YEAH! Its Sketch time! Hope you are not FREEZING your hiney off. Its so cold here, and we are expecting a MEGA storm. I swear I am stamping today! I’m beginning to shake LOL! I think to its the busy time of year. I have most our wrapping done-Jason has been responsible for SENDING our Christmas cards-and you know what, they are still sitting here! GRRRR! I swear I will NOT mail them, I swear.

Daisy is doing great-when Jason tries to take her she want’s me-so she now has her own bed in my stamp room. I just need to pray I dont drop an acrylic stamp 😀 Thanks again for letting me share my Daisy love 😀

She is definitely sleeping throught the night-no problem-o! Just a little crying when its potty time to go outside. I got her the cutest sweater, and will share those photos soon.

I still have to do Amber’s Smilebox-from her Christmas Dance Recital. I really need to show you the video portion its so stinkin cute.

I have my usual Papertrey Ink  release party, hangover! LOL! I LOVE when a company release falls on a weekend! The worst part of it was, I was in such a flurry to buy what I wanted that I missed the 1/2 set ($5). I then went back and ordered it, and had to pay the $5.50 S/H.

Can you believe that? MORON! I’m so mad at myself. I should have taken my time, but NO! I had to get it in there asap. How about you? Did you get anything? Did you do the math contest? OK I totally got the wrong number cause of some of the questions, but that’s ok. I HATE math! It was a fun and stressful game all in one. I was typing as fast as I could. CRAZY!

Leave it to Nichole Heady to get us all going nuts. Too funny.

Oh well.

WHEW! OK card time.

 BRRRRR!

Well if you got your recent issue of Craft’s n’Things then you have something I don’t! LOL!

I hear I have 6 or 7 cards in there :D. I KNOW this is one of them, and it was my favorite! The set is Christmas in the City

So I am using THIS for the Saturday Sketch today! I CANNOT figure out how to do a slanted rectangle/square, so this is your template.

ANOTHER great way to use those SMALL images.

I colored these on glossy cardstock, with SU! Markers-back in the day before I had Copic’s!

I think its so cute.

I want to share another project that was published in last months issue of Craft’s n’Things!

 Lindt Chocolate Lantern

I loved this little tea light lantern when I saw it last year at Target. I still have 6 left to use for gifts 😀 Someday. You know the hoarder in me, wants to keep them for myself, forever.

I removed the top portion. Inside is a bag of Lindt Chocolates! I stamped the snowflake image on the bag.

It can later be used as a tea light (remove the ribbon/tag).

I used Vellum Cardstock, and punched the snowflake image on each panel. I put the vellum in FRONT of the glass panels-so they don’t catch fire when a tea light it lit.

All the details are in the magazine. I just wanted to share it with you here today 😀

So I will have some super cute stuff over the next week to share, if I get what in my head, onto paper.

So stay tuned 😀

Can you believe Christmas is next week? Where does the time go?

WOW are we ever getting a wicked Nor-Easter here!

So melt the snow! I think the kids would beg to differ.

Speaking of things melting……………………………………………………….

 I melt for you

Oh how I love penguins 😀 I know, I know, I say it all the time. But I do. They make ME melt.

I also loved how I did this card, using these colors, and the same set (different image). I now {heart} them 😀

This penguin is from Little Penguins. Is she not adorable? I think this set is so perfect for ALL occasion.

I was thinking of  hearts when I saw her, and this sentiment from Hearts Galore, was totally PERFECT! I had a mini heart punch from the Michaels $1 spot, and used it for her to hold a heart. I continued my heart theme by using the brads (retired by SU!). When it was all laid out, something was missing-

I thouhgt about a bkgd stamp-NOPE! Not that.

I thought about a embossed bkged-NOPE! Not that either.

I thought about mini images in the bkgd-NOPE! Not that either.

I didn’t want to over-do it.

So I added the brads. Then I added the ribbon. Still something “missing”, so I added the dangling heart tag by Making Memories. Now we have “balance”.

PERFECT!!!!

I really love using small images-in case you didn’t notice, its very recent, that I am drawing attention to that. I just think people need to realize these smaller stamps have great potential 😀 Don’t dismiss them. Plus they make a great quick card.

