Java Great Day!

HOW can you NOT Java GREAT day when it's an Oldie But Goodie Thursday at Catch The Bug/Bugaboo Stamps???

This cutie is headed to my friend's "MUM" in law Margaret who is bravely battling Ovarian Cancer (along with a handmade pair of warm, felted slippers).

I've had this paper stack for what seems like FOREVER (like LAST SPRING) and now it's gettin' some action! =)

Image - Bugaboo Stamps "Coffee Time - Espresso Yourself"

Papers - DCWV Scraps & Bazzill (ALL SCRAPS)

Coloring - Copics

Tools - Cuttlebug & Nesties

Extra STUFF - Stickles & Dimensionals

This image, as well as lots of other images can be found at The Bugaboo Stamps Store - visit The Bug Blog too and see what FANTASTIC creations the rest of the team whipped up.

 Hugs & Happy Days!

This has been entered into the following challenges - 

Oldie But Goodie Challenge - 2W, must use something at least 6mts old  & state what it is- Mum`s the Word   Week1

Paper Take Weekly - Anything Goes (optional - use Shrink Plastic)

The Pink Elephant - "Lets See Those Layers" (at least 3)

Whimsie Doodles March New Releases

Well, you've waited and HERE they are - the Whimsie Doodles March New Releases - and LOTS of them are very SOCIAL!  =)

Like this little Social teen - The Pinner.

Pinning - YEP, that's me!  =)

Image - Whimsie Doodles - Social Teen - Pinner

Papers - MME & Bazzill (all out of my SCRAP BOX)

Coloring - Copics B91 B93 B95 BG70 BG72 BG75 C0 C1 C3 C5 E31 E33 E50 E51 R000 R35 R37 R46 Y13 YR21 

Tools - EK Success Border Punch

Extra STUFF - Prima Flower, Miscellaneous Flower, Custom Pearls, Doodling, Stickles, Sheer Ribbon & Dimensionals
The inside says "Happy Pinning - From one PIN-Head to Another!"

Visit here if you want to pick up some or all of these wonderful Whimsie Doodles New Releases!
You won't be sorry! 

Hugs & Happy Days!

Whimsie Doodles March Snippets

We're gonna tease you a bit today with some new images that are on their way for March - 

Pretty cute from what you can see, huh?

Be sure to visit tomorrow and check out all the Whimsie Doodles March New Release.  They're adorable and worth PINNING!  =)

Hugs & Happy Days!

Gettin' Sketchy with The Bug & Sketches by Carly

Bugaboo is sponsoring the Sketches by Carly this week and we can't wait for you to join us!

And here's my take on the sketch (you can check out the sketch HERE) and play along with us.  =)

Image - Bugaboo Stamps "Umbrella from Spring Stuff Mini"

Papers - Lime Twist & Bazzill (all from my scrap box)

Copics - BG18 BG70 BG72 RV55 RV63 RV66 RV69 YG63 YG67

Extra STUFF - Stickles, Doodling, Dimensionals and American Crafts Ribbon

Inspired?  Well come join us Sketches by Carly then and play along!

Hugs & Happy Days!

This has been entered into the following challenges - 

Sketches by Carly - Sketch 51

Oldie But Goodie at Bugaboo!

 We're dustin' off the Oldies today at Bugaboo Stamps and this is one of my FAVORITE Oldies.

Needed a simple Thank You card and the digis from the Butterfly Borders collection are perfect!

Image - Bugaboo Stamps "Butterfly Border 3"

Papers - Doodlebug Design Scraps, Kraft & Bazzill - All scraps

Coloring - RV17 RV19 Y13 YG13 YR04 YR07

Tools - EK Success Border Punch

Extra STUFF - Stazon Jet Black Ink, Miscellaneous Thank You Sentiment, Flat Backed Pearls & Dimensionals

So, what fabulous OLDIES do you have that we haven't used in a while??

Visit The Bug Blog and check out what the rest of the design team did!

Hugs & Happy 1st Day of March! 

If you find the Purse...

