SCRS catch up

Good morning everyone!

Well, my little (and I mean little) roll I was on as far as posting goes didn't last very long. Sorry. Life caught up with me. Six-day work weeks and my BFF's baby shower I had to plan left little time for creating.

My one creation, other than the card today, are the two huge garden beds of veggies my Mom and I planted about two weeks ago! I'm so excited to actually be sustainable and grow our own food. I wanted to learn how to can, so we planted lots of roma tomatoes, green beans, and beets. I love pickled beets!

So anyways, onto the card today..... I had time last night to make this card for the last Sparkle Creations challenge which was a sponsor sketch, but Blogger didn't like me so I couldn't post it last night in time for the challenge deadline. :( Oh well. Blogger likes me today though!


I decided since I missed the previous week's challenge, which was an easel card, that I'd make my first ever one! Plus....Sparkle told me they weren't that hard after I whined that I'd never made one before. And what do ya know?! they are easy!

Hope to be back tomorrow with a Greeting Farm card. Enjoy your Monday. It's my one day off here, and it's SUNNY!!

Materials
Stamps: SCRS Crusin' Chloe, PTI Button Bits (sentiment)
Paper: BG Wander dp, CTMH cs
Other: Copics, foam tape, stitching, Memento ink, CTMH ink, buttons, EK punch

Combo Card

Good morning all! Sorry I've been so random with my posts lately. My big stack of colored images have just been staring at me for about a week, but I just haven't had the mojo to make anything. That, and I came down with a good 'ol cold. :P

So my card today uses Cafe Lucy which is one of Sparkle's images I've been dying to use! I love this image! The color combo is from the SCRSC #45, and I also made it for the Ribbon Carousel Challenge #5 where anything goes as long as it contains some kind of ribbon/twine/etc.

Hope you all are hiving a great weekend! It's actually supposed to be in the mid 70's and sunny all weekend! Yippee! Hopefully I will feel well enough to enjoy some of it.

Materials
Stamps: SCRS Cafe Lucy, sentiment is A Muse
Paper: BG Hello Lucious dp, Memory Box cs, CTMH cs, black notebook paper
Other: Copics, foam tape, Memento ink, CTMH ink and hemp, BG brad, Prima flower, EK punch

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

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

Happy Mother's Day

Hello all. Long time no blog, yeah? Believe me though, I have LOADS of images colored and ready to go, as well as some cards to share. Yay!

Today's card is my Mother's Day card I'm giving to my Aunt Cheryl. She's a fantastic gardener and is a plant expert at Molbak's Nursery, so Daffodil Charlotte was the perfect choice. I couldn't wait to get my SCRS order from Sparkle when we met up with Nona for a craft night together! I bought these mini silk daffodils just to pair with this image. I used this week's SCRSC sketch.

I hope you all have a great day planned with your loved ones. Mine's packed with an early shift at work, then late breakfast with my parents, grandparents, and uncle (Aunt Cheryl has to work), then off to do a six hour shift at a rest-stop to help raise money for the Shriner's Hospital! Whew! I'm going to be a tired puppy! Good thing I have the next day off so that I can take Mom to her favorite shopping place--Goodwill! We have tons of fun hunting for treasures.

Materials
Stamps: SCRS Daffodil Charlotte, CTMH Fringed Phrases
Paper: BG Offbeat dp, CTMH cs
Other: Copics, CTMH ink, Memento ink, rhinestones, silk daffodil

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

SCRSC #38

Materials

Stamps: SCRS Traveling Josh, PTI Everyday Button Bits

Paper: BG Wander dp and kraft basics, CTMH cs

Other: Copics, CTMH ink, brads and hemp, Memento ink, EK punch

Well, I intended to post this yesterday to submit it into the Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps Challenge #38, but my computer was giving me grief. Sometimes I just want to hurl it out the window! Last week's SCRSC was a sketch challenge, which was good since I had this Josh image colored up and ready to go.

My younger brother was here for two weeks on leave from the Army. He recently returned to his base in Fort Campbell KY from his second tour in Afghanistan. For the first week, we did a lot of family stuff together and just spent some quality time. The second week, his Army buddy Alex flew in. Alex has never been west of Fort Campbell, so this was a fun time to show fim all the sites of the Northwest. Here's the family when we went to the Chateau St. Michelle Winery.

