Sunny Fall Days!!

Happy Tuesday my friends!  It is finally sunny in Virginia after many rainy days here thank goodness.  The rain certainly greened things up which was nice but enough is enough, lets hope we don’t have any more rain for at LEAST a month LOL.  I had a great time in Delaware teaching and visiting with friends, it was fun and I miss my pal Anary already (sniff, sniff).  I hope you all had a good weekend as well.  We pretty much had a football day on Sunday---it was NFL Kick-Off day in the Dean household and it was FANTASTIC!  Yep my Redskins won—yayyyy and the Ravens beat the Steelers—yayyyyy!  And the Cowboys lost---yayyyyyy---it couldn’t be a better football day, LOL! (sorry if you are a fan of the teams that lost, hee hee but I GOTTA go there).  And this was all AFTER I took the family to Tyson’s mall for shopping (oh boy).  Alexa was looking for a homecoming dress and Riley had to get jeans.  The jeans issue was solved pretty quickly, HOWEVER the dress situation was tiresome LOL.  Alexa tried on quite a few but didn’t like ANY OF THEM, OMGoodness!  So we came home empty handed for her but I ordered 4 dresses off line HOPING that one of them she will like (please pray) as I don’t have too many weekend opportunities to take her shopping again.  She is SUPER PICKY—too poufy, too lacey, too showy, yucky color, yucky length---can you feel my PAIN here and yes I was in PAIN for real.  I am battling a terrible kidney infection so I was in HIGH PAIN for real along with the slow pain of teenage girl craziness pain KWIM!!?  But I grinded my teeth thru it all and then got home and crashed in front of the tv, LOL!  Football will always help me---I yell and scream at the tv and shout loudly, its like my version of a punching bag!  Good times

NewsBitz:

-I have new registrations up for my Copic Classes at www.cmcroad.com for San Jose, CA , Chicago, Texas and more!  So if you’d like to take a class with me and I’d love to see you gooooo check it out!!!

-Anyone going to the Southern Women's Craft Show/CHA Supershow in Charlotte, NC this week?  I will be there this Thursday thru Saturday so come see me.  I will be demo-ing Copics in Betty's Stamping & Scrapbooking Room booth (times TBD)!!

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Gina K Sneak Peek & New Release Hop!!

We are very excited to extend an invitation to Gina K. Designs September Release Party. We have a fun evening planned for you - chatting, prizes, challenges, stamp sets reveal, design team shares, and most importantly, at the end of the party you will be able to go shopping!

If you came from Sharon Harnist’s wonderful blog, you're at the right place. If not make sure to head over to StampTV where you will find a list of all those participating in today's hop.

Hope to see you at the party, here are all the details:

• When: Today, Tuesday, September 13
• Where: StampTV Release Party Forum
• Time: 7 PM to 9 PM (CST)

Today kicks off a fun week for the NEW Gina K Release for September—wahhoooo!  And these sets are once again fantastic, filled with creative and beautiful images to mix & match and create 100’s of new projects!  Today we are sharing some sneakie peekies of all the sets so make sure you hop along to see them all.

I got to use this fabulous set illustrated by Melanie Muenchinger called “Holiday Basket”!  I love it because you can fill this BASKET UP with lots of loveliness including these beautiful sunflowers—which scream fall to me!  I stamped 4 of the sunflower images, colored with Copics and then cut them all out and popped them all over with dimensionals.  This way the basket is full of flowers and dimension.  The papers are by Gina K and the border was done with a new Jumbo MS punch.  A fun gingham ribbon double tied with my Bow Easy finishes it off.

The images were colored with Copics—E57,E25,E31,E50 / YR20,YR23,YR24,Y11,Y18 / G99,YG03,G20.  The fun texture on the inside of each sunflower is a product called “Elements Earth Textures” by Barbara Trombley for Art Institute Glitter.  They are all organic and natural and smell so yummy—I love all the variations but for this I mixed two called Cacao and Raisin.  Perfect for any kind of card but particularly holiday cards—I love fall and winter holidays and always associate “good smells” with them!

Hope you enjoyed this sneak peek and hope you can join us at the Release Party tonight as well!

Now you need to hop on over to Tami Mayberry’s beautiful blog!!

See you back here tomorrow for the beginning of our three day Inspiration Blog Hop series for September!

We Won't Forget!!

WE REMEMBER--WE WILL NOT FORGET YOU!!

