Summer is near! My favorite time of year. I love the beach. But, before I get into that- I really want to thank Nancy & Tracey for responding to my cry for help in using my Wizard die cuts! Nancy gave me the correct “sandwich” for using my new dies!!! I hope to get some samples and maybe do a product review for tomorrow. Its up to the kids how much I get done!

Tracey gave me the link to a thread on SCS with lots of Wizard die cut info. Very informative.

Im still at a loss on the sandwich to get a good embossed die cut cause the sandwich info I have cuts-but doesn’t emboss well! Oh well.

I also want to thank Angel for the AMAZING link to theSU color combo site . OMW! I didn’t realize gray had so many combos! This site is WAY cool. You must check it out. It allows you to choose colors to get combos for-you can choose one or four! AMAZING! So huge thanks. I can see I will be living on there.

Today Im off and running! I hope to try one of the gray combos many have suggested. A winner will be posted later today! I have some errands to run, and told the kids we’d stop for Ice Cream! You bet I’m getting some more Martha goodies while I’m out. I feel some retail therapy is needed today.

I also want to tell you (for those who read Noah’s T-Ball nightmare story! LOL!) That Noah did an AWESOME job at t-ball last night! There is hope. I do have to admit we purchased him an XBOX game and bribed him with it! LOL! He cant get it for a few weeks. All he has to do is be a big boy and participate with the team. So, I dont know if he turned a corner or its the bribe! LOL!

Could be an expensive T Ball season 😀

In the mean time figured I’d leave you with something to look at.

Unique Seashell

Well you have heard me RAVE about all the NEW! sets coming out from Lizzie Anne Designs, and have patiently waited to see some samples. So here is ONE I can share with you.

I felt 2 views were necessary for this one.

The bummer-you really cant see the sparkle in the photo.

I really love the colors cause its a true beach feeling don’t you think?

I got this ribbon at www.ribbonsandbowsohmy.comand the second it arrived this idea popped into my head! Now I know my layout is not “original”, in fact its fairly common. A good ole’ standby even. BUT our layouts dont always have to be unique, its the details that make it stand out.

For this card I used Shore Thoughts. The seashell is gold embossed. I used my versamagic inks ( in seabreeze, aegean blue, pixie dust ) and a Fantasix brush to color the image. I have no idea why but I really think that is my most favorite way to color these days! The “sand” was done using my brilliance ink in pearlescent biege. So, in a word its very shimmery! I also stamped the sand stamp around the image. I then added some of my favorite Martha Stewart clear shimmery glitter with my glue pen the the shell.

My favorite part is the cuttlebugged bkgd. It was done using Fancy Corners and vellum cardstock. The bottom was done using the corner rounder (guard off). I think it imitates the seashell scallop.

My cardstock is SU! Whisper White, Sahara Sand, and of course Martha Stewart pastel blue (no clue of the name). I truly love her cardstock lately.

Well I hope this gives you your fix for the day!

Look forward to posting later.

Don’t forget tomorrow is the Saturday Sketch challenge!

So I was pretty excited to get some stamping done. Sadly my MOJO is gone missing. So I needed to really do warm up card, and saw the Sketch Challenge 23 on SCS.

So I needed a quick card to get the ideas flowin-and since I bought this set weeks ago, and never used it I figured it would be cute for the challenge.

 Peek-a-boo bunny

When looking at the sketch, and the images I thought this bunny peeking out of the “grass” would be cute. So I grabbed my wavy cutter by CM, and created the grassy hills. While this card is cutesy its also plain. Again, it was a warm up card. Im not lovin it. It did only take like 8 minutes to create, and that I love! LOL! I colored it with my SU markers, and sponged some “sky” Ribbon is polka dot gray from Ribbons and Bows Oh My! I dont use gray enough and so tried it out. Cute, but not my favorite color in the world. Id love to hear YOUR ideas for a color combo including gray! I will pick one and make “something” with YOUR ideas! I usually ONLY use pink & gray-BORING!

MYTIME MAIL-so here’s what I got! I dont like that set. I actually wonder why I even bought it! That is a bummer! But its the truth. Im not going to even attempt to make magic when the wand is broken! LOL! So, if YOU like it, and want it (used of course) then reply to this post. TRY to include a fun color combo using gray PLEASE!

