Night Out!!

Hello & Happy Tuesday everyone! How's your week going so far? Longing for the weekend yet, hee hee! This weekend kicks off Spring Break for my kids--they will be off until April 14th! I'm not sure if we're doing anything yet, but we'll see. We always try to get down to Washington, DC to see the Cherry Blossoms--so lovely at this time of year! And I can't believe it will be April tomorrow--oh my, where does time fly to? LOL


My daughter turns 13 (UGH, teens?) on the 25th & I've been instructed that she ONLY wants gift cards & a laptop--LOL--not so sure about the last one, but gift cards I can do, hee hee! Guess I can't be trusted to pick out "cool" clothes anymore!! We're going to Baltimore, MD for her birthday weekend to go to the zoo & aquarium--that's what she wanted--and we'll stay 1 nite in a hotel as a treat! Then my birthday is May 3rd and I think I'm going away for a few days with friends to either NYC or to Florida! Either way, I'm a happy camper just to get away for a little break! Hubby gave me my birthday gift already & it was tickets to see Elton John & Billy Joel in concert in July--Woohoo! Cannot wait--love them both so much!!

**BLOG CANDY #3 is still open for those that haven't entered yet until tonight at midnite(EST) right HERE!!***

Well, today is another "Try It Out Tuesday" over at Susana's Custom Art & Card Design store blog--Follow Your Heart! I challenged the DT to create a gift set using products from Susana's store--always fun! I based my entire gift set around this fun Lockhart stamp "Night at the Movies"! The dp is from Bo Bunny and the set includes (2) popcorn holders, (1) gift card holder, (1) bundle of Pixie Stix, (1) container of M&M's and (2) wrapped packs of microwave popcorn!

This would make an awesome birthday gift for someone of any age--just include a gift card for movie tix or video rental & you're set!

I used the same Lockhart image that I colored with Copics for each gift! I filled a clear container (bought them in bulk at ClearBags) with M&M's and made a fun belly band for it. I bundled up 7 Pixie Stix and tied them with ribbon. I made a larger belly band for the popcorn packages. The fun Popcorn Containers I got at Target--love them! We have some here at our house & the kids LOVE eating popcorn out of 'em!

This is the front of the gift card holder--I love to make these. You can decorate them in so many ways & super quick & easy to make. You can get the instructions right HERE! I decorated the front with my image again and surrounded it with Nestability cut-outs and Kaiser pearls! It closes with a fun ribbon tie!

Inside view of the gift-card holder. I stamped the image in white dye ink on the inside and also on in red ink on the white cs. I left the white cs blank so someone could write a note inside!

Close-up view of the Lockhart image--I added some Liquid Applique in white (love the puffed texture) and added some yellow copic color to the top for a "buttered" look! I, of course made my drink a COKE (LOL) and added diamond glaze to the top of it too!

Final view of the gift set all wrapped up with a bow and a tag--ready to go!! I think this is such a fun, festive present--who wouldn't love to recieve this! This gift WAS up for sale in my Etsy store--link on sidebar if anyone is interested, but sold quickly, WOW (thanks Sarah). And thanks to those of you who have snatched up a ton of my products in my Etsy shop!! Wow, I had to restock the store today cuz' it looked bare! Thanks bunches and there will be more projects there regularly!

Make sure and stop by Susana's store blog--Follow Your Heart--to see all of the DT's wonderful projects today! You're sure to be inspired!

In other exciting news--Susana's store has ALL of the NEW NESTABILITIES, SHAPEABILITIES, and IMPRESSABILITIES in STOCK NOW!! Woohooo! So stop by and check 'em all out--I ordered 4 sets that I had to have already, hee hee!

See ya back here tomorrow with lots of fun stuff. It's the first of the month tomorrow so lots of things to share with you including the Magnolia-licious DT April sketch project, new H&M Stamps, Whiff of Joy's Project of the month and a new video for ya! Phewww...I'm tired already, LOL!

hugz,

Suzanne

Fabric Stamping!!

Hiya & Happy Monday!! Did you all have a good weekend? I did, it was pretty uneventful but I did get to Target & Michaels (yay)!! It also rained all weekend, which was a bummer so I'm hoping for some sun this week! I also managed to get 4 video tutorials done for you all and a bunch of projects completed so that makes me happy :O)

**And my video disclaimer is that "YES" I do have on cherry-print jammie pants in my videos, LOL!! Sunday was "pj day" here in our house, hee hee!**

I'm sure you're all anxious to know who has won the first 2 blog candies, so here ya go:

Winner of BLOG CANDY #1 is Melissa (you don't have a public blogger profile so I can't get ahold of you, but you are a subscriber) and you said "Hi Suzanne! Congrats on your blogaversary! I get your posts by email, and always look forward to reading them over breakfast. Thanks for all the inspiration! I would love some tutorials on how you color hair with copics - specifically, what color combinations you use. I need to branch out a bit."
Here are your random numbers:121
Timestamp: 2009-03-30 04:48:52 UTC

Winner of BLOG CANDY #2 is....Christina D
Here are your random numbers:86
Timestamp: 2009-03-30 04:33:22 UTC

Congratulations to you both! Please contact me so I can get you your goodies out this week-my email is in my sidebar!! I enjoyed reading everyone's comments and answers to my "nosy" questions so, so much--it was really enjoyable!! I love that most of your happiest birthday presents were so sweet & so close to the heart! Thank you again for stopping by & being a friend to me!

