Monday, March 3, 2008

MFTeaser......Ride 'Em Cowgirl!!!



This is a new mini-set, called 'Ride 'Em, Cowgirl!', which will be released this Wednesday, March 5th. I really like the images and sentiments, and had a lot of fun coloring this image. I used a bit of twine to make her lasso, then trimmed & her arm & popped it up on dimensionals to give the image a bit more depth (though the main image is already popped up on 4 layers--each separated by dimensionals already....I need to buy stock in the company that makes the dimensionals that I use!) The color of her dress appears a bit 'off' in the photo, it really does match the DP much more closely IRL.
Also, as a reminder......

My Favorite Things (www.mftstamps.com) is having a New Release Cocktail Party on Wednesday, March 5 from 9-11 p.m. Eastern time. Lots of fun is planned including finding out how YOU can be the next MFT Guest Designer. Head over to the MFT forum on www.splitcoaststampers.com to find out all the details and join us there on Wednesday night.


Stamps: Ride 'Em Cowgirl by My Favorite Things.
Paper: Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Naturals Ivory, Paper Studio DP.
Ink: Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Versafine Sepia Brown.
Accessories: Copic markers, clear Spica pen, ticket corner punch, brads, twill tape, HPH, sponge daubers, dimensionals.

More Cupcakes!!



I finally finished the last two pieces for a cupcake-themed gift set that I've put together. This stamp set is by Hero Arts, and I really like the images--SO much fun to color! I found the wood frame at Michael's (for a dollar) and used Mod Podge to adhere the DP. The journal is a dollar-store find, and the DP is adhered in the same way. I used a bunch of scraps from my stash to add a bunch poof to the journal, plus added a ribbon blossom to the frame. My niece, Emilee, is crazy about purple and pink, so this set is for her. I hope she likes it!Have a wonderful day, everyone, and thanks for looking!


Stamps: Hero Arts Cupcake set.
Paper: Lavender Lace, Pixie Pink, Gable Green, Papertrey white CS.
Ink: Lavender Lace, Pixie Pink, Gable Green, Versafine Onyx Black.
Accessories: Copic markers, ticket corner punch, brads, Stickles, sponge daubers, Mod Podge, journal, wood frame.


Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Created by my 10-year-old son......


Gage, my 10-year-old son, loves to be in my stamp room with me while I'm creating, and he's always coming up with new ideas for cards for me to make (usually using images he's drawn himself, or printed from the internet). He created this scene from several different images by cutting and pasting just the 'right' parts to make the scene he wanted. He added the 'skid' marks himself. The cardstock colors, silver cord and 'pokey-things' (brads) :-) --were all his idea. He's a tender-hearted little guy, and he would love to hear what you think of his 'Batman Card'. If you could leave a comment just for him, it would mean a LOT to me. Thank you all SO much for making my youngest son's day by letting him know what you think of his first upload!!

Sunday, February 24, 2008

LOTS of Cupcakes.....and sparkle!!!


I pulled out every cupcake stamp I own to create the main image panel. I just got a cupcake set from Hero Arts, and I also used a Michael's $ stamp, an image from the 'Icing on the Cake' set from MFT, and some small cupcake stamps from several SU sets (sorry, didn't write down the names of the sets I pulled them from). The sentiment I used for this card is also from 'Icing on the Cake' by My Favorite Things. The tiny little glass jar is from Michael's, in the Bridal section (thank you to texasjodylynn, for enabling me!), and holds a handful of M&M's. (Sorry for using such a general measurement....) All of the images are colored with Copic markers, and lots (lots!) of Stickles were added, for some sparkle. This card measures 8 1/2 x 4, which should fit in a regular business-sized envelope. I think I've only made 1 or 2 cards in this shape, and it was fun to do for a change. I found a bunch of cupcake-themed items in the clearance section at Target this weekend, and I think I'm going to put together a 'just-because' gift for my niece. I'm working on a matching journal, which I'll upload later today after I'm finished with it. (Hmmm, maybe I'll make two, and keep one for myself!) Thanks for looking, and I hope you like it! Have a wonderful Sunday, everyone!!

