Merci pop of purple-

So, I told you I would randomly pick somone’s color suggestion for a “pop” of color using the black & white combo again.

I chose Colleen, and here is what she wrote:

Colleenon 07 May 2007 at 11:28 am

Oh man…your cards are stunners! I love this challenge…I will have to try it out. Now…what color can I use…(purple…yes!)

I chose that one for 2 reasons

1) Purple is my favorite color

2) I rarely use it in papercrafting! WHY? I have no IDEA!

Lovely Lilac, Basic Black, Whisper White.

Glitter pens, Heidi Swap jewels, corner rounder guard off.

So this card was simple. Im sure you are sick of me using my glitter pens, and jewels with this stamp but I seriously cannot STOP! I’m sorry! I just love it! I used the sets from My Favorite Things Stamps called- Behind the Scenes for the polka dot paper and flower block, also the Merci is from the thank you block! Cool thing is since its an acrylic set you can easily ink one word and it it perfect first try!

Ribbon is a lollipop ribbon I got from Jody’s ribbon share. Which reminds me, I haven’t joined one in a while I may have to check her out! LOL!

Now here is the TWISTED Sketch. The purple card above actually was created AFTER I made this card.

       Friends and flowers.

I always LOVED this sentiment! This one is Simply Sentiments by Lizzie Anne Designs. If you notice the sketch is simply flipped. It gives it a whole new look! I love this card. Instead of a scalloped edge I kept it straight and used brads. Ribbon was tied in a different spot. I LOVE tying my ribbon through the center of a flower.

The cardstock and ink is by Bazzill. I get all those goodies at All That Scraps. She’s got some cool new goodies too. Mega punches are coming in soon, and some are already available. You should check out the Bazzill inks, they are phenomenal!!! It has a bit of shimmer! This is the Bazzill Bling cardstock.

Paper is Sugar collection from Memory Box. OMG! Its delicious paper. Im so in love with it. Ribbon is by American Crafts which I score a bunch of cool ribbon at AC MOORE. Its a good 45 minutes from me but was worth the trip. I went there when Jason went to an electronics expo. Anyway-I want you to try either this sketch or one of your own and flip it! Link both cards back here! And thanks for the suggestions on colors to try! I could do black, white and a pop of color forever!

Check in tomorrow for my Saturday Sketch!

Its moments like this that make being a mom worth it!

Noah (4yo) comes running off the school bus, with a HUGE smile on his face. He is so excited to show me what he has, he is stuttering to get it out! LOL!

He hands me this little plant, and says “Mommy look what I grew for you! I planted it and watered it all by myself and now its a flower plant you can keep forever.”

I almost cried! Tears welled up, and I was so touched.

Then he shows me this card, and opens it.

I made you a flower cause you always love flowers.

He was showing me that he drew Daddy, Noah, and Mommy. Him and Daddy are at the top playing XBOX so mommy can stamp! LOL! I almost died laughing. He said “See we are SO HAPPY! I even drew a heart for “love you”. ” Then he goes on ” I was really mad cause my name didn’t come out right, and I was gonna throw it away but the teacher said it was ok cause I drew a nice picture and you would live it”

And I do!!!!

Noah is a perfectionist. AND, While he has one of the easiest names in the world to write he often confuses the order. He’d rather do something BOY oriented than write. He sometimes gets it perfect other times not so much. This is frustrating for him. Im so glad he didnt throw it away.

Now lets pray to God I don’t kill the precious plant he grew for me! My HOPE is to give it to him the day he has his first child. Wouldn’t that be cool. My Mom gave me a plant she bought her first mother’s day after I was born. Its some sort of palnt no one could possibly kill! She gave me a piece of it. Everytime I look at I remember that story. It started out as just two leaves! Now its in my house, and ALL over my mothers house. I swear you can NOT water it for like 2 months and the sucker comes back to life. AMAZING!

Just had to share my happy day! I think I have quite the artist on my hands.

   For the Birthday Boy!

I just love these colors! I am a patterned paper junkie! On my birthday I bought this pack of paper by Making Memories Cheeky collection in Emery. How can you NOT love the colors? So boy, don’t you think?

Bashful Blue, Barely Banana, Mellow Moss, Red. Cool!

I used my new Prisma Color Markers!!! WAHOOOO!!! I think I’m in LOVE! LOL! I do need more practice, but I’ll get there! I also used Versafine black ink. And yes, gotta love the scalloped circle.

