I LOVE this set from MFT Stamps called Hit the Beach. It lends itself to so many colors. I really like how Kim had all the cute little accessories in the set as well. Its just so so AWESOME! Now if only I looked like this girl in a bikini life would be good. maybe next year……..

I am also loving the fun summery paper and colors. Paper is double sided by Memory Box (beach collection-perfect eh?)

I can assure you that this layout will also be used again. I used my Copic Markers on this one.

With the heat wave we have going all I can think of is beachy images!

I received these red Sprite Primas from my friend Laura. Im not a RED person but LOVE these flowers. HAD to find a way to use it.

I think the way it was layered behind the girl worked pretty good.

Dont forget this set will FINALLY be available on the first of JULY! Yeah!

Thanks for lookin

Well I know its FRIDAY, but I’m getting my new room ready this weekend (and today we have a day planned on a boat for a day at the Lake) so figured I’d better post early!

I got my ceiling/trim/walls all painted!!! Now I need to get Jason to put the trim around the window, and fix the back wall (still need sheet rock) and I will put together my cabinets!

The other 2 electrical outlets he will do while I pack it all in!

 I feel like Im a slave driver missing her whip! LOL! I just want to go,go, go!! Poor Jason he comes home and works on it every night after dinner till 10:30 at night! Now THAT my friends is LOVE! I haven’t even said anything, he just knows ME! Im so lucky. I LOVE the SKY BLUE color on my walls. I can definitely see how it will help my creativity.

My HOPE is for Sunday-but realistically, may be during the week. Depends on how much “I” can help.

Any time my room is clean and well organized ideas just pour out of me. Now I feel a bit in a rut. Too much “clutter” in the process.

So I kept this week’s sketch SIMPLE! I also feel many people don’t layer images at the bottom-ever really. It can be very pretty. So I hope you will try it.

I was inspired by my Simple Sunflower card.

Oh yes back to the sketch! Sorry about my insane ramble!

I used the new Paper Trey set called Text Boxed for th e flower. It was stamped in CRAFT black ink, then embossed with iridescent ice embossing powder.

I colored the image with my twinkling h2o’s (love them). This BLING is simple but impacts the card alot. Stamped the smaller sunflower image in the center with black, then added a bling to the center.

Tied around some wirde organdy ribbon, anf then stamped my sentiment from Green Thumb.

I used my Martha Stewart cardstock on this. Just can’t stop using her stuff either.

Enjoy the weekend.

For todays Ways To Use It Challenge, we were asked to used Scalloped anything! Images, punches whatever!

I cant remember the last time I used a Stampin Up! stamp for FUN. Its always been “work” related. I just got in in my Stampin’Up! preorder which had not only the new colors but Baroque Motif’s. When I saw the flower image my immediate thought was this-

Baroque Bloom

Isn’t it beautiful?

I stamped the flower bloom then punched with my scalloped circle punch. I then punched holes around the edges, and decided some BLING was in order! LOL! Big Surprise right?

So I added some A Muse card candy blue bling stickers. The center is a NEW! Ice brads by SU!.

Then my deliemma-a stem! So I pulled out my Paper Tray set to form the words of the stem (river rock ink).

I combined it with my Happy Everything set from SU! Its suppose to read like

Happy for you Happy thoughts, Happy day & Happy wishes.

The “h” is a cool acetate letter set I got at Michaels by Making Memories. It perfectly matches my Blue Bayou and Sky Blue combo.

Now I thought this was cool- you know that funky square block in the set? I cut a part of that to make the 3-D leaves! I was so stumped with what I was gonna do, then I kept staring at the image and actually saw a leaf form! The butterfly is the same image stamped in the scalloped bloom just punched strategically with my Martha Stewart butterfly!

I used a piercing template from Lasting Impressions for the flutter trail. You can never have enough different piercing templates let me tell you!

Now for the next one!

 Blossoms of blue

WOW! Sorry for the BLUE hue. Now I know WHY I usually resort to my photobox for all my uploads. I thought the natural light would be cool-um NOPE! But I was too lazy to re-photograph it!

I was obviously inspired by this patterned paper by Chatterbox. Again I saw this image on my table and had to try it out! I thought it came out really nice.

