HI & Happy Monday! While you're reading this I should be relaxing at the beach getting my vacation "on", lol! I'll keep these posts pretty short for you while I'm gone & if I get a chance I'll post some pictures for ya!! Have a goodie!

First up is a fun doggie card I made using a stamp set from H&M Stamps--remember they're still having a HUGE SALE on all of the stamps ($8 or under) so stop on by & grab some up! I used last week's SCS sketch #233 for the layout & some fun dp from . I added some fun dog bone buttons to the corners & laced some red scrapper's floss thru the brown buttons! I absolutely love this sentiment---don't we all wanna be dreaming about that kinda day, LOL!

Second card uses the fun Lockhart Stamp Co. stamp "Itty Bitty Umbrella"! I used the stamp & a PTI sentiment to create a fun background for my card base & then just layered some nestability card shapes to the image & popped it up on dimensionals. Then I added some Baby's Breath Shimmerz Spritz to the whole card for a nice shimmer!

See ya back here on Wednesday!

hugz,

Suzanne

Back for More!!

Hi & Happy Monday to ya!! I'm backkkkk---sorry about missing some posts, but as you probably know from my sidebar chatter, my laptop has crashed again (second time in 4 mos.)--I'm so fed up with it! So I'm using our desktop downstairs which is hard because not everything I need is down here & just makes it all that more difficult for me. For those of you that use Mac books, leave me a comment & let me know why you love them--cuz' I'm seriously thinking of switching over! ugh.... Anywho, I've got a super busy week but I've still got alot to share with you before I leave for (a much needed) 2 week vacation in Hilton Head Island. And don't forget to check my blog while I'm gone because I will still have posts going up at least 3-4 times a week (so you don't miss me, hee hee)! I've got lots to share with you today, so let's get a move on!!

NewsBitz:

**I had a great time at my Copic class yesterday (thanks ladies & hope you all had fun too)! My next class is July 26th (1-4:30) so if you're interested in coming, please let me know (email me). Two ladies yesterday came from Pennsylvania & Delaware to see lil' ole me, LOL! I am also thinking of traveling, so if you have a few friends that would like to have a class at your house & it's reasonable driving distance for me, I will consider it :o) Just let me know!

**Secondly, Whiff of Joy's new "Women's Collection" stamps are NOW available at the Whiff of Joy store (and soon to be in stock at 7Kidscollegefund.com too)!! They're beauties!

**Thirdly, yes I didn't forget.....the winner of my 200,000 hits blog candy is #71 (counting out my WOJ blog team members that left comments, hee hee)

Katie of "Both Sides of the Paper" & hails from Texas!!

So Katie email me your addy so I can get your goodies in the mail to you before I leave you lucky gal!!

And thanks to everyone who takes the time to visit me, leave me such kind-hearted, lovely & wonderful comments & is so supportive of me--I really do appreciate you all so much! And thank you for the "HILARIOUS" & totally uplifting stories you all left me--I seriously got some great laughs! So much fun!! Thanks for that!!
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First up is vintage-y kind of card using the Lockhart Stamp Co.'s "Sunflower" which I paired up with (I can't get enuff of right now, giggle) PTI's kraft cs. I stamped PTI's "Text Style-Background Basics" stamp onto the kraft cs with brown ink, and I actually wiped off some of the ink before stamping so it would appear to be more aged & faded once it was stamped. The stamped image was colored with Copics and then I just layered some Coredinations cs (love the texture) under the image and on the card. The yummy brown silk ribbon is from PTI as well. Love these Lockhart flower stamps--so much fun to use!
Just a close-up to show you the Smooch paint (gold) I used on the sunflowers for a little extra pop--I didn't want to add too much to this card, because I'm making a set of them so they had to be easy to reproduce, but the Metallic Smooch adds just enough me thinks! (fun product to use, if you need more info I have a video on my sidebar--Susana has a deal where you get all 8 for the price of 7 too)! And more new colors are coming soon--can't wait!

