Happy Birthday Emily!

Welcome to the Birthday Blog Skip, Hop & Dance sponsored by Stamping Bella! If you've just happened upon my blog, you can CLICK HERE to start from the beginning at Bloggabella.

I'm so excited to participate in my first blog hop! Especially in honor of one of the finest stamping ladies around, Emily, the creator/owner of Stampingbella. Emily is kind, generous and funny, such an inspiration to all of us stampers. If you want to find out more about her, check out her blog in the above link, be prepared to laugh, I told you she is funny.

Here is my card for Emily's birthday. I used Leaning Tower of Stella. I love all my Bella stamps, but my Stellas are some of my favorites, they just make me smile. Stella just has such sass about her! I used the Bella sketch challenge, BSC78, for the layout of this card. Fun sketch, I love the circle part!

Emily, hope your birthday is fabulous!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Now it's time to hop on over to Arlene's blog, Scuba, Scraps & Stamps. Have a great day!

How about a prize? In addition to the fabulous eye candy, we have decided to hide a prize somewhere along the hop! One pre-selected blogger will draw a random winner from the comments on her post, and the winner will receive a $40 Gift Voucher to Stamping Bella!!! The fun part is...we're not telling you who it is! So as you hop, make sure you leave comments on every post so you have a chance to win!! We will announce the winner on Monday in the Splitcoast forum. MWAH!

Card Recipe:

Stamps: Leaning Tower of Stella, by Stampingbella

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, copics, sakura glitter pen

Paper: PTI ssw, Basic Black, Sabrina patterned paper by Making Memories

Embellishments: Cotton Candy Stickles, crystal effects, ribbon slot punch, SU pink taffeta ribbon, adhesive rhinestone

Elegant Butterfly card

I made this card for the Verve June 2009 Release Week challenge. This is the third challenge. I love the simplicity of this sketch. This stamp is from "Beautiful You" from Verve. It is the first Verve stamp set I ever bought. It has the most amazing quotes, I just love it.

Today Finn and I are headed to visit my Nana Fran. She lives about 2 hours away, and hasn't met Finn yet. I'm excited to have them meet. She is 95 years old and he is 9 months. Looking forward to seeing them together and hoping to get some photos if he cooperates and sits still long enough.

Card Recipe:
Stamps: Verve, Beautiful You
Ink: Palette Noir
Paper: PTI Lemon Tart, Basic Black, Patterned paper from my scrap pile
Embellishments: Bazzil mini black brads, SU organdy ribbon, Martha Stewart butterfly punch, nestabilities, Amuse twinkle rhinestones

Welcome Baby

Made this card for the MoJo Monday card challenge, week 92. It is also the first sketch for the Verve June 2009 Release Week challenge. I needed a few new baby cards and thought this Verve stamp set, "Practically Perfect" fit the sketch perfectly.

Had a very quiet day here today. My in laws took the two older kiddos for a few days, so it was just Finn with me today. Seemed so easy with just one. We relaxed, hung out and played a lot. He's getting really fast with his crawling, and can get up one stair on his own. Time to get the baby gates out again!

Thanks so much for stopping by and looking. Hope you have a fabulous day!

Card Recipe:

Stamps: Verve, Practically Perfect

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers, Sakura Gel Pen

Paper: Certainly Celery, Regal Rose, PTI ssw, DCWV patterned paper

Embellishments: Kaiser pearls, nestabilities, dimensionals, SU grosgrain ribbon

Spiffy Riley

Here is a second card I made for the Hanna Stamps guest designer challenge. Riley is so cute in his tux. I was inspired by a memory of my prom. A big handsome football player wore a baby blue tux to prom. We all thought it was so funny! Everyone else was in black, so he really stood out. I figured it was time for a more elegant take on Riley, I usually do him in a cutesy style. I love the stamp set "Things Riley Would Say" too. So many appropriate Moosey sayings. You can find both the Wedding Moose stamp and the saying set at Hanna Stamps.

Thanks so much for stopping by today and looking!

We are in Delaware visiting my dad right now. We took the kids to the Camden aquarium today and had a great time. The Sponge Bob 4D show was awesome!