So- By “it” I mean the stamp set. Just in case you weren’t sure what I was giving away for MYTIME MAIL. I will include this card with it. Winner will be randomly selected Friday night. A requirement will be you send me a link to ONE card you make using the set. I wish the winner best of luck. It would be a cute Stacker set. You know stack each animal on the other. I dont have the energy to even attempt it!

Now, back to the sketch. After my warm up the ideas poured out (some of which I cannot share but you will see eventually)! Trust me its kills me waiting for the Dirty Dozen reveal monthly and submissions to get published, and Lizzie Anne will soon have an Idea Book which some of my “assignments” will be published in for you all to view.

Anyway, I made this next card.

So Happy

So for this I was actually inspired by a mini catalog to advertise the purchase of CD’s. Their layout used a rainbow of colors, and featured squares with CD covers on it. Anyway-loved the strips of colors, and thought I could use it for the challenge. Just MYTIMED it, by using it for INSPIRATION not exact caseing.

So I layered strips of alternating cardstock, then just stamped my sentiment from Card Greetings in black ink, on the vellum cardstock layer. Attached the layer with 2 heart brads (retired by SU! No idea why I love them!!!) using my crop-a-dile.

So after that warm up came another card that attempted the sketch but turned WAY different. This was going to be a Sympathy card for my “boss” but I forgot to send it with her other goodies! What an idiot!

Tulips and Thoughts

So I LOVE Tulips. They are my most favorite flower! No idea why I just do. So when I got this ultra funky patterned paper by SEI called Penelope’s Potpourri I was in HEAVEN! I got the buttons, brads and ribbon to match too!

So I used the tulip pot image from Bundles of Bouquets by MFT stamps, and my acrylic frame by Making Memories. LOVE the frames. They are also self adhesive! MUST HAVE ITEM!

The senitment is also by MFT stamps and is called Lotsa Love.

HOW did this start as the sketch? Well my tulips were stamped on the left of the long panel-it then got cut and the frame was added. Then, I had the layer of tulips as you see it. Alot of maneuvering and this was the finished project. Colored the tulips with my Prismacolor markers.

The paper on this one was by Prism which is coming to All That Scraps in 8 1/2 x 11 sheets! OMG! Im so excited cause they have like EVERY shade of color imaginable! I love their cardstock. LOVE it! My supply is getting low, and I feel an order coming on! Also in case you forgot they are now selling MFT stamps too! PLUS she is getting in the Gel-A-Tins, the NEW! Gina K scalloped stamps, punches, and summer collection of stamps. Also more goodies! If you are going to order Id wait till after this weekend as most of her stuff is arriving Friday! I want you to be able to cram it all in ONE order! My basket is ready to go! FYI if you create an account you can log on and save you basket! So you can add and add till you are ready to hit SUBMIT! YEAH!!!

OK Sorry for the enablement but you know me, I need it ALL!

Now onto the last (of what I can share) samples after my “warm up”

 Get Better Blossoms

OK I know I went a little nutty with the paper! Cant help it.

So here is the last one. I thought the blooms in the paper looked like this stamp from Green Grass Card Sentiments. so I stamped them on the pink Prism paper using my awesome versamagic dew drops ink.

Now you can see the matching buttons.

I figured a Get Well card would be cool.

Its cheery to me, yet not so over the top get well. Make sense?

Well thanks for looking.

I hope to have more eye candy tomorrow.

Dont forget to reply if you want that stamp set.

Happy Spring day!

Well you all know I just went to an stamp expo. I scored this awesome BLING paper there. I have NO CLUE who its from, but I love it.

Sorry for the GLARE-its hard getting a photograph of BLING paper! LOL!

When I look at it ALL I can thing about is “stardom” LOL! You know rock music, rock stars, rockets, and outterspace stuff. I of course associate those with black and silver. Anyway……

The first card is ROCK STAR-get it?! LOL!

I used Sweet Baby Jane Alpha and Holy Tomoli stamp sets by Green Grass.

Used my silver Encore ink for the “rock” The star was done using my MM tag maker (whick I am definitely in LOVE with these days). I colored the star image with my Sakura glitter pen.

I got this cool stitching guide at the expo as well from LAsting Impressions. LOVE it! I stitched the bottom using that.

Now onto the next one.

I have wanted this IPod image since I laid my eyes on it. I am lovin this layout too! You’ll see it again

You Rock!