Used my Onare piercing template to pierce a scalloped edge around the saffron layer. Its the little details that really make a WOW sometimes.

Tied at the top is my Martha Stewart ribbon.

Hope you like this one as much as I do!

Lastly a sketch challenge.

My friend Bonnie (aka raduse on SCS) was the card of inspiration so I HAD to try it!

Here is my submission-Lovely Lavender

I have to say I am shocked at how much I LOVE the new in color by SU! River Rock! I just LOVE it! Anyway- I stamped the lavender sprig numerous times in several colors and spritzed with water. Used my distressing tool for the edges. I just love this layout. Clean and simple.

I was inspired to dust off Carte Postale when I saw it made the NEW! Stampin Up Idea book. So I stamped the bird in the lower right corner, and thenMon Amie. “SOMETHING” was missing. I didnt want to over do it-so I added a lightly torn piece of vellum in the lower right corner.

Tied the “sprig” with some organdy ribbon (which I cannot believe SU is retiring! OMG! STUPID IDEA!) and was done.

Thanks for looking. Next up-

HIT THE BEACH!

I am participating in a ATC swap. Those are so fun to do. You’d be amazed at the things people can do with a tiny canvas. There are some BIG TALENT in this swap (so intimidating) so I want mine to be up to snuff.

I joined for 2 groups. I wanted to do something fun yet ORIGINAL! Not always easy.

Since  I am so in love with Chinese Paper Lanterns I figured a fun way to make my very own-stamp style of course! LOL!

For this particular ATC

Asian Lantern

1) I stamped my vellum cardstock with the flowers first. Let dry.

2) I ran cardstock through my paper crimper. (Not easily captured in this photo)

3) Punched out with desired punch. You can make is with the Key Tag punch (really cool and my favorite), oval, and the circle punches (as shown here)

4) I layered the back with white cardstock (glue dots are on flower centers to adhere vellum without being able to see them). This allows you to make you “lantern” any color-pink, black whatever! I chose white so it would contrast with the bkgd. This also allows you to “hang” it without viewing the silver cord.

Cool huh?

Stamps set was by SU! Artfully Asian and Fancy Pants Pollen Dust. Colored with my white Singlo gel pen and markers by Prism.

Onto the next ATC

Butterfly of happiness

Well time was running out and sticking with original ideas, since I LOVE my Poppin Acetate technique and card figured I’d replicate that in smaller form! Hope they like it!

Stamp and paper is listed in the tutorial.

Thanks for looking.

CHALLENGE

 I would love to challenge you to make an ATC (card measuring 3/12 x 2 1/2) based on a larger card you or someone else may have done. Its a fun starting point.

Since Ive been absent here is a little treat. This is Fright Night by My Favorite Things Stamps. You can get it here,  here OR here. Along with MANY other goodies!

This card was seriously whipped up in between Jason packing up my precious stamping goodies! Sniff, Sniff.

The flap opens to reveal whatever you wish. Using my slip punch- I plan on sticking a lolipop inside! 😀

Here I am! I feel so pretty in this. I like myself in black and white better. I wanted to make JUST the shirt pink but Im computer challenged! LOL!

Note my super cute shirt? Now I really feel like a designer! Its official. When I shop online- while wearing this shirt its because I NEED these items for WORK! This will have to serve its purpose when Mr Brown comes and my hubby is tapping his foot wandering what delicious goodies his wife has purchased.

It will be a tangible reminder ;D Or at least I hope it will.

Quick post today!  I have had some computer issues (EEK!) that I am trying to work out, and taking the kids to the beach, and stuff like that. Mom’s gotta make summer memorable. Plus they are much happier if we spend the first part of the day doing “something”.

A bad- yet awesome note-I cannot stamp till most likely the weekend! GASP! My craft room is in shambles as I prepare a NEW 3 times larger stamp area!!! GO LAUREN! GO LAUREN!

I cannot wait! Anyone who has viewed my corner of the universe will understand how great this is. Note if you dont like tiny spaces crammed full of stuff dont go view my room photos! Im painting my area the oh so calming Stampin Up NEW! color Soft Sky! Now that will be gorgeous!

 Good news I do have some projects I can share that I havent uploaded yet! Yeah!