Anyway-this was done using My Favorite Things Stamps– You take the cake set. I noticed that everyone keeps using the other stamps in the set, and this AWESOME present stack was going neglected! So here ya go! Don’t neglect the gift stack people! Its just adorable!

I also used the sentiment set Happiest Birthday Wishes. I *HEART* these sets. OMG! There is nothing better than not only having greeting fro the front of your card but inside as well. Check them out, seriously! I am a HUGE sentiment fanatic! I will also make a few cards in the next few days using the sentiments for the FRONTS of my cards as well, just to show you the versatility. You can never have enough sentiments.

Did you see the cool banner ad for MFT stamps at SCS? Cool huh?

One last thing, you can see one of my card’s Drama Queen, using Green Grass stamps on Tammy’s blog! I have previously posted that particular one-but she found a COOL source for Flocking!! Holy Crap! I’m going to go broke!  So go check it out. She may begin to carry it in her store!! I hope so! I also got my preview stamps from her yesterday. AWESOME!  I was finally able to get the Lil Monsters set! So watch for samples!!!!

I got the idea from AmyR to store my unmounted rubber sets (from green grass) in the DVD tins. WAY COOL! Thanks girl! She sent me 2 of them. Love them to pieces. Its a must try! Seriously!!!

So many of you know I have the flu today! ICK!

Jason stayed home till 10:15 so I could sleep in! Aw! Thanks honey! Helped me feel a little better. I really hope I get to stamp today I miss my stamp room already! I haven’t stamped since FRIDAY! EEEK! I must be ill!

Better get inking!

I plan a tutorial of some sort soon too. Id LOVE to hear what ya all want to learn. So respond to this with what you want to see. OK I’m off! Kids gotta eat! And I need more Day-quill!

See you tomorrow with MORE yummy eye candy! Plus I will post more of the cards people have sent me. Im such a lucky girl to have you.

Oh and those who have PM’d me their personal stories of people in their lives who have been affected by Cancer THANK YOU! I enjoy reading it! You each have touched my life.

If you want to spread the word I’d love for you to link Tracey’s Relay for Life site to your blog. ONLY if you feel the need. I’m not asking directly cause that not ME and my style. No pressure. Id just appreciate it. I know my family has benefited from research done. I do my part. And am grateful to those before me who have also helped. My little girl wouldn’t be alive right now if it weren’t for those before us!

Enjoy the sun! I’m really shutting up now! LOL!

                 Well, obviously Cancer research is dear to my heart, as my own daughter Alexa (now 7), has been directly affected. The photo’s above- The one on the right was Christmas 05-less than 2 months before we found out she had Leukemia. She was already “sick” then but we didn’t know just how bad things were. I HATE this photo. Its one that reminds you how you never know what’s around the corner. What tomorrow brings! Oh, also hate it because her hair was just so beautiful. I used to always do something cool with it. She hated when I messed with it. I miss her hair sometimes. Her treatment started Feb. 06, and she has another 1 1/2 years left, provided all goes well. Treatment is about 2 1/2 years long. Boys have 3 years due to the fact that cancer cells hide in the testicles. There have been MANY bumps in the road. But she is doing well. I cannot complain. She is here and for that I am thankful.

The one on the left is Alexa a few weeks ago at Disney. She had so much fun. I love this one because she looks good. Healthy and happy again. Still o hair, but her weight is back up to her pre-cancer weight. At one point during treatment Alexa lost almost 1/2 her body weight, and weighed LESS than her 2 yo sister. That was hard. Now she is back to MY ALEXA here.

Knowledge is power! And it leads to a CURE! I truly believe that one day, NO ONE will ever die from Cancer again! I hope I am around to see that day. They have made great stride’s over the years. As little as 10 years ago, Alexa most likely would have had a death sentence handed to us, with her diagnosis. Now there is HOPE! Hope for a CURE.

She has an excellent prognosis to beat this, and have it NOT return. Her type of cancer Pre-B Cell Leukemia is one of the highest curable forms of cancer there is (thank god). But we are always scared of the WHAT IF factor. There are also contributing factors that make up her prognosis, that YOU hopefully never have to know about.

Age is a huge factor. Adults don’t do as well as children with Leukemia. The fact of the matter is Cancer KILLS. Many people still die from this. BUT now many people BEAT IT! And they move on and LIVE their life. AMAZING!

