Wedding Card

German Phrase of the Day: Er ist nicht sehr witzig. = He is not very funny. This is what I often say of my husband...he has a strange sense of humor that not everyone can appreciate. Fortunately for him, his daughter thinks he is hilarious, so he always has someone to laugh at his ridiculous antics. Thanks everyone for your sweet comments about Julia's card...she LOVED hearing them!

Here is the wedding card I made for Julia's kindergarten teacher to match her gift (I'll show that tomorrow.) I used the same layout and sentiment from this card, just changed the colors and embellishment. I'm quite happy with how this turned out...may have to keep this layout on hand for MORE cards! :-)

A quick post today since I'm exhausted and am going to take a nap now if Julia will cooperate! :-)

Supplies: (all supplies from SU! unless noted)
Stamps: Full of Life
CS: Taken With Teal, Certainly Celery, Whisper White, Porcelain Prints DSP
Ink: Taken With Teal, Certainly Celery
Acc: pretties kit, glue dots

TFL!

Groovy Banana Chips Fairytale

German Phrase of the Day: Das ist gesund. = That's healthy. Julia always asks now if some food she's chosen to eat is healthy. We're trying to make sure she understands that it's best to make healthy food choices, and if you do that regularly, you can treat yourself with something special once in a while. I guess it's working!

I checked the color challenge this morning, and even though Carole was hosting for Emily, and she's the one who picks colors like Orchid Opulance - it was actually a very lovely combination! I had a sketch on my desk from LAST week's sketch challenge (that I never got to) and thought it might work well. Then, I just had to find the right stamp.

I really loved this set from the SU! Occasions mini, but haven't had much opportunity to use it. This sentiment works perfectly for this sketch, and allowed me to do a very elegant card. I'm quite pleased with the end result, and now my only problem is who to give it to??? It's too girly for my husband (although I was thinking of him when I chose the phrase) so perhaps it will make a good anniversary card for someone.

Have a wonderful day!

Supplies: (all supplies from SU! unless noted)
Stamps: Full of Life, Floral background
CS: Chocolate Chip, Groovy Guava, Barely Banana, Very Vanilla
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Groovy Guava
Acc: cuttlebug embossing folder, pretties kit, glue dots

TFL!

Mojolicious Pretty Peek color challenge

German Phrase of the Day: Das ist privat. = That's private. Now...when has that ever stopped me from sharing something?? However, today, I do have some news. I had a doctor's appointment, and we got a piece of information we didn't have yet, but which EVERYONE keeps asking. Wanna know??? Come to the Stamping in Your Jammies party tonight and find out! ;-) 8pm EDT...be there, or, well, you know the saying.

Today I managed to combine my prettie peek with the color challenge over on SCS, AND Julee's Mojo Monday #44! Wow...I was busy. Actually, I only had a little time so needed to try and be quick so I thought if I had a sketch, and my colors I could be. Hah!

I cut little Sophia out this time, and watercolored her with my ink pads and aquapainter thinking that would be faster than my prismas. It is. And don't you just love the little doggy water dish with the swirly straw?? How cute is that?! I bet Maisy would love a green and pink polka dot water dish. Might have to look for one for her when we get back to the states.

I still don't have a working photo corner punch (my own fault for never calling SU! about it!) so I have to improvise and use other square punches to make them. These turned out a little skinny...but considering how little spare room I had available that was probably a good thing!

Ok, gotta run. But I'll chat with ya tonight, right??

Supplies: (all supplies from SU! unless noted)
Stamps: Soakin Up the Sun by Paper Pretties ,
CS: Wild Wasabi, Stamper's Select White, purely pomegranate, certainly celery
Ink: Brilliance black, certainly celery, wild wasabi, purely pom, pretty in pink , blush blossom, close to coca, soft sky
Acc: sponge, aquapainter, purely pom double-stitched ribbon, circle punches, square punches, neutrals watercolor crayons

TFL!

I actually did a challenge this week!

German Phrase of the Day: Warum arbeitest du nicht? = Why are you not working? My response to this is often "I am working...I'm stamping!" But my husband doesn't count stamping as work, so it usually doesn't work. Oh well!

I finally got to the SCS sketch challenge from this week. I really loved this sketch, and had some different ideas in my head so was happy to finally get one out on paper!

I started with my Bunny Slippers Sophia. Don't forget you only have until 11:59pm on Monday, June 30th to sign up for the Stamp of the Month Club and get this little cutie before she's released to the general public in August! And be sure to tell Christie that Jana sent you when you sign up. Anyway...I stamped her on Stamper's Select White, then paper pieced her robe with this wonderful DCWV patterned paper. I colored the rest of her with my SU! markers, and she was good to go.

Next, I used my 1 1/4" square punch to punch the patterned paper, and my 1 3/8" square punch to punch the pink layers underneath. Then, I made my card layers, Pink, white and blue. After fussing around to line up all the squares perfectly, I wanted to add some ribbons, so I punched a horizontal slot and tied 3 ribbons in. Then, I decided that the sentiment from Look Out World with Cooper would be perfect to go with this little sleepy-head, so I added that on with a jump ring. I edged the little tag (corners rounded with a corner rounder punch to look like a long oval) in my cameo coral ink pad to help it stand out against the white better.

