BABY, IT's COLD OUTSIDE!

Happy Monday to you all!  Only one more week before Christmas….you all ready?  I’m not sure I’m ever 100% ready for anything these days LOL…I always seem to be a step behind BUT I did get Christmas cards out & all my shopping done.  I don’t send many handmade cards…GASP…I make photo cards on SnapFish.  I decided 2 years ago that I was stressing myself out WAYYYY too much and it just wasn’t worth it.  So I send about 10 handmade cards including to my mom & sister or they’ll whine LOL and that’s it.  It has relieved a lot of time and stress for me and was so worth it.  I also don’t scrapbook that much…I do photo books on SnapFish as well for family vacations, special events and one big year-long book that I give as gifts as well.  They are easy to make, fun and are beautiful to have on hand…and with online coupons you can get 2 free with purchase of 1 OR save 55% which is a steal with free shipping.  Every year I reduce the holiday stress a bit more and don’t push myself as hard with everything…makes me a happier person you know.  I used to do a TON of baking but realized NO ONE ate much…so now I just make some fudge and some of our fave cookies but I don’t go over board.  If every gift doesn’t get wrapped perfectly I don’t freak…I just stock up on beautiful gift bags and tissue paper and call it a day.  I prefer to spend the extra time with my family really enjoying the month…those are the things we all remember you know.  YES I am a Christmas tree freak but even this year I only did 9 trees instead of 12 because I knew I wasn’t 100% and couldn’t get it all done the way I wanted….so I did 9 and I’m perfectly happy with them all!  And if I can’t figure out the perfect gift well then I’ll just choose a gift card…not the most original but HEY picking out your own gift is sometimes a FABULOUS gift KWIM…I sure like gift cards LOL   So I hope you have a chance to take it easy this season as well.  We have slowed down a bit, watched some holiday movies, drank hot cocoa with extra whipped cream, walked around our neighborhood with dogs and teens to see the holiday lights, cooked dinner together, decorated together and just enjoyed what the HOLIDAY SEASON really means…FAMILY, LOVE, FUN, FRIENDS, LAUGHTER, JOY AND HAPPINESS…that is what I wish for all of you too!


Slideshow of Decorations at my house…I didn’t get pics of everything but again that is something I refuse to stress about LOL! (click here if you get blog by email to see)


NewsBitz:


-Today kicks off Challenge #3 which is a fun Seek-n-Find Picture for the Holiday Bash at CMC…to see it click HERE!  Remember everyone can join in the fun, all challenges can be entered until Jan 4th, so you have plenty of time to participate.  And with each challenge you complete you get a chance to win a NEW Silhouette Cameo and other prizes…check out the PRIZES…whoowhee there are so many great ones. And you can check our charity fundraiser HERE as well…it’s a great cause and gets you some more chances to win!  So hop on over..what are you waiting for..its ALL ABOUT FUN!!

-Don't forget to enter the Magnolia-licious Challenge HERE as well...enter your holiday tags with Magnolia stamps for a chance at a $50 GC!!

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BABY, IT's COLD OUTSIDE!

I hear y'all singing...Baby, its cooooolllldddd outside....I love that song especially cuz' it reminds me of my fave movie "ELF" LOL!  Yup today I have another Stamping Bella…I can’t help myself, I love them LOL!  AND guess what?  SCACD has them on SALE this week HERE…15% off whoohooo!  So go buy a few…you know you want to…you know you NEED at least one right? Ahahahaha trust me I buy and am enabled as much as I enable y’all They are too much fun to color and I HAD to use this one “Quinn & Her Boots”..I love that name Quinn…if I had another kid (which I am sooo NOT) I’d use that name!

I'm entering her into the following fab challenges:

Challenges 4 Everybody (anything goes)

Come & Get It Challenges (Christmas)

Dream Valley Challenges (Christmas)

Opus Gluei Challenges (Christmas/Winter Songs)

Stamptacular Sunday (Christmas)

The Hybrid Chick/Card Caravan (Christmas)

Twice in a row I used NO patterned paper…oh my…I’m on a roll and darn it I have a TON of paper to use too heehee!  I love pinks & grays together and I don’t use them often enough so I paired the two here.  That’s PTI cardstock in silver shimmer which embosses beautifully with a CB folder.  (the other color is Melon Berry)  The decorative corners were done with an SCACD die called “Garden Corners”.  The snowflakes were done with a Marianne Design’s die and then smothered them with stardust Stickles LOL.  Ribbons were tied with a Bow Easy and then I used my fave MS Snow Glitter at her feet.  I put down a line of Tacky Glue along the sides of the image and on the sentiment and added DecoArt’s Glamour Dust..I also added it for snowflakes around the image (love, love me some Glamour Dust)

