STAMPS n' THINGS

Monochromatic - Halloween

2010-10-10T23:00:00.000-07:00

Second post for today. Did I mention that I went to see the play, "Young Frankenstein" at the ASU Grammage last weekend. It is the first play hubby and I have seen in Arizona and we have been here for 6 years now. I guess we just never found the time to go, but this play with incredibly funny. I was laughing throughout the entire play, very good sense of humor.
The image with colored at my last copic class - monochromatic, taught by Jennifer Dover. I always wanted to try this technique. This image is so darling, but aren't we suppose to be scare of vampires and isn't the sentiment just scares you. We are no longer scare of vampires since cute Edward Cullen came into our imagination (lol). This stamp is from Stampendous. The copic markers I used are C1, C3, C5, C7. I need to work on my feather technique with the hair. I feel I am not getting it, but are practicing almost every weekend. I used grey cardstock, DCWV dp and creative impression black webbed ribbon. I also embossed the DCWV dp with my swiss cuttlebug embossing folder.

Challenges:

1. Simon Says Challenge: Simon says... Halloween

2. Cupcake Craft Challenge: Challenge 112 ... Scary creatures

3. Ellephantastic Challenge: Challenge 15 - Anything Goes

4. Craftalious Challenge: Challenge 10 - Anything Goes

5. Speedy the Cat's Friends Challenge: Challenge 24 - Stripes

Change of Season

2010-10-10T20:13:00.006-07:00

It's Sunday and I am watching "Desperate Housewives". I love that tv show, it is hilarious. Finally the temperature is cooling down in Arizona. I love this temperature, not too hot and definitely not cold here. I was able to play with Jennifer Dover this past Friday. She is just so talented. Check out the pair of converse shoes she colored with copic markers. I can't wait to see her at the end of October for her next copic class at Paper Vineyard.

I got around to coloring this Stampendous latern light image from my August copic coloring class, taught by Jennifer Dover. A made a Christmas card out of the latern image. I used Flower Soft for my snow on the latern top and crystal lacquer on the candle area and the holly berries.

Challenges:

1. Sketch Saturday: Week #124

2. Alphabet Challenge: X for Xmas

3. Paper Sundaes: Challenge 39 - A Change of Season

4. Papertake Weekly: Your favorite from the past 3 yrs challenges - Four Seasons Challenge

5. Stamp Something: Something Punchy - punched snowflakes.

Card Deed:

Stamps: Stampendous latern light, PTI sentiment

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic markers

Paper: red, brown, olive, blue, old dp from my stash

Embellishment: Martha Stewart snowflake border punch, red rhinestones from AMuse, crystal lacquer, flower soft, cuttlebug swiss dot embossing folder

Hope for Cats - Candy Jars

2010-10-01T16:28:00.007-07:00

I can't believe it is already October. Halloween is around the corner. I am working on some candy jars to help raise money for a non-kill animal shelter to pay for feed, liter, spray, neuter, and medical expenses. The charity organization is called Hope for Cats. These are what I have made for the past week.

Work has been hectic since we are short-staffed. One of the front office employee had to take personal leave for awhile. We don't know if he will be back or not. We just hired a part-time temporary to help out as she is attending the nursing program to get her RN certification until May 2011, so hopefully things will be back to normal for me to catch up on the accounting end of things.

This first jar is to celebrate Halloween. I don't celebrate Halloween, but I love all the cute children costumes. The images are from CC Designs for the little dragon, not dinosaur as there are wings. The pumpkin is from GinaK Designs and the little spider is from Craft Lounge. I don't remember the names of the set. The top of the jar is a kitty image from Stampendous.

This second jar on the left is for the University of Arizona fans. I don't know much about the Wildcats since I went to college in California, but Kris from Hope for Cats asked me to make one since there are quite a bit of U of A fans in the Phoenix area.

I am submitting my work for the following Challenges:

Paper Sundae - Challenge #37: Things with Wings (applies to Halloween jar)

Stamp Something - Something to Celebrate (applies to the Halloween jar)

The Crazy Challenge - No Ribbons or Buttons (applies to the Halloween jar)

Stamptacular Sunday - Challenge 78 - Season's Change (applies to the Halloween jar)

Wild Orchid Challenge - Challenge 6 - Ribbons & Bows - (applies to the U of A jar)

Flowers make me happy!

2010-08-29T21:12:00.004-07:00

Tomorrow is Monday, another week of work and will be saying bye bye to August 2010. I love flowers and seeing them makes me happy. My favorite flowers are calla lilies and tiger lilies, but any flowers will bring a smile to my face. I have to say, I don't see many blue colored flowers, but I am sure there are plenty, I just don't know them.

Yesterday, I attended Jennifer Dove's copic class (the card samples are on her blog) at Paper Vineyard, my local scrapbook store. We colored three out of fourth images and made one card. The class was 4 hours. The last image is a Christmas/winter image which I will eventually get around to it. I made a birthday card out of the colored flower image. The colors are based on Jenn's card sample for the copic class. I need to practice on shadowing with my copic markers. I am extremely happy that I took the copic class because Jenn is a great teacher and I learned a lot. I will be taking Jenn's next copic class in September.

The image is from Stampendous and the sentiment is from PTI. I haven't done much distressing on my cards lately, but do love this technique. I gives a old vintage look to cards. I love this blue polka dots paper, it is georgous, there is a felt feel to the circles and the paper has a shimmery shine to it. I got this assortment of felt feel papers from Costco for probably over 2 years now and haven't use much of these papers.

Challenges:

2 Sisters Challenge: Challenge#5: Sketch

Cute Card Thursday: Challenge#127: Dieing for a Punch (No punches)

Bunny Zoe's Crafts Monthly Challenge: Challenge#3: Vintage

Stamp and Create Monthly Challenge: Challenge#4: Flowers

ABC Challenge: B is for Blue

Card Deeds:

Stamps: Stampendous, PTI sentiment

Ink: Momento, copic markers, Tim Holtz Vintage Photo distress ink

Paper: Gina K dark chocolate luxury paper, Spring Moss PTI, unknow paper from Costco

Accessories: tonic distresser tool, ribbon, button, ribbon

Weekly Challenges

2010-08-28T16:41:00.005-07:00

This is the last weekend for August. September is starting in a few days and hopefully there will be some cooler weather. It has been so hot over in Arizona and I just love the monsoons that brings the rain and bring some relief to this heat. I just came back from taking Jennifer Dover's copic class at Paper Vineyard, my local scrapbook store in AZ. Her class is great, love it. I learn a lot from her today on how to do texturing, bending, shadowing, and feathering. I am going to take her copic class next month. She is teaching how to do monochromatic with the copic markers. She shown some samples of her monochromatic coloring and it is awesome.

I made a card for a friend who just gave birth couple of weeks ago to a baby boy. This is her second son. I used a Whiff of Joy (WoJ) stamp. This stamp is just so darling, innocent, and soft. I have been playing with my copic markers for half a year now and I am still learning. I want to learn how to use the feathering technique and blending for the hair and shadowing. Did I mention that I am loving these markers and slowly buying a few at a time. I think I have about 120 colors. I am not very happy with this card. I am thinking I need some lace on this card, but oh well, maybe for my next card. I purchased some lace ribbons to use from Stamp n' Create last month and haven't got around to using them. I was able to use this card for the challenges listed below.

Challenges:

Paper Sundae: Challenge#32: Sketch

ABC Challenge: B is for Blue

Cupcake Challenge: Challenge#105: Blue and Green

Stamp with Fun: Challenge #73: Card for a Girl

Card deeds:

Stamps: Whiff of Joy, PTI sentiment

Ink: Momento Black, copic markers,

Paper: Gina K ivory

and baby blue, PTI simply charteuse, DCWV boy nursery, and Cosmo Cricket

Accessories: Frisker punch, nestabilities, pearls.

Wags 'n Whiskers Blog Hop & Release

2010-08-16T21:58:00.003-07:00

Wags 'n Whiskers is having a Blog Hop on Wednesday, August 18, 2010 and Thursday, August 19, 2010 and Release on Friday, August 20, 2010.

Look who is turning 5

2010-08-04T19:01:00.006-07:00

It is the middle of the week, I can't wait until Friday as I am taking a Copic class at my LSS, Paper Vineyard where the talented Jennie Black will be teaching basic copic technique. I have been coloring with copics for awhile now and haven't taken a class, so I am excited to learn new things or just learning how to blend with these markers. I am SUPER excited about this class.

Ok, back to my card, I made this card for my niece, Audrey who is turning 5 this month. She is the one on the left in the picture sitting in my Mom's lap. She wasn't very happy in this picture because she was fighting with her sister over something and her Dad (my brother) gave her a talk. I am the one holding her sister, Charlotte. As you can see I am not very photogenic. I can't believe how much Audrey has grown and she is starting kindergarten this coming September. I truly miss her as I don't get to see her much these days since I move over to Arizona and she lives in California. I have to say that I got a gigantic hug last month when I came back from my Canada trip (my Mom, Dad, and I just drove back from our trip (12 hours from Portland, OR to San Leandro, CA), it sure brighten my day after the long drive, Audrey and Charlotte starting running to give me a big huge while shout "Auntie" (in Chinese). What a welcoming gift. Audrey is so into this ballerina thing, loves to watch Angelina Ballerina on tv.

As always Imy cardmaking process starts with a stamp and a sketch I work to work with. The sketch is from this week's Friday Sketch #113. This stamp is Penny Black, stamped on watercolor paper and embossed with clear embossing powder. I colored the image with Tombow markers using watercoloring technique. The applied couple of layers of pink stickles on the number 5. I made clouds in the background which really doesn't go along with the theme unless the little ballerina are throwing stars up to the sky and not have fallen stars.

This week's challenges:

1. Friday Sketch #113

2. Penny Black Challenge #112: 1 Circle, 2 Papers, 3 Flowers

3. Stamp and Create Challenge #4: Flowers

4. 2 Sisters Challenge #3: Punches

5. Colour Create Challenge 50: hot pink, warm orange, and saffron

Card deeds:

Stamp: Penny Black

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Summer Rise PTI, Marvy blue ink, Tombow Markers

Paper: Brazzill, Gina K Luxury ivory, watercolor paper, Cosmo Cricket

Embellishment: ribbon, prima flowers, star pin, hero art number 5, pink and yellow stickles, nestabilities label and oval

Bye Bye July, Hello August

2010-07-31T14:12:00.002-07:00

I have no stamping/crafting project to share today as I have been on vacation and when I got back last weekend, life have been hectic with work and house work. It's starting to settle down a bit, but still very choatic. This is the last day of July and tomorrow, we are in the month of August. Yesterday, I had some time to look at challenges, so hopefully I can get some stamping done. I haven't been to my craft area for about 3 weeks now. I need to clean up my area and start making some cards to get my mojo on especially after purchasing so much stamps before I went on vacation.
Have a wonderful weekend and hopefully I can get more stamping done in August.

Christmas in July & Miscellaneous Winnings & Giveaways

2010-07-09T22:44:00.012-07:00

I am so ELATED and smiling all day after receiving this package. Today I received my big order from All That Scraps in my mailbox. I ordered over $200 worth of rubber stamps and designer paper. Yikes, I did ask hubby and he said ok and I usually don't make such a big order, but All That Scraps were have 25% off last week, so I couldn't resist. I ordered over 16 Magnolia stamps. I haven't order any Magnolia stamps for awhile now, last time I ordered was the club kit (fall kit) which was directly through Magnolia in Sweden. I also purchased 5 Whiff of Joy and 2 TGF (Ebony and Hugh) which looked like Alice and Jasper from Twilight. I went to see Eclipse with my husband (so sweet of him since he has no interest in the movie or book) and it was great. I can't wait till New Dawn comes out. This is one of my BIGGEST purchase ever for rubber stamps. I purchased over 20 rubber stamps. I have to say that right after I got the package, I started to mount them in EZ-mount for the WoJ and cut the rubber from TGF. Good thing the Magnolia's are all trimmed and mounted otherwise, I will be spending hours cutting.

I want to mention that I made Top 3 at Paper Sundaes for last week's challenge (birthday), you can see the badge on the side bar. I just won $20 gift certificate for Stamp and Create Challenge #2. I just found out that I won the Bella send a card at Stamp Something. Please continue to send cards to Bella. You can get Bella's address at Erin's blog and she is giving a grand prize away on July 20th. Stamp Something, Paper Sundaes and Stamp and Create are having new challenges, come join the fun. I am super lucky and happy this week =). YEAH!!! Super great week for me. I don't know if I will have time to play any of the challenges this week before leaving for vacation. I am taking a stamping class this Sunday to celebrate A Muse A Palooza 2010.

Whiff of Joy is having its day 7, stamp per day giveaways. All you have to do is promote this giveaway and enter your name.

Crystal is have Thrusday Trades (Swaps), this week is Martha Stewart lattice, leaf, and hole punches. Crystal is having a blog candy from her last week's trade. If you like to trade with her or enter your name for the blog candy, just click on my side bar to get to her blog.

Crawfish & Super Jumbo Shrimp

2010-07-09T22:31:00.004-07:00

No cards today. I am tons to do this week before I leave for vacation next week. For my 4th of July, I went over to a friend's place and did BBQ. We had crawfish & super jumbo shrimp from Fisherman's Cove Seafood @ Kenner, LA. They do overnight delivery. We ususally get our at the airport cargo the same day, they ship in the morning and we get it by late afternoon or evening. There seafoods are super fresh and good. I have eatten crawfish 4 times this year already.

CAS/AMUSE APalooza & A Stamp Per Day Giveaway

2010-07-08T10:13:00.007-07:00

Quick card. Lots of things going on this week as I tried to get everything done for my vacation next week. I made this CAS (clean and simple) card with A Muse stamp called Marigold. Totally pretty stamp. A MUSE is also having their annual A*MUSE A*Palooza run from July 10th - 17th. I join in the fun activities every year at their website and at my local stamping store that is participating in this event. This is the time where they are releasing their new fall and winter stamps.

Also, Whiff of Joy is have A Stamp Per Day Giveaway for 7 days this week. Check it out.

That's it for now, got to go to work and chance up on things this weekend.

Bella Tucker - Sending Hugs

2010-07-04T12:44:00.004-07:00

Have 4th of July. I can't believe I have been blogging all week (I surprise myself sometimes). Jim and I have no plans for today since we have to go back to work tomorrow, but there will be fireworks at our nearby park (1-2 miles from our house) and we can see it clearly from my backyard. We have been watching the fireworks from my backyard for the last 5 years (since we moved into our house).

Per my blog yesterday, I briefly wrote about Bella's story. I am so sadden to read about her story. Erin, a fellower crafter is having a Bella card blog hop with a grand prize. My side bar has Bella's blog hop. Please flood Bella with tons of cards. The links to Bella's story are in my yesterday's post. Here is my card for Bella. I am sending her lots of hugs and keeping her and her family in my prayers. I used The Greeting Farm stamp and made it sparkly by adding stickles. You can't see the sparkles in this photo, but IRL, it is really sparkly. The sketch is from Sketch Saturday and the color inspiration is red, blue, and white (USA flag) to celebrate Independence Day.

I am so happy I won the top 3 award at Stamptacular Sunday Challenge with this card. I am so happy to be back stamping and crafting and is taking this hobby more seriously, but I am still undecided if I should try out for guest designer teams as it is a big commitment and I don't know if I am free to make weekly projects and if my projects are good enough. I will see after this month as I will be going on vacation from July 14 - July 24. I need a little R&R. Thanks for visiting my blog.

Challenges :

Sketch Saturday: Sketch #110

Stamp Something: Colors of your flag

Raise the Bar: Challenge#25 - colors of your flag

Crazy 4 Challeng: Ribbons

Stampavie & More: Challenge #101 - Sparkling

2 Sisters: Challenge#1 - Anything Goes

Card Deeds:

Stamps: The Greeting Farm, PTI outside sentiment, Hero Arts inside sentiment

Inks: Momento Tuxedo Black, Brillance Coral, Copic Markers

Papers: PTI, Big Memory dp

Embellishments: stars, stickles, ribbon, button, floss thread, pearls (color w/copic to match), nestabilities die

Party Cats

2010-07-03T12:23:00.004-07:00

I am thinking of sending this card to my brother for his birthday this month. I just loves cats. On the side bar is a blog hop for Bella, a 8 yr old girl who is very became very sick during Easter and had to lost all four of her limbs. Click on the side bar to get to the blog hop and Stamp Something Challenge is also having a prize if you make a card to send to Bella. This is it for now, I need go to Petco to get cat food and treats for my cats and give litter to the shelter. Have a wonderful weekend.
Challenges:
Stamp with Fun: Challenge 65-Birthday
Paper Sundaes: Challenge 24 - Birthday

Card Deeds:
Stamps: Whipper Snapper, Hero Arts
Ink: Onyx Black, Tombow markers
Paper: GinaK pure luxury white & black, watercolor paper, DCWV dp
Embellishment: Nestabilities tag, twine

Have a Special Day

2010-07-02T11:44:00.005-07:00

I am so please with myself that I am making time to be in my crafting room this week. I am starting my weekend early, every Friday is my day off, but that is the day to do doctor appts, run errands, and etc that I am unable to do during Monday - Thursday. There are tons of birthdays (friends and families) coming up. I made this for my nephew who is turning 13 the end of July. Hmm, maybe this this card is too childish for him since he is a teen now and loves video games, computer games, and sports. I have younger nephews, maybe I will give this card to them instead of my 13 yr old nephew.

