WOW! I just have to say what a beautiful bunch of people stamper’s really are! So many of you, I have had the opportunity to form friendships with and share funny little comments and emails. People I never would have NOT met (and met) had it not been for this insanely addicting “hobby”. The last few days you all have left some of the most amazingly sweet comments. Thank you so much. Words really can’t say what that all means to me.

Speaking of meaning. When I wrote the post about the bella card, linked below, I ALMOST didn’t publish it. It was so sappy to me, and when I was typing my husband asked me if someone died, cause I was balling over it. I know it sounds stupid. I am NOT a crier!! I just think my mom should know that she DID do a good job. I think we will all have regrets as parent’s. Things we learned from. Anyway-I was in a sappy mood, and decided-like always, this is me, and this is what I was thinking/feeling at the time. So here you go WORLD! LOL!

When Emily wrote her comment about my Super Woman Bella card for my mom I was so touched!

Sorry I HAVE to quote her 😀

stamping bella |

Lauren, Lauren, Lauren
as usual, you have ‘represented’… you have taken my “bella mantra” and brought it to life… no matter what you look like, no matter how you ‘feel’, you are represented by a Bella.. and that is exactly why I started this little company.
Thank YOU for putting my thoughts and feelings onto paper.

You are one awesome person
Em

——————————————————————————————————————-

She then followed it up with a blog post about it! WOW!! You can see that here<——–Thanks Em. MWAH to you!!

She said many of you told her to come find me here-thank you!! How sweet.

Many people requested a list of the Bella’s I used and wanted to know how many I owned. Given that fact that my husband and his entire work staff read this, I have to say modestly I own somewhere over 50.  I know! I know! It’s an obsession. It started with Javabellas and went on from there. I stopped counting.

Here is a list of what was used, in order they are listed on her website. I listed the # in which they appear on the card as well next to the names! It list is top to bottom, starting left to right.

12) Artistbella (paint pallete)

10) Cakeabella

6) Docabella

4) Grumpabella

3) Minivanabella

5) Ohsoprettybella

14) Superbella

13) Sweetybella

8) teachabella

2) teddybella

9) veggiebella (basket of veggies)

1) Hitchedafella ( fella and his bella category)

11) Fixafella (fellas category)

Im happy that my feelings were conveyed through the computer, and inspired many of you to reach out to your special person, share a memory or think of them.

Anyway-I agree I will have to give her that one for Mother’s Day instead! LOL!!!

This will be her LATE birthday card! (Maybe) You know how indecisive I can be.

 Pretty Pink Elosie

Another new love for me is that Chichiboule line!

I decided that Eloise Greengrass would be so pretty! I love her and I think she is holding my favorite flower-Tulips! If its not a tulip I dont care! LOL! It is to me. I think she is just so beautiful. This was a simple card, that I tried to keep the focus on HER!! I had to cut her going OUT of the circle. There is a small view of a scallop behind the circle layer. She is very shimmery and just so sweet. I loved coloring her, and went with the dress being leaves instead of flower petals. The gathered sheer pink ribbon is so feminine. That paper is by imaginesce. I used the embossing folder and ink for the bkgd strip.

Simple.

Well thanks for looking everyone.

I have a simple tutorial to share tomorrow! Alexa’s chemo went well yesterday. Thank goodness. ONE MORE LEFT! I know its getting annoying that I keep saying that, but after 2 1/2 years of watching her go through so much, many times I was scared of what may be in store for her, we are almost done!! You have no idea.

There is an article on her stamp set in the June Issue of Crafts n’ Things! More on that when I get my copy! So I’ll fill you in when I can. Thank you to those who emailed me about it 😀 You can read her story at the top of my blog. She has her own page.

Hope you check in later everyone-and thank you again.

Lauren

Well as you know I was having quite the dilemma over WHAT Bella to use on my mother’s (late) birthday card. I wanted it to be special.

I know she LOVES the Bella’s, since she always tells me when she sees them on my blog. I just couldn’t figure out which one would work BEST.

I gave you some info on her, and I asked for your help. Thank you SOOOO much for all the amazing responses. The suggestions were ALL fabulous. Upon picking the random winner, I noted that she chose 2 to use-Sweetybellas & Gardenbella. I thought again-well which one? I cant decide between the 2.

I loved so many of the ideas offered, and WHY I should choose X. Then, the light-bulb went off!

My mother always said, when you become a mother (and are a women in general) you have many hats to wear. You are many people. I never really got it, until I grew up and realized I too have many roles in life, and mom is just ONE of MANY!!

