Sunday, July 31, 2011

My Dream Car

Scroll down one post for the TLC Blog Hop and my Freebie!

Some people dream of sports cars, or luxurious cars or fancy cars. My dream car has always been a Lime Green VW Convertible Bug. Maybe someday! But until then, this will have to do:
This is one of the projects I did for Really Reasonable Ribbon earlier this month as their Guest Designer. I used seven of the twelve colors in the Baker's Twine Assortment because they matched the designer paper (The Paper Studio) so well! Peace, man!

Hope you are having a great weekend!
Stamps: VW Bug by Printworks, Alphabet by Hampton Art
Ink: VersaFine Onyx Black
Paper: Melon Mambo, Basic Black, Textured Teal (DCWV), DP (The Paper Studio)
Accessories: Baker's Twine Assortment, blue gems, tag die, rolodex punch, Paper Frills by Doodlebug

Friday, July 29, 2011

What Am I Giving Away For Free Today?!

Welcome to the TLC Creations Blog Hop! If you came here via Karen's blog, you are in the right place. There are FREEBIES at each stop, so be sure to start at the beginning at Paulette's blog. And in case you get lost along the way (even though it's a short hop!), here is the order:
Judy (you are here!)



Look at this beautiful image that Paulette has made for me to give away:
And here is my card (please click for a closer view):
I printed my image on watercolor paper and then used an aqua brush and reinkers to paint my scene. I also used Paulette's Vintage Seal Digital Paper for the left-hand border. The edges are sponged with Tim Holtz's Antique Linen Distress Ink
To grab your freebie, please leave me a comment first and tell me what you think! Then just right-click on the image below and save to your computer!
 
Next on the hop is my talented teammate, ANGELA~! 
Thanks for stopping by today! If you like what you see, become a Follower~!

Stamps: Vintage Visiting Bird by TLC Creations
Paper: Bordering Blue, Night of Navy, Canson Watercolor, TLC Creations Vintage Seal
Ink: various dye ink reinkers, Tim Holtz Antique Linen Distress
Accessories: Cuttlebug EF, Spellbinders die cuts, Wild Orchid white roses, Hobby Lobby organdy ribbon, Mark Richards pearls

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

It's Here and It's ZOO-PENDOUS!

Awhile back you may remember that I won a wonderful prize from There She Goes. I got a $100 shopping spree (and bought some awesome things I have yet to show!) and also the opportunity to work with owner Jessica Knutsen in developing a stamp set!


Well today is the day for Sneak Peeks of ZOO-PENDOUS! I am so excited and thrilled, and I LOVE it! The artwork by Melyssa Connolly is adorable! Jessica was absolutely wonderful to work with, and I am so thankful for the opportunity. Thanks so much, Jess and Melyssa! It is just perfect.


It will probably come as no surprise that for my last minute sneak peek I chose the little giraffe and coordinating sentiment. Or that it is pink..... :)
I chose Lime Twist's Happy Go Lucky designer paper as the basis for the colors in my little scene. The clouds are fluffled up with Twinkling Clouds Sparkle N Soft. The sentiment is raised and made into a little bowed banner. Click on the photo for a closer view.


Zoo-pendous will be available this Satruday at There She Goes! To see some amazing samples with this set, head on over to the TSG Blog, and you could win this set just for YOU!

Tune in tomorrow for some free stuff courtesy of TLC Creations!

Have a great day!



Stamps: Pretty Phrases and Falling For You by Paper Smooches
Ink: Copic markers, Spica Glitter pen
Paper: Lime Twist Happy Go Lucky PTI White
Accessories: buttons, baker's twine, Spellbinders dies, white brads, crochet lace, Twinkling Stars Sparkle N Soft (Sparkle N Sprinkle)


Challenges for this card:
ABC - Z is for Zoo
Amber's Crafts and Stuff - patterned paper 
Papercraft Star - anything goes 
Paper Shelter Challenge - anything goes 
Truly Scrumptious - buttons and bows 
Creative Card Crew - animal antics
Karen's Doodles - anything goes 
 

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Love You With Monster Love

I am still doing some catch-up from being gone last week, so today I made a CAS card for the SCS Color Challenge today.
I used color blocks of the colors (Island Indigo, Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight) and images from Paper Smooches. Isn't that little monster cute?

