TA-DAAAA!!

Good afternoon! TA-DAAA--presenting my new blog graphics!!!!Well, do you like my new blog graphics? I lovvvvve them so much--it's fan-tab-u-lous, if I do say so myself. Beth from Freckled Fun Designs did an awesome job with my ideas and making them come to life. I had to have a doggy & kitty in my title since they're such a big part of my life and of course my favorite colors, aqua & choc. brown. Love it!!

I am working on many card orders and Mother's Day gifts today, and not surprisingly I am running behind-lol. So I am just posting some of the monogram cards I made for a friend (6 in a box w/ envies & labels). I just love this Summer Picnic dp from SU--so fun! These are pretty self-explanatory I think. I used my JustRite Monogram stamp (curlz font) to do the monograms--love that gadget!! I got mine at The Stamp Castle--they have everything for monogramming!

Tomorrow I am going to lunch with my "Lunch Bunch" frenz, which I am looking forward to--its always nice to break out of my craft room & have some human connections (hehe). I might post or I might not tomorrow. I have to run to the mall & Target after the kids get home to get those last minute items before we leave for FL on Friday. The kids suitcases are packed and most of the laundry is done and lists are made :) Slowly, but surely I will be ready (I hope)!!

Until then... Suzanne

Monogram cards-SU summer picnic dp & solid cs, JustRite monogram curlz font, SU inks

Simplicity

Hello again! Today's word of the day is "simplicity". I am in need of some simplicity in my life--lol. It seems we're always rushing around, on-the-go, busy, busy....I'm sure you can relate. Our Disney trip is going to be a nice break from all of that, although we still have a "tiny" schedule. You can't go to Disney w/o preparation and planning, I think (my dear hubby thinks I'm insane)--I have all of our reservations done and everything mapped out on my Outlook calendar by time and events. Of which I have 2 copies of--1 laminated and cut out by day for our backpack so we always know where we need to be. I know, I know--I can't totally let go of my scheduling (that's just how I'm wired) and I like to have a plan--I feel lost when I don't have a plan. Or as my hubby says, I am totally not spontaneous--LOL!! But at least you're having lotsa fun in Disney and I'm not living by the time clock (as much). Anyhoo, I'm looking forward to the sun & fun in Florida for 10 days--then back to the real world, right?

I made these 2 cards with "simplicity" in mind--they are quick to pull together and fun to do. The first card I had seen on Oodabug Alley's blog and just loved the simplicity of the card--so fresh & springy, so I decided to CASE it in my own way. The stamp sets,paper & ink are from SU, the ribbon from PTI summer sunrise and the small pearls are from Hero Arts. Very quick to do and they make such nice gift sets (of which I'm making 3). The second card I actually made for my Pink Cat Studio group challenge. Just 3 strips of pattern paper, sentiment and stamp--easy as pie. This stamp is from the new "Billy" set from Pink Cat Studio--I just love it. I'm trying to increase my "boy" stamps & supplies since I have so much girly stuff. I made both of these cards in 30 mins--a record time for me! I have to make more cards like this!

Well, I hope you liked my versions of "simplicity" today, and I hope you find some in your day-to-day life too. See you tomorrow--

Suzanne

Thanks card--SU stamp sets (Live Your Dream, Garden Silhouettes), SU paper & inks, Hero Arts pearls, PTI ribbon

Billy Card--Pink Cat Studio "Billy" stamp set, Bazzill grey cs, Fiskars Mat Stack pp, Copics, SU craft paper

Survival

Good evening everyone! Well, I survived the 6th grade dance and slumber party--although the girls are probably feeling pretty rough right about now since they were up to almost 4 am. Early to bed for my daughter tonight (and me too-lol)!! But they had fun and that's what birthdays are all about.

I got my new stamps from High Hopes Stamps (yeh, yeh I hear ya', I'm always getting new stuff--it's an addiction I say)!! I discovered these stamps on a blog that features Magnolia stamps and had to check them out--well lo' & behold I wanted them all! I will continue to add on to my collection because they are so stinkin' cute! You must check them out!! Anyhow, some of the boy stamps I ordered reminded me so much of my son, Riley. Some of the stamps are even named "Riley"--co-inky-dink--don't think so :) I ordered a bunch of the boy stamps (fishin', cowboy, farm and these 2) because I seem to be lacking in the "boy" stamp dept.

My son should've been born on a farm--he is a true country boy at heart. He loves to play in the woods, get dirty and find various animals & present them to me (ewww). He has loved Crocodile Hunter since he was very small (and cried buckets when he died), so I knew I had to get this safari stamp. He also loves frogs, lizards & turtles (I prefer furry animals, myself). This card I added some dirt (ink) because you can't have a boy w/o dirt & grime--lol. I also faded (w/my Copic blender pen) his overalls and added a knee patch, because my son always has holes in the knees of his jeans!!

