So, here’s my story (ala Cindy - Mothermark):  I spied the challenge this morning and immediately thought “Staples?… I hate staples!”.    But, what the heck, it was a challenge, so I went down to the studio.   This is what I was faced with:

  WORLD’S MESSIEST DESK!!!  Do you see a stapler on that desk anywhere? LOL.. Well, I decided I better clean it up before I got started and that I might possibly find what I was looking for.  NOT!!  After cleaning and putting everything away, I did find the stapler, but not a staple in sight.  *sigh*.  Oh well, I decided… the sun is shining, I’ll run to JoAnn’s and get some staples.   In case you’re wondering, JoAnn’s doesn’t have colored staples.  Off to AC Moore!  Ok, got the staples…. and a few other things (ya know how that goes).

I stood there in my now clean studio with staples in hand and repeated “I hate staples!”.  Ok, gotta make this work.  So I went on a hunt for the perfect ribbon first.   Then I chose colors to match.   Still no ideas.  Then here comes hubby.  He’s working 2nd shift and has way too much time on his hands.  He’s looking at my sentiment stamps and asks “What’s are amenomes?”.    Oh!!  Jackpot!  I’d forgotten about these Hambo Stamps (www.hambostamps.com)  I’d been hoarding. 

So, for those of you who think it’s always easy for me to make cards, this proves that sometimes it’s really hard!

Anemones:

1. Any of various perennial herbs of the genus Anemone, native chiefly to northern temperate regions and having palmately lobed leaves and large flowers with showy sepals. Also called windflower.

 Stamps:   Lobster and sentiment by Hambo Stamps

Colors:  Tempting Turquoise, GP White, Yo Yo Yellow, Only Orange, Basic Black

Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black, Copics (used to color image and create the dotted DP)

Accessories: brads, ribbon, dimensionals.

TFL!~

  Well, I just signed into Yahoo! a minute ago and it says we’re having a blizzard in Orchard Park, New York.  Really!?  Ya think!!  It’s 19 degrees with a wind chill of -2.  We had a brief moment of light snow a minute ago, so I sent my son out to take these pics of our 2 neighbors yards.  There are three trees down in a row!  We have had gusts to 81mph in the area. 

So, what did I do during the blizzard?  I tried to stamp!  I went down to the studio at around 6am when I saw the SCS sketch challenge had been posted.   I had a brilliant idea.  Ha!  Lights went out.  I stood there and sighed.  Lights came on.  I picked out my colors.  Lights went out.  One son came to my rescue with a flashlight.  Lights came on.  I stamped my image.  Lights out.  Ya getting the picture? LOL.  It was comical.   I actually finished (or thought I had) and when the lights came on again, I took a picture and posted it to my gallery on SCS.   After a few minutes, I pulled my picture up on SCS and much to my horror, the card was not ‘finished’!   In my attempt to try flashlight stamping (a new technique maybe? ), I had not finished off my doodles on one side of my card and forgot to color one of the staeman on my flower! 

  So, without further ado.  Here it is, completed.  I still wish I had put a small white mat between the red and black, but oh well.   I had to cut and mount Time Well Spent to make this card.. it was still in the package.  I’ve seen alot of cards that I like made with it, but it just never spoke to me until today.   I love the Stella Ruby papers, too.  Every time I see a card by Leslie Miller (leslierich) posted to her blog with this paper, I drool.   She is soooooo good! 

Stamps: Time Well Spent (SU!); Sassy Sayings (MFT - www.mftstamps.com )

Colors: Basic Black, Real Red, Wild Wasabi, GP White, Basic Gray Stella Ruby DP

Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black, Copics

Accessories: brads, ribbon, dimensionals, circle punches, designer label punch, word window punch, gel pen

TFL!~

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~What Mom  would say………..Wednesday~

I had a couple neat comments last week about reader’s moms.  I loved the quotes.  I want more! 

