For it won't be long...'till I'm gonna need...somebody to lean on...

Hey, blog land! I have a quick public service announcement today...so here goes!

Many of you may know my friend, Susan Liles.We have been on the Verve team together for over 2 years, and worked on both the MFT & SFYTT teams together in the past. She is such a thoughtful, sweet friend in addition to being hilarious and fun to be around.

Right now, Susan and her family could use some help from all of us. Her husband, Eric, has been battling a very aggressive form of cancer for the past few months. He is the bread winner of the family and he is out of sick time at work while he goes through round after round of chemo. And, of course, the medical bills are piling up and figuring out how to pay those bills is something you just shouldn't have to deal with when you are trying to get someone better.

So three amazing companies are banding together and offering a discount to you and also donating a portion of the sales to the Liles family. How awesome is that? I have experienced firsthand the love and support of this community...how people band together for others they haven't met in person...it's astounding. I'm proud to be a part of it, and to call these people my friends.

The Cat's Pajamas, Verve Stamps, and My Favorite Things have banded together in a fund-raising effort that also benefits YOU!

By shopping at The Cat's Pajamas, Verve Stamps , and/or My Favorite Things you can save 10% now through Sunday, June 20th.

In addition, our three Companies are donating a portion of the proceeds for the next three days directly to Susan and Eric so they can devote their energy and time toward healing and caring for their children and not worrying about how to pay for rising medical bills.

The The Cat's Pajamas Deets:
No code is needed! Everything in the store is 10% off!


The Verve Stamps Deets:
Save 10% on all everything Verve, no code needed!

The MFT Deets:
The code for MFT to save 10% is SusieQ. You'll enter it at checkout in the promo/discount code field and click redeem. It will discount everything on the site, no exclusions!


If you would rather donate directly to them (or shop and donate both!), you can send a contribution to them via PayPal using the "Donate" button on the sidebar of Susan's blog. If you would prefer to donate anonymously or have any questions, you may contact Sheila. Every little bit helps. Please keep the Liles family in your thoughts and prayers. Let's band together as a community and take care of them in any way we can, even if it's just an email, a comment, or a card. I can personally say that every little word of encouragement lifts you up more than you can imagine!

Have a great weekend!

I've lived in this place and I know all the faces...each one is different but they're always the same...

Hey you guys! I just have a card and a quick something to tell you tonight, hopefully you've had a great week! Whew, there has been a lot going on! I hope you enjoyed all the fun with the MFT Bling Bet Bounce and the Blog Hop. Thanks for all your sweet words! They really make my day.

If you remember this post a while back, I mentioned I'd soon be taking on some new adventures in the papercrafting industry. I'll soon be able to tell you about some of those, but there are some changes going on to make room for those adventures in my life. Most recent of those is that as of this last release, I am officially an alumni of the My Favorite Things Design Team. I have worked with Kim and her fantastic stamps since January of 2008, and I have enjoyed every minute of it. The girls on the team are such an inspiration to me, both artistically and personally, and I love them all! I will miss them, but they know I won't be too far away. *wink*

So in honor of all my MFT girlfriends, here's a card I created a while back.
Call Me is one of my favorite sets (and apparently one of yours...it's currently sold out!), so I made a cute little card with it. The image is colored with Copic Markers, and the paper is from the Spring Digipaper Collection by Stephanie Fizer.

Anyway, I just wanted to keep you guys up to date on what's up in my life these days! Hope that's ok. *grin* Check back tomorrow for more fun stuff and another announcement! (NO, I am NOT pregnant!! LOL)

Bounce baby out the door...get up and move...

Happy Tuesday morning, folks! I have a fun post for you today, cause the MFT girls are doing a Bling 'Bet Bounce! Doesn't that sound fun? If you've just come here, you'll want to start at Kim's blog and bounce down the end, where you just might win a prize!

I am totally IN LOVE with this new alphabet from My Favorite Things. It will be available to order on Wednesday night at 10 PM Eastern, and for $16 it's a total steal! Today we're bouncin' to give you tons of tips and tricks and ideas for using this set.