Where were you on 9/11?  I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing and I bet you do too!  Alexa had afternoon kindergarten but she had dance in the morning so Riley was on the floor playing and I was putting her hair up in a bun.  The tv was on one of those wonderful (ha ha) PBS cartoon shows when a news bulletin came across.  Now I've never seen a news bulletin come across a kids channel so I immediately switched over to MSNBC to see what was up.  We were watching live when the 2nd plane hit the tower and I was HORRIFIED, like I was frozen in space!!  That's when they announced some planes were headed to DC and this was a terrorist action---OMG I stopped breathing, and I left the room!  James worked 1 block from the White House at that time and my brother worked between Ft. Meade & the Pentagon on different days.  Well as you know cell towers were overworked and NO ONE could get a hold of anyone.  My house phone lit up with calls wondering where James was, had I talked to him (NO) when they announced a plane had hit the pentagon.  I remember feeling sick like I was going to pass out but trying to maintain a semblance of calm for the kids (who were 5 and 3 at that time) and they were asking me why I was crying.  My neighbors came over and we watched in silent terror what was unfolding in NYC and DC---thinking that this was the end. We knew so many people that worked in DC and NYC--my mind was racing when the phone rang.  James had had an early meeting outside of DC that day and he had turned the car around and was heading home---what a relief and I fell to the floor.  At that point they knew another plane was headed this way and I was SCARED, not for me but for all the people in DC including my brother.  I decided I needed to take Alexa to dance so she would be occupied but when we got there they were closing up--the dance place sat right across from Fort Detrick and they had rolled out tanks and had armed men up and down the road--FREAKY! So I hightailed it back home where James met us and we just watched the tv in disbelief wondering WHY, WHO, and what was the reason?  Watching people covered in dust and blood, seeing people jump to their deaths knowing they had no other choice but to face death.

Can you imagine?  I still can't imagine.  And the plane where they passengers took over and ran it into the ground--how brave and selfless knowing they WERE going to die.  What were their last thoughts?  What would yours be?  How do we all react in the face of DEATH---do we face it gracefully and bravely, do we scream and cry?  I'm not sure how I would do but I hope that faced with the same decisions I would react the same way they did---giving their lives for the lives of many, bravely, selflessly and valiantly.!

So I won't forget, I still remember and I remember each detail.  In fact I still cannot watch the news coverage of that day, I cannot look at the tv and see that all again.  Ten years after the fact and it still feels fresh in my head, like it was yesterday.  The horror of that day and the days to follow were traumatizing to me, to those of here in the US and to a lot of you around the world.  I don't want to relive it but I will ALWAYS REMEMBER.

So today I'm taking a break to think about everyone that died that day whether they were innocently working in those buildings or those that rushed into the face of chaos to help and lost their lives as well.  We remember you, we salute you and we will NEVER FORGET you!!  So I hope you take a moment or two today as well to give thanks that we are safe, alive but that others are not and pray for them, remember them.  And lets pray we NEVER relive an event like that EVER AGAIN!

A Winter’s Walk!!

Happy TGIFriday everyone!  I’m traveling up to Delaware today to see my good friend Anary Baumgarth and to teach on Saturday.  It will be a total girls weekend—my friend Colleen Holmes (yep my SCACD DT sistah & owner of Outlawz) is riding up with me as well.  And our friends Melanie LaBelle and Anne will be at class tomorrow too---so lots of fun!  Look on my Facebook for some updates on the “trouble”….errr FUN that we will be up to!! LOL!  Then we will travel home late Saturday night—I want to be home as I have to take Riley pants shopping (oh the joy). Now that the weather has turned cooler he is lacking in pants since he’s grown another 5 inches since last spring—yikes!  I’m combining it with a trip to Tyson’s Mall to look at Homecoming dresses with Alexa as well---lordy lordy Mom will be having lots of Advil and a glass of wine at dinner for SURE!! So a busy weekend!  And of course I will have a post up on Sunday to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of September 11th here in the US---a sad day for sure.  Even though it was 10 years ago I still find it hard to watch news coverage of it, it was just too close to home and so traumatic.  And I know a lot of us feel that way—but we will definitely stop and take a minute to remember those that died that day and those that gave their lives rescuing and braving the chaos! WE REMEMBER—WE WILL NOT FORGET!

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A Winter’s Walk

NEW RELEASE!!!

Want this badge?

Yay today is the day that SCACD releases their new stamp line by Sylvia Zet!  Oh these stamps are so adorable, they will make you grin ear to ear and want them ALL!  There are two collections for two sweeties Loli & Poppi!!  You can see both of the collections HERE and the DT is having a fun Blog Hop today to showcase them all (and some special guests too)!

