"SCS CC117"

Here is my card for this weeks Splitcoast color challenge. I would have never put these colors together but they don't look half bad. I used the stamp-a-ma-jig and the SU markers for the flowers and found some grosgrain ribbon that matched. I like the card but it looks like it needs something. I don't think I like all the space on the image. I started out thinking I was going to do the sketch challenge with the color challenge colors, so that could be the problem. The sketch challenge is the same as my card only there is a strip across the middle. I had a strip of vellum on it but it covered up to much so I decided to just go with the color challenge.
Stamps: Heartfelt Thanks, Canvas, Warmest Regards
Paper: Certainly Celery, Elegant Eggplant, Ruby Red, Whisper White
Ink: Certainly Celery, Elegant Eggplant
Accessories: SU Markers, Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, Hodge Podge Hardware, Grosgrain Ribbon

"My mother, my friend"

I made this card for my mom. I just wanted her to know that I am thinking about her. She is going through a tough time right now. The assisted living place that my grandma is living in didn't work out, so my mom was trying to find her another place and wasn't having much luck until now. My mom is pretty stressed out and I wanted to put a smile on her face with a card. I send her cards all the time but this one is a little more special.


Stamps: Send a Celebration (SAB 06) Everyday Flexible Phrases
Paper: Cameo Coral, Basic Black, Whisper White, Barley Banana
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Giga & Mega Scallop Circle Punch, SU Markers, Grosgrain Ribbon, Word Window Punch, Silver Cord, Hand Held Circle Punch, Cuttlebug Embossing Folders

"When Life gives you lemons......"

Make a card!! I made this card because I can't wait for summer. I stamped the lemons and the leaves on whisper white and then used the cuttlebug embossing folder. I really can't get enough of those. When we moved to California I was so excited that we had a lime tree in our back yard. Because I love margaritas. We were going to sit on the patio all summer long (and winter) and drink margaritas. Ahh the life. The tree was full of little green limes, or so I thought. About 2 months after we moved in those little limes started turning yellow. I was horrified. I thought they were going bad or something. It turns out that it was a lemon tree. Duh.... Oh well, good thing I like iced tea. Cause that is what I am drinking on the patio. Here is my lemon tree. This picture was taken three years ago. The tree is way bigger now and very full. This was my inspiration for the card.

Stamps: Citrus and Such (retired) Sparkling Summer, Happy Everything
Paper: Yo Yo Yellow, Green Galore, and Whisper White
Ink: Yo YO Yellow, Green Galore
Accessories: Green Apple Grosgrain Ribbon, SU Markers,Cuttlebug Embossing Folders

"And The Winner is....."

CAKVD You are the winner of my blog candy.
I used the online random number selector and it picked number 2. Congratulations Cheryl. Woo Hoo! Send me an e-mail with your name and address and I will get your prize mailed out to you.
Thank you all for playing. I am already thinking about what to do for my next one. So stay tuned!

"Featured Stamper Kristine Reynolds"

Look at this very cool RAK I got from my friend Kristine. I love it. I have never used copper before but this is going to inspire me to try it. (I don't have any copper paper but I will get some) This card is so cool. I love the colors and the cuttlebug background goes so well. She embossed in bronze on the paper and the greeting. It is so beautiful. Inside this beautiful card, Kristine gave me some cuttlebug embossed paper. I don't have this embossing folder. The colors are ones she knows I don't use often, (Bravo Burgundy, Mellow Moss, Sahara Sand, and Not Quite Navy) I think there is some hidden challenge there somewhere. Thanks Kristine for the beautiful card and paper. Check out her blog if you haven't yet. She is very talented!!! And she is my friend. LOL

"I've been tagged"