He also has had a tremendous passion for the Civil War since he was 5 too--his room is "civil war" and we have visited various battlefields over the years. If I could only find a cute civil war stamp--let me know if you ever see one!! I always say he was born to love the Civil War because he was born on Lincoln's Bday (another co-inky-dink)!

Getting on with it, I just love these stamps and hope you like the cards I made with them. I'm sure I will have more with these stamps, real soon...

Hope you are all having a "fan-tab-u-lous" weekend!

Suzanne

Safari card- SU solid paper, High Hopes stamps, Copics, brads

Froggy card-SU solid paper, SU east coast prep pp, Copics, Adirondack espresso ink

Margaritaville

Hello everyone! Sorry I was MIA yesterday--too many things to get done & not enough time. I read a quote from someone (don't remember who) that said she'd add 3 more hours on the day, not to accomplish anything but just to relax--sounds like a grand idea to me :)

Tonight I am chaperoning my daughter Alexa's 6th grade dance and then she's having 4 girls over for a slumber party--yeehaw for me!! I'll be working late in my craft room trying to catch up on projects & challenges.

The first card is my entry for The Cat's Pajama's challenge/contest. The theme was to make something with "Jimmy Buffet" in mind using their stamps. Now granted I like his music, but it's not like I'm a parrot head or anything, but I do like a good margarita in the summertime. My card's theme is "Floating Away in Margaritaville"--more suitable than "wasted away...", so I changed it, don't think he'll mind!! I decided to make a margarita template and have my "Sprinkle" (the cat) floating in the glass--her bubba "the dog" is resting below (I think he had too much & needs to lay down--lol). I cuttlebug embossed the cardstock base (SU cool caribbean) and used a sparkly DCWV pp for the bottom half. And of course they had to be sparkly--the margarita, glass & animals are all stickled!! Just looking at it gets me in the mood for some guacomole & nachos & a nice cold margarita!! Not tonight though-lol :)

The second picture is of the party favor bags I made for Alexa's friends who are celebrating her 12th birthday tonight (there are 4 bags, but 1 didn't fit in the picture). They're filled with scented "spa" items. Since her invitations had "Jammybella" we decided to use "Cupcakeabella" for the bags from Stamping Bella. I just used scrap papers for the bags and stamped them with a small cupcake stamp from Inkadinkado w/ versamark ink. Just a fun favor for "tween" girls!

Pray for my "head" tonight--because I know my house will be loud with 5 girls running around--lol! Hope you have a great Friday night--maybe some of you will be floating away in "margaritaville"-ha ha!!!

Suzanne

Margaritaville--The Cat's Pajamas stamps, Staz-on ink, stickles, DCWV pp, SU solid paper, cuttlebug embossing folderFavor bags--Stamping Bella "Cupcakeabella" stamp, stickles, Inkadinkadoo cupcake stamp, nestabilities, Copics

Quickies :)

Good afternoon crafters! This post will not be overly long or overly creative. I've been on a field trip today with 100 4th graders to Harpers Ferry, WV and my head is killing me. Sitting on a bus with very loud 10 yr olds and having a sinus infection--NOT GOOD!! What I really need is a long, QUIET bath with wine & chocolate (yeah--like thats going to happen--haha)! At least the weather is nice (75 deg & sunny)!

I actually made this Bella card yesterday, knowing that my creative "mojo" juices would not be in the best of shape today. This is "Huggybellas" from Stamping Bella and the paper is all from Paper Trey Inks March release (Berry sorbet & Sweet blush)--the colors are so soft & pretty. I wanted to do a monochromatic card to change it up a bit. The one bella's shirt is paper pieced with PTI Pinks pp. Of course there is bling (stickles) involved on the shoes, hairbands and dress--gotta have some sparkle ya know. The dots in the corners are Liquid Pearls in pink and the sentiment is from 2 Hanna's stamps combined (this set is great--lots of mix & matches, lotsa combos). I used the Nestabilities also--gotta love those! I need the oval set of nesties, I have the circles & squares--another want on the "need" list :)

The second pic is just an assortment of monogram cards I make and sell in sets of 6 or 12 (obviously with a monogram on them). They come in a decorative box with labels & envies. Thought you might like to see them--the papers are from (l to r) Paper Trey Ink, Serendipity & BoBunny. I got some new stamps in the mail today (more Magnolias--yeh!!) so I'll be playing with them soon. I'll be posting my submission for The Cat's Pajamas contest this week to share with you all too. Next Friday we're off to Disney, so there will be no posting for 10 days (aghast)--I'll have alot to catching up to do, but am definitely looking forward to the time off!! Alrighty, I'm outta here--
Enjoy the day,

