For the love of glitter...

Hey there!  Did you think I forgot?  No way, just taking a little respite for a couple of days.  I haven't even been particularly busy.  What a strange feeling.  Wednesday night a couple of my stamping buddies joined me and we played with the Copics (Hi, Denise and Dana!)  We had a great time.  Well, at least I had a great time...lol!  They said they had fun, too, but they were probably just being nice ;D

Did you catch the Royal wedding this morning?  Get up at the wee hours and watch Kate and William walk down the aisle?  No, me neither.  I was certainly intrigued, but in the end, sleep won out.  If they could just consult me first on dates and times, that would be great.  Queen Elizabeth, if you follow my blog, see to it that my approval is added to Royal Wedding Protocol.  Thanks, I appreciate it ;D

Tonight I made strawberry jam for the first time in my life.  Super easy and definitely tasty.  I may never buy jam again.  I say that now because I'm feeling all Martha Stewart-y, but in a couple of weeks after my delicious homemade jam is gone, I will probably be back to stealing jelly packets off the tables in my local IHOP.  No, I've never actually done that, but there's always a first time ;D

Let's see, I've been rambling about a hodge podge of topics, but what was the real reason I started this post?  Oh yeah, that's right.  I actually have a new card to share with you.  I made this card at a friend's request a couple of week's ago.  I really like the way it turned out, but I think that is mostly because of the beautiful, glittery papers I used from the DCWV Mariposa Stack.  I stamped the background behind the main image using the Hero Art Fabric background stamp and Tattered Rose Distress Ink.  What a lovely soft color.  I don't use it enough, but that will change!  Next, I stamped a Penny Black flower on top of the background image using Memento in Tuxedo Black.  I colored the few open spaces on the image with Copics that were complimentary to the paper and also my stamped background.  I then slathered on a thick coat of dimensional lacquer on the flower, careful not to lose any details.  In a moment of clarity, I sprinkled some fairy dust on the flower.  Actually, it was ultra fine art glitter in Fossil.  I love that simple added detail and have been doing this on most of my projects lately.  I know it's going to become overkill very soon, but until then, you'll just have to live with it ;D

That's about it for now.  There is a new Kenny K challenge starting tomorrow and I also have some exciting news to share with you, so please come back.  Until then, stay crafty ;D    

A New Challenge At The Paper Shelter - An Ode to Mom

Hello, crafty friends!  It's Wednesday and as most of you know that means it's time for a new challenge at The Paper Shelter.  This week's theme is An Ode to Mom.  Mother's Day is right around the corner and it's time to make her feel special with a one-of-a-kind handmade creation. 

If you enter the challenge and you used a Paper Shelter image, and you are randomly selected in the drawing, you could win a $15.00 gift certificate to The Paper Shelter shop.  If your creation is randomly selected, but you did not use a Paper Shelter image, you could still win your choice of one digi image from The Paper Shelter shop!  Isn't that great!?  That means that everyone can play!

Be sure to swing by The Paper Shelter blog to see the wonderful creations by our amazing design team.  If you're stuck on a card idea then stop by for some inspiration ;D

Until next time, stay crafty!

A New Challenge at Kenny K - Spring Time!

Hello, wonderful residents of Blogville!  It's so nice to see you again!  Do come in and visit a spell ;D

Let me begin by saying a big "thank you" to the lovely ladies who attended my class at China Phoenix 2 yesterday.  I had so much fun, I hope you did, too!  Your projects were amazing!  I got off to a rocky start, but you all were such sweethearts :)  Thanks for being patient with me!

Today is Sunday and most folks know, that means it's time for a new challenge at Kenny K.  This week's theme is Spring Time.  The lovely ladies at Kenny K are asking you to share your Spring inspired projects. If you use a Kenny K image on your card you could randomly be selected to win a couple of fabulous prizes...your choice of 2 digi sets from Bearly Mine Designs and your choice of 5 digi images from Kenny K.  Wow!  A person could really have a good time with these wonderful prizes!

