Mother's Little Helper

It's a Colorful Day In the Neighborhood...

Would you be my?  Could you be my?  Neighbor... I miss Mister Rogers, don't you?  Such a good, kind man.  I hold him responsible for my abiding love for cardigan sweaters.

It's Wednesday, Wednesday, WEDNESDAY! And thus, it's time for the COLOR THROWDOWN!  Which begs the question: are you ready to rumble?  Because here's what the fabulous KRISTIN has challenged you to work with:

As luck would have it, this color combo works perfectly with Kristin's latest digital paper designs for My Time Made Easy, Trendy Forest.  With yummy patterns in hand, here's what I came up with:

I used both The Tweetest Things and Nesting sets from The Cat's Pajamas, as well as my Color Throwdown buddy, Laura's, Sentiment Flags die and stamp set (from her company, Lil Inker Designs). Fun stuff, don't you think?

Check out the Color Throwdown Blog to see more samples from my CTD chicas, and to learn how you can play along with us.  You might even become our Featured Stamper and/or a future Guestie!  For card details and more, see the girlies' blogs:

• Barbara Anders
  
• Broni Holcombe
• Danielle Kennedy
• Kristin Eberline
• Tammy (the Hammer) Hershberger
• Julee Tilman (September Guestie)

I'd like to go on and tell you what I've been doing with the rest of my life, but I'm TOO TIRED.  On the off-chance you weren't already of the opinion that I'm a complete lunatic, you will be now: I've signed up for a month-long fitness boot camp that meets at 5 a.m. on weekdays.  OUTSIDE.  We're doing tons of push-ups and sit-ups (full ones, not crunches - damn it!) in the wet-a$$ morning dew. (Read: we're getting wet and dirty, and it's revealing sensory issues I wasn't aware I had...) Not to mention running. And lunges.  And other horrible, terrible things that no one should do so early in the day.  And did I tell you that my glasses are constantly foggy from the combination of sweat and the chilly air? So not only can I not see because it's dark, I can't see because of the steam on my lenses.

What possessed me?  I don't know.  All I know is that every night since I've started, I've gone to bed and tossed-and-turned, thinking "I have to sleep!  The alarm is going to go off at 4:45 a.m.!" 

Thus, I'm CRANKY!  Thanks for listening to me rant, peeps.  Hope you're in a better mood than me!

 

For Shirley

A very special member of my local community was laid to rest yesterday.  His funeral was one of the most beautiful, thoughtful ceremonies I have ever attended; John would have loved it.  His widow, Shirley, is a dear friend of mine.  John and Shirley were married for 57 years and raised four beautiful children together.  Since I met them when I moved to town 15 years ago, they have served as role models for me in so many areas of my life.  Via the bookclub I became a member of a dozen years ago at Shirley's invitation, I've become friends with two of their daughters; I've repeatedly told them how much I envy them having had John and Shirley as parents.  John was 81 years old when he died, and he lived a wonderful life.  It was my pleasure and privilege to know him.

My sample for this week's Mojo Monday sketch (#208) is a card I've created for Shirley.  Here's a look at the sketch:

A month or so ago I sent Julee some extremely rudimentary sketch ideas, and she's given me credit for designing this week's sketch; to say that she is being VERY generous in attributing the sketch to me is an understatement!  My idea was to be able to do a little color blocking, something I haven't done in quite a while.  Here's what I came up with:

I couldn't decide which of two sentiments from Verve's lovely Forever In Our Hearts set that I wanted to use, so I just used them both.  I inked everything - including the Rose Seam Binding from The Cat's Pajamas - with Walnut Distress Ink, using a foam applicator.  I couldn't get the panels to measure out to a true square, so I just added a layer of patterened paper and a border die cut (Faux Crochet Border Die-Namics by MFT). 

My color scheme was inspired by this week's COLOR THROWDOWN challenge.  I didn't have a chance to create a card in time for the challenge announcement on the CTD Challenge Blog, but I didn't want to let the whole week go by without using Danielle's sweet combo.  

Speaking of Danielle, it's her birthday today!  Happy Birthday, Danielle!  If you have a second, stop by her blog to wish her a happy day, and to drool over her gorgeous work.

Head on over to the Mojo Monday blog for instructions of how to particpate in this week's challenge, as well as for visual inspiration from the rest of the Mojo Monday design team. For up close and personal descriptions of their lovely creations, mosey on over to these ladies' blogs, and leave 'em a little love for giving papercrafters at least one reason to like Mondays.

