Buddy

Here's my take on the SCS sketch challenge and Mothermark's Teaparty Tuesday challenge. I used my new stamp set from Stampalicious called "Hawt Dawg". I was the fortunate winner of one of Stampalicious' blog hops; this set was one of the prizes. As you may know, I am a total dog lover (animal lover for that matter) and so I have lots of dog images as well as dog embellishments and I just can't get enough. For example, I also used some of the new papers I got last weekend at the Creating Keepsakes convention in St. Louis. The striped paper is from the Basic Grey's DP- Max and Wiskers. A whole new line of dog, cat and other animals- the other papers have the cutest dog, cat, turtle images plus match background papers like these stripes. And of course I had to have the matching Brazzil cardstock. And more! LOL

Have a great weekend! Thanks so much for stopping by.

Supplies:
Images: Hawt Dawg (Stampalicious), Happy b-day (Target)- I like this little 1/2 inch square stamp- it comes in handy
Papers: Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Kraft (SU!), Brown texture, DP- Max and Wiskers (Basic Grey)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Momento)
Accessories: Gamasol, Red pencil (Prismacolor), cord, 1/4" and 1" circle punches (SU!)

Violet Bouquet

My two days of Creating Keepsakes Convention has come to an end. This was the best time I have had in a long time. Yesterday I took a class where we made four single page layouts using new Basic Grey products. Today, I took a class where we learned a few new techniques & the products were SEI. I'll post some of these things later this week, so stop back by.

I bought lots of goodies, and amazingly I've even put everything away. In addition to spending two days doing my favorite thing, the weather has been gorgeous here in St. Louis. So, I've been able to drive with my convertible top down. It's funny but that really makes me happy!

Today Pat Smethers was chosen as the SCS Featuresd Stamper (FS166). Pat is a wonderful artist and person. I cased this card from Pat's gallery. This card was also made for the Inspirational Challenge (IC227) where we were to make a card based upon our home state. My home state is Illinois & the state flower is the violet.

This card will be for my step-mother-on-law for Mother's Day. She is quite special so I hope that this card will bring her happiness. {and I also hope that my husband likes it!}

Supplies:
Images: Breath of Spring (Just Right), Teeny Tiny Wishes (SU!)
Paper: White, Lovely Lilac
Ink: Black, Lovely Lilac, Lavendar Lace, Handsome Hunter, Sage Shadow, Summer Sun
Accessories: Blender pen, stickles, nestabilities, ribbon, flowers, leaf, brads

Here, there, & nearly everywhere...except in my studio!

Here, there and everywhere...that's is where I have been except in my studio. It has been a whirlwind of personal fun and professional adventures but I have missed my stamps and creating. It all started the week of March 5th with my oldest daughter coming home for her college spring break~ lots of shopping, movies, chit chatting and relaxing with some good meals in between.

The following week, March 12th, my younger daughter gets home for her college spring break. A few days of overlap where we were all together as a family. Exit older daughter- back to college, more shopping, chit chatting, movies and relaxing with some good meals with younger daughter.

Next, I leave for Atlanta for a professional conference~a very special one that occurs only every 10 years & lucky me, I presented a poster of my teams' work. What an honor! I stayed at a wonderfully luxurious hotel in downtown Atlanta from the 18th-22nd of March. {Secretly, I was wishing I did not have to leave my daughter on her last days before she headed back to college and also I was longing for my own bed.}

Fly home from Atlanta, I'm home for a little over a week, where I scramble to get caught up at work & home- answer tons of emails, do taxes, laundry...you know this part of the story. Then Friday 4/2, hubby and I leave for Indianapolis for the NCAA men's final four basketball tournament.

Another hotel, lots of basketball, lots of people talking about basketball, lots of people buying basketball stuff & lots of TV with basketball & people talking about basketball. It was a blast! On Easter Sunday, we went to church at one of the oldest churches in Indy. This is one of my most favorite things to do when I travel- visit the old churches- the architecture, the art and craftmanship is incredible.

We get home late morning Tuesday, I pack another bag & drive two hours to another professional conference. This was a short one & yesterday I got home around 4 p.m. It has never felt so good to sleep in my own bed. But before going to bed, I made this card for one of my best girlfriends who just became a grandmother. I used the SCS sketch challenge, SC275.

Tomorrow is a pure fun day! The Creating Keepsakes Convention is here!! I took tomorrow off work (even though I am still not quite caught up) and I will also attend on Saturday. A girl's gotta have her priorities & I am sure I can count on it still being there on Monday.

So that's where I've been...here, there, and nearly everywhere. There are a few pictures of my adventures. Whew...what fun, and I am glad to be back with a plan to be in my studio for as long as possible!


Card supplies- all SU! products:
Image: Punches Three
Paper: Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink, White, DP- Pretty in Pink from retired Print Pack
Ink: Pretty in Pink, Melon Mambo
Accessories: 1/4" grosgrain-Pretty in Pink, 3/4" polka dot grosgrain- Melon Mambo, brads- pretty in pink. I did use my bow easy for the tiny corner bows~ gotta' love that bow easy!

Chocolate Easter Bunny

Our Easter card for dear daughters (dd) who are away at college. {I made two identical cards- one for each daughter.} Brian and I also prepared Easter basket contents and boxed with Easter grass & shipped to 'the girls'. Adult children Easter baskets are fun to prepare; we always include a little candy, some fun things and a few useful items that are usually needed or an extravagance on a college student's budget. This year with the card was a real Dove Milk chocolate bunny, Starburst jelly beans, a miniature egg carton filled with little bubble gum eggs, a wind up toy (you're never too old for fun), dental white strips, a jeweled bracelet and a package of mechanical pencils.

