Cupcake Party!!

Happy Wednesday everyone!  I’m headed down to South Carolina today and I left around 6:30 am so I hope to be at my friend Pat’s house by 2:30ish.  I play a game in the car with the GPS who I call Glinda, LOL.  Why Glinda? Cuz’ sometimes she's a smart & good witch and sometimes she’s NOT She has told me to turn off bridges, do u-turns on highways and more---so I do believe she might smoke crack when I’m not looking, LOL!  So Glinda the GPS and I play a game—she gives me her estimated time she thinks I will arrive and I try to beat her, hee hee.  So far I have beat her 90% of the time and yes I am CRAZY but its something to do on long drives. My usual goal is to shave off at least 20 mins from her time—coming back from North Carolina I shaved off 35 mins which was fabulous—woohoo.  So I think she might be a tad mad at me right now but we’ll see tomorrow how she does!  And yes I do think I’m sane most of the time but come on don’t we all play games now & again to keep us from being bored or sleeping!?  Don’t worry I have it all planned---if I get pulled over by a cop I’ll just tell him my GPS was smoking crack and I was on a mission to beat her ETA while speeding….errrr driving!  Whatcha’ think? Perhaps he would put my bum in a cell for the night huh? LOL—hubby would love that!  He always says he’ll never be surprised when the call comes in that I have been hauled off by the police (big meanie he is, hee hee) and that my first call better be to our lawyer and not him—HA HA!  Nah—I’m smarter than that right

NewsBitz:

-7 Kids College Fund has a SALE on all Whiff of Joy stamps as she is discontinuing carrying them.  So they are all 25% off HERE and use code WOJCLEARANCE!  Also new Tim Holtz paper rosette dies are HERE—love these, want these bad, lol!


-Don’t forget to join in on the CMC Challenge—it ends on Friday night and someone will be a lucky winner.  New challenge will be posted Friday night as well---we have a copic challenge every 2 weeks---everyone is always welcome!!

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A Cupcake Party—Yum!!!

Today is a fun 7 Kids Challenge and our hostess is Tori Hemingway---she’s challenged us to create something Hot, Hot, Hot—summery! (and NO Magnolia stamps allowed)  Well my project isn’t hot per se, LOL, but it is summery and perfect for a summer birthday me thinks.  You can see the current challenge HERE and all the DT projects as well—hope you’ll join in with us!



I used this super cute CC Designs Swiss Pixies “Cupcake Birgitta”—isn’t she a doll?  I love to color these cuties—they offer so much space to color that you can really play around with techniques.  I used papers from Kaisercraft and my layout is actually a sketch challenge at Card Positioning Systems this week. I love a pink and green combo don’t you? So girly & fresh!!  The leaves were created with a new Spellbinders die called “Foliage” that is fabulous—I inked the edges of the leaves and added stickles to them to make them sparkle lots.  The die mats behind my image are both a Spellbinders pendant (pink) and the white is a Marianne Designs die.  A few Prima flowers, ribbon and pearls finish this cutie off.



I colored her with Copics—YG25,YG03,G20 / RV17,RV13,RV10 / E11,E00,R20 / E25,E31,E50 /C1,C00.  And then some stickles to her stockings, wings and cupcake frosting!  Make sure to hop over to the 7 Kids Challenge Blog to see the rest of the DT’s fabulous projects!  See ya on Friday!

Hittin’ the Beach!

Well happy middle of the week to you all!  Are you having crazy weather wherever you live?  Boy we’ve had a ton of rain and lots of bad storms here in VA the past month and a half---we never have spring weather like this!  And my heart goes out to everyone in the mid-west especially those in Joplin, Missouri where the whole town was wiped out by fierce tornadoes and many lives lost. And to those that live in Oklahoma that got hit last night as well---we are all praying for you! It is so very scary what Mother Nature can unleash on us here on Earth that is for sure.  I have gone through a few tornadoes while we lived in Maryland and a few here in Virginia as well and it is absolutely TERRIFYING.  The sky turns green and it really does sound like a train coming through—frightening for everyone nearby so I can’t even imagine what those in the mid-west are going through right now.  We were lucky each time to not have much damage or loss of life but it is a powerful thing to see and NOTHING anyone wants to go through.  The weather events here on our earth the past couple years have been scary and make you think about what might be going on with tornadoes, hurricanes, mud slides, earthquakes and tsumamis---is it climate change, pollution, over population, end of the world?  Hmmmm….makes me wonder indeed!  So stop and say a little prayer for those who have been hit so very hard with these crazy weather events the past few months and give your loved ones a big hug too—you never know what tomorrow could bring.

NewsBitz:

-My pal Marti is releasing a second Prisma Pencil Class 2 at the CMC Classroom!  Her colored pencil classes are awesome so if you want excellent instruction on them check them out HERE and hover over Class Info/Pricing tab!  The class will premiere on Friday but you can pre-register now at the classroom---the full description and supply list will be up by noon EST!

