Dare To Be Sassy Thursday #51 - Snow

Merry Christmas! Can you believe it is only 3 days away?!?! Where has this month gone? Never mind that... Where has this YEAR gone? lol The countdown is on and there is so much left to be done so this is going to be a brief post. Not only do I have more cards to make and goodies to bake, but I have a sick baby to take care of it. It's just a cold, but I have been home from work with Kayne the past two days so that we don't pass it on to the other day care kids. He has been super snuggly, and I find myself feeling guilty for enjoying it since he doesn't feel good. Still, it is nice to know that I am his source of comfort. The best present of all that I could receive is time with him and I'll take it however it comes! He is finally asleep in his crib so I am going to try to get some of my To Do list taken care of.

It has been a while since I blogged, even longer since I participated in a Sassy Studio Designs challenge, but I was excited to treat myself to one of their new holiday images this week. They held their design team call and even though it is a crazy busy time of the year, I made sure I got my submissions in by the deadline. I enjoyed my guest spot earlier this year and would love to be chosen. I am up against some talented ladies, though, so we will see. This card, using their Frostina image, was one of my entries and it also fits the criteria for this week's Dare To Be Sassy Thursday challenge, which has a snow theme. If you want to play along you still have a few hours to post your creation.

I am looking forward to time with friends and family this weekend! My son may be too young still to truly be excited about Christmas, but nevertheless I am looking forward to the delights of Christmas morning with him! I send warm holiday wishes to you and yours and hope that Santa is good to everyone! ;)

Card Supplies
Images: Frostina (Sassy Studio Designs); Baby It's Cold Outside (My Favorite Things)
Ink: printer; Old Olive (Stampin' Up); Prismacolor Art Markers (169, 12, 207, 97, 198, 194, 201, 172)
Paper: Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Ruby Red, and Baja Breeze card stock (Stampin' Up); white card stock (Georgia Pacific); Figgy Pudding - Shiver, Jolly and Forest designer papers (Basic Grey)
Accessories: Labels Ten Nestabilities and Snowflake Frame dies (Spellbinders); button (Making Memories); Grass Green adhesive pearls (Queen&Co); oval punches (Stampin' Up); snowflake punches (Martha Stewart); white thread; 3D dots

Have a Wonderland Birthday!

Sketch Saturday #131

Happy Thanksgiving weekend! It's been a busy one here complete with over-eating, shopping, decorating, and an Alice in Wonderland themed very merry un-birthday party for a darling 6 year old little girl. Of course as soon as I received the invitation I knew I was going to be using the digital Wonderland set from The Greeting Farm tto make her card. With all the other activities this weekend, true to form, I procrastinated until the last possible minute to do so, but it worked out because I stumbled upon fabulous sketch #131 on the Sketch Saturday challenge blog. It was perfect, though I did choose to rotate the sketch for my creation.

I haven't been crafting as much as I would like these days, but hopefully I will be able to get a few holiday posts in between everyday life and all the festive fun of the season. Thanks for looking!

Card Supplies
Images: Wonderland (The Greeting Farm); Wonderland Sentiments (Sassy Studio Designs)
Ink: printer; Baja Breeze (Stampin' Up); Prismacolor Art Markers (207, 12, 132, 23, 21, 152, 198, 99, 90, 10, 208)
Paper: Baja Breeze, Close to Cocoa, Pretty in Pink, and Rose Red card stock (Stampin' Up); white card stock (Georgia Pacific); Twitterpated Mushroom Fancy designer paper (Imaginisce)
Accessories: Oval, Scalloped Oval, and Labels Four Nestabilities (Spellbinders); Cuttlebug Floral Fantasy embossing folder (Provocraft); sponge; 3D dots

Cocoa and Pumpkins

CPS191
Sketch

As someone who drinks iced coffee year round, I have to admit that these last few days have really put me in the mood for hot chocolate, home-made pumpkin bread, and a cozy warm sweater! I look at the multi-hued fallen foliage, feel the chill in the air and revel in the scents of autumn in New England. It won't be long before the chill turns to cold (there was already frost on my car this morning), and I wanted to take a moment to celebrate my favorite season. And so I was inspired to make this card.

Over at Sassy Studio Designs they had their new release this week with some fabulous holiday images, but their Dare To Be Sassy Thursday Challenge #44 was to create something inspired by autumn. I used the sketch for this week from Card Positioning Systems, two Sassy images (though they are no longer a requirement) and a fan fold flower for my card. These flowers give any project depth and texture and are super easy to make!

I am looking forward to starting to prepare for the holidays, and that includes plenty of card making! It has been such an amazing year and I can't wait to share the wonder of it all with my son, my family and my friends. I have plenty to be thankful for, that is for sure!

Thanks for taking a peek and hope that you'll stop back again soon!

