Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Sweet Sketch Wednesday #56

Good Morning Everyone!!  I am so happy to be back with the sweetest team ever!  I feel like I have been away from Sweet Sketch Wednesday for weeks.  I missed out on welcoming 3 new DT members, one being my dear friend Jackie!  Welcome ladies!!  And welcome readers.  Arlana has a great sketch for us to play with this week and we have a favorite returning sponsor, Bugaboo.  I love love love Jodie's images.

So here's the sketch....




And here's my card...




You remember a few weeks ago for Tuesday Morning Sketches I used a Bugaboo image that were best friends (boys), here's the girl version and as I had created that card for a special friendship, this one is no different.  Hollyanne made a lot of friends at her dance school, they became her family.  One of those special friendships is with a sweet young lady named Lyric.




I should have consulted this picture first when I chose my Copics for skin color.  Knowing that Lyric is an inter-racial child I had it in my mind that her skin color is a bit darker than Hollyanne's.  Well, I'm wrong, so in my card that is Lyric with a tan!

Supplies:
Card Stock:  Neenah Classic Crest, Pretty in Pink
Paper:  Making Memories Just Chillin' Collection
Copics:  B95, B97, BG01, BG05, BV02, BV04, C8, E00, E02, E33, E37, E53, E57, RV000,
   RV02, RV10, YG63
Tools:  CM Oval cutter
Embellishments:  Mulberry Flowers, Rhinestones (Basics by Kaisercrafts)

Stop on over at Sweet Sketch Wednesday to join in the fun and welcome our new DT Members!  Thank you for visiting me today.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Tuesday Morning Sketches #52

Good Morning!!  Before I show you today's card I want to take a moment to thank everyone that has kept me and my children in their thoughts and prayers over the past few weeks and especially while we moved from WV to FL.  We are enjoying it here.  My youngest son is fascinated by the frogs and lizards that live all around us.  We went for a walk last night and he was disappointed that we didn't see any of the lizards.  They are so cute!!

Anyway, it's Tuesday, so I have a card to share with you for my Tuesday Morning Sketches blog.




This was such a fun sketch, even if I do say so myself.  Our sponsor this week is Die Cuts R Us and I used an exclusive image (Gracie) designed by LoRI Boyd.  She is so sweet!!  I paper pieced her dress and headband, which is such a simple way to dress up images and use up some scraps.

Supplies:
Card Stock:  Neenah Classic Crest, So Saffron
Paper:  DCWV Citrus Mat Stack
Copics:  E00, E02, E33, E37, YR61
Stamps/Ink:  All That Scraps, Memento Tuxedo Black
Tools:  CM circle cutters, Cuttlebug with Candy Stripes Embossing Folder
Embellishments: Offray Ribbon

I hope to see you over at Tuesday Morning Sketches.  Thanks for stopping by.

Monday, June 28, 2010

I'm back and I'm creating!

Good Morning Everyone,

As promised, I am back with a card to share and a little announcement.  I'm not sure if you had noticed another little badge on my sidebar or not - but I have been accepted to Deedee's Digi's design team.  I am absolutely thrilled about this!

So here's my card.  Today is Monday and it's a happy one over at the Crafting with Deedee's Digis blog.  Every Monday Deedee has a new challenge and always a freebie for you to use with the challenge.  Today's freebie is adorable!  And the challenge is to use Ocean Blue/Turquoise, Pirnk and Green.  Fun colors!!  I also used the sketch from The Sweet Stop for some layout inspiration.



I kept my card pretty clean a simple because it felt my summery to me this way.

Supplies:
Card Stock:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Pretty in Pink, Gable Green
Paper:  Making Memories Just Chillin' collection
Copics:  BG01, BG05, RV02, RV10, RV13, YG00, YG03
Embellishments:  Ribbon, Prima Flowers, Brad

Although my mojo isn't in full swing yet, I am getting there, I enjoyed making this card - the image was so fun to color.  Thank you so much for stopping by!

Friday, June 25, 2010

My New Space

Hello!  I am so excited that I finally have my space pretty much set up.  I still have a few other details to take care of but I am done enough to have some play time.  I have so many design commitments to catch up on but I am up for the challenge.  I've missed the creativity time.

I have a few pictures of my space to share with you.  I'll be back later with a card.



Here's my desk space.  I miss having two tables set up, but I think having only this much table room will help me keep my messes to a minimum.



Another view.



