Three Clovers Designs

Magnolia-Licious' March Blog Hop!

2010-03-15T04:19:00.004-04:00

Stamps: #405 Wilma with Rose
(I don't see her in the store at the moment so email Diana if you want to order one.)
Paper: old old old stuff (lol) by Deluxe Designs
Other: Trim from Joann's; Pink Polka dot grosgrain, clear transparency sheet
Copics: E39,35,33,31---R89,85,83,81---Yg67,63, 11

Hello! Happy Monday! I hope that you are all doing well.
Welcome to the Magnolia-licious DT blog hop for March! Hopefully you started at the Magnolia-licious Highlites blog for all the deets. And by hopping along arrived here from Mindy's Blog. Mindy is one of the current guest designers for the next few months...Isn't she FAB?!

I saw this adorable little "animal cracker box" online and knew it would be perfect for today hop. We are all suppose to use acetate on our projects, so I made this little window.
The box was SUPER EASY to make using my Scor-Pal!!! You can find the instructions HERE, on Tracy Harp's blog. Thanks, Tracy!

So next up on today's hop is the MAGNIFICENT Suzanne Dean! I know that she will have an amazing project to share with you.

Don't forget to leave all the ladies some comment love for all their inspiration!

Have a Fantabulous Monday!

Is is Spring yet??

2010-03-01T20:48:00.006-05:00

Stamps: Berry Tilda; Easter Egg with Bow; sentiment unknown
Paper: Memory Box Gossamer
Other: Nestabilities labels Die; Kaiser pearls; Star Dust Stickles; Trim from Joann's
Copics: RV95,93,91...BG13,11,10
Card Measures 6" sq

Hello! It's not spring yet around here...that's for sure!
March is one of the worst months of the year around here in my opinion. It doesn't matter that I grew up right here in New England...every year I find it hard to face the fact that just because the calendar has changed to March...Mother Nature is still giving us full on winter. Actually, I prefer a good Blizzard...it's exciting and very beautiful after the fact. But in March we don't get that. We get a wet snowing mushy snow. And it just looks dirty afterward. It makes your shoes, the bottom of your pants and your car FILTHY! The problem is, by March, I am ready for spring...in a bad way!! Particularly this year.

To help spring along, I thought it was time to start making some spring themed cards. Complete with posies and pastels and Easter eggs. Both Tilda and the Easter egg are available at Magnolia-licious. Diana has oodles of Easter stamps in. Plus, you can Pre-order the Hoppy Easter collection now.

This sketch for this card was provided by fellow Magnolia-licious DT member Jacque.
This is the Magnolia-licous sketch of the month. You can check out the deets on the Magnolia-licious highlites blog. You will also be able to view the other DT members fantastical cards there! So enjoy!

I want to thank the girls over at The Divine Influence for inviting me to feature my blog!
I am totally honored!! Check it out!

And finally, I said I would share a few photos of CHA again. Some more amazing stampers that I think of as my friends!!

Me with Kim Howard and Kristen Catalano:

Me and Suzanne Dean at the Magnolia (Sweden) Booth:

Me and Lisa Somerville:

Have an Astounding Tuesday!

Irish Eyes

2010-02-19T04:00:00.002-05:00

Stamps: Irish Eyes by Elisabeth Bell for SCACD; front senitment is retired SU; inside sentiment by drs designs
Paper: totally forget! I have had it for a few years though--if you really want to know let me when you leave a comment and I will get back to you. :)
Other: All flowers from Prima; Swirl from Sizzlet; Nestabilities; gold rhinestones
Card Measures 6x6

Hello! Thanks so much for stopping by today!

I am very excited to be part of the blog hog for Susana's Cu stom Art and Card Design!!! When my friend, Suzanne Dean invited me to join in I could not say no...after all, this sweet image is called Irish Eyes. She is part of the Sampler Edition 3 that is now being released over at SCACD. There are 7 stamps in this collection. Each one of them are ADORABLE!

If you are blog hopping along with us today, hopefully you arrived here via my wonderful BF, Kristen's blog. If this is the first you have heard of this hop, you can start at the begining HERE. You will have lots of eye candy long the way.

I always have to laugh that everyone associates me with St. Patrick's Day and Irish stuff---hmmmmm, I wonder why?! If this is your first time here, let me share with you that both my mom and my husband are Irish born and bred. The name of my blog "Three Clovers" represents my 3 cutest lucky charms: my kids. :)

My Irish culture has always been predominant in my life. I grew up going to Ireland for regular trips to visit family and friends of my moms. My parent's and sisters were/are fantastic Irish dancers ( I apparently got jipped on the dancing gene!!) So we use to spend many a Sundays at Ceili's. (pronounced: KAY-LEE)
Ceili's are gatherings celebrating Irish music and dance. Kind of like dances with a feel for family. Although, I confess as a nondancer, I spent most of the time sulking. :P
Then I met my husband, Patrick. The first day we met he invited me to his brother's wedding--in Ireland. 5 weeks later I was in Ireland with him. Most of his family is still there so we try to go as a family every other year or so. Not sure if we all will get there this year, as DH has been laid off from work for several months now.
I do enjoy our trips there. It is a beautiful place. Especially where my husband is from: Kerry!!! :) hee hee heeee
Below are a few pics from our last trip there in April of 2008. Just a few faves--I love to take photos and could show at least 100 of my faves. Note: these are all unedited photos.

Pat and Orla:

Pat's family's land. Much of this land belong to Pat's family's farm. Many of the houses belong to his brothers! They are almost their own village-lol:

Some friends we met in the road:

Behind the family house (Orla and Maeve):

Shoreline view:
Well, that's all the sharing I have for now. I have been up for almost 20 hours and I am falling asleep as I try to type this. I hope that you enjoyed the SCACD Blog hop!

Have a Fantastic Friday!!

Pop! Pop! Pop!

2010-02-15T03:49:00.009-05:00

Stamps: Cozy Tilda; Snowflake Frame;
You Make Me Smile are all Available at Magnolia-licious.
inside sentiment from Inky Antics
Paper: CTMH (retired)
Other: Nestabities circle, scallop circle and snowflakes; Queen and CO. pearls; SU! blue glitter; Star Dust Stickles; Zva pearl flourishes; Polar White Flower Soft; fibers from CTMH
Copics: Snowsuit: V99,95,93,92--Muff: B12,00,0000
Card Measures 6" sq

Hello! Welcome to the Magnolia-Licious February Blog Hop!!
Hopefully you came here from Suzanne's Blog. Was her card not awesome?!?!?! If not please go back to the start of the hop to get all the deets--then follow the path to visit the DT members blogs.
After leaving my blog, head over to the blog of the extremely talented Sharon.

This month we have a fun theme of Pop Up Cards. SO easy and fun too! I hope that you will join us in making a pop up card of your own.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I want to apologize for my lack of posts since the holidays. I have some stuff going on here and I am finding it hard to be motivated to blog. I do have cards ready...but trying to come up with interesting blog posts have proven to be difficult for me as of late.
I truly appreciate all the kind emails that you have sent checking up on me.

I do, however, want to share this pic of me with 2 of the most wonderful people I have ever met: Diana Crick (creator of Scor-Pal and owner of Magnolia-licious)and Suzanne Dean (paper crafter extraordinaire. We were able to spend time together at CHA and I can't express how lovely they both are and how much fun we had! We went out to dinner one night and laughed so hard our sides hurt. I am fortunate to call these ladies friends.

In the near future I will post pics of other "cyber" friends turned real life friends that I was able to finally meet.

Don't Forget, you're headed over to Sharon's blog for the nest stop on the hop!

Have a Splendiferous Day!!!!

Winners!

2010-01-22T13:57:00.004-05:00

Greetings from not so sunny California! Kristen and I arrived here late last night. We are taking our time today then heading over to the CHA Supershow. Looking forward to it.

But I do need to take a minute to announce some winners! I randomly chose BOTH names.

Winner of 5 Pink Cat Studio Digi Stamps for participating in 3 Clovers Thursday Challenge #46--New Year's Resolutions:

Maria Matter said...: this was a great challenge Kerry!
here's mine:
... Joyful Stamper: Cute Daisy May w/Flowers & Ribbon
blessings, Maria

Thank you to all that participated ! It was fun to see your cards and projects for this!

------------------------- The winner of the Martha Stewart Valentine punches is:

Sheri said...

I LOVE this card. Young love is so sweet and yes I remember those butterflies very well. Thanks for the chance to win these 2 punches. I have been trying to buy the heart punch but my LSS has been sold out.

If you could each email me at: KerryDC@ThreeCloversDesigns.com I will get back to you...please be patient as I am away from home.

Thanks!

Have a Super Friday!

Flowers For You

2010-01-20T05:24:00.005-05:00

Hello Friends! Happy Hump Day!
I hope that you are having a great week. I sure am! I am busy-busy-busy. But I took yesterday for me. I didn't intend to but it worked out that way and I feel refreshed and like a new woman today. I met a friend for coffee, I got a mani and a pedi, I bought myself some new clothes...and I didn't rush through any of it. Now I feel like I can tackle all of the stuff that I have to do before leaving for CHA with a smile on my face.

Today, I have another new Riley Moose image to share with you! This is one of the 4 new images that will be released tomorrow. How adorable is Riley holding his bouquet of fresh picked flowers?! Riley's face is so adorable that I am sure he makes his sweetheart swoon without the need for flowers. :)

Just a reminder that the Riley & Company Design Team is having a blog hop starting at 10 pm EST tonight. I really hope that you will join us...I think you will find it worth your time!! ;) Start over at the Riley & Company blog where I am sure Tanya will have a great project for you.

I am going to keep this post short and sweet today. It is nearly 6 am and I haven 't gone to bed yet. :P And I still have to get some things done before doing so. That makes this a long day!

Have an Exhilarating Wednesday!!

Riley's Back!

2010-01-19T02:38:00.003-05:00

Hello! Happy Tuesday! I am so glad that you stopped by today.

I had promised you that I would post a new Riley yesterday but I had some "technical difficulties" with my camera and my computer yesterday and was unable to get this post up. At least the other blog hop was pre-scheduled to post.

Anyhooooooo, Riley is back!! And cuter than ever! This is Birthday Riley. If you followed Riley's journey, you know that back in Nov/Dec the line of Riley stamps was sold to Tanya, who created Riley and Company. Yeah! I am so happy that Riley will continue to live on!

Yesterday was the first day of peeks for the 3 new Rileys being released on January 21st. AND there will be a Riley and Company Design Team blog hop tomorrow, January 20th starting at 10pm!!! WoooHooooo!

Meanwhile, Please be sure to check out what the rest of the Design Team have been making. If you have been a Riley Fan you will Recognize some familiar faces and be pleased to see some new ones too!

Have a Delightful Tuesday!

Pink Kisses

2010-01-18T03:58:00.009-05:00

Hello! Thanks for stop by here today for the Magnolia-licious PINK Blog hop! Hopefully you started at the Magnolia-licious Highlites Blog before coming here, as that is the first stop on our PINK-tastic hop today.

At the end of this blog you will be at the Magnolia-licious Highlites Blog where there are Pink-a-licious prizes to be won!! but you have to make sure to go through the whole hop first.

I used some of my very favorite Magnolia images for today's card. Kissing Tilda and Kissing Edwin. They were released as Christmas stamps in 2008, but I thought they would be so adorable as Valentine stamps too. Stamped behind Tilda and Edwin in the heart is the background stamp: Old Valentine Letter. I love the romantic and vintage feel of this stamp. These are not the only Kissing Cuties or adorable Valentine images that are in stock at the Magnolia-licious store-so be sure to check it out...after you have hopped through all the design team blogs.

Do you remember that feeling of enjoying a first kiss with someone? The butterflies in your stomach...the dizzy feeling in your head? That little smile that comes across your face and the blush in your cheeks? Then that high you felt for days afterwards...
Wouldn't it be wonderful if every kiss felt that way? I wanted to capture that feeling in this card. And hopefully each of you will try capture that feeling the next time you kiss your sweetie...1st kiss or kiss number 10,000. I know...I am feeling a little sappy today...must be all the pink.

You know what? Since I am feeling so sappy how about some blog candy?! I'll give away these Martha Stewart punches! They will go perfect with the Valentine Tildas and Edwins that you purchase at Magnolia-licious!

Just leave a comment on this post by Wednesday night! (January 20th)

The next stop on today's hop is a wonderful and very talented woman, who I am happy to call my friend, Sharon! Be sure to leave her some {{comment love}} after viewing what is sure to a Perfect Pink Project!

Enjoy the rest of the hop and have a Magnificent Monday!

Valentine Hugs

2010-01-15T16:58:00.004-05:00

Stamps: Motivet Bunny Hugs; sentiment by savvy stamps.
Paper: Chatterbox;
Other: Nestabilities; Martha Stewart hearts border punch; cuttlebug folders; Prima hydrangeas; Large heart eyelets from SU; ribbon and roses from unknown sources
Copics used: Darker bunny: E17,15,13,00 Lighter Bunny: E37,35,33,31,30 Cheeks: R20
Card measures 6 inches sq

Hiya! Thanks for coming by today! I know that I have been lacking in my blogging lately and I truly do apologize. But I do appreciate your continued support! I have gotten your emails about being MIA and I will try real hard to be more consistent again. I do have to disclose that I will be attending CHA next week in California. I will be going with my BFF Kristen. We plan on attending the public Supershow and the trade show. If you are going to be there and you spot me please come say HI! Being from New England I am totally looking forward to the Vitamin D from the So. Cal. sunshine. I have to say I am feeling more cheery just thinking about it. Since I will be at CHA I am not sure how much blogging I will have time for. I do hope to post some pictures and maybe some sneak peeks of upcoming products!!

Motivet has another great sketch challenge for you this week. If you participate you could win up to 3 Motivet stamps of your choice!! How cool is that!? I feel so priviledged to be working with such a great company. It's hard pressed to get much cuter images than theirs! And they offer you several opportunities every week to win stamps from their blog. Be sure to stop by...you only need to comment to win!

