BLOG Candy Anyone?

I am having such a FUN time with this blog, I hope you are enjoying it as much as I am!

With over 1,000 hits I think it's time for some blog candy! Anyone interested? Hopefully I will hit 1500 hits sometime this weekend, so if you are interested in some blog candy please leave me a comment on this post. All comments must be left by Midnight Sunday, I will draw a number from 1-? and post the winning name Monday AM. One comment per person please.

Blog candy includes: SU! Delight in Life stamp set, SU! Bright Fancy Fibers, May Arts Polka-dot organdy ribbon (3 colors), A Muse creative candy mini dots, 2 pkgs of 20 Prima Daisy's.

Check out my guest book at the bottom of my blog. Thanks for stopping, have a great day!

Sketch Challenge

This is my card for yesterday's Sketch Challenge #126 at SCS. I decided to also combine the color challenge #116 for this week with it. I like the Cool Caribben & Chocolate Chip together, but I am not that crazy for the Garden Green with them! I did like the Old Olive with them though, and would use that color combo again!

Supplies Used: Stamps~ Polka-Dot & Posies. Linen Background Stamp.
Paper~ Cool Caribbean, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Friends & Flowers DP.
Ink~ Chocolate Chip, Cool Caribbean, Garden Green.
Accessories~ Black Writer, White Gel Pen, Chocolate Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals, Giga Scallop Punch, Mega Circle Punch.

I've been Tagged Again!

I have been tagged by Charmaine at Oodabug Alley. I am so flatter that she tagged me! I LOVE Charmaine's blog, she actually inspired me to start my own blog! Check out her blog she has some awesome ideas! This is a new kind of tag in which you're supposed to give one word answers about yourself with no explanation to the following: I tried my best to keep it to one word answers (it was hard a times)!

Yourself: Understanding
Your Partner: Friend
Your Hair: Brunette
Your Mother: Loving
Your Father: Patient
Your Favorite Item: STAMPS
Your Dream Last Night: none
Your Favorite Drink: Diet Pepsi
Your Dream Car: Chrysler 300C Pearl white (sorry - that's more than one word)
Dream Home: Lakehome Up North
The Room You Are In: office/Stamp room
Your Fear: Spiders
Where You Want to be in Ten Years: Living up north
Who You Hung Out With Last Night: family
You’re Not: a smoker
One of Your Wish List Items: more time
The Last Thing You Did: stamped
You Are Wearing: Capri's/Tee-shirt
Your Favorite Weather: warm 75
Your Favorite Book: None
Last Thing You Ate: Dinner
Your Life: busy
Your Mood: tired
Your Best Friend: Janet
What Are You Thinking About Right Now: Family
Your Car: Town & Country
What Are You Doing At The Moment: Typing
Relationship Status: Married
What Is On Your TV: Medium
What Is The Weather Like: Rainy
When Is The Last Time You Laughed: Today

This is a new game of tag, not sure who I will tag next, hmmmm...... let me think about that one.

Color Challenge - Cool Garden

I made this card a few weeks ago, I was very pleased with the way it came out. This week's color challenge was to use Cool Caribbean, Chocolate Chip & Garden Green, I couldn't help but to think of this card when I saw the challenge. The only difference in my card & the challenge is that I used Old Olive instead of Garden Green. Who would of thought that these colors would work together.

The flower was made by covering a chip board flower with Designer Paper. If you haven't done this technique yet, give it a try it is fun & easy!

Supplies Used: Stamps~ Be Happy, Simple Sayings. Paper~ Cool Caribbean, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Au Chocolat DP. Ink~ Chocolate Chip, More Mustard. Accessories~ Flower Chip Board, Mustard Brads, Twill Tape, Circle Punch, Glue Stick, Sanding Block.

Super Sketch Sunday #16

I'm so happy I was able to finish this week's Super Sketch Sunday #16 yesterday, Sunday, the day Amy posted it! I had to wait until today to post it as I wasn't able to get a good photo until this morning.

