No images, just words....

(Click here for the goodie giveaway!)

Good morning!  It's time for another challenge from Ruby's Rainbow; this fortnight my teamie, Silvi, has chosen the theme of "No images, just words".  Sounds fun, right?!

I thought this was a great opportunity to use a set from MFT called Vertical Greetings II; it really has some neat sayings.  I did a bit of dry embossing and distressing, then embellished with ribbon, a felt flower and Swarovski crystals.

Sentiment: MFT Vertical Greetings II
Paper: PTI Stamper's Select, Smokey Shadow, and Raspberry Fizz, My Mind's Eye DP
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Embellies: Gray Grosgrain Ribbon (my stash), Swarovski Flatback Crystals in "Black Diamond" and "Fuchsia"
Extras: Spellbinder's Nestabilities, Cuttlebug "Bit of Paisley" Embossing Folder, PTI Raspberry Fizz and Smokey Shadow Felt, MFT Royal Rose Die-namics, The Paper Studio Sticky Doos

I hope you will stop on over to the Ruby's Rainbow blog and check out the wonderful creations.  I would love to see what sentiment you will choose....

I am also entering my card in the following challenges:

Catered Crop: No Stress To Distress
Craft Your Passion: Emboss It
Crafty Sentiments: Let's Sparkle
Cute Card Thursday: Bling It Up
Fashionable Stamping Challenge: Anything Floral/Handmade Flowers
Joanna Sheen: Totally Sentimental
Love To Create: Hand Made Flowers
Party Time Tuesdays: Anything Goes
Shopping Our Stash: Use Your Favorite Things (pink, and Swarovski crystals)
Use It Tuesday: Use That Ribbon (gray grosgrain ribbon, and Swarovski crystals)
Sketch is from Skipping Stones Design (challenge closed)

Thanks for stopping by!

Angela

Loads of candy....

(Click here for the goodie giveaway!)

Good morning Tuesday Morning Sketches fans; I have a new sketch to share!  Our sponsor for the week is Raisin Boat and they sent me an entire set called "Sheet Happens"...the set is full of fun images and sentiments.  Thank you Raisin Boat!

This is the sketch.  I stamped and colored the image, then added googlie eyes and tiny brads for the knobs on the washing machine.  I paired the image with some new Doodlebug Halloween papers (love!) that I bought when we went out of town last weekend; I did a bit of distressing to shabby it up a bit.  I finished with some sparkly black bats, which are popped up.

Image/Sentiment: Raisin Boat
Paper: PTI Stamper's Select, Simply Chartreuse, and Royal Velvet, The Paper Studio Black Glitter Paper, Doodlebug DP
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Sakura Black Gel Pen
Embellies: Recollections Brads, Crafts Etc. Googlie Eyes
Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, Martha Stewart Bat Punch 

I can't wait to see all of the DT's cards...we were each given a different set to work with!  I hope you will play along this week...one lucky participant will win a prize from Raisin Boat!

I am also entering my card in the following challenges:

Creative Mondays: Kids
Creative Belli: Winged Things
Make It Monday: Anything Goes
Whoopsi Daisy: 2 Patterned Papers

Thanks for stopping by!

Angela

Christmas in August

(Click here for the Goodie Giveaway.)

Good morning!  Today is the day for a new challenge from the ladies at Creative Card Crew; this fortnight our challenge is Christmas and our sponsor is Bugaboo Stamps.  Thank you to Bugaboo for this fun Stella image...she always makes me laugh!

The image is colored with pencils and I've added a bit of glitter to the Christmas balls and her Santa hat.  Who says Santa hats have to be red?!  I used some hoarded papers from my stash and a computer generated sentiment.  I added some simple ribbon and a couple of mini brads for embellishing.

