Bloom Where You're Planted

I made this card earlier today for the WT challenge on SCS along with yesterday's sketch challenge. The challenge was a way to use staples. I had these staples for a while now...but my fastenater is lost and so I couldn't use it. Now...that wasn't gonna stop me though...lol. I used my cork board and pushed that puppy in! LOL! As you can see...I also used those great HUGE white flowers Joani sent me and cut it in half and stamped it with French Script in CCrisp. I LOVE these flowers! Joani...I'm gonna contact you to let me know where you got these so I can put in an order with 'cha! *wink*

Supplies:
CS: TThyme, CCrisp, & MMorning
Ink: CCrisp & TThyme
Stamps: French Script & Spiral Bouquet from Paper Trey Ink
Embellishments: BIG silk flower, Primas, & staple
Others: Cuttlebug D'Vine Swirls folder

Birthday cards I received yesterday!

How sweet of these wonderful gals to have remembered such a crazy girls birthday...lol! Look at these 2 cards I received yesterday from Joani and her DEAR MOTHER Rose! I love them both! Thanks a bunch! I got 1 today...but I need to upload it...so I'll post it tomorrow!

This one is from Joani! Along with the card were some GINORMOUS flowers and a GINORMOUS button! My weakness in X-Large! LOL! Thanks Joani!

This one is from Joani's momma, Rose! She knows I love purple I can see...lol! It's so pretty and glittery!! Thanks so much Rose!

Tag...I'm it! The middle name game!

Gorillamomma tagged me...so here goes!

These are the rules:
*You must post the rules before you give your answers.

*You must list one fact about yourself for each letter of your middle name. Each fact must begin with that letter. If you don't have a middle name, just use your maiden name.

*After you've been tagged, you need to up-date your blog with your middle name and answers.

*At the end of your post, you need to tag one person for each letter of your middle name.(Be sure to leave them a comment telling them they've been tagged and need to read your blog for details.

Since I don't have a middle name...I'll use my maiden name which is Loza...here goes!

*L: LOVES to play video games! My fave right now is playing my DS's PSP and playing Tekken.
*O: Overweight...ugh...I know! I hate it, but I am working on it!
*Z: I haven't been able to get my ZZZZZ's for the past 3 weeks. On average, I've only slept a MAX of 5 hours a night.
*A: I'm ADDICTED to rubber stamps! No surprise huh?

Now...I tag:
Aimee-Relaxing While Stampin'
Kelly-Diaries Of A Stamper
Michelle-Princess Matilda Loves To Stamp
Velta-Impress By V

Playing With New Toys!!!

So hubby found out that I went shopping for stamps...AGAIN...and so he gave me an ultimatum...in order for me to buy new stamps...I MUST ink the new ones as soon as they got here! So being a compliant wife...ahem...I did! Here are the cards I made with "some" of my new toys. I've still got more toys to ink up.

This one here was made as a CASE from the PaperTreyInk gallery made by Debbie Olson. The changes I made were the colors and card base. I also stamped in darker ink what is stamped inside the larger of the circles instead of adding brads. I love this new set! If you wana pick this one up, it's called Spiral Bouquet.

Supplies:

CS: BBayou, SSky, & White NON SU
Ink: BBayou, White craft, SSky, & OOlive

Stamps: Spiral Bouquet

Embellishments: ribbon & brad

Others: Circle Coluzzle, Giga scalloped punch, Mega scalloped punch, & paper piercer

This one is also from PaperTreyInk...I LOVE the versatility of their sets and LOVE how they come in the CD cases. It's also another case! I know...I'm not being original, but my muse is somewhere comfy where ther is NO RAIN! This set is called Out On A Limb and it is beautiful! This card was CASE'd from the PTI gallery as well from Nichole Heady. I think I MURDERED it...lol. Still...I like it! It looks serene and clean with not too many layers...something I'm trying to step back out of.

Supplies:
CS: PPom, GGuava, & White NON SU

Ink: C2Cocoa, PPom, & GGuava

Stamps: Out On A Limb

Embellishments: ribbon (dyed with GGuava ink)

Others: N/A

Now this on here is a bit different from any card I've made! This one reflects who I am. Who am I...a rock loving, tattoo bearing, rock 'n rollin' chick! This card was made with stamps from 2 different companies. The gal is from Rubbernecker.com by Stamp Oasis from the Aussie Girls collection. No, I know I'm NOT Aussie...lol...but dangit, who am I to NOT purchase such lovely looking stamps! Plus, I was looking for a stamp that "resembles" me for a swap. This was as close as I could get...although I WISH I had this gals body! LOL! The sparrow stamps & banner are from Bombshell Stamps...if you haven't checked them out...you MUST! Especially if you're a "50's tattoo" person. They even have tattoo ink to stamp your body!!! I called this card Hate That I Love You! Now to make 6 more of these for the swap!! YOUCH!!!

