LONG Post, with some Blog Bon-Bons!!!

German Phrase of the Day: Komm, lass uns tanzen. = Come, let us dance. Julia LOVES to dance. One of her favorite dancing songs is Rock Lobster by the B52's, so when my husband was surfing around looking at recent kids movies and came across THIS, well, we knew Julia would love it. Now to wait for it to show up here in Deutschland! In the meantime, she's watched the Rock Monster video several times!

I was a busy little stamper this morning. I got 5 cards made! One of them I can't share yet - it's for this week's Prettie Girls Wednesday challenge. This week, Christie challenged us to make a card with light yellow, light blue, and apricot. I'll share that card with you in 2 weeks on Jan. 30th - gotta give it time to get to it's destination first! But, if you'd like to play along, please come back and link your card here. Then, on Tuesday, Jan. 29th I'll draw a name from all of you who played along, and the winner will get a brand new NOT YET RELEASED clear art stamp set from Paper Pretties! I'll have Christie mail it directly to you! So...get creating and let me see your prettie challenge cards!

Ok...so on to the cards for today. First up, is the card from the December Paper Pretties MFT box. I made this one according to the wonderful directions Christie includes. She really makes it easy to get these cards done! I watercolored my chocolates from the Be Mine set using Chocolate Chip and Close to Cocoa, then I added a little shading to the white chocolate ones with Sahara Sand. Then, I added a little icing to the top with my white gel pen and chocolate chip marker. For the scalloping I used my corner rounder instead of scalloped scissors because...well...I like it better. Otherwise, I followed the directions to the letter.

For the second card, I used the same supplies, but I followed this week's MFT sketch challenge. I thought these supplies would make a wonderful card for that sketch, and I was right! I really love this designer paper!! For the chocolates, this time I added some diamond glaze to make them shiny. I wanted to do each chocolate individually, but it was coming out too fast. I may try again on another card!

Then the third card is the same supplies again, following Christie's directions again, except I used Sophia instead of the chocolates. Isn't she just too cute? And doesn't she look fabulous with this paper?? I so {heart} Sophia! She's almost as cute as my own little devil - er - angel! I watercolored her with my aquapainter and WWC (as usual lately!) and then flocked the teddy bear - but I was careful not to get too much flocking this time! In addition to piercing each bump of the scalloped circle, I also then added some white with my white gel pen. Looks like I have little tiny eyelets in each one, doesn't it? I think it looks cool! I finished it off with a sentiment from the MFT BE Mine set. I thought it worked perfectly with sweet Sophia and her teddy bear.

Then, the last card. Since I had all these supplies out already, I thought I'd keep going. And, they worked PERFECTLY for this week's sketch challenge over on SCS. So, the 4th card was created very quickly! I already had a stamped Sophia on some watercolor paper, so I just had to color her in, layer her on some basic black cardstock, mount her on the green cardstock, and assemble. Having all the supplies ready (and mostly cut) makes card making very fast and easy! That's one thing I LOVE about these Paper Pretty boxes!

Supplies: (all supplies from Paper Pretties unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: Be Mine by My Favorite Things
CS: Bazzill Pink, and green textured cs, Prism red cardstock, designer printed paper, ultrasmooth white cs, basic black cs, watercolor paper
Ink: Palette Noir
Acc: white polka dot organdy ribbon, heart paperfasteners, aquapainter, WWC, white gel pen, paper piercer, corner rounder

TFL!
-Jana

Need a Cuddle?

German Phrase of the Day: Wir hatten eine shone Zeit! = We had a nice time! So, who all came to the Prettie Party last night? Raise your hands! I had SUCH a great time. I'm a little tired this morning though, considering I was up partying from 2am until 6:30am! I know...I'm insane!! But, how could I miss the first Prettie Party?? Have you checked out the new stamps yet? No? What are you waiting for?!? We even had some celebrities at the party last night. Kim, The MFT Lady, and Emily, Queen Bella herself both popped in to say hi and offer their congrats to Christie on her gorgeous new stamps! Is this not the most awesome industry eveh?? I mean, how many competing companies do you know where the owners are all friends and truly supportive of one another?? You can tell it's a female dominated industry!!! I'm just so happy to be a part of this wonderful community of smart, talented, creative women - even if it is just as a happy consumer! :-)

For today's card I used the new Cuddle Me stamp set. Isn't Sophia just adorable? I really love the way her legs are crossed. My daughter often puts her boots on the wrong feet still - and someone once showed her that if she crossed her feet they would look right - so she does that all the time now!