I colored with Copics R22,R20,R11,R0000 / C5,C3,C1,C00 / E11,E00, E59,E31,E50.  Then the blue was done with my Caran-Dache Neo Colors, I used these in past art classes & forgot how much I loved them.  They are expensive yes but they work so beautifully…you can smudge them with your fingers, leave them as is or use water with them.  I used my Tim Holtz waterbrush to blend out the blue a bit around the image..I love the vivid color and then that you can blend them out softly and yes I used them on my Cryogen Iridescent cs.  I used Doodlebug Flock on her hat and boot trims and Stickles on her coat trim.

That’s it for me…have a wonderful day everyone!

New Year’s Coming!!

Happy Weekend everyone!  A quick post from me today because we have a special Blog Hop and I’m sure they don’t want me all blabbering like normal heehee!  But a few things I want to say before I go….prayers to those families in CT that suffered a TERRIBLE tragedy that no one, nowhere should EVER have to go through.  As a parent my heart breaks for them especially at this time of year.  Senseless and heartless to kill so many young children…babies really for no reason at all. Makes me sick inside and my biggest holiday wish is for healing, for those that are hurting this time of year and for our country so that things like this become NOT the norm but something that rarely if every happens.  That is my true wish for 2013…peace on Earth…may it somehow happen in some capacity I do pray.

Also, I will have all my tree pics up on Monday for you all including all my decorations ok   And don’t forget about the CMC Holiday Bash going on now thru Jan 4th…many ways to play, many great prizes to win and all are welcome to join in so get yourselves on over there….we’re waiting for you!!!

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TouchTwin & MarkerPop Blog Hop

Welcome to the MarkerPOP! & Shinhan Touch Twin marker blog hop!
Our teams are joining today to bring you a fun filled hop featuring a variety of stamps carried at the MarkerPOP! store that have been colored with Touch Twin markers which are available at MarkerPOP!. 

The hop starts today and will be open until December 19th. Enter by commenting on all the blogs in the hop (see blog list below)--You could win a set of 6 or a set of 12 TouchTwin markers...whoot!

So lucky me got to color up this awesome Stamping Bella stamp “Uptown Girl Felicity & Blair” from MarkerPop!  I just love these girls and I thought this pair would be awesome for a New Year’s card for a special friend of mine!  Aren’t they just too fun?  I love using them & coloring them…I have a ton of the older Stamping Bella images (the smaller ones) from years ago but I adore these bigger gals   I didn’t use any patterned paper…shocker I know…just cardstock in teal, violet & black.  I added a black tulle ruffle to the edge of the image with Scor-Tape, sentiment is from PTI and the stars are with the Memory Box die “Starry Wreath”.  I cut the wreath in half and used one half to surround the sentiment, I cut the other half into pieces and made photo-corners for my image.  Then I added black pearls to some of the stars and in the corners for more detail…I’m big on details LOL..the more I can fit in without cluttering the better as I like my cards to have lots of little layers that you notice more the longer you look KWIM.

I'm entering these New Year's cuties into the following challeges:

Delightful Challenges (bling-y)

ATC's & Cards with Attitude (anything goes)

Card Makin' Mamas (Xmas & New Years)

Lady Anne's Challenges (sentiment/anything goes)

Crafty Catz Challenge (New Beginnings)

I added Stardust Stickles to the blue dress, the black sweater and around the image for more fun sparkle.  Diamond Glaze was added to the champagne bottle, glasses and cupcakes for shine.

I of course colored with Shinhan TouchTwin markers and the colors are listed above.  If you haven’t tried them, or are on the fence about them…well I have to say I LOVE using them, love the ink, love the brush nib and the way they flow/blend.  I use them in conjunction with my Copics most days …yes they work together well and easily.  So if you have other alcohol markers you can add TouchTwins in with your collection…if you have NO alcohol markers yet then check out the TouchTwins HERE ok!  We have a TouchTwin Group at CMC that is full of resources and projects as well to help you along the way…share the love I say

Now hop along to the rest of the awesome designers below today!

