A Lil' Elli!!

Hi friends & yay it's Friday!! We had the most beautiful weather yesterday here in Virginia--almost fall-ike (gasp) but I did enjoy it! Hubby and I had a fabulous dinner outside at one of our favorite restaurants and then took the doggies for a late nite walk--I even had to wear a fleece cuz' I was chilly--that NEVER happens in August. Hubby is playing golf today with work people & then we're headed out at 3 pm to do some shopping & dinner! Maybe I can twist his arm that I NEED to go to Michaels, hee hee---if he only knew what I bought online this week, omgoodness! Emma's Paperie got in all the new CHA goodies including all the new My Mind's Eye papers & of course I had to have them ALL along with some containers & 2 Martha Stewart punches, LOL! It was definitely a need in Suzanne's "book" :o)


I just have one pretty project for ya today! I used one of the fabulous new Whiff of Joy "Party Animals" to make a feminine baby card. This is "Fred Celebrating Elephant" but I've made her a girl that I'm calling "Elli", hee hee! As soon as I saw "her" I knew I'd use her for a baby's card--these stamps are so versatile for so many different occasions (invites, baby cards, birthdays, graduations, etc.)!! I colored her with Copics a lil' differently than usual--I left it a little dotty & not blended as well for a water-colored effect so it stayed soft. The layout is this week's Mojo Monday Sketch #98 and all the dp is from Stampin' Up.

I added some swirls that were made with the Spellbinder's "Shapeabilities-Flourish Accents" and accented them with pearls. The sentiment is in another Spellbinders set (that I use a ton) called "Double Ended Tags"--I added pearls to the ends instead of ribbon or brads. The roses are Prima mini roses which I just adore and I added some flower soft to her lil' bouquet. And what girl elephant can go w/o a lil' pink bow around their neck? Too cute!! Hope you like her!!

See ya back here Monday! Have a great weekend!


hugz,

Suzanne

Gettin' Krafty!!

Hello friends & Happy Thursday to ya! Got the kids off to grandma's house yesterday so I'm going to enjoy the quietness of the house for a few days, hee hee! No arguin' between kids, no slamming doors, & no saying "I'm bored" for the 5,000th time!! After I get my work done, I'm going to go sit outside (in the 90 degree heat, yes) and read my novel & play ball with the doggies & maybe take a late nite walk with hubby---ahhhhhhh! Is it bad to be a lil' giddy that your kids are off for a bit? LOL--nah, I know they're being spoiled & having fun & we ALL need a break now & then from each other!! Anywho, I've got some KRAFTY projects & BOY ones at that for ya today!!

NewsBitz:

-Susana's Store has the BRAND NEW Flower Soft in Autumn & Polar White in the store right now! So run & be first to get yours HERE--mine comes today hopefully, so you will see me use it real soon!

-If you haven't had a chance to play the Lockhart Scavenger Hunt, there is still time! Go HERE for all the details!
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So I did two boy projects for ya today both involving Paper Trey Ink's Kraft cs (the best I tell ya)! I got my new Pet & Animal Collection Magnolia's from the super sweet Diana of Magnolia-licious & I couldn't wait to ink some up. This lil' "Jungle Edwin" reminds me soooo much of my son when he was younger & totally idolized Steve Irwin the "Crocodile Hunter"--and he still loves to watch animal shows (even the gross ones--ewww)!! I got all this fabby dp in my package too & I'm not sure who it's by but I do love it (the orange animal dp is glittery)!

I used this week's SCS sketch #240 for my layout and colored my image with Copics--I added some diamond glaze to his helmet & some spica pens to his machete knife & belt buckle. I love to use twine on masculine cards--takes the place of more feminine ribbon ya know. The button is from PTI & the sentiment is from PTI's "Around & About Sentiments" set! I think he's such a cutie! All of these Pet & Animal Collection stamps are available at Magnolia-licious HERE.

My next two cards feature the fabulous Lockhart Stamp Co. board game stamps "Parcheesi" & "Checkers". Always need some cards for the men in your life ya know & I tried to keep these colorful & manly at the same time--they would be great for birthdays or any other occasion. I stamped my images on PTI's kraft cs again--it's such a different effect when you color on kraft with your copics--more muted colors. (when doing this you have to use more vibrant colors for them to show up on kraft) The dp is from DCWV & I just loved the retro pattern & cool colors--perfect for these notecards.

Both of my projects today are up for sale on my Etsy shop if you're interested in them!! Hope you like them both--they sure were fun to make!


See ya tomorrow!

hugz,
Suzanne

Summertime Picnics!!

