Hey Hey Paula...

Lucky Me

2012-03-07T07:48:00.000-05:00

This week the Cutting Cafe's DT is featuring two St. Patty's Day sets, Lucky Me Printable Stamp Set and the 4 Leaf Clover Shaped Card. I used Lucky Me. This set has fifteen sentiments and over 30 different clover designs, perfect for making a card for everyone. I used the friend sentiment to make a card for my BFF.

The clover background was made using Cutting Cafe's 4 Leaf Clover Background Set. So easy, just print the background and cut a piece the size that you need. I had enough left to make a few more cards. If you're looking for some green inspiration, hop over to the Cutting Cafe.

Challenges I've entered my card into:

Simply Create Too - I'm So Lucky

The Friday Mashup - Who's Feeling Green?
Pink By Design - Kiss Me I'm Irish
Paper Issues - Go Green or Go Home
Craft Your Passion - Anything Goes
Scrappy Moms Stamps - St. Patty's Day

Hambo Stamps Special Promotion

2012-03-06T23:59:00.001-05:00

The month of March marks Hambo Stamps' 10th year of business - and Hambo has planned lots of fun festivities as part of their anniversary celebration. This week, Hambo is offering a free shipping promotion which starts today (Tues., 6th) and runs through Thursday (8th).

Check out all of the details here.

So spread the word about this to all of your stamping friends! If anyone out there is new to Hambo, this is a great time to try their products.

Worm Wishes

2012-03-05T22:12:00.000-05:00

I just love Worm Balloon and Worm Wishes from Hambo Stamps! Doesn't my worm look cute basking in the sun?

I wanted him to have a little "color" so I paper pieced him with paper from SU's Rainbow Sherbet DSP. I colored the background with my Copics and sponged the sky with SU Bashful Blue ink. I paper pieced the balloon and popped it up. Then popped up the the image on the sun.

The Sun Shaped cutting file is from The Cutting Cafe. The set comes with a matching size envelop, 2 circle word sentiments, 2 regular sentiments and 2 optional top layer sentiments.

So here's sending you "Worm Wishes"...spring is just around the corner !

Challenges I've enter my card into:

Scrapalicious - Anything Goes

Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

WD March Release

2012-03-05T12:42:00.000-05:00

It's time for some new Whimsie Doodle images. This month's release welcomes some new additions to the Whimsie Doodles family, The Social Teens, along with some cute Easter images and sentiments. I used Easter Sentiments to make my project along with the jelly bean goody bag holder and jelly bean background set from the Cutting Cafe.

Be sure to check out Whimsie Doodles new release and the Cutting Cafe's Easter sets. You'll love them both.

Whimsie Snippet

2012-03-04T00:01:00.000-05:00

It's almost Whimsie Doodle Release time. You'll love all of the cute images. Here's a snippet of what I made. I'll share the complete project tomorrow, so stop back and check it out.

Whimsie Doodle Easter Cards

2012-03-01T15:11:00.000-05:00

I can't believe that Easter is just around the corner! Whimsie Doodles has some really cute Easter digis. Here are two cards I made using Lizzie and Jayson.

Easter Lizzie

Easter Jayson

Easter Lizzie will be an Easter card for my granddaughter Emma who loves purple. I'm not sure what I'll do with Easter Jayson...no little boys in our family to give this to, but I'm sure one of my friends will claim it to use!

Check back on March 5 to see the new March Whimsie Doodle digis. There are some really cute Easter ones that you don't want to miss.

I'm also submitting my cards to CMC Copic Challenge #37 to use fun, bright colors.

The Big 60!

2012-02-29T12:40:00.000-05:00

This week's featured sets at the Cutting Cafe are all about numbers. Regina has designed number sets for many occassions...0-9 Numbers, 0-9 Shaped Card Sets, and Milestone Number Shaped Cards. I made this card using the Milestone set.

I thought Stella Birthday - one more candle by Bugaboo Digi Stamps was a perfect image for a 60th birthday card. I colored her with my Copics and used papers from a Momento Birthday Pack that I got at Michael's. I love how my card turned out. I hope my sister-in-law likes it!

I also submitted my card in the CMC Copic Challenge #37 to use lots of laughs and fun, bright colors.

Kick Up Your Heels

2012-02-26T20:51:00.000-05:00

More love for my Bombshell Stamps. I used Western Gal digi to make this card for the monthly sketch challenge. I love how it turned out! Isn' the paper perfect for this image? I found the boot button in a clearance bin at Michael's. There were cowboy hats and blue speckled heart buttons in the package too... perfect for Bomshell Stamps western images. IRL, the boot has some sparkle and bling...rhinestines on the spurs and glitter on the pink!

I originally planned to use both boots for the front but it was too much and you couldn't see much of the backgound paper ( that I love!), so I used the other boot inside of the card.

There are still a few more days to play, so hop over to the Forum and join in the fun.

A Little Bombshell Love

2012-02-25T11:59:00.000-05:00

My Bombshell Stamps have been a little neglected lately so I've declared this weekend Bombshell Stamp Days. I plan to give them a little love! The February Challenge, Bitter Sweet Lurve, is being hosted by Glittery Kate. Here's Kate's challenge... I want to see what's in your hearts the good AND the bad...If you like sweet nothings- great but lets see a little bit of your dark side too!!! If you like the dark side of love then sweeten it a little! I used Bombshell Angel to show the YING and YANG of lurve!!!

This is my first attempt at making a telescoping circle card. There are a few tutorials on YouTube that are helpful. It wasn't hard once I decided on the size of my circles. I used my Nesties to cut everything out. Try one. There are a few days left to play in the challenge, so hop over to the Forum and join in.

Sweet Friend

2012-02-24T15:34:00.001-05:00

Cherry pie! Oh my! Isn't this the sweetest image? It's Pie Lizzie from Whimsie Doodles February release. I thought this paper from the Mind's Eye Fine & Dandy Girl 6X6 pad was perfect for this image.

Be sure to check out the Whimsie Doodles Store...lots of cute images for Easter and Spring, which are right around the corner.

I just discovered the site The Outlawz...lots of inspiration for paper crafters, along with challenges, tutorials and discussion forums. I submitted this card for their Wednesday sketch challenge. Check out their site. I also submitted my card to Simon Says Challenge to use 3 different patterned papers. If you like challeges, check out their site too.

I also submitted my card in the CMC Copic Challenge #37 to use fun, bright colors.

All About Birthdays

2012-02-23T07:00:00.000-05:00

It's all about birthdays at the Cutting Cafe this week. The featured sets are the Party Hat Shaped Card Set, Fun with Party Hats and Birthday Tags. I used an image from the Fun with Party Hats set to make a birthday card.

I love how this card turned out...so cheery! I used some DSP from a pad of papers I bought at Michael's on sale. It's all double sided textured birthday themed paper. I love all the bright colors and designs. I used layout FTL178 from Clean and Simple Stamping.

If you're looking for birthday themed images, sentiments or shaped cards, check out the Cutting Cafe. You'll find lots of inspiration. Leave a comment and you might win some free goodies.

Anything Goes at the Hoedown!

2012-02-22T07:00:00.000-05:00

This week at the Hambo Hoedown anything goes as long as you use a Hambo image. If you played in the Hoedown last week, you received the Fortune Cookie digi image to play with. As a member of the rubber stamp team, I decided to use one of Hambo's newer rubber images called Hot Chocolate.

Aren't these the cutest penguins? I paper pieced the mug and used a matching background. I added the coral ribbon for a pop of color. IRL it has a little sparkle on the penguins' hats and the steam from the hot chocolate.

Hop over to the Hoedown to see what fabulous creations other DT members have made to inspire you. Then join in the fun at the Hoedown...anything goes!

Sending Because...

2012-02-20T20:54:00.000-05:00

I love Hambo Stamps! Here's a birthday card I made using Sending Because...

IRL it sparkles...the DSP is glittery and so are the star brad and the ribbon. This will be a perfect birthday card for a friend who is celebrating a big one this spring!

Hey Tootsie!

2012-02-09T11:38:00.000-05:00

This week's featured file at the Cutting Cafe is the Candy Sentiments Set. What a great set for Valentine's Day or anytime you want to give someone special "a little sugar!" I also used the Candy Shaped Card file to make this special treat bag...