Back to knowledge is power. Well yet another fact, knowledge is obtained through research. Alexa is on a chemo regimen that is under research. Her protocol is in the “works” of being tested. Many kids/people are under these programs to see “what” works. What happened during this phase and that. Some of that research helped save Alexa’s life in the early stages of treatment. They found certain treatments in kids ONLY with Down Syndrome would KILL them. Sorry, Im not trying to be harsh, this is reality. And this reality KILLS me to have to write about. I don’t want to be a “number”, a statistic of one who LOST anyone, especially my baby to this horrible disease! SO this is reality. This is what we live every day. The statisic! Will we be on the favored end? I sure as hell hope so! I BELIEVE so! I HAVE to!

But I don’t just sit and hope other people will make it happen! I try to do MY part to help. Not just by having Alexa in this trial, but my supporting research! Research cost money. Another cold hard fact. But you can help. The smallest amount adds up! Think how much you spend on coffee a day or some other luxury. If every person even gave $1! Think how much that would be! I know I sound like a telemarketer or something,  But its not going into my wallet, its going into resources that are used to saving peoples LIVES. That is priceless! Especially if it were your child, mother, husband, friend-anyone you love. Don’t say it won’t affect me or my family. You never know. TRUST ME on that.

Anyway, there are so many ways you can help!

My friend Tracey is walking for a cure. This is her Relay For Life. PLEASE check it out. She just lost her uncle William “Bill” Mahoney Jr. to Lung cancer April 21st. She also decided to walk in honor of my daughter Alexa’s fight!

I am personally donating my time to our town’s Relay for Life in June 23rd in Concord New Hampshire. I will be doing a project with attendee’s from 7pm-10pm. They are going ALL night to raise money! I am doing my part to give back.

Also in case you didn’t know Missy B Designs, designed a stamp set for Alexa!

ALL procedes from the sale of this set go to pediatric Leukemia and Lymphoma research!

Alexa decided what she wanted for images (groovy girls of course), and even has a stamp with her “signature” in it!

Check it out!                                                         

www.missybdesigns.com

Thanks so much for reading my rambles.  If you can remember Alexa in your prayers.          

Try to say that 3 times fast! Now does this not SCREAM Happy Birthday? Its just so cheery! AND ssparkly! You can’t tell but the cake just shines. I think the colors rock! Yes, I am lovin them. Quite the unusual combo.

Bashful Blue, Lovely Lilac, Positively Pink, Green Galore, and Only Orange. WOW!

Paulette gave me some of this patterned paper in my goodie bag. Obviously it totally inspired my colors. I love the funky mix of colors it has, and felt the bouquet cake was perfect to coordinate with it. I sent this to one of my PSF’s-LATE birthday card. Sorry! I’m good at makin’em just not so good at sendin’em! LOL!

The layout was suppose to be different but then one thing lead to another, and this was born! I was quite happy with the end result. I changed the Prima like 4 times till I was settled on this one. I really wanted it balanced. Choose the wrong flower and its all over! Seriously! ONE detail can really make or break your design.

Anyway the set is You Take The Cake by My Favorite Things Stamps. The sentiment was made wavy by me, cause the set is acrylic so you can manipulate it to go how you want it to, depending on the image. Cool huh?

I got my Mega Oval punch from Christine at www.allthatscraps.com. You can get on her waitlist. She is fabulous to deal with. I then just punched hole around the oval. More feminine look I think.

Thats about it!

Stay tuned tomorrow-

I love monochromatic cards. I also think black and white are just so wonderful for a card. I think its clean, and classic. But, I think its even more wonderful when a splash of color is used! It really makes it just POP! My blog is a place I feel I can express my creative process and at the same time, maybe teach or challenge you and your own creative abilities! So keep reading OK!

I used stamps from My Favorite Things Stamps.

She has some new sets out! For the Thanks Card I used Behind the Scenes, and Setting the Stage. I stamped my sentiment block in black versafine ink. I then took a versacolor cats eye ink and smudged it over the Thanks-for that word to be highlighted.

The polka dotes are also done in versafine black in, on whipser white.

The scalloped edge stamped on bottom portion, then holes punched in centers.

On the black I stamped the stripped border, in white craft ink. I was able to easily line them up straight cause the set is acrylic. A HUGE benefit!!! Im so lovin acrylic these days. Especially for things like this. If its rubber then I use my Stamp-A-Ma-Jig! Dont stress your self trying to line things up like 8 times if you have this tool! Seriously!

For more POP! I used a Bazzill Flower, and some polka-dot ribbon. (ribbon from Jody’s share)I love tying the ribbon thru a flower. Just love it!  There was the final splash of color.

