Some Vacation Photos

Hey there - as promised - here are a few more photos from our vacation - I'm attempting to get a video or two downloaded that we took, but no such luck yet.  But photos, we got photos! =)

Of course, still rying to get caught up from being on vacation, so things are still kind of crazy at our house.

Maybe things will slow down this weekend??  HA!

WARNING - I did a TON of playing with our camera on vacation, so my aplogies if the photos look weird or odd in any way.  Yep, that's the disclaimer for the day.

Our Home away from Home in Punta Cana - FABULOUS colors!!!

My Hubby & I in our Tie Dye on the beach! =)

Evening view from under our umbrella in The Plaza listening to the band

 Panaramic view from our room (can I tell you how much I love the panaramic feature on the camera?!)

Elvis is ALIVE & WELL in Punta Cana (this was our Anniversary evening entertainment) =)

 Panaramic view of the Ocean Sunrise - it was AMAZING!

 Sunrise on the beach looking at our resort

Love this sunrise photo with the palm trees and the moon in the background

Sunrise on the beach (love the shadow of Glen and I together - kind of neat) =)

Sunrise on the beach

 Toes in the sand - an EVERY TRIP photo =)

 Dinner at Mercure - YUMMO! (yep, took photos of lots of food on this trip!) =)

Playing with the no flash, no tripod 'night vision' setting our first night.  =)

 Part of the lazy river pool

Evening ambiance while listening to a live band one evening (yep, more tinkering with the settings)

 Our every morning view while enjoying breakfast

So, those are some of the photos we snapped that I thought I'd share. 
I hope you enjoyed the little snippets of our vacation! =)
Hugs & Happy Days!

Monsters?!

Did you ever have a monster under the bed??

Well, these super cute new Monsters from Bugaboo Stamps I'd be happy to have as house guests (provided they could run the vacuum and do a little light dusting).

 Image - Bugaboo Stamps featuring Monster Block Mini Set - 8

Papers - Coredinations, Bazzill & 

Coloring - Copics (B61, B63, B66, YG23, YG25, B000)

Tools - MS Punch & Computer or Image and Sentiment

Extra STUFF - BLING, Googley Eyes and Dimensionals

Be sure to visit The Bug Blog and see what Monsters the rest of the design team has under their beds!

Hugs & Happy Days!

This little monster has been entered in the following challenges -
Creative Card Crew - 2W - Anything Goes
Partytime Tuesdays - 3E (2E anything goes wk) - PTT #31 Anything Goes
Shopping Our Stash - C10 - Sassy Snarky or LOL
Tuesday Throwdown -#64 "punny sentiment" use a pun or a play on words for your sentiment
DDH Challenges - 2W - (2nd week) Dry Embossing
Daisy Doodles Creative Challenge - 2E, SIO - Anything Goes

 

Some Exciting News!!!

I've been picked to be part of the new Whimsie Doodles Design Team! =)

Have you checked out Whimsie Doodles Digis?? Melyssa has some super cute critter, kids and some punny digis, just to name a FEW of my favorites!

This is one you may remember I created a while ago for my mom.

Who doesn't loved a BLINGED OUT vacuum?

Be sure to join us on Thursday, September 15 for the "Meet the Diva's" Blog Hop - oh, and on September 5, be sure to check out the September New Releases!! =)

Hugs & Happy Days!

Warmin' Up for a Challenge Today

At The Bug Blog!

Happy Saturday and welcome to today's Bugaboo Stamps/Catch The Bug Challenge. 

After spending 2 weeks in Punta Cana on the beach, with the sand between my toes and the ocean mist on my face, my mind has been stuck on the warm sun soaked beach.....

Can you understand why??

So since I keep trying to get my mind off the beach and back to reality, TODAY'S challenge is the PERFECT excuse to head back to the beach!

It's a WARM color AND Paper Piecing Challenge.

And BOY oh BOY was this a CHALLENGE for me!!!

Image - Bugaboo Stamps featuring $1 Digi - 3 Hearts

Papers - Bo Bunny, Kraft & Bazzill Orange Peel 

Coloring - Copics

Tools/Techniques - Paper Piecing, EK Success Punch

Extra STUFF -Ribbon from my stash, Bling, Love You Sentiment, Stickles and Dimensionals

Not sure if it was the paper piecing that was giving me fits, warm colors or the combination of the two (or maybe my mojo missed the plane back to the states!)
In anycase, take a stab at the challenge - we're love to see what you come up with and heck, if you play along, you might even be our weekly winner!!!

