Trina Makes Stuff

Gotta Run!

2012-03-08T03:09:00.001-05:00

Sorry, I need to get the hour and a half of sleep I can before I have to get up to work. SO...this post is super short! The new challenge at Little Miss Muffet is to create an easel, step, or shaped card. I have made a circle card using Elizabeth Louise Hatter, DeLovely papers from Cosmo Cricket, an awesome chipboard frame from Make It Crafty, and some gifted flowers from Bizzy Becs!

This is a bit bright. That chipboard is actually pale lime green. Auto-fix on Picnik isn't always right! :D

Off to catch a nap! I hope to see you in the challenge!

Challenges: The Paper Shelter - Anything Goes, PaperCrafting Journey - Anything Goes, Crop Stop - 4 Colors, CCEE Stampers - Flowers

Kirstie Alley?

2012-03-07T18:16:00.001-05:00

Have you seen that new pee pad commercial with Kirstie Alley as the fairy? She looks amazing! I know - totally random, but that's why you love me! Besides, I have to struggle to think of titles for these blog posts... :D

On a crafy note, this month the Sketch Challenge at The Outlawz is being sponsored by one of my favorite digi companies, Guylou's Inimitability! (Thanks G!) There's also a prize from Paper Temptress! Here's my card using Lotus Sitting Pretty from Guylou's Inimitability:

I finally used some of the flowers I've been hoarding!

I didn't venture far from the sketch this time. Here it is if you'd like to play along...

See you in the challenge!

Challenges: Craft Your Passion - Anything Goes, Always Crafting - Anything Goes, Make My Monday - Spring Flowers, Paperminutes - Blue, Black, and White

EWW!

2012-03-06T00:24:00.001-05:00

Two things before I tell this story. 1. I hate roaches. Yes, I pick up worms and have no problems moving a non-jumping spider outside without killing it. But roaches?? Not happening. They make me itch just thinking about them. 2. I live in a neighborhood which is still forest-like. The appeal when this neighborhood was being built was that the builders didn't just level all the trees to put up houses. Therefore, many of the forest creatures seem to think people houses are their homes too...

SO, today I was handling some business in the bathroom. I was having a great time playing a word game on my Kindle; there was definitely no rush to get up. Once I finally decided it was time to go (my foot was falling asleep), I stood up, looked into the bowl, and saw this 2.5 inch roach chilling inside the bowl!! UGH! You have never seen a person jump away from a toilet so fast! Thankfully, that big granddaddy roach did not fly out of the toilet; he let himself go to a watery grave. All I could think about after was the roach being so close to lady parts... GRODY! (Yeah, I really still say grody.) :D

Okay, okay, you can stop laughing at me now! To make up for telling all that you really didn't want to know, here's a card I sent Abby, my 2011 Secret Pal, last year.

Digi from A Day for Daisies. Sentiment from the former $1 section @Michaels.

Looking on my external HD, I finally found the pictures to update that other post about last year's Secret Pal! It's only been three months since the post went live! :S

**Just one more day for the Fancy/Lacy challenge at Little Miss Muffet!
**Things with Wings challenge at Guylou's Inimitability is rocking!

...Part II

2012-03-02T17:07:00.001-05:00

Well, that half turned into a whole (see Part I), BUT now I'm back down to only one card behind. The card for today is for the new challenge at Guylou's Inimitability, Things with Wings!

Oh goodness!! I just realized that I forgot to color the pot! Good grief... Anyway, that cute face there is Leah. She has a bunch of adorable images; this one is Leah is Gardening. There is more to this stamp, but I'm a fan of cropping digis. You can get this digi by itself or as part of the Leah in Her Garden set. (1 stamp for $2 or FOUR for $5!!)

If you'd like to jump in the challenge and have a chance to score yourself some digi stamps and a GDT spot, you have until 10 p.m. EST on March 15 to share any new creations with wings! Sounds pretty easy to me... See you at the challenge!!

**Sara, I'm praying for you!! Rox, I'm glad you joined us!**

Challenges: Clearly Inspired Challenges - #47, Crafts 4 Eternity - Use a Digital Element, The Stamp Man - Colors of Spring, Stampin' for the Weekend - Bingo (pink - is this enough?, butterflies, die cuts)

The Best Laid Plans... Part I

2012-03-01T19:02:00.001-05:00

Just know that yesterday I had three second grade students almost turn into The Incredible Hulk (I'm talking crying, huffing, growling, twitching meltdowns...), a too-long, fruitless discussion about a bill that isn't mine, and a long sit with a neighbor who had just found out that his mother died. After all that I couldn't even enjoy my favorite night of television. (Modern Family, Happy Endings, Revenge all get a thumbs up from me!) In the middle of my tv night, I woke up after not planning to fall asleep (wha?? huh??) only to move to the other side of the couch to catch another pre-sleep nap! Right now I'm a card and a half behind... BUT, since I made my Wednesday Sketch card before crashing Tuesday night, here it is!

I used Vanilla, one of the Sugar 'n Spice Dolls from Little Miss Muffet Stamps, and some paper from My Mind's Eye's Twinkle Twinkle Little Girl pad. The sketch has some spaces at the bottom that I originally had some letter stickers in; I really wasn't feeling them though so they got the boot! Colleen, I'm going to have to shout you out a whole lot for all of the ribbon you sent me! This one matches the paper way better than the picture shows...

Anyway, if you choose to play along, Sandi is giving away some Spellbinders as a prize in the Sketch Challenge for February. You have until next Tuesday to get a card in for your chance! We also have a new month of site-wide prizes, including a gift certificate to Oozak, to play for! Here is the sketch to get you started:

See you on The Outlawz!

Challenges: The Sisterhood of Crafters - Use a Digi, Digi Doodle Shop - Pink & Green

Still in Paris!

2012-02-26T03:00:00.000-05:00

Today the Little Miss Muffet Team is back in Paris!

I decided to make my card a late entry to the challenge that started on Thursday, Fancy or Lacy! I super cropped Le Parfum de Roses and used stamps from Whimsy and a chipboard frame from Make it Crafty. (My Eiffel Tower is from Stampland Chicago - great folks!)

Hope you stop by my teammates' blogs to see their Parisian goodies! Don't forget to enter your Fancy or Lacy projects on the LMMS Challenge blog!

Challenges: That Craft Place - Anything Goes, 2 Sisters Challenges - Anything Goes, Pattie's Creations - Vintage, Allsorts Challenges - Anything Goes

Do You Boggle?

2012-02-22T19:22:00.000-05:00

So you know, I'm a bit of a Boggle junkie. One reason I have a hard time getting ahead of my DT projects is because I usually color in front of my laptop, and Pogo calls me! I can claim that my purpose is to keep my brain sharp. Really, I just like dorky games!

Oh, not Boggle still, but Blitsy! Have you seen Blitsy is giving a dollar credit anytime anyone signs up before Feb 27 using your link even if the person doesn't buy anything! If you aren't already a member, head over, earn me a dollar, then share with your friends for some dollars for you!!

Here is my card for this week's Sketch Challenge at The Outlawz. That cute face is a digi from Birdie Brown by Torico. The sentiment is Hero Arts.

Here is the sketch for this week if you'd like to play along:

Challenges: Cutie Pie Challenges - Flower Power, NettieG's Digital Gems - Showcase You (I like to color! I sure can't focus on my straight line cutting skills...)

A Hop Through Paris!

2012-02-20T03:00:00.000-05:00

To keep up the celebrations - we're having another blog hop!! Come hop around with us "in Paris" this week with a New Release Blog Hop!! Leave a comment as you go for extra chances to win! You have until February 27th to complete the hop and we'll post the winners on February 29th.

You should have arrived here from Vicky's blog.
However, if you get lost along the way you can see the complete list HERE.

Have you heard the big news? Whimsy, Make it Crafty and Little Miss Muffet Stampshave come together to give you a little romance in Paris this Valentineseason! You can join the festivities and read all about it on the ThreeCompaniesTeamUpblog. But wait... have you heard the really big news?! Little MissMuffet Stamps has now released images in RUBBER! That's right - so popon over HERE to get your rubber fix. :D

For today's blog hop, I TRIED to make a frame card after seeing one on DTmate Frea's blog. I think cards like this look better when folks use all sorts of swirls, pearls, and flowers, but I don't think that's my style! When I look at my cards, they're, like, only two steps above total CAS. I really love those super layered and decorated cards though. But back to the card... That adventurous girl is Agent Eclair Dropping. (She is also the mime from my card the other day!) She's hung inside the frame on some monofilament and is able to swing around a little inside of the frame.

Your next stop on the hop is the Little Miss Muffet Challenges blog.

We have even more activities planned for the rest of the month too so be sure to check back often and bask in all the inspiration. Oh-la-la! Also, don't miss out on extra prizes - come participate in the Joint Release challenge at:

ThreeCompaniesTeamUp - the theme is "LOVE"

Then check out all the Paris themed New Releases at:
Whimsy, Make it Crafty and Little Miss Muffet Stamps

Girly Girl!

2012-02-17T11:58:00.002-05:00

You know, once upon a time, I was a serious girly-girl. I've heard that I used to cry when I was forced to wear pants. This time, however, is before any of the memories I can recall. The years I can remember included dolls and Army men, Rainbow Brite and remote control cars, Jem and He-Man - you know, a complete mash up of the tomboy and the girly girl. Most times, the tomboy won. Until 10th grade, I can't remember wearing a dress outside of church or family photos! Ugh, and I could not be convinced to wear a purse or get my eyebrows done! I've changed but can still pick up worms with no problems!

This week I had to channel girly girl for the new challenge at Guylou's Inimitability. DTmate Brenda charged us to come up with girly projects which included lace and pearls. This card went in a ton of different directions before I finally got it finished (mostly because of my usual mishaps)!

My card has the beautiful Gertrude on it. I've used her before, but I like her so much because she reminds me of one of my grandmas. The lace is from Crate Paper and the sentiment is from the now-closed Layers of Color. Gertrude's necklace is made of gems sent to me by the lovely Ms. Flatback Pearl, aka Theresa; she has a birthday candy giveaway going right now that you really should check out...

Okay, I could keep going, but since my mom and are I both off for the holiday, I need to go get ready for our lunch date! I hope to see you in the challenge; you just need some project with lace and pearls on it! You have until 10 pm EST on March 1 to enter!!

Challenges: 4 Crafty Chicks - Double Down, Mema's Crafts - Anything Goes, Crafter's Companion - Anything Goes, Digi Doodle Shop's Best - Anything Goes

Notecards for the Sketch Challenge!

2012-02-15T18:30:00.000-05:00

I swear the weeks seem to go by so quickly! Some days are really long, but the weeks just run by... And now, since it Wednesday yet again, I have a project for Wednesday's Sketch Challenge on The Outlawz!

This week, I decided to make a couple of notecards. As usual, there were mishaps including a bad stamp and smearing ink on a card, but that's just how I do! :D I honestly don't know what I would do if I had a mistake-free card making session! This week I used some ladies from CTMH's Be Yourself set along with some papers from Cosmo Cricket's DeLovely pad. Colleen sent me the ribbon, and the gems are a mix of Recollections stickers and Crystazzi rhinestones.

If you join us this month, we have a prize for the Sketch Challenge as well as awesome site-wide prizes from Oozak, Paper Temptress, and more! Here is this week's sketch if you'd like to play along:

Challenges: My Craft Spot - Girly Girl, Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes

I Don't Think You're Ready!!

2012-02-14T05:00:00.000-05:00

Or maybe you are! I see the hints over on the Three Companies Team Up blog have led a lot of people to guess the correct companies! If you never made it over there or are just wondering if your guess was right, the three companies that have come together to create an amazing line of Paris-inspired goodies (images, sentiments, and embellishments!) are Little Miss Muffet Stamps, Make it Crafty, and Whimsy Stamps!

Agent Eclair in Disguise - Little Miss Muffet Stamps, postage stamps - Whimsy Stamps, gorgeous chipboard from N1 Fancy Frames - Make it Crafty

To kick off this amazing release, we're having a blog hop to showcase some of the amazing items in the new line. Head over to Ann's to get started! In addition to seeing the fabulous creations, you'll have a chance to win some good stuff and will learn how you could end up with one of your projects in an issue of Whimsy Magazine!

