TAMARA'S SKETCH CHALLENGE

Happy Thursday all! It is time for another fabulous sketch from Tamara and I was so happy that I could participate...I have been missing these! This week's was fun because it has some different elements to it that you could really play with! I enjoyed working with this one and I am sure this is one I will pull out and use again! I used one of my new sets from the Spring Occasions Mini - I am loving that little catty, there are soooo many fabulous things in there! Remember, there are items in the catty that you can order now if you are a customer AND they count towards Sale-A-Bration freebies....pretty cool!! This set is called Great Friend and I love the butterfly and the soft frame so I used both! I actually cut out my butterflies after stamping them on Whisper White and then added some adhesive just to the center so they could have the 3d effect. And, the ribbon I used is the new yummy Whisper White satin ribbon also available in the new mini. Ack - so pretty! Please take a minute to pop on over to Tamara's site and check out what the other DT gals did, they are all so amazing, you will love everything they have to show you! And, remember, if you do the sketch, upload to the site so we can all have a chance to see what you do! Thanks for stopping by today and check back tomorrow - I have something really fun to share tomorrow for the Stamp Something Challenge! Have a wonderful day!
Card Recipe:
Paper - Riding Hood Red, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip card stock, Candy Lane Designer Series paper
Ink - Riding Hood Red stampin' pad
Stamps - Great Friend
Accessories - Whisper White Satin Ribbon, Eyelet Border Punch, Circle Cutter, Antique Brads

A WHIMSY KIND OF DAY - LOTS TO SHARE!

Happy Hump Day all!! Yesterday I spent the day napping and stamping - not a bad way to spend a day, right?! I have been wanting to play with my new Whimsy stamps; my friend Denise started her own stamp company and I think her images are just too cute!! So, I decided to do a couple of challenges using my new purchases and I am going to share those today. I also used some of my recent gifts I received from some very sweet blogging friends - some 6x6 pads of Basic Grey paper, which, next to Stampin' Up! is my ultimate favorite! (It's not really contraband if it's a gift, right? LOL!) The first card I made is for the SNR Card Universe Whimsy Challenge - it is a sketch challenge, which is my favorite kind of challenge! I decided to use the cute little owl, I just love that face, sooo adorable! I colored him using my Stampin' Write Markers, and I think he turned out pretty cute! I cut the circle with my new Circle Cutter, love that tool! And, I mounted my sentiment on a Scalloped Oval which I made using my new Scalloped Oval Punch available April 1st in the new Spring Mini catty.

Card Recipe: (all items SU! unless otherwise indicated)

Paper - Close to Cocoa, Whisper White card stock, Basic Grey Sultry Designer Series paper

Inks - Brown Stazon, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Old Olive Stampin' Write Markers

Stamps - Whimsy Owl and Whimsy Silly Sayings

Accessories - Regal Rose Brads, Large Oval Punch, Scalloped Oval Punch, Photo Corners Punch, May Arts Ribbon

This next card I made for the CBC Challenge that Courtney hosts every Tuesday. This week's was a sketch, and it is fabulous - I had to play along! I used another Whimsy stamp, one of my favorites. Isn't that frog adorable?? I colored him with my Stampin' Write markers too, but could not resist making his lily pad all sparkly with some Iridescent Ice! If you I used a ton of different punches on this card too - I totally love my punches! I made this card totally for fun, and I really enjoyed making it! I thought the colors were just so cheery - I need some of that right now with our weather being so blah!!! Here is the recipe for this one!

Card Recipe: (all items SU! unless otherwise indicated)

Paper - Going Gray, Close to Cocoa, Whisper White card stock, Basic Grey Sultry Designer Series paper

Inks - Brown Stazon, Chocolate Chip Stampin' Pad, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Gable Green, Green Galore, Mellow Moss, Old Olive Stampin' Write Markers

Stamps - Whimsy Frog and Whimsy Silly Sayings

Accessories - Large Oval Punch, Word Window Punch, Scalloped Oval Punch, Scalloped Edge Punch, Heart Punch, Fire Rhinestones(both Square and Round), Iridescent Ice, Versamark, Heat Gun, Prima paper flowers

This last card is for the Mojo Monday sketch Julee posted. At first I had a hard time with this one - I think the rounded edges on the one piece threw me off, lol!! But, I persevered and came up with this idea using another Whimsy stamp that Denise sent me as a gift for my birthday! Her name is Pajama Time Emma, and she is just such a cutie! Thanks Denise, I love her!! I used some more of my BG dsp that I received and I paper pieced her jammies - she reminds me of Kayla when she was little! I colored the rest of her with my Stampin' Write Markers and I am happy with how she turned out! I also got a chance to use some of my new big brads from SU! - love these, they are perfect for the centers of flowers and match so well with our beautiful ribbon. I was able to stamp the sentiment and punch it out - whew! I was worried it would not fit, LOL! I added some buttons with some twine and voila -done! I had such fun creating these cards, I hope you enjoy them too! Have a wonderful day!

