Inkhearts

Red and Yellow!!! RED AND YELLOW!!!!!!!!!!

2010-05-18T09:40:00.005-05:00

So, this weekend we had some really bad thunderstorms which managed to knockout out our Cable Internet service. (I know, this is a TRUE EMERGENCY!!!!)

I went outside to see if the cable was down or what. It looked ok, so while I was out there I decided to feed the three outside kittehs and check my garden. I wandered around, did not see the smallest kitteh, Skippy Jon, and decided to head back in. As I am passing the front of our truck, I see SJ's tail wiggling underneath it. I walk over in my flip-flops, peek under the truck and SJ's is playing with something...

I step closer to get a better look and YIKES!!!

it is a SNAKE!!!

with STRIPES!!!!!

RED, YELLOW and BLACK STRIPES!!!!!!

My brain is saying RUN!!!!

my heart is saying KITTEH!!!!

my feet are saying I AM WEARING FLIP FLOPS!!!!!! AAACCCCKKKKK!!!!!!!

So I run the back door, which is locked because OF COURSE!!! I came out the FRONT door, and start banging like a mad woman. The phone picks this instant to start ringing and I hear my middle son say "I can't open the door! I don't know who it is!" (what a good boy! except now...LOL) Hubby comes to the door, evidently I had interrupted him boxing on the Wii Fit, and I manage to tell him, "SNAKE, CORAL SNAKE, CAT, TRUCK!!!" He says, "are you sure?" to which I reply,

"RED AND YELLOW!!!!RED AND YELLOW!!!"

like a lunatic!

Being the rational person that he is, he stops to put on shoes while I, still in my flip flops, completely ignore the rain boots standing right next to me! (Aren't they FABULOUS?)

He gets the garden hoe and pulls the snake out from under the truck. It was at least 2 feet long! Skippy Jon, now affectionately called "SNAKE KILLAH!" is still trying to play with it!

Hubby kills it with the hoe and we put it on the burn pile.

end of drama.

How was your weekend?

Shannon

Look! What is that in the sky?....

2010-05-11T10:58:00.000-05:00

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, its....oh wait....what is that thing?!?!?!?!

Ok, so I driving home from Houston last week. I had to go for a couple of days of training for my job. Those couple of days only reinforced my happiness over NOT having to move back to Houston!!

The traffic was horrendous!

Anyway so, getting off of Beltway 8 onto Hwy 90, I look up and see what I first think must be a UFO!

I looked again and now it looks more like a big, silver whale....but whales cannot fly.

(Except this one! LOL)

Now I am craning my neck and blocking the traffic to see this incredibly cool THING!

I look it up on Google (of course, don't we all?) and it turns out to be a NASA plane that is used to shuttle around spacecraft parts and parts for the International Space Station. This sucker is HUGE!!!! It is called the Super Guppy Turbine, or the B-377SGT, and it is made by Aero Spacelines Inc. There were 5 of these, beginning in the 1960's and the first four have been either dismantled or taken out of service. The last one, seen below, has been used by NASA since the late 1970's to move rockets, parts and other stuff around.

If you are wondering why the weird shape, take a look at how the cargo is loaded and unloaded.

Just to give you some perspective on how BIG this thing is....

All I can say is....

WOW!

Blessings!

Shannon

Out of the Mouths of Babes...

2010-05-04T08:43:00.001-05:00

So, someone I know told me a very funny story this week and I just had to share...

When her son was little (2 or so), he was sitting in his Aunt's lap, facing her. He was patting her on the chest in a very off-hand kind of way, you know how little kids like to do this. Anyway, so he looks at her with a quizzical look on his face and says,

"My G'amma gots BIG boobies, and my Mommy gots LITTLE boobies, but you gots NO boobies!" (picture him with head tilted and hands up as if to say "where are they?")

I just about died laughing! Can you imagine? I thought my youngest was bad, going around asking ladies why they had a big belly and if there was a baby in there....

If you have a cute story like this, please leave a comment and share with everyone! I will post them on my blog later in the week!

Happy Tuesday!

A Few Reasons Why Men Are Just Happier People…

2010-04-27T10:37:00.006-05:00

***DISCLAIMER***

In NO WAY is this intended as describing ALL men (especially NOT my Honey!) LOL!

1) Your last name stays put.

2) The garage is all yours.

3) Wedding plans take care of themselves.

4) Chocolate is just another snack.

5) You can be President.

6) You can never be pregnant.

7) You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park.

8) You can wear NO shirt to a water park.

9) Car mechanics tell you the truth.

10) The world is your urinal.

11) You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky.

12) You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt.

13) Same work, more pay.

14) Wrinkles add character.

15) Wedding dress $5000. Tux rental-$100.

16) People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them.

17) New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet.

18) One mood all the time.

19) Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat.

20) You know stuff about tanks.

21) A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase.

22) You can open all your own jars.

23) You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness.

24) If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be your friend.

25) Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack.

26) Three pairs of shoes are more than enough.

27) You almost never have strap problems in public.

28) You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes.

29) Everything on your face stays its original color.

30) The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades.

31) You only have to shave your face and neck.

32) You can play with toys all your life.

33) One wallet and one pair of shoes -- one color for all seasons.

34) You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look.

35) You can 'do' your nails with a pocket knife.

36) You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache.

37) You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24 in 25 minutes.

No wonder men are happier!

Blessings!

Shannon

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes!

2010-04-23T13:55:00.001-05:00

Well, since it has been nearly a quarter of a year already, and this is the first post I have made on my blog, I figure it is about time that I fill you in on some of the changes that have been going on with me.

First of all, I was laid off from my job in March. Now, at first it seemed really bad, but God had other plans for me and now I have a new job. I don't work from home anymore and that seems to be a really good thing! Also, I am having to learn a bunch of new stuff, so I don't really have time for crafting and cards right now. I am sorry that I am not able to "scratch" that itch right now, but I will pick it back up when I can.

Second, because of the inability to craft, this blog is going to change. It will not be a craft blog anymore and if you choose not to follow me anymore, I will understand. But, if you want to hang on and "ride the crazy-train" with me, you are more than welcome to! LOL

So, you may see all kinds of things on here, you just never know...

Blessings,
Shannon

Some new, crafty doings!

2010-01-29T09:07:00.007-06:00

Ok, it's not a card but it IS crafty and a lot of fun for me and anyone else that wants to try. I am talking about felted wool! I just saw this cute little set of kitty toys that are basically balls made out of felted wool, with catnip rolled up in them. I thought to myself, "Self...I bet we could make those!" and she answered, "I believe you are correct!" LOL So, I trotted myself off to Joann to find some wool yarn. I had kind of a hard time finding what I wanted, partly because the selection left something to be desired, and also because I am a tightwad and wool yarn is EXPENSIVE!!!! I ended up finding a brand called Stitch Nation.
It comes in super-cool colors and I just loved the logo, so I ended up forking over $4.99 each for two 3oz skeins of yarn. Of course, this morning in my in box is a Joann ad for...you guessed it, 30% off Yarn!!!!! AAACCCCKKKK!!!!!

******ENABLER ALERT*******
Anyway, they are web coupons, so I am going to pass them along here. Just use the codes off the pictures when you order online!
*****************************

So, back to the balls....(hmm, that does NOT sound at ALL right! LOL) What you need is basically either some combed and carded wool roving(for all you earthy types out there!) or (for the rest of us regular chicks) 100% wool yarn. It cannot be "washing machine safe" or any type of blend of wool and sythetic, or it will not "felt" and your ball will fall apart.

With the yarn, you just start rolling a ball, make sure to wrap it tightly, and make it about 30% larger than you want the finished size to be. Cut the yarn and use a crochet hook to pull the loose end back into the ball of yarn. There is a great tutorial for this on Good Mama's Blog. Once you are done, you put the ball into an old knee-hi stocking or leg from an old pair of panty-hose, tie a knot to hold the ball in and toss it into your washer with whatever else you are washing. Make sure that it is color fast or wash it with darks if you choose bright colors like I did. Then toss in the dryer. Remove it from the stocking and it will be slightly felted, meaning that the fibers start to stick together, and it will continue to get tighter and harder each time it is used.

With the carded wool roving, you pull off strips and, with damp hands, start rolling it into a ball. If you wanna get fancy, this is the way to go! Check out this post on Crunchyparent.com There is a video tutorial that shows exactly how to do it.

These little balls are so darn cute! It makes me want to run right out a shear one of my neighbor's sheep! Except, I haven't the faintest clue how to go about doing that and my neighbors, really nice people, would probably think I had lost my remaining few marbles! LOL

Anyway, so I tried my hand at using the wool yarn to make a small ball for the cat, and a larger ball for the dryer. My only issue with them so far is that, after I washed and dried them, the balls smell EXACTLY like permanent wave solution. Having been an '80s baby, I KNOW what that smell is! Hmm, hoping that it will dissipate soon, or I won't be able to stand them. Maybe it is just the brand of wool that I used, but I will keep you posted! As Forrest Gump would say, that is all I have to say about that!

Have a "Wooly" good day! LOL

Shannon

Time to get crackin!

2010-01-21T09:16:00.002-06:00

I have been cruisin' blogs lately, getting back into the swing of things and I can finally say that I am well and truly ready to start crafting again! I have a couple of problems, though:

Issue #1: Time...I need more and cannot seem to find any extra! I know that all you busy ladies out there can empathize with me. I find lately that I have a stash of colored images sitting around that have yet to be made into anything useful. Coloring is SOOOO much more fun for me than making cards, even though I enjoy making cards too!

Issue #2: My digital camera bit the dust and so even IF I did do something crafty, I can't take any pictures of it! AAACCCKKK!!! We need a new one but Hubby wants a really nice, professional one and, if you remember the car shopping issue, he has to look at all the available cameras, check the Consumer Reports, compare prices, wait an interminably long time while I pull my hair out, and THEN make a decision. Of course, by then it will be discontinued and we will have to start all over....AAACCCKKK! I tell you, it strains my ADD to the limit! LOL

Issue #3: (not so much an issue as it is an irritation) I cannot find my SD card. It had a lot of images and pictures on it and now it is missing! I have NO IDEA where it went! I remember seeing it laying on the table (I know, I know.... I should have put it back in the camera RIGHT THEN!) but have not been able to find it since. It is really making me crazy!

So, as you can see, there are a few obstacles in the path to craftopia. But, as my blog friend Ellyn from Profoundly Seth & Co. would say, I just need to "Cowboy Up" and get on with it! If you have not been to her blog, you should check it out. She is a newly single mom of 5 kids (one in Heaven) and her newest addition to the family is just adorable! She is also quite a miracle, as she was only 32 weeks when she was born. In fact, she just celebrated her Happy Due Date! I warn you, you will probably want to go back and read the older posts so get some coffee before you go and be prepared to stay a while!

Blessings!

Wow! Has it really been two months?......

2010-01-17T06:33:00.003-06:00

I cannot believe that much time has gone by without my having posted even once! I would have thought that to be a virtual impossibility! LOL

LOTS has gone on in the last couple of months, so let me take the time to bring you all up to speed. (Warning: Long Post!) So get a cup o' joe, make yourself comfy and...we're off!

1: My parent's anniversary party was a huge success! They were absolutely surprised and overjoyed. Even my brother and his family came, which really made it all the sweeter because we hardly ever get to see them. This is a picture of them when they were newly married in the 60's. Aren't they cute? hehehe

2: Thanksgiving was great, less work than I thought and we enjoyed the time with family. It was our first time to put our turky in the Nuwave Oven, and I have to say it was DELICIOUS! If you don't know what this is...google it! It will be worth your while! You can put a whole frozen chicken in there and in about an hour, presto! the yummiest, moistest baked chicken you have ever laid your lips on!

3: The Car Saga: Well, seems like Hubby knew what he was doin' when we passed on that other car. We have a friend that has a car lot and he got us a really good deal on a 2008 Toyota Sienna minivan. It is fabulous! I LOVE THIS CAR! Especially that the two boys now sit WAAAYYY in the back! hehehe It is such a blessing and I am so thankful to God for providing it and for giving us friends that care enough to help us out.

4: I ended up with Bronchitis AGAIN!!!! I am just getting over it. Funny story....I started taking this Tylenol Multi Symptom Cold medicine, which is wonderful. Stops the cough really well. I had been taking the Day formula and decided to try the Nightime formula. So last night I took it at about 9PM.....I woke up at about 5PM THE NEXT DAY!!!! I kid you not! It knocked me OUT for like 20 hours! I would have slept longer exept Hubby peeled me out of the bed and put me in the shower. I know he tried to wake me up several times, but I literally could not keep my eyes open. Note to self: No meds with Doxylamine Succinate for you! I looked up this "antihistamine" and found out that it has a "profound" sedative effect (no kidding!) and that some studies show it sedates better than phenobarbitol (a barbiturate). Me being the "extra-strength Tylenol kinda gal that I am (I cannot do prescription pain killers AT ALL!) no wonder it knocked me for a loop!

5: The weekend of Thanksgiving our kitty, Leo, got out of the house and has not come home...**sniff** I would like to think that he is living it up at someone elses house and that he is happy. I was so heart broken that Hubby let me get a new kitty. I looked all over for another Bengal kitty that needed a home and found just the guy at a breeder in Corpus Christi, Texas. His name is Jag, short for "Baby Jaguar", and he is just under 2 years old. He had been an expensive cat that was dumped back at the breeder because the owners were moving. We got him for a small adoption fee and he has fit right in to our family. He is like Leo in some ways, and very different in others. He has all his claws, which has not been the problem I thought it would be, and he actually does not shed....at all! So, we will keep an eye our for our Leo, and if he comes home he will have a friend to play with.

Well, that is as much as I have time for today! Sorry to be so absent, and I will post some craft doings very soon!
I am on the DT for CopicJunkies now and would love for you all to join us for our weekly challenges as we learn to use and enjoy our favorite addiction! Copic Markers! There is also a blog that we are getting started for this group. See the links below to join in!

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/copicjunkies/
http://www.copicjunkies.blogspot.com/

Blessings!

This and that...

2009-11-19T10:18:00.004-06:00

Ok, so it is November and things are BUSY around here. The 23rd is my folks 45th Wedding Anniversary and I am throwing them a party the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving, also my birthday, I am having at my house....AM I CRAZY??????

Also, our car that has been perpetually in the shop the last few months has now decided to not start....again....ugh!

Here are a couple things I have been working on lately...

This is a Nutcracker that I drew and colored. I have a friend that is cuckoo for Nutcrackers, I mean she has like, over 100 of them! For her birthday, I drew this and colored four of them in different colored outfits and framed them.

That got me thinking about The Nutcracker Suite and so I drew this Mouse King to go with the Nutcracker.

I think they turned out pretty good...what do you think? OF COURSE...I colored them with Copic markers.

Blessings!

Shannon

Top Five List...

2009-11-12T20:42:00.003-06:00

Of Where Shannon Has Been The Last Month!

5: She starting cleaning out the garage...we should see her sometime next spring!
4: She joined the Circus...you should see her beard!
3: She joined the Peace Corps...she thought it was a spa retreat!
2: She was abducted by aliens...good thing she has her CHL!
1: She joined the CIA...now she has to kill you! hehehe

Actually, I have been recovering from the Mother Of All Colds, which turned into Bronchitis. So needless to say (and yet I am still saying it...hehehe) I have not been in the mood to blog...or do much of anything else.

I will begin posting regularly again soon!

Miss you!
Shannon

Sweet & Sassy Stamps Christmas Cheer Blog Hop Day 1!

2009-10-14T00:01:00.000-05:00

I know, I know... it is only October. But, if you are like me, you need ALL the time you can find to get those cards out in the mail for Christmas! Sweet & Sassy Stamps is having a 3 day Blog Hop to showcase some of the incredible Christmas stamps and digi stamps that are available RIGHT NOW! I am the last stop for the day, so if you did not start on the Sweet & Sassy Blog, you should hop over there to start from the beginning. You do not want to miss out on all the DT's lovely creations!

This lovely image is from the Jesus Is Born stamp set. It has this image and several sentiments, including portions of scripture. It is a very versatile set, in that you can use the image as the focal point, or you can use the larger scripture portions and have a completely different look. I chose to use this portrait of Jesus, Mary and Joseph as my focal point. I colored them with Copics, cut them out and popped them up on foam dots.