Oh! Before you go running off, I want to let you know that Little Miss Muffet has nine new stamps in RUBBER! If all the news hasn't been exciting enough for you, there are also freebies over at Little Miss Muffet and on Barbara's blog, Forgotten Scraps!

**There are SO many items in this release! Today's blog hop isn't the end of the fun! :D

Challenges: Stamp and Create - Valentine's/Love, Crafty Bloggers Network - Love is in the Air, Crafty Boots Challenges - Valentines

The Trimmer Strikes Again!

2012-02-08T15:23:00.000-05:00

Somedays, I just don't feel like fighting my paper trimmer. And unfortunately, there are so many crafty goodies that I want that the thought of spending money on something I already have just doesn't work for me. The crooked lines from my trimmer are kind of driving me crazy right now, though. See what I mean?

This picture really looks grainy small...

This card is for the new sketch at The Outlawz. It has Mimi in the Rain from DeNami Design with one of the Friendly Advice stamps by Inkadinkado. The super bright paper is from Echo Park's Summer Days.

And since I hardly "stick" to the sketch, here it is in its unaltered glory if you'd like to play along:

The Sketch prize this month is a set of Spellbinders Flying Beauties!!

You're So NOT My Sweetheart!

2012-02-02T23:00:00.000-05:00

Sound s mean, right? Well, the new challenge at Guylou's Inimitability is to make a Valentine card/project for someone other than that special person in your life! Oh, and Kim says you have to use black on it, too! Easy enough?

Here's my card using Leah at the Cocktail Party.

Now, this might not look like a Valentine's card, but here's the inside:

When you don't have a mate, Valentine's can seem like a day to "get through!" People going on and on about all the special things that have been done for them can make a person want to stay in PJs, watching romantic comedies, and eating ice cream. This card could go to any of my single girlfriends! :D

If you'd like to get in on the challenge, you have until 10 p.m. EST, Feb 16, to put your card in the Inlinkz at the Guylou's Inimitability blog. You could win some free digis and a guest DT spot! See you there!

Love Little Miss Muffet Style!

2012-02-02T03:00:00.000-05:00

I told you I was back! :D This time it's to bring you the new challenge at Little Miss Muffet! For the next two weeks we want to see your Valentines or Love cards!

For my card I used Monster Pains (I really love the monsters at LMMS!) to make a sweet card about falling head over heels. Sometimes love hurts, and this poor thing looks like he's going through it! The paper is from SEI's With All My Heart pack, and the sentiment was created with Sally's ABCs from Lawn Fawn.

Have I ever told you all that I can't cut straight lines? Even with my paper cutter?? I need a cutter that clamps down and holds the paper. My little Fiskars blade shuttle swerves and leaves me messing up cards as I try to fix the problems by hand. While I know the outcome, I can't stop myself...

Anyway, I hope to see your project in the challenge! There are some new LMMS stamps that came out last week and are super sweet! You could win a few of them... ;D

Challenges: Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge - #151, The Paper Shelter - Love is in the Air, Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge Blog - Love is in the Air, Truly Scrumptious - Love & Hearts

I'm Alive!

2012-02-01T23:40:00.000-05:00

I know, I know... It's been FOREVER since I touched this blog. What had happened was... One of my neighbors had an old antenna of some sort in a tree; said antenna was struck by lightning a couple of weekends ago. When that happened, everyone in my part of the neighborhood lost the internet. I could still get on via my cell, but I never finished setting up the thing to let my blog with my mobile. Once the internet came back, I got (and still am) sick with yet another weather-induced sinus infection. GRR...

So anyway, first things first - a winner!! I had some stamps to give away. Starla, darling, they are yours! If you are wondering, my very un-scientific research shows that there are more people who like BOTH root beer and Dr. Pepper than there are people who only like one. My father will be shocked to see my data! ;D

Next, the first challenge for February at The Outlawz is the Sketch Challenge!! I have the sketch for you if you'd like to play along...

There are awesome prizes again this month from Oozak, Gilly, and Paper Temptress!

And to wrap up this very text-heavy post I'd like to tell you that the new issue of Ready Set Create is available! Well, I guess I'm not really wrapping it up yet. Um yeah... If you're interested in having some work published in the next issue, the page calls for the April/May edition are posted on the FB page. Now, to really wrap it up, here's a sneak peek at one of my projects from the Feb/March issue using a gorgeous stamp by Diana Martin of Diana Martin Studio!

**I feel like I'm missing a whole lot...** :D

Guess Who's Back??

2012-01-20T23:57:00.000-05:00

Challenges have resumed at Guylou's Inimitability! G drew some new images during the break; make sure you check them out... I used one of the new images for my card. The challenge is to use these colors:

I used a new image, Serena on Skis for my card.

Outlawz teammate Theresa gifted me that pompom trim!

If you would like to play along, please enter your card into the InLinkz list at Guylou's Inimitability before 10 p.m. on Feb. 2. The winner of the challenge will receive a $10 GC to Guylou's Inimitability, a one year subscription to Through the Craft Room Door online magazine, and a GDT spot for an upcoming challenge! You don't need to use one of Guylou's images to play along, but she does have some freebies in the store if you want to check her out!

*This has nothing to do with anything, but can I just say that I despise these music players that are all over blogland? I truly love music and listen to all types of stuff, but I wish the players didn't start automatically as someone's music choice is often interrupting my quiet time and slowing down my processing speed...

** Also, nothing to do with this post - Are you going to see Red Tails this weekend? Our weather is supposed to be bad, but I'll be out there!

Challenges: Simon Says Stamp - Domi's Sketch

Root Beer vs Dr. Pepper?

2012-01-18T13:09:00.000-05:00

So yesterday I was talking to my father, and he mentioned that people either like root beer OR Dr. Pepper/Mr. Pibb but usually not both. Really?? Hmm... He loves root beer; I hate it. I love Dr. Pepper, but I don't drink sodas often enough for it to usually be my choice. (Mountain Dew!!) Keep reading my rambling; it may be worth it... ;D

Today we have a new sketch at The Outlawz! Here's my take on it:

That cutie is a hybrid - The Greeting Farm's Cheeky Glamour up top and Cheeky Beauty for the body. Thanks to Amy (from A Thousand Sheets of Paper) for all the awesome YT vids showing how to switch TGF heads and bodies! I did have to cut the hair under the face to allow the shoulders to slide up close to the face. And since Cheeky Glamour's mouth is covered by her hand, I freehanded her mouth with a Spica pen using Cheeky Beauty as a guide. Paper is Bo Bunny's Crush, and the XO sticker is from K&Company.

Here's the sketch for those of you who might like to play along.

Now, if you're still here, tell me whether you like root beer, Dr. Pepper/Mr. Pibb, or both. Sunday afternoon I'll randomly pick one commenter and send her/him a set of Juliette stamps from SEI!

Places to Visit...

2012-01-13T14:37:00.000-05:00

So, if you aren't a member of Blitsy yet, you might have missed that they are planning to give $200 to the 20,000 member and the person who referred that milestone member. They think the number will be hit sometime during the next three days, so if you aren't a member yet, what are you waiting for?? They also give credits when folks you refer start shopping. If you have a gang of crafty friends, invite them all and let them help add to your stash! I can say that I've bought some things from Blitsy; my order came quickly. Plus, as I'm a serious shopper, I did my research before buying and know I saved some money!

Card for Ready Set Create using an angel image from Resale Clipart

Another spot you need to visit is my buddy Chana's blog, Card-d-ology. She recently changed her blog over to Blogger and is trying to build her followers list. In order to do so, she is offering two weekly prizes valued at $25!! Right now, she has a monthly $100 prize for January, too! No, her blog isn't one that you'll follow just for the prizes. She's a great cardmaker; we're on The Outlawz and Guylou's Inimitability DTs together!

Another card for Ready Set Create using an image from a now-defunct digi store. The font on the sign is from KevinandAmanda.com.

And finally, Drew of ScrappyHappiness is giving away a Vagabond soon! He almost has 5,000 subbies on YT, and after he hits the magic number, one of the subscribers wins! Check it out...

**I had to add some pictures so you all might actually leave a comment and not just run off for the prizes mentioned above!! You all are always so sweet to me. Thank you so much!!

Must Sleep Now!

2012-01-12T03:00:00.000-05:00

This will be an extremely short post as I must be awake in a few hours. Elementary-aged children like hugging, so I need to keep my immune system at its best (which is only like 85%) by getting my rest!

This week at Little Miss Muffet Stamps, we have some new, amazing additions to the DT! I have been stalking some of their blogs for a long time, and it's an honor to work with everyone on the team! Today we are all showcasing a little something to inspire. Here's my card using the Monster Love digi...

I hate taking pictures of cards when they're flat. My bad lighting makes it necessary sometimes, though...

Barbara, I hope you feel better soon!

Challenges: Anything Goes Challenges - Anything Goes, Papertake Weekly - Die Cute Special, Top Tip Tuesdays - Anything Goes, Dutch Dare Challenges - For the Boys

Something New!

2012-01-05T03:00:00.000-05:00

It's time for another Little Miss Muffet Challenge! For the first challenge of the year we'd like to see something new! You can take that a few ways - new stash, new baby, new house, new technique... Here's my card using Bandit Boy Tom and some new letter dies from Papertrey Ink that I got for Christmas!

Spots on spots? Solid letters would be so much easier to read...

Remember, you don't need a Little Miss Muffet digi to play along. I sure hope you come and show us something new! ;D

Challenges: Stamp N Doodle - Anything Goes, Party Time Tuesdays - Something New, Dude Time Doodles - Anything Goes, Freshly Brewed Challenges - Something New, Fab'n'Funky - Something New

First Sketch of 2012!

2012-01-04T14:34:00.000-05:00

Hey, I hope 2012 has been good to you so far! I'm working on some things to make this year better than the last - not that it was horrible or anything...

One thing I'd like to do is work on some card sets that actually get out of my stash. My cousin asked me to make some thank you cards last year then decided she'd rather have Christmas cards. I didn't get her a present but planned to give her a set for later so she wouldn't have to come to me when she'd like a card. I just bought some colored card bases on clearance and had an idea for some cards using some older papers that I really like. Here's the first card for her.

I made the flower months ago using TH's Tattered Florals dies, and the vine die is new from a set of goodies I recently received from Bizzy Bec's.

I kind of s..t..r..e..t..c..h..e..d the sketch this week. Here's it is if you're interested in heading over to The Outlawz to join in:

Challenges: Bearly Mine - Anything Goes, Clear It Out - Thank You, Going Grey with Scrap-Creations - Something Old & New, Party Time Tuesdays - Anything Goes

Where did the time go?

2011-12-30T15:44:00.000-05:00

For the LAST Sketch Challenge of the YEAR(!!) at The Outlawz I made the card above. I colored this image last January during a snow storm... I know I'm not the only one who colors things then takes forever to get them on cards! ;D The cute girl and her pup are from Michelle Perkett, our sponsor for December. The sentiment was made with Sally's ABCs from Lawn Fawn. (Got 'em at Oozak...) If you'd like to play along for a chance to win some digis from Michelle Perkett or one of the site-wide prizes ($50 at Oozak.com, $25 GC to SCACD, and more!), here is the sketch:

If sketches aren't your thing, you can also join one of the other days' challenges to be entered for the site-wide prizes...

Don't forget to pick up some stamps at the Boxing Day Sale at Guylou's Inimitability and to go get your free Saffron digi from Little Miss Muffet!

Boxing Day! + Rambling!

2011-12-27T19:52:00.001-05:00

In case you haven't made it over, Guylou's Inimitability is having a Boxing Day sale this week! My personal favorites are the digis in the Gabrielle Series. And since you might be ready to start on Valentine's Day card already, I would take a look a Cupid and the Love Seat digis, too! Until the 31st you get half off with coupon code 2011-BOXINGWEEK!

I have been enjoying my break. So far, I've watched a number of movies. I saw Bad Teacher (crude yet funny), Horrible Bosses (also raunchy, very hilarious), and Conan the Barbarian (actually enjoyable, but I had really low expectations).

Also, since I wasn't smart enough to pre-schedule a post, I now have to tell you that I hope you had a great Christmas! A special Christmas shout-out to my new Secret Pal! I just got your card... You are on it! I've barely thought about next year's SP stuff, but your card will encourage me to get something together... Here are some of the last Christmas cards I made for this year!