Hiya & Happy Tuesday! It's another hot & humid day here in VA--oh boy!! I really enjoy summer but the humidity I can do WITHOUT, lol! I'm going to take the kids to the library today & to lunch & that's about it---we'll go spend the day at the pool tomorrow. I can't believe school will be starting school--summer is always way to short! Ahh...what would an endless summer be like? Do ya think we'd get tired of it? NAH--not me, hee hee! Anyway talking about favorite summer activities let's move on....
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FUN BLOG CANDY--Susana's store is sponsoring a fun BLOG CANDY Scavenger Hunt featuring Lockhart Stamps. Go HERE for more details!

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Today is "Try It Out Tuesday" for Susana's Custom Art & Card Design and I challenged the DT with a fun sketch this time. Make sure and stop by the store blog HERE to see the sketch & all the DT's fabulous projects! I decided to flip my sketch for my card & make a fun picnic basket to go along with this fabulous Elisabeth Bell for SCACD image "Dolly"! All the dp is by Graphic 45 & available HERE.

Isn't Dolly the cutest!!? My card is colored w/ Copics of course & then I added some diamond glaze to her bonnet and the tea set. I remember having fun lil' picnics like this with my dolls when I was younger--so much fun pretending the summer days away. I added a few glitterdots to my card and some white flowers that I colored with Shimmerz in Ultra Marine. I left a space open in the top left of the image so I can stamp a sentiment depending on what the card is being sent for.

This fun lil' picnic basket is from Timeless Templates available at PTI. I thought it went perfectly with this image of "Dolly". When you buy this template you get two for the price of one--a small picnic & large picnic basket--I used the smaller version. I altered the lid a bit by scoring the center so that it can open up on either side like a real basket! I think this would be perfect for a small gift like tea, candy or a gift card, so many possibilities! This set is for sale in my Etsy shop if anyone is interested :o)

Now make sure & hop over to the "Follow Your Heart" blog to see the rest of the DT's fab projects for today!

hugz,
Suzanne

Summertime Fun!!

Happy Monday--hope you're week is going well so far!! We had a fun weekend even if it didn't turn out as planned (best laid plans, hee hee)! Hubby took Riley to an RC airshow on Saturday while Alexa was boating with friends, so I got to hang out by myself & read & craft all day (yay). Sunday we had storms on & off so we didn't get to Mt. Vernon, but went to the movies instead to see "G-Force" with the kids--very cute & funny! I'm a sucker for animal movies, hee hee! Then came home & crafted some more & shot a NEW copic video for you all! The kids go down to my mom's on Wednesday until Sunday, so hubby & I will have some alone time (at least in the evenings since he still has to work)--so that will be nice. Then gotta start school shopping I guess--the kids need new everything since they've both grown like weeds this summer. Ugh...now that they're older clothes/shoe shopping is the WORST!! They whine more & complain & literally drive me up the wall---ackkkkk! I usually have to go twice because I run out of steam halfway thru--Alexa is wanting things I don't think she should have & Riley doesn't want to try anything on, hee hee! Oh the joys!!

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WINNER of my BLOG CANDY (picked randomly) is:
CHRIS D of "Simple Things In Life"!!!

Congrats to you & email me your address & email addy so I can get the stamp & gift certificate to ya ASAP!! (sjdean@smartneighborhood.net)


Thanks to everyone who entered--it was fun to read your answers & special shout-out to "Sandy Krahn" who said her dream vacation would be to come take a Copic Class with lil' ole me--HUGZ to ya!! Don't know if that's a dream vacay but sure is nice to hear, hee hee!

My dream vacay would be 1 week in Italy & 1 week in France. I want to see Rome, Venice & Tuscany & then Paris & Normandy where my grandfather is buried (he died in WWII). One day I hope to get there!!
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NewsBitz:
-Remember you only have until August 7th to buy your Whiff of Joy "Fall Kit" with 10 Elisabeth Bell images for $36 right HERE.

-Susana's Store is also sponsoring a fun Lockhart Stamp Co. "BLOG CANDY"--go HERE for all the details starting tomorrow!!

-New Smooch colors are in and available at Susana's store--cool new colors!

-NEW Copic Video Tutorial #16 on coloring African American Skin tones & Hair is up on my sidebar under "Copic Videos"!! (had lots of requests for this--so hope it helps)
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First up is a very fun project I made on Friday and couldn't wait to share with you all. I love, love to make papercraft projects so when I saw the instructions for this cute cart on the Scor-Pal site HERE, I had to get right on it, hee hee. (Fab papercraft projects on this site) I decided to make mine an Ice Cream Birthday cart & made a matching card using one of the new Lazy Day Summer collection Tilda's (Tilda w/ Ice Cream) from Magnolia-licious. The dp is by Moxxie which I adore the circles & colors (funny thing--the backside has martinis on it, hee hee) paired with PTI cs.
The circles in the dp led me to my layout which is fun I think! The buttons are from PTI and I tied them with scrappers floss in pink. Tilda of course is colored with Copics and I added white polka-dots to her shirt and stickles to her ice cream. The round sentiment is from Lizzie Anne Designs--the ice cream cone in the center is from a Pink Cat Studio set that I colored & cut out. She's such a lil' cutie!!

