Mother's Little Helper

JiFFy Mojo Monday

Good Monday Morning!  And it is an especially good one because not only do I have the new MOJO MONDAY sketch to share with you, but it's also the first JiFFy Challenge of 2012!  Yay!

First, though, let me show you this week's Mojo Monday sketch.  For those of you frequent Mojo Monday participants, you know that the last sketch of the month is always where you can choose to do either a round or square version.  Take a look...

Sweet, huh?

Speaking of sweet, I'm ever so happy to be joining some of my stampy girlfriends in our regular JUST FOR FUN (aka JiFFy) Challenge.  Usually, we try to make this a monthly challenge, but we got a bit off track around the holidays, and then, well, we've all been a bunch of busy-buy gals ever since.  Not that it's lightened up much... I know every single one of us is in a similar boat, no?  But, anyway, we're back! This time I was the patterned paper picker and I selected "Flower Basket" from Pebbles' Fresh Goods line.  Here's a visual:

Amy picked selected the fabulous ADMIT ONE stamp set with the accompanying BIG TICKET CutUps die from THE CAT'S PAJAMAS. Check 'em out...

 

As members of the Cat Pack, Amy and I already had them in our paws-session (ha - feline humor - get it?!  I'll be at the Chuckle Hut for the rest of the week - good night, everybody!). The other JiFFy girls were gifted them by Alma because that's just the kind of sharing/caring person/artist/stamp company owner that she is. LOVE her! 

Here's a look at what I came up with, using this week's Mojo Monday sketch as my blueprint...

I went for a thank you note theme, because I never seem to have enough of those around.  Here's a close up of the ticket (check out the authentic perforation detail):

And here's a close up of the stamped background layer, made using the sunburst image and Thank You sentiment that comes with the set:

In addition to the products already mentioned, I used TCP's HEART TRIO and QUEEN OF HEARTS BORDER CutUps dies, Airmail Divine Twine, and for ink: Yellow Citrus, Cerulean, and Glacier Ice ColorBox pigment brush pads, and A Muse Cranberry.  Additional papers: Neenah 110 lb. Ivory, Crushed Curry by SU!, and Pure Poppy and Enchanted Evening from PTI.

I can't wait to see what the rest of my JiFFy gals have created!  Their posts may go live a little bit later than mine (usually 9 am EST, but I'm posting mine early since it's doing double-duty with my Mojo Monday post), but for sure you'll want to take a moment today to swing by these lovely ladies' blogs to leave 'em some love...

• Michele Boyer
• Lori Craig
• Amy Rohl, and
• Christina Fischer

And, of course, you'll also want to swing by the Mojo Monday Blog for info on how to participate in this week's challenge.  For further takes on the sketch, visit my fellow Mojo Makers

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

Have a great day, friends, and thanks for stopping by to see me. :)

Mojo-licious October JiFFy!

You know I live for a two-fer, especially a two-fer that works on its own, as opposed to me having to 'make it work.'  I'm happy to report to you that I got L-U-C-K-Y that the new Mojo Monday Sketch works perfectly with the image SWEET Michele selected for this month's JiFFy Challenge.

You remember the drill for the JiFFy Challenge, don't you?  Once a month, me and a group of my stampy girlfriends come together for a challenge that is Just For Fun (aka JiFFy).  One of us sends out some patterned paper; after the paper has gone postal, the image picker o' the month reveals the image.  Then, on a given day, we reveal to each other what we created with the given image and paper (no other patterned paper is allowed, but otherwise, anything goes).  Sometimes the image and the patterned paper work well together, and sometimes it's a ... challenge, but it's ALWAYS JUST FOR FUN!

October's JiFFy reveal day coincides with Mojo Monday, but as I mentioned earlier, it's all good.  Ready to see the sketch?  Here it is:

And here's what I made with it, using the adorable Moka Tabitha image from Taylored Expressions that Michele selected, and the fabulous Crate Paper Countryside patterned paper sent to us by our sweet half-marathoner, Lori '13.1' Craig (congrats, gf!):

And here's a close up of sweet little Tabitha (take no notice of the fact that you can't see her famously twitchy nose... anybody else out there remember 'Bewitched'?  I wanted to be Samantha's daughter, Tabitha.  That was back around the time that I also wanted to be Chastity Bono, but that's a topic for another day...)

