I'm back!

stamps: Pretty Princess, Karen Foster Snap Stamps

paper: DCWV Glitter Stack, DCWV Spring Stack, Confetti White, Pink Passion

inks: Black Staz On, Pink Passion, Colorbox Chalk inks

accessories: Watercolor pencils, aquapainters, A*muse micro dot Creatve Candy, Gary M. Burlin & Co, glitter glue, Cricut and Celebrations cartridge, May Arts ribbon, silk flower from JoAnn's, brad

I'm back. The computer is up and running and have a long way to go to get it back to where I was before. The diagnosis: main hard drive. The good news is that it happened 6 days before my warrenty expired. The fix was free, but I have to start from scratch. I LIKED how my computer was set up: my favorites, address book, etc...

Enough whining. I needed to make a card for a girl at work for her granddaughter's birthday. I am actually starting to sell her some of my cards. I asked her for her card list and their color preferences and this is what I came up with. Hope my friend and her granddaughter likes it.

my computer

My computer (and really good sidekick and friend) is in the shop. It keeps giving a black screen that I can't get past! It is so frustrating. I am on my old relic and it dddrrraaaaaags so bad. It is painful to be on.
I will get some new cards up when my baby comes home! Have a good day!

I've been tagged!

I've been tagged by Jessica, that Wild Rose Stamper! Since I just started this blog, I wondered if anyone would tag me, BUT, darn if they did. The challange here is to tag 5 bloggers that haven't been tagged yet, if possible. It was tough, since I look at some 20+ blogs a day, but have easily 50 blogs on my favorite list. OK, here goes!

Pam at Iris Garden:She is one of faves starting at good ol' SCS. She is a dirty girl indeed!

Denise at The Indecisive Artist: I love this girl's scrapbooking and photography style! She throws in some sketches as downloads which I love!

Linda at LMac's Catered Crops: I love her tutorials and takes great pics of her creations!

Amanda at Inkspirations: She is one of the first blogs I followed. Cool! Check out what she has for dinner!

Jeanne at Inky Paws: I am so glad she started a blog. I have followed her gallery from SCS and love her creations! I have CASE'd her soo many times!

Check out their blogs! You will be glad you did!

a catalog color inspiration

stamps: Carte Postale, French Flair
paper: Night of Navy, Brushed Copper cardstock, Certainly Celery, Elegant Eggplant, mulberry paper, patterned paper by Flavia/Colorbok
ink: Tsukineko Encore! copper pad
accessories: Stamp-n Stuff copper embossing powder, heat gun, tidy tray, wide organdy, copper cord, brad

I received this Spring's catalog from JCPenney in the mail yesterday. The funny part is that it wasn't addressed to me after I looked at it! Anyway, the color combo from this comforter really caught my eye. I had purchased the copper paper some time ago and have never opened it. I also had the copper inkpad and copper embossing powder that was also never used. I have always liked the navy/copper combo, and that's probably why I loaded up with the copper. It was definitely out of my preferred colors and really like the results.

a magazine inspiration

paper: My Mind's Eye, Chocolate Chip
stamps: Newsprint, Finist Flourishes
ink: Colorbox ink in Dark Brown, Craft White
accessories: Flowers and rhinestone brads from Memories Boutique, brown gingham ribbon from Michael's, pink gingham ribbon

I picked up Baby Creations magazine from Papercrafts yesterday and I didn't even get past page 3 for a neat layout idea I had to try. I loved the way that the patterned papers were put together on the card. I thought one of the numerous slabs I have amassed over the years could give me some matching papers, I would think. I love this color combo, or really anything with brown. One of the best parts of the magazine purchase is that I got to use a coupon to buy it!

the winner is...

Peggy S! Random.org picked #12. Wowee! Here's her comment:

Peggy S said...
Congrats on your hits!! What I love about your blog is you have nice, clear, and big photos of your work. And I like how you put the recipe separate from your thoughts -- it makes it so much easier to read! What I would love is for your banner to be linked back to your main page -- I wish all bloggers would do that!! Pampering for me is getting a manicure/pedicure one in awhile! I'm in a city so there are lots of places that do this for a fairly "reasonable" price!

Peggy, please email me with your snail mail address and your goodies are on their way! I loved reading everyone's comments. This blog candy stuff was so fun for me. I can't wait to do it again. I hope it is real soon!

