Sunday, December 12, 2010

Crafting of Another Kind - Winedeer





I saw several different versions of these little "Winedeer" cuties while blurfing the other day and thought they would be perfect little gifts for my GNO (Girls Night Out) gals. I decided to give them a try and even used some of the corks I had saved from one of those such nights :0)
For a little extra touch I made tiny tags with my Martha Stewart punch and stamped a cheery little sentiment from the PMS Little Moments set. Wine makes everyone a little merry doesn't it?!
Hope you have a Merry week!

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Paper Makeup Stamps Fan Blog Hop


"Oh what fun it is to hop . . . on a cold and wintery day" . . . .

If you came here from Danni's blog you are right where you should be :0) If not, then go back to the PMS Blog and start there for details on all the hopping fun!!

Or checkout the PMS Blog hop Blog for the full lineup.

We're hopping with PMS fans this month. I can't wait to go through it myself and checkout what holiday creations everyone else has come up with. I decided to use the ornaments and sentiment from last months release.

Remember that the entire month of December PMS is offering free shipping. If you're enjoying the hop be sure to leave a comment, because 1 lucky commenter will receive a grab bag of stamp goodies. The comment entries will close on December 14th.

Now, off to your next stop the wonderful and uberly talented Christi Thorsen.

Happy Holidays and Happy Hopping!!!

Friday, December 3, 2010

Nutcracker's Friend


Isn't this just too punny!! I got this idea from an online printing company store. It "cracks" me up hahahha!!!
I used the Nutcracker image from Paper Makeup Stamps November release. The squirrel is a Quick cutz die, the acorn is from a PTI set, and the sentiment is an old stamp from SU! - spreading the love I guess. I like when I can combine so many images and stamps to come up with spmething pretty cute!
I was off by one day on the snow forecast. It's supposed to be headed our way tonight. A good reason to say snuggly warm indoors!!
Have a great weekend!

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Art is the tree of Life

It's been awhile!! We spent 10 days with family and friends eating, drinking, shopping and having fun together, a much needed break!! Winter seemed to join us over those 10 days too! It's freezing here with an expected 6-10 inches of snow on the way tonight!

I thought I would show a card I made waaay back in the warmer fall weather that I didn't get posted :0) A friend of mine loaned me her Cuttlebug leaf die and embossing folder combo to try out -loved it! I used old book text to create the leaves and then sponged over them to give them their nice fall color. The sentiment is from Paper Makeup Stamps.

Paperr Makeup Stamps is having a fun HUGE sale all month long so if you're needing to stock up on something or have never purchased anything from PMS before, this is a great way to get started :0)

Hope you all had a fun relaxing Thanksgiving holiday!

Friday, November 12, 2010

Happy Baby Blog Hop Ginger!!


One of our fellow DT members, Ginger, is expecting a new arrival. We are all so happy and excited for her that we decided to shower her with a baby blog hop!!

I stated in a previous post that my favorite card to make is one with a specific person in mind. To pick the perfect image and colors and sentiment for the perfect occaision are what I find the most fun and rewarding.

So, for this card I took inspiration from Ginger's most adorable baby room. So cute right?! I used the circles on the wall, colors and elephant blanket and canvases to create this little cutie :0) The sentiment is from Paper Makeup Stamps.

I know you want to see some more baby cards - they're so darn cute! Hop on over to your next stop KATIE. And don't forget to stop by Ginger's blog and wish her happy baby wishes :0)

Congratulations Ginger!! Your going to be a wonderful mother! Wishing you a lifetime of love, health and happiness with your little miracle :0)

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Christmas Corset



PMS had a fabulous release on Sunday, and today I'm reviewing an image and sentiment from the release. The Ooo la la for Santa set and the single wordart sentiment. So perfect for that special someone ;0)

There's still time to do the hop and collect your letters to spell out the secret code to earn 15% off your new release order. Hop on over to the PMS Blog to see more review samples and to start the hop.

Have a great day!

