Monday, November 29, 2010

Another "Sophie"...

Hi sweetest friends...well, it's Monday morning and I'm holding off going into work for just a little bit. DH ruptured his achilles tendon this weekend...and has been hobbling around on crutches. Let me say, that walking on crutches thing is far more difficult than it looks!! Thankfully he's not in pain...except that he is going crazy just sitting around. Anyway...while I wait for the doctor's office to open, I thought I'd post another card that I made this weekend. And this is an extra special project!!...keep reading and you'll see why!

Now, you know how much I love little kids...and you know how much I adore Mo Manning's illustrations...and you know that I finally, after all this time, discovered how to purchase, download, and print images from Mo's Digital Pencil!! (OK, so a computer wizard I am NOT! hehehe!!) But, I digress....

Here's my latest card with one of Mo's images...her name is Sophie. Isn't she the cutest, cutest little thing??!! I thought I'd enter her in this week's challenge #59 "Swirls & Flourishes" at Mo's DP2 Challenge Blog HERE...and after some encouragement from my sweet friends, Sandy, Paola, & Barb, I've decided to throw my "hat into the ring" (so to speak) and enter Mo's Dream team call HERE. Boy...talk about a DREAM!! It would seriously be a dream come true to be on Mo's DT...she's put together such a fabulously talented team!!! So...keep your fingers crossed for me!!

...ta da...here's my version of Mo's Sophie...



...and here's a close-up of this little princessa...


My recipe for my mini "work of art"...
Cardstock: Pretty in Pink & Close to Cocoa (SU)
DPs: My Mind's Eye
Ribbon, pearls & pearl flourishes, & flowers: my stash
Dies: Spellbinders oval & oval scallop; and Sizzix Flourishes
And here are the Copics I used to color this little darlin'...


Thanks soooo much for stopping by for a peek...and wish me luck!! {{{hugs}}}

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Sophie's 5th birthday!

Hi friends...

I hope you all had a great weekend...and for those of you who celebrate, I hope you had a fabulous Thanksgiving too! We were fortunate again this year to be able to share our Thanksgiving with my DH's mother, who is 91!! We ate and watched movies and read and talked and laughed. We are so very blessed with family and great friends. And we have so much for which to be thankful!

So...the other night when I couldn't sleep, I got up and made this sweet little card for Sophie...one of our darling granddaughters! She'll be 5 on Dec. 1st! Sophie is a dancer...she loves ballet & tap. Oh, and she has a dance recital coming up in a couple of weeks!! They're doing (are you ready for this?!)...the peppermint twist!! How cute will that be? A whole bunch of 4 & 5 year-olds in red and white striped, glittery costumes...all out of sync...and each one more precious than the next!!

So, I thought I'd make this card for Sophie using one of the new LOTV stamps called "Little Ballerina." You can see all of the LOTV stamps HERE. I love each and every one of these little darlins! But this one is especially delightful!! She's got the cutest little facial expression, don'tcha think?!

I made this card using a sketch by Bev Rochester...



Here's my little creation...



And a side view...



And a couple of pics of the inside...




Here's my "recipe"...
Cardstock: Pretty in Pink (SU) and white
DPs: My Mind's Eye
MS punch (I'm sorry, I have no idea what it's called)
Nestabilities: Oval, Oval Scallop, Round, and Round Scallop
Sentiment: (front) LOTV; (inside) SU
Pearls, pearl flourishes, ribbon, & flowers: my stash
Lots of Stardust Stickles
Doohickey: Magnolia
Copics: E21, 00, 000, 0000 (skin); R20 (cheeks); E33, 19, 15, 11, YR21 & 20 (hair); BG72, 13, 11, 10, 0000 (tutu); W1 & 00 (shading & floor)

I've decided to enter this darling little card into this Thursday's challenge at LOTV HERE. Maybe someday I'll be a random winner...hehehe!! Hasn't happened yet...but one of these days my number will have to be drawn...law of averages and all!!

So that's it for now friends...thanks so much for stopping by for a peek. Take care...and I'll see you soon. {{{{hugs}}}}

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Cornell...

