Patriots Remembered...

Happy weekend!! I'm beyond excited to be hanging in my craftroom!! And I've finally gotten around to coloring one of the cutest images from Sassy Cheryl's Digis. I love, love, LOVE so many of Cheryl's images because they have such a wonderful "vintage" feel to them...and, as I get older, I feel as though I'M becoming more and more "vintage" myself. LOL!! So...this card is going to our only grandson, Brody, and his dad (my eldest son, Andy), to wish them a happy belated 4th of July! Andy served in the U.S. Navy more than 10 years ago, during the Kosovo Crisis...so I thought it was a perfect card to honor him and all of the other young men and women in the military.

This darling little image is called "Patriots Remembered" and is available HERE at Sassy Cheryl's online store. If you haven't visited Cheryl's store, you really MUST. So many adorable images...and because they're digis...instant gratification! hehehehe!!
 

The DPs are from Bo Bunny's Liberty Collection...and the cardstock is from Stampin' Up, Real Red and Night of Navy. The ribbon is Real Red too, also from SU. I used a scalloped Nestabilities die so I could enter this cutie into this week's Sassy Cheryl's Challenge #71.

I kept this card pretty simple...colored with Copics...and just a few stars cut with Sizzix dies and a few rhinestone stars as embellies. The inside is simple too...no sentiment, just space for a personal note.

That's it for me, kids. I'm off to do more coloring!! Whoohoo!! Have a great weekend! Until next time...

Bronte kisses for just $1.00!!

Hi friends!! Just a quick note to let you know that Mo Manning has another adorable new digi that you simply MUST get!! It's available for just a $1.00!! And...here's the best part...Mo is donating ALL proceeds from the sale of this image and sentiments to the Pet Orphans of Southern California.




Just click here and you'll be magically tranported to Mo's Digital Pencil so you, too, can get this little cutie for your very own digi library...AND help "rescue animals" as an added bonus!

Hope you all have the craftiest weekend ever!! Sending hugs...until next time...

Vintage...with distressing, & lace...oh my!

And a hearty hello to all of you, sweet friends!! Didja have a great week? DH and I had the best 4-day weekend together...just hanging out and living "la vida loca!" We went out to dinner, barbecue'd, saw a movie, went to Barnes & Noble...and I was even able to get a little crafting done!! Good thing too, since it's time for another fabby challenge at Mo's DP2...it's our 90th!!!

This week, our very own clever and talented DT sister, Cathy, has given us quite a fun challenge! She wants us to make a card or paper project using the theme:

Vintage...with distressing, & lace...

Whoo hooo...one of my fave themes!! My biggest challenge was to decide which of Mo's adorable images to choose! So I did a little shopping at Mo's Online Store and here's what I came up with...

She's called Flower Girl! Isn't she so dang adorable??? And such a little "princessa" in her peach and green outfit...and check out those green shoes!!

I colored this little cutie with Copics...and used Always Artichoke cardstock & seam binding (Stampin' Up); Webster's Pages DPs; and lace, flowers, and corner embellishment from Wild Orchid Crafts. I distressed the page edges with my Zutter's Distrezz-it-all and then added distress ink (Vintage Photo) to everything that wasn't nailed down. I even tried to add some to the gold filagree corner...baaad idea! I ended it up with ink all over my hands! So I went to plan  B and "distressed" the gold with some Copic marker! Voila...vintage! Here's a peek at the inside...the "happiness" sentiment is from Stampin' Up (2006).

And finally...

OK...let's all hop on over to Mo's DP2 Challenge Blog and take a peek at the delightful creations by my very talented Design Teamies! Then...pull out your papers and lace...and make your own little creation for this week's challenge! Remember, you must use at least one Mo Manning image...no problem, right?! And you must follow this week's theme!! Oh, I almost forgot...one lucky participant (chosen at random) will win a FREE Mo Manning Digital Image!!!! Yikes...I wanna be YOU!! hehehehe!!

Thanks so much, my lovelies, for stopping by to visit! Have a beautiful week...sending lots of huggggggggs!
until next time....

More "sweets" from Sugar Nellie!

