CELEBRATE SPRING!

I just love these cute little chicks!  Every time I look at them I have to smile, they look so happy and like they are having so much fun!  I cut the border on the left with SCAL,  and used the Cuttlebug to emboss the background paper.  I colored the stamp with my Prisma's and Gamsol, then added a little Flower Soft to their bunny ears.  The sentiment was printed from my computer then cut out with Nestabilities (also the oval the stamp is on), added a few Dew Drops and there we have it!  Party On!!!

TSUNAMI UPDATE

HUGE sigh of relief!  No injuries or damage, thank the Lord!  It sure was interesting to watch the ocean receding and purging back in, I've never seen anything like it - and I hope we never see it again!  Mahalo for all your good thoughts and prayers!

TSUNAMI WARNING

We are sure hoping that things are not too bad!  It's supposed to hit at 11:05 am this morning - it's appx. 8:15 am our time now.  I live on the west side of the island at 400 ft. and we are safe.  The southeast end where Hilo is located will most likely get the worst of it.  They have had quite a few tsunamis over the years and some have been devastating.  At the moment we can here the warning sirens blaring.  All of the islands of our state could be affected, so pray for everyone!

SENDING HUGS

One thing I was looking forward to upon returning from my trip was having fun with some super stamps my wonderful blogger friend Christine sent me - MAHALO sweet lady!  This is one of them.

I have a very dear friend who is going through chemo and radiation therapy and needs all the hugs she can get!  When I looked at this stamp I knew it was for her!  I entered it in the challenge over at Creative Inspirations in which their theme is "monochromatic", and also at Lexi's Creations where "anything goes"!  The scallop frame was cut using SCAL, colored with my Prisma pencils and Gamsol, then a touch of clear embossing powder on the little red hearts for a bit of glimmer.

Isn't it wonderful how one friend sends something to you, and in return you can send it on to another!  I love it!

SPRING IS HERE

Since I am on a real flower kick at the moment, I thought this challenge was quite appropriate!  I used one of the cut files that I had for the flower seed bags.  It was perfect for these.  The challenge is at The Sweet Stop and their theme is Spring and flowers.  I love the simple, "sweet" layout.  So many of you are so ready for warm weather, I know!  So go on over and join in the fun and get ready for Spring!

 

LAYOUT

WEDDING FAVORS

First off I have to say MAHALO to all of you SUPER ladies for you kind and warm messages!  I SO APPRECIATE every one of you and all of your support- YOU MAKE MY DAY!!!!  Mahalo nui loa from my heart!

SO, here we go:  My daughter and her fiance, Travis, want a very simple wedding, not a lot of fuss.  And, as it is THEIR wedding, they deserve all of us to make it their special day the way THEY want it!  I am so happy to do so!  The main theme of the wedding is wild flowers.  Mindi adores sunflowers and also wants to include them.  Her bouquet is to be just a simple bunch of sunflowers tied with yellow ribbon, her main color.  The paper the invitations are being printed on is hand made with bits of yellow flower petals in it, AND real wild flower seeds!   You "plant" the invitation and wildflowers will grow!  For a remembrance favor she has adorable various colored little bags that will be filled with wildflower seeds.  I have made paper flowers that were cut with my Cricut and hot glue gunned them to the bags:

 

Here is a sample of some of the finished bags:

 

I'm so glad she really likes them!  They were lots of fun to do.  My only concern now is the printing of the invitations....  The paper arrived today and it's beautiful, but it's much thicker than we realized.  I am just hoping that my printer can handle it!  Wish me luck!

HOME AGAIN!

What a WONDERFUL trip I had to Oregon!  I love it there.  I wasn't ready to come home, I so enjoyed the rain and cold weather.  I didn't get to be in any snow, but I saw quite a bit on the mountains.  Here's a shot of Mt. Hood taken from our hotel room in Portland.

We had a successful trip for my daughter's wedding dress!  She is getting married June 19th and we had so much fun working on all the plans.  The wedding is going to be at her fiance's parents home, outside.  It's a beautiful setting with views of the Willamette River.  I'm doing the invitations and some of the decorations.  FUN!