These sets are perfect for those who love the following kind of candy:

M&M'S, STARBURST, JELLY BEANS, RED HOTS, MILK DUDS, TOOTSIE ROLLS, BOSTON BAKED BEANS, JOLLY RANCHER, LOLLIPOPS, POP ROCKS, SUGAR BABIES.....and CRUSHED SODA.....(not a candy, but full of sugar)!

Hop on over to the Cutting Cafe's blog and see what the other DT members have created. You'll be inspired to add a little sweetness to your paper crafting! Leave a comment on the blog for a chance to win 3 free sets from the store.

Hoedown Challenge & a Joke

2012-02-08T07:00:00.000-05:00

It's Wednesday and that means Hambo Hoedown time! This week's challenge is to use buttons, bows and/or brads. I love bright colors so I really liked a card designed by Georgeann Manning on her blog 'Me'Time. I CASED it using Hambo Stamps cute Turtle Present stamp and added brads for the challenge.

Be sure to hop over to the Hoedown and see how the other Bacon Bits have met the challenge! Then grab your dancing shoes and join in the fun.

Now here's the joke: What did the pig say to his sweetheart on February 14th?

I used Sweetheart Pig to make this card for last week's SCS Free 4 All Challenge which was to incorporate a joke into your card. I posted it in my SCS Gallery and to Facebook, but forgot to post it on my blog. Hope it gave you a chuckle.

Whimsie Doodle Release Day

2012-02-05T19:45:00.002-05:00

It's New Release Day over at Whimsie Doodles. This month's images are so cute. There's a little of this and a little of that starring Lizzie and Jason. I decided to showcase Purse Lizzie.

I love how versatile this image is. It could be used for almost any occasion. My granddaughters both made the honor roll recently. I think I'll write a special message in it and send it (along with a little cash) to one of them.

Hop over to Whimsie Doodles and see the other images and check out what the other Divas created with them.

Whimsie Doodle Snippet Time

2012-02-04T19:31:00.002-05:00

Tomorrow is February release day for Whimsie Doodles. That means it's time for a sneaky snippet! Here's mine...

Check out Whimsie Doodles Blog to see the other Doodlelicious Divas' snippets. Be sure to check back tomorrow to see the new release digi images and what I made with one of them.

Happy Birthday Hambo Hoedown!

2012-02-01T07:00:00.001-05:00

It's Wednesday and that means Hambo Hoedown time! Today is a special celebration, because the Hoedown is ONE YEAR OLD today! We are celebrating with newly released Bailey Cupcake - the second digital image in the "Bailey" line. Don't miss seeing the newest picture of the real Bailey too. He's such a cutie. It's at the Hoedown today!

For the celebration, I made a double dutch fold card starring Bailey.

Look how it opens! Such a fun card and it was easy to make. SCS has a good tutorial if you're interested.

Each participant this week will, of course, receive next week's image in their mailbox FREE! Play along each week, and you will have oodles of fun Hambo digital images! But there is more! Since it's the Hoedown's birthday, each participant will ALSO receive a party goody bag, with an ADDITIONAL FREE image of their choice from the Hambo Digital Store! How fun is that?!

What else is happening? All of the new Bacon Bits Design Team have been introduced and now it's time to head over to the Hoedown and see their projects. You don't want to miss out on the party fun!

Oink! Oink!

2012-01-28T10:59:00.002-05:00

I'm so excited to share my good news...I'm a Bacon Bit again...a designer for Hambo Stamps. You might remember that I was on Hambo's digital stamp team last summer. For the next four months I'll be a part of their rubber stamp team. I'm thrilled to be back in the Pig Pen! Check out Hambo's blog, Talk to the Ham, to meet the other Bacon Bits.

Valentine Purses

2012-01-25T23:21:00.000-05:00

The featured sets at the Cutting Cafe this week are Animal & Bug Love and Animal & Bug Mini Colored Circle Set. Both of these sets contain oodles of super cute images and frames and backgrounds to go with them. I used the mini colored circle set to make some Valentine treat purses.

Each purse holds 3 candy kisses or a snack size candy bar. This was the first time that I've used precolored images and it won't be the last. They made it super easy, just print & assemble. What a time saver if you're making a large quantity of items. Well, I think I have another project for my granddaughters' Valentine craft party.

Be sure to hop over to the Cutting Cafe's blog and see what fabulous projects the other DT members made. You won't be disappointed.

Bombshell Blog Hop

2012-01-25T02:23:00.000-05:00

It's time for Bombshell's Hump Day Blog Hop. If you arrived here from Cheryl's blog, you're in the right place. If not be sure to go back to the Bombshell's Blog and start at the beginning. You don't want to miss anything.

So what was this month's challenge? Ring in the New. What's that mean? Create a project that is something you haven't tried before - a new technique, using a new product, a new style....anything new to you!

A few months ago I was browsing the tutorials on Bombshell's Forum. I came across one by Nicole aka Perky Nihilist about making pins using lenses from eyeglasses. She called them Bombshell Punk Pins. I knew I wanted to try them sometime and this challenge gave me the the perfect opportunity. So here are my Bombshell Punk Pins.

I used Lotus Garden and Bombshell Angel. They were easy and inexpensive to make. Just buy reading glasses from the Dollar Store and pop out the lenses!

Now hop over to Kelli's blog and see what how she's ringing in the new.

Bombshell Blog: http://bombshellstamps.blogspot.com/
Alison: http://alisonsrandomthoughts.blogspot.com/
Laura: http://craftylittlewoman.blogspot.com/
Alaine: http://missalaineousmosaics.blogspot.com/
Sparkly Mary: http://sparkly-train.blogspot.com/
Meredith: http://www.papercanteen.com/
Cheryl: http://inktrap.blogspot.com/
Paula: http://heyheypaula-heyheypaula.blogspot.com/ you are here!
Kelli: http://www.cajunstampingqueen.blogspot.com/
Stempelientje: http://stempelientje.blogspot.com/
Glittery Katie: http://ferrishyn-frontier.blogspot.com/
Kathi: http://kathstales.blogspot.com/

Tag Valentines

2012-01-24T20:01:00.000-05:00

My granddaughters are having a Valentine craft party and I'm planning the projects for them to make. The girls attending the party are 9 years old, so I wanted to design some cards that would be easy and fun to make. Whimsie Doodles has a set of images called Valentine Messages that are so cute and whimsical and perfect for what I had in mind - valentine tag cards...

I think the girls will have fun making a set of these and they'll use up lots of paper from my scrap box!!

Send A Smile 4 Kids

2012-01-23T20:36:00.001-05:00

This week Hambo Hoedown is a sponsoring Send A Smile 4 Kids. Send A Smile 4 Kids is a charitable blog created for the purpose of collecting donated handmade cards to be distributed to children while they are a patient at Children’s Hospitals. The challenge is to make a kids' card with BAILEYdigi and then send it to Send A Smile 4 Kids. Here's my card...

Isn't Bailey a cutey? Well he is in real life too. The Hunters, owners of Hambo Stamps have a new puppy and this image is the debut of Bailey's line. Hop over to the Hoedown and see how adorable he is and join in the fun.

Heart Bag

2012-01-18T00:49:00.000-05:00

This week's featured sets from Cutting Cafe are all perfect for Valentine's Day. I used the Heart Bag cutting/file template to make this bag and filled it with Hersey Kisses.

The Heart Bag is a little smaller then 5 1/2 by 3 1/2 inches. It features a heart cut out in the middle and a heart to frame around the cutout. I used vellum for the cutout and added a 3 dimensional glitter heart in the center. The swirl in the corner is a sticker. To close the bag I punched both sides of a piece of embossed card stock, folded it in half and closed it with a small clip with ribbon tied on it. I wonder which of my Valentine's will get this cute little treat?

Be sure to visit the Cutting Cafe's blog and see what the other DT members made. Don't forget to stop in at the Cutting Cafe and check out all of the other files/templates that are available too.

Hoedown Time

2012-01-16T21:50:00.000-05:00

This week's challenge at the Hambo Hoedown is to use two or more circles of different sizes on a project. I made another birthday card for my hubby using the Hambo rubber stamp Dentures.