Supplies:

CS: PPom & White NON SU

Ink: Black Staz-On & Prismacolor Pencils

Stamps: Monique by Stamp Oasis & Love & Luck by Bombshell Stamps

Embellishments: NONE

Others: Snips scissors, gamsol, stumps, & blender

Thursday's Way To & Friday's Limited Supplies

I know I'm a bit late with these...but better late then never! Ok...so I was also feeling icky and my hand was swollen, but I still had to play along even though it took me a while to finish one card up with only 1 good hand. Still here are my cards. This one was made for Thursday's Way To challenge. The challenge was to show a way to use paint in your project...so I decided to use my Patina paints that I use to "antique" on this card. I first layeres it with the "primer" which is a sage color, then I brushed bronze over the green, dried with heat gun and then layered with gold. The gold isn't as visible, but IRL you CAN see it. After I was done with it, I thought "what was I thinking when I added the ric rac?", well, I took it off after...lol. It looks much better without it, but I didn't take a picture of it! *doh*

This next picture is of the card I made for Friday's Limited Supplies challenge. The challenge was to use up your scraps...and I so need to reduce my scraps! I have and this piece of DP was the one I chose to sacrifice in the making of this card. The outcome was a HIT! Now I need to buy some more of this DP because it was one of my favorite pieces that I had saved in the scraps pile! The vellum I used for the butterfly was also a scrap. I have to say this one was a true challenge being that I had to trim these pieces of 1 inch "tiles" using my left hand and then cutting the butterfly with my right (hurting) hand. I should have dome it the other way around...lol.

Supplies: Patina Paint card
CS: Mellow Moss & CChip (under paint)
Ink: Versamark & Patina Paint
Stamps: Bold Butterfly
Embellishments: Chocolate ric rac & eyelets
Others: Heat Gun

Supplies: Scrap Tiles card
CS: WWasabi, WWhite, Gold, Vellum, & Mellow DP
Ink: Versamark
Stamps: Stipple Butterfly & Happy Harmony
Embellishments: NONE
Others: Gold Detail EP

On a personal note!

I DO apologize if you've been leaving me comments and I haven't been to your blog to post comments in return as a GRATITUDE of you visiting and commenting on mine! I want you to know that I love all your blogs, but it's just been SO CRAZY here and with me ill that I haven't really had the time. As soon as I do start feeling better...you will see more of me on your blogs!

HUGS!!

Tuesday's Color Combo Challenge & Wednesday's Sketch Challenge in ONE!

Since I've been feeling crappy, I skipped Tuesday's color challenge which was a good thing in a way because I was able to use it with Wednesday's sketch challenge. I think I like these colors together. At first I thought they would be kind of weird together, but then when I actually took the CS out...I liked it! TFL!

Supplies:

CS: BBayou, SSky, RRed, & White NON SU

Ink: BBayou, RRed, GGreen, & Prismacolor markers

Stamps: Vases In Vogue & Wonderful Words

Embellishments: NONE

Others: mini flower punch from Mike's $1 bin

How 'bout a drunken frog? LOL!

I made this card for a swap and I thought it was a hoot so I had to post it. Nothing like a partied out frog. Notice the background...I think froggie had too much to drink! YIKES! LOL! TFL!

Sorry I've been away for a while...I've just had to deal with rain, headaches, and not to mention a swap I have open and 1 closed over at SCS. So I'm trying my best to hang in there and tough it out with a cold, headache, and insomnia!

On another note...I just got a new shipment of stamps from Rubbernecker, Addicted To Rubber Stamps, Bombshell Stamps, & have some from Paper Trey Ink coming in, as well as some sets I bought from Jen. So be on the lookout for more cards in the near future! *wink*




Supplies:
CS: GarGreen,GabGreen, Kraft, White non SU, & Provo Craft DP from a slab pack
Ink: Black Staz-On & Prismacolor markers
Stamps: Rubbernecker
Embellishments: brads
Others: scalloped punch, oval punch, & paper piercer

SCS~A Fan Club Member PLUS

You wouldn't believe the great work you see over on the Fan Club member side...not to mention the great challenges! I became a fan club member some time back, but finally got the cajones to try their challenges. So for today, I made this card for the Fan Club Members 08 Dedicated To The One I Love challenges.

