn't sure how to use it...I finally found a card to add it too!

I did a bonehead stamper trick and glued the middle black piece on and it looked so pretty...until I realized the cherries where hanging upside down...I hate it when I do things like that. Of course I CAREFULLY pulled it apart and righted the wrong. This is good strong paper besided being pretty LOL!

See the pretty embossing on the paper?

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Stamps: None

Cardstock: All SU! RHRed and Rockabilly DP both retired

Ink: None

Misc: SU border punch, Creative Imaginations Cherry brads, nesties

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Oh watch for some 40,000 hit blog candy hopefully posted this weekend!

From Courtney's Closet Challenge #49

oh...what a fun challenge this week at From Courtney's Closet! Although I don't have any Hello Kitty type stamps...I did follow the color scheme and had to include those fun clouds on my card too! You must follow the link and see Libby's wonderful card this week...it is really creative and put together with a lot of thought!

I made the clouds by using my SU! scalloped punch and punching part of the cloud and then hand cutting the rest myself...I think that worked pretty slick.

I have been saving this Snoopy stamp for the perfect inspiration...looks like I finally found it! Looks like Snoopy and Woodstock and having a toast with ice cream cones doesn't it? I drew in the grass with my copic multi-liner (I LOVE these pens), added the clouds on pop dots and the Martha Stewart ice cream cones too.

Hello little Kitty Courtney!

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Stamps: Eating Ice Cream F1200, Partial Sentiment from Lots of Thoughts Celebration set

Cardstock: Brilliant Blue and Rose Red? by SU!, Basic Grey cupcake DP, Bo Bunny polka dot DP

Ink: Memento Black, Copics, SU! Yoyo Yellow marker for Woodstock

Misc: Martha Stewart ice cream cone punch, nesties, SU! scallop punch, dimensionals

Three Clover's Thursday Challenge #21-Christmas in July!

I am a little slow this morning....it's Thursday...yep...somewhere I missed a few days and Thursday snuck up on me. When you work 7 days a week...you tend to loose all reality LOL!

This week's challenge at 3 Clovers Thursday Challenge is Christmas in July! Now, I can do that...I love Christmas but rarely get to make any cards because I get busy doin' "other stuff".

I am enjoying making these Christmas cards...I will have a nice little stash come December!

My card is fairly simple...I used Allison's sketch here for my layout inspiration and a fun Fluffles image gifted to me from a good stampin friend of mine! Thanks J!

I have been hoarding this darn holly embelly "like forever" so I let loose and used it...why do I do that??? I added red stickles to the ornamaments for a touch of glitter!

I need to run off to work so I am making this quick this morning! Enjoy your day today...I hope you all have the opportunity to get a little sunshine on your face!

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Stamps: Fluffles Deck the Hall

Cardstock: SU! Real Red, Old Olive and SU retired DP

Ink: copics
Misc: Making Memories holly embellishment, Kaiser Pearls, stickles

From Courtney's Closet Challenge #48-All Things Grow With Love

This is the card I made for this week's From Courtney's Closet Challenge #48.
This week Libby had a guest "model" named Mattea. She had a a sweet little flowered dress on that we used for our inspiration.

This is a pretty simple card with some fun DP by American Crafts and some colorful buttons. I did have fun using embroidery floss to sew on the beautiful buttons.



This week's little inspiration outfit and model, Mattea. Please make sure to visit her Mom's blog Scraps by M.


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Stamps: Sentiment from the SU! set Love Matters

Cardstock: SU! Pink and Old Olive, American Crafts DP

Ink: Choc chip

Misc: Martha Sterwart border punch, Buttons by Rhonna Farrer/Autumn Leaves, Embroidery floss

Clean and Simple Sketch-Cherries by Sizzix

I saw this sketch on the Clean and Simple blog FTL-50 this week and this card immediately popped into my head...wonder why...about all I see is cherries this time of year! See the link below for the sketch.

Oh go check out this blog...it is wonderful !

This is a quick post...I am out the door to work...

I followed the sketch, and added some cuttlebug embossing with the swiss dots folder on the bottom and some embossed lines on the top with my score-pal.

Clean and Simple's Sketchy Friday

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Stamps: Hampton Arts Life is a bowl of Cherries

Cardstock: GP white, Rockabilly Specialty DP by SU!

Ink: Memento Black

Misc: Cuttlebug swiss dots folder, Scorepal, Sizzix Cherry die cut, SU! RHR ribbon

3 Clover's Thursday Challenge #21-Homemade Treats Season

homemade treats make good eats

Another week at 3 Clovers Thursday Challenge...this week is this fun sketch!

I find it so much easier to make a card if I start out with a sketch... so I was so glad to see Kerry had a sketch planned for her "design team girlies" this week! A sketch takes away half the thinking for me LOL! (and I need all the help I can get!)

I used some of my now retired SU! DP and was hoping more of the big pink polka dots would show...oh well...I did manage to use another uninked Mousie for this card too!

I was going through some of my stamps the other night trying to convince myself that I need some more new stamps...but I found so many that haven't been inked yet...I am making good progress, but I need to use what I have...that has always been my goal since I started this blog...but then again...


Give this fun sketch a try...can't wait to see what everyone creates with it!


I chose to combine this sketch challenge with this week's House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge which is SEASONS.

Now, if you are a regular reader of my blog and been around since before last fall...you know I live different seasons than most people's Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. My seasons are , pre harvest prep=spring, Harvest=summer , Relaxing after harvest=Fall and Winter is COOKIE and CRAFTING season! Yep, you heard me...I start baking in Oct/Nov for the holidays, and that is my favorite season of all! You can catch some really fun cookie recipes on my blog HERE or find the cookies list under my labels.

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Stamps: Chef Amanda HMG 1010, Sentiment is from a cute little cooking set I won last year for some blog candy...does anyone recognize it? It has a little bowl, rolling pen, the sugar and flour cannisters etc and is stored in a silver metal cd tin.

Paper: All SU! RHR and Pink Pir, Choc Chip

Ink: Memento Black and Rich Cocoa, Image colored with a mixture of copics (R29, E 00, 02, 34) and prisma's for the pink

Misc: nesties, misc brown brads, SU scallop border punch

From Courtney's Closet Challenge #47, Penny Black Saturday Challenge

Three in One! I started making this for this week's From Courtney's Closet Challenge,
which is Red, White and Blue on the 4th of July, and then along came the Penny Black Saturday Challenge,(as well as this weeks 3 Clovers Thursday Challenge) which is also Red, White and Blue!
So I picked this fun sketch from Mojo Monday #94 and went to work with both color challenges in mind.

I don't make too many Christmas cards because I am usually making my wood crafts and baking cookies, so it was fun to use this PB image I bought last year and never found the time to ink up!

Several parts of this image are on dimensionals and all the snow has chunky glitter added.

My cyber friend Mary from My Cardz~My Passion~My Therapy always lists the copics used on her creations...I always have to peek as I am still building my collection, so I thought I would share mine too!




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Stamps: royal mail (3766J)

Cardstock: Brilliant Blue, DP from SU!

Ink: Memento black, copics R 29,39-E 00,02-C 1,5-Black 110-B 21,24,29

Misc: SU! chunky glitter, cuttlebug snowflake folder, dimensionals, kaiser pearl and felt snowflake, inside uses misc snowflake punch and
Martha Stewart goopy punch (I think it looks fun
and a lot like icicles with the glitter glued to it),
Dots and Dashes ribbon.

House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge #44-It's Ice to be With Friends

This week's challenge at House Mouse and Friends is Paper Tole Technique. I use this technique a lot on my cards...I love the dimension it gives, although it doesn't photograph especially well. (hmmm or maybe it is the photographer ya think?)