Stamps: Various cupcake images: Icing on the Cake (My Favorite Things), Hero Arts-Cupcake set, Michael's $ stamp, SU (multiple sets).
Paper: Lovely Lilac, Pixie Pink, Gable Green, Papertrey white CS, DCWV Nana's Kids stack (8x8).
Ink: Lovely Lilac, Pixie Pink, Gable Green, Versafine Onyx Black.
Accessories: Ticket corner punch, brads, Copic markers, Stickles, ribbon (Michael's), small jar (bridal section at Michael's), dimensionals, glue dots, sponge daubers.

Friday, February 22, 2008

'Email me' added....

I've finally figured out how to add the 'email me' tab to my blog. (Hooray for me---I am NOT a computer genius, so it took me a while to figure out how to do it!) Now, if you have a question or need more information about something I've posted on my blog, you can get in touch with me. Just thought I'd let you know.... I'll have something new for you to look at a little later today. Hugs to you all!

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Two New Hanna Sets!!!


Hanna's got a hot new motorcycle! 'Route 66' is a new set that will be released this Friday (Feb. 22).
I went over the entire image with a clear gel pen and Spica pens to give Hanna's outfit and motorcycle some shine and sparkle. (I'd love to have a motorcycle with this much 'bling', but I'd probably seriously harm myself if I had something like that!) While making this card, I kept thinking of black leather jackets with silver studs, so I added a bunch of silver brads to give it a similar look. I also realized that this card doesn't have any ribbon on it---a first for me in a VERY long time!! It still feels like it needs something, but I think I'll leave things the way they are---I'm afraid I'll have to start lining up those brads all over again if I tear it apart.

Stamps: Route 66 & Things Hanna Would Say by Hanna Stamps.
Paper: Basic Black, Real Red, Papertrey white cardstock.
Ink: Basic Black, Real Red.
Accessories: Copic markers, Spica glitter pens, ticket corner punch, brads, dimensionals, sponge daubers.


This is a new set called 'Spring Time', which is being released this Friday (Feb. 22). Adorable images in the set---just begging for me to put Hanna, in her sweet little Easter dress, in the middle of an Easter-egg hunt. I paper-pieced Hanna's dress, then cut out the fence, bunny, grass, and all the tiny eggs. I added Stickles to the eggs, and the bow in Hanna's hair, for a bit of sparkle. The soft, pastel colors in this American Crafts DP make me think of all the little girls in their frilly dresses on Easter Sunday. I have two boys, so I've never had the chance to buy all those frilly, beautiful things for a little girl. (That's why I love shopping for gifts for my nieces so much, I guess!)

Stamps: Spring Time & Things Hanna Would Say by Hanna Stamps.
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Bashful Blue, Barely Banana, Papertrey white CS.
Ink: Pretty in Pink, Bashful Blue, Barely Banana.
Accessories: Copic markers, ticket corner punch, brads, ribbon, dimensionals, Stickles.

Thank you to all of you who left such sweet, encouraging comments in my last post. Even though we've never met in-person, I do consider you friends. I've read all of your comments many, many times, and I can't begin to tell you how much better they've made me feel. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for your kind words and thoughts. I treasure my blogging friends VERY much!! Hugs to all of you!!
Have a wonderful day!!

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Pink & Cocoa, Peonies, and the end of a slump...


I wanted this set right away when I saw it in the catalog, but, for some reason, I'm finding it hard to work with. Even though the main floral image is open, which is nice for watercoloring, etc. I found myself 'stuck' when it came to trying different looks and colors. I need to browse the gallery on SCS for this set---the amazing amount of talent found on that site never fails to inspire me. I know the talented SCS'ers that have this set won't let me down!! I love the colors in SU's Berry Bliss DP---pink and coca or chocolate chip are my favorite color combinations. (Heck, to me, Chocolate Chip with almost any color looks great!) I wanted to decorate a little container to match this card, to hold a small gift or some candy, but I couldn't find anything that seemed 'right'. While going through my stash, I found a bunch of these little 'take-out' boxes that I'd forgotten about. So, I grabbed my jar of ribbon scraps, and this is what I came up with. Our elderly neighbor lady is a reall sweetheart--always giving my sons treats and small gifts--so this is for her, to let her know how special we think she is.

