A {Verve-iversary} Sketch For You To Try

Well, today's Saturday and time for Jen's Sketch For You To Try. However, this post has a two-fold purpose. Not only is it Jen's sketch, but it's also part of a BLOG HOP to celebrate Verve's 2nd Anniversary!! Here's the details on how it's hopping and how YOU can possibly win August's FULL release!

Welcome to the first ever official Anni-VERVE-sary Blog Hop. Verve turns two today and we’re celebrating with a hop, hop, hop! The party kicked off over on the Verve blog, so if you’ve just happened along, be sure to hop on over there to start from the beginning! And to make this party a real shindig, there’s a mystery jackpot hidden at one of the stops along the hop. One lucky commenter on that blog will win Verve’s entire August release! But of course, it wouldn’t be a mystery if you knew which blog, would it? So if you’re feeling the love, give a little shout out to the bloggers in the hop and you just might have a reason to jump for joy! Oh and since this is a Diva AND sweet Verve Lover's blog hop, HERE'S the master list of the order in which we're hopping today and all the details, just in case you get stuck somewhere!

Ope! I guess this post has another secret purpose, too! It's a Sneak Peek at a new set coming from Verve in the August Release! Woot Woot!!

Thanks for stopping by! Now it’s time to hop on over to Kristina's blog, Itty Bitty Pieces of Me, for a little more Verve-y goodness.

Don't forget to check out what my SFYTT sisters that aren't in the hop did with the sketch! That would be AMY R., KELLY and CAROLE! (Amy S. is in the Verve hop and you'll see her along the way or have already seen her Verve-y creation but I listed them all here anyway!). Don't forget to play along and use keyword SFYTT when uploading to your favorite gallery.
Amy R.
Amy S.
Kelly
Carole

SUSIE Q-TIP: It's pretty rare that I make a card with no ribbon. It looks naked to me. Try it.

I'll come back a little later and edit in the supplies I used. I'm a little under the gun to get this posted in time! EEK!

Home Grown Away from Home Brainstorming

Well, are ya'll tired of me yet--posting three days in a row!? Just thought I'd go ahead and get it in now, while I've got all these ideas running through my head. I didn't feel like staying home today so we did a lot of running around, taking care of errands and such. So in the midst of driving, waiting in lines, keeping the girls corralled, and browsing a few stores, I thought up a lot of new crafting ideas that I'll be trying out soon. I'm in the process of getting them all on paper...well in the computer. I have this Microsoft program called OneNote that I LOVE. It's like a tabbed notebook that you keep on the computer and you can organize it any way you'd like. So I've got tabs for new ideas for all my design teams and just general fun things I'd like to make or do. I've even got a recipe tab in there and one for our Disney trip. I'm brainstorming and just writing all my ideas down (typing them all up) in that. Less paper to keep up with. Do ya'll have this program? How do you like it?

Anyway, obviously I got no crafting done earlier today, and now that it's 7:30 and I have all these ideas, I want to just get in there and stamp my eyeballs out! I even have to still come up with 2 cards just tonight for SFYTT and for the One-Click Challenge for MFT over on SCS (don't forget to check that out tomorrow morning HERE.) EEk! So I'm keeping this on the short side tonight. Looking back, I have been writing books here lately, so what say I cut ya'll a break?

On to the card at hand that I made the other day just for fun--Another bright one using my Spring Sprouts set from My Favorite Things. I forgot how much I loved that set and how easy it was to play with and color. I saw someone (can't remember now who it was--too much brainstorming, I guess) use buttons for the centers and just loved that idea and had to give it a try. Speaking of giving something a try, come back tomorrow for Jen's Sketch for You to Try--it's going to be "Verve-alicious"! With tomorrow's post, that means I will have blogged four days in a row! Ya'll calm down, now and don't get your panties in a wad over it! Just go eat a cookie in celebration for me. See ya'll tomorrow...

SUSIE Q-TIP: When coloring your project with any markers or pencils (or whatever you're using), don't put them away until you're completely finished coloring. This way, if you need to grab it again, there won't be any confusion as to what color you were using. Don't ask me how I know this. I don't want to talk about it.

Stamps: Spring Sprouts (My Favorite Things)
Paper: Chocolate Chip (SU!), Aqua Mist, Rasberry Fizz, White (PTI), Carolyn Gavin (K & Co.)
Ink: Palette Noir (Superior), Chocolate Chip (SU!)
Accessories: Scallop Circle and Circle Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Sewing Machine, Brown Thread, Copic Markers, Chocolate Kiss Buttons (MFT), Apple Grosgrain Ribbon, Polkadot Organdy Ribbon, Rustic Twine (PTI), Jody Boosters, Glue Dots

Home Grown

Well, today was an eventful day at the Liles' household, at least for the girls, anyway. It was the last day of their Vacation Bible School which meant it was the last day for Jen and I to play while our kids were there. Insert sad face here. (We went to The Container Store and I picked up a little sumpin' sumpin' that I'll have to share later.) We then went to lunch and Audrie, my 5 year old (not the one in the picture here, that's Lindsie), realized she was not going to be able to eat much. Her first little loose tooth had been getting wigglier and wigglier by the minute for the last 3 days. We had attempted to have her let me pull it before VBS,but she was too scared. Then at Chick-fil-A, I even went to the trouble of hunting down a lady Jen had seen with scrubs on from a kid's dental clinic to come to our rescue, but apparently she had gotten her food to go and I never found her--smart girl. So finally this evening, she was really hungry and got the gumption to ask me to pull her tooth out. I'd be hungry too, if all I'd had to eat for the last few days was soft food--rice, berries and ice cream (hey that sounds like a pretty good diet, actually, but will it lower my cholesterol?). So this tooth is just hangin' by a thread and I grabbed it with a little tissue (highly recommend that), counted to three and POP!!--pulled it out! She didn't even know it was out until I showed her the tiny baby tooth. She did a little dance, said she hoped to get $155 dollars for it from the tooth fairy and moved on to asking what we were having for dinner since she was starving! What a cutie! I can't believe my baby girl has already lost her first tooth and she's not even in kindergarten yet!

Anyway, tonight, I'm writing this a little earlier than last night's post so I can get to bed a little sooner this evening--I was quite sluggish today! I am finally sharing a little 8x8 scrapbook page I made a couple of weeks ago using a fabulous picture of Lindsie that I took on an angle. I was totally inspired by Natalie Dever's MFT card HERE and just HAD to incorporate that delicate and "country-fied" style into this project. I used the wheelbarrow from the new Annie LaPoint set, Spread a Harvest of Hope. Then I added the little "Home Grown" sentiment from my sister's MFT set, Spring Sprouts. So fitting for my girl, Lindsie as she is a very loving and down to earth child. She even said a little prayer for Audrie before we pulled her tooth and she held Audrie's hand during the "event", just in case. Yup, home grown sisterly love. That's where it's at and I'm so thankful I get to see it every day. Well, most days, anyway.

SUSIE Q-TIP: Use a pair of circles to create a little sentiment "tag" for a scrapbook page or card. Here, I used a coordinating designer paper for one circle and stamped the sentiment onto the Vintage Cream for the other. I added a button to the top and tied it with some twine. Then, just tuck it up under a picture or main panel for a cute accent. I'll definitely be using that little trick again.