For this card I used a SUPER simple layout! I scalloped the edge of my Basic Gray Lily Kate paper using my corner rounder, sponged all the edges with Ballet Blue ink, then layered that on a Ballet Blue standard A2 card. I stamped Sophia with Palette Noir ink onto Confetti White paper, then colored her in using an Aquapainter and my Watercolor Wonder Crayons. Next, using my Sakura Quickie glue pen, I put glue all over Sophia's teddy bear, then I added some Fun Flock! Oh my gosh is this stuff ever fun! Look at the close up photo and you can see the teddy bear is all fuzzy. Isn't that adorable?!? After Sophia was colored and flocked, I just layered her on some So Saffron, popped her on the card with some pop dots, stamped the sentiment from the set on the bottom and added some ribbon. All ready to send to some lucky person!

Supplies: (all supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: Cuddle Me from Paper Pretties
CS: Ballet Blue, So Saffron, Confetti White, Lily Kate by Basic Gray
Ink: Palette Noir, Ballet Blue
Acc: sponge, aquapainter, WWC, corner rounder punch, bashful blue grosgrain, white polka dot organdy ribbon from May Arts

TFL!
-Jana

Cruising with Basic Gray

German Phrase of the Day: Du kannst mir vertrauen. = You can trust me. Doesn't that sounds like a used car salesman? Perfect for cruisabella!

I wanted to make a card for Jen Del Muro's Sketch for You to Try. (WARNING: When you go visit this blog entry, you WILL want to look at all the other American Art stamps that she links to - I assume NO responsibility whatsoever for your wallet! I already lost mine!!) And anytime I see a sketch with a tall skinny image who comes to mind, but Bella!

My good friend Stephanie in Canada (Hi Steph!!) sent me the 6 by 6 pack of Stella Ruby paper from Basic Gray while I was in the states last(THANK YOU!) and I knew I wanted to use that. I flipped through and thought the stripes would go well with the car...give it some movement! I took the colors from the paper - chocolate chip, ruby red, groovy guava, and some So saffron and celery highlights. Then, I watercolored her, layered her, and attached her over the wide chocolate grosgrain ribbon.

Lastly, I had to think about how to add an embellishment. I didn't want a flower, then I remembered my build a brads that I hadn't used yet. I pulled them down, then found a sentiment I could punch to fit inside - this one is from SU!'s Circle of Friendship and says Hip Hip Hooray! That is what my dh would say if I were ever able to afford to buy him this car! ;-) And if I looked as cute as Bella does. LOL!!

This Bella is makeup free. Lately I've been "tarting" them up (as my friend Lisa would say!) but this one is just out for a pleasure drive and enjoying the wind in her hair and doesn't give a hoot how she looks! (Of course she's gorgeous though...she's Bella!)

Anyway, hope you've enjoyed today's card and rambling! More coming soon!!

Supplies: (all supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: Cruisabella by StampingBella, Circle of Friendship
CS: Confetti White, Ruby Red, Chocolate Chip, Basic Gray Stella Ruby
Ink: Stazon black, Chocolate Chip, groovy guava
Acc: sponge, aquapainter, WWC, wide chocolate grosgrain, 1/2" circle punch, build a brad antique brass

TFL!
-Jana

Pretty Primas

German Phrase of the Day: Einen Kaffee, bitte! = One coffee please. I've actually given up coffee...again! I tend to get quickly addicted to caffeine, and when I first moved here and realized it's next to impossible to FIND decent decaf coffee, I switched back to caffeinated. But...after many migraines, I decided it was better to just drink tea. So now I'm totally addicted to Rooibus tea. That stuff is awesome! And..this way I don't have my daily sugar/cream intake, so I've cut back on fat and calories at the same time. Woohoo! ;-)

I have a list a mile long of things to get done before leaving for the US. I just returned from London yesterday (Thank you Karin, it was sooooo much fun!!!) and have barely unpacked, but I already need to start getting ready for our trip back "home." I've brought the BIG suitcases up from downstairs (the ones which ONLY get used for trips to the States!) and need to begin gathering all the gifts I'm taking, as well as get a few things done here like make birthday party invites for Julia's party we're having 2 days after getting home (Yes, I am insane!) and make a name frame for a friend to give as a new baby gift. And as Julia says, we only have 5 more sleeps 'til we leave. So what did I do? I made a card for you all!