Sunday, November 7, 2010

PMS November Blog Hop




It's here!! Are you ready for some serious eye candy!! The PMS DT have put together some awesome samples using this months new release. Hop on over to the PMS blog to start the journey, but if you've already done that and you're well on your way, well then here ya go . . .





I'm using the new sentiment "Christmas in the heart . . ." I couldn't decide if I wanted to go cute and simple or elegant/shabby chic, so I did BOTH!! What do you think? I love it that the sentiment is simple and generic enough to use on both cards. The first card uses the tree that is also being released this month. I just added a few heart stickers to coordinate with the sentiment. The second card uses a whole bunch of buttons I received from my MIL who in turn received them from her mom. So they are vintage to say the least! Guess who's getting this card for Christmas :0)

Having fun so far? Well then why don't you join us tonight at the PMS release party where the fun will continue. Katie promises this release will be packed with lots of freebies :0) It starts at 8:00 EST/7:00 CST in the PMS forum.

And I'm SURE you've been collecting your letters to reveal your secret code right? I've got not 1, but 2 letters to add to your list!! Double cards, double letters!!

T and Y are what you need to jot down before you hop on over to Sweet Miss Christi's blog who I'm sure has something fabulous to show you!!

Happy hopping, happy day :0)

Friday, November 5, 2010

Mood Swings and Santa Baby



It's Sneak Peek day 3 over at the Paper Makeup Stamps Blog. Today is all about the Mood Swings and a little Santa Baby! I used the new Moody for Holly image and a simple little sentiment on this card. After standing back and looking at this completed card the first thing that came to mind was Little House on the Prairie!! Remember nasty ol' Nellie? Remember all those BIG bows she used to wear in her hair? The placement of the bow on this card reminded me of those big bows that used to sit oddly out of place right on top of her head!! Oh well, I had fun coloring her. I tried to use a little different hair color this time. I wasn't trying to make her old and gray, just a little "frosty" and winter like (and to match the paper) :0)
Have a good one - it's Friday you know!!

Thursday, November 4, 2010

PMS Sneak Peek - The Nutcracker Sweet!




It's that time of the month again - and rather than dreading it, I'm lovingit! Loving the cramps (in my fingers from stamping and coloring), the cravings (for awesome new images) and the "Mood-y Swings" - more on that tomorrow :0)

Today I'm showing a card I made with the new Nutcracker image that is being released. There are a lot of single stamps this month for you to pick and choose to your own liking. The sentiment is also being released this month - Love it!!

I colored the image with Copics, and popped him up on a background of sheet music paper that I antiqued with Ranger distess ink. I added lots of sparkle with snow glitter and a big snowflake that is actually an ornament I picked up after Christmas last year. For a final wintery touch I used a snowflake border punch I found in the clearance rack at a local store. I'm pretty sure it's a Martha Stewart punch. It wasn't in the packaging anymore when I bought it.

Be sure to head over to the PMS blog today to see some other images being released. And leave a comment too for your chance to win the images being shown.

Have a Happy - Sweet day!

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Witchy Poo!


Here's a simple card I made using the images available in this months' Paper Makeup Stamps Halloween card kit. I simply colored the witch image in with a black copic marker. Then, I masked a circle over the center of the witch and sponged over the entire card with blue ink to resemble a night sky. The ribbon and cardstock is from the kit, the button was from my stash.

Happy Monday!

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Boo Who?


This card was made using the Paper Makeup Stamps Halloween kit. Love, Love Love all of the papers and ribbon accents in this kit!! Those crazy stick felt bats are fun to play with too :0) The chipboard letters are not included with the kit but I thought the colors fit in well. The kit comes with two images that you can decide to receive as rubber or digi. You can view the whole kit here and here!

Not too many days left until the witching hour. My boys are still hem-hawing about what they want to be for Halloween. Last I heard it was 3 ninjas - of course with weapons! Actually, I think if they just had the weapons and no costume they would be perfectly happy! Why is it that way with boys?!

