Time for the Monthly Bombshell Stamps Blog Hop!

Hola! I have lots crazy cool info to share with you today! Let's start with this month's Blog Hop theme, which was set by our lovely and talented Blog Hop Captain, Kas. She couldn't have made it any easier for us this month. The theme was basically anything that is Halloween or Day of the Dead! How fabulous is that!

This hop starts at the new Bombshell Stamps Blog...ha...did you catch that? I sort of snuck it in there? Yep, you heard that right...Bombshell Stamps has a brand spanking new blog, so start there and just follow the hop list from blog to blog to see all of the uber amazing creations by the design team and some talented loyal Bombshell stamping sistahs! This hop is sure to be one of the most fabulous...EVER!

Now that I've dropped that blog bomb on you, let me tell you about my card. I went with a Day of the Dead / Dia de los Muertos theme. I have this wonderful group of stampin' buddies that frequently attend my classes and they invited me to a baby shower that took place this past Saturday. Guess what the theme of the shower was? Dia de los Muertos! Now, before you get put off by the concept of combining this theme with a baby shower, let me explain a little about the holiday. This is not a depressing holiday, it is a joyous celebration. The Mexican people use this time to welcome loved ones who have passed on, back home to spend a day with their families. They do this by decorating gorgeous sugar skulls, eating delicious foods, and maybe throwing in a shot or two of tequila for good measure ;D The imagery is bright and festive and the mood is happy and joyous, for not only are they honoring their loved ones who have passed, but they are also celebrating life! So when I was told this baby shower had a Dia de los Muertos theme, I thought it was pure genius, for there is certainly not a more perfect way to welcome a new soul into the world :)

Therefore, I had to make a Dia de los Muertos new baby card and what a pleasure it was. I used 2 Bombshell Stamp sets...the Calaveras Fiestas set and the Banner Sayings set. The Banner Sayings set is brand new and I can tell it is going to be a frequent "go-to" set for me. I have to tell you, I LOVED making this card. I even added a little lace skirt to the skeleton I designated as the girl. What a happy couple they are ;D

Okay, before I send you off to your next blog stop, let me share with you what the prize is this month. It is not just one, but two Bombshell Stamps sets, which you can see pictured below! I know...that's just crazy! Hit all the blogs on this hop and leave a comment on each one to increase your chances of randomly being selected as this month's winner. There are other ways to win as well, so swing by the new Bombshell Stamps Blog and see what they are.

Now, it's time to get your hop on! Your next stop is Kelli's fabulous blog and I am certain she has something spectacular to share with you! Now off you go ;D

Nighty night...

Hello, all! I'm posting on the Lala Land Crafts Blog today, so you should stop by and check it out ;D I made a card using Sweet Dreams Marci. She is such a cute image and so much fun to color. I chose to work with her today because it is super late and I am really wanting to crawl into my nice, comfy, cozy bed after I finish this post. Even the cats are here in my craft room with me acting like they are exhausted and wanting to get to bed, even though they've been sleeping all day...lol!

I kept this card on the simple side, because sometimes that is the way to go. I used some fabulous papers by October Afternoon and added a row of paper flowers down one side, and that was pretty much all she wrote.

I think I'll keep this post short, because I can truly hear my bed calling my name ;D Sweet dreams...zzzzz.....

New Kenny K Challenge - 2 x 2

Hello! Thanks for swinging by today! You're just in time for a new challenge at Kenny K. This one is a 2 x 2 challenge and it's harder than it sounds.

I decided it was time to "Halloween up" one of the Kenny K images, so who did I turn to, but my favorite stand-by, Da Bomb. While I was busy turning Da Bomb into a ghoul, I kept hearing Rick James "Super Freak" in my head, with the words altered just a tad..."she's a very freaky ghoul...the kind you can't take home to mother..." LOL!! Now try getting that song out of your head ;D You're welcome!

Okay, so here's how I applied the 2 x 2 challenge...I used two patterns of DP paper (both by Graphic 45), two types of trims (ribbon and twine), 2 felt flowers, and 2 embellishments (a button and a gem). You can go on forever, but the key is to make sure everything is in two's. I know it sounds easy, but I have to tell you, I spent more than a few minutes scratching my head trying to decide if I was...er...um...within regulation on this card.

