Our Mad House

Halloween Door Hanger

2011-10-30T00:01:00.010-07:00

I started with an inspiration from the Sept/Oct issue of PaperCrafts Magazine (from page 60 if you have it). I loved the idea of a holiday door or wall hanger. My project ended up being 12" tall by 4" wide if you want to make one of your own.

I took the cardboard from some empty cereal boxes and double layered for extra thickness. I than cut some black paper from the Bazzill Dotted Swiss Pack and filed it down to make the dots pop. Using my Spellbinders Labels 18, I cut out the largest shape on a sheet of orange paper from my Echo Park Apothecary paper pack. I trimmed off the edges and added it to the top and bottom of my hanger.

I took a cream piece of paper from my stash and traced the edges of it with my copic YR18 for some added pop and added 3 squares of paper from the Echo Park Apothecary pack. I added holes and eyelets with my big bite as the thickness of the cardboard and paper made it a little difficult with my cropadile.

I added buttons from my stash and colored some white ribbon with my Copic 110 to add some black. I printed the sentiment for free from here, trimmed and lined it with some left over black paper and used Kool Tak to make the sentiment pop up.

Then for extra, I went over the sentiment with my Spicas and the birds in the trees.

Hope you like it!!

Image: PaperCrafts Magazine Trick or Treat

Paper: Bazzill Dotted Swiss, Echo Park Apothecary

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics, Spicas

Embellishments: Spellbinders Labels 18,
Other: ATG, Big Shot, File Set, Kool TAC, Big Bite, Scor-Tape
Stash: buttons, ribbon, eyelets, cardboard, cream paper

Echo Park Blog Hop!

2011-09-23T08:29:00.000-07:00

Hello and Welcome to the Cutters Creek Design Team Blog Hop! Today's hop features one of our favorite paper companies, Echo Park Paper! Each member of the Cutters Creek Design Team has created special projects using some of our favorite collections from Echo Park! When you are done checking here you will hop on over to Kim's Blog and there you will find the link to the next blog in the chain!

The first card is 3 1/2" square in size. I used the the more basics designs from the Echo Park -Country Drive pack.

Image: none
Paper: Echo Park -Country Drive

Ink: none
Embellishments: Pearls, Martha Stewart Punch
Other: ATG, Copic R35, Big Shot, 3D Foam

This second card is 4"x4 3/4"

Image: Stampin' Up -retired
Paper: Echo Park -Country Drive, stash

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Embellishments: Ribbon from stash
Other: ATG, Big Shot, 3D Foam, Labels 18

thanks so much for looking!! And if you got lost along the way, here is the hop order:

Cutters Creek Blog (Chris)

Mandie's Blog
Lori's Blog
Deanna's Blog
Mindy's Blog
Laura's Blog
Melissa's Blog
Kim's Blog

Congrats Card

2011-08-05T23:59:00.003-07:00

So I made a really simple congrats card for a bride and groom. The total card size is 3 1/2x 4 1/2. So it's great to slip in with a gift.

I started coloring this adorable image from InStyle Stamps; the Wedding Couple. I colored in all grays to make it classic looking. Once done, I used my Labels Three to cut out the area around their faces.

I sanded my base paper which came from the Cosmo Cricket Core'dinations pack. I than used my Big Shot again on leaves from the Foliage set. I used some paper flowers from my stash and used some Gold Liquid Pearls for added effect.

What do you think?

thanks for looking!!

Image: Wedding Couple -InStyle Stamps

Paper: Bazzill Simply Smooth, Core'dinations
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics,
Embellishments: Liquid Pearls
Other: ATG, Glue Pen, Spellbinders: Foliage and Labels Three, Big Shot
Stash: Kaisercraft paper flowers: cream

Groom Hair: T1, T3, T4, T6
Skin: T0, T1
Dress: C1, C2
Veil: C00, C1
Flowers: R83, R85, E04, YG91, YG93, YG95

Christmas In July

2011-07-29T23:59:00.002-07:00

So I decided to revamp a Christmas card idea I have had for quite awhile. I started with a snowflake border on my computer for a 5x5 card and cut it out using my Cricut.

After I cut the image, I ran the paper through my Big Shot with the Cuttlebug Snowflakes folder and again with my Lace Tree folder to soften the snowflake impressions slightly.

I used some red glitter from my stash to bring out the snowflake design. I wouldn't recommend glitter for an area this large as it gets messy! For future cards, I will use the American Crafts glitter card-stock. It cuts cleanly and there is no glitter residue to be found weeks later on another project :o)

After the glitter was added I glued my embossed/cut image to the card. It was still missing something, so I sprayed some Lily Pad glimmer mist on a tissue and ran the tissue over the raised image of my tree. Once it was dry, I sprayed the front of the card with Dazzling Diamonds glimmer mist to add overall shimmer. Doesn't it look pretty?

For the next step, make sure your card is completely dry! I didn't check and noticed after the fact and had some ink running. I used 3 different Perfect Pearls to accent "ornaments" on the tree. What do you think?? Definitely a lot of work for a Christmas card, but you are waiting for the card to dry so much in between that it is actually pretty easy to reproduce like a production line.

thanks for looking!

Image: n/a

Paper: Bazzill Simply Smooth
Ink: Glimmer Mist: Lily Pad, Dazzling Diamonds
Embellishments: Perfect Pearls: Emerald Green, Ruby Red, White Opal
Other: ATG, Big Shot, Cuttlebug -Lace Tree (retired), Snowflakes, Cricut
Stash: red glitter

Copic Organization

2011-07-27T00:01:00.000-07:00

So I just got the best thing EVER!!! I was able to order 2 Copic Wallets from Cutterscreek and they came in this weekend! I love how much more accessible my markers are now. I have 2 completely full and am working on filling a third one. Bytheway, I have the 72 count wallets. Don't they look cool? Plus I found out it holds sketch, ciao and original markers so I have them all in one place now! I am so excited!!!

Summer Birthday Cards

2011-07-25T00:01:00.004-07:00

So I was looking through my Color Inspiration Magazine that came out earlier this year and I got an idea. Not so much the colors but the layout. If you have it, it's on page 46 - Spread Sunshine. I just love this simplicity of it, so here are some simple birthday cards I came up with.

I really like the look of white ink on black paper, so I wanted the white to look a little messy on the embossed images. The first card I used Flourished Frame and added the white ink and flowers after stamping my words on some Kraft paper from my scrap paper. Who says brown and black don't go together :o) I topped it with someCuttersCreek branded and Prima flowers.

This card I also embossed, but with one of the images from the Organic Flourish Collection. I also used white to enhance the embossed image but no where else. I just really like the simple feel to it. Both cards took maybe 10 minutes total so this was perfect for a card in a hurry or making some for your stash of birthday cards. And they look completely different!

thanks for looking!

Image: Stampin' Up -retired
Paper: stash

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, white ink from stash
Embellishments: Prima Flowers: Dimmet, Aurora. CC Flowers: Aqua Marine, B, W, G. Organic Flourishes, Flourished Frame.
Other: ATG, Glue Dots, Big Shot

Copic Portfolio

2011-07-18T00:01:00.057-07:00

So I decided to update my Copic Portfolio with an image I used quite a bit by *Princess Elemmiriel. Using my copics I colored my image focusing on lighting. I have the sun coming from the upper right, so the shadows would be on the right of the body and more specific areas like where her waist is bent, the arm slightly covered by her dress, where her hair covers her face and dress, her nose, and what would not be hit directly by the light.

Definitely one of my favorite images to color. The main reason I put this image in my portfolio is because of the size. Usually when I color this image, I tend to use a larger version and the card ends up around 5x7. This image was printed at 2x3 so it was a challenge to color with the shading at so small a size. I really like how it turned out. Are you working on a portfolio? It is a good reference tool and it helps you have a comparison of how much your coloring has progressed from when you start. It is also a good way to keep track of favorite color combos, techniques and samples you have made. I tend to color two of every image I use as it helps me practice in a way, but also I can get two cards done at once but that also can turn out so differently from one another.

thanks for looking!

Image: *Princess Elemmiriel
Paper: Bazzill Simply Smooth,

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics, Copic Multiliner
Embellishments:
Other: ATG,
Stash: green paper

Mother's Day Cards

2011-06-30T00:01:00.000-07:00

So I just thought I would share some of the cards I made this year for Mother's Day.

Enjoy!!

thanks for looking!!

New Birthday Card

2011-06-28T00:01:00.001-07:00

Hi! I'm keeping it really simple today since I'm having some technical difficulties with my internet . . . But, I decided for my favorite item this month to use my Graphic 45 Once Upon a Springtime paper - -I have been using this for everything! I kid you not!!

I used some scraps of my Cosmo Cricket paper for the background and sanded it. Over this is one of the images in the back of the paper pack. I popped out the center image and used pop dots to raise it slightly. I then added some of the fantastic CuttersCreek and Prima flowers to add some contrast. It was still missing something, so I used my new love, stickles, on the wings. I love how it makes them look 3 dimensional too!!

I hope you like it!!!

Stamps: none
Paper: Graphic 45, Cosmo Cricket
Ink: none
Embellishments: Stickles, CuttersCreek: Aquamarine; Prima Flowers:Splash
Other: ATG, Scor-Pal
Stash: Pop Dots

Miss Anya Dressy

2011-05-29T23:59:00.001-07:00

So, I decided to try again with a purple colored card. I think this one went a little smoother :o) I started with one of the images from the Miss Anya Dressy Collection - -I love these images by The Greeting Farm! I also stamped it on a post it so I could stamp the leaves and flowers without worrying about my image being ruined.

I colored my image with my copics and used B000 and G0000 to blend in the background as sky and grass - - just very light colors, but enough to show the white edges on the Curved Rectangle where is was embossed. The background paper is from Prima Reflections and I used different papers in the collection for the butterflies as well.

Hope you like it!!