THAT idea, with ALL the suggestions inspired my card!

The card is 5 1/2 X 8 1/2. Quite large, but I think she will love the thought, and idea behind it.

I took parts from various Bella’s to create this.

Super Woman

Well here it is!!

My mom also always says we have to be like super woman-do it all, in just one day! Got be strong and hold everything together. That is what being a woman was all about.

I made this to represent some of the important “roles’ my mom plays. A real life super-woman.

I did this to be like a life progression:

From left to right-

 top rowshe was 1) a wife 2) then carried me for 9 months 3) then she gave me life 4) this is her every morning in the terry cloth bathrobe, and pink sponge curler’s, with her endless cup of coffee (too bad she didn’t have a phone attached to her ear! LOL!) 5) this is her after she gets all dressed, make-up perfect.

 2nd row-6) you nurse your children to health, kiss every bump and bruise, stay up endless nights when they are sick 7) you are a housekeeper/maid 8) you are a teacher and teach your children everything about the world 9) you are the cook, food provider/gardener.

last row10) You are the baker and birthday/party planner, class volunteer 11)  the Fix It person. From boo-boo’s , and broken hearts, to anything else that needs repair 12) she is a painter and the crafty person (that was her hobby/passion at one time) 12) you are a friend, my best friend.

Well there you have it.

 My mom never took time for herself. That is the one thing I swore I would do.

When I grew up my mom became my best friend. I hope I can do just some, of the many,  great things my mom did while raising me, for my children. She was ALWAYS there for me. Growing up I knew I could trust and confide in her. My stregnth, strong will, and determination all come from her. My feeling’s for traditions to pass on to my kids, also from her. Many things come from her. Things she may think I never noticed or paid attention to.

So that is it. The story of my mom, and her many roles. My mom, my super woman.

Some close ups

Thanks again for your help and reading my blabbering. This post got me all teary as I think how fast life has gone by. Now I sit here with my own children, at ages I remember being, like it was yesterday. God willing, before I know it, I will be stamping things for my own grandchildren. CRAZY!!!

Im am off to take Alexa to chemo. We have ONE MORE MONTH to go!! I can’t believe it. Thank you for the thoughts, prayer’s and well wishes for Alexa. It has made a huge difference in our lives.

Feel free to share a thought or memory you have of your own mom (or another important woman in your life) here.

Till tomorrow-

Hi everyone!

Quick updates for ya!

First I want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for all the SUPER sweet comments you made on my PTI release stuff. It means so much knowing you all enjoyed it. It did take a LONG time to post-LOL! Now you know why I said I was so “busy”, and thats not even all of it!

Now for the Winner of the Bella cards -Thanks for the suggestion! I will post the card made with the Bella’s tomorrow!!!

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

26

Timestamp: 2008-04-15 22:20:48 UTC

26. Terri E. |

I think sweetybellas or gardenbella. I like the idea of the sweetybelllas since it seems like you Mom does a lot and I am sure you have some favorite memories of the two of you sitting and chatting. Any flowers or light spring colors would be great. I am sure that anything you make will ROCK!

It’s a good life!
Terri E.

Thanks Terri Ill send you an email.

Well its time for some enabling (cough cough) I mean announcements!

1) Lizzie Anne released 4 new sets today-LOOKIE HERE!!! I wont have mine for about another week or tow :C so that is why you haven’t seen any samples. I know many of you emailed asking WHEN I will post with certain sets! I promise as soon as I have them-you will know!

2) Don’t miss the Stamp Safari at Lizzie Anne Designs tonight 6pm-9pm PST-look here for that! You have a chance to win a FREE NEW! set!!

3) Special sale at MFT PLEASE READ HERE for the details. Sale benefits a family after the loss of their wiife/mother to Ovarian Cancer :C My prayers are with them.

Then lastly

4) Regan featured some of today’s projects HERE! Thanks girl! Check out her blog as she highlights some great projects you may miss by your fellow crafter’s!!

Well that is it. Im back to the stamp room!! Gotta get that Bella card made! Check in tomorrow for it.

I HOPE! LOL!

Till then.

Well I hope you are all in LOVE with the new releases from PTI! In fact, I think I went a little overboard with samples. Once I got going I could NOT stop! LOL!

I know I had way too much fun to call it “work”! LOL! Well, I guess the work part is the uploading/supply lists. That part isn’t ever fun. I thought you may like to be able to view all my creations here.

I am going to share my projects with you by SET. Here I will include more of a commentary sort of thing, as to my thought’s behind each project. I think this month I had a descent variety of technique’s and styles. I went for clean and simple single layers, to multi layered cards. As always, I had some idea’s for altered items that I so enjoy creating!