So that is all. Friday is the Blogger’s Challenge. I better get stamping 😀

Till then!

Ok so maybe I AM turning into a crazy dog lover!

I call her Daisy Doodle, and Alexa calls her Crazy Daisy. Its really cute to see the kids participate in her care by following commands, and giving rewards, putting her in and out of the crate, feeding, brushing, and of course playing.

I had to share this photo of Daisy with her adorable PINK doggy coat 😀

C’mon you KNOW I was going to have to get her outfits! LOL! She is too adorable not too. She actually likes it. (I think). She is very compilable with whatever I want to do. I think its great I get to start her out like that 😀

But, I had to share my success with all of you, since you did help me with all your advice 😀 So thanks. I especially appreciated the phone calls and emails I received. Really helpful.

Daisy has her first appointment tomorrow, and it should only cost me well over a $100. YIKES :C Now there goes my stocking stuffer’s! LOL! I think she’ll fit in there nicely.

I also want to direct you, who have dogs, to this place—->Ask Me Dogs, that I found, which is like a SCS, but for DOG OWNERS!!! How cool is that? It has an online pet expert that can help with any question, as well as other owner’s give helpful advice.

So I wanted you all to know after all the advice I did the following………………which has lead to success!

No Success Story

 Tuesday-  I deciding to TRY to let Daisy have the run of the kitchen (used lots of gates), instead of being crated. What’s weird is she goes in the crate at times on her own during the day, and when I leave or can’t watch her every move (today I made my bed, and she found and ate a crayon Alexa left on the floor while coloring ;C). She doesn’t mind it all. No crying, fussing or freaking. Totally happy to chill. Come night time-watch out.

OK Night comes- I have her gated in the kitchen, which is good size, and cord safe :D. I kept her crate open, but thought if she could see us it should work. Our room is off the Kitchen. Well she jumped, and jumped and jumped till she knocked it over! Came into our room, and tried to jump up on our King size bed-Um, yeah, not happening. She cried and cried-so I decided that SLEEP would WIN. I then let Daisy sleepwith us. Jason was so NOT happy. But, you wouldn’t even know she was there. She was very good. She woke me up twice in the middle of the night, by nudging my arm, went out for a potty break, then back to bed. I realized I didn’t want this to be long term, so made the decision for the following night to stick it out, be consistent, and try something that would hopefully work.

Just like kids right?? Now is the time to NOT instill BAD habits.

Now Wednesday Night

I keep her crate open. Put up all the gates in the kitchen. I move her bed to the doorway, where there is the gate, but she can see us sleep (thanks Dawn and Bobbie). I then swaddle her like a baby in this blanket that she dores (it was Noah’s when he was a baby). She loves to be swaddled-funny huh??

I included my t-shirt, and her favorite stuffed squirrel. Left a nightlight on, and ran the DISHWASHER!!! That seemed to help.

She would get up, and just whine, as oppose to bark, and yelp.

I would tell her down (to make her stop jumping on the gate), and then Daisy Bed. It took several times of me getting up and re wrapping her, and putting her there with the commands. So after several trips I stopped getting up but used my voice, and a snap of my fingers (my mom use to do that with our dogs), and VIOLA. She went to her bed and slept 😀 She did wake up at 1:30 and 5 :30 to go out, but then quietly returned to her bed, without fuss!!!

YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now here is a photo of her swaddled in her blanket, on our Suede video rocker chair that she has deemed HERS. You can see her little squeeky squirrel she carries around.

She litterally lets me lay her down and wrap her up. Its Hilarious.

Let me go on and say that Daisy is like the best little thing on 4 paws. Seriously, amazing. She is very well behaved, and is already getting some simple commands. I am using one-to two words to teach her.

I am doing the bell thing as suggested for going out to use the “potty”. She will ring the bell on the door sometimes too! She hardly has any accidents-which I am so thankful for.

She has long curly hair in the “back”. Needless to say she has had 3 baths!!! I never bathed a dog before, but she loves it. Stays perfectly still, then lets me dry her, and brush her. She then let Jay and I cut her hair-NO PROBLEM!

