Goldfish Girl

The Pure Innocence stamps are just too dang cute.  This one is a red head so of course I had to add freckles.  Are they too much? 




Here's the deets:
stamp - My Favorite Things - "Goldfish Girl"
ink - Memento "Tuxedo Black" and "Dandelion"; Versa Magic "Aloe Vera"
paper - DCWV "Neutrals" cs pad; My Mind's Eye "Miss Caroline Howdy Dowdy" dp
miscellaneous - copics; glossy accents; pearls; bling; embroidery floss; fish charm; brads; MFT "Mini Monarch Border" and "Sentiment Strips" and "Sentiment Strips" die-namics; machine stitching



Here's the challenges:
My Favorite Things MFTWSC78 - sketch
Fairy Tale #44 - Soft Color Tones

Thanks for stopping, come back again.  Your comments make my day.

Quick Christmas Card

If you have to make a lot of Chistmas cards you probably want them to be quick and easy.  This card was relatively quick and definitely easy.  One thing that makes this fast is that the image can be stamped and it's done, no coloring necessary.  However I did take the time to run over the garland line with a silver glaze pen and I glued bling onto lots of the spots.  I made the card very large because in the smaller versions you can't see the bling. 













Here's the deets: 
Stamp - Close To My Heart "Evergreen"
ink - Memento "Cottage Ivy" and "Rich Cocoa"; Color Box "Silver"
paper - Bazzill "Classic Green"; Recollections "Outdoor Trees"
Miscellaneous - ribbon; charm; machine stitching

Here's the challenges:
The Stamp Man - Bling It On
Crafty Catz - #139 - Show Us Your Metal
Party Time Tuesday PTT#74 - Anything Goes
Crimbo Crackers #18 - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you come back again.


Fourth of July

In the USA bar-b-ques and picnics are common for the Fourth of July.  They're usually followed by watching fireworks.  It's usually a fun day unless the weather fails to cooperate.


The biggest problem I've run into is that sooo many people I know (including my husband) have 4th of July birthdays that it's often impossible to celebrate with them all at the same time. 


So I've got to get cracking and make some 4th of July birthday cards.  This one is not for hubby, I prefer to give him something a little less girly.


Here's the deets:

stamp - Mo Mannings "Waiting for the Parade" digi
ink - hp printer
paper - Bazzill "Admiral" and "African Daisy" cs; October Afternoon "Boarding Pass" for the striped paper and "5 & Dime" for the embroidery design paper and "Sidewalks" for the gingham checked paper
miscellaneous - copics; My Favorite Things "Circle" "Banner" and "Star Border" die-namics; Spellbinder's "Picot Edge Circles" die; star mini bards; blue bling; baker's twine; USA charm; white gel pen for polka dots; machine stitching

Here's the challenges:
Bronte and Bella's #141 - Straight from the Heart (when it's hand crafted it's straight from the heart)
Terrifically Thrilling Thursday - Stars, Stripes and Sparkle
Paper Play - Flags, Pennants and Banners
Delightful - Celebration
Cute Card Thursday #223 - Patriotic
Crafty Sentiments - Red, White and Blue
4 Crafty Chicks 4CCC#96 #96 - School's Out
Simon Says - Sporty/Patriotic
Tuesday Throwdown #104 - Gingham
Going Grey - Fourth of July
Simply Create Too #16 - the Country Where You Live
Really Reasonable Ribbon #50 - Red, White and Blue with Ribbon (I hope twine counts)
Allsorts week 160 - Any Die Will Do
Corrosive #152 - Summertime Girls
Card Making Mama's #48- Red, White and Blue
Raise the Bar - Summertime


Thanks for stopping by, I hope you'll come back again.

Cupcake Thief

Do you have a pinspirational account?  I think I'm developing an addiction to that site.  I suppose it's not for everybody as I've been told,  but if you're like me you will love it. 

What does "like me" mean.  First of all I truly am easily amused.  I love to look at things, I can sit in front of a painting and look at it for ages.  I will look at anybody's photographs.  I don't care if I know the people in them or not.  Doesn't much matter what they're photos of either.   When I was in college I was an Art History major - an obvious choice for someone who like to look at paintings and architecture is interesting too.   I just love looking at photos.  I've even purchased photos of people I don't know.  So I get lost in Pinterest, if my laptop didn't lose its charge I might never notice how long I've been looking. 