I used several different shades from the E range to get the skin tones the way I wanted them. I used W1-3 for the swaddling clothes to add some contrast between Jesus and his parents.

The CS is SU! Mellow Moss and the DP is Basic Grey Mellow. I really like the way this paper coordinates with the colors I chose for the image.

I carried the same "feel" to the inside and added a portion of the Book of Luke, which I cut and embossed with my new Nesties Labels 9. I cut one size larger with the BG DP for a border and put my white CS on the opposite page to allow plenty of space for writing.

Here is one of the sentiments that go along with this set. I stamped, trimmed with edge decor scissors from Fiskars, and popped it up on foam dots as well. I was trying to go for a "stable" feel so I used a large rectangle Nestie to cut out the angular piece of DP and then embellished with hemp twine.

Come back tomorrow and start the Hop again with the lovely and talented Chris Dickinson. You can see the rest of the schedule for tomorrow and Friday on my sidebar.

And don't forget the BIG SALE!!! going on at Sweet & Sassy Stamps right now for subscribers! Just visit the SNSS store, sign up as a Sweet & Sassy Stamper, and then you can take advantage of a Subscriber Only Buy 1 Get 1 Free Sale on a large number of soon to be "out of print" stamp sets. Get 'em while you can! While you are there, check out the new digis and get your Free Digi!

Thanks for Hoppin' with me!

Sweet & Sassy New Release Blog Hop

2009-10-01T10:35:00.006-05:00

It is time for a new release from Sweet & Sassy Stamps! The two sets that are being released are Forget Me Not and Baked With Love. The SNSS DT has some yummy eye candy for you today using these two sets.

AND!!!! we're also sending you on a Recipe Scavenger Hunt in honor of our new Baked With Love stamp set. What you do is, visit all the blogs on the Hop. While you are checking out the incredible creativity, you will collect "ingredients" for a mystery baked good. Once you have all 13, try to guess what the item is. Go back to the SNSS blog and leave your guess in the comments section with your email. Don't worry, only Korin can see your email! She will draw a winner from all the correct guesses.

If you didn't start on the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps blog, please head there now to find out your assignment then come back here to continue on the hop.

Here is the card I made using the Baked With Love stamp set.

This set was so much fun to use, it has so many adorable images.

Here is a close up of some of the individual images that are colored with Copic markers.

The set comes with several sentiments, and here is the one I have chosen. The CS is SU! Brilliant Blue and Real Red. The DP is from the DCWV Summer Stack but I colored in the turquoise flowers with Copic to make them match the CS. I added ribbon and some gems.

I stamped the images on Neena Classic Crest Solar White and then used my Cuttlebug to cut out and emboss with them.

This Sugar Jar turned out really well, so I just HAD to show it off! hehehe

After designing our new Baked With Love stamp set, Korin thought it would be wonderful to have a recipe card digi to go with it...so follow the link to see that digi! And while you are checking out the digis, don't forget about the freebie for today! It will be gone tomorrow!

Now how about that recipe clue????

Your next ingredient is:

ALLSPICE

Continue to hop along and collect the rest of the ingredients (note: not all blogs will have a clue)...

Chris Dickinson
Courtney Fowler
Sandy Domelle
Janette Olen
Jeanette Comerford
Teresa Kline
Ceal Pritchett
Deedee Anderson
Lorie Souther
Nancy Brown
Leah Cornelius
Shannon Pankow
Belinda Chang
Lisa Hjulberg

Remember, once you have collected all 13 ingredients, to head back to the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps blog and comment with the recipe you think the ingredients are for. You just might win this month's new sets, Baked With Love & Forget-Me-Not!

Thanks for hoppin!

A Drum Roll and A Blog Hop.....

2009-09-30T14:31:00.007-05:00

TA-DA!!!! A new card! Finally!

This card is made using the new Basic Grey "Eskimo Kisses" paper, isn't it just adorable? I have paired it with the Waddle I Do Digi Stamp that was a special with purchase a while back.

I added silk/paper flowers and bling brads from my stash, along with a few other finishing touches that you can see below.

I colored him with Copics and added Glossy Accents to his scarf, eyes, cheeks, feet and beak. I trimmed him out and popped him up on foam dots.

Here is the heart charm from the wedding section at Joann. You get a bunch in a pack and they are perfect for sliding over ribbon. The pearl pin is a corsage pin and the beads were recycled from an old belt my DD did not want any more. I did not have *quite* the right shade of green ribbon, so I colored a lime green grosgrain ribbon with Copic to match the cardstock. (This is a handy trick to use if you are in a pinch!) And I finished it with Light Blue grosgrain ribbon tied with a bow.

Here is the sentiment I chose, which I outlined top and bottom in two different Copic colors (C3 & B21). I love this image! He is so sweet! You can still get Do Not Open Until Christmas at the Sweet & Sassy Stamps site, which was a companion set to this one.

DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE NEW RELEASE BLOG HOP THAT STARTS TOMORROW!

We are celebrating our October release with another 1-day blog hop. You will see amazing projects using our two newest sets as you hop along the DT blogs Thursday, October 1st. Find the clues along the way for a chance to win both sets from the new release!

Start at the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps blog then visit the following in no particular order:

Blessings!

Me, maybe some Candy and a Friend...

2009-09-22T22:41:00.004-05:00

Ok, this is not a sale advertisement, or a DT Blog Hop or anything remotely craft related. Just me, sitting here typing...while my kids continue to NOT go to bed and I continue to wonder whether or not Laptop Wrist is a REAL ailment or just a figment of my imagination...I think it *might* be carpal tunnel, but I don't really want to *think* about it much! Things here have been pretty out of the ordinary...I cannot go into details but suffice it to say that our stress levels are WWAAAYYYY over the normal threshold and your prayers are greatly appreciated. On the up side, we both still have jobs! I know many people are not so blessed and I hope that God will open a new door, a better door, for them in the near future.

Interestingly enough, I did something recently that most people think of as a "man-thing". In fact, I was the only woman there! If you really want to know what it was, email me and I will let you in on the secret. I would post it here, but DH tells me that my blog now shows up when my name is Googled so my personal privacy is pretty much out the window. Actually, I might end up making a Blog Candy out it...that would be fun! Put all the correct answers into a hat and draw a winner? What do you think? What kind of things would make a good "Candy?" I know what my crafty friends will say....but what about the rest of you? Let me hear from you!

Now, I want to tell you about a sweet person that I have come to know in the blogging world. Ellyn, who owns the blog Profoundly Seth. Seth is her youngest who was born early and was profoundly deaf. They fought to get him Cochlear Implants, which he now has, and the journey was amazing to read. She also talks about her losing a child (stillbirth), losing a husband (in the process) and how she is coping with being pregnant while her marriage seems to be ending. She has three other kids, Ava, Jace and Eli(he was stillborn) and is currently expecting #5. Her blog is an adventure into faith, family and fortitude. Please give her some bloggy love, and help raise her "hit-count"...it is her only source of income at the moment.

Blessings,
Shannon

Autumn Stroll Blog Hop! Last Stop

2009-09-17T00:01:00.004-05:00

Turning leaves, a cool breeze and the kids are back in school...must be Autumn! Of course here in Texas it is still PLENTY HOT! But, it is getting better... This month, Sweet n' Sassy Stamps has a few new Autumn-themed clear stamp sets and some new digi's as well. If you did not get here from Sandy's Blog, then you might want to head back to Chris's Blog and start your Blog Hop day off right. You don't want to miss any of the lovely "Fall Festival" of creativity we have in store for you!

This lovely little lady is from a digi set called,"Pick of the Harvest." I have colored her with Copic markers on Neenah Solar Crest cardstock. The think I love about digis is how easy it is to use them. You just print them out with an inkjet printer, set the ink with a heat gun and voila! you are all ready to color and don't have to clean up after yourself! hehehe

Isn't this just the sweetest sentiment? It comes with several, but I chose this one. I used SU! Chocolate Chip CS and some DP from DCWV The Green Stack and Basic Grey Mellow. The flowers are just pieces from my stash and the brads are Basic Grey Urban Prairie. The ribbon I got on sale at Joann and the butterfly charm is Blue Moon from the jewelery making section at StuffMart.

Here is a closer look at our cutie! Don't look TOO close, you see where I got a little happy with the markers! LOL I really like how this sweet little gal turned out. You can get her in digi form from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps right now. It is quick and easy and you will be coloring in no time!

This precious little guy is from a set called, "Leaves Me Smiling." He is also a digi (gotta love 'em!) and I have printed him on the same paper and colored with Copics. If you look closely you will see how I used individual little brushtip strokes to add some dimension to his fur.

Again, just an adorable sentiment! This set also comes with several to choose from. I used the same CS and DP for this one, but I added a button and some silk leaves and ribbon from StuffMart.

Now, I am your last stop on the hop for today, but don't forget to check out Belinda's Blog in the morning! She is sure to knock your socks off!

Blessings!

Sweet and Sassy Scripture Blog Hop Day Three!

2009-08-28T08:49:00.006-05:00

Welcome to the third and final day of the Sweet and Sassy Scripture Blog Hop! I have been so blessed by all I have seen the first two days! If you did not arrive here from Ceal's blog, make sure to go back and start the day from the beginning at DeeDee's blog. You do not want to miss their lovely creations. For this blog hop, I have chosen to use the Romans Road stamp set to make a little flip book that would be perfect to keep in your purse or car for those times when you are given the opportunity to share your faith with others.
I used SU! Real Red & Mellow Moss CS and Basic Grey Mellow (totally coincidence!) DP for this project. The ribbon is from StuffMart and the acrylic drops were clear and I colored the bottoms with Copic markers. (I couldn't NOT use my Copics at all! hehehe)

The scriptures were stamped on white SU! CS with SU! Real Red ink.

Now, normally I am of the opinion that one can never over embellish, but I did not want the decorations distracting from the message, so this is one of the simplest things Ihave done lately.

I just alternated coordinating BG papers, no particular layout in mind and put the scriptures in order.

I thought this DP was perfect for this last page...even if it does not really "go" with all the other pages. It seems to convey the right feeling.

I have always sort of struggled with sharing my faith...I tend to forget what the actual scriptures are and where to find them, so this is the perfect tool for me to use when talking with others about my faith and how they can accept the gift that Christ so willingly offers to us all. This was extremely easy to make and if you would like the particulars, let me know.

Now, hop on over to Chris's blog. She has shared her testimony as well, and it is sure to be a blessing to you!

Blessings!

Sweet and Sassy Scripture Blog Hop!

2009-08-26T23:17:00.002-05:00

For the next three days, SNSS will be highlighting their collections with scriptures. I just love to use scripture on my cards and whatnot and I look forward to seeing what everyone else comes up with. Be watching for some really great ideas of how to share your faith with others using scripture stamps! Check out the details below...

Join us for the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps monthly DT Blog Hop! This month we are featuring our popular scripture stamps!

Wednesday, August 26th:
SNSS Blog featuring Chris Olsen
Courtney Fowler
Janette Olen
Connie Babbert
Nancy Brown
Teresa Kline

Thursday, August 27th:

Sandy Domelle
Leah Cornelius
Lisa Hjulberg
Jeanette Comerford
Korin Sutherland
Lorie Souther

Friday, August 28th:

Deedee Anderson
Belinda Chang
Ceal Pritchett
Shannon Pankow
Chris Dickinson
SNSS Blog featuring Michele Kovack

SSS16 and A New Card! Finally!

2009-08-13T19:16:00.004-05:00

My life is really a mess right now, but I did find time to make a card, finally!

Isn't this guy too cute? This is from a Sweet n' Sassy digi set called "Something to Crow About." I am beginning to get really hooked on digis, because they are so easy to use, so inexpensive, and sooooo easy to clean up after (you don't have to! hehehe)

I am still working on my "black" technique with the Copics, but this one turned out pretty good. I used the C range of greys and kept laying down color until it looked dark enough. I wanted to convey a Fall theme, so I used the silk leaves, althought it kind of makes him look like a turkey instead of a crow! LOL And I know that sunflowers are technically summer, but here in Texas we have them in the fall as well.

I colored a second set of his eyes, beak, wings and legs to pop up on foam dots and I added even more dimension with Glossy Accents. The CS is SU! and the DP is DCWV The Green Stack. The gingham ribbon is SU! and the leaves and sunflowers are from the craft section at StuffMart.

This is one of the many sentiments that come along with this little guy, and I like that because it is a digi, I can resize the sentiment to whatever size I want it to be.

I brought the same theme to the inside and topped off with ribbon and flowers.

Blessings!

Take a Walk on the Wild Side!

2009-07-31T01:37:00.003-05:00

It is that time again! Time for the Sweet & Sassy Stamps July Blog Hop! We have some beautiful creations from our amazingly talented design team for you to enjoy. If you did not come here from another SNSS DT members blog, then hop on back to SNSS and start from the beginning! You don't want to miss the eye candy (and maybe some BLOG candy too!)

This set is called "Doodle Birds" and it is just so much fun!

I stamped the image with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers. The CS is all from my stash (trying to use up some of what I have) and the DP is from the DCWV Green Stack.

I added branches punched with an MS punch and Basic Grey Urban Prairie buttons with ribbon from StuffMart. I trimmed the birdy and popped her up, along with the nest. This sentiment makes it perfect for a housewarming card!

Now, the next stop on your "hop" is the incredibly talented Courtney. Hop on over there and see what creative things she has for you! And don't forget today is the LAST DAY for the Blow Out Sale 40-50% off and Christmas in July Sale over at Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps

Blessings!

Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge #13...and again!

2009-07-17T21:35:00.005-05:00

This is the sketch for Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge #13:

And here is my (first) take on this sketch.....

This is a brand new SNSS Digi release called "Showers of Blessing," by Courtney Fowler. Courtney has her own blog and challenge team called the, "Created by Courtney Challenge Chicks." Her work is lovely and her love for the Lord is evident in all that she does. Initally I wanted to color her dress in blue, but it made me think of the Morton Salt girl, so I tried to pick a color that I don't use much as a focal. Green, which I love, is usually what I use for leaves, etc. Here her dress and umbrella are colored with Copics using marker in the G and YG ranges. The background is done with C1-C7. Notice how I "grounded" her with a darker shadow below? When you do this, it makes the image look like it is actually on something, instead of floating in mid-air. Her hair is done with red-toned E range markers. CS is SU! Mellow Moss, DP and brads are Basic Grey - Mellow (I JUST realized that they both say mellow! hehehe), ribbon is Martha Stewart, bling is K&Co. Anytime I put gemstone brads or crystal bling on my cards, by DH says, "You Bedazzled it! LOL (Inside joke from The Game Plan, if you have seen it.) I used my MS Lace Border punch on some of the DP.

This is a close up showing the colorful paper and the sentiment. The digi comes with several sentiments to choose from, so you have something for inside and outside. After I finished this card and submitted it for the sketch blog, I realized that it was SUPPOSED to be a Christmas-themed card...doh! So, accordingly, here is my second take on this sketch:

If you have not noticed yet, very rarely do I stick exactly to the sketch. I always change something, even if I just rotate or switch sides. Not sure why, I just always do! CS is a DCWV card blank and some SU! Chocolate Chip, DP is Basic Grey - Mellow (Again...I just love this paper!) and a Christmas sentiment DP from a DCWV Holidays stack, ribbon and buttons are from StuffMart. Again, I used the MS Lace Border punch. I chose to go a little simpler with the card so that the image would really stand out. I just love this guy! It is another SNSS digi called, "You Light Up My Life!" This one you can only get by participating in the Christmas in July Celebration going on at SNSS this month. Hurry! After this month, you cannot get this one or the other two Christmas digis. (Do Not Open Till Christmas and Stanley the Penguin)

Since he is supposed to be made of snow, I used a C1 marker and B00 marker to line the edges and softened with colorless blender. I also *try* to keep in mind where I want the light to come from, so I know where to put my highlights, as you can see on his hat.

Blessings!

Interestingly enough...

2009-07-15T11:18:00.006-05:00

Ever had one of those days when you just aren't sure where an image is going? I was coloring in this image from Whiff of Joy Stamps:

and it just wasn't going where I wanted it to go. In fact, I tossed it aside several times, annoyed that I had "wasted" the image, but felt compelled to pick it back up and continue. I just love the attitude of this image and toyed around with using it as a congratulations card for a woman getting married ("maid marion=maid marrying") but I could not come up with a sentiment. I did not like the outcome of the coloring and kept messing with it, sure that I would eventually jack it up beyond repair!

