What can I say...

...I love playing with the Memory Box Twilight papers & Tracy's sketch challenges! This is for Sketchy Thursday #57. I worked with some scraps I had from previous projects so it worked out perfect. The "haunted house" image & sentiment are from The Cat's Pajamas Fright Night clear set. I had some inspiration from my friend Armie (HI ARMIE!!) on using the little bats that punch out from the super cute EK Success Bat Lace punch (♥LOVE♥ this punch Armie ;) !!). I finished it off by adding some Memory Box Halloween jewel stickers. I hope you have a SPOOKY & safe Halloween!!

Card Details: Note Card, card stock, patterned paper, jewel stickers by Memory Box; Image & Sentiment are The Cat's Pajama's; Border Punch is EK Success Bat Lace; Copic Spica Glitter pen; Versa Fine Onyx Black ink.

My First Digi Stamp

OK, so I am probably the last person out there to try digi stamps & now I think I'm hooked. They will never take the place of good ol' rubber, but these are so much fun to work with. I love how you are able to change the size of the image & they color like a dream with Copics. I was a little worried that they would not take well to Copics, boy was I pleasantly surprised.

This little cutie is "Itty Bitty Betty - Ladybug Costume" from Pink Cat Studio Digi Stamps. Be sure to go check out all of the images available & they are always adding new images. I made this card for Tracy's ESS56 Sketchy Thursday this week. Tracy always had fun sketches to offer every Thursday. You should check it out if you haven't had a chance to play along. Thanks for visiting my very neglected blog today!! :)

Card Details: Card stock, DP, Jewel Stickers by Memory Box; Digi Stamp by Pink Cat Studio Digi; Sentiment by Savvy; Versa Fine Ink; Copics & Spica Glitter Pens.

Swap Spoiler

To all the ladies that participated in my first ATC swap....THANK YOU so much!! It really was a positive, fun experience. It was really fun to see all of the different ATC's & we had a good mix of the two companies. ALL of your creations were FABULOUS!! I really hope you enjoy them as much as I did when they arrive. I shipped all of the packages out to everyone today. You should be receiving them soon.



If you want a little peek of what's inside your package, I have a spoiler of my ATC below. If you want it to be a surprise, no peeking. :) If you do, I hope you like it. I used Memory Box papers & a Poppy Stamps image. The patterned paper is from a retired Memory Box 6x6 pack. I still love the older Memory Box papers so much!! The buttons are from PTI & I colored my image with Copics. Thanks again ladies, I had a lot of fun with this!!

Spread The Word

Happy Friday!!! I just wanted to give you a heads up on some fun festivities going on over at my dear friend Tracy's blog. She is celebrating a years worth of sketches for her Sketchy Thursday challenges held every week. She is offering some AWESOME loot if 52 people participate in this weeks sketch. Click here to be taken to the post with all the info. Have a nice weekend!!

ETA: Monday 9-14-09 - Here's my card. ;0)

Card Details: Note card & patterned paper by Memory Box; Image by Savvy; Sentiment by The Cat's Pajamas; Ribbon by Creative Impressions; Button by PTI; Ink Versafine & Memento; Marvy Mega Scallop Circle Punch; Spica Glitter pen on eyes of cat; Koh-i-noor & Prismacolor colored pencils.

Memory Box/Poppy Stamps ATC Swap Anyone?

Hi friends! I have decided to host a Memory Box/Poppy Stamps ATC swap. It will be combined in one group & you can either use Memory Box or Poppy Stamps for your ATC, you choose which one you want to use. I have some pending spots held for some people that I think may want to sign up. If I don't hear from them, I will open those spots to whoever. I am only going to open one group since this is my first time, so if you are interested, be sure to sign up soon. Please e-mail me directly to sign up, that way I have your e-mail information to contact you. You can e-mail me through "my profile" in "About Me" (under copyright) listed on the right in my sidebar. I have listed the swap details below the sign up list. I will e-mail you with my mailing info once group has filled. Please wait to start your swaps until you hear from me. If the group does not fill, unfortunately, I may have to cancel the swap. I will keep the sign up open through Friday August 21st. I hope you will consider joining!!