I decided to make a thank you card for my project today. Since I don't have a Hot Fix tool yet, I'll show you how I applied my crystals with some tweezers and a handy dandy Quickstik.

When working with a clear alphabet set, you can make sure your word or phrase will fit, lay the letters stamp side down onto your cardstock.

Once you're happy with the placement, press your acrylic block onto the stamps, sticking the back of the stamps to the block. (hmmm...methinks it's time to clean my blocks...)

Now you're ready to ink up your stamps and stamp! I've assembled the tools for my project - Swarovski Crystals, Tweezers, Quickie Glue Pen, & my Quickstik.

Ready to go? Add a bit of glue to the first circle with a Quickie Glue pen. (Sorry for the blurry pic.)

To use the Quickstik, remove the cap and twist the top until the green adhesive starts to push out of the top. Once there's a little TINY bit of adhesive showing, loosen the top to stop the flow of adhesive. Then pick up the crystal with the adhesive.

Next, place your crystal onto the adhesive. Hold the crystal in place with your tweezers and lift the Quickstik away. Make sure before you start that your tweezers are clean and free of adhesive residue (learned that the hard way). Otherwise, when you move the tweezers, the crystal will come with them!

Don't worry if your crystal shifts a little. You can move it back into place with your tweezers.

Once you're finished applying the crystals, you're ready to assemble your card! I made a little card measuring 3 1/2" x 5 3/4." I added a couple of primas and a button, and layered the main panel onto the striped Spring Digi Paper. Do you likey?

I hope you've enjoyed my project today and all the fabulous stuff you've seen so far. Next stop is Janna's Blog where she has something fabulous for you! Enjoy!

No drama (no more drama in my life, no ones gonna make me hurt again)...

Hello from Anaheim, CA! I hope you guys aren't missing me too much yet. *wink* So far I have had quite the adventure. I arrived here on Saturday afternoon, met up with Kim and Alma, and went to set up the My Favorite Things booth. After that we had a fun dinner at the Rain Forest Cafe in Downtown Disney...yummy! Back at the hotel later that night I started having some pretty icky pain on my right side, which I figured was just from all the walking and whatnot. Took some tylenol and went to bed. After tossing and turning all night, I couldn't get comfortable and the pain got worse. I got scared that it was appendicitis, so Carolyn and Deb were sweeties and took me to the ER here. After several hours and tests, they confirmed that I have a kidney stone. Lovely, huh? I have never had one before, and hope to never have one again. But I did venture out for dinner last night with Kim, Laura, Em and Nicky, so I must be feeling a little better! If you think about it, say a prayer or send some healthy thoughts my way this week...I'd love that!

So needless to say, I didn't make it to the first day of CHA. Today I spent a little time walking the show, and I took some pics of some fun stuff to share with you! I am quite disappointed that October Afternoon didn't end up showing, though. I was really looking forward to seeing their new lines.

Anywho, I do have a card to show you! I made this last week for the sample board here at the show to highlight the new Spring Digipapers from MFT. I used Cindy's sketch challenge for this week as my jumping off point.
I love how this turned out (if I do say so m'self)! I printed the striped digipaper onto shimmer white cardstock, so it's nice and sparkly.

Ok, please forgive me for being not-so-chatty, I am POOPED! I will post pics tomorrow of the goodies!

Free from worry, free from envy and denial...free to live, free to give, free to smile...

MFT is kicking it up AGAIN for 2009! Freebie Friday is a brand spankin’ new promo we’re starting….TODAY!

What is it? One order number, placed on Friday only (Eastern time) will randomly be selected for a prize!

What do you get? This Friday, up for grabs is a brand spankin’ new, unreleased MINI set! It releases on Jan 21st, but you’ll get it one week early, and for FREE!

How do you win? Simply place an order today, Friday, Jan 16th! That’s it! Kim will take care of the rest!

The Fine Print? If your order contains only digi papers, your prize pack will be shipped with your next order.

How do you know if you won? Kim will post the winning order on my blog HERE!

Love and marriage, love and marriage...go together like a horse and carriage...

Morning, you guys! I have a fun project to show you today...I am hosting today's How'd They Do That? in the My Favorite Things Forum. And I even have a template, are you excited? Well, here goes!