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For my "stamping on fabric" project today I have a "New Baby Gift Bundle" for ya! I have to say that I am super-pleased with how this turned out, lol! I used all Paper Trey Ink products for this (palette inks, stamp sets & ribbons). PTI's Palette Inks come in so many beautiful colors and they are a permanent dye ink so they work wonderfully on fabric (takes hundreds of washings to get the dye to disappear). I bought packs of newborn baby onesies at Target--these are organic cotton by Gerber and the socks are cotton also.

Stamping on fabric w/ inks is very easy & you can customize so many things and make so many gifts this way. I used the following Paper Trey Ink sets on these onesies & socks--Tags for Spring, Wishing You, and Mega Mixed Messages. Palette ink colors used were--Hibiscus, Lavender Moon, Lemon Tart and Spring Moss.

**You can see the video tutorial of how to stamp this project right HERE!!
(also linked on my sidebar)

Up close of one of the onesies & matching baby socks using the PTI set "Tags for Spring" in PTI's palette ink in Hibiscus.

Up close of the matching gift card and tag on basket! Such pretty and girly colors to use together--I just love it! This gift bundle is up for sale on my Etsy site (link on my sidebar)!

My second project is another handstamped gift set that I made a video tutorial of too. This time while stamping on the tea towel, I used Lockhart's "Cherries in Colander" and "IB Cherry" from Susana's Custom Art & Card Design. I love any kind of cherry images, they just make me happy!

A close-up view of the towel I stamped and colored with Copics--I just tied the top off with some of this fun gingham ribbon! I had picked up this set of (4) ceramic spreaders that matched my gingham ribbon perfectly. I just made a belly band to match the notecard and added a nice label to the front. You could add any sentiment to the front of this, but I chose this "thankyou hostess" sentiment from PTI's "Mega Mixed Messages".

This is a close-up of my notecard--I created a patterned paper with my Lockhart "IB Cherry" to match my tea towel. I added some Diamond Glaze to the top of the cherries for some nice shine! And I just adore this gingham ribbon I got at the Offray Outlet (whole roll for $0.50)! This gift bundle is up for sale on my Etsy site too!

**You can see the video tutorial for this project HERE!!

Hope you've enjoyed my projects today & you can find all my tutorials linked on my sidebar!! I've also set up an Etsy shop if anyone is interested--that's linked on my sidebar too! :o)

See ya back here tomorrow! BLOG CANDY #3 is still open until Tuesday at midnite(EST)--you can enter HERE!!

hugz,

Suzanne

Final Blogaversary Candy!!

Hi all! Today is my final Blogaversary Candy for ya--my Anniversary week has come to an end, lol! I want to thank everyone for their sweet & loving comments--has really cheered me up & been really wonderful :o) And of course I've written down all your suggestions for tutorials and have been busy working on some. So tomorrow I will have a video tutorial of how to stamp & color w/ Copics on fabric!! YAY! No new projects today, just alot of info for ya!! And below I have answered a few questions for ya too---

**I've also created an Etsy shop where I will put most of my projects up for sale--link on my sidebar. If you are interested in the "Tea Gift Sets"-I will make them to order/custom**

And my answers to my nosy questions, LOL:

** Best birthday was last year--we were in Disney World for 10 days as a family, I got to have a wonderful lobster dinner at The Grand Floridian and watch the fireworks across the water at the Magic Kingdom with my hubby & kids! A dream come true of mine since I was a little girl to celebrate my birthday there even if I'm not so little anymore, LOL! Wonderful indeed!

**If I were to move anywhere in the world, it would be to Europe--probably Italy or Spain. Wonderful people, wonderful weather and I would love being able to travel around Europe on a whim! That's a real dream of mine, sigh....
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I've also had a quite a few people ask about my schedule, how I get time to accomplish everything and make projects and be on so many DT's. Well, I can't say that I always have everything together (giggle) and sometimes things don't get done but I have a pretty good schedule that I try to keep to. And I'm type A, stubborn and have total crafting ADD--and I drink lots of Cherry Coke, LOL! But here is my schedule that I try to keep during the week:

6:30-8 am --feed pets, get kids off to school, shower
8-10:30 am--laundry, cleaning, running errands, appts
11-3 pm-- crafting/stamping (playing w/ doggies)--most days, but sometimes I do get out for lunch w/ friends or other appts, lol!
3-6 pm--kids get home, homework, activities & dinner for kids & pets
7-9 pm--eat dinner w/ hubby and catch up, put kids to bed
9-midnite--I do all my computer work in the evenings while watching tv with hubby (blogging, blurfing, emails, loading videos & pictures)

Weekends are generally family time, but I usually craft on Sunday for a few hours and do computer work in the evenings. But nothing magical or special, just that I'm anal about my schedule, great at multitasking & love working on many things, hee hee!