Stamps: Spread a Harvest of Hope, Spring Sprouts (My Favorite Things)
Paper: Chocolate Chip (SU!), Vintage Cream (PTI), Rust (Core'dinations), Garden Party (MM), Sonoma (Scenic Route), 39 Cents and Rising (Treehouse Memories), Friends (My Mind's Eye)
Ink: Palette Noir (Superior), Chocolate Chip (SU!)
Accessories: Curved Rectangles Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Paper Piercer/Mat Pack, Lace Doily Border Punch (MS), Threading Water Border Punch (Fiskars), ZigZag Border Punch (EK), Circle Punch (CM), Copic Markers, Brown/Cream Wide Gingham Ribbon, Rustic Twine (PTI), Buttons (MFT), Jody Boosters, Glue Dots

My Favorite Things Times Two

Well, it's been a hectic week, my friends, which is what I'm blaming for my lack of posting much this week. The girls have been going to a Vacation Bible School everyday from 9-12 in the mornings. Jen signed Ellie up for it too, so we could "play" every morning. Which we've done to the fullest! It's been go to breakfast, then go to the Scrapper's Boutique and hang out and color a couple of days. Another day we went junkin' at an antique store (Someone said that's what you call it when you can't afford to go antique-ing!). I'll have to take a picture and show ya'll what I picked up there. Pretty funny. Then today we took our junkin' adventure a step further and went to the Goodwill store. I found a new dog dish for a dollar and a new puzzle to keep the girls busy (very busy--it has 1000 pieces) for a buck seventy-five. Needless to say, once we get home from VBS and eat lunch, the day is half gone and my dishes are still in the sink and the laundry is not taking care of itself as much as I've sweet-talked it to jump right into the washer on it's own. Bribing it to do so didn't help either. Whatever. Jen and I have been having fun, so there. It's important to have fun while the kids are out of school, right? Even if it is the adults getting to play every once in a while! (NOT to say the girls haven't been having a blast at VBS, but to say the break and adult conversation has been so nice! Thanks, Jen!) Today (Thursday) is the last day and we are living it up at Starbuck's and who knows what else!

Anyway, I wanted to share a couple more cards with ya'll from My Favorite Things' latest release. I love this little "Let's Make-Up" card using the set, Puttin on the Glitz. I used my Scor-Pal to make it look like the wall behind the vanity table is paneled. So fun! It's kind of hard to see in the picture, so as always, just click on it for more details!

The second card is one of my favorites ever! I love the Bubble Bunny Flopsey gettin' a little pampering! Again, there's an almost hidden detail (maybe I'm not doing so hot in the photography area?). The bubbles are outlined with my Stardust Gelly Roll Glitter Pen for a fun touch! Also, there's not so many times I don't use ribbon on a card, and this is one of them, but there really wasn't a place or a reason to. What do you think?

So since I already have been getting up at the outrageous hour of 7 AM, I just couldn't get anything written up and get ready to go in the short time before my mommy adventures started this week. Trust me, you wouldn't want me to! So I'm writing this Wednesday night really late. I've already had my chocolate milk so I'm getting sweepy. I will try to do this again tomorrow night and maybe again on Friday if I can keep my eyes open that long! Still trying to play catch-up...

SUSIE Q-TIP: Score a main panel with lines 1/2" apart not necessarily for a paneled wall effect and not necessarily on white only. Then cut out your main image and pop it up on top of it for interest.

Let's Make-Up
Stamps: Puttin on the Glitz (MFT)
Paper: Old Olive, Pretty in Pink (SU!), White, Plum Pudding, Dots (PTI)
Ink: Palette Noir (Superior)
Accessories: Scallop Circle and Circle Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Scor-Pal, Paper Piercer/Mat Pack, Copic Markers, Word Window Punch, Swirls Clip, Plum Pudding Stitched Ribbon (PTI), Purple Adhesive Rhinestone, Jody Boosters

Hoppy Bunny
Stamps: Bubble Bunny Flopsey (MFT)
Paper: Kraft, Chocolate Chip (SU!), Perfect Panels White (MFT), Chocolate Kiss DP (MFT)
Ink: Palette Noir (Superior)
Accessories: Scallop Circle and Circle Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Copic Markers, Stardust Gel Pen, Chipboard Flower (Heidi Swapp), Chocolate Kiss Buttons (MFT), Jody Boosters

Verve Project Parade Day 8--Divine Details

Well, hi ya'll! Happy Monday! Did you know it's Project Parade time over on the Verve Blog? If you already knew that, are ya'll liking the "divine design" tips and details all the Divas are sharing? That's right, this month's focus is on "Designing Details". This was Jen's idea that stemmed from several of us (including me) who get asked a lot of questions like "What's your process for making a card" and "How do you come up with your designs"? So we are all going to "break it down" (said in my best rap voice) for ya'll, one step at a time. What an insightful Project Parade!! It's my turn to share, so here's how I make a mess of my stamping studio:

I don't really know if I have a set "process" when I go to make a card that I do every time. I DO know that I usually find either a sketch or a stamp I want to use first. If I want to use a particular stamp, I look for a sketch (or think of one) that will fit the positioning of the stamp. If I start with the sketch, I then pick a stamp for the positioning of the main panel of the sketch. Today, I'll carry you through my process for my "Little bit of YOU in Me" card shown here (I thought it was a fitting sentiment, since we're all trying to draw inspiration and learn from all the Divas--including me!).

Whenever I start a Verve card especially, I first go to either Splitcoast and check out Amber's Viva la Verve sketches for the week or month or I check out Julee's always perfect Mojo Monday sketches on that blog. This one happens to be one of the release week challenges that I went back to all the way from June. I really liked this sketch and never got to use it. So since I started with the sketch, I needed an image that was fitting for the sketch's main panel which for the most part is a circle. (Ope!! I heard ya'll saying, "Thank you, Captain Obvious!" Watch it!)



When that's all decided, I usually go ahead and stamp my images onto whatever cardstock, so it can get good and dry while I pick out other stuff.

Then I start thinking about color. A lot of times I will look through my patterned paper for a particular look or feel I'm going for. I love my patterned paper and usually don't make a card without it! However, for today's card, I wanted to make some of my own patterned paper with another image from the Just for You set for a masculine look. So I did that to use for one of the layers and chose my color scheme from some colors that just happened to be close together in my scrap basket. I usually decide on my solid card base at that time, too. Then I can color my images to match my papers. (This image obviously has no coloring involved, but I used the colors in my stamping!)

At this point, I'll usually start cutting my pieces and lay them out for the "jist" of what the card will look like, but without glueing down ANYTHING. This is when I may make color changes or paper changes or start all over--wink!! For this card, I decided to tweak the sketch and make it square and add just a little sumpin' sumpin' by adding the Nestabilities shaped layer and its tiny hand-cut mat behind the circle, because scallops? Not so manly.

I start to think about embellishments and details now, once I have it all laid out. This is the really fun part where you can really add just the right thing or touches for that "wow" factor we all strive for! Add ribbon?, Sentiment placement?, Machine stitching?, Prima flower?, Brads?, Piercing?, Buttons?, and so forth. I envision what it would look like if I did "such and such" and where. It's important to figure all this stuff out before you actually glue it together. Since this was a more masculine card, no flowers were necessary, but brads, piercing and a little touch of ribbon was in order. Sometimes you have to have the embellishments and little treatments in mind all along in the cardmaking process, but I seem to actually "do" them last.

I admit I am addicted to foam boosters (Jody Boosters, SU! Dimensionals, etc.). I ALWAYS use them in some way to pop a layer or two! I will never play in a challenge where I can't use them. EEK!! Here, the white circle is popped up on the green and the Nestie shape is popped up on the blue square. I finally get to glue everything down without gluing my top layer to the card base. In other words, for this card, I built it all on top of the navy blue mat.

