Mo's Swirls & Flourishes Challenge

Happy Tuesday
and Thanks for stopping by!

Here's my entry to the Mo's Challenge Blog "Swirls and Flourishes" challenge. I love Mo's digital images and I was so excited to participate in this week's challenge. So here we go.....

Card recipe:

• Mo's Digis
• "Nicholas Bearing Gifts"
• "Noelle Bearing Gifts"
• "Christmas Tree Decorated"
• colored with Copics
• Kris Kringle Peppermint Swirl (red DP)
• Swirls "fussy cut" from Ellen's Snowflake Christmas Paper Pad
• Martha Stewart's Snowflake glitter
• Sentiment from Amy Rysavy's Merry & Bright collection

Hope you like it!

Thanks for stopping by!
See you next time...

Magnolia-licious "Home Sweet Home" Challenge

Happy Monday Everyone...

Thanks for stopping by!

Hope your weekend was as awesome as mine! We went to see Tangled on Friday morning (Yes, even the boys went!!) And it was soooooo cute. I laughed a whole lot. Saturday, we went to a church in Concord, NC where they were filming a YouTube videomercial for a new Christian initiative for a new 3D movie coming out; Lion of Judah. Can't wait to see the videomercial and movie. No, I DID NOT do any "Black Friday" shopping. I truly dislike the ginormous crowds and jam packed parking lots and the pushing and shoving and all the hype. I'd rather shop online.

Anywho, here's my entry for this week's Magnolia-licious "Home Sweet Home" challenge. Hope you like it....

The challenge was to create an item for home decor using a Magnolia stamp image. I thought this would be great to add to my holiday decor and I'm putting her on the mantel.

Here's the recipe:

• colored with Copic Sketch markers
• paper from Me & My Big Ideas; Ellen Snowflake Paper Pad
• fussy cutting some candy canes from that collection as well
• Poinsettias from Imaginisce.
• painted the wood panel block with Forest Green acrylic paint
• sentiment comes from Amy Rysavy's Holiday Greeting stamp set

Now, all I have to do is dig the tree and other decorations out of our storage unit. ;) Yay! It's finally Christmas time!!!! The MOST wonderful time of the year....

Thanks for stopping by...
See you next time!!!

Michelle Perkett Studio Happy Holidays Challenge

Happy Saturday...
and thanks for stopping by!!

Hope your Turkey day was fabulous or your Tofurkey day (for all my vegetarian friends)!! Ours was beautiful. My mother-in-law's turkey was extra, extra juicy this year. When I asked her how she did it she revealed a Cooking Network secret (shhhh!)....butter and herbs under the skin. Who knew??? I'll have to use that little tip for my Christmas turkey.

By far, the most beautiful part of the day was when our entire family gathered in the den and stated what we're thankful for. There were about forty of us gathered together with tears in our eyes, grateful for everything from loving relationships with parents, to children graduating from college soon, to trusting in God to provide while between jobs, to staying cancer free for more than five years!! After it was all said and done (and captured on video by my history keeping husband), my cousin-in-laws broke out in a good old foot stomping choir medley...I'm serious!! This really happens in real life! And it always makes me so glad to be a part of this family.

So, with a few days off from work I was determined not to miss the Michelle Perkett Studio challenge this week!!! So here's my Happy Holiday Challenge entry. Hope you like it...

This is Holly the Christmas Friendship Fairy and I think she is just gorgeous!! I colored her with Copic Sketch markers and added some Christmas Red Stickles to her coat and wings. I'm crazy about Stampendous Fun Flock so I added just a touch to her coat trim and a little more Frosted Lace Stickles to add a snowy feel to the image background. I am really lovin' the Me & My Big Ideas Ellen Snowflake Christmas Paper Pad. It has so many adorable papers including the blue and white snowflake here. That beautiful swirly, shimmery red is from s-e-i. It's from the Kris Kringle collection; Peppermint Swirl. I did some fussy cutting with paper called Falala Christmas from Best Creation Inc. Those hollies add a extra pop to the card. I even used a few for the inside of the card...

I'm going to try to remember to post what Copic Sketch colors I'm using on images in the future. Just in case you're interested. Here's what I used this time.

I can't tell you how much I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this time of year. I'm looking forward to all the Christmas-ey card and scrapbook challenges coming up in the next month!! Woo hoo!

Thanks for stopping by...
See you next time!

The Art of Giving Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone...
I'm grateful that you stopped by!!

So tomorrow is Thanksgiving and fortunately I do not have to cook an entire meal. My husband is making macaroni and cheese and I'm making a pineapple cream cheese pie that was a hit at the Thanksgiving dinner last year. We're having dinner at the usual spot; my saintly mother-in-law's house. I truly hit the jackpot when it comes to mother-in-laws. She is always cooking Sunday dinners and inviting our two sons over to spend the night so my husband and I can have a Friday date night. She's the BEST!!

As I'm reflecting on dinner and the whole meaning behind this time of year I began to think about all the things I'm grateful for. I'm grateful for so much. Here's my abbreviated list...

