I must confess...

there is a distinct possibility that I have a serious addiction to Ranger Distress Stains!  I have spent most of this lovely Sunday just playing with different items and pieces that I have picked up over the past week or so.  I have to say...the Distress Stains are simply DIVINE!  WOW!  I was so impressed how well they worked with just about everything I put them on!  In this project, I used them on paper, grunge and art parts...and I am thrilled with the results!

I especially liked how well the stains worked on paper...went on very smooth, but not too "perfect" so there is still some texture and interest in the paper...know what I mean?  LOL!  Off to play some more!

Supplies: Art Parts from Studio 490 large square frame; Paper - Basic Grey; Distress Stains - Antique Linen, Walnut Stain, Peeled Paint, Wild Honey, Broken China; Distress inks - Rusty Hinge, Vintage Photo; Ranger Archival - Black and Coffee; Stamps - Studio 490 by Wendy Vecchi; Clearly for Art from Studio 490; Stazon Ink - Jet Black;  Inksentials - Enamel Accents in Black; Idea-ology: Grunge paper, Ticket, Word Charm, Filmstrip Ribbon; Adirondack Color Wash - Espresso; Perfect Pearls Mist - Heirloom Gold; Westrim Crafts - Twine

OH MY WORD!

ok..it's been a crazy stressful week...but popped into my insane days have been moments of awesomeness! a little background...I am the primary instructor for a group of folks going through initial training at work...we began the class in September...well this week was the last week...final exam on Friday...and EVERYONE PASSED!  in my industry...passing is 85%...if you are less than that...well...it's a "sort of" pass...they'll let you continue in the program most of the time...but they won't be thrilled.  Well I have spent the entire week prepping my class for the final exam...I was stressed!  I wanted to see all of them pass and do so with conviction!  Friday morning...THEY ALL PASSED!  And not just "sort of"...they all scored >85%!  I was THRILLED!  In between all of the prep and the worry...on Tuesday I checked in on my most favoritest stampy artists blog...THE Wendy Vecchi...to find out I had won something SPECTACULAR!  Last weekend I visited Stamp Scrap Art Tour while it was in Columbia...and more than anything I wanted to get my hands on one particular item...well, it was too new...they didn't have it yet...but behold..two days later...I read this post...AND KAZAAAM!  I won the very item I was hoping for!  here is a pic:

They arrived this afternoon...and I'm so excited...and can't wait to get inky and stained and just PLAY!  ok...enough from me...off to continue this super duper amazing weekend!  LATER!

FF#68...let your PURPLE shine!

Hey folks!  Just a quick post this morning.  This week has been ridiculously crazy for me, so I haven't actually had the opportunity to work on my project for this week's Fashionista Friday challenge at the Shoe! But I did want to let you all know about the fabulous PURPLE challenge going on! Sniff...poor poor pitiful me.  Ok...my pity part is over with...back to work where my students are now all looking at me funny as I frantically type while they are taking a test!  Later!

ahhh...Sunday...

I had such a terrific weekend!  I went back to the Stamp Scrap Art show today to pick up just a few more items.  After that, mani/pedi day with my Daughter...and then it was relaxation time!  AND...had time to play along at Simon Says Stamp and Show...Show a Tag!  I love to make a tag to try out new techniques, play with new products, or just to be creative!  Tags are the perfect mini-piece...if your attempt doesn't work out...pull it apart, pull out a new tag...start over!  OR...you get lucky and inspiration strikes and you create something you really enjoy!  Ok...enough about my love for tags...here is my tag for the challenge:

Time to watch some Amazing Race!  Have a fabulous rest of your weekend (well...what's left of it of course)!

Supplies: Tag - Eclectic Paperie;  Stamps - Tim Holtz (Stampers Anonymous), Script background from Studio 490 by Wendy Vecchi (Stampers Anonymous); Ink - Distress Inks in Black Soot, Tumbled Glass, Bundled Sage, Vintage Photo, Antique Linen; Ranger Archival in Coffee and Sepia; from idea-ology: Spinners, gears, mini key, jump rings, type-charms, journaling ticket; Fibers - unknown; Clear Embossing Powder from Stampn'Stuff

oh gracious!

Well...started out this post as a simple everyday blog post...next thing I know...my ENTIRE blog is KABLOOIE!  I went under the wrong section and uploaded the wrong thing...and my blog (as I knew it) went haywire!  Thankfully I think I have it MOSTLY recovered.  I'll be repopulating my hoppy spot list...but it was probably about time anyways!  ANYWHO...the original reason for this post...

WOOOHOOO!  Got all 4 Viva la Verve challenges completed for February!  So happy!  Feel like I accomplished something!  Here is my card for the week 4 VLV challenge:

I've gotten started on a few other projects, using some new fun bits that I picked up at the stamp tour today.  Off to continue getting inky!

