Mother's Little Helper

Sympathetic Pineapples

As a longtime lover and semi-collector of all things pineapple, the current pineapple trend makes me slap-happy.

I received an order from Lil Inker Designs last week; I know I said I'd ink up all of my LID stamp sets that I had before placing another order, but I couldn't resist the new Pineapple Panache stamp set, and LID was having a birthday sale. What's a girl to do? She's to order the pineapple set and coordinating die, as well as a few of the other sets/dies she's been wanting (because: 20% off!). And that's how you go broke saving money.

Anyway, I was itching to play with aforementioned Pineapple Panache, I needed to make my sample for Mojo Monday, and a close friend's grandmother passed away last week.  Those parameters were not enough: I also wanted to participate in the current Color Throwdown challenge (#357). Thus, I determined to make a pineapple-themed sympathy card with this sketch and color scheme:

And here's what I came up with, turning the sketch on it's side:

The card measures 3.5" by 5.5". I used LID's Circles & Diamonds Stitched Background Die to give the white background a little texture.  The sentiment came from LID's Really Rosemaling stamp set, and was heat embossed with white detail embossing powder.

My ink colors are Baja Breeze (Stampin' Up!) and Blush (Close To My Heart), both of which seem to be retired.

Ready to play in this week's Mojo Monday challenge? Then head over to the Mojo Monday blog where you'll find all of the details, and be sure to visit my fellow Mojo Monday design team members for lots of lovely inspiration:

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

LID Pineapple Panache stamp set	LID Pineapple Panache die	LID Really Rosemaling stamp set	LID Circles & Diamonds Stitched Pattern die
MFT Card Stock	VersaMark	Stampendous Detail White Embossing Powder	Jody's Foam Boosters
MISTI

InLinkz.com

You're Seriously Awesome

Hello, hello!  I'm here, and I'M NOT GOING TO TALK ABOUT the fact that my firstborn is leaving for college tomorrow. 

I'm telling myself that I am absolutely fine with this fact. It's a good thing! Especially considering the alternatives. It's the circle of life, right?

Right. So let's move along, shall we? Everything is right with the world. (*breathing in through the nose, out through the mouth... breathing in through the nose, out through the mouth...)

Today I've got a TRIPLE THREAT card for you! That's right, I've combined three -- count 'em: 3! -- challenges in one single card. I'm not going to claim it's the holy trinity, but it's definitely a trinity of some sort. Let me explain:

1. It's my sample for this week's MOJO MONDAY card sketch -- # 411, for your information.
2. The color scheme is from the current COLOR THROWDOWN challenge, #355.
3. I used stamps and dies from Lil Inker Designs, just in time for their AUGUST MONTHLY MEET-UP challenge.

Here's my card, also very suitable for my 100 Card Challenge for Truman (the aforementioned eldest sweet child o' mine):

The Basic Gray card stock was so dark, I knew I'd need to add an interior panel of white to make it useable. I also know myself well enough to know that I'd better do so when I make it, or it might never get done. There are so many great sentiments in the Seriously Awesome stamp set, that I couldn't help but stamp one in Tempting Turquoise ink to the interior panel:

Compare and contrast to the various challenge parameters:

And be sure to visit the MOJO MONDAY BLOG to see how you can play along. For further inspiration, visit my craty Mojo Monday Design Team Members at:

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

Thank you so much for coming to visit me today! I get by with a little help from my friends, like you. :)

Little Inker Designs - Seriously Awesome stamp set	Lil Inker Designs - Pointelle Cover Up die	Lil Inker Designs - Seriously Die	Stampin' Up Card Stock
SU! Tempting Turquoise Ink	Jody's Foam Boosters	MISTI	YNS Silver Tinsel Gumdrops

InLinkz.com

Wonders Never Cease!

It's true! I bet you thought I'd fallen off the face of the earth, huh? Well, fear not -- I am alive and well, if a little longer in tooth and wider in girth (I'm working on that, though. The girth part. Can't do much about the teeth. I suppose I could get veneers or something, but I digress). Lots and lots has been going on in my wee corner of the world, of which I am sure I will fill you in on one of these days. For now, though, I don't want our heads to explode, what with my sudden reappearance here on the blog-o-sphere (is that still a word people use?), the fact that I've actually stamped for the first time in 2014 (REALLY!), plus all of my personal news... it would just be too much to take for a Thursday morning.

