Tuesday Throwdown Challenge Sponsored by Robyn's Fetish

I love July!  It just seems like the best time of the year to me.  The 4th is always such a fun holiday, my sister's birthday is in July as well as my granddaughter, Allie.  The weather is always nice and hot and swimming, picnics, and watermelon are on the agenda.  It doesn't really get much better than that for me.  Oh, and I just love all the patriotism and fun colors in all tones of red, white, and blue are everywhere!  This week's challenge for Tuesday Throwdown is Stars and Stripes.  We're being sponsored by Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps and they've provided us with some adorable images to use to inspire you.

Based on all of the above, I chose "My Little Cook" and simply adore her!

Isn't she too cute?  She's colored with copics and I added some Stickles to her hat, hair ties, blouse, apron, and socks.  She's cut out with my floral oval by Nestabilities and the flowers are a punch from McGill and the branches are a punch from Martha Stewart.  The papers are from BasicGrey and Graphic 45 (I am trying to use all my scraps, can you tell?) and the gems are from Studio G.  I added some distressed ink in Scattered Straw around the frame and the sentiment.

Here's a closer look at her.  I can just see one of my girls standing up on that little stool wanting to held their dad flip burgers or face a crowd and yell, "The burgers are done!"

I plan on entering her in the following challenges:

Craft Your Passion - Red, white and blue
Crafty Cardmakers - Holidays
Digi Darla's Challenge - Stars and Stripes
Get Inky! Challenge - Red, White and blue
Kaboodle Doodles Challenge - Flag Day or colors
MeMa's Craft Monday Challenge - Patriotism or Red, White and Blue
Paper Playtime - Red, White and Blue
The Pink Elephant Monday Card Challenge - photo inspiration
Gingerloft Challenge - Red, White and Blue

Make sure to jump over to our Tuesday Throwdown Challenge Blog and get a look at the great projects my designing buddies have in store for you.  They're really great!

Sunshine Set Girl with Garden Flowers from Elphine House Australia

Just want to take a minute and wish everyone a very Happy Mother's Day! I've been so blessed to have a wonderful mother who I've learned so much from.  She truly shows me what unconditional love is every day.  I love you Mom!  And to my beautiful, wonderful daughters who have turned into such amazing mothers themselves, I love you all and am so blessed and honored to have you call me mommy.

 I've been up to so much that my mojo took a turn and deided to go on a vacation!  But it's coming back!  I wanted to share my Elphine House Design Team project of Flower Power with you and remind you that you still have a day or two to come over and play along with our challenge.  

This is my cutie pie that I used.  She's brand new and on her way into the Elphine House Australia store.  She's from the Sunshine Set and right now I'm calling her the girl with Garden Flowers.  She's colored with copics and has stickles added kind of all over the flowers and her scarf and headband.  I used some of my favorite paper from Prima and the silk flowrs are from Offray, the pearls from Recollections, the side edge is from Tim Holtz and the flowers are homemade.

Isn't she just adorable?

I added some distressed inks around the edge to give it a more soft look.

Make sure to come on over to our Design Team Blog and join in our challenge.  Wouldn't you love a chance to win a gorgeous stamp?  I know I'd be all over it!

Cowardly Lion Sassy for C.R.A.F.T. Challenge

Sorry I've been gone, but I've been on the greatest adventure!  My girls went together and bought me a plane ticket to go to the wedding of one of my adopted-surrogate kids!  My boy, Jake, got married and I'm so glad I was able to go and share that day with him!  I was lucky enough to spend time with Nichole and Lainie Loo, and my Jennifer, Nick and sweet Emma which I totally loved!  For me, there's nothing like spending time with my children and grandbabies!  I could just eat them up I love them all so much!  I also got to spend so much time with my other kids.  Jake used to live with us for a couple of years and while he may not be my biological child, he is a child of my heart, just like my Nicole, Kelly, Rachelle, Bryce, Brolin, Ben, Zach, Ryan with a silent "B".  There's something to be said about taking time to spend with children and listening to them.  I shared so much of their lives with them and they had such an impact on me.  They made me feel needed and loved.  I thought it was just on my side, but gosh, how humbling it is when you realize that you had an impact on them and they truly love you as much as you do them.  My heart was very full and overflowing this weekend and I realize how truly blessed and extremely lucky I am.  Boy, did they all ever work me over and made me feel like I need to be back in Maine with them.  Well, who knows what the future may bring.  I may still have a few winters left in my heart that I've been ignoring!

