Long time no post

Hi everyone!  Long time no post, right?  Well, after I returned from the Spellbinders DT retreat, I promptly got a nasty cold which thru a monkey wrench in things -lol!  Anyway, the retreat was AMAZING!  Seriously words can't describe AMAZING!  I loved getting to meet all the fabulous ladies on the design team (you can find all their links in the page on my tab bar) and especially ALL the amazing ladies that are Spellbinders™ Paper Arts -Stacey, Kim, Beth and Cathy!

Several of you have left me comments and emails about how excited you are all about seeing my Spellbinders projects.  Well...I found out that I won't actually GET to share my projects on my blog.  Yep, turns out that when the DT makes projects they are to be sent in to be used in ads, trade shows, HSN or other TV spots and the like.  How cool is that?  But, never fear, you know I use Spellbinders die templates on almost every card I make, so you will get to see PLENTY of Spellbinders goodness! 

So in honor of the amazing time I had at the retreat, I though it would be kinda fun to share a couple Spellbinders fun facts I discovered with you:
1.  Stacey came up with the name Spellbinders from her scrapbooking experience "SPELL your story; BIND it together"
2.  Spellbinders holds 4 US patents
3.  Spellbinders was started in 2003, yep, they have been around longer than you thought
4.  Spellbinders has the only die template on the market that does 3 things: cut, emboss and stencil!  The embossing is patent protected.
5. The Grand Calibur™ die cutting maching currently the largest die cutting plates in the market at 8 1/2" x 11"

Here are a couple pictures I took from the retreat.  You can see more pics and details on the Spellbinders blog post here.

Here is me and my table partner, Tina

 Here is me and my roommate, Gloria.  In the background, you can see Windy and Tonya on the left and Michelle Emerson-Roberts on the right.

 This pic was taken of me and Lesley just before we left

Before I go, I have a couple "just for fun" cards to share.  I got this super cute set, Forest Friends from The Greeting Farm almost a year ago and NEVER used it!  TRAGEDY!  So, just before I left for Phoenix, I made these using the adorable owl.  I cased both of these cards from cards I made in the past -a favie trick of mine when I am in a hurry.  I colored the owls with copic markers and used the Standard Circles LG and SM Nestabilities on these.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!

Happy birthday Charlene!

Hi everyone!  Today is my BFF Charlene Austin's birthday!! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIRLIE!

My birthday card uses a Miss Anya image from Miss Anya Dressy, isn't she a cutie?  The papers are from Webster's Pages, Seaside Retreat (part of a triple pack) and I embellished with a couple prima flowers, some lovely lace trim, 1/4" silk ribbon and some punched branches and memory thread.  I colored the image with Copic markers and added stickles around the edges. 

Char, you have been a great friend and support to me and for that I say thank you and I love you!  Hugs to you on your special day!!

Card Deets:

Stamps - Miss Anya Dressy (TGF), Birthday Bash (Verve Stamps)
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper - white cs, Seaside Retreat PP (Webster's Pages)
Accessories - Prima flowers, silk ribbon, lace trim, rhinestones, Circle nesties (all from The Stamp Simply Ribbon store), Copic markers, memory thread in brown (DMC), frond punch (MS)

Another Dare to get Dirty card

Hi everyone!  I'm back today with another card for a Dare to Get Dirty Challenge on SCS.  Like I mentioned yesterday, If you're a Fan Club Member this is your chance to play along with Dirty Girls, past and present, in a ton of fun challenges. If you're not a Fan Club Member, this is the perfect time to become one! You can get all the info on the SCS Fan Club page. We'd love to have you play with us this week! There are 33 challenges to choose from - play one or play them all!

My card is for Amber's challenge, I can't post the details here, but if you can check out her challenge thread .   My card uses one of the adorable Miss Anya Love images.  I colored her with Copic markers and used tiny yellow pearls for their centers.  The adorable pattern paper is Webster's Pages, the Lullaby Lane combo pack.  I FINALLY used one of the paper doilies I have from Little Yellow Bicycle.  Everyone uses these so beautifully and I have the HARDEST time making one work on a card.  This challenge was perfect for it!