SWAP IS NOW CLOSED w/ one addition :)
1. Nancy - DONE :)
2. Tami - RECEIVED :) -shipped 9-28-09
3. Tinla - RECEIVED :) -shipped 9-28-09
4. Tracy C. - RECEIVED :) -shipped 9-28-06
5. Armie - RECEIVED :) -shipped 9-28-09
6. Susan N. - RECEIVED :) -shipped 9-28-09
7. Kim B. - RECEIVED :) -shipped 9-28-09
8. Anthonette - RECEIVED :) -shipped 9-28-09
9. Ruth Ann - RECEIVED :) -shipped 9-28-09
10. Rhiannon - RECEIVED :) -shipped 9-28-09
11. Victoria N. - RECEIVED :) -shipped 9-28-09

ATC DETAILS: Create 10 (please make 11 now) identical ATC's -- you will get back 11 including 1 of your own. (if you haven't made ATC's before, check out this tutorial). Must be 2 or more layers. Please use at least 1 Memory Box or Poppy Stamps image (otherwise, no vendor restrictions). At least one embellishment preferred, but not required (i.e. ribbon, rhinestone, charm, etc.). Your swaps are due to me by Friday, September 25th. I will swap out on Monday, September 28th.

Please sign and number each of your swaps and put them in a zip-lock bag to protect them from the elements. Your bag should be marked with your name. Also include a SASE (self addressed stamped envelope) with $1.76 for postage (4 first class stamps) + 1 additional stamp (it will be returned if not needed). NO metered strips please. Any questions, please e-mail me!! :)

A Bowl of Cherries

Hello again!! I love all of the fresh fruit that is available during the summer months. Cherries are definitely a favorite of mine. I love having a bowl full sitting on the kitchen counter to snack on. I made this card for my friend Tracy's sketch for this week (ESS47). I have been wanting to ink up this image from Whipper Snapper & thought now would be the perfect time. The sentiment is from another one of the Gamma series stamps by Basic Grey. Enjoy your day!

Card Details: Note card & ribbon by A Muse Artstamps; Blue card stock & pearl sticker by Memory Box; Red card stock by DCWV; Kraft card stock unknown; Cherry Bowl image by Whipper Snapper; Sentiment by Basic Grey; Colored Pencils by Koh-i-noor; Memento Tuxedo Black Ink & Versa Magic Chalk ink.

Basic Grey Girl

Just popping in to say hi! How is everyone? We are enjoying some unseasonably cool temperatures today after experiencing a record breaking heat wave last week. It actually rained last night too. We need the rain & cooler temperatures since we are experiencing some forest fires in the area. I recently purchased some stamps from Basic Grey. They are from their limited edition Gamma series. This girl image is so adorable, I had to ink her up right away. I'm not sure that this turned out exactly how I was envisioning it, but I decided to share it anyway. Have a great day & nice weekend!! Card Details: Colored card stock, ribbon, button and some ink by PTI; Cream colored card stock by Stampin' Up; Images & patterned paper by Basic Grey; Jewel stickers by Memory Box; Copic markers; Martha Stewart border punch.

Friendship & Flowers

I had so much fun playing with my Poppy Stamps, I had to make another card. These images are just so cute, I couldn't resist. This one features the 'Petunia Petals' image. I paired her up with some mushroom images from a Hero Arts clear set. I used Copics for coloring. For all my sweet friends that stop by my blog, this card is for you!!




Card Details: Note card, Biscotti patterned paper & blue card stock by Memory Box; Textured red card stock by DCWV; White card stock by GP; Petunia Petals image by Poppy Stamps; Mushroom image by Hero Arts; "If friends were flowers" sentiment & ribbon by A Muse Artstamps; Fence border punch by Martha Stewart Crafts; Copic Markers; Spica Clear Glitter Pen; Memento Ink (Tuxedo Black & Bamboo Leaves); Signo white pen used on flower; dimensional stickers.

Hello Cupcake!

