Delight In Life

Ok, bringing back the sunshine. How about a happy, colorful, springy card? I have to say, while I'm not really one for hot pink (not sure why cuz it's fun!), I love this color. It's Papertrey's Raspberry Fizz, which I used on the flower card 2 posts below. Yes, they're really the same color. Wacky, huh? I guess my lighting is to blame (don't get me started on my picture taking!), because the ink, paper & ribbon really are pretty much the same color. Before I put the ribbon on, I thought to myself, what a lovely, natural looking card. Ha! Then I slapped on that bright pink ribbon and it really came to life. Lovely and natural can be overrated sometimes. There are a couple of details you might not be able to see that make it so much prettier in real life. First, I lightly sponged (me, lightly sponged!) the edges of the kraft paper with vintage cream ink, just to give the kraft a frame and separate it from the pink. Second, I used my glue pen on the flowers and then sprinkled glitter over them. It's really sparkly, but not too much. All in all, I'm really happy with this card. This is one of those cards that I just kept staring at once I finished it. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Stamps: Life (PTI), Ink: Raspberry Fizz & Vintage Cream (PTI), Always Artichoke (SU!), Paper: Kraft & Raspberry Fizz (PTI), Always Artichoke (SU!), Accessories: Raspberry Fizz satin ribbon (PTI), glue pen & glitter

Chocolate = World Peace?

Ok, I need to preface this post with a little warning. This isn't going to be my usual sunshiney post because I feel the need to address how the world has gone completely stark raving mad. Last week, the Oakland, CA Police Department lost 4 police officers who were shot and killed in the line of duty. Now, this tragedy has really bothered me for a couple of reasons, but I'm only going to hit on one. The person responsible for this, who according to his family is not a monster, did this because he didn't want to go back to jail. Understandable. But I'm thinking, if you don't want to go to prison, you probably shouldn't break the law. But that's not the part that bothers me. While much of the bay area has come together as a community to support the police department, the fallen officers and their families, (here's the sickening part) there are some who want to hold vigils for the *not monster*. Ok, what are you people smoking, exactly? This guy had previously been in prison. He had a parole violation. 2 police officers on motorcycles pulled him over. He got out and shot them. Ran and hid out in his sister's apartment and shot 3 more officers from inside a closet (one of them survived). But we should hold a vigil for him? Sometime this week, information surfaced that he is now linked to the rape of a 12 year old girl. Really? We should make this man a hero? How about we ask the 12 year old's parents? All these people concerned for this man have serious issues. And I'm pretty sure that if any of these nutcases (or their mothers or sisters) were being viciously attacked, the first thing they would do, given the chance, is call 911. And who would that bring? The police they are so adamantly against. I understand that times are tough and people are angry. But these were human beings before they were police officers. They chose to have a largely thankless job in a sometime thankless community and lost their lives because of it. That makes them heroes in my eyes. To take their lives because you have made terrible decisions in your own life is to be a coward. And that's all I have to say. Well, that and I truly believe that if we all just stopped for a minute, maybe took a hot bath and had some chocolate, the world might just be a teensier bit of a better place. What? You didn't think I would end all that on a sour note, did you? And the sunshine should return next time.

Stamps: Damask Designs (PTI), Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Paper: Ocean Tides (PTI) & Basic Black (SU!), Accessories: black satin ribbon (PTI) & rhinestones

Friends 'Til The End

You have no idea how much I love this stamp set. I love those ginormous flowers sooo much! And this card uses the small version of the flowers, so watch out. There are really big flowers in your viewing future. *Ooh, I just got an idea for another one. I'll see if I can make that work.* Anyway, people have been playing with this stamp set for a month, so I haven't done anything new here with it, but this is only my first card. I had Tia stumped though. She couldn't figure out why the edge of the ribbon was so smooth. Even examining it, my future faboo card maker couldn't tell what I did. See, when she makes cards, she tapes the ribbon across the paper and then cuts off the extra at the edges. That's what I used to do, too. But the edges fray and it's just not pretty. I'm running low on my Papertrey black satin ribbon (gasp! i know, right?), so I just wrapped a tiny bit around the edges of the top layer (bottom half) of the card. It's patterned paper layered on white cardstock. Even after explaining that, she couldn't tell it's 2 pieces of paper. I guess it's the white on white that had her confused. She finally got it and now can't wait to try that on one of her cards. Silly girl. Oh, and that's a brad threaded through a button, in case you were wondering what in the heck I did up there. It wasn't my idea, though. I got it from Patty. Thanks, Patty!