Second card today uses an H&M Stamp Co. stamp "Fairy Tale Wedding", but I chose to make a more versatile card with this fun picnic basket image. All stamps are still on sale for $8 or less for the month of June so don't miss out on this sale!! I thought this would be a fun card for an engagement, birthday or other special event in someone's lives! The dp is from Memory Box (Rhubarb Tart) paired w/ PTI kraft cs (yes again)! I tied off with SU ribbon & attached a fun little wine glass charm from my stash and added some Robin's Nest dew drops to finish it off. And of course there is some of my favorite Diamond Glaze on the bottle & gold Smooch on the label for more shimmer/bling!

And don't forget to stop by the Copic Creations blog to learn some fun techniques on coloring wood! I didn't participate because of my computer issues & had no way to edit my photos (above photos were done previously)--but hubby loaded Photoshop on his computer for me,so I will be able to edit tonight!

Alrighty, I'm outta here for the day--off to go get my hair cut, work on more projects & as always do more laundry (the never-ending chore)!! Have a good one!

hugz,

Suzanne

It's a 2fer!!

Hello friends & Happy Thursday to ya!! I am keeping this post to a minimum today, cuz' I am sooo tuckered out! So many end of year activities with the kids, my son's 5th grade graduation events, projects galore & working out---I'm exhausted, LOL! Plus I'm working on not much sleep because we here in VA have had major thunderstorms 2 nites in a row & I'm a very light sleeper! Plus my one dog is terrified of thunder & feels the need to shake & tremble ON TOP OF MY HEAD until its over--yeah--no sleep YKWIM? LOL!! Anyhow, I've got another 2 projects I like to call "Variations on a Sketch"--using the same sketch on both!

This time I'm using SCS's sketch #231 from yesterday for both of my cards--a really fun sketch to use! My first card uses "Seeds of Kindness" from H&M Stamps--such a pretty set! Remember H&M Stamps is having a HUGE BLOW-OUT SALE--all stamps under $8 & most are $3--so hurry to get yours NOW!! The dp, cs & ribbon is from PTI--one of my favorite color combos! I used the "thumping" technique to stamp my image--inked w/ 2 PTI Palette Inkpads & then thumped 2 of my SU markers on top, huffed on it & then stamped it! Gives a nice watercolored effect, so pretty! The butterfly is 2 different Martha Stewart punches that I stacked together!
The image has stickles on top of it for shimmer & YES I spritzed the entire card with my FAVORITE "baby's breath" Shimmerz Spritz! I'm a spritzing freak-its so fun & addicting, LOL--I've been spritzing everything! I even spritzed some fabric flip flops I have & they look bee-u-tiful, hee hee. Can't wait to get more colors from Susana's Store.

Second card I did using the same sketch, this time with one of my favorite Lockhart stamps "Cherries in Colander"--perfect for this sketch. The dp is from SU, cs from PTI. I colored the image with my Copics (R27,R22,R20 & C1,C3,C5) and then put a nice coat of Diamond Glaze on top of the cherries--almost good enuff' to eat! The corners were decorated with "string of pearls" Bella Baubles.

Alrighty ladies--I'm outta here to do more work & try to slim down my ever long to-do list (does that ever really happen?)! See ya back here tomorrow & oh yeah--BLOG CANDY coming on Saturday for my "almost" 200,000 hits! You won't wanna miss it!

hugz,

Suzanne

A Lil' of This, A Lil' of That!!

Happy Wednesday to ya Friends!! Hope you're having a fabby week so far, only a couple more days until the weekend! I've been diligently working out and have cut my coke consumption back to just a 1/2 cup a day (might explain my irritability & grumpiness, hee hee)! I guess if EVERYTHING on my body hurts, it means my workouts are burning lotsa fat cells dontcha' think?? LOL--that's what I keep tellin' myself during my workouts, "think of all that fat meltin' away, hee hee!!"! Been lifting weights & running sprints and speed walking 2.5 miles everyday & lots of crunches worked in too---owweeeeee!! Anywho, movin on as my painful body ambles on today, hee hee.............


