My page

German Phrase of the Day: In einer Stunde sind wir da. = We will be there in an hour. Well, my catalog will be here in a little more than an hour. Unfortunately, my husband's plane is about 30 minutes late, so I still have almost 3 hours to wait for my precious catalog...but I'll survive!

So...here is my page for my circle journal. On the left side I used Bashful Blue with Sahara Sand. On the sahara sand I stamped some shells and sand background from the beach set from LAST summer's mini catalog, and the palm tree from my balmy breezes set which I colored with watercolor crayons. I sponged the edges as well. Then, I sent the vellum through my printer and printed with brown ink. I attached the vellum with brads. The journaling says "There is nothing more calming than the sound of the surf. And while I love the smells of the forest and the majesty of the mountains, it is the sounds of the ocean I can not live without. So please don't fence me in." I write this because my husband and I have often spoken of different places within the US where we could live...and I joke with him that as long as the state I live in has an ocean, I'm ok.

The photo on the right side is one I took when we went to Cabo San Lucas a few years ago. The quote on it says "eternity begins and ends with the ocean's tides."

I hope you've enjoyed seeing my journal. I can't wait until Christmas time when I will get it back with everyone else's pages as well...it will be so much fun to see what other people have created.

Ok...it's back to cards for me tomorrow.

TFL!
-Jana

Sign in page for Journal

German Phrase of the Day: Wie lange mussen wir noch fahren? = How long do we have to drive? Fortunately, only a few hours to get us down to the Black Forrest...maybe 4 in all. But, that's not until Sunday.

A quick update here while everyone in the house is asleep. Julia came with me to pick up our guests at the airport this morning since she had gotten sick yesterday...fever and chills and aches and pains. Fortunately, she was much better this morning, but it was a long night for mommy!

This is the first of 2 sign-in pages in my journal. I made the little mini envelopes using the smaller of the long open-ended envelope templates from SU! and the Pallet o' prints DSP. I wheeled the Mellow Moss paper with the leaves wheel from the winter mini that went with the Carte Postal set. Here is my sign-in tag completed with my name, location, date, a photo, and my favorite nature stamp set. I am requesting that everyone else include the same information on their tags as well! Here is the second page...very similar just different designs for the paper!

I was amazed at how easy these little envelopes are to make. I used my stylus to mark the lines so I wouldn't have to worry about stray pencil marks, and then cut them out with my snips. If I had realized how quick and easy they were I would have been making them for a while now!

Ok...just one more day of pages from the album...and that will be MY 2-page spread. I hope you all like it...I sure do! And the good news is, I put the album in the mail yesterday (along with some very overdue Blog Bon-Bons!!) so it is on it's way to the US already. Yeah!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone...just 1 more sleep until I get my catty!!! :-)

TFL!
-Jana

Circle Journal intro...

German Phrase of the Day: Morgen fruh kommen meine Freunde zu Besuch. = Tomorrow morning my friends are coming to visit. Therefore...I must be quick because I'm trying to clean. What's worst is one of my German friends is coming over this afternoon...and German women are such AMAZING housekeepers. I mean, this woman has 2 kids under 4, a husband who works in Berlin during the week, and her house has been spotless every time I've seen it. Sorry...that's just not me!

Ok...so here is the Intro and Instructions pages of my circle journal. Since my theme is nature I went with pretty flowers for these pages. I figured that was the best with such heavily texted pages! These came together pretty quickly once I got the stuff written and printed. Oh, and I used the SU Pittipat font...I just love that one! And, since I was printing on whisper white cardstock, I wanted to cover all the vanilla so I used my spiral punch to fir the regal rose over the binding. This is such a fun project...I can't wait to show you all the 2-page spread I made...but you'll have to wait until Saturday for that one.

Hmmmm...Saturday. My catalog will be here Saturday. Maybe I won't be typing to you at all because I'll be glued to my new catty...perhaps I should write everything up beforehand.. ;-)

Have a great day!

Supplies: (all supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: Office Accoutrement, newsprint alpha, fresh fruits
CS: regal rose, whisper white
Ink: regal rose, certainly celery, apricot appeal
Acc: sponge, spiral punch, journaling fonts.

TFL!
-Jana

I finished it!

German Phrase of the Day: Nachste Woche fahren wir in Urlaub. = We're leaving on a vacation next week. Actually, we leave on Sunday...but you get the point!

I just finished my initial pages for my circle journal I'm doing with Michelle Tweedy, and I'm SO excited! Since we have friends arriving from California on Friday morning, my dh doesn't get home until SATURDAY morning, and then Sunday morning we leave for the Black Forest, I figured I needed to finish quickly so I can get it in the mail.