It's been a fun day stamping today. My husband and daughter have headed north to the Vogel Park (bird park) near Hanover, so I have a weekend of peace and quiet. Of course, I'm supposed to be cleaning and packing ...but stamping is so much more fun, right?!?

Have a wonderful weekend everyone, and I"ll be back tomorrow with a Prettie Peek for you!

Supplies: (all supplies from SU! unless noted)
Stamps: Bunny Slippers and Look Out World by Paper Pretties
CS: DCWV patterned paper and solid textured cardstocks, Stamper's Select White
Ink: Brilliance black, Cameo Coral
Acc: SU! markers, grosgrain ribbon, horizontal slot punch, square punches, corner rounder

TFL!

What's Up Doc?

A quick post before hopping on a plane (with a sick husband at that!! :-( ) Here' s a little Honey Bunny card I made for yesterday's sketch challenge!! Enjoy, and have a wonderful Easter Weekend everyone!! I'll be back on Monday or Tuesday (depends how tired I am when we get home Monday night!)
Supplies: (all supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: 3-Step Honey Bunny by Kitchen Sink Stamps
Ink: close to cocoa, chocolate chip, certainly celery, old olive
CS: Stamper's Select White, Kraft, two scoops
Acc: celery grosgrain, prismacolor pencil for the sky with OMS and blending stumps

TFL!

Krafty Orchid Shadows?

German Phrase of the Day: Wir moechten heute wandern gehen. = We would like to go hiking today. I feel like I've been hiking - since Phil had a meeting in Belgium I've had to walk 4 round trips to kindergarten today! PHEW!!

Today's color challenge was Krafty Orchid Shadows? I think it's more likely Carole's been smoking the sage with some Opulance in there!!! Ugh...if ever there was a color combo NOT made for me, I think this is it! But, that's what makes it a challenge, right??

In between booking a week's worth of hotels in Spain and cleaning my bathrooms, I managed to squeeze 30 minutes in to get a card completed. WOOHOO!! Since I just got my new Kitchen Sink 3-Step Honey Bunny (Julie's been enabling again!), I figured this was as good a time as any to try them out!

I started with the daisy. This Gerbera Daisy is what convinced me to break down and buy this set. I love bunnies, don't get me wrong, but in California I had the BEST Gerbera Daisies....they just kept getting bigger and bigger every year. I really miss the wonderful garden's we had there, and know that when we move back (which it's looking like we will be back in California) whatever house we find to rent is just not going to compare to the one we sold. Oh well. Back to the card!

I stamped the first layer by first stamping off with Orchid Opulence twice. Then for the second layer, I only stamped off once...and then I stamped the 3rd layer full strength. Finally, I did the 4th layer with Elegant Eggplant stamped off once. I didn't do a great job lining things up (remember, I was working against the clock here) but I think it still looks great. Next, I stamped the greeting for the stem (they show an adorable sample of this on the back of the packaging, so I wasn't being original at all!!) Then, I stamped in the grass. Again, I stamped the first layer off once (Sage Shadow ink) then the 2nd layer full strength, then the third layer with Handsome Hunter. This has got to be one of the coolest looking grass stamps I have ever seen! I actually did it three times across the bottom so it would fill the whole width.

When I was done stamping my focal piece, I then stamped the Kraft layer with my linen background and creamy caramel ink, sponged the edges a bit, then slapped it on my orchid opulence base card. I slid some lavender organdy ribbon underneath the kraft layer, and pulled both sides up through a slit punched in my focal layer to tie a bow. And, Ich wurde beendet! (I was finished!)

Hope you all are having a wonderful Tuesday. I'll be back tomorrow for Prettie Wednesday, then I"ll be silent for a few days while we're in Venice! But I promise to share pictures when we get back!! :-)

Supplies: (all supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: 3-Step Honey Bunny by Kitchen Sink Stamps, linen background stamp
Ink: Creamy Caramel, chocolate chip, orchid opulence, sage shadow, handsome hunter, elegant eggplant
CS: Stamper's Select White, Kraft, Orchid Opulence
Acc: lavender narrow organdy ribbon

TFL!

Double Challenge with New GinaK Stamps!!! :-)

Hooray! Deutsche Post must have heard about all my whining and finally came through! The funny thing was I got a flat envelope from the regular mail deliver with the new Free with Three set, Spring Bloom and one of Melanie's sets which somehow got shipped separately just before lunch. So, while lunch was cooking I sat at the table and quickly cut them out. Then, while we were all eating lunch, the DHL man knocked on our window (our doorbell ist kaput!) and he had a BOX from Gina (which was mailed 2 days before the flat envelope mind you!). I was over the moon with excitement, but had NO time to mount all those sets too (the other 3!) First, I had to book our flight and hotel for Rome (that's in early April) Then, I stole 30 minutes to run upstairs and crank out a quick card. The flowers I got in the cool round tin along with these awesome brads matched this week's color challenge perfectly (I think Emily must have planned that! ;-) And, you get them FREE with any purchase of $100 or more! Cool, huh?) So, with colors and sketch in hand, I got to work!

