A day or two ago...I thought I'd take a ride...

Hey you guys! I hope my American sisters had a wonderful Thanksgiving and didn't spend too much $$ yesterday. *wink* I am not brave enough to go out on Black Friday...are you?

Today I have another sample for Jen's Sketch for You to Try! I am currently in a hotel room in downtown Fort Worth...we spent Thursday and Friday night here. It was so fun! We watched the Parade of Lights from our hotel window, then watched as they lit the tree in Sundance Square. All while eating pizza and lounging...it was great!

So...here's my card!

Last week I did a little shopping at The Crafty Scrapper, and picked up this adorable stamp set from October Afternoon from the Good Cheer Collection. How cute is this??? I stamped him in Brilliance Graphite Black on Neenah Solar White cardstock, then cut him out with my Circle Nestabilities. I also cut a Real Red scalloped layer. The DP and ribbon is from Stampin' Up...love it also! The sentiment was perfect for my Christmas/Holiday card stash (hopefully I will mail them this year...), so I stamped it in black on my card base. Super easy!

I hope you enjoyed my card today. Don't forget to check out more fabulous inspiration from my stamping friends Jen (and Guest Becca), Amy R., Amy S., Carole, and Susan. If you upload to SCS, please use the keyword SFYTT so we can all check out your creations.

Have a fabulous Saturday!

They're walking around the bed, On their head, Clippety cloppety...

Happy Thanksgiving, Sistahs! I hope you're enjoying your day. I have to take a second to tell you all how thankful I am for you. Seriously! I find it baffling that some of my greatest friends are ones I've never even seen...I love you all! There are some major changes going on in my life (no, I'm not pregnant, and no, I'm not leaving, and no, it's not THAT kind of change...) and it's nice to have you all there to lean on. HUGS to all of you!!

Ok, so now that the love fest is out of the way, I have something fun to share! Hopefully by now you've heard about the newest stamp company in town, Our Craft Lounge. Owned by some of my dear friends, I'm so excited to support and encourage them in their new venture! So if you haven't, make sure you check out their newest stamps, k?


When I saw the new stamps, I fell head over heels for the Dr. Pea-Nut set. OMG!! His face just cracks me up every time! Totally makes me happy. Check it out:

Isn't he adorable??? One of the things I love about this set is all the accessories that come along with Elfred (no idea what his name is, but I shall call him ELFRED). You can make Get Well cards, Valentine's Day cards, and Thinking of You/Just Because cards...it's all in how you use it.

I knew I wanted to use this sentiment, so I stamped Elfred in Memento Tuxedo Black ink and masked him, then stamped the Peanut bucket and grass around him. Colored him with Copic Markers and Voila! The sketch challenge on SCS was perfect, so I just added a red panel and a strip of felt ribbon and then the sentiment to finish it off. What a perfect card for a friend who has had a rotten day!

Anywho, that's about it for me today...I gotta go finish some laundry. *blech* Hope you have a wonderful Turkey Day!

Stamps: Dr. Pea-Nut (Our Craft Lounge)

Paper: Kraft, Real Red, Chocolate Chip, Neenah Classic Cream

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Close to Cocoa

Accessories: Copic Markers, Sponges, Houndstooth Embossing Folder, Sewing Machine & Thread, Alpine Ribbon Originals, Antique Brass Brads, Paper Piercer, Mat Pack, Pop Dots, Distressor Tool

Like a bridge OVER (not under) troubled water.......

ETA: Sorry...it was late and I messed up the song!! AAACK!

I have a watercolor tutorial for you guys today...are you ready? I hope so, cause I worked super hard on it!

Supplies Needed:

Line Image Stamp (I used Rain or Shine from My Favorite Things)
Watercolor Paper (140 lb. Cold Pressed used here.)
Water brushes (I like Niji brand)
Permanent Black Ink
Dye Ink Refills
Ink Well Palette
Niji Pearlescent Watercolors





Stamp image on Watercolor paper in permanent black ink (I used Brilliance Graphite Black) and allow it to dry. You can use a heat gun if you’re impatient like me.

