Taking a ride with friends...

I made this card with my Spin Class in mind (Spin:  an exercise class at the gym featuring stationary bikes).

AND... I used Penny Black, of course.

The background is clear embossed Hero Arts background with Distress Ink swirled into the background (Chipped Sapphire and Broken China).  I love this combination of Distress Inks.

 

Calling all Tech-ies...

I made this card for my friend's husband who answered all my questions about the new iPad and which one I should get (should I order one... which I plan to... just don't know when (probably when iPad 8 comes out- haha! j/k). I wanted to make him a card to thank him for all his patience and advice and information.  I found this image on Mo's Digital Pencil.  She has great images!!! I love them.  

The background stamp is a 'clock' background stamp from Hero Arts that I clear embossed.  I used a Spellbinder Nestabilities to frame my image.  The image was colored with Copics.

I've been working on my Copics coloring. 

 

Happy Birthday... and my toothbrush rant

 I know you've seen this image before but I combined it with "My Creative Time for Me" sentiment stamp and some Baker's Twine from Scrappy Moms.  (I LOVE Penny Black's farm animals series.  Sorry it seems so repetitive).
 

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Here is a brief excerpt of an email I sent my friend last night at 11pm.  [Warning: I was very tired and cranky and irritated at the time]

"Toothbrush...UGH"

It took me 30 minutes to change the toothbrush head on my electric toothbrush.  I'm tired.  It's 10:55pm and I have been working on this for 25 minutes.  

I tried to twist it off until my arthritic hands were sore and red and smelled faintly of mint.  I then tried to google 'how to remove a toothbrush head from an electric toothbrush' on my phone (because I didn't want to warm up my computer as it takes 5 minutes to get through all the programs that HP has generously loaded my computer with) and while trying to search it, typing with my arthritic hands, I ran out of battery.  Not wanting to go to bed without brushing my teeth, I turned the computer on (waited the 5 minutes to load everything, including the HP Advisor, to which I say... "I don't want your advice.") and continued with my google search on "how to change the brushhead on my toothbrush."  After a number of false leads (to which I say...."HOW CAN WE HAVE  FALSE LEAD ON A SUBJECT SO SIMPLE AS 'CHANGING A TOOTHBRUSH HEAD'"),   I finally found the manual online.  For your reference, under the section "how to change your brush-head," there is a drawing of my toothbrush with the brushhead, floating above the electric toothbrush, as if to imply it simple SLIDES off the electric toothbrush....  

Hardly, she says drily.

 [VERY] LONG story short-- I took a pair of pliers and basically cracked the replaceable head and removed it from my toothbrush.
It is now 11:30pm and I am 30 minutes late to bed and have sore joints in my hands and am cranky.

I hate my toothbrush.

GOOD NIGHT!

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And yes, dear Readers... this is the kind of email I send my friends, usually filled with typos and punctuation errors because my (typing) accuracy drastically declines as the number of hours I've been awake approaches 24.

For you, dear Readers, I have invoked Spell-Czech.  :)

What's new?

Using Spellbinders Nestabilities and a Penny Black image, I created this card with Copics coloring, some Liquid Smooches, and Stickles.  The Nestabilities image was cut on a Debbie Mumm's Noah's Ark cardstock that I got in a pack from Joann's (over a year ago).  It's got very faint little dots on it.

Amuse-bouche:

 I'm reading the Hunger Games.  I had resisted for many months because I didn't think I'd like it.  Wow!  It really is good.  It's like Survivor (the tv show) and The Running Man (old movie) tied into one. I can't put the Kindle down!

Things are so much better with friends!

I do love this stamp from Penny Black.  The sentiment came from Hero Arts.   I am still trying to practice my Copics coloring (it appears I will need A LOT of practice).

The envelope was stamped with my Technique Tuesdays sentiment and a Hero Arts bicycle stamp, using Jenni Bowlin ink.

Amuse-bouche:

It's been raining today in So Cal.  SamUL has been sleeping in his fleece blankets by the heater.   

Colt:  "Another photo? UGH."

Using Distress Inks....

Here is a sympathy card I made for a very special friend.  I used the cuttlebug to create the background but I also used one of my favorite large wood stamps and embossed the image.  A variety of distress inks were swirled to create this lovely bouquet.  I love the pink rose.  This was made primarily with Victorian Velvet (color of Distress Ink pad).

I normally mail my cards in bubblewrap envelopes so that is why I 'bling' up my envelopes.  Also, I just think it adds a nice touch.

Using my Hero Arts clear stamp set

Amuse-bouche:

The other day, I took the boys on a walk in our city.  Here are some photos I took 'just because.' 

This is our local Subway Sandwich shop that we frequent QUITE a bit.

I had to take this photo. Here's Sam in front of Fantastic Sam's. (HAHA)

Copics with Luka

I have been watching Copics tutorials on YouTube.  In the past, I just used the pens to color.  No rhyme or reason.  After watching these tutorials, I feel more confident on shading.  I still need to watch more videos and practice but, I am very proud of my coloring on this.   (I'm almost like Tammy  ) I got the image below at La-La Land Crafts.  

Here is a card I made using "Luka" (see link above).  There are download digis and rubber stamps to buy. I LOVE the hose.  (I know that sounds lame but... I love how I colored that hose... and the shoes).

