Mother's Little Helper

You Light Up My Life

No, I'm not going to force you to watch a Debbie Boone video. Although here's a fun fact to know and tell: I did perform that song, acapella, with Lori Souza and Patricia Breedlove for the Belle View Elementary School talent show, when we were in the third grade. So there you go!

Let's make this interactive: see if you can figure out what that song has in common with my sample for the current Your Next Stamp Sketch/Color Challenge:

Figure it out?! 

You're so smart. 

I'm thinking this one is going to be part of my 100 Card Challenge for Truman. I honestly can't believe that sweet little baby who was taking his first steps what seems like yesterday is leaving for college in a mere 18 days...

I'm trying to be a big girl and tell myself that this is exactly what's supposed to happen at this stage in his life, that all is right with the world, and I've done my job thus far to get him launched into adulthood. This is good! This is positive! And it's also okay to be a little weepy.

I could go on and on, but I'll spare us both. How about a look at the sketch I used to make my card?

We've already established that you're smart; now, show us how talented you are by participating in YNS's Sketch/Color Challenge #19.  You just might win up to $20 in YNS Bucks or be selected as the Top Pick and get an extra-special badge for your blog. Get all of the details re: how to play on the YNS Blog, as well as more inspiration from YNS's handy-dandy design team members.

Thanks for stopping by to visit me today!  MWAH!

YNS - Perfect Chemistry	YNS - Fast Food Fun Sentiments	YNS - Stitched Rectangle Die Set	YNS - Whatnot Seasons Die Set
YNS - Candy Apple Red Glittered Gumdrops	YNS Sketch Challenge #19	Doodlebug Designs - Day to Day 6x6 pad	Taylored Expressions - Say What Dies
Stampin' Up Card Stock	UltraSmooth Premium White Card Stock	MFT Electric Red Premium Dye Ink	Memento Tuxedo Black
Jody's Foam Boosters	Copic Sketch Markers	MISTI

InLinkz.com

Hello, My Love, I Heard a Kiss From You...

As I've told you many, many, countless times, often while I'm creating a card, a song plays on repeat in my mind. This time, it was a great pleasure: Strawberry Letter 23 by the Brothers Johnson. Here's a refresher, in case you've forgotten or have the misfortune to have never been exposed to this sublime sound from the seventies ('77, to be exact):

Aaah... Do you not feel particularly funky and fresh after watching/listening to that? I know I do. The impetus for my card was not actually this song, but this month's Design Team Dare from Your Next Stamp, the theme of which is Summer Fun.  What reminds me of summer?

STRAWBERRIES! My family are a bunch of strawberry-eatin' fools at this time of year. Truly. We add 'em to our daily protein shakes, cottage cheese, yogurt, and eat them on their own. Nom nom nom!

I was having dog difficulties (I'll save those for another post) when the actual DT Dare took place last week, but I jerry-rigged the guts of that card to fit the current Mojo Monday sketch, like so:

Mmm, mmm, good!  For the image panel, I stamped and masked, then stamped and masked some more, the strawberry image from YNS's Fruity Fun stamp set onto Strathmore Bristol paper. Then, for the first time, I used my new Zig Clean Color Markers (everybody's been raving about them, so I had to give them a shot, too). They're super bright watercolor markers, and very fun to work with. I added "seeds" to the berries by first making an outline with a white colored pencil, then adding a line of glue and Light Gold Opaque Art Glitter (by Barbara Trombley). Here's a closer look:

The sentiment is from YNS's Woodland Cuties stamp set, and the strawberry patterned paper is from Doodlebug Design's Fruit Stand 6"x6" pad.  Because it's Tall & Skinny week for Mojo Monday, this card measures 3.5" x 5.5", and I have to say, I'm loving this size.  A bit smaller canvas, but still fits into a regular A4 envelope. Yay!

Head on over to the Mojo Monday Blog for all the details re: how to participate in this week's challenge, and then visit these crafty folks for more inspiration.

• Julee Tilman (Owner)
• Justin Krieger
• Lori Tecler
• Marisa Ritzen
• Mary Fish
• Sarah Bigelow
• Teresa Kline
• Wanda Cullen

 Stay as cool as the Bros. Johnson, peeps.