I can't wait to see what loveliness my fellow JiFFy Girls have put together with this month's ingredients.  Come with me as I visit:

• Michele Boyer
• Lori Craig, and
• Amy Rohl

Leave 'em some love because, well, they're lovely!

And to get your Mojo on, mosey on over to the Mojo Monday blog for samples by the rest of the Mojo Makers and instructions about how you can play along. 

Happy Monday, friends!  Wish me luck on my mid-terms this week...

 

Fly High

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

See you soon!

JiFFy Challenge - Better-Late-Than-Never Edition

Good grief.  I'm over a day late now with my JiFFy challenge card for this month!  Suffice it to say, it's Friday but I feel like I've had a week of Mondays. 

  x 5 

Ugh.  I'd go into detail, but then you'd be depressed and want to jump off a cliff and that would make me feel even worse.  Instead, I'll just play a little catch-up and as I do so, I'll sing a happy song like, say, "Zip a Dee Doo Dah."  Here we go!

You remember the gist of our Just For Fun (JiFFy, for short) challenge, don't you?  It goes a little something like this: each month, a group of my stamping friends and I get together for a little challenge.  One of us selects an image. Before that image is revealed to the group, another one of us mails out some patterned paper to everyone.  The patterned paper has to be used to make a card with the selected image, and no other patterned paper can be used.  Sometimes the image and the selected pattern go well together, and sometimes they're a ... challenging fit, but it's always JUST FOR FUN!

This month, Christina selected the so sweet Sugarplums Pumpkin Emma by CC Designs.  Meanwhile, Amy sent everyone Krafty Dots patterned paper by Recollections.  Pumpkins, black and kraft?  Why, I HAD to make my first Halloween card of 2011 - how could I not?

You know, all neutrals and no pops of color make Carole a dull girl, so I pulled out this fun & festive striped ribbon from Doodlebug Designs and based my color palette around it.  I drew stripes on Miss Emma's tights with a Copic Multiliner pen, then colored her in with Copics.  Her apron looked like it needed something, so I added some Adirondack Dimension Pearl polka dots in eggplant.  Then, I trimmed her out, and gave her a couple of silver brad hub caps for her little wagon, and popped her up on dimensionals.

Here's a closer look at Emma's tights and apron...

If you haven't already checked out how my JiFFy Girlfriends met this challenge, be sure to do so.  It's truth, it's actual: they've pulled out all the stops this month and created PROJECTS that are far more than satisfactual! 

• Michele Boyer
• Lori Craig
• Amy Rohl
• Christina Fischer
• Jody Morrow

Now, (just in case you want this song in your head all day, too) here's a little something special from me to you...

 

Supplies used:

Stamps: Sugarplums Pumpkin Emma by CC Designs, sentiment from Hello Pumpkin set from The Cat's Pajamas; Paper: Krafty Dots by Recollections, Kraft, Black, Grape Jelly (by MFT), Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Accessories: Sentiment Flag die by Lil Inker Designs, Copic Markers, Cuttlebug embossing folders, Doodlebug Designs ribbon and Sugar Coated Brads, Adirondack eggplant Dimensional Pearls, Inkessential opague pen, American Crafts silver minibrads, foam boosters from Jody Morrow's Sticky Stuff Store.

July JiFFy!

Oh happy day!  It's time for another J(ust)iF(or)F(un)y Challenge with my JiFFy girlfriends.  You know the drill: once a month (or so ;) ), a group of my stamping friends and I get together for a little challenge.  One of us selects an image. Before that image is revealed to the group, another one of us mails out some patterned paper to everyone.  The patterned paper has to be used to make a card with the selected image, and no other patterned paper can be used.  Sometimes the image and the selected pattern go well together, and sometimes they're a ... challenging fit, but it's always JUST FOR FUN!

This month, I was the image picker, and I selected an oh-so-sweet image from Paper Smooches' Spiffy Scooters set.  (Paper Smooches is owned and illustrated by our dear friend and former JiFFy Girl, Kim Hughes, don't you know.)  Before I revealed the image, SWEET Lori sent out some patterned paper: the ultra elegant Bohemian Floral from Graphic 45's Le Cirque Collection.

Here's what I came up with:

Look, Ma!  Nice and flat - only one postage stamp necessary...

