I’m baaaack sugarmuffins!! 

This silly ol’ blog has been giving me major headaches when I try to post, I’m not quite sure what the issue is…people have always raved about wordpress, which is why I shuffled on over, but now I’m not so sure… I’m starting to think the world doesn’t want me blogging..hmmmnn??  

Anyhoo, where have I been hiding?? Nowhere too exciting, I’m afraid – I’ve spent the last month just busy and taking time to organize and regroup! Lots of family time, running around and surprisingly enough, almost no stamping!!  I did manage to head to a fun srapbooking weekend again so that was loads fun!! 

Halloween was kind of low-key this year (I think Nicholas and his friends are getting to the "too cool" stage, so he was not too into it)..I’m so bummed out about it I was so looking forward to it!!  I even managed to make 35 of these adorable "Frankie" baskets designed by Gretchen Barron for him and his friends.  It was all fun and games until about the 10th pair of "eyelashes" I decided to cut and curl for the girl baskets. OY… never again – (until Christmas, that is – after all, she did design new ones ).

I have recently gotten into digi scrapping (is that super-fun or what??)  I still could never give up my "old-school" paper and bulky embellishments, but it’s kind of cool to just be able to scrap away on the computer!! 

Here’s a brand spankin’ new layout I made using a Sweet Shoppe Designs quick page kit:

How stinkin’ cute is that?? It literally took 2 seconds!!  Look at that fake smile on my monkey!!   that poor kid is so traumatized  from having a camera in his face every 5 seconds, can you tell??  I just have to find a good place to print out the pages now – any ideas??

Can you believe it’s November??  I am so looking forward to doing Ali Edwards’ December Daily project again!! Of course, the goal is to have your book completed by December 1st, so I will definitely be working on that in the next couple of weeks!  I am gathering my materials and I even managed to find some really cool vintage findings on Etsy. (somebody stop me  – I am hopelessly addicted to shopping there! OMG!!) 

Okay, I think that’s enough rambling for today!  I appreciate you taking the time to visit and read my chatter, I am going to have some fun stuff to share in the next couple of days (assuming my blog cooperates!! grrr…)  I look forward to sharing some fun new changes coming this way!!

Have a happy crafty day!!

Smoochies,

Just where does time go?? I can’t believe it’s been a week since I last posted!!   what’s worse is that I haven’t stamped either – maybe that’s why I’ve been so crabby lately??? (well, at least that’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it!!) 

Anyhoo, we finally finished re-doing my stamp room (yes, AGAIn!!) so it took me all week to drag all my junk from one place to the next – I would never say this out loud, but for a second there I almost thought to myself "perhaps I have too much stuff??" Insanity I know!!!  Thankfully the moment of weakness has now passed and I am happy to report I am all better now!  If only I could get in some stamping time this evening instead of just organizing for hours!!

In the meantime I have this cute & simple card I made back when i was trying out my  favorite owl stamp set from CTMH.. Here is my Hippie Owl (isn’t he bright??)

I paired this little owl with my Berry Sweet Paper from K & Co., and my super cool punch form Miss Martha herself.  LOVE that punch!!  This card was super quick and simple to make (no coloring!!) I did cut and mount my owl’s body on dimensionals to give him some "POP", and that was it!!  Super quick and fun!

I am sorry for the quick post – not like you’re itching to hear me prattling on and on, but anyway, I hope to have some yummy stuff to post tomorrow!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Smoochies,

I have spent a *much needed* quiet morning just trying to catch up on some projects and just drooling over my new goodies from TayloredExpressions  which arrived on my doorstep a couple of days ago!! OMG what a thrill!!  At the top of my list this week has been to make a couple of pages for the His Holy Name Challenge.   So far, this page was my first, so I’m now working backwards to try and catch up!

Faithful was attribute #17 in the challenge.  I started reading through some passages on Friday, which was a bit rough since we were once again remembering the tragedies of September 11.  In witnessing such tragedy, in hearing the stories all over again and seeing the pain that doesn’t lessen, it is very difficult, at least for me, to remember that God will protect us, and that He does not falter.  Reading definitely helped me focus on not feeling discouraged, and remembering that in the face of adversity He will be there. He is Faithful, and for that I am deeply grateful.