Are you wondering what brought up this topic or where the heck am I going with this?  There's a relatively new challenge called Pinspirational.  They post a photo from Pinterest for your inspiration.  Since I spend so much time on Pinterest I think it's only fitting that I join in on a challenge based on it.  If you're a challenge junky you need to check it out.

Here's the deets:
stamp - Mo Manning "Cupcake Thief" digi; Lockhart Stamp Co "Happy Cupcake Day"
ink - hp printer; Versa Magic "Pink Petunia" for sentiment
paper - the Paper Cut "Sno-Cone" cs; October Afternoon "Sidewalk" dp
miscellaneous - copics; pink cord; cake charm; bling; My Favorite Things "Ticket Tab" and "Oval die-namics; machine stitching; Glossy Accents

Here's the challenges:
Pinspirational #13 - photo of cupcakes
Crafty Creations #176 - Embellish It
Fab N Funky #127 - Cute and Girly
Craft Your Passion #116 - Things with Wings
Dream Valley #35 - Things with Wings
Paper Playtime #77 - Anything Goes plus a Sentiment
Whoopsie Daisy - Things with Wings
Shabby Tea Room #120 - Soft and Sweet

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you'll come back again.

Let the Sunshine In

Please, oh please let the sunshine in.  It's been raining forever or at least a week.  Thankfully there is no flooding in my house (yet) but unfortunately there are many that can't say the same.   Let's all say a little prayer (or send positive vibrations) out for those who are dealing with any loss or problems caused by this storm.

This week the recipe for the Cooking It Up with Katie challenge is "Sunny, Flowers and Lace".  I wonder if Katie's psychic cause this recipe was perfect for me.  Making this card cheered me up and kept my mind off the weather.

Here's the deets:
stamp - Mo Manning  "Lacie with Ice Cream" digi
ink - hp printer
paper - Stampin' Up "So Saffron" cs; DCWV green "Neutrals" cs; My Mind's Eye "Miss Caroline Howdy dowdy" dp
miscellaneous - copics; lace; green cord; ice cream cone charm; bling; My Favorite Things "Rolled Daisy" die-namics; mini brads; machine stitching

Here's the challenges:
Cooking It Up with Katie  #98 - Recipe: Sunny, Lace and Flowers
Crazy for Challenges C4C142 - sketch
Party Time Tuesday PTT#74 - Anything Goes
Crafter's Companion #25 - Time to Embellish
Crafty Cardmakers #71 - Make Your Own Embellishment (flower)
Creative Card Crew - Recipe 1,2,3 (one image, 2 dp, 3 bling)
Fairy Tale #44 - Soft Color Tones
Daring Cardmakers - You're So Sweet
Crafty Catz #138 - Pastel colors

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you'll visit often.  I'll be looking for your creations on the Cooking It Up with Katie challenge blog.

Dude

About the only thing good happening at the beach in Southwest Florida this week is the surf.  Not being inclined to go out during the Tropical Storm that's beating us up I don't know if there's any surfers taking advantage of it.  Debbie has been sitting out in the Gulf and chilling instead of moving up and westward.  So for many days now it has been pouring and the wind has been blasting.  My poor little doggie doesn't know what to do, he just hates the rain and this is much worse than the usual little rainfalls he's seen.  Then there's all the people, including my niece who have places on and near the water, they are not faring well.  Then there's the news that Debbie is expected to be sticking around for another two or three days. 

I can't change the weather outside but here in the craft room I can bring a little sunshine to my desk by making bright cheery cards. 

Here's the deets:

stamp - My Favorite Things "Surfer Dude"

ink - Memento "Tuxedo Black" and Versa Magic "Aegean Blue"

paper - Stampin' Up "Bayou Blue" cs; Bazzill "Glow" and "Beeswax" cs; My Mind's Eye "Follow Your Heart - Be Amazing" dsp

miscellaneous - copics; ribbon; sun charm; bling; My Favorite Things "Sentiment Strips"  die-namics; machine stitching

Here's the challenges:

My Favorite Things MFTWSC77 - sketch

Paper Playtime #77 - Anything Goes Plus a Sentiment

Cutie Pie #21 - One For the Boys

Let's Ink It Up - Use Your Favorite Embellishment (charms are my favorite)

Crafter's Companion #25 - Time to Embellish

Cute Card Thursday - Here Comes Summer

Paper Play week 25 - Use a Die

Fussy N Fancy #65 - Boy Attitude

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you'll come back again.