Then, all of a sudden, it really started to take on a life of its own! and I was off and running without even a sketch to use. It all just sort of "happened," you know? So, without further ado, here she is! TADA!!!

Just outlining did not seem like enough, so I started coloring a background. The background sort of looks like it is her that is shining.

I looked at her and thought, "I know just what paper to use..." The CS is SU! Chocolate Chip, the DP is Basic Grey "Mellow", the bling is K&Co., the ribbon is Joann and I doodled with a Bronze Sakura Gelly Roll pen on the edges.

I had the idea to look for a scripture that could be used as a sentiment so off I went to the online reference to search for "Arrow." You can imagine what most of what I found was about...arrows piercing this or that...but Isaiah 49:1-3 really just jumped out at me. It seemed to fit and the translation from The Message was perfect.

You can really see the doodling on this picture, I drew little vines and leaves.

Sorry the pics are not the greatest, but the lighting is bad here today...anyway, just wanted to share. Hope you are all having a great day!

Blessings!

Christmas In July!!! And an Important Request....

2009-07-11T12:30:00.002-05:00

Hey Guys! Here are a couple of things I have been working on lately...

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps is having a Christmas In July promotion right now where they are giving away these awesome Christmas Digis by Korin Sutherland.

This one is called, "You Light Up My Life," and it has the snowman image with two sentiments. Isn't that little bird just adorable? I think this one is my favorite. You can only get these digis by participating in the CIJC sale at Sweet 'n Sassy during the month of July. After that, they will no longer be available. I used Basic Grey Mellow paper and Urban Prairie brads, Neenah Solar Crest CS, Copic markers and Glossy Accents on this card, along with bling from K&Co., ribbon and silk flowers from Joann and my MS Lace Border Punch. I also added some antiquing on the CS using an SU! Close to Cocoa inkpad. After I colored him, I trimmed him and popped him up on foam dots.

Here is a closeup of the ink-antiquing. I went over the sentiment with Copics as well, just to add a little dimension.

The next digi is called, "Do Not Open Until Christmas!" and he is adorable! Most people color him as a Polar Bear, but I wanted to do something different, so my image is a night time scene with a brown bear. I used SU! Not Quite Navy and Real Red CS, along with some more Basic Grey Mellow DP, bling from K&Co., Glossy Accents and, of course, Copic Markers. Red Grosgrain 5/8" ribbon and some doodling with a Bronze Sakura Gelly Roll pen finish it off.

I wanted the tree to look more like a fir than a pine, so I used markers in the BG range. I like the look of this for a fir tree. After I colored the the decorations, I used Glossy Accents to make them stand out a bit. I added some stars to the sky with a White Sakura Gelly Roll pen and topped with Glossy Accents.

Now, onto my Important Request:

My precious birth-mother, Mama Kathryn, has been diagnosed with cancer. I am going to spend a week with her in Idaho starting the 2oth of July. She is a believer and is holding fast to God's promises but it would really bless her to get some cards from all of you talented people out there. If you can and you want to, please send her a card of encouragement, especially ones with scripture, to remind her of God's love and faithfulness. I know it would just mean so much to her. If you have a blog of your own, feel free to pass on this request. My other request is that you pray for her, add her to your church prayer list, etc.

Here is her info:

Kathryn McGinnis, P.O. Box 193, Hope, Idaho, 83836

Thank you in advance for doing this for me and Kathryn.

Blessings!

Sweet & Sassy DT Blog Hop!

2009-07-01T00:04:00.004-05:00

Well, here it is... my very first Blog Hop! I am honored that I was chosen to represent Sweet & Sassy Stamps as a Junior DT member from July '09 to Dec '09. You probably came to my blog from Lisa's blog. If not, go back to the SNSS Blog and start there! You don't want to miss ANY of the "eye candy!"

Here is another card that I made using the "Birthday Buddies" stamp set that was a new release for the month of June.

This set is incredibly versatile, it has several cuddly little critters and some great sentiments to go with them. This one is my current fave, because I think he is looking at that slice of cake like he really wants to keep it for himself! hehehe! I used SU Not Quite Navy CS, YoYo Yellow CS and the DP is from the Fun In The Sun Summer Stack from DCWV. I cut the Scalloped Circle and Embossed Circle Nesties with my Cuttlebug and popped that little guy on there with some foam dots. He is, of course, colored with Copic markers and highlighted with Sakura Gelly Roll White Gel pen. Some white ribbon, a multi-color flower and some "bling" were all that was needed to complete this card.

The next stop on your hop is Nancy.

Blessings!

Finally! An Update and A New Card for Sweet Stop Sketch 11!

2009-06-30T11:11:00.004-05:00

Things here have been really crazy! In the last two weeks, we have gone thru:

A) a brushfire burning in the heavily wooded area behind our property for three days,

B) a snakebite to my youngest child's ankle,

C) a trip to the ER and stay in the hospital for said child,

D) a whole lot of thankfulness to God that my son is ok and my house did not burn down!

So, if I have been especially quiet the last couple of weeks, now you know why!

Here is my latest creation, using Sweet & Sassy Stamps "Birthday Buddies" set. My inspiration for this card comes from the Sweet Stop Sketch Spot Challenge #11. If you have not had a chance to participate in any of these, hurry on over there and take a look!

The CS is SU Yoyo Yellow and Brilliant Blue. The green is DCWV, olive 12 x 12, textured. The DP is also DCWV, not sure of the name but I will try to get it and add it later. I added some red crystals on the corners for some bling!

Isn't this little guy just too cute? I colored him with Copics (C1,3,5 and E00,02) and detailed him with white gel pen and Glossy Accents. The balloons are colored with Copics in the R, Y, and B families. I used a MS border emboss/punch to jazz up the horizontal strip of Brilliant Blue CS and added some skinny red ribbon from Wally World.

The sentiment is also from the same set, it has several to choose from. You may not be able to tell from this photo, but I embossed the image and sentiment with clear embossing powder after I stamped it. It really makes the sentiment POP!

Blessings!

Here's is the Latest News from Sweet & Sassy Stamps!

2009-06-29T15:02:00.005-05:00

Lots of cool stuff going on over at Sweet & Sassy Stamps, just in time for the hot weather!

SUMMER KICK-OFF SALE EXTENDED!

Wanna get your hands on some great spring and summer stamps at a great price? All of our spring and summer stamp sets are 15% off all month long!

Firecracker Festival!
We'll be hiding a firecracker somewhere on our website for the whole month of July. Find the firecracker and gain access to some great specials and give-aways! Visit our homepage for more details and to find out where to register!

NEW DIGI STAMPS

We've added MANY more great digi stamps this past month so if you haven't checked them out lately, you are really missing out. Remember, digi stamps are wonderful when you are crafting on a budget and who doesn't love instant gratification!? Here are some of our fun new designs:

Sweet as Hunny
Celebrate America
Lemonade Stand
Basket Full of Love
Catch of the Day

CHRISTMAS IN JULY CELEBRATION!

Despite the warm weather we know many of you are wanting to get a head start on those Christmas cards so we're having a Christmas in July Celebration! For the entire month of July, our Christmas & Winter stamp sets are 15% off!

But the fun doesn't stop there! When you spend $25 in Christmas & Winter stamps,

you will receive a FREE Holiday Greetings stamp set.

Hold on, there is still more!!!

Wanna order our other stamps and products instead? We have something for YOU, too!

Place a $20 order: receive Stanley the Penguin digi set

Place a $35 order: receive Stanley the Penguin AND

Do Not Open Till Christmas digi sets!

Place a $50 order: receive Stanley the Penguin,

Do Not Open Till Christmas AND You Light Up My Life digi sets!

These exclusive digis can only be earned through our Christmas in July Celebration and will not be available to purchase.

Sassy Stamper Savings

Receive FREE SHIPPING with your $40 order when you enter coupon code SUMMER during checkout. Offer expires July 31, 2009.

Guilt-Free Candy!

2009-06-18T20:14:00.003-05:00

My very talented friend, Enfys at Going Buggy, has the most wonderful candy up for grabs! All you have to do is leave a comment to be entered to win. If you follow, you get two entries. If you post about it, you get another entry!

Happy Candy!

Blessings!

Having Fun with My New Stamps...WoJ

2009-06-09T11:19:00.003-05:00

I got a bunch of Whiff of Joy stamps from the Medieval Collection and have not had a chance to play much with them, so I thought I would give it a shot....

This guy is SOOOO CUTE! I just love the sweet little expression on his face. I used DCWV Charcoal 12x12 CS, SU Brilliant Blue CS, and some textured olive CS from my stash.

The dragon is stamped in Versafine Ink, on Strathmore Bristol Smooth paper and colored with Copic markers in the YG, Y, and C ranges.

The sentiment is one I came up with on my own, I thought it worked well with this image. For those of you that don't "get" my humor, it is like "Been draggin'?" As in, feeling down or weak and weary. I printed it out on SU Whisper White CS using a Celtic font.

I was trying to find a way to work this image into a card that was spiritually related, so I chose Habakkuk 3:18-19 to go with it. Let me know what you think! I appreciate your comments.

Blessings!

I CANNOT BELIEVE IT!!!!!!!!

2009-06-04T19:01:00.004-05:00

I am so excited that I just cannot stand myself!!! I have been chosen to be a Jr. Design Team member for none other than.........

Sweet & Sassy Stamps!!!!!!!!!

I have followed Korin and this company since I started papercrafting in early 2008. The thing that I really love about SNSS is that they use their company, their stamps, and their lives to bring glory to God. What a blessing to combine my love for Christ and my love for creating in such a wonderful way. There also is the added benefit of getting to know the wonderful and talented group of other DT members that are part of SNSS. I will be telling you more about them in the near future.

My design term starts in July and runs thru December. Be looking for some really great SNSS stuff to appear on the blog, along with blog hops, giveaways and release parties! WooHoo! Who does not love a party?

Blessings!

DCWV, Gina K. & SU Markers...(shhh! Don't tell my Copics! hehehe)

2009-05-28T11:15:00.005-05:00

So this morning I was just messing around before work and thought I would break into my new Fun In The Sun Summer Stack from DCWV. The colors and patterns are so bright and cheerful and they coordinate beautifully with SU cardstock.

I started with SU Real Red CS cut to 4 1/2 x 4 1/2. (Yes, odd size... I messed up cutting on this CS for another project and did not want to waste it so I used it for this card.) I added a soft green lightweight CS from my stash and used the DP from the DCWV Summer Stack I mentioned.

I really had no idea ahead of time where I was going with this card, it just kind of "happened." I was thinking about what to put on it for an image and this little $1 stamp came to mind. I layered the DP with more SU CS and added some SU Real Red Gingham ribbon.

I used the "thumping" technique that you can find on Gina K.'s site "Stamp TV" with my SU Markers to color directly on the stamp, "huffed" on it to recharge the ink and stamped it on SU Whisper White. I used Real Red, Taken with Teal, Only Orange and Garden Green markers. I really like this Color Combo and it works well with the DCWV papers.

I followed the theme thru to the inside and added Basic Gray, Urban Prairie brads in multiple colors. (What will I do when I run out of these? hehehe) I found that I wanted to add another sentiment and yet still leave plenty of white space to write on, so I used the top half of the inside for the sentiment.

This comes from a set called "The Best Things In Life," by Melanie Muenchinger for Gina K. Designs. It is full of words and phrases that can be used interchangably to make whatever you want to say. I used the same SU markers and "thumped" the stamps. I found that it is best to use an acrylic block that has lines on it when you use this set. It comes mounted on clingfoam and the lined block helps to keep things straight.

Blessings!

Card for my Daddy and Copic Color Challenge #15

2009-05-27T11:28:00.006-05:00

Here is my card for the CCC #15. It is a card for my Daddy...Yes, I know I am 38 26 years old, and I still call him "Daddy." That is what he has always been and that is what he will always be!

My Daddy rocks! Here are the Top Ten Reasons Why...(in no particular order...)

1: He has always put my mom and me before himself.

2: He does that with my children as well.

3: When I am in trouble, he will drop whatever he is doing to help me out, no matter how
important it may be.

4: When I call, he always says, "Well, hello my little darlin'!"

5: When I am faced with difficult decision, I can count on him to discuss all sides with me.

6: His brain is my personal GPS! He can tell you the fast way, the short way, the scenic route, for anywhere you want to go!

7: He knows where all the best places to eat are, along the way!

8: He prays for me and my family.

9: He can make a mean pot of Jambalaya! (Chicken, rice, sausage & spices for you yankees! LOL)
10: He still calls me "Baby," *sniff*

I love you Daddy! Have a Wonderful Father's Day...You Are The Best!!!!!

Ok, the CS is SU Real Red/Whisper White and DCWV Navy from a stack called Everyday Cardstock & Prints. The polka dot and stripe DP are singles I bought recently from Joann, and the image is from an MFT set called Let's Hear It For The Boy, which I colored with Copic markers using the R59 for the rug. The sentiment is from the same set, but I printed it out to make it bigger. The brads are Basic Grey, Urban Prairie and the buttons come from a red/white/blue multipack I bought at Stuffmart. I paper-pieced the dad, rug and tv and popped them up on dots for dimension and popped up the sentiment as well.

I followed the theme thru to the inside and printed out another sentiment from the MFT set. BTW, this card is 5 1/5 by 5 1/2.

Blessings!

A New Card for SoS Challenge 52 and Some Wild Animals!

2009-05-20T17:25:00.006-05:00

I just got the cutest SU set ever by doing a marathon swap on SCS! I found this adorable Sock Monkey set for trade, but the owner wanted current SU CS that was NIP to trade for it. Well, I don't have any current, NIP. So, I found someone else that DID, and traded them for a set I don't use anymore, then I turned around and traded the CS for my Sock Monkey! Cool, eh? I thought this card would work well for the Spoonfull of Sugar Challenge #52, which is to make a "Celebration" Card because they just turned 1 year old! YAAAYYYY!!!

Here is the card I made...I think he turned out pretty good, but I am still working on how to get that "heathered-brown" look for the color. I colored him with Copics, added Glossy Accents and a Bow Tie with some SU 3/16" Red Gingham. I trimmed him and popped him up on foam dots. The brown and red ribbons are from Stuffmart, the buttons and brads are from my stash. The sentiment came with the set. The CS is Real Red and Chocolate Chip from SU and the DP is from a DCWV stack called "Classic Carstock and Prints."

I followed the theme onto the inside and added the "man-bow" in the gingham.

Isn't this little guy too cute? He is a week old! We went to the Greek Fest in town and they had a petting zoo. I will post more pics later in the week of the kids with the animals...and speaking of animals....

Get a load of this pair of wild animals! hehehehe

Blessings!

What a Crazy Week!

2009-05-20T09:33:00.004-05:00

Sorry to be MIA again! School is coming to a close and there seems to be more stuff to do than usual. My DD is doing her best to get herself sent to an all girls school for the rest of her school career, my DS is starting on ADHD meds this week and I almost got into a fist fight with a Kindergarten teacher at his school on Monday! No Kidding! I dropped him off after the Dr. appointment at 12:30. He did not want to go to school so he was crying and fussing to the substitute teacher in the hallway. (she is a friend of mine, our girls are BFFs) This other teacher comes out of her classroom and starts yelling at my son, while I am STILL IN THE HALLWAY! It went something like this....

Teacher: "What Now? OMG! You better shut your mouth and get in that classroom right now. You disturbing all the other children, coming in here at 12:30 making all that noise! " ...this point I am turning around...."What kind of mother brings her kid to school at 12:30?"...at this point I am charging back up the hallway...

Me: "Excuse Me?"

Teacher: blank 'deer-in-headlight' look

Me: "That is MY child you are talking to and YES, I did bring him at 12:30 because he just got back from the doctor. How dare you yell at my son!"

Teacher: "I was talking to the sub..."

Me: "I was standing right there and I heard every word you said...you expect me to believe that you were telling an adult to shut their mouth and get in the class room?"

Teacher: "Well, he was..."

Me: "I don't care WHAT he was doing, you have no right to speak to my child like that..." I put my finger in her face at this point, there was steam coming from my ears...I swear!..."Don't you EVER, EVER speak to my child like that again! He does not get that at home and he is SURE NOT going to get it from YOU!"

