January 31, 2009

Wow -do you know what today is? It's January 31st, and you know what that means? It's almost February! This was the 1st thing my 5 yr old said to me this morning. You see his birthday is in February- not until the 18th mind you, but he is counting the days!

Yes it's January 31st and I'm proud to say I finished my valentine project prior to the Feb. 5th deadline!! Yippee! My 15 yr old step-daughter Brittanie is in one of the high school choirs (there are 4) and they are doing their annual fundraiser, which is a silent auction. Their job was to acquire, through donations from local businesses, items to auction at their next performance. Well it just happens to be on Feb. 12 so we put together a Valenting gift "basket". I'm calling it a "Husband's Valentine Survival Kit", lol. We have included everything for a great evening- a restaurant gift certificate, movie passes, whimsical little heart shaped candles, a darling little mug filled with candy kisses, and a long stemmed red rose (candy), and gift certificates to Harry & David, and last but not least a valentine card!

My little project meets the criteria for this weeks challenge on Cute Card Thursday, which was to show your valentine creations. I will start with my card- I saw this card in Paper Creations magazine and loved the style. I carried the same color theme throughout my project-red & black-one of my favorite color combos.

The Mother Teresa quote stamp is from Stampabilities and I love it! The cardstock is Stampin Up and the dp is Doodlebug Designs, and of course a prima flower.

Now onto my "basket", which is actually a wooden crate with a slide out lid. I purchased several of these crates after Christmas and love them!! I painted the crate with acryllic paint in lipstick red and accented with black cardstock and dp. The black/white paisley paper is by Flair Design but I have no idea who the musical notes paper is by but had to include it since the whole project was inspired by the choir. (think love songs)

The hearts on the top of box are felt fusion by Queen & Co. I love all their felt!

So with that done I am off to clean house, ughh. It will be a quick job -I have Saturdays sketch challenge to get to, lol.

Janice

Friday, January 30, 2009

TGIF!!! I have a real quick post today. I made this card 3 days ago and am just now getting around to posting it. It was a quick little valentine card I made for Jordan's kindergarten teacher. I used the sketch from the Sketch Saturday challenge. I think I might make it in just under the wire, LOL!

I love this little stamp-very appropriate for a kindergarten teacher- I just wish they had made one with a little boy, lol. Both the image stamp and sentiment are by Paper Pretties. I love this dp- I found this line of paper online (can't remember where) and I love it! It's from the BaaBaa Black Sheep line made by piggytales.com. I made the little bookplate using my cricut and painted the x & o with lipstick red acrylic paint. I have a couple more valentine cards to make and I'm done! I think I'm getting a little warn out on the valentine thing!

I'll be back tomorrow with a few more cards and another valentine project I am just finishing up.

Janice

Sunday January 25, 2009

Todays Challenge....Magnolia Vs Stampavie

The title of this weeks challenge is Double Trouble. I should have know I was in trouble just from that! The challenge was to use any 2 stamps from either Magnolia or Stampavie. This was a challenge for me in every sense of the word!! Since I've been only stamping a short time my stamp collection is not as diverse as I would like. Then along came January and those stupid resolutions, lol. My husband & I are on a very strict budget so there won't be as many stamp purchases as I would like. Anyway I digress- this was a challenge because I only own 3 Magnolia stamps and 1 Sarah Kay stamp and none of them are related. So I decided to go with a winter/spring theme.

Challenge 2- matching winter/spring paper. I was wanting something bright and sunny for the spring half but had no winter paper that coordinated well with it. So I came up with the pine paper which is from a winter collection of papers.


















Challenge 3-Copics. Again, I am limited in this area as well. I need a whole lot more of them!! Overall, I think it turned out pretty well. I used my flock for the first time on the coat trim. The color is pixie pink and I am now hooked on this stuff!! It is much easier to use then I would have thought and it does add a nice touch.
Hope everyone has a great week.

Take care,

Janice

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Hi!! I finally have gotten back in my scraproom. I have been blog hopping like crazy since One World, One Heart has started. I never knew there were so many amazing blogs out there and so many wonderful artisans!! If you are not familiar with OWOH see the post on the top of my blog and be sure to register for my giveaway.