So please stayed tuned. I have an ATC set to upload with ( in my opinion ) an amazing idea.

And I will post Thursday a HOT card using Hit the Beach. I really love it. Hope you will too!

New find! New Artist!

So While I was browsing this post on Jody’s blog a while back I saw her use these cool images from Starving Artistamps designed by Kristin Soboloski. I had to get some. She did a knock out job.

My take with these stamps I feel is less “nature” and earthy, but more whimsical? I had to ask myself if I was doing the natural images justice. But then I reminded myself that stamping is its own form of art , and while we all may use the same images, the beauty in it is seeing each persons “vision” using the same images in very different ways. That is the true art of being a stamper, and always stay true to your own style!

I think I turned these nature images into what I saw in them.

I have to say the solid flower and hummingbird from the set I got (Artful Inkables blossoms and petals 1) is my FAVORITE.

Here is my first card using these images

White on White

For this card I literally just cut/layered my stamped white layer onto white cardstock. I wanted the stamps to be the focal point yet really pop! No need to fuss with ribbon, eyelets, brads or whatever else. SIMPLE!

I used my Twinkling H2O’s to paint on the stamps directly (they are unmounted rubber with ez mount) then stamp onto cardstock. I feel not only does this image sparkle but looks so realistically watercolored. My husbands grandmother LOVES humming birds! I am sending this to her. I have never found a hummingbird stamp that I like until now.

I really wish the shimmer was picked up in the photo.

Here is the next card using the same bird, but a different flower

Black Bird

I just loved how only the image on white has a POP of color which is just the part of the flower image. Not too much to tell just, think of this as lazymans spotlighting! LOL! I really wanted ONE image of color. I love this card.

Daffodil

This card is simple, but I love it. It was my very first ever image colored with my COPIC markers! You can get those beauties at www.allthatscraps.com or www.mftstamps.com 

Great prices and depending on your budget something for everyone!

I colored on Nicole Heady’s white cardstock sold here www.papertreyink.com. Its really fabulous too. Absorbs color amazingly well.

Per Kim @ MFT stamps I got the first 2 sets of Copic Markers A & B! OMG! Can you say LOVE THEM! They are everything they are claimed to be and more. Now to scrounge up the other $ to get the next 2 sets!

Coloring was SO easy! Does my flower not look gorgeous? ESPECIALLY since it was my very first image colored with those beauties. I also have to say that yes I know as far as nature and highlighting the “appropriate areas” I need practice. Im not all “naturey” so I dont know what areas should be darker/lighter I just wing it! LOL! I will attempt to practice more. But all logistics aside I think I did pretty good. Just dont send Sweet Miss Daisy here to see my shadowing! LOL!

OK back to the card-=Love Daisy’s cause they are the flower used for the Cancer Awareness drive in May.

Bug you

Another whimsical design. Single layer. Watercolored using my Twinkling H2O’s. The lily-pad flower was on dimensionals. The dragonfly is from Artful Inkable bugs 1. Flowers are from Artful Inkables plants 1. I think they are the flowers you see on lily-pads.

Anyway just a quickie.

Last but not least

Corner Bloom

Wanted to keep this simple but pretty! I stamped the flower in purple versamagic ink, and cut and layered. Colored with my twinkling H2O’s. Added microbeads to the large sunflower style center.

Click the little thumbnail to see a larger view.

Sketch time! Challenge yourself to layering a little more! Patterned paper comes in handy for this layout.

This little card is to cute and so boy to me! The stamps are from Lizzie Anne Designs. I used Loads of Fun from the Simply Bits collection. Just colored with my markers. The x border is fron the Shapes and Stitches set.

I think its a fun layout for those tags you may have been neglecting. I recently got the Making Memories tag maker and dont want it to be a wasted purchase! LOL! I seriously do love it!

I bought these screw type brads at Oriental Trading YEARS ago.

The patterned paper is by Imaginesce. Its originally black and white. I have used it on some other cards here. I brayered summer sun onto it! I think it now looks like CAUTION stripes! LOL!

I love the stitched ribbon as well.

So I hope you find the time to play along and link it here.

Link you scs gallery here too so I know you played along! Id love to see YOUR take!

This was a new sketch this week, so I hope you enjoy it!

 Here is MY reason!

