OWH Hop!!

Hi everyone!  I'm not gonna take up much chatter time here since I'm participating in a very special blog hop today and I'd rather you spend the time hopping...or creating a project yourself!  If you need more to read from me (bwahahaha) I have a fun new post on my OTHER BLOG HERE as well!

Hello Hopping Friends! Thank you so much for coming by! 

We brought our creativity together in the hopes that we would inspire you to join us (DT members) in doing a good deed!

Most of you know our men and women from the armed forces are deployed all over the world. Sometimes these men and women are in places that make it very hard,or they’re far away from where they can pick up a sweet card to send a quick note home. Luckily,they have OPERATION WRITE HOME (OWH). OWH is a non-profit organization that sends special boxes filled with cards to soldiers all over the world. How can you help OWH keep the good deed going? By creating cards!!! Yes! OWH angels receive tons of handmade cards from crafters all over the world,then they check and organize cards to be sent out to our soldiers. 

Now we would love for you to join us to help OWH. We thought it would be amazing fun to do a blog hop to inspire you! Design Teams from Paper Temptress, Oozak and Color me Creative Classroom have joined together in one amazing Card Drive HOP. The fun just gets better! You can join in by making as many cards as you possibly can..the more you create the better your chances are to win one or more prizes.  Here are the guidelines on how to enter and win!  PLEASE remember that…IMPORTANT….OWH guidlines MUST be followed to be entered to win a prize.

 Once you create as many cards as possible enter a picture of ONE of the cards you have created on the hop inlinkz then mail all the cards you created  to the address below. Send as many cards as you can create so you have the best chance possible to win one or more of the 14 fabulous prizes by November 7th.

YES!! You do a good deed and you also can win a sweet gift!!!

Please visit the Hero Blog to see how much they appreciate the cards 

**WIN!!-You can join in by making a project (following OWH – size and safety guidelines), entering a picture of the project on the hop inlinkz (one project linked per person please) then mailing the project to us. We would LOVE it if you could send as many as you can by November 7th (we will screen them and send all of them to OWH) . You could win super prizes from amazing, super generous sponsors!!! YES!! You do a good deed and you also can win a sweet gift!!!

Thank you to our sponsors-

 ♥ Paper Temptress ♥ Oozak ♥ Color me Creative Classroom ♥

♥ Heartfelt Creations ♥ Gilli Stamps ♥ Bugaboo stamps ♥

♥ A day for daisies ♥ Through the Craft Door Room Magazine ♥

♥ Floppy Latte ♥ Sweet Pea Stamps ♥ Pizzaz Aplenty ♥

I created two seasonal cards with more generic sentiments.  I didn't want them to look too girly or too manly depending on who used them...in between works great!  I kept the layout similar so it was easy to cut and create both but make them each special in their own way.  This is about as CAS (clean & simple) as I get folks...I tried for less but I'm a more-is-more kinda girl but the layers all lay pretty flat and aren't very heavy.

Cardstock was a mix of Paper Trey Ink and Paper Temptress and I used a fall theme for this one.

The patterned paper is from BoBunny..I just used a circle die to trace and cut the round hills out.

Then distressed and inked them well.  The dark cream cs got embossed with D'vine Swirls embossing folder that I love and is great for fall/wintry backgrounds.  Sentiment is by PTI and then a few pearls and ribbon finished it off.  I glued everything done well and nothing on here would get hurt or damaged if smooshed flat which is important when creating for the OWH.

Inside both cards I created a "card within a card"...that way whomever gets this has plenty of space to write a letter or note home.  The cards can only be 4.5x5 so that doesn't give you a lot of writing space..this just adds a little more without making it bulky.  I stamped some leaves from a PTI set inside to decorate a bit more.

I changed the colors up for a wintry theme and added some snowflakes done with my punches. I embossed the aqua background with a CB embossing folder and inked the edges.  Sentiment is from PTI along with the ribbon at the bottom.

The beautiful white, shiny cardstock is from Paper Temptress and is called "Vintage Silver Lustre".

It KILLED me to not use glitter (a no-no for these OWH cards) so I went with a shiny, pretty paper instead, perfect for a snowy-wintry effect.

Isn't it gorgeous?  And its 25% off right now too...perfect for the holidays!

Hope you liked both and now I would LOVE for you to hop, leave comments and join in on the fun!

Its a great way to show you support and care for those overseas and missing home!

♥♥♥

Now it’s time to HOP around. Leave a little note as you pass by all these lovely designers’ blogs! Don’t forget to add your project to the Inlinkz at the end of the Hop! 