Remember there is still time to play with this weeks MFTW challenge hosted by me!! Link up your "inspired by a song" card to the PMS blog before Wednesday night for a chance at winning a free stamp of your choice from PMS!

Monday, October 18, 2010

Pear-fect Unity!

My favorite kind of card creating is that which is done with a specific person in mind. I love being able to create a card with the perfect image, sentiment, color combo, etc. It makes the card that much more meaningful and special!! This is one of those cards, for Millie . . .



I was so excited to come home from work last Thursday to find a huge bag filled with the most wonderful and delicious pears inside! Our neighbor, Millie, has two pear trees in her front yard. Everyday on my way to work I admire how filled every limb on the tree is, how big and perfect each pear seems to be! I saw Millie outside one day and asked her if they were as good as they looked and she said "oh yes!" I asked her if I could try one and she informed me that they weren't quite ready yet - they still had a couple more weeks of sweetening and plumping left to do! But she assured me that I would get to try one when they were ready :0)

And now here they are! Not just one, but a whole bag of them! I thought about hiding them in a special secret place so I could enjoy them all to myself :0) They ARE delicious!!

So as sweet as those pears are, as sweet as Millie was for sharing such a wonderful treat, I had to creat an equally sweet and wonderful thank you card. I was excited to pull out my Unity pear tree and sentiment. I hate to admit that this is their first inking, but they did a wonderful job!! I colored the image with Copics and then popped up the bird for dimension. I sponged around the edges with Ranger distressed ink in Antique Linen and SU! Bashful Blue. It doesn't show up well in this photo, but I colored in all of the seeds, leaves and birds wing with a Spica glitter pen for lots of sparkle.

I hope Millie enjoys this card as much as I'm enjoying those pears :0)

Like the music?! Make sure to scroll down to the previous post to find out all about it! And play along too :0)

Friday, October 15, 2010

It's MY Turn!! PMS- MFTW

Hey there and Happy Friday!!

Today is my turn over on the PMS Blog to host this weeks Makeup for the Weekend Challenge!!

Here's my card . . . can you guess what the challenge is??



Well if not, do you have your sound turned on/up? That should give you a BIG hint!! :0) So many of the blogs I blurf have music playing for your listening enjoyment. Although I have to admit it's scared the bajeezus out of me a couple of times when it started playing all of the sudden, REALLY loud!

My challenge for you is to create a card inspired by a song!! Link up your creation to the PMS blog and your own blog and while you're at it, link up the song too!! This way we can see AND here how you were inspired :0)

Creating a playlist and adding it to your blog is pretty easy peasy. Just follow these simple steps:
1. Visit http://www.playlist.com/ and create your own playlist of your fav song
2. Copy the html code
3. Paste it into a gadget in blogger

You can see by the list of songs on my playlist that I had a bunch of ideas running through my head! Can you pick the PMS images that I had in mind for each of the songs?

I decided to use the song "Ain't Nothin' But a Hound Dog". I love this version sung by Eric Clapton. It's a little more upbeat and fun (although I have nothing against ELVIS). I used the doghouse stamp and sentiment from the Home Matters set . . . one of my favorites. Then for a little fun I decided to make it an "I'm Sorry" card by adding rub-on letters to spell out "sorry" on a chipboard bone shaped dogtag.

You have a week to think of the perfect song and perfect card. You don't need to use PMS stamps, but if you do you can be entered into a drawing for some FREE RUBBER!! Now that's enough to get me singing and dancing!!

Have an awesome and inspiring weekend!

Monday, October 11, 2010

Got Chocolate?

What a beautiful weekend we had! The sun was shining, the weather was warm, and I got a little crafting time in - couldn't be better!!



This card was made using one of my favorites from the Paper Makeup Stamps October release. This is Hershey. Isn't he just the cutest?? I paper pieced him in a green polkadot pp and then colored the chocolate around his mouth with a Copic. I lightened up his eyes with a white gel pen. The black lettering are rub on's and the chocolate is spelled with felt sticker letters.