The card was cased from Kay- aka Speedy Stamper. Kay did a fancy fold; I cut my top layer and 'overhung' my bunny panel. Other than that it is nearly identical. I just love this stamp from SU!

Supplies:
Stamps: Chocolate Bunny, Teeny Tiny Wishes (SU!)
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Pink Pirouette, White, DSP- retired Berry Bliss (SU!)
Ink: Chocolate Chip (SU!)
Accessories: Felt flower (Fancy Pants), small oval punch (SU!), edge punch (MS), corner punch (SU!)

Easter Daffodils

Daffodils are blooming in St. Louis~ and they are gorgeous! So today for the Inspirational Challenge (IC225), I chose the Wild Ginger from Thymes as it reminded me of the colors of daffodils. Earlier this week, I received my Stampin' Up order with this new Abundant Hope stamp set and the designer paper called Shades of Spring. I colored with SU! markers. I would have liked to have used my copics but since I am still learning, I opted for the sure thing as I needed to get cards done for relatives. I purchased the new clear mount stamps & I really like them.

Have a great Sunday! Marilyn

Supplies: All SU!
Stamps: Abundant Hope, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: Black; Markers- So Saffron, Certainly Celery, Summer Sun, Old Olive, More Mustard
Paper: Certainly Celery (textured & cardstock), So Saffron, White, DSP- Shades of Spring
Ribbon: Apricot Appeal (which looks like So Saffron at least to me)

Best Wishes

HAP-Hap-Happy~ that's what I am today! Why you might ask? Well, it's because I got to make a card and play the SCS Free for All challenge - F4A5. I have had to travel for work so I was away from my stamps & studio until Wednesday. {No need to send a sympathy card- I am not permanently damaged now that I am re-united with my stash}

Anyway, the challenge was to make a card based upon your favorite Broadway show & the size had to be anything but A2 (4.25 x 5.5). My favorite Broadway show is Mama Mia. It's not that I am a big ABBA fan, but I do love the soundtrack. But there are two reasons that Mama Mia is my favorite. First, it is a great show- upbeat, fun, great costumes & great music. And the second reason is why I know this; we took a family vacation t0 New York City a few years ago & we got to see the show on Broadway. We all dressed up, had a fancy dinner and went to the show. It was so much fun. During the show I found myself taking secret glances at my husband and daughters. If you could have seen the smiles of enjoyment, it would have been your favorite Broadway show too.

Have a great Friday evening & I sure hope to be posting a little more often!

Supplies:
Paper: Night of Navy, White, K and Company DSP
Ink: Night of Navy
Accessories: Cricut- Wedding solutions- couple and flourish, Nestabilities- Label 3, Bling- Studio 18
Size: 4X4

Happy St. Patty's Day!

Grettings! Here are some fun cards I made for friends and family for St. Patty's day. My maternal grandmother's parents were Irish & she was 1st generation American, so I enjoy celebrating St. Patrick's Day.

The images are from the Stampin' Up set- Pinch Proof. I'm glad I purchased that set even though it has limited use because most every year I make St. Patty's day cards. Except for a few pieces, I used up all of my remaining, retired Wild Wasabi cardstock. (I love that color!). Unfortunately, I don't recall the company who made the Designer Paper. I added green glitter to the leprechan and green jewels to the card on the left. As you can see, both cards are square which is quite different for me.

Enjoy your weekend! Marilyn

Caseing Vera

Sunday is the Featured Stamper challenge on SCS; another one of my favorite challenges. Today, Vera was choosen. (FS161) She was one of my first friends on SCS. I love her style and when I am in a slump, her gallery is one of the firsts I visit for inspiration. Her ideas are so creative. In addition to being a great artist, she is a wonderfully nice person~ commenting frequently on others' cards.

In addition to the FS challenge, this card was made for the Ways to Use It challenge (WT260) to make a card around the word 'play' and making sure it's game or puzzle orientated.

Thanks for stopping by my blog. Have a great Sunday!

Stamps: Game Night (SU!)
Paper: Real Red, Black, White, DSP- Jackpot
Ink: Real Red, Basic Black
Accessories: Black grosgrain ribbon, Clips, Spritzer tool

Bunny Love

I love the weekends...well, who doesn't right? Seriously, I do relish the weekends as I have not had much time in the evenings after work to stamp or create. I often stay up late on Friday nights & this card was another late night Friday creation. I used some of my remaining Cutie Pie DSP which retired from SU! several years ago. The stamp is a new one in a set from Close to My Heart called Bunny Love. I used the sketch from the SCS challenge this week. (SC270).

Stamps: Bunny Love (CTMH)
Paper: Certainly Celery, So Saffron, White, DSP-Cutie Pie Retired (SU)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Momento), Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Rose Red (SU!)
Accessories: Blender Pen, Certainly Celery brads, So Saffron brads, 1/4 circle punch (used to make ticket corners) (all SU!)

Happy Friday! A quick masculine b-day card. The chipboard star is covered with retired SU! DSP and the edges are lined with marker. I used my ScorePal to create the sentiment panel. SU! Punches were used for the red stars. The DSP paper is from the Paper Studio; cardstock SU! Have a great day!