You will also find the address to mail your cards at the end of the hop. You can Hop throughout the month of October. This way everyone in their own time can hop and join in!

Make sure to add your card to the InLinkz (last blog on hop) so you get an entry for participating!

Find Address to Send OWH Cards to HERE

Blog Hop list directory

Anary 

  Sandy 

Allnock 

  Patricia St Martin

Steph Ackerman

Ann Fran

Dana Joy

Anita Autore

Danni Bindel

Lynne Haston

Monica Lowrance 

  Suzanne J Dean ~ you are here thx

Linda Payne 

  Amanda Reed 

  Nancy Jensen 

  Cathy Preissing 

  Vickie Kertz 

  Holley Barnhart 

  Karen Gautier 

  Samantha Casey 

  Christine Riley 

  Melanie 

  Paper Temptress  

Make sure to add your card to the InLinkz so you get an entry for participating!

Find Address to Send OWH Cards to HERE

Hi everyone!  I am sooooo sorry I haven't posted...egads its been since like the 27th of Dec! Yikes!  Between the holidays I got SICK...first with the flu...then with pneumonia...then I got the stomach flu...yeah all in a nice little row.  But it wasn't very ducky...it was AWFUL!  I am still trying to get my energy back to where it was.  There are blocks of days I don't even remember because I was out of it.  Everyone BUT Alexa got the flu in our house...hubby is still recovering from bronchitis...I'm hoping Alexa won't get sick.  Because this is how it works...I go to CHA every January and one of the kids almost ALWAYS gets sick..my bet is on Alexa this time.  They say 89% of the country is dealing with the flu..ugh...so if you are big hugs and speedy well-wishes to you. 

I leave in the morning for CA and CHA...I haven't really been out of the house since Christmas Eve other than to go to the Redskins vs. Seahawks game the other weekend.  So I'm REALLY looking forward to going to CHA and seeing everyone...I'm so crazy to get out of the house that I will be on a roll at CHA ahahaha...I may get into trouble...hmmmmm?  If you are going to be there come say HI to me in the Little Darlings booth...I'm there 10-2 everyday and then I'll be wondering the floor after that but I'd love to see ya!

BTW...follow me on Facebook if you don't already if you'd like...that's where I post live, up-to-the-minute stuff about craft world, me and of course all the CHA happenings!

So anywho...I did make some thank-you cards because I have a few to send out...I will put pics below.  I promise to have a REAL post with a REAL Copic-colored project next week after I get home from CHA along with newsies, Christmas pics and the sort!

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday and that the New Year is treating you well!

 My family on Christmas Day (minus James who is taking picture lol):

My dad, my mom, me and Riley in back...Alexa & my niece Kyla in front!

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Thank You Notes

All the thank you notes use Paper Trey Ink stamps, cardstock and inkpads...easy to make matching cards with these!  I kept the same size and cut all my cardstock first for 6 cards then started the stamping.  If you've followed me for years you know I use PTI stuff all the time, I'm obsessed with it and its great quality & colors.  And yes I have all the SU & Memento colors too...you can just never have ENOUGH colors right??? LOL!

I used the following stamps:

-Signature Greetings

-Polka Dot Basics

-Fancy Flourishes

-Damask Designs

in these colors:

-Hawaiian Shores

-Raspberry Fizz

-Winter Wisteria

For the Damask Designs I added a black polka-dot (from Polka Dot Basics) to the design to pull in some black accents.  This color is Hawaiian Shores.

This uses Polka Dot Basics stamped in Raspberry Fizz and the flower image is from another set.

This uses the Fancy Flourishes set stamped in Winter Wisteria & black.

This picture shows the Maya Road Spritz I added to the entire card after I was done...I believe the color is Iridescent Pearl (don't quote me though cuz my brain is still foggy LOL).  I love the pretty sparkle it gives the card but doesn't take away from the finished look at all.

So I'm done with the Thank You Notes....now I just gotta send them...ahahaha!  AFTER CHA that will happen!  Hope you all have an awesome week & I promise to be back next week!

Lifting Off!

Happy Monday to all of my friends out there!  I am in beautiful and sunny South Carolina, my favorite place on earth it is!  The weather has been fabulous and we spent the day on the beach yesterday which was nice—I like to just sit and read and I’ve got my Ipad Kindle loaded up with a bunch of great books for this summer.  Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan, some books by Barbara Freethy, Beach Lane by Sherryl Woods (love this Chesapeake series), One Summer by David Balducci and a new one by one of my fave SC authors Kathryn Wall (I’m going to meet her Tuesday night, yay) in the Bay Tanner Series “Jericho Cay”!  I’m sure I’ll read more than this but this is a great start, LOL!  Last year I read 13 books at the beach, hee hee, and yes I am a fast reader and I read very LATE into the night!