Speaking of cute images, can you get any cuter than these hugging bunnies?! They make me smile every time I look at them. This is my first Valentine's Day card of the season. It made me feel all girly and giggly just making it. :) I have to admit that I am not a huge fan of Valentine's day. I have always thought of it as a "Hallmark Holiday". Over commercialized. But I do love to make Valentine's. It gives us the chance to indulge in our inner girly-ness. Pink, red, purple...all those hearts and frou-frou embellies. It is fun! I even use Card Scents on them. One I have is names Pink Kisses. I wonder if I can use it as a perfume? :) Maybe it will get hubby in the Valentine mode...?! Unlikely!! LOL!

On Monday, the Magnolia-licious design team will be having a blog hop! And I am pretty sure that I will be whipping out my Pink Kisses scent for this one...so be sure to drop by Monday!!
You know what else is happpening Monday? Riley Moose will be back!! Riley Moose and Company will be kicking off their first sneak peeks! WooooHoooo! So I will likely have 2 posts for you Monday. I gotta make up for missed time, I guess! LOL

I will announce the winner of last weeks 3 Clover Thursday over the weekend...I haven't gotten a chance to visit them all yet.

Have a delightful weekend!

Valentine Pandas

2010-01-14T04:03:00.004-05:00

Hello! Thanks for coming by!

Pink Cat Studio is releasing 5 new digi images today plus 2 backgrounds! Each and every one of them are TOO CUTE! But I just thought those little pandas were darling. I wanted to start making some Valentine's for Orla to give out--when she saw the pandas, she ooohed and aaaahed too. And she is quite happy with the finished results. I haven't decided to add a "to and from" above the Happy Valentine's Day sentiment or have her do that on the back.

These little bag toppers are easy to make up. I but the cello bags in the chocolate candy making section of ACM/M's. The black piece measures 4.25 inches x 4 inches. I score it at the 2 inch mark fold it over the top of the bag and staple it all together. Decorate as you like. Easy Peasy!

Please check out what the rest of the PCS DT girls have made!!

They are so incredibly creative!!!

Alicia Weiman
Emily Leiphart
Inge Groot
Kristen Catalano
Lauren Meader
MacKenzie Bruckler
Maria Bell
Mariska van der Veer
Suzanne J. Dean
Tori Hemmingway
Tracey Cuccia
Vicki Garrett

Have a Fantastic Thursday!

3 Clover Thursday Challenge #47

2010-01-14T03:48:00.004-05:00

Welcome to
3 Clovers Thursday Challenge
#47!

Thanks for coming by today!
We hope that you enjoy this weeks challenge!

this week's theme is:
Baby, It's Cold Outside!
winter theme

To participate please upload your card to your blog or SCS and leave
a direct link to that post in the comments section of this post

Then we can all enjoy your creations!
When uploading to your blog or scs please link back to this post so that everyone can join in on the fun!
If you upload to SCS please use 3CTC47 in the keyword or title so that anyone looking can easily locate it.

The Lovely & Talented Challenge Team has cooked up some
Charming samples to get your creative juices flowing!

You can get to the blogs for each of the girls by clicking on their names. Don't forget to leave them a little {{love}} (comments) when your visiting!

Sue:

Lisa:

Lorie:

Ida:

Mary Jo:

Weren't those Splendiferous!?

What are you waiting for?! Go forth and CREATE!!!

Young Love

2010-01-07T03:31:00.005-05:00

Stamps: Pink Cat Studio Digi
Paper: Flair Designs
Other: Zva Cre ative pearl Flourish; Nestabilities; Cuttlebug Embossing Folder; Martha Stewart Punch; Grosgrain ribbon; White brads;
Card Measures 6" sq

Yeah! Today is the 1st Pink Cat Studio release of 2010!!! Yesterday you got a sneak peak and today you can buy your own!
Melissa has outdone herself with some SUPAH CUTE Valentine images! All are available in digital format and 3 are available in rubber too.

You can check out oodles of great samples by the tres talented DT girls at the PCS blog.

Check out the new images:

Have a Tantalizing Thursday!

3 Clover Thursday Challenge #46

2010-01-07T02:43:00.009-05:00

Welcome to
3 Clovers Thursday Challenge
#46!

Thanks for coming by today!
We hope that you enjoy this weeks challenge!

this week's theme is:
New Year's Resolutions
Card or project that represents your goals for 2010

This challenge is going to require some extra thought and creativity.
So I am offering a prize with this one!!
The most creative entry (selected by me) will win 5 Pink Cat Studio Digi Stamps of their choice!

To participate please upload your card to your blog or SCS and leave
a direct link to that post in the comments section of this post

Then we can all enjoy your creations!
When uploading to your blog or scs please link back to this post so that everyone can join in on the fun!
If you upload to SCS please use 3CTC46 in the keyword or title so that anyone looking can easily locate it.

The Lovely & Talented Challenge Team has cooked up some
Fun and Fabulous samples to get your creative juices flowing!

You can get to the blogs for each of the girls by clicking on their names. Don't forget to leave them a little {{love}} (comments) when your visiting!

Kerry:

Lori:

Ida:

Mary Jo:

Jane:

Sue:

Kristen:

Sharon:

Weren't those Inspiring!?

What are you waiting for?! Go forth and CREATE!!!

All Things Sweet

2010-01-06T07:49:00.006-05:00

Stamps: Pink Cat Studio Paper: Basic Grey Bittersweet Other: Prima flowers; EK Success Punch; Magenta Stickles; Nestabilities; White trim; Star Dust Stickles Card Measures 6" sq

Greetings! Thanks for coming by here today! I know that I have been a bad blogger lately...but my card making and blogging mojo seem to still be on Christmas vacation.

However, this card was made before the holiday. Pink Cat Studio is releasing 15...(yes, 15!)... new images tomorrow! 3 of which will be available in both Digi and Rubber! So there is a little something for all of you. This Cupcake and sentiment is one of those that are doing double duty in rubber and digi. Cupcakes and Pixies--what could be sweeter?! Today the design team has a bunch of sneak peeks to share with you so be sure to check 'em all out and leave them some {{{love}}} too because these are some talented ladies!

Alicia Weiman
Emily Leiphart
Inge Groot
Kristen Catalano
Lauren Meader
MacKenzie Bruckler
Maria Bell
Mariska van der Veer
Suzanne J. Dean
Tori Hemmingway
Tracey Cuccia
Vicki Garrett

Then stop by the PCS blog to get in on a contest to win 5 of the new digi stamps! It's pretty easy--But you have to get over there by 8 pm EST today.
Good Luck!

I'll be back tomorrow with our challenge and another card from PCS!

Have a Wonderful Wednesday!

Good Bye 2009

2009-12-31T02:31:00.007-05:00

Stamps: Birthday Morris by Motivet; unknown alphabet
Paper: Basic Grey Lime Rickey; Other: Star punch; Nestabilities; cuttlebug embossing folder; Navy grosgrain; Blue Moon "Laugh Often" charm; Silver cord;
Card Measures 5.75" sq

Hello!!! Thanks for coming by today!! I hope that you had a wonderful Christmas! I, for one, am pooped! My house is a disaster. :( But the kids are happy. Orla was surprised and excited to have gotten her ipod. Maeve didn't doubt that Santa would bring her camera...but we stuck it behind everything else so that it would be her last gift...and every other gift she opened she exclaimed "My Camera!" followed by an "oooh". I guess we are kind of mean to tease a 3 year old like that! LOL! But when her camera appeared she was so happy! Declan's favorite gift was not from Santa...but came from Nana (my mom) in the form of a Sponge Bob Squarepants comforter. Who knew?! Not I or my mother! Best of all we had several days that we spent with family and good friends. Presents are nice, but being with my mom, sisters and some of our family friends are priceless. We have some pretty special people in our lives and we are grateful for them. My kids are doted on and loved by so many. And particularly they have great relationships with my mom and sisters. I never had such relationships with my parent's parents or their siblings. Orla spends a lot of time with my mom. Orla sleeps over her house at least twice a month. She REALLY enjoys being with her Nana. I love that they have such a close relationship, especially since I did not have this kind of relationship with my grandparents. Tomorrow we visit with Pat's sister and brother and his family.

Anyhoooo, as the 2009 goes and 2010 comes we should celebrate. Celebrate the good memories of the past year. Celebrate the hopes of the coming year.

2009 has been interesting. As luck would have it, Pat and I started off the year taking advantage of the poor economy and being able to purchase a second home on Cape Cod to spend vacations at. We rented it out for several weeks, and did enjoy a wonderful vacation there! As the year is winding up we have now become a victim of the economy with Pat being laid off from his job. Now to have a bit of security, we are sadly giving up our dream of a vacation home and renting it out on a year's lease. But we figure this is better than selling it. As when the economy pick ups we will never be able to afford a house on Cape Cod again. But we have to do what we have to do. Now, I just hope that Pat will not spend too much of 2010 unemployed.

My Stamping Journey of 2009
This time last year I had applied for about 15 (+/-) stamping design teams. Turned down by all. In mid January I was asked by the LOVELY Kelly to join her team for a store she had just started up. How honored was I?!!? Thank You Kelly!!! Later that same week, Debbie had passed on my name to Jackie from Inky Antics. She contacted me about making cards for them. Inky Antics?! WOW! Thank you to Debbie and Jackie!!!!
In March, Diana Crick asked me to join the Magnolia-licious Design Team. I had been doing handstands and backflips for months trying to get Diana to notice me. It paid off!! Now I was going to be working with THE Diana Crick of Scor Pal fame! Unfortunately, due to a conflict of interest I had to step down from Kelly's store team. This was hard, as Kelly is the first one that gave me a chance.
Then (once again) later that week I was asked to join the Hanna Stamps Design team! Whoa! When it rains it pours!!! Hanna Stamps is a totally different style than Tildas...lol...but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to work with some FANTASTIC ladies that were on that DT! I was hangin' out with Rock Stars now! LOL! Thank you to dear Vicki for giving me that opportunity. Unfortunately my time with with Hanna Stamps had an unexpected ending.
Because my card making time is limited I felt that 2 full time teams (Inky Antics is on an "as needed" basis) was enough for me. Then at the the end of September I saw a DT call for Pink Cat Studio Digi store. Oooooh...I do love those Pink Cat Studio images... I couldn't pass up the opportunity to try. So I applied for that team. And was SO excited to have been accepted! This was the first time that I had applied for a team and had been accepted! The other teams I was asked...which is definitely a nice way to be noticed as well! LOL! Melissa is another wonderful person to work with. And her creativity and talent just blows me away! After all, I can't even draw a good stick person! LOL!
Meanwhile, Hanna Stamps had sold the Riley Moose line. I was bummed. I really liked those Riley's. Well Tanya, the new Riley owner, invited the Hanna girls to be on the Riley and company team. I immediately said yes! Then thought about it....I am really starting to stretch myself. So I told Tanya that I had to change my mind. Well, Tanya was not accepting that answer. LOL! Let's just say that persistence and flattery worked. LOL! I am so easily swayed! LOL! And it's hard to resist such a CUTE MOOSE!
Then at the start of December I received a comment on my blog from someone named Stephanie asking how to get in touch with me. Out of absolutely NO WHERE, Stephanie the owner of Motivet Stamps asked me to join her team. hmmm...let me think about that: YES! LOL! I will just have to give up those 45 minutes of sleep that I was getting each night.

I am SO GRATEFUL for the opportunities that I have been given this past year to work with wonderful stamps, companies and people. Most especially the people. The company owners...the other dt members...the stamp fans that come to my blog are just all so wonderful! Seriously, I mean that. I can't deny that I enjoy getting free stamps as well. (hey? who doesn't?! LOL!) But the friendships I have made...the inspiration that I have gained are invaluable!

Thank you to my readers who make it worth it. If it weren't for your encouragement I would not be a blogger. I would not push myself to be more creative. To try new things. To reach much further than I thought I could. You have given me a greater confidence in myself. I appreciate it. Thank you.
Hugs,

3 Clover Thursday Challenge #45

2009-12-31T02:20:00.006-05:00

Welcome to
3 Clovers Thursday Challenge
#45!

Thanks for coming by today!
We hope that you enjoy this weeks challenge!

this week's theme is:
Celebration!!

To participate please upload your card to your blog or SCS and leave
a direct link to that post in the comments section of this post

Then we can all enjoy your creations!
When uploading to your blog or scs please link back to this post so that everyone can join in on the fun!
If you upload to SCS please use 3CTC45 in the keyword or title so that anyone looking can easily locate it.

The Lovely & Talented Challenge Team has cooked up some
Fun and Fabulous samples to get your creative juices flowing!

You can get to the blogs for each of the girls by clicking on their names. Don't forget to leave them a little {{love}} (comments) when your visiting!

Kerry:

Ida:

Gwamma Kment:

Mary Jo:

Kristen:

Weren't those Splendiferous!?

What are you waiting for?! Go forth and CREATE!!!

Christmas Morning

2009-12-21T10:12:00.028-05:00

Hello my friends! How are you today? I hope that you are not feeling stressed in these last few days before Christmas. Remember that if you forget a gift card or burn your cookies the world will not end. The 25th will pass and the 26th will come and life will go on. You can give that gift card for the New Year and buy some cookies at the grocery store.
It's easy for us to get caught up in all of the "stuff" and forget the true meaning of Christmas.

Anyhoooo...here is another ornament. I used my very favorite image from the So Jolly Magnolia collection: Christmas Morning Tilda. It looks like Magnolia-licious is currently out of stock of this particular stamp...but be sure that she will be back!
As a curly haired girl myself, 0I was thrilled to see Tilda with some curls! LOL! Then my pal Suzanne Dean told me that the this particular image looked like me. Now, although we email and chat quite a bit...we do not live near by one another...and have not yet met....so how did she know that I hardly ever get out of my jammies?! LOL! There were several other curly haired Tilda's in this collection...why did she choose the one in her nightgown as me?! We had some good laughs over that!