We also went up into the Gorge for 3 days and had a blast!  We visited museums, awesome waterfalls, hiked, ate great food and had delicious mother/daughter time!  The highlight was our 48 degree hotel room in Cascade Lockes!  A transformer was down at the Bonneville damn and the whole town was without electricity from 10 am to 6:30 pm!  We drove across the Bridge of the Gods over the Columbia River to Stevenson, WA to eat dinner then came back and snuggled under a ton of blankets till the electricity came back on.

 

I really enjoyed visiting The Viewpoint Inn where they filmed the prom scene in the 1st Twilight movie.  I'm standing under the sign they used in the movie when they went into the prom.  Dig my hiker boots!!!  I got them in Salem and wore them nearly everywhere I went, lol!  My feet were comfy, dry and warm!

 

  

  

Everything was so fresh and green and beautiful! It's hard to choose my favorite place, but I think it was up in the Gorge at Multnomah Falls - AWESOME!!!!  I can't put into words how gorgeous it was.  That little speck on the bridge is me...

Mindi and I!

I must say I did miss my card making!  Of course I visited several big craft stores and some great rubber stamp shops.  Sure wish I had some of that variety here!  And I did purchase some new papers and a few other supplies.  I have to get busy and use some of them!  But at the moment I am working on a project for the wedding - favors for on the tables.  (I'll post them probably tomorrow.)  ALOHA to all of you, you were missed and I will be visiting you soon and look forward to seeing all the great things you've done while I was gone.  HUGS!!!!

LOVE

No, I'm not home yet, lol, but I had to enter this card in this weeks challenge over at Just Magnolia and also Totally Gorjuss. I made it before I left for Oregon and it fits into their challenge perfectly, so I decided to post it.  I didn't put it on here earlier because I didn't want my friend to see it before she received it! 

PALM TRIO

Well, this is my last card for two weeks.  I'll be going through card withdrawal!  I am off to Oregon to visit with my sweet daughter and her fiance'.  I am so anxious to see them!  I am also looking forward to the rain, cold and maybe even some snow!!!  YES, looking forward to it!  The climate here is fantastic, and believe me I am not complaining, but believe it or not, it can get a bit boring.  I know, I know, you're saying, "BORING, she's nuts!  Give me boring!"   Let's just say we all need a little variety no matter where we are.  So all of you take care and keep creating!  I look forward to visiting you all when I return and seeing what you have been up to.

OH, yes, the card, LOL!  I did a background with a roller using three colors.  Then I printed the graphic picture of the palm over it, which I tripled in a row.  I love the look, and it was fun to do!  Take care, ALOHA!

BLOGGING BUDDIES

I love the internet!  Because of it I have been able to connect with people form all over the world who share the wonderful passion of making cards and scrapping.  Then along come the miracle of "blogs" that enable us to be OUT THERE cruising the WORLD!  It has also given us the marvelous gift of making new friends, which to me is the best of all - you all know who you are!  One of my blogging buddies is Christine.  She does amazing creations, and always inspires me.  She sent me the most adorable stamped images!  She saw the card with the martini and asked me if I would be interested in a couple stamped images of martinis - of course I would!  I got them yesterday along with a super variety of other images she took the time to make, they are great!  MAHALO Christine, I can't wait to get back from my trip so I can dig in!  And to ALL my blogging buddies who take the time to stop by, mahalo for all your support and fun correspondence.  You all make my day!!!  Aloha....  J : )

HOWS IT GROWIN?

I have been wanting to use this stamp, so today was the time!  I used my Prisma's with Gamsol and did the shading at the bottom of the flower pot with Copic.  The scallop circle was a Nestabilitie.  Also added a little bling with the tiny yellow rhinestones in the center of the flowers.  Sweet and simple!