Big 'Ole Pumpkin

It's out of season but that's what I felt like doing.  The image sent me down memory lane...there's my buddy Susie and her hubby Mike who HAVE TO HAVE a huge, no not big, HUGE pumpkin.  One year the thing was bigger than my kid.  I have no idea how they ever got that thing to their home but it looked great on the lawn.  Pumpkins make great props.  There are some great pics of my daughter with pumpkins.  In New Jersey there were lots of fun fall things to do and pumpkins were always present but down here in Florida it's still pretty hot at that time of year and around here you don't see a lot of over the top decorations.  I miss that.

Here's the deets:
stamp - Mo Manning "The Big One"
ink - hp printer
paper - Stampin' Up "Kraft" cs; DCWV "Neutrals" cs; Simple Stories "Awesome" dp
miscellaneous - copics; mini brads; ribbon, buttons; charm; machine stitching

Here's the challenges:
Bronte and Bella #140 - Masculine
Sketch N Stash #90 - Sketch (free choice #42)
Kraft Journal- Anything Goes
Cutie Pie #21 - One for the Boys
Crafty Ann's #68 - Memories Are Made of This
Fussy N Fancy  #65 - Boy Attitude
2 Sisters - #97 - Anything Goes
Crafts and Me #89 - Anything Goes
Crafting for All Seasons #29 - For Man
Pinspirational #12 - photo of Charlie Brown (maybe it's the pose but I think he looks like your Charlie pic)
Crop Stop #77 - For the Boys
CCEE Stampers CCEE1225 - Masculine Card

Thanks for stopping by, your comments make my day.

Let's Go to the Beach

Can you believe those little sand buckets are cupcakes.  They look so realistic, I'd be afraid to bite into one.  They sure are a great source of inspiration.  If you're living in the Northern Hemisphere you just might be planning a trip to the beach today.  I've been hearing the temps in my old NJ stomping grounds have been in the 90's and almost 100.  YIKES!  that's hotter than it is here in the sunny Gulf Coast Florida.  It's probably muggy there too. 







Enough about the weather... 

This week for the Cupcake Inspirations challenge #166 we've got Bugaboo Stamps for our sponsor.  I do love the Bugaboo images and for my card I'm using the very fun "Flamingo - Car" image.  If you knew me in real life you'd know that I've been a flamingo fanatic for the last 40 years and have had lots of fun with my equally crazy flamingo friend Joe.  He's used a lawn flamingo for his Christmas tree topper for years.  Then there's the convertible.  When VW came out with the "new' convertibles in 2003 I got one of the first ones to hit the lot.  Just like the one of the card it was orange with a black roof.  That was a fun car.  In case you can't read it the license plate is "NO SNO" and there's a tiny flamingo charm hanging off the pink cord.  this was a fun card for me to make.  I can't wait till the middle of winter to send it to one of my snow bound NJ friends.

Here's the deets:
stamp - Bugaboo "Flamingo - Car"
ink - hp printer
paper - Recollections gold card base; Imaginisce "Summer Cool - Banana Flip Flop" dsp; Stampin' Up "Melon Mambo" cs
miscellaneous - copics; Stampin' Up ticket punch; My Favorite Things "Bracket Border" and "Ticket Tab" die-namics; pink cord; flamingo twine; bling; sewing machine

Here's the challenges:
Cupcake Inspirations CIC166 - photo
Allsorts week 160 - Any Die Will Do
the Stamp Man - Time or Travel
Cute Card Thursday  #222- Here Comes Summer
Crafty Sentiments - Bright Colors
Charisma #24 - Summer
4 Crafty Chicks #95 - By the Sea
What If Wednesdays DCC620 - Head for the Beach
Love to Create #20 - Summertime Fun

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you'll come back again.  I look forward to seeing your creations for the Cupcake Inspirations challenge.

Pile It On - Make Your Own Embellishment

Oh boy, this is a real fun week at Pile It On.   The theme is a fun one, make your own embellishments and the sponsor is a fun one Bugaboo Stamps.  .If I weren't on the design team I'd be playing in this challenge every day of the week.  Even though I can't do that you can, so make as many cards with your own hand made embellies and you improve your odds of being the winner of some goodies from the Bugaboo store.

I've got a few Bugs in my arsenal.  I've got a few cute ones and many of my hero Stella.  For this card I went with cute and knocked off another Christmas card.  For my home made embellies I used one of my button dies (yes, I have to admit to owning more than one, what can I say, I'm addicted to this stuff).  The great thing about a button die is that you can always get a perfect match to your papers and they are flat and light weight which makes it good for mailing.  The tiny button was made from white cs and colored with the copic I used for the background of the image.  If you want to have a thicker more realistic button you can use chipboard to thicken them up, most dies are supposed to be able to cut through chipboard.  I like the way this card turned out, I think I will make a few more just like it.  I will enjoy just sitting at my desk, listening to my favorite music and mindlessly coloring the same image over and over.  Hey, what can I say, I'm easily amused.