I took pics as I went along to share the EASY process of making these ornaments.
At this point, this tutorial won't be much use to you until next year. Although, I think that if you used Non-Christmas images you could hang it in your window or something like that for the whole year.
If you have any questions please ask. I will reply for all to see, as I am sure that someone else will have the same question.
Please click on the pics to see the image larger.
**********************************************************

Supplies needed:

Flat glass ornament. Available at AC Moore for $1
paper scissors
3/16" hole punch
colored image on card stock
patterned paper
thin self laminating sheet
1/4" Scor-tape or memory foil
microbeads (not needed if using memory foil)
Ribbon and/or cord for hanging

Back of Ornament:

Blank Ornament from AC Moore:

(There are many different shapes and sizes!)******************************************************

Step 1: stamp and color image on card stock.
Remove the gold cord from the glass ornament as this will be in your way.
Center glass ornament over your image.
Lightly trace around the ornament.
Don't forget to trace the hole where we will insert the ribbon later.
Use this line to cut the image out. You can cut directly on the line.
Do not cut out the hole for the cord.

********************************************************

Step 2: Choose a Patterned Paper to decorate the back of your ornament. This is especially important for people who use coloring mediums that soak through the card stock...like Copics. You don't want to have an ornament that is pretty in the front and icky in the back. I chose a pattern that was not too fussy.
***Because the glass ornaments are not symmetrical you need to place the image face down on the side of the paper that you want showing to trace it. Otherwise it will not match up well when you put them back to back.
The pencil lines will not show by the time we are through...so you need not worry.
*****Do NOT cut this out yet!! Read Next Step*****

****************************************************

Step 3: Cut out a piece of the self laminating sheet slightly larger than the size of the ornament. Peel off the white backing and place the laminate over the outline on your patterned paper.
Now you can cut out the back of the ornament.
Here is a link to the kind of sheets that I have. Basically it's just a clear sticker. This will protect the paper on the back of the ornament from wear and tear.
If you want to personalize the ornament with a name or year on the back I suggest doing so BEFORE putting the laminate on.

*****************************************************

Step 4: Adhere the 2 pieces together back to back.
The laminated side should be facing outward.

**************************************************

Step 5: Trim the excess from the back piece.

*************************************************

Step 6 : Use the appropriate size hole punch to punch out the hole for the cord.
The 3/16" size is a perfect match.

******************************************************

Step 7: Sandwich your image and glass ornament together. Be sure that it is lined up properly...including the hole at the top. If it seems not to be, than flip the glass over. As I mentioned, these are not always symmetrical. Try to trim off any pieces of card stock that is hanging past the edges of the glass.

Hold it in place and wrap your Scor-Tape around the edges of the ornament leaving a lip on both the front and the back.
I started at the top and wrapped it all the way around...I overlapped a little at the end.
This the trickiest part to explain so I took pictures of several views.

(I also think that you could use Ranger Foil tape instead of Scor-Tape.
If so then you do not need the beads)

*************************************************

Step 8: Before peeling off the backing of the Scor-tape, run your finger along the edge to make sure there are no bubbles Then fold the tape over the glass in the front and the laminate. Press firmly and try to make sure there are few bumps. You don't want the micro beads to get under it. You can remove the tape backing now.

***************************************************

Step 9: Cover the Scor-tape with beads. Make sure there is no tape showing. Use your fingers to press the beads firmly into place. You may have to dip and press several times to get full coverage. (In my sample above I used a mixture of blue, green and clear beads. I do not suggest using clear beads with colors...the clear beads look like empty spots.)

*********************************************************

Step 10: Put your cord or ribbon through the hole and enjoy your creation!
(I looped some gold cord through, then tied a bow around the cord.)

Below are the Copics that I used to color my image.
(additional colors like skin and cheeks are in my side bar)

I hope this was useful for you. They are quite easy to make!

Happy Holidays!

Chocolate Snowdrops

2009-12-20T13:47:00.005-05:00

INGREDIENTS

1 (18.25 ounce) package devil's food cake mix with pudding
2 1/4 cups frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 egg
1/3 cup confectioners' sugar for decoration

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Combine cake mix, whipped topping and egg; mix well. Mixture will be sticky.
Drop 1 inch sized balls of dough into confectioners' sugar; roll slightly to form uniform size balls. Place on lightly greased baking sheet 2 inches apart. Bake 10-12 minutes. Remove to racks to cool. Store in tightly covered container.

Hello! I thought I'd share another cookie recipe. This one SO easy and inexpensive to make. But they are always a big hit!! They come out soft, chewy and moist. I got this recipe from AllRecipes.com a few years back. It is important NOT to overcook these. And using parchment paper when baking the cookies helps. Also something that is VERY important is when storing cookies (any homemade cookies) is to store them in a tightly covered container. If you put them on a plate and cover them with plastic wrap they are going to go hard. If you don't have any rubbermaid or tupperware-like containers you are better off using a large Ziplock bag to keep the air out.

Enjoy!!

Christmas Memories

2009-12-18T00:34:00.005-05:00

Stamps: Penguin Hug from Motivet. Sentiment from retired from SU
Paper: oh gosh...I can't remember right now
Other: Gold Embossing Powder; Martha Stewart snowflake punch
and snow flake border punch; Nesties label die and snowflake die;
Gold Ribbon; Iridescent Gold glimmer mist; Kaiser White pearls; other gold pearls
Card Measures 6" sq

Hello Friends! Thanks for coming by today!
Wow another week is gone. One week until Christmas. Where has December gone? Remember as kids that December seemed so impossibly LONG...why now does it seem to be over in a blink? And why is it that now instead of feeling excited, I feel jaded?

Christmas is so magical as a child. Orla is eight this year...it is bringing back memories of the Christmas that I was 8. I think that was my favorite Christmas EVER. I remember that we had sold our house a few months before and was waiting for a new house to be built...so in the meantime the 5 of us live in a 3 room apartment. A kitchen, a bedroom and a living room. Usually we had lots of decorations around the house. We use to go cut down our tree every year. But that year due to confinement and stuff being packed away we just had a small "faux" tree. But we had lots of laughs. And Santa was extra good to us that year. It was 1983 and I, like most other little girls wanted a Cabbage Patch Kid! (hmmm...I wonder if that is when my desire to adopt a child some day began!?) I really wanted one with a pacifier too. :) Also on my wish list that year: Michael Jackson's Thriller cassette tape...um, and a something to play it on I got all three! I know there was other stuff too...I can't imagine a Christmas went by that I didn't want and get some Barbies. I LOVED Barbies. I also remember that my little sisters got Cabbage Patch Kids too. My mom now tells me that she got lucky and on several occasions had walked into a store and they had just gotten a shipment of CPK dolls in. So she would get what she could and even got some for her friend's kids.
It was only a few months later that I found out the truth about Santa. :( I hope that Orla still believes for a few more years. Speaking of Orla...she does not have much interest in dolls. Not even Barbies!!!! I am not sure if she is my kid. LOL! She, at the same age that I was hoping for a Cabbage Patch Kid, has dreams of Ipods and her own cell phone!! ACK! No way is she getting a cell phone!!!!!! I went back and forth about the Ipod. Finally I caved and bought her one. She has been told that she is not responsible enough for Santa to bring her an Ipod and that she should not expect one. So I think she will be SO EXCITED to get her pink Ipod. That and a few small things. She has never been much into toys. She has always preferred a pad of paper and a pen and writing her own stories or reading about polar bears or geography. She likes facts over fiction. I did get her a 2010 Guinness book of word records that I think she will find interesting. And a kids book about Barack Obama that I know she will love....she loves politics! :) I certainly wasn't thinking about Ronald Regan when I was her age and listening to my Thriller tape! LOL!

Enough of my blabber!! Today's card uses the Penguin Hug stamp from Motivet. And Oh my gosh...I LOVE IT!!! They are just so stinkin' ADORABLE all snuggled up together! I think this would make a cute card for a friend or your snuggle-muffin. Heehee I can see a valentine with this or a for a winter Birthday. I just love it!! Anyhoooooo, this card was made for this week's challenge over at the Motivet blog. Stephanie has a FABULOUS sketch this week! You can check out the deets HERE.

The patterned paper that I used has a really pretty shimmer to it. SO although I was happy with how the coloring of the image turned out...it looked a little "blah" when I but it in front of the shimmery paper. So I dug out my Glimmer Mist and sprayed it on. Ooohhh...aaaaah! Now I was happy! I took a close up of the the image trying to show the shimmer and Glimmer....but glitter and shimmer and sparkle don't translate well across computer screens. This is always so sad. But click on the picture to see it larger and try to get the effect. :) I definitely have to use my Glimmer Mist more often!!

Ok...well it is nearly 3 am. I still have to make Orla's lunch for school tomorrow. And iron school clothes before I go to bed. So I better finish this up.

>>>>>But before I go, I would love if you'd leave a comment and share your favorite Christmas memory. Or a beloved childhood gift. Or something that made your Christmases special as a child.
I always love reading your responses.
And I think it's fun to take a few minutes to remember the magic!

Have a Stupendous Weekend!!

Patting Myself On The Back...

2009-12-17T04:01:00.000-05:00

Hello!!! Thank you so much for stopping by today!!!

Sometimes I think I am so clever! Heeheehee! Isn't great when once in awhile we impress ourselves? ;)
I am patting myself on the back for 2 reasons today. The first being that I convinced 8 talented, creative, kind-hearted, Fantabulous ladies to be on my 3 Clovers Thursday Challenge team!!
Not only am I lucky, so are you!! They share their creativity each week with you. Each of them have a different style that is unique to them...and I am so thankful for these girls!
If you can, please make an effort to visit their blogs and thank them for being a part of my team. It would really mean a lot to me and likely to them. Spread the joy during the holidays!

Ida P. Krause
Jane Bosi
Kristen Catalano
Lisa Somerville
Lorie Ames
Mary Jo Price-Williams
Sharon Caudle
Sue Kment

The next reason that I am patting myself on the back is that I bought this plain glass ornament at (AC Moore for only $1) and actually made something with it!! And I only bought 2 instead of 50. Heeheehee...we all know that I have a bulk buying problem. But here is exactly why: Now I wish I bought more!!! And I can't find any more now. :( Boo Hoo!! AND, I was even pretty impressed with how well the ornament turned out!! You know, sometimes I make things and I enjoy making them...but they look kind of cheezy. Or they are impractical. But this, I would actually give to others AND hang on my own tree! Hahahaha

When I emailed this to the lovely Diana Crick, to put in the Magnolia-licious store gallery, she asked me how I made it. So I tried explaining...but I don't think I did a very good job. The short answer is that the image (the SOOOOO PRETTY SILENT NIGHT TILDA) is done on regular cardstock and is under the glass. Also, I laminated a piece of patterned paper and put that behind the cardstock to make the back pretty too. (The laminate is to make is more durable)
This is all held together with 1/4" scor-tape. I then covered the scor-tape with microbeads.
If this isn't clear let me know. I will do a photo tutorial if their is enough demand. After all, I have a second ornament! LOL! If I knew how to use my video camera I would do that...but I only know how to video things...but not get it off the camera and onto my computer....YIKES! I still have stuff on there from when we went to VietNam to adopt Maeve in 2007!!!!!

I hope that you can come back tomorrow.
I have card to share that uses THE CUTEST Motivet image!!!!

Have a Tremendous Thursday!

3 Clover Thursday Challenge #44

2009-12-17T04:00:00.001-05:00

Welcome to
3 Clovers Thursday Challenge
#44!

Thanks for coming by today!
We hope that you enjoy this weeks challenge!

this week's theme is:
Ornaments

To participate please upload your card to your blog or SCS and leave
a direct link to that post in the comments section of this post

Then we can all enjoy your creations!
When uploading to your blog or scs please link back to this post so that everyone can join in on the fun!
If you upload to SCS please use 3CTC44 in the keyword or title so that anyone looking can easily locate it.

The Lovely & Talented Challenge Team has cooked up some
STUNNING samples to get your creative juices flowing!

You can get to the blogs for each of the girls by clicking on their names. Don't forget to leave them a little {{love}} (comments) when your visiting!

Kerry:

Sharon:(see her blog for more views!)

Mary Jo:

Lisa:

Lorie:

Sue:
(see her blog for more views and another ornament!)

Weren't those Super Dee Duper!?

What are you waiting for?! Go forth and CREATE!!!

Spreading Love

2009-12-15T14:32:00.005-05:00

This is Ethan. Ethan is 7 years old. He has neuroblastoma (cancer). And it is spreading.
Ethan is the cousin of my best friend, Kristen. You can read his entire story on her blog.

Ethan also has an older sister named Sierra who who worries about him and takes such good care of him.

Both Ethan and Sierra love to get mail. Do you have an extra card or even two that you can send them this Holiday Season? It doesn't have to be a handmade card. It would really make their day!!!

Ethan & Sierra's mailing info:

Ethan & Sierra Smith

27 Donna Street

Nashua, NH 03060

Please feel free to share their story. Help us spread the love!!

Thank you and God Bless.

Purple Kitty

2009-12-13T23:42:00.008-05:00

Stamps: Lucy from Motivet; sentiment is retired from SU!; inside sentiment from Inky Antics
Paper: SU! Cottage Wall
Other: Prima Hydrangeas; Basic Grey Brads; spacer beads; Kaiser Plum pearls; Jolee's crystal flower charm; Martha Stewart Loopy Border punch; Nestabilities;
Card Measures 5.5" Sq

Hello! Happy Monday, my friends! I hope that you all had a delightful weekend. Maybe some Hanukkah or Christmas Activities? Pat and my mom took the girls to a Christmas party in my hometown. I stayed home with Declan. As he does not like that kind of stuff. He gets overwhelmed when there are a lot of people and noise and such . I had taken the girls to breakfast with Santa last weekend at Orla's school. (the pic is of the girls last weekend) Maeve isn't one bit afraid of Santa. She sat right up there and told him exactly what she wanted. A camera! It's the only thing she has been asking for so I think Santa will bring it. ;) (a kid's camera!!)
Of course I have been trying to get the elusive Zhu Zhu Pets for the girls too. Toys R Us is taunting me with daily emails saying that they have them in for the first 100 customers "starting at 3 pm" . Too bad I didn't get the email until 3:02! I live out in the country...I have drive over a half hour to get to TRU. They are really ticking me off by not letting me buy my zhu zhu pets online! I like to shop online. And I am sorry, but I am just not paying the silly prices on Ebay for one. With Pat not working, even if I wanted to pay those prices I couldn't. OK...that is my whining for today! LOL!