If you follow my blog you know I read A LOT---the 2 questions I get asked the most?  When do you have time to read?  Very late at night, I read before I go to bed every night no matter how tired I am as it helps me relax a bit and sometimes I’ll read until 4 am if the book is really, really good.  And then sometimes during the day on the weekends if our schedule allows it.  How do I get everything I do done? (that’s the 2nd question)  Welllllll, I’m not really sure and I have no easy answer for it really.  I work a lot, I’m a bit Type A and I like to be busy and moving until bedtime, LOL.  I have no magic answers or magic schedule and there are days that I want to pull my hair out and yes I do get stressed.  But I always remind myself that I’m happy to be alive, happy to work in such a great community and doing something I love and happy that I have the supportive family I have.  And oh yeah----I DO RUN ON BATTERIES LMBO

And of course I can’t EVER travel without a few fun things happening right?  I mean I have a curse me thinks that allows weird, strange and crazy things that follow me around for sure!  So we left for SC on Friday and took a pit stop at my parent’s to drop my dogs off and then ventured onwards to Florence, SC where we stopped for the night.  But at a NC rest stop I was in the potty and washing my hands when a woman came out with her pants at her ankles (no she was NOT special needs or older, she was around 30ish).  Best part?  She had NO underwear on---OMG!!  I was so stunned I just stood there and then I bust out laughing and ran out of the bathroom.  My friend Andi on FB suggested that maybe she was “air drying” LMBO but I’m not really sure what the heck she was up to---but I do know that I like toilet paper wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy too much, hee hee!  Then last night Riley and I were eating Alaskan King Crab legs for dinner (yum) and Riley put his shells in the basket BUT decided that there was a BUMP in the basket that he just haaaad to push down, LOL.  Why you ask---cuz that’s what crazy boys do I guess!  Yep he pushed it and the crab legs flew up thru the air and landed on the table beside us which surprised the heck outta the people sitting there of course—LMBO—omgoodness.  This is why you want to AVOID being near us when we eat or pretty much anywhere the Dean family goes, hee hee----strangeness FOLLOWS us.  But its all good and always fun

Here are a few pics for ya to giggle at (if you get this by email, pics are only viewable at website)



NewsBitz: 


-7 Kids College Fund has the new and super fabulous Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps in stock HERE!


-Check out the NEW CMC Challenge that just started this past weekend HERE!  Its a fun one and our sponsor is Tiddly Inks.  I love Christy Croll who is the artist and her digi images are so much fun to use and color!  Everyone is welcome to join in the fun--the more the merrier!

-And oh yeah, guess what I got CHIBI'd!!  LOL---that's right and she's below for you! If you want to get one visit Kristy's site HERE!  She does an awesome job and I just adore mine--too cute!  Red is my fave color and she included that in my shirt---kinda looks like me in cartoon form 'eh?  LOL!  Thanks Kristy!

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Flying Dreams!!

Today I’m sharing a project with you that I did while I was on the Splitcoast Stampers Dirty Dozen team in early 2010.  I’m thankful that I have a stock pile of projects from that time to share with you every now & again, lol.  These projects were not allowed to be shown at my blog until 6 mos after my term ended.  Helps me out when I’m on vacation since I only was able to get a few projects done before I left home!  This was one of my faves and features stamps by Paper Trey Ink.



The stamp set from Paper Trey Ink is called “Up, Up, & Away” along with the matching PTI dies to cut the balloons and clouds out.  The theme that particular month for the Dirty Dozen was “Invitations” and I created different invites using only tutorials/templates from the SCS site.  This one is called “Free Standing Pop Up Card”—a really fun & easy project to make and so many variations too.  I decided to make a Graduation Invitation with this stamp set---the air balloons remind me of dreaming, aiming high and heading off to new adventures.  The papers are by GCD Studios called “Homespun Chic” and I loved the yellow and aqua color combos. I stamped the hot air balloons right onto the patterned paper.  I die cut the clouds and then softly inked the edges with my Inkssentials Blending tool and then added Stickles to them for sparkle.