Here's the deets:
stamp - Bugaboo "Make It Snappy - Reindeer Trio"
ink - hp printer
paper - Stampin' Up "Kraft" card stock; Cosmo Crickett "Oh Joy: Frosty" dp; scraps of DCWV cs for yellow border and button
miscellaneous - copics; Sizzex "Buttons #5" die; My Favorite Things "Bracket Border" die-namic; red bling
Here's the challenges:
Pile It On #26 - Make YOur Own Embellishments
Pause, Dream, Enjoy  #25 - 3 Things (the first three things I grab are an image, my copics and my die cuts)
Fabulous Friday -Make Your Own Embellishment
Paper Play Week 25 - Use a Die
Delightful - Anything Goes
ABC  Christmas - L is for Lyrics ("Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer)
Crafts and Me #89 - Anything Goes
L'il Red Wagon #138 - Get Krafty
One Stop Crafts #188 - Christmas in June
Catch the Bug -Recipe:  Twine, Buttons and Sentiment
Allsorts week 160 - Any Die Will Do
2 Sister #97 - Anything Goes
Crimbo Crackers #18 - Anything Goes
Thanks for stopping by, I hope you'll visit again and of course I hope to see you join us in the Pile it On challenge to make your own embellishments.

Joy

I have no idea why but I've been making Christmas cards for a couple weeks now.  It just doesn't want to get out of my head.  My i-pod is on shuffle and every time a Christmas song comes on I skip it, so it's not like I'm trying to immerse myself in the season but I'm not trying to stop either.  In the long run it's better to have cards done early.

This card uses the My Favorite Things sketch for the Guest DT challenge.  This time I tried using watercolors.  They can have a little bit softer quality about them which I thought would work well with a distressed aged look.  If you've never used water colors with your stamping be sure to use Staz-On ink when you stamp your image.  I don't know of any other ink that won't run when it gets wet, so if you're going to use any other ink, here's a tip - try it on a test patch first.    

Winning this challenge just may be the most coveted prize among stampers on Splitcoast.  It's definitely a goal for the MFT junkies and that includes me.  The competition is amazing, there are crafters out there with some amazing skills.  Every month my mouth drops to floor as I gaze at the gallery of entries.  I'm sure this month will be no exception. 

Here's the deets:

stamp - My Favorite Things "Inspired by Christmas"

ink - Stazon "Timber Brown" and Ranger "Tea Dye"

paper - Recollections gold card base; Stampin' Up "Confetti White" cs; Bazzill "Beeswax" cs Cosmo Cricket "Be Good- Poinsettia" dp

miscellaneous - Stampin' Up Watercolors; Spellbinder's 2010 Heirloom Ornament die; burlap twine; sewing machine

Here's the challenges:

My Favorite Things MFTGUEST0712 - sketch

One Stop Craft #188 - Christmas in June

Creative Card Crew - Song Inspired (Joy to the World)

ABC Christmas - L is for Lyrics (Joy to the World)

Paper Playtime #77 - Anything Goes Plus a Sentiment

Thanks for stopping by, come back again.

SFTW - Show Us Your Style

Are you excited it's Friday, the weekend's just about to start.  I'm more excited that's it's time for another Stampin' for the Weekend challenge.  I hope you'll be excited too and of course that you'll play along with us.  This week our challenge is to "Show Us Your Style".  Are you "clean and simple"?  So just make a card doing whatever you like best, using whatever products you like.  Just have fun doing it, cause if you're not having fun you're doing something wrong.

As for me and my style, I know what my style is.  I like to do whatever suits me on any given day.  There are some things I like to do on cards and some things I don't like to do.  I usually put a charm on the card, usually there's real or faux stitching and usually there's one or more die cuts.  I usually use more than one layer and like to use two or more patterned papers on my cards.  What I don't usually do is put lots of flowers and embellies on it.  I can't seem to get the hang of that style.   Some days I try to step outside my usual comfort zone and do something different.  Lately I've been trying my hand at "Clean and Simple" cards.  Some have been posted already and some are waiting for me to get to them.  Browse around my blog, maybe you'll figure out what my style is.  If you do leave me a note.