First card up today is a Father's Day fishing card I made using a fabulous new set "Just For Dad" by H&M Stamps. You can mix and match the stamps in this set to make dad a fisher or a hunter--very cool! I'm not a big fan of hunting (don't disapprove, just not my thing) so I decided to make my "dad" a fishin' one, hee hee! I cut the fish out & popped them up with dimensionals & also stamped the fishies onto shrinky dink sheets and made a charm to match! The fun dp is from DCWV's "the Green Stack"--perfect for guy stuff! I wrapped some Scrapper's Floss around the dp and tied off with my tag.

The fish have a coat of mint Shimmerz on them, his boots have diamond glaze & those are Goldilocks Bella Baubles (love the metallic look--remind me of nailheads). If you're in need of a Father's Day card this one is for sale in my Etsy shop (cuz' I already made my dad's):o)

This is just a cute-fun card I made for a friend using one of my many Precious Moments stamps! I went on a buying spree on EBay last year and bought so many of these stamps that you don't even wanna know how much I spent--egads! Isn't she a cutie w/ her lil' doggie friend--love it! I really let the yummy dp (urban prairie by BG) be the main embellishment along w/ this beautiful Prima "dandy" and some Spellbinders swirls (15% off right now). The sentiment is a new Lockhart stamp!

Make sure and stop by Susana's store blog to enter for some yumm-o-licious blog candy. Only 2 more days to enter!!

Have a fabulous Day!

hugz,

Suzanne

Viva Las Vegas!!

Hi & Happy Saturday! Well as you're reading this I am in Las Vegas kicking off a birthday bonanza with my friends, hee hee!! I'll be back Tuesday evening & taking Wednesday off to recover, LOL! Hope ya have a great weekend too!

Some NewsBitz for Ya:

**BLOG CANDY ALERT--head over to Susana's store blog "Follow Your Heart" to celebrate the blog's 10,000 hits--she's giving away a $25 gift certificate to her store!

**Whiff of Joy--If you haven't pre-ordered your Summer Kit which features 15 stamps by Elisabeth Bell & sentiments, you only have until May 4th! It's a great deal!

So first up today, is my card for this month's Magnolia-licious May sketch by the lovely Sharon Caudle (friend & DT sistah)!! I used a new Magnolia from the "Chasing Butterflies Collection" that will soon be for sale at Magnolia-licious, isn't she just the cutest?! That yummy dp is from and the flowers are new Hydrangeas by Prima (next to tulips, hydrangeas are my next fave flower)! I added some lovely, blingy glitterdots to the flower centers & top of the card. I also paper pieced her lil' dress with some of that fun polky-dot paper! The sentiment is from this year's anniversary set from PTI. I also cuttlebugged the coredinations cs behind her and added some stickles to her wings! If you participate in the sketch challenge, make sure and send Diana of Magnolia-licious your project by email for the gallery!!

Next up, is a card I did using one of H&M Stamps new stamp sets! I ADORE this set called "Seeds of Kindness"-it's just fabulous!! I double-stamped the flowers in black & yellow inks and then added black stickles on top of the flowers. The yummy dp is from Autumn Leaves (daisy) & the dotted dp is from PTI. I cut out the flower layers with my Labels 1 Nestabilities & added some yellow rhinestones to the flower centers!

Close-up shows the double-stamping and glittery black stickles I added to the flowers! I love these colors together & I really love how this card turned out, and hope you do too!

I'll be back posting next week for ya & will have lots of pics to share with you (much to my friend's chagrin!)!! Wish me lots of luck in Vegas--hopefully the birthday gods will look down kindly on me, LOL!!

hugz,

Suzanne

A Celebration!!