Hugs & Happy Days!

This card has been entered into the following challenges - 

Catch The Bug Challenge - Warm Colors & Paper Piecing

Card Makin' Mamas - 2W, 2E, cards only - pink

Cuddly Buddly - SIO - say something nice

Happy Anniversary!!

With an Oldie But Goodie Day at Bugaboo Stamps and Catch The Bug! =)

My Mom and Dad In-Law are celebrating their Anniversary today and we mailed off this adorable Gus & Stella Anniversary card to get them in the celebratin' mood!  =)

Of course, with today being an Oldie But Goodie, These two oldies are perfect for today - wouldn't you agree?

 Image - Bugaboo Stamps "Stella Love" Collection Person to Annoy

Paper - Bazzill & DCWV Elegant Paper stack from my stash (been there A LONGGGGG While)

Coloring - Copics (E50, E21, E32, E33, R24, R27, R29, V15, V17, B21, B24, C1, C3, C5)

Extra STUFF - Sheer Ribbon from my stash, Miscellaneous Sentiment Stamp, Doodling, Dimensionals & Stickles (Diamond)

Want some more Oldie inspiration??  Head on over to The Bug Blog and check out what the Design Team did with some more Oldie digis and be inspired.  =)

Don't forget too - you've still got time to join us for our Summer is for the Birds (and Bees) Challenge.

Hugs & Happy Days!

Shopping Our Stash - C10 - Red or Ribbons Or Roses

Make it Monday - always Anything Goes

Kenny K Krafty Girlz - 1E, SIO - Layers

Little Claire's  - M, 3E, SIO - #12 Wedding/Anniversary (until mid Sept)

Fabulous Shelly’s Image Release

This new image from Shelly’s Images is my new FAVORITE Birthday card image!! =)  And it works for a Friend card too!

Image – Shelly’s Images “Presents”

Papers – Recollections Print & Bazzill

Coloring – Copics

Tools – EK Success Punch & Computer for Image & Sentiment

Extra STUFF – Doodling, Ribbon from my stash, Dimensionals & Computer Generated Sentiment

Pretty cute, huh??

You can get yours from the SI Store at a special price today only – like I said, perfect for birthday cards.

For more inspiration and a super fun challenge, visit the SI Blog, check out what the very talented Design Team did and then join us for a challenge!

Hugs & Happy Days!

Sentimental Sundays - must include a Sentiment - Birthday
Designed 2 Delight - 3E -  Anything Goes
One Stop Craft - #145 Bold and Bright

Bring on the Recipes!!!

It's a recipe challenge today at our Bugaboo PCP and CDAC groups!

What does that mean for you?  A great recipe and an even better creation to join in with!  =)

Can you guess what today's recipe is based on the card below I made for my mama's birthday. 
Just a few of her favorite things!! =)

Image- Bugaboo Stamps "Brats" collection Balloon Sitter AND

Furniture & Backgrounds (Presents)

Papers - Bazzill and Paper Studio Zebra Print 

Coloring - Copics

Tools - EK Success Punch, Cuttlebug & Happy Birthday Embossing Folder

Extra STUFF - Doodling, Dimensionals, Miscellaneous Ribbon, Copic colored Bling, Miscellaneous Sentiment Stamp, Stazon Jet Black Ink and Smooch

Come on over and check out the challenge at our PCP and CDAC group - you can enter to WIN WIN WIN at both groups (and then browse through the Bugaboo Stamps Store and pick out your faves for WHEN you WIN!)  =)

Hugs & Happy Days!

This super cute Cutie has been entered into the following challenges -

Bugaboo Stamps/Catch The Bug - PCP and CDAC Challenge

DDH Challenges - 2W - (1st week) Dry Embossing

Karens Doodles - 1E, SIO - Use Your Punchers and Die Cuts

Kaboodle Doodles - Ribbons

iCopic Challenge - 2E, must use Copics - Color an Embellishment

Paper Playtime - 2W - (2nd week) Anything Goes

Stamps R Us - 2E - (1st week) Anything Goes

Kenny K Krafty Girlz - 1E, SIO - Layers

We're BACK......

