You Light Up My Life

Hey Everyone,

I'm feeling so wishy washy today!  I have a million (ok, slight exaggeration ;P ) cards that I haven't shown off on the blog and I had the worst time choosing one. I finally settled on this birthday card I made using some stamps from DRS Designs.

I decided to use primary colors, my favorite for boy cards, and the sentiment from the most recent release, "You Light Up My Life".  The background stamp I used is Starry Background and I stamped it in all 3 primary colors to create the patterned paper.

The center candle stamp is Birthday Candle Burst , but I left off the sentiment that comes with it, and substituted this one. And when I had the thought to add the real candle as embellishment, I was feeling oh so clever ;)  It's just not a card one can send without a padded envelope.

Well, short and sweet for me.  If you want to check out my embossed card, it's being shown off on the DRS Designs blog today!

Have a good one :)

Challenges for this card:

Bunny Zoe-Celebrations

Creative Mondays-Anything Goes

Crazy Challenge-Anything Goes

Addicted to Stamps-Birthday and Dots

Fashionable Stamping-Make it for a Child

The Craft Place-Anything Goes

2 Sisters-Anything Goes

All Sorts-Your Choice

Rogue Redhead-Stamped background

Card Makin' Mamas-Birthday

Crafty Ann's-Bold and Bright

Scrapaholic-Birthday

Wags N Wiskers-Male Birthday

Details not listed above-Paper: The Paper Company, Ink: Stampin' Up!, Markers: Copic, Corner rounder and button from my supplies.

Catching up and Some Cards

*If you are here to look at some cards, please scroll to the end of the post.*

Hi Everyone,

Ok, so I'm blogging today, mostly just because I've been busy and distracted for most of February, and I haven't been very chatty.  So, for those of you that want to be in touch, here's the scoop :)

I've been reading a lot. 

Unbroken was the book we discussed at the Feb. meeting of my book club. It's pretty long and filled with lots of detail, but this man survived unbelievable hardships. He is amazing.

Sarah's Key is our book club pick for March.  It's another story about WWII that's told woven around a woman's modern day story.  I was worried. We just read a WWII story, but this was quick and sucked me in right away. I would recommend it, even if the ending is not  a surprise.  You see it coming a mile away.

If you watch The Office, you know who Mindy is.  It's not a typical autobiography, it's funny and joke-y.  Kinda like Tina Fey's book, Bossy Pants.  Light and entertaining.  I read this while I read Unbroken.  You know, when I couldn't take anymore of the beatings and starvation.

The Fault in our Stars is technically a teen novel, or young adult literature. I really don't know why, other than the main characters are teenagers.  I love the way John Green writes.  It's very literary, and while this is flawed, it's GENIUS when you put it up against the popular stuff like Twilight or The Hunger Games.  I love fiction that makes you feel like the characters are real people, living in the real world, dealing with real stuff.  In fact, I LOVE his book Looking for Alaska. One of my all time favorites.  (And while I kinda hate myself for liking The Hunger Games, I'm excited to see the movie at the end of March!)

This book was given to me.  I haven't started it yet, but the reviews on Amazon are good. It's what I'm going to read next.

We're making plans for our vacation. We have our flight and hotels booked, and we have some museum tickets purchased already too.  I don't like to say when I will be away from home here on my blog, but I will tell you that I'll have some spectacular photos to show off here sometime in the future, so stay tuned.

Last year we tried to do one cultural thing each month of the year.  We're not doing so well with this resolution for 2012. 

According to Rod, since we're slacking, we're counting going to see Albert Nobbs and The Artist as our cultural events for January and February.   I don't think movies should count, even if they are independent ones up for Oscars.  Although I have to tell you that The Artist is charming and has the cutest dog EVER!

See?

However, we are going to go to the Rembrant in America exhibit at CMA.in March. I know I'm biased, but The Cleveland Art Museum it really is a great place.  