Happy Saturday everyone! Hope you're off to a wonderful weekend! It's in the high 70's today & I'm just soakin' up the sun! Today is also my "first baby's", Alexa's 13th birthday! Wow, how did 13 years fly by soooo fast! It has been a joyful, surprising, happy, painful, challenging, fulfilling & crazy raising an independent, spunky, intelligent & hard headed Taurean like myself, LOL!! Everyday is never the same, always different & I'm proud of the girl she's become & will be! She's crazy talented, beautiful, so smart & trully a kind girl who loves to sing, dance & be with her friends. She hopes to go to college & major in animal psychology so she can work with dolphins & other sea animals--and I sure hope she does, how wonderful is that! My poor husband has 2 battling Taureans in the house now, but I'm hopeful that those battles in the teens will subside to a wonderful friendship in adulthood. I can't wait to see who & what she becomes because I know she will be WONDERFUL!!

Happy 13th Birthday babe--WE LOVE YOU!!!

Still just a kid at heart!!!

And to celebrate Alexa's birthday, I'm sharing 2 birthday cards I made a bit ago with H&M Stamps new set called "Cupcake Wishes"! Just two happy birthday cards in 2 very different color schemes.

First one is bright & colorful using Basic Grey's "Cupcake" (how appropriate, huh) dp, PTI twill ribbon and glitter dots & scrappers floss! Just a fun & happy birthday card!!

Second card is more of an elegant look--pink & black are always so "oh, la, la" French dontcha' think? The dp is PTI and I put pink pearls on some of the cupcake decorations for extra dimension and in the corners too!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend & I'll see ya back here on Monday!!

hugz,

Suzanne

April Showers, Bring May Flowers!!!

Happy Wednesday everyone! We're halfway thru the week already, oh my! I have so much work to catch up on--eeekkkkk! We're also planting our veggie garden this weekend & its supposed to be in the 70's thankfully. It's been nothing but rain since we got home--yucko! Messing with my mood for sure---I need the South Carolina sun!! Anywho, I've got some great projects to share with you, a blog-hop & vacation pictures too---so go all the way to the end of the post!


So today, H&M Stamp's DT is having a BLOG HOP for ya! Our challenge was to create a Mother's Day or Wedding 3-D project & card! I decided to make a fun Mother's Day project to share with everyone! I made a wall hanging & matching card using some of that yummy "Sonoma" dp by MME and the wonderful stamp set from H&M Stamps "Petals of Friendship"!

For the wall hanging, I used 2 of my coasters (yes, my box of 800 is going down slowly--you can buy them HERE) and covered them with my dp. I used 2 of my sets of Nestabilities (Labels 4 and Labels 1) to cut out my shapes (the back is covered with a matching stripe dp). I stamped out a few of the flowers from the set and cut them out, glittered 'em up with Stickles & attached them with Scor-Tape. I added a fun button to the center of each flower--lovee buttons!

The ribbon is from PTI, I attached the coasters together with ribbon & also made a looped bow so it could be hung up! Yes, that's my lovely mug on the picture--but I didn't have one of my Mom & I together cuz' she doesn't like to have her picture taken, but I'm gonna change that (hear that mom--I know you're reading this)!!! LOL!

I just love this sentiment--so appropriate for Mother's Day! I distressed the edges after cutting out with my new Labels 4 Nestabilities w/ my Inkssentials Blending Tool.

This is the matching card--I didn't gussy it up too much! I wanted the lovely dp to stand alone with the great sentiment. I just added some pink pearls for an accent! This would be such a great & easy project to make with your kids for a grandma, aunt or other special someone for this coming Mother's Day! Now make sure & hop along the BLOG HOP below, 'kay:

~Carolina
~Dawn
~Heather Rolin
~Julia
~Melissa
~Suzanne (ME)
~Tracy
~Heather Klump

Second card for ya today was made for the Copic Creations Blog! This blog will feature Copic Techniques twice a month (1st & 15th) for you along with fantastic examples/tutorials from members of the DT (including me)! So this time we were to create a project using our favorite technique & colors for coloring blue jeans!

I decided to use one of my favorite Whiff of Joy stamps, "Willow w/ Umbrella"--I just lovee this stamp so much. I paired it up with an MFT sentiment from "Rain or Shine"! All the dp & cs is from SU and the ribbon is from Making Memories & Doodlebug. I use alot of different combos for blue jeans but today I'm showcasing my favorite combo for you. I used B37, B34 & B21 on her jeans & accented them with my Sharpie White Poster Paint (extra fine) marker. I added some diamond stickles to the rain and puddle & some lovely Kaiser rhinestones to finish it up!