Stamps: One of a Kind, Delight in Life (swirl border around main image).
Paper: Berry Bliss DP, Close to Cocoa, Pretty in Pink, Gerogia Pacific white CS.
Ink: Close to Cocoa, Pretty in Pink.
Accessories: Ticket corner punch, brads, clear Spica glitter pen, ribbon, SU oval punches, dimensionals, sponge daubers.

I've wanted this Peony stamp for quite some time, and finally decided to treat myself! Initially, I was going to make a set of smaller cards, but decided to add quite a few more layers, so they ended up measuring 5.5 inches square. I really liked coloring this image, even though it does have quite a few tiny areas. I didn't have a box that was large enough to hold the cards & envelopes, so I made some adjustments to the box directions that Nichole Heady posted on her blog. I didn't write down very clear directions, though, so I'm not sure that I could make this exact box a second time. I wanted to add more ribbon, as I have a 'need' to add a ribbon blossom to all of my cards! I tried several different options, but finally decided that the 3 strips of ribbon across the horizontal panel looked best against all of the color in the main image.

Stamps: Peony Square-Penny Black, Papertrey Faux Ribbon (sentiment), Floral BG.
Paper: Cameo Coral, Lovely Lilac, Orchid Opulence, Regal Rose, Pumpkin Pie, Rose Red, Basic Black, Gerogia Pacific white CS.
Ink: Same as CS.
Accessories: Ticket corner punch, brads, Copic markers, ribbon, SU oval punches, dimensionals, sponge daubers.



This is the card I made to go along with a gift set that I made using the same Peony stamp. This card measures 6.5 inches square. I did manage to add a small black ribbon blossom to each side of the sentiment. (I held out as long as I could, but my ribbon blossom urge won, in the end!) :-)


Stamps: Peony Square-Penny Black, Papertrey Faux Ribbon, Floral BG.
Paper: Lovely Lilac, Basic Black, Georgia Pacific white CS.
Ink: Lovely Lilac.
Accessories: Ticket corner punch, brads, Copic markers, ribbon, dimensionals, sponge daubers.




This is an ATC for a swap that I'm participating in. It's been a while since I've made an ATC, so it was fun making these. (Though, I admit, I went a bit overboard with embellishments!) I love this DP--the colors are so refreshing! (I need to order more, though, since I'm down to my last 3 sheets!

Another ATC for a swap that I'm signed up for. Haven't used my Bronc Buster set for a while, so thought I'd go with a more masculine look for this group. Everything is pretty self-explanatory, I think.











I'm sorry for the length of time between new posts. I've kind of been in a slump, not having much of an urge to create and share anything new. Sometimes, life, and family things, get in the way, you know?? My Grandfather passed away several weeks ago, and, while that was sad, it also made me revisit the time when my Grandmother lost her battle with cancer, and passed away, twenty years ago. All of the memories, visits to the hospital, seeing her decline....everything just came flooding back and hit me like a ton of bricks.
Then, a week ago, or so, my sister-in-law announced that she is divorcing my brother. This is a woman who has broken my brother's heart not once, but twice! My brother, and our entire family, forgave her, and welcomed her back to the family with open arms when she left him the first time.....and having it happen a second time just makes everything we've done for her, though all these years, feel like a complete slap in the face. The things she has done to my brother, and my family, would make a number-one soap opera---no kidding!! I'm not at all proud of the angry thoughts and words that have been running through my mind. Words spoken out loud can NEVER be taken back---no amount of apologies or explanation can erase them. In an emotional situation such as this one, it's easy to say the wrong thing, so I need to be sure about what I'm going to say, and how I'm going to say it, when I do see her again.

Thanks for listening to me vent. I normally don't make my blog a place to 'download' all of my feelings and family issues, but, right now, this is the most comfortable place for me to 'talk' about the situation involving my brother.
I hope you will come back and visit again soon---and I promise to have something new for you to look at in the next day or so.
Have a wonderful day, everyone!! Your comments always mean so much to me---and I read them over and over again---each and every one of them!