This SEI paper did all the work!


Love this image from Mo Manning!

Cute Karber digi in a card for Oct/Nov issue of Ready, Set, Create!

Ah, speaking of Ready, Set, Create, you can get the current issue half off until the 29th! And if you're interested in submitting some work for the upcoming issue, check this page for the calls! You have until Jan 10, 2012 to get some projects in for publication!

Anything Goes + DT Call + Freebie!!

2011-12-22T03:08:00.001-05:00

That's right - Little Miss Muffet Stamps has an Anything Goes challenge and a DT call going right now! For my card, I finally finished coloring Ginger; I started her for a project two challenges ago! :(

When I was busy taking care of my cousin during her cancer treatment, she had a really great nurse at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. I know my cousin just went in for scans a few days ago, but I'm not sure if she ever thanked her nurse. My cousin just graduated with her Bachelors Degree on Saturday, and I want to thank the nurse for all her everything she did for us during the time we saw her regularly. There may not have been a graduation had she not been such a sweet, caring person! (Yes, there were plenty of other nurses involved in my cousin's care, and they all did a great job. This nurse, however, was our point person...) I also scanned the colored stamp and made some charms. They have a program at CHOA that gives the kids beads when they complete procedures/treatments. The nurses wear the necklaces, too, and I thought it would be cool to have a little nurse bead!

And because Barbara is so awesome, she's giving away a new stamp!

Saffron is dressed for the cold and is super cute! Head on over to the challenge to see how to add her to your collection! Then make sure to become a follower and enter the Anything Goes challenge!

Challenges: Bearly Mine Challenges - Anything Goes, Try it on Tuesday - Anything Goes, The Cutie Pie Challenge - Use a Sentiment

Repeat for the Sketch Challenge!

2011-12-21T20:32:00.001-05:00

I ran away for the weekend and didn't make my card for this week's Sketch Challenge at The Outlawz before I left. I was really happy to see that I had a card from last year that was kind of close to the sketch. Even better was that the card featured a digi from our sponsor this month at the Sketch Challenge, Michelle Perkett!

Here are the sketch and my card:

I hope to see you in the challenge! Remember, we have Michelle Perkett sponsoring the Sketch Challenge, plus Oozak, SCACD, Paper Temptress, Gilli Rubber Stamps, and Anita Be Stampin are our site-wide sponsors for December!! I saw that Tiddly Inks and EK Success are also sponsoring challenges this month. You'll have to poke around the site to figure out where they are!

And just in case you haven't been to The Outlawz in a minute, Sandi and Anne from the DT have been putting out great FREE digis. We also have an active blogging group full of encouraging crafters who check in and comment at each others' blogs and an ever-growing list of tutorials! See you around!

Oh, before I forget again... Thank you Shonda (former Secret Pal) for that awesome Christmas card! My bf was over here trying to work out the mechanics behind that wobble you used for Santa! And thank you Naomi for the surprise card and GC! I'll be posting your cards later this week! :D

I'm So Sorry!

2011-12-14T03:04:00.000-05:00

I didn't manage to make a single thing last week until Friday afternoon! That really sucked since I had two DT projects due (sorry) and orders due this week for Christmas cards... I was really suffering from major blahs; my hormones had me in a seriously crappy place. Thankfully, I feel way better now! I went to on online crafty friend's house on Saturday for some crafting (Hey Trish!), and I went shopping at Michaels, Blitsy, and Oozak yesterday... (YAY!!) At least I'll have some things to show you all this week...

And to start, here's one for the Christmas set I owe. It's serving double duty as my card for the Sketch Challenge this week at The Outlawz.

It's shinier than this picture shows. Glittery paper and Stickles... See?

Here is this week's sketch if you'd like to play along:

This month, the Sketch Challenge is sponsored by Michelle Perkett. She's giving away some of her awesome digis! Plus, we have our monthly site-wide sponsors, Oozak, Paper Temptress, SCACD, and Gilli Rubber Stamps! OH, and it looks like Anita Be Stampin' is a site-wide sponsor this month, too! Remember, we pick all of our winners randomly; whether you're just starting or have been crafting forever makes no difference! We just want you to hang out and have a good time with us. Hope I see you there! :D

Challenges: Going Gray with Scrap-Creations - First Snow, Digital Tuesday Challenge - Winter Wonderland, Creative Card Crew - Tis the Season

**Birdie, your profile isn't set to show me your email address on the page or when you comment. The colors of the tree are YG95/97/99...

Guylou's Inimitability Christmas Hop

2011-12-03T08:14:00.001-05:00

Welcome, welcome, welcome! If you're here from Tracy's blog, you are on the right path. If not, then please start at Guylou’s Inimitability or refer to the blog hop list at the end of this post to get you on the right track. The hop will open today at 9:00am EST and end at 9:00pm EST tonight.

Before I share my card, I want to give a big welcome our new DT member Chana. Chana is such a sweet person, an awesome card maker, and someone who probably sees my smiling face every time she goes online! We run in a lot of the same circles, don't we?

Now, here is my card. I had an idea that I could not get to work out; I'm going to try again before Christmas, though! Even if I mess up again, I love this image and won't be too upset about making a magillion cards with it before I get it right! (And yes, this is the image I used for last year's holiday hop...)

I couldn't get a good pic anywhere! :S

Please take a moment to leave me a comment; someone will win the "Gabrielle and Lamb" digi I used for my card!

Blog Hop prizes:

If you started at the beginning of the hop, you know that there is another prize for everyone who wants it! We also have a couple of grand prizes! For a chance at a $25 gift certificate and a $15 gift certificate from Guylou's Inimitability Online Store, figure out the secret phrase and enter it in the Inlinkz on Guylou's Inimitability. Here's my piece of the pie... "MERRY AND"

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed it! Your next stop is Kim; she has an awesome project!

Blog Hop Order:
Guylou's Inimitability

Chana
Gina
Sara
Tracy
Trina <-- Estas aqui!
Kim
Carmen
Guylou

Guylou's Inimitability

Little Miss Muffet New Releases - Payton/Allison & Abby

2011-12-01T03:00:00.000-05:00

I'm having a hard time figuring out why I still haven't finished my card/project for the Thank You Challenge going on right now at Little Miss Muffet Stamps. Projects for people I know always take me too long! When I have no one in mind for a card or whatever, I can just put whatever I want on it, color it however I feel, etc... If you want to make some thank you cards - maybe you can get a super jump on thank you notes for the holidays - please feel free to enter the challenge!

If you'd like a little inspiration to get you going, this week's new releases include a reading duo, Allison and Abby...

and a pigtailed fisher, Payton...

*I'll have to take another pic of this after the sun comes up. My orange looks like weird yellow in all of my normal picture-taking spots...

There are two more new stamps being showcased by the team tomorrow!

Easy Sketch This Week...

2011-12-01T02:23:00.001-05:00

I just want to let you know that we have a simple sketch this week at The Outlawz. I used a digi from Torico/Birdie Brown to make a quick, CAS (for me) card...

Sandi will be giving away some of her digis to November's sketch challenge winner, and we have site-wide prizes from Oozak, SCACD and Anita Be Stampin! You have until the clock rolls into next Wednesday to get your projects in for a chance to win!

Don't forget that I'll be in a blog hop this weekend for Guylou's Inimitability! Not only am I on her team, she's one of my teammates at The Outlawz! ;D

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T06:02:00.001-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving! If you don't celebrate, have a great Thursday! I'm on the road and hoping that I finished setting up this mobile thing correctly. the new challenge at little miss muffett is thanks. I have a project that I was not able to finish that will, hopefully, wind up as awesome as I want it to be.Guess which little miss muffett stamp I am using for my project; when I return on saturday, I will pick 1 of the guesses as a winner to get the stamp and some goodies! leave a comment! Have a great day!

Seen Any Good Movies?

2011-11-23T00:18:00.001-05:00

So, I really want to see the new Muppet movie, but I'm scared it won't be as good as the old ones. And even though I didn't read Breaking Dawn, I want to see it, too. I did see Immortals in 3D and loved it! Granted, I'm a bloody action kind of chick; I love awesome fights in movies! Hugo? Puss in Boots? Happy Feet Two? Arthur Christmas? In Time? Have you seen any of these? (Yes, I love kids' movies, too...)

Well, as it is Wednesday, I have a new sketch from The Outlawz to share with you.

Here is my card using a seriously cute digi from Tiddly Inks:

I'd love for you to join us in the Sketch Challenge - or any of the challenges at The Outlawz, really. We have a new challenge that Sandi and Anne started; they're giving digis that they've drawn to folks who create projects with their stamps... They do great work! And who could ever have too many digis?

Challenges: Tiddly Inks - Anything Goes

C'mon Black Friday!

2011-11-22T16:59:00.001-05:00

Really, I'm excited about Black Friday. I usually go shopping with my mom in the wee hours of the morning; lately, though, we haven't found any deals worth getting up at 3 a.m. for. BUT, this year I'm excited because this darn Kohl's commercial will stop playing! I LOVE Kohl's! I mean, I've made MVC status in one trip before, but this Black Friday commercial is driving me insane and seems to come on every break... (I hope Rebecca Black got paid a grip for this. I had never seen her video for Friday until a minute ago.)

And just since I want to act mad about things... I ordered some Copic refills from Two Peas during the sale a couple of weekends ago. They've been floating around Atlanta since last Thursday and finally showed up at my house today. Let me show you some ridiculous nonsense...

Eight little bottles of refills in a 12x12x3 box?? I like Two Peas, but the shipping cost on these refills that take up less than an eighth of the box seems a bit crazy to me...

On a sweeter note, since I know that no one comes here just to read my rambling, here are a couple of cards I made for the June/July issue of Ready, Set, Create:

Heather Ellis digi + altered sentiment from TLC Creations

Best Friends digi from Whimsy and Stars Studio

Lindsay's Stamp Stuff sentiment with Cowboy Tobie from Some Odd Girl and digi paper from Peppermint Creative

The new issue is only a few days away!

Oh, Guylou's Inimitability is having a blog hop on Dec 3. It's only one day, so mark your calendar! There will be goodies all around!

New Releases

2011-11-18T02:58:00.001-05:00

This week's new releases from Little Miss Muffet Stamps include a cute (?) snake, a fish and his bowl, and two lovely ladies. Here is Hope; she looks like she could be one of my friends with her awesome idea for taking off some pounds!

The sentiment is a freebie from Paper Makeup Stamps. A big thank you to the ladies at Feline Playful and at Pals Paper Arts for helping with a sketch to get this card finished! I was cutting shapes and moving them around for a while before I decided to see if I could find a sketch. (smart, right??) :D

Check out the blog to see what the rest of the team came up with this week! These ladies come up with awesome stuff every week!!

Wreath Challenge at GI!

2011-11-17T22:59:00.001-05:00

The new challenge at Guylou's Inimitability is to use a wreath on your card. I used one of the new wreath images from GI to make a super simple CAS holiday card!

I went with non-traditional colors because I always love seeing wreaths in the store that aren't just green. I might go back and put some more glitter on this... (Love those atyou Spica pens!) My sentiment isn't quite as light as it looks in the picture; I put some glitter on it which didn't help it photo well...

If you want to join in the last GI challenge for 2011, please post your project on the blog before 10 p.m EST on December 1. The team has some awesome projects for this challenge! I just checked them out and can't wait to go visit their blogs!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

2011-11-16T15:09:00.001-05:00

Woohoo! Two more Christmas cards down! The first I made just because I saw this cute sheet in DCWV's Doodlin' Around stack and knew it would make for an easy, fun card...

That's Bright Lights Kaylee from Some Odd Girl getting her tree-trimming on! This card was really simple since all I had to do was color and cut out Kaylee and stamp a sentiment!

Challenges: Creative Craft Challenges - Minimalistic, Digital Tuesday Challenge - Christmas Time, Daisy Doodles - Anything Goes + a Digi

My second card is for this week's sketch at The Outlawz. Here is the sketch:

I used some paper (American Crafts + Dear Lizzy), a stamp and a snowflake sticker that were all on clearance back in the spring. I recently got some vellum, and this is pretty much the first time I've used it. After watching Kathy at The Daily Marker with all her vellum tricks, I went ahead and stamped and embossed my sentiment. The dew drop things I got from the awesome Piali last year with some Christmas goodies she gave away on her blog. Thanks again!

