Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Waving hello!

And it's a very happy hello!

Hi guys... so yea, I've been MIA this past week. But the absence has all been for a very good reason. On Monday Mom was released from Virginia Mason and I was able to bring her back to Wenatchee where she will be spending the next couple of weeks in the Transitional Care Unit at CWH. She has a lot of physical therapy ahead of her before she can come home but she is getting stronger every day. Her kidneys are still doing amazingly well and hopefully the drains in her sides will be able to come out soon too. We are so close to being done with this 'summer of hospitals' and I won't miss it for a second! So thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who has kept us in your thoughts and prayers all this time. ♥

This card isn't a new one. I actually made it for the June/July issue of Designed to Color. I followed the sketch call and used Tadpole Polly for a very summer inspired card. I love how this one came together but to be honest, looking at it now, it makes me miss the summer I didn't have just a bit. Time has flown by and the nights here are already cooling down. Luckily, fall is my favorite time of year anyway and I'm hoping that this new season will bring with it some amazing changes.

I hope you all can take a moment and relish this final week of summer and the big holiday weekend coming up.  :)

TTYL!  


Supply list:
cardstock- Bazzill and Copic X-Press It
paper- Fancy Pants (Summer Soul)
stamps- Sweet November (Tadpole Polly), Kraftin' Kimmie (sentiment)
ink- Memento tuxedo black and rich cocoa, Colorbox creamy brown
Making Memories flowers
button
American Crafts knock out border punch
Kaiser Craft gems
Signo Uniball white gel pen
Copic Spica glitter pen
Copic markers:
skin- E000, E21, E13, R00, R20
hair- Y11, Y21, Y26, E33
clothes- RV13, RV14, RV25, YR12, YR15, YG00, YG01, YG03, E44, E47

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Eat, drink, and be scary!

Hi guys!

I'm popping in with a quick post before I head over the mountains to visit my mom. Oh! And amazing news on that front... the kidney doctor has signed off on no more dialysis treatments! Yep, her kidneys are doin' their thing again which is just fantastic. I don't have to tell you that the entire fam is very, very excited. Not long now and I know she will be back home, healing yet healthy. :)

Ok, so onto my card... it's review preview time on the ATS blog and it is Sweet November's turn in the spotlight. I couldn't resist inking up the cranky looking Gobsmack again but this time I altered him a bit by trimming off his pitchfork and instead giving him a potion bottle to carry. The inspiration totally came from that great piece of paper that has rows and rows of spooky looking bottles and decanters on it. I love how it looks like he's a little imp raiding the witch's cupboard. ;)

There are plenty more spooktacular cards to get you in the Halloween spirit over on the ATS blog so be sure to check them out as well.

TTYL!   
Supply list:
cardstock- Bazzill and Copic X-Press It
paper- Moxxie (potion bottles), Authentique (script)
stamp- Sweet November (Gobsmack the Goblin)
ink- Memento tuxedo black and Martha Stewart black
Martha Stewart potion bottle and spider epoxy stickers
Knot & Bow twine
My Favorite Things speech bubble die
computer generated sentiment
Copic markers:
YG93, YG95, YG97, YG99, W3, G20, G40, BG000, 0

Monday, August 20, 2012

Sea you soon

Well would you look at that? Two posts in two days! It's been awhile since that has happened, LOL! 

Not only do I have a post today but after three months I also have a new coloring video up on my Youtube channel. It's all about creating an under water feel, using Copics of course, and it is something that I've wanted to share ever since I first got this sweet Snorkel Beatrice stamp way back in May. Needless to say, the timing wasn't great for me but when it came my turn to do a Make It Monday tutorial over on the ATS blog, I finally had the incentive to grab my Flip and just do it. :)

The video runs about 18 minutes but when you consider that is coloring the whole image and background... not too shabby. And all together I was able to create the entire card in under 45 minutes, which works great within my current schedule. And I have to say that I'm glad I finally made the time to color this Beatrice up. I've gotten a handful of new summer type stamps these past few months and I'm just now realizing that my window to use them this season is drawing close to an end... yikes! I want to do my best to ink up this sad, and as yet unloved rubber so we'll see how well I do. 