Time for blog candy!!!!!

Whoo hoo! We did it! I should hit 5,000 hits today! I am so excited to offer my first blog candy! Ooooh, I need to settle down and tell you what it is!!

I picked a theme from my recent Pamper Yourself card. You are all crazy stampers and mebbe your neck is hurting from a long stretch of creativity. It IS very hard work and I know I have walked away from my craft table with a sore neck or shoulder. Let me pamper the winner. Please post a comment on this post before Friday night and I will pick a random winner. The winner will get Lavender bath foam, bath salts, body wash, a lavender loofa, a votive candle, a Dove chocolate bar, and the card I made. For comments, let me have some feedback about my blog in general, or even, ways that you pamper yourself that doesn't include crafts! Does a hammock sound good? Lounging in a pool? With this crummy long winter here in Toledo, I am dying for a warm, breezy day and some foo-foo drink and sitting in a lounge chair reading a good book.

Thanks for all the input and let's get this party started!

awww, a baby!

paper: Bashful Blue, Lasting Impressions, DCWV Spring 2 Cardstock Stack, gingham patterned paper (source unknown)
ink: Colorbox Chalk Ink

accessories: DCWV Spring Sticker Stack, Am. Crafts ribbon, ribbon from May Arts, ric rac

A co-worker had a baby boy and I got her (him) a gift. I made the card up, but I am thinking I want to make a little matching bag. Maybe another day! I just love making baby cards.

another tall card

stamps: Small Script
paper: Brocade Blue, Bliss Blue, Summer Sun, Lavender Lace, Basic Grey Oh Baby! Girl (Sophie and Marigold)
inks: Colorbox Chalk Ink, Ballet Blue
accessories: Coluzzle, primas, brads, flower punches including Spring Bouquet Flowers punch, ribbon

Another tall card. I love them. I decided to break out my punches and make a little frame around the oval cutout. In going through my punches, I realized I have duplicates of some! I should be ashamed of myself! Well, at least I got away from pink, but not the Basic Grey! Ha ha!

my lion's share

stamp: Lion by Art Impressions, background by Just for Fun
paper: Really Rust, More Mustard, Basic Black
inks: Colorbox Chalk ink, Basc Black
accessories: Watercolor Wonder crayons, aquapainter, ribbon

Again with the watercoloring. I actually had to fill the aquapainter up with water today! I have always loved this color combo, especially in Fall. I have had this Lion guy for quite some time and have ever inked him up. Oh yes, I have had big plans for him--adding purty colors to his mane and all. I did find that he has too much rubber surface to do what I had planned with him. I think I would have liked him better if the drawing of this stamp was less heavy. Stamping off first and using the second generation impression didn't help either. He's a stinker. He looks like a good guy card, huh? "King" of his birthday or something along those lines for a theme. "King" for a day...

My Favorite Things

stamps: My Favorite Things

paper: Bazzil, Basic Grey Romani Harem and Dali papers), Perfect Plum, Blush Blossom

inks: Colorbox Chalk Ink

accessories: aquapainters, Burlin and Co. Crystal Glitter glue, Watercolor Wonder crayons, small tag punch, wide organdy, heart charm

I know I am on a kick of

1. Basic Grey-ooohh, love them, stuck on them, stare at them, touch them, and love the color combos

2. pink-I am more a pink gal than I am willing to admit...

3. watercoloring-all the images I grab are ones I need to color! Geez!

This is one of my first times into the acrylic stamp foray. I'm not sure if I like it overall. You can't beat the fact that you can see exactly where you want to stamp, but the love ends there for me. They seem difficult to clean real well. The smell (yuck!) is quite bothersome. I keep my stamps in a potentially warm area and am wondering how they will hold up to the heat. I will keep playing with them and I won't count them out yet. If anyone has tips to share with me, let me know!

An aside note:

I am overwhelmed at the comments and emails I receive about my blog. I love seeing how many new Feedblitz subscribers I get everyday. It does blow my mind and really love the constant pat on the back I get from doing this blog. Thanks so much for visiting! I am getting close to 5,000 hits and plan to do some of my very own blog candy around then. Keep coming back and I so welcome comments. I can't help from smiling. Ain't this what it's all about?

a blog challenge

stamps: Bodacious Bouquet, Polka Dots and Petals
paper: Basic Grey (Romani set and Archangel and Harem paper used), Green Galore, Whisper White, DCWV Spring 2 cardstock
inks: Colorbox Chalk inks in Lime Pastel and Pink Pastel
accessories: Prima, brads

I was surfin' blogs this morning and came across a little inspiration in the form of a contest for blog candy. I couldn't resist. Check out Julee's blog and see what she's giving away! I *must* have it!