I made a super quick card today with my new Poppy Stamps. If you haven't seen these images yet, they are SO adorable!! You can click on the blinkie link in my sidebar to take you to the Poppy Stamps site. The note card & patterned paper are from Memory Box. The "Catie Cupcake" image is by Poppy Stamps & the sentiment, that I stamped crooked :) (oops!), is by A Muse Artstamps. The border punch is by Martha Stewart Crafts. Have a sweet day!

ETA: I know the photo is hard to see since it won't enlarge, so I have included a close-up of the image for you below. I left out in my first post that the jewel sticker is by Memory Box & I used Stickles on the top of the cupcake. I used watercolor pencils to color the image.

My First Felted Cupcake

Hi there!! I have discovered a new crafting addiction....FELTING!! It all started last year when I discovered Betz White's creations on-line. I went to my local library & checked out her first book, Warm Fuzzies, to see if this would be something fun to try. I was hooked! I ended up purchasing her book & started collecting wool sweaters to re-purpose. I didn't really know how I would like the "hunting & collecting" part of it, but it is fun all in itself. I already have collected a pretty big stash. I love washing up the sweaters & seeing how they "felt" after washing. They really take on a softer & fuzzy appearance. I hope you don't mind me sharing my creations with you along the way. This is my first cupcake pincushion (I think they are meant more for decorative purposes) & will be making several more. This was my trial & error one. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks for stopping by today! :)

Here is a different view (you can click to see larger) of the cupcake so you can see the swirls a little better. I need to get some pretty pins to use for sprinkles. I used some tiny heart ones here, I may add some glitter to them for a little sparkle.



Supplies Used: Felted Wool Sweaters; Felted Ball for Cherry (on-line source); Leaf pins (Jo Anns); Velvet Ric Rac Ribbon (May Arts?); Heart Pins (Heidi Grace); Polka Dot paper in background (A Muse Artstamps).

ESS #36 Sketch

I'm very last minute getting my sketch in this week. SORRY!! I finished my card up last night, after getting most of it put together Tuesday. Unfortunately, I wasn't very pleased with my "ott light" photo I took last night, so took another picture this morning even though it rained most of last night. At least there was some natural light to be had. :) I'm off in a hurry to get this posted to Tracy's blog. Have a beautiful, & hopefully sun-shiny day!!

Card Details: Cantaloupe note card by Memory Box; Tutu Note card by A Muse; Stamps by Elzybells NA & A Muse Artstamps; Dew Drops; Ink by Mememto & Stampin' Up; Copics & Colored Pencils.

Just Playing Around

I was playing around with PhotoShop & made this cookie cutter butterfly peek of my card that is over on the Stamp Color Create - Memory Box blog today for my guest blog post. You can pop on over there if you want to see the actual card. Just click on the Memory Box blinkie (it's the one with the cute little yellow bird perched on a tree) on my sidebar & that will take you to a link for all of the Memory Box blogs. There is a lot of inspiration to be had!! :) Have a happy day!!

ESS #35 Sketch

Hi friends!! This is a card for my dear friend Tracy's sketch challenge this week. I had a lot of different ideas spinning around in my head for this one, but this is what I ended up with. This is my first time inking up my Hero Arts Woodland Creatures set. I colored the raccoon with colored pencils, added a twinkle sticker to the flower & popped the cutie up with dimensionals. This is going to be a short post tonight...... I'm off to set the coffee pot so I can have my java ready for me before work in the AM. Have a happy day! :) Card Details: White card stock by GP; Cotton Candy (pink) card stock by Memory Box; Black card stock unknown; Apron Lace punch by Fiskars; Ribbon by Creative Impressions; Ink by Memento; Stamps by Hero Arts (raccoon & sentiment); Open Daisy & twinkle sticker by A Muse (retired I think?); Wood background by All Night Media; dimensionals.

Memory Box Card Peek

Happy Cinco de Mayo!! Have any fun plans today to celebrate? I will be working, but I'm hoping DH will take me out for dinner. I'm just popping in today to share a little peek from my guest blog post over on the "Stamp, Color, Create" (Dave's Blog) Memory Box blog. I hope you will take a visit to my post over there. You can click on the Memory Box blinkie on the side bar to the right & it will take you to the Memory Box website where you can find a link to all of the Memory Box blogs. Have a great day!!