Paper tole is when you stamp an image twice and then using the second image to cut out small pieces of the image and add it to the top of the original image to give it several layers. I tend to be a little lazy and usually only add one additional layer, but it can be very dramatic with 3 layers...You can also shape the added paper pieces by rounding the back of the added piece with an embossing stylus. Just rub the stylus over the additional piece to give it a more dramatic and/or "rounded" shape. I didn't do that on this card, but I do that on a lot of the punched flowers I use on cards.

On this card I added additional parts to the leaves at the top of the image, all the flowers, and a couple of the shells at the bottom of the image as well.

I also used my new Oval All stamp set and coordinating punch from SU! ...been waiting for the right card to use this. I did change the sentiment on the oval. I just used the words from an old celebration set and my stampamajig for placement, using scotch tape to mask out the original word.

It is over 100° here today (yesterday was 105° YIKES) so wouldn't this be just the best way to cool off!? Besides, for anyone that knows me personally...they know I NEVER go anywhere without a BIG cup of ice cubes...rain or shine!

Can you see the added pieces of leaves, flowers and shells in this pic? This stamp is the June 2006 stamp of the month.

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Stamps: Beach Cooler with Amanda, Mudpie and Muzzy (HMOR1086), Oval All and Love Note (retired)--both SU! Sentiment inside says It's Ice To Be With Friends by Stampabilities It's Ice (DR1062)

Cardstock: Pink from SU, misc blue check DP

Ink: Memento Black, Copics, SU! Markers

Misc: Dimensionals, Stampamajig, scotch tape, Martha Stewart border punch. oval and scalloped oval punch from SU!

Card size: 5 1/2 x 5 1/2

3 Clover's Thursday Challenge #20-Red, White and Blue

I am using my very first House Mouse stamp (back when they were still made by Stampa Rosa) I ever bought on this RED, WHITE and BLUE challenge card at 3 Clovers Thursday Challenge. My goodness, that sure seems ages ago, but really was probably back in 2002! Someday I will post the very first HM card I ever made...with this stamp...I thought it was pretty nifty...and it was for me back in "the ole days" HA!

This card whipped up darn fast...told you things have to stay simple this time of year!
The trick to this card is that the star is what opens-I cut it on the fold(the very top point) with my star nestability...the base does not. Inside the star is matted another white star stamped with Happy 4th of July! (I have visions of baby Cole taking a peek and ripppppppping it right off LOL)

I put all the red cardstock through the swiss dot cuttlebug folder for texture and used my newly replaced juicy red SU marker to put lines around the background white piece-using the nestability as a guide for the straight lines.

Basically, I just matted the layers and glued on the hinged star and it was done! Monica House Mouse image is on dimensionals.

Last week's challenge at 3CTC was Where Are You From? It was a fun one and this one should generate some pretty dandy cards too--- red, white and blue always look so dramatic together! Come join in the fun! If you get a chance...go check out last week's cards...Kerry has Mr Linky so all you have to do is click on each name to see the challenge cards...fast and easy! Be sure to leave a comment if you visit...nothin' better than knowing people are visiting!

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Stamps: Party Mouse (Monica) by Stampa Rosa, retired sentiment from Stampin' Up!

Cardstock: Real Red & Night of Navy from SU!, GP white I think or Neenah

Ink: Memento black for image and colored with copics

Misc: Star Nestability, swiss dot cb folder, dimensionals for image

From Courtney's Closet Challenge #46-All Punches

A quick From Courtney's Closet Challenge card.

When I get really tired during harvest...I get stoooo-pid! LOL I have looked at the colors in Little Cupcake's shirt for several evenings and just could not get a good grasp of them...so I just picked out what looked like it would go and went with it. (left out the rusty color in my card)

I have a hard time comprehending things at home or conversations after 14 hours of phones ringing non-stop and people talking at me... by nightfall I should just go to bed.... I really wanted to stamp tonight but I didn't trust myself with markers or inkpads of any kind...I just know I would tatto myself, so I stuck with punches...safe for me tonight LOL! I did venture a little paper piercing and managed that fine...I didn't impale myself at least.

This card is made with SU 1 3/8 and 1 1/4 square punches, Martha border punch and the SUBoho Blossoms punch as well as the little 1/4 circle punch that is retired now. The DP is retired from SU also.

I ran the squares through the bubble cuttlebug folder to give them some texture. I paper pierced with my Tim H ruler. If you don't have one of those...you should!

That's it for tonight...off to bed!

Sweet little cupcake Courtney.

A RAK from Larissa!

Not much stamping by me around here due to harvest, but this gives me a chance to post some wonderful RAK's I have received lately. This one came all the way from the Netherlands! Isn't this as sweet as can be?

I received this sweet RAK from Larissa Walemoed over at Car-D-elicious. Stop by and leave her a big HELLO! She has some great creations on her blog!

House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge #43.- Caffeine Crash

This is me!

I've crashed and I can't get up! Just kidding...But I do have to tell you...a LOT of caffeine is consumed during harvest!

I made this card for this weeks House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge #43...a sketch from the ladies at 2RedBanana's. I had to fudge just a wee bit to squeeze in the kaiser pearls, but otherwise I stuck to the sketch.

I know all of us "harvest type" people feel like Mr. Biggly Gruffie! Give us a LOT of caffeine and we perk right up! My caffeine of choice is always pepsi or cocoa...no coffee for me...never acquired the taste...but love the smell!

Okay, the rest of the story...

All the cups are cut out and put on pop dots-- as is the waste basket. This makes for a fun card with lots of dimension. The inside is finished off with a white mat embellished with a small strip of the red polka dot DP matted on a scalloped piece of gable green.

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Stamps: Biggly Gruffie stamp named "Attack of the Caffeine Crash" OR1048 by Stampabilities.

Cardstock: SU! Specialty DP, Gable Green, Basic Black

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics

Misc: Nesties-Circle and Scallop Circle, Dimensionals, SU scallop punch for the inside of the card, Kaiser pearls

3 Clovers Thursday Challenge #19-Where are you from ?

This was a fun challenge this week at 3 Clovers Thursday Challenge! The challenge...Where are you from? You are challenged to make a card that represents the city, state or country you are from.

Well...that was easy...You all know I work in one of the cherry capitals of the world LOL! I live on the Columbia River right on the Oregon and Washington border in the USA. The area is named the Columbia River Gorge. It is known for it's beautiful mountains (the most famous in the area of course is Mt St Helens...the volcano that blew it's top almost 30 years ago!) It is also known for it's beautiful rivers,waterfalls, hiking, skiing, biking ...you know...all that outdoorsy stuff. There is year round snow skiing on Mt Hood,(funny video link here) a mountain just a few minutes from my hometown.


One end of the Columbia River Gorge is beautiful and lush and the other end is dry with plains of wheat fields(and now wind turbines to generate electricity). It pretty much has it all. It is also known as one of the premier windsurfing areas in the world! Why you ask?

The wind! It blows and blows and blows here! It is always windy by afternoon here. It is just a fact of life....

We have lots of fruit trees in my hometown and in other towns around us. There are mainly cherry trees, but some pear, peach and apple trees as well as many new grape vineyards.

Yummy cherries...the real thing!

About the card:

This brings me to my card this week.

Of course I had to feature a cherry tree...what else LOL? The other thing I wanted to represent on my card was the wind...I don't know if you can tell it or not, but I put the blue sky piece through the swirly cuttlebug folder to depict the swirly wind...and look...it caught poor Woodstock and is blowing him around. Snoopy is jumping for joy because 2009 looks to be a great crop for cherries!

I cut out the cherry tree and ground free hand and sewed them on the blue cuttlebugged sky. I had kind of reverse sponged the sky, using blue cardstock and white ink to make the clouds.
I then added the little flower brads, the sentiment and Snoopy and Woodstock.

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Stamps:Dance of Joy (Snoopy) by Rubber Stampede :(-- Floral Woodstock(Just for Woodstock) by Stampabilities, Sentiment by Hampton Arts-Bowl of Cherries

Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Chocolate Chip and Wasabi, Cherry DP by DCWV, Brown and green print DP by SU!