It's the weekend...YAY!!! Didja stop by Sugar Nellie yesterday for the fun Carnival of Color Blog Hop celebrating the new Sugar Nellie stamps and images? Amazing creations, huh?! If you didn't get a chance, it's not too late to pop on over and see what the Sugar Nellie and Sugar Bowl DTs created to help showcase the new stamps...which, by the way, are now available over at Funky Kits!

So...today I have another fun new image from Sugar Nellie...and yes, it's another winter card...that means I have made not one but TWO of my Winter Holiday Cards for 2011! I'm so impressed with myself! LOL!! Take a look at this fluffy puppy propped on the windowsill next to a holiday stocking stuffed with gifts!! The image is called "Special Delivery." How stinkin' cute is he? Brrr...check out the snow! (It's still in the 90's here in Virginia...LOL!)

I have to admit, I don't generally color animals...and I'm not even sure why! But...this image was pure joy to color!! I used Copics and some of my Prismacolor pencils for added depth...here are the Copcs I used:

Puppy...and window frame: E53, 51, 50, & 23; cheeks R20 & 00

Hat, scarf, & red stripe on the present: R08, 05, 02, 01

Stocking: YG07, 05, 03, 00, G21 & 20

Blue present: B23, 21, 000

Snow/sky" BG000

Here's a close-up of this sweet little image...

Once again, I used Liquid Applique for the fur trim. This is the coolest stuff...it's puffs up so easily when you use a heat tool and blow hot air on it...amazing...why, I'd even say it's practically magic! The cardstock is called Poppy Parade and is from Stampin' Up...and the DPs are from Kaiser Craft's "Be Merry Collection." Kind of unconventional reds and greens...but I love 'em!!

I added some jute string...and attached a cute little stocking charm from the Charm Barn...oh...and I used  "Labels Two" Nestabilities Dies. Here's a peek at the inside...

And a close-up of the sentiment...which is from an old, old, OLD (my very first rubber stamps, I think) Stampin' Up stamp set...

And finally...the "artsy" shot...Oh, you KNOW you've been waiting for it! hehehe!

OK...now, if you haven't done so already, you'll want your fingers to RUN not walk over to Funky Kits to check out the fun new images...oh my gosh, you are soooooooo gonna love 'em!! Thanks for stopping by...and have a great rest of the weekend!! Sending sweet hugs...until next time....

Sugar Nellie Blog Hop!!

Happy July 1st, sweet friends!! I am so excited, I can hardly contain myself!! Today is the day we've all been waiting for...and I have to admit, I've been "not so patiently" waiting!!! New Sugar Nellie rubber stamps and digi images come out today!! Whooo hoooo!! And to celebrate, my friend Karen over at Sugar Nellie is hosting a fabulous Carnival of Color BLOG HOP!! And I'm beyond thrilled to be part of it...

Now...before I show you my card, I must warn you that I'm sort of celebrating Winter in July here in Richmond, VA, U.S.A!! (Kinda fun thinking about snow when it's 90+ degrees outside! LOL!) It's true...and for my very first Winter Holiday Card of 2011, I used this darling new Sugar Nellie image,  "Snowbuddies" which is available starting TODAY at Funky Kits! OK...ready? Here we go....

I had such fun coloring these little cuties...DPs are from Bo Bunny and I used the following Copic markers:

Skin: E21, 00, 000

Cheeks: R20

Umbrella: B97, 95, 93, 91, 41, 000

Scarf, socks, & mittens: BG10, 000, B41

Purples: RV99, 95, 93, 91, 10

Shoes: C7, 5, 3, 1

Snowman: C1, 00

Snowman's scarf & hat: R85, 83, 81, RV00

Snowman's nose: YR18, 15, 12, 09, 00

Snowman's cheeks: R01, 00

Here's a close up...so dang cute, huh?!!

I used several fun effects for this sweet little image...

Inkssentials Glossy Accents (for shoes & snowman's buttons and nose)

Liquid Applique for the fur trim (I used a heat tool to make it puffy!)

Polar White Flower Soft (for the snow)

Here's an extreme close-up of these gorgeous flowers which, of course, came from from Wild Orchids Crafts...I spritzed them with some Sheer Shimmer Spritz...trust me, in real life they look delish!!