Happy Etsy Day!!

Etsy is one of my FAVORITE places to buy hand crafted items. If you haven't checked it out yet, today is a great day to visit. Have a great weekend!!

ESS #29 Sketch

Happy Monday to you!! What are you up to today? I'm cleaning house for out of state guests arriving tomorrow. Thought I would sneak in a card for Tracy's Sketchy Thursday Challenge this week. I have good intentions of playing every week, but I seem to miss the deadline A LOT!! I was happy to be able to get a card in for this weeks sketch. I have been wanting to play with my new A Muse "Carrot Car" stamp so this gave me a chance to ink it up. I don't have the "tall grass" stamp from A Muse so I used my Savvy "grass" stamp instead. I made the sentiment using two different sentiment stamps. The "Happy" is from a "Happy Spring" stamp by Impress, and the "Spring!" is by A Muse, I think it is retired, but I'm not for sure about that. I covered the sentiment with a A Muse Creative Candy sticker & trimmed around the edge. I was going to leave it without ribbon, but decided to add some to add a little more yellow to the card besides the yellow that was is the bunny's scarf. I added some bling with my spica glitter pens, but I have a heck of a time trying to catch that sparkle in photographs. I did the best I could to show you a little bit of sparkle in the close up photo. Have a great week!!

First Day of Spring

Happy first day of Spring!! The weather is gorgeous here today!! I hope it is for you too. I just love it when all of the cherry blossoms start to bloom. I thought I would share this photo of the beautiful blooms I have to view on one of the trees outside.

Wishing everybody a fun day & a fantastic weekend!!

My First Cupcake Challenge (#59)

Hello....Happy St. Patty's Day!! Everyone have their green on? I'm looking forward to corned beef & cabbage tonight. I popped it in the crock pot before work. I've been making it every St. Patrick's Day for the last several years. My family & I really enjoy it. Is anybody else making some as well, or is it not high on your list of favorites?

This is my first time participating in a Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge! I didn't have a lot of time to put this together last night, so I kept it pretty simple. I have been wanting to ink up this super sweet Memory Box "Flower Bucket" stamp. I think it has been around for a while, but it is fairly new to me. I also have a ton of retired Memory Box 6x6 paper packs that I adore & I was able to coordinate the colors well by using them. I have another "guest blog" installment over on the Memory Box blog today if you would like to take a look. They also have some fun contests going on over there so you will want to check it out! Have a fabulous day!!

Materials: Note Card, Patterned Paper & Colored Card Stock are by Memory Box (cut down from 6x6 pack) (except for the ivory card stock that the flower bucket image is stamped on and that is Stampin' Up.) Ribbon is Martha Stewart. Image is stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink & colored with Copics & Clear Spica Pen on flowers.

Fun News....

I have some fun news to share. I will be doing a "guest blog" spot over at the Memory Box blog on Tuesdays in the coming weeks. THANK YOU for this opportunity Dave!! I hope you will stop by for a peek. If you click on the photo, you can get a better look at the card I created. I'm trying to get used to how Typepad posts photos, so hopefully by next Tuesday I will have a better handle on the picture thing & it won't be cut off on the side & so supersized. (ETA- I changed out the photo from the original so hopefully you get a better view). Take care & I hope you are having beautiful sunny weather (it is here, yay!!) wherever you're at today!!

I also have a card posted below. :)

Love Is In The Air

WOW....long time no post!! Sorry I have been so out of touch......lots of things going on!! I've been totally out of touch with the cyber world. This is a card I made around Valentines Day & never shared. It was completely inspired by Rhonda & one of her layouts she used. I just love this little "Aviator Penguin" by Memory Box. I think he is so stinkin' adorable! A big thank you for any of you that may still be peeking in on my blog. I miss all my girlie stamping buddies out there!! Card Info: Note Cards, Ribbon, Airplane image & Sentiment, Heart Twinkle Sticker by A Muse Artstamps; Aviator Penguin by Memory Box ; Martha Stewart Border Punch; Copics & Spica Glitter Pen; Memento Ink.