OCCC Sketch Challenge 5-30

Looking at this card right now I can see a thing or two I would have added, maybe sponging the vanilla nestie... too late now! This is what I came up with for this weekend's sketch challenge over at Our Creative Corner. I ended up making it landscape vs portrait because the DCWV dp I chose just would not work any other way! That is what I chose first, then the rest fell into place. The stamp set is the Clear Dollar stamp of the month for May, called Walk in the Park . I stamped the tree in chocolate chip (su) and the leaves in green galore (su) then I sprinkled multicolored flower soft to give the impression of a flowering tree. I used labels 4 nestabilities for the focal point and I sponged the edge of the dp in chocolate chip as well as the word window. I stamped the sentiment in chocolate chip which is also from clear dollar, this time from the clearance bin. The ribbon I used is all from Clear Dollar Stamps except for the green that is old olive grosgrain (su). Finally, the brads are chocolate chip and very vanilla large brads (su). Oh yeah, I used Not Quite Navy for my card background. :0) knew I was forgetting something! Thanks for stopping by and for sharing your thoughts !

Clear Dollar Weekend Color Challenge #21

Two weekends in a row I get to play along with the clear dollar color challenge. (thanks army! lol) This week, we are challenged to use Pink Passion, Summer Sun and Pumpkin Pie (su) with a white or black for a neutral. This challenge can be found at: http://www.papercraftplanet.com/group/cleardollarstampsllcweekendcolorchallenge/forum/topics/clear-dollar-stamps-llc-3 This is quickly becoming one of my favorite challenges. For this card, I chose to ink up my "biggest wishes" created by the very talented Shawnee Arnold at Clear Dollar stamps http://www.newcleardollarstamps.com/servlet/Detail?no=3743. The pumpkin pie for my base card is embossed with swiss dots to mirror the dots on the cake. I then stamped this adorable little mouse, her presents and cake on whisper white after first utilizing my dahila nesties. I used pink passion marker and pumpkin pie and summer sun ink watercoloring to color the image and pink passion to sponge the edge of the white dahlia. I used good morning sunshine (su) for the dotted summer sun dsp dahlias along with pink passion and a pumpkin pie dahlia. The ribbon is from Clear Dollar Stamps as well. For a final touch, I gave the cake some dimention with some dazzling diamonds glitter (su) . Thank you for visiting and for sharing your thoughts!

Ways to Use it Challenge WT220 * Buttons *

This is my submission for this week's ways to use it challenge over at splitcoast. http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=439401 The challenge this week is to use buttons on our project. Well, I too love buttons! I especially love my button latte and button bouquets (su) Instantly, this stamp set, Season of Friendship (su) one of my favs, came to mind. I affixed all the buttons with glue dots. I stamped the tree on very vanilla and cut it out. I used chocolate chip cardstock, then baja breeze dsp, very vanilla sponged with pink pirouette, then bella rose dsp in chocolate chip (all colors su). The first thing I did was cut out the largest labels 3 nestie in pink pirouette dsp to go under the tree, but as you can see, I forgot it! I found it when I was cleaning up and by then, it was way too late. But, I am happy with the results, maybe more than I would be if I hadnt forgotten the nestie. Finally, I used a sentiment from the Words from the Heart stamp set (su). Yeah! I will probably have to hang onto this one for a little while before I send it out. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts ! :0)

Paper Blooms #9 Challenge {emboss resist}

Yeah! It is Wednesday! With all the season finale's finished, and with my husband deployed, I dont really have alot going on, so I look forward to weekly challenges, and I especially love the challenges the ladies over at paper blooms http://paperblooms.blogspot.com/2009/05/paper-blooms-challenge-9-emboss-resist.html come up with! This week the challenge is to make an emboss resist project, which is a technique I had never tried before! I think I am hooked, it was so fun! I used one of my favorite stamp sets:"beautiful butterflies" from clear dollar stamps http://www.newcleardollarstamps.com/servlet/Detail?no=3567. I stamped the butterflies with versamark on whisper white (su) and sponged kiwi kiss, riding hood red, and pink pirouette
(su) randomly over the cooled embossed butterflies. I also stamped a butterfly on white cardstock trying the rock and roll technique using riding hood red and pink pirouette, cut it out and adhered it using a dimentional. I chose bella rose dsp (su) to back the butterflies and mounted that on kiwi kiss cardstock. I used kiwi kiss ribbon, a labels 4 nestie in pink pirouette for the sentiment and finished it off with three gorgeous paper blooms which can be found here: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6887095. I used rhinestones to affix the paper blooms onto the card. This was so much fun! I loved learning this technique! Thanks for visiting and for sharing your thoughts!

