Cocktails and moonlit nights...that dreamy look in your eye...

See, I told you I'd be back! Two posts in one day...can you believe it?  *grin*

We're still playing along for the Jacksonbelle Embellishments New Years Eve bash. This card is for the last challenge, which is to make Lindsey (Ms. Jacksonbelle herself) a birthday card since she has one coming up. Fun stuff! There are more fun things going on, like a treasure hunt and prizes, so make sure you check out the JBE Blog for all the details. And here is my birthday card, just for Miss Linz...

I know!! It's hilarious, right? I love this! I used the Got Cocktails set from Inkadinkado...which is a total deal at $1.99! It looks like they're out of stock right now, but if you pop an email to Lindsey I bet she can hook you up! Anywho, I stamped the roosters in Brilliance Graphite Black ink on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White cardstock, then colored it with reinkers and a blender pen. After cutting out several layers with my Circle Nestabilities, I ran the scalloped layer through my Cuttlebug with the Swiss Dots embossing folder and sponged the edges and raised dots with Baja Breeze ink.

The card base layers were stitched together with my sewing machine, then I added some brads from my We R Memory Keepers Hardware kit and some lace trim. I popped up the circle panels, and finally added the sentiment (from River City Rubber Works). Inside the card says "Happy Birthday!" *snicker* I think this is just perfect, don't you?

So....there have been talks of hidden blog candy, and guess what? You found one! Here's what I have to give away:

This is a Basic Grey Milk Chocolate Lotus Chipboard Album...that just sounds yummy!! All you have to do to win is leave me a comment on this post by Friday, January 2nd at 12:00 PM (EST). At that time, I will choose a winner using random.org and post it here. Easy! Thanks for stopping by, and don't forget to check out the other JBE Team Members Blogs to look for more chances to win!

And have a wonderfully HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

The heart is a bloom, shoots up through the stony ground...

Hey yall! I hope you're having a fantastic day...and if you're not, you better fix it quick! It's the last day of 2008!

The Jacksonbelle Embellishments team is having a New Year's Eve Bash, complete with challenges and a treasure hunt! All the details are on the JBE Blog HERE.

One of the challenges was to use black, white and some bling. I think I got it all covered in this one! Plus (you know, I had to break these girls in to how I do things...) I added a little blue ribbon. Just cause I wanted to. *wink*


I stamped the bird from the Birds Galore set in Versamark on watercolor paper, then embossed him with black detail embossing powder. After sketching a little trail, I pierced along the line and erased my pencil lines. Then I curved the sentiment (from October Afternoon) along the line and stamped it in Brilliance Graphite Black.

Once everything was dry, I lightly painted the entire card front with Candle Light Shimmerz. So pretty! Then to finish it off, I punched the bottom with my new Martha punch, threaded the ribbon through, and tied it in a bow. Super simple, but pretty elegant I think! I have no idea where I got the ribbon...it was in my stash. *grin*

Don't forget to use the Keyword JBENYE2 if you decide to play along to win some prizes!

We'll be chatting it up on the PCP group, so come join us if you want!!

See you with another project in a bit!

From within, a dim light cast, two silhouettes on the shade...oh, what a lovely couple they made...

Hey guys, how are ya? I know, I'm a bit late with the Sketch for You to Try again. I made a card, but it was so not pretty, I tell ya! Ick! So it was back to the drawing board last night, and I finally got one I could show ya. *grin*

I used my new Nature's Silhouettes set from CHF (a birthday present from my girl Julee!), and I only switched the sketch around a little bit! *wink* First I inked up the Boxwood stamp in Versamark, then inked over that with Ruby Red and stamped it twice on Pearlized White cardstock. Then I embossed that with clear detail embossing powder. Once that cooled, I repeated the steps with the Bayleaf stamp using River Rock and Old Olive ink, then clear embossed those. Instant masking! After layering that panel on Chocolate Chip, I popped it up on dimensionals over a Ruby Red layer punched with my new Martha Stewart border punch. I tried to find the name or a link for it, but no luck! I will let you know when I find it, k?

For the card base, I cut a piece of designer paper from the My Mind's Eye Laundry Line collection to 5" square. I matted it with Chocolate Chip and stitched around the edges with my sewing machine. I wrapped 2 strips of 5/8" Chocolate Grosgrain around the base, then popped up my main image panel on dimensionals. To finish off the card, I added 3 buttons tied with embroidery thread.

