Still floating in the stratosphere... with 12" less hair....

Finally back... with a card (and unrelated scrapping photos).

Last year's New Year's Resolution was to make all 'original design cards.'  This year's resolution? TO MAKE CARDS!!!

AGH!

So, here's one for this quarter. (LOL).

I cut paper from a DCWV paper pad for a Baby Shower.  The image is from Stampin' Up.  I colored with Copics and accented with Liquid Pearls.

Amuse-Bouche:
Here's a photo of me with my cut hair that I'm donating to Locks Of Love.
My head feel so much lighter.  Now I can DEFINITELY hear the rattling when I shake my head (LOL).

And, I went to the 2013 Toshiba Golf Classic yesterday.  I followed Freddie Couples, David Frost and Jim Gallagher, Jr around the Newport Beach Country Club (along with about 100 other people).

Here's a photo that I took:
(cameras weren't allowed so I was sneaking 1 photo to capture the event).

Fred Couples on left in black sweater and David Frost in pink outfit.

And last of all.... YOU MUST SEE THIS DANCING CHILEAN DOG!!!!
Viv:  Enjoy!

Year of the Monkey Birthday Cards... and 'the dogs go to the beach.'

I made 5 birthday cards (two of which are posted below) for a luncheon my mom was going to. They were celebrating birthdays for people born in "the year of the Monkey."

Using my Cricut (Create a Critter), Hero Arts Stamps, Memory Box die cut, and Copics/Liquid Pearls and a Lawn Fawn banner stamp, I created this card:

Here is the corresponding envelope (Hero Arts Birthday set)

This is the super cute Memory Box die cut that I got at my local stamp store (STAMP FEVER)

Amuse-bouche:

The boys went to the beach recently.

After the beach, I took them to the Park Bench Cafe that caters to dog owners and their dogs.

I ordered the boys their own hamburger dish (see the little paper boat of meat.)

Colt is eyeing the fries...

Here is the video of them at Dog Beach--- I used iMovie to edit it. Pretty fun...

Cheater's method.... Kristina Werner... and 2 fabulous SYTYCD auditions

I totally cheated on this card.  I took a scrapbook embellishment (YOU AND ME) and put it on a dimensional pop-dot.  The rose paper came from a card stock pack.  I mounted them on craft card stock and added white dash lines.  (Yea, such a cheater.  I'm sorry).
My intentions were to use these scrapbook embellishments that I had purchased that, in reality, I may never use.

A few posts-ago, I did a post on making your own square envelopes.  WELL!  Guess who did a video on that same topic.  KRISTINA WERNER.  I love her videos.   She also has her cat, Mannie, make appearances. I have NEVER heard such a vocal cat. That cat is ALWAYS talking.
I think Mannie should have his own YOUTUBE channel.



Anyway, check out her self-challenge videos below.  I encourage you to subscribe to her YOUTUBE channel and/or follow her website.   She's really creative and gutsy- She did a self-challenge-  "Make a card in 5 minutes"...  and she heat embossed!!! Is she crazy?  Check these two challenges to see if she made it.
CHALLENGE 1      CHALLENGE 2








Amuse-bouche:
OK, last night there were 2 fabulous audition on SYTYCD.
I couldn't wait to put both of these links on my blog...
LEROY MARTINEZ: I loved this guy.
The energy and pure spirit!!!
That's what I call DANCE spirit!



Mariah Spears
Amazing! Powerful! Sharp! Clean moves!

Comic-Con Countdown begins....

It's that time of year... Comic-Con 2012 is approaching.  Days of lines, crowds, waiting... all worth it when you see the  exhibits and speakers and have fabulous photo opportunities.  Can't wait!

Here is my card for my partner-in-crime, Leah, at the Con.  It was made with Scrappy Moms' Scrabble set (including the die set) and a Scrappy Mom's sentiment stamp.  The "Woohoo" is from Paper Smooches.

Amuse-bouche:
I am loving these auditions on So You Think You Can Dance.
I'll be posted some of my favorite ones in the next few days, starting with one of my favorite ones.
Fabulous.

Interesting story on this dancer. He is associated with Marquese Scott (the guy I raved about a while ago on another blog post: go to "VIDEOS" tab and you'll see the post for him on March 3, 2012).

Piggly Wiggly... and another SYTYCD video clip

Do you remember those books?  Mrs. Piggle -Wiggle???

My friend LOVES pigs.  I create this little pig to brighten her day.  The pig is on an Action Wobble.  The pig was cut out (along with flag and clouds) from a Cricut Cartridge (Create-a-Critter).  I put some flocking powder on my clouds.  The pig's body was passed through the Cuttlebug for some texture.  The pink nose is actually a white nose with Spun Sugar Distress Ink sponged on it.

The Smile sentiment came from a Hampton Arts clear stamp set I just bought at Michaels.  I'm not crazy about their quality of polymer stamp.  Not very sharp.

Amuse-bouche:
And here's another SYTYCD video audition that stuck in my head... awesome.

