the birthday party

The 5th birthday party. It took some creativity. The little man requested a Luigi (from Super Mario Bros) birthday party. We found a great, plastic figurine at Barnes and Noble and knew it would be the perfect cake, or in this case cupcake, topper. And everything went from there.

The cupcake tower I picked up at our local party store. I put it together inside out and upside down, so the colors worked with our theme. If I really wanted to get crazy, I could have covered it with paper. :) Its a Wilton product.

The mushrooms were from Bed, Bath & Beyond (weird, I know). They were filled with candy. We emptied the candy out and had cute decorations.

I made the cupcake toppers with Spellbinders die templates, Circles and Stars 5. I glued the pieces to toothpicks. And they are different sizes.

The little man found these self-adhesive moustaches at the party store. They turned out to be a blast! (creative boy :)) I made a moustache-on-a-stick for all the boys. The photos are hilarious. And to add to the theme, I picked up a couple of $1 white hats at Michael’s. Tulip Brands makes a fabric spray paint, which colored the hats pretty well, in a short amount of time. I die cut a circle from cardstock and added a green Thicker to complete the Luigi look.

(Wish you could hear him say moustache. It sounds like moose-taash. So sweet.)

And instead of pin the tail on the donkey, we played pin the moustache on Luigi. It worked perfectly with the sticky-backed moustaches!!

I still cannot believe that my baby boy is 5 years old. He is growing up and changing so quickly. Its bittersweet, but I am so very proud of him! He is sweet, smart, kind, thoughtful, helpful, and has a wonderful sense of humor. God has blessed us with an amazing boy!

Have a wonderful weekend! thanks for stopping by!!

hydrangea frame

I am SO excited to share this project with you!! Creating home decor pieces is something that gets my mojo going, and the way this frame turned out, is exactly the reason why I get so pumped!

A close up look at the sentiment (Garden Beauty). This frame measures 12x12 and holds a 5x7 photo. To be honest, I don’t remember where I picked this up. But its a basic MDF frame from a crafting store.

A view of the flowers on the left hand side. I did mask the bottom flower off before I stamped the upper flower.

And here is the reason for my excitement…JUMBO cling stamps from Stampendous!! Oh, you should see these (click HERE, seriously)!!! Jumbo Hydrangea Cling measures over 7” tall and over 5” at its widest. The butterfly is 2 1/4” by 2 3/4”.

I actually didn’t color the flowers in for a few days. I wanted the color to be soft and very subtle, almost a water color look. After pondering for a bit, I remembered Fantastix! They are ink blending stumps from Tsukineko. The package comes with bullet (rounded) and point (like a pencil) tips.

Wanting to give the hydrangeas a realistic look, I started using a blue ink. Tumbled Glass to be more specific.

Here is a look at the petals with the blue ink.

Then I moved onto purple, but a lighter purple. I grabbed Milled Lavendar ink.

The Fantastix are easy to use. Rub the end into your ink pad and pick up some color. The rub it onto the surface you want colored. I used a circular motion because it seemed to spread the ink out evenly. You can see on a couple of petals in the above photo, where I didn’t, and the strokes stand out.

For the centers, I grabbed a deeper purple ink, Dusty Concord.

I applied the ink the exact same way, but kept the deeper purple to the centers and the shadows.

For the leaves, I used Peeled Paint.

This Fantastix is the point tip. This tip makes it easier to get into small spaces. When coloring with the green, I applied more ink to places that I wanted to have an appearance of shadows.

Here is a look at the final image, all colored. It took about 24 hours to dry. I would spray this with a matte finishing spray, to help the ink stay put, permanently.

And for those of you thinking, great technique, but I would never make a frame, I tried the same thing out on cardstock. It worked fabulously!!!

Hope this inspires you to try this technique! thanks for stopping by!

Supplies: Stamps-Stampendous (Jumbo Hydrangea Cling, Garden Beauty, Sincere Sentiments), Ink-Ranger Distressing (Peeled Paint, Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord, Tumbled Glass), Stewart Superior Palette (Noir), Fantastix-Tsukineko

Spellbinders 2011 Design Team

To say that I am proud and honored to represent Spellbinders Paper Arts on their design team for the third year would be a gigantic understatement!! Working with Spellbinders has been so amazing and I am one blessed girl!! Huge congrats to the new team members and to a few returning members!! The whole announcement can be found on Spellbinders Paper Arts blog HERE.

Kimberly Crawford
Tonya Dirk
Christine Emberson
Judy Hayes
Lesley Langdon
Tina McDonald
AJ Otto
Windy Robinson
Gloria Stengel
Shanna Vineyard
Michelle Woerner
Latisha Yoast

I am very happy to be able to share one of my try-out projects with you today. I used Lacey Pennants and Nested Pennants to create this love banner. Perfect for Valentines day. Even my hubby said it was cute and good for decor! :)

Here’s a closer view of one of the pennants. Behind each letter I created an accordion flower. The O got a special treatment with a Classic Heart and an arrow made from Elegant Posts.

have a superb day and thanks for stopping by!