I made my page using Taylor’s Sketch Challenge #82, in which she actually was nice enough to mention me!! (well actually, my teddy), but still!!  awww..

So since I was celebrating my Superhero and his strength, I had to use my brand new SuperCuppie stamp!! 

Is this a hoot or what?  The "weathered" patterned paper is from my Beach Bum Bundle and the yellow polka-dot paper in the back are just little scraps from my August Key Ingredients I swear I am such a miser when it comes to my paper – I have to use every last tiny bit – especially this one which just happens to be GORGEOUS!!    The sentiment is also from the Trick or Sweet II set, and it just so happened that the part I wanted to use fit just perfectly in my SU! modern label punch…Don’t you just love when that happens???!!

I just loved the colors on this page – very superhero right?  I know that perhaps it’s a bit unconventional to use these fun colors and images for Biblical references, but I think this would be a fun way to share God’s teachings  – especially with children.  Nicholas of course is quite used to studying religion, since he attends a Catholic School, however, I think sometimes people might feel as though religuous material tends to be somewhat somber or intimidating.  I am happy that through this challenge I am not only learning, but I am also enjoying the process by pairing it with what I absolutely love to do!! 

Thank you for visiting!!  Please stop by tomorrow to check out who will be my color challenge featured artist!

Hugs,

Supplies:

Stamps: Trick or Sweet II from Taylored Expressions.

Ink: Tuxedo Memento Black Ink, Ranger Walnut Distress Ink.

Cardstock: Choice Buttercream Cardstock from Taylored Expressions.  Night of Navy, Kraft and Crushed Curry form Stampin’ Up.

Patterned Paper: All from Taylored Expressions’ Beach Bum Bundle and August Key Ingredients

Accessories: Making Memories button, CTMH Natural Twine, Crushed Curry PolkaDot Ribbon, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Vintage Brads, Modern Label Punch from Stampin’ Up!, Paper Piercing Tool, Stampin’ Up Vintage Brads, American Crafts Thickers Letters, Copic Markers.

Today I am happy to be hosting another Clear Dollar Stamps’ Weekend Color Challenge!

Most of us mommies shipped our kiddies off to school this week (at least here in NY, anyway!) so that was definitely my inspiration for the colors I chose this week.  It was only 3 nights ago that I was throwing together some little teacher treats at 1 AM, so now I’m thinking it might be a good idea to have a couple of " teacher" cards on hand, of course, it also helps to have a really cute stamp set – like this one, which I used on my card this week!

If you want participate, please respond to the group discussion at PCP located HERE

Here are the full "deets" if you wanna play:

1. Please use any CDS stamps, you can find them here.
2. Upload your creation to either your blog, or SCS or any other online community by Sunday 9/13/09 at 9 PM EST.
3. Please put CDSWCC36 in your keywords, no spaces.
4. Respond to this discussion (not the wall) with a link to your upload.
5. I will pick one card to feature on my blog on Monday morning!

My colors for this challenge are:

Black

White

Very basic and super easy right??  I decided to continue with my new love of sketches, and used Sketch Challenge SC244 from SCS to make this card:

Is he drool-worthy or what??  OMG!! I was downright giddy when I realized I could substitute the twig in his hand for a pencil!! HA!!  SO stinkin’ cute, I tell ya!! I hope you like the colors I chose, and that you’re inspired to play along too!!

Thanks for stopping by, and for trying the challenge! I can’t wait to see your creations!!
 
Happy stamping!!

Supplies:

Stamps: Teacher Treats and Spring Critters from Clear Dollar Stamps, LLC.
 
Ink: Tuxedo Memento Black Ink Pad.

Cardstock: Basic Black, Riding Hood Red, Crushed Curry, and Whisper White from Stampin’ Up!.

Patterned Paper: All patterned paper from Taylored Expressions July Key Ingredients Kit.

