A little morning "Apple For You"

Good morning! I can't believe that at 8:30 in the morning, I have something NEW to share that I made this morning. The boys woke up too early... way too early. But its okay, because now I've got a little cuteness to show for it!

I didn't get a chance last week to play with this adorable little Pure Innocence Image titled "Apple For You" from My Favorite Things. I'd pulled the reinkers for this project a few days ago, and they were patiently waiting on my table. As it turns out, a little water-coloring is a fun way to spend the morning while the boys watched cartoons.

I'm debating about adding a video tutorial for water-coloring, it all depends on if YOU girls are interested. If you happen to be interested in a tutorial please add a comment to this post so that I can gauge interest.

Between a sweet birthday present from a friend, and now a prize package I won on Moxie Fab, I happen to have several pieces of October Afternoon paper on my desktop. Which, is handy because I L-O-V-E the new collections. *grins*

Wishing you all a wonderful day! The boys have been up so long, that they're already hungry again, so I'm off to fill those hungry bellies! See you tomorrow!!

Cartoons and Lollypops

Saturday mornings mean one thing at my house, cartoons for the boys and stamping for me. This morning, it was Super Hero Rescue Squad for them and Lollypops for me!

My new order from Stamping Bella arrived yesterday, so I had my desk all cleaned for the occasion. I wanted to get STRAIGHT to playing this morning! I grabbed Gracie and Ethan for my first go.

I think that these stamps are going to make fab-u-lous birthday cards for my stash, I can always use more in my basket for the school age crowd.

Of course, my new Nook and Pantry paper from Basic Grey was also part of my order from Bella, so I couldn't wait to put it to good use!

Gracie was stamped to Bella's Bestest Paper with Memento ink then colored with Copics. I followed along with Linda's tutorial for coloring a Lollypop face, and was thrilled with the new markers she'd selected for me! **grins** thanks Linda!!

I used pretty much the same layout for my friend Ethan the skater boy, save for the ribbon. Instead, I opted for lots of distress ink to give him a rugged feel. You know, skater boys, and ribbon...umm. Not. So. Much.

My little guys love orange, so its always a go to color for me for any cards for their little friends. They haven't spied this little dude (I dare not call him a cutie, he might get offended... eh?) yet, so I might be able to surprise one of them with him! For my buddy Ethan, I used some My Minds Eye Oh

If you haven't yet spied the Lollypops, they are a new line of stamps illustrated by Lori Boyd for Stamping Bella and can be found HERE.

I'm off to set up bowl, spoons and juice glasses with the hopes that I might be able to squeeeeze in a quick project tomorrow morning too!

Vintage Skater Penguins - A TCP Holiday Preview

So, the penguins heard me apparently when I mentioned that my little Santa Bear was my favorite, and they got SO mad. They begged me to come out to play today, and how could I say no. I didn't think any of you would argue with a little extra TCP preview right?

Inspired by many many beautifully sponged and vintage creations by my sweet and rockstar talented friend Amy Rohl, I decided to stamp my Penguins onto Kraft paper, and color them with Prisma Color pencils.

Of course, I get so excited any time that I can use two different types of ribbon on a card *grin* I also stitched with the "crazy crooked stitch" all around the snowflake panel and sponged everything with distress ink... I'm having fun with those inks lately if you hadn't noticed....

If you take a peek, I'm using two of the fun embellishments that are part of this month's release. You won't want to miss our Design Team blog hop beginning Monday night at 9pm EST! Susan will be our Hostess with the Mostess and kicking off the blog hop! I hope to see you there!

Christmas Cuties on a Bellariffic Friday

Good Morning! Oh how I looooove Fridays!

My house is still totally trashed from the painting, but the new wall color looks amazing! We're having some touch up work done in the adjacent room, my sitting room. So it will be a few days till my house is all put back together.

This weeks Bellariffic Challenge was to make a holiday card, which, I was so excited about!

I knew right away which stamp I was going to use, "You Decorate My Life" from Christy Croll for Stamping Bella. I adore these sweet little faces peeking out from behind the Christmas tree. Awww.

I've got some more Christmasy stamps on order form Stamping Bella - I can't wait for them to arrive, I'm starting to really get in the spirit.

