A Sweet Spooky Treat - Mytime Style...

Hi friends!

I can't believe it's the weekend again already...not that I'm complaining, LOL.  Since it's Saturday, it's My Time to Create Challenge day!!!

I hope you all get to play along this week.  This week is a template challenge.  You haven't used Lauren's templates yet?  NOOOOOO!  You MUST be joking.  Well -- just in case, head over HERE to check them out, there are even a few you can download for FREE to try them out.

Our challenge this week was to use one of Lauren's templates to package candy.  Seeing as Halloween is coming, and I'm SO in love with the NEW digi-images from Pink Cat Studio, I couldn't help myself but to make my project Halloween themed.

Still working on this whole, 'hybrid thing', and I'm VERY pleased with how this turned out.  I saw it in my head, and it translated to paper very well I think.

I started out with Lauren's "Milk Made" Template.  SUPER cute.  I actually enlarged it a tiny bit when printing, to give a teensy bit extra room for candy.  Though I don't think it's incredibly far off from the original directions.

The tray holder was done in True Black, and the cartons in Enchanted Evening (to look like the sky).  I punched a 'moon' out of some Summer Sunrise CS.

Then I got my digi-groove on, and created the scene of Betty and the Scary Siblings out on the prowl.  I started out with some digital paper from the Little Tricksters kit by Lliella Designs.  Then I went and added the trees, also from that kit.  I flipped some, and resized some, to give a little interest.

Now I added in Betty and the Scary Siblings, and printed my design out on White CS (today's project uses SU!s whisper white).  I sat down with my craft knife, and cut cut cut cut cut...

I 'wrapped' the cut out design around the base of the tray, and there you have it!

A SUPER cute package for some Halloween goodies (mind you, with the amount of cutting, I don't think I'll be making another one! LOL)

Be sure to use keyword MTTC06, and/or link your blog post, or gallery entry to the Mr. Linky on Lauren's blog.

Stop by and check out what the rest of the team has whipped up for this week's challenge!

• Their links are over in my right-hand sidebar
  
  

Supplies:

Stamps: Pink Cat Studio digital images 

Paper: True Black, Enchanted Evening (PTI), Whisper White (SU!)

Accessories: Copics, Hobby knife, silver elastic cord, circle punches, MS web corner punch

Little Tricksters Digital Scrapbooking kit by Lliella Designs

Have you HEARD??? and...a tutorial :)

The word is out!  Little Betty in the blinkie is celebrating, since Melissa at Pink Cat Studio has decided to open a digital stamp store!  So now, there will be TWO places to get some great stuff from Pink Cat, she will continue to sell rubber at one store, and the other is for digital images.  She's come up with some adorable new images featuring Betty and Bobby for Halloween and Christmas too -- check out the new store HERE.

I was so psyched when Melissa contacted me to help her out with the launch -- she's got quite the team of talent out there helping her out with the big announcement.  I've got a few cards to share, plus a quick little tutorial on a (mostly) digital card.

This first one is Betty the witch, with some cute frogs jumping away from her cauldron...but it looks like what ever she is brewing has already affected the frogs -- they're all different colors!

The moon shape was made with my circle punches (I used a smaller one to make the crescent shape).  The spider and sentiment are from Waltzingmouse Stamps.


The second card I made has a Autumn feel (how appropriate for the first day of the season!) but is a more general 'thinking of you card'.  The sentiment is from SU!  This card measures 5x5, and was a TON of fun to color...finished off with some flower brads with pearl centers, and some delicious American Crafts Ribbon.

Now onto my last card to share today...Scary Siblings...I couldn't pass up this image, it makes me think of my girls :).  I decided to go hybrid on this one.  I used mostly digital elements, and colored in the main image, and mounted it on a base layer of CS.

When you get your images from Melissa - they are in .png format, and are transparent.  These are great quality images, good solid lines, and super easy to work with.  They print GREAT.