I've never done a circle journal before, but I'm really excited about this one. I think it will be loads of fun. Over the next 5 days I'll post all the pages I had to complete before mailing it...since I won't have time to stamp anything else because I'll be too busy trying to get the house clean before our guests arrive!!

This first one is my title page. The theme of my book is All Things Nature, and I used one of my all-time favorite nature sets for the title page. I'm also a little into butterflies lately since we have so many on our Butterfly Bush (thanks to everyone who helped identify it!!) Not sure if you can tell, but I outlines the butterfly wtih glue and added some dazzling diamonds so she would really sparkle.

You can probably see I have not done anything with the cover of my journal yet...I decided it would be safer to do that after the rest of the pages are completed and it's done with its tour of the US!! ;-)

Have a wonderful day everyone! Just 3 more sleeps til my catty gets here - and, oh yeah - guess my husband will be with it!! ;-)

Supplies: (all supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: Touch of Nature
CS: Very Vanilla, Always Artichoke, Pumpkin Pie
Ink: Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip
Acc: aquapainter, WWC, sponge, dazzling diamonds glitter, glue pen

TFL!
-Jana

SCS challenges...

Brittish word of the day: Wingy (spelling may not be correct) = Whiny (or could be the B****y word too.) A Brit friend of mine over here uses this word, and I LOVE it! It's just so much more fun to say than the American alternatives! So today...I'm gonna be a little Wingy...sorry!!

I love being in Europe and getting to travel...but I HATE missing out on so much back "home". And add to that my husband happens to be in the very city (well, ok, he's one town over if you want to get technical on me) that we just moved away from, some 10,000 or so miles away, and I get a little down. I REALLY wanted to go to California with him this time, but it just wasn't in the cards. And of course now I can't pull myself away from the New Catty Chatter forum on Splitcoast...because I WANT my new catty NOW!! Thank goodness that since my dh IS in California, he'll be bringing me a few catties from my wonderful friend and downline there Michelle. I owe this woman so much...during the weeks leading up to one of his trips, I send her to Target for me, as well as Trader Joes occasionally (altho dh usually likes to go there himself to load up on Cliff bars) and she is usually the shipping destination for all our Amazon, and other orders ...and she so kindly even delivers it all to hubbies hotel for us! Michelle...I don't know how I'd survive all this without you!

So...in my depressed state yesterday, I didn't post. Bad me! However, in the last 2 nights I have watched both Bridget Jones movies! I know...I'm a sad, sad human being! Oh well.

After turning off the tv last night, I checked Google reader one last time and saw Julie Buhler's BEAUTIFUL card for the technique challenge on Monday. When I went up to the top floor to close the windows in my craft room, I saw an image I had stamped earlier that day and decided to make a card according to the challenge, since that stamp set was retiring. It was late, and I don't really love that card, but will post at the bottom just so you can see. However, this morning after seeing the color challenge I decided I needed to try again...so that is how this first card happened! I like how the DP looks like wallpaper below a chair rail...cute, huh?? Coloring this girls is certainly a challenge...but I enjoyed it! I had to have this set for the image on the second card because it reminds me of my little artist so much!

Oh...and I had a brilliant idea yesterday. As you know, I have had to go unmounted over here for space/shipping reasons. I really don't like not having the sticker on the back to see the image (especially for words!!) and so I had the brain storm to attach the sticker to the foam on the back, and then use my Ailene's tack it and tack it glue on top of the sticker. Works beautifully! Now if only I had thought of it before mounting all the stuff I've already done!! Oh well. If anyone has questions about converting SU! stamps to unmounted feel free to email me and I can tell you all the different things I've tried! :-)

Ok...enough rambling for today. Hope you all have a great day!

Supplies: (all supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: Tutu Terrific
CS: Cool Caribbean, Pretty in Pink , whisper white, Lovely Lilac, Regal Rose, Pallet o' prints, Office DSP
Ink: Stazon Jet Black, marigold morning, cool caribbean, regal rose, lovely lilac
Acc: Crafter's Toolkit, silver brads, ticket corner punch, white grosgrain, sponge, aquapainter, WWC

TFL!
-Jana

Happy Anniversary to me!

German Phrase of the Day: Lass uns feiern! = Let us celebrate! Feiern is pronounced FEYE-ehrn, and if you can translate that into actual sounds, congratulations...we should feiern! :-)

7 years ago today, I married a most wonderful man. He is a wonderful friend, an amazing father, and an excellent provider among other things. I consider myself very lucky to have him, and smarter still to hold on to him. I showed you the anniversary card I made for him in this post a week or so back. I'm not sure he fully understood the sentiment...that even though life isn't always "Happily Every After" it's the fact that we have to work to keep our relationship a happy and fulfilling one that makes it all the more appreciated. Plus...I figured grumpy would be a good representation of me lately!! Poor guy!

