Three little words..

Time for a sketch! Sketches! {by Tamara} has a great sketch this week and hope you can play along! I decided to break open a new set called Three little words by SU! It is a great versatile set and I think I will be using this one a bit.  

I stamped the main image using my markers for the double color and nested it in a long rectangle nestie.  I added some ribbon and a quick corner piece which I made using my trusty square punches! I colored in the "T" and added the white accents with my gel pen.  Thanks for stopping by and taking a peek!

Some St. Patty's Jewelry

With St. Patrick's Day around the corner, I was inspired to make some jewelry using green.   My favorite color!  I used some Semi-Precious stones along with some silver and a lampwork pendant.  For this necklace,  I used some green jade, apple turquoise, and red agate.  The pendant is handmade glass I drew the colors for the necklace from the specks throughout.  I connected the piece with two silver links.  If you are interested in this piece, just contact me for the price.  This necklace cannot be reproduced as I have used some components which I am unable to get again.

For this bracelet, I used the same links as the necklace and the same green jade.  I wire wrapped each connection for added security and finished it with a toggle clasp.  The length is 8".  This is fun and simple piece which can be worn everyday. Again, if you are interested in this bracelet, just contact me.  Like the necklace, the components are unavailable, thus it cannot be reproduced. 

Thank you for stopping by and taking a peek and my newest inspiration!

St. Patty's Sketch

This weeks sketch at Sketches! {by Tamara} is simple and fun!  

I picked up a dollar stamp set by Studio G at my lcs  which I really liked.  It worked out well for this sketch.  I added some stickles to the center of the shamrocks for a hint of sparkle.  This really was a simple card for those days you don't have much time!!

Thanks for stopping by and peeking!!

Materials Used: Wild Wasabi cs and ink, Striped WW ribbon, basic black, Nestibilities, Stickles, Studio G stamps

Blog Candy Winner!

WHEW!! I am sorry that I am late posting this but I am a day behind! I keep thinking today is Monday! I was late for an appointment today due to my off day, but I am catching up!! I am surprised I remembered to pick up my kids from school!! LOL!!  

Anyway, here is our random winner of the blog candy that my boys picked out of a hat.  With twins, it was hard to only pick out one, but they did it and CLAUDIA'S IRISH EYES come on down!! Email me your addy and I will get your goodies out to you!! Thank you to all who shared your favorite sites and played along!!

A kind award with a thought

I have been given an award from Betty (gbedwright). This "award is given to a blog that invests and believes in PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships! These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind of bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated.” The rule of the award is to now pass it on to another 8 people who demonstrate this spirit.  THANK YOU BETTY FOR THIS KIND AWARD!!

I am quite flattered with this award as blogging is something I do out of enjoyment to share the things that I love.  I know in this hobby of ours it is hard to sometimes keep up with "the Jones' " with new ideas and new products. You really want to get out there your fabulous creations!  For me, my hobby's are done out of self gratification and if it gets noticed, well great! If not, that is ok too.  My family and home is my priority before my hobby.  Yes, I would love to spend all day stamping or beading, but with the schedule my dh has, I have to decide what is more important.  The groceries won't shop for itself or the house clean itself. (I wish it would though!)  Just remember that on days you may feel like no one is watching, they probably are but not leaving a comment to say so.  And when it no longer becomes fun because you are trying really hard to gain the attentions of others, it is probably time to step back.  It is paper and ink, (or beads and strings) and it will forever be there- but your family or the time spent with them will not.  

Thank you for reading what I had to say and know that you are appreciated for coming to take a peek at my blog!  The 8 people I am extending this award to are:

1) Judy

2) Julia

3) Michelle

4) Andrea

5) Debbie

6) Bev

7) Tosh

8) Laura

Tag! Happy Valentines Day!

Happy Valentines Day to everyone!! I have a quick creation to show you today.  I have a day filled with birthday parties and gatherings... 

I used a heart chipboard tag by Bazzill and covered it with SU! Raspberry Tart dp.  I added a key to dangle from the chain and a chipboard flourish that I colored in with my Copics.  I finished it off with a Prima and sentiment cut out with my nesties.   A quick and easy creation! Just something to start off your weekend!! Thanks for stopping by and taking a peek!  

**Enter the blog candy here.  You still have time!**

A little something, something...

of a sketch!  It's Thursday, so it's sketch time at Sketches! {by Tamara}.  

When I made this card I was sick and hurting.  So, now that I have a better look at it, I noticed the top panels are a bit crooked!! : )  Just overlook that... LOL!  The reds/burgundy colors also came out different, but I assure you that it matches!

I used some fun dp from the Scenic Route collection called Sonoma, which I got from Paper Addiction.   I also used my neglected die from CB to create the swirl flower strip.  SU! set of A little something was used for the sentiment but for the other two panels, I left out the sentiment and used my PTI set of  Spiral Bouquet for the leaf.  I cut it out and popped them up on the square.  All three of the square panels are popped up.  I used my decorative scissors for the edges of the main center panel.  I added a prima with a pearl brad and a corner piece for the finishing touch.  Thanks for taking a peek!

**Don't forget to put your comment in for some blog candy which you can find here**

Materials Used:  PTI, SU!, CB die, Bravo Burgandy, Scenic Route, Prima, Pearl brad, Dimensionals, decorative scissors, VV,

How about some Blog Candy?