To start, I layered the .png on a white background, to make the image solid.  Then I used the 'Quick Selection Tool' in Photoshop Elements, and selected the 'background' of the image.  I then deleted it, making it as you see below:

Now I can get started on building my card.  I open up some fun Halloween papers by Libby Weifenbach, this kit is called Ghouls just Wanna have fun.  I started out with the black paper with the halloweennie words on it.  I cropped it to 4" x 5.25" on my screen - this way I already know that it will print the correct size.

I then opened up another paper, and this time, I resized the paper, and then cropped it.  The bats were too big when the paper was it's original size.  I then added some digital ribbons, and the 'Halloween' and 'Party' page elements, and put drop shadows on the layers to add a little depth...so here's what we look like at this point:

the last thing to do, is add the digital image...since I made it 'solid' it's no problem to just 'place' it on my card.

You could also print and cut it out, but I thought this was SUPER easy, and looks great on the finished product.  Now that my 'layers' are complete - I printed it out, and then colored in my scary siblings with my copics.  I popped it onto my base layer, and it's done :).

Be sure to check out out these blogs to see some fabulous cards and projects using the new digi stamps:

Becky Carafa - http://www.lakeshorestamper.com/

Emily Leiphart - http://www.leiphartonart.blogspot.com/

Inge Groot - http://www.patternedpaper.typepad.com/

Jodi-Ann Lee - http://www.inkedinspirations.blogspot.com/

Lauren Meader - http://laurenm.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/

Lauretta See - http://www.passioncartesetplus.blogspot.com/

MacKenzie Bruckler - http://midnightscramper.blogspot.com/

Maria Bell - http://stampininspirations.blogspot.com/

Mariska van der Veer - http://www.sendingyoualittlesmile.blogspot.com/

Sparkle Smith - http://sparklecreations.blogspot.com/

Suzanne J Dean - http://www.scrapbitz.blogspot.com/

Tracey Cuccia - http://www.tmcuccia.blogspot.com/

Vicki Garrett - http://www.summerthymestudio.blogspot.com/

Have a GREAT day!!

 

He's 13?!?!?!?!

Alright -- so now, he's actually 13 and a half ;).

I can hardly believe that my oldest nephew turned 13 this year.  It seems like not too long ago he was born, and my only nephew...somewhere along the way, I've gained 20 other nieces and nephews! LOL. 

Since he's at that stage where I just never know if something is 'cool' I thought really hard about his card...and hoped I did ok.  I started out with Surfer Ian -- such a fun image -- had a great time coloring him in.  Then -- hmmmmm...what to do for a layout???

I have this great paper from SEI, Black Orchid.  This was a pattern that was black embossed on white paper, and used my Copics in colors that I used to color in Ian, and went to town.  I like how it came out - and when I asked if it was too girly, I got an emphatic 'no' from the birthday boy, as well as my DH...I figured the pattern tied into the Hawaiian shorts, but wanted to make sure it wasn't just me, LOL.

Anyway -- score for me, he seemed to like the card -- which I always worry about...and I had to laugh because my nephew is actually sporting a similar hairdo to that of Ian...too much.

Hoping everyone is having a great weekend - it's been GORGEOUS here - and we've gotten a lot done outside...though tons more to go.

Thanks for stopping by!!

Supplies:
Stamps: Surfer Ian (The Greeting Farm), sentiment from SU!

Ink: Memento Black
Paper: Gina K pure luxure white, SEI Black Orchid PP, PTI True Black

Loving him...

Hi Friends!

Hoping you are all off to the start of a wonderful weekend!  It's Saturday, so it's time for another 'My Time to Create' Challenge.

This week's challenge is a color challenge...here's the color palette:

 

It's funny, because when I initially looked at this, I was thinking rust, but the other girls said cranberry/burgundy, and I'm so glad I went with that...I like the outcome a lot!

