Missing you

It's WEDNESDAY! *grin*

Seeing all the gorgeous samples from Nichole and the PTI DT made me remember this card I made a few months ago. I dug it out of my draft posts and decided to post it today. Simple and fun, don't you think?!

All stamps are PCD:  Retro Christmas Backgrounds, and Everyday Prints. CardStock is PTI and SU, patterned paper, button, and die are PTI.

Keeping it CAS! It's about all I have time for these days...

Have a good one,

*mwah*

March 2011 CARDS magazine pub

Some of you may remember this card from my blog last June, but it was also published in the March issue of CARDS magazine last month!

I love using impression plates on patterned paper, and then rubbing over the impression with tea dye ink. Gives a nice aged feel! And seeing this reminds me I need to do it more often.

This was the first publication of mine and also the first time I submitted anything. I felt so special when it was accepted! I've only submitted one other time since then, and it too will be published in the August issue of CARDS magazine...can't wait!

For more info on this card , see the original post here.

Thanks for stopping by friends (and strangers)!

*mwah*

Babushka Eggs

Today begins the Babushka Hunt!

Hidden somewhere on my blog, deep in the older posts, is a new post with a Babushka egg facsimile and some trivia questions.  If you are playing along to win prizes, be sure to see all the rules and directions here. 

I created this fun Scandinavian colored card using three digital Babushka eggs from CS Designs, Olga, Pasha, and Anya.  In honor of the upcoming Easter holiday, Chris designed these to be egg shaped. Aren't they sweet?!  There are 7 to choose from in total!  And because they are digital you can resize them to your heart's content and make oodles of nesting eggs!

I really have a love for nesting (Matroyshka) dolls.  My mom has quite a collection, some antique and quite valuable, but she always allowed me to play with them when I was a child.  I would spend HOURS lining them all up from smallest to largest...such good memories. *smile*


If you are playing along, don't forget to search through my older blog posts for the one with the small colored Babushka egg and the trivia questions!  If you aren't playing, well then thanks for stopping by, and have a good one. 


*mwah*

All digital images from CSDesigns, all CS and PP from PTI.

Denami Monochromatic Blog Hop

Hello friends!

I'm popping in this morning with a card I created for the Denami Design Monochromatic Blog Hop. You should have arrived here from Anne's blog, but if you are lost you can start at the beginning at the Denami blog!

I love working in monochromatic colors...they are soo soothing, even in neon yellow! LOL

I chose shades of blue because I also wanted to showcase how Denami stamps are not just cute and whimsical, but can also be elegant.

This card uses the Solid Decorative Crest and a sentiment from the Thoughtful Greetings set.

Your next stop on the hop is LINDA. Don't forget that you have a chance to win one of TWO $20 gift certificates from Denami just for commenting!

You have until April 11, 2011, 11:59pm PST, to leave comments on all the blogs (to be eligible for the prize).

Happy Hopping, and thanks for stopping by!

*mwah*

Give me wings

Do you sew on your cards? Do you want to try if you don't?

Come on over to Simply Scrapping Crafts for a brand new tutorial and challenge!

The card DT is hosting a new challenge every Wednesday, and this week  the challenge is SEWING!

I used 2 stamps by Unity and shades of grey and pink CS to create this one. Some simple distressed edges and a few stitches with my machine were all it needed to "finish it off".

If you love to sew on your cards, or if you like the look and want to give it a whirl, hop over to SSC and post your creation for a chance to win some fabulous prizes.

Thanks for stopping by today, I plan to play catch up on everyone's blogs ASAP, so keep an eye out!

*mwah*

Guest Designer

Fun news...

I am so proud and lucky to announce that I was asked to be a Guest Designer for CS Designs for April! Woo hoo! What an honor.

Chris designs the most incredible, unique digital stamps out there. I love that they have pizazz and panache! There really is something for everyone in her online store...from cute and whimsical, to artsy and dramatic.

This is her Framed Geisha 2.

It was fun to apply "make-up" to her face just like I was playing dress up with dolls! *chuckle* I also love how the embossed BG matches her kimono. 

Thanks for sharing in my fun news. 


A few weeks ago I used my first digital stamp from CS Designs, HERE. DO you remember it?

Expect to see more of CSDesigns images in the next few weeks, because I can't stop coloring and playing with them.

Hope you have a Terrific Tuesday!

*mwah*

Letterpress technique

Finally got around to trying the letterpress technique with a PTI impression plate!

Using my brayer, I inked up the metal IP, then placed my rustic CS on top and ran the whole thing through my Big Shot. LOVE the look, and don't know why I waited so long to try it!