I will give you a couple of bullet-points, though.  Because I'm a giver...

• We've moved. We still live in the great state of Oklahoma, but instead of Claremore, America, we now reside about 3.5 hours south in Durant. Durant is located in the southeastern part of the state, and is just north of the Oklahoma/Texas border. Why the move? Well, the husband (aka Sean) took a new position as President of Southeastern Oklahoma State University, which is located in Durant.  We live on campus in a beautiful old home that was built in 1916 (or maybe 1918 - I can never remember which; I need to go outside and read the plaque to be sure) and is known as Magnolia House. Here's a picture of it, in case you're curious...

Not the greatest photo (I took it), but you get the idea. See the cartoon bison wearning the yellow shirt and blue shorts, leaning up against the front porch? That's Bolt, the SE Savage Storm mascot. Since I'm at it, might as well show you a recent photo of the fam taken on the front porch for a campus publication...

There's Truman, now a high school senior, Carter, who's now in 4th grade and about to turn 10 this weekend (can you believe it?!), Sean, me, and Sweet Pea and Daisy. (Sadly, Ringo, our big, unruly German Shepherd didn't make the cut for this particular adventure. Instead, he has a new family and lives on a farm -- for reals -- about 5 miles from our new home.)

• My new crafty space is located in the basement. It's a good deal smaller, but at least it's not off of the front of the house anymore, where everyone who walked in would see the unholy mess that is its chronic state. I've got it barely functional at the moment -- consider it a work in progress.

See that pipe under the foil-insulated-looking pipe?  It's about 5 feet off of the ground.  I'm 5'6" and, I swear, I hit my head on it at least three times a day. Painful!

Okay, okay, okay. See? This is exactly what I didn't want to get started today: a long ol' post about me and my new environment and so forth. I just wanted to simply say a brief "hello" and let you know I'm intending to resume my crafty/bloggy ways. Then, I was going to show you my first effort to dip my foot back in the pool again, so to speak. *sigh*  I can't even stick to my own script... Oh, well. Without further adieu, here's a little number I created for my M-I-L's birthday, which is tomorrow.  I used this week's MFT Sketch (#192) and the color challenge from this week's Color Throwdown (Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo & Pumpkin Pie):

Ta-da!  I love the fun, graphic images from My Favorite Things' Office Space set, and I was hoping that using bits of washi tape cut with pinking edged scissors would reinforce the idea of tacking something up with tape. To add a birthday embellishment, I used dies from MFT's Lollipop Treats Die-Namics, a sentiment from Lollipop Additions - Birthday, and some orange Hemptique twine.

There you have it, folks. I'm winded now! I hope all of you have been well, and I'd love to hear what new adventures you've been having since I last poked up my head (or hit it on that dang pipe...)

 

 

MFT WSC 192	CTD 308	MFT Office Space Stamps	MFT Office Space Die-Namics	MFT Lollipop Additions Birthday
MFT Lollipop Treats Die-Namics	MFT Cardstock	MFT Razzle Berry Hybrid Ink	MFT Lemon Drop Hybrid Ink	MFT Hybrid Ink - Orange Fizz
Stampin' Up Card Stock	Jody's Foam Boosters

InLinkz.com

Fall Classic

Hello, hello!  How are you doing on this fine fall day?  Me?  I slept in until 9:15 a.m. or so, which is pretty much unheard of in these parts. The opportunity arose because my youngest is spending Fall Break with his cousins and grandparents, my oldest sleeps late whenever possible, and my husband had to go to work. Thus, for several uniterrupted hours, I snoozed all snuggly-wuggly with my darling rescue girlie, Sweet Pea, and my horse of a German Shepherd, Ringo. Then, I got up and did a bit o' stamping while still in my pjs, a cup of coffee nearby and a new-to-me episode of "Best Ink¹" playing in the background. It's the simple things that make life sweet, don't you agree?

I used the current Deconstructed Sketch (#123) and this week's Color Throwdown Challenge (#264 - Night of Navy, Calypso Coral, Silver, and Pool Party) to come up with this little number, featuring Taylored Expressions' October Stamp of the Month, Instant Love:

Here's a close-up look at the distressed retro camera...

Pretty straight-forward stuff, so I'll skip the creationary details. After all, I need to get around -- it's nearly noon and I'm still in my nightshirt. Gotta get ready before the Old Man comes home. Keep your fingers crossed that the expected rain blows in a different direction so that we can hit up Tulsa's Oktoberfest this evening.  Cheers!