I still have a few more pre cut ovals from my mom's nestabilities, so I pulled one out to stamp the tulip on. Then I quickly colored it with my aquapainter and ink pads (purely Pomegranate and Old Olive) and mounted the white oval onto the pomegranate scalloped oval. Next, I ran some white cs through with my swiss dot cuttlebug folder (LOVE that one!) and cut it up to then mount on more Purely Pomegranate. I mounted these onto a 4 1/8 by 5 3/8 piece of Basic Gray cardstock which was stamped with my greeting. For the greeting, they are all separate words, but because they are unmounted, I was able to line them up on my block and stamp them all at once. Makes it SOOO much easier!! Can you imagine lining all those up if they were wood mounted? You'd have to use the SAMJ, and I'm just to lazy to use it THAT much! I also attached the flower with the brad, and then adhered this layer to the black card base. It ended up taking about 45 minutes, but 20+ minutes of that was playing with different layers and things, and helping Julia with her various projects. Then we had to run out the door to a play date.

So...it's been a busy day. Good news is I got the rest of my sets cut out while at the play date, so tomorrow morning I"ll be ready to go! (Thought I'd stamp tonight, but we've been busy planning the rest of our spring and summer travel. I truly will be prepared for a career as a travel agent by the time we move back to the US - anyone know of any openings?? :-) )

Supplies: (all supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: Spring Blooms by GinaK Designs, Lovely as a Tree
Ink: Purely Pomegranate, Palette Noir, Old Olive
CS: Stamper's Select White, Basic Gray, Basic Black, Purely Pomegranate
Acc: aquapainter, swiss dot cuttlebug folder, paper flowers and brads from GinaK

TFL!

SC165 cards

German Phrase of the Day: Nein, ich habe Angst vor den Wellen. = No, I'm afraid of the waves. I love the german word Angst. It means fear...not angst as we think of it. But...just like kaput, it's a great example of how close the two languages can be at times (and yet, how far apart they truly are in meaning!)

Here are 2 cards I made yesterday morning for the sketch challenge. I really loves this Baskets of Happiness stamp set from GinaK's last release. It's just so beautiful, and fun to color!! And I LOVE Easter, so what better way to combine two loves?

I've been playing more with my new set of 48 Prismacolor Pencils I got from the Pretties Boutique, and I am starting to get the hang of it. I love how easily the colors blend together. I'm not quite at a professional level yet, but I'll keep working it so that I can be as comfortable with those as I am with my aquapainter and WWC. That's my goal at least.

I colored the image first with whatever colors I felt like, then I went about designing the card around that. I thought the Soft Sky would llook nice, but wanted to add a little extra touch of color, so I punched a pink scalloped oval. Since I don't have the companion oval template for my Coluzzle, the oval I can cut really is too small...so I made a mat for it with my now retired SU! layer tool (remember, the little round things you put your pencil in and then trace with? Love that thing!!) I also like that the basket handle goes a little beyond the coluzzled oval...adds some extra interest.

Finally...for the greeting I knew I wanted to use another of these fabulous plastic Bling and Dazzle tags. They are just so much fun to color and stamp on! I sponged a little soft sky ink onto the tag, then stamped Thanks from Tag You're It using my Palette Noir ink. I let it dry a bit, then attached it just under my bow with glue dots. Cute, no? Oh...and the oval WOULD have been a bit more to the left (kinda centered) but at the very end I managed to get my finger dirty on my Palette Noir bad (NEVER leave those open on your desk!!) and touched the polka dotted layer. OH NO! So...I hid my little smudge. :-)

The second card was loads of fun to make too. I'm just loving this Pun Fun set, and for this card I used some cute papers from the Prettie Boutique. I really love this Bo Bunny paper!! And I think the colors go great with the watercolored Hippo. Oh...for her frame...I actually had that piece sitting on my desk. I had punched a scalloped circle, then it was too big so I coluzzled a circle out of the center...leaving me this great piece to use elsewhere. Perfect! Isn't she just the cutest little thing? Could be a good birthday card for a little girl I think.

Hope you all are having a great day. I'm off to play with my Hoppy set some more...and maybe I'll finally get a few St. Patty's Day cards made!! :-)

Supplies: (all supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: Baskets of Happiness and Tag You're It by GinaK, Pun Fun
CS: Soft Sky, Basic Black, Pretty in Pink, Stamper's Select White, Soft Sky Prints DSP, Bo Bunny striped paper, pink and green from Bazzill
Ink: Palette Noir, Soft Sky
Acc: sponge, aquapainter, WWC, Bling & Dazzle Plastic Tags, ribbon, scallop punches, coluzzle

TFL!
-Jana

More CPS#53 along with a Technique Lovers Challenge

Hi everyone...here's another card for today. It's using today's Technique Lover's Challenge to mix up 2 or more designer papers along with that wonderful sketch from CPS #53 again!