Now, I won't lie--the cart did take a bit to put together and I had to improvise a bit. I used a straw for my umbrella pole and I colored toothpicks with my green marker to make button popsicles! The round birthday sentiment towards the back is from PTI's "Around & About Sentiments" w/ another ice-cream in the center. I just adore the umbrella--so stinkin' cute. This would be perfect for a centerpiece at a party or just as a lil' special gift--lots of versions to make of this me thinks :o) (And thanks to Pat who already snapped it up from my Etsy shop)

Last, but certainly not least is this lil' cutie "Keisha" by Mo's Digital Pencil--love her & you should see the other digi stamps Mo has! They're so much fun--I bought myself a few so you'll see them soon :o) This is one of the images I colored in my new Copic Video tut on coloring African American skin tones/hair--I've had lots of requests for this & I know there isn't alot of info out there which is unfortunate. (her skin tone is E29,E27,E25,E12 & hair is E49,E47,E25)

I paired her up with some of my favorite (now retired--boohoo) dp from Stampin' Up--love the blue! I added diamond stickles to her shoes, headband & apron and then added some Prima mini roses (put a coat of pixie dust shimmerz on top of them). The rose petals got a coat of Liquid Pearls in pink & the charm can be found HERE (I added a pearl to the bottom). This cutie is up for sale on my Etsy shop if you're interested!

That's it for me today--I'm off to finish another big project & then take Riley to the eye dr!
See ya tomorrow!


hugz,

Suzanne

Projects Galore & More!!

Happy, happy Saturday everyone! I don't usually post on the weekends but I had some deadline projects due that I had to share w/ ya! I'm home alone today since my daughter is out boating with a friend & my hubby took Riley to an RC Plane Show (that's their hobby) for the day. Riley hasn't been feeling well so this will be a fun outing for him with his dad!!

So I'm spending it reading & crafting & enjoying the PEACE & QUIET!! LOL Probably will take the doggies for a walk down by the creek and pick another bucket full of tomatoes & cukes from my garden--Riley is gonna sell some for me, cuz' they're comin' out my ears I tell ya, hee hee. And tomorrow we're off to Mt. Vernon for the day--hopefully the weather stays nice. Anywho onto my long post for ya today.............

NewsBitz:
**BLOG CANDY---if you haven't entered for my yummy blog candy yet, you have until tomorrow by midnight (EST) to do so right HERE !! Winner announced on Monday morn'!

**Susana's store also has some new Copic Bundles up for sale now put together by me, hee hee. She also has the BRAND NEW light Copic markers for sale as a set HERE (and they are in stock at the moment so run, lol)
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This project was made for the Whiff of Joy "August Project of the Month" which was to create wedding favors. And since WOJ has such fabulous wedding stamps/sentiments it was easy peasy, hee hee. I used a few sentiments & the "Wedding Carriage" which I cut down a bit for my box. The brocade dp is by Making Memories "5th Avenue" and the small Bon-Bon boxes dp is by 'DCWV "La Creme".


This is a six sided box that you can use horizontally or vertically--you can find the instruction for this on the Scor-Pal site HERE. And if you don't have a Scor-Pal yet, what are ya waitin' for ---it's one of my most used & beloved tools!! Really easy to put together and I think it would be perfect for a slice of cake, a candle or other small present for the wedding guests. I colored the WOJ image with copics and then added stickles to her veil, flower soft in ivory & diamond glaze to the carriage. I wrapped the box with satin black ribbon to finish it off. This would be beautiful sitting at every place setting me thinks!


Of course I had to make a couple more gifts--these are Bon-Bon boxes & the instructions for these are also on the Scor-Pal site HERE! Very simple & quick to make--I punched holes in the tops & threaded ribbon thru to hold them closed. Perfect to hold a piece of chocolate or other candy. All my projects I made I used the fabulous Scor-Tape--super strong & durable, love it & totally recommend it! Now make sure & hop over to the Whiff of Joy site HERE to see the other POM's by the DT--they are all beautiful! And stop by HERE to see all the wonderful wedding stamps!!