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And my Top 10 Crafting Tools/Products I use & recommend (love 'em & use 'em everyday):

(1) Scor-Pal w/ Scor-Mat--I work on top of it & use it everyday

(2) Tonic 12x12 Guillotine Cutter--absolutely fabulous, never needs new blades, sharpens itself and can cut multiple sheets of cs (safe around kids too--blade does not cut hands/fingers)

(3) Diamond Glaze--can't do w/o it

(4) Cuttlebug--small but oh so worthy, crank it everyday!

(5) Nestabilities--best invention evah', love, love them! (ovals & circles are my fave)

(6) Copics--best investment I've ever made

(7) Stampin' Up paper snips--wonderfully sharp & easy to use

(8) Diamond Stickles & Angel Wingz Shimmerz--sheer enough to use on top of any color!

(9) Ott Light--couldn't take good pictures at night w/o it, great for evening work of any kind! Get them on sale at Joann's for 50% off & use a coupon--

(10) Scotch Quick Dry Adhesive (the only glue I use-get mine at Michaels), Pop-Dot dimensionals, Glue Dots, & Scor-Tape for all my adhesive needs!!
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So here is my final BLOG CANDY #3 for ya today!! Hope you've had a chance to enter for them all. BLOG CANDY #2 is still up for grabs until midnite tonite & you can enter HERE. (BLOG CANDY #1 is NOW CLOSED!!!)

What's included:

-(1) pack of My Minds Eye 12x12 dp "Garden Party" includes accessory sheet
-(1) The Greeting Farm stamp "Fairy Chloe"
-(1) My Favorite Things "Take a Break" stamp
-(1) Gina K's "You Are My Sunshine" stamp set
-(1) 3-pack of Sakura Glaze pens
-(1) pack of Laundry Line crocheted flowers
-(1) pack of Crystal petal flowers and 1 pack of Glitter Dots donated by Susana of Susana's Custom Art & Card Design
-(1) bottle of pink "Cotton Candy" Stickles
-(2) alterable items--1 matchbook and stack of coasters
-(1) bag of assorted Primas
-(1) roll of American Crafts ribbon

So to enter you only need to answer 1 more question for nosy ole' me, LOL!

"If you had an opportunity to move anywhere you wanted, where would it be?"

Leave your answer in the comment section of this post only--please leave a name & email in your comment if you do not have a blog! This candy will be open until Tuesday at midnight! (One entry per person please)

Blog Candies #1 & #2 Winners will be announced tomorrow, on Monday's post!!! So check back, okay! I will also have videos up for ya then too :o)

hugz,

Suzanne

Knights & Princesses!!

Hello & Happy Saturday everyone! Hope you're getting a good start on your weekend already! We actually have nothing special planned other than some shopping for a couple of new rugs and possibly a stop at Joann's & Michaels (hee hee)! Not such a nice weekend here in VA--doesn't feel very spring like at all Hope better weather is on its way real soon!!

Blog Candy #1 is still open until tonight at midnight--you can enter HERE.
Blog Candy #2 is open until Sunday at midnight--enter HERE.
Blog Candy #3 will be up tomorrow to end my weeklong Blogaversary!!

My first project today is a Medieval dinner invite I made using some of the Whiff of Joy Medieval Collection stamps. I love this castle image and have lots of plans for it to use with some of my knight & fairy stamps. I made a revised tri-fold invite for a dinner party. This dp is from Paper Pizazz and I thought it was very appropriate for these stamps :o) I stamped some swirl stamps from Verve on top of the paper to add some more character to the paper.

On the inside, I colored w/ Copics the "Great Hall" scene and added some stickles to the fire and some silver spica glitter pen to the metal areas on the image (cups, plates, chandelier). I printed all the writing onto cream cs from my computer. I ink distressed all the edges using my Inkssentials Distress tool. This would also make a cute kids birthday card or invitation by switching out the "great hall" image for the "dragon" & "knight".
So many possiblities!

Second card today uses this cute "Princess Anya" stamp from The Greeting Farm--love these gals! I kept it kinda simple so she was the main focus of the card and I love this dp from DCWV "Whimsy" stack. Colored with copics and I added stickles to her dress, wand, and crown. That lovely ribbon is Doodlebug Boutique Trims--so fun! Just a fun, pretty card to give!