For this card I used the Jersey Shore dsp from SU!. I really love those bright colors...and I thought these two patterns were perfect to go with the little rocket from Pun Fun. My good buddy Joanne stamped me some of these images to play with because I had seen her adorable cards and needed some of my own! Anyway...I colored the rocket with an aquapainter and watercolor wonder crayons first, then cut it out with my coluzzle. I then cut a slightly larger circle out of Pumpkin Pie to layer it on. For the card I started with a standard size Brilliant Blue card and layered on a piece of the striped dsp with lightly sponged edges. Next, I cut the long strip curvy on one side with my CM Curvy Cutter. I then layered that on some more Brilliant Blue, also cut with the curvy cutter. I love that thing but don't use it nearly enough!

After I assembled those layers, I added some sparkle with my Spica clear glitter pen to the stars and the rocket since it needed a little something. Then...I attached my focal piece with dimensionals. It was really a super quick and easy card...I love those!

On the close up you can see some that shimmer...those Spica pens are so perfect for adding just a little shimmer and shine quickly to a card.

Hope you all are having a wonderful day...we're off the the spielplatz jetz (playground now) :-)

Supplies: (all supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: Pun Fun
CS: Watercolor paper, Jersey Shore DSP, Brilliant Blue, Pumpkin Pie
Ink: Palette Noir, brilliant blue
Acc: sponge, coluzzle, CM curvy cutter, Spica clear glitter pen

TFL!
-Jana

Prettie Wednesday!

It's another Prettie Wednesday...and I managed to finish cleaning the house. Of course, I couldn't let her take any photos in my craft room (it's a TOTAL disaster right now!) or in my daughter's room (same condition) but the rest of the house looks pretty darn good. Just don't go looking in any closets or cupboards!!! LOL!!

So...since we didn't get a Prettie Girl challenge last week during CHA, I created a card using this weeks sketch challenge over on SCS. I got the idea for this card from something my mother said (or perhaps it was Julia) while in Florida. It made me think, yeah...Wade IS the perfect Ringmaster!! (Maybe for a flea circus!)

Now, you might recognize the main image from a card back here. I have to admit...yes, he is recycled! But...that's only because I can't find my Wade ANYWHERE! I'm afraid I left him at my mom's house. Have you seen him mom???

I stamped the lions from the MFT set It's a Jungle Out There, and colored them in with my watercolor crayons and aquapainter. The dsp is SU! Chabon brayered with Real Red ink. Once I gave up on finding Wade the card came together VERY quickly since I already had the main image done!

Hope you all have a wonderful day!

Supplies: (all supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: Wade E. Bug from Paper Pretties , It's A Jumgle Out There from MFT
CS: Watercolor, Real Red, Basic black, Chabon DSP, stamper's select white
Ink: Palette Noir, real red
Acc: aquapainter, WWC, ribbon, rhinestones, giga scalloped square punch, brads, ticket corner punch, brayer

TFL!
-Jana

CC154 Is Looking Perky!

German Phrase of the Day: Ja, aber nur bis morgen. = Yes, but only till tomorrow. This is the first time I've seen the word but spelled out in German. It is pronounced Abah, since they don't do the er sound over here...you know...think like a Mainer and you'll get it right!

Ok...I'm still LOVING this set. Did you all go check it out in the Prettie Boutique last night? All these different phrases are SOO much fun!!

When I saw the color challenge this morning I almost backed down. I really don't like Orchid Opulence. It is my most disliked SU! color of all times. But, Emily made it look so pretty, how could I resist? And I have to admit, although I would NEVER in my wildest dreams team up these colors, it really works!! I watercolored my images first using just those three colors, then went about putting the card together. I like this little row of different mugs...it's such a cute border to use! And this coffee pot? Did you all see the one Charmaine did with the face?? I have to admit when I first saw this coffee pot I thought of Mrs. Pott's from Disney's Beauty and the Beast - and Charlie beat me to making her!!

So, once I had all my pieces cut and layed out, I decided I needed to something fun with the ribbons, so I went through all my ribbons and picked out all the scraps in coordinating colors to tie on here. I like that little extra that it adds...even if it does cover up part of the sentiment.

Hope you all are having a wonderful day today. I'll be back soon with another card from GinaK!

Supplies: (all supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: Look Who's Perky from Paper Pretties
CS: Stamper's Select White, orchid opulence, certainly celery, pumpkin pie
Ink: Palette Noir
Acc: aquapainter, WWC, lots o ribbon!

TFL!
-Jana

The Mitten

German Phrase of the Day: Ich habe drei Enkel. = I have three grandchildren. Ok...so obviously I don't have 3 grandchildren...but my mom does! And actually, my MIL will have 3 soon too. I hope it will be a VERY long time before I have any grandchildren!! So Enkel is grandchild, do you wanna know what grandparent is? Grosseltern, which literally means large parent.

Before I start babbling on about my card, have you all read about the Cutie Pie contest over at Paper Pretties? If not...you should!! You could be our next Cutie Pie and win all of the stamps for our next release at the end of the month!! How cool would that be?? Pretty dang cool I'm thinkin'!