Make sure and stop by the Copic Creations Blog to see all the lovely projects by the DT & some great info on coloring blue jeans!

Here is my slideshow pictures of our Spring Break vacation in Hilton Head Island, SC! We had an awesome time, the weather was beautiful & we got to see & do alot of things. We spent time on the beach, swam in the pool, I got to read 2 books (finished them too, amazing) & caught up on my magazines. We did Putt Putt golf, a sunset dolphin cruise, shopping & a day trip to Savannah, GA! It was absolutely wonderful!

Until tomorrow friends---

hugz,

Suzanne

Wild Things!!

Happy Thursday everyone--can you hear the weekend calling, lol??!! I sure can and Spring Break starts on Saturday for my kids--they're excited, but mom isn't so much! They're fine the first few days and then they get on each other's nerves (including mine, lol) and we're all ready for school to start again! But we'll try and have some fun in between all the arguing too, LOL! We'll head to DC to see the Cherry Blossoms & visit the re-opened US History Smithsonian and walk around--always fun! The kids want to go see "Monsters vs. Aliens" and we'll go out to lunch!!

And we're heading to my Mom's house next Friday for the weekend to celebrate Easter--now that the kids are older they're not really into the Easter Egg hunts anymore :o( so we'll hang out at Grama's house instead!!!

So today I have a few "SASSY Wild Thang" projects for ya just for fun!!! Love zebra print & double love hot pink & black together---

Yes, I said only one project today but I fibbed, lol!! I couldn't help myself and had to play with some of my fun stuff that hasn't been pulled out in awhile. My Bellas have been sad cuz' its been over 6 months since I've inked them up!! My sweet friend Jacque (thanks again!!) sent me some fun zebra print goodies a bit ago, cuz' she knows how I LOVE & ADORE all things zebra print :o) She sent me this fun zebra ribbon, some zebra headbands and a purse for my daughter (pics to come soon)--she rocks!!!

So I pulled out my Stamping Bella "Huggybellas" and created away. I had picked up a couple of these fun velvet zebra covered journals to alter quite awhile ago (story of my life, hee hee) and pulled one out to gussy up. The zebra brads are from Gina K, sentiments are from Hero Arts and PTI. Such a fun, cool gift for a mom, sister or girlfriend! I might have to make one for myself :o) But this one is up for sale on my Etsy site if you're interested in it!!! (link on sidebar)

Second card uses another new stamp set from H&M Stamps (drawn by my bud Debbie Corbari) called "Petals of Friendship"! I doublestamped my flowers (with the inside & outline stamps) and added some black stickles to the center of them! The yummy dp is by DoveCraft called "Hint of Pink" paired up with PTI's "Raspberry Fizz" cs! This layout is this week's SCS sketch #222--so fun & versatile and my button embellishment was inspired by Michelle Wooderson (Mish Mash), she makes so many great button embellies!! What a fun & funky Mother's Day card!!

**TEASER NEWS--Susana of Susana's Custom Art & Card Design(SCACD) will be having some AWESOME BLOG CANDY up on her store blog HERE starting Monday, April 6th! The prize up for grabs---a handsigned print by illustrator/artist Elisabeth Bell! You won't want to miss it!!

Hope you enjoyed the SASSY projects today!

hugz,
Suzanne

No Foolin'!!

Happy April 1st everyone!!! Can you believe it's April already? Wow--no April Fool's Day jokes from me today--don't really like that tradition, LOl! But I sure do have a Super LONG post for ya today since its the first of the month! I won't ramble on, but get right down to business....make sure to read to the end, 'kay!!! (NOTE: all of the projects on this post are up for sale in my Etsy shop for those interested--link on sidebar)

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**BLOG CANDY #3 WINNER-- ALYSSA of "My Addiction"
Here are your random numbers:21
Timestamp: 2009-04-01 03:34:14 UTC
Congratulations! Please email me your address so I can get the goodies out to ya!!