I am so glad you stopped by today to take a look! I still haven't unpacked anything I brought back from CHA, so I need to get on that. Hope you have a great day!

Stamps: Pretty Phrases and Falling For You by Paper Smooches
Paper: Island Indigo, Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango, PTI White
Accessories: Cuttlebug EF, corner rounder

Other challenges for this card:
Hooked on Craft Challenges - cute and cuddly (that monster is!)
Stamp With Fun - friends
Simon Says - anything goes
Corrosive Challenges - all about kids

Monday, July 25, 2011

Swirly Thank You

I want to share with you a card I made to showcase the wonderful trims at Really Reasonable Ribbon as their July Guest Designer
I used Licorice Baker's Twine and Lemon Diamond Satin Ribbon for this project. My image is from the Thanks A Bunch stamp set by Sparkle N Sprinkle.

I used my Grand Calibur to cut the Spellbinders Rose Creations dies and made a slightly different looking flower by curling the edges the opposite way of a rose. The Swirly Thank You sentiment is stamped with VersaMark ink and embossed with Black Detail embossing powder.

Oh the summer is flying past so quickly! In three weeks I move my daughter halfway across the country for college, and then head back to school work myself. I love these summer days! Hope you have a good one! Stay cool~
Stamps: Thanks A Bunch (Swirly Thank You) by Sparkle N Sprinkle
Paper: Basic Black, Yoyo Yellow, Lemon (PTI), DP by My Mind's Eye
Accessories:Black Detail EP, MS edger punches, Donna Salazar Flower and Oval dies (Spellbinders), Lemon Diamond Satin Ribbon and Licorice Baker's Twine (RRR), brad (Basic Grey)   

Challenges for this card:
2 Sisters - Anything Goes
Totally Gorjuss - punch or die
Crafty Catz - no pink or blue
Fairy Tale - summer, sun, sunshine (lots of yellow!)

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Definition of MAGNET: "Tim Holtz"

Well, I am back from a fun-filled time in Chicago and CHA!  It was great to meet so many online friends for the first time, and to see other friends again! I didn't take my camera, as it is big and bulky and I wasn't taking a rolling cart (reminder to self: even if you know you should take one, but decide you don't need to, TAKE IT ANYWAY), so I only got a very few pictures on my phone. I know some friends that took some other pictures, so I may ask them if I can post here later.

Monday night I enjoyed Chicago-style pizza at Giordano's where Lori Tecler and I discovered our favorite new drink: Raspberry Something-or-Other. VERY refreshing in the hot, humid weather. :) Deb Felts and I finally got to meet here after years of online chatting! Thank you to Kate, Carolyn, Deb, Kendra, Lori, Lynn for a great time!
Tuesday morning I was at the entrance getting a good spot in line! I got there about 9:15. The show opened at 10, but by the time 10 AM came, this area, and mostly the huge area behind me was jammed!
I can't even tell you all the fun stuff I saw -- I am sure there are lots of pictures floating around, but I did take a few of Tim Holtz (magnetic personality - you can hardly get up close ha!) demonstrating his Distress Stains (of which I now own a tiny four colors). I hope to try out what he was showing us later this week. Remember these are phone pictures!
For my birthday present to me, I bought a ticket to see West Side Story at the Cadillac Palace Theatre on Tuesday night. The train ride downtown was fun, and it was a nice temperature by the time I walked from the train station to the Theatre. Not very busy either!


It was a great show and I was so glad I went!
Wednesday I browsed through the different booths and learned some new embossing techniques from Fran Seifert of Stampendous, and some Copic coloring tips from Colleen Schaan and Debbie Olson. 

Wednesday night was the i {heart} papers DT dinner at Cafe Zalute, which my dear friend (and owner!), Kate Baldwin invited me to attend. We had some delicious food and lots of good conversation. I hope to see that picture and post it here soon too.
Now back home, and lots to do before my daughter moves in three weeks! YIKES!
Have a great day!

Monday, July 18, 2011

Pre-CHA Happenings

Hey all! Greetings from Chicago!
Thought I would share a few fun little tidbits from my pre-CHA day today. 