Ink:Chocolate Chip and Black ink pad by Stamps by Judith (it stamps really black and is great for watercoloring also), Woodstock colored by a copic pen.

Misc: cuttlebug swirl folder, flower brads, sewing machine, dimensionals for the sentiment

Happy Father's Day Dad! On the Farm!!!

I made this card for my Dad. I used a retired Stampin Up set name On the Farm.
My Dad lives out of town and has nicknamed his homestead "The Ranch". I thought this best fits his lifestyle!

I again fashioned this scene after Michelle B's technique of piecing a scene. I just love this effect!

Each element is stamped, colored and mounted individually. The only thing that bugs me about this set is that is not proportional...look how big that hog is compared to the farmer...LOL I would hate to get in that piggy's pathway!

I punched the ground and fence and added this on to the sponged sky. I then used my nesties to cut out my squares (which really simplifies this process). I mounted the two squares on some red and added them back into the "scene".

I used the SU! retired cloud template for sponging the sky.

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Stamps: On The Farm (retired SU!), Sentiment from H & M Stamps

Cardstock: DP from SU! scrapbook kit, Real Red, Neenah white

Ink: Tuxedo black, copics

Misc: Martha Stewart halloween fence punch, nesties, dimensionals, SU cloud and sponge

A fun and simple Graduation card!

I made this card for my nephew Garrett. He graduated from Seattle University this past week. I am proud that he stuck out that Washington weather...being a native Hawaii boy and all! He is headed for Texas to study law so I thought this card would be perfect for him!

I have had this stamp for ages...I knew the day would come to use it for the perfect occasion! I cut out the scroll and added it with dimensionals. Add some $ and what could be better?

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Stamps: Stampington Scroll G1028, Sentiment inside from SU Congrats celebration set, the rest was computer generated

Cardstock: SU! Cocoa and Black

Ink: Tuxedo Rich Cocoa

Misc: dimensionals, long nestabilities

Happy Birthday to Curt!

Hey, if you all get a minute...stop by Curt's World and wish him a belated birthday...I got busy with harvest yesterday and forgot to wish him HAPPY BIRTHDAY yesterday! Hey Curt...hope you came home with your pockets full!

Three Clover's Thursday Challenge -No Layer Cuttlebug card

The challenge this week at 3 Clovers Thursday Challenge is to make a no layer card! And boy, this is not as easy as it sounds. For us stampers that love layers, this was a challenge that generated lots of discussion!

I chose to use my cuttlebug embossing borders on kraft cardstock. I stamped the cherries with craft ink and gently ran some white craft ink over the embossing and the edges of the card to highlight those areas better. Viola! That's the total card!

One thing I did learn making this card...me and craft ink do not mix...I am not kidding, I had red "finner" prints all over LOL!

Now, I have cherries on the brain...cherry harvest is starting here in Oregon...which means my stamping time becomes fairly limited the busier we get. If you don't see me around for a couple days...I am just working...! But really, fresh cherries are just the best! Not to worry though, I have saved some really wonderful RAK's to show to you while I am working away!

Okay stampers....I would love to see what you can create with this challenge!

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Stamps: Tart and Tangy by SU!

Ink: Craft white, red and green

Cardstock: SU! Kraft

Misc: Cuttlebug embossing borders

From Courtney's Closet Challenge #45-Best Friend

Little Sophie is guest starring this week on From Courtney's Closet Challenge #45.
Sophie's Mama is Katie Brooks at KB Stamps.

I used this sketch challenge from Jen del Muro at iheart2stamp.

One thing I have learned from playing along with Libby's weekly challenges, is to use what I have on hand. I didn't even come close to having any flower DP to match Sophie's flowery pants, so I made my own with an old retired stamp set from Stampin' UP! named Petite Posies. This set does get pulled out and used still...after all these years!

I took my inspiration from Jen's Sketch, Sophies pants and those "orange" pop blocks, and this week's Celebration over at Penny Black's Saturday Challenge. Now I call that multi-tasking LOL!

You can see in the first picture that everything is on dimensionals, making for some fun 3D. I even got to use my new Martha butterfly punch. NOWWWW...as my stampin buddy Charla knows, I used to have a real aversion to bug stamps...including and especially butterflies. I used to just cringe at them...(I am clueless to understand why) but I am slowly coming out of my cacoon LOL and just getting over it! Now, I am not sure Charla has gotten over her smiley face phobia tho!

Do you have a certain type of image that makes you cringe?

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Stamps: Penny Black Butterfly Wishes 2620H, Retired Stampin UP Petite Posies, Stampin Up! sentiment from Full of Life

Cardstock: Certainly Celery, Brilliant Blue, Bashful Blue and Blush Blossom from SU!

Ink: Tuxedo Black from Memento, Copics, SU! markers for the sentiment

Misc: nesties, kaiser pearls, SU twill ribbon, Martha punch, dimensionals

House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge-Red, White and Blue!

Here we go with a very 4th of July looking card for this week's Red White and Blue challenge over at the House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge Blog.

This is this month's stamp and sentiment of the month for the House Mouse gang. Although this isn't a mouse, it is his buddy Happy Hopper!

I used a sketch challenge designed by Cindy Haffner. You can find it HERE.

I used my new EK Success border punch on this card...you know you can never have too many punches! I am crazy for punches, especially border ones! This one reminds me of swiss cheese. (hmmm... I must be hungry)

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Stamps: Happy Hoppers Air Head (Itty Bit) (HMl1018), Sentiment Blow Away (DR1113) both by Stampabilities. You can see all the House Mouse of the Month stamps HERE.

Cardstock: Real Red, White GP, cupcake by Basic Grey

Ink: Memento Black, Copics, SU real red marker for sentiment

Misc: EK Success border punch, circle nesties, misc red heart brads, stampa-majig, dimensionals for the circle sentiment

3 Clovers Thursday Challenge- Snoopy Paper Piecing

This week's challenge at 3 Clovers Thursday Challenge is Paper Piecing. I had such a grand time with this challenge. I made this card, ripped it apart, and then started over again. Another one of those cards that bits and pieces came to me in my sleep. I wasted some darn good cardstock to get the effect I wanted.

I started using a sketch challenge, didn't like that, then didn't like the DP I used so ripped it apart again.

This card was inspired by the work of Michelle B at JustPaintingAround. She creates some of the best scene cards I have ever "scene". You really should go browse her blog...tons of fun cards to see there! She does have some tutorials mixed in her posts on how she creates her scenes (sure wish I would have followed her suggestions as I am sure it would have been much easier that how this little card was born LOL!)

The umbrella and sun as well as the water are all pieced with Stampin Up cardstock or DP. The image was colored with copics.

Now, if only I was sitting on a beach somewhere with Snoopy!
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Stamps: At The Beach (Stampabilities l1092)

Cardstock: Summer Sun, SU DP, Riding Hood Red

Ink: Memento Black, Copics

From Courtney's Closet Challenge #44

Here is literally a 10 minute gift tag for this weeks From Courtney's Closet Challenge #44.

I want to use the excuse that the dog ate my homework because this little tag is pretty lame, but in reality I didn't think I would get to post this week because I accidently dropped my camera and it broke to bits(see me cry here)and had no way to photograph anything. I finally borrowed one tonight...and was too tired then to make a project much more that this 10 minute doozy! The white piece is just a folded 3x3 piece of white cardstock sent through a cuttlebug folder and the die cut added to the front of that. FAST!

Blogger is giving me fits, so I am not even sure this card will post...all I am seeing as I am typing this post is HTML with no picture. A little confusing for me....Darn... I am giving up for tonight and heading to bed!



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Stampin Up Little Leaves diecut, SU 1/4 circle punch, CB folder, Lavender cardstock and Kiwi too.

A quick birthday tag!