Hi friends...it's me again! It's the night before Thanksgiving here in the U.S. and I am just getting ready to call it a day. But before I do that, I wanted to share some AWESOME news with you! Remember, I'm a computer ...what's the opposite of wizard?...well, I'm whatever is the exact opposite of computer wizard!! But I discovered something fab and just had to share!!

First...let me say that I am head over heels in love with Mo Manning's art!! The images she creates are beyond wonderful! And you KNOW how much I love coloring cute little kids!! Well...up 'til now I've only used Mo's images that I purchased as stamps...first from Stampavie and then from Stamping Bella (who has Mo Manning in Rubbah!). I have nearly every stamp!! Then I discovered Mo's Digital Pencil!! And even better, I figured out how to download and save and resize and print images! Whoooohoooo!!! Soooo...drum roll please...this is my very FIRST digi image from Mo's collection...I just got her and had to color her immediately!! Her name is "Cornell" and you can get her on Mo's site HERE.


Here's a side view...


And a pic of the inside...


Here's my recipe:Cardstock: Very Vanilla & Taken with Teal (Stampin' Up)
DPs: October Afternoon
Ribbon: Taken w/Teal (SU)
Paper flower: Doohickey from Magnolia
Charm: my stash
Spellbingers scallop circle, scallop oval, oval, & circle dies
And here are the Copics I used...


I am not entering this little card into any challenges...I just made the card because I think Cornell's adorable!! And I just wanted to have some fun! Now that I've figured out the digi download process, you'll see many more of these little darlins on my bloggity blog! Thanks so much for stopping by for a peek. I'll see you soon. {{{hugs}}}

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Uh oh, Santa...I can explain...

Whoohooo!!! Here we are again...with another fabby challenge for you at the new...and outrageously FUN Magnolia-licious Challenge Blog!! And the prize for this fortnight's challenge is a wonderful Mistletoe Border Doohickey Die from Diana Crick's online store...Magnolia-licious home of all things Magnolia...not to mention the exclusive distributor in North America to get your Magnolia "minis"!! I cannot wait to get my first order of those little darlings!!

I want to join Diana, Suzanne, Candy and the rest of my DT sistahs in thanking all of you who entered our very first "Pink & Yellow" challenge...and for some of you, this was your very first challenge ever! I'm thrilled beyond belief!!! You are the reason we're all having such fun here!! Oh...now, speaking of fun...

Our second challenge for Magnolia-licious Challenge Blog was chosen by our very own, uber talented Candy Mills. Here's the picture she chose for our "inspiration"...talk about non-traditional holiday colors, huh?! Purple, blue, and yellow...YIKES!! Plus stars and presents...I have to be honest, I had a tough time narrowing down what I was going to do with this challenge!! (I guess that's why they call it a challenge! KWIM?!) *** Sidebar here...I just found out from my DT sistahs what KWIM means...Know What I Mean?!! hehehe!! So...I know...got off track a bit...here's the Inspiration Pic...



An here's my interpretation...


I chose this darling little Lightning Edwin...you can find him at Magnolia-licious HERE. And, in my creative mind, I somehow included all of the inspiration elements...see if you can find them...Christmas tree; purple, blue, & yellow; stars; and present. (OK...here's a hint...I wrapped the whole front of the card as a present! LOL)

It's been a while since I made an easel card...I'd forgotten how much fun they are!!! Here's a side view.



And a close-up of Edwin...he's so cute, I could just eat him up!! (Reminds me of our grandson, Brody who always seems to be into something...a couple of years ago, he broke his arm jumping off the back of the sofa playing Super hero!!...He's all mended now!)



And a close-up of this darling sentiment from Just-Rite Stamps. (Seemed perfect for this little card!)



So...here's my "recipe"...
Cardstock: Very Vanilla & Not Quite Navy (Stampin' Up)
DPs: Creative Imaginations (I picked it up from my local craft store)
Eyelet Circle dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities
Edge punch: Martha Stewart (I think it's called Bubbles-something)
Diamonds: my jewelry box (I know...old joke...but it sill makes me laugh!!)
Ribbon & charm: my stash
Stickles: lavender, yellow, & waterfall
Christmas lights: I actually picked these up at a LCS too)
And here's a pic of the Copics I used.