I also have a new video tutorial up on my sidebar under "Other Video Tutorials" about tying bows & flat knots if you're interested. You can also see it here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dNjNeg36vc

Have a great Saturday & don't forget to stop by tomorrow to enter for one final BLOWOUT BLOG CANDY!!!

hugz,

Suzanne

BLOGAVERSARY CELEBRATION #2!!

Yay & Happy Friday everyone! I'm so happy it's the weekend--seems like this week has lasted forevah! I won't talk your ear off today cuz' this is gonna be another LONG blog post, hee hee! Please make sure and read to the end cuz' I've got a card to share, some Copic color info and of course BLOG CANDY #2 for ya!!

Today's card was made yesterday using this week's SCS Sketch 221 which was a fun if not a slightly challenging one! I used my new PTI set "Life" (which is a gorgeous set) and paired it with this yummy dp from My Mind's Eye (Laundry Line). I stamped the flower image a couple of times in PTI's aqua mist & SU's sage shadow--and then went back in with the small flower bud stamp in Palette Cream ink. The border was done w/ a Fiskars border punch and the pearls are Kaiser. I took my Diamond Glaze and globbed it on (technical term, hee hee) and while it was wet sprinkled some fine glitter on top. I really like it--and I think its so pretty!

**Edited to Add--because so many of you asked nicely, I have made this Copic Hair chart into a pdf file that you can download & print. You can find it on my sidebar under Copic pdf files--Hair colors!**

I have had so many people ask for hair color recommendations that I decided to color up a bunch of heads (lol) with my favorite color combo's for ya! This is my own personal colors that I use--there are many more combo's out there I'm sure, but I use these the most :o) (CLICK on picture to make larger) **NOTE--all my Copic Tutorials in both video & PDF form are on my right sidebar here on my blog**

Dark Brunette--E25, E49, E53, E59

Auburn/Red--E13, E17, E18, E19

Dark Blonde--YR23, E35, Y23 (Buy this Bundle of Copics HERE)

Light Blonde--Y11, Y21, E97, E99

Light Brunette--E25, E29, E31 (Buy this Bundle of Copics HERE)

Black--C3, C5, C7, C9

Golden-Red Brunette--E39, E99, E18, YR23
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BLOG CANDY #2--Purple Celebration!!!

Okay, here is Blogaversary Candy #2 which I'm naming Purple Celebration cuz' I tried to keep them themed, hee hee! This candy will be up for grabs until Sunday (3/29) at midnite EST!
What's included you ask??

-2 Whiff of Joy stamps (New Guardian Angel "Musing Melinda" and "Henry Celebrating Mouse) donated by the wonderful Katharina of WOJ
-1 Rachel Anne Miller "Cuddle Up" stamp
-2 Copic Markers (V04 & BV02)
-1 pot of Iced Lavender Shimmerz
-1 bottle of Purple Stickles
-1 pack of 8x8 Dovecraft dp (Retro Floral) donated by Susana of Susana's Custom Art & Card Design
-1 pack of Stampendous GeoSparklers stickers in Silver and 1 pack of white Glitter Dots donated by Susana too!
-1 pack of Imaginisce "All Kinds Of Happy" celebration rub-ons
-2 alterable items including stack of coasters and small clipboard
-1 Bag of assorted Primas
-1 pack of Making Memories ribbon labels
-2 rolls of American Craft ribbon
-1 Studio G sentiment stamp set

Sound good to ya! Whaddya need to do to enter? Answer the following question in the comment section of this post--

"What was the best birthday present you ever recieved?"

Leave your answer on this post by Sunday at midnite (EST) to be entered for a chance to win the above candy #2!! Please make sure you leave a name & email address if you do not have a blog! (one entry per person)

BLOG CANDY #1--you can still enter for this candy right HERE until tomorrow nite at midnite too!!!

BLOG CANDY #3 will be up this Sunday for my last BLOGAVERSARY Giveaway!! Have a great Friday & enjoy your weekend!! I'll be back tomorrow with another project to share!

hugz,

Suzanne

Angelic!!

Hiya friends!! Wowsers, I have to say that all your comments on yesterday's Blogaversary post took my breath away & almost made me teary-eyed (almost, but you know I hate to cry--lol)! Such lovely, kind and supportive friends I have---thank you so much, it lifted my spirits high! You ladies are all awesome and truly amazing--love ya!!


So far I have been asked for tutorials on more Copic coloring, highlighting/shading, my card-making process and stamping/coloring on fabric! So I will be working on all of those in the next few days for you!!! :o) Although I'm not sure any of you will be enlightened by my card-making process, hee hee---remember I have stamper's ADD so I'm all over the place!! LOL I promise to take video/pictures of my stamping space soon--waiting on my new desk so I can be super organized for ya!! (I do have a video tutorial of how to use flower soft on my sidebar for those of you who asked!)

