Bombshell & Paper Crafting Journey

Although he won't see it, I want to wish my nephew Eric a very happy 22nd (GULP!) birthday today.  I was 19 years old when Eric was born to my 18-year-old sister, and we've always been extremely close.  I can hardly believe he's 22 years old now.  That makes me.... older.  hee hee

Today I'm saying goodbye to my stint as Bombshell's Ms. January Pin-Up Girl.  I can hardly believe it's over - both my term and the month of January!  LOL  Here's my final project:

Head on over to the Bombshell blog to read details.  Thanks for having me, ladies, I had a great time designing for you.  I hope I made you proud.  :)

Next - I have a little card for the:

Paper Crafting Journey Challenge: For a Girl

I used one of the Bean stamps from The Greeting Farm (the package doesn't say her name and she's no longer available so if you know her name, drop me a note and I'll update the post! Thanks!).  I stamped her in red ink directly onto my DP that I had already attached to the card front.  I added some glitter, sponged the edges of the card, and tied a ribbon around it, pretty CAS.  Have a great day!  Peace.

WW & Bombshell

Hello everyone!  I love how my hair came out yesterday - sorry for the poor quality, but wanna see?

Ahhhhh - it was so nice.  Cass and I spent 4 hours in the salon.  And neither of us minded.  LOL  I'll post another pic when I get one of Cass & I together.  The woman who did our hair was so nice, and I'll definitely go back to her.  An older woman in the salon said to us "You 2 must be related - the resemblance is very strong."  We laughed, we hear that all the time.  She's my little mini-me.  I'm going to miss her so much when she goes back East. 

So for today, we have a new challenge for you at:

Wicked Wednesday ATC Challenge: Gothic Love

My image is from Bugaboo Stamps, our sponsor this week.  Background skellie paper is from Tiddly Inks.  Head on over to see the rest of the DT's creations!

I have another project for my Ms. January stint at Bombshell today, also:

This one is an ATC that I made with a portion of the pretty stamp.  I will be posting it on the Bombshell blog a bit later, as today is their blog hop.  Peace.

Simon Says Stamp, PTT, TPE, Bombshell

Hello everyone!  Cass and I finally made appointments to get our hair done, I'm so excited.  I have not had my hair done in over a year - I am getting a partial foil and a cut.  Cass is going completely blonde and also getting a cut.  Our appointments are at 9:00 a.m. this morning so hopefully I'll have a pic or two to share later.  :)

Today I have 2 things to share.  The first is a card I made for the:

Simon Says Stamp: Paper Piecing
and
Party Time Tuesdays: Anything Goes
 

I used one of our new images at Dilly Beans called Cinnamon Circle Frame, and I paper-pieced her outfit, her hair, and her hair bow.  Paper is from MME.  Sentiment is from SRM Stickers.  Ribbon is from my stash.  Paper piecing is my favorite technique, I just love it.  It reminds me of playing with paper dolls, which was just about my all-time favorite pastime as a kid.  Times were tough when we were little, but we didn't even know it.  My mom didn't buy us video game systems or designer clothes, but she did make sure we had everything we needed.  Every now and then, she'd surprise us with a new book of paper dolls.  I can remember going to bed at night so excited, knowing that when I woke up in the morning those dolls would all be cut out, along with their clothes, ready for us (my sister and I) to play with them.  It really is the simple things... that memory is very dear to me.

So anyway - one more project for today.  This one is for my Ms. January stint as a Bombshell Pin Up Girl and I'm also entering it into:

The Pink Elephant: Hearts

I made an altered coaster, another of my favorite techniques.  :) I painted a coaster with white Gesso, then stamped my skull on it with black ink and the hearts in red ink.  I spritzed it all with Silver Foil Smooch Spritz and inked the edges with a black sponge.  I then applied several layers of UTEE to give it a smooth and glossy look.  Attached a magnet to the back so I can display it on my fridge.  Hope you like!  Peace.

