Fab Friday #3!!

Here we are on week #3 in the Fab Friday Stamping Challenge universe!! Today's challenge is this awesome sketch!! I really had fun with it (even though I felt like my mojo had taken a holiday today!). I love working from a sketch ... seems to make the creative process MUCH easier!!

Stamps: Itty Bitty Banners
Paper: Orchard Harvest DSP, Howlstooth & Scaringbone DSP, Island Indigo, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Rosette Bigz Die, Scallop Circle Punch, Designer Naturals Buttons, Linen Thread, Bitty Banners Framelits Dies, Early Espresso Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Autumn Accents Bigz Die, Woodgrain Textured Impressions Folder, Argyle Textured Impressions Folder

Here is the actual sketch ...












AND, here's a link to the Fab Friday Challenge Blog so you can play along:

Fab Friday Challenge Blog

Check out the Fab blogs of my fellow Fab Friends:

Mindy Backes
Cindy Beach
Jason Casper
Amanda Mertz
Brenda Myers
Marla Reed
Pam Steckman
Jan Tinklenberg

Update on my mom - she did a LOT of sleeping yesterday, but she seemed to be rallying a bit in the evening. We are hoping she will be home in her own bed within a couple of days. Thanks for all the kind words!!

Babies & Grads ...

How fitting that the two layouts I am sharing today have something in common ... they BOTH feature my babies ... this first one is of my youngest "baby" on her graduation day this past June. Where in the WORLD did the time go??? I honestly have NO idea!!! It seems those years are oh-so fleeting (sometimes I really wish I could have a "do-over!" I truly enjoyed my kids as they were growing up).

Stamps: Just Perfect Alphabet and Sweet Shoppe Alphabet
Paper: Summer Smooches, Night & Day, Candy Cane Lane, Newsprint, Day in the Life
Punches: Scallop Circle, Star, Curly Label, Scallop Border
Embellishments: Kraft Button, Designer Brads - Star2, Kraft Grosgrain Ribbon; Font - Casmira.

And this second layout is of my oldest "baby" when he actually WAS one!! This is one of my most FAVORITE pictures of him ... ever!! The end!! It just makes me smile every stinkin' time I look at it ...

Stamps: Nursery Necessities
Paper: Celebrations DSP
Other: Scallop Circle Punch, Lauren's Letters Alphabet, Large Oval Punch, Round Buttons, Whisper White Grosgrain Ribbon; Font - CK Buddies.

It is now 12:35 a.m. and I have been sitting in the ER with my mom since a little before 8:00 p.m. ... we are just waiting-waiting-waiting for them to come and get her and take her up to her room (they ARE admitting her, but with a bit of medicine and a couple of days of observation she should be feeling MUCH better!!). Why does EVERYthing that goes on in a hospital take so stinkin' LONG??? At least it gave me time to type up a blog post!!

Here's Comes the Bride ...

I have been known, on occasion, to be coerced into making wedding announcements for people I know ... doesn't happen all the time, but I do at least one or two sets a year. Looks like it's that time again. I always find it fun and interesting to see what the bride helps me come up with. I never take on these adventures alone. For such an important day, I want it to be what makes the bride happy, so it is usually a team effort.

This one makes me smile ... not for the reason you would necessarily think, though. It actually makes me think of proms in the 80's ... the color combo isn't too far off of what me and my date wore to my Junior Prom (HE wore a burgundy tux ... NO LIE!!). And since the bride had chosen burgundy and "peach" as her color combo, I was VERY lucky that I had a leftover stash of Apricot Appeal in my "retired" file box. And I mean VERY lucky! I cut up every last scrap I had in order to get these done!!

Here's a peek at the inside that I created using MDS. That program has come in sooo stinkin' handy! I am amazed at how many different projects I have used it for!

My husband and I spent part of the weekend in Wendover volunteering for the airshow they had there. It was great fun ... we have made so many awesome friends in conjunction with our love of flying. So fantastic to have so many great people to share it with.

Stamps: Love & Laughter
Paper: Bravo Burgundy, Apricot Appeal, Whisper White
Ink: Bravo Burgundy, Apricot Appeal
Accessories: Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder, Elegant Lines Textured Impressions Folder, Whisper White Satin/Organza Ribbon, Tag Corner Punch (Retired), Rhinestone Basics, MDS2

Freakin' Spooktacular Fall!!