I was thinking of my mom alot this week.   Humor.   She loved it and she spread it all around her.  She loved a good joke.  She had great comedic timing too.   I miss that laughter.  Anywho, I was thinking of her when I received an e-mail from Kim at My Favorite Things.  Here’s what she sent:  (Caution: this is Pee in Your Pants funny!)

Why Married Women Can’t Enjoy Girls Nights Out:

The other night I was invited out for a night with “the girls.” I told my husband that I would be home by midnight , “I promise!”

Well, the hours passed, the laughter never stopped and the margaritas went down way too easily. It was just after 2:30 a.m. when I headed for home, maybe a just a bit loaded. :o)

Right as I got in the door, the cuckoo clock in the hall started up and cuckooed 3 times.

Quickly, realizing my husband who is a light sleeper would probably wake up, I cuckooed another 9 times. I was really proud of myself for coming up with such a quick-witted solution, in order to escape a possible conflict with him. Even when totally smashed I knew that 3 cuckoos plus 9 cuckoos totals 12 cuckoos and that means MIDNIGHT!

The next morning my husband asked me what time I got in, and I told him, “Right around midnight.” He didn’t seem mad at all…

Whew! Got away with that one!

Then he said, “We need a new cuckoo clock for the hall.”

When I asked him why he said, “Well, last night our clock cuckooed three times, then said, ‘Oh sh*t!’, cuckooed 4 more times, cleared it’s throat, cuckooed another 3 times,  giggled, cuckooed twice more, and then fell over the coffee table and farted. You’re lucky it didn’t wake you up Honey.”

I am still laughing.  Thanks, Kim!

Back to stamping!!

TFL!~

  I’m calling this my “feeling lazy stamper” card.   The colors were inspired by today’s CC challenge on SCS (Going Gray, Basic Gray and Yo-Yo Yellow).  Well, I don’t own any Going Gray, so I substituted with Basic Black.

Since the colors were already picked for me, I chose to use Cindy_Haffner’s My Favorite Things’ sketch challenge for this week.  You can see that challenge HERE.  

Since the layout and colors were already a given, all I had to do was embellish .   Kinda hard to see in my pic, but the large basic gray mat is stamped with the Floral BG in versamark.  Very subtle. 

www.mftstamps.com

Stamps: My Favorite Things’ Bundle of Bouquets, Floral BG by SU!

Colors: Basic Black, Yo-Yo Yellow, Basic Gray, GP White

Ink: Versamark, Brilliance graphite black, copics

Accessories: Brads, ribbon, Bazzill daisies, dimensionals, ticket corner punch, word window punch, 1 3/8th inch circle punch.

TFL!~

Well, isn’t this fun . This morning’s Technique Lover’s Challenge on SCS was to create a Dahlia flower. The instructions for this fun fold can be found here.

Ok, someone we know is over using her Berry Bliss! LOL. I can’t help myself… it’s just so beautiful! The contrast between the brown and pink on the piece I chose, really makes a dramatic statement. I keep thinking “New Orleans Bordello” when I see this paper.

I used a 1 3/4th inch punch for this flower. It measures approximately 3 inches across when assembled. I would have tried for a smaller circle, but my fingers are fat and it was hard enough for me. Lovin’ how it turned out though. I’d definitely do it again!

Stamps: Seeing Spots, Aida BG (SU!)

Colors: Chocolate Chip, Regal Rose, Purely Pomegranate, Berry Bliss DP

Ink: Chocolate chip and Regal rose

Accessories: Chocolate satin ribbon, pink swirl ribbon, pink brads, build a brad, circle punches, dimensionals

TFL!~

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Now…. we interrupt your regularly scheduled stamping with this moment of nepotism. I just have to share, because I’m a proud mom! My son, Zachary (known as Zeke) is one awesome guitarist. He is kinda shy and reserved, but has such a wonderful voice (like his father, not his mother!). I just wanted to share this Santeria cover video with you:

INeverender

If you get a minute to check him out, please do!

Ok, back to stamping!!

  Today’s Featured Stamper on Splitcoaststampers is stampingpam!  Check out her gallery HERE and her blog HERE. 