Accessories: White Satin and black gingham ribbon from Stampin’ Up!, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Copic Markers, Cropadile, Black Making Memories Snaps.

Looks I just made it!! whew.. nothing like beating the clock!!  I HAD to get ONE more challenge in for the TE bash – and NOT just ANY challenge, it is none other than our Queen of Stamping Perfection’s color challenge!!!  It’s no secret that Jodi rocks, but the last time I stamped with her she made me do piercing a card for about an hour, so I was NOT about to get on her bad side!!

I loved the colors Jodi chose for her challenge, I thought they would make a cool  Christmas card (besides, I just really wanted an excuse to use my Gingerbread House stamp again!). 

I used TSG19 sketch for this card, and not only do I love the sketch, but I am eternally grateful for it since I literally just did made this card on 4 hours of sleep!! I am just a big ol’ mess right now and this awesome sketch spared me from having to think too much! (heaven forbid right?)

I cannot tell you how much I LOOOVE this paper.  Everything is from my July Key Ingredients, and I just can’t get enough of it!  It just so happens that the colors Jodi chose match perfectly with the patterned papers in the kit!

I hope you guys got to play along with the Birthday Bash!  I had so much fun, and I can’t wait for the next one!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Smoochies,

Supplies:

Stamps: Season’s Sweetings from Taylored Expressions.

Ink: Tuxedo Memento Black Ink.

Cardstock: All CS from Taylored Expressions’ July Key Ingredients.  Choice Buttercream Cardstock also from Taylored Expressions.

Patterned Paper: All from Taylored Expressions’ July Key Ingredients

Accessories: Ribbon from Stampin’ Up!, Prima Flowers, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Circle and Scallop Circle Nestabilities, Key Tag Punch from Stampin’ Up!, White Gel Pen, Paper Piercing Tool, Ranger Diamond Stickles, "Candy" dot from Beach Bum Bundle and Copic Markers.

I told myself this weekend that I would have all the time in the world to complete 13 different projects for the Taylored Expressions Birthday Bash!  Of course, that thought kept me on cloud nine until I realized….

SO, once I got over my initial shock and came back to earth (and the HUGE pile of laundry), I decided to just try my best to combine a few of the challenges into ONE project so I could feel totally accomplished!!  I have to say I managed to impress even myself, considering I have a hard time walking and chewing gum at the same time! Behold the fruit of my labors this afternoon:

I got like 10 challenges in right here!! (Just kidding!!) 

This little guy is made using all cardstock from my July Key Ingredients kit, (actualy I think the green cardbase is from the March Kit also, but the rest is all July!  I LOOVE these colors – definitely perfect for a baby card!! 

The colors of this card are from Challenge#4 chosen by Charmaine, and the techniques I used were paper-piecing on the teddy bear, which was Challenge#3 from Donna.  I stitched around all of the different layers, which was challenge #13 from Jackie, and I also did #7, Dawn’s "Paper Tole" on the Teddy.:

There are 3 layers on him total! That was tons of work, but it’s such a great look!  Since I did the paper-piecing on him, I added little "stitch" lines all around him with my trusty Martha Stewart pen to make him look like those old-fashioned teddies, and I am just loving him to bits!!

Finally, this card was done using the sketch provided by Laura, who hosted challenge #6. 

WHEW!! that was SOO much fun!  FIVE challenges in one!!!

I still can’t get over  it!! I tell ya, it’s the little things that make us happy!!  All of these ladies had wonderful challenges and their samples are just so inspiring!  I will definitely be pairing up challenges from now on!

Thanks for popping in for a visit!  I hope to get a couple of more challenges in before the deadline!

Hugs!

Supplies:

Stamps: Beary Special, and Branching Out Coordinates from Taylored Expressions.

Ink: Tuxedo Memento Black Ink.

Cardstock & Patterned Paper: Colored Cardstock and Patterned Paper from Taylored Expressions’ July Key Ingredients.  Choice White CS from Taylored Expressions.

Accessories: Stampin’ Dimensionals, Martha Stewart Journaling Pen, Corduroy Button and White Ribbon from Stampin’ Up!, Numbers Cuttlebug Embossing Folder.