I would love to hear your thoughts too 😀 Let me know what set has you in a tailspin, or what samples you like the most.

I have to say the new colors are just scrumptious!!! The photo’s do no justice! I swear.

Pond Life

This set is perfect for a variety of people-boy, dad, and even baby or toddler! I think you will agree when you see the wide variety of samples. I know I always look for more boy/masculine themed sets. This one is quite a bit of BOTH!

I think this is the cutest card either to welcome a new baby, or for a 1st birthday! Look how sweet the new color looks with the previous release colors! His shell is popped up on dimensonals. I love the little googly eye!! So cute on him. This card was really simple! Hope you like it. I think its in my top 3 fave’s of my own projects for this release. Love the colors.

Hippity Hopping Frog

Hippity Hopping Frog

Stamps-Pond Life
cardstock-PTI select white, aqua mist
ink-palette black, various versamagic inks
other-wire, circle punch, paper piercer, rectangle nestability, bridal confetti

I had so much fun creating this card. The frog appears to leap in air to catch that bug! I just wound some wire around a pencil, and there you have it! I created a lily pad flower using some bridal confetti flower’s colored with my Copic markers. The water was done using 1/2 a circle punch to create “waves”.
I also love the pierced bottom.

Here is a side view

Gold Fishes Favor

Gold Fish Favor

Stamps-Pond Life, Pond Life sentiments
Cardstock-PTI select white, lemon tart
Paper-Father Knows Best Retro stripes/Lemon Tart retro circles, aqua mist
Ink-white stazon, palette black
Summer sunrise polka dot ribbon
Frosted tin tie bags (small), acetate, pearlescent pastels, circle punches

I made this look just like a little fish bowl! I punched my acetate with a large circle punch. Stamped my fish image in white stazon, then brushed on pearlescent pastels to color! Under the acetate, I used a smaller circle punch to create the look of “water in the bowl”.
Filled the bag with gold fish crackers, and tied closed with my sunrise polka dot ribbon

Another one of my favorites!

I found this cool bug catcher at the Target $1 spot. I knew it was begging to be altered! They even had some plastic bugs, that I packaged up, to match! There is a dragonfly attached to the top of the catcher. The wings on the dragonfly are 3D. I felt the sentiment was just perfect for this type of gift.

I packaged the plastic bugs in a PTI clearly creative card boxes! It was the perfect holder. I stamped an insert to place inside.
I then personalized the box of bugs by die cutting the letter “C”, then using my Simple Alphabet to spell the child’s name!

 Father Knows Best-

This set is really awesome! Not only does it have amazing images, but some fabulous sentiment’s as well. I was surprised at how much versatility this set really offer’s from fun and whimsical, to elegant. Pretty little girly stuff, to masculine. Hope you like my take on this set’s many options for style’s.

I wanted to use the circles from the set to create lollipops, for a “sweet” birthday wish. I went with more circles and sweet colors to keep with that theme.

Looking Up

Looking Up-Retro Tree

Stamps-Father Knows Best
Cardstock-PTI select white, Spring Moss, Berry Sorbet
other-Old olive, choc. chip
Ink-Palette black, Copic marker’s
Other accessories-white singlo gel pen, Spotz Maker, Butterfly punch by Martha Stewart various circle punches & buttons

I wanted to continue the retro feel the circle’s in the tree offered. Using various circles allowed me to not only pull out the colors I used to color my tree, but continue the theme through the card.
The butterfly wings were stamped with the circle, and colored to match! I punched it out, and placed it in the Spotz circle.

Twinkling Tree Shaker

Twinkling Tree Shaker Close up

Twinkling Tree Shaker

Stamps-Father Knows Best
card-stock-PTI Select white
other-black, ruby red, copper card-stock
Ink-versamark, black palette
Other-copper embossing powder, heat tool, pearl ex, future floor wax, bridal confetti, copper brads, copper cord, plastic cover

This is an unusual 3D shaker card. Like falling twinkling leaves. The sentiment is stamped directly on the shaker window. Very striking in person. See the side view.

This card came to be from a plastic cover that was on a ceramic coffee mug I purchased. The disposable plastic lid fit right over the top, where a bag of candy was placed. I knew it would make an awesome shaker window! The window pop’s through a piece of black card-stock.

I was first embossed with Copper embossing powder.
I then used my Pearl ex/future floor wax to paint the leaves various colors.
I had some bridal confetti flowers that I colored with my Copic markers, then snipped the petals apart, to make like fallen leaves-they match the tree leaves perfectly!