• Julee Tilman
• Debbie Carriere
• Maria Gurnsey
• Mary Fish
• Sarah Bigelow
• Stephanie Kraft
• Teresa Kline

Thanks for stopping by today, and I'll be back soon.  Have a great week!

PS - Check out the cool Link Manager I'm using below to show/add links to most of the products I've used.  Isn't it awesome?  If you're interested in trying it out for yourself, head over to the In Linkz site.  The Beta version is currently being tested, so you can use it for free through December as long as you have a coupon code.  And just because I'm soooo nice and I appreciate you reading my blog soooo much, I won't make you hunt the coupon code down.  Here it is:

17423064

Happy Monday!

Howdy, friends!  Are you as happy as I am that Mojo Monday is back from it's mini-vacation?  For me, a good sketch is to stamping like a cup or two of coffee is to the morning: necessary to wake me up and get me going.  Here's this week's fabulous sketch, courtesy of the Queen Mojo Maker herself, Julee Tilman:

I used this sketch to create my own birthday card for myself (yesterday was my birthday, and I turned 42, which seems a lot younger to me now than it did when I was growing up; know what I mean?).  I'd LOVE for you to take a look at my card by going to my second CAROLE'S CREATIVE COMMOTION post on the Your Next Stamp Blog.  In my CCC post for September, I go into detail about what makes my birthday card "MY" card.  If reading my deep thoughts isn't enough to persuade you to go there, YNS is also giving away a sweet prize package to one random commenter (you've got until the 25th to enter).  I'd love to hear your thoughts on my post.

And, of course, you'll want to head on over to the Mojo Monday blog for instructions of how to particpate in this week's challenge, as well as for visual inspiration from the rest of the Mojo Monday design team. For up close and personal descriptions of their lovely creations, skedaddle to these talented ladies' blogs, and leave 'em a little love for giving papercrafters at least one reason to like Mondays.

• Julee Tilman
• Debbie Carriere
• Maria Gurnsey
• Mary Fish
• Sarah Bigelow
• Stephanie Kraft
• Teresa Kline

Hope your Monday and week is Mojolicious! :)

Kraftin' Kimmie Blog Hop!

Yay!  The September stamps from Kraftin' Kimmie are finally available to their adoring public!  REJOICE!

 

To celebrate the release, the Krafty Girls and Guests are having a blog hop to show you most of the new images in one fell swoop.  If you came here from the divine DONNA's blog, you're on the right track.  If not, you may want to start at the beginning, at the KKS Challenge blog.  I know you won't want to miss any stops along this Krafty Christmas Extravaganza!

Here's a rundown of all the new releases:

• Cheryl Alger's adorable O HOLY NIGHT set
• NATIVITY SENTIMENTS (which coordinate beautifully with Cheryl's new set)
• Six new HAPPY HOLIDAYS images from the Emilie's Etchings line
• Six gorgeous ANGELS from Annie Rodrigue
• CHRISTMAS INTERIOR SENTIMENTS to doll up the insides of your holiday greetings

I'm showing you one more INSTALLMENT (love that word) in my Christmas KKS banner.  Meet ELYSIA...

(Banner construction and materials details are available on this post.) Elysia  comes with a sentiment that says "Hark!" and a separate halo stamp.  I masked the top of Elysia's head then stamped the halo on top of her.

I'd love to stay and chatter, but I figure you're ready to see what's next.  If so, head on over to precious PAM'S blog, where I know she has something magnificent to share with you.  Don't forget to leave comments as you hop along today; two lucky commenters will win packages of stamps from the new release!

And, of course, you'll want to get ahead of the holidays and SHOP EARLY for the latest, greatest Christmas images at the KRAFTIN' KIMMIE STAMPS store!

Krafty Peeks, Day 3

Season's Greetings, friends!  Where I live, "Season's Greetings" is a salutation typically used during the period between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day.  I wonder why that is?  It seems like a perfectly non-specific way to say "Hello," doesn't it?  It's not "Winter Greetings" or "Holiday Greetings."  Just generic ol' "Season's".  Habit and usage have shortened its lifespan.  Ponder that for a while, if you will.

 

Still, "Season's Greetings" is a perfectly valid opener for this particular blog post because this week's Kraftin' Kimmie Challenge is CHRISTMAS IN SEPTEMBER!  All the details on how to play are available on the KKS Challenge Blog, as are gorgeous samples from the Krafty Girls and Guests to get you in the spirit. 

