Just Swingin'

No, not that kind of swingin!! I've been under the weather for a while, and I am finally able to get back into my stamp room and create! This card is actually for our swap at stamp club tomorrow night. I had to have this adorable set called A Kind Word (p. 57 in IBC Spring/Summer 2009) from Stampin' Up. They are hopefully going to go more toward the trend of coloring and offer more adorable sets like this in the future. It is really cute! It is also for SC219 on Splitcoaststampers. I haven't been keeping up with the SCS sketch challenges as much, so I'm trying to go back and get some of them in!! I also have been using one of my favorite Copic color combinations RV11 (Pink) and RV34 (Dark Pink)...don't know why I like the combination, I just do!!! Thanks for stopping by and checking out my blog today...I hope you'll stop by again!

Card details:

Stamps: A Kind Word by Stampin' Up

Paper: Raspberry Tart DP, Rose Red, Kiwi Kiss, and Choc. Chip Cardstock

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Organdy ribbon, Cuttlebug Swiss Dot, Copic markers (skin-R00, E21, R20; dress-RV11, RV34; hat-E43, RV34; bird-B12, YR02; Flowers: RV11, RV34, G24; Hair/swing-E57)

PMS Blog Hop Here...it's a PARTY!!!

I'm so excited to be a part of the PMS blog hop today! Katie, over at Paper Makeup Stamps (PMS) has lots of challenges, prizes and fun planned today for PMS over on Paper Craft Planet! We have become quite a chatty little group over there and all of the ladies are so fun and welcoming. We'd love to have you join us!

Here's a schedule of events!

At 12 EST the blog hop will start. Of course it'll be up all day, but this gives everyone a chance to browse and leave some love before the party starts. There will be some pre-party chatter going on over in the PCP forum

Here's a breakdown of our party plans!

Just before the party starts at 3 EST (that's 2 CST, 1 mountain time, and 12 for west coasters!) Katie will announce the winner of the blog banner giveaway.

3:00 - Then to kick off the party there will be some sneaks and some digis! Woot!

3:30 - Christi will issue our first challenge. There is NO time limit on these, but they will be spaced out for those that want to play along as the party goes on.

4:00 - Playin' some games, givin' away some goods...

4:30 - Christi will issue challenge number 2!

5:00 - The Design Team will be announced!!!

5:30 - Christi will issue challenge number 3!From that point on we will just play and chat and share our creations.

I had to play with one of my new fairies from PMS, especially in time for Easter. She is adorable. I finally have mastered the art of the bow...I can tie one and not have it look pathetic! This was the perfect ribbon for the colors that I chose! And, this paper (Sultry by Basic Grey) is so gorgeous, I had to let it stand on its own. Fairy Elle is colored using Copics and Shimmerz. The shape that she is cut on and used as a background is from the Making Memories Slice cartridge Noteworthy.

Card details:

Stamps: Fairy Elle by Paper Makeup Stamps

Paper: Rose Red and Kiwi Kiss by Stampin Up; Sultry by Basic Grey

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Noteworthy cartridge for Slice; grosgrain ribbon; rhinestone stickers; Pixie Dust Shimmerz Blingz; Copics: Skin-E00, R20; Dress-RV11, RV34; Hair-Y21, E33; Shoes-E57, RV34; Wings-E41, pixie dust blingz; Egg-Y02, V04

If you have come to the blog hop here first, go back to the start on Katie's blog. Then, follow the list here (it's a long one, but your love is truly appreciated!).

Katie Cotton

Lisa Kind

Jennifer Greco

Tangii Crain

Danyel Owens

Lisa McKinney

Dawn Knight

Melissa Craig

Ashley Newell

Ceal Pritchett

Tina Hale

Jamie Morris

Shannon Bracken

Cheryl Penner

Tenia Nelson

Nancy Bush

Joni Wilson

Kimberlee Doktor

Sara Henton

Cassie Larson

Shaela Odd

Heather Lee-Reppen

Kim Stewart

Christi Thorsen

Tina Blasdell

Anita Hovey

Dawn Mercedes

Katie Cotton

Have fun hopping around today!!!

Double Whammie...2 challenges in one day!

Yesterday I was able to combine two challenges, and today I did the same! I used CC209 from SCS and I used MTTSC13 from Madelynn's Twinkling Tuesdays. I also had to use my adorable fairy Chloe from the Greeting Farm...she was really fun and simple to color tonight, so that was a blessing! The color challenge was Black, Rose Red, and Always Artichoke. I didn't think that I would be feeling it tonight, but it all came together. The flowers are from the wedding section in Micheal's...they are so shimmery and fun and CHEAP!! The last part is the best!