 

Footnotes:

1. Have I mentioned that I am currently obsessed with the idea of becoming a tattoo artist? It's true. No, I don't have any tattoos myself (yet). But when you think about it, it's fairly close to stamping. I'll need to work on my drawing skills, but I like the idea of creating permanent, walking art. I'm immersing myself in all sorts of tattoo shows (Best Ink, Ink Master, LA Ink, Tattoo Nightmares, etc.) and books, and I'm starting on a drawing self-study course called You Can Draw in 30 Days. When I mention this to friends and family, they think I'm insane. I tell them I'll remind them they said that when I'm needling my masterpieces on their epidermis.

*stamp of the month subscription - united states	*remember when	*choice snow white cardstock	*foam tape - 1/8" thick
*best glue ever

InLinkz.com

 

You Can Take the Girl Out of Barstow...

So, did you hear the big news?  The Color Throwdown Challenge is hosting it's 250th challenge, and the CTD has asked its former Designers and Guest Designers to help celebrate that big milestone.  Me, I've been both a Guest Designer (April 2011) and a Design Team member (post April 2011; then, that October, my Mom died unexpectedly and the wheels fell off... you know, life and stuff, etc. and so on), so of course, I HAD to play along with my colorful CTD friends.  You should, too, as you could win a spit-ton of papercrafting prizes.  (A "spit-ton of prizes" is a lot better than it sounds, by the way.  Check out the Color Throwdown Blog for more details on how to play and all the companies participating in the 250th extravaganza.)

Here's the 250th Color Throwdown Challenge:

I decided these happy colors were the perfect occasion to break out my brand new Papel Picado Banners stamp set and dies by Avery Elle, and available at i {heart} papers.  (Fun fact to know and tell: IHP is one of the sponsors of the CTD250, and one of the prizes you could win is a $25 gift certificate to IHP.)  I instantly knew I had to have this set, as it has lots of fun Spanish phrases and I like to break into Spanglish at any given opportunity.

As a white girl who spent four of her formative years in Barstow, California (GO AZTECS!), I know more than my fair share of Spanish despite never having studied it formally.  I'm pretty sure I was in the minority at BHS, but it really wasn't a big deal. The only time I felt singled-out due to my lily-whiteness was when Mary Hernandez wanted to kick my ass, upon sight, on the first day of 6th grade. I never found out exactly why. Having just moved to the 'stow from Alexandria, Virginia (circa 1980), I was in the throes of extreme culture shock.  My preppy wardrobe made me as much an object of mockery as Mary's "Every Inch a Woman" decal tee-shirt (complete with glittered lips puffing on a cigarette) made her a subject of fear and fascination to me.  Maybe I was staring? 

Anyway, the good news: I was a faster runner than Mary (her already-well-developed breasts probably got in her way) and she was never able to catch me during recess.  After a day or two, every inch of the woman that she was got bored of trying to chase me down, and from then on I could play tether ball and four-square without hypervigilance while she hung with her vatos y vatas in Thomson Elementary School's smoking area.  (You think I'm kidding, don't you?)

I won't be sending this card to Mary, but thanks to Facebook, I still have quite a few friends from Barstow I keep in touch with with.  This one is for you, homegirls!

Supplies used from i {heart} papers: Papel Picado Banners stamp set and dies by Avery Elle; Echo Park's Happy Camper 6"x6" patterned paper pad; Pale Tomato Ink (Hero Arts); Brown Sugar Divine Twine; Dimensional Dots

Sneaky Peek Week Continues!

Have you been keeping up with all of the Sneaky Peeks thus far for The Cat's Pajamas latest release?  Check in daily at ALMA's blog to see a loverly graphic and for direct links to creations using that day's preview from members of The Cat Pack and our most recent Swanky Stampers.  Also, you can get Sneaky Peeks in your mailbox daily during Sneaky Peek Week by signing up for the best little Mewsletter in all of stamping, TCP's very own CAT'S CHAT (go to the TCP homepage, and in the bottom left-hand corner, you'll find a button that says 'Sign Up For Our Newsletter'; hit the 'GO' button beneath that to submit your email address.  Easy-peasy!).

