Mother's Little Helper

A {Puppy Lovin'} April Sketch For You To Try

Happy Saturday, peeps! Have you been good little bunnies?  I sure hope so - the Easter Bunny has BIG ears, you know, the better to hear whether you've been naughty or nice...

Hey - it works for Santa; I say if there's an expectation of treats on a given holiday, it's an opportunity to leverage good behavior.  We parents gotta use all the tools in our toolboxes, no?

Anyway!  I could easily go off on a tangent, but I've got important stuff to share with you delightful people today.  First of all, it's the first Saturday of the month, which means it's time for a brand new SKETCH FOR YOU TO TRY!  Huzzah! (<-- say like Montgomery Burns)

This month's SFYTT is sponsored by the fabulous THERE SHE GOES

I've got to say, I am utterly smitten with TSG stamps!  They truly have something for any and every style, from cute and cartoony (which is my first love in stamping - for those, be sure to check out the sets illustrated by Torico - LOVE!), to elegant and refined; whether you like to color or prefer stamping with solid images. There are several sets with hilariously clever sentiments (I'm pretty sure Loads of Fun was created just for me), and TSG even has their own line of dies. Good stuff, I tell you!

Ready to see this month's sketch?  But of course you are...

And here's what I made with it, using what may just be the most adorable dog lovers set, ever created, PUPPY LOVE:

I've had my eye on this set for a long time; it was sold out when I placed my last TSG order, but I'm happy to report it is back in stock.  I made this card expressly for Mr. Carter.  I mentioned a while back that he would be having a major surgery coming up; it's scheduled for this month, on the 19th.  Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.  We've talked about it a lot, and he's actually looking forward to it - he thinks it's going to be nothing but presents and Lego building and watching movies in his hospital room.  That pesky operation is a small price to pay for all the fun we're going to have...  So far, he's planning on viewing marathons of the Harry Potter, Star Wars, and Pirates of the Carribean series; all of these movies have their own Lego sets and Lego video games.  Coincidence?

Anyway, I'm going to give this card to Carter while he's in the hospital, along with a nifty gifty I think he's really going to like. (I would tell you what it is, but I know you can't keep a secret.) Here's what I know Carter will say when he sees it:

• Those dogs look like Sweet Pea!
• That one is you, with the green collar because green is your favorite color, and that one is me with the blue collar because blue is my favorite color.  {<-- Besides me, Carter is the only one in my family who would notice such a thing. I love that about him. :)}

Here we are, close up...

Don't you *ruff* it?!  I colored the little scene with Copics, masked the dogs, and airbrushed the sky.  The brads around the image layer are supposed to remind you of a studded dog collar - did it work?  The fun paw print paper is from We R Memory Keepers' Friends Furever 6"x6" pad. 

The details on how to participate in this month's sketch (and become eligible to be a future SFYTT Designer of the Month) are in the Notes to Know at the end of the post.  You'll definitely want to head over to The Sketcher Herself, JEN DEL MURO's blog to see what she and April DOM Dawn Barghorn have put together to inspire you.  And, of course, you'll also want to see the sensational samples stamped by my stupendous SFYTT Sisters...

Amber Hight
Amy Sheffer
Becky Carafa
Jen Tapler
Jodi Collins
Kerry Johnson
Megan Lock
Susan Liles

Thanks for stopping by to see my today, and I wish you and yours a miraculous Easter.

 

All New in Two Thousand One-Two!

Man, oh man! Do I have a bunch of good stuff to share with you today!  An excellent way to start off the New Year, if I do say so myself.  Thus, I shall quit chattering and get down to business. 

First things, first: it's the first Mojo Monday of 2012, so I've got a brand new sketch to share with you.  Take a look...

And guess what, you lucky ducks?  Alma gave me a special dispensation to give you an extra early SNEAKY PEEK of one of the new sets and dies being released on Tuesday, January 10th by The Cat's Pajamas!  Sneaky Peek Week doesn't actually begin until tomorrow, but thanks to my friend in high places, here's a look-see at the new FEELIN' CUPIDY stamp set and HEART ROSETTE CutUps die, using this week's Mojo Monday sketch:

You know that sentiment makes you want to break out in song: "Love hurts... love scars... love wounds, and mars..."

