Blue Satin Shoes!!!

Can you say AWESOME??? I amaze myself once in a while ... I got me this new polka-dot dress for Mother's Day. Brought it home and decided I needed some shoes to go with it. Since I was a little out of funds (due to the dress ... and a couple of others I bought!), I was trying to come up with something to wear with it ... (and this picture looks SOOO posed ... 'cause it WAS!)

Then I got to thinking .... "I wonder if airbrushing with a Copic marker would work on satin shoes?" You see, I had these white satin shoes sitting in the closet .... waaaaayyyyyy in the back .... in a box. They've been sitting there for 14 stinkin' years since I wore them at my brother's wedding.

Sooo.... I went and bought the closest-color Copic marker I could find. Then, I FB'd (that's "Facebooked" for you non-conformists) my good friend, Marianne Walker. She is the Copic QUEEN!! She literally is. She works for Copic. She is the one who TRAINED me with my Copics. I asked her if she thought it would work. Her answer was a resounding "YES!!" So, I just jumped in with airbrush in hand ...

Here is how they looked halfway done. I was getting pretty giddy at about this point. SOOOOO happy when things turn out even BETTER than you thought they would!!




Aren't these FABULOUS?? I had sooo many compliments on them when I wore this combo to church last Sunday!! I was soooo happy!!

After all, what girl DOESN'T love her a new pair of shoes??? Especially when they only cost about $4 (the cost of the marker ... on SALE with a COUPON, no less!!)!! Color me HAPPY!!

Innovative Stamp Creations HOORAY!!

It's official and I can finally share it with you ... I am now a Design Team Architect for Innovative Stamp Creations AND today marks day ONE of the October release Christmas Card Extravaganza Blog Hop!! (Y'all should have arrived here via Connie McCotter's blog!)

There was a challenge issued to the Design Team (known as Creative Architects! LOVE it!) to pick an image from the new set called "Joyful Christmas" and use it as the focal point of our creations. This is what I came up with. Aren't these images just GAW-GEOUS???? I'm still just geeking out that I am already making CHRISTMAS cards!! YIKES!

Stamps: Joyful Christmas by ISC
Ink: Handsome Hunter, Bravo Burgundy, Various Copic Markers
Paper: Very Vanilla, Ruby Red, Bravo Burgundy, Handsome Hunter
Accessories: Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folders, large oval and modern label punches, 1/4" vanilla satin ribbon, gold cord, dimensionals

Win 3 FREE of the Newest Christmas Stamp Sheets (Joyful Christmas, Eclectic Christmas, Festive Christmas)! All you have to do is, leave a message about what Christmas means to you & yours on the last stop on the blog hope...the ISC blog. This opportunity will end Wednesday, October 14.

ISC is also offering 10% off your order! The Christmas Stamp Line is jammed packed and for a limited time only the retail price has been reduced!




Click this link to go back to the beginning of the blog hop on ISC's blog:



And here's a complete blogroll in case you want to go to a specific blog:

ISC Blog
Kathy
Sabrina
Julie
Joanne
Connie
Wendy (ME!!)

Blog Hoppin' with Pez-A-Doodle!!

How dang CUTE is THIS???? Lucky me!! I was asked by Marti over at Pez-A-Doodle to do a little guest designing in conjunction with her new stamp release! Suh-WEET!!! Check out her sneak peeks here:

Pez-A-Doodle Blog

I had SOOO much fun pulling out my Copic markers and coloring. I was having a childhood flashback coloring these adorable flowers and bumblebees from Marti's new garden set of stamps!! Wanna see more??? Be sure to check out the peeks on Taylor's blog here:

Musings of An Addict

AND on Sue's blog here:

In2Stampin

I love how Marti has combined such fun spring-y images with these adorable borders that you can build, mix and match for yourself (those bees just put me over the edge, baby!)!! There are other borders and cute little images, too! Be sure to check 'em ALL out!!

Thanks for lookin' and have a wonderful day, friends!!

Stamps: Pezzy's Garden (Polka Dot Pie) by Pez-A-Doodle
Paper: Brocade Blue, Barely Banana, Whisper White
Ink: Pitch Black Adirondack, Various Copic Markers
Accessories: Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder, black gingham ribbon, ticket corner punch

Who DOESN'T Love a Cupcake????!!??

