SCRSC #44 sponsoring 365 Cards

Hello all. Sorry to be gone so long. My laptop is giving me issues and I haven't upgraded my wireless router to be able to use my iPad at home. (at Starbucks to use theirs!). So today I'm sharing the adorable Chef Oliver from Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps. I bought this stamp specifically to make a card for my good friend Josie who is a chef at the Seattle Art Museum's restaurant, Taste. She often complains that every female chef artwork depicts the woman as fat. (maybe Aki can design me a special one for Sparks to produce?!!). Well, Oliver is definitely NOT a girl, but I think he'll still put a smile on her face!

The challenge over at Sparkle Creations is in collaboration with 365 Cards' Tuesday prompt which is to use hats. Chef hat works! And how appropriate is BG dp?! So go check out both blogs and join in on all the fun! You can possibly win some of Sparkle's stamps!

Well, all of my shows have had their season finales. *sad*. But, my hockey team is going to the Stanley Cup finals!!!! Way to go Vancouver Canucks!!!! I really, really wish I got my passport so I could drive up to BC for a game! Dang! But I'll still cheer loud enough for them to hear me!

Materials
Stamps: SCRS Chef Oliver with sentiment
Paper: BG Offbeat dp, PTI kraft and cs
Other: Copics, foam tape, PTI buttons, Memento ink, CTMH ink and hemp, CB folder, stitching, EK punch

Vanishing post

So, I posted this card last Saturday, and then it seemed to vanish. :( I don't know how that happened....well I might. I think I forgot to set the date of the post before I published it so it posted the wrong day and then when I went to fix it, it just disappeared. Oh well.

Now it's back! This is the card I made for my brother, Jeremie, to give to his Australian Army friend who married an US Army lady last Saturday. Jeremie said it was one of the best weddings he's ever been to (or seen on TV! haha!) He wanted a special, custom card made by his sister *aww* and asked that it include both the American flag and the Australian flag. Larger feat in my mind than it actually was when I set down and drew it out with my Copic multiliner. I think it turned out great! I like how is elegant without being too frilly.

I can't believe all my shows are done for the summer! All but Glee and House that is. Five-0... awesome, Survivor... a bit predictable, CSI...nail-bitting, Bones...sad but happy. Ho, hum, what am I to watch now? Hopefully Hell's Kitchen starts up again.

Materials
Stamps: CTMH Wings and Affection, BG mini set
Paper: CTMH cs, pearlized paper
Other: Copics, foam tape, pearls, ribbon, CB folder, CTMH ink, Stazon ink

Sparkle Creations Challenge #43

Good morning everyone! I'm back today with a card for this week's Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps Challenge #43 which is "May flowers". Well here in the Seattle area, April showers just brought more showers in May! A few flowers have sprung up, but they, like all of us, are confused with the cold and rainy weather. But there's hope! It's supposed to reach 70 degrees this weekend!

So anyways, I got side tracked...Daffodil Charlotte is an easy choice when it comes to flowers on a card. Plus I got to use some more of the cute mini daffodils! Love them! This card was quickly sold to a co-worker who bought it to give to her friend's mom who is a huge gardener. Love it when they sell as fast as I make them!

Materials
Stamps: SCRS Daffodil Charlotte
Paper: BG Hello Lucious dp, PTI kraft, CTMH cs
Other: Copics, foam tape, Nestie die, Memento ink, CTMH ribbon, CB folder, rhinestones

Thinking of you Ruby

Hello everyone! I must say, I'm so glad I found my Mojo again! It's nice to be back in the blogging world and seeing all the amazing creations out there and absorbing tons of inspiration!

My card today is for this week's Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps Challenge #39 which asks you to include a handmade embellishment. I used my Nestie scalloped circles to create this layered flower out of my scraps. It kinda makes the card look a bit too busy, especially since I paper pieced Ruby's skirt. Noticed how I altered the stamp image too and cut off Ruby's rolling suitcase. Now it just looks like she's "thinking of you"!

