Mother's Little Helper

Super Saturday!

Is today your lucky day or what?  I've got not one but TWO cards to show you today!  You know I'm violently opposed to spoiling my readers and my children, but sometimes Mother feel too lazy to uphold her usual high standards.  Consider this a version of "You can just take a bath tomorrow..."

How does showing you two cards in one day make me lazy, you ask, when clearly I've been a productive little crafter?  Well, here's the deal: it's actually a way for me to cut corners and only write one blog post.  See, I've got this sadistic professor this summer, and she's making my life a wee bit miserable at the moment.  On Monday, in one single class, I have THREE papers due and a mid-term!  I also have a mid-term in the class that follows.  Thus, I have miles to go before I sleep for the next couple of nights, and shaving off a blog post helps.

Confession over.  Ready to see what I've got up my sleeve? 

Kraftin' Kimmie Weekly Challenge

First off, it's time for this week's Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Challenge (#84), hostessed by my sweet friend and one of my favorite stampers, the magnificent MICHELE.  She's come up with the very seasonally appropriate challenge to MAKE A SPLASH! Create a card or project with a water theme.....beachy, rain, underwater, pool...anything wet or watery!

I had yet to get KKS's newest illustrator, the extraordinary Emilie Goulet's, cute crab CARLOS inky, so this challenge was the perfect opportunity...

I wanted to keep it pretty clean and gender neutral, as I've got two guys with August birthdays in mind this might be a good one for.  One (Class Act Brad - I've mentioned him over the years) likes to have crab boils and always invites us over for them, and the other is Carter's sand castle building buddy every time we take our biannual family beach vacations.  And get this - both of their birthdays are on Aug. 24.  Freaky-deaky, no?

Head on over to the Kraftin' Kimmie Challenge blog to see all the wet 'n' wild creations the Krafty Girls AND for a special announcement about our newest Krafty Girl!  I'll give you a couple of hints as to who it is: I'm oh-so-happy to be playing with this Canuck again, as she is one of my favorite PeoPLe!  Also check out how you can play along and win the gorgeous Moonlight Whisper's NERISSA stamp that Michele is working with today.

SFYTT, Sponsored By Stamping Bella

Speaking of Canucks, Jen's Sketch For You To Try Team is so fortunate to have the one and only STAMPING BELLA sponsoring us this month.  As longtime readers know, I'm a HUGE fan of da Bella.  Bella images were one of my first stamping loves, and I've had the good fortune to hang out with Emily in person several times(she is a BLAST!).  I even did a short stint as a Bella Babe before I took my year-long hiatus from design team work a while back.  So I speak with authority when I say that STAMPING BELLA is definitely one of the best businesses in the industry.  Every product Emily sells is on or ahead of the trends and has been carefully vetted by the Bella Herself.

To refresh your memory, here's the June SFYTT:

And here's what I did with it, using Bronte and Louis by Mo Manning:

And here's a closer look at the image...

I just fell in love with that sweet and oh-so-apt drawing of a little boy and his dog; definitely reminded me of Carter and Sweet Pea (aka 'Pretty Princess Dog' or 'Ninja Princess Dog,' as Carter and I say in baby talk to her, dozens of times a day.  For some strange reason, neither Sean nor Truman find her as charming as we do.  Weirdos).  I had trimmed some webbing from her electric fence collar a while back and kept it, thinking I might be able to use it somehow, and it actually came in handy!  I think that's first.

Other card details?

• It's an unusual size - 4.5 x 7 (I think) - in order to fit all the elements I wanted to fit in. 
• The patterned paper is from Crate Paper's Toy Box Collection 6"x6" pad.
• The cork is from My Favorite Things.
• I did a little hand stitching around the navy square with red DMC embroidery floss.
• The sentiment is computer generated (font: Rockwell), which I then circle punched and adhered to the tag, then attached to the ribbon slide with a jump ring.
• The ribbon slide is from an old SU! Hodge Podge hardware collection.

Okay, friends.  That's all I 've got for you today, but I've got a full week of stuff in the works, beginning with Mojo Monday.  Please send thoughts of loving kindness and good energy my way so that I'm able to finish everything I've got on my super-sized plate.

 

A {Beachin'} June Sketch For You To Try!

Hi, everyone!  By the time you read this, my fam and I should be pulling out of Jackson, Mississippi, and heading down the highway towards our destination of Navarre Beach, on Florida's gorgeous Emerald Coast.  It's our first beach vacation in a couple of years, and all of us are really looking forward to it.  We're going with the same group of friends we went with last time (three other couples, with 10 boys between us; Carter is the youngest, and the oldest is starting an internship and won't be able to come this time).  This time should be even more fun, though, at least for me.  Last time, Carter wasn't fully potty trained or walking independently.  No diapers and less carrying of a heavy kiddo is a good thing!