Anywho, I should go get myself ready for work. Hope your week is off to a great start!    
Supply list:
cardstock- Bazzill and Copic X-Press It
paper- Studio Calico (Heyday)
vellum
stamps- CC Designs (Snorkel Beatrice), Kraftin Kimmie (sentiment)
ink- Memento tuxedo black and Colorbox creamy brown
twine
Doodlebug fish braddie
Sakura clear glaze pen
Copic markers:
skin- E0000, E000
hair- E81, E84, E87
clothes- Y11, Y32, Y35, R11, RV42, G000, G00, BG34
water- B0000, B000, BG0000, 0

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Hello Handsome

Hey there!

Yes, my posting is still sporadic... mostly because my crafting time is still sporadic. But I have enjoyed a bit of coloring time recently so I'll have a few cards to share this upcoming week. Promise! :)

I also have some exciting news to share about my mom. Yesterday her kidney doctor talked to her about how it looks like her kidneys are finally starting to work again. So he has decided to skip her regularly scheduled round of dialysis on Monday and check her numbers again after that. We are praying that this means she may finally be done with dialysis once and for all. Which, if that happens, will only help to speed up her release from the hospital. OMGosh, I can't even tell you how excited I am by that possibility!

You would think that mom's return home would bring with it a return to my regularly scheduled life but things may be happening soon that will postpone that a bit longer. I don't want to jinx anything but lets just say that I may have to pack up my crafty room for a while. Sure, that will be a huge hassle and inconvenience in the short term but the promise of a new and bigger space will be well worth it. ;)

Anywho, keep cool my stampy peeps and know that I miss visiting you all and feel so out of the crafty loop!  
Supply list:
cardstock- Bazzill
paper- Reminisce and Paper Loft
stamps- October Afternoon (fox), Hero Arts (sentiment)
ink- Memento tuxedo black and Colorbox creamy brown
buttons

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

I fall to pieces...

Olo!

I hope all is well on this fine summer day. It's been pretty hot here in my neck of the woods and so far I haven't managed to make any time to go jump in the lake. I'm thinkin' I need to remedy that situation ASAP, LOL! ;)

Anywho... it's another review preview day over on the ATS blog today and even though I didn't make a card for it I still had this fun Frankie Stein card that I made for previews and never shared here. So she is perfect to go up today. Frankie is so cute and quirky that I couldn't resist playing a bit with some of the neon Copic markers to give her a spooky glow. I added neon green to her hair, neon orange to the pumpkin pail and neon violet to her dress. At first I was a little like, "What did I just do!" but when I paired her up with the bright stripes of the Doodlebug paper it worked, so I could breath a sigh of relief. The skin tone is that funky E70s combo that I like to pull out for Halloween and all of my little un-dead ghoulies. I've gotta say that I always look forward to Halloween cards because they give me the freedom to really go crazy with more 'out there' color combos, which totally gets me out of any creative rut I may find myself in. 

Ok, so there are plenty more Mashi's Muffins to peruse on the ATS blog today and get you inspired to try something new and different on your cards. :)

Have a good one!       
Supply list:
cardstock- Bazzill and Copic X-Press It
paper- Doodlebug
stamps- Mashi's Muffins (Frankie Stein), October Afternoon (sentiment)
ink- Memento tuxedo black and Martha Stewart black
Prima flowers and pearls
Tim Holtz tiny tag die
Knot & Bow twine
Sharpie white marker
Copic markers:
skin- E000, E70, E71, E04
hair- C5, C7, C9, FYG1, YG00, YG23, YG25
eyes- BV25, BV29, BG000
clothes- V06, V09, FV2, FYR1, YR04, YR18, E25, YG23, RV66, RV69, E40, E81, 0

Monday, August 13, 2012

Hello Friends

Hello, hello!