Challenges: Oldie But a Goodie - Let it Snow, Shopping Our Stash - Never Been Inked (sentiment)

Doors + Little Miss Muffet Challenge!

2011-11-10T03:00:00.000-05:00

Have you ever actually looked at your doors? I don't think I pay much attention to them other than to clean seriously obvious smudges. I had to look to try to find a door that could get some decent light while not showcasing the need for a new coat of paint... :D And why was I looking so hard for this door, you ask? Well, for the new challenge at Little Miss Muffet!

The new challenge is to create something simple and add a charm. I made a door hanger to let someone's kids (not mine; they're still eggs) know that Mommy is having "me time."

The stamp is Sarah, a digi from Little Miss Muffet Stamps; she was a new release last week. The charm was sent to me by my wonderful buddy Flatback Pearl aka Theresa. It is a little book that has"ABC" engraved on it. Thanks, Theresa!

I hope to see you in the challenge! It's an easy one this time! :D

Challenges: The Paper Variety - Family,Creative Craft Challenge - Minimalist, Crafty Cardmakers - Pink, Brown, Cream, Cupcake Craft Challenges - Textalicious, Cutie Pie Challenge - Use a Charm

Marker Winner!

2011-11-07T10:35:00.002-05:00

Hey all! I hope you had a great weekend, and if you're in the US, that Daylight Savings Time is being good to you! The winner of my set of Marvy Uchida Le Plume Permanent Markers is...

Naomi!

Naomi, I know you're on The Outlawz, so I'm going to send you a message there in order to get your address.

Thanks to all of you who entered!

Trick or Treat!

2011-11-06T13:49:00.000-05:00

Now, I know some of you don't "do" Halloween, but, I love it! (Free chocolate, awesome makeup, costumes!) This, however, is not a Halloween post. It is a treat, though!

A few weeks ago I won some of the new Marvy Uchida Le Plume Permanent Markers. (They're kind of like Copics - brush tip, alcohol-based ink, made in Japan.) Well, there was some sort of mix up, and I ended up with two sets of 24 markers! I called over and over until I got to speak with someone, and she told me that I could do whatever I wanted with the second set. SO... I'm going to give them to one of you! Having said that, please note that you will not get to pick which colors you want; I can only give away what I have. There are a bunch of pinks as I was lacking in that area with my Copics. Maybe I'll type the list after work tonight... Maybe...

If you're one of my followers and are interested in picking up this set, please put your name in the Mr. Linky list below. I'll let random.org pick a winner next Monday, Nov 7. Good luck!

Turkey Challenge!

2011-11-04T13:10:00.000-04:00

The new challenge at Guylou's Inimitability is to make a Thank You or Thanksgiving card with a turkey on it! If you want to play along, you don't have to use a GI stamp, but she does have a couple of freebies floating around. There's also a $10 prize and a Guest DT spot up for grabs! Post your project over on the blog before 10 p.m. EST on Nov. 17 for your chance to win!

**Um... I should have used the same card I made for the last challenge because it worked perfectly. This week's card was so hard since I was trying not to use the same image again this week. I had to make myself not put "Thanks for everything, you ol' turkey" as the sentiment... :D By the way, the turkey is a Dover image that I printed on the Shrinky Dinks you can use in your printer.

Challenges: Freshly Brewed Challenges - Anything Goes, Paper Crafting Journey - Use a Digi, My Mums Craft Shop - With Thanks, Inky Impressions - Photo Inspiration

New Releases at Little Miss Muffet!

2011-11-04T03:54:00.000-04:00

Yesterday Little Miss Muffet Stamps released two new images, Sparks and Sarah. Today there are another two new stamps - another Hatter and Chloe! That's Chloe in the uplifting (ha!) card above...

If you're interested in picking up any of the new stamps - or some of the older ones - now's the time to pick them up! Barbara won't be able to send any stamp orders until Sunday night. To make up for the wait, she's giving everyone who orders $10 or more a free stamp! Just include which stamp you want as the freebie in the comments section of your order.

Oh! The Clouds challenge is still going! You have a few more days to get your projects in on the challenge blog!

Challenges: Sarah Hurley - Use More Than Two Images, Freshly Brewed Challenges - Anything Goes, Paper Crafting Journey - Use a Digi, Forever Friends - Something Old, Something New (old balloon clear stamps, new digi stamp)

Rinne Has Candy + TO Sketch!

2011-11-02T13:14:00.000-04:00

My blog buddy Rinne has been cleaning her craft area and has a big heap of awesomeness that she's planning to give away! Her candy is open until Dec 20 or 175 followers. You want to be in on this one!

Okay, today happens to be Wednesday and time for a new sketch challenge at The Outlawz!

I used Nurse Anya from The Greeting Farm, DCWV's Super Stack 7, and some Copic-colored flowers from I Am Roses.

I normally crop tight, but I didn't want you all to miss that fall action in the background...

This image has been in my bag of colored images since I started with Copics last year. I did add a little extra shading; when I originally colored her I only had that one blue and darkened the shadow by going over it a few times with that one color. This card came together pretty quickly - after the mad dash to find paper and a mini glue gun burn! That is Ice Stickles on the flowers, Distress Ink on the circle, and trim from Wrights.

I hope to see you at The Outlawz! Remember, we have a different challenge EVERY day! You're sure to find one or two or seven that you want to get in on!

Cloud Challenge!

2011-10-27T03:00:00.000-04:00

There's a new challenge at Little Miss Muffet! If I show you my card, do you think you can guess what the challenge is? :D

Got it?? The new challenge is Clouds! Yes, you can make more realistic-looking clouds than mine.

Are you ready for the story of how I messed up on this one? Well, actually, this was a computer error. No, really; it was the computer... For some reason, one of my monsters printed out larger than the other two. I tried again by moving one of the monsters into the same place as the original large monster. Same problem! I had already colored my monster to layer her (sparkly nail polish = girl monster) so I had to improvise. I colored all the edges of the bottom monster black which is why you can see that thick edge in some areas. But look, I did manage something slightly cool on my monster:

I hope you come play along!

Challenges: Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes, The Paper Shelter - Anything Goes, Digistamps4Joy - Double Embellishment, PaperCrafting Journey - Use a Digi, Forever Friends - Anything Goes, Charisma Cardz - Anything Goes

I Really Want Some Oreos!

2011-10-26T18:16:00.000-04:00

Random, right? I've been eating a lot more fruits and veggies after watching Forks Over Knives on Netflix a few weeks ago. (Yes, I realize how people can turn data into just about whatever they want to, but I like having reasons to make myself eat better...) I just had a bowl of tomato soup and really want some Oreos now! I guess it's good I don't have any in the house; I can roll through half a row really quickly...

Anyway, I have a lot to share and don't want to make separate posts for all of it. So here we go!

First, a super big THANK YOU to:

My former Secret Pal, Shonda! She sent me an awesome Halloween card! (I think I haven't shared the card she sent before this, but I did get it, Shonda!)

BreAnn! I still haven't found the pics from the cards I sent her... She is a sweetie pie; she sent me a really cute Halloween card and bracelet that I'm almost too "fluffy" to wear. (see Oreo discussion above) :D

Celeste, Yolie, and Gaby! I won a prize during Link Up for Pink; it arrived yesterday!
Bizzy Becs! I bought some images for the fundraiser for Lyndall and won a goodie bag! Sorry for the poor picture...

Next on the agenda is the new Sketch Challenge on The Outlawz. I am still battling sinus issues brought on by the low pressure that ran through here last week. As such, I'm not really feeling well. I never seem to be at 100% (sinus issues, year-round allergies) so this really doesn't help... I didn't feel like getting out of bed to much before going to work yesterday. I had to throw my card together quickly before rushing out to work. No coloring this time! Some old K&Co paper and chipboard stickers I got on clearance last year came to my rescue!!

This is the sketch:

I have some bookmarks, too, but I'm going to save them until this weekend. I don't want to bore you to death!

Challenges: The Sisterhood of Crafters - Halloween, Tip Top Tuesday - Trick or Treat, Use it Tuesday - Colors - Orange, Black, or Purple, The Stamping Boutique - Spooky Scary Halloween

FALL Challenge! & a DT Call!

2011-10-21T07:30:00.000-04:00

, There's a new challenge at Guylou's Inimitability! Gina has issued us a FALL challenge! This one is a recipe challenge - Fabric, Amber, Lace, and Leaves. If you want to join in the fun, you have until 10 p.m. EST on November 3 to put your project in the Inlinkz at Guylou's Inimitability.

Now, I'm not going to lie - lace and fabric were throwing me for a loop when I was putting this card together. I have some lace I bought recently, but it's black. I'd already picked out the papers, and black wasn't matching. Then I was wondering if I could claim that lacey fabric would knock out both of those pieces of the challenge. Well, I lucked out and remembered some items in my stash... I used a lace sticker I got from Korea (via eBay) and some muslin that I bought years ago to line the inside of some pillows. And with that, here's my card using Leah Cooks a Turkey:

Apparently I like this card design. (This is almost the same as my Agent Popcorn card that was made a few hours after this one was...) Now, if you'd like to help inspire me with your awesomeness so that I might be able to make different styled card, maybe you should enter the DT Call at Guylou's Inimitability! The directions are here.

I hope to see you in the challenge and entered in the DT call! Thanks Paulette for the sentiment!

Challenges: CCEE Stampers - Fall, The Paper Shelter - Harvest, C.R.A.F.T Challenge - Autumn, Art Impressions Stamps - Lace

Agent Popcorn!

2011-10-21T03:00:00.000-04:00

There are two more new stamps from Little Miss Muffet Stamps today! Agent Popcorn is the newest Operation: Treehouse girl! You can get her shooting popcorn with a slingshot or eating popcorn...

Umm... Why did this super easy card take me hours to put together?? I colored the image before I went to work then spent HOURS pulling out sheets of paper only to decide that I didn't like the pattern, color, or combo. The other ladies on the team made fabulous cards; I hope they aren't wondering how I made it! :D

Thanks again Joanne B. for sending me the filmstrip and file tab dies PLUS the MFT stamp set that the sentiment above came from!

Challenges: Shelly's Images - Anything Goes

Guess What?

2011-10-20T03:00:00.000-04:00

Did you guess yet? Come on, just make some random guess... Okay, I'll tell you. I'm now on the DT for Little Miss Muffet Stamps! I've seriously been ~~stalking~~ visiting Barbara's blog, and she invited me (wha??) to join the team! I'm super excited!

Today, there are two extremely cute new releases for Christmas - a kitten and a puppy. I used Button, the kitten, for my project.

This stamp is adorable! And no, everything isn't as crooked as it looks. I didn't line up the camera right and had to rotate the pic in Picnik so it would look sort of straight. Maybe I'll re-photo this from a better angle when I get up in a few hours. (My mats are all uneven though, as usual!)

Challenges: 4 Crafty Chicks - Marker It Up, Ruby's Rainbow - Cute and Cuddly, I Did It Creations - Animals, Lollipop Crafts - No Sentiment

Another Halloween Card for The Outlawz!

2011-10-19T16:49:00.002-04:00

I feel like I'm coming down with something and am about to go take a nap. I hope I'll wake up in about an hour feeling energized and ready to color! If not, I'll have some tea to soothe my throat and something for this headache; I have a couple of projects due this week still... Ah, it's the weather! I always forget that I have super sinus issues and that quick changes in barometric pressure as fronts move cause issues. For years, I just thought something was wrong with me because I'd get these horrible headaches for what seemed like no reason. I only recently made the connection...

Here's the sketch for this week at The Outlawz:

This is my card for the challenge using another of Sandi's digis:

When I originally colored this pic, I was trying to use some different paper. I really didn't like how it looked, but luckily, I found some other paper and colored over the robe and skin. I like it a LOT more now...

Must retreat to the bed now... :(

Have you backed up your digis lately?

2011-10-15T21:39:00.000-04:00

To my fellow digital stampers, this is just a reminder to back up your stamps. It's a lot easier to back up your files than to try to work backwards if something unfortunate happens...

Maybe Not a Secret Anymore...

2011-10-15T06:30:00.000-04:00

*I accidentally posted this last year! I hope it's still a surprise...