-7 Kids College Fund Goodies---Have you seen the NEW Vintage Penny Black Collection HERE?  They are beautiful and look a like a lot fun to color and use!  NEW La La Land Crafts stamps for pre-order HERE and NEW Cuttlebug Folders too!

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Hittin’ the Beach!!

Today I’m sharing a fun card with you for the 7 Kids Challenge!  I’m the lucky hostess this time and I have challenged you all with a fun sketch with a TWIST!  The optional TWIST is to make it “Beach Themed”—which is always fun! You can find out the details, great prize and DT projects HERE.  I hope you get a chance to join in with us!





I had to use one of my favorite CC Designs images from the SugarPlums line called “Surfer Emma”---isn’t she adorable.  You can see her and more of these summer cuties HERE.  My papers are from My Minds Eye “Stella Rose” 6x6 paper pad---I loved the colors and it reminded me of the fun surfer gear I saw while vacationing in Maui last month.  I’m always drawn to unusual or different color schemes so this was perfect—a mix of aqua, navy and mustard gold.  The flowers are by Prima and the fun border was done with a MS border punch.  The swirls are some of my fave from Marianne Designs---I adore their dies.  The fun blue sand/water were done with Mudd Puddles which is a cool craft product—it will stick to paper fabulously and gives great texture.  The sentiment is from a PTI set.

I’m entering this card into the following challenges (remember to check out Feline Playful for a great list of challenges each day):

Going Gray with Scrap-Creations

Totally Gorjuss (water & wet)

Anything Goes Challenge

(BINGO-I chose die-cuts, ribbon/trim, flowers)
Use it Tuesday 
The Paper Shelter Challenge (anything goes--luv their digis too) 
Truly Scrumptious (anything goes)

This cutie got colored with Copics B39,B37,B34,B41/Y26,Y23,Y21/E25,E50,E31/E11,E00, R20/BG72,BG11,BG10.  I added stardust Stickles to her bathing suit and hat’s yellow stripes.  The surfboard got a nice thick coat of Diamond Glaze. Want to use Diamond Glaze effectively?  Keep the tip in the glaze while applying—don’t lit up, keep light squeezing while tip is down and then you won’t get air bubbles in it.  If you do get bubbles just use a stick pin to pop them.  And make sure your project is FLAT while drying or the glaze will puddle and run down.  I coated the underside of the PTI sentiment with more of those fun Mudd Puddles.

Traveling Spots!

Happy Thursday to you all!  I am busy running around finishing laundry, get groceries and packing for my 4 day trip to Arizona this weekend to teach.  I'm so looking forward to it--it will be in the 90's--wahooo!  I have to leave the house in complete ship-shop-shape before I leave everytime, LOL---if ALL the laundry isn't done I could get a text from a manic teenager saying I "forgot to wash her fave jeans---whine--how could I --- whine!!" and stuff like that.  And then one from my son saying "you forgot to get my chips and dip at the store---whine----what am I gonna eat now? whine" LOL!  For real that is what happens soooooooooooo everytime I leave I make them add their top 3 requests to my grocery list, wash every darn last bit of clothing in the house and leave a few lists (for hubby, for kids, for dogs, lol)!  But no matter what I'll still get a text or call with someone wanting/needing something while I'm gone NO MATTER how many times I say "I'm across the country, in a different time zone, I cannot help you, dad's in charge, you are bugging me, I'm sleeping, what do you want?" LOL!  Yes I realize hubby can go to the store, but inevitably the cart will be FILLED with JUNK & not any food that might be good for ya.  And after several mishaps with shrunken laundry the hubster is NOT allowed near the washer/dryer unless under dire circumstances!  Soooo anywho, that makes Suzanne a very busy girl today along with finishing up class materials and packing my suitcase and TRYING to get to bed at a reasonable hour (ha ha ha) since I have to be up at 3:15 am to be at the airport at 4 am, yikes!  Can you say sleepy-time on the airplane for Suzanne, LOL--and I land at 10:30 am in AZ after guess what..........wait for it...................YEP ANOTHER layover in Denver.  I'm hoping to get the same gate and same Southwest dude so we can have another sing-a-long in the airport, hee hee.  Yes if you missed it last time I got about 30 people to sing along to John Denver tunes during our layover flight in Denver.  This time I want to sing Journey songs :) and don't you worry I will do it---so if you are in the area and you see singing people and crazy me leading them along---well then, you'll know you found me, LMBO!  Gotta have a good time in this life ya know?  We only get one shot so we might as well have as much fun as we can---that is my motto everyday!  Wanna dance--then break it out? Wanna sing--then sing?  Wanna laugh--laugh?  LOL---hang around me for awhile and I'll teach y'all about Good Times :)  By the time I'm off the plane I know at least 25 people's names/occupations/locations and we might have sung a tune or too !  If you are BORED you can always follow me on Facebook while I'm traveling---I update it regularly with my hijinks, hee hee!

