Monday, January 31, 2011

Rascally Rabbit

Its time for Chelsea's team to share our creations for this week's Squigglefly Challenge. I used Rascally Rabbit by Brian Lock of Squigglefly in this week's sketch plus red, sparkle and hearts.  Super easy challenge and considering the fact that it is almost Valentine's Day, red, hearts and sparkle is not difficult. We would love for you to join the Challenge but please, use a Squigglefly image. If you don't have one, there are freebies for you to try. So, you have no excuse but to join us and you might win a prize.

I want to tell you about Rascally Rabbit. Believe it or not, he is a true blue blood, with heavy duty family credentials on both sides of his family tree. On his mother's side, there is the Easter Bunny, Peter Rabbit and the March Hare. His father's family is a little zany but still megastars, Bugs Bunny and the well-known twin brothers, Trix Rabbit and the Energizer Bunny.  Rascally Rabbit is the President of Valentine Rabbits, Inc., a little-known organization of bunnies united to promote the replacement of the x-rated, naked baby seen shooting random arrows known as "Cupid" with the image of a rabbit as the  symbol for Valentine Days. I mean, let's face it, rabbits do spend most of their time courting the ladies.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Happy Un-Valentine

Let's face it, Stella from Bugaboo Stamps does not waste time mincing words and she is telling you that not everyone spends Valentine's Day in total bliss sneezing because of a bouquet of red roses or gaining five pounds feasting on chocolate sent by some dude. Nope, not even close. There are many, many people who prefer to celebrate Happy Un-Valentine's Day and to those folks, Stella says, "Cupid is stupid".

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Easy and Quick

How about this for a quick and easy valentine? The stamp is a dollar stamp (love my dollar stamps) embossed in white. Touch of ribbon and done. Sorry, I can't conjure a funny story except to say I think the valentine looks like it has two boobs and a very large navel?

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Monty Moose

Hooray, hooray, finally its the grand reopening of Stamping Dragons Designs and we are celebrating the happy occasion with a blog hop requiring audience participation. Before we get to the details of the hop, I'd would like to give a warm welcome to the newest members of the Stamping Dragon Design's Challenge design team, Anne, Carolynne, and Molly.

I would also like to introduce you to Monty Moose from Stamping Dragon Designs. Years ago, Monty was hired as a special bodyguard to keep watch over "Punxsutawney Phil" of Gobbler's Knob, the only true weather forecasting groundhog (all other are impostors). Because of Monty's presence, each Groundhog Day (February 2), Phil can make a safe appearance and not feel threatened of being shot by the local farmers. A very secret society of people longing for Spring also hired Monty to stand just right so that when Phil leaves his burro, he cannot see his shadow bringing an early Spring.

Since Groundhog Day is Wednesday, Monty left a wakeup call for today to give him plenty of time to change from his pajamas and comfy pink slippers into freshly pressed skin and enough time to fill his belly after the long winter's hibernation. Between you and me, it also gives Monty a chance to checkout the girls in the neighborhood.



As part of the celebration, all week long, Janette is giving this beautiful image as a freebie, not to mention if you spend $5.00, you will have a chance to win a $5.00 gift certificate.

Along the blog hop you will find 8 questions. As a hint, the answers can be found on the store's website. So follow the hop, jot down the questions, and when you have completed the hop go to the store and find the answers. Once you have the answers, email them along with your name and email address to scrappy0126@gmail.com. The winner will be announced on February 4 at Stamping Dragon Designs Challenge blog.

Now its time for you to move along to Anne's blog for the next question. If you get lost, or you just jumped in, listed below are all the links. Have a good time and good luck!  And here is your question:

How many free stamps are there?

Question 1: Janette 
Question 2: Beth 
Question 3: Nat 
Question 4: Tammy (that's me)  
Question 5: Anne 
Question 6: Kate 
Question 7: Carolynne 
Question 8: Molly 

Queen of Hearts

In late November, Rick St. Dennis, MFA, was the sponsor for the Stamping Dragons Design's fantasy challenge.  As a thank you, each design team member received a Designer Thank You Sheet from Mr. St. Dennis with six images and four sentiments. The Queen of Hearts (as I call her) is one of those images. I wish I would have been able to get a better picture so that you could appreciate the intricate detail and shading in his work. And so I say, thank you Mr. St. Dennis.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Today is. . .