Stamps: Friends Til the End (PTI), Ink: Raspberry Fizz (PTI), Versafine Onyx Black, Paper: PTI white & Raspberry Fizz Mix patterned paper, Accessories: True Black satin ribbon & button (PTI), Doodlebug Inc. brad

Spring Has Sprung

Well, spring is officially here. We've got things blooming and springing up everywhere. We have these beautiful, white trees all over the city I live in. Just beautiful. But, they smell like feet and big, hairy guy body order. No offense to all the big, hairy guys out there, but I'm trying to create an understanding here. Give people an idea of how bad it is. It's bad. I call them the stinky trees. Original, I know. When you get a strong breeze, it looks like it's snowing, with the little white blossoms floating down. Aaah, so pretty. But then you get a whiff, and, man! Enjoying that moment is over. Then there's all the pollen floating around. Ack! That's not good for anybody. But despite all the cruddy stuff that comes with spring, I do like it. It's like a fresh start. It's pretty, the weather is perfect and the best part - it's not summer hot yet. Happy Spring, everyone!

Stamps: Sweetybellas (Stamping Bella), Heartfelt Basics (PTI), Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Bashful Blue & Wild Wasabi (SU!), Paper: PTI white, Basic Black (SU!), Accessories: Nestabilities, Dew Drops (Robin's Nest), Copics:

CAS06

Another week, another CAS challenge. So exciting! This week, we had to grab some inspiration from anything on the Robeez site. Never heard of it. So I hopped on over there and found *this* as my inspiration. I found this challenge to be waaaay easier than that green & blue one. Black & white? Puh-lease. I can do that in my sleep. And I did get this one done pretty quickly. Layering circles. How hard is that? I think the real challenge was doing it while I wasn't feeling all that well. But after a couple of days, I've come to the conclusion that it was just allergies attacking both me & Tia. ugh! Stupid allergies. I just wanted to add that since it's allergy season, there may be some fuzzy posts coming your way. I feel the need to warn you ahead of time. I cannot be held responsible for the wacky stuff that may occur while my brain is being held hostage by pollen. Any zyrtec induced writings should just be greeted with a little chuckle and you thinking, "ha, that sad, sad woman." By the end of May, things should be looking up.

Stamps: Inkadinkado, Out on a Limb (PTI), Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Paper: PTI white, Basic Black (SU!), Accessories: Nestabilities, circle punches, dimensionals

Pretty Monday

Happy Monday, everyone. I hope you all had a great weekend. I'm gonna keep this short because I think I'm getting sick. Yesterday we were out & about cuz we had things to do. We got to our first stop and Tia was fighting back tears because her minor sore throat was taking a turn for the worst. I thought it was just allergies, but when the girl refuses food, you know it's serious. So, we went home and I went back out alone to get some things done. When I got home, my throat was starting to hurt. Niiiiice. Since I write my posts ahead of time (it's Sunday evening as I'm writing this), I'm gonna go out on a limb and predict that today, Monday to most of you, I'm home resting with a sick child. Hopefully this stays small and not too terribly bad, and Tia & I will be running around telling people what to do (and eating!) in no time. In the meantime, I left you this pretty card to look at. oooohh. aaaaahh. Thanks in advance for all your well wishes.

Stamps: En Francais (SU!), Birthday Surprise (Verve), Ink: Soft Sky (SU!), Versafine Onyx Black, Paper: Soft Sky & Basic Black (SU!), Vintage Cream (PTI), Accessories: black satin ribbon (PTI), candy dots (Pebbles, Inc.), Jolee's rhinestones

Happy Birthday Amanda

How fun is this card? I had fun making it once I finally got it going. And it all started with the Sweet 16. I wanted it to be bold and out there, like a badge of honor. From what I remember, 16 is a pretty big deal. And Amanda is one of those awesome teenagers that you just like to be around. She's smart, she's funny and my favorite thing is she's not afraid to be goofy. Ha. Just like her mom. Her birthday was yesterday, but I just wanted to be sure she got her card first before I posted it. Not that she's on my blog everyday (hmm, or ever), but her mom is sometimes here {hey, rachel!}, so you never know. Anyway, I hope she had a very happy birthday.

