One Martini, Two Martini, Three Martini...

FLOOR! that's what the inside says. Now I'm not sure if this would really happen if you had 3 martinis or not (never had one) but I always liked that saying. Personally, I'm a fan of the classic Margarita and Midori Sour (yum). Anyway, since Melanie came up with this set Just so Hippy, I have been having a LOT of fun (how could anyone tire of 3 animals, little images, including a sign, heart balloon & matching greetings! It's such a deal at $17.99 for 18 images!!


Wait til you see what her next set is - it will be released on Sunday, Feb 10th by Gina K Designs, as well as others!


I drew the martini glass & the monkey's shades & party hat are from the Changito the Monkey clear set which you can get at Eclectic Paperie. I almost completely forgot I had this set until I saw Melanie start to really have a little 'naughty' fun with the monkey from her set! This monkey is having so much fun at her party that she ended up in the flower bucket from Anna's set Posies for You. Like my Glitter paper? It's a rectangle DCWV Glitter Stack - so much fun! In fact if you see any of these papers on Melanie's blog, you should know we got them at Hobby Lobby a few weeks ago (as well as an adhesive stack) and shared them with one another - isn't it great to have local friends you can hang out with & do stuff like that with??

Wanna Monkey Around??

o.k. since Melanie didn't post any 'swinging monkeys or nakey doctors' yesterday, I figured I would! I totally forgot I had this cute Changito the Monkey Acrylic set I got at Archiver's (you can get at eP) Check out his bunch 'o bananas?? When I showed it to DH--he raised his eyebrows, smiled & gave me the thumbs up (va voom) that's because he was playing his Halo 3 live (and had a microphone on).

This was a fun card...and was inspired not only by Melanie's Tarzan swinging monkey but by the new set My Favorite Things is coming out with 'twisted sentiment'. Tomorrow they're having a release party on SCS! Hope to catch a little of it. I'm sure it will be a riot. I have to link Mary Jo Albright's card from yesterday because it is so cute - hold on to your seat (she even has a disclaimer & faded out the greeting on the original post just in case of offense. But, my thoughts on that are - hey it's your blog and you have freedom of speech (but it was good to have the disclaimer) HA! She really is an ARTIST when it comes to stamping, her creations are really knock your socks off good (note to self: good idea for a RAK for Mary Jo).

Cupcake Mojo #22

So I was too late to enter this for Julee's Mojo Week #22 but I made it this weekend (not sure why I have not done them before, they're great sketches!


I actually figured out my camera has a white balance in the menu - here is Simone's Daily Dose of Spazz link from the tutorial she read on twopeas) on how to get a better picture. I had no idea my camera would have it, but it did. I don't think this picture is the greatest, but I think it's better than before!! It's awesome there's no shadow from the cupcake stand, just a slight one on the card.


I used my Basic Grey Two Scoops paper (even behind the clear button) and look how cute those rows of stickers are! They were part of my loot from eP (courtesy of Stampendous) - so fun!!



Here's a tip:
Don't you love the 6x6 paper pads? Well, most likely you're cutting it down to fit on a card leaving small pieces - I used to shove them back in the pad...but decided to put a clear envelope on the inside flap to put them in there so I can 'see' what scraps I have & can use on a future project. But even more...are you ever curious what great SU! 48+ colors will match with the Basic Grey? Well, I wrote on the inside for reference when I'm about to make a card so it takes the guesswork out for me to recall the colors (now I have to go back to my other pads & do this).

FS52 - Cupcakes (fake ones & real ones)!!!