And while I'm not as old as Rembrant, I am officially old.  My new glasses are bifocals. Sigh.

I got my second card for the year published in April's issue of Scrap & Stamp Arts.  I was thrilled that it was Hambo card that I made for the "Anything but Square" call that they had. It's on page 16, but here it is:

I used the Flower Monster digi. He's just adorable.

And here is a card that got rejected.  I know, right?  Who would reject these cute little Hambo Bees?

Whatever, I love them.

And before I end this post, the challenge this week at the Hambo Hoedown is Anything Goes, so I'm gonna link up this card I made using the Flower digi.  I made it simply to build up my sad, depleted birthday card stash. 

That's it for me.  I hope you have a lovely weekend full of good stuff :)

PS-I'm too lazy to write up details for each of these cards, but if you have any questions about the products I used that I haven't provided links for, feel free to email me :)

Challenges for The Flower Monster Card:

Crafting for All Seasons-Shaped Card

Inky Impressions-Punches/Diecuts

Paper Pretties-Punches/Diecuts

Penny's Paper Crafty-Anything Goes

Digital Tuesday-Make it Sparkle

Lollipop Crafts-Anything Goes

Nettie G's-Anything Goes

Truly Madly Crafty-Ribbon and Bling

Challenges for The Bee Happy Card:

Paper Shelter-Add a Sentiment

Penny's Paper Crafty-Anything Goes

Truly Scrumptious-All Creatures Great & Small

Whimsy Inspriation-Monochromatic

Celebrate the Occassion-Thinking of You

Lollipop Crafts-Anything Goes

Nettie G's-Anything Goes

Stamps R Us-Anything Goes

There She Goes-Animals

Challenges for the Flower Trio Card:

Little Darlings-Pearls

Penny's Paper Crafty- Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp-3 Different Papers

Sisterhood of Crafters-Use a Digi

Bunny Zoe-Celebrations

Incy Wincy-Birthday

Karen's Doodles-Celebrate

Lollipop Crafts-Anything Goes

Nettie G's-Anything Goes

Unattractive Housework

Hi Everyone,

Don't you just love a card that tickles your funny bone? Well, I hope this one does it!

I so would rather be doing something crafty, than washing floors or cleaning the stove. Even with my smooth cook top range, it's one of my least favorite chores!

I think the retro look of Josephine the Bold and Dear Housework sentiment (both from the recent release at DRS Designs) are just over the top :) Since the image was a throwback, I made a little yo-yo embellishment and took the color inspiration for the card, from the material I used.

After stamping my Interlocking Circles background, I colored them in to match and I used white embossing powder, as well as the new Retro Starburst stamp for the back drop to my card.

Have you checked out the stamps in the new releases section yet? Lots of great designs and I know you will love them :)

Challenges for this card:
AllSorts-Anything Goes
CMC Copic Challenge-Lots of Laughs, bright and fun
One Stop Craft-Create Your Own Background
Rogue Redhead Designs-Stamped Backgrounds
Sweet Stampin-3 in a Row (Ribbon, Button, Spots)
Crafty Ann's-Bold and Bright
Poodles Parlour-For a Female
Totally Papercrafts-Ribbon or Bow
CRAFT-No Designer Paper
Digi Doodle-Anything Goes
Shelly's Images-Anything goes

Details not listed above-Paper: The Paper Company, Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black,Versamark, Markers: Copic, Punch: EK Success, Ribbon: American Crafts, Button and material from my supplies.

Popping By to Say Hi

Hi Everyone,

Well, I have to say that I really haven't been in a blogging kind of mood lately and for that I'm sorry.  We are trying to iron out vacation plans for this year, so I've really been distracted and not up for extra chatting.  I'm lucky that I've been able to keep up with my blog posting for my design team commitments. I've heard of losing your crafting mojo, but does anyone ever lose their blogging mojo?