I swear, all you have to do is SHOW someone a cupcake and you will get a smile in return! (Although I DO like to eat them more than I like to look at them!)

This is a great little cupcake die released during LAST CHA from Spellbinders. I think it is one of my favorite dies. It is just so fun to create with!!

I put a double layer of clear embossing powder on both the frosting AND the cherry to make them extra appetizing! I also pulled out my trusty airbrush and compressor to use with my Copic markers on this one. I swear (again!) that this thing looks ALMOST good enough to eat!!

Be sure to check out Becca Feeken's blog to see what new dies she is going to share today!

Amazing Paper Grace

And you still have today left to enter the contest over on Heidi Blankenship's blog, too! Don't miss out! She has created some JAW-DROPPINGLY WONDERFUL things with her Sneak Peek die! (Her luminary is SPECTACULAR!!)

Embellished Dreams

Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes (sentiment)
Paper: WorldWin ColorMates – Lt. Pretty Pink, Dark Totally Tan, Deep Coffee Brown, Light Autumn Red
Ink: Copic Markers – R59 Cardinal, E31 Brick Beige (ABS)
Accessories: Spellbinders Labels One (S4161), Labels Trio (S3147) and Cupcakes (S4156) dies, May Arts brown polka dot organza ribbon, pop-up glue dots, Glassy Glaze embossing powder, D'Vine Swirl Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Chocolate Chip craft ink

Fun Little Project

As part of our work with the design team for "There She Goes," each of the team members takes a turn on Fridays to create a project from something that they picked up for a dollar! Hence, Jessica calls her blog posts on Fridays "Dollar Find Friday." It was my turn last Friday, and this is the project I made. She already posted it on her blog, but I thought it would be fun to share it with all of you, so here it is!

I am a lover of a good bargain. In fact, my family often calls me frugal (okay, well . . . cheap!). I am really good at hunting out great deals! Target's Dollar Spot has long been one of my favorite places to find fun, alterable items (this comes in especially handy when my daughter wants to make something for ALL of her friends).

As I was perusing the merchandise . . . on the hunt for something fab to share with all of YOU . . . I came across this cute little white cutting board. I think this would be really fun to give as a housewarming gift, or just as a "thank you" for a special friend.

The best part is, it was pretty simple and requires no special instructions. Here is a photo of the supplies I used to create my "Dollar Find". The only things not included in the photo are cardstock (I used SU's Pale Plum, Garden Green and Shimmery White), the ribbon (you can really use any coordinating color) and the green raffia (because I used my VERY last piece on the cutting board, so I had none to photograph!).

Supplies
Tea for Two, Tea for Two Special Blend and Butterfly Happiness Stamps by There She Goes
Olive Green StazOn Ink
Jet Black StazOn Ink
Family Treasures Daisy Punch
Spellbinders Standard Circle Small (S4116 - third smallest die), Standard Circle Large (S4114 - third smallest die) and Classic Scalloped Circle Large (S4124 - second smallest die)
Green rhinestone brad by Making Memories
Copic Markers - V01 Heath, BV000 Iridescent Mauve and BV02 Prune
Pale Plum, Garden Green and Shimmery White Cardstock by Stampin' Up
Green Raffia
1/4" Lt. Plum Grosgrain Ribbon
Glue Dots
Zip Dry Adhesive

The only thing of special note is that I used StazOn ink, as regular ink rubs right off of plastic surfaces (because the are non-porous). The teapot and teacups were stamped on cardstock, colored with Copic Markers, then cut out and adhered to the board with ZipDry adhesive (LOVE that stuff!). Other than that, it is all pretty straight forward. Have a great week!

Where Did It Go??

I honestly can't believe that summer is nearly OVER!! The kids start school two weeks from today. YIKES!! This has been, without a doubt, the fastest, most crazy, and most travelled summer I have EVER experienced!! What an absolute tornado!!! But, I digress . . .