Suzanne

Bella card- PTI papers, inks, Stamping Bella stamp, Hanna's stamps sentiments, stickles, liquid pearls, signo pen, nestabilities, Copics

Monograms-nestabilities, Serendipity, BoBunny & PTI pp, SU solids

Friendly Envelopes

Good Morning Friends! (**I'm not sure why the date still says Monday, but this was posted today, Tuesday the 22nd**) I am feeling a "tiny" bit better after a fairly good nite's sleep. Hopefully my "mojo" will be returning and I will get some things finished up. I am trying to cut back on my Cherry Coke intake, but it's not working out so well--I have no willpower--especially when I don't feel well & need the extra "boost" :)


I need to be better by Friday, which is my daughter Alexa's 12th birthday. She's in 6th grade (thinks she's in 12th grade-ha ha) and her Spring Fling dance falls on Friday too. Lucky girl that she is, Mom is chaperoning again (she's not thrilled to say the least). My only hope is that they don't stick me by the speakers again or I might pass out from a migraine (now I know I'm old--right)!! Afterwards she's having 4 girls for a sleepover (lord help me again) or in other terms, a girly "scream-fest"!! I'm not sure what we're doing for dinner yet, but it will be easy & quick. I'm sure I will be up late in the craft room trying to ignore the noise from the basement (yeh right). I still haven't finished buying her gifts or made her card yet (you know that saying about the shoemaker & his kids--that's me--make cards for everyone but my family). It's only Tuesday, so I still have time....

Anyhoo, I made these cute, quick invites for her party with the JammyBella from Stamping Bella. They are made with 3 x 3 envelopes and the inside invite just slides out. I used to make these a long time ago, but was reminded of them again when I visited Angie Juda's website last week--I remembered how quick they come together and how easy they are. Visit her website for a tutorial--she's the best at those tutorials, I swear. The second pictures are another envelope card measuring 4x6--that's what's so great, you can use any size envelope and just re-size the insert. This card was made with pp from Rusty Pickle (Chocolate Bunnies), SU Close to Cocoa solid paper & SU sentiment (Delight in Life set). They are just a great way to make notecards & invites.

Ok, long enough post for you I'm sure & I need to take my sinus medicine so I can get things done today (hoping). Hope you have a great "crafty" day---

Suzanne


JammyBella-Stamping Bella stamp, Michaels ribbon, Bazzill solid paper, Copics, stickles
Delight in Life-SU stamps, Rusty Pickle pp, Michaels ribbon, SU close to cocoa paper & ink, bashful blue SU ink

Monday, Monday

Ahh, a nice rainy Monday--you know how much I love Monday's--NOT! Especially when it has stormed and rained for the past 2 days--yuck. Not to mention that I am battling a nasty sinus infection. This is my favorite time of year for sure, but spring allergies are not my friend. If you live in this part of the East Coast ya' know what I mean--high pollen counts, not fun. The weathermen say that the rain helps, but I don't think so--my allergies are always worse with the rain. All right, moving on...

I did not get my niece Taylor's album done in time for her party, but I am in the process of finishing it. I didn't want to rush it & I wanted it to be perfect. She won't know anyway--she's only 1. I'm adding a picture of her from her party--isn't she just a cutie. You'd never know she was born premature--she caught up fast. Almost makes me want another one, but not--I'll just borrow her when I get the urge. My nest is done, no more kiddies for me. (My husband says "thank you god"--lol)

The card today is another Magnolia--don't ya' just love them. I thought this was a cute, springy birthday card (I made a similar one for my niece). She's colored with Copics and accented with my white signo pen. Her wings and the "Happy Birthday" are decorated in stickles and the balloons were coated with Diamond Glaze (2 coats). The pp is from Imaginisce's For Peep's Sake line--love the colors in it. If you like these stamps, head over to the website, they just added new summer stamps (gotta have them for sure). I ordered some of the animals and boy stamps this time. They're so much fun to color and use on cards and I had lots of girls, needed some boy stamps.

I will have 2 new projects for everyone tomorrow. I am finishing them up tonight--my sinus infection is slowing me down & dampening my "mojo" for sure--not even my Cherry Coke is helping right now :( Hope the weather is better where you are.

Happy Stamping!

