Sweet Sentiments

Whooo loves owls???

2010-07-19T15:50:00.000-07:00

Okay, I am hooked on owls. I know I am a little slow on the uptake and that owls are so last spring but I purchased this Hampton Arts set from Michael's when I was in a bind for a card for my hubby. My options were limited and I truly struggle with masculine cards. I just can't seem to find images that suit him....so I always end up with cutesy. That is okay because usually the cards he gets me are hysterical and reference how we don't always listen to/hear each other, etc. So anyway, I have found this to be an excellent purchase because I made quite a few cards with this one set....and I love PUNS! Here they are.....

I tried my hands at Martha glitter here as well....love using the glitter!!!! The inside sentiment said "Owl love you forever!"

Just in case it is hard to read ...the sentiment says "Happy bird-day!

It has been a long while....

2010-07-16T18:32:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! It has been a long time since my last post. Since then I have moved and have become addicted to decorating each room, started the school year up again...only this time as a working mom of 2 and have been side tracked by some wedding projects I have been hired out for! I have also been without a computer ...bad motherboard I have been told. Anyway, I apologize and if anyone is still out there reading ...I thank you! I have been super excited about the new SU catty that is out and have placed my order....I couldn't help myself. I am anxiously awaiting my full set of markers, the Aviary set, Homegrown ( I am a big fan of artichokes!), and the fun birthday hostess set....oh and let's not forget the melon mambo ink. I hope it is as pink as I am wishing it to be! I have started my wish list of must haves from the catty. What is on your list? If you have any other fab items from Amuse, PTI or anywhere else that you think I might need as I relaunch myself into card making please let me know. I am an equal opportunity shopper! Drop me a comment on your must haves! Please stay tuned for some new cards that I have made and will be posting shortly! I'll check out your blogs for inspiration and am happy to also find out where you hop to for inspiration! Thanks!

Little Card Maker and Big Flowers

2009-07-09T18:44:00.000-07:00

So I am not creating anything mind blowing tonight due to the fact that my walk tonight turned into a trek when I had to carry a 17lb. baby boy the entire way! I had the bjorn just in case and wouldn't ya know it he screamed in the stroller...I broke down...I had to strap him to my chest....and now I am exhausted...my legs are T-I-R-E-D. Lol...I am a wimp...but it was a great workout. I should do it more often. Anyway, trying to create some thank yous that aren't my same old go to cards. This is my new Big Flowers using all of the newly retired SU in colors. I also used a nice scrap of barely banana for the color block effect.

I also had to include the card my little bug-a-boo made for her baby brother's christening. This was her design using my scraps. The cutest part was the message she wrote. I spelled everything for her and she wrote her own note. I can't believe there is not one bit of pink on this card. That goes to show the card REALLY was for Michael...not herself in anyway! I love how she stuck to the monogram theme of the party! That's my girl! If you look in the background you can see what kind of mess I make when working...sheesh!

M is for Michael!

2009-07-08T18:40:00.000-07:00

On Sunday may sweet baby boy is having his christening. After the ceremony we are coming back to the house for a bbq and to hang out. I have prepared my theme to be based on Michael of course...so I came up with a few things for the party: napkin rings with an "M", toothpicks for my antipasto platter that have the same monogram. Also, extra toothpicks with the monogram so that I can stick one in each of the carrot cake cupcakes with cream cheese icing that I will be making on Saturday (so there is no pick of the actual cupcake yet). Maybe I will post after I make them so you can see them. I also made the monogram thank yous and matching envelopes. I plan on getting cocktail napkins and monogramming them with the same detail but I have to run out and grab some tomorrow. If someone wipes their mouth and ends up with ink on them ...at least they will be joining in on the theme of the party! Has anyone ever stamped on a paper napkin before? Hopefully it won't bleed too much...I'll let you know how it goes!

I am only having immediate family so I will not need a ton of this stuff which is why I did it. There will be 20 of us including the little ones so it is relatively easy...anymore and I would have to abort mission!