Image: Miss Anya Dressy- TGF, Flutterby Friend- PTI

Paper: Bazzill Simply Smooth, Prima Reflections,
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics,
Embellishments: Martha Stewart Punch (Stash)
Other: ATG, 1/4" Scor-Tape, Glue Pen, Curved Rectangles, Big Shot
Stash: Purple Cardstock, Post-it Notes

Hair: E11, E97, E99, E19
Skin: E50, E00, E21, E11
Dress: BV0000, V93, V95, V99
Flowers: Y000, Y11, Y15
Leaves: YG13, YG17, YG23
Background: G0000, B000
Shadows: N0, N1, N3

Scrappy Frogs Birthday Challenge

2011-05-22T11:52:00.000-07:00

So for the Scrappy Frogs Challenge, we needed to go with a birthday theme. Perfect timing as my niece turned 8 this week. I have to say too that this card really challenged me. I don't really color with purple which is one of her favorite colors. So this was very enlightening for me as to what colors go and don't go together as I tend to use blues and greens in my cards.

Anyways, her mom and dad gave her an iPod shuffle so it was only fitting that we get her an iTunes card to rock out to music with; this PMS image was perfect! The guitar was a little iffy for me as well when coloring as I used colors I tradionally use for hair. But I think overall it worked. I didn't really add any embellishments as I figure the fabulous glitter paper speaks for itself!

Hope you enjoy! And don't forget to check out what the other designers created here.

Image: Moody For Rock -PMS
Paper: PTI, American Crafts Glitter- Silver
Ink: Epson Printer, Copics, Atyou Spicas
Embellishments: none
Other: ATG, Pop Dots, Label 18, Big Shot
Stash: Black Cardstock

Hair/Strap: T0, T2, T4, T6, T7
Skin: E50, E00, E11
Eyes: Lavendar Spica
Guitar: E31, E33, E97, E99, E37
Accents: V93, V95, V99
Dress/Barrettes: BV01, BV02, BV13

Anime Card

2011-05-18T23:59:00.004-07:00

So today, I wanted to show some really simple, lovely cards I made using one of the oriental weave embossing folders from Cuttlebug. I was trying to think of an image that would compliment the embossing folder. So I went to my favorite site for anime images; http://www.deviantart.com/

I LOVE this site. One of my favorite artists is Princess Elemmiriel. She has the most gorgeous line art to color. I chose Lady Rose Dragon . . . I can't tell you how many cards and miscellaneous items I have made with this image in particular. So while I waited for my printer ink to dry - -you can never wait too long - -I embossed a beautiful Jade Green and a Silver Gray paper from Core'dinations Gemstone pack with my oriental weave embossing folder. I would highly recommend this paper as well! I centered them on some back cardstock from my stash and started coloring my images. Bytheway, these cards are the standard A2 size :o)

So I tried to stay with complimentary colors to the papers I chose. You don't have to use all the colors I did to get the same effect; I just started tossing in colors while I was playing. I really tried for a dramatic look with the eyes and lined them with a multiliner and with spicas. What do you think?

Hair: YR000, E50, E21, E11, E97, E99, E37, E29

Skin: E50, E00, E21
Eyes: G20, YG11, YG17
Makeup: R12, R02, R32, Pitch Black Spica, Peach, Clear
Hairband/Trim: Y32, Y35, Y17
Dress: BG10, BG11, BG23, BG13
Flowers: RV02, R12, R02, R32, R35
Shadows: C00, C1

Hair: C00, C1, C2, C4, N4, N6, N9, 0- Blender
Skin: E50, YR000, E00, YR01
Eyes: G20, YG11, YG17
Makeup: R12, RV91, RV93, Pitch Black Spica, Peach, Clear, Silver
Hairband/Trim: N1, N4, N6
Dress: BG10, BG11, BG23, BG13, BG45
Flowers: BV0000, BV00, BV02
Shadows: C00, C1

thanks for looking!!!

Image: Lady Rose Dragon by PrincessElemmiriel

Paper: Bazzill Simply Smooth, Core'dination Gemstone,

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics, 0.1 Multiliner, Atyou Spicas

Embellishments: Liquid Pearls

Other: ATG, 1/4" Scor-Tape, Cuttlebug Oriental Weave

Stash: Black Cardstock

Easter Card

2011-04-19T21:00:00.001-07:00

So I am trying so new techniques I learned at the Copic Intermediate Certification and decided to use the Miss Anya Dressy Collection as the stamps leave so much open for interpretation as far as shading and placement. Making an Easter card I decided she should be sitting on the edge of a basket. There was a lot of stamping and post-it notes involved; just as a reminder or hint, make sure you wash your hands between cutting the image on the post- it note and placing it on your stamped image. Ink spreads in case you didn't know :o)

I used the Linear Light template from Marianne Walker's Shadows and Shading Book to determine my light source to create a more realistic picture; the upper right side. Now, I colored my images paying attention to shadows and cast shadows in particular. Cast shadows are shadows created by an object being reflected on another surface. Does it look like shadows of her legs on the basket and her hair and side on the eggs?

I cut out the stamp using Curved Rectangles, embossed the edges and placed this over some Graphic 45 paper to make it pop! I than took some Core'dinations paper and sanded it to use as my card base. I stamped 'happy' on the top right, 'Easter' is on the inside, and used the new Prima Flowers as a corner accent. What do you think overall?

Stamps: TGF- Miss Anya Dressy, CTMH Eastertime (Stash)
Paper: Bazzill Simply Smooth, Graphic 45, Cosmo Cricket
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics
Embellishments: Prima Flowers: Aurora. Splash
Other: ATG, Curved Rectangles, Embossing Mat, Scor-Pal

Stash: Post-It Notes, Shadows and Shading Book by Marianne Walker

Basket: E21, E34, E44
Sky:    G0000
Eggs:     BV0000, BV00, BV11, BV04
             R30, R32, R35
             Y11, Y32, Y35
Grass:   YG23, YG03, YG17
Skin:    E50, E00, E11, E13
Hair:     E11, E13, E17, E19
Dress:   B00, B14, B16, B26
Trim:    BG10, GB11, GB23

Woohoo!

2011-04-17T15:48:00.001-07:00

So I am officially Intermediate Certified for Copics! The class was fantastic!! I loved everything about it and it really challenged my coloring skills. I can now say I am thinking outside the box and trying to give a more realistic/crisp approach to my coloring rather than blending everything to look softer.

Bear with me as this is as new to me as it will be to you. Please let me know what you think of the new coloring techniques I am using in future!

thanks!

Thank You!!

2011-03-28T17:33:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to say "thank you" to everyone who stopped by for the blog hop this last weekend. Your comments are SOOOOO appreciated! I cannot say thank you enough or tell you just how uplifting and motivating they were. I am so glad I am able to share my cards with you and humbled that so many stopped to look!!

THANK YOU!!!

I'm gonna need to start looking for blog candy to give away soon too . . . . .

CC DT Spring Blog Hop

2011-03-25T21:01:00.002-07:00

Welcome to the Cutters Creek Spring Blog Hop! All of our designers have created some wonderful Spring projects featuring products that you can purchase at the Cutters Creek Store! If you would like to start from the beginning head on over the the Cutters Creek Design Team Blog. Each blog along the way will have a link to the next blog in the chain. Don't forget to make sure you are following each of our personal blogs and leaving comments along the way to enter to win a box full of CHA Swag!!!!

So I decided to use a favorite stamp of mine, Wishing Well. After stamping I decided to color using my copics, with the sun coming from the top right corner. For the background, I wanted it to look similar to sunrise; that soft glow in the sky where the light gradually becomes brighter. So I used my copics again to try and get an airbrushed background with the airbrush! Used a few more green colors to add random grass as a horizon and some butterflies to add a more spring feel to it. I also added some clear accents to the well to give it a 3D look for "water".

Lastly I added my Flower Soft and assembled. It only took about 5 minutes to dry which was great! So here it is!

thanks for looking!!

Next, hop on over to Lori's Blog and check out the awesome project that she has for you!

Here's the line up of blogs if you get lost :o) :

Cutters Creek Design Team Blog
Mandie's Blog
Kim's Blog
Mindy's Blog
Laura's Blog
Melissa's Blog - you're here
Lori's Blog
Vicki's Blog

Stamps: FlowerSoft Wishing Well, PTI Butterfly Dreams

Paper: Bazzill Simply Smooth, Graphic 45

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics, PTI Hawaiian Shores

Embellishments: FlowerSoft -Heather

Other: FlowerSoft Glue, ATG

Stash: corner rounder, purple background paper, clear accents
Wood: E40, E42, E31, E34, E33, E37, E29
Well: E40, E70, E74, N1, N3, N4 , N6
Grass: G12, YG91, YG93, YG63
Sky: G0000, B000, BV0000, V0000, YR000

Pinwheel Card

2011-03-20T22:01:00.001-07:00

So today I am sharing a super easy card with no stamping involved; took me less than 10 minutes from start to finish! You absolutely have to try this! It is simple and quick for mass production or just a quick card on the go. I got the idea from my good friend KellyRae. She got it from here (video included).

Here is what I started with:
A base card of 3.5" x 5" -slightly smaller than the standard A2 card already run through my big shot with the Swirls Embossing Folder.
8- 1 1/4" squares in two different patterns
2- 2 5/8" squares as my base
Embellishment -Prima Say It In Pearls
1/4" Scor Tape

Start with putting your adhesive on the papers; make sure the tape goes in the same corner for the 1 1/4" squares on the back side of the paper. As you can see in my pic, I didn't follow the steps on the first try :o)

Next add tape to one 2 5/8" square and place the other square across it, twisted.

Now add your first square. The rest is easy! Just alternate the color or pattern papers aligning it with the corner of the base card stock. For the last piece, you simply lift the edge of the first piece you laid down and work the last piece in so it is layered. Very, very easy to do.