Here is the project I created:

 

Using the template I created from this project, I made a cute little baby tote filled with thank you cards, all using the Baby First set from MFT, and two sentiment from the Essential Sentiments set (which is temporarily out of stock). The template for the tote can be found on THIS THREAD.

And here are the six cards that are inside:

 

  

  

This little tote will make the perfect gift for a new mom, and the colors can be substituted depending on the sex of the baby. I chose pink, well, because I like pink. *grin*

Hope you'll check out my full tutorial on the HTDT thread. If you try it, make sure to link me up so I can see! Have a fabulous day!

I called my momma, she was out for a walk...consoled a cup of coffee but it didn't wanna talk...

Happy Wednesday, blog friends! I hope your week has been great so far. Today is a fun day...it's a My Favorite Things Blog Hop! If you haven't come to me from Paula's blog, then you need to start at the beginning! {Click here} to get to Kim's Blog, which is where the fun begins. Are you ready? Let's go!

I have the most fun card to share with you today...I had a blast making it! I'm not only showing you a new set called Maid for You, but I'm also showing you some of the new digi-papers available from My Favorite Things! Check it out:

How fun is this?! I have been begging Kim for this image after seeing it on Christy's website, and my wish finally came true! Not only that, but they have cooked up the sassiest sentiments to go with it.

To create this card, I stamped the main image in Brilliance Graphite Black on the Summer Striped paper, then again on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White. I colored the image, and then I paper pieced the background to make wallpaper out of the stripes. Liquid Applique was added to the bottom of her skirt for fun. *grin*

The card base is another one of the digi-paper designs in the Summer pack...isn't it the cutest? I wrapped some red grosgrain ribbon around the card base, threaded through a small slit in the main image. Then I added the sentiment at the bottom. Very simple...I wanted the image to be front and center! I hope you like it.

Now it's time to head over to Susan's blog to see more goodies! I know she won't disappoint!

My Favorite Things is having a New Release Cocktail Party on Wednesday, January 7th from 9-10 p.m. Eastern time. This month there are FOUR new sets being released!

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. We hope to see you there on Wednesday night!

Just a small town girl, livin' in a lonely world...She took the midnight train goin' anywhere...

Happy Saturday, yall! I'm here, bright and shiny (thanks to Blogger in Draft), and early in the morning to show you my Sketch for You to Try card today. Check out Jen's blog, because we are welcoming an amazing guest for the month of January...diva exraordinare Kirsten DuBosque! I have been such a huge fan of Kirsten's, so I can't wait to see what she does with Jen's sketches!

When I saw this week's sketch, I thought, hmmm...that could be tough. But in my usual fashion, I made my own way in the world and made it work. *wink* I didn't stray toooooo far though, did I?

I started by stamping Snow Bunny Flopsey from My Favorite Things in Brilliance Black on Watercolor paper. Then I watercolored him with a mixture of SU Markers, Reinkers, and a waterbrush. To finish off the image, I added some Liquid Applique to the ground, his mittens, and his hat. You know I love my Liquid Applique. *wink* I also sponged all the edges with Close to Cocoa ink to soften them a bit.

Then I moved back to my card base, which uses a sheet of the Basic Grey Sultry line. I stitched that to the Chocolate Chip mat, and then matted it to my 5.25" Square white card base. The side panels were created using Pink Pirouette cardstock, punched along one side with the SU Scalloped Edge punch, then run through the Cuttlebug with the Snowflakes embossing folder. Once that was all done, I sponged all the edges again, and lightly ran the sponge over the raised parts of the snowflakes. I lined up my Chocolate Chip mat scallops to fit with the pink ones, and then added some metallic brown brads on each scallop.

I ran a strip of Pale pink satin ribbon from my stash under the first strip, under the main image, and then tied a little knot over the top of the second strip. Then Bunny was popped up on some dimensionals to stand out. He's the star of the show, you know!

To finish it all off, I added some Primas (one painted with Spiced Cider Shimmerz), and finally a Basic Grey button on top. Whew! There's a lot of stuff on this baby and can I tell you...it's HEAVY! *grin* I hope you like it though.