I thought he turned out really cute! There are a bunch of other October images being reviewed today by the DT. Head over to the PMS blog to check them out!

HappyMonday!!

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Paper Makeup Stamps October Blog Hop!!






Happy Release Day!! It's a good one :0) If your coming here from Andrea's blog your in the right spot. If you're just starting go back to the PMS blog and start there!! You won't want to miss a thing!

I'm here to give you another look at the new School Girl Fairy that will be available at 9:00 p.m. tonight when the release goes live! I colored her with copics and paper pieced her skirt and matching backpack with the same DP as the scallops. Her plaid skirt and tie remind me of the uniforms I had to wear when I was in high school!! I wasn't that cute and the skirt is a little TOO short :0) The background paper is the Core Impressions cardstock from Cosmo Cricket. Love it! Just lightly sand the embossed images and a blackboard with letters magically appears!

I know you want to keep hopping, but make sure to take the time to collect yours letters to reveal your code that will get you 15% off new release items.!!

If you have been playing along with us this week, make sure to stop by the release party tonight in the forum at 8:00 CST to see if you are one of the lucky winners!! We'll also have lots more fun stuff to make your stop worthwhile :0)

O.K. , the Chicago Blackhawks opening season starts tonight!! So, in honor of the reigning Stanley Cup Champions, here's your letter from me:






Now off you hop to Danni , I'm sure she has something super sweet to share!!

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Moody for Computers Sneak Peek

Happy Tuesday! The Paper Makeup Stamps Sneak Peek Week is in full swing and today the DT is showcasing a bunch of different images and sentiments, including this new Moody for Computers . . .




I love the two separate sentiments that coordinate with the image. Inside/outside images are so fun to work with. It makes me want to decorate the inside just as much as the outside :0)

Be sure to check out the PMS Blog for all of the other images being sneaked today AND to find out how to win free rubber!! Make sure to come back on the 7th for release day; blog hop, release party, fun, fun, fun!!

Saturday, October 2, 2010

October Kit Sneak Peak


Can you believe it's October already?!?! I'm enjoying the last few hours of warm sunshine before the colder winds and rain move in :0) I did get this card made and was able to bring it outside in the bright sunshine for a photo op. I love it when I can do that!




It's time for another awesome Paper Makeup Stamps release and we're starting it off with sneak peaks of the October Kit being offered. And since it's October and all what better kind of kit than the spooky kind!!



Lots of Halloween goodness packed in here! Love the papers, the sparkly brads, and the witch fairy and sentiment. A photo of the stamp images are pictured, but you'll get the real rubber!


My card was made from everything included in the kit with the exception of the sewing. I used the spider web die cut and the bat felt border -- just too cute! Just peel off the white backing and stick your bats anywhere you'd like. For my card I even used the white paper backing on the top of my card!!


If you hop over to the Paper Makeup Stamps blog you'll find some more awesome kit creations and lots more details on how you can get it for your very own!


Stay tuned to PMS this whole coming week up until release day on the 7th. There are always lots of fun contests to be had and stamps to win!!


Thanks for stopping be :0)

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Wooty Woot Woot

All of last week on Moxie Fab World was dedicated to the new Holiday Cards and More issue being released. Awesome projects and samples inside. Including one of mine!!! This was my 1st EVER publication so I am a little giddy about the whole thing :0)





I was very excited to see my card in print with my name below it. It was only one card, but hey I'm in there!! I encourage everyone to submit. It's a relatively easy process and you just never know. This was my first time submitting cards and they actually picked one I DIDN'T think would make it.

I am very tickled to be included in a mag with stampers that I admire and downright idolize!!

Thanks for letting me share my excitement with you - make sure you give it a try!

Monday, September 20, 2010

Quixotic Paperie and MFTW



Quixotic Paperie is the UK online retailer for PMS and we are joining forces for a super fun hop! Enjoy some PMS DT eye-candy along with the amazing artists at Quixotic :D

I decided to do double duty this weekend and made my card for the Quixotic Paperie hop using Ginger's awesome sketch challenge from this past Friday's Makeup For the Weekend Challenge.