I can't wait to see what all the Bellariffic Babes came up with for this week's challenge. I hope you'll join me over at Blogabella to check out all the creations. One lucky someone who comments will win $10 in Bella Bucks which is handy when you check out all the amazing new stamps that were added at the last release!

I hope you all have a fantastic day... would I be totally evil if I admitted that I hope for a little crummy weather so that I can play a little at my stamp table? Is that soooo wrong?

Sweet Santa Bear - a TCP Holiday Preview

Can I just say how excited I am for the upcoming release from The Cat's Pajamas this week! There are FIVE new sets - and some yummy embellies coming your way!

We'll have our Design Team hop this coming Monday night at 9pm, but I couldn't wait to start sharing some of the adorable images that can very soon be yours!

This little bear card has been sitting on top of my writing desk the last week or so, and he just brings such a smile to my face that I thought I'd share him a little bit early!

I drew in a little wooden floor for him, and colored the background while he was still inside a nestie, leaving a fresh, white oval all around. His santa hat has a little puff of Liquid Applique too.

This gorgeous paper has been so fun to work with, it is Mistletoe from Making Memories. I must say, I'm totally a smitten kitten....you'll be seeing lots of it from the DT over the next few days.

This sweet little bear is maybe my favorite thing ever. Just look at him with a pot of honey in one hand, and a candy cane in the other. Love him. He's now headed off in the mail to go visit with Alma. Oh sweet bear, I'll miss you...

Required Accessories

Yikes! I'm having some painting done at my house, and lets just say that as far as painters and belts go, it should not be an OPTIONAL accessory. Bad mental picture, burned into my brain...

So, imagine how hard I laughed when sifting through my Stamping Bella collection for an image to work with when I found a little turtle, that I hadn't yet colored up. Seriously, what use is this hobby if I can't amuse myself.

I'm going to need to send a card to my neighbor to apologize for the scary sights she must have seen while he was working on my front door.

I'll be spending the day keeping the kids in the basement while the dining room is finished up - under the illusion that I don't want them to touch the wet paint. Truth be told, really I'm trying to protect their innocent little eyes from a serious case of droopy drawers.

Sorry if this is all Too Much Information, but really, the life of a stay at home day care providing mom is sometimes nothing but funny.

You'll find this cutie pie and all his Turtle Tot friends at Stamping Bella. You can bet this Turtle keeps his private parts all belted up. He's too cute to show crack. (I'm rolling with laughter right now...)

I apologize for the lack of layers and sewing on this card. My house is TRASHED from moving all the furniture out of the dining room for the paint job, floors all need to be swept and cleaned, dishes have been neglected as we're cowering in the basement... This afternoon I've got to whip up something for tomorrow's Bellariffic Friday while entertaining the boys. I'm feeling a little Mario Kart Wii marathon in the making no?

Don't forget your samples for Bellariffic Friday are due today by 5pm to Emily. You can read all the details here!

Love Birds on the Hop!

Welcome to our November Release Party Blog hop! If you didn't start up at Kim's blog, you'll want to jump up to the top so you don't miss a thing!

You might remember that we've been promoting all week that there are eleven stamp sets being released tonight from My Favorite Things. And so far, you've seen ten of them on the mini blog hops we've been having all week.

Lucky ME, I'm the one that has the eleventh stamp set! It is part of this month's MFT Kit called "Love Birds"

I contains these two sweet images, the little love birds and this beautiful tree image. Aren't those nuzzling little birdies so cute?

Now, I took a little creative liberty with my sentiment on the first card. You see the sentiment actually reads "Spring is in the Air" but, um where I live right now, not so much. SO - I gave the stamp what my friend Frances calls a "rubberectomy" *giggle* doesn't that sound gross?

But seriously, I very carefully snipped the part that says "spring" off the sentiment and snipped the "love" off the sentiment reading "love birds" and now I have two interchangeable elements.

So my card reads "love is in the air" and I can now also make the sentiment "spring birds"

If you're not feeling up to the task of dicing your sentiments, you can also selectively ink portions of the sentiments to make YOUR own combinations. You'll also see that I stamped the sentiment "chirp, chirp, chirp" bent to fit the curvature of my main circular panel.