Image: Bugaboo Digital Image
Ink: Printer
Papers: PTI Stamper's Select and Raspberry Fizz, SU! Pear Pizazz, KI Memories DP
Embellies: PTI Raspberry Fizz Grosgrain Ribbon, Spare Parts Brads, Doodlebug Glitter (hat), Martha Stewart Crystal Fine Glitter (ornaments and eyelids)
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Spellbinder's Nestabilities, The Paper Studio Sticky Doos

I hope you will check out the rest of the DT's cards and maybe even play along with us for a chance to win a prize from Bugaboo!

I am also entering this card in the following challenges:

Challenge Up Your Life: Christmas in Summer
Christmas Stampin' All Year Long: Non Traditional Colors
Deconstructing Jen: Sketch
Paper Playtime: Polka Dots and a Sentiment

Thanks for stopping by!

Angela

Back to school...and some goodies too!

Hello!  It's been a busy week; I've been making items for a cancer fundraiser, so I havn't gotten much else accomplished.  The kids started back to school, I can't believe we have a freshman and a 6th grader...high school and middle school...yikes!  Here are pictures of their first day.

I also have some goodies to share!  I've been meaning to have a give away for quite some time, but just havn't gotten it done.  Do you ever find that you buy or get multiples of supplies you really love?  I have to confess that it happens to me sometimes!  I am going to pass them on to one of you, along with some other items.  Since it's all about back to school at our house right now, I'm asking you to share your favorite back to school memory.  If you'd like to become a follower that would be great, but it is certainly not required.  If you'd like to post a picture of the goodies, and link back here that would be great as well.  2 weeks from today I will have one of the kids draw a name...all who leave a comment on this post will be entered into the drawing.

Here's a list of what's included:
Cuttlebug Roman Bath Embossing Folder and Border
Prima Madeline 6x6 Pad (Beautiful papers...I had 3 of these!)
Prima Crystal/Pearl Embellishment
Cheery Lynn Designs Small Lace Butterfly with Angel Wings Dies
PTI Botanical Silhouettes 4th Anniversary Set
PTI Think Big Favorites Sentiment Set
PTI Alpha-blocks Die
C.C. Designs Swiss Pixies Nurse Nora (Because I'm a nurse!)
Stamping Bella Microphone by Rheea
Stamping Bella Gwendolyn LuLu
Stampendous Changito Stamper (Because he's my favorite!)
The Cat's Pajamas Feelin' Cupidy
2 Pieces of MFT Felt

Remember, all you have to do is leave a comment and tell me your favorite back to school memory!

Thanks for stopping by; have a great day!

Angela

CDS: We have a winner!

We have a winner to announce!!!  Congratulations to Julie of Last Minute Crafter, you were chosen from my blog as our August Blog Hop winner!!!

You're #1 in my book.

Good morning!  It's Tuesday, so that means we have another challenge from Tuesday Morning 
Sketches...actually we have not 1 sketch, but 4.  This week you may take your pick of an "oldie but goodie"!  Our sponsor for the week is The Stamping Boutique and here are the sketches you have to choose from.

I went with a back-to-school theme again this week.  My daughter started high school yesterday and my son starts middle school today...I can't believe my babies are that old!  Time marches forward so quickly....

I went with a Stampendous Calendar Chick and paired her with some Fancy Pants Designs papers (love them!).  The image is colored with pencils, I did a bit of layering and embellished with Bella Dots and some Baker's Twine.  Sentiment is from PTI.


Image: Stampendous
Sentiment: PTI "Way To Go, Kiddo!"Paper: PTI Stamper's Select, Aqua Mist, Dark Chocolate, and Pure Poppy, Fancy Pants Designs DP
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Sakura Black Gel Pen
Embellies: Bella Dots, PTI Dark Chocolate Baker's Twine
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Spellbinder's Nestabilities, The Paper Studio Sticky Doos

Please head on over to TMS to check out the rest of the DT's eye candy...I can't wait to see which sketch each of them chose!