I am just so excited this weekend!! Did you guys see the party going on over at the SASI blog??  A whole day full of challenges to celebrate Taylored Expressions‘ birthday party!! Of course, Taylor kicked off the festivities with a HUGE release!! OMG!! you guys have to see what’s fresh out of the oven this month!! I just cannot stand it – everything is just too stinkin’ cute!

I am determined to play along with as many challenges as possible this weekend!! Of course I have a million things to do, but somehow I managed to get the first one done!! (not too shabby after like 8 hours!!) 

Okay so I had SOO much fun with this one!! Here is what I came up with for challenge #1: TEBBTV

I used my June Key Ingredients kit to make this shaped card.  I love the bold, bright colors and it definitely fits the birthday theme!!

The circle accents are punched out from the patterned paper included in the kit.  I sponged some pink and blue onto my frosting to "candy" it up and added some diamond stickles to the edges for some extra sparkle!!

This little monkey is just adorable?? I used my Copics to color him but when I was doing the shading I made sure to give him a little bit of texture by using a lot of layering with the markers so that he would look a little "fuzzy".. isn’t he a cutie??

This was definitely a bright and happy challenge – perfect for kicking off a party!  Thanks for the inspiration Taylor!!

Thank you all for peeking in!

Supplies:

Stamps: Beary Special, and Branching Out from Taylored Expressions.

Ink: Tuxedo Memento Black Ink, Ranger Walnut Distress Ink, Pink Pirouette, Bermuda Bay from Stampin’ Up! Chocolate Chip.

Cardstock: All Cardstock and Patterned Paper from Taylored Expressions’ June Key Ingredients.  Whisper White from Stampin’ Up!.

Patterned Paper: All from Taylored Expressions’ June Key Ingredients

Accessories: Stampin’ Dimensionals, Circle Punches and Diamond Stickles.

Well, considering I am horribly allergic to the fruit (such a shame, I know!!)  to top it off, the allergy only shows up on my lips so they puff up like this:  , so I’d say it would have to be sweet cherries on my new delicious Cosmo Cricket paper!!  oh, and especially when when paired with my Princess Anya stamp from The Greeting Farm!

So stinkin’ cute I just had to share!  I picked up this paper at ScrapbookExpo last Saturday.  I ran over there with my partner in crime Yvette, and I use the word "ran" very, very literally, since we decided to head over to the show at the last possible minute, and with our combined wonderful sense of direction, we reasoned  "hey, the show’s in New Jersey, how far can it be?"  I mean we’re only like 10 minutes away from Manhattan right??… well WRONG!!!  I was driving like a mad woman for about an hour and a half in that hideous road to nowhere known as the NJ Turnpike, and WE STILL weren’t there!! OY.. anyhoo, we finally made it, and we’d barely strolled through 2 aisles when they announced the show was 15 minutes away from closing!

You never saw my short little legs move so fast!!!  we dashed around that whole expo -  l swear people around us must’ve thought we were ransacking the place ’cause we were tearing through those aisles as if our hineys were on fire!! 

Anyhoo we managed to score some great deals, and we even managed to find our early Christmas presents!!  ahem..I mean we found some gorgeous Cosmo Cricket patterned papers, among them this gorgeous cherry paper from the Early Bird Collection!! yummy!

I just looove my cherry red princess!!  I hardly ever use white for my layers..not sure why! but I thought they gave the paper a nice little "retro" touch.  Anya is colored using copics (of course!!) am I getting too repetitive?? lol…  I first stamped Anya on the white circle panel, and colored the "back" part of her hair.  I then stamped her again separately so I could just mount the "front" part of her starting from her crown with dimensionals onto the panel, this way it gives her lots more depth.. I hope that made sense!! (that would be a first for me) but anyhoo, take my word for it – she’s delish!

Thank you for stopping by!  I am so looking forward to this weekend! Lot’s of stamping to squeeze in!!

Happy Friday!!

Supplies:

Stamps: Princess Anya from The Greeting Farm

Ink: Tuxedo Memento Black Ink

Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Riding Hood Red,  Whisper White from Stampin’ Up!.