NewsBitz:

-For those that participated in the Birthday Challenges over at the CMC Classroom, I will be picking all the winners later this afternoon and announcing them on the classroom and via a mass email to all members.  So make sure and check there tomorrow to see if you are a lucky winner! Thanks to everyone for the fun, support & participation.  It's gonna take me a loooooooong time to get thru all of them, lol!

-Get ready for some new Elisabeth Bell for SCACD Stamps heading your way on April 8th!  These are so cute you will smack yourself if you don't get some (lol)! Check out sneak peeks today---see HERE for info. and sneakie peekies by some of the DT!



-Interested in taking a Copic Class with me in person?  Check out my site www.cmcroad.com which will be updated soon with more locations!  Next up is Stafford Springs, CT and there are still spots if you want to come (convenient to NYC area too)!

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Seeing Spots Yet?

I've got a cute one for you today featuring a CC Designs "Swiss Pixies" stamp for the 7 Kids Challenge Blog!  This week our hostess Lisa Summerhays challenged us to "See Spots" LOL--in any form on our projects!  Well after hours on the laptop I REALLY am seeing spots now, hee hee!  Make sure to stop at the 7 Kids Challenge Blog to see all the DT cards, our Top 3 and the prize you can play for if you join in with us!

I just adore the CC Designs Swiss Pixies---so cute and fun to color---this one is called "Sweetheart Birgitta".  All of my papers are the newer, smaller My Mind's Eye "Fine & Dandy" and I love the candy colors and polka-dots in different sizes too!  The circle frame around the main image is by Marianne Designs along with the scrolls (my faves) and then I added some layered Primas and topped them with fun buttons.  I believe the pom-pom trim is Prima and I picked up a few colors at the super-fab Stamping & Scrapbooking Room store in Greensboro, NC (if you are nearby make sure to stop in for fabulous finds)!  The sentiment is "Signature Greetings" by PTI stamped in black ink.

Yes this cutie was colored with Copics: BG14,BG11,BG10/R22,R20/Colorless Blender/YR24,YR23,YR20/E11,E00.  Then I added stardust stickles to her dress, wings and around the circle frame for bling-ety-bling!

Hope that got you to think of some candy (hmmmmm jellybeans, chocolate peeps, etc., lol) and made ya smile!  I'll see ya back here tomorrow with a fun post too!

Polka-Bug Dots!

Happy Hump Day friends--it's the middle of the week already! What do you all have planned for the day! Here's the low-down on my day--work on magazine projects & do laundry, get a pedicure, pack kids suitcases and pick up daughter from cheerleading practice and head 2 hours south to my mom's house. Then get back in the car and head back home (hopefully minus the rush-hour DC traffic) and finish projects and pack for myself (and hubby)! Can you say jam-packed? LOL!

Yesterday I was trying to finish many projects and many emails in between shuttling kids to activities and having a house full of teens!  Alexa had 3 girlfriends & 3 boys over yesterday to "hang out" & watch movies---thank god for Domino's Pizza and a 3-level house, lol!  Alexa is not allowed to date until age 16 but she can be "in-like" with a boy, hee hee---right now she is "in-like" with a boy who is 15 but looks 22!  He's cute but I like that he's respectful (so far) and his parents are on the same "rules-parenting" wave length as us which is good.  But he's the football quarterback and my daughter is a cheerleader--how cliche is that?  UGH!!!  I'm sooooooooooooo NOT ready for all of this I tell ya--please pray for me, heehee!  I might have an even rougher time when Riley starts getting serious about girls--NOT MY BABY!!  How did this happen?  LOL!  Okay let's move on before I start crying :)

NewsBitz:

-I need ALL of you to HELP me out, 'kay?!!  We're looking for lots & lots of HOLIDAY Submissions for the magazine Through the Craftroom Door.  All levels welcomed, any sort of handmade item with a fall or winter holiday theme!  You name it, we want to see it if it's handmade (jewelry, papercrafting, clay/pottery, woodworking, all sewing).  You will get your items and blog published if you are picked & we have lots of slots to fill my friends!  Not only that but you can win prizes for entering as well--how cool is that?  So send all your NEW (never published online/paper) projects to craftdoor@yahoo.com with subject line "HOLIDAY" by September 4th!!  Break out the holiday music & get crafting!!

-I have some yummy blog candy going on right now---see the post below today's to enter!!

-SCACD also has their weekly "Try It Out Tues/Thurs Challenge" going on HERE---we hope you join in!

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Polka-Bug Dots!!