I made my card so that the insert pulls fully out, so you can flip the front around to reveal the invitation part.  I used another PTI set called “ for the “For the Graduate” sentiment and then used my computer to print off the invitation details.  I added a few more hot air balloon and cloud die cuts to match the front.  Don’t you think this would be such a FUN invite to receive?  I’d love to get something like this myself, LOL!



And then the insert slides down in the box part and it all folds flat so you can mail it easily!  A fun and creative way to make some invites for a summer party perhaps?

Ok I hope you enjoy your week!  I will have another post on Wed for you but if you want to keep up with me and my CRAZY family on vacation (lol ) you can follow me on FB. I regularly update it with pictures and such while I’m away and traveling (yes my family is used to this)!

Delightful Dahlia Petals!

Happy Tuesday everyone!  Today will be a super short post as the flu bug is kicking my rear and I'm still not up to par yet.  Everytime I look at the computer it looks furry, lol, like it has fur---so if you got weird messages/emails from me that didn't make sense I PROMISE you I wasn't drunk.  Just sick and with poor vision right now, LOL and I apologize! Thank goodness for my treasure trove of projects I made last year for my 6 month stint as a Dirty Girl on the Dirty Dozen Team at SCS--it's saved me today as I haven't crafted in a few days.  I'm super hopeful to get back in the studio today and do some work and catch up a  bit.  I hope none of you get the sickie-ickies, not fun at all :(

But I did get 10 of my 12 Christmas trees down and put away thanks to hubby helping me.  I will finish the others tonight but hubby has to get the outside decorations---wayyyyy too cold out for me, brrr.  They are calling for snow and ice this evening but I'm praying its a non-event for us, lol!  And the Ravens won their game on Saturday so I'm hoping they beat the Steelers this coming weekend too--I would like a hometown team in the Superbowl this year :) (sorry to the PA fans)

NewsBitz:

-The Distress Inks 1 Class by Angie Hunt premiered yesterday at CMC!  If you sign up before Jan.24th you will get a discount on the total--see all the details at the Color Me Creative Classroom HERE!

-Check out the sparkly NEW fabulous Best Creation paper pads at SCACD--they are beeeeutiful and I need some too, lol!

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Delightful Delilah Petals!

This fun gift set was made using a beautiful stamp set from Paper Trey Ink called "Delightful Dahlia".  This set is so versatile and so many fun ways to color.  I created a card with a 3-D version of the dahlia and a matching canvas coin purse.

I stamped the main dahlia image 3 times and colored it with copics using the "feathering" technique.  Then I cut out the different layers and popped them up with dimensionals for that fun 3-dimensional look.  Stickles on the petals add some sparkle as well.  The papers were from my very full scrap bin :) and then I added some matching pearls to the center of the dahlia and corners of the card.

I picked up a few of these canvas coin purses in my local craft store--they were only $2 each.  They are very fun to color!  I stamped with VersaCraft ink (which is for fabric and washable, works with copics too) and then colored with copics (V17,V12,V000/B04,B02,B00).  After I colored it I ironed it good to heat set the ink.  Then I added a matching pearl again but glued it on with a rhinestone/fabric adhesive so it won't budge. 

Hope you enjoyed this post today and sorry for the short post, my bed is calling me and my eyes need a rest, LOL!  See you tomorrow!

Gifts Galore!!

Happy Monday to you all!  Have you all recovered from your turkey-pie-stuffing-dessert-meal barrage, hee hee?  I know I ATE WAY too much that's for sure and I gotta run some extra miles this week me thinks.  I'm putting up all my Xmas decorations this week and I hope to be done by Friday so on Saturday we can go and "hunt" our real trees (2) at Snicker's Gap Tree Farm here in Virginia.  I'm praying for good weather on Saturday as well cuz' its not as fun when it's freezing cold and/or raining KWIM!  I went to Target yesterday evening to get some replacement Xmas lights and can I just say that place was "GUTTED", LOL!  It looks like the Friday shoppers took ahold of the store and emptied it I tell ya---I couldn't find much of anything so I'm hoping our Lowes has lights in stock or I'll be in TROUBLE--yikes!  Every year I struggle to find lights and why the heck the stores don't get more in boggles my mind I tell ya---when you start putting out Xmas stuff in August I guess the shelves get bare.  BUT RETAILERS HEAR ME NOW---I DO NOT shop for Xmas stuff in Aug/Sept! NO WAY!! LOL!  I also don't shop for Halloween items in July--it's just bizarre I tell you!  I don't get it at all and it drives me insane---looney, hee hee!  Does it bother you too?!!