**REMEMBER--you can enter for BLOG CANDY #1 until Saturday at midnite(EST) right HERE!! And BLOG CANDY #2 will be up tomorrow!!! ***

I've got two angelic cards for you today, although I don't think of myself as very angelic, hee hee! First up is a card I made for this week's Mojo Monday Sketch #79 --love this layout! The beautiful angel image is from H&M Stamps "Angelic Moments"--such a beautiful set! Reminds me of those Willow angels (of which I own a few). Although my loving son said it looked like she was doing Yoga--LOL! (ahhh, boys--so honest)

I painted white Liquid Pearls on her cloud and her wings have Ice Stickles on them for super chunky sparkleness! Had to add some pink glitter dots and the dp is from Basic Grey's "euphoria" stack! (I haven't bought any new dp in 5 whole weeks--patting myself on my back)!!

Second card uses another new Whiff of Joy image featuring "Melinda with Muffin Basket"! Isn't she a cutie? So many occasions you could use her for--I made her holding chocolate cupcakes but you could of course make them any muffin/cake you'd like :o) The sentiment is from Whiff of Joy too. 7 Kids College Fund will have all these new stamps up for pre-order this week for ya here in the states.

This layout is from last Saturday's "Our Creative Corner" post--just a great sketch. I find so much inspiration in sketch challenges--helps me organize my thoughts sometimes. That yummy dp is new from SU (no I didn't buy it, I got it free, hee hee)! Love chocolate browns with blue--my whole basement/rec room area are these colors--so soothing! Ribbon is PTI and pearls are my fave from Kaiser and a little diamond glaze on her cuppycakes :o)

Today on Susana's store blog, Follow Your Heart my fellow DT sistah Danni has a fun tutorial on the "Crinkled Chalk" Technique for ya! So make sure to stop by & check it out--I know I will!

That's all for me today--gotta get working on all those tut's you want me to do, hee hee! Have a great Thursday!

hugz,
Suzanne

BLOGAVERSARY CELEBRATION!!

Hello all my crafty friends! Today kicks off a huge BLOGAVERSARY event here on my blog--March 26th is my official one year!!


Wow--what a year can bring! When I started this blog I really did not have any expectations other than to share some of my creations with whoever I was lucky enough to have stop by. I figured if I got 5,000 blog hits in a year that that would be wonderful & here I am getting ready to hit 137,000 blog hits--whoaaaa nellie, lol! I never, never thought I'd meet so many kind, supportive and wonderful friends from around this world who all take a moment most days to stop by my blog to see what I've done :o)



Nor did I think I'd take my crafting to the next level by getting published, working on DT's and teaching! Being a stay-at-home mom for 13 years I had kinda let my crafty side and art dreams go by the wayside, never really pursuing anything that I really wanted to do. But isn't that the case for most of us moms? Taking care of kids, hubby's, homes & animals--but not taking care of ourselves. So starting my blog last March was unknown territory for me for sure, but I'm so, so happy that I did it! I have finally taken on my own dreams and found that you can really have it all :o)

I love and appreciate each and everyone of you--I call you all my friends & my biggest supporters! So I thank you for being a friend to me!!

And to thank you I'm having 3--yes 3 BLOWOUT BLOG CANDIES to CELEBRATE with you!!

Today is BLOG CANDY #1, Friday will be #2 and Sunday will be #3---you will not want to miss any of them cuz' they each have lots (LOTS) of my favorite things in them including stamps, embellies, dp, markers & other goodies!!


But first I want to show you a quick card I made with some of the new Whiff of Joy stamps! Since I'm celebrating my blog's 1 year birthday I made a birthday card to share with all of YOU!

{Recipe: Whiff of Joy accessory stamps, PTI sentiment from Anniversary Gift set, colored w/ Copics, Black Spica pen, Ice Stickles, PTI dp & cs, Offray sheer ribbon, Nestabilities}

I love these colors together & this kitty is too cute for words!! If you're interested in buying any of the new Whiff of Joy Guardian Angels or Accessory stamps here in the states, 7 Kids College Fund will have them for pre-order this week!
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BLOG CANDY #1

So what does Blog Candy #1 contain:

-3 Magnolia stamps (Tilda w/ Tulips, Tilda in heart overalls & Easter sentiment) donated by the most lovely Diana Crick of Magnolia-licious
-2 Studio G stamp sets (Spring Sentiments) donated by my friend Marti of Pez-a-doodle Design
-1 pack of the entire collection of Imaginisce's Spring dp (12x12)
-1 bag of white Glitter Dots & 1 bag of Glitter Heart embellishments donated by my friend Susana of Susana's Custom Art & Card Design
-1 Bag of Assorted Primas
-2 Bottles of Stickles and small sample of Diamond Glaze
-2 Alterable Items (matchbook and stack of coasters)
-1 roll of white satin ribbon and 1 Stampin Up inkpad

So whaddya gotta do to enter you ask, hee hee! Well you know how I love to be nosy & ask questions--soooooo.....You need to answer this question in your post-

"Is there something you've seen me do on my blog this past year that you would like to see in a tutorial?"