Here's the deets:

stamp - the Cat's Pajamas "Aye, Aye Captain"

ink - Memento "Tuxedo Black"

paper - Recollections red card base; Bazzill "Tawny Medium" cs; DCWV scraps of blue and yellow cs; October Afternoon "Sidewalks" dp

miscellaneous - copics; the Cat's Pajamas "Buttons" and "Wave" cut-ups; Stampin' Up linen twine; sailboat charm; mini brads; staples

Here's the challenges:

Stampin' for the Weekend #12 - Show Us Your Style

the Cat's Pajamas TCPTUES215 - sketch

Pinspirational #13 - photo of Charlie Brown

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you'll come back again and that I see you playing along with us at Stampin' for the Weekend.

Sweet Sunday Take Time

Last night I got about an hour's sleep.  So when I finally decided I wasn't going to be falling back to sleep I decided it was a good time to make a card. 

This card was made using the The Sweetest Thing Sweet Sunday Sketch.  There's a DT call going on there so I'm throwing a card into the ring so to speak. 

Usually if I have a sketch to use the next thing I do is pick a stamp but this time I picked the Bo Bunny paper first and this stamp works great with that paper.  The papers are mostly brown so I used pink to punch it up.  

detail of crystal on stick pin

Lately I've been trying to do things outside of my comfort zone.  This sketch has two large flower elements.  Usually I substitute something else for flowers but I like the flowers you can make with the various die-namic MFT is selling and I'm trying to incorporate flowers.  I used the Royal Roses and am thrilled with the way they turned out.  After I rolled them up I sponged some ink on the edges, it reminds me of tea roses. 

detail of ribbons

There are a couple things that don't show
well in the photograph.  There's a stick pin stuck into the large rose.  Besides the clock charm and twine there's a clear crystal.  Also not showing well are the two ribbons at the bottom of card. 

I'm very happy with the way this card turned out, I wish the photo did it justice.  Oh well....

Here's the deets:
stamp - My Favorite Things "ALM Take Time"
ink - Memento "Tuxedo Black"; Ranger "Tattered Rose" and "Worn Lipstick"
paper - Bazzill "Tawny Medium" cs; Bo Bunny "Timepiece Collection"  Stampin' Up "Subtles Pattern Pack"
miscellaneous - copics; stick pin; crystal; charm; burlap twine; My Favorite Things "Royal Roses" and "Royal Leaves" die-namics; lace; pearls; ribbon; machine stitching

Here's the challenges:
Sweet Sunday #161 - sketch
Crafts and Me #89 - Anything Goes
Ribbon Carousel RCC58 - Heavy Metal (charm and pin)
Papertake Weekly - Bingo (gems, free and lace)
City Crafter week 114 - Time After Time
Chocolate, Coffee and Cards #15 - Coffee and Cream
the Ribbon Reel #30 - Strawberries and Cream
Simon Says Stamp and Show - a Bit of Brown
Cutie Pie #20 - Stitching
Sugar Creek Hollow #16 - More is Better
the Stamp Man - Time or Travel

Thanks for stopping by, come back again.



 

Poor Pup

Some days I wish I had six sets of arms.  More hours in the day would be better and less of a wardrobe problem.  In the meantime the piles of stamps, papers, and embellies get higher.  There's just so much good stuff out there.  Will it never end?

One of the piles is sheets of card stock with digi stamps.  I figured if I printed them out I get to them sooner.  That's the pile I picked to play with for now. 

I purchased a couple Mo Manning images because they remind me of my daughter.  While she doesn't look like this girl she acts just like her.  Ask our pets.   They're constantly being lugged around by her.   The fact that our dog weighs over 30 pounds has not deterred her.  The fact that the cat doesn't like being held hasn't deterred her either.  Ah, isn't love grand?


Here's the deets:
stamp - Mo Manning "Girl and Dog"
ink - hp printer; Ranger "Orange Marmalade", "Peeled Paint" and "Antique Linen" on edges
paper - Stampin' Up "Certainly Celery" cs; the Paper Cut "Pink Lemonade" and Basic Grey "Sugar Rush" dp
miscellaneous - copics; ribbon; dog charm; dew drops; Spellbinder's Labels eight

Here's the challenges:
Bronte and Bella's (Mo Manning) #139 - At the Park
Tuesday Throwdown #102 - Critters
Totally Papercrafts - It's Raining Cats and Dogs

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you'll come back again.