You Go Girls!!

Hiya Friends & Happy Thursday!! One more day till the holiday weekend--yay!! It has been such beautiful weather here in VA the past few days--mid 70's & no humidity! I've had the windows open everyday--it's fabulous!! I hope it continues thru the weekend! I'm not sure of what we're doing yet, but Alexa is going on a weekend boat trip with her friend's family. I think hubby wants to go camping, but we'll see--I'm more for doing some fun day trips :o)!!

**I finished my Copic Colorless Blender Tips/Tricks Video for you yesterday & it's now up on my sidebar under Video #13!! It was hard to squeeze lots of info in 10 mins--darn YouTube, hee hee!**

So, I was inspired by my weightloss & gettin' fit struggle when I made my projects for today! I have some friends who are feeling my pain & going thru the same struggle right now & I thought it would be fun to make them all some "You Go Girl" packages!! Everyone needs a boost now & then ya' know! I pulled out my never-been-used(gasp) "Weightwatchabella" from Stamping Bella and went to town! Each set includes a fun card, a weightloss/diet notebook and a popcorn box full of diet goodies (yummy Fiber One bars & Crystal Lite packets). The dp is DCWV "Citrus" and I just used some fun ribbon & buttons for embellies!

Those popcorn boxes were bought in a pack at Michaels (in the candy section for like $3)--really fun to decorate & fill with all sorts of goodies! The notebook's sentiment says "Mama said there'll be days like this", LOL and its from Verve Stamps--pretty appropriate as we all feel the burn!!

Close-up of my card--I used this week's SCS sketch #229 for my layout! The image was colored with Copics and the sentiment is from Stamping Bella too! If you lovee this set, I have an extra one up for sale in my Etsy shop(link over on my sidebar)!!

**Also wanted to let you know of a fabulous event that will be happening next week (May 25th thru the 31st) for Alzheimers. It's called Stampin' Out Alzheimers and will be a huge challenge and contest site all next week to raise money for research & funding for Alzheimers. This is particularly close to my heart because my grandfather died many years ago from this disease before my children really got the chance to know him, sadly. The cost to enter, play & win is $5 a person (good for the entire week) and we'd love to have you join us. Susana's store is hosting a sketch challenge & the prizes include an entire set of Victoria Case for SCACD stamps (9 stamps), a pack of Dovecraft paper & some fun embellies! You can check out the site & join up by clicking on the link/widget on my sidebar!! And tell your friends too!! **

Hope you all have a fabulous day!!

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

Flower Power!

Good Thursday to everyone! One more day to the weekend-yippee! We have a few things planned for this weekend but not anything major. My dd, Alexa, is taking a 5 hour babysitting/cpr course on Saturday and then we have a pool party to go to. On Sunday my dh and son are playing in a parent/child golf tournament at our Golf Club--my son is so excited about it. Afterwards they give out the prizes and have an ice cream sundae bar set up (hmm..I might have to go that part-lol)! Speaking of ice cream, I don't know if any of you like chocolate brownies & cheesecake (my two faves), but Ben & Jerry's has put the two together and it is fantabulous!! I buy 3 pints at a time---my butt is showing it, so more walking/jogging for me :) If you happen to want some it's called "One Cheesecake Brownie"--hope you can find it cuz' I might have bought them all out--LOL!! Hmmm....maybe I should have done "dessert" cards today---maybe tomorrow :)

***BLOG CANDY ALERT--If you haven't already entered to win my blog candy, you can do so here until this Friday at 11 pm (EST)***

Ok, onto my stamping projects for today. My first card I made was using this week's "new technique" spotlight over at SCS which was making a grid on your cs (they have a tutorial too). Now, I have seen it on others creations & just loved it, but had never tried it for myself--how dumb is that? It's super easy and if you have a scor-pal it will only take a minute to do (if you don't you can use a ruler & bone folder too). This stamp set was the "free with three" over on Gina K's this past month and I just loved this vase of flowers. My mom always had fresh cut flowers in the house in a milk vase similar to this, so I had to get it since it brings good memories. I used this yummo-licious paper (which I'm hoarding cuz' I love it so much) from Daisy D's called "Autumn Collection-Fall in Love" and paired it with SU's really rust cs. I scored a grid onto the cs and then added the dp to the card. The image is colored w/ Copics and I then added 2 coats of diamond glaze to the vase for a nice, glassy shine (ya know I love that stuff--wish I could buy it by the gallon). I used my square nestabilities to layer it and popped it and the sentiment up w/ dimensionals. The ribbon is some that I had gotten from Michael's $1 bin (don't ya love those $1 bins) and it paired well with all the colors. I love this color combo and I definitely will be using it again (kinda fall like which I'm not ready for yet-lol). I inked the edges of everything & the grid pattern with my cream chalk ink from ColorBox to shab it up a bit and ta-da it's done!

