Favorite Color Challenge

This week, Sassy Studio Designs is sponsoring Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge Blog and the challenge is "Favorite Color".  Well, my favorite color is purple, but for some reason I don't use purple on my cards much.  I have noticed, though, that I use a lot of green and pink.  I especially like Green Galore from Stampin' Up, but unfortunately they've discontinued that color.  :(   I do still have some left from before they got rid of it, but one day soon, all of my Green Galore paper will be gone.  Here is the card that I made for this challenge:

 

I used SSD's Mary Poppins image.  Isn't she pretty?  Here's a close-up:

I hope that you'll come and play along over at Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge Blog!

Stamps:  Mary Poppins (Sassy Studio Designs), "Hello" (Stampin' Up)
Papers:  Green Galore, Basic Black (Stampin' Up), Neenah 80# white, patterned paper (Basic Grey)
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Green Galore for sponging (Stampin' Up)
Accessories:  Copic Markers, rhinestone flourish (ZVA Creation), pop dots, sponge

BINGO!

Today, Sassy Studio Designs is sponsoring Crafting Journey.  Their challenge is a BINGO.  Here is the bingo card:

 

I decided to do a diagonal using brads, embossing, and sentiment.  Here is what I came up with:



 

I used SSD's Bonnie of the Nile.  Isn't she fabulous?  The gold paper is embossed, the sentiment I thought matched this image perfectly.  For the brads, I had some odd little flat brads in my stash but I didn't like the way they looked, but then I stuck on some pretty gold rhinestones on the brads and it makes it all better!  ;)

 

I hope you'll come and play with us at Crafty Journey!  Can't wait to see what you'll create!

 

Stamps:  Bonnie of the Nile (Sassy Studio Designs), sentiment is an unknown digital image

Papers:  Cool Carribean, Basic Black (Stampin' Up), gold paper is unknown, Neenah 80# white

Accessories:  Copic Markers, Nestabilities, Cuttle Bug, flat brads (unknown), gold stick-on rhinestones (Studio 18)

Green With Envy Blog Hop!!

Welcome to day 2 of Sassy Studio Designs' Green With Envy blog hop!!!  I hope you enjoyed the fabulous creations that the DT shared with you yesterday! There are 2 parts to this blog hop- we are to feature our favorite SSD image AND use green somewhere on our project.  You should have arrived here from Jackie Randolph's blog.  If not, please go to the SSD blog to start the hop at the beginning!  You won't want to miss anything!!!

Here is my favorite SSD image- Katniss- Girl of Fire.  She is so goregous and her dress is amazingly beautiful!!



 

Here is a close-up:

Oh, did I tell you that I will be giving away this gorgeous Katniss image to one person who comments on this blog post?  That's right!  Each DT member will be giving away their favorite image, so make sure to leave a comment on each blog along the way!!!  Winners will be announced on Wednesday, February 20th over on the Sassy Studio Designs blog!  Good luck!!!

Your next stop is Robin's blog.  Here is the entire blog list just in case you get lost along the way!

SSD

Star

Christine

Carrie

Alaine

Jackie

Kate

Karal

Jackie Randolph

Mary

Robin
Rebecca
SSD

 

Stamps:  Katniss-Girl of Fire (Sassy Studio Designs), sentiment (Totally Stampalicious)

Papers:  Green Galore, Pumpkin Pie (Stampin' Up), Neenah 80# white, patterned paper (Basic Grey)

Ink:  Versamark Black

Accessoris:  Copic Markers, paper flowers (Recollections), glue dots, stick on rhinestones (Stampin' Up), small oval and scalloped punches (Stampin' Up), pop dots

Sassy Sponsorships!

This is my first week being back on the Sassy Sponsorship team.  Today Sassy Studio Designs is sponsoring two challenges- Crafts 4 Eternity and Fat Pages With Attitude.  The challenge for both of these is "Be My Valentine".  I decided to create a SMASH page for Valentine's Day using Sassy Cupid.

 

Of course, I'll still need to add photos to the pages after I take them.  I hope you like it.