RELAX

I don't know why, but I really like this one!  I think it's because I want to be the one in the tub!  This is for the SSS41 challenge over at The Sweet Shop.  I really liked the layout and am sure I will use it again.  It is also combined with The Paper Makeup Stamps Blog challenge.  Their beautiful, peaceful colors really helped inspire!  And Scrap and Stamp challenge, because their theme was Monochromatic.  WOW, 3 in one, that's a first, LOL!

The paper I used is some that I've had for a long time, and I have used frequently.  It was in a big pack that I got at Big Lots over a year ago...  I colored with Copics, added the "dew drops" and then some "Liquid Applique" to the bubbles to give it some dimension.  All in all I am very pleased with this one!

 

Layout :

MAHALO CHERYL!

This is just too cute!  Thanx Cheryl!  OK, I'm supposed to list ten things about me...

1.  My favorite food in the whole world is Hagn Das COFFEE ice cream

2.  I'm a jewelry nut

3.  Golf is my "other" passion

4.  I've worked as a dental assistant and an executive secretary

5.  Autumn is my favorite season, I miss it here...

6.  I grew up in Phoenix, and I don't miss it there at all!

7.  The ocean keeps me sane

8.  My cat Georgie is the best cat I've ever had, he's the best cuddler

9.  I would love to visit South Africa

10.  I drive a 16 yr. old Jeep named "Nellie" (by choice)!  I love her!

HEARTS & FLOWERS

Just Magnolia has another fun challenge this week.  With it being near Valentine's Day, their subject is hearts and flowers.  All of my Valentine's are finished, but hey, how could I pass up such a fun challenge.  Especially when the blog candy is SO divine!!   I can't find those tiny little roses here on the island, and I would LOVE to have some.  All the Tilda cards look so pretty with them.  I am going to the mainland next Tuesday and they are on my list of things to look for!  Used SCAL to cut the big heart, the flower border is from a Fiskars punch and then trimmed down.  I colored with Prisma's and also my Copics.  Then I added some Flower Soft to the roses in Tilda's bouquet. It's all been raised with pop dots.

"INCHIES" AND EMBOSSING

This was a fun challenge!  "Inchies" refers to a square, circle or shape that measures one inch.  Lots of possibilities with this one.  Check out the inspiration and join the challenge at Penny's Paper-Crafty Cahllenge Blog.  Also, I entered this over at Frosted Designs as it fit in with their embossing challenge.  It's the first time I've combined one card with two entries.  I know lots of you do that, but I never had!

I am back in my Asian theme because the clean, square lines were perfect for the idea I had.  I purchased the coins at the craft fair I went to last year in Tucson.  They have been sitting here staring at me, begging to be used!  So, at last I answered their call!  The paper is by Creative Imaginations, love the bamboo pattern.  I heat embossed the bamboo with gold.

BABY!

HOW FUN!!!  This is my FIRST ever baby card!  My best girlfriend's daughter is expecting their second child and we are all so excited!  She found out it's a girl, so I knew I wanted to do something sweet in pink.  I tied it in to challenge #43 at Stamp With Fun.  I used my CB for the plain pink paper and then put on the embellishments.  I added the pearls as an after thought, but really like the little bit of bling it added.

FRIENDS...

I have had this paper for quite some time and actually, I had forgotten about it!  Yesterday I was organizing and cleaning up my craft space and came across it.  I immediately knew why I had bought it - I loved the little flower print and the colors.  There is a tiny bit of sparkle on it too, very cute.  (It's called Posies Glitter Print, Petite Sunrise Posies by DCWV.)  So as soon as I finished my cleaning I got to crafting and did this card.  I used watercolor inks on the stamp to get the various colors.  I have to remember to do that more often, I like the result!

GEISHA & BAMBOO

It seems the longer I make my cards, I see my "style" emerging.  In my own personal life I have always leaned towards things that are more "tailored" and have simple clean lines.  I do cards that have a lot of fancy flowers, embellishments, etc., but I always seem to prefer the cards that are more simple.  This one is a perfect example.  It was inspired from a sweet blogger friend, Cheryl, whose cards I adore.  It was from a layout she did at Splitcoast Stampers.  As I have said before, I love the simplistic Asian designs, and I find myself returning to them again, and again.  Like they used to say in design class, "less is more", and for me it's so true!  I still like to go beyond my comfort zone and experiment, but here I am again back where I like to be.  