As the first Saturday in June, it's time for the latest and greatest SKETCH FOR YOU TO TRY!  They're always great, but this month is an especially fun sketch that I really enjoyed playing with.  And we also have a FABULOUS sponsor this month: STAMPING BELLA! 
You know I love love love Stamping Bella - both the stamps and THE Bella herself, the incomparable Emily Block.  She's every bit as fun, stylish, and witty as her images.  Stamping Bella is more than just stamps, though.  All the latest embellishments, papers, tools, and anything else a stamper or scrapbooker could want can be found on in the Stamping Bella store.  If it's hip and happening?  Rest assured, Emily's got it!

Are you ready to see the new sketch?  Of course you are!

When I get home from vacation, I'm definitely going to be using the sketch with one of my HUNDREDS of Stamping Bella images, but with time being of the essence as I skedaddle out of town, I need to combine today's sample with this week's KRAFTIN' KIMMIE STAMPS challenge, which is Cut it out !! - Use Paper Piecing on your Card.  The Divine DONNA is this week's KKS Challenge hostess, and if you participate in the challenge, you could win the stamp she used in her sample, the lovely LILYBELLE.  Go to the Kraftin' Kimmie Challenge blog for more details, as well as challenge submissions from all of the Krafty Girls and Guests.

Here's what I came up with, using both the sketch and paper piecing.  You'll notice it's vacation related...

This is ELEANOR.  Don't confuse her with me, because she's MUCH tanner than I am.  Yes, I know she's not very tan.  That's the point.  By the way: if you're watching the news over the course of the next week and you hear of beached whale sightings on Navarre Beach?  Ignore it.  You'll know whom they're really referring to...

The waves at Eleanor's feet were made using The Cat's Pajamas' Waves CutUps die, and I tore a little craft to resemble a sandy beach.  All the patterened paper is from October Afternoon's Seaside 8"x8" pad, and Eleanor was colored in with Copic markers.  Her bathing cap's flowers have a little Wisteria glitter on them for sparkle.  The depth and dimension are courtesy of foam boosters from my buddy Jody Morrow's Sticky Stuff Store. 

Be sure to stop by Jen's blog to see what she's done with the sketch and to find out who the Designer of the Month is.  Then, swim on over to my SFYTT Sister's cyber coves to see what fetching finery they've created:

• Amber Hight
• Amy Sheffer
• Jen Tapler
• Jodi Collins
• Kelly Lunceford
• Kerry Johnson
• Megan Lock
• Sony Christoph
• Susan Liles
• Terri Moore

Okay, peeps.  I've got to go get the car packed up before the hubster gets home in a couple of hours.  Then, it's 8 hours or so on the open road.  Wish us luck!  I'll be back later in the week with Krafty Peeks of the June Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps release, and maybe a few vacation photos.  Don't worry, there won't be any of the aforementioned beached whale.  Of that I can PROMISE you! ;)

 

Supplies used:

Stamps: Eleanor & Beach Sentiments by Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps; Paper: October Afternoon Seaside 8"x8" pad, Night of Navy, Crushed Curry, Kraft (SU!), Aqua Mist (PTI), Copic X-Press Blending Cardstock; Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Momento Paris Dusk; Accessories: Waves CutUps Die by The Cat's Pajamas, Nestabilities circles, squares, and pinking circles, Copic markers, Wisteria Transparent Art Glitter, Jody Morrow's Foam Boosters.

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.

Cover Girl

Did you received your copy of Splitcoaststampers' Weekly Inking Newsletter in your inbox yesterday?  If so, did you notice a certain someone is featured as this week's tutorial writer? 

Hmmm?  You didn't? 

Oh.  How embarrassing. 

I thought surely this was going to be IT: the big break that would lead to my discovery, that would get me noticed, that would help me bust out of this one-horse town and secure my place in the Craft and Hobby Hall of Fame.  Not that there is such a thing.  Yet.  In this particular fantasy, I'm part of the first class of inductees.  I ride my unicorn into the ceremony wearing a flowing white gown created especially for me by Christian Siriano...

Yeah. Um...

So about that tutorial...  It's for a background technique I stumbled across while trying to create something 'Dirt Worthy' for the October 2008 'For a Song' Dirty Dozen gallery...

 

(This was made for that month's Inspiration Challenge, and my musical inspiration, in keeping with that month's theme, was 'Dog and Butterfly' by Heart.)

I've been scheduled to do this tutorial for over a year now, I think (it's been so long, I can't really remember).  Are you at all surprised that despite having such a HUGE window with which to work on it, I was still scrambling to finish up to the last minute?  Me neither. 