But wait!  There's more!

It's also Krafty Peeks, Day 3, and today we're giving you glimpses of all the latest MOONLIGHT WHISPERS images!  Moonlight Whispers are illustrated by one of the best artists in the stamping industry, the incomparable ANNIE RODRIGUE.  This month, KKS has SIX heavenly new Moonlight Whispers images for you... ANNIE'S ANGELS! (Not to be confused with Charlie's Angels.  Don't even get me started on the fact that they're trying to remake that classic television program this fall.  It's a TRAVESTY!  I'd better stop right now before I go off on a full-blown tangent...)  Meet the operatic AURELIA:

(Banner construction and materials details are available on this post.)  Aurelia comes with a sentiment that says "Angels We Have Heard On High!" and a separate halo stamp.  I masked the top of Aurelia's head then stamped the halo on top of her.  Isn't she lovely?  Every single one of Annie's Angels are just as gorgeous. 

What's that?  You don't believe me?  The nerve!  Wait... do you hear that?  Listen closely...

 

THIS is what it sounds like when doves cry... you've wounded me deeply. (<-- Couldn't resist adding a Prince reference since I am, at this very moment, in Minneapolis and quite possibly hanging out with his Purple Highness.)

Don't take my unreliable word for how fabulous Annie's Angels are -- see 'em for yourself on the Krafty Challenge Blog.  There, you'll find sublime samples featuring all six of the Angels and direct links to all of the Krafty Girls' & Guests' blog posts.  You'll need those to make comments on all of the Peeking blogs to be eligible to win THREE of Annie's Angels (two people will each win three stamps).  And if you particpate in this week's challenge?  You could be eligible to win an AURELIA of your very own.  Git 'r' done!

 

See you underneath the Purple Rain!

Krafty Peeks, Day 2: Here Come's Santa Claus!

It's Day 2 of Peeks for the September Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps release, and today the Krafty Girls and Guests are given first-looks at the newest images in KKS's Emilie's Etchings line of stamps. 

As I mentioned yesterday, the entire September KKS release is all about Christmas, and if you like elves?  You are going to LOVE Emilie's latest stamps. Go to the Krafty Challenge Blog for direct links to all of the designers particpating in Krafty Peeks today.  Be sure to leave comments on all of the Krafty Girls and Guests giving Peeks today for a chance to be one of three lucky winners (two people will receive 3 of Emilie's new stamps; one person will receive the new Christmas Interior Sentiments Set).

I don't have an elf to show you today, though.  Nope, I'm giving you a Peek at the Man In Red (not to be confused with the Man In Black, aka Johnny Cash), himself -- SANTA!

(Ornament construction details can be found on yesterday's post.)

Okay, friends - that does it for me today!  To be perfectly honest with you, though, I'm pre-posting this.  Are you ready to get a tiny bit jealous?  I'm in wonderful company at the moment, hanging out with three of my BSFs (Alma de la Rosa, Amy Rohl, and Leigh O'Brien) at ScrapFest at the Mall of America in Minneapolis!  I'm a lucky, lucky gal, what can I say?  :)

I'll be back tomorrow with a Krafty Challenge and a Peek at the newest ANNIE images.  Want a hint?

 

Krafty Peeks, Day 1

Can you believe it's already time for another Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps release?  It feels like it was only yesterday that I was showing you the banner I made with the new KKS Halloween images.  But here it is: the middle of September.  Time be flyin'!  The holidays will be here before we know it...

 

Thus, it's only fitting that Kraftin' Kimmie's September release is all about CHRISTMAS!  Are you ready for four fun-filled days of Yuletide yumminess?  Excellent!  Then let's get it started...

Today, the Krafty Girls and Guests are giving you a look-see at the sweet new images by Cheryl Alger.  All of Cheryl's images this month revolve around the Nativity, and collectively they're called the O HOLY NIGHT set.  I'm a sucker for a cute Nativity scene; I have lots of 'em scattered all over the house during the Christmas season. I especially love images of Baby Jesus in the manger, surrounded by Mary and Joseph. Cheryl's got an adorable one among her images this month, and I'm sure one of the Krafty Girls will be showing it off to you today. 