Card Supplies
Images: Baby It's Cold Outside and Cinderella's Accessories (Sassy Studio Designs); Baroque Motifs (Stampin' Up)
Ink: printer; Old Olive (Stampin' Up); Prismacolor Art Markers (12, 207, 170, 149, 88, 169, 200, 93, 54, 15)
Paper: More Mustard, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, and Ruby Red card stock (Stampin' Up); white card stock (Georgia Pacific); Tim Coffey Fall Script and Fall Stripe (K&Company)
Accessories: Treading Water border punch (Fiskars); Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders); Halloween Dew Drops (The Robin's Nest); 3D dots

CPS 190 - Vintage Vampire Blood

CPS
190 Sketch

Only two days left until Halloween, and I'm still busy making cards. This one uses Sketch 190 from Card Positioning Systems. I was thrilled to use my new Waltzingmouse Stamps set called Wanda's Pantry. It's a label set that coordinates with some of the Spellbinders dies and is so much fun! With vampires everywhere this year - The Twilight Saga, The Vampire Diaries, True Blood - I thought it only fitting that I make a Halloween card that featured the classic, iconic monster, sparkly or otherwise.

Speaking of monsters, I've been so busy with my projects that I haven't even done any Halloween-y activities. Part of the reason is also that my son is a little (or a lot!) too young for some of the things that are traditional Halloween fun. There is a jack-o-lantern spectacular, but it's past his bed time; there are haunted houses but they are too scary; there are horror movies but they are rated R! I used to make a yearly trip to Salem, MA in October as well, but road trips are a challenge with a wee one so even that has gone by the wayside the past 2 years. Even my poor pumpkin is still waiting to be transformed into a jack-o-lantern! But there was one tradition that I was able to enjoy... I couldn't have been happier last night cuddled on the couch with Kayne, watching It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!

Thanks for looking! You may not hear from me for a day or two as I enjoy a weekend full of tricks and treats! Have a WICKED Halloween!

Card Supplies
Images: Wanda's Pantry (Waltzingmouse Stamps)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento); Real Red (Stampin' Up)
Paper: Basic Black and Real Red card stock (Stampin' Up); white card stock (Georgia Pacific); Vampire paper pad (Martha Stewart)
Accessories: Wrought Iron border punch (Martha Stewart); Splatter punch (Martha Stewart); Ticket Corner punch (Stampin' Up); red satin wired ribbon (Michaels)

Give Me Yer Candy or Walk the Plank!

A sick day care provider has me home again today. Forced vacation days aren't ideal, but since it's a gorgeous Fall day here my son and I took full advantage with a trip to the playground and a local historic site. He hasn't allowed any crafting or baking yet... There will be time for that later. On my other day off this week I was able to make a card in-between all the baking. It is for my son's father for Halloween. I chose the Pirate Kai image from Mo's Digital Pencil Too. He reminds me so much of my little guy so I have a soft spot for him! I am entering him in the DP2 Challenge #55 - Pick a Season. For my layout I used the sketch from the Mojo Monday 162 challenge. This week you had a choice of square or round. I opted for square.

Other challenges I'm posting this card to are:
2 Sisters Challenge Blog - Challenge 10 ~ Anything Goes
The Corrosive Challenge Blog - Challenge #87 ~ Halloween
Top Tip Tuesday - #7 ~ Anything Goes
Paper Playtime - Challenge #22 ~ Halloween
Crazy 4 Challenges - C4C60 ~ Halloween

With Halloween fast approaching I still have so much to do! I should know better than to procrastinate, yet I do it every year! Hopefully I will get it all done in the next two evenings. Saturday night is MY mischief night! I get to go out with my girlfriends for dinner, drinks and dancing. I usually dress up, but again, here, I've dropped the ball this year so we'll see. Regardless, I am looking forward to All Hallow's Eve and trick or treating with my son on Sunday!

Cards and cupcakes await! (Someone told me you can make an eggless cake using a can of Coke so I am mad scientist experimenting this evening... It suits the occasion!) Thanks for looking and be sure to visit again soon!

Card Supplies
Images: Pirate Kai (Mo's Digital Pencil Too)
Ink: printer; Creamy Caramel (Stampin' Up); Prismacolor Art Markers (207, 12, 70, 109, 198, 142, 123, 153, 154, 78, 170, 172)
Paper: Not Quite Navy, Bordering Blue, Chocolate Chip, and Pumpkin Pie card stock (Stampin' Up); white card stock (Georgia Pacific); All About Boys stack (DCWV)
Accessories: Circle and Scalloped Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders); Apron Lace border punch (Fiskars); Cuttlebug Skulls & Scrolls embossing folder (Provocraft); Pumpkin Pie grosgrain ribbon (Stampin' Up); Chestnut mini brads (American Crafts); 3D dots

Haunted Lady

Drop "DEAD" Gorgeous

Laura's Sketch 64

I have been in full Halloween mode this week - baking and crafting like a fiend! I even took a day off from work yesterday to help accomplish my tasks! It was worth the effort as day care and work were delighted to be the recipients of homemade pumpkin bread, chocolate chip cookie "poison pops", and "creepy finger" sugar cookies.