While doing the behind the scenes work to get it ready for prime time, Beate (SCS's Creative Director, member of the '69er club, and -- like Cher-- so famous she only needs to use her first name) suggested the title 'Faux Torn Mosaic.'  Well, I thought it was brilliant and readily agreed to it as I didn't have anything better to call Mod-Podging randomly shaped pieces of inked patterned paper onto cardstock.  Since the tutorial has been up at Splitcoast, however, it's been brought to my attention by some very observant stampers that the title is a misnomer: the background is actually made of torn paper and is actually a mosaic, thus there's nothing 'faux' about it.

They're right; I stand corrected.  I guess I was thinking of a mosaic as one typically does, made of tiles, stone, or glass.  Ashamed as I am to admit it, I was thinking 'inside the box.'  (I'm even more ashamed that I'm intentionally using that soul-corroding cliche.) 

And yet...

I feel the urge to quote the recently departed cheftestant from Season 6 of Top Chef, the arrogant-yet-somewhat-entertaining Mike Isabella who, upon being criticized for his undercooked leeks, said these wise words: "Whatever, whatever."

 

Call it what you will, here's the card I built and photographed to support the tutorial (which also did double-duty as the card included in my friend Rachel's baby shower gift):

If you're interested in giving it a try, head on over to the resources section of Splitcoast, where you'll find the tutorial, a questions and comments section, and a dedicated gallery.

Now, I must take my leave of you and admire the kitchen countertops that are being installed as I type!
 

Supplies used on Baby Mama card:

Stamps: TeddyBella by Stamping Bella, sentiment by Paper Trey Ink (Bitty Baby Blessings)

Paper: Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip (SU!), Perfect Paper Panels (My Favorite Things), Bitty Dot Basics patterned paper (PTI)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Memento Rich Cocoa, Adirondack Latte

Accessories: Copic Markers, oval punches, ribbon, wooden button, twine, Jody Morrow’s foam boosters, Mod Podge, sponges, dauber, paper trimmer

Bellarific Friday -- Self Portrait

Don't you see the resemblance?

I used Halobella for this week's Bellarific Friday sketch (created by Mehanibella).  First, I stamped her out and colored her in with Copic markers, then I masked her with Eclipse Masking Tape and airbrushed her sky.  Her dress was paper pieced, and her clouds were made extra-fluffy thanks to Polar White Flower Soft. Shading was accomplished via Prismacolor pencils & odorless mineral spirits.  The wings were glittered via Sakura Stardust Gelly Roll pen & aqua painter, and the sentiment was hand-written.

Make sure you stop by Emily's blog today to see what the rest of the Babes and the Sistahood made of the sketch.  Just leaving a measly comment while you're there?  You could win some Bella Bucks!  What a deal!  And did you read her blog this week?  They've lowered the free shipping point for all North American customers -- woohoo!  I don't know about you, but I love me some free shipping!

Not a whole lot of time for a lot of jibber-jabber today, but I do want to say: Project Runway has successfully survived the move to Lifetime.  Phew!  It has the same look and feel that we know and love. And Mood Fabrics has an L.A. branch!  Who knew?  COLOR ME RELIEVED!!! (Although I disagreed with the judges' verdict in the All-Star challenge.  Call me fashion-backward, but I thought Daniel V's collection was fugly.) Heidi, you can relax now.  Though I will always prefer Bravo to the L-word, so long as Project Runway keeps its soul and Tim Gunn?  I will follow it anywhere...

Supplies used:
Stamps: Halobella by Stamping Bella
Paper: Sweet Blush, Kraft, Bitty Dot Basics (PTI), Solar White (Neenah), cloud patterned paper by K & Co.
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Copic Sketch & Spica markers, Eclipse masking tape, Copic airbrush system, Polar White Flower Soft, sewing machine, circle and oval punches, Nestabilities, SU! silk ribbon, Prismacolor pencils & odorless mineral spirits, Sakura Stardust Gelly Roll pen, Dimensionals (SU!)

Happy Birthday to THE Stamping Bella!

I was so excited to learn that a *special* Bella BIRFFFDAY Blog Skip, Hop & Dance was being arranged in honor of my funny, fabulous, savvy sistah Emily Block (aka THE Stamping Bella)!  Of course, I HAD to be a part of the fun!

First -- a little housekeeping: did you start at the beginning of this BellaFest with Em and come to me via my pal Lori Craig?  If so, good!  If not, be sure to go back after you finish with me and catch up.  I've seen the names of everyone participating and I guarantee you there will be some unbelievable eye candy for your viewing pleasure.

In addition to the fabulous eye candy, we have decided to hide a prize somewhere along the hop! One pre-selected blogger will draw a random winner from the comments on her post, and the winner will receive a $40 Gift Voucher to Stamping Bella!!! The fun part is...we're not telling you who it is! So as you hop, make sure you leave comments on every post so you have a chance to win!! We will announce the winner on Monday in the Splitcoast forum. How awesome is THAT?!