Suzanne

Magnolia stamp, SU birthday sentiment (retired), stickles, JudiKens Diamond Glaze, Nestabilities, Imaginisce pp, SU solid papers, Copics, signo pen, Prima flowers, MM brad, Michaels ribbon

Early Bird

Happy Afternoon everyone! It's another be-u-tiful spring day here--I love it! I took my dogs for a walk down to the creek and then had my lunch outside, doesn't get much better than that. I'm still working on my niece's scrapbook (when will I ever be done...), but I took just a tiny (very small) window of time to play with my new stuff that came from Paper Trey Ink. I just couldn't resist it sitting there on my desk, tempting me to play (and I had promised you a project when it came, and I can't break a promise--hehehe). I had found a tutorial on a blog for making gift card holders and I was waiting for the right time to make one. This spurred me into making an early Father's Day gift. I love the new Pond Life stamp set from PTI, its so versatile for everyone. This project was super easy to make, you could whip these out in no time--I knows it :)!! You can find the tutorial at Stamping With Roxy's blog. I used the new paper, ribbon & stamp set from PTI (Summer Sunrise paper, Father Knows Best pp, Pond Life stamp set). The background stamp is from SU's Baroque Motifs stamped in PTI's summer sunrise ink. I popped both the sentiment and the duck up with dimensionals. I used SU's pastel chalks to blend the background in, so the paper didn't look so white. Like I said, quick & easy! Try one out!

Well, back to my scrapbook project. I'm going out for a girl's nite so I need to get as much finished as possible. I'm sure I'll be up until 2 am--and don't be shocked--I've been on forums that late & seen some of you there, come on & admit it, I'm not the only one!!! As long as I have my supply of Cherry Coke to sustain me (& a shout-out to my bff Robin for bringing me more Cherry Coke the other day--what a great enabler!!)

See ya tomorrow--maybe...

Suzanne

Paper Trey Ink ribbon, solid & pp paper, ink & stamps; SU's close to cocoa paper, pastels, baroque motifs

Dyno-Mite

Good afternoon everyone! I'm Baaaaaaaaack!! I have a really quick card for you today--it's fun & super-easy to make. I think it would make a great invitation for a kid's birthday party, but today I made it just a birthday card. The tutorial for this triangular fold card is on the Scor-Pal website; even if you don't have a scor-pal you will still be able to follow the directions. If you haven't been on their website, you're missing out on some great projects--they have tons--so get your buns on over there!! The stamp on this card is from Whipper Snapper Designs--have I told ya how much I love their stamps (ok, I know just a few times right..). This is one of their many dinosaur stamps (I have 3) and the sentiment is too. I think they are just cutie-pie delicious and great for kids. I colored the dino with my PrismaColor pencils and blended with gamsol--a really fun technique if you haven't tried it. Gamsol is an odorless mineral spirit that you apply onto a paper stump (a rolled-paper pencil for blending). It's really easy to do and to control the amount of color you want. Inky Antics has these supplies if you're interested in them (no, I don't work for any of these companies & I don't get commission--I wish I did though, cuz' it would save me money--lol)!! I used my nestabilities to cut the scallop circles out and embossed the blue with my cuttlebug folder and popped them up with dimensionals. And there is stickles involved of course!! The inside is just layered cardstock, stamped sentiment and punched balloons, accented with my signo white pen. (Paper Trey Ink has nestabilities if you're interested in knowing what they are or ordering them).

Well, back to work on my baby scrapbook--I've gotta get it done by tomorrow night (looks like another late couple of nights for me). Hope you enjoyed the card!
Night to all,
Suzanne

Whipper Snapper stamps, SU solid paper, Imaginisce pp, Prismacolor pencils, gamsol, Michaels ribbon, cuttlebug emboss folder, nestabilities, balloon punch, signo pen

M.I.A.

Just a quick post to let everyone know I'm alive & well, just MIA!! I've been busy finishing up swaps, card sets, gifts and getting ready for my craft & card classes this week (and clean, take care of kids/animals, cook & other many errands)--ya know the stuff that HAS to get done--unlike showering, shopping & eating..ha ha:). I've finished most of my chores, but I'm still working on my niece's 1st year scrapbook which I have to have done by Sat. because that's her party (almost done)--I'll post pics of it after its finished. I promise, promise to post a new card/project tomorrow--something different, something fun that's for sure!

See ya tomorrow!
Suzanne

PS--If you haven't checked out Paper Trey Ink's new April releases...get on over there. They are fab-u-lous (great new colors and stamp sets). When my order comes in, I'll make some things to share (cuz' ya know I had to order more new stuff). I'm an addict I tell ya'!!!!

