Wishing us ALL a fabulous New Year!!

Hey there, my darlins!! Was Santa good to you?! I made out like a bandit, as always! Ya know why? 'Cuz Santa Claus is my husband, of course! hehe! I got lots of books . . . a new Pandora bracelet. . . and new beads for my Pandora bracelet . . .  and books . . . and more books! I love being "spoiled" at Christmastime! Wait . . . what am I saying? I love being spoiled ANY time of the year! hehe!! Oh, and . . . guess what? It's New Year's Eve!! Wheet whew! PARTY like a Rock Star!! Truth be told . . . if Rock Stars have a quiet dinner with their sweetheart and then are sound asleep by 10:30 pm . . . then, you betcha! I'll be partying like a Rock Star! LOL!!

Sooooo . . . I have some fun news . . . which I'll get to in a minute. But first . . . I have a new Sugar Nellie DT card to show you!

OK, so I have to let you in on an embarrassing little secret . . . I've had this adorable digi image for more than a year . . . and this is my first time coloring it!! Aaackk! This little sweetheart is "Melissa" and she's from the "Simply Adorable" line of Sugar Nellie digital images! You can find "Melissa" HERE at Funky Kits. I must admit, I am lovin' using Sugar Nellie's digi images for several reasons:

1. Immediate acquisition after purchase . . . YAY!! Instant gratification!
2. Flexibility to enlarge or reduce image size as desired.
3. Easy storage . . . digi images take up no drawer or cupboard space in my studio!
4. And best of all, they're gorgeous!

Here's a close-up of little "Melissa" . . . 

I must admit . . . coloring the "Simply Adorable" images is such fun! The artist brilliantly captures the pure inocence of the children she draws . . .  and she's added shadows so that I don't have to do much work at all to achieve the look of a 3-D image! So . . . easy peasy coloring! Here's a bit of a side view . . . 

My card "recipe" . . .

Very Vanilla, Baja Breeze, & Poppy Parade cardstock: Stampin' up

DPs & front sentiment - Stampin' Up

Inside sentiment: Stampendous

Labels 13 & Large oval dies: Spellbinders

Corner die: Marianne Design

Ribbon & pearls: My stash

Image was printed on Cryogen Metallic White paper

&

Colored with Faber Castell & Caran d'Ache pencils

A peek at the inside . . .

And, of course, my "signature" artsy view . . .  

Now . . . before I run off to get ready for my dinner date with my sweet husband, I have to tell you some Sugar Nellie news!! There are six new digi images being released on Saturday, January 5th!! And, to celebrate the new images, Sugar Nellie's DT will be hosting a Blog Hop!! So . . . mark your calendars and set your alarm clocks . . .

"Vintage Adorables" Blog Hop

Saturday, January 5, 2013

11:00 a.m. GMT

 

And . . . as if seeing these darling new images isn't exciting enough . . . there's more!

PRIZES * PRIZES * PRIZES

 

So . . . that's it for me . . . except to send out a warm "Thank You" to all of my blogging friends out there who've been so sweet and supportive this past year . . . and to say . . .

 

*** HAPPY NEW YEAR! ***

 

Hugs . . . until next year!

 

 

My "fave" Mo card in 2012 . . .

Hey there, my lovelies! Welcome, once again, to my little corner of Blogland!! I'd like to take a moment to thank you all for being such sweethearts and visiting my blog this past year . . . and for sharing a little piece of yourself with me! I am delighted that I've had the opportunity to meet and get to know so many of you . . . "virtually" as well as in real life!! I feel truly blessed!

Now . . .  this is cool . . . there's another super fun challenge happening over at Mo's DP2 Challenge Blog!! Sooooo . . . here's the deal . . . our challenge for the next TWO WEEKS is for each of us to take a look at all the projects we've created in 2012 using one (or more) of Mo Manning's images . . . and then select a FAVORITE!! Seriously??? How do I choose? I love each and every one of my Mo projects!! This card, though, is one of my faves! You may remember seeing it. I tell ya, this Mo image just tickles my funny bone! hehehe! I made this card for my sweet, sassy, and kinda kooky younger sister, Dee!