Steuby-Doo was generous enough to send me the TOP SECRET, very special, brand-new character portrait of Emily created by Christy Croll (artist of the Tiddly Inks and Huggabuggs lines).  I think it totally nails her regalness, her gorgeous mane, and her sassy attitude, don't you?

It's very hard to capture the true luminosity of the Bella in a card, but I did give her chestnut locks some glittery highlights and and her Chanel sunglasses some sparkle via Copic Spica pens.  Her glasses have a coat of Glossy Accents on them (the better to protect her lovely brown eyes), and her crown is covered in Opaque Light Gold Art Institute Glitter (because she deserves the best).

Now, before I send you on your merry way, I'm going to post a heretofore unseen photo that I'm sure will get me in a little trouble.  It was the end of the last day of CHA last winter, post-dinner, and well, let's just say I'm not looking minty-fresh.  But it does show a sincere group hug between me, Em, and the magnificent Nicky Manel (aka Nickabella).
 
Love those gals.  MWAH!

Ready to see who's next on the Bella Trail?  You're in for a terrific treat -- it's another stamp company super-genius -- THE Verve Diva herself, Julee Tilman!!!

Supplies used:
Stamps: Birthday Stamping Queen digi-image (Christy Croll for Stamping Bella), sentiment from 'You Say It's Your Birthday' by The Cat's Pajamas
Paper: Certainly Celery, Purely Pomegranate, Marigold Morning (SU!), Georgia Pacific white, patterned paper from Little Yellow Bicycle's Zinnia 6"x6" pad
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Copic Markers, Nestabilities, brads, SU! grosgrain ribbon, Copic Spica markers, Glossy Accents, Jody's Foam Boosters, Opaque Light Gold Art Institute Glitter

Bellas Back-to-Back!

Get a load of this...  First, Michele and I had our Just For Fun challenge earlier in the week featuring Lattebella, then Jen suggested that all of Team SFYTT use a Bella (or any Stamping Bella image, like the Chichiboulie fairies or Tiddly inks kiddos) to demonstrate this week's Sketch For You To Try.  That's right: I was forced -- FORCED, I tell you! -- to play with my Bellas two posts in a row!  So what is it I'm trying to say?  Well, I think I'm the object of some sort of conspiracy. Don't get me wrong, I like the Bellas, but too often they sit in their binder neglected because of other commitments.  I think they must have unionized because they seem to be flexing some big-time leverage.  What other reasonable explanation can there be for this outside pressure MANDATING that I get them inky?  I know, it's weird...

(okay, get closer to the monitor so I can whisper... I can trust you to keep this just between us, can't I?  I'm actually thrilled to have gotten to play with my Bellas more than once this week because they're really and truly among my very favorite stamps, but I can't let them know that.  See, they have a tendency to get a little cocky, what with their style and panache, fabulous accessories and to-die-for figures.  So to keep them humble, I have to pretend that I'm indifferent to their charms.  Reverse psychology/hard-to-get/whatever you want to call it, I have to play it.  Otherwise, I'm pretty sure that when I'm not in my stamp room they're lording their desirability over all the other stamps.  It was really starting to get under Who's That Girl's skin, and Sprinkle was working up a mean case of cat scratch fever.  Hear me now and believe me later, you do NOT want to make Sprinkle mad...)

Anyway, I opted to use Diplomabella because I am waaaay behind on my graduation cards.  This one is for Larami (isn't that a beautiful name?), a terrific girl and one of our babysitters.  Check out that red zebra striped patterned paper -- that is the find of the century around these parts!  The mascot of the Claremore Public Schools is the Zebra, and our colors are red, white, and black.  A black and white zebra will do in a pinch, but the true Claremore Zebra is a red-striped zebra.  So this paper?  Worth it's weight in gold!  I know Terri at Simply Scrapbooks (my LSS) is ordering it in mass quantities so that it never goes out of print. 

Anyway, I'm going to make a couple more of this same card in various high school colors for the other graduating senior girls we know well.  Diplomabella may only see the light of ink in May and June, but she is by far and away one of my most frequently used stamps as I probably make 5-10 cards with her annually.  She has earned her keep and then some!

So, enough of my chitter-chatter.  This sketch is great (much easier than last week's -- I know a lot of folks found that one to be a toughie!) and super versatile.  Go to Jen's blog to download it and to see what she and our Guest for May, Toni Whitnell, made (thanks for a wonderful month of samples, Toni!).  Then, blurf on over to view the Bella-isimo creations of Susan, Amy and Shannan.  Between the sketch and the Bellas, I'm positive you'll be inspired enough to say "Nice weather be danged!  I'm stampin' today!"  And if you use the sketch and upload it to your SCS gallery, be sure to use 'SFYTT' for one of your keywords so we can see what you made.  If you don't, I may just have to have the Bellas rough you up!