Thanks for letting me ramble on!  Now on to my project for today!  Sassy Studio Designs is sponsoring the challenge over at C.R.A.F.T. and their theme is Birthdays.  How much fun are birthdays?!  I've always loved them and don't mind counting them.l  After all, age is only a number and not a frame of mind.  That's what I think.  I certainly don't feel as old in my heart as I am in numbers.  I decided to use Cowardly Lion Sassy from Sassy Studio Designs' newest release.  I just love all of the images in this release!

Isn't she just sassy?  She's colored with copics and I used some Stickles on her fur and tail.  The papers are from Bo Bunny and from my stash.  The gems are from Recollections and I added some Distressed Inks around the edge of her.

Doesn't she have the prettiest face?

The sentiment is handwritten with Allie.  We're working on her letters and she wanted to help.  After my past weekend.  I don't want to stand in the way of her wanting to practice writing or being creative.

I plan on entering her in the following challenges:

Crafty Creations - Something old, something new (new gems  and old papers)
Divas By Design - Anything goes
The Stamping Chef - Animals
Creative Craft Challenge - All About animals

So stop on over at the C.R.A.F.T. Challenge and join in on the fun.  And use a Sassy Studio Image is you have one!  They're so much stinkin fun!

Little Friends from Elisabeth Bell's Digital Collection!

It's always a great day when I get to present and participate in The Digi Bell's Design Team monthly blog hop because it means I'm showing off another one of Elisabeth Bell's gorgeous images!  Today is no exception and I'm so proud to show off "Little Friends", her newest digital image!  You can find this sweet baby at Elisabeth Bell's Digital Collection.

If you came to me from the super talented Julie's blog, then you're on the right track.  If not, please hop on over to Rose's blog and start at the beginning.  There's a chance to win this sweetie but you've got to make sure you hop all around and make sure to leave a comment and some love to my designing sisters!

Please welcome ** Little Friends ** to our little family of Elisabeth Bell Digi's....

Blog hop starts on Friday, APRIL 19, 2013, at 9:00am (Arizona time)

ending on Friday, APRIL 26, 2013 at 9:00am (Arizona time).

  

Isn't she a baby doll?  Simply love her!  She's colored with copics and the papers are from my favorite paper pack, Euphoria from BasicGrey (it's pretty old and so precious to me!).  She's got some stickles on her top, pants and ribbon in her hair.  The flowers are from Recollections and my retro flower punch (gotta give a shout out to Lynda for her fabulous flowers a couple of days ago that inspired me!  Thanks, my dear!), and the ribbon and earls are from Hero Arts.  

Just love her sweet face!  She's just got that look of innocence and wonder to her. I cut her out using my circular Nestabilities and added a little bit of Distressed inks around the image.

Here's a couple of peeks of this inside.

I'm entering her in the following challenges:

Sketch Saturday - Love this layout!
Art Impressions Stamp Challenge - Layer It On
Copics Marker Europe - Girls Aloud (Only female images)
Delightful Challenge - Color my world (anything colorful)
DRS Designs - bows
Forever Friends - Diecuts and punches
MilkCoffee Challenge - Welcome spring
My Heart Pieces Digital Stamp Challenges - Spring or Easter
Shelly's Images - April showers brings May flowers
C.A.S. Colours and Sketch Challenges - colors (Rich Razzleberry, Primrose Petals, Pool Party)
Creative Belli - Pastel colors
Creative Moments - Spring
Inky Impressions - punches/dies
The Paper Shelter Challenge - At least two flowers

Now hop on over to Sofia's blog and see her fabulous creation!  And remember, everyone needs Little Friends!

Sweet New Girl from the Sunshine Set from Elphine House Australia

I may be a little ahead of myself, but Elphine House Australia has a couple of new cuties coming out from the Sunshine Set and I just can't help myself!  I had to use one of them!  So while I don't have a specific name for you, I'm giving you a preview of this cute pie!

Our challenge today over at Elphine House Australia Design Team has a theme of "Lace and Pearls".  If you know me, you know I love me some pearls and lace is right up there with one of my favorite embellishments!  Well, I decided to give this beauty a twist and used Baker's Twine as well my lace, but I hung tight with the pearls!