I tried something totally new yesterday. For TLC181, the challenge was to do a "stained glass" front on your creation. Truth be told I didn't have all the proper "tools" for the job. What???? Can that be right???? Actually, the technique calls for you to stamp an image in StazOn ink (which I do have) onto a piece of acetate (also had that!). Then, using a few drops of Crystal Effects mixed with a little reinker (colors of your choice!), you "paint" the back of the acetate with your new concoction, filling in the lines and creating a beautiful stained glass window. Although I DO have some Crystal Effects, the substance in the bottle was kinda yellow and super thick, so it wasn't going to work for me!! I ended up cheating a bit and using my Copics to color the image in.

I placed a HUGE order with Stampin' Up yesterday, as it was the first day we were allowed to order from the new Fall/Winter catalog (can anyone say $$$???)!! I actually DID remember to order myself some new CE, so I need to try this technique again!!

I love using my Nestabilities to create a "frame." I do it quite often, but not usually with one this big. Makes a great window, don't you think? I placed the pink mat behind the acetate, so you can actually see more of the image that way. And, I borrowed a cute little idea from Nichole Heady of Papertrey . . . I stamped a row of polka dots and bordered it, top and bottom, with a couple of little score lines using my ever-trusty Scor-Pal. Cute, eh? For those who are counting, this makes "Follow the Butterflies" challenge card #51 (see link at right for more info).

I'm off to Girl's Camp a little later today, and won't be back 'til Friday afternoon. I'll post something new then!

Stamps: Doodlewings by Stampendous, Polka Dot Basics by Papertrey
Paper: Brocade Blue, Whisper White, Bordering Blue, So Saffron, Pixie Pink, Acetate
Ink: Black Stazon, Whisper White, various Copic markers
Accessories: Nestabiliites scallop rectangle, Three for You punch, white brads, pink gingham ribbon by Offray, Scor-Pal

Honorable Mention . . . Not Bad!!!!

I was soooo excited when I discovered this morning that a project I submitted to Papertrey for their Guest Star Stamper contest for July had received an honorable mention! Wahoo!!!! I had almost decided NOT to enter this month, as I have been out of town so much and I literally had less than 5 minutes left before the deadline to upload my project onto their website after I had finished it!! Soooo glad I did!

I have been meaning to do a gift like this project for my niece, Gwen, who just got married on May 27. When I saw the Boards and Beams stamp set, I knew that I had found what I needed to complete it (just had to find the TIME to do so!!).

I used my large scallop rectangle Nestabilies to create a mat. Basically, I just took one of the rectangles, started on one end of the Brocade Blue cardstock I had chosen to mat the project, and just kept sliding the die over after each cut with the Wizard, until I had created a large rectangle "hole" for the mat. I then stamped it with the Polka Dot Basics stamp set (also by Papertrey). Nothing else really tricky about this little housewarming gift. The only sad thing was that I lost the little "8" stamp from my Simple Alphabet set (another shout out to PTI!!) after I had stamped everything. It was only when I was cleaning up my "creative" mess that I discovered it missing!! (Insert frowny face here!!)

I'm headed out of town, yet again, to pick up my 17 year old son in Nauvoo, Illinois. He has been playing the bagpipes for a church pageant there for nearly three weeks. I am really excited to go and see him perform and to have a nice, long, cross-country drive (just like the ones my family used to take when I was a little girl). I have some fun books to listen to, a portable DVD player, and of course, my favorite pillow, so I should be all SET!!

I do have a project I am going to try and post while I am on the road at some point. I'll cross my fingers and hope it works!!

Stamps: Boards and Beams, Polka Dot Basics, Simple Alphabet - all by Papertrey; Rough Texture jumbo wheel by SU
Paper: Brocade Blue, Red Riding Hood, Night of Navy, Whisper White
Ink: Pitch Black Adirondak by Ranger, assorted Copic Markers, Brocade Blue, Night of Navy, Ruby Red, Bordering Blue
Accessories: Large Scallop Rectangle Nestablities, red stitched ribbon by Offray, large oval punch by SU, Stamped Cricut Cartridge

Copics & Butterflies

You can always tell when life has been too busy for me when the only cards I post around here are for my "Follow the Butterflies" challenge!! I do NOT want to repeat the past two weeks for anything!! I feel like I've been running around with my pants on FIRE . . . but, enough about ME!!

I got this wonderful Rubbernecker stamp a little while back (Hi-ya Dave!!) and have DYING to drag out my Copics and color it!! I think I used about a zillion different colors on this baby, but I had a good time with it.