Today kicks off the BRAND NEW Challenge Blog for 7 Kids College Fund HERE (challenge starts at 7 am EST)---Yay!!  And to celebrate Tab (the delightful owner) is giving away a $50 gift certificate to a lucky someone who enters!  This week's challenge was to use lots of PINK & POLKA-DOTS in honor of the 7 Kids logo!  Well I love me my polka-dots and I love pink so this was easy-sneezy!

I used a cutie-pie CC Designs stamp called "Ladybug Nora"--I had to ink her up since she was all dotty, hee hee!  I followed a sketch from my friend Jen del Muro's SFYTT blog--I liked all the layers!  All of my papers are from PTI--they make LOTS of polka-dot papers to match all their cardstock (swoooon)!  The ribbon is from PTI as is the sentiment (Mixed Messages).

This cutie is of course colored with Copics (RV29,RV23,RV10/C7,C5,C2/E25,E31,E50) and I added some stardust stickles to her wings and diamond glaze to the little ladybug friend.  I think she's a super-cutie!  IF you only ever get one bottle of Stickles make it either diamond or stardust--they are my favorites and you can use them over any color and it will shine thru (stardust sparkles more tho-wink)!!

Now hop over to the Challenge Blog HERE to see the rest of the DT's beautiful projects and to join in on the fun with us!!

Thinkin' of You!!

Happy Wednesday to you friends! We're halfway thru the week, yay! I'm off to lunch today with some friends and then my weekly trip to the Post Office, hee hee. I'm hoping like "Annie" that the sun will come out today, lol--it's been wayyy too gray here and I'm needing some light!  Last night we went to my daughter's last choral concert for middle school and she had a solo again--omgoodness that makes me nervous.  I know she'll be fabulous, but it makes me nervous and I worry if her throat catches and will it embarrass her--makes me sick to my tummy, lol!  Just like when she danced on stage--I was a nervous wreck each time--she just laughs and tells me not to worry, it's no big deal, lol!  But she did wonderfully of course and it was lovely--we went out to dinner afterwards to celebrate :)  She does much better than I would've done at that age--I HATE getting up in front of a roomful of people--YUCK! Not my thing at all, but kudos to her for being able to.

Some of you asked about my craft room and here on my blog I have a full tour of my craft room (when it's clean of course) under the tab at the top of my blog that says "All About Me" if you're interested.  Those glass candy jars I got online from Wasserstrom's (they're called cookie jars) HERE.

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Thinkin' of You on Your Birthday

I'm sharing a fun birthday card with you today using a NEW CC Designs stamp--I love the CC Designs Swiss Pixies (see the line here) they're always too sweet & cute to resist!  The papers I've used are NEW from Kaisercraft called "Devonshire"--beautiful papers in this paper pad, love the colors.  The sketch is from this past week's Friday's Sketchers--great sketch!

This CC Designs stamp "Laying Nora" is called I distressed most of my paper edges just softly, not too much with my Zutter Distress machine.  The blue flowers are from Prima, but the large peach one is from Magnolia and the rosebuds are from Wild Orchid.  I used my fave Bow Easy tool to create the double bow and that sentiment is from PTI's "Dahlia" stamp set.

I've colored her with Copics (E25,E31,E50 on hair/ B02,B00,B0000 & R02,R00,R0000 on dress) and then added some stardust stickles to the dress and flower.  Isn't she just a cutie?

I'll see ya tomorrow!

Swiss Flowers!!

Happy, Happy TGIFriday!  It's gonna be a beautiful weekend here in VA--mid 70's and I'm almost caught up on my sleep, lol!  Tonight my good pal Marti is coming over so we can finalize the mini-magazine and I will finish setting up the website to go along with it this weekend too.  Lots to do before my NYC trip and I don't want to be worried about work when we're away--that's no fun!

Classes over at the Color Me Creative site are going really well, all the kinks are worked out and everyone seems to be enjoying them--for that I am very thankful.  When you work that hard, for such a long time on something it is wonderful to hear positive feedback--so I thank you all for that!  I'm running the introductory prices thru Sunday, so if you're on the fence about signing up they're extended for a few more days--on Monday the prices will go up by $5 each!!  And if you're around today between 3-4 pm EST, stop by the Main Site HERE to chat with me!

NewsBitz:

-Pink Cat Studio had a NEW Digi RELEASE yesterday, but the website was down--so make sure and stop by the store HERE to check those cuties out!

-Haven't signed up for the NEW Mini-Mag "Through the Craftroom Door" yet?  You can read all about it HERE!

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Swiss Flowers

I LOVE CC Designs Swiss Pixies--they're just so cute and so much fun to color!  This one is called "Heidi Among the Flowers" and you can buy her HERE!  I used some of these in my Copic classes, because they offer great coloring spaces!  The papers are Cosmo Cricket's "Dutch Girl" --kinda appropriate, hee hee! I hoard this paper, cuz' I love the color combo!