A card, a photo, and a video... in that order

One of my colleagues is being promoted to a managerial spot!!! It's a huge promotion so I made him this card to be signed by his friends.  I used George and Basic Cricut Cartridge to cut the letters out.  I put some Stickles to bling the letters up.

 I used Paper Trey Ink's TIcket die cut and corresponding stamp to leave areas for people to sign on.

I think I like making envelopes more than cards.  HAHA.  I used Jenni Bowlin Inks and Hero Arts inks. The Congratulations stamp came from Scattered Showers Stamp set from Paper Trey Ink.




Amuse-bouche:
Colt and his best bud, Ty.

I wanted to share with you a very unique dance audition on So You Think You Can Dance.
It's very different... not traditionally thought as dance to most.

CAN I PLAY WITH THE TYPEWRITER?

We recently celebrated my aunt and father's birthday.  Here is my card that I made for my father. The image was colored on Cryogen Paper. WOW!!! SO much better than my Georgia Pacific Wal-Mart paper.  The ink used for the stamping was Hero Arts Shadow Ink and Soft Hues ink pads. I used Soft Lilac to stamp Happy Birthday on the purple paper (barely can see it in the photo).

I also used a new Hero Arts Birthday stamp set (the Happy Birthday balloon and the background stamp "Happy Birthday").

Amuse-bouche:
We took the family out for dinner at the Cheesecake Factory last weekend.  A good time was had by all...

Here are the photos followed by a very funny video/story. (scroll down).

Dad and nephew #1

Brother, me, and nephew #2

Nephew # 2 and me

Dad and nephew # 3 and #1

Nephew #3  and his strawberry shortcake

Family photo with Aunti Kim and my parents/brother

Aunti Kimi with her great nephews and my parents and brother

Aunti Kimi with my parents and my brother's family

The typewriter story:
My aunt has an electric typewriter.  When the nephews found that out, they asked to see it so they can 'try' it.  Here is the video.  Note: 1 minute in, Nephew #3 says "how do you delete?"  LOL

Lily Pad Challenge...

I love the videos at Lily Pad.  I also noticed they had a "Kissing" technique challenge.  Click HERE to see the challenge.  The technique is creating an image from stamps that 'kiss.'  For my card, I used a Hero Arts background print that I clear-embossed on white cardstock. I used Distress inks to bring color to the pattern. The umbrella is a die cut from Paper Trey Ink. There is a coordinating stamp set with the die cut. I used Soap Powder (Jenni Bowlin ink) to ink up my umbrella stamp image (1) that was part of a coordinating stamped image with the PTI diecut.  I then took the 'Spiced Tin' ink pad and stamped a Hero Arts background stamp  (2). I pressed the inked background stamp  (2) on the inked umbrella image (1).  This made a 'kissing' blend of both images.  I stamped the inked umbrella image (1) onto the diecut.   Watch this video. It's easier to understand:    
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=__qJ0ID1-Qo
 This is courtesy of Shari Carroll.    

I took silver Stickles and dressed up the umbrella and put glossy accents on the handle.  I put Faded Jeans distress ink on the edges of the umbrella. 


For the sentiment, I used the sentiment from the coordinating stamped set and stamped it in Spice Tin.

Here are links to the two Hero Arts Background Stamps that were used in this card.

http://www.simonsaysstamp.com/servlet/the-32841/Basic-Grey-Cling-Stamps/Detail

http://www.simonsaysstamp.com/servlet/the-26523/2010-Hero-Arts-Cling/Detail

Amuse-bouche:
I saw this video and just had to share.  Give it a minute... This guy was also featured on Ellen (DeGeneres) because this video went VIRAL.  The style of dance is 'dub-step.'

Fun with friends...

I was able to get together with friends in the last few days...

Today, I met with a fellow scrapping friend and we talked... crafting (of course), over Pinkberry Frozen Yogurt.  (Yummy Salted Caramel yogurt with seasalt sprinkled on it).  It tasted like a toasted marshmellow.

Here is a paper box that she made me.  She is sooo good about the finite details in her cards and projects (including scrapping)...

Look how she topped this box.  She is SOOO CRAFTY!!!  :)

The tutorial for this box is here....

Amuse-bouche:

The other day, I got together with friends for some Southwestern food. 

http://www.blueagaveswgrill.com/about.html

Of course, we HAD to start off with a margarita.

  

Yellow corn tortillas filled with sautéed shrimp, asparagus and red bell peppers. Topped with a peach and cranberry salsa and accompanied by zucchini, yellow squash, asparagus and southwest turmeric rice.

A warm chocolate raspberry-pear cake is oozing with a white chocolate center and topped with fresh whipped cream.

A chinchilla video for you....

or... How I spent Super Bowl Sunday.

I spent it making a wedding box (which I'll post later in the week).   In addition,  I just got a "haul"  from Simon Says Stamps. I had ordered more Penny Black stamps and some 'background' stamps. 

As Tammy has noticed, I LOVE Penny Black.  I got some really cute stamps from the line.  They just came out with one on the city of London. I can't wait to get my hands on those!

