Sunday, September 30, 2012

Tattoo & All That Scraps - Anything Goes

Happy Sunday!  I am SUPER psyched to share the pic of my new tattoo this morning!  It only took about an hour last night - the guy who did it (Ian) was super cool.  He designed this for me, I'll show you the pic and then tell you the story (it's on my left wrist):
 Cancer has affected my life for years, I've known far too many people who have fought with it.  Some have won their battle, others did not.  As most of you know, I've been a Chemo Angel for a long time (click to read about Chemo Angels).  Several years ago, a friend of mine told me about a guy he worked with whose daughter had cancer.  He asked if I would be her unofficial Chemo Angel and send her some cards.  Her name was Meg, and she lived about an hour away from me.  I started sending her cards and little gifts in the mail, and she wrote back to me.  Her mom, Teresa, wrote to me, and we became friends.  During the Christmas season in 2007, Teresa drove Meg to my house to meet me and exchange gifts.  They had assembled a beautiful basket for me, and Meg had made me a fleece blanket with kitties all over it (she knew I had/love kitties, the little sweetie).  I can't even put into words how much this meant to me, knowing she was sick and made the effort to do something for me.  Knowing her mom's heart was breaking as she watched her baby fight this awful beast, yet she took the time to drive over an hour each way to spend a few minutes with me.  I will never forget it.  Meg passed away 6 months later - June 5, 2008.  Meg's parents called her their Brave Little Bumblebee, so the bumblebee on my tattoo is for Meg.

I grew up with a guy named Kevin, and he had a little sister named Melanie.  Mel was several years younger than me, and she was so darn cute as a child.  Tall and skinny, she became a graceful dancer.  When I was in high school, she was in middle school and used to tell people not to mess with her, because the "Blakeney girls" (my sister and I) would get them.  hee hee  I never even knew that until we were adults.  LOL  Mel got married, had 3 babies - and got cancer.  Ass cancer, she called it.  LOL  I loved this girl.  Colon cancer, and it's not supposed to happen to young, healthy, athletic girls.  But it did.  She didn't want people to walk on eggshells around her or always be crying, so she fought like crazy and always had a smile on her face.  Her ring tone on her phone was Journey's song, Don't Stop Believin'.  Many people didn't even know she was sick.  But she was very sick and in a lot of pain, and she finally got her Angel wings on May 21, 2010. The day of her funeral was absolutely gorgeous -  the sun was shining and there was not a cloud in the sky.  As a bunch of us were getting ready to leave, a yellow butterfly came and flitted amongst us.  It kept happening that day and when I mentioned it at the cemetery, a bunch of Mel's good friends said the same thing happened to them.  I get goosebumps just talking about it... since then, I can't tell you how many times I've seen yellow butterflies when I need them.  Or hear Don't Stop Believin' on the radio, or in a waiting room somewhere... and I know it's Mel.  So now you know the reason for the rest of my tattoo.  I just love it.
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Now - my card for today is for the:


I used Eyeball Birgitta, just altering her eyebrows a bit so she'd look less cute, more mean.  hee hee  I used some DP from Recollections, fussy-cut a ghost from another paper and popped him out next to her (the big one with his mouth open), then used a circle sentiment from Sassy Studio, also popped up.  Peace.

Saturday, September 29, 2012

WW Reminder, Simon Says Stamp, JSL Reminder, & Smudgy Antics

Heyyy!  It's Saturday, which means we have a reminder post for you at:


Head on over to see the rest of the DT's fabulous character ATC's and to join us.  I am also entering this little ATC into the:

Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Anything Goes

We also have a reminder post for you at:

 I chose Halloween colors for my Fall colors, using Hallow Bird (one of my fave JSL images).  Head on over to see the rest of the DT's creations and to play along.

And last but not least - I have a card for the:


I printed the skull 6 times and fussy-cut them all out, layering each one on top of the other - so it's more like a thick chipboard accent.  My images are all from Smeared Ink.
Peace.

Friday, September 28, 2012

Dilly Beans & Ashee

Happy Friday!  I had the best crafting day yesterday.  I don't know about you, but I find that I get so distracted with my computer... I will plan to make a project, then I need to print an image and I realize I got an e-mail, so I have to read it and respond to it.  Or I log into Facebook and forget it!  So I spent Wednesday evening planning my projects and printing out images so I'd be prepared Thursday.  I turned OFF my computer Thursday morning and spent the whole day at my craft table.  I got so much done and it felt so good.  I love doing mixed media projects, but they can be so time-consuming.  Waiting for each layer - or paint or glue - to dry, etc.  So yesterday was a chance to do that - to paint some things and then work on other projects while they dried.  I had a blast, can't wait to share my projects next week!