I was able to play along with a few challenges this week. The sketch is from Sketch Saturday. This stamp is from High Hopes. I have to admit, this is the first card I made with High Hopes. I have always adore their stamps for years ago, but just recently started to purchase them because shipping took forever back then since they decided to just sell to retailers, so I got them from Stamp and Create, they got some really great stamps and embellishments. The paper I used is Basic Grey, Max and Whiskers. I love the masculine colors and I loves animals, so this is a win/win paper for me. I put some crystal lacquer ona few of the water drops. Off course I used my copic markers to color this image. I really need to get more copics for my collection, but I feel like I am neglecting all my other coloring mediums like my coloring pencils and watercoloring.

Thanks for stopping by, have a wonderful 4th of the July. Be safe.

Challenges:

Sketch Saturday: Sketch 109

High Hopes: Challenge 82: Super Star

Paper sundaes: Challenge 24: Happy Birthday

Simon Says: Check it out!

A Spoonfull of Sugar: Challenge 110: Animal Crackers

Stamp with Fun: Challenge 65: Birthdays

Card Deeds:

Stamps: High Hopes, Hero Arts star and sentiment

Papers: PTI, DCWV, Basic Grey Max and Whiskers

Inks: Momento Tuxedo Black, Adirondack Espresso, Copic markers

Embellishments: star punch, star buttons, crystal lacquer, floss threads, inkssential white opaque pen

Bonjour

2010-06-30T20:29:00.006-07:00

It's the middle of the work week. One more day of work for me and I am off for 3 day weekend especially for this 4th of July holiday. I can't wait for the weekend to begin as Eclipse is out in the movie theaters. I can't wait to see it.

I would like to mention that Sparkle Smith, a creative and crafty girl is starting her own stamp line called Spakle Creations Rubber Stamp. She will be selling bare rubber stamps and EZ mounts. She is previewing her stamps this week and her store will be open on July 10th, midnight. She is currently having free giveaways. My order from Stamp and Create came today with the Whiff of Joy new release stamps (City Girls 2), The Greeting Farms, and High Hopes stamps and some wonder pattern papers from October Afternoon and Cosmo Cricket. I love shopping at Stamp and Create, they have a great selections of stamps, papers, and embellishments, shipping is quick, free shipping over $55, and Lacey is such a great gal. Stamp and Create also have weekend blog candy, monthly challenges and the Wags n' Whiskers have weekly challenges.

On to my card, I stamped this card with the new Amuse release "Everything's Rosy" stamps. I love this Queen Anne Lace stamp. I used Tim Holtz's distress inks, spun sugar and worn lipstick. The leaves is from GinaK Design and the little butterfly is from Cornish Heritage Farms by Kim Hughes, Nature Silhouettes. For the background colors, I used chalks for a soft look. This is a simple card, but just love how it looks. The lines are done with the score pal. The inside of the card is pictured on your right hand.

Thanks for visiting my blog.

Card Deeds:

stamps: Amuse, GinaK, Cornish Heritage Farm

Ink: Tim Holtz distress inks, Momento Tuxedo Black

Paper: PTI

Accessories: Scor pal

Ballerina Girl

2010-06-28T09:34:00.005-07:00

Today is Monday, beginning of the work day and I will be going to work soon. I don't care for Mondays, but loves Thursday since I am off every Friday.

This adorable stamp is from Wags n' Whiskers called Tiny Dancer (they also have digi), you can purchase it at Stamp and Create. I don't like to use digi because I don't have a good printer and I prefer/love to ink up my rubber stamps. This is what got me started into cardmaking, the rubbah. I think if I start using digi, I might not love this hobby as much as I will be on the computer all the time. I can't give up my rubbah even though I use clear stamps also, but love the feel of the rubber.

Anyways, back to the card, I did this card yesterday for a family friend of ours to give to his granddaughter who is taking dance/ballet class and loves everything pink/red. I added pink rhinestones to her hair band and ballet shoes to add dimension to the card. The image with stamped on ivory cs and colored with copic markers. I still needs lots of practice on these markers, but just love how they bend so well. The sketch is from Tuesday Morning Sketch #51 (I missed by one day).

Have a nice work week and thanks for visiting me.

Challenges:

Tuesday Morning Sketches: Sketch #51

Bunny Zoe's Crafts: Challenge #1: Nice & Girly

A Spoon Full of Sugar: Challenge #19: Good Luck/Best Wish

Copic Creations: Challenge #30: "Other" Paper

Card Deeds:

Stamp: WnW tiny dancer

Paper: DCWV dp and green cs, PTI berry sorbet cs, GinaK Designs ivory cs

Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, copic markers

Embellishments: Prima flowers, pink rhinestones

World Cup & Weekly Crafting Challenges

2010-06-27T16:57:00.007-07:00

I haven't been playing the weekly challenges lately because I was away at Las Vegas last weekend and had to catch up at work. I can't believe June is almost over. I seems like June just started yesterday, but obviously the weather tells me otherwise as the weather is HOT (extremely hot) nowadays. Next weekend will be fourth of July and Jim and I will be BBQing over at our friend's house. Have a wonderful fourth of July if I don't get to blog next weekend.

I got to play yesterday, so this is what I made, a card for my co-worker who LOVES soccer especially since the World Cup is on for a whole month. I am not really into any sports. My co-worker must be sad that both of his favorite teams lost (US and Mexico) and will not be playing for the championship. I made this card representing the US soccer team, can't you tell by the colors. I made the red strips all sparkly, with this new product called Glitter Ritz, it is from UK. I got this product at my LSS, but you can buy them at Ellen Houston , they glitter doesn't come off once you burnish it with your fingers, it feels like velvet. You can read about this product at Ellen Houston's blog. This stuff is expensive, but the little bottle lasts a long time. I colored this Wags n' Whiskers (WnW) soccer boy image with my copic markers. Added some stars from Hero Arts (stamped and cut out) and a star charm. The floss on the star charm are left over stitching floss from my cross-stitching projects I made awhile back. I need to get back into cross-stitching, that is also a very relaxing, but time consuming hobby.

Challenges:

Papertake Weekly: Sketch #43

Crafty Creations: Challenge 73: We want to see you Shine

Stamptacular Sunday: Challenge 65: Stars & Stripes

Cute Card Thursday: Challenge 118: Reuse, Renew, Recycle

Stamp and Create: Challenge 2: Charms

Card Deeds:

Stamps: Wags n' Whiskers, Hero Arts

Paper: Bazzill paper, PTI pure poppy, George Pacific white , unknown dp

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Marvy Cherry and Blue, copic markers

Embellishments: Glitter Ritz, star charm

Wish BIG

2010-06-13T22:51:00.009-07:00

Sunday is almost over and the start of another work week. Where did this week went? I had some really YUMMY crawfish and super jumbo shrimp this weekend, shipped over from Louisiana called Fisherman's Cove. The seafood is very fresh and the price for the crawfish was only $2.19/lb. My family usually do this a few times a year. This is the best time to get crawfish for a low price because last time we got crawfish at the end of March, it was around $3/lb.

I made some time this weekend again to play along in some of the challenges these week. I really need to motivate myself to play along in weekly challenges. I need to do my Father's Day card this week. I am such a procrastinator, can't change old habits. Now for the card, my thought process is always to look for a sketch to work with then my colors and images. This week's sketch is from Papertake Weekly sketch #42 . I stamped and colored this image for quiet some time now, just haven't put it together. I have tons of scraps I needed to use up. This stamp is Penny Black. I love those Penny Black critters, they are just darn ADORABLE. The sentiment is from Stamping Bella. I colored this image with my prisma color pencils and OMS (odorless mineral spirits) which can be found at Michaels and your local hardware store. I colored the background with my copic markers in B0000. I distressed the around the edges of the cardstocks/patterned papers with Tim Holtz tea dye distress ink. The used liquid applique (white) on the cupcake. I used my embossing heat gun to heat up the liquid applique rather than waiting for it to dry. The applied crystal glaze to the candle wax and orange and yellow stickles to the flame of the candle. I also added coaco (coffee) bits on the gound. I purchased it at my local scrapbook store when it went on sale. The card smells like coffee now. I haven't used any brads or light blue drew drops (found a huge pack @ Michaels last yr). I love this pink, blue, and brown color combo as it can be a male or female birthday card.

Challenges:

Papertake Weekly: Sketch42

Simon Says Stamp: Recipe - 1 image, 2 patterned paper, 3 types of embellishments

Stamp Something: Happy Something

The Crazy Challenge: Distress It!

Thanks for visiting my blog, have a wonderful week.

Card Deeds:

Stamps: Penny Black; sentiment: Stamping Bella

Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Colorbox Ice Blue Chalk ink, Tim Holtz Tea Dye distress ink, copic marker

Paper: Gina K luxury ivory cs, DCWV espresso cs, DCWV sweet treats dp, Basic Grey sultry dp, unknow light blue cs

Accessories: brad, nestibilities label die, liquid applique, stickles, crystal glaze, drew drops

CAS (Clean & Simple) - Live for Today

2010-06-06T20:40:00.009-07:00

This sentiment (above) is so true, I am learning to appreciate life and live in every moment. So sad the weekend is almost over which means gearing up for the work week. My favorite tv shows: "Desperate Housewive" and "Amazing Race" are gone for the summer, so there's not much on TV to watch right now. I have an active stamping and cardmarking weekend... happy about this especially since some weeks or months, I don't even near my craft area. I was thinking of doing some more craft challenges for this week, but decided to finish up my sheet of stamped Stampendous flower w/PTI (papertrey ink) inspiration colors: aqua mist, raspberry fizz, and summer sunrise. I love looking at other crafter's CAS cards and thought I will do some. I made two other cards w/this Stampendous stamp and this sheet of stamped image, but forgot to photograph them before giving them to my friends. Tonight I was able to take a photo of this one. Just love the simplicity and cleanness of this card. I am starting to get addicted to PTI and starting my ink, stamp, and die collection. I hold off from buying from PTI as long as possible especially their ink pads, but once I started purchasing their products, I am addicted. I need to slowly build my collection since I have so many other companies' products are I addicted too.

Challenge: CAS70 on SCS: Quote, Verses & Saying as the main focus

Card Deeds:
Stamps: Stampendous, PTI sentiment
Ink: PTI aqua mist, various Colorbox chalk/pigment ink (forgot the color names)
Paper: PTI aqua mist and cs purchased from Michael
Accessories: pearls colored w/Copics, glitter that is like velvet (forgot the brand)

Wags 'n Whiskers & Challenges

2010-06-05T14:47:00.006-07:00

Happy Saturday. I thought today is Sunday because I had time to stamp the last few days. Ususally I'm busy on Friday's to do my miscellaneous errands, but I was home all day yesterday. My birthday just past a few days ago, I can't believe a am in my mid-30s and seems like yesterday we moved into our Arizona home & now we have been in this house for 5 years. Time passes by so fast.

I got some stamping done yesterday and finished this card today. I made this for a co-worker's son's (Moses) birthday. He is having a super hero birthday party theme, so I thought this is a perfect stamp to use for his birthday card. I used the cute Wags 'n Whiskers' stamp which you can purchase at Stamp and Create. I colored the image with copic markers (this is my new favorite color medium) then sponged yellow-orange ink around the image. I added the superman triangle "M" (personal touch). Cardstocks and dps are from various brands: Gina K, DCWV, Bazzil. I used ribbon, a star charm, and nestabilities die. I haven't decided what I want to do inside the card. I will wait till my co-worker sees this and see what sentiment he wants for the outside & inside.

I am submitting this card for the following challenges:

Wags n' Whiskers - Challenge #25: Photo Inspiration (which are the stars)

Stamp and Create - Challenge #1: Ribbon

Friday Sketchers - Sketch #105

Card Deeds:

Stamp: Wags n' Whiskers

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Adirondack inks (Limonade & Butterscotch), copic markers

Paper: Gina K, Bazzil, and DCWV

Accessories: ribbon from Michaels, star charm, nestabilities die

Candy Blog

2010-06-04T12:40:00.003-07:00

Karen is offering some wonderful candy blog to celebrate her birthday. Check out her blog.

Stamp and Create Wednesday Candy Blog

2010-06-04T12:19:00.003-07:00

This week's candy blog is shimmerz at Stamp and Create . Go check it out for your chance to win.

Northwoods Stamp

2010-05-31T00:48:00.011-07:00

Happy Memorial Day. Thank you to all the service men and women. I have been busy the last couple of months and done some stamping now and then, but not much. Relatives been visiting for the last couple of months (a week here and there). Jim has been busy with continuing educational courses and had been travelling for the last two weekends in a row. He is home this weekend, but has couple of more course to take, but likely it is in town.

I made some thank you cards for some friends for helping to take care of our cats when we were out of town couple of weeks ago. I forgot to photograph them as I was in a hurry to finish up the cards, so I can give it to them. I did take a picture of this card. The stamp is Northwoods. There samples are just georgeous. I got this and other Northwoods stamps for my LSS because I saw their samples. I tried to case theirs, but I think I am still missing some of the glitter. I used Martha Stewart crystal fine glitter, but it is not that glittery. Northwoods have lots of beautiful floral, nature, animal stamps. I just love their stamps, but its seems like it is hard to color because of all the details. I used prisma color pencil on this card. Their samples are usually watercolored with Tombow markers. This card can be anything from sympathy to birthday to anything you want. I stamped a generic sentiment (stamp: Hero Arts) on there as I don't know who I want to give this to yet. The inside is blank for now until I know who I am giving this too.

Challenge Submission:

Cute Card Thursday: Challenge #114 - No Designer Paper

Deeds:

Stamps: Northwoods, Hero Arts

Ink: Versa Fine Onyx black, Momento Tuxedo Black,

Paper: white, magenta, DCVW lime green, PTI chocolate brown for the base

Accessories: Prisma color pencils, prima flowers, stickles on the flowers, Martha Stewart crystal fine glitter, glue pen

Paper Sundaes Blog Hop with a PRIZE!

2010-04-11T23:06:00.004-07:00

Paper Sundaes is having a celebration to feature their sensational sponor calendar - packed full for 201o. They wanted to thank all of their sponors, followers, challenge participants, and visitors with a prize. There are 7 ways to win this prize. Check out Paper Sundaes blog for instructions on how to win this new Hanglar & Stanglar stamp:

Paper Sundaes Challenge 12

2010-04-08T21:18:00.008-07:00

I haven't won any Wags n' Whiskers stamps, so I am entering into the Paper Sundaes' challenge to try to get some free Wags n' Whiskers stamps. I just adore those new released stamps, they are so darn cute. I will continue to play until I win some new released Wags n' Whiskers stamp otherwise I will just have to shell out some money to get them.

This week's challenge for Paper Sundaes is a sketch from Christine. Here is my card. I used Hambo stamps for the image and the sentiment. I had it for awhile now and haven't have time to play with it. This stamp and the saying is just hilarious. I finally inked it up couple of days ago. Stamped on Gina K Pure Luxury 120lbs white cardstock. I love Gina K's PL cs, they are just fabuluous especially this 120lbs, super thick, no leaks through the back and it is very smooth to color with Copics. Did I tell you I am addicted to those Copic markers? I need to buy more colors, but will wait until have a a little more spending more. The designer paper is from DCWV - Boy Nursery and Scenic Route.

I am giving this to my office manager's husband. He helps us with all the repairs at the clinic, so I thought this card is just so fitting. I didn't stamp inside the card because I need to ask my office manager if she wants me to stamp a birthday saying inside. Here is the inside of the card.

