A Woman's Best Friend (MTSC74)

Everyone has probably heard "a man's best friend"; but you know, sometimes a dog is a "woman's best friend"! I have a very, very dear online friend who lost her dog after 14 years. That's a LONG TIME; the loss is so hard and as is often the case, 'time' heals, but it will take a long, long time!

I loved Mercy's sketch (HERE) and decided to use it for a sympathy card making my dear friend's dog the focal point. Unfortunately, I need a new toner cartridge, so the picture isn't the greatest (sorry CW)!!

The "with sympathy" on the main panel is embossed with clear embossing powder using SU! Craft Chocolate Chip ink. The DP is by Basic Grey and the card stock is PTI's Kraft, Spring Rain & Ripe Avocado. I just love the color combo.

Mulder, may you rest in eternal peace, CW, may you find comfort and peace through friends, family and the many memories of Mulder. Love you dear friend!

For my American friends, hope you enjoy the long Memorial Day weekend! Hugs, ~M.



WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps: PTI Anniversary Set
Papers: PTI Ripe Avocado, Spring Rain & Kraft, Basic Grey Kioshi DP
Ink: SU! Chocolate Chip Kraft
Accessories: nesties, sponging, clear embossing powder, corner chomper

I'm a Rock Star!

Did you see THIS???

If you are a subscriber to the blog, you may have seen it already, if not, click on the link above (word THIS) and see what's been revealed!!

Have a great week; hugs, ~M.

W@@T, W@@T - you know what that means!

I'm going to toot my horn...but I do have some sad news to share too. :(

Anyway, I am so excited to say I have been chosen as a designer for The Stamping Boutique! Woo hoo; I cannot wait to play with their images. They have digital images which I am learning to love a lot more than I ever thought I would. Yep, I was someone that thought "phew, why purchase digital images - my ink will probably bleed, will I ever use the image more than once, etc."; well I quickly learned what "blonde" statements those were. I love digital images - here's some that I've used to date in my creations (you can click on the links to see the cards I created):

Harold & his Cake
Maltese doggies
Herby the Frog
Little Mermaid

See, I really do love these images and cannot wait to begin work!! You can check out their incredible images HERE.

If you read my last post, you know what an absolutely insane weekend we had - so very busy. But this morning before leaving for work, our daughter reported her guinea pig, Snowball, had passed away. :( I cried right along with her - she's passionate about her pets and she really, really loved Snowball. We'll have a burial ceremony tonight when dad gets home from work.

Thanks for popping in and sharing my GREAT news and a bit of sad news too. I appreciate you taking time from your busy day to visit!

Hugs, ~M.

SOTW - Vase of Tulips

I LOVE this image - so big and beautiful - lots of opportunity to color and I do love to color. This is Repeat Impressions Stamp of the Week and you know what that means? Spend money - but save 50% on this particular stamp. Oh yeah, who doesn't love a bargain? But remember, you MUST be a member of their blog - The House That Stamps Built! Check it out; the DT has some amazing eye candy for you!

For this card, I used Taylor's sketch #114 - a definite sketch to use time and time again. Love it! Lots of possibilities with this sketch.

I also ventured out and tried something new - see that blue amongst the flowers? What do you think? I think it makes the image 'pop'; do you think so too, or do you think it looks strange? I paper pieced the vase and then colored the flowers to match the colors within the DP (by Basic Grey). The larger flowers I colored bolder and added some red sparkle to the center of each of those flowers. The edges of the nestability are sponged with PTI Sweet Blush.

This card measures 5" x 5".

And as a side note? Our daughter's team won their basketball tournament with 4 games in one day (AND they only had 7 players); and our son's baseball team ended up 3rd in their tournament after playing 8 games in 2 days!

Thanks for popping in; don't forget to check out the blog - The House That Stamps Built and see how you can purchase this same stamp for 50% off. It's a delightful stamp, no doubt!

AND if you'd like to visit each of the DT members and leave them some love, I know they would appreciate it!!

Ayana Posadas
Dana Joy
Darsie Bruno
Harriet Skelly
Joy Hadden
Julie Smith
Lynette Neus
Makiko Jones
Michele Greenwood (that's me!)
Robin Kirkpatrick

Hugs, ~M.



WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps: Repeat Impressions Vase of Tulips
Papers: PTI Sweet Blush, DP by Basic Grey
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, PTI Sweet Blush
Accessories: copics, nesties, twine, ribbon, buttons, sponging

Garden Fairies are in 'de house!

Ah....come now, isn't this little fairy the cutest? It's called Nap Time Fairy by Repeat Impressions - I LOVE the image!!! It has been a few weeks since I've been able to stamp just for fun so I decided Sunday night to use Jen's SFYTT (Sketch For You To Try) and ink up this adorable Nap Time Fairy. Also looking to double the fun - so I made TWO cards!