Isn't Mr. Bunny-as-Cupid a cutie? But watch out for those pointy heart arrows...  I colored Bunny Cupid with Copic markers and gave his wings a coat of Stardust Stickles.  I used the new HEART ROSETTE CutUps die to create the quarter-circle layer laid out in the sketch.  I kept it flat, but it folds up to make a beautiful, easy Rosette, as I'm sure you'll be seeing in TCP Sneaky Peeks during the course of this week. 

Of course, you'll want to go by the Mojo Monday blog for all of the details about how to play along with this week's sketch and kickstart your Mojo in this fine New Year.  And - bounus! - it's PRIZE WEEK! If you participate and your card is deemed one of the Mojo-est Of Them All, you win a FREE stamp set of your choice from VERVE STAMPS! Surely that beats many things, including a poke in the eye with a sharp stick, no?  For more visual inspiration, visit my fellow Mojo Makers to see how they interpreted this week's sketch:

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

Changing subjects: in one of my few posts from last month, I shared with you the news that I had to put my beloved German Shepherd, Gretel, to sleep at the end of November. I was absolutely heartbroken as Gretel was truly my canine soulmate.  The peril of being a pet lover/owner is that you know your time with them is limited, and barring a tragedy, you will eventually grieve their passing.  It's the circle of life, and all that Lion King-y stuff.

I guess you could say my husband, Sean, is kinda like Rafiki, because look what he presented me with on December 22nd:

A 10 week old, male German Shepherd puppy! We've named him RINGO (after Ringo Starr - I'm a big Beatles fan, you know.  Plus, it's a good dog name in that it's two syllables and ends in a long 'o' as recommended by the Monks of New Skete, an order of Monks that breed German Shepherd puppies and the authors of several books like How To Be Your Dog's Best Friend and The Art of Raising a Puppy). 

Look at that face!

He is a nipping, rambunctious force to be reckoned with, let me tell you!  And he's doubled in size, already.  Look at those paws - he's going to be H-U-G-E!  We're having a great time with him, even as I'm getting up in the middle of the night to take him outside to go potty.

I think Sweet Pea kind of likes him, too...

Awww! :)

 

December Sketch For You to Try ~ Hi-Ya!

Hi-Ya, friends!  It's the first Saturday in December, which means it's time for a brand new SKETCH FOR YOU TO TRY.  And guess what?  For those who've been playing along in all of the SFYTTs for the year, it's the month of the HUGE Christmas Prize Drawing!  Yay!

Ready to see this month's sketch?  Here it is...Another great one, don't you think?  And here's what I did with it, using an image from one of our fabulous SFYTT sponsors from this past year, MY FAVORITE THINGS:

I've had this image -- Pure Innocence - Karate Boy -- colored and sitting on my desk since September, just waiting to be featured in a card.  I colored him when I attended a Copic Class at MFT Headquarters in Eustis, FL (better known as the hometown of THE MFT LADY, mi amiga Kim van der Sanden).  The Copic class was taught Colleen Schaan, and was held in conjunction with the grand opening of the MFT Store.  It was truly a memorable day. :)

Anyway, Carter has a buddy with a birthday coming up, and I figured putting Karate Boy in this month's SFYTT would be a great way to kill three birds (poor birdies...) with one stone: my SFYTT sample, the birthday card, and getting this little guy off of my desk.  Not sure if he does karate or tae-kwon-do, but maybe this'll inspire him to ask his mom for lessons.  I'm sure she'll thank me for that... ;)

You'll definitely want to stop by JEN's blog to see what she's made with this month's sketch and to read more about how to play along and eligibility for the HUGE Christmas Eve Prize Drawing.  To see what lovely creations my SFYTT Sisters have created with this month's sketch, please visit...