And here's my storage space.  I'm a little worried about where to put the stuff that I have in storage that's not here yet - I do really miss my LARGE bin of ribbon and can't wait to get it back.

Well, I'm off to finish a card to share with you later.  Thanks for stopping by!

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Here in sunny Sanford, FL!

Hi Everyone,

I'm back and am online again.  I am busy unpacking and creating my new crafting space.  It's certainly smaller than my room I had at my house, but I think it's going to be OK.  I can't wait to play with my stuff again!!

Yesterday we drove down to Clearwater to visit my sister-in-law.  We, of course, went over to the beach.  I want to share the photo I took on our way down to Clearwater.  The kids weren't very happy with having to get up so early.




Alright, I hope to be back very soon with my DT comittments and other crafty stuff.  Thanks for still hanging out with me.  OK off to finish clearing out boxes.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Tuesday Morning Sketches #51

Good Morning!  Are you ready for another fun sketch over at Tuesday Morning Sketches?  We have Melyssa from Whimsie Doodles as our sponsor this week.




I used one of the original images from Melyssa - this was the first one I had in my Whimsie Doodles collection and she was just begging me to use her again, I couldn't say no to such a sweet face.

Supplies:
Card Stock:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Gable Green
Paper:  DCWV Citrus Mat Stack
Copics:  G00, G02, G05, RV02, RV10, RV13, Y11, Y15, YG00, YG03
Tools:  CM Oval cutter, pop dots
Sentiment & Ink:  April Daisy (SNSS) and Memento Tuxedo Black
Embellishments:  Prima Flowers, brads (American Crafts)

I hope to see over at Tuesday Morning Sketches.  Thank you for stopping by!


Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Sweet Sketch Wednesday #54

Good Morning,

I really had planned on taking a leave of absence from Sweet Sketch Wednesday, but I decided that I needed the therapy of coloring.  So instead of just sharing great news, I have great news and a card!  This week's challenge is sponsored by KLM Digi Stamps.  Here's the prize that's being offered...

Pretty, isn't it!  Here's the great sketch that Arlana has for us this week....




And here's what I did with it....



That clown has the sweetest face!  I just love it.  I have a very unhealthy fear of clowns, but I could never be afraid of a face like that.  I chose bright colors which is perfect for a child's card.

Supplies:
Card Stock:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Real Red, Green Galore, Gable Green, Barely Banana
Paper:  Making Memories
Copics:  B000, B02, B05, C8, C10, G00, G02, G05, R27, RV000, RV10, RV13, Y06, Y15, YG03, YR68
Tools:  Cuttlebug, Candy Cane Strips CB folder
Embellishments:  Prima Flowers, Brad (American Crafts)

And I said I had good news.  For all my followers and readers, KLM is offering a really cute digi for free!  Just click on it and save.  Then go play.





And the other piece of great news I have... The winner for the SSW Anniversary Blog Hop randomly drawn from my blog is WEDGIE.  Congratulations Wedgie, please email Arlana at sweetberrydesigns@hotmail.com to claim your prize

Now head on over to Sweet Sketch Wednesday so you can play along.  There's plenty of inspiration there from Arlana and the team.

I am officially offline on Friday and hope to be back online by Tuesday.  Thanks for visiting me!


Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Tuesday Morning Sketches #50

Good Morning!  I feel like I've fallen off the face of the blogland earth!  I've really missed our daily visits but things aren't going to be much different until after we get moved and settled in our new home.  The children and I have very mixed feelings about this move but we are trying to stay positive and look at it as a new adventure.

I have a really fun challenge over at Tuesday Morning Sketches and this week is a Judged Challenge, so there is some extra added fun.  This week we're making step ladder cards.  Head on over to my challenge blog for tutorials and plenty of inspiration from the design team.  But first, here's my card.




I followed the tutorial by Dawn of Dawn's Stamping Thoughts.  I modified it a little.  In her video she adds 3/4" side panels only - I like the whole card to be dressed, so I cut a piece of fun paper to 4" x 5 1/4" and then on the back side I drew lines to create the 3/4" side panels and 1" bottom panel and then cut out the center part.  Fits great!  I also found that if I cut the center panel (focal point) 1/16" smaller then her directions, the card moves a little easier.

Supplies:
Card Stock:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Black, Pretty In Pink
Paper:  Me & My Big Ideas
Digi Stamps:  Soft Pencil
Stamps & Ink:  Wishing You (TAC), Memento Tuxedo Black
Embellishments:  Ribbon (Me & My Big Ideas)

Now head on over to Tuesday Morning Sketches and thank you so much for stopping by!