My reason to fight, have faith, and hope. My reason to help make a difference, no matter how small.

This child/person could be ANYONE. It could suddenly be YOUR child, husband, best friend, mother, father, or other family member. This is Cancer. It doesnt discriminate. It doesnt care how old or young.

This is Alexa. She is my 7 year old daughter. If you read this blog you know already that Alexa was diagnoised with Leukemia February 2006. A day I will NEVER forget.

Today I am volunteering my time to do a project, with anyone who is there to particiapte in THE RELAY FOR LIFE. This is a benefit that raises money for Cancer Research. A cause that directly affects my family.

Alexa has about 1 year and 8 months left of treatment to keep her Cancer in remission.

Treatments range 2 1/2 to 3 years long.

My point of this photo is- THIS is someone who this research is currently helping. Just 10 years ago Alexa would have gotten NO chance to beat this. Now there is hope, now there is a possibility of a cure. Now my daughter is winning the long battle. While that could change we pray for the best. We believe in the best. Her prognosis is very good. 96% chance she will be CURED! 10 years ago we would have been handed a death sentence. Today there is HOPE.

Some people with different types of Cancer still do not have a chance. So we keep fighting! We keep pushing for a CURE, for ALL Cancer!

Alexa since birth has been my reason for alot of things in my life. I just wanted to share this photo of her. It was taken Wednesday during our trip to the park. Given all she has gone through she is still so wonderful, full of life and HAPPY! Look at that face? So oblivious to it all. As she slides down the slide, I internally freak out that she will pick up some awful germ that she may not have the immunity to fight. But I struggle with letting her have a qualtiy of life, and childhood. I take the small risk for this smile.

Reminds me of this poem

What Cancer Cannot do

Cancer is so limited

It cannot cripple love

It cannot shatter hope

It cannot corrode faith

It cannot destroy peace

It cannot kill friendship

It cannot supress memories

It cannot silence courage

It cannot invade the soul

It cannot steal eternal life

It cannot conquer the spirit.

I know I probally go on and on about Alexa and what this has taught me but its hard not to. I truly believe God has done so much through Alexa to get to me. To touch my life. To make me strong, and work hard to make a difference.

So tomorrow I hope my particiapation in our town’s Relay For LIFE will put a smile on ONE persons face. I hope that I will live to see Cancer become 100% curable. I hope a small gesture can make a small difference.

Small note:

Missy B Designs created a stamp set for my daughter Alexa (scroll down to see the set/description on her website) to raise money for Pediatric Leukemia/Lymphoma Research. That is a small way YOU can help. ALL procedes go to the Leukemia & Lymphoma society! We all love stamps right? Well her set is adorable. Check it out.

You can read Alexa’s Story here, and how her stamp set came to be, and a community now known as the PSF’s came together to get me through a difficult time.

People are AMAZING! Thanks for reading.

If you read this to the end, let me know who YOU will give an extra hug or kiss to. Or someone you know who is like Alexa.

All the best!

Happy First Day of Summer! I love summertime. I love not having to bundle the kids up in all the jackets, hats, gloves and boots. Cleaning the snow off the car-making Jason shovel  (seeing if you are paying attention! LOL! unfortunately that part is true)

Anyway-its just a nice time of year. Bright cheery colors. Love it.

To start the first day-

Christine from All That Scraps has her own line of stamps called C.C. Designs. You may ahve seen my Bitzy Bugz a while ago. She just released this set called Summer Set. The cool thing about this one is you can either buy the pieces separately (unmounted or wood mount) OR for significant savings buy the SET!! How cool.

 This is a photo of all the images in the “set”. Im lucky to have mine to play with. I love these little images.

Beachy Keen Baby

This is the first card I did using the new set. I used the shadow stamp from her store to create the sand “mound”. Color spritzed it with caramel. Stamped the sand mound on caramel and cut out. Isnt she cute? Her pail is 3D as well. I used the Beach collection of paper on my designs by Memory Box.

Beach Boy-REALLY BRIGHT!

Mainly paper pieced. Excuse the brightness! Hope you had a nice First Day of Summer. It was cold and rainy here!

Who says we dont have to worry about Global Warming eh?

Stay tuned tomorrow for my Saturday Sketch Challenge!