I am also entering my card in the following challenges:

Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog: Sentiment Must Include a Number
Blogger's Challenge: Back to School
Craft Your Passion: Power of Three (3 Bella Dots in 2 corners)
Created With Love Challenges: Three of a Kind (3 Bella Dots in 2 corners)
Creative Belli Challenge: Things With Wings
Cute Card Thursday: Back to School
Fashionista Challenge: Card for a Child
Lexi's Creations: Back to School or College
Make it Monday: Anything Goes
My Sheri Crafts: Back to School
Raise the Bar: Back to School
Simon Says Stamp and Show: No Rules
Simply Create Too: Back to School
Whoopsie Daisy: Include a Sentiment

Thanks for stopping by!

Angela

Christian Sympathy

Good Sunday morning!  It's time for our monthly blog hop with the gals at Clear Dollar Stamps.  This month our theme is "Sentiments Only" (No images on front of card.)

I am working with the digital set "Christian Sympathy" today.  There are a lot of different sentiments, both in black and white and in color to match the 3 coordinating DPs that come with the set.  I simply resized and printed my paper and sentiment.  I did a bit of layering and added a rolled felt flower adorned with a crystal. These can be made fairly quickly, so I made about a dozen extra.

Sentiment: Clear Dollar Stamps "Christian Sympathy" Digital Set
Ink: Printer
Paper: PTI Stamper's Select and Enchanted Evening
Embellie: Swarovski Flatback Crystal in "Smokey Topaz"
Extras: Spellbinder's Nestabilities, MFT Rolled Flower Die-namics, The Cat's Pajamas Felt

Blog Roll List:

Lori---Clearly I Stamp
Jerusha---I Love Papercrafting
Barb---Barb's Best Creations
Angela---that's me!
Lisa---Lisa's Life Lines
Jen---Pieces of Me
Sarah T.---Aunt Bee's Pickles
Linda---The Stamper's Touch

Please join us!  One lucky winner will receive a $25 Clear Dollar Stamps gift certificate for digital images!  A winner will be randomly chosen from comments received on a DT member's blog and will be announced on the CDS blog Thursday, August 23rd.  I will announce the winner here as well.

I am also entering my card in the following challenges:

Crafty Mess Challenge Blog: Words (no images)
Creative Craft Challenges: Just a Sentiment
Deep Ocean Challenge Blog: Deep Blue
Paper Shelter: Clean and Simple
Twisted Tuesday: Are You Blue?
Word Art Wednesday

Thank you for stopping by; have a great day!

Angela

For Issac

Good morning!  This is for a friend from work; her little guy is almost 4 weeks old...I really shouldn't say little...he weighed 10 pounds 13 ounces at birth!  Today Ivy and I are going to babysit for him and his 2 siblings so his mama can get out of the house for a little free time.  We are excited...and hoping he doesn't sleep the whole time!

Image: PTI Bitty Baby Blessings
Ink: Palette Burnt Umber
Paper: SU! Ballet Blue, PTI Dark Chocolate, Doodlebug DP
Embellies: SU! Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, Martha Stewart Crystal Fine Glitter
Extras: Spellbinder's Nestabilities, The Paper Studio Sticky Doos

I used the sketch from Try Stamping on Tuesday.

I have a question I am hoping someone can help me with....  It seems that when I upload my photos to Blogger they look a bit out of focus, when actually they are not.  Have any of you had this happen, and what did you do to correct it?

Thanks for stopping by; have a great Friday!

Angela

Clearly Digi Stamps August Release

Hello!  I'm back with some samples from the August release.  Today I'm working with 2 sets drawn by Austin Owens, Baby and Bugs.

For my first card I have used an image from Baby.  I wanted to make a baby girl card, but decided to mix it up a bit by using green and accenting with pink.  The image is colored with pencils, the baby blanket is paper pieced, and I've added buttons and twine for embellishing.