Gems Are Truly, Truly Outrageous

Title reference: do you remember the Jem cartoon/dolls from back in the '80s?

She was a little after my Barbie-playing prime, but my oldest niece was very into her, I do recall. When Carter and I went to see "The Minions" last week, there was a trailer for a new, live-action Jem and the Holograms (that was the name of Jem's all-girl band, you know) movie, with Molly Ringwald playing the mom.

Why am I bringing this up? Because I couldn't get that dumb theme song out of my head while I was creating my card for this week's Mojo Monday challenge, #407:

I used the Girl's Best Friend stamp set and coordinating die from Lil' Inker Designs. I was fortunate enough to win a $75 shopping spree to LID by participating in their February Monthly Meet-Up Challenge, and this is part of the lovely loot I ordered. I'm a big fan of Laura Pryor and Lil' Inker Designs -- she's super smart and innovative. If you aren't familiar with LID's products, do yourself a favor and visit the website. I'm forcing myself to use all of my stamps and dies from there at least once before I place another order, but my wishlist is growing, so I need to get after it! The weird part of me that fancies myself a tattoo artist (though I have yet to commit to a tattoo of my own and am not particularly good at drawing) is especially desirous of the Vintage Ink stamp set and coordinating dies...

Anyway -- back to my card. I don't know if you can tell from the photo, but on the sentiment layer I randomly stamped a smaller diamond and star image in Grout Grey ink (MFT Hybrid). I used silver metallic paper from my stash to die cut the large diamonds, and then backed them with white card stock that I brushed with Wink of Stella for extra sparkle. Both diamonds are popped up on Jody Boosters. 

Other card ingredients: patterned paper from Little Yellow Bicycle's Swoon 6"x6" paper pad; black and white card stock; Memento Tuxedo Black ink; black grosgrain ribbon.

Here's a look at this week's sketch:

Head on over to the Mojo Monday Blog for all the details re: how to participate in this week's challenge, and then visit these crafty folks for more inspiration.

• Julee Tilman (Owner)
• Justin Krieger
• Lori Tecler
• Marisa Ritzen
• Mary Fish
• Sarah Bigelow
• Teresa Kline
• Wanda Cullen

Thanks for stopping by to visit me today -- you're a real gem!

Happy Beer Day

Happy Beer Day! What? You don't know what Beer Day is? It's another name for "birthday" for the beer drinkers in your life. See?

I used the current YNS Sketch Challenge (#18) to make this for Your Next Stamp's Fun Friday.  Here's a look at the sketch:

YNS products used for my card include For the Boys and Clowning Around stamp sets, and the YNS Circles Die set.  Here's a close-up of the tipsy pitcher:

I sure hope he has a designated driver...

I kept it pretty true to the sketch and didn't frou-frou it up too much as it's intended for a masculine recipient.  The pitcher is colored with Copic markers and popped up on Jody Boosters. The patterned paper layers were sponged inked on the edges with Pumice Stone Distress Ink. The patterned paper itself is from a couple of years ago -- Simple Stories' I {Heart} Summer 6"x6" pad. 

I'd add more chatter, but my allergies are going cray-cray and I'm going to hit the hay.  Forgive me for not being my normal, long-winded self.

Be sure to head over to the YNS Blog, where you can see several other Fun Friday projects and get all of the details about how you can play along with us. You just might win up to $20 in YNS bucks if you do!

Pineapples Aplenty, Part 1

As a Virginian, I have had a lifelong love and appreciation for that most majestic of fruits, the pineapple. Coming from the Old Dominion and Birthplace of Presidents, as far as we Virginians are concerned, we're the shizzle. How could we not think that, when the Virginian Creed states:

To be a Virginian either by Birth, Marriage, Adoption, or even on one’s Mother’s side, is an Introduction to any State in the Union, a Passport to any Foreign country and a Benediction from Above.

More often than not, the Creed is accompanied by that age-old (to us - we're Americans and brand-new, so what the hell do we know?) symbol of hospitality and welcome, the pineapple.

(I would include images here, but unfortunately I'm writing this post on my husband's wretched PC because I forgot my MacBook when we left town for St. Paul, MN.  It was early, I was cranky, and this is the price I pay... I don't know how nor do I want to take the time to relearn this operating system. Just imagine how AWESOME my post might otherwise be.  I'm sorry I let you down!)  Here is one image, though, of my very favorite new drinking vessel.  I bought this "for Carter" when we were in Florida a couple of weeks ago. But who do you think has been using it most?