Happy Father's Day

Today's the day we take the time to let Dad know that he's the best.  At Cupcake Inspirations we have cuppies with ties on them to inspire us.  A sweet (no pun intended) choice for today.  If you Dad doesn't wear ties you can be inspired by the colors and patterns in the photo.  It doesn't even have to be a Father's Day card, it just has to be whatever you are inspired to make.  So everybody can play along. 




All that fun stuff you have for scrap booking can be used on cards too.  Obviously the ties on these cuppies stand out.  That was one element I wanted to use on my card but I don't have a tie stamp (how's that even possible?) so I went looking through my stickers and found some stickers.  I combined them with some stamping to come up with this card.  What will you do?  We sweeties can't wait to see what you do with the inspiration photo so get inky and join us.

Here's the deets:
stamps - Stampin' Up ""Form and Function" and Tim Holtz "Curious Possibility"
ink - VersaMagic "Aegean Blue"; Memento "Dandelion" and "Rich Cocoa"
paper - Stampin' Up "Kraft" cs and "Paper Notebook" dsp
miscellaneous - K and Co. dimensional stickers; baker's twine and mini brads

Here's the challenges:
Cupcake Inspirations CIC165 - photo
Paper Play week 24 - For a Man with Twine
Moving Along with the Times - Let's Get Krafty
DYSU #76 - Boys/Men
Crafty Sentiments - Father's Day
CRAFT #159 - Father's Day
Charisma #23 - Male Card

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you'll come back again and that you'll play along in the Cupcake Inspirations challenge.

Best Medicine

I really should make a point of making some "Get Well" cards.  I never seem to have one when I need it.  Unfortunately, one of my aunts fell and when you're in your nineties that's not such a good thing.  I have five aunts and almost all of them are up there in age but outside of the occasional fall or mishap they are all doing amazingly well.  I'm praying that I got those genes.  Time will tell.

Here's the deets:

stamp - My Favorite Things "Best Medicine"

ink - Memento "Tuxedo Black" and Versamagic "Sea Breeze"

paper - Recollections gold card base; My Mind's Eye "Sunshine" dp; DCVW scrap of cs

miscellaneous - copics; baker's twine; band aid charm; bling; mini brads; My Favorite Things "Chevron Stripes" and "Photo Corners" die-namics, machine stitching

Here's the challenges:

My Favorite Things Wednesday Stamp Club MFTWSC76 - sketch

Simon Says Stamp and Show - Anything Goes

Cutie Pie #20 - Stitching

Craft Your Passion - #114 - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you'll come back again.

Cook One Up for Your Man

Metal, texture and masculine, those are the ingredients for this week's challenge at Cooking It Up With Katie.  With Father's Day just around the corner you can kill two birds with one stone by making a card for this week's challenge.    Of course you don't have to make a father's day card, any kind of masculine card will do.  

For this card I used a car image.  It reminds me of a car my mom had when we were kids.  We called it the "red devil".  It always seemed special, maybe because she won it in a raffle.  Maybe because it was a sharp looking car - red with the white detail in the fin.  Maybe it was just a magical time in life.  When you're a kid everything seems bigger and better, too bad that wears off as we grow up. 

Here's the deets:

stamp - Crafty Secrets "Car Classics"

ink - Memento "Tuxedo Black"

paper - SU "Kraft" cs and yellow cs scrap; Close to My Heart "Route 66" dp

miscellaneous- copics; K & Co chipboard letters; mini brads; machine stitiching

Here's the challenges:

Coking It Up with Katie #97 - metal, texture and masculine

Papercraft Star #101 - Father's Day

Fab N Funky #125 - Father's Day

Crafting for All Seasons #28 - For Men

Kraft Journal - Cards for Him

the Pink Elephant TPE52- Masculine

Dream Valley #34 = For That Special Guy

Cutie Pie #20 - Stitching

Card Making Mamas #47 - Father's Day

Simply Create Too #15 - Father's Day

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you'll come back again.

Hula Girl

Did you ever wear a grass skirt?  This reminds me of the time my friends and I were invited to a "Luau".  Before the big day I happened to be in a party store and they have all kinds of stuff that fit the theme.  Well skirts for all of us would have cost an arm and a leg but there were table covers that had the grass attached and they were cheapo so I picked up a couple and on the night of the party we met in the parking lot and cut up the tablecloths and pinned them together to make skirts for ourselves.  We had a blast and very laughing hysterically.  Well...we went into the party and we were met with lots more laughter.  We were having a grand old time when we noticed that our skirts shed.  OMG, by the time we took them off it looked like somebody had dropped a bale of hay in the place.  That just made us laugh even more.

