Copic Flowers...

Well it's a new day! I have had my Copic Markers for just over a week now and I am feeling the courage to share a creation with you *lol*...those markers take some practice *wink*. In addition to trying a new tool, I decided to share a design using one of Asela's stamps from CHF (don't forget to stop by the CHF forums and gallery!)...I just love this sweet flower combo!
In an attempt to share some humour, the blue hue in the photo is the result of taking a photo in a blue room. My light setup had some issues tonight and I had to use a light in a different room hence the "blue hue" *lol*



Recipe
Paper: Pixie Pink (SU!), Whisper White (SU!), Blue Bayou (SU!), Bashful Blue (SU!), Close to Cocoa (SU!), Amy Butler DP (K&Co)
Ink:
Stamp Set(s):Indian Summer (CHF), Thank you For Your Hospitality (A*Muse)
Accessories: Blue Bayou Double Stitched Ribbon (SU!), Rectangle Punch (Fiskars), Corner Rounder (SU!), Ticket Corner Punch (SU!), Circle Punch (Marvy), Scalloped Circle Punch (Marvy), Copic Markers

Have a terrific week. Don't work too hard and make sure to save some time to stamp.

Because I love to stamp and you do too!
Alli

A Special Day...

Today is my wedding anniversary. 7 years ago today my husband and I exchanged vows and committed our lives to one another. It amazes me how quickly 7 years has flown by or the 12 years we have known each other. I can't express how happy I am to have him in my life--I love you Stephen!!!

I have been busy working on projects that I am unable to share right now--submissions mainly! But of course I wanted to make sure I had SOMETHING to share on my blog today so I am including a few of the last Dirty Dare challenges.

I had to create a "toile" card and let me tell you that was a challenge in itself until I found this DP *lol* It's a little too foo-foo for me, and I am not fond of this card but it was a fun challenge nevertheless.



Recipe
Paper: Chatterbox DP, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Bashful Blue
Stamp Set(s): Best Blossoms
Accessories: Scalloped Rectangle Punch, Blue Taffeta Ribbon, Slit Punch, 1/8th inch hole punch

For this challenge, I had to create an ATC. I actually designed this ATC and then "remodeled" it later. I will share my remodel along with other FAB ATCs I received in a recent SCS swap tomorrow. All I can say is they are going to knock your socks off.



Recipe
Paper: Old Olive, Very Vanilla, My Mind's Eye DP
Ink: Rose Red, Old Olive, Basic Black
Stamp Set(s): Green Thumb (Papertrey Ink), A Treat for You (A*muse)
Accessories: Scalloped Circle Punch (Marvy), Circle Punch (Marvy), Word Window Punch, Ribbon (American Crafts)

Card: ATC 2.5x3.5

I also wanted to share a RAK I received from Sherry Siemens.



All I can say is THAT WOMAN CAN STAMP! I have been watching her blog for months now and I am soooooooo impressed with her growth and confidence in stamping. If you don't already know, she is a member of the MFT Design Team and I am almost positive we will see her work in magazines and with other manufacturers in the near future. Thank you so much Sherrie for making my day.

FYI I will be away from the computer during my holidays. I am hoping to find a few hot spots to upload new information so don't be shocked if you don't hear from me later this week. I WILL be back but it could be as late as Aug. 30th. During my break, I will be hosting a blog candy giveaway. I have yet to put the details together but will say it is for some GOOD stuff...by far my fav giveaway yet. 100000 hits after all is cause for celebration.

Because I love to stamp and you do too!
Alli

Bee-u-tiful!

I still ADORE my bees. I keep looking at them on my shelf and can hardly wait for the next time I can stamp with them. I paired the bees up with one of my fav A muse stamps. I just placed another order for MORE fab A muse stamps too.

I had fun creating the "honeycomb" look using my cuttlebug and embossing template. I used my sparkly gel pen on the wings. They look SOOO good in person when they glitter.



Recipe
Paper: So Saffron, Night of Navy, Bashful Blue, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, So Saffron
Stamp Set(s): Bee Trio (Stampendous), Have a Bee-utiful day (A muse)
Accessories:Stampin' Write Markers, Sparkles Gelly Roll (Sakura), Primas, Rich Regal Buttons, Dimensionals, Glue Dots, Cuttlebug (Provo Craft), Tiny Bubbles Embossing Template (Provo Craft), Sponge

I have been enjoying the past few days with my friends and will be sad to see them go tomorrow. We have enjoyed days on the ocean boating as well as walking the miles of beaches around my lil' oasis. I should be posting more of my new cards in the next few days.

Because I love to stamp and you do too!
Alli

The last day of DD challenges!