I teach her sit, down, treats, eat, out, fast-fast (that means we are here to potty not sniff the entire yard), and then there is crate-go, and bed Daisy.

I just might actually be able to do this.

So my point was thanks for the advice.

I also think we made the best move buying Daisy. She is a great breed for what we as a family were looking for. Plus she is definitely MY DOG. I am HER PERSON!

I felt like picking her was like a Grey’s Anatomy show, when Meridith says to Derick (when he is deciding over her and Addison) “Pick me, choose me, love me” 😀 Yes I am pathetic

That was exactly what I told Jason. I said that is what she is saying. She belongs with us.

He said we made a good choice. She truly is a darling.

OK thats it for my dog insanity. Thanks for bearing with me, as I am so new to this. I know its a stamping blog, but I wanted to share it with you 😀 Plus the beauty of a blog is I will never really know if you read it or not, and I can still throw it out there!

NOW I am really going to get stamping! I think I have a “routine” in place, so it may just happen.

Till tomorrow. Don’t forget Saturday Sketch time 😀

Make a free ecard!

So here it is! The Smilebox with photos from the kids meeting with Santa Claus. It was such an awesome time. I included photos below, that I still wanted to share, but didn’t have the room, and I wanted to use this particular creation, as I am sure you will agree, its perfect.

I hope you have time to view it-grab the kids! I think they will be in awe 😀 of Santa. If they are on the border of believing this will reinforce it I think.

I’m totally bummed that the Smilebox will not let me load videos :C This feature has not worked for a while now-no matter how short it is. I SOOOOO hope I can find a way to share the video. Really cool.

So here it was 7pm, a knock at the door.

In walked Santa and Mrs Claus. They had their red toy sack, with lots of goodies.

Alexa was in shock, but she promptly introduced herself then invited them in to see our Christmas tree. Now that is shocking in itself.

He gave the kids each a special Christmas stocking, candy canes, covered lollipops, and reindeer antler’s, that were so cute.

Alexa also got a Magic Bell from Rudolph’s harness (since they change them yearly :D), a magic pen, so you can write letter’s to Santa, and they dont need to be sent in the mail, and the book Twas the Night Before Christmas, which was signed by the Author, and then Santa and the Mrs. Claus

He then delivered the children their most asked for toy! Who else would know what they wanted besides Santa himself?!

Click photos for larger view

Alexa got her Baby Alive doll-she wiggles, coo’s and drinks-then you know what-pee’s! YEAH! Another non-potty trained thing in the house right now! LOL!

Noah and Santa-love this photo. He is the first of my kids to willingly ever sit and chat with Santa

 He was quick to tell Santa that he was a good big brother and only belonged on the “NICE” list. He also tried to sell Alexa down the river by tattling on her, and saying she deserved “black rocks” for Christmas for being naughty, and that she never cleans up her room. Nice Noah!! I was  a little embarrassed, but you can’t deny he had a point! LOL! However, given Alexa’s treatments, she certainly deserves to be on the “nice” list :D, clean room or not.

Here we have Amber-she was not in love with Santa, but played along. She loved that he gave her a Dora candy cane-that matched her Hello Kitty jammies-kids!

Oh and Jason-My biggest kid 😀

 He looks cute, even with goofy antlers.

Then there was the goodbye. Alexa LOVED Mrs. Claus, and had no problem hugging her, but for Santa, she preferred a Hi-5

 Check out her expression! Too funny.

It was a wicked nice thing for Make a Wish to set up for our family. Especially for Santa who VOLUNTEER’S this time of year to go out house to house like this.

 They really do go above and beyond the “wish” that your child is granted, which is totally unnecessary, but what an amazing thing to do. They set up all these little things that make Alexa’s day’s that much more special. Times that we hope will over shadow the memories of long hospitalizations and scary procedure’s. It gives her reason’s to look forward to things, and do well during the tough things.

I want her to say “Hey remember when we got to do this!”, instead of “Oh I hated going to the hospital and having X done. I truly believe these will be the memories that stick out.

I have always supported MAW, and am so thankful to be able to share this stuff with you.

Thanks for reading and let me share more of my family with you 😀

   The Skating Cat

Time has just flown by. I so wanted to get this done earlier, but that doesn’t always work out that way.

