It's Ketto Blog Hop Day!!!

Welcome to the first Ketto Blog Hop sponsored by Stamping Bella! If you've just happened upon my blog, you can CLICK HERE to start from the beginning at Bloggabella.

I just bought these quickutz swirls and I'm still trying to figure out the best way to use them. I'm also trying to try out different color combinations, mixing DPs, etc. If you know me, you know I tend to play it safe with colors and gravitate to paper packs or double sided paper that I know match. I don't think I really have that eye for color combos like some fabulous card designers! I am happy with the result though. I love my kettos, so cute and whimsical. They fit my style so much. The cutie on my card is maisy KETTO.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Now it's time to hop on over to Anita's Blog to see her fun Ketto Project. Have a great day!

This just in: How about a prize? In addition to the fabulous eye candy, Stamping Bella decided to hide a prize somewhere along the hop! One pre-selected blogger will draw a random winner from the comments on her post, and the winner will receive a $40 Gift Voucher to Stamping Bella!!! The fun part is...we don't know who that is! So as you hop, make sure you leave comments on every post so you have a chance to win!! The winner will be announced on Monday. MWAH!

Digital Tuesday Challenge #8 - Wedding Theme

This week's challenge is hosted by our wonderful fellow DT member, Emma, and our challenge is to make a wedding themed project. Remember you must use a digital image or sentiment somewhere on your project. I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with! Isn't it wedding season? Perfect timing to get a jumpstart on all those wedding cards. Have fun!! Oh and the best part? Dustin Pike is our sponsor this week! If you haven't seen his images yet you have got to go check him out. They are super cute and the winner will receive three images of your choice!

Cupcake Craft Challenge # 41: 2-2-2

I made this card for this week's Cupcake Craft Challenge. in honor of Erin's daughter's 2nd birthday, the challenge was to use 2 pieces of ribbon, 2 colors and 2 shapes. I have the purple and black ribbon, the purple and yellow papers and a circle and a butterfly shape. What a fun challenge - be sure to check it out!

I had a great day releaxing and making cards today. It was nice. I made 3 cards, however, 2 of them were for future DT challenges so you'll have to wait to see them! haha, but this one I am SO happy to share with you. I love my Fairy Tink from TGF. She is so cute. I love coloring my fairies with colorful hair. On this one I attempted to make shiny hair using a tutorial from Traci (wickedpixie) - it took some time and I am fairly happy with it but like with everything else, practice, practice, practice!! (oh and more copics, different shades of the same color are IMPORTANT! LOL) The sentiment is from Stamping Bella that I got in an image swap, I'm thinking I'll probably be needing to purchase this stamp soon or at least some more fairy sentiment stamps.

Ian's Naughty Debut.....

So, I had an interesting request last week for a risque bachelorette card. Well, I don't know of many "risque" style stamps and I'm not really a risque kinda person....LOL I blush at just about anything if you knew me.....So I had to think about it.....and think about it....and think about it. Immediately what came to mind was the bra/pantie card, right?! Thought that would be perfect but I think she would actually want that for a bachelor party card not bachelorette, LOL. So I had to think again...and again.....and again. Then I went to the alter divas at Club Anya and we started talking about Ian....specifically Ian's naughty side. LOL And there the idea grew. Originally I wanted to do a magic card but as I read how you put that together I realized that wouldn't work. So I came up with this:

and when you open it up, you get this:

*blush* what do you think? Did you ever think you'd see this side of Ian? And Marie knew exactly what I was planning to do when I bought the stamp. And just for kicks when I went over there, what stamp did I start packing? You got it, Rescue Ian who has forever been affectionately dubbed Naughty Ian by me! I have to say, this is my FIRST ever time trying to alter a stamp like this. I DO NOT draw - the reason I stamp in fact! But I was pretty pleased with my little ole' attempt. And I'm pleased to say that the lady I created it for LOVED it. Which is what it's all about in the end.

This adorable Graduation Ian card was made using The Case of the Curious Card IV. This week we get to CASE an awesome card by Anna Maria -it's stunning. I love all the different elements and it was a great layout for this masculine card.

That's it for today! Be sure to check out The Greeting Farm as Marie is looking for her Summer Gardner DT and I know there is some amazing talent out there that would be perfect for her!

Also, today is the last day to use the awesome discount code at The Digi Shack. You can get 10% off any order over $10 just enter the code 82994712 at checkout!!!

Have a great Friday and Happy Memorial Day Weekend! Whoo hoo -- I hope I can get caught up on all my DT work and challenges as well as orders! haha, not too much to ask for, right?!