• I thank God for my health. I had cancer two years ago. So I'm glad to be alive, in great health and cancer free!

• I thank God for my husband. He is such an amazing man and a strong Christian. I admire his walk with God and his ability to talk to anybody about our Faith. Let me tell you something; if anybody is going to heaven, my husband is going!!!...LOL

• I thank God for my sons. They are both very different and have such unique qualities that I love. One is very musical and artistic the other is very athletic and comical. They both are very intelligent and always make me laugh.

• I'm grateful for my job. I am so blessed to have a career that I LOVE. I enjoy going to work and crawling around on the floor with four year olds, singing songs, dancing, using props, costumes and puppets!! I'm still in shock that they pay me to do this stuff! They are learning the whole time and they brighten up my day.

• Finally, I'm grateful for my hobby; paper crafting. It gives me a chance to work with my hands and share a piece of myself with family, friends and even perfect strangers.

In other words, Life is Sweet....
and I thank God for it!

Here's my latest creation. I actually designed it for a Michelle Perkett challenge. I missed the deadline. But I'll share it with you anyway...

She's colored with copics and I was feeling a little stickle-ish the day I made this card so EVERYTHING is covered in stickles....LOL

Have a fabulous Thanksgiving
and remember to give thanks....
EVERYDAY!

SEE YOU NEXT TIME!!

Scraps of Color Magazine

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Here's a little something for you!

Get your FREE subscription to Scraps of Color Scrapbook Magazine today! All you need to do is visit their site at http://www.scrapsofcolor.com and sign up! That's it, no strings attached! They have a SUPER Creative Team ready to thrill and delight you throughout 2011! First, issue arrives February 2011!

How cool is that! I'm already signed up!

Stay tuned for their page call announcement and a wonderful December filled with ideas and inspiration by the fabulous SOC Girls and a super BIG BLOG GIVEAWAY! Don't miss a minute of the scrappy inspiration!

You might also like:

• Welcome to Scraps of Color E:spire
• Only 4 Days Left!
• 4 more added to our Creative Team!!!

Thanks for stopping by!
See you next time...

A Day for Daisies Challenge: "Please Pass the Traditions"

TGIF!...
and Thanks for stopping by...

My Grandma, Lucy was a Domestic Diva. Her house was always immaculate, filled with warm yummy smells. And when it came down to Friday nights you could always find a game of Spades going on around her kitchen table and all our teenage friends were welcomed. The game just wasn't complete without her sassy poetic recitations ("the same thing that makes you laugh can make you cry" was her favorite) or her delicious pound cake. I can taste it now, all warm and tender and sweeeeeet.

When I found a "Pass the Traditions" challenge on A Day for Daisies' site I instantly thought of Grandma Lucy and all those holidays and regular days that she made so special to our family. The challenge was to use an ADFD image and a traditional family recipe on a card. So on this Friday I give this tribute to my funny, sassy, Diva, Grandma Lucy. I put a little twist on her pound cake 'cause I'm a girl who can't live without her chocolate. And maybe we'll play a game of trash talkin' Spades tonight in her honor...LOL

Have a Fun Friday!!!...See you next time.

Scraps of Color Blog Challenge: What's on Your Scrappy Wish List?

Happy Thursday!!
Thanks for stopping by....

Tis the season for Black Friday deals galore, shopping, coupon clipping, making lists and checking them twice. Typically we're all thinking about the children. I have two boys who have already written out their Christmas lists. When it comes to Christmas shopping, I believe in starting and finishing early.. Although the little ones are always at the top of our list, my favorite "ning" group Scraps of Color challenged us to post our own personal wish list.

Mine is pretty simple, you see my husband, our two sons and I currently live in a two bedroom apartment. Yeah, it's pretty cramped but I feel blessed to have a beautiful roof over our heads and very friendly neighbors. But we're talking about wishes, right?? So my wish is to move back into a house and have my very own "Paper Trail Studio"...LOL...aka a Scrapbook and Crafting room. I want it bad!!!!! I have so much stuff. Every drawer and closet has traces of cardmaking or scrapbooking in it. I have purchased so many rubber maid tubs I should own some stock in the company! Right now I'm crafting wherever I can; at the kitchen table, on the floor, in the sunroom; on a cheap table I bought from Wally World. :-)...but my wish is something like this...

Ahhhhhh, yes! Now this is paradise. I love the light streaming in through the window and the clean fresh decor. Yeah, I think I could make this work!! Trust me, I have enough stuff to fill every cabinet, drawer and bin. I might even put myself on a buying freeze (@ least for a few months) if I could have a room like this.

I've already hinted to my sweet husband that I need this space and we've been house hunting for the past few weeks so.....Let's hope dreams and wishes still come true for grown up little girls.....

Here's hoping you get your wish today!!!
Thanks for stopping by....See you next time.

Winter Wishes

Happy Tuesday and...
Thanks for stopping by!!

I decided to start entering some blog challenges to brush up on my skills in card making and Copic coloring. My first challenge I'm taking on is with Platinum Scraps; the November Card Sketch challenge. Here's the original sketch...




and here's my take on the original sketch...

