A Crafty Day

What a great day it's been!  The hubby has been taking care of the kiddos while I've been (*wink, wink) trying to clean up the craft room.  Nothing like cleaning up when an inspiration image comes to mind and (*sigh) the cleaning must stop...hahaha!

I've been wanting to try Distress Paint for a while and finally broke down buying 1 bottle in Picket Fence.  What was I going to do with it you ask?  I had no idea, up until now!  I was inspired by the rainbow of colors in the next Pinspired Challenge and thought I'd also enter Moxie Fab World: Color Media Challenge.  I'm hoping Distress Paint counts as a type of media?!

Fresh Squeezed Stamps Weather Through, Fresh Squeezed Stamps Subway Series: Basic, Distress Paint in Picket Fence, Memento inks in Lady Bug, Tangelo, Cantaloupe, Dandelion, Bamboo Leaves, Bahama Blue, Danube Blue and Lilac Posies, Washi Tape, Martha Stewart butterfly punch, Hero Arts paper flower, Doodlebug Sprinkles in bubblegum, white embossing powder, Kraft cardstock, Kraft Core Shattered Collection in black

I LOVE the effect!  The down side...waiting for the paint to dry!  I loved the layered effect of stamping on the paint, then the rainbow rays and then the subway stamp...totally fun...and why not throw a bit of washi in there too!

Here's the Pinspiration...

Mahalo for stopping by!!!

A Doodlebug Thank You

I went to my first crop ever at Scrapfest and had the pleasure of meeting Cynthea owner of Doodlebug!  Their latest release Happy Harvest is just so darn adorable.  I always have a hard time using Doodlebug papers because I can't bring myself to cut them, but this time I played it smart.  I bought 2 pads...one to hoard...lol!

I used this week's Freshly Made Sketch for inspiration.

Don't you just love the colors and cutesy patterns?!  Their cardstock stickers are so fab too and since the theme fits I will also enter this in CAS-ual Fridays challenge as well.

Here's the sketch I followed...

That's it for me!  Have a great weekend!!!

Chalkboard Christmas

Happy Friday Everyone!  I'm loving the new Lawn Fawn: Peace Joy Love petite paper pack and was inspired by the chalkboard pattern paper with the pretty lights.  I had their coordinating stamp set so decided to make my own little pattern using this week's CAS(E) this Sketch

Lawn Fawn Peace Joy Love, LF Cole's ABCs die, LF Peace Joy Love pattern paper, Hero Arts You and Me, white embossing poweder, Sakura Souffle pens, copic marker

Here's the sketch...

Feeling a little a head of the game with my first Christmas card for the season!  haha 

I hope y'all have a great weekend ahead.  I hope to put in more crafting time and finally take pictures of some blog candy to start up a giveaway.  Mahalo for your patience! 

I should be working...haha

It's been kind of a slow work day so I decided to pull out some of my Avery Elle stash and get to the next Avery Elle Challenge for this month.  Here's the inspiration photo

Let me tell you I had so many ideas with things hanging and the beautiful colors.  This was my favorite summer time ride growing up.  I decided not to get too complicated and came up with this...

Sweet and simple!  Have a great day and mahalo for stopping by!

Inspired by Tuesday Trigger!

*Yawn* It's been 4 days now since I've been back from Scrapfest in Minnesota and I still feel like I'm on central time.  I had to get out of this funk and was inspired by this week's Tuesday Trigger following this beautiful pic...

I went pretty literal and decided to use some of my goodies I purchased at Archiver's...

 

I bought these awesome paper flowers by Hero Arts and inked the edges up with various inks and added some pearls and buttons with some die cut leaves.  I used an embossing folder to create the thin lines like the comb.  I kept going back and forth...buttons or no buttons, but I liked the whimsy in it.  I don't think I've ever made a card without some kind of whimsy!

Well I'm hoping this is what I needed to get out of going to bed so early.  We'll see what tomorrow night brings!

Scrapfest Fun!

Can I just say I had the BEST weekend at Scrapfest in Minnesota!  Let my pictures do the explaining...

This is a souvenir pic that Archiver's was doing.  I loved their chalkboard theme and washi tape design...too cute!

