It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year ...

If you're a college basketball fan. If you're not, omigosh, what do you do all winter? And what do you watch on TV?!? Anyway, thanks UConn, you made me smile ... again!

ONward H-C-M's:

Today's card project was created for SCS's Sketch Challenge, SC220. For all the challenge deets, including a look at the sketch I followed, clicky HERE. To go straight to the challenge gallery, clicky HERE. For the ginormous view of my card, clicky on the photo.

I stamped my sentiment, by Verve Visual, on a matted die-cut from October Afternoon's "County Fair" collection using die ink.

I embellished my card with some Cosmo Cricket chipboard painted with Distress Crackle paint, punched vintage (1897), text into a doily lace border, layered five butterfly punchies, and punched out three medium and three small Sakura punchies.

TIP #1: When shopping in home or paint stores, grab some paint sample cards. They make for sturdy and colorful punchies.

TIP #2: Create butterfly "antenna" by looping a bit of twine. Pinch the twine together and glue down; I used half of a mini-glue dot to adhere.

Soooooooooo, yesterday, after Reid-the Wild-Child fell into the pond ... for the third time ... Sheila was ready for a vacation. As she hustled him off to clean up and change his clothes ... for the third time, it was apparent that she was not too happy. Kids + Ponds = Trouble.

Later, we heard a commotion in the back yard.

With a heavy sigh, Sheila called out, "Are you out there wetting your pants again?!?"

There was dead silence for a moment. Then a deep, masculine voice answered meekly, "No, Ma'am, I'm just reading the meter."

Have a great weekend! And, if you're interested, UConn plays Texas A & M tomorrow. And Thabeet goes on ...

~Hugs,

• Card Stock: "Dark Chocolate" by Papertrey Ink
• Designer Paper: "County Fair" Collection by October Afternoon
• Other Paper: Text from Vintage (1897) Book, Personal Collection
• Stamp: Sentiment from "Thankful Blossoms" Set by Verve Visual
• Ink: "Chocolate Chip" Dye Ink by Stampin' Up; "Chestnut Roan" Fluid Chalk Ink by Clearsnap
• Color Medium: "Broken China" Distress Crackle Paint by Ranger
• Accessories: Chipboard by Cosmo Cricket; Brads; Jewelry Cord by The Beadery
• Tools: "Doily Lace" Border Punch by Martha Stewart Crafts; "Butterfly" Punch by Martha Stewart Crafts; Corner Rounder Punch by CarlaCraft; Small and Medium Sakura Punches by CarlaCraft; Glue Dots by Mini-Glue Dots; "The Ultimate" Craft Glue by Api; Scotch ATG 714

PS: Just heard that MADONNA's renting a house not too far from here. I don't expect to run into her in the grocery store or anything, but just in case, I'll be packin' the Celebrity-Sharpie ...

My Eyes, My Eyes!

WoWzA, bright, huh?!? Don't stare at this too long ... I wouldn't want you to go blind or anything. If you want ... just for a second ... you can clicky on the photo for a ginormous view.

Today's card project was inspired by The Cat's Pajama's blog challenge to use the colors teal, pumpkin, and olive. I knew goin' in that I wouldn't finish this project in time to enter the challenge, but I was intrigued by the color combination. So, tell me, when's the last time you saw a Valentine in these colors? Never ... see, I knew you were gonna say that!

I gave the MS Doily Lace border punch a work-out creating these borders ... but what's a Valentine without paper doilies? For all the gory details, check out my Supply List, below.

So, this weekend I discovered that Sheila has a lifesaving tool in her car. It's designed to cut through a seat belt if she gets trapped.

She keeps it in the trunk.

Seriously!

~cHeERS,

• Card Stock: "Blue Bayou," and "Tangerine Tango" by Stampin' Up
• Designer Paper: "Cogsmo" by Cosmo Cricket
• Stamps: "Hearts & Flowers" by Autumn Leaves, Sentiment by Verve Visual
• Inks: "Twilight" Die Ink by Close to My Heart; "Cocoa" Fluid Chalk Ink by Clearsnap
• Accessories: Brads by Close to My Heart; Grosgrain Ribbon
• Tools: Dimensionals; 1/4" Circle Punch by Stampin' Up; "Doily Lace" Border Punch by Martha Stewart

Is That a Wide Ribbon or are You Just Glad to See Me?

Happy National Trail Mix Day! So, I was stunned to discover that most people don't use trail mix for it's intended purpose: to leave a trail to follow back to your car. Well, why even buy it then? And it's not like it's a big secret ... read the label people: "TRAIL mix" ... Duh!

ONward-Hoarding-Card-Makers!

Today's card project was created for Allison's "Suggestive Sunday" blog challenge. This week, Allison challenged us to use wide ribbon on our paper creations. Technically, I'm in default as I've actually used a wide scrap of vintage handmade lace. What the heck, as long as I don't tell anyone, I bet no one will even notice ...

I covered my card base with gorgeous DP from Close to My Heart ... I really and truly {heart} this collection and plan on hoarding buying more. Click on the image for a closer look at this beauteous patterned paper.

I stamped my sentiment with Versamark, then heat embossed using Bright Chocolate Brown powder.

Finally, I covered the paper seam with my controversial vintage lace-ribbon, then covered three Heidi Swapp Ghost Flowers with more paper from this collection. Umm, I actually covered the paper with the flowers but that's just a minor craftin' technicality. I did the same with my clear buttons, knotting some natural twine through the holes, and finis!

So, last night, as I lay gazing up at the stars, I thought, "where the hell is my roof?!?"

Thanks so much for spending part of your busy holiday weekend with me; you rock!

~Hugs,

• Card Stock: Lasting Impressions
• Designer Paper: Close to My Heart (CTMH)
• Stamp: Verve Visual
• Ink: Versamark
• Accessories: Embossing Powder by Comotion; Clear Buttons; Heidi Swapp Ghost Flowers; Natural Twine; Vintage Handmade Lace
• Tools: Heat Gun; Scrap Fusion PA; Mini-Glue Dots; Hey, is Anyone Actually Readin' This?

Better The-Very-Last-Minute Than Never ... A Verve Visual Sketch Challenge Entry

As threatened promised, here's my 'official' blog post for April 30 ... that other one was just to announce the Diva Impressions stamp giveaway winners and all.

Today's card project was procrastinated created for Verve Visual's Honored Guest Sketch Challenge #2. Now, the odds of me winning a second Verve Visual sketch challenge in one month are astronomical, but what the heck, you can't win if you don't play, right?!?

I used patterned paper from October Afternoon's "County Fair" collection ... apparently, it's the only DP in my studio 'cuz I refuse to stop using it ... over and over again. Y'all gettin' sick of seeing it yet?

The kewl sentiment and the jazzy-lookin' heart stamps are from Verve Visual, and were stamped on Xerox 110# card stock with Palette Hybrid inks. Flowers are from Prima ... brads from American Crafts.

Tomorrow, I'll be posting another challenge project that was issued last Friday ... under the circumstances though (if you are unaware of the circumstances referred to herein, please refer to my second post below), I figger I'm doin' pretty well to get it up at all ... at least, I think that's what he said.

~Hugs,

Card Stock: Xerox 1103; Designer Paper: October Afternoon; Stamps: Verve Visual; Ink: Palette Hybrid; Flowers: Prima; Brads: American Crafts; Die Cutting Machine: Provo Craft; Dies: Spellbinder's; Scalloped Edge Photo Corner Punch: Marvy Uchida; Adhesive: ATG 714; Dimensionals: All Night Media