I made this bag of hot tamales up for a good friend and co-worker for her birthday today. She is a little spit fire of a lady for sure. The tag says Happy Birthday Hot Stuff! on the other side!

I borrowed the stamp from my stampin' friend Barb. Although the stamp is not marked, I seem to remember that she may have bought it at Rubbernecker one year at convention. ( but not certain of that!) Okay Barb... who makes this stamp? I do have to tell you...it is one of the best "stampin'" stamps, easy to get a great image with great lines...very well made!

I am heading off to Eugene to have fun at my daughter's community garage sale and taking my parents with me. No stamping for me this weekend!

Hope you are all enjoying your weekend...I AM!

Happy Father's Day Papa Bear!

3 Clovers Thursday Challenge Team are honoring fathers this week. The challenge is to make a Father's Day card with a little hardware. I had a whole 'nother card planned, but Papa Bear sort of took over my thoughts, so I just had to go with him instead!

I had been playing with this Gruffie image, practicing a techinque I learned in the copic class I took a while back...(yes, pictures still to come...) Marianne showed us how to make the pretty blue "halo" (that's what I call it anyway) that some stampers like to add around their image to make things "pop". It took me a while to get, but this is my first try and I really like it, reminds me somewhat of a watercolor look.

I am going to add a computer generated sentiment inside. Something like It's Your Day to Relax Papa Bear! If any of you have any better idea's I would love to hear them...I am never very good at coming up with catchy phrases!

I used the weekend sketch challenge from Lori Craig's blog HERE. This is a large image, so this card ended up being a 5 x 7 card.

Come join us this week at 3 Clovers Thursday Challenge. I would love to see some REAL hardware...mine was a little weak with just 3 little brads...but hey, it is hardware all the same!

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Stamps: Hammock Hibernation PR1026 (Gruffie stamp purchase at RK stamps-link on the side of my blog)

Cardstock: DP by Basic Grey(striped DP) and Snips and Snails by 3 Bugs in a Rug (polka dots), Summer Sun and Choc Chip for SU!

Ink: Memento Black, Copics

Misc: SU Choc Chip ribbon, misc brads

From Courtney's Closet Challenge Anniversary Edition

From Courtney's Closet #42-An Anniversary Celebration!

I made this cherry card inspired by Courtney's 4 month old picture where she is wearing a cute little girlie cherry decorated outfit. This was the outfit that inspired me to join in on Libby's challenge! It has been almost exactly one year ago today that I joined my first online challenge...and I chose little Courtney as my inspiration. You can view my first ever From Courtney's Closet Challenge card HERE.

This time I chose to use more intense colors, but I did stick with the cherry theme! This is my 39th FCCC out of 42! Do you think I am addicted? I have truly enjoyed watching little Cupcake grow up! This challenged has kept me stamping and learning. And Libby...what can I say...she has become a good blogger friend to me!

Sometimes I tend to get carried away with detailed cards...but my true love is clean and simple cards. For those of you new to my blog...I work with cherries 12 months out of the year! I work at a large cherry processing plant that makes everything from maraschinos to marketing those delicious fresh cherries due to ripen on the trees this month! By the end of June I should be in the thick of what I hope is a large and successful cherry harvest!

This card will go to a very dear friend who also works with cherries. You think I would be sick of those darn things...but truly nothing better than a fresh cherry!

Here's hoping you all find the time to come join Courtney's challenge soon!

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Stamps: Tart and Tangy by SU!, sentiment ...a friend... by Penny Black

Cardstock: Black, Rockabilly Speciality DP from SU!, RHRed

Ink: Memento Black, SU marker old olive and RHRed stamp pad

Misc: punch and circle nesties

House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge-Happy Birthday

Here is my last minute House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge card! ( I think they should change it to be a Sunday Challenge and then I would be the first one, not the last one to post!) I know, I know...pretty selfish huh ??? LOL!

The challenge this week is Birthday. I wanted to use a non-traditional stamp for this birthday challenge so I picked this colorful stamp named Sweet Success. Tons of coloring! (but what HM stamp isn't?)

I used my new EK Success birthday candle border punch too...lots of fun! I added a little piercing on the lower punched border too.

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Stamps: Sweet Success House Mouse HMPR1036, Happy Birthday Sentiment by SU! in the little set called Birthday Counts. Party Time words are part of the celebration set Lots of Thoughts

Cardstock: Green Galore, Regal Rose, Lavender Lace

Ink: Memento Black, Copics

Misc: Birthday Candle border punch, scallop punch by SU

From Courtney's Closet Challenge #43

Here we go with From Courtney's Closet Challenge #43! Courtney is growing so fast and look at her beautiful blond hair!

I made this little pink fishy card with a cuttlebug die. I cut the waves with strips of Bo Bunny DP and then used a 3/4 inch circle punch to punch the wave effect. The sentiment is a piece from a SU celebration set named Lots of Thoughts. I cut the words apart because I knew I would use them more that way!

Don't you just love those sneakers?

You still have time to join in on Libby's Little Addiction Anniversary Celebration of From Courtney's Inspiration Challenge #42. I still have my thinking cap on for this one...but wanted to share this post with you first and remind you all to join in! This is the first challenge I ever joined online (wow...over a year ago!), and I have tried to hit most of them since...missed a few here and there when life got in the way...but it just a darling challenge that makes me THINK! (hmmmm...) Why not join the fun?

Lovely RAK from Pam!

Isn't this just a pretty card?! Thanks to Pam from Stamping with {Serendipity} .

I love these kid saying stamps.

Don't miss out on the lovely creations on her blog! Thanks Pam..I love it!

3 Clovers Thursday Challenge #15-Ship Shape!

This weeks challenge over on Three Clovers Thursday Challenge is Ship Shape. You won't find any rectangle or square cards in this challenge...let's see what fun shape card you can make!

I bought this gardening shack stamp from alota Rubberstamps. All the accessories stamps are alota Rubberstamps except for the actual tulip flowers. I don't where they came from...had them for years! The flower pots are added on with dimensionals.

I drew the Get Well sign with my new Copic Multiliner SP. What a wonderful little pen! I like the fine line ..... .03. The SP pen is refillable and you can change out the nib if you need to! I do have the .02 that I received in the copic class too. I bought mine from Ellen Hutson, LLC. The link to her store is on the right of my blog. This wonderful little pen is great for drawing as well as journaling. It is safe to use with your copic pens and comes in several colors too. (my my that sounds like a commercial...but I so love this pen!)

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Stamps: alota Rubberstamps Garden Shed(not sure what the actual name is); misc tulips

Cardstock: Creamy Caramel, Neenah White

Ink: Memento Black, copics

Misc: multiliner pen, dimensionals

My Weekend with GWAMMA! NSR

Now, many of my pictures look just like this...Mr. Busybody always wanted to touch the zoom lens and make everything go out of focus LOL! Never could get a good pic of the mac and cheese face!

I did get a few good pics I wanted to share with those who have been asking about my dear, sweet "baby boy" as I call him. He is just a little over 1 1/2 years old and boy did he keep his Gwamma and Gramps hopping this weekend while Mom and Dad took a fun weekend away. To tell you the truth...Gwamma slept most of the way home in the car while Gramps drove! LOL
These little ones are a bundle of motion. I must have thrown the balls a least a gazillion times over the last two days!

Here is a little pictoral of my visit!

Cole and Gramps playing ball.

Well, if one bat is good, then I think a bat AND a shovel will be REALLY good!

Now, if I take a really tough stance, I think I can hit the ball far away!

Oh that darn weed is so distracting to my ball game, I better pull it ... LOL!

A little snack break to re-energize!

I asked Cole if he wanted to go for a walk...he came to get me wearing my shoes with my purse slung over his shoulder...he was ready for a serious walk!

My, my what lovely flowers in the neighborhood!