So, today I am showing you a card made by a friend of mine here in Germany. She came over to stamp one day and use my cuddlebug folders, and created this beautiful wedding card! I think it is so incredibly elegant!!

Supplies: (all supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: All Year Cheer I, II, or III
CS: Baroque Burgundy, whisper white
Ink: Baroque burgundy, versamark
Acc: Cuddlebug embossing folder, wine organdy ribbon, gold cord, stampin' pastels, clear ep

TFL!
-Jana

And if you're curious...the new photo on the right was taken shortly after we got engaged...which we did while scuba diving in the Bahamas!

Fixafella...

German Phrase of the Day: Danke fur das Kompliment. = Thank you for the compliment. Sometimes...German is so easy to understand!

I am so in love with Fixafella. Of course I had to have him...my husband was FOREVER coming up with new "projects" at our house in California. But hey...I got lots of beautiful upgrades to my house relatively cheaply...so I can't complain!

I made this for my hubby for Father's Day this year, because he is one of the best fathers I know! He has so much patience with our energizer bunny...thank goodness since I seem to loose mine so frequently!

For this card, I used some SU! DSP and Buckaroo Blue cs for the base. My fella is colored in with aquapainters and watercolor wonder crayons (as usual!) and the sentiment is stamped on whisper white with Ruby Red to match the matting of my fella. I took a long time to paint my fella this time...wanting him to be just perfect. I figured my fella was worth it!

Supplies: (all supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: Fixafella from Stampingbella, Sassy Sayings I or II
CS: Buckaroo Blue, Four Seasons DSP, watercolor paper, whisper white, Ruby Red
Ink: Jet Black Stazon, Ruby Red
Acc: Aquapainter, watercolor wonder crayons, HPH

TFL!
-Jana

SC129 with Basic Gray

German Phrase of the Day: Es regnet heute! = It is raining today! Again...as usual.

Sorry for the poor picture quality, but it's a little darker than usual here today with our lovely dark clouds and rain. :( Have I mentioned before how much I dislike rain?

I had fun making this card. I love my new Basic Gray paper, this one was from the Phoebe pack I believe...I got that, Lily Kate, and Perhaps. Maybe if I make something with Perhaps today we'll get to watch Coupling tonight! :)

This was a very quick and easy card, until I decided to add the bling. Doing that wasn't very hard...but a little time consuming as I have to pick up each jewel individually with my paper piercer and stick down on the scallops...and there are a lot of scallops on the giga punch!! But doesn't it just look so purdy with that little extra bling?

I decided to make it into a thank you card (and I actually made 2) so that I can give them to Julia's kindergarten teacher's before summer holidays start. They've done such a wonderful job of helping her to integrate into school, and teaching her German! It still amazes me to hear her speaking with other people in German...it's just so natural to her...she doesn't have to think about it at all.

Supplies (all supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted)

Stamps: Sincere Salutations

Paper: Buckaroo Blue, Regal Rose, Whisper White, Basic Grey Phoebe

Ink: Regal Rose

Accessories: Rose grosgrain, marvy scallop punch, coluzzle, crystals from Pipoos

TFL!
-Jana

I'm so excited...and I just can't hide it

I'm about to loose control and I think I like it!

Sorry...I'm just so excited. I won some Candy from GinaK designs...5 of her stamps!!! Can you believe it?!?! I can't wait to play. I was going to order some when she had her sale, but then I was in Greece and all, and I didn't get my order placed, so I was bumming. I figured I'd hold out a little longer until I saw the new SU! catty before ordering...altho I really want that castle, and the crabby dancer, and the one in the pot, I mean, how cute is he???

Anyway...Can't help it...I'm a little excited here.

Ok...now on to our regularly scheduled blog posting!

Happy Birthday Mom!!!

German Phrase of the Day: Ich kann mich nicht erinnern. = I cannot remember. No mom...this isn't a reflection of your age...just happened to be on the phrase calendar for today - which when you think about it is kind of funny! ;-)

Ok, so I promised you all my 2 color challenge cards today. The first one I made is cute, but I LOVEY the second one!!

For this first one, I water colored the little giraffe with barely banana first, then added some marigold morning to his spots. I stamped the little oval (punched rubber with my small oval punch) with creamy caramel stamped off a couple of times first. Of course I also masked him, but it honestly doesn't look like I did...oh well!

I had him mostly put together but couldn't figure out where to put the sentiment or how to add the caramel...and then decided I could combine the two, and that's how the layout was born.

For this second card, since I had had winobella for a week and she still hadn't touched ink, I was feeling a little bad! I knew I wanted to paper piece her dress, and wanted a paper with the banana color...which is why I chose the Sarah DSP. And of course with red as one of the colors she had to be drinking a nice Zin. I miss Zin soooooo much!!! Eventually I'll get some again. Darn that my favorite grape has to be a new world one!