Ok, so some people in the Secret Pals group weren't receiving stuff in the beginning. SPs were supposed to send at least 5 times, but if you average that over a year, it might take a while to get something. I signed up to send extra cards to someone who needed a pick me up, and got BreAnn! Strangely enough, just a few days before I was given her address, BreAnn and I had just become friends on some of the sites we're both on. We're in a lot of the same groups so I had to really stretch to make it so she wouldn't immediately know that I was the person sending her stuff. Here are the cards I sent BreAnn:

The inside of the chickie card above...

**Wouldn't you know it's been 3 and a half months since this post went live and I'm just now finding the pics?????

Surprise! Happy Birthday, Guylou!

2011-10-13T00:01:00.000-04:00

Guess whose birthday it is? GUYLOU! Now, if you don't know, G is one super sweet, super talented lady! She is seriously one reason why I love to make cards. When I was very new to making cards, she put me on her design team (my first one) and has always been really supportive of me. G, I hope you have an awesome birthday! ;D

To celebrate this momentous occasion, the Guylou's Inimitability Design Team is having a surprise birthday blog hop! Everyone has a special card for G using one of her images. And there's a prize! If you comment on all of the team members' blogs AND WISH G a HAPPY BIRTHDAY on her blog, you'll be eligible for a RAK that includes a pack of 4 Copic Multiliners, 2 Stardust pens, a black Memento ink pad, and a $5 gift certificate to Guylou's Inimitability! You have until Sunday, October 16 at 11:59 p.m. EST to join in the celebration.

Here's the hop order in case you are like me and just jump from blog to blog without regard:

Trina <-- You're HERE!

Gina

**Don't forget that Guylou's Inimitability has a gorgeous angel with a ribbon you can customize for any cause available free until Oct 14! Check the blog for the details!

How about some card kits?

2011-10-12T15:36:00.000-04:00

The Sketch DT on The Outlawz is giving away kits to make our cards this month! One winner will get kits to make all of the DT's inspiration cards this month! Since our own Sandi drew the images we're using, the winner gets those, too!

Here is this week's sketch:

And here is my card:

Yep, that skull paper is crooked as sin! :D I tried to hide it a little by adding some pearls... Didn't really work, did it?

I hope to see you around the challenge this week!

To My Secret Pal - #1

2011-10-10T06:56:00.000-04:00

I don't know if whoever's reading this has been around since Oct 2010, but I've been sending cards to a "Secret Pal" for the last year. I signed up in the Anything Goes group on PCP last year, and Abby from Scrapbookaholic by Abby and the new Dilo en Español stamps is who I've been sending things to. I didn't want to post any of the cards I made for her just in case she was a super sleuth...

Anyway, when I got Abby's info, I went to her blog and saw that she was planning a blog hop for Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Luckily, I knew a little about the holiday from high school Spanish classes. (Google also helped...) To put it very briefly, Dia de los Muertos is a time to honor and celebrate people who have passed, and there are sugar skulls, flowers, and food involved...

I used a skull stamp from Imaginisce to make two cards.

For the first card, I used paper from DCWV's Rock Star stack. The skull was stamped with Studio G white pigment ink, but I went over the white with a colored pencil because it seemed to be smearing even though I'd stamped the skulls days before I used them. I used the colored pencils to draw on the skull; the blue was supposed to kinda be like tears. One of the peas fonts from KevinandAmanda.com was used to make the sentiment. It means remember. (I called my godbrother who spent some time in Spain for study abroad and had my cousin ask her fiancee which is more right - recuerda or acuerdate. If you think I should've used the other, Sorry!)

For the other card, I made my own background by using the Flower Sketch stamp from Autumn Leaves. I stamped the flowers with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink, colored a base with my Copics, then used my colored pencils on top. I just happened to find some odorless mineral spirits in my garage (score!) and was able to finally try to blend my pencils. I used the pencils and mineral spirits for the blue background too. The skull was stamped just like the other and covered in MS glitter glue in graphite & nephrite.

Hopefully, Abby liked them!

Breast Cancer Awareness (and a Goodie) at Guylou's Inimitability!

2011-10-07T11:43:00.001-04:00

You probably already know that I am seriously silly. I am loving all the quirky BCA cards everyone is making - Kitties for Titties, Save the Hooters, and this cute card by Cely! But since not every situation calls for silly, I made this card using a beautiful new stamp by Guylou and a sentiment from TLC for the new challenge at GI:

Guylou designed this new image in honor of the Breast Cancer Awareness program and for reaching over 250 followers on the Guylou's Inimitability blog. Gabrielle and ribbon is available for FREE between October 7th and 14th at Guylou's Online Store. Please use the code BCA-GABRIELLE at check out to get it FREE!!

If you decide to participate in the challenge (mostly pink + pink ribbon), Guylou is offering a $5.00 gift certificate from her online store to the randomly-chosen winner. You can enter only one project, but if you use a Guylou's Inimitability digistamp, your project will count for two entries. If you don't have one of her digi stamps and/or your budget is tight; please check her online store where several freebies are available or you can use the digistamp offered above! You have until 10 p.m. EST on Oct. 20 to enter your projects on the GI blog!

Challenges: Prairie Fairy Fridays - Girly, Jellypark Challenges - Pink & a Ribbon for BCA, Crafts and Me - Use a Digi, Digistamps 4 Joy - Think Pink, Inky Impressions - Breast Cancer Awareness/Monochromatic, Link Up for Pink!!

The Party is Rocking!!

2011-10-03T14:07:00.000-04:00

Our party on The Outlawz has started and it is rocking! We have so many prizes and things for you to do this week! All of the challenges started today this week, and all are running through the week... If you aren't a member or haven't already checked out the goings-on, hurry on over!!

The sketch challenge this week is to use this sketch:

My card is made using a digi by fellow DT member Sandi and a stamp I got last year as part of some candy. I've been waiting for Halloween to come back around to use all the stamps and paper I racked up on last year! :D (**Sandi has a tutorial for making homemade Flower Soft as part of our blog hop!)

As soon as I stuck the bear down, I thought I should have put a green mat around him. BUT, I used Scor-Tape, and that stuff is impossible to get back up!

I can't wait to see you on The Outlawz!!

I Started on World Cardmaking Day...

2011-10-02T02:38:00.001-04:00

What's ridiculous is that there is no coloring on this card AND I'd already drawn up the sketch a few days ago, but this card still took me into today, the day after World Cardmaking Day!

I picked up some Me & My Big Ideas breast cancer patterned paper for a project and decided I couldn't just let it rot in my paper collection, especially since I kept reading about Link Up for Pink! I drew the bird in my artist buddy Ernesto Cuevas's style. (I didn't forget after all these years! Yes, the bottom should be longer and pointier...) And I used a great sentiment from TLC Creations.

There really is something to be said about staying positive and believing that something good is coming in the midst of bad things. As some of you know, a young (20 when diagnosed) family member of mine recently underwent treatment for osteosarcoma. She was sad and missed her friends, but she stayed her happy self overall. Thankfully, she's had a couple of clean scans and is back in college!

Someone who may need your help to stay positive during the next few months is Betty from Simply Betty Stamps. If you haven't read her post about her son, it's here. I'm sure something big will pop up for her family in the next few days. We crafters are pretty awesome and like to help each other out in rough times... :D

This card will be linked to Yolie, Celeste, and Gaby's Link Up for Pink and TLC's weekend mini-blog hop.

**Something that's helping me be positive right now is the fact that The Outlawz 1000 Member Party is less than 24 hours away! We're having challenges, games, and blog hop and more! We have great prizes, too, including one $100 GC to Oozak and another to SCACD!

I Haven't Entered This Many...

2011-09-29T14:23:00.000-04:00

I haven't entered this many challenges in a while, but I'm really excited and happy about a project I just finished! I always check the rules to not enter challenges with limits, so if I added your challenge and don't qualify, please forgive me!

Here's my project:

I altered a chalkboard for a friend who was recently named Teacher of the Year. It might not look like it, but it took me forever to finish this project. I'm really slow about crafting and tend to move things around like a million times to figure out where I want things. I guess that's why I like sketch challenges!

Challenges: 4 Crafty Chicks - Anything Goes, Shelley's Images - Tic-tac-toe (Bling/Free/Flowers), Southern Girls - Anything Goes, Digistamps 4 Joy - Anything Goes, Paper Pretties - Sentiment as the Focal Point, Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes, Anything Goes Challenges - Anything Goes (of course!), Clear It Out - Alter Something, Jens Digi Stamps - Let's Hear it for the Girls, Going Grey with Scrap-Creations - It's a Girl Thing

Big thanks to the team at Feline Playful!

If you'd like the details...My cute little teacher is a hybrid - Teacher Anya and Easter Anya from The Greeting Farm. I painted and crackle finished the frame then glittered the cracks. The stars are chipboard covered in paper from October Afternoon's Schoolhouse pack. The Well Done and A+ banner up top are from KaiserCraft's Class of '87 line. I wanted to use transfer paper to write her name using a font from a scrapbook lettering book I have, but I didn't have the right kind. I ended up having to free hand it, but I don't think it came out bad. And because I always have a tip from messing up something... If you use white ink on a chalkboard, you can erase your mistakes with nail polish remover! (Teacher was SO slanted when I first wrote it.) I got the flowers from eBay a long time ago, but I rarely use flowers on my projects. I colored them with Copics and Glimmer Mist then put some Stickles on top. All the rhinestones are from Michaels.

Don't forget the party starts Monday on The Outlawz!

It's Almost Party Time!!

2011-09-28T18:15:00.000-04:00

The party at The Outlawz starts Monday! Are you ready? We have hundreds of dollars in prizes, including two $100 gift certificates - one to Oozak.com and another to SCACD! We're also giving a prize to one member who posts the party flyer to a blog or Facebook post. You can get a gift certificate to Paper Temptress just for telling others about the party!

The sketch challenge this week is sponsored by Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps. That store and Paper Temptress are giving prizes to someone who completes a sketch challenge this month. This is the last sketch of the month:

And here's a bookmark I made using the Bookworm digi from Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps:

Hope to see you in the challenge!

Thank You!!

2011-09-27T00:16:00.000-04:00

I owe some thanks as I've gotten some awesome things in the mail lately!

1. Thanks so much to Joanne at http://www.stampedbyhand.blogspot.com! She sent me some awesome MFT dies and a stamp set. Plus, she sent me one of her gorgeous cards! If you don't follow her blog, you are missing out!

2. I won some Copics from La-La Land Crafts! While I was super happy that I was getting some FREE Copics, I was concerned that the markers would get here and be colors I already have. I'm so happy to say that they helped finish some color families on my color chart!

3. Hopefully, I'll have a set of Marvy Uchida markers soon from SRM Stickers!

I'm so lucky to have won such awesome things lately. Especially since I can't win any of the amazing prizes that will be given out during the 1000 Member Celebration at The Outlawz! If you haven't made it over there yet, please know that we have two $100 gift certificates as prizes - one to Oozak.com and another for SCACD! There are so many great prizes and fun challenges lined up for the party. You don't want to miss it!

New Challenge at The Outlawz!

2011-09-21T23:31:00.000-04:00

Here is this week's sketch at The Outlawz!

And here is my card using Randy Valentine's Boy, a digi from Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps, one of the sketch challenge's sponsors this month:

Hopefully, you've heard that there will soon be a serious party on The Outlawz. The party won't start until October 3, but right now, we're offering a chance to get $25 in awesomeness from Paper Temptress! Post our party flyer on your blog or Facebook page for entries in the giveaway... (See rules on our main page!)

You going to the movies this weekend? I think I'm going to have to see Killer Elite!

Guylou & I have Mind Meld Powers!!

2011-09-16T00:10:00.001-04:00

The new challenge at Guylou's Inimitability is Thank You + a Star. There are so many images at GI that would work perfectly for this challenge, but somehow Guylou and I used the same image and sentiment on our cards! No, I don't get to see the other DT members' card in advance, and no, she didn't copy mine as I barely got it in to her before the challenge went up... Mind meld, I tell ya!

Here's my card using Genie from Guylou's Inimitability:

I used some Divaliscious papers from Glitz and Copics to color. The font is one of the free ones available at kevinandamanda.com. After looking at G's card, I wish I'd used that vellum on the skirt like I was planning. Maybe I could have let it float out of the circle? For extra stars, I embossed the top paper with the Teeny Tiny Backdrops stars from Lawn Fawn.