Card recipe:
Stamps: Hanna Stamps Wedding Moose, and Things Riley Would Say
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, copic markers
Paper: PTI ssw, Real Red, Bashful Blue, vellum
Embellishments: Stickles, adhesive rhinestones, nestabilities, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder, SU scalloped border punch, SU retired organdy ribbon, dimensionals

Hanna Stamps Guest Designer Challenge Entry

Hanna Stamps is having a contest to select some new guest designers for their team. You can find the information here. I love Hanna Stamps, I have quite a few Hannas and most of the Riley stamps. I figured I'd give it a try. What's the old saying, "You can't win it if you're not in it"? Or something like that, LOL. I had a blast making this card for the challenge. This set called Pin Up Hanna is so much fun to use. I'm calling this card "A View of Hanna's Room". Hard to tell from a photo, but in real life it is very dimensional. The room is popped up and looks like Hanna is inside. Thanks for looking!

On a personal note, today would have been my mother's birthday. She passed away unexpectedly and very suddenly 7 years ago. I miss her still every day. I just wish she had the chance to know my kids, she would have gotten such a kick out of them. She was a wonderful, loving and funny person. Thinking of you today and always, Mom.

Thanks for stopping by today. Hope your day is wonderful.

Card Recipe:

Stamps: Hanna Stamps Pin Up Hanna

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers

Paper: PTI ssw, Certainly Celery, Regal Rose, Appricot Appeal, DCWV Patterned Paper

Embellishments: adhesive pearls, nestabilities, dimensionals, sakura glitter pen, bridal flowers from Michaels

I made this card for last Friday's Verve challenge with a twist, VLVJUN03. It was this fun sketch, but the challenge was to use a lot of white space, yikes, I never use much white. I came up with this elegant thank you card.

I used the Verve stamp set Circular Sayings. I actually won that set as well as all of the Verve releases for the month of March, by doing all of February's challenges. They pick a winner each month out of all the people who complete all the challenges. It's a great and very generous prize you can win! They always have great challenges and you can't beat the chance to win a great prize!

My husband is on vacation this week and my oldest doesn't start summer camp until next week. We are planning to go to Delaware on Thursday and spend a few days with my dad. Hoping for nice weather so we can take the kids to the Philadelphia zoo and a Wilmington Blue Rocks game. Forecast doesn't look promising, may need a back up plan!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Card Recipe:

Stamps: Verve Circular Sayings

Ink: SU Pacific Point

Paper: PTI ssw, Gable Green, Pacific Point

Embellishments: SU scalloped border punch, nestabilities, dimensionals, Cuttlebug thank you embossing folder, grosgrain ribbon

Riley's Ready for a Swin

I made this card for one of the sketch challenges on Splitcoast Stampers. They are posted every Wednesday. A great way to try a new card layout. This one is SC232, check some of them out, they are fun to try. This Riley stamp, from Hanna Stamps was the perfect fit for this layout. I think he looks so cute and summery. It's difficult to tell in the photo, but his fins, goggles and inner tube are covered in crystal effects, so they look like plastic. Looks cute in real life! If you aren't familiar with Hanna Stamps, you should go and see what they have to offer. The Riley stamps are all moose, and I tell you they have a moose for every occasion. I have quite a few of them and think they make the most darling cards. I really like that they can be used for masculine cards, too. I sometimes have trouble doing manly cards.

Card Recipe:

Stamps: Riley from Hanna Stamps, sentiment from PTI

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, copic markers

Paper: SU Real Red, Yoyo Yellow, Wild Wasabi, DCWV patterned paper, PTI ssw

Embellishments: Red organdy ribbon, nestabilities, dimensionals, crystal effects, Cuttlebug divine swirls embossing folder

Chuck's Birthday

Yesterday was my husband's birthday. I got off easy, because he wanted ribs. We have a really great rib joint, Big Ed's, near by, so I didn't cook last night. We had take out ribs with all the fixings. For dessert I made carrot cake cupcakes, they were delish!

I made this card for him from the baby. I think this little stamp is so cute. It's called 'all bummed out baby', it's from Stampingbella. The older two kids loved the card, but it did cause some commotion last night. They were running around yelling "heiny" and laughing for about an hour. Welcome to a typical day at our house.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!



Card Recipe:
Stamps: all bummed out baby by Stampingbella, sentiment from PTI
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, copic markers
Paper: SU Green Galore and Gable Green, PTI ssw
Embellishments: Bellas Baubles, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder, nestabilities, SU scalloped border punch, offray gingham ribbon

In The Nick of Time!