In my defense, I only had about 30 minutes until my dh came home with the car so I could go pick up the dog at the kennel...which really wasn't enough time to finish anything else. This card literally took 10 minutes to create - and that includes opening up the mini paint can my new primas are in without a screwdriver, and selecting a paper that would go well with them.

It's a super simple layout using my Basic Grey Perhaps paper and some Purely Pomegranate cs, but it's lovely just the same, right?? And it really showcases these incredibly gorgeous new Primas I got, right?! So it HAD to be simple!! And look...not even any stamping! Of course, when I decide who to send it to I'll stamp a greeting inside.

Ok...gotta finish cleaning out the cupboard and taking stock. Tomorrow I have to shop and get enough food so my husband doesn't starve during the week he's home without me. Poor guy. He'll have 3 whole days of being home all alone with no child to look after, no work (he gets a holiday while we're gone) and no wife to nag at him. Can I sign up for that?!?

Supplies: (all supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: NONE
CS: Purely Pomegranate, Whisper White, Basic Grey Perhaps
Ink: Purely Pomegranate
Acc: Double Stitched Purely Pomegranate ribbon, ticket corner punch, primas, rhinestone brad, sponge

TFL!
-Jana

Technique Lover's Challenge

German Phrase of the Day: Die Unterhaltung war sehr interessant. = The conversation was very interesting. Unterhaltung is pronounced "oohn-tehr-HAHL-toong" - quite a mouthful, huh??

Last night I decided I had to make one of these fabulous 2,5,7,10 boxes like everyone else. They really are quite quick and easy, just like their sisters the 2-4-6-8 boxes...but I like the shape much better. I've never been one for squares.

For the box I decided to use some of my GORGEOUS new glitter paper that I purchased at Stempel Mekka. This piece came from a package of K&Company Christmas Glitter paper. Isn't it just gorgeous?!? It's super glittery in person, the photo just doesn't capture the beauty of this paper. I'm loving the glitter lately!

My box came together fairly quickly, and so I went up this morning to finish it off, and realized that my Merry & Bright set was perfect with this paper, so I stamped Merry on some SU! Shimmery White CS with Pomegranate ink, then sponged the edges. I wanted to mound it on a scallop, but of course don't have the right shape and size, so I made it longer but squatter by cutting 2 scalloped squares together. GinaK did a great tutorial on how to do this on her blog sometime last spring I think. I didn't do a great job...but it's hard to see the lines in the photo at least! ;-)

Lastly, I added the double stitched Purely Pomegranate ribbon at the top. I'm quite pleased with how this turned out...now to fill it and find a recipient!

Supplies: (all supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: Merry & Bright
CS: Shimmery White, Purely Pomegranate, Glitter Paper from K& Company
Ink: Purely Pomegranate
Acc: Purely Pomegranate double stitched ribbon, Marvy square scallop punch, 1/8" circle punch, scalloped scissors.

TFL!
-Jana

Christmas Ornaments

German Phrase of the Day: Kochen macht Spass. = It's fun to cook. Kochen (pronounced KOH-khehn) is to cook, Kuchen (pronounced KUH-khenh) is cake. So, I could also say ich liebe kuchen kochen meaning I like to cook cake! :-)

Today's project was SOOO much fun to make. I really love the new chipboard from the Holiday mini catalog. For this ornament I used the On Board Trimmings. I punched out the star from the center, then covered the remaining circle with real red craft ink. I like how the ink gives the chipboard a suede look. Then, I adhered some Dashing designer paper to the back of my piece...with the stripes showing through the star. You could probably use this for July 4th too...stars and stripes forever, yeah? (or I guess I should say Ja?)

