My hope is in the Name of the Lord, Where my help comes from...You're my strength, my song...

Hey yall! I hope you're enjoying your Tuesday. My kiddos are back to school, and I have a million things to to! I do have a little preview of a new Verve set...wanna see? Hmmm, I thought you might! *wink* This is a little set of 2 called Jeremiah 29:11. I was soooo excited that Julee created this...I have been looking and looking for a good stamp of this verse. Love it! What do you think?

I created this card based on the colors in the October Afternoon paper. After stamping the verse in Versamark and embossing it with black detail embossing powder, I cut the panel with my Scalloped Rectangle Nestabilities and sponged the edges with Old Olive ink. Stamping the cross over the verse was a last minute touch, but I really like it. A few brads, some ribbon, and I was done! I hope you like it!

ETA: There's a challenge going on in the Verve Forum, and a stamp giveaway on the Verve Blog. Check 'em out!

Now if you feel like it, there's a video below of a song that I just adore. The lyrics from it are today's title, and I thought you might want to hear it. Check it out if you want! (But don't hold me responsible when you have to buy the CD!)

ETA: Sorry, that video was removed. Here's another version for ya. :)

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)

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!

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)

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!

I'm already there, take a look around...I'm the sunshine in your hair, I'm the shadow on the ground...

Hey, yall, it's FRIDAY!!! I have a super PINK post for you today, so I  hope you're excited! *grin*

First of all, I wanted to share this card I made for a few challenges this week. I used this week's Color Challenge, Sketch Challenge, and my challenge in the Bella Forum, which was to create a card using some sort of water theme (since I'm pouting about not Cruising with the Sistahs!) Here's my card.

I pulled out Belinda Bumberboots, another Chichiboulie Fairy from Stamping Bella. I stamped her in Brilliance Black on Fabriano Hot Press watercolor paper, then watercolored her with reinkers and a waterbrush. I used Pretty in Pink for her dress, but it was a little bright, so I blended some Chocolate Chip over it and that toned it down quite nicely. Before I watercolored the image, I colored the flowers, leaves, and dots with a Copic marker. It was awesome, because the darker images didn't bleed when I colored over them! To make her kosher for my challenge, I added Diamond Glaze to the rain drops & puddle. So fun! I hope you likey.

The other pink thing I have to tell you about is Verve's Think Pink Sale! Here's the info:

Fun, huh? You know how I love a good sale. Then add in a good cause (especially one so close to my heart!) and it's a no-brainer! From now until October 31st, Julee is taking 10% off all stamps at the Verve Store, and ALSO donating 10% of all sales to the Susan G Komen for the Cure Foundation. What a great time to stimulate the economy! *wink*

Have fun, and have a wonderful day!

Breakin rocks in the hot sun...I fought the law and the law won...

Hey yall...here I am!! I feel like I'm running in at the last second to show you my Sketch for You to Try today. I tell you what, this one almost got the best of me, but I fought the sketch and I won! *whew*

I don't know if it was the circles (yes, I think it was the circles), or the color palette I had chosen, but I have seriously been working on this card since 9:00 this morning. After the idea hit me to use chipboard, it all came together quite nicely. So enough with all this yapping....here's my card!

I know, you're not used to so much scrappy-ness from me. But I really kinda like it! Whatcha think?

When I saw Jen's sketch for this week, I immediately thought of this stamp from the Beautiful You set from Verve. (Speaking of, it's on special during the month of October...click the link to see!) I started by stamping the Dr. Seuss quote in Brilliance Black on Pink Pirouette cardstock, then cut it out and embossed it with my Circle Nesties. I added a few layers, making the back layer Pretty in Pink. Love how these 2 look together.

Then I punched 2 Pretty in Pink circles out, then layered them with Black. The little flowers are chipboard from Basic Grey I got at Recollections (sniff) a very long time ago. I painted them with white acrylic paint, then covered them with Diamond Glaze for dimension and shine. Then I turned them into little buttons by punching 2 holes with my Cropadile and adding some darker pink grosgrain. I painted the bracket with pink paint and then stamped the polka dot background from Behind the Scenes (also on SALE!) in Brilliance Black. It needed some shine, too, so I covered it with Diamond Glaze also.

See? I obviously got caught up in a bunch of little details in this card. But I do really like it (thank goodness)! It was touch and go for a while....

Make sure you check out Jen's & Nancy's cards on Jen's blog, (Nancy even has another sample on her blog!), as well as the fabulous designs from Amy R., Amy S., Carole, and Susan.

