I'm still alive...

...and kicking! Sorry for the long, unscheduled hiatus everyone. Life decided I needed a summer vacation from blogging...and I think it was good for me. I can't promise to be very consistent over the next 2 months while trying to get Jackson ready to start preschool, start a new business, and train a new puppy (what were we thinking?!?) but I'll try to get here at least once or twice a week!

Here's Jack with our newest addition, Coconut!

Some quick news, and then a few cards from before my summer stamping break.

Julia (my lovely dd) is now on a Design Team!! I'm so proud of her, and all her work. She is creating projects for the new La-La Land for Kids blog! She just posted the team's first contest yesterday, so be sure to check it out. And if you have crafty kids, we'd love it if they played along!!

Marci is celebrating her first birthday over at La-La Land Crafts this month, which means a ton of specials and a great contest with a great prize!!Be sure to go check them all out! And...we've got a birthday blog hop coming up too! :-)

Here are a few things I made for end of year thank you's at school and my dh's bday card. All stamps used for these are from My Favorite Things. Enjoy!

MFTWSC15 - Playing Soccer

When I saw the new ball sport Pure Innocence stamp set for this last release I was ecstatic!! With a soccer player myself (who wants to try out Basketball too!) this set is perfect for me!!

Such a wonderful sketch this week too! I love all that open space to play in! Not too many layers - a sketch custom made for me. Kim must have remembered it was my birthday this week! :-) I used a few Die-namics here...grass, clouds and sun to be exact, and some great 3Bugs in a Rug paper I picked up at Memories Live On.

Happy tax day everyone, I'm off to Florida for a week, but I'll have a few posts here while I'm gone, so be sure to come check them out!

MFTWSC14...Let's Chat!

 

 I really love this new set and die, and was happy to finally get to play with it a little more. I wanted to play with this fun parisian paper that I picked up at my LSS (Memories Live On) a while back. And I thought it would be fun to use this set with this week's sketch!

I finished off the inside with another sentiment from this fabulous set. A fun card to send to a friend you haven't talked with in a long time!

MFT is lookin' Shabby!

So when I saw the MFT Guest DT contest for this month was Shabby Chic. Now, I'm not really one for shabby chic, but I though I would try and play along. I definately got the shabby part, just not so sure about the chic!!

I had started coloring this Fred the Bear image on Friday night, and so I thought I'd stick with him. Then, I pulled out an old pair of jeans I had been saving to use for cards and ran them through my Cuttlebug with my rolled rose and mini rolled rose die-namics. I used this week's sketch for my layout, and distressed all the edges with my scissors (I can't find my distressing tool...it's somewhere on my desk but I have no idea where with the giant piles I currently have!)

I added a little of the new MFT Baker's twine, and took a happy birthday sentiment from another Pure Innocence set I had on my desk and voila...a shabby (chic?) card!

MFT Catch up...

I haven't posted several of my recent MFT weekly sketch cards, so I'll try to get them all up here eventually!! For today i thought I'd show the most recent one I made for MFTWSC12 using the a la mode Go Team set.

Last soccer season the team mom we had was fabulous (this season hasn't really gotten going yet, but I'm sure this season's will be wonderful too!) but Kristen was such an amazing cheerleader for the girls...I loved having her at the games! So this card is for her!

Notice my attempt at making a shadow on the grass for her?? Have a great day everyone!!

MFTWSC10 - Something's Fishy...

This week's MFT sketch was another great one, and I was so happy to finally ink up my Something's Fishy a la Mode stamp. since I've been fishing with my dad since I was 5 years old, I LOVE the girls fishing stamps!! (remember this old Bella??)

I paired her up with some DeLovely papers...I just love this yellow, pink and green combo...who'd a thunk it? Of course I had to do a little paper piecing, for her top. The rest is all colored with my copics. and don't you just love this saying?? I think when combined with the "Something's fishy" sentiment it's the perfect card for that woman you suspect is pregnant (or probably best if it's confirmed!) LOL!!

