The Hovey Hut

2012-01-29T04:00:00.000-04:00

Well....I tried LOL. I love the Faux Metal technique, but I just never seem to be able to get it to work just right. I think this stamp was just too big. The stamp is Moody for Presents from Paper Makeup Stamps. Hopefully you'll have better luck with your technique for this week's technique challenge at Christmas Card Challenges!

Christmas Card & My Sketch World Combine

2012-01-16T08:50:00.000-04:00

This week's challenge at Christmas Card Challeges is "Flourishes"

And the sketch for this month at My Sketch World is above... The two combined resulted in:

My card for today...well, it should have been posted yesterday, but I got sick and went to bed REALLY early, before I could get it posted. I hope you'll play along with both of the challenges.

Paper Temptress Day

2012-01-09T08:00:00.000-04:00

Today's my day to post at Paper Temptress and I've decided to feature another new image from Paper Makeup Stamps on this card. This is Fairy Jane...poor Jane, she's not feeling so well. I've stamped Jane on Cryogen White paper with Memento ink and colored her with Copics. I've also used Wild Cherry and Basis Teal. My layout today is from this week's JUGS challenge.

Christmas Card Challenge - Lace

2012-01-08T05:00:00.000-04:00

This week's challenge at Christmas Card Challenges is "Lace"... a bit of a stretch for me...I don't do vintage and hardly ever use lace, but I did have some of this self-adhesive lace laying around. My image is from Paper Makeup Stamps... and again, my phot is blurry...gotta fix that soon. Thanks for checking in--hope you play along this week.

PMS Release Day Blog Hop

2012-01-07T08:00:00.000-04:00

First I have to apologize for the blurry sentiment. I assure you it's not the file from PMS...I'm redoing my computer and seem to be having some issues with my digis. Now that that is out of the way...

Welcome to my stop on the Paper Makeup Stamps January Blog Hop! If you've just popped in for a visit, please head over to the PMS Blog to get all the details and to start from the beginning. Don't forget to come join us tonite, too, for the release party in the PMS forum.

This is the first all-digi release from PMS. We've got great stamps for cold & flu season...perfect for those get well cards we all need to make now and again. Today I'm featuring one of the new word art releases "Being in the Hospital is a downer, but there is good in everything! You're being served breakfast in bed!" This would make a great innie & outie sentiment...which is so easy to do with digis...just split the image in half and print the punch line on the inside of your card.

Ok...now you're off to see what Tangii has for you. Hope to see you tonite at the party.

PMS Sneak Peek

2012-01-06T08:00:00.000-04:00

Happy 2012! Wow...I remember 2000 like it was yesterday... anyhow...since it's January, it's time for a new release at PMS. Katie has cooked up some cutie patootie images this month, designed to help everyone feel better in the midst of flu season.

I'm featuring the newest Color Kid (with soup) and a previously released sentiment today. The Color Kids are great for those who like the look of the Beautiful Day Fairies PMS is famous for, but don't necessarily want wings. I'm especially fond of this release because I asked Katie to do some more images for get well cards...I never seem to have just the right one, but I will now!

Head on over to the blog to check out yesterday's sneak peeks and the images being previewed today, then join us for a blog hop tomorrow!

Christmas Card Challenge -- Thank You Cards

2012-01-01T05:10:00.000-04:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

(sorry...I didn't mean to shout at you...take some more Advil ;) )

I used some scraps of Christmas paper to make a few really quick & easy thank you cards for today's challenge at Christmas Card Challenge. These are so easy, I SHOULD be sending one to everyone LOL...and I certainly have enough scraps to do so! Come join the fun!

Christmas Card Challenge Sketch

2011-12-25T19:39:00.000-04:00

Merry Christmas! I hope Santa brought you all kinds of crafty goodness. If you're looking for a way to put some of that to good use, check out this week's Christmas Card Challenge and get a head start on next year's cards.

It's sketch week at Christmas Card Challenges. This week is a super simple sketch, but you should SEE the variety the DT has come up with. So many possibilities. Come on over and check it out.

All of these papers came out of my scrap pile, which has overtaken my craft space once again...I am culling it. The little nativity is an old Studio G stamp...probably the only Studio G stamp that has had any amount of use from me LOL.

Moody Blues

2011-12-20T07:00:00.000-04:00

I found myself with some rare time to just play in a few challenges, and I was inspired by the picture at Play Date Cafe this week... Black & White with a splash of Blue. I also used the sketch at icsketches for inspiration.

Paper Temptress Day

2011-12-19T07:00:00.000-04:00

Awwww....look at those moodies...aren't they just squishy adorable!? Moody Couple and the sentiment are from Paper Makeup Stamps...I used the rubber version, and if you like rubber, you'd better hurry over and buy what you want as Katie has decided to go all digi and the rubber is flying off the shelves at 60% off!

These gorgeous papers are from Paper Temptress. I've used PopTones Gumdrop Green and Wild Cherry. The image is stamped on Cryogen White with Memento Black Tuxedo ink. This paper has a slight shimmer to it that makes it perfect for Christmas (or New Year's, or Valentines....oh...or a party...or a princess...LOL). The Cryogen White paper is perfect for Copic coloring, it just blends so well, even my amateur attempts look pretty good! Come on over to the Community Blog and check out more gorgeous creations with Paper Temptress papers.

I'm entering this card in these challenges:

Paper Sundaes - Celebrate Christmas or something else

JUGS 115 - Red, Olive & Kraft/White (There's a bit of white there :) )

Raise the Bar - It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Really Reasonable Ribbon #38 - Anything Goes with Ribbon (the red sparkly strip is ribbon)

Belli Challenge - Christmas & Winter

Christmas Card Challenge - Non-Traditional Colors

2011-12-18T03:00:00.000-04:00

This week's Christmas Card Challenge is "non-traditional" colors. Some of you may know that my new business, Twirp Communications, uses purple & green in the logo. So, I wanted to make some purple & green Christmas cards to send to clients this year. These are two attempts. I'm not 100% happy with either one...they didn't have quite the effect I was hoping for, but I will use them. I would love to see your favorite non-traditional colors... come play along this week!

My Sketch World December Card Sketch

2011-12-16T17:07:00.000-04:00

It's time for another card sketch at My Sketch World. Here's what Lucy has cooked up for us... I know my sample isn't very Christmas-y, but I don't need any more Christmas cards for this year :) So I decided to play with some of these felties I got on sale.

Christmas Card Challenge - Doodling

2011-12-11T03:00:00.000-04:00

This week's Christmas Card Challenge is to use some doodling on your creation. These little Peas on Earth guys look like they could use some doodles, don't they? I love this image from Whimsie Doodles almost as much as the other Peas on Earth one.

Paper Makeup Stamps Winter Hop

2011-12-07T07:00:00.001-04:00

Poor Nole... his life is always such an adventure LOL. He was out trying to decorate my blog for this Winter Hop with PMS and, well, you see what happened! I hope you are enjoying all the winter inspiration along today's hop. If you didn't start from the beginning, please head over to The PMS Blog--you don't want to miss anything! While you're there, check out the latest challenges, too. In case you get lost, here's the order of the hop for today!

OHHHHHH...and did you hear the news? PMS is going digi-only from now on! So that means there's a rubber sale over at the store...you really need to check that out!

Christmas Card Challenge - One Layer

2011-12-04T03:00:00.000-04:00

It's my first official post as a team member with Christmas Card Challenges! This week was super easy...make a one-layer card. Right about now, I need to make a pile of these and get them out the door soon. There's nothing like a little embossing folder to dress up a one-layer card. I hope you'll come along and play with us this week.

Christmas Card Challenge DT & Blog Hop

2011-11-26T04:00:00.000-04:00

I haven't had any big announcements for a while, so I am thrilled to announce I will be joining the Christmas Card Challenge for the next term! I did a guest spot with them back in August and thoroughly enjoyed getting a head start on my Christmas cards, so I can only imagine how much I will enjoy a whole six months with them! We're having a little blog hop to celebrate our new DT.

