Glorious Treats-- and a card :)

I previously posted a link to a blog that I found called Glorious Treats.  WOW!!! Great ideas and recipes. I highly recommend it.  Please check it out HERE.

I bought a lot of cake box mixes and I've been making cupcakes every weekend.  And now that I have this great website to get inspiration from, I have been trying my hand at frosting decorating. This was my first two batches. The top photo was made with cream cheese frosting from the can and a ziploc bag and decorating tip (that I purchased at Michaels).  The pink sugar was purchased at Target. 

This cake was made with Red Velvet Cake mix (from the box) and homemade Cream Cheese Frosting. I got the recipe from Glorious Treats.  My friends LOVED it.  I used my pink sugar topping again. I also put it in my cupcake caddy that I purchased at Michaels with a 50% coupon. (If you would have said 4 years ago, that I'd be buying a cupcake caddy, I probably would have laughed at you).  Sorry for the bad lighting.

NOW FOR MY CARD:
I made this for my uncle who sent me a whole packet of goodies from a pet fair he attends in Bethesda, Maryland called "Strut Your Mutt."  The stamp is a Brian Lock digi stamp from Squigglefly.  I used Prismacolor Pencils (with odorless mineral water) and Glossy Accents.
The die cut is from Paper Trey ink. The stamp "HELLO" is from Paper Smooches.  If you scroll to the bottom, you can see that I coloring the interior of the sentiment with black dots. I liked it much better. The paw prints are white powder embossed with a stamp from Paper Smooches.

The fish stamp is from a clear Michaels Stamp that I got and Jenni Bowlin "Weather Pane" ink.

Paw Prints from Paper Smooches and Many Thanks from Paper Trey Ink

You're DY-NO-MITE!!!

 This is one of my favorite stamp sets by Stampin' Up. It's old so I don't know if you can find it.  I colored this image a year ago and never used it.  Prisma Color pencils with mineral water were used.  Spiced Marmalade Distress ink was used around the image with a Deckles Fiskar Decorating scissor.   The 3-d buttons were from Michaels (I clipped the loops off the back with wire cutters).  Sentiment came from Scrappy Mom's. Stickles applied to the toe nails and the flames.

I'm not too keen on that ribbon... just sayin'

Valen-dude(s)

Ha!
Happy Valentine's Day!!!  This is the Last Card you'll be seeing from me for a while regarding Valentine's Day.  I'm off to go find myself a short, red-headed dude in a green suit with a lot of money and some beer!!!!!!

This guy is such a DUDE!  Look at him. He exudes "Dude-Ness".  Maybe that's why I found him on http://www.dudetimedoodles.com/.

Inside, I wrote "What more can a woman ask for?"

I applied Worn Lipstick Distress Ink with my ink pad (from Ranger Ink). 

(To be honest, I don't know what he's holding?  Sunglasses case? Man-clutch?)

 

 I've been a crafting tornado lately.  This week, I plan to be dormant... 

Amuse-bouche:
Another Supernatural convention has come and gone.

 

I'm addicted to Pawn Stars.  I love the historical information they give.  Episodes are free on Hulu.com.  

THE DRESS

This image is one that I got at Squigglefly.  http://www.squigglefly.com/shop/perturbed-tilly

The name is "Perturbed Tilly."  And, it was created by one of my favorite bloggers (www.disguisedasagrownup.blogspot.com).   Yes!  Queen Marlene.

The instant I saw it, I knew I had to have it and tell y'all about my vacation in Palm Desert.  

I have a very very comfortable dress.  It is so comfortable that one doesn't want to get out of it.... and I didn't.... for a couple days in Palm Desert.  

My friend and I had gone to Palm Desert but unfortunately, the first full day was filled with thunderstorms. The intent was to go out to the pool but after 30 minutes, the rain started.  So, we went back to the room, wherein my friend read work-related manuals (WTF?).   The peace of a quiet hotel room with controlled air temperature and silence (no barking dogs, no dogs wanting me to let them go out, no dogs pouncing on me in an effort to get me to play with them... In short, NO DOGS)... put me in a coma.  I essentially slept from 11am until 7pm at which point,  my friend woke me by saying  "did you want to go eat dinner?  because it's 7pm."  She later confessed that she was afraid I was dead... She was periodically checking throughout the day to see if I was still breathing.  We then went to Marie Callendar's (I wore my dress)... followed by a trip to the Super-Walmart.... and then back to the hotel... where I fell asleep again... in my dress.   

It has now become known as 'the dress.'  