And for the inside? I used the AMAZING new doily die (can't remember the name, and of course it's out of stock so I can't even look it up! Dizzy Doily?? Oh, and we do have it over at MLO if you're wanting it!!) I just love that new die...and am busy working it into a card for my April card class.

Speaking of card classes...did you notice my new Page up there? I know have a page dedicated to my classes where I'll post the photos of the projects, along with the dates of upcoming classes for quick and easy reference! :-)

Final sample for MLO class NEXT Saturday

I wanted to share the 3rd and final card for my upcoming paper piecing and die cutting class at Memories Live On next Saturday, March 19th from 1-3pm (call the store at 408-446-9901 to sign up, I think there are still a couple spots left!)

This is the more masculine card for this month, and I just LOVED this new flopsy bunny out for a sail. Perfect for Father's Day, birthdays, or just because you care. Paired up with the great new Die-Namic waves you've got an adorable card for your favorite guy.

I used my copic airbrush system to create the sky background, and then pieced all the different layers up from there. I hand stitched the sentiment flag onto the central piece in keeping with the nautical theme.

Of course, I also finished off the inside as well. This fabulous 3 bugs paper has some fun banners that reminded me a little of sailing. Have a great day everyone...I've got to get bus now designing for NEXT month's class using the adorable new Easter stamps from MFT...LOVE them!!

I'm not just certifiable...

I'm Certified!! Yup, I took the Copic certification class with Jennie Black out in Sacramento yesterday. I got to carpool with the wonderful Eva, and met lots of uber talented ladies at what my husband termed the "muggle marker" class. (since I said they are NOT magic markers, he decided they must be muggles then!)

I learned some great techniques, and am now totally craving the air compressor for my airbrush system, as well as about 100 more markers (I currently have 112 - I counted!) Guess I better start saving some dough.

Arlene of Butterfly Kisses sat with Eva and I, and she was joined by two more friends, so it was like a big ole party. Fun times for sure. I actually got a little coloring done during some of the time Jennie was talking (seriously, she TOLD us to color then!!) and finally colored up one of my sweet little PI's in black and white. You all know I love this technique for my La-La Land stamps, but hadn't yet tried it with my MFT cuties. I used W00, 1, 3, 5, 7 and a touch of 9. What do you think??

I paired her with this fabulous Circa 1934 paper from Cosmo Cricket and this past week's MFT Weekly Stamp Club sketch. Can you see the little pop of red on her hearts?? That's with a spica pen - LOVE those!!

Hope you all have a great day, and be sure to come back tomorrow as I've got something planned! :-)

Another March class sample

Hey everyone, sorry for the long MIA. My husband has been home all week, and you'd THINK that would give ME more free time, but NOOOO, not with my husband. He just managed to find tons of home projects to keep me busy and away from my stamp room! I haven't done ANYTHING since my SFYTT card. :-(

But, on a happy note, I do have another card for my upcoming card class at Memories Live On to share with you, and I hope you'll love it! The class is on Saturday, March 19th from 1-3 in the afternoon here in Cupertino, you can call the store at (408) 446-9901 to sign up. I used 2 different new Pure Innocence stamp sets, along with some great May Arts ribbon (will be in the store soon!) and some flower soft! And of course, some NEW Die-Namics (also coming to the store SOON!)

I colored my little PI and her birdie with my copic markers and then paper pieced her dress. I colored the tree in as well, then added a little flowersoft for some blooms in the tree. I used the grass die-namic as well as the flower trio and leaf trio to accent the front.

For my inside, I used the layered label die along with some more dp to finish off the card. I hope to see you at my class! I'm heading to Sacramento tomorrow for my Copic Certification class...I can't wait!!!

Squeeking in with a Feb. SFYTT

Last night while working on my Guest DT card I also squeezed in a card for the February Sketch for you to try. I Loved this sketch, and am so glad I finally got a card done with it. I used my previously uninked inspired by Butterflies set from MFT, and I wanted to stick with the blue of a Blue Morpho for my card.