1. The three hour trip to the airport went well. Got my bag all checked and headed to security where the guy in front of me had several cans of beer in his backpack. He had no idea he couldn't take it. Also went through with a cell phone and big belt with a metal buckle on. Hmmmm. At least he wasn't on my flight. Oh, and did I mention he didn't have a driver's license for ID? Don't know how he made it through that.

2. Beautiful, smooth flight to Chicago. I slept halfway. As soon as we landed I got a call that my hotel had changed. What?? I guess several rooms in my booked, employee rate hotel (I do some internet work for two hotels in town) with a shuttle to the convention center had flooded. So they had to switch me to a different hotel.......no CHA shuttle. BUT -- totally comped room (paid for by original chain since I had to switch). And I have my own personal shuttle guy named Martin that takes me wherever and picks me up! Pretty nice. And the air conditioning works!! Good thing, because I walked almost 6000 steps since 4 PM - not bad, but my ankles look like they belong on an elephant. It is so humid and hot! We will see what the count is tomorrow.

3. Great dinner with Kate Baldwin of i {heart} papers, and Deb Felts, Carolyn Mustopa, Kendra Wietstock, Lori Tecler, Lynn Mercurio with some yummy Chicago-style pizza and a great raspberry drink. Yum.

4. I didn't bring my camera - sorry!! It is so big and bulky (I need a little snap camera!) with its giant lenses and I didn't want to lug it around. So maybe others will have pictures.

5. Long day - left my house at 9 AM, so I am ready to sleep. BUT - head over to Top Tip Tuesday, and see all the wonderful designs for this week's challenge: SHAPED CARDS. Pretty stuff! Night!

Friday, July 15, 2011

Happy Birthday....to Me! And A New Gig for a Gift!

For the Sparkle N Sprinkle blog hop post, click here (or scroll down one post).

Today over at Digi Design House, there is a familiar face! :)  Their awesome DT Coordinator, Michelle, asked me early this month if I would Guest Design for two months and I said yes! So today is the announcement day at DDH and I am happy to be joining the talented Sandie Dunne as well!
For my card today, I made a stair step fold, using the tutorial found on SCS here. I started with a Bashful Blue CS base, and then added paper designs from Noah's Ark (designer paper by DCWV). Click on any photo for a close-up view.
I wanted the front of the card to resemble waves, so used the Dotted Wave Edger Punch from EK Success at the front, and to simulate the roof of the Ark, I used Martha Stewart's Zig Zag Edger Punch (which EK Sucess also makes).
I added my images from the DDH set, Noah's Ark, and tied the whole thing off with Brown Sugar Baker's Twine from Really Reasonable Ribbon. Speaking of RRR, I hope you will come back tomorrow to see more projects using their amazing ribbon and twine - I will be their Guest Designer for the day tomorrow!

Now I am off to enjoy a morning rain - and then it's lunch and presents with the family! And tonight? I get to see my A-M-A-Z-I-N-G daughter perform as Jolene Oakes in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at our community theatre. My husband directed the show, so I have a little vested interest. :)
Last night was Opening Night and the cast was marvelous!
Here is the review from our city's newspaper. Take a quick peek at the next-to-last paragraph. :) :) :)

Oh! My birthday present to me? I am going to CHA on Monday, and Tuesday night I will be enjoying a performance of West Side Story in Chicago at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. That - and seeing all the new stuff, and meeting up with friends will be awesome!!

Ok, off to eat some birthday muffins and coffee and enjoy the rain! The high today is supposed to be 94, so better take advantage of the rain while it is here! Have a GREAT birthday day!

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Sparkle N Sprinkle presents a Sparkling Wintry Sensations Blog Hop!

Welcome to the Sparkle N Sprinkle "Sparkling Wintry Sensations” blog hop! If you hopped here by way of Joan Petty, then you're in the right spot. If you'd like to start from the beginning and become eligible for SIX great prizes, then click here.

I have two cards to show you today that are quick, fun, and easy to make. The first uses Retro Christmas Tree and the ornaments from the Christmas Greetings set: Give Circle, Joy Circle, and Noel Circle.