Make sure you check Jen's Blog for her sample as well as Kirsten's, then hop over to visit Amy R, Amy S, Carole, and Susan for more eye candy. If you get a chance to play with us this week, we'd love it! Don't forget to use the keyword SFYTT, so we can all check out your awesome creations.

There's tons going on this week...MFTeasers and Verve Previews start on Monday!!!!!!!!!! Can't wait!

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.

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!

She says we've got to hold on to what we've got... 'cause it doesn't make a difference if we make it or not...

Happy Thursday, everyone out there in blog land! This week has seemed to fly by, or is it just me?

Last night I had a little bit of stamping time, so I decided to do Michelle's What's Up Wednesday challenge, which was to use sparkle or bling on your creation. Um, hello? That's every card I make! *grin* So here's my card:
I pulled out the image from Peppermint Cats, stamped it in Brilliance Black on Kraft cardstock and then colored it with my Prismacolor Pencils & Odorless Mineral Spirits. Darn you, Paula! I had to dust them off! *wink* I really love how it turned out, though, if I do say so myself.

I had intended to combine this challenge with yesterday's sketch challenge on SCS, but it just didn't work out that way. After adding a black strip, I embossed the Kiwi panel with my Snowflake embossing folder, then layered it across my card base. I didn't have room for the sentiment in the Peppermint Cats set, so I grabbed the sentiment from A Scarf for Three and it fit perfectly! The left side seemed nekkid then, so I added a row of black brads and finished my card off with Diamond Stickles on the stars & brads. Gotta love the bling!

Ok, one more thing before I go...and this is HUGE!

Elzybells is celebrating their 5th Birthday, and Elizabeth is offering FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING (!!!!) on all orders between now and Sunday! You can check out her blog post HERE for all the details and a chance to win some free goodies, too!

Happy shopping and have a fabulous day!

If you are chilly, here take my sweater...

Happy Monday morning, yall! It's nice and rainy here...we needed it! I hope it's nice wherever you are.

I don't have a ton of time, but I've been meaning to post these samples that I created for the My Favorite Things release last week. I know I say this every time, but this has to be one of my favorite releases!

During my last Hobby Lobby shopping excursion, I found these cuuuuute notebooks in the holiday craft section. They were $3.99, and after much debate, I decided that I would rather buy them already made than try to make one myself. *grin*

I had both the Peppermint Cats and Christmas Owls colored, so I just covered the notebooks with some American Crafts paper, sanded the edges, and added some sponging and brown cardstock. I paper pieced a bit on each image (boy was that fun...) and then added some glitter accents on each one.
I wanted to tie some ribbon around the rings, but my boys have already laid claim to these, so I couldn't make them too girly. *wink* You know how these things are.

The last card uses the individual shoes from the Window Shopping set. To create the main panel, I cut a piece of 140 lb Watercolor paper with my long scalloped rectangle Nesties, then embossed the inside with a long rectangle. Then I stamped the shoes in Brilliance Black and watercolored them with reinkers and a waterbrush. I stamped the circles from Let's Go for a Walk as the background on the Celery panel. To finish it off, I added a few Clear baubles and the cutest sentiment on the sponged pink layer. Easy and fun!

Just a little enabler alert...Kim still has the Girl Who Wants it All collection available, as well as a new product added to the store - SHIMMERZ! I haven't tried them yet, but believe me, I will!

I hope you all have a fantastic day!

Do you count the flakes when it snows...

Thanks for all the love the past few days...I love my PSF's! I have something fun for you today...not only is it an MFTeaser, but it's a sneak peek at one of my next Copic Classes at Stamp Asylum. Fun, huh?

This image is from a new stamp from Stephanie Fizer called A Scarf for Three. I love love love this image! It was the first one I inked up and colored from this release...which can I say...I am so excited for you to see! I love what Kim has picked this go-round....so fun!! You'll be able to order it all on Wednesday, October 1st, so make sure you check it out!