Now this one I just LOVE!!! It is so elegant and took NO TIME at all! Its a great even layout, and again splash of color makes it POP!

Once again, all images are from My Favorite Things Stamps.

I used a repeat of the floral block from Behind the Scenes (love that stamp set). I then colored in the flowers/leaves with a glitter pen in olive, and like a deep pink color. Had to add some BLING. It just goes KWIM? LOL!

 I stamped the polka dot image on the olive. Tied around the wide black organdy ribbon. Layered it to the card.

I stamped the sentiment block and used my circle punch to pop out the words I wanted. Cute eh? Layered it onto a black circle, then added a prima to continue color flow and pattern.

I was pleased as punch.

Let me know what your favorite color is to make black and white POP! I challenge you to go stamp a card with it (your b&w card with pop of color) and link it here! Even bigger challenge do one of the layouts!!!

Now this is what I call fun! Oh yeah, try NOT to use pink! Sorry I already took it! LOL!

Ok Im done, so get your butt off the computer, and go create something. You always complain too much time on the computer, not enough time stamping. So GO!!!

Now if you make an excuse and CAN’T stamp still reply to your favorite POP color. I will randomly select one persons response and make a card with their color! Just to see!

Good morning PSF’s!

Hope you are having a nice weekend.

I have lots of info to share with you today~

The Winner of Mytime Mail is going to be POST # 29! Teresa you are the winner. Email me your address! Here is what Teresa writes-

 NOW FOR MORE ANNOUNCEMENTS!

ALEXA’s MAKE A WISH- her scrapbook pages have been posted  here-mytime fan club! View each page in her exploding book of love! I need to spend some time and comment myself. I can tall you that the pictures don’t do the actual pages justice. BIG THANKS to all!

Check out this months Stampers Sampler-I’m on page 16! Funny thing is I submitted the card 2 YEARS ago! LOL!

CRAFT CRITIQUE!

There is a blog called Craft Critique that gives unsolicted opinions on crafting. Under their Carnival of Altered Items they have listed my Time For Tea gift set! Check it out. Im extatic to be amongst lots of talent listed there!!!

GREEN GRASS STAMPS SALE! (this is copy/pasted from Tammy’s email)

Mother’s Day is coming up, so in honor of all those moms-to-be out there (well, and everyone else), we’re having a sale — now through Monday, you can get our latest set, Baby Shower, for $17.99 ($4 off it’s regular price!).  It’s all you need for baby shower invitations, but it’s great for birth announcements and baby cards as well, with a pretty quote, a long scallop stamp, a big curvy bracket and lots more (20 stamps in all).  Check it out, you’ll like the new store.  Oh, also — my favorite font, Chase, is also on sale for $29.99 (normally $34.99), so grab that for $5 off through Monday.  It’s a pre-order, though, so it won’t ship for a couple of weeks. 

Announcement #2 is that we have a blog.  It’s updated six days a week with new ideas from our design team.  Which brings me to announcement #3…our design team! 

The Green Grass Girls are:

Sherry Cartwright
Elizabeth Kartchner
Lauren Meader
Laura Mendoza
Becky Novacek

Check out their posts, they’re all super talented stampers and really neat people.  I’ve been impressed by them and inspired by their creativity.  Aww…  😉  

ECLECTIC PAPERIE 

eP is having a sale that ends today in honor of National Scrapbook day. Save 15% off your entire order when you enter in this code: NSD09

ALL THAT SCRAPS 

Check out some of the NEW! Products at All That Scraps! They are getting a boat load of new stuff this week and next! PLUS she is getting more Bitzy Bugz soon too! They also have ALL the Bazzill cardstock ON SALE all the time! Plus the Bazzill ink. Im seriously falling in love with this line of paper.

MY FAVORITE THINGS- Want to win 3 stamp sets FREE?? Go check out Kim’s blog for all the details. All you need to do is what you do best-STAMP!

I have a club meeting today with my Stampin Up! customers and it will most likely be my last. SO I hope we have a good time! Enjoy your Sunday!

Tomorrow and maybe later tonight I have eye candy for you all! SO check in again later-

OK As promised! Here is MYTIME MAIL! I am already over 20,000. Not that is matters. But its KINDA cool to watch the numbers go up.

Much better than the scale!

This is for a new UM Reason to Smile, and UM Doodle Numbers set! I will pick a random winner on Sunday.

All YOU need to do is respond to this post by telling me your birthday (year isnt necessary so don’t worry), and one of you best birthday memories.

I love learning about you all. So lets hear it!