Welcome to this month's Control Freaks Blog Tour, where we are celebrating HALLOWEEN and FALL!! This month was SOOO much fun for me, as y'all know it is my mostest FAVORITE time of year!! If you have been hopping around the Tour, you have just come from the ever-amazing Eileen LeFevre!! More wonderful goodness going on there, I tell ya!!

I am so-so-so-so-so EXCITED to share this first project with ya. This one just literally fell out of my fingertips this afternoon (I know, I know ... it would be MUCH easier and MUI-better if I didn't wait until 3:30 p.m. on the afternoon of the Freak Tour to start, right??? Lucky for me, there were already ideas swimming around in my head with all the other junk I store up there!!)!

Isn't my little owl stinkin' FUN???? I knew I wanted to make something "owlish" when I started, but it didn't really start rolling until I pulled out the Fancy Favor Bigz Die ... then it just kinda happened!! And (of course) he is filled with my new favorite fall treat ... Pumpkin Spice Kisses!!! YUMYUMYUM!!

Stamps: NONE!
Paper: Howlstooth & Scaringbone DSP, Basic Black, More Mustard, Very Vanilla, Pumpkin Pie
Ink: NONE!
Accessories: Fancy Favor Bag Bigz Die, Scallop Circle Punch, 1" Circle Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch, Ornament Punch, Build a Blossom Punch, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder, Black Glimmer Brads, Basic Black Polka Dot Ribbon

Next, I got a little spooky (again!) with this cute little mummy dude from Googly Ghouls. I am SAD that I FORGOT to order the googlie eyes to go with this set ... it's gotta be on my next order for sure!! I had the idea for the "candy corn" background in my head all day, so I was glad to get it outta there (since there is already so much stuff shaking around in there!!).

Stamps: Googly Ghouls, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Whisper White
Accessories: Large (Wide) Oval Punch, Finishing Touches Edgelits Die, Designer Label Punch (it's RETIRED!! I forgot until after I did this!! You can easily substitute the Decorator Label Punch), Designer Frames Textured Impression Folder, Basic Black Glimmer Brads, Spiderweb Textured Impression Folder, Chevron Textured Impressions Folder,Basic Black Polka Dot Ribbon

And last of all, I decided it was time to go a little simple ... I haven't done the "sponge-one-layer" stamp thing for a long while. Somehow, leaves in the fall always make me wanna do this!! I love leafy images ... very simple, yet very elegant.

Stamps: French Foliage, Blooming with Kindness
Paper: Very Vanilla, Orchard Harvest DSP
Ink: Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Soft Suede
Accessories: 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Victoria Crochet Trim, Essentials Paper Piercing Pack

Next up? You can move on over to the blog of my BFF, JanTink!! She let me peek at her creations this morning before she took photos ... they are AWESOME!!

Happy Monday!!!

They come around every week ... whether you want them to or not!! Some weeks even seem to have MORE than one Monday (which I HATE!). Poor Monday ... it gets such a bad wrap!

I made this card with my stamp club girls a few weeks ago ... been so busy posting other stuffs that I haven't had a chance to get to this. I REALLY like the color combo on this ... would NEVER have thought to put Pool Party with Daffodil Delight and Early Espresso, but that's why Pinterest is SOOO stinkin' awesome!!

On a totally unrelated note ... I've had to do some re-evaluating this past couple of weeks. Sorting through what is really important in my life and what is not (not really that hard!). You see, our house was broken into at the end of August. They were probably only in our house for a couple of minutes ... but it was long enough to take some treasured items. Luckily, they left WAY more than they took; they didn't hurt my doggie; they didn't destroy my house; and I didn't come home in the middle of it (which would have been VERY scary!!). And although some of the "things" that were taken were of great sentimental value, I have come to the conclusion (as I have MANY times in my life), that I am truly blessed and have so many things to be grateful for. In reality, none of us gets to take any of our treasured things with us when we go ... but the relationships we build, the memories we have created and the love we have given/received all get to come along. So, for that I am truly grateful!

(How's that for DEEP??)

So with that in mind ... HAPPY MONDAY!! (Things could be WORSE, right??)

Stamps: Bring on the Cake
Paper: Early Espresso, Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Pool Party, International Bazaar DSP
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Blossom Punch, Wide Oval Punch, Adorning Accents Edgelits Die, Early Espresso Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Build a Bird Punch (Leaves), 3/4" Circle Punch, Pool Party Polka Dot Brad, Chevron Textured Impressions Folder, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder

It's Fab Friday!!