Get the shoes to match!! =)

I thought this little Lizzie with her purse (from Whimsie Doodles) was too cute and should be on the front of a card - so here she is!

Image - Whimsie Doodles "Purse Lizzie"

Papers - Bazzill & Paper Studio Scraps, also Bazzill pre-cut border

Coloring - Copics

Extra STUFF - Ribbon & BLING!

Can you believe it?  Today is the LAST day of February and the ENTIRE month - and actually a BONUS day if you think about it.  And can you believe it - all I've used for paper is scraps from my scrap boxes - this ENTIRE month????

What about you - do you make it a habit to use up your scraps?

I think I might keep the scrap thing going for March too - it's kind of fun to try and USE up stuff you already have....PLUS it makes room so you can get some NEW stuff!  =)  

Hugs & Happy Days!

This has been entered into the following challenges - 

Cooking It Up With Katie -2W, 1E - # 90 3 favorite things which are BLING, SCRAPS & My Copics!

Scrapalicious - C5, must be follower, 1E - anything goes

Simon Says Stamp - anything goes

Sisterhood of Crafters  - 2W, 3E - use a digi  (2nd wk)

A Tutorial in Coloring....

Happy Hump Day All!  I hope it's a good one!

With some of the neat "Silouettes" digis from Bugaboo Stamps, I thought I'd give you a quick crash course in recoloring the black and white version to making it the color you want.  I mostly use the free GIMP download for this, but there is also a simplier way if you're a bit apprehensive about trying photo/design editing software - Microsoft Publiser.
I BELIEVE you may be able to do something similar with MS Word also, but I have not personally tried it.

Ready?  Set?  LEARN!

(You can click on the images below to make them larger and better read the commentary along the right side of the frame.)

Open a NEW page and Insert the digi you wish to recolor - this is PERFECT for the Bugaboo Stamps "Silouettes" digis.

Left Click on the image and then right click to get the drop down menu.

You'll highlight "FORMAT PICTURE"

 This will be he next pop-up sreen you will get - click on the "RECOLOR" button.

 Click on the Color Box with te aarow and it wll give ou a "Color Picker Box" (yep, that's a technical term! =)

Select "MORE COLORS"

Choose your color and then click OK - you can choose a Standard Color or you can Customize your color - up to you - but THIS is the pop up bx you do it in.

Be sure to click OK once it show you the clor.  You'll click OK on the Format Picture bo also and it should turn your pic the color you picked.

After you've clicked OK and the pop up boxes have gone away, this is what you will be left with - all you have to do is print and attach to your project now.

Voila!

This is a card I did some time ago and I just LOVE how it turned out -
This however was colored using GIMP.

Image - Bugaboo Stamps - "Silhouttes" Collection "Elephant" image

I hope this tutorial has helped you today - please feel free to leave me a comment if you liked this tutorial, if it helped you, if you have questions or if you flat out hated it.  I love your input!!

Hugs & Happy Days!

HA HA, Make Me Laugh

 And it's all about the HUMOR!

Bugaboo is sponsoring the Creative Card Crew's Challenge this week and we can't wait for you to join us!

So I recently became addicted to Pinterest - "My Name is Min and I'm a Pin-head" =)
One day, while I was pinning, I ran across this fabulous sign and KNEW it had to grace the cover of a card.

Well, with today's Humor challenge over at the Creative Card Crew, today was the PERFECT time for the cover gracing of this card.

Image - Bugaboo Stamps "Itchy Sit"
Papers - Bazzill, Coredinations & Basic Grey - ALL from my Scrappy Box
Coloring - 100 E53 E55 E57 R37 R39 R59 W1
Extra STUFF - Dimensionals, Custom border, Candi, Dimensionals and Computer Generated Sentiment

Hopefully, no one is offended and everyone is laughing.  =)
I know my hubby and I BOTH had a good laugh!  =)
A few people we know that should be layin' out in the yard, ya know!

So, come join us for the Creative Card Crew's Challenge, and SHOW US YOUR HUMOR!!!

Hugs & Happy Days!