Pretty clean and simple, but that's one (of many) things I love about Kim's images - you don't need to frill 'em up or get fancy to make something that will make someone smile. :)

Speaking of frilly & fancy, wanna see what my JiFFy girlfriends have created with this combo?  I know I can't wait!  But first, I've got good news and bad news.  Which do you want to know first? 

Okay.  The bad news. (I always like to get the bad news over with first, too.) *sigh*  Don't shoot the messenger, but here's the scoop: JiFFy Gal Julie Campbell is taking a break this summer from our challenges, while JiFFy Gal Alli Miles is stepping down for perhaps a bit longer. 

 

A bona fide bummer, but even JiFFy Girls -- super-human and magical as we are -- have to take a step back and prioritize every once in a while.  We'll miss you lovelies, but we know where to find you and we're hoping you'll be back to play with us sooner than later.

Now, are you ready for the good news?!

We'd like to welcome some NEW members to our little JiFFy family!  Each of these ladies are great personal friends of ours AND amazing stampers, too.  Our new blood is none other than:

• Amy Rohl,
• Christina Fischer, and
• Jody Morrow!

Stop by their blogs and see what these fresh faces have done with this month's challenge.  And don't forget to leave some love for the 'old-timers', too...

• Long-in-the-tooth Lori Craig, and
• MeeMaw Michele Boyer

  (Sorry, girlies... couldn't help myself)  *Running and ducking!*

April/May JiFFy Challenge!

My JiFFy (Just For Fun) girlfriends and I have had such a crazy spring; it's been hard for all of us to get on the same page long enough to hammer down a challenge date!  Fortunately, though, we're back today, and I can't wait to see what my SWEET friends have put together.

You remember how we do this, right?  Each month (or something like that ;) ), one of us selects an image. Before that image is revealed to the group, another one of us mails out some patterned paper to everyone.  The patterned paper has to be used to make a card with the selected image; sometimes they go well together, and sometimes they're a ... challenging fit, but it's always JUST FOR FUN!

Michele selected our current image: the very cute Little Peep's Heart by Stamping Bella.  Before Michele revealed the image, Alli sent us each some patterned paper: Chlorine Sprinkles and Lace and Apricot Sprinkles and Lace Sophisticates by Bella Blvd.  Umm... this was one of those months when it was a bit of a challenge.  A big old heart with sea foam green and apricot patterned paper.  Hmmm...

Finally, I had an idea...

I created a patchwork panel out of the little edge-inked squares of the patterned paper.  Then, I cut out the center of the image that Michele sent me, and let the patchwork panel show through the heart-shaped hole.  I like the way it turned out.  Necessity was definitely the mother of invention in this instance! 

As for the rest of the card, I colored the little peep with Copics, inked the background with PTI's Tea Stain duo, and covered the heart's scalloped edge with glitter.  I used Jen's Sketch For You To Try for April as my blueprint, and the sentiment is from Paper Smooches' Sentiment Sampler set.

I'm eager to see what my JiFFy gals and our very special JiFFy guest, the sensational Sherrie Siemens, came up with.  So let's head that way, shall we?  Over to these loverly ladies' blogs to see if they found it as difficult as I did to make this combo work... (probably not.  These gals are papercrafting super-geniuses, you know.)

• Michele Boyer
• Julie Campbell
• SWEET Lori Craig
• Alli Miles, and our special guest
• Sherrie Siemens

Supplies used:

Stamps: Little Peeps Heart by Stamping Bella, Sentiment Sampler by Paper Smooches; Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Tea Stain duo (PTI); Paper: Chlorine Sprinkles and Lace & Apricot Sprinkles and Lace by Bella Blvd., Aqua Mist and Kraft (PTI); Accessories: Copic markers, wooden buttons, linen thread from The Cat's Pajamas, Nestabilities squares and scallop squares, glitter, sewing machine, Jody Morrow's foam boosters.

Strawberry Flavored JiFFy!

Greetings and salutations, precious people!  How are you this fine morning?  I'm in a great mood because I just found out the BEST news!  More on that in a second.  First, I've got to set the scene for this month's Just For Fun (a.k.a. JiFFy) challenge that I do on a {mostly} monthly basis with my JiFFy girlfriends.  We took the last couple of months off, but now we're back and ready to play. 