The second card is using my Stamping Bella "Gardenia Greenthumb" stamp that my bella Sistah Cathy sent me (thanks again). This is the first time I've inked her up, I haven't used any of my bellas in awhile, they must be lonely. Have you seen some of their new stamps--I really want that bella on a bike w/ her dog, eventually I guess I'll get it. I used dp from Basic Grey's "Sultry" pad and the cs is SU's pixie pink & purely pomegranate. She's colored with Copics and I added stickles to some of the flowers and her lil' fairy wings. The sentiment is from PTI's "flower garden sentiments" and stamped w/ SU's coordinating ink. I added a faux bow with the matching SU ribbon and placed the sentiment (which is glazed with diamond glaze for a glass pebble look) on top. All of the edges were punched with my SU ticket corner punch, which I love to use. Lastly I added 3 rhinestone flowers from Imaginisce and she's done--all pretty in pink and dressed up to garden--ha ha, like any of us evah' look like that gardening!

Hope you have a great afternoon--if the weather stays nice we are headed to the pool for awhile!

Until tomorrow...

Suzanne

Last Day of School--Yikes!!

Happy Tuesday everyone! Sorry I was MIA yesterday, but the kids had their end of year picnics and my daughter had a poetry presentation to attend. They're done with school for the summer--as I've said before, its a mixed blessing. No more school stuff, but lots of "I'm bored", "he touched me", "can I..."'s in store for me (aka no quiet stamp time)-lol!! We're having a sleep in & stay in your jammies day tomorrow (a Dean tradition) and go nowhere!!! yippee!!! Thursday we'll head off to the pool with friends and hang out. We have nothing on our calendar, blissfully, this weekend--how exciting is that? Love it!!

Ok, this first gift card holder is one of 3 I made for my kid's teacher presents. They hold Starbucks gift cards inside (they also got a box of 6 notecards made by me). I just love these gift card holders, they're so quick & easy to make. If you read regularly, you'll remember the one I made previously w/ PTI stamps. The measurements for this are 4 1/4 by 11", scored at 3, 51/2, and 8". I'm not real good on instructions but the original tutorial is here. I used my teachabella from Stamping Bella and the dp is from Fancy Pants (celebrate/play). Accessories included Prima flowers, stickles (but of course), American crafts ribbon, Copics, & some diamond glaze on the apple. I colored the chalkboard black which colored over the ABC's originally on the stamp and wrote over it with my white Inkssentials pen to say "thanks". On the inside I used PTI's "polka dot basics" w/ SU ink to stamp a random pattern. Hope they liked them.

The second card I made for a bella sketch challenge over on SCS. I have had this "craftybella" for awhile & she's never seen ink, so I had to get her out (she was lonely). It took me a second to realize the thing on her right is supposed to be a jar (I made mine paint)--guess I had never examined it closely enough--lol! I just love this new line of dp from American Crafts called "spring & summer scones"--nice bright, summery colors. I used my cuttlebug a little, added some stickles and there is diamond glaze on all the jars. I added the matching sentiment and some buttons to tie in the "crafty" theme.

I'll have some new projects to post tomorrow. I got the rest of my stamps from Funky Kits in & I'm real excited to get them inked up (Sugar Nellie-Sweet Ebony). I wanted to see if anyone has any particular projects or stamps they wanted me to use in the next month or so--leave me an email or comment and I will try my best to try and do some (always looking for new ideas).

Until tomorrow...

Suzanne

Me-Self

Hi everyone! Hope you all are doing well out there where you are. I'm feeling much better today, not as fatigued as I'd been and only a little sore. I completed a few cards today and got 1 other project done (plus caught up on laundry & those other things that pile up while you're sick or away). I see that my blog counter is only a few away from 2,000 hits, so that means major **BLOG CANDY** to give away tomorrow. I'm not going to take a picture of the "loot" you can win, but will tell you that it's a few of my favorite things (some bellas, some bling, some cute dp, a cuttlebug somethin' & a couple of other great things)!! So don't forget to visit tomorrow afternoon to enter--you don't want to miss out!!