Long time, no see. What a week it was these last six days or so. I had a bunch of different things going on, all on top of visiting my mom at the hospital, so I was kept very busy. Some of it has the potential to be pretty exciting for me but I'm going to hold off on going into details until it all becomes a "for sure" deal. So yea, life continues on at a pretty hectic pace for me at the moment but I'm hoping that it will all be worth it in the long run. :)

So the update on Mom is that she is still at Virginia Mason, still on dialysis, but working hard with her physical therapists to become mobile enough to be transferred to a rehabilitation/care facility back in Wenatchee. This would get her much closer to home and the entire family is hoping that this will happen soon. So we are praying for her growing strength and the continued healing of her kidneys. Thank you to every one of you that has been keeping her in your prayers and well wishes, it truly means the world to me. 

And you know I couldn't post without a card to share so today I've got another non-coloring card that I made for a class last month. As you can see, I'm having a bit of fun playing with vellum again. It's certainly one of those things that I've had in my stash since I first started scrapping and crafting but over the years it starts to get pretty neglected. I have to say that I'm having quite a bit of fun using it with my border punches and dies... what a fresh way to give this crafty staple new life. ;)

Alrighty friends, time for me to head to work. TTYL!  
Supply list:
cardstock- Bazzill 
paper- Bazzill (Vintage Market)
vellum
Hero Arts sentiment stamp
ink- Memento rich cocoa and Colorbox chestnut roan
prima flowers
Kaiser Craft pearls
Memory box butterfly die
Fiskars border punch

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

She's a little devilish

Olo!

It's probably no surprise to you that I'm on the run again today. Yep, I'm making my way back over to Seattle to hang out with my mom who is still in the hospital. The good news is that we are hoping to finally get her back home before this month is over... yeah!

But before I go, I want to share a card that I made for the review preview over on the ATS blog today. It's another Halloween card and this one features the lovely new Devilish Lucy from CC Designs as well as the new Pumpkins die cutter. Lucy is really too sweet looking to be truly devilish but she is giving it her best for the holiday. ;)
The papers are all random scraps that I collected from my scrap bags, which always gives me a satisfying feeling when I use up a bit more. Now if I can just keep up that trend I might actually start to make a dent in my scraps, LOL! 

Well friends, my apologies in advance for being pretty absent this week. I was hoping to get a couple more posts pre-scheduled but just plum ran out of time. Sigh... one of these days I'll be back on track. Pinky promise. :)

Laters!
Supply list:
cardstock- Bazzill and Copic X-Press It
paper- The Girls' Paperie, Authentique and Creative Imaginations
stamps- CC Designs (Devilish Lucy), AmyR (Ghostly Greetings)
ink- Memento tuxedo black and Martha Stewart black
Prima flowers and gems
Knot & Bow twine
Tim Holtz tiny attacher
Sakura clear glaze and stardust glitter pens
Copic Spica glitter pen
Copic markers:
skin- E000, E00, E11, R00, R20
hair- E50, E51, E53
clothes- T5, T7, T9, 110, YR04, YR07, YR09, E09, C5, C7, C9

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Some spooky winners!

Hi guys!

Happy Saturday to ya... how about we make it an even happier day for a few lucky ladies? I had a good time diving into some Halloween cards with this new August release and now it is time to share the Halloween love.  :)  

Alrighty... no sense in keeping you in suspense any longer. So without further ado the winner's of the Sweet November August candies are:
Congratulations ladies! Please email me at: pete_danger @ hotmail.com with your mailing info and I will get your prizes sent out on Monday. :)
Big thanks again to everyone who came out for the reveals and said such nice things about our new spooky friends... without you they wouldn't be nearly as much fun!