My design teammates didn't appear to have the same apprehensions as I and created some knockout stuff to get you started, so head to Kenny K's Krafty Girlz Challenge blog to check out their fabulous designs. Also, Kenny K. just recently had another release, so there are tons of images in the store to see. Word has it, there is another new release just around the corner! Stay tuned ;D

Back from the land of the dead...

How appropriate, huh? Visiting the land of the dead this time of year. Anyway, that's how it felt, but I'm back and raring to join the living again...LOL! Again, thanks for your patience and your well wishes. They were so appreciated ;D

Today I am sharing a peak at the Halloween cards that I made for my sister-in-law to pass out. Yep, once again they're going out late, but those of you who have been with me for awhile know this is par for the course. I am really going to try to do better with her Christmas cards, though...(said with fingers crossed behind my back ;D) No, really! I am!

These cards were fairly easy to make...mostly just layering the images on top of each other. The backgrounds are by Hero Arts and the main images are by Magenta. I love that they're not entirely sweet, but look as if they have a touch of larceny in their blood ;D The leer on that pumpkin is just too fabulous and that cat is crazy cool! Reminds me of a few sassy kitties that used to grace this house at one time.

I am going to keep this short as I ease back into the blog thang. Catch ya later!

You & Me

Hello, everyone! I know, I was pretty quiet over the weekend. I am still battling this bug, but it appears to have moved in and set up housekeeping in my immune system. Thank you for all of the well wishes :)

Today I am posting at Lala Land Crafts. Lala Land recently had a new release of Winter/Christmas images and they are certainly worth checking out. Just adorable! I used Winter Marci for today's card and I decided to try and shake things up a bit. First of all, I opted to make a rectangular card, even though I really love a square card. Second, I decide to photograph my card on top of my desk instead of the white background I usually set up. I kind of like it. Tell me what you think.

Winter Marci is paired with a couple of my new favorite papers, the stripes are by Graphic 45, and the polka dots are by October Afternoon. I also made a sweet little felt flower to show her off a bit. These flowers take roughly a minute to make and you can find a tutorial here by Lollychops. The tutorial shows her making them out of paper, but she says that felt is just as easy...and it is! I use Fabri-tac to hold them together rather than felt glue, because it is fast grab and seems to be easier to work with. Wouldn't a cluster of these felt flowers look fabulous on the lapel of a jacket, the front of a Fall handbag, or even on the plunging toe cleavage of a shoe? I know, toe cleavage, where did I come up with that? I'm sure I stole it off the Internet some where.

Before I let you go...Kenny K's Krafty Girlz have introduced a new challenge and this time its a sketch. I have to tell you...sketch challenges are da' bomb!!! Half the work has already been done for you! Gotta love that ;D Head over to the Kenny K Krafty Girlz Challenge blog and check it out. The prizes have changed a bit. One person will be randomly selected, provided they used a Kenny K image on their card, and they will win 5 digi images of their choice! That is a whole lot of swag!!! Somebody has to win and it might be you! Tootles and have a great day ;D

NEW Christmas Images from La-la Land Crafts!

Hello! I bet you've been wondering where I've been. Or maybe you haven't...LOL! A couple of days ago, I caught a little bug and it pretty much knocked me on my butt. No card making for this pathetic creature. I spent most of the day laid up on the couch whining...just ask my husband. Thank goodness for a speedy recovery! I checked my emails just in time to be reminded that Lala Land is launching 3 new images today and we are having a blog hop!! Whoo hoo!

Not only are there fabulous new images, but we are celebrating with some pretty fantastic blog candy, too! For your chance to win, visit and leave a comment on every blog of the hop. For additional chances, like us on Facebook, and mention our hop and blog candy on YOUR blog (or post to your favorite on-line crafting site!) and then leave us a message on the LLLC Blog on this post letting us know you did that! Check out what's up for grabs!