Supplies: Spellbinders-Elegant Posts, Nested Pennants, Lacey Pennants, Circles Large, Classic Hearts, Patterned paper-Cosmo Cricket (Togetherness 6x6), Cardstock-WorldWin (Canvas), Lace-Wrights, Sequins-Hobby Lobby, Buttons-Making Memories, Twine-May Arts, Ink-Ranger (Frayed Burlap), Glitter Letters-Making Memories

sitting here thinking about you

A quick, easy, and cute card today. I die cut an oval, to make it look like a rug, using Spellbinders die templates. I foam mounted the couch sticker and placed it over the oval. A heart sticker was placed over the couch and the sentiment was stamped on the bottom. this card is 4.25x4.25 inches.

Have a great day! thanks for stopping by!!

Supplies-Stamps-Flourishes (Chairs for You), Patterned paper-Cosmo Cricket (Togetherness 6x6), Ink-Memento (Tuxedo Black), Stickers-Doodlebug (Welcome Home), Spellbinders-Petite Oval Large

Happy Birthday to my MIL today!!!!!!!!!

agony and suffering in California

Day two of our “extra CHA adventure” was truly filled with suffering. :) Once again, I really do have to thank Spellbinders for taking good care of us while we were waiting out the storm. And am so thankful for Cathy for being heads up enough to book a hotel room!!

We took a trolley down to Manhattan Beach in Santa Monica for the day. I’d like to say we ran down to the Pacific Ocean first, but, you can see what held us back in the next photos. :)

Cupcakes Couture of Manhattan Beach was right at our first trolley stop. You can’t not stop!! :) They recently participated in Cupcake Wars on The Food Network. How cool is that?

The shop was fabulously decorated and these amazing creations just contributed to the feel. The decision was difficult, to say the least!

We finally narrowed it down. And of course, before eating, the cupcakes needed their own photo shoot. :) I wish I would have brought my Canon…but these phone photos worked out ok. My cupcake is the front one. It was Mint Chocolate Chip. Yummy. The frosting was light as air and peppermint flavored. The dark chocolate cake was moist and there was a filling of mint chocolate chip ganache in the center.

It appears that all we did was eat that day…we did a lot of walking. A lot. So we didn’t feel so bad. :) Lunch was Wahoo’s Fish Taco. Another yummy!

Fresh chips and guacamole. Fish tacos that were delish.

But my hands down favorite was the shrimp taco. The shrimp were spicy and tender. Mixed with the cabbage and fresh pico de gallo, it was something I would seek out to eat again!

We shopped our way around Santa Monica (anyone else have that Sheryl Crow song in their head? :)). A stop at Anthropology was full of inspiration. Spring was alive everywhere. I was loving the succulents that were decorating every inch of the front of the store.

This chair needs to come to my house. I have a thing for subway art right now… :)

Beth Pingry has some more photos and silliness (at least on my part :)) on her blog. Pop on over and see photos of all the trims and fabrics we looked at in the Fashion District.

Have a fantastic day and thanks for stopping by!

thinking of you

Good Monday Morning!

Today I have some more My Mind’s Eye Stella and Rose loveliness. The card started out with the flower. I used paper that came inside a package to create it. A text background was stamped in black ink upon it. Then several blossoms were die cut from the paper. The edges were inked and then all tied together with twine and fastened with the button. The leaves were die cut using Spellbinders new die set, Foliage. I stamped cardstock with a background, inked the paper, and then die cut.

Thank you for all your input and suggestions for posting my directions! They were all so thoughtful and gave me things to think about. Seems like, for the most part, the ways things are currently is pretty good. Yay for that! :)

Congrats to the winner of the blog candy:

Anna K. said...

I like the narrative just fine. The only time step-by-step instructions in a list format might be helpful is if you're showing us something complicated or brand new that most of us won't have seen before.

February 18, 2011 3:58 PM

Anna, drop me an email with your mailing address!! :)

I have such wonderful readers…you always make me smile, and I am grateful for you!! thanks so much for always stopping by!

Supplies: Stamps-Hero Arts (Friend Definition, Made With Love, Classic Fabric Design), Patterned paper-My Mind’s Eye (Stella and Rose: Hazel), Button-Papertrey Ink, Twine-Martha Stewart, Ink-Colorbox Chalk (Dark Brown), Ranger (Distressing Ink-Fired Brick, Black Soot, Peeled Paint), Spellbinders-Big Scalloped Circles Large, Foliage

sending you sunshine and laughter

Just having a little fun with stamps and all that good stuff! :) I stamped a doily image in the background, on the card base. Then on a separate piece of cardstock, I stamped the Zig Zag border from Mint Motif’s Beyond Borders. I trimmed one of the edges to bring out the shape even more. The butterfly is a new die template from Spellbinders and Donna Salazar called, Fanciful Flight.

Ok, I have a question, and to thank you for answering, how about a little blog candy? I have a Spellbinders bag, limited edition CHA Spellbinders t-shirt, quite a few new Kaiser mini sentiment stamp sets, a My Stix adhesive runner from Scrapbooking Adhesives, and several other little goodies from the show.