And here is the end result of the layering. Hmm, I think I need to change my trimmer blades . . . . .

I than added an embellishment in the center and used Scor-Tape again to adhere it to the card base. I chose the smaller card base of 3 1/2" x 5" as I wanted the Pinwheel to dominate the card front so all of my stamping can be on the inside. Think it worked?

Stamps: none!

Paper: Graphic 45, PTI Aqua Mist & Ocean Tides

Ink: none!

Embellishments: Prima Say it in Pearls, Burlap & Swirls

Other: Scor-Tape, Paper Trimmer

Melissa's Fairy Tale Card

2011-03-10T00:01:00.002-07:00

So I wanted to show some new products that Cutters Creek now has and what better way than making a card! I started with the Graphic 45 Once Upon A Springtime Paper. I have never used their paper before and I can honestly say I cannot wait to buy more! This card was a learning curve for me and I loved it!!

I have a tendency to lean towards mythical in stamps and papers and this just fell right into my element. I loved the fairy and butterfly theme in this collection and was trying to find the perfect stamp set to complement it. I came across a new stamp set from In Style Stamps; Fairy Tales. Perfect! There is an image of Thumbelina that would work perfectly with the fairy theme.

I wanted to make the wings pop from the paper and also just add a shimmer effect to the stamped image but I wanted something more popping than the subtlety of Spicas; Stickels! They were the product of the month for February and I have never used them before. I really like how it gave the fairy wings a realistic look and added a fantastic feel to the Thumbelina image.

I love how I was able to blend the Graphic 45 paper with some from my stash for the inside of the card.

Let me know what you think!!

Stamps: In Style Stamps Fairy Tales, SU! Well Scripted (No longer available)

Paper: Bazzill Simply Smooth, Graphic 45

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics, Atyou Spicas

Embellishments: Stickles -Tropical Tangerine, Diamond

Other: Glue Dots, ATG

Stash: corner rounder, green background paper
Skin: E50, E00, R12, Peach, Sky Blue Spica
Dress: BV0000, BV00, BV11, Lavender Spica
Hair: E42, E31, E34
Leaves: YG11, YG13, YG17, YG63
Flower: YR000, YR01, E02

Copic Tutorial

2011-02-28T00:01:00.012-07:00

So I wanted to share with you how I color my images. I am using an image from The Greeting Farm, Miss Anya Collection. I LOVE these images. They are so versatile and adorable! Usually I use the feathering technique when I color hair, but because the image is so detailed I will just blend the colors today. I am also using my favorite color combinations today so you may see them a lot on my projects. This project can also be found on the CuttersCreek Design Team Blog.

Just click on the pictures for a larger view. I started with E11 on her hair, deciding the sun is coming from the upper left of the picture. I than added E97 and E99. Then I went and added additional layers until I received the blending I was looking for. If you have any questions on this process let me know and I will put a video together.

For her dress, I started with BG10. I want her dress to look like a satin texture; extremely light colored but dark where there are shadows or creases in the fabric so I colored with deliberate white areas showing. BG11 was next, with BG23 following. BG13 was last as it is the darkest of the four colors and was only added close to the skin and basket. I went over with BG11 to blend in the darker colors. For her socks, I used BG11 and BG23 and blended with BG10 to give it the same satin feel. BG18 was added on the ribbon for the dress.

The flowers were very simple. I started with Y000, added Y11 and lastly YR21 and Y35 to the very bottom of the flowers. I used the clear spica on the very tops of the flowers to add a little shimmer. Next the leaves, YG11, YG13 and a little amount of YG17.

Last was the skin. The pics are a little out of sequence and I apologize for that. I started with E50 around the edges of the face, arms and legs. I than added E00 under the bang and forhead, inner arms and legs under the basket. E21 added in the same areas as E00 but in a less amount. I than used R12 (separate picture) to add color for her cheeks; I want to make her look sunkissed. Lastly, I went back to E50 and blend, blend, blend.

Here is the card finished. Very simple, but I like it :o) I used vellum for the paper behind her that was colored with BV02 to make the image pop a little more.

And here is the image completed. You'll notice the colors are a little more bold as the ink has settled and dried at this point. I went over the image with my spicas (LOVE these!) and added pitch black to her shoes and eye lashes, and peach above her eyes as an eye shadow and clear on her hair dress and flowers.

thanks for looking!!!

Stamps: TGF Miss Anya Collection, SU! Well Scripted (No longer available)

Paper: Bazzill Simply Smooth, Prima Paper

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics, Atyou Spicas

Stash: corner rounder, vellum
Skin: E50, E00, E21, R12, Peach, Pitch Black Spica
Dress/Socks: BG10, BG11, BG23, BG13, BG18, Clear Spica
Hair: E11, E97, E99, Clear Spica
Basket: E31, E33, E44
Leaves: YG11, YG13, YG17
Flowers: Y000, Y11, YR21, Y35, Clear Spica
Vellum: BV02

Simple Valentine's Card

2011-01-28T18:19:00.001-07:00

I decided to make a very simple Valentine's Card for my 4 year old niece. Isn't this image adorable? I found it here. I had so much fun coloring this!! I was able to use the Feathering technique as well as the Dirty Rag Technique. Can you tell where I used them? I actually used a sponge instead of a rag too!

I feathered her hair (I wish the picture could show the detail). Then I used the sponge sprayed with Blending Solution on the hat and shirt to add some texture.

I just tried to keep this very simple so that it could be easily duplicated if needed for school too!

Hope you enjoyed looking!!

Skin: E50, E00, E21, YR01, RV00, R12

Eyes: B00, B02, B04, Clear Spica, Smooch

Skirt, Hat, Hearts: RV91, RV93, V95, Melon Spica

Shirt: E97, E99, E09

Shoes: E17, E37, E29

Leaves: G20, YG11, YG13, YG17

Hair: E40, E42, E70, E31

thanks for looking!!!

Supplies Used:
Stamps: SU! Well Scripted (No longer available)
Paper: Dotted Swiss MultiPack
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics, Atyou Spicas, Smooch

Stash: corner rounder

Whiff of Joy Card

2011-01-22T16:02:00.000-07:00

So I thought I would try for the Whiff of Joy Guest DT spot that Katharina has posted on her blog. I used one of my favorite WOJ Elizabeth Bell Stamp from the Blooming Spring Stamp Kit. Plaese let me know what you think!

I love how the flowers look. I used white paper flowers and colored them in with my Copics; BG10, BG11 and BG13. I topped them off with Basic Grey half pearls.

I am really happy with how my coloring turned out! I used the following copics and spicas:

Skin: E50, E00, E21, E11, R12

Eyes/Eye Shadow: BV0000, BV00, Pitch Black Spica, Opaque White

Dress: B000, B00, B02

Apron: BG10, BG11, BG34

Shoes: C00, C1, C2, C4, N6

Leaves: YG91, YG93, YG95

Hair: E11, E97, E13, E99, E17, E09, Clear Spica

thanks for looking!!!

Supplies Used:
Stamps: Blooming Spring Stamp Kit, SU! Well Scripted (No longer available)
Paper: PTI Ocean Tides, Kraft. SU! Sage Shadow (No longer available), Prima Fairy Flora
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, PTI Ocean Tides, Copics, Atyou Spicas
Stash: Paper Flowers (CTMH and Kaisercraft), 3D element, FlowerSoft (Heather), Basic Grey Half pearls, corner rounder

My Cutterscreek Spring Layout

2011-01-20T00:01:00.000-07:00

With all of the cold weather going around, I thought a Spring Layout would help set the mood for the wonderful temperatures that must be on their way. (Please!!!)

I'll just share a quick background of the pics below as my husband isn't usually this, umm, odd. Usually.

They were taken when my hubby and I were dating. He was a manager at a local Walmart over the electronics and photo areas. Every Christmas and Easter, the photo lab provides 1 complimentary 5x7 of a picture taken with the Easter Bunny or Santa Claus. This was one of my husband's favorite things as he got to pick who dressed up in the suit every time! I had just gotten off of a LONG day from work and my mom and I were going to take him to lunch so we were able to see the tail end of picture time. Can you tell he was bored a few times? Thus the title "The Many Faces of Glen." It just cracks me up looking at these and the Bunny's face never changes!

I tried to keep it a masculine page with the colors but still keep it "Springish" looking. I started with a 12x12 cardstock from Core'dinations and sanded the page; softly in the center for a lighter look and hard on the edges so they were nearly white. I also used a Rich Cocoa ink over some areas in the center to darken it slightly as well. I then used a light green Swiss Dot cardstock. This is actually one of the best purchases I have ever made. I use this paper for EVERYTHING.

I cut and corner-rounded the green to create mats for the pics as well as the "journaling area." I also distressed it a little as I thought the green was a little too bright for what I wanted by again using my Rich Cocoa ink pad. I used the pad again on the edges of the pictures as well. I really liked how the pictures looked with straight corners over a rounded corner - -I think it adds to the oddness :o) I originally created the layout with only the 4 larger pictures but decided to add the smaller with all rounded corners in the center.

I used some Spring-looking stamps from Hero Arts that I picked years ago. In fact, I think this is the first time I used them too! They are stamped on Simply Smooth cardstock and colored with my handy copics and taped it all together with my new favorite Scor-Tape; can't live without it!! All in all, this layout probably took about 30-35 minutes to make. Definitely my kind of layout. Hope you enjoyed!!

Copics used: G0000, YR000, YR01, R12, R30, RV0000, RV00, RV02, YG11, YG13, YG17, YG91, YG93, YG95

Copics used: G0000, BG10, BG11, YR000, Y000, Y11, Y32, E11, RV0000, RV00, RV02, YG13, YG17, YG91, YG93, YG95, Pitch Black, Pink, Melon, Black Multiliner

Supplies Used:

Core'dinations

Bazzill Simply Smooth Cardstock

Bazzill Swiss Dot cardstock

Memento Rich Cocoa Ink Pad

Chomper corner-rounder

Some Valentine Cards

2011-01-13T12:27:00.000-07:00

So I decided to share some Valentine's Day cards I have made with my mom and our good friend KellyRae. Let me know if you have any questions on the techniques!