My second project today is for the Copic Creations Challenge blog and today's challenge is to color eyes. InStyle Stamps is sponsoring and they have some awesome anime images to play with & give away. I got to work with the "Princess Clarissa"--isn't she a cutie? She's available as a stamp but it was sent to me digitally so I enlarged her quite a bit to make her eyes bigger for the challenge. (they have both regular stamps & digi images) The dp is some of my favorite (that I hoard) by K&Co. "Blue Awning". The sentiment is by Verve Stamps. Her eyes have a coat of diamond glaze on them, her dress has shimmerz (angel wingz) and her hat's ribbon was stickled :o)
I decided to make a tri-fold card for her--the inside was stamped with PTI's "Damask Designs" in Versamark Dazzle ink. which leaves a lil' shimmer.

For her eyes I used B95 & B91 then applied diamond glaze on top for realism! Now make sure to hop over to the Copic Creations Challenge Blog to see the rest of the DT's fabulous samples & join in on the fun to win some goodies from InStyle Stamps too!

Alrighty, I'm outta here---I'll see ya back here on Monday!!


hugz,

Suzanne

Lavender Blues!!

Hallelujah it's Friday Friends!! This has seemed like the longest week evah'!! I went to an early movie with friends last night to see "The Ugly Truth" & OMGoodness did I laugh---that has to be one of the crassest movies I've evah' seen, LMBO!! There were things said in that movie that I had never heard before, hee hee (course that's not surprising cuz' I am somewhat naive, LOL)! I'm still gigglin' just thinkin' about it!!

BTW, I finished the "Bobby & Jackie--A Love Story" novel (about Jackie Kennedy's affair w/ Bobby Kennedy) & what a page-turner it was, really enlightening & good. Oh my the things that have gone on with that family--I'm so happy to be a "boring" person, hee hee! Anywho, I hope you all have a fabulous summer weekend planned for yourselves!


**BLOG CANDY--If you haven't entered for my blog candy yet, you have until August 2nd to do so right HERE!! Just a mid-summer thankyou to all my stampin' friends :o)
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Today's card uses another one of my favorite flower stamps from Lockhart Stamp Co. "Cottage Flowers" (starting Monday there's gonna be an awesome Lockhart challenge/prizes sponsored by Susana's store too--so stay tuned). I used this week's Mojo Monday Sketch #97 for my layout and this fabulously yummy dp from Melissa Frances. Love the soft & vintage feel of this paper--reminds me of Shabby Chic sheets that have gone thru the wash many times & are now downy soft! The corner cut-outs were done with a punch I've had forevah' & the lovely charm is by Blue Moon that you can buy HERE.

I colored with Copics (what else right?hee hee) and then added a few diamond stickles to the flowers--the jar got a coat of my fave diamond glaze too. Just a soft & lovely card--I really like how this one turned out :o) Hope you do too!

I'll be posting tomorrow with my Whiff of Joy Project of the Month & a card for the Copic Creations Challenge Blog--so make sure & drop by! Have a good one!


hugz,

Suzanne

A Birthday Bonanza Blog Candy!

Happy Thursday Friends! Decided to take the day off yesterday just hangin' around with the kids and bein' lazy, hee hee! I realized that there is only 5 more weeks left of summer vacation for them so I've gotta plan some day trips. We're gonna head down to Alexandria this weekend and do the "National Treasure Movie" tour of Mt. Vernon (George Washington's plantation home)--we have annual passes there & we just love it. If you're ever in the area it's a must see for sure--and plan to spend a whole day there! The kids are headed off to my mom's next week for 4 days too--my dad will take Riley fishing & sailing I'm sure, lol! So hubby & I will actually have a few days to ourselves, yippee!! Not sure what we're doing but at least a few dinners out by ourselves for sure!


BLOG CANDY!! I'm giving away the cute Whiff of Joy Stamp below "Bruno Bear w/ Present" and a $20 Gift Certificate to All That Scraps to celebrate my last week as a Guest Designer for them!!

To enter just leave a comment on this post ONLY answering the following question "What is your dream vacation destination & why?" by Sunday, August 2nd at midnite EST!! Winner will be announced Monday morning!! (one comment per person please)
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So today I've got a couple of birthday cards to share with you featuring the new Whiff of Joy "Party Animal" stamps! I love these lil' animals--so many perfect occasions to use them for, any celebration really. This card uses cutie "Bruno Bear w/ Present" --except I'm invisioning him as a "she" today for my card, hee hee. (These stamps are also available for pre-order at 7 Kids College Fund right HERE if you want to order them locally here in the states!)

I followed this week's SCS sketch #239 and fun dp from DCWV's "Pocket Full of Posies"--love the bright colors for a celebration card. The flowers are all Primas w/ Doodlebug glittered brad centers and the sentiment is from PTI's "Mega Mixed Messages" ( a MUST have set IMO)!! I added some diamond stickles to the present and on top of the sentiment for lots of shimmer.