Teacher: " I am sorry, I will apologize to your son."

Me: "Yes, I believe that you should."

Then I turned and walked off before I slapped her! I don't remember ever being that mad! I mean, you can say mean things to me or about me, but DO NOT start on my kids!

GGGGRRRRRRR!!!!!!!! What would you have done? Just curious... I did go back the next day to confirm that she apologized and also to apologize for losing my temper. Not that I was wrong, but I should not have "gone postal" on her...hehehehehe

Blessings,

Shannon

Quick Get Well Card MFT

2009-05-13T19:53:00.003-05:00

Here is a card I made for a girlfriend that has been feeling under the weather. It is an MFT Stamp set from the 'Who's That Girl?' collection. It is called "Bunny Slippers." I typed out the sentiment, rather than use the stamp because I wanted it to be a bit bigger.

I colored her with Copics and used SU Rose Romance and Brilliant Blue CS and some white grosgrain ribbon and skittles. The DP is from my stash, think it is a DCWV Wedding Stack.

Blessings!

Boy Meets Girl...Ladybug Style!

2009-05-06T19:02:00.003-05:00

Ok, so my ladybug guy was just too cute to NOT have girlfriend, so I set to work to find him one. Here is the lucky lady that I found to fill the space in his love-lorn lil' heart!

Isn't she just gorgeous? hehehehe I know that ladybugs are usually red, but she just looked like a hot pink kind of gal to me!

Blessings!

SNSS Digi - A Flower For You

2009-05-05T14:47:00.004-05:00

Isn't this just the sweetest lil' bug ever? I fell in love with this lil' guy! He is a new digi from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps. I love to use digis because ~~I am lazy and do not like to clean rubber~~ they are so easy to use! The digis from SNSS are especially easy to color because they are drawn with outlines that are just a lil' bit wider than most (Thank you, Korin!) and are more Copic-friendly for those of us that tend to color outside the lines just a tad! I have put all the colors I used in the picture to give you some reference. The base card (5"x7") is SU Summer Sun CS and I have layered with Black SU CS. The DP is a red gingham from DCWV Classic Prints & Cardstock Stack.

After I colored the main image, I colored another of the flowers, coated it with Glossy Accents, trimmed it, and popped it up on foam dots for some 3-D effect. I love the way it makes the flower really POP! I also gave him a "halo-effect" with two shades of grey. I like the extra depth this gives to the main image. I also "glossed" his nose, cheeks and antennae! I layered him on the black CS and then attached round silver brads with flower bead spacers from my stash. Then I popped him up on 1/16" foam.

I printed the sentiment on SU Whisper White, using two different fonts and layered it with the yellow and black CS. I added another brad/spacer to coordinate with the main image. I popped this up on 1/8" on the left and mounting squares above the edge of the main image.

The ribbon is a red grosgrain from my stash and some SU Real Red Gingham that I was blessed with recently. I have been on a charm kick lately and I found these Blue Moon flower charms at Stuff Mart last time I went. I thought it matched perfectly!

I followed the theme on the inside, with a slight twist. I used SU Real Red and Whisper White CS with SU Black/White Gingham ribbon and more of the brad/spacers.

I left the inside blank...you never know what you might want to say to a friend. All in all, this was a joy to make and I will have a hard time parting with it.

Blessings!

Copics Color Challenge #11 and CPC Magazine

2009-05-04T11:01:00.006-05:00

Once again, I finally get to do a Copics Color Challenge! And this time, I have ALL the colors! Also, since I am using a scripture for the sentiment, I am going to load this on my Christian Paper Crafts Magazine gallery. WooHoo! So, the colors were Y08 Acid Yellow, E31 Brick Beige and BG13 Mint Green. I also added E57 Light Walnut, BG11 Moon White, RV11 Pink, and RV14 Begonia Pink.
I used a digi from Grab-a-Doodle-Do that I just LOVE! Isn't she cute? She is from a set called "Fun and Girly" that has several images to choose from. I started with a yellow CS from the Kalediscope Value Pack by The Paper Company and used the turquoise from the same pack as well. The DP is by Kelly Pannaci for Sandy Lion.

I colored this little beauty and added some hightlight with a Sakura GellyRoll White gel pen. Not sure about this, but I guess it is ok. I shadowed around her with C1 and C3 and the stems on the flowers are G24. I trimmed her and popped her up on foam dots for dimension.

The flowers and brads are Spare Parts, and I colored the yellow flowers with my Y08 because it was too light. I think it worked well.

The sentiment is from the ColorBok "Everyday Blessings" Vellum Quote Pack, which I layered on white CS, attached with Basic Grey Urban Prairie brads and popped up on more of the yellow CS.
I followed the color scheme thru to the inside, using another sentinment from the same vellum pack and more brads. I made sure to leave lots of white space for writing.

I really like how this one turned out, it feels really light and happy to me! Plus, Psalm 118 is one of my favorites!

Blessings!

Navy and Brown DO go together!

2009-04-30T09:56:00.009-05:00

I cannot tell you how many times I have told my DH that you CANNOT wear brown with navy, especially brown shoes with navy pants. (no, no, no!!!!!) But, it seems to work well on this card.

I just love this image from Our Daily Bread Designs (can you tell? hehehe) It conveys a feeling of peace, and yet also a feeling of strength when I look at it. I used Night of Navy and Close to Cocoa CS from SU and some more of that Amazing Grace DP from Flair Designs. I printed out the sentiment, which is a portion of Psalm 27:1, on off-white CS, layered with colored CS and attached loops of ribbon and a brad. I left the inside plain with lots of white space for writing.

I used my Copics to color the image. This time, I colored in the sky first, then added the rays of light from the lighthouse. I like the way it turned out better than the last time.

I wanted to try something different with the embellies and so I used a cream satin ribbon and a corsage pin that I threaded beads onto. The last bead is glued over the point of the pin. (Do you know that pin is left over from my wedding 9 years ago?)

The flower is a silk stem that I took apart and the brads are Basic Grey Urban Prairie. (Yes, I use them A LOT!)

Overall I am very pleased with this card. I had no idea where it was going when I started but I like the finished product.

Blessings!

A Trip to Six Flags, Three Preteen Girls and a Zanax, please!

2009-04-29T10:34:00.011-05:00

I'm baaaack! Did you miss me? heheheh Well, we have been crazy busy with getting ready for, going to, and getting back from my DD's Dance Competition in Dallas. It was a crazy weekend that included two 5 hour cartrips with three preteen girls, two days at Six Flags riding rides, three evenings lounging in the hot tub at the hotel and half a day running around like crazy helping with costume changes at the competition.

Here is a picture of the whole group.

Here is one of my absolutely gorgeous DD (I'm just a *wee* bit predjudiced, I know! hehe)

This is DD and me posing with Batman...can you tell this guy takes his job WAAYYY too seriously? LOL Maybe he is mad because they made him wear tights in public! hehehe

Overall, it was a wonderful trip and we had a really good time. I cannot wait to go again!

Blessings!

Shannon

A Reflection on Thomas aka The Doubter

2009-04-20T21:56:00.000-05:00

This Sunday past my DH asked me to teach the lesson in the sunday school class that we co-lead. He was behind on school (doctorate program) and really needed to catch up. I thought long and hard and really felt God leading me to look at the event immediately after the resurrection. Being that we just celebrated Easter, I figured it would be a good place to start. In browsing the book of Luke, I came across where Thomas, having been told that Christ had risen, said, "Whatever! Not till I feel those holes myself, will I even CONSIDER the possibility!" Ok, that was a paraphrase, but you get my drift! LOL Then, lo and behold, Christ himself appears and tells him,"Feel my hands, it really is me." AWKWARD......He must have felt like a jerk, especially when Jesus goes on to bless those who believed WITHOUT seeing. Most people think He meant the other disciples, but hang on...back up a few verses and you will see that most of the other disciples did not believe it at first either! Even when they SAW Him! So, just who is it that Christ is blessing? I think that He was referring to us...the Body of Christ, who believe without seeing, accepting on faith that Christ did indeed come to earth, live, die, rise to life and ascend to Heaven. Even so, it is still hard to always be the Giant of Faith that I long to be. For the mean time, my prayer will continue to be..." Lord, I believe...help my unbelief!"
Blessings!
Shannon

Toodles & Binks Blog Candy featuring Sally Ann Hancock!

2009-04-17T11:07:00.005-05:00

If these names from the UK don't sound familiar to you, they soon will. Sally Ann is an uber-talented "doodler" who owns Grab-A-Doodle-Do. She has teamed up with Toodles & Binks to put out a line of stamps featuring her doodles. There is a contest going to guess the theme of the stamp line and the more people enter, the bigger the candy will be! Here are your clues:

OLD ? HAD A ?

Just fill in the works for the question marks, easy-peasy! Just post on your blog about the candy and then visit Toodles & Binks to let Mr. Linky hook you up! Hope ~~I win~~ you win! hehehehe

Blessings!

Where in the World is Shannon?

2009-04-14T10:45:00.008-05:00

Hello All! Sorry to be MIA for the last few days! I have been SOOOO not feeling good, and between Easter and my DH going out of town, my MIL coming to help with the kids and work being absolutely nuts....I have had ZERO time to do ANYTHING!!! Sheeesh! I am having MAJOR crafty withdrawal! hehehehe Ok, here are some things that I made that I did not get a chance to post...This is the last card I made with the Amazing Grace DP. I just love this pack and I am sorry that they are all out of it. I still have some, though...so you will probably see more in the future! The blue DP is a CS from that DCWV The Green Stack. (green meaning environmentally friendly) It is 70% post consumer recycled materials, which is a bonus in my book!

The CS is cream and brown that I had in my paper stash. the ribbons are satin ribbons that came from StuffMart.

The brads are...can you guess?...Basic Grey Urban Prairie! I just LOVE these colors! I gotta get more...the spacers are from the jewelery section @ HL.

The flowers are a mix of Heidi Grace and silk stems that I took apart.

The cross charm is Blue Moon from StuffMart. I used my MS Lace Doily Border Punch on the front and inside.

I think this is one of my fave color combos: Brown and turquoisey-blue (is that even a color?ha!) The first Anya I made was similar and GUESS WHAT!?!?!?!?! It was featured on the Club Anya website last week! I was so excited!!!!! You can check out that post here.

Blessings!

Drumroll Please........

2009-04-09T10:11:00.006-05:00

TADA!!! Here it is....

There were a few of you that were right about it being a skunk and a few that correctly guessed a birthday card. This little guy is a digi from Sweet & Sassy Stamps that is actually a squirrel, but I thought he would make a super-cute skunk. I used Random.org to choose the winner and it is:

Staci said...
Your grabadoodledo link goes to google, just fyi. I would like to guess that your card is for mother's day? I hope I am right.

Congrats Staci! Send me your snail mail addy and I will send out your surprise right away!

Here are the rest of the Deets on the card:

I colored him with Copics, using C7, 110 Special Black, G21, G24, R27, R29, Y15, Y17 and B21, B24. I used a C5 to do some shadowing and Sakura Gelly Roll black and white gel pens for his eyes and the bee's eyes.

The sentiment was printed on my computer. The green CS is from a Paper Company ValuPak called Kaleidoscope and the DP (which is actually CS as well) is from the Green Stack by DCWV. The brads/buttons are Basic Grey Urban Prairie, the spacers I bought thru Ebay. They came all the way from China...350 for $1, can't beat that for value! In fact, if you would like some, send me a SASE and I will drop some in the mail to you. Just leave a comment requesting my snail mail. It would take me FOREVER to use 350! hehehe. The green grosgrain ribbon is from my stash.

I followed the theme on the inside as well, using my EK Success Photo Corner punch on the DP and a vellum sticker sentiment.

Ok that was fun! Think I will do that more often....did you enjoy it too? I hope so! Here is another card I made with the Scripture DP...

I really like the colors on this one. The CS is just cream-colored from my stash, the sentiment DP is from that Amazing Grace pack by Flair Designs and the other DP is from K&Co Classic K Bailey 12 x 12 stack. The flowers are Heidi Grace and silk from a floral stem with brown brads from my stash. The other brads are Basic Grey Urban Prairie and Blue Moon bead spacers from Joann. The ribbon is from Wally-World and the Cross charm is also Blue Moon. I used my paper piercing template from SU to do the piercing at the corner.

I forgot to take a pic of the inside, doh! **slaps forehead** but it looks just like this one, only the CS is cream instead of brown and the ribbon is olive instead of brown.

Blessings!

A Surprise, A cute Easter Digi from Grab-A-Doodle-Do and a Cliff-Hanger!

2009-04-07T17:08:00.004-05:00

Look at the beautiful card I got from Barb over at Made For Keeps! Isn't she gorgeous? I was #5 in her First Five game and she said she would send me something that she made herself. I have to tell you, when she saw this, my 12yo DD screamed...snatched it out of my hands...and ran away! LOL But, at least I have this photo to admire....go give Barb some bloggy love, she deserves it!
This is the card I made for Mel-Mel, my niece. She also has a birthday close to Easter and this cute little digi-chick from Grab-A-Doodle-Do seemed like a good match!

I colored him with Copics, but not on my fave paper...I was out. I will probably do another one of him on better paper, but he still turned out really sweet! I am still working on shading, but I think I am getting better.

The flowers are K & Co, the gemstone brads are Spare Parts and all the CS, DP, Ribbon, etc is from my stash. The sentiment is a vellum sticker and I used my Cricut (Yaaayyy!!!) to make the little speech bubble layers.

Want a sneak peek at what I am posting tomorrow? Ok, then....Here it is!

Can you guess? Leave me a comment and tomorrow when I post the whole card, I will choose a winner from the guesses left in the comments to receive a surprise from me!

Blessings!

Happy Monday and Timmy Turtle says "Hi!"

2009-04-06T09:34:00.007-05:00

Is this guy just the cutest thing or what? Timmy Turtle is a digi-stamp you can get over at Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps (along with a bunch of other great stuff!) My friend Wen asked me if I had any cute turtle images I could color for her, and I immediately thought of Timmy. I colored him with Copics, popped up his eyes and hat, highlighted with Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen and used Glossy Accents on his eyes, nails and some of his spots. I have been keeping him under wraps because he was a surprise for Wen and I could not post him until she recieved him in the mail. This morning I received word that Timmy arrived safe and sound and is now hanging out on her computer. I think maybe he needs a girlfriend, what do you think?

This adorable little Easter Anya is a birthday card for my neice Morgan. Her birthday is really close to Easter and I thought she would like this image. Morgan has the prettiest red hair and this Anya is the spitting image (maybe a little short, though! hehehe) See the faux-turquoise half-beads in the top-left corner? I have had these forever! I kept wanting to use them but never found quite the right card. I think they were just the thing for this one.

I colored her with Copics, paper pieced her dress and the eggs in the basket, which I popped up on foam dots for some added dimension. I also embellished with Glossy Accents, and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen. I .used my EK Success Photo Corner punch and Basic Grey Urban Prairie brads to embellish the image

The flowers are Spare Parts, paper and silk, with Spare Parts Gemstone brads in the center. I used my MS Lace Doily BP on the accent CS. All the CS and DP is from my stash. I am pretty sure it is all DCWV from Joann. The sentiment is a vellum sticker and the eyelet is K&Co.

I followed my theme on the inside, with another fun vellum sticker. I also made an envelope with matching yellow CS.

I will post more tomorrow, including the card I made for Morgan's sister, Melanie (Mel-Mel to me) I used a digi-stamp from Grab-A-Doodle-Do for it. If you have not seen her digis, RUN, don't walk over there and get some for yourself!

Blessings!

Copic Color Challenge #7

2009-04-03T13:00:00.004-05:00

This time at the Copic Color Challenge, we were asked to use the following colors:

I did not have the E47 or the B12, so I substituted E57 and B21. Here is the card I made...

The CS and DP all came from a 12 x 12 K & Co Stack called Classic K Bailey. The papers are double sided and I just love these colors together

The image is a Birthday Buddies digi-stamp from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps (click on the link to get yours, and check out all their other fabulous digis!) that I printed out on Strathmore Bristol Smooth paper. I find this works well for digi-stamps. The ink does not bleed when I color over it and the paper does not suck my markers dry. I started with R22, B21 and E47. I added R02, B24, E33, G21, G24, Y15 and W1.