NewsBitz:

-I am loading up over 50+ of my paper projects to my Etsy site--I have loaded a bunch up but more will be loaded this evening!  So if you are interested in purchasing any of them you can visit my Etsy Store HERE!  But remember I will have more up tonight after 10 pm EST, so check back!  I want to clear out my shelves, lol!

-Remember to check out my Copic Classroom CMC Holiday Special going on thru Jan. 4th--a great way to gift yourself or a friend to copic classes!  See below post or on the main page of my classroom HERE for all the details!!

-Teri of Spunky & Tadpole was my Gina K winner (see below post) but I haven't heard from ya yet!  I'll give you a week and then I'll have to choose another winner, so if anyone knows Teri please give her a holler :)

-I've got a FABULOUS blog post coming later this week (crossing fingers) that NONE of you will want to miss!  It's exciting, fun for you and fun for me, hee hee!  Just you wait :)

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Wine Lovers Celebrate!!

This gift set was made by me early in March for the magazine that I publish with my pal Marti, "Through the Craftroom Door".  But since it's gift giving time I thought it was the perfect time to share it on my blog with you all!  I created it with my mom in mind because she loves wine and has a glass at dinner a few nights a week (and no she's not a wine-o I swear, lol, she'll shoot me for saying that, hee hee)!  But she is a bit of a wine connoisseur and I thought this would be a wonderful gift to recreate for a wine-lover in your life!  The set includes a wine towel (to wipe up drips or wrap around wine bottle), wine glass charms, wine glasses and matching card!  The stamps are all by Paper Trey Ink's "Damask Designs" which is a timeless and traditional set to add to your collection (I loveee it)!!  This set was for Mother's Day but it's super easy to change/add any sentiment for any holiday or occasion you need it for!
 

 I bought a set of 4 wine glasses from Target that were of nice quality but inexpensive!  I cleaned them good on the outside and let them dry completely and then I've stamped directly onto the glasses with my PTI stamp using alcohol ink and a Palette Ink refill mixed together.  Instead of putting the acrylic stamp on a block I held it in my hand & dipped it into my ink mixture, then carefully wrapped the stamp onto the wine glass gently and lifted off quickly.  I love the watery look of the stamp on the glass.  Then I took a crystal clear Viva Decor Glass Gel Pen and added dimensional beads to my design on the glasses--gives it an extra sparkle!
 

I created my card base out of a transparency to echo the look of the wineglasses and it just looks COOL! LOL!  I used the PTI stamp set (Damask Designs) to create the background on the blue cs to make my own patterned paper to match.  The beautiful sentiment is from the PTI set "Mother" --you could easily change out the sentiment for any holiday/occasion that you need!  The pearl accents were made with my Viva Decor Pearl Pen in ice white (on sale 15% off now)---easy & fun to use!

Wine glass charms are so much fun to make and so easy too!  For these I bought all my supplies at my local craft store.  The ring bases are actually round metal earrings (bought in packs) that I added coordinating beads and charms to.  They easily hook on and off of your glasses and you can make them to match for any holiday or home decor!  You can buy these pre-made in stores in sets of 6 for upwards of $25---I made 6 of them for under $6!!  Great gift idea! And I loved that the charms matched the damask of my stamp set too!

The wine towel I bought plain and then I've embellished it with washable products.  The images were stamped on with Palette Ink which is perfect for fabric and washable!  Then I added some more pearl trim with the same Viva Decor Pearl Pen (that I used on the card)--these pearls are heavy duty and will NOT wash off!  So it makes a pretty addition to the set and is quick & easy to make too!

See ya back here tomorrow!!

Bridal Joy Ride!!

Well hello and a Happy Tuesday to you all!  I hope you all had a wonderful 3-day holiday weekend (for those of us in the states anyhow)--I know I sure did!  The weather was beyond perfect, no humidity, blue skies and soft breezes.  We spent the majority of our time outside enjoying the weather, almost completed patio and just good ole family time.  I didn't work much this weekend so I could really spend quality time with my family and enjoy this last weekend of summer before the busy-ness of school, traveling and holidays come along.  And yesterday we braved the HUGE crowds of shoppers at our area's largest mall (Tysons and Tysons Galleria) to finish the much dreaded school shopping--ugh!  The lines were long but we managed to get in & out in 2.5 hours so that wasn't too bad and the kids are all done except for winter coats and some sweaters which we'll pick up later in the season when they're needed.  Then we came home, organized and labeled school supplies and the kids got in bed early after showers.  Alexa is super excited to start her new high school--her high school is brand new this year and it's beautiful!  They transferred kids from a few other high schools but the classes will remain small for a few more years and she'll be the first graduating class that goes all 4 years there which is kinda special.  Riley is of course excited to see his friends and his favorite class which is history :)  Poor Alexa has her first day tomorrow and then has cheerleading practice followed by a football game so she'll be there from 8:30 am until almost 10 pm.  We'll be going to the game tomorrow to see her cheer of course!