Oh my goodness what an AMAZING time we had in Punta Cana!!!  It's been AGES since we've had time together to just SIT on the BEACH and RELAX. 

(We had to look that word up in the dictionary just to see what it meant and HOW to do it!) 

Our resort was just Incredible!

We had an couples massage - It was so EXTRAORDINARY that we were absolutely speechless and spent the rest of the day floating on the lazy river in the pool on rafts like silly putty.  We ATE our way through EVERY restaurant at both the Royal Beach AND Now Larimer (both FANTASTIC resorts).  We were partial to La Riviera for breakfast where Glen had his very own Omlette Artist, Jose; Spice, the Asian restaurant where they do the Tepanyaki cooking on the grill in front of you - this is where we celebrated our 8th Anniversary with dinner and Mercure, a French Restaurant where you could eat a terrific filet - the filets were magnificent there - I took photos one night so will be sure to share with you . . . .   DRANK an absurd amount of tropical beverages that included umbrellas and names that make you smile just hearing them.  The best part - the SAND between our toes and the CRASHING of the waves on the beach.  Walked MILES and MILES of White Sandy Beach - our toes loving EVERY step.  And we even watched the sun rise over the turquoise waters that went on forever a few mornings. 

Sigh....well, here we are back to reality--So of course, after relaxing, we've come home with two suitcases full of laundry that needs washing before heading back to work.  UGH!  However, our furbabies are pretty darn happy to have us home (but they DID have a great time with grams takin' care of them)!  We've had permenant shadows since we walked in the door.

I thought I'd share a quick photo (will be sure to share more when I have a chance to get them uploaded this week - I went a bit PHOTO crazy on this trip....and Video crazy too!!). 

This is a sunrise we caught one morning - just fabulous!!

THIS is why I ABSOLUTELY LOVE LOVE LOVE our new camera!  =)

Hugs & Happ Days!

Summer is for the Birds

Welcome to today's Catch The Bug/Bugaboo Stamps Saturday Challenge - This week, it's a "Summer is for the Birds (and Bees too) challenge.

Whip up a little something that involves Summer and Birds or Bees and join the Challenge fun!!

I've recently fallen in love with Jodie's Kitchen Chickens, so that's the BIRD I used today.  =)

If you've been a blog follower of mine, you know I don't normally make Clean & Simple cards (Simple being the opportive word here).  Well, I started making some 'SIMPLE' notecards a few weeks ago and have TOTALLY fallen in love with these cute and simple little fellas!

You may be seein' a whole lot moe of these little suckers! ;o)

Image - Bugaboo Stamps - Kitchen Chicken "Basket"

Papers - Kraft & White CS for printed image

Coloring - Copics (E31, E33, E35, Y11, Y13, Y15, YG23, YG25, YR04, YR07, R24, R27, R29, R89)

Extra STUFF - Image is fussy cut out and popped up on Dimesionals

How Cute and Freakin' Simple is this?!

Want more inspiration?  Be sure to check out the rest of the Bird & Bee (sounds like we should be having "The TALK" doesn't it??).  Anyway, pop on over to The Bug Blog and check out what the rest of the DT created.
Then join us - Heck, just for playin' along you could be one of our three winners - seven, four or two FREE Bugaboo Images of your choice - sure sounds like a no brainer to me! =)

As always, this image and MANY MANY More images can be found at The Bugaboo Store.

Hugs & Happy Days!

This little bird has been entered into the following challenge -

Bugaboo Stamps/Catch The Bug - Summer is for the Birds Challenge

Butter-flyin' Oldie But Goodie

Ever since I picked up the Butterfly Border Collection, I just can't get enough of it!  It is a perfect collection for Sympathy cards (for some reason we're on a roll for many of these lately).

I love the beauty of this image and the simplicity of the card. 

Perfect way to share your sympathies.