I used scalloped circles for the image and smaller circles to make the scallop border under the ribbon. The sentiment is Hambo's Getting Old Bites. The inside of the card says "Losing your teeth sucks!" Now my hubby is not losing his teeth (thank goodness!) but I thought it was funny and appropriate for turning 65!

Most of you may remember that I'm a former member of Hambo Stamps' digital design team, so most of my Hambo images are digital. Since I used rubber stamps for this card, I added Hambo's Safe Stamps as my signature on the back!

Big Card for a Big Birthday!

2012-01-11T07:00:00.009-05:00

This week's featured set at the Cutting Cafe is Long Sentiment Tags. This set has 8 tags in two different sizes. I wanted to use the birthday tag to make a card for my hubby whose birthday is next week. At first I was going to use the small tag to make an A2 size card. Then I decided that since this is a BIG birthday he needs a BIG card! So this is what I came up with...

I love how it turned out. I used a sheet of 8 1/2 x 11 cardstock folded lengthwise for the base of the card. Luckily it doesn't have to be mailed!

WD - New Release!

2012-01-06T18:50:00.001-05:00

Oops. For some reason this didn't post yesterday as scheduled.

Time for Whimsie Doodles Monthly Release. For my card I used this new image called I Tried.
Here's my card...

Isn't she cute and what a perfect sentiment. This would make a cute late birthday card with something like "...but I still missed your birthday." Hop over to Whimsie Doodles blog and check out the other images in the release. Be sure to visit all of the Doodlelicious Divas' blogs to see what they did with all of the new images.

WD Sneek Peek

2012-01-04T22:29:00.001-05:00

It's the most exciting time of the Whimsie Doodles month--time for new releases! Well, tomorrow that is! Here's a sneek peek of my card!!

You'll love the images in this months release, so don't forget to check back tomorrow.

The Cutting Cafe - Check It Out!

2012-01-04T01:35:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year everyone. I'm so excited to start 2012 by joining the design team of The Cutting Cafe! If you're not familiar with The Cutting Cafe, hop right over there (after you finish reading my post) and check it out. Owner Regina Easter has tons of fabulous printable stamps and cutting files at very affordable prices. This weeks featured item is the Loopy Loopy Bow Flower. I used it to add the finishing touch to my cone treat holder. Take a look...

The bow flower comes in three sizes. I used the medium size. They're easy and fun to make. I already have some other projects in mind so check back later.

Flower Pot Snowman

2011-12-21T01:37:00.001-05:00

I saw these cute snowman flower pots on Beth-a-Palooza's blog and thought they were so cute. Beth used Nesties and punches to make the snowman for the front. I used a cute Whimsie Doodle digi called Flakey Snowman. I love how it turned out.

Behind the image is a small flower pot with seeds and growing medium to grow Carpet of Snow flowers. I bought the flower pots in the dollar spot at Target.

Wouldn't these make cute favors?

Make Over Monday # 7

2011-12-19T01:44:00.004-05:00

It's time for another Make Over Monday challenge. This week's inspiration piece is a CAS card by Maille Bells. Here's my make over.

I used the same type of main images - ornaments. I embossed my background. For the layer behind the ornaments I used punched out snowflakes instead of a panel with a sentiment. I also added a ribbon at the top.

I enjoy doing these challenges. They're fun and they really make you think to find a way to use the inspiration piece to make it your own and not just copy it.

Bombshell Sketch Challenge

2011-12-14T08:00:00.008-05:00

It's time for Bombshell Stamps' monthly sketch challenge. Here's the sketch

Here's my take on the sketch...

I flipped the sketch on it's side and used the three ornaments together as my center image panel.

I used Pirate's Life and Holiday Accessories for my image. She's got Flower Soft on her hat and glitter on her outfit. The DSP has glitter on it too so IRL she sparkles. The inside says "is you!".

Be sure to check the blog and see what the other Bombshell Girls have created to inspire you.

Christmas Coffee Girl

2011-12-12T22:48:00.005-05:00

Coffee Girl by Hambo Stamps is all dressed up for the holidays!

I've missed playing in the Hoedown for the last few weeks, and it was fun to get back to the Hoedown. This week's challenge was to make a card with more than one fold. I made this hidden gift card holder. It was hard to photograph and show the second fold. Can you find it?

The front of the card is folded back into the inside to form the pocket for the gift card. The image panel hides the gift card until you open the card. Isn't that clever? I saw this design on Amanda Mertz's blog Did You Stamp Today? It was easy and fun to make.

Make Over Monday

2011-12-12T01:00:00.001-05:00

When I saw the inspiration for the Make Over Monday challenge, I immediately hunted through my stash for some long narrow note pads that a friend had given me quite awhile ago. I made this memo pad using pieces of SU DSP that was in my scrap collection. This is what I came up with.

There was no stamping involved so it was quick and easy. I just used some punches and the designs on the DSP.

Whimsie Doodle Monthly Challenge

2011-12-11T08:00:00.001-05:00

Hello, Whimsie Doodles fans, welcome to the new monthly challenge! December's challenge is sketch inspired. Create a project based on this sketch.

Each month there will be two (2) lucky winners for each challenge! One (1) lucky winner will be drawn at random to win a FREE Whimsie Doodles image, of their choice, from our latest release. And the second winner will join our team as a Guest Artist in February 2012!! For more details, check the Whimsie Doodle Blog here.

Brown Bag Pouches

2011-12-06T06:00:00.001-05:00

The Meade Girls, a group of very talented women that I stamp with, had their holiday celebration on Saturday. It was a fun day filled with special friends, good food and lots of laughter. I made each of my friends a hot chocolate pouch to wish them a Happy Holiday.

These brown bag pouches were inspired by some that I saw on two blogs - Beth-A-Palozza and Mish Mash. The top of the bag is cut off so the bag measures 8 1/2-9 inches. Then I folded up the bottom of the bag and stitched around the 2 sides and bottom. This makes two pouches one short one in the front where I put candy and a candy cane and a taller one in the back where I put a package of hot chocolate mix. I embellished with a border, ribbon, a brad and the scalloped sentiment and slipped a dollies into the front pocket. You can make them as fancy or as simple as you want.

These pouches could be used for lots of things - small packets of coffee or teas with individually wrapped cookies, pencils and pens and notepads, even some hand made notecards with stamps. For kids you could put in a box of crayons or makers, some fun stickers, some stamped cardstock with simple images that they can color to make cards for their friends. I'm sure you can think of lots of ways to use these fun and easy to make pouches.

Whimsie Doodles New Release

2011-12-05T15:56:00.001-05:00

It's the most wonderful time of the month....NeW ReLeAsE DaY!

Check out these adorable new images....eeek! They are pictured together for your viewing convenience, but available separately for purchase on the Whimsie Doodles website.

Here's my card using the Snow Stuck image. What movie does this image remind you of? LOL!!

Now go visit the Doodlelicious Divas to see the gorgeous projects they've created with these new images!

Special Bombshell Challenge

2011-12-04T21:28:00.000-05:00

Bombshell Stamps is getting into the holiday spirit and wants to do something for our loyal fans!

This challenge is a one time only contest. Use any stamp to create a holiday card and share it us with in this thread in the Gamblers Anonymous section of The Casino in Bombshell's forum.
Each entry will earn one chance to win a $5.00 gift certificate to the Bombshell Store, which will be selected via a random draw.

Use a Bombshell Stamp and you'll win two chances!

If you win using a Bombshell stamp (rubber or digital), you can win a $20.00 gift certificate!

The deadline for this challenge is December 31. The winner will be chosen by January 5th!

Whimsie Doodle Sneek Peek

2011-12-04T06:00:00.003-05:00

It's Sneaky Snippet time at Whimsie Doodles! We get to show you snippets today and then on Monday you get to see it all! This month's new images will not disappoint you....they're fantastic! Here's a a snippet of my card...