So...I sure hope you like my little creation...and my DT entry for this fun, fun challenge!! Now...pull out your Magnolia stamps, paper, and markers, pencils, inks, and/or paints...and do some serious creating!! I can't wait to see what you come up with!! Remember when you promised me that you'd enter our challenge again? Big Maggie hugs to all of you...and thanks for stopping by for a visit.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Mimi's Birthday...

Hello again...hope you all had a fabulous weekend. I can't believe 2 days could fly by so quickly!! The weather was absolutely spectacular here in Richmond, VA...in the mid-60s and clear....a little breezy, which is helping the leaves fall. I can't get over the spetacular fall colors this year...vibrant reds and oranges and golds!! My fave time of year!!

So...in between venturing outside intermittently to take the pups out for some fresh air, reading, and taking a little nap, I've been busy in my craftroom! YAY! Here's a little card I made for our youngest granddaughter, Mia. She'll be 4 years old next month...just before Christmas, actually. So I thought I'd get a head start on her card. I've discovered that some of Mo Manning's images are perfect for Mimi...because they so look like her!! This little sweetie is called "Angelina" by Mo Manning. I love how the static electricity from the balloons is making her hair stand up!! Mimi's hair looks a little like this when she first wakes up in the morning!! hehehe!


Here's a close up...


I've decided to enter this simply darling little card into Challenge 58 at Mo's Challenge Blog HERE. This week's challenge is to use 3 punches and a Mo Manning image. The punches I used were:
* Martha Stewart punches (sorry...can't remember the name)...for the edge and corner
* Marianne's fancy circle die (don't know the name...I got it from Bunny Zoe's)
* Scallop circle punch (from Stampin' Up)
* Magnolia Doohickey die (for the inside tag)

And a pic of the inside...


Here's the rest of my card "recipe"...
Cardtock: Blushing Bride & Very Vanilla (Stampin Up)
DPs: K & Co. "Hopscotch" Designer Mat Pad
Ribbon & flower: my stash
Sentiment: LOTV
Glossy Accents for her shoes
And here's a pic of the Copics I used.


So that's it for now...I have work tomorrow...but it's a short week (YAY!!) because we're celebrating Thanksgiving here in the U.S. Thanks to all of you for stopping by for a peek. Have a beautiful week, sweet friends. See you soooooon....

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Thankful for YOU...

Hi friends...thank you for stopping by once again to see what I've been up to!! This is a card I made for my sweet baby sister (she'll cringe when she sees that I called her that!!). Her name is Dee...and she and I are best friends...we talk and email each other almost daily. We talk about anything and everything! Sometimes we just talk about the awful weather they're having in Minnesota!! LOL!! She gives me the "heads up"... because what they get in MN often travels east to VA!!

Anyway...she sent me the funniest package...candy from when we were kids! Well, it's not REALLY the actual candy we had 50 years ago...but same make and model! hehehe!! She sent Mallo Cups, a Clark bar, Jujubes (the kind that you can lob at people's heads when you're at the movies...they also stick like glue to your teeth...ohhh...and they taste like SOAP!!), and Teaberry gum!! Such fun!! So...while I am thankful for so much in my life...I want Dee to know that I am so very thankful for her!!

So Dee...do NOT scroll down. Your card will arrive soon enough!!

Here's the little card I made using one of my fave images from Sarah Kay!! You can get her from Tab at 7 Kids College Fund HERE.


I used Very Vanilla & Cranberry Crisp cardstock, & ribbon from SU. I also embossed the Vanilla cardstock with a Cuttlebug "Thanks" embossing folder. My DP came from Imaginisce - Apple Cider Collection. Martha Stewart's Bubble something (I'm sorry, I don't know the actual name) paper punch was used for the corners & paper edges.


I used my Cuttlebug and die cuts (Eyelet circles & Circles from Spellbinders, and Sizziz tags). Flowers came from Wild Orchids Crafts. So there you have it...oh, I almost forgot....I used Copics to color the images!!


I decided to enter this little darlin' into this fortnight's challenge at 7 Kids College Fund Challenge Blog HERE. The theme is "Give Thanks"...seems appropriate, I think!! So...thanks so much for stopping by for a visit. Have a beautiful week!! See you sooooooooooon!