Onto more personal news, I took my cat, Lay into the vet for a dental cleaning. This is first teeth cleaning after 13 yrs. We should have done it earlier, but after his brother's experience with the dental cleaning about 5 yrs ago, it scared us, because that vet gave him too much anesthesia and almost killed him. This vet we have been using for 2 yrs now and the veteranarians are great, very knowledgeable especially since Lay is diabetic. Lay also got 2 extractions and off course tons of tartar removed and hopefully his breath will smell better. Lay is recovering really well.

Deeds:

stamps: Hambo stamps

ink: Memento Tuxedo black, Stazon Gray, Copic markers

paper: Gina K PL white, PTI chocolate, DCWV dp and green cs, AMUSE wood dp, demin blue - unknown

accessories: Nestabilities, brads, ribbon, spica pen

Happy Easter & Challenges

2010-04-04T15:30:00.009-07:00

Happy Easter! Just came back from dim sum. I love all this month's new Wags n' Whiskers stamps (sports related). They are so darn cute. I am keeping my fingers cross that I get to win some of these stamps. I made this card for this week's Wags n' Whiskers Challenge 17 - Sketch by Tina and for the Stamp Something - Pink Somethings Challenge. I love pink especially with the pink and brown combo. This stamp is from Wags n' Whiskers. This stamps was what actually attracted me into Wags n' Whiskers and Stamps and Create store. I colored the image using Tombow markers. They are poorly nelegected after I purchase Copics, even some of the markers are out of ink. I stamped the image on watercolor paper, embossed, then watercolor using the Tombow markers and Aqua brush.

I made this card for Chris, Hope for Cats for all her rescue work. Actually, I wanted the sentiment to be "Cat Diva", but there was a dog on there, so I just changed to a sentiment called, "You're the cat's meow" from Inky Antics. The inside sentiment is a Gina K stamp. I focked the stamped paws.

Thanks for stopping by.

Card deeds:

Stamps: Wags n' Whiskers, Inky Antics, Gina K Designs

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Espresso, Tombow makers, H2O

Paper: Watercolor paper, Brazzill pink cs, PTI brown cs, Basic Grey (sultry), Heidi Swapp, Gina K ivory cs, DCWV green cs.

Embellishments: Nestabilities, Martha Sewart, Michael ribbon, prima flowers, aqua brush

Technique: Watercoloring

Wags n' Whiskers Blog Hop

2010-03-28T13:28:00.002-07:00

Wags n' Whiskers is having their April 2010 release on April 2nd. Sneek peeks are starting on Wednesday, March 31, 2010. Come and join the fun.

Stamp and Create Blog Candy

2010-03-25T23:49:00.003-07:00

Stamp and Create is having an awesome blog candy, available until April 6th. Visit their blog and store, they have great stamps and accessories.

Stamp 'n Create Blog

2010-01-26T09:57:00.002-07:00

Stamp 'n Create has launched their new blog. They are have a candy blog to give away. Lacey is giving away a $20 gift certificate. The blog will be featuring new product information, specials, and even tutorials. They have a great selection of stamps and embellishments. Free shipping for purchases over $55.

Blog Challenges

2010-01-25T12:56:00.008-07:00

Happy Monday. The blog challenges are great because it gets my creative juicies flowing and to create at least one card per week, It makes me think about what stamp I want to use and who is the receipent for the card I am going to make. I had time yesterday to play, so I made this card to qualified to several blog challenges. I always choose a sketch to do first, then incorporate all the various challengs into the sketch. This is Sketch #87 from the Saturday Sketch blog. This sketch is also get for Challenge #87 from A Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge - Lots of Layering. Lately I have been play with sketchs that has at least 3 layers. I think this card has at least 6 layers.

I just love this stamp from Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps, from illustrator Crissy Armstrong called Bird Fairy. Crissy is have a Help for Haiti Blog Candy Give-Away, this giveaway will run till Feburary 6th. Check out Crissy's blog for more information.

The fairy stamp is beautiful and perfect I used for the Cute Card Thursday, Challenge 96, Fairy Fantastic. Since this is a Kraftin' Kimmie stamp, I thought it would be great to play the Kraftin' Kimmie challenge#14 - No Embellishment. I am sure this is a very difficult challenge for everybody including myself as I love adding embellishment, at least a flower, brad, and/or ribbon to all my cards. The card feels naked without at least one embellishment on there.

I stamped it on Neenah white cardstock w/Memento Black Tuxedo ink. I color her w/my copic markers, it took me the whole day because I colored her a couple of times and decided this is the best one, I think. I want to mention that the technique for the ground, I got it from Crissy Amstrong where you use your copics and put dots wherever you want. I thought I will play it save and do the ground for now. Crissy has it where she puts it all over she card, it is just lovely and beautiful. I love playing with my copics and them are so easy to use, just need to understand blending. I still need have a long list of copic markers I need to buy. Lately I am trying to use my H2O Twinkling. I have all the old colors which Luminare was planning to go out of business, but luckily they stay in business. I just love their colors, they have a hint of shimmer in them, that is just beautiful. I need lots of practice with them, I have a hard time do watercoloring blending w/them. I just don't get it, I see a couple of tutorials on them and they make it so easy, but when I do it, it is just plain ugly (LOL). I know, Practice, Practice, Practice!

Have a wonderful weekend and happy stamping.

Card deeds:

Stamps: Kraftin Kimmie Stamp; sentiment: PTI Mega sentiment

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Blue Sky Colorbox pigment ink, Espresso Adirondack dye ink, copic sketch markers
Paper: Brazzi, PTI, BG dp, Neenah white, My Mind's Eye dp

Accessories: Cuttlebug corner folder, rectangle nestabilities, Friskars apron punch

Ying

Stamp and Create

2010-01-19T23:13:00.003-07:00

Just wanted to tell everybody that Lacey from Stamp and Create have a candy blog every Wednesday. Go check out her blog and her online store. I was the winner of the last week's candy blog, so thank you Lacey. You can also play along each week on the Wags 'n Whiskers challenges.

Blog Challenges

2010-01-19T08:47:00.009-07:00

Good morning Tuesday. This is going to be a quick post as I need to take my cat, Kutsu to the vet. He hasn't been feeling well. I took him to the vet last Thursday and they said he has minor asthma, so they gave him a shot & said it should work for 5 days & then his asthma should slowly disappear. Well, its been 5 days and last night he kept sneezing like crazy. I call the vet this morning to get an appointment.

I wanted to play with more blog challenges this year. This is the card I finish yesterday night. Sorry about the bad photos, I taken them last night around 12AM. I missed up at the end when I was trying to glue the twine around the sentiment and the glue pour out everywhere including on the card. It is hard to see it on the photograph, but you can see it in real life. I will have to improvise the card to hide the mistake on the card when I am mailing it out. I wanted to play Anyways, this is a Wags 'n Whiskers's stamp and this week's challenge is to use Hearts on the Wags 'n Whiskers's blog challenge. Also, Stamp and Create is sponoring the first sketch challenge on Paper Sundaes. I used the sketch and the hearts for this card. I colored the image w/prisma with OMS. I have been playing w/my copics so much lately, my prisma pencils are feeling neglected. I used my old stash of designer papers I had for years. I want to mention that Stamps and Create carries Wags 'n Whiskers and is currently one of my favorite online craft stores. They carried all the stamping company's I love like Whiff of Joy, Stampavie, The Greeting Farms, and etc. They currently has the Stampavie pre-orders which are just adorable. Also, their stamps are usually 10% to 20% off and free shipping for purchases over $55. Before I say "good bye" for today, I want to thank Lacey, owner of Stamps and Create for the free heart charms (the charm I used on this card). They are beautiful, I love them.

Deeds:

Stamp: Wags 'n Whiskers; sentiment - unknown

Ink: Memento Black, Ice Blue Colorbox chalk

Paper: Gina K pure luxury base cardstock; DCWV; unknow dp

Accessories: Prisma color pencils, OMS, oval & scallop oval nestabilities; heart buttons; Twine; heart charm

Miss Attitude

2010-01-17T13:36:00.012-07:00

I made this card last week, but just didn't have the time to post it. This card is for my niece, Charlottee who just turned 2 on January 2nd. Actually, this stamp reminds

me of her older sister, Audrey, who is Miss Attitude last time I saw her, but I thought this stamp is so darn cute. I am also sure the trouble 2 is hitting, so Miss Charlottee is probably Miss Attitude as well. I am giving this card to her next month when I am visiting them. This stamp is from the Gorjuss Girl (illustrator: Suzanne Woolcott) line from Sugar Nellie stamps. The easel card is currently my favorite style of card. I just love how you can display it on your desk. Another thing I like to do alot on cards is distressing the edges of the papers. I also used the Just Magnolia Challenge Blog, sketch challenge 38 for this card. Another one of my resolution for 2010 is to play along with all these fabulous challenge blogs out there.

I am not much of a gardner, wants to learn, but the plants never survive more than a couple of weeks. My front & backyard are very minimal. I was out in my backyard couple of weeks ago to feed the birds and feral cats and notice that we have sunflowers in our backyard. It just started to bloom, I thought those were weeds at first. I know I didn't plant any sunflower seeds so where did the sunflower come from. I realized that it was from the seeds we feed the outside birds with. There were sunflower seeds in them and obviously the birds didn't finish eatting them, thus sunflowers in my backyard. They are so pretty. I took some photos of them, just in case I might want to do something with them later on.
A couple of them a HUGE sunflowers. I was thinking of cutting them to bring them inside, but with all my cats around, I thought otherwise. I will admire the flowers from my window and it is good enough for me for now.

Have a nice work week, I am hoping to find some time tonight to play and do some blog challenges. Crossing my fingers.

Card Deeds:
Stamps: Sugar Nellie, (I forgot when the sentiment came from)
Inks: Momento Tuxedo Black, Colorbox chalk inks (forgot the colors); Copic sketch markers,
Paper: Gina K pure luxury white, Basic Grey - Sultry DP, PTI dark cholocate cs, My Mind's eye; DCWV lime cs
Accessories: prima flowers, brads, nestabilities circle & ovals, ribbons, crystal stickles

I GOT A NEW COMPUTER!!

2010-01-15T17:19:00.004-07:00

Hubby kept telling me to get a new laptop for my crafting and Facebook game playing and leave my old computer to do my work on. I finally listen as my old computer is slowing down so much when I am working on Quickbook. I have to transfer all my crafting and photo files. I need to delete those files from my old computer. I will be working on this this weekend. I didn't have time to play this week as I am still working on closing out 2009 book. I need to print out 1099-MISC this weekend. I am hoping to have some time to play next week as I am working so much on wrapping the 2009 book that I am having headaches every night.
I went to the chiropractor today for an adjustment and massage. I feel better, but my muscles are still very tense especially on the right neck because I have to craddle the phone while try to type on the computer at work.
Got to go, back to work & Facebook games.
Hope to get some crafting therapy next week. Have a nice weekend.

Where Did the Time Went???

2010-01-04T19:14:00.005-07:00

It's Monday & its back to work after a nice long weekend. I have so much to catch up as I have 5 months of data to enter into Quickbooks. It's all DH's fault for getting me hook on Facebook games such as Farm Ville, Cafe World, Animal Paradise, Pet Ville. I blame DH for making me fall so behind w/the company book. I need to get all the financials done by mid-January, so I can process 1099s for the company and to go through things with the CPA as April is going to be here before you know it.

Anyways, I made this card 2 days ago for my cousin, Julie who turned 14 this past Christmas Day. She is 21 yrs younger than me (yikes!). I just mailed the card out to her today, so she won't be getting it until the end of this week... hopefully. The image is from Sugar Nellie stamps. She is just so darn cute. I am gearing towards cutsy stamps nowadays, so I can practice my coloring w/copic markers. I still have so much to learn on copic markers and thank goodness for U Tube videos.

I may not be blogging until the end of the week as I still have a card to make for my niece, Charlotte who just turned 2 yrs old on January 2nd. I so miss her & her older sister Audrey. She barely knows me as I barely goes back to California to visit my family nowadays.

As you can tell, I am so behind w/my birthday cards. I need to start make a BIG STASH of cards soon, but where will I have the time???

Have a wonderful week.

Supplies:

Stamp: Sugar Nellie; sentiment: Heroes Arts

Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black

Paper: Basic Grey- Sutry DP, DCWV pink & green cs

Accessories: Copic markers, white pearls colored w/copics; Martha Stewart punch; Nestabilities; white gel pen.

Happy New Year 2010

2010-01-02T18:27:00.007-07:00

Happy New Year everybody. I didn't mail out any Christmas cards for 2009 as I barely made any cards this past year. One of my 2010 New Year resolution is to be more committed to keeping this blog current and to do more crafting. I have been learning how to color with copic since I start investing money on them in 2009. I took time off all last year from the blogging world.

Here is the card I made on New Year's Eve evening. I love Magnolia stamps. They are so adorable. I am buying more cutsy stamps so I can practice coloring them with copic markers. I have to say that my card making skills have evolved through the years and I am trying find what I like & don't like & what I am good at.

SUPPLIES:

Stamp: Magnolia

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Colorbox Chalk in Ice Blue & French Blue (distress around the border)

Paper: DCWV X'mas pack, Gina K pure luxury 120lb cs, unknow blue cs.

Accessories: Nestabilities, red ribbon, stickles - icicles.

I'M BACK...

2009-05-10T15:59:00.003-07:00

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! I haven't blog in such a long time. It feels like a lifetime since I have blogged. I lost my battery recharger on my camera, so I can't even use my camera now. Maybe I can ask for a new camera. Anyways, I am still making handmade cards, but I have been donating them to the cat shelter (Hope for Cats) for donations. This is why I am so behind to doing my cards for families and friends. I ususally do my crafting on Sundays, but I feel that it is taking me forever to make one card. Some weeks I just don't feel like creating, but I should as I continue to buy new stamping/crafting products. I have so much supplies I haven't use it. I need to stop buying and start using what I have in my stash, but I can't help it. A girl got to spend money. I don't know when I will ever have my cards on the blog as I still need to get a battery charger for my camera otherwise I need a new camera. This is it for now.

Meet STINKER!

2008-10-26T10:42:00.004-07:00

Meet Stinker! I don't even know where to begin. Last Thursday, we had a skunk in our garage. He barracked himself underneath our car with various car wash products, mainly sponges because that is what he can grab with his mouth. On Wednesday, we notice that things were moved in our garage. We thought it might be the wind or something, but we didn't think much about it. On Thursday., I went out to do errands with my car and when I came back, I saw car wash products underneath our other car. Good thing I didn't take the other car out to do errands otherwise I may be in trouble. I called DH and told him that something stanger is going in our garage. Luckily, DH's cousin was around, so I told him that I was going to pull out the other car, so he can pick up the things under the car. I told him to check underneath the car before I pull out the car, just in case there was a cat or something underneath it. Long and behold, out of all things, the skunk was underneath the car. Good thing the skunk was not scare or felt in danger to spray our garage. I was so nervous that he might spray our garage. We tried to lure him out with the dry cat food, but he won't come out. Finally, he came out by himself after nightfall to eat. He was scared to come out during the daylight. Nothing happened to our garage, but he did left poo and pee. We think he has been in our garage since Tuesday night. I think the skunk came in when DH's cousin came home on Tuesday, late night and the skunk fall him in. Poor thing didn't eat for a whole day.

Anyways, I decided to name him Stinker after this experience as he is now considered my outside pet, which we can look, but can't touch. We first spotted Stinker the night of Titan's vet emergency which is a month ago. I went outside to put more dry cat food for the feral cats when I saw Stinker lodging around the pond area, sleep. I quickly got back into the house without putting the cat food down. Stinker has been eating the cat dry food every night since, but lately he hasn't been sleeping around the pond area. The feral cats would sometimes stay and wait until Stinker is done with his turn before coming to eat. Stinker comes around at least 2 or 3 times a night. He is so cute, if he isn't so dangerous. Stinker hasn't spray our front porch and I am wondering if he knows its because he knows we feed him as well as the other feral cats and he felt no danger as we always looks at him when he eats and he isn't scare and continues to eat and drink until he is already to leave. Stinker doesn't look that old. We currently have at least 4 regular feral cats eatting on our front porch.

I am finally playing with my stamps again. I have nothing to show, but I have started on my Christmas cards. DH keeps wanting me to do CATS (dancing cats) for Christmas cards. I told him that I will for a few of them, but not for every cards.

Sorry, been MIA

2008-10-07T14:33:00.003-07:00

I have been too lazy and feeling down to blog for awhile. I'm still alive. I haven't been making any cards or creating anything though I have been buying things. I wish I am a shopaholic, but I am not. I hate to see money go, but I like to spend if I can. Hopefully, I will start to creat some Halloween cards/gifts. Last Saturday 10/4, was World Card Making Day and I didn't make any card. I really need to push myself to create. While on a happier note, I have been reading all the "Confessions of a Shopaholic" books by Sophie Kinsella. There's a couple more of them I need to find and rent from the library. This books are lighthearted and entertaining novels.