Image: Clearly Digi Stamps "Baby" Digital Set
Ink: Printer
Paper: PTI Stamper's Select and New Leaf, Doodlebug DP
Embellies: Divine Twine, Buttons
Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, Spellbinder's Nestabilities, The Paper Studio Sticky Doos

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Card Crafter's Circle: Oh Baby!
Fetch a Sketch: Sketch

Next I have a couple of cards using Bugs.  I kept them very simple with a lot of white space; I wanted to keep the focus on the pretty images.  For the first, I combined the image with a sentiment, colored the image, and popped up the image panel for a bit of dimension.

I have to tell you, I was a bit afraid of coloring the rose on the second card, but once I got started I had fun!  I like the combo of pink and orange...it's fun and cheerful!  Again, I layered the image panel and added some Swarovski flatbacks for a bit of sparkle.

Image: Clearly Digi Stamps "Bugs" Digital Set
Sentiment: Clearly Digi Stamps "Faith" Digital Set
Ink: Printer
Paper: PTI Stamper's Select
Embellies: Swarovski Flatback Crystals in "Topaz"
Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, The Paper Studio Sticky Doos

I am entering these cards in the following challenges:

Crafting For All Seasons: Bright Colors
Jellypark Challenges: Summertime Bugs
Love to Create: Sparkle
Party Time Tuesdays: Garden Delights 

Thanks for stopping by today; I hope you will head on over to Clearly Digi Stamps to check out the new stamps and samples.  There are some amazing sets and card samples!

Angela

CAS Butterfly

Good morning!  It's time for another challenge from the ladies at Ruby's Rainbow; for this fortnight Ang has chosen butterflies for our theme.

My card is clean and simple...a bit of DP, diecut butterfly, and a sentiment.  I added a bit of paper piercing and some pearls for embellishing.  I actually made a dozen of these...some for my stash and some for a cancer fundraiser.

Sentiment: SU! So Happy For You
Ink: Palette Burnt Umber
Paper: PTI Vintage Cream and Dark Chocolate, SU! Vintage Violet, Crate Paper DP
Embellies: Pearls from Kaiser and Spare Parts
Extras: The Cat's Pajamas CutUp Die, Lasting Impressions Piercing Template

Click here to see the DT's creations.  We'd love to see your butterfly creation too!

I am also entering my card in the following challenges:

Bearly Mine: Fly Fly Away
Dream Valley Challenges: Diecuts and Punches
Make It Monday: Anything Goes
Sentimental Sundays: CAS
That Craft Place: Things With Wings

Thanks for stopping by!

Angela

Thank you....

Good morning!  It's Tuesday so that means we have another challenge from Tuesday Morning Sketches; this week our sponsor is Sparkle Creations.

With back-to-school less than a week away, I thought that it would be a fun theme to go with.  Changito is stamped on graph paper and CS, then colored, cut out, and adhered to the graph paper.  I embellished simply with ribbon and brads.

Image/Sentiment: Stampendous Changito School Clear Set
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Melon Mambo/Real Red
Paper: SU! Marina Mist, PTI Dark Chocolate, Graph Paper, The Paper Studio DP
Embellies: SU! Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, Spare Parts Brads
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Spellbinder's Nestabilities, The Paper Studio Sticky Doos

I hope you will head on over the the TMS blog to check out the rest of the cards made using this sketch.

I am also entering my card in the following challenges:

Do You Stack Up?: Four Legged Friends
The Pink Elephant: Back to School

Thanks for stopping by!

Angela

I Miss You!!!

Good morning!  It's time for another challenge from the Creative Card Crew; for this fortnight, our challenge is  Maps/Newsprint/Sheet Music and our sponsor is Simon Says Stamp.

I decided to go with the map theme and made an "I Miss You!!!" card.  I thought this might be nice to have in my stash.  I did some simple layering and the words are computer generated.  I used mini brads to hightlight "You" and "Me" on the map, and added Bella Dots to the corners.