Today is Dude Time Doodles New Release Blog Hop. Yep, on every last Wednesday of the month, members of the design team introduce you to all of Bonibleaux Design's new releases. As usual, all the new images are funny besides being perfect for the Dudes and they are available starting today.

Because you are so sweet, I am sharing two new images with you today. First up is Undercarriage Craig. Craig can do something that makes him the envy of mechanics worldwide. When Craig takes a really deep breath and holds it, his robust chest serves as a jack and raises the car. Slowly he begins to expel air and the car is lowered back to the ground. Pretty convenient for quick fixes.




The second card is Dr. Strange Glove. Don't let that smile on his face fool you into thinking he is a dear kindly doctor, who will sit down and listen to your problems. He's not a doctor at all. He is a crafty professional golfer using the excuse he has an emergency at the hospital so other golfers will let him play thought  so he doesn't have to wait his turn. The glove simply allows him to get a better grip on his club.

Enjoy the rest of the hop. I am sending you to Theresa's blog and make sure you leave some love as you go along because once again, we have a mystery hostess who has a gift of one of the new images for you. And while you're leaving love, give Nancy some extra love'n since she is leaving the team and when you get to Chrissy D.'s give her a warm welcome as our newest team member. Welcome Chrissy. Don't worry if you get lost along the way, the hop is a loop so no matter where you hop on, you are in the right place, just keep hopping.
       
                                                                 Dude Time Doodles

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

What's stopping you?

Last week's Sassy Cheryl's Challenge called for buttons and bows. I did not have just the right color of buttons so using matching card stock embossed with UETT,  I improvised buttons that in my mind, technically, did not qualify.

When I first saw this image, I wonder why her head was bent down. Was she praying that he would like the valentine and accept her undying love? Is she debating whether or not she should give her beloved the valentine (I vote no)? After much contemplation, I have decided she sees something on the ground, possibly a snake or a mouse, and she is frozen in fear. On the other hand, there is a distinct possibility that she is not accustomed to wearing a hat and she is holding her head in that position hoping it will not fall off.

Monday, January 24, 2011

Living of the edge

It is not my team's turn, but I decided it would be fun to make a card for this week's Squigglefly challenge "living of the edge". I used Cheryl Alger's image, "Paint a Pretty Picture" from Squigglefly.

I probably should have used an image that did not make such a mess. By the time little miss had finished her work of art, paint was splashed all over her dress, the walls and floor, not to mention, the dog ran into the room, knocked over a bucket of paint and ran through the house leaving a trail of paint. Next time, she will be decorating a piece of paper strategically placed on old newspaper, wearing worn-out clothes, and dipping a very small paintbrush into an equally small cup of colorant. At least, she painted a pretty picture.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Aly's Sunday Sketch

This week Bonibleaux Designs is sponsoring the challenge at Aly's Sunday Sketch and I am so pleased to be representing the Dude Time Doodles team with the help of Zane Zombie.

Normally, Zane is found waiting in the Halloween section at Bonibleaux Designs but with all the flu bugs circulating, Zane is a perfect example of people who walk around spreading their germs by coughing and sneezing because they are too important to stay home while they recover.

So, if you are feeling queazy, your head is spinning, you have a fever, and a general feeling you better stick close to the bathroom, do us all a favor and keep it to yourself. Stay home!

One last thing of importance, in real life Zombies do not wear shoes. But for the purpose of this public service announcement, Zane is wearing black pleather moccasins.

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Long time

Its been a long time since I played with reinkers and actually embossed an image instead of coloring a digi. But I did, and instantly I wondered where I've been. I blame my forgetfulness on the weather, it's too damn cold. I'm hoping that everyone who complained about it being too hot last summer is enjoying the current Arctic blast.