It's a very liberal take on the sketch, but all of the elements are there - sort of :0)

For my card I used Trick or Treat Ted. He's not searching for candy today so I opted to remove his little pumpkin treat container. The sentiment is from the appropriately named Monster Sentiment set. Just the perfect words to go with these loveable cuties!

The QP store is one of the only other online retailers (There is one in Taiwan that is technically online... but unless you read Chinese characters, you probably wouldnt shop there! It would be a little difficult to search! hahahaha!) :D Have fun looking at all of the amazing creations from DT members from BOTH sides of the pond!!

Happy Monday!

Elaine Hughes
Carole Middlehurst
Emma Lockley
Judy Laing
Kim Costello
Kim Dellow
Rowena Barnard
Katie Cotton
Christi Thorsen
Tangii Crain
Lisa Kind
Randee Elsing
Shaela Odd
Tina Hale
Andrea Vernagus
Anita Hovey
Bonnie Sharp
Danni Bindel
Dawn Barrett
Ginger Schwerin
Lisa McKinney
Maria Gurnsey
Michelle Van Patten
Simmone Clay
Stephanie Zito

Elaine Hughes-- Quixotic PaperieShop: http://www.quixoticpaperie.co.uk/
Elaine's Blog: http://www.quixoticcards.com/
Store Blog: http://www.quixoticpaperiedesignteam.blogspot.com/
Challenge Blog: http://quixoticpaperie.blogspot.com/
Find us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Quixotic-Paperie/106565519291
Paper Makeup Stamps: www.papermakeup.com

Monday, September 13, 2010

SA Reveal

The PMS gals decided to have a little fun and participate in a Secret Admirer of the stamping kind!! We each listed a little bit about our dislikes and likes in terms of stamping supplies, hobbies, collections etc and then we were randomly given a Secret Admirer to bestow our goodies upon!! I received Michelle Van Patten's name and had a fun time shopping and creating for her!

I was very excited to see my package arrive in the mail and was tickled to find out that the person who had MY name was the same person I had the first time we did a SA swap!! And just look at what Dawn Barrett sent me:

These cards are soo awesome!! I love the clean and simple style and of course all the colors against the white. She decided I needed to add some more bright cheery colors to my card making stash so her theme for my little package was a rainbow of color!!


There were several different handmade items that were to die for!! They all used this black red and yellow color combo. I love love the black and white print and the way the red and black pop!! Isn't that coordinting paperclip for the notebook awesome ?!?!





I had mentioned that I liked Starbucks - how fun is this ?!?!? I'm not sure which I like better, the giftcard or the adorable holder it came in!!


There were soo many awesome things packed into that little package and everything was color cordinated!! She even decorated the non-handmade items with tags and labels in the same colors and patterned paper. I love how the PMS Friendly flowers sentiment is perfect for the little jar of paper flowers she included!! The black and white bling, the rainbow color pad, the coffee stamp and the ever awesome wavy punch are some of my favorite things!! I've already used several of the items and can't wait to play with them some more............

Thanks Dawn so much for putting in so much thought and creative effort into my little box of stamping heaven!! I'll think of you and your generosity everytime I use them!!
Hugs and kisses - MWAH!!

Friday, September 10, 2010

September Review (cont.)



Aren't these Hugging Fairies soo cute! I tried to go away from my normal m.o. and color them a little bit differently. I almost ALWAYS color the fairies with brown hair. I don't know why, probably because that's the one I have the most shades of Copics in :0) This time I tried blonde and never attempted before, red - I think it looks more of a Halloween-y orange, but oh well. I also strayed away from the typical, light gray wings to color coordinate the fairies wings with the outfit they were wearing! I think it turned out pretty cute that way!

The edges on the card were done using my new Tim Holtz border edge die. Two dies in one that work well together - gotta love that!! The flower I received recently from my SA (more on that in another post).