I chose THIS card of Pam’s to case.   I just loved this layout and her springy colors.   I was even able to use mostly scraps for this card.   I did replace her spring flowers with this adorable birdie from Pun Fun.  I needed a quick birthday card to go with a gift I’d previously made.   Believe it or not, I gave this to my 80 yr old friend, Roy, with the sentiment “You’re never too old to do something goofy - walt disney” on the inside .

Thanks, Pam, for having such a wonderful gallery in which we could play!  Peace!

Stamps:  Pun Fun

Colors: Blue Bayou, Real Red, Soft Sky, Very Vanilla, GP White, DP from Target (maker unknown).

Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black, Copics

Accessories: Brads, ribbon, dimensionals, square scallop punch, scissors.

TFL!~

  Uhhhh, anyone notice I didn’t post my sketch yesterday? LOL…. probably not!  Well, I apologize profusely, but it was a little more of a day than I expected.   This is the sketch :

  We’ll call it THSC1 (Toy’s Haven Sketch Challenge 1).  Play along if you like!

I used today’s Inspiration Challenge on SCS as a springboard for this sympathy card.  The image was stamped then colored with copics.  The two larger flowers are popped on small dimensionals.   

Feeling MUCH better, by the way.  I’m sure that little bug was having no fun with me as I was trying to sweat him out!  I spent the last few days in my studio organizing my stamps according to maker and year issued (for SU!).   Now, to finish the rest of the room…..do you have as much ribbon as I do????   Where did it all come from!?

K.. if you do the sketch and don’t post to SCS, please link me to a pic I can view.. I’d love to see!

Stamps:  Oh So Lovely and Small Sayings (both SU!)

Colors: basic black, certainly celery, blush blossom, GP white and Designer series PP (CC).

Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black, Copics

Accessories: brads, ribbon, dimensionals, square scallop punch, slit punch, gel pen, paper piercing tools

TFL!~

 I woke up this morning feeling a little blue..lol.  No seriously, I think I have a flu bug.  Icky all over and feverish.  Didn’t think I wanted to venture down to the studio today, but after a long afternoon nap, I did.  I don’t know about you, but I have a hard time getting inspired when my body is aching.  But!  Rox posted this great sketch this morning on SCS and I knew I had the perfect stamp for it.  I purchased this big floral stamp on Long Island last Spring.  It had yet to see ink.

I stamped the image on Night of Navy cardstock in versamark, then embossed in white.  I then colored the image with prisma pencils.  I split the panel in three and wrapped some sheer white polka dot ribbon around it… slapped a little “thank you” tag on it and voila.  Pretty quick and easy!

Stamps:  Large Floral (maker unknown); Short & Sweet

Colors: Night of Navy, Summer Sun, Green Galore, GP White

Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black, Versamark, Prisma Pencils

Accessories:  Ribbon, White EP, HPH Clip, dimensionals, circle punch, oval punches

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As I mentioned before, I’m featuring a new segment each Wednesday night, dedicated to my mother.  You see, my mother was a constant in my life.  She was my rock.  I lost her to breast cancer in 1992.  But she is still with me in  so many many ways.  Especially in the things I think and say. 

For instance, my mom was a very prophetic person.   The things she would say would stick with you forever.  One of her favorite saying was “If you can’t say something nice, then say nothing at all”.   I really think more people should live by this motto!  

She was often known to quote the Bible, as well.  She was afterall, the granddaughter of a Southern Baptist Preacher.   Yeah, I know alot of people quote the Bible, but she didn’t just quote it, she lived it.   I remember growing up, I would roll my eyes and run for cover.   Today, I would give anything to hear her yell at me again!

Fortunately for me, I still have my Granny (mom’s mom) living.  If I ever have a need to be lectured…. lol.  

So what’s this all about?   I want you to share with me a quote from your own mom!   Let’s honor our mothers everyday, not just on special occassions.  We never know how long we will have them!