TGF, Digital Tuesday, & ADFD

I love when I get to spend a lot of time crafting on the weekends, it is truly therapeutic to me.  I just love sitting down with a bunch of images and coloring.  So today I have 2 cards to share with you - the first one is for:

TGF Double-Take Tuesday - Sketch

and

Digital Tuesday Challenge: Fave Color Combo

Blue & yellow is one of my favorite color combos and this paper from Authentique is one of my favorite designs.  I used Creeper Leslie, paper pieced and colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits.  Sentiment is a sticker from SRM Stickers.  Flower is from my stash - buttons are from SU!

My next card is for the:

A Day for Daisies Challenge: Add Red

I used A Special Flower, colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits.  My DP is from MME.  The butterfly is a metal charm, I attempted to add a splash of red alcohol ink to the flower on it, but I splattered it and decided to turn the whole thing red.  I actually like how it came out.  Hope you all have a great week.  Peace.

Hawaiian Beef Short Ribs, WW & JSL - Charms!

Hi everyone!  I have been cooking more than normal since we moved to California last year.  I love looking up new recipes and trying them.  Now that my kids are older, they seem to enjoy it too!  Even my hubby has been brave and tried new things recently.  LOL   So we realized the other day that we had never cooked beef short ribs before.  Jeremy loves (like, LOVES) pork spareribs.  BBQ ribs.  It's one of his favorite meals.  So when he expressed interest in the beef short ribs, I ran with it.  I found a yummy-sounding recipe online here:

 http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2010/08/hawaiian-ribs-slow-cooker-recipe.html

We doubled the recipe for our family of 4 and there was just enough for all of us.  And here's how they looked after cooking in a crock pot on low for about 7 hours:

Lemme tell ya - they were YUMMY!  Most of the bones just fell right off while cooking.  The meat was tender and juicy and full of that soy-sauce/garlic flavor.... delicious.  We had boiled red potatoes and corn with ours.  I'll definitely cook these again.

Today we have a reminder post for you at:

Wicked Wednesday ATC Challenge: Add a Charm

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

We have a new challenge for you today at:

Just Some Lines:  Add a Charm

I made an ATC for my project, so I could use it for both my Wicked Wednesday and my JSL posts!  I used one of our adorable new images called Miss You Bear, colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits.  Sentiment is a rub-on applied directly to the DP from My Mind's Eye.  I got my charms from Jo-ann Fabric & Craft online store here.  I absolutely LOVE charms, and I tend to hoard collect them.  hee hee

You should definitely link up to both challenges if you create an ATC using a Just Some Lines image and add a charm!  The WW challenge closes Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m. EST

Peace.

Challenges & New Releases

Happy Friday!

Today we have a new challenge for you at:

Dilly Beans: Metal Accents

I am also entering this card into:

The Corrosive Challenge: Put a Pin in It!

and

Craft Us Crazy - Valentine/Love or The Color Red

I used Voodoo Doll 3 from Dilly Beans, colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits.  I used a fine-tip red marker to draw in his bloodshot eye.  For the background, I used a steampunk embossing folder, then rubbed the design lightly on some clear embossing ink - sprinkled and melted some silver embossing powder over it and voila - a metal background.  I added brads for the heads of the pinks and used screw brads as accents on the red matting.  This one was a lot of fun to make!  Oh - and I used my Dymo Caption Maker for the text.

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

Jellypark Challenges: Button it Up!

I found out an old friend of mine had a baby girl just last month, so I took the opportunity to make a card for her.  I used Jellypark's New Baby & Teddy in Blanket, colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits.  DP is from Authentique and the safety pin brads (from my stash) were attached to a leftover scrap piece of ribbon from Stampin' Up!  Buttons are from my stash.

And last - we have a new release at Jellypark today, as well!  First up is the pretty Gardening Lady:

And next is my favorite, Pirate Boat:

If you click on the name of the stamp, it'll take you to the correct page in the store to purchase it.  Claire always out-does herself with these sweet and whimsical images, doesn't she?  Although we are divided into 2 teams and only required to participate with whichever our assigned team is doing (challenge or new release), I find myself almost always trying to do both.  I just really enjoy working with these images.  Hope you all have a great weekend.  Peace.