So today we have a new challenge for you at:


I am also entering this into the

and
 Paper Pretties - Fall Inspired

I used the "Eyeball Flower" from Dilly Beans, colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits and Stickles.  DP is from MME - I printed the text directly onto it and tore a piece off while layering it.  I added some gemstone stickers, a butterfly charm, a ribbon from SU! and the "FALL" letter blocks.

My next card is for the:


I used Ashee from A & T Emerald Fairies, colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits.  I added glitter to her wings and the mushroom.  DP is from MME. 
Peace.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

AI Factory: Anything Goes

Hello all - today's card is for the:


I used Yoga Girl (isn't she sweet?  I want to paper-piece her clothes next time), colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits and Prismacolor markers.  DP is from MME - I added a sticker sentiment, butterfly, gemstone stickers, a piece of rick rack, and a few other little sparkly pink gem-like stickers.  Dragged my DP through a Tempting Turquoise ink pad.  Peace.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Bombshell Hop: Let's Hear it for the GIRLS!

Please hop along with the Bombshell Girls today.  The theme this month is "Let's Hear it for the Girls!" Alison wanted the participants to create a project which could be sent to someone in October which is (here in the States) Breast Cancer Awareness Month. So let's Think Pink!

 I used the Wanted Poster along with the boot from the Western Gals set - I paper pieced the entire thing and I just love it.  It was super easy to make but looks pretty, doesn't it?  :)  BTW - it's supposed to be metaphoric for "Wanted:  Pink Boots to Kick Cancer's A**".  :)

There are 16 total stops on this hop and your next stop is Kim! The full list is below:



Have fun hopping and be sure to play along with us at the first stop for your chance to win!  Peace.

WW ATC: Story Characters & ADFD: Tags

Hello friends!  We have a new challenge for you today at:


I would like to enter my Alice ATC below into the:


 Our sponsor at Wicked Wednesday is Squiggle Stamps this week, I used their cute Mermaid and Miss Evie Wonderland images.  Head on over to see the rest of the DT's creations and to play along with us!

Next up is my project for this week's:


I used the sweet Mummy image from ADFD, and wrapped a sparkly white ribbon I had all around a tag to mimic the mummy.  I used a tiny piece of DP with the word "Costume" on it (from MME), and added another piece of ribbon for the tag part, this one has tiny black and orange polka dots on it.  Peace.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

D2D Progressive Challenge is back!!!

I was super excited to see that the progressive challenges are back at:

Faith generously offers a freebie image - if you use it and play along with the challenge, you get another freebie for the following month.  This month's image was this cute Halloween one - I colored it with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits and added some black glitter to the moon.  This DP is from MME called Haunted and I just love it - then I added some ribbon snippets as tags.  Peace.

Monday, September 24, 2012

Simon Says Stamp: Emboss It!

I used my Tim Holtz Patchwork embossing folder for the first time today to make a card for the:


I used Kraft cardstock and a dark brown ink pad, then just tied a brown/blue plaid ribbon around it.  Super easy and I love the way it came out.  Peace.

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Delicious Doodles: Metal

Hi friends - whatcha up to this weekend?  I spent yesterday doing little things around the house - laundry, organizing, and baking a spice cake.  I made a couple of things in my craft room, but I think today will be my "get-my-hands-painty-and-inky" (and my clothes, desk, floor, etc.) day.  :)  I do have to run to the grocery store at some point, maybe I'll do that first and get it out of the way.  Anyway, one of the cards I made yesterday was for the:

I used Fae the Butterfly Fairy, colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits (with some Prismacolor markers on the butterflies).  DP is from MME, butterfly charm and rick rack are from my stash.  Peace.

Saturday, September 22, 2012

WW Reminder, JSL: Fall Colors, HDH MM/Smudgy Antics, & Pholkart Blessings: Red & Yellow

Hello all - happy Saturday!  One week from today I get my new tattoo - soooo excited!  This will be in memory of Meg & Mel, two special souls lost to the cancer beast.  I can't wait to share the pics with you all.

