InStyle Stamps Thankful Thursday Sketch Challenge

Hi Friends!! I created this card this evening for InStyle Stamps "Thankful Thursday Sketch Challenge". Stop by InStyle Stamps blog site for the details of this challenge. This week is Sandy's day to create a sketch!! Whoohoo! Awesome sketch Sandy! Be sure to play. . .there's a prize to be given out!!

This is going to be a short post because I need to clean up my craft room really quick before CSI starts. Today is TV night with my husband!! LOL! Every Thursday night at 9:00, I stop whatever I'm doing because this is one night we actually "schedule" time to watch TV. We watch CSI and TiVo "Supernatural" so after we watch CSI, we'll watch Supernatural.

Friday is usually "Family movie night" and Saturday or Sunday is "Bowling Day". From Monday through Wednesday, we usually do our own thing . . .my daughter does her homework, I usually craft and my husband plays his video games. It's not that we don't hang out with one another on those days but they're not "scheduled" days.

Real quick. . .I colored Ginger using my Copic Markers and cut the circle with my Coluzzle circle template and created the scallops with my Fiskar scallop scissors! Don't you have a die, Maria? I actually have the Oval and Circle Nestabilities but I'm too lazy to bring them out and run them through the machine. To attach the ribbons, I used paper clips!!

Anyway, hope y'all have a fabulous Friday!

Card Details:

Stamps: InStyle Stamps Ginger, Heidi Grace

Paper: MME designer paper, SU Cool Caribbean, Certainly Celery

Ink: Copic Markers

Accessories: Sizzix die, Fiskar scallop scissors, 1" and 1 1/4" circle punch, Prima flowers, CB embossing folder, Satin ribbons, Paper Clips

Big Flower Scrappy Card

Hey Everyone!! It's my first scrappy card on this site. I, typically, post my scrappy cards on Card Inspired but because I decided to consolidate my blog, all my scrappy cards will now be posted on this site.

What is a scrappy card? Basically, cards created using scrapbook embellishments with no rubber stamping. It's like scrapbooking but rather than a layout, you create a card.

The card was primarily created using Colorbok chipboards, Prima flowers, card stock, ribbon, and designer paper.

That's about it.

I layered the prima flowers and attached a brad in the center.

Well hope you all are having a fabulous Thursday!!

Card Details:

Papers: CTMH designer paper, SU Cool Caribbean, Gray card stock

Accessories: Target Prima flower, Prima, Inc., Colorbok chipboards, Satin ribbon

Photos of the Day

Just Killing Time

I took this photo of my daughter as she entered my car when I picked her up from school yesterday. Every week day at approximately the same time every day, I pick up my daughter from school. Sometimes she's late. . .and she makes me wait which annoys the heck out of me. After a few occurrences of making me wait at the parking lot, I told her that I won't pick her up until she calls me.

Well, yesterday she didn't call me at her normal time so I waited at home. While I was waiting, I decided to take photos of the flowers in my front yard.

I really love taking macro shots of flowers because they are the only photos I take that comes out nice. I was playing with the different features on my camera and I'm slowing learning what all the bells and whistles are about.


This photo is the "Bird of Paradise" that I planted about 2 years ago and it's in full bloom. Actually, the flower is beginning to dry out as you can see to the left petals. They are really pretty when they first bloom.

Anyway. . .hope y'all have a fabulous Thursday! I can't believe it's almost the weekend again!! Time sure flies!!

InStyle Stamps Sneak Peek - Sasha

Hey Friends!! It's "Sneak Peek Day" at InStyle Stamps! Whoohoo!! Drum roll please. . . .it's my pleasure to introduce to you. . . ."Sasha"!! Isn't she "hot" or what?!! To be more specific, "red hot"!! LOL!! I colored Sasha in red because not only is Valentines right around the corner but she wanted to make a big statement on her debut day and what other color can make a bigger statement than red! Right?

Sasha will be available for sale on Friday, February 13th along with 2 of her friends, Lindsay and Steph. Stop by Instyle Stamps blog site to check out the various cards and projects created using the new releases.

There's a lot of fun stuff going on at InStyle this week!! Whoohoo! Yup, InStyle Stamps is full of activities. Here is the scheduled activities going on at InStyle this week:

*Monday, February 9th is Method Monday. Latrice will be featuring her technique this week.