Almost every block on our neighborhood walk had 2 or 3 of these basketball hoops...Cole was in seventh heaven. We had to stop and admire every single one...on the first pass AND on the way back. I bet there must have been at least 25 of them that he is now personally aware of. He will probably map them out in his sleep for his nextneighborhood walk with Mama. Can you tell he is obsessed with any kind of a ball?

Gwamma, I think I can make that hoop!

Ahhh...back home and a little tired. Let's have some ice water with Gwamma.

See Gwamma, I need some more ice chips!

Oh...naptime and Mom and Dad are home. I don't have to wait any longer!

Bye Bye Dad (he says this to every one who is leaving)

An end to a wonderful visit with my "baby boy".

House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge-Have a Micey Nice Day!

This is my 30 minute House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge card..a sketch.

When are men ever on time? I thought I had time to whip up a card Friday afternoon before leaving for a visit out of town...and who should show up early but my sweetie. I ran upstairs and made this card in about 1/2 hour...all the while I think he thought I was packing..shhhh I'm not telling...ahh the addiction!

The image was colored with my copics! I just attended a Copic Certification class this last week with Marianne Walker from I Like Markers. For the longest time I had what I called my "Magnificent 7"...seven Copics I bought while I was deciding if I wanted to invest in these new toys...I played with them for a long time before I finally just closed my eyes and bought me some more. I still want a gazillion more, but I have enough to practice with. I am slowly coming out of the "Oh My Gosh" what have I done stage!(called the Copic learning curve LOL)Being a newbie to the Copic "scene" I learned a lot at the class...now if I can just remember it. When I get home I will post pictures of my rowdy table mates and share some info I learned too! It really was just a grand day!

...and pics of baby Cole coming soon too!


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Stamps: In a Nutshell (May House Mouse of the Month Stamp), sentiment by Penny Black

Cardstock: My Minds Eye DP, Bo Bunny DP

Ink: Memento Black, copics

Misc: crystals, nesties, misc ribbon

3 Clovers Thursday Challenge #14-His and Hers

Black and White and one other color...This weeks challenge at 3 Clovers Thursday Challenge #14. Come join in the fun!

As you can see, my one other color is SU!'s Baja Breeze. Goodness I love this color and will be sorry to see it retire......(she says with a whine).

Isn't this little Stampendous stamp of His and Hers towels cute? I thought it would make a darling wedding card.

This sketch from Whiff of Joy looked pretty detailed, but actually worked up into a quick and easy card...probably because I was limited to one other color! You can see the sketch challenge here.

This card was inspired by this cute card that Larissa from Car-d-elicious made using the same sketch. If you have never visited her blog...you must!


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Stamps: C194 His and Hers by Stampendous, Sentiment by DENAMI DESIGN

Cardstock: Basic Black, Baja Breeze and Parisian Breeze Specialty DP-all SU!

Ink: Tuxedo Black, Versamark, copic pen

Misc: Detail black embossing powder, SU! Valet Ribbon Originals, nesties, Hero Arts mini pearls

House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge-Need some help moving?

Sliding in sideways again for this week's House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge. I am a last minute Lizzy for sure! This weeks challenge is Moving.

I have had this upside down box stamp for ages and I just knew the right time to use it would come someday! Poor little Monica Mouse fell into it! She has been "helping" Mudpie move and just got carried away LOL!

I used the sidewalk tutorial that Lauren Meader posted HERE. I didn't have the right copics so I used my prisma's and just sort of did my own thing from memory and then I had to go find the actual tutorial to link for this post. It was fun to do! Give it a try...

Every thing else is colored with copics. I even drew a little apple tree! Monica and Mudpie are mounted on dimensionals. The sentiment was computer generated.

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Stamps: Party Mouse Monica, Mudpie Tells(Lg), G-Rated This End Up packing box

Cardstock: Garden Green, Creamy Caramel, SU DP rose

Ink: Copics and Memento Black, Copic Multiliner .03

Misc: SU label punch

3 Clover's Thursday Challenge #13-May Flower Flip Card

Welcome to challenge #13 at 3 Clovers Thursday Challenge. The challenge this week is" May Flowers". And guess what...no cheating for me this week...I actually included flowers on my card LOL! (ummm...I sort of forgot to include ribbon or lace on my challenge card for last week...I guess it was my week to be an airhead LOL) Don't you hate it when you make a challenge card...and then realize you didn't follow the challenge? As Ida said to me...the DP paper I used looked lacey, so that's my story and I'm sticking to it!

I found THIS tutorial on how to make a flip card and just had to try it! What a fun card and fun to open and find the surprise message inside! Wendybell at Wickedly Wonderful Creations made a wonderful video tutorial that was very easy to follow. You just have to give it a try!

The top half of this card is hinged with a brad and flips up to reveal a message. I changed the orientation of the card to fit my image. This is a standard A2 card. The video demonstrates a vertical card, but it was very easy to adjust to a horizontal card.

I used pieces and parts of stamps on this card. The image is the last hedgie on the PB stamp (series of 3 hedgies) , the sentiment inside is part of a sentiment also. The hedgie is cut out and mounted on dimensionals as well as the little FOR YOU gift tag on the flowers.

I used lots of little tools to make this card, including my Spooky Fence punch by Martha Stewart. This fence is just NOT spooky when punched in white...looks springy I thought! Martha has a different fence punch that has all the boards nicely lined up for those who prefer a new, whitewashed picket fence! Mine is falling down a wee bit.

This is what my card looks like opened up. The circle image stays on the outside of the fence and the light green top piece tucks under the fence.

Close up of the brad hinge. The brad holds all the pieces of cardstock together.

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Stamps: Labour of Love 2363K Penny Black, Retired sentiments from SU! Simple Sayings 1 and 2

Cardstock: SU! DP, Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Regal Rose

Ink: Memento Black, Image colored with copics, Rose Romance for sentiment

Misc: Swirly cuttlebug folder, misc brad, circle nesties, 2 Martha border punches, SU! Rose ribbon, SU! silver cording, misc button

From Courtney's Closet Challenge #41-Ice Cream!

Oh look how big Courtney is getting. I love this outfit!

Oh you must join in this week's challenge at Libbys Little Addiction. From Courtney's Closet Challenge #41 is just plain darling. For any of you new to this weekly challenge, Courtney's mama Libby takes a picture of her sweet little one in a cute outfit and you use that as your inspiration to make your creation.

(oops..sorry if you got this post twice...I hit a wrong button)

This was a quick and fun card to make and again, I used a stamp I have had for a year and has never seen ink! This cute image is made by Yvonne Albritton out of Renton, Washington. She makes the best food stamps (oh and lots of other stamps too). She always brings the best stuff to the Portland convention in March. I had a great time in her booth!

The cone on this card is set on dimensionals...and oh goodness there are a lot of polka dots on this card! LOL

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Stamps: Yvonne Albritton Designs Ice Cream Cone, Sentiment is part of the "Yummy" word in the set by SU! named Yummy

Cardstock: Tempting Turquoise, SU DP, Basic Grey cupcake DP, and Bella Press DP

Ink: Memento Black, cone colored with copics, SU marker for image

Misc: Circle punches, EK border punch, Bo Bunny ribbon

Make a Wish-House Mouse Challenge

I did not have much luck with this weeks House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge. The challenge was to make a gate fold. For some reason...gate folds and me do not mix LOL! oh well here is my feeble attempt. The Design team on the HM blog made wonderful cards...so go visit and take a peek at theirs...

I used my Mega curved nesties to cut the top and bottom of this card..just to give it a different look. The image is cut out with the same nesties. I used some fun retired SU DP for the main cardstock.

The inside has the yellow gingham DP as well.

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Stamps: Just Dandy (Monica JR1077) and Sentiment is Dandelion Wish HMJR1077 (June stamp of the month) bought from Ally @ RKStamps.

