Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Sweet Baby Girl

This is the card I got done during Open Stamping on Sunday! It's for a new little girl born to a friend at church. Such a happy event!! I used a design paper (already forgot who made that one) and a piece of baby pink mulberry paper. The cardstock for the focal image was CTMH Baby Pink and the inks were Olive and Cotton Candy. I love the new Cotton Candy color! You can order it Wednesday, on-line (link on the right hand side). The stamp is from CTMH It's a Zoo.

I was surprised by urgent knock-knock-knock on my door this morning at 5-something. I was awake, but not dressed. Gathering my heavy robe around me, I hurried to the door. My neighbor was standing there and he was so happy to see me - it seems my garage door was standing open and he thought he saw something (someone?) . . . got worried about me and decided to risk waking me up to be sure I was alive. I'm not sure why God sent this angel to watch over me - but he does take care of me and I am very thankful. I've given it a LOT of thought and I really don't believe that I left the door up last night. It's very automatic for me to close it - I practically close it before I get out of the car!!! So, maybe someone was driving around trying garage door openers.

I have a security system and I use it faithfully. So, I went to work and didn't think of it again. When I got home everything seems fine. I always set it for "stay mode" at night so it goes directly into alarm if there is a breach. I am glad I have a neighbor who cares enough to stop in (and now I'll probably be on the receiving end of one of his comedy routines - something about how glamorous I am in a bathrobe!) ;-)

This is when I'd like to own a B-I-G dog.
Hugs!

Monday, August 30, 2010

Open Stamping Sunday - Color Pencils and OMS

One of my friends asked me to teach them how to make a circle card, and another how to color like I did the cornucopia card . . . so the technique we did yesterday was this small (4") card. I think everyone enjoyed it!

Monday - I love how Alanna put it in her blog - she said that she's pretty sure now that Mondays come more often than any other day in the week. LOL

But the bright side is that I had a great Yoga practice tonight and am getting stronger! Little by little . . .

Namaste.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge Week 12

I was inspired by Lenet Mos and her WMS Star Christmas Card. Trying to make it my own, I used the Heart and made mine a valentine. It's okay - not as fabulous as Lenet's card, but pretty. The stamps are amazing to work with - I used Close-to-My-Heart Cotton Candy ink (new color available 9/1/10) and the lighter pattern paper is a CTMH oldie (i.e. retired) in Baby Pink. The bolder plaid is from Bo Bunny. The French writing on the background is a Stampin' Up stamp (I {heart} this stamp!). Can you say DIVERSE?

Today was Open Stamping at my house and we had a blast!!!!! I love my friends! They are so creative, funny, scary - they have hearts of pure gold and I trust them with my life. To be honest, I don't think I could be happy without my dear friends. They bring balance and purpose. I am so grateful for the days we spend together!

Well, I didn't mean to get all mushy - especially since I'm linking this post to a challenge! Ooops.

Hugs!

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Masculine birthday card

I have a couple of masculine birthdays coming up so I was toying around with the PTI car! How fun is this stamp set?!? I used the CTMH Boom-di-Ada Emporium papers. I used the white gel pen for the headlights. I like that the car is doing a little jig!

I'm so glad it's almost Friday - this week has been "trying". The bright side is that I made Yoga practice twice; I'm adjusting to the new schedule and I am getting stronger (hooray!). I had some good news from a little medical drama that brightened my spirits, too. My friends are coming this weekend for my monthly Open Stamping day and I always look forward to that so much! Yes, life is good. Especially now that it's almost the weekend. ;-)

Do you have something wonderful planned?

Namaste.


Monday, August 23, 2010

A little birdie told me . . .

I've wanted that sentiment since the very first time I saw it! LOL I finally got it in the Waltzingmouse Stamp set Sewing Box Hugs! The background, which I like equally well, is a new Close-to-My-Heart stamp set called Unity - it's a "sneaky-peek" for the new 9/1 catalog release! I used many of the new colors of dye ink as well; Sunset, Cotton Candy, Cream Brulee and Smoothie. Delicious new colors!

Well, I must admit - I absolutely LOVED the movie Eat, Pray, Love! Julia was wonderful - the scenery was beautiful and I was lost for over two hours in the story. The men-folk weren't hard on the eyes either!! (blushing)

Edited to add: I've entered this into a contest at the Do More With Less blog where Karen Baker is a guest designer. You can see Karen's fabulous card and instructions here.
OOPS! Edited to insert the correct link here.

Hope you had a great start to your week!
Namaste.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Harmony - Sneak Peek

The focal image is from a new (9/1/10) Close-to-My-Heart stamp set called Harmony. The bottom was stamped with CTMH State of Mind. The little "Love This" is out of the stamp set that is featured with the current Triple Play promotion. I used "Sky" ink (a new one). I found the border punch in the clearance bin at Michaels for $4.99 - I like it!

I have been playing in the craft room - but this is the only thing I can show you that you haven't already seen! I was busy creating a number of the cornucopia card for a swap. It takes a little time to color all those veges! I picked up 2 new pencils at the store to fill in some colors I didn't have and in the process discovered that not all color pencils are created equal. I'll bet you knew that, huh. Well, I would probably color more often if I had a full set of the yummy ones! Alas, my budget won't allow it any more than I can justify getting all of the copics! So - I will use pencils with odorless mineral spirits (OMS) - but not often. My pencils are waaaay more work than they need to be. LOL

I had Yoga practice this morning with my favorite Yogi. It's a lovely way to start the day! Tomorrow I might be able to stamp before church, but then I'm meeting friends to see Eat, Pray, Love. I've read the book; I like to read the book first so my imagination can draw the pictures. I'm a big fan of Julia Roberts so I'm sure I'll like the movie. It's been at least 7 months since I've seen a movie. Can you tell I'm trying to re-claim my life?