I hope you're recovering from the holidays. I'm still trying to get my stamp room cleaned up so I can get to work on stuff for the MFT and Verve releases next week. Stay tuned...there's fun stuff coming!

Sorry yall...

My Sketch for You to Try isn't done, I'm sorry. We haven't been home much all week, and hosted my birthday celebration at the house today (which meant fun, but lots of cleaning! Love that after Christmas clutter...) Anywho, I will post it ASAP!

Listen to the music of the moment people dance and sing, we're just one big family...

I hope you are all having a wonderful time celebrating the holidays with your friends, families, and loved ones. I know we are! We're off for Round 6 of celebration...such fun!

Thank you all for the birthday wishes...30 wasn't so bad (yet...). My favorite comment was from Suzanne who said, ---remember, if 50 is the new 40 then 30 is the new 20! I love the way you think, girl! *wink* I did get spoiled rotten...my dad even ventured into The Crafty Scrapper (my LSS) to get me a gift certificate! WAHOO! And I have a new thing to learn...hubby bought me a guitar! I have always wanted to learn to play, but it's kind of intimidating not knowing how and having this gorgeous instrument to play on. Wish me luck!

Hugs to all of you...I just wanted to pop in and say hi to all my blogging friends and that I'm excited to get back into the swing of stamping and creating and chatting with you all. Have a fabulous day!

When Mary holds your hand, you feel so grand...your heart starts beatin' like a big brass band...

Happy Saturday, folks! Thanks so much for sticking with me, even though I've been bizzy and haven't been posting much. I did manage to get some fabulous teacher gifts finished (no pics, it was too late!) and now I'm on to some other gifty things. Hopefully I will get them finished in time to photograph them and show them off.

I have to say that this sketch had me stumped for a few minutes! Those circles threw me for a loop. I knew I wanted to use my Deck the Hall set from The Cats Pajamas, so I worked around the large tree image. Here's my card:

This card is also for the TCP Tuesday challenge, which is to use any of the tree images. I stamped the tree image in Brilliance Graphite Black twice on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White cardstock, then colored one image with Copics. I cut out the tree, then popped it up on top of the non-colored image, adding some Liquid Applique snow. I also added the sentiment to the top right...it seemed to fit perfectly!

To create the background, I stamped the three snowflakes from the same set in Versamark ink on So Saffron cardstock, then embossed the images with clear detail embossing powder. Then I sponged the edges with Saffron, Marigold Morning, and Pumpkin Pie ink. To finish off the card, I added some layers and ribbon, as well as Primas and a button for my circles. I am happy with how this turned out!

Make sure you check out the sketch and samples from Jen and Lynn on Jen's Blog, as well as more eye candy from my peeps Amy R, Amy S, Susan, and Carole. And if you decide to play with us this week, don't forget to use the keyword SFYTT so we can check out your fab creations. Have a wonderful weekend!

Through the years we all will be together, if the fates allow...

Look! I'm alive! *grin*

I got a chance to stamp last night, so I thought I'd show you a quick card for this week's SCS Sketch Challenge. I also added some glitter for this week's Bella-Riffic Friday theme, which is ICE.

This is gonna be a quick post today, but I just wanted to check in. Gotta run...hope you're enjoying the days leading up to the holidays! *grin*

Oh, and just a reminder, only 7 more shopping days till my birthday! (and it's the big THREE-OH this year...ugh)

Whoopi-ty-aye-oh...rockin' to and fro...back in the saddle again...

Happy Saturday, yall! I hope you're enjoying your weekend so far. I am hard at work on gifts in my stamp room, which is a total disaster, but I managed to find supplies to make my Sketch for You to Try card today. This is a great sketch, definitely one I'm keeping in my sketchbook for later.

I used some of my cowgirl paper stash from Creative Imaginations to get my card started. What a fun line! I remember seeing it last February at CHA and forgot about them till I saw them at The Crafty Scrapper last week. I got a whole stack!

This card measures 5 1/4" square, and most of the layers are sponged with Tea Dye and Walnut Stain Distress ink. The sentiment is from Deadbeat Designs that I picked up on my last trip to Stamp Salado.