I have been tagged buy Amy over at ZoeLife Creations. Check out her blog. So Here are my answers. They have to be one word answers. That is the hard part.
Yourself: Crafty
Your Partner: Funny
Your Hair: Long
Your Mother: Friend
Your Father: Fisherman
Your Favorite Item: Computer
Your Dream Last Night: Fun
Your Favorite Drink: Diet Coke
Your Dream Car: Lexus SUV
Dream Home: Huge
The Room You Are In: Dining Room
Where You Want to be in Ten Years: Minnesota
Who You Hung Out With Last Night: Family
You’re Not: Boring
One of Your Wish List Items: Paper
The Last Thing You Did: E-mail
You Are Wearing: Clothes
Your Favorite Weather: Warm
Last Thing You Ate: Cereal
Your Life: Busy
Your Mood: Happy
Your Best Friend: Shelly
What Are You Thinking About Right Now: Stamping
Your Car: Dirty
What Are You Doing At The Moment: This
Relationship Status: Married
What Is On Your TV: Tivo
What Is The Weather Like: Windy
When Is The Last Time You Laughed: Today

"15,000 Hits Giveaway"

Hello.....Why didn't anyone tell me that I hit 15,000 views? I am almost at 15,500. Wow, I can't believe it. It was only two and a half weeks ago when I was at 10,000. Thank you so much to everyone who checks out my small piece of cyber space. I would like to thank you by giving away these two mini scrapbook kits and a pack of chip board embellishments that match. They are made by Nancy's Boutique. I have a couple and they are pretty neat. They are 6 x 6. You can keep it for yourself or make it for someone else. I haven't decided what to do with mine yet. I don't have any good questions, or any clever contests so maybe you could tell me if you have a blog and how many blogs do you visit. I will use the random counter to pick the winner on Saturday at midnight West Coast time and announce the winner on Sunday. Thank you again for visiting my blog and for all the wonderful comments you have made.

"Birthday Bellas"

I seriously need some new greeting stamps. Even I am getting sick of using the same ones over and over. The paper I used on all of these is from the Summer Pack DCWV from Joann's. I don't have any Bella's but my good friend Kristine was kind enough to let me stamp some when we got together last month in LA.
Stamps: Stamping Bella, Everyday Flexible Phrases,
Paper: Real Red, Basic Black, Whisper White, DP
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Stamp-a-ma-jig, SU markers

This one I really like. I love the colors of the paper. I am not so sure about the ladies outfits. I wouldn't wear those colors but they look good on them.
Stamps: Stamping Bella, Warmest Regards
Paper: Brilliant Blue, Green Galore, Basic Black, Whisper White, DP
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: SU Markers, Primas, Stickles

This one I am not so happy with. The idea was so much cutier in my head. I guess I like it except for the greeting. I stamped it with the white kraft pad but I didn't think it was dark enough so I went over it with my SU gel pen. That was a mistake. I don't like how it looks now. It totally looks like I drew it myself. Oh well, live and learn I guess. I like the retro look of the paper and I knew it would go with cosmo bella
Stamps: Stamping Bella, Warmest Regards
Paper: Almost Amethyst, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink: Kraft White, Basic Black
Accessories: Giga and Mega Scallop Square, SU Gel Pen, Paper Piercer, SU Markers

"Masculine Birthday"

I got this new pack of pattern paper the other day from my demo. It is the DCWV Summer Pack from Joann's. There is a lot of cute paper in this pack. These two make the perfect man colors, and it also got me to use Handsome Hunter, which I almost never use except at Christmas time. The ribbon that I used is actually brown with turquoise polka dots. It is on the other side. I couldn't find anything else that matched so I flipped it over and it works perfectly.
Stamps: Angler, Warmest Regards
Paper: Handsome Hunter, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, DP
Ink: Handsome Hunter, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Giga and Mega Scallop Circle Punch, Grosgrain Ribbon

"Friend"

I love this layout. That is why I totally cased it from Sue Robertson. Here is her card. I am also lovin' these colors together. I haven't done much stampin' this week, sorry. I have been busy lately. Getting closer to the end of school and the kids have a lot going on now.
Stamps: Doodle That, Every Day Flexible Phrases
Paper: Real Red, Only Orange, Pixie Passion
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: SU Circle Punches, Hot Pink Gingham Ribbon, Hot Pink Dotted Ribbon, Pink Brads, SU Markers, Cuttlebug Embossing Folders

"Thank You Flowers"