This card is 5 1/2" x 5 1/2"...and is cut into a Gatefold design. I haven't made one of these in a while...I'd forgotten how much fun they are! That gorgeous metal filagree corner is also from Wild Orchid Crafts! Oh...can you see the fun snowflakes? They're made with a Martha Stewart punch and decorated with Stardust Stickles and blue diamonds (er, just kidding...I mean "blue rhinestones"!)

And here's a peek at the inside...pretty simple...if you look closely, you may be able to notice that I embossed the sides with a "snow" embossing folder. The snowflake die is from Spellbinders, and the rhinestone snowflakes are from my stash. Oh...and the sentiment is from Whimsy Stamps.

Now...in case you were wondering, there is a method to my madness (and this long post)! While you're reading this, I'm filling my shopping cart over at Funky Kits. No worries, tho...I promise to leave some of the fun new stamps for you!

And, last but not least...the "artsy view"...

Thanks so much for hanging in there for this long (but extremely entertaining) post...you've been a real trooper!! Now...it's time to hop on over to the very, very talented Jane's blog...which is your next stop in today's fun Sugar Nellie Blog Hop...

OK...now that I've made my purchases...you can pop on over to Funky Kits and fill up your own shopping cart!! Have fun shopping...I know I did!! hehehe! Thanks so much for stopping by... and be sure to come back tomorrow when I'll have another fun card using one of the new Sugar Nellie images!! Remember to put on your scarf and mittens! brrrrrr! Warm hugs...until next time...

What's a tuffet?

Well...I'm not entirely sure...but I think Little Miss Muffet, here, is sitting on one...eating curds and whey. Hey...wait a minute...curds and whey?! Are you kidding me?! What language were they using when they wrote that nursery rhyme anyway?! Here's what I think...I think this cutie was sitting on an ottoman eating some oatmeal...and a spider came down...probably because the Housework Fairy hadn't visited in a while...

Soooooo...enough silliness...what? No way! One can never have too much silliness in life!! But...I digress...it's Thursday and that means it's time for another fun challenge at Mo's DP2!! Lisa is our "Hostess with the Mostest" again this week...and she's decided that we should all make some kind of paper project (card, 3D project, etc.) inspired by a book or a story...so here's what I came up with....

Now, I'm pretty sure that a Nursery Rhyme is just a teeny, tiny story with words that rhyme...so, in my mind, it fits this week's theme! hehehehe!! Here are a couple of side views...

I used Very Vanilla  and Chocolate Chip cardstock from Stampin' Up...and some delightful DPs from Prima's "Jack & Jill" collection. The Very Vanilla seam binding is also from SU; pearls came from my stash. Those gorgeous flowers and that beautiful 14 karat gold filagree corner (just checking to see if you were paying attention! LOL!!) came from one of my fave online stores, Wild Orchids Crafts! here's a peek at the inside...the "milk 'n sugar" charm came from the Charm Barn.

 

It's been a while since I made a pocket card...so I thought it would be fun to add a pocket and a tag...I used one of my Marianne Designs "Creatables" tag dies. And...here's a close-up of the sentiment (from Stampin' Up)...which is just a wee bit whimsical!

So, there ya go, my lovelies! Now it's your turn. Put on your thinking caps and come up with a card or paper project inspired by a book or a story. Be sure to use a Mo Manning image...check out Mo's online store...there are so many fun images that will work! Then enter your paper "masterpiece" into this week's challenge at Mo's DP2. And guess what else? One lucky participant, selected at random, will win a free Mo Manning digi image!! How cool is that?! But before you start crafting...be sure to pop on over to Mo's DP2 and take a peek at what my clever DT sisters have created for this week's inspiration!

Thanks so much for stopping by to see what kind of trouble I've been up to...and thanks for your sweet comments on my cards. Sending hugs your way...until next time.... 

School's out for the summer!

Better get your toothbrushes out because we have a bunch of sugar for you to sink your teeth into today! Yep...it's time for another fun challenge at Sugar Nellie's Sugar Bowl! I tell ya, I am such a fan of Sugar Nellie stamps...and, just so you know, on July 1st, Funky Kits will debut a whole new batch of sugary stamps and digi images! So be sure you check 'em out! I've seen just a few samples...and let me just say...they're DEEEEELISH! But, please, please leave some for me! OK?

