LOOK AT WHAT I GOT!

This is a gift package I received from PAPER PRETTIES http://www.paperpretties.net/. I received this great gift throught the anniversary issue of the WEEKLY INKING 52 from SPLITCOASTSTAMPERS.

My gift is a set of 24 stamps from MY FAVORITE THINGS called "Simply Said". It has 24 great sentiments:

baby love, sweet baby boy, sweet baby girl, with love, congratulations, warm wishes, always, happy anniversary, you are my forever love, so grateful, heartfelt, gratitude, i am so sorry, i miss you, hello friend, i love you, thank you, thinking of you, sending you love, happy birthday, warm wedding wishes, you make me smile.

And also this great antiquing tool from AROUND THE BLOCK, which on one end has a brown ink pad and the other end is a sanding tool.

Now I have to make a THANK YOU card!

EMBOSSING. IS IT TOO MUCH?

The intentions of this card started out this way:

I like the texture the cuttlebug gives the cards, but I do not have a cuttlebug and don't think I will be getting one in the near future. So I thought I'd try clear embossing the background. It obviously does not give the same texture, but I do like it. I guess to get more of the cuttlebug type of texture, I should use dry embossing. (have to get the embosser).

For the stamped image I decided to emboss it with iridescent ice. I used the Simply Said image.

I took a number of photos. They were all coming out too shiny. It doesn't appear quite as shiny IRL.

SCETCH CHALLENGE 121 - SPLITCOASTSTAMPERS

I really like Wednesdays. That's the day SCS posts a new scetch challenge. I like to see if I can come up with a card using this challenge. Today I came up with a card without having to rack my brain too much.

Here is today's challenge http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=243223

For my card I used Regal Rose as the card base. I stamped 'French Script' background with regal rose ink. For the other panel I doubled it using Creamy Caramel as the bottom layer and Close to Cocoa as the second layer. The Close to Cocoa layer is stamped with the 'Canvas' background. The main image is stamped on Very Vanilla. I used the retired 'Reversed Prints' stamp. I did used the Poppin' Pastel technique, which is stamping the image with versamark and then I used cotton balls to wipe the Pastel colors on it. I also used my favorite 'Cracked Glass' technique, with which you emboss the image with Glassy Glaze Enamel. I did this twice. Then I put it in the freezer for about 15 min. After I took it out I bent it and it cracked beautifully. The sentiment is the current level 1 hostess set' Warmest Regards'. I tied some hemp through the eyelets.

All products used are SU except for the eyelets.

I challenge you to go and try this too. Happy Stamping!

JUST DOODELING!

As I told you in my previous card upload, I am inspired to use DOODLE THAT. This is just an idea I had to play with and see what would come out of it. I added some Dazzling diamonds to the stamped images. It is not showing well in the photo. (Desperately need a new camera!)

I GOT TAGGED?!

I had been seeing all these blogs getting tagged, didn't really expect to get tagged my self. I got tagged by Maria at http://cardinspired.blogspot.com/. I like her variety. She gives a lot of card scetches and also great 3D projects.

Now I am supposed to give 7 facts or habits of myself and tag 7 other blogs.

1.- I enjoy reading other ladies bloggs so much, that I tend to neglect my own and also making my own projects.
2.- My dream is to someday play the piano with an orchestra (probably have to wait till I get into heaven - I think there I will be able to play any instrument)
3.- I speak 4 languages. I like the use them all together to express myself.
4.- I'm too shy.
5.- I would love to be a pilot.
6.- I enjoy watching American Idol. I find Simon very entertaining.
7.- I'm scared of spiders.

I am going to tagthe following blogs. All great stamper who inspire me:
http://ehmazingstampers.blogspot.com/
http://livelovelaughstamp.typepad.com/
http://sherrie-cardcreme.blogspot.com/
http://michellewooderson.blogspot.com/
http://stampinlibrarygirl.blogspot.com/
http://nuttnhoney.blogspot.com/
http://reginaeaster.blogspot.com/index.html

Check out these great ladies blogs.

MAKE A CARD FOR YOUR MOM AND WIN SOMETHING FOR YOURSELF!

I just came upon the blog HAND TO PAPER where Regina is challenging us to make something for mother's day and sending her a link to our project, of which she will draw some blogcandy. http://reginaeaster.blogspot.com/2007/04/okay-here-is-details-of-blog-candy-i-am.html

GO GET SOME BLOG CANDY!