The very LAST thing I do is glue the top entire layer onto the card base (or sometimes pop it up on foam boosters, too!). This way, if I decide to add anything last minute, I still can without it showing through to the inside of the card (think brads here.) I like the inside of my card base to be "clean".

So I'm not sure if it always works out this way. Sometimes certain steps in the process take longer to brew than others (color placement, ribbon placement, etc.)! If I'm following a color challenge, it's a little easier, I guess, but they aren't my favorite. I don't want to feel limited!!

Everybody has their own way of making a card or project. This is just my way. You have to decide and do whatever works for you! I hope you enjoyed this little "walk through"!!!

As always, we'd love for you to play along with us!
Just make a project or card that shows us your Divine Details. Verve Stamps are not required, but if you've got 'em we love to see 'em! Then just add a link to your creation to the Mr. Linky form on the Project Parade Day 1 post before 8PM Mountain on Saturday, August 1. Two lucky participants will win a stamp set of their choice from the Verve Store. We've also hidden another $25 gift certificate somewhere along the parade for a random commenter. So if you like what you see, be sure and give a little shout out in the comments of each post! Have fun and good luck!

SUSIE Q-TIP: All of the above.

Stamps: Just for You (Verve)
Paper: Night of Navy, Buckaroo Blue (SU!), Green (Core'dinations), White (PTI)
Ink: Palette Noir (Superior), Wild Wasabi, Night of Navy (SU!)
Accessories: Labels 3 and Circle Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Paper Piercer/Mat Pack, Brads, Baby Blue Stitched Ribbon, Jody Boosters

A {Dead Horse} Sketch For You To Try

Well, I know I've been behind the scenes for the last couple of days. We've been in a pickle over what to do about one of our cars. It was a '98 Neon with 169K on it. We've been replacing it one part at a time for the last year and a half. It even got a new battery and alternator just two weeks ago. But this was the last straw. The transmission started acting up, needing a swig of transmission fluid almost everyday and throwing it up in the driveway every night. NO MORE! Even though that little car served us well (it used to be mine before Eric and I were married--awww!), just like an old horse, it was time to shoot her and put her down. Goodbye little Neon go-cart friend! And now, out of necessity, we are the proud owners of a car payment. A couple of days ago, we went car shopping and landed a deal on a 2008 light blue Hyundai Sonata. It took ALL DAY LONG and I haggled the price to the penny (it was kind of fun, actually)!! The best thing? The air conditioner even works! I'm so happy for Eric to have a nice ride (and a little jealous at the same time, but I know I'll still get to drive it--my name's on the title, too!).

Anyway, it's Saturday and time for Jen's Sketch For You To Try! As I was thinking about the phrase "shooting her and putting her down" and really saying it to myself in a hard Texas drawl, it reminded me of this little cowgirl from Whipper Snapper and her little "tip". Can't you just hear her saying it in Texan? (That's with a twang, ya'll.) She's from one of Anna's newly released stamp sets called Cowgirl Up! I love love love Anna's chickens and this set has a few included, so I just had to include some of them. I made the little circle embellishments from a couple of the other stamps in the set as well and heat embossed them in silver.

So today, Jen is teaching a couple of Copic classes at the Scrapper's Boutique here in North Richland Hills and I'm going to go sit in on it just for fun. My mom and my sister, Nancy will be there and it's going to be a fun day. Maybe I'll take the new car and open up the sunroof for the drive over! Hello my new foreign friend.

Don't forget that we'd love for ya'll to play along with us each week in the SFYTT (your favorite keyword). Here's what the other cowgirls have whipped up for you this time around:
Amy R.
Amy S.
Kelly
Carole


SUSIE Q-TIP: If you keep your heat tool in a metal bucket, you can just chuck it right in there even after you use it and not have to worry about it burning anything.

Stamps: Cowgirl Up (Whipper Snapper)
Paper: Smokey Shadow (PTI), Confetti White (SU!), Summer Paper Pack (MFT)
Ink: Palette Noir (Superior), Chestnut Roan Cat's Eye (Colorbox), Versamark (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Sewing Machine/White Thread, Silver Tinsel EP (Stampendous), Heat Tool, Star Punch, Circle Punches, Copic Markers, White Gel Pen (Ranger), Silver Brads, Teal Adhesive Rhinestones, Red Flower (Kaiser), Jody Boosters

It's TCP Release Day!

Well, we've been building it up and building it up and now it's here! The Cat's Pajamas now has 3 new sets available for purchase on their website, along with a new button pack, ribbon pack and the new German glass glittah that is supah spar-ka-lay! So today I've got a couple more cards I did with the "You Sick Thing" set.

If ya'll will notice, I don't use glitter so much. In fact, before this time, I considered myself "glitter challenged". But through a little self-learning, glitter therapy and a lot of advice, I've found the best ways to use it that work for me. Here's one way: I get a piece of junk mail and place it on my desk. Then I go over what I want "glittered" on my project with some Ranger Glossy Accents (or SU! Crystal Effects) and sprinkle (or dump) the glitter all over it. Then I just knock off the excess onto the junk mail. Since it's already creased from being in the junk mail envelope, I get a natural little "trail" in the fold for the glitter to slide right back into my container. It was easy, and I didn't even need to wear my goggles.

I admit to being a little scared of getting a piece of glitter in my eyes, since it IS glass! Here's a little story as to why I am a reformed "Glitter-phobe": When a piece of Corning Ware drops to the floor, it pretty much shatters into nothing. As in DUST. Ask me how I know this. That means that smaller-than-the-eye-can-see pieces of it can make it into your eyes without you even knowing it. The day after I broke the dish, I woke up with my eye completely red--the white part, my iris, all of it. I swear I could have gotten a great part in a horror movie! I went to the eye doctor and he said a minute (my-noot) piece of that glass must have gotten in my eye (because I never felt it) and while I was asleep, it just cut my eye all up with them closed while they were moving and rolling all around in deep sleep (I'm sure you've see how creepy that looks). It didn't hurt, but I was sick to my stomach just looking at it. I wasn't even allowed to go to work (when I worked for the Bank of the Northern Hemisphere), because I dealt with the public and it looked so bad! It took a full month to recover from it and the bad part was that it was right around Christmas! Ya'll know that made for some lovely pictures! Anyway, all this to say, I'd love for you to try out the glitter, don't be skeeeered, but just be careful with it! It's great fun to play with and the colors are FABULOUS!!! I'm now addicted to it!

Don't forget about the Blog Surf!! Come and surf along with us and try to win all three of the new sets. Just leave a comment on each design team member's posts and Alma will pick a winner on Friday and post it to her blog HERE! Have fun and good luck!! Oh, I guess it would be a good idea to tell you where to start--just go to Leigh's blog HERE!

SUSIE Q-TIP: Another EASY way to use glitter is by just sprinkling (or dumping) it onto strips or shapes of pre-cut sticky stuff that I got from Jody and actually used on the card above. It is NOT going anywhere!!