I've been trying to fit some card making in between all this baking as well. Today's card keeps with the Halloween theme and was made for Sassy Studio Designs' Dare To Be Sassy Thursday Challenge #43 - "Fright Night". I used their digital image, Sassy Ghost, paired with Laura's Sketch 64 from 2 Sketches 4 You. I am also entering this creation into two other challenges: Creative Inspirations - "Spooky" and Stamp Something - "October Digi Day Challenge". These are both sponsored by SSD.

Though my favorite holiday is almost over, I am looking forward to the rest of the year and the upcoming festivities it will bring! I am also excited to see what the Sassy ladies have in store for us with their November 1st release day! They are having a holiday party in honor of the release and I know it's one we won't want to miss!

But for now, I am still in jack-o-lantern and costume state of mind! Thanks for looking and check back for more frightful fun before the week is out!

Card Supplies
Images: Sassy Ghost (Sassy Studio Designs)
Ink: printer; Prismacolor Art Markers (79, 194, 168, 108, 109, 112, 114)
Paper: Basic Gray, Basic Black, and Rich Razzleberry card stock (Stampin' Up); white card stock (Georgia Pacific); Vampire paper pad (Martha Stewart); Wicked Fun designer series paper (Stampin' Up)
Accessories: Graveyard border punch (Martha Stewart); black trim (unknown); Halloween specialty brad (Recollections); Signo White pigment ink pen (Uniball); 3D dots

Mojo Monday 161

The Big One

As promised, here is my entry for Mojo Monday's sketch challenge 161. My son and I attended the first birthday party of my friend's son this weekend, and I used an image from Mo's Digital Pencil Too for his card. I wanted them to have a special memento to remember his special day. I actually had made a request to Mo for her to draw this image (Kai is One) for my own son's birthday last month. She is an amazing artist and a sweetheart when it comes to accommodating requests from her customers. Unfortunately, I made my request last minute, and she wasn't able to get to it due to prior commitments. But she is amazing and didn't forget! I was delighted to see him (and a girl version) go up on her site!

I've had two days off from stamping, but need to get back to it as my favorite holiday is now only a week away! There's baking to be done too! Thanks for looking and check back soon to see what other treats (or tricks) I have to show you....!

Card Supplies
Images : Kai is One -Boy (Mo's Digital Pencil Too); Happiest Birthday Wishes (My Favorite Things)
Ink: printer; Bashful Blue (Stampin' Up); Prismacolor Art Markers (131, 108, 109, 172, 96, 209, 192, 25, 198, 143, 86, 154)
Paper: Certainly Celery, Barely Banana, and Basic Black (Stampin' Up); white card stock (Georgia Pacific); Nana's Kids Premium Stack (DCWV)
Accessories: Embossed Zigzag border punch (Martha Stewart); 1-1/4 and 1-3/8 circle punches (Stampin' Up); black grosgrain ribbon (Stampin' Up); tag (Stampin' Up); Thickers Subway Foam Letter Stickers (American Crafts); baker's twine (Martha Stewart); 3D dots

Kenny K's Krafty Girlz Challenge #15

Skulls & Guitars

Kenny K Krafty Girlz Challenge #15 Sketch

I am on a stamping roll this week! I've been crafty 3 nights in a row now! Last night I made another Halloween card. This time with the "Star" image from kennykdownloads. I didn't actually intend for her to end up as one. I just happened to color her in purples and greens then realized I had the perfect Halloween designer paper. I used the sketch from Kenny K's Krafty Girlz Challenge #15 for this project. It is my 1st time entering a Kenny K challenge, but I am sure it won't be my last! This card is going to another Kenny K fan for the favorite holiday that we share (I hope she doesn't see this post before it arrives in her mailbox! lol)

Sorry this is brief, but I once again am up past my bed time! I was feeling creative and inspired again and had to go with it! I think it is the call of the full moon.... OoowOoooo!

More fun to come this weekend. Stay tuned for a Mojo Monday post as well more Halloween goodness!

Card Supplies
Images: Star (kennykdownloads)
Ink: printer; Prismacolor Art Markers (207, 12, 40, 99, 100, 103, 105, 192, 26, 97, 128, 147)
Paper: Basic Black, Elegant Eggplant, Kiwi Kiss, and Pumpkin Pie card stock (Stampin' Up); white card stock (Staples); Cast-A-Spell designer series paper (Stampin' Up)
Accessories: scalloped oval Nestabilities (Spellbinders); 1-1/4 and 1-3/8 circle punches (Stampin' Up); Basic Black, Elegant Eggplant, and Pumpkin Pie grosgrain ribbon (Stampin' Up); Halloween dimensional stickers (Recollections); Nightfall adhesive pearl (Queen & Co); 3D dots

Frankenbabe

Frankenbabe

Stamps R Us Challenge #7 Sketch

Let me tell you, after the day I've had I feel like a zombie! I had been looking forward to crafting all day at work as I coordinated in my mind which challenges I would incorporate into my list of cards that needed to be made this week. I knew that tonight I would be working on a fun "just because" Halloween card, but what I didn't know was that the rest of my evening would not go as planned or that I wouldn't sit down at my desk and start coloring my image until 11pm. But though I thought my motivation and inspiration had already called it quits for the day, once I put Prismacolor to card stock I found that I wasn't quite as brainless as I had thought!