Anyway...that wasn't all. On the back side, I decided to attach the star I had removed. So, I again covered it with the real red craft ink...let that dry a little, then covered it with Versamark and embossed on a layer of iridescent ice ep. Then, I put on another layer of versamark and did two layers of Glassy Glaze to seal it in and make it nice and smooth. Isn't it purdy?? I really liked this paper...and I love that I can showcase both sides so easily. I think I'll make a whole series of these and string them up like a garland across the divider between my living and dining rooms. Strung along on white taffeta ribbon, it will look simply perfect!! Can't wait to get a whole pack of this stuff...I just got a few pieces from my wonderful friend Michelle (Thanks Michelle!!) in the mail so I could play with them before I get to California. This is one of the fun projects (minus the embossing) we'll have available at our World Card Making Day event on October 6th! If you live in or near the Bay Area of California and would like more information about the event just drop me an email and I'd be happy to give you the details!

Supplies: (all supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: none!
CS: On Board Trimmings, Dashing DSP
Ink: Real Red Craft ink, Versamark
Acc: White taffeta ribbon, iridescent ice ep, glassy glaze ep

TFL!
-Jana

What's black adn brown and dirty all over?

German Phrase of the Day: Du hast Recht, wie immer. = You are right, as always. This is a phrase my husband should be perfecting to say to me...don't you think?? ;-)

Today's card is NOT one of my favorites, but I haven't been stamping the last few days because I"m fighting some sort of virus, so it's all I got left! I do like that I used my Danke stamp...it just fit perfectly! This was for the Brown and Black stamping challenge of the Dare to Get Dirty week, and I knew this DP was just perfect. Problem was, Chocolate Chip didn't quite match the brown, so I couldn't use any Chocolate Chip cardstock. I think the black worked out ok though. Also, I realized after I finished that it was in fact a brown-eyed susan in reverse...oh well! Hopefully I'll get some new stuff created tomorow for you all.

And Danke to Beate - I won her sketch challenge last weekend!! :-) When I feel better I'll be doing the happy dance.

Supplies: (all supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: Pick a Petal
CS: Basic Black, Very Vanilla, summer sun, Basic Grey Perhaps or Phoebe
Ink: Chocolate chip, basic black, summer sun
Acc: black grosgrain, 1 3/8" circle punch

TFL!
-Jana

Don't bother me now...

German Phrase of the Day: Ich lese gerade ein Buch. = I am reading a book right now. So...go away! I mean really...I can't believe people are actually blog surfing today when the latest Harry Potter book just became available. Over 2 million Americans are getting their copy today from Amazon alone! So...what are you doing in front of your computer??

Ok, for those of you still here, this is a name sign I made for Julia last summer when visiting my wonderful friend and upline, Rachel before we moved over here to Germany. The new chipboard letters had just come out, and she was teaching us all how to cover them, stamp on them, and emboss them. Isn't this just adorable?? I really loved this paper, and the colors are perfect for my non-pink little girl. Well, she does like pink, but as she says, she likes ALL the colors. Oh...and have I told you her other recent saying? She told her daddy one day that the sun was shining like "100 glitter glues." She makes me so proud!

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this...now I'm off to buy my book!

TFL!
-Jana

Summertime sparkles

German Phrase of the Day: Jeder moechte heute dunn sein. = Everybody wants to be thin these days. Well...I guess that's true...but few want it enough to do the right things - myself included!!

Ever have one of those cards that just doesn't quite turn out how you had envisioned?? While blurfing this morning (I just love that word Allison!!) I came across a card that had rounded corners on the bottom...and I liked it. But it also inspired me to then add patterned paper that would peak through a little...so of course I had to cut the top flap a little shorter. So...that was how this all started.

I did the faux diamond technique on the white circle, because, I mean, who doesn't like sparkle?? And then, I added the rhinestone brads. I think that's where I went over the top...but overall I'm still ok with this card. I think I'd like it better if I had used Cool Caribbean for the cards instead of old olive, but that's ok.