 



Super Bowl CHAMPIONS!!

This post is not really craft related but I couldn't pass it up.....yesterday was Super Bowl Sunday.....my beloved Ravens were playing the San Francisco 49ers in what was touted as the "Harb-Bowl" or the "Super-Baugh" since the coaches of these two teams are  brothers- John and Jim Harbaugh.

After a loonnngggg,  nail-biting game with a 30-some minute delay because the lights went out, my Ravens came out on top by beating the Niners 34-31.  This win is extra special because this was Ray Lewis' "last ride".  He's retiring.  No more #52 making hard hitting tackles...no more "General" leading the team...but...he's going out on top- as a Super Bowl CHAMPION!!! 

 

Ray hoisting the Lombardi Trophy while the confetti flies.

 

Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco.



 

Ray still holding onto the Lombardi Trophy on the flight home to Baltimore.

 

Now to make this post sort-of craft related, here are 2 pages I did in my SMASH book to celebrate Super Bowl XLVII:

 

 

This was a lot of fun to do...especially when I could finish it this morning with a winning score!!!!









Going Forward...Looking Back...a New Release!

Welcome to part 1 of the first Sassy Studio Designs New Release of 2013!  This weekend, the Sassy Studio Designs DT is "Going Forward...Looking Back".  You should have arrived here from Kate's blog.  If you did, that's great!  If you didn't, please go to the SSD Blog to start the hop there.  You don't want to miss anything!!

We will have several brand new Sassy Villains images to share with you this weekend, but we will also be taking a look back on 2012.  We will be sharing some of our favorites from last year-

 

Favorite Sassy saying or sentiment
Favorite tool to use
Favorite paper
Favorite sketch
Favorite technique
Favorite style
Favorite color
Favorite brand
Favorite embellishment....ribbon, flower, bling, mesh etc...

We will also be sharing our favorite personal creation from 2012 using our beloved Sassy Studio Designs.  Here is mine- a thank you card that I made using My Fair Lady.  I love this image and she went perfectly with the Graphic 45 A Ladies' Diary papers:
 



 

Now onto the "looking forward" part of our release...the brand new images!  We have 4 new villains for you- Gaston, Malificent, Ursula, and the Queen of Hearts.  Today, I am featuring Gaston- from The Beauty and the Beast.  Here is my card.  I hope you like it!

 

 

I chose to use:

My favorite embellishments- flowers and BLING!

My favorite paper- I love ALL patterned papers!





 My favorite technique- coloring with Copic Markers
My favorite style- Clean and Simple

Your next stop will be Robin's blog. I KNOW you will love what she has to share!  Here is the entire blog hop list, just in case you get lost along the way:

SSD

Kate

Mary  

Robin 
Julia (GDT) 
Karal 
Christine 
Jackie
Carrie
Lori
Debbie 
Jovan 
Tanya
Rebecca 
SSD

 

Remember to check out Part 2 of the hop tomorrow starting on the SSD blog!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Stamps:  Gaston (Sassy Studio Designs), sentiment is computer-generated
Papers:  Real Red, Daffodil Delight (Stampin' Up), Neenah 80# white, striped patterned paper
Accessories:  Copic Markers, stick on rhinestone swirl (Recollections), pop dots, paper flower (Recollections)



It's Fabulous Freebie Friday!

Hello, and welcome to another Fabulous Freebie Friday giveaway!  This week's image is Ballroom Babe.  Make sure to visit the Sassy Studio Designs page at Paper Craft Planet to grab her while she's available!!!  Our challenge again this week is to use a favorite technique or style.  This week, I decided to use my new favorite craft technique and that is altered canvas with my beloved Copics.  I used a 5 x 7" stretched artist's canvas. Using Mod Podge, I covered the canvas using Tim Holtz's Idea-ology Composer tissue paper.  I randomly painted lightly with orange and light blue acrylic paints, added a couple rub-ons and white painted "bubbles" from bubble wrap, then using the Mod Podge, attached the colored Ballroom Babe image and the sentiment.  I am really enjoying making these canvases and I thank my friend, Gloria, and Christy Tomlinson for helping me through the learning process!  So, here is my creation:

 

I apologize for the poor picture.  I kept getting funky glares with the flash.  I hope you like it!