Remember I said I could hardly put down this new set by Stampendous, Hey There Cupcake?(exclusive for eP) Well, I hope you don't tire of all the upcoming posts I have using it. I made this card for SCS Featured Stamper Renee Stamping For Sanity FS52 Challenge . Here is Renee's card I CASED obviously changing colors, sets, embellishments. I used Taylor's Cupcake Challenge 2 (colors of Pixie Pink, Real Red, Tempting Turquoise and Chocolate Chip) since I had those colors out (lately I've been trying to use scraps for ALL my cards and when I find a combo I like or a card I like I tend to make 2) except for when the card has too much detail or took too long. I finally used my cb folder hearts on this card (but my picture is kind of bad so you can't really tell) and I used star dust stickles for the frosting but forgot I had used chocolate chip for the stamping and it bled a little (hate when that happens)

How cute is the cupcake stand on the right? I got it at Target for $5! It's how I will 'display' all my cupcake cards! Oh and guess how YUMMY the REAL cupcake is on the left? wow...too bad you can't see how adorable the cupcake liner is - it has springy flowers on it but I bet it would show way better with white, vanilla or yellow cake but that may or may not happen with me -my preferred flavor 9 times out of 10 is chocolate the other is yellow. Not a fan of white cake.

For Baby Aruna

Aruna Elizabeth Kalyani Ramcharan was born several weeks ago in Holland to my friend's daughter April & husband Toshi - she has an older sister Indra. Here is the definition of the baby's name - it's so pretty: Aruna (Ah-roo-nah) means morning sun rising, which they used as a variation of April’s middle name—Dawn. Kalyani (kah-lee-ah-nee) means blissful and/or fortunate. I found this purple stuffed hippo at Target $ spot the other day...cute, huh? Knew I could make a cute matching card using my Just so Hippy set--then, Anna Wight Sweet Miss Daisy of Sassy & Sweet Notes posted a cute card sketch challenge that was PERFECT for my idea. I used a Baby set from Wordsworth or the square background pieces stamped with a onesie, baby shoes, hooray it's a girl and safety pins. The sentiment in the sign is SU! Fancy Flexible Phrases.

if you haven't checked out Melanie's Hippy Contest - you have until this Friday to win a set of stamped from her next release.

Happy Cupcake Friday to ME!!

I love Fridays for SO many reasons; I only work 4 hours so I either get to run errands, visit friends, take a nap, stamp - whatever I'd like after 12:00 or I get to sleep in (every 4th Friday I work late shift 1:00-5:00) It's such a 'SWEET' deal and one of the many reasons I enjoy my full-time job. Well, yesterday was special for lots of other reasons too! I visited with a former co-worker I hadn't talked to since I was laid-off from the job (it was a blessing) about 2 1/2 years ago! We have kept in touch via email though. It was wonderful to hear her say she missed me and get a hug from her (I miss you too Tracey!)

Anyway, it's also Beate's Weekend Sketch, which I didn't start doing until a few weeks ago & I'm hooked-what took me so long to get in on all that fun!?!? Then, it's Taylor's Cupcake Challenge (she has had Cupcake Friday for a while now where she highlights projects made with cupcakes-so fun) and to top it all off with a CHERRY - I got my loot (winnings from eP's One-Year Birthday Challenge) So I must brag (I mean show) you what I got! Then show you what I did with these sketches & my new eP Exclusive clear set by Stampendous Hey There Cupcake I couldn't show it all to you in one picture-the cute pail was FULL of this stuff (except the stamped Easter images, they wouldn't fit in the pail)

This is the Thank You card I got from Joy & Daisy...isn't it cute? I am HOOKED on this set, I could barely put it down to stamp with other stuff since last night, all the possibilities are endless with all the sprinkles, different cupcake liners, frostings, candles, greetings!! I have to admit all this cupcake stuff has had me jonesing for some cupcakes so last weekend I made Easy Black Bottom cupcakes - they were pretty good. But tomorrow I am going to make some triple chocolate goodness-chocolate cupcake with semi-sweet chips inside with chocolate frosting and sprinkles. YUM

phew! Are you still with me?? Here is my card from Taylor's Cupcake Challenge 2 and Beate's Weekend Sketch 33. So fun! Aren't those red heart brads the cutest? They came from Melanie - thanks, girl! She got them at JoAnn's. I also used my pearl glitter from my Stampendous loot for the frosting on the cupcakes! Loved this color combo, Taylor!