Anyway, here is a card I made for a cousin's birthday a couple of weeks ago.  This groundhog was a freebie from Meljen's awhile back, so naturally I snagged it.  So cute.  I never really thought I would use it though, I make cards for just about every holiday, but I draw the line at Groundhog's Day!  Then I remembered Jeff's birthday was actually ON Groundhog's Day, so now I had the perfect excuse to color it up :) 

I still think the papers were a little girlie in the end, but oh well.  The sentiment is from the set Say It Like it's 1959, and I did in fact, "pop it up" on pop dots.   

Hopefully I will get a chance to do a little chatty post later this week, so that those of you that want to be caught up with me, can be :)

Until then, big cyber hugs to you!

Challenges for this card:

Meljen's-Anything Goes

Card Makin' Mamas-Birthday

PolkaDoodles-Recipe(1 image, 2 papers, 3 embellies)

Wags N Wiskers-Male Birthday

Crafty Ribbons-Paws for Thought

Digi Doodle-Anything Goes

Papercrafting Journey-Cute

Crafters Companion-Anything Goes

Details not listed above- Paper: The Paper Company, Cosmo Cricket Clemintine, Markers: Copic, Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Die: Papertrey Ink Ric Rac, Corner Rounder, Ribbon: American Crafts and buttons from my supplies.

When in Doubt...

Hello Friends,

I'm not sure which is my favorite thing about my card today. I fell in love with the wine themed stamp sets that Sparkle N Sprinkle released not too long ago. I couldn't wait for my chance to create with them. However, when I used the Silver Pearl (EP391) embossing powder to create the background, I found a new favorite. The look is amazing! I wasn't sure what to expect at first. The powder in the jar looked white, and I thought... hmmmm...Is this just a fancy name for white? No Sparkle N Sprinkle fans, this is one of those really special powders whose name is the perfect fit. You have to believe me when I say this is a beautiful

silvery white combination, so rich and elegant looking too :)  

The large Chianti bottle stamp was gorgeous on its own, so I embossed that as well using the color Bullfrog (EP404), and finishing it by coloring the bunch of grapes with a couple of Copic markers.  I also made sure to adhere everything together using 1/4" Tear-iffic Tape (SAT01).  If you've used it, you know how great it is!  If not, once you try it, you'll be hooked! I've never had anything hold together better.

As always, full card details are in my gallery.

Have you had a chance to play along with the February sketch challenge at the Sparkle N Sprinkle blog?  If you want a chance at a great prize, check it out right here!

Thanks for dropping by today!

Challenges for this card:

Stamp N Doodle-Food N Drink

Sassy Cheryl's-No Designer Paper

Anything Goes-Bingo (2 images, free spot, Diecut/punch)

Simon Says Stamp-Anything Goes

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day!

I had to scour my photo files to find a Valentine that I hadn't posted yet here on my blog.  If you had a chance to stop by the DRS Designs blog last month, you may have seen it there, but if not it's new to you :)  It also serves as inspiration for the current challenge of  "make your own backgrounds" on the DRS blog.

This Valentine Tree and One Line Valentine's Day sentiment are from the last release and the Interlocking Hearts background is my go to stamp for lovey dovey themed cards.

I added lace, gemstone flourishes and velvet rick rack for embellishments.  DRS Designs has just released a new group of stamps for Spring and Easter, so be sure to click here to check them out :)

Our Valentine's Day plans are always pretty modest, so for us it's usually just exchanging cards and or a dinner.  Unfortunately my hubby has to attend a wake today.  A co workers parent passed away, so real life takes precedence.  We are looking forward to this coming weekend though.  With it being President's Day on Monday, it's a long 3 day one...Woo Hoo! 

However you may celebrate today, make it happy! 