I stamped the butterfly on vellum, then colored it from the back with a copic marker. I used some old SU! designer papers to go with the Pacific Point cardstock. Thanks for the great sketch Jen!!

Thanks for stopping by...I'll be back with more soon!

MFT Guest DT contest card...

This month's Guest DT contest for MFT was to create some DIMENSION using DIE-NAMICS. Now, I may not have ALL of them yet, but I certainly have more than a fair share of these dies, and I LOVE them!! So this was no hardship! And I got a chance to play with my Pixie-Licious paper which I love!

I started out with in idea to make a St. Patty's Day card (since I love that Irish holiday for giving me the excuse to make Corned Beef and Cabbage every year!) I used the Hearts a Plenty Die to create this adorable felt shamrock - isn't it sweet??

I colored up this cute little PI from last month's release to be holding the shamrock, and placed her on the layered labels dies. Notice I managed to use this week's sketch also?? I'm sneaky that way! Oh...and I love these little teeny tiny pearls from SU! for all my buttons lately - perfect size for her!

 Of course I finished off the inside as well (although without any dimension) with more Layered Labels.

March class sneak peek!

I've been busy designing cards for my March class at Memories Live On with the newest MFT stamps, and I hope you'll love them as much as I do!! I'm using a few of the new 3 Bugs in a Rug lines of designer paper for all 3 cards next month, and I just LOVE this new paper - such wonderful colors! Makes me feel like spring, even if it is raining!

This first card uses the MFTWSC7 sketch. This is another fabulous sketch...and so much fun with the new little Butterfly Kisses PI combined with the butterfly die-namic. Adorable, no??

For the Paper Piecing Challenge in the Moxie Fab World (and just because I love to paper piece!) I used some vellum cardstock to piece her wings, and then added some fabulous Martha Stewart purple sapphire glitter to glam them up a bit. Her leotard is pieced with the 3 bugs paper from the background. I'm really liking the purple and green combo here....might have to do that again! And did you check out those gorgeous green rhinestones? They are by Memory Box...and they are gorgeous!!! And with all these dies it's perfect for the Crazy 4 Challenges challenge this week to use dies. :-)

I finished off the inside with the reverse side of the purple paper along with the simply scallops dienamic. have a wonderful President's Day everyone...and I'll be back with more soon! If you want to sign up for the class, call Memories Live On at (408) 446-9901.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Here's my card for this week's MFT sketch. I had a lot of fun putting this card together with my new stamps, the fun Champagne sipping a la Mode and the fabulous new Twisted Sentiments four. I have all but one of these sets, and I love them all! Anyone know where I can get the 2nd one??

The sketch this week was certainly a challenge...and I did take a few liberties with the overall sketch, but stayed fairly true to the original I think! The paper is from Pink Paislee - isn't it gorgeous??

I used some SU! rhinestones for my little accents...and of course colored her in with my copics. I was going for the Katherine Hepburn look with the auburn hair. Loving my new E08 and E09 markers!!

As usual, I finished off the inside too with one of the sentiments from the A La Mode set. So much fun! Have a wonderful day everyone!

Class at MLO TOMORROW!! Final card

Here's the third card for tomorrow's class at Memories Live On here in Cupertino. If you're in the area, I'd love to see you there! call the store at (408) 446-9901 to sign up, I think there are a couple of spots still open!

I used some more October Afternoon papers, this time from the Farm Fresh collection. I just love gingham of any kind, so it was perfect for paper piecing this little cutie's dress!

I also used the fabulous Rolled Roses Die-Namic with some lush red felt, some great lace, and the notebook edge die. Wow...lots of extras on this one!

Hope you're enjoying your weekend, and I hope to see you tomorrow!

Another February Class Card

I'm back with the 2nd of 3 cards for my February class (THIS Sunday, 2/13 from 2-4:30pm at Memories Live On, call them at (408) 446-9901 to register!) and I absolutely love it.