This sweet little kit for your love bird, also contains Chocolate Kiss patterned papers, scalloped notecards with envelopes as well as a sweet assortment of embellishments containing two colors of buttons (swoon!) chocolate bling, and glitter brads. (I did of course, add few tidbits from my stash that are not included in the kit - kraft cardstock and jute twine.)

Now, I know those birdies would probably love a home up in that tree, but really, I happen to have a "thing" for tree stamps. I love them. I love that this could be an early spring tree, a fall free loosing its leaves, or really, even an all iced up tree (note to self, grab some diamond glaze and glitter and make a frosty tree!!) But for this card, I chose to make one of those pretty pink flowering tress that I always wish I had growing in my yard!

I played around with my papers including lots of sponging with distress inks, I love the soft, romantic feel it gives to the papers - goes with the "loving theme" eh? I'm always nervous to do this, and sort of hold in my breath a little afraid I'm going to ruin my project. I've learned to rub a little of the ink off onto scratch paper before working from the edges of my card on inward.... I gave the same treatment to the edges of my main image panel as well. I still need some practice with that dauber, but overall I liked the softness it gave to the papers.

I truly hope you'll add these sweet little Love Birds to your collection this month! And now.. on to the HOP!

I'm BEYOND excited to share this next bit of news. My Favorite Things has added a new design team member - and I'm over the moon. For months now, I've simply been taken with her work, and I've drooled over every luscious detail she puts into her creations. Her style is just polished, elegant, over the top, and just perfectly embellished. I am not even going to give you her name, I'll let her enjoy the moment. Please meet and give a warm welcome to our newest design team member HERE

Meet November's Who's That Girl: Wrapped in Love

Its our final day of previews, which means, that the release party is tonight! And, that all the new goodies will be released for you to snatch right up tonight at 10pm EST!

You won't want to miss the team blog hop starting tonight at 10pm - it starts the same time the doors open. Here's a secret, its when I'll be showing you this month's MFT Kit! (That is the eleventh stamp set that hasn't been shown yet! See, now you've GOT to hop!!)

But this morning, its time to meet this months' Who's That Girl! She's Wrapped in Love! This is a fantastic set for gifts all year long. Not only for Christmas presents, but birthdays, showers etc.

Of course, since I'm starting to feel in the Christmas spirit, and since I just happen to have this adorable paper pack from Basic Grey on hand, I couldn't help but whip up a Christmasy sample. You all know I love to paper piece WTG and this set, is no exception!

In the set you'll find a variety of fun sentiments, and also all sorts of bows and extra packages. You can stack them for a giant tower of presents, or you can make a card made with only the presents and bows. I just know on today's little preview circle you'll see lots of fun ways to use this set! I stacked a pile of presents on the inside of my card for a finished inside and out look. I also added the sentiment in there, since the card front was full!

Please be sure to pop on my Kim's Blog after 10 am to find links of all the girls on the team with previews for you today. And, we'll see you TONIGHT for the big, I mean HUGE release!!

MFT Previews - Cool Yule

Welcome back! As promised, I've got another preview of an upcoming set from My Favorite Things Stamps for you today! I told you, there's a LOT that's new this month!

I can't believe that the possibility of snow is on the forecast for later this week. I'm in full denial. Maybe, just maybe, a little winter themed stamping will get me in the spirit? Lets hope!!

This adorable striped patterned paper reminded me of Hannah Anderson clothes, oh, how I loved dressing my boys in those pj's when they were littler.

Today I've got a preview of a new set called "Cool Yule" and I adore all the sweet little polar companions in this set. (even, if I'm not a fan of arctic temps!)

I stamped the image of the frozen pond to a piece of patterned paper and then colored the pond a few shades darker with my Copic marker. Now, you won't get the best results with your Copic markers on patterned paper, but since I wasn't going for fine detail, it was just fine. Then I coated the pond with Diamond Glaze and set it aside to dry (overnight....) Meanwhile I stamped my penguin to a Paper Panel, colored with copics and cut him out. I paper pieced his little hat with some coordinating designer paper.

The next day, once my Diamond Glaze had dried I reached for my chunky glass glitter which is fantastic for snowy scenes and had fun adding lots of snow to my scene. I'm fine with snow on paper, just not in my driveway!