Challenges for this card:

Card Makin' Mamas-Valentine

Crafty Ann's- Love is in the Air

Fairy Tale-Love, Love Love

Fussy & Fancy-With all my Heart

Mami Doodles-Pink Red and White

4 Crafty Chicks-Love/Valentines

CRAFT-Valentines

Delightful Challenges-Love

Do You Stack Up?-Love

Little Miss Muffet-Valentine

Rainbow Lady's-Have a Heart

Shelly's Images-For your Sweetie

Crafting for all Seasons-Love

Crafty Creations-Swirly Whirly

Creative Belli-Hearts/Valentine

Digi Stamps 4 Joy-Love

Divas by Design-Love

My Mum's Craftshop-Love

Paper Shelter-Valentine

Penny's Paper Crafty-Love

Simon Says Stamp-Love

Sisterhood of Crafters-Valentines

Truly Scrumptious-Love

Details not listed above- Paper: The Paper Comapany, Ink: Stampin' Up!, Die: PaperTrey Ink, Markers: Copic, Gems: Recollections, Ric Rac: American Crafts, Lace from my supplies.

Spring Fling Blog Hop

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to the Sparkle N Sprinkle Spring Fling Blog Hop!  If you are in the midst of the winter doldrums, this is just what the doctor ordered.  We have lots of lovely spring-y creations for you, so grab a cup of your favorite beverage and make the rounds.  As with all good blog hops, there are prizes to be had, so make sure you leave comments along the way!

You should have arrived from Gerlinde's blog, but if not, start at the beginning at the Sparkle N Sprinkle blog. There you can get all the details on the prizes up for grabs.

My first card is sentiment focused and it comes from the set Flower Vases (265). The flower embellishments are handmade by using Ice Rink (EP408) and Winter Berry (EP411) embossing powders and then fussy cutting them out.  The stamps themselves are from the stampette set named Blossoms to Go (440s).

All the specifics on recreating my card can be found by clicking here.

For my second card, I used the Wavy Shadow Daisy stamp from the same set.  I stamped it 4 times in Versamark and used the following embossing powders, which matched my patterned papers:

Jack O Lantern (EP405)

Bullfrog (EP404)

Lagoon Blue (EP339)

Dragonfruit (EP410)

I have to say this colors are just superb in real life.  They each have a great glittery sheen to them. Really unique and special :)

I added rhinestones and buttons for embellishments and the sentiment came from this Flower Vases (265) set as well. 

Again, full card details can be found in my gallery by clicking here. Now, next on the hop is Lana! 

Thanks for hopping and stopping :) And if you need the list, here is the entire hop.

SNS Home Blog 

http://sparklensprinkle.com/blog

Karalee Ingram

http://kareescardsandcraftsofcourse.blogspot.com/

Julie Zippel

http://backtobasicsandbeyond.blogspot.com/

Jill Jacobsen

http://stampinhands.com/

Shanna Shands

 http://scsdesigns.blogspot.com/

Marie Berquist

http://craftemarie.blogspot.com/

Jessica Griffin

 http://canyoupixelthis.com/

Charlene Driggs

 http://www.paperandinkplayground.com/

Angie Blasingame

 http://hopemorestudio.blogspot.com/

Eleanor Jenkins

http://stampinginva.blogspot.com/

Barbara Bruder

 http://www.artandsoulcreations.blogspot.com/

Gerlinde Townsley

 http://mycreativecorner-gerlinde.blogspot.com/

 You Are Here------->           Karin Martin

http://karin-withaniforpaper.blogspot.com/

Lana Clarke

http://sweetpeaspapercreations.blogspot.com/

April Williams

 http://stampwillydesigns.blogspot.com/

Shona Erlenborn

http://shonasstampingstage.blogspot.com/

Amanda Reed

 http://cardscatsandcopics.blogspot.com/

Brenda Smalle

 http://www.rubberroomantics.blogspot.com/

Challenges for Card #1:
Paper Take Weekly-Anything Goes
Ribbon Carousel-Anything Goes w/Spooled item
Anything Goes-Bingo (Make Flowers, Free Space & Bling)
Creative Craft-Bingo (Flowers, Lace & Blue)

Happy Birthday

Hi Everyone,

The current challenge over on the DRS Designs blog is Birthdays, so I thought I would show you the card that I made for it, on my blog today. 