This month, my worlds are colliding -- y'all know how I feel about that.  My sweet JiFFy Gals have been infilitrated by the notorious Carolyn/Cammie King.  Now, Cammie and I have been rumored to have made a little mischief together in our pasts.  People have ALLEGEDLY witnessed us engaging each other in practical jokes, cards of questionable taste, and very loud show-tune singing in public places.  Of course, I deny all culpability.  Any lewd or lacivious conduct that I am accused of in Cammie's company is 100% her fault.  That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

Fortunately, there isn't too much wiggle room for mayhem in the JiFFy challenge: one of us selects an image, and before that image is revealed to the group, another one of us mails out some patterned paper to everyone.  The patterned paper has to be used to make a card with the selected image; sometimes they go well together, and sometimes they're a ... challenging fit, but it's always JUST FOR FUN! 

This month, Miss Julie selected the image -- Sweetest Day, a Jillibean Itty Bitty by Unity Stamp Co. Speaking of Jules -- she's the subject of the fabulous news I just heard! 

 

Guess who was just announced as one of Papercraft Magazines' newest GO-TO GIRLS?!  Yep, that pretty blonde chickadee, Julie Campbell herself!  Congratulations, Jules!!!  I'm so thrilled and excited for you!

Back to today's challenge... I was the paper picker.  I'm pretty sure the other gals hold their breath each time I come through the paper rotation, on account of my well-documented love of colors like YoYo Yellow (RIP) and Glorious Green.  I took it pretty easy on 'em this month, though.  I chose Madison Plaid from Echo Park's Little Girl collection; it makes my preppy heart go bang-bang-bang!

Here's what I came up...

Just like the sentiment says, it's pretty sweet, don't you think?  Can you see the glittery seeds on the strawberry?  The photo isn't the greatest because it's a cloudy & rainy day here in Claremore, America. I used yesterday's Splitcoast sketch challenge (#326) as my layout.

I'm going to let you go as I'm anxious to visit my JiFFy Gals and Cammie to see what they've done with this month's combo.  I'm also hoping that us JiFFy Girls will be a good influence on Cammie, and that maybe she'll take our virtuous examples to heart and mend her wicked ways.  Having her play with us this month is actually a form of ministry, you know...

Please stop by my buddies' blogs and leave a little love:

• Michele Boyer
• Julie Campbell
• SWEET Lori Craig
• Alli Miles, and our special guest
• Carolyn King

I'll be back a little later today with another post.  In the meantime, I've got to go comb out my wings...

November JiFFy: Monkey Business

Hello, dahlings.  It's time for this month's JiFFy (Just For Fun) Challenge with my JiFFy girlfriends!  By now you know the drill: one of the gals picks some patterned paper and sends it in the mail to the others.  Once the paper is in the mail, another gal reveals her selected image for the month.  Sometimes the paper and image coordinate beautifully, and sometimes it's a "challenge," but it's always JUST FOR FUN!

I think this month just might qualify as one of those "challenging" months! 

The paper Alli selected is delightful -- fun, festive, and seasonal, it's Brrr from the Tradition Collection by Fancy Pants Designs.

The image Kim selected -- Monkey Gone Bananas, by Your Next Stamp -- is delightful, too, but... Monkeys and snowflakes?!  Oy vey.

I had to put on my thinking cap.  Actually, that's not exactly true.  I had to put on my sleeping cap.  I tend to get my best ideas in that drifting-off state, when I'm not quite awake and not quite asleep.  Unfortunately, I usually forget these flashes of brilliance by the time I wake up; at least, that's what I tell myself.  But on rare occasion one sticks with me, and thus, I have three words for you: JAPANESE SNOW MONKEYS!

Yep, this dude was my muse.  Here's what I came up with:

I gave Mr. Macaque's complexion peachy-pink overtones with Copic Markers, then highlighted his fur before adding some Diamond Dust to make him appropriately icy.  Then, I added a bit of rope for him to swing from so he wouldn't be bored.  The sketch comes from this week's Sketch For You to Try.  I used The Cat's Pajamas' new Snowflake Cut-Ups die (love it!), as well as the Inside Pinking CutUps.  The hearts along the bottom were made by using felt from TCP's Seeing Red collection with My Favorite Things' Hearts A Plenty Die-namic.  The sentiment is from MFT's Twisted Sentiments set.

Here's a close-up of his face.  Sorry the color looks wonky, but at least you can kind of see how glossy and clear his eyes, nostrils, and smile look thanks to a black Sakura Glaze pen. 