I'm a little late in showing you this particular Sneaky Peek, but better late than never, right?  I incorporated this week's COLOR THROWDOWN challenge, as well, which is hosted by everyone's favorite Hammer (besides M.C.), Tammy Hershberger.  Here's what Tammy's throwing down this week...

And here's what I made with it using the adorable new BEARING GIFTS set...

Q: Isn't she a cutie full of charm?

A: Yes, yes she is. :)

Check out the brand new CIRCUS BORDER along the side and dressed up with a bit o' bling.  Fun stuff!  Here's a close-up of Missy Bear, taken in direct sunlight so that you can kinda see the shimmer on her bow...

For direct links to more wonderful look-sees created with this darling new set, see this post on Alma's blog.  For instructions of how to play along with this fun color combo challenge, head over to the Color Throwdown Blog.  You'll see a veritable SMORGASBORD of eyecandy - we've added FIVE amazing new members to the Color Throwdown design team so that you're always guaranteed lots of inspiration.  I know our new girls would be thrilled with your congratulations, and our 'old' girls would be happy for a pat on the back, too.  Who doesn't like/need an 'Atta girl!' every so often to keep the pump primed?

• Barbara Anders
• Broni Holcomb
• Danielle Kennedy
• Joan Ervin
• Keva Brown
• Kristin Eberline
• Laura Pryor
• Lori Tecler
• Lynn Put
• Tammy Hershberger
• Wanda Cullen
• and October's OMG-she's-so-fab Guestie, Amy 'Pickler' Sheffer!

And I would be remiss if I didn't mention one more thing before I go: RIP, Steve Jobs.  Thank you for making the world a better, more beautiful place.

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

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!

 

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!

 

Rosy Banana-Kiwi Espresso

Mmm-mmm - doesn't that sound tasty?  I could totally see that as coffee flavor of the month at some chi-chi coffee bar.

 

Even more delicious?  It's this week's COLOR THROWDOWN! Our hostess is the Divine DANIELLE, and here's the color combo she's challenging us all to use:

And here's what I did with it, using the new PARTRIDGE FAMILY image from Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps:

I computer generated the sentiment (the font is called 'Partridge,' aptly enough - you can download it here if you're interested), and I can just imagine these swingin' birdies touring around in their Mondrian-esque bus, travelin' together, spreadin' a little love as they keep movin' on...

Here's a close up of the trio:

The sketch is a variation on this week's Mojo Monday sketch (it's so nice, I've used it twice - and it's only Wednesday).  Copic coloring, and lots of different Die-Namics from My Favorite Things (Say What? word bubble, circle from the Sweet Stack Label set, and the Four Point Frame), a few brads, and a bit of skinny banana colored ribbon.  You get the gist!

If it wasn't so late as I'm writing this (12:35 a.m. Weds.) I'd tell you how much I used to love the Partridge Family when I was little, and how I really thought I'd do a MUCH better job playing tambourine than dumb Tracy.  My mom's name is Shirley and she had blonde hair, so I'd always pretend she was Shirley Jones (aka Shirley Partridge). And to this day?  When I don my sleep mask, I think of Ruben Kincade, every time...

Head on over to the Color Throwdown Blog for info on how to play along with us this week and for samples by these groovy girls (who are cooler than David Cassidy's puka shell necklace, any day of the week):

• Danielle Kennedy
• Barbara Anders
• LeAnne Pugilese
• Tammy Hershberger (who was just named a brand-new DIRTY GIRL!  Be sure to congratulate her!)
• and our FABULOUS August Guestie, Lori Tecler

Come back tomorrow, because I have something SUPER fun to share.  Until then?  My lips are sealed.  (And consider yourself lucky you were spared the Go-Gos tangent due to aforementioned fatigue.)

In the meantime, I'll show you another somethin'-somethin' this image makes me think of.  Family Guy is kind of a thing with my family.  Sad, but true.  We love it.  And when we see bird related stuff?  One of us is bound to say (for example), "Hey, Carter, have you heard?"

To which the proper response is ALWAYS...

 

That's How I Roll...

You wanna know how I roll?  You REALLY wanna know how I roll?  Well, I tell you in a bit.  It's a little scary.  Definitely not for those with delicate sensibilities or a strong gag reflex... But let's save the salacious stuff for the end.  It'll give you something to look forward to.

In the meantime, how'z about we throwdown for uno momento?  Yep, it's Wednesday which means it's time for the COLOR THROWDOWN! (<-- please read silently to yourself, but use an echo effect as you do so.  It should sound like Michael Buffer when he says "Are you ready to rumble?!")