This is one is probably my favorite. I have never really been into extreme distressing; it just seems like a lot of work to me. This one though was so much fun! We pieced 1" squares together on adhesive paper and ran it through the Big Shot iwth a Stampin' Up! Top Note Die. Then ran the die cut through again with a CuttleBug Textile Embossing Folder. Then sanded it to bring out the embossed design and went over EVERYTHING with Brown ink to add to the distressing. LOVE this card!

This is another favorite and fun technique. The red swirl pattern was created by Me! How cool is that!! Shaving Cream, and ink refills randomly dropped (1 Red, 1 Pink, 1 Green) and swirled randomly with a popsicle stick. Let it sit a few minutes and wipe off with a paper towl and . . . . Ta Da!!! Your own marble paper. The rest is a mixture of Stampin' Up! and The Angel Company Stamps with TAC paper as well.

Here is another favorite very simple card. 2 separate TAC stamps sets were used; I remember the background is Circle Sampler :o) I traced over the Love squares with a black pen to add a little definition and used Sakura Stardust pens to highlight the dots and LOVE on the background. Stamper's Floss is used on the middle box. The below picture shows the glitter pen highlights better.

I really like this card. I know its not the traditional pink and/or red you see at Valentine's but I thought it added a little class to it by using the gold and black. This is another technique, a used dryer sheet with glitter to add a difused look. Also, the gold is embossed so it has a lot of shine! I just wish more of the glitter showed up in the picture below.

Just a very simple, classy Valentine's card.

This last card is a gate fold but when it is opened, it has a hidden message. It was a fun card to make. Definitely need to make a few to get the pattern down right though.

Well, hope you enjoyed looking!

2011-01-09T19:16:00.001-07:00

Sorry about the mess!! My blogger crashed and I am slowly getting it back up. Hopefully I will have something posted soon . . . .

Awesome Blog Giveaway

2010-12-29T19:28:00.000-07:00

Wee Memories is giving away a Color Cubbie by Studio 3 Solutions. These things are AWESOME for copics or really any markers that you prefer to use. Hurry and check it out as the winner will be announced for New Year's!!

Good Luck!!!!

Red and Green Blog Hop Winner

2010-12-13T12:34:00.000-07:00

Yeah!! We have a winner!!!

and she said . . . .

This is a lovely card. well designed and constructed...

Beautiful use of the colours too.

My favourite Christmas tradition is at tea time on the day after boxing day we have a small gift that was hanging on the tree. Rather than under it. they have to be inexpensive but it stops that feeling of 'let down' the next day.. something to get the children excited again. LOL

So ScattyShirley, please email me your shipping information to get that CuttleBug folder to you for your prize.

Thank you everyone for notes on the post!! I loved reading the holiday traditions and commentary on the cards created.

CuttersCreek Blog Hop

2010-12-10T21:59:00.013-07:00

Welcome to the Cutters Creek Red and Green Blog Hop!

Our wonderful design team members have all created some fun Christmas projects to inspire you! The only requirement for the projects were that they must contain Red and Green. You just saw a fabulous project on Laura's blog. Your next stop along the hop will be Sandi's blog. If you are just finding our hop please head over to the Cutter's Creek Design Team Blog to start from the beginning; I also have it listed below. There are 8 inspiring projects for you to check out as well as 8 chances to win a great prize from Cutters Creek!

Blog Order:
Chris
Mandie
Laura
Melissa- you are here
Sandi
Kim
Vicki
Lori

Please leave me a comment about your favorite Christmas Tradition. Comments left up until 11:59pm on Sunday December 12th will be eligible to win. Unfortunately, only 1 entry per person. All winners will be selected Monday and posted on each blog so make sure you check back to see if you have won! I will have mine posted no later than 5 pm AZ time. You will have 48 hours to respond before we choose another winner. Random.org will be used.

Blog Candy up for grabs is the CuttleBug Emboss Plus Monogram Seals - -aren't they adorable!!

Here is the project that I have created for today's hop.

So I made a trio of cards for my red and green "card". Don't you just LOVE how the thin red square gives an illusion of a third and fourth layer?!?! I LOVE how these cards turned out!

I started with a 5 x 5 card base using Dotted Swiss Multi-Pack, a layer of Simply Smooth White Cardstock with alphabet stamps from my stash to stamp "Merry" multiple times; a thin 3 3/4 x 3 3/4 square of Dotted Swiss Multi-Pack. The "Christmas Blessings" is also from my stash stamped on Simply Smooth White Cardstock. The trees are cut with my Cricut via Make-The-Cut from the library. The papers used for this were from Fairy Flora Paper Pad, and Dotted Swiss Multi-Pack. Also, I used the WONDERFUL 1/8" Scor Tape to assemble it all.

Here are the insides of the card . . . I just love how the trees turned out perfectly for this!

My Inspiration for my card came from the Clear and Simple Ipod App.

If interested, here is a cut file with all the shapes I used. The oval and square are mine but the tree (Pine Trees) I snagged from the MTC library.

So what do you think? Next, head on over to Sandi's blog for more great ideas!!

thanks for looking!!!

This Weekend

2010-12-07T13:59:00.000-07:00

Well I'm back. Hopefully this time for good!!!! I will be participating in the Cutters Creek Red and Green Blog Hop this weekend so be sure to start at the beginning early Saturday morning. There will be a total of 8 prizes so be sure to visit each site!! The prizes will be available until 11:59 pm on Sunday night.

Halloween Party

2010-10-29T22:28:00.000-07:00

So I have actually been pretty busy lately with work and some bathroom work being done at my house. I work in accounting at a well known university with our quarter close coming up next week but we still had time to celebrate Halloween as a department which was kind of cool. There were costume competitions and pumpkin carving competitions as well. One department dressed as Sherriff Joe and inamtes - -they even did the inmate shuffle like they were shackled as they came into the conference room. Other teams dressed as Wizard of Oz, Jedi's, Inquisition (auditing department), and the Taxes -retro active tax dressed in 80's style clothes, foreign tax (my fav) dressed as a samurai, penalty tax dressed as a ref - -and many more. Can you get an idea of the type of humor we have in accounting - -yes we are nerds :o) I wish I had gotten pics of some of the costumes - -some were very inventive with them. Below are some pics from the pumpkin carving competition - -lots of them. At the end is my finished (finally) bathroom shower. I am so excited to finally be able to use it again :o)

These are two different teams -- the theme of frozen was very popular - are floors are set at 65 degrees so eveyone freezes.

This team actually made a pinata

Death Star Battle Scene reinacted - -a story was written as well but I didn't get a pic of that.

This one won Most Creative as it is supposed to be Sylvester with a picture of Granny on the wall. Up close, there is a fish swimming in his stomach.

This team also dressed up with lab coats and big M&M's on the back.

This is supposed to be the M&M getting into a pretzel? I didn't get it but I guess there is a commercial about it.

Can you tell which pumpkin they made? This is actually the finance trainers.

This was my teams; a Trick or Treat Crime Scene

A Close up

1 of my two favorites - -How Pumpkin Pies are made

My 2nd favorite. Isn't this incredible! They even painted a castle in the background "Cindeadella"

And here is my Shower now :o)

Isn't is pretty? Thanks Grandma and Grandpa :O)

Alphonso Smith is Carlton Banks

2010-10-16T19:54:00.000-07:00

hehehe - -thanks to Gaydos (from KTAR's Mac & Gaydos) I was able to see this clip from the Detroit game - -Carlton is back!!!!

Woohoo!!!

Neverending Card for CuttersCreek DT

2010-09-26T18:14:00.003-07:00

Well I am finally back!! Overtime has ended at work for the most part and I am now able to finally create again! I have been hearing a lot lately about Neverending Cards so I decided to do some research and was able to make my own. Now if you have no idea what I am talking about, it is perfectly fine! I didn't know what it was either! Below is a short video (under a minute) showing a completed Neverending Card and the 4 panels you create. Hopefully it sparks your interest too!

Just in case it doesn't load for you, click here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMNymSEYaSc

Ready to start making your own? It is soooooo simple! You will start with 4 sheets cut to 3" x 6" and scored at 1 1/2" on each side.

Next, you will want to go over each score with your scor-tool in both directions (with the scored portion on top and than on the bottom) This way it bends much easier after assembled.

Lay out two of the 3" x 6" pieces horizontally and line them up evenly to apply tape to the 4 corners only.

Take the 3rd sheet of 3" x 6" and lay it over one side vertically. Only remove the adhesive one corner at a time so you can line up the pieces perfectly. (Ask me how I know this!)

The last sheet is extremely easy to apply as you really only need to line it up against the other vertical sheet. But remember to still only remove the tape one corner at a time.

And here is your assembled card!

Just in case, here is the youtube link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKovCaMrehw

The next part is simple. It is probably the most time consuming part because you are cutting out the sections for each of the 4 panels. The measurements for each panel are below. I am using color 1 and color 2 so you can see how I layered them. Also, if you are going to be using layers, I would recommend using patterned papers or thin papers as cardstock makes the card very thick and heavy if you are mailing.