Say Ahhh! Card
Stamps: N-9672 CL You Sick Thing (The Cat’s Pajamas)
Paper: Kraft, So Saffron (SU!), Dark Teal (Core’dinations), White (PTI), Lil’ Man (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: Palett Noir (Superior), Chestnut Roan Cat’s Eye (Colorbox)
Accessories: Circle and Scallop Circle Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Paper Piercer/Mat Pack, Copic Markers, Xyron Sticker Maker, Prismacolor Pencil, Fine-tip Black Pen (CM), Candy Sprinkles Button (TCP), Wide and Narrow Black/White Gingham Ribbon, Foam Boosters

Ruff Day Card
Stamps: N-9672 CL You Sick Thing (The Cat’s Pajamas)
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Certainly Celery, Pumpkin Pie (SU!), White (PTI), Celebration (American Crafts)
Ink: Palette Noir (Superior)
Accessories: Scallop Square Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Circle and Scallop Circle Punches, Sewing Machine/Brown Thread, Copic Markers, Candy Sprinkles Ribbon (RB-01), Orange Brads, Zigzag Tacky Tape, Orange Glitzy Glitter (TCP), Foam Boosters

It's a TCP Blog Surf!

Well, the surf's up over at The Cat's Pajamas, wouldn't ya'll say? If you just joined us, you've caught the wave in the middle of the TCP Blog Surf. Head on over to Leigh's blog, Sunflower Studio, to "hang 10" with us for the whole ride and righteously start at the beginning! However, if you've just surfed over here from Amy's blog, you've obviously been through some smooth sailing to get here and are well on your way to being halfway through the surf!

Here's the 411 on the latest and greatest: This Wednesday, the 22nd, The Cat's Pajamas will be releasing 3 new clear sets, a new ribbon pack, a new button pack and some very cool German glass glitter that are made to coordinate perfectly with these sets. They are called By the Sea (S-9668 CL), Fun in the Sun (N-9670 CL), and You Sick Thing (N-9672 CL).

Not only is this a cool blog surf, but TCP Tuesday is now upon us and this is for that as well. Leigh is our Hipster Hostess with the Mostess, and she's got some fabulous inspiration for ya'll to check out on her blog as well. But before you do that, I've got another little tidbit of information for you to chew on:

How would you like to win all three sets in the release? All you have to do is leave one comment on everyone's blog for this "blog surf". Alma will be choosing a winner on Friday at noon and will post it on her blog. Good Luck!!

Ope! I see a frothy wave coming! You better catch it and head on over to Ana's blog, Ink a Stamp, and check out what kind of gnarly (great) creation she's come up with!

Stamps: S-9668 CL By the Sea (The Cat’s Pajamas)
Paper: Kraft, Pumpkin Pie (SU!), White, Pure Poppy, Plum Pudding (PTI), Snorkel (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: Palette Noir (Superior), Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip (SU!)
Accessories: Paper Piercer/Mat Pack, Stitched Zig Zag Punch (EK), Word Window Punch, Copic Markers, Soft Paintbrush, Candy Sprinkles Buttons (TCP), Glossy Accents (Ranger), Candy Sprinkles Ribbon (RB-01), Foam Boosters, Glue Dots

Anna "Pecked" ME!

Well, today I get to share a little secret I've been keeping from ya'll. I've just been bursting at the seams and it's been so hard not to just spill it!! Right close to a month ago, I received an email from one of those "upper echelon" stamper girls (ya'll know the ones). You may know her and I'm sure you've at least heard of her--Anna Wight, illustrator, photographer, cardmaker, chicken lover and Irish Dexter cattle raiser extraodinaire. She wanted to know if I'd be interested in filling a Featured Designer spot for Whipper Snapper Designs. GULP! (Be still my cholesterol laden heart! On second though, don't.) Of course I more than willingly agreed to do so! How I was even on her radar is beyond me and it's a complete honor to help her introduce her newest stamps that are being released today.

There are two new stamps sets coming your way--a ca-ute little cowgirl set called "Cowgirl Up!" (which of course has some cute chickens included in it) and then this one called "Halloween Fun". I chose to work with the Halloween one first, as it was going to make for a refreshing break from the summer cards I've been doing and give ya'll something a little different for the time being as well! I love the "folksy" feel to Anna's designs and thought it would be a perfect opportunity to bring back a few of my old techniques and supplies I hadn't used in a while. How long's it been since you've made little stitching marks around your images or used tiny and narrow gingham ribbon? I've always loved them both, but sometimes they just aren't fitting for certain cards. I think both are just the right touch for this cute little witch and her sparkly purple shoes and matching belt. The bling definitely delights her!

Anyway, I hope ya'll are excited that I'll be gracing your presence with a few more Whipper Snapper cards for the rest of July and then also in August. I have several friends who I get to share this distinguished title with and they are: Leigh O'Brien, Lisa Kind, Heather Pulvirenti, Kim O'Rosky and of course, sweet Miss Anna. You can also check out all the Whipper Snapper Featured Designer samples in the WSFD gallery on Splitcoast.

SUSIE Q-TIP: It's OK to mix ribbon widths on your card. I did it on this one and no one got hurt.

Stamps: Halloween Fun (Whipper Snapper)
Paper: Basic Black (SU!), Aqua (Core'dinations), Vintage Cream (PTI), We've Got Spirit (Moxxie), Sparkle Al B. Rightback (Cloud 9)
Ink: Palette Noir (Superior)
Accessories: Scallop Rectangle Nestabiities, Cuttlebug, 1/8" Hole Punch, Copic Markers, Fine-tip Black Marker (Memento), Purple Brad, Purple Adhesive Rhinestones, Purple Stickles (Ranger), Wide and Narrow Black/White Gingham Ribbon, Jody Boosters

A {Poochie In More Ways Than One} Sketch For You To Try

Well, I'll have ya'll know that you were cracking me up with the comments about my "Bathing Suit Pursuit" from my last post, but I'm still not posing for ya'll in it. It's pretty bad when just around the same time you're having a swimsuit dilemma, you get your routine bloodwork results back from your doctor and they say my Cardio CRP is unnacceptable. I looked it up and it's not a happy thing. I'm in the "high" category for cardiac problems. EEK! (I guess this means no rides for me at 6 Flags, darn the luck and shoot a monkey!) Anyway, all in all she told me I need to go on a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet, increase my exercise (I walked around the block last night!), and start taking an Omega-3 supplement (gotta find out what that is). I've always had good intentions (don't we all) of losing weight, but now I'm just going to have to buckle down and do it. I had several good short term inspirations as to why I wanted to do this even before I got this news, such as (ahem) the bathing suit issue, I look terrible in pictures, and the fact that our Disneyworld trip is in 6 months and I don't want to be panting like a dog after walking around in the parks. So here's to gettin' back to livin' right!..."Yes, waiter, I'll have the salad with no flavor or dressing and let's get crazy and have a few raisins on the side as well. Thaaaaaaanks."

Anyway, it's Saturday and time for Jen's Sketch For You To Try. Poochie here has no high Cardio CRP, so he's out hangin' 20 and catchin' some waves. He's what you call a little sneak peek from a new set about to be released on the 22nd by The Cat's Pajamas called Fun in the Sun. That's THIS Wednesday! I've been working hard and have some super cute projects to share with this set and two others coming on the same day! As far as Jen's sketch, I did have to fudge it a little bit. I totally turned it upside down with intentions of making the circular part into a sun. Fail. Epic Fail. It's totally a flower, dude. It's still pretty gnarly, though.

Now, go catch some air with my fellow beach bunnies and see what they did with the sketch. Gidget did.
Amy R.
Kelly
Carole
Amy S. is actually really and truly soakin' up the sun on a beach vacay and will be back next week! "Lucky".--Napoleon Dynamite

SUSIE Q-TIP: When figuring out your design and where stuff should all go, be sure and don't forget your sentiment placement (I think my cards look nekked without one on the front, but that's just me). Otherwise, it will look like you hadn't a clue as to what to do about it and you'll end up with a random placement of a funky little word window punch. Don't ask me how I know this. I don't want to talk about it.