Supplies used:
Stamps: Diplomabella by Stamping Bella
Paper: Basic Black, Real Red (SU!); patterned paper by Me and My Big Ideas, the Paper Studio, and Reminisce
Ink: Brilliance Archival Graphite Black, Basic Black (SU!) for inking edges of dsp
Accessories: Copic Sketch and Spica markers, black sticky boosters from Jody Morrow/texasjodylynn, ribbon, Making Memories Sweets (tags card sayings, black and white), foam daubers

Just for Fun!

Of course, stamping is always fun.  But sometimes it's extra-fun, like today!  Why is today extra-fun, you ask?  Well, let me tell you.  A few weeks ago, one of my very favorite stampers asked if I'd like to participate in a friendly challenge with her.  You're definitely familiar with this stamper.  She's one of those super-duper versatile stampers who can take any image and make it look like a million bucks.  After I caught a whiff of my smelling salts to prevent fainting related injuries, I dashed off an immediate "YES!!!!!"

Now, you may be asking "Why, oh why would you want to participate in a challenge with a hot snot stamper next to whom you can't help but look like cold booger?"  Were you to ask this out loud, I would tell you what I tell my ultra-competitive 11 year old:

1. It's not a competition.
2. There are always going to be people smarter, stronger, faster, and better looking.  The point is to do your best, have fun, and be a good sport.  (I really have to emphasize that last part with T.)
3. A smart person knows that it's better to be the smallest house in a great neighborhood than the biggest house in a crummy one.  Surround yourself with awesomeness and some of it's bound to rub off!
4. What fun is doing something easy?  Look up the word CHALLENGE: A test of one's abilities or resources in a demanding but stimulating undertaking.  "Demanding but stimulating" -- doesn't get better than that!

After my usual long-winded pontificating, are you still curious as to who my challenge buddy is?  You are?  Does that mean you want me to tell you her name?  Oh.  Alrighty, then.  It's none other than the magnificent

MICHELE BOYER (aka Shel9999)!

I know!  Pinch me, huh?!  Obviously, I can't speak to her motivations (pity? charity?), I'm just happy she knows my name...

So here's our challenge to each other: Michele picks out a stamp, but before she tells me what it is, I send her some patterned paper (and she reveals the stamp while the paper is en route).  We both have to use the same stamp and patterned paper, but everything else is fair game.  Each month, we alternate roles, so next month I'll be picking the stamp. 

May stamp: Latte Bella by Stamping Bella
Paper: funky, colorful, beachy, patchwork-y paper by Flair

Here's what I came up with:
In keeping with the casual, surfer feel of the paper, I went with a Kraft base and distressed every layer I could.  The sentiment is one of my favorite java related sayings, and is by Crafty Secrets (I cut it up just for kicks & giggles).  The key lime white-core CTMH background paper was ran through the Cuttlebug with Swiss Dots, then roughed up with a sandpaper block.  And because she is a Bella, after all, I had to give in and provide her with a little bit of girly frou-frou in the form of some yummy 1" satin ribbon and some frosty Bella flatbacks.

I'm sure Michele has made something that will make your eyeballs fall out of their sockets, so please put on protective goggles before visiting her blog.

Wasn't this fun?!  I can't wait until next month!!

Supplies used: stamps: Latte Bella by Stamping Bella, Coffee & Tea by Crafty Secrets; Paper: Kraft, Brilliant Blue (SU!), Key Lime (CTMH), Georgia Pacific White, dsp by Flair; Ink: Brilliance Archival Graphite Black, VersaFine Archival Onyx, Apricot Appeal (SU!); Accessories: Copic Sketch & Spica Markers, Swiss Dot embossing folder, sandpaper block, Tonic Paper Distresser, ribbon from Jody Morrow/texasjodylynn ribbon share, Circle Cutter, Dimensionals, frosty Bella flatbacks.

TCB But Hardly in a Flash

Several years ago -- pre-kids, which feels like a different lifetime -- DH and I stopped by Graceland on one of our cross-country road trips between Oklahoma and Washington, D.C.  Have you ever been?  It's fabulous -- so kitschy and nutty!  So much crazy goodness in one place should be illegal.  I'm not sure what my favorite room was, but the TV room in the basement ranks in the top three. A mirrored ceiling, three TVs set into the wall, a wet bar covered in Yo-Yo Yellow vinyl, blingy pillows, that jacked-up monkey on the coffee table; I ask you, what is not to love?  The pièce de résistance, however, has to be the lightening bolt mural on the wall.