Now last but not least

Garden of Life

I have a personal belief that there is no such thing as too many flower sets! When I saw this set I went NUTS!!! Nothing is better than MORE flowers! I love how with this set you can use 2-step images or just the bottom or top flower layers on their own. It really maximizes the number of images and uses to me.

This is just a cheery card, where the flower blossom is made to stand out.
I just loved the funky feel this had to it. I made the butterfly the exact same way as the sample above

This was just a fun twist on the spot light technique. I thought it was fun to have the spiral floral images, dancing off the mat. Then highlighting parts of the flower’s in color.

Friendship grows

Friendship grows

Stamps-Garden of Life, Women of life (friend sentiment)
Cardstock-Summer sunrise, PTI select white, choc. chip
Ink-Choc. Chip, Copic Markers
Patterned paper-Father Knows Best retro leaves

This is such a fun & cheery card for a friend. The patterned paper really pop’s on this one!

I just loved this combo of stamps/paper. I colored in the white space of the flower. It is just SO pretty!!! It makes cardmaking a breeze!

grows with love

Grow with love

Stamp-Garden of Life
Ink-Choc. chip, Copic markers
Cardstock-PTI select white, choc. chip
Lemon tart twill ribbon
other-paper piercer, Fiskars scallop border punch

Everything grows with love! I adore coloring the centers of this flower. I made pierced stems for this one. The possibilities with this set are endless. These flowers are growing right off the card 😀

Last but not least-

Bloom Where Planted Gift set

Bloom where planted-side/top view

Bloom where planted gift set- wrapped lotions

Stamps-Garden of Life, Simple Alphabet, Border’s & Corner’s Circle
Cardstock-PTI select white, Summer Sunset
Ink-black palette, spring moss, versamagic thatched straw, and mango
Ribbon-Lemon tart (twill), Summer Sunrise (polka dot/ Satin)
Other-clear plastic gift box, adhesive rhinestones, mailing label, circle punch
Items inside- Herbal diffuser oil with sticks, herbal body wash/lotion

I created this gift container of some relaxing herbal scented wash/lotion which are wrapped together with a stamped band, then tied nicely.
I used my simple alphabet to stamp the label for my diffuser oil, and I also tied together the diffuser sticks.

I love how you can peek through the circle cut out in the front. The other 3 sides are left open. A cute and easy way to package a special hand stamped gift!
Tied the box closed with my polka dot ribbon and done.

Well that is “IT” for my PTI projects today! Where else can you see a post with like 16 project’s in one day? Crazy! This post took forever too. I hope you take away some sort of inspiration.

Thanks for looking/reading.

Alexa has Chemo tomorrow so I may not get something posted. Not sure yet. I am in the process of re-organizing my stuff-YES! AGAIN!!!

What can I say, it increases the MOJO, and curbs spending (I think LOL!).

So till then.

I have a fun post for you today! It is a “For the Boy’s Challenge”.

If you are a mom of a boy, then you agree there just isn’t enough CUTE stuff for boy’s. What you can find, that is cute, you must get immediately! LOL! Girls can be so easy for me, but boy’s, are much more challenging. Let’s not get into boy gift/favor idea’s. What is even more funny, even though they are challenging, I enjoy coming up with ideas for them.

Charmaine and I have become great PSF’s over the month’s.

As of late, we are both loving Lily from Pink Cat Studio. We also LOVE Billy!! After some behind the scene’s “chatter”, we decided it would be fun for us to give each other a challenge. I love doing a fellow blog challenge! It is always fun to see what other people come up with, using the same concept.

So here were the Challenge Rules!

1)We both had to use the Billy set

2) It had to be a party gift , or a party favor set. So I assumed a card, and gift/favor item.

Now in that set there are a few things we could choose from that would make our idea’s very different!You have a Pirate, Cowboy, Super Hero, and a boy with a frog.

We did NOT tell what each of us was planning on using. It was going to be a surprise!! I can’t wait to see what she decided on.

Here is my set-

 Super Hero Party Gift Set

I had a hard time deciding what I would do. I was leaning towards the cowboy. Noah has a birthday party to attend this coming weekend. I got out my Billy set, and asked him what HE wanted me to make for his friend, Austin’s party. Afterall he should be the one picking out what to give right?

He said “I like the super hero best!” That was NOT what I thought he would pick, but I did give him full authority!

 A is for Austin.

So here is a close up of the card. I used the Simple Alphabet for the “A” on his chest. When in doubt color block!!