Stamps: N-9670 CL Fun in the Sun (The Cat's Pajamas)
Paper: Ruby Red (SU!), Vintage Cream, Summer Sunrise (PTI), Snorkel (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: Palette Noir (Superior)
Accessories: Labels One Nestabilities, Tiny Bubbles Embossing Folder, Cuttlebug, Circle Punch, Word Window Punch, Wavy Cutter (CM), Slice Machine/Noteworthy Card, Scor-Pal, Copic Markers, Candy Sprinkles Buttons (BT-001, TCP), Rustic Twine (PTI), Candy Sprinkles Ribbon (RB-01, TCP), Glue Dots, Jody Boosters

Doubling The Pursuit of Happiness

Well, we were asked to go to a dear friend of mine's house to swim yesterday. The girls were super excited, and I was looking forward to hanging out with my "mommy" friends, too. However, the "Bathing Suit Pursuit" had still yet to happen. So we went out bright and early yesterday before we were to be at said friend's house on an expedition (in our Expedition) to find one for me. Success!!! After only hitting two stores and trying on five bathing suits, the girls and I agreed on one that actually did me some justice. Granted, it's not the type of suit I'd like to wear, nor the size I'd like to be in, but it will do ('That'll do pig, that'll do'--from the movie, Babe. I love that quote!). What say I have Eric take a few pictures of me in it and post them here in their largest size? I'm thinkin' no on that one, folks. I can see all of ya'll unsubscribing all at once if I were to do that! ('It's alive!' and 'Run for the hills!' comes to mind with that thought.) Anyway, it was great getting in the water again and I actually got a tan! However, I think the sun fried a couple of my brain cells. Well, ok, more than a couple!

Anyway, speaking of couples, I was asked to help out with the Ways to Use It Challenge (WT227) over on Splitcoast today. What does that have to do with couples? Well, it sort of ties in with the theme of the challenge--Seeing Double, using two of something on your card (image, partial images, embellishments, etc.). So I was finally able to use my new Feelin' Fruity set from My Favorite Things. The pear comes as a single image and I simply masked it and stamped a little friend beside him to make a perfect "pear"! I also used double the buttons for my embellishments. I wish I had done a double needle stitching all the way around it, but hindsight is always 20/20, right? Oh well.

So today, is Thursday Thoughtful day. I hope the girls will be "thinking" of me and play nice today, as I have a lot of stamping to get done, since I traded yesterday in for basking in the sun! Let's just hope those 2 or more brain cells I lost weren't my mojo ones! I seriously need them!!

SUSIE Q-TIP: This is an almost monochromatic card (a card using several shades of only one color). I decided to use several shades of green, but "pop" it with another color. Try it on for size.

Stamps: Feelin' Fruity (My Favorite Things)
Paper: YoYo Yellow (SU!), Avacado Green (Core'dinations), White Perfect Panels (MFT), GP White, Berry Sweet (K & Company)
Ink: Palette Noir (Superior), Glorious Green (SU!)
Accessories: Flower and Circle Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Sewing Machine/White Thread, Copic Markers, Threading Water Border Punch (Fiskars), Buttons, Green Polkadot Grosgrain Ribbon (MFT), Jody Boosters, Glue Dots

New Annie LaPoint from MFT--Let's Hop Right to It!

Well, can you believe it's already time for a new mid-month release from My Favorite Things? I hope you made your way here from Kirsten's blog, where she undoubtedly had something fabulous to share. If not, I suggest starting this hop from the beginning over on Kim's blog, so you don't miss a thing!

So like the title suggests, let's hop right to the details of this card! Among the three new stamp sets being introduced tonight is this one from Annie LaPoint. It's called Spread a Harvest of Hope. I instantly fell in love with it and also knew MY MOM would LOVE it, too! (hi mom!) This is the first card I made with it and I colored it in while babysitting a neighbor's sleeping baby. So relaxing! The set includes the wheelbarrow image and the one sentiment which I simply stuck onto my acrylic block in a curved manner to bend it over the top of the image. The prima flower embellishment was a must, as I made my signature "Ribbon-Button-Loopy-Thing-Tied-With-Whatever Embellishment" and simply added a flower to the mix! I've got a few more things with this release up my sleeve, so ya'll come back now, 'ya hear!

Anyway, it's about time to hop on to Paula's blog, Paper Possibilities, to see what she has made magic with ('cause, girl, you KNOW she did!), but before you go, here's my SUSIE Q-TIP and a few things you may be interested in regarding the new release:

This week, our Weekly Spotlight is: My Favorite Copic Collection

HTDT Tutorial: Copic markers: advanced blending techniques with Candice (I can't wait to see this one!). Check it out on SCS HERE!

First 50: Memento Dew Drop Collection, week 3! color: Bamboo Leaves (this is a beautiful green color!)

SUSIE Q-TIP: Use a smaller pattern paper (one with a small repeated design) as a layer on your card instead of only solid color layers. Just a small detail like this makes a big difference.

Stamps: Spread a Harvest of Hope (My Favorite Things)
Paper: Purely Pomegranate (SU!), White (PTI), Designer Series Paper Pad (SU!), Bermuda Shorts (Pink Paislee)
Ink: Palette Noir (Superior)
Accessories: Sewing Machine/White Thread, Copic Markers, White Brads, White Wide Grosgrain Ribbon, Prima Flower, Hemp Twine, Sage/White Polkadot Satin Ribbon, Button, Jody Boosters

Multiplicity--MFT Style

Well, I could feel myself slipping into a non-blogging pattern this morning since I didn't do it yesterday or the day before (even though I usually don't do Sundays anyway). So I thought I'd better go ahead and make a post before it got too out of hand and before some of you had a fit over it and went into a tizzie! (Ya'll know who you are!.) Kind of like missing a Sunday of church. Pretty soon, it's another and another, until you feel like you won't really be missed anyway. Well, I don't want that to happen--I'd WANT you to miss me!! Even after this brief two-day lapse, I hope some of ya'll were scratching your heads wondering if that susiestampalot just fell off the face of the earth, or what. If not, I'm sure it was just because you like to come here anyway to read my last post again even though you had already read it yesterday and the day before and that's a good enough fix for you. I'm sure of it. Anyway, just to keep your brain active and to keep me from falling into a summer slump, I thought I'd go ahead and make a new post.

Now, tonight I'll actually be posting again. There's a My Favorite Things blog hop tonight starting at 9PM Central that you don't want to miss! But before that show gets on the road, let's whett your apetite for a little MFT from the past! This top card is a graduation card that I made for a friend's son in Weatherford (they're the Fighting Kangaroos--what a big, bad football team name, wouldn't ya'll agree?). It uses one of my favorite sets called Congrats All Around and it's actually a Bubble Bin special right now, going for only $3, to celebrate MFT's third year. It also uses the Bling Bet which I heat embossed in silver to spell "grad". I love that alphabet!

In keeping with my promise that I needed to post more than one card or project at a time in order to catch up with my "sharing time", I've got another congratulations card I made using the Teacher Label set. I wanted ya'll to see that it's not just for decorating those cute Perfect Packaging jars, but you can actually make some fun cards with all the Labels sets!