I'm off to work today but before I go I just wanted to share the preview card that I made with the super cute new Pumpkin Laugh stamp. I love those Laugh girls I tell ya! So even though I'm sure you're still feeling the summertime heat, hopefully this new release will get you ready for cooler fall days and celebrations! 

XOXO
Supply list:
cardstock- Bazzill and Copic X-Press It
paper- KI Memories 
stamps- CC Designs (Pumpkin Laugh), Amy R (Ghostly Greetings)
ink- Memento tuxedo black and Colorbox orange
CC Designs Bats die
Martha Stewart border punch
Sharpie white marker
Copic markers:
skin- E000, E00, E11, R00, R20
hair- C5, C7, C9
eyes- G28, BG000, 0
clothes- YR24, YR04, YR27, YG03, YG95, YG97, E44, E47, E49, E81, 0, T5, T7, T9

Thursday, August 2, 2012

A trio of Halloween pals

Hey guys... what do you say we make a quick jaunt back through that deep, dark and twisty wood just beyond Sweet November Land? Back to the place where we will find haunted houses, creepy castles and mad scientist labs galore. That spooky village is still inhabited year round by a host of quirky characters that are both a little sweet and a little sour. The only time that they venture out into our world is on that one special night of October 31st. It is then that they can blend in with the crowds of innocent trick-or-treaters and play mischief on all they meet.
So light up a jack o' lantern and hold it high as we cautiously trek on into the woods to see who we can find...


As we trek deeper into the wood and the moon disappears behind a bank of clouds it's easy to feel a bit lost and unsure of the way back home. Luckily I can see a soft glow filtering through the trees guiding us forward. There in a small clearing sit three carved jack o'lanterns shining bright. And perched atop each one is a familiar face. These little characters are taking a break from hanging out with the witches, Hazel and Hilda, and instead they are sharing their spooktacular adventures with each other. Luna the owl is chuckling about the latest broom races while Vlad the bat is boasting about his recent batch of malevolent morsels being cooked up and Lucy the black cat is quite insistent that Hazel could use some flying lessons before she goes back up on a ride with her again. It's easy to get caught up in their chatter but as the first faint rays of dawn light the sky the trio of Halloween critters insist it is time for bed and we can finally see the way back home.

So it is time to say our goodbyes and grab some Halloween candy for the road... yum!    
The Three Pumpkins candy kit includes; one Sweet November Three Pumpkins set rubber stamp, ten 6x6 sheets of My Mind's Eye Spooked paper, small Studio G acrylic sentiment stamps, Prima flowers and Kaiser Craft pearls, ribbon, twine, buttons, Rock Candy stickles, four envelopes, four card blanks and my card. 

All you have to do for a chance to win the candy is leave a comment on this post. If you link to the candy on your own blog that is great and much appreciated but not a requirement... I want everyone to be able to play along. And when I say everyone, I mean everyone. I will ship the candy anywhere in the world so everyone is encouraged to play! :)

The candies will stay open through tomorrow Friday, August 3rd and I will announce the winners on Saturday, August 4th. And just so you know... all of the new August stamps will be available for purchase tonight at the ATS store.


Alrighty, now be sure to visit the Sweet November Gal's blog! Nancy's creativity is lighting things up just like a jack o'lantern! :)

Once again... instead of using random generator I will be printing out names and tossing them in a hat SO if you leave comments for the SN gals on their blogs, you will get an extra name in the hat for each one that you do... this will up your chances of winning the candy... fun, fun, fun!