I made today's card for Motivet's Friday challenge. This week the challenge was to make a monochromatic card. (There could more colors in the main image...after all a purple kitten might be a little bit freaky!) This little kitty's name is Lucy. She is one of Motivet's most recent releases. Isn't she adorable hugging her little fish?! heeheehee! If you participate in the weekly challenge you have a chance to win 3 or 5 stamps of your choice! You can also win stamps weekly by just commenting on the blog. Cool Beans, huh!?! I love FREE! :)

Well, that's all I got for today. Thanks for stopping by.

Have a Majestic Monday!

Bailey's Irish Cream Bars

2009-12-12T19:31:00.004-05:00

Hello! Here's a merry recipe for you!

I like to bake anytime of the year but especially Christmas. I made these for the neighborhood Christmas Cookie exchange a few years ago. They were a big hit.

However, when making them in these quantities this recipe gets expensive! You go through those bottles of Bailey's pretty quickly!! A little in the mixing bowl and a little for me! LOL! ;) just kidding!

Ingredients:
***For Cake:***
1 package yellow cake mix
3 eggs
2/3 cup Bailey's Irish Cream
1/3 cup oil
***For Swirl:***
1 can cream cheese vanilla frosting
1 package white chocolate chips (12 oz)
1/4 cup Bailey's Irish Cream

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350. Prepare a jelly roll pan (about 15 x 10 x1 ). Mix cake mix with eggs, Irish Cream and oil. Set aside 1/2 cup of prepared cake batter for swirl. Pour cake batter into prepared pan. In a small bowl, blend all swirl ingredients. Drop large spoonfuls of this mixture over the cake batter. Swirl with a fork to make a marble effect. Bake 25 - 30 minutes. Cool and cut into squares.

I have also made a Bailey's Irish Cream cake...but can't find the recipe at the moment! There are lots of Irish Cream baking recipes on the internet...and they all sound yummy!

Enjoy!

♫ ♪ ♫ It's Begining to Look a Lot Like Christmas ♪ ♫ ♪

2009-12-10T04:01:00.000-05:00

Stamps: Santa's little Helper from Magnolia-licious
Paper: from the Magnolia So Jolly Collection
Other: 5/8" organdy ribbon; unknown teeny tiny buttons; Craft Boa; Polar White Flower Soft

Hello! Thanks for stopping by today!!
I hope that you don't mind that I decorated for the holidays around here! I usually try to keep the ol' blog fairly simple and uncluttered...but it just doesn't seem right not decorating it up for Christmas! :)

I have 2 cards to share with you today. Above is my card for this month's Magnolia-licious DT December DT sketch. Although, we have started to stray away from strictly sketches! This months hostess with the mostess is the oh so unbelievably talented Cheryl! Cheryl has challenge us to make a card in a shape other than squares or rectangles. You can read all the deets at the Magnolia-licious Highlites Blog about how you can participate.
Shaped cards are always a challenge for me. I never know what to do. As I mentioned last week, my inspiration at any given moment usually comes from me wanting to use a specific product or image and working the rest of the card around that. This is no different. I cleaned up my craft room a little over the weekend and found a few things that I forgot I had. One was this white fluffy boa. I know I bought this several years ago for a purpose...but forget what that purpose was! LOL! Anyhoooo, I was determined to use this. Finally I settled on a mitten. The great thing is that a mitten is such an easy shape that I could even draw the template freehand. Hahaha...I always say that if I could draw I wouldn't need to stamp! I would just draw up my own images. Unfortunately even my stick people leave a lot to be desired. HAHAHA. So I chose this ADORABLE Tilda to perch herself upon my mitten. Have I mentioned how much I {HEART} this Christmas line from Magnolia?! Each image is cuter than the last!

I am going to move right along to my next card. Because as usual it is after 3 am when I am typing this post up! And I rescheduled yesterday's appointment to today! (I know! I said I wouldn't...but it was snowing so heavy!)

Stamps: Retired SU! Snowflakes
Paper: Sugar Coated White from Doodlebug; Navy; Brushed Silver
Other: Navy Organdy; Martha Stewart Snowflake punch; blue and clear rhinestones; Silver pigment ink; Iridescent Ice embossing powder from SU!
Card Measures 5.5" sq

Today's 3CTC was a little hard for me. Most of the stamps I use these days are "line art". Meaning that they need to be colored in. ANd I was having a difficult time finding one that would be suitable using only the colors White, Blue and Silver. What was I thinking when I came up with this challenge?! LOL! I must have seen a card that I thought was pretty elsewhere that used these colors. :)

I thought about a card that I had made several years ago. And decided to "CASE" myself. But to somewhat improve on the original card. Jeesh! I hope that improved on a card that I made 5 years ago! The thing is: I thought I totally rocked that card back then!! LOL! Didn't we all?! LOL! You can see my original HERE.

As I mentioned in the recipe above, I used silver embossing ink...but Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder. (um, yeah, Christmas is about the only time I ever do any embossing...I am just too lazy the rest of the year to pull out that heat gun and all those little powders!) Iridescent Ice EP is a clear EP with sparkle to it. But because I used the silver ink, it maintains a silver color. In the close up picture I am trying to show that sparkle.

I hope that you enjoyed these cards today. I have to go to bed!

Have a Joyful Thursday!

3 Clover Thursday Challenge #43

2009-12-10T04:00:00.003-05:00

Welcome to
3 Clovers Thursday Challenge
#43!

Thanks for coming by today!
We hope that you enjoy this weeks challenge!

this week's challenge is:
Blue-White-Silver Holiday Card

To participate please upload your card to your blog or SCS and leave
a direct link to that post in the comments section of this post

Then we can all enjoy your creations!
When uploading to your blog or scs please link back to this post so that everyone can join in on the fun!
If you upload to SCS please use 3CTC43 in the keyword or title so that anyone looking can easily locate it.

The Lovely & Talented Challenge Team has cooked up some
LOVELY samples to get your creative juices flowing!

You can get to the blogs for each of the girls by clicking on their names. Don't forget to leave them a little {{love}} (comments) when your visiting!

Kerry:

Lorie:

Sue:

Ida:

Lisa:

Mary Jo:

Weren't those PULCHRITUDINOUS!?

What are you waiting for?! Go forth and CREATE!!!

Dear Santa, I can explain....

2009-12-09T01:06:00.008-05:00

Stamps: Doraline-Sorry by Motivet; All sentiments were computer generated.
Paper: Bo Bunny (older-from my stash)
Other: Kaiser Red pearls; Martha Stewart branch punch; various trims and ribbons; Silver charm from Bunny Zoe's shop...maybe the green roses were from there too...not sure; Prima flowers; Nestabilities
Card Measures 6 inches square

Hello Friends! Thanks for stopping by today!
I hope that you are having a Wonderful Wednesday. We are expecting some snow today...I am typing this at 2 am Wednesday morning...so it has not yet started...but they already canceled school for Wednesday. It's not suppose to be a lot of snow...maybe 4-6 inches around my area. It's just that the timing will be when the kids (and adults!) would be riding to school. And it's suppose to accumulate at an inch-2 inches an hour. So it's just bad timing really. I don't work outside of my home, so I don't have to worry about the commute on most days. But today I have an appointment that I don't want to reschedule...so I guess I will be out driving in the mess. The good thing about my husband being home is that he will be here with the kids and I don't have to worry about rescheduling. :)

Today's card uses a Motivet Stamp that I purchased back in June. This is little Doraline...and she is SORRY! I bought her because when I came across the Motivet booth at the stamp convention I was overwhelmed with trying to make a desicion on which stamps to buy. ALL of them were so cute! And unfortunately, I was not aware that Motivet was there and came across them after I had already spent too much money. :( So I was trying to choose just one or maybe two stamps. When I am overwhelmed with trying to choose stamps I generally will choose what I consider to be versatile stamps. Stamps that I can use for multi-purposes. Whether it's a birthday, Mother's Day, Christmas....etc...This is one of those stamps. And this Doraline reminds me of my little Maeve: She's so cute that it hardly matters what she was just caught doing! LOL! Maeve will be 3 soon and has learned just the right way and timing to say "I sorry mommy". She really says it like she means it. With guilt, sadness, and innocence in her eyes. She just melts my heart. I believe that if Maeve were ever on Santa's naughty list she could change his mind in a heartbeat too. (PS- you can see my Summer version of this stamp HERE.)

So about a week and a half ago I was invited to become a member of the Motivet Design Team. It was a total "pinch me so I know it's not a dream" moment! Even as I type this, I feel a little dizzy! The thing that I thought was hilarious, was that Stephanie, (Motivet owner) asked me like I might say no...HA! Uuuuummm.... like I might have turned this FANTASTICAL opportunity down!!!!
She mentioned that every Friday they have a challenge on the Inspiration blog. This past Friday was a gorgeous sketch. I did not receive my new stamps until yesterday, but I thought that this Doraline would be perfect trying to explain her way off Santa's naughty list! So I created the sentiment for the outside and inside of the card on my computer. And I think she looks just as cute dressed up for Christmas as she did in her summer outfit. :)

There are lots of ways to win FREE STAMPS at the Motivet Inspiration blog (I love FREE stuff! heeheehee):
1) Comment! Every week one winner is chosen to win 5 stamps just for commenting...so you know what? the more you comment, the better your chances are for winning!
2) Participate in the challenge for the week because 2 winners are chosen out of the participants. (and right now there are only 14 participants in this week's challenge!!)
3) Right now Stephanie is giving one lucky stamper all 12 of the recent releases!

Ok....well it is nearly 3 AM now....and I am not even sure if I typed up complete thoughts on this post....and I am too tired at this point to proof-read. hahahaha! You know when I have lot's of incomplete thoughts and misspellings that I didn't proof-read. Meaning I was exhausted or in a hurry to post. hahahaha!

So off to bed I am!

Have a Warm and Toasty Wednesday!

Blog Candy Winner!!

2009-12-08T04:06:00.004-05:00

Loved reading the responses on your favorite Christmas songs!!! So many wonderful songs to choose from. Thank you to everyone who shared!

The randomly selected winner is:

Mary Lou said...: Hi Kerry~~ Christmas--what fabulous time of the year!! My fave xmas song, I would have to say "Silver Bells" but I do like many others:-) Linked your candy on my sidebar.
Thanks and Blessings
Mary Lou

Congrats to Mary Lou! Mary Lou, please contact me with your mailing address.

Thanks to everyone who participated!

And speaking of Blog Candy...Motivet has a big give away going on! You can enter until December 15th for a chance to win their newest 12 stamps! And talk about CUTE!!!

Angles and Sheep

2009-12-03T04:01:00.000-05:00

Stamps: #3010 Christmas Angel from Magnolia-Licious Other: 2" Wired Ribbon; Gold self adhesive pearls by unknown; Gold embossing powder; Inky Light Deluxe Starter Kit from Inky Antics; Copics: Hair: E99, Y23,11...Dress: E31,30,000....Wings: G85,82,20...burgundy trim/shoes: R39,37....Stars: Y28,26,23 and the gold Spica.

I am in love!
With this OH SO SWEET Christmas Angel Tilda! Another new stamp image from the So Jolly Collection available at Magnolia-licious. I hope that I have time to use all the stamps before Christmas!!! I think I will make time! They are SOOOOO ADORABLE!! Don't we say that about every collection!? LOL! But seriously, how sweet is this little Angel?!
I am also in love with these light blocks. I have seen them around the stamping world for several years, but never attempted one. Finally, I got the kit from Inky Antics. I have been waiting to get my new Magnolia Christmas stamps to make a light...and I am glad...because every once in awhile I make something that I am really pleased with. This is one of them. You know why? Because I think it has a WOW factor but is WAY easy to make. The Inky kit has everything except the stamps and ribbon in it! This made it SO EASY for my first light. Because I didn't have to go out and find everything on my own and guess if I were getting the right things. No, Inky Antics is not asking to promote these! LOL! I know I sound like I am a 2 am infomercial for Inky Light kits...but seriously, so easy! Sure, then once you got it down you can try to get the elements needed on your own. But I have spent the week trying to find glass blocks at a reasonable price or in this 4.5" size....also I can't find mini sets of light on WHITE cords. On the ones I am finding the cords are green...which I think would take away from this. The instructions on how to make the light are HERE. I also purchase an EZ Bow Maker from Michaels. Another handy dandy item that helped me to make this pretty bow in just a few minutes. I was pretty happy with that. I have to say that even Pat was impressed when I brought the finished project up. I got an authentic "Oh wow! That's NICE!" Then he starts man-handling it trying to see how it was put together...my glue wasn't even totally dry yet! LOL!

Talk about cute image overload! Looky at the new Digi Images that Pink Cat Studio is releasing today!! I must say that I am pretty darn lucky to be on some FANTASTIC Design Teams... All these cute images to work with!

I made the card below with the same sheep image. I just flipped it and resized it. That way I had a whole sheep family. I will be posting a card with that adorable piggy in the near future. I just haven't made it yet!

Well, it's 3:30 in the AM so I need to be off to bed. But before I go, I want to thank everyone for the all the prayers and good thoughts for my hubby to resume work soon. All prayers and and good jujus are appreciated. I am also glad that many of you enjoyed my wacky thought process of making a card! Heck, with I am surprised that you actually read all that!! LOL! Thanks for stopping by here each day your comments are always appreciated. (((hugs)))

Have a Tremendous Thursday!

3 Clover Thursday Challenge #42

2009-12-03T04:00:00.001-05:00

Welcome to
3 Clovers Thursday Challenge
#42!

Thanks for coming by today!
We hope that you enjoy this weeks challenge!

this week's theme is:
Gifts (non card items)

To participate please upload your card to your blog or SCS and leave
a direct link to that post in the comments section of this post

Then we can all enjoy your creations!
When uploading to your blog or scs please link back to this post so that everyone can join in on the fun!
If you upload to SCS please use 3CTC42 in the keyword or title so that anyone looking can easily locate it.

The Lovely & Talented Challenge Team has cooked up some
LOVELY samples to get your creative juices flowing!

You can get to the blogs for each of the girls by clicking on their names. Don't forget to leave them a little {{love}} (comments) when your visiting!

Kerry:

Kristen:

Sue:

Sharon:

Lisa:

Weren't those Super Dee Duper!?

What are you waiting for?! Go forth and CREATE!!!

The Little Things....