Todays card is for the Friday's Sketchers challenge and this weeks sketch was fabulous for what I was trying to create. My step-daughter is a member of her high school's choir and their big fundraiser is coming up. They are holding a coffee house with a silent auction on Feb. 12. Each student is required to get donations from local businesses for the auction. Since the event is only 2 days before valentine's day we came up with the idea of a husband's valentine survival kit! We are hoping to include candy, movie tickets and a restaurant gift certificate.

The card I have created is a pocket card and will hold the movie tickets. Don't you love the itty bitty stamp from Karen Lockhart. I received my order on Tuesday and finally got to ink this one today! Susana has the new Karen Lockhart stamps and they are great! I ordered a few others so I'll be busy this weekend!

Did I mention the theme for this years coffee house is Movie Madness. They are doing music from the movies. This should be a fun night. I think this card is so appropriate for the giveaway and the theme of the coffee house.

Well that it is for now. I'm off to watch a movie with hubby. I promised him I wouldn't spend the whole night up in my scraproom, lol.

Don't forget to sign up for my blog candy.

Janice

Monday, January 19, 2009

Happy Monday! Only one day to go until our big day. I really wish I had scheduled tomorrow off so I could watch all the festivities from Washington. I've never been all that much into politics but I do think this is an exciting time. I will be setting the recorder!

I made this little thank you card for one of Jordan's teachers. Jordan is my youngest & is in kindergarten and the after school program. Mrs. Ogg teaches one of the after school classes-Music Theatre and he just loves her. Tomorrow is the last day for the class and they will be performing songs from Peter Pan. Jordan will be one of the "Lost Boys" singing I Don't Want To Grow Up. Too cute. He's been practicing for weeks...over and over and over LOL. So "we" made this card to go with her gift.

This is also for the sketch saturday challenge- Sketch #34. This is a great sketch.

All dp is School Days by Daisy D's, except for the lined note paper, which is by Creative Designs. The thank you stamp is from Stampin Up and the teacher quote was computer generated. Don't you love the apple stick pin! It's made by Around the Block. I made the drama embellishment with my cricut and highlighted the face with a galaxy white marker.

This is the inside of card. Message is very short & sweet. I asked Jordan what he wanted to say and this was it!

Thanks for looking,

Janice

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Hello Everyone....how is your weekend going? Is it cold in your neck of the woods? It is very cold here again today and windy. Both my daughter & I are under the weather. Sore throats & just feeling icky. Spent most of the afternoon napping. What a waste of time, lol.

I just have a quick post. This card is for the Friday Sketch Challenge. I had alot of fun with this sketch.I decided to do a very simple image- no coloring involved. I think it goes well with the papers motif. This is a Stampin Up stamp from an old set but I still love this set-it's called Garden Collage. I used Tim Holtz distress ink to stamp image.

The dp is by Basic Grey-Infuse. I love these papers! I am partial to pink & brown. The pink dp is by K&Co. I used my cricut to cut the flowers and added the pretty pink gem brad. The scalloped lace trim was done with a Martha Stewart punch and then I used a corner punch for the top corners- no idea who it is by. I've had it forever. The sentiment is a sticker by Karen Foster and I think it goes perfectly with the theme of card. I don't normally photograph the inside of my cards but thought I would show this one. Very simply done but pretty.

Well I think I am ready to go lie down again. I sure hope this is a 24 hour thing. I have tons I want to work on tomorrow. Hope the rest of your weekend goes well!

Janice

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Happy Thursday Everyone! Another long weekend is almost upon us (at least for those in the U.S.). I can't wait, lol. I just have a quick post for ya today. I've combined 2 challenges in the one card. Whiff of Joy's Monday Challenge was to use the colors purple & green for the chance to be guest designer for 2 weeks!! You know I wouldn't pass that up. I used my new Melinda Blowing Kisses stamp which just arrived yesterday. I just love her!

The 2nd challenge was sketch challenge 211 from SCS. I loved this sketch.

I will definitely be using this sketch again!

Supplies used:
Stamp: Melinda Blowing Kisses by Whiff of Joy, colored using copics and I used Stickles on her wings. Embossed paper by Paper Adventures called Leaf Nouveau-mint
Purple paper by Deja Views. I don't know the maker of the green & purple polka dot paper-I've had it in my stash forever. You can't tell from the photo but it is felted.
Cardstock- Bazzil, hearts & stars were cut using my cricut.