And she loved it!! This adorable image is called "Stepsisters" and you can find it HERE at Mo's online store. (I'm the taller one with the cute hairdo and tutu, of course!! Dee is the short one torturing a frog!) Here's a bit of a side view . . .

I just love these little girls . . . look at their "snarky" facial expressions! Bwahahaha! Here's a peek at the inside . . . 

And . . . one last photo, the ever popular "artsy fartsy" view . . .

So...now it's your turn. Head on over to Mo's DP2 Challenge Blog HERE to check out the fabulous 2012 cards made by my talented DT sistahs! Then, please join us! Just upload a fave Mo card or 3-D project that you created in 2012.

 

And then, why not visit Mo's online store HERE . . . and pick up a couple of new digi images to start off 2013 with a BANG?!! Oh, oh, oh . . . don't forget, Mo is awarding (selected at random) one $5.00 shopping spree at her online store for every 25 challenge participants! What an easy and fun way to get some new Mo images, right?!

Okey dokey . . . that's it for me! Sending much love and joy to you and yours this holiday season! And . . . here's to a very safe and prosperous New Year in 2013 for us all!! Warm hugs . . . until next time.

We're lovin' snowmen over at Sassy Cheryl's!

Brrrrrrr . . . baby it's cold outside!! Well, of course it is! It's winter and we can't even hope for snow if the temps don't drop . . . to at least freezing, right?! And if we have no snow . . . then however will we make snowmen? Oh, oh, ohhhhh . . . guess what? It's Tuesday  again. . . and that means it's time for another fun and frosty challenge over at Sassy Cheryl's Challenge Blog!! This week's hostess, my very sweet friend and DT sistah . . . the one and only sassy Miz Cathy,  has chosen the theme . . .

"I Love Snowmen"

 

Hmmmmm . . . I wonder if Cathy's husband knows this!! hehehe!!! And, without further ado, here's my little card . . .

OK . . . all together now . . . "Awwwww . . . snowwwww cute!" Why, thank you snowww much!! hehe! (I just thought of something . . . I'll bet Google "translator" is going to have fun translating this post for non-English-speaking folks! teehee!) Ahhh . . .  So sorry . . . I digress . . .

 

This week's card features an adorable Sassy Cheryl rubber stamp named Lexi. (I gotta tell ya, I think Lexi's almost as cute as my very fave Sassy Sally!) This sweetheart is part of Cheryl Alger's Collection of stamps available at Kraftin' Kimmies. You can find the entire "Lexi's Winter Fun" set right HERE. How would you like to see an extreme close-up? No problemo . . .  

As you can see, Lexi is snuggling with her snowman "friend" . . . and, despite the fact that she's wearing mittens and boots and a scarf, Lexi is likely freeeeeeeeezing! (I grew up in Minnesota, so I know these things!) I should have colored her lips blue!! And, oh nooooo . . . I just noticed that I forgot to add Liquid Applique to the fur on Lexi's jacket. arrggh! Well . . . do me a favor and just pretend that it's there . . . and that it looks fabulous, dahhhhhling!

Did you know that everytime a grey hair pops out on your head, one of your brain cells dies?! I don't believe I've ever seen a randomized, controlled, double-blind research study on it, but I'm pretty sure it's true! And that, my friends, is undoubtedly the reason I forgot to add the "fur" to Lexi's jacket!! Grey Hair! LOL! Here's another side view . . .

My card "recipe" . . .

Blushing Bride & Chocolate Chip cardstock: Stampin' Up

DPs: "Winterland" by Fancy Pants Designs

Pink diamonds, pearls, and ribbon: My stash
Snowflake die: Martha Stewart
Frosted Lace Stickles
Polar White Flower Soft (snow)
Glossy Accents (on Lexi's boots and various snowman "parts")
Copic Sketch markers & color pencils

A peek at the inside . . .