** If you are overseas you can order these cuties at Quixotic Paperie for speedy service! **

I got to use this fabulous “Winter Wonder” from the Adventures of Loli & Friends! I just think her cute lil’ face is squishable and that BEAR---oh my the cuteness!!  I used some new yummy papers by Memory Box called “Yuletide”—love the soft pastel colors.  The swirls are a Heartfelt Designs die called “Bella Rose” and where the leaves are in the die I added layered snowflakes. The swirls were coated with MS glitter (its tiny circles of glitter) in silver & white. The snowflakes were made with different MS punches (pink ones were dry embossed too) then I added tacky glue and sprinkled them with MS Snow Glitter (yes I LOVE this stuff).  In the center of each snowflake is a "glitter dot” (yep old school and I’m bringin’ ‘em back)!  Sentiment is from PTI.

She’s being entered into the following challenges:

Aud’s Sentiments Challenge (for a girl)

Crafty Purple Frog Challenge (birthday)

Crafting For All Seasons (birthday)

Going Grey with Scrap-Creations (winter)

Lia Stampz (birthday)

These cuties got colored in Copics—G02,G00,G000 / R85,R83,R81,RV10 / E11,E00 / E37,YR23,YR20 /E25,E31,E50 / B0000 for the shadows.  All the fur trim got a nice coat of Doodlebug white flock (25% off HERE).  Snow was done with MS Snow Glitter again. Diamond Glaze on the candle and her boots!  Funny story---I was having a NOT good day yesterday and when I use flock I pour a bunch onto a pc of scrap cardstock.  Then I add tacky glue to my image and lay the image down on the flock—you get a nice even coat that way.  Well I went to put back all the extra flock and I put it in my Tacky Glue Bottle—UGH! Yes I did so the whole bottle was ruined. Thankfully because I believe in the crafters code, I had an extra bottle on hand LOL!  Dumb, Dumb I say!!

Now you need to continue on the Blog Hop and your next stop is

Anki Bargman !!!

Make sure to stop by the store blog Here if you get lost, LOL!

Just Because!!

Happy Wednesday to you all!  Row, row, row your boat---gently down Virginia streams…..LOL!  I might need an Ark real soon cuz it has been torrential raining here in Virginia going on 3 days and we are supposed to have 8 more days.  All this after all that darn rain from the first hurricane, we do NOT NEED it!  I know out west does so I will gladly ship it out there to y’all ok? And help put out those nasty fires in CA and TX too!  Praying for all my friends affected in those areas—stay safe!  We had to sit in the pouring (and I mean pouring) rain yesterday evening to watch Alexa cheer for the football game.  It was cold and miserable but we are devoted parents always and we muscled it out—but we felt so bad for the cheerleaders and football players! Nasty weather to be out in, blech!

Onto some happy news---I ALMOST PEED MY PANTS AND HYPERVENTILATED at the same time yesterday evening before I left for Alexa’s game.  I had just gotten out of the shower & was checking email (yes I check it a lot, lol, cuz I get about 2000 emails a day ok) and saw that tickets were NOW on sale for fanclub members only for the Luke Bryan concert in Salem, VA!  WOWWWEEEEE---I hurriedly logged in and entered 3 tickets and GUESS WHAT!  I GOT FRONT ROW TIX PEOPLE---DID you hear me SCREAMING!?  OMGoodness I was flapping my arns and jumping up and down squealing---poor hubby thought I was NUTS (oh yeah I am)!  I am sooo pumped I cannot even tell ya---I love that man and now if I get backstage passes I just MIGHT DIEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!! LOL!  And if you have NO IDEA who this hotness is I speak of just check out this video HERE---ohhhhh love him, love him!    So when I went to the football game I made a sign to hold up to Alexa while she was cheering telling her I got front row tickets (cuz she loves him too)—she about FELL OVER on the field, hee hee!  Oh I cannot wait---this might call for a shopping trip for a “special” outfit!!  Ok on to crafty bizness now, LOL!

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Just Because!

This card is for those “Just Because” occasions that we all have now & then for a friend or a relative. This card I made using some fabulous new My Minds Eye papers—I adore this Lost & Found line and this set has my fave combo of red & black!  And I paired it with this super cute Magnolia stamp from Magnolia-licious called “Tilda with Ponytail” from the Sweet Rainbow collection.  I LOVE this Tilda because I think she is so versatile---you can use her for every season & just about every occasion--a great one to have in your collection!  Have you seen all the new stamps in both large & mini form over at Magnolia-licious, check them all out!!

I’m entering this into the following challenges:

Anything Goes Challenge (shabby chic)

Creative Card Crew (anything goes)

My Time to Craft Challenge (friends)

Papertake Weekly Challenge (anything goes)

Heart 2 Heart Challenges (fave color combo)

I distressed all my edges with my Zutter Distress tool and then inked them with brown ink.  The black border was done with a MS border punch, black pearls and a button tied with Scrappers floss.  The black circle was embossed with a CB emboss folder---circles done with my Spellbinders dies.



