Whiff of Joy

First off, I'd like to give myself a pat on the back - I've been blogging every week day since March 1st...I thought it had only been about three weeks, but nope - this is week number 8! It hasn't been difficult as I have been having fun creating and sharing. I hope ya'll like to see what I'm up to. Do you think the amounth of posts has any correlation to the sanity needed after the kids? Hmmm...

I have tons to share yet, but I just couldn't wait any longer on these Whiff of Joy cards. The images are absolutely beautiful!!! I have a ton of them now (and even more if I dig into my friend's stash), and I can't wait to play more. The artists for Sugar Nellie are brilliant! Don't you think? If you want to see all the fabulous stamps, you'll have to order internationally, at www.funkykits.co.uk. They ship fast!

I used the same sketch for both these cards - from www.prairiepaperandink.typepad.com I think her sketches come out on Fridays so check it out! Here's the sketch -

And here are TWO cards using that sketch. LOVE LOVE LOVE them!

Thanks for looking!

No Clever Title for Today

One of the hardest thing with this blogging is coming up with a clever title each day. Today I have nothin' for ya! I've been creating like mad so maybe my creativity has been exhausted on my cards instead. That's not necessarily a bad thing : )

Today's card is using Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge from this weekend (www.tayloredexpressions.blogspot.com). The sketch was just what you see, with sort of an "anything goes" twist. I wanted to show off some paper, so this sketch works perfectly for that. Here's the sketch....

And my take on it, with all the details at the end...

Details

Stamp: Everday Blessings by Papertrey

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Soft Sky

Paper: Wild Raspberry by K&Co, Very Vanilla, Soft Sky

Accessories: Red Ribbon, Dimensionals, Eyelet Scallop Punch (SU)

Another TCP Tuesday

Today a new TCP challenge starts (the weekly challenge for the Cat's Pajamas!). So I thought I best share last week's entry before moving on to the new one tonight.


The challenge this week was a sketch challenge. I really like this sketch as you can play around with image size and shape and make it your own. Here's the sketch....
And what I created...and look! I used sequins on the card...I've had them but never opened them!

Thanks for looking and Happy Tuesday!

Details
Stamp: Smells Like Cake (The Cat's Pajamas)
Paper: Cosmo Cricket: Snorket Boardwalk, Taken with Teal, Pumpkin Pie, Kraft, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain ribbon, Dimensionals, Sequins, Cuttlebug folders, Nestabilities, Stickles, Copics

Happy Monday and a Ketto

It's been a busy weekend, and like I've said before - I love Mondays! Hopefully it will be an uneventful week - since "eventful" weeks with four kids can be scarey : )

Today's card is to help start out the week, and to give a MWAH! out to all my blog visitors. I have seen my numbers jump, and it always make me feel good to know that others are looking at my creations. It's fun to share! The card is for last week's Bellarific challenge which was to use pink and brown. And I'm so lovin' the Kettos from Stamping Bella. I just got a few more to play with! More details at the end!

Details
Stamps: Phoebe Ketto, sentiment from Stamping Bella
Ink: Adirondack Espresso
Paper: Madison Avenue Metropolitan Collection
also used an old MOJO Monday sketch - MOJO74

I'm so excited...

Happy Friday to everyone - it's another busy weekend here! Hannah has her dance recital tomorrow, with the dress rehearsal tonight. Joseph also has his gallery night tonight...and of course, there are plenty of things I'd like to get done with the husband home...never enough time!

My friend Gretchen and I ordered a bunch of Sugar Nellie stamps a couple weeks ago from http://www.funkykits.co.uk/. I was loving their sweet sweet images, and of course "had to have some." Mine arrived yesterday in the mail and I am hoping to play with them tonight!!!! In the meantime, I had stamped out and played with some from Gretchen...
I saw this week's MOJO Monday sketch (by the way, fabulous sketches every week!), and thought I could use my Sugar Nellie. As you can see, I rotated the sketch, but it's a wonderful layout that helps you focus your attention on the stamp, not all the embellies! The paper is from a pad I bought from HL which has just nice, rich papers in it. Oh - and I will show you a close up of my coloring - I'm in LOVE with my copics and I think I'm getting better with them : )

Here's the sketch....

And my take on it (card is 5x5)... Close-up of the coloring...
Have a great weekend!