Bearly Mine Designs

Kenny K Download Shop

For my card, I used Download Diva.  A classic from Kenny's first set of digi images that he released last year.  I've never used her before and I have no earthly idea why, as she is a little darling and so much fun to color.  If you're looking for fun images to practice your Copic skills on, these are the ones!  Lots of hair, beautiful faces, funky outfits, and get a load of those crazy cool shoes...LOL!  These images have it all ;D

Before you head off to enjoy your Easter festivities, swing by the Kenny K Krafty Girlz challenge blog and take a gander at the stunning creations the design team has whipped up to get you started.  These ladies rock!  

Happy Easter!  I hope your holiday is filled with lots of love!        

Another Bombshell Wedding Card and a Pretty Face

Hey, all!  You see that pretty face?  That is Super Titus Devil Kitty, is he not a handsome dude?!  It's hard to get a good picture of him, because he has no "off" button and is in constant motion.  When he does settle down for a brief moment, I never seem to have my camera handy.

On this particular day, I decided to follow him around until I was sure I had a handful of reasonably decent photos.  Needless to say, it took me 300 shots and 45 minutes to acquire 5 or 6 blog worthy photos.  Titus does not seem to give a rat's tookus about the necessity of having entertaining blog content and quality pics to keep folks interested.  I desperately tried to teach him the finer nuances of blogging, but he can't be bothered, and to be honest, his typing skills are less than par.  He doesn't even try, really...just lays on the keyboard.  I've never seen that technique before.  His attention span is much too short for blogging.  I'm thinking he's more of a "short bursts of entertaining commentary" type of guy.  Twitter, maybe?  Facebook, perhaps?  We'll find his social media niche one of these days.

Enough Titus Talk ;D  I have a card to share with you.  I scheduled an Off-kilter Wedding Card class for May at China Phoenix 2.  Coincidentally, Rachael, our Bombshell Pin-Up for the month of April picked Bombshell Weddings as her challenge theme for her reigning month.  How cool is that!?!  I was able to make samples for my class and for Rachael's challenge theme.  I love double dipping on the old "to do" list.  Killing two cards with one stone, so to speak ;D

The card I featured in my previous post for the Bombshell Blog Hop is one of two cards I will teach during my class.  Today I'm featuring the second card.  This card uses the Man's Ruin Bombshell Stamps set.  Is this gal having a good time, or what!  LOL!  I colored her up using my Copics and cut out an extra leg to hang over the rim of the glass.  The glass, by the way, is covered in dimensional lacquer and at the last moment I decided to sprinkle it sparingly with a pinch of translucent glitter.  This gives the effect that the libation in the glass is of the effervescent variety.  Or so it appears to me ;D  This is an easy no muss way to add a little glitz and glam to lots of different projects.

For the inside, I'm working on a little ditty.  Remember, these are off-kilter wedding cards, so snarky is welcome ;D  Maybe you can help...here goes..

Kick up your heels,

and raise a glass.

You're tying the knot,      

??????

I know, the obvious choice for the last line is something that ends with "ass", which is perfectly fine, but it's got to be funny, clever and snarky.  That's a pretty tall order...LOL!

Okay, that's it for now!  Catch you later ;D  Until then, stay crafty ;D   

A Bombshell Blog Hop!

Wow!  Two posts in one day?  Check my temperature quick, I must have the flu...LOL!  If you're looking for this week's Paper Shelter Challenge, please scroll to the next post ;D

Our pin up for April is my blogging/stamping buddy, Rachael, and she is challenging everyone to create projects featuring Bombshell Weddings.  The Bombshells decided that this would also be a good time to hold a blog hop, as it's been ages since we've had one and carry the Bombshell Wedding theme throughout the hop, as well.  The hop also gives us the perfect opportunity to introduce the newest bombshells' and the pin ups for the next 6-months.  This is an extremely talented, high energy group of ladies and boy, are they fun!