• Amy Sheffer
• Becky Carafa
• Iwona Palamountain
• Jen Tapler
• Jodi Collins
• Kerry Johnson
• Megan Lock
• Susan Liles
• Terri Moore

Now, in non-stamping related news, I'd like to leave a little tribute to a very, very special soul who left us this past week.  She was the kind of friend who comes along once in a lifetime, and I will miss her until the day I day.  I've never had a more loyal, trusted, or sweet friend, and she loved me and mine through thick and thin.  Until we meet again, my dearest Gretel...

(Gretel in 2008, modeling a bandana featuring images from The Cat's Pajamas)

Gretel Burrage, 2002-2011

Rest In Peace, Good Girl

Krafty Peeks, Day 2

Hi there!  Ready for a look-see at one of the new images being released on Sunday by Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps?  Today, the Krafty Girls & Guests are giving you a peek at the latest from KKS illustrator, Emilie Goulet.  Emilie's got two collections of doggone C-U-T-E stamps that are perfect for dog loving crafters.

Check out this precious pup...

Ms. Poodle is from the Canine Capers 2 set.  Be sure to stop by the Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Challenge Blog for direct links to all of today's participating designers; it's a show to rival Westminster!  As usual, if you're interested in winning FREE stamps, you'll want to leave messages on all of today's Krafty Peekin' blogs; one lucky person will score Canine Capers 1, and a second will get Canine Capers 2. 

WOOF!

It's Monday: Do You Know Where Your Mojo Is?

Here it is!  In the form of Mojo Monday Sketch #191:

And here's what I did with it, using last week's TCP Tuesday Color Challenge (Spring Moss, Bashful Blue, and Gray):

I used the precious Field of Pinwheels image from The Cat's Pajamas most recent release.  I airbrushed the background by making a mask out of Eclipse masking tape and TCP's Grass CutUps die.  I stamped the image on top of the airbrushed background, then stamped it again on white card stock, colored it in with Copics, trimmed it out, and adhered the colored images to the background.  Clear as mud?  Good.  I aim to edify!

Ready to see what all the Mojo Makers did with today's sketch?  I love waking up every Monday and seeing what the gang made with this week's sketch.  Julee's done a great job of amassing a unique blend of stamping styles amongst the Mojo Makers, so you're sure to find at least one creation that jumpstarts your own creativity.    Then, create your version of the sketch and link it to today's Mojo Monday blog post.  If you upload to a public gallery, be sure to use 'MOJO191' as a keyword so we can give you snaps. 

Here are links to all my Mojo Maker comrades - stop by and give 'em a little sugar for helping you rev up your mojo this May Monday morning:

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

In a little non-stamping related chatter, I have to show you this picture of my dog, Sweet Pea.  Remember me introducing you to her a few months ago?  Well, she's developed another peculiar habit.  See for yourself:

I took this picture from inside the house, looking out onto the back deck.  That's Sweet Pea, perched on top of one of our two barbeque grills (my husband needed both; don't ask).  She walks back and forth on top of them; it's her version of a deer stand, I suppose.  (You know, those tall things hunters wait on when they go out deer hunting.  I think.  I don't know the first thing about hunting, to tell you the truth.  Despite marrying a boy from Antlers, Oklahoma - aka Deer Hunting Capital of the World.)  I guess getting on top of the grills gives her a better view than just sitting on the deck itself.  Better for spying on wabbits, and all of the other critters she likes to chase around the yard. 

She's a weirdo, but she's our weirdo and we love her.  You should hear Carter babytalk to her: "Who's the pretty princess dog?  Who's our sweet girl?"  So cute!

Have a wonderful day, and thanks for visiting me!

Supplies used:

Stamps: Field of Pinwheels by The Cat's Pajamas; Paper: Neenah 110 lb. Natural White from The Cat's Pajamas, Amy Butler Lotus Mat Pad by K & Co., Spring Moss & Spring Rain (PTI), Basic Gray (SU!); Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Accessories: Mojo Monday 191 Sketch, Grass Cut Ups die (The Cat's Pajamas), Eclipse masking tape, Nestabilities - Labels # 8 & Scalloped circles, 1 1/4" circle punch, corner rounder, Copic markers, Spring Rain grosgrain ribbon (PTI), American Crafts medium and mini brads in silver, sewing machine, Jody Morrow's foam boosters.