And, naturally, I'll leave you with this clever "artsy" view . . . 

So, there ya have it! MY version of  "Snowman Love"!!! Now . . . please visit Sassy Cheryl's Challenge Blog to see what Miz Cathy and the rest of my talented DT sistahs have created for this week's inspiration!! Then, we'd love for you to pull out some of your own craft supplies and at least one Sassy Cheryl image and join us for this week's challenge! Oh, and don't forget . . .

 

One lucky participant, selected at random, will win . . .

TWO Sassy Cheryl Digi Images!

Thanks so much for stopping by . . . and, as always, for your kind comments! I'm off to find some socks and a sweater! All of a sudden, I'm feeling really cold! Brrrrrr! Until next time . . .

 

Fa-la-la-la-latte!

Hey there, sweet friends!! Guess what? Christmas is NEXT WEEK!! (But, don't fret, I won't freak you out by telling you the exact number of days . . . 'cuz I don't want to figure it out! Plus . . . my fingers are busy typing, so I can't count the days! hehe!!) Oh . . . and guess what else . . . I have a new Sugar Nellie DT project to share with you!

So . . . OK . . . here's the deal . . . we received a Christmas card from my sister-in-law and her husband the other day. Very cute (store bought . . . but still kinda cute!) Well, I'm always looking for ideas and ways to "re-purpose" anything and everything into cards. Soooooo . . . I peeled off the three Christmas trees that were on the card from my SIL . . . and made this cute "tent" card!! (You can find a really nice tutorial for making a tent card HERE.) Can you see the trees through the window? I'm feeling pretty clever right about now! hehehe!! Here's a close-up of the window and trees . . .

This adorable little image is called "Luv a Latte" . . . and she's from the "Simply Sassy" collection of Sugar Nellie stamps. Once again, I've used a stamp that isn't actually a Christmas stamp . . . but, with these DPs and this sentiment, it definitely works! You can find "Luv a Latte" HERE at Funky Kits. Here's another close-up . . .

I tell ya, this image was so easy . . . and so much fun to color! I especially love her big eyes . . . which I always color green! I colored this cutie with Copics, lots and LOTS of Copics! Here's the list . . .

 

Skin: E00, 000, 0000, 21, 13

Cheeks: R30 & 20

Lips: R22

Hair: E25, 23, 53, 50, 18, 15, 13, & YR20

Eyes: YG67, 63, 03, G20

Window & stool: E59, 44, 33, 53, 50, & YR20

Reds: R27, 24, 22, 21, 20, 00

Greens: YG67, 63, 03, 00, G20, 43

Shadow: W01, 0, 00

 

And . . . a bit of a "side" view . . .

My card "recipe" . . .

Very Vanilla & Real Red cardstock: Stampin' up
DPs - "Christmas This and That" by Echo Park
Window stamp: Magnolia
Tiny rose: Wild Orchid Crafts
Sentiment, ribbon, stars, lace, acetate, & gingerbread man: My stash
 Corner die: Whimsy

 And, one more look . . . from the other side . . . 

And . . . that's what I've been up to lately . . . making Christmas cards!! (Almost done . . . just keep coloring . . . just keep coloring . . . just keep coloring . . . . !! LOL!) Ohhhhhh . . . I've decided to enter this card into the following challenges:

 

Saturated Canary #32 - Hot Chocolate & Marshmallows (I've substituted coffee)

Wild Orchid Challenge #65 - Christmas Friendship

 

Thanks so very much for stopping by!! And, as always, for your kind comments. Until next time . . . hugs . . . .

 

"D" is for Dancing!!

Before I get to today's card, I have some fun news . . .

 Mo Manning is running a fabulous "digi" special!!

And just in time for the Holidays! 

 

Get 25% off your total order!

Now through December 17th!

 The coupon code is CHEERS2U
 

So . . . what'cha waiting for?

Here's the link!