For my card, I used my absolute favorite Bombshell Stamps set, 'Til Death do us Part.  I LOOOOOVVEE  this set!  I'm planning on teaching this card and another one I have in the works, as a class at China Phoenix 2, in May.  June weddings are right around the corner and I'm sure we all know one or two edgy couples with a dark sense of humor, who would get a kick out of this style of card.  No, I'm not talking about William and Kate...LOL!  I colored up the image with Copics and added lots of glitter and dimensional lacquer to give it pizzazz.  I also made the metal heart embellie and you can find a tutorial on that technique if you scroll further down my posts.  By the way, my friend Lola suggested using the aluminum from soda cans to make the heart and I think that's a fab idea!  I can't wait to try it ;D

Ready to hop?  Okay, you should have arrived from Kelli's blog, where I'm sure you were greeted with something fierce and fabulous!  Next, you'll need to head to Anita Marie's blog and she will share some of her astounding card art with you.  If you get lost along the way, just head back to the Bombshell Stamps blog where the entire hop list is waiting to guide you on your journey ;D  Be sure and leave everyone a little love in the form of a comment.  We all love visitors!

A New Challenge at The Paper Shelter - Inspired by Nature!

Welcome back!  Today I am sharing the card I made for the new Challenge at The Paper Shelter.  The theme this week is...Inspired by Nature.  There is so some much beauty in the world and inspiration is awaiting you, right outside your door ;D 

For my card, I chose a new image called Teddy Bear Picking Flowers.  I can't help, but be completely smitten with these sweet little bear images.  Every time a new one is released, I absolutely have to use it.  This little guy was perfect for the challenge with his arms full of flowers ;D

There are new rules at The Paper Shelter.  Use a Paper Shelter image in your card creation and if you are randomly selected, you will win a $15 gift certificate to spend in The Paper Shelter shop.  If you are randomly selected, but did not use a Paper Shelter image on your card, you will win your choice of one digital image from The Paper Shelter shop!  That means everyone can play!  

Don't forget to head over to The Paper Shelter blog and check out the fabulous creations the design team has made just for you!  Lots of eye-candy to get you revved up for this week's challenge.  I can't wait to see what you make ;D  

A Simple Metal Heart

Hello, my lovelies!  I just posted a tutorial on the Bombshell Stamps Blog and thought I would share the post on my blog, as well.  The Bombshells are blog hopping tomorrow and we would love to have you join us by hitting all the stops along the hop.  

Today I'm sharing a simple method for creating a cool heart embellishment.  This post is picture heavy and I have a tendency to be a bit verbose, so you might want to pack a snack and grab a cool libation before we get started ;D

Step one:  You'll need a few things for this project...a Staz On Jet Black stamp pad, a fat paper stump, a small stylus and/or a teflon refiner, a ball/cup tool (not pictured), and a small piece of 36 gauge aluminum (not to be confused with the foil stuff you wrap up leftovers in...lol!)  You'll also need something spongey to work on.  A mouse pad or a thin piece of foam works great.  And finally, you'll need an image for your metal piece.  I used a heart from the All My Heart Bombshell Stamps set. 

Step two:  Stamp the heart on the aluminum using a Staz On Jet Black ink pad.

Step three:  Closely trim out the heart using a good, sturdy pair of scissors.  Don't use your detail scissors on this.  I trimmed off the arrow portion of the image.   

Step four:  On a hard surface (table top works great) outline the main details of the heart using a teflon tool or a small stylus.

Here's what it looks like from the back.  We'll be spending an equal amount of time on the back and front of our embellishment embossing and debossing the image.  Embossing is the act of raising the image above the paper and debossing is the act pushing the image below the paper.  A combination of both, results in lovely details on your metal.

Step five:  Working on a soft surface (mousepad) and the back of the metal, press the ball end of the ball/cup tool into each of the scalloped sections around the heart.  The ball/cup tool is the coolest of all the metal tools.  I lucked into an inexpensive basic set from 10 Second Studio when a craft store closed in town.  

