ATTENTION PLEASE

** FYI **
Our LOVE THOSE PRETTY PAPERS blog has been hacked and we've had to start a new blog ... you can still enter our October challenge at the new blog. Here's the link: Love Those Pretty Papers

Friday, October 9, 2009

Huge SALE you don't want to miss ...




Hello friends! Are you familiar with the Glue Glider? Well whether you are or not … you won’t want to miss the awesome SALE my friend Joan Fricker of Joans Gardens is having for one weekend only. These glue gliders are popping up everywhere and the price I’ve seen on them is anywhere from $14.99 to $18.99 and the refills I have seen are typically $8.99 each. For THIS WEEKEND ONLY … Joan will be having a BUY ONE GET ONE FREE sale and her price is only $12.99 for the Glue Glider and $7.99 for the refills! Please jump on over to JOANs GARDENS for all the details. REMEMBER … this is only for THIS WEEKEND (Oct. 9 – 12) so don’t miss out! These would make wonderful Christmas gifts so get your order in to Joan today!

Thursday, October 8, 2009

What are you doing today???

Here's what I've been up to the past couple of days. Making "Picalilli" using an old family recipe.




Yep, it's THAT time of the year again. Canning time!! I grew up on a small farm and we spent all summer canning everything from the garden. Every type of pickle imaginable, corn, saurkraut, whole tomatoes, tomato juice, and of course Picalilli made from green tomatoes & onions at the end of the season. While visiting my mom on Tuesday, she gave me the last of her tomatoes and with what I on my few plants I was able to put together a double batch and ended up with 18 pints (+ one for the fridge). Now I'm in the process of making a batch of salsa to use up the remainder of the red tomatoes. Don't want those wonderful tasting garden tomatoes to go to waste! And these will taste so good throughout the winter.
Would you like the recipe?? Well here ya go:
1 peck of green tomatoes
1/2 bag of yellow onions (3#)
Slice green tomatoes & onions (not too thin) little more than 1/4". Sprinkle 3/4 - 1 cup salt over top ... six through well ... let stand overnight. Drain.
For this amount of tomatoes and onions use:
7 12 cups sugar
4 1/2 cups vinegar
2 tsp. tumeric
3 Tblsp. mustard seed
1 oz. pickling spices
(Make a cheesecloth bag for the tumeric, mustard seed & pickling spice and tie with string. Makes it easier to remove and discard at the end.)
It will seem like not enough liquid ... but it is!!
Bring liquid to boil. Add vegetables and cook about 5-10 minutes until heated through. Place into clean, steril jars and seal. Makes approx. 9 pints.
I hope you are having a wonderful day ... now I need to get back to my canning ... daylight's a wasting!! LOL!! Thanks for stopping by!

Falloween Blog Hop

*** This post will remain on top until the end of the Hop, Oct. 8th ... please scroll down for current postings ***

Hello Everyone!!! Are you ready for a good tIme???? I am so thrIlled you are joInIng In on the DIgItal-Ink Co. Falloween Blog Hop wIth us!!! I can promIse you … thIs Is goIng to be so much fun … you won’t want to mIss any of the stops along the way!



Remember It all begIns HERE and If you dIdn’t come here from BonI’s Blog, you’ll want to back up. BonI has the fIrst clue on your way to solvIng the rIddle and I have the second clue hIdden wIthIn my postIng. I've trIed not to makeIt too dIfficult to fInd!!! Tee Hee!!


For some added Falloween InspIratIon, I have created thIs card usIng one of Judy's (M&M Designz) dIgItal Images called PumpkIn PIe. I've used PrIsma pencIls & Gamsol for the colorIng ... NestabIlItIes for my cIrcles ... DCWV desIgner paper and MIchael's fall wIred rIbbon.


Now the InspIratIon Is at the top ... there are challenges to be sought ... so now you need to hop on over to
Kathy's (StItchy Stamps) blog for the next step in thIs hop ... please be sure to leave a comment so we know that you made It here because every stop counts on your way to the Grand PrIze!!!!