I have to say I really like this card, so much so, that I already gave it away.  I hope the recipient likes it too.

I used the Easy Dot Background and the Happy Birthday Sheet Music to make my background papers.  The big Brush Happy Birthday greeting was large enough as a focal image, that all I did was add a little handmade flower to the corner.

Yep, I'm  STILL using up those epoxy stickers (I swear they are muliplying when I'm not looking!) but they fit right in the holes on the border die that I used here. 

I hope you get a chance to play along in the birthday challenge this week.  The prize is 3 birthday themed stamps from DRS Designs!

Have a good one :)

Challenges for this card:

Craft Your Passion-Anything Goes and No Patterned Paper

Crafty Cardmakers-Monochrome

Birthday Sundaes-Birthday w/ sentiment

Pan Pastel-Birthday

Pile it On-For a Tween

Details not listed above-Paper: The Paper Company, Ink: Stampin' Up, Ribbon: Darice, Punch: Stampin' Up, Die Cut: Papertrey Ink

Bee Well

Hi Everyone,

Happy Monday :)  I have a card share for you today that's in support of the sketch at the Card Patterns blog.  DRS Designs is the sponsor and you have a chance at winning a voucher for $20.00 off your next order if you play along.

Here is this weeks sketch:

And my card which uses the following stamps:

One Line Bee Well Greeting

Girl Swirl

Happy Bee

I always say sketches are not my strong thing, so when I get one that I feel could be easy, I love them :)  Instead of stitching around the edge like the sketch showed, I used the sentiment stamped multiple times.  I wish I had a bee charm for my card, but I didn't, so I figured any flying thing would have to do. 

I hope you can play along and just to let you know, DRS Designs has just released a whole new group of stamps.  Check them out by clicking here.

Well, I have to cut it short.  I've been preoccupied with lots of projects around the home front, so I will have to save the chit chat and updates for another post. 

Thanks for dropping by...You are the best :)

Other Challenges for this card:

Craft Your Passion-Anything Goes & No Patterned Paper

Crafty Cardmakers-Monochrome

Scrappers Delight-Anything Goes

Paper Sundaes-Clean and Simple

Hybrid Chick-Ribbon

Penny Black & More-Bingo-Yellow, Black & White

Catch the Bug-Anything Goes

Challenge Up Your Life-Monochrome

Send a Smile 4 Kids-Anything Goes

Our Craft Lounge-Up in the Air

Poodles Parlour-Anything goes

The Stamp Man-Embellish it

Craft Us Crazy-Anything Goes

Do You Stack Up-Anything Goes

Details not listed above-Paper: The Paper Company, Ribbon:Offray, Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Marker: Copic, Charm: Pink Paislee, Stickles

Aged to Perfection

Hi Everyone,

Today I'm showing off this wine themed card made with some products from Sparkle N Sprinkle.  Recently they released a couple of stamps sets perfect for any oenophile you may know.  Ha!  Like my big word?

These stamps came from the set Wine Tableau (449) and paired with the sentiment included in there, it makes such an elegant birthday card.  I embossed the glass with Clear Detail (EP280) embossing powder and colored the Chardonnay with my Copic marker.

Here is a closer photo of the gorgeous glitter named Florida Beach (G1111).  It does glisten just like some sparkling sand in the sun!

Alright, it's 5:00 somewhere, right?! LOL  Seriously, all the card details can be found right here in my gallery and if you haven't done so yet, mark your caleders for the next blog hop!

Have a great day!

Challenges for this card:
Crafty Sentiments-Punches or Dies
Die Cuttin Divas-Anything Goes w/ a die
Party Time Tuesday-Anything Goes
Sassy Cheryl-Punch and Shimmer
Lollipop Crafts-Anything Goes
My Craft Spot-Anything Goes
Stamptacular Sunday-Diamonds or Pearls