I thought I would also have a patriotic theme for my card as today is Memorial Day, a day to honor and remember the Men & Women that have gave their lives for our country. I want to send a heartfelt thank you to all that have served past & present. THANK YOU!

Since I wanted to use a Patriotic theme I had to figure out which stamp set to use and unfortunately I don't have many patriotic stamps. I had to actually pull this guy out of my stamps that I am someday going to get rid of. I had to put this set together as he has NEVER been used before. I bought this set just for this guy but never found a use for him until now! I think I am going to keep him around for a while!

I stamped this image on Ivory Natural CS and watercolored him with various colors of ink pads. After I was finished coloring I swiped the edges of the design over my Bordering Blue ink pad to give it a worn antique look. I have way to much DP so I dug into my stash and pulled out some Baroque Burgundy DP that was retired 5 years ago! I need to use more of this up before I buy anymore (like that's going to happen) LOL! That's why I like Amy's challenges, I think she uses DP in all of her cards!

Thanks for stopping by today! Have a great day!

Supplies Used: Stamps~ Americana Collection

Paper~ Kraft, Ivory Naturals, Night of Navy, Baroque Burgundy DP (retired).

Ink~ Palette Noir, Various colors for watercoloring.

Accessories~ Vintage Brads, Aqua Painter, Oval Punch, 1/16" punch.

Super Sketch Sunday #15

Here is my card for Amy's Super Sketch Sunday #15 Challenge, Hey just in time before #16 sketch challenge comes out tomorrow! I had sooo much fun doing Beate's 4 1/4x 4 1/4 challenge that I thought I would use it for this one as well. I wanted to make sure that I got this posted before tomorrows sketch comes out so the photo is a little dark, I will re-take the photo tomorrow in better lighting.

Edit ~ New photo

I have only done a few of her sketch challenges, but I find that she really has some fun and sometimes CHALLENGING sketches. I am challenging myself to start from sketch #1 and do all of her sketches that I have not done so far. I am not saying when I will get them done, but I am going to try my best to finish them soon!

Check out my guest book at the bottom of my blog and if you would, please sign it, I would love to see where all of my viewers are from!

Thanks for visiting today!

Supplies Used: Stamps~ You Make Me Happy, Karen Foster's Mini Snap-Stamps.

Paper~ Whipser White, Old Olive, Rose Red, Palette O' Paper,Basic Grey's Blush.

Ink~ Old Olive, Rose Red, Bashful Blue, More Mustard.

Accessories~ Dimensionals, Ribbon Originals.

Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge #3

This is my card for Beate's Sketch Challenge #3. I actually had it done last night, but the lighting in my house is not very good for taking photo's so I waiting until this morning to take it outside.

I really like this sketch design, it is so fun to do! This is a 4 1/4 x4 1/4 square card, I usually don't find myself making smaller cards. I have done this sketch in a 5x5 square before, but I think the smaller ones are so cute!

I used one of my all time favorite stamp sets for this sketch - 'Friendship Grows' unfortunately this set was retired last year! I just can't help pulling it out from time to time, don't be surprised to see it again!

Supplies Used: Stamps~ 'Friendship Grows', Karen Foster's Snap-Stamps small Alphabet.

Paper~ Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Rose Romance, Loves Me.

Ink~ Basic Black, Various Colors for watercoloring.

Accessories~ Watercolor Brush, Certainly Celery Brads, sponge.

Did you say yo yo yellow?

This week's 'Ways to Use it Challenge' was to use yo yo yellow. I can't remember the last time I used yo yo yellow, even as an accent color! This challenge took me a little longer than normal, just because I couldn't decide on stamps & color combo.

I chose 'Sassy Stems' as my stamp set. I hadn't used my watercolor crayons for awhile so I pulled them out of the drawer. I colored my flowers yo yo yellow with a little more mustard to accent the centers.

After I finished watercoloring I mounted the image on Yo Yo Yellow CS. What goes with yo yo yellow? Good question, I decided that my favorite color Cool Caribbean does. I cuttlebugged Cool Caribbean and added yellow polka dot ribbon to finish it.

