Short & Sweet

Not much time for bloggin' today- just finished a swap that must get mailed today, am volunteering for "Hillbilly" day at my daughter's kindergarten class at 1:30 and then DH and I are off to see Lion King tonight (the show). Yesterday was DH's birthday and his truck broke down on his way to work so I didn't get a chance to post anything new. I WILL make up for it!

I have a TIP OF THE DAY for you: Mono Multi is my new favorite adhesive; its cheap, it sticks GREAT and a tiny bit goes a long way, plus SU now carries it! So my tip? Well, when you order Mono Multi, go ahead and order an adhesive remover as well- they go hand-n-hand and you just can't live with one and not the other!

This card is one I rejected for my swap I've been working on. I like it, but it was lacking some WOW factor I'd hoped for I guess. Anyway, it is SUO, including stamps: Pun Fun (check it out if you haven't -so cute!), Polka Dot Background and the new Full of Life from the Ocassions Mini catalog that is available TOMORROW! Colors are: Brocade Blue, Night of Navy and Barely Banana. Yes, I know my piercing isn't perfect! LOL The hippo was watercolored with the Watercolor Crayons and an Aquapainter. Edges sponged, and corners notched with the ticket corner punch. Gotta run!

Color Combo Challenge (CC155)

Well, I tried to post this yesterday but blogger must have been having some problems... Anyway, every Tuesday Splitcoast hosts a color combo challenge, which is one of my favorites. For yesterday's challenge the colors were awesome- River Rock, Basic Black and Whisper White. Here is the card I came up with, which I'm pretty pleased with! I love the sharp contrast of these colors together...
All supplies used are from Stampin' Up: Love & Happiness Rub-Ons in white and black (hint: there are no stamps used on this card!). These rub-ons are part of the Sale-a-Bration deal and can be FREE with a $50 order if you choose them! The ribbon used is Black Gingham and Double Stitched Grosgrain in River Rock. The scallop punch fits the rub-on I've used here and is raised with Stampin' Dimensionals (pop dots). Thanks for looking- I hope this inspires you to give rub-ons a chance- they are SO MUCH FUN!

Yum, Ranch Dressing!

Since I didn't actually upload any pictures yesterday, I am going to post a 12x12 layout that I completed last night. I'm working diligently to complete 120 pages this year, and am proud to say I've complete 41 so far! 31 of those were all this month, 23 of them at an all-weekend crop I went to that was a blast!

All supplies are SU: 12x12 textured pale plum card stock; Stamp set: Spring Solitude (level 2 hostess set); Spring Bouquet punch and Rhinestone brads!

Technique Lover's Challenge...

In case you didn't know, Splitcoast Stampers has daily challenges that inspire creativity. They are great for getting a creative surge when you're not feeling inspired. I especially love Tuesdays and Wednesdays (the color combination and sketh challenges)!

Monday is the TLC or Technique Lover's challenge which you can find here. I love to participate, but many times I run out of time and don't get to it... when I do complete these challenges I will link them here along with my take on the challenge!

Well, today I did it. Here is the card I came up with using different patterns of paper (I used two papers from SU's retired pack called Cerise). Actually, this challenge is fairly easy since all our designer papers come in multiple coordinating colors and patterns! I might have cheated a bit- it's possible that the challenge was to mix and match different designer paper packs.. if that's the case I may have to go start over. In any case, here is my card:

Supplies are all Stampin' Up: Stamps- Pun Fun (isn't that skunk the cutest?!); Papers- Summer Sun, Basic Gray, Cerise, Whisper White; Accessories- Photo corner punch, black gingham ribbon, new(!) ribbon slide (from the upcoming Occasions mini), chalk, aqua painters, markers (colored in some of the pattern on the Cerise paper), distressing tool and Stampin' Dimensionals.

What Crayon are YOU?

Take this quick color quiz then post here and tell us what color you are! Feel free to also post the description (if it hasn't already been posted) and your response to it.

Here's mine:
You Are a Red Crayon
Your world is colored with bright, vivid, wild colors. You have a deep, complex personality - and you are always expressing something about yourself. Bold and dominant, you are a natural leader. You have an energy that is intense... and sometimes overwhelming.Your reaction to everything tends to be strong. You are the master of love-hate relationships.Your color wheel opposite is green. Green people are way too mellow to understand what drives your energy.

