TIOT #43 Create A Scene and a year ago today....

There is CANDY over at the Follow Your Heart Blog! Make sure to visit and answer the question Susana posted and leave it in the comment section. Hurry, candy ends tomorrow, Nov. 11 at 11 PM EST.

What one person will win:

* One sheet of the Sampler Edition #2 stamps
* One stack of the 6 x 6 Indian Summer by Basic Grey
* 3 styles of Prima Flower Centers chosen by me

Oh, and guess what? You'll also get to see a little teaser of brand new Elisabeth Bell stamps!

Today's Try It Out Tuesday challenge was to create a scene and I think my mojo was turned down for this one, which is pretty ironic since I used this week's MOJO 112 sketch, LOL! I had a snowy mountain scene in my head but it came out as just hanging snowflakes on cardstock, but I'm still pretty happy with what I came up with for my Snow Fun from the Victoria Case Winter Wonderland Collection. Just "imagine" snow-capped mountains in the background.... I made the Stickle-covered snowflakes dangle to give it more movement. I had to use Sparkly Fluff for her cap and mitten...they were screaming to be covered with it!

Come back Nov. 12 for a fantastic blog hop that will showcase the brand new Elisabeth Bell stamps!

Card Recipe:

Stamp: SCACD Snow Fun

Ink: Versamark

Paper: Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses pad, SU cs (Bashful Blue, Regal Rose), watercolor paper

Accessories: Cotton Candy Pink Sparkly Fluff, Diamond Stickles, Diamond Glaze, Carded White Liquid Applique, Spellbinders (Large Classic Circle, Large Petite Scallop Circle), silver cording, Cuttlebug ef, EK Success border punch, watercolor markers

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A year ago today...WE MISS YOU, DAD.........

It's a sketch for TIOT #42

Yes, I'm posting my Try It Out Tuesday card on Friday...LOL! Susana of SCACD was on vacation and so was the store (just the shopping cart anyways) until today :). Welcome back, Susana! Hope you had a very relaxing vacation! The SCACD shopping cart should be up and running by 12 PM PST today.

Our challenge for TIOT #42 was to follow this sketch: Here's my interpretation: Isn't the 3 French Hens stamp from the Elisabeth Bell Special Edition Ornament Collection just the sweetest?! The entire collection is so versatile! For my card, I decided to just stamp the main image and use the holly as coordinating accents.

SCACD has some yummy goodies for you all so keep an eye out! Actually, keep both eyes open because you definitely don't want to miss it...or them....hehehe!

Card Recipe:

Stamp: SCACD 3 French Hens

Ink: Versamark

Paper: Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses pad, SU Soft Sky cs, watercolor paper

Accessories: Diamond Glaze, Crystal Stickles, black ep, decorative palstic buttons, watercolor markers

ODBD November Sneak Peek and Metal TIOT

It's almost time for the November unveiling of Our Daily Bread designs' newest sets and let me tell you, you are all in for a wonderful treat! Today I'm sharing a peek at a new scripture from one of the new sets. Let me tell you...there are plenty of beautiful scriptures and sentiments heading your way Nov. 1 so be ready!

I can't seem to stop making these blooming boxes so I hope you all will be patient with me while I try to get it out of my system...LOL!

Box Recipe:

Stamp: ODBD Christmas Verses AVAILABLE NOVEMBER 1, SU (butterfly)

Ink: Versamark, Walnut distress

Paper: DCWV Rustic Stack, Prismatic Spring Willow pack, SU Chocolate Chip cs

Accessories: Glimmer Mists, MS flower punch, Zva Creative Pearls, Basic Grey Opalines, black ep

I'll have another sneak peek on Wednesday, Oct. 20 so I hope you stop by again!

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Today's TIOT for Susana's Custom Art and Card Designs was a "Metal Musings" challenge and here's my card using this week's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #41: I used the super cute Cocoa Puff stamp from the Victoria Case Winter Wonderland Collection and she's so fun to color! For my "metal musing" I used a sheet of pewter that I ran through my Cuttlebug using an embossing folder. For added "bling" I accented with Diamond Glaze on the peppermint stick, Stickles and Smooch. I even Smooched the Liquid Applique! I love Smooch because the fine sponge tip allows for coverage even in the most narrow spots.