Thanks for playIng along ... HAVE FUN and GOOD LUCK!!!!

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

MMSC22 & CSSC89


Hello All! Being a little short on time today, I've combined two of yesterday's challenge ... the Crafty Secrets Forum Challenge over on SCS and the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge #22. The Crafty Secrets challenge was the "Make It Shine" ... I wished my photo was better because the Brillance Sky Blue ink I've used over the Snowflake embossing and on the orament has a beautiful sparke to it as well as the Doodlebug sugar coated brads used on the Martha Stewart snowflakes.
Recipe:
Stamps: Crafty Secrets (Christmas Joy)
Paper: Whisper White, Night of Navy
Ink: Brillance Sky Blue, Night of Navy
Accessories: Cuttlebug Snowflake EF, Fiskars decal scissors, The Ultimate teal Glitter Gel Pen, Pop Dots, Martha Stewart snowflake punch, Doodlebug sugar coated brads, Gelly Roll Clear Star pen
I hope you enjoyed my card. Thanks for stopping by today!

Penny's Challenges #10



WOW ... where is the time going??? Today's challenge over on Penny's Challenges is an INSPIRATIONAL challenge and we were to use this beautiful blouse as the inspiration for our creations. I don't do a lot of this type of challenge so this was great fun!!





Please be sure to pop on over to my co-team members blogs and check out their inspirational creations. You can find all the links on my sidebar! And of course be sure to add YOUR creation to Mr. Linky over on the challenge blog for your chance to be "Featured Project".
For my card today, I've used an image I purchased while on my little N.C. trip recently. It is by Impression Obsession and I just love the simplicity of it! The sentiment is by the Artist Stamper which was stamped using Garden Green ink and the image coloring was done with Prisma pencils. I wanted to pick up the dotted swiss & stitching in the blouse so I've used my Cuttebug Swiss Dot embossing folder for the Garden Green panel ... then using a Signo white pen, did my faux stitching. This lovely pristeen white flower is by the Paper Studio and my large garden green brad is by Making Memories.
What a fun challenge ... I do hope you find the time to play along! Thanks so much for stopping by today ... I hope your day is filled with joy & laughter.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Digital Ink Co. THEME Challenge

Happy Monday Everyone!

Are you ready for another Digital-Ink Co. Challenge??? GREAT... I'm so glad to hear that!!! Today we have a THEME challenge for you to play with, and the theme is AUTUMN.

How much fun is it to create Autumn/Fall cards with all those gorgeous colors.
And the prize for today's winner is this adorable "Days Gone By"
image by Stitchy Stamps . Please check out other images by Stitchy Stamps available for purchase at the Digital-Ink Co. Shoppe.






Now on to my card. I have used the "Fall Leaves" & "Words" by Stitchy Stamps for my simple creation.





Here is the recipe for this card:


Image: Stitchy Stamps Digi stamp

Paper: Whisper White, Only Orange, Deals $1 dp

Accessories: Prisma pencils, Gamsol, Nestabilities (scallop squares), Kaiser pearls, Signo white pen





I hope you enjoyed my creation and come join us in the challenge. For even more inspiration, please be sure to visit the blogs of my fellow team members listed below.





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Some friendly reminders: Don't forget about the FALLOWEEN BLOG HOP Digital- Ink Co. has going on right now ... please check out the post at the top of my blog for information.


There is still time to sign up for your chance to win the Digital-Ink Co. BLOG RAFFLE ... you can click on the blog candy shown on my sidebar for a link to all the details.



There's also a SALE going on that you don't want to miss out on.
Thanks for stopping in today ... I hope you have a wonderful day and week!!

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Sewn Together Creations ...


Happy Sunday Everyone ... I hope you've had an enjoyable weekend. Mine's been quite busy but that's okay ... it keeps me out of trouble, LOL!!! Today I'd like to share a few creations I've made using digital images by SEWN TOGETHER and these images and more can be purchased through the Digital-Ink Co. Shoppe.