This is a pretty simple card...I wanted the image to take center stage. Take a peek and tell me what you think:
Do you lovey??? I hope so! I stamped the image in Brilliance Graphite Black ink and then colored it with Copic Markers. I trimmed it to the image (there is a border that I cut off) and matted it with black and red cardstock. After embossing the top part of the card base with the Snowflakes folder, I added a scalloped black strip and some ribbon wrapped around. To finish it off, I added the image on dimensionals and the sentiment, as well as Liquid Applique for the earmuffs and hat. Love that stuff!

Don't forget.....My Favorite Things is having a New Release Cocktail Party this Wednesday, October 1 from 9-11 p.m. Eastern time. This month there are SIX new sets being released, plus a new storage system for your MFT stamps that you are gonna love! 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. We hope to see you there on Wednesday night!

You're always seventeen in your home town...

Sorry, no idea where that song came from, but it was running through my head this morning as I was making my Sketch for You to Try card! In addition to being Jen's SFYTT day, it's also the 20th, which is Celebrating MFT Day! You can read all about it HERE. Don't forget...there's a prize involved! Jen challenged us to work the MFT colors {pink & black} into our designs. Man, that was tough! *wink*

Sooo....I combined the two and created this Sketch for You to Celebrate! Here's my card:

I pulled out my Basic Grey Sultry paper and used it as the base for my card and colors. Yummy! The main image is Chill Out from Annie LaPoint, which was stamped on Neenah Solar White in Brilliance Black ink and then colored with my Copic markers.

(Sidenote: I will have upcoming Copic Marker class dates very soon...I will post them here. Thanks to everyone who emailed me!)

Ok, back to the card. I used my Nestabilities to cut out the main image and create the scalloped layer. A few Primas, Stickles and a button finished it off...simple and cute!

Make sure you check out what my friends Jen {& Suzanne...our guest!}, Amy R, Amy S, Carole, and Susan did with this sketch. If you decide to play with us this week, don't forget to use the keyword SFYTT so we can all see your creations!

One more thing....I just got this email from Kim, the MFT Lady. Check it out...it's a SALE!!

There's still time...to save 10% on all stamps using coupon code Cammie, as we raise finds for Alzheimer's! In addition to the 10% you save, MFT is donating 10% of all sales through Sunday, Sept 21st, which is World Alzheimer's Day.

As a special thank you, one lucky winner will also receive a Scor Pal and Scor Mat just for supporting the cause! Everyone who's placed an order during the fundraiser is automatically entered to win, and I'll even cover US shipping costs! If an international order wins, I'll discount your shipping by an equal amount.

Thanks for your support so far, and for allowing us an opportunity to help families worldwide!

Hugs,
Kim
My Favorite Things

I hope you guys have a wonderful Saturday!! 

While combing my hair now, and wondering what dress to wear now...

Happy Monday, yall! I hope you had a wonderful weekend. I had a great time hanging with my family, and then on Sunday I taught a Copic class at Stamp Asylum. We had a blast! I'll have more coming up, so I'll let you know as soon as we get them scheduled if you're interested.


I realized today that I haven't shown you this set made with the new Hey Chica set from BC Dzyns, which is a new line from My Favorite Things. I dug into my stash of items to be altered and found an empty pencil type box measuring about 4 1/4" square. I covered the top and sides with my favorite paper, Tres Jolie by My Mind's Eye. Sadly it's discontinued!! Isn't it yummy?

 

Inside I added 4 cards, giving each Chica a different color hair. Each of them is stamped in Brilliance Black on Fabriano hot press watercolor paper, and watercolored with reinkers and my waterbrushes. I had a blast adding shimmery makeup with my Pearlescent Watercolors. Here's a close-up:

 

The flowers on the front were so much fun to make...the bottom prima was colored with a Copic marker, and the top one was stamped with the Polka Dot background stamp from Behind the Scenes in Brilliance Pearlized Chocolate. A little rhinestone brad in the center was the perfect touch!