2009-12-02T07:38:00.008-05:00

Stamps: #3019 Jolly Wreath from Magnolia-Licious; sentiment from Memory Box
Paper: Memory Box
Other: Nestabilities; gold ribbon from Michaels; Kaiser pearls; Vintage Christmas Flower Soft; Icicle Stickles; Martha Stewart branch punch and Doily border punch; charm and flowers from Bunny Zoe's Store.
Copics: Hair: E99,Y23,11.....Shirt: R89, 85; 81....Green on dress: YG99, 97, 95...Dress: E42,41, 0000...shoes: E47,44,43.

Hello! Thanks for stopping by today!! I know! I know! I haven't posted again for almost a week. My hubby got laid off from work almost 2 weeks ago and with him home my schedule for making cards and posting to the blog is all messed up. Plus, I can't have him knowing how much time I really spend on and off the computer all day! hahahaha
Although it is scary that there is no paycheck coming in, I do like having him around. And so do the kids. Normally Pat works 6 days a week, 10 hours a day. Then on Sundays he is always doing stuff around the house. He doesn't like to be idle and no one can ever accuse him of being lazy! I guess growing up on a Dairy farm does this...as all of his brothers and sisters are very hard workers. They don't know how to take a break. In fact, none of them have hobbies or side interests like golf. Pat always talks about retiring...so he can open up his own painting (walls not art!) business...LOL...oooh...the relaxation of retirement! hahahaha
So he is keeping busy around here....trust me there is plenty to do....but at least he doesn't feel so rushed. However, it is hard to enjoy it completely as it is scary not knowing when we will have a paycheck again. I am not typically a worrier. Pat is very much a worrier. I tend to believe that "every thing will work out". I have several reasons why I think this way....from believing in kharma to believing in God's plan. :) But I am starting to worry. I wish I could say we have oodles of money in the bank to pay for the bills, but we don't. And the thought of Christmas....YIKES. I don't want to tell Pat that even I am worried, otherwise that might push him over the edge. I really thought that he wouldn't actually get laid off and that if he did he had enough contacts and resources that he would be working again after a couple of days. Unfortunately, things are not panning out that way. *sigh* I am sorry to vent it all here....many times I feel that blogging about stuff is like therapy...an impartial/unaffected 3rd party. I also know that in this economy we are not the only ones.

Anyhoooooooooo, I took lots of pictures of this card to share with you. Although I chit chat a lot on here, I don't share many details about my cards....why? Because I don't feel that I am doing anything so special that I need to explain it. LOL! I think my cards are fine. I can cut a straight edge and can color in the lines! It took me about 3+ hours to make this one card. And I looked at it and thought: WHY?!! Why does such a simple looking card take me so long?! Then I thought of all the "Little Things" that are not difficult...just time consuming. So I thought I would share some of these things with you. If this is the stuff you want me to post more often let me know...because I feel that I may just be boring you these details.

My first dilemma was choosing which Tilda to use! I received my So Jolly stamps from Magnolia-licious and they are seriously, ALL SO STINKIN' ADORABLE that I couldn't decide on which one to start with! Diana still has some in stock...for the moment!! So head on over to get yours! Diana usually gets them out to you lickety split!

I always, always, ALWAYS choose my paper first. I color my images to match the paper I want to use. This way I don't spend an hour coloring an image to my satisfaction and then not have the paper to coordinate with it. I could have colored this image with a true RED and true Green...but honestly, most of my Christmas papers that I have do not have true red or true green in them. I have a lot of burgundy and olive. Or non traditional colors like pink, teal and orange.

Next is the coloring: I usually have to color 2 images...I will get half way through the 1st one and mess up some how. I also keep an extra image or 2 handy to try things out on. Which set of reds will achieve the look I want? I can't always tell just by looking at my Copic chart. How do I achieve the light, barely there beige that I have in my head? And quite honestly, one of the hardest things for me when coloring faces is the CHEEKS! Not rosey enough or too red! So I do them and hope for the best. Then I might go over them with My E000 to lighten them up...then it dries and they look too light. So I go back and add a little more R11...then a little R20....ACK! Too red now! go back and do E000 over the face...Now she looks ghostly. Add some E00...More R20 for the cheeks...oh darn!!! by now her cheeks have expanded to her whole face! My coloring is not a science! LOL! Sometimes I literally say to myself: Kerry, put down the markers and walk away. Soooo I go get a drink or something and come back and look at the image with fresh eyes. Coloring a Tilda or Edwin can take me an hour or more. I enjoy it. And I usually like the end result, so that is why I don't mind putting this time into it. Plus, someone's coloring is probably the 1st thing I notice when I look at a card.
Something else that I consider after I use my die to cut around the image....Do I want to leave a mostly white background behind Tilda or sponge or color....if I don't want to leave the white...what look am I going for? This determines the color of ink I use to to sponge. Much of the time I choose brown...it is a safe color for me! LOL! Not on this card, but often, I will go around the edge of the cardstock around the image with my 2 way glue pen, then dip it into glitter....just have the slightest sparkle around the image.

Assembling the card. I don't adhere anything down until I am sure...and even them, I am usually trying to pull something apart. I use an ATG gun and that adhesive is TACKY...once paper is adhere to paper....usually that's it! No changing your mind! LOL! I try to decide what part of the pattern on the paper do I want peeking out and what can be under the main image.
I hem and I haw....about what embellishments to use....where to put them...not having the right color ribbon. Wishing my charm was gold or brass toned instead of silver because I want to use gold ribbon and I usually don't like to mix silver and gold. Should I use the wreath charm or the stocking? What about the Christmas tree charm...But she's holding a wreath...why not use the wreath? I don't want to over do it on the wreaths...the stocking looks cute...Man! I wish it wasn't silver! Then flowers are always a big deal...do I have ones that coordinate with my paper? Do I really want to start "fluffing it up" with a bunch of flowers? Where will I put them if I do? Does this take away from the image? With this card I decided NOT to put any on the from of the card because I knew I was going to add Flower Soft to thee wreath and thought that maybe having all that FS on the wreath and a bunch of flowers would just be a bit too much. Again, I don't always think that More is More. It can be distracting.
To get the bow and ribbon to look and lay nicely I do them separately. I wrap a piece of flat ribbon around the card stock and adhere it with the ATG in the back. No tying or knots yet. Then with a separate piece of ribbon I tie my bow. Before adhering it with a glue dot, I take a piece of thread and tie it around the flat ribbon that is already on the card so that it is slightly puckered and it gives it the look that it was made with all one piece of ribbon. if I didn't do this, the flat ribbon in the back would be wider than the knot of the bow. Does this make sense? Also before placing the bow on, I tie a piece of clear thread onto the charm and adhere the thread with a glue dot behind the bow. This way it looks like it was tied up with the bow. I do not put any adhesive behind the actual charm...it swings freely.

Flower Soft and/or Stickles. I assemble and adhere the entire card (inside and out) before I add the Flower Soft and Stickles. Why ? Because these things need to dry and if I am working with the card still I will mess up the FS or stickles. And plenty of time I have added my stickles and then decided that I need to "fix" something else or add something else...and end up smearing the stickles! All over my image and my hands. Flower is interesting stuff. it can get a bit "flat" or spotty....so I layer it over itself sometimes. Because the wreath had little ins and outs and not a strait edge I actually squirted the glue down then used a small paint brush to spread into the smaller spots. then smooshed my FS on. I let it dry for a few minutes then squirted more glue right on top of the stuff that was already there. (the glue dries clear.) Then smooshed on another layer. You must let the first layer dry a bit first!! otherwise it will slide around.
Because I had a thick layer of flower soft Tilda's hands looked lost. I mean if she were holding the wreath her hands would be over the wreath...not sunk down into it. so I stamped another image...colored the hands only and cut them out. Then I pop-dotted them over the original image.
Finally, I used a small paintbrush to apply stickles. I squirted the stickles onto a scrap piece of paper, then picked it up with a paint brush to the wings. I did this because I only wanted a thin layer on the wings AND because I wanted to make sure to get into the little tiny spots. To do her "halo" I just squirted it directly one, but did use the paint brush to move it around a little to have an even coat...so it wasn't bumpy. Then I thought it would look pretty to add some stickles to the flowers that are keeping the easel part up. So again with the brush and scrap paper I applied a thin coat to the edges of the petals and the leaves/ branches.

So that's why such a simple looking card can take me so long! You can click on any picture to see it larger.

I know I have to announce a winner for my blog candy....I forgot that yesterday was the 1st. I have to run now as tying this post has taken me forever....so I will it announce the winner later today!

Have a Fantabulous Wednesday!

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T02:46:00.009-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

Just a quick post today to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!

I also want to share that tomorrow Pink Cat Studio has a special
Black Friday promotion for you:

Spend $3 or more in the either the Digi store or
the Rubber store and receive this ENCHANTING little
Sugar Plum Fairy Digi image free!

Also please don't forget to check out my blog candy!

Have a Wonderful Day!
xoxoxo

3 Clover Thursday Challenge #41

2009-11-26T02:28:00.012-05:00

Welcome to
3 Clovers Thursday Challenge
#41!

Thanks for coming by today!
We hope that you enjoy this weeks challenge!

Today is Thanksgiving in the USA, so this week's theme is:
So Thankful
A Thanksgiving or Thank You card

To participate please upload your card to your blog or SCS and leave
a direct link to that post in the comments section of this post

Then we can all enjoy your creations!
When uploading to your blog or scs please link back to this post so that everyone can join in on the fun!
If you upload to SCS please use 3CTC41 in the keyword or title so that anyone looking can easily locate it.

The Lovely & Talented Challenge Team has cooked up some
LOVELY samples to get your creative juices flowing!

You can get to the blogs for each of the girls by clicking on their names. Don't forget to leave them a little {{love}} (comments) when your visiting!

Kerry:

Ida:

Lisa:

Mary Jo:

Sue:

Lorie:

Jane:

Weren't those exhilarating!?

What are you waiting for?! Go forth and CREATE!!!

Stocking Stuffer

2009-11-24T10:09:00.003-05:00

Stamps: Digi stamp from The Greeting Farm. Sentiment retired SU.
Paper: Papertrey Ink Christmas
Other: Gold satin ribbon from Michaels; Nesties; Top Not sizzix die; Sparkly Stuff; Dazzling diamonds glitter; pom pom
Copics used: Hat, ribbon and patches: R29, 24,22....Stocking: YG97, 95, 93.....
Mouse: E37, 35, 31...inside ears: R11, 20
Card Measures 5.5 sq.

Hello Friends! Thank you so much for stopping by today!
It's going to be a slow card week here. I am taking a little break. I am waiting on bated breath for my Magnolia Christmas stamps and Winter Kit...so I am resting up until those arrive. :) The So Jolly collection is IN THE HOUSE at Magnolia-licious!! So if you didn't pre-order...head on over to get yours!

Meanwhile, I bought this ADORABLE digi stamp from The Greeting Farm! I do love the instant gratification of getting the digi stamps in my hot little hands immediately. The other night as I stared at my one million stamps, I thought to myself: I have no stamps! LOL! At least none that were calling out for me to use them. Yeah, poor me. So I went to my computer and printed this out. And since I had not actually used any of the Papertrey Ink paper from the pad that I bought last year, I figured that I should use some of that. And for some reason I was determined to use this Top Note Die. This is how many of my cards come together....I am determined to use a specific item, or paper, or image....no matter what! And, its not that I don't like these items...it's quite the opposite....I DO LIKE THEM....but don't use them enough or at all.

I am so happy to see that many of you have been enjoying the 3 Clover Challenges the past few weeks! Although this Thursday is Thanksgiving we WILL be having our challenge as usual...after all, you will need something to help you wind down on Saturday after all the turkey and shopping!!! hahahaa

And forget to check out my BLOG YUMMIES !!!

Have a Mirthful Thursday!

Christmas Blog Yummies!!

2009-11-21T14:36:00.003-05:00

Time for some Blog Yummies!!!!

I meant to include this with the Magnolia-licious Blog that occurred earlier this week...but forgot about it until now. Ooooops!

I have included:

8x8 Papertrey Ink Christmas Paper (2 of each design shown)
pretty Christmas Ribbon
Green Flat backed pearls
a bag of Diamond Dust by Twinklets
4 Pewter Christmas Charms
A Magnolia stamp: Alf with Bell

How to enter:

1) leave a comment on this post with your favorite Christmas Song
if you don't tell me your fave Christmas song you are not going to be entered for the candy

2) link up my blog candy on your blog
(that's ok if you don't have a blog just let your friends know.)

Winner will announced December 1st!
So be sure to check back here to see if you won!

Aaaaaaaaa-choo!

2009-11-19T02:58:00.010-05:00

♫ ♪ ♫ Good Morning! Good Morning! It's a Happy Day Today! ♪ ♫ ♪

Hello! Today's Thursday which means Pick Cat Studio is releasing some new digi images! Poor little Lily is sick. But at least she has a comfy blanket and her kitty to snuggle up with. Isn't this just another darling image from PCS?! This week, the wonderfully talented Melissa has a sick Lily and a sick Billy. Poor kids! I hope they don't have the H1N1 virus. I don't wish that on these cute kiddos at all!

Next up is another card made with a PCS digi image from a few weeks back when I was too sick to participate in that week's release. But I really wanted to use this ADORABLY SWEET Polar bear at some point! He just looks so cuddly. To keep him cuddly and cozy looking I gave him a slight tan-ish hue. I thought if I tried accenting him with blues or grays he might appear cold and I you to feel the warm fuzzies when you looked at him, despite the fact that he is sitting in snow! LOL!

Well I am keeping this short and sweet today because it is currently 3:30 AM which means I only have 3 1/2 hours 'til the alarm clock goes off.

Be sure to check out the projects of all the PCS dt girls. They always make such fun and darling things!!! The links to their blogs are on my sidebar. Have Fun! And shoot on over to Pink Cat Studio Digi shop to get your own Billy and Lily images...you can start making your cards right away with digi images! And I am sure we will all need Get Well cards this winter.

Have a Blissful Thursday!

3 Clover Thursday Challenge #40

2009-11-19T02:28:00.011-05:00

Welcome to
3 Clovers Thursday Challenge
#39!

Thanks for coming by today!
We hope that you enjoy this weeks challenge!