You've monkeyed with me enough.  Now it's time for you to swing over to the other JiFFy Gals' habitats to see what they put together using this month's interesting combination:

Alli-Oop Miles

Kim "Bubbles" Hughes

Lori "J. Fred" Craig

Julie "King Kong" Campbell

Magilla Michele Boyer, and

our special guest, Mighty Glenda Wyatt!

Just For Fun: Dapper Pilgrims

Greetings, friends!  We're having a bit of a delayed Just For Fun (aka JiFFy) Challenge this month, and I'm even more delayed than the rest of the gang.  What's new, right?  *sigh*  I've got so many irons in the fire these days, I'd better dress in nothing but flame-retardant materials.  It beats being bored, though, right?

Remember the drill on the JiFFy Challenge?  One of us sends out patterned paper, and once it hits the mail, another reveals the selected image(s) for the month.  This month, I sent everyone some yummy 'dried egg noodles' from Jillibean Soup's Chicken Noodle collection.  Then, Julie sent us all images from Hero Arts' cute-cute-cute So Thankful set.

I went semi-clean-and-simple for my card this month...

Here's another view, since I'm having a hard time deciding which picture I like best:

I'm not sure Pilgrims would really have dressed in red and gold.  Maybe these two were the Puritan version of McDonald's workers?  There could have been such a thing, for all we know, right?  Pull up to the window of their house on your horse, and they'd hand you a turkey leg and some maize or something.  I could go on, but... nah.  I leave you and your imagination to hash the rest of the story out.  It'll be good for you to do a little creative contemplating.

And, of course, while you're considering the logistics of Plymouth Rock's Mickey D's, please drive-thru and see what my JiFFy girlfriends have concocted with this month's ingredients:

Michele Boyer,

Julie Campbell,

Kim Hughes,

Lori Craig,

Alli Miles,

and playing along with us this month, the sweet & shiny Lisa Silver!

August JiFFy!

It's already time for another JUST FOR FUN (JiFFy) challenge with my JiFFy girlfriends -- this month has flown by so quickly.  Anyone else wondering where August went? 

For today's challenge, Kim sent everyone some sunny paper from Echo Park.  Once the paper was mailed out, Michele revealed her image selection: the very sweet Willow Writing Recipes from Whiff of Joy.  Here's what I came up with:

Looks pretty straight-forward, doesn't it?  Well, you wouldn't believe how long it took me!  I just couldn't seem to get it together.  Of course, that might have something to do with the fact that I waited until 2:30 a.m. this morning to get it started (have I mentioned that I tend to procrastinate?).  When in doubt?  Color block!  I thought about throwing on more embellishments and sewing, but then I thought, "Nah... why clutter it up?  Plus, if you take the picture and write a quick blog post, you might be able to sleep for an hour or so before the kids wake up..."

What do you think?  Should I have added more for more's sake?  Or is highly-labored, semi-clean-and-simple the better option?  Give me your thoughts.

(Card details: Willow was colored with Copic Markers.  I supplemented the given image and patterned paper with Kraft cardstock from PTI and Prism Suede Brown Dark cardstock.  The sentiment is from Verve -- it was a gift in my recent order (Thanks, Julee!).  The twill is from My Favorite Things.)

I'm positive my well-organized, Type-A JiFFy Girlfriends had theirs done weeks ago.  That's just how they roll.  Why not visit them to compare and contrast?  It'll be like watching one of Oprah's makeover shows, with mine being the 'Before' and these ladies' being the glamorous 'After's:

Michele Boyer,

Julie Campbell,

Kim Hughes, and

Lori Craig

(Alli Miles is on vacation, but may be posting when she gets home tomorrow or the next day.)

Now, if you'll excuse me...

July JiFFy!

Howdy-do!  It's time for another JUST FOR FUN challenge with my JiFFy girlfriends.  This month, brand new Dirty Girl, Julie, selected a scrumptious plaid, "Blueberry Hill," from We R Memory Keepers' Vintage Blue collection.  She kept it a secret and mailed it to the rest of the gang, then Alli revealed the image she selected: a comfy chair from PTI's Chair-ished set.  Most of the time, the image-picker sends out her selected image to everyone, but this month I told Alli to hold off -- Chair-ished is so cute and versatile, I had to have it for myself.

Here's my clean and simple July JiFFy...