Friday, January 21, 2011

Having a blog

One of the biggest benefits I have received from having a blog, being on design teams and joining a blogging group are the friendships I have formed. This time last year, I did not have a blog, nor did I have friends in Africa, Australia, Netherlands, United Kingdom, all over the United States and right here in my home state of Pennsylvania, all bound together with our love of creating cards. One of those very special friends gave me a wonderful Christmas gift that I was absolutely thrilled to receive. Today's card I made for that sweet friend.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Although I'm a grandma

Although I am a grandma, I promise you, I do not have a bun on the top of my head with gray hair spilling out (hello, are you kidding me, my oldest daughter is a hair stylist and she would disown me if I didn't get the full cut and color treatment).  Not only can I look down and see my toes, I can also bend over, without effort, and touch my toes and the middle part of my body does not get in the way. I haven't worn a skirt or a dress since the last time I attended a funeral and furthermore, I do not cook. So unless it comes from a can or a box, I will not be serving chicken soup to you if you are sick. I will however, hand you a tissue and tell you to cover you mouth.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

The best laid plans

The best laid plans in my world usually do not go well as is the case for this week's Dude Time Doodles Inspiration Challenge. The challenge is to think outside of the box and make "anything but a card" for a dude. I kicked, I screamed, I pleaded but my protests fell on deaf ears and the challenge remained "anything but a card".  Since I only know how to make a card and I only want to make cards I was miserable until the lightbulb flashed and I saw the possibility of making something special for my son who is a gargantuan Eagles fan. With the help of Football Phil from Bonibleaux Designs, and using the Eagles' colors, I made a gold metal to hang on a bottle of champagne to be opened when the Eagles won the Super Bowl.

Well, through no fault of my own, the Eagles blew it yet again and the metal will collect dust until next year when all hopes return for a chance at the Super Bowl. Now please, all I ask is that if you are not an Eagles fan and leave a comment, do not rub it in, its painful enough.


Now for the details of the Challenge.


Using the picture to get your mojo flowing, you have one week to create anything but a card. Keep in mind, it is not necessary to use a Bonibleaux Designs image but it surely does make us stand up and cheer when you do.  Use InLinkz to post your creation at Dude Time Doodles and three top winners and top blog winner will be announced on January 25. Using the links on my sidebar, visit the blogs of my fellow Dude Time Doodles team members to see how they thought outside of the box.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Or until recess

Valentine's Day was a huge day in elementary school filled with sugary treats and the arrival of Valentines in the  personalized mailboxes we each made. The boys in class could have cared less and I'm sure if it wasn't for their mothers, no Valentines would have been delivered. The girls, now that was different. Receiving a Valentine in our mailbox from a boy before the designated date signaled to the world undying love and devotion that would surely last until we were old (about 23 was considered old), but in reality, lasted until the next recess.  Naturally, this would cause jealously to run rampart, or at least until the next recess when the recipient was dumped and the girls would form an alliance and forever hold a grudge against the perpetrator of such an offense, or at least until the next recess when we were all friends once again, or at least until the next recess when another dastardly deed was committed and the whole cycle began again. Geez, elementary school was truly exhausting.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Doc

Seems like I have waited forever until it was Chelsea's group's turn to post their cards for this week's Squiggelfly Challenge and finally, today is the day!

The challenge is to use green, silver, and a flower (can be prima or handmade).  You have until next Sunday evening to post your creation and the winner will be announced next Monday when the new challenge goes up.  If you play along, be sure to use a Squigglyfly image and if you don't have one, there are several freebies for you to try.

Since I enjoy making scenes (on cards silly) I decided to us Doc by Rich Davis from Squiggelfly that was released on Saturday.

So let me introduce you to Doc. It's Monday morning and Doc is hard at work, making rounds, at the local hospital. You might think that he is writing a prescription or information for the nurses to use when caring for his patients, but you would be wrong. Truthfully, Doc is making notes of the patients he visits so he can send them his bill.

Be sure to see what my fellow team members (Chelsea's group's links are on my sidebar) have created and then have some fun and play along.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Friends


This is card is just fun! The template includes the top and bottom of a female's anatomy and is compliments of Stamp Owl's Studio and the sentiment by Chesney Young of Squiggelfly can be found here.


When I first saw the template and sentiment as a card last Saturday on Holly Young's blog, Hog Wild About Stamping, I could hardly wait to get the parts and start assembling the card.  Wouldn't it be nice if we could just cut out a pair of panties and paste it on our butts.