Anyway, if you'd like to join in the fun, you have until 10 p.m. EST on Sept. 29 to link your project at Guylou's Inimitability. The prize for this challenge is a $10 gift certificate - enough for a mini stamp haul! G is giving two challenge entries for using a GI stamp for this challenge. If you don't have any, the store has freebies! Hey, I don't even have some of the stamps in the freebies section! I need to get on that... See you in the challenge!!

Challenges: 4 Crafty Chicks - Embossing, Shelly's Images - Anything Goes

This Week's Sketch & Party Announcement!

2011-09-14T23:27:00.000-04:00

We're almost there! The Outlawz has almost 1000 members! You won't want to miss this one!!

Here is this week's sketch:

And this is my card using a digi from Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps, one of the sponsors of the sketch challenge this month:

Here We Go!

2011-09-07T12:01:00.001-04:00

Thank you all so much for helping me celebrate my birthday and blogaversary! While I probably have enough supplies to give everyone a little something, I let Random.org pick 3 winners. They are...

#27 - Lori M.

Yay! Lori happens to be a great follower; she comments on just about every post! I didn't even realize she was the who she is because the emails are always from her blog title, "Reflections from Granny"!

#19 - Teresa Arsenault

Yay! Teresa is a sweetie pie who plays at The Outlawz!

and #37 - E.T.

Yay! If you've never been to E.T.'s blog, you must now! Her cards are always fab. I expect to see something I send you on a card, E.T., since I'll probably end up paying a tank of gas to mail you some goodies! :D

~~Ladies, please send me your complete mailing addresses so I can get your goodies out to you this week.~~ Packages sent!

**Sorry Gina!**

Candy Update...

2011-09-06T22:05:00.000-04:00

So, I happened to run off for a Labor Day vacation a day earlier than planned (free room!), and I haven't had a chance to get everything together and photo'd. When I get up tomorrow, I will finish collecting things and post the winners of my followers/birthday/blogaversary candy. Sorry!

Blog Candy, I Have!

2011-09-05T00:00:00.001-04:00

Speak Yoda, do you? So dorky, I am! I'm not much of a Star Wars geek, but I do enjoy an occasional Yoda-speak moment. Today's moment stemmed from a comment I made about Gina's cute button for the new challenge at Guylou's Inimitability! I promise not to give you any more (during this post)...

Anyway, 30 days from now (Sept 4), I will celebrate my first year of crafty blogging! Lord willing, between now and then, I will also enjoy a birthday and maybe reaching 200 blog followers. (Nine away!) To encourage you to celebrate with me, I'm putting together some candy! Here's a "draft" of the goodies. Some more things will be added as I search through my crafty mess to find the things I had off to the side for this event...

(Sorry for the raggedy picture; I never mange to take pics during the "real" hours of daylight.)

So... If you'd like to win, make sure you're a follower then add your name to the linky list below. Feel free to add the picture of my candy to your blog; I would appreciate it, but it is not a requirement to win. I'll draw the winner (winners?) on Sept 5! Good luck!

Before I Forget...

2011-09-02T22:17:00.000-04:00

Before I forget, if you'd like to help out a mom with inoperable cancer, get some digis, and possible win a prize, please go here.

Back to School at GI!

2011-09-02T19:34:00.000-04:00

Ready to go back to school? Well, the new challenge at Guylou's Inimitability will make you put on your thinking cap! We're heading back to school with some new digis and a back to school challenge. For this challenge, you'll need a school themed project with an apple on it. Here's my card using Teacher Leah and a button apple idea I saw in this YT video:

You can join the challenge by uploading a link to your project before 10 p.m. EST on September 15 and get a chance to be score some great GI stamps and a GDT spot. If you can't wait to get your hands on some of Guylou's digis, make sure to head over for the Labor Day Sale starting tomorrow!

No Clever Title Today!

2011-08-31T20:08:00.000-04:00

It's another Wednesday and, therefore, time for a new sketch at The Outlawz! Here's the sketch:

And here's my card using some cute doughnut digis from Torico's blog:

Do you type doughnut or donut? Just wondering...

Oh, here are some more awesome cards I got for my birthday! The first is from my fellow GI DT member Gina, the second is from Bridget, and the third is from someone unknown overseas... Thanks for thinking of me, ladies!

Don't forget to go link your project at The Outlawz! We have great prizes this month from Oozak, SCACD, Gilly Rubber Stamps, and Paper Temptress!

Is Late Really Better Than Never?

2011-08-20T10:00:00.000-04:00

The newest challenge at Guylou's Inimitability is a sketch challenge. Carmen designed the sketch, and it is fabulous! I really liked this card once I got it finished; it is definitely one of my favorites of all the cards that I've made. The digi from Guylou's Inimitability is Phillip, and the paper is from the Sugar and Spice pack by The Paper Studio (Hobby Lobby)...

If you want to play along in this challenge, you have until 10 p.m. EST on Sep 1 to link your project up on the GI blog. Be sure to check out the other DT members' creations from the sidebar or at the blog. Aunty Sue is the GDT for this challenge, and her card is beautiful! You could be the GDT if you play along!!

1000 Sheets Giveaway

2011-08-20T09:41:00.000-04:00

Amy is giving out a ton of paper and stamps again! You definitely want to make it over for her candy!!
She also happens to be an excellent crafter; you really should check her out! The candy is open until Sep 23...

Secret Pal Birthday Goodness!

2011-08-18T13:07:00.000-04:00

My Secret Pal from the Anything Goes group on PCP sent me a box of birthday goodies! Now, I assumed this box was for my birthday, so I SHOULD have put it to the side to wait until my birthday, but... :D

I got a beautiful gatefold birthday card (already posted on the mantle!), two huge rubber stamps, and a sewing-themed explosion box! Check my initial on top; my SP is detail-oriented! Thank you!!

Just a few more months and I'll be able to know who my SP is! I need to send something to my person...

**Sorry I haven't bothered to post the date of my birth, but I have good credit and can't be bothered with the thieves that exist in the world. Some of us post a bit too much info. Think I'm just being weird? This article is from a local news station from yesterday. No, a blog isn't an FB or Twitter page, but the same folks trolling for info can go through a blog just as easily... I used to work with a man who did a lot of Crime Prevention through Environmental Design work; as a result, I'm wary of lots of things that give up too much info (i.e. those family bumper stickers with family members' names, especially the ones with kids in uniforms with their numbers and pet names; mailboxes with names; names on license plates; car keys with house phone numbers to call if the keys are found...). Yes, I just said a lot. I want you to be safe, too! Let me know if you need an explanation of why these things help make a person more vulnerable to someone up to no good...

If you're on any of the crafting sites - PCP, The Outlawz, SOC - you'll see my pic pop up on my birthday!

Note to Self...

2011-08-17T22:38:00.000-04:00

Stop trying new techniques hours before a card is due... :D I was trying to figure out what I wanted to make for this week's sketch challenge at The Outlawz.

Well, after flipping through some stamps, I found a set that was talking to me. (I tried to find a picture online, but that was pretty much a bust.) I was going to make a card with a spinner with the sentiment on it, but (yes, another "but") I would have had to make a huge card with these itty bitty stamps. So, I decided to find a way to spin the images. I'm not sure if I'd ever seen a viewmaster card before, but after putting in a couple of different terms in Google, I finally stumbled upon the right words and found tutorials! Unfortunately, I decided I wanted my card to work how I wanted and not how the tutorials did... More work for me! Anyway, here's what I came up with. Please note, it isn't right, so the card front came off immediately after the picture was taken.

Yeah, I'll have to fix that part that is used for spinning... ;D The other two stamps are a popsicle (cool) and an ice cream cone (sweet). The set is from Studio G, and the papers are from Fly a Kite by My Mind's Eye/Lime Twist.

Anyway, come play in a challenge or two or seven at The Outlawz! This month, we have site-wide prizes from Oozak, Paper Temptress, SCACD, and Gilli!

Guess What I Got?

2011-08-12T18:21:00.000-04:00

Colleen, an amazing colorer/card-maker I met last year and fearless leader of The Outlawz challenge site, sent me a goodie bag! I think she sent it because she loves me so much, but I'm telling myself it is an early birthday present! Look at all the gorgeous ribbon she sent me!

Thanks so much, Colleen!

Outlawz Sketch for this Week!

2011-08-10T21:50:00.001-04:00

I should have posted earlier; now I have to rush because my laptop's service is being requested by another... So, here's the new sketch at The Outlawz:

The cupcake and cherry on top are from Unity Stamps's Sweet Yummy Cupcakes set. The papers are from a birthday scrapbook page kit by DCWV. Gotta run!

Friends with Goodies!

2011-08-10T12:39:00.001-04:00

Just a heads up for those of you who, like me, read blogs in Reader and miss all the sidebar goodies...

1. My friend Brenda is an amazing cardmaker! She is giving away some birthday candy. You have until Aug 13 to enter...

2. Another of my crafty buddies, Lisa, is giving away some super goodies to celebrate a little over a year in blogging and her lovely followers. Honestly, I don't know why she doesn't have a slew of followers; she is a spectacular crafter! Check her out before Sep 2! (I would show you the picture of the goodness she's giving away, but each piece is in a separate photo in Pinterest. Trust me, it's awesome, mermaid-themed goodness!)

3. Theresa, aka Flatback Pearl, is a superb crafter (mainly cards and jewelry) and one of the people who gave me all sorts of support when I started making cards. She has some one year candy up and is adding more goodies for every 20 new followers she gets! (Right now, she's only 3 away from the next goody upgrade!) For some reason, she has yet to add any pearls! Crazy! :D Check her out before Aug 30!

And for some folks who I don't "know" but am inspired by...

Mina is giving away some of the new Authentique paper. (Bunny Zoe's is giving away a blue pad, too.)

Kylie has some second blogaversary candy, and it's quite awesome...

Jane has a Whiff of Joy autumn stamp pack...

Good luck, y'all! And don't forget about my candy! :D

A Challenge of a Challenge!

2011-08-05T21:18:00.004-04:00

The new challenge at Guylou's Inimitability is up! This new Color + Anything but a Card challenge was a bit of a challenge for me since I hardly ever make things that aren't cards. Plus, the colors are bright, summery, fun colors that I probably wouldn't think to put together when I color. Here's the palette:

After going back and forth between a bookmark and a corner bookmark, I finally decided to make a paperclip bookmark using the digi Marysse.

Ready for the hint that will help keep you from making one of my mistakes? Don't make the top super huge like I did! I'm not sure how this will hold up to all the reading I do. A smaller top won't stick out of the book so far and will have less of a chance to bend.

You have until 10 p.m. on Aug 18 to link your project at Guylou's Inimitability. I can't wait to see what you make! Don't forget to check out the rest of the DT's projects and GDT member Kurlygirl's awesome creation!

Blog candy for you, I have!

Challenges: Stamp Something - Digi Day, Raise the Bar - Anything Goes, Cardmadfairy's Digi Days Challenge - Summer Holidays, Crafty Purple Frog Challenges - Anything but a Card, Moving Along with the Times - Don't be Square

They Made Me!

2011-08-03T22:58:00.000-04:00

Since I had to pull out my Christmas supplies for a recent challenge on The Outlawz, I have really wanted to make Christmas-y things! I let the feeling lead me for this week's Sketch Challenge...

I almost never manage to follow the sketch, but I do try to keep the overall feeling! :D Here's the sketch:

I hope you get over to play along! We have great prizes this month from Oozak ($50 GC), SCACD ($25 GC), Gilli Rubber Stamps (Gilli Goody Bag), and Paper Temptress ($20 in Goodies)!

Thanks again to Claire at Bearydo Paperie for the paper!

Good and Late!

2011-07-28T22:31:00.001-04:00

Here's this week's sketch at The Outlawz Challenges:

This is my card using one of the new Blush Society stamps from The Greeting Farm:

Y'all know I don't have any tags, right? I was struggling to figure out what I was going to use in that space until I remembered I recently got the Spellbinders Fleur de Lis Accents set. The paper is MME/Lime Twist's Happy Go Lucky. The letter stamps are from K-I Memories; I ended up putting some Viva Decor Pearl Pen over the stamped letters. Those little rhinestones up top are stickers from Recollections.