I have another card using the mitten stamp from Snowflake Kisses today...but I added a little color. I had a complaint about too much blue recently (I love you mom!) and so just for her, I added some red to this card. For the layout, I CASE'd this card of MyVeronica's - she was the featured stamper yesterday and I just loved looking through her gallery. The hatpin card is so simple and elegant...perfect! Of course, I didn't end up using a hatpin...but I think it still counts as a CASE! :-)

I started by stamping the mittens onto Stamper's Select White cardstock and coloring them with the WW crayons. I don't usually color with the real red crayon when I want something to actually look red - that crayon makes things look more pink. Instead, I use Ruby Red and I think it turns out much better. I colored the snowflake on the mitten using the tempting turquoise crayon lightly to match Cool Caribbean. I added the liquid appliqué to the cuffs and puffed it up, then put the snowflake brad from the Paper Pretties Boutique in the top before mounting the piece onto a layer of Real Red.

I had some snowflake cuddled Cool Caribbean cardstock from when mom was here with her folders last April, and I swiped my white craft pad across it to highlight the snowflakes a little more. I layered this on some more Stampers Select White, then Basic Black. Next, I tied my red polka dot May Arts ribbon around these 3 layers before mounting them onto the White A2 size card. I mounted my central image using pop dots, stamped my greeting with Real Red ink and I was done. The card was actually quite quick to do, and I think turned out quite elegant as well - although looking at it now I think I would add a layer of black under the cool Caribbean. What do you all think?

Supplies:
Stamps: Snowflake Kisses by Paper Pretties
CS: Stamper's Select White from Papertrey Ink, Cool Caribbean, Real Red, Basic Black
Ink: Palette Noir, White Craft, real red
Acc: Silver brad, liquid applique, red polka dot May Arts ribbon, aquapainter, WWC, snowflurries cuttlebug folder

TFL!
-Jana

GinaK release party Sketch Challenge X2

German Phrase of the Day: Er ist sehr hoeflich. = He is very polite. I suppose I could say Sie ist sehr hoeflich (SHE is very polite) but I'm not sure I'd find anyone in my family to match that phrase either! Oh well! ;-)

I did NOT stay up for the release party this weekend. I decided 2am to 5am was a little more than I could handle. Although...with the excitement coming up THIS friday night, I'll probably have to stay up. But...my lips are sealed! ;-)

Even though I didn't stay up for the party, I still managed to get a couple of cards done for the sketch challenges. The first sketch was posted by Carolyn King, who designed that adorable new set Dr. Feelgood. For my card, I used the Make a Wish set and the Punchy Words set. I stamped the cake on my confetti white card (where I had already trimmed 1.25 inches off the front) and colored it with ink pads and my aquapainter. I colored the tray with my G01 copic marker (I only have 4 Copics so far...but I do like the ones I have!) Next, I punched out the 1/2" circles from Blue Bayou cardstock, and adhered them down the side (I actually started in the center so it would be even at each end...I know...I'm a little anal!) Then I added the Soft Sky ribbon.

Now was the hard part. I had to ink up my punchy words stamp with Blue Bayou, then remove the ink from the outer ring, and then add purely pomegranate using just the corner of my ink pad. I really wish we could get markers in the In Colors, ya know?! Anyway, after stamping that and punching it, I mounted it on a purely pomegranate circle, then adhered that with a dimensional. Lastly, I added the stickles and let it dry overnight. Gotta have some sparkle for your birthday, right?! And the stickles give it such a wonderful 3D look.











For the second card, I decided to use the stars from Make A Wish first, then built the card from there. Erika did the sketch for this one, and I LOVED her samples, but didn't have any GinaK sets with small images that would work as well...so I decided a panel filled with stars would be fun. I played with a few different designer papers, and decided on my stella ruby paper that my friend Stephanie (Hi Steph...are you gonna start blogging again?!) sent to me. I like it because it looks a bit like a night sky...perfect for stars, right?

I stamped the first set of stars full on, with the lines going off the edge of the paper. Then, I just inked part of the stamp for each successive stamp using a marker so I would only have one "shooting" star. For the greeting, I used Old Olive, and put Old Olive brads on either side. I sponged all the layers as assembling - and even sponged a little extra So Saffron on top of the stars - then added the little bit of ribbon to set them off a little more. I wasn't so sure about this card at first, but now I'm very happy with it! :-)

Supplies: (all supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: Make a Wish and Punchy Words by GinaK Designs
CS: So Saffron, Old Olive, Whisper White, Blue Bayou, Confetti White, Stella Ruby from Basic Gray
Ink: Palette Noir, So Saffron, Old Olive, Blue Bayou, Soft Sky, Purely Pomegranate
Acc: sponge, aquapainter, dimensionals, double stitched soft sky ribbon, gold organdy ribbon, gold cord, stickles, circle punches

TFL!

Final Bella challenge card...

German Phrase of the Day: Immer mit der Ruhe. = Calm Down. Or literally, Always with the calm. I like the literal translation...it works! This is a good phrase for this time of year. Everyone is hustling about, trying to be sure to get the present they think will make that person on their list happy. I actually have almost all of my shopping done already, but I have to say I was really impressed when I read this post of Erika's about her family traditions for Christmas. I have such admiration for that - and only wish I had thought if it myself! I think next year when we're back in the states we'll try to do something like that with Julia - at least the providing Christmas presents for another child/family part. I think she's too attached to getting presents herself at this point to stop.