Horsin' Around

Hi again stampers! Hope your weekend has been fab. Sunday is always kinda sad for me, because I know Monday will be here (& I hate Mondays). My hubby comes home tonight so I'm thankful for that & back to work for him (no more golf--awwww)! The kids and I went to dinner last night and decided to have Movie Nite at home. We watched "Nancy Drew" & it was pretty good--I read all those books when I was young & loved them. Our spring weather has disappeared and been replaced with dreariness and cold--yuck--just in time for Monday, what a treat :(

I had mentioned before that I had ordered a bunch of Magnolia stamps and just love them. When I got the 3 stamps I used in the card above, I knew I had to make a barn card for Tilda & her horse. The idea came quick, however the execution of my idea took much longer, but I'm happy with the results. I stamped out Tilda, her horse and the hay bale on PTI white cardstock (the best for stamping in my lowly opinion) & then colored them with my Copics;then they were cut out. I made a barn template and transferred the design to barn red cardstock by Bazzill & cut that out, pop-dotted the roof & cut out the window. The background of the barn is a stamp by CC Designs (Big Ol' Backgrounds-stripes) & it's inked with Adirondack espresso (love those inks--great for non-bleeding with your Copics). The horse saying I had heard a long time ago, and thought it was fitting. I printed it out on my computer and then added a heart. Tilda, hay bale & horse are all pop dotted too. I'm quite pleased with it---hope you like it too. Alexa l(my dd) loves horses and has claimed this card as her own, so I might have to make another.

I hope everyone got some stampin' time this weekend. See you tomorrow!

Suzanne

Just a side note-I've had quite a few people ask where I get my stickles & liquid pearls. I used to get them at our Recollections until, sadly they closed. I now get them from All That Scraps - they have a great selection of both.

Bazzill solid papers, PTI white cardstock, Copics, dimensionals, Adirondack espresso ink, CC Designs stripe background, Magnolia Tilda stamps

Bella Coaster Set w/ Bling!!

Hi everybody! Hope you're having a good weekend so far. Only one more day until my hubby gets home from GA, so no more cereal for dinner for me--lol! I never cook when he's gone, so it's been a frozen pizza & waffle week for me--yum yum! Although I did venture out last night for "Comedy Nite" with some friends, I had some great laughs & more importantly, REAL food!!

I promise I am keeping this post short, because I need to get out of my jammies and get ready to take the kids to the movies and dinner (don't think they want their mom to go out in jam jams,with her hair looking witchy like--although I do like to embarrass my pre-teen occasionally, just for my own chuckles :).

I made this Stamping Bella Coaster set for a friend of mine, as a hostess gift for a lunch she's having. I will make the matching card, but haven't gotten to that yet. The box was made with my Cricut and the Bags,Boxes, Tags & More cartride (too great to describe). I made 4 coasters to go inside with "winobella" and each bella has a different colored dress and some bling (come on ya'll--you know that means my fave--stickles)!! I will modgepodge them when the ink has dried overnight--otherwise it will bleed. The paper is from Imaginisce and its called Black Tie Optional--love it--black & white are my fave combos (I'll post a picture of my zebra purse & shoes to prove that point)!! The front actually has my initial monogram on it, but I will switch that out with hers, once I find out her middle initial. The inital monogram was made with the new Just Rite DIY Monogram kit--check it out over at The Stamp Castle. You can customize it with different letters, numbers, words, borders & fonts--lovin' it too! You can also change the ink to any color with the empty inker, just fill it with your fave ink--I know you'll want to order it too, just you wait!!

Just too cute--I might have to make more of these for gifts & one for myself!!

Well, I'm off to get dressed & join the civilized world (I wish we could wear jammies all the time). Have a great crafty weekend!

Suzanne

Imaginisce Black Tie Option pp, coasters from restaurant supply store, Stamping Bella stamps, stickles, Copics, Marvy punches, Just Rite DIY monogram stamp, modgepodge

New Stuff, More Shopping...

Hello everyone! It's another beautiful spring day here in VA- & its Friday-yeahhhhh! I have the windows open and the fresh air is blowing in (and my dogs barks are blowing out!). I am looking forward to some time off this weekend--no plans, just wingin' it with the kids. They want to go see Nim's Island so we'll do that and maybe some shopping for summer clothes (because like always, nothing fits them from last year).

In case you're interested in doing some internet shopping head over to Stamping Bella --she is releasing some new stamps this weekend. And check out Melissa's blog at Pink Cat Studio & Paper Trey Ink's blog--both have teasers of new stamps & things on their blogs. PTI has new colors out April 15th and they are be-u-tiful--I will surely be ordering them! I'm always up for shopping, especially if I can do it at my desk w/ my jammies on!!