Saturday, January 15, 2011

New Licensed Driver

There was a little girl, that had a little curl, right in the middle of her forehead and when she was good, she was so very, very good that Santa brought her a car for Christmas! And because she was so good and worked very hard, she passed the test and now she is officially licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to drive her new car, alone, without her parents.  What a thrill and because I was so happy for my young friend and mindful of my own excitement of passing my driver's test, I made her a card of congratulations. Last Saturday's newly released mini car, by Jane Beljo at Squiggelfly was exactly what I needed to complete my mission and send her on her way of a lifetime of safe traveling.

Friday, January 14, 2011

Gelasius Giraffe

I love freebies and I love animals so when I saw Gelasius Giraffe as a freebie at Paper Pretties several weeks ago, well you know the rest.  His heart-shaped tongue makes him a perfect Valentine for two five-year old twins that I know. And yes, I know he's a male, not because of his name, but because of his horns. And furthermore, in case you didn't know, Gelasius was a Roman Catholic Pope who died on November 21, 496. Now that's a long time ago.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Snow Day

This winter, each time measurable snow was predicted, we received a  dusting but this time, we received about five inches. Before the plows went through it was beautiful. The term "winter wonderland" is a phrase that is overused but no other words can describe it better.

I was dreading shoveling the sidewalk when I looked out and my sweet neighbor had already cleared it. Naturally, this prompted a need to make a thank you card. I plan to tuck a gift card inside to show my appreciation and gratitude for her kindness.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Waitstaff?

Best Wishes is being served by "Gordy Garcon" from Bonibleaux Designs. I must admit my ignorance in not knowing what a "garcon" was until I consulted the trusted New Oxford American Dictionary built right in my iMac. I learned that a "garcon" is a waiter in a French restaurant or hotel (well no wonder I didn't know, I've never been to France). The origin of the word is French and literally means "boy".  Hmm, seems to me in this day of political correctness, something is amiss. 

Restaurants in my area refer to waiters and waitresses as "waitstaff", which is stupid to me because, it is obvious to the patron whether it is a man or a woman extending the service.  So why not acknowledge that person's sex? I personally, do not care for waiter, waitress or waitstaff, somehow, they are unflattering terms. And since "garon" really means "boy", that term is no longer an option. I propose a very simple acronym FADP "Food and drink provider".  "Excuse me FADP, may I have more butter please?"

A special thanks to Cleota of What's Inking, a fellow design team member for Dude Time Doodles, for the fun custom watermark she provided all of the team.

In case you forgot, today starts this month's Guest Designer Challenge at Dude Time Doodles. Visit the blog for more details.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Triple-decker birthday wishes

I am taking this opportunity to wish a very special, extra sweet friend a very happy birthday and I am including much love, good health and happiness always in those wishes.  With the help of this delicious image from Sassy Cheryl's, I am able to send her a triple-decker birthday cake-card with blazing candles. Because of how "old" she is, the smoke detector is SCREAMING! *Groan*, I really hate seeing my friends grow old and I am so young.

Monday, January 10, 2011

All you need to make a cat happy. . .

Front
Today is the day that Squigglefly launches its first challenge for the new year and Vicki's group starts the fun. The first challenge is "Put Your Heart Into It".

Although I am a member of Chelsea's team and our first challenge is next Monday, I decided to make a card to celebrate the occasion.

For my card, I am using "Inside Outs: Happy Cat" by Chesney Young.  The inside of the card just makes me laugh.

To participate in the challenge, use any Squiggelfly image and post it on Squigglefly's Challenge blog for a chance to win.  Just remember to "Put Your Heart Into It".  Make sure your visit Vicki's group using the links on my sidebar, to see what they've created.


Inside

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Easy Day

The past two days, we've had off and on snow that might total three inches, enough to be an annoyance because the sidewalk had to be cleared, twice, and since I consider shoveling snow to fall into the category of domestic slavery, I hate it.

Typical of most Goldens, Rozie loves the snow and has probably made at least 4,000 snow angels in the backyard. Xena, on the other hand, is like Wiley Coyote chasing the Roadrunner. Her first encounter with snow, one paw hit the ground before she put on her brakes, hit reverse and desperately tried to keep the other three paws airborne trying to get inside. She absolutely hates the snow but then again, she absolutely hates anything that has to do with being outside.

Absolutely, positively, has nothing whatsoever to do with today's card made from leftovers.