The Pink Elephant #16 sketch challenge

Here is my submission for this week's TPE16 sketch challenge which can be found at: http://thepinkelephantchallenge.blogspot.com/2009/05/tpe-challenge-16.html This card ended up being a 4x4 in order to make my circle fit the card or to make the card fit my circle... moving on .. I used my new favorite dsp, pink flamingo. Unfortunately, I only got a tiny sample pack from ebay.. anyway, I used my largest circle and pinking nesties in pink flamingo and real red. Real red is also in the sentiment, the background and the ink The sentiment is from clear dollar stamps. For a final touch I pierced the paper out to the edges for some texture. It makes me think of sunshine. This paper is so cheerful, it makes me smile even when I totally do not feel like it. Thanks for looking and sharing your thoughts! :0)

Mojo Monday 88 5/25/2009

This is my submission for this week's mojo monday sketch challengewhich can be found at: http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/2009/05/mojo-monday-week-88.html I wish I knew the name of this paper pack to give proper credit, but I do not. My bff sent it to me as much needed RAK. I think its DWTS or something.. apologies... Anyway, I used basic grey (su) for the cardback and this awesome textured dp for the rest. Even the flower is cut out from that dp! I mounted the flower on a labels 4 with dimentionals and used these cute little blueish brads I found at target on clearance. The ribbon is basic grey taffeta (su) and the sentiment is a rub on from the chit chat collection from SU. Thanks for visiting! Comments welcome :0)

Clear Dollar June Guest Designer Call!

I have wanted to 'try out' for the guest designer for a few months now, and this month I finally have time to do it, thanks to the army! {lol}

For this card, I used Basic Grey "Granola" paper and brads and the card back is kraft. I found the Basic Grey paper and brads at Clear Dollar Stamps along with the ribbon and the stamp set I chose, Zoo Critters, which can all be found at: http://www.newcleardollarstamps.com/servlet/Detail?no=3475

I watercolored this cute lion with creamy carmel for his body, more mustard for his mane and cameo coral for his nose, ears and mouth. All colors listed are SU. I used my newly purchased SU word window for the sentiment, which reads 'purr-mane-ent friends'. I have had this stamp set for a little while, and just found the inspiration to ink it up. This paper seems a little "jungley" to me, so the lion got his first kiss of ink. He is stamped with Stazon Black on watercolor paper. Thanks for looking (fingers crossed) and for sharing your thoughts!

On our way to the Tball Game

This is Connor's first year playing team sports, and our first team is the Fort Bliss/Team Bliss White Socks Tball. He really loves the game, looks forward to practice and games. It is alot of fun for me to watch him play and learn more and more about the game of tball. I mean, how cute is he? :0)

OCCC Sentiment Challenge

This is my submission for this week's challenge over at our creative corner - http://ourcreativecorner6.blogspot.com/ The challenge is to use a sentiment as the main focus of the card or project. This sentiment is from the friendship flowers set from SU. The dsp is pink flamingo from SU. I used textured white paper for my card and for the white dahila. I stamped the flower from the friendship flowers set on the white dahlia for a background like the WT219 (ways to use it) "stamp it again" Challenge on Splitcoast. The final touch is the riding hood red striped ribbon. I just love this paper! Thanks for looking and sharing your thoughts!

Possibly the most annoying toy ever.. but so cute!

So I could not resist the chicken toy while grocery shopping today. I feel bad every time we have to leave Oscar at home now that he is an only pet, so today I decided to bring him home a toy. (I know, I know... spoiled much?) Well, when this chicken toy hits the floor it "cock-a-doodle-doo"s quite loudly, like it would totally wake you up in the morning as if you lived on a farm. This has become an instant favorite of Oscar, like right now, as I type this, Oscar is laying down, his head resting on the plush chicken. I just could not resist posting this picture, he is just so stinkin CUTE! Too bad tough guy spiked collar does not show in the picture, that just adds to the cuteness - Bada@@ dog with his stuffed toy. Sweet .. .. ..

Clear Dollar Wknd Color Challenge! Yeah! I get to play!