Be sure to hop over the the WD Blog and check out the design teams' snippets for a tasty little tidbit of what's to come on Monday :)

Bombshell Monthly Blog Hop

2011-11-29T23:32:00.007-05:00

It's time for Bombshell Stamps' November Hump Day Hop challenge! You should have arrived here from Celina's blog If you didn't, head on over to the Bombshell Stamps Blog to start the hop at the very beginning. You don't want to miss any of the terrific projects!!
This month it's a color challenge - a palette of beautiful shades of orange with a hint of blue. The challenge was to use at least 3 of these colors on your project.

Here's my take on the challenge.

The colors in the picture look a little more brown but IRL they are more orange. I used the flower in the Lotus Garden set.

Now it's time to hop on over to Milo's blog and see what she's created. Don't forget to leave some love and to shout out a Happy Birthday to Sparkly Mary!

Makeover Monday Challenge #4

2011-11-28T00:56:00.002-05:00

Makeover Monday Challenge is a weekly challenge sponsored by the Paper Crafter’s Library and Sunny Stampin’ Studios. The purpose of Makeover Monday is to work from your own stash to create a project based on the inspiration project provided – you can use any products you would like. You can see the inspiration project here. Here's my take on it.

I kept the basic layout. I used DSP with words on it for my background. I punched the ornaments first. Then I adhered them to the DSP and embossed it with Snow Flowers EB folder. I tilted the sentiment but made it hang over the edges of the card like the inspiration project.

Merry Wishes

2011-11-25T20:41:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving is over and Christmas is just around the corner! If you went shopping today, I hope you got some good bargains. No shopping for me, but I did have a chance to stamp. Here's a card I made with a Whimsie Doodles image called Sleigh Ride Elfling. I decided to use a blue color scheme instead of the traditional Christmas colors of red and green.

Don't forget Whimsie Doodles is having a Black Friday Sale - 50% off everything digital (with a minimum purchase of $10.00) from today, Friday the 25th until midnight (Eastern time) on Sunday, the 27th. Don't forget to use the code "friday50sale "

Time for a Sale...or two!

2011-11-25T09:25:00.002-05:00

It's Black Friday....and time for a SALE or two! Bombshell Stamps & Whimsie Doodles are both having a sale this weekend. Check them out...

It's Bombshell's Black Friday SALE! Receive 25% off your entire purchase from NOW through Monday, Nov. 28! Just use coupon code "CYBR30" at check out! Click here to be whisked away to your shopping trip!

At Whimsie Doodles Black Friday Sale, receive 50% everything digital (with a minimum purchase of $10.00) from today, Friday the 25th until midnight (Eastern time) on Sunday, the 27th. You MUST use the code "friday50sale "

Happy Shopping!

Hambo Tag Challenge

2011-11-21T22:42:00.002-05:00

The Hambo Hoedown challenge this week is to use WEE HENRY TURKEY or any Hambo image to create a project that incorporates a TAG. I missed last week's challenge so I didn't get the Wee Willie image. I used another Hambo digi, Sumo Wrestler and made a tag card.

This Nestie shape seemed perfect for the cute SumoWrestler, who already looks like he ate too much turkey! I cut two large shapes, scored one at the top and glued it to the other so my tag would open. Inside it says "Sumo-body loves you!"

Another Makeover

2011-11-20T23:47:00.002-05:00

I recently discovered the Makeover Monday Challenge blog, a weekly challenge by the Paper Crafter’s Library and Sunny Stampin’ Studios I enjoyed doing the Monday Makeover Challenge #3 ( see my Santa Baby card) and decided to do another. This card uses a Whimsie Doodles digi image called Candy Cane Elfling.

A new challenge is posted every Monday and you have a week to play. It's a fun way to take ideas and inspiration and make it your own. You just might win a prize too.

Tag You're It!

2011-11-17T03:57:00.003-05:00

This month's challenge over at Whimsie Doodles is to make a tag using one of the many cute Whimsie Doodle digi images. I love the Cookie Fairy digi released this month. I wanted to use her on a cookies in a jar Christmas gift that I was making, so I colored her dress and shoes red and put some holly on her headband to get her ready for the holiday season. Here she is...

The ingredients in the jar are for Chocolate Chip Cookies and the directions for using them are on the back of the tag. I plan to make a few more of these as gifts for the holidays.

Hop on over to the Whimsie Doodle blog and join in the challenge. Remember ...

Starting this month, there will be two (2) winners for each challenge! One (1) lucky winner will be drawn at random to win a FREE Whimsie Doodles image, of their choice, from our latest release. And the second winner will join our team as a Guest Artist in January 2012!! See the details here.

I'm also submitting my card to Paper Sundaes Challenge #95 to use a digital image. I love digital images and use them quite a bit. They are so versatile. Take the challenge. You might win some free digi images.

Bombshell Monthly Challenge

2011-11-16T00:06:00.001-05:00

Ms. November challenged us to "waste not" by creating a card using just the scraps we have on hand. I was in the mood to make a Christmas card so I looked through my stash and found some left over paper scraps and die cuts from a Holiday Scrapping Kit that I bought ages ago! Perfect! Here's my card...

When I saw the die cut "Santa Baby" I knew I wanted to use my new Bombshell sets Bombshell Angel and Holiday Accessories . Believe it or not I did not plan for the word "naughty" to end up where it did, but isn't it perfect? I paper pieced her outfit and hat and added some Flower Soft to her hat. I think I'll put my Christmas list inside and give this to Santa aka my hubby!

I'm also submitting my card in the Make Over Monday Challenge #3.

Late for the Hoedown!!

2011-11-14T23:29:00.002-05:00

I missed the deadline for the Hambo Hoedown challenge by about 2 minutes! I forgot that the deadline had changed to Mondays by the time I remembered, I got a late start. Well I wanted to share my card anyway. So here it is...

The challenge was to use Camera Guy digi and one of the sentiments along with a frame somewhere on your project. I've been wanting to try this folded paper frame and I love how it turned out! SCS has a great tutorial by Beate in the resources forum if you want to try it. I wanted to have a black and white photo type color scheme so I only used W Copics except for his face and hands.

Come on over and join in the Hoedown and get some free digi stamps, but don't be late!!

I'm also submitting my card to Paper Sundaes Challenge #95 to use a digital image. I love digital images and use them a lot. They are so versatile. Take the challenge. You might win some free digi images.

New Whimsie Doodles Challenge

2011-11-10T16:35:00.001-05:00

Whimsie Doodles has a new monthly challenge! For November's challenge, create a project that focuses on a tag. Your project could be a decorated tag, or a card that showcases a tag in someway.

Starting this month, there will be two (2) winners for each challenge! One (1) lucky winner will be drawn at random to win a FREE Whimsie Doodles image, of their choice, from our latest release. The second winner will join our team as a Guest Artist in January 2012!!

If you would like to be considered for the Guest Artist spot, you must...

- Have a blog
- Use a Whimsie Doodles image on your challenge creation
- Place an asterisk(*) by your linked name, so we know you are interested
- Be willing and able to join us the entire month of January 2012

As Guest Artist...

- you will receive the ENTIRE January 2012 digital release
- a link to your blog will be placed on the Whimsie Doodles blog for the month
- you will be provided with a Guest Artist badge to display on your blog

So get out the WD images and create a tag item! Can't wait to see what you come up with.

November Sketch

2011-11-09T22:53:00.000-05:00

It's sketch time at Bombshell Stamps. Here's the sketch for this month.

and here's my take on the challenge using Hawaiian Girl.

Hope you'll take the challenge. Check here for the rules and you might win a PRIZE!

Bargello Snail

2011-11-07T22:11:00.001-05:00

This week's challenge over at the Hambo Hoedown is to use Snail Rake with any technique from the Splitcoaststampers Resources Page to make a project. There are so many great techniques, but one I've been wanting to try is the Bargello Technique. This technique is borrowed from needlepoint to create an interesting background with thin strips of paper Here's my Bargello snail...

It didn't turn out quite like I thought it would, but it made an interesting background. I think one of my papers should have been a more solid design and maybe a little darker. It was a fun and easy technique. I plan to try it again and see if I can get a more needlepoint looking effect.

New Release Day

2011-11-05T17:06:00.003-04:00

It's NEW RELEASE DAY at Whimsie Doodles! The new images are so cute and I know you will love them!! There are elves, fairies and expecting moms. Here's my project using Hiding Elfling.