Okay, I hope you get to play along over at the Outlawz Challenges! We have great site-wide prizes this month from Oozak, SCACD, Gilli, and Paper Temptress, plus an amazing set of goodies that will be going to one lucky sketch challenge participant!

Challenges: Little Darlings Challenges - #4 Girly, Papercraft Star - Anything Goes

Recipe Challenge at Guylou's Inimitability!!

2011-07-16T00:09:00.000-04:00

First, LMFAO's Party Rock Anthem is officially the song stuck in my head... I couldn't stop dancing in my seat while tutoring the other day. I tried to explain to my poor children that ADD can do that to a person; I think they just thought it was cute... :D

Second, and why you're probably here, is the new challenge at Guylou's Inimitability! Kim is hosting the challenge this time and has a recipe for you - 1 ribbon, 2 patterned papers, and 3 (or more) pieces of bling!

Here's my project using William and Kate:

I would love to tell you all about this card, but I have to go to sleep. I had to rush to send this over yesterday and have driven about nine hours today in order to attend a funeral that seemed to have been in a rice paddy. (Gotta love the country on a rainy afternoon...) I do know that the paper is some I bought last week from SCACD - Bo Bunny's Crush, the ribbon is May Arts, and the circle rhinestones are from Recollections.

Go enter the challenge!! You could win a DT spot and a gift certificate to the store at Guylou's Inimitability!

New Sketch!

2011-07-13T15:16:00.000-04:00

I don't have a card this week. I don't want to feel like I'm depressing you all with my life, especially because it will sound way worse than it really is. I'm more than okay. Just say some prayers for me; The Lord knows what I need...

Here's this week's sketch for the challenge at The Outlawz:

The girls made some great cards again this week! Plus, we have a great prize from Melanie just for participants in this month's sketch challenges. There are also site-wide prizes: a $50 gift certificate from Oozak, a $25 gift certificate from SCACD, and a Goodie Bag from Gilli Rubber Stamps!

How Sweet!

2011-07-11T13:00:00.001-04:00

Look at this awesome set of goodies I got from Candy for being one of the winners of her 100 followers candy! She loaded the box with all kinds of supplies - stamps, stickers, flowers, brads, and even a really cool die cut mini album! Candy, thank you so much!! And not just for the candy either...

When I first started making cards last year, Candy was one of the people who always had an encouraging word for me. (Theresa G and the two Lisas, too.) I've been really blessed in finding very sweet, supportive crafting buddies during the last year. My birthday and blogaversary are coming up soon, so y'all stick around, ya hear? :D

My Check Card is Screaming!

2011-07-09T11:49:00.000-04:00

Basically, I cannot pass up a sale. It really doesn't matter how broke I am or how much I don't actually need the item(s) being sold. If there's a sale, I NEED to buy something! ;D I know you're the same. I mean, if you read this blog, you're more than likely a fellow crafter/supply hoarder. So allow me to be an enabler and give you the skinny on the sales...

Claudia & Company is having its biannual Getting Ready for CHA sale right now. I just hit them up. (I had to shop before posting; I wasn't going to risk you beating me over and buying out what I wanted!) Practically everything - paper, Spellbinders (arrgh, I just realized I forgot to go back to this section), embellishments, and stamps - are on sale until the 15.

SCACD also has a paper sale going on right now. I hit them up yesterday morning thanks to the urging of Colleen and Crystal...

I'm going to have to make myself not buy any new paper for a while, but I absolutely love it! I kinda love it too much; I usually don't want to cut it because I may want it for something else... Shameful, I know. At least I'll have some new packs to ooh and aah over next week!

2 Quick Cards

2011-07-08T01:07:00.003-04:00

I have two cards to share really quickly...

The first is from my Secret Pal on Paper Craft Planet. She made me an awesome card for the 4th of July. That strip is transparent, and the sentiment is on the inside. When the card is open, the stars look like they're floating! I have a very sweet SP. I'm not sure if she's been checking my blog, but I'm sharing anyway!

The second card is one I made a few months ago for Ready, Set, Create. Crystal, the most prolific card maker I know and DT member for, like, everyone, had a card with Kenny K's Bling Baby on her blog last week, and I commented that I would post mine. I didn't get to it last week, but here it is...

I really liked this card; it was one that turned out almost how I hoped it would. You all understand... If you're interested in submitting to the mag, there are literally just a couple (til July 10) of days to get your projects in. The current calls are on the FB page linked above...

Flirty Anya & Prizes at The Outlawz!

2011-07-06T21:55:00.001-04:00

Hey, we've got a new Wednesday Sketch Challenge up at The Outlawz!

We also have an awesome prize including some Just Rite Stamps.

Melanie is giving these away to a random player this month. Plus, our site-wide sponsors are Oozak.com, Gilli Rubber Stamps, and SCACD! You (unlike me) have plenty of chances to win some prizes!

Here's my card using this week's sketch!

My card has the super cute Flirty Anya from The Greeting Farm with a border made from MS's Swirling Lace corner punch. The tag is from the Mini Tags set by Maya Road, and it has stars from Lawn Fawn and an embossed sentiment from a Studio G set. I also used the colors from Tuesday's Color Challenge (red, white, and black), but this week, that group is making Christmas cards!

I hope you come play along! :D

Challenges: Divas by Design - Die Cuts & Punches, The Paper Shelter - Lots of Dots, Craft Your Passion - Anything Goes, Corrosive Challenge - Red and White

Stars & Stripes Challenge at Guylou's!

2011-07-01T10:02:00.001-04:00

Happy Canada Day! I'm so not Canadian, but I don't feel like you have to be a part of some group to wish someone a good day... Every year on certain holidays, I'll answer the phone and say, "Happy (insert holiday here)!" Invariably, at least one person on the other end will respond, "I'm not a ___ (mom/dad/grandparent, etc.)" or "I don't celebrate ___" SO WHAT? It's not much different than me saying "Happy Friday," is it? If I were wishing someone a happy birthday or anniversary or graduation on the wrong day, that would be one thing. A holiday? Stop trippin'! Yes, ranting... Sorry!

Anyway, just in time for Canada Day and Fourth of July, Sara chose Stars and Stripes for the new challenge at Guylou's Inimitability! Don't think you have to try to make something patriotic; I see projects all the time with these two elements on them that have nothing to do with national pride. Go look, the DT and GDT Melissa Sackman have created a mix of cards that are all fabulous! (And a big congrats to Sara for making the Create with TLC DT!)

If you choose to play along, you have until 10 p.m. EST on July 14 to link your project at Guylou's Inimitability. If you win, you'll get a Guest Design Team member spot plus a gift certificate to pick up some of G's awesome digis! You might even pick Chuck and Sparkler which I used on my card below! (My Chuck has been slightly altered; the original is holding an American flag in the raised hand.)

I'm thinking of throwing a sentiment on this card, but I still don't know what I want it to say. I want something summer-y since that's what sparklers make me think of. When I was a kid, I used to love trying to draw things with them!

Challenges: Stamp Something - Digi Day, Craft Us Crazy - Summer, Digi Doodle Shop - Anything Goes, Southern Girls - Childhood Memories

Yes, I'm on Time!!

2011-06-29T10:34:00.000-04:00

Hey everyone! Today is Wednesday aka Sketch Challenge Day at The Outlawz! We have a great sketch this week, and my fellow DT ladies have created some awesomeness to inspire you! (Just so you know, Sandi used an amazing hummingbird digi that she drew! She's supposed to add it to the Freebies section of The Outlawz soon; head on over to get all the digis she and Anne Fenton have served up!)

Sandi and Pattie's Creations (Pattie G) are both sponsoring the Sketch Challenge this month and are giving 3 digis a piece! Oozak is sponsoring all the challenges on the site and is offering a $50 gift certificate, AND Anary from Gilli Rubber Stamps has just signed on to give a member a Gilli Goodie Bag! I know you're ready to enter now that you've seen these awesome prizes, so here's the sketch for this week:

And here's my card made with Love Letter Kaylee from Some Odd Girl!

Kaylee was colored with Copics; her shoes are glittery from a Spica pen, but you can't really tell in the picture. All the papers came from a dollar pack from Target around Valentine's Day. (You know I love a bargain!) Colorbox ink is on the edges of the papers...

Hope to see you in the challenge! You still have until next Wednesday to enter any of the Sketch challenges from this month and be entered into the drawings for prizes!

Two in One!

2011-06-22T12:30:00.000-04:00

So, I didn't post the sketch or my card from last Wednesday, but since you still have until the first Wednesday in July to play along, I'm going to post them with this week's sketch from The Outlawz...

Here's last week's sketch:

And this is the card I made:

This is this week's sketch:

And the card I made using it looks like this:

What in the world is wrong with Blogger now? If I didn't know HTML, I don't think I could've added these pics to this post... :( Maybe I'll come back to add details, but this coding nonsense has taken up more time than I felt like giving this... Oh, and cut paper then add Stickles! My paper wouldn't lay down enough for me to cut straight...

My Cousin Made a Card!

2011-06-13T12:11:00.000-04:00

So, my cousin is visiting as we gear up for my grandma's 90th birthday and decided she wanted to make a card or two. Yesterday, she made her first card! And it's awesome!

I gave her a quick tour of my supplies and an overview on how some things are used, and she got to work! I left and told her to send me a picture when she finished... And a few hours later, I got a pic of this awesome card on my phone! She used a stamp from Michele Perkett Studio, colored pencils & OMS, some brads from Eyelet Outlet, Prima flowers, hemp, and some letter stickers I got during after-Christmas clearance...

GDT at The Sisterhood of Crafters!

2011-06-09T12:45:00.001-04:00

Can I tell you how excited I am to be one of the guest design team members at The Sisterhood of Crafters this month?! It's an added bonus that the other GDT is Priyanka, someone I actually "know" online!

The first challenge for this month is to create a Father's Day project. You can make a card, LO, gift, whatever as long as it fits the theme. My project happens to be the one I mentioned yesterday that didn't want to stay together. I'm really happy I had to work the day I made it because I probably would have died of embarrassment if it fell apart after I gave it away. (And why would I give away a Father's Day card so early, you ask. Well, the son is going to visit his great grandma for a few weeks and will, unfortunately, miss his daddy's first Father's Day...) All the pieces seem to be stuck for good now...

This is a pretty simple project - it's an altered composition notebook. I wanted to keep it plain since it's from a man to his son, and the son happens to be less than a year old. I hope the dad likes it. He says he wants to be a writer; I figured, who better to write to than his progeny. (That one's for you, Tracy!) They're a Sr./Jr., hence the squared initials. The rest says, "Notes from Father to Son: volume one." If he ever wants/needs another, it'll be volume two and so on...

The paper covering the notebook is from CTMH's Twitterpatted set, and the ribbon is SU! The letters are by Thickers and are mounted on paper cut with Nestabilities Labels 10. See, easy?

You can enter your Father's Day project at The Sisterhood of Crafters until June 22. See you there!

Party at The Outlawz!

2011-06-08T13:48:00.000-04:00

First off, let me say that the humidity here is killing my crafting! I made a project two days ago that, after a few hours, looked like I stuck it together with prayers! Half of the project had come apart, and I used "Permanent" adhesive! Then last night, my other dotty adhesive was pulling up all the paper I tried to roll it on. Plus, I inked something that was still majorly wet after about ten minutes. I didn't notice that while I was sticking foam adhesive on the back, I was smearing ink all over the front. I just had to arrange the piece for a (raggedy) picture. Thankfully, the sun was out this morning and I was able to redo the smeared piece and make it even better! The card is for the Sketch Challenge at the Outlawz. You did remember it's party week, right? :D

The sketch challenge is being sponsored by two great digi companies, Michelle Perkett Studio (MPS) and Glitterbabe's Digis! And to make it easier for you to jump in the challenge for a chance to win the awesomeness they're giving away, we decided to let you use any sketch we've used so far this year!

Here's my card using the April 20 sketch and the Harmony Mermaid digi from MPS:

The mermaid was colored with Copic markers and accented with pearls by Recollections. The big rhinestones in the corner are also from Recollections. The sentiment and little shells are from My Favorite Things' By the Seashore set. (Got that for a great price during the unfortunate closing of Addicted to Rubber Stamps...) The paper is by Making Memories; they're from the Just Chillin' pack.