First is "Donkey with Lightning Bug" which I've colored using Prisma pencils anb Gamsol. My background papers are from a DCWV Mat Stak and the sentiment is Inkadinkado. I've used my Fiskars Swivel Craft Knife to cut him out then gave him googlie eyes from Darice. (I love these images but the fact that they don't have eyes kind of freaks me out so any creation I make will have googlie eyes).I have several kids birthday cards to make for my Aunt to give her great grandchildren and this one is definately going in the stack!!






Another birthday card to add to the collection is this adorable little image called "Eris in Bird Bath". The background paper used on this card is from the Basic Grey Marrakech pack. It has little elephants on it and I though that would work perfectly with Eris. I've done my coloring with Prisma pencils and Watercolor pencils. Though it' difficult to see, I've used Crystal Effects on all the bubble to add a little shine and dimension. My Happy Birthday sentiment is by Anita's and it was in my scrap bin just begging to be used on this creation. My base card is Soft Sky cs and I've used Grey cs for the matting around my Eris image. Last but not least, I've used Darice googlie eyes on Eris and I really like the outcome. I hope my Aunt's great grandchildren will like it too!





Now for the last creation today, I'd like you to meet "Morty the Moose in Sleigh Bells". I think Morty is so cute although a little sad looking ... maybe he's not allowed to play all the reindeer games yet!! LOL!! Morty was also colored with Prisma pencils & Gamsol. My base card is old ollive and the designer papers are Debbie Mumm Harvest & Holiday from JoAnn's. I've used my Nestabilities Labels 1 for my sentiment panels and the flowers are Prima with Creative Impressions brad centers. I've used dimesional tape to give Morty a little dimension and there you have it!!
Thanks so much for taking time today to stop by and take a peek at my work ... I hope somewhere along the way you find inspiration!


Saturday, October 3, 2009

Stamp, Scrap & Doodle Saturday Challenge #9

WOW ... what a busy weekend I'm having ... but luckily I have a creation to share with you that I made for today's SSDS challenge ... which was a Halloween Theme. In fact, I have two Halloween creations to share with you.




My creations are both created using Rubbernecker images. Aren't they cute!



The scene on this first card was created using SU Home Is Where The Haunt Is stamp set. The sky was created with a little "sky" stamp from Ala Art. I used old olive ink and a sponge pod to create the grass ... another large sponge pod and more mustard ink to make the moon and soft sky ink for the sky. My "Halloween Ghost" was stamped onto white cardstock and colored with Prisma pencils and gamsol. I then used my Fiskars swivel craft knife to cut him out and pop him up in the front.






For my second creation, I used the same method as my first creation. Stamp, color with Prisma & cut out with swivel craft knife. I had had his Nestabilities scallop rectangle laying on my worktable and decided it was perfect to make my happy guy stand out!! It's hard to see in the photo, but I've popped up the TOP portion of the pumpking so it looks like he's ready to leap off the card. My base card is deep hunter green and the Halloween dp is from DCWV and I've used Hobby Lobby purple organza ribbon. The corner treatments are green metal dots by Colorbok.



Thanks for stopping by ... hope to see you again tomorrow!

THE TIME IS HERE ....

for the new SATURDAY SPOTLIGHT WITH HIDDEN POTENTIAL challenge! Are you excited??? I know I sure am and can't wait for you to see what the DT has been working on and what Vicki (basement stamper) has in store for you in the weeks to come!! So PLEASE check out the Challenge Blog and play along! I promise you will find inspiration.



The basic philosophy behind our challenge is as follows:


To join in the fun, please post your project on your blog with a link to our challenge, then leave us a comment with a direct link to your creation so we can check it out!!If you don't have a blog, you can always post your project to an online gallery (please use keywords: SSHP01, etc.) We want everyone to be able to participate, all are welcome!ALL styles of artwork are welcome and combining challenges with our challenges are welcome. Please feel free to use any media/companies you like to work with! (We just ask that you create something NEW for each challenge.) We all feel that everyone has something to share and we can all learn from each other! Being different can be a good thing!