Supplies Used: Stamps~ Sassy Stems.

Paper~ Cool Caribbean, Yo Yo Yellow, Whisper White.

Ink~ Basic Black

Accessories~ Black Brads, Watercolor Crayons, Aqua Painter, yellow polka dot ribbon.

Sweet smell of spring!

I love this time of year, everything is sooooo fresh! I walk out my front door and I get this very fragrant smell of my Miss Kim Lilac bush, I love it! I like to sit on my front porch this time of year, I will be so sad when it is done blooming.

Sketch Challenge

I have two cards for Wednesday's Sketch
Challenge #125. This card is using one of my favorite stamp sets, 'Shore Thing' I love those little birds in this set. I have used them in many designs! I'm hoping this set will be in the new Stampin' Up! catalog in July!

Not sure if you can see it or not but I stamped the sun in the upper right corner with VersaMark, and sponged the blue sky & brown sand on the bird image.

Supplies Used: Stamps~ Shore Thing.
Paper~ Kraft CS, Close to Cocoa, Bashful Blue, Whisper White, Spring Showers DP.
Ink~ Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel, Bashful Blue, VersaMark.
Accessories~ Vintage Brads, Sponge Daubers.

This card's design panel is a little larger than it was suppose to be for the challenge, but I like the way it turned out and wanted to share it with you anyway. The set I used for this card is on the retired list, it is called 'Going Out in Style'. I think this set is such a fun design, you can used it so many ways. I am not a hat gal myself, I look goofy in hats, but I like to stamp using them!

When stamping the squares, I first stamped off on a scrap then stamped the image onto my Whisper White. That way the color was a little softer and not so dark.

Supplies Used: Stamps~ Going Out In Style Little Shapes, Simple Saying II.

Paper~ Tempting Turquoise, 'Sweet' DP, Whisper White, Basic Black.

Ink~ Basic Black, Lovely Lilac, Tempting Turquoise, Pixie Pink.

Happy Sweet Sixteen Megan!!

Today is my daughter Megan's 16th birthday!!! Where has the time gone? I don't know, I wish I knew!

You may think that this is a strange picture to post for her 16th birthday, but this is her favorite past time, playing HOCKEY! Megan is the girl in the white jersey.

We are soooo proud of her, she has been selected to play out in Rochester, New York for the National Development Camp this summer. This a great honor for her! She had to try out with girls from Minnesota, North & South Dakota and was one of 20 girls that will be going to play in New York in July!

This is Megan holding our puppy Lily (black) and Copper my Brothers puppy at Thanksgiving. The puppies Love to get together to play!

This Picture was taken before the Snowdaze dance, she went with a group of kids as friends! I Think she is soooo pretty!! But isn't that what moms are suppose to think?

Happy Birthday Megan!

Love,

Mom, Dad, Matt & Nick!!

Stampin' Up! Catalog Preview

I can't wait for July 1st when Stampin' Up! unveils their Fall Catalog. Stampin' Up! will have two catalogs this year, the first July 1st and the second, January 1st, how exciting! Click here to preview some of Stampin' Up's great new products, including the 6 new In-colors, jewel brads, Designer Papers and stamp sets.


Don't forget to sign my guest book!

Color Challenge

Today's Color Challenge at SCS is called Certainly Vintage. I really liked this color combo of Certainly Celery, Vintage Violet (or Elegant Eggplant) & Old Olive. I have used the combination of Certainly Celery & Vintage Violet before but never with the Old Olive. I will definitely use it again!

Supplies Used: Stamps~ Delight In Life

Paper~ Watercolor paper, Vintage Violet, Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Apricot Appeal, Just Delightful.

Ink~ Certainly Celery, Vintage Violet, Apricot Appeal.

Accessories~ Aqua Painter, White Gel Pen, Small Square Metal Vellum Tag, Silver Eyelets, Vintage Violet Grosgrain Ribbon, Giga Scallop Circle Punch.

It's Me!