A Christmas Card with NO RED or Green

To participate please upload your card to your blog or SCS and leave
a direct link to that post in the comments section of this post

Then we can all enjoy your creations!
When uploading to your blog or scs please link back to this post so that everyone can join in on the fun!
If you upload to SCS please use 3CTC40 in the keyword or title so that anyone looking can easily locate it.

The Lovely & Talented Challenge Team has cooked up some
Enchanting samples to get your creative juices flowing!

You can get to the blogs for each of the girls by clicking on their names. Don't forget to leave them a little {{love}} (comments) when your visiting!

Kerry:
Jane:

Mary Jo:

Lorie:

Ida:

Sue:

Lisa:

Sharon:

Weren't those awe-inspiring!?

What are you waiting for?! Go forth and CREATE!!!

Tea Time!

2009-11-17T00:30:00.006-05:00

Stamps: #388 Dinner Tilda; #627 Tea Cup; #703 Just Sittin' here...
Paper: Stampin' Up "Cottage Wall"
Other: Kaiser Pearls: Plum and Snowy White; unknown ribbon; Martha Stewart Lace Doily punch and branch punch; Nestabilities; Prima Hydrangeas; unknown roses
Copics used: Cup: G85,82,12. Tilda's clothes: V17,15,12 Hair: E29,25,31
Card measures 6x6

Hello my friends! Thanks for stopping by today! Have you had your fill of blog hoppin' fun for now?! LOL! I have been hopping all over the internet enjoying some fantabulous creations!! I hope that you enjoyed them too!

I have had this paper sitting around for a month or so...I just haven't had a chance to use it! I have been so preoccupied making Thanksgiving and Christmas cards. A few weeks back when I saw this sweet little teacup I knew I wanted to make a card with it and this paper. This has some of my favorite colors in it. I love any shade of purple and pair it with a green and I am sold! In fact my bedroom is painted a mossy/celery green and then my blankets and curtains...etc...are lavender. I figured my husband would want his own room if I actually wanted the wall purple too! heeheehee...so I worked it in because green is his favorite color and I can get away with almost any shade of green. :) Since I met him he has wanted to paint everything green. But if he were left to choose he would choose grass green! But I know if I want to do something that he is not quite sold on...green will get him to agree. He is so easy! LOL!

----->All the stamps on today's card are available at M agnolia-licious! (Direct links are above in the recipe) By the way, have you seen the new online store?! So user friendly! Looooove it!

----->I want to note that I do not include some things in my recipe that are consistent with every card. These regulars are listed on my side bar under Copic tips. For Example, unless otherwise noted, I always use Memento Black ink to stamp my images. I also always use the same Copics for skin and cheek colors so those are also noted on the side bar.

-----> I want to mention that Pink Cat Studio has release 3 mini stamp sets! Each set has 3 stamps which include a large Lily stamp, a small coordinating stamp and a sentiment. These were originally digi images...but for those of you that just love that rubbah...these are for you!
You can check them out HERE.

And finally I want to wish my Declan a Happy 13th Birthday!! XOXOXOX
It's hard to believe that I have a teenager now. Yikes!!

Have a Jubilant Tuesday!

Magnolia-Licious November Blog Hop!!

2009-11-16T04:00:00.001-05:00

Stamps: #443 Magnolia Christmas Tree; sentiment from SU!
Paper: Basic Grey Wassail; brushed gold cardstock
Ink: Close to Cocoa; Creamy Caramel; Always Artichoke; So Saffron; Black Staz On; Bravo

Burgundy.

Other: Gold satin ribbon from Michaels; Kaiser Ivory Pearls;gold brads; various rhinestones;

creative memories cutting system.

Card Measures

5"x7"

Hello! Thanks for HOPPIN' by today!! Hopefully you started at the Magnolia-licious Highlites Blo g (because that's where you get all the deets...like
about the PRIZES!)...so go back there if you haven't been there yet and follow
the path.

Suzanne suggested that we use only "accessory"
stamps for this blog hop. I thought: "Great idea! No
problem!"....then I sat down to do make a card...and nothing seemed
"right". I thought and thought. I went to Cheryl's blog
for inspiration because she often makes
gorgeous cards with just an accessory stamp. Of course, I think Cheryl
could make an ink smudge look beautiful! Me...not so much.
LOL! Finally I decided to use this Christmas tree that I
bought and hadn't inked up yet. But I didn't think it called out for
Copics. I really wanted to do it with watercolors. So I
did. I know! Can you believe I put away my precious markers
for this one and went "old school" with my ink pads and aquapainter?!
LOL! You know what, though? It actually turned out how I
wanted it too. Also, I was able to give it that soft yellow
glow around the tree that I have not been able to successfully accomplish with
Copics. I think watercolors in general give an image a softer
look.

Because I was going for this softer look I didn't
want to over do it with "ornament" on the tree. Not too many
colors. So I just used some Ivory pearls and yellow and white
rhinestones. It's sometimes hard for me to stop with the embellies,
but I am pretty happy with how this came out! To continue with my
vintage-y look, I sponged the edges with brown inks.

As I was typing this up, I thought of
another accessory only card that I did over the summer. So I thought
I would include it with today's post. Get the details for this
card HERE. I think this
would be a great idea for people who live in warm climates during the
holidays.

*****So now it's time for you to hop on over the blog
of the very lovely and very talented Sharon! I can't
wait to see what she has come up with! She is so
creative!

Have a Marvelous Monday!

Happy Chanukah!

2009-11-15T22:00:00.007-05:00

Hello! Welcome to the Hanna Stamps November Blog Hop!! I am showcasing the Chanukah Hanna set. I think this is a fabulous set!! Ok, admittedly, this Irish girl is not Jewish. (shocking, right?! lol!) But I still think this is a great set because almost all of the stamps in this set can be used individually. They are more than just accessories in my opinion.
Here's the problem...I am admittedly pretty ignorant when it comes to the Jewish culture. Yet I still love to choose these different cultural sets when Kristi shows us the new sets and lets us choose!! I can't help myself. They all seem so intriguing to me! So I start Googling! I found out that apples and honey are significant during Rosh HaShanah. I didn't know! I really wanted to know what that Hebrew symbol meant...but I found a couple that were similar, but not exact...and couldn't be sure. And I didn't want to make an insensitive card...so I let it be and hope that someone who reads this can tell me. :)

For the first card I embossed the menorah and the stars of David with silver embossing sing powder. I was just going to leave it uncolored and simple...but it seemed a bit too blah. So I colored the candles. Then the flames. The the base....I left the other arms of menorah white on purpose. Does it look weird? I used my silver Spica glitter pen to color the base. It is very shimmery in real life. The silver stars on the second Chanukah card are also embossed. I hope that you enjoyed these cards!

Hopefully you started this blog hop at Sandra's blog before coming here. Your next stop after my blog is onto Frances' blog...I know she must have some fabby creations to share with you! Then keep on hoppin' to the end where you can win a Hanna Stamps gift certificate!! Have fun! and don't forget to leave all the girls a little comment love for all their hard work!

Have a great Hop!

mmmmm...mmmmm.....Pie!

2009-11-13T08:38:00.004-05:00

Stamps: Pink Cat Studio Betty Baked a Pie Digi; Unknown Setiment
Paper: retired SU!
Other: Prima flowers; Nesties; Martha Stewart branch punch
Copics: Hair: E35, YR23, Y23 Skin: E01, E00, E000 Cheeks: R11,20 Pie: E57,55,53 Dress:YG 93, 67
Card Measures 6x6

Hello Stampin' Friends! Thanks for stopping by today! Can you believe it is November 13th already?! Yikes!! That means that there is less than 2 weeks 'til Thanksgiving and then the Christmas Season is upon us. I have not even started my Christmas shopping yet. There was a time, long, long ago, when I would have had my Christmas shopping done by now. This year...I don't think Christmas shopping will be fun...My husband is bracing for a lay off from work. Not a maybe...more like a when. It looks like it will happen next week. He works for a commercial construction company and there are no more projects when they finish the current one up. I have to say this stinks! We have been together for 14 years and he has never not had plenty of work.

Anyhow, enough of my whining! What I was getting to is that today is the 13th....and Sunday, the 15th starting at 10pm there will be a Hanna Stamps blog Hop!! You can start Hoppin' Fun over at Kristi's Blog and make your way through all the DT blogs! At the end there is a chance to win a Hanna Stamps gift certificate!! So please drop by to see some of the new releases!

Then on Monday, the 16th, the Magnolia-licious DT will be hosting a blog hop too! The fun for this hop starts at the Magnolia-licious Highlites Blog early in the AM.

Today's card uses Bitty Betty Baked a Pie digi image from Pink Cat Studio. I just think Bitty Betty is beauteous, becoming and bewitching! And pretty darn cute too! heeheehee
Did you ever make a card, have it complete and realize something is not right? I do that often...usually with embellies that are stuck down and cannot be moved. This time I did it with the flower on the right. That flower really should be placed a little further south. It looks very top heavy. I guess I am still not feeling 100% and my vision was off when placing that! LOL!
Oh well...it's too stuck to move it now!

I hope that you come back to visit on Sunday night and Monday for the blog hops!!

Have a Stupendous Weekend!!!

I'm Baaaaaack!

2009-11-12T04:01:00.000-05:00

Stamps: Pink Cat Studio Digi Paper: Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses Other: Nestibilities; Pewter snowflake from Bunny Zoe's shop; CTMH blush ribbon; Unknown white; Kaiser Pearls; Polar white Flower Soft; Sugar Sparkly Fluff; mini pom pom; Dazzling Diamonds Glitter
Copics: Bodies: C10,7,5 His Hat/scarf thin stripes/mistletoe: G85,82 Scarf thick stripes: BG34 His beak and feet: YR18 Her coat and hood: R14, 12 01 Her beak:YR14 Card Measures 5x6.5

Hello! Thanks for coming back! I know that you think I fell off the planet...worse: The H1N1 virus struck! Between Strep throat and the "swine flu" we have been a bunch of sickies around here. I am glad to say that after nearly 2 weeks we are on the upswing to feeling better. Throw in that I had a throbbing tooth too and I was a very unhappy mommy! Needless to say, I was not feeling very creative most of the past 2 weeks. I also apologize for not having a new3 Clovers challenge up last week. I wasn't up to doing the big post. I also wanted to give the space to focus on little Henry and his family, as well as raising money for his memorial. I cannot imagine how devastating it is to lose a child. I don't want to imagine it. It is just so heartbreaking to think of. Pink Cast Studio has raised over a $1000 for Henry's memorial. If you still have not purchased an image you have until the end of the week.

I did perk up for a few hours last weekend and made a couple projects for today's Pink Cat Studio's digi release. Oh. My. Goodness! Melissa has oodles of fabby new digi images for you this week! My absolute fave is the one on the card above...little kissing penguins! Too sweet!! The penguins kissing idea was submitted by Nancy Davis in the ongoing PCS idea contest. So she got this image for free! You can submit your digi ideas and read about the deets HERE.

Nest up I made a candle sleeve with this Fun Santa! I don't know why, but he makes me giggle!
The thing I like about making these candle sleeves are they are quick and easy...but look nice. If you want to burn the candle, the sleeve can be slipped off.
Here are the deets for the candle:
Stamps: Santa digi image by PCS
Unknown Paper
Other: Nesties; Martha Stewart Double Scallop punch; Gold Liquid Pearl; Polar white Flower Soft; Sugar Sparkly Fluff; some various Stickles to "decorate" the tree; White 6 inch Candle from Michaels Copics Used: Santa's Clothes/candy cane: R39,37,35,32 Christmas Tree/Candy cane: YG67,63, Mittens: G28 Face: Eoo belt:c10 buckle: y28 bird:B16,12

Here are a few more of this week's releases. To see them all click on the image below.

Thanks for stopping by today and have a HEALTHY Thursday!

3 Clover Thursday Challenge #39

2009-11-12T04:00:00.003-05:00

Welcome to
3 Clovers Thursday Challenge
#39!

Thanks for coming by today!
We hope that you enjoy this weeks challenge!

Birds or Bugs

To participate please upload your card to your blog or SCS and leave
a direct link to that post in the comments section of this post

Then we can all enjoy your creations!
When uploading to your blog or scs please link back to this post so that everyone can join in on the fun!
If you upload to SCS please use 3CTC39 in the keyword or title so that anyone looking can easily locate it.

The Lovely & Talented Challenge Team has cooked up some
Enchanting samples to get your creative juices flowing!

You can get to the blogs for each of the girls by clicking on their names. Don't forget to leave them a little {{love}} (comments) when your visiting!

Kerry:

Lisa:

Sharon:

Sue:

Ida:

Weren't those Fantastic?!

What are you waiting for?! Go forth and CREATE!!!

Thanksgiving Tilda and I am Tooting heehee

2009-11-06T11:17:00.006-05:00

Stamps: #282 STANDING FALL TILDA; Sentiment by unknown. Papers: Debbie Mumm's Harvest and Holiday pad Other: Wooden buttons from Bunny Zoe's store; braided rope thing from LSS; Leaf from Michaels; Ivory Kaiser pearls; oval Nesties. Card Measures 6x6

Hello Stampin' Friends! Thanks for stopping by today. I know that I have neglected my blog this week. I apologize for my lack of sharing. We have all been sick in my house. ICK! It has been miserable here. Lot's of tears....and some are even from the kids! :)

I had made this card Monday night. I was just starting to feel sick. I nearly didn't finish it Monday, but I am glad that I did or it would still be sitting in my craft room unfinished. Anyhoooo, bcause I wasn't feeling I didn't keep track of the copics used. I think I may go back to my old way of photographing the Copics I used, as I am too forgetful this new way.

This card was made for this months Magnolia-Licious DT sketch. You can see the sketch and read the deets on you participating at the Magnolia-Licious Highlites Blog!
I LOVE this Fall Tilda! She was one of my first Tilda's. ( you can get yours at Magnolia-Licious!) I like to use her for Thankgiving cards. Those of us from Canada and the US have to get a little creative in implementing Magnolia Stamps into our Thanksgiving cards, as Magnolia doesn't do Thanksgiving. It's pretty easy to do with the right paper and embellies, almost any Tilda or Edwin will work!