As for me though, I've got a trio of cutey-patootie WISE MEN to show you:

Isn't that one of the sweetest Wise Men images you've ever seen?  I just love their little toes sticking out of their sandals!  (And no, I'm defnitely NOT a foot person...)  I'm working on yet another banner; I hope you aren't sick of them.  Once I got ahold of this wonderful release, I couldn't help myself! I don't have the whole banner done yet, but I do have several 'installments' (<--- how do you like that term, Michele? ;) ) to show you over the next several days. 

Here are a few banner details for those who are interested:

• I used Spellbinders' 2010 Heirloom Ornament dies for my base.  I bought these from Scrapmart while at the Creating Keepsakes Convention vendor fair a couple of weeks ago, but you can also order from Scrapmart online.  Their prices are really reasonable, and they're an Oklahoma-based company, which I like because Lord knows we need the industry here in good ol' OK. 
• Note: I'm not going to link other companies I may mention during this post because - of course - I want the spotlight to be solely on Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps because it's KKS's Peek Day.  But, I do want to go ahead and give you the info, because if I don't do it now?  It will flit out of my pea brain into the ether, never to return.  That's what happens to your brains on stamping, you know... Anyway, if there's something you really want/need a link to but can't find via a Google search, email me and I'd be happy to oblige.
• I got the idea for how to hang the ornament from my sweet friend, Susan Liles (she's not a company so I don't mind linking to her in this post.  By the way, this is not any sort of "rule" anyone has come up with - I'm just trying to do unto the company I'm representing as I'd want one of my designers to do unto me if I owned a stamp company.  Any thoughts on that?  I'd be very interested in your point of view :) ). 
• Behind the ornament die cut, I added an elegant "topper" made using The Cat's Pajamas' Sunflower Rosette CutUps die.  I used the Sunflower Rosette die cut unfolded - I like it that way almost as much as I like it all folded up!  I punched a hole in the ornament/topper, then added a loop of gold ribbon, tied around the ribbon with some PTI twine, and topped it off with a pearly button.  A gold cord will run through all of the loops.  The finished product can be used as a banner or garland. 
• I hand-stitched around the ornaments with metallic embroidery thread from DMC.  It's a little tougher to work with than regular embroidery thread, but it gives it a nice, rich look that's perfect for the holidays.
• The image was stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black on to Copic X-Press Blending cardstock.  I love this card stock so much - it's definitely my go to cardstock for all Copic coloring (which is pretty much all I do these days).  I only wish Copic would make it in ivory!  I'm sure the folks at Copic are getting a lot of requests for this.  I'll see what I can find out about it and let you know. :)
• The ornament base paper is Gumdrop Green cardstock from MFT, and the patterned paper is "Merry Christmas - Words" by the Paper Studio (Hobby Lobby).  The topper paper is Ruby Red card stock from SU!  I bought the gold ribbon and buttons at WalMart.
• And, of course, the image is popped up from the ornament with tons of Jody's foam boosters.

Go to the KKS Challenge Blog for direct links to all of the Krafty Girls and Guests posting Peeks today.  Want a chance to win free stamps?  Then leave comments on all of the Krafty Peekin' Blogs; one lucky commenter will win Cheryl's entire O Holy Night set PLUS the Nativity Sentiments set.  Woo-hoo!

See you tomorrow, friends!

YNS Blog Hop: Too Cute Too Spook!

Hello, hello (<-- please say like Gary Dell'abate).  Welcome to my stop on the September Blog Hop for Your Next Stamp!  Have you been checking out all the fall/Halloween goodies the YNS Designers and Guest Designers have created for your viewing pleasure?  Are they not C-U-T-E?!  I'm super excited to show you what I have up my sleeve for this hop because I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the image I used.

But before I get to that... I wanted to let you know that I combined my hop card with my Color Throwdown Challenge sample for this week.  I'm the Color Throwdown Challenge Hostess this week, and here's what I'm throwing down:

Little did I realize when I picked these colors that the YNS Hop would be on the same day.  Quandry!  How to use the above color combo with a fall/Halloween theme blog hop?  Hmmm...

 

Then I looked through my new images (which are so fabulous...) and this awesome little gal jumped out of the pile.  May I please introduce to you SUPER HERO ELLIE!