Thanks everyone for celebrating my Blogaversary with me!! I had so much fun reading everyone's comments on where you might like to live!! Love ya!!
And don't fret if ya didn't win, my birthday is soon so ya know I'm gonna have some BIGTIME CANDY for that!!! LOL
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First up is my card for April's Magnolia-licious DT Sketch (pic above)! I actually documented my cardmaking process (making this card) on video for you, so you can see my creative process from start to finish (if you're interested, hee hee)! Video link below & on sidebar!

These are 2 new stamps from the Easter Collection over at Magnolia-licious--I used "Edwin, is this your Egg?" and "Wagon with Eggs"! Aren't they cute! Instead of making it for Easter, I decided to make it more versatile for any occasion! My dp is from Chatterbox and DCWV paired w/ Coredinations cs and Kraft cs. I added a raffia bow, flower soft (that I custom mixed w/ 3 colors--sunshine yellow, nut brown, ivory) to the hay and diamond glaze to the eggs! I distressed the image with my Tim Holtz Inkssentials Foam Blending Tool (buy HERE & buy extra sponges too). Whaddya think? I love it!

**Video Link for my "Card Making Process" right HERE!! **

Second project today uses BRAND-SPANKIN' NEW stamps from H&M Stamps called "Fairy Tale Wedding"! This set has such beautiful images & sentiments included--I love it! There are 2 other sets that are being released today too--you can check them all out HERE!

I decided to create a card and a little gift. I really wanted this beautiful bride image to be framed, so I kept it simple and embellishments all one color.

I used Angel Wingz Shimmerz on her dress and Liquid Pearls on her jewelry. This shimmery white cs is from PTI--so pretty! I used my SU corner punch on the corners and then cut them out & used my SU scallop border punch on the ends to make my "corners"(usin' what ya have)! I embellished them with tiny white pearls.

I picked up a bunch of these pretty frames (in different colors) from Michaels knowing that I would use them eventually, lol! I created a pretty insert using some more stamps from the set and embellishing w/ pearls and this white, sparkly flower. I think this would be a sweet gift or wedding favor for guests--you can remove the insert & put a picture inside!

It's also time for the Project of the Month for Whiff of Joy! This month we needed to create Easter/Spring packaging or gifts. I picked up some of these small, white cotton totebags from Michaels for gifts. I stamped directly on the bag with my "Willow w/ Flower Basket" and colored w/ my Copics. The swirl stamps are stamped with PTI's "Berry Sorbet" Palette Ink.

I hand-stitched the bow/ribbon/tag directly to the bag handle and filled it with Cadbury Eggs (in cellophane bag)--YUM!

I made a matching card using the cute "Easter Egg Basket" stamp and dp/cs from PTI. I added a few stickles to the eggs for shimmer! Make sure and stop by the Whiff of Joy store to see the rest of the DT's GORGEOUS (breathtaking) Easter projects---you will love them!!

**Face colors used: E11, E00, E000, R20, stamps from Magnolia-licious**

This is a Sneakie-Peekie of a card I made for the NEW Copic Challenge Blog "Copic-Creations"! This new blog will be both a technique & a challenge blog for using copics. The DT will have projects up on the 1st & 15th of each month with a theme that you can participate in & win a nice gift! This time we're focusing on skin tones & techniques--so hop on over to see what its all about! You're sure to recognize some of the talented DT members and see all the fabulous projects including mine :o)


Hope you enjoyed all my projects today and my long blog post, hee hee! All of these items are up in my Etsy store too!



See ya back here tomorrow with just (1) project--LOL!!



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

Bunny Blog Hop!!

Happy Sunday everyone & welcome to the Bunny Blog Hop, lol! Today H&M Stamps is having an Easter project Blog Hop---an Easter project bonanza! If you're on the Hop right now and visiting me your next hop is over to Tracy. At the bottom of this post is a list of all the DT gals to visit too if you're just getting started on the hop--you won't wanna miss any of it!