For today, we have a reminder post for you at:
 Come play along with us and see what the rest of the DT came up with!
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And we have a new challenge for you today at:

 
I used Gab Rides a Bike, colored with Prismacolor markers, pencils, and mineral spirits and paired with some pretty digi paper from Digital Design House.  Sentiment & butterfly are from SRM Stickers - ribbon tags are from SU!
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My next card is for the

HDH Macabre Monday: I'm Melting!
and
Smudgy Antics Color Challenge
 
 My images are from Smeared Ink, and I printed out the text in my word processing program.  Used some black Smooch Spritz and glitters, hope you like!
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And last for today is my card for the brand new challenge at:


I used Fairy Godmother, colored with Prismacolor markers and glitter.  Sentiment is a sticker from SRM Stickers.  Come play along, you still have a few days!  Have a great weekend, my friends.  Peace.

Friday, September 21, 2012

Dilly Beans & Jellypark

Hello friends - we have a fun new challenge for you at:


I made a framed piece - using Hooter Framed and fussy-cutting him out of his frame.  I colored him with Prismacolor markers.  The background piece was created with alcohol inks & blending solution, with a few coats of UTEE added.  The sentiment is a sticker from SRM Stickers.  I used an old gold frame and stuck yellow gemstone stickers on it, then used some alcohol inks on a silver leaf charm and added it to the corner with a small glue dot.   
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I have some good news to share today - I'm back on the Jellypark Design Team!  I had taken some time off when we moved, but I was itching to get back.  Jellypark is one of the companies I really believe in and Claire, the artist, is someone I trust and really feel proud promoting.  So today's card is using one of Jellypark's new images, this sweet squirrel with pretty Fall leaves:

I colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits, and I fussy-cut the leaves out and popped them up with foam dimensional dots.  DP is digi papers from Design House Digital.  Ribbon is from Stampin' Up! Peace.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Birdie Brown Freebie Challenge

Good morning!  I have to say, I was a little worried that I would miss Fall (the season) once we moved to California - but that is just not the case.  Northern California does have seasons, and Fall is here!  The mornings are so crisp, and the Gravenstein apples are plentiful!  And.... pumpkin.  Pumpkin coffee, pumpkin pie, pumpkin candles, I really love pumpkin.  :)  I wrote something like that on Facebook last week and a couple of days later my husband brought home a pumpkin pie and said "my mom said something about seeing this on Facebook?"   I was like "oh yeah - I LOVE having a mother-in-law who reads and responds to FB statuses!"  hee hee  Anyway, today's card reflects the season and is for the:


If you visit the link, you can still grab the freebies and play along!  I colored with Prismacolor markers, as I wanted the colors to be bright.  Sticker sentiment is from SRM Stickers. Peace.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Wicked Wednesday ATC Challenge: Circus Fun!

Posting late today - sorry!  :)   We have a new challenge for you today at:


Head on over to see what the rest of the DT did and to link up.  Peace.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Some Odd Girl Sketch

Good morning!  It's been staying darker for a little longer in the mornings, and I've been enjoying it and catching a few extra minutes of sleep.  My kitties don't like it, though, and are usually waiting for me outside my bedroom door when I get up.  hee hee  Speaking of kitties, our kitten Oliver is now about 4 months old and getting big.  Growing into his giant paws.  LOL  He's still adorable and super playful, and our older cat Cubby is finally getting some much-needed exercise by playing with (and being tormented by!) the little guy.  So it's been good for everyone!

Today I have a card for the:


I used Reading Mae, colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits.  DP is from Crate.  Rick rack, charm, and gemstone stickers are from my stash.  Sentiment is a rub-on.  Peace.

Monday, September 17, 2012

Color Throwdown & The Crafty Pad

Busted out the rubber stamps yesterday - well, the photopolymer stamps - LOL - for this week's:
 




I used Shiny Bean from The Greeting Farm, stamped onto Very Vanilla cardstock in Chocolate Chip ink and colored with markers and pencils.  I created the background by just dragging my card through the ink pads.  Peace.

Sunday, September 16, 2012

HDH Macabre Monday Oh My Gourd, Doodle Garden, Willow Sketchie & Bombshell!

Good morning!  I love Sundays - late breakfasts, extra cups of coffee, a nice fat newspaper... yup, Sundays are good. :)

Squeezing in quick for the:

HDH Macabre Monday: Oh My Gourd!