I stamped my images using VersaMark ink, then embossed with Golden Sparkle Embossing Powder. The circle ornaments were punched out with a 1" circle punch. Quick and easy elegance! Click on the photo above for sparkly goodness up close!

My second card uses images again from the Christmas Greetings Set: Season of Joy and Season Flake. I stamped both with Encore Metallic Gold ink. Season of Joy was embossed with Gold Detail Embossing Powder. My Spellbinders Fleur de Lis Doily Motifs dies were cut with my Grand Calibur. Click on the photo above for a clearer, close-up view!

Maybe I am one of “The Five” with a hidden prize, so don't forget to leave a comment below (click on "Appreciated Comments") to become eligible for the Grand Prize and one of the 5 secondary prizes, then hop on over to Julie Zippel's brand new blog. Winners will be drawn on July 16!

Thanks for stopping by today! I appreciate your comments so much~! If you like what you see, click the "Follow" button! My 300th follower will receive an awesome prize package from me! Email me (see left sidebar) if that is you! And come back tomorrow for my birthday party! :)

#1 Stamps: Joy Circle, Give Circle, Noel Circle, Retro Christmas Tree by Sparkle N Sprinkle
Paper: Champagne Metallic (Prism), K & Co. DP, Very Vanilla
Ink: VersaMark

Accessories: Cuttlebug EF, Golden Sparkle EP, 1" circle punch, gold thread
#2 Stamps: Season of Joy and Season Flake by Sparkle N Sprinkle
Paper: Basic Black, Real Red, The Paper Studio DP
Ink: Encore Metallic Gold
Accessories: Cuttlebug EF, Gold Detail EP, Spellbinders dies, black organdy ribbon, red gems

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

It's An Ice Cream Kind of Day

You know I love the dies over at Lil' Inker Designs! They cut beautifully and are just so fun. The Rainbows and Clouds set is one of my favorites.
I made my ice cream scoops out of the larger cloud dies and added Starfire Glitter and Bubble Gum Glitter (both by Sparkle N Sprinkle) to the edges (and also to the sentiment circle). My waffle cone is cut from Creamy Caramel cardstock, and then run through my Cuttlebug. I sponged Close to Cocoa ink on the top and edges for a "baked" look. My sentiment is by TLC Creations.

Here is a look at the Rainbows and Clouds set:
You can see a card I made with the rainbows here and another "out-of-the-box" card using the cloud dies here.

And for other fun news, I made the Spotlight over at Sweet Stampin' Challenges with this card. Cool~!


Photobucket

It is a hot forecast here for the rest of the week - high 90's for temps and high 60's and 70's for humidity. So I think ice cream is the perfect treat! Have a wonderful summer day~!

Challenges for this card:
Crazy Challenge - summertime
Creative Stamps Friends - summer
DDH Challenges - summer
House of Gilli - sparkle
Karens Doodles - summer fun
KB Monday - something cute
Paper Playtime - summer
Crafty Pad - texture
Gingerloft - make it sparkle

For more challenge fun, visit Top Tip Tuesday today and see what fun sketches they have in store for you!

Stamps: Life's Hard by TLC Creations
Paper: Kraft, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White, Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel, DP by Basic Grey
Accessories: corner rounder, Rainbows and Clouds dies, Cuttlebug EF, Spellbinders Circle dies, The Paper Studio ribbon, Martha Stewart border punch, Stampin' Up! courdoroy brad

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Best Avon Products - and a Card!

I want to share some of my experiences with three Avon products that I just love - and believe in: something old, something new, and something midwesterners NEED. The first is the new:
This is Avon's new Face Perfector that will be available this next week. I absolutely LOVE this product.  I don't like wearing a lot of makeup in the summer, and this is perfect to combat shine, while evening out skin tone and making my pores appear smaller.  REALLY. I love this. I wear it every day now. Money-Back guarantee! You really have to try it.