Now just hold your horses.  I know what you're thinking.  "Clean and simple = lazy."  I've thought that before, myself.  But don't be such a snob.  Clean and simple really forces one to execute a good design.  No hiding underneath layers of cardstock and embellishments.  Why, I would be THRILLED to receive a CAS card from any of you!  Do you know how long it's been since I received some home-made happy mail?  AGES!  Are you feeling a wee bit guilty?  Well, you should.  Would it kill you to send me a card every now and again?  Or remember me in your nightly prayers?  Or put me in your will?  No.  It wouldn't...

So, card details:  The sweet chairs are paper-pieced and the edges of the layers have been inked in PTI's Vintage Cream ink.  I created a little paper ribbon embellishment and topped it with a sparkly PTI button and tied it off with a tiny bit o' twine.  The card is long-note sized (3.25"x6").

Please stop by my fabulous fellow JiFFy gals' blogs to get their takes on this month's challenge: 

Michele Boyer,

Alli Miles,

Julie Campbell,

Kim Hughes, and playing with us this month, the oh-so-talented

Dana Seymour

(Lori Craig is taking a break this month -- she's up to her ears in CHA prep and what not -- but I'm sure she'd appreciate a little love from you just the same. :) )

Hey, I have an idea!  When you leave them comments, be sure to add something like "You know, you really should consider mailing this to Carole..."  In terms of karma, it might be the best thing you do all day!

June JiFFy!

Hi, friends!  Sorry for not posting in a while.  I'm about to remedy that a bit.  I'll fill you in on the scoop in a different post, as well as letting you know what I've been doing the past several months.  If you're interested.  Which, you may not be.  Your choice.  The blogosphere is most definitely a democracy, and even if I wanted to force you to read my blog (which, have no doubt, I definitely do.  Despite my lefty ways, one of my very favorite cartoon characters is Plankton.  Read into that what you will), I can't.  It's your choice.  As it should be.  I guess.  Notice those three short sentences in a row; guess who hasn't had her coffee yet this morning?  But I digress.

Hang on a sec...

Now maybe I'll start making at least a wee bit of sense.  One can hope!

Okie dokie, folkies.  Here's the good stuff: it's JiFFy Time!  The one time of month I get together with a few of my madly talented stampy girlfriends for a challenge.  One of us selects an image and keeps it on the QT until another sends out her selection of patterned paper.  Sometimes paper and image blend beautifully, sometimes it's what we euphemistically call "a challenge," but it's always JiFFy: JUST FOR FUN!

This month, I selected the image, and Michele sent out the paper.  No more suspense -- here's what I came up with:

The image is the adorable "Surfer Girl" by Elzybells.  Isn't she cute?  She's so fun & summery, I couldn't resist her.  Even if she has one of those bodies wasted on the young; when I think what I as a 40 year old woman could do with a body like that... (insert picture of Plankton with soundtrack of his evil laugh).  Michele picked the scrumptious and oh-so-versatile "Shabby Flower" from the Paper Girl line by The Girls' Paperie.  I think it goes together well, don't you?  Office-y type paper is the new neutral, and that hibiscus print is right up Surfer Girl's alley.

I wanted to stick with the pink and Cool Carribean of the patterned paper, but I felt it needed a pop of color, so I added a border and a ribbon stripe of Crushed Curry.  The sketch is Jen's SFYTT from last Saturday.  The Beatlesque sentiment is from MFT's Jolinne - In My Garden.  Surfer Girl was colored with Copics on Neenah Classic White before cut out and glued onto the other layers.  I tried to create some waves behind her on the circle layer using a Fiskars border punch, but you can't see them very well.  My stamping room is in a state of complete and utter chaos (what's new?), so when I couldn't find my white pen to give her a few highlights, I just used a white Prismacolor pencil.  Here's a detail shot so you can appreciate my subtle artistry.  Repeat after me: "Oooh... Aaaah..."  

So you've seen what the likes of me can do with this image and paper, but I'm just the opening act.  I'm merely the Demi Lovato to my JiFFy Girlfriends' Jonas Brothers, the Jason Derulo to their Lady Gagas.  Please, for my sake, picture them all in beekeeper's hats, pants-less, and wearing Alexander Mcqueen lobster claw shoes as you visit their blogs: 

Michele "Pokerface" Boyer

Alli "Alejandro" Miles

Lori "Bad Romance" Craig

Kim "Paparazzi" Hughes

and our special June guest, Michelle "Shake Your Kitty" Woerner!  (Sorry, Michelle.  I couldn't resist.  The Sh sound in "Michelle" and the Sh sound of "Shake"... Not to mention the imagery.  I've never actually heard that Gaga song, but the title is intriguing, no?) 