Ihope to add my card for this week's Black & White challenge later today.

Here's the line-up for today's hop. Enjoy!

Sparkle - http://sparklecreations.blogspot.com/

Steph – http://onecraftychica.blogspot.com

Alanna - http://damoses.blogspot.com/

Candace – www.candid-candace.blogspot.com

Peggy - http://cardcrazy.wordpress.com/

Anita - www.hoveyhut.blogspot.com

Brigitte - http://brigitteetleschats.blogspot.com/

Corinne - http://rinnesbliss.blogspot.com

Katie - http://bothsidesofthepaper.blogspot.com

Margo - http://myscrappyspot.blogspot.com/

Pat – www.scraphappystamper.blogspot.com

To Teach is to Touch a Life Forever

2011-11-15T08:00:00.000-04:00

Yeah...I know I'm just a tad out of season with this one (well...she is wearing a scarf)... I actually created it for the PC Magazine submissions call, but then GASP...forgot to submit it! {Hangs her head in extreme shame}. Moody for Reading is, of course, from Paper Makeup Stamps, but the sentiment on this one is from High Hopes. The color blocked paper is from American Crafts and I just thought it matched the moody squares perfectly!

MSW Sketch with Paper Temptress Papers

2011-11-15T00:00:00.001-04:00

I just {LOVE} this image by Whimsie Doodles. It's super easy to color, and with some great papers, you can pull together a Christmas Card pretty quickly! This card uses Paper Temptress papers: RC Citron, Berrylicious, and Cryogen White.

This is my card for November's Card Sketch at My Sketch World. Here's the original sketch. I hope you'll play along! You can join us on Facebook, too.

Social Media Brings People Together

2011-11-08T08:15:00.000-04:00

I wrote this post for my business blog and then realized I should share it here too.

Something happened this week that really has me reeling. A wonderful woman I've never met lost her battle with cancer. I read the first posting of her passing and began to cry. An hour later and I'm still welling up thinking of her, her struggles and her family left behind.

Katie Emmerson Renz and I only barely knew each other through our mutual acquaintances in the stamping world and on Facebook. While we never actually met, we shared many things--a love of stamping, cardmaking and crafting is just how we "met." Like me, Katie was a mother to a young family. I think that is why her death has hit me so hard. I can't help but worry about her young boys and think about how they will have to grow up without this wonderful, amazing and strong mother in their life.

The fact that her death has touched me brings a whole new understanding of the impact social media has on our lives. Here I am honestly and truly upset by the death of someone I only knew through her blog and on Facebook. HOW is that possible? I don't even know if we ever even had a typed conversation between us! Like hundreds of other e-friends, I followed Katie's battle with cancer on her blog where she wrote the most incredible posts--some uplifting and some heartbreaking. Her husband Kevin posted when Katie was no longer able to, keeping us all up-to-date on her struggle. Her last, unfinished post was finally posted after her death, but even in that post you can hear a glimmer of hope. Even though I didn't meet Katie, through her blog I feel like we've known each other forever. That is the power of social media.

I've said for a long time that "most of my friends live in my computer" and this just proves my point. Through my hobby I have developed a far-reaching network of friends. These people live everywhere from Croatia to Hawaii, from England to Texas, and there's even a few in Canada. I "don't know" more of my own friends than I do know! But I still consider some of those people close friends. They know just as much about my life as my "real" friends here in Halifax, thanks to Facebook, Twitter and SplitcoastStampers.com (where I met most of them in the first place). What an age we are living in! Enjoy it. Absorb it. Live it.

Rest in Peace Katie, my dear e-friend.

PMS November Release Blog Hop

2011-11-07T08:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome to my little stop on the November Release blog hop for Paper Makeup Stamps. If you've just come from Katie's blog you're on the right, snowy little trail. I've got a new fairy to show you today and her name is Hayden!

Hayden comes with this great little sentiment, which I've cut apart and mounted off kilter for a fun look. She's a great "all-winter" fairy, so I think she's going to see a lot of ink this year.

Now here's a little surprise for you...I have blog candy! I haven't done one in a looooong time and since it's PMS Stamps, I thought I'd do it on the blog hop. Here's what I'm offering to one lucky commenter below (who is not on the PMS Design Team). I'll leave this open until 12a CST on November 14th.

Skater Cat

Aurora & Dolly

Kat & Pinwheel

Plus whatever else I find when I mail it :)

I hope you'll come join us for our release party tonite in the PMS Forum at 9 pm CST. It's always a lot of fun chatting with everyone who stops by and you just never know when Katie might have a prize! Next, you need to head on over to Tina's blog. Stay warm!

PMS Sneak Peek

2011-11-06T08:00:00.000-04:00

Today we're featuring the new Handmade sentiment set from tomorrow's release. This set is so versatile it can be used for cards or packaging for gifts. I've paired one of the sentiments with our Birthday Cake stamp for a sweet and simple card. Does it look like chocolate frosting? Cause that's what I was going for. LOL

Enjoy the rest of the sneak peeks over at the PMS blog and we'll see you tomorrow night at the release party in the PMS Forum at 9CST. Don't forget to come back tomorrow for our new release blog hop!

PMS Sneak Peek: November Release is Coming

2011-11-04T08:00:00.000-03:00

It's PMS release time and that means I've got a sneaky peek for you today. This little cutie is one of the new single stamps being released on the 7th at the Release Day party. She's part of the Color Kids line of stamps introduced last release and she comes with this lovely sentiment, too. Please check out the PMS Blog to see all the other sneaks from today and don't forget to mark the 7th on your calendar so you can come join us for the release day blog hop and party in the Forum that night.

Challenges:

Sweet Sunday Sketch 141

A Fairy Pretty Witch

2011-10-26T08:00:00.000-03:00

I don't really celebrate Halloween much...I mean, we do the requisite costumes & trick or treating, but that's about it. I don't send a lot of cards or decorate. But I couldn't resist making a card with this Witch Fairy from Paper Makeup Stamps...she's just so darned cute! She was perfect for this week's CPS Sketch challenge.

I decided to go with texture instead of patterned paper because I wanted to use some scraps of Paper Temptress papers I had lying around. I used Pop Tones Black Licorice, Orange Fizz, and Jellybean Green.

Moody for Presents & Sketches

2011-10-25T08:00:00.000-03:00

I found a little time to play on the weekend...I'm not getting nearly as much stamping time in as I would like lately. I wanted to make some Christmas cards, so I found a great sketch at CPS and pulled out my Moody for Presents from Paper Makeup Stamps and here's what I came up with!

Moody Blues

2011-10-17T00:03:00.002-03:00

I am trying to make myself a new perpetual birthday calender...I've only had this sitting in my room for about two years, I'm sure...so the other day I decided it was high time I did something with it. I had wanted to do all the pages with the same types of stamps and started out with Flourishes flowers...but didn't have the right thing for January, so I threw in a Moody Girl from Paper MakeUp Stamps. Now I'm wishing I had thought to do the whole calender in Moodies! Darnit! Anyhow, this is Moody for Snow. I'd love to show you more pages, but this is all I've got done so far!

My Sketch World Card Sketch

2011-10-15T09:33:00.000-03:00

It's card sketch time once again at My Sketch World. Here's my spooky take on this month's sketch. I moved things around a bit to take advantage of the word "spooky" in the printed paper, but the basic sketch is still there. I added a lovely orange moon and the house & bat stickers are Martha Stewart. Easy peasy!

Please come join us on Facebook and in the forums at My Sketch World for lots of great sketches, both cards & layouts, lots of fun challenges and games. In fact, tonight is the One Hour Sketch Challenge and this week the challenge will be FIVE card sketches and you only have one hour to complete all five! WHOO I can't wait for this one.