While your surfing today, don't forget to check out this fab sketch and sample on Jen's blog (as well as an awesome card by our guest Lynn Put). Also make sure you check out my stamping friends Amy R, Carole, and Susan for more amazing projects using this sketch. If you upload to SCS, remember to use the keyword SFYTT so we can all see your eye candy.

SPEAKING of candy...I bet you all wanna know who won the Elzybells sheep set, huh? First of all, thank you for all the kind words of encouragement and congratulations. You rock my world!! The winner of the Sheep Celebrations 2 set is...

Janine said...

I know you're going to do a fabulous job, Shannan!!! I'm alternately filled with elation for you and jealousy, LOL! Congrats again! Pick me...love them sheeps!!!

December 10, 2008 7:50 PM

Congrats, Janine!!! Email me your address and I'll send your set out on Monday! Yall have a fabulous day, and enjoy the rest of your weekend!

I need a place to spend the day, where no one says to go or stay, where I can take my pen and draw the girl I mean to be...

Hey yall! Sorry I've been so quiet. Like most of you, this time of year is busy for me, and it's only going to get busier! I will try to post as much as I can, k?

I mentioned some changes going on, and now I'm able to share details. After the end of December, I will be leaving my full-time job as an outside sales rep (I sell poster making machines, ID badge machines, and laminators to schools). I've been with the company for almost ten years, and I am off to chase a dream! Other than playing more with my kiddos, I will be taking on some new adventures in the paper craft industry, as well as continuing my design work and filling custom orders. Fun stuff!! See...I told you it was nothing bad. *wink* Plus, now I get to go to CHA for work! How great is that?!

So anywho, I hope you can hear my excitement. I have a lot of people who believe in me and encourage me (including yall!), and I wouldn't have been able to go forward without all of you. So this card is for you guys! (oh, and the SCS color challenge for this week...*grin*)

Yes, I finally broke down and ordered Absolutely Fabulous from Stampin' Up! Mostly thanks to Kristina and Dawn. I love this set! I cut out the layers with different sizes of my Labels One Nestabilities dies and inked up the edges. The red layer is embossed with the Swiss Dots embossing folder as well. Then I stamped the image from Verve's Serenity set in Baja Breeze to set off the sentiment. The final bit was the ribbon...which I may remove...not sure yet. But either way I like how it turned out...nice and simple!

Ok, so to celebrate my newfound freedom from "the man," I'd love to give away some stamps! I found myself with two sets of Sheep Celebrations 2 clear stamp set from Elzybells Art Stamps. Isn't it too cute?

I'll leave this until my Sketch for You to Try post on Saturday, when I'll post the winner. All you have to do is leave me a comment and tell me what your dream job is. Easy! I can't wait to hear what you have to say!

Oh, and a PSA:
Two of my favorite people are giving away blog candy as well! Check out the links below:
Susan Liles aka Susiestampalot
Julee Tilman from Poetic Artistry
Have fun and good luck!

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht...

Happy Saturday, yall! I'm sorry I'm so late posting, but I'm here with my Sketch for You to Try! We have a new guest with us this week, so give a warm welcome to Lynn Put! I am a big fan of her Bella creations, so I'm looking forward to what she has in store for us!

My card this week started with a Maya Road chipboard snowflake, and grew into a shimmery black and white creation. I thought this sentiment from the Silent Night PTI set was perfect for the feel I was going for.
This card measures 5 1/4" Square. I stamped the 5" square white panel with the flourish from the Silent Night set in Versamark Dazzle champagne ink, then also ran my ink pad along the edges. You can't see it at all in the picture, but it's just beautiful in real life! I embossed the black panel with the Swiss Dots embossing folder, then ran my Dazzle inkpad along the dots and the edges for some more sparkle. The side strip was embossed with the Snowflakes Embossing Folder, then I painted the raised parts with Candle Light Shimmerz. So pretty!!

After painting my chipboard snowflake with white acrylic paint, I followed Anna's Crystal Snowflake instructions to make mine, using the My Martha Stewart branch punch as well. To finish off the card, I pounced my Versamark Dazzle ink pad all over the sentiment panel, so the whole thing sparkles. I really love how this card turned out!

Thanks for coming to see me today! Make sure you check out the eye candy from Jen and Lynn on Jen's blog, and other fantastic samples from my stampin' friends Amy R, Amy S, Carole, and Susan. If you upload to SCS, don't forget to use the keyword SFYTT so we can check out your cards. Have a fabulous weekend!