Kitchen remodel Day 20:  Not much new to report.  Finished up all the ceiling painting and touch ups.  We are on a holding pattern for the counter tops next week.  But, I did take a picture of my ceiling light fixture to show my mom.  Here it is -I have 2 in my kitchen area.  (Please ignore the ceiling paint line -I can't reach back there until my countertops come in and I can STAND on them, LOL!)  This fixture really matches my semi-flush fixture in kitchen dining area.  It is from Hampton Bay and I really love it!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Cupcake Inspiration Challenge #52

Hi everyone! It's Sunday and that means it's time for another FABULOUS Cupcake Inspiration challenge from Hope Stamps Eternal! Check out this creation!  It's a combo cake/cupcake BONANZA!  Look at the fun flowers and colors?!  Pretty cute, huh?!?

I was inspired by the hot pink trim on the plates and flowers and matted my layers with Raspberry Fizz!  I colored my Miss Anya Love image, with copic markers and added some pearl accents.  I often get asked what ink I use with my copic markers.  HANDS DOWN, Memento Tuxedo Black and Rich Cocoa.  It does not need to be heat set and doesn't smear at all with copics!

The pattern paper is Basic Grey, Green at Heart.  I did a bit of stitching around the frame -both straight and zig-zag!  Whoa, GO me!!  LOL! 

I used Mercy's sketch #62 for the layout.  I love this one, simple and pretty.  Great sketch to showcase an image.  And see the cording thru the button?  That was recycled from some packaging on one of my boys toys!  The perfect size, I didn't trim it or anything.  The pearl pins were from my craft supply.   

Everyone is invited to play along in the challenge!! If you do, be sure to link your creation to Mr. Linky on the HSE Blog and use CIC52 when uploading to SCS. Every week, Rachel highlights the top 5!!

Now head on over to the Sweeties and see how they rocked these adorable cupcakes!!!!

Rachel - Hope Stamps Eternal

Colleen - Glitter Ink (has week off)
Teresa - Enjoy the VA Sunshine

Karen - The Sweetest Thing
Kristen - Scrap-Creations (has week off)
Piali - Touch of Creation
Kelli - Yard Sale Kind of Luck

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Card Deets:
Stamps - Miss Anya Love (The Greeting Farm)
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper - White, Spring Moss, Raspberry Fizz cardstock, Basic Grey Green at Heart pattern paper
Accessories - white grosgrain (PTI), copic markers, pearl accents and yellow button (all Pinkhedgehog Papercrafts)

Cupcake Inspiration Challenge #45

Hi everyone! It's Sunday and that means it's time for another FABULOUS Cupcake Inspiration challenge from Hope Stamps Eternal! This week's inspiration photo was brought to us from one of our readers, Lori King. Thanks Lori for the suggestion! Check out all this fabulous pink and purple!I was inspired by the colors and used one of the cute Miss Anya Love images from The Greeting Farm. I don't care for the little kid images, but the Miss Anya line is JUST DARLING!! The pattern paper is from Basic Grey, Sugar Rush line. See that little strip along the bottom? I wanted to add that so I could pull some other colors into her dress and flowers.

The sentiment also came from The Greeting Farm, Butterfly Wishes. The felt flowers are from Zva Creative, Cool mix and that amazing 1/4" lavender ribbon is SILK. I threaded it thru the flower and tied into a bow. My girls Teresa and Michele have been rockin' the sewing lately, so I had to bust out my machine again. You will ONLY see white thread from me, I just can't be bothered with the whole changing thread and bobbins. Heaven help me when my white bobbin runs out!! Ack!

Now head on over to the Sweeties and see how they rocked this purple goodness!!!!

Rachel - Hope Stamps Eternal

Colleen - Glitter Ink
Teresa - Enjoy the VA Sunshine

Alice - Alice's {Little} Wonderland
Kristen - Scrap-Creations
Patricia - Patricia Garcia
Piali - Touch of Creation
Kelli - Yard Sale Kind of Luck

Thanks for stopping by. See you tomorrow for my Monday H{ippity} Hop card.