This is the last card I completed for the Bella challenges last weekend. This was a sketch challenge provided by Jamie, and she also required us to use our first Bella. I suppose this technically isn't my first bella, but it is the first Bella I purchased! I just love cosmobella and want to be her. She is so perky and cute...it's almost disgusting! ;-)

She is stamped with Palette Noir ink on watercolor paper, and colored in with aquapainter and Watercolor Crayons. After coloring her, I added some Crystal Effects to her glass, and some sparkle to her flipflops. I distressed the edges, then layered her on some Certainly Celery with distressed edges.

The card base is Chocolate Chip, and I used some more of my old spring mini paper that I still have stashed away. I love the colors of this paper, and thought the stripes would go well with this layout. I used some wide celery grosgrain, and stamped the Cheers sentiment onto some scrap paper and then punched it out with my word window punch.

When I first saw the sketch I was really ensure of it, but after getting this together, I've decided it works! Definitely different for me to put the image flush to a corner like this...but I like it! That's one of the things I love about doing these challenges, it forces me out of my own box and expands my thinking.

Thanks for visiting today!

Supplies: (all supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: Cosmobella StampingBella,
CS: Watercolor paper, Chocolate Chip, Blush Blossom, Certainly Celery, retired SU! DSP
Ink: Palette Noir, chocolate chip
Acc: sponge, aquapainter, Rhinestone stickers, word window punch, spica glitter pen, WWC, wide celery grosgrain, paper distresser

TFL!
-Jana

Tacky Snowbunnybella

German Phrase of the Day: Du hast ein schoenes Laecheln. = You have a nice smile. Laecheln is pronounced LAYKH-ehln. For some reason, this is a very hard word for me to remember. Perhaps now I finally will after having typed it! ;-)

And hopefully this card will make you all smile. It was for Shannan Steuben's Bella challenge to use EVERYTHING on your card and go overboard - glitter, ribbon, embossing, embellishments...anything and everything!

Bella herself is much as yesterdays, except I gave her pink tights today to keep her a little warmer. I also used Bashful Blue and Night of Navy to match the cardstock. Her corners are clipped and she's mounted on some Night of Navy CS, then I put some rhinestone stickers in the corners.

The card base is Stamper's Select White from PaperTrey Ink. I love that this cardstock has some good weight to it, so it doesn't feel flimsy! Then, I layer of Night of Navy, and then a layer of Bashful Blue which was cuddled with the snowflake folder, swiped with White Craft ink, and embossed with iridescent ice EP. That layer just sparkles like mad!

I used Navy grosgrain, white organdy, and some silver cord for ribbon around the middle, and then I punched the Got Snow? greeting using the word window punch (it just barely fit!) and used rhinestones for the "o"'s.

The sparkle does send her a little over the top...but I like it!!

Supplies: (all supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: Snowbunnybella StampingBella, Got Snow? by GinaK Designs
CS: Watercolor paper, Stamper's Select White from PTI, Night of Navy, Bashful Blue
Ink: Palette Noir, , Night of Navy, Bashful Blue, Blush Blossom, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose
Acc: sponge, aquapainter, Rhinestone stickers, navy grosgrain, silver cord, white organdy, ticket corner punch, word window punch, liquid applique, dazzling diamonds glitter, spica glitter pen

TFL!
-Jana

Snowbunnybella for Gina

German Phrase of the Day: Hast du schlechte Laune? = Are you in a bad mood? Actually, I'm in a better mood today. However, I have to clean...so it won't last long! ;-) However, I spent most of yesterday stamping some special projects..so I guess it's my turn to do some work!

Here's another of my Bella challenge cards from the other night. This card is my favorite of the 4 I made. It was for Gina's sketch challenge...which was an awesome sketch! I knew I wanted to use Snowbunnybella, and my snowflake paper, so I built the card from there.

I stamped the main image in Palette Noir ink onto watercolor paper, and then colored her in with an aquapainter and my soft sky and blue bayou ink pads, along with blush blossom and summer sun. I added a little redness to her cheeks and nose (it's COLD, right?) with some pretty in pink. After getting her all colored in, I applied some liquid applique to all her fur trim. Then, before heating it, I added some sparkle with a little Dazzling Diamonds glitter. Gives her a little extra glam! I then clipped the corners with my SU! ticket corner punch (not retiring thank goodness!!) and layered on some soft sky, which had also been clipped, then finally onto the blue bayou where I added the silver brads.

The base card is Blue Bayou, with a layer of Soft Sky on top, both sponged of course. To make the diagonal piece, I cut a strip of designer paper a little longer than the diagonal of the card and layered it onto some blue bayou (both sponged). Next, I attached this to my card on the diagonal, then I just trimmed the overhang. I figured this was easier than anything else I could have tried!!

Once that was done, I popped Bella up on some dimensionals, then I added the Making Memories snowflakes on a pop-up glue dot, and I stamped the greeting from my GinaK Designs set Got Snow below the snowflake. I love my bellas!! :-)

Supplies: (all supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: Snowbunnybella StampingBella, Got Snow? by GinaK Designs
CS: Watercolor paper, Soft Sky, Blue Bayou, Wintergreen DSP
Ink: Palette Noir, Soft Sky, Blue Bayou, Blush Blossom, Pretty in Pink, Summer Sun
Acc: sponge, aquapainter, silver brads, MM snowflake and rhinestone brad, dimensionals, pop up glue dot

TFL!
-Jana

Bella de Ball Challenges...