My New BFF

You know, Paris Hilton had to create a TV show in order to find herself a new BFF.¹ Me?  I just went to a nearby Petsmart during an adoption event to find mine.  I wasn't even 'in the market' for a new BFF, but there was something about this particular gal that I couldn't forget.  A few weeks later, she came over for a playdate.  That was three weeks ago, and she hasn't left since.  Want to meet her?  

Introducing... SWEET PEA!

Isn't she adorable?  She came to us from Zoi's Animal Rescue, a no kill shelter located in my hometown of Claremore, OK. 

The shelter listed her as a three-year-old terrier mix.  She's pretty small (I'd say she weighs about 40 lbs., tops), and looks to have some Lab, maybe a touch of Pit Bull, and judging from the swoop of her rib cage to her hind quarters either some Whippet or Greyhound.

In other words, she's an All-American Mutt!  And as sweet and funny as can be... just look at her.  You can tell by those ears that she's got personality in abundance.

Sweet Pea is great with kids and is happy to have Carter hang all over her.  She's housebroken, crate-trained, well-mannered, and has obviously been on a leash before.  The shelter seemed to think that she has special needs (some vision and hearing loss on one side), but I've seen absolutely no evidence of that whatsoever.

Here's Sweet Pea's profile on Petfinder; I stared at it several times as I tried to decide whether or not I really wanted to commit to another dog.  One morning, I had just clicked off Sweet Pea's page, when out of the blue, I decided to visit my Dirty Dozen buddy Christine Okken's blog.  Seriously, her profile pic just kind of popped into my head, and it had been a while since I'd visited her blog or had seen what she'd been up to.  The title of the top post on her blog?  Such Sweet Peas.  I KID YOU NOT!!!  Doesn't that give you the shivers?!  I mean, if that's not a sign from above...

BUT -- don't let her sweet face fool you -- Sweet Pea is full of mischief and loves to hop the back fence to chase squirrels, ducks, and any other small creature that crosses her path; she's DEFINITELY got some sort of terrier in her².  And if she catches one?  She gives it a proper funeral in the flower bed in the front yard. Nice...  This is how she looked after a recent 'undertaking':

Oh, well.  That's okay, Sweet Pea.  No one understands better than I do that a girl needs to have her hobbies.  You're easy to wash, and even though you shed like a mother-button-son-of-a-basket, your search for a forever family is over.  Make yourself at home, girlie.  

 

Footnotes:

1. Paris Hilton's My New BFF show has aired two seasons, one of which was taped in the U.S., and the second of which was taped in London.  Apparently there's also third season which was taped in Dubai and has not aired due to legal problems.  Paris has recently said that she no longer wants to portray herself as the 'dumb blonde' as she has in both The Simple Life and My New BFF, so I'm thinking the BFF series is over.  And that's waaaaaaaaay more than you wanted to know about that.
2. There are tons of terrier breeds, and most of them originated in UK in order to keep various types of vermin under control.  Call me an apologist, but as far as the squirrels and what not, I think Sweet Pea's just responding to thousands of years of genetic coding.  Fish gotta swim, birds gotta fly...

Dirty {not so} Little Secret

As some of you may already know, I've been carrying around a big ol' secret for the past month: I was tapped to become one of the Dirty Dozen for Splitcoaststampers!  It feels so weird to write that, and I really still can't even believe it's happened. 

Practically from the moment I logged on to SCS (and certainly after the first couple of uploads -- I need my instant gratification, you know.  Can't be waiting around for moderator approval, especially when working on a challenge!), I've been a member of the SCS Fan Club and looked forward to the 15th of each month to see who the latest Dirty Girls would be.  When stamping crossed that borderline (do NOT start singing that song by Madonna and thinking about what she's up to these days.  What's her marriage really like?  Is she going to adopt any more children from Malawi?  Has she had plastic surgery?  What's her workout routine?  No, don't go there!  Pay attention!) Where was I?  Oh, yeah.  When stamping stopped being a mere hobby I dabbled in when I had a bit of free time to a daily priority (that seems coincide with when one starts doing the SCS challenges on a regular basis), I began to fantasize that maybe, just maybe, one day...