Panel 1: Color 1: (4) 2 3/4 x 1 1/4

Color 2: (4) 2 1/2 x 1

Color 1: (2) 2 3/4 x 2 3/4

Color 2: (2) 2 1/2 x 2 1/2

Panel 2: Color 1: (2) 2 1/2 x 2 1/2

Color 2: (2) 2 3/4 x 2 3/4

Color 1: (4) 1 x 1

Color 2: (4) 1 1/4 x 1 1/4

Panel 3: Color 1: (4) 1 1/4 x 1 1/4
              Color 2: (4)       1 x 1
              Color 1: (2) 2 3/4 x 2 3/4
              Color 2: (2) 2 1/2 x 2 1/2

Panel 4: Color 1: (2) 2 1/2 x 2 1/2
              Color 2: (2) 2 3/4 x 2 3/4
              Color 1: (4) 2 1/2 x 1
              Color 2: (4) 2 3/4 x 1 1/4

Now the best thing I have found about this card is that there are so many areas to fill that your imagination has free reign. But, you are limited on your 3D embellishments as with all the folding it may not work properly. I love simple cards so I was inspired by a discontinued CTMH set called Treasure Life - -lots of sayings and flowery backgrounds that can be used alone or mixed with each other. So I used the flowers for my background inplace of a patterned paper and sponged like crazy! I love how it turned out. You can see how very little embellishments are needed after everything was stamped. Some good stamps to try from Cutterscreek for this idea are:
Pink Cat Studio Garden Plate.
Inkadinkado Chandeliers, Filigree Fall, Leaves Galore, O Holy Night (this would make an awesome Christmas Card!!!)
FlowerSoft Flower Foliage
Autumn Leaves Swirls V2

So here is my end result Embellished and all. First a close up of my last Panel. I used an image from the Mini Hannah Collection from Pixie Cottage available at Cutterscreek. I listed the copics used as well (they are in the order I used as well). Let me know what you think!

Water: B000, B00, BG10

Sky: YG11, G0000, BV0000, RV0000, YR000

Skin: E50, E00, E02

Stones: N1, N4, N6, N9, C00, C2, T1, 0

Grass: YG03, YG63, YG17, E33, Covered with: YG11, YG06, YG03, YG63

Leaves: YG91, YG93, YG95

Flowers: Y04, R30, R32, R35

Dress: Y32, Y35, Y17

Hair Band: Y17, Y19, Y18

Hair: E33, E97, E99, 0

Spicas: Pitch Black (Birds), Clear (Water), Peach (Flowers)

Items Used from CuttersCreek:
Prism White Paper
Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
Mini Hannah Collection by Pixie Cottage
Copics
Atyou Spicas
Scor-Pal
ATG
Scor-Tape 1/4"

Additional from Stash:
PTI: Kraft, Aqua Mist, Spring Moss papers; Spring Moss ink
CTMH: D1306 Treasure Life
Bazzill Flowers
Paper Flowers from Stash

FOR SALE UPDATED

2010-07-15T12:48:00.001-07:00

So I have updated the for sale page with LOWER prices. So if there is something you like, better grab it soon!! I am also going to be adding new items tonight so stay tuned . . . . .

Check out this candy!!

2010-07-12T17:57:00.000-07:00

So who doesn't love Elisabeth Bell stamps? She is giving away 36 stamps!!!!! Can you believe this!!!

Check it out here: The Definitive Elisabeth Bell Blog Candy Give Away

Good Luck!

Sorry for the lack of posts!!

2010-06-28T12:17:00.000-07:00

Sorry for not posting for the last two weeks! I have been having some MAJOR computer problems with my laptop only to find out that my warranty expired 2 weeks before it died! *sigh* Plus my son decided that chewing on the memory card for the camera looked really fun and I can't find the chord for the computer. I guess that doesn't matter so much as I don't have a computer to make posts with! Hopefully I can get it fixed this week and will be posting by Friday!

Thanks for being so patient with me!!

COPIC Certified!!!

2010-06-14T01:00:00.002-07:00

So I was finally Copic Certified in Phoenix April 19th. It was soooo much fun! I was able to go with my mom and our dear friend KellyRae. It was awesome, can I say that enough? We were instructed by Jennie Black with Marianne from http://www.ilikemarkers.blogspot.com/ assisting. I have been coloring like crazy!! ***Lots of Pictures ahead***

You can see more info here on my mom's blog. She had pictures taken with Marianne and Jennie and of our group. It was a FULL house at our certification. I was also able to take home Marianne's drawing example of coloring hair. It looks awesome on the wall in my craftroom; a good reminder to me when I am coloring.
I came home from our class and immediately started working on my Copic Journal that you can download from here. I colored and stamped the front to personalize it and the back cover I created in the certification class with the air brushing technique. On the back of each section a did a "Just A Note" paper stating what colors, stamps, ink and method was used to color the image on the previous page. That way I always know what I did if I want to duplicate it. The pages were trimmed down using the Tabbed Mini Book Page die from PaperTrey Ink as well as the Mini Tab die. I used the the stamp sets Take Note, Mini Scrapbook Series: Tabs, and Delightful Dahlia from PTI; Miss Anya Collection from The Greeting Farm; Petal Perfection, Fanciful Flourishes, and All A Flutter from My Time Made Easy throughout the journal on the dividers. Everything was stamped on Neenah paper with Nick Bantock Lamp Black Ink. The front cover also had ink from PTI: Hawaiian Shores, Ocean Tides, and Enchanted Evening.

Sorry if the pictures are a little dark. my two year old got a hold of my memory card for my camera and now it doesn't work. Of course I don't have a cord to transfer pics to my computer either. So I had to use the cell phone.

Here is the first page in my journal and on the back I put the tab info. I colored each of the tabs - -why not? it's a copic book right!

The next section is Marker Families. I colored all of the Delightful Dahlia images with "families". In the close up you can see; Y32, Y21, Y35 and R81, R85. This way I can see the families at work. Even the grey background is colored with C7 so the flowers pop.

I also included the PTI suggested color combo with this I I like using several of the combos when I color. It can be found here. My printer was a little off on the colors so I think I will redo this page and color in with my markers.

The next section is Hair and Skin. I colored using my favorite Swiss Pixies image and also added some Bridal Flowers that you can get at Michael's or Joanne's. They are wonderful for coloring with your copics. Just be sure to let them dry if you put a lot of ink on them. On the back is another Note about the colors used. Below that are pics of some sample pages I have done. I am really detailed in my notes about what I did and colored with - -my OCD coming out!

The last section is Color Combos. I haven't had a chance to add anything to this section yet so the divider is uncolored as well as a reminder to me. I also came away with a few ideas as well. The group of ladies we were talking to mentioned making swatches of the markers to place directly over the paper they are using to color match. Also to color a Copic Chart on each type of paper you would color your markers on to get a good comparison of the type of coloring you want to do. I did both! As any good OCD'er would say, you can never be too organized!

For the Swatches, I made a cut file on my cricut (1st ever!!) so that I could get 35 tags on one 8 1/2 x 11 piece of cardstock of Neenah, Prism, or PTI's Stamper's Select. The tags are 2x1 in size and have a hole so you can easily put them on a ring for quick reference. You can find the cut file here only until June 30th.

The Copic Charts I found on Suzanne Dean's website and printed them all with my Epson Printer onto Neenah, Prism Simply Smooth and PTI's Stamper's Select. you can definitely tell a difference on coloring on each paper. I tend to over saturate sometimes for my darker colors so I prefer to use PTI at this moment. If I am layering, I usually use Neenah or Prism instead.

thanks for looking!

Once Upon A Princess Project

2010-06-12T11:27:00.002-07:00

Hi! You might remember my post a few months back at the Cutters Creek DT blog of the Once Upon a Princess Cartridge. I was showing the finished paper doll for my niece Zoe. Well here is the birthday card I made for her to go along with it. She LOVES Tinkerbell and actually had a Tinkerbell themed party so I tried to color this Swiss Pixies image from C.C. Designs to be similar or at least a Zoe version of Tinkerbell. Also, this fatastic glitter paper is from American Crafts and you can get it here.

And here is the cover of her paperdoll so she can easily take it anywhere!

You can read more about her birthday here.

I also made another set for my niece Lexi as her 7th birthday was in May. I had some problems with this set. I decided to laminate the doll and items rather than use Mod Podge. Much faster, but the magnets don't work NEARLY as well. I had to triple the layer of magnets in order for them to work right, but I might make this one over again.

Well hope you enjoy!!

Blogger Updated!!

2010-06-12T10:47:00.001-07:00

Hi everyone! First of all, sorry for the continual changes of my blog layout. I have been trying a few premade ones and setting up my own. Than the big blogger blackout happened last week and I lost everything I had been setting up!! So instead of wasting time setting it up again, I was going to use another premade layout, but . . . . Blogger updated!! They now have a Template Designer!! You can find it under the Design Tab. The best part of it, I don't have to mess with the css coding to update to 3 columns and shift the size of everything. I got this new look in 20 minutes!!! Fantastic!! Now, I will still be updating a few little things in the next few weeks but it is all personal touches; nothing huge :o)

Anyways, I wanted to share a few projects I completed recently that never made it to my blog. They will be posting over the next few days.

Enjoy!!

Paper Make Up Submission

2010-05-31T10:23:00.000-07:00

Hello! So today I am sharing some cards I made to submit for the call at Paper Make Up Stamps! Hurry if you are interested as today is the last day to enter!!!

My first two cards I was experimenting on some sketches I found and with colors. Now, I tend towards simple when I make cards but it also depends on who I am giving them to as I try and give something that fits individual personalities. For these, I don't know who is getting them yet - -might send them in to OWH as they are always looking for cards!

For this card, I LOVED the sketch! The bottom right is the sentiment that is stamped in Hawaiian Shores so is a little light in the picture. It reads, "You Inspire Me." I cut it out with Nesties Label 3 and embossed the edge. I ran my copic C0 along the edges so that it does not detract from the words themselves. I used pop dots (which you can see on the cards under the vellum - -may be awhile before I use vellum again!)