Second card uses "Lou Celebrating Monkey" and I paired him up with some fun dp from Memory Box "Rhubarb Tart"--I liked the fun colors together & kinda jungly looking dp. I created jungle leaves with green Prima flowers that I cut--the green flowers work perfectly for doing this (another fun tip from me, hee hee)!! Just a few stickles on the present & the leaves--the sentiment is from Hero Arts "Thoughtful Messages" (I've had this set forever & use it ALOT)! So there ya have it--2 fun birthday cards to add to the stash (actually they're both for sale on my Etsy site, hee hee)!

Don't forget that Whiff of Joy is having pre-orders for their Fall Stamp Kit featuring 10 Elisabeth Bell images for $36 until August 7th right HERE! It's a fabulous deal!!

I'll see ya back here tomorrow!

hugz,

Suzanne

Perfectly Plummy Petals!!

Hello again & happy Tuesday! I'm off and running again today--my goodness! Riley has another dr's appt today & then goes to see a pediatric pulmonologist on Thursday--ack! Poor kid! Hopefully we will get this resolved real soon---thanks to everyone for their well wishes, they're very much appreciated! On a cheerier note, I finished an awesome book last night called "American Wife" (loosely based on Laura Bush) so now I've started the "Jackie & Bobby" novel and my book club selection "The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Society"--I'll let you know how they are, hee hee!

NewsBitz:
-Copic Class Schedule is as follows: Sunday, August 23rd and Sunday, September 20th at 1:00-4:30 at my house! Email me for all the details!

-PDF file for the below totebag template is right HERE (will also be on my sidebar under pdf files)

-Whiff of Joy is now accepting pre-orders for their fabulous Fall Kit until August 7th--order your's HERE! (10 Elisabeth Bell stamps for $36)
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So today is Try It Out Tuesday for Susana's Custom Art & Card Design and I've challenged the DT to create a gift of any kind using one of the *NEW* Elisabeth Bell for SCACD stamps! I decided to use this cutie-patootilicious fairy called "Spunkette"--isn't she adorable?! I paired her up with this fabulous plummy dp by Cloud9Design and used my totebag template to create my gift and matching card!

I've made a totebag template/directions for you right HERE if you're interested. After coloring "Spunkette" with Copics twice & cutting her out--I added her to this fun flower for the front of my bag. The top flowers are all Primas--the mini roses were white & then I added iced lavender Shimmerz to the tops of the petals and then threaded the stem thru 2 more Prima flowers. The circle has a transparency front that I stamped with PTI's "Fancy Flourishes" stamps in white Palette Ink.
This is what the inside holds--some fun & pretty fairy goodies!! I forget where I picked these up, but I knew I could use them for something fun, lol! So the gift holds a body butter lotion, 2 lipgloss lollipops, & Body Splash in Raspberry Swirl--smells YUM!

Here is the matching card I made to go along with the gift--I purposely left off a sentiment so it could be given for any occasion. I added a fun ribbon treatment to the corners and some lavender glitter dots to the bottom!

And of course no fairy is complete without lots of shimmer, hee hee! I used both diamond stickles and iced lavender Shimmerz on her skirt petals, wings & flower! Her hair was colored with the SJD Copic Bundle "Blonde Hair 2" and the purples were done with the "Lavenders Bundle" along with the new V0000 copic color.

Now head on over to the store blog "Follow Your Heart" to see the rest of the DT's fabulous projects!!

Second project today (staying in the same pleasing plum color scheme, lol) is a set of notecards I made using one of my absolute favorite Lockhart Stamp Co. stamps "Tulips" since they are my favoritest flower! I made 4 of these A2 sized notecards lickety-split using PTI's dotted dp and cs. Tulips were colored with Copics (same lavenders as above) and then a coat of iced lavender Shimmerz on top of the petals. Fun & pretty notecards to send out to a friend dontcha' think? Both of my projects today are for sale in my Etsy shop--on sidebar if you're interested!

Hope you enjoyed my projects today! Below are a couple of informative photos/directions that I was asked to share:

To create a shaped card like the one's I made HERE with your Nestabilities all you need to do is crease your cardstock and place onto your die cutting machine (mine is a Cuttlebug--love it). Then take your shaped die (this is a Scalloped Circle Nestability) and place on top of cs positioning the die just a "tad bit" over the edge of the crease so it creates a fold for the card.
And this is what it looks like when you're done--a nice shaped card that's ready to decorate!