Well, it's just really and truly a dream come true for me.  And for those of you who are a wee bit irritated that I didn't tell them before the reveal... I'm sorry!  Please forgive me!  It's the rules, you know?  And as all of you know, I would NEVER break the rules... (*so glad my mom doesn't read my blog*)

Anyway, my roomie during my Dirty stint is Denise Marzec (aka peanutbee).  We're the same age (she looks younger, but I'm sure I'm wiser ; ) ), and she looks so much like one of my college roommates (shout out to Nancy (Martin) Williams of Saint Augustine, FL!  Hi, Nance!) it kinda freaks me out.  Oh, and speaking of FREAKING OUT, that's what y'all are going to do when the new wave of Dirty Girls are revealed next month.  Hee hee!  I know, I know, that's mean of me to taunt you like that.  But I swear, when they were announced last night, I just about lost complete control of my bodily functions!  Don't ask me who they are because I won't tell you.  After all, I do know how to keep a secret...

After all that blah blah blah, how about a little eye candy?  Here's a ATC I made for a swap with the MFT gals, depicting me walking my canine soul mate, Gretel.  By the way, that German Shepherd stamp?  Specifically created in honor of the one and only Gretel Burrage!  It's true!  Woof to Kim and Christy!

 

 

Here's a group shot...

And yes, of course I always walk her in a skirt and heels...

I'll be back tomorrow for TCP Tuesday -- I'm the Hipster Hostess with the Mostess and I'll be serving up an inspiration challenge you won't want to miss!

Supplies Used:
Stamps: Gone to the Dogs,  by My Favorite Things; Paper: Berry Sorbet, Blush Blossom, patterned paper by PTI, Georgia Pacific White; Ink: Brilliance Archival Graphite Black; Accessories: Copic Sketch markers, Fun Flock, Dimensionals, embroidery floss.

Even Dogs Love The Cat's Pajamas (and BLOG BON-BONS!)

Meet Gretel -- she's the world's greatest dog, my canine soul mate, and my constant companion.  She's practically my shadow.  As I type this, she's laying on a dog bed underneath my craft table.  When I wrap this up, I'll head for bed, and she'll sleep on her bed next to my nightstand.  If I get up in the middle of the night, she follows; if my husband does, she won't move.  On the rare occasion I sleep in, she stays put until i wake.  The only time this differed was when Carter was an infant and his nursery was located in what is now my craft room, adjacent to our bedroom.  Until Carter started sleeping through the night, she would stay by his bed at night and then come nudge me when he would wake.  I kid you not.  I can say to her "Gretel, go get in your crate," and she'll immediately go get in her crate in the utility room.  And she's never really been trained.  We took a puppy manners course long ago, and she learned a few basics like "sit," but otherwise, it's pretty much because we just understand one another completely.  I can't adequately express how much I love this dog.  Are you getting the picture?

When I told Gretel I was joining the design team of a stamp company called "The Cat's Pajamas" whose mascot was, well, a cat, she had reservations.  "You're a dog person," she said with her eyes.  I knew I had to do something to show Gretel that Sprinkle would never take her place, that this was purely about stamps, and that I wasn't laying the groundwork for bringing a live cat into our home.  I had a brilliant idea: Gretel loves to get all dolled up and wear bandannas.  I would make one for her decorated with images from the new "It's a Mod, Mod World" set!  So that's exactly what I did.  Here's a close-up:
I bought a plain white bandanna at JoAnn's, taped it down to my work surface so it wouldn't move around, then inked up my stamps with ColorBox Pigment Brush Pads and started stamping away, much as you would if you were trying to create a one-sheet-wonder background.  It turned out pretty cute, and Gretel was satisfied.  She's okay with TCP now.  My hope is that eventually, she will develop a fondness for Poochie, but I don't want to push her too quickly; I need to let it be her idea. 