Oh yeah...and don't you LOVE her pearls?? I found those at Pipoos! Gotta get back there soon! The sentiment was stamped with my new Karen Foster snap stamps...THANKS Michelle! Today I'll have to make Mom a Bday card with my new Basic Grey paper! Yum!!!

Supplies (all supplies Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted)

Stamps: Bundle of Joy

Paper: Barely Banana, Real Red, Creamy Caramel, Whisper White

Ink: Basic Black, Barely Banana, Real Red, Marigold Morning

Accessories: HPH, Red Gingham Stamps: Winobella, Paisley Background, Karen Foster snap stamps Paper: Barely Banana, Real Red, Creamy Caramel, Whisper White, Sarah DSP Ink: Basic Black, Barely Banana, Real Red, Old Olive, ruby red Accessories: Red Grosgrain, Caramel gingham, aquapainter

TFL!
-Jana

Flowers for mom

I was talking to my mom on the phone yesterday trying to get her help in identifying some of the flowers we have growing in our back garten. She said "send me a picture" so I decided I might as well share my lovely flowers with everyone!

I have no idea what these first 2 are. Anyone who knows??? The first one my husband was going to pull back in April thinking it was a weed, but fortunately he spared it. I'm glad he did. The second is a tree/bush that has grown HUGE, and we'll Have to seriously cut it back this fall.

The last 2 are Hydrangeas. At least, I think they are both hydrangeas, altho one is shaped quite differently than I am used to for Hydrangeas. It's truly one of my favorite flowers though, and we have about 5 different bushes of them here which is great since the ones I had in California never did take off that well.

I hope you enjoyed this little peak into my garden. I just made 2 cards for today's color challenge, so I'll post them tomorrow for you all to see! One hint...I LOVEY them! ;-)

Thanks for stopping by,
-Jana

Father's Day Gift

German Phrase of the Day: Sie ist sehr glucklich. = She is very happy. I LOVE the photo of Julia I used for this project - isn't that just he most beautiful smile? (and before you ask Mom...I'll try to make one for you and dad also!)

I bought some of those adorable tiny hinges online and I FINALLY got around to making one of the adorable little folding photo display things with the coasters. I attached the hinges on the inside so the "book" will close flat since it is for my dh to take when he's traveling...so he'll always have a smiling wife and bug-bug to look at (awwww.)

I covered the coasters with that wonderful SU! DSP from last summer's mini (the one I love but can never remember the name of!) and then made a simple design for the front using the Happy Father's Day from one of the AYC sets (I use the mini Rough Edges alphabet for the year) Since I wanted the outside to look nice, I inserted the brads from out to in...it also helps in closing the book better.

For the photos, I printed them here at home, then I ran my sanding block around all four sides in about 1/2" to frame them in a little bit, since I wasn't going to mat them. After adhering them, I stamped the heart image from Doodle That with white stazon. Unbelievably, my husband actually noticed this, and seemed to think it was cool that the stamped image matched the "scratches" on the edges of the photos.

On the back I stamped "The best is yet to come" from one of the spring mini sets and put a few hearts around it. Now he'll always have a photo to setup in whatever hotel room he's staying in so he can see our smiling faces when he wakes in the morning. And he has the wonderful benefit of seeing only the smiling faces and not having to hear the grumpiness that usually exists in our home in the mornings! (NONE of us is a morning person...my husband probably LEAST so!)

Supplies: (all supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: Doodle That, AYC, Love Matters, Rough Edges Alphabet
CS: Chocolate Chip, Bliss Blue, Ruby Red, SU! DSP from spring 06 mini
Ink: Chocolate Chip, white stazon
Acc: Crafter's Toolkit, silver brads, sanding block, mini hinges purchased online

TFL!
-Jana

Beate's Circular Sketch Challenge

German Phrase of the Day: Das ist eine tolle Idee. = This is a great idea. Beate's sketch's are always a great idea...and I really LOVED making this circular card today!

I don't know about you all, but when I sit down to make a card, I RARELY have a picture in my head of what I'm trying to make. So for this card, I had the sketch I drew on some scratch paper down here at the computer...and took it upstairs with me. I happened to have a piece of Chocolate Chip CS that had been folded, but with bits cut away on both sides...so that was easy to trim down for the edge piece (although then I worried it would be too similar to Beate's...but decided that was ok.)

I also had the Cool Caribbean CS on my desk already (I know...I really should clean up after myself more often!) so that is what I started with. I cut my circles and started playing. I thought about using some DP, then said "nah, that won't work" so then i decided I'd do a background stamp on the Caribbean card...but which one. Aida cloth? No. Flannel? Maybe...but that's too country/shabby looking. Paisley? YES! But stamp it in brown! Hey...looks pretty good. Ok...now for the circular image below.