Isn't she cute? I paper pieced her dress and hat. I used a cutting file from The Cutting Cafe called Present Treat Box. This will be perfect for a small gift or even a gift card.

You can check out all of the adorable new digis, and incredible samples from the rest of the Doodlelicious Divas here.

Sneaky Snippet

2011-11-04T14:32:00.003-04:00

Tomorrow is NEW RELEASE day for November at Whimsie Doodles , and today I have a sneaky snippet to share with you! Can you guess what the image is?

Be sure to check back tomorrow and see what I made with this cute digi. I think you'll like it!

Have a Fabulous Friday!

The Party's Over - Almost!

2011-11-03T02:37:00.000-04:00

Bombshell Stamps Forum Relaunch Party is almost over. There were lots of games and challenges. I hope you got to play along with some of them. I combined two of the challenges, Mary's Howl at the Moon challenge and Kelli's recipe challenge and made this card

Both challenges were fun. Mary challenged us to use a moon on our project. I punched a large circle as a mask and sponged ink to make the background and moon. Then I punched tiny circles so the yellow cardstock would show through to make the stars. Kelli's recipe was to use 4 circles - the moon and stars, 3 ribbons - the silver cord, 2 Bombshell images - Hawaiian girl and the palm tree and1 tag- the silver Aloha.

If you got to play along, I hope you enjoyed the party.

Bombshell Party Day 3

2011-11-02T14:00:00.000-04:00

Are you having fun partying at the Bombshell Forum? Today's game is Bombshell Sentiment Match. See if you can match the Bombshell set with it's sentiment. Don't forget to post your answers at Gamblers Anon by midnight tonight for a chance to win a prize. Good luck!

1. Custom Choppers               A. Whoa There!
2. Kustom Kulture                   B. Gas It Up
3. Horsing Around                   C. Drink Up
4. Hawaiian Girl                       D. It's Your Lucky Day
5. Man's Ruin                           E. Loud and Fast
6. Vintage Raceway                  F. Live to Ride
7. Growing Hearts                    G. Wanna Lei
8. Mermaid Treasure                H. What a Girl Really Wants
9. Girl's Ruin                              I. The Heart Grows Fonder
10. Western Gal                        J. Yee Haw

Bombshell Party Day 2

2011-11-01T11:00:00.001-04:00

It's Day 2 of Bomshell Stamps' party. Time for another game. Today's game is Bombshell Stamp Match. Can you match the stamp set with the stamp? Don't forget to post your answers on the Bombshell forum at Gamblers Anon by midnight on Nov. 2 for a chance to win a prize. Good luck!

1. Mermaid Anchor                            A. Lil Devil
2. King of the Road                            B. anchor & rope
3. Harley Bikes                                   C. swallow
4. Love and Luck                                D. classic coupe
5. Speed Shop                                    E. classic Cadillac
6. Ahoy Sailor                                     F. candle
7. Retro Cowgirls                                G. goggles & helmet
8. Bombshell Angel                              H. pistol
9. Alter Skulls                                       I. V-twin engine
10. Vintage Motorcycle                        J. dolphins

Party Time

2011-10-31T08:00:00.012-04:00

Bombshell Stamps is having a party and you're invited!

Of course every good party needs games. I'll be hosting a game each day of the party. Today's game is Bombshell Jumble. How well do you know your Bombshell Stamps? Can you unscramble the names of these Bombshell Stamp sets? Post your answers on the Bombshell forum at Gambler's Anon by midnight PDT Nov. 2, 2011 for a chance to win a prize. Good luck!

1. tahsre no feri
2. mi omar
3. daed sieiectness
4. oki otaott
5. wrmdoahe bdnou
6. nbuikcg nbcoor
7. hercry bmbo
8. eilv ot deri
9. seso'r ptroarti
10. hlua irgl

Be sure to check out all of the other fun things happening on the forum and come back to the party tomorrow for a new game.

Newspaper & Coffee

2011-10-30T00:16:00.000-04:00

The challenge at the Hoedown this week is to use Hambo Stamps' Newscaster digi and one of the four sentiments to make a project that incorporates newspaper on your creation. Since I missed the Hoedown last week, I didn't get the Newscaster digi so I used Hambo's Coffee Girl digi. Afterall, what do you do while reading the morning newspaper? Drink coffee! I remembered that I had an insulated drink cup that I bought at JoAnn's Fabric, so I decided to make a tag for it.

I used the newspaper as a background for my image. I wanted the image to look like a newspaper picture so I colored it with W1, 3, and 5 Copic markers. To make it stand out against the background, I fussy cut the image and attached it to black cardstock and cut it out again. I finished it with a large eyelet and some wide striped ribbon tied with twine. Now all I need to do is to put a Starbucks gift card inside of the cup and I have a gift ready for when I need it.

Be sure to check out the Hoedown. It's fun to play in the challenges each week.

It's a Party!

2011-10-28T13:59:00.003-04:00

Bombshell Stamps is having a party and you're invited!

What: A Re-launching Party for Bombshell Stamps’ Forum

Where: http://www.bombshellstamps.com/

When: October 31st - November 2nd

It will be lots of fun with challenges, games, and prizes too!

Come help celebrate the new forum! If you're not a member, be sure to join. It's free. As a member you'll get updates about sales & new releases, stamping tips, challenges, and inspiration from the very talented Bombshell Girls!

Hope to see you there!

Halloween Skelly Blog Hop

2011-10-26T00:01:00.001-04:00

It's time for Bombshell Stamps' monthly blog hop. You should have arrived here from Meredith's blog If you didn't, head on over to the Bombshell Stamps Blog to start the hop at the very beginning. You don't want to miss any of the terrific projects!!
This month's theme is...Halloween of course, but with a twist! You had to include skeletons or a skull in/on it somewhere. You could use any of the numerous Bombshell Stamps skeletons, or you could create your own. You could also create a Day of the Dead project for this hop. We were encouraged to make a decoration as opposed to a card, but it wasn't mandatory. I've been making lots of Halloween cards so I decided to make a candle and a matching mini card.

I used the skull stamps from Pirate's Life and Speed Shop. I added some silver cord and some gems to give it some BLING! I embossed one of the skull stamps to make a tag. I used some DSP with silver skulls on it as a background for my mini card, added an embossed skull and Voila! I have a Halloween gift ready for one of my ghoul friends!
Your next stop is Milo's blog. If you get lost, hop on back to Bombshell Stamps Blog for the blog hop list. Happy Halloween!

Happy Birthday Mom!

2011-10-20T12:03:00.000-04:00

A big Happy Birthday to my mom. She turns 90 today! We're having a family party for her on Saturday. We're so lucky to be able to celebrate this special day with her. I love you Mom!

Birthday CARd

2011-10-20T11:58:00.001-04:00

I saw this layout in the SU catalog and thought it would work well with one of Bombshell's classic car sets. I still have my friend Mary G's sets that I borrowed ( I promise to return them soon Mary!) so I made this card using Speed Shop by Bombshell Stamps. I decided to stamp the car on colored cardstock. I used SU's So Saffron. Then I shaded it using my Copic markers and blender pen.

This will make a great masculine card when I need it. I think I'll try using my Copics on some more colored cardstock. I liked how it turned out. Thanks for looking.

Think Pink Challenge!

2011-10-19T14:00:00.004-04:00

As Ms October I am hosting the monthly challenge for Bombshell Stamps. My challenge is in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month which is October. I challenge everyone to THINK PINK ! The challenge is to use the color PINK somewhere on your project. Your project can have a breast cancer theme, but it doesn’t have to. Just be sure to use PINK. Here's my challenge card. I used A Pirate's Life.

Be sure to check out the challenge and see all of the fantastic inspiration created by the Bombshell girls. You will be amazed! You can find the thread at the forum here. Hope you'll grab some PINK and join the challenge.

Charmin Tag!

2011-10-17T21:46:00.001-04:00

One of my fellow Whimsie Doodle design team members put a roll of toilet tissue in a clear bag and added ribbon and a tag with a mummy on it as a Halloween gag gift. When I saw the Hoedown challenge this week, I knew I wanted to do something similar. The challenge was to use Hambo Stamps' cute Mummy digi and one of the sentiments along with the colors purple, orange, black and green on your card/project. Here's my tissue & tag.