TGF & One Sweet Challenge

Hello everyone!  So yesterday Cass and I went grocery shopping, did a big shopping.  I always want to cook after I do a big shopping.  LOL  So I have been checking out new recipes and figuring out the meals for the week and all that.  Last night, we had a delicious chicken dish that I found online.  Here's the link to the recipe:  http://www.food.com/recipe/chicken-roasted-red-potatoes-491465

Now here's how I altered it - I used chicken breast (boneless) instead of thighs.  And I don't use this stuff, "1 cup KRAFT Shredded Triple Cheddar Cheese with a Touch of PHILADELPHIA" - so instead I used some shredded cheese on the potatoes (just a little) before putting the chicken on top. Then I cooked the whole thing for like 45-50 minutes, then sprinkled more shredded cheese on top and cooked for another 5-10 minutes.  It was absolutely DELICIOUS and I highly recommend it!  Today I'm marinating some steaks to cook on the grill tonight.  Cuz we can do that in January here in Cali.  hee hee

Today I have 2 things to share with you - first up is my creation for:

TGF Farm Fresh Friday: Punches/Dies

I used Cheeky Shooter, stamped directly on my DP and colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits and markers.  I used my MFT film strip die to make a border around her, and finished it off with a ribbon.  The sentiment is a sticker from SRM Stickers.

Next is my creation for the current challenge at:

One Sweet Challenge: Silver & Blue & White

I used Exotic October, colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits and markers - I used silver glitter on her tail fin and the candles, and I spritzed the whole thing with Silver Foil Smooch Spritz.  Kept it pretty CAS.  Peace.

Charms & Chunky ATC's

Hi everyone!  We have a new challenge for you today at:

Wicked Wednesday ATC Challenge: Add a Charm!

Our sponsor is Just Some Lines - head on over to play along for your chance to win!

My next creation is for our Wednesday post over at:

Bombshell - Pick a Tutorial

I am also linking this one up to the:

Forever Friends Challenge: Favorite Embellishment (charms)

I used Kelli's tutorial for Chunky ATC's. on the Bombshell blog.  I used the Bombshell Angel set - used some glossy paper with alcohol inks for the background and then stamped directly on that.  I smeared black ink on the devil and sprinkled diamond glitter on the angel.  Tied the charms onto the sides of the chunky ATC with ribbon.  Peace.

Mad Tea

Good morning!  I normally type my blog posts up at night and schedule them for the next morning, but last night we went to Jeremy's mom's to have dinner with the family.  His sisters were both here, which is rare, and it was really nice to see them.  We had a great visit, but we got home late (for us) and after getting into an argument with Trevor, I was just too tired to type it up.  Trev is my 19-year-old son who has Asperger's - but who will adamantly deny this fact.  He is a wonderful kid, growing into a young man, and luckily our bad days are few and far between.  But when we do have a bad day, it's usually a combination of him being in a bad mood and my patience-meter reaching it's limit.  I don't like to talk about it very much publicly, because I feel like he's entitled to his privacy, especially now that he is an adult (I use that word in the loosest form possible...).  But I swear I'm going to write a book some day, privacy be damned.  I'm a writer, and I have so much to say that some days I feel like I might just burst if I don't sit down and get it all out.  In writing.  Poor Trev.  LOL

So just one card to share today - made this one with the following challenges in mind:

The Octopode Factory: Mad Hatter's Tea Party

and

The Altered Alice: Anything Goes

I used New Mad Hatter from The Octopode Factory, printed directly on, and paired with, some fun paper from Cosmo Cricket (thanks to Melissa O's give-away!) and added a little digi clock that I cut out from a Tiddly Inks image.  I printed the text with my word processing program and added some ribbon from Stampin' Up!  Peace.