Alma sent me an extra set of "It's a Mod, Mod World" to give away as Blog Bon-Bons.  Are you interested? (Silly question, huh?!)  It comes with 18 images, including both sizes of Sprinkle, Poochie, & Fifi, some cool cars and spaceships, a TV, stars, four sentiments, etc.  Really and truly, it's made up of the core images upon which the entire swanky empire that is TCP was built.  I'm telling you, it's a stamping necessity! 

So here's what I'm thinking: in honor of the peace accord between Gretel and Sprinkle, I want you to leave a comment on this post about your favorite pet.  It can be any animal, living or deceased.  Be sure to mention why this particular one was the most special.  I'll randomly select a number at noon on Sunday to determine the lucky winner.

And if you're not feeling lucky and just want to buy the set?  It goes live tomorrow (Friday!) and I'll have a couple more fun samples to show you.

Now, if you'll excuse me, it's late.  Gretel and I need our beauty sleep!

Another Fun Little Tin!

I am loving these little Altoid-y tins at the moment -- such a fun way to package a small gift.  Here's one that I've had loaded for over a week (such good stuff inside!) but haven't had a chance to decorate before today:
Isn't it cute?!  I LOVE that image and have been champing at the bit to get it inky -- it's by Kym Bowles for American Art Stamps, and when they ran their banner on SCS a few weeks ago, I couldn't help but click.  (Note to stamp companies wondering whether those banner ads really work: yes, they do!  I click on almost every one I see...)  Needless to say, I came away poorer in dollars, but richer in rubber.  Here's a side view of the tin, so you can check out the ribbon trim: The gals were colored with Copic Sektch and Spica markers (check out the little lipstick stains on their glasses :) ).  The frame around them is from "What's In Your Tin 2" by Melanie Muenchinger for Gina K. Designs, and the sentiment is from Thoughtful Florals by Verve Visual.

"Yeah, yeah," you say.  "But who's it for?!"

Well, I can't tell you or it wouldn't be a surprise, now, would it?  But I'll give a hint.  If we were supposed to look like the girls pictured on the tin, both of us would need hair extensions, and my friend's legs would need to be considerably longer... And after this glass or four of wine, our real-life selves would want to karaoke -- I transform from a shy, meek wallflower into quite the karaoke showgirl ("Love Shack" and "Like a Virgin" are my signature tunes), and my mystery friend knows the words to every show tune ever written...

Supplies used -- Stamps: image by American Art Stamps; frame from What's In Your Tin 2 by Melanie Muenchinger for Gina K. Designs, sentiment from Thoughtful Florals by Verve Visual.  Paper: Strathmore Bristol white, Basic Grey Gypsy 6" x 6" pad; Ink: Brilliance Archival Graphite Black, Pink Passion by SU!; Accessories: "Altoid" tin from Gina K. Designs, corner rounder, ribbon, Copic Sketch & Spica Markers, Sakura Glaze pen (to make the glasses look 'glassy').

One more pic for ya -- taken yesterday of my dog, Gretel.  Who doesn't love a nap on a lazy Sunday afternoon?

And don't forget: tomorrow is TCP Tuesday! 

Sunday Two-fer!

I had a chance to play this afternoon with some of the new Cat's Pajamas stamps that I got for Christmas -- I love love love Cat's Pajamas' whole line, and I can't wait for Jan. 19th when they will be releasing five new sets of clear stamps.  From the sneak peeks I've seen so far on CP's design team blogs, I fear I'm going to be in big trouble -- I might just have to do the whole, "Honey, what if I just went ahead and bought my own Valentine present this year?  Wouldn't that make it easier on you?" routine...
I combined this weekend's Inspiration (to use this family of Amy Butler fabrics as inspiration; that's where I got my color scheme) and Featured Stamper (I'mVeronica, whose card gave me my layout and a lot of details like the line border/sentiment frame on the base layer -- isn't that cool?) Challenges to make this card.  Poochie and Sprinkle are making some fairly intricate patterns on the ice, as denoted by the highlighted paper piercings.  They're also popped up on Dimensionals for a little depth.  I knitted a little argyle sweater for Poochie, and Sprinkle's chic emsemble is adorned with tangerine Liquid Applique.