Cardstock: SU! DP, yoyo yellow, misc gingham paper

Ink: Memento Black and copics

Misc: Nesties, Sizzix button die

3 Clover's Thursday Challenge #12-Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to you all! All the stampers on Kerry's Challenge Team over at 3 Clover's Thursday Challenge want to wish you the best! This week's theme is none other than----Mother's Day!

Here is my card...I didn't start out making this sort of card at all...everything I wanted to use just didn't make me happy until I found this color combo! Isn't this Mother stamp great? I bought it last year and am just getting around to using it! Ahh...the story of my stamp collection and I still want more LOL!

On with the details of this card...I stamped my sentiment and then cut it out with my nesties. After cutting several layers and rearranging them a 'bazillion' times, I finally came to this design. I used my SU! Little Leaves Sizzix die. This die is just so versatile. I embellished the cards with some cream Kaiser pearls and came up with what I think is a pretty classy card. This SU! DP is pretty elegant stuff for the type of cards I normally make, so I was glad to use it for the inspiration on this card.

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Stamps: Mother bl 9-8133F by A Muse Artstamps (www.amuseartstamps.com)

Cardstock: Not Quite Navy, Bella Blue DP by SU!, Very Vanilla

Ink: Not Quite Navy

Misc: Little Leaves sizzix die from SU!, cream Kaiser pearls, nesties, 1/4 circle punch

Card size: 5 1/2 x 5 1/2

Flower Pot Card

I have seen these cute little flower pot cards posted all over the web and finally had to give them a try. Oh goodness they are addicting! Quick and easy and just darn fun!

All products used are Stampin Up except the big flower punch...that is a MEGA Marvy punch. The leaves are made with the 5 petal punch and the little leaves sizzix die. The flower centers are made with a 1/2 punch. The sentiment is from a retired SU! set. These little buggers can make good use of your scraps. I used Bella Rose scraps on these cards as well as Old Olive scraps for the leaves. I made some of these flower pot cards with pink polka dots, some with rust pots that were sponged/cuttlebugged...you can make lots of variations to this pattern.

I used this tutorial HERE to make mine, but I found another one HERE that makes a tiny bit smaller card. Try making one...they are just addictive!

Hoppin you feel better soon! House Mouse Monday Challenge

I made this card for this week's House Mouse Monday Challenge. I had this whole post typed up and it went kaput...gone into thin air somewhere...darn...! Let's start again...!

Well, here I am 'sqeeeekin' in on another House Mouse Monday challenge. The theme this week is Get Well Soon. I just got this new Happy Hopper from RK Stamps so had to fit it into this challenge somehow. I used theClassroom Spring Fling Challenge.

This is a BIG stamp so this card is BIG 5x7!

This is my first all copic colored card...YIKES I need a colorless blender...I had a hard time coloring in the lines LOL...back to first grade for me! There is definitely a learning curve here!

ahhh...do you remember the days when you used to jump on your bed and hoped Mom didn't catch you? I do.....

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Stamps: HMPR1080 Bunny Hop, sentiment computer generated

Cardstock: SU! Rose and Chocolate Chip, DP My Mind's Eye

Ink: Memento Black and copics

Misc: SU! circle punches, SU! Rose and choc chip ribbon

Blog Candy Winner!

The winner of my blog candy tonight is Pam Speidel at Stamping with {Serendipity}! Congrats Pam!

I want to say thank you to all who left a comment. I have had a great time reading all of your comments about your favorite stamping tools! By far the favorite stamping tools you all listed are the Nesties and Cuttlebug and embossing folders!...(until the next new stamping toy comes along) LOL

3 Clover's Thursday Challenge #11-Follow the Sketch

3 Clover Thursday Challenge is here again! Nothing better than a good sketch to get the ideas flowing! I needed to make a couple cards so I did a couple different takes on this weeks challenge. I flipped the sketch a couple different ways and went to town. I wanted to use some more of the my designer paper from the Stampin Up Specialty Series. Wow, I love this stuff!

For the little embellishment I wrapped twine around the ribbon and then threaded it onto the button and tied real tight! A neat trick I have seen online!

This is my once a month all Stampin Up card!

Card #1

Stamps: Full of Life-Stampin Up Sentiment

Cardstock: SU Parisian Breeze, Choc Chip

Ink: Choc Chip

Misc: SU Button Latte button, Ribbon Original Valet by SU, SU twine

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This is the second card I made for 3 Clover Thursday Challenge. This one used a funny Penny Black stamp that always cracks me up...I can just see a bunch of chickens running around trying to put out the candles on my birthday cake..hehehe! The challenge this week on Penny Black Saturday Challenge to do whatever you want...anything goes! How easy is that?

I played around with my SU markers and watercolor paper and water pen. FYI-Memento Black ink does not work when watercoloring. It smears and just makes a mess, even after being heat set...don't ask me how I know...or maybe I knew and forgot already LOL!


Card #2

Stamps: Penny Black Best of Luck!, Retired SU birthday sentiment

Cardstock : Sweet Slumber Specialty Paper from Stampin Up, Baja Breeze, SU watercolor paper

Ink: Stamps by Judith watercolor black ink

Misc: clear button, SU celebration ribbon





Why don't you join us over on Kerry's blog--3 Clovers Thursday Challenge and give this sketch a
try!

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You have one day to leave a comment for my blog candy HERE.

Thank you Katie Renz!

I received this beautiful RAK from Katie over at My Paper Haven! Katie creates some of the most wonderful cards and 3D projects around...and she is as nice as can be! She actually gave me tips on how to set up this blog when I was first learning the ropes!(remember that Katie?)

I was admiring her cards with the new flower soft product and wondering how it traveled..did it squish flat or stay pretty???

As you can see...it stays PRETTY!

Thank you to Katie for the wonderful RAK! This card has so many details for being a simple and elegant creation! I now have to get some of that "stuff"! LOL

Don't forget to post for my blog candy HERE!

From Courtney's Closet Challenge #40-Baby Boy Giraffe

Ahhh...this project turned out so sweet!!! It was very quick and easy. This is my inspiration project for this week's From Courtney's Closet Challenge #40. Courtney is wearing a darling little outfit with animals marching across the front of her shirt and her little jeans. I picked the giraffe from the animal group and went that direction.

I bought this kraft gable box ages ago...unearthed from my scrap closet this week. This is a good size box--big enough to add a little baby outfit inside. I think I will have to make a pink version too! They will be nice to have on hand. Wish I could remember where I ordered it from(this gable box came in lots of different sizes)...if I find them again I will post the link.

Basically I just cut strips of cardstock for the bottom edge and used my Martha scallop punch to pretty it up. I added some more little giraffes and another button with ribbon.

For the card I used a mega rectangle nestie and folded it in half. This makes a great size card for little gift cards. I decorated it up with another giraffe and some ribbon and buttons.





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Stamps: Snag 'em Stamps by imaginisce (giraffe from the Baby Powder collection- cost $1), sentiment made with a Technique Tuesday alphabet( Avalon lower case)

Cardstock: Stampin Up Very Vanilla, Bo Bunny blue polka dot

Ink: Memento Black

Misc: Nestie, SU blue plaid ribbon and blue buttons

Don't forget to sign up for my blog candy HERE!

House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge-Aromatherapy

Now, I am mostly a weekend stamper, so I generally "squeek" in on the House Mouse Monday Challenge. I love to color and most HM stamps are pretty much all coloring and don't really require much else going on with the rest of the card. I think their images most definitely take center stage. The challenge this week is SPRINGTIME and what could be more spring like than lilacs?

I colored this image with copics as well as prisma's/oms.

Oh I can see why this stamp was named Aromatherapy! I can just smell the lilacs outside! (a big sniff here LOL)
Grungeboard....have you ever used it? Want to try some? Sign up for my blog candy HERE! I have some included...it is not what you expect...


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Stamps: House Mouse Designs-Aromatherapy by Stampabilities, Sentiment -retired SU!