Here's the boys when we took an impromptu ferry trip from Mukilteo:

They both exhausted me doing so many things, but it was a lot of fun and I miss them already. They left Friday morning to travel down the west coast. First stop is Portland OR to spend some time with our Cousin Lacey, then down highway 101 to see Tillamook (he LOVES their cheese) and then down to California to see the Redwoods and LA/Hollywood (where they pic up a buddy from the Australian Army), San Fran, then on to VEGAS! I know they'll have a great time.

Double the challenge, double the fun!

Back today with my card for this week's challenge over at Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps. The challenge is "Boy's Rule". SCRS is also sponsoring this week's CPS sketch. Twice the chance to win! I'm in for sure!

I've had this Traveling Josh image colored for quite awhile, so this was the perfect opportunity to use him. I had a little bit better luck making straight lines with my sewing machine this time! Haha!

Materials
Stamps: SCRS Traveling Josh, MM sentiment
Paper: BG Wander dp, PTI kraft and cs
Other: Copics, foam tape, Coluzzle, Memento ink, CTMH ink, stitching

Street Corner Josh-SCRSC #30

Good morning everyone! Here today with a card for the Sparkle Creations challenge which calls for some paper peicing.

Now, I've had this Josh image colored up for some time and really wanted to use him, but what part to paper piece.......It didn't feel right to piece any of his clothing, especially with the city-themed BG paper I was using. *lightbulb*! There was this little scrap left from this dp chilling on my craft table, and on it was all these little tiny street signs that were perfect for piecing into Josh's street signs! Tah-dah!

I finally bought some new bobbins so I can thread some more sewing colors. Got a little sloppy with sewing around the main image. Tried to do it all in one try, but kinda lost control towards the bottom! Haha! I'll get better.

Doing my final packing for Creative University today! Can't wait to have a nice and relaxing, crafty weekend with some amazing ladies! Gotta wake up super early to be at Nona's to carpool to the airport. MUCH better that driving 7 hours to Coeur d'Alene!! Here's a view of my scenery the next few days (plus 3 inches of snow!):

Image courtesy of Nichole Lewno

Materials

Stamps: SCRS Street Corner Josh, CTMH Fringed Phrases

Paper: BG Wander dp, PTI kraft, CTMH cs

Other: Copics, foam tape, EK punch, Memento ink, CTMH ink and hemp, misc. buttons

SCRS Challenge #29

Squeezing this one in in time for the Sparkle Creations Challenge deadline! Yikes! Cutting it close!

I've had this Cupid Emily image colored for over a week now, and I've finally had time to make a card using the sketch challenge. I flipped the sketch to put the band at the bottom since this image is top-heavy. The pink and lime green color combo is one of my all time favorites.

Enjoy your Sunday. I'm off to meet a friend for coffee and to sell him my Valentine Oliver card that I posted here. Then I'm going to cheer on my hockey team at the arena tonight. Go Tips!

Materials
Stamps: SCRS Cupid Emily, CTMH Affection
Paper: BG Eva dp, CTMH cs
Other: Copics, foam tape, CTMH button, ink and hemp, MS punch, Memento ink, satin ribbon, 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.

Lazy Sunday

Even with an extra hour today, I still didn't get this post up until now. Haha! But I did still wake up early at 7am. I thought I "slept in" until 8am, but forgot it was daylight savings. So I've been playing all this morning while watching football, and laundry. Wish my team wasn't getting smoked by the Giants though. :(

This card was originally made to play in the Christmas Card Challenge #48 of using candy canes, but since it's Sunday, the new Christmas challenge went up. Thankfully the colors I used still works in this week's inspiration challenge! I also used Mercy's Tuesday Sketch again to play with SCRSC #17.

Materials
Stamps: SCRS Candycane Emily, CTMH Snow Flurries
Paper: BG Jovial dp, A Muse kraft, PTI cs
Other: Copics, foam tape, Nestie die, CTMH inks and button, misc. snowflake brad, EK punch, Stickles

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!

Clean & Simple Emily--SCRC #14

Happy Saturday everyone! This is an extra-special day. My good friends are getting married today!! They've been together for-eva and after him asking for like the 8th time, she finally said yes! Hee hee! She's totally the dude with commitment issues, and he's the chick that loves her sooo much and can't live with out her. I love them.

Anyways, on to the card. This was made for Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps challenge #14 which calls for "clean & simple". Sometimes that's a little hard for me. I like lots of paper and embellishments, but I was able to tone it down and let Emily be the star. Cute image right?!