 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!  Sassy Studio Designs will be having their first new image release of 2013 this coming weekend and it'll be a 2-day event!  Make sure to check back on Saturday when I will be spotlighting one of the new Sassy Villain images!

 

Thanks for stopping by!!

Stamps:  Ballroom Babe (Sassy Studio Designs), sentiment is computer-generated

Paper:  Neenah 80# white cardstock

Accessories:  5 x 7" stretched artist's canvas (Michael's), Tim Holtz's Idea-ology Composer tissue paper, Mod Podge, light blue, white, and orange acrylic paints, bubble wrap, rub-ons, Copic Markers

Fabulous Freebie Friday!!!

It's Friday and that means another fabulous freebie from Sassy Studio Designs! Make sure to hurry over to the SSD page on Paper Craft Planet and grab Skater Sassy while she's available!!! She is a fun and funky skater with just a touch of sassy...perfect for that 'tweener or teenage girl in your life. Our challenge this week was to create a card using a technique or style that we love. For those of you who follow me know that I am not a fancy card maker...instead most of my cards are clean and simple...and of course, using my much loved Copic Markers.

Here's my card using Skater Sassy:

 

 

Here's a close up:

 

Stamps:  Skater Sassy (Sassy Studio Designs), You and Me (Sherrod Studio)
Papers:  Early Espresso (Stampin' Up), Neenah 80# white, pattered paper (Miss Caroline pad from My Mind's Eye)
Ink:  Black Versafine
Accessories:  Copic Markers, pop dots, Modern Label Punch (Stampin' Up), gold stick-on beads

She Art

My New Year's resolution for 2013 was to do something- anything- crafty each day.  On New Year's Day, I started my first She Art canvas.  In case you haven't heard of She Art, check out Christy Tomlinson's blog.  She makes some of the most beautiful mixed media canvases!!!

Anyway, I was a little nervous to start, but my dear friend, Gloria (check out her blog here), inspired me to actually get going on a canvas.

My first step was to decide on what papers I wanted to use...THAT is really the hardest step!!  I chose to use some of Christy Tomlinson's She Art papers- beautiful designs and very bright colors.  I traced the shape of the girl and her clothing and cut her out.  The colors are much brighter than what's showing in the pictures!

Next I ripped and applied the background papers to the canvas using Studio Mixed Medium Matte gel.  I decided to use blue in the sky area and green in the grass area- go figure.  :)  I was having a really hard time being "random" with this!  It's more stressful than I thought it would be!!!

Once the gel was dry, I used a light blue acrylic paint and paint brush to brush some color along the edges and seams of the "sky" area.  Next, I used some bubble wrap brushed with some white acrylic paint and randomly "stamped" white dots on the canvas, followed by random stamping of numbers and diamonds in black ink (Dyan Revealey's Dylusions stamps).

Next I used a stencil and yellow acrylic paint to create a sun in the corner.  Once that was dry, I applied my She Art Girl using mixed medium matte gel.  Here's what she looks like at that point:

 

She's coming along!

 

The next step is to paint the girl's face and legs using a flesh-colored paint with a wet brush to make it more opaque, paint her hair and once that's dry, outline the body of the girl and her clothing.  I did learn that you don't want to try to have a single black line.  From watching Christy's tutorial videos, I've learned that you have to use short, choppy strokes to outline her and give her definition!  A few rub-ons strategically places, a little more color with acrylic paints and Voila!  Here is my first-ever completed She Art canvas.  What do you think???

 

 

 Stamps:  Dylusion's Basic Backgrounds

Ink: Archival Jet Black by Ranger

Papers:  She Art by Chisty Tomlinson, piece of book paper (from an old book)

Other supplies:  8 x 10" stretched canvas (Michael's value pack), Studio Mixed Medium Matte gel, bubble wrap, 12 x 12" "Zinnia" template (The Crafter's Workshop), foam paint brush, small paint brush, assorted acrylic paints (light blue, white, yellow, flesh, burnt umber), rub-ons, fine tip ball-point pen (I used Permaball Black Pen from Pilot which is available at Christy Tomlinson's store- Scarlet Lime)

 



SMASHing it!