I used soft sky, white and chocolate chip ink, ribbon and paper. I cuttlebugged the lower portion of the card to add some interest with swiss dots. Normally that is a feminine emboss folder to me...but I figured he IS a baby so it shouldn't matter.

If anyone has any other ideas for using this monogram I would love to hear it soon...the party is Sunday so I still have time to create...and have an awesome 4 year old assistant to make things speedier! Don't hold back..send me some thoughts! Perhaps balloons? Hmmm...

Big Flowers, Big Prizes!

2009-07-07T20:16:00.000-07:00

I made this card using Big Flowers. I was so excited about my order...and now I am finally getting a chance to use the stuff...read below to find out why it took me so long! I was happy to use some scraps and a new color combo (Soft Sky, Perfect Plum, Kiwi Kiss). Just a nice, simple, quick card!

If you get a chance please head on over to My Paper Bliss to enter to win some blog candy. My Auntie has joined the cuttlebug challenge team and to celebrate she has some sweet prizes. Check it out here to win....http://mypaperbliss.blogspot.com/

Also, you MUST check out some of her projects...she is quite the cuttlebugger! I am VERY proud of her! Love you Auntie! While you're there you can also see an inspirational card video that she does each week...featuring me! Thanks for reading!

Gotta get back!!!

2009-07-07T19:58:00.000-07:00

So ...I am desperate to catch up with what has been going on in the stamping world. I have been on a short hiatus because my hubby and I decided to move one morning and 5 days later put the house on the market and sold it the first day...first person to see it! We could really use the extra space now that our family is growing along with my stamping mess!! I just can't believe it happened so quickly...especially in this market! So I have been cleaning and making calls, looking at homes...and trying to keep a 4 year old happy and nurse my little boy while trying not to miss out on his spontaneous smiling phase! So with all of this going on I had to clean up my stamping mess and lay low for awhile. Tonight I had to break out because I received all of that fun new stuff from my last SU order and didn't have a chance to use it!

So I made this card with the Big Flowers set I was dying for. Figured I would start small since it has been awhile. I am loving these colors together. Spring Moss (pti) small dots and Baja Breeze. We got new appliances for the kitchen in order to sell...so my photography station is going to need some revamping...I always use my stove top and need to adjust the lighting here....by the time I get it we will be in a new house with a new set up....maybe a stamping room/guest room is in my future!!!

The Disappearing Card!

2009-06-15T18:46:00.000-07:00

I made this card, proudly posted it in my SCS gallery, and then it mysteriously disappeared. Next, I reposted it, changed the name of it, and poof...gone again. So I finally decided to forget posting it on SCS and figured I would share it here with you gals. I used the Out on a Limb tree branch with my SU tri-heart punch to create the "leaves". The bird is from the limited edition PTI set. The sentiment is Out on a Limb Sentiments. I lightly chalked the background blue. That little bird is pomegranate. I am still stuck on that color. I wish I had more paper! I really enjoy the pomegranate and pink combo.
Now for some ramblings of a stamper....
I spoke to my Auntie (mishaloots from paper bliss) today. She said our SU club order is coming on Friday. She'll ship it to me early next week! I am very excited about my purchases. Smile if you went crazy impulse buying the retiring sets!! That is usually me. This time all of the retiring sets I would have purchased now were impulse buys over the course of the year! I did finally get Big Flowers and Little Flowers though. Not sure why I love that set so much. I hope it is not one of those "gotta have" sets that turn into a "never use" set! I also have some Bella Rose paper arriving, and of course my Branch Out set. Oh and let's not forget the ridiculous amount of Pacific Point Blue CS I ordered. Auntie is also tossing in a monster stamp from her friend's site called Paper Makeup...here is the link to this silly little creature ...
http://www.papermakeup.com/product.php?id_product=355 He looks like a michief maker!
We'll see what I can do with him...so silly! Lovin the monsters lately! If anyone has him and has used him let me know... I'd love to check it out!
Now get back to making your father's day cards girls! Lol.