Card Recipe:

Stamp: SCACD Cocoa Puff

Ink: StazOn black

Paper: K & Company Hannah pad, SU Real Red cs

Accessories: Art Emboss Medium Pewter, Diamond Glaze, Liquid Applique, Stickles, Smooch

My SCACD winter table setting

Ok, first off I'd like to say I got inspired by the wonderfully talented Kim Teasdale after seeing her Butterfly Explosion Box and then got goosebumps after seeing all these gorgeous boxes over at Magic-Boxes.com. The designs are breathtaking and inspiring!!! You really must take a look!

I wanted to try the same technique, but instead of a box I wanted to use it for today's TIOT challenge of creating something for a holiday table. I made this place setting ensemble featuring the very stylish Winter from the recently released Victoria Case for SCACD Winter Wonderland Collection. My hubby's niece, Jocelyn, was my inspiration...a true girl, but not girly. That's why I went with the soft blues and muted olive for my color scheme:

I was able to make Winter stand up by adhering sturdy cardstock to her legs/shoes and cutting a couple of slits to to thread them through and securing them underneath. I cut the strips of acetate longer so they would fan out more and spread around the plate.
I also made a little pocket to hold the silverware (no knife as you can tell...this is for the children's table). The little snowflakes on this pocket and the ones surrounding Winter is only available on the full sheet of 7 images of the Winter Wonderland Collection. Naturally, I'd create different place settings for the boys :). I love holiday festivities, decorating and gift giving!!! It really is the MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!

There's a blog hop happening on Oct. 22 so come back for more fun and candy!

Table Ensemble Recipe:

Stamp: SCACD Winter by Victoria Case

Ink: StazOn black, Versamark

Paper: Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses, SU cs (Old Olive, Brocade Blue), Gina K Pure Luxury white cs, watercolor paper

Accessories: Grafix Clear Acetate, Kaisercraft Pearls, Liquid Applique, white ep, Bow-Easy, white organza ribbon, watercolor markers

Decorating with Elisabeth Bell Special Edition Ornament Collection

If you've seen the new Elisabeth Bell Special Edition Ornament Collection created exclusively for SCACD then you know how versatile they can be! Today's TIOT challenge was to show the stamp used in a completely different way and I decided to make this door hanger using the 2 Turtle Doves stamp and shrink plastic:
I used a metal ring and covered it with silk flowers and Petaloo white jeweled flowers. I added highlights to the image by coloring in the doves with Moonlight Smooch, Petal Pink Liquid Pearls and Lime Green Stickles.

This one is going to hubby's very girly girl niece and I sure hope she likes it!

A California-kind of Halloween and wonderful news from Tattered Angels!!!

This week's TIOT #38 challenge was to create a Halloween or Fall card. Sometimes I like to change things a bit...to look at a stamp and see it for something different than what it is. I didn't have any Halloween stamps from SCACD so looked at what I had and bingo! I saw my Emma from the Elisabeth Bell Sampler Edition 1 and saw a rather chic trick-or-treater. All it needed was a little creative tweaking! I showed it to Susana (SCACD owner) and she said it was definitely very California. We're both CA gals and believe you me, it is not unheard of to see laid-back, flip-flop wearing trick-or-treaters! So, here's my California "witch" using the MMSC21 sketch: I love how the Crystal Stickles reflected a greenish color on the black cardstock! Having made this card I came to realize that I need to get cracking on making my sons' Halloween costumes!!

Card Recipe:

Stamp: Emma from the Elisabeth Bell Sampler Edition for SCACD

Ink: Versamark

Paper: Basic Grey Indian Summer pad, SU cs (Perfect Plum, Barely Banana, Basic Black)

Accessories: Petaloo Dazzlers Florettes, White Inkssentials gel pen, Crystal Stickles, Prima flower, decorative heart pin, jewelry beads, black dimensional dot stickers, watercolor markers, watercolor paper

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THRILLED BEYOND BELIEF!!!