Ok and now one of my favoritest cards I've made in a long time! I just love this little rainboots girl from the Rainy Day Friends set. These colors were on my mind, so I decided to go with it! Even though they are a little unusual for this stamp set, I LOVE how it turned out with the pop of green! I'm on a green kick here lately, but I still like yellow.

So one of the other reasons I've been out of pocket for the last few days is that Shelbie, our oldest daughter, came and stayed with us for a couple of days while we ran errands, went to doctor's appointments (I had a mammogram yesterday!), and took care of some shopping for new school stuff. So in general, we were having a good ol' time hangin' out together! Today, I'm bound and determined to get back on track with my list of things to do. Blog post--check. Stamping--later for sure. Teaching the girls how to embroider, also on the list. Sounds like a good day to have chicken nuggets and tater tots for dinner.

SUSIE Q-TIP: Make your own embellishments by layering a couple of shapes, (stars, hearts, flowers, circles, etc.) and then a small stamped image on top to go along with your card.

This post has taken waaaaay too much time to write (the only problem with multiple card posts), so I'm skipping the supply lists today. I hope to have them posted to my Splitcoast gallery soon, so you can view them there. If it bothers me enough, I may come back here and update it. It probably won't though, so don't get your hopes up.

A {Baby Diva} Sketch For You To Try

Well, today I have something a little different for you going on here at susiestampalot. We're celebrating a new little someone...

There’s a new little baby Diva almost here and today we’re celebrating with a suprise shower hop! So come along with us and do the hop, hop, hop to help celebrate the arrival of Charmaine’s new little oodabug! This shindig started at the Verve Stamps blog, so if you’ve just happened along, be sure to hop on over there to start from the beginning!

Oh, it's still Jen's Sketch for You to Try, and I've used it here, but with this little baby-rific twist of a surprise! I had been going through all my MFT stamp sets, pulling out the retired ones and came across this one that I had never used called Baby First. (It's still available, by the way, just needed to make that clear!) I've always loved it, but when you get to be my age, not a lot of your friends are having babies anymore, so not a lot of occasions to make baby cards. (Unless your BFF's are younger than you, like Jen. Check out this post. hehe!!) So I was excited to ink this stamp set up, nonetheless. I used some new paper edger scissors I picked up the other day. I just can't bring myself to use my REAL Fiskars pinking shears on paper. These are "okay", but you do have to hold your mouth just right for them to make nice clean cuts. The ribbon and buttons are both from My Favorite Things also and they are the best!

So today is going to be very busy for the Liles household. We have 2 birthday parties to go to, one in the very middle of the other, so we'll be going back and forth to each. Then the girls get to spend the night at their cousin's house. That means I get to PLAY!! I'll be at the Scrapper's Boutique tonight hanging out from about 7pm to midnight! Come see me!

Thanks for stopping by! Now hop on over to Amber's blog for some more cuddly goodness. And be sure and tell Charmaine congratulations--she's due in a couple of days! We're so excited for you, girlie and we are going to need pictures!

Oh and also since it's still Jen's Sketch For You To Try (and a good one at that!), be sure and check out what my other SFYTT sisters have done:
Amy R.
Amy S.
Kelly
Carole

SUSIE Q-TIP: Use designer paper for the background of your main image and use embellishments to draw the eye to that area of your card or project for a little something different. It will make your focal point stand out even more in most cases.

Stamps: Baby First (My Favorite Things)
Paper: Certainly Celery, Blush Blossom (SU!), White (PTI), Nana's Nursery (DCWV)
Ink: Palette Noir (Superior)
Accessories: Paper Piercer/Mat Pack, Zig Zag Scissors, Pearl Flatbacks (Stamping Bella), Spring Buttons (MFT), Pink/White Plaid Ribbon (MFT), Jody Boosters

Something New from MFT--KITS!!!

Well, I just couldn't resist showing and sharing with ya'll a brand spankin' new product line coming your way today from My Favorite Things--MFT Kits – Just Add Color!

We are pleased and proud to introduce something fresh, fun and completely distinctive – MFT Kits!

Each month, a new Kit will be revealed, complete with an exclusive, unreleased stamp set, and the items you’ll need to complete a very special project (s).

The set included with your MFT Kit is a brand new, unreleased set, and will not be available for a period of at least 3 months after the MFT Kit containing the set is released. Here's some info about this first kit:

By The Seashore Kit $25
Kit contents:

*On The Pier (mini stamp set)
*6 die-cut tall gable boxes in ocean blue
*15 yards of hemp in natural
*6 Perfect Paper Panels
*5 yards, 3/8” twill in natural
*100 aged copper brads
*Memento Dew Drop in Rich Cocoa
*Project sheet download

Purchase the MFT Kit between 7/8-7/14 and you will receive a discount code good for a free digi paper download (2.95 value) as well as a coupon for a future order.

Be sure and check out Joanne's and Michele's blogs to see these fabulous kits as completed projects! I can't wait to make one myself!

SUSIE Q-TIP: use this set with By the Seashore for even MORE image choices and versatility.

It's TCP Tuesday and I'm the Hostess With the Mostess

Well, I can't believe my turn to host the TCP Tuesday Challenge from The Cat's Pajamas has already rolled around again! As most of ya'll know, when I host the challenge, it's a stamp challenge. I gave ya'll fair warning a month ago that I was antsy to use my Happy Camper set again, so guess what? The challenge this week is to pull out those Happy Camper stamps and get happy making a card (or project) using them! I do have a confession to make: I've had this little critter inked up and colored since forever ago, so my card was pretty speedy to make! I had colored it for another challenge, but never got around to finishing it. Make sure you save those pre-done images for fun times like this! I'm really glad I had him ready to go now, because isn't he just so cute sitting there in the green, red and black? I just wanted to give ya'll a different kind of color combo to use with your Happy Camper sets--they don't all have to look rustic and fresh out of the woods!

Anyway, even though it's not Monday, we're off to see a free movie today at the local theater (Inkheart), and then we're coming back for lunch and I'll be stamping while the girls will be playing with their toys or reading books, making me a "happy camper". (I'm still not liking the Disney Channel, so it's still off limits.) I will be checking to see who's playing with their toys this week (that means you)! I can't wait to see what ya'll come up with! Here's the ins and outs of how this challenge works:

1. Each a week one of The Cat’s Pajamas DT members will host a challenge.
2. The challenges will vary {stamp, color, theme, sketch, etc.}
3. You will have until {this} Saturday night to complete the challenge.
4. Link your project on this week’s hostess’ challenge announcement. This week you will link your project to THIS POST by midnight Saturday, July 11th.
5. TCP stamps are not required, but of course, highly encouraged. {Unless it is a challenge calling for a specific stamp}
6. There will be one winner each month. They will be deemed that month’s Swankiest Stamper and get $25 in Cat’s Cash {money to spend on the TCP site!}.
7. When uploading to SCS, please use the keyword TCPTUES66 for this challenge.
8. Alma will post the entries from the week the following Monday on her blog.
9. The newly crowned Swanky Stamper will be announced on the First of the Month and have his/her winning entry posted on The Cat’s Pajamas website where he/she will reign for the entire month!
10. HAVE FUN!!!

SUSIE Q-TIP: I needed something red (and fun) to balance out the upper right corner of my card. Since I still wanted a lot of white to show in my panel to go with my "simple" theme, I folded a paper flower in half and tucked it behind my circle panel, without adding anything for the "flower center". It gives it just enough color in that area without overpowering my image and keeps with the "feel" of the card.