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Sweet Sketch Wednesday Anniversary Blog Hop

Are you ready for some fun? Yes!!! It’s our one year anniversary. We are so happy to have you join us in the fun. Yes, it’s been one year since Sweet Sketch Wednesday arrived in Blogland. It’s hard to believe as the year has passed by so quickly. Thanks to all of our dedicated players and followers and to the best Design Team ever. Come on and let’s have some sweet fun.

So, pull up a chair, grab a refreshment of your choice and join us in Sweet Sketch Wednesday’s Anniversary Blog Hop. Digi Stamp Boutique is our main sponsor for this celebration…offering 12 prizes in all. Since it was our anniversary we decided to ask our past sponsors (Inktegrity, Bugaboo Stamps, Prairie Fairy Designs, Fresh Brewed Designs, Busy Beauties Boutique, Bee Crafty, Soft Pencil Digital Stamps, Delicious Doodles, MyGrafico and The Stamping Boutique) and we were overwhelmed with their support to celebrate. They will also be adding their prize to this fabulous week. The winning images will be awarded at the end of the Blog Hop. Let’s get hopping!!!

Here are the rules of the contest for a chance to win:


1.  Comment on each of the Design Team blogs and become a follower.
2.  Comment on Digi Stamp Boutique blog and become a follower.
3.  Return to Sweet Sketch Wednesday after you have completed the blog hop and leave a comment and become a follower.
4.  By doing this, you will have a chance to win an image from Digi Stamp Boutique or one of our other sponsors image. That means you will have 22 chances to win a prize as there will be two prizes on each Design Team Blog.
5.  After participating in the Anniversary Hop, create a card with the Anniversary Hop Sketch or create an altered item. Then post it on Inlinkz. Completing all five steps will qualify you for the Grand Prize from Digi Stamp Boutique on the Sweet Sketch Wednesday blog.
6.  For those that complete 1 through 5, you can also have another chance to win another sweet prize by participating in Arlana’s “Blast from the Past!”  Instructions for participating in the “Blast of the Past” are posted on Arlana’s blog.

Let’s Begin!





Supplies:
Card Stock:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Real Red
Paper:  Red Polka Dots (Recollections)
Digi-Image:  Lilly Skipping Rope (Digi Stamp Boutique)
Copics:  E00, E02, E53, E57, R27, R29, W-C
Tools:  SU! scallop border, label & 1" circle punches, CM Oval Cutters
Sentiment:  Limitless Labels (PTI)
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black
Embellishments:  Flowers (Michael's), satin ribbon

Start at Arlana’s blog to see her creative blog hop cards. Then hop on over to the next blog, in order, to see all of our DT’s fabulous creations. The next Design Team name will be posted on each blog so that you will be able to follow from one blog to the next. i.e: from here hop to Terry’s blog.

Remember to follow the rules above.

Happy hopping and thanks for joining us for our One Year Anniversary Celebration. Hoping to see your creations too….Hop to it!

Arlana
Nancy
Judi
Jeannie
Lisa
Melissa   (you are here)
Terry
Stacy
Deanne
Jenny
Heather
DigiStampBoutique.Blogspot.com
Sweet Sketch Wednesday

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Tuesday Morning Sketches #49

Good Morning!  I hope you're all doing well this lovely Tuesday Morning!  I have more packing to do, but instead I'm playing on my computer.  I'm not being very productive either.  Haha!

Today's card is this week's edition of Tuesday Morning Sketches.  I have a sketch that even stumped me, so in the end, I fell short of spectacular, but I think I hit the cute mark.  We have Some Odd Girl sponsoring us this week and talk about some really cute images.



I really need to stop taking pictures at night.  The colors are a bit washed out.  But anyway, here's 80's Kaylee from Some Odd Girl and I want to thank Kristy for sharing images with me and my team to use.  They are quite fun!!

Supplies:
Card Stock:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Night of Navy
Paper:  American Crafts Amplified (Rockabilly)
Copics:  100, B000, B02, B95, B97, C8, C10, E00, E02, RV06, V04, V06, W-3, Y06
Tools:  SCAL/Cricut
Embellishments:  Rhinestones (Me & My Big Ideas)

I had to laugh at myself as I colored this image.  I was reminded that I used to have a pair of light blue leg warmers that I wore everyday!  I was in High School when these were popular and I loved them!  I also remember a certain black shaker sweater that I loved, too, and not to mention all the black bracelets I wore.  I loved the 80s!!  I hope you join us over at Tuesday Morning Sketches.