My second Halloween card of the season is being entered into 3 separate challenges, all of which are sponsored in one way or another by Sassy Studio Designs. I used one of Lindsay's fantastic new Halloween images from their October 1st release. She calls her Frankenstein Zombie. I call her Frankenbabe! Only Lindsay could make a gal look this hot in a straight jacket! But I digress...

My lovely creation is being entered into SSD's Dare To Be Sassy Thursday #42 where the challenge was to use CIRCLES. I had some fun designer paper with dots and used a circle punch and round brad to add another circle element to the card. The layout is based on the Stamps R Us Challenge #7 sketch. I am also entering it for Challenge 9 ~ Halloween over at 2 Sisters Challenge Blog. Both are sponsored by Sassy Studio Designs.

Phew! Challenge times three - done! But now it is way past my bedtime, and I am tired as I spent two hours wrangling a dragon this evening. Well, okay, it was really my son in his Halloween costume at the portrait studio in Target, but it was still no easy feat! This was our second visit as the first had to be postponed and rescheduled on account of tears. Today, though, our talented photographer managed to eek out some pretty fabulous photos (once edited) from an uncooperative toddler! Still, despite his resistance, I do believe he just might be the cutest dragon ever!

Thanks for looking! I hope to be back with more posts soon as I count down to All Hallow's Eve....

Card Supplies
Images: Frankenstein Zombie (Sassy Studio Designs), Ghoulish Greetings sentiment (A Muse Artstamps)
Ink: printer, Tuxedo Black (Memento), Prismacolor Art Markers (99, 103, 105, 60, 173, 96, 192)
Paper: Basic Black, Lovely Lilac, Lavender Lace, Pumpkin Pie, and Certainly Celery card stock (Stampin' Up); white card stock (Staples); Halloween Scary Sparkles Glittered Halloween Papers (My Mind's Eye)
Accessories: 1-1/4 circle punch (Stampin' Up), Halloween specialty brads (Recollections), Cracks border punch (Martha Stewart), Branch punch (Martha Stewart), Boutique Fleur mulberry paper roses (Recollections), Halloween Creepy Cloth (Flomo), 3D dots

Halloween Hottie

Hello and Happy Fall!!! I am back after a two week stamping hiatus!!! I needed to recharge the creative battery with some much needed R&R. I am posting my first Halloween card of the season. It's my favorite holiday, and I love when August arrives because that means retailers start selling for the holiday. Last year I had my hands full with a newborn and only made a few cards. This year I had good intentions, but my now one year old son had other plans for me - apple picking, pumpkin picking, professional photos in his Halloween costume, trips to the playground! We've been having so much fun I didn't realize how quickly time was going by. But when I put our decorations up last weekend I knew I'd better get moving.

I've been wanting to play with my Kenny K images for some time. His images are so much fun to color!!! Here meet Lady Raven. She even SOUNDS Halloween-y, and she is looking very wicked in her lingerie and platform boots! I used Kazan's Sketch 63 from 2 Sketches 4 You as my layout. This is a special sketch because it is also part of their design team search. How fun would that be?! I had a lot of fun when I was guest designer for Sassy Studio Designs so I thought it was time to try again. I also am entering this in The Shabby Tea Room's Week #31 "Pumpkin Patch" challenge. The challenge was to make a card or project using the colors from their photo as inspiration and/or create something that included pumpkins. Lady Raven in her orange attire was perfect! I'm also submitting it for Really Reasonable Ribbon's Challenge #10 -Halloween. This was an easy one as the directive was to create a Halloween themed project.

Thanks for looking and check back for more creepy creations soon....