And with that we have another Sweet November release in the books. It's a little spooky and a little crazy but isn't that what Halloween is all about? Thanks so much for joining in all the fun and don't forget to run on over to the ATS blog for even more chances to win today!
Supply list:
cardstock- Bazzill and Copic X-Press It
paper- My Mind's Eye (Spooked)
stamps- Sweet November (Three Pumpkins set), AmyR (Ghostly Greetings sentiment)
ink- Memento tuxedo black and Martha Stewart black
Kaiser Craft gems
Tim Holtz tiny attacher
Knot & Bow twine
My Mind's Eye diecut tab
Sakura clear glaze pen
Copic markers:
pumpkins- Y38, YR16, YR18, E19, Y5, YR15, W00, E81, 0, YG21, YG25, YG67, G29
Lucy- N0, n1, N5, N7, N9, E40, 0, YG01, YG03, G28, R12
Vlad- BV23, BV25, BV29, C5, C7, C9, R12, BG000
Luna- E40, E41, 0, E44, E47, E49, YR04, Y13, Y17, Y21, YR24

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Gobsmackin' good candy

Hey guys... what do you say we make a quick jaunt back through that deep, dark and twisty wood just beyond Sweet November Land? Back to the place where we will find haunted houses, creepy castles and mad scientist labs galore. That spooky village is still inhabited year round by a host of quirky characters that are both a little sweet and a little sour. The only time that they venture out into our world is on that one special night of October 31st. It is then that they can blend in with the crowds of innocent trick-or-treaters and play mischief on all they meet.
So light up a jack o' lantern and hold it high as we cautiously trek on into the woods to see who we can find...

Brrr... the wind has turned quite chilly as we make our way down the moonlit path. Off in the distance we spot a spooky castle with lights shining in the windows which means someone, or something is home. Hmmm... do we dare get closer? Look, the air seems to be swimming. No, it's that crazy group of ghosts that we saw Thurston chasing last year. Well, it looks like they have a new castle to call home. Or maybe not... that wild looking little goblin who is bounding towards us sure doesn't look happy to have all these visitors. The Halloween imp introduces himself as Gobsmack and he is hoping that we are the paranormal exterminators that he called to help with his infestation. Gobsmack is none to happy to hear that we aren't there to help and he starts to go on an on about having to live with the din and noise... apparently these ghosts are trying to start a band and aren't that good. No sense in just whining about the problem as Gobsmack decides to take matters, and his pitchfork, into his own hands and chase out the offending specters. The last we see of him is his pointy tail whipping out of sight behind a tree. Good luck Gobsmack! :)


And lucky us, Gobsmack has left some ooey gooey goblin candy, take a look see...

The Gobsmack the Goblin candy kit includes; one Sweet November Gobsmack the Goblin rubber stamp, ten 6x6 sheets of Cosmo Cricket Matilda paper, small Studio G acrylic sentiment stamps, Prima flowers and Kaiser Craft pearls, ribbon, twine, buttons, Rock Candy stickles, four envelopes, four card blanks and my card. 

All you have to do for a chance to win the candy is leave a comment on this post. If you link to the candy on your own blog that is great and much appreciated but not a requirement... I want everyone to be able to play along. And when I say everyone, I mean everyone. I will ship the candy anywhere in the world so everyone is encouraged to play! :)

The candies will stay open through Friday, August 3rd and I will announce the winners on Saturday, August 4th. And just so you know... all of the new August stamps will be available for purchase Thursday night at the ATS store.


Alrighty, now be sure to visit the Sweet November Gals' blogs! Nancy, and Marion are sure to leave you gobsmacked! :)
Once again... instead of using random generator I will be printing out names and tossing them in a hat SO if you leave comments for the SN gals on their blogs, you will get an extra name in the hat for each one that you do... this will up your chances of winning the candy... fun, fun, fun!

That wraps up day two of our August SN previews... I hope we haven't scared you off with this wacky goblin. Be sure to come back tomorrow to see who else is joining in the Halloween fun!
Supply list:
cardstock- Bazzill and Copic X-Press It
paper- Cosmo Cricket (Matilda)
stamps- Sweet November (Gobsmack the Goblin), Crafty Secrets (sentiment)
ink- Memento tuxedo black and Martha Stewart black
CC Designs House on the Hill die
Kaiser Craft gems
Tim Holtz tiny attacher
Sakura clear glaze pen
Copic markers:
YR04, YR07, YR09, E19, R05, C5, C9