It's hard to believe today is the last day of challenges. I am so behind in posting my challenges. I had a few that have been put on the back burner...hard to find my mojo to do them *lol* but I suppose that is why the call them challenges!
I have stamped a minimum of 4 cards per day. Those weekend challenges were really hard to do with 8 a day! Overall though, I am proud that I stuck it through and completed as many as possible. By the time tomorrow evening rolls around I should have completed over 90% of the challenges. How about you?

Today's card is one of my favs out of all my challenge cards. I borrowed the layout from one of Beate's previous weekend challenges (posted on her blog) and met the requirements for a colour challenge and an image requirement.





Recipe
Paper: Basic Black, Spring Showers DP, Chatterbox DP, Close to Cocoa, Kraft, Whisper White
Ink:Basic Black
Stamp Set(s): Ruff Day, Birthday Wishes (A muse)
Accessories:Scalloped Circle Punch (Marvy), Circle Punch (Marvy), Oval Punch, Coluzzle, Paper Frills (Doodlebug), Watercolour Crayons, Gamsol

Hope you are having a fab day!

Because I love to stamp and you do too!
Alli

How's the challenge going?

Lots of cards...so little time to post*lol* I need more hours in the day.



Recipe
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Blue Bayou, Magnolia DP (My Minds Eye)
Ink:Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip, Basic Black
Stamp Set(s):Crab (Gina K) Just Be-Claws (Gina K)
Accessories:Cuttlebug (ProvoCraft), Swirls Embossing Folder (Provo Craft), Prima, Brad (Making Memories), Dauber, Stampin' Write Markers, Spritzer, White Gel Pen, Word Window, Scalloped Square (Marvy)



Recipe
Paper:Misc Scraps of DP, Very Vanilla, Blush Blossom
Ink:Basic Black
Stamp Set(s):Bear (A muse), Relax...It's Your Day (A muse)
Accessories: Cuttlebug (Provo Craft), Scribble Flowers (Provo Craft), Paper Piercer, Stampin' Write Markers, Scalloped Punch (Marvy), Stampin' Dimensional

Note: Card size is 4.25 x 4.25

Hope you are able to join me in the challenge this weekend!!!

Because I love to stamp and you do too!
Alli

Some more DD Challenge Cards...

Let's get straight to the goods....
Today I have some more challenge cards for you and a quick card tip! Including FLOCK and of course some favs from Papertrey Ink, Amuse and SU!



Recipe
Paper: Basic Black, Soft Sky, Blue Bayou, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Whisper White Craft Ink
Stamp Set(s): Baroque Motifs, Bride and Groom (A muse), Happy Wedding Day (A muse)
Accessories: Flock, Corner Rounder, Rectangle Scallop Punch (Marvy), Polka Dot Ribbon (May Arts), Heat and Stick Powder, Heat Tool



Recipe
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, Tres Jolie-Oui Oui DP (MME)
Ink: Blue Bayou, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip
Stamp Set(s): Butterfly Kisses (Papertrey Ink), Faux Ribbon (Papertrey Ink)
Accessories: Scalloped Circle Punch (Marvy), Circle Punch (Marvy), HodgePodge, Blue Bayou Double Stitched Ribbon, 1 3/8th Circle Punch



This is such a funny photo...it almost looks like I took a photo of my hands...this is the cover of the organizer. I will share a photo of exactly what I do in a few days time!

Card Tip: I usually work on my cards in stages. That doesn't mean to say I don't get some accomplished every day but sometimes I am ambitious and make 4-6 different designs in one sitting. If that is the case I work fast and furious to get them done but of course there is the interruption for "snack time MOMMY!" or "you need to make us dinner now because if we don't eat we might die you know!" or "can you find my Littlest Pet Shop...you know the dog (aren't they ALL dogs??? lol). Fortunately I have developed a system JUST IN CASE one of the above happens. I keep my cards in scrapbook folders. It is great to keep all the pieces together and then when I have a chance I will work on it again, hence my posts that say..."I have been working on this for a while now..."

Have a super duper stamperific day! I hope to see your designs in the DD Challenge gallery too.

Because I love to stamp and you do too!
Alli

More organization tips...

I am so glad to hear that you are enjoying my organizational tips...I swear if I lived in a bigger center my room would be even more organized. When it takes 2 hours to get to the city from my place you forget half the things you need, you don't have the right measurement and of course you don't always have enough room in the car especially if you have hit Costco on the trip *lol*
My DREAM would be to have an Ikea close by. I am going to share a few lil' things I picked up from their on my trip back home last summer (yes...that's right...LAST SUMMER!!! Ikea is a 2 hour drive, 2 hour ferry ride and then some...it would cost me $150 just to get there!)



Get punchy! A couple of years ago, Dale's wife's room was featured in the Stampin' Success magazine. I believe that was 2005 because I went to convention that year. Anyways, he talked about her room and I was floored at all the space conscious ideas. I searched high and low for this type of over the door shoe holder and would you believe I finally found one at Zeller's (not sure if Target is equivalent to this store in the states...). Many of these shoe holders have frosted windows...but of course I wanted one with clear windows.