Bones tonight! Can't believe there's only a couple episodes left already. :(

Materials
Stamps: SCRS Suitcase Ruby, CTMH Fringed Phrases and Intrinsic Backgrounds
Paper: BG Hello Luscious dp, PTI kraft, CTMH cs
Other: Copics, foam tape, Nestie dies, BG brad, CTMH inks, CB folder, Memento ink, EK border punch

One less Gorjuss

Materials Stamps: Gorjuss Girl Paper: BG Curio dp, PTI kraft Other: Copic, foam tape, EK punch, PTI ribbon and button, CTMH hemp, Nestie die, CB folder This card makes me happy and sad at the same time. Happy because it's so pretty, and sad because this is one less Gorjuss Girl I have in my stash. So if anyone's looking for an idea for a birthday/Christmas gift for me.....Lol! My Brother Jeremie is currently in San Francisco visiting our Great Uncle Carl and showing Alex the bridge and the delicious seafood this area has to offer. Next stop is LA to pick up their friend from Australia and take in the sights for a few days.

Happy Birthday Sparkle!!

There's a very special friend out here in Blogland who is celebrating her birthday today! My dear friend Sparkle!! Stop on by her blog and give her a birthday wish.

This is the card I made for Sparkle. Classic me....it's going in the mail this morning. Ugh! At least she gets to extend her birthday cheer right?! Now in honor of Sparkle being on the NEW Farm Fresh Challenge DT, I decided to create a card with a TGF image and play along with this week's challenge. My "new" is the BG Hello Luscious paper and some lovely AC ribbon. I also used April's SFYTT.

Don't forget to swing by Sparkle's blog and send her birthday wishes, and also check out her awesome creations!

Materials

Stamps: TGF Flutter Creeper digi, CTMH Fringed Phrases

Paper: BG Hello Luscious dp, PTI kraft, CTMH cs

Other: Copics, foam tape, CTMH ink and "Sparkles" (hee hee!), AC ribbon, CB folder

Bellariffic Friday

Good morning all! Back today with a few cards for the Bellariffic Friday challenge which is polka dots. Easy enough. I bought these adorable pixies from Stamping Bella a couple months ago when they first came out. They were just too stinkin cute to pass up! I *love* how they worked so easily to put together this quick card set. I made four of each pixie and used up some more of that darn Nook & Pantry still hanging around. I even paper pieced their dresses to use up more! Have a great weekend! I'm hoping to go down to Fremont to check out the "Hop Scotch". It's an annual scotch and beer festival. Not a fan of scotch, but I likey beer! Materials Stamps: Stamping Bella Pixies set A, sentiments are A Muse Paper: BG nook & Pantry dp, PTI kraft, CTMH cs Other: Copics, CB folder, PTI buttons, CTMH ink and hemp, Memento ink

Me-eeow!

I've been meaning to share this card for awhile, but other posts kept cutting in. This is another "custom-kitty" card I made for a customer at The Sweet Spot. When she asked if I had some kitty images, I was like "um, yeah. just a 'few'". Lol! Being a proud mom to my own fur-baby, my adorable tuxedo cat named Simon, cat images are always an easy purchase for me!

Enjoy your Tuesday. Second day back after my two-week vacation. Boy! did my body ever yell at me after my first day back! I forget how physical my job is sometimes. It was nice to know everyone missed me, but it was the break I needed for sure!

Materials
Stamps: TGF Purr-fect set (retired)
Paper: CC Material Girl dp, PTI kraft and cs
Other: Copics, foam tape, Memento ink, CTMH ink, ricrac, and buttons, CB folder, Nestie Label die, EK corner punch

Freckle face SFYTT

Hee hee! Isn't this Puddle Jumper image cute? I just had to add freckles to her face (might've added too many, but oh well). I also modified Lucy by trimming off her handbag. I colored it up, but ended up not liking the color combo.