I made a bunch of these goodie bags filled with macadamia nut chocolate kisses to pass out to friendly folks that helped point us in the right direction or had fun conversations with standing in the long make and take lines.

This was the highlight of my weekend!!!!  Getting to meet Lawn Fawn owner Kelly Marie Alvarez and her hubby.  They are such a sweet couple and very personable.  I was totally star struck and even got to meet part of the Lawn Fawn Design Team...

Super cool and fun ladies!

This was one of the make and takes for Lawn Fawn...totally adorable!!!

I was able to take a few classes and stand in line for a few make and takes.  It was so exciting to just be at the Mall of America.  Something I've only heard about and seen on TV.

I even went to my first crop ever (I didn't even know what a crop was until that day...haha) sponsored by Doodlebug.  The hubby came along too just so I could get extra goodies! We even met the owner of Doodlebug, Cynthea!

It was a completely amazing weekend filled with so much eye candy and friend making and goodies and shopping!  So here's the damage made at Archiver's and Michael's...

Aaaaah...I LOVE it ALL!!!  There were bargain bins at Archiver's that I raided and Michael's had an awesome sale on papers and punches.  The Hero Arts stuff actually came from a class I took and I even won a few goodies!  I even had a 40% off coupon at Archiver's for being a part of their email list and ended up using it for copic markers.  It could not have gotten any better!

These fun ladies I met in line.  They were super sweet and have been going to Scrapfest every year for about 10 years!  I wish it were that easy for me to get to Scrapfest...lucky for them they live close by.

And the last highlight of my weekend was going into the city...

to celebrate...

our anniversary of being together for 12 years at The Melting Pot!

Mahalo for allowing me to share my fab weekend!  Now it's back to the daily grind.  Stay tuned as I'll be giving away some blog candy from things I have duplicates of from Scrapfest!

Aloha Friday Kitty Bee Design Mid-Inspiration

Aloha Friends!  I have a scheduled post as I am currently at Scrapfest 2013 at the Mall of America!  It's my first time ever for Scrapfest and Mall of America and another thing to cross off my bucket list!!!

On to the challenge.  You still have time to enter any WATER related project and upload here.  Don't forget if you use Kitty Bee Designs stamps (digi or clear) you get a second entry into the challenge.  These images are so fun to play with and I hope you'll check them out!

Here's a little sneaky peek!  Head on over to Kitty Bee Designs Blog and check out our fabulous design team!

I've been blessed with a few Kitty Bee Designs clear stamps that I have duplicates of and would love to send them to one lucky bloggy friend/follower!  Stay tuned!!

I really should be packing...

I couldn't help but fit in a little more crafting before it's packed up!  It takes approximately 14 hours to get from here to Minneapolis and anxious to get in a few challenges!

I made this card with my parents in mind.  They'll be celebrating their 40th Anniversary!  I used 3 challenges to spark my mojo.  Moxie Fab World:  All that Glitters is Gold, using a sketch from CAS(E) this Sketch and colors by Runway Inspired Challenge

 

These are some hand colored embellies that started off white.   The top pic is a pearlized white butterfly stick pin (removed the pin) and colored with copic and embellished with bling! The second pic is a prima flower dipped in Danube Blue ink and Delicata Golden Glitz ink.

And the card...

 

Stamps of Life Swirls2Build, Hero Arts CL342 (sentiment), gold rhinestones, Memento Ink in Danube Blue, Delicata Golden Glitz ink, clear embossing powder

 

Kept it pretty simple with a gold card based and vellum overlay with some navy blue and gold sheer ribbon. 

The sketch and inspiration photo...

All right now I reeeeeeally have to go pack.  Mahalo for stopping by!  I'll definitely be sharing some pics of Scrapfest so stay tuned!

Hello Monday

Anyone else going to Scrapfest 2013 at the Mall of America?  I've never been and can't even contain my excitement!!!!  A little nervous about leaving the kiddos behind, but I know my parents and brother will take good care of them and it's just for the weekend so I'll keep praying everything goes smoothly.  I soooo want to enjoy my vacation time, especially after the few weeks of having to work late and weekends.

Have I mentioned sunflowers are my favorite?  They really are and I can't stop playing with this set and the stitched journaling card die.  It just so happens that the next Curtain Call Challenge is inspired by sunflowers.  Here is my card following this week's Freshly Made Sketches...