My husband and daughter should be back soon...and I still have to prepare a post for tomorrow. You see...I'm not going to be stamping this weekend, because I have a date with a young man named Harry. I still don't know WHERE I'm getting my book from, but you can bet I'll be up and out of the house plenty early searching all the bookstores between here and Amsterdam if I have to to find a copy. Then, I'm going to just sit, and read! My husband already knows I'll be in a total book induced stupor, and that he shouldn't count on me for anything. I made a big pot of chili for lunch today, so we even have leftovers available!! :-) So...off to find something to photograph for all those non-Harry fans who will actually be looking at blogs tomorrow. You don't know what you're missing!!!

Supplies: (all supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: Polka Dots & Paisley
CS: Whisper White, Old Olive, Petals and Paisleys DSP
Ink: Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Old Olive
Acc: Coluzzle, corner rounder, rhinestone brads, iridescent ice ep, May arts ribbon, Marvy giga scalloped circle punch

TFL!
-Jana

Another card from Michelle

German Phrase of the Day: Kase isst man immer am Schluss. = You always eat the cheese at the end (of the meal). In our house, the cheese often is the meal, at least at dinner time. We follow the German custom of having our main meal for lunch (since dh is usually home and not on the phone then) and just have bread, meat, cheese and fruit for dinner. Oh...and Kase (supposed to have the 2 dots over the a) is pronounced KAY -zeh. Another of my favorites! :-)

I think I'll have to have Michelle be an official guest designer for my blog since she sends me so many beautiful cards! Here's another she sent as a thank you recently...and I can't even remember what it was for! (I could go back upstairs and get the card to read it, but that would take energy and I'm trying to get these all ready before we leave tomorow...and I still need to clean!!)

Anyhow, she used some of the little mini rhinestones I sent to her in her flower centers...aren't they cute?? And I really like the ribbon! This is actually one of Michelle's simpler designs, and I'm very proud of her!! Thanks as always Michelle!! Miss you!

TFL!
-Jana

ENORMOUS Silk flowers

German Phrase of the Day: Ich wurde so gerne im Suden leben. I would like so much to live in the South. Not that I've been north yet (altho by the time you all read this I"ll be in Berlin, so I can tell you about it when I get back!) but I definitely like the southern areas of Germany.

This card uses those beautiful silk flowers my friend Karin sent to me. I colored the largest using a sponge and my Purely Pomegranate ink pad. I would have preferred dying it with ink refill, but I forgot to buy those. Ooops! The middle flower I left white, and the smallest I sponged with Groovy Guava. Then, I used a pink rhinestone brad from the SU Fire collection for the center. Isn't it gawgeous?!?!

To give you some size perspective, the white card base is 6 by 12. That flower is HUGE!!! And this card came together so quickly...even coloring the flowers took next to no time. Hope you enjoy!!

Supplies: (all supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: Sincere Salutations
CS: Whisper White, Basic Black, Purely Pomegranate, Prints DSP in Celery
Ink: Basic Black, Purely Pomegranate, Groovy Guava
Acc: Ice circle rhinestone brads, May arts polka dot ribbon from a Jody share.

TFL!
-Jana

Thanks Karin!!

German Phrase of the Day: Die Melone duftet herrlich. = The smell of the melon is wonderful.

I got this adorable card from my friend (and former customer) Karin who lives in London now. I haven't been over to visit hr yet, but I'm hopeful I'll get to see her soon.

Anywho...she sent me this adorable Stamping Bella card, and enclosed some GORGEOUS silk flowers for me to play wtih (you'll see the results tomorow!) And the had the incredible idea of spritzing the flower using the Color Spritzer tool. How brilliant is she???

We're heading up to Berlin today...it was Julia's last day of Kindergarten before a 3-week break. I'm hopeful I'll survive and still get some time during these three weeks to blog for you all! If she hasn't run me completely out of energy. And this time, I do have posts already to go...so maybe I'll even get a blog baby-sitter to publish them for me if I can't.

Thanks...and I'll write more when I can!

-Jana

Quilt card

Normally, I try to only post one new card per day - especially when I'm going to be traveling and can't stamp for a while - but today I had to share this card I just finished! I followed a link from Allison's blog to this awesome tutorial for making a quilt card on Nancy's blog. I mean...with her instructions it was just so stinkin' easy! I used my Brocade Background paper to make the quilt, and of course the matching Baroque Motifs set for the center image.