Tomorrow is the last day of preschool, and I needed to get teacher cards and gifts done. Of course, I'm doing it at the last possible minute! I decided on Starbucks gift cards, but wanted to make something to go with them. I thought this Lattebella stamp from Stampingbella would be perfect. The tall tins are filled with Starbucks truffles. If you haven't tried these, don't! They are so good, I almost didn't give them away, LOL!

Liam's tooth is much better today, he's back to normal. Thanks for stopping by!

Heading back to my craft room, my husband's Birthday is tomorrow, I need to get some cards made. This waiting til the last minute seems to be a trend with me!

Card Recipe

Stamps: Lattebella by Stampingbella, sentiment by Gina K. designs

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers

Paper: SU retired patterned paper, PTI ssw, SU Close to Cocoa, Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip

Embellishments: Bazzil flowers, PTI buttons, crochet thread, mini rhinestones, Sakura Stardust gel pen, nestabilities, SU light pink grosgrain ribbon

Favorite Fireman

A little follow up on Liam's dental appointment yesterday; he needed a root canal. Poor little guy. My husband said it was good he took him and not me. He got laughing gas, but I think it only took the edge off. The dentist said the enamel on his teeth is thin, so that's why he got the cavity. We are good about always brushing his teeth. The dentist wants to seal some of his teeth to prevent further problems. He's still a little sore today, but not too bad. He's been a real trooper.

On to the card. Today's card I made for the Wish Rak June card challenge. We had to use Real Red, Summer Sun and Pacific Point. I thought this little Fireman Ian, from The Greeting Farm, was perfect for this color combo. Liam really liked this card and wants to give it to his daddy. So I'll let him give it to Chuck for his birthday.

Can't wait for So You Think You Can Dance tonight. Top 2o starts tonight. I love reality TV and this is one of my favorites. Thanks for stopping by today!

Card Recipe:

Stamps: Fireman Ina from The Greeting Farm, sentiment from PTI

Ink: Graphite Brilliance Black, copic markers

Paper: Georgia Pacific white, SU Summer Sun, Pacific Point and Real Red

Embellishments: Nestabilities, red mini brads, Cuttlebug Tiny Bubbles embossing folder, EK Succes star punch, dimensionals, rhinestones, stickles

Bella Twisted Challenge #3

Well, I'm not always prompt, but I do like to do these challenges when I get the chance. This Bella Twisted Challenge #3 is from mid May. The challenge was to use blue, yellow, and NO patterned paper. I went with Papertreyink cardstock for this card. If you've never tried it, you don't know what you are missing. It is so thick and comes in gorgeous colors with matching ribbon and buttons! It's just divine!

On a non stamping note, my middle guy has a dentist appointment today. I'm freaking out a bit, I have major dental-phobia (I'm sure there is an official name for that, but I don't know it). He's having a toothache and was up most of last night in a lot of pain, so hopefully they can help him out. My husband is taking him, lucky for me. I would probably have a panic attack and scare the heck out of him. As it is he isn't nervous at all. Wish us well!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Card Recipe:

Stamps: Stampingbella Mismatch Ketto and sentiment

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers

Paper: Papertreyink Stampers Select White, Spring Rain, Lemon Tart

Embellishments: Nestablities rectangles and ribbon dies, SU gingham ribbon, Prima flowers, Making Memories sparkly brad, Swiss Dots cuttlebug embossing folder, SU corner rounder punch, Stickles

My First Ever Blog Post!

Well here we go! I've been wanting to start a blog for sometime, and finally have. Big thanks to my dad, who is a computer whiz. He helped me figure out this blogging stuff.

Anyway, here is my first card. This was the Mojo Monday sketch this morning. I think these are some of the best sketches around. I had the perfect image in mind. I just received this adorable Cowgirl Anya stamp (it's from The Greeting Farm) last week. She came to me in a secret sister exchange package from a fellow stamper, Marji Johnson. Thanks so much Marji! She fit in the sketch so well.

Thanks for stopping by today. Hope you'll come back often to check out my cards and ramblings!

~Kathy

Card recipe:

Stamps: Cowgirl Anya from The Greeting Farm, sentiment from Pink Cat Studios

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, SU Real Red, Copic Markers
Paper: PTI Stampers Select White and Pure Poppy, SU Kraft and Chocolate Chip, PTI patterned paper
Embellishments: SU Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon, SU red gingham ribbon, oval nestabilities, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder, gold mini brads, dimensionals