All of my edges were distressed with my Tonic Distress Tool for a little vintage vibe :o)  I layered Prima Hydrangeas with cream flowers and topped them with Prima red roses (find them all HERE)!  The swirls are from a punch and then I added some red pearls to them.

She's of course colored with copics (BG72,BG11,BG10 & R29,R24,R22,R20) with some stickles on the flowers and her belt. I drew in some extra blades of grass with my copics--and those soft blended edges are done with my Inkssentials Blending tool (luv it, use it everyday)!

Now don't forget to stop back by tonight at 11 pm for the Gina K Blog Hop--I'm gonna show off some of the new sets for ya!  Have a fabulous weekend!

Snow Day!!

Happy Snowy Friday everyone! "Snow, Snow Go Away--never come another Day!!"--LOL!  Well we're in the major snow belt today and expected to get upwards of 30+ inches--can you see I'm sooo thrilled--NOT!  I am ready to jump on a plane I tell ya & head south!  And get this, my hubby says to me last night "let's leave in the morning for a ski resort so we can be snowed in?"....ummmm...ARE YOU FRIGGIN KIDDIN' ME was my not so quiet response! LOL--I mean really, if I'm going anywhere it will be to a VERY WARM island and I'm not comin' back until Spring arrives! :o)  He enjoys the cold obviously, while I can not tolerate it at all any more--blech, blech, blech!  But I braved Wegman's last nite at 10 pm to miss some of the crazies that come out and snatch up all the food, hee hee---I wanted to make sure I had all my supplies for Super Bowl Sunday ya know.  Chili, cheese dips, tortillas, stuff to make guacomole, pizza supplies, etc!  You watching the Super Bowl?  I'll be rooting for the Saints "GO SAINTS", but I'll be working all day on projects as well!  They called off school today and hubby is working from home, so I'm sure come Monday I will be literally pulling my hair out, LOL!  Doesn't the school board know that to keep myself SANE, I NEED the kids to be in school everyday--ack!!  Lordy help me please..................hee hee!
And since I might as well join in on the wintry weather, I've got a wintry post for ya today!

NewsBitz:

-7 Kids College Fund has the Brand New Penny Black stamps in stock at the store HERE!  They are Ca-Ute--the new bears are my fave though :o)

-Want a chance at a Guest Designer Spot for Mo's Digital Pencil alongside the Dream Team?  You can find all the details HERE!  Hope you'll try out!!

-I'm also in love with Couture Cardstock (insert swooning here)! I discovered them at CHA and love, love, love all their pretty cs colors, variety of textures and prices.  They also make a great white cs that is great for Copics that I'm learning right now to use called "One Sheet Wonder"--it's pretty darn good so far I tell ya!  You can visit them HERE (I just got my 50 lbs of paper the other day & I LOVE it...shhhh don't tell hubby, lol).  And if you want to replace your SU "riding hood red" that I'm almost out of, well Dervish & Rudolph are pretty darn good matches (and yes I got some of each ;o) )!!

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Winter Friends

I've had some of these cutie pie CC Designs stamps from 7 Kids on my desk for awhile and finally got to put one to good use!  I used some soft new papers and cs from PTI to create a wintry shabby chic card for ya!  This sweet Swiss Pixie is called "Nora" and you can find all of these cuties HERE!  I tattered up some newsprint paper (K&Co) and distressed all the papers with my Tonic Distress Tool and then used Distress Inks (I use Old Paper and & Vintage Paper) to ink the edges up.  I punched some snowflakes out, inked them and added some MS Snow Glitter.  The ticket is from a Hero Art stamp set HERE that I love to use---the inside sentiment is from a PTI set (forgot which one, sorry).

I colored her with Copics (BG11,BG10,V12,V00) and added some stickles to her wings and some MS Snow Glitter to the snowflakes floating around her and at her feet!  I just love her and hope you do too!

See ya back here tomorrow!

Merry & Bright Pixie!

Hi everyone and Happy Sunday to ya! Just a short blog post today--recovering from last night's late activities and too much candy in the belly, LOL! Make sure & check out my post from yesterday if you haven't already, it was packed with pink loveliness!

NewsBitz:

-Check out the NEW cool Smooch Spritz--fun colors, cool bottles & awesome metallic shimmer (Buy the set of 8 for the price of 7) ! Susana also have these AWESOME Glitter Buttons in stock now--they are SUPER glittery, I just love them!

-Susana's Custom Art & Card Design is going on vacation starting this Tuesday, which means the store cart will be closed until Friday (Nov.3-5th). So if you want to order something & need it in a jiffy--make sure & do so by Monday!