The flower came from a Joann floral stem I took apart, the spacer and charm are Blue Moon, the brads are K & Co and Basic Grey Urban Prairie.

I followed the theme on the inside and used my EK Success Photo corner punch on some of the DP to add accent. The sentiment is a vellum sticker from American Traditional Designs Lil' Messages pack.

This was my first time to do the CC Challenge and I thoroughly enjoyed myself!

Blessings!

Scripture DP and Some Ideas

2009-04-02T10:50:00.004-05:00

Remember that wedding shower that I went to last weekend? Well, I made a card to go with the gift (didn't get a pic because I was running late, of course...hehehe). I used the colors that I saw reflected in her gift registry choices, thinking that she might want to use the card front somehow in her new home. She loved it and I offered to make another so that she would have two to frame and display. Here is the second one I made. It is just a single sheet design, not a card. And, NO COLORED IMAGE!!! {{{gasp}}}!! LOL

I used cream colored CS from my stash, the light teal and scripture DP is from a Flair Designs Paper Collection called Amazing Grace. The brown and dark teal DP is from the DCWV The Green Stack. I used my MS Lace Doily Border Punch on the dark teal to add some visual interest.

The paper sheet this sentiment came on is a full 12 x 12 with multiple scripture verses individually blocked with lines. It makes it really easy to use as your sentiment or focal point like I did with these. I chose John 3:16 to pair with the original, which was I Corinthians 13 (the "love" chapter). What more can be said about these verses? God's love for us is un-ending and His grace truly is amazing! I used a simple silk flower double layer, the polka dot is Heidi Grace and the cream is from a stem I bought at Joann on sale. The brad is Basic Grey Urban Prairie.

The ribbon is a cream satin that I bought at Michael's. It comes in a 15 yd roll for $1. Can't beat that! and the skinny brown I bought at Wally-world. The Cross charm is from Blue Moon.

I liked these so well, that I made a couple more cards like them. I will post those soon. This one is already getting to be a bit long-winded...hehehe!

Blessings!

Cupcake Craft Challenge #33 A Sketch...

2009-04-01T06:45:00.004-05:00

This week on Cupcake Craft Challenge, we were given a sketch to work with. I had this lovely little Henry image from WoJ all colored and decided to use him as a starting point. I used a turquoise colored CS out of the Kaleidoscope ValuPak from Joann, and a lovely bright orange out of my stash. I rounded the corners with my EK Success Corner Rounder.

Henry is colored with Copics and I tried something new with him this time. I put a "halo" around the candle flame with a couple of different yellows. I think it turned out pretty good!

The DP is from a clearance sale at Joann...no info on the back, sorry! The ribbon is from the $1 bin at Michael's. (see a pattern emerging here? I am ALL about getting a good deal! hehehe)

The flowers and brads are Spare Parts. I mixed and matched from some yellow, green and blue sets. The buttons are a mix of Basic Grey Urban Prairie and some from my stash.

I followed the theme thru on the inside and added a vellum sentiment sticker from a Lil' Messages pack by American Traditional Designs (the one on the front is from the same pack) and some green grosgrain ribbon from my stash.

He is so cute, I might not be able to give him away! hehehe

Blessings!

Copics, Copics Everywhere!

2009-03-31T08:55:00.005-05:00

For those of you ~~who like Copics~~... ~~with a Copic addiction~~ OK! who are totally OBSESSED!!! with Copics like myself...hehehe...here is what I have been up to since my Copics came from the Sweet & Sassy Stamps Copic Club.

This little Easter Anya from The Greeting Farm is soooo cute, that I could not do just one. I had to do a bevy of beauties! I colored all with Copics and detailed with a Sakura Gelly Roll Med white pen. This is the first one, she is a blonde bombshell and she is just too sweet for words.

Here is my Red-Hot, Red-Head Anya! They say (and just WHO are THEY anyway?) that red heads should not wear pink, but I think she is ROCKIN' that hot pink dress! hehehe

I really like the way this one turned out, not really brunette, more of a "bronde", if you know what I mean...She has a real 'girl next door' feel to her.

Last, but certainly not least! Here is a card that my DD and I made together during some much enjoyed mother-daughter time.

I think she did a great job and she really has taken to cardmaking since she realized how much fun it can be. She is a very creative young lady and this is just another extension of her many talents...(not proud of her, am I? hehehe)

Well, let me know what you have been up to so far this week! I love to hear from you all, I am trying my best to visit all the blogs of my 92!!!!! followers! but it is taking me a bit to do it. (my boss actually wants me to WORK, how rude!)

Blessings!

Happy Monday!

2009-03-30T11:01:00.005-05:00

Well, this weekend was busy, as usual. Two birthday parties, a wedding shower, church and yardwork! Whew! I am tired all over again just thinking about it! hehehehe

I DID get to do some crafting, though. Here are a few new things....

This card was inspired by a lady that came to look at my cards at the Library Fund Raiser. She asked if I had anything with Lighthouses. I remembered this stamp set by Our Daily Bread Designs and thought it would be perfect! I used my MS Picket Fence Border Punch to accessorize the look. The CS is corner punched with the Fiskars Heritage Corner Punch.

Here are the Copic colors I used to create this image. I was going for a night-time look, not sure if I pulled it off, but I think it looks nice.

I layered the image with soft grey and royal blue CS and some soft blue/green DP from my stash...not sure what the name/maker is. I used paper flowers and gemstone brads from Spare Parts to embellish.

Don't you love this scripture? I know I do...it reminds me that no matter what is going on in my life, God is present and in control. I can rest in His peace knowing that He takes care of all my needs.

I followed the theme from the front to the inside and used my MS Picket Fence Border Punch again to just give it that little extra "something."

Blessings!

None of that 'Sissy Stuff' here!

2009-03-26T11:17:00.003-05:00

Are you tired of those Sissy 'friendship' poems that always sound good, but never actually come close to reality? Well, Let's try this my way, Just the stone cold truth of our great friendship.
1. When you are sad, I will jump on the person who made you sad like a spider monkey jacked up on Mountain Dew!!!
2. When you are blue, I will try to dislodge whatever is choking you.
3. When you smile, I will know you are plotting something that I must be involved in, hehehe.
4. When you're scared, we will both high tail it out of there.
5. When you are worried, I will tell you horrible stories about how much worse it could be until you quit whining, ya big baby!!!!
6. When you are confused, I will use little words.
7. When you are sick, Stay the heck away from me until you are well again. I don't want whatever you have.
8. When you fall, I'll pick you up and dust you off-- After I laugh my butt off!!
9. This is my oath.... I pledge it to the end. 'Why?' you may ask; -- because you are my FRIEND!

**************************************************************

Friendship is like peeing your pants,

everyone can see it,

but only YOU can feel the true warmth.

**************************************************************

Try sending this to 10 of your closest friends...
Then, wrack your brain trying to think of more than 4! hehehe

Blessings!
Shannon

My Oh My Oh My!

2009-03-25T09:00:00.005-05:00

So many good things going on around here! This last weekend, I sold several cards (yayyy me!) and a couple I did not even get a chance to take a picture of! I can show you the images I colored for one of them, because I DID take pictures of the images. This WOJ Henry image is one of my all time favs. I really like the color combination on this one.

I also just found out that a card I submitted for the Christian Paper Crafts Magazine has been accepted!!!! It is a new publication and the first issue is due out in May. Here is the card I submitted...

look familiar? I am very proud of this card and so happy that they chose this one to be in the magazine.

Here is a new card I made with two of the stamped images my friend Cindy E. at Heart's Delight Cards sent me. She is a sweetie and you really should check out her blog...she is super talented!

I made this while I was sitting at a table in our Community Center, selling cards to raise money for our local library. It was colored with Copics, and I have included a pic of the colors I used.

The CS is from a Joann's Valu Pack, the DP is Flair Designs - Amazing Grace pack - The Lord's Prayer, the ribbon is Basic from Michael's, the sentiment is from a ColorBok Vellum Quote Pack called Everyday Blessings, the brads are from my stash.

On the inside, I used my EK Success Photo Corner Punch, more of the Lord's Prayer DP and some Strathmore Bristol Smooth white paper.

Hope you are all having a fabulous week, I am trying to get caught up on all my "to-do's," the most important one being getting my taxes filed. This is the first year that I have taken so long to do this. Usually I am done by the middle of Feb. and have my refund by the end of Feb. My DH has ~~issued an ultimatum of "NO MORE CRAFTING!!"~~ asked me very sweetly to put off making more cards until I get the taxes filed! (hehehe, he did not say no more blogging!)

Blessing!

Boys will be Boys! and Color Create Week 7!

2009-03-19T10:30:00.014-05:00

This week, I needed some cards for my brother and nephews. All three of them have birthdays this month. Is is just me? Or is it hard to make masculine cards? Well, here is what I came up with... (scroll down for Color Create #7)

This totally adorable little Skater Ian from TGF seemed like the perfect match for my youngest nephew. He also seemed like the perfect card for Cupcake Craft Challenge #31, which is to use brown + either blue, pink or green. I chose green. I colored him with Copics and used DP from a DCWV stack called "The Green Stack." It is 70% recycled and has the coolest colors and designs! (being green is a plus!) The CS is from my stash and the brads are Basic Grey Urban Prairie.

I had no idea for the sentiments, so I turned to my trusty friend, Mr. Google, to help me out. I googled, "Skater slang," and found a website (http://punkskateboarders.tripod.com/id73.htm) that gives all the current skater-speak and the translations for yoinkers like me! hehehe (you will have to check the site to get the meaning!)

I trimmed around Ian and popped him and the sentiment up on foam dots. The sentiments were generated on my computer and printed out.

Here is second Ian I made while I was on a roll! All the supplies were from my stash and I (of course!) colored him with the W1-7 Copics and R27 Cadmium Red.

Isn't this guy just beautiful? I found this stamp on sale at Joann and HAD to make him mine! I am a MAJOR dragon fan! My oldest nephew and I share a love of reading, especially stuff like C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, so I thought this would be just right for him. I am also using him as my entry for the Color Create Wk 7 Challenge. The colors are red and green, and the option is to put something with wings. He works well, don't you think?

I colored this handsome guy with Copics and cut him out. The CS and DP are all from my stash, the brads are Basic Grey Urban Prairie again, and the ribbon is from the clearance section at Michael's.

The matting under the sentiments were corner punched with the Heritage punch by Fiskars and the sentiments were punched with a corner rounder by Marvy. (I did not like the way the matting looked with the coloring on the edges, so I went back and colored the whole matting with my E37 Sepia marker. It looks better, but I did not get a pic before I mailed it.)

Here is the sentiment on the inside. These sentiments were found by googling "dragon related quotes." I thought these were too funny and I know my nephew will like them as well!

I popped him up on foam dots for a 3-D look. Now, I just have to make an envie to fit him! I made this a slightly larger card (5x7) to fit this very large image. Sorry for the bad lighting in my pics! I will try to take them earlier in the day next time.

Blessings!

Winner, Winner...Chicken Dinner!!!! hehehehe

2009-03-17T15:42:00.006-05:00

The winner of my Awesome Blog Candy was chosen using Random.org's random widget. I had a total of 158 comments! WooHoo! You guys ROCK! Without further ado, the winner is......

Stephanie said...
Thanks for the chance to win some candy! Here is a link to my post about your candy: http://stephieree80.blogspot.com/2009/03/want-some-crafty-candy.html
March 14, 2009 8:47 PM

Stephanie, send me your snail-mail addy and I will get this out to you ASAP!!!!

Thanks to every one that joined in! Last time I checked, I had over 1,380 hits! So, that meant another draw for a MS border punch, also using Random.org......

Margarita (Scrapy33) said...
Thanks a lot for this awesome Blog Candy
March 16, 2009 5:52 PM

And, even though we did not reach 100 followers, the 80 or so that I did get are just out of this world! There are so many talented people out there and I am loving that this Blog Candy let me find you and you find me! So, I am gonna do one more draw for a MS border punch, just for the heck of it!

debra said...
Hi Shannon great candy and what better day to end on happy paddys day. pic linked you on the right on my blog thanks for the chance to win Debra xx
March 15, 2009 5:27 PM

Debra and Margarita, send me your snail-mail addies and which Martha Stewart Border Punch you would like, and I will get those out as soon as I track them down!

If I do not hear from the winners by 11:59 on Friday (03/20/09), I will choose again.

On a personal note, thank you all for your many lovely comments on my blog and my work. I am going to start visiting you all, one at a time, so you should see me lurking on your blog soon! Again, thanks for making my first ever Blog Candy such a big success!

Blessings!

1,000 1,250 Hits Blog Candy Extravaganza!!!!!!!

2009-03-17T15:00:00.000-05:00

*** THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED!!! CHECK BACK LATER FOR THE WINNER!! ***

******ALERT*****ALERT*****ALERT*****

WOWEE-WOW-WOW!!!!!!

I have had such a great response from my blog candy! I am up over 1,053 hits now! Unfortunately, I am not at home, so......that means you still have time to enter! In honor of my Irish Heritage, I will extend the Candy until:

St. Patrick's Day, Tuesday, March 17, 2009!

In addition...if I reach 1,250 hits and/or 100 followers, I will draw one more random name for each of these milestones and the winners will each receive a Martha Stewart Border Punch of their choice! (provided I can FIND it here where I live, hehehe, they can be hard to find!)

"If you are lucky enough to be Irish, you are lucky enough!"

Here is the awesome BLOG CANDY I am giving away when I hit ~~1,000~~ 1,250 hits! All you have to do to play along is post my candy on your blog (please!) If you would like a second entry, you could follow me (no pressure! hehehe...) Then come back to me and leave a comment, with a link to your post. If you choose to follow, leave a second comment. My DH will draw a random winner after my counter hits ~~1,000~~ 1,250! (I am currently at ~~879~~ 1,040 . . . just FYI!)

There is a lovely album for you scrapbookers, along with tons of stamps(new, of course!)

I have also included a rather large selection of paper, different kinds, different makers.

There is a MS starburst punch(my 4yr old chewed on the box so I threw it out! ewww!), embellies, ribbon, and some beautiful watercolors I won in another Blog Candy, but (shhh, don't tell anyone!) I don't know HOW to watercolor! *sigh* There is also a super-cool tool called a "Scraparatus" that I am including. I found these on sale and bought every last one! I love mine, you use it to make these itty bitty die cuts (dies included) or set eyelets, punch holes, etc.

Don't forget to leave your comments! I look forward to choosing a winner soon!

Blessings!

Inky Impressions 1st Design Team Call

2009-03-16T12:56:00.003-05:00

Here are two of my fav cards that I am entering in the Inky Impressions DT Call.

There are a whole bunch of really talented ladies trying out for this. I hope that I am chosen to be one of the DT members....what a blessing that would be!

Blessings!

Some new cards, and a Surprise to Come (scroll down for info!)

2009-03-13T14:29:00.004-05:00

Hello All! Just when I was enjoying the lovely spring-like weather, Texas sprung! It is about 50 degrees outside, wet and nasty! Oh well! Here is a bit of Springtime Loveliness to cheer your heart!

I was not following a sketch with this one, I actually colored the image first. This is another free image like the last one. (look at the previous post to find the link) Aren't these birdies just too sweet for words? The card itself is a lovely olive CS. I used a plain, cream CS that I border punched with MS Lace Scallop border punch and the same green CS and my image. I corner punched both with the Heritage 3 in 1 Border Punch from Fiskars. The ribbon is from Wally-world craft department and the cross with dove is Blue Moon.

I love this sentiment and thought it would be just perfect for my two little birdy friends here. Is is a sticker that I mounted on the same green CS.

Here is a shot to show how I cut them out and popped them up on foam dots to add dimension. They were, of course, colored with Copic markers. I will have to show you the colors I used later.

I just got this new MS leaf punch and I thought it really made the Spare Parts flower and gem embellies stand out. I can tell you to expect to see a LOT of this in the future! LOL

Here is the inside of the card, I have pretty much just carried the theme from the front inside.

And here is a gusset fold envie that I made all by my little self to put it in and not smush the pretty embellies. You can see in the first photo how thick it is. Want to try it? Just let me know and I will tell you how. I used a band of a matching green CS that is border punched to finish off the look and hold the envie shut. I don't have time to post the recipe today, but I promise I will.

And now, the surprise....