Here's an update - my cat, Rusty (now know as Titan) got an allergic reaction 3 weeks ago. We had to sent him to emergency vet hospital as he was vomitting blood as well as bloody diarrhea. Doctor doesn't know what was wrong with him as cats can't speak for themselves, but they think it was an allergic reaction... maybe something he ate which he shouldn't have, like plant or bug/insects. Anyways, it started the night before as I heard vomitting in my bedroom when we were sleeping. All the vomit was underneath the bed which I didn't see at first. There was vomit on the kitchen floor and family room. I didn't think anything about it as my cats vomit all the time because of hairball and etc. Anyways, I haven't seen Titan the whole day and didn't realize it until at night when I ask DH, "Where is Rusty (Titan) as I haven't seen him all day". They found him downstairs, in the basement and got him to come up to the family room. He laid near the fireplace for a little while I took some pictures, then he left to the foyer area. He started to vomit and I saw blood in his vomit, thus I called DH and said something is wrong with him. We were going to confirm him for the night to see if he is going to get better, but he went and had diarrhea in the basement bathroom instead of the litter box. This was a sign that he was tell us that something is wrong, thus we took him to emergency vet around midnight. We stayed until they ran all the blood test on him. They said he was dehydrated which we know and that his blood level count was too high. We left Titan for overnight monitor and to hydrate him. We got home to find a skunk in front of our porch... sleep next to the pond. I was putting dry cat food in front of our porch when I saw the skunk and ran back into the house without giving food to the feral cats.
Titan looked better the next day when we went to pick him up as he no longer had any vomit or diarrhea. No too heavy favor food which meant no cat food or cat treats. We confirmed him for 2 days and then let him out to be with the rest of the cats, but the other cats had to make a sacrifice they cat food and treats for Titan. Lay was obviously annoyed that we didn't give him can food. Well, Titan is alright now.... but Kutsu hasn't been feeling well the last few days. I need to get pet insurance on Kutsu and Titan, they are the weaker two. Anyway, we change Rusty's name to Titan becasue Rusty mean to rusty and broken down which isn't good, thus we change it to Titan, short for Titanium.

We are still doing our weekly Saturday "Hope for Cats" donation and play with the cats. There are so many kitten and cats that needed to be adopted. DH and I was planning to adopt another cat, but with what is going to our cats and in our lives we don't know if we should take on another one.

Yesterday, DH came home and said the grey cat has been ran over. There is a grey cat that comes to eat on our front porch. He is one of the first ones eating in our porch and he has been netured. He had an eye injury/scabies awhile back, he was fine. We went to see if he was still alive. He was in the middle of the road at the main road outside our community. The cat was dead by the time we got to him. The pool of blood was all dry up around his head. We were sad to see him died. DH took it and buried him in our backyard next to the tree and set him off to heaven. He was taken away by the death god. He is in heaven now. His body is rotten away as bugs/insects are feeding on it. It sounds gross, but this is what happens to all bodies when it is not cremated. Both DH and I shred some tears for this cat even though it was a feral, but we did know it. He had such a short life. He will be remembered each time I look through the foyer blinds/window to watch the cats and skunk eat in the porch area. This is also the reason we don't let our cats outside as we don't know what can happen to them. "A house is not a home without a cat."
Sometimes, we loose touch of what is important to us. I know I haven't been appreciating with what I do have with everything that is going on, but the death of a cat put things back to perspective for me and things that are important to me.

Sick Kitty & Holly Berry stamp

2008-08-26T20:20:00.008-07:00

As I was saying from my last post. I purchased these Holly Berry stamps from Stamp Works, my local stamping store. I got this because those talented design team did a wonderful and beautiful job with these stamps. I tried it myself and the outcome isn't the same as the samples I saw. I thought I will share it anyways as I haven't have time the last couple of days. This week is payroll and month end, so I am a little busy these few days. Hopefully, I will have some time later this week to play with some of the challenges out there.
Recipe: Holly Berry stamps, gamsol technique (prismacolor pencils and blend with baby oil), stickles, embossed the basketweave frame, black cs.
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I have a sick kitty this week. Kutsu has diarrhea since last Wednesday. We got some antibiotics (pill forms) for him. This is bad news for us as we aren't good at feeding our cats medications nevertheless in pills (first time feeding my cats solids as it is usually liquid forms). We had such a difficult time feeding him the first day, DH clamped him down while I shoved the pill into his mouth. After 3 tries I thought I had it as we didn't see the pill anywhere. We thought Kutsu swallowed it. The next morning, I had to give Kutsu the antibiotic myself. I had to climb on top of him to restrain him, so I could put the pill into his mouth. Kutsu kept spitting it out and ran away. I ran after him (upstairs & downstairs) to give him his pill. After 5 or 6 times, I finally got him to swallow his pill before I let him go. During this chase, I notice yesterday's antibiotic (pill) was underneath the coffe table. He didn't take it, he spitted it out. Today, Kutsu was actually pretty good, he swallowed the pill the second time. I realized I have to really put the pill into the inside of this mouth and close this mouth, so he had to swallow or let the pill melt inside his mouth. I think Kutsu finally realize he will have to cooperate. I have 4 more days to go. I hate giving my cats their medication, they are just like little children... struggles with you.

Hope everybody is having a nice week, can't believe this week is coming to an end and summer is over as most children are going back to school after Labor Day or are already in school.

TECC30 - Seize the Cupcake

2008-08-24T16:23:00.007-07:00

I came back last week from California. I enjoyed my time with my family. I didn't haven't time to play, so I didn't blog for 2 weeks now. This week I was able to play with my stamps. This week's Hero Arts blog challenge is "birthday", so I went out and purchase some Hero Arts stamps including this cupcake set. I started to do Hero Arts birthday challenge when I saw Taylor's weekly sketch challenge. I decided to combine the two challenges together. This is a birthday card done with Taylor's card sketch. I enjoy reading Taylor's blog (Taylored Expressions). This week's sketch is TECC30.

I finally play with my House Mouse stamp. I replaced the flower with the Hero Arts cupcake stamp. I added buttons and stickles on the cupcake. I love how this card turned out.

This is the second Hero Arts "birthday" project I made. The Acetate Treat Box is Monday's SCS new technique challenge, TLC182. I was having some problems with the box measurements. It didn't turn out as good as I would have liked, but this is a nice try. I will definitely do this box again. It was so easy to make, but time consuming to put everything together. The camera shot of this box isn't great. I can't seem to capture all the details like the pearls on the roses and the little blings on the cupcake. This cupcake stamp is from Hero Arts. The dp is SEI and the scalloped edge is from Martha Stewart edge punch.

I made couple more cards which I will show later this week. I purchased those stamps for a while now, but haven't used it. I don't think I like these stamps that much now. I was inspired by the sample cards made by these stamps, but mines didn't turn out as beautiful as the samples. I guess this is what marketing and advertising does...makes people like me buy the product.

Purse Card for Audrey's Birthday

2008-08-07T21:00:00.006-07:00

I found this designer pattern paper (dp) months ago. This is from Basic Grey called "Sultry". It is so pretty and vibrant.... look at the colors, so so pretty. I made this today for Audrey's 3rd birthday. She is turn 3 this month and her birtday party is this Sunday. I thought this will be so fun for her as she is starting to like all things "girlie" as I have been told by grandmother (my mom). She can actually carry this around her arm like a real purse, but can't put anything in it. The closureof made by having 2 magnets which are adhered under the light pink paper, invisible to the eye but it helps to close the card.

After finding this dp, I thought it will look so nice for the Hero Arts color challenge. I pick the hot pink, lime green, and soft pink color combo. These dp just have all those colors. I added the "A" which is from Hero Arts clear Alphabet stamp set and that is also Audrey's initial. The stamps inside the cards are all from Hero Arts.

Recipe:
Stamps: Hero Arts alphabets, happy birthday, flower
Ink: Color box: pink & lime green; Onxy Versafine
Paper: Basic Grey sultry pattern pattern, light pink, sparkling lime green, white
Embellishments: Prima flower, Memories brad, cuttlebug swiss dots embossed folder, ribbons, and Basic Grey magnets

I got "Honorable Mention" on Hero Art Challenge

2008-08-07T08:26:00.004-07:00

Remember this card from last week. I got tons of comments last week on SCS, the most I have even got since I joined SCS. This morning I went on the Hero Arts blog like I usually do to learn new techniques and card inspirations from them. This is a fabulous site. I entered in last week's challenge with my butterfly card and I got "Honorable Mention", check my card out on the Hero Arts' blog! I can't believe it when I saw my card displayed on their blog. Wow, I never won a contest (technically I didn't win, but I felt like I won). I don't know anything about art designs, let alone the basic such as color scheme which is this week's challenge, but I am consistly learning.

I have a few things to do before going to California for a whole week of fun and relaxation time with my family. I am visiting my family and see my parents retired as they are getting ready to move out of their store, V&W Liquors, which they own for over 24 years now. This store will no longer be called V&W Liquors after the change of ownership. How sad I feel that this is the end of a legacy for this store. It had the same name over 3 ownerships (my parents being the last owners) and now no more V&W Liquors. It will be my last time seeing the place from the inside and packing up and going through all the memories as I sort through all my things (things to keep, throw away, or donate). This is going to be a bitter-sweet week as there were so many memories of this place as I have lived there most of my life, 20 years, before moving to Arizona. All my childhood memories is from that place. I will be taking my camera back home to get lot of photos. This will be a very memorable week for me and I am glad everything turn out this way where I am going home to see my parents retired and last time to see my childhood place.

So much has happened to me and DH this past 6 months since. DH was kind enough to let me to take a little break from this stress while he has to go to work and to take care of our cats next week while I am gone.

Candy Blog @ Melanie Muenchinger

2008-08-05T13:26:00.003-07:00

Go on over to Melanie Muenchinger's blog to read her some fun tips for her new Little Tees stamp set (Gina K Designs). She is also having a candy blog for her 150,000 blog hits, so go on over to her blog to enter to win.

Julie's Bonus - Friends Challenge

2008-08-03T11:48:00.006-07:00

Julie stopped by and this is her bonus challenge ... make a humorous friend card. When I think of the sitcom Friends, I think of the coffee shop where they always hang out besides their apartments. I don't think this is a funny card, but here it is anyways. Thanks Julie. The two bands or tabs on the top is inspired by Carolyn King.

Jennie's One Tree Hill Challenge

2008-08-03T11:35:00.002-07:00

Jennie's challenge is to use one A Muse stamp, but you can use it as my times as you want. The sushi set is my favorite and I have used the fan. I just have to CASED this when I saw this done by Lisa Spangler when Lisa and Julie did the Designer Swap back in May. Thanks Jennie.

Rhonda's Lost Challenge

2008-08-03T11:28:00.004-07:00

This is Rhonda's challenge... make a card with all your favorites. These are some of my favorites though some of them might feel a little neglected. Thanks Rhonda.

Geeta's Grey's Anatomy Challenge

2008-08-03T11:18:00.003-07:00

The challenges go by so fast. This is Geeta's challenge .... make a card that has something to do with love. I love elephants. Thanks Geeta.

Michelle's Passport to Europe Challenge

2008-08-03T11:10:00.002-07:00

Finally got the time to upload my cards from yesterday's VMAA party. This is Michelle's challenge. I love watching Samatha Brown, "Passport to Europe" I was inspired by the colors and of course vacation came to mind. This is a great challenge.

VMAA - A MUSE Challenges

2008-08-02T21:30:00.002-07:00

Tonight was really fun, I enjoy all of the challenges! My pictures will be up tomorrown because the lighting in my crafting area isn't that great. I will wait until morning to get better lighting for my pictures. I'm going to get something to eat now. I didn't get to eat dinner yet because the party started at 6pm.

SC187, WT177 Challenges

2008-07-31T11:05:00.006-07:00

I got woken up early (before 6AM) this morning by my orange tabby. I decided to do some stamping this morning since I didn't stamp last night. I combined yesterday's SCS sketch challenge (SC187) and today's "Ways to Use" challenge (WT177) and this week's Hero Arts challenge "Amazing" . Julia S. from SCS made my day by having today's challenge. Guess what the challenge is.... "Scrap-It". I was just telling myself to use as much of my scraps as possible throughout this week. Well, this challenge surely made my day. All the papers are scrap papers on this card are from my scrap basket... I have a humongous pile. I pull out my cuttlebug today, for it has been collecting dust. The sentiment (the only stamping I did for this card) is from Hero Arts so that qualify it for the Hero Arts challenge... cheesy, but hey, a challenge is a challenge and I am going to give it to Nick, the LSS owner I ALWAYS go to. She is a talented, creative, and amazing woman. She's my creative inspiration, if it wasn't for her, I won't be addicted, but fulfilling hobby. Is this suppose to be good or bad? It is totally good for me, but bad for my pocket book. Maybe I will make another card for the Hero Arts challenge later this week. I am so excited for this Saturday's VMAA party. See my blog below to join in the fun.

Recipe:

Stamp: Hero Art

Ink: Stazon timber brown

Paper: white, pink, brown, blue pearl, dp, vellum dp

Accessories: Cuttlebug, embossing folders and die, dew drops, and crystal

Let's Party A*Muse Addicts

2008-07-29T20:32:00.005-07:00

I am so EXCITED over this party. This will be my first A*Muse Addicts party! I have already joined the A*Muse Addicts forum. I love A*Muse and Elzybell stamps, they are so cute. I love the clean and simple style. Where is the Party..... the VMAA (Virtual Meeting of A*Muse Addicts) is this Saturday, August 2nd @ 8pm CST. The is where all the A*Muse addicts gather online to have great time... chatting and stamping off course. There will be challenges that have to be completed in 30 minutes from a choosen theme. Join us this Saturday evening ... Let the party begin!

Playing Again!

2008-07-29T16:13:00.009-07:00

I was actively playing with my stamps yesterday. I think I spent the entire day making these two cards. I have been wanting to try the pull-up pop-up card technique tutorial, shown by the talented and famous Jennifer McGuire in the Hero Club Blog. I just got to try it. I did it with my new Magnolia stamps I received at the end of June. I was so EXCITED to receive my new Magnolia stamps that I shown it to my DH and telling him how CUTE and ADORABLE they are. My DH wanted to cut the rubber because the stamp images are in a whole sheet. Off course I won't let DH cut the rubber because I will be very sad if anything happens to my Magnolia stamps. I decided to let him stamp the images on white cardstock for my file. This is just one of the first stamps I received. I signed up for the Magnolia's Stamp club which they will sent out 4 times a year (about $50 per quarter). I already colored (prismacolor pencils and baby oil) this Tilda last month, but didn't do anything else with it until now.

Like I said, I have been trying to use up all of my scraps as much as possible before going for a new piece of paper, so the color combo is the same for both of these cards. I actually did the SCS New Technique challenge first before doing the pull-up pop-up card. This was yesterday's new technique (LSC179 - Blintz Base). I have to say that I didn't really like this fold that much. I used Gina K's Just So Hippy stamp set. Love this set, but haven't play with it much. I finally inked up the hippo stamp. The umbrella and the sentiment is from My Favorite Things (MFT). Love their stamps also, but only has this set for now. This is the first time this set has been inked. This card is just so cute, just love the shorts on the hippo and the faux zig zag lines. I don't know how to sew, so don't have a sewing machine, so I have to do make faux lines with my pens to mimic sewing threads. Maybe one of these days, I will buy a sewing machine and learn how to sew. As of now, I have too much on my plate to take on another hobby.

I have to admit that I have purchased quite a bit of stamps and accessories over this pass year and haven't even inked it up. Shame on me, throwing so much money and not play, but I do have a very good excuse! I better go play... running to my craft area!

Gina K July Sketch Challenges

2008-07-28T11:11:00.007-07:00

I fianlly got my hands dirty again. This past Saturday, I went to Stamp Works, my local stamping shop, for some motivation and inspiration. Nicolette, the owner of Stamp Works is such a talented lady. I usually do the make n' take from Nicolette every Saturday. Yesterday, I finally clean up my crafting area, but now it is mess again after do last night's cards. While I was cleaning up and going through all my crafting items, I have so much things I hardly even touched. Some things are still seating there in their packages for over a year now. I really need to use up all the pattern papers, cardstocks, and embellishments before I buy anything new. I am such a HOARDER and these things can't be collected because it gets dusty and discolored by the dust, incense fumes, and our cat furs and rubs. I still have tons of papers and embellishments since I start stamping almost 2 years ago. Wow, I can't believe I have been doing this for 2 years now. I know I have spent thousands and thousands of dollars on this hobby. I am slowing down with my purchases because I need to tell myself if I will use, is it worth it, can I find an alternative item I already have, and can I wait. I have so much scrap paper laying around. I need to start using my scraps before going for a new piece of paper.