Go shopping. It's OK . . . I'll wait!

Welcome back, my lovelies!! Wasn't that fun?!! Now . . . quick question . . . How many days 'til Christmas? ANSWER: Not nearly enough for me to get everything done that needs getting done! LOL!! Story of my life, me thinks!! I did get something fabulous done, though . . . my card for this week's challenge at Mo's DP2 Challenge Blog! Yay!! And, yes . . . it IS another Christmas card! hehe! Just a few more to make and then I can make something non-Christmas-y!! But, I digress . . . this week's theme at Mo's is another fun one . . .

"D" is for . . .
(e.g., dogs, drums, dessert, die cuts, dancing, etc., etc., etc.)
 

And here's what I came up with . . .

I struggled with this week's challenge, I have to tell ya! In the end, though, I thought . . . DANCING!! You know . . . kind of a "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" thing. Oh ohhhhh...Sidebar: Did'ja see the cute Dancin' Baby calendar in my blog's um, er, sidebar?! hehe! That baby totally cracks me up!! Once again, I digress! I was talking about "Dancing" right?! Well, as luck would have it, I found this perfect little Mo Manning image called "Cutting the Rug"! You can find it HERE in Mo's online store. Here's an extreme close-up . . .

I was thinking that this would be a fun card to send out from my hubby and moi! Of course the little guy just had to be wearing khaki slacks and a blue blazer . . . that's my husband's "outfit of choice" . . . while mine is certainly not a dress . . . it's blue jeans! Not to mention the fact that my hair was only curly like this when I was 6 years old and had gotten a terrible "Shirley Temple" perm!! hehehe!! Enough about me . . . here's a bit of a side view . . .

My card "recipe" . . .

Image printed on Cryogen "metallic" cardstock

Red Riding Hood cardstock, ribbon, & clip: Stampin' Up
DP & brads  Bo Bunny's "Blitzen" collection

Sentiment: LOTV "Grunge"
Corrugated cardboard and inside sentiment: My stash
Copic Sketch markers & colored pencils

A peek at the inside . . .

And, one more view . . . of course . . .  

So, what'cha think? I'm pretty pleased with the outcome . . . especially since this week's theme sort of stumped me!

Okey dokey . . .  please be sure to pop on over to Mo's DP2 Challenge Blog HERE to check out the brilliant projects created by my very talented DT sisters! Then, please join the fun this week at Mo's DP2 Challenge Blog! Just remember to use one (or more) of Mo Manning's images (you can find them in Mo's online store HERE). Oooh . . . and don't forget . . . Mo is giving away one $5.00 voucher at her online stores for every 25 entries! (selected by Random.Org, of course).

Thanks so much for stopping by . . . and, as always, for your kind comments! Until next time . . . hugs . . . .

 

"Feelin' the Love" at Sassy Cheryl's

How many of you are young enough to NOT know who Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers are?! Hehehe . . . ya had to think about that one, didn't cha?! Just checkin' . . . ho ho ho!! Guess what? It's Tuesday . . . and that means it's time for another fun-tabulous challenge over at Sassy Cheryl's Challenge Blog!! And this week's hostess, the very sweet and oh-so-sassy Miz Jeni, has chosen the theme . . .

"Feelin' the Love"

And, when ya get right down to it, the Christmas Season really IS all about love! So . . . easy peasy, Miz Jeni!! 

Can ya guess the name of this adorable Sassy Cheryl image?! Awwww, c'mon! I gave you a hint already! LOL! Allow me to introduce . . . ta daaaa . . . Fred & Ginger Snowmen! That just cracks me up!! But, wait . . . Sassy Cheryl didn't give Ginger high heels!! hehe! Imagine dancing on ice in high heels! Uummpphh! You can find this cute image HERE in the $1.00 Bargain Bin over at Sassy Cheryl's! Here's a close-up of these dancin' darlins . . .

Fred is such a dashing snowman . . . and Ginger . . . well, what can I say? She's a "hottie"!! LOL! Here's a side view . . .