By the way, the MFT Lady is stirring up some fun in the forums! Here's a message from her:
Wanna get cozy with the MFT crew? Want excuses to buy more stamps and play with the ones you have? We are changing up our forum to make it tons of fun for the MFT lover in you! On Sept. 15th, we'll begin our MFThemed Forum Days!
Play along with Who’s That Girl? Monday
Find out more about MFT crew and fans on Thread Starter Tuesday
Chat it up MFT style Wednesday nights at 9pm(est)
Get a little sketchy on Thursday
Hum a little Oldie PLUS Goodie on Friday
What’s in for you? We thought you’d ask! So we decided to offer a $5 store gift certificate to one lucky winner each day! And on top of all that goodness, the daily winners will be thrown into a monthly drawing for a $25 gift certificate! Now that’s a reason to celebrate, don’t you think?
Keep your eyes peeled and be ready to party! Wanna know a little secret to get you started? You’ll need Rain or Shine for the very first challenge, and it’s 20% off today, just to get you in the mood!


In other news...anyone want to see a kitty photo? I thought you might! Here's one my mom sent me:

 

You can see four of them, and there's a fifth sleeping behind the other gray ones. Aren't they the cutest?? I wish Josh would let me keep one...I love the dark one with the raccoon face. DARN ALLERGIES!

Ok, well, that's all for today...I hope you have a fabulous Monday!

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple streudels...Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles..

Good Morning, yall! Before I get to chatting, I want to say thank you to everyone who left a comment or emailed me yesterday...yall are so sweet! Big MWAH's all around! If you haven't seen it yet, don't forget to enter my Bella Blog Candy on THIS POST.

I have a couple of cards to show you today using the new Annie LaPoint images that will be available tonight from My Favorite Things. These are single stamps, and they have to be some of my favorite images!

 I had this layout idea in my head, and I thought it would be good for a simple little card set. I stamped the Rosemary and Chill Out images onto Georgia Pacific White Cardstock in Brilliance Graphite Black ink. After coloring the images with Copic Markers, I cut them out with my oval Nestabilities and cut a scalloped mat out of my Prism Suede Brown Dark cardstock.

 The green and pink background panels measure 3 1/4 x 4 1/4, and I embossed them with the Swiss Dots embossing folder, then distressed the edges and stitched around the edges with my sewing machine. Mount that onto my white card base, and pop the main image up for a little extra dimension and you have a quick and easy card duo with lots of texture.

I hope you like these...I had fun making them! I'm off to work, so don't forget to join us at the New Release Cocktail Party on Wednesday, Sept. 3 from 9-11 p.m. Eastern time. This month there are SIX new sets being released, plus one from a new line at MFT: BCDzyns. It's sooooooo cute...you will love it!!!

*The Girl Who Wants It All special for the The September Collection, which is one of each set being released, except for the BCDzyns set, is $58.95.

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. Have a fabulous day, and I'll see you tonight!

What's new pussycat? Woah, Woah...

Happy Saturday, yall! I had a fun day yesterday...more about that after my Sketch for You to Try card. Finally, some MFT for you! So...I've been thinking. I've been really good at following the sketches lately, and I thought I deserved a little...um...break. This one kind of took a creative turn on me, but I tried! I really did! Here goes:

Um, so the three embellishments on the side? Pretend they're on the left. It just wasn't working out. I like this much better, don't you? (SHhhhhhhhhhhhhh don't tell Jen) *wink*

Let's see....details....All of the stamps are from the Totally Witchin set from My Favorite Things. I stamped the jars, colored them with Copics and cut them out. They're covered with Diamond Glaze, except on the label. The olive scalloped oval is embossed with the Swiss Dots embossing folder and sponged on the edges with Old Olive ink. The inside oval is sponged with Perfect Plum and Elegant Eggplant, and I added some dots of Diamond Glaze to the corners of the web. I stamped Spidey, cut him out, and layered him onto a Prima colored with a Copic marker. He's also covered with Diamond Glaze. The black embellishments are actually Navy Glass Pearls from Stamping Bella (7mm), just colored with my Black Copic marker.

I really had fun with this one...it was nice to stamp (and not be asleep!) and just play. You ought to try it...it's great stress relief! Also great fun is looking at what my buds Jen, Amy S, Amy R, Carole, and Susan did with this sketch. If you decide to play with us, don't forget to use the keyword SFYTT so we can all see your creations!