German Phrase of the Day: Deine Wohnung ist sehr gemuetlich. = Your appartment is very cozy. Gemuetlich (actually spelled with a u with an oolot as opposed to ue) is pronounced: GAY-mewt-lihkh according to my calendar. Julia just asked me to read the phrase to her, and she new exactly what it said. She just amazes me!!!

Over the weekend I managed to make 4 new Bella cards for the Bella Ball challenges over on SCS. Last night before going to bed, I uploaded them all...and when I got up this morning I discovered they weren't coming up when clicking on the keyword search. I finally figured out that somehow in the last 2 weeks my Fan Club subscription had lapsed (Didn't they used to send us an email about that?) and so since it was a Sunday they had to be approved by a moderator. Therefore...I didn't get into the contests. Oh well...I still had fun making the cards. And hopefully, you all will enjoy them!

This first is one of my favorites. The challenge was to make a card using a non-bella StampingBella image. Since I recently ordered a few, this was an easy one. I really loved this topiary stamp when I saw it...I've always had a thing for topiaries. I decided I wanted to have three, so it was going to have to be a tall (or in this case, LONG) card. I flipped through my designer papers, and settled on this pattern from Porcelain Prints. I had actually just got this for free when I got my replacement pack of paper for the Holiday Harmony typo. I LOVE these colors together.

The card base is Not Quite Navy, sponged with the same ink. Then, I added the DSP (sponged of course) and the strip of Certainly Celery. Next, I worked on the topiaries. THey are stamped with Palette Noir ink onto watercolor paper, then colored with an aquapainter and reinkers. I used Cameo Coral to color in the flowers, and some certainly celery to create some green around/among the flowers. For the bow I used Not Quite Navy, and for the pots, I used my Encore Gold pad. I wasn't sure I could watercolor with that ink, but it turned out looking quite cool, with a nice little shimmer to them. I used creamy caramel with a touch of chocolate chip for the dirt in the pots.

I lightly sponged some celery onto the watercolor paper, then attached them each to a celery mat, and then a cameo coral mat. Initially, I didn't think I could fit any ribbon on to this card (what, no ribbon? Perish the thought!!) and so I did the paper piercing in the corners to add some interest. Then, I realized I could put the ribbon on top of the celery strip and it might look kinda cool...so I did. I like how you can see the green strip through the sheer organdy.

I'll have to use one of my Papertrey Ink stamps for a greeting on the inside...something from the garden set I think. Ok...I'll post more as the week progresses....and if I have some time I'll try to post one more later on today.

Supplies: (all supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: Bella's Topiary StampingBella
CS: Watercolor paper, Not Quite Navy, Certainly Celery, Porcelain Prints DSP
Ink: Palette Noir, celery, creamy caramel, chocolate chip, cameo coral, Not Quite Navy, encore gold
Acc: crafter's toolkit, sponge, aquapainter, may arts ribbon

TFL!
-Jana

Think pink inspired!

German Phrase of the Day: Ich bin ein wenignervoes. = I am a little bit nervous. This works for me. I've been obsessed with getting on a design team lately - am I the only one not on one? And right now, I'm working on some projects for a DT call, plus I did my card yesterday for the My Favorite Things Guest designer spot. Well...last night at about 10:30 I came up with an idea for another...and it just HAD to be made.

I finished this card around midnight, then had to shoot it, TRY to color correct it, and then upload to SCS so it would be there for the 8:30pm EST deadline. The colors came out crappy, and now that I have the charger back for my good camera (thank you Nancy!!) I can reshoot today. And guess what?? I can even see the sun today!! Amazing I know. I haven't seen this much sun in Deutschland since I don't know when!! I'll upload better photos when I have them! ETA: OK, new photo is on top, last night's is below to show the vast improvement! What a difference natural light makes, huh??

The colors I used are actually Pretty in Pink and Purely Pomegranate. Hard to tell I know! The images are from Kim's Think Pink set which was created to promote awareness of (and fund research for) breast cancer. My MIL was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly after my husband and I got engaged, and we were happy to have had such a long engagement (18 months) since by the time of our wedding she was finished with treatments and doing great.

Ok, back to the card. Main images is stamped with Palette Noir ink (I'm loving this stuff!) onto watercolor paper, then colored with my aquapainter and WWC. I gave the ladies a bit of a turquoise "glow" for the background because I didn't like the starkness of all that white. I also added a bit of sparkle to their matching pink ribbons with my spica glitter pen from Ellen's store. The pretty in pink layer underneath them was stamped with linen and then sponged around the edges before stamping Think Pink in Purely Pomegranate. I mounted this on some sponged Purely Pomegranate and voila, my ATC is done!

For the card I started with a pomegranate base (sponged of course) then did a layer of white to break of the pinkness of it all. For the Pretty in Pink piece, I decided to create my own designer paper, so I stamped the ribbon from the set to make a design. I have my large cutting mat on top of my stamping table, and I used the lines on that to line up the ribbons. Super easy to do when using clear stamps!! Next, I stamped linen over the top, and then sponged all the edges. I was happy with the soft effect it ended up having.