Yes she is colored with Copics—R29,R24,R22,R20 / E11,E00 / E43,E42,E40 / E49,E37,YR 20.  COPIC TIP:  To darken up those red colors add W5 over the top until you achieve the depth of color you want, then go back over it with your dark red to cover it.  This is a great way to get a deeper red for coloring.  I added Stickles to her shirt and socks for some pretty bling.



That’s all for me today!  I will see you back here on Friday with a NEW RELEASE from Sylvia Zet for SCACD So make sure to check back!!

Butterfly Flowers!!

Happy Labor Day everyone or Happy Monday for those residing outside the US!!  It is a rainy and dreary day here in Virginia and we are supposed to have 8 DAYS OF RAIN—UGH!  Suzanne will be pulling her happy light out this week to sit under cuz’ that much dreariness will make Suzanne a NOT-HAPPY girl. ;) In fact hubby already pulled it out of the closet in preparation, LOL!  We had a great weekend though at my parents house eating homemade yumminess and just hanging out.  Last night me, Alexa and my mom went to see Blake Shelton & Chris Young in concert and it was FANTASTIC!  I really enjoyed it and Blake is even cuter in person <wink>!!  What I did NOT enjoy were the drunks that were hanging out in the aisles and falling, touching, pushing on me—YUCK!  Now if you know me, you know I lack a bit of a filter and if you RILE ME I will let loose—doesn’t happen often but when it does I will BLOW!  And BLOW I DID last night, I will not let men walk over me just because I'm a girl!!  I told one guy if he touched me again I was going to “Kick his ARSE” and the other guy kept falling on me and I pushed him and told him where he could go (use your imagination for that one cuz I won’t repeat lol).  Luckily a police officer was coming up and I made eye contact to tell him if he didn’t hurry I was going to punch someone so he came up and cleared them out.  Come On—we are all there to see a show, I did not pay to see DRUNKS acting stupid.  And why on earth do people come to concerts and drink 15 beers? I don’t understand it I guess cuz’ I don’t drink much myself but I do know that I DO NOT NEED AN alcoholic drink to enjoy a concert, a party or anything else.  Moderation people cuz when most of ‘em get drunk they are NOT funny, or cute – just obnoxious, sloppy & stinky!  UGH—that’s my rant for the day LOL!   And yes hubby just sighed and said he might've punched you or you could've gotten hurt but he knows it doesn't matter---I NEVER put up with bad behavior from anyone KWIM!!  But I will say the singing and the artists were fantastic and I would definitely see both of them again--awesome concert!!

Some pics for ya--my dumb camera battery DIED--ugh!!

Chris Young--he's a cutie too and awesome singer!

Yep that's MY Blake above--hotness!! LOL!

NewsBitz:


-New Challenge and prize is up at the CMC Challenge Group!  Everyone is welcome to join in!  Stop by to see the challenge and the DT’s beautiful projects---our sponsor is one of my faves “The Stamp Fairy”!!

-I have a new CMC Newsletter up for September as well – if you did not receive it by email you can access it always by going to the classroom at www.scrapbitzcopics.ning.com and clicking on the CMC NEWS tab!

-Also the new issue of “Through the Craftroom Door” goes out this week---if you want to see what its all about go HERE!  Also check out the Challenge Blog HERE!

-My Copic class registration is up and ongoing at www.cmcroad.com for this weekend in Delaware if you want to come I still have space!  Also Ohio, Chicago and I will have San Jose info up in the next day or so!  Yep I’m coming back to CA and I might do a class in San Diego as well while I’m there so stay tuned!!  I’d love to meet you and classes are always fun and very interactive!!
-Do you love embossing folders as much as I do? Then you MUST CHECK OUT these new ones by Couture Creations at SCACD—they are fabulous (and yep I’m ordering a few lol)

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Butterfly Flowers!!

This card I did for the NEW Book we are reading in my cyber bookclub BookEndz –if you like to read and/or craft we’d love to see you over there!  The new book we are reading is called “Language of Flowers” by Vanessa Diffenbaugh and it is about the Victorian language they associated with each flower along with a beautiful show intertwined. A must read for sure!  So my card incorporates both flowers and the theme of life, redemption and positivity!