- Spellbinders Shapeabilities 2010 SNOWFLAKE PENDANT
- Basic Grey ESKIMO KISSES paper pad
- Basic Grey TAKE NOTE journaling cards
- Basic Grey POPS layered stickers
- Prima FLOWERS
- LLLC WINTER MARCI

You should have arrived from Jana's fabulous blog. Your next stop is Alice's awesome blog. If you get lost along the way, start at the beginning with Irina's gorgeous creations and you'll be on your way! Need to stop at the shop and pick up some of these fab images immediately? Click here!

Have a great weekend! I might see you tomorrow or Sunday to make up for my down time ;D

Happy Birthday to Kim at Lala Land Crafts!

Good Morning! Today is Monday and my day to post at Lala Land Crafts. Today also marks the birthday of one of our uber talented Design Team members...Kim! Help me wish her a happy birthday by heading over to Lala Land Craft's blog and leaving her a comment on my post and also stop by her blog and leave her some birthday love there, too!

I am also dedicating the card I created for Lala Land to Kim, as well! The front says "Hooray for You" and I think that makes for a really great birthday sentiment.

Hooray for Kim, on her birthday!

May today and everyday be filled with lovely surprises!

For my card, I used Super Cupcake Marci. Isn't she a cutie! I think she might be my favorite Marci so far, but it's so hard to pick just one. Good thing I don't have to...LOL! If you like this image or any of the other fabulous new releases, head over to the Lala Land shop and take a look around.

Thanks for stopping by and have a super (pun absolutely intended!) Monday! ;D

Time for a new release at Kenny K and Challenge # 14 - Christmas

It's Sunday and there is a boatload of activity happening at Kenny K today! First and foremost, Kenny has done it again! He has whipped up more fabulous images for your viewing pleasure! This time, the images are Christmas themed and they are over-the-top wonderful! Trust me, you are going to want every one of these! Plus, one of the digi sets includes a Christmas accessory pack so you can turn some of the previously released images into Christmas images! How fabulous is that?! I know, I am using way too many exclamation points in this post and that can be extremely annoying, but I am excited about this new line and simply cannot contain myself!!!!!...LOL ;D Be sure to swing by the Kenny K's Krafty Girlz Challenge blog and check out the eye-popping creations my DT sistahs cooked up! They are marvelous!

The second bit of Kenny K news is that there is a new challenge happening and the theme is...you guessed it...Christmas! You know how this works. You whip up something using one of Kenny's awesome images, link it on the Kenny K's Krafty Girlz Challenge blog, and we'll randomly a winner. The lucky recipient will receive their choice of 5 free digital images from the Kenny K store. AND Kenny has introduced October's freebie and it's a sneak peak at the Glam Gang part 2! The Glam Gang is the group of sassy girlz who started this craze and they are some of my faves ;D

For my card, I colored up Xmas Hottie and she is just that...HAWT!!! She was a blast to color, look at all that glorious hair! Check out the whole new line in the shop now!

Before I close this post. I want to say thank you to all of the awesome ladies who attended my Haunted High chipboard class at China Phoenix 2 yesterday. You make it so much fun and I am always honored when you elect to spend part of your very busy weekend with me. MUUWAHH!!! That's me blowing you big air kisses ;D 'Til we meet again...LOL!!

Happy Birthday to Karen at Lala Land Crafts!

Please help me wish Karen, one our the fabulous design team members, at Lala Land Crafts, a wonderful birthday! Stop by the Lala Land Crafts Blog and leave her a birthday wish and don't forget to stop by her personal blog, as well ;D

Happy Birthday, Karen!!

I hope your day is super special!!

I fall to pieces...

Her name was Abby Normal and she had just finished her shift at Blood Bath and Beyond. She hurried down the street without making eye contact with anyone. She had had a rough week. She wasn't feeling like herself and knew that if she could just get her head on straight, she could get back on track. She needed a drink. A couple of blocks later, she lifted her gaze and found herself at the entrance of her favorite watering hole, The Bubbling Cauldron. She stepped inside and instantly began to feel a weight lift from her shoulders.

She spied an empty stool at the bar, sat down, and ordered a Bloody Mary. Ironically, she had been enjoying this very same drink in this very same bar the night that things started falling apart.