**********************************************************************

Well, it was my full intent to post a sketch challenge tonight, but after some conversations with a few friends, it was suggested that Fridays would be better due to Wednesday being SCS Sketch Challenge day.   Not that this little blog is going to compete with anyone, but if you need a new sketch, check back Friday! 

TFL!~

  Today was a triple challenge day for me.  The SCS Color Challenge, my personal challenge to use this set, and the need for a little gift for a dear friend.

So, I made another little box.  This one is a bit different than my original, but the same concept.  I just sized it down to hold these two bags of M&Ms.   The chair is paper pieced with the same DP as I used as a mat.  It’s a target find.  I added little brown accents to my piece to pick up the brown in the DP.

I made this with My Favorite Things’ For the Boys set.  (www.mftstamps.com)  I really like this set for the guys in my life.  They’re all sport fans and this scene is often played out in our house.  I purposely hide the remote!

Stamps:  My Favorite Things’ For the Boys

Colors: Blue Bayou, Real Red, Chocolate Chip, Soft Sky, Target find DP.

Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black, Copics

Accessories: Brads, ribbon, scallop punches, oval punch, word window punch, circle punch, dimensionals

TFL!~

d  Sooooo… we had this little challenge amongst the Dirty Dozen and Dirty Dozen Alumni this past month.  The challenge was to make a non standard sized card or project with an image of a girl/woman.  We were to make it ’sweet’.   You can see all the entries in the challenge in the SCS gallery here: DCG108.  Look for a new challenge next month!

Ok, so here’s my entry…. Let the Good times Roll.   I actually was thinking of JulieHRR when I went for the appletini motif.  I colored the image with copic markers, then used the tiny apple off the the large collage stamp from Stampin’ Up!’s Give Thanks set.  I omit stamped them twice, cut them out and popped them on the image. 

Ok.. a couple people have asked me about this “DP”.  Well, it’s pretty simple.  I made it!  It was so easy with my copics.  I used the appropriate colors to match my cardstock and simply alternated stripes with a ruler.  Voila.. customized DP.

This card is a full 8 1/2 x 4 1/2″ and it fits in a #10 envelope.

Stamps:  Martini Girl (maker unknown); Sentiment by Judith

Colors: Basic Black, Certainly Celery, Real Red, GP White

Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black, copics

Accessories:  brads, ribbon, dimensionals, oval punch, and one appletini, please!

Oh but that’s not all!  And you thought I was through… heehee. 

I’ve decided to put more effort and goodies into my blog.  I’m hiring on my son to do some work on it and hoping to spruce it up.  We’re going to have a new feature called “As my Mom would say, Wednesday”.   Each week will be a new challenge for me and YOU, if you’d like to play along.   I’ll be posting a sketch this coming Wednesday and we’ll talk about the things mom’s say.  I invite you to join me!

TFL!~ 

  This is another version of my little box.. now with a lid.  I made this for WT149 on SCS.  The challenge was to get out our embossing powders.   I haven’t done  alot of heat embossing in a long time.  This was actually quite fun  to make.  The box is made from 2 pieces of cardstock, each measuring 7.5 and 7.25 inches.  Score at 1.5 and 4 on the 7.5″ side and 1.5″ on the 7.25″ side.  Two little snips on each piece and it folds up very easily.  When each side is complete, just slide them together.  Makes for a nice sturdy little box.  The lid is made from a piece cut 7 3/8th x  4 7/8th (scored 1.25″ from each side.  Cut the small score on each long side and fold.  I’ve actually fit 6 cards and envelopes in one and ya know my cards are chunky.  The piece designated as my front was first rolled with the Stars and Swirls wheel in versamark and embossed in white.  The space ship was stamped, colored and embossed with UTEE  to give it shine.

Stamps:  Pun Fun and Stars and Swirls wheel/retired  (Stampin’ UP!)

Colors:  Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, GP White, Basic Grey Lollipop Shoppe

Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black, Versamark, Copics

Accesories: Scoring blade, Scallop punches, scissors, UTEE, White embossing powder, slit punch, circle punch, brads, dimensionals.

TFL!~