This funny card has been entered into the following challenges -
Creative Card Crew's Challenge - Humor
Creative Mondays - Anything Goes
My Craft Spot - 1E - Make us laugh
Paper Playtime - 2W  (2nd week) Pets! And add a Sentiment!

ABC with a Recipe!

Happy Anything But a Card Day!

I thought I'd share with you one my favorite Sports Weekend (or any weekend for that matter) dips!

The Bugaboo team did a recipe swap and this was the recipe I picked.

"Sports Weekend Buffalo Chicken Dip"

Can you say YUMMO??

1 8oz pkg Cream Cheese

1/2 c. Ranch Dressing

1/4 or 1/2 bottle Frank's Hot Sauce (Smallest Bottle)

1/4 or 1/2 bottle Frank's Buffalo Wings Sauce (Smallest Bottle)

1 Large can - Canned White Meat Chicken

1/2 block (4 oz) Shredded Cheddar Cheese

1 Box of Wheat Thins or Crackers you LOVE

Throw everything into a dish you can mircowave or throw in the oven.

Warm until melty and gooey.

ENJOY!

Image - Bugaboo Stamps "Bugaboo Brats Sports - Cheerleader Girl & Football Boy"

Papers - All from my scrap box (even that WONDERFUL M Go Blue paper).

Coloring - Copics

Extra STUFF - Bling & Stickles

Give this recipe a try - pin it if you like it and let me know what you think!  

I would love to hear if this becomes one of your go to favorites like it is at our house!  

Hugs & Happy Days!

A little Snowy Surfer

Just a little quickie for a special little boy who is battling cancer right now and LOVES Happy Mail!

Image - Doodle Dragon Studios

Papers - Miscellaneous papers from my scrappy box including Cosmo Cricket

Coloring - Copics - B0000 B34 B52 C7 C9 E30 E31 E33 RV06 RV09 YG17 YG23 YR04 YR16

Extra STUFF - Stazon Jet Black Ink & Miscellaneous Sentiment Stamp

Hugs & Happy Days!

Tex-Mex Pot Roast - YUMMO!

Yep, another fantastic recipe that will be a DO OVER at our house!

Tex-Mex Pot Roast 

courtesy of The Pillsbury Annual Recipe 2012 Cookbook

It's an EASY recipe and Low Fat too.  Pair it with some mashed spuds like we did and WOW, everyone will be full and smiling!

1 medium onion, halved, sliced

1 beef rump roast or boneless arm roast (3 lbs)

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped (we used minced garlic)

1 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained

1/2 cup beef broth (you can do half beef broth & half red wine if you want)

3 Tablespoons cornstarch

1/4 cup cold water

Spray 4-5 quart crock pot with cooking spray.  Place onion in bottom of crock pot.  Place beef roast on top of onion.  Sprinkle with garlic, chili powder, salt and pepper.  Pour tomatoes & broth (or broth wine mixture) over top of roast.

Cover and cook on low for 7 to 9 hours.

Remove roast to cutting board; cover and keep warm.  Ladle cooking liquid into 2 quart saucepan; heat to boiling.  In small bowl, combine cornstarch and water to form a smooth liquid; stir into boiling liquid.  Cook and stir 1 minute or until thickened.  Slice beef; serve with gravy.

ENJOY!

Hugs & Happy Days!

Oldie But Goodie Thursday!

Happy Thursday - yep, we're nearly to Friday, but we can't forget to celebrate The Oldies (which is what we're doing today at Bugaboo!)

I know this image I used isn't TOO OLD, but I just had to use it because it's just too cute!!

Image - Bugaboo Stamps "Kidz - Girl Balloon"

Papers - Doodlebug Design & Bazzill - ALL from my SCRAP box!!

Coloring - Copics B52 B91 B93 E23 E25 E27 E50 E51 R000 R81 R83 RV04 YG21 YG23 YG25 W1

Tools - Cuttlebug, Nesties & Embossing Folder

Extra STUFF - Dimensionals & Custom Blinged Pearls

Be sure to visit The Bug Blog and see what the rest of the team dusted off and is using - you'll for sure be INSPIRED!!

Hugs & Happy Days!