I really don't like my picture taken, but I thought I should post a picture of myself so people that visit my blog have a face to put with it. I thought this picture of me (the one on the right~lol) & my pup Lily was an ok picture so I guess I'll use this as my profile picture also. Don't forget to sign my guest book and leave a picture of yourself!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Check out my Guestbook!

I was blog surfing this morning and one of my daily stops is Charmaine's Oodabug Alley. She had this cool guest book that she added to her site that keeps a log of her guests and where they are from. I just thought that would be so cool to have on my site also, so I added it to my blog! Please check it out at the bottom of my blog, I would love it if you signed it and left a picture of yourself. I can't wait to see where all of my guests are from!

Try a New Technique

Monday's challenge at SCS is 'Try a New Technique'. This week it was Crayon Resist. I had never done this technique before so it was interesting for me to try something different. This is what I came up with, but as I was working on this card my mind was working in overdrive coming up with other ideas that I want to try. I may play with it this afternoon if I have time.

It was a fun challenge, so if you have never done this before check out Beate's tutorial at SCS and try it for yourself!

Supplies Used: Stamps~ Mixed Bouquet, Happy Everything, Linen Background.

Paper~ Glossy White CS, Basic Black, Pixie Pink.

Ink~ Pixie Pink, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Apricot Appeal, Basic Black.

Accessories~ Crayon (any color will work or a birthday candle will also work), Sponge Daubers, Black polka dot May Arts Ribbon.

Super Sketch Sunday #14

OK, OK, I'm a week late posting Amy's Super Sketch Sunday #14! Well at least I got it finished right? I had a tough time with this one, I had a hard time trying to fit 2 sentiments on the front of the card, so.... I didn't! I just couldn't find the right size or fit for the designed that I had picked. I like the way it turned out anyway, even if it's missing one element to her sketch challenge.

Well, off to work on Super Sketch Sunday #15, hopefully I get this one done before next Sunday!!!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Supplies Used: Sassy Stems, Aida Cloth Background, All Year Cheer I.

Paper: Watercolor Paper, Whisper White, Bashful Blue, Pixie Pink, Palette O' Prints.

Ink: Stazon Black, Pixie Pink, Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue.

Accessories: Aqua Painter, Black Brads, Yellow Brads.

Limited Supplies Challenge

Friday's Challenge - Quick May Flowers calls for one flower stamp - stamped once (no 2-step stamping). Sentiment - One, Background Stamps - one small (I used one of the smaller stamps in the set for my background. Cardstock 1-3 colors plus white or vanilla. Accessories - ribbon, brads, flower punches. This card was very quick & easy! Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies Used: Stamps - Love is in the Air.

Paper - Not Quite Navy, Mellow Moss Whisper White.

Ink - Not Quite Navy, Mellow Moss.

Accessories - Pink Brad

Ways to Use it Challenge

This is my card for Thursday's Ways to use it Challenge #113. The challenge was to use SMALL STAMPS no larger than 1.5". We were allowed to pair it up with larger stamps and any accessories that we wanted. My main image is a tad larger than 1.5" but I think it is close enough to be classified as a small stamp. Thanks for Stopping By!


Supplies Used: Stamps - Love without End, Canvas & By Definition Background stamps, Fun with Shapes (small Flower).
Paper - Sahara Sand, Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue, Whisper White.
Ink - Certainly Celery, Sahara Sand
Accessories - Blue Gingham Ribbon, Earth Element colored buttons, Linen Thread, Needle, Sponge.

Sketch Challenge

Another Bee 4U! This is my card for todays Sketch Challenge #124 over at SCS. Wow, 10:00 in the morning and I have a challenge done and posted! This is a first for me, usually I don't get a challenge done until the afternoon! Well, I will have to admit that I already had the Bee image done since I also used it yesterday for the color challenge. But hey, I am still early! Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies used: Bee 4U Stamp. Paper: Cool Caribbean (my favorite right now), Tempting Turquoise, Friends & Flowers DP, Whisper White, Basic Black. Ink: assorted SU! stamp pads. Accessories: Blender pen, Giga Scallop punch, Mega Scallop punch, White Organdy Ribbon, black brads, white gel pen, Stickles star dust, Cuttlebug.