Really exciting news came my way when I received an e-mail from Michelle Jackson, the Creative Director of Tattered Angels...one of my very favorite products I consistently reach for! I was selected to be their Featured Artist for the month of October!!! It's like they knew it was my birthday! If you want to find out my answers to their fun little questions and see my projects just head over to the Tattered Angels Blog (not sure when the post will go up).

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my Glimmer Mists! But you know what? Tattered Angels has even more things to love like their Glimmer chips. I made this card for today's Limited Supplies challenge to use a Christmas tree (by the looks of it...maybe not so limited. LOL!) over at SCS and used this week's CPS135:

Doesn't the iridescent sparkle just make you go "AHHHHHHH"? The adhesive-backed Glimmer Chips are embossed so you get a really neat effect when you lightly rub an ink pad over it. Make sure you're not using ink with a sponge pad or else you'll completely lose the subtle embossing. I used my Tim Holts distress pads for my Chips.

Card Recipe:

Stamp: Sentiment from the Elisabeth Bell Special Edition Ornament Collection for SCACD

Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Pads (Peeled Paint, Tattered Rose, Walnut Stain), Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper: Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses pad, SU cs (Baja Breeze, Pretty in Pink, Old Olive), Prism Simply Smooth White

Accessories: Tattered Angels Glimmer Mists (Meadow Green, Tattered Leather, Rose Tea, Iridescent Gold), Frosty Memories Glimmer Chips, Basic Grey Rose/Blush Opalines

That's it from me today, but I've got more fabulous news to share tomorrow!!! I'm just so giddy!

Spreading some Flower Soft love!

Today's Try It Out Tuesday #37 (TIOT) from Susana's Custom Art and Card Designs was a Flower Soft challenge and I wanted to try something different. I had a 4x4 cardstock pack with adhesive backing that's been sitting in my craft room for a few months. I decided to punch out some butterflies and press them into some Flower Soft and got this using the MOJO105 sketch:Card Recipe:

Stamp: SCACD Tea For Two

Ink: StazOn black

Paper: SU cs (Soft Sky, Certainly Celery), Prismatic Pink Pack, watercolor paper

Accessories: Flower Soft (Sweet Pea, Ivory), CB Swirls ef, Tim Holtz Idea-ology Design Ruler, paper piercer, Dew Drops, Crystal Stickles, Diamond Glaze, watercolor markers

Visit the rest of the SCACD DT blogs to see what fabulous things they created using Flower Soft! Then, make sure to check out SCACD's collection of Flower Soft, especially the new Polar White and Autumn Mix.

GREAT NEWS!!! SCACD will be having be releasing new Victoria Case AND Elisabeth Bell mini sets on Sept. 29. You can get sneak peeks starting Sept. 26 at the Follow Your Heart blog along with BLOG CANDY!!!

This is a short post since I have to tend to a flooded laundry room while waiting for help to arrive!

TIOT #36 and a cause to CUT IT OFF

Is it just me or are the weeks going by FAST? I really don't mind because I am soooooo done with the heat down here!

It feels like I just posted my previous TIOT yesterday and now here we are again! I especially loved this week's challenge because it was based on this fabulous tutorial for a Triangular Trifold card by Beate Johns. Here's my little pink floral fantasy card:

Do you recognize the bouquet of flowers? I cut them out from the Alexa stamp (Victoria Case Hearts and Hugs Collection Series 1). It just goes to show you that SCACD stamps can be very versatile!

Card Recipe:

Stamp: SCACD Alexa

Ink: StazOn black

Paper: Basic Grey Lemonade pad, Prismatic Pink Pack, SU cs (Certainly Celery, Positively Pink), watercolor paper

Accessories: Spellbinders Kaleidoscope Pendant, Scor-Pal, watercolor markers

Make a larger square and adjust the measurements and score lines to accommodate your larger images :).

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On another note, my hair had grown below my waist and I decided to cut it all off and donate it to Pantene Beautiful Lengths (goes towards making wigs for both children and adults), a worthwhile cause benefiting cancer patients who have lost their hair due to chemo treatments.

If you're ready for a new short do, please remember to donate!

A little SCACD & ODBD MAGIC!