The dress is made of two layers of sheer material.  It is like a sundress.  There is no waistband...which works wonderfully at all-you-can eat buffets.
 

I used Stickles on the earrings and necklace.  I used Glossy Accents on the shoes.  I struggled with creating the skin color. 

Inside the card

WATCH WHERE YOU'RE POINTING THAT THING!

I loved creating this card.  The paper was DCWV  but the image was from Bugaboo Stamps http://www.bugaboostamps.com/home.html.

I love the images. They're snarky, just like Marlene  :) 

As you can see, I used my Prismacolor pencils and glittered the wings.  I used the Red Christmas stickles on the heart/arrow.  I used Sharpie (red color) to color in the hearts on the headband.  The ribbon was at Michaels (50% off.  I love this ribbon.  It's so pretty).

Inside, I typed a sentiment that says "Is this thing insured?"

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEAH

My Comic-con "partner in crime" has a birthday today. Happy Birthday Leah!!!

Here is a birthday card I made for her.  I used a Tiddly Inks image (http://tiddlyinks.com/)  with my PrismaColor pencils.  I used my cuttlebug embossing folder (Happy Birthday).  I also finally put together my homemade flowers that I created with white cardstock, homemade glimmer mist, mod podge to stiffen the flower and a purple bling from Michaels' Recollection set.  The glue I used is the Scotch Quick Dry.

The ribbon was on sale at Michaels.  It's so cute!  I used Stickles on the cupcake and the skirt ruffles and the little girl's barrettes.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO A FISHERMAN

I created this birthday card for my dogs' trainer for his birthday. He's an avid fisherman and I thought this digi image from Bonibleaux Designs  http://www.dudetimedoodles.com/ would be perfect for him.  [My sentiment is inside and I used a Scrappy Mom's stamp.]

I used my Prismacolor pencils,and some Distress ink (Broken China) and a Rangers Ink inker pad to make the sky.  The paper came from a small Noah's Ark pad that I got at Joann's last year.  The wire is the wire used when making bracelets.  I can't recall the cricut Cartridge I used for the mat.  It might have been Just Because.  

Lastly, I went to Wal-Mart and bought some bass weights for $1.50 a bag (7 per bag).  

I created some very nice cards this weekend. I can't wait to showcase them. I am really proud of them. It's the first time, I felt that I really made some nice cards.  I had the chance to use different techniques and practice some techniques.

Amuse-bouche:  I am so excited that my friend was able to score us tickets to this year's San Diego Comic-Con.  It takes place over 4 days in San Diego in July.  This year's ticket sales were handled so poorly.  I won't get into details except to say that the ticket website they used couldn't handle the traffic of buyers.  We were able to score 3 days of the 4 thanks to my friend's perseverance and agile keyboard fingers.  Thanks L!

Valentine's Day Cards

I love these cards I made.  I especially love the Sizzx embossing folder with that pretty/shimmery deep red paper. That was part of a Recollections paper package that Michaels sold just for V-Day.  It was deceiving as I thought I was just getting red but if you flipped the paper over, it was a shimmery deep red. 

The image is from Tiddly Inks and I colored with Prismacolor pencils.  Still trying to get the hang of that.  The sentiment is from my new Scrappy Moms stamp release ("Love Notes").  I glittered the wings, and stickled some hair. 

The last two photographs were made with my homemade Wild Plum Glimmer Mist. I distressed the white cardstock, sprayed it with my mist, crumpled it in my hand and then dried it.  What do you think?  I think it needs something. I'm going to try to make some handmade paper flowers and so this may not be the last you've seen of these cards.    :)

The rain has stopped... for a few days.

The rain stopped (forecast says rain on Saturday night).  Unfortunately, it left many people with flood damage, cars that will more than likely be totalled as the electronic computer in their cars shorted when it got stuck in a current, and leaky roofs.

On that cheery note, let me show you a card to turn your frown upside down...

The ribbon I got at Michaels (where else do I shop??) as a clearance item from Halloween. I don't know WHY it was a clearance item for HALLOWEEN. It looks perfectly Christmas-y to me.  The sentiment came from Digital Delights from Louby Lou.   http://www.digitaldelightsbyloubyloo.com/ I actually colored in the lightbulbs with fine point SHARPIES to make the color look bold. The glitter paper came from a Summer Dream pack from Joann's.

I flocked the antlers!!!  I used prismacolor pencils and chalk (a la Mary at Cardztv) for coloring

Uh oh... I hear banging in my bedroom.  I fear the Chi-weenie has gotten into something... gotta run.