Color Challenge

Today's color challenge #114 was kind of a tough one for me, but I guess that's why their called 'challenges'. The colors that we needed to use were tempting turquoise, rose red, apricot appeal and a option to also use green galore.
Well this is what I came up with, and I did manage to work in the green galore in the image!

Isn't this bee image cute? I bought them at Electric Paperie. Thanks to Beate for getting me hooked on these bees. Check out Beate's blog, it's awesome! She has so many great ideas that she shares with all of us, I really admire her talent!

Supplies used: Stamps: Mini Mates, Stampendous Bee 4U. Paper: Tempting Turquoise, rose red, apricot appeal, Palette O' Prints DP, whisper white. Ink: Stazon Black, assorted SU! colors. Accessories: Blender pen, black writer, white gel pen, black brads, stickles star dust, SU! oval punches, Giga scallop punch, mega circle punch, May Arts black polka dot ribbon.

Morning Warm-up!

Morning warm-ups, what a great idea! The challenge for Monday at SCS was to make a 3x3 warm-up card to get your creative juices flowing for the day. Unfortunately I didn't have time to stamp until last night around 10:00 pm, so I guess you could say this is my evening warm-up! Either way I had fun making this little creation, it was fast & easy!

Well off to create the next challenge! Thanks for visiting!

Supplies used: Paper - Cool Caribbean, Taken with Teal, Friends & Flowers DP. Accessories - Accents & Elements (SU!), Rose Grosgrain Ribbon, vellum circle metal egde tag, White gel pen & Gelly roll Stardust clear pen & my Cuttlebug.

Two new RAK's

Wow, how lucky am I? I received this RAK (top photo) from my Secret Sister (SCS) last Friday. She was so sweet to wish me a Happy Mother's Day! I love the color combo of Brown & Blue and look at that cute letter 'd' in the corner. Thanks so much!!!

Today was another good mail day as I received this Cute Bella card - My First Bella! This card came from Joanne aka: stamps4sanity @ SCS. Isn't she cute? I love the Bella's, I am anxiously awaiting for my first order to come - Yes, I said first order I plan on ordering more!!!! Thanks Joanne!!

Stamping time has been scarce the last couple of days - I hope to get some time in later tonight since I have three challenges that I want to do! Thanks for visiting today!

SCS Color Challenge

I was so excited that I had got my card done for the color challenge #113 yesterday that I forgot to take a photo of it before I sent it off to Shane. So I had to make another one today! I wasn't sure that I would like this color combo, but I think they work well together. I would probably use this combo again. I like to use this set when making cards or scrapbook pages for kids, especially for boys!!!

Supplies used: SU's! Bugs & Kisses stamp set, paper: Taken with Teal, Cool Caribbean, Morning Marigold, Whisper White. Ink: Morning Marigold, Taken with Teal. Accessories: Black Gingham Ribbon, silver brads, Stickles & Round Tab Punch (SU!), Cuttlebug.

Birthday Challenge

I was going to do today's Color Challenge over at SCS and I came across this Birthday Wish. I challenge everyone of you to send a card to Shane, help make his Birthday Wish come true! My card to Shane is in the mail!

Super Sketch Sunday #13

I thought it was time to do some of these challenges that are out there, so I took the plunge and did Amy's Super Sketch Sunday Challenge #13 for this week. Here is what I came up with.
Supplies Used: Stamp set: Friendship Flowers (SU!) Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Palette O' Prints Almost Amethyst & Certainly Celery prints. Ink: Basic Black. Accessories: Black Gingham Ribbon, Prima Daisy's, Jewel Brads.

Round Two!

Here is my second attempt at using the Cuttlebug! Very similar to the first, just a different layout. My daughter likes the first one best.

