Hang in there...

This little monkey (*Swingin' Monkey*) by Whipper Snapper put such a big smile in my face the minute I saw him. He's perfect to send to a friend who needs that extra hug!

After coloring him with Copic markers (you can find a HUGE selection of markers at Eclectic Paperie and at Ellen's store), I used my craft knife to cut around his little fingers and then slid the heart into his hands.

The sky background is easy peasy to do with the Copic Airbrush system, also available at both stores.

Geesh, I wonder what I would do if someone came and took my Copics and airbrush away? *faints just thinkin about it*


Supplies
Stamps: Whipper Snapper Designs, Stampendous
Paper: SU!, Flair Designs, MME, PTI white
Ink: Palette Noir, Copic markers, Copic multiliner pen
Misc: Cindyribbon, button from JoAnn's, Cuttlebug heart die

Somebunny loves you!

Who wouldn't love a plump little bunny, balloons in hand, bringing cheer to your mailbox?

This is another Anna Wight design for Whipper Snapper. I airbrushed him (her?) ever so lightly with the Copic airbrush system and added a bit of sparkle to one of the balloons.

Now, I just need to put the address to one of my favorite peeps on the envie, stick in a hug and mail him out!

Give someone a hug today... it REALLY feels good!

Supplies:
Stamps: Whipper Snapper Designs, AMuse
Ink: Palette Noir, Copic Markers, Copic liner pen
Paper: SU! (the strip is from my scrap bin, so I don't know the manufacturer, sorry)

Something different...

Every so often I need to change things up a bit. Switch from the traditional 4.25 x 5.5 card... from the paper background and all the ribbons and buttons and bellies to something a little more simple.

Here, I choose a 6x3 size card. Perfect fit for those *regular* envies (the kind we send bills in, except now we pay all our bills on-line, so I have TONS of these envies sitting around. lol) Instead of a gorgeous piece of paper from my stash, I used a Heidi Swapp mask with Copic markers and the airbrush system.

I started with a piece of white cardstock, laid the flower mask down and sprayed with a light blue. Then I lifted the mask and sprayed the colors I wanted for the flowers (pink, red and green). I then replaced the mask and sprayed with a darker shade of blue over the whole card. It still needed *something*, so I made a matte 1/4 inch smaller than the image and covered the edges with Glimmer Mist (it's always good to add a bit of sparkle, don't you think?). Lastly, I stamped the sentiment and added the bird.

So, there you go... something different.

Supplies:
Stamps: Impression Obsession, Inkadinkado
Heidi Swapp mask
Ink: Palette Noir, Copic markers, Glimmer Mist

I love hugs!

I fell in love with this Elzybells stamp the minute I saw it. Two little friends, happy to be together! Then, I remembered the hug stamp that I've had forever and thought *PERFECT PAIR!*

My girlfriends know that I'm all about hugs! I make a card, put a big hug inside and mail it out. I love when I get an email from a friend who has received a card from me and it was just the ray of sunshine they needed that day. And I didn't even know it!

So... I'll be sticking a big hug in this little card and slapping a stamp on it tomorrow! Hope it puts a smile in her face, cuz she sure puts one on mine!
(Hi Vic!)

Supplies:
Stamps: Elzybells Art Stamps, Rosebud Rubber Stamps
Paper: BG Two Scoops, PTI white, the pink is from my scrap box - source unknown
Ink: Palette Noir, Copic Markers, Sakura black glaze pen

Love those chicks!

I've collected so many stamps over the years that I've become more and more particular about what I buy. Anna Wight's creations for Whipper Snapper are a must have for me though. Not just cuz they are so stinkin CUTE, but because they are so versatile.

Take these chicks for example. They were in the Easter section of our local craft store, but how badly do I really need another Easter stamp? I looked past the holiday and saw a birthday, love ya, thinking of you, etc. type stamp. Plus they are the best stamps to color. BONUS!!

I think these chicks and I are going to have a long and happy relationship. LOL!