RAK from Charmaine

Look at this cute springy card I got from Charmaine at Oodabug Alley! It has so many cute details like the lime green flower brads, the paper piercing at the bottom around the oval tag, the double ribbon? LOVE it - thanks, Charmaine - the sentiments on the 'inside' are mutual *smile*

You are One of a Kind Kickstand

Here's another Kirsten kickstand cards I made to swap at my up up-line's meeting a few weeks ago!! This was for Sketch Challenge 158 2-3 weeks ago. This card uses the new SU! set One of a Kind as well as one of the SAB So Many Scallops that coordinates with the scallop punch (you can get for FREE Feb 1-Mar 17 with a $50 order). I also used a felt flower, iridescent ice embossing powder on the outer scallop flower and Define Your Life.

It's time to Sale-A-Brate! The biggest promotion of the year with Stampin' Up! They just announced an additional special when you purchase a starter kit
Feb 1-Mar 17 - 20% off the price!! So your value just increased!!! woohoo

Madison's 2nd Birthday

Here is the first card I made using Aquarello Watercolor Paper by Fabriano. It really is nice!! I love how simple this card is-DH saw it and said it was his favorite! Loves the simplicity of it & the watercoloring. I used the little girl from All in the Family and new SAB set Birthday Whimsy (sentiment) I love the lowercase font. I used the heart balloon from Just so Hippy & added Crystal stickles to it for some sparkle. Madison is an adorable redhead - very petite so I think this card will be perfect.

Nominated for the Great Tip Award

Marilyn (Stamp with Marilyn) nominated me for the Great Tip Award - how sweet is she? Recently I met her at a leadership follow-up meeting because were sideline sisters! I love Marilyn's stamping and the way her sweet personality shines through her creations and her posts.

And so to pass it on, I have to nominate three other people:

Monika Davis (M.A.D. Stamper) - I totally enjoy all Monika's stuff and one of the great tips she is regular at posting are *Treasures of the Day* that she hunts down from other's blogs to share with her readers. I've found some awesome things/blogs that way!

Anna Wight (Sweet & Sassy Notes) - If you haven't seen any of Anna's work yet, you must be living under a rock. Recently she designed a new cling mount set by Whipper Snapper Designs Posies For You (did you see my post from yesterday with my first card made with this cute set? I have always admired her watercoloring, and asked her what she usually uses (as her white base) when she colors with a waterbrush & re-inkers. She replied with Artistico Watercolor Paper by Fabriano and Aquarello Watercolor Paper by Fabriano. I went to Hobbly Lobby today & got some of the Aquarello (yea) $5.99 for a 9.5x12.5" pad of 12 sheets for $5.99 and I had a 25% off coupon! The card I last posted was used for it. I am in LOVE with it - what a deal compared to SU! little sheets 3.75x5" (20 sheets for $6.95)! I am always for a good deal. It basically is the SAME at 140 lb!! This one I can use as a card base!

and last but not least - my friend Melanie Muenchinger (Hands, Head and Heart) I can't say enough about this lady's talent, it surpasses what little I thought when I first met her nearly 4 years ago when I was blown away by her out of the box stamping! I love her recently designed Just so Hippy set manufactured by Gina K Designs - wait til you see what she has in store NEXT! She is constantly coming up with new ideas - fresh & unique!!

Feel Better Posies

Here is my first posie card made with the sweet set Posies For You by Anna Wight aka Sweet Miss Daisy (who I bet is just as sweet as her set). I've always been a fan of Anna's stamping, photography, artistic talent in general so I knew I would adore using her set as well. Be sure to check out her blog Sweet & Sassy Notes to be inspired & blown away!


She designed this set for Whipper Snapper - it's their first cling 'set' of stamps. I was the 4th person to order it when it was released last week! The reason I know I was 4th to get it is because Whipper Snapper said that the first 100 sets to be sold would be signed copies by Anna. So when I got it yesterday it said 4/100. How cool is that?! I hope to meet her one day, she's a fellow Texan so perhaps it will be in the stars *wink*

I used Prismacolor Pencils & Gamsol (check out a great tutorial by Gina K just posted & you can win some cool buckets to store yours in) and added a little sparkle with my favorite glitter Star Dust Stickles!