So I decided to make a whole slew of Easter projects for ya today---pinwheels, Easter Egg holders and notecards! I used H&M Stamps new set "Eggstra Special" designed by my friend Debbie Corbari--it's a fun & cute set for sure, love it! The dp and cs I used is all from Stampin' Up and I colored w/ Copics and added stickles to all my images!

I think pinwheels are such a fun project--I used to make these with the kids when they were "much" smaller & hadn't done them in awhile. Quick & easy to make & such a pretty Spring project. You can make bunches of these as favors for kids or like I did just to be pretty in a container. The only difference with mine is I didn't pull the center all the way thru w/ a brad because I liked them fuller (so mine don't spin)! If you're looking for easy directions to make these you can go HERE!

These fun Easter egg holders are made super quick. A length of dp folded into a circle & secured with scor-tape. I cut my images out with oval nesties, adhered them to more dp and attached to the holders with more scor-tape. I added a lil' bow to my bunny cuz' I thought she needed some blue on her :o) These would be so fun on your Easter table on Easter morning or for brunch & dinner too, hee hee!

And I couldn't not make some cards to match. These are really easy, but so pretty! I just took my white cs (4x5) and embossed with my rectangle nesties. Then I cut out 3 rectangles of cs from my white cs to emboss with the CB folder (swiss dots)--those got attached to the centers of the card. More fun images on top of that pretty SU dp and pearls at the bottom. I left off sentiments so they could be for any Spring occassion you needed! The border I used around my images is from PTI's "Spring Tag Collection" (just lovee that set)

Hope you enjoyed my projects today, now make sure and "HOP" around the rest of the DT gals blogs today!

~Carolina

~Dawn

~Debbie Corbari (illustrator)

~Heather Rolin (owner)

~Julia

~Makiko

~Maria

~Melissa

~**ME**

~Tracy

~Heather Klump

BTW, I had a blast at my pal Marti's house last nite (waving "hi")--didn't get home until midnite and got some new goodies to play with too :o) I also got to meet up with Tiffaney (Inkling 2 Stamp) whom I've only known thru blog and Amy Scheffer (Pickled Paper Designs) which was great! Today we're off to IKEA and then to see "Escape From Witch Mountain" at the movies with the kids--that was my FAVORITE movie when I was much, much younger, hee hee!

Enjoy your Sunday--

Suzanne

Pink Kiwi Kisses!!

Happy Hump Day everyone! We're halfway thru the week and the snow outside is melting thankfully! I am sick with a very nasty sinus infection and I'm hoping the antibiotics cure it soon--yuck, messing with my energy level big-time! My daughter is sick with a stomach virus too--I am sooo tired of sickness! Everyone seems to be suffering from something---this is why we need spring to come SOON (then I'll have allergy issues but I can deal w/ that, hee hee)! So sending out big cyber {{HUGZ}} and Chicken Soup to everyone who is sick right now!! :o)

Today is Whatchadoin' Wednesday Challenge over at the Storage Units, Ink & More blog! Today's challenge was to make your cards/projects "spring-y"---yeah, that was a real arm-twister for me, lol! We all know that I'm prayin' for Spring already! **EDITED--Apparently I can't read and mixed up the WW challenge today--it was supposed to be "Bling It On" and I royally messed up! LOL**

I decided to use the new stamp set "You're Somebunny Special" for both of my projects. These also were made for yesterday's Color Challenge #208 on SCS (kiwi kiss, passion pink, chocolate chip)--not a huge fan of Kiwi Kiss (note, my pack of this cs was still unopened until yesterday, lol) but luckily my Basic Grey "Sultry" dp fit the color profile perfectly! I've had this idea for awhile to make some Easter Egg notecards with my Oval Nestabilities and yesterday I finally took the opportunity to make some!

I used my Oval Nestabilities to make the cards and shapes--easy, peasy! Isn't this bunny the cutest--I left him white so he really popped against the dark colors!