*Tuesday, February 10th, release date of InStyle Stamps Digi Images

*Wednesday, February 11th - Sneak Peak by Maria (me!!)

*Thursday, February 12th is Thankful Thursday .

*Friday, February 13th, Steph will make her debut and the stamp release of Lindsay, Sasha, and Steph!!

Okay. . .just a little info on my card!! I decided to create a 5.5" round card. I colored Sasha with my Prismacolor Pencils and Gamsol. Yup, you read it correctly. No Copic Markers! LOL!!

I finally brought up my Prismacolor Pencils from the family room into my craft room so I can actually use them. It's been sitting in the family room under the table for couple months and I kept forgetting that they existed. LOL!

I did color the background with my Copic Markers. I meant to use a beige color but when I colored the card stock, I didn't realize how "orangey" the color was until I was already half way coloring it. Argggh!!

I decided to layer my sentiment with a mediums size Prima flower, a heart shape punched using SU Heart to Heart punch and the Word Window Punch for the sentiment.

Anyway, stop by Instyle stamps on Friday the 13th to check out the new stamp and you can now also check out the new Digi images released yesterday!!

Hope you all have a fabulous Wednesday!!

Card Details:

Stamps: InStyle Stamps Sasha, SU A Happy Heart

Paper: SU Real Red, SU Patterns Designer Paper (Hostess), Chocolate Chip

Ink: Prismacolor Pencils, Copic Markers

Accessories: Fiskar scallop scissors, SU Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon (retired), SU Heart to Heart punch, Word Window Punch, Prima flower, Stickles Glitter

Disney Scrapbook Layout #2 and Photos of the Day

Hey Friends!! Okay. . .now that I've moved my scrappy projects on to Stampin Inspirations from my other blog site Card Inspired which I recently closed down. . .you'll be seeing scrappy projects from time to time on this blog site. Well, actually I didn't close down Card Inspired but I just won't be updating that site. My old stuff are still there , cards, projects, tutorials, etc.

I FINALLY got a scrapbook layout done. I had created the first layout on Card Inspired a few weeks ago and it took weeks for me to start on the second layout. If you want to take a look at my first layout: Click Here

I am NOT a scrapbooker but I am trying. Argggh! I have no idea what I'm doing when it comes to creating layouts. I'll look at different layouts made by others looking for some idea on how to create my layout but there doesn't seem to be any real rules to follow.

I'll read what the "pros" write and they say to do this and do that, not to do this and not to do that, but when I look at their layouts, I don't see the rules being applied or maybe it went right over my head, so I'm like "huh????".

So, I decided. . .forget it, I'll just lay it out anyway I feel like it! LOL!

The photos were taken from our trip at Disneyland during the holidays. I wanted to create a "Disneyland" scrapbook album but I think it's going to take me a year to finish off the album! LOL!!

I used all kinds of stuff on my layout. . .all scrap pieces from open packages. Believe it or not, considering I'm clueless when it comes to scrapbooking, I actually created this layout within an hour! Whoohoo!

I decided "what the heck" . . .if I think too hard, I'll never get this done so just do it and I did ! Whoohoo!!

What do you think? Do you think it passes muster? LOL!

Photos of the Day

Snow Capped Mountains and the Winery

Today after running some errands, I decided to take a drive through the wineries, about a 5 to 10 minutes drive from my house. Actually, I live right behind the wineries but I need to drive around to get to the front. As I was driving, I noticed that the mountains had snow. What's unusual about that? Well, I live near San Diego which is "southern, southern California"...LOL! So. . .snow is not common but we do have snow on the mountains every year. Actually this morning we had a bit of a frost and the temperature was in the high 20's, low 30s. As you can see in the photo, there's no grapes because it's too cold and I guess they were all harvested. In the spring and summer, there will be grape vines all over the place.

This is a zoom shot of the Ponte Winery. Temecula has 20 wineries and a few of them have a bed & breakfast and spa. So you're planning to take a trip to San Diego, stop by Tememcula and check out the wineries

If you click on the photos, you can see a better view of the photos!!