My card "recipe" . . .

Rose Red & Blushing Bride cardstock: Stampin' Up

Rose seam binding: Stampin' Up

DPs: "Eskimo Kisses" by Basic Grey

Labels One die: Spellbinders
Front sentiment: Hampton Art
Pearl brads & inside sentiment: My stash
Corner die: Whimsy
Dotted Swiss embossing folder: Cuttlebug
Copic Sketch markers & various color pencils

A peek at the inside . . .

And, last but never ever least . . . 

So, there ya go, my lovelies! MY version of Jeni's fun "Feelin' the Love" theme!! Now . . .  please  visit Sassy Cheryl's Challenge Blog to see what my talented DT sistahs have created for this week's inspiration!! Then, we'd love for you to pull out some of your own craft supplies and at least one Sassy Cheryl image and join us for this week's challenge! Oh, and keep in mind . . .

 

One lucky participant, selected at random, will win . . .

TWO Sassy Cheryl Digi Images!

Thanks so much for stopping by . . . and, as always, for your kind comments! Until next time . . .

 

Naughty or Nice? Hmmmmm . . .

Well, well well . . . here we are in December!! You've probably seen people posting the number of days 'til Christmas . . . well, no worries! I'm not going to do that! Ya know why not? Because I can't even think beyond dinner tonight, let alone how many days 'til Christmas!! So . . . you're safe with me! Ohhhhhh . . . but one thing I do know is that it's time for another fabby (and festive) challenge at Mo's DP2 Challenge Blog! And, because this is the first Thursday of the month . . . that means our theme is . . .

ANYTHING GOES!

Wheet whooo! And, no surprise here, I've made yet another Christmas card!!

Now this card turned out rather clean and simple . . . and I quite like it because the white background beautifully showcases this little Mo Manning image called "Who, Me?" I sure think this little guy looks like he's been up to "no good" and has just been "caught in the act" . . . hehehe! Hence the sentiment, "Naughty or Nice?" You can find this image HERE in Mo's online store. Here's an extreme close-up . . . 

This little guy reminds me of my boys, especially my eldest son, AJ. He was always into some kind of mischief! And then he'd play the "innocent victim" when he was caught in the act! LOL!! Here's a bit of a side view . . .

 My card "recipe" . . .

Image printed on Cryogen "metallic" cardstock

Whisper White cardstock: Stampin' Up
Embossing folder: Cuttlebug

DPs (inside) "Winter Wonderland" by My Mind's Eye

Raffia, bells, & inside sentiment: My stash
#10 Frilly Square dies: Go Kreate
Tree die: Dee's Distinctively
Sentiment (front): Whimsy
Copic Sketch markers & colored pencils

A peek at the inside . . .

And, of course, the "artistic" angle . . .

So, now you must ask yourself . . . "Have I been naughty or nice?" Me? Well . . . Nice, of course!! Bwahaha-snort-haha!! I crack myself up!!

 

Now . . . please be sure to pop on over to Mo's DP2 Challenge Blog HERE to check out the brilliant projects created by my very talented DT sisters! Then, please join the fun this week at Mo's DP2 Challenge Blog! Just remember to use one (or more) of Mo Manning's images (you can find them in Mo's online store HERE). Oooh . . . and don't forget . . . Mo is giving away one $5.00 voucher at her online stores for every 25 entries! (selected by Random.Org, of course).

Thanks so much for stopping by . . . and, as always, for your kind comments! Until next time . . . hugs . . . .

 

White (and red & green) Christmas!

Ho ho ho . . . and a very happy Tuesday to all of you "sassy" little elves!! Oh oh oh . . . speaking of "sassy" . . . it's time for another fun challenge over at Sassy Cheryl's Challenge Blog!! (That was a brilliant segway, wasn't it?! hehe!) Once again, the very sassy and uber talented Miz Jackie is our hostess! And this week, she wants us to make it a . . .

White Christmas! 