-One of my new favorite stores A2Z Scrapbooking has an AWESOME sale on Copic Sketch sets--check them out HERE!

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Copic Creations Challenge Blog

So today is November 1st (already, my time flies) which means it's another Copic Creations Challenge!! This time we were challenged to color red/auburn hair on our images---easy peasy I say, hee hee! I pulled out one of CC Designs Swiss Pixies "Gretel" which I hadn't had a chance to ink up yet and made her a Christmas Pixie instead--she's super versatile which I love of course! Her hair color is actually a bundle of Copics I made for Susana's Store that you can buy HERE (E19,E18,E17,E13) and I added a little of YR23 for some golden touches.

I stamped some Christmas holly from a holiday Inkadinkado set so Gretel would have a place to sit--stamped the corners as well, and then added stickles to the leaves and red pearls (A2Z Scrapbooking has a fabulous selection of pearls HERE) to some of the berries. The dp is by Memory Box called "Spiceberry" and the sentiment is from the PTI set "Vintage Ornaments". And I was soooo excited to finally find the Martha Stewart holly punch--I double punched the holly from 2 colors of cs and then added more red pearls for the berries. A cute holiday card for my stash! Hope you like her too!

Now make sure & stop by the Copic Creations Challenge Blog HERE to see the rest of the DT's projects and to join in on the fun as well!

Relax it's Cocoa Time!!

Happy Hump Day Everyone!! Oh my gosh it is so COLD here in Virginia & rainy & dreary--all my fave weather events combined in one day--NOT!! I told hubby that since everyone is saying natural gas is gonna be so cheap this winter, that means I get to use the fireplace EVEN MORE this winter, LOL (anytime I can justify warmth)! And I cuddled up last night and finished an awesome book--it was really, really good & I love a great ghost story. If you loved "The Time Traveler's Wife" by Audrey Niffenberger than you'll LOVE her new one "Her Fearful Symmetry"--it's really a great read, loved it! Now I'm starting Kate Morton's new book called "The Forgotten Garden" which sounds great & gotten great reviews, so I'll let ya know! I am so hoping that Santa (ahem...hubby, hee hee) brings me a Kindle for Christmas, so I can download books in 30 secs--AWESOME--it will be different not actually turning pages but I think the tradeoff's are really great! What's on your wish list for the upcoming holidays (and by wish list I mean material stuff this time, hee hee)!

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Cocoa Time Gift Set

So today I've created a fun lil' gift set using one of the CC Designs "Coffee KiKi LaRue" sold HERE--I adore these lil' stamps, so very cute (see my other set HERE)! I decided that I'd make a cocoa gift set with this stamp--I don't drink tea or coffee so I used hot chocolate for my gift pack! (I designed this lil' hot cocoa packet especially for these Land O' Lakes hot chocolate packets that I buy in bulk from Costco--oh so yummy--directions below). The patterned paper is from the Basic Grey "Lemonade" pack paired w/ PTI cs.

KiKi LaRue was colored with Copics and then I paper pieced her robe with some matching dp, added diamond glaze to her mug of cocoa and then stardust stickles to her rollers, flowers & belt! The flowers are all Prima that I layered & topped w/ PTI buttons tied off with Scrappers Floss. The lil' sentiment is from the PTI set "Tea for Two" and I used 2 of my CB embossing folders on the background (see here and there are new Xmas ones too).

This is the front of my gift pack that holds the cocoa--more Basic Grey dp, Primas and a sentiment from PTI's set "Warm Happiness" (you can change the word "cocoa" to coffee or tea)! I used my Nestabilities Labels 1 to cut the sentiment & background layers out and the packet ties closed with this fun PTI dotted ribbon.


This is what it looks like inside--I just decorated the pockets with more dp and used my Scor-Tape (in the 1/4 size) to seal the edges off tightly! Fun & easy to make--great gifts for the upcoming holiday too---I will be making ALOT of these!

(Dimensions of this packet are 7.75 x 8.5"--scored at 3.5" & 4.25" vertically--the side fold is scored at 6" across horizontally which creates the pockets)

I also created a fun Hot Chocolate Box Template last year (of my own design that fits up to 6 of these packets) and the template is on my sidebar or HERE if you're interested (feel free to use the template just give credit to me please)!

Hope you liked the projects for today! I'll be back tomorrow with a HUGE POST, so get ready--sneak peeks, challenge cards & 2 BLOG HOPS--oh my!!


hugz,
Suzanne

Witches, Snowflakes & Hugz!!

Happy October 1st to ya'll!! Wow--I have a super long post for ya today since it's the first of the month which is always packed!! Tomorrow's post will be the same, lol! So I'll keep my monologue here short for ya, so you don't doze off before you make it to the end, hee hee! I'm actually typing this the night before after sitting in classes for 2 hours listening to all my daughter's 8th grade teachers--so if something is typed weired---it's cuz' I'm TIRED, LOL! So glad I'm done with school--ugh, I did really well in school and college but now that I'm older I just can't sit still that long anymore. My mind starts wondering & my adult ADD settles in & takes me for a ride, hee hee--gotta be moving & doing ya know!! Anywho, let's move on......