Card Deets:
Stamps - Heart's Desire
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper - white, Basic Grey pattern paper
Accessories - yellow stickles (Ranger), copic markers, lavendar and yellow rhinestones (Kaiser), sewing machine, felt flowers (Zva Creative) (SU!), lavender silk ribbon (May Arts from Stamp Simply Ribbon Store)

Cupcake Inspiration challenge #42

Hi everyone! It's Sunday and that means it's time for another FABULOUS Cupcake Inspiration challenge from Hope Stamps Eternal! Check out these cutie cuppies!!
I took my inspiration from the AWESOME colors on these -they are a PERFECT match to my current favorite paper, My Mind's Eye Be Loved. I had a bit of trouble deciding on a card layout. I started one, then gave up and did another. THEN went back and finished the first. So, I have TWO cards today!!

This first card uses the amazing little image of Miss Anya Love from The Greeting Farm. Isn't she super sweet? Makes a perfect birthday card. I colored her with my Copics and added some yellow stickles in the center of the flowers. The sentiment is from Verve's Circular Sayings.

My second card uses the newly released Verve Plain Jane, Be Mine. LOVE this image!! I did another circle card -man these are addicting. They are easy to put together and they make such an impact! Again, I used My Mind's Eye Be Loved, some of my $1 twill ribbon, and some tiny pearls from the Zva Creative pearl wheel!

Everyone is invited to play along in the challenge!! If you do, be sure to link your creation to Mr. Linky on the HSE blog and use CIC42 when uploading. Every week, Rach highlighs the top 5!!

Now head on over to the Sweeties and see how they rocked these cupcakes!!!!

Rachel - Hope Stamps Eternal

Colleen - Glitter Ink
Teresa - Enjoy the VA Sunshine

Amy - A Thousand Sheets of Paper (January Guest)

I want to send out a big THANK YOU to everyone who applied for the Hope Stamps Eternal design team! The call is closed now, and we are in the process of looking over each and every applicant. The exciting announcement will be on Wednesday!

Thanks for stopping by!

Card Deets:
Stamps - Circular Sayings, Be Mine, Miss Anya Love
Ink - Memento Rich Cocoa, Vintage Photo Distress ink (for sponging)
Paper - Vintage cream, MME pattern paper
Accessories - circle nesties, yellow Kaiser rhinestones, Zva creative pearl wheel, twill ribbon, burlap string, Button from the Tuscany collection, Score-Pal

Cupcake Inspiration challenge #40

Hi everyone! It's Sunday and that means it's time for another FABULOUS Cupcake Inspiration challenge from Hope Stamps Eternal! Check out these fun present cupcakes!! Birthday? New baby? The possibilities are endless with these cutie pies!

I took my inspiration from the fun colors and super cute yellow ribbon on the "presents". I colored Madelyn's scarf yellow and added some yellow seam binding ribbon (from Martha Stewarts). I colored the image with Copics. For some dimension, I added Zva Creative Sweet Blossoms to her hat and on the bow.

The strip of pattern paper is Bella Blvd, December Details -I LOVE it when Christmas paper can be used for other occassions -aren't those hearts cute?? The white cardstock is stamped with the background stamp from {ippity}'s Because of You. I stamped it lightly in Barely Banana for a subtle effect, but you can still read the word "love" IRL.

Everyone is invited to play along in the challenge!! If you do, be sure to link your creation to Mr. Linky on the HSE blog and use CIC40 when uploading. Every week, Rach highlighs the top 5!!

Please give a warm welcome to our January Guest Sweetie, Amy -A Thousand Sheets of Paper. Not only is she UBER talented in making cards, but she DESIGNED the latest 4 TGF Wild Sprout stamps! Now head on over to the Sweeties and see how they rocked these cupcakes!!!!

Rachel - Hope Stamps Eternal
Colleen - Glitter Ink
Jessica - Shamrocks and Seashells (has the week off)

Teresa - Enjoy the VA Sunshine
Amy - A Thousand Sheets of Paper (January Guest)

DID YOU ALL SEE??? Hope Stamps Eternal is having a Design Team call! Check out this blog post for all the details.

Thanks for stopping by and see you tomorrow for H{ippity} Hop Monday!