Image - Bugaboo Stamps - Butterfly Border Collection - Butterfly 6

Paper - Kraft & Bazzill

Coloring - Copics

Tools - EK Success Punch

Extra STUFF - With Sympathy stamp, Stazon Jet Black Ink, Bling and Ribbon

Thanks so much for stoppin' by today - be sure to check out the amazing works the rest of the team has created at The Bug Blog.  Don't forget, we've got our PCP and CDAC Wacky Wednesday Challenge going on right now too - yep, another way for you to win WONDERFUL Bugaboo digis!  =)

This week it's a

Hugs & Happy Days!

8/13/11 A little Distressing & Some Shabby Chic

Welcome to this week's edition of The Catch The Bug Challenge.

This week, we've been challenged to do some Distressing or Shabby Chic designing - or heck, if you're an over-achiever like I'm NOT today, you might try & do both.......

Yep, THIS was certainly a challenge for me.

But then I realized I could dry emboss, sand a bit, ink a bit, add a little ribbon or lace and a few buttons or bling and Voila, you got your little Shabby Chic Distressed challenge all wrapped up with a pretty bow!  =)

Image - Bugaboo Stamps - Fancy Umbrellas - Umbrella 3

Papers - Bo Bunny, Bazzill, Kraft 

Coloring - Copics (R11, R12, R14, YR07, YG23, YG25, W1 & W3)

Tools - Nesties, Ellison Scallop Die & Cuttlebug

Extra STUFF - Bling (colored), Ribbon from my stash - dyed to match, Felt for flower - was white, but then colored lightly with copic R14), Color Box Chestnut Roan Ink, Doodling, Fiskars Sentiment, Stazon Jet Black Ink 

Hugs & Happy Days!

This Distressing card has been entered into the following challenges -

Catch The Bug Blog/Bugaboo Stamps - Distressing/Shabby Chic Challenge

8/11/11 Oldie But Goodie

But then when Stella is involved, it's definitely a Goodie!  =)

I absolutely loved the Stella Peeker Collection when Jodie came out with it in June and now I FINALLY got some time to play with it!

Image - Bugaboo Stamps - Stella Peeker Collection

Paper - Basic Grey, Kraft and Bazzill

Coloring - Copics

Tools - Nesties & EK Success Punch

Extra STUFF - Ribbon from my stash, CM Corner Rounder punch, Doodling, Bling, Stickles and Dimensionals

Check out the OBG creations from the rest of the Design Team at The Bug Blog - you'll find lots of inspiration - and like me - a few new images that need to join my collection!!!  =)

Hugs & Happy Days!

Thank You Julie!!

For some super wonderful blog awards - you've made me blush!

(I just LOVE the 'Stinkin' Cute' Blog award!)

If you have't visited Julie's "Julie Makes Card Blog" - believe me, you'll want to hop on over and take a peek.  I 'met' Julie through Bugaboo and love visiting her blog for regular inspiration!!
Thanks again for the blog awards!
A few people I'd like to share them with -
My Sis Shelly of Shelly's Images
And my SI Design sistas -
Jen, Heather, Darlene, Sammi, Stephanie, Amanda and Jennifer

Anything Goes Today

at The Bug Blog and This Old Crumudgen, er I mean, Sporty Gus is a perfect Anything Goes project and Terrific for those Sporty Men in your life.

I mean, who wouldn't love a card with Gus on the front talking about Boating, Beer Drinking, Golfing and Missing Balls??

The Gus Sports Collection is perfect for ALL OF THE ABOVE!  =)

Image - Bugaboo Stamps - Gus Sports Collection - Gus Golf Image

Paper - Bazzill CS, Basic Grey Prints/Stripes & Kraft

Coloring - Copics

Technique- Paper Piecing

Be sure to make a stop by The Bug Blog and check out the rest of the Anything Goes projects from the design team.  AND, don't forget to JOIN us - with Jodie's FABULOUS images up for grabs, you'd be crazy not to play along!  =)

Hugs & Happy Days! 

Gus has been entered into the following challenges -

Catch The Bug/Bugaboo Stamps - Anything Goes Challenge

Card Makin' Mamas - 2W, 2E, cards only - birthday cards

Inspire Me Fridays - always anything goes

Phindy’s Place - 3E, SIO - anything goes

Stamp Something - use a digi

A Sketch Challenge

So Thusdays are Terrifically Thrilling Challenge days at Shelly's Images and I wanted to share with you a Birthday card I whipped up for Glen's Aunt.

