I'm back! Did You Miss Me?

I'm back.... lol  I had a blast on my trip with my mom and aunt.  We had a great time together with no fighting.  We enjoyed going to antique stores and craft fairs, we bought a lot of fun stuff and the weather was great!  I took my old dog with me and she did great and really seemed to enjoy taking the trip too.  The only bad part was the drive back home in the RV.  There were really super strong winds both days and it was just a struggle to drive.  But we made it home safely (my brother drove back with me) and I am almost back in the swing of things. 

 

Sadly, I didn't take any photos at all!  I kept forgetting to get my camera out and take it with me.  My mom took a few and if I can get her to email me a few I will share them with you. 

(Here is my ds who asked me to take this photo of him with the halloween baskets - just in case you wanted to smile)

 

Now, it is time for me to get on the ball and get all the Halloween stuff done before Halloween arrives in 1 day!  I finally took the kids to get costumes last night.  (yeah me)  Tonight we are going to carve our pumpkins.  Then I think we will finally be ready for the big day.  There is a parade at the 3 younger kids school on Wednesday so I will be going to see them march around, sing and dance in their costumes.  I'm sure it will be super cute and they will have a ton of fun.

I'm so excited because I got the new Ultimate Pen Storage from Crafter's Companion and got most of my alcohol markers loaded up in it on Sunday.  I have a few more Copic markers and my Tim Holtz pens that didn't fit so I ordered a couple more racks to put them in.  Look at how cool it is!!

 

It's not a great photo but I couldn't wait to share with you!!  LOVE them!! (the racks I mean)  I cleared off a good portion of my scrap desk and I was totally motivated to color and scrap!  So I made a couple of cards.  I've really started to get down to business with making my Christmas cards. Have you? If you haven't you are missing out on so much scrappy fun  I pulled out three sets this week (yes, I said 3! lol) and stamped out my main image from the Strawberry Kisses - Cuteness stamp set. This darling little dog was just calling my name!! lol And he was so much fun to color!!

(Here is my card sitting next to some Christmas trees I made last winter. If you are interested in learning how to make the trees you can check out the tutorial on MY BLOG)

 

So, I colored my image with my Spectrum Noir markers and added a little Crystal stickles to the dog tag for some sparkle. Then I used the Angel Wings & Fancy Things Embossing Board and embossed the larger bell around my colored image. Then I fussy cut it out. Here are the markers I used to color all of my images.

Next I stamped out the holly from the Sheena's A Little Bit Festive - Christmas Visitors stamp set. After coloring the image, I fussy cut it out and trimmed off part of it. I adhered it to the top of my bell and then added some Crystal Stickles to the berries.

Finally it was time to put the card together. I layered some complementary papers from my stash on to a card base I made out these same papers. Then I added a bit of ribbon to the top of my bell and some double sided adhesive squares to the back. I put the colored image on my layered papers, and used a black pen to add a bit of faux stitching around the card. To finish things up I stamped my sentiment from the Mulberry Wood - Sent with Love stamp set directly onto my card base and added a couple of green gems.   I think I'm going to enter this one in the Come and Get It Challenge.          

 



What do you think?  Like it?  I do.  While I had my bits and pieces of paper out on my desk I decided to make another card.  I used a Humphrey stamp for this card and I can't remember who makes the sentiment I used.  I even took the photo of the card next to my Christmas trees again!! lol  This card came together really quickly.  I'm going to enter it in the Sweet Sunday sketch challenge 170 on The Sweetest Thing blog. 

I think that I have written enough.  I bet you are tired of being here!! lol  Thanks for stopping by and looking today.  Until next time...happy scrapping!

You Mean The World To Me

Happy Tuesday!!   I want to show you a card I made using the fantastic new Mulberry Woods stamp range.  I just love these little kitties. As soon as I saw the stamp I new I had to pick this one to use first.

I was trying to go for a more 'fall colors" card so I went with oranges and browns and greens. I stamped the image out and then colored it with my Spectrum Noir alcohol markers. Here are the colors I used: IG1, IG2, IG3, DG1, DG2, DG3, CG3, OR1, PP6, GB5, GB6, GB9, CR1, GT3, TN2, PP1 and PP3.

I went really clean and simple with just some layering of card stock, a bit of bakers twine and a few flowers because I wanted to make the image the focus of this card. And I finished it off with a little Crystal Stickles because I think every project needs a little sparkle!! lol
 

I hope you are inspired by my "fall colors" card and go join in on the October Challenge on our Challenge Blog. We are giving away 2 - 6 pen sets of Spectrum Noir Markers to the winner. You could be the lucky winner!

 

I'm still gone on my trip and won't be "back" until tomorrow night.  I will fill you in on all the fun details in a day or so.  Thanks for stopping by and looking today.  Until next time...happy scrapping!!!  Stacy

Who Loves Cocoa?!