This week, Teamster Tammy (aka Tammy the Hammer)¹ is our charming challenge hostess, and here's what she's throwing down...

Fresh, fun, classy & sassy.  Just like Slammin' Tammy², herself!  Here's my attempt to make our Tamboni³ proud...

I used one of the newest Emilie's Etchings images from Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps: SPEEDY.  Get it?  "SPEEDY" is the turtle's name.  Turtles aren't generally considered fast animals.  Yet this one is wearing ROLLER BLADES!!! 

What's that?  Oh.  You think you're too sophisticated for such humor?  Well, I'll have you know that my six year old thinks this card is a RIOT, and he's the funniest person I know.  So there!  I think it's going to KILL with the first grade set, if I do say so myself...

The Color Throwdown is working with a smaller crew through the end of the month, since so many folks are on vacation and/or taking a little time to spend with familia.  But what we lack in quantity this week, we more than make up for in quality. I've browsed through this week's challenge gallery, and I know you're definitely going to want to visit the participating Color Throwdown designers (including the aforementioned Tammy Tutone⁴, whose number is indeed 867-5309) to oooh and aaah over their colorful creations and for further inspiration:

• Tammy Hershberger
• Broni Holcombe
• Barbara Anders
• Danielle Kennedy
• and our special August guests Lori Tecler (my fellow Cat Pack-er!)and Keva Brown

Why not stay out of the heat and stamp up a cool scene with this week's combo?  You can find all the details for how to play along on the Color Throwdown Blog.

Okay.  As I promised, here's a tiny bit about how I roll:

• I prefer mustard to mayonnaise.  The spicier the mustard, the better.  There's a jalapeno mustard I've been putting on everything these days, since mustard has fewer calories and less sugar than almost every other condiment.
• I'm rooting for Bert to win this season of Project Runway.  He's the old guy who made the adorable little dress that one the first episode (shown last week; if you missed it, you can find full episodes to watch on the Lifetime website).
• Truman (my 14 year old) and I went to see "Crazy Stupid Love" yesterday (with Steve Carrell and my new boyfriend, Ryan Gosling).  It was great - both Truman and I enjoyed it thoroughly.  If a teenaged boy and his mom can both give the same movie two thumbs up?  It's a good one.  Although both Truman and I also enjoyed "Jackass 3-D."  You do know who you're dealing with, here.
• Given the opportunity, I wait as late in the day to shower as I possibly can.  I dread getting ready.  Every day.  Dumb, dumb, dumb.  I don't know why I fight the system.  I should be more like water, as Sayuri recommends in Memoirs of a Geisha...
• My BSF Amy asked me the other day if my brain ever stops.  No, it makes random associations with everything, all the time.  It's like that annoying Bing commercial.  Exhausting!

 

• This is just a random collection of nothing, have you noticed?  But... THAT'S HOW I ROLL!  And now I'll leave you with more randomness - "Once In a Lifetime" by The Talking Heads.  I watched this yesterday -- one of my favorite music videos ever -- because it made TIME magazine's list of the 30 Best Video's Of All TIME.  I "get" this song in a way that I didn't when I first used to watch this, oh, 30 years ago. The existential angst of waking up to yourself at mid-life: who among us hasn't wanted to shout, "This is not my beautiful house!  This is not my beautiful wife!"  Same as it ever was...

 

(Interesting note: this video was created before the existence of MTV.  Which, to me, makes it even cooler.  It was an art project as opposed to something strictly commercial, you know?)

Footnotes:

1. There is no rhyme or reason for the nicknames I've given Tammy.  It makes me giggle just to type them.  And I think it baffles her a tiny bit, which makes it all the better.

2.  And now bafflement?  Has crossed the bridge to irritation.  Which of course, makes it even more fun.

3.  And by now?  The subject of full-on flummoxed!  Hurray!  My job is done.

4. Just in case you missed #3...

5.  There is no fifth footnote.  But - say it with me, now - THAT'S HOW I ROLL!!!

Supplies used:

Stamps: Speedy and sentiment from Roxy by Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps; Paper: Whisper White, Old Olive, & Kraft (SU!), Copic X-Press Blending paper, patterned paper from Pink Paislee's Hometown Summer 6x6 paper pack; Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, A|Muse Studio - Slate (for stippling the road); Accessories: Inside Pinking CutUps die by The Cat's Pajamas, Copic Markers, Copic airbrush system, Nestabilities Wonky Rectangles, Cuttlebug Circles embossing folder, grosgrain ribbon, foam mounting tape from Jody Morrow's Sticky Stuff Store.