PMS sponsors CSAYL

2011-10-14T08:00:00.000-03:00

Paper Makeup Stamps is sponsoring Christmas Stamping All Year Long this week and the challenge is "spots"...use polka dots on your Christmas creation. I've combined this one with the MOJO sketch for this week and broke out some of my "new" (to me) MME Christmas papers. This sentiment is one of last year's Christmas releases from PMS. Come play along at CSAYL for your chance to win some PMS of your own!

PMS Monster Mash Blog Hop

2011-10-07T08:00:00.000-03:00

There is no new release at Paper Makeup Stamps this month, so we're celebrating the 7th day of October with a Monster Mash Blog Hop, featuring all the monsters in our collection of wonderful stamps! So many of the monsters that have been released at different times of the year are also perfect for Halloween. If you've just happened along my blog first, please head over to the PMS Blog to see all the entries from the beginning. We've invited some of our fans to join in on this hop, so you'll see a mixture of the Makeup Artists and some of our customers' creations along the way.

I thought Leif was a great Halloween monster--after all he's already all dressed up & ready to scare someone. He kind of reminds me of those dads that dress up as scarecrows, sitting on the porch waiting to scare the poor unsuspecting kids when they knock on the door! I paired him with my favorite Halloween sentiment from PMS, from the Spooky Sentiment Set.

Here's the entire Monster Mash Hop Lineup in case you get ~~kidnapped...~~.I mean distracted along your journey. When you're done hopping, you can head on over to the PMS Store and check out a great Monster Mash Sale, 15% off all monsters for this week only--Just use the code MONSTERHOP when you check out.

If you're heading off to follow the spooky trail of monsters, here's where you're going...don't get too scared...and DON'T GO IN THE WOODS! :)

Fabulous Fall Note Card Set

2011-10-03T10:00:00.000-03:00

Today I've posted the instructions/tutorial for this Fabulous Fall note card set on the Paper Temptress blog. It features several of the Paper Temptress Poptones colors and an oldie but goodie set from Paper Makeup Stamps called Swirlie Buds. This is a great project for using up some scraps in the scrap bin....AND it would make great little Christmas gifties for teachers, or bus drivers, or co-workers...or someone else!

2011-09-28T08:00:00.000-03:00

Here are two more cards that were rejected for the recent Paper Crafts Magazine call. These two were for the two sketch designs. I found these sweet feltie animals on clearance at M's and new exactly what I was going to do with them. The sentiment is from Paper Makeup Stamps.

DIY FLowers for Christmas

2011-09-25T08:00:00.000-03:00

It's my last post for Sparkle's Christmas Card Challenge already. On the bright side, I've got four more cards in my stash for this Christmas...and THAT is coming quickly. Plus, I need more this year as I'm planning to send out cards to all my clients & connections from Twirp Communications. This week's Christmas Card Challenge is to use flowers that you've made yourself. I don't really do that LOL. HOWEVER, I did have this amazing stamp set from Heartfelt Creations Designs and put together a poinsettia. I covered the center with a big ol dob of gold Stickles.

Another PC Magazine Reject

2011-09-20T07:00:00.000-03:00

YUP...another reject. I love this card, though. It's made with paper & chipboard from the Green Stack from DCWV. The sentiment is the match to Leif Monster from Paper Makeup Stamps. This was entered for the sketch challenge.

Christmas Card Challenge - Sketch Week

2011-09-18T08:00:00.000-03:00

It's sketch week at Christmas Card Challenge...how are you coming with your Christmas cards this year? I've got quite a pile ready to go...and with this week's sketch, I've got one more!

I love this sheep from Doodle Pantry...I miss being on the Doodle Pantry design team and having an excuse to use the sheepies all the time. I'm just in time to enter the Doodle Pantry Digital Challenge, too :) YAY me!

Paper Crafts Magazine REJECT 1

2011-09-17T22:10:00.000-03:00

I went on a cardmaking binge recently to get a bunch of cards submitted for the latest call to Paper Crafts Magazine and NONE of them were accepted. Oh well...disappointing, yes, but not the end of the world. This is the first one I made for the silhouettes theme. The image is Baby Jamie Fairy Silhouette from Paper Makeup Stamps. This card is so easy to do...just print out the digi stamp and trim...add borders and voila. Problem with this card is that making these borders BROKE my favorite Martha Stewart border punch (doily lace) and I can't seem to find another one to buy. I'm really ticked, too... shouldn't a border punch last longer than a couple of years when you pay that much for it? ANY-HOW... sorry for the rant. Stay tuned for more rejects!

Now, over at Paper Makeup Stamps blog you'll find lots going on this week...there's a sale on the Witchy Fairy, just in time for Halloween projects. Plus we have the Digi Makeover challenge and the Makeover Challenge. And there's a new Freebie Friday word art to pick up too!

PLUS don't forget to sign up for the October Monster Bash blog hop... That's right...customers are invited to participate in this one. Come join the fun.

My last venture to the Bar

2011-09-16T08:00:00.000-03:00

This week's challenge at Raise the Bar is "Leaving Summer" LOL... use a lot of leaves on your card. I found these leaf rhinestones in the $1 bin at M's and knew they were just what I needed for this challenge. Problem is, I couldn't figure out what sentiment to put on this one, so I left it blank. This is going to be my last card for Raise the Bar challenge. My life has gotten 10 times busier personally, and with trying to get my new business Twirp Communications off the ground, I just don't have the time or energy to commit to the challenge that I used to. Don't worry...I'm not going away. Cardmaking is my SANITY and I need and want to keep making cards and playing in challenges.

My Sketch World September Card Sketch

2011-09-15T22:43:00.002-03:00

You might have noticed the new blinkie on my side bar recently...I've been asked to be a Facebook Administrator & card designer for My Sketch World! So, once a month I will be posting the card sketch of the month with my take on it. Here's September's sketch

Here's my take on it:

It's quite an aberration for me...NO STAMPING! I just bought the Green Stack from DCWV recently, and the box of chipboard that matches and I LOVE IT! The little birds & animals are just adorable. The sentiment isn't even stamped...it's a rub-on.

My Sketch World is an entire community of scrapbookers & cardmakers that I'd never even heard of until I saw the posting for their DT call recently. I hope you'll join me there and check it out. It's a very active, friendly and welcoming community, full of great resources, tips, tutorials, SKETCHES of course, and lots of fun & games.

Right now we're working on an ABC Crop. Each day in September there's a new letter challenge and it alternates between cards & layouts. This weekend is the One Hour Sketch Challenge... you have one hour to finish a scrapbook layout that meets the challenge.

You can also find My Sketch World on Facebook and there's a blog, too.

2011-09-11T07:00:00.000-03:00

This week's challenge at Sparkle's Christmas Card Challenge is "vintage"...I so suck at vintage...this is as close as I can get LOL. I actually really like this card for it's subtle Christmas feel. The colors are just so vibrant. I hope you'll join us with your attempts at vintage this week. I got this layout from My Sketch World's blog from May 15th...it's definitely a keeper. The sentiment is from Paper Makeup Stamps.

PMS September Release Review Day

2011-09-10T20:53:00.000-03:00

This little gal is Boris? Yup... I'm sure somewhere over in Russia somewhere at least one little girl is named Boris...just like over here where boys & girls names are not so segregated anymore. Who said this image has to be a boy? I think she looks good in pink. Boris is the new monster released this month at Paper Makeup Stamps.

There are some challenges over on the blog, with chances to win! Check out the September PMS Makeover Challenge: Back to School. We also have the brand new Digi Makeover Challenge:Pink, Grey, Black & White (ends tomorrow, so be quick!). Plus, get details on how you can participate in our October Monster Bash Blog Hop!

Raise the Bar in White!

2011-09-09T08:00:00.000-03:00

Today's challenge at Raise the Bar is White on White... no colored paper... you can use a bit of color on your image if you must...or just don't have an image at all! A great border punch, a beautiful Prima Flower and some awesome textured white paper is all you need. this paper is White Pearl Linen from Paper Temptress.