Of course there is always more than one way to store punches. Now that I am updating my room I plan to update my punch holder, only problem is I have to wait to go on vacation first *lol* You can easily store ALL sizes on punches from SU (including the small ones) as well as the Marvy punches. I can get 7-8 large SU punches or 5-6 large Marvy punches on one bar. I imagine I will end up with 6-8 bars right now (ohhhhh did I say that out loud?? don't tell DH!)
Anyhow, head to the kitchen area in Ikea to find these $2.95 bars! And if you really want you can add some with the containers which are abour $3-4 each (can't remember). I actually store my hand held punches in those containers or cutting knives/scissors so they are out of reach from the children.



Again, from the kitchen area in Ikea, I bought this tack board and the spice/bits and pieces holders. I really like this as it is quick at hand. It sits behind my desk. You can also see that I tack up inspiration pieces.
Note to Sherrie: Recognize your card up there??? I LOVE the colour scheme and plan to do that colour scheme in the future *smiles*



Close up of the goodies...and a close up of one of my cut outs. You'll notice I circled one of the areas on the card. I circle areas with particular features I like...things that stand out on a card or scrapbook page and then CASE that little tidbit for one of my cards. (ohhh that was a secret wasn't it??? haha no really I like to share where I get my ideas from)

Now for the card. I was searching through my DP scraps pile and came across a card I sewed a while back. Then I came across an image that I had stamped...a while back (you see where this is going right)...so I put all the elements together and added some funky new ice rhinestones from SU! and VOILA! Sorry about the lighting on this one...it really looks yellow *sniff*



RECIPE

Paper: Kraft, Crate Paper DP
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Stamp Set(s): Birthday Wishes (A muse), Branch In Vase (Impress Rubber Stamps)
Accessories: Stampin' Write Markers, Cuttlebug (Provo Craft), Circle Templates (Provo Craft), Ice Rhinestones, Scalloped Scissors (Provo Craft), Sewing Machine

I have a few more card making secrets...er..tidbits I will be sharing in my next few posts so stay tuned! Oh and some exciting news the Copic Markers are making their way to my house RIGHT NOW WOHOO! Kim at My Favorite Things is awesome to deal with...now I have to save up for some stamps too!

Because I love to stamp and you do too!
Alli

Life's Simple Pleasures...

we all have them. On a sunny day, for me it is a day at the beach and a good book. On a cold winter day, it's a cup of tea with a warm pair of slippers. As you can tell, I have been playing with my A muse stamps again. I bought quite a few and jut haven't had the chance to use them all...just you wait. They are coming, cards with A muse stamps of course.



Life's Simple Pleasures Card Recipe

Paper: Cranberry Crisp. Whisper White, Soft Sky, Certainly Celery, Crate Paper DP
Ink: Noir Black (Palette)
Stamp Set(s): Slippers (A muse), Life's Simple Pleasures (A muse)
Accessories: Rectangle Scallop Punch (Marvy), Circle Scallop Punch (Marvy) Circle Punch (Marvy), 1/16th Circle Punch

Note: Card is 4.25x4.25

Have a stamptastic day! Stay tuned for some new Papertrey cards...I've missed my butterflies.

Because I love to stamp and you do too!
Alli

My lil' pumpkin...

We all do it...we have lil' names for our DHs, kids, pets, friends...and in this house, you find a little pumpkin. Ok two lil' pumpkins. I am taking advantage of calling them cute names now because I am sure lil' pumpkin won't fly when they are teenagers. I bought this cute ducky a few months ago from A muse. I just couldn't resist him. There is something about ducks that reminds me of my childhood. I grew up in this BEAUTIFUL city called Victoria. We used to go to Beacon Hill Park every other weekend and feed the ducks (which by the way I just learned is NOT good for ducks) and now any time I see ducks I get nostalgic about those good ol' days.



Ducks in Beacon Hill Park



Hello Pumpkin' Ducky Card Recipe

Paper: Whisper White, Blue Bayou, River Rock, Ruby Red, Pumpkin Pie, Chatterbox DP
Ink: Noir Black (Palette)
Stamp Set(s): Hello Pumpkin (A muse), Ducky (A muse)
Accessories: Super Jumbo Scalloped Circle Punch (Marvy), 1 3/8th Circle Punch, Circle Punch (Marvy), Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker, Baby Blue Ribbon (Misc)

Note: This card is 4.25x4.25

Thanks for letting me share my lil' story. Hope you are having a stampy kind of day!

Because I love to stamp and you do too!
Alli

Some splendid ladies...