Can I use my scallop punch? Nope...too big. Ok...back to the coluzzle (and you'll see a cool frame I made whilst working here...gotta figure out how to use it first!) I made the ring of pretty in pink, then decided to scallop the edges a bit with my corner rounder. That worked great. Ok, so I have a great "frame" to go around my image, but what image should I use? I don't have any giant primas, which would have looked fantastic here...so I need a flower stamp. I started pulling down a few sets and decided Big Blooms would work. So I inked it with pretty in pink, rolled the edges in chocolate chip, and stamped on some white (happens to be the white cardstock from Papertrey Ink again...it was handy!!) I liked the look...but it needed more texture...so I crumpled it up and made the petals come up a little more. Then I decided it needed a button center, so I added that.

I had trimmed the edge of my chocolate chip CS with some decorative scissors, but decided with the scalloped circle it was too much, so I trimmed that edge off. But...the chocolate chip layer needed SOMETHING...so I did the faux stitching. Now...I just needed a greeting. Since I knew I couldn't pull off another circle tucked behind (I'd already adhered my pink "frame") I thought a short greeting punched with the word window would do, so I pulled out Happy Everything. After punching, I rubbed the edges along the Chocolate Chip inkpad...then decided I should sponge brown around the whole outside edge of the cool Caribbean card...so did that. Finally, I finished it off with the brads.

So, now you have a little insight into my creative process. Sometimes I start with an image I want to use, other times with a sketch, or occasionally with the colors (like when doing the color challenges!) But most of the time, when I'm not just CASEing something, my creative process is quite rambling and I never know what I'm going to end up with. But...in this case... I'm VERY happy with the end results! Thanks as always for the wonderful inspiration Beate!!! :-)

Supplies: (all supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: Big Blooms, Paisley background, Happy Everything
CS: Chocolate Chip, Cool Caribbean, Pretty in Pink Papertrey Ink white cs
Ink: Chocolate Chip, pretty in pink
Acc: Crafter's Toolkit, coluzzle, Word Window punch, corner rounder punch, white gel pen, antique brads, earth elements buttons

TFL!
-Jana

Happy Father's Day, Daddy!

German Phrase of the Day: Du kommst immer zu spat! = You are always late! (spat is pronounced shpayt)

As usual...I'm late! I just finished daddy's card about 10 minutes ago...and it's father's day already! Guess he'll have to enjoy it online for a while before he gets it in person.

I used Fishabella and Fishafella (because I've told you I always fished with my dad) and and I even made a faux fishing fly to go with it. I'm so impressed with myself! I used a paperclip and some of my retired fancy fibers...and I think it looks great!

For the chocolate chip piece, I stamped it with the weathered background (chocolate chip ink) and then sponged on a little white craft ink to age it a little more. As usual I colored with my aquapainters and WWC...and did you notice? I even gave the fish a bit of a pinkish tummy - just like the brook trout dad and I used to catch! :-)

I love you Daddy!!

Supplies: (all supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: Fishabella and Staceyfishabella from Stampingbella, weathered background, AYC (I, II, or III I'm not sure!)
CS: Chocolate Chip, Ruby Red, Mellow Moss, Papertrey Ink white cs
Ink: Jet Black Stazon, Chocolate Chip, ruby red, white craft
Acc: Aquapainter, watercolor wonder crayons, ticket corner punch, coluzzle, paper clip, fancy fibers

TFL!
-Jana

More challenges...and Text Box ordered!

German Phrase of the Day: Die Erdbeeren sind koestlich. = The strawberries are delicious. Koestlich (should be o with an oomlot on it instead of oe) is pronounced KUHST-lihkh where the hkh is that German sound I just can't make. I think I still like the word lecker (pronounced leckah) better!! :-)

So, I finally got my final sneak peak at the new set yesterday afternoon from Nicole's blog...and of course first thing I did this morning when I got up was turn on my computer to check out the entire new set, and place my order! I didn't win the Guest Star Stamper, but I LOVE the sample that did win...so I don't feel so bad. ;-) Congrats Trudee!!

Yesterday, after realizing I'd done the colors wrong for the color challenge, I had to do another card and do it right this time! I used the sketch challenge again for the layout, and this time used Cruisabella. I like my bathabella card better...but this one is cute too. I really like the new papers from Stampin' Up! and can't wait to see that new catalog...just 2 more weeks, right?!?

Ok...now I have to go clean my daughter's room. This morning, I turned on the light to go open the shades (she was downstairs with her dad) and the light bulb exploded. No one was hurt, but I now have to pick up all the toys and completely vacuum in there before we will let her in it again. Not an easy task!!