Sentiments: Computer
Ink: Printer
Paper: PTI Kraft and Raspberry Fizz, SU! Basic Black, Paper Pizzazz DP
Embellies: Recollections Brads, Bella Dots
Extras: Spellbinder's Nestabilities, The Paper Studio Sticky Doos

I hope you will head on over to the Creative Card Crew to get a bit of inspiration from the DT.  If you play along, you may be the lucky winner of a prize from Simon Says Stamp!

Thanks for stopping by!

Angela

Shabby Birds

Hello; hope your weekend is going well!  Why do they always pass so quickly?  I took a bit of time of work on this month's SFYTT...I'm usually finishing under the radar, so I am glad to get this one completed less than halfway through the month.

The image I used is from Clearly Digi Stamps digital set, Tweet Houses, drawn by Lisa Lara.  The different images and sentiments are adorable!  I combined an image and sentiment before printing with dark brown ink, then printed an extra birdhouse on kraft paper so I could trim and layer the images.  I added a bit of glitter to the top of the bird house, distressed the edges of the panels and added some brads for embellishing.

Image/Sentiment: Clearly Digi Stamps "Tweet Houses" Digi Set
Ink: Printer (dark brown), SU! Close to Cocoa Marker
Paper: PTI Kraft, Vintage Cream, and New Leaf, Echo Park DP
Embellies: Martha Stewart Crystal Fine Glitter, Heidi Swapp Brads
Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, The Paper Studio Sticky Doos

I am entering my card in the following challenges:

Can You Digi It: Bird is the Word
Clearly Inspired: Things With Wings
Crafts and Me: Use a Digi
SFYTT: Sketch
That Craft Place: Things with Wings  

Thanks for stopping by!

Angela

Do you like brownies?

I've got a yummy recipe to share with you today!  Not too long ago, my daughter and I ate lunch at our favorite deli; the owner is known for her scratch-made goodies...cookies, bars, 5 layer cakes, cheesecakes, etc.  We decided to share an Oreo brownie...it was sooo good!  I told Ivy that she could probably Google a recipe so we could try them at home.  She was able to find a recipe and we tweaked it a bit...here it is:

Ultimate Oreo Brownies

1 box of your favorite brownie mix (for 9x13 pan), prepared per package instructions
12 Oreos, quartered
1 teaspoon vanilla

Add Oreos and vanilla to brownie batter.  Transfer to prepared pan and bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes.  Check them early, so they don't overbake.  Cool completely.  Prepare frosting.

Buttercream Frosting

6 tablespoons softened butter
3 tablespoons cream cheese
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon milk
2 cups powdered sugar

Beat with mixer until smooth.  Frost brownies.  Top with crushed Oreos, followed by a drizzle of hot fudge ice cream topping.

Note: The picture is from the first batch that my daughter made.  I made the second batch and crushed the Oreos for the top a bit more.  Also, I warmed up the fudge topping just a bit so I could drizzle it over the top.  If it's cold, you get more of a "blob"...which isn't all bad if you are really into fudge!  LOL

These are amazing!  My husband served one to our contractor yesterday, who is not a huge chocolate fan, and he said they were "more than a brownie" and "the best brownie he ever had".  Pretty high praise for something prepared from a mix with a few quick add-ins!  This recipe is a keeper.

Hope you are having a great day!  I promise to be back soon with blog candy....

Angela

Make a Wish

Good Tuesday morning!  It's time for another fun sketch from the ladies at Tuesday Morning Sketches; our sponsor this week is Digi Doodle Shop.  This week is also a judged challenge so that means there is a twist... "birthday".  Thank you, Digi Doodle Shop, for the dapper chef image!

The chef is colored with pencils and I added some Swarovski crystals and a handmade felt flower for embellishment.  I kept the background neutral to keep the focus on the image.

Image: Digi Doodle Shop
Sentiment: PTI 
Ink: Printer, Palette Burnt Umber
Paper: PTI Stamper's Select, Fine Linen, and Dark Chocolate, the girls' paperie DP
Embellies: Swarovski Flatback Crystals in "Smokey Topaz", Handmade Rose/Leaves
Extras: Spellbinder's Nestabilities, MFT Rolled Rose Die-namics, Felt (my stash), The Paper Studio Sticky Doos

I hope you will check out the rest of the DT's creations; I'd love to see your take on the sketch, along with the twist.