I'm off to take a nap (all that stamping wears a girl out!), then to a wedding tonight. Hope you have a wonderful day!

There’s a saying old, says that love is blind...

Hey, yall...Happy Wednesday! It has been a busy week so far, but I did find time yesterday to play the SCS Color Challenge. If Baja Breeze is involved, you know I'm in! *grin*

Since I don't have any Kiwi Kiss ink, I pulled out my Old Olive inkpad and wide grosgrain ribbon, as well as some Chocolate Chip. I thought this quote from Beautiful You would be perfect.

I started with the background strip from Artful Elegance, and stamped it in Baja Breeze on my background panel. Then I sponged the edges to soften them a bit. I stamped the quote from the Frost poem, and then cut it out with my Oval Nestabilities. Before removing the cardstock from the die, I sponged it with Old Olive, starting at the outside and working in. Then I added a few more layers.

To bring in some more of the Olive, I cut strips of Chocolate Chip, embossed them with my Swiss Dots embossing folder, and wrapped my Wide Olive grosgrain ribbon around them. Love that stuff! The other corners were looking a bit nekked, so I added a couple of corner hardware pieces from We R Memory Keepers. This particular hardware piece has a spot for an embellishment in the flower center, so I colored 2 Swarovski Crystals with my Olive Copic marker and glued them into the hardware. So fun!

Well, I hope you enjoyed my card today. Don't forget, you still have 6 days to play in the Verve Project Parade Challenge...make sure you check out all the fabulous creations from the Divas HERE. Have a fabulous day!

Stamps: Beautiful You, Artful Elegance (Verve)

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Neenah Classic Cream

Ink: Baja Breeze, Old Olive, Brilliance Pearlized Chocolate

Accessories: Oval Nestabilities, Sponges, We R Memory Keepers Hardware, Swarovski Crystals, Copic marker, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Wide Olive Grosgrain, Dimensionals

You're all invited back again to this locality...to have a heapin helpin' of their hospitality...

Happy Monday, peeps! It's my day to share a Krafty creation for the Verve Project Parade The challenge we issued is for you to use Kraft Paper or Natural Fibers on your project. You can see all the info here.

I had so much fun playing with my Verve sets this weekend! My new Circle Nestabilities arrived on Saturday, so I knew I wanted to play with those. I also want to send BIG shout out to Cut at Home...I ordered on Thursday morning and had them on my doorstep on Saturday! WOWEE! I also decided to use the SCS Dirty Dozen sketch (or my version of it anyway) for this challenge. Here's my card.

I stamped the circle element from Abundant Blessings in Versafine Black on Kraft paper. Then I highlighted the image with my Ranger White gel pen and colored the outside border with my Strong Red Copic marker. The borders were all cut out with my circle nestabilities. I decided to add the small fern images stamped in Versamark onto the Kraft base to give it just a little something. To give my card some extra texture, I ran the Riding Hood Red panel through my Cuttlebug with my Forest Branches folder, then added the black panel across the bottom. Seven (Yes, SEVEN!) black brads and a sentiment from Fairy Tales added the finishing touches!

Have you gotten krafty yet?? No? You still have time to play with us! Just post your creation to this post by noon on September 30th. If you upload to SCS, use keyword VVPP06 so we can see all your Kraftiness in one place. A random participant will be drawn on October 1st to receive $15 in Verve Bucks to spend at the Verve Stamps Store! So what are you waiting for...go get Krafty!

One more thing....make sure you check out Cammie's Blog post HERE for her amazing Heart to Heart Blog Candy. What she has already done is amazing, and I know this will touch a lot of people. Go check it out!!!

You and I in a little toy shop...Buy a bag of balloons with the money we've got ...

Good morning, yall! I hope you're having a great day so far. It's a great day around here...it's Cole's 6th Birthday!! He didn't seem that excited about it...we'll see how he is after school (I think they get to wear a birthday crown).

Today I've got some cards to show you from the Verve Release last week...I realized I forgot to post these!

This one uses the new Black Tie Birdies set. I wanted my birdie to be floating in the air with the balloons...so cute! That ribbon is 7/8" Offray Grosgrain...I smooshed it under my sewing machine foot and stitched down the center.

This is a little treat container I made using Some Bunny. Isn't he cute??? I covered him in Liquid Applique and paper pieced his shirt. Once the Liquid Applique cooled off, I went over it with a light brown Copic marker. The sentiment fit perfectly on a tag from the Cuttlebug Tiny Tags die.