**We have some digis drawn by two of our DT members located in the Free Digis section of the site. These ladies are seriously talented; both have recently won the Digi Drawing Challenge on CDAC! Check it out!

***Since I can't play for the amazing prizes being offered during party week, I'm entering the following challenges: Deep Ocean Challenge - Anything Goes, Craft Room Challenge - Anything Goes, Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes, Craft Your Passion - Anything Goes, Cupcake Craft Challenges - Things with Tails, Pile It On - Summer Heaven

It's a Party, Y'all!

2011-06-05T10:35:00.000-04:00

The summer/end-of-school party at The Outlawz has begun! The first challenge, CAS, started around midnight. The DT made some amazing cards to help inspire you! CAS has a Stampin' Up set as its prize, plus an entry into any of this week's challenges will give you a shot at the site-wide prizes! You don't wanna miss out!

Monochromatic Challenge at Guylou's!

2011-06-03T12:53:00.002-04:00

Back again! :D This time, I want to let you know that the new challenge at Guylou's Inimitability is to create a monochromatic card! This is my first monochromatic card, and I decided to to a gray card because I like them so much when other people do them...

I used the Columbine digi stamp and some papers that I changed to grayscale on my computer to make the card. It has some glittery parts too, but all my pics are a bit too fuzzy to see the glitter clearly.

Okay, I hope you join the challenge. In addition the usual goodness (GI digi stamps and a GDT spot), Guylou's Inimitability also has a one year subscription to Through the Craft Room Door for this challenge's winner! Upload your project by 10 p.m. EST on June 16 for a chance to win! ;D

Challenge: Claudia & Co - #83 Fancy Folds

New Sketch at The Outlawz!

2011-06-03T08:53:00.001-04:00

Wednesday was the start of a new month and a new Sketch Challenge at The Outlawz! Here's the sketch for this week:

This month, we have two prizes in the Sketch Challenge! Pattie G of Pattie's Creations and my DT buddy Sandi are both giving away 3 digis to our random winner! Here's my card using one of Pattie's awesome stamps:

The Summer Party starts this Sunday at The Outlawz. We have some great prizes, including digis from Guylou's Inimitability, Michelle Perkett, Digi Stamps 4 Joy, Fred She Said, Sandi's Samples, Anne's Digital Art and Whimsy Stamps! You don't want to miss it!

Awesomeness!

2011-05-27T01:22:00.001-04:00

I have two quick pieces of awesomeness to share...

First, I want to thank Penny over at Highland Monkeys for sending me the cutest little sock monkey I've ever seen! I'm very tardy in thanking her, and I hope she forgives me. Here are some pictures of him!

You can see just how small he really is by shooting over to this post on Highland Monkeys... Thank you again!!

Second, The Outlawz is gearing up for another party! We have some great sponsors and prizes lined up for this one. The party doesn't start until June 5, but you can get entries for one of the prizes already! Marti Wills (Pez-a-Doodle, Through the Craft Room Door) is going to give one of our party goers a customized blog banner, watermark, and signature! All you have to do to be in the running is put the party flyer in a blog post (or two or ten) and put the post's URL in a linky list on the site. Every time you include the flyer in a post and add the post's URL to the list, you get another entry into the drawing for this prize!

What?! No card? No digi?

2011-05-25T01:10:00.000-04:00

Well, I'm still battling my sinuses, but I finally managed to get back into my craft area and make some things. One project was for this week's sketch challenge at The Outlawz. Here's the sketch:

And here's my project:

I know, right... Where's the digi and the coloring? I mean, this isn't even a card! Whose blog are you reading right now because this so isn't Trina!

Well, here's the deal... I went to the beach last weekend. We (boyfriend's family and I) went for a happy/sad reason, but it was such a perfect afternoon that I think we enjoyed ourselves in spite of... Part of what made the beach awesome was my bf's nephew. He is the most adorable thing, and he's at that stage when babies start to become people (you know, with personalities and what not)... Plus, it was his first time at the beach! Since I had no swimwear, I was on picture duty and decided I would put together a little mini album for his parents. (I know his grandma is going to beat me for not making one for her too!) I've never made any thing scrap-ish, so even though I thought the sketch would work for a cover, I had to watch some videos to figure out what I was going to make. So, here's the beginning of a CD cover mini! I apologize for the glare; it's practically impossible to photo a CD case without something reflecting in it. I thought about taking the sheet out for a picture (since it isn't glued in - glue dots missing, two way glue pen shows on plastic...), but some of you might think I just decorated a piece of paper and tried to pass it off as a project! :D

In case you are wondering, the orange paper is from the Summer set of cardstock from American Crafts, the other papers are from Colorbok's Sun Kissed collection, the shells are by My Favorite Things and have been stamped using Colorbox Chalk Ink, and stitching/highlighting done with atyou Spica pens. Oh, and the font is from kevinandamanda.com.

Boo! Hiss! Boo!

2011-05-20T21:55:00.004-04:00

All that is directed at my sinuses, which have been seriously crappy since a low pressure system moved through my area last week. I'm about 90% sure that last week's general garbage has become a full-fledged sinus infection, and I am so not happy. When I haven't been at work, I've wanted to do nothing more than close my eyes to ease the headaches and slow the post-nasal drip... (TMI?) Anyway, as a result, I don't have any of my projects finished for this week! But, I still want you to know what's going on, so...

This is the sketch for this week at The Outlawz!

Remember, we have a prize from 7 Kids College Fund for this month's sketch challenges! The site also has prizes from Oozak.com, SCACD, and Color Me Creative Classroom! You want to play along!!

Also, the new challenge at Guylou's Inimitability is May Flowers! You need to use this beautiful palette chosen by Brenda and include some flowers on your creation!

PLEASE check out the DT's projects! They are super! These colors really look wonderful together!

And lastly, this isn't a project that I missed, but I still wanted to share with you... The Odd Girl herself, Kristy, chibi'd me!

Check out the awesome job she did capturing my extra curly hair and my usual headband/scarf! LOVE it! If you want to get yourself chibi'd, click the badge in the sidebar or go straight over to Kristy's blog!

New Sketch at The Outlawz

2011-05-20T21:55:00.003-04:00

I'm supposed to be getting ready for work, so this will be really short. Maybe I'll come back and edit later this evening...

This week's sketch at The Outlawz:

My card using digis from Tiddly Inks:

I think I'm going to have to take this card's picture again. It looks like it has a big red area in the middle... See you in the challenge! We have prizes... :D

GI is having EVERYthing! New Releases, A Challenge, and a Blog Hop!!

2011-05-06T07:00:00.008-04:00

That is one long title, but Guylou's Inimitability does seem to be having everything! To start, there are a couple of brand new releases which we are celebrating with a blog hop! Guylou’s Inimitability is where you need to start and end the blog hop. Since I'm first on the list, if you came here from Guylou’s Inimitability, you are going in the right direction! If you're here because you're one of my amazing followers, I encourage you to hop along! If you get lost along the way, you can use the list at the end of this post to get you on the right track. The hop starts today and ends at 9:00pm EST on Sunday, May 8th.

The first set of new releases is called "Leah in her Garden" and contains the following super cute images of Leah. Each image is sold separately or as a series.

The second series is "Dysfunctional Fish Family." These are some characters! They're definitely smile-makers! Please visit Guylou's Inimitability Store for more details.

Prizes, Prizes, Prizes!!
Guylou's Inimitability and my DT buddy Gina are offering three awesome prizes for this blog hop. Make sure you leave a comment on all the stops to qualify to win. I'm hoping you actually went to/go to Guylou's Inimitability to see the prizes. I mean, this post is already super long! :D

On to the new challenge!

The new challenge at Guylou's Inimitability is to create a shaker card. If you're like me, you've seen these and thought they looked nice, BUT you never thought of making your own. Well, this challenge is perfect whether you're a pro or beginner. (Here's an awesome video to help you get going...)) The challenge will be open until May 19 at 10 p.m. EST, and the the winner will be awarded two digistamps of her or his choice from the Guylou's Inimitability Store and be invited to be a Guest Designer on an upcoming challenge.

I used Leah Raking for my card. To get my leaves for the shaker, I folded a piece of patterned paper, glued it together, then punched some leaves using a MS border punch.

I probably should have watched the video again so I would have remembered how to make this look pretty on the outside. Right now, I can see all the scrap adhesive I used to attach the frame! Plus, my inside oval is too small... :D Live and learn, right?

Alrighty, please leave me a comment below and jump on over to Kim's blog . Good luck! And don't forget the shaker card challenge!

Blog hop list:

Starts at Guylou’s Inimitability Blog
Trina <-- That's Me!
Kim
Sara
Guylou
Brenda
Gina
Guylou's Inimitability

**Nice and short! This hop won't take up your whole day! :D

It's not Wednesday!

2011-05-05T12:23:00.001-04:00

Yeah, I should have just posted my card for this week's sketch at The Outlawz on Tuesday; the post accidentally went up that day, and I wouldn't have missed all Wednesday... Oh well...

Here's the sketch for this week:

Here's my card using a freebie from Guylou's Inimitability that was available on CDAC:

You definitely want to play with this month's sketches! 7 Kids College Fund has donated a $20 gift certificate, and there's a digi from one of the artists at Digistamps 4 Joy! Also, the site-wide prizes for this month are a $50 gift certificate to Oozak.com, a $25 gift certificate to SCACD, and a free Copic class at Color Me Creative Classroom!

There's also another party coming to The Outlawz! If you were there for the last one, you know this one will be awesome! If you weren't, get ready! We party hard! :)

P.S. Guylou's Inimitability has new images coming out tomorrow!

let's see if this works...

2011-04-27T22:39:00.012-04:00

So I am trying to type my Wednesday post from my new phone. I'm in the bad weather area and don't feel like starting the computer. Apparently this phone only works on the edit html tab in Blogger. So... if it doesn't work, just know I tried.

Hopefully, below you see my card for this week's sketch challenge at The Outlawz...

Well...That didn't work. But since the storm isn't here yet, here we go!! :D Here's this week's sketch from The Outlawz:

And here's my card using some stamps from Lawn Fawn's Plus One set:

Challenges: Bearly Mine Challenges - Beautiful Babies, Creative Card Crew - Child's Play (a mobile counts, right?), Penny's Paper Crafty - #52 Welcome Home, Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes, Partytime Tuesdays - Anything Goes

New Challenge + Exciting News!

2011-04-22T11:41:00.001-04:00

There's a new challenge up at Guylou's Inimitability! My friend and fellow GI DT member Tracy picked the it, and I know you'll love it! For this challenge, you'll need to used the following color combo from Creative Khaki:

AND, as a twist, Tracy has asked that you use an unconventional household object on your card. You have until 10 p.m. on May 5 to upload your card. Remember, you don't have to use a GI stamp to enter the challenge (but there are freebies all over the place including an adorable wedding digi that's up now on CDAC). Also, if you're chosen as the random winner, you'll receive 2 Guylou's Inimitability digi stamps and an opportunity to be a GDT on a later challenge! Our GDT for this challenge is my super sweet, South African friend Theresa aka Flatback Pearl! (I've decided I'm going to call her that from now on as she has gifted me a number of times with pearls in all colors and sizes!) Sounds like a pirate name, right? Seriously...she's a sweetie pie!

Here's my card for the challenge:

Caroline is my digi stamp from Guylou's Inimitability, and my unconventional item is a sheet of styrofoam padding. My mom just ordered an exercise machine; I put it together and was looking at all those sheets wondering if I could do something with them. Let me tell you, it's not the easiest product to work with. I tried a Copic marker, Staz-On ink, and regular Colorbox ink AND the blow dryer. I don't know if that flower has dried yet! You might not be able to see them, but there are little black leaves on the side of the flower. Okay... rambling... The stamps behind Caroline are from Hero Arts (Trees, Birds, and Messages) and CTMH (True Friends); the bottom sentiment is by K&Co (Amy Butler Lotus Greeting Stamps). Martha Stewart punch, Spica atyou glitter pen over the sentiment, We R Memory Keepers grommet... Done!

Guylou's Inimitability has new stamps coming soon! So, we're going to have a blog hop May 6 - 8 to showcase them! Because I like you, here's a sneak peek...

See you in the challenge!