I am gonna give away some BLOG CANDY when I hit 1,000 hits! I am talking some SERIOUS candy, not just a little bit...check back later for a pic and all the DEETS! All you have to do to play along is post my candy on your blog (please!) If you would like a second entry, you could follow me (no pressure!hehehe) Then come back to me and leave a comment linking your post. If you choose to follow, leave a second comment. I will draw a random winner the day after my counter hits 1,000. (I am currently at 879...just FYI!)

Blessings!

Cupcake Craft Challenge #30 & DT Call

2009-03-09T12:46:00.008-05:00

Isn't this a lovely image? For this week's challenge at Cupcake Crafts, Springtime is our inspiration. It is such a peaceful image, I immediately thought of this beautiful swan .jpg that I downloaded from a gallery of free images on the web. Thanks to Enfys at Going Buggy for the link! Here is what I came up with...

I printed out the image on Strathmore Bristol Smooth (300 series). It is really heavy weight and the Copics love it! I did not even heat set the ink and there was no smudging when I colored. When I showed it to my DH, he remarked that it looks kind of like stained glass.

I layered on CS and DP that I border punched and used a vellum sentiment that seemed to go with the image. The pretty little Celtic cross has the same feel as the border on the image so it was perfect to complete my card.

Here are the Copic colors that I used...I am up to 39 pens now! I see these really becoming an addiction!

CS: soft grey, yellow and white from a multipack I got at Joann, DP: a green flourish that came from a HL Greetings of the Seasons pack, RIBBON: yellow floral ribbon from Joann and white from Walmart, BORDER PUNCH: Lattice from the Paper Studio, EMBELLIES: Spare Parts flowers and brads, Blue Moon Celtic cross.

Blessings!

A Spoon Full of Sugar #41 - Torn Edges

2009-03-04T18:28:00.010-06:00

The challenge this week over at SoS is to use torn edges in your work. This is kind of outside my comfort zone because I am kind of OCD when it comes to things lining up and being straight...LOL! I used this card by Camilla on the DT as my inspiration.

I had this lovely little Cheer Anya just waiting to be colored so I pulled out my new Copics and here she is! I have placed the markers I used in the photo, except I forgot the colorless blender I used to bring out the highlights in her hair. I trimmed around the image and popped her up on foam dots.

CS: light blue that I had stashed away. DP: Cloud9Design double sided Chocolate Swirl & Chocolate Chalet, Kelly Panacci for SandyLion Atomic Turquoise & Turquoise Mini Squares Ribbon: Michael's $1 Bin "Friends" Embellies: Gemstone Brads are Spare Parts, Paper Flowers are Spare Parts and the sentiment is from a Joann's vellum pack called "Friends"

Inspite of myself, I like how the torn edges look and the layers give it lots of depth. Here is a shot of the layers and the image popped up.

This is a shot of the inside of the card and the sentiment that I chose to complement the sentiment on the front. I thought the Cheer Anya was especially appropriate for a friend card, because our friends are often our biggest cheerleaders!

I really like this color combination and can see this becoming a favorite very soon!
Blessings!

Top Five List...

2009-03-03T13:24:00.015-06:00

Where have I been the last week?
#5: I got tired of blogging and decided to quit! (like that will ever happen!)
#4: I could not pay my internet bill because I spent all my money on Copic Markers! (hubby would KILL me! hehehe)
#3: I joined a "scrapbooking group" that turned out to be a cult, got brainwashed and have spent the last week being "de-programmed!" (the flowers and tambourines should have been a clue...)
#2: Got abducted by aliens! (It could happen!)
#1: Been so overwhelmed with self-inflicted injury (see previous post here), sick children and out of town husband that I have had ZERO time to do ANYTHING!

If you have not guessed, it was #1, although 2 or 3 sound like more fun to me! hehehe So, now I am jumping back in with a new card, some great news and a question for all of you...

First of all, the card:

This is actually one of the FEW things I was able to do this last week. Not the card, I made that today, but coloring the image. I think it turned out good, then I got a little happy with the white gel pen...oh well! The umbrella turned out especially nice!

CS: Cream colored CS that I had stashed away

DP: foof*a*La Paper Pad, blue is from the Summer Ete collection, cream with text is from the Thrift Shop Boutique D' Occasions collection, pink DP is DCWV.

Lace Border Punch: MS

Image: this Willow with Umbrella image was sent to me by Cindy E. She is stamped with Versafine ink and embossed with clear EP.

Markers: Prismacolor and Tria

Embellies: White gel pen, blue brads,

pearl stickies, paper flowers from stash.

Ribbon, silver plaque from Joann's and

gemstone brad is Spare Parts from HL.

I planned to use this one for the High Hopes "warm fuzzy" challenge. I am LOVING this MS border punch! It gives such a romantic look to the paper. This image makes me think of being lonely, so I thought it made a great "Miss You" card.

Now for the great news.....

Lookit what I got!!!!!!!!!

Aren't they just delicious???? I got them from someone else, never been used! AND....they were free!!!!! YAAYYYYY!!! (you KNOW I lurve a bargain!!!!) There are 21, yep...count 'em, 21 of these little beauties here. And they color like a DREAM...I was actually somewhat skeptical that Copics were any better than Prisma. BOY, WAS I WRONG!!! The colors blend so nicely! I had not bought any because HL is the only place around here that sells them and they are $5.99 each!!! (strike that, they just went up to $6.49, ouch!!) I did find a cool place online: http://www.carpediemstore.com/

that sells them really inexpensively so I will probably stock up on them thru that store. It is cheaper if you buy more because the shipping is pretty stable, so the more you buy, the less the shipping is per pen. And, if you buy $50 or more, the shipping is free!

Now, my question...

Would anyone be interested in going in with me to buy copics? I know there are lots of "Copic Clubs" but they charge way more than I think we could get using this store. Right now they are on sale for $3.95 each, so if we can order $50 or more, the shipping will be free and then you can just pay the actual shipping from my place to yours, which should be minimal. What do you think?

Blessings!

A Self - Portrait...

2009-02-24T22:53:00.006-06:00

Or, "How I Almost Bashed My Brains Out On My Own Bed Post!"
Let me set the stage for you...it is about 3AM, very dark outside (and INSIDE, evidently!) and I wake up needing to go to the bathroom. I manage to make it there and take care of business. On the way back, I turn out the bathroom light behind me and instead of waiting for my eyes to adjust to the dark (like a SMART person would) I head toward the bed with both my arms outstretched in front of me. Did I mention it was dark? I was sooo tired and just wanted to get back in bed, so I must have been building up some real speed. The next thing I know, I am on the ground and my forehead has exploded into a very impressive fireworks display that only I can see! I had somehow managed to miss the bed post with both hands, but find it with my forehead! Once I got over the shock, I reached up to touch my forehead, only to find that I was ALREADY sporting a HUGE lump, right between my eyes, just slightly off-center. I mean, it was so big it scared me! Then I remembered some of my emergency medical training, which taught me that outward swelling is GOOD, because a big smack to the head, followed by no OUTWARD swelling usually means INWARD swelling, which is BAD, BAD, BAD!!!! Did I mention that my DH is out of town and I am alone with my kids? yeah. Somehow (really, I mean it) I got my kids to school and then passed out for basically the rest of the day. I am very blessed that I have parents who immediately came to my rescue when I called later in the day, I must have sounded really out of it or something. They came and are staying with me till my DH gets home. Don't you just love parents? Mine are the best! (Love you, Mom and Dad!!!) The funny thing is, this is NOT the first time I have done this, apparently! My mom is reminding me of the time when I was about 6, that I was running with my footy pajamas (I wish they made those in adult sizes...*sigh*) and I slipped and hit my forehead on the bottom rail of the bed frame. Except THAT time, I DID hit right in the middle. Did you know you have a very LARGE vein in the middle of your forehead? Yep, I managed to cut mine (not the skin, just the vein underneath) and give myself two very impressive black eyes! She even took me to get pictures taken with them! I will post that pic when I find it...
Blessings!

Suffering BPWS (Blog Post Withdrawal Syndrome!)

2009-02-22T19:03:00.009-06:00

My DH left today to go out of town for a few days and he took my camera with him *sigh*... I miss my XD card....*sniff* So, even if I DO make anything, I can't take a picture of it!!!! DARN! The likelihood of my actually being able to get anything made is closer to zero than I actually thought was possible to be, on the count of me being home by myself with the kids and no one to run interference for me. So, I will have to settle for rifling thru my picture files and seeing what I come up with...

Is this picture just the best? Here, my youngest DS is lamenting the unjustness that prevents him from joining "his brudder" on stage at
Pre-K Graduation. I don't know where he gets that lip from, although I have been told it is from me (I don't believe it though...hehehe)

For those of you who don't live in the South, where we refer to the ground as "gumbo", I am showing you this lovely photo...no, it is not a miniature volcano. This is a crawfish pile...yep, that is right, those mini-lobster looking things that you eat at the seafood restaurant? They live undergound and when it rains, they tunnel up and leave these all over the yard. This is a side view, from the top, there is an actual tunnel that goes down to where the crawfish lives.

This is a picture of what used to be called, "Shoestring Alley." This was taken in the early 1900's here in Sour Lake, Texas when they first found oil and Texaco was born. There was so much oil pumped out of the ground so fast, that a sinkhole formed and this area collapsed. There was a mineral spring ( thus the name Sour Lake) and should have been a big spa and hotel, but when they found oil, all those plans got pushed aside.

Ok, well I feel a little better. Thanks for putting up with my randomness tonight. Blessings!

WoJ #41 GD Call and getting a headstart on St. Paddy's day...Hey, I'm Irish!

2009-02-19T16:56:00.009-06:00

At least PART Irish, anyway...you CAN'T be named Shannon Cay Neal and not be somewhat Irish! hehehe So, I had two more of these cute little guys left *sigh* and thought I would use them for the WoJ #14. It also just happens to be a Guest Designer Call! At first, I was going to color the cupcake green, but I thought to myself, "Self, why not make the mousie green?" I mean, they don't call it the Wearing 'O the Green for nothing!

When I finished coloring him, my DD told me..."He looks like he is gonna puke!" Thanks a lot! So much for asking a preteen's opinion! I wanted him to be kind of 3-D, so I colored a second one and cut it out to make the top of the cupcake and side of his body pop out. Then came the problem of DP...what to use...I did not have any Shamrock DP or Celtic knots or anything vaguely Irish, so I had to put on the old thinking cap and come up with my own.

Prepare to be amazed.....

I made my OWN DP!!!! The paper with the shamrocks on it? the really cute one? yep, I made that, just me, all by myself. (and a little help from Inkscape! hehehe) The diamond pattern DP is from a DCWV stack. The whole thing looked to me like it NEEDED something, so I took out my Bronze Sakura Gelly Roll Metallic pen and did some doodling on the edges. Then I had the issue of sentiments, so again, I rummaged around in my brain and came up with this sentiment. The brown and green cardstock is DCWV, the ribbon is Martha Stewart, the buttons came from a pack of coordinating buttons I got at Joann's and the brads are Basic Grey, Urban Prairie. The inside looked kind of plain, so I followed along with the same theme inside. I printed the sentiment on my computer, doodled on the edges, used more of my OWN DP (I'm not PROUD or anything, I am just sayin'...) This card will likely go to my brother and sis-in-law who married on St. Paddy's Day when I was a teenager...which is a WHOLE nother story! (check in later, I might feel compelled to tell the whole TRAUMATIC story).

Horrible, Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Writing!!!

2009-02-16T21:05:00.005-06:00

My insanely funny friend, Jenners, over at Life With A Little One And More, came up with this brilliant game to play where you try to come up (on purpose, mind you!) with THE WORST opening line for a ficticious book. So, I am going to gird my loins and wade in chest deep with both barrels blazing. See? I am ALREADY mixing my metaphors...how much worse can it get?
Here goes:

"Sobbing beautifully, as only a beautiful woman can, Charlotte whipped her glossy, raven locks back and shook her delicately petite, if defiant, fist in vain at the cowardly retreating back of her one-time-fiance, who had only just previously heartlessly rejected her because of his own pitiful inability to tame her wild, unbridled nature." From The Grossly Unjust Rejection of Beautifully Unbroken Charlotte.

Wow! Where did that come from? I would be the LAST PERSON on God's Green Earth to read a trashy romance novel, but that sounds like a best seller for sure! Ok, how about this one?

"Cursed with indecision, Roger stood unmoving in front of the checkout clerk, with her unanswerable question reverberating in his quivering brain." An excerpt from Paper or Plastic? A Modern-Day Horror.

Ba-dum-bum-CHING!!!! How did I do....Hopefully horrible, terrible, no good AND very bad!!!! (My apologies to Judith Viorst for heisting her title.....)
Blessings!

High Hopes Challenge #17! HHC17

2009-02-12T23:45:00.007-06:00

Isn't he just the sweetest thing?

I really love the stamps from High Hopes, but alas! I do not have any...*sigh* So, my entry for this challenge uses a really sweet Party Animal image from Whiff of Joy, that I colored with Tria and Prismacolor markers.

The card stock and DP are from a DCWV stack, the doodles are made with a white Sakura Gelly Roll pen, the faux-Primas are silk flowers that are inked up and doodled.

The delicious button came from Basic Grey - Urban Prairie and the Friends ribbon was from the $1 bin at Joanne. The orange and yellow ruffled stuff was also from Joanne.

This was my first try at doodling and
I think I am hooked!

Here are a couple close ups of the coloring and the embellishing...

Think I am gonna give this one to my
friend for her birthday, but I will not
say WHICH one because she might be reading this and spoil the surprise!

Hope you like my newest addition and I love it when you leave comments!

Blessings!

Out of the Mouths of Babes...

2009-02-12T12:16:00.005-06:00

Overheard at my house today:
Me: "What do you want on your hotdog, sweetie?"
DS: "Ketchup"
Me: "Cheese?"
DS: "KETCHUP"
Me: "No, I mean do you want anything ELSE on your hotdog?"
DS: ...pause..."um, I want a weenie..."
Blessings!

That is so Random...

2009-02-12T10:12:00.005-06:00

This is my DD's fave saying at the mo...I thought it was a totally appropriate title for this post. I am sitting here at the laptop, stuffing my face with the mini Reese's Cups left over from my last-minute-trip-to-the-store-to-get-Teacher-Valentine-Gifts.(whew! I almost ran out of breath with that one!) I mean, I can't let them go to waste now, can I? (and by "go to waste", I mean letting my DH gobble them all up! LOL) So, I am reading this cool blog I found totally by accident...aren't those always the best? As I am absentmindedly unwrapping and eating, I bite into a cup that still has the paper on it. (I thought I removed that...)So I take it off and try to bite again...still tasting paper! (What is going on?) This cup had not 1, not 2 but 4 of the little paper wrappers that look like cupcake cups on it. Sheesh!!! Talk about overkill! Probably has no interest to you whatsoever, but it really was bugging me!!! hehehe Ok, so back to this cool blog... It is called, Fluttering Butterflies and the link will take you directly to the post where she talks about the Myers-Briggs Personality Test. If you have never taken this, you SHOULD!!! It is really interesting and is regarded in psychology circles to be very accurate. I took it and it says I am an ESFP, which is basically an outgoing "Performer" type. (That MUST be wrong...hehehe)Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to take that test and post a comment here telling what your result was and if you think it is accurate. Also, check out Michelle's blog...she loves to read(and so do I!) You will find a lot of good reading material ideas there. In keeping with my theme of randomness...here is a pic I lifted from Michelle's blog. Click on it to read...

Blessings!

Blog Candy for Eye Candy!

2009-02-11T20:37:00.007-06:00

2sketches4you is giving away some awesome Sakura candy, and all you have to do to be entered to win is: 1) post about your fave "eye candy," which could be anyone or anything that you love (yes, chocolate counts!) So, here is my very own "CandyMan" (Christina would be jealous!hehe) And, speaking of, have you HEARD that song?!?!?! My DD is wanting to do a dance to it for Drill Team competition in Dallas. I was watching them last night and her group is really good and the dance is super-cute...BUT.....THAT SONG!!!!!! It sounds like Boogie-Woogie, circa The Andrews Sisters, but the similarities come to a screeching halt at the sound. Granted, the girl has got some pipes and the tune is really infectious, but I feel like I should wash our ears out with soap just for listening to it! Thankfully, she did not know what most of it meant. Of course, I had to tell her because I am not sure I want my 12yr old dancing to a song about dropping undergarments and popping George Washington's favorite fruit! What do you think?
Blessings!