Cardstock: P. Plum (retired SU I think) Green Galore, and Gable Green

Ink: Memento Black, Copics, Prisma's/OMS, plum inkpad

Misc: SU! punches and ribbon, clear button, and string

One year of blogging and 30,000 hits!

It is amazing how quickly a year can go when you are having fun! I have enjoyed sharing all my paper creations, cookies, decorations and best of all my grandson with all my readers.

In appreciation , I would love to give away some fun "stuff" to one of you. Pictured is some Tim Holtz grungeboard...have you ever felt that stuff???...it is COOLOOL (that's how my children said it when they were little), a package of cuttlebug border embossers, Basic Grey cupcake designer 6x6 paper and a clear stamp cupcake stamp set. (ya know, all to coordinate with my new cupcake blog wallpaper LOL)

How to win: Leave me a comment here and tell me about your favorite stamping tool! I love stamping tools and would hate to miss anything LOL! (If you have left a comment on my last 2 cards, you get 2 chances to win!)

Thanks for stopping in and visiting! I am always honored when you take the time to leave a comment on my blog entries!

This blog candy will be open until Thursday April 30th! I will post a winner Thursday night!

Three Clover's Thursday Challenge #10 - It's a Zoo!

Week 1o over at Kerry's 3 Clover's Thursday Challenge! Where has the time gone? The theme this week...It's a Zoo Around Here or anything with animals. I had this darling Penny Black stamp I have been waiting to use and when I got to thinking about it...I realized it hasn't been that long since I have been to a children's party...and we all know what a ZOO those parties can be...so I decided this was a perfect fit!

I used this PB stamp along with some of my new cupcake DP by Basic Grey. I love when all the DP is coordinated for you...feels a little like cheatin' but hey...it saves the brain power! The sketch layout is from this week's Penny Black Saturday Challenge.

The present and balloon are added on with dimensionals and then I added a tag sentiment, a little ribbon, and a few brads.

Come on over to Kerry's place for a trip to the Zoo!

And Oh...if you haven't noticed my new blog wallpaper...I changed it to cupcakes...This weekend I will post some dandy BLOG candy in celebration of my 1 year blogoversary and 30,000 hit!! Woo Hoo...don't forget to check back and see what I have been collecting up for you!


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Stamps: party animals! by Penny Black(purchased from Dick at hmstamps.com), Sentiment Sweet Little Sentiments by SU (celebration set 2009)

Cardstock: Baja Breeze (SU); Basic Grey cupcake DP(purchased at KL Stampin and Scrappin)

Ink: SU markers, copics and prisma/oms, Memento Black

Misc: Nestie tags, brads, American Craft ribbon

From Courtney's Closet Challenge #39-Hey

HEY-THANKS! You all know how much I love Snoopy. Well, here he is, back to play in From Courtney's Closet Challenge #39! Now-- I didn't have a scottie dog stamp...but Snoopy is my main "Dawg"! The sketch is from Mary Jo's Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge #66.

Inside is finished with a strip of plaid cardstock as well as an thin piece of pierced real red cardstock. I stamped THANKS on the inside.

I made this look with my scalloped nestie. I used a tip that Allison at Stampin When I Can showed a while back. I fell in love with the pinked edge nesties, but golly I have to pick carefully what I buy. Allison showed this tip that solved my dilemma. I got the pinked look by cutting a classic scalloped nestie circle. I then popped it out of the nestie, rotated just a wee bit, (not even 1/4 of an inch) and taped it in place to keep it from moving. I ran it through my big shot again and came out with this fun edge! Viola...my pinked edge! I wish I could find Allison's posting to show you...maybe she will read this and show me the way to her link!

ETA: HERE is the link to make your own "pinked" edge! Thanks Allison!

Little Courtney in her darling inspirational dress! She is stylin'!

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Stamps: Joe Cool Snoopy F1078, Retired Stipple Plaid SU Background stamp, Misc alphabet

Cardstock: Real Read, Black, GP white

Ink: Memento Black,Real Red SU marker, Copic Grey

Misc: Scallop Nestie, paper piercer, 1/2 circle punch, black pearls

Monday House Mouse Challenge-thanks berry much

I have not been in my stampin' room much this week, so instead of going and pulling weeds AGAIN, I decided to make this thank you card up real quick to send to a good friend. The images were rec'd in a image swap so I am sorry I can't tell you the names of them. I will try to find them on line when I have more time.

This week's challenge over at House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge is to use multiple images. I used the sketch challenge #10 off of the new blog Stamps and Smiles hosted Jennifer Meyer.

I am off to finish hopefully what is the last of the yardwork for now...no time to play on the computer darn it!


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Stamps: House Mouse image and sentiment

Cardstock: Green Galore, some SU DP

Ink: Memento black, prisma's/oms

Misc: punches

3 Clover's Thursday Challenge #9-Double 'bossing with Flora

Okay...I think you all know I am not much on techniques..but Kerry's throw down this week to her challenge team was to showcase a technique! YIKEROONIES............I thought and I thought and I thought some more...what should I do????? Finally I found this wonderful tutorial called Double 'bossing HERE on the Cuttlebug Challenge blog that looked like a lot of fun...so I gave it a whirl.

It wasn't hard...it didn't strain my brain too much and I sort of liked it LOL! Although the technique doesn't photograph all that well, it is very neat in real life. I am sure it would make some totally elegant cards too, but I wanted to introduce this funny little Alien image from the Amy Bradley collection by Stampabilities. Please meet Flora Flutter! Flora is not my only new Alien, so watch for her cohorts in future posts!

Basically, this technique calls for you to emboss your cardstock (I used white core cardstock, but you can also use white or colored cardstock and do a little fancy inking to get similar results. The link to the Cuttlebug Challenge Blog above explains a couple of ways to complete this technique) then sand the white core cardstock (goodness I got carried away and did some serious sanding. I am not sure that was the intention but I like it!) Then you DEboss your cardstock with your embossing folder. Basically that means you just flip your embossing folder over LOL!

Their tutorial is easy to follow and illustrates several different variations of this technique. I would love to see your creations. If you give it a try, I would love it if you link back here so we can all see what you made!!!

Double 'bossing

Flora was colored with prisma's and highlighted with copics. She also is dressed for a big night out with her glittery wings!

Make sure you visit this week over at 3 Clovers Thursday Challenge.

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Stamps: Flora Flutter by Amy Bradley-Stampabilities,(purchased from Ally over at RK Stamps), Retired SU! sentiment

Cardstock: DCWV green, GP white and Elegant Eggplant by SU!

Ink: Memento Black, prisma's, copics

Misc: Nesties, Basics crystals, misc ribbon, cuttlebug folder, sanding block,

From Courtney's Closet Challenge #38-Avery's Debut

Ahhh...Welcome little Avery to her debut on From Courtney's Closet Challenge. Libby is changing things up a little and once a month she will be introducing one of her stamping friends cutie---the challenge to be named Courtney's Playdate. Hmmm...I might have to get little Cole dressed up and enter him for consideration...Make sure to visit Libby's Playdate challenge debut this week!

Now Avery's outfit really threw me for a loop...all those wild colors (which I have read on Allison's blog, sort of fits Avery's little personality LOL). Although I keep thinking this card is a little ODD for my tastes, it is growing on me...I am usually more of an earthtone type person, so this challenge really had me thinking (sort of like when I have to use orange!) Little Avery belongs to Allison of Stamping When I Can blog fame!

I also used Mary Jo's Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge #65 ( TSSC65) for this card. I flipped the sketch on its head and it matched the design on Ave's little outfit perfectly!


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Stamps: All Year Cheer (Stampin Up retired sentiment)

Cardstock: Misc DCWV pink DP, Elegant Eggplant, black, pink, real red, BoBunny green DP

Ink: Real Red

Misc: Misc ribbon, black Hero Arts pearls, flower punch, circle nestie, tree was hand cut

Happy Easter! Chick Punch Card

I cased this card from Laurie's blog Inkspired Designs. Isn't it just the cutest!? I had the best time making this! Laurie suggested that this would be a great baby card with either a pink or blue bow also!