So, once again-used my MM tag maker. For a POP of color! I also got some Sakura gel pens at the expo and this was my first time using it. Used my Sakura glitter pen for the sparkly screen and dial. All in all wicked simple. Great for the TEENS and gender. Where was this at Christmas when I was giving our teen cousins Itunes gift cards? Hello?! How cool it would have been to make this a card holder.

Oh well, next year. By then I’m sure these will be outdated.

Do you feel like the older you get the harder it is to keep up with all this technology. Good grief, I dont want to become my mother. I dont want to get stuck in a time warp either. I want to stay young! And up on the “trends” but find that I dont like alot of the “new” music! GASP!

Tell me what you remember from your “era” that you feel dates you, and reply to this post. I think it will be so fun.

Here are some things I remember-PLEASE tell me you do too! Im only 29 not 99!

Here is a link to toys from the 1980’s!

Shows 

BoZo the clown, Captain Kangaroo, the Muncheechees (cartoon about monkey type animals), He Man, Transformers, The Wuzzles (Disney show) Mickey Mouse Club, Smurfs, Care Bear, The Fraggles, 90210, ALF 

TOYS

Koosia (?spelling basically the cabbage patch kids pet), Peaches and Cream barbie, The barbie Poodle, Keepers (they were animal things that you open with a special “key”, Popples

Style

Pegging my jeans! Big hair, ESPRIT bags were hot as were Reebok “pump” sneakers, CB jackets (in my school were hot) or should I say cool and rad. 80’s was all rock

Movies

Gizmo, BIG, The Mannequin, Ghostbusters

I could go on and on but want to turn it over to YOU! Tell me decade you grew up in, then share all you want!

I was obviously the 80’s.

Cant wait to read it!

HELP! Does anyone here know he cuttlebug “sandwich” to use for the Wizard die cut/embossing cartridges?

I bought these several weeks ago and also purchased the “kit” with it. Problem is it doesnt give the sandwich directions for use with the cuttelbug. I don’t need a tutorial just the sandwich.

I would really like to use them ASAP!

Thanks for any of you who can help me.

It seems like everyone is having a baby around me. Which is great (for them :D). I love making baby cards. Especially girly ones! LOL! So here are two that I did. I hope it inspires you to make some to keep on hand. Now they better both have girls or I need to make 2 boy baby cards, and 2 gender neutral may be a good idea too!

To me babies are soft colors and delicate images. Well instead of “images” I decided to go with sentiments instead. Just to show you don’t need alot of “images” to make an adorable card. You do however NEED a cuttlebug! I can’t not use my embossing folders. They are the best invention ever!

Soft Lullaby

Oh I am just in love with this card. Its the epitome of feminine. Tone on tone is really sweet.

The stamp is by Green Grass Stamps, and is called Baby Shower.

The cardstock is by Martha Stewart, as is the lace punch.

The vellum layer uses fancy corners embossing floder, made into a larger background! The vellum cardstock adds a little something-understated and soft, and doesn’t overpower the main focus of the card.

Ink is by versamagic dew drops in a Sring pansy I believe. Stitched ribbon is by Ribbon and bows oh my (dont even look on their site you will go broke). Had to add a tiny saftey pin, and flowers. The flowers are by CTMH-autum blooms in white colllection. Then the jewels in the center are of course by K co.

Next up

Baby

I used the “baby” from simple sentiments by Lizzie Anne Designs.

Again Martha Stewart cardstock, and lace punch. Ribbon was from my PSF Debbi, and its by Prima!

The Safety Pin is by K & Co. I used a stitched square cuttlebug folder for around the baby sentiment. I also used Stylized Flower embossing folder.

I think both cards use the same “elements” just in a different way.

Anyway, I was happy with how this turned out.

Thanks for looking-

Sorry Peeps!

I didnt forget the Saturday Sketch I just got caught up in the shopping I did yesterday, and was busy “playing” so didnt get to post it. Then, I spent some time with the family today. Didnt want to upset them so had to do my MOMMY duty.

Anyway better late than never right?

My Peeps, My Friends

So here it is! Do ya love it? I think its so cheery! Just what I was going for. Love when an idea on paper “works” in reality.

Here is the original sketch.

This layout is especially great for those smaller images you may have collecting dust or tag style stamps. I used my stamps from Green Grass for this one. They are Lil Monsters and Card Greetings . You can also view my card here

The American Crafts ribbon helped me get inspired! I love attaching ribbon with brads, onto a card. Its “different” you know what mean. PLUS its great use of those scraps.