Don't forget the PMS Party on Sunday...there will be a blog hop, and my blog will be a part of it. For more information, click on the icon on the right at the top!

Card details:

Stamps: Fairy Chloe by the Greeting Farm

Paper: Black, Rose Red CS and DSP, Always Artichoke DSP

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: MS ribbon, Paper flowers from Micheals, Bling stickers from Mike's, Pixie Dust Blingz by Shimmerz, Copics: (hair- Y21, E33; dress-RV11, RV34; skin-R00, R20; wings-E41)

Wish You Were Here

I'm back, after a bit of a vacation that just kept getting extended! My original plan was to visit my parents in Surfside Beach, SC from Saturday (2/28) until Wednesday (3/4), and I scheduled some posts for then. Well, the weather was so yucky at the outset and it was becoming increasingly more beautiful as the week went on that we just extended a bit. Meredith was really having a great time with my parents and Judy that we just decided to stay through the weekend. Swimming every day (indoors of course) and a couple of trips to the actual beach punctuated a very successful daddyless vacation. We missed him of course and on Saturday it was finally time to come home! Meredith kept saying "I miss Daddy!" This sad little bear reminded me of that sentiment, so this little card is dedicated to her!

Some upcoming news! Paper Makeup Stamps (more affectionately known as PMS) is having a party this Sunday, March 15th!! You don't want to miss it...they will be having a fun blog hop, surprises, and the announcement of the design team. If you haven't heard of them by now, you have to hurry over to Katie's site and check them out...absolutely adorable and so affordable!

I had fun with this card, and I was able to combine two challenges: Mojo Monday #77 (sketch challenge) and Paper Makeups' PMSeb1 (an embellishment challenge) Hopefully, the challenges really will help with my mojo!! It was nice to get my fingers inky tonight!

Here are my card details:

Stamps: Grumble Bear and sentiment by Paper Makeup Stamps

Paper: DCWV designer paper, Close to Cocoa and Choc. Chip by SU

Ink: Rich Cocoa and Tuxedo Black by Memento

Accessories: SU Rhinestone Ice Squares, Shimmerz Pixie Dust Blingz, Nestabilities Scalloped Circles, CM circle cutting system, Cuttlebug embossing folder, Copics (E57, E25, E33, N5, B12)

Clean and Simple...Me?

My cards haven't really been as clean and simple lately as they were in the past. However, when I do swaps for my stamp club, I can't duplicate some of these cards 6 times. So, I have to ratchet it down a few notches. I have to get back to my roots, so to speak! The parameters for this month's swap were to follow one of the sketch challenges on SCS. Our February host, Katie, chose SC119 and it was one that I had done before, but I wanted to try out my new Bella's Blooms set. The colors came out nicely, and I was quite pleased with the card. You won't believe my list of accessories on this one...one thing! YIKES! Can it be?

Card Details:

Stamps: Bella's Blooms and Whimsy jumbo wheel by SU

Paper: Pink Piroette, Riding Hood Red DSP, Chocolate Chip

Ink: Riding Hood Red ink pad, Pretty in Pink and Mellow Moss markers to color image

Accessories: Spica pen

Happy Birthday, Carter

I just love the Anya and Ian stamps from the Greeting Farm. They are so fun to play with and fun to color. I sound like a kid!! Anyway, this card was for my friend and rubbah dealer, Jen's little boy Carter. He turned two recently, and we went to his birthday party. I knew that I had to color this image like the little man himself. I just love the cuteness factor of this stamp and this whole line of stamps!

Card details:

Stamps: Spaceman Ian by The Greeting Farm, sentiment by SU

Paper: SU Bashful Blue, Brilliant Blue, Summer Sun and Real Red

Ink: Silver Encore, Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: CM circle cutter, Cuttlebug embossing folder, SU star punch, Copics and spica markers (I can't remember which, and the card is now gone!)

Opposites Attract

It always happens. You see a man and a woman together, and you just wonder, "what ever brought those two together?" Well, Cowboy Ian and Mermaid Anya are the type of couple that you might question their attraction. I mean, he's a rough and tumble sort, out riding on the range, miles from water. And, then there is sweet Anya, swimming in her ocean looking high and low for whatever it is mermaids look for. Cue music, "there you see her, sitting there across the way, she don't got a lot to say, but there's something about her." So, even the most rugged cowboy can't help but fall for Anya and her siren song. And, I know that it is stuck in your head, so just go ahead and sing,

"Sha la la la la la la, my oh my, looks like the boy's too shy, ain't gonna kiss the girl. Whoa oh oh!"