I made a page in my art journal - jack-o-lantern is from Free Coloring Pages.  Wings are from Smeared Ink.  DP is digi paper from Design House Digital.

I also have a card today for the:

 Willow Sketchie Challenge:  Things with Wings

I made with this sweet Little Beebee image from The Doodle Garden:

I colored her with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits.  DP Is from My Mind's Eye.  Punches & ribbon are from SU!  Charm is from my stash.

Next up - playing along with the:

Bombshell Stamps Challenge (sketch)

I used the Western Gal digi set, colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits.  DP is from MME - the glitter on the hat is prettier in real life, it looks brighter in the pic or something.  Buttons are from SU!  Hope you all have a nice, relaxing day!  Peace.

Saturday, September 15, 2012

WW ATC Reminder, DICC, Simon Says Stamp & Fetch a Sketch

Hello friends!  I was really disappointed yesterday to see a digital stamp image that I owned being posted as a freebie from a completely different company.  After speaking to the artist, I was even more disappointed to realize that she had indeed not given permission for this image to be given out as a freebie.  I have given a lot of thought as to what I can do as a customer and artist to help these types of situations, and the only thing I can think of to do for now is not to purchase or download any new images from anyone with whom I am not personally familiar and comfortable with.  I feel better giving my money and time to these folks, anyway, but the whole thing just puts a bad taste in my mouth.

Anyway - on to the happy stuff.  Because I will NEVER stop smiling and being happy, I just gotta be me. I will never let the bastards get me down.  And all that happy horseshit.  :)  So - we have a reminder post up for you today at:


I made a little beaker-shaped ATC with my scientist kid from Graphics Shoppe - hee hee - isn't he cute?  Head on over to see what the rest of the DT did for you today!  :)

Next - we have a new challenge for you today at:


Our sponsor this week is the fabulous Delicious Doodles - head on over to see the new itinerary and to link up for your chance to win!  I am also entering this into the:

Simon Says Stamp - We're So Trendy (Chevron pattern)
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I also have a card for this week's sketch challenge at:

Fetch a Sketch

I used another awesome Dilly Beans image, Emily Framed, and paper-pieced her headband and the background.  Kept this one CAS because I wanted the gorgeous image to really stand out.  Peace.

Friday, September 14, 2012

Dilly Beans & The Altered Alice

TGIF, right?  I love Fridays, cuz we always have a new challenge for you at:

 I used Sprocket's Heart Framed along with some cool robotic papers.  Sentiment is also from Dilly Beans.  I added a couple of gears and this is a perfect birthday card for my nephew!  Come play along with us, you know you need to make some boy cards!  :)

I used another awesome Dilly Beans image for my next card, which is for:
'

I used the Cheshire Cat in one of the Dilly Beans frames, colored with Prismacolor markers.  DP is from My Mind's Eye - I added some ribbon tags, a piece of rick rack, and a pretty flower with a button center.  Peace.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

DigiStamp Boutique & Jellypark

Hello there - posting quick today for the:

I used Hattie, colored with Prismacolor markers, pencils, & mineral spirits and glitter.  DP is digi paper from Shery K Designs.  Sentiment is from Sassy Studio.

And my next card is for the:

I used Girl on a Swing, colored with Prismacolor markers, pencils, and mineral spirits  I added some flower brads & ribbon from SU! and a butterfly charm.  DP is from My Mind's Eye.  Peace.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Wicked Wednesday & DigiGalore

Hey all - we have a new challenge for you today at:


Head on over to see the rest of the DT's creations and to link up!

My next card is for the:

My adorable back-to-school images are from The Doodle Garden.  DP is from Crate.  I added a few letter stickers and a paper clip.  :)
Peace.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Delicious Doodles & Pixie Dust Studio

I would not feel right if I didn't acknowledge the date today.  September 11.  A day that very few people in America over the age of 13 or so don't have very specific memories of.  For me, my kids were little - Cass was 6 and she was home sick that day.  We were in bed watching TV together when the news broke through and my poor little girl watched with me as the 2nd plane flew into the 2nd tower... I remember being scared, then angry, then protective of my children.  Just wanting to hold them tight.  When my son got off the bus that afternoon (he was 8), I just grabbed him and never wanted to let go.  Today, we remember all the heroes from that day and the horrific days and months that followed.  I have never been able to watch or read anything about that day without crying, and I doubt I ever will.  
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I went to Michael's Craft Store yesterday and got a few more MME paper pads that I definitely don't need but can't wait to use.  They had some great Halloween stuff, too, so I'm planning on putting some of my Halloween projects on Etsy soon.  Halloween is one of my favorite times of year, I just love it.  Anyway, my first card is for the:

I used Black Widow from Delicious Doodles, colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits.  I used some Glossy Accents on the flower and the drippy part of the candle.  Spider web background is from a site that offer free coloring pages here.