I’m entering this into the following challenges:

Craft Your Passion (flowers)

Make it Monday (anything goes)

Crafty Boot Challenges (anything goes)

Marianne Designs Divas (anything goes/their dies)

Stamptacular Sunday Challenges

(do something u usually don’t—gasp no Copics for me lol)

I used just two colors of cream cardstock from PTI and added some pop with the teal.  The sentiment is from Verve and says “What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the Master calls a butterfly”—isn’t that beautiful!?  I embossed the sentiment in gold and then added gold Stickles to the small butterfly and large butterfly die cut.  The butterfly is a die cut from Marianne Designs—she has a few and they are just beautiful! I added some layered Primas in the center of the butterfly.  The center border is a MS Jumbo punch that I cut in half to make it wider and added ribbon strip down the center.  The sentiment was cut out with a SB’s Label Nest “Labels 16” and then I traced the inside of the die onto the cardstock with a Sharpie Gold Leaf pen—I also used it to trace the outside of the darker cream cardstock layer that was embossed.  A few Bella Baubles finish it all off---that embossing folder is Craft Concepts “Spring Flowers”.




Well I hope you enjoyed the post today and I will see you back here this week with lots of new stuff including a RELEASE for SCACD (Sylvia Zet) and some videos---yep I got some new videos for ya!

Tubby Time!!

Happy Saturday everyone!  Hope you all here in the US (and Canada I think too) are enjoying the 3 day weekend!  I am my parent’s house thru Sunday evening for the holiday weekend since its been ages since we’ve been done for more than a few hours at a time (yes mom I see you nodding your head lol)! The boys are going to see an Air Show at Patuxent Naval Base, if you’ve never seen the Blue Angels fly it is something to remember for sure!  I grew up near the bases including Andrews Air Force Base so I got to see them fly and practice near where we lived and it was always exciting. The girls are going to see Blake Shelton & Chris Young in concert Sunday evening and I CANNOT WAIT!! Whoo hooo you will hear me hollering for sure Last night hubby and I were SUPPOSED to have date night to go to dinner and see “The Help” (yes I made him go, lol, cuz it was my fave book from last year) BUT PLANS CHANGED!  I swear my teens are like attached to my hip—worse than when they were small—aren’t teens supposed to NOT wanna be with their parents?  Somehow a party of two turned into a party of 6!! LOL! Each of the kids brought a friend to dinner, the football game and then the movies.  Riley and his friend saw “Planet of the Apes” and the rest of us saw “The Help”---so not really a romantic date night for us!  Hubby actually really enjoyed the movie, the girls cried (I didn’t cuz I’m not much of a crier and I had read the book) but I think the movie was EXCELLENT and definitely stands on its own. There was a man behind us who fell asleep and SNORED thru the whole movie—only a man would do that LOL! Big Kudos to the two fabulous ladies who played Abilene & Minnie—they were fabulous.  And yes I see a bit of myself in Skeeter played by the brilliant Emma Stone (she was fab in Crazy, Stupid, Love too). And if you haven’t read the book or seen the movie—beware of Chocolate Pie—and that’s all I’m saying <giggle>!

NewsBitz:


-CMC Copic Class registration is up for Chicago and Delaware & Ohio!  See www.cmcroad.com for more info.  Sorry Kansas City is sold out both days!

-New Challenge is up at the CMC Challenge Group!  Also new book and challenge is up at the CMC BookEndz Group too!  Go on & join in, we’d love to have you!

-Check out the yummy NEW Holiday paper pads at SCACD—oh my santas, sugarplums and snowflakes galore!  Also Kraftin’ Kimmie stamps are in stock too!

And a big thank you do Die Cuttin’ Divas for showcasing my Fall Card!!

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Tubby Time!!

Today I’m sharing my project for the Copic Creations Challenge Blog—the theme this time is to use PINK!!  Head on over there to see the challenge DT creations and join in on the fun too!  Well yeah I got carried away a bit with wanting to have a black tub, LOL but I did use pink in the bubbles and bathtub feet   You know when you get an idea in your head and you just GOTTA do it, LOL, yeah that was me!  This reminds me of Alexa when she was little—she loved bubble baths and would stay in them for hours. I have a picture of her with bubbles in her hair (she was about 1.5 yrs old) and she’s holding her Baby Bop toy up and having a conversation with it—I always tell her it will be in her wedding day slideshow, LOL! So cute!

I’m entering this sweetie into the following challenges:

Alphabet Challenge Blog (P for Pastels)

Clearly I Stamp (pattern paper)

Frosted Designs (flourishes)

Inspire Me Fridays (anything goes)

Jelly Park Challenge (die cuts/punches)

The beautiful image is another fabulous one by Elisabeth Bell for SCACD “Peekers 2 Collection” called “Bubble Bath Peeker”—isn’t she adorable!  The papers are from Best Creations “Bird Song” – these paper pads are triple the size of other 6x6 pads and have both double sided and glitter papers, I just love ‘em!  The dies behind the image and swirls are Marianne Designs dies as is the black flower that I mounted on a Prima and topped with a bow, black flower and Bella Bauble. I added a nice coat of Diamond Glaze to the tub to make it shiny! The bath bubbles got a mix of Stickles and Diamond Glaze.  Copics used (my close up pic did not turn out well, sorry, and its 3 am as I type this—eek):  C9 thru C1, R21,R20,R11,R00, E11,E00.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend and see you back here on Monday!  Busy week again next week--what's new 'eh LOL! ;)

Mum’s the Word!!