Starting with your LIGHTEST color, begin coloring your image. Colors used here (SU-Soft Sky, Blush Blossom, & So Saffron; Adirondack-Shell Pink & Citrus)

One of my tricks is to make sure I use the LEAST amount of water possible. This way, you have a lesser chance of your inks bleeding or traveling outside the lines. If your brush is too wet, squeeze the brush tip between your finger and thumb from the top of the brush to the end. I also keep a paper towel handy to absorb extra water.

After your image is COMPLETELY DRY (no cheating!!), add depth by layering another color. (I used Regal Rose from Stampin’ Up)

You’ll notice I try to stay just inside the lines. I don’t mind white spots as much as I mind bleeding outside the lines! Here is the image with the full 2nd layers added, except to the water. We’ll do that later. I used Adirondack Lettuce and Close to Cocoa from Stampin’ Up.)

After that dries (YES, ALL THE WAY!!), add a 3rd shadow color. I used Purely Pomegranate.

Once you’ve added your shadow colors (Old Olive, Close to Cocoa, & Purely Pomegranate), add shadows where you think they’d be in the water. Here’s what it looked like before I blended it. (I used Cool Caribbean.)

Soften the edges of the shadowed areas with your waterbrush. Be careful to stay only in the water and not touch her boots!

I decided to add a little shimmer to her coat and boots, so I used my Pearlescent Watercolors. It’s a little exaggerated here due to my lighting, but it’s sooo pretty in real life!

And here’s your finished product! I used Diamond Glaze (aka Crystal Effects) to add shine to the water and then made some raindrops across the image as well.

I hope this helps you guys...and make sure you check out the What's Up Wednesday Special from MFT!

Hey little girl on a spending spree...I don't come cheap but the kisses come free...

Hey yall! I'm sorry for not posting my Sketch for You to Try...it's still on my desk in pieces. I had a project to finish last night and didn't get to it, so hopefully tonight!

It has been pretty busy with non-stamping things around my house, but that better change - I have LOTS of Christmas presents to make!

I do have a Bella card to show you today. I'm teaching Copic classes at The Crafty Scrapper starting in January (you can see the class schedule HERE), and this is one of the three cards we'll make in the first class.
I used my new obsession, Bo Bunny Double Dot paper. YUMMMYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!! I stamped Cosmobella in Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored her with Copic markers, then cut her out with my Rectangle Nestabilities. I also added some Diamond Stickles to her 'Tini. So cute!

The edges of the DP were sponged with Ranger Distress Walnut Stain ink, and after I added some stitching, I layered some wide lace trim around the card. The finishing touch was a crochet flower from My Mind's Eye and the Happy Birthday Sentiment.

I have something much requested coming up tomorrow....a thorough tutorial, so stay tuned!!

Cause you're hot, then you're cold, you're yes, then you're no...

Hey you guys. I am soooo sorry I haven't posted in so long. My week has been killer. I had a huge bid due for work, so the first 3 days of the week were spent poring over paperwork. Unfortunately, I caught a cold from my boss that took me down today. The doc says it's bronchitis...yuck. *frowny face* I am currently alternating between freezing cold and burning up. Just plain icky.

I do have a card to show you...I think I made it Tuesday night for the color challenge on Splitcoast.

I inked up the bird from Winter Birds Set in Brilliance Graphite Black and stamped it onto Kraft paper. I thought the sentiment from Verve's new Snowflake Splendor set was a perfect match! I cut out the image with my new Labels One Nesabilities die. To accent the image a bit, I colored some of the snowflakes with my White gel pen (the Ranger one is awesome!) and a red Copic marker. I added a little Diamond Dust (thanks a LOT, Anna, AKA the bad bad enabler) and some black brads. Then I ran the edges across my White Craft  inkpad.

The card base measures 4 1/4" square, and I layered the red snowflake embossed panel (sponged with Distress ink) onto black cardstock and stitched around the edge with my sewing machine. Then I popped the main image panel up with pop dots. Super easy!

I hope you like it...and hopefully it'll tide you over until my Sketch for You to Try post on Saturday...I have a feeling I won't do any more stamping than that. Have a happy Thursday!

I've got a peaceful, easy feeling...

