Happiness Blooms!

Frogs

2012-01-22T18:53:00.004-06:00

I kept today's stamping simple. I used two sheets of pattern paper (Love Struck by WeR), coordinating cardstock and My Special Love image from Whipper Snapper.

I went from Valentine's...

To a card to just say Hello...

and back to Valentine's again.

You just gotta love the versatility of this stamp!

Hope you had a great weekend!
HB

Happy Everything

2012-01-17T05:00:00.000-06:00

Doesn't this image just scream HAPPY?

It's one of the new stamps I just got from Whipper Snapper called Frog Garden. It made me smile the minute I saw it. The sentiment is from the Sweet Expressions set. Papers are Jillibean and the butterfly punch is Martha Stewart

I hope your day is filled with everything happy!
HB

2-fers

2012-01-16T06:25:00.003-06:00

I've been stamping for a lot of years and have collected a lot (ok, LOT) of stamps. When I buy a new stamp now, it has to have multiple purposes (except for Christmas, because, well, just because). When the new Whipper Snapper release came out a few weeks ago, I saw this mouse and had to have him. But... what about my rule? It's a Valentine's stamp!

Oh no... it's so much more! He's the perfect little guy to deliver flowers and a balloon when a friend or loved one isn't feeling good.

The Valentine's card uses Yours Truly (Echo Park) papers and the balloon is covered in glaze to give it some shine.

The Get Well Soon card uses Farmhouse line (October Afternoon) papers.

The sentiments for both cards are Papertrey.
Thanks for stopping by today!
HB

Sending Love!

2012-01-07T11:22:00.003-06:00

Now that Christmas is put away it's time for my next favorite holiday -Valentine's Day! (Just so you know, pretty much every holiday is my favorite because it gives me a theme for card making. LOL)

Here is my first Vday card of the year. It came together just like I had in my head. I love when that happens! I used the little girl from Happy Mail (Pure Innocence - MFT) and edited the sentiment a bit.

The papers are from Yours Truly 6x6 pad (Echo Park) and the word "Love" is from Mixed Messages (PTI).

The sentiment is stamped in black on white cardstock, masking off the part I didn't need. Then I stamped "Love" in red and used a Spellbinders die to make the ribbon tag.

See that heart border down the left side? LOVE IT! It's a new die I just got from Memory Box. The heart chain is very delicate, but I used my Quickie Glue pen to attach it with no problems at all.

Thanks for stopping by today!

You make me smile...

2012-01-02T09:53:00.002-06:00

My friend Lana is the Featured Stamper over on Splitcoaststampers this week. She creates such wonderful things and has a style that is truly her own. I just had to case one of her beautiful creations.

Lana makes what we affectionately call "Lanacuts". She mixes patterns and colors using strips of paper, creating a base for her images that just leaves me shaking my head thinking "how does she know to put those colors/patterns together and make them look so good?".

I picked one of my favorite cards from her gallery and tried to do the same. Thank goodness October Afternoon papers all go together. LOL The image and sentiment are from All About You additions (Papertrey Ink).

You can find Lana's gallery on Splitcoast HERE. Check it out... it is a definite "smile maker"!

HB

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T08:25:00.003-06:00

Well we did it... we finished off another year and today we start fresh. I love the first day of a brand new year!

To all of you, my blogland friends, I say a heartfelt Thank You for visiting my little place on the web this past year.

I've been stamping up a storm this weekend, and I'm excited to share with you. This little guy is a digi image from StampFairy.com. The papers are October Afternoon and the pennant die is My Favorite Things.

Have a wonderful start to your new year - see you soon!
HB

Snow Wonderful

2011-12-27T18:17:00.004-06:00

Hello Hello! Christmas has come & gone and now it's time to get those thank-you's in the mail.

After the family was all on their way home yesterday, I had a chance to sit and color for a while using a digi image from Whimsy Stamps.

Papers are from October Afternoon Good Cheer line.

2 down. A few more to go. LOL
See you soon!
HB

Holiday Treats!

2011-12-04T13:35:00.004-06:00

Each year we have a holiday luncheon for our department at the bank. We have a beautiful catered lunch on the 25th floor that has windows all around it looking over St. Paul. It's a spectacular view!

And each year I make little treat boxes to put at each place setting as part of the table decorations. 40 of them! :)

I love these boxes that Deb Felts shared on her blog and they are so easy to make. They are the perfect size to hold 2 Dove chocolates. The only change I made was to glue the sides so they maintained their box shape when opened.

The majority of the boxes are made using My Minds Eye Merry Little Christmas 6x6 pad. Others are made with various holiday papers from my bin. The images are digi stamps from Pink Petticoat that are colored with Copics. I used lots of glitter and fun flock to make them all *wintery*.

I'm excited for the holidays! How about you?

HB

Thanks a latte!

2011-11-11T09:23:00.004-06:00

First and foremost - I would like to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to all the men and women who have, do and will give of themselves to protect and serve this country. We honor you on this Veteran's Day (and every day!)

Now.. on to the card. I picked up this stamp set (Art Impressions) at Archivers during Scrapfest. It's just the perfect card/gift card combination!

The coffee cup is paper-pieced and attached to the kraft layer. Once attached, I cut a slit at the top of the cup (under the *cover*) for the gift card to slide into.

The insulated wrapper is actually a wrapper from Panera. I love the texture it gives the card! (that idea is from my friend Bevie Pearl. She's a genius!)

The papers are from Echo Park and My Minds Eye.

I'm off to make a big pot of soup. I love holidays!
HB

Oh happy day...

2011-11-07T06:22:00.003-06:00

Happy Monday everyone!
Recently, October Afternoon had their warehouse sale and I scooped up some beautiful paper for a great price! OA is one of my very favorite paper companies because, well... there are too many reason's to list so let's just look at today's cards.

This cutie (Pure Innocence) has a paper pieced skirt and is colored with Copic markers. The sentiment referenced clouds and sunshine and OA has awesome cloud paper!

This easy peasy card uses an OA journal card along with a Papertrey sentiment and die.

Don't you love when things come together so easy? I sure do!

Have a happy Monday!
HB

Happy Halloween..

2011-10-27T12:10:00.005-05:00

It's vacation time for me today... through next Tuesday! woooHOOOIE!
I'm suppose to be getting things organized to leave tomorrow morning for a girls weekend, but I've been finishing up some last minute Halloween things.

First up... cards for our daughters. Since they don't live here I need to send them their "treat" and what holds a gift card better than a card! :)

I love this funny set by Raisin Boat!

I've been working on tags for treat bags for the office over the last couple weeks. 20 in all! (have I said I am so not a good mass producer!?!)

These were really fun to make. I used a mixture of Raisin Boat and Boyd digi stamps. The papers are from My Minds Eye and We R Memory Keepers 6x6 pads.

They will be tied to bags of homemade white chocolate popcorn. YUM.

Ok, now I REALLY need to get packing!

Friends

2011-10-25T19:49:00.003-05:00

Hello!
Looks like I need to do a little dusting around the 'ol blog again. Life just gets a little busy.

I have been stamping though. It is a great stress release after all. LOL! This is one of my recent favorites. The stamp (Penny Black) was a birthday gift from a wonderful friend. Isn't he just the cutest thing!

The other thing I've been keeping busy with is making cards for our local Meals on Wheels organization. They send birthday cards to each of their clients (the folks who receive the meals) and are in need of so many cards.

Here is my recent "batch". 50 of them! I just love knowing that I'm helping to put a smile on someone's face.

Thanks for stopping by and I'll see you soon!
HB

Peaceful

2011-09-10T07:35:00.003-05:00

Happy Saturday everyone!

It's a beautiful morning here in MN. I love to wake up, open ALL the windows and let the cool Fall breezes flow through the house and make big breakfast.

My friends often do fun challenges on the weekends and this is one of my favorites... stamp on dictionary paper.

The silhouette stamp (Flourishes) is perfect for this challenge. Notice I even found the dictionary page that starts with the word "Fish"! Attention to detail my friends. LOL

Well... I'm off to clean up the kitchen. Have a beautiful day!
HB

Happy Haunting

2011-09-08T05:00:00.002-05:00

Now that it's getting cooler out we all know what's just around the corner. Halloween! I love making Halloween cards - don't know why, I just do.

I had an extra die cut of these houses laying on my table from making this card and decided it would make a perfect row of haunted houses! The houses are cut from watercolor paper, so they have a bit of texture to them. When I colored them with gray Copic markers (W2 and W4) it gave them a mottled look. Spooooky!

Gold cardstock was put on the back of each house for some light in the windows.

I am excited for fall... it's my favorite season! The colors, the crisp air, the NO AIR CONDITIONER, making a big stockpot of soup on a Sunday afternoon... I am SO ready!

See you soon!
HB

Sewing?

2011-09-06T05:00:00.000-05:00

I have been seeing such fun sewing-themed stamps for quite a while and finally gave in and bought this adorable set from Hero Arts. I made two cards right away... one with a clean , simple look. (Don't you LOVE the little hangers from Tim Holtz?)

And this one with a vintage feel. The little skirt is vintage lace, rubbed with Spun Sugar Distress Stain, loosely gathered with needle & thread and then attached with glue.

Ya, that needle & thread was the only "sewing" I did on these cards. LOL The zigzag stitching on the first card is a STAMP! Don't you love it?