Recipe:
Paper: PTI- Hawaiian Shores, Kraft, Stamper's Select White, Green Boutique. Vellum from my stash.
Seeing Spots Embossing Folder
SU! Scallop Border, Nesties Label 3
Stamps: MTME: Sensational Sentiments, Argyle Amazement
Ink: Memento Chocolate Ink, Hawaiian Shores
Copics: Y35, R12, RV14, BG72, B02, YG13, YG17

My 2nd card is a 5 1/4" square card. I used a new technique in this one - -I took some refill ink and diluted it to color in the flowers. I kind of like the way it looks, a softer version than coloring with my copics. I stamped the Dahlia twice, first with Ocean tides and again with Versamark Dazzle so there is a slight glimmer. I also added glaze tot he centers to make them pop a little more.
Recipe:
Paper: PTI- Ocean Tides, Kraft, Stamper's Select White, Enchanted Evening, Aqua Mist. Vellum from my stash.
Polka Dots Embossing Folder
SU! Scallop Border, Sentiment shape cut with Cricut, Corner Rounder
Prima Flowers -French White, pearls from stash
Stamps: MTME: So Sentimental, PTI Delightful Dahlia
Ink: PTI Ocean Tides, Versamark Dazzle Champagne, CTMH -Breeze, Colonial White

My third card is by far my favorite!! I wanted to try something a little different so I turned the background label. I really like how it makes the image pop even more (plus so the pop up dots!) If you can't tell yet, these shades of bluish -green are my FAVORITE colors. So hopefully they don't bore you too much!

Recipe:
Paper: PTI- Ocean Tides, Ripe Avocado, Stamper's Select White, Green Boutique.
SU! Scallop Border, Nesties Label 3, eyelets from TAC, PTI Hawaiian Shores button
Stamps: MTME: Sensational Sentiments, TGF Miss Anya Collection
Ink: PTI Ripe Avocado, Memento Tuxedo Black

Copics: I have them grouped in areas colored: (E37, E99, E97), (E21, E11, E00, E50), (C0, C00, BG49, BG13, BG34, BG23, BG11), (RC14, R32, R12), (E25, E33, E31), (YG13, YG17), (C2, C1, C0, C00)

Here is a close up of Anya as I LOVE how the coloring turned out for her! Bytheway, the copics listed above are show from top to bottom so if you like the combo there ya go!

My final card is the Father's Day card I posted last week as I believe these last two cards truly show "Me." I truly love this card as well especially how the suits ended up as coloring them was so much fun!!

Recipe:

Paper: From my stash -Bazzill, PTI Stamper's Select White.

Card cut with Cricut 4x4 easel card.
Stamps: Lady Bug and Friends Dad, Dude or Darling?, CTMH You are my Hero, SU! Well Scripted. MTME Sensational Sentiments (Inside), Puckered Up Patterns

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, PTI Enchanted Evening.

Copics: again in order from top to bottom.
(E33, E31, YR00), (E21, E11, E00, E50), (110, C7, C5, C4, C3, C2, C1, C0, C00, Spica Silver), (B00, C1, C00, BG72), (B97, B34, B23, B21, Spica Gold), (N6, N4, N1).

Here is a close-up of Dad! Isn't he gorgeous!

I am so proud of how these cards turned out and I truly hope you enjoy looking at them! I just love coloring with copics and how they make me feel like a real artist! I hope you enjoyed these cards as I thouroughly enjoyed making them!! Thank you for looking!

Finally Catching Up!

2010-05-25T00:01:00.005-07:00

Sorry it has been so long since I last posted! I have been super busy with projects for the Cutters Creek Design Team and just haven't scheduled any posts on here! Hopefully by next week, this blog will be caught up as well!

So here is my project for this week over at Cutters Creek!

So one neat benefit of making cards for the CuttersCreek Design Team is that I can get holiday cards completed early. Like today, I am showing my Father's Day cards and it is still MAY! Woohoo!! Hopefully today's post will inspire a few of you to get your cards completed early too!

For my cards, I started with a stamped image from my stash. I knew it was the PERFECT representation for Father's Day and what the men in my family mean to me and my children. I didn't want everyone to be the same, so I used cool greys and blues to color the suits. All I did was include more or less of the middle shades and they each turned out looking completely different from one another which is fantastic! The markers I used are towards the bottom of the post, but if you want to know specific groups used, just leave a comment with a way to contact you and will send the info or on the leftside bar just down a little is a box you can email me from :o)

I wanted to personalize a few of the "D's" on the front so I roughly (I am a colorer NOT a drawer!) drew a Batman emblem for my dad, after all he is Bruce Wayne, and a toilet and plunger for my Grandpa - -He and my Grandmother owned a Plumbing business for 20 years. I also tried a few copic techniques. On the first figure I tried to make stripes for the suit, you can kind of make it out. Also with the 2nd and final figures I used the feathering technique; I think they turned out pretty well.

I decided I wanted to make an easel card after all of my figures were colored. I loved Beate's tutorial on SCS, but I didn't want to waste any paper. I found a more economical way on Created by Katie Cotton. I folds great and stands nicely - -I didn't have to weigh down the face of the card so that it wouldn't flip up! I cut the layering pieces with my We R Memory Makers Ultimate Cutting Kit. I cut in 1/4" increments so the layers were visable but thin. I pulled some phrase stamps from my cabinet, crossing my fingers I had something for Father's Day - - -

hmm . . . . maybe I should post about organization later . . . . .

Okay, back to the card :o)

I found a PERFECT stamp set from ages ago that is from Close to My Heart. It says "You are my Hero" How great is that!?!? It also had a matching design that said "Happy Father's Day" for the inside of the card. I used 2 different sentiments for my husband's card and my dad's. Yes, I am a Daddy's girl thru and thru!

Next, I assembled the card, barely resisting to add more embellishments as this is a Man's Card . . . spoken in a deep voice :o) And tada, a quick, simple, meaningful Father's Day card! I hope this gave you some ideas!

Here are the Copics I used I forgot to include the Spicas so those are listed as well:

Copic Atyou Spica Glitter Pen-Gold

Copic Atyou Spica Glitter Pen-Silver

Copic Atyou Spica Glitter Pen-Sky Blue

Copic Atyou Spica Glitter Pen-Red

Copic Multiliner SP Marker

And here is the list of items I used available at Cutters Creek!
Dotted Swiss Multi-Pack 12"X12" 60/Pkg
Memento Dew Drops Dye Inkpad
Smooch Accent Ink .33 Ounce (9ml)-Illuminate
Scor Pal
SCOR-TAPE 1/4"wide x 27 yds long (double sided)
Simply Smooth Cardstock 8.5"X11"-White
Glue Dots 1/2" Pop Up Dots
Fingertip Control Craft Knife
Acrylic Block Starter Set Of 5
Ultimate Cutting Kit

Additional Produscts Used:
Stamps: CTMH- You are My Hero, Lady Bug and Friends -Dad, Dude or Darling?, MTME- Puckered Up Patterns, Sensational Sentiments, So Sentimental
Paper: Bazzill from stash, MTME Digital Paper -School Plaid Collection I & II, Get Graphic Collection II
Ink: PTI -Enchanted Evening, Ocean Tides

For Sale

2010-04-10T16:31:00.003-07:00

**I added some pics on the bottom of stamp sets still available- - I took them before work so I tried to get clean shots :o)

So, even though I absolutely ADORE these stamp sets, I have owned them for close to 4 years and only used them a handful of times *sigh* I have decided to clean out my scrap room to only include products that I will use at least once a month. My loss is your gain!

I am selling the CTMH Alphabet Solos. I own all 26 sets with storage boxes included. The total cost spent on these: stamp sets $13.95 each (times 26), storage box $10.95 (times 2- -older version, no handle), plus various shipping and handling and tax as I ordered them 2 at a time: Approximately $450. OUCH! I will sell these for $150 OBO. All of them are unused with the exception of the following letters:
~~M: slight staining on large letter~~
~~E: Staining on little e. - -~~ SOLD

CTMH:
The Works Alphabet, previous stamp of the month - -Like New , slight staining on 12 letters. $5
~~Serendipity, never used     $9~~   SOLD
Flying' High, never used    $9
Little Builder, never used    $9
Nursery Bash, only used Happy Birthday and 1st with slight staining. $5

Stampin Up!:
Mtr. Twigster, never used $7
Classis Stripes, never used $12

~~Perfect Layers Tool and instructions, never used (rulers only) $12~~   SOLD

Cricut: Jubilee Cartridge -never used, opened. $30 OBO
2 pks Primary Color Cricut Pens never opened, $3 each set.

If you would like to see a pic please leave a comment. Also, more items will be added as I come across them.

thanks for looking!

Wow!

2010-04-10T11:22:00.004-07:00

Wow, I can't believe it's been nearly a month since my last post. So much has happened, its crazy!! My grandmother is moving in with my parents so I have been spending my weekends heping organize and picking up some items that my folks have been storing for me so they can start the remodel of their home. THANK YOU!!

I have had to make a few sympathy cards for work for some coworkers' loss. This is always a very humbling subject for me and honestly makes me want to spend more time with my kids and husband.

I FINALLY was able to have an actual "date" with my husband after months of having our date night "in", which usually lasts all of 5 minutes! We saw Clash of the Titans - - -I was so mad when we left. Definitely not a remake but more of a rewrite. Totally ruined it for me now :o(

I applied for a design team and found out , I made it!!!!! I am soooo excited to start. Here is my submission. I just wish I took a picture of the inside of the card before I sent it along. Oh well!

I just love how Kim took such a wonderful picture of the card. She was able to capture the shimmer from the At You Spica pens I used to highlight my copic coloring with. Just leave a comment if you would like the details of the products I used.

So I now officially design for Cutterscreek.com!!! I cannot wait to share my first project with you on the 20th!!!

Play Date Cafe Challenge

2010-03-16T12:26:00.001-07:00

So I came across this really cool challenge blog called The Play Date Cafe. This weeks challenge was using the colors Lavender, White, and a Pastel Green. I LOVE each of these colors individually but I have never combined them before. I am just going to write the basics as I am a little under the weather today and just typing this is exhausting!