With that being said ... here is today's challenge. Make a creation with a Halloween theme using NO Halloween images! Get creative and think of using Halloween colors and images you can "turn into" something for Halloween.

Here is what I've come up with ...

As you can see, I have used the circle from the Hero Arts Friends stamp set to create my "pirate moon". Stamped in summer sun ink, edged with pumpkin pie ink, diecut using Nestabilities (classic circles) and matted with basic black cs. The pieces for the eyes, nose & mouth were punched with an EKSuccess pumpkin punch. A smaller Nestie circle created the patch and the a round tip black marker was used for the "bands" that hold on an eye patch.

Papers used were basic black, pumpin pie and homemade background paper created by sponging various inks (old olive, pumpkin pie, really rust & summer sun) onto a piece of white cardstock. Tearing, distressing and faux stitching added texture to the panels. The sentiment is by Vap! Scrap and stamped with Versafine black ink and embossed with Detail Clear ep.

Please be sure to stop by the other DT members blogs for even more inspiration.

*Vicki (Creator/DT Coordinator)
Boni
Chris
Crystal
Darlene (that's me, teehee)
Dawn
Debbie
Erin
Jessica
Maria
Susan

As always, thanks so much for stopping by today ... it means the world to me!!

Friday, October 2, 2009

CCEE & Get Sketchy #7


Here is my creation for the CCEE Stampers Challenge to use Digis and the layout WAS for the Get Sketchy #7 challenge. I am SO FAR behind ... (that's what I get for going away for the weekend and having fun, LOL). I missed the Get Sketchy challenge time limit ... bummer but still have the chance to share it with you and the CCEE ladies.
The digi I chose to use comes from TERI who is a team mates over on the Digital-Ink Co. challenge blog. Please pop on over to Teri's Cards and Toppers for some wonderful inspiration and of course be sure to check out her wonderfully creative digis in her store called Delicious Doodles.
The background paper was a gift but I believe it might be from DCWV. I've used my Nestabilities circles for the sentiment and since I didn't have the stamps I needed ... I hand wrote it. Mr. Bat was colored with Prisma pencils and the sky was created with an Ala Art stamp and Versafine black ink.
Hope you like it and thanks for stopping in! DON'T FORGET ... Tomorrow is the very first Saturday Spotlight with Hidden Potential Challenge. We on the DT are so excited to show you what we've been up to! You don't want to miss it ... Vicki has some AWESOME fun planned for the upcoming weeks!!!

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Sketch 248 & Color Throwdown 62




I decided to combine today's Sketch Challenge over on SCS (SC248)with today's Color Challenge over on the Color Throwdown (CTD62). Don't these colors look great together?? I can honestly say I would have NEVER thought to put them together, but I'm sure glad Broni did!!! Now mind you, it was okay to not use them ALL ... but hey, that was part of the challenge for me, LOL!!!




This should be almost like a "no brainer" challenge when you've already got your colors picked for you as well as the layout! Well, I can tell you this NO BRAINER became a little tough for me ... I am, however, happy to say with a few lost hours of laying things out .... looking at this stamp & that ... I finally came up with an idea I was happy with.
I used all four colors required for the Throwdown plus I made a panel for behind the leaves using white CS and stippled with the olive, rust & razzleberry colors. The leaves were made with really rust cs and the Spellbinder Shapeabilities Fall Leaves ... then sponged the Razzleberry & Olive on top. The "Fall Colors" stamp is by Inkadinkado and was stamped using Kaleidocolor Autumn Leaves ink. Thanks so much for stopping by today!

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DON'T FORGET ... this Friday, October 2nd is the start of the Digital-Ink Co. Falloween Blog Hop! This is going to be so much fun and the DT is so anxious to be a part of it & share inspirations along the way. There are going to be challenges, gifts & mystery!! Be sure to check out all the details on the D-IC blog highlighted above.
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AND ANOTHER REMINDER .. this Saturday, October 3rd will be the very first challenge @ Saturday Spotlight Hidden Potential Challenge Blog!!!! I am SO EXCITED and it's going to be so great!! We, the DT, are anxious to show you some great ways to find the hidden potenial in the products you already have in your craftrooms! Mark your calendars and come join us in making the most of what you have!!!! Hope to see you there!!!