For those of you unfamiliar with the King's personal philosophy, the lightening bolt was symbolic of Elvis's slogan, "TCB," which stands for "Taking Care of Business."  TCB + the lightening bolt = Taking Care of Business in a Flash.  Elvis and Priscilla created a logo for this creed, and even had a TCB Oath that members of his Memphis Mafia had to take (the last line of which was "freedom from constipation" -- I kid you not.  Clearly, Elvis had a sense of humor.  Still, freedom from constipation is a worthy goal...).  The TCB logo was emblazoned on everything from his karate uniform and jewelery to the tail of Elvis's private jet, the Lisa Marie.

For some reason, that logo cracks me up.  I don't know why -- it just makes me smile.  And I also like that it kind of looks like CTB (my initials).  I'm not really the tattoo type (nothing wrong with 'em, just can't bring myself to do it.  Although every time I go to Vegas and knock back a couple of drinks, I threaten to get one), but if I was, I would totally get the TCB logo just for kicks and giggles.  Apparently, this is not an original idea by a long shot.

So why am I telling you all of this?  Well, I'm taking care of some business these days, but nothing I can really share because it's either for an upcoming release or I'm only half-way finished with it.  Additionally, I'm trying to prepare for the Arlington Shoebox Swap next weekend, and that's a little time consuming.  And by the way, when I TCB?  It's hardly in a flash.  I'm slow.  I wish I wasn't, but I am.  About the only thing I do in a flash is eat.

I do have one thing I can show you, though, that has not yet graced ye olde blog.  I made this for last week's color challenge to use Groovy Guava, Basic Gray, and Blush Blossom.  Isn't she adorable?

Supplies used -- Stamps: Ohsopretty Bella by Stamping Bella; sentiment by River City Rubberworks, Cornish Heritage Farms Pretty Pattern Backgrounder, A Muse oval; Paper: Groovy Guava, Basic Gray, Blush Blossom, Strathmore Bristol white cs, Afternoon Tea dsp, gray dp by Creative Memories; Ink: Brilliance Archival Graphite Black, Basic Gray, Blush Blossom; Accessories: Copic Sketch & Spica Markers, Art Glitter, sewing machine, ribbon, Bella Baubles, Dimensionals.

Oh, and I still have to show you the cake from Sean's Birthday party last weekend!  Hee hee!

Pretty funny, huh?  They definitely got the eyes right, but in real life his eyebrows don't go down to his nostrils.  (Not quite.)  Well, since I'm lifting photos left and right for this post, I might as well just let you judge for yourself.  Here's my cute 40-year-old hubby, Sean:

And last but certainly not least, the new Verve Visual sets I was telling you about yesterday (Father Figure and Great Expectations) go on sale today -- AND -- Verve is having a Star-Studded Sale where you can get 15% off all star-themed sets (and there are several) between now and May 15th!  Again -- perfect for making those graduation themed cards. 

Elvis would approve.

A Blissful Sketch For You To Try

I was so happy when I saw this big rectangle on Jen's SFYTT this week.  I thought "Oh, good!  I can use one of my new Bellas..."  And here she is, Yogabella!  Isn't she cute?  I like her grown-up pig tails.  I wanted her to look like she was levitating, as if she's reached Nirvana, so I masked her with Eclipse tape.  I then stamped the clouds over and around her in Versamark, and then heat embossed clear embossing powder on top of that.  Next, with the mask still on her, I sponged the sky in with bashful blue ink.  I rubbed the clouds with a tissue to wipe off any extra ink, and then finally I took the mask off Bella and she was able to breathe.

Be sure to go to Jen's blog to see her sample as well as her Guest Designer Sarah Green's sample, and of course you'll need to wander around and see what fabulousness Shannan, Susan, and Amy came up with.  If you get a chance to play with the sketch, be sure to use SFYTT if you post it to your Splitcoast gallery so we can swing by and check it out. 

Have an enlightened weekend!

Supplies used: Stamps: Yogabella by Stamping Bella, clouds and sentiment by River City Rubberworks; Paper: Brocade Blue by SU!, Strathmore Bristol Smooth,Basic Gray Lily Kate 6" x 6" paper pad; Ink: Brilliance Archival Graphite Black, VersaFine Archival Onyx, VersaMark; Accessories: Prima flowers, oversized gem brad from Gina K. Designs, clear embossing powder, ribbon, paper piercer.

Coffee With a Sistah!

I like my coffee like I like my men...
... sweet & rich!

And drinking out of my new LatteBella mug is almost as good as klatching with The Bella herself!  Now if you'll excuse me -- my cuppa's getting cold...

Be back later with another MFTeaser!

Have a happy

Not So Boring...