Namaste.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Horn of Plenty

Sneaky peeks at more of the new to be released Close-to-My-Heart stamps and papers! Coming September 1 - the cornucopia is from the stamp set called Harvest Home, the papers are Olivia. I stamped my image on Colonial White cardstock using Momento Tuxedo Black, then used my coloring pencils and odorless mineral spirits (OMS) to color. The backing circles under the tiny brads are punched from a hole punch out of another piece of paper from this same pack. Two of the new colors are featured; Sunset and Pear.

I didn't exactly have a "restful" weekend, but it was therapeutic. I went into my craft room to play Saturday morning and was SO DISGUSTED by the mess, that it set off a frenzy of cleaning that is still going on!!! I have upgraded some of my storage, re-purposed the old paper storage bins to the pantry (which meant that it got a good cleaning, also) and then, just tonight, finally sat down to actually create something. I must confess, I took a break Sunday afternoon to scrap with my friends, but I didn't get much accomplished there other than relaxing with dear friends - and truthfully, nothing is more important!! So, I was hoping you wouldn't be too mad at me for my long absence.

I'm sure that once I get the room turned around all sorts of new and fun things will be showing up - I'm already dreaming about card layouts! LOL

Namaste.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Time for Coffee!

I'm almost always up for coffee!!! This is one of the new (not yet released - coming Sept. 1st) Close-to-my-Heart stamp sets - it's an A-size stamp (meaning, not expensive!). The papers are retired - Caprice.

I'm very happy that Friday is nearly here! What a week!! This weekend will include some scrapping with friends, and some chores, but not much else! I'm "babying" myself! LOL

Enjoy!

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Comedy Club audition

A friend of mine who happens to also be a neighbor recently invited me to a small gathering of his friends. The purpose was to hear and help (coach, perhaps?) him for an audition at a comedy club! He's got the best sense of humor - and everyone that knows him will tell you, he tells great one-liners and hilarious stories! A chance meeting with him in the morning before I leave for work can make the difference in my entire day - there is something about starting the day with a giggle!

So - to let him know that I was thinking of him and wishing for success (not "Good luck" - that's bad in the biz!) I made this "Break a leg" card! It's crazy busy and loud - actually a lot of fun and went together pretty fast. I just needed the idea and it took wings of it's own!

The audition was last night - they've asked him back! I'm just thrilled for him and can't wait to be one of the crowd laughing and cheering him on! Hooray!

All Close-to-My-Heart products. The Ha-Ha's were stamped with an assortment of alphabet stamps over design paper from Rock Star - as was the sentiment over the sunflower paper.

Monday, August 9, 2010

Happy Everything!

This is my entry to the ONE-LAYER CARD (OLC) challenge! I started with a standard White Daisy cardbase, scored 1/4 inch in on all sides, masked the "frame" and also a scallop circle for the middle of the card. Using a new Close-to-My-Heart color Sky, I sponged over the White Daisy. I learned how to position repeating elements from Karen Baker here and with a little practice (yes, it took more than one try!) I was able to stamp the medallions using the new Lagoon color. Then, using the mask from the sheet that I cut the scallop circle out of, I stamped the flowers (using the new Sunset color) and stems in the center (Juniper). There are little stickle dots on the flower ends - just for fun! Happy Everything was stamped in the new color Pacifica. I'm just LOVIN' these new colors! We have 8 in all - and each one is just beautiful!
It was a great day at work today - time went fast and I got a lot accomplished. I am tired and will be early to bed! Hope your week is off to a terrific start!

Hugs!

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Quick and Easy Gift Bag

I have a habit of picking up bags when they are on sale at the local scrapbook stores . . . I just love decorating them to use for gift bags or to make CTMH order deliveries! This one was from a Christmas season - it's a little bag - maybe 7 x 9 inches? My customer ordered just a few re-inkers and they fit so nicely in these darling little bags. I successfully "debossed" for the first time ever - thanks to Julia's tutorial HERE. (be sure to scroll down a little) I'm just thrilled to know that I can use my Spellbinder dies to create debossed images on my paper now. Thanks Julia!!

Well, it's Sunday evening already. My tummy is a little better - I've been taking the good advice of dear friends! I am approaching it easy though so I don't create a new problem, and I am making an appointment with my physician as this is unusual for me and it's been pretty persistent for a couple of weeks now. I'm rested up and have high hopes for a busy and productive week! Hope you have a good week, too.

Hugs!


Thursday, August 5, 2010

Get Well

Happy Thursday! I've been uber-busy this week and yet, very limited time in the play room . . . so sad. My tummy is still annoying me. I find that I'm easily distracted when that happens which explains the lack of productivity.

This card was another easy creation with more of the amazing papers that I found while cleaning up last weekend. The gold/black piece was my find! The music is from that roll of wrapping paper (yes!) and the little bit on the inside flap is a new stamp from Stampin' Up where the writing is in French. I sure hope it doesn't say rude things . . . I'd never know! LOL

The sentiment on the front of the card is a Waltzingmouse Stamps image - I sure do love Claire Brennan's designs! So, I'm looking forward to the weekend - perhaps I can catch my tail.

Namaste.