I finally got back into making some cards. Since last Thursday, I wanted to play with my Gina K stamps after seeing the sketch challenges on the Gina K forum on SCS. I have to say that some of this stamps are not inked. I am so bad, I like to collect rather than play with them. This first card took me at least 2 hours to make such a simple card. I couldn't decide on the paper, rubber stamp, and ink. I just couldn't decide what to do. I guess after 2 months of not playing, it gets rusty. The next card, took me 30 minutes. That is an improvement. I haven't bought any new stamps from Gina K Designs since January. I LOVE her stamps and check out all the monthly releases. They have some talented designers.

...More Updates

2008-07-22T18:19:00.003-07:00

I had a follow-up with my OB earlier this month. My placenta isn't cancerous, so that is a relief. I am feeling much better and thanks for all the well wishes!! Thanks everybody for keeping up with my blog.

Currently, DH and I have a lot on our plates right hopefully that hopefully everything will start to smooth over in over the next few months and things will start to be better by later this year or early next year.

I haven't created anything for almost 2 months and is not feeling the drive to create. I guess I am in a slump. I still read other artist's blogs and SCS and online craft products, but I don't seem to be able to go to my create station and create something. Maybe one of these days, I will find the drive to create.

Currently, we have four cats we are feeding on our front porch. There is one cat that seems to have an eye issue which we are currently trying to trap, but it seems like he/she is already neutered or sprayed. We will be trapping any of the four cats and getting them neutered or sprayed. Maybe one of these days, I will be able to get some photos of them to show you.

More Updates....

2008-06-23T12:15:00.003-07:00

I went to my OB appt last Friday because my HCG level was extremely high... over 100K. We found out that I have a molar pregnancy which is when the placenta is still there which caused the HCG to be so high. My OB scheduled for a D&C to be done on the same day... Friday evening because the doctor stated that the placenta may be cancerous if we just waited for it to naturally miscarried. I have to go back for a follow up as they are doing a biopsy of the placenta to make sure it isn't cancerous otherwise we will have to wait for a year to conceive again. This has been such a roller coaster for us over this past half year. I thought it was not as dramatic as the first time because I didn't see the fetus, but yesterday night, this second pregnancy hit me just as hard. I guess I finally realized I miscarried again and my chances of miscarriage increases. I know you guys are saying we are young and there is always next time, but each time it is just as dramatic and frightful. I know friends and family who had miscarried, but at least they have one child that survived. I feel so lonely going through this eventhough DH is going through this with me and just as harm on him as on me. We will continue to try and the thought that I will not be able to have a child though I don't have an inferility problem. I am sure this is just as tough for those that have inferility problems. We really don't know how others feels if we are not in their shoes. Right now, we are going through a lot emotionally, mentally, physically, and financially.

I just want to thank Marisa for the lovely flowers. I am stopping my crafting for awhile. I still have so much other things to catch up on and emotionally and mentally I am drained. This may be the last post for awhile.

Update....

2008-06-13T10:56:00.002-07:00

The scare is over. Well, we went to see the doctor and we didn't see a fetus on the ultrasound. Dr. thinks I already had a natural miscarriage and the fetus never formed. I have to get some blood test done. I have been bleeding, not heavy, for the past few days, but I didn't have any major cramping or pain which is a good sign. Emotionally and physically I am doing fine after seeing the doctor and got the answer. There is no more worries.

Because of what was happening this past week, I didn't get to do any father's day cards and I probably won't be making any at this time. I will not be blogging for a little bit during my recuperating period.

Happy Father's Day to all the Dads!

A Scare Yesterday...

2008-06-05T11:32:00.004-07:00

This is actually Wednesday after midnight. I woke up in the middle of the night to use the restroom which is common since I have been drinking a lot of fluids. The scary part was there was pinkish blood when I wipe myself. I totally freak out. There was minor spotting as appeared on my sanitary pad in the morning. I was too scared to use the bathroom in the morning because of what may happen. When I did went in the morning it was brownish when I did wipe. The spotting seemed to have disappeared in the evening, but still a little slight brownish residue spots on the sanitary pad this morning. There was nothing major to send me to the ER yesterday. I didn't feel any severe cramping or pain, just slight pulling, sore, or pricking pain on the abdominal area. I didn't vomit, but feel a little nauseated, but otherwise felt ok.

I am putting myself on bed rest and no crafting until I feel better and checking with the physician. I am praying nothing is wrong, for this is so scary for me after the first time. I must try to keep my spirits positive and myself relax. This is all in God's hand right now.

June Card Swap

2008-06-02T14:58:00.004-07:00

Finally finish my June card swap with a some gals on SCS. I am the hostess for this month and this is my card. I am so glad everything came together. I had the stamped image and dp selected for a month now and finally got around to do the sketch layout, coloring the image, and cs color choices. I used the Penny Black Hedgehog. Don't you just love this stamp, Harvey (I named him) the Hedgehog is just having a wonderful, relaxing day. I added some yellow flock on the center of the flower for texture.

Today is also my American birthday. My Chinese birthday is not until October. I am so bliss to be pregnant this year as said by my friend, Teresa. I feel really bliss to be "a mom to be", my my health, and my family and friends around me. I am very fortunate and grateful for all I have though it may be tough at times.

This is what I received from my brother and SIL. Isn't this just sweet of them. I love it. The front has "Marked with Love", Charlotte's full name, and birthdate. The inside is a baby stoller bookmark. Yesterday, I spoke with Audrey and she was sad because she misses me. How cute is that! I love her and miss her too. Hopefully, I will to visit them in mid-September. It's been almost 4 months since I went to California. I will not be travelling until I know my pregnancy is going well. That reminds me, I need to call for my OB appointment next week or the week after.

Recipe:

Stamp: Penny Black

Ink: Stazon Jet Black

Paper: DCWV yellow texture cs, purple cs (received from a swap), American Craft dp

Accessories: prismacolor pencils, baby oil, ribbon, and stampendous yellow ducky flock

June, Already!!

2008-06-01T09:58:00.005-07:00

June is here, another month gone. I finally did my June month swap card. I just have to finish making them and sent out the packages to my group members. Hopefully, I will have it done by today otherwise Monday. I can't wait to post it up after I am all done.

My brother and SIL sent me a wonderful gift for my birthday. There are photos of my adorable nieces, Audrey and Charlotte. They also sent me a very cute bookmark which was Charlotte's red egg and ginger party favor which I wasn't able to attend. You guys made my day yesterday and what a wonderful birthday gift! I will have to take a picture and post it up.

Have a wonderful month as summer is just around the corner.

May Card Swap

2008-05-28T15:30:00.004-07:00

I am at clinic today getting most of this month's entries into Quickbooks. Thank godness this month is ending as production was/is really bad. I hope it picks up next month or else we have to take extra measures to cut down on the expenses.

I belong to a monthly card swap on SCS. July is our last month and I don't think I will sign up again for another 6 months as my back is killing me from all that couching. This is my take on the May card swap. I made a flap card, the tutorial is on SCS. There is actually a magnet used to help keep the card closed. I hid it under the dp. The stamp is Elyzbell. As you can see, I am in love with drawing dots lately. Every card has to have some dots. I have to use my white gel pen. I actually bought myself another white inkssential pen because it works so well and got rid off the old white pen I had. Anways, I need to make 6 more of this card and start on the June card swap as I am the hostess. I still haven't decide what my card sketch will be yet, but I have all the images, dp, and embellishments already.

Recipe:

Stamps: Elyzbell, A Muse sentiment

Ink: Memories black dye ink

Paper: red Brazzil, dp, yellow DCWV, sand cs inside

Accessories: prima flowers, diamond stickles, inkssential white pen, red copic spica pen, tombow markers

A MUSE May Bumper Card

2008-05-27T16:42:00.003-07:00

I received this adorable May bumper card from Christine Gagnon aka ChippySue on A Muse Addict. I have this stamp also. Isn't she is just so darn cute. The stamp is Elzybell stamp which is part of the A Muse line.

Yesterday was Memorial Day and DH and I spent a quiet weekend at home. Yesterday, the cats saw a lizard outside the basement window. They were very intrigue by it, but off course to prevent the lizard from getting hurt we closed the window so he can't get in otherwise my cat will have a field day with him. I wanted to get a picture of it, but I time I went back to the basement, it was gone. DH and I have also been feed a neighborhood feral cat. We have been seen him around our house and the neighbors house for a couple of weeks now. We have been leaving can food for him and he has been eating it or something has been eating the can food. DH calls him our "outdoor cat" as we don't allow our other cats to wander outdoors by themselves.

I was trying to do my May and June monthly card swaps today, but my back is killing me while I was couching down to cut, adhere, and color. I just have to take it easy and just take extra breaks and do one or two cards per day until I get it done.

Nothing new with me

2008-05-24T14:13:00.003-07:00

Just wanted do a short post today. Nothing new. Our Saturdays are relatively routine... we do these activities in no special order.... we donate cat food and litter to "Hope for Cats" at the local Petco as Saturday is adoption day for them, a Costco trip to get food supplies, cat food and litter, and I go to Stamp Works for my weekly fix of make n' take for $2 and buy stamps and craft supplies. The rest of the day we usually stay at home watching movies and I some times do my crafting.

I have been feeling very tired and fatigue to do anything else except rest and sleep whenever my body tells me. I don't think I will be doing much stamping and crafting right now as my pregnancy is my first priority.

Penguin Popsicle

2008-05-22T09:47:00.004-07:00

This is a card for a 1 yr old. DH's dental assistant asked me to do a card for his nephew who is turning one. I thought the penguin with the popiscle stamp from Imaginisce would be perfect as it is really hot in AZ now and all children like popsicles. It was cute to add the yellow flock onto the pegiun's nose as kids like to feel and touch things. It feels a little velvety. I added the flock to the giraffe inside, but it doesn't look that good, but oh well, the kid is only 1 so he probably won't remember any of this.

I have to admit, I am not the cleanest person. My craft desk is so cluttered with paper, tools, stamps, and embellishments. I can barely find anything in this mess. It took me two hours to do this card as I was deciding and looking for tools and embellishments to make this card. I need to be more organized, but I never like to clean up after myself once I am done with a project.

This morning I woke up with an awfully bad cramping pain on my lower abdominal. I finally subdued after awhile of deep breathing. There was no blood from my urine, so this is good news. I am concerned I might have ectopic pregnancy where the egg is implanted outside the uterus where if the tube burst it will destroy its ability to carry fertilized eggs on their way to the uterus in future conceptions and could also threaten the mother's life.

Happy News....

2008-05-21T12:38:00.004-07:00

I am very nervous, but happy to announce that I am pregnant again. I found out this past Sunday and I went to my OB/GYN today and its confirmed, I am pregnant again. I am very nervous this time around because of my recent miscarriage. This past Saturday, I thought my period was coming because I felt stomach cramps which hurted pretty bad in the middle of the day, so I took a vicodin to ease the pain, but I felt so dizzy afterwards. Since my period didn't come, I took a home pregnancy test on Sunday and it show two lines meaning "pregnant". I guess I am pretty emotional right now because I felt it is too soon to get pregnant again, but I'm lucky to be pregnant again. I am praying every day since I found out the new. I have been feeling fatigue, bloating and gas, dizziness and blury vision each time I get wake off the bed and/or couch, and some cramping. The nurse practitioner said that just as long as there is no period like bleeding, then just take it easy and relax as these may be just some pregnancy symptoms and it is too early to tell, so I will just have to wait. Last time, I didn't have any period like bleeding, but only a little spotting right after the OB visit, but I thought it was nature until the ultrasound confirmed that there was no heartbeat from the fetus. I pray this won't happen again otherwise I know I am the one with a genetic or chromosomal problem. For all the friends and family that reads my blog, please pray for me and my unborn.

Now, onto my hobby. I missed Gina K Designs release yesterday because I was just feeling so tired and went to sleep earlier. The new stamps are really nice..... I like, I like, but I have to save money for my maternity bills. My insurance isn't covering my pregnancy bill and we all know how much medical bills cost. There are so fun sketch challenges yesterday from the Gina K Design's new release, so I thought I will play and see if I can win a free stamp set. I will post those pictures tomorrow.

Another Dottie Card

2008-05-20T09:53:00.006-07:00

Today I am at the clinic. Here's another card I made with my favorite tools right now which are white inkssential pen and the cuttlebug. This is also inspired by the Hero Arts Monday challenge of using "flowers". The sketch is from one of SCS Wednesday sketch challenge (I think this was from 2 weeks ago). I finally open my new prima flowers which I purchased from Michaels a couple of weeks ago with the 50% coupon. Nothing beats a good saving. The sparkling lime green cs is from Doodlebug. I got this from the "Color Me Happy" swap I participated on SCS in which we choose our favorite color or color combo and the we can shopping for our "Color Me Happy" sister. My colors were lime green and purple. I got some cool things. I better start to play with them.

Its been relatively quiet this past weekend since the boys are back in California. DH and I just stayed home because the Arizona summer is officially HERE! This weekend, it hit over 100 degrees. We have started to turn on the AC. We didn't go outside except to go to the supermarket to stock up on sodas because its on sale (5 for $12). DH consumes about 4 -5 cans a day.

Recipe:

Stamp: Hero Arts and A Muse sentiment

Ink: Brillance Graphite and Coral inks

Paper: white, lime green, pink, and red cs

Accessories: Cuttlebug and swiss dot embossing folder, white inkssential pen ,prima flowers, dew drops

Dottie Flower Day

2008-05-19T20:27:00.004-07:00

I have been having trouble sleeping these few days. Mainly, it is because my cats are playing around our bedroom and the other thing is my stomach hasn't been feeling so well (I kept having cramps).

After a whole week of not creating, I finally found my mojo to play with my stamps again. This is inspired by The Hero Arts Club Blog, Monday's challenge. This week's challenge is to play with "flowers". I used Hero Arts stamps, "friendship writing" and "sunflower blossom". My favorite part is embossing with my cuttlebug and pulling out my white inkssential pen and made dots on the cs. This was pretty simple, but it brought back my creativity again.

Tomorrow is Gina K Designs May new stamps release and the sneak peeks so far have been awesome. Gina is such a generous person, so check out her blog as she is giving away some of the new stamps. The release party is tomorrow night at SCS. Be sure to check it out if you have time.

Recipe

Stamp: Hero Arts - friendship writing and sunflower blossom

Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black, Marvy yellow, brilliant yellow, and brown inks

Paper: DCVW yellow and brown cs and My Eye's Mind dp

Accessories: cuttlebug, versamark pen, sponge, sand paper, white inkssential pen, and ribbons

Where's my MOJO this week

2008-05-17T17:57:00.005-07:00

Sorry, I haven't posted all week. I have no MOJO this week, thus no cards or project done this week except to finish my Asian ATC cards, but I didn't take any pictures of it because I forgot before it went postal. I am not up to creating this week as my crafting table is a mess and I haven't clean it. I took some time to do some leisure reading. One of my favorite author is Julie Garwood. She writes romance books and I think my SIL is the who got me started on her novels. Here is my unfinished Precious Moment cross-stitching project I talked in my previous blog. I started this almost a year ago and haven't touched it for almost 10 months now. This is suppose to be for my wedding as a guest sign-in framed photo, but didn't get to finish yet. I changed the mailbox to a "Double Happiness" wedding cake. This is it for this week. It is the mid-month already. Where did the time go, half a year is almost gone for 2008? Hopefully, I will find my MOJO soon and start to put up more things on my blog. As always, next week is Gina K Design's new stamp release on May 20th and I am excited as the sneak peeks have been awesome.

This morning, I was up early and recorded my cat Rusty's "play catch", but I was unable to upload it to my computer. I spent all morning trying to upload, but no luck, so I decided to record it using my camera, but Rusty didn't want to play catch anymore. Here is brief video of Rusty's talent. Enjoy the short video. Do you guys see my unfinish painting project for the house. I painted the hallway, but I didn't do the family room, stairways, kitchen, dining, and living room area. I don't think I will ever finish painting unless we are selling this house. Maybe if I get really tired of see white walls again, then I will nag my DH to paint again. Just another example of the unfinish projects in my life. If my Mojo doesn't come back soon, I will upload pictures of my small crafting area to show you where I do all my crafting.