I also used my Scor-Pal to create a scored line close to the right-hand side (outside edge). It's kind of hard to see in this photo. I have really enjoyed using my Scor-Pal to create scores as an accent or embellishment (instead of just using it to fold things). It really adds a nice touch.

Stickles are also among my favorite accent embellishments. I used some Crystal Ice Stickles to outline the entire image along all the black lines. It helps to give it that added "pop"!

So, I think this puts me up to card #41 on my "Follow the Butterflies" challenge (see sidebar at right for more info). I'm behind, too, as we are entering week #42 and I haven't even thought of a card for that . . . YET!!

I have a few fun Spellbinders projects that I am going to be uploading over the next few days, so stay tuned . . .

Stamps: Rubbernecker Stained Glass Butterfly, Small Script (SU)
Ink: MANY assorted Copics, Ranger Adirondack Pitch Black dye ink
Paper: Summer Sun, Basic Black, Shimmery White
Accessories: Crystal Ice Stickles, Pop-Up Glue Dots, 1/4" black grosgrain ribbon, large and small oval punches, Scor-Pal

Where's My 'Net???

I have been out of town since last Thursday evening. I was shocking and sadly disappointed to learn that not ALL hotels have free internet. The one where I am currently staying has an internet "room," but since we have been on such a crazy schedule, I haven't been able to get a chance to post 'til now (and I got up at 5:30 a.m. to do it!!)

Isn't this little star box fun? I made it as part of my February projects for Spellbinders. Actually, my daughter asked me to buy the box for her so she could decorate it, and I kinda swiped it from her (don't worry, though, I eventually got her another one!!).

I love making fun little bags and boxes. I covered this one with some "Rob and Bob" patterned paper from Provo Craft ("Love in Bloom"). The most fun this to use on this, though, was my Stars 5 dies from Spellbinders. They are a set of "Nestabilities" of sorts . . . several sizes of dies that you can "nest" on top of one another! I kinda went a little crazy stacking these, but I liked the finished product.

I am off to three workshops with the choir kids today, then we will be doing a dinner cruise this evening, after which we will be boarding a bus for home (all-night bus rides are EVERYTHING they are cracked up to be . . . especially on a bus full of teenagers!!)

Spellbinders: Wizard, Stars 5 dies, Daisy Delight Dies
Accessories: Creative Impressions Olive Swirl Organdy Ribbon, Copic Sketch Marker (to fill in the stencil on the flower - B005 Blue Frost), Jewel stickers (Doodlebug) and of course my FAVE Pop-Up Glue Dots
Paper: Rob & Bob "Love in Bloom" designer paper by ProvoCraft

I hope to be back to regular posts by Wednesday! I'm sooo wiped out! I'm hoping that these kids keep me younger instead of wearing me out! We are having fun, though!! Talk to ya later!!

Moving Right Along!

Can you believe I’m posting again already? I’m even surprising myself! I have been taking some “me” time and just been doing some stamping therapy . . . something I have been seriously in need of the last little while. So . . . here I am again!

I’m starting off today with this little “Boatloads” butterfly card. I’ve honestly had this set since it came out, only this is the first time I have used it. It is so darn cute! I coupled it with some of my favorite things . . . “Basket Full of Fun”, which in my opinion should never have been a hostess set, but rather one offered to everyone, AND my new Copic markers and airbrush system. This was really fun to make.

I cut a little cloud shape out of some paper and laid it down to airbrush the sky behind the little boat. I am soooo loving this tool! Great fun to play with. Plus, I fulfilled card #29 in my “Follow the Butterflies” challenge (see link on sidebar for details). I just discovered this week that I was off on my card count . . . somehow, a card I did last November was either not posted to my SCS gallery at all, or it was deleted. Not sure which. But, I have always used the gallery to help me count. For some reason I remembered that card the other day and realized I hadn’t seen it in my gallery. So I went and added it a couple of days ago. It’s not really my favorite, as I was doing it in a hurry, but I had to add it so I could keep track of what I have done!!

