And it's over

Seems like the Olympics just started and they are over for another 4 years already! Well, it was fun, wasn't it? I unfortunately couldn't stay up till midnight most nights, so only saw bits and pieces of the events. Here is my card celebrating the Olympics, unfortunately this looks like a summer card, oh well!

It was for Pinky's twisted Bella challenge on SCS, to use your country's flag colors and five circles. So red, white and blue was the way to go!

Thanks for dropping in today, hope you had a great weekend.

Card Recipe:

Stamps: stamping bella

Ink: Memento Tux. black, Real Red

Paper: Real Red, Brilliant Blue, PTI ssw, DCWV summer stack

Embellishments: copics, stickles, dimensionals, nesties, ribbon, mini brads, PTI button, MS star border punch

Magnolia-licious February Christmas Blog Hop

Welcome to the February Magnolia-licious blog hop! Each month on the 25th of the month, members of the Magnolia-licious Yahoo group will be holding a blog hop featuring Christmas cards. I missed out last month, but figured I'd jump in this month. If you are a big Magnolia fan, come and check out the Yahoo group.

Must be a special occasion for me, I cut into some of my Wassail Basic Grey paper, don't know why I hoard that stuff, but I really do. I used an inspiration sketch featured in the current issue of the Magnolia Ink magazine on page 14.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Hop on over to Lauren's blog for your next stop. It's a circular hop, so when you get back to where you started, you've seen all the Magnolia Christmas cards for the month. If you like the Magnolias you see along the way, you can find them on the Magnolia-licious website.

Card Recipe:

Stamps: Tilda and sled from Magnolia

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black and Rich Cocoa, SU Mellow Moss

Paper: PTI ssw, Mellow Moss, Riding Hood Red, Basic Grey Wassail

Embellishments: copics, sakura glitter pen, nesties, sponges, SU ribbon, dimensionals, mini gold brads,

Lots of Coffee

This is about how many cups of coffee it takes to get me going in the morning, LOL. Well that may be a slight exaggeration. I do love my coffee.

This is my card from the At Home With Verve Feb. sketch challenge week 1. This month the inspiration came from dining room photos, the photo I picked used these colors. It was a really pretty airy looking room.

We are having lots of rain today, and it's supposed to continue all week. At least the snow is melting. Hope you are staying warm and dry! Thanks for dropping in and have a wonderful day!

Card Recipe:

Stamps: Verve Delightful and Delicious

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper: PTI ssw, Spring Moss, SU Pumpkin Pie, SU patterned paper

Embellishments: Mini brads, copics, machine stitching, dimensionals

Another Magnolia Christmas card

I still had some of the Making Memories Mistletoe paper on my desk from two days ago and thought I might as well use some more, before I put it away. It's almost time for Mercy's next Tuesday sketch, but this one is from last Tuesday (MTSC61). This sketch worked perfectly with a Magnolia image, too. Boy two Christmas cards in one week after slacking for a while, not too bad.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Hope it is the start of a great week for you!

Card Recipe:

Stamps: Magnolia, PTI sentiment

Ink: Memento, Old Olive

Paper: Bravo Burgundy, Old Olive, PTI ssw, MM Mistletoe patterned paper

Embellishments: copics, nesties, gold mini brads, cuttlebug holly embossing folder, stickles, dimensionals, white gel pen

Delightful Pot of Tea

Probably should have put a warning with this one, it's bright! This was the digi image of the week from Designed2Delight. Check out the progressive challenge Faith has going on every week. Such a fun image. I love tea pots and cups. I actually collect tea cups, I have quite a collection, I want to find a way to display then in my dining room. Funny thing is I don't really like to drink tea, though, I'm a total coffee girl.

The sketch here is from Tuesday Morning Sketches #33. It was a toughie this week, but I had fun with it.

Thanks for stopping by today. Hope you are enjoying your weekend.

Card Recipe:

Stamps: digi from Designed2Delight

Ink: printer ink

Paper: GP110, Summer Sun, Gable Green, Pink Passion, DCWV patterned

Embellishments:copics, stickles, crystal effects, nesties, dimensionals, rhinestones

Finally got a card made

My hubby has been traveling A LOT these last two weeks, and it's really cut into my craft time. Kids have priority over stamping, LOL! But I've missed my craft room. He surprised me last night with a call that he was coming home this morning instead of late tomorrow. Whoopee, some free time this afternoon.

I made this one for two different Christmas challenges, Sparkle's Christmas card challenge #11,which was a sketch this week, and the ABC Christmas card challenge. The ABC one, D for Decorations had the twist of using a Christmas decoration and ribbon. Tilda has some tinsel in her hands and a little round ornament is on the corner of her panel. If you remember I was going to try to make one Christmas card a week all year. How do you think I'm doing? Well, not off to a great start! I think I've done three. Like I said before, not going to stress about it!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Planning to watch some of the Olympics tonight. Thanks for stopping by!