(Just so you know, I'm not chattin' alot after each project--the supplies will be listed recipe style today after each due to space & appreciation of your time & mine, hee hee)

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October Magnolia-licious DT Sketch

It was my turn as DT member for Magnolia-licious to come up with the sketch this month--I decided against a true sketch & instead have a template for ya! This month's challenge is to make one of these fun & easy Easel Cards that prop up so prettily! You can find all the instructions & templates right HERE (I made mine 5.5" square so I changed the dimensions up which is easy to do)! **NOTE: I will also have a step-by-step picture tutorial up on the Magnolia-licious Highlites blog HERE on Friday afternoon to help!***

I used one of my favorite (Yes I say that alot) winter Magnolia's "Waiting Tilda" and the trees in the background are also from Magnolia (although I couldn't find them on Diana's site)--I love their swirly-ness! I just stamped & stamped off w/ blue bayou ink to create the forest background and the sentiment was stamped over them.
Here's a side view of the card when it's propped up easel style--it lays flat in a 5.5" square to mail! I used my checkered border to create a prop instead of a brad--I like the look better! Now make sure and stop by the Magnolia-licious Highlites Blog to see the rest of the DT gals wonderful Easel Creations & join in with us as well!
Recipe: SEI "WinterSong" dp, SU cardstock, SU felt snowflakes, Diamond Glaze, Martha Stewart Snow Glitter, Nestabilities, SU border punch, PTI buttons, Scor-Tape, Bow Easy, PTI Stocking Prints sentiment, Copics

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New Pink Cat Studio Digi Releases

Second project for ya today is a NEW RELEASE from the fabulous Pink Cat Studio Digi Store!! Melissa is busy creating new images that will be released every week for ya on Thursdays--how fun huh?! And I get to announce officially that I'm on the DT for the Digi Store as well--so exciting to be on the team w/ Melissa and the other great DT gals(see sidebar for list)! This new image is called "IB Betty-Flower Hug"--I think it is just super sweet & adorable & perfect for so many sentiments/occasions! Now hop over to the store HERE to see the other 2 new designs and the other DT gals fab creations for some inspiration!
Recipe: Cosmo Cricket Mini Deck "Earth Love" dp, PTI cs and ribbon, Nestabilities, hole punch, CB embossing folder, fern branch punch, Prima flower, small flowers, stardust stickles, Copics

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Copic Creations Challenge

Since it's the first of the month that means it's time for the Copic Creations Blog Challenge and this week is to color oranges/pumpkins. Our fabulous sponsor this month is CC Designs/All That Scraps which you know I LOVE!! This challenge is perfect fun for this month & if you participate you have a chance to win a gift certificate to All That Scraps to buy stamps--yay! I used the following orange copic colors on my pumpkins--YR18,YR14,YR12,YR01! All the stamps (except the Boo sentiment) are from CC Designs and you can find them all HERE! The background was stamped & then I used my prismas/gamsol to create a spooky sky & moon. I used my drippy goo punch to create some ooey-gooey green grass, spooky fun!
Now hop on over to the Copic Creations Challenge Blog to see all of the other DT's spooktacular creations this week & join in the fun!!
Recipe: My Minds Eye and Heidi Grace dp, Martha Stewart Drippy Goo & Cobweb punch, stardust stickles, diamond glaze, glitterdots, prismas, gamsol, copics, dimensionals,black Spica pens

Whew, that was a long one huh? Have fun hoppin' around to all the stores & blogs today, LOL! I'll see ya back here tomorrow!

hugz,

Suzanne

Two Scoops Please!!

Happy September 17th my friends!! I want to run a poll and ask everyone "how much sleep to do you usually get a night" and "at what age do you start sleeping again?", LOL! I swear I could go on vacation and sleep for the ENTIRE week & not feel guilty about it either! No LIE! I'm such a poor sleeper anyhow (chronic insomniac) and then having a child with asthma/breathing issues does not help. I sleep with one ear to the door most nights making sure he's sleeping, hearing every cough & wheeze--I feel like I have an infant again (oh lordy no, two kids is enuff for me, hee hee)! I average 4-5 hours a night if I'm lucky & it's just not enuff' anymore--my ole' body is feeling it for sure and I'm not able to get as much done which is a BIG PROBLEM! My engine needs some gas I tell ya, lol! And I've started my new Dan Brown book which kept me up beyond a reasonable bedtime as well :o) Who can resist the draw of a fabulous book--not me!! Anywho, here's to wishing me and you a good nite's sleep tonight!