Hey, y'all! Welcome to another Sketch for You to Try! So sorry I'm late posting...I had a Copic Class this morning that came too early! *grin*

Gotta make this short and sweet, cause I'm headed to San Antonio to see Julianna in a musical. Can't wait! Here's my card:

I used the Verve Plain Jane Philippians 4:13 stamp and cut & layered it with my nestabilities. I am sooo proud of my stitching on here...look how straight it is!!! GO ME! *wink* Anywho, I thought this was a nice, bright cheery "You can do it" kind of card. Hope you like it!

To see more goodies with this sketch, check out cards from my stampin' friends Jen and our guest Becca, Amy R, Amy S, Carole, and Susan. Don't forget to use the keyword SFYTT when you upload to SCS so we can all see your cards. Have a fabulous weekend!

I'd like to walk you through a field of wildflowers...I'd like to check you for ticks...

Sorry...I couldn't help but title my post with that song...it's totally hilarious! I loved seeing Brad Paisley on Dancing with the Stars last night, and seeing him perform that one was just icing on the cake. Loved it! Anywho...

I'm sorry I didn't post yesterday, but I was home with a very sick little boy! He has nasty bronchitis and we're having to do breathing treatments (now down to about 2-3 per day), but he's feeling better now.

Anywho, here's another card I made for the Verve release, and I really think this one is my favorite. It's super simple, but I love it. Whaddya think?
I love the way the red pops against the Kraft, especially after I sponged the edges with Close to Cocoa and Chocolate chip ink. I stamped the ornament from Ornamental Christmas in Versamagic Spanish Olive ink, then stamped the sentiment in Brilliance Pearlized Chocolate. After coloring the stripes with a Copic marker, I punched the ornament out with my Marvy Super Jumbo (blue) Circle Punch. After everything was totally dry, I layered Crackle Accents on top of the ornament and let it dry. Once it was dry, I sponged Close to Cocoa across it so it would get down in the cracks and age the ornament a bit. Worked like a charm!

On my Kraft card base, I stamped the branch (also from Ornamental Christmas) in Versamark ink for just a little subtle texture. I sponged all the edges of all the layers with Close to Cocoa and Chocolate Chip ink, then distressed them with my Tonic Distressor tool. I used the Mat pack and a paper piercer to add a little piercing detail on the corner of the red panel.

To finish off the card and "hang" my ornament, I took this hang-a-mabob piece of Hodgepodge Hardware and threaded some twine through it. The twine was then adhered to the back of the Holly DP Panel, and then I added a bow to the hardware so it wasn't so stark.

Anywho, I hope you like this one, and I hope you have a fabulous Wednesday!

Leave to your God to order and provide...in every change, He, faithful will remain...

Hi Yall! I have some projects to share with you today...these are some of my favorites in a long time! Verve just released some awesome sets, and these are some samples of the new Plain Jane scripture stamps. Hope you like them!

The first sample is for Proverbs 3:5. I love love love this scripture!
I found this awesome wood plaque at Michael's for next to nothing (under $2 I think!). I painted it with off-white acrylic paint, then added some Basic Grey Sultry paper to the top panel. After sanding the edges, I softly painted the edges of the plaque with brown acrylic paint. Once the paint dried, I painted 3 layers of off-white paint to the center of the plaque, over the patterned paper. After it was dry, I stamped the scripture in Brilliance Pearlized Chocolate. The buttons from Stampin' Up matched perfectly, so I tied them with Linen DMC Floss and adhered them to the plaque. Super easy!

The next plaque was painted and sanded, in addition to covering the top with Basic Grey Figgy Pudding paper.
After stamping Philippians 4:13, I added the trim (from My Mind's Eye) and a Foof-la-la button tied with linen DMC thread. This will be awesome hanging in my office!

The last project I created was a canvas with the Psalm 46:10 stamp. I created a mini canvas to hang on the wall:
First I painted the canvas a soft blue, then stamped the Aged Sheet Music Scrapblock around the edges in acrylic paint. Then I added a center distressed panel of paint and adhered the sentiment and matte (cut out with rectangle nestabilities) to the center. I wrapped the edges with 5/8" Brown Satin ribbon, then hung it with the same ribbon and hodgepodge hardware. I love the way this one turned out!

Julee has really outdone herself with this release...as always. You can check out the specials and deals HERE. Have a great night!

Wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up, cause I'm only dreaming...