This is another card I made last weekend when my husband took the girls to the baseball game. I cased the idea and layout from scs. I think it was a sketch challenge but I can't remember which one and I am too lazy right now to look it up. I didn't make this for anyone special. I will just put it with the others. I totally need new greetings. Even I am getting sick of the same ones all the time. I can imagine that you are too. LOL. I hope the stamps that are replacing the all year cheer's are good I so need new ones.
I used the distressing tool to distress the edges. I also sponged celery ink on the card to give it some texture. (Seeing that I didn't use the cuttlebug. LOL) The designer paper I got at Michael's
Stamps: Doodle That, Warmest Regards
Paper: Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue, Whisper White, DP
Ink: Basic Black, Certainly Celery
Accessories: SU Markers, Distressing Tool, Dimensionals, Sponge, SU Circle Punches

"My First Lunch Tin"

I have never made one of these before. It was my first time using Modge Podge too. It isn't' too bad. I will have to buy a smaller brush because the one I had was too big but it worked for this one. I made this for my neighbors daughter. She was over today after school for a play date so I thought I would make my first test one for her. She loved it.


So where did I get the lunch tins you ask? I got them at Joann's! $1 each. Yes only $1. I bought 12 of them. I thought they would make cute kid gifts. I am going to make some more and put some of those fun books and a pack of crayons or something like that in it. Or maybe some kind of card making kit with some pre folded cards, stamped images and envelopes and a $1 pack of gel pens from the Target $1 spot. I guess the possibilities are endless.

"Summer Girl"

This is the card I made last week for the SCS SC124 and CC114 It was the first time I combined the two challenges. I like the card but not real happy with the layout. I think I could do much better. LOL I think the apricot piece needs something. It looks too plain.
Stamps: Stamping Bella, everyday flexible phrases
Paper: Rose Red, Apricot Appeal, Tempting Turquoise, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: SU Markers, Cuttlebug Embossing Folders, Grosgrain Ribbon, Silver Cord, Dimensionals

"Mixin' it Up"

Why is it that when a stamp set retiring I break it out? I have had Mixed Bouquet for about 8 months and have only used it once. Now that it is retiring I used it all weekend. Does that happen to you? I lost 36 sets that are retiring soon and I am not sure how many active sets I will have when the new catty comes out. I am afraid to look. Most of my sets that I had were retired anyway. I have only been stamping for 2 1/2 years and this will be my third catalog. I used to get my stamps on e-bay and at rummage sales.
Alright, enough of that. This card is so pretty in real life and it doesn't look too bad in the scan either. I stamped the image in black and filled it in with Rose Red. I stamped the image with versa mark and covered it with iridescent ice ep. It looks beautiful. I found some black and white ribbon to add another texture and used the gel pen to dot the black card stock. It isn't my favorite card but it works.
Stamps: Mixed Bouquet, Warmest Regards
Paper: Certainly Celery, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Rose Red, Versa Mark
Accessories: Iridescent Ice EP, Heat Gun, White Gel Pen, Dotted Ribbons, Cuttlebug Embossing Folders, Celery Grosgrain

Here is the other one I made this weekend. I kinda cased it from SCS. I copied the colors but changed the layout a little and added the brads. I like this one a lot. It is very colorful and bright and cheery.
Stamps: Mixed Bouquet, Cheery Chat
Paper: Pink Passion, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Rose Red, Pink Passion, Summer Sun, Gable Green
Accessories: Hot Pink Dotted Ribbon, Black Brads, Sponge

"Shinny Shinny Flower"

I really wish that the scanner wouldn't take so much beauty from this card. It is absolutely gorgeous in real life. The shimmer of the iridescent ice is stunning. I think I have used this set once. Now that it is retiring, I will use it all the time. LOL I stamped the background piece with canvas, then embossed it with the cuttlebug embossing folder. I think it looks cool. Then I stamped the flower in black, filled it in with almost amethyst. I covered the image with versa mark and then iridescent ice and heated it. Man it really shines. I put the card together and then realized that I once again forgot the greeting. So I stamped the thinking of you on top of the embossed image. It kinda worked but it wasn't as dark as it should have been so I went over it with a black marker and you can't even tell.
Stamps: Mixed Bouquet, Warmest Regards, Canvas
Paper: Almost Amethyst, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Almost Amethyst, Certainly Celery, Versa Mark
Accessories: Cuttle Bug Embossing Folder, Dotted Ribbon, Iridescent Ice EP, Heat Gun, Word Window Punch, Pewter Brads from Hodgepodge Hardware