For the Central Theme: Stamping for Valentines, friendship, and all those that make our life grand! I decided to go ahead and finally make my 10 year anniversary card to my DH!

I also used the sketch: DSKETCH0108 http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/fo...p;d=1197753297

and last but not least...The Inspiration piece: DINSP0108 http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/fo...p;d=1197756909

I used the floor piece as the inspiration for the DP.

Hope you like, and TSMFL!! This is my FIRST EVER try at the fan club members challenge and I can say I'm pretty happy with the outcome.

I'm gonna write something mushy inside to give to my DH. I'll be honest, making this card for our 10 year anniversary made me cry. I mean I was litterally tearing up as I was making it. We have been thru so much...more downs than up, so 10 years to me, even with his meddling family outcasting me because I'm a "big lady", 10 years to me is a HUGE milestone. I hope for 10 more...I HOPE!

Supplies:

CS: CChip, nude, ivory, & Provo Crafts Slab XL DP

Ink: Black Staz-On, CChip, Antique Linen Distress Ink, & Prismacolor markers

Stamps: Couple vendor unknown & Sentiment by Stampendous

Embellishments: chocolate satin ribbon, brads, wire works for "rings", & sticky bling for earring and ring

Others: Mega circle punch, Giga circle punch, & 1 3/8 circle punch

Monday's TLC152 Challenge

This was made for today's (1/21) Try A New Technique challenge! The challenge was to make a ''Pixie Pouch'', you can find the challenge HERE! I made mine while watching Rock Of Love 2...so you can see why my brain transfered that to this...lol. Hey...chocolate IS King and fit for a Queen...right? TFL! It's funny how Bret penetrated...ahem...this into my brain! He's just a yummy as chocolate...but not quite...lol!

Supplies:

CS: Valentines value pack from Michaels (red, pink, & white)

Ink: CChip, RRed, CCaramel, & SSaffron

Stamps: Wing It (SU) & How Sweet it Is (MFT)

Embellishments: NONE

Others: scalloped punch, 1 3/8 circle punch, & paper snips

FS50 KathyC's Panties

Ok...everytime I say that in my head, I just have to giggle...lol. Ok this card was made for today's (Sunday) featured stamper challenge! I chose Kathy's ''panties'' found here: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/780877?cat=500&ppuser=44493 I don't have the template, so I free handed! Hey...when you aint got it...improvise! *wink* My differences were the panties color and trim. TFL! They were too cute NOT to CASE! Now I'm off to work on some swap cards with my DD! You know, as much as I love her and her talent for an 11 year old, she can become such the DIVA by wanting to use what I'm using at that exact same moment!!! What a paper craze about to begin in a while! *faint* I'm gonna get her, her own stuff for her birthday. It's March 1st., so if anyone wants to send some stuff....PLEASE DO!!! I'm kidding! I'm gonna get her a basket and I just HAVE to get her a Cuttlebug...now that is a MUST! I love my CB so much, I don't want to share that! LOL! Ok...off to make some cards!!!

Supplies:
CS: nude & DP by I so can't remember *blush*
Ink: BBlack
Stamps: Meet Me At The Cafe' by MFT
Embellishments: chocolate ric-rak trim
Others: D'Vine Swirls CB folder

Post Edit:

Thanks to StampOwl from SCS, she provided me with the template to make these cute panties....AND MATCHING BRAS!!!! HERE IS THE TEMPLATE! Click on it for the larger view!

RAK's I've received

I have been meaning to post there...sorry ladies!

This card here was sent to me by Jen, the winner of the blog candy I had. It's such a pretty card! I'm a sucker for buttons, so you know I love this card with the button center of the flower! LOL! Thanks Jen!

This card was sent to me by Meg. She sent it in gratitude of the BPIF goodies I sent her! I'm sure lucky to be the recipient of this card! I ADORE it! Thanks Meg!

PIF RAK's I sent out!

Well, looks like the 3 ladies I chose for the BPIF got their goodies, so I guess it's now OK to show off what I sent! I made matching composition book, pen, post-it notes holder, tape dispenser, and candle for each recipient.