I used Let Them Eat Cake from Flourishes. Neenah paper, Bazzill Dotted Swiss, Some white organdy ribbon from my stash I colored with my copic G82, Stampin Up! Scallop Flower Punch, Memento Tuxedo Black Ink, Shimmerz Candle Light and Key Lime for the Flower, Shimmerz Iced Lavender over the cake, clear button from stash colored with copic BV13, CTMH Colonial White inked around edges of cake, cake colored with BV00, BV02, BV04, and BV13.

You get a really good idea of the shimmer on the cake with this picture.

Here is a good close up of the flower - -you can also see the shading I did with the copics. It really does look nice in person - -the shimmerz just make it harder to photograph!

Thanks for looking!

Organizing My Space

2010-03-07T20:29:00.000-07:00

So, today's post definitely has a dual purpose. First of all, I have been dying to organize my craft space as I now have a whole room all to myself! Lack of time has put that off repeatedly for me. Secondly, My Time Made Easy has another giveaway planned if you post any templates you have made. So, what better reason to Make Time than for a chance to win something! Oh, and get organized as well :o)

So, first I made the Card Carry All that was released this month. I made four and put them back to back making two large Carry All's. The blue one I made first, to organize all of my MANY embossing folders. Plus, the template comes with file folders/tabs made to fit! I embossed each of these so I would have a good visual of the image when I am looking at them.

The red one, my favorite, I made to hold all of my stamped or digi prints that are colored and uncolored. I used some of the leftovers I had from my Shutterfly box I made for Grandmother last month - -the butterfly, "flower", and paper. They now sit right in front of me as I am working on projects so I can easily access them for use or ideas!

Products Used:
Template: Card Catch All, So Sentimental Frame, Card Catch All Add-On, Flutters and Flowers
Paper: Bazzill from my stash
Ink: Nick Bantock Lamp Black, Palette Ballet Blue, Stampin' Up! Pacific Point, Stampin' Up! Pink Pirouette, Palette L'Amore Red
Stamps: So Sentimental, Argyle Amazement

Lastly, I made NINE of the All A Flutter templates! And it only took me just over an hour!! Can you believe it! I made them slightly larger and with a reinforced bottom. I soo want to embellish these more than they are now, but with how much I plan on using them, I don't want to have the embellishments show their wear and tear! Now I have nine beautiful butterflies at the top of my desk holding all of my Copics, Pens, Chalk Pencils, and Prismacolor Pencils. How sweet is that!! There is TONS of room in these babies! I love it!! Plus, it totally goes with my Hello Kitty/Butterfly Theme I am slowly turning my craftroom into! So hope you enjoyed! And wish me luck!

Products Used:

Template: All A Flutter

Paper: Bazzill from my Stash, TAC Kraft

Ink: NONE

Stamps: NONE

Simple Stories Blog Hop!!

2010-02-21T19:11:00.000-07:00

So, Memory Works is having a blog hop! If you would like to start at the beginning, please go to the Memory Works blog here. **hint, hint** there are some cool prizes!

Now on to the Project!! **Warning: TONS of pics :o)

So to start off here are the supplies I used:

MW Products Used:

 Tim Holtz Distress Ink -Vintage Photo Tim Holtz Sanding Grip
 Simple Stories Kit
 Simple Stories Coordinating Cardstock
 We R Memory Keepers Sheet Protectors
 Mini Glue Dots
 American Crafts Black Slick Writers

Non-MW Products Used:
 Mini Book Pattern from Paperthreads
 Twine for binding the mini book -from my stash
 Green Ribbon -from my stash

 Embossing Folders

 Sizzix Big Shot

So I decided I was going to create a quick layout of my son's first birthday. Then, reading through my daily blogs, I found the PERFECT mini album to compliment the page from the Paperthreads Forum. PLUS, with the Simple Stories Kit, the sheet protectors are divided! The mini album would fit PERFECTLY into one of the sleeves. Love it!! Here is the end product:

For the three 4x6 slots on the left, I simply cut them from the Simple Stories Patterned Paper and Coordinating Cardstock. The bottom piece to line the "Just the Details" and the right piece to line the Patterned Paper to give a more finished look. Don't you just LOVE these colors!! They are so bright and cheery but also versatile as they can be used for boy or girl pages. I placed another 4x6 paper for the background of the mini album.

Now for the Mini Album, I cut out the pages using my nifty Cricut and Make The Cut software - -so quick and time saving! Orange just seemed like a good color for a little boy and the title from the Simple Stories Stickers was PERFECT for my little boy! (if you have been following my blog, this is the same little boy who stripped my Christmas Tree this year and thought it was hilarious! *sigh*) Anywho, I ran several of the pages through my Big Shot with an embossing folder and sponged and sanded the ebossed image to add texture to the pages. I used some Twine I had laying around to bind the book to keep it "macho". I just love how cute this turned out!

The rest of the pages I am posting little journaling tidbits and pictures from his 1st year leading up to his birthday. Even though he has TONS of pictures, I thought this would be a cool refresher for him to look through when he is older. Plus it is another fantastic way to use this wonderful kit! Now before I get to the rest of the album, I am going to show you just how frugal I have become! The front of the packaging for the Simple Stories Kit highlights the pages in the kit in miniature. It even shows the months in miniature!

So to help embellish my pages I actually cut out the little "pages" and used them! This page is the same thickness as the 12x12 patterned papers so it looks like it fits in perfectly! How cool is that! It looks great on my pages!

So onto the remaining pages. They are all in order. Enjoy!

Wheew!! Told you there were a lot of pictures!

Now all I have to do is print and add on the photos and he is done!! I'm only a year and a half late :o) Hope you enjoyed and don't forget to take a look at Rhonda's design next!

Now on to the rest of the hop!

Memory Works

Christina

Lacey

Jennifer

Sue F

Melissa < --you are here!

Rhonda < -- go here next :o)

Luisa

Liz

Wendy

Danielle

What Ive Been Up To

2010-02-21T17:55:00.001-07:00

So I decided I would share a couple of pics of what I have been upto lately.

We had a bunch of birthdays this month so I made a card for each of them and for family that is local, i also made some unique gift packaging. All of the templates can be found at My Time Made Easy. This is Lauren Meader's new store - -I LOVE her products. I have been using her stuff since she was designing for Paper Trey Ink. Plus, all of her templates at her store can be ordered as cutting files for your die cut machines. Yeah Baby!! So anyways, here are the pics.

Enjoy!!

Simple Card with COPICS!!

2010-02-20T22:02:00.002-07:00

So, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Treasure Box Designs cut files. I think I actually own every file out right now too! Plus, a freebie cut file is available every Tuesday. And, Dina has tutorials on how to get the shading and eyes just right for paper piecing. Can it get any better than that?

Then, I received notice that Digi Stamps are coming soon!!! Oh My Gosh!!!!! I think I have just died and gone to heaven! I emailed right away loving the chance to get a sneak peak of these babies. And guess what! I get to make a card sample with one!!
**Doing my little happy dance right now!**

So without further ado . . . . . . here is a sneak peak of the new Digi's from Treasure Box Design.

I worked with the Chick and the Egg. An adorable image that is just begging to be colored with my copics! And made me think that I should learn how to use the copic airbrushing for some awesome backgrounds! I used a card sketch from Paperthreads Forums and paper from the Memory-Works Simple Stories Kit - -LOVE these colors! Plus, I discovered how truly wonderful Prism paper cuts on my Cricut - -like Butter!! Much cleaner cuts than I have been experiencing with my much used Bazzill. Hmmmm, something to think about . . . . . . .

I colored the image with my Copic markers ..... forgot one in the pic **hehehe** T01.

What was cool with this image too, I didn't need to use a ton of colors to shade. My Colorless Blender was Eggs-elent *hehehe* and let me do a lot of "shading". Distressed the card, layers and edge of chick with Nick Bantock Van Dyke Brown.

And then assembled the card. Easy, peasy. The whole card took me maybe 35 minutes - -this is a record for me! I LOVE to detail my cards and projects and this just looked so darn cute the way it turned out! Please let me know what you think and be sure to go to TBD or the TBD Blog and sign up for the newsletter to get new updates on when the Digi's will be available!

Some Sad News

2010-02-20T11:23:00.000-07:00

After much debate, I have decided that February 28th will be my last day as a Scentsy Independent Consultant. With the economy how it is and recent pay cuts with mine and my husband's employers, I can no longer sell the product I love due to lack of time and lack of funds. If, like me, you are still a die hard Scentsy fan, I know some wonderful consultants in the area that would be more than helpful in providing service to each of you. I am so sad to part with this company as it is a wonderful company that is supportive and fun. And Growing!! There is still so much more this company has to offer and I am truly hoping I can be a part of it again in the future.

I am liquidating all of my inventory, product and supplies (for my fellow consultants), as I will no longer be able to sell it. Please contact me if you are interested in any product I may have at misscent@gmail.com

Thank you so much for your business and I hope to maintain all of the many wonderful and supportive friendships I have made in this Scentsy endeavor.

Melissa

Surfing Again . .

2010-02-07T11:46:00.000-07:00

So I should totally be working on my Grandma's birthday gift but I got distracted (again) by the internet. I swear it calls my name! Anywho, have you checked out Mel Stampz? I LOVE her blog! She had this amazing tutorial yesterday (and today!) for a shabby chic wedding card. Check this baby out!

Don't you just LOVE this! And, she totally tells you how to make it! GO , now, she has soooooooo many things to share!

BTW, I will be sharing MANY pics tomorrow of the Birthday gifts I made for family this weekend!

Just playing around . . . . .

2010-02-05T19:36:00.002-07:00

Found this cool site to play with a stick family:

Make your Stick Figure Family at FreeFlashToys.com

Kinda fun! At least in the "stick" world my boys look EXACTLY like their daddy - -which is true in real life too! THe dogs . .well maybe I'll make another post about that one as it is in the works.

Off to make Birthday gifts - -will post pics later!