I tried some new techniques on this card and I absolutely love the layered look of this card. I used Stampendous White Flock on her muffs and pop dots for the sentiment. I added a little fussy cutting on the holly and colored with Copics. I used a lighter skin tone this time; E35, E13 and E11. You know I like my mocha girls, but I like how this turned out also. She kinda looks likes she's ready for a winter wedding. Oh, by the way this is also a digital image. I'm really starting to dig digis (hahaha). They're very easy to print, don't smudge with the Copics and don't take up ANY additional space in my crafting storage closet. This digital image is called Snow Goddess and she's from the Michelle Perkett collection. You can find her on Etsy.

For my next challenge I think I'll try my hand at a Magnolia. I just bought one from my favorite scrapbook store; Family Memories. I'll post my final project real soon.

Have a creative week and...
Thanks for stopping by. See you next time.

Sweet Christmas Wishes

Happy Saturday!
And Thanks for stopping by...

We just took the boys to see the animated film MegaMind and it was terrific! It had a great message and lots of humor. I love spending time with my sweet husband and our sons on Saturday. Since the boys did such a great job on their report cards we also made a trip to the bookstore (which they love). So Origami and Teacher From the Black Lagoon were on the book menu for today. I didn't get a book this time, but I did stop by Starbucks for a Peppermint Frappacino...yummy!

I couldn't wait to get to a place where I could take a little reprieve and update the blog so you can see what I've been up to in the wonderful world of card making and crafting. So here it is...

A Sweet Christmas Wish...

This is another Mo's Digital Pencil digital stamp creation and I think she is a cutie pie. She's called Candy Cane Fairy (I think). I colored her with copics (of course) and added Frosted Lace stickles to her skirt details and her fairy wings. Check out her hair. I'm really trying to perfect the lights and shading when it comes to hair, skin and clothes. I'm practicing and will probably take an online class very soon. I'll let you know how that all turns out...LOL

Here's a close up of her...

I have lots more; actually about 10, more Christmas card creations coming soon. I truly over do it when it comes to Christmas. I just can't help myself. It's my favorite time of year. I'll keep you posted so you can check them all out.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you get to spend some quality time with the ones you love today.
See you next time!!!

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE...

Happy Friday and thanks for stopping by!!

....Okay, so you know the rest of the words to the song, right?? It's beginning to look a lot like CHRISTMAS! Well, the stores are certainly stocking up on everything with a CHRISTmas theme. And when I stepped outside this morning, I started to feel the cold nip of "Old Man Winter". He's just around the corner. So get those coats out of storage...LOL...This is my absolute favorite time of year. Spending time visiting family and friends, buying gifts, wrapping gifts, baking, crafting and MAKING CHRISTMAS CARDS!!! I absolutely love every moment of it. So I thought I'd give you a little view of the Christmas Cards I made last year before I make the NEW ones for 2010. Woo hoo! Enjoy... And don't forget...

Follow me on this site and you could be the WINNER OF 10 HANDMADE CARDS. These normally sell for $15 but I'm having a 100 blog followers BLOG CANDY SPECIAL...AND THE GRAND PRIZE WINNER COULD BE Y.O.U.

THANKS FOR STOPPING BY...SEE YOU NEXT TIME

Love Those Bellas

Did I mention I Love Stamping Bellas! Thanks for stopping by!!!

These are some cards I created with some of my favorite Bellas. So here we go...

(1) Javabellas: I used this image to create invitations for a Bible Study at our house.

(2) Cuppacakeabella: I used water color crayons to color her and Frosty Pink stickles on her cupcake.










(3) Hippiechickabella: I love this stamp to make thinking of you cards for my Sistah Friends. Isn't she lovely? I THINK she kinda looks like me! LOL...









(4) Meldabella: I have several friends who are shoe freaks, so this card comes in quite handy....Did I mention I LOVE STAMPING BELLAS???... Hope you like.

Don't forget to "follow" me on this creative blog journey and leave a comment. You just might be the winner of my "Blog Candy", TEN, that's right, 10 handmade cards. But first I've got to get 100 blog followers. Then I will randomly select the winner. It just might be Y.O.U.

See you NEXT TIME...

Latest Creations Slide Show

Give Thanks

I love Autumn so I really get into Thanksgiving cards, decorations and of course the FOOD!! This time of year always makes me start thinking about how much God has done for me and for my family. I am truly grateful to be alive and to have such a wonderful husband and children. I believe the more we celebrate the blessings in our lives the less time we'll spend complaining about what we don't have...

These cornucopia images come from the Sarah Phelps Collection at Impression Obsession, Inc. Although I usually use stamp images of people I thought I'd try something a bit different.

Of course I colored the images with Copics. I'm still having so much fun playing with them. I used my Cuttlebug and the D'vine Swirl folder to emboss the paper, Quick Quotes Amaretto Powder Puffs and Adirondack Butterscotch for the sentiments.

I'm taking the time to embellish the inside of every card I create and not just the outside. This extra step gives hand made cards a unique flair.

Thanks for stopping by my blog. See you next time!...Peace & Blessings