This is the first time in a L O N G time I have actually had time to participate in this challenge! I am so excited! Today's challenge called for Night of Navy, Riding Hood Red, Creamy Carmel with an optional white. I had to make a couple color substitutions though, I used Kraft and Not Quite Navy paper, although I did use creamy carmel ink to watercolor Charlie and the center of the flowers. I stamped, watercolored and cut out each individual flower and paper pieced Charlie's apron and visor. After much deliberation, I decided on the flower embossed background and after even more deliberation I broke out the ol' paper crimper for my strip of not quite navy. I used white brads from the large su brads, and the riding hood red dsp. This is also my debut for my new dahila nesties, which I (of course) love.. I have yet to meet a nestie that I dont like! My final decision on this card was the sentiment. After I finished up to this point, I just thought adding one more element might be too much. so this time, for the first time I believe, my card is sentiment-less. Thanks for visiting!

Double the challenge, double the fun

This is my submission for this week's challenge over at http://www.thepinkelephantchallenge.blogspot.com/ . The challenge was to use a monogram. I also used the sketch challege for this week over at the twisted thursdays blog: http://pat-stamppaperandink.blogspot.com/2009/05/s2gsc11-twisted-thursday.html. The twist for this week was to create a 4x4 card. I used circle nesties and pinking nesties, and the paper is from the pink flamingo collection. The backgrounds are in basic black. The sentiment is from cheep talk and the C is from Tall Tales, all stampin up.

Sketch challenge #SC229

Here is my submission for this week's sketch challenge over at splitcoast. I went out of my comfort zone and ordered some basic grey paper and brads.. why is that out of my comfort zone you ask? Well, I admit, I am a bit of a paper snob and have only used Stampin Up up to this point... So I added to the challenge by using the basic grey "granola" paper. And what a suprise, large curvy rectangle nesties! I used the kraft striped paper from the textiles collection for my card base, two sheets from the basic grey granola papers, and kraft for my season of friendship (su) tree that is stamped in chocolate chip. The sentiment is stamped on the same paper as the card base, also in chocolate chip. The flowers are from SU flower fusion and the brads are basic grey granola. I sponged the edges of the components with chocolate chip as well. At least I have gotten my dollar's worth out of these nesties! The good news is my new dahila nesties came today, so I will try those next! Thanks Cassie for the great inspirations! And thanks for looking!

Paper Blooms #8 Challenge

Today's challenge over at http://paperblooms.blogspot.com/ is a color challenge using red, white and blue. Great choices with the upcoming memorial day holiday. I dont have any patriotic themed stamps so I went with a nautical theme. I first chose my stamp set, "boatloads of love" from SU, then proceeded to watercolor it in. Then after much deliberation, I worked on the layout. I seem to be stuck on my large curvy nesties.. (see next post ) I used real red paired with pacific point both dsp and cardstock and ink and I stamped the boats on watercolor paper. Thanks for looking! ! I cant believe I forgot my paper bloom! I had it all set out and everything! ARGH!

Color Challenge 219 Wishes

This is my submission for today's color challenge over at http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ Once again, Emily chose some great and very challenging colors! The colors this week are: Only Orange, Brillant Blue and Purely Pomegranate. I knew I wanted to use my new stamp set from http://www.cleardollarstamps.com/ called Biggest Wishes. A super cute set of three for only $4.99 ! I first chose the large curvy rectangle nestie set and colored it in using my only orange and brillant blue su markers and watercolored the purely pomegranate-- very carefully. This stamp is very detailed.I did not want to color the cake itself, so I applied glitter to help it stand out a bit. Also, I wanted to try shaping the card itself with a nestie. I saw it somewhere on a tutorial, wish I remembered where.. Suprisingly it worked. I remembered on the tutorial to let the top part of the nestie hang over the paper leaving the fold and cutting thru both layers at the same time. Easy peasy. Then I continued cutting nesties, one in floral purely pomegranate dsp from the candy lane collection (floral to mirror the flowers on her dress) and one strip of only orange for accent. I also ran that strip thru with the delicate dots embossing folder to mirror the polka dots on the cake. Finally, after much deliberation, I decided to add the sentiment on an only orange circle nestie cut out and added some glitter. I am still not sure if I should have added that or not.. All in all, this was a very fun card to make and I am happy with the results!