Supplies: (all supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: Cruisabella from Stampingbella
CS: Chocolate Chip, Cameo Coral, certainly celery, confetti white, pallet o' prints
Ink: Jet Black Stazon
Acc: Aquapainter, watercolor wonder crayons, ticket corner punch

TFL!
-Jana

Shadow is HOME!!!

Hey everyone...thanks for all your positive thoughts out there. Shadow is now home. Apparently she had been hiding out in a neighbor's yard, and I was able to get her to come home no problem.

Big sigh of relief!

-Jana

Papertrey Ink...

Anyone else out there stalking Nicole's blog for today's sneak peek??? I keep hitting reload hoping it will show up. Doesn't she understand some of us are a few times zones ahead and it's been the 14th hear for like 10 hours already??? Please tell me I'm not the only crazy one!

Huggs,
Jana :-)

Bathabella is pure Bliss!

German Phrase of the Day: Ich moechte mich jetzt entspannen. = I would like to relax now. I honestly don't know how women survive when husbands are away on a regular basis. My DH travels a fair amount...but I got spoiled the last few weeks having him home. I honestly don't think I could survive if he was gone every week for 3 or more days. I wasn't designed to be a single parent!!! Remember the word I taught you all a few months ago? You are driving me crazy?? I've been using that a lot this week. Thankfully DH returns this afternoon.

So...I LOVE this card! I love the sketch...and bathabella is just so perfect! If I had had a stamp that said "bliss" would have used that instead...but I had to make do with "joy." I added some glitter to her bubbles using the Sakura fine tipped glue pen and some dazzling diamonds...and even managed to use the color challenge colors! Wow...a double challenge...pretty good for me lately! I hope you all enjoy her...now I have to go clean my house before DH gets home so he thinks I didn't spend the ENTIRE time he was gone in my stamp room!! ;-)

Supplies: (all supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: Bathabella from Stampingbella, Polka Dots & Paisley, aida cloth
CS: Chocolate Chip, Cameo Coral, Cool Caribbean, watercolor paper, whisper white
Ink: Jet Black Stazon, Chocolate Chip, Cameo Coral
Acc: Aquapainter, watercolor wonder crayons, rounded tab punch, dazzling diamonds glitter, glue pen, bubbles cuttlebug embossing folder

TFL!
-Jana

PS Shadow update: So...she still hasn't come home. I'm going to buy a can of tuna today and see if that will entice her to come back...I'll even let her eat the whole can if she'll just come home!!!

Little Lady

As promised, here's my submission for this month's PaperTreyInk Guest Star Stamper contest. I got a little fancy with my setup for taking the photos....what do you all think?

I made a set of 4 cards and put them in the new clear boxes Nicole and company are selling, then made a matching belly band. This was WAY fun...I LOVE this set!!

The large ladybugs are stamped on vellum cardstock and embossed (2 each with irridescent ice, the other 2 with crystal clear ep) And I just love that I can twist the sayings to lay along the ladybugs trail. Isn't it adorable?? Below I've also posted individual photos of the projects. I hope you enjoy!!


Supplies:
Stamps: Little Lady by PaperTreyInk
CS: PTI White Cardstock, Pretty in Pink, Cool Caribbean, Pink Passion, Vellum Cardstock
Ink: Jet Black Stazon, Versamark, Pink Passion, Pretty in Pink, Cool Caribbean
Acc: Irridescent Ice ep, crystal clear ep, May Arts ribbon, mini glue dots, corner rounder

TFL!
-Jana

Thanks Rhonda!!

German Phrase of the Day: Das ist eine tolle Idee. = This is a great idea. I had a Shadow sighting last night...but she wouldn't come in. Makes me wonder what we did to make her not want to come home?! Hopefully once she gets hungry she'll come back. Until then...I keep going out and calling for her hoping she'll just be lonely and want some attention.

Today's card is a beautiful Blogger RAK I got rom Rhonda over at quiltnutcreations.blogspot.com. I love Rhonda's site...it's so much fun! Be sure to check it out!!

I love this card...partially because it is a set I always admired but never bought. And it's perfect for a quilter such as she!! The base card is with a lovely textured paper, and the gold metalic layer is way cool...could use it as wrapping paper on a very special package!

I finally finished up my PaperTreyInk contest entry and hope to get the photos to Nicole before it's too late! I'll share what I did a little later if Ihave time to write it up...maybe after bedtime.

Have a wonderful day everyone!

TFL!
-Jana

New card...finally!

German Phrase of the Day: Haben Sie meine Katze gesehen?. = Have you seen my cat? This one I just looked up on babelfish so I could have it correct to ask our neighbors!

I finally have a new card for you all today. I whipped it up this morning after taking Julia to kindergarten...in between looking for my cat who seems to have disappeared on me. I'm trying not to get too upset about that hoping she'll just turn up in some new hiding place...but I'm afraid she got outside and now I'll never find her! Keep your fingers crossed for me!!