Here's the deets:
stamp - My Favorite Things "Hula Girl"
ink - Memento "Tuxedo Black"
paper - Bazzill "Curry Spice" cs; Stampin' Up "Melon Mambo" and "Bermuda Bay" cs; scrap of green and scrap of yellow cs for leave and flower center; Recollections "Pink Gingham" dp; scraps of seashell dp and scraps of beach things dp for hexagon centers
miscellaneous - copics; My Favorite Things " Ticket Tab" "hibiscus" and "Hexagons" die-namics; mini brads; bling; machine stitching


Here's the challenges:
My Favorite Things MFTWSC75 - sketch
Chocolate, Coffee, Stamps #14 - photo of cake (I was inspired by the colors)
Stamp with Fun #165 - Holidays (as in vacations)
Paper Playtime #76 - Die Cuts - vacations
Cutie Pie #20 - Stitching

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you'll come back again.

Dog Gone It

CIC164

Look's like we're celebrating man's best friend at the Cupcake Inspirations challenge this week.  Even if you don't like dogs you must know someone who does so get your supplies out and go to the dogs.  This week the sponsor is Di's Digi Downloads and they are oh so cute, you shouldn't pass up a chance to win that prize.   

I love the furbabies so I have dog stamps and papers and stickers and charms.  You know, all the goodies for papercrafting.  So this was an easy peasy challenge for me.  I hope it's a fun one for you.

Here's the deets:

Stamp - Paper Pretties digi

ink - hp printer

paper - Stampin' Up "Blushing Bride" cs; DCWV "Pet Shoppe" dp

miscellaneous - copics; Spellbinders circle and scalloped circle dies; cord; paw charm; flower brads



Here's the challenges:



Cupcake Inspirations CIC164 - photo

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you'll come back again.

PIO - The Great Outdoors

Get the sunscreen out it's time to hit the beaches.  Sadly, if you live around the Gulf Coast  it's also the rainy season so you might want to have a backup plan that doesn't involve the great outdoors.  You can always play along with us at Pile It On where the challenge this week just happens to be "Let's Get Outdoors".  We're sponsored by Simon Says and everybody can find something in that store.  If you're like me you can find TONS of stuff there, so go get inky and play along. 


Here's the deets:
stamp - Mo Manning "Still Summer"
ink - hp printer
paper - Bazzill "Glow" and "Tangelo" cs; My Mind's Eye "Stella Rose - Hattie Papers" dp
miscellaneous - copics; pearls; Candice Cook "Expressionz" rub ons; baker's twine; sun charm; beach border punch; Spellbinder's circle and inverted scalloped circle dies

Here's the challenges:
Pile It On #24 - the Great Outdoors
Digital Tuesday  #63 - Anything goes
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes (optional Father's Day)
Pinspirational #10 - photo of girls on beach
Tuesday Throwdown #101- Friendship
Color Throwdown CTD195 - pink, light yellow, peach and aqua
Papercraft Star #100 - Here Comes Summer
Delightful - Fun in the Sun
Paper Playtime #76 - Die cuts - Vacation
The Pink Elephant TPE151 - Vibrant Colors
Raise the Bar #107- Hello Summer
Totally Papercrafts - Doodle On It
Crafty Ann's #67 - It's a Girl Thing
Crafty Catz #136 - Summertime
Just Add Ink JAI 121 - Just Add Pearls
Sweet Stampin' - All Stitched Up
Totally Gorjuss #135 - Sunshine
Bronte and Bella's (Mo's) #138 - Anything Goes
Pause Dream Enjoy #23 - Do You Like To Go to the Beach

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you'll come back again.  If  you leave a comment you'll make my day.

Got Candy

I'm really happy that I got a chance to make a card for this week's Mojo Monday challenge, but I'm really ticked off that I can't find my Halloween charms.  I mean really, isn't this card screaming out for a candy corn charm to hang off the baker's twine.  If anybody knows where those stinking little charms have gotten off to please let me know.  I can always add it on later.


Here's the deets:
stamp - Impression Obsession "Candy Apples" and A Muse "Got Candy"
ink - Memento "Tuxedo Black" and Stampin' Up "Really Rust"
paper - Stampin' Up "Peach Parfait" cs and "Haiku" dsp
miscellaneous - copics, baker's twine; Stampin' Up Oval and Corner punches; Spellbinder's Labels Eighteen die; Fiskar's Sunburst border punch; candy dots

Here's the challenges:
Mojo Monday #244 - sketch
Allsorts week 158 - Ice Cream Colors
Crafting for All Seasons #28 - Many, Many Layers

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you'll come back again. 