Thanks for stopping by!
HB

Everyday is a Gift

2011-09-04T12:24:00.004-05:00

Hello my crafty friends!
We are enjoying a lovely, cool (yea!) Labor Day weekend here in MN! And you know what THAT means... it's a 3 day weekend! wooHOOO!

I can't think of anything better than to sit in front of an open window, with a cool breeze and sunshine coming in, and STAMP!

This simple card uses Hero Arts butterflies, a Papertrey Ink sentiment and My Minds Eye papers. A black Viva Pearl Pen gives the dots on the butterfly wings dimension.

Don't you just LOVE when your Copic makers match the pattern paper so perfectly? *sigh*

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend!
HB

Hello

2011-07-27T06:26:00.003-05:00

hello hello.... it's another rainy, humid day here in MN. ugh.

Here's a little something to brighten your day (unless you live somewhere beautiful and you don't need brightening).

The layout is last weeks sketch challenge (SC342) over on SCS. I love it's simplicity, and yet you can really pile on the stuff to make it all that and more!

The flower is from Hello Spring (Taylored Expressions), the grass is an old old little stamp from my drawer and the sentiment is from PTI. Paper is Simple Stories.

I'm off to dodge raindrops on my way to work.
HB

Delight

2011-07-25T19:35:00.003-05:00

I've been seeing beautiful cards out in cyberville that have butterflies in flight across the front. I love this look and thought I'd give it a shot.

The large butterfly and the embossed background of the medium sized ones are from the Discover your Wings set (Taylored Expressions). The sentiment is from Miracles Blossom (Verve) and the little butterflies are from a couple Martha Stewart punches.

I needed various size pearls for all these sizes of butterflies - Viva Pearl Pens to the rescue! I love that stuff!

Well... that's it for today!
HB

Yellow & Black

2011-07-24T06:28:00.002-05:00

Yellow & Black... makes you think of bumble bees, doesn't it? LOL
It's such a bold and sophisticated combination if you ask me.

I used the Sweet Sunday sketch (#126) and my new Authentique papers. The stamp is from Unity. I left the front "sentiment free" because a. I couldn't figure out where to put it and b. because then I could use this card for anything.

Hope you're having a beautiful day!
HB

Hope

2011-07-23T06:18:00.003-05:00

It's been a crazy, hot week here in my little corner of the world. Thank goodness I have a hobby (addiction?) that keeps me sane.

My friend Lana sent me a card recently using this awesome layout. She's an amazing stamper!

The stamp is from Verve, paper from Echo Park, dies from Papertrey Ink and My Favorite Things.

It's gonna be a hot one again today. I guess I better stay inside. {giggle}
HB

Wish you were here...

2011-07-17T19:09:00.002-05:00

I was playing with various dies this weekend and came up with this...

The houses are Tim Holtz, the tree is Memory Box and the cloud is Papertrey Inc. I love how such varied products can all work together! The sentiment is Market Street Stamps.

It was hotter than blazes here in MN this weekend so I felt it best to stay in the coolness of the house and my stamp table. LOL That means I have a few more creations to show you this week! See you soon.
HB

Just a Note

2011-07-14T06:00:00.001-05:00

I was in St. Cloud, MN last weekend for a family get-together and managed to talk my wonderful husband into letting me have an hour at Crafts Direct. Those of you who don't know, Crafts Direct is a huge craft store that carries just about every paper line made. I could spend hours walking up and down their stamping/scrapbooking aisles!

I found the display of the new Authentique line and stopped dead in my tracks. Beauty!

I pulled out one of my favorite Whipper Snapper stamps (Basket of Blooms) and the whole thing just came together (don't ya love when that happens?).

Hope you're having a great week!
HB

Miss you

2011-07-12T06:00:00.003-05:00

Last weekend we moved our youngest to Chicago. I used to be able to run over and get a hug whenever I was missing her. Not so much any more. : (

I've been making *miss you* cards that I can tuck a hug inside and have her get things in her mailbox besides bills.

Just look at that sad face! I know it will bring a smile to my daughter's face and that's what's important.

The image is a Pure Innocence digi stamp from Heather Ellis. The sentiment is from Say it Big (Our Craft Lounge).

Thanks for stopping by!
HB

Summer

2011-07-10T19:11:00.003-05:00

Can it get any hotter? Well, I know it can but another day in the 90's is... well, enough all ready. My favorite summer time snack (and spring, fall & winter too) is ice cream. Plain 'ol vanilla. Sure, I like the fancy schmancy flavors, but I really prefer vanilla.

So in honor of this hot summer day...

The Tall Sundae (Whipper Snapper) is stamped, colored with Copic markers and cut out. It's mounted with foam tape on a tag (Simple Stories).

I hope you're keeping cool!
HB

Flying into July

2011-07-07T06:23:00.003-05:00

This year is just *flying* by! OMGosh it is JULY already. YIKES!

I can't think of a better pilot to guide me through this month than this little guy.

He's a digi stamp from Zlatoena Designs and I think he's the cutest pilot ever! Papers are all Stella & Rose Hattie collection (My Minds Eye).

If your year is going as fast as mine... enjoy every second!
HB

Happy 4th!

2011-07-04T14:53:00.003-05:00

Happy 4th of July! It's a beautiful day here in MN and after all the craziness of the last few days (we moved our youngest to Chicago this weekend), I had to sit down and create something this morning. I just HAD to!

It's also my friend Bevie's son's birthday. How cool is that? He always gets sparklers and fireworks to celebrate!! I wonder if his birthday cards are always red, white & blue? lol

Well, he can add one more to his stack.

I used a new digi image from Zlatoena Designs and the sentiment and die for the cloud is PTI.

I hope you're having a beautiful day!
HB

Lighthouse at Sunset

2011-06-19T17:23:00.002-05:00

Masculine was the theme of the day being it's Father's Day. As I sat at my table this morning (I'm up waaaay earlier than Harry, so I can enjoy my coffee and play before he gets up) trying to decide what to start on, I spied this little watercolor tray I bought after last summer's CHA. I had stood in front of Tim Holtz watching him show how to watercolor using Distress reinkers and I was hooked. Then I got home, put things away and, well....you know.

And so it began this morning... water, brushes, reinkers, watercolor paper, and not to much of a mess. lol

I used a wide brush to create sand, water and a sunset. The image is from an old SU! set (Coast to Coast) that I colored with Copic markers. The anchor (tied to red & white twine) was actually on a button, but the button was baby blue and didn't match, so I pulled out my trusty wire cutter and removed it. The sentiment is Papertrey Ink.

It was fun finding the inner *artist* in me today! LOL
HB

Challenges

2011-06-14T06:27:00.004-05:00

Good morning friends and happy Tuesday!

This past Sunday I had a chance to play in the Featured Stamper challenge over on SCS. This week the FS is Stampercamper and she has a wonderful gallery! I loved the layout of the card I chose (THIS one) so much that I made two!

This one used Fruit Fusion: Grapes stamp set and matching die, the Jar Label die and Polka Dots Basics II embossing plate (all PTI).

The second card uses Make a Wish additions stamp set along with the coordinating die set (all PTI) and a Fiskars embossing plate and border punch. The papers are Basic Grey.

It's suppose to be a beauty of a day here in MN. I hope you have the same!

Sweet Thank You

2011-06-11T11:33:00.006-05:00

Hello! It's a great Saturday morning here in MN! That means I am spending the morning playing at my table. Yeaaaa!

A week or so ago I entered the Penny Black borders & frames challenge and won with THIS card! I was so dang excited! I was able to pick any transparent set I choose and selected Wonderful Day. It came in the mail yesterday so the first thing I did this morning was make a thank you card.

Isn't that hedgie the cutest ever? I stamped the image on white cardstock and die cut with a big scallop circle Nestabilities. I stamped a second time and cut out just the petals of the flower. After coloring with various shades of yellow Copics, I cut them out and attached just the tip with a bit of glue. I curled the ends of the petals with a bone folder.

I didn't have a tag die that fit this little space, so I used a Nestabilities tag and after I die cut it, I re-cut it, putting the tag half way down to cut off the end, but still give me that wonderful edge that Nesties give. I ran a Copic around the edge for color and then added glitter.

Papers are October Afternoon and Echo Park. The seam binding is colored with Trunk Bay Glimmer Mist (a gift from a wonderful friend!)

I'm off to stamp some more. I love Saturdays!
HB

Cheer Up!

2011-06-04T07:01:00.003-05:00

Happy Saturday!
A friend of mine was a little down last week, so I need to get a *happy* card in the mail! I've had this Penny Black stamp forever and he needed a little dusting off, but I know the cuteness factor will bring that much needed smile to her face.

He originally had a bird flying over his nose, but since the sentiment (Penny Black) I was going to use had "butterflies" in it, I masked the bird before I stamped and then added a little butterfly and the trail so it looks like he flew right off the hedgehog's nose.

This card is flying off to a friend who needs cheering up! I hope you have a cheerful Saturday!
HB

Hello

2011-05-31T04:00:00.000-05:00

I had fun playing in various challenges this weekend (husband and son were on their annual "manly men become one with nature" trip). This one is for the Featured Stamper challenge over on SCS (FS225).