Go check out Donna's blog http://stampamaniac.blogspot.com/index.html for some blog candy. She just wants to know what you have won.

DOODLE THAT FUN!

I think yesterday's lack of mojo was also affected by the weather. It is a bit nicer outside today. So I kind of got my mojo back at bedtime last night. When I lay down I just got an overload of ideas. I cannot incorporate all of them in one card, so I will be trying them out on different ones. Lately I have found that I get my best ideas when I lay down to sleep. Unfortunately for my creativity, I fall asleep quite fast, so that means it is just a very short period of creativity. (Yesterday it took me a bit longer to fall asleep. But I didn't mind).



So, I just HAD to HAVE the 'DOODLE THAT' SU stamp set. But when I got it, I just did not know what to do with it. I looked over on SCS in the gallery to see if it would inspire me. There were a few cards that inspired me, and after yesterday's mojoitis, you will see a number of cards used with this set. (Have to use it, right?)

Card details:
Card base: Apricott Appeal
Patterned Paper: Spring Flowers
Layout: Pretty in Pink, Mellow Moss
Stamps used: Main image - Doodle That; background stamping- Simply Said, Itty Bitty Backgrounds,
Ink: Close to Cocoa, Pretty in Pink
Accesories: Soft Subtle WWCrayons, Soft Subtle Brads, Soft Subtle Buttons, Hemp, Pop up dots, Paper piercer

- If this was a challenge to use only SOFT SUBLTES, I did it!
EDIT: - I did not quite 'do it'. The Close to Cocoa is not a soft subtle.

PMS INSPIRED?

Have you ever started making something and it ends up completely different then what you had imagined? This is what happened to me today. I wanted to try the SC118 from SCS (2weeks ago). This is what it ended up like. I made this first thing in the morning and have basically debated if I should post it. So "Post it" has won, but I will just have to add that I think "PMS" kind of had an influence on this card. I don't know about you, but I don't appreciate "PMS's" visits. First of all, he takes my mojo from me, gives me headaches, and worst of all I can't even stand myself. So I just try to keep out of everybodys way. Today I am kind of thankful for this blog. It is being a great venting tool. I don't know who will read through this complete post, but I don't mind if you don't. I will totally not hold it against you.

Here are the card details:

SC 118 from Splitcoaststampers

Cardbase: Close to cocoa

Patterned Paper: Recollections

Front : Red Rose embossed with iridescent ice

Image: Shimmery white layered on close to cocoa

Image: Happy Harmony - red rose and close to cocoa

Brads: Dollar store,

Hodgepodge: LSS

Ribbon: SU

CELEBRATE!

I made this card for my SIL who has a birthday today. She has two reasons to celebrate: she is also recuperating from a successful surgery.
The scetch for this card is from last week Wednesday's Scetch Challenge on Splitcoaststampers. I really liked it, but did not know right away how to use it. I must admitt, it sometimes takes me longer to think of what I am going to stamp then the actual stamping. Though today I must say that I have had so many interruptions, that this took me quite awhile.
All supplies used for this project are Stampin' Up.
Paper: Regal Rose, Red Rose, Marigold Morning, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Regal Rose, Red Rose, Marigold Morning,
Stamp: Delight in Life, That's Nice
I painted the flowers using the blender pen and ink pads, added some ce to the middles of the flowers. Popped up the sentiment and the flowers.
So, my SIL will be getting this late, but then I told you already that I am THE PROCRASTINATOR (I am at least sending a card!)

UPDATE ON PRAYER REQUEST

First of all, I want to thank you all for your prayer support. My SIL's surgery was successfull. The doctors were very positive about the result. That is an answer to prayer, as they were not sure of the posible outcome. My SIL is at home recovering from the surgery, feeling good and encouraged.
God bless you all!

TRI-FOLD CARD

Today's Technique Challenge on Splitcoast is this tri-fold card. I made this one on Friday, so I will not post it as such, but will post it here. I do want to try another one today. Go check out the technique http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=240788. I had a bit of trouble getting the diagonal fold right. I guess I need to practice. I think this is a cute card to make.

YESTERDAY!

Hi guys,

So it's Monday again. Time to give you an update. I usually don't get to stamp over the weekend, so here is what we did yesterday. We went to the Vancouver Aquarium and Stanley Park. Fortunately for us, it was not raining. I just love to go to Stanley Park this time of year, when you can see spring happening. Love all the new flowers that are blooming and promising to bloom. I especially love the different colors of green you see in the trees.