Cross Stitched Cottage House

2008-05-10T18:11:00.008-07:00

No card today, but I do have to share this with you. This is my baby and I show everybody that comes to our house. People usually think it is just a picture until I show it to them close up and their first word is "WOW!". Yes, I am being a narcissist here, but I am very proud of myself for finishing this. My DH says I am a starter and not a finisher and I am learning to finish my projects more. There are tons of ideas in my head and start on some, but never finish like painting the house or have to trash it because it didn't come out the way I wanted to.

As some of you already know, before I got into scrapbooking, stamping, and cardmarking, I love to stitch. I stitched this picture 2 years ago and don't remember the name of the picture or the illustrator. I think I started this project in Fall 2005 and didn't finish until Summer 2006. This was one of the longest project for me. Some days, I spent all day like 10 hours stitching and counting the grid and some months didn't even touch it. Sometimes with any project, I get bored and some doing it for awhile or sometimes for a LONG while and when I do get back to doing it, I am stitching vagariously. This picture isn't perfect, but nobody can see my mistakes which is why I totally love this picture. I have to frame it and off course, I didn't want to do custom framing as it costs more than the picture, but not my time of course. The matting didn't fit my picture, so some of the outside stitches are being covered up. I was going to have my uncle, who is an artist, cut the matting to fit my picture, but I din't know have to carry this on the plane, so I have to wait until he has time to come out to my place. Can you believe I haven't hung this on the wall yet? It is still on the floor. This reminds me that I have haven't finish a Precious Moment wedding stitch picture. It was suppose to be for my wedding, but my wedding has since passed. I will eventually get back to it, but not now. Now I feel guilty for neglecting my other hobbies. I start stitching back in my college days when my college roommate shown me how to stitch. When I first make cards, I did stitched cards because I didn't know how to "really" stamp yet. There is still a lot to learn on stamping as there is so many techniques to learn, but I am glad to see that I am improving and trying some new techniques once in awhile.

Have a wonderful Mother's Day to all the fabulous mothers out there! I may or may not be posting tomorrow. I am trying to do some ATC cards for a ATC swap I signed up for, but I am just being lazy these few days. I guess somethings, we have to take a break, even if it's good thing.

Magnet Bookmarks

2008-05-08T21:42:00.008-07:00

Have you guys seen magnet bookmarks at Barnes and Noble, Borders, Amazon which costs quite a bit depending on the designs. Well, I have purchased a pack of three over 2 years ago for $3.00 and it isn't even as nice as those that are out now. I was looking in my crafting magazine for quick and simply inspiration and the magnet bookmark caught my eye as it was used to bookmark a page inside the magazine. I know most of us use post-it tabs to mark of our favorite page in a magazine or just fold the page, but why ruin your magazine or book, including cookbooks or favorite recipe card or page. I used my expensive magnet bookmarker to bookmark a favorite project page. How clever is that and it is re-usable as the post-it tab looses its stickiness and people usually trash it after they are done marking that page. We have to think recycle nowadays, but with $1.00 and up magnets, who can afford this. The ladybug bookmark on the left is the one I purchased from the bookstore and the one I did is the one on the right. It was like a 2 minute project. Just cut the 2 half inch magnet strips, cut a piece of cardstock and make to line folds. Stick the magnets on each end of the cardstock as shown. I stamped the ladybug on a red cs then cut it out and glued it onto the bookmark. I suggest getting the really strong bond magnet strips (don't buy the ones in the rolls as it will not bond together once the magnets are stuck to the cs that well because the rolled magnet makes a curve to the magnet). You can buy this at Michaels, Joann's, Hobby Lobby, or any craft store. I got mines from Wal-Mart, but I don't think it is as strong of a bond magnet as the one from the retailer. I will have to go to Michaels or Joann's to get the really strong bond magnets. Make sure you test the bonding of the magnets before sticking it on the cardstock. I tested the bond and once I have stuck it to the cardstock, it didn't bond together, so I have to rotate the magnet and finally it bonded together. This is probably around a $0.15 or less project as I only used small pieces of magnet and cardstock. That is a total saving and you can get really creative with this as you can do any design and size. This is just my sample to show you as I was just experimenting to see if this is going to be a fast and easy project and it is. I am sure all the crafty people out there are going to make more beautiful bookmarks then what I am showing here. Once I have time more time, I will send all the avid book/magazine readers (you know who you are) some bookmarks or just leave me a comment and I will send you some. I love to share what I made and currently I have only been sharing it with my friends and family because I don't feel confident enough to share or sell my work. There are just so much more experienced and talented artist out there and I am still a novice searching for my talent if I have any. This is just a relaxing, fun, "my time" hobby for me as I don't want to be pressured or stress out over this otherwise it will not be fun for me anymore and I will have to trash this already expensive hobby. LOL

I planned on showing you my little cat's talent, he fetches toy cats. He just loves them, but today he didn't feel like performing when I got my camcorder out to video tape him. I'll try it tomorrow, but here is a shot of Lay, "King of the House". He is really the King of this house as my DH and I spoils him. He is very smart, brave, devilish, lovable, outspoken, well-tempered, and very alert of his enviroment. He cheers me up whenever I am down or sad.

Recipe:

Stamp: unknow maker of the ladybug

Ink: Memories Black ink

Paper: American Craft and red cs

Accessories: glue and self stick magnets

Think Pink... and Summer

2008-05-07T20:09:00.007-07:00

Just made this quick card for today. I needed to play with the new toys I just bought. Monday's challenge on the Hero Arts Blog was to do something with the color pink. I just got my new swiss dots embossing folder (this folder is just so elegant and pretty) for my cuttlebug and I just couldn't wait to play. I didn't use any Hero Arts stamp on this card, but I will on the next card. Just wanted to do something pink and off course one of my favorite color combo is pink and brown. I pull out the JudiKins's Hibiscus stamp out. Hibiscus just reminds me of Hawaii and my family's first summer vacation trip to Hawaii. Doesn't everybody need a nice relaxing vacation away from our daily busy schedule. What a nice stamp to use right now as it feels like summer over here in Arizona.

I went to Michaels because they are 50% coupons for this week. I purchased some prima flowers, the Martha Stewart bird stamps (50% off), and some circle and square piercing templates as suggested by Melanie Muenchinger (a talented and out of the box creative artist) who got the idea from Jody Morrow (TexasJodyLynn on SCS, another talented lady). Since it was only a couple of bucks, why not make the investment and try it out. She is such an enabler and I just love her work. I will have to try this new toy on my next project.

I also got some stamps to use for Father's Day. I love this stamp for a long long time, but didn't want to buy it. Finally, broke down and purchased it. I just mail out my Mother's Day cards to my Mom off course and my two sister-in-laws whom are the sisters I never had. Sorry, I didn't get to make more cards to send to my wonderful and cherished family and friends. Have a wonderful Mother's Day to all the mothers, I should be back blogging before this Sunday. Hopefully, I will be a mother to a baby by next Mother's Day. Crossing my fingers, LOL. I guess I am a partial mother, I am a mom to my 4 cats. LOL. I think I should get a Mother's Day card also.

Recipe:

Stamp: JudiKins Hibiscus and See D's Phrase

Ink: Brillance Pearlescent Coral and Versafine Onyx Black

Paper: White, brown, and pink cs

Accessories: brown satin ribbon, white inkssential pen, black pen, red pen, cuttlebug, swiss dots embossing folder, scalloped circle punch, fiskar circle template, x'mas red stickles

Cat Fight...You're Mine

2008-05-07T09:12:00.008-07:00

I made this card Monday night, but was too tired to upload and yesterday I was just beat. The tabby woke me up before dawn and I was at the clinic all day and was so exhausted that I went to bed by 9 o'clock. This card is so representative of my cats, but DH says the black cat should be the one on top of the tree doing the teasing and the white cat on the bottom looking and the yellow/orange tabby scratching/climbing the tree. I have to agree, but mostly the tabby is the most annoying and wants to get into fights with the other cats. The white cat really detest the tabby, that each time the tabby comes near him, he hisss... at him and paws him and obviously the tabby doesn't like that so the fighting beginnings. My DH favors the 2 older cats because they have been with my DH for over 10 years, thus seniority plays a huge roll in this house. There's sibling rivarly in the house almost every day. Too much testosterone in the house as they are all male.

I colored the image with prisma color pencils and just did simple layering. Nothing extra except to add the ribbon and the paper slider for the sentiment, "Your Mine". I didn't have "Going Getta", so I improvised.

Recipe:
Stamp: Magenta, unknow clear acrylic sentiment

Paper: brown, black, white cs

Ink: Colorbox sky blue , Versafine Onyx and Sepia

Accessories: prismacolor pencils, clear copic spica pen, cuttlebug and slider die cut, ribbon, sponge.

Shadow Box

2008-05-03T22:42:00.003-07:00

I saw Carolyn King's shadow box tutorial and wanted to try it. Carolyn is another talented artist who I visit her blog frequently. There is no stamping involved, but very time consuming to put all the little pieces together. I did a flower shop window display of flower pots. The awning is made from the corner punch. I don't have a rotary scalloped cutter and I hate using the fiskar scalloped scissors or I better start learning to use them. I hate them because I can never cut a straight line, but the fiskar website has suggested to draw a straight line on the back of the paper and then cut. I prefer the corner punch better. I punched out the flowers in various colors, flower pots and drew a line, and bamboo as flower stems. I added buttons and circles that are colored with various spica copic pens and added crystal effect on top. The card looks so plain right now, I wanted to stamp a bee and the sentiment "have a beautifu (bee-utiful) day" on top of the flower pots to fill in the empty spaces. I think that is what is missing besides having a name for the flower shop. I looked in the Stampendous website under the Bee Happy collection, but can't find it. If you know where I can get those stamps to complete this project, let me know. This was a fun project. The men in my house said this is an ok card as it is too flowery and femine for them. I take all comments, good and bad because I am still learning and developing my paper crafting skills.

I think this is it for this weekend as I need to replicate the Thomas Kinkade and shadow box cards to sell for the "Hope for Cat" cat shelter.

Thanks for looking.

Recipe:

Paper: American Craft dp, Brazzil purple, red, brown, and green cs

Accessories: small flower, flower pot, bamboo, corner, and circle punches, flower brads, mini buttons, spica copic pens, brown ink pen, crystal effect

Mother's Day Card

2008-05-03T11:16:00.003-07:00

I finally decided on my mother's day card. This is it. I had this stamp over half a year now and finally inked it up. There were so much details on it that I thought I won't be able to color it. This stamp is from Cornish Heritage Farms, Thomas Kinkade Series called "Make a Wish Cottage". I colored this image with prismacolor pencils a few days ago. Last night I decided to just make a simple layered card, thus the focus is on the image. I don't think I did justice to the actual Thomas Kinkade painting. Have a nice weekend.

Recipe:
Stamp: Cornish Heritage Farms Thomas Kinkade Make a wish cottage, savvy stamps sentiment
Ink: Vesafine Olympia Green, Memories Black
Paper: Brazzil purple, white, and black cs
Accessories: prismacolor pencils

Another Red, White, and Black

2008-05-02T09:24:00.007-07:00

Happy Friday. I made this combining SCS Wednesday's sketch challenge (SC174) and Thursday's ways to use it challenge (WT164, All Ruffled Up). This card looks like the 2 way card below, but can't resist the faux cross stitching (done with my magic white pen) eventhough I did not use the paper piercer (too lazy). I made a mom's day card. I don't really like the pleats I made on the side, thus I added a ribbon to make it less noticable. Another Now, I need to make a few more mother's day cards to make. SCS Friday's Limited Supplies challenge (LS166, Spotlight on Circles). I love making circles. I definite do for this challenge. I only own circle punches, I really need to buy a curvy or other circle cutting machine, so cutting circles, ovals, and other shapes will be a breeze instead of the old fashion way which is trace and cut with scissors. I am over my crafting budget; wait, do I have a crafting budget, DH doesn't impose and doesn't know what I purchase except when the credit card bill comes and I need money to pay for the bill. I really need a paying job to feed my addiction.

Have a wonderful weekend. I feel like BBQing, but we don't even have a BBQ grill and our backyard is still bare except for the 8 palm trees and the weeds (trying to get it under control). Can you believe we have been living in our house for 3 years and still no backyard landscaping done and probably won't have it done for another 2 years. We did our front yard because the HOA requires us to do it and we didn't have it done until 6 months after we move in. I accept all donations to help speed up the process of getting my backyard landscaped. LOL

Recipe:
Stamps: Hero Arts and unknown clear acrylic "Happy Mother's Day"
Ink: Memories Black dye ink and Marvy Crimson Lake ink
Paper: White, Black, and Red cs and white tissue paper
Accessories: Marvy scalloped oval punches, ribbon, inkessential white pen, black pen, ribbon, red copic spica pen

Red, Black, and White

2008-05-01T10:11:00.007-07:00

It's May already. Where did the time go? It is feeling like summer over in Arizona already. The weather is usually in the 90's right now. It's making me feel lazy, but this is month end, so I have a lot of entries to do for the clinic. I did this card 2 nights ago, but haven't have time to share. I am currently in love with the Faith Hofrichter's (aka markie's mom on SCS) use of white pen. I frequent Faith's blog a lot, she is so creative and does magic with the white pen. Look at all my faux stitching all done by a simple white pen. I have to do faux stitching because I don't have a sewing machine and I don't know how to sew. I took home ed like 17 years ago in junior high, so I have no idea. Hmm, should I invest in a small craft sewing machine or a heavy duty sew machine and learn how to sew for real? What do you guys think? I know everybody's mom probably has a sewing machine laying around. That reminds me of yesterday when I was at the clinic and Dr. Hinh asked me where I want to go on vacation. I told him vacation for me will be at my parents house, back in California, because my mom does everything for me and I don't have to worry about a thing except to get up and enjoy the day with my nieces, Audrey and Charolette and the rest of my family. I doesn't get any better than that.

Anyways, back to the card, this card is from Monday's SCS challenge, TLC166, Two Way Open card. It is actually an easy card to do. There is very little stamping involved on mycard. You can find the pattern for this card over at SCS. I used my cuttlebug swirl folder and butterfly embosser and die cut. The flower is from "Hot Off the Press" folding template. You just trace, cut, and fold to make it into a flower. I stamped dots on my flower with VersaMark. I added bling (acrylic gems) on my butterfly and a black big brad on the flower. I add a black photo corner holder with white brad on the corner to hold the card closed. Everything else is the done with the wonderful white pen, a little black pen for contrast. Love this tool right now! There is one more layer opening to this card which I didn't take a photo of which is to flip the white cardstock up.

I am almost finish with Wednesday's SCS challenge, SC174 (long card) and saw Thursday's SCS challenge, WT164, All Ruffled Up, thus I will be combining the two challenges. I should have this posted tomorrow if not later today if I have time to play. I need to do Mother's Day cards, any suggestions or ideas?

Got to get back to my boring work of data entries. Have a wonderful day and enjoy May.

What Kind of Shoes Are You?

2008-04-28T15:57:00.002-07:00

You Ar Clogs

You are a solid and down to earth person.
You seek â€“ and almost always achieve â€“ a really sound balance in your life.

You are stylish yet comfortable. Mellow but driven. Excited yet calm.
You are the perfect mesh of contradictions.

No matter what happens, you have the ability to stay well grounded in your life.
People know that they can truly depend on you.

You should live: In Europe

You should work: At a company dedicated to helping the world

What Kind of Shoe Are You?

This is a lazy warm day for me. I went for a walk around the mall. I am taking a break from papercafting today. Just want to enjoy the day.

Happy 70th Birthday - Hugs to You

2008-04-27T18:03:00.004-07:00

I made this for Terry, YuRee putted in a requested on SCS "Need a Lift Forum". She needed 70 cards for her father's 70th birthday. YuRee said her father's tag line is "I need a hug" thus this is what I made. The stamp is from Gina K, "You know you are old when..." set and the sentiment is from Penny Black. I have been admiring Faith Hofrichter aka Markie's Mom on SCS. Check out her cards, it is awesome. I love how she used the white gel pen (Signo pen) on the borders of all her cards. I love it and wanted to try it and I tried it here. Mines off course its as complicated as Faith's cards. I don't make many masculine cards. I hope this doesn't look feminine.

I hope everybody had a wonderful weekend. My DH and I went out fishing at Tempe Town Lake with our friends this weekend. We caught some touts and a carp. The weather is getting warmer over in Arizona. It will start to get HOT in mid-May. TFL

Recipe:

Stamps: Gina K and Penny Black

Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black, Colorbox Red Lipstick and Chocolate

Paper: Espresso DCVW cs, Olive Brazzil cs, Light blue cs, and Basic Grey dp

Accessories: prismacolor pencils, cuttlebug slider die cut, ribbon, crystal effect, clear copic spica pen.