Fun is Good

I'm thinking that a lot of times we forget this Dr. Suess saying that Fun Is Good. I watch my kids and see how much fun they have with the simple things...and I realize that I need to slow down and count my blessings, and enjoy each and every moment with them.

The card today is a little "old" but the bright cheery colors made it a fun one to show today since it's been almost summer-like here in Texas...yesterday I was down right HOT! I used this set from Verve, along with one of their challenges this month - VLVAPR01 (www.vervestamps.com). The paper is from the animal crackers DCWV paper pad. Isn't this just a fun reminder to us to have some fun!

Thanks for looking - and try not to take life so seriously and enjoy yourself today!

Summer fever???

Does anyone else have spring fever - or should I say SUMMER fever? My kiddos are bouncing off the walls - wrestling, being crazy, and just wild. It's wearing me out...and it's getting hot here in Texas so let's see how today goes! By the time evening comes around, I'm wiped of any creative energy!

Anyways...last night I got together with my friend Gretchen (by the way, check out her examples for her new design team...she's doing a wonderful job! www.in2stamping.blogspot.com). The other thing - she received her Whiff of Joy stamps in the mail the other day so I'm anxiously stalking my mailbox for mine...any day and maybe today!

The card for today is using the My Favorite Things Funky Flowers set. I love the set - however, I'm "arrangement" challenged - can't seem to stack them all without going insane. I'm not the happiest with this card, but it's still pretty and they all can't be my favorites, right? Here it is, with details to follow...


Details
Stamps: Funky Flowers from MFT
Ink: Brilliance Graphite black
Paper: OLD DP from my stash, Barely Banana
Accessories: Dimensionals, dew drops

Happy Tuesday

I figured since the TCPTUES challenge comes out today (that's the challenge for Cat's Pajamas), I'd share a card from an old challenge - this card combines both TCPTUES53 with SC219. TCP's cat is growing on me, so you may see more of her! The colors are bright, but that was the challenge!

Tuesday also means the night that my friend comes over and we try to create a couple cards together (www.in2stamping.blogspot.com). We didn't get together this past weekend due to Jacob's birthday party, so it should be fun, if all goes according to plan! It's a busy day here with a Daisy's meeting after school, then dance, and trying to get them all down for bed. Tuesday is my "crazy" afternoon - although all times are crazy!

Thanks for looking!

MOJO and TCPTUES in one

I'm so glad it's Monday - and it's sunny and warm here. I'm the freak whose favorite day of the week is Monday. I just hope I get all accomplished that I am wanting to. Do you ever wish there was more time in the day??? There are so many cards I want to make, so many sewing projects, but sooooo little time (if I'm to be a good wife and mom :). Oh well - do what I can, right?!

Todays card is one I made combining last week's TCPTUES54 challenge (www.susiestampalot.blogspot.com) and a MOJO82 Monday sketch. I really liked how it turned out. The details are below...

Details
Stamps: Havin' A Pow Wow (the cat's pajamas)
Paper: Western Sky DP, Soft Sky, Chocolate Chip
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black
Accessories: River Rock Double Stitched Ribbon, Star Punch, Border punch, Button, Hemp Twine, Dimensionals, Copics

A four part challenge

Although I have "older" stuff to share from the past couple weeks, I thought I'd switch it up today. Verve is releasing tonight (http://www.vervestamps.com) and for their release they had a release week challenge. I ended up getting all four parts done - so maybe I can win something! I know...wishful thinking - but it was fun to pull out the Verve stamps and play with them. The sketches were great too - nothing too complicated, but with room to try something new.

This is from the first sketch - VSAPR1 over on Splitcoast. I used the Stars set from Verve (a favorite for sure!). I wanted some fun star paper and all that drew my attention was this paper from My Minds Eye - it's from their Halloween line but who says orange and black is only for October!? I love how this one turned out!

On another note, yesterday my friend Gretchen had her first release as a guest designer on her design team. Go on over and see what she can do - amazing work!!! - www.in2stamping.blogspot.com

Wish me luck - maybe I'll win one of their drawings tonight so I can justify the hundreds (maybe thousands!) of dollars already spent over the years : )

Details

Stamp: Verve Stars

Paper: My Minds Eye Nightlight Sugar Dots and Dotted Corn, Spooked Stars

Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black

Accessories: Gingham Ribbon (SU), nestabilities, brads, dimensionals

How?????