The background paper is from a beautiful stack called "Far East" by Premium Stacks.  I gold heat embossed the stamped areas that are from a set by All Night Media.  Also I inked the edges with Distress ink, "frayed burlap".  Simple, clean lines and no embellishments and I love it!  MAHALO Cheryl for the great inspiration!

THINKING OF YOU

I sure am having fun trying some new techniques!  Here is another one from over at StampTV.  It is done using Baby Wipes as an ink pad.  (Check out the video)  You put drops of ink - re-inkers that you refresh your ink pads with - on a baby wipe and use it as your stamp pad!  Clever!  The colors I used are Carmel by Adirondack, New Sprout and  Rich Cocoa by Memento, and Olive by Ranger.  The design down the left side is a rub-on, then I put it through my CB for some texture.  Added a little inking on the edges of the flower piece and the sentiment, then added piece of ribbon and there you have it!

FRIENDS (#42 Friendship)

We all like a little "bling", right!?  Well when I saw this challenge at "Stamptacular Sunday Challenge" I immediately thought BLING!  Your design had to be black, white and  silver.  What better way to sparkle it up!  Personally, I love black and white, it can be so dramatic.  I've had this paper for a while and knew it would be perfect for my idea.  The little hanging crystals are trim for around the bottom of a lampshade!  (Good ol' Dollar Store in Phx!)  I used my CB for the scalloped edge circle, a Fiskars edge punch for the bottom trim and then heat embossed the sentiment.  Simple but fancy-schmancy!

THANK YOU (C4C20)

I have been itching to try a technique they call "emboss resist".  Gina K. has a great video over on StampTV that shows this fun process.  She shows you all the supplies you will need, and simple step by step instructions.  When I saw the challenge over at "Crazy 4 Challenges" I knew that I had found the perfect layout to give this a shot.  So here is the design I did, and it sure was fun and very easy.  If you haven't ever done this technique, give it a try, I think you'll enjoy it!

Layout

TONS OF LOVE

This is another one of those cards that I saw a long time ago, and just fell in love with!  I did a few things different as I didn't have the correct lace edge punch that was used, but that's ok.  I used SCAL to do a border file that I had, Copic's to color, and CB to make the scalloped oval.  I LOVE the elephant, she is just too cute in her ballet shoes and tutu!  (Put some Stickles on them, but I wish I had used a more shiny glitter...) 

CHEERS! (Crazy Creations Challenge #51)

I'm a martini lover, and I love martini glasses!  I have a collection of them, all different styles and shapes.  So when I saw this adorable stamp I had to have it.  It originally has a piece of holly and a berry on the end of the swizzle stick, but I taped over it when I did the stamp.  I can use it for any holiday or theme that way.  For the Valentine theme I glued on a little red glitter heart.  It was colored with Copics.

I did this card for the challenge over on "Crazy Creations Challenges".  The theme is Valentine's or Love.  That made it real nice for this time of year!  I've been making so many Valentine's, and I decided to use this one just because I liked it!

HELP FOR HATI

We all know what has happened in Hati, but have you taken the time to HELP!    Reach out and do what you can.  Instead of buying that treat at Starbucks, give the $$ to your favorite organization to help save lives.  I have posted a link on the upper right of my blog that will take you to an accredited place to donate. It's an organization called Partners In Health .  PLEASE give what you can to them or to an organization of your choice.  You never know when it may be YOU that is in need!

PAPER CUTZ CHALLENGE #24

Since I am lucky enough to live in the land of almost "perpetual summer", I was delighted with this challenge!  It's over at Paper Cutz and the theme is SUMMER!  I decided to do a card that I did a long time ago because I like it!  The cuts are from the LAB cartridge.  I need to use it more often...