Thank you, Thank you and a New Card!!

2009-02-11T17:10:00.007-06:00

I just want to say a big thank you to all of you that commented on my last post, and yes, Cindy, that is the lovely ribbon you sent in your blog candy! I love your new pic, BTW. Here is my take on the Papertake Weekly Dawny's #8 Sketch:

I colored this beauty in with my new Tria Markers, I am beginning to really like them...those Copics better get here fast! hehehe This is one of the Who's That Girl sets from My Favorite Things. I stamped the sentiment directly onto the ribbon. It did not turn out EXACTLY as I wanted, but it is readable. I tweaked the sketch a *tad* to get it to look how I want and, as usual, I embellished ~~the fool out of it~~ tastefully!

Here is a shot that shows how I popped her up on foam to make her stand out. I really like the way this looks, even if I don't like having to cut her out by hand! (it IS a good way to hide those pesky little spots where you color outside the lines, though...hehehe)

I really am loving these cardboard cutouts that you can color any way you want, I actually cut two in pieces and used part on top and part on the side.

Here is how the ribbon turned out...could be better, but could be worse! Ok, my kids are driving me nuts to go to ~~the bane of my existence~~ Family Dollar, so I will post the DEETS later!

Blessings!

A Momentous Occasion!!!

2009-02-11T11:02:00.001-06:00

Today I sold my VERY FIRST CARD!!!!! I am so excited! Here is the card that I sold...

I was especially proud of this card, as it was one of the first ones that turned out EXACTLY the way it looked in my head. I am almost sad to see it go, but I know that the lady who receives it will feel loved and cherished when she gets it.

Blessings!

Whiff of Joy Release on February 14th!

2009-02-10T17:07:00.004-06:00

Katharina over at Whiff of Joy is having a Brand New Release just in time for those of us having "Valentine Overload!" (I am SOOO tired of pink and red, LOL!) She has this awesome Medieval themed set that is just too cute! So, head over there and check it out. You might find that you just have to get one for your collection!

Isn't this Jester Charlie just too too adorable? I think I have to have him! LOL (He must have heard me...see how he is blushing? hehehe)

Blessings!

Playing with Markers...safer than matches!

2009-02-08T22:37:00.004-06:00

So, as I said on Friday, I got these new Tria markers when I was in San Antone. I didn't realize until I got home that they were the new(read: uber-cool) ones that have 3 tips, not just two! I just HAD to try them out. So I decided to give it a go with one of the images that Cindy sent me...I really like how this little guy turned out! This is actually a mix of Tria and Prismacolor, but it seemed to work fine. I need to get better at the shading, but I did not want it to be too dark. The thing I am most proud of (I ROCKED IT!!!) is the flame on the candle! (although the pic doesn't do it justice...*sigh* Just take my word, it is awesome! hehehehe I will post the colors I used tomorrow, as my DH is standing in the doorway with that "Are you coming to bed or not?" look on his face. DD and I *might be* (DH just reminded me that we caught her crafting at 10:30pm and her bedtime is 8:30pm!) making school valentines tomorrow and I will have one little boy home sick.

Blessings!

Remember the Alamo!!!!

2009-02-06T14:41:00.004-06:00

Well, DH and I have been spending a couple of days in San Antonio, TX. He had a conference to attend, and since my work is pretty portable, I tagged along. My sweet, sweet parents are watching the kids for us! We have had awesome food, seen two IMAX 3D movies and visited The Alamo. Here are some pics for those who have never been.This is the front of the Chapel, it used to be a Spanish Mission but then it was secularized and used as an army outpost and barracks.This is a walkway from the grounds to the outside, I thought it was really pretty, especially in Black & White.Here is me and my DH, we always take these kinds of pics...kind of a tradition. They always turn out really good!This plaque is posted on the door to the chapel, the one that says "The Alamo" also has the hours of business on it...not very appealing to the eye! LOL

And last, but not least, this busy little bee was in the garden, pollenating his heart out. I just managed to catch him in the act! Hope you enjoyed the photos, I have been having stamp-withdrawal! I keep seeing things and thinking, "Oh, I could do....darn! No supplies!" or "That would make a great card if I ... drat! Not at home!" or "Wow, that is pretty paper, I could crop it and .... dad-gum-it! I don't have my stuff!!! WAAHHH!!!" It is really bumming me out! On the bright side, I did find a cool little art supply store that stocked Copics, Prismacolor and Tria Markers. I actually bought a couple of Tria Markers, because I did not know what colors I am getting in the SNS Copic Club this month and I liked the brush tip better on the Tria than the tips on the Prismacolors. Also, the Tria's were on SALE!!! and you KNOW how I LOVE a SALE!!

Blessings!

Finally! Spoonfull of Sugar #37

2009-02-03T10:52:00.003-06:00

I finally got some time to play, so here is my latest card. I bought some Prismacolor markers from a girl online and thought I would play around with them for this challenge. It was kind of hard at first, but after I got the hang of it, I really started enjoying the difference between the alcohol based markers and water based ones. So, last week my friend Cindy E. and Hearts Delight Cards used this gorgeous stamp that I was going to purchase but didn't. Of course, her card was so pretty, I had to go get that stamp so I could case it! LOL I am still kind of on the Valentine kick, and this flower was just begging to be made into a card for a special someone. I also tried some paper piecing, as this was what Cindy did on hers and it looked so nice. I took a picture so you could see the layers. All in all, I am very pleased with this card and look forward to more fun creating with these new techniques I am learning.

Blessings!

If Only They Could Talk!

2009-02-02T21:35:00.004-06:00

So, I got this awhile back, and in keeping with the theme of this post (which is about my incredibly spoiled kitty, Leo) I thought it was fitting to post...

The dog lovers out there will identify with this:

* Excerpts from a Dog's Diary *

6:00 am - At last! I Go Pee! My favorite thing!

8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!!

9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!

9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!

10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!

12:00 pm - Lunch! My favorite thing!

1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!

3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!

5:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite thing!

6:00 pm - They're home! My favorite thing!

7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!

8:00pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!

11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

Can you just totally see his cute little doggy face? If not, here you go...

Now, for all you cat lovers, here is what the kitty version of a diary would say...

* Excerpts from a Cat's Diary *

Day 983 of my captivity.

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet. Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am. Imbeciles! There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of "allergies." I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs. I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded. The bird has got to be an informant.I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now............

Can you just SEE this? I practically fell off my chair laughing at this, it is SOOO cat-like!

And now, drum roll please....Here is my kitty, Leonardo Di Catrio (that name was NOT my idea!)

He is a Bengal cat, which is a cross between a domestic cat and an Asian Leopard Cat. They say their temperament is more like a dog-in-a-cat-suit, and I would have to agree...How many cats come when you call them? He has a gorgeous, glittery spotted coat and big amber eyes. He is such a big baby...

He likes to have his sides patted (like a dog) and he will lay down like this and roll around and paw at the ground while you are doing it.Here he is modeling the very latest in kitty hair accessories ! LOL My DD put her clip in hair extension on him and I just had to take a picture.Here he gives a nice profile! He is such a sweetie, he sleeps with me at night, most of the time either on me or as close to me as he can get, and he is very vocal, very inquisitive and very playful. He can jump several feet off the ground, it is kind of amazing to watch him do it because he is a large cat, weighing 17 pounds.Well, I have been so crazy busy I have not had a chance to do any card making, but I hope to remedy that very soon.

Blessings,

Shannon

GOING BUGGY: Blog Candy

2009-02-01T22:32:00.001-06:00

GOING BUGGY: Blog Candy
My friend, En, over at Going Buggy just had her Blogaversary and is giving away some lovely Blog Candy to celebrate! Go check out her blog, her work is beautiful!
Blessings!

Things I Learned Recently...

2009-01-29T23:25:00.007-06:00

I got this idea from a blog-friend...Wendy, over at Kisatrtle's Kreative Korner. So, without further ado, my newly acquired knowledge...

1. You should never EVER try to make grilled cheese sandwiches and blog at the same time. Your keyboard gets greasy (pronounced "grea-sss-y, not grea-zzz-y. GAH! It drives me INSANE to hear it with the Z sound! And don't EVEN get me started on nuclear...sheesh!), and your kitchen fills with smoke because you get wrapped up in blogging and forget the sandwich, until your DH comes in and says to you...NOTHING! because he is spectacularly intuitive, and has a great sense of self-preservation.

2. When you feed a Bengal cat tuna fish from a can, it REALLY makes their poo REEK!! Sort of like something crawled up their butt and died in there! And, you can ~~blackmail~~ trade favors with your DD to scoop the box if she REALLY wants to do something that you have the power to veto.

3. My DH really DOES make the yummiest, most scrumptious Oatmeal-Chocolate-Peanutbutter-Haystack cookies on the planet! I tend to ~~conveniently~~ forget this fact from time to time (like tonight) and must insist that he make me some so that I can indeed say, without a doubt, that it is a fact. And, in case you were wondering, I have again proved it to be true! (Thank you, Honey!**kiss-kiss**)
And last, but not least:
4: Software really can cause what I affectionately call "RAM-Rage!" (meaning, it sucks up all your RAM and leaves you floundering in "hourglass-ville" for extended periods of time while you sit and fume like a tea kettle.) I have this program that I have to use for work. I do all my work from home (jealous much? HA!) over a VPN connection. That means I am tied to the company network. Said software (spawn of satan) takes SOOOOO long for every little thing that I want to do, it makes me INSANE!!! (notice a pattern here? hehe) Really, I mean it is like, a) select a button...wait FOREVER!!! b) type something and save it...wax my legs while I am waiting! (and that, my friends, is no small feat!) c) choose a different button...read War and Peace...twice! Ok, maybe I am ~~grossly overexaggerating~~ being a bit melodramatic but, COME ON!!!!

Whew!! I feel so much better now! Blog Catharsis Totally Rocks! LOL Ok, so hopefully tomorrow I can stop stalking the mailman for my GinaK. order and prize. Everytime I hear him pull up, I dash to the door like a maniac. I know he thinks I am some kind of weirdo, but a girl NEEDS her stuff! OH! and before I totally forget and become officially the WORSTEST (another real word?) blog buddy ever, my sweet, sweet friend Cindy E. from Heart's Delight Cards sent me the nicest RAK today. It was a beautiful get well card, some stamped images that I don't have stamps of and the most awesome Copic color chart with numbers, names and color swatches for all of the Sketch markers! Check out her blog and give her some extra bloggy-love for being such an AWESOME RAK-sender.
Blessings!
Shannon

Love is in the Air...la-la-la-la-la!

2009-01-27T22:51:00.006-06:00

That is the Sketch Challenge theme over at "A Spoon Full of Sugar." And, it just so happened that I was in a "Romantical" (is that even a word? hehe) mood today and knocked out...not one...but 4! Count 'em, 1, 2, 3, 4 St. Vali's Day cards! What was my inspiration? Hmm...maybe just the fact that I feel human again, or maybe just that it was a good excuse to make some cards! LOL The first one is the card I made for the sketch, followed in rapid succession by #' 2, 3 and 4. The base is a white, textured cardstock pre-made card blank. I added some pretty, swirly DP and just about every embellishment known to man

(or woman, in this case!) I also punched the corners with my Fiskars "Heritage" Three-Corner Punch. The sentiment is from a pack of romantical (there I go again!) vellum sweet-nothings...why do you suppose they call them that? Nothings...usually when my Honey whispers these, they mean A LOT! At least to me they do...(Love you Honey!) Have you noticed that I have been on a real vellum kick lately? I really like how it looks... Anywhoooo... so I also finished the inside of this card and I was really pleased with how it turned out!

base: DCWV White, textured, premade card blank
cs: light pink from Joann multipack
dp: unsure, no name...pink and red toile I got in a DCWV Stack ON SALE!!!
embellies: red & white heart-shaped paper doilies, MS Valentine ribbon, red foil heart-shaped confetti that I punched and attached with round, silver brad, pink & red felt flowers attached with silver brads from Target, and silver double-heart favor charm from the wedding section at Wallyworld.

I won't bore you with all the deet's for the others, I will just post them as "Eye Candy..." Enjoy!

2 Sick 2 Stamp....sigh

2009-01-26T22:23:00.002-06:00

I have been in the bed most of the day with a horrible cold! Ugh! I really do not like being sick...it cramps my style! LOL Or, as my DD says, "that's not how I roll!" I just barely managed to get the kids off to school and then have just laid in bed and half-heartedly worked on my laptop. I am sure I was not the most productive employee ever, but at least I was making the effort! Anyway, hoping to feel more human tomorrow so I can get back to stamping and card making. I am eagerly awaiting my order and free stamps from Gina K. I hope they get here soon! If you get a chance, say a prayer for me! Thanks!

Blessings,
Shannon

WoJ Sketch Challenge #15

2009-01-24T22:24:00.003-06:00

Here is my card for the WoJ Challenge 15. Can you see the white ruffles under the circles and across the bottom? That is made of paper towel! Can you believe it? I got the idea from Gina at GinaK designs. She used TP to make hers, but I was looking at my paper towels thinking what a nice texture they had (which , coincidentally, was what led Gina to use the TP...LOL.) So, I stamped a brick red and coffee brown ink pad all over it and then trimmed it with Fiskars "Antique" scissors. I bought the stamp, can you guess...

wait for it...

ON SALE! hehehe

I thought it went nicely with the paper that I chose. I used some beads that I had and a Corsage Pin to make the decorative pin, adding cream ribbon and that little butterfly charm (Wallyworld Find!!!) I attached the sentiment, which is a sticker (see the close up, that verse is SO profound) from a pack that I just love, with ribbon and a button, and finished it off with the chipboard flourishes that I inked with my markers.

Oh When The Saints....(everybody sing!)

2009-01-22T13:13:00.013-06:00

I was on the phone the other night with my sis and she asked me if I could make some kind of wall hanging for her with a Fleur de Lis. (She is from Nawlins', dawlin!)
Well, here is what I came up with. I had to find a FDL .bmp image, copy the bitmap to .jpg in Inkscape and then size it and cut it out BY HAND!!!!***RAMBLE ALERT***I REALLY need to get the Sure Cuts A Lot software, which is ~~similar to~~ way better than Cricut Design Studio, but you don't need a bunch of cartridges to use it. You can use any .svg image, (which is what you use Inkscape for) and do whatever you want with it. There is a guy, Dan, whose blog
My Crafty Life has all kinds of tutorials and freebie .svg files. Also, Inkscape is a FREE (you heard me, I said FREE!) download from http://www.sourceforge.net Now you all know me, and I LUURRVVEE free stuff! It is an AWESOME image editing software that lets you do practically anything! There is a bit of a learning curve, but Dan-the-Man can help you out. Ok, now...***END OF RAMBLE*** I printed out 2 copies of the FDL in consecutive sizes on 110lb white CS, one I traced onto some silver, textured DCWV cardstock, cut out, colored the edges in black Sharpie and then wiped off the excess Sharpie. On the second I colored in the white cardstock with black Sharpie and colored the edges with a silver paint marker. (To tell the truth, I initially did it because I was ~~too lazy~~ too tired to trace and cut another out of black cardstock, but I quite like the way it looks! hehehe) I chose 3 DP's from a DCWV stack that I got on...can you guess?... CLEARANCE! I added a brown paper that I embossed with the Vines plate from Fiskars and swiped with silver ink. I swiped all the edges with black ink and layered black CS, silver CS, the DP's, then attached the two FDL's with pop-up foam. The sentiment is from the "Everyday Blessings" Vellum pack by Colorbok, which I layered with black CS and added round, silver brads to coordinate with the silver diamond brads I used on the corners. I popped that up with foam too. I put it in a black frame I picked up at Wallyworld.

Had to be a girl...

2009-01-21T11:44:00.003-06:00

This card is pulling double duty, as I am using it for the Whimsy DT Call and the Spoonfull of Sugar Challenge. I know, I know...the Whimsy DT Call asked for a Whimsy image (if you have one, which I don't!) or an animal image. Around my house we call babies, "expensive pets!" so I figured that would count as an animal, right? LOL

As soon as I saw this stamp by Inkadinkado, I just KNEW it HAD be mine! DP is DCWV, as is cardstock. Flowers are from the $1 aisle at Target (pronounced...tahr-jey, hehehe) and the star trim from Wallyworld (better known at our house as "STUFFMART") I stamped the image onto WC paper and used my MS Art Markers to color her in. I added the "blushing cheeks" because it just seemed like the thing to do. Hope you like her as much as I do!