Back to my photos, I took a whole bunch of photos while at the winery. I took the landscape photo with my zoom 70 - 300mm lens using auto focus "landscape" mode. This tree was taken with the standard 18 - 55mm lens on "macro". I take everythng on auto focus because I don't know how to use my camera in any other way! My goal this year is to learn to use my camera other than auto focus!! LOL!

Hope y'all have a fabulous day!!

Little C's Weekly Challenge

Hey Friends!!! It's Little C's Weekly Challenge again and this week, it's a color challenge put together by Rina. Whoohoo. The challenge is to create a Valentines card with the color combo above. Honestly, this was a difficult one for me because I couldn't find a similar blue colored designer paper that didn't have "stars" or a " July 4th" theme. I also had to add a little green to the image because of the grass. It's not like I could make the grass blue. LOL! Well, I could've but it would of looked weird.

Anyway, I did try. . . besides the rest of the card matches the challenge colors so there you go. I don't want to hear any arguments from you!!! LOL! Do you see the charm at the bottom corner, well. . .you can't really see it but it says "love" so this card qualifies as a Valentines card.

Also. do you see the pretty flowers? Well, they are by "All Natural Accents" , a Hawaii based store!! Whoohoo! You can find this cute Rachel Ann Miller stamp and "All Natural Accents" products at Little C's Stamps n' Things. Click on the Little C's banner below to link to the site and you can purchase this cute stamp for your self!!!

I colored the image using my Copic Markers but I just realized I forgot to shade my coloring so the colors look a bit flat. Lesson learned. . .don't rush when coloring your image! LOL!! Oh, well. . .it's just not my day I guess!!

Anyway, stop by Little C's blog site for further details on this challenge. There's a prize to be given out so be sure to stop by and play along!!

Check out the fabulous cards by the Little's C's DT:

Jen - Pieces of Me
Rina~ Heartful Stamping
MacKenzie - Midnight Scramper
Heidi - Create - Reach for Something More
Jen C
Jackielou - Bloggin My Pink Artsie World
Margie ~ Oh Bumble is Me

Card Details:

Stamps: Rachel Ann Miller

Papers: DCWV designer paper, SU Brilliant Blue, Real Red

Ink: Copic Markers

Accessories: All Natural Accents (flowers), JoAnn brads, metal heart charm, Basic Basic Ribbons

Christmas Stampin' All Year Long Challenge #3 (02-09-09)

Hello Friends!! It's Christmas Stampin All Year Long Challenge again!! We're now on challenge #3!! That means 3 Christmas cards already out of the way! Hey, why don't you join us and play along. Together we can be ahead of the game this year and we'll be free during the holidays to actually enjoy it!! LOL!!

Anyway. . .stop by our group blog "Christmas Stampin All Year Long" and check out this week's challenge. This week's challenge is again a sketch challenge. When you've create your card following the sketch, comment the post that corresponds with the challenge with the link to your blog, SCS, PCP, or online photo gallery. Your card will be added to the blog with a link to your blog site so others may visit your site. Your photo will also be added to the groups photo album on PCP!!

I created this card using a Sarah Kay image that I bought at Little C's Stamps n' Things! Stop by Jen's store and check out all the fabulous stamps there!!

Just a little info on my card!! I colored the image using my Copic Markers. . .I believe the paper is by Basic Grey but don't quote me! LOL!

Nothing much else to the card. Anyway. . .I hope you'll play along this week!! It'll be fun to see your card!

Have a fabulous Monday!!

Happy Mail Anthony & Burt

Hey Friends!! Happy Sunday to you all!! When I first saw this Anthony & Burt image I thought that Burt looks a bit like he's on crack or something or maybe wired on coffee. . .all bug eyed and such! LOL!! Relax Burt. . .your mail is coming!! Too funny.

Okay, you're suppose to laugh! I don't know. . .I sometimes look at an image and see things that are a bit peculiar to me and think up crazy things about them. . .gotta have a bit of humor in one's life or life will be dull, don't you think?

Anyway, I love Anthony & Burt, bug-eyed and all! Those two are adorable together. . .Anthony is the bug. . .what is he anyway? He's not a bee. . .well I don't think he is. What do you think he is? Or maybe he is a bee.. . .now that I look at him, I think he is a bumble bee. . .I have to ask Jen about this one. I think Anthony is the bug. . .I had asked Jen this question before but I can't remember what she told me. Jen, if you read this . . .Anthony is the bug right? Correct me if I'm wrong!