This card will be for my Husband.  We will be married for 10 years on October 2.  I can hardly believe that THAT much time has passed...certainly doesn't seem that long ago...since then we've bought our home, and had 2 beautiful little girls...my life is blessed.  He's a fabulous husband and a wonderful father -- I can't ask for more.

This card also incorporates a sketch from  Crazy 4 Challenges - this is challenge C4C2.  If you haven't checked them out yet, you should -- it's a great bunch of talented women LOTS of great things to look at!

Alright-- back to today...be sure to drop by the other 'My Time to Create' girls' blogs to see what they've done with the challenge -- their links are in my sidebar to the right ---------------------->

When uploading YOUR creation, be sure to use keyword MTCC06, and add your link to the Mr. Linky on Lauren's blog.

Hope you all have a FABULOUS weekend!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

Stamps: Heart Prints, Background Basics Retro (PTI)

Ink: Ripe Avocado, Versamark, Dark Chocolate

Paper: Dark Chocolate, Ripe Avocado, Scarlet Jewel, Classic Ivory (All PTI)

Accessories: clear EP, Dimensionals, Dark Chocolate and Scarlet Jewel Satin Ribbon

♪♪Gettin' Digi With It...♪♪

Now I've got Will Smith stuck in my head, LOL.

Hello friends -- thanks for the sweet comments on my new layout.  It will take some getting used to, but I really love it!  I told you I'd be back with some Dustin Pike -- and here I am :).

It's Thursday, another Dustin Pike Release!  Did you know that Dustin gives away freebies every Wednesday?  Yep, he does, and this week's was super cute - a great little scarecrow.

Now -- some other BIG news from Dustin - he's running a HUGE retirement sale.  HUGE.  He's in contract with someone to turn some of his digi's into rubber, and he's making way for new stuff, so he's having a GREAT retirement sale...pages 1 through 5 on his site all for ONLY $25.  Seriously, how can you NOT take him up on the offer...LOTS of great stuff in there!!

Ok - ok, now for TODAY'S release...'Buddies'.  I've been experimenting with going hybrid on some of my projects.  I plan to start using more layers and such -- but I just had fun creating this one.  This uses a kit from Sweet Shoppe Designs by Eva Kipler called Feelin' Frosty.  I used a few of the papers, and some of the elements, and then plopped my 'Buddies' on top.  I printed it out, and colored in the bear and penguin with my Copic markers. 

Just a different fun way to make a card.

Hope you enjoyed your visit today -- thanks for stopping by!!!

Supplies:
Stamps: none - digital image (Dustin Pike)
Ink: none - printer ink only
Paper: Dark Chocolate (Papertrey Ink), Whisper White (SU!)
Accessories: ice blue jewels, ticket corner punch, Feelin' Frosty Digital Scrapbooking kit by Eva Kipler

What do you think????

Hi all!  So excited to come to you today from my NEW and IMPROVED Blog layout -- services provided by Veronica McCollum.  She did a terrific job incorporating everything that I love, and I can't thank her enough.  So tell me, what do you think???

I'll be back later with a post - some eye candy from Dustin Pike's latest release...until then -- have a SUPER afternoon!!

Some Greeting Farm Goodness :)

Hi friends --

Hoping you are all having a splendid day. We are getting into our 'new routine' here, and so far, all seems to be working out well...thank goodness!!

I thought I'd drop by and say hi, and post a little goodie I made some time back, but the recipient just received it, so I didn't want to post it.

I ♥ The Greeting Farm.

I do - and I'm excited that they are venturing into more digi stuff too :) excellent.

Anyway -- I've had this adorable little fairy and wanted to use her --sooooo...
















I've always had trouble getting myself to color things with 'different' colors -- for some reason, in my mind, penguins should be black or brown or gray, monkeys should be brown, etc...hair should be blonde, brown, or red...so I'm trying to PUSH myself out of that box...LOL.