My submission for today's SCS Sketch Challenge centers around Stamping Bella's Not So Bored Border:
Not only do I love the image because it's just so fun to color, but I love the name of it, too.  Around my house, "bored" is a dirty word.  Seriously. The idea that a person could be bored in this day and age is outrageous!  We have so much at our fingertips to entertain us, let alone work that needs to be done -- boredom is a luxury no one can afford.  Least of all a certain eleven-year-old boy named Truman who knows uttering, "I'm bored!" will get him scooping German Shepherd poop fast enough to make his head spin...

Supplies used -- Stamps: Not So Boring Border by Stamping Bella, sentiment by Rubber Soul; Paper: patterned paper by the Paper Studio, Georgia Pacific White, SU! cardstock in Tempting Turquoise, Basic Black, Certainly Celery, and Cameo Coral; Ink: Brilliance Archival Graphite Black, Palette Hybrid Noir Black; Accessories: Copic markers, SU! Perfect Layers, pinking shears, Glossy Accents (for flower centers), Dimensionals, Fiskars Texture Plates, ribbon.

New Bella Rubbah!

I finally got a big ol' batch of new rubbah from Stamping Bella mounted and ready to play with (and I only stabbed myself once with the hot knife in the process... I love my hot knife, but I'm not sure someone as absentminded as I am should be allowed to have one.  I have a tendency to forget that it's a.)hot and b.)sharp...) Anyway, lookie what I made for today's Bloggers Challenge (to make a birthday card)!

I think these must be what Bellas look like when they're little girls (notice they have the same, Bella-like slender arms and legs).  Aren't they adorable?!  And of course, another tell-tale Bella sign: the cute blond with pigtails has a tiny Swarovski crystal in the middle of the flower on her dress.  A Bella-to-Be has to have a little bling, you know...

I have a deep and abiding love for Kraft cardstock, and I knew I wanted to use Paper Pretties new Sassy Circles set on Kraft to make a fun polka-dot background without having to add an extra layer.  (I really like the varying size and placement of the dots in this particular stamp, though the set also contains a more symmetrical polka stamp as well as a couple of different sizes of grounding ovals.  In short, a bunch of good basics that all stampers need.)  What I didn't realize was that if you use SU! Pink Passion ink on Kraft that the color ends up looking just like Purely Pomegranate, which is a color I really like.  If you use Purely Pom ink on Kraft, it's a little dark to match just right to the pom cardstock and ribbon.  (Aren't I an absolute WEALTH of info?!  You're welcome!)

By the way, you may have noticed I've ventured away from coloring 100% of my females blonde in the past few weeks.   It's still my first instinct to want my girls to have blonde hair just like me, and who can blame me? For the significant investment I make in keeping my hair this color it's only natural I impose this upon my stampin offspring.  But since I've become aware of the possible extinction of redheads, I've worried about my friend Shortcake (aka Charmaine Ikach) and her kind dying out.  That would be a shame, don't you think?  So I'm trying to do my part to populate the world with a few more reds and strawberry blondes.  No offense, Brunettes, but you're in ample supply and can fend for yourselves...

Supplies used -- Stamps: Best Friends Forevah by Stamping Bella, Sassy Circles by Paper Pretties, sentiment by The Cat's Pajamas; Paper: Kraft and Purely Pomegranate by SU! Georgia Pacific White; Ink: Brilliance Archival Graphite Black, Pink Passion by SU!; Accessories: Nestabilities, Copic Sketch and Spica markers, Swarovski crystal, paper piercer, white pen, foam mounting tape, Crop-a-Dile, SU! ribbon.

Oscar Aftermath and a Quadruple Play

Well, I just got in from all the Oscar parties.  Let me tell you, winning an Oscar is wonderful, but the press conferences, the endless congratulations, being pawed on by George Clooney and Jon Stewart, and so on?  It's a little exhausting, to be honest. 

Oh?  You didn't know I won an Oscar?  Did you go to bed early?  You know they always save the best for last; mine was announced right after "No Country For Old Men" was named best picture.  Holly McMillen (aka Toy) presented me with the award for "Complete Stamping Mayhem and Best Sense of Humor" Oscar.  (Note: I have no idea why I was nominated in that category as I am very shy and quite demure, but who am I to question the Academy?)  Anyway, I don't want to bore you by repeating my very lengthy acceptance speech, but I do want to thank you -- the little people -- who have made me the HUGE star I am today.  And here's a glimpse of my award:

It's so much heavier than it looks!  Thanks again, Holly -- being presented this major award by one of my stamping idols makes it especially gratifying, and the fact that you curtsied to me as you did so, well, that's a moment I won't soon forget...

And, even though I have now made Oscar history, I'm going to get back to the business of stamping.  Because I'm so down-to-earth (that's one of the things my throngs of fans like best about me). 