Has everyone gotten their copy of Magnolia Ink Magazine yet?! It beautiful isn't it?! You can get a subscription for all of 2010 from Magnolia-Licious.

***TOOT! TOOT!*** Here is where I am tooting! ;) Tooting my own horn! Did you notice that my projects are on page 40? Yep, that card and candle are by me! I was so excited when Magnolia emailed me and told me that I won 2nd place in their challenge back in September. I have been not so patiently waiting for the magazine to come out. I have never been (or tried to be) published in a magazine before. My Orla thinks I am famous now! LOL! It's so wonderful to have an 8 year old around to think you're great! LOL!

Hopefully I will be feeling better next week and have more projects to share.

Have a Stupendous Weekend! And Stay Healthy!

For Henry

2009-11-05T18:31:00.004-05:00

This week has been a very sad one as DT member Sarah Anderson’s 3 year old son Henry passed away. Little Henry was unable to overcome a virus that made him ill last week.

Lorie Ames has organized a way to donate for a memorial for Henry. Henry loved his local zoo and visited it almost every day in the summer. As a memorial, trees will be planted there in his honor. Melissa at Pink Cat Studio has created a digital stamp to help raise funds for a tree for Henry. All proceeds from the sale of the digi stamp, minus Paypal costs, will go towards the tree. If you would like to donate towards the tree, please visit this webpage to purchase the digi stamp: http://www.pinkcatstudio.com/Digital/DigiStamps/Animals/Zoo/GiraffeAndMonkey.htm

Another way to donate to the memorial is to print out this form and mail in your donation directly: http://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us/Parks/PDF/MemorialTreePamphlet.pdf

Please write on the form that the donation is for Sarah Anderson’s son Henry. Once all of the money is collected, a tree and location will be selected. If you have questions about the form please contact Lorie Ames. Lorie will be in contact with Sarah along this memorial journey to ensure that her wishes are followed.
To contact Lorie, please visit her blog at http://www.live-love-laugh-create.blogspot.com/

If you don’t know Sarah and would like to learn more about her, please visit her blog: http://scrampinmama.blogspot.com/

Thank you for your help to raise money for a tree for Henry.

ETA: I found this address on SCS that is forwarding the cards to the Anderson family:

Anderson Family
c/o 1130 Oak Street
Martinez, CA 94553

You can also check out this week's Pink Cat StudioDigi releases by clicking on the picture below.

Suprise Candy Winner

2009-11-02T09:39:00.004-05:00

Hello! I hope that you had a ghoulishly good time this weekend! Above is a pic of Orla, Maeve and the aforementioned twins next door.

Friday I offered some surprise blog candy if you let me know your favorite candy...it was fun to read the responses! The winner is:

Jodi said...: This card is just gorgeous and those papers work so well with this layout!

My favorite candy....unfortunately I love all kinds, but I'll go with 100 Grand bar (at least for tonight LOL!)

Jodi, please email me your address.

Thanks to everyone for your responses!

Sooooo Spooooooky!

2009-10-30T00:47:00.013-04:00

Stamps: #397 WITCH TILDA, #551 MOON AND BATS, #724 WHEN THE WORLD all available at Magnolia-licious!
Paper: Basic Grey Eerie;
Accessories: BG Eerie buttons; Bat trim; Nesties; Martha Stewart goo punch; Martha Stewart black glitter
Copics: Hat/Dress: V17, 15, 12, 0000...Greens: YG97,95,93...Booths: C10,7,5,1...Broom: E47, 44,42...Hair: E27,26,33
Card Measures 6x6

Hello Folks! Thanks for stopping by today!

My So Spooky Halloween Stamps arrived this week! Yay! When I was deciding on which stamps to get, I really like this sentiment stamp and thought this Tilda would look fabby in front of this moon and bats stamp. To color the moon image I just used a Stipple brush and ink pads for the entire image. By the way, the sentiment reads:

When the world is wrapped in slumber
And the moon is sailing high
If you peep between the curtains
You'll see witches riding by.

I know Halloween is tomorrow....but I do enjoy making Halloween cards...so you might see a couple of more. After all, there is always next year!!
(PS--I used this week's Mojo Monday sketch for this card)

I want to thank everyone for all the great comments you leave every day! And I am glad that so many of you enjoyed the Clean And Simple Magnolia-licious blog hop last Friday! As promised, I have a winner for the Tilda Holding a Candy Can Stamp.

The winner is:

Alice said...: All your creations are beautiful!!! And this stamps is amazing, thanks for a chance to win!
Alice

Alice, please EMAIL ME with your mailing address! Congrats!

Are you gearing up for a sugar high tomorrow night? heeheheeheee! I love candy...chocolate candy...Snickers Bars to be exact. Most any cheap chocolate will do. Hershey's, Reese'All your creations are beautiful!!! And this stamps is amazing, thanks for a chance to win!s PB Cups, Twix...etc...etc... I am not much in to "fancy chocolate" like Godiva or those boxes of random chocolates that have odd centers in the middle. I am also not interested in lollipops or Jolly Ranchers, or Tootsie Rolls. I want CHEAP CHOCOLATE! LOL! It use to drive me nuts to take Orla out trick or treating and the person would hold out a bowl of candy and tell her she could pick what she wanted...she would always choose a those dum dum pops! I was selfishly thinking: I don't like those...grab a PB Cup!!! Heeheeheeheeeheee!

*******What's your favorite candy? Leave a comment on this post with your favorite candy and I will randomly draw someone to send a bit of a surprise to...what the surprise is is a surprise...even for me...I don't even know yet! LOL! But be sure to let me know what your favorite candy by Sunday and I will send you something!

I hope that you have a Freakishly Fabulous Friday!

Dreidels and Teens!

2009-10-29T04:01:00.000-04:00

♫ ♪ ♫ Dreidel...Dreidel...Dreidel ♪ ♫ ♪

Hello Friends! Thanks for coming by today!

Today P ink Cat Studio is releasing oodles of digi images for Hanukkah, winter and Christmas!
I enjoy the challenge of making cards/projects that aren't my typical. Hanukkah is definitely not my typical! Remember, I am a pretty boring Catholic Irish-American. But I do enjoy learning about other cultures and religions immensely. Though, I do worry that when I try my hand at one of these projects that I will unintentionally insult the culture or the religion. So please do tell me if you ever notice that there is a significant faux-pas. I can only learn if someone tells me. Melissa is coming up with the digi images on a daily basis. We don't have any advance knowledge of what she is going to come up with....because she doesn't know either! That said, I can't really prepare too much in advance for my cards. Meaning, if I am at the stamp shop I can't pick up paper for an upcoming theme. The good news is that this makes me get creative and makes me use up stuff that I already have. Guess What? I don't have any Hanukkah paper at my house! ☺ In fact, I don't even really buy much blue paper. (I know, Mary C, you find this unbelievable! lol!) However, I do have an unimaginable amount of Silver cardstock and I did have 2 sheets of this silver snowflake paper...and what happens to be on the flip side of the flakes is this blue-ish/teal-ish design with royal blue, white and silver dots. I thought this would work. Is using snowflakes and a few roses appropriate for Hanukkah? I hope so. I hadn't made these cute origami boxes for awhile, so why not?! They are a good size for candy or small gifts (the holder part measures about 4x4 or so). Maybe even a dreidel!? You can find great directions on how to make origami boxes here. I suggest trying the box fold on a trial piece of 12x12 paper before using "good stuff"...as it can be a little tricky the first time.

There are a lot more image to check out for this week! And the rest of the DT has made some incredible projects! So head on over the Pink Cat Studio Blog and the Digi Store!
And don't forget about the Bio Betty contest!
Next up is my card for today's 3 Clover Thursday Challenge! Teen Themed! I used 80's Anya from The Greeting Farm. How fun is she?! I was born in 1975, so the 80's hold a lot of fond memories for me! And like I mentioned last week, I am a sucker for images with curly hair! LOL! I paper pieced her shirt with a skull from the background paper. Don't ya love her leg warmers? My favorite pair that I had were rainbow colored. Heeheehee! I just bought an outfit for Maeve a few weeks ago that was a little more money than I usually like to spend on toddlers clothing...but what totally suckered me in were the leg warmers that coordinated with it. Dressing little girls are so much fun!
ok...ok....it is 2:30 AM...so I need ot end my blabbing!

Have a Marvelous Thursday!

3 Clover Thursday Challenge #37

2009-10-29T04:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome to
3 Clovers Thursday Challenge
#37!

Thanks for coming by today!
We hope that you enjoy this weeks challenge!

this weeks challenge is
make a card or project meant for a teenager

To participate please upload your card to your blog or SCS and leave a direct link to that post in the comments section of this post

Then we can all enjoy your creations!
When uploading to your blog or scs please link back to this post so that everyone can join in on the fun!
If you upload to SCS please use 3CTC37 in the keyword or title so that anyone looking can easily locate it.

The Lovely & Talented Challenge Team has cooked up some
Fantabulous samples to get your creative juices flowing!

You can get to the blogs for each of the girls by clicking on their names. Don't forget to leave them a little {{love}} (comments) when your visiting!

Mary Jo:

Jane:

Lisa:

Sue:

Lorie:

Ida:

Weren't those Fab-u-licious?!

What are you waiting for?! Go forth and CREATE!!!

Digi DT Bio Betty Contest

2009-10-27T17:36:00.003-04:00

Pink Cat Studio is starting a fun contest today! Melissa asked each Digi DT member to create a Betty that tells us a bit about herself. Can you figure out who created each Betty ? If so then you could win some free digi stamps!!

Visit the Pink Cat Studio blog to learn how to enter the contest.

Do you know which one is me?????

The Girls Next Door

2009-10-26T09:55:00.004-04:00

Stamps: Lily in winter coat Pink Cat Studio Digi
Paper: Basic Grey Wassail
Other: Nestabilities; Martha Stewart snowflake punch; Diamond Dust by Twinklets; Basic Grey Wassail buttons; Dazzling Diamonds Glitter by SU!; gold stickles
Copics: All red areas: R59,46,43,37
All Green areas: YG97,95,93
birds:BG75,72;
Card Measures 6x6

Good Monday Morning, Friends! Thank you for coming by today.
I hope that you enjoyed a lovely weekend.

This card was inspired by our little neighbors next door. Julia and Lauren are twins that are only 2 weeks older than Orla. They are really nice little girls and Orla LOVES to spend time with them.
These twins may share a birthdate....but the similarities stop there. One is very fair with very light blond hair and the other has rich walnut colored hair. One is very soft spoken and a little a shy and the other is...not. :) One is very girly, the other is more athletic. Despite their differences they obviously adore each other. It seems like it would be really nice to grow up with your best friend there all the time. And they are unique enough from each other (in personality and physical appearance) that it keeps people from thinking of them as one single unit.

To make this card, I simply flipped one digi image so that they were mirroring the first one. That is the really COOL thing about these digi images!! I can size them any size I like and flip them like that. EAZY-PEAZY!

Just a reminder that if you want to give Digi Images a try you can do so here.

Have a Magnificent Monday!

A Clean And Simple Hop!

2009-10-23T01:05:00.005-04:00

Hello! Welcome to the Magnolia-licious Clean and Simple Blog
Hop!

They assigned me as stop #1 today because this was my idea....I am pretty
sure this is suppose to be punishment and not a spot of honor!
LOL!!

When it was decided that we would have a Clean and Simple Hop I think heard
groans all the way from Reno! (heehee) We even had to find a
definition of what "clean and simple" cards were! It's just
that we get so use to doing things one way that we forget to try something
different. Or go back to a style we use to have. Many of
us like to use lots of layers and embellies...but when I visit the gallery on
SCS, I often see "CAS" (clean & simple) cards that look so elegant and
lovely. And I actually view them in amazement and think:
how do they make it look so easy, yet so beautiful?! I can't wrap my
mind around that. So several months ago I started adding some
more CAS cards to my repertoire. And you know what?
Sure, I always like my layers of pretty papers...but I find it refreshing to
"simple down" and not be so fussy. The thing about Magnolia images
are that they are SO DANG ADORABLE, that they look great on any style of
card!

When I make my usual style of card I typically only get one done in a
"session". (2-3 hours of the night) I hem and haw of
what layout to use, (that's why I love sketch challenges! cuts off some of
the time!) I sort through paper and more paper deciding on a color and what
patterns to use...where to use them on the layout. Then the
embellies...I don't have the right color...What should I fill this space
with?...it looks like too much...it looks unbalanced...it doesn't look right at
all! With CAS, there is still some of this hemming &
hawing....but only about 1/2 as much. :)

The biggest problem I have with CAS is that if I make a mistake there isn't
much room for covering up. I make lots of mistakes. I
was NOT going to ever share this elephant card with you on this
blog. I could lie and say Orla (my 8 yr old) made it.
But let's face it, we all make boo boo's and not every card can be our
masterpiece. right?

I spent about 35+ minutes coloring this pretty Ellie. I was pretty
happy with it in the end. Then I stamped the sentiment and
apparently got purple ink on a finger/thumb and smudged it right under Ellie's
tail. :( WAH!

So I thought I would cut her out....but then I thought that would get away
from CAS. so I decided to sponge ink around the image....I didn't so
much like it...hated it would be a better term. But I figured: well,
maybe if I layer it...still no dice. I just don't like this
card. On a "fussy" card I would have cut Ellie out ...or when in
trouble you can always stick a few flowers or something on there to cover up the
mistake! Oh well....just goes to show you that we are human and not
every card makes it to the blog! And some that do...probably would
have been best left on the craft room floor too! LOL! It's
kind of like looking back at old photos of ourselves and wondering what the heck
were we thinking about with that haircut...or those huge glasses....or that
sweater!?! UGH!

You can get your own Elephant
and
Tilda with a Spoon at Magnolia-licious.

***Next stop on the hop is the Brilliant
Becca! The thing about Becca is that she
totally rocks ANY and EVERY style card! ***

When you finish the hop make a last stop over at the Magnolia-licious-highlites
blog. (if you didn't start there). Where you can get the deets
about making your own CAS style card and winning a prize!

Speaking of a prize...if you have are still reading this, then you deserve
one! How about this adorable Tilda holding a Candy Cane
stamp?!

Leave a comment on this post to be entered. I will announce the
winner next week!