If you'd like to spread the word about my blog candy, well I'd love that too :o) Just make sure you do not leave a comment anonymously--please leave a name & email if you don't have a blog!

You have until Saturday at midnite (EST) to enter for this candy and the winner (randomly picked) will be announced for this candy #1 on Sunday's blog post!! One entry per person per candy please!! (so you can enter for each candy but only 1 time, okay)

So make sure and stop by all week for more chances to win some calorie-free candy! And thanks for stopping by!

hugz,

Suzanne

Stamping Crazy!!

Hello Stamping Friends! I'll keep my monologue here kinda short for you today since I have lots to share with you! Fun projects today and some new video tutorials too! Thank you all for your wonderful support, encouragement and kind comments concerning my videos--I hope that they are helpful to you all!

Today is "Try It Out Tuesday" over at Susana's Custom Art & Card Design store blog, Follow Your Heart! Today I challenged the DT to make a 2+2 card---2 layers not including base and 2 embellishments. And no I did not cheat, hee hee--my image, sentiment & ribbon are all attached to one layer!! This cutie-patootie stamp is from Anki's Sweethearts called "Isac with Skateboard"--so cute! I'm always on the lookout for cute boy stamps! My second layer is this fun Basic Grey dp from their "Cupcake" stack, twill ribbon is from PTI and sentiment is from Gina K. I also embossed my red layer for some more texture. Make sure and stop by the Store blog today to see the rest of the DT's fun creations!

My next project I'm just giddy with excitement about, hee hee! I absolutely love how this all turned out & was conceived in my head (when I should have been sleeping) last week. It all started with these little tea towels I had picked up at the Target $1 Spot--I got some white ones and pink ones to play with and knew I wanted to try and stamp on them!

Appropriately enough, I used the Lockhart stamp "Teapot" for my projects which include a decorative tea towel, notecard and tea box (of my own design). The lovely dp is new from Stampin' Up!

I stamped my tea towel with my Lockhart stamp using Memento Black Ink & then colored it in with Copics--yes I colored on fabric with Copics!! Love it! I was even able to shade on the fabric--how cool is that! I then heat set it with my heat gun---you could wash this a few times before the ink fades, but is mostly decorative!

For my notecard I stamped the same image, colored with Copics and then added Diamond Glaze to my teapot & cup. The lil' cupcakes/muffins have a topping of Liquid Pearls in pink for dimension--so cute! The pearls are actually Bella Baubles in Oyster!

The above picture and the one at the top shows my lil' accordian Tea Box that I created and made a template for a few months ago. (NOTE: if you make/use my Tea Box please give credit where credit is due and do not use it for submissions or publications please!) You can find my tutorial for this HERE and it's also on my sidebar under Tutorials/Templates. Super easy to make and it holds 4 tea bags inside--so such a cute gift presentation. I used a pearl brad to attach my Bazzill flowers to the top---it also sticks to my small Basic Grey magnet on the front for closure.

I hope you enjoyed my projects today--leave me a comment (I love 'em) and let me know how you liked them all!

Here are 3 more links to some Video Tutorials I've made for you (also linked in my sidebar):

Copic Coloring Tutorial--coloring Lockhart flowers (Delphinium & Peony):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRX2q3-52s0

Flower Soft Tutorial--how to incorporate it into your stamped images :

Find Flower Soft products HERE!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oigb1ayGU5M

Copic Coloring Tutorial--coloring of Lockhart Apples in Chintz (realistic images):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTCjhF-Z9lg

Let me know how you like them all! Have a great Tuesday!

hugz,

Suzanne

Monday, Monday!!

Hello & Happy Monday to ya! Did ya have a good weekend--I sure hope so!! I had a wonderful weekend, the weather was sunny and nice and my mom came to visit (waving "hi" mom)! We went to see "A Chorus Line" and I really enjoyed it--I just love Broadway shows and musicals, wish I could afford to see them every month :o) Yesterday it was in the high 60's and we were able to get outside and go for a long walk with the doggies and eat lunch outside--I just love spring weather. And I'm happy to say that hubby bought me a brand-spankin' new Flash Drive video camer---yahoooo. He even got me a mini tripod for my desk so I was able to shoot 6 videos for ya yesterday! (see below for links)

I am working on some big projects to share with you this week and my BLOG CANDY to celebrate my 1 year Blogaversary coming on Wednesday--you won't want to miss it!

Today my card uses another image from The Greeting Farm's "Miss Anya Collection"--I just love these girls. I paired this one up with some beautiful dp from Basic Grey's "Porcelain" stack, so soft and pretty. I made another hat pin (which I love to do) and added some pink Kaiser pearls to accent. I love how this one turned out! Whatcha' think?