More CAS Christmas

Clean and simple is still on my mind so I figured I might as well make the most of it and get some more Christmas cards done.   Living in Florida beach themed cards are always fun to send to your friends living in colder climates.  funny thing is, I got this stamp set years ago while I was living in NJ.  It must have been wishful thinking.

Here's the deets:

stamp - Stampin' Up "Shellebrate"

ink - Memento Tuxedo Black" and Versamagic "Toffee"

paper - The Paper Cut "Sno-Cone" cs; Wausau Paper "Astroparche" cs

miscellaneous - Stampin' Up watercolors; bakers twine; "beach" border punch; MFT corner die-namic

Here's the challenges:

Pinspirational #10 - photo of girls at the beach

ABC Christmas - K is for Keep It Simple

Color Throwdown CTD195 - pink, peach, light yellow and aqua

Allsorts 157- Oh I Do Like to Be Beside the Seaside

Tuesday Alchemy - #17 - Sand Surf and Sea

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you'll come back again.

I Love Paris...

Actually, I love the idea of Paris because I haven't had the pleasure of going there.  There was a plan to go but the best laid plans of mice and men...  who knows maybe I'll make plans in the future but these days I so loathe the airport routine that I'm only thinking about going places that my car can take me.

At least I can dream and look at photos and make cards that'll keep the dream going.  The MFT Parisian girl fits the bill.  I paired with the MFT sketch challenge for this week.  Another lovely dreamy day in paperville.

Here's the deets: 
stamp - My Favorite Things "WTG Who's That Parisian Girl"
ink - Memento "rich Cocoa"; Ranger "Tea Dye" and "Antique Linen" Distress ink; Stampin' Up "Soft Suede"
paper - DCWV "Neutrals" card stock; My Mind's Eye "Paris & Co" dp
miscellaneous - copics;  Kaisercraft pearl flourish; silk tea dyed ribbon; burlap twine; charm; My Favorite Things "Decorative Doily" and "Faux Crochet" border die-namics

Here's the challenges:
My Favorite Things MFTWSC74 - sketch
Corrosive #150 - Not Too Shabby
Secret Crafter #188 - Anything Goes
Crafts and Me - Add a Ribbon
Craft #157 - background text

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you'll come back again.

It's Summertime

As the temperature climbs do your thoughts turn to the beach?  I love and hate the beach.  Love the way it looks, and the smell of coconut oil but I hate having sand stuck to me and later on finding it all over my car and house.  Other than that the beach is my idea of the closest thing to heaven.  So until someone invents sand that doesn't stick all over I'll just get over my dislike of sand and enjoy everything else. 

The sweeties have been playing with the beach this week and now we're inviting you to join us by making a project inspired by these cuppies for the Cupcake Inspirations Challenge CIC163.

AND the really great news is this week we have A Day for Daisies back as our sponsor.  Some lucky crafter is going to be very happy.   I was very happy to pick an image to use for this week.  You should shop now for an image to use for this week's challenge cause you're going to want so many of them that you might as well get a jump on it and pick up a couple now.

I love snow globes and I love mermaids so it seemed a foregone conclusion that I would chose the Mermaid in a Snow Globe.  This image is a keeper.  Can't you picture this with one of those plastic cups over it and some glitter and flower soft for shaking up.  I just may have to get my hands on them.

I've kept the card simple so that all the attention will go to the mermaid.  The card stock is embossed with a seashore theme.
Here's the deets:
stamp - A Day for Daisies - Mermaid in a Snow Globe; Taylored Expressions - It's a Banner Day 3
ink - hp printer; Studio G pink chalk
paper - the Paper Cut "Sno Cone"; Stampin' Up "Island Indigo
miscellaneous - copics; Souffle glaze pen; Taylored Expressions Banner Day 3 die; My Favorite Things Circle die-namics; Spellbinder's "Sea Scape" Impressabilities; pink bling;

Here's the challenges:
Cucpake Inspirations CIC163 - photo
Secret Crafter #188 - Anything Goes
Allsorts week 157 - By the Seaside
Papecraft Star #99 - Make Aqua Your Primary Color
Simon Says - Anything Goes
DYSU #74 - Under the Sea

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you'll come back again AND I hope you'll play along with us at Cupcake Inspirations Challenge.  Don't forget to link up your card or project.