I've just started working on a SMASH book.  For those of you who don't know what SMASHing is- you just paste things into a book- whatever you'd like- randomly- no order...now, the "random" part is giving me trouble.  I seem to want to make it more of a mini scrapbook, but I'm working on it.

Since the first of the year, I've made a couple pages and thought I'd share them with you.  Now, keep in mind, I AM a newbie at this...

In October, my son ran and completed his first marathon- all 26.2 miles of it- so I made this page using pictures of him as he's running...

This second page(s), I made in honor of my Baltimore Ravens who are in the playoffs.  Getting better, but still not great...

 

I made these pages using the Christmas cards that I received this year (of course, I didn't cut up the hand-stamped ones I received, those will be kept in my stamp room!).  I saw someone else do this and thought it looked like it would be fun...and it was!  What a great way to keep cards from each year without having piles of cards just laying around

 

These last 2 pages I made of My Favorite Things.  I'll probably add to this page as I find more things to use.

 

So, I'm on this SMASH journey and enjoying it...just hope I get better at the randomness of it all!!!

It's Fabulous Freebie Friday!

It's time for another Fabulous Freebie giveaway on the Sassy Studio Designs Papercraft Planet page!
This week's image is Diva Diana, and boy, she IS fabulous!!!!  Make sure you go grab this wonderful freebie before she's gone!  The "challenge" for the next two weeks is to use something from your "stash" on your project.  Well, believe me, I have a HUGE stash!  I have tons of "stuff" that I've bought and either didn't use up or never used at all!   For this week's card, I used some leftover black jet stick-on beads/flourish, as well as patterned paper from the Lime Rickety pack from Basic Grey.  I was never quite sure how to use this one pattern but I think it works well with Diva Diana.  What do you think?



 

 ...and a close-up of this gorgeous image:

 



It's Fabulous Freebie Friday!

It's Fabulous Freebie Friday!  Today's image is Hanging the Wreath.  Maybe sure that you stop by SSD's Paper Craft Planet page today and grab this fabulous image while she's available!!  BUT HURRY!!  She'll only be available for 24 hours!  After you get the image, make sure to play along with us by posting your card or project using Hanging the Wreath to our PCP page!  Just remember- the challenge this week is to use 3 different embellishments on your creation!

Here's my card using this image.  I used red Stickles, stick-on rhinestones, and rhinestone snowflakes on my card.

Stamp: Hanging the Wreath (Sassy Studio Designs). Deck the Halls (not sure...)
Paper:  Old Olive, Cool Carribean, scrap of Christmas patterned paper (Stampin' Up), Neeneh 80# white
Accessories:  Copic Markers, red Stickles, stick-on rhinestones, stick-on rhinestone snowflakes, scalloped oval punch, Modern Label punch, pop dots

Beautiful Christmas Present!!

I have the most thoughtful, giving, and talented friend named Gloria!!! Make sure to check out her blog Girl Gone Stamping.  Look at this amazingly beautiful album that she made and gave me for Christmas!!!!

The front flap is kept closed with a hidden magnet under the tab.  Such gorgeous papers!! (If you click on the individual picture you will get a larger image).

 

There are so many overlapping pages!  Some open from the left and some open from the right.  Here there are 3 tags in the center pocket.

 

Another pocket with a large tag:

Here there are 3 overlapping pages:

More gorgeous pages:

Another large tag:

So many tags!!  3 more!

The last page in the album- a gorgeous tag of Santa and his sleigh:

The back of the album is just as gorgeous as the front!

Gloria, thank you SO much for such a wonderful gift!!!  I will treasure this album as much as I do our friendship!!!!  Hugs and Merry Christmas!!!