I saw this fab Magic Marquee video tutorial by Janine Tinklenberg (Jan Tink) on Card of the Week and I knew I wanted to give it a try! Make sure to read Jan's blog...she is very entertaining!

Today's TIOT #35 for Susana's Custom Art and Card Designs was a sketch challenge and I do love sketches!! I wanted to use Taylor from the Victoria Case Hearts and Hugs Collection Series 2 because I thought a surprise "Howdy!" greeting was perfect for this type of card:
Card Recipe:

Stamp: SCACD Taylor

Ink: SU Real Red, Tea Dye distress

Paper: Basic Grey June Bug pad, SU cs (Real Red, Night of Navy, Close to Cocoa), watercolor paper

Accessories: Basic Grey June Bug Buttons, CB Swiss Dots ef, hemp twine, SU linen thread, Rope font, watercolor markers, Prismacolor pencil

You really have to try out the magic marquee technique and even if you don't just watching Jan's video is a hoot!

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Don't forget to get cracking on your pocket cards for the ODBD Three for Thee challenge! You have until Sept. 17 to link up your creations in the comment section of the challenge post. You can keep up-to-date on Current ODBD Challenges by finding a clickable link at the top right side of the blog which will direct you to the right place.

Like I said, I couldn't stop at making just one magic marquee card! Here's another featuring THREE ODBD stamps:

I stamped the butterfly swirls after I completed the card because I didn't like the plain center so that's why the stamping is a little "off". Make sure to stamp the two "curtains" BEFORE you assemble :).

Card Recipe:

Stamp: ODBD Thinking of You, Get Well, Mother Teresa

Ink: SU (Night of Navy, Pretty in Pink, White craft), Versamark

Paper: K & Company Bailey pad, Prismatic Nautical Blue pack, SU cs (Kraft, Night of Navy), Canson watercolor paper

Accessories: Ranger Gold ep, Basic Grey Indigo/Sky Opalines, watercolor markers, Spellbinders


What are you waiting for??? Go make that pocket card and enter it on the ODBD challenge for your chance to win one of the September sets!

ODBD September NEW RELEASE and SCACD TIOT #34

It's the first of the month and this means NEW RELEASES for Our Daily Bread designs!!! There three, YES 3, new sets available today and here they are:

Doodle 1 - Get Well:

Doodle 2 - Thinking of You:

Doodle 3 - Friendship:

I've always loved flourishes and swirls and having ODBD come out with a few was a big treat! Here's a card I made using the butterfly swirls from Doodle 1 and the scripture from Doodle 3. You gotta love those Spellbinder Pendant dies!!

Card Recipe:

Stamp: ODBD Doodle 1 and Doodle 3

Ink: SU Basic Brown, Walnut distress

Paper: K & Company Life's Journey pad, SU cs (Old Olive, Chocolate Chip)

Accessories: Spellbinders Kaleidoscope Pendant die, Marvy Uchida large scallop circle punch, MS butterfly punch, gem brad


Make sure to grab up all three sets today as I'm sure they will go fast!

ALERT:
ODBD will be hosting a challenge starting Sept. 3! The prize? One stamp set from the September New Release to 3 lucky winners!!! All details will be on the ODBD blog so bookmark it or subscribe to stay updated.

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It's time for TIOT #34 and this week Suzanne challenged us to NOT USE ANY DECORATIVE/DESIGNER PRINTED PAPER and the include a charm on our card. Having MANY pads of designer paper and using it on EVERY CARD I make, this truly was a challenge
for me. Here's what I came up with using Aud from the Hearts and Hugs Series 2 Collection:

I was able to make the PERFECT bow using a wonderful tool called the Bow-Easy and if you love adding bows to your projects then this is a MUST-HAVE! I added Shimmerz to Aud's purse and boots and SCACD has them on SALE FOR 30% OFF!!! Incredible price so head on over and buy your favorite colors!