This week will be semi-light for me as I'm getting prepared to get on the road for my traveling Copic Classes (see locations and info at www.cmcroad.com )--I've got lots to finish this week including all the written tutorials and info packs which is a lot of work to get done. 

NewsBitz:

-Blog Candy winner of the "What's Your Fave Scent" is Linda of Linda's Stamping Blog! Congrats Linda--please email me your address!  Some of you asked about my fave scents and they are honeysuckle, fresh mowed grass and fresh baked bread!!

-Blog Candy winner of "What Kind of Packer Are You?" is Joynana of Love That Paper!  Congrats Joynana & email me your address please!  Seems most of you like to overpack like me, LOL (makes me feel a bit better)

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Bridal Joy Ride!!

So I'm breaking out some of my older projects I did this year for the first issues of the magazine "Through the Craftroom Door" that me and my pal Marti publish.  This was one of my favorites and I just had to use this one today!  I made a fun bridal thank-you note set that could be given as part of a wedding shower or wedding day present.  It includes a fun card for the bride & groom so you could stick some cash or a gift card in and a box of matching thank you notes.  The stamp set I used for this set is PTI's "Enjoy the Ride" set--which is really fun.  It includes all kinds of fun sentiments for the car's license plate and they also sell the matching car die that I used on the notecard set!

This is the card for the bride & groom and I kept the color scheme all yellow, white and black but you could of course change it for the season or to match the wedding's colors.  I colored the card with Copics (i'll add the colors later but I believe it was Y18,Y15,Y11,Y00,Y0000).  Then I added some diamond glaze to the back window and stickles to the headlights--the bumper got a subtle sparkle from a clear Spica Pen.  To add a touch of whimsy and romance I added some yellow Prima mini roses to the back window as well.  Then around the circle image and along the sentiment I added Viva Decor Pearl Pen pearls in cream for some elegance.  The paper trim was done with a MS border punch and the sentiment was popped up in the center with pop-dots for more dimension.

From the pictures above it's hard to tell but each notecard was scored with my Scor-Pal to create a basket weave texture on the white cardstock.  Then I used some of the fabulous papers from GCD Studios to trim the edges and added some paper trims with my MS border punch.  The pearls again were made with my Viva Decor Pearl Pen and the sentiment is from another PTI set.

To finish the set off I packed up the notecards and envelopes in a clear acrylic box (I get mine at www.clearbags.com ).  I wrapped the box with a band using all of my same papers and I also used the matching PTI car die and stamped the car on top of it again, added some more roses and tied it on with a pretty bow.  I know a lot of brides would love to get a coordinating thank you note set like this and it was soooo much fun to create!

Have a wonderful day!

Pearls, Pearls Everywhere!

Helllooooo and Happy Friday to you all!  I'm so thrilled that the weekend is here I tell ya!  Although I have a lot of work to get done, I can sleep in a bit and hang with the family!  Tomorrow my daughter has her All-District Chorus concert which will be nice--I always enjoy those.  She picked out her high school curriculum yesterday---woweee---can't believe she starts high school in the fall, where the heck did time go?!  These classes they take in high school now, so much work and so much pressure on these young kids---I worry about them!  Between all the nastiness out there, the peer pressure, social pressure and school pressure it's no wonder teens have a tough time of it these days---SUCCESS is forced down their throats so much ya know.  I continue to tell my kids that I want them to do well in school but I want them to be successful in what THEY WANT to do you know.  My dad always told me that if I pursued art as a career it would take me nowhere--LOL--well, Dad guess what---look where I am now and all the wonderful things I get to take part in :o)  You really have to pursue what you love and I truly believe that--passion is the key to living life well!!  And now I'll get off my preachy podium, hee hee!

OMGoodness I've been overwhelmed with all the comments and emails that I've gotten about the magazine/newsletter and my Copic Classes that I am STUNNED I tell ya!  I'm so thrilled that so many of you are as excited as I am and looking forward to it all!  And thank you all for your kind and encouraging words--it means ALOT to me!!