Life here has been CRAZY. We had Amber’s Christmas Show-which was over the top CUTE!!! OMWord-proud mom here-wait till I get the Smilebox done! I hope the video thing loads properly. It was just too precious! PRECIOUS I tell you.

We then had a visit from THE Santa himself! I got lots of photos for that! I even began to wish he was real! He was awesome!! I’ll go into that on more when I do that post. AMAZING.

I finally got some stamping done!! YEAH!!! Dog training is hard work people! My little Daisy Doodle is quite the cuddlebug.

 I was having such a wave of inspiration, but it was quickly squished with kids and dog training. To be frank-I’m wiped out. Its all worth it though. The kids have been acting in a way the guarantee’s the NAUGHTY list today-so that did NOT help either.

Well I PROMISED you all a tutorial, on how to make a card “in motion”. It is along the idea of a “spinner” card, but it doesn’t spin-it slides along a track. Think of like a train. It has 2 tracks that keep it from sliding off. Along the same idea.

After I posted THIS card, I got OVER 100 personal email messages, asking for a tutorial. WOW, you love me! OK maybe not me, but thanks for the awesome feedback. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate it. Its so rewarding to know that people like this stuff or find it helpful, when you put so much of yourself (and time) into it.

So, now is the time 😀

I didn’t want to re-do the exact SAME card, so I decided to show you how versatile it can be 😀 In keeping with the WINTER theme of December, I decided to do Skating scene instead.

Keep an open mind-anything could be done.

I am including step by step instructions. Please click the photos for a larger view. Post your questions here, if any, and I will answer it in the comments section.

Please be aware-it sound difficult, but seriously is easy. Also goes pretty fast 😀 Just try it! If you do send me a link so I can see it.

Here is what you will need

Your main layer (snowflakes here).

A “hill” or land panels. This adds to the “look” that your image is doing something or going somewhere.

A hobby blade/mat

2 Pennies

lots of dimensionals

a little imagination ;D

Step 1-CARD DETAILS- the prep before the “technique”.

I made my card base from white cardstock.

I then cut/matted my snowflake patterned paper (from DCWV).

 I cut 2 “hills” in different sizes (using my CM Wavy cutter). Added Dazzling diamonds.

The IMAGE- its important to make sure your image allows you to HIDE the pennies. So make sure you check that prior to going all gangbuster’s then getting sad it doesn’t look right!

 I stamped my desired image (cat from The Cat’s Pajama’s-Kitty Christmas). I cut her so she was on her own lil ICE patch! Sentiment was done using SU! markers, and is from Wintertime Fun. Colored with Copic’s and added liquid applique (with dazzling diamonds while wet-then heat set) to the fur lining of the outfit.

Step 2

 Layer the snowhills, using dimensionals

Step 3

 Layer- dimensional, penny, dimensional, penny. In the MIDDLE of the 2 penny “sandwich” is your track, I am referring to.

Step 4

   Place the image on the “track” with cardstock between 2 pennies.

This gives you an idea of where you will need to make a cut for the other end of the pennies to slide into. Don’t make your slice too far apart. Get a little close to the track. Like 1/4 inch along the edge is about right, for a good fit. You can use a pencil and Layer Ease first if you like, and it has to be PERFECT 😀

Use hobby blade, and follow the lines of the bottom track, as seen in photo.

Step 5

 POP the pennies into place.

 Put one penny in front of bottom layer. Pop the back penny into cut layer.

 This is how the back may look. Adhere with dimensionals to card base. Careful not to place dimensionals in a spot that will inhibit movement. Area above track will need to double up on dimensionals (in other words apply 2 in the same spot).

 This allows the penny to freely flow along the track when pushed/pulled.

  click for larger view

 Here is the side view. You simply push her along the hills so she “skates” across the card!

Pretty cool huh?

Now its YOUR turn.

Hope you enjoyed!