Patterned Paper: Cherry Pie from Cosmo Cricket

Accessories: Striped Chocolate Ribbon, from Stampin’ Up!, Copic Markers, Rhinestone Accent from Prima Bling,  Stampin’ Dimensionals, Circle and Scallop Circle Nestabilities, White Gel pen.

So for today’s card I was completely inspired by this rapidly approaching season, and I had just the perfect little cuppie to use!

How delish is this little guy???   He is from Taylored Expressions Season’s Sweetings stamp set, which is an absolute MUST have for all your Holiday cards!! ..and yes, it is NEVER too soon – especially for me because I am as slow as molasses when it comes to "mass producing" so I just whipped out all my favorite Holiday sets and I’m ready to roll!!

Anyhoo back to this card, which I made for Taylor’s Sketch Challenge #80.  This was such a fun sketch, and I finally had a chance to use my August Key Ingredients, which I have to say, are just to die for – just take a peek at the first card I made with mine:

I just looove these colors, and the ribbons included are just perfect!  Like my ruffle??? well I must confess I wanted to make that into one of those cool little ribbon "rosettes" that are all the rage lately, but after about my 10th attempt, and my "roses" looking like a tractor had run them over I decided a little ruffle would look better anyway!!

I stamped my image and sentiment (from THE best sentiment set ever!!!) using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink, and colored the cuppie with my Copics.  I cut out the cuppie and mounted him to my circle panel using dimensionals. 

I also stamped some leaves and part of the tree trunk from the Branching Out stamp set to go with my whole fall theme!! Finally, I sponged the edges of the image with my Vintage Photo Distress ink, and voila!  This cute little cuppie is bundled up and ready to go!

Hope you like this little guy as much as I do, and I hope your day is off to a great start!

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

Stamps: Season’s Sweetings, Branching Out and A Year of Sweet Sentiments  from Taylored Expressions.

Ink: Tuxedo Memento Black Ink, Ranger Vintage Photo Distress Ink, Stampin’ Up! Chocolate Chip.

Cardstock: Card base from Taylored Expressions’ August Key Ingredients.  Whisper White, Riding Hood Red and Kraft from Stampin’ Up!.

Patterned Paper: All from Taylored Expressions’ August Key Ingredients

Accessories: Raspberry Ribbon, and vanilla trim from Taylored Expressions’ August Key Ingredients, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Coluzzle Cutting System and Circle Templates.

I am finally getting around to posting this card I made with my Giving Thanks Sophia!  

She is such a cutie, and her dress is just SO much fun to play with!! For this card I decided to completely paper-piece her dress, and I even gave her a sparkly belt!  As you can see I’m still using my Berry Sweet Paper Pad from K & Co. – it really is so much fun trying to come up with color combos to go with this paper!!  If anything, it’s teaching me to go outside of my comfort zone and play around a bit with some bright colors!!

I stamped my image (and sentiment) using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink, and then colored Sophia with my Copics.  After I stamped her dress on both patterned papers and cut the sections I wanted to use from each, I added a little shading to the pieces as well so they wouldn’t be so stark. That’s it!! easy huh?? 

I love the sentiment that is included with this stamp – it’s just the perfect size for my favorite oval punch!!  I know that I am going to be using that a lot! Of course Sophia is so stinkin’ cute that she getting inked up quite a bit too!! 

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I have a few cards to show you this week so be sure to visit soon!

Smoochies,

Supplies:

Stamps: Giving Thanks Sophia from Paper Pretties.

Ink: Tuxedo Memento Black Ink, Stampin’ Up! Pink Pirouette.

Cardstock: Blush Blossom, Sage Shadow,  Barely Banana, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White and Pink Passion from Stampin’ Up!.

Patterned Paper: Berry Sweet Paper Pad from K & Company.

Accessories: Raspberry Grosgrain Ribbon, Making Memories brads, White Gel Pen, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Stampin’ Up Ticket Corner, Large Oval, and Scalloped Oval Punches from Stampin’ Up! and Copic Markers.