 Now...back to challenge # 63 at the Sugar Bowl...

For this fortnight's challenge, our very own talented DT Sweetie, Erika, has given us a fantabulous sketch...with "Make your own flowers" as the theme!

Cool sketch, huh?! Well...rule breaker that I am, I actually only used ONE flower...but it's a BIG one...so I'll pretend it counts! LOL! I made my funky flower with Magnolia "Doohickey" dies and added a fun little brad from Stampin' Up. Here's my card...and I think it's just adorable! hehehe!

I just love all of Krista Smith's Simply Sassy images...and, of course, Funky Kits is the ONLY place you can get these cutie patooties in rubbah!! This darlin's name is "Winking Student"...and she's available, along with the entire line of Simply Sassy stamps (as well as about a kabillion other fabulous Sugar Nellie stamps and digi images) at Funky Kits. Here are a couple of side views...

I think (although I can't say with absolute certainty) that these DPs are from October Afternoon. Wherever I got them...I need MORE because I love 'em!! The red cardstock is Real Red from Stampin' Up; the matching ribbon is also from SU. I really do enjoy the wider ribbon...makes such deliciously decadent bows! The "friend" stamp is from Rubber Stampede. Here's a peek at the inside...

If you zoom in, you can see that I used a fun "script" embossing folder for the top half. Seemed to fit! I left plenty of room for a personal note...the charm is from my stash (I get most of my charms from Bunny Zoes and from The Charm Barn.)

OK, sugar lovers...you know what comes next, right? It's time to visit the Sugar Bowl and be "wow'd" by my fellow DT Sweeties' paper creations. Then get busy making your own paper masterpiece! Be sure to use a Sugar Nellie stamp or digi image...follow Erika's sketch...and add some flowers that you made with your own two clever little hands. Why? So that you'll be eligible for a fabulous prize, of course! That's right...one lucky participant...selected at random, of course, will win FOUR SUGAR NELLIE STAMPS! An amazing prize, right?! Well...hold onto your hats because it gets better!! If we have 100 participants for this fortnight's challenge, the prize increases to SIX SUGAR NELLIE STAMPS! You can read all about it over at the Sugar Bowl!!

Have a great time crafting sweet friends...and invite your friends to play along too!! Oh...and don't forget to stop by Sugar Nellie's Blog on July 1st. (Yikes...that's TOMORROW!!) for the fun Carnival of Color Blog Hop introducing the new Sugar Nellie stamps!

That's it for me...Thanks so much for visiting...and for always leaving such sweet comments. Enjoy your crafting, my sweets! Sending hugs your way...until next time....

Tilda goes "shabby chic"

Hi fellow Maggie lovers!! I hope you've had a great couple of weeks! I can hardly believe it's the 4th Tuesday of June already! I have no idea where the month has gone! I do know this, tho...it's time for another fabulous challenge at Magnolia-licious Challenge Blog!! Whoohoooo!! So...our very popular and talented DT sister, Paola, is our hostess again...and she's chosen a photo of this shabby chic-looking bedroom...well, it looks shabby chic to me! (That's my story and I'm stickin' to it! LOL!)

Gorgeous, huh? So...here's what I came up with for this month's Inspiration Challenge...

Cardstock is from Stampin' Up (Very Vanilla) and DCWV; DPs are from the Gossamer Collection (Memory Box); the deeelish flowers are from Wild Orchids Crafts. And of course the Tilda in Rubber Boots stamp is available from Magnolia-licious, my fave online store for all things Magnolia!!

Here are a couple of side views...I paper-pieced Tilda's dress...and used a generous amount of Tim Holtz's Picket Fence Distress Crackle Paint to shabby things up a bit! I like the look alot...but I have to admit,  it seems almost illegal to cover up this gorgeous paper with paint! LOL!

The Seam binding came from The Ribbon Girl...and the pearls are from my stash. Ready for a peek at the inside? You'll notice I used another fun Maggie...this one is called Lying Tilda...she's also from Magnolia-licious! Sentiment is from Stampin' Up.