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Okay...so about my night last night. There was some animal drama around here last night...or should I say at my mom's. Her barn cat has been expecting, and tonight I got a phone call..."Come quick! Bring milk and a baby kitty bottle!" Uh-oh. I ran up to WalMart (did you know they sell kitty formula and baby kitty bottles?) and then ran to my mom's. She had found a lost kitten, hours old, in the barn, and mama was nowhere to be found. I went right to work with the crying baby, and she went on a hunt to find mama (it was over 100 degrees outside!). We were afraid this little guy (she dubbed "Squirt") wouldn't make it. We had no idea how long he'd been in there.
Look how cute!! If you look up close (click pic to see) you can see his cool hairdo from where his mama cleaned him off.

Anyway, as I was feeding him and the posse was searching, I heard a meow above me. Mama and four more babies were up in the barn loft! Apparently she had Squirt on the ground floor and went to find a safer place to have her babies. Luckily, she took him back into the litter, and ended up having one more kitten. By the time he joined his brothers and sisters, he had the fattest tummy of the bunch! *grin* We got them all safely down from the loft (we were afraid they would fall) and put them into an air conditioned room, so they're all re-united and all's well. I'm going to check on them this afternoon and let the boys have a peek.

Ok, so that's it for now...I'll check back in with more stamping this weekend and maybe some more kitty pictures. Stay tuned!

Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't...

I bet you thought I forgot all about the My Favorite Things release this month, huh? Nope, and you better not either! The release party is tonight at 9 PM Eastern in the MFT Forum, so meet me there, k?

On with the show! Here are a couple of projects I created last night after the boys were tucked into bed. I knew I wanted to use the Monster Squad set (from new illustrator Stephanie Fizer) for a little treat bag, but looking around the casa, there was nothing to use as a treat bag! That is, until my eyes fell onto my buttons. Or shall I say, the bag that USED to contain my buttons. Now it's packed full of yummies!

Then I decided to make a card using the Totally Witchin' set with Cindy's MFT Sketch for this week. When I colored this image, I had Elphaba and Glinda in mind from Wicked, can't you tell? You know, cause "black is this year's pink!" *grin*

 

After I colored the girls, I used my Oval Nestabilities to create some layers, and then used my Cropadile to make some fun holes in the scallops. My favorite part of this set is their boots. So fun!

Don't forget to join us for the New Release Cocktail Party tonight from 9-11 p.m. Eastern time. This month there are FIVE new sets being released and some great new ribbon added to the store. Woo hoo!!! Love ribbon.


*The Girl Who Wants It All special for the The Aug Collection, which is one of each set being released, is $65.

There will also be details on how YOU can become the next MFT Guest Designer - YIPPEE!! Hope to see ya there!

But if you like dancing, I'll make it rain rhythm, and rhyme, and melodies, child...

Hey guys! Thanks for all the congrats & stuff about the Elzybells team. I feel loved! *grin*
Today my mind was on babies, since my BFF Peyton is due in September, but may be having her sweetie Olivia sooner than that. (sidenote: If you are the praying type, please keep Peyton & Olivia's health in yours. Good thoughts are awesome, too! Thanks!)

Ok, back to stamping. *wink*

I decided to use the Baby First set from My Favorite Things for this card. Love this set and its tiny baby images! JulieHRR issued a challenge for the Dirty Dare 2008, and I thought this would be perfect!
Cute, huh? I am pretty happy with how this turned out, white space and all. I stamped the mother and baby lamb and sentiment onto my Fabriano card base. After I watercolored the image and let it dry, I pierced a border around the image for a little more emphasis. The finishing touch is just a bit of Pink Taffeta ribbon. Love it!

I am fast and furious working on all the challenges for a "Day in the Life of a Dirty Girl." You can see all the info HERE if you're a Splitcoast Fan Club Member. Not a member? All the details are HERE. It's totally worth it!

Hope you have a fabulous day...see you tomorrow!

Stamps: Baby First (My Favorite Things)

Paper: Fabriano Card

Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black

Accessories: Waterbrush & Reinkers, SU Taffeta Ribbon, Paper Piercer, Mat Pack