Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Enforcer Ted the Valentine Bear???

It's happening all around the world.  Valentine shops are reporting assaults one right after the other.  Billions of dollars are spent each year on Dung Beetle research, yet these poor overlooked, disgruntled and mutilated  stuffed animals are not being helped, they are finally fighting back.  It began harmlessly as small unattended children would grab a stuffed animal off the shelf and play with it while the parents shopped. Time and time again, being picked off the shelf, played with, and then returned; resulting in broken threads, dangling eyes, and stuffing oozing out.  Holiday after holiday passes and these poor misshapen, semi-fluffy, worn out animals are being rejected and neglected as Valentine gifts.
Sources close to me say that a revolution is brewing. Apparently it all started at a nearby Hallmark where an irate and  envious bear, who goes by the name, Enforcer Ted, has started a movement called, TR2AB, The Right 2 Arm Bears.  Government officials are closing in on the gun cartel that is providing these weapons, but until then, we can all do our part.
Thanks to Dr. Digi's House of Stamps and this very depicting representation, we can all share in the responsibility of being upstanding citizens and not only help the innocent victims who are being threatened to purchase said bears, but by being aware and sensitive to the needs of these poor unfortunate toys.  
When you're out shopping for your loved one for Valentine's Day, don't just grab the chocolate and flowers, but find it in your heart to give these sad and disheveled critters a nice and loving home.  It's much more satisfying than a whelp on the forehead from a .45. 

Hugs n' Happy Stamping and be safe out there!
(no humans or stuffed animals were harmed in the making of this post)
Lisa xx

Monday, January 28, 2013

Never Lose Your Sense Of Wonder....

Hello all you wonderful and crafty people and welcome back to my blog.
Let me first start by saying that this project is for Squigglefly who is hosting an inspiring challenge this week of Have A Heart! 
Show us something with hearts.  
I was so happy to receive this little image called Strut Your Stuff by artist Lynne Stansbery and as soon as I saw it, I knew she couldn't be contained on a card. Her personality and spunk had to go BIG!
Following the image's loud and proud lead, I used a cutting file from the Silhouette Studio called 3D Platform Stiletto Box and then went bonkers.  I chose to color her in Copic shades of red as I see red being a very assertive and positive color. Some may view this hue with angry connotations like, "I'm seeing red" but for me that simply means you have awareness and clarity; albeit, of an unfortunate situation. 
This tiny tot has sass and certainly a drive of wonder and curiosity and she carries herself with confidence. This doesn't mean she won't take four steps and trip in those heels, but the moral of the situation is that she dared to try. That attribute comes from the heart and fuels the soul and I this is how I wanted to portray her and along the way, encourage myself to always wear my own pair of hypothetical red stilettos.  Because good grief, let's be real, stilettos with yoga pants are a complete fashion faux pas! 
So whether you're a red stiletto, thigh high black leather, kit shicker wearin' or all out combat boot type of person, Strut Your Stuff and certainly NEVER lose your sense of wonder!
Please join us at Squigglefly and show us some hearts too. Also, stay tuned for our newest artist Gayle Search joining Squigglefly in February!
Thank you so much for your visit and I hope you're leaving with some inspiration.
Hugs n' Happy Crafting,
Lisa xx

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Tag, You're It!

I'm starting to understand why people love making tags...these little buggers are so much fun! I'm not partial to designing them because I'm never certain of the balance. I see so many gorgeous ones out in blog world and when I received my image from our sponsor Meljen's Designs titled Tied Tag, BAM....the spontaneity just went bonkers.  I joke with a few of my blog buddies (cough Alyce, clear throat, cough Tracy) that they include everything PLUS the kitchen sinks on their cards and always look amazing, but paybacks are due. If you look closely you'll find the end of a can opener and to the right of that the cord sticking out from the waffle maker. Kidding....those aren't really there, but there is lots of stuff!
I like where this little tag took me and includes 2 extra tags and a cute little play on words. Might be a fun addition to a Valentine's present. 
Please join us at Make It Monday for our newest linky party and see what my fellow teammates have been up to as well as who they chose for their Picks Of The Week!
Speaking of...
I'm jealous, one..because this little Saturated Canary image is out playing in the snow and two, because she has a baby elephant to play with! Such a wonderful wintry scene that Sandra has created here with snowflakes all over...LOVE it! Pop over to blog here to see the whole card.