This card is probably my favorite of all of the ones I created for the release. I stamped the silhouettes from Abundant Blessings in Baja Breeze and Soft Sky. Then I inked up the flower image in Dark Brown chalk ink and stamped it on top of the blue. Then I added the sentiment from So Happy and I created a ribbon slider to run my Chocolate Satin ribbon through.

And here's my final card...bright, huh?? This one uses Birthday Surprise. I stamped the background panel with the filigree background stamp from Grateful Elegance, and then sponged around the edges. The birdie and balloons were stamped and colored with Copic markers, with parts popped up for dimension.

Well, guys I gotta run...I hope you enjoyed my cards today. Make sure you check out the Verve Blog for the new Project Parade Challenge.

Also, Kim at My Favorite Things is running a special for a very good cause. Click -->HERE<-- for all the details.

Have a fabulous day!!

I'm walking on sunshine, woooah...and don't it feel good!!

Happy Monday guys! Sorry this is a late post...I am home sick and have been in bed. I do have some Verve to show you since the sneak previews have begun! Today we're giving you some peeks of 2 new sets - Abundant Blessings and So Happy. You'll be able to purchase these sets in the Verve Store on Wednesday, September 10th.


When I first saw these flowers from Abundant Blessings, I thought it would be fun to create some sort of background with them. After stamping the two smaller flowers onto Kraft cardstock in Versafine Black ink, I colored them in with Prismacolor Pencils. I didn't blend with Odorless Mineral Spirits because I wanted kind of a natural texture. Once I was done, I filled in the blank spots with the fern image stamped in Versamagic Spanish Olive.

I originally wanted to create an acetate card and use this as my front, but it didn't look quite right. So I cut a strip of acetate, stamped the sentiment from Thankful Blossoms in White Stazon, and sewed it onto my card front. I added a layer of black, then my white card base, and that finished it off! Totally simple and organic I think.

For more previews and a chance to win today's preview sets, check out the Verve Blog. We hope that you will join us for the release party tomorrow evening in our SCS Member Company Forum HERE. We'll kick off the party at 10pm EST and you'll get to see set reveals, more sneak peeks and it wouldn't be a Verve party without some PRIZES!! Right now you have a chance to win the ENTIRE RELEASE by participating in the OSW (One Sheet Wonder) challenge. You can see all the details HERE.

Have a great day!

My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard...

Happy Tuesday, yall! I just have a few seconds, but I wanted to post this card that I made for the Verve Project Parade Challenge. I was getting so hungry looking at the colors...they remind me of Neopolitan Ice Cream!! Here's the awesome pic that Julee posted for us to draw inspiration from.
How yummy is that??!!! Love it. And here's my card:

I used Dawn's OCC Sketch from last Saturday...love this sketch! I stamped the background from Grateful Elegance in Regal Rose ink on my Pretty in Pink panel, and then sponged the edges with Regal Rose and Chocolate Chip ink. I used my Martha Stewart border punch to create the gorgeous scalloped edges and sponged the edges to make them stand out. I tied a big Chocolate Chip bow and mounted those layers on dimensionals to my 5 1/4" square card base. The corners of the Close to Cocoa piece are punched with the Ticket Corner punch, and all the edges are sponged with Chocolate Chip as well. To finish it off, I added some swirls and a sentiment from the Fairy Tales set and some Bella Pearls.

If you want to play along with us, we'd love to have you! And if you want a chance to win $15 in Verve Bucks, make sure you link your project ->{HERE}<- no later than midnight, Sept. 3rd. We'll draw a random winner on Sept. 4th...it could be you! Also, make sure you use the keyword VVPP05 so we can all see your fabulous creations!

Have a great day!!

Stamps: Grateful Elegance, Fairy Tales (Verve)

Paper: Close to Cocoa, Pretty In Pink, Prism Suede Brown Dark, Pearlized Cream (paper accents)

Ink: Regal Rose, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Brilliance Pearlized Chocolate

Accessories: Wide Chocolate Grosgrain, Sponges, Dimensionals, Martha stewart Border Punch, Ticket Corner Punch, Bella Glass Pearls

When suffering hangs heavy o'er your head, know that tomorrow brings wholeness and healing...

Love that song! It's an oldie but totally goodie by Crystal Lewis.

Ok, so I know I promised a Celebrate MFT card today. But I am soooooooo tired!!! You know you're tired when you're too tired to stamp. After another crazy day at work, I separated the boys school supplies, and off we went to meet their teachers. We're at a new school this year because of redrawn lines, and on top of that, my baby is starting kindergarten! He was so cute tonight, and his big brother was so protective and helpful. It was so fun. So although there was no time for stamping, I consider the evening a total success.