Here's a few of the stamps I purchased:

 ***I LOVE THESE STAMPS!!!!!!!!  LOL!

Amuse-bouche:

I cleaned the boys' cage and thought it would be a good time to film a new treat that they love. I had read that chinchillas like Dried Rose Hips.  I have been looking for years and have finally found an organic market that can get those for me.  Here is Jimmy eating one of his Dried Rose Hips (and apparently, cleaning his face).

Some thank you cards.... and Trojan Dogs

So... here is an assortment of thank you cards I made using the Wild Card cartridge from Cricut, Stickles (red or silver), and a Paper Trey Ink diecut/stamp set called Tiny Tags II.  The ink used is Jenni Bowlin... and inside, I used Broken China Distress Ink to just give it some color.  The twine I used was from Paper Trey Ink too.

Amuse-bouche:

Many of you commented about our Michael's allowing Sam in.  Yes, as long as he is in the cart, it is ok.  I know our local Home Depot allows dogs in (regardless of size) as long as they are on a leash.  Sam went into that store as well and rode the big lumber cart... like he was on some sort of parade float. It was quite funny.  Colt isn't allowed in Michaels as he WON'T allow me to put him in the cart and I don't take him into Home Depot because he has a tendency to 'mark' (if you get my drift).  That's all I need, is to pay for $300 worth of redwood planks (haha).

On to the nonsensical business at hand:

SamUL's grandpa is an USC alumnus.  This was Sammy's Christmas gift from grandpa. 

And, not to be left out... Grandpa let Colt pose with his special USC earmuffs  ( WHO NEEDS EAR MUFFS IN SO CAL???  ha ha)   that was given to him by a co-worker of mine.  It was very kind of her to give my father these earmuffs.  He treasures them (that includes letting a dog wear them for a short time).

The things I put my dogs through....
 :)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

YouTube clip of the day.... featuring Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory.  What a great show... what a great tv character. I wish he and Dwight Schrute could meet!!!

http://youtu.be/e0PVaqV7LxM










Credit: Photo from http://zerode.wordpress.com/2010/09/01/the-big-bang-theorys-sheldon-cooper-wins-an-emmy/

Thank you, for tolerating my tv addictions...

Before I bore some of my reading audience with the header, let's get to the card. I made this card to thank an employee at my gym.  I won't bother getting into the minutia but I was appreciative of his effort to help me out.  He is a front desk staff  member and he is ALWAYS there.... dawn, dusk, Saturdays, Sundays.  I made this card, using Penny Black's Cow (how appropriate, for the gym, eh?)   The embossing is from Cuttlebug, and I used Copics, Glossy Accents on the pink lemonade, and Liquid Pearls on the bikini.  The sentiment came from Inkadinkado and the ink is Jenni Bowlin. The sentiment was on a diecut from Spellbinders Nestabilities. The background of the cow was done with Chalk.

Amuse-bouche:
Today, I went to Target to buy more Gardein's (haha- they're on sale. I bought 5 bags... cleaned them out of "Mandarin Chicken.").   I decided to mosey past the DVD's and nearly screamed in GLEE. 

WHEN DID UNIVERSAL DECIDE TO RELEASE THIS? AND WHY WASN'T I NOTIFIED??????  :)

$29.99 at Target

To see the intro to an episode of the Six Million Dollar Man, and re-live the 70's, please click on the link below:

http://youtu.be/HofoK_QQxGc

[And to all you nay-sayers out there... Be thankful I'm not going on and on about my other 'childhood favorite show' (haha!):
Check out the ABBA-like choreography in the first 30 seconds of the clip.

I practiced daily- my Donnie & Marie choreography on my stage (long coffee table) with my microphone (pencil).   Thank goodness camera phones didn't exist back then  or you'd be seeing another YouTube video.  :)
I could have been an Osmond, don't ya think?... well, an Asian Osmond...  :)

My first dog, Sachi.

And yes, I have this CD. Yes, I said CD!

Thanksgiving card with Mary's Stamps at CARDZTV!

I saw this "pumpkin pickin'" sentiment stamp on Mary's Thanksgiving stamp set... and wanted to create a card for it.  I created the pumpkins out of the Simply Charmed cartridge (with embossed dots on the Cuttlebug).  The orange background was made with Distress Ink (pads), Spiced Marmalade on orange cardstock.  The "pumpkin pickin'" sentiment and "Happy Turkey Day" came from Mary's stamp set.   Mary has a line of stamps that you can buy (click HERE).  I got her Thanksgiving set.  Cute little stamps!!!  I couldn't find Thanksgiving ribbon at Michael's so I found this in the Christmas section for 50% off.  

Martha Stewart punch-around-the-page.

Amuse-bouche
Amazing video of a man with his 16 dogs.... It's 9 minutes but just start watching the first 2 minutes.  You'll see what I mean....  Thank you, P for the link!!! Amazing

Click on this link  http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=qFP28ANXLLA&vq=medium