Anyway, when I saw my good friend/REVERSE CONFETTI stamp company guru Jen del Muro's stamp set, PINEAPPLES APLENTY, the narcissist in me wanted to believe she had created it just for me. My rational self soon took over, but still felt that I NEEDED this set, with its coordinating dies, and the awesome & easy Pina Colada Quick Card Panels.  Lurve,lurve,lurve 'em!!!

I want/need/must jump back into my privilege of being on the Mojo Monday design team.  Julee has been far more patient than a saint with me, and now that I've been in my new home for a year (even though I still can't find a thing and will move the minute our purchased home is remodeled... don't try to keep up -- it's futile and I'm scattered. I'm a mess; can you relate?), I feel like I need to step up and be consistent. I'm not making promises, but I am endeavoring, and here's my contribution to this week's Mojo Monday Sketch # 405: 

 

As mentioned, I used Reverse Confetti's Pineapples Aplenty stamp set and coordinating Confetti Cuts.  That fabby pineapple panel is from the Pina Colada Quick Cards Panels.  The rest is black and white card stock, and the dotted pattenred paper is from Doodlebug Designs Craft in Color 6"x6" pad.

Head on over to the Mojo Monday blog for the sketch and info about how to play along.  It's the first Monday of the month, which means it's CONTEST WEEK! We'll have one winner for every 50 entries, up to a max of SEVEN winners!!! Winners will receive the Verve Stamps set of their choice. You can play as often as you like, and the more entries the more winners!

For more inspiration, head on over my fellow design team member's blogs -- you'll be ever so glad you did!

• Julee Tilman (Owner)
• Justin Krieger
• Lori Tecler
• Marisa Ritzen
• Mary Fish
• Sarah Bigelow
• Teresa Kline
• Wanda Cullen

I just couldn't leave these sweet pineapples alone -- I'll be back soon to show you what else I made with 'em!  In the meantime, I thank you for visiting me and hope you have a wonderful, Mojo-filled week. :)

Your Next Stamp's July New Release Blog Hop

Howdy, friends! Did you have a great 4th of July and/or Saturday? Did you see that there's a new Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Champion? It's true -- 23 year old Matt Stonie beat longtime champ Joey Chestnut, eating 62 hot dogs in 10 minutes, to Chestnut's 60 hot dogs. Now, in years past, Chestnut has downed 69 hot dogs, so don't count him out. There's always next year!

I have lots of things to say about competitive eating, but I'll save that for another post. In the meantime, it's time for Your Next Stamp's July New Release Blog Hop...

As always, there's tons and tons of fabulous goodness in this month's YNS release.  Exotic animals, flowers, and clowns, oh my!  If you've been hopping along in order, you've come here from one of our two BRAND SPANKIN' NEW design team member's blogs, the oh-so-cute-and-crafty KYMONA. (Sidebar: if you need to start the blog hop from scratch, head over to our July Guest Designer, Francine Vuillème's blog.)

First up, I'm showing you the new FLOWER SPLATTER BACKGROUND STAMP.  This is the fourth of YNS's background stamps, and it's just as fantastic as the others.  Take a look...

For my sample, I went back to my preppy roots with a pink and green color combo, and paired the flowered background with one of my favorite recent sets, Whatnot Sentiments Five. 

 

Could it be any easier to make a quick-but-classy card than by using these two sets? I think not.

Next up, YNS is sending in the clowns. But not the creepy, Stephen-King's-IT-type clowns; these are fun and there's also an anthropomorphic cupcake thrown in, for good measure.

This set is called CLOWNING AROUND, and here's what I made with it, also using YNS's Circles and Piercing Holes dies sets:

Is that little guy fun, or what?  He can definitely give Bozo or Krusty a run for their money! 

I would love to go on and on, but I know you've got many blogs to visit and comment on (so you can win $20 in YNS store bucks; the more comments you leave, the better your chances of winning!  One lucky commenter will win a gift certificate by commenting on the *mystery blog* on this hop; I hope that blog is mine, and that commenter is YOU!). I will therefore reluctantly bid you adieu and send you on your way to the lovely LAURA'S blog.