*edited* 4/16/07- I didn't win. There was fabulous competition! There was no way to rig the contest, or I may have... :o)

an amethyst doodle

stamps: Doodle This

paper: Almost Amethyst, Confetti White

inks: Almost Amethyst, Lavender Lace, Barely Banana, Regal Rose

accessories: Aqua painters, Signo Uniball pen

After the last flat card, I had to have one more 3-D. I think this one curbed the craving. Since I am addicted to ribbon, I kinda struggled as to where to put it. I couldn't figure it out, so I didn't. I don't know if you can tell, but the front of the card ends under the flowers. The inside of the card has Confetti White and more doodles stamped with Lavender Lace. I bent up the petals for a more 3-D look. It's real 3-D, huh?

a simple watercolor

I needed a simple, quick card for a birthday at work. I put this together in a jiffy. It is really hard to do a one-layered card anymore...

stamps: Sassy Stems
paper: the fabulous Fabriano Medioevalis from StarLit Studio
inks: Marigold Morning, Cool Caribbean, Regal Rose, Certainly Celery, Black Staz On
accessories: narrow organdy ribbon, aqua painters

A Splitcoast card sketch

stamps: Parlez Vous Francais?
paper: Basic Grey Oh Baby Girl (Sarah and Lilly papers), Lavender Lace, Confetti White
inks: Colorbox Chalk ink in Wisteria
accessories: narrow organdy ribbon, Stampin' Pastels, glitter, soft subtles brads

I visit Splitcoaststampers almost every day. I love the new card sketch every Wednesday. Believe it or not, I have yet to participate in the fun. Oh yes, I collect the sketches and staple them together and keep them near my stamp table in hopes for offering layout ideas. I loved last Wednesday's sketch and decided to forge ahead. Earlier in the week I got Basic Grey and it seemed like a match made in heaven. Don't you agree?

A funny note, though. While stamping my real cute, fluffy, girly dog on the Confetti paper, I stamped in such a way that she looked like a "he". I was going to redo it and I thought you all would get a kick out of it. Make sure you click on the picture to make it larger.

Oh, I almost forgot! I am also debuting my new watermark that Kurtis' awesome tutorial showed me! It is a great video and it was fun! I even CASE'd that...

The Little Mermaid

Our family went to Disney World in 2005. Seems like I haven't been working on this album much at all, since it's almost 2 years later. Ariel in her Grotto was pure delight, especially for my 4 year old. Meeting a princess is always awesome.

new banner!!

I've been messing around with HTML and I've been trying to figure out how to change my banner. It worked for the most part. I will keep working on it. I hope you enjoy the little shake up. I don't think I will have time for a card today. I need to get some "Easter Bunny" stuff. I can't disappoint!

I got Primas today!

I went shopping last week at Lindsey's store and received my bounty today! The first thing that didn't get cold outta da box is the Primas. The color said "Cool Caribbean" very loudly to me. Did ya hear it? They really are cute little things, huh?

paper: Petals and Paisleys paper, Cool Caribbean, So Saffron cardstock and long notes

inks: Colorbox Chalk ink in bisque, Basic Black

stamps: All about U, Paisley

accessories: Prima sprites, white brad, Coluzzle oval, Cricut and Doodletype cartridge

love flowers

I had made a card recently as a RAK for my SCS bloggers group. I had pulled out my underused Brilliance inks. They are really made for shiny, slick surfaces like vellum. The pearlescent inks have a beautiful sheen and I tried to get a picture for you to see.

paper: Orchid Opulence, vellum, Whisper White, Bliss Blue (yep, still have some!)

inks: Barely Banana, Colorbox chalk inks in Lime Pastel, Sky Blue, and Warm Violet, and Tsukineko Brilliance inks in Moonlight White, Pearlescent Purple, and Pearlescent Sky Blue

stamps: Michaels' $1 acrylic stamps, Heartfelt Thanks, and Flowers for a Friend

accessories: light blue ribbon, purple brads