I haven't had a chance to put some tackit on the back of my latest bellas, but I did get some new charms with the order so I used one of those. I picked the color combo from the SU color wheel - Old Olive, Baroque Burgundy and More Mustard. Isn't that little charm just adorable??? I'm gonna have to get more of the others because they are just so fun!! I used my usual DTP for the cuttlebugged bg with the burgundy. I can get used to the shabby chic look if I try! This girl is actually drinking Ouzo in honor of my friend Kallien who we got to see in Greece. Even though it's Kallien's husband who was drinking the Ouzo, while I got to enjoy some AMAZING California Zinfandel. Oh how I miss that grape!!! Oh well...maybe I'll have to have the hubby bring some home to me when he's back there in 2 weeks. It could be my anniversary present, right?? :-)

Ok...off to call for the cat again.

Supplies: (all supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: Cosmobella and cheers from Stampingbella,
CS: Confetti white, Bravo Burgundy, Old Olive, More Mustard
Ink: Jet Black Stazon, Bravo Burgundy, Old Olive, More Mustard, Creamy Caramel
Acc: Sponge, aquapainter, Word window punch, burgundy grosgrain ribbon, silver cord, tini charm from Stampingbella, swirld cuttlebug embossing folder

TFL!
-Jana

I've been tagged!

I've been tagged by Flossie! I've noticed her commenting on my blog lately, and checked hers out as well...and loved it! Be sure to give her a big hello when you pop over!

Yourself: Tired
Your Partner: Gone
Your Hair: messy
Your Mother: Friendly
Your Father: Golfing
Your Favorite Item: Stamps?
Your Dream Last Night: Dunno
Your Favorite Drink: Champagne
Your Dream Car: SL500
Your Dream Home: Beachside
The Room You Are In: Living
Your Fear: Julia's pain
Where You Want to be in Ten Years: Satisfied
Who You Hung Out With Last Night: daughter
You’re Not: neat
One of Your Wish List Items: Peace
Last Thing you Did: water
You Are Wearing: jeans
Your Favorite Weather: Sunny
Your Favorite Book: novels
Last Thing You Ate: raspberry
Your Life: hectic
Your Mood: fatigued
Your Best Friend: fun
What Are You Thinking About Right Now: bedtime
Your Car: Audi
What Are You Doing At The Moment: Typing
Relationship Status: married
What Is On Your TV: German
What Is The Weather Like: sticky
When Is The Last Time You Laughed: Today


Ok...that was pretty fun, but hard! But, bedtime counts as one word right?? :-) Especially when it's Julia's bedtime!!! I'm going to cop out of tagging anyone else since I haven't even begun to get caught up on blogging for the past 5 days, so if you haven't been tagged yet, consider yourself tagged!! :-) (oh...one further note...Phil is just gone to Isreal...he'll be home again on Thursday, don't worry!)

Ok...will try to stamp tonight after said bedtime. Got some new Bellas while I was gone, and a beautiful RAK which I will try to photograph in the morning. Thanks everyone for patiently hanging by while I was off having fun. I'll try to post photos this week as well!

TFL!
-Jana

Blog Bon-Bon's Winner!!

German Phrase of the Day: Du ubertreibst = You are exaggerating. ubertreibst is pronounced ew-behr-TREYEBST - say that 3 times fast!!

I was talking to my mom on the phone and asked her to pick a number between 1 and 121 and she chose the number 37. Then we started talking about how I could choose 36, since that's my age, or 47 because that's the magic number of my alma mater...but I said "No...you chose 37 and I'm sticking with that one!"

So...the winner is....

Well Said Cards said...

congrats and that's great that you're going to Greece. I've done a lot of travelling, but I'd love to visit Hawaii. It's one of the few places I've never been!

I actually have been to Hawaii...a few times (it was an easy place to visit from California!) the last time was just 1 month before the birth of our daughter, and it is where we finalized our chosen name (Julia, after the Beatles song) so you definately have to go because it is beautiful!!

So, please send me your snail mail address and I will get your bonbons sent out to you as soon as we return from our trip.

Sorry I don't have a card for you all today...I'll try to post once or twice from the road, but as usual make no guarantees! I hope you all enjoy the rest of your week and have a fabulous weekend!!

TFL!
-Jana

Happily Ever After?

German Phrase of the Day: Ich Dich liebe = I love you.

My anniversary isn't for another 3 weeks, but as I was creating this card I decided it was perfect for my husband. I often give him anniversary cards with a coffee theme, which is probably odd to most people since my husband does not drink coffee. However, he did choose the song for our first dance at our wedding...and he chose "Anniversary Song" by the Cowboy Junkies. The refrain of the song is "and I'll share them all for a cup of coffee, and to wear your ring." It's a beautiful song...especially the live version from KFOG's live from the archives.