The next product is an oldie but GOOD product. It does more than make your skin soft. Skin So Soft Original Bath Oil works like a charm on all sorts of things. In fact, a local hospital called me today to see if I had any in stock. They needed it to (sadly) remove tar from a child's body. I am so thankful I had some! It was surely a call I wasn't expecting today, but it kind of prompted this whole post! Click HERE to see 101 uses!
And finally, if the mosquitoes are getting you down, and you want to use something other than SSS, or you are allergic to the oil, or for whatever reason, try the SSS Bug Sprays and Towlettes. I especially like carrying Towelettes in my purse. You never know where those pesky insects will show up. And they seem to like blondes - my daughter and I are terribly allergic to insect bites, and I use this brand diligently. Check it out. Again, money-back guarantee on everything! Click HERE to order.
I hope you are enjoying your summer! It was a hot one here today. Mid 90's with 65% humidity. Could be worse. But you know it's going to be a hot day on the Art in the Park day. I live across the street from a beautiful city park, and each year on the second Sunday in July, they hold an art festival. Artists from all over the Midwest come to sell their creations. And it is always one of the hottest days of the year. 

And now for a summery paper creation! I made this for the SCS Free For All Challenge 72.
We were to make a card that reminded us of summers growing up. We used to always go to the County Fair in the summers. The rides were fun, the food was cholesterol-free (HA), and the animals and quilts and biggest squash entries were always worth seeing!

I am sure not much has changed - I mean who doesn't love a warm funnel cake?? Hope you are having a wonderful summer filled with good memories! Supplies used in this card are listed below. Thanks for stopping by today! I am hoping for some good news tomorrow, and will share it if it comes my way! Hmmm......  :)

Other challenges for this card:  * Dream Valley Challenges - summer * One Stitch at a Time - anything goes * Allsorts - free and easy July * Wee Memories - summertime *

Stamps: Happy Thoughts by Rubbernecker Stamps 
Paper: Echo Park DP, White, Melon Mambo  
Ink: Melon Mambo 
Accessories: Prima flowers, Jolee's stickers, Spellbinders dies, ric rac, EK Success border punch, paper piercer   

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Sheep on the Green

Today's SCS Inspiration Challenge had some really fun patterns and prints. I chose the colors in this scarf from Posh Vintage.

I made a very simple card using Laura Pryor's Cloud Dies (L'il Inker Designs) and some Back to the Basics DP by The Paper Studio. I used a circle punch for the sun and the leftovers from my Fiskars Threaded Ribbon Punch for the rays and sheep legs. A heart punch made the ears, and I cut the grass with scissors.
Here is a picture of the inside of the card:
Thanks for stopping by my blog today and have a GREAT weekend!

Other challenges for this card:
2 Sisters - summer fun
Crazy 4 Challenges - summer
One Stop Craft - summertime 
Totally Gorjuss - summertime
Card Makin Mamas - summertime
Fuzzy Wuzzy - include animal - get punchy
Inspire Me Fridays - anything goes
Forever Friends - animal - stripes



Thursday, July 7, 2011

Don't You Love Doilies?

I love doilies. All kinds! Crocheted (which I make!), paper (which I hate getting apart when all the little pieces go everywhere), fabric, stamped. Today's SCS Ways to Use It Challenge was to incorporate doilies in your design.

 
I chose to use a doily journaling die cut for my doily today. My sentiment is from a set called Butterflies Are Free by Rubbernecker Stamps. I based my card off of one by Dawn McVey in the March 2011 CARDS magazine.

I have a lot of "extras" around - journaling tags, plain tags, chipboard, tons of embellishments that I need to be using up! So I tried to incorporate some of those on this card.

Thanks for taking a peek! I appreciate each of you stopping to share in my work. Leave a comment so I can return the favor! Have a good day~

Other challenges for this card:
Divas by Designs - die cuts/punches
Scrapalicious - turquoise
Anything Goes Challenge - letter D (die cuts, distress ink)
Everybody-Art-Challenge - use shapes
Jac-Inks - die cuts plus texture
Dream Valley - ribbon
Catch the Bug - anything goes
Paper Take Weekly - anything goes
Try It On Tuesday  -  Flower Power
Craft Your Passion - anything goes
Hooked on Crafts -  flowers
Kaboodle Doodles - celebrations (anniversary)
Make it Monday - anything goes 
Sentimental Sundaysmust include a Sentiment -  Anything goes plus a sentiment

Stamps: Butterflies Are Free by Rubbernecker Stamps
Paper: Kraft, Cool Carribbean, The Paper Studio DP
Ink: Real Red, Antique Linen Distress (TH)
Accessories: grosgrain ribbon, tag die cut, journaling die cuts, slit punch, chipboard flower

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Just Hangin' Around

Good morning! I have a quick CAS card to share with you today. I love the new Animals images from Rubbernecker Stamps, and this little guy is wacky enough to bring a smile to the card's recipient!