Supplies Used -- Stamps:  Images and sentiment by Cat's Pajamas, doodle on background panel from Setting the Stage by MFT; Ink: Basic Black, Brilliance Archival Graphite Black, More Mustard; Paper: More Mustard, Basic Gray, Shimmery White, Basic Black, Martha Stewart gray, Georgia Pacific white; Accessories: Copic Sketch Markers, SU! Sampin' Write markers, paper piercer, Liquid Applique, artist's pen, Dimensionals, corner rounder.

Miss Diva has been home for a week, and, well, we're doing pretty good, unless you consider that DH and I had a long conversation last night regarding whether or not we should keep her (she had chewed up Truman's X-Box 360 headset and remote controller a few moments prior).  She's sort of on probation.  But look at this face... she's just so darling, and she has a great personality...

Guess who's coming home?!

You got it!  Miss Diva is coming home from doggie-training school at long, long last!  So I made my card for Jen's Sketch For You To Try in Diva's honor.  Don't you just love the little crown brad?  I thought it was perfect for our puppy princess.  Be sure to check out what Shannan Teubner and Susan Liles did with this great sketch, on Jen's site you can see not only her sweet sample but also a gorgeous floral created by her guest designer, Amy Sheffer (aka PickleTree on SCS).

If you're inspired to use this sketch -- and really, how can you not be?! -- when you upload it to your SCS gallery, be sure to tag it with the keyword "SFYTT" so that we can be sure to check it out. 

Supplies used -- Stamps: Dog by Rubber Soul, sentiment by Art Gone Wild, Loving Hearts by SU!; Paper: Regal Rose, Basic Black, Georgia Pacific White, patterned paper Loves Me by SU! and dots by SandyLion Designs; Ink: Regal Rose, Basic Black, Brilliance Archival Graphite Black; Accessories: Copic Sketch and Spica markers, crown brad, ribbon, corner punch, dimensionals.

We pick Diva up tomorrow.  I'm a bit leery, I have to confess.  Truman (my 11 year old) has been on me for a couple of weeks to find out when exactly we'd be getting her back.  I had called the trainer when I got back from Michigan in mid-December, but she acted like Diva had a ways to go partially because of the ice storm interrupting her training and because she -- the trainer -- had gone through a bout of pneumonia.  Well, that was three weeks ago, and  initially training was only supposed to be  6-8 weeks.  And Diva has been there since mid-October.  So I made the call.

The trainer said, "How about Sunday?"  Great! I responded.  Are we coming for a visit or to take her home?  She laughed, "Whatever you want."

"Well, what do you recommend?"

"She has such a strong work drive," the trainer said.  "Some dogs are immediately great family dogs.  They want nothing more than to come inside and lay at your feet and be petted.  Then... there are other dogs, and their work drive is really, really strong.  And Diva has one of the strongest work drives I've come across."

This is a woman who trains police dogs, search and rescue dogs, etc.  I would think she's seen her fair share of dogs that like to work.

"Um, I'm kind of confused by what you mean by 'work drive.'  Is that a euphemism for 'crazy?'"

(To be continued...)

Figure 8

I just finished these Elzybells ATCs for one of Taylor Vanbruggen's famous ATC swaps. This is first time to participate in one Taylor's swaps, and I'm excited to see what I get back. I just love things that are miniature, and ATCs are kind of a miniature card, don't you think? This ATC was inspired by the classic Schoolhouse Rock episode, "Figure 8" ("If you skate, you would be great/If you could make a figure 8..."). I have to say, I think it's pretty darn adorable!

Elzybell's skating tracks were made via paper piercing, and she's colored in with a combination of Copic Sketch and Spica markers. Her jade-colored outfit was colored with Tombow ABT marker # 281. The image layer was a tiny bit plain on it's own, so inked the edges with silver chalk ink, and then added a bit of Martha ribbon and snowflake brads on the empty corners. The background patterned paper is by EK Success, and the base layer cardstock is Soft Sky.