Have an Astounding Friday!

Snowy Delights!

2009-10-22T04:01:00.001-04:00

Hello! Hello!! Oh boy!! I have LOTS of Pink Cat Studio news to share with you today!

Where to start? phew! Lets start with this exciting bit of news: EVERY week there will be a DIGI IDEAS CONTEST on the the PCS blog!!
What does this mean? It means that Melissa Wants You! Your ideas for new digi stamps, that is! There will be a post on the PCS that you can leave your image ideas at. Then each week, Melissa will choose one of those ideas and create an image with it. You will get that image for free and be our guest designer for that week! She really wants to get the customers involved in the design process. She is awesome to work with, because she is so open and makes your ideas come to life! Last week I suggested a Santa owl and the "hoo! hoo! hoo!" sentiment and before you know it she whipped the cutest santa owl! How cool!! So head on over to the Pink Cat Studio blog for the deets and leave your idea for PCS images!!

Next, Would you like to try digital stamping for free? Melissa has created an informative tutorial to show you how easy it is to download and print digital stamps. In the tutorial there is a free digi stamp that you can download and try out.

Here is a link to the tutorial if you would like to give it a try: http://www.pinkcatstudio.com/Digital/Tutorials/DigiStamps_TestItOut.htm

I know that some of you have questions about Digi Stamps. Like are they hard to use? I don't think I can do it. Will my printer ink run? How do I resize it? So that's why Melissa has put up a FREE image for you to try. Cool Beans, huh?!

Lastly, but far from least, is today's digi releases! Each week, Melissa has such fantastically adorable images. This week is no exception! The card and snowflake decoration shows you 2 of this week's images. I used this weeks 3 Clovers Thursday sketch for my card. Are you sick of easel cards?! Notice that this is snowflake #2 of the aforementioned 3! ;) Click on the pic below to go the digi store website.

Have a Smashing Thursday!!

3 Clover Thursday Challenge #36

2009-10-22T04:00:00.001-04:00

Welcome to
3 Clovers Thursday Challenge
#36!

Thanks for coming by today!
We hope that you enjoy this weeks challenge!

this weeks challenge is a sketch

To participate please upload your card to your blog or SCS and leave a direct link to that post in the comments section of this post

Then we can all enjoy your creations!
When uploading to your blog or scs please link back to this post so that everyone can join in on the fun!
If you upload to SCS please use 3CTC36 in the keyword or title so that anyone looking can easily locate it.

The Lovely & Talented Challenge Team has cooked up some
Enchanting samples to get your creative juices flowing!

You can get to the blogs for each of the girls by clicking on their names. Don't forget to leave them a little {{love}} (comments) when your visiting!

*****My Sample is HERE*****

Sharon:

Lorie:

Lisa:

Mary Jo:

Jane:

Sue:

Kristen:

Ida:

Weren't those SUPER?!

What are you waiting for?! Go forth and CREATE!!!

A Challenge Two-fer!

2009-10-19T08:35:00.004-04:00

Stamps: Megan from The Greeting Farm; Sentiment from My Favorite Things
Paper: Stampin UP!
Other: Sizzlet swirl die; Nesties; Kaiser Pearls; scallop border punch;
Copics used:
Hair: C10,7, 5
Skin: E11,00, 000
cheeks: R11,20
Shorts/shoes: YG17,13,11
Bow: R46,43
Card Measures 6x6

♫ ♪ ♫ Good Morning! Good Morning! It's a Happy Day Today! ♫ ♪ ♫
Thanks for stopping by today!
I hope that you had a lovely weekend. Mine was uneventful. It did snow here. October is usually my favorite month of the entire year, season-wise. But it has been COLD here. And Snowy?! Hello?! not even all the leaves have changed color yet! Other than the snow, which is gone (mostly) today...I have nothing to complain...I mean talk, about! LOL!

Isn't this Megan stamp from The Greeting Farm adorable!? I am always attracted to images (stamps or otherwise) that have curly hair. I have VERY thick, VERY curly, dark hair. The picture I have of myself on my blog is on a day that I had my hair straightened with a flat iron. I only have that done on special occasions. :) Someday I dream of having my hair permanently straightened. However, we are looking at a cost of $750-$1000 for that....and seriously, if I have that money just laying around waiting to be spent, then I am sure I can find something else more practical to spend it on. You know like some bill or a new dryer. :( Plus, my Orla, also has curly hair....and how am I suppose to teach her to love herself the way she is, if I am changing these things on my own self? Gosh, being a mom fills a person with so much guilt!

ooops....back to the card.....So I love curly haired images and ones that look like they might have a sassy little attitude! And with her hand on her hip, Megan looks like she is very Sassy! LOL! Also, notice that her mouth is open...which to me looks like she is probably telling someone just how it's going to be. Heeheeeheee. I have a sassy sentiment stamp that I thought would be perfect with this image....but I was trying to make a card for someone I have not seen in awhile...not someone I want to expose my "sassy" side to. LOL! By the way, can you tell that I am totally diggin' these easel cards?! So easy to make and such a nice way to display our cards! Suzanne has some great instructions HERE.

As mentioned in the title this card was made for 2 challenges. The layout is from Friday Sketchers. And I also complied with The Greeting Farm challenge of "No Frills". Only "hard" embellies could be used.

Have a Sensational Monday!

Hoo! Hoo! Hoooooray!!!

2009-10-16T07:43:00.006-04:00

♫ ♪ ♫ Good Morning! Good Morning! It's a Happy day today!! ♪ ♫ ♪

Hello Friends!! TGIF, right?!

This is going to be a quick post! There are LOTS of new digis over at the Pink Cat Studio to shout HOO HOO HOORAY about!!!!! You can see all the new stamps by clicking on the image above. OR HERE. And you can head on over to the Pink Cat Studio Blog and see lots of FANTABULOUS samples from the DT and links to the DT's blogs to see even more!!
Also Melissa has added a new section to the Digi store: FREE sentiments to coordinate with the images! How Coo Coo Cool is that?! Just like Digi images, they are resizable.

Have a Spectacular Weekend!!

Peachy Keen!

2009-10-15T04:01:00.005-04:00

Stamps: Peachy Tilda; Peach
Paper: Magnolia yummy collection
Ink: Memento Black; Cocoa; Caramel
Other: all flowers by Prima; Martha Stewart Lace Doily Punch; Martha Stewart Branch Punch; Brown Gingham ribbon; Blue Moon Charm;
Copics: Apron:E34,31,30 Dress/bandana: E99,97,95,93 Basket/boots: E39,35,33,31 Beaches: YR12, R01 Hair: E57, 55,53 Card Measures 6 inches square

Hello Friends! Thanks for coming by today!! I hope that you enjoyed last weeks 3 Clovers Thursday challenge. It was fun to see your creations! I do have to finish looking at all of them this weekend.
This weeks theme was a little harder for me. Nature...?....Nature...?...what am I going to do for a Nature themed card? Oh nuts, I just sold that Stampin' Up set with all the trees...of course NOW it would be handy! LOL! So, I thought for a few more minutes....but lets face it....when we have new stamps we are going to make those work for something! hahahaha! I must have 175-200 Stampin' Up stamps sets. (YIKES! I was a demonstrator for 6 years, until recently) . I probably could have looked at those sets and found something more suitable. But, admittedly, I wanted to use my my new Yummy for Your Tummy Magnolia Stamps! :) I mean, Tilda is picking peaches...which means she is outside and that is very in touch with nature!
I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this Tilda image! I just think she is SO sweet! I don't know if it's her dress or the little bandana around her head...or what...? I know, some people think they all look the same. (GASP!) But I think each one has their own little personality. I even did a close up of her....How cute is she?! (btw- All the Yummy for Your Tummy collection is available at Magnolia-licious. And the Christmas stamps have just been restocked too!(including Alva and Alf!) I just ordered some!)

Sometimes when making a card it takes on an unexpected path. You know what I mean? I always choose my paper BEFORE coloring my image. Then I color my image to coordinate with my paper. That way I know the finished image will coordinate with what I want/have. And of course if I have Peachy Tilda and have Magnolia paper with peaches on it, it is a given that I will use that....but I needed to bring other colors in and the green from the leaves just was a little harsh, I thought. After debating with myself...I decided to go with a peach and brown color combo. What do you think? Is is too DULL?

Well, I have been trying to avoid these absurd blogging hours...but here it is 3:30 in the morning again. :P So I am going to cut this post off here.

I do hope that you can share with us your spin on a NATURE themed card!

Have an Exquisite Thursday!

3 Clover Thursday Challenge #35

2009-10-15T04:00:00.006-04:00

Welcome to
3 Clovers Thursday Challenge
#35!

Thanks for coming by today!
We hope that you enjoy this weeks challenge!

this weeks challenge is
NATURE

To participate please upload your card to your blog or SCS and leave a direct link to that post in the comments section of this post

Then we can all enjoy your creations!
When uploading to your blog or scs please link back to this post so that everyone can join in on the fun!
If you upload to SCS please use 3CTC35 in the keyword or title so that anyone looking can easily locate it.

The Lovely & Talented Challenge Team has cooked up some
Enchanting samples to get your creative juices flowing!

You can get to the blogs for each of the girls by clicking on their names. Don't forget to leave them a little {{love}} (comments) when your visiting!

Ida:

Jane:

Lisa:

Sue:

Kristen:

Weren't those Gorgeous?!

What are you waiting for?! Go forth and CREATE!!!

Happy Fall Day!

2009-10-13T09:15:00.007-04:00

Stamps: Oak Tree, Edwin with Chicken (Is this your egg), Hay bale all available at Magnolia-licious. sentiment from A-muse. Paper: DP from recollections harvest pad. Card measures 6x6

Hello! Thanks for coming by today!

This month Suzanne issued the challenge of making an easel card for the Magnolia-licious challenge. I had never seen or heard of an easel card before. But it's really such a great idea! We spend so much time making our cards, why not display them pleasingly!? There is a link to the directions on the Magnolia-licious blog....or Suzanne made up some with pics...she's so good! It's not hard. basically you make a card front only...then attach that to a full card...kinda! LOL! I have taken pics of the inside and a side view so you can get the gist of it. (click on any of the pics to see it larger) EAZY PEAZY! ;)

Have I mentioned that I LOVE FALL. I don't know of any New Englander that doesn't love Fall. LOL! Sure, maybe they fear what comes after fall...cold, snow, ice, snow, cold, snow, ice.....! But fall is beautiful! Clean, crisp air. Not humid, not usually too rainy. Beautiful colors from Mother Nature. So I love to make fall cards. This Oak Tree stamp made by Magnolia was one of my first Magnolia Stamps a year ago. I love coloring all the leaves. Sure our fall trees don't usually have red, yellow and orange leaves all on one tree, but it makes me happy to do it that way, so I do! That's the great thing about card making...it's not science. It's not about being particular or realistic. It's about making the creator and the receiver happy! Today Diana shared an email with our group that had a lovely sentiment....here it is:

"The gifts we craft with our own hands are often the most significant because the love that drove us to create is infused in the products of our creation. And the recipients of these homemade offerings receive a token of our willingness to invest ourselves in their joy. "

It's not all about perfection. It's about the love that goes in to creating. I know that we can get caught up in comparing our work to everyone else's. And somehow we always see the talent that everyone else has and the areas in which we are lacking. I do it. Everyday! It's hard not to. Especially when I am on the magnificent Magnolia-licious DT. I look at all the other girls cards and think about how good one is with coloring, how good another is at having just the right embellies, at how clever and creative the other one always is....it's endless. Then I look at the cards posted to the Magnolia-licious Yahoo group, and that is 100's of girls filled with creative talent!! I look at each of those cards and see something that makes me think: She's so creative, why didn't I think of that? Why can't I make cards like that? My card looks like Kindergarten art compared to hers! But I must try to remember that each of us has our own talent...that only I can put my love into my cards. And once in awhile it is nice to receive a reminder like the sentiment above.

Have an Inspirational Day!!!

Ooooopsies!

2009-10-12T11:44:00.004-04:00

Stamps: Oops Tilda by Magnolia
Paper: Imaginsce; Doodlebug;
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Creamy Caramel
Other: Gingham Ribbon; Nestabilities; black brads; red button;
Copics:
Dress/hat:R29,27,24,22
Apron/socks: E30, E000,E0000
Spoon: E57,55
Shoes: c10,7,5
Skin: E11,00,000
Cheeks: R11, 20
Hair: E25, y32, y000
Background: E31, E30, E0000, Colorless Blender
Card Measures 5" x 7"

Hello! Happy Monday! Thanks for stopping by today!
Happy Columbus Day to my friends in the USA. And I hope that my Canadian friends had a wonderful Thanksgiving yesterday!

I was not feeling well this weekend. Without going into the gory details, lets just say I had a stomach bug. I don't know what the deal was, but I woke up Saturday morning feeling ill and didn't feel better until last evening. The time in between was spent in bed. Being ill like this is a clear reminder of how I felt during all 9 months of 2 pregnancies. And that I don't ever want to be pregnant again!! There are still some smells or foods that made me sick when I was pregnant that I still have a hard time dealing with to this day. When we adopted, I didn't feel sick at all and I got to go on an exciting trip to Vietnam for 3 weeks! Lets do a quick summary: Pregnancy= very sick. Adoption=exciting trip. Well it's all a moot point now, as my husband has not so subtly informed me that 3 kids are enough. :) LOL! Right now, when all three kids are happy and sweet, it seems like a debatable subject in my mind. Tomorrow, heck, in an hour, when they are whining and arguing and there is a dirty diaper to be changed I will wonder why we ever had any! LOL!!!

Friday I received the adorable stamps from the A Little Yummy For Your Tummy collection from Magnolia-licious!! I couldn't wait any longer to get to making a card with some. Diana had a special request that we make one with the colors of black/white/red to display in her new kitchen! She hardly asks anything of her DT, so I was happy to do so. This collection has a real vintage/retro feel to me, so I wanted my card to reflect that. With all the polka dots I didn't want to get to fussy with too many embellies...or we might have ended up cross eyed! So I just added a lollipop flower with a button. I also think these flowers feel retro-ish. The card layout was provided by this week's Friday Sketchers.
I hope that Diana likes this.

Have a Delightful Monday!