Happy Saturday, yall! It's starting to feel like the holidays around here, even though it's 80 degrees outside. *sigh*

Okay so I have been writing this blog post for almost an hour...the kiddos are grouchy today! We're gonna make it short and sweek, k?

Here's my card for this week's Sketch for You to Try.

I used one of the new Verve Releases called Snow Wonderful. This little guy is sooo super cute! Check out samples from my friends Jen (and our guest Becca), Amy R, Amy S, Carole, and Susan.

And here is the card I made for Julee's Holiday Release Sketch Blitz Day 5.

This card uses images from Snowflake Splendor and a sentiment from Ornamental Christmas. I went shabby chic on this one with lots of sponging, sewing, and some lace trim.

For more previews of the sets to be released on November 10th, check out the Verve Blog. I hope you can join us on Sunday night at 7:00 PM Central in the Verve Forum for the release party. All the info is HERE.

Here they come, every night the same...silent stars, light from a distant flame...

Happy Friday, yall! Today I have a Sneak Preview of new Verve sets to be released on Sunday night...Poinsettia Christmas and Ornamental Christmas. You will love these sets!

I ran across this paper mache' house on sale on a recent trip to Hobby Lobby, and I knew I had to pick it up. Turns out, it was perfect for this sentiment from Poinsettia Christmas!
Cute, huh? I covered the house with Cosmo Cricket's Oh Joy paper, then added some ribbon and a sentiment from Poinsettia Christmas. I stamped the flower on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, then colored it with Copic markers and cut it out. The sentiment was stamped on Very Vanilla and matted with Chocolate Chip cardstock. After applying Crackle Accents, I cut out the flower and popped it up on the sentiment. Inside the box is a gift card to Pottery Barn. (Is it sad that I want to keep it for myself? *grin*)

The card is fairly simple, and uses the Verve Holiday Release Sketch Blitz #1. Finish these sketches and you'll have a chance to win FREE STAMPS!! Woo hooo!!!!

Anywho, instead of the image, I added a piece of a Cinnamon stick...it smells yummy! Thought it would be the perfect addition.

For more previews of the sets to be released on November 10th, visit the Verve Blog. The divas and guests have outdone themselves...plenty of inspiration here! I hope you enjoy all the eye candy, and join us on Sunday night at 7:00 PM Central in the Verve Forum for the release party. All the info is HERE.

Have a fabulous day!

It's the end of the world as we know it....

Hey yall! Are you having fun blog hopping? I hope so!

Tonight I have two new Annie LaPoint images to show you. These are from the new MFT Presents line from My Favorite Things, and can be found HERE, at 11:00 CENTRAL!

The first is Wind Down, and I created a card and a candle for this one...

And here's a close-up of the card...

Funny enough, the colors I used on the candle are the same as the ones I used to color the image on the card. Weird, huh?

And here's a little shabby chic oval number I created using Scented Geranium:

Now that you've enjoyed my projects, the next stop is Amber's blog HERE. If you've just started with us, you can start HERE and move on to see all the awesome projects!

Don't forget...My Favorite Things is having a New Release Cocktail Party on Wednesday, November 5th from 9-11 p.m. Eastern time. This month there are FIVE new sets being released, including THE must have Who's That Girl set of the year!

Head over to the MFT Forum to find out all the details and to find out how YOU can be the next MFT Guest Designer. See you there on Wednesday night!

But I know this crush ain't going away ay ay ayyyyyy....

Ahoy, blog peeps! I hope you all had a fantastic Halloween. We trick or treated and had a blast. I'll have some pictures to show you later, but right now I have a new Sketch for You to Try card today! This one came together really quickly, and I really like how it turned out! ARRRGGG....

Fun, huh? I used my Kim Hughes Ahoy Matey set and a branch from the UR A Hoot set to create the main image. I also did the Cracked Glass technique for last Thursday's challenge. Not too easy with Detail embossing powder, but hey, I made it work! *grin*

This is a really quick post today cause I'm on my way to meet my sister for lunch. To see more fun stuff with this sketch, check out Jen's blog (and say hi to our new guest, Becca Feekin!), as well as cards from my other stampin' friends Amy R, Amy S, Carole, & Susan.

Have a fabulous Saturday!