On that particular evening, about two weeks ago, she had met a man. Of course there was a man. There was always a man. Whenever Abby was experiencing a dark point in her life, there was usually a man at the root of the problem. He was an odd fellow, handsome, but wearing a white lab coat. He was charming and had a knack for telling old jokes. A real cut up. His name was Frank N. Stein. He was adamant about including his middle initial when he introduced himself to Abby. They laughed, they joked, they drank. After who knows how many libations, Abby slid down off her stool and away they went to continue the party at his place.

She awoke the next morning with a splitting headache. Ever since then, Frank had called non-stop, wanting to get together again. She avoided his calls and refused his advances, continuously making up excuses. She played it as cool as a cucumber. There was only one problem. She kind of liked this guy. In fact, she liked this guy a lot. Why was she keeping her distance from him? Sure, he was a little different. The white lab coat, the jars of brains decorating his mantel, the fully equipped laboratory in his basement, but every guy she had dated had been a little quirky. Besides, Frank had a terrific sense of humor, and any guy who could keep her in stitches was alright with Abby. She smiled fondly at the thought of him. Just then her phone rang. She reached into her side pocket, checked the caller ID, and answered..."Hello, Frank".

**********************************************

LOL! How did you like my little bit of monster noir? Every mother's dream is that their daughter will marry a doctor...hahaha! Anyway, I had as much fun making up a backstory for my card as I did making the card. I couldn't resist giving Bombshell Angel a green pallor and adding a few scars in celebration of the upcoming Halloween holiday. I looooovvvveee Halloween! I have tons of Halloween images, but it was fun to take a regular image and give it a macabre spin. I may try it again.

For this card, I had two sources of inspiration. One was the Sketch Challenge at the Bombshell Stamps Forum created by the lovely and talented Kathy. The other was the theme for this months Blog Hop which is "Halloween", the devilish creation of our kick ass Blog Hop Captain, Kas. Now, I know I can't use this card for the hop, since you've already seen it, but let's call it a practice run. I'll make another before the hop rolls around. How about you? Do you have something crafty up your sleeves using Bombshell Stamps? If you do, head over to the forum to grab the details of all of the current challenges. AND...if you don't, head over there anyway and get an eyeful of inspiration to get you started. I really hope I see you there ;D

It's new release day at Lala Land Crafts!

Hey, everybody! It's time for another new release at Lala Land Crafts! Lala Land is cranking out scads of new images for your viewing pleasure! This release includes 3 new images and a set of sentiments. You will want to head to the Lala Land Crafts boutique to check out the details.

Today I am using Luka with Truck and he is just awesome. Sometimes it's difficult to find really cute images appropriate for a little boy, but Lala Land Crafts has several. These are perfect for card making and scrapbooking. I dusted off a set of older papers by Basic Gray called Vagabond to use on this card. I really like them. They have a more masculine appeal, but are really quite versatile.

The DT has cooked up some awesome samples using the new images, so be sure to head to the Lala Land Crafts Blog to see them. Thanks for stopping today ;D

Cheerleader Marci...rah, rah, rah!

Hello and welcome to a new week! Today I am blogging over at Lala Land Crafts, so stop by their blog and pay me a visit. My card features Cheerleader Marci and she is cute as a button! She is sure to put a smile on everyone's face. Swing by the Lala Land Crafts boutique and check out all of the new images.

Before I go, I want to thank all of the wonderful ladies who spent the afternoon with me yesterday. Nancy was kind enough to open the shop and let me repeat my All Hallow's Eve class. I know these lovely ladies had plenty of other ways to spend their Sunday, but they chose to share it with me :D Thank you so much!

Kenny K's Krafty Girlz Challenge - Week 13 Bling it On!

Welcome to another Sunday and another challenge on the Kenny K's Krafty Girlz site! This week we are encouraging you to "Bling it On"! Break out those gems, glitter, and any other source of glitz that you have at your krafty fingertips and make those images shine! If you use a Kenny K. image on your card, then you may be randomly selected to win some of Kenny's fabulous and unique digi images.

I decided to use an image that I had not used before, so I chose Vikki Lee Vicious. This sizzlin' senorita just begs to be blinged up, so that's just what I did.

Head over to Kenny K's Krafty Girlz Challenge blog because the DT has prepared some awe inspiring creations to get you started. We can't wait to see your designs!