Card Supplies:
Images: Lady Raven (kennykdownloads)
Ink: printer, Prismacolor Art Markers (207, 12, 172, 61, 99, 97, 16, 153, 130, 103)
Paper: Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, and Basic Gray card stock (Stampin' Up), white card stock (Staples), Cast-A-Spell designer series paper (Stampin' Up)
Accessories: Circle and Scalloped Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders); 1-1/4 and 1-3/8 circle punches (Stampin' Up); Designer Label punch (Stampin' Up); Photo Corner punch (Stampin' Up), Pumpkin Pie grosgrain ribbon (Stampin' Up); 7mm black round rhinestones (Nicole Crafts); black lace (unknown); vintage button; raven dimensional sticker (Recollections); 3D dots

Dare To Be Sassy Thursday #38

Sassy Mummy Apothecary Jar

Sassy Mummy Tag

Imagine my delight when I checked my e-mail this morning to find my free birthday image from Lindsay at Sassy Studio Designs! Then imagine how giddy I was to discover that she had sent not one, but two images to apologize for the delay (I'm an August baby) and one of them was the soon-to-be released Sassy Mummy! She is absolutely gorgeous and will be available on October 1st with the Halloween release! I've already started thinking about decorations and costumes so this just confirmed that it's now time to pull out my extensive collection of Halloween stamps and accessories and get to work!

And how could I not use her immediately?!?! Halloween is my absolute favorite holiday! So I decided I would participate in this week's Dare To Be Sassy Thursday Challenge #38 to make "anything but a card" and Stamp Something's Digi Day challenge to use some sort of digital element in your project. . I chose to make a tag for my newly purchased apothecary jar. It would have been better if it was a canopic jar, but I guess Michaels was fresh out... lol!

I colored our lovely Egyptian mummy with my Prismacolor Art Markers, did a little distressing and shredded a piece of gauze and I was done. She was so much fun to work with and what a tease! Now I'm tingly with anticipation to see what other fabulous Halloween images SSD has in store for us! I'm hoping it's a bevy of beautiful beasties that go bump in the night! Thank you, Lindsay, for being so sweet and generous and totally making my day!

Tag Supplies:
Images: Sassy Mummy (Sassy Studio Designs), Wanda's Pantry (Waltzingmouse Stamps)
Ink: printer, Only Orange (Stampin' Up), Tim Holtz Old Paper Distress Ink (Ranger), Prismacolor Art Markers (78, 201, 105, 97, 196, 140, 12, 149)
Paper: Basic Black and Only Orange card stock (Stampin' Up), white card stock (Staples)
Accessories: test tube sticker (Martha Stewart), rolled gauze (Target), white large circle eyelet (Stampin' Up), Halloween Adornments (EK Success), Cuttlebug Spiderweb embossing folder (Provocraft), baker's twine (Martha Stewart), Labels Ten Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Happy 1st Birthday Small Man

At 8:09am one year ago today my life was forever changed when I welcomed my son, Kayne, to the world... It is hard to believe that a whole year has passed! We have both come so far in 12 months! It is amazing to watch his progress, how he's constantly growing and changing, and how he is helping me to do so as well! I am thankful every day to have been blessed with such a sweet, handsome and happy little man! We had a big party to celebrate with friends and family on Sunday, but tonight it was just my son, myself and his father. I hope he will always know that he is loved and cherished... Though he won't remember this special birthday there will be memorabilia to show him how much he means to us. His birthday card from me will be one of those items.

I chose to use Kazan's Sketch 61 for this week's challenge from 2 Sketches 4 You for my layout and an image called "1st Birthday Boy" from Mo's Digital Pencil Too for my focal point. (I just adore Mo's images!) I hope someday he will look back and smile that his mom took the time to make him a one of a kind birthday card, for her one of kind little man!

Happy 1st Birthday, Kayne! I couldn't love you more! Love, Momma

Card Supplies
Images: 1st Birthday Boy (Mo's Digital Pencil Too)
Inks: printer, Prismacolor Art Markers (143, 43, 207, 12, 86, 123, 95, 70, 133, 149, 23, 196, 25, 17, 15, 16, 100, 103, 97)
Paper: Brocade Blue, Close to Cocoa, Ruby Red and Green Galore card stock (Stampin' Up), white card stock (Staples), Nana's Kids stack designer paper (DCWV)
Accessories: Labels Ten Nestabilities (Spellbinders), brown organdy ribbon (Michaels), 1-1/4 and 1-3/8 circle punches (Stampin' Up), Christmas Cheer adhesive gems (K&Company), 3D dots

Dare To Be Sassy Thursday #36

Enchanted Journal

Enchanted Journal - Side View

Close-up of paper flower

Paper Flower Supplies and Enchanted Journal

How could I not use Rapunzel to create something fairytale related for this week's Sassy Studio Designs' ? Dare To Be Sassy Thursday!? With long hair down to my waist myself, I can empathize with her tress issues! Though my "tower" is a 3rd floor apartment and I haven't had any men offer to use my hair as a ladder lately, I do feel a certain kinship with this particular princess!

I was feeling inspired today and decided to create a journal for my project instead of my usual card. I also chose to make a paper flower (complete with home-made shimmer mist) to add to my creation. It is a simple process that produces a beautiful embellishment!