Step six:  Working on a hard surface (table top) and the front of the metal, use the cup end of the ball/cup tool to define the impressions you made in Step five.  You can achieve a similar look by using a medium stylus to create the impression and a small stylus to define around the impression.

Step seven:  Working on a soft surface (mousepad) and on the back of the metal, use a small stylus to emboss the area around the ball/cup impression you just created.  It will looked slightly raised from the front.  Go back and forth until you are satisfied with the results.

Step eight:  Working on a soft surface (mousepad) and the back of the metal, use the fat paper stump to puff out the center of the heart.  Work it until it is nice and smooth and raised.  This picture is from the front.  Finally, using a sponge or soft cloth, rub a little bit of the Staz On Jet Black ink onto the heart to emphasize all the nooks and crannies you created.  Gives it a lovely aged look.  Careful not to bend it, as it's quite delicate.  Fill the back with dimensional lacquer and let it dry overnight to give it a bit more body. 

Here's how it looks on my project, but you'll have to come back tomorrow and hop with us in order to see the entire card.  The hop begins on the Bombshell Stamps blog and you'll want to see the gorgeous projects that the Bombshell's have created to share with you.  See you then ;D

A New Challenge at Kenny K - Anything goes!

Hey, everybody!  I promised you a new card last Thursday, but never got around to posting it.  I know, I am bad blogger.  I took a little blogging vacation and it was pretty nice, but I missed everyone, so now I'm back and ready to share some new stuff.  However...this first post is dedicated to the new Kenny K. challenge.  I'll be back this afternoon with a card using a line of stamps that are completely new to me, but OMG, are they fabulous!

Team B is in charge of the challenge this week and they are asking you to (drum roll, please) do whatever you want!  That's right, the theme this week is Anything Goes.  Create a card of your choosing and use a Kenny K. image on it, and you could be randomly selected to win a prize.  The prizes this week are nothing short of fantabulous!

A $15 gift certificate to 

Michelle's Scrapbooking Store

Your choice of 5 digital images from

Kenny K Downloads

Swing by Kenny K's Krafty Girlz Challenge blog and check out the fabulous work of my talented teammates.  Have an extra pair of socks handy, because the ones you're wearing are going to blown off!

Check back later for a new card ;D  See you soon! 

A New Challenge At The Paper Shelter - A Sketch

Hello!  It's Wednesday and that means there's a new challenge at The Paper Shelter.  This week's challenge is a sketch created by our very own talented design team member, Kevin.  I love a sketch challenge because half the work has already been taken care of.  Use a Paper Shelter image in your creation and you could be randomly selected to win a $15.00 gift certificate to spend in The Paper Shelter Shop.  There is a lot to choose from, but luckily, $15.00 goes a long way at TPS!

For my card, I used a new image called My Sweet Mommy.  Isn't this image adorable?  I just love it!    Pay a visit to The Paper Shelter blog and check out what my incredibly talented teammates have created to get you started.  Lots of inspiring eye-candy, folks!  

Well, that's all for now.  I have a brand new card for tomorrow, so please come back for a peak ;D  Until then, stay crafty!    

Help for Japan: A Very Special Whimsy Stamps Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to a very special blog hop today!  You may have been on the first hop that Whimsy put on for this special cause.  Well, there were so many who volunteered to join in that we had to do a second one!  The illustrators of Whimsy Stamps have come together to draw a special set of digi images for the purpose of raising money for the relief effort in Japan.  All proceeds from the sale of these images will be donated to that cause.   Kenny K, Raindrop Echo Designs, Meljens Designs, and Crissy Armstrong all contributed art work. 

For the whole month of April, you can purchase the images as a set or individually (your choice)  by visiting this page on the Whimsy store site.  Please consider helping this special cause by purchasing one or all of the digital images we are offering.  