I'm super excited to see which of the Cool Yule characters my Design Team pals played with. You'll find links to everyone that has samples today on Kim's Blog at 11am. If you're anxious (like me....) you can stalk the girls by following links on my sidebar!

Having fun this week with the previews? What's your favorite so far? Tomorrow will be the LAST of our previews! Because I still have this month's Who's That Girl and the newest MFT Kit to share with you! Seriously - how chock full of goodness is this release!!

MFT - So Sweet I had to post again!

If you couldn't guess, we're all SO excited about MFT's new line Pure Innocence which will be released on Wednesday. There's five of them being released... have you seen them all yet?

By the way, I posted another Pure Innocence card last night, in the middle of the night for anyone that missed it, its HERE

My first little Pure Innocence card was fully done with Copic markers, but this one is mostly paper pieced, right down to her sweet little tights and boots!

I loaded the ground cover and snow balls with chunky glass glitter and stickles. Her little hat has Liquid Applique for a little fur trim to her hat.

Be sure to check out the MFT Blog for links to all the designers with previews today! Have FUN!

MFT Previews - Pure Innocence is here!

Oh my goodness, am I ever SO excited about big news from My Favorite Things stamps. A new illustrator has been added to the mix and I'm just head over heels in love with these images!

Today I have two samples from the new Pure Innocence line to share- if you didn't see the other one, be sure to click on my blog header so that you see the other one!! The first is My Balloon and awww isn't she sweet? I plan on loading up a stash of these to use for all my little girlfriend birthdays with all mixes of sweet patterned papers.

I'm in stamp love, really I am!

Get this, not one, but FIVE of these sweeties will be available on Wednesday night. And of course, because I'm in looooove... I had to make another.. I'll have her here for you tomorrow!

I can't wait to hop around and see what the girls have been up to with these little cutie pies! And, um, I bet YOU can't either right?

You'll find previews today from Kim, Amy,Cindy,Michele, Frances, Susan, Kirsten, Natalie, Kathy, Jessie, Christina, Jody,and Barbara and Melody our guest designer this month!

I'll see you tomorrow with another sweet little winter preview!

Double MFT Preview Sunday - Gifty Tree Trimming

As promised, I've got more MFT Teasers for you today, and today, I've got two sets to share with you!

Before I say one more thing, I want to remind you that MFT's Guest Designer Contest for the month of December is officially open!

Would you love to play along with the Design Team for next month's release, win the entire release for next month? Well here's your chance to receive the full release, participate in the team blog hop and have a chance to strut your stuff!!!

Amy and Kirsten have a fun challenge for you which you can find HERE - entries are due by Tuesday the 3rd at 10pm!!

You might remember my friend the Gifty Girl. She was previously released as part of one of the MFT Kits, but now she's been freed and is available as a single stamp set!

A few months ago, I drew in a shop window on little Miss Gifty, which you can see here. I've also seen lots of the girls on the team use that little space over there for sentiment placement.

But today, I left that space to her right blank, to leave room for my little buttony bow.

I must say that I *love* that the gifty girl can be used all year. Right now, she's all decked out for a little fall shopping excursion - like I had on Friday! This patterned paper is from Bo Bunny and I just love the rich fall tones! I'm excited to play around with Miss Gifty a little bit -- don't you think she'd be adorable for gift cards?

Now, onto my second preview today, Mr Flopsey is getting in the Christmas spirit and doing a little tree trimming!

For my boys - their favorite part of decorating the tree is putting the star on top. And with two boys and one star, its a BIG deal if its your turn to place the star on top. This year, its the little guys turn.

I seriously LOVE LOVE putting the tree up. I can't wait to do it. I love sorting through the ornament box with the boys talking about all of the ornaments, whether they were a gift, or a special purpose, or from a particular place. I love the ones that they each have made. And then of course, I love sitting around at night and looking at it all decorated.

I've taken to sitting with the boys in my sitting room while we read stories. Its a nice change of pace from sitting in the den all the time. Its nice that I'm using that room for more than just photographing my cards! *giggle* We usually place our tree in the front hall so as we snuggle in my sitting room, we'll have a perfect view of our tree.