Paper Flower Instruction

1) Punch out 6 scallop circle from the designer paper or book page of your choice
2) Sponge ink on all 6 scallops
3) Spritz each scallop with water and crinkle into a ball
4) Flatten the scallops and lay flat to dry
5) Punch another scallop from card stock that coordinates with your project
6) Layer all 7 scallops together with the card stock on the bottom
7) Use paper piercing tool and mat to punch a hole through the center of all layers
8) Use a brad to bind the scallops together
9) Re-crumple the scallops, with the top ones being the most crumpled
10) Shake and spray flower with Smooch Spritz or Shimmer Paint mist for a glittery look (optional)

The above instructions were courtesy of my Stampin' Up demonstrator, Teresa Howe. Teresa also told me how to make my own shimmer mist. All you need is a mini mister bottle, rubbing alcohol, classic re-inkers and shimmer paint.

I had a lot of fun with these two techniques! And with this challenge! If you want to play along for a chance to win some Sassy images, just link your creation here before Thursday. Of course, I always wait until the last minute so you only have a few hours left to participate. Being on the East coast gives me until 3am to get my project posted before I turn into a pumpkin... (Oh, sorry, wrong fairy tale! lol) If you miss it, there will be another fabulous challenge announced tomorrow so be sure to check back!

Well, I am off to check on Prince Charming (aka Kayne, my soon-to-be one year old son). Thanks for looking and happy crafting!

Card Supplies
Images: Rapunzel (Sassy Studio Designs)
Ink: printer, Rose Red (Stampin' Up), Rose Romance classic re-inker (Stampin' Up), Prismacolor Art Markers (207, 12, 40, 131, 132, 72, 10, 7)
Paper: Rose Romance and Basic Black card stock (Stampin' Up), white card stock (Staples), The Once Upon A Time mat stack designer paper (DCWV)
Accessories: Scalloped punch (Stampin' Up), 1-1/4 Circle punch (Stampin' Up), Scalloped Oval Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Cuttlebug Fleur De Lis embossing folder (Provocraft), Frost White Shimmer Paint (Tsukineko), Antique brad (Stampin' Up), lace (unknown)

C is for Celebrate!

It is hard to believe that this time last year I was 8 months pregnant and eagerly awaiting the arrival of my son... Now, almost a year later, I look back and marvel at the all the changes! My life will never be the same. And while being a single mom brings with it its challenges, I am okay with that and would not trade what I have been blessed with for anything! He is my world, and whether he is pulling himself up to stand or slurping apple juice through a straw from a drink box for the first time, I gaze at his perfectly round head and those chubby cheeks and I am amazed that I created this adorable, precious little man! So to celebrate his 1st birthday and how far we've both come, I am throwing him a Cookie Monster themed party!

I, of course, wanted to make his invitations but couldn't find a Cookie Monster stamp anywhere! I was perusing the gallery on splitcoaststampers one day and came across a lovely creation by bhstamper. It appeared that she did own a Cookie Monster stamps and had done a cute card using blue flock. I messaged her to see if she would be interested in selling her stamp. She responded that she was not, but graciously offered to stamp 45 images for me. And so thanks to Brenda's kind generosity for a fellow stamper who lives halfway across the country from her and she has never met, I was able to make my son's invitations for this most important of birthdays!

His 1st birthday is certainly a cause for celebration, but so are people like Brenda! I hope my little guy's life is filled with people who show him the same kind of selfless goodness as I have been lucky enough to experience in the stamping community!

So to all my fellow stampers who have ever gifted me with their random acts of kindness (and you know who you are!) this blog entry is dedicated to you! Thank you for making my life, and my cards, a little bit brighter! {hugs}

Card Supplies:
Images: Cookie Monster (Stampabilities - courtesy of bhstamper); computer generated sentiment
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento - courtesy of bhstamper), printer, Prismacolor Art Markers (47, 149, 201, 95, 123, 169)
Paper: Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip, Summer Sun and Ruby Red card stock (Stampin' Up); White Luster card stock (The Paper Cut - courtesy of bhstamper)
Accessories: 6mm wiggle eyes (Creatology - Michaels), Cuttlebug Happy Birthday embossing folder (Provocraft), 1-1/4 and 1-3/8 circle punches (Stampin' Up)

Dare To Be Sassy Thursday #35

And I'm down to the wire yet again! I had every intention of crafting this evening, but I got too caught up on the Sassy Studio Designs' new release party blog! If you haven't seen the enchanting newest additions to the Little Honey's Fairytale collection then you will want to pop over to the SSD shopping site and check them out! They are super sweet! The talented Lindsay has outdone herself again!