If I could open my mouth...Wide enough for a marching band to march out...

Sorry, yall...I had to share this. If you don't watch The Amazing Race, this is probably one of the best scenes I've seen in all 13 seasons. Totally hilarious! Scroll down to the next post for something crafty.

We've been friends for a long, long time...You tell me your secrets and I'll tell you mine...

Happy Thursday, yall! I hope you're having a fantastic week so far. It is supposed to get really cold here, (you know, like less than 70!) so hopefully you're staying warm where you are.

Today I have a cute little tin to share that I created for the Verve Project Parade over on the Verve Blog. The challenge this time was to create Anything but a Card. Which used to scare me, but I think I'm getting over that these days! *wink* My problem is always the starting point. When I get stuck, I sit in my chair in my stamp room, and look around. This is why I like everything out where I can see it (aka Total Disaster). I look at everything, no matter if it's in use or not, to see if I can alter it or recreate it using cardstock. This time I got lucky and found this cute tin full of Prima Flowers that I bought from Jacksonbelle. Perfect!!

After cutting the Pink strip from the Arctic Chill collection from Fancy Pants, I stamped the background from Snow Wonderful in Versamark Dazzle Champagne and embossed with Clear embossing powder. It has a nice shimmer to it in real life that's almost impossible to capture in a photo.

The top of the tin was wrapped in 5/8" Grosgrain ribbon with a little bow, and the top was covered using cardstock layers cut with my Circle Nestabilities dies. The top layer is the other side of the Fancy Pants Arctic Chill paper that I used to wrap the bottom of the tin. I sponged all the edges, then added the sentiment in Brilliance Pearlized Chocolate ink.

To finish off the tin, I stamped the snowman three times in the same Brilliance ink, then colored the appropriate pieces with Copic markers. I cut them out and layered them with Pop Dots to make the snowman jump right off the top!

Well, I hope you enjoyed this little project and that you have a wonderful day! 

Stamps: Snow Wonderful (Verve)
Paper: Regal Rose, Chocolate Chip (SU), Classic Crest Solar White (Neenah), Arctic Chill Collection (Fancy Pants)
Ink: Brilliance Pearlized Chocolate (Tsukineko), Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa (SU)
Accessories: Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Sponges, Copic Markers, Liquid Applique (Marvy), Dimensionals, 5/8" Chocolate Grosgrain (SU), Versamark Dazzle Champagne (Tsukineko), Clear Detail Embossing Powder (Ranger)

Make me a wish, make it just for me...

Happy Wednesday, people, and welcome to my part of the My Favorite Things blog hop! If you've come straight here, make sure you start at the beginning at Kim's Blog, and hop on down.

Today, I have a cute teaser to show you with the Isabelle Paper Doll set. I wanted to make her sweet and simple. Here ya go!
Now it's time to Hop over to Ana's Blog and see the goodies she has for you.

My Favorite Things (www.mftstamps.com) is having a New Release Cocktail Party on Wednesday, December 3rd from 9-10 p.m. Eastern time. This month there are THREE new sets being released including a TOTE-ally awesome Who's that Girl set!

Head over to the MFT forum on www.splitcoaststampers.com to find out all the details and to find out how YOU can be the next MFT Guest Designer. We hope to see you there on Wednesday night.

That's all they really want, is some fun, when the working day is done...

Happy Tuesday, people! Today I have a fabulous MFTeaser ready for you!

The set I'm previewing is called Tote-ally Fantastic!...an appropriately so! I loveee this set...who doesn't love purses?? Here's my project:

I used the image from Tote-ally Fantastic to create a little gift tote. After stamping her in Brilliance Graphite Black on Watercolor paper, I paper pieced her outfit and watercolored the rest of the image. The sentiment (my favorite from the set!) was embossed with white embossing powder. I love how this turned out!

My Favorite Things is having a New Release Cocktail Party on Wednesday, December 3rd from 9-10 p.m. Eastern time. This month there are THREE new sets being released including a TOTE-ally awesome Who's that Girl set!

Head over to the MFT forum on SCS to find out all the details and to find out how YOU can be the next MFT Guest Designer. We hope to see you there on Wednesday night.