I think it is about some time for a little blog candy giveaway!! I am always looking for some great inspiration among the MANY stamping blogs out there.  There are always those few stamping idols you stalk daily to see what awesome creations they have concocted; just look at my blog roll!  I am not always the best at leaving comments daily, but I do try to spend one morning overloading my computer leaving comments on all of them! LOL!   

I would love to see what awesome blogs you may have come across which you pull your inspiration from! Just leave a comment with a link to that person's blog to enter the giveaway!  Subscribers will get two chances!!!  You will receive SU! Best Yet (R), Sakura Clear Stardust pens, chipboard letters, and American Crafts Ribbon.  This will run until Monday February 16. A winner will be pulled Tuesday AM.  I can't wait to check out those sites you love so much!! Thanks for stopping by!!

Shabby Love

Hi all!  Sorry for the silence... my kids have had a nasty cold for a little over a week now that they have consumed my time at the moment.  DH is doing an field training exercise at the moment, so I am everything to the boys.  Last week, they only went to school for one day and the rest they have been home with fevers.  I have contracted their cough and I am praying (hard!) that that is all I get!  But I am tired...

This card is one I made when I returned from CHA and it just reminds me of something shabby chic. Sort of... LOL!!  I used Basic Grey's Periphery for the dp and the little heart was made with my Spellbinders die.  The fun ornate frame is a Quick cutz die that I had picked up while shopping with Carolyn before CHA.  The sentiment is from Flourishes Lace Heart set and the fun ribbon is one I picked up a long time ago.  It is elastic and has velvet running through the center.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Materials Used: Basic Grey, Spellbinders, Flourishes, NQN, VV, Quickcutz, ribbon, twine

Scrapbooker? Not so much

Many people make the transition from scrapbooker to cardmaker.  And some vice versa.  Me?  Not so much!  I made this scrapbook page as my first ever.  You have to try at some point, right?  I don't think it came out too bad, but I may have to do a few more to get the hang of it.  My friend said to me, "think of it as a large card!" Really?  I don't think so!  There is just so much room! LOL!!  It has inspired me to maybe do another of my boys, so perhaps there will be one more in my future.  Until then, this will have to be it! Thanks for taking a peek!

Materials Used: Spellbinders, leaf ribbon, Primas, Nestibilites, flourish chip board, Baroque Motifs, Stickles, Vellum sayings-DCWV, Copics

Our Craft Lounge- a spotlight

Doesn't it seem that there is a new stamp company popping up everyday? There are companies who appeal to everyone for every type of stamper; but there is one you really should take a look at.  If you haven't noticed this new and fun line of stamps by Our Craft Lounge, then you are missing out!! Their line is fun, funny, cute, and seems to have something for everyone.  

I had a wonderful opportunity to meet Cambria and Joy, owners of Our Craft Lounge at CHA and ironically, just prior to leaving, I received one of their sets in a blog candy I won.  While chatting with Cambria, she was kind to hand me over a sample of some new Sparkle Fluff they will soon have in their store. (I don't see it there yet) This is flock mixed in with some sparkle.  Such fun!  During our conversation, Cambria handed me over her business card which is made from some hard plastic and I jokingly said, "This alterable material! Maybe I will have to find something to do with it!" So, in keeping up with my big mouth, I girled it up a bit with some Primas, metal accents, ribbon, and a jumbo eyelet.  It was just some simple fun to alter the business card.    The actual card I made was using the main "love tree" as I like to call it and using their Sparkle fluff in the hearts.  I colored in the trunk with Copics and added some Stickles to the heart on the trunk.  I added some ribbon, sentiment, and buttons for embellishments.  All panels are popped up.  I really like the softness this card has with the fluff and soft pink.  However, I do think it looks better irl!  I really hope you stop on by Our Craft Lounge and check out the fun sets they have to offer.  I am sure you will not be disappointed!  

Thank you for stopping by and peeking at this creation! 

Materials Used: Our Craft Lounge, White, K&CO, buttons, SU! Twill ribbon, dimensionals, oval punch, Creamy Caramel, sponge, corner rounder

Using a Spellbinder Die for Jewelry

You all know about Spellbinders and the fabulous products they put out.  I recently got a wonderful opportunity to own my own Spellbinder Wizard and in the box was a complimentary die.   I really liked the one I received and thought that one particular shape would fair well in creating a jewelry piece.

I decided to use some shrink film as the main component in creating the links.  I ran the shrink film through the Wizard not sure what to expect when I pulled apart the plates.  As I thought, it was able to cut out the main shape, but unable to emboss the fun design of the die.  So I decided to put the shape back into the die and tape it stay put. I then turned it over and used a sponge dauber and Versafine dew drop ink to put the design on.  I then punch holes on each corner for where the jumprings would be attached.  Once it had set for about 5 minutes, I used my heat tool to shrink it, watching carefully so as to not burn the material.  I then used some Stone Jasper and silver components for the other materials to complete the piece.  What you can't tell from the picture too well is that I added Crystal Effects for some gloss.  The film shrinks to a matte material and the stones I used were quite shiny.  I really felt it needed a balance.   Once the bracelet was finished, I added the effects and let it dry.  

This was fun project to do and will have more in the future.  There are few things up my sleeve to share!  Thanks so much for stopping by and taking a peek! It is always appreciated!