Card Deets:

Stamps - Butterfly Wishes, Madelyn (TGF), Because of You ({ippity})

Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black, barely banana

Paper - Baja Breeze, white, Bella Blvd pp

Accessories - Labels 8 nesties, Zva sweet blossom flowers, Sewing machine, Copic markers, yellow seam binding (MS)

Stef makes me smile and copic storage

Hi everyone! A quick post today. I had time last night to play along with this week's Featured Stamper, SmilynStef! She is such a fun person who is very talented AND very generous with her comments around the galleries and blogs.

I chose a tree to case. I changed the paper and the image, but really kept with the feel of the card. I used Cosmo Cricket, Earth Love. The image is from Miss Anya Dressy from The Greeting Farm and the sentiment is Verve's Thankful Hearts. I colored her with my copics and decorated the card with some accent pearls and buttons! I even did some stitching. To get her to "sit" on the bottom piece of cardstock, I cut her legs out but kept the sides in tact. Then I slid her legs over and popped out the upper part of the panel. Looks kinda cool. Here is a detail pic of the buttons.

 

I received several emails and questions about the Copic Marker storage I showed yesterday, so I also wanted to give you all some more details. The white organizer pieces are from JetMax, their white storage cube system.

I got all mine at Craft Warehouse on sale for $20 a cube. The one I use for my Copics is called the Embellishment Center. Here is my entire piece. I have 2 side by side. Most of my PTI ribbon are on the top bar, the next shelf holds my Martha Stewart ribbon and Oregon Raindrops, next one has my Nestabilities in CD cases, pencil/pen/file/stuff holder and my stickles and shimmerz, with the bottom holding my Copics.

I use clear bookends that I found at IKEA for dividers within the white cube bottom. Then, to further separate the markers, I slid in some Cuttlebug embossing folders that I rarely use. Not the prettiest, but it works! Here is a close up pic and one of the bookends. Well, thanks for stopping by and have a great evening!!

Three challenge cards

Hi everyone! I have a couple challenge cards to share. First up is Mercy's Tuesday sketch. This is not the new one today, but last week's, MTSC45. I used some of the Cosmo Cricket, Nutmeg and the matching chipboard stickers. Not sure if the little bunny should be with a fall release, but hey -it's cute!! I used some brown gingham ribbon and some rhinestones from my Zva Wheel (man, I love these!). This next card is for this week's Featured Stamper challenge, casing Miss Boo! Jen is such a sweetheart and a fabulous stamper. I chose this card immediately. It is so striking and beautiful! I used Inkadinkado's new christmas set, Pattern Play Holiday. I embossed the swirl image onto some Raspberry Tart PP with white EP. I then added some clear Kaiser Rhinestones to the circle parts (totally got that idea from Silke!). The Christmas tree is adorned with Zva Creative, Wheel crystal rounds (yep, AGAIN!!)!! The ribbon is PTI's white twill. Lastly I have a card for this week's Farm Fresh Friday sketch. Again, designed by Mercy! Woot! I used my current FAV Miss Anya image, Rain from the Rain, Snow, Shine set. cut her out and colored her with Copic markers. I used the Autumn pattern paper from PTI and some primas with Zva Creative felt flowers. The prima flowers are painted with Gold Shimmerz for that extra shine. So as I am making this card, I realize it's VERY similiar to this Miss Anya card I made over a month ago. Seriously by accident, but just goes to show you, I really like this sketch and image!! LOL! Oh there is some Hope Stamps Eternal store news!! Rach has the new The Greeting Farm stamps and new Bella Blvd pattern paper in!! Also, ALL the Martha Stewart and Inkadinkado items are on 40% off clearance -until it's ALL GONE!! Well, that about does it. Thanks for stopping by. Oh and check out my new Rob pics... sigh... 

Cupcake Inspiration challenge #28

Hi everyone! It's Sunday and that means it's time for another FABULOUS Cupcake Inspiration challenge from Hope Stamps Eternal! Check out this week's lucious cupcake, aren't the fall colors AMAZING! I get questions about where Rachel finds these cupcake images. I will refer you to her challenge post. She has links there.
I LOVE the colors so much on the cupcakes -notice that they are a perfect match to Basic Grey, Indian Summer??? I followed this week's Fall to Layout sketch. In fact I loved the sketch and paper together so much, I made TWO cards!!