I colored each of the flowers, stems and leaves using Copics, one bright and one lighter both matching the various colors in the DP and card stock. Each fairy has glitter on its wings - two different kinds. On the lighter colored version I used Pink Shimmerz, then added Crystal Effects on top - REALLY hard to see in the picture. The other I applied Crystal Effects and then sprinkled on some glitter - MUCH easier to see, but both look sparkly IRL!!

The green swirled strip of DP is actually the reverse side of the polka dot DP - isn't it marvelous? Oh yes, MME has the BEST paper; just love all their lines of paper!

I finished each card with a button, ribbon and twine. Thanks for stopping by, let me know what you think of my new fairies that have come to play! (***REALLY wish they were cleaning fairies***).

Have a GREAT week; hugs, ~M.



WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps: Repeat Impressions Nap Time Fairy
Papers: PTI Sweet Blush & Berry Sorbet, DP by MME (Quite Contrary), GKD 80 lb. White
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, PTI Vintage Cream & Sweet Blush
Accessories: copics, nesties, twine, ribbon, buttons, sponging

Yes...it's true!

We are officially the parents of a high school freshman...wow, what a journey!

Enjoy the slide show from our oldest daughter's promotion ceremony...and thanks for stopping by, I'll be back very soon with some creations to share!! Hugs, ~M.

RI - Live Love Laugh

Oh yes, Repeat Impressions is offering another Stamp of the Week - you can receive YOURS at 50% off if you are a blog subscriber of The House That Stamps Built.

The cards are amazing this week (as they are every week); here's the line up:

Joy
Lynette
Julie
Makiko
Harriet
Dana
Robin
Ayana

Now you know why Wendy calls them ROCK STARS! :D

Thanks for stopping by; hope you have a GREAT week. Hugs, ~M.

A Few More Mother's Day Cards

These are the last of the Mother's Day cards I made - this first one was for a Grandma, so it's sweet and dainty. :D

I used a sketch...but you know when you can't complete a sketch timely and you don't write it down....well, we all know what happens then! HA! I stitched around each of the long panels and also distressed all the edges with SU! Close to Cocoa.

I added cotton candy stickles to the main panel and a paper made flower. I painted stickles all over the flower too - it's so sparkly IRL!

This last card was to be more modern...not sure if I achieved that look or not but I really like the way the card turned out! You cannot see it in the photos, but each petal of the paper flower is stamped with different colored polka dots and then I sponged the edges with SU! Close to Cocoa. I love the different colored polka dots, they really bring all the paper pieces together.

The DP is from PTI's Green Boutique Paper Collection - it uses hues of Hawaiian Shores, New Leaf and Aqua Mist. I already had the large blue pearl in the center of the flower and was thrilled to see it matched perfectly! I rounded the top corners of each panel and let the DP and flower speak for itself. I love making these flowers; so fun and so easy....wish they were a bit easier to mail! :p

The bottom panel is stamped with "Celebrate" from PTI's Women of Life; I also added 3 white pearls.

TFL; hope you're having a great week! Hugs, ~M.



WHAT'S IT TAKE?
GRANDMA:
Stamps: Verve Visual Because of You
Papers: PTI Sweet Blush, Aqua Mist; DP Quite Contrary by MME
Ink: PTI Hibiscus Burst, SU! Close to Cocoa
Accessories: nesties, cotton candy stickles, sewing

WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Modern Mother:
Stamps: PTI's Women of Life
Papers: PTI Aqua Mist, Hawaiian Shores, Green Boutique DP; GKD White
Ink: PTI Aqua Mist, Hawaiian Shores, Ocean Tides, Ripe Avocado, SU! Close to Cocoa
Accessories: brad, corner chomper

SOTW - Clover Bunny

Happy Monday friends - how's everyone doing? Did you have a nice weekend? We took in the movie Iron Man 2 - have you seen it? If so, tell me what you thought! Each of our kids had varying opinions - no surprise they would have different opinions, but I was surprised by what they each said.

:D

The girls and I also got some shopping in on Saturday - we had a nice time.

K, let's move on to this week's Stamp of the Week from Repeat Impressions - is this bunny not just the cutest?? Look at him holding all that clover, almost more than his little arms can hold! And YOU, yes YOU, can purchase him at 50% off if you are a subscriber of Repeat Impression's blog - The House That Stamps Built! Check it out HERE!

I used Taylor's sketch #111; some Kraft, Chocolate, Hibiscus Burst, MME DP and there you have it!

I originally stamped my little bunny on Ivory cardstock but before I began coloring I changed my mind and decided to stamp him onto Kraft. I colored him with Copics and Watercolor Pencils & OMS; drew in some grass and he was done. I added a white gel pen to his eyes and the tips of the clovers as well as a black glitter pen to his nose. I just think he's so precious holding all that clover!

Don't forget to check out the other Design Team Members:

Darsie Bruno
Lynette Neus
Joy Hadden
Harriet Skelly
Michele Greenwood - THAT'S ME!!
Dana Joy
Ayana Posada

Thanks for stopping by; I hope you have a GREAT week! Hugs, ~M.



WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps: Repeat Impressions Clover Bunny
Papers: PTI Kraft, Dark Chocolate, Hibiscus Burst, MME Quite Contrary
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, PTI Vintage Cream, SU! Chocolate Chip Marker
Accessories: nesties, pink pearls, white gel pen

Before I was a mom...

Before I was a Mom...

author: Unknown

BEFORE I WAS A MOM...

I made and ate hot meals. I had unstained clothing. I had quiet conversations on the phone.

Before I was a Mom... I slept as late as I wanted and never worried about how late I got into bed. I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday.

Before I was a Mom... I cleaned my house each day. I never tripped over toys or forgot words to lullabies.

Before I was a Mom... I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous. I never thought about Immunizations.

Before I was a Mom... I had never been puked on, pooped on, spit on, chewed on, peed on or pinched by tiny fingers. I had complete control of my mind, my thoughts, and my body. I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom... I never held down a screaming child so that doctors could do tests or give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried. I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin. I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom... I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put her down. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt. I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much. I never knew that I could love someone so much.

Before I was a Mom... I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body. I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby. I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child. I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important.

Before I was a Mom... I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay. I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment, or the satisfaction of being a Mom. I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom.

Happy Mother's Day!

More Mother's Day Cards

THIS card was a huge hit and I had a few requests for Mother's Day cards using the same colors - Black, White & Hawaiian Shores - such a striking combination.

These are the two creations I came up with - basically the same, just regular A2 size; I did add some pearls & buttons to these cards - love me some of both! :D

It's very late and I have got to get to bed; I'm exhausted. Hope you enjoy the cards; as always, thanks for visiting!

Hugs, ~M.



WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps: Verve Visual's Because of You
Papers: GKD 80 lb. cream, PTI Hawaiian Shores, Black
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: EK Success Punch, PTI Felt, PTI Floral Dies, Ribbon

I am in love! CPS 164 Part 1

Oh, I really, really, really love this card - do you? I love the colors, I love the layout, I love that ribbon, I REALLY love those crocheted flowers - just scrumptious. LOL!!

I used CPS Sketch 164 Part 1; I love the layout - originally my card had an extra layer but when I revisited the sketch I realized I didn't need that layer...turns out I love it so much more without that layer! BINGO - love when that happens. Am I writing about Valentine's Day, cuz I'm sure using the word "love" a whole lot! :D

Anyway, I purchased these crocheted flowers from Needle Creations on Etsy - she has amazing stuff. I love her even more because she is a principal - wow; tough job, no doubt!!

The smaller flowers were inked with a light pink and then I rock-n-rolled the edges in PTI's Hibiscus Burst - I wanted them to look variegated like the crocheted flowers. I then added a hot pink flat pearl to the middle of each of the small flowers. I edged all the layers with PTI's Vintage Cream; added some Hibiscus Burst Saddle Stitch ribbon to finish the card.

I like the inside too! :p

It says "I'm so blessed to call you...Mother"; two different stamps sets and I stamped "Mother" in Hibiscus Burst so it would stand out as unique against the black; it was really tough to photograph but looks pretty IRL.

I hope you've enjoyed this Mother's Day card - more to come soon. Thanks for stopping by; I love when you visit! Hugs, ~M.



WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps: Verve Visual's Because of You; PTI's Mother
Papers: GKD 80 lb. cream, PTI Hibiscus Burst, MME Quite Contrary
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, PTI Vintage Cream & Hibiscus Burst
Accessories: EK Success Punch, crocheted flowers, hot pink pearls , PTI Hibiscus Burst Saddle Stitch ribbon

RI - What if? Wednesdays

This week, the Repeat Rock Star's have their first sketch to share with you - won't you play along?

I had to tweak my sketch a bit because I just had to use this little puppy (Play Time Puppy) - isn't he adorable? Yes, if you've ever had a puppy, surely you remember how much they like to chew on things - the furniture, shoes, toys, things they aren't supposed to - HA!! URGH, it can be so annoying, but really, aren't puppies just adorable?

I colored the puppy and the tennis shoe with my Copics; I blinged out the shoe string a bit because these shoes remind me of our daughter's converse shoes - funky! :D

I added my own words, "ruff day?" to the inside of the card - just perfect for someone having a tough time!

Here's the sketch, won't you take a moment to join us? Hop on over to the blog, The House That Stamps Built, and provide a link to your creation - someone will win a gift certificate - W@@T, W@@T - won't that be fun?

I have lots more Mother's Day cards to share with you; so come back soon, there will be lots more to see between today and Sunday!




WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps: Repeat Impressions Play Time Puppy
Papers: GKD 80 lb. cream, PTI Kraft & Dark Chocolate, MME Quite Contrary DP
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Copics, PTI Vintage Cream
Accessories: PTI Dark Chocolate ribbon, yellow brads