Stamps: Boatloads of Love, Basket Full of Fun
Cardstock: Summer Sun, Brocade Blue, Real Red, Shimmery White
Ink: Black StazOn, Whisper White craft,Various Copic Markers
Accessories: Red stitched grosgrain ribbon, brads (inked with Whisper White and then embossed with WW embossing powder), silver cord, dimensionals

I did this one for CC157 – and I goofed! The challenge was to use Basic Black, Purely Pomegranate and Basic Gray. I must’ve been zonin’, ‘cause I ended us thinking it was Going Gray, which is what I used. I haven’t done a criss-cross card in a while (see TLC104 on SCS for details), so I really wanted to take a stab at this challenge again. I also love it when I can contain myself to one stamp set on a card, as I have been known to use up to SEVEN on the same card! I must be NUTS!!

Stamps: Baroque Motifs
Cardstock: Basic Black, Going Gray, Purely Pomegranate, Shimmery White
Ink: Going Gray, Purely Pomegranate, Basic Black craft
Accessories: Scallop circle, 1 3/8" and 1 1/4" circle, horizontal slot punch, May Arts black swiss dot organza ribbon, smoky gray rhinestone sticker (Doodlebug)

Finally, this card was done when I was having a brain freeze. The whole time I was making this for SC167 I kept thinking, “Where in the heck am I GOING with this??” I still think it is kinda funky, but I have received a lot of comments on it, so I must be in a funk or something, ‘cause I’m still not quite sure about it. I used a blender pen and reinker to color around the outside edge of the large flower.

Stamps: Office Accoutrement
Cardstock: Soft Sky, Purely Pomegranate, Happy Me SS dsp
Ink: Groovy Guava, Purely Pomegranate
Accessories: Polka dot pomegranate satin ribbon, rhinestone stickers (Doodlebug), dimensionals, Cuttlebug Dotted Swiss embossing folder

I’m listening to the rain outside my window as it hits the street. A very spring-y sound, if you ask me. At least it’s not SNOWING!! Have a great day!!

Baby, It's Cold Outside!!!

Brrrrr!!! I'm soooo ready for Spring. We've been as low as -2 degrees and I'm ready for some warm weather. I have spent several days this last week making projects for my first trip to CHA as a member of the Spellbinders Design Team. It has been so much fun. I can't give you a sneak peek, because the projects were created specifically for CHA, BUT I will be able to post them here in a few weeks after CHA is over.

Sooooo, once again I have a couple of butterfly cards for ya (which seems to be all I have had time for!). This first one was a hybrid of products between Stampin' Up and Spellbinders. I'm going to have a lot of fun creating these over the next year! I finally broke down and bought some white taffeta ribbon and it's AWESOME. I used a sponge and some Perfect Plum ink to color the ribbon to match. Having white pretty much gives you any color you want!! I also made this card a horizontal gate fold (folded 2 1/8" from the top and the bottom, so that it opens across the middle!).

I used my airbrush tool and some Copic markers to color the butterflies . . . another thing I love about the Spellbinders diecuts - you can stencil 'em!!! With the airbrushed color and a little bit of Stickles, I really had fun creating these!

Stamps: Tres Chic
Diecut: SB Butterflies 2
Cuttlebug: Spots & Dots embossing folder
Cardstock: Perfect Plum, Apricot Appeal, Whisper White
Ink: Perfect Plum, assorted Copic markers

I LOVE the "Like it a Latte" set that SU came out with last year . . . was soooo sad that it never made the main catalog!! I am embarrassed to admit that, as much as I LOVE this set, this is the first time I have actually used it (ducking, ashamedly!!). It is always going to be a favorite. I knew I had to include a butterfly, so I made one from the peppermint stick stamp and the little hearts from the retired "Sweet Talk" set. This was #21 in my "Follow the Butterflies" challenge, and I still have a looonnnggg way to go, so I'm starting to see butterflies in stamps that weren't really there!!

Stamps: Like It a Latte, Sweet Talk
Diecuts: Large and Small Scalloped and Classic Oval Nestabilities
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel, Rose Red, Whisper White
Ink: Rose Red, Regal Rose, Chocolate Chip
Ribbon: Offray 5/8" Oatbran Polka Dot Ribbon

I can't WAIT to share my CHA stuff with you!!! Until then, I'll just have to keep posting new things (and I'm sure there will be more butterflies flitting around in there as well!)!

Keep warm!!