PMS September Blog Hop & Party

2011-09-07T08:00:00.000-03:00

If you've just come from the fantabulous Dawn Barrett then you're in the right place. If not, we'd love for you to see all of our new release blog hop today, so please head over to the PMS Blog for the start. Make sure you collect all of the letters along the way to spell out your discount code for 15% off the entire release. Also, there's a party happening tonite and YOU are invited. The Makeup Artists invite all PMS fans to join us in the PMS Forums tonite at 9pm EST for some fun & games.

This little cutie is one of the new Color Kids collection and is called "Beyond Measure". Wouldn't this be great for teachers?

Before you head on off to Jackie's blog to see her creation, don't forget to note my contribution to your discount code:

PMS Sneak Peek Day

2011-09-06T08:00:00.000-03:00

Today is Word Art day for the Paper Makeup Stamps September Release previews. As always, Katie has cooked up some fabulous sentiments that can be used alone, or with an image. I paired "A picture is a poem" with one of the newly released Color Kids...don't you love the new line? This word art would be fabulous on a scrapbook page, too, and there is one sample over on the blog today ;)

The new release will go live during our release party at 9pm EST tomorrow... come join us in the PMS forums for some fun and games. But you don't have to wait all day to have fun--our new release blog hop will be up bright and early tomorrow morning, so make sure you check in to the PMS blog for that and the details on how you can get a discount on all new release purchases!

Spirit of Christmas

2011-09-04T04:00:00.000-03:00

I am so excited to have been asked to be the Guest Designer for Sparkle's Christmas Card Challenge this month. Our first challenge is a color combo: Cranberry, cream and Chocolate. I used a recent MOJO Monday sketch for this one and some of my most favorite MME Christmas papers. I hope you join in, too... Christmas isn't that far off and you'll be wishing you had started early! This sentiment is from Paper Makeup Stamps.

Underwear for Christmas

2011-09-02T01:07:00.000-03:00

Have you heard the news? Raise the Bar Challenge will have prizes for the first challenge of each month!! This month we are sponsored by Whimsie Doodles so all of the Bartenders are playing with some fabulous Whimsie Doodles digis this week. This week our challenge is Paper Piecing...aren't these little "Jovial" undies cute? Hope you'll play along and enter for your chance to win some Whimsie Doodles for yourself!

Hello, it's time for school!

2011-08-31T06:33:00.000-03:00

Is everyone ready for "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" yet? I know I sure am. Being home with two rambunctious girls all day, every day for eight weeks has been just about all I can handle. I am very much looking forward to saying "Hello" to their teachers. I already made a card for one teacher, so I thought it would be a good idea to send a card for the other teacher on the first day of school too. This is one of two Paper Makeup Stamps school fairy images...the other is a boy, of course. I just love her uniform...kind of makes me wish we had uniforms at our school. This sketch is an older one from My Sketch World.

Lucky Ant

2011-08-26T04:00:00.000-03:00

This week's challenge at Raise the Bar is a color challenge... to celebrate back to school, let's see those primary colors: Red, Green & Blue! I chose Lucky Ant from Doodle Pantry so I could color that big green four-leaf clover :)

My first published creation!

2011-08-24T07:45:00.000-03:00

Finally, here is the card I was honored to have published in Paper Crafts Magazine's special issue Card Ideas this month. (It's on p.71 if you don't believe me). The sentiment is from Paper Makeup Stamps...and I swear I couldn't have placed that little "or" in that circle if I'd tried LOL. all the papers are scraps from K&Co's Wild Saffron stack (one of my favs). This is not my typical card at all...guess that's why it was chosen ;)

Heartfelt Creations Blog Hop

2011-08-23T09:00:00.004-03:00

Welcome to my stop on the Heartfelt Creations Alumni Designers Blog Hop. I've missed working with my Heartfelt Creations stamps & dies since my term ended so I was happy to have a chance to play with them and show you a few creations today.

Cardstock: Not Quite Navy, Whisper White,Stampin Up!

Stamps: Scenic Combo HCPC3369, Classic Message HCPC 3354, Heartfelt CreationsDesigns

Ink: Not Quite Navy

Other: Not Quite Navy marker, Square Lattice embossing folder, Stampin Up!,ruler

Instructions:

1. Stamp image and sentiment.

2 Using ruler, draw lines around outside of image. Adhere to mat.

3. Emboss white layer and adhere.

Cardstock: Early Espresso, Pear Pizzazz,Blushing Bride, Stampin Up!
Printed Paper: Classic K Charlotte, K&Company
Stamp: Classic Message HCPC3354, Heartfelt Creations Designs
Ink: Versafine Black; Early Espresso,Stampin Up!
Other: Xyron 250; felt flowers, Stampin Up!; Diamonds and Dots embossingfolder, Quikcutz

Instructions
1. Choose two coordinating printed papers and rip into large, irregular pieces.Run through the Xyron.
2. Randomly adhere ripped papers to 3.5 x 4.5 piece of cardstock, coveringedges. Trim excess back to 3.5 x 4.5. Highlight edges of pieces with EarlyEspresso ink. Emboss and adhere to Early Espresso mat. Adhere to card base.
3. Stamp sentiment and adhere to Pear Pizzazz mat. Adhere to card.
4. Add felt flower.

Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Whisper White,Stampin Up!; White Bazzil Basics
Stamps: Snowmen Melt Your Heart HCPC3342, Cardinal Holiday Mailbox HCPC3349,Heartfelt Creations Designs
Ink: Versafine Black, Memento Tuxedo Black
Printed Paper: Seasonal Paper pad, K&Company
Other: ribbon, Heidi Swapp; Copic Markers; icicle border punch, Martha StewartCrafts; glitter glue, Ranger Industries; foam adhesive.

Instructions
1. Punch icicle border and adhere to strip of printed paper. Adhere strips andribbon to card base.
2. Stamp sentiment.
3. Stamp image. Color and cut out. Adhere to card base with foam adhesive.
4. Add glitter glue to icicle border.

Now on with the hop! Your next stop is Selma. This is a circular hop, so if you just follow the links, you won't miss anything. Have a great day.

2011-08-20T00:07:00.001-03:00

This week's challenge at Raise the Bar is Cool Treats! Show us something to cool us down, like ice cream, or popsicles, or even an iced coffee.

PMS Digi Makeover Design Team Call

2011-08-18T23:18:00.004-03:00

As you may already know, Paper Makeup Stamps offers a wonderful selection of digital images! For the past few months, and going forward, all new releases are available in the digital format. So we thought it would be fun to have a weekly challenge just using the digital images. The digital format offers so many options that are not available to users in the rubber format.

We thought it would be fun to have a weekly challenge dedicated just to digi-images. It will be the Digi Makeover Challenge! We hope to offer some ideas and occasional tutorial to help you use digi-stamps to their full potential. And, of course, there will be prizes!

The challenges will be every Monday, starting in September.

Needless to say, we need a Design Team! Interested in being a Digi Makeup Artist? Here's the scoop...

DT members will serve for a 6 month term.
Create a card or project using a PMS digi image for each challenge
You must have a blog
Challenges are every Monday, so challenge photos must be uploaded to the digimakeover Yahoo group by Saturday night.
You will be expected to comment on challenge entries.
If you are able to provide tutorials, that's fantastic, but it is not a requirement, but sure is a plus!
You will have access to all digital images from Paper Makeup Stamps to complete your challenges.
Your name will be listed on the PMS blogs as a Digi Makeup Artist!
You will have a DT button to display on your blog
You will be part of a fun team that loves Paper Makeup Stamps and loves to use digi images!

So....how do you get your name in the hat? Just create something using one of the free digi stamps provided on the PMS Blog- it doesn't have to be a card, it can be any crafty creation. Post it to your blog, and let us know why you love using digital images. Be sure to mention that your post is for the Digi Makeover Challenge DT call. Then use Mr. Linky to link up that blog post so we can see it!! We'll announce the new team on Friday, September 2nd!