This card is based on a LO I saw ages ago on someone's blog and I can't remember who. If it was YOU or you know what I'm talking about, please share the link! *smile*

I've been so busy lately with a school function fundraiser, but it ended last night so I can breath a bit easier now. Wheww. I've been asked for some wedding invitation samples so I need to get crackin' on those, and I have a customer waiting on a few custom cards too, so now I can focus on getting those done. 

Plus today is my mom's birthday and I haven't even finished her card yet! EEEEK

My siblings and I bought her a round trip ticket on Amtrak so she can go see her BFF in Colorado, and I want to get her piano tuned as a surprise too. *grin*

Thanks for stopping by, 

Hope your Sunday is superb!

*mwah*

For my girl

This card is going out to my girl, Sue Ann! 

Happy Birthday darling! I hope you are surrounded by lots of love and hugs today, and everyone celebrates YOU.

Hopefully she already received this in the mail, but if not, then she knows what to expect. *chuckle*

I used my PTI gingham stamp for the first time on the tiny panel under the yellow gingham ribbon,  the large yellow PP is almost 7 years old and I have no idea who makes it, the flowery PP scrap is Basic Grey, sentiment and pink ribbon by PTI, flowers by Prima. Card idea cased from Angel--so cute. The yellow ribbon is from my stash too, and I've been waiting for the perfect moment to use it. 

Sue Ann is like sunshine for so many who know her...she really is. I hope this card brightens her day!

Thanks for stopping by,

*mwah*

(almost) Wordless Tuesday!

Stamps by Wilson Designs. Impression Plate, Cardstock, and felt by PTI.

Forgive my brevity, I am swamped with real life responsibilities right now and see no end in sight. *heavy sigh*

Thanks for stopping,

5 minute challenge

Every once in a while when I am feeling overwhelmed with responsibilities, I like to take "five minute time outs." 

Usually I just meditate in a quite spot (in my house that would be the upstairs bathroom lol!) and center my thoughts and focus on breathing deeply. When my timer goes off, I return to the madness! Yesterday I decided to spend those five minutes in my studio.

I didn't think I could really create anything in that time frame, but I wanted to "play." Strangely enough, as I was moving some scraps of PP,  this card popped into my head. The entire thing...just like that. I think I may have been inspired by this card of Melissa's in reference to the space for the sentiment. So I went with it and was pleasantly surprised!

When the timer went off I sat back and looked at this card and was pleased.

What more could a girl ask for?

*smile*

Thanks for stopping by today!

Stamp by Unity, PP is BG, jewels are Prima, felt and CS from PTI, rolled flower die from MFT.

test...

Simple happiness

*sigh*. 

The snow depresses me. So I am posting a happy card to make up for it!

Don't you love this paper? It's an old piece of origami paper I bought in China a few years ago. The stamp is SU.

I stamped the sentiment twice in two different colors and cut out select words. I love the added affect this gives.

Come play along with us for this week's challenge at Simple Scrapping Crafts! 

Create a card using only ONE stamp. One.

I thought it would be hard but this beautiful paper inspired me!

Have a good Wednesday,

*mwah*

Treasure this time

I have to post and run today friends!

Need to be at work early this morning...yay. 

This card is a semi-CASE of the amazing and talented Viola Mahr. She's a superstar and I buy all my pearl pins from her etsy shop.

Thanks for stopping by today everyone!

much love,

Thankful

Are you having a beautiful Sunday? 

It started snowing again here yesterday so the 2-day warm spell did not last...*sigh*

I know I complain a lot about the weather here in upstate, western NY, but in reality I am grateful that I live someplace with four beautiful seasons. I just wish Winter wasn't 6+ months long!

I made this card with some sample patterned papers that my dear friend Bobbie sent me. I'm assuming they were SU because she is a demo, but I could be wrong. 

The sentiment and house with trees stamps are Unity from their September 2010 KOTM (and it happens to be on sale right now!). 

All CS is PTI as are ribbon, buttons, tag die, and twine. Lace is MM.

Thanks for stopping by today, hope the rest of your days is delightful!

*mwah*

Journeys abound

Hi friends!

I've been holding in some fun news. Wanna hear?

I'm now on the Card Design Team at Simply Scrapping Crafts! Yay me! *grin*

Some of the nicest people congregate over there...and talk about the talent...Oh my! I'm so excited and pleased to be a part of such a great group.

We issue new challenges every Wednesday. Sometimes a sketch, sometimes a stamping technique, sometimes a color challenge.