My colors are real red, pumpkin pie, chocolate chip and cool caribbean.

Used my prismacolor markers to color the image. I thought the birdie looked like he was lookin at the other birdie. I don’t know! I just like tha layout and overall execution of this. Of course, I used my Sprite Primas. If you dont have ANY of these you are CRAZY! They are awesome! Love them. The brads are by SEI.

So I hope you get to try the challenge. If so please link it here so I can view it and comment.

Try using your ribbon to inspire your colors. Id LOVE to see what you come up with.

Thanks for playing.

Thats how I feel about ALL of you!

And my New! Lizzie Anne Designs set.

So…….I made the mistake of going on www.ribbonsandbowsohmy.com  DONT CLICK IT!

Anyway too much money spent and 2 days later I got some AMAZING ribbon. I loved the colors in the ribbon tab I used on this card, and it inspired my colors here.

This flower is the Jolies Fleur from Lizzie Anne, and the sentiment is from Sketched Sentiments. Oh I just love them!!!! I of course used my Glue pad, and Martha Stewart glitter in black. I doodled the border.

The Fleur is colored with my Prismacolor markers. Lovin those too. Of course added some bling to the center of the flower. Have I told you I love this set yet? Well I’ll say it again! LOL! I love how it can be elegant, and funky! Lots a cool possibilities with this set let me tell ya.

Hope you like it!

The stamps will be available for purchase May 28th. If you need them NOW you can get them from Jacksonbelle’s EBAY store. Supah fast shipping!

Thanks for looking.

WOW you girls sure do LOVE to enable! Thanks for all the cool suggestions. Be on the look out for some of the purchases Ive made because of you.

I learned about lots of things I now need to get! I did get off to a good start when I went to the CKU expo in Manchester on Saturday!

My friend Paulette and I, spent a HEAVENLY 5 hours shopping. This is a photo of what I got! Some of the paper is just stacked cause my table was just too small! LOL!

We had to go check our bags because they were too heavy. Many of the places we shopped at qualified us for FREE goodies cause we spent so much 😀 It was SO FUN!!! We then went to lunch at my FAVORITE place TGIFridays.

SO do you wanna hear what I got?

Twinkling H2o’s-never tried them and thought it would be cool-Ill let you know!

Several pks of Crate paper

SEI was like my FAVORITE! Got cool paper, ribbon, buttons, brads, and IRON Ons! Never tried those before. I have had the Heidi Swap iron for 2 years and never opened it.

I also got some white glue stuff that Paulette said I HAD to get, lots a various papers and ribbon for everywhere.

Some piercing templates, and a cool cutterbee piercer too thingy.

A set of Pink Cactus stamps that I ahve been drooling over for a year!

A couple A Muse images.

Velvet flowers and chipboard from Maya Road.

Cool tins (only 2) and wish I got more! LOL!

Some cool paper tape.

Heidi Swapp ribbon for $1! And a bunch of other “cool” stuff. So check in often as I will be doing more product must haves, and using my new goodies! LOL!

Speaking of goodies……..the Random winner selected was #50 Elaine. Email me your address and color choice of Martha glitter! Here is what she writes.

OK I love when people LOVE things, and you just just feel their excitement. So I want to share my excitement with YOU about a couple of products!

In return I WANT to be enabled! More about that in a minute.

I am in LOVE with the new Glue Pad. OMG! Its AMAZING! I recently discovered the beauty of this pad when browsing my friend Rebecca’s Blog. She did a blurb on it , with some samples. Well you know me. I HAD to have it! LOL! Now I see WHAT all the fuss is about.

Now I love using this pad with my new Lizzie Anne Designs set called Jolies Fleurs. I CANT stop using it! Seriously! It isnt released yet- May 28th! But Im SO IN LOVE – it its insane.

I can tell you that Lindsey (aka Jacksonbelle) is selling them in her EBay store NOW! All the NEW! yet to be released sets. She signed up with them as a wholesaler, to sell them. SO RUN!!!!!! And tell her I sent ya!

Now I know you want to see a million of the delicious samples I made BUT I cant share yet. They are for design team work and are going into Lizzie Anne’s Idea book OR possibly published elsewhere! So you have to wait! But I will share ONE!

Coral LeFleur

Are you drooling on that keyboard? I know I am! LOL!