For my second card I colored up the Easter Basket from the "You're Somebunny Special" set, colored and cut out the eggs and glued them on to the backside. I also added some hot pink Flower Soft for the basket filler--love that stuff! Paper piercing around the oval finished it off! I love how they turned out, so perfect for Easter & how fun to give these out! Make sure and stop by the SUINK blog to see the rest of the DT's delightful Spring projects today!

My next project uses the same dp pack from Basic Grey and I also made this for the SCS Color Challenge (208)! This new angel set from H&M Stamps called "Angelic Moments" is just beautiful--they remind me of those Willow Angels of which I have a few. They're colored w/ Copics and I colored some soft pink clouds for them to stand on---lots of diamond stickles on their wings and clouds! This ribbon by American Crafts tied all the colors together perfectly!

Hope you enjoyed all my projects today! If your mojo is runnin' low or you need some inspiration, SCS has challenges everyday that are always fun!!

hugz,

Suzanne

Spring is a Comin'!!

Happy Weekend my Friends!! Have any happy plans in store for the weekend! We're staying home today cuz' we're going to the Washington Capitals game in DC tomorrow (that's hockey for those of ya not in the know, hee hee)--should be a good time! And they're calling for ice and snow on Sunday too--blech---where's my Spring?

BTW, thanks to all of you who found info for me on hatpins & accessories--I appreciate it! After much searching I found a company who sells the hatpin, endcaps & other accessories--if you're interested you can find them HERE !!!

Today the H&M Stamps DT gets to show their sneakie-peekies of the 3 new stamp sets that will be available for purchase on March 1st!! I'm previewing "Seasons of Trees" for ya today which is a really fun & versatile set! Included you get the tree and different images to put in & on the tree--I'm using flowers (for spring) but there is leaves and apples too and fun things to add on. I used the grass stamp, birdhouse, and small bird for my tree! Cuz' I'm soooo longing for Spring ya know :o) And I had to make my birdie a bluebird!!

I used Basic Grey's "Euphoria" dp which I thought matched the tree a bit and I love the fresh, springlike colors! I popped my tree up on dimensionals, colored it all with Copics and added these fun Stampendous flower stickers to the flower centers and around the card! The sentiment is from PTI's "Mailbox Greetings" set--very appropriate me thinks! Check out my DT sistah's below for more sneak peeks today!

Carolina - http://www.creativepad.typepad.com/
Julia - http://www.createwithjulia.blogspot.com/
Heather K – www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=91956
Heather R. - http://www.hlr976.blogspot.com/
Makiko - http://www.makinkstudio.blogspot.com/
Maria - http://www.scrapsbym.blogspot.com/
Melissa - http://www.instampingmode.blogspot.com/
Tracy - http://www.tracylynn00.blogspot.com/

My second project today is a fun little "Baby" set I made using one of Karen Lockhart's Itty Bitty stamps called "Goodnight Moon". Oh I loved reading that book to my kids when they were itty bitty's themselves--such a soothing nite-nite book! Whenever I give baby gifts I always include a couple of nice books and this is always one that include with my gift! Anywhoo....

I wanted to use soft baby colors that were "gender neutral" because its easier to have these on hand without a "girl" or "boy" color to tend with. The polka-dot dp is new from PTI--comes in a stack of all their lovely colors and I paired it up with their "Lemon Tart" cs and Aqua Mist twill ribbon. I colored my moons with my Copics, added some fun stickles to the moon's and popped 'em up with dimensionals. Just a fun card and gift tag that you could make multiples of, the new parents could use a set as thankyou's or even baby announcements!!

The pearls are from Kaiser and the sentiment is from PTI's "Mixed Messages" set--a great set to own! Make sure and check out Susana's Custom Art & Card Design for the entire selection of Lockhart stamps (buy 4 regulars & get an itty bitty free, free shipping over $100 too)!!

Make sure and visit my SUINK DT sistah's Colleen, Carolina & Laura for some more sneak peeks of the new sets out on March 1st! Lots of new stamps out there for ya to buy, oh my!!

Have a great Saturday,

hugz,

Suzanne