I wrapped black web ribbon around the roll of toilet paper and put orange ribbon through the center of the roll and tied it. I used Hambo's Mummy digi and one of the sentiments to make the tag. Then I tied the tag to the orange ribbon. I just love it! Now I just need to decide who's going to get my gag gift.

I'm also entering my tag in Party Time Tuesday's challenge to make a tag. PTT has some great challenges. Be sure to check them out.

Inky Vacation

2011-10-14T00:05:00.001-04:00

Here in Maryland it's been a rainy, damp, dreary day. I was thinking how nice it would be to be in a warm tropical place, relaxing on the beach. Since that wasn't going to happen, I let my new Bombshell stamps take me there. I inked up Hawaiian Girl and made this card to cheer me up.

I also inked up A Pirates Life. Hmmm, a vacation with a pirate? "Captain" Jack Sparrow can "shiver me timbers" anytime!

Back to reality!! I used Bombshell's October sketch challenge for my card. If you'd like to play along, get the sketch and directions here. There's still time to join the sketch challenge. So ink up those Bombshell stamps and take a vacation. Where will you go?

Yea Me!!

2011-10-12T09:09:00.000-04:00

I won Best in Show over at the Hambo Hoedown for my Flower Monster card (scroll down to see!) !

Why don't you take the challenge this week. It's fun and you get free digi images!

HoedownTime

2011-10-10T20:47:00.000-04:00

It's the Name Game at Hambo's Hoedown this week. The challenge is to make a card/project using Flower Monster by Hambo Stamps and to use something that starts with the first letter of your first name. Easy for me - P for paper, pearls and piercing! I used patterned paper, added a few pearls and pierced around the sentiment.

When I saw this patterned paper in the clearance bin at my local craft store, I knew it would be perfect for this cute image. It was a fun card to make. Hop on over to the Hoedown and check out what the Bacon Bits have made to inspire you. Then join in the Hoedown. It's fun and you get really cute free digi images!

Breast Cancer Awareness Challenges

2011-10-09T16:41:00.006-04:00

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and many blogs and stamp companies are sponsoring challenges to increase the awareness of breast cancer. I got the Breast Cancer Ribbon shape card at The Cutting Cottage. Here's my card for a few of these challenges...

Whimsie Doodle's challenge is to create a card/project using the color pink. WD has 4 images that are perfect for this challenge Hope Fights, Hope Fights - Skirt, Save the Hooters, and Get 'em Squished. One hundred percent from the sale of these images will be donated to Relay for Life for Breast Cancer. You can use one of these images, a different image, or not even go with a breast cancer awareness theme and just use pink as the main color on you card/project.

Party Time Tuesday is challenging crafters to make a shape card and/or any Breast Cancer Awareness card regardless of the shape!

Just Yolie is hosting a linking party through October 14th to raise breast cancer awareness by having crafters link their "pink" projects to her blog. There are over $3,000 worth of giveaways from 83 sponsors. You can see the list of prizes HERE.

Hand Stamped Sentiments is also aving a Think Pink Challenge. See details here.
SCS in patnership with the UT MD Anderson Cancer Center is hosting the second annual month long card drive to benefit those affected by breast cancer. There are lots of challenges and prizes. Check it out.

As MS October, I'm hosting a Think Pink challenge over at Bombshell Stamps Forum. Check back on Oct 19 to see my design along with some inspiration from the Bombshell Girls. You could win free stamps!

Link Up For Pink now has a Relay for Life page. They are one of the three virtual Relay for Life groups and the first ever blog event to be recognized by the American Cancer Society. If you would like to make a monetary donation, please click HERE.

Don't forget - Get'em squished!!

Witches & Chocolate

2011-10-08T11:25:00.006-04:00

The Whimsie Doodle digi called Act Like a Witch is so cute and it was free on the WD Facebook page. I love the sentiment and knew I wanted to make something that included chocolate.

I made this candy bar slider! Just pull the ribbon and out comes a Hershey Bar! It'll be a perfect Halloween treat for my daughter-in-law who loves chocolate...but she's not a witch!!

Two New Bombshells & a Challenge

2011-10-06T10:39:00.000-04:00

The style of Bombshell stamps is a change for me but I'm having so much fun playing with my Bombshell Stamps! Here are two cards I made recently for BS challenges. The first is for the Ms. September's challenge to use the color red and something to represent speed. I used the dragster from the King of the Road set (Thanks Mary).

I used the Cuttlebug's Star and Moroccan EB folders to make the background using red and white to make it look like a checkered flag. I wanted the dragster in black and white, but I wanted it to stand out so I embossed the image with black EB power then popped it up on the Nesties dies cuts and added the brads and twine.

My next card is for World Card Making Day. Kathi, Bombshell's DT captain, challenged us to stamp on patterned paper for our project. I used the hibiscus stamp from Hawaiian Girl and stamped with Stazon ink on patterned vellum to create the background for my card...

I turned over the vellum before I attached it to the cardstock to give it a softer look. I colored the image with Copics. The frame for the image was made by layering two die cuts from the Lacy Circles Nesties. I added some pearl embellishments to finish it.

As Ms October I challenge everyone to THINK PINK in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Find all the details to the challenge here and check back on October 19 for some inspiration!

WD October Release

2011-10-05T00:05:00.001-04:00

Whimsie Doodles released some new digi images today and they are so cute! Here's my card using Skinny Witch - that's me, isn't it? Oh wait a minute...I'm not a witch! Oh yeah, I'm not skinny either! Anyway here's my card...

I also used Whimsie Doodles Halloween Button Sentiments. Be sure to check out the WD Blog to see more samples from the design team.

WD Sneek Peek

2011-10-04T11:04:00.000-04:00

It is almost here - Whimsie Doodles release time! There are some really cute images on the way. Here is a sneak peek...what could it be?

Stop by tomorrow and see my design with this new Halloween image from Whimsie Doodles.

Fun Day for a Good Cause!

2011-10-01T21:36:00.001-04:00

PopPop & Aislinn

Today my family and friends walked and raised money for the American Diabetes Association's signature fundraising walk, Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes.
We walked for my granddaughter Aislinn who was diagosed with Type1 diabetes in December 2010. Aislinn is an amazing little girl and we're all so proud of her. It was wonderful to see so many people there to support this cause. Thank you everyone who sponsored us by making a donation.

Whimsie Doodle Sale

2011-09-30T20:04:00.001-04:00

Whimsie Doodle is having a one day sale event. Use the code SEPTSALE30 to get 30% off anything in the store! This sale ends October 1. So hop on over and grab some bargins!

I'm Ms. October!

2011-09-29T21:42:00.001-04:00

I'm so excited to be a guest designer for Bombshell Stamps for October. If you're not familiar with Bombshell Stamps, be sure to check them out. They have a selection of hot rod classics, sugar skull, tattoo and pin up inspired stamps that I know are going to be fun to use. Here's a card I made with the Mermaid Treasure set for Bombshell's September sketch challenge.

I love this mermaid and had fun coloring her with my Copic Markers. I stamped the seaweed, treasure chest and fish on the water patterned paper with Classic Brown ink to give it the silhouette look. Then I cut out the mermaid and popped her up swimming in my underwater scene. Check back and see what else I create with Bombshell's unique stamps.

Last Challenge as a Bacon Bit

2011-09-28T08:00:00.007-04:00

Four months ago I became a Bacon Bit, a member of Hambo Stamps design team. I was so excited and a little nervous because it was my first time being on a design team. I couldn't have ask for a better experience. Hambo Stamps is the best!

The challenge this week is to CASE any card in Hambo's rubber stamp or digital image gallery.
Here is my card...

I CASED this card by Holly McMillen

I kept the layout and colors the same. I changed the shape of the sentiment and used dewdrops in place of brads. My friend Gloria, who makes gorgeous cards, sent me a template and a tutorial on making the clouds. This is my first attempt and I love how they turned out. IRL the dragonfly's wings are very glittery.

I'll miss being a Bacon Bit but I plan to keep dancing at the Hoedown!

Hambo Stamps OWH Challenge

2011-09-27T18:00:00.000-04:00

I've been away a few days. This was suppose to post while I was gone, but it didn't. Not sure if it was Blogger's fault or mine, but here it is even though it's a few days late.