Today's cards are all about me!! I made these cards with myself in mind (how selfish, huh). The first card is another Stamping Bella card (I know, I know--there will be no more bellas tomorrow I promise). This is Ohsoprettybella and I think its adorable. Not that I'm stating that I'm "oh so pretty" but this is how I hope to feel in a few more days when I have my normal color back in my face and my mind all together - haha! I got a few sentiment stamps from Rosie's Roadshow that I just loved--she has the cutest sayings on her website, I wanted them all! This one in particular reminded me of how I feel most days--slap some color on your face and you can get it done, Suzanne. I never leave the house (mostly) w/o some lipgloss and some eyeliner or else I'd look like the walking dead--lol! Of course I included my favorite zebra print, the dp is from Glitz Designs, the brads are from Gina K and bella is colored with Copics (had to make her shirt zebra print too). I'll eventually give this card away, but for now she'll be on my favorite's board!

The second card is just a simple kitty, fun-laugh-out-loud kinda card. I had seen this stamp on my fellow blogger and bellaholics friend, Susan's blog--I immediately emailed her and asked where her friend had gotten it. The stamps are from Penny Black (mine I got from Addictedtorubberstamping.com) and this one's name is "Difficult" and I got another cat named "Cat-titude"--they make me laugh. If you know me well, you know I have 4 cats & 2 dogs. My one cat, Poncho is all gray (used to be fat, but he dieted & is now slim) and he's a grump. He really only likes me and hisses at anyone that tries to pick him up or tell him what to do--he's a real prima donna I tell ya, but I love him to death & this stamp is all him! I had to use this sentiment from Rosie's Roadshow for this card--My motto in life is to do it your way and be yourself while you're at it, life's too short to try and be like someone else!! So this card will also get posted on my board for me to get a good laugh at everytime I see it--hope it makes you laugh too!

Alrighty, I'm outta here to go heat up one of those yummy dinners my friends gave me. See ya tomorrow--don't forget about the blog candy~!

Suzanne

Stamping Bella card-Stamping bella "ohsoprettybella", Rosie's Roadshow sentiment, Glitz Designs dp, Gina K brads, Copics & stickles

Cat-titude card-Penny Black cat stamp, Rosie's Roadshow sentiment, mm brads, Copics, SU cs

Friends & Recovery

Hello Friends! If you've visited my blog this week, you know that I have been MIA after having a lumpectomy on Tuesday. Thank goodness, pathology came back clear & it was just a large benign cyst that had gotten infected. I feel like I dodged a humongo bullet this week & am very thankful--it was a very stressful time for us and I'm glad its over. I have to say I have the most wonderful friends and family who support and love us when the going gets tough. I had lots of prayers and well wishes, meals brought over every night and the most beautiful flowers (smellin' so good) given to me. My "lunch bunch" gal friends brought us dinners and gave me the lovely flowers and a "mucho grande" delivery of Cherry Coke to keep my spirits up--they're just the bestest friends to have around I tell ya'!! Although I haven't been able to eat much, I have been delightin' in drinkin' my coke :) Today is the first day I've been back in my craft room & I've missed it alot. I made a few cards today and will make bunches more this week--yippee! I have lots of thankyou cards to get out! I'll give more details about our long week tomorrow, for now I just want to post my 2 cards for ya & get that counter up to 2,000 so I can give away my blog candy!!!

The first card is my entry for the Bellaholics Home Page Contest for the month of July (of course the theme was red, white & blue) using Stamping Bella stamps. I used balloonabella and masked off the balloons when I stamped and then drew my own USofA flag for her. Her dress is paper pieced with SU dp (all papers are SU) and the fireworks and stars are rub-ons. There's lots of bling (stickles) on this card of course--to light it up. I like how it turned out, nice & patriotic!

The second card is one I decided I needed to make for my dad after receiving a bunch of new stamps in the mail this week from Inkadinkado (they're new sketch stamps are beautiful)--mine came from Addicted to Stamping.com (link is on sidebar). My dad has a passion for sailing, and has sailed his own sailboat on the Chesapeake Bay for as long as I can remember,so this stamp I bought for him. The map dp is from K&Company and the rest from SU. I even googled nautical knots to find out how to tie boat knots with the twine (these knots are reef knots) so its more authentic! I'm pleased with how it turned out & I think he'll really appreciate it.