Supplies used: Stamps: Big Blossoms. Paper: Chocolate Chip, Pixie Pink & 'The Glitter Stack' background paper I got at Archiver's. Ink: Pixie Pink & Apricot Appeal Craft Pads. Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder, 'Bling Jewel Brads'.

Finally - Something Cuttlebugged!

Alright, I'm almost embarrassed to tell you this but I'm going to anyway! About two months ago while browsing thru my favorite blogs, I came across the cutest little book marks made with jumbo paper clips, background papers and this thing called a cuttlebug. Now, I had never heard of the cuttlebug but I knew that I WANTED TO MAKE THOSE JUMBO BOOKMARKS, and to make them you needed this thing called a cuttlebug. So I did a little research, dug out my Sunday paper that was in the recylcle bin by now and pulled out a coupon for Michaels.

Next day I marched on down to Michaels and found me a Cuttlebug and die-cuts AND a couple of folders and headed back home to try out my new toy. Well I got home and took my purchases out of the bag and placed them in my stamp room then realized I didn't have the jumbo clips, so I got in my car and headed on over to the Wal-Mart and bought 3 boxes of jumbo clips (3) and went back home. I think it was maybe 3 days later when I finally took the cuttlebug out of the box and placed it on my desk (boy it sure looked pretty sitting there)! Everyday I would get up and say to myself, self, you really need to do something with this cuttlebug! But day after day I just kept putting it off. What I didn't put off was buying more die-cuts & folders from Electric Paperie, I think I own every folder made for this thing!

Yesterday I finally said enough is enough and I broke down and made myself use it, what was I afraid of? Next challenge is to finally make those jumbo bookmarks! I think tonight is the night!

Well that's my silly Cuttlebug story, hope I didn't bore you with the details! Thanks for stopping by.

Supplies used:

Stamp set: Big Blossoms & Circle of Friendship

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Apricot Appeal & background paper from The Glitter Stack (I bought at Archiver's).

Ink: Pixie Pink & Apricot Appeal Craft Pads, Chocolate Chip.

Accessories: Clear embossing powder, Brads, Twill Tape & Cuttlebug.

Summer by the Sea

One of my favorite stamp sets is 'Summer by the Sea'. I think because I am drawn to the 'sketched' look of the images. I love to watercolor these images. The weather is rainy here today, this image brighten my day, I hope it does your's also! Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies: Summer by the Sea

Ink: Basic Black, More Mustard, Mellow Moss , Night of Navy, Blush Blossom.

Paper: Whipser White, Creamy Caramel, Mellow Moss, Night of Navy.

Accessories: Blender Pen

Think Pink

Better late than never, right? It was a VERY busy day today. As you can see below it was my husband B-Day today. Two of my kids had ball games, the third practice, and of course we had to celebrate the big day, how was a girl going to get any stamping time today? Well it was not easy, but I did fit it in!
I decided to combine two challenges into one, Tuesday's color challenge & Wednesday's Sketch challenge. Hope you enjoy! (Sorry for the blurry photo - I'll retake tomorrow in better light). Here is the new photo.

Supplies: Girlfriends, Swirls & Blossoms background stamp.
Paper: Pink Passion, Loves Me background paper, Basic Balck & Whisper White.
Ink: Pink Passion, Green Galore, Blush Blossom, Creamy Caramel & Basic Black.
Accessories: Blender Pen, Black Gingham Ribbon.

Happy Birthday Greg!

It was my Hubby's birthday today - Should I say how old he is? Alright - he turned 51! (He doesn't look a day over 40!). To celebrate I gave him a nice new little RED sports car - here's a picture of it - LOL! Well, maybe next year!

Supplies: Classic Convertibles, Just Jeans.

Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, Basic Black, Brushed Silver.

Ink: Black Colrbox, Real Red, Going Grey

Accessories: Eyelets, Blender Pen, Black embossing powder.

Stampin' Up! Retired List

Well it's that time of year again when Stampin' Up! announces the retired stamp sets. Click here to get the complete list of retired sets. Contact me to order your must have's before they are gone forever!