Hello and a Happy Thursday to you all!  Wow the week is almost over and then it’s a holiday weekend for those of us here in the US—Labor Day weekend.  That means a 3 day weekend YAY!  I am headed to my parent’s house on Saturday for a picnic and then on Sunday me, Alexa and my mom are going to see BLAKE SHELTON—whooohooooooooo!  I lovvvvvveeeeeeeee HIM --he rocks and he’s hot, but I just like his singing (hee hee).  My top picks for country hotness reside with Tim McGraw (sigh he gets better with age) and Luke Bryan—umm yeah have you see this man---whoooo hoooo I’m sweating already LOL! (see video below so you can sweat too)!  He's singing my summer theme song "Country Girl Shake it For Me!!" --OMGoodness you MUST watch him!!  Nothing better than a guy in jeans, boots and a cowboy hat that’s for sure---well at least in Suzanne’s book that is!!

Video:


Ok now that you’ve properly sweated let’s talk about my BookEndz Book Club!  Tonight we wrap up with a fun PARTY at 8:15 pm EST—we will chat about our first book, have some fun contests with prizes and announce the next book.  It will be FUN, FUN, FUN and everyone is welcome whether you just like to read or read and craft!!  Hope to see you there!

NewsBitz:


-Chicago, Ohio and Delaware registration is ongoing for my CMC Copic Classes—see www.cmcroad.com !  I’d love to see you this fall!!

-Copic Creations Challenge has a new challenge up today as well---go HERE to see the fabulous creations and challenge.  My card will be on my blog on Friday for ya!

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Mum’s The Word!!

Since it’s the first of the month that means another fun Magnolia-licious DT Challenge! And our fabulous hostess this month is none of than the talented Sharon Caudle—she’s challenged us to create either Fall or Back to School projects BUT use the rich colors of fall!  You can see all the challenge details on how to join in and the DT’s wonderful fall projects at the Magnolia-licious Highlites Blog.

I’m not a huge fan of fall, but only because it means winter is on its way (boohoo), but I do love the beautiful colors of the leaves, trees and fall harvests!!  I used this older image from Magnolia-licious called “Tilda with Fall Bouquet” from the Halloween/Autumn 2008 Collection.  Diana does not have this in stock but I’m sure if enough of you would love to have it she can order it for you—just shoot her an email.  The sentiment is from the same collection and it is only available in mini-size HERE right now. Diana has the best deals and customer service in the business so I encourage you to email her about these stamps if you LOVE ‘em 

I’m entering this fall creation into the following challenges:

Die-Cuttin’ Divas (fall colors + die cut)

Oldie But a Goodie Challenge (old stamp & bling)

I Did It Creations (nature)

Magnolia Down Under (texture)

One Stitch At A Time (fall)

Paper Sundaes (Magnolia)

These beautiful papers are new by BoBunny called “Forever Fall” and I love, love the colors they’ve included. I love bold colors and the pop of turquoise just popped out to me and I used it a lot to contrast with the warm golds and rusts.  The mats were done with SBs Labels 16 and then I embossed the teal layer, and added Gold Stickles to the orange mat for sparkle.  I wrapped the paper with ribbon from PTI and some bronze Magic Mesh underneath finishes it off.

And yes she is colored with Copics BG49,BG45,BG11,BG10 / E09,E08,E13 / E11,E00,R20 / E29,E25,YR20 / YR23,Y21 / YR18,YR15,YG03.  I added Flower Soft (in orange & yellow colors I custom mixed) to the mums for more fun and pretty texture.  Stickles went on her hat and socks for more bling!

That’s it for me today!  Make sure to stop by the Magnolia-licious Highlites Blog for more on this fun challenge!  Hugz to you all!

Need a Hug?

Happy Wednesday to you all!  Do you need a hug?  Boy I have needed one this week, lol, so much to get done that I am a bit flustered and out of it.  Think I’ve had a virus as well cuz’ I cannot for the life of me shake the dizziness and nausea along with just being plain ole’ tired, ugh! Get outta here already please!  But there is stuff to be done so no rest for us the weary LOL!  Wow, have you seen the devastation from Hurricane Irene.  Yeah it might’ve been only a Category 1 storm but it sure did dump a lot of rain and do damage up and down the East Coast. I am saddened that Vermont has seen so much flooding, whole roads are gone and 100+ year old bridges have washed away.  There are still thousands without power everywhere so I’m hoping that they get that restored soon as we all know its not a lot of fun to deal with no electricity.  So stop and say a prayer today for those still being impacted by this storm or send a kind word to someone you know that is suffering, it is always appreciated.