This card has been entered into the following challenges - 

Divas by Design - 2E - #23 bling

Inky Impressions - 2W, SIO - punches/dies  (2nd wk)

Paper Pretties - SIO -PPC194 punches/diecuts

Sisterhood of Crafters  - 2W, 3E - use a digi

Clear It Out! - 2W -Use Old Supplies - Birthday Card- Use Up Your Bling + Blog Hop Week1

In Threes....

Happy Challenge Thursday from Shelly's Images!

Today we have a great new images to share - the "Good Ole Days" image and on top of that, it's a CHALLENGE day today too - we want you to use THREE of something on your project!!

This is a Birthday card for my hubby's Uncle who has the BEST Sense of Humor (he and my dad were two peas in a pod!)

Image - Shelly's Images "Good Ole Days"

Papers - Basic Grey Scraps, Kraft, Bazzill Scraps & Coredinations Scraps

Coloring - Copics - B00 B91 B93 B95 B97 B99 C1 C3 C5 C7 C9 G94 G99 YG13

Tools - EK Success punch

Extra STUFF - Dimensionals, Candi & Stickles

Visit The SI Blog and check out the rest of the teams Challenge projects - you're sure to be inspired!!

Hugs & Happy Days!

This has been entered into the following challenges - 

Shelly's Images Challenge - 3 of SOMETHING

New Release at Bugaboo!

That is just TOO SWEET to pass up!

This adorably sweet Strawberry Girl collection is now available at The Bugaboo Store.

Image - Bugaboo Stamps "Strawberry Girl" New Release

Papers - Recollections, Bazzill & Coredinations (all from my scrappy box)

Coloring - Copics E18 E23 E25 E27 E29 E50 E51 G21 G24 G94 R24 R22 R27 R29 RV00 YR12 YR14 YR15 YR18 100

Tools - Cuttlebug, Nesties & EK Success Punch

Extra STUFF - Doodling, Custom American Crafts Lace & Dimensionals

Visit The Bug Blog and see what Strawberry Sweet creations the rest of the team whipped up.  Then head on over to The Bugaboo Store and add this cutie to your collection!! =)

Hugs & Happy Days!

This has been entered into the following challenges - 

Lollipop Crafts - Anything Goes

Nettie G's Digital Gems - 2W, SIO - (1st week) Anything Goes (ends 4th March)

Stamps R Us - 2W, 2E - (2nd week) Anything Goes (ends 26th Feb)

One Stitch At A Time - SIO - Use a Digi OR No image

Colour Me Creative Copic's Challenge -3E, 2W - must use copic's - Lots of Bright fun 

Crafty Boots Challenges - Food Glorious Food

80's ROCK

And our 80's Rock Lizzie is doin' just that in her blinged out shirt, sassy hat & leather belt! =)

Gotta Love Whimsie Doodles AND the 80's!! =)

Bring on the memories of big hair, jelly bracelets & Cindy Lauper!  =)

Image - Whimsie Doodles "80s Rock Lizzie" February Release

Papers - ALL from my Scrappy Bin!  =)

Coloring - Copics 100 E21 E50 R81 R83 R85 Y21 Y26 Y28

Extra STUFF - Computer Generated sentiment, Button from my Button Bin, Ribbon from my stash, Doodling, Stickles, Bling from Joann & Dimensionals

You can visit the Whimsie Doodles store and check out all the new February Releases (if you haven't checked them out yet and maybe add one or two to your collection!  =)

 Hugs & Happy Days!

This has been entered into the following challenges - 

Bunny Zoe's Crafts - M, 1E - (February) Celebrations (ends 11th March)

*NEW* Creative Mondays - 2W - (1st week) Anything Goes (ends 4th March)

Make it Monday - always Anything Goes

Pollycraft - SIO - Ribbons and Buttons

Stamps R Us - 2W, 2E - (2nd week) Anything Goes (ends 26th Feb)

Celebrate Today with Dream Valley

Bugaboo is sponsoring the Dream Valley Challenges this week and we can't wait for you to join us!

Today's challenge -BIRTHDAYS!