Stamps: Happy Camper S-9667 (The Cat's Pajamas)
Paper: Basic Black, Certainly Celery (SU!), White (PTI), Small Black Dot (MM), Red/White Polkadot (Unknown)
Ink: Palette Noir (Superior)
Accessories: Labels One, Circle and Scallop Circle Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Paper Piercer/Mat Pack, Ticket Corner Punch, Copic Markers, Buttons, Paper Flower (Kaiser), Red Brads, Glue Dots, Jody Boosters

MFT Monday--Gone to the Dogs

Well, if ya'll will remember, I told you the other day when I shared my "Purrfect Treat Jar", that I had a fun little project for those of you more on the dog-world side of the pet spectrum. So here it is! I used the Puppy Chow Label set, one of the newest stamp sets from My Favorite Things and wrapped a ribbon around the jar to help secure it. This stamp set is made to coordinate with the Perfect Packaging jars also available on the MFT site and there are several "label" sets to choose from as well and I'm sure more to come. It's a great idea for inexpensive, but cute and easy gift ideas! We're only six months out from Christmas, you know!

I added some extra fun on the lid with the Bling Bet set and experimented with some red mini ball fringe tied around the neck of the jar. Luckily for me, I don't plan on giving this to anyone. That means two things. #1, We get to eat the Puppy Chow and #2, I only tied the red ball fringe to the jar and I will definitely be re-using it! Just me, thinking about the environment again, recycling my little heart out. Anyway, on to what's inside the jar...It's not what's on the outside, but what's inside that counts, right? Teehee. It's not REAL puppy chow for dogs, but the human kind, sometimes also referred to as Muddy Buddies.

I am going to happily share the recipe with you, but I have a little side note before we get started (of course, right?). First off, I just HAD to take a picture of the ingredients, mainly to show ya'll this box of cereal. Yes, I bought the off-brand kind, but take a look at the name of it! Crispy Hexagons? Really? They couldn't come up with a more original idea for the cereal name? I seem to think that the people in the marketing department that day they came up with this name were all hungover, burnt out, or all called in sick and left it up to the janitors to decide what the name should be. It really struck me as funny. I don't know, how about ya'll? Ok, sorry about that, I just had to get it off my chest and possibly share a giggle. Here's the highly addictive recipe:

Puppy Chow
Ingredients:
1/2 cup Peanut Butter
1/4 cup Butter
1 cup Chocolate Chips
1/2 tsp. Vanilla
9 cups Crispix cereal (any flavor)
1-1/2 cups Powdered Sugar
Instructions:
1. Combine peanut butter, butter and chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl.
2. Microwave for one minute then stir to blend all ingredients thoroughly. Add 1/2 tsp. vanilla. Stir well.
3. Place the 9 cups of Crispix cereal in a very large bowl.
4. Pour the peanut butter-chocolate mixture over the cereal and toss evenly, making sure all the cereal gets a good covering.
5. Coat with powdered sugar, sprinkling evenly over the cereal and tossing as you sprinkle to cover each piece well

SUSIE Q-TIP: A workspace idea that I employ and love: Hang a magnetic strip in a convenient location near your desk. Hang scissors, paper piercer, hammer, hole punches, craft tweezers and a needle and thread (or whatever your faves are) on it for quick access and quick cleanup. I got mine at IKEA (also where my extra large stainless steel bowl came from in the picture above) for about $7 (I see they are $9 now). I use THIS ONE. Do ya'll want to see a picture? Want more storage ideas?

Stamps: Puppy Chow Label, Bling Bet (My Favorite Things)
Paper: Kraft, Basic Black (SU!), Pure Poppy, Bitty Dots, White (PTI)
Ink: Palette Noir (Superior), Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel (SU!), Pure Poppy (PTI)
Accessories: Scallop and Circle Punches, CM Circle Cutter, Paper Piercer/Mat Pack, Copic Markers, Puppy Paw Ribbon, Mini Red Ball Fringe, White Gel Pen (Ranger), Jody Boosters

A {Wolf Brand} Sketch For You To Try

Well, Happy Fourth of July, friends! What's on the agenda today besides making it to that fireworks show tonight? Nothing much for us here, except for making those All American hot dogs a little later (and probably not even grilling them--it's too hot outside!). YUMM! I can't wait! Something ya'll may not know about me, but hot dogs are my most very favoritest food in the whole wide world (and I say that with much adoration in my voice). I know, I know, everyone's told me the horrors of what's inside them, blah, blah, blah. I don't care. I love 'em and it's not like I have them every day, but not having them on the 4th is just un-American.

You have to have Wolf Brand Chili on them too. Not that weird fake canned chili they like to deem "hot dog sauce"--gross. It has to be the weird fake canned chili affectionately known as Wolf Brand. I don't want to know what's in it, either--I'm sure it's REAL beef. It says it has an Authentic BOLD Flavor anyway. It's just good. It was invented in Texas, did ya'll know that, so it has to be the best, right?

Anyway, along with Saturday, the 4th, comes Jen's Sketch For You To Try. I really like this sketch, but I did have to fudge on it just a bit. I elongated the white panel to make it run all the way vertically on my card (when ya'll look at the sketch, you'll understand). I got this "Let Freedom Ring" set a while back from Papertrey and had yet to ink it up, so what a better SFYTT card to make than to show my patriotic spirit and use it today for this card. I loved the way Michelle Wooderson packed all the images onto her block at one time, creating a patterned paper to work with, so I lifted that idea from her blog. It's a free country, right? (Just kidding, Michelle!)

Ok, well, I guess I need to go make sure I've got my sparklers ready for tonight! Then to get those hot dogs hot! "Neighbor, how long has it been since you had a big, thick, steaming bowl of Wolf Brand Chili? Well, that's too long!"

Check out my other SFYTT sisters samples here. I'm sure they've come up with something mouth-watering and with an Authentic and BOLD Flavor!
Amy R.
Kelly
Carole
Amy S. is taking the day off today. Jen has a new Guest Designer too--Regina Mangum (The Stampin' Bean)

SUSIE Q-TIP: When it's too hot to grill outside, another fun indoor way to make hot dogs is to cook the dogs (using your preferred indoor method). Then open up the buns and put them on a cookie sheet, placing the hot dog inside it. Cover with shredded cheese and stick them in the oven until the bread is toasty and the cheese is melted. YUM-O! Don't forget to add the (Wolf Brand) chili before devouring.

Stamps: Let Freedom Ring (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Night of Navy (SU!), Pure Poppy (PTI)
Paper: Night of Navy, Kraft (SU!), White, Pure Poppy (PTI)
Accessories: Scallop Rectangle Nestabilities, Swiss Dot Embossing Folder, Cuttlebug, Scallop and Circle Punches, Fiskars Star Punch, Cropadile, Large Silver Eyelets, Red/White Satin Polkadot Ribbon (PTI), Jody Boosters

Verve Needs Some Face Time!

Well, I told ya'll yesterday that I've got a ton to share here, so I'm going to be double and triple dipping, inundating ya'll with pics here for a little bit in order to get caught up! I seriously have enough to post something every day here, but as ya'll know, I rarely do that (I'm flakey that way--plus, what would I talk about every single day? What would you like to know?). So I'm apologizing ahead of time. The three cards I'm bombarding you with today are all from Verve they are all some of my favorites! This first one uses a Plain Jane from Julee's latest release and It's called Feel Better. I had picked up this paper from Piggy Tales at the Scrapper's Boutique, but with the intention of using it for another stamp set from MFT. However, I liked the "punniness" of it with this card. Maybe I'm warped, but "under the weather" is what comes to mind when I think of Get Well cards. So do ya'll get it? "Under the Weather", with the umbrellas? Maybe it's a little far-reaching, but I still love it!