To create a decorative edge using Nestability dies like on this card HERE; just pick your die that you want to use (I'm using Labels 1) & slide your cs thru the die (needs to be cut to size of the die) so only the edge of the cardstock is underneath the die. Then roll thru your machine--this leaves you with a beautiful edge for your cards.

Hope that was enuff' info for you today & I didn't lose you along the way, LOL!! See ya back here tomorrow!


hugz,

Suzanne

Christmas in July!!

Happy Monday friends--I'm home again!!! It's always so wonderful to get away but just as great to get home to your own bed & comforts ya know!! We had a wonderful time in NY visiting family & hanging out but now it's back to real life for me, hee hee! I was supposed to be leaving for CHA this week (boohoo), but had to cancel my trip just because of time constraints & Riley will be having some cysts removed from his throat this Friday :o( He has 2 doctors appts tomorrow and we'll hopefully get some more answers & see if he has improved at all---his cough is better but he's still short of breath so fingers crossed please! I'll be going to CHA this January so if you decide to come make sure & say "hi" if ya see me, lol!

Alrighty, I have a slideshow at the bottom of this post with all my NY pictures and my cool antiquing finds if you're interested! Now onto my projects........

NewsBitz: Check out my last project for my Guest Designer position for All That Scraps today right HERE. It has been such an honor & sooooo much fun to design for them this month--hope you've liked all my projects too!

So today my post is all about Christmas in July, lol---thank goodness its not winter yet but we'll just pretend 'kay!? The Magnolia-licious DT has a special treat for you all today---a Magnolia themed Christmas Challenge! All the details and fabulous DT cards are over on the Magnolia-licious Highlites blog--if you decide to join in on the challenge there could be prizes involved!!

I decided to use one of my favorite Christmas colors and fave holiday dp by Heidi Grace. This Magnolia is "Tilda w/ Candle" and is available at Magnolia-licious--she's so elegant and peaceful looking! The large star/snowflake cutout was done on my Cricut and the other snowflakes were done with punches & small buttons.

I added LOTS of diamond stickles to the snowflakes, her head crown & her sash for lots of shimmer! If you only own or want ONE stickles it should be diamond--it's the best! A few yellow stickles to her candle too. (Her dress was colored with BG11, BG10, BG0000 Copics) Isn't she just lovely? Now hop over the Magnolia-licious Highlites blog to join in on the fun!!

Now since I was in a holly jolly Xmas mood yesterday (LOL) I decided to make a second Christmas card too! This one uses the fabulous Lockhart Stamp Co. image "Trumpet Angel" --this is just one angel in the series (there are actually 7). The dp is from last years Stampin' Up which is some of favorite evah' too! (Yes I have ALOT of favorites, lol) I cut her out using the Nestabilities Labels 4 and then traced the inside of the die with my gold Sharpie poster paint pen (extra fine tip). Her trumpet was done with Smooch in Gold (all new Smooch colors HERE) and her wings with diamond stickles. I added some Prima poinsettias & leaves and sprayed the entire card with Shimmerz Spritz in baby's breath. I finished it off by stamping a Xmas sentiment from PTI's "Mega Mixed Messages". Two Christmas cards down and only a million more to go, hee hee! Hope this gave you a lil' inspiration for the upcoming holiday season :o)

My New York trip pics!!

I'll see ya back here tomorrow with some more fun projects!!

hugz,

Suzanne

Honey Bee Bear!!

Happy TGIFriday everyone!!! This is my last day in NY visiting with the family (sob) and I've had a fabulous time! We've had a ton of laughs that's for sure--last night we made homemade taffy and while we were all (me, my mom, my cousin Jarrod & my grandma & Riley) were all giggling cuz' it was everywhere!! NO lie---it was on everything, hee hee---but it sure tasted good! Had a few rowdy games of gin rummy too with my cheatin' relatives (not cheating really, but I was convinced they were, hee hee)! My doggies have had a blast here too (of course they always travel with me, lol) running around being free on the acres of vineyards. Today after it finished raining my cousin & I (Jarrod is my age & we've been best friends forever)took them for a walk down to the pond which was overfilled & Baylee fell in, LMBO--she actually swam really well & was full of muck! Just like a "country dog", hee hee! I'll be back home on Saturday evening and then home for the rest of what's left of the summer :o) Hubby & Alexa are probably missin' us by now!!

My tomato plants have gone nutso (you should see the 5 ft creatures they've become) and I have over 1,000 tomatoes right now waiting to be picked--they're coming out my ears, lol! And no I do not "can" anything--but I do have a cheese/tomato sandwich everyday & will make some salsa too! Speaking of homecooked goodies---

NewsBitz:

- Whiff of Joy is having their 1 year anniversary BLOG HOP tomorrow and showing off the new release of cute stamps by Elisabeth Bell (they're grrrrrrrrrreat)! Sadly I won't be able to participate because I won't be home in time to get something made but there is sure to be lots of fabulous projects to see!!