Materials
Stamps: SCRS Holiday Emily, sentiment is A Muse
Paper: BG Eskimo Kisses dp, PTI cs
Other: Copics, EK border punch, MS snowflake punch, Stickles, misc. button, CTMH inks

Suitcase Ruby--SCRS #13

Good morning all! As you're reading this, I will have already been at work for 4 hours. 2AM?! YUCK!! It's our semi-annual store inventory today, and "lucky" me, I'm a department manager that has to do inventory. Oh well. At least I have Friday off, so it will feel like I'm having two day off in a row. I'm a cup-half-full kinda person.

So today's card uses the adorable Suitcase Ruby from Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps. When I first inked her up, I knew she'd pair perfectly with my new BG Pyrus dp. So cute! I also used the sketch for this week's SCRSC #13. I used my Stardust pen to add bling to the flowers of Ruby's scarf and bracelet, but the darn camera didn't pick it up.

Enjoy your Thursday! Yay for Bones tonight! Plus I'll have to watch Survivor and Hell's Kitchen online since I went to bed at 7pm last night.

Materials

Stamps: SCRS Suitcase Ruby, Clear Stamps sentiment

Paper: BG Pyrus and Basic Kraft dp, PTI cs

Other: Copics, CTMH ink, Memento ink, Prima flowers, Robin's Nest skittles, Gelly Roll Stardust pen

SCRSC #12 and CMC #5

Hello all! Sorry I haven't blogged in a few days. Busy little bee here. BUT....I had time to play Tuesday night when my friends Nona, Sparkle, and Rachel came over for our monthly craft night. AND....Sparkle brought me her stamps I ordered! Yay! I couldn't wait to color up the newest Lucy image. Broomstick Lucy is so fun and my kind of Halloween image! Isn't she cute?!

So I made this card using the sketch from this week's SCRSC #12. It's also for this week's Color Me Copic challenge #5 of coloring animals. I wanted the cat to look kinda mangy, so I was a bit more sporadic in the coloring and shading. Sparkle is sponsoring the CMC challenge! $15 in store credit is up for grabs! She's also gracious enough to offer 10% off all Sparkle Creation Rubber Stamp orders through the end of the challenge for everyone that participates in the CMC challenge!! Whoo hoo! So head on over to CMC for the challenge and the discount code, then go shopping at SCRS!!

Materials
Stamps: SCRS Broomstick Lucy, sentiment is A Muse
Paper: Making Memories B&W dp, BG Eerie orange dp, Bo Bunny purple dp, PTI cs
Other: Copics, foam tape, Stickles, Coluzzle, Memento ink, CTMH ink and edge distresser

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

Lucy--SCRSC #8

Back again today with my card for this week's Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps Challenge #8 which is an inspiration challenge. Here's the inspiring picture courtesy of the Pottery Barn:

I played off the colors of blue, green and yellow. Then I thought adding the kraft would play in with the furniture too. I added "candlelight" with the rhinestones and Stickles. And then, of course, is the water. I'm usually not very excited about inspiration challenges, but I think this turned out great!

Enjoy your Labor Day Weekend! It's my Friday, so I'll still get some sort of holiday weekend.

Materials

Stamps: SCRS Swimming Lucy, CTMH Hot Diggity and Playful Flourishes

Paper: OA Fly a Kite dp, A Muse kraft, CTMH cs

Other: Copics, foam tape, Nestie die, EK punch, CTMH inks, Memento ink, Stazon, rhinestone, BG button, CB folder

Make it a Double!

This week over at Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps, the challenge is to create anything travel related. Well, Emily isn't really "traveling", but wherever she's at right now is where I'd like to travel TO!! LoL!! I would totally love to be sipping a delicious martini drink and using that cute umbrella to shield me from the sun! I also used Mercy's sketch #88 for the "double".

Here's a close up of Miss Emily and her bedazzled outfit:

Enjoy your weekend. I won't be posting tomorrow since I'm in charge of my best friend's baby shower. Boy! (I mean, girl!) it's been a busy time trying to get all the details lined up. I hope everyone enjoys themselves. There will be lots of fun and games, and LOADS of food! I'll be back on Monday for another Critter Crew *sneak peek* for The Greeting Farm!

Materials

Stamps: SCRS Cocktail Emily, CTMH Say it in Style

Paper: BG Eva dp, CTMH Daydream pink striped dp and cardstock

Other: Copics, Prima flowers, Stickles, misc. button, CTMH inks and embossing stylus