Okay, so I was able to reshoot my Copic videos for you from the left side so you could see my coloring better and zoomed in more too. So make sure and check these out:

This tutorial is just some Copic tips for ya (cardstock, inks, marker info)-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlF5a_Je1-A

This one is coloring of clothing (light source, shading & highlighting info)-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRSVMJs9r7M

This tutorial shows coloring of hair-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyyxGFy0XQo

This tutorial shows coloring of skin (skin tones and highlighting)-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16og3M9dSXM

Tomorrow I will have a tutorial on coloring 2 Lockhart images (fruit & flowers) and a tutorial on how to use Flower Soft on your images too!

All of these tutorials will be linked on my sidebar for ya!! Please let me know if they were helpful and if ya liked 'em--and let me know what else you'd like to see for tutorials, 'kay!!!

hugz,
Suzanne

Fly, Bye Butterfly!!

Happy Saturday everyone! I'll keep this super short for you today, since my Mom is visiting and we're on our way to DC for the day to go to lunch & the theater. Hope you're having a great weekend so far :o) Thanks for all your lovely comments on my first video tutorials--I will reshoot them on Sunday & upload more for ya real soon.

For today's projects I used the Lockhart stamp "Chintz Butterfly", some Smooch metallic paints and Angel Wingz Shimmerz. The lil' notepad I got from the $1 bin at Michaels and just altered it with some of this fun dp from the DCWV "Citrus" stack. Such a pretty & fun gift to give to someone!

A close-up shows the Smooch paint I used in "Azure" and "Pumpkin" and then a nice coat of Shimmerz on top! Nice and sparkly!

Did you know you can paint metal & plastic embellishments with the metallic Smooch paints? Why, yes you can, lol! I painted this butterfly charm (find more charms here) to match my image--what a fun way to dress up your plain embellies!!

Hope you enjoyed today's projects and hope you're enjoying your weekend too!

hugz,

Suzanne

Lilac Tulips

Hello & Happy Weekend! Sorry I didn't post yesterday, but I had alot going on and just was too tired :o( My mom comes today for a visit & I'm looking forward to a fun weekend--we're going to see "A Chorus Line" in DC tomorrow at the theatre! Hope you have some great plans for your weekend!

I have to say I spent the good part of 2 days shooting video, editing and 'trying' to upload video. I've had more problems uploading video--I hate Windows Movie Maker, took forever and had to do it multiple times--ugh! I'm so disgusted with the whole process, but hopeful to have it all figured out soon. I do have 3 Copic Tutorials for you today--they're actually one long video that I had to break up in order to get them uploaded (don't ask), lol!
**EDITED--these tutorials have been taken off & replaced with new & improved videos--they are on my sidebar!**

This Magnolia image "Tilda w/ Tulips" is from the Easter Collection from Magnolia-licious and is the image I colored in my tutorials. The dp is from DCWV "Latte" stack and the oval flower image is from Alota Rubber Stamps that you can buy here (they come on a sheet of rubber). I also added some diamond stickles to the flowers and the pearls are from Kaiser!

Don't forget to check in on me next week cuz' its my 1 Year Blogaversary and that means some major BLOG CANDY--wahoooo! Have a great weekend & see ya back here tomorrow :o)

hugz,

Suzanne

Flower Power!!

Hello and Happy Wednesday! Wow, its the middle of the week already---weekend is almost here, hee hee! Today its supposed to be 75 degrees & sunny so my windows will be wide open & the doggies will get a long walk--love this weather. Spring is certainly on its way here in Virginia--I saw blooming daffodils yesterday & it made me smile :o) My mom is coming up on Friday for the weekend, and we're heading into Washington, DC on Saturday to see "A Chorus Line" at the theatre! Can't wait to see it, I love, love the theatre and this was my birthday gift to my mom last month--so it should be alot of fun!

Today is Whatchadoin' Wednesday over at the Storage Units, Ink & More blog! I only have one more challenge for SUINK this month, since sadly this is my last month as a designer for them--my 6 month term is up. I've had a blast playing with these awesome stamps and will continue to keep up with all the new designers for sure!

Today's challenge was to use traditional spring & Easter colors on your card--easy peasy! I used the "You're Some Bunny Special" set (which I love) paired up with this spring-y dp from the DCWV stack "Sweet"! I colored with Copics and added some stickles to her lil' coat and hat. The fun flowers are from a pack of K&Co. embellies. Make sure and stop by the store blog to check out the rest of the DT's great projects today!

Second card today, is another sneak peek of some of the NEW Guardian Angels that will be released by Whiff of Joy on the 22nd! This Angel was created to be a First Communion, Confirmation or Baptismal angel by Elisabeth Bell, but of course you could use her for many occasions.