I love this tent topper layout - originally created by Mish!
I used all Papertrey goodies to create it. Library Ledger paper, Ocean Tides and Harvest Gold felt, Beautiful Blooms #2 and #3 dies, Edger #3 die

I've got one heck of a mess on my stamp table - but it's SO worth it! : )

See you soon
HB

2011-05-30T03:00:00.000-05:00

Today is Memorial Day here in the USA - a day we honor those who protect and serve... both past and present.

I thought Betsy Bluebell (Penny Black) would look darling all decked out in Red, White & Blue. She's poised with patriotic balloons in celebration of the service of our solders have given, and still give, to keep us free.

I hope you are having a wonderful holiday weekend.
HB

Happy Saturday...

2011-05-28T10:30:00.002-05:00

It's actually a very nice day here in MN... the sun is shining, but it's a bit on the chilly side. Hey... I'll take sunshine and goosebumps over rain any day!

I started the day out right... playing with new PTI stuff!

*happy* is from the new Wonderful Words die set. *everything* is from the matching stamp set (both PTI). The flower is a MTF die-namics die using PTI felt (that stuff cuts like butter!).

To make the word *happy* sparkle, I ran a piece of white cardstock through the Xyron machine and then die cut it. Having the whole word be sticky allowed me to dip the word into the glitter and it sure sticks better. *everything* is stamped with white ink and then embossed with white embossing powder.

Pretty easy-peasy card. I like that!

Hope you are having a wonderful holiday weekend!
HB

Happy Mail!

2011-05-26T05:00:00.001-05:00

Sometimes, I just like to send a card to say "I've been thinking about you". This little Pure Innocence image is perfect for that message!

Papers are from my new favorite line... Life of the Party (My Minds Eye) and Little Yellow Bicycle. The little flower is made with a mini rolled rose Die-namics die (MFT) and has a pearl center. The leaves are cut free-hand.

Off to the Post office...
HB

It's your day!

2011-05-24T05:00:00.001-05:00

Hi Friends!
I had a few minutes to stroll through Archivers the other day and found the new 6x6 pads from My Minds Eye. I snapped up Life of the Party and could hardly wait to start cutting into that luscious paper!

I dug through my stamps looking for a cupcake stamp. Seriously, I had to DIG! I finally found this cutie (Our Craft Lounge) and new it had to take center stage on the adorable cupcake paper.

I stamped the cupcake with Berry Sorbet (PTI), cut it out and then covered the base in glitter. I frosted the cupcake with my pearl Viva Decor pen. It looks like old fashioned seven-minute frosting! A few sprinkles of glitter and it looked good enough to eat!

A simple little sentiment from Fillable Frames #8 (PTI) and this card is ready for the mail!

Thanks for stopping by!
HB

Celebrate today...

2011-05-22T18:03:00.003-05:00

It has been a rainy weekend here in MN. The sun would peek out for a minute or two and then Mother Nature would dump more rain on us. I figure if I can't play out in the sun, then I'll stamp in the rain (on the dry side of the window anyway)! I now have quite a few treats stored up to show you in the coming days!

First up... Lily of the Valley (PTI).

I stamped the image on pink cardstock and then colored it in with Copic markers. I was amazed at how well I was able to color and shade on a colored cardstock!

The bottom strip is embossed (Quickutz embossing folder) and the tag is highlighted with a pink Copic marker using my airgun.

I hope you saw some sun this weekend - and if not... well then you stamped, right?
HB

You made my day

2011-05-15T06:53:00.004-05:00

Happy Sunday everyone! The sun is trying to poke through the dreary skies here in MN this morning. I hope it tries a little bit harder!

Yesterday was raining, and there really isn't anything better than spending the day at my stamping table on a rainy day. A couple friends and I decided it was "challenge day". We each picked a challenge out in blog land that we'd all participate in. Today's card is for the Hero Arts' May challenge, which is all about flowers.

After coloring the bunch of flowers in shades of yellow with Copic markers, I filled the centers with a little dot from my bronze pearl pen (Viva Decor). I love those things!

The stamps are all Hero Arts and the papers are My Minds Eye. The sentiment is on a Spellbinders ribbon tag.

I hope the sun shines on you today!
HB

Birthday Candles

2011-05-08T19:32:00.004-05:00

It's always a challenge for me to make birthday cards for the guys on my team at work. I mean really... I can't use pretty ribbons, or flowers, or anything like that. So, knowing I have a few of those birthday's coming up, I figured I better get a head start.

I used October Afternoon paper (Campfire line) and paired it with various colored cardstock. Stars are safe for guys, right?

The candles (Birthday Bracket set by Stampendous) are colored with Copic markers and the dots and stripes are glittered. A guy can handle a little glitter for pete's sake.

The little pennant banner (Taylored Expressions) brought the stars to the top of the card and the top 3/4 of the yellow panel is dry embossed with polka dots (PTI impression plate)

One down... a few more to go. I better get busy!

You make the world...

2011-05-02T19:52:00.003-05:00

I felt like coloring yesterday, so I pulled out this beautiful Rose (PTI) and got busy.

It really makes a pretty little card to send to someone... just to let them know you're thinking of them. I could use a bunch of these. lol

Thanks for visiting!
HB

Happy 4th Elise

2011-04-30T09:00:00.005-05:00

Today is our granddaughter, Elise's 4th birthday. Where does the time go?
Each year I make a her special birthday card and then her mom puts the card in a clear envelope and attaches it to her bedroom door. The pressure is on to make sure it's "door worthy". LOL

A couple months ago I was browsing around SCS and came across THIS beauty by Stampit74. The image looks so much like Elise that I had to order the stamp (C.C Designs). I copied the original card by replacing the pumpkin with the number.

I left this picture a little dark so you could see the dotted swiss effect on her apron. I tried to paper-piece white cardstock with swiss dot embossing, but it just didn't work. Then I spied my Viva Decor pearl pens! I love these things. The Ice White made perfect dots!

The papers are from Imaginisce Garden Party 6x6 pad and the number die is from PTI.

Elise is all about princess' these days, so I just had to make her envelope a fairytale land. It was easy peasy using a sheet of paper from the paper pad.

Thanks for stopping by. I'm off to have cake with the cutest 4 year old I know!

Happy!

2011-03-20T07:27:00.005-05:00

Hello my friends! It's suppose to be a rainy day here in MN, but the temps are already in the 40's and it's only 7am! You know what that means? SPRING!!!

I love spring... seeing *green* popping up all over, being able to go outside without a big 'ol coat on, listening to kids outside my window riding their bikes. Speaking of bikes...

I had an "ahaaa" moment yesterday. I was looking at my new button dies from PTI and thought "I wonder if the size works with the Everyday Button Bits set?". Sure enough!

(you can click on the image for a close up)

I colored the middle size button with a brown Copic marker, ran it through my mini Xyron and covered it with brown glitter (Martha Stewart). The small, scallop button is covered in pattern paper for the wheel center.

The tag is stamped with Background Basics Text Style in Antique Linen ink (Tim Holtz) and "happy" is from Boo to You.

The papers are all from my new favorite line... Stella and Rose (MME) and the sketch is CPS Sketch #193.

I hope you have a day filled with Spring!

aaaack!

2011-03-17T06:22:00.002-05:00

I ordered some fun stamps from Eat Cake Graphics recently and this guy just cracks me up!

I sure feel like this a lot lately - not in the "sky is falling" way, but in the "life is crazy and how do I get to everything on my list?" way. Thank goodness I have cute images to color and pretty papers to play with to keep me calm! LOL

The papers are October Afternoon and the ribbon is from my ever-growing ribbon scrap drawer.

Hope your day isn't filled with crazies!
Happy St. Patty's Day!
HB

With Sympathy

2011-03-04T20:32:00.005-06:00

I lost my last Aunt this week. She was 90, lived a wonderful life and passed away peacefully after spending the evening laughing with her family. What a perfect way to go.

I wanted the last card I made her (well, her family) to be light and colorful.

I had been saving this scrap of paper forever, so long in fact that I can't even remember what company it's from. I just know that I loved it and used every piece.

A white tag for the sentiment (Fillable Frame #11 and Through the Trees both PTI) just didn't work, so I used my Copic airbrush to spray it yellow. Again... didn't work. So, I took a piece of textured paper towel, covered it with Colorless Blender and laid it on the tag. It pulled just enough yellow off to make this great tag! The paper has a similar yellow background, so it matches perfectly. Happy dance!

The gorgeous flowers are Zva Creative (from Starlitstudio) , and the pearls are from my stash.

I think Aunt Marge would have liked this and I hope she is smiling down on me knowing I made it with love.

Thanks for stopping by!

Just sitting here...

2011-02-27T18:53:00.002-06:00

It was a great weekend here at home. I was able to play with my "toys" all day Saturday! I love days like that.

I opened my drawer of woodblock stamps and there sat "Pete", looking cute as ever, so I just had to ink him up!

Pete is one of my favorite Whipper Snapper stamps, absolutely timeless. He's colored with Copic markers and accented with Cosmo Cricket papers.

I hope you had a great weekend!
HB

Sunshine!

2011-02-21T06:49:00.006-06:00

Happy Monday! Happy President's Day! Happy Snow Day!

Good 'ol Mother Nature dumped another 15 or so inches of snow on us yesterday with more to come today. Those who weren't already off work/school due to the holiday (yea me!) are probably cussin' big time right now trying to shovel out. ugh.