Inside I stamped a sentiment from Verve Visual (starlight starbright)-that says “SUPERSTAR, thats what you are”. I thought that was cute.

 Noah also picked the paper after having several collections to choose from.

WOW! Talk about a challenge. The paper in this collection is by SEI–Such a Boy collection ( I LOVE that set, had it 2 years, and have never used it!!!). It is a great collection of unusal color’s I would not normally use. THIS is why I “collect” paper!

It is like a pumpkin, groovy guava, aqua mist, so saffron, choc. chip, gray, and black! I think I like it!

I colored him with various Copic Marker’s. I always have a scrap piece to practice my colors/blending on BEFORE I try them on my image 😀 I also like to test what colors work best with my paper.

Then it was the next deliemma, “WHAT do I do for a gift item?”

Well since he is a super hero, and there is a bit of a star theme, I decided to do a Star shaped gift bag!

I wanted to do these for a while, and most likely would have done one similar for the Cowboy theme.

I liked the dual sided stripped paper for this, so I went with that.

I decided to decorate it like my card-the You’re Super! sentiment, then the 3 buttons going across. I am on this kick of making these little banner style tags that go off the ends. Don’t know WHY!

To create this bag : I used my star Coluzzle template. I cut 2 of the largest star panels, then made it onto a bag-by cutting a panel.

FROM MEMORY-The panel was 3 1/2 wide by 8.

Using my Scor-Pal–

Along the 3 1/2 side I scored it at 1/2 inch, then 3 inch mark

Along the 8 inch side- I scored it at 2 1/2, then 5 1/2. 

That gives you a finished holder that is 2 1/2 inches squared. I adhered the 1/2 scored sides to the stars with  redline tape.

Then I debated on my handles! Ribbon handles would be too girly. I was scouring my stamp room, when I saw an empty Prima’s Paint Can! SCORE!!!!! I knew there was a reason to save EVERYTHING!

So I put in 2 large brass eyelets, one on each  side (just like on your prima paint can) then I put in the metal handle!!! I had to sqeeze the handle in a little, so the handle would not fall out of the eyelet holder’s.

 It was so PERFECT!!! It looks SOOOOOO much more professional I think :D. I love it.

I added a snippet of twill ribbon from Martha Stewart.

This star bag will hold a gift card to Toys R’Us. I think it will be a hit. I hope it will be!

Now, you need to go check out Charmaine’s set!! I know she will love to hear what you think.

Tomorrow is the PTI release! So I will have my projects for that posted here, then.

Till then!

My spell check is STILL not working. There is NO amount of coffee that makes me OK with that.

Ever need a break? Some time for YOU? That was my thought. A nice break. MY TIME 😀

I KNOW the answer is YES! I have a spa gift certificate here, and I have it on my to-do list to make an appointment. I want to feel like a million bucks on my b-day, which falls on a Saturday this year! Well since my big 3-0 falls on my favorite day, I can’t be too bummed out right? That also means my hubby will be home so I can go get a massage, facial and a pedicure. I may get my hair dyed/cut. Not too sure about that yet. I’m thinking my 30th b-day may not be the BEST time for too much change. What if I HATE what they do with my hair? Then I’ll be really upset. I’m always afraid of the hair dresser because I have long hair, and they are ALL scissor happy!!!

Anyway-

I  have been on a BUYING Bella’s kick, like crazy-but I have not used them :C Not a good thing. I like to collect them, so when I need one, I have it. It is a sickness I know. Some people collect antique’s and basket’s, me, I collect stamps! LOL!I am also lovin the Chichiboulie stuff. I bought a couple of those too.

 My last trip to my LSS I promised myself I would USE whatever I bought-and I did! I also am having some guilt because I bought 4 sheets of patterned paper-after swearing I wouldn’t. That is NOT good. But I one of them here!!! That is a start right?

 I am going to share two of my favorite Bella’s ever.

You all know how much I LOVE my coffee, so she was a MUST have!

 Meet Lattebella

She is sitting here, enjoying her hot cup of coffee-YUM!!! Do you see any kids in the bkgd? NOPE! Nice and peaceful time for this Bella. I paired her with my Gel-A-Tins Coffee Break set from my friend Barb!! I love that set. So perfect for any coffee themed anything. MWAH Barb!

Now see my pretty paper? Who could resist that? It totally inspired this combo for my coffee card. People often ask me what comes FIRST? For me it’s usually image, then paper. Especially for a colored image.

River rock, bashful blue, and brocade blue-ROCKIN COLORS!! You need to try this combo if you haven’t. Really soothing. You know how I LOVE circles, and cut outs for them, so I love this card.