Till tomorrow

Sorry for my lack of posting. I think we all know this is a CRAZY time of year. Add a dog to the mix and you have one crazy person! LOL! I am loving it though. I do wonder how I lived so long without my own dog. Yeah its only been 3 days! 😀

Since the Flu hit me I’ve been lacking on my blogging. My new excuse is my “night owl” for a puppy! This was my inspiration 😀

 She really is UP ALL NIGHT. Except for the 2 hours I put her in my bed. Oh yes, she was comfy and cozy with her mommy. Daddy was NOT impressed! LOL! She cried so much she was coughing-c’mon people! I can’t be that harsh :C

I really want to thank you ALL for the advice and emails. Especially sharing YOUR stories. I have now got a bell hanging from the door-for potty time, and I am going to buy a clock. I put in a t-shirt I wore last night for her. I kept a nightlight on, played music EEEK!! Whatever I was told would work. Keep the advice a coming!

She is awesome with the crate thing during the day, but once we go to bed-OH NO! Not happening. No real potty accidents either. I gave her a bath and she was awesome! I never gave any animal a bath before. She smells SO good now. FYI dont get puppy shampoo near your eyes! YIKES!

Can I just tell you I am exhausted! Who would think a dog could bark ALL night? This little thing can make quite the bit of noise. Its pathetic, cause she is WAY cute, and just wants some lovin’s. Adjusting to life here I have barely gotten anything done-but don’t worry I got me some “PLANS”. That means great ideas that I will share -soon! This week is just beyond insane.

SO I hope you like this bright cheery-non Christmas card 😀 I have a TON to do before Amber’s recital and prepping for Santa’s visit!

I used the Oliver and Friends set. Sentiment is by SU!!

OH Thanks for sticking by me and reading. I’m also sorry I have hardly been online. I’m sure by next week I will have this all down pat 😀

Till tomorrow

Do you get the Lizzie Anne Newsletter? If you do, then you saw THIS Santa tin, using their Holiday Cheer,  Santa  Simply Single image, and the Snow Flurry. In it fits 4 Ghirardelli Chocolate squares. It was a clear top, magnet tin from Target $1 spot. 3 in a pack! Now don’t run there cause this was a while ago. See, I thend to HOARD things, for occasions such as this

Occasions, what occasion.

Tomorrow is THE day!

I mean the day that Santa Claus comes to pay a visit to our home.

He will be bringing each child their MOST cherished and wanted toy! How cool will that be?

So, now I have to whip up some candy cane style sugar cookies for him, and make another cocoa cone for Mrs. Claus. How exciting.

I think I am more excited than the kids Tomorrow is also Amber’s Christmas Dance recital at our local nursing home. The residents just LOVE it. So, I should have a bunch of Smileboxes to do.

As for right now I am swamped with stuff to get done. Because we got the dog, we didn’t wrap gifts OR get out our cards! What is the point in getting them done so early if I dont mail them out ??

DOG UPDATE:

Thanks for the well wishes Daisy is such a lovey dog. I’m extatic. Don’t worry I’m not going to go all crazy dog lover everyday on ya! This is just an adjustment period

I am EXHAUSTED. Daisy was not happy to be in her crate last night. After hearing much praise from the video, the Dog Whisperer I am having Jason rent it tonight. I am a CLUELESS dog owner. I mean REALLY clueless. I want to do what’s right and make no major boo-boo’s. Like last night I kept telling her it was ok, go to sleep blah blah blah blah, while she barked, whined and cried. Finally at 3 am I looked online and read NOT to do that! GREAT!!!! I’m on my way to being a fabulous dog owner already.

She is really good and sweet, just does not want to be alone-at night! LOL! By the sounds of it, this is normal.

outside. I don’t know.

Tomorrow I have tons to do, and hope she will be up to it. I miss my stamp room.

Ok I’m off!

Thanks for looking.

Make a scrapbook!

Oh what a day! Or should I say weekend.

Jason had been on a dog kick for a few months. Lots of online hours. After MUCH research we found a cockapoo (cross between a cockerspaniel and poodle) would better suit our family, wants and needs for a dog.

I didn’t want a big dog, too high maintenance, and it had to be good with other animals and of course KIDS. Also easy to train. That equals a cockapoo. We did meet other breeds of dogs as well, but the meeting confirmed our wish.