I created the base of this layout sometime last week and finally got the chance to piece it together today. It's amazing how many cards I create that sit on my desk waiting to be finished...perhaps it's because I just get over ambitious!



Splendid Ladies Card Recipe

Paper: Purely Pomegranate, Whisper White, Basic Black, Prints DP (Soft Sky/Rose Red)
Ink: Basic Black, Purely Pomegranate
Stamp Set(s): Little Lady (Papertrey Ink) Have a Splendiferous Day (A muse)
Accessories: 3/4 inch circle punch, Ticket Corner, Cuttlebug (Provo Craft), Tiny Bubbles (Provo Craft), Circle Template (Provo Craft), Polka Dot Ribbon (Misc), Scalloped Rectangle Punch (Marvy)

Note: This card is 4.25x4.25

Hope you have a stampy day!

Because I love to stamp and you do too!
Alli

Less than 6 months until...

Christmas *lol*...so here is another holiday card just for you! I worked on this one about a month ago. I absolutely LOVE clear cards. They are a little trickier to play with but they are lots of fun. I stamped the image and sentiment with StazOn and let them dry. Next, I applied liquid pearls (raspberry...mmmm). I let these pearls dry overnight as not to smudge them.


Pearly Tree Card Recipe

Paper: Regal Rose, Certainly Celery, Whisper White, 3rd Holiday Design (AAM), Window Sheet
Ink: Jet Black StazOn
Stamp Set(s): Embellish Tree (A muse), Joy, Love, Peace (A muse)
Accessories: Raspberry Liquid Pearls (Ranger)

I am hoping to post my close up photos from my squash book later today. Have a super Friday.

Because I love to stamp and you do too!
Alli

SCS ATC Round #2

Does this mini card look familiar? Try this post! When I was making this card I was inspired to create this ATC. I adore the simplicity of A muse stamps. It made sense to re create this card in a mini version. I added textured paper behind the bride and the groom (which is different from the original card).



Happy Wedding Day ATC Recipe

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Wedding Stripes DP (Pebbles Inc.), Bouquet Impressions DP (Doodlebug Design Inc.)
Ink: Noir black (Palette)
Stamp Set(s): Bride and Groom (A muse), Happy Wedding Day (A muse)
Accessories: Cuttlebug (Provocraft), Olivia Alphabet (Provo Craft), Gemstones (Hero Arts), Rectangle Punch (Fiskars), Polka Dot Ribbon (May Arts)

Thanks again for stopping by! Tomorrow I will be showing you my family squash book using the new Baroque Motifs stamp set.

Because I love to stamp and you do too!
Alli

One last monkey...

I had such a great time playing with the monkeys Beate sent me. This is one of the last Changito cards I will post for a while. Of course you know me, there will be some more in the future*wink*. When I find a favourite, I like to share it!



Changito's Guitar Card Recipe

Paper: Cool Carribean, Very Vanilla, Tres Jolie DP (MME)
Ink: Noir Black (Palette)
Stamp Set(s): Changito Guitar (Stampendous), Relax..it's your day (A muse)
Accessories: Scalloped Circle Punch (Marvy), Scalloped Rectangle Punch (Marvy), Stampin' Write Markers: Chocolate Chip and Bashful Blue

I have been working on my ATCs for a swap on SCS. I will be giving you a sneak peak in the next few days.

Because I love to stamp and you do too!
Alli

P.S. I just wanted to wish a special little friend a birthday wish: Happy 5th B-Day Sammy. We miss you lots.

A Wedding Day card a la Sarah

One of my fav stamp artist, Sarah Vrolyk was chosen as the Featured Stamper on SCS. Her style is simple yet elegant. Not only do I love her cards but I also really appreciate her blog chatter!

I cased this cute little anniversary card. I changed the colours, added DP, changed the ribbon, used different stamps and added cuttlebug flower embellies with gemstones. The layout is essentially the same.

Because I just received my A muse stamps I knew I needed to use them for this challenge. The truth is I just needed an excuse to use them and Sarah is definitely about A muse so it was fitting.

I took two photos of my card and couldn't decide which one I liked better so I am posting both *lol*





Happy Wedding Day Card Recipe

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Pebbles Inc. DP
Ink: Noir black (Palette)
Stamp Set(s): Bride and Groom (A muse), Happy Wedding Day (A muse)
Accessories: Cuttlebug (Provocraft), Olivia Alphabet (Provo Craft) Gemstones (Hero Arts), Rectangle Punch (Fiskars), Polka Dot Ribbon (May Arts)

Thanks for sharing my fun today. On that note I want to add a little fun too. Some time today I will be posting some freebies. It's not blog candy...it's just a little gift I would like to give to some of you. Stayed tuned for my post some time today! And be ready to answer QUICKLY!!!!

Because I love to stamp and you do too!
Alli