I think she's just lovely so I kept all my colors very soft & serene. The dp is from Basic Grey's "Porcelain" paired with SU cs. I created a dimensional frame for her with my Nestabilities so she seems to float. I added some Kaiser pearls, a corner punch, and the sentiment is from PTI's "Heartfelt Basics". And of course she had to get a nice coat of Angel Wingz Shimmerz--so pretty! Such a lovely angel--do you love her as much as me? Check out the rest of the WOJ DT projects this week for more lovely peeks (on my sidebar).

Off to enjoy the day--hope you are too!

hugz,

Suzanne

Happy St. Paddy's Day!!

Happy St. Patricks's Day to you all (the Irish gal in me is smiling)! Do you do anything for the holiday? The kids always get a little gift from a lucky leprechaun but that's about it here at our house:o) Although when they were little, we used to do green eggs & ham and fun stuff like green jello or kool-aid, but now that they're older they don't care anymore, hee hee! Alrighty, I'm keeping my chitter chatter to a minimum today, cuz' this is a LONG post--so make sure you go all the way to the end, 'kay!!

Today is Tuesday, so that means its Try It Out Tuesday over on Susana's Custom Art & Card Design store blog, Follow Your Heart! I challenged the DT to make their cards/projects using only the color green & one neutral to celebrate St. Patty's Day :o) I used Lockhart's beautiful "Tulips" stamp for my card--my favorite flower of all is tulips and I love white & yellow tulips the most so white tulips it is today, hee hee!

I also incorporated the Technique Challenge from SCS yesterday which was to make these beautiful ribbon frames (see here)--I love it & it was so simple to do too--very elegant! The sentiment is from PTI's "Spring Tag Collection" & yes I really love that set, hee hee. (BTW, hubby bought me ALL the new PTI goodies this month again, of course he was half sleeping on the couch when he agreed to it--love that man, lol).
I colored my image with Copics and then layered over the flowers and leaves with the fun, new metallic paints called "Smooch". I used it in "green apple" & "moonlight"--really fun stuff & such cute bottles they come in too! Make sure and stop by the store blog to see the rest of the DT's projects!

I promised you a sneak peek of the new Guardian Angels from Whiff of Joy today! I don't know the names of any of the stamps yet, but isn't she a beauty! I colored her with copics to match this yummy dp from Anna Griffin! The sentiment and lovely scrolls I used are also new from Whiff of Joy--there are so many great images in this new release. You can buy them on March 22nd and I will have another peek for you tomorrow (hint: confirmation & baptism):o)

Last but certainly not least is this cute Greeting Farm card I made with that cute-a-licious set "Home Sweet Home". Isn't he just the cutest lil' pup with his stuffed bunny--I could just squish him! This set is a MUST-HAVE for doggie lovers like myself!!! The dp is from my stash so I'm not sure who makes it; I distressed it a bit to look more primitive! Today I'm being spotlighted over on The Greeting Farm's blog for being their Guest Designer this month if you'd like to hop over there & take a look :o)

Hope you enjoyed my montage of projects today! I'll have 3 more for you tomorrow too, lol! Busy week here at ScrapBitz for sure!:o)

hugz,

Suzanne

Leprechauns!!

Oh Happy Monday everyone! Did ya have a good weekend? I sure did--I got a lot of projects completed, visited with friends (waving hi to Marti, Amy & Tiffaney) and went to the movies with the family! We went to see "Race To Witch Mountain" which was my absolute favorite Disney movie & books when I was younger. But I will tell you that you should think twice about taking children under ten, because it is violent and very intense. I was sitting on the edge of my seat & jumping the whole time--very, very intense for sure! Not like the old movie at all--but I did really like it, it was very good! Just not the type of movie I would recommend for younger kids :o)

I've only got one project to share today (gasp, lol)---I was supposed to be sharing a Whiff of Joy preview for you but I didn't get my pictures taken in time :o( So I'll share a peek with ya tomorrow for sure! And if you didn't check out my Easter Blog Hop Projects yesterday, make sure and scroll down to the next post to see :o)

This is my ode to St. Patty's Day using one of the cute Alva images from Magnolia-licious! Of course for this project she is really a lil' leprechaun ok--hee hee! She's such a fun stamp cuz' you can color her & use her for any holiday project--I love her!! I picked up this fun green mug from the $1 Spot at Target a few weeks ago, knowing that it would make an awesome gift holder! I wrapped it with dp from SU, ribbons from PTI and filled with green Jellybelly's of all flavors--YUM! This fun gift is going to a good friend of mine, who just might be a lil' Irish :o)

A close-up to show you her fun red hair and the Angel Wingz Shimmerz I used on her to make her super sparkly!

And a close-up of the sentiment which is from Studio G (from Marti's store)--Studio G has such great sentiments in each set and since they're only $1 its a great deal all around! I stamped over the sentiment lightly with a swirl from the same set & inked the edges!

Hope ya liked it! I'll be back tomorrow with a long post for ya--I've got a St. Patty's Day project for ya tomorrow, a Whiff of Joy sneak peek and a Greeting Farm project too!

hugz,

Suzanne