So, to cheer things up a bit around here I thought I'd post something bright, happy and SUNNY!

I used the February SFYTT sketch. It's a great one! The sun and sentiment are from the Sunshine Cheer set (Our Craft Lounge).

After I colored the sun with Copic markers, I covered the rays with course glitter and attached it to a little doily with foam tape. (glitter and doily from Martha Stewart)

I trimmed out 3 little clouds from the paper (Bella Blvd), covered them with course glitter and put a teeeny tiny piece of cardstock behind each before attaching them over the matching cloud on the paper. The cardstock gives just a little "lift".

I hope the sun shines on you today!

Birthday Presents...

2011-02-17T05:28:00.002-06:00

Happy Thursday everyone!

I made this this fun, little birthday card for the Featured Stamper challenge on SCS this week. All the polka dots just make it look like a party, don't you think?

All stamps and dies are Papertrey Ink (Fillable Frames #4, Make a Wish, Make a Wish Additions) and the paper is October Afternoon.

We are enjoying some beautiful Spring weather here in MN. Sure improves the mood, if ya know what I mean. :)

Thanks for stopping by!
HB

Valentine's Treats

2011-02-12T10:45:00.006-06:00

Hello my friends! My table is filled with all things Valentine these days. I've been having so much fun creating cards to send a hug to family and friends!

Last weekend I had to run over to Anchor Paper to pick up some envelopes. While there I was looking at the wonderful creations they had out I spied an adorable treat pouch. They gave me permission to take a picture and I went home and was able to re-create it. It is SUPER easy and uses one 12x12 sheet of heavy paper or cardstock and a bunch of scored lines. (I love easy!).

Here is my take on the pouch. I should have taken a picture from the side to show how it has two pockets, but they are already in the mail. dang hind-sight anyway.

You'll just have to trust me that there are two pockets that open from the top that are filled with chocolate goodness. :)

Here is a close up of the little bird made from the Little Bitty Bird die and Ocean Tides felt. The sentiment is from the Simple Valentine set. (all PTI). I love this little birdie!

I also made a couple special treat pouches for our daughters. There is a special meaning behind the "toad" and "lamb" but if I want them to keep talking to me, I won't post what it is on the internet. ha!

The lamb (from PTI's My Punny Valentine) is covered in white Fun Flock so it is all fuzzy. LOVE that stuff!

I'm working on one last Valentine project for my team at work. Then it's time to put all this pretty stuff away. *sigh*

I hope you're having a creative day!

Love You!

2011-02-05T10:43:00.002-06:00

Happy Saturday! It's a great day to sit at my table, surrounded by all things I love, and create while looking at the cold, snowy day on the OTHER side of the window.

Here's a little Valentine's card all ready to hit the mail.

I love this bunny. LOVE. He's a digi stamp from Zlatoena Designs. His ears and little belly are made soft and fuzzy with pink Fun Flock. A little sparkle on the balloons and a layer of ruffles complete the look.

I hope you are having a creative weekend!
HB

A little spring...

2011-02-01T19:06:00.003-06:00

For all my friends out there who are in the midst of a blizzard/ice storm...

Here's a little Spring.

I love this little bunny - he's a digi stamp from Zlatoena Designs (Etsy shop). His nose, the pads on his little feet and the center of the flowers all have a little Cotton Candy Pink Sparkly Fluff. The papers are Bella Blvd. The sentiment is from Fillable Frames #11 (Papertrey Ink)

Is it a little odd that Minnesota was sunny (but chilly) today while points south are having huge snow storms? I'm sure Mother Nature hasn't taken us off the snow-list. *sigh*

HB

Treasured Friend

2011-01-28T06:00:00.001-06:00

I guess you could say this is a non-traditional Valentine. :) I pared Warm Happiness Too with Simple Valentine (both PTI).

The red hearts are stamped in red and then the solid hearts colored with a red Spica glitter pen (gotta have the shimmer!).

I just LOVE this sentiment - it is so so true. It is stamped on a Spellbinder's tag and tied with a sheer black ribbon (Michael's).

Hope you are keeping warm (it is c-c-c-old here in MN!)

Just a little note

2011-01-26T06:00:00.001-06:00

Sometimes, you need a cute little card just to say "I miss you" or "your face came across my minds eye today" or "I heard your laugh in my head today"... you get the idea.

This image from Pure Innocence (digistamp) from fits that theme perfectly!

The papers are Basic Grey (Hopscotch line), dies are Spellbinders and ribbon is Papertrey Ink.

Thanks for stopping by!
HB

You make my heart sing...

2011-01-23T17:08:00.003-06:00

When I got the new Little Bitty Bird set (PTI) I had this idea pop into my head for my Valentine's Day cards. I remembered that Simple Valentine (PTI) had a stamp that was varying sizes of hearts and I could use them to make the little bird sing!

I stamped the bird and then the little hearts "singing" out of it's beak. The bird is paper pieced (Jillibean Soup) and the hearts are glitterfied with red glitter. The tree is colored with Copic markers. Not finding the perfect sentiment in my plethora of stamps (shocking, I know!), I created the wording on the computer and printed it out on cardstock.

The first card was packaged up and sent to our granddaughters (along with fun treat bags, of course).

Here's the amazing thing... I have my Valentine's Day cards done and it's only January 23rd. Now what?

Happy Everything

2011-01-17T19:59:00.003-06:00

Hi friends! I'm just ending a wonderful, relaxing weekend spent stamping with friends. Oh how I love to create with fun conversations and inspiration all around.

Here's one of the cards I made featuring a Whipper Snapper image that my friend Lana gave me. I love that fat, little bee.

The sentiment is from Little Bitty Bird (Papertrey Ink) and the paper from Jillibean Soup.

I hope you had a fun and creative weekend!
HB

Christmas Thank-you's

2011-01-09T16:13:00.005-06:00

Hey everyone! The holidays are packed up and put away and it's time to dust off the ink and rubber!

I've had a quiet Sunday afternoon getting reacquainted with my stamp table and made some much needed thank you cards.

I used 2 patterns (2 of each) from Mitten Weather (Cosmo Cricket) mini deck and was able to make 6 cards - 2 of each layout. That's a lot of 2's. lol

On this card I used a red Viva Pearl Pen to put berries on the tree. LOVE that stuff. Sets used: Beyond Basic Borders (PTI) and Treasure to Me (Unity).

This card (and the similar one) uses Mat Stack 2 and Everyday Classics (limited edition) along with Mat Stack 2 and Limitless Layers dies (all PTI).

The heart is a Cuttlebug die and embossing folder.

I'm excited to be stamping again and can't wait to show you more. Hope you stop by again!

Caramel Apple Cheesecake

2010-11-28T21:06:00.004-06:00

Hey all! The Thanksgiving holiday festivities are winding down around here. Ours was actually pretty relaxed and easy-going and it was nice to take a moment and reflect on the many, many blessings in our lives.

Today we had dinner with my husband's family. He remembered to tell me I was to bring a desert as we were walking out the door to go Christmas shopping yesterday afternoon. Gotta love that man. LOL

On such short notice I had to reach for my tried and true Caramel Apple Cheesecake.

It turned out so pretty I had to take a picture! And I thought since I was teasing you with a picture I should give you the recipe. It's a keeper!

1 (21 oz) can apple pie filling
1 (9 inch) graham cracker crust
2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/4 cup Mrs. Richardson caramel ice cream topping
15 (or so) pecan halves

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
Reserve 3/4 cup of apple pie filling - set aside. Spoon the remaining filling into the crust.
Beat together the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla. Add eggs and beat until smooth.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until the center is set. Cool to room temperature.

Combine the reserve pie filling and caramel topping in a small saucepan. Heat for about 1 minute. Spoon the mixture over the top, arranging the apple slices around the center.

Lay the pecan halves around the apples. Chop the remaining halves and sprinkle in the center.

Refrigerate until ready to serve. YUM!

Now we're off and running towards Christmas!
Are you ready?
HB

Perfect match

2010-11-13T19:39:00.006-06:00

I've had a pack of Andrea Victoria (MME) paper for so long and have never opened it (hangs head in shame). Well.. the other day my friend Bevie and I decided to have a challenge using the Papertrey Ink set we got at CHA (you can't purchase it, we got it for spending big bucks. lol). As I looked through my papers to decide what to use I spied the sheet from the pack that has dandelion poofs all over it.

A match made in heaven.

I stamped the dandelion poofs on vellum with Fresh Snow ink and embossed with white detail powder. Cutting them out of vellum is SO much easier than cutting cardstock! For the center of each poof, I punched circles out of a strip of white cardstock that I ran through my Xyron sticker maker and then dipped in glitter.

As long as I had the set out, I made up a few for the Meals on Wheels program (see post HERE). The paper is also from the Andrea Victoria line.

That's my new thing. Each time I make a card I make a few more for the program until I fill a box and my darling husband delivers it.

Hope you are having a great weekend!

Purple Flowers

2010-11-10T08:00:00.005-06:00

A couple weeks ago my friend Bevie told me how to make these pretty little flowers using the Tattered Florals die (Tim Holtz Alterations). I sat down with some purple/periwinkle cardstock and gave them a try. They are so easy!