These fabulous layouts were inspired by Michele Boyer's creations on her blog Paper Cuts! She is one of my new found stamping idols! I must have been living in a cave to have missed her creations!

Supplies

Stamps: Whipper Snapper, SU!

Paper: SU! Wwhite and old olive, Chatterbox, Luxe

Ink: Palette Noir, Copic markers

Ribbon: Michaels

Punches: SU! (tag), EK (flower)

LOVE those monkeys!

I love to color... whether it's with Copic markers, pencils, watercolor, you name it, I can color all day long. It's soothing to me.

I guess that's why I love these Changito monkeys by Stampendous. (you can find them at Eclectic Paperie here). I think I'm going to have to get more of them. They are just so stinkin CUTE!

I also *finally* figured out how to put a watermark on my image. I tell ya... if you ever have a need for a gorgeous banner and/or watermark, check out Freckled Fun Designs here! Bethie is just the BEST!!!

Supplies:

Paper: Chatterbox

Stamp: Stampendous

Ink: Palett Noir, Copic markers, black glaze pen

Misc: Clear button SU!

Miss You!

I miss California! The sun and the palm trees won my heart BIG time!
I know, I know, I belong here in Minnesota where it's cold, but still... I miss it.
I also miss my friend Joy, who was the most gracious hostess ever! She trucked Lisa and I around the whole time we were there for CHA. Love you O' Joyous One!

This adorable new Elzybell stamp *Daydreamer* is perfect for a Miss You card! Doesn't she look like she's thinking about California sunshine?

I *heart* California!


Supplies: Elzybell *Daydreamer*, PaperTrey Ink *Mixed Messages*, Spellbinder flower die, Chatterbox paper.

Happy Valentine's Day!

ooo' I LOVE this day! It's the day my DH asked me to marry him many years ago.
To bad it's also the day when I have to go back to reality... my day job. After spending time in the beautiful So. California sunshine, it's gonna be so hard.

I hope you all have a day FILLED with love and sunshine (even if it's just in your heart)!

I think I'll pass out extra hugs today... that always makes me feel better!

Just sitting here thinking of you...

I met Anna Wight at CHA, who is the creator
of this adorable Whipper Snapper design called *Pete*.
I absolutely adore everything she designs for WS and long to own them all!

Pete is one of those perfect stamps to color... not to big, perfect for shading, etc. I *heart* him very much!

I'm home!

After a whirlwind 4 days in beautiful Southern California, I'm back in the frozen tundra! Do you know how hard it is to go from 70° and sunny to 10° and snow? Oh, how I miss those palm trees!




Lisa Zappa (LZ), Joy, Leann, Sam (Daisy's adorable daughter), Daisy and I were the crew that strolled the aisles of CHA for Eclectic Paperie... looking for that next great thing - that *must have* item for Eclectic Paperie to carry in the store. What an amazing group of women this is! Oh, but just wait until you see what new items eP will carry! Save your $$ girls!!!

Ok, now I've got to get unpacked... start laundry... think about dinner... I don't know if I'm ready to be back in the real world yet.

Day 1

Here I am. Finally... a blogger.

I'm at my friend Lisa Zappa's gorgeous gorgeous house because it's the night before we fly out to Anaheim CA! We are going to CHA! (Craft & Hobby Association) I am so excited!!!

Anyway, we're talking while she finishes packing about what to put on my business cards. We'll be at CHA as designers for Eclectic Paperie but I want to have a personal connection to me on the card too.
Lisa says "NOW is the time to set up your blog"! So, here I am.

We found these fun cupcake boxes at Target last weekend and filled them with treats for a couple of friends of ours (shhhh don't tell them). We each made a tag for the front using the Stampendous' *Hey There Cupcake* set that Eclectic Paperie sells exclusively. LOVE that set!

So, off we go to Cali! Val has been giving us daily weather updates (she thinks it's funny that it's 70 degrees in CA and 10 degrees in MN!) and I am so looking forward to giving out some huge HB hugs!

I'll take lots of pics and get loads of new ideas to share on my new blog. Hope you come back and visit again!