Well, its great to be back & I will post again tomorrow with more stuff!! See ya--

Suzanne

Stamping Bella USA--stamping bella balloonabella stamp, stickles, Gina K "woo hoo" sentiment, SU dp, nestabilities, Copics, rubons

Sailing card--Inkadinkado stamp, Copics, K&Company dp, SU cs, twine, father's day sentiment from PTI pond life set

Wishful Thinking....

Good TGIF to everyone! Hope everyone is planning on a wonderful holiday weekend--some of you will be traveling I know. We never travel on Memorial Day wkend, I hate sitting in traffic & I'd rather hang out and bbq in the backyard with friends. That's what we're doing & planning on seeing the new Indiana Jones movie & going to the pool (which luckily is heated) & it's supposed to be sunny & 80 degrees (yipee)!!

I made another Stamping Bella (kinibella) card today--this is the way I wished I looked when going to the beach/pool, but sadly it isn't (only wishful thinking)!! I had to get bathing suits with skirts this year to cover up those 12 lbs that won't go away!! No bikinis in site for me--No Way!! I really like how this card turned out & the colors are very summery & tropical. This new paper is from Sassafrass Lass (Secret Garden) & I just love it! I'm not sure where I got it from--I order so much that sometimes I don't keep track. I have a paper addiction to go along with my stamp addiction, soda addiction, etc.--I have so much paper and I constantly want more!!! The flowers are Primas and the center is a puffy brad from Making Memories that I got in a pack at Michaels (they're so cute)! Michaels is even carrying Primas now--they're really stepping up their inventory, thank goodness!! And of course I've added some stickles for sparkle & bling! I have a ton (and I really mean that) of new stamps that I am looking forward to inking up this weekend--be on the lookout! It seems that my new stamps are taking over in my craft room--it's nutsy! I didn't add a sentiment because I didn't think it really needed one--it would make it too busy for my taste! **New**Stamping Bella just added a "weightwatchabella" on her site and I ordered it to contrast with kinibella (maybe they can be friends)-lol! Maybe it will be included in the blog candy...we'll see....

I hope everyone has a great & safe weekend ahead of them & hope the weather is nice where you are too!! Don't forget:
***Blog Candy Alert*** Once I get past 2,000 hits I'm giving away blog candy of some of my favorite items. If you read regularly you'll know what some of them might be (stamps, stickles, cuttlebug embossing folders, dp & more)--You won't want to miss it :)
Suzanne

$1 Bins

Good afternoon! I just have a quick post today, since I'm trying to finish up a couple of card sets--I will share when they are finished up. I made this Stamping Bella card and matching notebook for a friend's bday to go along with a gift card I got her. This bella's name is "Imeldabella" & I love her because we (and my friend) share a great liking for shoes!! I won't even tell you how many pairs I have because that might be embarassing for me and overwhelming for you--lol! Just know that I ordered 3 new pairs of sandals from Zappos the other day to add to my collection :) Anyway, getting on with things--this notebook was grabbed from the Michael's $1 bin and the last picture shows you what it looks like in the package before altering. I grabbed a bunch and they also had little notecard sets in a box which I grabbed too (show you that later in the week after I alter them). I always buy a ton of things from the dollar spot in hopes of getting to them, but never seem to, so I made myself do what I actually had set out to do!! I like to alter things, but it always seems to take me so long to make a template and then get to the actual project! The dp is from DCWV "all dressed up" stack, which I adore because it has zebra paper in it. I love my zebra print (I have shoes, purses, pillows & etc. w/ it)! And don't forget to check out Gina K's new stamps tonight at her release party (7pm central, 8pm eastern)over on SCS forum--she has zebra products this time (so getting them) & lots of other new sets too! Maybe I'll see you tonight over at the party on SCS.

See ya--Suzanne

PS--I get most of my DCWV stacks from Joanns website, they have bunches if you're interested.