PS -- Assuming that you're like me, and you love what you see but don't have the patience to wait for the blog hop to be over to see if you've won, go ahead and shop-shop=shop at the YNS Store, as all the new release goodies are available NOW.  And use this coupon code to receive 20% off your order -- then you can buy 20% more stuff for the same price.  Sort of! ;)

A Sparkly Sneak Peek...

Greetings, patriots and friends from abroad!

For those of us in the U.S., today is all about the red, white, and blue. And, of course, fireworks. Fortunately, my SNEAK PEEK for Your Next Stamp's July New Release is in keeping with both of these festive imperatives...

The tag above features YNS's new FIREWORKS BACKGROUND stamp set, which comes with both the fireworks background and sentiment. 

The fam and me are headed to a 4th of July party at some friends' house this evening (keep your fingers crossed that it doesn't rain -- there's a 50% chance. Few things are more dispiriting than soggy fireworks...), so I thought making a tag would be the perfect way to kill two birds with one stone: a design team sample/hostess gift topper combo. Everyone wins! I've been thinking about what to bring the host and hostess. First thought: I could bake them an apple pie. What could be more all-American? Second thought: they'll probably have so much food on hand for the party that receiving one more edible will be met with feigned enthusiasm, at best. Third thought: I could make them a big jar of homemade salsa.  Fourth thought: see second thought.  Fifth thought: just bring wine; not terribly original, but it will eventually be put to good use. The originality will come in the form of my cute, cute tag (that was HAND-STITCHED, with love). Needless to say, I'm going with my fifth thought. 

I really think this firework image is one of the best I've ever seen. Of course, at first glance -- especially around this time of year -- is that it's for July 4, but really, fireworks are perfect for all sorts of congratulatory occasions. Weddings, birthdays, graduations, thank-yous for hot-nights-of-whatever, you name it. Such possibilities!

To create this glittery fizgig, I first stamped the image in VersaMark, then applied PK Glitz Heat Activated Glue Powder.  After hitting it with my heat gun, I then scattered PK Glitz Peppermint Twist Glitter on top.  Once the glue powder dries with the glitter on top, the glitter stays put. Easy-peasy! The sentiment was heat-embossed with regular white fine detail embossing powder.  To get the stitching detail on the Blueberry layer of the tag, I used YNS's STITCHED SQUARES DIES.

This month's YNS release is full of exotic animals, ninjas, rainbows, clowns -- you name it!  Visit the YNS Blog for links to all of today's Sneak Peeks, then come back tomorrow for the New Release Blog Hop for even more stamping splendor. I guarantee it will be amazing!  In the meantime,

Orange Sherbet and Purple Socks

Ice cream makes everyone happy. Except maybe the lactose-intolerant; I imagine it makes them sad, or even angry.

I wonder if Lactaid, and the like, actually work? Any of you know? Please leave a comment and tell me. I'll report back to the rest of you.

Assuming you are not lactose-intolerant, what's your favorite ice cream flavor?  I love a good coffee ice cream (even more than I love actual coffee, which to be honest with you, I can take or leave most mornings; I don't miss it when I don't have it), and orange sherbet has been a favorite from my earliest memories. I actually worked at a Baskin Robbins, briefly, when I was in high school. I even waited on Donny Osmond, once, who was the first male I ever recall having a crush on. He is teeny-tiny, in real life. Thanks to ice cream, I know these things.

Are you wondering why all the ice cream talk?  Well, it has to do with my YNS Fun Friday card.  See what I mean?

Triple scoop with sprinkles and a cherry on a sugar cone! Well, not for real (it's made of paper, you know). But it looks pretty luscious, thanks to Your Next Stamp's BUILD-A-TREAT die set and STRAWBERRY GUMDROPS.  I used the current YNS Sketch Challenge (#17):

The patterned paper is from Doodlebug Design's Sugar Shoppe 6x6 pad, and the sentiment is from a discontinued YNS stamp set called "Total Sweetness" (I believe). 

Head on over to the YNS Blog to see what half of the design team has put together for this challenge, and for all the info about how you can play along and be eligible to win up to $20 worth of product from the YNS Store.

See you tomorrow when I'll be back with a very patriotic sneak peek from the YNS July Release!