I'm cutting it close to the February SFYTT deadline! Yikes! But at least I did it! Use my new CB folder I bought from a friend and another of the felt flowers I made. Fun, fun! Kinda goes with the Material Girl dp feel. Oh yeah, AND I used my new EK border punch. It's one of those punch/emboss ones, not that you can tell with this dp.

Materials
Stamps: Puddle Jumpers Lucy, CTMH Thoughtful Seasons
Paper: CC Material Girl dp, PTI kraft, CTMH cs
Other: Copics, EK punches, CB folder, Memento ink, CTMH ink and hemp, felt, Nestie die

Cupcake Cherrie-TPSC#6

Good morning everyone, and happy Valentine's Day!

Sharing a little love with this cute Cupcake Cherrie image from Tickled Pink Stamps. Using up some more of my Eva dp and this ribbon that I'm now addicted to. To stamp on my Big Pink flower, I combined every birthday sentiment from every CTMH set I had and just blocked them together on my acrylic block and stamped away. Pretty easy technique.

This birthday themed card is for this week's Tickled Pink Stamps Challenge #6. I know that the sketch is from some challenge last week, but I can't remember what....one that TPS was sponsoring but I didn't finish this card in time for it.

I hope you all have a fabby Heart Day. I sent out a few Valentines last week to spread some love.

Materials
Stamps: TPS Cupcake Cherrie, CTMH assortment of birthday sentiments from 4 different sets
Paper: BG Eva dp, CTMH cs, PTI kraft.
Other: Copics, foam tape, Stickles, CTMH ink and Big Pink, Memento ink, satin ribbon, CB folder, EK punch, Sakura gel pen

I {heart} this card!

Did this turn out fabulous or what?!! I started out with this week's Farm Fresh Friday color challenge. The colors are black, turquoise, and a color of your choice. I chose my favorite new CTMH color, Sorbet, which perfectly matched this PTI ribbon and buttons I had.

I have a customer at the Sweet Spot that requested some kitty cards, so I thought using Reeta was perfect. I'm going to create some more using my old Purr-fect TGF set. I also used the Skipping Stones sketch #60. Switched the bottom panel to be behind the image instead of in front. Looked better that way.

Enjoy your Thursday! Bones is back tonight!!! And CSI! Yippee! Love that holiday break is over for all my shows.

Materials
Stamps: TGF Reeta, CTMH Thoughtful Sentiment
Paper: CTMH Lagoon and Smoothie cs, PTI cs, OA checked dp, black note paper
Other: Copics, foam tape, Memento ink, CTMH black button, ink, and waxy flax, PTI button and ribbon, EK border punch, CB folder

Same, but different

Good morning!

I'm back today with another card where I used the same paper and sketch as my last post. Cupid Emily lends a totally different, romantic vibe from Oliver's card. The lace and damask CB folder helps with the overall feel.

I knew when I first colored up this image that I wanted to cut her out. It was painstaking, but I love the result. Had to draw the bow's wire back in with my multiliner.

Sparkle just released her latest stamps today, so head on over to the site and check them out! There's a 20% off SALE through the 22nd. The discount code is CELEBRATE. Just click on the banner below:

Enjoy your weekend! I desperately need to finish my cards for my class next week and my sample for my class at Creative University next month. It's the only time I'll have before a jam-packed week!

Materials
Stamps: SCRS Cupid Emily, MM sentiment
Paper: BG Curio dp, PTI kraft, CTMH cs
Other: Copics, foam tape, CB folder, CTMH ink, Memento ink, scrap lace, Stickles

Valentine Oliver

I'm back!! I finally had some crafty time to play with some new Sparkle Creations stamps. Totally in *love* with the two new Valentine stamps!! This cutie is Valentine Oliver. He looks so dapper in his vest and hat. And a man with flowers AND candy?! HELLO!

I was also able to play with my BG Curio dp that I've had since it first came out but hadn't had time to use yet. I like how it adds a cool vintage look. Some more first-time-uses are this Cuttlebug folder and the flourish stamp that is from my new CTMH "Wings" stamp set.