Next is my card for the:

  I used Frankie Boy from Pixie Dust Studio, along with some cool digi paper from Shery K Designs.  I added a sentiment from Sassy Studio, some screw brads, and ribbon tags.  Peace.

Monday, September 10, 2012

TGF & ADFD

Holy cow - I thought I had another 2 weeks to get this posted, but I just realized the deadline is in 2 hours so I better post this quickly!  LOL  So this card is for:
I used Wednesday, stamped in Sahara Sand ink directly onto my DP.  I only colored her eyes with light blue.  The DP is from MME and the buttons & brads are from SU!  Sentiment is also from TGF.

Next up is my card for:

I almost went with primary colors, but I wanted to be different.  So hot pink is pretty bright, right?  :)  I used Maria from the Wild Sprouts Roll Call set, and I paper pieced her dress with the same DP I used for the background.  Now there is a little story behind the saying... when I first moved to California, one of the first people I met told me she loves how I say "wicked".  It's a New England thing - cuz we're, like, wicked cool.  hee hee So I just had to use the "wicked" sentiment and paired it up with some cute beads, threw a charm in there and added a piece of ruffly ribbon.  Wicked cute, no?  ;)

And last for today is my card for the:

Now I will tell you a little secret - I kinda miss having little kids to get ready for back-to-school time.  The excitement, the new outfits, the smell of fresh paper.... well, at least I get the smell of fresh paper every now and then, being the paper hoarder that I am... hee hee  Anyway, I didn't have much in the way of back-to-school supplies, so I improvised.  I used "Wall Art" from ADFD, colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits.  I used some notebook paper DP and used my notebook punch for the edge.  The box of crayons was a pin, believe it or not, and I just pulled the back of the pink off and adhered it with a couple of sticky dots.  This little one is preparing for Art class!  Have a great week, everyone.  Peace.

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Ladybug Buddy

I'm not one to usually enter a project into a lot of challenges, but I'm breaking my rule today.  LOL  This card is for the following challenges:







I used Ladybug Buddy from A Day for Daisies, colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits.  I used Spun Sugar Smooch Spritz and roughed up my cardstock to give it a vintage look.  Hope you all have a happy Sunday.  Peace.

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Smudgy Antics: Bingo & 4 Crafty Chicks: Use Metal

I just had to post again today to squeeze this in for the:
(I used Hardware or Metal, Skull, & Flowers)

and also linking up to:

 

I used this gorgeous Skull with Roses image from Smeared Ink, colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits and Stickles. Now here I'll tell you a little secret - I see people obsess over their little "mistakes" all the time, like coloring smears or smudges and the like.  I don't obsess.  I spritz.  hee hee  So in this case, I had dragged the edges of the image and the entire card through a black ink pad, and I had some black ink on my fingers that smudged onto the image.  Sooooo - out comes my trust Silver Foil Smooch Spritz.  Voila - problem solved!  :)
My DP is digi papers from AI Factory and Shery K Designs (OMG she has so many gorgeous free papers....).  My skull key charms are from Shipwreck Beads, the crown charm and little gemstone stickers are from Joann's.  Peace.

WW ATC Reminder, JSL, & HDH MM Bare Bones

Happy Saturday!  We have a reminder post for you today at:


Head on over to see what the rest of the DT created and to play along with us.

We also have a new challenge for you today, and some new DT members to announce, at:

Just Some Lines:  More than 1 Coloring Medium (paints/markers/pencils/spritzes and sprays, etc.)

I used 4 of the new Just Some Lines Halloween images, which you can find here.  I've used markers, pencils with mineral spirits, and Smooch Spritz on my card.  I added some rick rack and digi paper.  The sentiment is from Sassy Studio.

My next creation is an altered coaster that I created for the:


No bumpy embellies allowed - this was tough!  My cool skull image is from Smeared Ink.  I created the background using alcohol ink and alcohol blending solution, then covered it in a few layers of UTEE.  I dragged the edges through a black ink pad, then applied the text & the skull with Mod Podge.
Peace.