This one was made for Meg. I didn't know how to follow Maria's PIF goodies she sent to me, but I have to say I AM pleased with what I made...lol. I went off of Meg's last name "Peacock" and just thought I'd use this "paisley" looking DP from Autumn Leaves. I thought "peacock=paisleys"...yes, it's ok to laugh now...lol. I'm such a dork! I'm so glad she liked it though!

This one was made for Kathleen. When I visit her blog, and see her cards, I see elegance and in her demeanor as well, so that's why I used these "elegant" color scheme. Don't get me wrong, I know many elegant bloggers, but I chose Kathleen because she has been such a follow up reader and commenter on my blog I had to choose someone so deserving.

And last, but most for sure, not least...my girl Joani! Ever since I met Joani, some years back at a card group I joined when I started getting into stamping, she has been such an AWSOME friend and I see her as cheerful, and what's cheerful to me? FLOWERS! It's no wonder butterflies and dragonflies, and all other cute insects like to be around them. Guess you can say I'm the "bug" to Joani's "flowers". Cheesy and a dork! GREAT! LOL! But hey, that's me and I can't change it! You either like me this way, or don't like me at all!

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

I can't believe how accurate this is! This is SO me!!!

What Gabriela Means

You are deeply philosophical and thoughtful. You tend to analyze every aspect of your life. You are intuitive, brilliant, and quite introverted. You value your time alone. Often times, you are grumpy with other people. You don't appreciate them trying to interfere in your affairs. You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality. You are full of energy. You are spirited and boisterous. You are bold and daring. You are willing to do some pretty outrageous things. Your high energy sometimes gets you in trouble. You can have a pretty bad temper at times. You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something. You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense. You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun. You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing. You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long. You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start. You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together. You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow. You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily. Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

Saturday's Inspirational Challenge!

So for Saturday's Inspirational Challenge over at SCS, we had to use this as the inspiration for creating a card. I didn't want to over-do it...so I made a clean simple card using the piece. Is it too plane? Whatcha think? I made this card last night instead of sleeping since my doc took me off my sleeping pills to see if that's what's lowering my blood sugar. I was stalking the inspirational challenge and by 9:05 pm, I saw it, said I would sleep on it...but didn't! LOL! I was amazed to see it had already 52 comments this morning!!!!! WOW!!! Ok...a word of advice...when you're sleepy and your head it telling you to go to sleep, do it, instead of picking up the paper snips to cut ALL THOSE LITTLE FLOWERS OUT!!! This is how bad it was...I woke up at 10 am!!!!! LOL! I guess I was able to get some beauty sleep well needed...lol.



Supplies:
CS: Kraft & White non SU
Ink: AArtichoke, RRed, BBlack, & Prismacolor Markers
Stamps: From The Garden by Fancy Pants & You Make Me Happy
Embellishments: black polka-dot sheer ribbon
Others: paper snips for small flowers

Cracked Glass A La Gabby

I hope I'm doing "ok" at tutorials. Sometimes I think I'm as clear as mud! YIKES! So here goes my version of the cracked glass! Hope you like!

Supplies:

Embossing Gun

Neutral CS

UTEE (Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel)

Stamps of choice

Inks of choice to stamp & color (optional)

Staz-On Ink for image

Versamark

Tray (optional)

Stamp image and color as desired (optional step)

next dab Versamark ink all over piece of CS you want to "glass"

in tray, sprinkle UTEE powder. Lift image and shake off excess powder. Put left over powder back into UTEE jar.

begin embossing. Be careful, it could get messy in this part as the UTEE powder/crystals will fly all over the place. If you have glasses, USE THEM or have some goggles at hand. Heat until all the powder is melted.

at the first heat thru, you'll maybe notice some "bubble like" embossing, repeat embossing with a minimum of 3 to a maximum of 5 times. Always rub the Versamark over each step before adding the UTEE.

do this until it's smooth and glossy and stick in freezer for about 10-15 minutes...depending on how thick your UTEE embossing is.

when you bring it out of the freezer, it may be curled...use that to start cracking your "glass"

next, get a sponge, cotton, or dauber to ink up the cracks (optional step)

assemble your card! You're done!

Questions? Let me know!

Embossing Resist with tutorial...my way!

As you may know, if you visit SCS, that this tutorial was created by the AWSOME Beate...but I thought I'd give it a try to add it to my MSN group...so here goes for you bloggers!