Well that it is for today. See you again tomorrow.

Janice

Monday, January 12, 2009

Well another work week upon us- ugh! But at least a long weekend is coming up, yipee. I got very little done this weekend in the line of stampin but did manage to get my scraproom cleaned. I decided to organize all my papers, both card stock and patterned. Man, what a chore. Who knew there were so many colors of cardstock, lol. I sorted them all by color to help alleviate hunting & searching. I would love to hear how others organize their rooms. I seem to spend more time looking for thngs then actually working on the project.

I found a system while shopping online yesterday that I think would alleviate alot of headaches! Think I might just have to start saving...I am posting a picture..

Isn't this amazing! Anyone out there own one of these?? I would love to hear how you like it. These armoires are from the original scrapbox if you would like to get a closer look. I would love to be able to hide everything behind doors when I am done...some days you can't walk across my scraproom floor!

Oh well back to cardmaking. Amidst all my cleaning I did manage to complete 1 card. This is from Friday Sketchers- Challenge 34. This was a really fun sketch! I decided to make a valentine card for hubby using this sketch. I was quite pleased with how it was going until Igot to the image. I love this little Sarah Kay stamp entitled First Kiss but I have to find a better grade of card stock. I have noticed lately that when using my copics I get alot of bleeding. Anyone have any advice? Is it the cardstock or the one coloring? I am still very new at using copics so any advice would be much appreciated.

Supplies used- deep red, pink card stock was from an old Club Scrap Kit- this cardstock is from
2004!! See what you find when you organize, LOL. The pink cardstock was covered in stamped postmarks- hence my sentiment sealed with a kiss.
The dp is from My Minds Eye-Quite Smitten, the fluffy, puffy lips and heart are stickers from Sandy Lion, and I used paper covered twist ties for the link. One twist tie says love and the other one says friendship. I used a Martha Stewart scalloped punch.

Oh- and before I forget Bev as some great blog candy to giveaway. Be sure to check her blog- her candy will be up until the 17th and it is some great candy!

Hope everyone has a great day!
Janice

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Happy Wednesday- my last full day off:( It's back to work tomorrow.

Very late in the day but am posting a card I made this afternoon. I received not 1 but 2 deliveries this afternoon and couldn't wait to ink them up. This card is for 2 challenges on SCS. The 1st challenge was to use the colors brilliant blue, garden green and pumpkin pie. I really didn't think I would be able to pull this off but actually found some pretty good stuff in my stash.

The 2nd challenge was their Wednesday sketch challenge. This was an easy sketch to work with and I'm quite happy with the results.

Don't you just love this dieter's dilemma, lol. The little dieter and sentiment is from Inkadinkadoo stamps. The dp is called Magnolia from My Minds Eye and the dimpled orange paper is from the Paper Company. The fabric brads are by Karen Foster. The sentiments are inked with SU Pumkin Pie.

The little itty bitty hamburger also arrived today. Isn't it adorable! I think it goes great with the whole theme!

I won this cutie at the Karen Lockhart release party. You can see the new line at http://www.susanascustomartandcarddesign.com/. Thank you Susana for the speedy delivery! I love this little stamp! Thank you also to Suzanne Dean, one of Susana's DT members. Your blog has provided me with much inspiration! I have purchased numerous stamps after seeing what Suzanne created with them and am a daily follower.

Well off to get ready for tomorrow...ugh. I could really get used to the stay at home thing.

Janice

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Hello Everyone! I can't believe it's Tuesday already. I'm back to work on Thursday and way behind in the projects I wanted to complete before then. I have no new projects to post right now. I've spent most of my morning blog-hopping! It's a great way to rejuvinate that mojo!

Right now I am going to post all the great blog candy there is available out there! I found some great stuff on my regular blog stops as well as some new great blogs! The talent out there is just incredible! My first stop today was Melanie's blog. She has a great tutorial on the use of copics. I just discovered her blog last week and it is great! Her blog candy is a set of copics! I know, myself included, that some of you are just starting your collection and this would be a great addition!