Stamping Bella stamps, DCWV dp, SU solid cs & punches, rhinestone brad, stickles & Michaels ribbon, colorbok notebook

I'm Back--Finally

Hello scrappy people! I am finally back--it feels like its been forevah!!! We got back from our Disney trip this past Sunday and it has taken me all week to recover--lol!! We had a fabulous time, the weather was in the 80's and perfect the entire 10 days (no rain). I love Disney so much, but boy can it wear a body out--we were gone everyday from 9 am until midnite most days. The Magic Kingdom was even open until 2 am one night--we only made it until 12:30 am, but you wouldn't believe the crazies that were still there with their kids (like I'm not crazy, huh). My body is still recovering! Flying down to FL was uneventful if not nerve wracking for me, because you know I hate flying w/ a passion. But the trip back was SCARY!!! We flew on Mother's Day (what a non-treat for me) and flew thru all those horrible storms up & down the East Coast--what a hellish trip. I cried and hyperventilated the whole 2 hours (not kiddin') as we lost altitude, banged around and luggage was flying out of the overhead compartments--I thought we surely were going to crash--it was terrifying. The stewardesses never even got up from their seats, that's how bad it was. It was literally the worst Mother's Day of my life!! I don't think I'll be flying again for quite awhile. And then it proceeded to be cold & rainy here all week--I wish I was still in Florida :)

Anyhoo...enough about my time in sunny Florida! I had to finish laundry and the kids had tons of activities and schoolwork to make up this week, and now I am finally back in my scraproom and back to work! I made 2 cards today--yippee! The first card is a Bella card (bellarina to be exact) and I made this for my daughter who is having her ballet recital next month. She has been doing ballet since she was 3 and was recently asked to join the Ballet Company at her ballet school to perform in professional productions. She has been on pointe for 2 & half years and her feet are gettin' ugly (good in the ballet world, bad for the cute sandal world)! The stamp is of course from Stamping Bella, the SU black cardstock was stamped in versamark with SU's Baroque Motifs and then embossed in white. The pink cardstock & ribbon is from PTI. The quote is actually off of a ballet poster I had seen in Florida. I think she'll like, especially since it will hold a gift card to the mall--lol!

The second card is for my Pink Cat Studio challenge group--it was to use Pink Cat stamps that we hadn't inked up yet. I had gotten these "Beach" stamps before I left and since I'm still dreaming of the sunny Florida weather, I thought this card was appropriate. The dp is from Bo Bunny--I just loved the madra's kinda print and the colors of the paper. I had to paper piece these cute flip-flops w/ it, and stickles are involved of course. I had to color that "itsy,bitsy, teeney-weeney" bikini yellow--although you won't be seeing me in a bikini anytime soon. My bathings suits all have skirts this year--lol!! One of these days I'll lose these 10 lbs--wishful thinking! This sketch is from Taylor's Taylored Expressions blog from awhile ago, I really liked it and had printed it out waiting for me in my sketch notebook. She has a great blog too--go check it out!

I will posting a "smilebox" of pictures from our vacation soon--make sure to check it out. I promise I will be posting regularly for those of you who visit me. Hope your day is spring--y!!

Happy Scrappin--Suzanne

Ballerina card--Stamping Bella stamp, PTI pink ribbon & cardstock, SU black cardstock, SU Baroque Motifs,nestabilities

Beach Card--Pink Cat Studio stamps, Bo Bunny dp, SU solid cs, stickles, brads

Margaritaville

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

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

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

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

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

Suzanne

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

Quickies :)

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

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

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

Suzanne

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

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

Friendly Envelopes

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


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

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

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

Suzanne


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

Bella Coaster Set w/ Bling!!

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

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

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

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

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

Suzanne

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

Light Hearted

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

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

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

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

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

Late Night

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

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

Nite everyone!

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

Saturday cards

I made this card today for Lauren Meader's sketch challenge. I have had this SU set for awhile, but had yet to ink it up. I love the colors in this. The bugs have stickles on their wings to make them shine. I embossed the blue with a cuttlebug embossing folder. The striped paper is by Diecuts with a View and the solids are from SU. Cute card for a boy, I think...
If you visit my blog regulary or visit my gallery on SCS you will quickly find out that I love , love my "bellas" from Stamping Bellas. I think they are so much fun to create with. I actually started this card with this patterned paper from K&Company's Berry Sweet line. I loved the color combo. I colored my billboardabella with glitter markers (American Crafts) and SU markers. I added a little bling with stickles--my girls have to have their bling!! The flowers are from Prima and I cut out my images with my "new" Nestabilities that I love. I finally was able to get some from Paper Trey Ink, when they released them at midnight the other day. Wheww.. now I want more! LOL