And what do ya know....I actually made this for TWO challenges! It's been awhile since I've done that! The first one is Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps Challenge #24 which is "tie it up". I know my "tie" with the hemp is kinda a flimsy entry, but I just couldn't but a big 'ol bow with this image....but some scrap lace snuck in there! The second is the sketch. It's from Jen Del Muro's newly re-vamped SFYTT. It's now a monthly challenge with some cool sponsors! I'm glad Jen decided to keep on with her fabby sketches!

Materials
Stamps: SCRS Valentine Oliver, CTMH Wings and Thoughful Seasons ss
Paper: BG Curio dp, PTI kraft, CTMH cs
Other: Copics, CB folder, CTMH hemp and ink, Memento ink, MM button, scrap lace.

Sparkly FFF

Hello everyone! Time for another Farm Fresh Friday challenge brought to you by The Greeting Farm! This week the challenge is a "sparkly" one. Incorporate some sort of sparkle or shine to your creation and it has to be a birthday theme. Easy enough, right?!

For my card today, I decided to use another Laurie image. This time I used her with this present to make a birthday card for my friend Nona. Her birthday is coming up at the end of the month. ......now, if I actually MAIL this card in time will be a miracle! Lol! Can you see the Stickles I used for sparkle? Trying to capture it in phots is so hard. I also used Mercy's sketch from this week: 100 baby!!

Stop on by the TGF blog for all the challenge details and to see all the great DT creations!

On a personal note.....sorry I haven't been posting lately. My new store has been working me 6 days a week, on top of all my card classes and volunteer work. Because of that, now I'm starting to get sick again....and probably stress of a possible strike at work. (Grocers' Union contracts) I'm also trying to get ready for a "trunk show" at the shop where I sell my cards. It's the Saturday after Thanksgiving, so I've been trying to crank out all the Christmas cards, tags, and gifts I can! All of this isn't keeping me away from the latest Harry Potter movie though! I'm going to see it with my friend Josie today. :D I hope to post some more stuff this weekend.

Materials

Stamps: TGF Laurie with Present digi, CTMH Fringed Phrases

Paper: A Muse kraft, CTMH cs and yellow dp, BG Sugar Rush dp

Other: Copics, foam tape, Coluzzle, Stickles, CTMH inks, pearls, and ribbon, EK punch, CB folder

Free Friday

Materials

Stamps: SCRS Sledding Chloe, sentiment is Savvy Stamps

Paper: BG Eskimo Kisses dp, A Muse kraft, PTI cs

Other: Copics, foam tape, EK punches, CB folder, rhinestones, Stickles, misc. button

The Critter Crew gets the day off from this week's Farm Fresh Friday, but be sure to check out TGF's blog for some serious release therapy!

I'm taking advantage of my free Friday to post this card I made for the SCRSC #17. It's an inspiration challenge. You're supposed to use the image below to spark your creativity. Well I already had this Chloe image colored up to match my Eskimo Kisses and was too tired from my cold to color something new. The red sled works though. When it came down to making a card I just kinda did my own thing. I knew I wanted to use craft paper to play of the brown wood and a snowflake or two, but I didn't really have anything specific in mind. So this is what I came up with.

Here's the inpiration photo:

Now here is the rest of my "new store" story from my post on Monday.....
I work for Safeway as a Dairy Dept. Manager and just had my 15 year anniversary. I've been at the same store the INTIRE time. Always loved the store and the people (and the 8-minute commute!)

About a month ago I was asked to be the Dairy Manager at a *new* Safeway opening on Nov. 11th. The District Manager and new Store Manager recuited me to come! This was a big deal for them to want me to help Grand Open and run a new Dairy department! I've been a little tired of my now-old-store for awhile (less hours and more work since it's a slow store) and decided that "change is good".