Leave your answer in the comments. You have until 10:00 pm CST Sunday night. I will announce the winner on Monday. Ready for the question? Would you prefer for me to write out step-by-step instructions of each project I share, or is the narrative that I write now ok?

We are off to shop for a new dryer this weekend…hope your plans are more fun than ours! :) thanks for stopping by!

Supplies: Stamps-Mint Motif (Beyond Borders), Hero Arts (Circle Lace, Everyday Sayings), Cardstock-Papertrey Ink, Ink-Palette (Canvas, Noir, Charcoal), Spellbinders-Fanciful Flight

you make me smile

This makes me smile. It was so fun to make! Having a new obsession with clothespins, I wanted to see if I could stamp on them. (if it sits still long enough, it gets stamped, right? :)) The stamping worked out perfectly! I used Palette ink, which is made for multiple surfaces and comes in great colors. Then I stamped the same background onto a piece of cardstock, die cut a circle, stamped the sentiment in black ink, and adhere the clothespins to the back of the circle. Pretty fun, I think. Totally not mail-able, though. :)

Here are some photos from our CHA bonus adventure day one. Beth Pingry, Cathy Chlebana, Kim Hupke, and myself all got to spend a couple extra days in the warmth, while they cleaned out Chicago. Being a small town girl, this metro living was so interesting to me; all the stores and restaurants lined up along the street, people walking to get to their needs, and just all the people everywhere. And then there was the shopping!! :)

There were fabric, button, trim, jewelry, and bead stores everywhere. The eye candy was overwhelming and inspiring! And while I love looking at beads, I don’t dare start another hobby, which is why I have photos of those stores and not the others. :)

There were even rooster beads! If you could imagine it, you could buy it! It was a good thing that my suitcase was dangerously close to being overweight…it kept my shopping in check!

Have a fantastic day! thanks for stopping by!

Supplies: Stamps-Hero Arts (Classic Fabric Design, Made with Love), Patterned paper-My Mind’s Eye (Fine and Dandy True Blue), Ink-Palette (Paris Lights, Noir), Cardstock-Papertrey Ink, Clothespins (Michael’s), Spellbinders-Circles Large

Happy 91st birthday to my grandmother today!! Isn't that amazing?

wishing you the sweetest day

Happy Valentine’s Day!! Sending all my wonderful readers and followers a huge hug! I hope that your day is filled with love!

This card is full of some new favorites. First off, check out the patterned papers, they are the new My Mind’s Eye Stella and Rose Hazel 6x6 pad!! Love, love, love, love!! The stamps are from Unity and Jillibean Soup. The stamps will go with Jillibean’s Chilled Strawberry Soup line. I love strawberries. Always had a thing for them, both to eat and design with! :) Oooh, and dipped in chocolate…

One more thing to point out; the trim. It was something we found in the fashion district of Los Angeles, on one of our adventure days in California. I will have to get you photos soon. It was an amazing way to spend an afternoon!

We are off to see a movie with the little man tonight. He has become a part of our Valentine’s Day celebrations and we wouldn’t have it any other way. :) thanks for stopping by!

Supplies: Stamps-Unity/Jillibean Soup, Patterned paper-My Mind’s Eye (Stella and Rose Hazel), Twine-Martha Stewart, Ink-Memento (Tuxedo Black), Punch-Fiskars (Postage), Gems-Hero Arts, Trim-found in the fashion district of Los Angeles :)

more CHA

Ok, so I didn’t get to take photos of all the things that I fell in love with at CHA, but I still wanted to enable you, I mean, share with you. :)

**My Mind’s Eye “Stella and Rose”

This line comes with four collections, Gertie, Hattie, Mabel, and Hazel. Hazel is my hands down favorite. This is my favorite new line for the whole show. Its soft and shabby, but totally trendy. The colors just speak to me. And it gets even better, card making friends, it comes in 6x6 pads! Double-sided pads!

**Jillibean Soup

I haven’t been able to grab any photos of their newest lines, but pop on over to their blog (I linked each line) and see how darling it all is!! Chilled Strawberry Soup and all the darling Unity stamps too!!, Blossom Soup, Dutch Mustard Soup, and Bean Blossoms. Good news again, another smart company doing 6x6 pads!!!

**Hero Arts and Basic Grey Stamps

Hero Arts released their Spring Catalog at the show and announced a co-branding with Basic Grey!!! You can see it all HERE.

This stamp, not co-branded, blows my mind! Its CG313 Word Pops. The reason its called, Word POPS, is because those two darker grey dots, come out of the background!!!! How cool is that?!?!? Oh, the possibilities!!!!!

**Crate Paper “Portrait”

Wow. Wow. Wow. Color heaven. Texture heaven.

**Technique Tuesday

Again, no photos that I can grab for you, but they knocked my socks off with their new stamps. Love. Love. Love. Unique. AND they are designing stamps to work with Spellbinders die templates!!!! :)