This past weekend I used them to create these:

I actually made 12 cards, some being duplicates of these. All papers are from an old SU! 6x6 paper pad.

For this one I used a Cuttlebug embossing folder, PTI die, Penny Black sentiment and ribbon from Michaels.

Spellbinders ribbon tag, PTI sentiment and May Arts ribbon.

QuicKutz embossing folder, metallic rub-ons and Spellbinders ribbon tag.

EK Success border punch, Spellbinders ribbon die, PTI sentiment and May Arts ribbon.

Martha Stewart punch and PTI sentiment

It was a fun way of mass producing without getting bored by the same design.

Thanks for stopping by. I'm really glad you did!

Using it up...

2010-11-07T19:20:00.003-06:00

Hey everyone! Do you ever stand in your craftroom, look around and say "where in the WORLD did all this stuff come from?" I think I could be in that room a very very long time, stamp and create continually, and never run out of anything but maybe adhesive.

So... when a flyer came across my desk at work one day saying that the local Meals on Wheels program was looking for people/groups to make handcrafted cards to send their clients (the recipients of the daily meals), the proverbial light bulb went off over my head.

I started with this...

and ended with this....

31 cards in one day! That is a record for me! And you can be sure I won't stop there. I have a LOT of stuff to use! And they loved them... wooHOOOO!

Big Hugs!
HB

Celebrate Fall

2010-10-24T19:42:00.004-05:00

We have had just a long and glorious fall season in Minnesota this year. I love the crisp mornings and the how warm the sun still is when you stand right in it's rays.

To celebrate my favorite season I created this.

The layout is from the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #89 and the stamp set is Autumn Abundance (Papertrey Ink) as are the buttons. The paper is Memory Box.

I hope you are having a wonderful fall! It's truly a blessing to behold!

Let it Snow...what?

2010-10-17T20:19:00.003-05:00

Seriously. I am NOT ready for snow. But after playing with fallish papers all day I decided it was time to use some of the new Mistletoe (Memory Box) papers I bought while in Chicago for CHA.

One of the sheets is filled with adorable little birds, all dressed up for winter with little hats, scarves and caps. I knew one would fit perfectly on a branch of Pine's Falling Leaves set (Papertrey Ink).

The snowflakes and sentiment are from Snowfall (PTI).

The sketch is the 10/16 SFYTT. Lots of ways to use up papers with this sketch! LOL! The sparkles are a combination of Sparkly Fluff and Crafty Sparkles (Our Craft Lounge).

I hope you had a wonderful weekend!
HB

a bouquet of wishes...

2010-10-12T20:02:00.006-05:00

I was the lucky winner of some Penny Black stamp sets on the Paper Crafts FB page recently. When they arrived in the mail I was so excited as they are just the most adorable images.

This little girl and her jumbo bouquet was the first image I reached for.

She's colored with Copic markers. Her cheeks are pearlescent chalk (Pebbles Inc) as is the tissue surrounding the flowers. I love the little sparkle that chalk leaves.

The center of each flower is fuzzy (fun flock) and I love the texture it gives.

The flower on the top card is made using PTI flower dies. The yellow layer is PTI felt that I punched little holes around the edge for a doily effect.

The flower on the second card is two Sprites (Prima) held together with a brad covered in fun flock. The peach flower started out life white, but a few spritz of Perfect Peach Glimmer Mist and a smoodge of Rock Candie Stickles and waaaLA! Transformation! :)

I stopped at Archivers last night after getting a haircut and was magically drawn to the new Jillibean Christmas papers. OMG I can't wait to cut into them! (*gasp* I know, I know. It's going to be hard! LOL)

See you soon!

Spooky Treats

2010-10-07T06:19:00.005-05:00

Each Halloween I create a little something to put on my team's desks at work for a treat. Nothing too spooky mind you, just a little fun.

This year was easy-peasy (which I need because I make 15 of them!) with the help of Tiny Treats Halloween and the matching Mat Stack 4 die (Papertrey Ink) and a great template from Waltzingmouse. Did you ever see Halloween look so colorful and fun?!?!

I think this one is my favorite - I LOVE the googlie eye!

I'm making a batch of white chocolate popcorn to put in little bags that will go in the treat box, but here's a look at one filled with little candy bars.

To keep the tag on the front stiff, I glued the paper to white cardstock (you could also run it through a Xyron machine, which would be easier, but mine is in a box somewhere. *sigh*), let it dry and then cut the die. The little image is attached to the circle with foam tap, as is the circle attached to the die. The circle is stamped on white cardstock and die cut with a circle Nestability. I masked the strip where "trick or treat" is stamped and then highlighted the rest of it with various inks, and a blending tool (Ranger). This kept the strip white so the words really pop.

Papers were Echo Park, My Minds Eye, and a few misc. scraps left over from past Halloween lines.

Thanks for stopping by!

October = Halloween!

2010-10-02T07:50:00.007-05:00

Happy World Card Making Day!
You know, I really celebrate card making every day (every day that I can sit at my table that is) but this day really pushes me into gear for the upcoming holidays.

Today, I am working on Halloween cards and treat boxes. Every year I buy adorable Halloween papers and 'bellies and don't use them up. Then the next year rolls around and companies all have NEW lines that I can't resist, so I don't use up what I didn't use from the year(s) before. *sigh*

This year I am changing that habit!

I bought the Happy Halloween line from Echo Park at Scrapfest and LOVE the colors and patterns. I really like buying the entire line for things like this because everything matches and I don't have to stop the creative process to go dig for something that might work. When I got home with the papers I realized that the new Tiny Treats Halloween set and coordinating Mat Stack 4 die from PTI coordinates perfectly! YEAAA!

So... I'm off and running. Creating Halloween cards - mass producing even! (those who know me know that I don't mass produce. lol)

Here's what I'm working on:

This one uses the little bat sentiment, but I cringed at cutting out all the little bats, so instead I used a Martha Stewart bat punch and the black & white polka dot paper. The bat is two layers and separated by a tiny piece of foam tape.

I just love this little glittery spider! I stamped him once and colored him completely black with a Copic marker. Then stamped him again and colored his face with a black glitter pen and covered his body with Eyeliner Black Sparkly Fluff (Our Craft Lounge). The edge of the circle is covered in Eyeliner Black Crafty Sparkles and is attached to the die cut with foam tape. I *dirtied* up the die cut using Pumice Stone Distress Ink. The glitter ribbon (who doesn't love glittery spider webs!?!?) is from Michael's.

The last in my group uses the same spider and die cut. I changed up the papers, layout and didn't *dirty* it up.

So, there you have it...I have a fun day ahead. I hope you do too!!

If you didn't come here from the blog hop, you can find the list of blogs HERE. What a great source for inspiration!

HAPPY CREATING!

Birthday Tree

2010-09-28T08:02:00.003-05:00

A couple weeks ago I was browsing blogs on my google reader and I came across this fabulous sketch. A smart girl would have written down who created it at the same time she scribbled the design on a scrap of paper. Sad to say... I am not that smart girl.

This is just the perfect guy card to me! It's simple, has masculine colors and yet still pops. Through the Trees and Turning a New Leaf papers (both PTI) work so well together.

Thanks for stopping by!
HB

Happy Winter

2010-09-15T21:44:00.004-05:00

Hello again -

We visited a new church recently and there was a beautiful scrolled wood frame around the cross over the alter. As I sat listening to the sermon my mind started to wonder back to that beautiful frame. Yes, I know I should have been listening, but I kept thinking of how I could re-create that on a card.

Then the light bulb went off! Embossing folders and Nestabilities!

I embossed a piece of white-core blue cardstock with a snowflake embossing folder. Then I used two sizes of large circle Nesties to create the frame. After it was cut I lightly sanded the top to really let the snowflakes *pop*.

I cut a larger circle of white cardstock, edged it with a glue pen and glitter and then attached the frame with foam tape.

The cute little penguin is from Penguin Fun and the sentiment from Snowy Sayings both from Our Craft Lounge.

I can't wait to try this with other folders. Just think... leaves, polka dots, script, oh my. :-)

Thanks for stopping by!
HB

Find Joy...

2010-09-11T12:10:00.003-05:00

That is where I am... finding joy in the every day. Being able to sit down, look at all my wonderful supplies, pick up a stamp that makes me happy in that moment, and create.

The butterfly from Taylored Expressions, Discover Your Wings, was my happiness the other day.

Well, that and my sewing machine. Do you know how long it takes to sew around 9 little squares of paper (Basic Grey)? Ok, not that long. lol The sentiment is Hero Arts.

I hope you are finding joy in this day!
HB

Miss you

2010-09-07T20:41:00.002-05:00

Thank you everyone for such a warm welcome back. I really have missed talking to my blogger friends.

As I look through my drawers of stamps that haven't seen the light of day in almost two years I am just giddy with excitement! This little guy (Whipper Snapper Designs) is one of my all time favorites. Don't you just love the way he holds his head? Can't you just hear his heavy *sigh*. LOL.

Time to put my feet up and relax after a long day.
See you next time!
HB

I'm baaaaack!

2010-09-06T20:05:00.003-05:00

dust dust dust... sweep sweep...

Helloooooo.... anybody still out there?
Yes, it's me, Carol 'er HB! I'm back! After months and months we finally have our own place and all my wonderful goodies are out of storage. yeaaaaa!

