Poppy Paperie

Birthdays...

... Are the best. That sentiment portion is on the inside.

I made this card  for several friends that had bdays this month. I love mixing in rounded corners and masking... they add so much to a design.

I am a bit of a hypocrite... I make so many cards... and rarely send them any more. I think it's because I forget... I will find envelopes several weeks later (or months, *blush*) already addressed and everything. I have tried to overcome this... but it's a struggle.... even if my intentions are the best. I think my brain needs a vacation.

All supplies by Stampin' Up!

The Gaint Boy

I married a giant boy! and I love it. He works a serious job...and is *Mr. by the book*... but when he lets go ... everyone around him has a blast!!! He is often quoted saying "I am a genius!" in a total Tommy Boy manner... it's hilarious.

I was looking through some photo files tonight and found these. I busted a gut remembering this happening! I think the little girl beside him was in total shock.

Chris is out of town for the weekend... Fishing with his brother. I miss him.... but at the same time, When I think of him like this... Enjoying life to the fullest, I am so happy that he is having a good time.

Now.... a Challenge... I need to scrap these babies! Any cool ideas?

Never enough strawberries!

I just can't get enough of this strawberry!

I used A Muse Mod Dot note card as the guide where to put my circles but actually placed the circles on a fern card. I love how the sentiment fits in a circle just perfect! I also used Colorbox's Creamy brown chalk ink to soften all the edges. Their cat's eyes are just amazingly easy to use..... not to mention store!

Blatant

Blatant I tell ya! When you run a red light and you know it... that's a blatant disregard of the law. It always surprises me when people do things that they feel they are entitled to even when they ARE NOT! Case and Point... click here to see what I mean. Blatant

To CASE a card or scrap page for your use in your home or for gifts is one thing... but to STEAL copyright (C) images or designs for profit is another and this is a pretty BLATANT and extreme case.

As a professional concept designer... this is very hard and sad to see. It's a bit of an eye opener to how naive I was to how far people will go. I abhor when people steal card and scrap designs for their own profit (read publication/professional design work) and can't even imagine this happening.

I do know one natural law that will come into play here.... what you give, you will get... It will be interesting to see what these Pirates get.

Bright and cheery

I struggle with using bright colors sometimes....However with summer racing toward us... I can feel those warm colors callin' my name!

These lovely flower images are part of A Muse's new summer line... I think they are truly glee worthy! I wanted to create something that resembled a flower patch with out a Scene style card. Don'tcha just Luuuuv the sentiment and it's font! *sigh*

Still lovin' my envy punch!

   I tell ya.. this punch makes me want to create envelopes all day long. Ella asks me to make her *Mail* LOL! it's beyond cute!

I made this a while back for a stamping magazine... the editor asked me to replace the dotted BG paper with something stamped. I busted out a big giggle and emailed her back letting her know that it was a stamped image... that's how cool those chalk inks are!

This ribbon is made by Shindo... a new company that premiered at Winter CHA. They had the coolest ribbon at a very *cool* cost. I was blessed with a little treat by someone who so generously shared with me! (thanks!)

Splish Splash!

The past few days I have been out on my deck watching Ella play in her little kiddy pool. Then Pepper comes home (age 7) and can't wait to jump in with her... It's a Party! LOL!

That is exactly what I was thinking of when I created this card for A Muse's Summer release. I know its a simple card... but hey... Simple is Gooood!

Ohhh, Sunshiny day!!!

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood, a beaaaaaaaaaaaa......... oops , wrong show! LOL! Today is a bright yellow day...the green in the trees leaves outside of my studio bay window are glowing with sunshine. It's so neat to be able to appreciate the beauty of this earth! My DH got me a new toy... a Lap Top! yipeee! what a sweetie! (Thanks Babe!) I have been having a ton of bad neck days and it really cuts down on my productivity. I was getting so frustrated. Now I can write up articles and emails while I am resting. I did that this morning... with Lil Ella by my side watching Fairytopia... or as she calls it.. *Topia* (all faeries are *Topia's* too. giggle)

Now... a card... a Polka Dot card...... yesssssss... for you polka-dot lovers out there. I know its simple... nothing elaborate... But I like the soft feel. I used Fluid chalk ink.... It continues to grow on me and is now my #2 fav!