I have two more cards for you today. I actually made these last night, when I should have been in bed. I knew with my craft class today, I wouldn't have time to make something, so I stayed up to finish these just for you:). The first card is made with some new stamps I've had, and hadn't had the chance to ink up. The stamps are from Innovative Stamp Creations - they come on a sheet, quite a few, and you must cut them & mount them. They have alot of nature stamps & they are really quite beautiful. I cut the butterfly out and colored it w/ my Copics then applied 3 coats of Diamond Glaze to it so it was shiny & bendable. The rub-ons behind the butterfly are from Fancy Pants Designs. I stamped SU soft sky with the Baroque Motifs stamp set and then layered more SU cardstock on top. The sentiment is from SU too. I think its a really elegant & unique card--different from the cutesier (is that a word?) stuff I usually do.

The second card is made with another new stamp set (yes, I know I have alot of new stuff) from CC Designs called Cleaning Queenie (I got mine from All That Scraps ). We all have to clean and most of us (at least me) hate it! I made this card w/ a magnet on the back so someone could hang it on the fridge to remind the family of their thoughts on "cleaning". I paper pieced her shirt and rag with pp from Michaels and she's colored with my Copics. I gave her just a little bling (stickles) for earrings and hair band--we all gotta have some bling!! Hope you like it!

Hope ya have a great weekend and do lots of relaxing & crafting! Suzanne

Butterfly- Innovative Stamp Creations, SU solid paper, Michaels ribbon, Fancy Pants Designs rubons, SU baroque motifs & elegant greetings sentiment, diamond glaze

Cleaning Queenie by CC Designs, Michaels pp, SS solid paper, stickles, Michaels ribbon, brads by Provo Craft

Busy, Busy Bee

Hello again! Today will be a short post because I have alot to get done today (as always, right), and I know I can be long-winded sometimes. Do you ever wish that your to-do list would just disappear for awhile? Maybe just fly out the window, with no repercussions...ahh to dream! Even on vacation I seem to have to-do lists floating around in my head. We're going to Disney World for 10 days in May and I'm already thinking about all the things I won't get done & will be behind on--no rest for the weary they say.

Anyhow, the first card is another "bella" card (Flowabella) that I've made for a swap I'm doing for the Bellaholics Anonymous group I'm in (yes, there are other bella addicts out there besides myself, surprising I know). I made a couple variations of this card for the few people I have to trade with--our theme this month was "April Flowers"--I love to paper piece my bellas & have their outfits match the pp (pattern paper) and of course I added some stickles on the flowers.

The last card made with a new clear set from Inkadinkado, called Birthday Cupcake. I'm not a big cake eater (I have many other vices instead, like soda & chocolate), but I think cupcakes are so cute & my kids like them alot too. I decided to make this card with soft colors, I find myself reaching for brighter colors all the time, so I wanted to do something different. This paper is from K&Company (Brenda Walton) and I loved the soft, pastel colors. The sprinkles on the cupcake are dotted with Liquid Pearls in Pink and some clear stickles.

All right, I have to prepare for my class tomorrow. I'm having a "Mother's Day" craft class tomorrow to make gifts and cards--I have them once a month for girls age 8 & up. My kids have off of school tomorrow, so I thought it would be a good day to hold the class so we can play this weekend while the hubby is gone (just lunch, movies & maybe some shopping). Ahh shopping, but that's another post on another day-ha ha!! Was I long winded again? Oh well, I tried :)

Happy Crafting! Suzanne

Bella card--Stamping Bella, K&Company pp, SU solid paper, Prima flowers, stickles, Copics, dew drops

Cupcake stamp by Inkadinkado, Liquid Pearls in Pink, PTI ribbon, K&Company pp, SU solids, copics, swiss dot cuttlebug folder

Light Hearted

Hello fellow Stamp-Addicts! It's finally a lovely, spring day here in VA--gives me more energy I think when the weather is nice (means I can drink less Cherry Coke-haha). I wanted to make a fun kid's birthday card today, something lighthearted. I love these stamps from Whipper Snapper Designs--I don't think I've said anything about them before, but they are great (I can repeat myself many times, you'll see). They have such a great selection of "critter" stamps and I think their faces are adorable. I used my Copics again today. Sherrie's Card Creme blog has 2 great tutorials to watch on shading/blending with Copics--gave me some good tips and hopefully my shading is improving :)

Does the spring weather energize you? I feel like I'm reborn when it gets warm again--I hate the cold more and more every year. Someday, I will live where its warm all the time, at least that's my dream. Warm weather makes me want to use brighter colors and do more lighthearted & fun papercrafts. My other card for the day is a "bella", latte bella to be exact. As you know I really love my "bellas" from Stamping Bellas (see me repeating again)! Even though I don't drink lattes or coffee (yuck)--I think she's just a fun image to play with. I like to drink hot cocoa so I'll pretend that's what she is drinking. I need a bella image that is behind a disastrous, messy desk with crafting supplies all over and many open Coke cans surrounding her(and her many pets scattered about)--now that would be my bella image. Not very glamorous or fantabulous, but oh so true!!