This week Hambo Stamps teamed up with OPERATION WRITE HOME to celebrate their birthday and send the cards made to the TROOPS that protect and serve our country! I used Hedgehog digi by Hambo Stamps for my Miss You card.

If you would like to participate in the challenge, there are a few special rules this week, so check the Hoedown blog for more details.

Sing Your Art Out!

2011-09-16T08:00:00.089-04:00

Welcome to "Sing Your Art Out" sponsored by Hambo Stamps! Today Hambo friends, customers, and the Bacon Bits Design Team are bringing you fun creations that depict song titles! It might be our favorite song, or just one that was fun to design. If you arrived here from Dawn M's blog, you are in the right place! If not, you might want to start back at the beginning at the Hambo blog to make sure you are eligible for the hopper prize!
A prize will be awarded to one participant whose song-themed creation tickles the Bacon Bits’ fancy in a singin' swingin' way! Another prize will be awarded randomly to a hopper who comments on all the blogs along the hop. The winners will be announced on the Hoedown blog, as well as on the Hambo company blog, Talk to the Ham, on Wednesday, September 21.

My creation uses Sweetheart Pig. I think he's proposing! I wonder who he wants to marry? Check out the name of my blog for a hint...

Hey Paula

By Paul & Paula

Hey, hey Paula, I wanna marry you
Hey, hey Paula, no one else will ever do
I've waited so long for school to be through
Paula, I can't wait no more for you
My love, my love

It's an oldie but a goodie. It was a hit in 1962 and yes, I remember it! Did you know that Paul & Paula's real names were Ray and Jill. Soon after the song sold millions, they got married, but not to each other!

That was so much fun that I couldn't do just one! So here's another. The sheep on my card are ewes (girl sheep) and we know what girls want to have...

Girls Just Want to Have Fun

by Cyndi Lauper

That's all they really want
Some fun
When the working day is done
Girls - they want to have fun
Oh girls just want to have fun

I used one of my favorite Hambo stamps, Party Sheep with Get This Party Started sentiment. I made the FUN paper on the computer. These girls are ready to have some FUN!

Warm up those vocal chords and be prepared to sing! Now hop on over to Mary's blog for another great sing-along song!

Officially a Diva!

2011-09-15T05:00:00.023-04:00

I'm officially a Doodlelious Diva! My term on the design team for Whimsie Doodles begins today with a blog hop to meet all the Divas. If you arrived here from Min's blog, great! Otherwise you may want to start at the beginning here.

For those of you who are visiting me for the first time, welcome and I hope you'll come back. To get
to know me a little, here are 5 Doodlelicious Things About Me....

1. My first papercraft project was probably in Kindergarten and I've been crafting ever since! Seriously I think my first papercraft project was a treat bag topper that I made at a Stampin'Up party. I think we colored it with pastel chalks.

2. When I'm not papercrafting, I enjoy reading and knitting. My Kindle and yarn are always close by. I also enjoy spending time with my granddaughters. Of course we are usually doing some sort of crafts. They love to stamp!

3. My favorite Whimsie Doodles image from the new release images is Frankie's Girl. I also like the Turtletopia images. They are so cute and I love that little devil called Hottie!

4. My favorite papercrafting technique is making special fold cards. I also love coloring with Copics and embossing with the Cuttlebug.

5. My favorite embellishment is ribbon. I'm always looking for the perfect color of ribbon for a project. I love glitter too!

Here's my first official Whimsie Doodle card using my favorite of the new releases.

I made a center step card using the very cute Frankie's Girl image. It's available at the Whimsie Doodle store along with Frankie and some other fun Halloween images. I bought the sentiment last year at Michael's and didn't have a chance to use it. IMHO, it's perfect for Frankie's Girl.

Time to meet the other Divas. Hop on over to Tracy's blog and give her a warm welcome to the Whimsie Doodles family. Then continue hopping and check out everyone's fantastic projects using this month's adorable new images and leave a little comment love along the way. Don't forget to go back to the Whimsie Doodle blog and comment for your chance to win one of the September images! Enjoy hopping and getting to know us.

Emily Martina

Helen Lilliebora

Julie Elak

Kim O'Connell

Paula Riley - ME!

Around the House with Hambo

2011-09-14T08:00:00.001-04:00

The Bacon Bits have just been hanging around the house for this week's challenge to use HOUSE 2 digi by Hambo Stamps to create a project that incorporates a household object you wouldn't normally find on a card. I knew right away what I wanted to use...newspaper. Most people read their news online nowadays, but my hubby loves his morning paper. He's an early riser. So every morning while I'm sleeping in, he drinks his coffee, reads the paper and does the crossword puzzle. Needless to say there are always newspapers around! So here's my card using newspaper...

I made a collage background using the Travel section of the paper. This card is for a friend who is going on a 3 week cruise in October. It will be perfect to welcome her back!

See what household item the other Bacon Bits and the surprise guest designer used here.

Be sure to check back on Friday for the Sing Your Art Out Blog Hop...lots of fun and prizes too!

Whimsie Doodles Challenge

2011-09-10T14:58:00.000-04:00

Starting this month, Whimsie Doodles will be doing monthly challenges (versus the prior weekly challenge). September's Challenge is a Photo Inspiration Challenge, and here is the photo...

Photo Credit: Sally J Shim

I used the circle and the colors for my inspiration to make a Halloween cookie pouch.

Wouldn't this be perfect for a Halloween treat for someone special? The cute pumpkin is from Whimsie Doodles new release set called Halloween Hootenannies. It comes with 8 different Halloween images. Stop by the Whimsie Doodles blog for all the details and tons of inspiration!

Pumpkin Time

2011-09-08T17:03:00.001-04:00

It's Thursday and it's time for Designed to Delight's Friday's Free Stamp Challenge. It's a progressive challenge so I received this image because I played in last week's challenge. Here's my card for this week.

This cute Halloween cat is called Falloween Cat. I used it with the Pumpkins Cuttlebug embossing folder and a sentiment by Whimsie Doodles called Halloween Button Sentiments. Halloween Button Sentiments comes with some other cute Halloween sentiments too. Hop over to D2D and join in the fun and check out the cute stamps at Whimsie Doodles too.

Hello Autumn

2011-09-07T08:00:00.009-04:00

It's hard to believe that Autumn is right around the corner. Hambo Stamps's challenge this week is to use FLOWERS digi to make a project showing off the colors of Autumn. Here's my "Hello" to Autumn.

I used Really Rust, Olive Green & So Saffron as my colors of Autumn. I printed the flowers twice so I could cut out the centers. Then I stamped the letters on the centers using Karen Foster Snap Stamps and popped them up with dimensionals. The digi comes with flower bud too. I used it on the inside of my card, but forgot to take a picture.

Be sure to visit the Hoedown & see what the other Bacon Bits have created using autumn colors.

Last Minute Lizzie!

2011-09-01T22:01:00.001-04:00

No that's not the name of the image! It's me! I've had this adorable Designed to Delight image on my table for over a week. It's for their Friday's Free Stamp Challenge. Of course today is the final upload day. I made the card this afternoon and photographed it. Now I'm finally finding time to post it. Anyway here's School Maisie Belle digi by Designed to Delight Stamps.

Isn't she cute? I decided to use primary colors with this cute DSP. I love the scribbled circles. They remind me of a child's drawing. Well I'd better go link this to D2D's challenge before it's too late. Next week I'm not waiting until the last minute! At least I'll try not to.

Take Me to Your Leader!

2011-08-31T08:00:00.002-04:00

It's Wednesday and time for another Hoedown challenge. This week's challenge is to add dimension to the out of this world Alien Spaceship digi by Hambo Stamps.

When I first saw this image I thought of the Purple People Eater song. You know..."one eyed, one horned, flying purple people eater..." Voila! A purple alien! To add dimension, cuz you gotta follow the challenge, I made a shaker card. I've had the tiny gold star confetti forever and it was perfect shaker filler. The stripes on the background paper are raised and glittery for a little more dimension.

The other Bacon Bits have some out of this world creations to share with you too. You can see them here. Then come play with us at the Hoedown.