I do have something I've been meaning to share with you, though. Last Tuesday (the morning of the Verve Release party), I was struck by inspiration for a project that was so fun, quick and easy it scared even me! *grin* So I swung by Lowe's and picked up a sheet of these tiles (10 bucks for 36 of them!) and made some fridge magnets!

Seriously, I was really impressed with myself! I know, I'm sounding like JanTink again. *wink* But I was proud!

First, I washed off the tiles (they were kinda dusty), inked up my new Plain Jane stamps, along with the cross from Notes of Prayer, and stamped them on the tiles in Brilliance Graphite Black. I blasted them with a heat gun for just a second, then let them sit for about 5 minutes till they were good and dry. Then I went at them with a couple of Copic markers to add a little something extra, and finally sprayed them with clear, matte Krylon spray sealer. Finally, I glued super strong round magnets (from Lowe's on the Hardware aisle) onto the backs with Diamond Glaze (aka Crystal Effects) and let them dry, magnet side up, for about 30 minutes. All done!

Really, the drying time took longer than it took me to actually stamp and assemble these little babies. Besides looking so cute on my fridge, they give me a daily reminder that we all need. And they make me happy!

So anyway, I just thought I'd share these with you...in case you needed a random decor or gift idea. Hope you like them!

Happy Friday...Jen is kicking off the Verve Project Parade, and I'll have a Sketch for You to Try tomorrow! Thanks for visiting me!


Stamps: Notes of Prayer, Matthew 11:28, 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18, Joshua 24:15, Isaiah 61:3
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black
Accessories: 2"x2" Marble Tile, Copic Markers

I wanna run through the halls of my high school....I wanna scream at the top of my lungs....

Happy Wednesday, everyone! Tonight was the Back to School Bella Bash on Splitcoast, and we had so much fun! My favorite part of back to school is shopping for school supplies...I love 'em! So I challenged the Sistahs to use School or Office Supplies on your project. You can find my challenge thread HERE. And here's my card:

I stamped Teachabella on Georgia Pacific White paper in Brilliance ink and then colored her with my Copic markers. After matting the main image on my Suede Brown Dark cardstock, I created a border with staples. The background paper is from Daisy Bucket, and I stitched it to the brown layer with my sewing machine & white thread. Then I added a few extra details - the photo corner punches, Bella Dots, stickles, and the shadowed scalloped punch. The sentiment is from Verve's Starlight Starbright, and I love how it fits the image! This would be a great card for a new teacher just starting out.

I hope you like it...stay tuned for a Celebrating MFT Day card tomorrow. Have a happy day!!

Stamps: Teachabella (Stamping Bella), Starlight Starbright (Verve)

Paper: Papertrey White, Suede Brown Dark (Prism), Daisy Bucket DP

Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black

Accessories: Bella Dots, Satin Ribbon, Marvy Scalloped Oval Punches, Staples, Copic Markers, Stickles, Photo Corner Punch, Pop Dots

Slow down, I have found, seems that every time I turn around, got one foot in the muck and another foot in the mire

What a week! I'm so sorry I haven't been a very good blogger lately, but life has been WILD! Back to school time at work is super duper hectic, and I also have two boys to get ready for school (shopping for shoes, clothes, and supplies, not to mention haircuts!). So at night when I get home I am just exhausted. No stamping time for me lately.

I did feel like playing last night, so I stamped the owl images from the U R A Hoot set from CHF and watercolored them. I masked the large owl and kind of "tucked" baby owl under her wing. So cute. Then when I decided to make it into a quick card, I masked both owls, stamped the branch, and cut out the main panel. I also distressed the edges and sponged them before layering onto the Suede Brown cardstock.


I found a strip of Old Olive in my stash that was the perfect size, so I used my corner rounder to make scalloped edge (not for long...my scallop punch is on the way!!) and pierced each one. The ribbon is Darice (I believe...Charmaine sent it to me a long time ago), and the 2 brads are from the Vintage Brads pack. I thought the best finishing touch (actually it had me cracking up) was the sentiment...from Verve's Feeling Groovy. I stamped it in Versafine Black on my 140 lb Watercolor card base. It explains just how I feel right now. *tired grin*

So right now I'm going to take a little nap, cause I have a kitchen to clean and some stamping projects I need to catch up on. And a super mega lot to do this week! Thanks for being patient, and Happy Tuesday!