 Lawn Fawn Our Friendship Grows, LF Stitched Journaling Card die, LF Cole's ABCs die, copic markers, My Clever Creations Handmade Butterflies, Memento Ink in Rich Cocoa

Here's the sketch...

Thanks for stopping by! 

Kitty Bee Designs Challenge #8: Water

Happy Aloha Friday!  I'm back with Kitty Bee Designs to show off another cute image that can be found here.  I would love it if you could play along!

Hmmm...I know it's not much, but hop on over to Kitty Bee Designs Blog and check out the fabulous projects created by my teamies.  I guarantee it'll bring a smile to your Friday!

I also have a complete tab dedicated to mys Kitty Bee Designs creation with supplies and directions on how they were done.  Enjoy!

Feeling Creative

Well hello there friends!  So I saw this week's Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger and just about past it up.  I kept coming back to it because of the rainbow colors and knew I had to take on the challenge.  I tried vellum and acetate paper, but it just was not turning out the way I wanted.  The lines called to me and the lightbulb finally went on today...I had this great set from Fresh Squeezed Stamps that I had not inked up yet and felt it was the perfect effect!

Check out the trigger...

And my take on it...

Fresh Squeezed Stamps Background Check, FSS Words to Live By, Memento Inks in Tuxedo Black, Lady Bug, Tangelo, Dandelion, Bamboo Leaves, Bahama Blue and Danube Blue, Neenah CS and Kraft. Studio Calico wood birds

I loved that I was able to stamp out an array of colors...makes me happy!  Hope everyone is having a great week...the weekend is almost here... YAY!!!

Saying Hello

Aloha Friends!  I think I'm a little late jumping on the "splatter look" bandwagon, but I thought I'd finally try it out following this week's Seize the Sketch

Here's my take on it...

Hero Arts Stamp Your Story: brush, HA CL342, HA Scattered Dots, HA Sea Layering Papers, Neenah white CS, White Embossing
Powder, HA Tide Pool ink dauber, Memento Inks in Tangelo, Rose Bud and Tuxedo Black

What do ya think? I'm a little on the fence about it.  Wanted some kind of pattern to show through, but didn't want it too busy.  I wanted to call it my lazy Sunday card...except I pat myself on the back for getting out the heat gun!  All righty folks...until next time!

P.S.-I had a few people asking about the Hot Cocoa Cookie Recipe...here it is...straight off the back of this bottle found at Target...

 2 and 1/2 sticks room temperature butter
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 1/4 cups flour
4 packages Hot Chocolate Mix (not sugar free)
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup Marshmallow Bits

Cream together your butter and both sugars until light  and fluffy.   Add in eggs and vanilla and blend well.  In a separate bowl, mix together your dry ingredients, including your hot chocolate packets. Add the dry ingredients a little at a time to your wet ingredients. Form balls and drop onto cookie sheet.  Bake in an oven preheated to 350 degrees for 8-11 minutes.   Allow to cool for approximately five minutes then remove from cookie sheet.

Teacher Gift

I wasn't even going to post anything today, until I saw the new CAS-ual Fridays Challenge: Back to School and thought I'll just take a picture before I send this to my daughter's teacher.  The other day my husband made these incredible hot cocoa cookies (recipe found on the bottle of the miniature marshmallows: the tiny/dehydrated ones).  So my daughter shared some with her teacher (she loooooves her teacher) and was sent home with a note asking if we'd share the recipe.  It's been a few days and I had to hunt those marshmallows down because we only saw them during Christmas time.  Alas we found them and included some hot chocolate packets (called for in the recipe).  I bagged them up in a brown paper bag (ya know school lunch style) and added a bow and embellished with some Lawn Fawn goodness.

Lawn Fawn Winter Gifts, LF Summertime Charm, Lawn Cuts Tag, You're It, Summertime Charm and Stitched Leaves, Lawn Trimmings Twine, Memento Ink in Tuxedo Black and Peanut Brittle

I kept it simple because it wasn't for a special occasion.  Just my daughter dying to give her teacher a little gift. That's it folks...Happy Aloha Friday!!!