Go San Francisco?

hee hee

So the Patriots lost.  Which means I'll now be rooting for San Francisco in the Super Bowl.  GO SAN FRAN.  LOL

I have a few things to share today, I had quite a productive weekend!  First up is my card for:
 

TGF: Double Take Tuesday: Blue & Yellow

I busted out my Wednesday rubber stamp and paper pieced her clothes.  This cool DP is from Authentique.

Next up is a card I made for the:

Digital Tuesday Challenge: Flower Power

and

Stamptactular Sunday - Fairy Fever

and

Sketch n Stash #105

I used Emma the Amore Fairy from Michelle Perkett and the DP is from my stash, it's my very first Authentique pad!  :)  Sentiment is a sticker from SRM Stickers.

Next is a card I made for the:

By the Cute & Girly Challenge: Cute & Girly
and 

Totally Stampalicious - Paper Piecing
and  

Loves Rubber Stamps Challenge: Cute as a Button

This sweet bathtub girl is from the Pure Innocence line of My Favorite Things.  DP is from My Mind's Eye - I paper-pieced again, my favorite technique.

 And last for today is a card I made for the:

All that Scraps Challenge: Anything Goes

and

Simon Says Stamp: Use Washi Tape

I used the digi stamp Geisha 2 from All That Scraps, paired with some gisi paper and a cool butterfly Washi tape.  Ribbon is from Stampin' Up!  Peace.  

Lazy Sunday - Go Pats!

 Yup, we are Patriots fans in this house - no matter where we live!  LOL  So today will basically consist of a tiny bit of cleaning, a little crafting, and a lot of football.  Personally, I'd love to see the Pats play the 49er's since San Francisco is our local team - so I say GO 49er's, too!  Football is definitely my favorite sport.  I was never much of a sports girl until I was pregnant with my son 20 years ago - I remember staying in all winter with my hubby (then-boyfriend) watching football and actually starting to enjoy it once I understood it.  I don't watch every game or anything, but I do watch when the Pats are in the playoffs and/or Super Bowl!  :)

So on to the artwork - my first card today is for the:

Birdie Brown's Freebie Challenge

and

Top Tip Tuesday Challenge: Fur or Feathers

I used the Birdie Brown freebie from this month, Amigurumi Bear.  Head on over to grab him for yourself and play along!  My tip for today is to use different sized circle cut-outs of designer paper as layers on your card, using coordinating colors. 

Next up is my card for the:

Digi Stamp Boutique

and

Tuesday Morning Sketches

I used one of Digi Stamp Boutique's older images (I can no longer find the link to this one, sorry!) Pirate Josh and a little skull image from The Stamp Fairy.  I used 2 pieces of different ribbons up top, which I adhered flat with adhesive.  Peace.

WW & JSL Reminders, From the Heart Sketch

Hi there - can you believe hockey is finally on tonight?  LOL  The timing kind of sucks - no one cares as much this weekend because of the football games going on!  GO PATRIOTS!!!  :)

Today we have a reminder post for you at:

Wicked Wednesday ATC Challenge: Embellish It!

Our sponsor is Stitchy Bear Stamps, so I'm also linking this up to the:

One Stitch at a Time Challenge: Anything Goes

As far as I'm concerned, it's never the wrong time to make Halloween and/or creepy/gothic creations.  I love this little Black Widow digi stamp - the cute spider hanging off the bottom of the web is the perfect touch.  It can be challenging to color images so small (ATC's measure 3.5 x 2.5 inches so the image is pretty small), but it's so much fun to be able to use digi stamps to print my images out any size I want/need.  I used my Dymo Caption Maker for the text.

Next up we have a reminder post for you today at:

Just Some Lines: Something New

I used this week's freebie for participating, Cupcake 2 (head over to the JSL blog to grab the freebie and play along).  My markers are new, a gift from my sweet friend Candy who knows me so well that she bought me Prismacolor markers.  :)  Now that's a friend.  hee hee

And last - I have a card for the sketch at:

I {heart} Card Sketches

I used Flower Child from From the Heart Stamps, colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits.  DP is from My Mind's Eye - peace sign sticker and butterfly are from my stash.  Peace.