Card Recipe: (all items SU! unless otherwise noted)

Paper - Nigh of Navy, Old Ivory, Bayou Blue, Close to Cocoa card stock, Basic Grey Granola Designer Series paper

Inks - Brown Stazon, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Night of Navy Stampin' Write Markers

Stamps - Whimsy Emma and Whimsy Sayings

Accessories - Word Window Punch, Very Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon, Corner Rounder Punch, Scalloped Edge Punch, Jumbo Very Vanilla brads, twine, buttons, Prima flowers

NEEDED TO SLOW DOWN

Hi all! Sorry I took such a long absence, but I really needed to step back and slow things back down a little as I was pushing myself too hard, and causing my recovery to take a step in the wrong direction! Soooo, I have been sleeping, reading, and well, resting, and actually feel so much better than I did this time last week! In fact, I stamped a bunch of cards this weekend and I am excited to get to share them with you this week!! Here is the first one - I really hope you like it, I am trying to find my mojo again! Funny how you can step away from stamping for just a little bit and it feels like you have to start all over again! But, I am getting my groove back slowly but surely and will go back for another checkup on Wednesday to hopefully hear that I am allowed to drive again. I miss being out and about, but I understand the need now for all the rest - it has definitely helped!! I am also looking forward to seeing what everyone has been up to, I really miss it, and feel so out of the loop - LOL! Blog hopping is definitely something I plan on doing tonight! So, on to the card: I used my stamp set Fifth Avenue Floral, which I think is beautiful! I love the flowers, there is so much you can do with them! I also decided to break open my new dp from the Spring Occasions mini - the paper is uber yummy, I just love the colors in this paper. And, it is available to order come April 1st, so start making that list! I also cut out my flowers, water colored them, popped them up, and using versamark and Iridescent Ice, added some bling to them. They really sparkle IRL! I will leave you with the recipe and will be back on Wednesday morning with another card! Smooches, all!
Card Recipe:
Paper - Going Gray, Whisper White, Baha Breeze card stock, Walk in the Park Designer Series Paper
Inks - Baha Breeze, Going Gray, So Saffron classic stampin' pads
Stamps - Fifth Avenue Floral
Accessories - Ticket Corner Punch, Eyelet Border Punch, So Saffron Ribbon, So Saffron Brads, Stampin' Dimensionals, Iridescent Ice, Versamark, heat gun, mini glue dots, stampin' sponge, blender pen

TAMARA'S SKETCH CHALLENGE

Happy Thursday everyone! I am back today with Tamara's sketch challenge and I have to say, for me, it was quite the challenge! The sketch is fabulous, I just could not find my mojo. But, I am hoping it will come back to me over the next few weeks or so, lol! I made today's sketch as a long birthday card for my oldest son who turned 20 this past Monday - can you believe that?! I am trying to figure out where the time went....I miss him terribly but know he has his own life now. I do hope he likes the card though, I tried hard for the more manly feel which is harder for me it seems! Make sure you stop by Tamara's site and check out the new DT members and all of their fabulous creations - they are a really talented bunch of gals! And, if you try the sketch, upload to the site so we can all check it out! I will be back tomorrow with the Stamp Something Challenge. Have a fabulous day!
Card Recipe:
Paper - Pacific Point, Summer Sun, Old Olive card stock, Good Morning Sunshine Designer Series Paper
Ink - Pacific Point, Old Olive stampin' pads, Summer Sun, Brilliant Blue, Old Olive Stampin' Write Markers
Stamps - Bitty Birthday
Accessories - Lots of Letters Onboard Chipboard, Pacific Point Striped Ribbon, Wide Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Designer Label Punch, Scalloped Edge Punch, Ticket Corner Punch, Mat Stack and Paper Piercer

TODAY IS A GOOD DAY!

Hi all!!! WOW! You all are fabulous - I swear I am feeling so much better because of all the sweet cards and emails I have received from all you - thanks to all of you for taking the time out of your very busy schedules and thinking of me!!! I AM feeling better - still very tired, but better. I actually stamped a card for my DT work tomorrow, and will be my first official card post post-surgery, whoohoo!! I can't promise one everyday right now, but hey, it's a start, right? I have another appointment tomorrow and will know better where I stand health-wise after that, so keep your fingers crossed - I am hoping for some positive progress from the doc! Take care to all of you, I am actually going to go and do some blog hopping before I take a nap! Smooches!

A SMALL SETBACK

Hi all. Just wanted to give you a quick update - had a small setback this week and have been feeeling really really bad the last three days. I am feeling a little better today, but need to stay in bed....I want to be back in fighting shape soon! Just know I am thinking of all of you and I cannot wait to see what you have been up to and get back to some stampin' of my own. Sorry I missed the DT challenges this week, but my goal is to shoot for next week. I am sure they were all fabulous! Miss you all!

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU

Hi all!! Well, I am slowly trying to get back to doing a few things each day - Tony hooked up the laptop for me so I can at least check email and do some blogging. I really miss seeing everybody's projects so I am hoping to feel well enough today to do some of that. I am still on bedrest although I am allowed to get up and walk to the bathroom which I can now do by myself! Wednesday I will go back to the doctor to have all the drains removed and hopefully start to get my life back to normal. I have set the goal of doing my DT work this week - I think I will be able to handle that. I cannot promise a post everyday just yet, but I will start posting some things. I miss it, I think it will be a good therapy for me! I want to thank all of you for the sweet sweet comments you have been leaving, all the really nice emails, and the fabulous cards I have been receiving. It warms my heart to see that people are kind enough to take the time to send me a handmade card. Once I am back on my feet, I will show all these beautiful cards in a post - they should be seen! Take care and I will post again soon!

*STAMPIN HUGS* Alex