I used some more October Afternoon paper (I actually used October Afternoon for all 3 cards, and I think I'll use 3 Bugs in a Rug for all my March cards - have you SEEN how cute the new stuff is???) and this time I used a Jolinne stamp from MFT. She's so adorable, and in staying with the cupcake theme of this month, I just had to use her! I paper pieced her dress as well as the cupcake paper, and then used the AWESOME new Rosette Die (we're hoping to have some in stock for the class, but if not they'll be here very soon!!)

And isn't that brown lace awesome?? It's from May Arts, and I just LOVE it!! And the pearls for sprinkles on the cupcake? Those are Memory Box...perfect too!!

I used the Faux Crochet Trim Die-Namic on the inside to finish off the card along with some more DP and one of the sentiments in this set. Come back tomorrow for the 3rd and final card for this Sunday's class. I hope to see you there!!

MFT WSC5

Happy Sunday everyone. We've got another gorgeous California day here today. I could get used to this weather again...but I know soon enough it will start raining and get chilly again. At least it isn't snow!!

I got a chance to play along with the MFT stamp club challenge, and this week's sketch was fabulous!! I finally got my new little Ladybug PI inky too - which was loads of fun! Isn't she adorable? I think the perfect Valentine for my Julia bug!

I actually mixed patterened papers...I have some Cosmo Cricket Garden variety along with the houndstooth from Pink Paislee's Bayberry Cottage.  I can't wait to paper piece with that one, it's such a nice small pattern! I colored her in wtih my copic markers, and then used a silver spica pen for her wings. I sponged the edges of her oval layer with some creamy caramel ink. The little I Love You sentiment is from another PI set, I just can't remember which!

I finished off the inside with a sentiment from the ladybug set along with some more dp...I know my little bug will love it!! I'll be back tomorrow with another sample for my February class...don't forget to sign up if you're in the area!

February class at MLO

I've got samples to share for my upcoming February class at Memories Live On in Cupertino, CA. If you're in the area, I would LOVE to see you there!! You can call the store at (408) 446-9901 to register, but call quickly as the class is filling up fast! This month we're still paper piecing, but we've got 3 different Cupcake images from My Favorite Things to play with (some of which are currently out of stock at MLO, but don't worry they'll be back in before the class!)

For the first card I kept things fairly simply, and went more neutral. Flopsy is a fun, cute bunny who gets up to all kinds of mischief, and in this set he's got a yummy cupcake for someone's special day. This card is versatile, and even though it has a few flowers on it I think most boys would like it too. The papers are from October Afternoon, and along with the MFT grass Die-Namic, Nestabilities Label 14 die, a circle punch and some silver brads the card comes together pretty quickly.

As always, I've finished off the inside as well. I hope you've enjoyed this. I'll show the other two cards over the coming week...or you can always stop by the store to sign up for the class and see the cards in person!

Peek A Boo times 2!

Ok...I got a card made for the MFT Guest DT contest as well...and I'm quite happy with it! What do you think?

I made it for this week's sketch, and was pretty happy with it. Then I realized, hey...this has 2 colors of cs, one patterned paper, and 2 embellishments...I could add another embelly and it would work for the Guest DT challenge as well. Then I thought, I'll remake it...and step it up a little. This is where I started!

I added some paper piercing and stitching, for the image itself I added grass for her to stand on, and made the sky a little more splotchy (LOVE my new copic air brush system - thanks honey!!!) to simulate some clouds. I also added some blades of grass with my pencils. Her flower was colored with spica glitter pens to add some sparkle, and I made the shadows on her skin a little more intense so you can really see them.

My three embellishments are ribbon, buttons, and linen thread. I'm quite happy with the "upgrades" this card got, and I hope you enjoy it as well! Oh..and the inside is pretty cute too - I'm thinking I should send it to my niece, but will also have to make something for my nephew then...hmmmm!