Here we are again ... back for another Fab Friday Challenge!!

This time around, we are working with color (I LOVE color challenges!!). And today's colors are SUPER nice!! Basic Gray, So Saffron and Sahara Sand (and I realized AFTER I had made my card that I totally muffed this ... FORGOT to add the Sahara Sand to it ... AND I somehow thought Basic Black was in there somewhere!! Where did my BRAIN go???). This has NOT been my week!

Cards for dudes are always a challenge for me anyway ... and little dudes are no different! Just barely got this set, so I decided to put it to use!!

Stamps: I Dig You
Paper: So Saffron, Basic Black, Whisper White, Howlstooth & Scaringbone DSP
Ink: Basic Black, So Saffron
Accessories: Corner Rounder, 1 3/8" Square Punch, 1" Circle Punch, Designer Label Punch, Neutrals Buttons, Whisper White Baker's Twine, So Saffron Taffeta Ribbon

Here is a link to the Fab Friday Challenge Blog, so be sure to check it out!!

FAB FRIDAY CHALLENGE BLOG

Check out the Fab blogs of my fellow Fab Friends:

Mindy Backes
Jason Casper
Amanda Mertz
Brenda Myers
Marla Reed
Pam Steckman
Jan Tinklenberg

SOOO happy it's FRIDAY!!! Enjoy your weekend, friends!

2012 Artisan Design Team Projects for September - Part 2

Today has NOT gone as planned!! I have been trying to post these projects all dang day!! Problem is, we were having some inspectors coming to look at the house, which meant I had to do an overhaul (aka cleaning up!)! And to top that off, I my phone has been ringing off the hook AND I've had several unplanned visits to go put out fires ... so I am just now getting to it!! Sheesh!!

First off, here are a couple of cards I made using the super-cute-and-fun Orchard Harvest DSP. I am LOVING that stuff, baby!!! And the Woodgrain Textured Impression folder??? LOVELOVELOVE!! This is a thanks ...

And this is a happy birthday ... same basic card, with a little bit of difference. Was inspired to make this card from the ever-talented Mary Fish!! Love the banner hanging off the edge!! And although it doesn't show up in the photo very well, I used my newly-found-old favorite, Crystal Effects on the pears.

Stamps: Perfectly Preserved, Wonderfall, Perfectly Penned
Paper: Crumb Cake, Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo, More Mustard, Orchard Harvest DSP
Ink: Early Espresso, Lucky Limeade, More Mustard
Accessories: Autumn Accents Bigz Die, Cannery Framelits, Woodgrain Textured Impressions Folder, Designer Naturals Button, 1 3/8" Square Punch, Crystal Effects, Linen Thread, Essentials Paper Piercing Pack

Moving on to HALLOWEEN!! FAVE-FAVE-FAVE holiday!! Here is a little Monster Munchie!! It is filled with the new pumpkin spice Kisses ... OHMYGOSH!!! Those are HEAVENLY!! Glad the photo has been taken, 'cause now I can EAT 'em!!

Stamps: Monster Munchies
Paper: Howlstooth and Scaringbone DSP, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Mini Milk Carton Bigz Die, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Whisper White Baker's Twine, Linen Thread, Black Glimmer Brad, Designer Label Punch, Window Sheet, Basic Black Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon

2012 Artisan Design Team Projects for September - Part 1

I was sooo thrilled when our monthly Artisan "box of goodies" arrived from Stampin' Up and it was chock full of wonderful things for fall. For anyone who has read my blog for a while you KNOW how much I love this time of year ... the colors, the smells, the FOOD (I am a soup junkie!), and the holidays (Halloween is my FAVE ... and Thanksgiving is pretty awesome as well!). So coming up with ideas was both challenging and fun ...

Which brings me to this wreath ... in theory this was gonna be a lot less time-consuming (as are so many of the projects I start!). By the time I got done with it yesterday (the day I had PLANNED to post it!!), there was no good light left outside so that I could take some decent photos, so I had to wait for the sun to come sufficiently UP this morning so I could share this with ya!!