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Today I have a fabulously fun project to share with you that I just ADORE (YILM)! I love the colors, layout & image, so fun! This is a new stamp sold by CC Designs in a set or singly called "Kiki LaRue's" that you can buy HERE and I think they are just too cute! (Christine keeps making them cuter & cuter I tell ya)! The card layout is from yesterday's SCS sketch #246 and the papers are by Memory Box's Sugar Collection(I don't think it's available for sale anymore, bummer). I love the patterns & colors in these papers! The cute ice-cream is bubbles--aren't they fab? I picked a few up at Michaels or AC Moore awhile back knowing that a stamp would come along that would be perfect to use with them! I made a band around the middle w/ paper and then added some fun May Arts ribbon (double sided) and a fun tag made w/ my nesties! This would be such a great gift for a young girl's birthday or party favors!!

The SCS layout is so fun & perfect for so many cards--I will be using it again for sure! I added some diamond stickles to her headband, cherry & bowtie; diamond glaze to her shoes, eyes & chocolate ice cream scoop. The ribbon is from PTI and the bow was made w/ my fabulous Bow Easy--flowers are small Primas with Bella Bauble centers! The heart charm is from my stash but find similar ones right HERE. If you love this it's for sale on my Etsy shop which is sadly mostly empty so I gotta get around to fillin' it back up, hee hee! (I have the supplies to make one more, so if you REALLY want one & it's already sold, just email me--1st come)


hugz,
Suzanne

Trick-or-Treat Sweeties!!

Happy Monday my favorite stampin' friends! Did ya have a terrific weekend? Our's was pretty darn good even if we did end up getting more rain, hee hee! On Saturday, hubby took our son to the Open House at our local airport to see old bombers & war planes--they had a blast & got to go on many of them. Hubby called and asked if he & Riley could go on an actual flight on one of the bombers for $800--LMBO--I said "no way Jose"! Are you kiddin' me--we could all fly to the West Coast for that much money! Once they got home, we all went and finished up all the school shopping (hurray) including school supplies--only thing left is to get Alexa one more pair of flats for school. Yesterday we just hung around the house and enjoyed the almost fall-like weather (gasp--not ready to say goodbye to summer yet)! The kids have eye exams, dental appts & school orientations this week---nothin' like good ole' mom cramming everything in the week before school, LOL! Gotta fit in haircuts somewhere too--although my son says he's growing his hair out "a la surfer style", not sure about that but we'll see!


NewsBitz:

-my new demo video on using the "Bow Easy" can be found on my sidebar or HERE! Such an easy, quick way to make perfect bows everytime (including multiple loop bows) & they're only $5! I made the video because the info out there was less than adequate & I was confused when I got mine, so I was sure I wasn't the only one who needed better visual instructions, LOL! You can buy your Bow Easy right HERE!

-Susana's Store has all Shimmerz Products on SALE at 30% off--that's a good deal! Go HERE to buy yours!!

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So today I have 2 Trick-or-Treat cuties for ya! I just ADORE & LOVE these new Fall SugarPlum stamps by CC Designs (available HERE on September 7th)--each one is just too cute for words! On this lil' pumpkin card I used the girl Sugarplum and made her costume a "giraffe", but she would be cute as a lil' "cow" as well!

The pumpkin was made using my largest oval nestability to make 3 ovals & then I shaded the edges. The middle oval is attached with dimensionals so it pops just a bit. The vines were made with my scroll punch (love this punch--buy yours HERE) and then I free-hand cut out the stem. She's colored with copics & then I added stickles to her tummy and the stem, the pumpkin bag got a coat of diamond glaze & then stickles on top! The sentiment is from PTI's "Spooky Sweets" set--perfect for this lil' image! Isn't she cute--I just love how this one turned out!

Side view of my pumpkin card--I simply scored a 1" scor-line across my cardstock using my Scor-Pal & folded & attached to the pumpkin with Scor-Tape to make the card. Easy Peasy!


Second fun card uses the lil' Sugarplum "mummy" image (available HERE on Sept. 7th)--too cute I tell ya! I used my Nestabilities Mega Labels 8 to make the cool shaped card! I forget who the bat dp is by (from last year's scraps) but I created a faux "mummy wrap" by cutting strips of PTI's shimmery silver cs & attaching to the dp. I added some actual medical gauze behind the image for fun & texture & the bats are from a Martha Stewart punch. The sentiment is from PTI's "09' Halloween Tags" and I used my smaller pinking circle nestabilities as a back mat.
Even though he's a cute mummy he had to have a lil' bit of shimmer a la Suzanne style, hee hee! So I gave him a good coat of Pixie Dust Shimmerz on top for just a soft shimmer. Spooktacular I say!


Have a Boo-tastic Day!!
hugz,
Suzanne