Everything Is Beautiful...

... in its own way.  Like a starry summer night or a snow-covered winter's day...

Remember that song?  I seriously doubt Britney Spears or Nicki Minaj will be singing it when I go see them tomorrow evening with my oldest son, Truman, and our friend, Larami.  (I'm pre-posting this late Monday evening, and we're leaving bright and early Tuesday for Dallas, where we'll see the concert and do a little shopping before heading back home Wednesday a.m.)  But if they do?  I'll definitely let you know. 

Wouldn't that be CRAZY?! I think I'm going to do a little experiment using The Secret to make it so... Cure cancer?  End hunger world-wide?  Create world-peace?  Nope!  I choose to use the Law of Attraction to make pop stars sing random songs from the 70s!  What can I say?  That's the way I roll.

Speaking of rolling... let me roll out this week's COLOR THROWDOWN for you.  My favorite Lil (st)Inker, LAURA, is this week's challenge hostess, and she's throwing down this cool combo:

And here's what I did with it:

See?  Even MIZUKI (one of Kraftin' Kimmie's Asian Inspired Moonlight Whispers images) agrees with me & Ray Stevens (in so many words).

Here's a close-up of Mizuki's sparkly skulls (thanks to Stardust Stickles) and diaphanous jacket (courtesy of mint green Shimmerz):

Don't be fooled by the bling that she's got - she's still Mizuki from the block. 

No, I'm not going to get started on a J Lo rant.  I'm backtracking to the aforementioned Ray Stevens.  Here's a fun fact for you to know and tell: Not only did Ray Stevens sing the Grammy award winning "Everything Is Beautiful" - he also sang "The Streak."

Oh, yes, they call him the Streak
Look at that, look at that
Fastest thing on two feet
Look at that, look at that
He's just as proud as he can be
Of his anatomy
He goin' give us a peek

Doesn't that just make you want to stamp along with this week's challenge?  I knew it would!  Visit the Color Throwdown Blog for more inspiration and information about how to play along.  And don't forget to visit my colorful Color Throwdown peeps to see what they've come up with this week's challenge and leave 'em some love:

• Tammy Hershberger
• Kristin Eberline
• Broni Holcombe
• Barbara Anders
• Danielle Kennedy
• Laura Pryor
• and our special July and August guest, Keva Brown

Wanna play along with us?  Of course you do!  Just use CTD150 when uploading to a public gallery and add your creation to the Color Throwdown blog using the linky tool.

 

Red Wasabi Apricots

Mmmm... Sounds tasty, no?  Er... well, maybe not.  But it looks delicious, that I guarantee.  How do I know? Because those are the colors DANIELLE has thrown down for this week's Color Throwdown challenge.  See for yourself:

And here's what I came up with, using AKIKO, another of the exotic Asian-Inspired Moonlight Whispers gals from Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps.  (Can you tell I love these images?!  I know, I know - I say that about most of my stamps.  After all, life's too short to play with ugly stamps.  <-- That should be a sentiment!)

I also used the July Sketch For You to Try again.  It's a super-versatile one, pefect for bigger vertical images.  I imagine you'll see it several times over the course of the month.  I kept the card fairly clean and simple so that the image would remain the focal point.  The piercing on the Riding Hood Red layer was made via a metal piercing template I picked up a couple of years ago.  And how lucky am I that I had the perfect fabric covered brads in my stash for this week's CTD challenge and the image I wanted to use?  Kismet!  Akiko was colored with Copics and her jacket/robe was paper-pieced.

Be sure to visit my Color Throwdown homegirls to see what they've come up with this week's challenge and leave 'em some love:

• Tammy Hershberger
• Kristin Eberline
• Broni Holcombe
• Barbara Anders
• Danielle Kennedy
• Laura Pryor
• and our special July and August guest, Keva Brown

Wanna play along with us?  Of course you do!  Just use CTD149 when uploading to a public gallery and add your creation to the Color Throwdown blog using the linky tool.