Everyone is invited to play along in the challenge!! If you do, be sure to link your creation to Mr. Linky on the HSE blog. Every week, Rach highlighs the top 5!! Congrats to this week's Top Picks!!!

My first card uses a sentiment from The Greeting Farm, Sentiments. The sentiments in this set are cute and versitile. The felt flowers are from Zva Creative, the Cozy Mix. I put silver pearls in the centers and some silver cord tied in a bow glued underneath the large flower. Notice the sewing? I remembered to bust out my sewing machine and I sewed the DP to both cardstock layers. I then distressed the edges with my fingernail.

My next card uses a sentiment from Verve's Harvest Blessings set. I colored the pine branch with a green copic and added some gold pearls for accents. Again, the pattern paper is Indian Summer and the felt flowers are from the Cozy mix. I used gold pearls and string instead of silver, just seemed to match this particular paper better.

Now head on over to my fellow HSE Sweetie's cards and see how they rocked those cupcakes!!

Carolina - Carolina's Creative Pad
Rachel - Hope Stamps Eternal
Colleen - Glitter Ink
Bonnie - The Lucky Clucker
Tammy - Stamp Happy
Natalie - Dougnat Diaries
Jessica - Shamrocks and Seashells (has the week off)
Kelli - Yard Sale Kind of Luck

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Card Deets:
Stamps - Sentiments, Harvest Blessings
Ink - Black, Chocolate Chip
Paper - Stampers Select white, Raspberry Fizz, Bravo Burgundy and Indian Summer
Accessories - Zva Felt flowers, silver and gold pearls and cord, sewing machine

Cupcake Inspiration challenge #25

Hi everyone, it's Sunday and that means it's time for another FABULOUS Cupcake Inspiration challenge from Hope Stamps Eternal! Check out this week's Orange-y goodness!

My card uses a Miss Anya image from The Greeting Farm, this one is Rain from the Rain, Snow, Shine set. I was inspired by the fall colors and leaves on the cupcakes and picked out some of PaperTrey's new Autumn Abundance DP. LOVE it -LOL!! She is stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black and colored with Copic Markers. The amazing gold detailing on her trim and buttons is from an Opaque paint marker (from Marvy) called Liquid Gold -isn't it the neatest?!? The felt flowers are Zva Creative from the Cozy mix.

Lately, I have been going with silver pearl accents, but these colors just called for gold -thankfully Michael's makes BOTH! Oh yeah, I went there! The sentiment is computer generated, and is the standard Comic Sans font.

Here is a picture of the inside. I do something I almost never do, I covered a piece of chipboard! The DP I chose to cover it is the Summer Sunrise piece of PTI's Bitty Dots DP. I used a couple SU punches, some more gold cord and pearls for the detailing.

Everyone is invited to play along in the challenge!! If you do, be sure to link your creation to Mr. Linky on the HSE blog. Every week, Rach highlighs the top 5!! Congrats to this week's Top Picks!!!

If you upload to SCS or PCP, be sure to use keyword: CIC25.Now head on over to my fellow HSE Sweetie's cards and see how they rocked those cupcakes!!

Carolina - Carolina's Creative Pad
Rachel - Hope Stamps Eternal
Colleen - Glitter Ink
Bonnie - The Lucky Clucker (has the week off)
Tammy - Stamp Happy
Natalie - Dougnat Diaries
Jessica - Shamrocks and Seashells
Kelli - Yard Sale Kind of Luck

Card Deets:
Stamps - Rain, Snow, Shine
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper - White, Really Rust, Autumn Abundance and Bitty Dots PP
Accessories - Gold cord, Gold pearls (Micheal's Inc), Felt flowers -cozy mix (Zva Creative), Score-Pal, Copic markers, Liquid Gold opaque paint marker (Marvy), Scallop border, large oval and word window punches (all SU!), chipboard flower (Queen & Co.)

Cupcake Inspiration Challenge #24

Hi everyone, it's Sunday and that means another FABULOUS Cupcake Inspiration challenge from Hope Stamps Eternal! Check out this week's Pirate fun cupcake! Talk like a pirate day is the 19th!!