So, do you like my little pixie with pink hair?? My older daughter thought she was very cool, "but I wouldn't do that to MY hair Mommy"... :)

Here's a closeup, I colored her wings with my BG10 marker, and went over them with stardust stickles...



















AND -- I remembered to keep out the markers I used, but will have to figure out a better way to show them all to you -- or, I guess I just have to get all the sketch markers, huh?? ;-).















The patterned paper is from My Mind's Eye, and it was punched with my apron lace punch by Fiskars. Sentiment is from SU!.

Thanks for stopping by today -- hope you enjoyed your visit!!

Supplies:
Stamps: Fairy Chloe (TGF), Stem Sayings (???) SU!
Ink: Memento Black
Paper: Gina K Pure luxury white, My Mind's Eye patterned paper
Accessories: Apron Lace Punch, stickles, Copics

Need Some Inspiration???

Sometimes I need something to kick my creativity into gear. I mentioned the other day I'm in a bit of a funk, though it is improving, I needed something to get me going. Lauren's challenge was JUST the thing I needed. Check out this TERRIFIC inspiration piece we get to work with this week!!











When I saw it, I had a few ideas, and most of them just didn't work right once I got them onto paper...but I was really happy with this one...




















I stamped the background (Backgrounds & Borders - Retro Style) on the Spring Rain layer using my versamark pad, as I didn't want it too bold. The sentiment (Star Prints) and swirls (Fancy Flourishes) were stamped in Brilliance Chocolate ink -- I LOVE that ink - it's SO rich. and GREAT coverage too...

Then I added a few bridal confetti flowers from M's, and some pearls in the centers, a touch of ribbon, and it's done!

I hope you get the opportunity to play along, as I'd love to see what YOU do with the inspiration piece. Lauren will be choosing her top 5 faves, it could be YOUR time to shine!

Here's links to the rest of the DT -- stunning I tell you -- stunning.

• Alicia Weiman
• Dana Gustafson
• Jen Tapler
• Kendra Wisenbaker
• Kristin Bueter
• Lauren Meader
• Lisa Kind
• Mackenzie Bruckler
• Maria Levine
• Odette
• Pam Imholz
• Tamara Harder

Don't forget!! Be sure to use the keyword MTTI06 when uploading to any online galleries, and link up your project on the Mr. Linky link on Kristin's blog, she's hosting this week since Lauren is SUPER busy with the PTI release.

Did I tell you Veronica is working on my blog design?? I'm soooo excited to share it with you guys, I love what she has come up with so far.

Hope you all have a great weekend -- thanks for stopping by!!

Supplies:
Stamps: Retro Backgrounds and Borders, Star Prints, Fancy Flourishes
Ink: Versamark, Brilliance Chocolate ink
Paper: Dark Chocolate, Spring Rain
Accessories: Dark Chocolate Satin Ribbon, M's Bridal Confetti flowers, Basic Grey pearls, dimensionals

Can it Really Be??

Can it really be 8 years since the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center?

Wow.

I wrote a more detailed post last year, but this year, I will keep it simple and brief.

Thank you again to our first responders, our military, and our Veterans...thank you to all of the 'ordinary everyday heroes' out there.



















Take some time today to tell the people you care about that you love them, don't wait for tomorrow.

God Bless.

Funk...

Hey all~

I have some things I need to blog, but I guess I'm in a funk of some sort. My big girl started Kindergarten this week, and I guess I've been spending a lot of my energy (physical AND emotional) on that.

I don't have any eye candy for you this morning -- but just wanted to remind you that today is Thursday -- it's another Dustin Pike Release! It doesn't look like the images are up just yet, but his freebie is there from yesterday -- so be sure to get it...it will work well with today's release *hint hint* :).

ALSO -- don't forget to play along with Lauren's Sketch!! Have you SEEN the new template that she's releasing at PTI this month?? All I can say is I LOOOOOOVE IT!!! (In my best Wheezie from Dragon Tales voice)

I hope to be back in top running condition soon...just a few hurdles to get over...