If you have landed here from Angela's blog, you are right on track.  If you have come here randomly and would like to start hopping from the beginning, please go to Ann's blog.   She has the blog rotation order posted if you need to refer to it. 

The amazing ladies of two design teams have come together to host this blog hop for you!  Ann's team from Sentimental Sundays and the Kenny K Krafty Girlz have joined forces to design some amazing jaw dropping creations for you.  You have seven days to hop through all the blogs and enjoy all the lovely creations from these talented people. 

The hop runs from now through til Sunday April 17 at noon.  There will be several opportunities to win blog candy!  Four random commenters will get a chance to receive one of the three individual images or Ann's sentiment set.  So be sure to leave comments all along the way for your chance at a free digi!  Also, if you post the "Help for Japan" button on your blog's sidebar, you can enter into the draw for the grand prize!  The grand prize will consist of the entire digital set made just for this cause as well as a gift certificate donated by Ann of Raindrop Echo Designs worth 10$ to use at the Whimsy Stamps store! To enter, you must help us advertise for this cause by posting the "Help for Japan" button on your blog's side bar (just grab it from my side bar or from the top of this post) and then get your name on the Inlinkz option on Ann's post so we can be sure to find the winner.  

Now on to my project: 

I have used Kenny K's new Anime DJ in my project today. She is an absolutely adorable image and so much fun to color with Copics.  I added a bit of dimensional lacquer to her headphones and shoes.  I always feel compelled to give the shoes a bit of shine ;D  I also gave her highlights a bit of sparkle with the addition of a Clear Spica Glitter pen.   

Next you'll want to visit Sarah's blog to continue hopping.  Thank you so much for stopping by, and for your support of this very worthy cause. 

A New Challenge At Kenny K - Make it Spicy

Welcome to a new challenge at Kenny K's Krafty Girls!  This week, Team A is asking you to Make It Spicy.   Use spicy colors and watch your cards sizzle!  We have a couple of great prizes this week to get you in the crafting spirit.  If you use a Kenny K image in your card creation, you might be randomly selected to win this week's prize package and it's a good one.

$10 voucher to Crafty Emma's

Your choice of 5 imges from Kenny K's Downloads

Head over to Kenny K's Krafty Girlz Challenge blog and check Team A's rockin' creations!  They'll knock your socks off!

Come back tomorrow afternoon for something special ;D  Until then, stay crafty!

Two for Spring

Welcome to the weekend!  I'm so happy the weekend has finally arrived that I am going to keep this post super short.  I made this Easter card at the request of a friend.  I used an older image by Penny Black.  I just love their line of animal images.  I know I don't use them all that frequently, but trust me when say that I have a storage container devoted just to them and most of them have touched ink at one time or another.  If you need a little something sweet to satisfy that sugary craving, turn to Penny Black.  

Well, that's it for now.  Come back Sunday when I will share the new Kenny K challenge theme with you .  Stay crafty!  Tootles!

Home is...

Hola, mis amigos!  I'm back today with a new card.  My lovely sister-in-law, Diane, asked me for a card for a friend who is moving into a new house.  She wanted a card identical to this one, here.  It certainly would have been easy enough to do, but somehow it felt like cheating.  Besides, I needed a new card for my blog, so I decided to change it up a bit.

I used different colors, in fact, the green, white, and red in the sky and on the mountains sort of mirror the colors in the Mexican flag.  Completely unintentional, but kind of cool.  The papers are a mish mash of things I had in my stash.  I decided not to cut into a new piece, so I pretty much just grabbed a couple of pieces and ended up with these.  They don't go together, they're not part of the same company or line, the red DP is REALLY old, and the aqua DP is relatively new, but they somehow work.  The stamped image is by Terry Medaris Art Stamps.  Such a fab image and it has so much potential.  I can tell I will be using this one over and over again.