Now we have a card that reminded me of mom, and my plans for a Spa day!

Underthehoodybella-she is awesome too!

I had to have her!! She would be an awesome image for a Spa day with the “girls”, or a spa gift cert/basket. LOVE IT!!!

I was inspired by this paper by Chatterbox. It was one that I found during my “clean out/re-organize” frenzy. Another GREAT color combo ladies!

Soft Blush, Bravo Burgundy, Brocade Blue, and Old Olive. You can’t see the blue well in the paper, but it does POP out in person.

I liked the sentiment from Hanna Stamps-Things Hanna would say. I am a sentiment JUNKY. I honestly believe you can never have enough sentiments-EVER! LOL!

I thought the “Keep your head up” would be cute for a cheer up, or encouragement card, or when you’re at the salon getting your hair set, they tell you that very same thing! I know I’m on the corny side today, I just liked it.

It was going to be my mom’s b-day card. Can you believe I have NOT sent her one yet? Her b-day was the 8th! I feel like the shoemaker, who’s family doesn’t have any shoes!! My family never get’s cards. Awful! LOL!

I did make her a very special frame that I will share soon. I have really stressed about her b-day card, and that caused me to get nothing done. I thought it should be like her gift, and I’ve gone around and around about WHAT image to use! I know she LOVES the Bella’s, and I was going to use this card here, I just posted, but it didn’t seem OK for her b-day.

This is where YOU come in!!

So I think you all should VOTE on WHAT Bella I should use for my mom’s card! Post your answer here, in the comments section! I will pick one winner tomorrow, by random.org, and I will make her a card with it. Then I will post it here. The “winner” will also get these 2 cards I posted here, if you want them. I also have a few of the Chichiboulie images, so feel free to include those. Also feel free to include a color combo. Or just a combo if you don’t know what Bella to use!

You can view all the Bella’s —–>here

If you get enabled to buy any, I take NO responsibitly for your actions (hehehehe).

EDITING per request TO ADD MY MOM”S INTERESTS: Coffee (apple doesnt fall far) she use to paint, loves to garden, owns a cleaning company, not much of a shopper, Curls her hair everyday, does her maekup everyday, always has worn a bath robe and always wore bunny slippers. Too funny!

I love getting my reader’s involved. It is so fun for me to see what YOU want to see. I am so excited, so don’t leave without adding your opinion OK!

Well, that is all for today.

Tomorrow Charmaine and I will share a special challenge we gave each other. I’m dying to see what she came up with!!! I know it will ROCK!

Those of you with boys, may want to check back in 😀 Noah picked out what he wanted me to use, so it was really fun for me. He has a great eye for what a 5 year old would want to receive 😀

Till then-

Hey girls! I know you have been LOVIN Pink Cat Studio stuff lately, and guess who is having a contest!! Since it is Pink Cat’s 3rd Birthday, there is a little giveaway!! Oh, and a major peek at the next new set 😀

Make sure you check out—> Melissa’s Blog<— to enter to win a FREE Milly Moo stamp!! She is adorable!

Now what is the point in sharing fun stuff without eye candy?

I am in love with this set, and you will see why this week. It is JUST the cutest! If you have any boy’s I think you will need it too.

 Boys will be boys!

When I saw the Billy set, I knew I had to get it.

Then when I saw Billy, with this frog, I thought OMG! How flippin cute is he? Seriously! I got my paper’s (all froggy colors, IMO), and got to work. The paper is by Scenic Route(Can you tell I love it?)

So here is is colored with my Copic’s. His face is stamped, colored and cut out-so he’s peeking out at you a little, in person.

 I thought after coloring him, any kid, hopping around with a frog, is most likley going to be DIRTY!!! So I took some ink on the end of a pencil eraser, and began rubbing it on his face and knee’s! Then I took a tiny piece of the plaid paper, and cut a patch for his knee! LOVE IT!!!!

Now this is what I pictured him to look like, after playing with his little frog.

What do you think-cute huh?

The tag with the dragonfly and sentiment (jumping/wiggling) is not part of the Billy set-it is by Inky Antics-can’t find it though :C) The other sentiment in the upper right corner IS.

So that is it! Don’t miss the Saturday Sketch below.

I need to run-but hope you liked my sample, and enter the contest! If you stop by the store and get anything tell Melissa I sent ya! Dont forget there is a NEW! Personalize option!! That is SO cool. Good luck.

Later!

 Saturday Sketch Time! Click to enlarge.