Thanks for stopping by!!

UGH...

so, my PC died. AGAIN.

At least this time almost ALL of what was on there is backed up.

There was some stuff that was not, but I should be able to get it off of my memory cards.

I was going to do a post today -- but haven't gotten to download photos onto the laptop yet, and the kids aren't being too cooperative. Even if Daddy is right in the same room, somehow Mommy does it better...LOL

Hoping that later today, I'll have something for you to look at ;)

On a positive note -- Veronica is working on my new blog design...I can't wait to see what she comes up with!

Hoping everyone is enjoying the day...

thanks for stopping by!

AAAAAAANNNNNNNNNDDDDDDDD, I'm back.

Hi friends --

I know it's been a while. But I can't begin to tell you what a wonderful time I've had with my family these last few weeks. My older daughter is getting ready to start Kindergarten next week -- I think we're BOTH a little nervous, LOL. I know she'll do great though.

So, it being Saturday and all, it's time for a 'My Time to Create Challenge'!!

The first Saturday of the month is a sketch challenge -- and here's this week's:
















I had been really wanting to get the 'Hero Ian' set from The Greeting Farm. I kept trying to order it on their site, and it kept telling me it was out of stock. I finally asked the owner what was up, and she informed me that they've discontinued it. *Insert sad face here* BUT -- Marie is FANTASTIC and she pointed me in the direction of 'Roses on Paper' - 'Hero Ian - IN STOCK' SUPER fast shipping, great customer service!

This card is for my friend Barb's son, Seth, who just left for boot camp last week. The card is large, it is 8.5x5.5, so I had lots of room to work with.



















I started out cutting random pieces of Chocolate Chip, and Close to Cocoa CS to make my 'camouflage' background. Then I created a little American Flag out of CS (though I realized I messed up on the stripes -- there should be a white stripe under the blue field of stars, not red...please forgive me.

Just a little thank you to Seth for doing what he's doing. Not necessarily an easy decision to make in today's day and age. I thank my lucky stars for brave young men and women like Seth.

I'd like to thank all of our Military, and their families...



















I'm going to start providing colors for what Copics I use (I just have to not be so lazy about going to get the camera!) Thanks for bearing with me...

Now -- on to the important details --

I hope you get to play along -- don't forget, Lauren picks 5 entries to be in the 'My Time to Shine" category -- it can't be you if you don't play!! Be sure to use the keyword mytimess35 when uploading, and/or put your gallery/blog link on the Mr. Linky on Lauren's blog. Here's links to the rest of the team -- go check out what they've been up to!!


Alicia Weiman
Dana Gustafson
Jen Tapler
Kendra Wisenbaker
Kristin Bueter
Lauren Meader
Lisa Kind
Mackenzie Bruckler
Maria Levine
Odette
Pam Imholz
Tamara Harder

It's BEE YOOOO TI FULLL here, so I'm sure we'll be off doing something outside today-- how about you?? What are your plans for the long holiday weekend???

Thanks for stopping by today!!

Supplies:
Stamps: Hero Ian - The Greeting Farm, Trajan Alphabet - PTI
Ink: Memento Black, Memento Rich Cocoa, Brilliance Chocolate
Paper: Kraft, True Thyme, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, whisper white, Night of Navy, Real Red, Basic Black
Accessories: Copics, Star jewels, 1" Circle punch,

• 
  

Hello?? Remember Me???

I haven't vanished.

I haven't given up on my blog.

I've just been super busy with my family -- finishing out the Summer, and doing some things together with them, before we start back to school next week.

I'm looking forward to 'being back' with some new things -- keep an eye out! A new My Time To Create Challenge is on Saturday -- hope you can play along!

Hoping everyone is enjoyng either their last few days of Summer -- or their first few days of school!

Thanks for stopping by!