(Yea, I just heard something fall on the floor, followed by barking.  Great.  I hope I still have a pillow tonight). 

We're almost there....

It's almost Christmas.  

The rain is creating havoc in parking lots and on the streets.  I got cut off 3 times on the road today.  (I won't tell you how many people I cut off.... Just Kidding..., I don't cut off people.  I am a VERY careful driver.  I always use my signal and check my 'blind spots.'   Yes, I overcompensate to avoid being stereotyped as "the asian driver.)"

So, how about another card?

Amuse-bouche:

Here is a scene from one of my absolute FAVORITE CHRISTMAS MOVIES 

Whaa?  Did you think I was gonna show something "classy" like "White Christmas" or "It's A Wonderful Life?"  Ha!  I thought you guys knew me better.

How about this one? This reminds me of a Christmas Eve dinner two years ago...

  (from my other favorite Christmas movie "A Christmas Story.")

 

Hope wherever you are, you are warm and healthy!!!

HYDROLOGY

Did I hear that right?   Hydrology (the study of water???)

So Cal is being hit with a series of storms that has left us in a state of permanent moisture since Friday.  I keep hearing our local weatherman being interviewed on my favorite AM radio station and he keeps using the word "HYDROLOGY."

It's the new MUST USE word... like "exfoliate" (2 years ago) or "product" (last year).

I love this weatherman. He is hilarious.  He dances when he gives the weather (and he also is active in adopting animals to good homes).  Here's a sample of his skilz...

 

And here's a card to keep you all in the holiday spirit:

The image was a stamp that I got at a convention 10 yrs ago. I used Primacolor pencils, stickles and ribbon from Michaels. The mistletoe is a punch from Martha Stewart (MS) with stickles (red) on it.  Note, I did emboss with the Cuttlebug the leaves.

Close up for Marlene  :)

Snowman Fleece"tie" blanket I made for a present

Doggie "tie" fleece blanket

Fleece blanket for my Packers friend

A birthday card...

So much for the Thank You card for my PT (see prior post from 2 days ago). I re-aggravated my back.   Unfortunately, I have used my last appointment and I don't think there's much more he can do anyway. I have my exercises and stretches to do. It will eventually go away, I hope.  I'm still going to mail the card off to him so he can enjoy my artistic endeavor (Snort).

AND, I wanted to show a birthday card I made my friend (with personalized sentiment).

I like this image.  In the next few days, I'll post photos of the gift I made her.  :)

You can find this image at: ;http://thedigishack.blogspot.com/p/download-digis-here.htm  (and it was FREE!)

Ribbon from Michaels, Stickles on the wings and in her hair and on the wand.  Image was from the digi shack, Prismacolor pencils to color it in (with OMS to blend).  I also put pink chalk with a Q-Tip on the white cardstock that I printed the image on. Sentiment-- my own.  I used a Cuttlebug Birthday Folder for the background.  Paper was from a Scrapbook pack (green polka dot) and the blue snowflake paper was from AC Patterned paper for Christmas (I got last year at Michaels). Voila!

Rain is due in So Cal so that means no Agility Training with Sammy on Saturday morning. This is probably a good thing as my ability to trot next to him is not very good right now.  

Hope you're all surviving the shopping, crowds, colds, and weather!

THANKS TO MY PT

Hello!!! It's Jim and Dwight!!!

Here is my thank you card to my rehab therapist who has had to endure my snark (a Marlooney verb-- "to snark, I snark, You snark... we all snark") as he treated me for my low back and shoulder issues.  Our running joke was that I was one of the last appointments of the day as he needed to go home and imbibe in a  bottle of wine after enduring my verbal diarrhea.   

Nonetheless, he survived.

I used  Cuttlebug embossing folders ("Thank you" and the dots), Brian Locke image and I used a Marvy punch (the square punch).  The ribbon was from Michaels $1 clearance and the green paper with flowers came from Michaels (single sheet section).

This is a close up of my Prismacolor coloring. I'm still not good about the shadowing.  (I used Stickles for some areas of the cape). I used green chalk (applied with a Q-Tip for the background on the image.)

Happy Birthday to Marlene

Brian Lock image, colored with Prismacolor Pencils

Hey everyone...
Just a shout out to Marlene over at Disguised as a Grown-Up.  Marlene makes fabulous cards and she has a great sense of humor and quick wit... and a ton of snark!

Her birthday is Monday, November 22 so head over there if you can.  www.disguisedasagrownup.blogspot.com

Happy birthday Marlooney!!!