Card Recipe:

Stamps: Magnolia

Ink: Memento

Paper: PTI ssw, Old Olive, Bravo Burgundy, MM patterned paper

Embellishments: copics, spica pens, cuttlebug holly embossing folder, corner rounder, MM ornament charm, twine, ribbon

Sweet Non Chocolate Treat

I've been trying to shed this baby weight before it can't be called baby weight anymore, LOL! Does anyone know when the cutoff is? So I've been going to Weight Watchers. I thought this would be a perfect Valentine for one of my weight loss buddies. It has chocolate on the outside, but low fat popcorn inside. A little fake out! I love the low fat kettle corn, very yummy treat.
This cute stamp is called Nay from Rubber Romance. Available in the Rubber Romance Etsy site along with her diva friends. Check them out there are some fairly new ones available. This pull out is from this tutorial on SCS from Beate Johns. Simple and easy to make. You can make them for any flat treats.

As you can see, these photos are edited, thanks dad for the Mac tutorial. My dad is a real Mac wizard and immediately knew how to help me.

Hope you had a wonderful Valentine's Day. Thanks for stopping by today.

Card Recipe:

Stamps: Nay from Rubber Romance

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper: PTI ssw, Bashful Blue, Real Red

Embellishments: copics, spica pens, SU slot punch, MS border punch, SU striped ribbon, Kaiser pearls, Michael's rhinestones

Birthday Bee

I made this one with the stamp of the week from Designed2Delight's progressive challenge. Check it out, if you play the first week of the month, you get the next stamp for free and so on through out the month.

It was a close call this week as we got a new computer on Friday night and I'm not really familiar with it yet. It's a MAC. What program are you using to edit photos on your MAM computers? This one isn't edited as I haven't figured out that much yet, LOL. Any tips would be appreciated.

I used the fun Tuesday Morning Sketch Challenge #32 for this layout.

Card Recipe:

Stamps: digi from Designed2Delight, sentiment from PTI

Ink: computer, palette noir

Paper: Yoyo Yellow, Tempting Turquoise, DCWW Citrus stack, PTI ssw

Embellishments: copics, stickles, nesties, Cuttlebug Happy Birthday folder, corner rounder, EK success border punch, MM rhinestones, dimensionals

Love Me Do Blog Hop

Welcome to the LOVE ME DO Blog Hop sponsored by Stamping Bella! If you've just happened upon my blog, you can start from the beginning at Bloggabella.

For my card I used the wonderful sketch from Midnight Madness sketches (MMSC40) for this week. I thought it worked out perfectly with Topiarybella. One last Valentine for me this year! Now I just need to get them mailed out.

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 $25 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 Friday in the Splitcoast forum. MWAH!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hope you have a wonderful Valentine's Day! Now it's time to hop on over to Peggy's blog.

Card Recipe: Topiarybella stamp from Stamping Bella, Memento ink, copics, nesties, stickles, spica pen, border punch from EK success, Kaiser pearls, dimensionals, offray ribbon, button, PTI white, Real Red, Basic Black, Gable Green cardstock, and SCWV patterned paper

Sweet Little Treat

Here is a quick and easy little something to make for the kids for Valentine's Day. I have a tutorial posted on the Rubber Romance blog to show you how to transform a little old box of candy into a sweet little treat. This little guy is the owl from the Cutie Pie line of Rubber Romance, available in the Etsy shop.

Quick post today, my computer is on it's last legs. Keeps turning off unexpectedly. We will have a new one by the weekend, but in the mean time, I think I'm on borrowed time! LOL!

Recipe:

Stamps: Cutie Pie Owl from Rubber Romance

Ink: Memento

Paper: DCWV valentine stack, PTI ssw

Embellishments: Copics, nesties, stickles, crystal effects, SU ribbon

Sweet Friends Blogger Award

I received this lovely award from some of my blogging sisters from SBS29, Tracey, Kim Marie, Rhonda and Ronnie, and my sweet friend Vicki from my Glitterbees and Sweet Dreamers blog group. I'm very behind in posting my thank you to these blogging friends and passing along the award. Thank you so much friends, I value the time you spend visiting my blog and leaving sweet words of encouragement. And I am so inspired by each and everyone of you.

Check out their blogs for some major inspiration:
Tracey's blog is Crafty Corner. She does wonderful coloring and makes lovely cards.
Kim Marie's blog is Frog of Faith. She makes wonderful cards and is our fearless moderator for our blogging group SBS29.
Rhonda's blog is Rhonda's Creative Spirit. She does wonderful things with digi images. Got inspired to try some digis after seeing her wonderful work.
Ronnie's blog is Paper Creations . She is a paperpiecer and die cutter extraordinaire. Her projects are beautiful and very intricate.
Vicki's blog is Bountiful Blessings. Vicki has a kind word for everyone she meets. Her cards and projects are so creative and beautiful. I wish I could meet and stamp with Vicki in person.


Thank all of you ladies, I'm so appreciative of this and of our cyber friendships!


Here are the rules of the award:
1. Copy and paste the award on your blog.
2. List who gave the award to you and use a link to her blog (or hyperlink).
3. List 10 things that make you happy.
4. Pass the award on to other bloggers and visit their blog to let them know!