My images are stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and then colored in with these Copic Markers:

I added Clear and Mint Spica Glitter pens to the leaves and to the lemur's tail and ears.

Have a great day!


Challenges for this card:
Bearly Mine - anything goes
Crazy Amigo Challenge - Lazy Days
PartyTime Tuesdays - square cards
Cupcake Craft - single layer cards



Stamps: Lemur and Hangin' Around by Rubbernecker Stamps
Paper: Lasting Impressions White Note Card
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics
Accessories: green grosgrain ribbon (SU!), jumbo brad (The Paper Studio)

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Have a TEE-rific day~!

It's another Teapot Tuesday challenge and I was glad to be able to play in this one. Our cards this week are going to Harrisville, Pennsylvania. Nathan (Manny) was recently diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia and is a currently undergoing chemo and bone marrow tests. HERE are the details of our challenge. Come and join in the tea party~!

My images are by Hambo Stamps. I used Golf Ball - 0617 and TEErific Day - 0520 and Archaic DP by Basic Grey. The Brown Sugar Baker's Twine is from Really Reasonable Ribbon. This is also for their Picnic/Summer Fun Challenge. Golf=Summer Fun! Thanks for taking a peek!

If you are up for another fun challenge, take a look at what Top Tip Tuesday has going on today! Leanne has done a marvelous tutorial on the Explosion Box - and you really should check it out. She made a gorgeous wedding/anniversary project~!

For more challenge fun, the Hambo Hoedown (sponsored by Hambo Stamps) is sure to bring a smile - and some free stuff!
I hope all of my USA friends had a wonderful weekend celebrating our freedom!


Other challenges for this card:
Bows and Berries - Kraft paper
Crafty Cardmakers - spots and stripes
Creative Inspirations Paint - summer vacation
Here Come the Boys - spots and stripes
Pile It On - time to relax
Sentimental Sundays - anything goes with sentiment
Sweet Stampin - use something not normally used on cards (golf tee)

Stamps: Golf Ball - 0617 and TEErific Day - 0520 by Hambo Stamps
Paper: Archaic DP by Basic Grey, PTI Kraft and White
Ink: VersaMark Black, Copics
Accessories: photo corner punch, Cuttlebug EF, golf tee, Brown Sugar Baker's Twine (RRR), eyelets, Crop-A-Dile, Spellbinders rectangle dies, circle cutter, paper piercer

Friday, July 1, 2011

Lovely Summer Day

Check out this month's issue of Crafting Ireland! Paulette from TLC Creations was featured on pages 45-46 and two of my cards are in the article. Fun!

Well, things are going well in Utah. We got registered for the fall semester, found an apartment, and that leaves us a day and a half of just doing whatever we want.  We added the extra time on to apartment hunt, but since we loved the second one we saw, that is all taken care of!

So off to shop, take a drive to Park City, and show my daughter around. Last night we ate at Noodles and Company - my first! LOVED it! And it's super close to where she will live. It's a beautiful sunny 80 degrees and with snow on the Wasatch Mtns., it is a great day!

I want to share a card I made last week:
I made this for last Saturday's SCS Inspiration Challenge 290. I chose this floral arrangement for my inspiration. My images are by Rubbernecker Stamps. I added Diamond Stickles to all the flowers and stems.

Hope you are having a great day! Happy Independence Day weekend!


Stamps: Butterflies Are Free & Create A Garden Set 2 by Rubbernecker Stamps 
Paper: Melon Mambo, Cosmo Cricket DP, Prism White  
Ink: Real Red, Yoyo Yellow, Only Orange, Green Galore, Tempting Turquoise, Taken With Teal, Lovely Lilac, Melon Mambo, Copics 
Accessories: Diamond Stickles, white organdy ribbon, circle cutter, Jolee's stickers