IMPORTANT NOTE: MY SPELL CHECK IS STILL BROKEN!!! GRRR!!!

 Well I hope you are all having a SUPER Saturday!

Sorry this is late-Alexa is battling a stomach bug :C Poor Kid. So I have spent the morning as the designated BUCKET HOLDER-Oh and she has conjunctivitis! Just thinking about it makes me ITCH!

Anyway…………..on a happy note, are you loving the peeks from the PTI Release? The 15th can’t come soon enough eh?

Make sure you check out Nichole’s blog (like you haven’t already), as she has the details of the release set to go for the 15th. Also check the links to the daily Design Team member’s who also have peek’s for you! I know I can’t wait to share my projects here with you.

So for today’s Saturday Sketch Sketch I feel will appeal to many of you because you can keep it VERY Simple-OR you can step it up! Its a great starting point. I have 2 samples to share, for a visual.

Little Ballet Slippers

  Isn’t this so cute!

I so love this Ballerina from LAD. I stamped her in the frame from Borders & Corner’s square set. I layered her on a scallop square.

I love her glitterfied tutu. Done with the prettiest stickles. I normally think PINK when I think Ballet, so I am happy I went with purple instead. A little something different. I’m loving the Bazzill Textured cardstock. It was a perfect match to the Sprout collection by Memory Box. Ribbon is by Martha Stewart 😀

My trio of slippers is from this same image, just punched out with the 1/2 circle punch, and page pebbles were applied over them! So sweet. Like she was dancing from one end of the card, to the other. OK I’m lame! LOL!

Crap! I wish I realized my ribbon moved on me, while I photographed this! It is suppose to be “just under” the little scallop edge. I made that edge with the NEW!! Fiskars scallop border punch! YEAH!! No more using my corner rounder. Sorry this photo was taken PRE-COFFEE!! It should not be legal to do ANYTHING till at least finishing ONE cup!

So now we will move on to a VERY simple version.

This hardly has any stamping at all.

I used Epoxy Mod Stickers by Autumn leaves. I think this card too like 3 minutes-seriously! It was the FIRST card done using the sketch, and it inspired me to step it up with the ballerina. Using the stickers also make me think of using page pebbles on the ballet slippers! Who would have thought such a simple card would spark that one above?

What do you think?

I really loved it! Talk about whipping up a card! LOL! The sentiment is from For the Record. This is a super cool card for a teen too. That is really ALL the details on this-white base, stickers, a square of black cardstock, and a stamped sentiment. 3 minutes-DONE.

There you have it! A simple version, or a little stepped up version. The POINT is to be inspired. Use this as a jumping point.

I hope you have time to play along! Send us a link if you get to try it out. It is never too late to do my sketch challenges OK! Oh and dont stress! Keep it fun.

I’ll be back with another sample!! And some “info” you won’t want to miss!

Well I got some cool awards!! And some amazing HAPPY MAIL!!

One of my blog readers Juanita saw that I had to “slap” myself for not getting What in your tin 1?, and she surprised me with it! Along with a beautful card she made with my favorite flower-tulips, and my favorite color-purple! So thank you! Made my day. Now I have to use that set 😀 THANKS SO MUCH!!

I want to thank Julie for creating this Super Blogger award! She graced ME with the honor of receiving it

In her words-this is what it means:

There are a lot of people that do the best they can to help us all be better stampers.  I am going to post some blogs, not that I am just inspired by, but know that they try their darndest to give tutorials, advice and ideas for us all to benefit from.

SO WOW!! Thank you so very much for that.

Thanks to Julie who she in her own right, is fabulous! Hello TOP 10 blogger! WTG Julie! We also serve on the ATS DT together too 😀

Justine sent me the Blogging for a Purpose award! I am honored that other’s feel ME worthy of awarding this to. Check out her blog if you haven’t already!

Then we have Makenzie who was SO SWEET to send me the  Arte y pico award.

 I fell so blessed. Thanks everyone!

Oh YEAH! I am SO relieved my blog is back in order. I was in quite the panic over here. I had to re-post some of my prev. post’s, but that is NOTHING compared to what I might have had to do! I am so thankful for the blog guy over at SCS for all his hard work! BIG THANK YOU TO SCOTT!!!

NOTE: My spell check STILL isn’t working and Im NOT re-checking this post AGAIN! So if you ahve issue’s with my mistakes-SORRY!! I’m wiped.

I missed all my blog reader’s 😀 I do have the BEST blog PSF’s ever! (I know, you read other blogs, but I still feel you are mine :D, as you all make my day) The ONLY good thing is, I got SO much accomplished yesterday-WOW! Lot’s to share.