Isn't she a beauty?  I love yellow and orange together and thought pearls were so appropriate for her!  She's colored with copics and has some stickles in her hair, n her top, pants and I added some Diamond Glaze to the apples.  The paper is a beautiful pack from My Mind's Eye and the flowers and pearls are from Recollections.  She's cut out with my Floral Oval die from Spellbinders and the Baker's twine is from The Twinery.  I ran the layered paper through my BigShot (my poor cuttlebug finally died on me :(), and used my dotted swiss folder to add some texture to the panels.  I also used some Scattered Straw around the frame.  This layout is from The House That Stamps Built and I love it!  I'll use it pretty often.

Love, simply adore her face!  I think she looks so pretty and self-reliant, out there picking not only some apples, but some flowers to go with it!

I like the clean look of the inside.  And I love that Baker's Twine!

I am planning on entering her in the following challenges:

365 Cards - Welcome Spring
Ladybug Crafts Ink TLT Challenge - A card for a child or teen
LEJ Designs Challenge - Emboss it
Loves Rubber Stamps - Spring colors
Oldie But A Goodie Challenge - Make it girls (flowers are over 6 months old)
Riley and Company - Think Spring
Try It On Tuesday - Spring has sprung
ABC Challenge - L is for Lovely Lace
A Little Bit Crafty - Anything goes
House of Gilli - Anything goes and lace and pearls
Ladybug Crafts - Jump into Spring
Oozak - Anything goes with lace, pearls and ribbon
Pretty Little Ribbon Shop - Spring is in the Air



So head on over to our Elphine House Australia Design Team blog and show us your pearls and lace!

Tuesday Throwdown Challenge Sponsored by Little Darling Rubber Stamps

I am so excited for this week's challenge over at Tuesday Throwdown!  I get to not only present one of my stamps that I've had and was so excited to work with and to try a new technique!  Our sponsor this week is Little Darling Rubber Stamps, which I totally love, especially their Cutie Pies line, and we were challenged to use Fancy Folds.  Little Darlings Rubber Stamps has some of the cutest rubber stamp lines that include Little Darlings, Cutie Pies, Saturated Canary, Liseth by MilkCoffee, sentiments, and some gorgeous papers.  I had an absolute blast coloring my image up and can't wait to show her off!

This little cutie pie is called Holiday Happenings: Darling Girl and I made a diamond origami fold card for her.     Isn't is gorgeous?  It was so easy and you can find the instructions here.  This is a picture of the front of the card.

I added some homemade flowers to the front with some Scrapper's Floss and branches from my Martha Stewart punch.  This gorgeous paper is from K&Company and it didn't break when I pressed the folds sharp.

This is a closeup of this baby.  Isn't she just adorable?  She's colored with copics and I added some Stickles on her headband, stockings, and the bands on her sweater.  I added a little bit of Diamond Glaze to her eyes and think they make them look so big and sweet!  Nestabilities were used to cute out her an the frame and I brushed some distressed inks along the edge of the image to soften the lines.  The pearls are from Recollections.

Thought I'd show you the two front diamonds up close.

This paper is so soft and restful and springy and summery that I just had to use it!  Have you ever just felt compelled to make something special with a sheet of paper?  I'm so glad I'm not the only one who has ever thought that!

I plan on entering her in the following challenges:

ABC Challenge - Color (Pink, green, blue)
Artistic Inspirations - Always anything goes
Bunny Zoe's Crafts Challenge - Your favorite color combo (pink and green)
Card Mania - Punches and/or diecuts
Crafty Bloggers Network - Anything goes
Created With Love Challenge Blog - Recipe (1 image, 2 designer papers, 3 embellishments)
Creative Creations Challenge - Easter/Spring
Incy Wincy Design Challenge - "Out of the Box" Technique
Love To Scrap! Challenge - 3 or more layers, 2 patterned papers, 1 stamped image
Make It Monday - Always anything goes
MarkerPOP Blog Challenge - Anything goes
Melonheadz Friends Challenge - Girly
Mema's Craft Monday Challenge - Anything Goes
Mygrafico Challenge - Anything goes
Stamp and Create - Use at least one diecut
Tammy's Scrapin Corner - 1 image, 2 diecuts, 3 embellishments
The Pink Elephant Monday Card Challenge - Spring Colors

Make sure to stop by our Tuesday Throwdown Challenge Blog and see the fabulous projects my designing buddies have come up to share with you.  They're nothig short of gorgeous!  Can't wait to see your folds!