-Monday, the Magnolia-licious DT will have a fun challenge up on the Magnolia-licious Highlites blog too! Make sure & stop by!

I made this gift basket and card filled with homemade bread & honey for a friend of mine who watched our cats for 2 weeks while we were in South Carolina. The basket I got at Michaels for about $4 and I weaved aqua mist ribbon thru it & attached w/ scor-tape to dress it up a bit. The fun stamp set is by CC Designs "Bumble B Bear" available at All That Scraps and it's such a cutie-pop set to have on hand.

Isn't that the cutest lil' honey bear on this card? He's colored w/ copics and then I added diamond stickles to his wings and a yellow rhinestone to the flower's center. The dp is by My Mind's Eye and then PTI's cs (aqua mist/summer sunrise). I stacked some Prima flowers together and added some fun PTI buttons for the centers.

I had to make a matching label for the "bear jar" of honey using the smaller image of the bear! I just cut out oval shapes with my nestabilities and attached with scor-tape. To finish it off I wrapped some more ribbon around the top. Such a fun gift to make & to give!! (I looovvveee hot bread from the oven with butter & honey on top--can you say "lovin' from the oven", hee hee)!!

I'll see you back here on Monday with some new projects!!


hugz,

Suzanne

Sunshine Coloring!!

Wednesday, Wednesday is here my friends!! What's everyone up to this summer? I found lots of goodies on my antiquing trip yesterday--I'll have to share pictures soon. I got a beautiful old antique lunch pail that has faded/painted strawberries on it--its awesome!! I also got some depression glass bowls, an old map book from the 1800's, a huge old trunk for my family room & a beautiful gray-blue scale that has great curves for my kitchen! Fun day even if it did rain, hee hee! Today we're off to Lake Erie for the afternoon & then to my cousin's for dinner--so beautiful & peaceful here out in the country.

Today I just have a quick & fun project for ya!! I made a set of 4 of these notecards (up for sale on my Etsy shop if you're interested) using the fabulous Lockhart Co. stamp "Daisy Cupcake". The dp is Basic Grey's "Lemonade" and I used my scalloped circle nestabilities to make my card shapes--I adore making these shaped cards. The lil' "hello" sentiment is from PTI's "Mega Mixed Messages" and I added some diamond stickles to the flowers for sparkle! Always good to have a stash of pretty notecards on hand!

Thought I'd share a picture of one of my 5 cats--this is Snowbell and we rescued her off the streets last October. She is a beautiful & sweet cat and she looks NOTHING like what she used too--she was so scrawny & mangey looking when we got her. She's such a sweetie & weighs only 7 lbs--although her puffy fur makes her look bigger, LOL!

I'll see ya back here tomorrow! Have a fabulous Wednesday!

hugz,
Suzanne

Pink Lemonade!!

Hi friends & welcome to Tuesday, hee hee!! Hope your week has started off swell--I'm having fun with my relatives eating good (re: fattening, lol) homecooked meals like pie & biscuits, oh my! Today we're off antiquing and I'm hopeful to find some good stuff--I collect depression glass & any kind of pitchers so cross your fingers for me!! I also bought the new "Jackie & Bobby" book about the affair between Jackie (Kennedy)Onassis and Bobby Kennedy--wooheee is this a doozy of a book, very interesting. I've always had a weird fascination with that family (who knows why, hee hee) and this book is very telling & juicy!! LOL

NewsBitz: The brand NEW SMOOCH (metallic paints) are now IN at Susana's store right HERE--awesome new colors I must say! And if you buy them as a set you get the 8 for the price of 7!!

Today is Tuesday which of course means its also Try It Out Tuesday for Susana's Custom Art & Card Design. I challenged the DT to create a thankyou card using one of the new Elisabeth Bell for SCACD images! I've used sweet lil' "Emma" for my card and paired her with this yummy BoBunny dp--love the summery colors, they remind me of pink lemonade! The border was made using the NEW Lattice Borderability--lovee it! The sentiment is from PTI's "Vintage Picnic Sentiments" and those gorgeous crocheted flowers were a wonderful gift from my friend Wynneth over in the UK (she made them for me & aren't they beautiful). They were white & then I spritzed them with Shimmerz Spritz (terracotta & tuscan yellow)--lightly spritzed so they stayed soft in color. I think she's just precious!

Now make sure & hop over to the "Follow Your Heart" store blog to see the rest of the DT's fabulous creations today!!


hugz,

Suzanne

Butterfly, Fly, Fly Away!!