So in the Aquarium we got to see the dolphins being fed and preforming some tricks for us. That was very exciting for the kids. Also got to see the Ottors being fed. Checked out the belugas just swimming around. It kind of baffels me that that's what they do all day long. I told my dh that he would not be a good whale. He just cannot do nothing. Mind you, he does like to relax infront of the TV after a hard day at work, but his mind still keeps on going.

So here are a few pictures of our day:

WE HAVE A WINNER!!!!

Thank you all for your comments, it was great to read them. I enjoyed it very much.
So... the snack goes to....
HEATHER LEECH
Please send me your snail mail address, so I can send your snack out to you.

Have a great weekend everybody!
We'll do this again soon!

MAY I ASK FOR PRAYER SUPPORT PLEASE?

Hi. Today I would like to ask for your help. My SIL is having surgery tomorrow. She is 27 years old and has cervical cancer, which has not gone into remision with quimo. So now their last hope is to do a histerectomy. Her imune system is not responding well either, it is very low.
She is very scared, in part because her mother, my MIL, passed away last year from ovarian cancer, and she is scared that she will die too. She has 2 children 8 and 6.
I would just like to ask if you could keep her in your prayers, asking for healing and strength, and wisdom for the doctors.

THANK YOU!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

I am a procrastinator. I actually think I am THE PROCRASTINATOR. And I am trying to do something to take that title away from myself. I always want to get things done in time, but somehow I don't. So, yesterday I decided to make a Mother's Day card for my Mother.

This Shadow Box card came as a challenge on Splitcoast some time ago, and since I am a procrastinator it took me this long to try it.

The cardbase is Red Rose (still working on how to take good pictures). I used blender pens and ink pads to color in the images. I really like how it turned out. Now I better get it into the mail on time!

REMINDER: BLOG SNACK on April 9th Post. Place a comment on that post.

KIDS CAN BE SO CUTE!

I just have to share this. My son Matthew, who is 2 years 8 months, is a car lover. I have never seen a little boy who loves cars so much! His favorite car is Lightning McQueen. He is also CARS fan! So this morning Matthew could not find his little Mcqueen car. What I found so adorable was that he went looking for it all over the house saying: "Where are you McQueen?". I helped him look, but could not find it either. I thought he would forget about it in a little while. He got distracted for a little with something, but then he would start his search all over. I finally found it when I was sweeping the floor behind the couch. What I found so adorable was that he did not forget his "mission" all morning. Just had to share this. I should go now. I am working on a 'Shadow card', which I want to post later.
Hope you are having a great day!

GO SHARE WITH CATHERINE!

Hi, just want to help you have a great Friday the 13th. Catherine Pooler is having a great blog candy! Please tell her that I sent you over. http://catherinepooler.typepad.com/my_stampin_blog/2007/04/super_sweet_spe.html

Don't forget about my Friday 13th SNACK! Scroll down to the post on Monday and leave a comment!

BLOG SNACK REMINDER

Here is a blog snack http://rincondelencanto.blogspot.com/2007/04/snack-time.html . Leave a comment on that post for Friday evening. Check for the winner on Saturday morning! Love reading your comments!

PRINCESS AND FAIRY MAILBOXES

Remember the great mail I got last week? Well, here are 2 of the mailboxes that were sent to me. My daughters both claimed one and so yesterday we had fun decorating them. On Saturday we went to Micheals where they selected the paper and stickers for their mail boxes.


Melanie's favorite Disney movie is Peter Pan, so she selected Tinkerbell.
Vanessa chose Cinderella, who's her favorite Disney Princess.

It was fun to make these. I used SU sticky strip to adhere the paper around the mailbox and TACKY glue for the front and back. The girls did the rest with a little help.
The inspiration to use Disney Princess and Fairy came from 'ahanek' on SCS http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/500034?cat=5615




REMINDER: Don't forget to post a comment on the BLOG SNACK http://rincondelencanto.blogspot.com/2007/04/snack-time.html

SNACK TIME!

Anybody feel like having a snack? I have some BLOG SNACKS for you. I went to Micheal's on Saturday, and found some yummy snacks I want to share with you.