Welcome!  Stacy here on this bright and sunny Tuesday with a fun gift bag to share with you. I am always needing gifts for teachers and with 5 kids that can really add up. I try to find gift ideas that aren't super expensive but are still special. To me Fall just screams "cocoa" so I make up a cocoa mix to giveaway. When I saw the Strawberry Kisses Together Forever stamp set from Crafter's Companion, I just knew it would be perfect for a gift bag full of cocoa.

To start, I got out a lunch bag because really why spend a lot when you can get a pile of these babies for a nice price? Then I pulled out some card stock and some complementary patterned paper. I stamped my image and colored it with my Spectrum Noir alcohol markers. The colors I used were: TN1, TN2, TN3, TN4, TN7, LV1, LV2, LV3, IG1, IG2, EB5, EB6, GB1, BT1, PP6, BT1.
 

 



I layered the image onto some card stock, then I added a ribbon tab and some pearls colored with my Spectrum Noir markers. I love that you can color customize things so easily with these awesome markers!!

 



I used a Martha Stewart punch for my bag topper. I edge punched both sides of a piece of white card stock and then folded it in half and punched two holes through the topper and the bag at the same time. I stamped out the cup of cocoa and colored it. And I added it to the bag topper with a brad.

Now I just need to add the bag of cocoa and send it off to a teacher! I hope you enjoyed seeing this sweet stamp as much as I had coloring it.

 



I'm off on my trip and will be off having fun this week!!  I will take photos to share when I get back.  but before I go I will leave you with a photo of my project photographer today.  My dd took the photos but then she had to get in a couple of herself too!! lol  Thanks for stopping by and looking. Until next time...happy scrapping!!!

Sketches4All Challenge

 

Hi everyone!  I wanted to let you know about the fun new challenge at Sketches4All that starts October 15th.  The challenge to you is to create any project with a STAMP
on it. (card, layout, altered item etc)  (physical stamp or digi)

REGINA EASTER from the Cutting Cafe is the challenge sponsor!!  The winner of this challenge will receive 3 wonderful sets of Digi stamps  from the Cutting Cafe.

The Design team was given some amazing sets of stamps to work with and we had a great time creating some fun projects with these awesome stamps. The challenge starts October 15th and ends on October 29th. The winner will be announced November 1st.

Visit Regina's site and look at her awesome products. Here is the link: http://thecuttingcafe.typepad.com

THANKS to Regina and her team for donating the awesome
prize and also for the amazing sets that our design team worked with. We loved creating with them!!

Here are the projects I made using some of the images.

 

 Entered in the Circle challenge at Our Creative Corner and The Get Dotty Challenge at Rogue Redhead Designs.

Entered in the Traditional Christmas Colors Challenge at Totally Gorjuss. 

 Entered in Fall Challenge at Challenge Up Your Life.

 Entered in the Traditional Christmas Colors Challenge at Totally Gorjuss.

I also made the Happy Halloween mini album at the top of the post too.  I'm entering it in the Halloween theme at Anything but a Card and at Scrappy Frogs - Halloween challenge and also at Two Sisters - Anything Goes. That's a lot of projects right?!  lol  Especially since I haven't been posting very often lately.

 

 

We had my dd's 5th birthday on Friday and we had a nice party at Chuck E. Cheeses on Thursday and then a family party on Friday at home.  I made her cake for her party at home and amazingly it turned out great.  Normally my cakes never rise.  I'm not sure why they don't but it is a long standing family joke.  This time it rose and was delish and was almost eaten entirely at the first sitting!!  (only 4 small pieces were left)  That in and of itself was pretty amazing. (go me! lol) 

 

I'm leaving on Tuesday for my annual Craft Shows trip to Arkansas.  I fly into Oklahoma on Tuesday and meet up with my mom and aunt.  We will then load the RV and drive to Rogers, Arkansas.  I can't wait!  A whole week of fun with my Mom and Aunt hitting every craft show and antique store along the way!  WOO HOO!  I have been crazy busy trying to get everything ready before I go.  Tons of DT projects and posts, packing, etc.   I'm pretty sure I will be taking a deep sigh of relief when that plane lands in OKC!

 

Okay, enough for today.  Don't forget to go join in on the Fall Colors Challenge over on the Crafter's Companion USA Challenge blog.  They have changed the rules and now you can use ANY visible Crafter's Companion product on your project!  This means you now have so many more options when making your project.  And we are giving away 2 -six pen sets of Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers to the winner!!  It is an awesome prize so go join in!! 

 

Until next time...happy scrapping!!

Stacy

FINALLY! A Post From Me.

Hello!  Have you been missing me?  I have been desperately trying to post but for some reason my photos would not upload and I kept trying and trying and trying.  And for some unknown reason today...voila...when I tried to upload a random photo it worked!  WOOT!  FINALLY!  Maybe it has a problem the specific photo I wanted to upload?  I made a tag for the tag sketch challenge at Sketches4all and that is the photo I have been trying to upload.  You can tell it isn't the one that worked.  The random photo I tried to upload today is of my darling daughter who believes she is a chef.  She made this yummy "heart attack on a plate" snack and was very proud of herself.  They are Loaded French Fries and they were really delicious!  (can you tell she likes sour cream!?)  :-O

 

Chef Olivia

Her culinary masterpiece - Loaded French Fries

Yum!