Hi everyone & Happy Monday! I am here outside of Buffalo, NY visiting my relatives & relaxing a bit for a week with my mom, son, grandma & cousins! I can't believe how cool the weather is up here in the middle of July--mid 60's & 70's! I think I prefer the 80's at home cuz' ya know how I like it warm! I brought my Jillian exercise videos with me since my grandma makes the best pies & biscuits you've ever had & I don't need my butt to grow, hee hee! Anyhow, I've got a few projects for you today!

NewsBitz:
**My guest designing post for All That Scraps is up today right HERE if you'd like to check it out!
**Don't forget to stop by and check out those awesome new Elisabeth Bell for SCACD stamps right HERE!

Both of my projects today feature the fabulous stamp set by Amy Rysavy for called "All That Scraps "Amy's Butterfly"! These butterfly images are simply gorgeous & so realistic--great sentiments too! The dp I used for this one is Cosmo Cricket's "Everafter"; fiskar's border punch for the elegant edge and black pearls in the corners.
I double stamped the butterfly and cut one out to pop up so it looks like its fluttering off the card. I painted shimmerz (angel wingz) on top & then applied Stickles in black for lots of sparkle!

Second card I used softer colors on to match the sentiment. The dp is from Basic Grey's "Lemonade" and then I embossed the black cs with a floral Cuttlebug folder. I stamped the sentiment and then boxed it in using my multiliner pen & a ruler--then added small black pearls to the corners. The entire card got spritzed with Shimmerz Spritz for a soft shimmer.

The butterflies were stamped & cut out then got a thick coat of diamond stickles. They were attached with glue dots in the center so they look fluttery! So pretty--I lovee how they turned out!

Alrighty, I'm outta here & off to Lake Erie for a bit today! I'll see you back here tomorrow!

hugz,
Suzanne

Friday Fun!!

Hello everyone & Yay--Happy Friday too!! Dontcha' just love the weekends? I leave tomorrow for NY for a week but will be posting everyday so please make sure & visit--got alot of projects to share with ya while I'm gone!! I'll keep this monologue short for ya today since I've got alot going on here in craft land & at home. My mom comes today and then we all leave for NY tomorow so I've got lots to finish up including projects, laundry & packing. Riley is doing okay but still struggling so that is taking up alot of my time just making sure he's okay & resting--thanks for your sweet thoughts, it means alot to us!! (Make sure and scroll down to see both projects today including for the Magnolia-licious Blog Hop today!!)

So today is the big day--yay---you can now purchase the NEW Elisabeth Bell for SCACD today at Susana's Custom Art & Card Design & they are ALL gorgeous--right HERE! Today I'm featuring "Susan" and isn't she just a sweetheart & named after our sweetie DT sistah' Susan Dube (lovee her so much)!! I paired her up with this yummy dp from K&Co. for a vintage look--love all these colors together! The corner punch is from Stampin' Up and I added some goldilocks "Bella Baubles" too-her shirt also got diamond stickles & some gold Smooch paint on her buttons. I think she's fabulously beautiful--perfect for any occasion which is why I left off a sentiment so this card can be sent for any sweet reason! So if ya love them, head over to SCACD to order yours now!!

Next up is a fun project for the Magnolia-licious Blog Hop by the DT today!! If you're headed here from Suzy's blog make sure & start at the beginning at Jacque's blog to see everyone's fun projects! The DT decided to create only "Edwin" (boy) cards/projects for you today since most of us struggle to create manly/boy cards most of the time. I apologize for not finishing my entire project--I had wanted to create a gift box to go along with this card but due to my son being ill I just wasn't able to finish in time (sorry, sorry--I feel awful about it)!

But I really love this "Loving Edwin" from Magnolia-licious because he is so very versatile for so many celebrations! I decided to create a friend birthday card for my son's friend that would be appropriate but not baby-ish! My dp is from my very favorite Basic Grey "Cupcake" stack paired with SU cs. I actually cut the balloon out of his hand then re-attached with embroidery floss for a more realistic look. I added diamond glaze to the balloon & his buttons for shine and then buttons with glitterdots on top to embellish. I didn't want to gussy up the card too much since it's for a young boy & wanted the dp to really shine. I embossed the red panel with a Cuttlebug folder & then spritzed the entire card with Shimmerz Spritz in "baby's breath"! The sentiment is from PTI's "Mega Mixed Messages".

So to continue on the blog hop, now head to JACQUE's BLOG to see her fabulous Edwin card!! Now if you'd like to play along with us there are 2 fabulous gift certificates up for grabs on the Magnolia-licious Highlites blog--go HERE for details!!

I'll see you back here on Monday--until then I hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

hugz,
Suzanne