Please leave a comment on this post. I would like for you to answer 2 questions

1.- How do you display your cards and for how long? (I know there are many demonstrators, so this kind of applies to your personal cards)

2.- What is the first thing that inspires you to make a card?

I will randomly select a number from the comments Friday April 13. I will post the winner Saturday morning!

I am looking forward to reading your comments!

Have a great week!

EDIT* What keeps you coming back to the same blog? i.e. What would make you come back to my blog?

HAPPY EASTER!

Hi there, I hope you all had a great Easter week-end. It was a good weekend for us. Personally, it was a great reminder to me of God's amazing LOVE for me personally!
I don't know what you all think about the Easter Bunny and Easter Eggs. Up to now, we have had Easter Egg hunts with our kids, but I just could never justify the Easter Bunny with Jesus' resurrection. This year my husband and I talked about the fact that we don't want our kids to be excited about Easter just because they will be getting Easter goodies. We want them to know the true meaning of Easter. So we decided against the chocolate and candies. We bought the Resurrection Eggs you can get at the Christian Book stores. The kids enjoyed them very much. Each egg has a different symbol of the events of the crucifiction and resurrection. So, when opening each egg we had to talk about what event they relate to. Great way to find out how much the girls have learned about this event too.
Mind you, I don't have anything against egg hunts. I think they are a lot of fun. As far as I could find out, the Bunny and the eggs have something to do with a celebration of spring, the celebration of new life. So I think having an egg hunt anytime during the spring season is a fun way to celebrate spring.

Check back a little later today. I will be having some BLOG SNACKS!!

WOW! CHECK OUT MY MAIL

I received this gorgeous card from Joycelyn 'Stamps n'coffee' on SCS as a RAK. The reason we got in touch was that we both made a card for CC106 with the same stamp and basically the same layout and we uploaded them about the same time. She made a comment on my card saying that "Great minds think alike". Here is her card http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=507441&cat=500&ppuser=111891. You can see mind scrolling down a bit to the BIG BLOSSOMS 'SMILE' card.


I also received a box filled with mail boxes, cute little pails and a gorgeous card from Barbara 'hnbmoore' on SCS. She made a comment on here and asked if I would like to have some of these mailboxes. I have wanted to have these for quite awhile, since we don't have TARGET here. So, she just sent them over and asked me to pay it forward. So now I have to find a way to pay it forward. I'll keep you posted when I decorate them and when I pay it forward.
My daugters Melanie (8) and Vanessa (6) have claimed theirs already and want to decorate them this afternoon, after school.

VANESSA'S CARD

So, when Vanessa saw that I had uploaded Melanie's card, I HAD to upload one of her cards too, which I guess is completely fair.

Vanessa used the poppin pastels technique for the card front. And I really like how she got the great combination of colors! I tried to do the same thing and mine didn't turn out as pretty as hers.

GREAT JOB GIRLS!! We will probably never ever have to buy cards again, and they are learning that they can make their own cards too.

MELANIE'S EASTER CARD

What do you think? My daugher Melanie just made this card on her own. I think she did a really great job!!

A NEW DAY!

Wow! What a difference a day has made. Remember yesterday? Here is what the weather is like today.

On another note, don't you just appreciate the cards that have some actual sewing on them? I think it gives the card a great extra detail. I found this great tutorial on Julia Stainton's blog http://bellepapier.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/2007/04/03/all-stitched-up-a-machine-stitching-on-paper-tutorial/. She wrote a very detailed tutorial on how to use your sewing machine for your papercrafts. Personally, I don't use my machine very much. I can actually not remember the last time I used it. Maybe this will motivate me to get to know my machine.

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?

The weather must have a good sense of humor today. This is what we woke up too.

At this time of year I LOVE how EVERYTHING starts blooming. It always amazes me how beautiful it can be. How everything seems to bloom. It's one of the reasons I wanted to live here.

Yesterday we went to the Vancouver International Car Show. On the way we admired the blooming trees. Pink and White in amongst the evergreens and the other trees that are starting to get green too. And I love the daffodils that are blooming between the freeway. It just amazes me how beautiful God created the world.

On another point I have to show you some pictures of my son Matthew (2 1/5) . He is a car fanatic. It was fun to watch him get so excited about cars. He would have climbed into every car at the show, if we would have let him

.

I need to make a number of cards, so I will be posting them during this week.

I wish you a great EASTER week, in which we remember the incredible gift that Jesus has given us: Eternal Life!