Pretty cool, huh? Although we certainly haven't seen anything resembling snow here in Richmond, Virginia . . . YET!! Soooooo . . . until that happens, I'll just make my own "White Christmas" . . . 

OK . . . so I added a bit of red and green too . . . let's just call that "artistic license," shall we?!  hehe! So, I was browsing at Sassy Cheryl's Digis online store and ran across a Sassy Sally that I didn't have! What the what?! Well, as you can see, I remedied that! This cutie is "Sally Sally, Tangled Up Christmas Caroler," and is available HERE. Here's a close-up . . .

Poor Sally . . . she's always getting into some kind of mischief! She just seems to be a "mischief magnet"!! LOL! Here's a side view . . .

My card "recipe" . . .

Garden Green & Real Red cardstock: Stampin' Up

DPs: "Christmas This & That" by Echo Park

Deckled oval die: Spellbinders
Frilly Square #10 die: Go Kreate
Sentiments: Stampin' Up
Flowers & leaves: Wild Orchid Crafts
Mini jingle bells, ribbon, & pearls: My stash
Polar White Flower Soft
Coarse Glitter: Martha Stewart
Liquid Applique on fur
Copic Sketch markers & various color pencils

A peek at the inside . . .

And, you KNOW I can't do a post without including the "ahhhhtsy fahhhtsy" view (hohoho!) . . .

So, there ya go, my lovelies! MY version of a "White (and red and green) Christmas"!! See, I told you . . . I'm in full Christmas mode!! Okey dokey . . . now please don't forget to visit Sassy Cheryl's Challenge Blog to see what my talented DT sistahs have created using Jackie's fun theme!! Then, we'd love for you to pull out some of your own craft supplies and at least one Sassy Cheryl image and join us for this week's challenge! Oh, and keep in mind . . .

 

One lucky participant, selected at random, will win . . .

TWO Sassy Cheryl Digi Images!

Thanks so much for popping in . . . and for leaving such sweet comments! Until next time . . . ho ho ho!

 

'Tis the Season . . .

Guess what? A friend of mine in Scotland just told me that it's snowing where she lives! And, with her snow and my Christmas songs playing in the background as I craft, I can only say one thing . . . "Tis the Season" . . . .

I have another fun Sugar Nellie DT project to share with you today! And, yessssssss . . . it's another Christmas Card (this makes # 10! Aaacck! )

This sweetheart is called "Fizz" . . . and she's from the "Leanne Ellis" collection of Sugar Nellie stamps. Once again, I've used a stamp that isn't specifically a Christmas stamp . . . but it definitely works! You can find "Fizz" HERE at Funky Kits. Here's a close-up . . .

I added the postmark and ornament stamps to make this image even more festive!! And let me tell ya . . .  this cutie was super easy and super FAST to color! Here's a sort of "side" view . . .

My card "recipe" . . .

Lucky Limeade & Chocolate Chip cardstock: Stampin' up
DPs - "Wonderful Winter" by My Mind's Eye
Sentiment on front: Crafty Impressions

Rhinestones, bells, ribbon, & inside sentiment: My stash
Copics & colored pencils

A peek at the inside . . . I purposely kept it very clean & simple . . . 

And, last but not least . . .

So . . . there ya have it! Christmas Card # 10!! Ohhhhhh . . . I've decided to enter my card into this fortnight's Sugar Bowl Challenge #97 where Wendy has created a fabulous sketch. There's also an optional theme of "A Winter's Tale" . . . and I'm hoping that the Christmas ornaments and "bubbly" qualify! 

 

Oh . . . and one more thing . . . be sure to stop by Sugar Nellie's Blog all this week . . . and don't forget to leave some love (a.k.a. comments) because . . .

 . . . one lucky person will be randomly selected from the comments each day to win a candy bag gift wrapped for Christmas!! So . . . spread the love! Ho ho ho!!

 

Thanks so much for stopping by!! And, as always, for your sweet, sweet comments. Until next time . . . hugs . . . .