"April Showers bring May Flowers"

Another card I made for my Grandma. She is coming around in the assisted living place. Which is good for my mom. A little less stress for her. I didn't put a greeting on the front on purpose. Usually I forget but not this time. I am just leaving it general and I will write inside for her. I wanted to use the cameo coral color and I'll be darn if it doesn't go good with celery. (my favorite SU color) My other favorite color is black which goes with pretty much everything. I have been using black on most of the cards I am making and it looks pretty good. It really makes the other colors pop. I just noticed that I didn't use stickles. What is wrong with me? LOL I am going to have to add some on the heart and centers of the flowers.
Stamps: Nice and Easy Notes
Paper: Cameo Coral, Apricot Appeal, Certainly Celery, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Cuttlebug Embossing Folders, Celery Grosgrain, SU Markers. Giga and Mega Scallop Oval Punches

"Birthday Tent Topper"

Here is another tent topper card, this time with a rectangle and not a circle on the top. These are fun to make. I found the paper at Joann's. I added stickles to her hat and skirt and put some in the center of the flowers. The card starts by 4 1/4 x 4 1/4 square. Then add the "topper" to make it 5 1/2 tall. Super easy and very cute when they are done. You should try these.



Stamps: Stamping Bella, Sincere Salutations
Paper: Lovely Lilac, Basic Black, Whisper White, DP
Ink: Basic Black. Lovely Lilac
Accessories: SU Markers, Stickles, Prima Flowers

"Father's Day Tent Topper"

So, I spent Mother's Day stamping. I stamped Father's Day cards. Kinda funny. This was my first time trying this fold. It is so cool. I wish I could take credit for it but I can't. The genius behind this fold is Michelle Wooderson. The over all card is 4 1/4 x 5 1/2. The card itself is 4 1/4 x 4 1/4 then you add the top piece to make the card 5 1/2 tall. Clear as mud? It is super easy and looks very cool. I found the manly paper at Joann's. I don't know where I got the ribbon. I have had it for a while. I might have gotten it at the Fabric Barn in LA.

Stamps: Espress Yourself, All Year Cheer 2
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Brocade Blue, Whisper White, DP
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Giga and Mega Scallop Punches, Ribbon, SU Markers

"Back by Popular Demand"

Ok ok I know it's been one day. I couldn't do it. I had to bring the cuttlebug back. I had several people say that they enjoy the cuttlebug cards, and quite frankly, so do I. I guess I thought that I was making too many of them and people were getting sick of them. I was completely wrong. Thank you all for showing me the light. LOL I think this card is cute. For some reason I made the cow purple, not that there is anything wrong with that. He is cute in purple. Especially when you add the purple stickles. Yeah, I can't get enough of those either. I printed the greeting on the computer in Elegant Eggplant. I sponged the edges because there was an awful lot of white. I needed a filler. I also used jeweled brads. Another favorite of mine. Hope you like it.
Stamps: Very Punny
Paper: Elegant Eggplant, Lovely Lilac, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Giga Scallop Circle, CM Cutting Tools, SU Markers, Word Window, Jeweled Brads, Stickles, Purple Gingham, Sponges, Oh and who could forget the Cuttlebug Embossing Folders

"Blooming with Shimmer"

I love this paper. Too bad I am out of Green Galore or else I would have made more cards with it. I got the paper at Joann's. I colored the image with my SU markers. Here is the problem. I use my regal rose marker so much that there is no more ink in the small tip and the big tip is so mashed down that I had to cut it into a point. Then it got mashed again. So when I was coloring, I couldn't stay in the lines very well. You can't notice because I inked the image up with versa mark and put iridescent ice and now no one can tell. LOL I used my favorite background stamp canvas. It just works with everything.
Stamps: Blooming with Happiness, Canvas
Paper: Green Galore, Regal Rose, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Versa Mark
Accessories: SU Grosgrain Ribbon, Iridescent Ice EP, Heat Gun,