My favorite thing

There are quite a lot of things I love and adore...rainbows (an obvious one), peacocks for their self-confidence (which I lack sometimes) and SUNFLOWERS!  I've loved them from when I was little, something about them makes me smile and think of everything happy.  When Lawn Fawn came out with Our Friendship Grows set with matching dies I squealed with joy!!!

Are they not the most gorgeous sunflowers..the stamps, not my coloring (o; ?!  I'm having a blast playing with all my goodies.  The hubby had the grand idea to embed the die cut sunflowers in the stitched journaling card.  I took it a step further and used LFs Cole's ABCs die to create the sentiment.  Everything in the card is my most favorite things from Lawn Fawn: sunflowers, twine, stitched journaling card die, pattern paper and sequins!  Which is perfect for the next Lawnscaping Challenge

I followed this week's Freshly Made Sketches

Another one of my favorite things...to follow a sketch...definitely makes the creative process go a little quicker! Mahalo for stopping by, I so appreciate it!!!

The mail came!

I have to admit that my hubby spoils me.  I've been eagerly awaiting some new goodies he ordered for me online and it came today! I didn't even know where to begin because when I get new crafting goodies I can just stare at them for hours not even thinking about what I'm going to do with them.  Just staring and oogling over cute stuff...my hubby points out I didn't even say thank you...oops...I was too busy staring!

Anyway I had some challenges I wanted to enter and ended up combining them because it all worked out that way!  Gotta love that.  My first attempt with the 10 minute Craft Dash was super fun so I thought I'd join in again.  Also since the colors were similar to this week's CAS-ual Fridays Challenge: She's Krafty and Just my Type I'll enter there as well.

I'm in LOVE with Lawn Fawn's Stitched Leaves Die!  Is it not thee most gorgeous.die.ever?!  To save on time I just ran dark kraft, light kraft and sky blue cardstock through 1 pass of the entire leaf die and made several cutouts that I will end up using on later cards.

 

Lawn Fawn Stitched Leaves Die, LF Yeti Set Go (sentiment), LF Stitched Journaling Card Die, Neenah Creative Cardstock, AC Dark Kraft, Light Kraft and Sky cardstock, Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Distress Ink Vintage Photo

This is my completed card in 9 minutes and 48 seconds! It literally took me 4 minutes and 32 seconds to cut the leaves, stitched journaling card, card base and distress the edges and FOOOORRREVERRRRRR (said in slow motion) to get the leaves the way I wanted them.  I'm still not satisfied, but time was ticking!

That's it for me...thank you hubby!!!

Back to Work

Happy Tuesday everyone and mahalo for stopping by!  I needed a quick birthday card to give to my coworker's daughter who just turned 14.  I kept thinking can't go too cutesy, but still wanted it to be fun.  When I can't figure out what I'm going to do I always find a sketch to follow and then choose a pattern paper pad to work with and let the paper talk to me...hehehe

I love my Glitz Cashmere Dame Paper Pack for layering because it doesn't add too much bulk and the patterns are retro and trendy!  I heat embossed Fresh Squeezed Stamps Subway Series: Basics for a fun sentiment and added some star stick pins for pizazz! 

Here's the sketch from Fusion Card Challenge that I followed

That's it for me!

More time to play!

I LOVE when holidays end up on a Monday!  The kids love when they can stay up late (try as they might they still fall asleep before 9pm) and I love that I can recover from the weekend of running errands.  I thought I'd enter the Curtain Call challenge with the theme of Back to School.  I've been meaning to make little notes for my kids' lunchboxes and found this to be the perfect inspiration to getting started.

Isn't that bee a cutie?!?  I'm so in love with her glasses.  Still practicing my copic marker skills...lol.  Here's the full card...

Kitty Bee Design stamp, Fresh Squeezed Stamp Words to Live By, Lawn Trimmings Hemp cord, copic markers, Distress Markers for sentiment, Stickles Star Dust, Glossy Accents, Sizzix Fancy Frame Die

 I thought I'd make a shaped card for a little fun and loosely followed this week's Seize the Sketch  , but quickly realized I missed the deadline...will have to try again next time!  Hope you all had a fabulous weekend and enjoy your extra day off.  MAHALO for stopping by!!!