{Warning: Boring Copic marker info ahead.} Ok, now I want to explain my markers. I decided to label my ciao markers (the round ones, not the oval ones) so it was easier for me to find a particular marker in my caddy. (I know, how obsessively anal is that?!) So I just printed the numbers on clear labels and slapped them on my markers. And taking a picture of my markers seemed like less work than writing them all down, and then typing that all up in a post. (Plus, it's pretty!) Well, it's about the same amount of work, but I thought it would give people a better idea of the colors that I use. Not sure who cares about any of this, but maybe it will give copic people an idea about storing or labeling their markers. And with that, I'm done. Enjoy your Friday the 13th and your weekend.

Stamps: (The Cat's Pajamas), Piece of Cake (PTI), Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Onyx Black, Cameo Coral (SU!), Paper: PTI white, Basic Black & Raspberry Tart DSP (SU!), Accessories: Nestabilities, black satin ribbon (PTI), circle punches (SU!), Copics used:

CAS05

I know, I know. Naughty blogger! I have to tell you that it's amazing I got any cards done at all. Last week, Tia had half days every day! Who thought that was a good idea? Man, as soon as you get home, clean up any left over mess, get a load of laundry done and then sit to try to even think of a card, it's time to go back & pick her up. Then, she's gotta eat. Hey, if you know my baby, that's a job in itself. Then we have time for homework (homework? really, with half days? ugh.) and then it's time to pick up her sisters. I can really forget about creating with all 3 girls home after school. Which is ok, cuz that's their time to tell me about their day and deal with homework shtuff & all that, but that's it. Time's up. And weekends are hit or miss around here. This weekend, we were gone most of the time (mmm, caramel apples at the pier and good chinese food. i love the city!), so today was my first day to sit & create. And after all that wait, this is what you get. Sorry, but it was for a challenge (here's the gallery if you wanna peeky) and this week the challenge was shades of blue & green. Wow. Really? I'm soooo out of my comfort zone I can no longer even see it. It is but a faint memory, that comfort zone of mine. But don't worry, I actually have a cute teen card (or should it not be considered "cute" for a teen?) to post later in the week. But she has to see it first and it's going in the mail today, so be patient. Maybe today I can get something else made to show you guys soon. I feel excited to be making cards again. It doesn't always happen that I'm in the mood aaand have the time. Hopefully I'll have plenty of ideas to go with the excitement.

Stamps: Borders & Corners - Squares & Mixed Messages (PTI), Ink: Prussian Blue (Pallette), Certainly Celery (SU!), Paper: PTI white, Certainly Celery & Night of Navy (SU!), Accessories: dimensionals

Head Over Heels

How cute is she? All upside down & pink & brown & shtuff. Yes, this would be another image Shawn had problems with. She's not really 'head over heels'. ugh! Ok, if we picked apart every figure of speech, there'd be pretty much nothin' left to say. Where does this stuff come from? And could you imagine actually seeing some of it? 'It's raining cats & dogs.' ow. 'A dead ringer.' um. ew. 'Butterflies in your stomach.' all alive & flutterin' & stuff? yick. And I really wouldn't want anyone to 'crack me up.' That one scares me. Anyways, I believe this is the last image that's gonna be part of my sap fest. It was sappy and yet, fest-y all at the same time. (i love making up my own words!) I have some regular ol' birthday cards I've gotta get to work on. Well, not regular - they're for teenagers! Which is still better than the dreaded 'guy card'. Wish me luck!

Stamps: Head Over Heels (Stamping Bella), Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Onyx Black, Pink Pirouette & Creamy Caramel (SU!), Paper: PTI white & kraft, Pink Pirouette (SU!), Accessories: Dew drops (Robin's Nest), Copics:

Sending Love

K, I think it's time to get back to the sap. Although, I think I've gotten so used to the cutesy stuff I've been doing, I can no longer tell if this is sappy or not. Oh, good grief! Anyway, I just think this little guy is soooo cute. He's sending his heart off in the mail to someone he loves. Ok, so yesterday, I was showing Shawn my cards. I truly believe that one day I will learn not to do this. Anyway, I'm showing him this card and I told him I'm going to send it to my dad cuz I miss him and he's so far away. It's actually the first thing I thought when I saw the stamp.

Shawn: But, it's a boy.

Me: Yeah, so?

Shawn: But you're not a boy.

Me: Well, it doesn't have to be literal. I'm still sending him my love.

Shawn: Hey, I'm just noticing the details here. Taking an interest in your "stuff".

Yes, one day, I will learn.

Stamps: Sending My Love (Stamping Bella), Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Chocolate Chip craft (SU!), Antique Linen Distress (Ranger), Paper: PTI white, Sahara Sand, Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip (SU!), SEI DSP, Accessories: clear embossing powder (SU!), candy dot (Pebbles, Inc), Copics: