Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Speedy Easter!

Can you believe Easter is Sunday and today is the last day of March?!  Wow, where has the first 1/4 of this year gone?!  Hard to believe Spring is here already - FINALLY it has arrived here in Michigan.  Today, we're supposed to get up to 67*, Thursday - 70's and Friday, hang on, Friday, we're supposed to get into the 80's!!  It looks like we'll even have a nice Easter - mid 70's.
So, here's one of the last Easter Cards I have to post.  This one is for my nephew.  I thought this Doodle Dragon Studios Design was too cute - I love this little dude's Go-Carrot (kind of like a Go-Kart, but in the Carrot model - HA HA!!)  :o)  And even better yet, Doodle Dragon Studios Challenge Blog is having a contest until April 3 for Easter projects!  Check it out, you still have time!! :)
Image - Doodle Dragon Studios
Papers - Doodlebug 'tovers and cardstock scraps from my stash
Technique - Magic Colored Pencil
Miscellaneous - I FINALLY found flower soft locally!!  I used the 'sand' color on the dirt.  Pretty neat stuff if I do say so myself!  Can't really tell in the photo, but pretty neat in person!
Other Miscellaneous - wouldn't be a critter card without the googley eyes :), Brads from my stash, Stickles, Purple Ribbon (his favorite color), Sentiment is computer generated using CK Artsy Font and of course, I had to do a little doodling!
Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I hope spring is arriving in your neck of the woods too!
Happy Craftin'!
Min

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Technique Tuesday #5 At Scrap-Friendzy.com!

So, today is my Technique Tuesday over at Scrap-Friendzy.  The Girlz have been posting all kinds of great challenges all month - fun Motivation on Monday, Techniques on Tuesday, We've got Wacky Wednesdays, Tutorial Thursdays and of course Foto Fridays!!  If you haven't had a chance to check it out, it's certainly a must visit
Here's one of my projects for Technique Tuesday - my sweet new niece in the "My First Valentine's Day" outfit we picked up for her before she arrived (hat included).  And look at those sweet piggies?!

Any idea what the technique is??
Papers - Bazzill and smooth cardstock, can't remember who makes the heart paper that you can barely see
Flowers - Primas
Embossing - Sizzix Embossing flower folder and Heidi Swapp Hearts & Dots stamps (embossed with Zing powder)
Miscellaneous - I heart U stamp - Daisy Bucket, Punches - Fiskars Apron punch and EK Success Scallop punch (LOVE THIS ONE!), Thickers "LOVE"
Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I hope you're having a fabulous week!
Happy Craftin'!
Min

Monday, March 29, 2010

Tequila & Lime . . . . Must be a Monday

I sure could have used one more day after this busy weekend!!  I did just a little creating - this one is a card that will go into the mail tomorrow and is headed straight for my dad.  He starts his second round of Chemo on Thursday, so we keep sending him funnies to try and keep his spirits up.
You can't go wrong with Stella from Bugaboo Stamps.
The Inside says: "And some days a wedge of lime and a shot of tequila".
I made the paper 'lime' with a little ink and some diamond stickles.
The papers are all from my stash.
I embossed the papers with the dots and celebrations embossing folders from sizzix.
That's all for today.  I hope you're having a great day!
Happy Craftin'!
Min

Bugaboo Blog Candy

Way too yummy to NOT check out!!
Bugaboo Stamps is offering some FABULOUSLY YUMMY Blog Candy.  Click here for your chance to be a WINNER!!  The best part of the blog candy, she's offering 7 of the adorable Bugaboo Images of your choice!!
RUN, don't WALK for your chance to win!!
~Min

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Me? A Guest Designer?!

No Way!  Can you believe it?!  I've been chosen as a Guest Designer for Bugaboo Stamps for October 2010!!  Can you say EXCITED?! 
If you haven't checked out Bugaboo Stamps, now's the time to check them out.  Not only does Jodie have the most adorable images :) but she also has some great challenges, new images all the time and FRIDAY FREEBIES!!  You can try them before you buy them!  They've got an awesome challenge going on right now - click here to get in on the fun!!
Off to my studio to create this afternoon - hope you're having a great weekend!
Happy Craftin'!
Min

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Baby's First Easter

How good is it that it's almost Friday?!  I'm not sure about you, but last night, I sat for nearly an hour in my studio and ended up with NOTHING (other than a mess of papers on my desk)! 
Every have those missing mojo days?!
The good thing, the MIA mojo has returned and all is right with the world now.
I'm still plugging along with my Easter cards and will be for the next few days - but progress is good!  :)
This card is for my new niece - her first Easter.  How cute is this?  I love the bow and the puffy little cotton tail.
Image - Bugaboo Stamps
Papers - Coredinations Pink CS, Green & Yellow Bazzill, Doodlebug Dotted paper and Orange Scrappy leftovers
Technique - Magic Colored Pencil Technique
Miscellaneous - Punches - EK Success & Fiskars, Doodling, Puff ball for tail, Stickles, Bling, Ribbon (LOVE IT) from Michaels Ribbon section & Computer Generated Sentiment using CK Diva font
Thanks so much for stoppin' by tonight.
Not sure about you weekend plans, but after we re-run the fences at my mom and dad's on Saturday, I'm planning to enjoy a cold, rainy day Sunday with my hubby and the creation of some new layouts in my studio!!  Stay tuned for some new baby/big brother layouts (I printed some great photos out today & can't wait to get working on them!!)
Happy Craftin'!
Min

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Hop, Hopp, Hoppy Easter!

I've been coloring Easter images like a crazy lady these past few days.  And this little beauty is just one of the 15 I've been working on.  Isn't it just adorable?  Jodie at Bugaboo Stamps has just completely out done herself again with these adorable images!
Image - Bugaboo Stamps: EB Eggs
Paper - Doodlebug Prints & Bazzill Cardstock
Technique - Magic Colored Pencil
Cuttlebug - Swiss Dots Embossing Folder
Miscellaneous - Bling, Doodling, Stickles, Computer Generated Sentiment & Dimensionals to pop up the Egg cluster and Hair bow
If you haven't checked out Jodie's Bugaboo images - check them out - she just added some supper funny Gus and Stella images today - just in time for Easter!
Hope you're having a great day!  Off to watch a little American Idol now!
Happy Craftin'!
Min

Monday, March 22, 2010

CELEBRATE!

We needed a birthday card for my hubby's God Daughter.  She's celebrating a birthday next week, and for once it seems like I'm actually working ahead (I know, can you believe it?!)  HA HA!
And isn't this just the cutest card?!
It's even cuter in person (it's got lots of sparkle and bling on the image)
Papers - Coredinations (brown/pink), Stash Cardstock (Yellow, Green & Pink), yummy stripes & treats - of course I'm drawing a blank on the manfg - I picked it up at Archivers a few weeks ago.
Cuttlebug - D'Vine Swirl & Swiss Dots
Technique - Magic Colored Pencil Technique
Punch - Fiskars Apron Punch
Miscellaneous - Crushed Velvet Lime Ribbon, Studio G Celebrate Stamp, Hand Doodling, Stickles & Dimensionals
I had so much fun working on this card today!  Now back to more of the Easter Cards.
Thanks for stoppin' by today!  Hope you all had a tolerable Monday!
Happy Craftin'!
Min

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Baptism Day

I thought I'd share the card and shadow box I finished late last night for my niece Natalie's Baptism today.  Her room is purple and sage, so that's why I picked the colors I did for the shadow box.
I love how everything turned out and am so pleased with the final product.  I put it in a white wooden shadow box, but when I took a photo of it in the box of course, there was way too much light on the glass. 
It looks gorgeous in real life.
Paper - All Bazzill Cardstock
Tools - Cricut - scalloped purple frame around photo mat & Heaven Sent (Lyrical Letters)
Miscellaneous - Flat Backed Pearls, Prima White Flowers, Prima white pearl swirl, Purple Flowers - Michaels floral section, Fiskars & EK Success Punches
For the Card, I used many of the same materials - the additions were:
Stamp - Stampendous Floral Cross
Embossing - Versa Mark Ink & Zing Lavender Embossing powder
Sentiment - Created in MS Publisher with Word Art
And I can't post Baptism gift & card photos without a little photo of the sweet baby girl now can I?  Isn't she precious?
Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope you're having a great weekend.
Off to watch a little NCAA March Madness....well, I'll listen and color some new Easter images and hubby will watch. We've already thrown away our brackets as Kansas lost last night and that's who we had winning.  I imagine there are a lot of basketball fans that did the same thing we did.
Go Green - Go White!
Happy Craftin'!
Min

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Chocolate Bunnies and Easter Eggs Oh My!

Can I tell you how much I love Easter?  I love that SPRING is right around the corner.  I love watching the kids hunt for Easter Eggs.  I love new traditions Glen and I have started - Coloring eggs together is one that makes me smile.  And truth be told, I really LOVE the Easter Candy!  YUMMO!  Cadbury Eggs (original or orange) and the Mini-Eggs are my vices!  My mouth is watering just thinking about that.  Mmmmmmm.

Okay, enough Easter Candy talk (more to come I'm sure in the coming weeks!!)  But when you see this super cute Bugaboo Stamps Bunny Image, you'll understand!  This is a freebie Jodie was kind enough to share Here.  She is just so generous with her freebies!  Head over to SNR and get yours - join the group and stay ontop of all the great new images.  She just added more to her store yesterday (and believe me, they are adorable)!

So, the Easter Cards have been started (which is more than I can say for the 1 St. Paddy's Day Card I was able to complete).
Paper - Bazzill Pink & Blue CS, Standard White CS & Doodlebug Dotted embossed green CS, Plaid Printed paper - from my stash and of course, I can't remember WHO it is by......
Techniques - Magic Colored Pencil and Paper Piecing (bush was pieced with dotted CS)
Miscellaneous - Googley Eyes....of course, if it has eyes, they have to be googley!, Punch - EK Success, Prima flower....I'm so glad I FINALLY got to use these - LOVE THEM!!!, Stickles, Computer Generated Font:  CK Diva, Doodling & cloud popped up on dimensionals.
One down, 14 to go!
Happy St. Paddy's Day Craftin!
Min

Happy St. Paddy's Day!

For each petal on the shamrock
This brings a wish your way -
Good health, good luck, and happiness
For today and every day.
~Author Unknown

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Monday, March 15, 2010

LUCKY LUCKY!

How can you not be lucky with the purple dragon and his pot of gold?  The Seasons Dragons from Doodle Dragon Studios are just too perfect - especially for my nephew and his current love for dinosaurs (I know it's a dragon, but to a 4 1/2 year old its close enough :)  The cool thing is that Doodle Dragon Studios Challenge Blog is having a contest and you have until this Saturday to participate.  You can check it out here - Make a LUCKY card or St. Paddy's card.
This is the first St. Paddy's Day card I've been able to complete and may be the only one that I get done this year - I've got a few more I'd like to finish, but we'll see.
So, this card - didn't it turn out cute?  And who says you can't add a little bling to a boys card?! :)
Image - Doodle Dragon Studio - Seasons Dragon
Paper - Coredinations/Green/Black, Reminisce/Micro Clover(and stripes)
Technique - Magic Colored Pencil Technique
Miscellaneous - BLING from Michaels - Recollections, Gold Stickles, Velvet Ribbon & Fiskars Threading Water Punch
Thanks so much for stopping by today.
I'm headed to the hospital to see my dad this afternoon and find out what the update is.  He's supposed to have an ultrasound today because they think he may have a blood clot or infection and the US will help determine if it's one or both.  He's down to 17 radiation treatments left though.  He's such a strong guy.  I've never been more prouder of my dad than I am right now.
Happy Craftin' to you all on this Monday!
Min

Sunday, March 14, 2010

What's One More Candle?!

Don't you just love Stella?  This image and sentiment are just way too funny!  I love Jodie's images & sentiments at Bugaboo Stamps!  So, Kaboodle Doodles is having a challenge and it's for Birthday Cards!  You can never have too many birthday cards, right?!
And even better yet - Bugaboo Stamps is sponsoring the challenge!!
I needed a birthday card and this image was SO perfect!  It makes me laugh like crazy - Ms. Stella is just to funny! 
Paper - Basic Grey Prints, Blue, Black &Lavendar cardstock
Technique - Magic Colored Pencil Technique & Paper Piecing Shirt, Hat & Cake Frosting
Punch - EK Success &Fiskars Punches
Miscellaneous - Doodling & Bling
Thanks for stopping by today - I hope you're having a terrific weekend (even if we lost an hour today by springing forward!).
Happy Craftin'!
Min

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Into Life a Little Rain Must Fall

But Boy, The Monsoons Suck!
This is a card I made for my dad today.  With him back in the hospital, I thought a little humor would be good.
The image is a Bugaboo Stamps image and I used the Bugaboo Sketch Challenge today as well.  Awesome Sketch!
Everything was from my stash - papers and bling
Technique - Magic Colored Pencil Technique as well as Paper Piecing (umbrella, hat, boots, puddle & rain coat.
The Sentiment and the cloud are both popped up on dimensionals.
Check out all the adorable images Bugaboo Stamps has - Something for everyone - you can't go wrong!!
Happy Saturday - back to the studio to create a bit more - the weather here is rainy and cold - a perfect day to be scrappy!
Happy Craftin'!
Min

Friday, March 12, 2010

Mystery Solved

Thank you all so much for 'playing' along!!
You girls rock with titles - I love them all!  I can't wait to get into my studio and get a page made for this.
Okay, so the wait is over. . . . . the package was from
My Dad and Mom
(Whew, glad we didn't have to search for my lost marbles again this week!)  :)
My mom heard about it on the radio and thought it would be fun to send us one - I tell you my folks are just amazing even with everything that's going on. 
This is my mom's way of "Getting 'even' with us" (in a good way) and a thank you to my wonderful hubby for letting me be a great daughter and terrible wife the last month or so while my dad has been in and out of the hospital.
The Coney Dogs were AWESOME - the house reaked of onions and chili, but man were they good! 
We didn't eat all 12, so we've got some additional coney dogs for a rainy day!
Yes, that makes my hubby a VERY happy Man!!!
For all of you who played along, thank you for humoring me :)
The winner of the contest (chosen by random thank goodness b/c the page titles are all so awesome)!
JENNY
Congrats Girl - I've got your addy so I'll get your goodies into the mail next week.
Thanks again to everyone for 'playing' along. 
TGIF!  Hope your weekend is full of creativity!
Happy Craftin'!
Min

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

A Coney Island Mystery......

Yesterday afternoon I got a call from my hubby that we had a 'BOX' on the front porch and he was perplexed and confused. It was a box of 'Perishable Hot Dogs' and 'Dry Ice' and 'Leave on Porch'.
I mention this because he was reading what was on the outside of the brown box it was shipped in........
Because it wasn't anything I'd ordered (that usually involves paper, stamps and other studio yumminess) and because the outside of the box was addressed correctly and when I say correctly, I mean that Glen's name was spelled right with one n and mine was spelled right with an i instead of a y (Mindi).
So now, we're both perplexed and of course, because I couldn't wait the 2 hours until I got home from work,  I told him to open the box and see what was inside - yep, curiosity abuses the cat in our house!
Turns out there was a letter from American Coney Island - a Coney hot spot in Detroit, telling us about the history behind the restaurant that opened in 1917.  Okay, so we're both thinking - is this some sort of marketing promotion? Yep, Great Marketing minds think alike in our house.....since there wasn't a card anywhere to be found.
Then I wondered if my nephew had been selling Coney kits as part of his fund raiser recently and I'd ordered one and forgot I ordered it - so of course I had to check with Amy and Susan to make sure I hadn't lost my marbles (lost marbles are a regular occurring thing in our house, it's usually mine that have gone missing.....).
For those of you that know my husband - and those of you who don't - HOT DOGS/CHILI DOGS are one of this man's most favorite foods in the entire world. That is an item that is a MUST GET every time we go to a baseball game (right after the bag of peanuts he shares with my dad). His mom joked when we met, were dating and got married she was so glad he'd met me because she was afraid he would eat hot dogs the rest of his life (if only she'd known that I coudln't boil water before I met my husband - we all laugh about that now!!!).
Still, we were both perplexed - no note, just the letter from American Coney Island.
Well, when I got home from work, we continued to open the box further - there MUST be a note somewhere!!!  We found the dogs and the container of chili boxed in the 'American Coney Island' kit box with dry ice, a fresh onion, a bag of buns and a hat. And you better believe we BOTH had to have a photo taken in the hat - what's that they say about things happening in life - "If it ain't in the scrapbook, it didn't happen!"
So, after STILL not finding a card, we finally called the American Coney Island headquarters inquiring - I say we, but Glen called (I read the phone number to him and he dialed & talked) trying to find out the WHO because we were obviously and totally confused.
They informed us that someone did in fact send it to us, but would have to look into WHO sent it. Of course, we couldn't enjoy these Coney Dogs until we knew who sent them......They said they'd let us know before the day was out. So like 15 minutes later we get a call that the card is tucked in the hat..........
Drumroll please.........
HA HA, you didn't think I was going to give you a quick end to the story, did you??  Especially since we spent ALL AFTERNOON yesterday trying to figure out where these things came from........
I'm not going to tell you today - instead, I'm going to have a little "Coney Contest".  Because this will end up on a scrapbook page in our album, leave me a comment with
WHO you think sent them and a title for the scrapbook page
I'll reveal WHO sent the package this Friday.  For everyone who participates, I'll put your name in a drawing and pick one lucky winner to receive some yummy scrappy goodness and maybe if you ask real nice, my hubby will share one of the Coney Dogs with you too!
How's that for a Coney, I mean, Corney Contest?
:)
Happy Craftin'!
Min

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Chill-laxin' on a Beachy Day

Boy does this card and the recent sunshine and warm weather make me SO ready for a summer trip to the beach. . . . . yes 50* in March in Michigan is considered a heat wave!!
This fabulous image is courtsey of my sis Shelly.  Isn't it just fabulous?!
You can purchase this image or several others at her store here.  She just recently opened her online store, so she is constantly adding more new images on a regular basis.
Image - Shelly's Images "At The Beach"
Technique - Magic Colored Pencil Technique
Papers - 'tovers from my stash - Core-dinations Aruba, Black Cardstock & Striped Daisy Bucket
Miscellaneous - Fun Flock on pillows & blanket (you can't see it in the photo, but it looks awesome in person); "Chill-Lax" sentiment created with Gilligans Island font
Thanks so much for stoppin' by today - I hope you have a wonderful day!!
Happy Craftin'!
Min

Monday, March 8, 2010

Love

I wanted to share this with you real quick today - I was able to spend sometime in my studio yesterday (my reward after all the spring cleaning!!) and this was one of the cards I finished up.  My mom and dad are celebrating their 42nd Wedding Anniversary tomorrow - can you believe it - 42 years?! 
So, for a special couple, a special card.
It's been ages since I've made a long skinny card like this, but I love how it turned out.
Image - Fluffles from Stampendous
Technique - Magic Colored Pencil Technique
Paper - Red & Black Cardstock, Daisy Bucket Black & White stripe
Cricut - Love cut from the Sweethearts Cartridge
Miscellaneous - Black & White Brad; Making Memories & Ribbon Flower created by me from ribbon in my stash.  It's a multi-layer brad buddy flower - I'm so pleased with how it looks - the pic doesn't do it justice!.
The Inside reads - To Love, Laughter and Happily Every After!
The Ribbon Flower was actually created based on a Technique Tuesday Challenge to use ribbon in a different way than you usually do on Scrap-Friendzy.  I love the way this turned out so much, you can bet I'll be making more brad buddy flowers to go on Natalie's scrapbook pages!!
Thanks so much for stopping by today!
I always love hearing from everyone!
Happy Craftin'!
Min

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Let them Eat Cake!

Yep, the googley eyes are back!  :)  It's been ages since I've paper pieced anything, but this adorable image from Bugaboo Stamps made it super easy to do and how CUTE is it?  Jodie has some super images on her site - you won't be disappointed.
This is a birthday card for one of the girls in our family - she has a birthday coming up and what girl doesn't love BLING with a cute monkey?!  You can NEVER have too much BLING!!
Technique - Magic Colored Pencil Technique & Paper Piecing (Cake & Hat)
Papers - Kraft & Orange Cardstock; pink coredinations and old Anna Griffin printed papers
Miscellaneous - Flat back pink bling, Ribbon from the stash & Googley eyes
Doodling & computer generated sentiment.
The Inside says - "And Celebrate!"
Thanks for stoppin by today (yep, haven't gotten to the spring cleaning yet - too much creativity flowin' in the studio this morning!!
Happy Craftin'!
Min

Friday, March 5, 2010

Birthday Fishes!

Last month was such a crazy month, I fell behind getting my birthday and anniversary cards created, so, here's the dent I made tonight.  Not much of a dent, but it's a start! :) 
This one is for my father-in-law - his birthday is next week.  When my hubby and his brother were growing up they used to go fishing, so this was a perfect fit!
Image - Doodle Dragon Studios
Techqniue - Magic Colored Pencil Technique
Papers - From my stash
Miscellaneous - Stickles: Diamond, Aqua & Waterfall, flatbacked bb's, Sentiment is computer generated
The fish and the man's face and hat are popped up on dimensionals (you can't really see it too well here).
I thought it turned out cute.
Now I'm off to work on a few more birthday cards and anniversary cards for next week.
Then Spring Cleaning starts.  We had new windows put in last week so now I'm inspired to get everything ready for spring - organizing & cleaning.
Happy Craftin'!
Min

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Sunshine Award

What a nice surprise, Lynn from Beautiful Delights was sweet enough to leave me a little sunshine award to add to this sunny but cold Michigan day.  Thanks so much Lynn.  If you haven't checked out Lynn's blog, it's definitely a must see- she creates some of the most amazing layouts!!  When I grow up I want to be able to scrap like she does!!  Thanks again Lynn!
Along with this blog award comes some rules:
1.Place the award in your post or within your blog
2.Pass this award to six of your nominees
3.Link the nominees to your post
4.Let the nominees know they have received the award by commenting on their blog
5.Link to the person you received the award from.
There are so many great blogs that I visit on a regulary basis that it is SO HARD to pick just 6 - I'd love to give EVERYONE a little piece of sunshine, so I will have to come back when I have just a little more time to list my favorite 6.
Wishing you a day of wonderful creativity!
Happy Craftin'!
Min

Monday, March 1, 2010

The Nice Nurse....

Happy March 1st!  Can you believe it's already March?!  WOW!  This was a quickie I did for my dad the other day (mom and I have been coloring LOTS of digi-images over the last 12 days and this was one). 
I can't say we saw any nurses like this one ( but how darn funny is she??)  All my dad's nurses and doctors were just amazing - what special people they all are.
In anycase, dad got a chuckle.  The inside says - The NICE nurse is on VACATION!
Image - Bugaboo Stamps (They have some of the funniest images - I love their funny ladies - Stella, Ruby & JJ - Stella's Working stamps that talk about Monday are hysterical!  Be sure to check out their great images!!)
Technique - Magic Colored Pencil Technique
Papers - All Cardstock - Core'dinations (Red & Black), blue is the color of the card
Cuttlebug - Swiss Dots embossing folder
Miscellaneous - Star brads & 'Sorry' letters from my stash
So, that's about all for today.  I'm hoping to get back into my studio tonight.  I made a stop at Archivers yesterday and picked up a few things - my nephew Colin and his mom Amy had gotten me a gift certificate for Christmas to there, and it's been burning a hole in my pocket.  I've been looking at the Score-Pal forever and finally picked one up (plus I had a 40% off gift certificate - how could I not?!)  Anyway, I also got a few new prints and embellies to do some pages for my niece.  Her momma has been takin' some great baby photos, so I need to get going! 
Happy Monday to you all - happy craftin' today!
Min