Tempting Paper is all you need

2011-08-18T06:57:00.000-03:00

I've got a couple of creations for you today using fabulously tempting papers from Paper Temptress. This card features the Vintage Silver Lustre on top...you can see the texture...it really gives a card a luxurious feel. I made the base from equally luxurious White Pearl Linen. I had this gorgeous heated ribbon flower that someone had sent me in a thank you note at least a full year ago and it was perfect for this week's Card Patterns sketch, so I picked the Pop Tones Tangy Orange to complement it.

Over at the Paper Temptress blog you'll find my post with another creation...please head over and check it out. You'll also find lots of inspiration from the other designers there too.

2011-08-17T06:46:00.000-03:00

This card is a mistake LOL. I was trying to follow a sketch from memory and totally flubbed it. It does however use the colors of the Color Throwdown 154. The word art is from Paper Makeup Stamps. All the papers (except the one strip of dark grey) are from Paper Temptress: Pop Tones Lemondrop and Jellybean Green (the base, although it looks more black in this pic), and of course, my favourite Cryogen White for the sentiment!

Doodle Pantry Christmas

2011-08-16T07:00:00.000-03:00

I've been on a Christmas roll lately... probably because we've had such a crappy, cold summer! Here are two cards I made with the latest Doodle Pantry release Topiary Season and the Four Seasons digi paper pack. I used the colored version of the topiary on both cards, which makes for great, quick cards for mass producing if you like to procrastinate (I'm trying to avoid that problem this year).

Nole is "merry"

2011-08-15T15:59:00.003-03:00

Poor Nole...he's not having a good time with those lights. I think he needs a drink LOL. Check him out over at Paper Makeup Stamps.

Challenges:
My Time Made Easy PPS22
Sparkle's Christmas Card Challenge 37 : Christmas Cheer (he looks like he could use some!)

Dog Days of Summer

2011-08-14T23:34:00.001-03:00

It's the Dog Days of Summer over at Raise the Bar this week...we want you to use an image with a dog/puppy in it. This is MeMe from Paper Makeup Stamps. My color combo was inspired by the Play Date Cafe challenge for Brown, Yellow & Navy.

Challenges
Play Date Cafe: Brown, Navy, Yellow
Delightful Challenges: things with wings
Flutterby Wednesday 166: Open

A Life Without Love

2011-08-12T07:35:00.000-03:00

It's FRIDAY! And for the first weekend all summer, I have absolutely NO PLANS and NO PLACE TO BE! WHEW. Have I mentioned I'm exhausted? And because it's Friday, there's a new Freebie over at Paper Makeup Stamps. Check out the blog to see some samples and then grab it for yourself.

Challenges:
Card Positioning Systems #230

My Time Made Easy Pretty Pallette #21 Red, Kraft, Mustard, Black (well....the digi image is black...that counts, right?)

Quirky Kangaroo

2011-08-10T07:07:00.000-03:00

Here is my second card as Guest Designer with Doodle Pantry for August. This is Quirky Kangaroo, one of a new line of "Quirky" characters Laurie has designed. I love this little gal. She was so much fun to color.

Always, always, always!!!!

2011-08-07T17:27:00.002-03:00

back up your blog before trying something new...

I didn't. So you see this ugly pink thing? Not my blog design. Please check back for a more custom look. Hopefully tonite!

UPDATE: Ok...well at least all my sidebar stuff was nicely saved somewhere....and now it's blue...not soooo bad.

PMS Oldies but Goodies Hop

2011-08-07T08:00:00.001-03:00

Welcome to my sizzling summer colored card on today's PMS oldies but goodies blog hop. I'm in a big rush to get this posted as my hubby packs the car for our very first family camping trip! So please forgive me for being really, really brief.

To begin the hop, please check out Paper Makeup Stamps blog for all the details. Your next stop on the journey is Dawn Barrett!

There's also a Paper Makeover Challenge on the go right now and all you have to do is use Sizzling Summer Colors... how about melon, grapefuit and lime like I've used? I was inspired by the Playdate Cafe color challenge this week.

Hope you all have a great weekend! Pray for dry weather for my little tenting crew!

Raising the Bar is back...and I've got Doodle Pantry, too!

2011-08-05T07:00:00.001-03:00

It's hard to believe it's August already! Seems like just yesterday I was a full-time designer for Doodle Pantry and Joni told the Bartenders we could have a couple of months vacation.

I am thrilled to be back as a guest designer with Doodle Pantry for August...I have soo missed Laurie's characters.Today is release day at Doodle Pantry and it's a BIG ONE! She's introducing a whole new line of characters and they are adorable. However, today I get to feature School Sheep and the School Papers that match. I printed the image & papers on one sheet of SU Whisper White...it really is great for printing digi papers & images (not so much for coloring tho). I've used the pre colored version of the image, too, which makes for a really quick and stress-free card for one of the busiest times of the year: BACK TO SCHOOL. To get the "chalk effect" for the sentiment, I simply changed the color to an off white, using the .png version and VOILA! One of my daughters will be having the same teacher this year, so I thought we'd send her this card on the first day of school.

And yes, the Bartenders are back at Raise the Bar Challenge starting today. We've got a super easy challenge for you to get you back into the spirit of things... ANYTHING GOES! Just don't forget to link up on the blog!

Challenges:

The Pink Elephant, challenge 110, sketch

Raise the Bar, Anything Goes
Craft Your Passion #69, Anything Goes SPONSORED by Doodle Pantry!

My LAST Digital Delights Post :(

2011-07-28T08:00:00.001-03:00

I should clarify...it probably won't be my last ever post using Digital Delights by Louby Loo images...but it is my last post as a member of Wendy's Design Team! I cannot believe my term is up...how quickly time flies when you have great images to work with. So I thought I'd create a cheerful goodbye card today using one of my favorite images Laid Back Lucy. I added the sentiment in Word... "CHEERS" to Wendy and the Digital Delights team. Thanks for having me on board :)

As a side note...would you believe I bought this Echo Park designer paper TODAY? I mean really...I don't think I've ever used any supply quite that fast (unless it was adhesive and I'd run out LOL).

Birthday Fishes

2011-07-26T08:00:00.000-03:00

Here's the card I was SUPPOSED to feature during the PMS Blog Hop for the July release... This is Jill, one of the new Beautiful Day Fairies. I've been holding on to this one little piece of plaid paper for a while...I just knew the perfect card was coming along and I finally found it. This blue & yellow combo just looks so summery to me. I love that Jill comes with a matching sentiment...and it's placed right where you see it here, so you can use them together AS IS, or cut it out and use it elsewhere.

Magical Mermaid

2011-07-21T08:00:00.000-03:00

Yes, yes, I know....two weeks in a row with the mermaid...but I just have soooo many ideas for her! Isn't she lovely with her little happy fish friends? The mermaid, happy fish and sentiment are all from the Under the Sea set at Digital Delights by Louby Loo and the frame is from the Postage Stamps and Postcards set. Don't forget to check out this week's Delightful Challenge, too!

Christmas in July

2011-07-19T23:09:00.003-03:00

If you're already starting to get antsy about your Christmas cards, you've come to the right blog today! Paper Makeup Stamps is sponsoring the Christmas Card Challenge this week. Make a Christmas card and play along for your chance to win a $15 shopping spree at the PMS Store! Maybe you'll pick up this fabulous Moody for Holly?

My papers today are from the BG Jovial line...I FINALLY got some...on clearance LOL. I can't just buy stuff when it's new I have to wait until it practically out of date and on sale! And of course the image is stamped on Paper Temptress' Cryogen White...I've run out and just had to order more! The layout is for Sweet Sunday Sketch 126.

Digital Delights Day

2011-07-14T08:00:00.000-03:00

I just love these Free Standing Pop Up Cards. Once you start making them, you just can't stop! This one features stamps from the Under the Sea digital stamp set from Digital Delights by Louby Loo. To give it extra dimension, I cut the leaves of the seaweed apart and curled them, and I added some extra seaweed from the background image, too.