Yikes, the witching hour is upon me ;D  It's midnight here and my goal was to be in bed asleep by now.  Hmmm, not working out so far.  I plan on being back tomorrow with something new.  Until then, stay crafty ;D    

Join us for a new challenge at The Paper Shelter!

Hello!  It's Wednesday and time to announce the latest and greatest challenge at The Paper Shelter!  Have you checked out this fairly new digi image shop?  Their designs are amazing, whimsical, fun, adorable, fabulous...I could go on and on.  There is truly something for everyone and every occasion.  This week's TPS challenge is going to spark your interest.  Are you ready?  Hold on to your seats...the theme this week is Anything Goes!  That's right!  You set your own theme and run with it.

If you use a Paper Shelter image in your creation you could be randomly selected to win a $15.00 gift certificate to spend in The Paper Shelter Shop.  That's a lot of digis folks!  New images are being added to the shop frequently, so the selection is out of this world!  Check out the new designs...perfect for all your upcoming Mother's Day card needs.

I used a new image for my card called Teddy Bear with Flower.  He is so cute and a blast to color with my Copics.  I had a little bit of fun with the flower.  After I colored the petals, I went back in with my colorless blender and added dots.  It was super easy and I like the effect.  Have you played with your colorless blender ?  Lots of funs effects can be achieved with this hardworking tool.  It's not just for correcting mistakes or adding a highlight ;D

Please head over to The Paper Shelter blog and check out the fabulous creations that the Design Team whipped up for you.  This group of folks is so talented, you will undoubtedly be inspired to start working on your Anything Goes project.

Until next time, stay crafty!  

It's a Bombshell Sort of Day

Hello!  I hope your weekend was great!  Ours was super busy, but so fabulous.  Saturday morning I treated myself to a pedicure, which I desperately needed.  I was surprised that they didn't pull out a belt sander to work on my feet, but they were very kind and managed to make me look human again with only the normal pedi implements ;D  I feel like a new woman.  

That evening, Kirk and I attended a party that my buddy Chris threw in my honor for my birthday.  Actually, I had to share the honor with our friend Alex who also had a birthday earlier in the month.  I'm not really very good at sharing, but I let him bask in my limelight a wee bit out of courtesy...lol!  What a sweet gal I am ;D

Sunday, Kirk and I spent most of the day at the Disc-It video shoot.  Kirk was asked by the owner of the Disc-It company, here in Albuquerque, to shoot 2 cooking segments to promote the Disc-It.  For those of you who are not familiar with the Disc-It, it is sort of like a round grill that uses propane, but instead of a grate to cook on, it actually has a large, round, wok-like cast iron pan.  Anything that can be prepared on a grill or a stove top can be prepared on a Disc-It.  I'll post the videos when they air, but for now, here's a couple of behind the scenes shots.

Kirk used his special BBQ Rub to season lambchops for one segment and then roasted shrimp using the same seasoning in the second segment.  The photo above shows Kirk grilling up the remainder of the lambchops for some very hungry and impatient audience members...one of them being ME...lol!  Kirk's spice company is Albukirky Seasonings and you can find his amazing BBQ Rub in his shop.  Check out his blog for grilling tips and tricks.  

Before I get any more off topic than I already am, let me tell you about my card.  I used a fabulous Bombshell Stamps set called Rose's Portrait.  I just received this in the mail a couple of days ago and could not wait to get her inky.  I colored her with Copics using E13, E11, E00, and E000 to achieve a bit of a Latin skin tone.  Everything else is pretty much standard fair, but I did add a crackle stamp to my sentiment and then coat it liberally with dimensional lacquer to make it really shiny.  It might not be very noticeable in the photos, but in real like it looks very cool.  If you have not checked out Bombshell Stamps, you must do so right this very minute! I'm not kidding! Their images are edgy and retro, lots of bombshells (of course!), hot rods, motorcycles, and Dia de los Muertos (my favorite!).  Such a unique and fabulous selection. 

I'm sure I'll see you soon with something new!  Until then, stay crafty!