Happy Friday :)

Hi everyone!  We have a new challenge for you today at:

Dilly Beans:  Bookmarks!

I am also entering my bookmark into the:

Paper Crafting Journey Challenge: Anything Goes

and

 Ladybug Crafts: Anything But a Card

I used Adriana's Mask framed, paper pieced with DP from Authentique.  Ribbon is from Stampin' Up!  Head on over to see the rest of the DT's creations and to link up!

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Next is my card for the:

Sans Designs: Help Wanted

and 

Dutch Dare Card Challenge: Buttons, Buttons

and

  

Kaboodle Doodles Challenge: Buttons

I used Zombie Love from Sans Designs, colored with Prismacolor markers, pencils, and mineral spirits.  This is my idea of a Valentine's Day card.  hee hee  Peace.

From the Heart/D2D & 2Sisters

Hello friends!   I have been playing along with the progressive challenges at Designed2Delight for as long as I can remember.  They have recently changed the name of their stamp shop to From the Heart - check it out!  Here's my card for the most recent challenge:

I used the sweet Tweet Birthday Gift image, colored with Prismacolor markers, pencils, and mineral spirits.  I added a sticker sentiment from SRM Stickers, a little ribbon tag, and some gemstone stickers.

Next is my card for this week's challenge at:

2Sisters Challenge:  Celebrations!

I made this little congrats card for a friend's daughter who got engaged last week.  I used Lola from Just Some Lines and some pretty papers from My Mind's Eye.  Peace.

Wednesday Stuff

Hello everyone!  I have not had time to be chatty lately, but you've got a chatty post coming SOON.  I'm bubbling over with stuff to say.  So stay tuned or be warned or whatever.  LOL

For today, I am proud to be posting the January challenge as the January Pin Up Girl at Bombshell Stamps, and my challenge theme is:

Heartbreaker

I am also entering this into the:

Bearly-Mine Challenge: Anything Goes
****************************************

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

Wicked Wednesday ATC Challenge:  Embellish It!

I am also linking my ATC up to the:

Digi Galore Challenge: Teddy Bear Picnic
and

One Stitch at a Time: Anything Goes

I used Lunchtime from Stitchy Bear Stamps, colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits.  I used brads, a butterfly, and a sun cut-out for my embellishments.  

And last for today is my card for the:

A Day for Daisies Challenge: Something Shiny

I used Butterfly Pony, colored with Prismacolor markers, Prismacolor pencils, mineral spirits, and lots of glitter.  I added rhinestone stickers and a piece of ribbon.  Sentiment is from All That Scraps.  Peace.

DICC & TGF FFF

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

Desert Islands Crafts Challenge

    1. Fish or Fins

    2. Feathers

    3. Fur

    4. Frogs

    5. Fancy Text

    6. Flight

    7. Four colors

    8. Flowers

    9. Fairies

    10. Fabric

I used #'s 4, 5, 7, and 8:

My image is from Floppy Latte Designs, our sponsor this week.  Sentiment is from TLC Creations.  DP is from My Mind's Eye.  

Next up is my card for this week's:

The Greeting Farm: Farm Fresh Friday Challenge

I used digi image Beto Bouquet, isn't he sweet? Sentiment is from Scrapalicious Times Sentiments, DP is from MME, ribbon is from SU!  Peace.

Simon Says Stamp, HDH MM, & All That Scraps

Hi everyone!  I was so happy to get back to crafting this past weekend!  I created the following card for the:

Simon Says Stamp Challenge: Black & White & a Splash of Color

I am also entering this one into the:

Haunted Design House Macabre Monday Challenge: Freaker's Free For All

I used a free digital line art image from Jade Dragonne, colored with Prismacolor markers, Prismacolor pencils, & mineral spirits.  DP is from My Mind's Eye, ribbon is from SU! Sentiment was made with my Dymo Caption Maker.

Next is my card for the current challenge at:

All That Scraps Wednesday Challenge

I used Pixie Lucy, colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits.  DP is from MME, ribbon is from Stampin' Up! and the little charm is from my stash.  Peace.