And heck, who doesn't need an extra birthday card or two 

Image - Bugaboo Stamps - BBrat Girl Cupcake Sitter & Presents

Papers - All from my scrappy box  (Are you counting - EVERY project so far this month has been made from my scrappy stash!)

Coloring - Copics BG10 BG53 BG72 BG75E23 E25 E27 E29 E50 E51 RV04 RV06 RV09 V15 V17 YG13 YG17 YR14 YR15 YR16

Extra STUFF -  Studio G Bday sentiment, Stazon Jet Black Ink, Bling from J's $1 bin, Stickles, Bazzill Pre-cut Scallop Border & Prima Flower

Come on over to The  Dream Valley Challenges  Blog and join us for this week's Birthday Challenge - Heck, if you play along, you just might WIN!  =)

Hugs & Happy Days!

This card has been entered into the following challenges -
Dream Valley Challenges - Birthday

Gettin' Sketchy with The Bug!

It's Saturday and you know what Saturday means over at The Bug Blog?

It's a Challenge day and today it's a SKETCH challenge!

Check out The Bug Blog blog to see this weeks sketch, get some inspiration from the design team and see what kind of awesome prizes you could win if you PLAY along!

Here's my take on the sketch - for a SUPER woman in my life - My mama!

Image - Bugaboo Stamps "Dottie Wonder Woman"

Papers - All from my Scrappy Bin - not sure who they're from

Coloring - Copics B97 B99 E21 E50 E74 E77 E79 R37 R39 Y35 Y38

Tools - Cuttlebug & Nesties

Extra STUFF - BLING, Smooch, Computer Generated Sentiment & Dimensionals

Be sure to join us and play along this week! =)

Hugs & Happy Days!

This has been entered into the following challenges - 

Bugaboo Stamps/Catch The Bug - Sketch Challenge

 Eat Sleep Stamp - Sketch Challenge
Delightful Challenges - 1E, SIO - Use your scraps
Digi Doodle Shop's Best - SIO - Anything goes

Do You Stack Up? - 3E - Layers

Freebie Friday at Bugaboo...

And there's a New Sherrif's in town!
Isn't he cute?

Image - Bugaboo Stamps "A Kids View - Cowboys - Sheriff"

Papers - SCRAPS from my scrap bin (can I tell you I'm starting to MAKE a DENT in my scraps).

Coloring - Copics B93 B95 E23 E25 E27 E50 R000 R08 R27 W1 Y17 Y19 100

Tools - Die Cutting Machine

Extra STUFF - Computer Generated Sentiment & Smooch

Come visit The Bug Blog and check out the inspiration from the rest of the designers, then be sure to visit The Bugaboo Store and get your freebie (and add a few of the collection cuties to YOUR collection).

Hugs & Happy Days!

Pin It

At The Beach

At our House we DIG the beach - and I LOVE taking beach photos!

This happens to be a photo I snapped this past summer when Glen and I were in the Dominican.

We got up SUPER early one morning to catch the sun rise.  The thing I love about this photo is our shadow in the sand.

So, since today is a "Show Us What You Got" challenge over at Shelly's Images and the New Release is a Seashell, making this mini-layout for my office was a perfect fit.

Image - Shelly's Images - Seashell

Papers - Little Yellow Bicycle, Bazzill & Miscellaneous Cardstock

Coloring - BG18 E51 E53 YG23 YR00 YR01 YR02

Tools - EK Success Punches

Extra STUFF - Stickles, Colorbox Frosty White Ink, Studio G "Beach Vacation" stamps & Dimensionals

You can come join us for this week's Show Us What You Got Challenge at Shelly's Images, check out the AMAZING beachy projects the Design Team created and if you LOVE this Seashell like I do, head on over to the SI Store and add this to your collection!

Hugs & Happy Days!

This layout has been entered into the following challenges - 

Show Us What You Got Challenge at Shelly's Images

Desert Island Crafters - M, 2W, P1/15 - choose 3 or more from the list  

I used - 2 or more patterned papers, sparkle/bling & kraft 

Mema's Crafts - M C3, P1 - Anything goes

The Importance of things!