Another blog I just discovered last week is Michelle's and let me tell you I spent alot of time reading her postings and they are adorable. Don't you just love her signature line! Too cute!!
And to think she had a stamp named especially for her- my favorite line of stamps, too-Whiff of Joy! Her blog candy is so great for all those valentine projects!

Rachel's blog has a huge candy giveaway! I was blown away by everything in it. Be sure to check out her card using the Sarah Kay image- it's beautiful. I ordered my 1st Sarah Kay stamp last week and cannot wait until it gets here.

I have had so much fun hopping around tonight but now have to get some real work done-housework ugh. I have posted some more blog candy on my side bar- be sure to check it out!

Janice

Monday January 5, 2009

AHH...a monday and I am OFF! No work until Thursday and it feels good!

I've just finished my first Valentine project and it's only January. No more late nights finishing projects at the last minute....1 of my many new year's resolutions. LOL

This is a little care package I will be sending to my niece, who's in her 1st year at college. She's not much into girly-girl stuff but I'm sure she'll appreciate the contents. What girl doesn't love chocolate! The picture quality isn't great- poor lighting-very dark, cloudy day today. Or it may be the photographer, lol, my pictures lately have been pretty poor!

The wooden crate was a steal-purchased the day after Christmas for $2.70! I only got 2 & now wish I had picked up a few more. I'm thinking teachers gifts for next Christmas! I painted the crate with rose acryllic paint and covered in DP by Flair Design. The puffy, fluffy stick on lips and hearts are by SandyLion and the felt fusion is by Queen & Co.

I just love the little tin mail box. I picked that up yesterday in Target's dollar bin. Gotta love those dollar bins. The dp on the mail box is by Karen Foster and the sentiment was computer generated.

My other little tin is covered with a dp by L'il Davis Designs and the stamp is my all time favorite- Willow from Whiff of Joy. She will be holding individual packets of Wyler Diet Lemonade! I had planned on hot chocolate mix and then found out Stevie doesn't touch the stuff. That will be the only non-chocolate content! I have a few more items and card to include but am waiting on a stamp order- so more to follow!

Sunday January 4, 2009

Hi! Can you believe it's Sunday already! I am off until Thursday but I still haven't accomplished as much as I would have liked this weekend. At least the Christmas decorations are down and the house is back to normal. I was able to get quite a bit of blog-hopping in this weekend since I was off on Friday. Whiff of Joy had their release party for their new line on Friday and I actually won 2. I can't wait to get them. They are one of my favorite stamps!

I'm just doing a quick post- thought I would try the sketch saturday challenge this week. It's a fun sketch! Here is my take on it. The pictures don't really do it justice- could not find good lighting anywhere in the house.








Tried to keep it one color scheme- brown except for the prima flower. The jumbo brads are antique copper-making memories and the stamp is an old one that I had actually never used. It came in a kit from ClubScrap from 2004. I have several other projects on the go so I hopefully I will be able to post some of them tomorrow.

Janice

January 2, 2009

Happy New Year everyone! I thought the above quote would provide some great inspiration as we start a new year. I've made my resolutions...now let's hope I can deliver!

It's been forever since I've done any crafting or posting but I am ready to start again. My parents flew out this morning after a 2 week visit and now I am ready to get back to my scraproom! My first posting is a card I made for Katharina's sketch challenge on Whiff of Joy.
She noted the following on her blog: The Whiff of Joy release party for the new Party Animal collection will be held on Friday, Jan. 2nd, 11pm GMT+1 (5pm EST) at the WoJ group on Papercraft Planet.Hope to see you there!!

She will be giving away one of the new stamps with this challenge...so here is my entry.

This is a Rubber Romance stamp "Vivian" from Susana's Custom Art & Card Design . Don't you just love her! I made this as a birthday card and the inside sentiment reads: "It's not shopping, it's retail therapy! Wish shoe a happy day. I love red & black and found this dp in my stash...it's from Flair Designs. I love their papers!

My second posting is not actually my creation but my sister Lorna's work. She is a doll maker and made this doll for our sister-in-law's birthday tomorrow. She's an avid collector of anything Mackenzie-childs. I was blog-hopping the other day and saw a challenge for a card duplicating the mackenzie-childs look so thought I would post these pictures of the doll. Isn't she adorable!! Everything is hand made and the face is hand-painted. Lee will be thrilled with her.