This card has more of a somber feel to it as it's from the Forever in Our Hearts set which is mainly geared toward Sympathy cards. I love the main image, but I think some of the sentiments included in the set are quite versatile. So even if you are good on stamps in the sympathy department, I think you should still check it out! I used one of the Mojo Monday sketches from the Mojo Blog, actually MOJO92 (Julee just comes up with the most incredible and well thought out sketches, don'tcha ya think?). A couple of details you may not be able to catch in this photo: It's not black, I used the Smokey Shadow from Papertrey and combined it with the green. It's really shimmery in person. The flower has glitter, the image is gone over with a Stardust pen, and even the little button has glitter embedded in it! I used my Scor-Pal to make the embossed stripes on the green panel. I like that look!

This one's a little blast from the past that I made for May's release. The Up, Up and Away set was just dying to be used for a baby card, and combined with another of the Mojo Monday sketches (MOJO88), it just worked itself out! A tiny secret: I tried every single paper/color combo that this card has to offer for the little sentiment circle. This one looked the best, and now I've got a lot of Kraft, blue and white scalloped circles and plain circles to use on another project! Do ya'll do that? I think that's the first time it's happened to me! NOT!! Anyway, thanks for putting up with my "book" of a post today! Eric is off work today (he works for the U.S. Attorney's office, or as I like to say, "he's with the Feds". But he really does collect money from crooks, so he deserves a little perk every once in a while. Bernie Madoff, watch out!), and we are going to work on our itinerary for our Disneyworld trip. Some things you have to plan WAY in advance for and make dining reservations way ahead of time. Ought to be fun! Oh and also, hot dogs are in order for tomorrow, so I've got to go to the store and take care of that. I must be hungry as everything I've got going on today will have to do with food! I'll see ya'll back here tomorrow for Jen's Sketch For You To Try!

SUSIE Q-TIP: I wanted a scalloped border for my Forever in Our Hearts card (the middle one). There were several ways I could have accomplished that. One, use scalloped scissors--I try not to unless I have to, plus the scallops were going to be too small. Two, use the Slot Punch from SU! and go down the entire edge with it--too big of scallops for this look. So my third option was to use my Nestabilities Scalloped Rectangle (the BIG one, since it was long enough for my card). Here's a picture of how I did it. Rather than cut an entire rectangle, I just took a strip of the gray and taped it to the Nestie, then ran it through my cuttlebug.

Feel Better
Stamps: Feel Better Plain Jane (Verve)
Paper: Ballet Blue, YoYo Yellow (SU!), PTI White, Yellow Scalloped Border (unknown), Bumped His Head (Piggy Tales)
Ink: Palette Noir (Superior)
Accessories: Oval and Scallop Oval Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Paper Piercer/Mat Pack, Ghost Shape Flower (Heidi Swapp), Polkadot Brad (The Paper Studio), French Blue Grosgrain Ribbon (SU!), Jody Boosters

Forever in Our Hearts
Stamps: Forever in our Hearts (Verve)
Paper: Certainly Celery, Confetti Cream (SU!), Smokey Shadow (PTI), Phoebe (Basic Grey)
Ink: Palette Noir (Superior), Pretty in Pink (SU!), Cityscape (Storage Units Ink and More)
Accessories: Labels One Nestabilities, Rectangle Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Scor-Pal, MS Fern Punch, Stardust Glitter Pen, Prima Flower, Pink Adhesive Rhinestone (Kaiser), Vintage Pink Button, Rustic Twine (PTI), Gray/White Polkadot Ribbon (American Crafts), Jody Boosters

Special Delivery
Stamps: Up, Up & Away, Practically Perfect (Verve)
Paper: Kraft (SU!), White, Bitty Dots (PTI), Spring Blue Dots (Amanda Blu)
Ink: Palette Noir (Superior)
Accessories: Circle and Scallop Circle Nestabilities, Paper Piercer/Mat Pack, Copic Markers, Circle Punch, Flower Die, Cuttlebug, Argyle Embossing Folder, Silver Brads, Blue/White Stitched Ribbon, Jody Boosters

A Little More MFT!

Well, besides the fact that I have a lot of My Favorite Things to show you, I really love the new sets that just came out last night! Did ya'll see them? Were you at the WONKY release party on the SCS forum? Man, those threads were sure posting weird and out of order! So confusing! Anyway, here's another card I made using the Catch Some Rays set. It includes the cutest little beach umbrella, but I wanted her to get some "full sun" in this one, so I left it out and that's ok. I wish I looked so nice in a bathing suit. I haven't even bought one this year yet (last year's is now too little and it was my favorite!). It's just no fun, but I guess I'll have to get one eventually. Or do ya'll think I can lose about 40 pounds in a month in order to still have a chance to wear my old one before the kids go back to school? LOL!! I doubt it. Anybody want a milkshake? Anyway, the little tanning lotion needed a smiley face on it, so I drew that on myself.

Next up, another Perfect Packaging Jar I decorated with the new Purrfect Treat Label set from Stephanie Fizer. I'm highly allergic to cats. I really don't like that fact, because I would get a kitty in a minute if I weren't. My eyes swell shut just looking at one.

So when I got this assignment to make something with it and the new Perfect Packaging jars from MFT, I didn't know WHAT I was going to wind up coming up with. So I decided to go with the "truly purrfect" kitty treat--Chocolate Kit Kat bars! I added the "meow" with the Bling Bet set and cut them out for the front of the jar, and just decorated the top of the lid with the label set. Does anyone remember who BooBoo Kitty is? Another one of those, "I couldn't help myself" instances and HAD to make it that. So you're not a cat lover? Just hang tight, I've got a Puppy Project up my sleeve to show ya'll real soon! So it's Thursday Thoughtful day here at my house, and the girls have decided they are going to make lunch for ME today, rather than the other way around. (Can I get an "aaawwww"!) We'll see how that goes. Roast beef sandwiches can't make that big of a mess, can they? At least I've got some Kit Kat bars to fall back on.

SUSIE Q-TIP: When needing to attach ribbon to an altered project, run it through one of those little Xyron "X" sticker makers. Super easy.

BONUS SUSIE Q-TIP: Let your kids do something they don't normally get to do (with minimum supervision and age appropriate). They will feel so empowered and "big" and it gives you a chance to let them shine. You might even get "a best mom ever" award.

No Bad Vacations Card
Stamps: Catch Some Rays (MFT)
Paper: Chocolate Chip (SU!), White, Plum Pudding, Aqua Mist (PTI), Making Memories
Ink: Palette Noir (Superior)
Accessories: Scallop Rectangle Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Paper Piercer/Mat Pack, Copic Markers, Brides Flower, Plastic Baubles (Michael's), Plum Pudding Stitched Ribbon (PTI), Jody Boosters

A Purrfect Treat
Stamps: Purrfect Treat Label, Bling Bet (MFT)
Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Summer Sun (SU!), Rasberry Fizz, White (PTI)
Ink: Palette Noir (Superior), Pink Passion, Pumpkin Pie (SU!)
Accessories: Perfect Packaging Jar (MFT) Circle and Scallop Circle Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Paper Piercer/Mat Pack, Copic Markers, Yellow/White Polkadot Grosgrain Ribbon, Xyron Sticker Maker, Buttons, Glue Dots, Jody Boosters