Any women in the house who like to shop?

I picked up this stamp at Stamp Fever a couple weekends ago. I really like this little stamp shop. They sell Penny Black!!!   :)

I wanted to show you these cards I made using this Ali Edwards' image via Technique Tuesdays.  

This was on craft cardstock, stamped with newpaper print from Paper Trey Ink and  Hero Arts Cling stamp.  The image was colored with COPICS and cut with Spellbinders Nestabilities

This sentiment came from the Technique Tuesdays set and stamped with Jenni Bowlin ink.  The Spellbinders Nestabilities was the diecut used.

I used Jenni Bowlin ink and a combination of Hero Arts and Technique Tuesdays

Apparently, Sammy felt that the potato on the counter should be eaten and put it in his blanket area.  (sigh).  There goes my baked potato.

Virginia's View Challenge at Lily Pad

I LOVE Sassy Cheryl's images.  It's one of my favorite places for images.  Here is the card I made to enter into the challenge at Lily Pad where we had to use colors from a photo.  You can see the challenge HERE.

(I haven't put the sentiment with this card because I'm not sure how I will use this card)

Sketch Challenge at CARDZTV....

Barely making the deadline... for Mary's Sketch Challenge.... and OBVIOUSLY, missing the holiday for my card... but--- Better Late Than Never!

This image came from Dude Time Doodles.  The sentiment came from a Michaels $1 stamp.  I used Copics to color the images.  The gold squiggles on the green background paper was done with a gold gel pen.  The 3 scallop circles were punched out using an EK success punch (3 punches in 1) and the shamrock stamp is from Stampin' Up. 

Bring the sunshine... PLEASE

Today, it poured in So Cal.  This card is encouraging the sun to come out.   The stamp is a Hero Arts stamp that I clear-embossed and then used distress inks to color.  I also used a finger dauber and Liquid Pearls and Perfect Pearls (spray) on the flowers.

Amuse-bouche:

 I went for a few hours to the Toshiba Golf Classic (see photos below).  It poured.  Here is a photo that I took of someone in the rain.  I want to show you the sheer dedication these golfers have to playing in the pouring rain. 

I wore an orange poncho that you probably can spot from Google Aerial.

The Rain is coming to So Cal...

Armed with an old Stampin' Up flower series and my Jenni Bowlin ink, I set about making a sympathy card for a friend of mine.  I also used a Hero Arts background stamp with clear embossing powder and some distress inks to create a soft blue background.  

The die cut is Spellbinders Nestabilities.

The sentiment is from Scrappy Mom's and placed on a Lawn Fawn banner.

The Dogs Meet Aunti Kimi and Lady Giz

 Today, the dogs and I went to visit my Aunti Kimi.  Here is Aunti Kimi, me, and the boys at a local eatery in Glendale. 

SamUL appreciated the fries that were being passed under the table to him from Aunti Kimi

Here is Lady Giz,... Aunti Kimi's 15 year old dog. 

And here's a card:

I used a stamp from Hero Arts that I recently bought at Stamp Fever.  I used Jenni Bowlin Brown Sugar ink.  The sentiment came from a Hero Arts set.  The die cut is a Paper Trey Ink die cut that I used to cut out the front window.

Happy Birthday!!!

Here's a birthday card I made using a new Penny Black stamp. I colored it using Copics and Distress Inks.    The sentiment was from a Hero Arts sentiment set that I used recently on my "Olivia Newton-John" card creation.

I put Glossy Accents on the eggs and White enamel on the 'batter.'  I did put Stickles on the cupcake.  

The inside sentiment was a diecut stamped with a Hero Arts background stamp.  I then used another diecut and stamped a sentiment from "My Creative Time."

Anything Goes at Simon Says Stamp

I LOVE Simon Says Stamps.  It's where I get my Penny Black stamps and Distress inks....

Keeping in line with my New Year's resolution to make ALL original designs, here is an entry that I'm going to put into their Anything Goes challenge.  You can find it HERE.    You have to use My Mind's Eye products. The only product I have is a 6x6 paper pad so I used that (see the flower paper).  On the backside of the flower paper is a pink gingham paper. I used that for the corners and the sentiment matte.  The sentiment came from Paper Smooches (stamped in Jenni Bowlin ink).  The stamp is from Penny Black, colored Copics.   The image was cut out with a Spellbinders Nestabilities.   I also put a tiny dot of Liquid Pearls in my flower center. 

Have a great week  :)

Cricut Challenge with Mary at Cardztv-- Happy Birthday

I made this birthday card using a My Creative Time sentiment stamp and Simply Charmed Cricut cartridge.  

I used Stickles and Liquid Pearls on the cake.  I got the sentiment from My Creative Time's birthday stamp sentiment.  I stamped it with Jenni Bowlin's Cough Syrup ink.  I hand-drew the flowers on the four corners and dotted the center with Liquid Pearls.  The green square background is a combination of Distress Inks on white cardstock (Forest Moss and Peeled Paint).  The orange dots background is a Hero Arts Cling background stamp

I thought I'd show you this new Ikea rail that I put up to organize my ink pads.  I placed a mini blind slat (one of the few Colt did not chew up) on the rail and adhered it with thick/stick DOTS (yes, I did!).  This kept the slat from shifting.

   

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.'