Father's Day Gifts

2009-06-12T21:17:00.000-07:00

Okay, it has been days since I said I would post the Father's Day project I was going to work on with Natalie. We finaly got to it today...but the plan changed. In her very strong willed 4 yr old mind she wanted to paint them and not stamp them. So even though this is a stamping blog, I will post them just because my darling daughter made them and I think they are cute. I got $1 frames at Michael's and she painted with acrylic paints and added shapes and pictures to them. She did pretty good considering she worked on her own. The only thing I helped with was thinning out the areas where the paint was too thick to dry. So here are the final products...one for Pop Pop, one for Gramps and one for her hero...Daddy! Monday when my husband is at work I will take pics of her and Michael with a sign saying " We love Daddy!" and the same for the grandpas. Thanks for stopping by!

You won't believe this blog candy!!!

2009-06-06T09:42:00.000-07:00

Ladies, you need to check out Melissa's blog. She has incredible blog candy up for offering!!! All you have to do is post a comment on her blog, become a follower and spread the word. She has tons of way cool embellies and a super duper giveaway....I won't tell you because you just won't believe me....go check it out at

http://keepsakesbymelissa.blogspot.com/2009/06/blog-candy-anyone-big-giveaway.html

...I promise you won't be sorry! Her blog is ADOARBLE and if you don't win you'll be sure to get some inspiration!!

I am having company today for a little bbq...so I have a ton to do. I'll try to post a card or 2 on my gallery from stampapalooza....also I have card-a-thon info for you...it couldn't be easier and is a great way to give back. You may already know about it but I'll be back with deets...must shower and make myself presentable. I spent all morning at Michael's with my little Natalie...she made thumbprint critters on a card and we picked up some supplies for a super easy and affordable father's day project. I'll share more later. Thanks for reading. Pop by again later for more info!
Thanks for reading!

Stampapalooza!

2009-06-05T20:50:00.000-07:00

My friend Lauren came over today after work for our own little stampapalooza. She brings her bin with adhesive, some bling, cutting blade, scissors and a few stamp sets she wants to use and any that I may request...unless she has her heart set on using only mine. We stamp, eat and chat. I LOVE it! Tonight I asked her to bring over her SU Branch Out set. Do you have this??? I am quite certain this is the one set anyone starting out should get. As Lauren said, "It's fool proof, you can't mess it up...if you miss putting the leaves on the tree it just looks like they are falling!"...she is so right! I am definitely putting this on my next club order in July. Too bad I just placed my June order yesterday...I would have added it on! Well my dear friend let me borrow it (which is such a perk of having a stamping buddy....we are like each other's own stamp library to borrow and lend)) . Needless to say I will be creating TONS of cards with this set. My 4 year old daughter, Natalie, even got in on the action. She stamped a father's day card...and even made a mini one and spelled daddy with my help...but I must say her letters were perfectly formed! Lol....proud mommy moment! Anyway, I made a few cards for you to check out. Let me know what you think!

I also tried out a few other cards but you'll have to check them out on my SCS site tomorrow....I am experiencing some technical dificulties uploading my images....actaully it isn't really the technology it's me and my lack of technosaavy!!...and it's midnight...must sleep.

Color Challenge

2009-06-04T11:24:00.000-07:00

I participated in Dawn McVey's color challenge #8. Here is the inspiration for her challenge this week. ..a great chair! If you haven't checked out her blog...do so! Click here ... http://www.dawnmcvey.typepad.com/

She is very talented and always has great color combos!

Here is my card for her challenge. I used PTI's Green Thumb set. Don't you just love this sentiment?? I also love the flower. I used raspberry fizz dp, chocolate chip, very vanilla and kraft stock. The ribbon was from the dollar bin at Michael's ...wish I purchased more of it...it goes with everything.

Can anyone help me?