I realize this may not be politically correct. But I feel like this every day lately - HOW am I to get it all done?!?!?! HOW am I to do that? How?????? So I just had to use that sentiment on this card. The other thing, as if you didn't notice, is how very bright the card is. It's actually for the Cat's Pajamas Tuesday challenge - TCPTUES53. The challenge was to use bright yellow, orange and hot pink. By the end, this color combination really started to grow on me. Isn't it fun? Heck, it's almost summer so why not?!

Details

Stamps: Havin A Pow-Wow (The Cat's Pajamas)

Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black

Paper: Old DP from my stash, Yo-yo yellow, Pumpkin pie, and pink passion

Accessories: 5/8 inch yellow ribbon, dimensionals, Copics

Simple but sweet

The card I decided to share today is one that turned out so elegant! I bought this stamp set from Stampin Up as the sentiment were so nice to have on hand. This is using last week's sketch from Splitcoast SC223. I made the dimensions of the squares a little bigger to accomodate this set, but isn't it nice?!
Details
Stamps: Thoughts & Prayers
Ink: Old Olive
Paper: Very Vanilla, Brocade Background
Accessories: Stamping Bella Pearl Dots

A BEEday Tuesday

My daughter's nickname is "Bee." Really, it came the day she was born - we named her Hannah Bernadette, and in the NICU, my dad started calling her Hannah B. It has stuck...her first Halloween she was a bee - and any time I see something with a bee, I think of her. SOOOOO - when I saw this BEEday Huggabugg, I had to get it for her, if for no other reason ; )

I used the Bella Sketch Challenge BSC75 and just love how it all turned out. I am impressed with my coloring as well - glad to have some of it pop and other parts match.

Card Details
Stamp: BEEday HUGGABUGG from Stamping Bella
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black
Paper: Animdal Crackers DCWV, Pink Pirouette
Accessories: Copics, Adhesive

All a girl needs is...

While at my friends house crafting this weekend, we watched the Sex in the City movie. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I loved it - couple parts made tears come to my eyes. But the truth is, I loved the chemistry between the friends. I haven't watched any of the regular episodes so I had no past to base it on. But it was evident in the movie - I believe that all a gal needs is some REALLY great girl friends to make it through life...even if there is a husband, kids, etc....you still need your gals!

Anyways, with that on my mind, I decided to share a card I made with the sketch challenge on Splitcoast last week...SC223. I just love this girlfriend "hugs" stamp from Elzybells. The stamp is small so this was a perfect sketch for it. And I'm trying something new and more professional on my blog - I'll list the "recipe" for the card at the end of the post. We'll see if I can do it! Anyways, love this card!!!! And remember those great gal friends that are always there for you!

Card Details:

Stamps: Elzybells Hugs and sentiment

Paper: Summer Picnic, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie (Stampin Up)

Accessories: Old Olive 5/8 inch ribbon, copics, adhesive, dimensionals, Brilliance Graphite Black Ink

Mismatched Ketto

I feel mismatched lately - just sort of crazed and absent minded. I didn't have that "forgetfullness" that is attributed to pregnancy with the first four babies, but this one seems to have taken my mind. And if you know me, you know that THAT drives me crazy! AGGHHH!!!!

Today's card is bright and cheery! Using a new line of stamps from none other than Stamping Bella, this is Mismatched Ketto. I didn't know if I loved these as much at first glance, but of course, I ordered some and have fallen head over heels! They are fun!!!

This is from last Friday's Bellarific Inspiration challenge...I can't seem to find where and how to post this to that, but the inspiration was a bag of buttons that were bright pink, orange, yellow, green...
Thanks for looking - and I hope your day is better "matched" than mine have been!

Tinkerbella in orange

When I sat down to do this Bella Sketch Challenge (BSC74), I figured I should ink up a Bella I have yet to use. Out came Tinkerbella...but I wanted to do something other than pink. This picture doesn't do it justice but the orange and blue make this card pop! The paper is marrakech from Basic Grey, tangerine tango and pacific point (in colors from Stampin' Up). Thanks Gretchen for helping me go "untraditional" (www.in2stamping.blogspot.com).

Thanks for looking!

Gotta love a bella!