Is she not a complete cutie-full-of-charm?  Why, yes, yes she is! :)  I love her, but that's no surprise: big, big Wonder Woman fan here.  How about you?  Did you play Super Heroes when you were growing up? The Super Friends, The Wonder Twins, Shazaam & Isis, Batman, Spiderman, Plastic Man... I watched all of those shows faithfully, growing up.  Of course, that was back in the day when cartoons were only on Saturday or in the early morning hours on the UHF channel... Aaah... the good old days...

 

Ready for a close up?  Sure you are...

I think girls of all ages would enjoy receiving a card with this sweet super friend adorning it.

Card details of note:

• Super/Wonder Gal was colored with Copic markers on Copic X-Press Blending Paper (the best stuff, and available from YNS) and her cape was paper pieced.  That fun zig-zaggy paper is from My Mind's Eye's "Gertie" 6x6 pad from the Stella & Rose Line.  The black and off-white star paper is from October Afternoon's 5 & Dime pad.
• Check out the embossed stars on the Pacific Point layers.  I bought a new embossing folder at Hobby Lobby this week; Hobby Lobby is now selling their own embossing folders under their Paper Studio insignia.  I picked up this one and a woodgrain one for $4.99 each.  Not a bad price, and I really like the tiny scale of the stars.
• Big star panel was made with Nestabilities' stars.
• In additon to the Color Throwdown Challenge, my card meets this week's YNS Challenge (# 51) to paper piece.

To celebrate this month's release, Karen is giving away a selection of the newest YNS stamps to one lucky commenter.  Check out the booty:

By commenting on any one of our blogs with the linky tool , you'll be eligible to win this month's prize package.  Ready to just place your order?  You are of course welcome and encouraged to do that, too, and Karen's giving away a free stamp with every $30 worth of product you purchase (thus, if you purchase $95 worth of product, you will receive 3 free stamps of Karen's choosing).  Bonus!

Make sure you hit all the stops along the hop today - I know you'll be happy you did so!  I guarantee it, in fact.  The next stop on the hop is a stamping genius, a great friend of mine, and someone I'm going to be hangin' with IN PERSON this weekend (lucky me!), the one and only AMY ROHL!  Just in case you get lost along the way (leaping over tall buildings, or rescuing dudes and damsels in distress), here's a list of everyone involved in today's hop:

Kerri

Dana

Jenny P.

Jen D.  {YNS Guest}

Wendy

Peggy

Ashley {YNS Guest}

Diana

Jen R.  {YNS Guest}

Maureen

Carole

Amy 

Karen

 And don't forget to check out my blog post on the Color Throwdown Challenge today.  Say "hi" to my CTD girlies and play along with us this week if you have a chance.

See you soon, super friends!

 

Fly High

So, today is the day for the monthly-ish Just For Fun (aka JiFFy) Challenge I do with several of my stampy girlfriends.  I told the rest of the gang that I'd be a "few minutes" late with my post today.  And, as I write this, I'm currently just 647 minutes late...  Good thing my pals are patient and this challenge is JUST FOR FUN! :)

The rules of the challenge are pretty easy.  One of us selects an image, and another of us selects patterned paper.  The patterned paper gets put in the mail, then the image picker reveals her selection.  We're required to use the selected patterned paper in our PROJECT {hee} and that's the only patterned paper we can use.  Everything else is fair game.  Sometimes the selected patterned paper and the image are a great fit, and sometimes they're what we euphemistically refer to as a challenge, but regardless, it's JUST FOR FUN!

This month's image picker was none other than eagle-eyed Jody.  She selected the oh-so-sweet TAKE OFF set from The Cat's Pajamas.  Michele was our paper picker, and she sent each of us a few panels of "Simple Pleasures" from Simple Stories' 100 Days of Summer line.  I'd never seen this paper nor heard of this company before I received this paper, but I can assure you I will be on the lookout from now on.  If the paper Michele sent is anything to go by, this is a company to watch!  Super cute stuff.

Here's what I {finally} came up with...

I used the September Sketch For You To Try, but instead of a circle shape for the focal panel, I opted for Spellbinders' Big Scalloped Ovals because they looked more like clouds.  When you're designing a card around a bunny pilot, you want everything to look as realistic as possible... ;)  I added a few extra clouds using The Cat's Pajamas' Cloud Border CutUps die, and a sun using TCP's Sunflower Rosette CutUps die and a button.  The sentiment is from TCP's Up, Up and Away set.

Mr. Bunny was colored with Copics and his plane was paper pieced using the gingham side of the patterned paper.  Lot's of Jody's foam boosters were used to give depth and dimension.