Clean & Simple Challenge #15

This is my submission for monday's clean and simple challenge. The challenge was to use "black and white and one bold bright." I chose lovely lilac for my bold bright and once again, I chose the "beautiful butterflies" set from http://www.cleardollarstamps.com/ . I embossed the card itself and embossed the lovely lilac as well, then lined them up so the embossing flowed from lilac to black. I used watercolor paper for the butterfly and watercolored in lovely lilac. I have the stampin spots for my bold brights and when I want to watercolor with one I flip over my cutting mat to the smooth and shiny side and smash down the stampin spot to release some ink onto the cutting mat, then I dab my watercolor pen right into the ink just as I would with a regular stamp pad. One thing I wish I would have done.. I threw out all the packaging for all my embossing folders, and I have no memory of their names.. I should have written the name on the back with a sharpie.. I would really like to accurately describe which embossing folder I am using. You can bet I will be doing that with any future embossing folders !

Mojo Monday 87

This is my submission for today's mojo monday sketch challenge. I was inspired by the textured patterned paper that my best friend, Cassie shared with me, and the random piece of not quite navy cardstock that found its way on my craft table... I did not want to cover the dsp with a square, so I made a frame instead! I also found that switching the small circle and square from the right to the left sat with me better. I stamped the birds in not quite navy then again on the red patterned paper to cut out the wings and affix them with a dimentional. The birds are also affixed with dimentionals. I struggled with where to put my sentiment and what to do with the frame and if to use the frame.... finally, I decided to use this "your sweet" rub on from the stampin up chateau bella rub on set. So, here it is, my mojo monday entry for May 18, 2009. I think I will go watch the season finale of desperate housewives now! :0)

Connor's favorite ride

At the K-9 walk for the animals there was a few attractions for kids, there was a bouncy house, an obstale course, a rock wall, and the bungee trampoline. He loved the jumping! He actually got pretty high up once he got it figured out.

K-9 Walk for the Animals 5-17-2009

Connor and I came across a poster advertising this great event to raise money for the El Paso humane soceity, so we decided to go! It was a day to bring the dogs out for a 1 mile dog walk, and games for the kids as well as the dogs. It was fun! Oscar really enjoyed being out not only with us, but with the other dogs. It was a great way to spend the morning.

Paper Blooms #7 Challenge

This is my submission for the paper blooms challenge which can be found at http://paperblooms.blogspot.com/ The challenge was to use three ribbons. I really wanted to incorporate my newly purchased paper blooms which can be found at http://www.esty.com/shop.php?user_id=6887095

The ribbon is stampin up kiwi kiss cut in half and frayed. The leaves are from "in full bloom" SU. I used the large curvy rectangle nestie, sponged the white with summer sun and the dsp is from "good morning sunshine" SU.

I wish my flower garden looked this cheerful ! Maybe I should plant paper blooms instead!

Color Throwdown #42

This is my submission for this weeks color throwdown challenge over at http://colorthrowdown.blogspot.com/

The challenge was to use tempting turquoise, so saffron and basic black. I layered three of the labels 4 nestabilities and embossed the so saffron and basic black ones with the swirly embossing folder. The butterfly is from the beautiful butterflies set from http://www.cleardollarstamps.com/ a set of 15 stamps for only $14.99... I watercolored the butterfly with tempting turquoise and so saffron.

Mother's Day 2009

This mother's day was probably the best one ever. Connor is 5 1/2 and for the first time, he really understood what mother's day was. I am not one to look for an expensive gift or alot of pampering on mother's day. But with Jason deploying a few days before mom's day, I asked him if he would take Connor to pick me out a small gift, and he did. Connor was so sweet, he told me to not go in his bottom drawer, and he asked me for a few days "how many more days till mother's day"... The morning of mom's day came and he brought out the gift he chose out for me. It is a really pretty necklace with a blown glass pendant that is red, black and gold. He chose it on his own, and was very excited about it. It is very pretty, and I do like it alot. Then Connor said he wanted to take me to lunch for mother's day. He said either Mc Donalds or Olive Garden. Needless to say, I chose Olive Garden.

It has been a week ... 51 more to go

Here is a picture of Jason at the Maine international airport. Turns out deploying soldiers transistion thru Maine and this great organization called http://www.mainetroopgreeters.com/ meets each plane, shakes hands, hugs and hands out welcome to maine cards to all the soldiers. They also take pictures and post them on their website! There are picts going back to 2006.

I know it has only been a little over a week since Jason left for Iraq, but it was sure great to see his handsome face! I think one of the hardest parts of a deployment is not getting to see his face. Hopefully this time we will get to use the webcams to chat once in awhile.