Once I had the strips cut, and the adhesive on the under level it went pretty quick. After adhering all the strips, I decided to use my craft knife and a ruler to cut off the excess because I don't have the guillotine style cutter and I didn't think my trimmer would be a good idea. That worked perfectly. I wanted to add some ribbon or something, but decided that it really didn't add much. Perhaps some piercing around the vanilla layer on the Old Olive would look nice....but at this point I don't want to screw it up, KWIM ??

Supplies: (all supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: Baroque Motifs
CS: Old Olive, Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Brocade Background DSP
Ink: Old Olive, Groovy Guava, River Rock, Chocolate Chip marker
Acc: 1 1/4" square punch, Ice rhinenstone brad

TFL!
-Jana

New Catty Case wtih Zoofari

German Phrase of the Day: Das beste Obst bekommst du auf dem Markt. = You get the best fruit at the market. Yesterday we had veggies, today we have fruit. These were among my first German words...as I've said I do ok when it comes to food! ;-)

Last week there was a challenge on SCS to Case the New Catty. Well...my absolute favorite sample in the new book has to be the Boatloads of Love sample on page 53. I mean...the use of the designer paper is just wonderful, and the way they reused the punched out word window strip is just brilliant!

I hadn't used my new Zoofari set yet, and really wanted to get it a little dirty, so I pulled that out. And in looking over my DP, I decided that the Petals and Paisleys striped paper would work perfectly. I used my brand new aquapainter (I finally broke down and bought a new set...my old ones are getting a little frayed, and I promised Julia she could have them when I got new ones...she's been bugging me for them for at least 6 months!) with ink pads to color in my little animals there. I used some river rock to give them some ground. For the sentiment, I didn't have a happy birthday sentiment that fit really well in the space I had, and that I liked. So...I used a Happy Belated Sentiment from the "It's Your Birthday" set, and just stamped Happy first then Birthday, using my SAMJ to get the alignment just right. Oh yeah...and I used the balloon from Tutu Terrific...just decided they really needed a balloon, and that was the only one I could think of that I had. Maybe I should remedy that and get the Big Bold Birthday set from page 63...what do you all think??

I'm super happy with how this card turned out...now I just have to figure out who to send it to! :-)

Supplies: (all supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: Zoofari, It's Your Birthday, tutu terrific
CS: So Saffron, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White, Petals and Paisleys DSP
Ink: Old Olive, So Saffron, Tempting Turquoise, basic black, cool caribbean, river rock, regal rose
Acc: aquapainter, word window punch, corner rounder, crafter's tool kit, bb brads, dimensionals, stamp-a-ma-jig

TFL!
-Jana

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

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

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

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

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

Another SC card with PTI

German Phrase of the Day: Ich kenne ein schoenes Lokal. = I know a nice restaurant. Not that we eat out when home very often, but I just love the restaurant that is close to our home. We had a farewell dinner there with my sisters on Monday evening, and it was DEE-lish!!! Mmm-Mmm good!!!

As I said yesterday I loved that sketch and I just needed to make another card using Green Thumb (sorry Linda!) I really love this set...especially being able to bend the flower stems any which way I want!

I used the color wheel for my color combo (Regal Rose, So Saffron, Brocade Blue and Mellow Moss) and stamped some of my own DP as well as used the new Pallet o' Prints paper I recently got for the 2 strips. I added some tiny bling to the centers of my little blue starburst flowers, and I LOVE it!!

For the main panel I stamped everything, then decided I needed to pop up the watering can. What is it with my lately, I'm cutting images out!! I NEVER do that! Ah well...must be this gray weather getting to me again. So, I cut it all out with my scissors, but decided it would look better with the handle cut out completely, so I pulled out my SU! self healing mat and hobby blade and went to work. I'm happy with the result.

Supplies: (all supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: Green Thumbby PaperTreyInk
CS: Confetti White, Whisper White, Brocade Blue, So Saffron, Mellow Moss, Pallet o' prints DP
Ink: Brocade Blue, So Saffron, Mellow Moss, Regal Rose
Acc: Bling from Pippoos, sponge, dimensionals, hobby blade and self healing mat

TFL!
-Jana