For this card, I masked Flopsey so that I could place the tree just slightly behind him so that he has to s-t-r-e-t-c-h to reach the tippity top of the tree.

Don't forget to hop around to visit all the girls on the team today, you'll find samples from Kim, Frances, Jessie, Cindy, Christina and our Guest Designer this month Melody!

Don't forget, there will be ELEVEN stamp sets released on Wednesday night! I'll be back with teasers again tomorrow!!

BOO!

I only WISH I looked like this much of a hottie on Halloween. This stamp is a little Amuse cutie that my sweet friend Jody spoiled me with. (Gotta love friends that spoil you rotten!!)

Whenever I use an amuse image, I always have to reduce the size of my card. Their images are just petite, so a 4x4 size card was my choice today. I will say, I am a **sucker** for Amuse sentiments, they're always adorable, and beautifully designed!

You can't see here, but this little witchy is loaded up with Orange spica pen as well for some glitz to her sassy costume.

To anyone wondering how I made out with my hair yesterday, my stylist said he *could* have cut it, but that in his words "It wouldn't be pretty." He took off about 1.5 inches, to clean up the rag tag ends, and said for me to come back in March and we'll see how I'm doing. The cut would have been blunt halfway up the back of my head! eeks! So the growing continues!

Wishing you all a Halloween filled with more TREATS than TRICKS! Many of you know, that this holiday, um, isn't so much my favorite. Its filled with candy that is *more* than a bit dangerous for my boys. However, many of my sweet neighbors have called to see what they can tuck aside for the boys.

That being said, we have lots of precautions in place, and lots of safe treats for the boys to enjoy tonight! Have a SPOOKTACULAR night everyone!

MFT Previews Begin - Its a little Polar Love

I'm so excited that teaser time has begun! I've got previews of upcoming MFT sets every day from now till Wednesday! Hooray!

Can you believe that there will be ELEVEN stamp sets released this month!

Since I will now publicly admit, I have a *fear* of any stamped image that is supposed to be white! It always sends me in to a panic... so I figured this would be the perfect way to overcome my fear by placing these white bears into a colorful scene! I've added just a smidge of pink to their noses, and given some light shading with my W00 marker - but mostly they're white.

I'm loving the fun new trend of rolling hills made out of patterned paper! For anyone that's nervous about how to cut the hills, here's how I did it. I freehand cut my first hill, and then matched it up to a reverse side of another similar piece and cut the second hill. This way, they're nice and symmetrical. Then I stitched those two in place on top of the blue swirly sky paper.

After placing my stamped, colored and paper pieced bears into the scene, I then freehand cut my last hill and stitched across the top of the hill. I added the last hill in place using a few dimensional boosters to give some vertical dimension and then stitched my zig zag stitch all around the outer borders of the card.

You'll see I used my Apron Lace punch here again, I so adore that! When I use it close to a border like this, I *always* round off the corners of my card base. You'll see that I rounded the inner corners of the card too.

You'll be seeing lots of Polar Love from my pals on the MFT Team today, we're all using the same set for a little extra added fun! I can't wait to see what all the girls have done with these sweethearts. You'll find previews today from Amy, Barbara, Michele, Frances, Cindy, Jessie, Natalie and Susan.

Farm Fresh Cupcakes?

This week, the theme over at Stamping Bella is Kids! Ahhhh, so right up my alley I can't even stand it!

This card uses this beautiful October Afternoon Farm Fresh paper that was a birthday gift from my sweet friend Jody!

So, today's the day people!!! My hair cut is at 10:30 EST. I'm either going to be leaving with my hair one inch shorter and continuing the "grow it out" or I'll have the required 8 inches for the donation and very very short hair. Wish me luck!

Its also the day of the big release over at Stamping Bella. Have you seen the peeks of the new Lulu (so pretty!!!) or the new line of Lollipop kids. (Can't wait to pick a few up!) and TWINCHIES. Gasp.

Can't wait to see, and ahem, buy some new goodness from Stamping Bella. Don't forget to check out all the latest creations from the Bella Babes, and of course, all of Em's talented customers. You won't want to forget to leave a comment on Blogabella today for your chance to win some Bella Bucks.