Now, the fun part. What inspired the whole thing was I wanted to use some satin ribbon, organdy ribbon, and a hat pin from my pretties kit. So, I tied on the satin ribbon, adding the organdy and silver cord for the second part of the knot. Sliding the hat pin in got a little tricky since the point wasn't perfect...but I eventually got it through with minimal cursing (had to be quiet since everyone was asleep!!) Then the final step was to attach the ATC over the ribbon with some dimensionals. Voila...another ATC turned into a card, and it's VERY pink! :-)

And just to update you on our lovely weather here...in the time it took me to write up this entry (and charge up my camera battery) it went from sunny to schieslich (ugly) and then...while uploading and editing photos...THIS happened!!I guess this means hail season has started again. Gotta love a German December! At least I have Christmas markets to attend...which are of course outside...in this weather...hmmmmmm. Guess I'll have another Gluehwein! ;-)

Supplies: (all supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: Think Pink by My Favorite Things
CS: watercolor paper, whisper white, pretty in pink, purely pomegranate
Ink: Palette Noir, purely pomegranate, pretty in pink
Acc: silver cord, white organdy ribbon, purely pomegranate satin ribbon, spica glitter pen, pretties kit, sponge, dimensionals

TFL!
-Jana

BFF!

German Phrase of the Day: Vergiss mich nicht! = Don't forget me! I promise Ill try to post as often as possible...and I'll try not to just leave you hanging like I did when I was in California!! :-)

Here's the card I made yesterday morning super quick. I had gotten the cardstock out earlier in the week because I wanted to make a card for the color challenge but never had time. Finally, I decided to make the time.

I love this saying in the Garden Whimsy set, because it really is so true. It seems like best friends just KNOW when somethings wrong, and often what it is. I've been lucky in my life to have many such friends...even inside my own family! :-)

I started by stamping polka dot on the purely pomegranate card, and then sponging those edges. Next, I but a piece of Kraft cardstock, stamped the Aida cloth background on it with close to cocoa, and then sponged that. I love that background stamp, it really makes the card just pop with texture...see this close up shot? Doesn't it look almost 3D??

Finally, I cut my focal piece, stamped the images, and cut the mat for it from kraft, which I then lightly sponged. I tied my pomegranate double stitched ribbon around the card, then attached the focal piece with dimensionals. Super fast, easy card!!

Ok...I'm heading to the airport. Think happy thoughts for me...and wish me luck with Julia's jetlag - it's got to be better than our last trip to California was...at least it's only 6 hours this time instead of 9!!!

Supplies: (all supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: Garden Whimsy, Polka Dot, Aida Cloth
CS: Whisper white, purely pomegranate, kraft
Ink: purely pomegranate, close to cocoa
Acc: purely pomegranate double-stitched ribbon, sponge, dimensionals

TFL!
-Jana

By the Seashore double challenge card

German Phrase of the Day: Kann ich mir dein Auto ausleihen? = Can I borrow your car? Since we have only one car over here, we are often checking each other's schedules before making plans to go anywhere so we know who will have the car. So far, we haven't had any problems surviving with just one...but I have to say the worst is when it's raining and I have to walk Julia to kindergarten because he has taken the car to go swim. I guess a little rain never hurt, right?

So, here is my double challenge card, for Sketch Challenge 149 and Color Challenge 139. I'm not a huge fan of this color combo (Ruby Red, Wild Wasabi, & Soft Sky) but I was happy to discover that my Fall Flowers paper pretty much went with those colors...I really like this spotted background.

I was having issues with my stazon pad...I did buy some reinker...guess I should use it now, huh? My images didn't stamp as crisply as I like...but I went with it anyway. The hat has sortof a sketched look! I really love this new set from MFT, and am so glad to have it now. I did color the dog in as a yellow lab even though my sweet doggie is black. I just can't find my neutrals WWC right now - they are buried under the mess on my desk somewhere!

I used a few ink pads on this one for the soft sky and blue bayou (her jeans) and wild Wasabi for her flipflops, but otherwise, I used my watercolor wonder crayons. I used watercolor paper for all my stamped images, allowing me to really enjoy the process of coloring everything in. You can use other papers for watercoloring...but this works SOO much better!!

I think my favorite part is the seagull on the pilings. I mean, didn't he turn out just perfect? He looks so cute sitting up there, and I'm quite happy with the shading on the posts.

Last night I had a few minutes and decided to try out one of the paper bows that were recently posted up on Splitcoast Stampers. They are super easy and quick to make. I think I'll have to decorate all of my packages with these this year!! If you haven't tried to make them yet I strongly encourage you to...they really are VERY easy!

Have a great day everyone!

Supplies: (all supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: By the Seashore by MFT
CS: watercolor paper, soft sky, wild wasabi, ruby red, fall flowers dsp
Ink: black stazon, basic black, creamy caramel, chocolate chip, soft sky, wild wasabi
Acc: WWC, aquapainter, sponge

TFL!
-Jana