I didn't think I loved the bella stamps (http://www.stampingbella.com/) as much as I did until I saw how many of these stamps I have. Wow - can you say glutton with bellas?! But who can resist - after all, we're all "bellas" in our own way. "Bella" reminds me of when I lived in Italy - you couldn't go anywhere without hearing "bella bella..." Aaaaaaa - I would go back to Italy in a heart beat.

Anyways, the card today uses the beautiful Butterflybella. I used the Bella sketch challenge - BSC74, along with the color challenge BCC74 (which as you can see is to use black as the main color). I love the elegance of black and white, and this bella has class! And see the fun polka dot brad in the middle of the bow?!! Thanks Gretchen for your help with this one!

Have a great day - I'm off to take kids to school and have a baby check up...we'll get to hear the heartbeat which is always fascinating!

A Bunny Slipper Kind of Day

Today is supposed to be (hopefully) the last cold spell for the season - gotta love the weather in Texas...between the wind and the 50 degree changes in temperatures in a matter of hours! However, this morning is supposed to be the "stay in your warm fuzzy slippers" kind of day. Bonk - in the head - oops! I forgot - I have four kiddos to take care of! So although I'd like to "kick back and relax" - it's another Tuesday in my zoo!

I thought I had shared this card, but I hadn't - today is a perfect day for it before summer! This was for the My Favorite Things challenge - to use the Bunny Slippers set, along with two punches. I actually used four punches - the border punch, the two oval word punches, and the paisley punch (Creative Memories).

Thanks for stopping by and have a great Tuesday!

Easter week begins...

I can't believe that it is already April. This is Easter week so it's a busy one - and this weekend is not only Easter, but my third child's birthday - he'll be 3 years old!!! What a sweet little guy!

Here's a card I made using my new Verve stamps (from the set Beautiful You). I am going to try and do all the challenges this month for Verve! Here's for VLVAPR01 - and the twist was to only use a sentiment with the sketch they had given. The colors are real rich blues/purples/browns...but I absolutely love it! The papers are from the Latte Matstack from DCWV. And the ribbon is some my good friend Gretchen picked up for me for my birthday so I have no idea where she got it!

I do have another card using this challenge but will save it for later in the week if I don't get as much done as planned : ) Thanks for looking and HAPPY MONDAY!

The Owl Craze

I remember when the owl craze started in the stamping world. My friend Gretchen (www.in2stamping.blogspot.com) swore up and down that she'd never be onboard that craze. I didn't really have much of opinion - there wasn't any that I really liked, so I didn't have to have them. Well, Gretchen is in love with owls now, and when playing with my birthday money, I fell in love with this owl set!

The stamp is branching out owlies from Stamping Bella (www.stampingbella.com). The paper is The Green Stack from DCWV. Don't you love it! And I liked the saying so I picked that up on the website too! Here's two cards - same layout using splitcoast's SC221, just a different arrangement of the papers (which are perfect for this card!).

I can't believe it's already Friday. There's a late start for school (teacher appreciation breakfast). And tomorrow I am going with Hannah's girl scout troop to chaperone an all day Day Camp. Should be fun - just hope my body can keep up with 30 six year olds!

Javabugg

Anyone who knows me, knows I can not stand bugs of any kind. And one thing is for sure, the bugs in Texas are HUGE! You've never seen bugs until you've seen a Texas bug! However, I just fell in love with these "buggs" from Stamping Bella - this one is called Javabugg. Aren't they just the cutest?! My friend Gretchen and I got a handful of these to play with so stay tuned for more buggs! This card I made for Taylored Expressions Sketch from last week (TECC61). So it's not a cupcake, but I figured this would be the perfect stamp for her sketch - www.tayloredexpressions.blogspot.com. I used the Berry Sweet paper from K&Company and some loving primas. I just love this card...so sweet!

And to all my good friends out there - this one's for you! It's always nice to find a good friend and this is the perfect stamp to express that type of friendship...I'm so thankful for those friends in my life!

A Latte Thanks?

Today's card is one that had a different picture in my head before making it. I'm still not sure if I totally like it, but my friend came over last night and gave her stamp of approval (no pun intended - ok so it's early and I haven't had my coffee yet). This was for the MFTSC74 challenge - the sketch was challenging given the stamps. The paper is basic grey Euphoria. It is growing on me though! I got my new shipment of MFT stamps in and am loving to play!

Have a great "hump day" - thanks for looking!