Here's a list of the Copics used to color these little darlins'...

Skin: E21, 00, 000, 0000

Cheeks: R20

Hair: E25, 23, 21, 51, 50, YR21

Blue greens: BG72, 10, 000, 0000, B0000

Pinks: RV34, 32, 00, 000

OK...now pop on over to Magnolia-licious Challenge Blog and take a peek at the gorgeous creations by my exceptionally talented DT sistahs!! You won't be disappointed, I promise!! Then get your crafting goodies out and start on your own paper project. Remember...Diana Crick, owner of Magnolia-licious, has generously donated a $25.00 gift voucher for one lucky challenge participant (selected at random). Thanks so much for stopping by to see what I've been up to. Now...go...have fun!! Until next time....

Shabby chic...

Hi friends...this is going to be the quickest post in history!! My sweet hubby is downstairs waiting for the sous chef (that would be me) to help with dinner! Now, for those of you who know me, you'll find that ever so humorous...since I don't cook...let me rephrase that...I don't enjoy cooking!! LOL!! I do enjoy crafting, tho...and here's a little card I put together for a couple of challenges...

Lili of the Valley (following Donalda's fun sketch)

and

Wild Orchids Crafts (theme: shabby chic friendship)

...so here's my entry...only one photo since the sunlight was quickly fading...

I painted the metal filagree corner (from WOC) with Tim Holtz Tattered Rose Crackle Paint...then sponged on a bit of Creamy Caramel ink (Stampin' Up). I actually got this fabulous "painted metal corner" idea from Dena over at LOTV...I've used it a couple of times and quite like the effect. Thanks Dena...you rock! DPs are from English Rose Collection (Kaiser Craft)...CS is Very Vanilla and River Rock (from SU). These gorgeous flowers are from WOC, of course...and the rest of the fun embellies came from my stash. The image...well, it's LOTV...colored with Copics! I love, love, love LOTV images...and, once I'm a fulltime stay at home crafter, (in just 4 weeks...hooray!), I'll be making lots and lots of cards just for fun! YAY!!

OK...that's it for me. Thanks for stopping by...and for your kind comments. Hugs...until next time....

I believe in FAIRIES!!

...and I'm hoping the Housework Fairy stops by my house sooner than later!! The dust bunnies are mutiplying at warp speed!! LOL!!

Seriously...have you ever seen such a cute image? Well, of course, this little Housework Fairy is the brainchild of the very, very talented Mo Manning!! I couldn't wait to color this cutie patootie...and decided that this week's challenge at Mo's would be perfect for her!!

Our hostess this week is our talented Design Teamie, Lisa, who has come up with the most delightful theme...

Flowers, Flutters, Fairies, Fancy folds...

use any or all!

So I chose the "all" option...here's my little card for this week's challenge...

 

How much fun is this little sweetheart? I love her...and I made this card especially for my sweet sister, Dee. She loves to vacuum (crazy, I know!)...but, like me, she'd LOVE this little fairy mama to pop on over and take care of the dusting! hehehe!! I wanted to try a different kind of fold...so I found the directions for this Joy Fold Card on Splitcoast Stampers and went to town, so to speak! And, let me say...this fold is such fun and so easy to make!

I used Lavender Lace and Certainly Celery cardstock from Stampin Up...and my DPs came from Prima's "Sweet Fairy" collection. And, of course, she was colored with my fave Copics. Lots of Stardust Stckles and some gorgeous lavender pearls added some fun bling...because Housework Fairies simply MUST have their BLING, ya know!! LOL! Oh...and don'tcha just love this sentiment? I found it at Stamping Bella!!

And, last but not least...

So there ya go, kids. Now...head on over to Mo's DP2 and take a peek at what Lisa and the rest of my DT sisters have created this week for inspiration!! Then pull out your papers and crayons (or whatever crafting supplies you "fancy") and come up with your own little masterpiece using a Mo Manning image and this week's theme. And, you never know, you may just win yourself one of Mo's amazingly fun digi images!!

Thank you so much for stopping by for a visit...and a special thanks for your kind comments. They really do make my day. Sending hugs...until next time...