I decided Grumpy there (i.e. ME!) needed a pretty robe today, so I cut it out of some of the Pallet 'O Prints dp. I then colored over the tie at the waist and the shawl collar to have them stand out a bit more. The rest of her is colored with my SU! markers.

Originally, I wanted the greeting to say "Mirror Mirror..." but it's not easy for me to print stuff from a computer since our only printer is in my husbands office. But, then I thought "Happily Ever After?" would work great and that's when I decided who would be getting this card. I mean, she doesn't exactly look glamorous...and this is the real part of marriage, right? After Happily Ever After, real life begins. Stamping this was a little tricky to get the words straight since I didn't want them stacked...but my Stamp-A-Ma-Jig worked perfectly! See how straight they are!! Aren't you impressed?

Thanks again Beate for the fun sketch to play with!

Supplies: (all supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: Grumpybella and Large Oval Scallop from Stampingbella, Fancy Flexible Phrases from SU!
CS: Whisper White, Shimmery White, Pallet o' prints DP
Ink: Jet Black Stazon, Rose Red, Lovely Lilac
Acc: Sponge, markers, Word window punch, regals buttons, linen thread, glue dots

TFL!
-Jana

Beate's sketch challenge

German Phrase of the Day: Der Sommer ist fast da! = Summer is almost here! And in celebration of that, my husband and daughter are sleeping in a tent in the backyard tonight. Of course, it's 8:15pm here and the sun is still at about 30 degrees from the horizon, so it won't be dark anytime soon. Hopefully she'll actually fall asleep. I'll try to update you all on this tomorrow!

For this week's Beate sketch, I made 2 cards! The first one is a little outside my comfort zone color wise. I really thought these little felt flowers I picked up at my local tea shop of all places would work great with the sketch, and they do. I enjoyed making the card...and I even did some doodling on the scallop punched circle. I'm still a little uncomfortable making anything that isn't a Christmas card with Glorious Green though. I also managed to use a retiring set, so maybe it will also qualify for one of this week's SCS challenges too...I'll have to check!

This second card is more earthy... which isn't exactly my color palette, but I like it! However, I think I should have made the tag for the sentiment a little smaller...it looks a little off to me over there. I haven't used my very punny set much yet, and I thought this little frog would be perfect for this smaller format card. This one is 4" square, whereas the 1st is 5.5" square. I think my favorite part of this card though is the little brads on the 1/2" circles. Aren't they adorable??

For both color combos I used the wheel. For the first card, I decided I wanted to use colors from the flowers, and for the second I had a spare piece of Old Olive on my desk leftover from yesterday's card (no, I don't clean up my workspace as I go, much to the chagrin of my friend and upline Rachel!!) so I picked colors that would go with that. Definitely didn't do anything scientific for these 2!

Hope you enjoy!!

TFL!
-Jana

How U Doin'?

German Phrase of the Day: Er sieht sehr gut aus! = He is very good-looking! I often use this phrase to describe my husband. :-)

So, How YOU doin'? Now, say that again using the same inflection as Joey from Friends. Now do you get it? I love imitating that phrase of Joey's to my husband...I just think it's funny. The other thing that is funny is my Dusseldorfer Flirt-Deckel. When hubby and I went out on the town and collected all those coaster's for Julie's gift, one of the coasters we picked up was called a Flirt-Deckel. What is a flirt-deckel you ask? It's a way to give your "deets" to someone you are interested in! I thought this was brilliant marketing on the part of some brewery ad guy! There are 4 lines to fill in with headings like "Ich hoere auf den Namen:" which means I am known by the name: and "Meine Freunde moegen an mir, dass..." which means "my friends like of me that..." etc.

Since this card showcases Beachabella flirting with Surfafella I just couldn't resist telling you about my fun find. Now of course I will never use this coaster in anything besides a scrapbook page detailing our fun night out (well...not fully detailing...wouldn't want Julia to get the wrong idea about her folks some day, right?! ;-)

Ok, on to the card. I again used this week's sketch challenge (sorry ladies!) but I did at least switch from my PTI sets to Bellas - just for Linda! I used more of my Pallet o' Prints paper (anyone else counting down the days to July 1 and the new catty?!?) and watercolor wonder crayons for the coloring. Nice quick and easy card since I had to actually clean this morning and couldn't spend all my time stamping! Oh well...guess it's gotta get done.

Supplies: (all supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: Beachabella, Surfafella from Stampingbella, rough edge alpha from SU!
CS: Confetti White, Old Olive, Lovely Lilac, Pallet o' prints DP
Ink: Jet Black Stazon, Old Olive, Lovely Lilac
Acc: Sponge, aquapainter, WWC, cutter tool kit, Word window punch

TFL!
-Jana