Saint Patrick's Day Sassy by Sassy Studio Designs

It's getting close to one of those holidays that can be so much fun but so painful!  I remember in my younger days that I tried to have at least a little bit of green in most of my underwear so if I got wrapped yp with life and forgot about St. Patrick's Day, I'd at least have something with green on!  Now that I look back on it, there's something pretty crass about pulling at your waist just to show off a shade of green on your underwear!  There's just something so classy about showing your panty elastic or your bra strap!  Hey, whatever it takes to keep from getting pinched for not wearing any green!

Well, over at Sassy Studio Design blog, it's Dare to Be Sassy Thursday and Kathy gave us the challenge of Seeing Green for St. Patrick's Day!  I knew exactly what image I wanted to use because this beauty reminded me of the days when I used to go out and really celebrate the Day!

I would dare say that Saint Patrick's Day Sassy is full of green and could hold her own while out on the town to celebrate the holiday!  I used the sketch from Fetch A Sketch and think she came out pretty good.  She's colored with copics and has stickles on her clovers and top, pants, and socks.  I added some Diamond Glaze to the mug and the foam and used my Clear Jelly Roll pen to add some sparkles to the buckles on the shoes and belt and to the bubbles on the mug. The papers are from Recollections and SEI.  The flowers are from Recollections and the branches are made with Martha Stewart punches and her frame is from Nestabilities.  I added some Scattered Straw Distressed Inks around the edge of the frame to give her that golden, pot of gold at the end of he rainbow look.

Isn't she a gorgeous stunner?

I followed the sketch on the inside and here's a couple of peeks of it.

Here's the full biew of the inside.

I absolutely loved working this hot, Irish lass up!

I'm entering her in the following challenges:

Art With No Boundaries - Always Anything Goes
Craft It Up and Link It Up Linky Party - Anything Goes
Make It Monday - Anything goes
Melonheadz Friends Challenge - Going Green
MyGrafico - Anything Goes
The Pink Elephant Monday Card Challenge - Happy St. Patrick's Day/Green
The Stamping Chef - Good Luck/Green Challenge
There She Goes - Shades of Green
Die Cutting Divas - Green and Gold
Party Time Tuesdays - Luck of the Irish
Creative Belli Challenge - St. Patrick's/Green
Papercraft Star - Go Green

Please stop over at the Sassy Studio Designs blog and take a look at the fabulous and festive projects my designing buddies have come up with to share with you all.  I'm sure you'll love them all!  And may the luck of the Irish ever smile on you!  And check back on Saturday for the fabulous new release we're going to be having.  You can see some of the sneek peeks on the blog!  You're not going to want to miss it!

A Tasty Read for The Digi Bells

My daughter Nichole has me hooked on a series of books written by Cassandra Clare called Mortal Instruments.  I read the first one, "City of Bones" and am now on "City of Ashes".  She finds some good things for me to read!  When I saw this cutie, A Tasty Read by Elisabeth Bell's Digital Collection, I had to have her and have been waiting to color her up.  I am posting her over on our Digi Bell Design Team blog so they can enjoy her.

I saw this paper by My Mind's Eye and loved the yellows and grays together.  They were so soothing and reminded me of Nichole.  She's eats really healthy and if anyone would read with an apple, it's her!  This cutie was colored with copics and Spectrum Noir markers.  The flowers are from Recollections, the swirls from Close to My Heart, and the pearls are from Studio 112. The branches are from a Martha Stewart punch.  Believe it or not, there aren't any stickles on this baby because for the first time in a long time, I thought she stood on her own!

Here's a close up of that gorgeous face.  I've been practicing my blending and I was really pleased with how she came out.

You can see the gorgeous paper a little bit better on this view.

I touched her edges and the white flowers up with some Scattered Straw Distress Ink and think it made them fit so much better!  I also distresssed the edges but they don't show up so well against the Kraft cardstock from Stampin' Up.

The paper was so pretty on the inside, I didn't want to cover too much of it up so I angled the writing area.

I hope you'll sit down and read a good book!  I'm always up for some suggestions so send them on!  Also please stop over at the Digi Bells Design Team blog tomorrow to see what gorgeous and inspiring creations my wonderfully talented design team sisters have in store for you!

And stop by my blog because The Sassy Studio Designs Design Team is having a fun blog hop and I'd hate for you to miss the opportunity to win a free image from them!  Stop by and see what all of our favorite images are!  Now go read!