I love combining stamp sets from Stampin' Up! the two I used were Polka-Dot posies and Love with out end.

Ohhh... also... Check out these new picks in my albums---------------------> here are the links to see them on Papercrafts website for the instructions. http://www.papercraftsmag.com/projects/

http://www.papercraftsmag.com/paperparties/category.ihtml?idx=295

Scenes

I like simple... but its really difficult for me to do. Scenes are something that I just figured out. head slapper day too....... sorta like... DUH! Here is a scene that I did for a scene call for the Rubber Stamper. there is no layers on this card.... only ink! I used some shading tricks to add extra depth. Also masking to create forward layers.

Yes... I continue to be seasonally confused. I know its may... but this is the life of a designer... it truly CAN be Christmas every day! LOL! or in this case thanksgiving.

OH... I almost forgot... STAMP-A-Majig!!! I used that and it made it so easy to create a scene. I just love tools that make life easier. I usually forget about it because I am a *wing it* kinda gal.... but when I need it..... I love, LOVE it!

blue day? yep... but it's more light blue.

Feeling blue...

Today is a blue day.... I hate blue days, especially when its bright and sunny outside. that's a rare day for me. I guess as we pass through life... things just happen. Its funny... I usually handle the big things... WAY better than the small ones. This time.. .the Big got me. I think it might be because I sacrificed a lot... and worked super hard with certain benefits offered... only to find out that it was all for nothing... well, at least so it seems. I guess it's never all for nothing... but it's very hard to see hidden benefits when I am disappointed. All in all this is the third blow this month... that might be part of it.

I really shouldn't be sad... great things, amazing things have happend to me. I am grateful for so many things. I don't think I have even been so anxious for Ella to wake up from her nap... I want to walk down to the lake with her. She makes everything seem special and exciting... we will go look for baby chicks and ducklings... that will do the trick!

Ending on a good note... I found out last week that I will be the only artist featured on the cover of a national paper crafting publication! an entire Picnic spread...  I was so Elated to find out! That makes my third cover this year! think positive Leese... life really is good.

Motion...

I LOVE images that create a sense of depth or motion when they are stamped! This flower does it to me. Stare at the center of one of them... SEE WHAT I MEAN?!?! Cool Beans huh!

This is yet another Summer release from A Muse. :)

I have really come to love this Fluid chalk ink by Colorbox too. It took me a little while to understand its strengths... but now I love it! I love how it creates a flat finish... so soft and soothing.

Bee Happy!

 

This bitty bee makes me smile so enormously! I think its the perfect size stamp for a bee too. I can't wait to use it for a few book marks for my Daughters to remind them of a few concepts taught by Gordon B. Hinkley...

1. Be grateful.

2. Be smart.

3. Be clean.

4. Be true.

5. Be humble.

6. Be prayerful.

You can find this new A Muse summer release Bee in local stamp stores soon. Won't that BEE great!?!

The taste of summer!

I am SO ready for summer.... and spring is barely here in the Northwest. LOL!

This new image by A Muse is too sweet for words. I am so happy to have a spectacular strawberry image like this one...I love the way the stem sits on it! this card brings memories of warm nights eating strawberry shortcake with my Grandpa. *sigh*

Summer Lovin'!

these images are part of the A Muse summer line! I tell you, these little crabs just stole my heart!

There is fine glitter on the white portion of the card to resemble white sand...Did I mention I love this little crab?

I am really enjoying the fluid chalk ink by Colorbox... it lends itself to such a pretty soft flat look.

Artsy

Every once in a while I try something new.... Here I wanted to do Artsy, eclectic and different than my typical style. This card was inspired by Shauna Der... eclectic stamper and fun chick!

I am loving the Fastenator! such a fun tool.

these images are by A Muse... love their stamps!