Some More Answers for ya quickly:

-I will have Copic Class Descriptions with prices and supply lists up on my blog very soon--so you can have an idea of everything and be prepared!  There is NO waiting list, you will be able to take the classes whenever you'd like for as long as you like (within a year) :o)  I promise you, they will NOT disappoint and you will be a pro at Copics when you finish the classes!!

-The classes will be on a separate site, NOT here on my blog!  There will be links on my blog to the site though and I will announce it on my blog so don't worry, hee hee!

-IF and ONLY IF, you have taken a Copic class with me at my home (or plan to) you can also register for the classes at a VERY discounted and low rate--so you will have access to all the pdf files and videos as well.  When the site is up and running and if this is something you want to do, you can email me separately for an invoice.

-I will STILL DO MY BLOG!!  I will still do YouTube videos, I will still be designing---yes I have alot on my plate but nothing will change here at ScrapBitz!!

-Marti & I are looking for ideas, submissions and projects for our first issue!  If you want to email me at sjdean0574@yahoo.com this is what I am looking for (pictures must be clear and bright) and please tag your email subject lines as stated below:

**craft room pictures (subject line: craft room)
**projects that SHIMMER & SPARKLE  (subject line: shimmer)
**what questions you might have about a particular product, tool or technique (subject line: question)
**if you specialize in a craft technique let me know if you'd like to share a project that showcases that technique (subject line: special technique) and/or if you would like to do a coordinating video
**if you know someone that might want to share their talent, let THEM know :o)

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Today I have some projects for ya featuring some HOT NEW Products called "Viva Decor" that are all available HERE at Susana's Store!  I have also done two videos (with 2 more to come) that you can see HERE and HERE that give more info on some of the products!  Go HERE to enter for some FREE PRODUCT!

**NEW Video on Glass Effects Gel and Glitter Liners HERE!!***

Cute as a Button!!

If you watch my Viva Decor "Pearl Pen" video HERE, you will see this cute baby onesie that I did.  I used the PTI set "Baby Button Bits" to create a custom baby gift and card.  The paper is also by PTI. 

For my card I used a fave color combo of hot pink, pale yellow and lots of white!  I stamped out the flower image from "Baby Button Bits", added some PTI buttons after coloring with Copics and some stickles to the leaves.  Then I added some Pearl Pen (in ice white) to the stems of the flower--I LOVE these Pearl Pens!  Why?  You can create your own pearls (and you know how I luv 'em)--any size, any color!  The fun ribbon is from Michaels and I used my Bow Easy to make that nice bow ;o)

Here's a closer look at the onsie--I used the "bee" stamp from the PTI set to make a butterfly!  HOW?  Well I CUT the bee from it's flight path (easy to do with acrylic stamps), stamped it on the onesie in PTI Palette Ink, then inked up just the antennae part and flipped it to create the bottom wings.  Then I stamped the flight path in pink Palette Ink AND white Palette ink.  The sentiment is from the PTI set "Handwritten Notes" and I took a felt button and added it to the center of the butterfly with Aleenes fabric/washable glue.  Then I traced the butterfly's flight path with the Pearl Pen to make small seed pearls and did the same along the neckline of the onesie.  (I did small pearls since this is for a baby FYI)

The Pearl Pen is WASHABLE (cool & gently cycle/no dryer)--they do not come off no matter how hard you try AND they are hard, you can not indent them or damage them!  Cool huh!!  I have soooo many fabric projects I'm going to use these on--tote bags, towels, t-shirts not to mention you can use them on any textile (including leather), wood, acrylic, paper and glass surfaces!  You can check them out HERE!  Watch my video on them HERE!

Second project uses one of my favorite line of stamps from I Brake For Stamps--the Humorous Seniors line!  I just love these old folks--they give me a good laugh everytime!  Here's a secret I'll let you in on...shhh...I want to learn to knit so I've signed up for a class at my JoAnn's, hee hee!  I've been wanting to do it for awhile so I saw the ad and went in and signed up--we'll see how I do,LOL!  My grandma taught me when I was young but all I ever made was VERY LONG STRING, LMBO! 

So I had to have this stamp called "Knitting Jane with Cat"--this might be me in 30 years, LMBO!!  I paper pieced the chair to match using papers from SEI.  Isn't that sentiment fun--it CRACKS me up I tell ya!  You can find the entire Humorous Seniors Line HERE and don't forget to use the Coupon Code "SAVE10SUZANNE" to get 10% off your entire order!!  And yes, I created all those pearls with my Pearl Pen in ice white--love that pen!  I also used some Smooch Illuminate Paint on the yarn and chair too and some stickles on her slippers!