I am also entering my card in the following challenges:

Fashionista Challenge: Birthday or Baby
The Corrosive Challenge Blog: They Say It's Your Birthday
The Paper Girls Challenge: Birthday
The Shabby Tearoom: Soft Neutrals

Thanks for stopping by!

Angela

Margaret is off to the beach!

Good Friday morning!  I thought I would try this week's Bugaboo sketch; I paired it with this fun image of Margaret...boy, she really rocks a skirted bikini!

The image is colored with pencils and I added some glitter to the pink portions of her suit and sandles (it's hard to see in the photo).  I added some twill and sparkly Bella Dots for embellishing.

Image: Bugaboo Digital Image
Ink: Printer
Paper: G.P. 110, SU! Bermuda Bay, PTI Raspberry Fizz, K by Marcella DP
Embellies: Doodlebug Glitter, Pink Bella Dots, PTI Hawaiian Shores Twill
Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, Spellbinder's Nestabilities, The Paper Studio Sticky Doos

I am entering my card in the following challenges:

Creative Craft Challenges2: Summertime
Dream Valley Challenges: Summer
Ladybug Crafts Ink: Summer Fun
Moving Along With the Times: Summer
Paper Play Challenge: Layer it Up
Robyn's Fetish Challenge: Summer Fun
Stella Says Sketch: Sketch

Thanks for stopping by; have a great weekend!

Angela

Black and White

Good morning!  It's time for another challenge from Forever Friends; this month we challenge you to use black and white.  Yep, I know I cheated a bit...I felt like I really needed to throw the pink in there to make my image "work".  Our sponsor this month is Di's Digi Downloads.

I used the sketch from Jackson's Digital Expressions.  Along with the black and white, I added a pink felt flower, so brads, and ribbon.

Image: Forever Friends Digi
Ink: Printer
Paper: PTI Stamper's Select, SU! Basic Black and Rose Romance, Doodlebug DP
Embellies: Spare Parts Brads, Black Grosgrain Ribbon, Handmade Flower (Spellbinder's die/felt)
Extras: Corner Chomper, The Paper Studio Sticky Doos

I hope you will check out the black and white creations...and maybe make one of your own!

Thanks for stopping by!

Angela

Anything But a Card....

Good morning!  It's time for another challenge from Ruby's Rainbow; this fortnight my teamie Jackie has chosen "Anything But a Card".  Sounds interesting, right?  The possibilities are endless!

At first I wasn't sure what to do, but I happened to find some fun little tin pails at Target's Dollar Spot.  I bought a few to have on hand and decided to embellish one and make a tag to match for our challenge.  It will be good to have on hand when a birthday party pops up.  The bucket could hold candy, nail polish, a gift card or all three!  LOL

I colored my little chick with pencils and cut her out with Nestabilities.  The tag is cut with a PTI die and I used Jen del Muro's July SFYTT for my layout.  I added a bit of ribbon, Baker's Twine and some brads.  The image panel is popped up.  For the pail, I picked assorted coordinating ribbons and tied them onto the handle.

Image: Stampendous Calendar Chick
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: PTI Stamper's Select and American Crafts DP
Embellies: Assorted Ribbons, PTI Dark Chocolate Baker's Twine, Spare Parts Brads
Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, Spellbinder's Nestabilities, PTI Tag Die, The Paper Studio Sticky Doos

I hope you will head on over to Ruby's Rainbow to see what the rest of the DT created for this challenge...I would love to see your "Anything But a Card" too!

I am also entering my project in the following challenges:

Die Cuttin Divas: Anything Goes
Top Tip Tuesday: Focus on the Ribbon
Twisted Tuesday Challenges: Free For All

Thanks for stopping by!

Angela