If you haven't already checked out what my JiFFy Girlfriends have done with this month's challenge, you're not alone.  I didn't dare peek before I finished my own.  Let's go take a look-see, shall we?  I know they've put together heavenly creations for our enjoyment:

• Michele Boyer
• Jody Morrow
• Lori Craig
• Amy Rohl
• Christina Fischer (who will be posting even later than me - probably this weekend, sometime)

See you soon!

Just Fluttering By...

¡Hola, mi amigas!  ¿Como estas?  Me?  I'm bueno, but tengo sueño.  (Translation: I'm good, but I'm sleepy.  Aren't you glad you have a blog to visit that not only provides you with crafty goodness but also educates?  What's that?  Not really?  Well.  Fine.  I throw up my hands!  I would rant further, but as I said: tengo sueño.  And thanks to me?  You know what that means.  De nada.) (Look it up, smarty pants.)

So, so, so.  It's late Tuesday night as I write this, but I was BOUND AND DETERMINED to get something put up for your viewing pleasure this Hump Day.  The ol' fingers have been a bit slippery where certain designing balls have been concerned of late.  I'd go into more detail, but - say it with me, now - tengo sueño.

Anywhoodle (<-- not sure how/if that translates into Spanish; if you know, fill me in), I've got two delightful challenges to share with you today.  Just one card, but two challenges.  A two-fer, if you will.  And if you've been reading my blog for any length of time, you know Mama loves a two-fer almost as much as she loves Sour Patch Kids, Deadwood, or Howard Stern.  That's "a bunch" for those of you who've stumbled here by accident or for the first time. 

First off, let's see if you're ready to RUMBLE with the COLOR THROWDOWN! Broni (the Quicker-Picker Upper, herself) is this week's challenge hostess and here's what she's throwing down...

A perfect Indian summer palette, don't you think?  I decided to pair it up with this week's TCP Tuesday Challenge, which is a sketch challenge, hostessed by my favorite LOBster in the whole wide world, the one and only Leigh O'Brien.  Here's the sketch she's challenged us to work with:

And here's what I came up with...

I used the Flutter By set from The Cat's Pajamas and instead of flags, I die cut a couple of TCP's Mini Exotic Butterflies out of white paper and airbrushed them them with a Copic Marker (YR00).  See those pretty stick pins?  They're from Jillbean Soup, and I picked them up while walking the Tulsa Creating Keepsakes convention with the FABULOUS Megan Lock!  I can't tell you how excited I was to FINALLY meet Megan!  She's lived in Oklahoma for several years now, we were on the MFT design teams together and we've been on Jen's SFYTT team for a couple of years together, too. At long last, we made a date to get together, and though it was definitely worth the wait, I wish we'd done it years sooner.  It felt like meeting an old friend. :)  She and her SWEET, PRECIOUS, PERFECTLY BEHAVED, ADORABLE baby girl Emma are nothing short of spectacular, and I can't wait for our next get together.  We've vowed to tour each other's craft rooms.  Which means I'd better get cleaning...

So, where was I?  Um... how about a few more card details?

• Mr. Bunny was colored on Copic X-Press blending card stock with Copic markers and his net was paper pieced.
• All of the patterened paper comes from Crate Paper's new Farmhouse 6x6 pad.  LOVE!!!
• The banner at the bottom was made using Spellbinders' Ribbon Banners and then airbrushing with Copic Marker YR00 while the die cut was still in the die.
• Lots of foam boosters from Jody Morrow's Sticky Stuff Store.  Can't live without those, as you know. 
  

Interested in playing in this week's TCP Tuesday Challenge?  Then headover to THIS POST on Alma's blog for all of the details.  And for more colorful eye candy and instructions regarding how to participate in this week's Color Throwdown, head on over to the Color Throwdown blog, where you'll find samples from my CTD home girls and our September Guestie, who just happens to be one of my ALL-TIME FAVORITE stampers and company owners.  This gal?  A true CLASS ACT, in every sense of the word.  Just for kicks and giggles, I'll list all of this week's participants to see if you can suss out who I'm referring to.  I know you will, because all of my readers are intelligent, noble, kind, and beautiful.  And because you are all these things?  Stop by these gals blogs and leave 'em some love.  After you leave ME some love, of course, because you know I LOVE to hear from you. 