Well, that's all for me now, time to cook dinner and get the kid's homework done (by them, not me). Happy Crafting!

Bella Card--Stamping Bella, Prima flowers, Michaels ribbon, MM brads, Copics, stickles, Basic Grey 'sultry' pp, SU solids

Turtle Card-Whipper Snapper turtle/frog stamp, Michaels ribbon, MM brads, SU sentiment, Copics, SU solids, Scrapbook Wizard pp

Trying Something New

Good afternoon stampers! I am here again, with something new (at least new for me). I have been inspired by others (blogs) who are going small, small, small. They are called "inchies"--images, stamps or projects that are only an inch or two. I think they are just so fun to play with--not to mention a little challenging after working on projects that are 5x the size. Less is more, so they say... These images are from Inky Antics--smaller versions of some of their other critter stamps. I think these cards would be great as gift tags, especially on kids presents. It's a tiny, jewel in itself. Of course, they all have some bling and shine--what else!! The top card is larger (4 x 4),but the bug image is only 1 & 1/2 inches, the lower cards measure 2" in total. Just a couple of different ways to incorporate "inchies". Ellen Hutson has some great "inchies" or small stamps on her website too--make sure to check them out. It's always fun to challenge yourself with something new!

I will have extra time in my craft room this week, as my lovin' hubby is in GA for the week to see the Master's Golf Tournament. He says it's work, but I don't quite believe all that...:)--golfing, eating and hanging out sounds like a little "vacay" to me. My office is our home, so I never get to leave, as I'm sure many of you can relate. Sometimes you just want to get away--from the neverending laundry, needy children (& animals), a to-do list a mile long, and chauffering everyone around constantly. Getting away by myself just doesn't happen for me--one day maybe, we'll see... Well enough whining I say and back to work as usual!

Happy Crafting--See ya around & try out some "inchies".

Suzanne

Inky Antics stamps-Critter Conversations & Buggy Friends, stickles in crystal, solid papers are DCWV, pp is Basic Grey, Copic sketch markers, Club Scrap brads, Michaels ribbon, dimensionals & punches by SU

Childhood Memories

Good afternoon everyone! Sorry I was away from the computer (that I seem to be attached to) this weekend. We spent it with our friends who were visiting from CA. We braved the non-springlike weather (cold & rainy) to visit Mt. Vernon. The kids seemed to only want to holler about eating and visiting the gift shop (what's new, right). But we had fun catching up and the visit was definitely too short.

I received in the mail 2 "presents" today that got me thinking about my childhood (how long ago was that-haha). First came my Magnolia stamps from the Netherlands. I had fallen in love with these stamps when I'd first seen them on someone's blog (don't remember whose). It took 2 weeks to receive them and the shipping wasn't any worse than the US companies. This girls name is Tilda w/ flower basket and she totally reminds me of Holly Hobby. Do you remember Holly Hobby? I loved her when I was little; my bedroom and lunch box were devoted to her. She's just so cute & innocent, just like these Magnolia stamps.

The second present (I say this term loosely) that came today were my new Copic sketch markers. I have seen & heard magnificent things done with these markers. What appealed to me was the fact that you can replace the tips and refill them--makes them worth the expense (serious moulah $$). I used them today for my Tilda card, hopefully I will get more skilled with the blending and shading over time. I just love to color and I have since I was a child. Nothing was more exciting then sneaking down Christmas morning to grab my stocking and opening my brand new 72 box of Crayola Crayons!! I loved them so much and I always got a couple of coloring books to go with them. I would stay up all night waiting for Christmas morning, just coloring away--there was just nothing better to me. I still love to color and I still love the smell of Crayola crayons, except now my coloring has moved up to colored pencils, watercolors and markers, but the feeling is the same. Ahhh childhood, some things just take you back, ya' know. I got my Copics from Dick Blick's (best deal at the time)--I encourage you to check them out.

Anyhoo, enough about my past. Hope you enjoy this card (and look, no stickles this time)--I'm sure you'll see more Magnolia images in the future.