So, all the chatting with the lovely Sassy ladies left little time to complete this week's Dare To Be Sassy Thursday challenge. We were instructed to make a teacher's gift since school is back in session almost everywhere now. I lacked inspiration today so ended up with a card that will serve double duty as a gift card holder. As usual, I had to let my sense of humor shine through, though.... Yes, that is designer paper that says "I will not hit boys"! I hope you got a schoolgirl giggle or two out of that! :)

Card Supplies:
Images: Mrs. S (Sassy)
Ink: printer, Prismacolor Art Markers (199, 207, 149, 12, 46, 169, 62, 25)
Paper: Tempting Turquoise and Summer Sun card stock (Stampin' Up); white card stock (Staples); Black Board designer paper (DCWV)
Accessories: "Teacher" Soft Spoken embellishments (Me & My Big Ideas)

Dare To Be Sassy Thursday #34

Witchy Woman by Eagles

I have been wanting to play with this image for a while now... I had the mirror and the brilliant idea of pairing the two. So when I saw this week's Sassy Studio Designs' Dare To Be Sassy Thursday challenge was to create a card inspired by a song, I knew no matter how busy I was, I had to make time to finally create something with them. My wicked sorceress is one Witchy Woman, and I think she would do the Eagles proud!

I am still buried in stamping "have tos" (45 Cookie Monster invitations for my son's 1st birthday party for starters!) so this is going to have to be a brief post again. As usual, I've waited until the last minute to enter the race. You have 3 more hours to get your project linked up here if you want to play along to win 2 SSD images of your choice. But there's always next week too!

Thanks for looking and hope to be back sooner than later....

Card Supplies
Images: Evil Sorceress (Sassy Studio Designs), Mirror Mirror sentiment (computer generated)
Ink: printer, Pumpkin Pie and Ruby Red (Stampin' Up), Prismacolor Art Markers (168, 213, 207, 12)
Paper: Eggplant Envy, Basic Black and Ruby Red card stock (Stampin' Up); white card stock (Staples); Haunted: Macabre designer paper (Cosmo Cricket)
Accessories: Designer Label punch (Stampin' Up); Madame Delphine's mirror pendant (Blue Moon); black rhinestones (Nicole Crafts); Moraccan Screen Cuttlebug embossing folder (Provocraft); Boutique Fleur mulberry paper roses (Recollections); eggplant sheer satin edge ribbon (Wright's); 3D dots

Dare To Be Sassy Thursday #33

Wow, have I been busy! I completely missed last week's Sassy Studio Design's Dare To Be Sassy Thursday, but I'm back! And though it has to be a quick post since I am in the middle of a cleaning frenzy in preparation for company tomorrow evening I wanted to get my submission posted. Did I also mention I'm making Oreo Truffles? Mmmm...

Speaking of yummy, I used SSD's Cosmopolitan for my creation this week. The theme: POLKA DOTS! I think I managed to incorporate spots and dots into almost every element of the card - the designer paper, the embossed panel, the ribbon and even the brads!

Sorry this was so rushed! All the stamping I'm doing leaves me no time for posting anything! Thanks for looking and if you'd like to play along, well, it's probably almost too late! I'm such a procrastinator! But keep your eyes open for Dare To Be Sassy Thursday #34 this week on their blog, which can be found here. They also have tons of fun sponsorship challenges going on right now so check those out as well!

Dare To Be Sassy Thursday #31

Well, it's a sad day.... This is my last Dare To Be Sassy Thursday as guest designer for Sassy Studio Designs. You can't see me, but I'm pouting! lol I am going to miss working with all the wonderful ladies over there, but I have a feeling they can't get rid of me that easily! It has been an amazing experience, and I enjoyed myself immensely! My thanks to Lindsay and each & every one of her fabulous design team for making me feel so welcomed and for all their encouragement regarding my creations. On a happy note, I get to pass the baton on to a worthy successor, Kim! Her blog, Kim's Cards, can be found here. Congrats, Kim!

For this week's challenge there really are no guidelines.... It's freestyle! Anything goes!!! Your only requirement is that you use a SSD image and link it here before next Thursday. Other than that, you have carte blanche to play along for a chance to win 2 images of your choice. I opted to make a Halloween card using their Sassy Devil image. It is my favorite holiday, and it'll be here before we know it! The sketch is from splitcoaststampers, and I spiced up the inside with a saucy sentiment from My Favorite Thing's Party Girl set. Thanks for looking, and I hope you'll play along... Having no restrictions was devilishly fun! Bwahahaha!

Card Supplies:
Images: Sassy Devil (Sassy Studio Designs), Party Girl by Amanda Baird (My Favorite Things) Ink: printer, Pumpkin Pie (Stampin' Up), Tuxedo Black (Memento), Prismacolor Art Markers (207, 12, 172, 149, 209, 169, 153, 93, 154, 155, 156, 159)
Paper: Basic Black, Real Red, and Pumpkin Pie card stock (Stampin' Up), white card stock (Staples), Newsprint Spellbound designer paper (Making Memories), Ambrosia Orange Smoothie and Tangy designer paper (Basic Grey), Ghostly Greetings designer series paper (Stampin' Up) Accessories: Cuttlebug Pumpkin Harvest embossing folder (Provocraft), Jolee's Boutique Devil Flames dimensional stickers (EK Success), Classic Oval and Scalloped Classic Oval Nestabilities (Spellbinders), 3D dots

The Crazy Challenge - All About Birthdays

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It's time for another Sassy Studio Designs sponsorship.... This time it's The Crazy Challenge, and it's All About Birthdays! Speaking of birthdays... yours truly will be celebrating one next weekend! Although, if it wasn't for the cake and presents, I think I would just stop acknowledging them! I do have plans to go out with some friends that night (which is a rare occurrence since the small man arrived) so I'm looking forward to that, if not to turning another year older.