Meade Girls' Christmas Party 2012

Every December my stamping group, The Meade Girls, get together for their annual Christmas party, and every year we have SO much fun!!!  This year was no different!!!!   15 of our group attended the party, several were missing, though, and they were greatly missed!  There was food galore- as usual- and it was ALL delicious!!

 

We drew names for Secret Santa.  Here is Angie with the Babycakes cupcake maker that Tracie gave her.

Here's Jane getting ready to open her package from Rose...how cute!

Jane was my Secret Santa!  Check out what she gave me:

 

She gave me Fleur de Lis Nestabilities and Dylusions' Bird on a Wire stamp set.  I love it!!!!

Here is the card that Jane made for me- I love the vintage feel of it!

Amanda and Angie also had a surprise for all of us!!!  The gave us embroidered Meade Girls crafting aprons that Amanda had embroidered on her much loved sewing machine with the "regal" name that Jane has given us !!  Each one was a different color- here's mine- royal blue with yellow...I LOVE it!!!!!!

Here Michelle G., Kathi, and Rose are sporting their aprons:

 ...as are Paula, Gloria and Jane...

Here's a group shot of the Meade Girls in their aprons...minus Sara who doesn't like to have her picture taken...

It was a fun day of hiding Jane's candy, meeting Mr. "OMG, he's hot!"and just plain hanging out.   I am SO blessed to be a part of this group...the most wonderful ladies in the world!!!  Thank you for letting me be a part of it!  Now I can't wait till our next get-together- our January shoebox swap!!  Hmm, guess I'd better start working on my card!!  See you girls then!

Meade Girls' Secret Sisters!

For the past 3 months or so, the Meade Girls have had another round of Secret Sisters.  We sent our "sister" a card each month and then "revealed" ourselves at our annual Christmas get-together.  This round, though, Amanda decided to shake things up a bit.  Each month, we had a challenge of sorts.

My secret sister was Jane and here are the cards I sent her:

For our September card, we had to use something recycled.  Here is my card to Jane using recycled green ribbon and rhinestones that I pulled off of 2 old cards:

The image is from Mo Manning and the sentiment is computer-generated.  Here is a close-up:

Our October "challenge" was to use something GOLD on our card.  Here's what I came up with:

I'm not sure who makes this digi-image but he sure is cute!

I used brushed gold cardstock for one of my layers, gold Stickles, gold lame ribbon, and the leaves have gold glitter along the edges.

There was no challenge for November so we were able to do and use whatever we wanted.  Jane's birthday just happened to be in November, so I created a birthday card for her.

I'm not sure who makes this cute little image (Mo Manning, maybe?) but I thought it was perfect to deliver Jane some loving birthday wishes!

This  sketch was our challenge for December:

...and here's my take on that sketch:

This was my reveal card for Jane.  I hope she liked it!  For this card, I used the Fabulous Friday Freebie image from Sassy Studio Designs called Trimming the Tree.  The card is 5 x 7".

Who was MY secret sister you ask?  Well, it was Paula and here are the fabulous cards she sent me:

September

October

The "theme" for October was to use gold on your card. When I came home from work on Halloween Day, this was hanging on my door knob!!

Here is the "package"- made of gold metallic cardstock. LOVE the little ghost and the googlie eyes!

 

Here is the cute little pumpkin card she had tucked inside:



...and inside she had all of these fabulous gold things- embossed paper, ribbons, gold cord and stars...  I just LOVE that embossed paper!!!

 

November

November was a "free" month meaning we didn't have a theme for our card.  My secret sister sent me this beautiful Thanksgiving card:

Finally, here is the card she gave me to "reveal" her identity:

She also included these little items- a pair of warm, fuzzy socks, a cute paper Ravens "ornament"tag, and a Snowman "tea lite".  How cute!!!

 

Here is the adorable little snowman all lit up.  I'm going to have to make some of these!!!!  Yeah, I probably should have taken him out of the cello bag before taking the pictures- oh, well...  :)

I loved every one of my cards!!  What a wonderful secret sister I had!!!  Thank you, Paula!