Thursday, November 18, 2010

The Sugar Bowl Challenge # 48

Hi friends...how fun is this? It's time for another Sugar Bowl Challenge!! The very talented Marlene came up with this fabby sketch for us...and challenged us to use the sketch as well as the colors Black & White & ????...


And wait 'til you hear about the prizes...Sugar Nellie is giving away to one lucky winner, chosen at random:

A set of Classic Scalloped Squares Nestabilities...and a sheet of not yet released Alice in Wonderland stamps from our own uber talented artist, Leanne Ellis.

So...because I've been just dying to ink up another of my fabulous Simply Sassy stamps, this one was an extra easy challenge for me!! I chose "My Friend Kitty"...and my additional color was - of course - PINK!!!


I also found the puuuuuurrrfect sentiment stamp (from Stamping Bella)...and the rest just sort of fell into place. Here's possibly the cutest little girl on the block!! Don't you just love her gorgeous green eyes? And those nobby little knees!! Oh yes...and big feet! LOL!! (You may remember from previous posts that I confessed to having big feet myself!! Well, I also have green eyes! hehehe...hey, she could be ME...except I'm allergic to cats...and my nose would be red and my eyes would be watering!!) I know...enough chatter from me...here's my DT project for The Sugar Bowl Challenge #48...


And, of course, can't forget the "artsy" angle!


And a side view...I must say, I love the flower I made with the Magnolia Doily Flower Doohickey!! And the teeny tiny black bows that were made with my Bow Easy!


And here are a couple of pics of the inside. I actually made a pocket for the left-hand side of the card...and tucked in a little tag made from a Magnolia Tag Doohickey! It's also a puuuurrrrfect pocket to tuck a gift care into!! I carried on the theme of Black & White & Pink for the inside...complete with a few petite little bows!!



So...here's the rest of my card "recipe"...
Cardstock: Pretty in Pink (Stampin Up) & White & Black (my stash)
DPs: Magnolia (I believe these were in the 2010 Autumn Collection)
Cuttlebug Dotted Swiss embossing folder
Loopy Edge Punch (Martha Stewart...I don't know the name, sorry) & Corner rounder
Black Diamonds & pink pearls my jewelry box...not really, they're rhinestones colored with a C9 Copic Sketch marker...and faux pearls from my stash!!
I used Glossy Accents to give her eyes and shoes a little shine...and Stardust Stickles for a little glitz on the hairbows
And here are the Copic Markers to color this little darling...


So...if you haven't yet checked out the other gorgeous creations by my fellow DT Sweeties, please pop on over to The Sugar Bowl and take a peek. Then get your crafting goodies out and create a fun card following Marlene's sketch...using Black & White...and another color! Have fun with this challenge. And, as always, thanks so much for stopping by to visit...see you soon...sending sweet, sweet hugs your way...

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Birthday Wishes...

Hi sweet friends!! I hope you're all having a great weekend!! I've been hanging out in my craftroom all day...I have several projects in the works...here's one I've been struggling with for the last two days. But...I am pretty pleased with the results...even tho I'm not so much of a purple person! Here's what I discovered...if I just get out of my own way and let the card determine where it wants to go in terms of design, it makes things so much easier!! My inspiration was this absolutely gorgeous paper from KaiserCraft called "Lilac Avenue Collection". I flipped through my LOTV stamps and found this adorable little fairy - one I don't often see used - blowing what looks to me like dandelions...and that's how this card started.

Here are a couple of side views.


These are pics of the inside. Again, this is a side-opening card with a little "pocket" on the left side of the card, perfect for tucking a gift card into!!



Here's the rest of my card "recipe":
Cardstock: Concord Crush & Almost Amethyst from Stampin Up.
Sentiment: from Kanban stamps - stamped w/Concord Crush ink (SU)
Lavender Raffia Ribbon, lime green tulle, roses, green ribbon, pearls, & charm: stash
Doohickey tag: Magnolia
Stardust stickles
Copics (below).

So, there you have it...one darling little Make a Wish Birthday card which I'm entering into this week's "Anything Goes" Thursday Challenge at Lili of the Valley. Oh...one last thing...and I can tell you this because I've already placed my order (hehehe)...LOTV just released (on Nov. 12th) even more of their precious little girls stamps!!

Thanks so much for stopping by...and thanks for leaving such sweet comments!! See you soon.