School has started here in Northern Virginia—did you hear me squealing with delight yesterday LOL?  Sorry but I’m one of those mom’s that craves normal routines and the quietness of the house without children…err…teens running through it all hours of the day.  I can get sooooooo much more done when they are at school LOL and hey I just like the peace & quiet too.  Trust me, my house makes up for it after school and sports practices let out.  Smelly, hungry, hyper teens everywhere---ackkkkk LOL!  I love ‘em but I love ‘em even more in school but that also means that summer is over (boo hoo) which saddens me.  I always can tell that the kids are ready to go back to school in August because they start bickering (well more than usual anyhow) and getting antsy—ready to see their friends and do something with their days that is productive hee hee.  And just a quick love letter by a mom that is frustrated to Target & Staples—STORES RESTOCK THE STINKIN’ SCHOOL SUPPLIES QUICKLY, our schools don’t give out the supply lists until the first day of school and by then everything is sold out and shelves bare. Ackk I’m sick of it!!!  Don’t you know I need like 10 5-subject notebooks, 7 2” binders and highlighters—what is wrong with you Staples and Target.  For Real? Get it together, we need school supplies all year so start ordering and stocking. Love—a frustrated mom of teens in Virginia!!

Yes I do--Yes I do need a Cherry Coke--maybe 5 today perhaps will make me feel better LOL!


Only a short post from me today as I’m just not feeling 110% of my energizer self today—darn I must need my batteries recharged LOL!  But I am diligently working on the newest issue of the magazine and preparing for fall classes, design team deadlies and releases. So I’ll see you back here tomorrow ‘kay!?

NewsBitz:

-Seen all the new Prima goodies at 7 Kids College Fund? There are so many new stamps, flowers and pretty embellishments—I want them all! Use code PRIMA10 to get 10% off your order of Prima goodies!

-Anyone near Delaware—in NY, NJ or MD? Come on for a Copic Class and a fun party with me and my friends!!!  Sept 10th and you can find details at www.cmcroad.com!

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Need a Hug?

I adore this sweet image by Stampavie-Gillian F Roberts called “Being Together”—even without a sentiment it sends a sweet message.  I’ll be there for you, I love you, I’m here to support you—gotta love an image like that!  Usually I have more pics but for some reason quite a few were blurry and its too late to retake them, sorry ‘bout that!

My sketch is from Sweet Sunday Sketch and I took the liberty to move some of the elements around just a tad, sorry! LOL!  My papers are new by MME “Honey Cake”—love the colors!  A few swirls with my Marianne Designs dies, a bow and some Primas decorate it nicely. The pearls were made with my Viva Décor Pearl Pen in Ice White and sentiment is from PTI.

I’m entering this into the following challenges as well:

Creative Card Crew (anything goes)

Partytime Tuesdays (anything goes)

Heartsong Inspirations (anything goes/fave color combos)

Make It Monday (anything goes)

She’s colored with Copics—BG72,BG11,BG10 / R05,R02,R00 / E11,E00 / E37,E35,YR23,YR20 / W5,W3,W1.  I added some Stickles to the hairbands and her socks and teddy’s bow—gotta have a bit of bling in there right?!

And a special thank you to “Sending a Smile 4 Kids” for picking my cheerleader Tilda card as one of their top 3 picks!!

Rainbows Bring Cheer!!

Well hello and a very happy Monday to you all!  Wow what a week it was last week and I gotta say I’m glad to see it over with, LOL.  First the earthquake and then Hurricane Irene swept thru—boy the East Coast knows how to throw a party huh?!  We did go on our mini-vacation on Thursday thru Saturday to Baltimore and I must say we had a great time.  The weather was beautiful and we got to do a lot of our favorite things starting off with the Redskins vs. Ravens football game---we are HUGE football fans!  Everyone in the family loves the Redskins BUT Alexa (she’s a Ravens fan) so the game was interesting---we were cheering for the ‘Skins and she was rooting for Ravens.  And boy was it a close game, ‘Skins were winning until the LAST 45 seconds—CAN U BELIEVE IT, ugh LOL and Ravens got the ball and scored a touchdown.  But it was fun and we had a great group of people sitting around us—a mixture of fans from both sides.  I love that Ravens & Redskins fans can get along well, none of this obnoxious bully kinda business. I’m all for fun and competition but when you are afraid to go to a game because of the fans—that’s a big waste of my time (ahem….you know which teams I’m talkin’ about if you follow football lol).  ALTHOUGH I AM A HUGE FAN of whooting & hollering amongst the enemy much to my hubby’s chagrin—I love to antagonize in a NICE way hee hee—just can’t help myself!  Then on Friday we went to the Maryland Zoo—we hadn’t been there with the kids since they were 10 and 8 years old so that was fun.  We got to feed the giraffes and see some chimpanzees up close and personal (see slideshow below).  Then that evening we hit the Inner Harbor to eat at Phillips (a must eat stop if you ever go) outside to enjoy the nice weather and harbor view.  Then it was off to see the Orioles play the Yankees at Camden Yards (yes we love baseball too)—I HATE THE YANKEES (sorry but I do LOL) so I was sooooo thrilled to see the Orioles beat their pants off hee hee.  Excellent game and there were a TON of Yankees fans there too—didn’t y’all know a hurricane was coming, LOL!