• Broni Holcomb
• Barbara Anders
• Danielle Kennedy
• Julee Tilman
• Laura Pryor
• Kristin Eberline
• Tammy Hershberger

Okily-dokily, peepages.  I'm hitting ye ol' hay.  ¡Hasta luego!

 

September Sketch For You To Try!

Oh, man!  Am I ever so happy it's September, my favorite month of the year!  Why?  Well, it's my birth month, and the birth month of my favorite-little-boy-in-the-whole-wide-world (aka Carter, who turns 7 on Tuesday. By the way, in case you think I play favorites, I also have a favorite-big-boy- and a favorite-man-in-the-whole-wide-world).  Summer is waning and autumn is around the bend.  Football season starts (not that I'm a huge football fan, but I do like going to the occasional OU or Claremore Zebras game), new TV shows are premiered, and the holidays are only a stone's throw away.  And then there's that fabulous song by Earth, Wind, & Fire...

I ask you: what's not to love about September?

Another great thing about September: it has it's very own, brand new SKETCH FOR YOU TO TRY!  Take a look:

This month's Sketch For You To Try is being sponsored by SKIPPING STONES DESIGNS.  They are an awesome company with tons of great images.  Unfortunately, I totally dropped the ball on selecting a set to work with due to too many irons in the fire last month (another reason I'm glad it's September!), but I know the rest of the SFYTT Sisters are rocking Skipping Stones' sensational stamps.  {<--- say that four times, fast}

As for me, I'm using an image I colored last Saturday when I had the privilege of being a student of Copic's master instructor, the ever-so-awesome Colleen Schaan (pronounced 'Sean,' like my husband's name.  I always like to know how to pronounce people's names correctly, don't you?  Maybe that's because people always pronounce my name wrong.  Just so you know, Burrage rhymes with 'courage.'  But I digress...).  I was down in Eustis, Florida, at the grand opening of the My Favorite Things store.  It was such an amazing day.  I'm going to have to do a separate post to tell you all about it and show all the pictures I took.  Okay, okay... I'll 'fess up: the real reason I have to tell you all about it in a separate post and not this one is because I have a new little point-and-shoot camera for my purse and I need to find the adapter that will allow me to download the photos.  *sigh*  I know you're surprised!

This is going to be a belated birthday card for my little neice, Blair.  She looks just like this sweet little Pure Innocence gal from the Being Cute Is What I Do set. Here's a close up of her so you can see some of the nifty tricks Colleen taught me, like using a light purple Copic for facial shadows (that faint shadow around the hairline) and flicking.  Let me tell you, flicking will change the way you color!

For the sentiment and number embellishment, I used MFT's By The Numbers Die-Namics and stamp set.  The banner for the sentiment was cut out of vellum using The Cat's Pajamas' Easy Rosette CutUps die.  Anyone know what we used to do before all of these amazing dies came on to the market?! 

Other card details:

• Because the sketch calls for the panels to be weighted down toward the bottom of the card, I took the opportunity to put a strip of bling (by Heidi Swapp) at the top of the card.  What little girl doesn't love a little bling?
• The patterned paper I used is My Mind's Eye's 6x6 'Gertie' pad from their Stella & Rose line.  I know it's been out for a while, but it's new to me and I LOVE it!  So much so, I bought two so I wouldn't have to be stingy with it.
• The image was stamped out in Momento Tuxedo Black onto Copic X-Press Blending card stock.  Listen to me, people: if you have Copics, you MUST try this card stock!  It's a little pricey, but it's worth it!  Because I'm primarily a colorer, I have a really hard time stamping on anything else - I've gotten spoiled by it, it's so phenomenal.  You can get it several places, and if you just want to try out a little bit, you can buy it by the sheet from Your Next Stamp.

Go to Jen's blog at i{heart}2stamp to see what Jen and our September Designer of the Month, the oh-so-inky ALYSSA SCRITCHFIELD, have put together using the September SFYTT, and for all the details about how you can play along with us and be eligible to be our next D.O.M.  Then, be sure to visit my SFYTT Sisters to see what super sweetness they've created to inspire you.

Amber Hight
Amy Sheffer
Jen Tapler
Jodi Collins
Kerry Johnson
Megan Lock
Susan Liles
Terri Moore

Last but not certainly not least, we're thrilled to announce we've got two brand new Sisters joining the crew:

Iwona Palamountain and Becky Carafa!  Welcome to the Sisterhood, ladies! 

Now where did I put that camera cord?