Here are 10 things that make me happy:

1. My husband, we just celebrated nine years of marriage, I'm truly lucky to be married to my best friend.

2. Cal my oldest, who is so smart, artistic and funny. He can always make me laugh and is such a good big brother to his siblings.

3. Liam, my second son, who is my sweet boy. He's the one who always tells me my cards are beautiful and that I look pretty.

4. Finn, my baby boy. He is so cute and funny. His nickname is pigpen after the character on the Peanuts. Finn is always surrounded by a mess. I think mess equals fun for a sixteen month old! He loves to play and laugh and always brings a smile to my face.

5. Lilah, my baby. She is the sweetest baby ever. So happy and content. And I love the smell of her little baby head. I'm enjoying every moment with her, since she will be our last baby.

6. My father. So glad my kids have the opportunity to spend time with him and learn from him. He is a wonderful father and poppop.

7. My besties (Megan, Melissa, and Ilena). It's so good to have a group of girlfriends who you can really count on.

8. My blogging friends new and old. I'm grateful for any comments you leave for me and the time spend visiting my blog. I also appreciate all the inspiration I get from each and every one of you.

9. Crafting makes me happy, too. Love to create and unwind in my office.

10. Lastly a nice glass of wine! (Notice the blog name, LOL!)

I could go on, there are many things that make me happy, but I'll stop at 10.

Now to pass this one, I'm taking the easy way out. I want to offer the award to my friends in my blogging groups SBS29, The Sweet Dreamers and The Glitterbees. I don't want to narrow it down, because each one of you does wonderful work. I hate to leave anyone out.

A Sweet Day

This darling image is a freebie from Designed2Delight to their Papercraftplanet members. So join the group and you can get this digi image, too. I thought it paired up perfectly with this Amuse sentiment. This is probably my favorite kind of cupcake, chocolate with mounds of white butter cream frosting. This one is extra sweet because it's calorie free, gotta love that!

The sketch I used can be found at Daisy Doodles. It is her first sketch challenge and what a fun sketch this it! Check out the sketch challenge, a prize is involved for one lucky player!

Thanks for stopping by today. Hope you have a wonderful weekend. I think we will be snowed in! Hubby is stocking up on milk and things on his way home.

Card Recipe:

Stamps: Designed2Delight digi, Amuse sentiment

Ink: printer ink and palette noir

Paper: Choc. Chip, Bashful Blue, gp110, DCWV Sweet Stack

Embellishments: copics, nesties, stickles, crystal effects, grosgrain ribbon

Hoo Loves You?

Yesterday was my ninth anniversary! We stayed in and had a nice dinner at home. So not like our days before kids, but still very nice. We pretty much don't use babysitters unless it's family, so we don't go out much, but that's plenty OK with me. I love being home with the kids. My sweet hubby got me a pair of pink UGG slippers, so cute and comfy!

This is the card I made for my hubby. When I saw this digi from Designed2Delight digital stamps, I knew it would make a perfect anniversary card. The one with the bow is me, LOL! Designed2Delight has a progressive challenge each month. The first digi is free and if you use it and post it that week, you get the next digi free, and so on. This is such a fun idea. I just was introduced to them by my blogging buddy Shelly, who played along last month. They have lots of really cool digis available, so check them out.

For my sketch I used this week's Midnight Madness sketch (MMSC39). How much fun is this sketch? I loved the heart shape and thought it would be perfect for an anniversary card.

Thanks for dropping in today. I haven't posted much this week, my 16 month old decided he doesn't need a nap anymore! So, I really haven't gotten much stamping or cleaning done, LOL! Hope you have a great day!

Card Recipe:

Stamps: Designed2Delight digital stamps, Owl Always Love You, Amuse sentiment

Ink: Printer and palette noir

Paper: Close to Cocoa, gp110, Old Olive, Basic Gray Origins

Embellishments: Nesties, copics, crystal effects, Su punches, Bellas Baubles, primas, MS leaf punch, EK success border punch, SU ribbon, dimensionals

Karli's Gift Card Buddy

Right after the holidays my blogging buddy Karli (Crafting with Class) put out a tutorial for a gift card buddy. How brilliant is this idea. As soon as I saw it, I knew I had to give it a try. I'm the girl with a drawer full of gift cards, not only mine, but everyone in the family has me keeping track of their gift cards. Half of the time I can't find what I'm looking for. Karli's tutorial was quick and easy. I even doubled up the cards in each slot, Karli's suggestion, also. I can't believe how organized I feel! Karli has many fantastic tutorials and lots of great projects on her blog, check it out. Thanks for a great tutorial Karli!




For my buddy I used Melanie from Rubber Romance. Thought she'd be the perfect image for a gift card buddy. She's glitzed up a bit with stickles on her bags and hat.



Here is the inside view, check out how neatly it holds my gift cards.

Thank you very much for dropping by today! Hope your week is off to a good start!

Card Recipe:
Stamps: Rubber Romance Melanie
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: PTI ssw, Only Orange, Real Red, DCWV summer stack
Embellishments: SU ribbon, MM rhinestones, stickles, copics, circle punch, red line adhesive