Supplies: Stamps - Verve; Paper - Basic Grey; Ink - Ranger Archival in Coffee; Nestibilities - Fancy Tags; Pearls - Queen & Co; Cardstock - Papertrey Ink and Bazzil

Greetings from Sunny SC!

I love living in South Carolina...when the weather is typical SC...not the wintry mess we had just a few weeks ago!  Today it's 75-80 degrees outside, sunny and not a cloud in the sky!  Had a blast this morning wandering about the Stamp Scrap Art Tour; picked up a bunch of new goodies, can't wait to get to playing!  Had a lovely lunch with my daughter...and then she and I drove around with the sunroof open and the radio blasting!

I created this card for the Week 3 February Viva la Verve challenge.  The sketch had me twisting and turning my little brain for days!!!  Finally I dug out some Basic Grey holiday papers and BAM!  it hit me!

Off to play with my new toys!!!  Catch ya later!

Supplies: Stamps - Verve; Paper - Basic Grey Jovial; Ink - Distress Ink in Antique Linen, Ranger Archival in Coffee; Prima bling; Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist in Patina; Queen&Co pearls (Snowflake centers); Cardstock - Bazzil

Happy Birthday...FF#67

Happy Happy Friday!  February is a HUGE birthday month around my house...and it's the birth month of If the Shoe fits...Scrap it!  So this week's Fashionista Friday challenge (FF#67) is to create a Birthday themed project!  Here is my card:

I used a fab image from Designed2Delight and paper pieced the cupcake and flowers.  I'm saving this card for the arrival of a lovely new little baby (and new little Shoe) when she decides to make her appearance!

I'm so excited for this weekend!  Tomorrow the Stamp Scrap Art Tour arrives here in Columbia, SC!  I have been saving my pennies and can't wait to see what new and fabulous bits of rubber and paper and embellishments are on display!  Ta-Ta for now!

Supplies:  Paper - CTMH; Image - Designed2Delight; Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder; Cardstock - Bazzil and CTMH; Nestabilities frames; Ribbon - unknown

Viva!

la Verve that is!  Not much to chat about right now...started a new workout program yesterday...and I'm sore!  LOL!  For the first time in awhile though...I am really enjoying the exercise...the new program I'm on is a lot of fun!  (Until tomorrow morning when I just don't want to get up and do it!  heehee!).  Anywho...created this card for one of the February Viva la Verve challenges.  I'm a week or so behind on those, so I know what I'll be working on this weekend!  Here is my card:

Ok...time for some sleep!  Catch you tomorrow with the latest Fashionista Friday challenge from the Shoe!

Supplies: Stamps - Verve and Papertrey Ink; Paper and cardstock - Papertrey Ink; Twine - Cappuccino from The Twinery; buttons and gems - from my stash

Recipe for love...

Wow...I feel like I'm up way to early on a Saturday!  LOL!  Had a fabulous birthday celebration yesterday...and I was so excited to get up this morning and get moving and grooving!  My Mom is driving in to town today...and my niece is having her birthday party today as well!  (We are big on February birthdays in this family!).  But before I can get to creating anything new...had to share with you this week's Fashionista Friday challenge over at the Shoe (FF#66)!  This week we are providing you with a recipe to help spark your creativity!  Our recipe is: Hearts, Glitter, Lace....and here is what I came up with using that recipe:

Have a wonderful Saturday!  Time for me to drink about a gallon of coffee!  Later!

Supplies: Paper - Tim Holtz Seasonal Paper Stash from idea-ology, Grungepaper; Cardstock - Bazzil and Papertrey Ink; Stamps - Stitching: CTMH; All others - Studio 490 by Wendy Vecchi; Alpha - Maya Road; Ink - Distress Ink - Fired Brick, Walnut Stain, Vintage Photo, Old Paper, Frayed Burlap; Ranger Archival in Black and Coffee; Distress Stickles - Fired Brick; Filmstrip Ribbon - Idea-ology; Pearl - Queen&Co; Flower - Making Memories; Leaf - Prima; Lace - unknown

get your PINK on!

hullo all!  been a crazy few days around my house...so i'm posting this Fashionista Friday a teensy bit late...but hey...got it done!  LOL! This week over at the Shoe we have an amazing sponsor Sassy Studio Designs!  I ADORE their images!  So much fun to play with!  They are offering a $10 gift certificate to a randomly selected participant in our FF#65 challenge!  For this week's Fashionista Friday challenge we are asking you to use Pink!  Love me some pink!  Here is my card:

Ok...haven't been crafty in a few days...time to play!

Supplies: Image - Sassy Studio Designs; Sentiment - Verve; Paper - Heidi Swapp; Pearls - Queen & Co; Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics; Cardstock - Bazzil, Papertrey Ink: Sketch - SC316