Blessings,

Shannon

Whiff of Joy Challenge #14

2009-01-20T11:35:00.005-06:00

I have been wanting to do a WoJ challenge, but did not have any WoJ stamps! *sigh* Then, the Blog Fairy *aka Cindy @ Heart's Delight Cards* chose my name for her rockin' Blog Candy! I went to the post office this morning to get it and I was so excited I ~~pee'd myself~~ almost pee'd myself! Inside that wonderful box was a WoJ stamp...just for me. *sniff* I ran home, well I DROVE home (@ the speed limit of course...hi honey!) and pulled out my stuff to see what I could come up with. This challenge was to use the colors purple and green. I used the Willow with Hot Chocolate stamp and colored it with my MS Art Markers. Had to fudge on the skin color because I don't have anything "skin" colored! LOL Card stock is SU, DP and mat is from DCWV stacks: Wedding, Text Prints and Mat Stack, respectively. Ribbon is MS that I got on super-clearance at Michael's (which, as you may already know, just makes my day!) The faux-Primas came from the floral section at Wally-world (also clearance *smile*) I don't have that handy-dandy ticket corner punch, so I just trimmed with scissors *gasp!* Kinda scary! I also used my new SU piercing template & mats for the edges. I just love this sticker and so I used it with some more DP and mat, along with a couple of dewdrops, just for good measure.

*Is it even possible to OVER embellish?... I don't think so!) Now, I need to get my hiney in gear and link it to WoJ before I miss it!

*p.s. I did not realize until just now that if you look at the bottom of the card, the only text in that lovely "friend" DP that is readable says, "No good!" LOL... NOT my intention, I assure you.*

Blessings,
Shannon

Gina K Challenge Jan 16

2009-01-17T18:30:00.004-06:00

Here is the card that I made for the Jan. 16th Challenge over at Gina K.'s I used her example as my inspiration, changing the colors and shapes. I started with Making Memories Ave Coral Coral cardstock for the card itself and black cardstock for the next layer (corners punched with Fiskars Heritage Corner Punch. I reused the tidbits left over from the corner punch as little corner frames. Next layer is white watercolor paper, embossed with the Fiskars Filigree embossing plate and brushed with black ink. I really love the way this looks. The image in the middle is what the challenge was all about...stamping with color. I colored on my Thanks a Bunch stamp ($1 from Michael's), "huffed" on it to re-activate the ink and then stamped my image on to watercolor paper. I touched up the edges with slightly darker colors using my MS Art Markers and used the Blender Pen to blend. I punched the corners and layered it with black cardstock and more of the coral cardstock. Under the image is some pretty ribbon from the Dollar Bin at Michael's (what can I say? I LOVE the dollar bin!) and I put silver brads in the corners to finish it off. I attached the image to the card with pop-up foam. This has GOT to be BY FAR my most favorite card yet.

Blessings,

Shannon

YAAAYYYYY MEEEE!!!! clapping

2009-01-16T12:54:00.006-06:00

Look at the fabulous Blog Candy I won from Cindy over at Heart's Delight Cards! You should really check out this girl's blog...she ROCKS! Her way with embellishments is just gorgeous and she really deserves some extra bloggy-love for offering this awesome blog candy. I am so excited, I have never won a Blog Candy before and I was soooo wanting to win this one because of the Nestabilities she had included. I don't have any and I have seen all the beautiful things that you all do with them and it made me ~~green with envy~~ really sad *sigh* :o( I cannot wait to get my hands on them! And to Cindy, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!!
Blessings,
Shannon

Motivation Card Challenge 1/14/09 - Cricut MB

2009-01-16T10:34:00.004-06:00

This is my submission for the Cricut MB Motivation Card LO Challenge that was posted by Okieladybug. It is my first time to do any of the Cricut MB challenges. I had a lot of fun with this, using some techniques I have not tried before. The cardstock is SU, DP is from a stack that I found on sale at Joann (gotta love the clearance section!) I attached the layers using my Zyron, which is fast becoming my most favorite toy, second only to my Cricut! I used round, pink brads for the corners and to attach the faux-Prima (just a silk flower that I got at Walmart, on sale of course) and the circles. The circles can actually "go round" like the sentiment says. To make the sentiment, I used MS Word and inserted WordArt half-circle up and half circle down shapes that I overlaid. I finished it off with Stickles and some hearts I cut with my Cricut using the Doodlecharms cart. Notice the complete absence of ribbon? I could not figure out how to put any on there! LOL!

Blessings,

Shannon

A Series of Unfortunate Events...

2009-01-15T13:38:00.005-06:00

My day started today with being woken up at 4am by banshee-like wailing from the upstairs of my house. I jump out of the bed, step on the cat and bang my shin on the chair. I stumble to the door and flip the light switch...wait...I flip it off then on again...and then again. I don't know WHY I did it three times...did I think that would actually ACCOMPLISH anything? LOL So, the power is out and now I know why ~~the bashee upstairs~~ my 5yr old is wailing. He does not like to sleep in the complete dark. So, up I go to settle him down. Just when he is asleep, my 4yr old starts...So I lay down with him. At this point I am thinking..."why is my butt wet?" I jump out of the bed and ask him, "did you wet the bed?" to which he replies, "No, my pajamas just got wet with water." Mmm-Hmmm, sure they did... So now I am stripping son and bed, in the dark, with a wet butt. Did I mention that we have a well, so no power also means no water? After I clean him with cold baby wipes, I stumble back downstairs to get myself clean and dry. At this point, the bashee resumes wailing and I make a mad dash back up the stairs. Now my DD is up and wondering how she is going to get dressed in the dark...so, back down the stairs I go to get a flashlight. OF COURSE, the first one I pick up doesn't work...I flip it off and on several times (why do I PERSIST in thinking this will work?) Once I get DD dressed and out the door, I fall onto my DS's bed and the next thing I know, it is 5 minutes after 8AM....WHAT!?!?!?!?! (school starts at 7:50AM) The mad-dash-to-get-the-boys-dressed-and-out-the-door swings in to action and as I drop the last one off, I remember that I am supposed to be spending the day at a friend's house because she has been sick and her DH is out of town today. SOOOO, I race down the road to her house. On the way, I look in the rearveiw mirror to find a Hardin County Sheriff following me. YIKES!!!!! (Did I mention that my inspection sticker is expired and my DH has been ~~NAGGING~~ gently reminding me for 15 days to get it done?) Love you, Honey! *kiss* I do a quick scan of my surroundings and see a QuickLube that I can swing into. Nonchalantly, I put on my blinker (as if that was my plan all along)...he puts on his blinker...DOUBLE YIKES!!!!! While I am waiting to turn, he goes around me. YESSSS!!!! I get my car inspected, head to my friend's house and collapse into the easy chair. At this point, I am hoping my day will improve. So far, so good!
Here are some cards that I made last night...

I cheated on these...the stuff came in a kit! LOL But, I think they turned out pretty good! The second one seemed a little drab, so I added glitter gel and that did the trick.

Blessings,

Shannon

CH-CH-CH-CHANGES!

2009-01-14T10:33:00.006-06:00

Well, I made some changes to my blog this morning...what do you think? Give me your honest opinion, please! :o) I think it is easier on the eyes, or maybe that is just me getting *gasp* older ~shudder~ ... NAH!!!
Speaking of changes and getting older...I am seriously noticing BIG changes in my skin and body. I am not normally one to ~~obsess~~ be concerned about that kind of thing, but ever since turning 38 27 this year, I can really see the difference. It makes me want to run out and get a ~~facelift~~ facial! Oh well! You know what? You can choose to: a) grow old, b) grow old gracefully, or c) just stop worrying and get on with living! (of course nobody would begrudge you a laser skin resurfacing or two! *wink*) And I PROMISE to post some yummy new cards and stuff ~~in a week or two~~ very very soon!
Blessings!
Shannon

HALLELUJAH!!!!!!

2009-01-13T19:36:00.007-06:00

I hit the MOTHERLODE!!!! I was at Joann today (quite easily my fav store) and there, before my unbelieving eyes, was a sign that was practically surrounded by lights and singing the Halellujah Chorus...CRICUT CARTRIDGES: $39.99 ALL OF THEM!!!!!!!!!!!

I got two new cartridges, New Arrival and Doodlecharms. I wanted more, but they were out of Walk in My Garden and basically everything else. In case you don't know this, I got my first Cricut for Christmas. I was recently bemoaning my lack of cartridges and now I am so excited I cannot stand myself!!! My kids are awake and I cannot DO ANYTHING until they are asleep...can you say Benadryl? (Hey, I DID hear one of them coughing!) LOL

Not only that, but I received my very first blog award today from kisatrtle! ~~wiping a tear~~

"I just want to thank all the little people who...what?" Oh, sorry! Kind of got carried away there! :o) I am SO excited to be the recipient of this award and I will need to think about which 5 of the amazing blogs I have seen to pay it forward to. I just LOVE kisatrtle's blog and I spend ALOT of time reading it...to the point that when I complained this morning about being tired, my hubby smiled and said I was up too late "kissing turtles" last night! LOL Anyway, her blog ROCKS and she is so funny! I think we must have been twins separated at birth...

Blessings,

Shannon

Just Shoot Me Now!!!

2009-01-10T23:27:00.003-06:00

So I spent my evening at a Junior High Dance...this should be listed as cruel and inhumane punishment for adults. My DD is 12 and it was her first dance. *Read: she, and 80% of the rest of them, have NO IDEA how to dance* We live out in the country in a small, Southeast Texas town and the DJ played ALL Hip-Hop, ALL night. What was he thinking? It was even more pathetic than that, because they are all SOOOO white!!!! My DD is very pretty, but totally uncoordinated when it comes to dancing (not that I am complaining!) So I spent the evening debating the merits of root canal vs. non-medicated toe-nail extraction! Either would have been preferable. The only REALLY good song was when they played, "Brick House," which I LOVE!!!! So that was one small island of respite in a sea of torture! I was chaperoning, so I felt like a vulture, circling the bodies. The funny thing is, you can TOTALLY tell what they are all up to! I never used to understand how my Mom always knew what I was up to, but now I know...there is NO substitute for experience. As I told my DD, "there is nothing you can even BEGIN to think about doing that I haven't done already, at LEAST once!" Anyway, it is over now and I survived...barely!

Blessings,
Shannon

Coloring with Markers

2009-01-08T16:18:00.006-06:00

Well, sorry to be so long in writing. Just got busy over the Holidays. We had a great Christmas, a real time of family and love and fun. I never get over the awesomeness of God's gift to us. I know I could not give up my child for another...God loves us that much.

Here is my latest creation...I just love this stamp! Isn't he just the cutest? I have included a close up of the image.I have been experimenting with marker coloring. I have not had the best luck...but this turned out rather well. I stamped the image onto watercolor paper and just very sketchily colored it in. Then I used a Blender Pen and water to move the color around. I think it came out pretty good. I found the Ribbon at Walmart for $3.00 and just fell in love. I also used buttons, dewdrops and brads to finish off the card. Now, I just have to convince myself to actually GIVE it to someone! LOL

Blessings,

Shannon

Merry Christmas to Me!!!!

2008-12-24T10:53:00.005-06:00

My sweet, sweet mom and dad got me a Cricut for Christmas! YAAAAYYYY!!!!!!!!!!

Can you tell I am really excited about it? LOL I have already been having alot of fun with it. Here is a Birthday Card I made for one of my friends whose birthday is on Saturday... I think it turned out really well. The cardstock is what came with the Cricut, the floral is DCWV, and the Prima isn't really a Prima at all! It is just silk flowers I got on sale at Walmart and removed from the stems. You have to choose the ones that are pretty much flat, so that they will lay nicely on the cards, but it works well and is much cheaper than Primas. Iused a flower shaped brad to attach it to the card and embellished with glitter gel. I added Hot Pink Grosgrain ribbon with one of Courtney's bows (createdbycourtney@blogspot.com) and finished it off with sky blue skittles and multi-color glitter gel. I am very pleased with how my first Cricut creation turned out, and I cannot wait to do some more. Unfortunately for me, I have to do other things today *sigh* my DH actually expects me to do some work around the house today, since I am off...the nerve! LOL

I pray that you all have a blessed Christmas and that the Heavenly Father reveals to you the depth of His love, which enabled Him to send His Son Jesus to earth as a baby...a baby that would grow up to save us all from our sins.

Blessings,

Shannon

Let It Snow!!!

2008-12-11T11:16:00.005-06:00

Somewhere in the world, there is a pig flying around! LOL Must be, because we got 4 inches of snow in SE Texas last night! I even woke my kids up to see it falling last night because I did not think it would stick. When I woke up, I could not believe my eyes...Merry Christmas to us!

Blessings,

Shannon

Weekend Fun!

2008-12-08T12:28:00.003-06:00

So, this weekend we took our boys (4 & 5) to the mall to see Santa. They were pretty normal until they actually SAW the Man in Red. Oh Boy! Did they get excited! Especially the 4yr old. He started jumping and lauging...he does this laugh we call "the goat laugh" when he REALLY likes something. He has done it since he was just months old, but usually we hear it related to food that tastes good to him. He RAN up to Santa, hopped on his knee, asked for a "T-Rex that runs!" and kissed him on the cheek! I think that "Santa" really liked that...hehehe. Anyway, they also rode the little train they had in the mall, twice because the first time they did not get to sit in the engine, and then they had these big, stuffed animals that they rode on and you can steer them like a bike. They had a BLAST! and best of all....it was cheap! LOL
Blessings,
Shannon

Deep Thoughts of a 5 year old

2008-12-04T10:24:00.003-06:00

So, last night my DS Josiah (he is 5) was crying his eyes out at bedtime because he was scared. I asked him what he was scared of. He told me that his kindergarten teacher told him he would get old and die in about 100 years! Now, I know his teacher and I am SURE that was not EXACTLY how the conversation went. LOL! Anyway, he did not want "his body to get all old and die." I told him that we all have a time to live and a time to die and that as believers, we don't fear death because that just means we get to be with God forever. I explained that fear "comes from the devil" etc...just as I was feeling all proud of myself over this wonderful, theological discussion I was having with my son, he says..."Hey Mom, if that old devil picks up a frog, it will pee right in his eyeball!"

Blessings,

Shannon

Thank You Card with Ribbon

2008-12-01T13:07:00.007-06:00

This is a card I made using some very pretty paper I got on sale at Michael's. The soft green cardstock is SU, and the cream and white striped ribbon was part of a kit I got from 3LittleDreams, when they were still doing kits.

I just love the colors in this! I had to use my paper trimmer to cut slits for the ribbon at the fold in the card...anybody know a better way to do this?

Blessings,

Shannon

CBC Challenge #16 Bagelope

2008-11-29T09:50:00.004-06:00

This was my first time to try a bagelope. I think it turned out pretty good. I used a standard invitation envelope, and some SU cardstock and paper scraps I had. The sentiment is a $1 stamp I found at Michael's and I used my brand new pigment marker set to color in the stamp. What do you think?

Blessings,

Shannon

My Very First Ever Blog Post!

2008-11-29T09:29:00.001-06:00

I feel so Blog-Savvy! This really is my first ever post to my very own blog. I have been following a friend's blog for a while now, but have never really had my own. So, here we are. We spent Thanksgiving at my parent's home in Missouri City, close to Houston. It was much better than our last Turkey Day celebration. Last year tops my list of bad holidays. We almost lost my dad to a blood infection, and we spent T-Day in the hospital. I remember crying as I was stuffing bags into the car at 3am, thinking..."Oh Dear God, I am not ready to lose my Daddy! Please don't let him die!" Thank the Lord, he recovered and we spent T-Day this year being thankful to just get the chance to have another one. I turned 38 on the 26th of Nov. Somehow, it does not really bother me. I am sure that 40 probably will, but I will think about that in a couple years! LOL For now, I am just glad to have been able to celebrate another birthday. The picture is of my 5yr old son, Josiah. He had a school project that required him to take "David" (of the 'No, David' books) home for the weekend and take pictures of us all doing stuff with David. This is at the Christmas Tree Farm where we went to pick out our tree. David is hanging out with the Pilgrim dude in the centerpiece!

Blessings!

Shannon

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