Birthday Blog Candy

Today is Chris Olsen's (Twinkles Glow with Stamps) birthday and she is offering not 1 but 2 BLOG CANDIES to celebrate. Please pop over ... Wish her a Happy Birthday ... and check out the details!! While you are there be sure to look around her blog at all the AMAZING works-of-art she has created!! HERE's just a peek at her generosity ....


Blog Candy #1
















Blog Candy #2















HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRIS!!!!

Penny's Challenges #9



Welcome to Wednesday! Time for another Penny's Challenge and today it's a SKETCH challenge. And a very easy peasy sketch I must say! Although I have to admit this sort of sketch can give me more trouble than a multi-layer sketch ... huh, what's up with that????





Don't forget Penny does a "Featured Project" each week ... be sure to click on the "Featured" tab at the top of the challenge blog ... YOU might be this week's featured project!!! Be sure to play along and add your creation to Mr. Linky for this opportunity!! Now onto this week's creation.
The snowflake designer paper I've used for today's creation is from the Paper Patch and although it looks black in the photo .. it is actually a very dark navy blue. My sentiment stamp is by Sarasota Stamps and was stamped onto Whisper White paper with Versafine Majestic Blue ink. A double matting of Navy & Red cardstock and TADA ... card complete!! Now how easy was that!!!
You don't want to miss the designs created by my team mates! You can find all their blogs listed on my sidebar. They would love to have you visit!!! Thanks so much for stopping by and having a peek at my creation! Have a great day!!

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

OCC & Stamp Something Challenges

This is my LAST posting for today ... sorry if I've overloaded you today! But I'm just having so much fun I couldn't stop myself, LOL!!





I purchased a Thomas Kinkade Christmas Series 8x8 pack last year from Cornish Heritage Farms and just never got around to using them. After viewing THIS creation on my friend Joanne's (Ambrosia & Iron) blog, I decided it was time to open the package and this image would be perfect for the layout I wanted to use and the monochromatic portion of the card fell right into place. The felt snowflakes and brads are by Creative Impressions and the satin ribbon is by Darice. The background paper is from the DCWV Old World pack and the sentiment is from the SU "A Cardinal Christmas" stamp set.
Thanks for stopping by today! I can only hope you find inspiration in my work ... Good Night!

Midnight Madness #21






It's Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge time once again and if you haven't checked out this website ... you are MISSING IT!!! They have SO MUCH going on over there ... take your time ... read through and JUMP in! There are PRIZES everywhere on this site ... not to even mention the fun in doing the awesome sketches from week to week!!! OKAY ... enough promotion (teehee ... I just love this site) .. on to today's card.



I purchased these Inkadinkado images while on my little weekend get away to North Carolina this past weekend and the sentiment is by Hero Arts. My papers are Bermuda Bay, Whisper White and DCWV designer paper. I've used the SU Bermuda Bay marker and Creative Memories Black fine tip marker for my faux stitching. The paper flower and butterfly are both Martha Stewart punches. The zig-zag stitched ribbon is by Darice.



I hope you will jump on over to the website and check out this challenge! Thanks for stopping by today and as always THANKS for any comments! I value your opinion on my work!!

Crafty Secrets - Homemade Embellishments

Today's Crafty Secrets Forum Challenge over on SplitcoastStampers is hosted by LoriLynn. She has asked us to make homemade embellishments to use on our creations. Now anyone who knows me knows that I'm "not so good at this sort of thing"! I am crafty ... just not in this manner!! But with a little help from my NEW Spellbinder's Shapeabilities Holiday Cheer diecuts (another purchase from this past weekend's N.C. trip), I was successful with my creation. What do you think???