Congestion.... BE GONE!

The winds started a little over a week ago in So Cal. Most of the time, I can avoid getting allergy-related issues but this time, it got me.  So, I spent most of the weekend staring at the ceiling, watching Supernatural (season 5), popping Mucimex, downing cough syrup, and thinking of all the cards I wanted to make when I could sit upright again.  Luckily, I had my own furry hot water bottles to keep me warm.

This is how I felt most of the week!

Here is a card I started coloring last night with my Prismacolor pencils.  I used some Stickles to bling it up.

The sentiment came from an acrylic set that I got from Michaels.  The flower came from Michaels--- oh, and the ribbon? That came from Michaels.

OHHHH good grief... and the snail came from The Digi Shack: Brian Lock!!!
http://kharliebug.typepad.com/the_digi_shack/the-digital-shop-1.html
(Claritin- take me away!!!!)

Have a nice week.

Halloween has gone to the dogs...

Aren't these the cutest dogs!!!  One is a white Schnauzer.  Most people see the Standard Grey or maybe Black.  Look how gorgeous their coats are. 

These are my friend's little doggies.  So photogenic!!!
My friend is such a great scrapbook maker. I wish she would start a blog (hint hint, missie). She pays such attention to detail. 

This card was made with a Cuttlebug embossing folder, a Dustin Pike image, ribbon and faux stitching.

The sentiment was simply typed (by a simple person- haha) on the computer and I used a Fiskar's scissor to cut around the sentiment.  I also inked it with a stamp pad around the edges.

As much as I'd like to sit and gab endlessly about my inability to create a card in less than 3 hours, I must get ready for bed as I'm a bit tired.  I got up at the butt-crack of dawn to get to the gym to reserve my spot for Spin (that's cycling class for those of you who might have thought I also engage in  classes of pottery making or weaving small coats out of the dog fur) classes IN DECEMBER!!!  Yes, you heard me right.  I have to reserve a month in advance because if not, there is NO way I'll get in the class.  Why I'm paying $1 a class to reserve the right  to wheeze, sweat, and grunt for an hour, is BEYOND me.  

Oh wait-- 

THIS IS WHY!!!! Cheesecake Factory's Red Velvet Cheesecake.  Eyes. Rolling. Into. The. Back. Of. My. Head.  When my teeth fall out, I will still eat this- throw it in a blender and suck it out of a straw!!! SOOOO Yummy!!!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

I had aspirations to get some cards done this weekend, but I wasn't feeling much mojo.  Here is one (of a few cards) I made late last week.  I'm sorry for the dimness of the photograph. I haven't yet gotten the hang of photographing these cards. I usually do them in natural light but it seems so... dim.

I used a Dustin Pike image using Prismacolor pencils.

I used the watermark stamp and stamped stars (an old Stampin' up set) and clear embossed stars (from a Stampin Up background set- also very old).  The sentiment was typed by me on my computer and I used some chalk on the edges.  I wanted to stickle the skull but thought it would de-masculinize the dragon.  (Ha)

 Michaels has the Gypsy on sale and I had a couple of saved gift cards -- and yea,... you know it....  I've been playing with it for the last few hours.   

SamUL at Michaels

Here are the boys today..., They ALL went as submarines.

 

Colt, SamUL, and Fred

SamUL and Colt- The dogs love going on car rides.

Amuse-bouche:  My cousin sent me the link to the Mystery Theater PBS series "Sherlock."  It's pretty good.
Check it out on the web if you want. The episode(s) is available for a limited time (about a month).

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/sherlock/watch.html

Be safe and have a wonderful Halloween.

AGH!!!! It's raining!!!!

Preface:

This post was supposed to be posted Tuesday night.  I delayed posting it because I wanted to take a picture of the card in natural light.  That never happened.  

SO... here's my post from TUESDAY NIGHT:

I like the sun.  I like it sunny. 

It is currently raining in Southern California.  It has been since yesterday (off and on).  

The card was made with a digi stamp from The Digi Shack.  I colored the figure with PrismaColor pencils and Odorless Mineral Spirits.  I used the Cuttlebug for the background.  I cut little rain drops from Cricut's Every Day Paper Dolls.  I also cut a puddle from Create A Critter.  I took the light blue Stickles and covered the raindrops and puddle to give it texture.  The ribbon was a small box set for $1 that I got a Michaels (the Box set name is called American Crafts Elements.).  Ha!  I sure buy a lot of $1 items at Michaels, huh?