Yesterday was VMAA

2008-04-27T17:36:00.007-07:00

Yesterday night was the Virtual Meeting of the A Muse Addicts which I missed! Today, I made it up and was only able to play for a little while as I have to make time to post the challenges. I did two challenges. A Muse stamps are so cute. I got hook on them a year ago. They are so fun and simple to play with.

The Challenge #4: Saturday Night Fever , which was to use only black and white. I used the A Muse animal acrylic stamps, the cow and the sentiment. I did my own background by making cow prints. I punched out two photo corners and decorate on with black brads and the other is stamped with the "holy cow" sentiment. I recyled the cripple black cs which was from the incense boxes.

The Challenge #3: Do the Hustle Challenge, which was a sketch challenge. I used the Elzybells stamp, "Girl in car". I stamped her twice, one in white cs and the other one in left over scrap dp. Cut out the car from the dp and glue it on the white cs. Use the left over black cs as the road by adding white lines. The sentiment is from Penny Black.

I am glad I was able to play even though it is only for a little while. I will be doing the other challenges when I have more time to play. Thanks for looking.

Flower Butterfly

2008-04-25T16:56:00.005-07:00

I was at Stamp Works yesterday to find inspiration, see Nic, and buy a few things. I wanted to do some quick cards that I can give in packs as gifts. Nic showed me a sample card she did in one of her make n' take and I totally have to CASE'D it. It was so easy and fast. I am thinking of donating my handmade cards to our local no kill cat policy shelter, "Hope for Cats" for them to sale to get some funding. This is where we adopted Shui Di and Rusty. We have been donating dry cat food and liter every week to help, but I thought this may bring in extra money for all the vet bills, foods, and liter expenses.

During this week's stamping, I found the Brilliance Graphite Black ink comes off the acrylic, mounted, and unmounted stamps so easy unlike the Stazon Black or Memories Black dye ink which I have to really scrub the stamp to get it clean and I have to clean it right away otherwise the stamp is stained. I have a few stamps that are stained because I was too lazy to clean it right away. Before, I usually use the Versafine Onyx Black or the Stazon Black, but now I am always reaching for the Brilliance Graphite Black. For fine detail stamps, I would still use the Versafine. This is my two cents.

Recipe:

Stamp: Stampendous "Flower Butterfly", See D's sentiments

Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black.

Paper: White and Scarlet Red cs

Accessories: prismacolor pencils, diamond stickles, odorless mineral spirits, paper piercer, mat, and grey souffle sakura pen

Lots of Goodies to Show

2008-04-23T14:34:00.008-07:00

Update, Lay and Kutsu is almost fully recovered, they are both back to doing their routine activities. Thank goodness. I am home for another day. Last night we locked our bedroom door, so the two younger cats can't come in and bother us. I got a long and restful sleep, no disturbance throughout the entire night.

I got lots of goodies for my Color Me Happy (CMH) swap Sister on SCS. I altered the Target mailbox to incorporate her colors and used my left over dp. I wouldn't tell you what her colors are otherwise she will know who she is. I made her a card also. The stamps are from A Muse. I am planning to use this set for my Asian ATC swap also. I really like the sentiment from this stamp set, "Roll with it", sometimes this is just how life is. I hope my CMH sister like what I got for her. I wanted to do this for awhile now and finally got around to doing it. I have been meaning to send out "Need a Lift" cards. Why not give others a lift and a smile for a day with cards. Today is SCS Sketch Challenge, SC173. This is what I made, I am sending this to Shelly. Her friend Tammy putted a request on the SCS Need a Lift forum. Shelly is battling breast cancer. The stamp is from Gina K "Make a Wish" Stamp for a Cause set. I purchase the handmade velvet dp papers from Costco for awhile now. Finally got around to using it. Love all that stickle, but you probably can't see it unless you enlarge the card.

TFL. I am off to making another "Need a Lift" card for a 70th B-day card. YuRee putted a request for her father's 70th birtday, to shower him with 70 cards.

Welcome Lil' Cutie

2008-04-22T08:58:00.004-07:00

I did this card last night. I am so exhausted today. My two younger cats have been a tick for the last two nights. I kept waking up because Shui Di kept playing with the blinds until I finally kicked him out of the room then Rusty stepped on my body. Thus kicked both of them out of my room. Stupid me forgot to lock my room and Shui Di has this talent of opening doors, thus both of the cats came back in. Shui Di went and played with the blinds again. Finally, kicked him out and lock the door. After that, I haven't been able to go back to sleep and it is already 7:00AM, so time to wake up. I am still home today to keep an eye on Lay and Kutsu, they look better. This also means more time to stamp.

Ok, back to my card. This is for the Gina K's April Release Challenge #1 by Carolyn King on SCS. Did another baby cute with the Gina K's "Stamp for a Cause" set. I got to play with my Gina K stamps a lot more. I purchased 4 sets already and barely inked any of them. I am drooling over the new sets, but I already spent TOO... much in stamping supplies this month. I need some self control. I will have to wait till next month. I love the peace and comfort and the hip-hop accessories sets the most. I am not much of an owl person, but love the branches and flowers on the branches. I love their new bling (screw brads) also.

I think I am going to use my Gina K stamps all this week to celebrate their April's new release sets. Counting the days till next month...10 days and counting till I can buy the new stamp sets.

Recipe:

Stamps: Gina K's "Stamp for a Cause", Memory box for sentiment

Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black, French Blue Colorbox

Paper: white, light yellow bazzill, dp (purchased in Joann's), cirtus, light blue

Accessories: cuttlebug tag die cut, prima flower, drew drops, light blue velvet ribbon, Marvy Giga scalloped circle punch, white pen, piercing tool, prismacolor pencil, baby oil, and clear copic spica pen

Techniques: faux thread and gamsol technique

Baby Gift Card Holder

2008-04-21T14:04:00.008-07:00

Happy Monday. I am home for today. Lay and Kutsu seems better, but still have runny nose. Still need to monitor them to make sure everything is ok. Finish running errands today and went to the public library to borrow some books. I have decided to use my public library again, its been awhile since I have been there. I need to use the resources that are available to me. Why buy books and waste money when I only read them once. The library is just so close to my house, so there isn't any excuse for me to not use my library.

Monday's new technique is to make a gift card holder, TLC165. I combined TLC165 with Gina K's April Release Challenge #2 (sketch) on SCS. The gift card holder turned out to be so CUTE. Jim and I are so behind in sending a gift to our friends who have their first baby in early February. I used Gina K's "How sweet it is", a Cause for a Cure set which the company donates a portion of the sale of this set to the diabetes foundations. Using my left over dp scrap paper which I have for over a year now. I stamped the image and sentiment with Brilliance Graphite Black ink and colored with prismacolor pencil and used the gamsol technique. Instead of using OMS, I used baby oil since it was ready available in my craft area. I used my clear copic spica pen to make the image glitter/shimmer. Wow, what a difference this pen makes. Love this pen! I have 4 other colors and still have to buy the other 8 colors. I putted dew drops on top of the baby blue velvet ribbon. The inside of the gift card is very simple, just added dp inside. This gift card was so easy to make.

TFL.

Card Holder Box

2008-04-20T20:29:00.009-07:00

I am so productive today. I finished a card holder box which I am filling it with some cards I already made. I am planning to give it to a few people as gifts. I think I can put about 5 or 6 cards inside the box for other people to use for "Thank you" or "Birthday" or just a quick "Hi". I got the box template from A Muse Addict Message Borad by Geeta Sugg. She made it to hold A Amuse cards which is 41/2 x 4 1/2 but standard A2 cards are 41/4 x 5 1/2, so I change the measurements to fit my cards. I stamped the red cardstock with Brillance Black ink pad and embossed it with clear embossing powder (ep). The stamps are from Hero Arts BG Silhouette on the bottom half of the box and the cover is a stamp from Stampendous. I used the round corner punch. I added velcro so you can open and close the box and velcro was the cheapest way to make closers. This was actually quite easy. No embellishment on this one as this was my first one, maybe the next time.

I made this card to go into the card holder box. I decided to do some simple cards. I got this stamp yesterday at Stamp Works. The stamp is from Inkadinkado. Another silhouette stamp. The sihouette stamps are ready popular right now. Almost everything stamp company has a few that just came out. I just stamped the image 3 times in 3 different colors (Marvy ink pads), but 2 of the colors are so much similar, you probably can't see it here. I stamped the butterfly a couple of times, cutted them out, added rhinestones on them, and sticked them on the card. I also used my paper piercing tool to make some holes on the bottom where the birthday sentiment is, but you probably can see them, but as a butterfly trail.

This is all for today. I have some more cards I have to make on a few more challenges on SCS.

See you later this week. Have a good work week.

Hippy B-Day Giraffe

2008-04-20T11:45:00.006-07:00

I have been waking up early for the last couple of weeks and today is no exception. Shiu Di was playing with our bedroom blinds. Lay and Kutsu is still sick. Lay is feeling better, but Kutsu still have runny nose and nasal congestation. If he doesn't get better by tomorrow, I will have to take him to the vet to get some medication. It's funny how everybody talks about their children this way, but for me, I talk about my cats. They are my only children until I get pregnant again.

Since, I got up so early, I was able to do Artfully Ila's candy blog sketch challenge this morning. I have so much left over scrap papers, I decided to use up some of my scrap papers and since tonight is Gina K's 4 new set release and one of the new set is going to be "Hip-Hop Accessories", merger of the Hippy and Hoppy sets (baby hippies and hoppies); thus what a better way then to use my Hippy sets (Melanie Muenchinger is the designer for the "hippy & hoppy" set, so check out her wonderful and creative work). I got out the giraffe, the heart ballon, and the "Hippy Birthday" sentiment. I used the masking technique and stamp the ballon twice. I drew 2 lines (ballon string) with my black pen to make it look like the giraffe is holding them by his tail. I colored the giraffe and the ballons with prismacolor pencils, no gamsol this time, just color pencils. I just bought the dew drops from Nicolette at Stamp Works yesterday as well some new stamp sets. She had this stuff for a long while now, but never knew how to use them until I see everybody else using them on their cards. I added prima flowers on the corner and a yellow button in the middle of the flower.

Jim's been telling me my cards are more SOLID and he doesn't like it because it no longer looks like a card. I ask for explanation and what he meant is that my cards have too many layers, embellishments, and etc and that it no longer looks like a card where it is suppose to be simple... one or two layers and minimal embellishments if any. Jim did say my cards are getting better in coloring, color coordination, and overall presentation. That is a compliment from him. I have been challenging my creativity by doing a lot of challenges from SCS and other blogs.

TFL (thanks for looking) and I hope to get some more paper projects done today.

Hugs to You

2008-04-18T12:54:00.005-07:00

Yesterday night before going to bed, I was able to see SCS's Friday challenge, Limited Supplies (LS164-Long Tall Sally). This morning, my goal was to do this challenge and maybe incorporate other SCS's challenges from this week. When I am done with my card, I did challenges SC172 and WT62-Acrylics instead. My card is 4x81/2, but I added design pattern paper and maybe too much layers and embellishments, thus disqualify from completing LS164 challenge requirements. Most of the stamps are from Great Impressions April Month stamps (bird, nest and vine stamps). The sentiment "hugs to you" is from Hero Arts. I used my cuttlebug swirl folder. I added acrylic red gems and pink flower from Heidi Swapp. I added a button and thread in the middle. I pop up the bird and the eggs in the nest with foam. I colored in the leaves in the vine with green souffle gel pen. I colored the image with Twinkling H2O which gives it a little shimmer. I distress the edges. The dp is from DCVW, the Christmas dp slab.

I had problem uploading the baby shoes picture. I made this last weekend. The baby shoes template is from SCS's Barbra1224 . I wanted to do this for awhile now. I made this for Charlotte, my newest niece. I have to mail this out to her parents which I haven't have the time to do yet.

Busy Week

2008-04-17T22:55:00.005-07:00

I had a busy week this week. I haven't have time to play. I did something last Sunday, but haven't have time to upload. I will do it tomorrow when I have get some time to play. I want to do this week's SCS challenges. Maybe I will have some time tomorrow.

My cats have been sick, first it was Rusty which was sick about 2 weeks ago, then he passed on to Shui Di, and now it is Lay and Kutsu. They have been really needy for the past month since Rusty got injured which cost me an arm and leg on the vet bill. Shui Di pushed Rusty off from the play tree while Rusty was asleep and he landed hard on the carpet. He was having problems walking, so we took him to the vet. Likely, his left hind leg was just bruised and sored, and nothing serious. Rusty is fine now, but hasn't went up to the play tree or anywhere really high since his accident. He started playing with his mice and running around the house again which is good new. Right after his accident, he got sick, sneezing quite a bit. We thought he has allegeries since it is Spring, but he stopped after 3 days and then Shui Di started sneezing and this is when we knew the "cat flu" is being passed around. Kutsu has been very needy, he actually slept with us on our bed yesterday. He usually doesn't sleep with us nowadays. I don't think Kutsu got much sleep and he looked sick and so does Lay. Lay was sleeping quietly by himself all day for the last three days now. Lay usually like to bother us and scratch the blinds and "meows" to go out or to get some attention, but he hadn't done that for the last few days. I worry for Lay and Kutsu because they are so much older than the other two and they look miserable. I have to keep my eyes on them to make sure they are ok.

On Tuesday, I had jury duty. I didn't get selected to be a juror, but the people next to me all got selected. Thank goodness, but I wouldn't have minded, but the case was expected to last to the end of April (12 day trial). It was boring and I actuallly spent a whole day for jury service as I was selected to be on a jury panel for a criminal case (murder case) and the judge asked some questions which there were quite a few answers, thus took a whole day.

I have started going to work with Jim a few days a week to save some trees and to keep myself busy.

Window View

2008-04-13T09:16:00.006-07:00

Another early morning for me, but not as early as yesterday. Today, my youngest cat, Rusty decided to wake me up and get me out of bed by stepping on top of my body. I got some chores done and got to finish my card which I started yesterday. This is my first try after getting a lesson from Nic, Stamp Works, on this product from one of her make n' trade cards. This stuff is called Flower Soft, an England manufacturer and it is so fun to play ith. You just put some craft glue on wherever you want to put the flower soft on and pour or use your fingers and put the flower soft on top of the image and shake off the excess. Make sure you let it the glue dry first before shaking off the excess. It gives it a 3-D effect. You probably can't see it in this picture, but you can see it in my close up picture of this product. Isn't it gorgeous? I wanted to pop up the flower pot, but I already putted the flower soft on the image, so I decided to add a blue bird and pop it to give it a more complete look. I probably should have added some more embellishments like brads or something on the card, it just look so plain right now. I will try another one on a later day.

I don't really like this asian fan iris fold ATC, not the iris folding put, but the overall ATC card. I did an UGLY card, but I will share with you anyways. This is my first try outside of class. It should be for cards, but I signed up for an Asian ATC swap at SCS, so I thought this should be fun and creative to do. I used my expensive origami paper, per 6x6 piece is $0.50/$0.60 each to do the iris folds. I colored the fan handle with my gold spica copic pen (I got some more colors just the other day from Stamp Works, they finally have more in) and added crystal effect. I think I am going to change the white cardstock to black or a dp and do better work on the gold marker outline, LOL. I will show you another picture of the iris fold once I have decided what changes to make.

It has been really nice in Arizona, the weather is warm, not HOT! Get out and enjoy spring.

SCS Weekly Challenges

2008-04-12T10:07:00.006-07:00

The weekend is here, but unfortunately, my two younger cats woke me up REALLY early this morning. I went to my craft area to play. I want to combine most of this weeks challenge into one card. I have never combined so many challenges into one card and since I I haven't been playing with SCS's challenges for awhile now, I thought this will be a good chance to do it now. This week's SCS challenges are Try a New Technique, TLC163, Stacked Ribbons; Card Sketch, SC 171; Ways to Use It, WT161, eyelets; and Limited Supplies, LSC163, DIY DP.

I wanted to play with my new Penny Black hedgehog which I have purchased for awhile now and haven't got to inking it. I used the gamsol technique with is coloring my image with prismacolor pencils and then rub the images using stumps and odorless mineral spirits. I liked the Hanko flower stamp, so I decided to make my own DP, by stamping pink Colorbox ink on white cardstock. I don't really like to work with eyelets, but this was extremely easy, just added on the lounging chair where the screws usually are placed on a lounging chair. I distressed the ovals and edged the dp,ovals, and lime green circle ribbon with pink Colorbox ink. I stacked pink w/red circle ribbon on top of the lime green circle ribbon. That it, this was a really easy to make.