I agree with some of this, but not so sure about the intense energy part (!!) or the master of love-hate relationships... I'm way to analytical for that!

Let me know what you are!

I've been TAGGED!!

Well, Jackie (aka Strappystamper) told me she tagged me, but I just now figured out what that means... anyway, here goes:

1. Stamping Style: Fresh, clean and simple I suppose, although I enjoy doing elaborate on occasion!
2. Inspiration: Everywhere- blogs, splitcoast, clothing, advertisements...
3. Color: Color is my absolute favorite part of designing- color combo is usually the first thing that draws me to something, and the main thing I notice! In other words, I love all kinds of unusual color combos- colors that you would not immediately think of.
4. Work Space: I have an 8 foot counter with cabinets above and below in my bedroom, but it is SUCH A WRECK most of the time, which is why I spend more time on-line than creating it seems. I've also expanded to a 4 foot folding talbe next to me for scrapping- it is a wreck also!
5. Perfect day: When I get my work (and shower) done first thing in the AM so I have no guilt about stampin' and blogging the rest of the day!
6. First Job: I worked the front desk at our local swimming pool. And yes, I was prank called all day long with requests to please page _______insert ornery name____ that I can't think of right now. Geesh!
7. Wildest dream: I have very detailed dreams which I can then describe in every excruciating detail, but I won't. Not sure that was the question anyway...
8. Ink: Hands down: Stampin' Up!
9. Family: Hubby: Chuck, kiddos: son & daughter, pets: 2 coon dogs and a beagle (Daisy, Sassy and Roscoe)
10. Beverage: (hot) Earl Gray tea, (cold) Aquafina Flavor Splash in Citrus Blend!
11. Biggest Challenge: Being the best parent I can be
So now it's my turn...To the following three ladies...TAG YOU'RE IT!

Monique
Shannan
Erin

This is the Bright Side

Trying my hand at uploading a scrapbook layout. Did this one recently and was so excited to use new (FREE) rub-ons from the SAB set Love and Happiness, as well as a few Build-a-Brads (in the center of the cut out flowers) and the new Spring Fling designer series papers.

I feel like I should explain the title but maybe not.. anyway, I have a lot of "lake" pictures and they can start to look the same, but these are great pictures to look at on a blah winter day to remember to "look on the bright side". Don't know about you, but I need those reminders from time to time. ~TFL~

Getting it all spiffed up...

Thanks for baring (or is it bearing?) with me while I try to get this place spiffed up! I hope the music coming on automatically doesn't scare you off... if it does let me know... I'll go with concensus. I love blogs that have music- just inspires me, but I know not everyone does! You'll find my taste in music very... random, eclectic, maybe even weird. ETA: this has been changed, no longer coming on auto but you are welcome to turn it on at the bottom of the page.

How about if I add another project for your viewing pleasure...

This is SUO (means Stampin' Up Only products, which is mostly what I do). I did it for a recent card swap I was in with a very fun group of ladies, the "Great Swap" group!

Uses: Boho Backgrounds stamp set, ink and paper colors: Blush blossom, always artichoke, groovy guava (a current In Color) and whisper white. The center medallion/flower thingy is layered on Stampin' Dimensionals (pop dots).

My First Day of Blogging!!

ETA: What are the chances?!? The very first card I post on my blog is the first (and only to date) card I've ever gotten published! This card appeared in the Aug 08 issue of CARDS magazine. I had promised to repost the picture in September and ...well, it's November and I'm just getting to it. Thanks for the reminder from one of my posters!

Consider this a Thank You to you for visiting my new blog! I have ventured to Blogland for fear of missing out! There are so many blogs today and it seems like a fabulous way to share what I love with anyone else who might love it as well. So here you go, my first ever blog posting (on my own blog that is)! Stay tuned, I might even start one for my DH's critter business...

By the way, this card is made using the current Level 2 hostess set called Spring Solitude. The set includes a matching wheel, but I did not use it here. The flowers were stamped and embossed in white along the left edge of the kraft cardstock. Then the Thank You stamped in Real Red and the bird in Sahara Sand. The wide grosgrain ribbon is real red, as is the card base.