You'll Need:
Heat Gun
Versamark Ink (or any clear embossing pad)
Neutral CS
Stamps of choice
Clear embossing powder
Distressing Ink or Classic SU Ink (but any ink will work)
cotton balls or daubbers

cut your neutral CS to desired size, set aside, and ink up stamp with embossing pad

stamp image onto CS (here I used From The Garden by Fancy Pants)

sprinkle clear embossing powder over image and shake off

start heat embossing your image until glossy (becareful not to set your embossing gun to close to the paper or it may burn and yellow)

ink your cotton or daubber with desired ink and begin inking (you can dab or swipe for different effects, here I used Antique Linen Distress Ink)

here is what it looks like once you've complated the whole piece of CS (IRL, this looks and feels like "faux suede")

with a clean cotton or daubber, smooth over "resist" to clean off any left over ink

here is the finished product...embellish as desired!

Supplies:

CS: BBlack & White NON SU CS

Ink: Versamark, BBlack, & Antique Linen Distress Ink

Stamps: From The Garden by Fancy Pants & Meet Me At The Cafe' by MFT

Embellishments: metal framed heart

Others: heat gun & clear embossing powder

Thursdays Way To Challenge...DOUBLE WHAMMY!

Hey there, still battling the blood sugar levels and I think they're finally going up because I'm feeling lots better. So anyways, today's "Way To" challenge over at SCS was to use embossing powder in any way shape or form and I tried out 2 techniques, the cracked glass technique & the embossing resist! I had tried the cracked glass before, but I guess I was too anxious to see the results, I didn't leave it in the freezer long enough and I didn't get the "cracked" effect like I wanted it too...however, it did turn out fair. I wonder if I still have it in my files! Anywho...these cards I made today I think, in my own opinion of course, are great! I love them very much...especially the embossing resisit one. I love that look! Anywho...thanks for looking!

Supplies (cracked glass):

CS: BBlack & WWhite

Ink: BBlack, Versamark, & Vintage Photo Distress Ink (RA)

Stamps: From The Garden by Fancy Pants & Touch Of Nature by SU

Embellishments: UTEE, black sheer ribbon, & metal "sentiment"

Others: Freezer

Supplies (embossing resist):

CS: BBlack & WWhite

Ink: Versamark, BBlack, & Peeled Paint Distress Ink (RA)

Stamps: From The Garden by Fancy Pants & Boho Blossoms by MFT

Embellishments: Blingage

Others: cotton balls

Wednesday's Sketch Challenge

Hello ya'll...sorry I haven't been keping up. Yesterday was a bad day for me as my blood sugar was low and well, I felt too loopy and tired to post. I try my best to keep ya'll with me, but sometimes my illnesses get the best of me. But here I am today posting a quick card I made for yestreday's sketch challenge over on SCS while I try to work on today's Way To Use challenge. I don't feel as loopy today even though my sugar levels are at 60...plus I tend to take my time with my cards when I feel like this, just to help give me that extra therapy I need from the stress of my home life and dealing with my mom and dad...and not to mention, my hyper and loud kids...especially the 3 year old. Anywho...along with the card. I made it first with the intentions of making it my anniversary card to my hubby, we are going for the big 10 years on Feb. 21st! But then I decided I would make another card and turn this one into a Valentines Day card instead. I'm really liking this more "mature looking" Hanna more...although I do LOVE the other Hannas...don't get me wrong! Thanks for looking! Hopefully I'm better soon so I can catch up!

BTW...if you didn't notice Monday's challenge missing...well, it called for color combos I didn't have...but I'll see if I can still come up with it with something similar.




Supplies:
CS: Bazzil Bling Red, BBlack, RRed, PIPink, & WWhite
Ink: Black Staz-On, BBlack, BBurgundy, RRed, & Prismacolor Markers
Stamps: Sweet Celebrations Hanna & Mike's $1 bin clear stamps by Studio G
Embellishments: burgundy satin ribbon
Others: Script CB folder, pom poms, scalloped punch, & circle punch

Pocket Heart Full Of Rosies

Hey ya'll...I got up so late today it's not even funny! I have a reason though, I was moving my DD's room around last night and her furniture is HEAVY! Anywho...I got up this morning and of course it being Monday...I had to go check out today's SCS challenge! Today's challenge was to make a pocket heart and here is my take on it. I had the template stashed away for almost 3 years now...can you believe that? It's no wonder my hubby tels me to use all I buy! Whoops!

Supplies:

CS: CChip, RRed, PIPink, & Tuscan PP vendor unknown

Ink: RRed

Stamps: NONE

Embellishments: leaves ribbon, paper roses, choc. satin ribbon, & brads

Others: Script CB folder