This wreath is mounted on one of those wire frame wreath forms that you can get at your favorite big-box-crafty-type store. (To be honest, I was happily surprised that it was just less than $3!). The bigger cones in the back "row" are made from 4" squares (with the bottom tips wrapped around the wire from back to front), and the smaller cones are 3" squares wrapped around the other wire from front to back. Actually, those wire frame wreath forms have FOUR "rings" ... you attach the cones to the two innermost rings. I attached the ribbon for hanging to the outermost ring and the apples and buttons are attached to the innermost ring. Make-a sense??

Although very time consuming, I'm pretty happy with how this turned out (and, I suspect, I will quit getting teased by my friends for still having my heart wreath from February hanging on my front door ... hey!! I LIKE my heart wreath!!)

Tune in tomorrow to see what else I created this month with my box of goodies!!

Stamps: Perfectly Preserved
Paper: Cajun Craze, Very Vanilla, Orchard Harvest DSP
Ink: Raspberry Ripple, Early Espresso, Lucky Limeade
Accessories: Autumn Accents Bigz Die, Woodgrain Textured Impressions Folder, Naturals Designer Buttons, Cannery Framelits, Wheat Stalks, Wire Frame Wreath Form

Artisan Facebook Friday!

I am excited to finally be sharing this little card folder with all y'all! I made this as my first "Facebook" project as a member of Stampin' Up's Artisan Design Team. We are being asked to create one project a month (in addition to other projects!) that will be showcased on Stampin' Up's Facebook page, and this is what I came up with.

Here is what it looks like on the inside ... I made a set of four cards (using the new In Colors!) to tuck inside the little pockets. The cards measure 3 3/4" by 4 3/4", so you will need pieces of cardstock that are 7 1/2" x 4 3/4" folded in half to create them ...

To make the pen holder, cut two pieces of cardstock to 3/4" x 2 1/4". Score at 3/4" and 1 1/2" and fold along score lines. These will be adhered to the finished folder approximately 1" from the top and bottom edges ... make sense? When I am typing instructions I always feel like I am trying to get English out of Italian translated via Japanese!!

This is a little template I created that shows where you cut and fold ... the red dashed lines are fold lines, and the black solid lines are for cutting ... click on the picture to enlarge it. You will probably hafta zoom in a bit as well (use your control or command key AND the "+" key). I have had a lot of issues with trying to attach downloadable files to Blogger ... it doesn't seem to like to do it!!

Stamps: Mixed Bunch, Itty Bitty Banners
Paper: Whisper White, Primrose Petals, Raspberry Ripple, Summer Starfruit, Midnight Muse, Gumball Green, Designer Series Paper Stacks 2012
Ink: Primrose Petals, Raspberry Ripple, Summer Starfruit, Midnight Muse, Gumball Green
Accessories: Apothecary Accents Framelits,Bitty Banners Framelits, Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons, Raspberry Ripple, Primrose Petals, Summer Starfruit, Midnight Muse and Gumball Green 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon, Fancy Fan Textured Impressions Folder, Whisper White Baker's Twine

Have a GREAT weekend!!

Swappin' ...

I realized AFTER we had started doing our 10-day Artisan Award Winning Blog Hop that I had totally forgotten to share this card with y'all!! Once the finalists for the Artisan Award were announced (there were 20 of us), we decided that we would do a swap with one another at Convention ... and we ALSO decided that we would make enough extra to swap with the concept artists from Stampin' Up AND with Shelli Gardner herself!! (No pressure or anything!!)

Actually, though, I was pretty happy with how this card turned out ... I seem to be having a total loveLOVElove thing with Crumb Cake cardstock as of late ... I have been burning through it like crazy!! It pretty much seems to go with EVERYthing!!

Here is the inside of the card ... adding just a little to the inside of a card really just finishes it off. The extra touches just add so much.

Stamps: Papillon Potpourri, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Summer Silhouettes
Paper: Crumb Cake, Not Quite Navy, Very Vanilla, First Edition DSP, Comfort Cafe DSP
Ink: Crumb Cake, Not Quite Navy
Accessories: Elegant Butterfly Punch, Designer Label Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Tulip Frame Textured Impressions Folder, Fancy Fan Textured Impressions Folder, Not Quite Navy Taffeta Ribbon, Linen Thread, Pearl Basics

Can this be Wednesday already??? I can't believe this week has whizzed by so quickly already!! Guess that means that the weekend is only a few days away ... YAY!!