Every other card...

I had an epiphany tonight. LOL Basically, every other card I make is good, while the other is so-so!!! haha. But honestly, I feel like the first card I tend to make in any given day or night is just, eh, while the next card will totally rock my socks (if I may say so). LOL I guess I just need a warm up and then it's late and I've got to go to bed once I've found my mojo. Anyone else like that or is it just me?

CPS 116.

Do you notice a new image?!? This is my custom stamp from Christy Croll that I won last month. I sent her some pics of my girls Tolla & Teagan and this is what she drew for me. I absolutely love it and my entire family just laughs when they see it b/c it really captures the two of them, especially the younger one. Christy was a blast to get to know and she's really really really great to work with if you ever want her to do custom work for you. I felt like I was constantly changing little things here and there but she never made me feel like I was bothering her at any moment during the process. The end result is fantastic and I can't wait to get it rubberized! You might recognize the sketch as well as it's from this week's Card Positioning Systems which is sponsored this week by none other than Stamping Bella!!! I thought it was fitting to use this image as Christy does designs for Stamping Bella as well.

TECC68

I had another request for a graduation card and this is what I came up with. Again I used Graduation Anya from TGF and I followed Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge #68 for this one. It's a great one, you should check it out!

DTC#7: Tag, You're It! & a challenge first for me...

The challenge this week at DTC is to make something using a tag somewhere on your project. You can do like I did and make a tag shaped card or you can check out the rest of the awesome DT for more fabulous inspriation! I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with. Remember, the only requirement is that you use a digital image. My digi image is Graduation Anya - isn't she adorable?! I just love her expression. She is colored with Copics of course and for some reason I had a heck of a time with this digi image as far as bleeding. I actually finally printed her on my mom's HP and after heat setting I had no issues. *phew*

Remember when I said I had three cards to make for people at my mom's work? Well, I was able to complete two of them tonight. One was the graduation anya tag card above and this one here using Agnes Ketto - omg, is she not the cutest or what?! Seriously, I am in love with the Kettos - lots and lots! I actually made this for the Bellarific Fridays Challenge - this is the first time I actually made it in time for a challenge. Usually 5 o'clock Thursday rolls around and I realize I've missed yet another deadline! LOL I love this paper, I think it's Basic Grey -- I am finding that I'm pretty fond of Basic Grey paper packs. Wish I could get my hands on more! Colored using Copics again. The sketch this week is fabulous and I am definately copying it down in my handy dandy sketch notebook my awesome SS Dee sent me!

Busy weekend = No stamping

We had a ton of yard work to do this weekend and it always turns into more than originally expected and I'm not one to enjoy yardwork! LOL But it got done, looks wonderful and I just have a few more weeds to pull tonight and it will be done for a week or so! Seriously, I swear everything grows overnight here. Couple that with a trip to the grocery store and costco for essentials and my weekend was shot. I am also trying to get back into shape and met my trainer at Red Rocks for an intense workout - seriously, that place kills you I thought was going to pass out at one point! LOL I was just too pooped to stamp at all. Which is a big bummer since I have THREE cards commissioned for this week. I'll get 'em done. Promise!

Then last night we went and saw Dane Cook - OMG, he is TOO funny. We laughed so hard & his warm ups were pretty funny too especially Al Del Bene. It was my hubby's and I first date in a loooooong time and it was really nice to go out and just enjoy a good time together. However, I must say, since I've been married 9 years (come Nov) I don't get all dolled up anymore so I felt a little frumpy next to all the younginns' that were all fancy in heels and hair and makeup, LOL.

However, I do have some projects to share that I haven't had a chance to yet. I had a blast Thur night at the Club Anya VSN release party. I actually made two cards that night and was pleasnantly surprised to see the Sketch challenge card I made on the CA blog this morning! *squeal*

Monochromatic Challenge #1

Sketch Challenge #2

Digital Tuesday Challenge #6 - Non Traditional Cards

Hi everyone!! It's my first time hosting at Digital Tuesday Challenge and I'm so excited. LOL I had a hard time coming up with a challenge though! I decided on non-traditional folding or shaped cards. Pretty open-ended for your creative juices to flow.


Go check it out and here is my sample.



Do you notice the adorable images? My Grafico is our fabulous sponsor this week and this comes from their set 3 2 1 Blastoff set. They have a lot of adorable digi stamps. You'll definately want to check it out!! As soon as I saw the little alien I knew I wanted to use googly eyes and of course glossy accents on the little astronaut's helmet! All colored using copics. I love these diaper fold cards - You can find a tutorial HERE.