This may look like a sweet little Bella card but don't be fooled: it's a killer.  In fact, it's killed four -- count 'em -- four birds already, and when it makes it's way to a certain stamper whose birthday is the 27th, it will kill a fifth.  Which four birds have been snuffed out by this innocent-looking creation?  Well, first, there's the Bella Reveal sketch challenge, then there's the Bella challenge to use something unusual as an embellishment (I used a key chain tag), the third was the Bella challenge to add bling to a Bella card, and last but not least, it knocked out today's Technique Lovers Challenge to mix at least two different patterns of paper.  (The Bella Challenges can be found in the Stamping Bella Member Forum on SCS.)   So be careful as you check her out -- she's lethal!

Supplies used -- Stamps: Dogwalkabella by Stamping Bella, sentiment by MFT; Paper: Brilliant Blue, Georgia Pacific White, polka dot paper by Doodlebug Designs, flower paper by Imaginesce; Ink: Brilliant Archival Graphite Black, Pink Passion; Accessories: Copic Sketch Markers, ribbon, key chain tag, CTMH photo hanger, Itty Bitty Bling flowers by Imaginesce.

Stream of Consciousness, or This Is My Brain on 3.5 Hours of Sleep

I woke up in the middle of the night again.  And doing that on a Tuesday morning means what?  Come on, you know the answer.  Is it a) roll over and go back to sleep; b) use the bathroom then get back in bed; c) turn on the reading light (from Levenger -- so awesome; just spotlights an area large enough to read by, thus not waking DH), read a couple of pages, then go back to sleep; or d) get up, use the bathroom, take Diva outside to use the bathroom, check to see if Emily posted the Color Challenge early, get a Cherry Coke Zero from the 'fridge in the garage, see what's on TV (nothing of interest; choose a documentary called "Kennedys Don't Cry," then switch a while later to something about Cleopatra, followed by a show searching for the lost tomb of Imhotep, followed by a show about the Corvette G-6 (never knew or wanted to know so much about Corvettes...), EZ-Mount a few stamps using the hot knife (for some reason, I LOVE slicing through EZ Mount with the hot knife; wonder if that's how surgeons feel?  Eww, hope not.  But on the other hand, maybe it would be a good thing for them to love their jobs... I know, I digress) and do a little stamping.  Correct answer: d!  Congratulations!  You've won: the satisfaction of knowing the right answer, and a glimpse of the card I made!!
So today's Color Challenge is to use Blue Bayou, Soft Sky, and Real Red.  And before I went to bed last night I saw that Joanne had posted a new challenge in the Paper Pretties forum.  Now, you know how much I love me a two-fer, so naturally the Color Challenge was paired with the Prettie Challenge. 

You're just dying to know what the Prettie Challenge is, aren't you?  I won't keep you in suspense any longer: it's to make a clean and simple card. Is this clean and simple?  Nothing is cleaner than snow, and this is a snowy card. So clean: check.  Simple? It's not one layer, but it's also not terribly complicated.  And I did use a pre-printed, pre-folded, ready-made base -- can't get any simpler than that, so I'm going to give me simple, too.  Yay!  Two-fer established and defended.  If Joanne tries to D.Q. me from the challenge, I'll just have to send her here to help her see the error of her ways.  The best defense is a good offense.  (Whatever that means.) (<-- a parenthetical that can be placed adjacent to almost everything I write.)

Get my train of thought back on track, let's discuss the construction of this here card.  Snowbunnybella was stamped in Brilliance Archival Graphite Black, then colored in with Copics.  Her boots were masked and an A Muse oval was stamped in Going Gray to ground her.  Then, the fur on coat and hat was trimmed in Fun Flock.  The back ground looked so... white, so I decided to cut her out and put her on a background of Soft Sky.  As I was trimming her, I had the idea to send the Soft Sky through the Cuttlebug so it looked snowy.  Then it needed a little border of Blue Bayou... The sentiment was stamped then cut apart because the dimensions of it weren't what I thought I wanted.  I played around with placement, and upon deciding I wanted to use some of the Soft Sky ribbon I bought from SU! (because it comes in quantities of 15 yards and I've hardly touched it because it's a little plain and kinda hard to work with...), I came up with this layout.  Which is simple (see above Challenge!) but cute.  Job done!  Now just to photograph and edit it to where I'm satisfied (which takes a couple of tries), watermark it, and post to my blog.  Then to post to the Color Challenge and the Prettie Challenge.  Then, make coffee and start the day! 

Supplies used -- Stamps: Snowbunnybella by Stamping Bella, A Muse Oval, sentiment by Inky Antics; Paper: A Muse notecard, Blue Bayou, Soft Sky, Georgia Pacific White; Ink: Brilliance Archival Graphite Black, Going Gray, Real Red; Accessories: Copic Sketch Markers, Fun Flock, Cuttlebug with Snowflake embossing folder, ribbon, Dimensionals.