I took my inspiration from the colors only. I don't really do Pirate cards -not my thing -LOL! I used another adorable image from The Greeting Farm, Miss Anya Dressy (out of stock right now) inked up with Memento Tuxedo Black ink (the BEST for copic markers). The pattern paper is from Basic Grey, June Bug -Aggie. I colored in the white dots with a turquoise copic marker! It's fun customizing paper like that! I put tiny red rhinestones on her shoes and blue ones in the hair bows!!

Everyone is invited to play along in the challenge!! If you do, be sure to link your creation to Mr. Linky on the HSE blog. Every week, Rach highlighs the top 5!! Congrats to last week's Top Picks!!!

If you upload to SCS or PCP, be sure to use keyword: CIC24.
Now head on over to my fellow HSE Sweetie's cards and see how they rocked those cupcakes!!

Carolina - Carolina's Creative Pad

Rachel - Hope Stamps Eternal

Colleen - Glitter Ink (has the week off)

Bonnie - The Lucky Clucker

Tammy - Stamp Happy

Natalie - dougnat diaries

Jessica - Shamrocks and Seashells

Kelli - Yard Sale Kind of Luck

I have another fun card to share. This one uses some of the Chipboard stickers and pattern paper from Cosmo Cricket Early Bird! Me LOVES Early Bird! I just love that chipboard blossom branch, I put red rhinestones and silver pearls on each one. I also accented the letters with silver pearls. This is just a fun cheerful little card.

Here is the inside. Sorry about the color distortion, the sun was shining directly on the back.

Card Deets (CIC24):

Stamps - Miss Anya Dressy (The Greeting Farm)

Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper - Kraft, Dark Brown, white (all PTI), June Bug 6x6 pad -Aggie (Basic Grey)

Accessories - Score-Pal, Corner rounder (SU!), Burlap String, Buttons (Pinkhedgehog Papercrafts), red and blue rhinestones (Kaiser Scrapbook), copic markers

Card Deets (chippy):

Paper - Vintage Cream, Early Bird 6x6 Mini Deck (Cosmo Cricket)

Accessories - score-pal, silver cord, rhinestones and silver pearls

P.S. I added some new cards to my Etsy store (link on sidebar)! And I am starting the Dollar Dog Days of Summer with lots of cards listing for only $1!!

Cupcake Inspiration challenge #23

Hi everyone, it's Sunday and that means another FABULOUS Cupcake Inspiration challenge from Hope Stamps Eternal! Check out this week's elegant cupcake!
Isn't it gorgeous? OK, now check out my card... see the resemblance? No? Wellllll... that's cause my process took me all over the place and back again! When I finally finished picking my papers and embellies, it looked NOTHING like I wanted and NOTHING like the cupcake! Oh well, I guess that's all part of the process-huh?!?

The adorable image is from The Greeting Farm, Miss Ayna inked up with Memento Tuxedo Black ink (the BEST for copic markers). I am so in love with these older Anya images! I just love coloring her and am getting better with my copic markers. The pattern paper is from Cosmo Cricket's Early Bird 6x6 mini deck.

I totally channeled my GF and Queen of scoring and CAS, Silke on this one! See the scored lines on either side of the pattern paper panel? Yep, Silke all the way! The sentiment is from Verve's Enjoy set.

Everyone is invited to play along in the challenge!! If you do, be sure to link your creation to Mr. Linky on the HSE blog. Every week, Rach highlighs the top 5!! Congrats to last week's Top Picks!!! If you upload to SCS or PCP, be sure to use keyword: CIC23.Thanks for stopping by. Now head on over to my fellow HSE Sweetie's cards and see how they rocked those cupcakes!!

Carolina - Carolina's Creative Pad
Rachel - Hope Stamps Eternal
Colleen - Glitter Ink
Bonnie - The Lucky Clucker
Tammy - Stamp Happy
Natalie - dougnat diaries
Jessica - Shamrocks and Seashells
Kelli - Yard Sale Kind of Luck

Thanks for stopping by!

Card Deets:
Stamps - Miss Anya, Enjoy
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper - White, Soft Sky and Cosmo Cricket
Accessories - Score-Pal, jumbo and mini silver brads, copic markers, ribbon scraps in Celery Twill (SU!) and light blue grosgrain (PHH), tiny silver pearl (Michael's)