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Time for a thank you

How about this for a thank you?

Friday, January 7, 2011

Fun for me

What fun for me to be part of a design team challenge and be sponsored by a design team I also am part of! That what's happening today. Stamping Dragon Designs is starting a new "for a special stud" challenge and Bonibleaux Designs is our sponsor!

We had our choice of three different images and I had to give "Fin Fisher" a go with my history of fishermen in my life. Fin has been sitting at the same spot and dropping his line is a small ripple of the water, best described as a puddle, for years, just in case a fish fell in because it sure didn't swim there.  Fin shows up regardless of the time of year in anticipation of catching the "big one". The sentiment on the inside of the card states, "Winter, summer, spring or fall, real fishermen, fish them all". Yes, a true fisherman will fish, regardless of the time of year, weather, or when they know there are no fish, they gotta fish.

Since Valentine's Day is not that far away, so go ahead and make your "Dude" card, then use the Inlinkz at Stamping Dragon's Challenge and post your creation for a chance to win a $5.00 gift certificate from Bonibleaux Designs.

In the meantime, Stamping Dragon Designs is having a design team call.  Great opportunity to work with a terrific group and wonderful images. Stop by Janette's blog, and grab the freebie I am showing on the left and post your creation on Inlinkz by midnight, UK time, on January 17, 2011.

Make sure you stop and see what the rest of the design team has created using the links on my sidebar.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Get Well

If you saw a nurse coming at you with that hypodermic needle aimed aimed right at you, would you not jump out of bed and run? You better believe I would and I wouldn't care who was seeing my bare butt.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

"Will" you marry me?

Time for a sketch challenge at Dude Time Doodles and the design team has awesome creations showcasing the new images from Bonibleaux Designs using the sketch below. The very talented designer, Ann V, of Raindrop Echo Designs, is our sponsor and she is giving three terrific prizes to the lucky winners in addition to the Dude Time Doodles badges. The winners will be announced on January 11, 2011 at Dude Time Doodles so be sure to link your creation at Dude Time Doodles for a chance to win.


So here is poor Will, down on his knee, his heart melting with love as he looks into her little beady eyes (decorated with too much makeup if you ask me) and he pops the question. Will she say yes? Will she say no? His heart is beating so fast and oh great, now he's perspiring -- thank goodness he had the foresight to use deodorant. What, what? She wants to know if she will always have a dishwasher? Will they live in a house or a condo? Does he promise to take out the trash, cook the meals and provide a cleaning lady at least once a week through sickness and in health? AND, she needs copies of his tax returns for the last ten years for her accountant's review. Alas, the very smart Will, has decided to slam the box shut before she can get her pudgy fingers on the ring (the stone was too small anyway) and cut his losses and run! Well done Will.

I used two separate images "Will" you marry me, Zeke Zorro and "Putt-Putt Heart" and merged them into one image. Both are now available at Bonibleaux Designs. Be sure to stop by my fellow design team members for more inspiration using the links on my sidebar.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Things I love

I love animals, I love polkadots and I love Sassy Cheryl's. Guess that about covers today's card.

Monday, January 3, 2011

While visions of dog biscuits danced in their heads.

I could not help myself and laughed out loud when I saw the image "doggie pile" at Squigglefly.  Mommy puppy, "forgiven", is an image I have had for sometime and have used it for different occasions to send to my dog-lover friends. Combining the two images was a natural course of events. I must tell you that the only time I advocate the use of a dog house (other then maybe for errant men) is on a card.  There is only one place for a dog to be and that is beside their human, the closer the better.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Crafters Digital Art Center - Color Challenge

Bonibleaux Designs is sponsoring this week's color challenge at CDAC. For details on the challenge click on the link and grab the freebie of "Gary Giftbearer". You have until 10:00 P.M. EST on January 12, 2011, to complete the challenge incorporating these colors:



If you visit my blog often, this is not the first time you have met Gary. Last time, he was part of Operation Write Home's Valentine blog hop sporting his heart in his hand. This time he's back wearing a tied-dyed shirt and carrying a can of Pabst Blue Ribbon beer. What's not to love about Gary?

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Happy New Year

Wishing you a healthy and prosperous New Year 
filled with love and happiness.