 

So here I am on a roll uploading photo after photo and now I have decided to share photos of my dear son who came home extremely happy because he had met the challenge to run the mile in under 8 minutes - 3 times in a row!  He won this lovely t-shirt to commemorate the event.  And man is he proud!!  And so am I!!  He is running cross country and getting into great condition for lacrosse which starts in February.

 

Mr. Speed Demon

Met the challenge of running the mile in under 8 minutes, 3 times in a row.  

Won this awesome t-shirt!

 

I'm leaving next week to go to Oklahoma and get my mom and aunt and my RV.  Then we are driving to Arkansas to hit every craft festival and antique store we can find!! lol  I'm so excited and ready to go...well not really ready to go.  I have about a million DT projects and posts that need to be done before I go.  So I know what I will be doing this weekend!  :-O 

 

This coming Friday is my 4 year old daughter's birthday.  We are going to have a party at Chuck E Cheeses on Thursday after school is out.  Friday there is no school and there is fund raiser at CEC on Thursday for the 5th grade (my other daughter's class) so we are killing two birds with one stone.

 

My hubby is out of town for work.  He comes home Thursday night, leaves again Friday and is home on Monday night.  And then I leave on Tuesday!  We will be like two ships passing in the night. lol

 

I will leave you with this card I made for the Crafter's Companion blog today and to send in a RAK I mailed out recently.  I used Fairyopolis goodies that I have had FOREVER.  My Fairyopolis Card Making Kit really just seems to be never ending! lol  

 

And if you want a little laugh.  I just now tried to upload that tag again and guess what....it said I couldn't upload any more photos!!!!!!!! GRRRRRR lol

 

 Enjoy the rest of your week.  

Amy E has CANDY!!

 

Amy E over on the Scrap This, Save That blog is having her birthday this month and wants to give someone else a present!!  You could win this awesome candy so go over and help her celebrate.

Birthday From Sky and Happy Mail

Happy Tuesday! Stacy here with a smile on my face and a happy little card to share. It is hard not to smile when I look at these new Toread stamps that will be launching this week. They are just the sweetest little nymphs.

For my project today I chose my favorite nymph, Sky. I've made Sky a girl today because I am making a birthday card for a very special girl. It was easy enough to add a little some pretty little eyelashes with my black fine line marker and bling out "her" necklace with some Crystal Stickles.



But lets start at the beginning, I stamped the image onto my paper. Yes, you know the one...the Ultra Smooth Premium White Card stock for Alcohol Markers. This is the best I've found to use with my Spectrum Noir markers. And yes...I, of course, colored my stamped image with my awesome, totally fabulous, reasonably priced Spectrum Noir alcohol markers!!! LOL (you didn't already know that did you?! ha) The Spectrum Noir markers I used on this project were TN2, TN4, TN7, FS1, FS3, CR1, BT1, IB1, IB2, IB3.



After coloring my image, I cut her out with a die and inked the edges. I pulled some complementary papers from my stash and took the new Regal Corner embossing folder from the Die'sire Embossalicious collection and embossed a piece of card stock. I grabbed my Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink pad in Vintage Photo and inked all around the card stock making sure to go over the embossed image to make it stand out. This really give nice texture to the piece. Be sure when you do this you start inking off the paper on your craft mat, this will make sure you have even blending and no big smudges.



After doing this I layered some of the other pieces of cut patterned paper onto a card base that I cut from card stock. I wrapped some blue bakers twine around one of the pieces of paper before I layered it.



For my sentiment, I turned to my old faithful Fairyopolis Card Making Kit which really just never seems to run out of goodies to use. I took a rubon sentiment and rubbed it onto a banner sticker from the kit. I pulled out some double sided adhesive squares to use to adhere it to the card for dimension. And while I had it out, I realized that those delicate little butterfly rubon's were calling to be added too. Finally I added the die cut and colored image to the card. Voila! A special little card for a special little girl.

Speaking of special little girls, I wanted to let everyone know that my daughter did not win the election for Vice President of Student Council.  She was disappointed but showed a great attitude and I am so proud of her for putting herself out there like that. She is already talking about '"next time"!  And she will still be a student council representative and she is happy to do that.

AND I was so happy yesterday to get my October Webster's Sprinkles box in the mail.  All for just $10 free shipping!!  YEAH HAPPY MAIL!  lol   Look what I got!!



And if you need a little inspiration to get you started, pop over to our Challenge blog and join in on the new October Challenge. They are giving away two of the 6 pen Spectrum Noir marker sets to the winner this month! I think that would inspire me!! lol

Until next time...happy scrapping!