Cool Tip: see the Wild Wasabi corners on the focal image? They were made with leftover scraps from cutting the set out (the whole sheet has a line perimeter around it) as I was cutting I realized several of the pieces could be saved & used. Neat, huh??

Wild Wasabi Cake (SAB Sneak Peek)

HA! Sounds gross...I love wasabi but it definitely won't go well with cake! Just wanted to show you a quick card I made using one of the Sale-a-Bration sets you will be able to get for FREE with a $50 purchase from Stampin' Up! between Feb 1 - March 17. There are 5 sets and a set of (4 sheets) of rub-ons to choose from! No limit to what you buy! As a hostess (you either have a catalog order of $150 or more) you can earn free product! If you want a traditional workshop where you invite your friends over for an evening of stamping fun you can earn free product (and special hostess only gifts from me) and when your workshop totals $300 or more you will get an additional SAB set free! Check out the whole catalog on the right in my side-bar.


Also - if you have ever had an inkling (pun intended) of joining the SU! family during SAB would be the PERFECT time - a starter kit (normally valued at $330) is $199 plus tax you get to choose from any set in the Spring/Summer Collection (value up to $47.95) for FREE in addition to what you get in your kit to get started!! I wish there had been that kind of promotion when I joined? Seriously, my love of stamping far surpassed any deal to be made - I was just ready to stamp my heart out & introduce it to others and have been for nearly 5 years now! If you have any questions, get in touch with a local demonstrator via the Stampin' Up! website or contact me. I'd be happy to help you along the way if you join 'The Stampamaniacs' Group!


I will post more new SAB samples, so check back with me!

FS51 - Birthday Roses

Here is my card for Featured Stamper on Sunday (FS 51 Stamping Pam) - using my new Kitchen Sink Stamps 3-step Hearts & Roses. Here is the beautiful card I cased from Pam Are You Ready For Spring CASE. I changed colors, set, embellishments.

I knew I'd love this set (was bummed when SU! retired Roses in Winter but I have to admit I am more drawn to realistic flowers most and this fits the bill PERFECTLY). It's so easy to use layering all the roses because they're clear and you can 'see' your placement. After I was done, I regretted not masking the flowers so I could make the leaves more realistic 'behind' the roses. But, I didn't really want to start over. Note to self for next time.

My 3-step colors for the roses (there are really 4) are Cameo Coral stamped off, Groovy Guava stamped off, Groovy Guava full, Really Rust.

My 3-step colors for the leaves (there are 3) are Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Always Artichoke.

I used the floral background on the guava base. Sentiment is Stampin' Up! Sincere Salutations, which was a Christmas gift to demos 2006 (I believe) and use it ALL the time as I love the mixed script & print.

Melanie's Ape Over Me *blush*

I finally found it! Melanie gave me this card when we met for lunch WEEKS ago and I was so bummed that evening (after showing it to my DH) it disappeared! I looked all over for it. Well, obviously not because as I was making my bed today (oh I just outed myself that I don't make my bed hat often - well DH is still sleeping when I leave in the morning and by the end of the day I quickly pull up the covers just to get in again so no, I really don't) Well, yesterday I saw a glimmer of it between the bed & my dresser - yea!! So here it is! Isn't it the cutest? I love the colors - Cool Caribbean, Blue Bayou & Real Red, her coloring, the layout & embellishments! Thanks, Melanie...the feeling's mutual!

Go check out her blog - if you have her set Just so Hippy - she is having a great contest & you can win her next release!! The contest ends Feb 8 so you have plenty of time to play if you want to order one.

Hanna Sketch Challenge & CC150

I made this card for Hanna Stamps Sketch Challenge 1 on the Hanna Stamps Forum from Kristi's party on Friday night. Decided to use CC150 - Real Soft Bayou (Real Red, Soft Sky, Blue Bayou) for my colors. I used the large polka dot backgrounder by Cornish Heritage Farms on my soft sky base. I used Prismacolor Pencils & OMS to color (FUN)

And since I had leftovers from the above card, I decided to make a birthday card with my Billboardabella from Stamping Bella.