Today, being Labor Day and all, I thought I'd "labor" over my craft table. It was a productive day and I am a happy girl!

Here is a little creation I made using PTI's Warm Happiness and Basic Grey Wisteria 6x6 pad.

The flower is linen fabric (scrap from my patio door curtains) cut with PTI's Beautiful Blooms #2 dies.

If you happen to stumble onto this place, I am so happy to see you!

Eggstra Special...

2010-02-28T09:04:00.011-06:00

I tell ya, having a plethora of sketch challenges out in the WWW sure helps spark my creativity when I don't have a lot of time to play at my stamp table.

Today's sketch is from Our Craft Lounge and was from a beautiful card created by Charmaine Ikach.

Here is my "Eggstra Special Easter Wishes" take on the sketch:

If you checked out Charmaine's gorgeous card, you can see that a sketch like this can take on so many faces. Hers was elegant where mine is more of a whimsical take. I used Hippity Hoppity (OCL) along with Dear Lizzy paper (American Crafts).

The bunny is cut out of white cardstock, colored with COO (Cool Gray) and then highlighted with R11 (Pale Cherry Pink) Copic markers. Then came the Sparkly Fluff!
Oh, how I love Sparkly Fluff! It gave his ears and tummy just the right fuzziness! The eggs, grass and carrot are all colored with pale shades of Copic markers and then sparkled up with glitter.

Since I was cutting the bunny out, I didn't want to trim out the curly stems to the carrot, so I pulled the thin wire out of a breadbag tie, colored it with a dark green Copic marker, curled it up and attached to the back of the carrot with a glue dot.

There is a cute little basket in this set that has a partial flower and eggs at the bottom. The card needed that one more thing.... so I cut the flower and eggs off the basket, colored, and sparkled them up and attached them to a little tag (Nestability) that I edged with glitter.

The card itself is 5x5. Each layer has a boost of a sheet of cardstock behind it so they "float" above each other.

This was a super fun sketch and one I will definitely use again. Hey, did you know you can win prizes by playing along in the OCL weekly sketch? Check it out HERE!

I hope you have an eggstra special day!

Bike riding...

2010-02-25T20:46:00.005-06:00

A wonderful friend of mine is passionate about riding her bike. It's an indoor bike, so she can ride it every day; and she does! I don't know how she does it... she works all day and then comes home and rides away her day. I stand (or should I say "sit") in awe of her!

I made a springy card to send her to say how proud I am of her diligence.

The adorable bike (don't you LOVE those polka dots!?!) is from Out for a Spin (Our Craft Lounge). I can just see her on it with flowers blowing in the wind as she rides down the street, tooting her little red horn! LOL

I found the paper (American Crafts) at Archivers and snapped it right up as soon as I saw the little bikes on it. They TOTALLY match!

I better get this in the mail! :)
HB

OCL DT Sketch Challenge!

2010-02-22T20:56:00.005-06:00

A great sketch AND a prize!?!? Yup, the OCL Design Team has started a Friday sketch challenge! Each Friday head on over to the Our Craft Lounge blog and you'll find an awesome sketch just waiting to get you inspired!

The first sketch (look HERE) is from the fabulous Broni Holcombe! I LOVE it! After not stamping for so long it was the perfect thing to get my mojo rockin!

I used the large flower from Thankful Flourishes (OCL), stamping it 4 times on different shades of pink paper from the My Minds Eye Home collection. I cut each flower out, used my bone folder to curl the edges and then punched a little circle of chipboard to put in between each layer. The back of the paper was white so I used the new Victorian Velvet Distress Ink (Tim Holtz) to color the back with my blending tool. The center is colored with Y23 Copic marker and then drops of Liquid Pearl added. A large pearl (Kaiser) is in the center.

The lattice strip (Martha Stewart punch) is layered over a strip of green from the same paper collection.

So... what about the prize you ask? Check out all the details at the OCL blog!
HB

It's a CAMILICIOUS day!

2010-01-08T06:20:00.003-06:00

I know... I haven't posted in like a month! It's been an over-the-TOP crazy life lately. But, what better reason to jump back into bloggin then a special celebration!

Today is CAMI's birthday!

woooHOOOO!

Cami spreads her zest for life and gift of creativity just like fairy dust

so this card was totally fitting for her!

Happy Birthday my dear, sweet, pinkalicious friend!

Holiday Cheer

2009-12-13T17:57:00.006-06:00

Tis the season for parties and visits to friends and families. Tis also the season of crazy busy-ness, so coming up with a hostess gift can be challenging. I found some wine bottle size organza bags at Michaels and thought to myself "hey... this could work!" :o)

I created a tag and card to go with each bottle using Cheers and Merry Wishes for the card and Reindeer Kisses and Merry Wishes for the tag. All sets are from Our Craft Lounge.

The paper (Cosmo Cricket) gave just that hint of holiday!

A little shading with Copic markers, a little bling & sparkle and quick, easy hostess gifts are done!

I hope your holidays are stress free!

Kissing frogs and a Congrats!

2009-11-27T18:58:00.004-06:00

Hello all! We've been on vacation for the past week and away from Internet service (relaxing in the northwoods - so very needed to distress before the holidays!) so I haven't had a chance to congratulate the winner of the Our Craft Lounge blog hop! Our fearless Design Team leader, Kendra was kind enough to contact the winner for me. Congratulations Cindy, you won the Hang it up Cupid set!

On to the card - this is one of my favorite creations from the OCL new release. It's the little frog from Fairy Dust is a Must!

I hope you had a blessed Thanksgiving! My list of things to be thankful for was very long, and one of those items was YOU! Thank you for stopping by and all the wonderful comments. I truly appreciate it very much.
HB

Girls RULE!

2009-11-20T02:00:00.000-06:00

The girls at Our Craft Lounge have done it again! It's New Release Day and holy MOLY are you gonna love these new sets! (I have a few *extras notes* at the end of the post, so be sure and hang around!)

I am featuring *Hang it up Cupid*! Perfect for that single friend who hates Valentine's Day! lol

Here's the whole set. Are the ideas just running through your mind?!?!

The girls have made some gorgeous creations using all the new sets that are just waiting to be drooled over! Hop over to The Lounge blog for all the links.

Oh... and that *extra* I mentioned above? Yup! We are all giving away a new set! One per blog! (ooo' I love free stuff!). Just leave a comment on any of the sneak peeks shown Wednesday, Thursday or Today on our blogs and we'll each be drawing a winner! The drawing will be tonight at 11pm CT. Please be sure and leave your email addy so we can contact you!

Oh ya... where can you get Our Craft Lounge sets? There is a list of retailers on OCL blog (The Lounge) but my very favorite place to shop... Eclectic Paperie! (those girls RULE!)

Thanks for stopping by and sharing in the excitement!

a Happy Hi!

2009-11-19T08:00:00.002-06:00

It's day 2 of Our Craft Lounge sneak peeks - and here comes one of my favorite new sets!

I know, I know... we haven't even seen snow yet and here comes Spring flowers! But hey, a girl's gotta be prepared for spreading some sunshine on those dreary winter days, right!?!?

Be sure and check out The Lounge blog for the list of girls who are sharing sneak peaks! We'd love to hear what you think of the sets! And be sure to leave and email address! ;0)

I'm so SO excited for tomorrow... it's Release Day! woooHOOOO Be sure and stop back!
HB

Double Peeks!

2009-11-18T08:00:00.002-06:00

I have not one... but TWO treats for you today! It's Our Craft Lounge new release week!

From a dainty "little girl" card:

To a Wild West Valentine!

So, what do you think? I'd love to know - and who knows what surprises are in store for sharing your thoughts!!!

You can find a list of all the girls who are sharing sneak peeks this week on The Lounge blog and I KNOW you will want to check them out.

AND... don't forget all the Birthday Challenges!

Oh, this is such a HAPPY week!

Ho Ho Ho

2009-11-16T20:53:00.005-06:00

Yup... here comes Santa Claus! Isn't he just jolly! He's from the "Dear Santa" collection (Plum Purdy Designs).

Santa is colored with Copic markers and the puff on his hat and his beard are coated with Fun Flock. (You can click on the pics for a closer look)

The papers are My Minds Eye, and the tag is cut from a Ribbon Tags Trio die (Spellbinders).

On a side note... have you checked out the Birthday Party Challenges over at The Lounge! Fun stuff!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy HOLLYdays

2009-11-15T15:51:00.008-06:00

Each year we have a holiday lunch for our teams at work. Since I joined the department I've made a "little something" for a table favor. This year it's the adorable little matchbook candy holder that was featured on SCS.

I used Holiday Button Bits (Papertrey Ink). However, since I was making 40 of them, I opted to not use buttons (sewing 120 buttons was a bit mutch. lol)

Instead I used 3 glue dots covered with red glitter. Soooo much easier! :o)

I stamped the holly leaves on cream cardstock and then trimmed it down (using a square template) so that the edges of the leaves hung over the edges.

The inside will hold a Ghiradelli chocolate and a computer generated note from the management team.

Did you play in the Our Craft Lounge scavenger hunt? There are awesome prizes and I can't wait to hear who won!

It's a Birthday Party!

2009-11-13T08:00:00.003-06:00

Our Craft Lounge is celebrating it's FIRST BIRTHDAY this month and I figure that's a great reason to play with one of my favorite snowman sets - Tweet Winter Wishes! (like I ever need a reason! lol)

They are celebrating with a Scavenger Hunt and fabulous prizes! If you stopped by here first... head on over to The Lounge blog and check out the fun! ps... you'll want to remember what set I used for this card! ;o)

Speaking of the card - Nichole Heady had a fun idea on one of her cards recently to use double sided tape as a border around an image, and then cover it with glitter. OMGOSH it's even cooler in real life! (you can click on the pics for a closer look).

The *snow* is Sugar Sparkly Fluff and the sparkle is Cosmo Crystal Crafty Sparkles (both from OCL). The papers are last years winter line by October Afternoon and the image is colored with Copic markers.

Hope you have fun *hunting*!

Sending Warm Wishes

2009-11-08T10:19:00.004-06:00

This card must makes me smile. You cannot look at the face on this little gingerbread man and not! He's from the Gingerbread Fun set (Our Craft Lounge).

I stamped him on cream cardstock (Neenah), colored him with Copic markers and cut him out. I did the same with his little outfit. Wanting to give his tie a little texture, I covered it with Distress Crackle Paint - Clear Rock Candy (this stuff is sooo cool!) After his outfit was attached with glue (so much easier to use glue for this because you can move the pieces around a bit to position them perfectly - can't do that with tape), I attached him to a cream panel that I cut out with a Labels One die (Nestabilities) that is matted in green (hand trimmed). As a final touch, I sprayed it with Glimmer Mist for a little shimmer.

The stamp for the tag is from Tweet Winter Wishes (OCL). The stamp actually states "Sending warm winter wishes", but I masked off the word winter so it just says "Sending warm wishes". Get it.... gingerbread = warm, yummy, goodness? lol

The papers are all from the Graphic 45 Christmas Past Collection. It's not really a red, more like a rusty red and matches perfectly with Dusty Durango (SU!). Spring Moss (PTI) cardstock is used for matting the center panel along with his collar and tie. The ribbon is also Spring Moss (PTI).

The sun is shining beautifully in MN today! I hope it's shining on you too!

Glittery Mittens

2009-11-05T20:32:00.008-06:00

Life is so crazy lately that I don't often have time to play in some of the fabulous sketch challenges out in blog-world. But.. when I saw the sketch on the MojoMonday blog this week I just had to play.

I used Snowfall and Snowfall Additions (Papertrey Ink) and lots and lots of glitter! :0)

(you can click on the pic for a closer look)

I stamped the mittens on green cardstock with matching green ink and then, before cutting them out, I ran each through my little Zyron sticker machine. THEN I cut them out, leaving the sticker paper intact. (yes, I tell you this because I completed the trial and error of doing it other ways first. Not successfully I might add. lol) After cutting them out, I pulled back just the top of the paper and covered the mitten band in red glitter. Then I pulled the paper off and *dipped* the rest of the mitten in my glitter container. ooooo' so sparklie!

The snowflakes are stamped in blue on white cardstock and cut out. Because I was covering them with blue stickles and glitter, I wasn't too concerned about perfection when cutting them out.

The papers are from the Polar Expressions collection (Imaginisce) and the ribbon is from Michaels.

I hope you're having a sparklie day!

HB

Happy Birthday Cupcake!

2009-11-04T21:17:00.003-06:00

Well, considering that I made this card for my manager, I sure didn't put that sentiment inside! LOL!

I forgot his birthday, so I needed a quick GUY card. sheesh. Two difficult things for me (quick and guy cards).
I grabbed the Summer Sweets set (OCL) because the cupcake is so perfect for paperpiecing. Some *manly* My Minds Eye papers and I did it! Quick and easy! woooHOOO!

Don't you love it when a summer, 4th of July set can work for birthdays too!?!?

Thanks for stopping by!
HB

brrrrrr...

2009-11-03T06:06:00.005-06:00

It's a chilly one here in MN today! I can only imagine how this little cardinal's butt must feel sitting on that branch! lol

I tried to capture the shimmer and sparkle on this card, but the lighting or the camera (or a combo) just wasn't doing it, so you'll have to take my word for it. lol (you can click on the pics for a closer look)

The image is from Mr. Willie & Friends set (Plum Purdy Designs) and is colored with Copic markers. The snow is covered in a light coating of Cotton Ball White Fun Flock. To get the sparkle on the snow I touched the Fun Flock ever-so-lightly with the tip of my glue pen and sprinkled on the glitter.

Once everything was colored, flocked and sparkled I sprayed the entire image with Iridescent Gold Glimmer Mist (Tattered Angels) and set it with my heat tool. (have you tried the Ranger Heat It yet? OMGosh it's fabulous! All heat and no air to blow your embossing powder all over the table!)

The sentiment is from Snowfall (PTI) and I used SC249 for my sketch. Fancy Pants papers (love love those papers!) and a snowflake CB embossing folder finished it all off.

Keep warm today!

Happy November!

2009-11-02T07:24:00.006-06:00

I love fall... the colors, the crisp air!

This weekend I finally had a chance to use the October sketch challenge (yup, I'm a little behind. lol), over on the Our Craft Lounge forum {OCL07}. It was perfect to pair with Autumn Garden (OCL).

The image is colored with Copic markers and the papers are My Minds Eye. (You can click on the picture for a closer look)

Be sure and check out the OCL forum for all the monthly sketches! The November sketch is awesome!

Oh... and hop over to The Lounge blog... Autumn Blessings is the spotlight set this week and the team will be posting some gorgeous creations!

On a side note... I cleaned my space on Saturday - put Halloween away, re-organized my stuff and do you know my table is actually white? LOL!

Thanks for stopping by!
HB

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-31T13:43:00.007-05:00

One last Halloween post... I cleaned my space this morning and put it all my spooky goodies away until next year (insert sad face).

So, on to the project! Treats for the Team!

I like to make a little something for my team at work each holiday. Something to set on their desks the night before to welcome them in the morning. This time it's little boxes filled with mini-candy bars.

I covered each box with a strip of paper that I scored to perfectly fit the box, and then attached a spooky greeting using Boo to You (PTI).

Each box holds 3 mini candy bars.

You really can't put something cute on the front of the box, and nothing on the back... so I stamped and glitterfied the bat.

Farewell until next year Halloween!

Frightful...

2009-10-29T20:43:00.006-05:00

The sketch (SCS252) over on Splitcoast this week is FAB! I just had to make one more Halloween card using it.

I used the outline stamp of the candy bucket from Boo to You (PTI) and made it into a black kettle by simply coloring it deep gray (Copic - T5) and stamped the stars bubbling out of it.

The image is outlined with two different Vintage Label stamps (PTI), cut out and matted on black.

Papers are Bo Bunny and Making Memories.

I really don't want Halloween to come this year. I'm having SO much fun with all the cool papers and stamps!

Farewell Mrs. Newbody

2009-10-27T20:33:00.001-05:00

Today we honor Mrs. Anita Newbody. I can so relate to her (say her name fast). LOL

I stamped the tree, fence, crow and moon from Spooky Nights (Our Craft Lounge) on white cardstock. After coloring the moon I used the Copic Airbrush System to spray the dark sky (cuz shouldn't the sky over a cemetary on Halloween be dark and scary? lol). I sprayed V95 around the center to give the sky a purplish tint and T5 around the outside.

The papers are My Minds Eye (BOO! to you collection).

I purchased a bag of Halloween buttons at Archivers a while back and this was in the bag. Isn't it a hoot!

See ya tomorrow!

Halloween Kitty

2009-10-26T20:09:00.000-05:00

I know people are superstitious about black cats, but really, who could be afraid of this face!

Although she does look a little spooked - maybe it's that glitterfied spider hanging in the corner! lol

The kitty and spider are from Spook-tacular (Our Craft Lounge) and the paper is Heidi Grace Designs and Bazzill.

Do you cringe when a black cat walks in front of you?

Wishing you a BOO-tiful Day!

2009-10-25T20:00:00.002-05:00

Well, it's finally here... Halloween week! OMGosh I have sooo much Halloween paper that I haven't even TOUCHED yet! I need another month at least. yikes!

So, this week we are going to celebrate that spookiest of weeks! Day #1 is using Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge (#103) and Spook-tacular (Our Craft Lounge).

I love that little bat! I glitterfied him all up (and the little spiders in the webs) with Eyeliner Black Crafty Sparkles.

This card came together so easily! The only coloring was the bats under-wings (with Copic markers). The papers are My Minds Eye (Boo! to You line)

The ribbon is from my scrap stash and unfortunately I cannot remember the line.

Are YOU ready to get BOO'd?
HB

Perking Up!

2009-10-20T06:23:00.007-05:00

It's that time of year... the weather can't decide what it wants to do; rain, snow, sunshine, cloudy - you know what I mean? This change in weather sure can effect my mood, and it always seems like there is someone around me saying something to make me smile. So... what a better way to say "thanks for the smile" than to give a card!

I stamped the percolator from Fueled by Caffeine (for you youngsters out there, that's a coffee pot. lol) in black (Memento) and colored it with Copic markers. I did the same for the strip of coffee cups.

The sentiment is stamped in black and die cut using a Nestie tag die.

I love this Abby Road line (My Minds Eye), the circles on it and the ribbon all tie together with the coffee cups! Yeaaa!

Do you need perking up?
HB

Double Batty!

2009-10-18T19:52:00.003-05:00

I used a sketch challenge (SC248) from SCS for this card. I love the layout... that you can either "double" one thing, or use two things that relate.

I choose to "double" this cute little bat from Spooky Nights (Our Craft Lounge).

Once I stamped the tree on each panel, I sprayed a little ominous sky with my Copic Airbrush System (what did I ever do before that tool!?!?) using C1 and YR31. Then I stamped the bat in Tuxedo Black (Memento), added glue to his wings (Quickie Glue Pen) and sprinkled on the Eyeliner Black Crafty Sparkles (OCL). Did you know you can get all these things at Eclectic Paperie?

The fun paper is from Heidi Grace Designs, and the cardstock is Bazzill, SU! and Neenah.

Hey... Spooky Nights is the Spotlight Set of the Week this coming week over on the Lounge blog. Check it out!
HB

Green Snowflakes!

2009-10-14T21:21:00.006-05:00

I love non-traditional colors for the holidays, and green snowflakes have got to be my favorite! (yes, it could be 'cuz green is my favorite color. lol) So, when I saw the Breezy Freezy line (Cosmo Cricket) I squeeeeled!

The snowman and sentiment are from Sharing the Holidays (Plum Purdy Designs). I colored him with Copic markers and sparkled up the snow with glitter. The "frame" around the image is done using the Copic Airbrush System. I placed a square scallop Nestability with a post-it note covering the center over the image and sprayed E31 around the edge. Then I ran a 2-way glue pen around the edge and dipped it in glitter.

I stamped the sentiment on cardstock with the intention of cutting it out with an oval Nestie. But, I realized I stamped too close to the edge of the paper and I couldn't center it in the Nestie. Not wanting to waste a perfectly good stamped sentiment, I attached a piece of polka dot paper (October Afternoon) and then cut out the oval. I kinda like the look!

What is your favorite non-traditional color?
HB

brrrrr...

2009-10-12T14:48:00.003-05:00

It's snowing in MN today and what is better than curling up in front of the window and keeping warm by putting rubber and ink to paper? lol

Being that it's a tich chilly, I reached for Fueled by Caffeine (Our Craft Lounge). A hot cup of coffee with a little French vanilla cream sounds sooo good about now, but first the card.

The coffee pot and cup are stamped in Burnt Umber (Palette) and colored with Copic markers to match the paper (Pebbles Inc). I needed a tray for them to set on, but didn't have a stamp that would work. So, I improvised. I used a small oval stamp, but just ran the brown ink around the edge. I masked the coffee pot, stamped the tray and colored it in.

The paper doesn't have any turquoise in it, but I wanted a third color, so I colored the little spaces in between the pattern with a marker. I also highlighted each cream "flower" with a darker shade of yellow. I love *enhancing* to match the colors I'm using!

I hope you're keeping warm today!
HB

Hey Ghoulfriend!

2009-10-07T20:52:00.002-05:00

This was a stress-release creation! You see, coloring and cutting are two of my favorite things to do when life gets the better of me. So, I colored this cute little witch from Spook-tacular (Our Craft Lounge) and then sloooowly and carefully cut her out. Not all the stress was gone, but a big chunk was by the time I was done! LOL

She's attached with foam tape to white cardstock that I cut with a Labels One die and airbrushed with YG91 (Putty). Notice that little orange star all sparkly up in the corner? It started as a clear, orange button, but didn't *pop*, so I covered it in glue and sprinkled on the Real Juicy Orange Sparkly Fluff. I love that stuff!

Hope you're staying stress free, and if not... try coloring and/or cutting something up!
HB

A Fall Thank-You

2009-10-07T07:03:00.003-05:00

A quick little post today, using Beate's 100th sketch challenge. It's such a fun and easy layout!

The center image, Pumpkin Birdhouse (Plum Purdy Designs), is one of my new favorites to color with Copic markers. The sentiment is Hero Arts and the papers are October Afternoon.

Thanks for visiting!
HB

WCMD - Trip to Mexico

2009-10-05T05:39:00.004-05:00

My card yesterday took us to Japan for Nichole Heady's WCMD challenge. Today, we are heading to Mexico.

I love the look of Mexican tiles. They are so vibrate and colorful! I used one of the medallion's from Simple Little Things (Papertrey Ink anniversary set) and colored each with Copic markers to match the *tiles* of cardstock I had cut.

The center tile is the sentiment "estoy feliz que somos amigos" which translates to "I'm happy we are friends".

There's a funny story behind why I have a Spanish sentiment set. Our granddaughter, Grace, was in a Spanish immersion kindergarten class last year. SU! has Spanish sets and I thought it would be fun to send her a card using them once in a while. However, once I got the set I didn't know what any of the sentiments said. I had to ask her to ask her teacher if she would translate each stamp for me. LOL.

So, there you go... a little trip to Mexico on a Monday.
HB

WCMD!

2009-10-04T21:02:00.003-05:00

What a FUN day yesterday was! I was able to sit at my table and play the day away!

The first challenge I did was the Nichole Heady's challenge. I was intrigued by her "trip around the world". Talk about a challenge!

This card is Japanese inspired. I used Out on a Limb for my blossom tree, stamping the blossoms with Fresh Snow ink (PTI) and then embossing with white EP. I used a pink (R30) Copic maker for the center.

When I googled Japanese art, I found a site that showed pictures Japanese birds. I stamped the little bird from Bird Watching in a light blue to represent a Blue Rock Thrush.

I finished it off with a sheer pink ribbon and a tag with a little blossom stamped in pink and Life stamped in red.

A simple layout, just using pink and red cardstock. (and look... not a piece of pattern paper in sight! lol).

I'm hoping to finish up the rest of my challenges tomorrow. Today was cooking day (a stockpot of soup and a yummy pork roast for meals this week)!

Thanks for stopping by!
HB

October? Already?

2009-10-02T14:11:00.008-05:00

Where o' where did October come from? YIKES! I am soooo not ready!
Next think I know someone is gonna post how many days left until Christmas. I'm gonna plug my ears.

So, to combat this early arrival of October, I took today off and decided to see if I can get the creative side of my brain to start working again. lol And, since it is October, I broke open my new BOO TO YOU set from Papertrey.

Since this set was designed by Pine, I just had to use Kraft as my cardstock. :o)

This card is a simple little 4x4. I used a dark purple cardstock as a mat, and stamped the stars in Vintage Cream. The bat and sentiment are stamped using Black Soot (Distress Ink). A purple "moon" for the bat to fly in front of finished it off.

I used a page from the Eerie paper pad (Basic Grey) for the background on the next card. Don't you love those trees!?! The ghost is stamped on Kraft with Vintage Cream and then I trimmed part of the cardstock so the sentiment part wasn't so wide. I wanted more of the trees to show.
The ghost/sentiment strip is layered with purple cardstock that I punched with an EK Success border punch.

This last card is my fav of the bunch. After I trimmed the tree paper for the card above, I had a strip left that had one lone tree on it. I just couldn't throw that lone tree away! I trimmed the tree out and after stamping a couple of the pumpkins on Kraft, I glued on the tree. One more pumpkin is stamped, cut out and attached with chipboard to raise it up a tich. The strip of pattern paper from the same paper pad is attached to the base card before I put the tree panel on.

I stamped the pumpkin again in orange and cut it out for the moon. I covered it with Rock Candy Distress Crackle Paint and OMGosh, it is just the coolest effect! If you click on this pic you should be able to see a closer view, and see the *crackle* I love this stuff!

The bat is stamped in Black Soot, cut out and attached in the corner. I added a few stars in Antique Linen.

It's World Cardmaking Day this weekend and there are challenges galore out in the universe! I am hoping to take on a couple of them! How about you?

Something new!

2009-09-28T21:20:00.005-05:00

A couple weeks ago, my friend Bevie sent me the link to THIS site; a company called Plum Purdy. O...MY...GOSH! The memories came flooding back of the time I was a wood crafter! Yup, pre ink & rubber, me and my skillsaw were the best of friends. I used to buy patterns from this company and make wonderful wood creations as gifts for my family and friends.

So now they are taking some of their fabulous designs and making them into STAMPS! Yipppeee! I placed an order right away for the Pumpkin Birdhouse. I just bought one... needing to make sure it was all I was hoping it to be in terms of quality. I was not disappointed!

Here is my first creation. I used the SCS sketch challenge (SC246) from last week and fall papers from SEI.

I used Copic markers to color the image. I wanted the birdhouse to have a *weathered* look, so I used colors that you wouldn't typically blend together; B12, YG91, B34, B72 and E31 (Marianne from Copic would either cringe or cheer to read that combo! lol)

The leaves and stem are colored in YG91, YG93 and touch of R39 and an over-shadow of E31. I like the effect E31 gives as a final color. Kinda dulls everything out.

The pumpkin is shades of orange; YR04, YR15 and YR18.

The bird is stamped a 2nd time on scratch cardstock, cut out and attached with foam tape.

I finished the image by shading B0000 around the image and a little E31 on the *ground*. Here is a closer look.

I will SO be ordering more of these stamps and hope they come out with a full line of their adorable snowmen!

Don't you just LOVE discovering new things! Thanks Bevie!!