I am going to be going to Stamp Works, my local stamp store where I buy tons of my stamping and crafting supplies from for the last year and a half. I I have been spending less this year because I haven't been playing much, but also not much spare money. Nicolette, the owner has a make n' take for $2 on Saturdays. I also take classes there. I just took an iris folding class. I had never took it before and it is really easy and fun. I did an asian fan artist trade card (ATC) for a swap. It takes awhile to make, but very fun! I will upload it tomorrow or next week. Nic's store gets really crowded on Saturdays especially with her make n' take and classes. I support my local craft stores rather than the big stores unless it is for a really big purchase which I use the coupons for. For those of you who knows me, you know I know all about the mom & pop stores that doesn't make it because of the big chain stores. Have a good weekend!

Acetate Collage Cards

2008-04-09T08:47:00.010-07:00

Happy Wednesday, I stayed up late yesterday to get a sneak peek of the Gina K's new stamps. They are fabulous and I love Gina's new line concept, love the stories behind the cards and stamps. Can't wait till mid-night, April 10th to view the stamps in her online store.

I will be heading off to Xpedex in Tempe to see what I can grab as they are discounting their craft department. They are a paper store, but I go their to buy their stamps and inks. They have the best price in town. I am SOoooo SAD they will no longer sell the craft items, but I guess it will be good for my pocketbook. I am wondering if I can use my 20% off card in addition to the 30% sale they are having. This will be an AWESOME bargain if they do. I will have to see when I go there after this blog entry.

Now onto my cards. Yesterday, I was playing the Hero Arts Blog weekly challenge. I combined last week's challenge of using acetate and this week's challenge of using collages. I used the Hero Arts collage stamps and swirls. This is actually the first time a made an acetate card, so thanks Hero Art for the challenge to get me to try a new techniques and to use my acetate/transparency paper and glitter mist. I brayered the white glossy using the kaleidacolor ink pad with a brayer and stamped the collage image stamp with black dye ink. I stamped twice and cutted our the butterfly so I can pop it up. Color the butterfly with the gold copic spica pen. Currently, I only have that color. Stamped the swirl around the edges of the acetate.

This one I also used Monday's Try a New Technique, on SCS, TLC163, Stacked Ribbon as the Hero Arts acetate and collage challenge. I so love to play with my cuttlebug. I embossed the front card with the embossed swirl folder. I stamped the collage in white stazon on acetate and then stamped again in the brayered white glossy paper in black dye ink. I just layer the acetate on top of the glossy paper and attached crystal brads to hold them together. I popped the word "Create". I layered the ribbons with black on the bottom and multi-color on the top. I got those ribbons for $1 dollar and the embossed swirl folder for 1/2 off at Michaels, they are having a huge craft blow out this week.

Thanks for looking, now off to Xpedex to see what I can grab.

Monthly Card Swap

2008-04-08T17:06:00.010-07:00

I am currently in a monthly card swap which consist of 6 people per group, hosted by Melissa Craig from SCS. Each month the hostess will send out an image and designer paper (dp) for the other 5 people in the group to use on their cards. Embellishments are optional. Finally, got the time to upload my monthly swap cards.

This one is from February. It is quite plain, but love the scalloped circle, reminds me of a flower with the circle. I used bazzill cs and my giga scalloped Marvy punch. The bee image (Stampendous), dp and eyelets were provided by the hostess. Truthfully, I don't like to work with the eyelets as I don't like the pounding I have to do because I don't have the pink or green dile setter which everybody has these days. I don't have the money to invest in this think yet. It's on my wishlist, but my wishlist is currently very long, LOL.

This was the March swap. I also have this spa bella image. Bought it awhile ago. Makes me envy those ladies who can afford spa treats like this where you get pampered like a queen. I am trying to use up all my old cardstocks which a purchased at my local Xpedex store before buy new ones. I have purchased a few (wink.. wink) packs which consisted of 250 cardstocks (cs). When am I ever going to finish using these things, LOL. I cheated already as I purchased new bazzill cs in January. The hostess for March was really generous, she gave us so much goodies. I added faux crystal, paper flower, and lime green brad. Another simple card for me. I haven't really been creating anything the last two months.

Finally, my April card. This dog (Penny Black) image is just so cute. I love the designer paper (dp) also. It is just so fun to do this card. I used the gamsol technique to color the dog, which is prisma color pencils and odorless mineral spirits. I finally purchased some embossing folders from Michaels last Sunday for 50% off. Finally, I get to play with my cuttlebug. I purchased the cuttlebug in January and never touched it until now. Shame on me as it was a big investment. I paid $60, including shipping for this thing as it is now $40 at Michael because of the 50% sale. Anyways, like I said, trying hard to use up all my old cs, my prism flowers and brads, so I can buy MORE new ones, LOL.

I need a job to feed my stamping, crafting addiction.

What a Lame Blogger....

2008-04-07T20:30:00.003-07:00

I am such a lame blogger. I haven't been stamping or crafting for almost 2 months except to do my monthly card swap. I am feeling so much better after my miscarriage. I finely got the "all clear" after 1 1/2 month of going to the lab to get my blood withdrawal every week to test my HCG level. I am back in action and getting my groove back. I just finish reorganizing my craft space and finish my month card swap for April. I have a lot of stamping and crafting to catch up on as I spent quite a bit of money on the cuttlebug embossing folders and dies at Michaels on Sunday because of their "BLOWOUT SALE". I finally get to use my cuttlebug. I had bought it 3 months ago and never play with it because I didn't have any embossing folders. I have so many new stamps I haven't ink yet.

I will be uploading some of the cards I made within the following days.

Thanks for looking at my blog. Leave me a message at the below link to tell me what you guys are up to.

I'm Back

2008-03-15T10:07:00.002-07:00

Just letting everybody know I am still here. I have taken some time off from stamping, crafting, and blogging, but I am back. It has been a very painful and rough month for me and I am slowly healing each day. I am not going to go into details as it is too painful to talk about.
Enjoy the wonderful Spring season.

Happy Chinese New Year

2008-02-11T20:37:00.000-07:00

This is going to be short and sweet. Just got back home from a week of vacation at my parents' place in the bay area. Had a very relaxing time spending it with my family. Didn't get to see any of my friends as a week is just too short, but enjoy every minute of it with my parents and family which is what Chinese New Year is really all about. Happy Chinese New Year! Have a prosperous and healthy 2008.

Penny Black and Whipper Snapper

2008-01-29T12:59:00.000-07:00

I have been really busy lately with the year-end book closing, completing quarterly taxes, and wrapping things up for the tax season. I also finish sorting, got extra prints for myself and my parents of my wedding reception/banquet. I haven't been able to create for awhile, but finally, finish two more swaps and how 3 more to go I think and one 6 month commitment swap. The Penny Black (PB) and Whipper Snapper (WS) are just two of my favorite companies.

I have the WS stamp for awhile now and haven't have a chance to play with it. This stamp is called "Leah"and she is just so adorable. I just love how the little girl is holding the cat, just like any child holds a pet. I used the gamsol technique with is to color the image in with prisma color pencils and spread the color pencils with odorless mineral oil (OMO) or baby oil using a stump. The layout is SCS's sketch challenge 159. I added cat paws on the side and decided to add some flowers and ribbon.

I just got this PB stamps a couple of weeks ago. The image and the sentiment is both from PB. I had this idea in my head for awhile, but finally get to execute it. I stamped the image and color with tombow markers. I stamp the image twice, used white liquid applique on the sheep, colored the sheep's face with grey marker and cut it out. Used foam tape to tape the face onto the sheep. I used violet Bazzill paper with designer paper, punch out the circles, corner punch the sentiment and add ribbons to each side of the sentiment. I inked the edges of the purple scallop circle and the sentiment with violet Colorbox ink. The layout is SCS's sketch challenge 156.

Baby Cards

2008-01-14T22:37:00.000-07:00

This is going to be a short blog for today as I still have tons of wedding photos to organize, sort, and get extra prints for my parents and to send it to the guests. It's going to be at least a month's project as I have to make "Thank you" cards to be included with the photos. I still have a long list of card swaps I signed up for for the next 3 months and two swaps are due the end of this month and then there's always housework as well as my side job. I need an extra 24 hours in my day.

It's FINALLY out in the MAIL. I finished Audrey's mailbox last week. It is totally a girl thang, look at the colors, the bling, all the floral, and ribbons. I finally finish making a "welcome baby" card for Charlotte, Audrey's new baby sister, but I forgot to take a photo of it before I sent it. I stuff the inside with a pack of accessory stickers and a little tote bag. My husband said Audrey is not old enough to appreciate what you have done, but I know she will LOVE it. I didn't put candies inside because she can get tons of that stuff at my parents' store. This is the front view and the side view of the box.

Here is a baby congratulations card I made last night. I am so late in making these cards, but it is better late than never as the saying goes. I made two of this card, one for my cousin's and one for my friend's new baby boy. This was quick and easy as I totally CASE'D this from a fellow SCS, Bad Sherry http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/767900

Now back to sorting and picking out photos that I want to get extra prints on.

Doritos Nacho Chips

2008-01-13T21:53:00.000-07:00

Here's a story I would love to share with you guys. As most of you know, Lay and Kutsu eat human foods, not just table scraps, but gourmet foods which we buy just for them. I know we spoil them, but they desire it since they are a wonderful addition to our family for over 10 years now. They are our children and they usually get whatever they want. Lay is picky about his food and only likes to lick off the oil of the foods. Last week, I was eatting some Doritos when Lay climbs on my body and in my face smelling the Doritos in my hand. I handed him the piece of chip and he started licking the nacho cheese of the chip. He lick all the nacho cheese favor off the piece of chip. He LOVES this stuff, the nacho cheese, not the chip. Now, whenever I open the Doritos bag, Lay will be right in front of my face, talking about a keen sense of smell! Only problem is that I have to hold the chip between my fingers, but he can't lick the chip of the floor as the chip will move, thus finger licking. Kutsu eats almost any kind of food, he is an expert eater and just loves to eat and sleep nowadays. Yesterday, we gave some Doritos to Kutsu and he ate the entire chip, CRUNCH, CRUNCH, CRUNCH. Kutsu bites and swallows his Dorito, no licking like Lay. I haven't seen Lay and Kutsu so happy with a certain type of food for a long time now. Who would have guess a bag of Doritos could bring such JOY to my cats? This is my story of the day.

My Wedding Reception

2008-01-12T22:14:00.000-07:00

I just received a CD copy of my December 9, 2007 wedding recetion photos from our friend who is also our photographer for the day. My San Francisco wedding reception was held on Sunday, December 9, 2007. It was a very small reception for my side of the family and friends. My wedding colors were gold and red, traditional Chinese wedding colors. I had no wedding theme, but I don't kown if Chinese weddings have themes. Most people does theirs in a Chinese restaurant where it serves a 10 course meal. Jim and I know we wanted to hold it at a chinese restaurant and no catering. It was held at Koi Palace Restaurant in Daly City, CA. The food was wonderful, but the space we got was relatively tight and the service was terrible. We wouldn't have picked this restaurant to hold our reception if it wasn't for the DELICIOUS and AUTHENTIC Chinese food. Since Jim and I love food so much, I was eatting sooo... much that by the 5th or 6th course, I wasn't able to eat another bit and had to miss the rest of the courses.

Our wedding cake was relatively small since we didn't have that many guests, but it looked really good. I loved the gold swirls all around the cake and the red roses on top of the cake as well as the decorated table.

I didn't even touch my bouquet. The bouquet was BEAUTIFUL and love all the golden callie lilies and red roses in it, but I didn't even get to touch it as the bouquet as I had all the flowers sent to the restaurant and I was so busy taking pictures with guests, I forgot all about the bouquet.

My favor was a mini-truffle from Joseph Schmidt which was inside a miniature bamboo steamer. I had such a hard time finding the miniatue in Taiwan, that we also had to change my favor to something else, but finally found it at $1.25/per bamboo. It would have been triple the price to get it in US and I didn't have the budget for it since I also have to get the mini-truffle which cost $1.25 and the personalized ribbons. I hot glued our personalized ribbon and "double happiness" sticker on the bamboo steamer. I got a couple of hot glue finger burns from making them, but it turned out great and the guest loves the truffle inside. I had to admit, I had several of the truffles while I was making the favors. Who could resist chocolate?

The reception tables were beautifully done, I have to "Thank" my florist, Virginia Ho from S&V Collections, for all her hard work in putting everything together for me from the red roses cake topper, cake table, the photo area setup, the chair covers and red sashes, and table center pieces. You made my night happened and I didn't have to sweat about anything. I would recommend you to anybody for their wedding.

We were very happy we had a very small reception as we would not have been able to pull it off. Our saving is totally depleted, but it was a wonderful, beautiful, and cozy reception. Now it is time to make "Thank-you" cards and to print out photos to send to my guest. I would truly like to thank all my family for making this happen since I live in Arizona and everything needs to be done in California. Through the endless emails and phone calls, thank you Marisa, Wellman, Yan Kiu, Peter, Ivan, Mom, and Dad for making this a very special event for me and Jim. I love you and misses all of you dearly.

Card and ATC Swaps

2008-01-10T12:07:00.000-07:00

I have finally decided after finishing these 3 card swaps (below) which are due next week that I will not sign up for anymore swaps. When I was doing these cards, I felt I am not doing my best and just trying to hurry up to get it done to meet the deadline. I felt this is unfair for the other swappers to get lousy cards and I felt this isn't really me and my work. I always try to do my best in my projects. I didn't feel this way before when I started swaping, buy lately the swaps are making me feel like it is another thing on my list of "To-Do-Items"and not something I enjoy doing. I am also feeling guilty lately for being so behind on making "Welcome baby" and "Thank You" cards for my family and friends, but rather make these cards, which are on my "To-Do-List" that I must get done. I hate to back out on any swaps that I have signed up for because I have committed myself to do and hate to let others down when I can really do it if I better manage my time. So from today forward until after the tax season, no more new swaps ( I am in some swaps until July 2008). I am not very happy with all the cards and only if you can see it in person, you will see all the mistakes I made. For the swappers that receive my cards/atc, I am sorry for my lousy job.

This card is for a SCS kid theme swap. I have this stamp since last fall, but haven't used it on any card projects. These are Stampendous stamps called "Ollie Pirate" and "Ahooooy There Matey". Lately, I am in love with brown and other color combinations. Embellishments: ribbon which I got from Target for very cheap price (after Christmas sale, 75% off); red button (purchase from Walmart) with DMC thread (from Michaels) thru it and Stampendous red square stickers. The button is suppose to represent the steering wheel of the ship.

The is an Artist Trading Card (ATC) swap I signed up in SCS. The theme is birthday, so what is more appropriate than a birthday cake. I purchased this stamp is a "Stamp for A Cause" (Make a Wish foundation) from Gina K since last fall and haven't play with it. As you can see, the color brown is there. There is actually quite a bit of things that gone into this card: crystal effect abd glitter on the cake; orange stickles on the star of the candle; brown and yellow ribbons; button; and punch out flowers with stickle in the middle of the flower. As you can see, if you don't see it by now or if the picture isn't clear, it is suppose to be a birthday picture hanged on the a wall.

This last card is for another SCS swap, "Fall" theme. As you can see, what better image then this (pumpkins) and there is the color brown again. What can I say, I am in love with brown right now. I got the stamp and fabulous pattern paper from my local stamping store, Stamp Works. This is the place where my stamping addiction started, I stopped by at Stamp Works back in November 2006 to see if I can buy anything for to make some Christmas cards and as you can see, the rest is history. Lots of $$$ has been spent here. The stamp is from Lockhart Stamp Company. I colored the image with Prismacolor pencil and did the Gamsol technique on it. Added ribbons again, stickers, and stamped "Happy Fall" on it. This card was quick to do since I didn't have time, thus this is the result. Not my best work, but it looks ok.

Meet Charlotte Skye

2008-01-09T21:34:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Wellman and Yan Kiu (my brother and sister-in-law) on their new baby girl, Charolette Skye Ho, little sister to Audrey. She is borned on January 2, 2008. Her Dad call me after she arrived. I am so happy to be an aunt again. Isn't she just the cutest, next to Audrey!!! I won't get to see her probably until next month. Mom and Dad must be really busy since I haven't heard from them since Charolette's arrival.

I have to apologize to the parents and Charolette for not sending anything out yet. I have been extremely busy with work, gotten the cold last weekend, and getting SCS swaps done. I will be mailing Charolette and Audrey something next week, I promise.