Punches used:(cardstock barely banana and orange)

I used the largest scallop circle nestie for the body-cut 2

Cut 1 smaller circle nestie for the wings- cut 2 wings leaving 5 scallops on each edge

Stampin Up Punches

3/4 circle for the eyes-2 white and 2 barely banana(tip: put the two banana punches together and cut at the same time, this way you get the same sizing on the eyelids)

1/2 inch punch-punch 2 black

1 inch punch-punch 1 in orange (fold diagonal for nose)

1- 5 Petal punch in Barely banana

2- Boho Blossom punch in orange for feet (can substitute 5 petal punch here)

2- tiny circle hand punch circles glued on for eyes(or a white pen for eye pupils-darn it - I could not find mine today)

I also sponged on More Mustard and just a tiny hint on of Really Rust on the edges.

Piece of Orange ribbon.

Pink chalk for cheeks

This card easy to put together. Just match up the two circles insert the 5 Petal punched flower in the top. I marked two small dots at the top and used my cropadile to punch through all 3 layers and then put the ribbon through and tied into a bow!

Wonderful RAK's ...What fun!

I received this fun Easter treat from my Stampin Sis Heidi Fleetwood..YES the one and only...she has not been blogging for a while, but like we all know...those stamps just keep a calling and she is now blogging with her good stampin friend Carol. They are sharing a blog and boy are they posting some of the best out there! Make sure to go visit them at Our Little Inspiration.

(it was a struggle of will power not to eat the chocolate before this picture was taken Heidi!) thanks for the sweet surprise and I feel so excited to have reconnected..it was way too long!

Heidi made this card too...again with her usual eye for detail. An embossed basket full of eggs (using glossy embossing paste for a 3D effect on the eggs, copper embossed and highlighted basket and some fun little silky grass. You can find her description HERE.

Miss Libby sent me this card from her From Courtney's Closet Inspiration Challenge. It is even cuter in real life (IRL)! Both kitties are paper pieced as well as the balloons. Even the little orange cheeks are paper pieces! Nice sewing on this card too...I have to try that again. Thanks Libby...I have really enjoyed this card! You can see her description HERE.
This card is from one of my longest known stamping friends, Sally Hatcher. I met her on the Mid West Stampers yahoo group, we migrated to the House Mouse and the now defunct Best of House Mouse yahoo groups and now we belong to a sort of combined yahoo group named Stampers United. Whew...that's a lot of traveling...but we still keep in contact. I have so enjoyed all of Sally's creations through all these groups...Hi Sally!
Last but not least, I received this wonderful Happy Hopper card in a swap from Karyn Hick from Canada. She also is a "newer" member of the Stamper United yahoo group. I can only imagine what this lil' bunny is telling this froggy! Thanks Karyn...this bunny is so sweet!

3 Clover's Thursday Challenge #8-Color Challenge

I am home from my Mini Vacation and missing the sunshine of Arizona already. Darn it was nice there! I went down to visit some family for a few days and the weather and the visit was perfecto! Wish I could have stayed longer...isn't that how a vacation always works?

I whipped up this card tonight, after rejecting the first card I made...strange, but this card came to me in a dream...I'll take inspiration wherever it comes from!

The challenge over at Kerry's 3 Clovers Designs Thursday Challenge this week is a color challenge. Use So Saffron, Rose Red and Always Artichoke. Now, I was out of Rose Red so I used Regal Rose. I guess that is as close as I could get on this one!

This turned out to be pretty much a Stampin Up card. I used my new SU! sizzlit named Little Leaves. I used a couple of Paper Shaper punches for the flowers and the centers . I used the ball at the end of my embossing tool to shape the little flowers and the center and then stuck them together with glue dots. I also used some of my new Sweet Slumber Designer DP with the wonderful texture like Parisian Breeze has.

I didn't get this done early enough to submit to Kerry, but make sure to go visit and join in this week's challenge!

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Stamps: Misc Unmounted Sentiment

Cardstock: Sweet Slumber Specialty paper (pg 158 SU! catalogue) So Saffron, Regal Rose, Always Artichoke

Ink: Always Artichoke

Misc: SU Sizzlit Little Leaves (page 200), glue dots, Paper Shaper punches, Nestability swirly frame(that's what I call it) and little tags...darn if I can ever remember the official names of these nesties. SU! Rose ribbon

Valentine Star Mini Album Tutorial

Okay! I have had so many crafters ask me how I made this book that I am going to show some pictures...I really took these pictures for my own memory and although they are not all the way complete,(I got sidetracked during some of the steps) I think they will give you the idea. Many of you have requested directions on how to make this mini album as they want to make one for Mother's Day...what a great idea! Can you believe this design came to me while I was dreaming one night!? Wish I had more dreams like that...

I googled "how to make a star album" and found this site. Ohhh...what inspiration...tons of great ideas and also I see they have recently added the elusive waterfall mini album directions too. Oh go browse...tons of fun. I think this would be fun in an Egg shape for Easter.

Without any more chatter I will jump into the explanation of the photo's I took...now I missed a few steps here and there...but I will explain as I go through the pictures.

What you will need:

Heart Nestabilities
I used the following:

(cut 5 sets each- cut these on the fold-see pictures)

1- Red heart was the largest scallop heart... measures about 4 1/2 inches across
2-White heart was the second plain heart in the set...measures 3 1/2 " across
3-Black scalloped heart (4th in the set) measures about 2 1/4 across

4-Silver heart (5th in set) measures about 1 5/8 across-(Cut 10 individual hearts of this size)

Cardstock
5 pieces of red cardstock cut approx size 5 x10-score in half
5 pieces of white cardstock cut approx size 4 x 8-score in half
5 pieces of black cardstock cut approx size 3 x 6
10 small pieces of silver cardstock cut approx 2 x 2 ( I just used one big piece of silver)


Misc
misc embellishments
18" of ribbon and a heart clip to hold the star album open
Ribbon clasp for final closure(see top picture for what I used)
ATG gun adhesive, sticky strip or some other STRONG sticky...tombow will not be strong enough to hold this together.
Glue dots
Several of your favorite cuttlebug folders. I used the swirly one for the red, swiss dots for the white and the one that looks like house siding (LOL) for the black. You could use whichever ones you like best.

Cut your cardstock and score the red, white and black cardstock in half.

Fold cardstock in half and tape the nestie in place so it would not move. Place so that the nestie hangs barely off the edge of the folded cardstock.(see picture below) You will cut 5 red, 5 white and 5 black. I used repositional tape...I have read you can use blue painters tape also.

Let the nestability hang over the fold so you get a "hinge'.

Texture your cardstock one side at a time, making sure you use the cuttlebug folder the same way on each side.

This is what it looks like when that step is completed.

This picture is of two hinged and folded hearts. You will tape up a heart "real good" and stick them together. Repeat this step for all 5 hinged RED hearts...DO NOT tape the last red heart together.

This is what the first two RED sets look like when they are glued together. Continue with the rest of the red hearts, leaving the last set unglued.

Okay...after here I think I either went to bed, took a pretzel break, or just plain forgot to take anymore pictures until done, so I will have to explain instead.

1-cut and complete your white set
2-cut and complete your black set

With each hinged heart you will use glue dots on the back outer edge of each side of each heart and stick it to the RED hinged heart. I then centered each color on top of the heart below for placement. (this sounds a wee confusing, so it may be easier just to refer to the pictures LOL)

You can tell by the picture below how they will look when attached.

3-cut and decorate each individual silver heart (or 4th layer of hearts). Center and use a strong glue to attach.

4- fold up album and glue the ribbon across the front and around the back. (18 inches) and add your closure. Trim ribbon as needed.

See the clip here? This will hold open the book and allow it to stand open.

Ta-dah....all done!