Poor Julie "Just Dance" Campbell has had a time of it lately with the flu, but fortunately she's on the mend.  She's going to try to catch up with us Monsters (that's what Lady Gaga calls her fans, FYI.  I've learned more about Lady Gaga in the last five minutes than you probably care to know) later in the week, but I'm sure she'd appreciate a little love from you in the mean time. 

I know you're waiting with bated breath for the info I promised earlier.  I'll be back soon to fill you in.  For now, I've got to practice walking in these:

Rock On, JiFFy Girls!

I'm back with another JiFFy (Just For Fun) Challenge with my JiFFy Girlfriends!  I so look forward to this monthly challenge -- being given a specific image and patterned paper to work with, then comparing and contrasting what I make with what some of my oh-so-talented stamping buddies put together. 

This month, Lori sent us all swatches of "In Love" petite red floral paper from My Mind's Eye's So Sophie line.  Once she gave the word that the paper was in the mail, Kim revealed the FUN-FUN-FUN image she chose -- "Tweeny Teen - Rock On" from My Favorite Things' Pure Innocence line. 

Can I just say... I LOVE this month's choices in every way!  Here's what I came up with:

  Because the patterned paper used red and khaki together, it reminded me a little of Burberry's classic color combo, and made me pull out this Burberry inspired ribbon from Strano.  The circle shape of Miss Thing's bean bag chair sent me on the hunt for a sketch with circle motifs, and I found an SFYTT from last June that was just what the doctor ordered.  Some Nestabilities dies, a Cuttlebug embossing folder, Copics & Prismacolored pencils, and a few brads later?  A sweet little something for a tune-loving gal of any age!

Be sure to check out what my fellow JiFFy Gals did with the same image/paper combo -- I guarantee they will tickle your fancy while simultaneously knocking your socks off; you won't know what hit you!

Michele Boyer

Kim Hughes

Julie Campbell, and

Alli Miles

(Lori Craig will be posting her challenge card later in the week, but go ahead and leave her a little love in the meantime. :) )

Now, go forth and rock on with your bad self!

Supplies used:  Stamps: Tweeny Teen Rock On by Pure Innocence for MFT; Paper: So Sophie Savvy "In Love" by My Mind's Eye, Neenah Classic White, Basic Black & Kraft (SU!); Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Accessories: Copic Markers, Prismacolor Pencils, Nestabilities Circles and Petite Scallop Circles, Cuttlebug Mesh Texture embossing folder, black brads, Strano ribbon, Jody's Dimensional Boosters.

Gloom, despair, and agony on me!

Deep dark depression, excessive misery!

If it weren't for JiFFy posts, I'd have no posts at all.

Gloom, despair, and agony on me!

Actually, that little ditty (which you were to wail mournfully, as if dressed in overalls and surrounded by jugs of moonshine, a la Hee Haw.  If you did not do that the first time, please go back and do it again) does not describe this post in particular, but rather the general state of my blog.

(You know, I could go off on a huge Hee Haw tangent here.  It was one of my mom's favorite shows and in my memory, I see her at her sewing machine or the ironing board with that on in the background for large chunks of my childhood.  Probably explains why I ended up marrying a boy from Antlers, Oklahoma.  But I digress...)

Anyhoodle, thank you for visiting me today despite my lousy posting record.  Hopefully, you're the 'absence-makes-the-heart-grow-fonder' type, and not the 'out-of-sight-out-of-mind' type, and thus have grown even fonder of me than you were before.  That's what one might call a 'vain hope,' but it is my hope nonetheless.  I'm an optimist, you know.

Let's cut the chit-chat and get to the heart of the post, shall we?  It's time for another Just For Fun Challenge with my JiFFy girlfriends!  Hee-hee-hee-haw-haw-haw! HEE HAW!  Just to recap (for those of you who stumbled on here via some random Google search, like Hee Haw) (OKAY!  I'll stop! I swear that's the last direct reference I'll make to Hee Haw for the rest of this post!  Sheesh... it's my blog, you know.  I should be able to talk about whatever I want...*mutter & mumble*), each month one of us selects and sends out an image, then another of us sends out patterned paper.  Once the paper is sent out, the image is revealed to all.  Sometimes the paper works well with the image, sometimes it's what we euphemistically like to call a 'challenge,' but it's always JUST FOR FUN! 