Paper Makeup Stamps Blog has a MFTW challenge up today - all about Autumn and there are lots of other review cards to check out!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Thursday, September 9, 2010

September Kit Review

Here's another card I made with this months Kit Arelia's World of Make believe . . .

Everything about this card uses items from the kit (except the sentiment which is from this months Little Moments Mini sentiment set) . Don't you just love all the different flowers!!

Flower 1 - Chipboard button flower from the kit
Flower 2 - One ribbon flower snipped from the rose flower ribbon in the kit
Flower 3 - Made from the die cutting the adhesive sheets in the kit

Check out the other kit review cards posted on the PMS blog today and don't forget to play along with the Release Party Challenges for a chance to win valuable prizes :0) (See post below).

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Paper Makeup Stamps Release Party Challenge





It was an awesome Paper Makeup Stamps release right?!?! Well the fun is not over! During the release party last night there were two challenges posted. The sketch challenge listed above and a color challenge. I always love a great sketch so I decided to play along using a sentiment and image I hadn't got inky yet - AACKK! I KNOW!!

This tree was fun to color and other than the plaid pp, all other cardstock was from this months Kit release - such fun colors - check out the color challenge (the kit colors will work perfectly ;0). I added some heart dots to the tree to give it some dimension and pop and to coordinate with the sentiment.

Check out the PMS Blog for all the challenge details - including how you could win free merchandise for playing along!!

Have a great day!

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Paper Makeup Stamps September Blog Hop!!



Time again for another FABULOUS release from Paper Makeup Stamps!! I hope you have been enjoying the hop and peeks at all of the great images in this month's release. If you came from Elaine's blog then you are in the right spot!! My peek for you today is one of the new fairies being released Chatty Cathy paired up with a sentiment from the must have sentiment set When There's Nothing Left to Say . . .







I had so much fun making this card I couldn't stop with the front and had to use another sentiment from the When There's Nothing Left set for the inside as well!! I drew the phone template and then used Nesties for the circle parts. The cord is just a black pipecleaner that I wrapped around a pencil. If you're interested in the template let me know and I will send it to you.

Before you leave let me strongly encourage and remind you to join the release party tonight in the forum!! The party starts at 8:00 CST and there will games and prizes and challenges and just like Cathy . . . a LOT of chattiness going on :0)!!

I know you've been collecting your letters right?? The code you reveal will entitle you to 15% off your new release orderr YAY!!

So do you want a letter? Well then here it is "L" !!

O.K. now you need to get hopping!! There's still some amazing creations left to see!! Next on the hop is none other than the super uber talented MRS. PMS herself KATIE!

Happy hOP dAY :0)

Monday, September 6, 2010

PMS Sneak Peek Little Moments


I got to play with another awesome sentiment set that is being released this month. This set is perfect for the generic cards that you might not have a specific theme in mind. Just add a short simple and quick sentiment from this set and your good to go!


I used 3 different stamps from the set on this card. I figure it could easily work as a birthday or graduation or congrats card. I love it that the stamps are small enough to put anywhere on a card or on a tag.

Just one more day until the blog hop and release day!! Join us at our release party tomorrow night for fun and prizes!! But first you got to head over to the PMS Blog to see even more samples of this awesome set!

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Nothing Left to Say Sneak Peek!



Holy cow can you believe I'm posting another card?!?! 2 days in a row and 3 times in a week!! Making up for lost time I guess :0)

Today I get to show a card I made with a quote from a new set being released called "When there's nothing left to say . . ." this set is chocked full of endearing sentiments when you really want to send something special and need the perfect words. Soo many of them combine with the starter phrases "When there's nothing left to say" and "Remember . . ." from encouraging to sympathy you're going to find what you need in this set.



Make sure to head over to the Paper Makeup Stamps Blog and check out the other sneaks from this set. I'm sure you'll like what you see :0) I'll be back on Monday with another sneak peek and the Blog Hop and Release party on Tuesday . . . I'm getting inky now!!

Have a wonderful and relaxing holiday weekend :0)