This week, it' a sketch challenge (I puffy <3 Sketch Challenges!).  I also <3 this fantastic "Presents" image that Shelly created - so much that I don't even let myself get a second copy of it made to pop up on dimensionals before I have it colored, on a card nd in the mail! 

I really must try the dimensionals on the bow the next time I use this!

So, here it is - just lovin' the aqua, hot pink and black!  =) 

Image - Shelly's Images "Presents"

Paper - Recollections Pape Pack (black & white print), Bazzill Embossed Dots and Bazzill Hot Pink CS

Coloring - Copics (RV04, RV07, RV09, BG11, BG13,BG15)

Tools - EK Success Punch

Extra STUFF - Hero Arts Bling, Fiskars Sentiment, Stazon Jet Black Ink, Zig Pen for Doodling, Doodling & Dimensionals

See why I love this digi so much - you could paper piece it, pop up the bow on dimensionals, use it with BOLD background patterns like I did here.

Yep, this digi ranks right up there with the Happy Hour images and the Beach Images Shelly has created!

You can get yours at the Shelly's Images Store.  You'll find yourself looking FORWARD to making Birthday cards just so you can use this digi!! =)

This birthday surprise has been entered into the following challenges - 
Shelly's Images - Sketch Challenge
Stamp Something - use a digi
Card Makin' Mamas - 2W, 2E, cards only - birthday cards
The Outlawz Copic Challenge -1E, must use Copic/Promarkers
Pixie Dust Studio - SIO - Anything goes

Flashbacks of Christmas in July!

Yep, I had so much fun with Christmas in July challenges, I just HAD to have a Christmas in July Flashback Project - On Top of that, Bugaboo Stamps is sponsoring the Fussy & Fancy Christmas Challenge this week.

Look at that, two birds, one stone.  =)

This gave me another chance to play with the new Ruby Christmas Digis too.  Now that's a GOOD DAY!

Image - Bugaboo Stamps - "Ruby Christmas Collection"

Coloring - Copics

Tools -EK Success Punch, Cuttlebug & TH Embossing Folder

Extra STUFF -Bling & Dimensionals

If you're still looking for some Chrstmas Challenges, come on over and join us at The Fussy & Fancy blog and join in the holly, jolly fun!!

Of course, get all your Bugaboo stamps at the Bugaboo Store.

Hugs & Happy Days!

This sassy vixen has been entered into the following challenges -

Fussy & Fancy - Christmas Challenge

Grab your Oldies...

and PLAY 'EM LOUD!!  

With living in Michigan, every summer, there is what is called the "Woodward Dream Cruise", made up of TONS of classic cars that cruise up and down Woodward Avenue between Detroit and where we live.  Of course, with the cruise just around the corner, there are LOTS of Classics that are out and about on the road.  The Aqua Blue & White 50's convertibles with big fins, the 50's Black and Yellow Vics (one of the classic cars my mom and dad have), Classic Ford, Chevy and GM of many years past.  They all make me smile and want to play Beach Boys Music REALLY LOUD as I cruise with the windows down (most days I do...sorry to be one of THOSE people).  

It makes me think of my dad and his love for the Oldies - both the Cars and the Music!  Much of my childhood, when driving with my dad involved singing the Oldies together.  Wonderful memories for me.

Okay, so how does this rambling about Classic cars and Oldies music have anything to do with anything?

Well, today is Thursday and you know what that means?  It's an Oldie But Goodie Day over at Bugaboo Stamps and Catch The Bug!  =)

If you haven't seen this cute Knobby Knees Oldies couple, you'll definitely want to give 'em a look - and if you're feelin' nostalgic, grab that oldies music and TURN IT UP LOUD! =) 

I KNOW I AM!

Image - Bugaboo Stamps "Knobby Knees" Collection "Boy Vacation" & "Girl Vacation"

Papers - Kraft, Multiple Prints from Paper stack from Hobby Lobby

Coloring - Copics

Tools - Cuttlebug & Sizzix Scallop Die

Extra STUFF - Sand & Surf Stamp from my stash, Stazon Jet Black Ink, Miscellaneous Bling from stash and Fish Net & Dimensionals

Thanks so much for stoppin' by today and checkin' out our Bugaboo Oldies.

Hugs & Happy Days!