This month, Julie selected the adorable heroine of the 'Picnic With Little Red' set by My Cute Stamps, an aptly named company if there ever was one.  I chose the patterned paper -- 'Brown Rice' from Jillybean Soup's Old World Cabbage Stew collection (not so aptly named, if you ask me, as there's nothing brown, rice-y, or cabbage-y about it).  And wouldn't you know?  The image and paper go together like... pickin' and grinnin'!  (Sorry folks, it's just going to be this way for the duration.)

Here's what I came up with:

Don't she just fry your taters?  She's sort of a large image, and for some reason I was bent on using a circle, so I got out my trusty old Creative Memories cutting system to make the circle layers.  The CM system is what I go to when I need larger circles or ovals than what I can make with my Nestabilites.  Little Red was colored in with Copics and her dress, jacket and hood were paper pieced. 

Here's a close-up of the grassy hills she appears to be twirling on:

They're little curved circle pieces I 'mowed' with my scissor tips for a little texture.

I airbrushed the sky, and hand-stitched the zig-zag detail around the image borders with red embroidery floss.   The sentiment (by A Muse) was cut up and staggered around the image circle.  The rest is pretty self-explanatory.

I can't wait to see what the rest of my Hee Haw Honeys JiFFy gals did this month!  Come with me as I visit the cyber cornfields of:

Julie Campbell

Kim Hughes

Lori Craig

Alli Miles, and

Michele Boyer

In closing, may I say:

I've loved the time that I've spent with you,

To share a card and a laugh or two

May your pleasures be many, your troubles be few...

See you next time! 

THAT'S all!

Supplies used:

Stamps: Picnic with Little Red by My Cute Stamps, Life is Good from A Muse

Paper: Brown Rice from Jillybean Soup's Old World Cabbage Stew collection, Neenah ivory, Kiwi Kiss, Basic Black, Kraft (SU!)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Copic Markers, Creative Memories cutting system, sewing machine, brads, paper piercer, embroidery floss, gingham ribbon, white pen

Cuppie Understands

Hola, amigas!  Como estas?  Me gusta comer.   

(Translation: Hello, feminine friends!  How are you?  I like to eat.)

Guess what?  It's... STOP! JiFFy time!  Yep, time for another monthly Just For Fun challenge between me and a few of my fabulous crafty muchachas.  Each month, one of us picks an image, but before she reveals what that image is, a different JiFFy girl sends everyone a bit of patterned paper.  Sometimes the paper goes well with the image, and sometimes it's a... er... challenge, but it's always JUST FOR FUN!

This month, Lori chose the image: sweet Crafty Cuppie from Taylored Expressions.  Michele sent us all swatches of 'Inspiration' from Cosmo Cricket's Material Girl line, and wouldn't you know it -- it's absolutely the PERFECT paper for a little cupcake getting his/her/its craft on.  Yay!

So here's what I came up with:

The sentiment -- 'Some people just don't seem to appreciate the cosmic importance of rubber stamping' --is one I picked up a long time ago from Viva Las Vegastamps, but never had the chance to use.  Cuppie definitely understands the global relevance of rubber stamping.  And I dare say the gender-bending confection would extend that understanding to clear stamping, as well. 

Cuppie and his Danish furniture (get it?  Danish furniture... *guffaw!*  I'll be appearing at the Chuckle Hut from February 29th through the 31st -- get your tickets while they last!) were colored in with Copic markers.  Some Nestabilities die cutting, a little machine stitching, a bit of trimming, and wa-la!  

Be sure to take a moment to visit my JiFFy girlfriends' blogs to see what sweet treats they came up with for your visual consumption:

Marvelous Michele Boyer

Lovely Lori Craig

Awesome Alli Miles

Kicky Kim Hughes, and

Jazzy Julie Campbell

Supplies used:

Stamps: Crafty Cuppie by Taylored Expressions; sentiment by Viva Las Vegastamps

Paper: 'Inspiration' from Cosmo Cricket's Material Girl line, New Leaf by PTI, Summer Sun and Blue Bayou (SU!)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Copic markers; sewing machine; Marigold Morning ribbon, New Leaf button, twine (PTI); Jody's Foam Boosters, Nestabilities, white pen, silver pen.