I rummaged around in my Christmas wrappings,etc. and found a couple squares of felt ... and my new Spellbinder Shapeabilities were laying on my worktable ... hence the brillant idea to create a Christmas scene. There are NO stamps or ink used on this creation. With these adorable images from the Crafty Secrets Christmas Images & Journal Notes booklet ... not much more was required! The background paper is by The Paper Patch ... the vintage tag sentiment is by K&Company ... and the felt poinsetta & leaf is from Hero Arts. I did add a little sparkle by using my Quickie glue pen and PKGlitz glitter. SANTA was actually on the lower (journaling) portion of this booklet page but I decided to cut him out and put him in the foreground of my card ... afterall, he's taking notes!!!



Thanks so much for stopping by today! Hope you enjoyed my card and please, if you have any Crafty Secrets products, please come join us!!! We have a great time week after week!!

Stamp By Step Challenge






A couple of posts back I told you about the Stamp By Step Challenge and today I have a card to share with you that is for this "Halloween with Circles" challenge. You can click "HERE" for a quick peek at all the details. You can also check our her store "HERE".



I've used the "Halloween Haunted House" digital image by Reece Designs which can be purchased through the Digital-Ink Co. Shoppe. My "circle" choices are from the DCWV designer paper, the pumpkins & moon within the digi image and the metal hardware. My coloring was done with Prisma Pencils & gamsol and the ribbon is from "Big Lots"! Yep ... I buy crafting supplies EVERYWHERE!!! If you can spare the time ... please take a moment and check out this new challenge and play along! There is a prize and someone has to win!!! It could be YOU!! Thanks for stopping by today and taking a peek at what I've been up to. Hope you have a wonderful day!!!

Stamp, Scrap & Doodle Saturday Challenge #8




With being away over the weekend ... I'm late playing in this week's challenge but I found time last evening to do a little creating and this is what I've come up with for this week's Stamp, Scrap & Doodle Saturday Challenge. This week is a sketch challenge so I used a few goodies I found while in N.C. this weekend for my creation. This is a very EASY PEASY creation ... no stamps or ink ... simply designer paper & flowers. AND ... actually the main focus paper was a gift from the Stamper's Alley store, how nice was that!!! The background striped paper is by DCWV and the Happy Holiday paper was 2 sided & I couldn't find a mfg. marking ... sorry! The flowers are Prima and the brad is by Making Memories! Like I said ... EASY PEASY ... hope you like it!!


Thanks for stopping by and taking a peek! Please make time to pop on over to this challenge blog ... it's always fun and they have some AWESOME prizes too!

Monday, September 28, 2009

Stamp By Step Challenge

Cheryl over at Stamp-By-Step is holding her very first card challenge and the winner's prize is AWESOME!!! Head over HERE for the challenge rules and then PLAY ALONG! You have until Sunday, OCTOBER 4th to join in on the fun!!!




Digital-Ink Co. COLOR Challenge

Good MONDAY Morning Everyone and WELCOME to this week's Digital-Ink Co. "COLOR" Challenge!!





The image used today is by Stitchy-Stamps and she is called "Hippie Chick" ... Isn't she cute!! Be sure to check out the Digital-Ink Co. SHOPPE for more Stitchy-Stamps images as well as awesome images by several other creators like this week's winner's prize by Beary Dust Stamps & Clipart called "Honey"!










Prisma pencils were used for the coloring on this image and Nestabilities were used for cutting the oval & scallop ovals. The flowers were created using a Martha Stewart flower punch and the gems are by Hero Arts. The background paper had no markings on it so I'm sorry I can't tell you who the maker is ... I just know I've had this paper for a VERY long time and thought it was perfect for today's challenge.





Please be sure to pop on over to my co-team members blogs & make their day a little sweeter by leaving a comment on their inspirational creation. They are listed on my sidebar. THEN, be sure to check out the OTHER FUN going on over at Digital-Ink Co. There is a Blog Raffle in process with the drawing on Monday, October 19th AND Friday, Oct. 2nd begins the Falloween Blog Hop. You don't want to miss any of the festivities!!!






THANKS for stopping by today ... it's always GREAT to see you here!!! Have a wonderful day and an even more wonderful week!!!