I'm a Diva!

2011-08-30T18:04:00.000-04:00

I've been asked to join the Whimsie Doodles design team! Whimsie Doodles has the cutest digi stamps and I can't wait to play with them. You can see their products here. While you're there you can even grab a cute freebie or two.

My Last VSN Challenge

2011-08-29T20:27:00.000-04:00

I finally got a chance to upload my last VSN challenge card. The challenge was called Dusty Blues and it was a color challenge to use denim blue (or any blue), ivory and brown. I knew this was the perfect challenge for my cowboy digi.

I put him on the WANTED poster, a free digi from Bombshell Stamps. At first I was going to color him with my Copics, but decided he would look more authentic uncolored, so I only colored the letters. I sponged around him with Creamy Caramel and Chocolate Chip. I got the idea for the rope and star from my friend Jane Harrah. She had a similar embellishment on a card she designed for a shoebox swap that I attended. Thanks Jane!

One More VSN Challenge

2011-08-28T23:13:00.000-04:00

I had time for one more challenge, Rattlesnake Roundup. The challenge was to make a shaker card. It didn't have to be snake related, but hey, why not when I knew the perfect image.

I used Snakes Alive digi by Hambo Stamps. It's been a long time since I've made a shaker card and I've never used a Nestie for the shape. I followed Beate's tutorial on SCS. It was easy and fun. I used X and O confetti to fill the shaker part of the card. I wanted to put Hugsssss & Kissessssss on the front but it wouldn't fit . Instead I glued a few pieces of the confetti on the ribbon. On the inside I put "Hugsssss & Kissesssss from me to you!" I love how it turned out.

It was fun trying some of the challenges. It really made me realize that I can make a nice card in 45 minutes. Sometimes I obsess too much on making my cards perfect and it takes me forever and takes all the fun out of it. Also I learned that I need to clean up my craft room!! A job for another day...I'm too busy creating!

More Virtual Stamp Night Fun

2011-08-27T17:32:00.002-04:00

I had a chance to do another challenge for VSC on SCS. The challenge was to use our favorite farm animal on a card. Of course mine is a pig! After all I am a Bacon Bit! I used Sweat Hog and a new two part sentiment called Twenty Pounds, both by Hambo Stamps.

Isn't she the cutest piggie in her purple leotard? The inside says "If losing the same pound 20 times counts!" This card is the story of my life! LOL!!

Virual Stamp Night Fun

2011-08-27T16:45:00.000-04:00

This weekend is VSN on SCS. It's been ages since I've played so I thought I'd try a few challenges this weekend while we're waiting for Hurricane Irene. The hardest part about VSN for me is that you are suppose to make you card in 45 minutes. I'm a slow worker, mainly because my crafting room is always such a mess that it takes me forever to find what I want.

The theme for VSN is The Rodeo. One of the challenges that I tried was called God Bless Texas. The challenge was to use the Texas State flag as an inspiration. I used it as a sketch. Here's my card.

The image is Hambo's Outhouse digi. The sentiment is two parts. The inside says " #1 and #2!"
I'm going to use this as a thank you card for the contractor remodeling our bathroom. I think it'll be perfect!

Designed 2 Delight

2011-08-26T00:08:00.005-04:00

Made this card for Designed2Delight's Friday Free Image Challenge, but didn't get it uploaded in time. My watch must be a little slow...like me : )

This digi image is a bargin at $1 and so cute. It's perfect for a fast, easy, fun card.

New Hambo Stamps

2011-08-25T14:03:00.001-04:00

Hambo Stamps has some new rubber stamps and they'll tickle your funny bone. I used Otter and Otter Send to make my card today. Otter is such a cutie. He was fun to color and I love him with polka dots!

This stamp and sentiment can be used for so many occasions. Now you otter go see all of the new stamps here.

This Bud's for You

2011-08-24T16:28:00.000-04:00

Isn't this the cutest turtle? It's free at WhimsieDoodles. I used the SCS sketch challenge today to make this card. I love how it turned out.

This will make the perfect Thank You or Congratulations card the next time I need one.

Back to School

2011-08-24T00:37:00.001-04:00

It's back to school time at the Hoedown. This week's challenge is to use PRIMARY COLORS (red, yellow, blue) with PENCIL digi in a school-themed creation. I made pencil pouches for my granddaughters who stated school this week.

There's a video tutorial on Kerry's Craft Blog. They were fun and easy to make. These are a great project and you can put anything inside them and adapt them to any occasion. Wouldn't they be cute for Halloween?

Now here's your homework assignment - Hop over to the Hoedown and see what the other Bacon Bits have created to inspire you. You might even see some new Hambo stamps being used. That's right. Hambo Stamps just released some super cute and funny images and sentiments this week. You can see them here. Now think primary colors and school and do your homework.

I also submitted my project for the Party Time Tuesday Back to School Challenge. Hop over and see all their cards/projects.

SS Beauty

2011-08-18T17:34:00.001-04:00

I'm finally getting around to posting this cute card I received from my secret sister. I just love it and wanted to share it. The image is perfect and inside it says "I have found at my age that going bra less pulls all the wrinkles out of my face!". Enjoy!!

Score with Geraniums

2011-08-17T08:00:00.004-04:00

Score one this week with the Hoedown challenge! Use the Geranium digi or any Hambo digi or stamp and score your project. I decided to go CAS (clean & simple) with my card. My card is 41/2" square. I used my ScorBuddy and scored a frame around the image, colored it with Copics and matted it on SU Gray cardstock. The sentiment is a rub-on.

Be sure to visit the Hoedown and see what the other DT members designed to inspire you. Then score, score! score!

Beachy Keen

2011-08-16T16:43:00.000-04:00

Summer's almost over! Say it ain't so!! I know some schools started this week. School here starts next week for the kiddos, but my teacher friends started back today. Here's a card that I made awhile ago and forgot to post. I used a beach background stamp by High Hopes and Wee Henry Snorkel digi by Hambo Stamps. The sentiment is from a retired Lizzy Anne set called Shore Thoughts.

There are still some days of summer left and I hope they are "beachy keen"!

Happy Birthday Monica!

2011-08-12T08:00:00.018-04:00

It's a Surprise Birthday Hop for Monica Hunter! Monica is the owner of Hambo Stamps and tomorrow is her birthday. A few of us got together and decided to throw a little surprise party for her, and we would like you to join us! If you arrived here via Isabelle's blog, you are in the right place. Otherwise, start at the beginning with Jenn's blog so you don't miss out on any party fun. Every birthday has to have presents, and this one has one for you! One random hopper that completes the hop will receive a Hambo Birthday surprise! The winner will be announced at the Hambo Hoedown on Wednesday, August 17.

My project uses the oh so funny Blind Mice digi by Hambo Stamps. It's one of my favorites.

I helped the mice fix their birthday wish for Monica by making them pop up and stand on their hands (and hats)!

Enjoy your special day!

Now party on over to Nora Anne's blog for some more birthday fun.

Best Friends

2011-08-10T08:00:00.024-04:00

The Hambo Hoedown challenge this week is a sketch challenge using the cutest image, Hedgehog by Hambo Stamps. Here's my take on the sketch which I flipped...

I used paper and pieces from a retired Stampin'Up Scrappin' Kit, thinking it would be a quick way to make a card. NOT! Sometimes it takes me forever to make a card. The sentiment is a rub-on.

August is Guest Designer month at the Hoedown. Each week in August we will be choosing one participant to be a Guest Designer for one week of our September Hoedown Challenges! Hoedown Guest Designers would receive their image early and have their card showcased at the Hoedown, along with the Bacon Bits' cards! So Hop over to the Hoedown to see what the other Bacon Bits have made to inspire you. Then join in the fun. Show us your best stuff! You may be our next Guest Designer.

What's 'MOO"?

2011-08-08T16:37:00.000-04:00

I made this card for Split Coast Stampers' Clean & Simple challenge today. The challenge was a sketch challenge inspired by Die Cut Diva. Here's my take on it...

I love this cute Farm Cow digi by Hambo Stamps. IMHO, it goes perfectly with the cow ribbon that I've had for ages and never used! This was a fun (and fast) card to make and I love how it turned out. So what's "MOO" with you?