Happy Stamping---Suzanne

Magnolia stamps, SU sentiment, Copic markers, Paper Trey Ink ribbon, dew drops, Prima flowers, Basic Grey 'sultry' paper & rub-on

Girl Fun

Good morning everyone! It surely was a late evening for me--I went to bed around 1 am and got up at 6:30 am (definitely not enough sleep for me). I will be dragging butt today. This will probably be my last post until Monday because we have friends coming in from California tomorrow for the weekend- so no craft room for me :( .

I hope you like these cards I made yesterday. They were really fun to make. These stamps are from Pink Cat Studio and the girl's name is Lily, her bird friend is Tweet. I think she is so cute! The first one took me the longest to make. I had bought this purple floral paper awhile ago, and really wanted to use it (from Die Cuts With a View). I love the color combo of lilac and soft sky. I watercolored with my aqua painter using the tops of my SU inkpads. I wanted Lily to be soft and pastel. Of course both cards have lots of bling (stickles)--I love cards with sparkle--so fun!

And what fun I had coloring glamorous Lily and making her dress leopard print w/ my SU markers. I love animal print, especially zebra & leopard (but only the fake stuff)! I think she's just fab-u-lush!!! This card was fairly quick to put together. The hardest part was making the belt, not really hard but time consuming I guess. The leopard paper is from Making Memories. I'm going to have to search out more animal print paper soon--love it!

Don't forget to check out All That Scraps today for the new stamps by CC Designs--so cute. I already ordered my new sets--can't wait to play with those. Make sure you check out the design teams projects made with the new stamps--excellent--especially Laura Meader's.

That's all for me today--lots to get done. I hope everyone has a great weekend and Happy Stamping!!

Suzanne

SU Solid papers & markers, stickles

Late Night

It's a very late night for me. I have been an insomniac this week, not sure why, maybe just stress. Gives me extra time in the craft room, that's for sure. I have some fab-u-lous cards that I will post tomorrow with stamps from Pink Cat Studio (just lovin' on them right now). I am posting a "stamping bella" card tonight that I think turned out well (her popcorn is puffed with liquid applique). Don't we all just wanna hang out in our jammies, watching sappy, romantic comedies and eating lots of chocolate--yeah!!! I thought this card was perfect for that, even if we don't get those days very often, if at all (we can dream though :D)!! By the way, her bella name is "PMSaBella"--LOL!!

That's all for me tonight--hopefully you will be resting better than me! Don't forget to check out All That Scraps tomorrow for the new releases by CC Designs--I can't wait to order the new stamps, especially Queenie (the queen of clean).

Nite everyone!

Bo Bunny pattern paper, SU solids, stickles, liquid applique, SU markers, glitter markers, MM brads, Stamping Bella stamps, cuttlebug emboss "swiss dot" folder

Sweet Stuff

Good evening! I didn't get to post yesterday, because it was "one" of "those" days (not to mention Aprils Fools day--guess who was the fool-he he). You know when you have those kinda days where your butt should probably never left the bed (but it has to because you have kids who can't get ready w/o serious coaxing and animals that don't like to wait for your slow self)!! Starting off my morning I burnt my hand on the toaster, not once but twice, because once wasn't good enough, oh no. Following that I was trying on my new dress for a "fancy"(yuck) dinner event and wanted to see how it looked with my shoes and don't ya know I tripped on the carpet and broke the heel off my shoe! Now I need new shoes (usually this is a wonderful thing because I loovvvvvve shoes & purses), but I can't get overly excited about buying "fancy" shoes that I don't wear that often--I'd rather have some cute sandals I've been eyeing at the mall. Then while making dinner I opened a new bottle of soda and it exploded over the entirety of my kitchen--a yucky, sticky mess--that my animals proceeded to track all over the rest of the house (because a dirty kitchen wasn't good enough for them, they needed to spread the mess for fun). I was ready to call it a night by then, but really wanted to finish up a couple of stamping projects; so bravely I proceeded into my craft room. And ya know what, I wasn't in there more than 10 minutes when I spilled my water onto my almost completed project :( --You guessed it--I cleaned up and went to bed. Sometimes you just have to give up the fight :)

I'm proud to say that today has been much better. I had a card class at my house this afternoon and it went well--no accidents, no messes! Here is a new card I made today with my new stamps from Pink Cat Studio -- if you haven't checked them out yet, you really should. Soooo Cute and fun to use and the owner/designer Melissa is so nice (and brilliantly talented). I love ice cream so what could be better? The whipped cream is liquid applique and pretty much everything is glittered up with stickles (my fave ya know). Well off to more stamping--I hope you had a "sweet" day!

Suzanne

SU printed & solid papers, stickles in crystal, liquid applique, Michael's ribbon