My Birthday is May 3rd.

One of my best birthday memories was when I was 10. My grandmother took me on a $500 shopping spree! Literally! We went to Sears, and spent the day at the mall. It was so fun. I remember saying to my grandmother when the total showed on the screen-“Oh my gosh, grammy thats alot of money. Lets put some stuff back. Grandpa will kill you”

And she just smiles and said “Don’t worry about it, I’ll take care of your grandfather.” LOL!

Another good memory was my 7th birthday My mom had a big party for me, and made me a cabbage patch birthday cake. I got the Michael Jackson RECORD! The one of him in the white suit with the tiger.

It was so hard to get and I was so excited.

Funny. Wish I had that album now. I thinks its worth alot of $ now! Its VINTAGE you know!

You know you are old when the toys you had as a kid is listed as ANTIQUE! WHAT!!!!

Check in for tomorrow’s Sketch challenge. And maybe some eye candy!

How cute is this stamp? It could be a little boy OR girl in a wagon, depending on the colors you use.

Its from Missy B Designs. Her set is called So Many Kids. This is a child with cancer sitting in a wagon.

I love it. Finally special kids set. There is a boy and girl with Down Syndrome, in a wheelchair, with glasses, braces, broken arm/leg on oxygen…..very cool Melissa! As a parent to a child with TWO of these issues THANKS!! You did a fabulous job.

I made this card for Shane. He is a little boy battling Leukemia. PLEASE SEND HIM A CARD! His birthday is quickly approaching. His ONE Make-A-Wish was to receive a MILLION birthday cards. He will be 8! I have sent in about 10 myself.  Here is his story.

Now for the sketch and card info. You can find the original sketch here. WARNING Holy crap were my photos BAD! I never realized it till now! LOL! This is a cute and simple sketch, for a quick card on the run.

I hope you get to play. Link it back here if you do! Have a great weekend!

Stamps-Missy B and MFT You take the cake (sentiment), All in a row

Cardstock-whisper white, cool caribbean, not quite navy, marigold morning.

Ink- black & Not quite navy. Colored with Prisma color pencils,blending stump and gamsol.

Accessories- slit punch, white grosgrain, 3/4 circle punch, eyelets. Sakura glitter pen to outline Make A Wish

Hi Everyone!

Life was crazy today! Had some samples to make, and cleaned /organized my stamping area. I ahve over 90 stamp sets to PURGE!!! (insert shocked face)

I will most likely post a page of them here over the next few days….so Ill let ya know.

Wanted to share a few birthday things with you first.

This is Jason. Standing next to my pile of birthday presents.

Can you see that they are wrapped in Christmas paper? Look closely and you can see the lovely Christmas wrapping. Jason “forgot” wrapping paper. Even though we were in the gift isle at Target the night before!

He also forgot candles for my cake.

And “I” had to go pick up my birthday dinner, cause he “ran out of time”.

What can I say. This was the most forgetful he’s ever been. And usually he’s SO ROMANTIC with his cards. OMG! This year I have no idea what happened but he gave me a creepy “JOKE” card that I will NOT share. It had quite the photo on the front, and inside it said something about it being a photo of my parents the night I was CONCEIVED! Um good one honey- I was so grossed out.

Anyway I did get an 2 hour backrub while we watched Grey’s Anatomy!

I got a TV for my stamp room. WOW I never realized how deprived I was till that was put in! I had tpo clean to make room. I have way too much CRAP! If its alterable I OWN 20! LOL!

I got an MP3 player. Cool pink color too. Shopping $$. Although I must say after reorgainzing the LAST thing I need is more stuff-(till tomorrow).

Lots of gift certificates. Some to eP! Cash and checks-always fun! And my Prisma markers. Cool colors but I need LOTSA practice with these.

AmyR and I were chatting and I was totally freakin out by my lack of abilities with them. PRACTICE! Thats what I need.

Now I got the most amazing thing in a Pizza box! I never met anyone who has ever mailed a Pizza Box! And it was the most delicious scrap page layout from my friend Staci!!!! (aka misermom) for our meeting at House of Blues! She loves me!!!!! She also sent a cd with the photos so I can put my favorites on the page! Thanks Staci!

I also got AMAZING cards form some of my bestest PSF’s!

Here they are!

BIG thank you to all of you! Aren’t they just fab-u-lous! Am I lucky or what?

I love them all. Thanks so much!!!! Your words and creations mean the world to me.

Hard to believe my special day is OVER!

Well there is always Mother’s day right?