Card Recipe:

Stamp: SCACD Stamp Co. Aud

Ink: Stazon black, SU Orchid Opulence

Paper: SU cs (Perfect Plum, Certainly Celery, Very Vanilla)

Accessories: Shimmerz (Lilac, Caramel), Bow-Easy, silver purse charm, Kaisercraft Lilac Rhinestones, SU Backgrounds 1 Texturz Plates, Fiskars Icing on the Cake border punch, Spellbinders (Fleur De Lis Borderabilities, Large Circle, Large Scallop Circle), white organza ribbon

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Last, but certainly not least...The Blue Bombers of Park View Little League in Chula Vista (my hubby's hometown) WON the 2009 Little League World Series!!! Congratulations to the boy wonders and Coach Ric Ramirez (he and hubby were Cub Scouts together...LOL!) for bringing it home!

Gift of giving

I used to make all sorts of gifts and goodies for anyone and everyone and for all sorts of occasions. I now do them much too infrequently because LIFE has gotten pretty hectic, but working on two gifts felt really good!

First up is my TIOT #32 challenge. We had to create a gift for a teacher or student. I made this gift for my son's 3rd grade teacher. Every year the teachers ask for class donations and it's always great to give them things they truly need to help them teach our children. Aside from baby wipes, notebook paper, colored pencils and copy paper I repackaged dry erase markers and glue sticks to make it extra special: The little tag reads 'My teacher has all the "write" stuff'. Below is the other side of the box showing the glue sticks. I didn't make one for my son's 5th grade teacher because he's just "too cool" to give something so girly...LOL! It's bad enough when my son doesn't want to hold my hand if his friends are around!
Card & Gift Recipe:

Stamps: SCACD Fluffy and Susanaments Series 2, CDS Teacher Treats, SU Background Basics

Ink: StazOn black, SU Always Artichoke

Paper: K & Company Hannah pad, Prismatic Brown pack, SU cs (Close to Cocoa, Rose Red, Old Olive, Whisper White), watercolor paper

Accessories: Grafix acetate sheets, Flower Soft Sweet Pea, Spellbinders (Classic Small Circles, Classic Small Scalloped Circles), Diamond Glaze, Basic Grey Opalines Grass/Ivy, white Inkssentials gel pen, Fiskars Apron Lace border punch, Stickles Scattered Straw, silk ribbons (pastel green, olive green), SU silver cording, watercolor markers, My Timeless Templates For Keepsake, MS butterfly punches

ATTENTION! The winner of the I Brake For Stamps blog hop is KraftyChic from NC! CONGRATULATIONS and ENJOY!

ALSO: Make sure to swing on by the Follow Your Heart blog tomorrow, Aug. 19, for some candy. Then come back to my blog and the rest of the SCACD DT blogs on Aug. 20 & 21 for sneaky peekies of some super adorable stuff!!! Update your Victoria Case blinkie if you have one by clicking on "Want this badge?" and highlighting the html. It's the photo, but it will link you to the brand new set that will be available Aug. 21.

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I LOVED the template from My Timeless Templates so much that I had to make another one paired with another love of mine, Tattered Angels! Since the first box was clean and simple I wanted to go to the opposite spectrum with my ODBD Jesus set. I know we still have a little over four more months until Christmas, but I've had these clear glass mini ornaments sitting in my closet for a while now, begging to be used! The gorgeous butterfly is from the Tattered Angels Framed Fonts collection called Nature Butterfly. They are embossed and after misting with my Glimmers I lightly sponged on Walnut distress ink to emphasize the design.
Card and Gift Recipe:

Stamp: ODBD Jesus

Ink: Versamark, Walnut distress pad

Paper: DCWV Rustic Stack, Prism Bronze Metallic cs, black ep, SU Very Vanilla cs

Accessories: Framed Fonts Nature Butterfly, Glimmer Mists (Suede, Mustard Seed), Spellbinders (Petite Oval Large, Petite Scalloped Oval, Flourished Accents), Basic Grey Opalines Wine/Champagne, Ranger Super Fine black & gold ep's, Spellbinders Flower Impressabilities, decorative ribbon trim, cream silk ribbon, mini glass ornament, gold cross charm, glitter, "Rejoice" charm, keyhole brad, tissue paper.

Hmmm...I'm almost at 40,000 hits! I'm thinking BLOG CANDY when I hit 50,00o so make sure to keep visiting! If I get 200 Followers by that time then the candy will be even bigger!!!