I have quite a few friends and family members who celebrate this month also so I'll be very busy churning out cards. For this quick and easy one, I simply printed the Party Dress image from Sassy Studio Designs on designer paper, layered in on top of coordinating designer paper, added a few embellishments (the wire hanger and glitter binder clip), and in fifteen minutes I was done!

It's so pretty, I'm not sure I want to give it away. Happy Birthday to me! Haha!

Card Supplies:
Images: Party Dress (Sassy Studio Designs), Who's That Birthday Girl? (My Favorite Things)
Ink: printer, Rich Cocoa (Memento)
Paper: Chocolate Chip and Certainly Celery card stock (Stampin' Up), white card stock (Staples), White Out Promenade - Petticoat and Explore - Roam designer paper (We R Memory Keepers)
Accessories: Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder (Provocraft), Jumbo Scallops Die-namics (My Favorite Things), copper glitter binder clip (Making Memories), small wire hanger (unknown), 3D dots

Dare To Be Sassy Thursday #30

Welcome to another Thursday! It feels like I blinked and here it is the end of the week again. I don't know where all the time is going, but it suddenly dawned on me that in 2 short months my baby boy is going to be turning a year old! That will be followed closely by Halloween, then Thanksgiving and (gasp) Christmas! As a crafter these events take planning to ensure that the party invites, thank you cards and other assorted paper goodness are made and sent off in a timely manner. So while I still have some time before I have to think about my second favorite holiday (sorry, Christmas... Halloween's got ya beat!) it was still fun to play along with this week's Sassy Studio Designs Dare To Be Sassy Thursday - Christmas in July! I used their Mrs. Claus image, made her into an ornament and paired her with a sassy sentiment to produce a sexy and playful holiday card. Most of us may still be wearing flip flops and sipping iced tea, but it was a lot of fun to think snowflakes, candy canes and sugarplum fairies for a day! If you'd like to try your hand at a holiday card and a chance to win two SSD images of your choice, just use any SSD image to create your own Christmas in July card and link it here before next Thursday! Happy Holidays, I mean, Thursday!

Card Supplies:
Images: Mrs. Claus (Sassy Studio Designs), Dear Santa, Define Good? sentiment (Stamp Out)
Ink: Printer, Tuxedo Black (Memento), Pink Passion (Stampin' Up), Prismacolor Art Markers (169, 133, 192, 26, 1, 200, 214, 185)
Paper: Garden Green, Kiwi Kiss, Real Red, Pretty in Pink, Pink Passion card stock (Stampin' Up), white card stock (Staples), Joyful Skinny Stripe designer paper (KI Memories), Luster Snowflake in Bright Red designer paper (Cloud 9 Design)
Accessories: Himalayan Snowflake punch (Martha Stewart), Round Tab punch (Stampin' Up), Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Apron Lace border punch (Fiskars), red organdy ribbon (Morex Corp.), red adhesive gem (K&Company), Cuttlebug Christmas Ornaments embossing folder (Provocraft)

Sassy Studio Designs Digi Day Sponsorship at Stamp Something

Sassy Studio Designs is sponsoring another fun and fabulous event! This one takes place over on the Stamp Something blog. It is a simple challenge - Stamp Something: Something Digital. So basically you have free reign to create something using any digital element of your choice, whether it be images, paper or layouts! For my submission I chose to use a SSD digital image. She is a Spartan Queen, drawn by the very talented owner/artist Lindsay using one of my favorite movies, 300, as inspiration. I was lucky enough to get her as a freebie during their celebration on Paper Craft Planet when SSD reached 300 members there. But don't worry if you weren't able to scoop her up then... She'll be available for sale come the August 1st release!

So pick your favorite digital medium and play along! Sassy Studio Designs is just one of several wonderful sponsors for this event. Just link your project here before Friday for a chance to win!

Card Supplies:
Images: 300 Spartan Queen (Sassy Studio Designs)
Ink: printer, Prismacolor Art Markers (12, 207, 169, 198, 149, 96, 95, 65, 108, 109, 112, 121)
Paper: So Saffron card stock (Stampin' Up), white card stock (Staples), Quick Sand card stock (Bazzill), Daisy Words designer paper (Heidi Grace Designs)
Accessories: Labels Five Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Swirls Brown Say It In Pearls self-adhesive embellishment (Prima), 3D dots