Supplies used -- Stamps: Elzybells NA Ice Skater; Paper: Soft Sky and Shimmery White by SU!, patterned paper by EK Success; Ink: Brilliance Archival Graphite Black, Colorbox silver chalk ink; Accessories: Copic Sketch and Spica markers, Tombow ABT marker # 281, paper piercer, ribbon by Martha Stewart for Michael's, Making Memories snowflake brads.

Diva Update!
A week or so ago I posted about how our Lab puppy, Diva, was at dog-training boot camp. Here's the latest email I received from the trainer:

Diva has had a little set back with her stay. This is normal. Looking at 2 weeks, she is sitting immediately when you stop. Her down is reluctant but there, there is no more jumping on people. She will move into our house this weekend to finish her house breaking, and house etiquette. All in all she is doing great. Her only fault is her pray drive, wanting to chase anything that runs, but she will listen to you to come back and as she matures, so will her focus. I know she is as excited about going home as you are.

I interpret this to mean she should be home in a couple of weeks? We miss you, Diva!

"Where Diva?"

Diva is our Labrador Retriever puppy. Tomorrow she'll be eight months old. She's not home right now. She's away, and she has been for a couple of weeks. At some point everyday, Carter, my three year old, asks, "Where Diva?" "Diva's at school," is the answer. Yep, Diva had to go to doggie boot camp. She's at Adams K-9 Academy, where she's hopefully learning how to be a Good Dog. Not that she was so terrible before, she was just very... unruly. A wild child, if you will. When Gretel, our now five-year-old German Shepherd was a puppy, I had the time and energy to devote to properly training a high energy dog. But that was before the abovementioned three year old came onto the scene, and things are different now. And because Diva is such a sweetheart -- she lets Carter roll all over her without blinking an eye, and she's so happy! She doesn't just wag her tail, she wags her whole body -- I want her to be a dog we want to be around, and not stuck in the backyard all of the time. She deserves to be taught good manners. The only option seemed to be to hand over her training to professionals, so that's what we've done. Here's the latest email I've received on Diva:

Diva is progressing as expected. She is anxious to walk on her leash, doing a sit as soon as you stop now. Almost completely stopped pulling on the leash in her heel, but the squirrels are a true test for her. She is doing excellent with her canine social skills.

Maybe there's something there we can all learn from: don't let the squirrels get you down!

Like Carter, I miss Miss Diva. So when I finally got this much anticipated, truly gorgeous set by My Favorite Things in today's mail, I inked it up right away in honor of our absent family member. I imagine that this is Diva and me, walking on the beach in Edgartown on Martha's Vineyard, a couple of years from now (I realize Martha's Vineyard is a long way from Claremore, Oklahoma, but one can dream...).

Today's Technique Lovers' Challenge was to make a horizontal pocket card. I used Soft Sky cardstock for all but the image panel, which was a scrap of Fabriano Mediovalis paper, and a touch of SU! patterned paper. The fabulous ribbon is from a TexasJodyLynn ribbon share. I made the scallops with SU!'s slit punch, and the white caps on the waves were made with Liquid Applique. I first stamped the image in Brilliance Archival Graphite Black then masked it. I tore a scrap of paper and reverse masked the sand, surf, and sky in River Rock, Cool Carribean, and Soft Sky inks respectively. The sand and surf was applied with a stipple brush, while the sky was lightly sponged. The sand was highlight with one of the Itty Bitty Background stamps in Sahara Sand.

Supplies used -- Stamps: By the Seashore by My Favorite Things, Itty Bitty Backgrounds by SU!; Paper: Soft Sky, Very Vanilla, Fabriano Mediovalis, patterned paper by SU!; Ink: Brilliance Archival Graphite Black, Sahara Sand, River Rock, Cool Carribean, Soft Sky; Accessories: Copic Sketch Markers, Ribbon, SU! slit punch, Liquid Applique, stipple brush, sponge, SU! Round Tab punch, corner rounder by Creative Memories.

I can't resist showing you a few pictures of our baby girl. The ones on the ends were taken her first month with us. The one of her and Carter isn't the best photo, but it's one of my favorites. The middle pic is one of the most recent I have of her, though it is a couple of months old. And yes, that is a hanger she's chewing on...