I stamped the Fleur on white cardstock in versamark, then gold embossed it. I used my Fantastics brush tip (another favorite) and Versamagic ink dew drop pads (and another)to color the flower in. Cut it out, and added a jewel.

The flowers were stamped using the Glue Pad. I then used another FAVORITE product my Martha Stewart cardstock, AND her new Glitter! OMG! The colors are to DIE FOR!

So I stamped the sprinkled my glitter. DONE! Simple, and elegant!

So yes I LOVE the MS cardstock. The quality is great, as is the color selection. I am really in love with all her glitter!! I just cannot put it down.

Another great thing she sells is her Glue Pen (pictured above) OMW! Its really top quality.  Oh I just cant stop gushing. I wish I got paid for this! LOL! Or a commission 😀

SOOOO, Do you love it yet?

NOW- I need you to respond to this thread with a few NEW products you LOVE.

I will randomly pick a winner on Sunday. This winner will receive their choice of glitter from Martha Stewart! Because I love it so much. If you are randomly picked email me your address and color choice and “I” will go pick it up for you.

That is my gift to YOU for enabling ME too.

So get me hungry for retail therapy. Im dying to know what all the RAGE that Im missing out on! If you provide a link that would be double awesome!

Oh and if you have any of these products I gushed over, let me know what YOU think about them too.

Can’t wait to read all about it!

Ok you are probally thinking I haven’t drank enough coffee by my title! LOL! But trust me, read on and you’ll “get it”.

In truth I am almost done my 2nd cup! LOL! I love my coffee. I need my coffee. Enough said.

Anyway-on a few posts ago I mentioned how much I LOVE sentiment stamps, and using them as the main focus of a card. So thats what I did here! As promised.

My Groovy Friend-

I used Grateful Greetings by MFT stamps for the Main focus of this card! My Ribbon by American Crafts was my color focus for my card. I also used their cool plastic petals in the corner and a prima with bling! I highlighted the key words using my markers. I also traced the top sentiment with alternating colors. Another favorite thing of mine to do.  The colors are Night of Navy, Regal Rose, Green Galore, and Whisper White of course! Hope you like the Funk-tified card design! LOL!

That brings me to the enabler alert-

All That Scraps is now selling My Favorite Things Stamps!!!! YEAH!!!! Now you can get your Cuttlebug stuff, Bazzill cardstock, MFT stamps, Palette inks and other cool embellishments (like jeweled brads HELLO!) ALL in ONE place! Seriously go check out the store! I always click on the NEW! Products section so I stay up on all the new goodies!

Christine is supah sweet and ships so fast! I swear- I order on a Monday and by the end of the week its on my doorstep! Most of the times before Thursday! I’m NOT a patient person so this really makes me happy! I have to send myself goodies every week- its a bad addicition! I just LOVE getting mail.

Anyway- Im excited that Kim (owner of MFT stamps) is getting her products in various places. Makes it easier for me to get more from ONE place and save some $$$ on shipping.

BTW if you haven’t checked out Kim’s Design Team lookie here. She wrote our bio’s! Really sweet. I was honored to be asked a few months ago to be on Kim’s team. Now that I see who I’m with I’m hoping I can keep up! Pretty amazing. Kim’s company is going to explode! She’s just an amazing person. LOVE her ideas for her company (obviously).

That brings me to my MAIN point! LOL! I LOVE her sentiment stamps. Especially the one’s she has because they feature and In and Out sentiment. By that I mean a sentiment for the outside, and a verse that coordinates for inside! People usually have a hard time with sentiments for INSIDE the card! Anyway-thats why I’m lovin her sentiments. Plus you can NEVER have enough sentiments. verses and font styles-seriously!

Well now that I’m WAY off track-LOL! On this card I used both the inside/outside sentiments as the CENTER of attention for my card. Thats why I have my title Sent(er) as in sentiment as center focus.

OK maybe this only makes sense to me! LOL!

Now the Challenge part-

Anyway I want YOU to try doing this too. Challenge yourself to use a verse as the MAIN focus of your card like I did! I love to highlight key words too! Makes it fun. If you dont have any, well I just gave you a great place to buy some (wink wink).

If you try it, PLEASE send a link this way so I can see it and comment! Love keepin up with everyone.

I’ve gotten some amazing ideas for product reviews so hope to work on doing more of that really soon.

Thanks for the suggestions and keep them comin!