Christmas Bells

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog for my first blog hop as a new member of The Digi Bells!  I'm beyond excited to be part of this inspiring and talented team of artists.  Now on to the business at hand!   It's that time of the month for a new digi release from the fabulously talented Elisabeth Bell and this one is a beauty!  I love everything about Christmas.  There's nothing like the vibrant, rich colors, the wonderful smells that come from all the baking, the fun of wrapping presents after spending time picking out the perfect thing for that perfect someone.  And as much as I don't like cold weather, there's something about that brisk, pure white stuff that falls from the sky that gives a beautiful glimmer and shine to the earth.  And you know how much I love me some glimmer!

Over at the Digi Bells Design Team Blog, we're hosting our monthly blog hop while showing off the beautiful creation that Elisabeth has in store for you!  If you came to my blog from our fearless leader, Lynda, then you're on the right track.  If not, make sure that you start at the very beginning.  I don't want you to miss a single thing!  Here's the order:

Mary Lou -http://marylouscorner.blogspot.com/

Sebrina -http://sissi4477.blogspot.com/

Carla -http://carlasstampingspot.blogspot.com/

Lynda -http://www.lyndasscrappyplace.blogspot.com/

Susan - http://stampingtink.blogspot.com/

Alethea -http://lilodesigns.blogspot.com/
Pam -http://pamiscraftycreations.blogspot.co.uk/
Linda -http://pysselbus.blogspot.com/

Julie - http://julieprice3.wordpress.com/

Wendy -http://wickdyscreations.blogspot.com/

Olivia - http://ormcraftynights.blogspot.com/

Rose - http://inrosiesbook.blogspot.com/

Digi Bell Blog - http://digibellsdt.blogspot.com/ 

Now, here's my Christmas Bell:

Isn't she stunning?  She's colored with copics and has some stickles and Diamond Glaze all over her and he gorgeous cape.  I added some Flower Soft in snowy white and some Martha Stewart glitter to her boots.  The flowers are from Bitty Blossoms from Spellbinders and the leaves and branches are from Martha Stewart.  The ribbon and gems are from my stash.

Here's a close up of her.

Isn't she just gorgeous?  I love her sweet face!

Here's the inside.

Now off you go to Alethea's blog for her gorgeous project for you.  Make sure to leave a comment so you can be in the running for winning this sweet beauty!  Now, hop on!

Apple Bake - Yummy!

I'm so excited to share my sweet little Apple Bake from my favorite artist, Ms. Elisabeth Bell's digital collection!  It's even more thrilling for me because it's my first post as a new Design Team Member of Elisabeth's The Digi Belles!  Just have to tell you that I'm so over the moon honored to be presenting these adorable, enchanting images and bringing them to life!

This sweet little thing just shouts innocence and sweetness to me!  After the events that have rocked the small town of Newtown, CT yesterday, I think we all need some sweet loving.  I'm just devastated and heartbroken over this horrific thing that took place.  I'm just so not understanding this senseless loss of those sweet babies and educators.  I don't know any of those that are affected by this tragedy but my heart just breaks for these families.  I needed to do something to lift my spirits so I went to making a card, anything to redirect my thoughts.  This helped.

I simply adore this image!  She's colored with copics and has Stickles, Diamond Glaze and distressed inks on the image.  The papers are from that gorgeous K&Company pack and I made the flowers with my Bitty Blossoms Spellbinders die. and the leaves are from my Martha Stewart punches.

Here's a side view.

And now the inside!

I think her pie just looks so warm, inviting and yummy!  I hope her sweetness makes you smile.  Go hug a child or someone that you love a lot.  Oh, and have a warm piece of something sweet on me!

Hugs,

Susan

Santa Pin Up for Sassy Studio Designs

Sassy Studio Designs is sponsoring the challenge over at Dream Valley Challenge Blog today and their theme is "Christmas".  I have been doing a lot with red and green lately and I decided to go with a non traditional color for Christmas.  Here's my Santa Pin Up in blues.

I think she's so sexy and sassy!  She's colored with copics and the papers are from the Arctic Winter pack from DCWV.  The crystal swirls are from Close to My Heart, Stickles are all over her suit and hat and Glossy Accents are on her belt and boots.  I used Spellbinders to cut out my image and the snowflake punch is from Martha Stewart.  I distressed around the edges of the papers and added some Distressed Inks around the edges.

Here's a close up of this sassy gift giver:

These side views give a peek into the inside.

Here's a view of the inside.

The poinsettia is from Spellbinders and I added some course snow and glitter.

Make sure to stop over and play along with the Dream Valley Challenge Blog and see what all their fabulously talented Design Team members have up to inspire you.  Put your Sassy Christmas on and show it off!