So I told you how Saturday we spent the day at the puppy place looking for dogs. I didn’t really care, till I met this one. Its so true what they say “The dog picks YOU.”

 I fell in LOVE with this one, I named Daisy, while on our visit.

NOT A GOOD THING TO NAME A DOG IF YOU AREN’T SURE YOU CAN HAVE IT.

From the second I saw her she was adorable, but more so, SWEET. She instantly sat in my lap, and nuzzled my neck. She got on her back for me to rub her belly. Im mean seriously turned me into a mushy gushy moron 😀 I was in love.

Then, to only to have Jason say ‘No, I don’t know if I want a dog”. After 2 1/2 hours of debating-we left without her. I thought I would cry.

What he REALLY meant was he didn’t want to spend $1,000 for a dog.

I was so upset we left without her. I thought I’d get over it, but totally could not. I was really upset. Even more so when we made several appointments today to see some other dogs (same breed), but a little cheaper. He said IF I didn’t like the others, he would consider calling to get “Daisy”.

I was already worried, as another couple was considering her while we were there. PLUS I didn’t want to settle. What is the point?

I had my heart set, and mind made up. Why even look at another dog, if this was the ONE I needed?

So, while on the phone with my mom, she told me she would help me get the dog 😀 How could Jason say No right?

I was over the moon happy! Jason was also happy cause he could actually get me the dog without really stressing. (Which WHY look at an expensive breed if you don’t plan on BUYING it?)

MEN!

So I called the breeder, and there was a family there looking at her. She asked if I would DEFINITELY be buying her, and if so I had to come within 45 min. Good thing they are 10 min. away.

Now imagine if I waited? That other family MIGHT have bought MY dog!

So thank you so much MOM! You are the best! Also, thanks Jay for finally caving. Next time don’t bring a family to meet dogs, if you aren’t ready to pay up! SERIOUSLY!!

So I would love you all to see my Christmas gift! I decided to get her instead of a fancy camera, photo editing software, and a graphic program. Well worth it I think 😀

I named her Daisy-cause she is so sweet,  soft,  gentle, and loving.

Jason wanted to name her COSTALOT-get it “cost a lot”. I did laugh  at that one!!

For the record, Noah tried his best to sway daddy by saying “Daddy I think you need to buy mommy that doggie. She is really sad. She might cry. I think you are being mean”

For Amber to say “Mommy daddy can’t buy you the dog. Its thousands of dollars. Do you have thousands of dollars. No one has thousands of dollars, so you can’t have it”

And she is THREE. A girl after her dad’s heart! LOL!

Thanks for reading my non-stamping related post. Also for the support.

Now I hope to get some eye candy done for ya!

OK I did NO STAMPING yesterday. We were going to buy a Cockapoo puppy. I know, where did that come from?

 Long story short-we didn’t buy this ONE particular dog that I feel in love with-I already named her Daisy :C. I hope to get over my emotional issue and get creative. I want my Daisy. She was expensive, but seriously, you don’t drag ME and 3 kids kids to the place for 2 1/2 hours to then say “I don’t know if I want a dog.” Its wrong!

So no wrapping, no stamping, just me being sad.

I did do this 😀 on Friday.

 Garden of Friendship

This is veggiebella.

I used my SEI paper to get the idea for the colors I wanted to use.

Oh how I love the Bella’s. Even my MOM, who reads my blog says “I love those girls you use, who makes them?”! LOL! They are so ME:D I’m sure they are so a lot of you!

Did you see the NEW! Bella’s? IPODABELLA, SAVVYSHOPABELLA, and MWAHBELLA

OMW! I know I want a butt like that-LOL!  They are such a cute new look!!!

She (EMILY QUEEN BELLA) is having a FREE SHIPPING SALE, on order’s over $25!

 Here is the code  11b49b .

 Its only till today though. So If you have been waiting I guess now is the time. I will hunt down these Bella’s soon too.

OK I’m off to pout at my husband. Wish me luck.

If I looked like Amber it might work! LOL!

Till later-I hope I’ll have dog photos! ;D

Happy Saturday! My favorite day of the week!

I had a awesome day yesterday! Just awesome. Words cannot even say. Despite the fact I did NO stamping, it was great.