The Digi Shack - Color Challenge & Guest Designer Search!

Wow, this is awesome -- If you haven't checked out The Digi Shack this week, what are you waiting for?!? There are so many contests celebrating our May Release to win free images. YOU could be a winner!

And for this week's Color Challenge the prize is a guest spot on the DT for the month of June! Let me tell you, this group of ladies rock and are so much fun to work with - we'd love to have YOU join as well.

The color challenge uses Blue/Navy, Craft/Cardboard, Chocolate Chip/Brown & White/Off White. Absolutely fun colors (perhaps perfect for Father's Day....) I was a little late in making my sample but I knew I wanted to use this newly release image from the shack - Dad's Remote. OMG, is it a riot or what? Perfect for MY dad, I know. LOL And just as well b/c his bday is on Sunday so I really needed a card for him. Hope you likey and can't wait to see what you make!! It's going to be a touch choice for sure to vote on a winner!!!! For all the deets & to upload your entry, please check it out HERE.

I used my newly acquired labels 1 nestie as well as my rectangle nestie and colored the image with a combo of copics/bics. I also fun flocked his slippers b/c dad needs some fuzzy slippers, right?!? And I used glossy accents on the paper for some dimension! I loved coloring this image - I love all of Digi Shack's stamps b/c they are just so fun.

Selling, selling, SOLD!!!

I am so excited. If you're anything like me you have stacks of cards that you make that never go anywhere, LOL. I've had many comments from friends and family to sell my cards on etsy, etc. Well, I wasn't sure about etsy, I set up an account but didn't want to pay fees for cards that will just sit there. So I did an experiment. I made a batch of cards for mother's day (you can view them here) and sent them with my mom to her work as there had already been interest in my cards (I donated some for an event they had) but I didn't think they would actually sell given the opportunity, you know. Well, I was pleasantly surprised! Not only did the original 6 sell the very first day but each night I've been commissioned to do 2-3 more. I have also sent in a box of about 25 all occassion cards hoping those will start selling too! I am really in shock. I never thought I would get such an awesome response. The three cards showcased above are all custom (sold) creations.....as you can see I have printed custom sentiments as well since I don't have a stamp that says grandmother or nanny! LOL It's been fun and exciting. I need to buy cardstock as I'm completely out (was running low anyway) and I did buy the new labels 1 nestie set with my "profit". I have no idea if it's really profit or not but I bought the nesties! (as you can see I've already had fun with them)

I feel bad b/c I have not had time to do my DT assignments so I will be playing catch up tonight as long as I don't have any more requests come home! There are some awesome contests going on at The Digi Shack - check it out the prizes are AWESOME! Also, join us for some party chat at PaperCraftPlanet! You can find our group HERE. Toni released a new girl named Lani and she is just adorable!

TECC66 & altered gift

I made this using this week's Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge sketch. I had colored this TGF Hero Ian a couple days ago with the intention of making a card for a gal who's husband is in the army and as soon as I saw the sketch I knew it would be perfect. I hope she likes! Colored using copics and paper peiced his camo!

I've been trying to figure out the perfect gift for my just turned 13 yr old nephew. He's extremely special to me and means the world to us. He's the sweetest kid you'll ever meet b/c when I asked what he wanted, he said to me, just make me a card Auntie, I love your cards. So, I thought what could I make him with my craft and I remembered at Christmas time he showed us a book he was writing and I thought Aha! I'll make him an altered notebook to continue his passion for writing. I love the way it turned out. I didn't want to embellish it too much b/c I wanted it to remain masculine and "cool" - I hope I achieved both. I chose two sentiments that I think will be positive & encouraging to him. He is also learning to play the guitar so I was excited to find that in one of my many paper packs to add just a touch of depth. I bought the notebook at Staples for $2.50 which was much better than $10 that Archiver's wanted for a smaller one. Sometimes the papercrafting store is NOT the better choice for price! LOL

Sheetload of Cards using TGF new releases!

Ok, so since I found Sheetload of Cards, I absolutely love it. It's an ezine that provides you with a sketch including dimensions to make a TON of cards as well as an amazing DT full of inspiration. I used April's sketch to make 4 different projects in a previous post but I wanted to try out the sheetload dimensions as well. So using an old sketch (Jan09) and my favorite new set from The Greeting Farm (available today) Hope & Grace I made 6 Mother's Day cards (and to complete the dimensions for 8 cards I made 2 using Ian). Omg, as soon as I saw Hope & Grace it reminded me so much of my daughter's that I wasted no hesitation in buying it at the presale last week! LOL

Here are some close ups (I also made matching enevelopes):