You MUST see my inspiration for this project... THIS amazing project on the Digital Delights Blog.

All papers are from Paper Temptress: Poison Ivory Iridescent for the images, and Pool Treasures for the base.

PMS Release Day & Blog Hop

2011-07-07T08:00:00.002-03:00

I feel like Grover... Hellllloooooooo Everybodeeeeee! Welcome to the Paper Makeup Stamps July Release Blog Hop! I'm featuring one of the new Beautiful Day Fairies "Suzie". She comes with this sentiment, perfect for any occasion! I used the sketch from Card Patterns 122 (and I swear I had it done already when I saw Andrea's sneak peek card yesterday!)

To start your collection of letters for the 15% discount code (good for the entire new release), my letter is

Now off you go! Swim along to Tina's blog and enjoy your journey. I hope to see you all tonite at the release party in the PMS Forum, 9:00 pm EST. It will be the first party for our new Makeup Artists, so that should be fun! Besides, you just never know what Katie might give away (tip...find out what she eats for supper tonite before you come LOL).

Digital Delights New Release Day

2011-07-07T00:01:00.003-03:00

Why howdy partner! Welcome to ye ol' release day at Digital Delights by Louby Loo :) Wendybelle has a right sum good country farmer set of images for ya'll today! I'm Farmer Giles. Pleased to meet ya. Won't you stop by the Digital Delights blog today to see what all the other DD folk have to share with you?

This here card also features the layout for Card Positioning Systems 225 and the new digital paper pack "Down on the Farm", also available today. If you happen to be a fan of Stampin Up! paper, their Whisper White works really well in one of them fancy ink jet printers for makin' the digital papers. Thanks for stopping by. Ya'll come back now, hear?

PS. The winner for my stop in the Celebrations Blog Hop last week was #37 Puffinliz! Conrats! She wins Laid Back Lucy.

PMS Sneak Peek Day 4

2011-07-06T08:00:00.000-03:00

It's another day full of sneak peeks at the July release for Paper Makeup Stamps...are you LOVIN' it so far? Today we have something a little different to share with you. Katie has designed some frames to go with our fabulous wordart.

I've paired one of the new frames from "Framed" with the Be Counted word art. You might recognize this one as a Friday Freebie from a couple of weeks ago...well now it is available in rubber for those who prefer that. There are two other frames included in this set, so make sure you check it out when it's released! Don't forget to check out what the other Makeup Artists have done with this set...head on over to the blog to see.

My layout today is for the Mojo Monday challenge. All the papers except the flower print are from Paper Temptress: Amethyst Mica/Metallic, Double Duty Lilac (the base), Vintage Silver Lustre for the sentiment. The Silver Lustre actually looks more pearl than silver and it takes printer ink absolutely perfectly...dried instantly! The dark purple ribbon is also from Paper Temptress (not just for papers you know!) 3/8 inch reversible satin.

PMS Sneak Peek DAY 2

2011-07-04T08:00:00.000-03:00

Can YOU BELIEVE it is July 4th already??? I am stunned, actually. I don't know where the Spring went...I don't think we actually had one here. This weekend was the first time we've had two days of nice, sunny weather in a row since last fall! Since it's now July, the PMS team is celebrating a new release with a week of festivities on our blogs. This is day 2 of the sneak peeks, so if you missed yesterday, make sure you check out the PMS Blog!

My project today features wordart from the Be Still sentiment set. I wanted to keep the card fairly simple to focus on the message, so not a lot of bells & whistles here, but I think the flowers (from Recollections) and the swirlies (from Heartfelt Creations) behind the sentiment just set it off.

Ok...enjoy your July 4th if you're in the USA... and have a good day back to work if you're in Canada LOL.

Paper Temptress Fancy Folds

2011-07-01T07:00:00.001-03:00

I have two fancy fold cards to share today featuring Paper Temptress cardstocks and papers. First up is a swing card:

This card base is made with Double Thick Crystal Clear and stamped with Stazon Black. The inside panel uses Cryogen White and Eclipse Black. You can find a tutorial for this card at Splitcoaststampers.com here. These images are from Inkadinkado & TPC Studio.

Here is my Standing Pop-up Card. This one features Stardreams Punch as the base, Cryogen White for the image & sentiment, and Gold Sparkle (I know it just looks yellow in the picture but the sparkle on this card is amazing!) for accents. I made this one for here, but also for the Gallery Idol competition at Paper Crafts Connection...so wish me luck! you can find a tutorial for this card at Splitcoaststampers.com here. The lovely Maya Fairy, sentiments & flowers are from Paper Makeup Stamps.

Digital Delights Celebrates with a Blog Hop!

2011-06-30T01:00:00.060-03:00

You PROBABLY already know that today is the celebration blog hop for Digital Delights, but just in case you just love to visit me daily ;) you really should start this hop at the beginning on the Digital Delights Blog. If you came here from the OTHER Anita then you are in the right spot!

The theme of this hop is CELEBRATIONS!! At Digital Delights by Louby Loo we are celebrating the new store! Wendy (aka Louby Loo) just completed the move to a new and improved store! In honor of this, each stop along the way will have a Digital Delights stamp from their project to be given away. There are amazing sponsors for the grand prize at the end.

This is a hop with a different twist as along the hop there are letters to find in the postings - not all blogs have the letters but if you gather all the letters then at the end of the hop on day 2 assemble them to create a Digital Delights related word. You then return to the Digital Delights blog and enter your name in the inlinks at the bottom of the post (do not reveal the secret word yet). After the hop you will be contacted if you are selected at random--at which point you will be asked to reveal the correct word.

Here's my project for today using Laid Back Lucy, a picnic table and my favourite ticket sentiment set....I did have to add the Happy Canada Day to the blank ticket, but I love having that option! You always have just the right sentiment that way. Lucy is out on Canada Day (July 1) enjoying a nice Canadian Cranberry Martini at her family picnic LOL.

I will be giving away the following Digital Delights by Louby Loo image which I used to complete my project:

In order to be eligible to receive this digital stamp, please leave a comment below, become a follower if you fancy. In your comment please provide an email address so that you can be contacted when I draw the prize.

Now back to the hop - but WAIT...take this letter with you:

Remember to collect all the letters from the hop and assemble to form a Digital Delights related word then return to the Digital Delights blog to enter.

Thank you for stopping by! The next stop on the hop is Audrey.

Just in case you get lost along the way...here's our line up:

Happy Birthday Katie!

2011-06-26T08:00:00.002-03:00

Happy Birthday Katie Cotton! As you've probably guessed, a bunch of us are having a birthday hop for our fabulous friend Katie, owner of Paper Makeup Stamps. Katie has been so fabulous to work with and is so generous...who could say no to that? I had the perfect little birthday cake stamp that I haven't had a chance to use yet, so voila! Add a little Mojo Monday sketch and you've got a card! Happy Birthday Katie...hope you enjoy your surprise hop! In case you've just dropped in on me, or you get lost along the way, here's the hop lineup:

Digital Delights day

2011-06-23T07:00:00.000-03:00

I just love Briley...she's so adorable. Today I've merged Briley with Balloons and one of the Postage Stamps to create a focal piece. I also added a little sentiment from the Postage Stamps set. One little trick I'll share...instead of cutting all the circles by hand, I used the large hole punch on my Crop-a-dial to get them all and then just trimmed the black lines off! Easy peasy!

Have you applied for the Digital Delights Design Team yet??? NO???? There's still time...check out THIS POST for all the details.

Quixotic Paperie Hop with Paper Makeup Stamps

2011-06-20T03:00:00.024-03:00

Today some of the Paper Makeup Stamps Design Team are joining with the Quixotic Paperie Design Team to throw the spotlight on the Paper Makeup Stamps range as part of Quixotic Paperie's 2nd Anniversary celebrations (Quixotic Paperie are the UK online stockist for Paper Makeup Stamps)!