Monday, June 7, 2010

Flower Tutorial

Good Morning! I created another slide show tutorial. I cannot take credit for these flowers, this is based on the instructions my friend Joni gave me, but I had received such a great response when I first used these flowers that I wanted to share how to make them in pictorial form.



(Note:  I cannot slow the progression of the slide show, but you can hover your mouse over it and click on the pause button.)

Now that you've created your flowers, use them!  I put them on this card that I made that I am entering into a couple of challenges.  First, the sketch came from Sketch Saturday.  Fabulous sketch!  And Charisma Cardz challenge this week is to use flowers.  How perfect!


And a bit of detail....




Supplies:
Card stock:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Real Red, Glorious Green
Paper:  American Crafts
Stamps:  All That Scraps (images), Sweet n Sassy (sentiment)
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black
Copics:  B95, B97, E00, E02, E53, E57, G05, R27, W-3, Y17, YR23
Tools:  Cuttlebug, Diamond Plate CB folder, circle punches, SU! 5-petal flower punch, CM oval cutters
Embellishments:  Tiny brads

I hope you like my card and that my tutorial is helpful.  Thank you so much for stopping by!  I'm off to have another cup of coffee and to pack a few more boxes.




Saturday, June 5, 2010

Saturday Fun

Good Morning,

I started working on this card last night - but I messed it up and knew I really needed to start over.  So I did this morning and now I am really happy with my results.  I made this card for some challenges:  Friday Sketchers (sketch), Cute Card Thursday (color combo blue, orange and black) and Raise the Bar (celebrate summer).




I used an image that I got from Deedee's Digi's.  Deedee designed digi's (say that 3 times fast!) for Sweet n Sassy, but recently took on a solo career.  I couldn't be more thrilled for her!  This image is in a set called Little Miracles.



I printed the image twice so that I could add some dimension.  I used two different sizes of pop-dots.

Supplies:
Card Stock:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Bazzil Basics (Earthtone pack)
Paper:  Citrus Mat Stack
Copics:  B000, C8, E53, E57, YG00, YG03, YR16
Tools:  Corner Rounders (2 sizes), CM Circle Cutters

I hope that you like my card.

I want to take this time also, to thank my faithful readers.  Without you all, my little blog would simply fade away.  You've heard me talk about the month of June being very busy for me.  I need to start packing up my house as my children and I will be moving to Florida on June 20th.  My posts on my blog will be few and far between until I get settled in Florida.  I ask that you all keep me in your prayers.  I'd like to ask for a miracle that would allow me and my kids to stay here where they have friends, where they are familiar and continue the plans (or hopes) that they have.  Anyway, I hope that while my posts may not be as frequent that you still come visit me.  My commitment to Sweet Sketch Wednesday and my own challenge blog, Tuesday Morning Sketches, will remain intact and will be posted weekly.

I wish you an enjoyable weekend.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Fabulous Friday

Good Thursday evening!  I am off and running again tomorrow so I wanted to post early.  I am back to Levi's school for the Farewell Fifth Graders party.  Eeek!  My baby starts Middle School in the Fall.

I was able to play a bit this morning so I created a card for a couple of challenges.  I made this card for Just Us Girls (embossing) and The Sweet Stop (sketch).



Supplies:
Card Stock:  Barely Banana, Black, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White
Paper:  Certainly Celery patterned paper
Stamps:  April Daisy and Poppies & Sentiments (Sweet n Sassy)
Copics:  B000, Y15, Y17, YG03, YG63
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black
Tools:  Circle punches, Cuttlebug & Swiss Dots CB Folder
Embellishments:  brads (SU! & American Crafts), Prima flowers

I hope you enjoy my card - I am loving it myself.  I really like the freshness of Barely Banana and Certainly Celery together.   Thanks for stopping by!


Thursdays with Lindsay


Good Morning!  I think I've finally recovered from my trip - but that's only enough to take on the rest of what I have to do.  This afternoon I am headed over to Levi's school to chaperone Field Day.  More like take pictures.  Heehee.  The on Friday I am helping with the Farewell Fifth Graders party.  Levi is very busy this week!

Well, today's Thursdays with Lindsay card isn't really participating in any challenge except for my montly card traders group.  The challenge was to create a pinwheel card.  I guess I couldn't stop at just the pinwheel.  It seemed to be lacking something for me, so I used it as a background....




The pinwheel technique was rather easy.  The video tutorial I looked at (and for the life of me, can't find it again) started with 2 5/8" bases and 1 1/4" squares.  I used just a little bit bigger.  Then for the center of my pinwheel, I used an image from the new Seaside Sketches set.




Here's the detail... I made a matching envelope!  Alright, I have a confession to make.  Lindsay has the most amazing envelope SVG files and I can't figure out how to use them!  I have no idea what to resize them to in order to create an envelope.  Sad, huh?!  But I did manage to make one just by folding it.  It still didn't come out how I wanted it - not a true square envelope, but it works.

Supplies:
Card Stock:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Black
Paper:  Digi Paper from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff - Uptown Houndstooth black and Seaside Paper
Copics:  B95, E37, E53, E57, W-3
Sentiment:  Poppies & Greetings (Sweet n Sassy)
Ink:  Distress Ink - Broken China
Tools:  CM Circle cutters, circle punches

Today will be my last post for Lindsay's Stamp Stuff for the month of June.  I've requested a leave of absence so I can focus on getting ready for the move.  I'll still be around some, but my posts will be less frequent for awhile.  Tuesday Morning Sketches and Sweet Sketch Wednesday will still be posted weekly.

Thanks for stopping by!  I do appreciate your visits.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Sweet Sketch Wednesday #52

Good Morning!  Happy Wednesday!  I am bit late with this post.  I honestly thought I had set this auto-post.  I had a wonderful weekend in Michigan with my cousin.  I got to meet his children, they are wonderful!  I spent some time on couple of beaches and explored an amazing Garden with gorgeous sculptures.

But let's get on with this week's challenge over at Sweet Sketch Wednesday.  Here's the fabulous sketch Arlana has for us this week....



Our sponsor this week is Digi Doodle Shop and the prize is 3 digi stamps to the randomly drawn winner!  So here's what I did with the sketch.  (Note:  The website is experiencing some technical difficulties - keep checking.)




I used Old Water Pump for my card and boy is this out of my comfort zone.  I don't usually do vintage images.  The sentiment is computer generated, a verse from the Bible that I thought was very appropriate to the image.

Supplies:
Card Stock:  Neenah Milled Ivory, Black
Paper:  Making Memories Just Chillin' paper stack
Copics:  BV00, BV02, C8, C10, E53, E57, W-3, YG95, B95, E29, G99
Tools:  Cuttlebug, Distressed Stripes CB folder
Embellishments:  Pearl, Prima flower

I hope you like my card.  Head on over to the SSW blog to find out how to join the fun and see what the rest of the team.  Wonderful eye-candy!!  Thanks for stopping by.



Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Tuesday Morning Sketches #48

Good Morning!  As you read this post, I am on the last hours of my visit with my cousin.  I have enjoyed every minute of spending the holiday weekend with him and it was a certainly much needed break.  As I head home today I know my thoughts will be spinning on the last days of school, Hollyanne's dance recital and packing up my house to move.  Ack!

This week over at Tuesday Morning Sketches, I have another fun sketch and a great sponsor.  This week is sponsored by One Stop Card Crafts - a store in the UK.  I always consider it such an honor when companies seek me out to sponsor and was delighted when Shelley, the store owner, wanted to sponsor.  The store offers a wide variety of card craft supplies and she's offering a $10 voucher to the winner but here's another great offer - during the week that she's sponsoring TMS, she's offering all readers and participants a 10% discount on purchases made.  Head on over to Tuesday Morning Sketches for the discount code.

And now for my card...


I created this card with an image from Bugaboo and it's to honor a wonderful friendship my oldest son and his friend Malachi have.  They've known each other since the 5th grade and even though he's moved to Georgia, they are still very close.  I am disappointed that my paper piercing isn't visible - not just in the photo, but in real life, too.  The paper really hides it - but other than that, I love my card!

Supplies:
Card Stock:  Neenah CCSW, Close to Cocoa, Night of Navy
Paper:  Digi-Paper from A Cherry On Top
Copics:  100, C8, C10, B02, B05, B95, B97, E00, E02, E29, E57
  G00, G02, R29
Prismacolor Markers:  Mocha Light, Cinnamon Toast
Tools:  SU! Mat Pack and Paper Piercer, SU! corner punch, Labels One Nestabilities
Rub-Ons:  American Crafts

I hope to see you over at Tuesday Morning Sketches!  Thank you for stopping by.