SUZANNE TIP:  When you paper piece don't forget to shade it with your Copics so it all matches--you don't want it to look flat!  I shaded mine with BG11 and C2 & C3. I also added some diamond glaze to her glasses :o)  Isn't she fun--love her!

That's it from me today---I'll see ya tomorrow!

Bottom's Up!!

And a Happy Saturday to ya!! Hope your weekend is off to a fabulous start! It's actually nice here today (finally) & supposed to be sunny & in the 80's all weekend (yippee)! Great weather for a pool party tonite me thinks! Lots of outside time--gotta do some grillin' too, love grilled veggies! My weight update so far is I've lost 9 lbs, 2" from my hips & waist, 1 inch from each thigh & .5 inch from my arms!! 13 lbs left to go--but I'm seeing a difference for sure, my arms & legs look more toned--Jillian Michaels "Shreddin'" me for sure, hee hee! Only have 2 more weeks before I leave for our beach vacation so gotta kick it in high gear (more than I was already doin'--ack)! Alrighty onto my projects for the day!

NewsBitz: Don't forget to check out my Magnolia-licious DT project for our Blog Hop on the post below if you haven't already. You can join in the fun & if you leave a comment on the below post you can win my Patriotic Project as well!!

If you stopped by looking for my "200,000" hits (now over that--wowzers) Blog Candy I've delayed it until Monday--sorry! I had to pick up a few more things for it cuz' I want it to be magnificent for ya!!
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Okie Dokie--this was a fun project for me to make yesterday even though I felt glum & foggy (probably due to the lack of sunlight on my body), hee hee! This will cheer ya up for sure. I got these fabulous body products from the Target $1 in yummy flavors like Mango Colada, Limeade & Strawberry Sangria & they smell delish!! So of course I bought a ton (hee hee) so I could make gift sets with them.

I designed my own template for the body products using only 1 sheet of 12x12 cs to make this cute tote/bag--I hate lots of cs cuts & such! (If you'd like me to do a tutorial/instructions for the template let me know--if I get enough requests I will) It's super easy to make & can be adjusted for size easily! And where did I get my idea from you ask--its kinda funny--but I was throwing away an empty orange juice carton in the recyclin' bin on Wed. & thought I could use this, hee hee. But it didn't wash out very well & I figured I could make my own version--which I did & eliminated the sides which makes it easier to build. So ya never know where inspiration might come from--LOL--obviously I need to go thru the recyclin' bin more often!

**If you love this it's for sale in my Etsy shop (link on sidebar) & there will be more**

I used my fabulous new set from PTI called "A Day at the Beach"--lovee it!! I paired it with this fun & fabulous dp from Flair Designs--isn't it perfect for these stamps? I cut out a circle from the front w/ my circle Nesties and then put a transparency over the backside as a lil' window and embossed the top panel only.
Side view of the tote--I made a lil' band for each side so the bottles inside wouldn't fall over & attached them (on their bottoms) with Scor-Tape to the bottom of the tote. I attached everything with Scor-Tape cuz' I lovee that stuff--I swear you could build a house w/ it & it would withstand hurricane winds, LOL! And the fact that you can just rip it w/ your hands & not have to gunk up your scissors--fabulous I say! The tote also ties together with a PTI ribbon bow--2 small holes punched at the top--easy peasy!

Close up of the front images--how fun are these drinks? I stamped them & then colored with Copics. The straw/icecube is a separate stamp that you can stamp over the image--fun! I put some coarse glitter on the edge of the margarita glass & stickles on the ice cubes! (yes I see I went out of the lines twice, but it's now fixed, lol). I bent the sentiment on my block so that it followed the curve of the oval--great thing about acrylic stamps!

Of course I had to do a matching card! That yummy lookin' drink has stickles on top to make it shimmery! This time I added a drink umbrella and some fun Flower Petal embellies!

Inside of box & what the yummy Mango Colada products look like!
If you're looking for them in Target--here's a pic of the Strawberry Sangria products. I also picked up body lotions, lip gloss & nail kits to match!

Well, I hope you enjoyed my summer projects today! If you want instructions on how to make this tote please let me know--and I will post them soon for ya! Don't forget to enter for my project prize on the post below if you lovee it!

Have a fabulous weekend & I'll see ya back here on Monday with some yummo BLOG CANDY!

hugz,
Suzanne