As you may be aware - Paper Makeup Stamps is owned by Katie Cotton and to give you a clue as to where the name of her company came from - Katie is a professional makeup artist. Katie has some fabulous artists contributing to her company including Steve Hammond with the Monsters range, Diem Pascarella's Beautiful Day Fairies, Moody Girls by Cynthia Liu and the Retro Cutie Critters by Diem Pascarella.

The Paper Makeup Stamps range is available in the UK/Europe at Quixotic Paperie.

If you're in the US then you can of course find the stamps at Paper Makeup Stamps direct!

As part of the celebrations and the spotlight today, we have a PRIZE GIVEAWAY!

Pop on over to the Quixotic Inspirations blog to get all the details and enter the draw to win some fantastic Paper Makeup Stamps and more!

The other day I found a whack of great papers on sale at my LSS... so I FINALLY got to pick up some DeLovely from Cosmo Cricket and I am in love with it. I couldn't wait to use it with some girly fairies, so it was perfect for my card today! The colors also inspired me to give my fairies some very fairy-like hair :) Some days I wish I had bright pink hair...wouldn't that be fun? I've paired my Hugging Fairies with one of the recent Freebie Friday sentiments.

Now for some more inspiration! Hop on over to each of the blogs below to see some

fantastic Paper Makeup Stamps creations!

- Elaine - Judy - Kim Dellow - Mary - Rowena - - Andrea - Tangii - Stephanie - Tina - Katie - Dawn - - Randee - Lisa K - Jami - Anita (you are here) - Michelle - Shaela -

Thanks for joining us and we hope you are enjoying all the Paper Makeup Stamps loveliness.

I'm also entering this card in the Sentimental Sundays challenge (Summery or Sparkly)

Digital Delights Day - Christmas in June

2011-06-16T07:00:00.001-03:00

This week I felt like doing something a little different so I decided to make a Christmas card. I found this layout at Sparkle's Christmas Card Challenge and thought it was just the right thing for a quickie card. This Santa image is from Digital Delights by Louby Loo...it's an oldie, but a goodie! Have you been over to DD lately to see the new store? Make sure you check it out and the blog challenge too.

My term on the design team is almost up...that means it's time for a design team call! Click here for the details on how you can apply to be on the Digital Delights Design Team starting in August. Call ends July 3.

PMS is for men too!

2011-06-15T00:05:00.001-03:00

Yup...PMS has stamps for men, too... what did you THINK I meant? LOL I got this image Me & Pops specifically for making Father's Day cards this year and I cannot believe I nearly missed out! This is the card I'm sending to my father this year... and here's the inside:

This is an old freebie from last year...it's no longer available. Oh...that reminds me...there are some new freebies on the PMS blog...you should go check them out before they are gone!

I don't know if this one will count for Sentimental Sunday's Father's Day challenge or not because the sentiment is on the inside...but I'm linking it up anyhow ;)

Digital Delights Day

2011-06-09T11:16:00.000-03:00

This week I thought I would make a cute card for our school bus driver for the end of the year. I'm TRYING to get ahead LOL. Both the School Bus and the Ticket Sentiment are from Digital Delights by Louby Loo! If the site looks a bit wacky, don't worry...we're upgrading to a new & improved store site! So check back again to see the new site.

PMS Summer Hop!

2011-06-07T08:00:00.000-03:00

Summer is finally here in Nova Scotia. We have acutally had a little bit of sun this week...and maybe two days in the last month without ANY rain. So, since we've been missing it, I've been thinking about the bright, yellow SUN a lot lately...thus, my bright, yellow card for today's Paper Makeup Stamps Summer Blog Hop. I hope you've been following along from the beginning at the PMS Blog, and came to me via Jami's post...if not, head back to the start so you don't miss anything!

I've used Kat the Pinwheel Fairy and a sentiment from Celebration Sentiments... I love the font these ones are in! The white paper is Cryogen White from Paper Temptress (still my fav paper for coloring with Copics). The layout is Mojo Monday 194. I'm also entering this at Corrosive Challenge (Summer Colors).

Your next stop is Michelle! I hope you have a great, sunny day (besides all these summery cards LOL). Just in case you get lost, here's a full list for the hop. And don't forget to pick up the freebie word art on the PMS Blog while you're hanging out with us!

PMS blog
Lisa M
Andrea
Tangii
Stephanie
Tina
Katie
Dawn
Randee
Lisa K
Jami
Anita
Michelle
Ginger
Shaela

Raise the Bar - Summer Vacation

2011-06-03T07:00:00.001-03:00

No...seriously...the Raise the Bar challenge team is on Summer Vacation! WHOO HOOO! But don't worry, we're not leaving forever. We will be back on August 5th! Have a great summer :)

SOOOOOO Late with this PMS Freebie Post

2011-06-02T22:41:00.000-03:00

Life just needs to slow down for a while! I've had this card done for about 5 days, but I just couldn't find the time to take a pic and get it uploaded! WOW I am so busy lately with my new business. This is LAST week's freebie wordart from Paper Makeup Stamps. And there's another one due tomorrow. Come visit the PMS blog every Friday to make sure you don't miss out on any of these fabulous freebies. Also, June 7th...holy, that's next week, we're having our monthly PMS Hop...so don't forget to come back and check out our Summery Stuff!

It's a Jungle at Digital Delights today!

2011-06-02T09:34:00.000-03:00

There's a great new release today at Digital Delights by Louby Loo... Jungle Buddies. Here I'm featuring Safari Daisy and Timmy Tiger along with one of the Jungle sentiments. My grass is the Martha Stewart icicle punch turned upside down and embossed with the Cuttlebug Bird Call embossing folder...ingenious, isn't it? I do have my moments LOL Head on over to DD to see the whole set!

Paper Temptress Feature

2011-05-29T11:00:00.000-03:00

Today is my turn to post on the Paper Temptress Community Blog and feature some of my work with Patricia's awesome selection of cardstock. I decided to make two very different cards with the same stamp. This first card features Textured 80 lb in Yellow, Mica/Metallic in Azalea, and my FAVORITE to color on Cryogen White! The Azalea absolutely shimmers and looks so luxurious paired with the textured yellow. I didn't feel the need to emboss this card to add texture at all. The 5/8" Opulence black ribbon is also from Paper Temptress.

This more elegant version features the Laser Black Glossy Lustre... Can you see the amazing stripes? This picture just does not do this paper justice as the Cyber Grey Iridescent paper is also very sparkly.

If you'd like to check out some of this awesome sparkly paper for yourself, hop on over to Paper Temptress and place your order!

Raise the Bar - School's Out for Summer (almost)

2011-05-27T07:00:00.000-03:00

This week's challenge at Raise the Bar is to use a school-themed image to celebrate the end of the school year. I've paired up the school girl fairy from Paper Makeup Stamps with a sentiment I picked up from High Hopes.

Digital Delights Day

2011-05-26T07:00:00.001-03:00

I've got another Grillin' and Chillin' creation for you today. Yes, this is my third card in a row from this new release at Digital Delights by Louby Loo. Just goes to show how versatile a set it is! All the papers except the white came from my scrap bin...even the base!

A PMS Reject

2011-05-25T07:00:00.000-03:00

Yup... this is one of the cards that I submitted for publication to Paper Crafts Magazine and it was rejected. TWICE! Oh well. I hope you enjoy it! It features three of the "monsters" from Paper Makeup Stamps: Al, Spike and Dreck. The awesome paper is from Bella Blvd.

Just Some Lines, Just for Fun!

2011-05-24T07:00:00.001-03:00

I'm trying to get my mojo back, so I decided to just play...just for fun. This cute little birdie is from Just Some Lines and I had so much fun coloring this card to match my Lime Rickey paper from Basic Grey.

Raise the Bar late posting

2011-05-23T21:30:00.000-03:00

I'm having trouble getting caught up after our family week at DH's house, so my Raise the Bar post is quite late this week. The theme this week is to make a Sympathy card. These cute trees are from Digital Delights by Louby Loo and the sentiment is from CC Designs.