Cool Blog I found with a Giveaway

2010-01-31T20:07:00.000-07:00

So, surfing the web as usual, I come across this great blog, Scrappin N Style. She has the cutest Valentines box posted on there as well as items she has made listed by Cartridge! I am only on the 2nd page right now but I think I will be on her blog for the rest of the night! PLUS, she is giving away the Love Struck Cartridge on February 6th!!! Definitely check out her blog - - -lots of inspiration!! Scrappin N Style

My AWESOME Weekend!

2010-01-25T16:28:00.006-07:00

So I have been a huge fan of Michelle Zindorf's work. She creates beautiful work that has always intimidated me as I could not figure out how she got her cards to look so beautiful even with the tutorials! Well, this weekend she came to Phoenix, AZ and my mom and I were able to take her beginning brayer course on Saturday and the Advanced course on Sunday. WOW. I learned so much in two days. Not just the brayering, but different techniques and how to blend your colors so it looks like the color just transitions throughout the card. So a total surprise to me is that included in the class cost is your own "kit".

Stop reading here if you are taking one of her classes within the next few months!!!

This is mostly what we received on Saturday. Pictured is a Stampin' Up Set, a brayer, a white gel pen, a work pad, and sponges On Sunday we got as part of our kit, the Versamark pad and marker and these two sets. How awesome is that !?!?!?!

Here are pics of the 3 cards we made on Saturday. I'll update when my mom's pictures are up as her cards were better -no finger prints :o) Plus she also has a picture of us with Michelle.

They are so professional looking!! I just love how these cards turned out!!

I also won a prize both days. This stamp set I won on Saturday and on Sunday I won Michelle's card that she made along with us + She autographed my brayer! I'm so bad!!

And here are the cards from the Advanced Class. SO much harder than the Beginning Class just because of the additional content that was covered. But it was sooooooo much fun!

This sunset card is my favorite by far of the 3 cards that we did because of the colors. Can you see where I "marked" it? I was so mad I did that!!

So this was the last card we did. Mine is the left one. The right is the card Michelle completed in class that I won in the drawing. She even signed it . . . . . . . hehehehe. . . .

This weekend was a BLAST . . . . . Thank you Michelle!!!

Mom's Birthday Gift

2010-01-25T13:04:00.000-07:00

So here are the details for the card and "envelope" I made for my mom for her birthday. I found an awesome template called Homemade by Lauren Meader (LOVE her stuff and NEW store!) at PTI . I cut and assembled it all in one day. The file came with assembly instructions -LOTS of scoring -and ideas for decorating/embellishing. One house had the sides all crimped like siding on a real house. I love the effect this had on the house. I think I might try it with an embossing folder next time . . . . hmm . . . . . Here are the house pics:

Here is the front and dormer view. You can see where I used the FlowerSoft and also the leaves.

These pics are showing the details of the tree, lightpost and the inside of the box (picture my 6 yr old drew for Gramma inside too). You can also see the sanding and distressing down on the Bazzill Swiss Dots paper.

Here is the back of the house and also the second tree that is on the right side.

Supplies:
Template -Homemade by Lauren Meader
Stamps -PTI Homemade
Tools -Scor-Pal, Scor-Tape, Crimper, Cricut
Inks - Palette (Purple), Memento Rich Cocoa, Nick Bantock Van Dyke Brown
Markers -Copic (will update colors soon)
Paper -Kraft and Mulberry Cardstock from my stash, Bazzill Swiss Dots paper
Embellishments -FlowerSoft Heather, lightpost and fence from Images by Heather M, bush from Jubilee and bird from Home Accents cartridges, trees from Shelly's Art at Paperthreads.

Here is the card I made for her birthday as my mom is an avid quilter! I found the svg file at Paperthreads and just KNEW it was for her! I had some problems finding a card base that would work for what I wanted and asked around in a yahoo group for assistance. The wonderful EXTREMELY talented Paulo came to my assistance and created a scalloped edge card for me. THANK YOU!! (I used the card with the scallop on the back edge of the card.) I used the Bazzill Swiss Dots paper again for the whole card and sanded everything so the dots would POP. I heavily distressed the card with Van Dyke Brown as my mom loves antique quilts and I thought she would love the "aged" look (no pun intended! Honest!). Here is the card:

Sorry its blurry! I am working on the lighting and "special" features my camera has :o)

Here is a clearer pic of the inside; you can see the detail of the chandelier and the paper.

Supplies:

Wedding Ring Square from Shelly's Art, Card Base came from scalhints@yahoogroups.com from Paulo, Brackets on inside of card - I'm trying to find the website and will update the post :o)
Tools -Paper Sander, Cricut, Crimper
Inks - Nick Bantock Van Dyke Brown
Paper -Kraft, Bazzill Swiss Dots paper

The whole project took me about 9 hours for the house and card. Sorry for the bad lighting. I am working on that! So, what do you think?

Remaking of a CLASSIC!!

2010-01-11T21:21:00.001-07:00

***UPDATE: Well, we went and saw the movie in 3D. BIG disappointment. I think the only part that was noticeable as 3D was the beginning with the stars. And who is IO? There was no IO in the original movie; definitely a rewrite of the classic and not a remake. ***

Do you remember Clash of the Titans from the 80's? The claymation Medusa and Krakken (sp?); the golden owl that sounded like a clock? Laurence Olivier as Zeus as well as Maggie Smith and Harry Hamlin? LOVED that movie. I just found a trailer for a remake! And it comes out in March! I am so excited!

It is starring:

Sam Worthington as Perseus ( he was Marcus in the latest Terminator film)

Liam Neeson as Zeus (awe-some!)

Ralph Fiennes as Hades (is it just me or does he play bad guys VERY well?)

Gemma Arterton as Io (Fields in the las Bonf film)

Alexa Davalos as Andromeda (Chronicles of Riddick & Defiance)

Danny Huston as Poseidon (Stryker in the last X-men movie)

Mads Mikkelsen as Draco (Bad dude in Quantum of Solace)

Hans Matheson as Ixas (Mordred in Mists of Avalon)

Jason Flemyng as Acrisius (Primus in Stardust -LOVED his character)

Tamer Hassan as God of War (Batman Begins)

and Pete Postlethwaite - how do you NOT know this actor!

I am so excited and doing a little dance as I am typing this :o) Anyways you can watch the trailers below.

Trailer 1
Trailer 2

Enjoy!

BTW, I just noticed I have 2 posts in one day - -holy cow! I think I am on a roll this week!

I Took the Plunge!

2010-01-11T09:52:00.005-07:00

Okay, so looking around on the web - -when am I not doing that! - I found this great site called Simple Stories, a division of Memory Works. It's fast scrapbooking, which I love. I do traditional pages that are heavily embellished, but sometimes I like to do quick pages as it the pictures just look better that way. This site is all about that! It is page protectors that are divided and preprinted sheets (double sided) to fill in so you can still personalize and journal. I love it!

Anyway, they are having a special right now of a $9.99 joining fee! $9.99 Unbelievable! Plus, you only have to make a $75 purhcase a year! umm . . .done! And a $20 a year consultant fee. On top of this you get your commision! Oh my gosh, am I loving this company!

So . . .I took the plunged and joined. I am so crazy! Not only am I a consultant for The Angel Company (which I love by the way!) and for Scentsy, great product and wonderful hosting benefits (January is double hostess rewards too!), but now I am a Memory Works Consultant! Whew! Shameless plug, I know! I am so excited about this product! I will definitely upload projects as I complete them - - the list is about 10 miles long right now so these kits are even better now!

I cannot wait for this stuff to get here! You can count down with me here for the new release on the 18th!

been crazy busy . . .

2010-01-04T22:18:00.000-07:00

So I think I am now done with my Christmas cards and gifts . . it's only the 4th right? Of January?!?!

*sigh* sooo gonna work on my procrastination this year.

I do have pics of the cards, boxes and houses I made for everyone . . but, I want to make sure certain peoples have received it before they sneek a peak. So my goal is to have the pics up by next week (caution: there are a TON of pics) as well as the sites/links you can purchase and/or find the files and patterns to make your own. Actually, lets make it 2 weeks :o) This way I can make sure I am not forgetting anything or anyone who helped me figure out how to convert the files so I could cut them on my cricut. MAJOR time saver! Anywho, if you are getting a little excited, you can see the house and card I made for my mom's birthday (which was a few days after Christmas) on her blog here.

Enjoy!

LOVE this man's music!!

2009-12-18T23:33:00.001-07:00

Okay so I took a break tonight from all of the Christmas cards and gifts that I am making to check out some of my favorite blogs. Of course, a quick 15 minutes easily turns into an hour or two and ending up on youtube.com Anyways, I have always loved playing piano music by Jon Schmidt; his arrangements are unbelievable and extremely intimidating but satisfying once you learn them. Plus, he's got a great sense of humor! So, I found a video of him and Steve playing a new arrangement of his "Love Story Meets Viva La Vida" I think I have died and gone to heaven!! My two favorite songs in an arrangement by my favorite pianist!!!!

**gotta pause here and catch my breath!**

The music is available on his website as well: jonschmidt.com Also, at the end of the youtube video he explains where the arrangement came from . . . . awesome! Enjoy!

Jon Schmidt - Love Story Meets Viva la Vida

Putting up the Tree

2009-12-09T19:28:00.001-07:00

well, last saturday the boys would not go to sleep. So at 10:30 we were setting up the Christmas Tree and hanging the ornaments. I tell ya, glass ornaments and a 2-year old are not a good combination! Nothing broke, but it was not for lack of trying. Of course, once denied the real fun started. And it has been going on all week *sigh* so now I am still debating about posting a pic of the tree as the bottom 2/3 are completely bare. Maybe I'll post a befrore and after pic later tonight.

2009-12-05T16:43:00.003-07:00

Hello! So after much deliberation, I have decided to create a blog. I know I love reading other blogs as I get almost all of my ideas from there. Hopefully, I will have something creative to post soon :0)

Until then . . .