The people from Make A Wish called, Santa is coming to our house for Cocoa and Cookies Tuesday night!

Jason stayed home from work, we shopped, had lunch, just a fun day. No crowds either.

I got our yearly Christmas ornaments. Alexa got a gorgeous Make a Wish one! We always use to buy one anyway-except now it has more meaning.

I FINISHED my Christmas shopping! YEAH!! I know I said I wanted to be done by the 1st, but given the week long Flu and stomach bug I think I am happy to be done today! I didn’t get Jason done, but I just go around store to store and have fun with his stuff-no stress shopping KWIM?

Today I will wrap our gifts, and make Jason mail out the Christmas cards (I forgot to bring them on Thanksgiving! To save on stamps! LOL! Tacky yes, but hey can’t blame a girl for trying and wanting to be early for some people)

Now I want to give all you who have more than ONE child a easy tip for making the wrapping process EASIER-I buy each child their own special wrapping paper.

For instance

Alexa has Disney Princess, Amber has Dora, and Noah has Sponge Bob.

What is the deal with that you ask? Well, no need to LABEL each gift when wrapping, and on Christmas morning no one is accidentally opening the others gifts! They know they each have X Character wrap and thats what they go for! Each one gets a gift, and on the count of three they are allowed to open at the same time! Works great! No fighting 😀 If they all get a gift that is the same we put a X on it-so we know to have them open it together. This year they each get a themed Dance Mat. So that will get the X.

OK OK there I went WAY into my blah blah blah.

I know you are here to see a card!

Here is the sketch

 Click to enlarge

You know how much I LOVE penguins, and this new Little Penguins setis SO FLIPPIN CUTE! I love that its an all occasion penguin set. Finally! One I don’t feel strange using in JUNE! LOL!

To prove it-I used no “normal” penguin colors.

Think-chocolate chip, blush blossom, groovy guava, and old olive.

 Pretty Penguin

Is this not so cute? You know when I think penguins I ALWAYS think Black or Grey. So not the case. Here he is brown! And he is CUTE being brown, don’t you think?

I had alot of fun using these colors, especially with this image.

I really think I want to keep the FOCUS on helping you use those smaller images. Some are just WAY TOO CUTE, and go un-used. It’s sad that images like that don’t get the proper INKING time.

So todays sketch can help you use those images-unless you use a large one for the top panel-but still, really think about it. Ever have a little stamp you say “Oh is that not adorable. Too bad I won’t really ever use it” I know I HAVE!

Now is the time.

Here I am also going to share a couple more idea for you to FOCUS on the little images.

Happy Cupcake Day!

This cupcake image is from The icing on the cake set by MFT.

I used an acrylic frame by KI Memories (ice candy) to accent the little cake. I stamped the sentiment several times, in colors like in the frame using  versamagic ink. The trio of sentiments leads you eye down to the tiny image as well. I thought this was REALLY cute, and colorful, yet SIMPLE.

Some people think SIMPLE is always easy to achieve-not so. It can be even harder sometimes. The important thing is do whatever makes YOU comfortable. Stay true to your won style. I feel my “style” has endless possibilities. I can be simple, then get all distressy if I want to! LOL!

OK I feel like I’m straying from my point, and you all know how good at that I am! LOL!

Next up!

 A little gift

This image is from the same MFT set.

Again I used an acrylic frame-this one is from Making Memories.

Its important to not take the focus off the image, and over do it. They are little images, and can get LOST. I kissed the image with a flower fromBoho Blossom.

I also use Behind The Scenes, to create the pattern at the top. The petals are colored with my Black Copic Glitter Pen. The satin ribbon was from the Target gift wrap section (15 yds for $2.99!!).

Well I really hope this post helps you find new possibilities for old little stamps. That you may see them in a whole new light. Not just for creating backgrounds or accents on your projects.

I so hope you get to try the sketch, and link it here so we can all see it! I also hope you try the challenge! If you go out and use those little images, let me know! I want to see how you made them the focus of your creation.

Till tomorrow. I HOPE to get that tutorial done, but we will see. I have family stuff first. If not it WILL be sometime this week. I, of course ,do have other samples to share!! So stay tuned.