Digital Delights Day - Grillin for the Weekend

2011-05-19T16:29:00.000-03:00

There's a great new summer release at Digital Delights by Louby Loo today! Perfect for all those summer functions and the first long weekend of the summer this weekend (in Canada at least). Here's "Laid Back Lucy" enjoying a nice refreshing drink at her party...not sure if she's sitting because she HAS to or just WANTS to LOL.

Digital Delights Day

2011-05-19T16:26:00.000-03:00

Today's Digital Delights by Louby Loo creation features Briley with Balloons. This is a great little image for a girly birthday card. The sentiment was a cut-out from the ancient paper pack I used (that means it's at least 3 years old LOL). Make sure you check out the new Delightful Challenge today, too!

Oooopsy...this post didn't publish last week due to the Blogger issues and I'm just noticing now!

Yellow Fairy for Challenges

2011-05-18T09:19:00.000-03:00

Paper Makeup Stamps is sponsoring Copic Creations this week and the theme is "Yellow", so I broked out my yellows to play along...a little intimidated to play with such amazing color-ers over there. We're also sponsoring the challenge at Through the Craftroom Door where the theme is "Winged Things"...not a problem with PMS in hand! I chose Hope the Awareness Fairy since a yellow ribbon is a pretty universal symbol of Cancer awareness...we've just come through Cancer Awareness Month, and our family just lost my mother-in-law to Cancer after 14 years.

My printed papers are Basic Grey Junebug and I've stamped Hope on Cryogen White from Paper Temptress once again...I'm telling you, once you try that paper, you'll be hooked!

Also, did you hear that PMS is having a DT Call? Check out all the details on this post and then join the fun!

PMS May Release Review Day

2011-05-10T07:00:00.000-03:00

Today I'm reviewing the Presents stamp from the new PMS Release. This set is so versatile...man, woman, boy or girl...even Christmas! And the new sentiment stamps are the perfect complement! Don't forget to check out the PMS blog for more samples with the new release.

PMS Release Day

2011-05-07T08:00:00.011-03:00

Today is the big May Release blog hop with Paper Makeup Stamps... if you're just joining us, please head on over to the PMS Blog and start the hop from the beginning...you'll want to collect all the letters to our discount phrase along the way. The discount gets you 15% off all new releases! I'm showing off Lea with her Kite today. Isn't this a fabulous summer image? I could have been flying a kite myself yesterday...it was a bright sunny day, but freakin' cold & windy.

My papers today are from Paper Temptress. I used some of the great Pop Tones papers: Berrylicious and Bubblegum. The layout is ICSketches #113. The base & mat are Stampin Up! Early Espresso, which makes this card fit the Color Throwdown for this week.

Now, before you head on over to Lisa McKinney's blog, make your to take my letter with you

And make sure you come join us tonite for the release party in the PMS Forums at 9pm EST for some fun & games!

Raise the Bar - Flower Power

2011-05-06T07:00:00.002-03:00

I don't know about you, but I am desperate to see some SUMMER SUN! We finally replaced our BBQ this week and I cannot wait to break it in! Mmmmmm BBQ. In the meantime, here's a bright, shiny flower to help you get through the week. This sweet image is from Digital Delights by Louby Loo, from the Flower Faces set. The challenge at Raise the Bar this week is to use three patterned papers and a flower :) Why don't you join us???

PMS Sneak Peek

2011-05-05T22:08:00.000-03:00

OMGosh...I missed my day to post! I thought it was supposed to be tomorrow...sheesh...I can't read! So, here's my very late PMS May release sneak peek. Katie is releasing a couple of previous fairies as silhouettes and they make gorgeous cards. Check out today's blog post for more goodies!

All Papers are from Paper Temptress. The main panel, with the swirly texture...oooooh so gorgeous in person, is Vintage Silver Lustre, the white base is White Pearl Linen, and the black is Eclipse Black. I really wish you could see all this texture in person because the photo just does NOT do these papers justice. You can barely even make out the embossing on the black frame. :(

Don't forget to come back on Saturday for more Paper Makeup goodness in the form of our Release Blog hop...and of course the release party in the PMS forum that night!

Digital Delights Day

2011-05-05T07:00:00.002-03:00

Well, this was supposed to be a Mother's Day card...then I realized that Mother's Day is THIS weekend and I didn't need any more cards LOL...so I haven't put a sentiment on it yet...thinking I might make this into a birthday card for a 6 year old's party coming up.

The sweet image is Briley, from Digital Delights by Louby Loo. I've colored her with my newest Copics in the BG range to fit the Corrosive Challenge colors for this week: Pink & Turquoise. And I was inspired to use the embossing folder when I saw this week's CASE Study Challenge #37 card (and I also kept the layout).

I also want to point out that all of these papers are from Paper Temptress...where I am newly on the design team :) I have to say, the Blu Raspberry Pop Tones embossed amazingly... some papers crack, but this one is perfect! I printed the image on Cryogen White...no smudging at all and I LOOOOVE how it colored...it was FABULOUS to color on. Did I mention that it sparkles just a bit? And the sparkles show through the color, too. The card also uses some Razzleberry for the matte and the base is made with Eclipse Black...a very nice, sturdy weight for a card base...it would be great for holding up a really heavy card and for special folds.

Raise the Bar - We Shell!

2011-04-29T07:00:00.001-03:00

Maybe my mojo is finally coming back...start to finish, this card took about 15 minutes! It's very simple, but I think it would be a nice card for a guy...they don't like 'em frilly, do they? Today's challenge at Raise the Bar is "we shell"... use an ocean related theme to make your card. Well... where else can you find a lighthouse, but on the ocean? The lighthouse image and sentiment are from Paper Makeup Stamps.

Digital Delights Day

2011-04-28T07:00:00.000-03:00

The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea
In a beautiful pea green boat,
They took some honey, and plenty of money,
Wrapped up in a five pound note.
The Owl looked up to the stars above,
And sang to a small guitar,
'O lovely Pussy! O Pussy my love,
What a beautiful Pussy you are,
You are,
You are!
What a beautiful Pussy you are!'

Image from Digital Delights by Louby Lou

Raise the Bar = Nauticals

2011-04-22T07:00:00.001-03:00

This week's theme at Raise the Bar is Nautical - use blue, white & stripes in your creation. Lucky for me, I've just been accepted to the Paper Temptress Design Team and have just received a package of the most amazing papers you've got to see! So, I pulled out some Bluemarino Incandescent and some Vintage Silver Lustre to give this card some sparkle and a nighttime feel to it. These papers emboss like a DREAM! And talk about ELEGANT! I can't wait to use more of this stuff.

This ship image and the sentiment, are, of course, from Paper Makeup Stamps Sailing By.

Digital Delights Day

2011-04-21T07:00:00.001-03:00

Nothing like digi stamps for last-minute projects! If you're in need of some cute new Easter projects, check out the Easter Eggstravaganza sale at Digital Delights by Louby Loo. This little guy is Eggstraspecial bunny and he's just $1 right now!

While you're there... you can also pick up this awesome little egg-shaped basket cut file for your Cricut! It's the perfect size for a few chocolate eggies at the Easter dinner table ;)

Happy Birthday Lisa Kind!

2011-04-16T08:00:00.001-03:00

Happy Birthday Lisa K! Some of Lisa's cyber peeps are celebrating with a birthday hop today. Since Lisa is one of my fellow Makeup Artists at Paper Makeup Stamps, I decided to break out (yes, for the first time) Beauty Profile to make a birthday card for her. I'm also playing along with these two challenges :)

The green & white inspired me to find the beautiful new Tim Coffey papers from K & Co that I used...oh how I loooooove these papers! I just wish the prints were a bit smaller...hmmm...does it come in a smaller stack???

Flourishes Speed Challenge & Moxie Fab Trigger Tuesday

2011-04-15T13:14:00.000-03:00

Today's Challenges:

Flourishes Speed Challenge sketch

Moxie Fab Trigger Tuesday

I was inspired by the reds & blues