And boy! is it ever! It's so cool to see how a new store comes to life. All this week we've been stocking the new non-perishable product---and WOW! that's a lot when you're filling EVERYTHING!--and putting up ALL the price tags. We started hanging tags in my department, and all the shelving is starting to arrive. Even some of my "old" co-workers came with me so I'm not so alone, and I get to work with people I haven't worked with in a long time. And the commute into North Seattle isn't as bad as I thought; only 15 minutes! I'm super excited to have this experience and I'm sure I'm going to love my new store as much as my old one.

Thanks for listening to me ramble!

The Greeting Farm RELEASE DAY!!

Happy release day everyone!! This is one of the most anticipated releases in a long time with the NEW Miss Anya Lounge debut! Miss Anya has always been a favorite of mine!

And speaking of releases....there are some super-stinkin'-cute Marina Neira images out today too! I absolutely LOVE all the adorable new Halloween Critters!! When I was given the preview, I was like "Oh! I love that one...Oh! I love that one too"! Hee hee! Halloween is my favorite time to make cards and have a ghoulishly good time!


Today, of course, is also Friday which means The Greeting Farm has another fabulous challenge! This week you are given options of either the color challenge or the altering challenge. Head on over to the TGF blog for all the deets.

For my card today I decided to do a bit of a combo of both challenges. For the color challenge I used CTMH Chocolate cs that I embossed, then since I didn't have much Olive cs, I decided to take this subtle cream Veranda dp and stamp on it with my Olive ink. I was able to use some of my new "birthday" PTI chartreuse ribbon too. I altered the Ivy image by cropping out her bat friend to downsize the image and give more room for the embossing to show.

So EVERYONE is playing along with the challenge today. Hop on through the blogs for some major inspiration! Don't forget that there will be some release chatter happening at 7pm CST on the TGF PCP page!

The Critter Crew:
Shaela Odd
Jacquie Nordaune
Jenn Royal (you're here!)
Kristine Reynolds
Linda Muhr
Tangii Crain
Margie Cortina
Sammi Betbeder

The Farmers:
Jessica Diedrich
Melyssa Connolly
Mercy Kerin
Randi Wall
Kim Nath
Tammy Maxvill
Tanya Tahir Oct Guest

Club Anya and Friends
Amber Hight
Anna Maria Nilsson
Jen Shults
Kristy Young
Kim Yu Oct. Guest

Stamps: TGF Ivy Witch digi, CTMH Thriller ss, sentiment is A Muse Paper: CTMH cs and dp Other: Copics, PTI ribbon, CTMH button, hemp and inks, CB folder

Cute as a button LLBC #15

Good morning everyone! Happy Monday. It's the LAST day of my week long vacation. :( It's been a very nice, and much needed, relaxing time off. A couple of days I didn't even make it out of my PJs!

Yesterday was one of those PJ days and I spent most of it watching football and crafting. I made this card for this week's Lil Lolita Boutique Challenge #15 which calls for the use of buttons. Easy enough for me since I use them pretty much on every card! I kept it subtle with the two little buttons along side the yellow rose. I wanted to use this rose so bad to mimic Evie's rose that I almost forgot to use buttons! And did you notice that I used my new favorite FTL #107 from Clean and Simple? Love it! Tweaked it a bit with the placement of the sentiment.


This was also the LAST of this CTMH Magic Moments paper pack! Yippee! Another one bites the dust! Which is why I decided to share this second card I made with the last of the scraps. Kinda sad though since this paper was recently discontinued. It was one of my favs for a long time. I played of my new PTI Button Bits set by punching circles from the last of the scrap and then adhearing a button on top. I really like how this turned out.

Materials
Stamps: TPS 20's Evie digi, CTMH Fringed Phrases, PTI Button Bits
Paper: CTMH Magic Moments L2pp, A Muse kraft
Other: Copics, CTMH inks, buttons, and hemp, CB folder, EK punches

SCRSC #10 with a "new" technique

Good morning everyone! I bring you today's card which is my entry for both this week's SFYTT and SCRS challenge #10. Sparkle's challenge is a color challenge: Orange, green and cream. When I saw this color combo, I instantly thought of this CTMH Splendor paper pack; one of my all time favorites. I tried to cover up all the blue, but that one flower was in the wrong spot. ;)

This also gave me a change to try my hand at some rolled paper flowers. For this cool technique, check out Tresa Black's post here. So easy, and sooo fun! You'll most likely be seeing these again!
Stay tuned tomorrow for a "flashback" Farm Fresh Friday!