Here are the details:

Stamps: Cowboy Ian and Mermaid Anya by The Greeting Farm; sentiment is computer generated

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper: Me and My Big Ideas Designer Paper; SU Night of Navy, Real Red, Kiwi Kiss

Accessories: Marvy Scalloped Oval punch, Primas, Rhinestone brad, pearls, Ribbon from Basic Grey, Copics (Ian: R00, Y21, R27, B14, B37, E33, E57; Anya: R00, E57, E59, G17, RV34, RV11) and spica glitter pens

Three Little Chicks

I dusted off the few A Muse stamps that I have, and I had forgotten this little gem. These chicks, however small, are really adorable! This was a great sketch on the Mojo Monday blog...Mojo75. I can't believe that Easter is around the corner. I wasn't able to get to church on Ash Wednesday, but I did eat small meals and abstain from meat on that day. When you aren't used to it, you really have to think about not eating it! However, I was better prepared today, and even our 4 year old daughter is getting in on the action! "I'm not eating meat eider, Mommy!" I love how she says either! Anyway, sorry to get off track!

Here are the card details:

Stamps: Chick Trio by A Muse, sentiment from SU's More Great Greetings

Paper: Basic Grey Two Scoops, SU Wild Wasabi, Chocolate Chip, and Regal Rose

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Wild Wasabi

Accessories: EK Success border punch, SU ribbon, Blue rhinestone stickers, American Crafts Pure Glitter pen, Copics (Y02, BV00, YR02, RV11, RV34, G24) and spica glitter pens

Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head

I just love this stamp from Whiff of Joy...the name is Willow with Umbrella. She just has a sweetness about her, and I really enjoyed coloring this image because of the fun details. Hopefully, we can have some rain around here soon! This card is also my entry for the Whiff of Joy Guest Designer Call. I keep saying it, but you've got to be in it to win it! I figure that if I at least keep trying, I'm attempting to do my best and break out of my mold a bit. If anything, I have increased the amount of blog posts I make, found some awesome stamp companies, and stretched my abilities. There are so many people out in blog land to learn from! Ok, back from my little tangent!

Card details:

Stamps: Willow with Umbrella by Whiff of Joy; sentiment from $1 Studio G clear stamps

Paper: Riding Hood Red; Modern Milan Designer Paper by Me and My Big Ideas; Riding Hood Red DSP

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: SU ribbon; SU and CM circle punches; EK Success edge punch; Copics (Shirt-R37, R39, B12; Jeans-B34, B45, R37; Skin-E02, E21; Hair-E57, 0; Umbrella-R37, B12; Shoes-N5); Spicas - clear, black

Let's put on my Paper Makeup!!

Whoa, hold on to your hats, I've got three Paper Makeup cards to share today! These are my three entries for the design team call.

My first card is using Chelly with Clover, and she just has a certain amount of spunk in her! I love her, especially with her leg kicked up in the back. I used Shimmerz on the shamrock and her wings. The world just seems brighter when you use Shimmerz!!

Card details:

Stamps: Chelly with Clover by Paper Makeup Stamps

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper: Groovy Guava, Choc. Chip, and Wild Wasabi CS and DSP

Accessories: Primas, SU brad, Shimmerz (Celery and Pixie Dust Blingz), SU Scalloped Edge punch, Copics (skin-E21, E00, R20; hair-Y21; Outfit-YR02, YR07, G24; Shoes-E33; Wings-E40; Shamrock-G24)

The second card uses a quote as the main focus, and for some reason the idea popped into my head while I was in the shower. For some reason, I zone out in the shower and have brief moments of clarity! I love this quote, and I equate hope and butterflies together in my own mind. The quote reads, "When the world says 'Give Up' Hope whispers, 'Try it one more time.'" Ain't that the truth!!!!

Card details:

Stamps: "When the world gives up..." by Paper Makeup Stamps

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Purely Pomegranate

Paper: Urban Prairie by Basic Grey, Very Vanilla and Purely Pomegranate CS

Accessories: MS butterfly punch, Primas, Shimmerz Pixie Dust Blingz and Sunflower, Making Memories Slice Noteworthy cartridge

The final card is with the ever ethereal Penelope from Paper Makeup stamps. She is definitely a beauty. I cut out the image, as I do with a lot of them, but I didn't realize how difficult that was going to be with the curls on the train of her dress. Next time, I will cut around her!!

Card details:

Stamps: Penelope by Paper Makeup Stamps

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper: Sultry by Basic Grey, Choc. Chip by SU

Accessories: Brown and Rose Red Grosgrain ribbon, Primas, Rhinestone brad, Nestabilities Labels, Copics (hair- E33, E57; Skin-E00, R20; Dress-RV02, RV34, RV11; wings-E41; shoes-RV34) and spicas for accent