If you'd like to join our current challenge, here's the sketch:

Post your card here, after you join the site. Takes just a sec and the benefits are ten-fold!

Thanks for stopping by today! I've been so blessed with wonderful bloggy friends and readers. You guys make me smile.

*mwah*

Double sweetness

 Thank you to everyone for the numerous and heartfelt Birthday wishes yesterday!

It was a good day.

This card was made to try the double bow technique that Clare uses. She kindly made a video to show how she does it and I couldn't resist giving it a shot!
Some old Basic Grey paper, a notebook border punch, some fine linen twill, a few die cut felt butterflies and some pearl pins! Stamps by PTI.

Most of you heard or "saw" on the forums and FB that my hubster bought me an iPhone4 for my birth day. He also made me dinner too! And I received some simply beautiful tulips from my best friend Mary, and had key lime pie for my birthday "cake" and my kids made me some sweet cards. All in all I'd say it was a wonderful day!

Hope you have a great day today, thanks for stopping by!
*mwah*

Asian Good luck

Howdy all! 

I'm 34 today. 

Weird feeling. 

No one is 34...seems like such a strange age! *chuckle*

 I pulled this card out of my blogger draft posts because it just makes me happy! I love this Backgrounded stamp from Cornish Heritage Farms (no longer in business). After stamping it in red, I did it again in white and then embossed it with clear e.p. to make it a touch more subtle.

The 'sentiment' is a punch that says "Good Luck" in Mandarin (I think).

Tiny tidbit: The second card contest I ever entered and subsequently won was in 2007 on Julee's blog (before she started Verve). I used this same Asian "good luck" punch on THIS card. I figured it must have worked, right? 

I don't have any special plans to celebrate, but perhaps my hubster has something up his sleeve.  I haven't even decided what to make for my birthday dinner yet...I'd love a good slice of key lime pie or tiramisu...*drool*

Thanks for stopping by today friends, I hope your Tuesday is TERRIFIC!

*mwah*

Denami Design blog hop

   

Welcome to my stop on the Denami Design Floral Frenzy blog hop! 

You should have arrived here from Colleen's blog, but if you'd like to comment on all the participant's blogs, then start HERE at the beginning. Remember, 2 random commenters will win a mini shopping spree at Denami!

I white embossed the large flower spray three times on different CS to make the main image panel. I love how simple, yet striking this stamp can be. The sentiment, sending you sunshine, just seemed to be the perfect finishing touch for the happy colors.

It isn't apparent, but this is actually an A7 sized card...(5 x 7). Sometimes you need a larger base to make your statement!

Your next stop on the hop is Jaclyn! 

Leave as many comments along the hop as possible for a chance to win one of TWO $20 gift certificates! You have until March 14, 2011 at 11:59pm PST.

Thanks for stopping by,

*mwah*

Simply Scrapping CAS challenge

Hey Friends!

I created this card for a CAS challenge with a sketch at Simply Scrapping Crafts. I'm in love with their weekly challenges and the forum and MBs are filled with the nicest people.

Stamps are from You're Dandy by PCD,  cardstock and ribbon from PTI.

Today we are doing a thorough deep-cleaning at our house, so I'm posting and running!

Have a stupendous Saturday!

*mwah*

Everyday Miracles

Tired of baby cards? *chuckle*

 How's this for a change?

I discovered this incredible digital artist last week. 

Chris Stern of CSDesigns. 

She makes these fabulous artsy images of which this is only one. The best thing about digital stamps is that they can be re-sized to fit your design or space. 

I opted to make this one, called 60s Splash Art, HUGE and turn it into PP. It was so much fun to color too. Coloring is the best way of relaxing.

CSDesigns is holding an Extravaganza challenge for the entire month of March, and I am entering this card for a chance to win some more of the digital stamps! Just for participating you get 4 free digital sentiments. One of which you can see above. 

Isn't that a great saying? Not the 'possibility', but the 'probability!' Even better!

Thanks for stopping by today, it's FRIDAY!

*mwah*

Little Bundles of Joy

Happy Thursday!

Did you get your new Little Bundle stamp set yet? It was released at midnight last night at Practicing Creativity Designs!

Aren't all the sentiments the sweetest things? I particularly like this one (but maybe I'm just partial to boys?). Although I didn't know my children from birth (they were adopted), they have definitely brought sunshine and joy into our house. And loud, rambunctious, craziness too! LOL

CrumbGrabber (6) and StickyFingers (11). March 3, 2011

Thanks for stopping by today, hugs all around.

*mwah*