Well, my vacation is now half way over :( and I pretty much haven't done anything! A couple meetings, my birthday, and a card class so far (ok, that's a few things. lol!). But the rest of the time I've been a lounging BUM!! That's what vacations are all about I guess!

Materials
Stamps: SCRS Charlotte with Rose, sentiment is A Muse
Paper: CTMH Splendor L2pp, A Muse kraft
Other: Copics, CMTH inks, Memento ink, CB folder, stitching, rhinestones

Scooter Chloe--SCRSC #9

Good afternoon everyone! Sorry for a late post again. I went to take pictures of my cards last night and my battery was dead.....so was my back up battery! Ugh!

So now that I'm off work, I can finally share my card for this week's Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps Challenge #9 which calls for buttons and bling. Well, that's an easy one! Very fitting challenge for Miss Sparkle herself! In fact, I used one of Sparkle's favorite A Muse sentiments just for this card. :D And since SCRS is sponsoring this week's Oh Alice challenge, I decided to play along with that too. I also used Mercy's sketch #90.

Enjoy your Thursday. One of my two card classes is tonight. I'll share the cards on Saturday, so stay tuned!

Materials
Stamps: SCRS Scooter Chloe, CTMH Simple Stitches, sentiment is A Muse
Paper: CC Earth Love dp, A Muse kraft, CTMH cs
Other: Copics, foam tape, Coluzzle, CB folder, CTMH inks and sparkles, misc. buttons

My first official Critter Crew FFF post!!

Oh my gosh!!! I'm sorry everyone! I set this for my timezone, but forgot to adjust to make it the day BEFORE!! Yikes! Still trying to work it out, sorry!


Welcome everyone to my first official post for Farm Fresh Friday as one of the newest Critter Crew members! Yay! I'm so excited to share my card with you today.

This week's challenge is a color challenge:
Hawaiian Shores (PTI), Tangerine Tango, and Kiwi Kiss (SU!)

Color challenges really break me out of my comfort zone. It's so easy to follow a sketch, but having to use specific colors makes me actually have to concentrate! Lol! Plus, I'm a Close To My Heart girl, so it took some detective work to figure out the matching colors. And the TGF examples are slightly different than the true shades, so my color choices look a little different.

So for my card I used Ocean, Sorbet, and Sweet Leaf. Ocean is definitely one of those bold colors that I can never commit to buying paper or cardstock in, but I happened to have this ribbon and rhinestones that went perfect! The Sorbet and Sweet Leaf were no problem; some of my favorite colors. This combination turned out real nice.

I had this Marlene image printed out that was calling my name to color her. Even though she's not a "current" digi, I thought she fit my card best. All the more reason to BUY the TGF stamps and digis while you still can!

Come see what we've all created!

The Farmers:
Jessica Diedrich
Cindy Haffner
Kadie Ensley
Mary Giles
Melyssa Connolly
Mercy Kerin
Randi Wall
Kim Nath
Tammy Maxvill

The Critter Crew:
Amber Hight
Jen Shults
Shaela Odd
Heather Schlatter
Jacquie Nordaune
Jenn Royal (you're here!)
Kristine Reynolds
Linda Muhr
Tangii Crain

Materials:
Stamps: TGF Marlene digi, CTMH Fringed Phrases
Paper: Amuse craft, CTMH cs and Twitterpated and Magic Moments dp
Other: Copics, Nestie, CB folder, CTMH button, ink, and hemp, misc. ribbon, EK border punch, Kaiser rhinestones, Stickles, Sukura pen