You can find Anthony & Burt at Little C's Stamps n' Things and whole lotta brands of stamps and products. Fo' Real!! Little C's has a butt load of awesome products for you to blow your money on!! So be sure to stop by her store and be prepared to go broke!! LOL!! Sorry. . I'm in a weird mood today!

Oh! Little C's still has a Valentines sale going on so be sure to stop by and take advantage of her sale. It ends February 16 or until supplies last!!

Anyway. . .just a little bit of info on my card. I colored the image with my Copic markers and added SU Crystal Effects on Burt's eyes to give it a glassy look . ..that's about it.

Card Details:

Stamps: Anthony & Burt, Pink Cat Studio (sentiment)

Paper: DCWV designer paper, SU Certainly Celery, Cool Caribbean

Ink: Copic Markers

Accessories: Metal frame tag (?), Basic Basic Ribbon, SU Crystal Effects

Before I go. . .we went to the movies this afternoon and saw the move "Coraline". I loved it!! I do recommend it for teens and adults but not for children. It's a bit scary for children . . .remember "Nightmare Before Christmas". . okay, same director! So you can pretty much visualize what Coraline would be like. The animation is totally awesome . . .actually, I loved everything about the movie. . .just a fun and scary movie all at the same time.

Another two movies that I saw recently that I highly recommend are "Curious Case of Benjamin Button". . .not just because Brad Pitt is in the movie. I love movies that have a "fantasy" component to it and one that tells a story like a book (well, in this case it is from a book). LOL! Great cinematography too!! Just a beautiful movie overall!!

The other movie is "Slumdog Millionaire". I LOVE Indie films. . .big time!! Slumdog is the first "independent" film that I have seen in a long time that don't end with a shockingly depressing ending. LOL! I always anticipate something bad or horrible is going to happen in the end especially with Indie films. . . .have you seen the Departed, Babel, Little Children, House of Sand and Fog, Mystic River, etc. . .if you did, well you'll understand what I mean by depressing!! LOL! Anyway. . .Slumdog is a must see movie. You don't have to love Indie films to like this movie. It's a real true feel good movie!

Hope you all have a fabulous week!

Shabby Chic Embossed Card Stock Tutorial

Good Evening, Friends!! Do you watch those home improvement shows? Well, I like to watch them and I especially like how they create those shabby chic looking tables and dressers by applying paint and distressing it or sanding it down.

I thought, hmmm. . .maybe I can create something like that with my card. LOL!! Okay, you either hate or love my card. Actually, it has kinda grown on me. . .it wasn't exactly what I wanted but it's different so I like it.

I wanted to sand off more of the paint but it was too much work to distress it further so I just left it as shown in the picture!!

Are you the type that work on your cards for hours? Not me. . .my max is one hour. Anything beyond that is too long for a card. I do take a long time making scrapbook layouts but it's a keepsake so I think it's worth the time.

Anyway. . .I don't know, what do you think? A work of art or crap? LOL!! If you'd like a short tutorial on how I did this shabby chic look to my embossed background, scroll down.

I don't have much to say today. . .I'd like to start on another card so I think I'll end it here!!

Oh, before I go. . .I didn't know where to place my sentiment on the front of my card so I placed it on the inside.

Hope y'all are having a fabulous weekend!!

Card Details:

Stamps: SU A Happy Heart, Heidi Grace

Paper: SU Real Red, Deja View designer paper

Ink: Arcylic paint, Veramark,

Accessories: Buttons, Embroidery thread, SU Ritzy Red embossing powder, prima flower, Basic Basic Ribbon, SU Top Note die

Shabby Chic Embossed Card stock

Materials

CB Embossing Folder

Card stock

Acrylic Paint

Sanding Block or sand paper

Sponge Applicator

Emboss a card stock using an Embossing folder such as Cuttlebug, Fiskar, etc.

Apply acrylic paint directly on to the embossed card stock using a sponge applicator

Allow the paint to dry then distress or sand with a sanding block or sand paper until you achieve the distressed or shabby chic appearance desired.