Then on Saturday morning we did a quick trip to the National Aquarium—if you have never been it is a MUST SEE—one of the best in the country and always fun.  We of course had to see the dolphin show as Alexa is wanting to major in Marine Biology in college and hopes to be in the internship at the Aquarium next summer.  And in case you are asking yourself—YES THE HURRICANE WAS COMING ON SATURDAY but the Dean’s like to tempt fate and have a little fun every now and then KWIM. And we were NOT the only crazies—there were lots of us around and about LOL!  I must say that driving into the heart of the hurricane to my parents house (in St. Mary’s County, MD where they got hit HARD) to get doggies was not so much fun, lots of standing water, falling trees/branches and heavy winds.  But we got home ok and battened down the hatches.  We were lucky here in Virginia where I live, just rain and wind and a few branches in the yard thankfully.  My parents and brother’s house are without power and they both had some yard/fence damage unfortunately. But the worst is that my sister’s house had a tree fall on it and it has been condemned so I feel really badly for her & my niece. While things can be replaced people cannot, I know this was a huge blow to her and I’m praying for her and everyone else that got severe property/personal damage due to the hurricane.  While it may have been “less” of the storm they predicted, it still affected a lot of people and I’m saying a prayer for them all.  And looky-loo another storm on the horizon—so hoping it stays out to sea or just blows away, crazy weather!

Slideshow Pics (if you get my blog by subscription you must come to site to see):




NewsBitz:

-Make sure to hop over to the SCACD Store Blog here to see sneak peeks of new stamps, and some awesome blog candy!!



-If you are a member of the BookEndz Group at the CMC Classroom, our Book Wrap Up Party will be Thursday, Sept. 1st at 8:15 pm EST!  There will be a fun chat to discuss the book, our views and YEP PRIZES!!  Everyone is welcome to join in on the fun and I will also announce the NEW book for October!! Hope to see you there!
 
-If you have been waiting for my CMC Copic class info for the Chicago area, it is NOW up at www.cmcroad.com – first day is almost sold out with a few spots left, but 2nd day has just opened.  Would love to see you!  For the California dates, they should be up next week just have to confirm!! thanks!

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Rainbow Cheer!!

So with everything that went on last week I think I was wanting a few rainbows in my life LOL!  This card was made for the current Gina K StampTV Challenge I am hosting called “Free For All Friday” that you can join in on HERE.  It’s a Sketch & Color Twist (get it---sketchy & twisty, hee hee) Challenge—the color twist is to use colors of the rainbow!  I hope this card makes everyone smile today no matter where they are or what situation they are dealing with

I'm entering this into the following challenges:

-Creations by Gill M (anything that flies)

-Ellephantastic Challenges (layers)

-ECP Challenges (photo inspiration--I choose colors)

-Show & Tell (Crafting Misfit--anything goes)

I used the new and fabulous StampTV set called “Vintage Chic” (omg there is a ton of wonderful images & sentiments in this set).  I LOVE, LOVE this sentiment that says “Why are you trying to fit in when you were born to STAND OUT!”—it is one of my personal mottoes and did I say how much I LOVE IT LOL!  The papers are all by My Minds Eye from their Lime Twist collections.  The aqua cs was embossed with one of my fave CB embossing folders “D’vine Swirls” to replicate the wind and clouds.  The fun border trim was made with a MS Border Punch and then I added Stickles to the white stripes of the patterned paper for more sparkle.  A bow made with the Bow Easy and some rhinestones finish it off.



I double stamped the kite and then cut out one of them and popped it with dimensionals.  I used multiple SU stamp pads to roll my stamp image and sentiment in for a rainbow-colored pattern. And yep the kite got a good coat of Stickles (in my fave Stardust).  I used my Inkssentials Blending tool along with SU ink to create a cloudy, blue sky.

So hope this made you all smile today and I will see you again this week with some more fun projects!  Praying for everyone that suffered any kind of loss or damage due to the Hurricane!