 I have a nice long post for you today. I often “forget” that many people who come here are new, and learning.  Well, I guess we are all still learning. That is the fun of it right? I get many questions, and I want you all to remember NO question is stupid.

That brings me to the post for today!

Almost a month ago I posted my Papertrey Ink projects—>HERE. I got many questions/emails about HOW to make the pop up.

I am sure these have been around forever. There are many different ways you can use the same idea, and I will share some of th one’s I have done with you today!

1) Use your nestabilities

2) Use a coluzzel or other template

3) Use your stamps!

4) The CHEATER pop out!

So first up I will show you how to make a pop out card-using your nestabilities.

 Popped out flower

This card uses Borders & Corners (circle), and  Beautiful Blooms by PTI. Scallop circle nestability, paper by American Crafts, Punch  Bunch flower’s, made by ME 😀

This card is made exactly like the Papertrey Ink card, linked above. Only that used a HEART.

Now it helps if you have a Scor-Pal (or other means of scoring) and a hobby blade (or other tool for cutting).

DIRECTIONS: click photos to enlarge please

Step 1

Cut your card base, and very LIGHTLY, use your Scor-Pal to score where your fold will be-this one fold in the middle.

Step 2

Pick, your nestability. Run your cardstock through your machine to EMBOSS the desired frame you would like to use on your creation-making sure that it is placed to POP OUT where you want on your fold line.

NOTE: My card, only a small part of the top of the circle will pop out at the top.

Step 3

 Now firmly score ON the score line-up to, but not going through, your embossed frame.

Step 4

Use a hobby blade to cut around your frame, up to the score line.

    This is what the finished edge looks like.

Obviously straight edges are more easy to cut.

Step 5

  Now decorate as desired!

Second one- Using a shapes template, such as the coluzzle!

 Headed for Stardom

Since this Bella *IS* a star-I felt she would be perfect in this pop out card! Love her!!! I have been BUYING Bella’s and not using them so I made myself a promise! USE THEM!

This card uses my Oh So Pretty Bella (who I cut out), my border’s & corners (circle) set, starlight starbright for the sentiment and swirl, my star coluzzle template, a star eyelet, copic markers, and Scenic Route paper (which is my current fave paper line I think).

You want to follow the same steps as above, you are just using a plastic template!

So lightly score you fold, and place template in desired position, then cut! Careful NOT to cut OVER into paper, past the score line!

 Line up template along light score- cut   done!

Now this card I did trim down the paper edge on the right after it was cut! For my patterned paper, I then used the size SMALLER template, on my coluzzle to make the outline of the star 😀 Cute huh?

Now we are going to do one using our stamps!!

 Wishing you Happiness

I LOVE butterflies, and this gatefold card has the butterflies interlock to hold it closed! I love this old SU! set called Butterfly of Happiness. Not sure if you can view it, but the Baroque bkgd is stamped in white on the base. The flowers are Stem Shilouettes I believe.

 Card open

Now this card can be seen on page 37,  in the May issue of  CARDMAKER magazine!! It was done for Scor-Pal!

So as you can see, the butterflies “pop out” from the fold. This is done the same as above! All you do is figure out WHERE you are scoring, then score LIGHTLY (you dont want a deep score going through your pretty image!!)

Stamp your image, then use your hobby blade to trim it out, on whatever side of the fold you choose.

When it is cut , you then score on either side, UP TO, but not through the image. DONE!

Make sense?

Now we have the cheater pop out, or so I like to call it that :D. You just take your image, then adhere it going over or outside the fold, or card line!

 Birds of Friendship

This card was made with Birds Galore by Inkadinkadoo, and was a sketch done by Kirsten 😀 You can view her’s –>HERE

Now many people have done these at the top and bottom of cards. They are the tent cards ( I think), and kickstand cards. Kirsten was the brain behind the kickstand cards, and you can view all of hers HERE <–

Its along the same idea, and defintely “easier” :D.

So that is it my friends! WHEW! Are you STILL reading.

I hope you get a chance to try one out, and found this somewhat helpful. If you do try it, Id love to see what you come up with!!! They are so much fun though.

I have another tutorial to post soon and tomorrow is a Saturday Sketch! YIPEE!! I am hoping to get to pre-post it, but we will see. I do need a shower, have kids to feed, a house to clean, dinner to cook (ugh second though Sub Way is sounding really good right now), a dog to walk, and games to be played.

Oh so much to share, so little time!

Have a great Friday, and check in again tomorrow!

Till then 😀