Bearing {Red} Sunflowers

It's Day 2 of Sneaky Peek Week and it's Wednesday, which means it's time for the COLOR THROWDOWN. Ordinarily, I'd say that was the happiest of coincidences, but when I sat down to work this week's color combo with the Sneaky Peek Set of the Day... conundrum!  I'll show you what I mean.

Today's Color Throwdown Hostess is the oh-so-eminent KRISTIN EBERLINE, stamp and digi-paper designer extraordinaire.  Kristin's come up a berry-licious color combo, having gotten the idea from looking at a beautiful photo of a bowl of strawberries.  Ready to see what she's throwing down?  Here goes...

Looks good enough to eat, doesn't it?  So, what's my problem, you're asking.  Well, first let me show you the FABULOUS new image I'm supposed to work with and give you a look-see at today:

It's called BEARING FLOWERS; isn't PJ with that yummy sunflower the most delightful thing you've ever seen?!  A beautiful color combo with an adorable image - again, so what's my problem?  Well, when I think of bears and sunflowers, I think of green and yellow, and maybe brown and blue, too.  Not pink and red and black and sage.  I just couldn't see how the marriage of these two gorgeous things wouldn't produce an ugly offspring.  I even lamented (okay, whined) as much to my Color Throwdown girls. 

Then, Kisa Peters came to my rescue!  "What about cherry cobbler sunflowers?" she asked, with an attached photo that looked a little something like this:

The hallelujah chorus instantly started playing on my mental soundtrack!

Come to find out, there are quite a few varieties of red sunflowers, the most popular being Moulin Rouge, Prado Red, and Velvet Queen.  Learn something new every day, don't you?!  In fact, they can't be too terribly unusual, as they made it on to these stamps issued by the Canadian postal service: (By the way, has that Canadian postal strike ended yet?  Please tell me yes, as I'm waiting on a very IMPORTANT bundle of stamps from a Canadian stamp company.  Not to mention the fact that some of my favorite stamp companies and stampers are Canadian and a postal strike has GOT to be making them cray-cray.)

If you've sat through all this chatter, surely you're ready to see what I've come up with, right?  Here it is:

Do you likey?  I have to say, I was very happy with how it turned out.  Who woulda thunk?!  See that field of sunflowers PJ is standing in front of?  That was created using the brand new ROSETTE SUNFLOWER CutUps die.  I have to say, I like it flat every bit as much as it all done up fancy, rosette-style.  A die that can give you multiple looks for a single outlay of dough-re-mi = a bargain!

I happened to run across some sage thread in my baggie of thread spools inherited from my mom.  I haven't ever actually bought thread in my life - I just use whatever is in the big baggie she gave me.  Finding sage thread is a score, though!

PJ's glittery flower was created via Martha Stewart Crafts' Garnet glitter.

Oooh!  Here's a good tip for you Copic users.  Thanks to a very generous Mother's Day present from my guys, I have all but a few of the Copic Sketch markers.  And you know what?  There isn't a match for Sage Shadow in the lot!  I was able to come up with a perfect match, though, by first coloring with BG72 Ice Ocean, then layering G20 Wax White on top.  I did the same layering of colors with my Copic Airbrush system and aircompressor to create the background color for the sentiment tag.

For links to my fabulous fellow Cat Pack-ers who are also giving Sneaky Peeks of BEARING FLOWERS today, visit Alma's blog.  All of the details regarding this week's Color Throwdown can be found on the Color Throwdown Challenge blog. 

Be sure to visit my Color Throwdown homegirls to see what they've come up with this week's challenge and leave 'em some love:

• Kristin Eberline
• Broni Holcombe
• Barbara Anders
• Danielle Kennedy
• Laura Pryor
• and June Guestie, Betty Wright

Wanna play along with us?  Of course you do!  Just use CTD147 when uploading to a public gallery and add your creation to the Color Throwdown blog using the linky tool.

 

Supplies used:

Stamps: Bearing Flowers by The Cat's Pajamas; Paper: Sage Shadow, Basic Black (SU!), Prism - Blush Red Dark, pink gingham from A Muse | Studio, Copic X-Press Blending Paper; Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Accessories: Rosette Sunflower and Grass CutUps dies, Cherry Divine Twine (The Cat's Pajamas),  Copic Markers & Airbrush System, sage sewing machine thread, Nestabilities Double-Ended Tag trio, Garnet glitter by Martha Stewart Crafts, redline circles, tape, and foam boosters from Jody Morrow's Sticky Stuff Store.