2009-06-04T09:09:00.001-07:00

I have been looking for a blog header...keyword being "free". I searched free blog headers online and haven't found a sight I love. I tend to lean toward whimsical...I love insects, flourishes and well anything pretty! If you have a good website to get these from ...do share!

Okay now on to cards. I have been working hard to make cards recently. Everytime my 3 month old son is sleeping and my 4 year old daughter is in preschool ..I gotta stamp! So here are a few things I have been making.

This first one is for the SCS inspiration challenge IC182. I was inspired by a book cover located here....http://www.bookcoverarchive.com/book/the_golden_road

It kind of reminds me of that Andy Warhol piece with Marilyn Monroe...am I even thinking of the right thing??? I am not really good with that stuff.

I thought I would make thid card just to have. I love this set and I love these colors together so I figured why not. I fear that if I fight the urge to create something I don't really need then I will clog up the creative flow and ruin my mojo. Silly I know.

2009-05-17T06:40:00.000-07:00

I have been on the fence about posting here because I was feeling noncommital about the name of my blog and it's incompatability with the blog address....whatever...I need to get over it and just start posting!!! Thank you to my followers for your patience...aka Auntie and Gary! lol.

I am SO excited to make this post because not only is it a post ... but it is my first Raspberry Suite color challenge! Here is what Dawn had in mind....lovely combo isn't it?

I HAD to use the top note...it's to "die" for! I love the combo and may need to give it a second shot to see what else I can create with it. Here is what I came up with ...for now...perhaps there are too many horizontal breaks in the card...do you think?

Okay, now to get back to some serious stamping. I have been invited to a house party where a few people will be selling some handcrafted items...I was asked to represent the papercrats...and maybe make some extra bucks to support the habit...but the reality is it is stressful for me to have to stamp on demand! I am more creative when I can just casually stamp. Off I go! Wish me luck. Auntie and Gary I feel like since you are my only followers I am talking directly to you...lol. Kinda funny!

First Card Post!

2009-03-27T14:16:00.000-07:00

Okay friends...my first card is being posted and I am feeling pretty accomplished....about getting this up and running. I will admit I am simply trying it out for now since I am feeling ambitious and willing to give this a shot...with that said this card was not created in March. If you have been to my Splitcoast Gallery "stampinsista!" you may have seen this before.... I think this is a great basic card sketch...perfect for the "uh oh" moments when you need a card fast! I am completely hooked on the SU! Bella Rose designer paper. every sheet is so beautiful and i definitely think it lends itself to whimsical (polka dots) to classic with the floral prints. The color pallette is also pretty. Purchasing this paper has been inspirational and I have enjoyed using the SU coordinating "in colors" with it.

Simone's Sweet Sentiments

2009-03-08T17:47:00.001-07:00

UNDER CONSTRUCTION...PLEASE COME BACK TO VISIT TOMORROW, MONDAY - 3/9

Okay, I am really taking a chance here to venture out among some of the advanced bloggers. I am kind of nervous but my dear Auntie (Michelle at Paper Bliss) has encouraged me to give blogging a chance. She is a constant source of encouragement! Thank you Auntie!

My goal is going to be quite small for now as I am expecting my 2nd child in 2 weeks!!!! That obviously will be my priority but I do love to create with paper and will try my hardest to balance it into my soon to be new equation. I see lots of women able to balance it with more than 2...so why not me?? We'll see...

So, back to my small goal...to create at least one card a month that I can post and hopefully spark and idea for someone else or share my instructions with them. I have been receiving some inquiries on my gallery at Splitcoaststampers.com regarding card dimensions and details on how I created certain pieces. I figure if I aim for 1 card per month I should be able to keep up....and anything else will make me a high achiever!

With this said I will post my work and hopefully you will like it....I will be posting my first card as soon as I figure this out.

UPDATE!!!! My son arrived on March 10th...i thought I had 2 weeks to figure it out but here I am sitting at the computer with a wee bitty baby who has a full belly napping next to me!