I'm giddy you stopped in and I hope you're all doing well.
Hugs n' Happy Stamping,
Lisa xx


Saturday, January 26, 2013

Wood You B Mine?

The concept was great, but I'm not sure it came to fruition with this card.  I still love the rustic, masculine aspects about it, but I'll gladly take suggestions for bettering the outcome.
This is my card for Our Creative Corner where Lili is again hosting this week's challenge theme of
Use Woodgrain!  You may use a technique to simulate woodgrain, or use designer paper, or an actual piece of wood! But the woodgrain needs to be there. You also have to use at least one button.
I decided to layer my cardstock with a book page and then stamped out, using the TH magnetic tree, on the cover and reveal wood embossing from the negative space of the tree. Using the actual cut out, I've placed it atop other white powder embossed trees from SU! Lovely As a Tree Set.   Oh and of course a little Stickles heart because it's asking the question, "Wood you B Mine?"
This would be a super time to make a masculine Valentine card for your squeeze so come on over to Our Creative Corner and share in the fun.
Thanks so much for your visit.
Hugs n' Happy Stamping,
Lisa x

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Owl Always Be Yours...

Dutch Dare Card Challenges is hosting the theme of Winged Things this week and thank you goes out to Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps for sponsoring this week with this cute little image Opal Owl.  
I decided to play around with copics and the colorless blender and had a great time creating black and white polka dots on this little hoot that is sending a message of love. The inside of the card says, "Owl Always Be Yours." Awww.....
Thank you for your visit and come on over and join in the Winged Things Challenge.
Hugs n' Happy Stamping,
Lisa xx

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

He REALLY exists.....

Now don't go fainting on me ya'll....but you might want to sit down for this one!  
Dr. Digi's House of Stamps has created the, I'm getting light headed just getting ready to type it, the PERFECT man!!  Forget you Fabio with your bulging biceps and long wavy mane of immaculate hair and a six pack that won't quit, you ain't got nothing compared to Derek here.  I wasn't sure I'd live long enough to see the day, but here he is in all his glory.  The 'honey do' checklist completed and a bucket o' chocolate at the ready! There won't be any sleeping on the couch for this studly hubby tonight.  
Wouldn't this be the perfect card for a man to give to his special squeeze?
Hope you've enjoyed meeting Dunderton Decorators Ltd from Dr. Digi's House of Stamps.
Thank you so much for your very appreciated visit.
Hugs n' Happy Creating,
Lisa xx

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Gimme Gimme Layers....

Who doesn't love layers? I love layers of chocolate in a cake, I love layers of cash when I'm crafty shopping and I certainly love layers on a card! So YEAH that Top Tip Tuesday is hosting this round of a challenge with Lavishly Luscious Layers!  This card has my lucky number of 13 layers all set together to show off the ever fabulous looking JJ from Bugaboo Stamps. You can find her here if you fancy, for the month of February.
This would be the perfect time to use up some of your scraps too! So come on down to Top Tip Tuesday and be in the running for prizes from the gracious Sponsors; Bugaboo Stamps and Fred She Said!  Also, don't forget to leave your TIPS!  
Thank you so much for stopping in today and I hope you're week is going well.
Hugs n' Happy Layering...
Lisa xx

Monday, January 21, 2013

Countrified Lovin'...

This is picnic in the meadow meets country cozy for Valentine's Day. 
Another set of incredibly versatile and fun cutting files from none other than The Cutting Cafe.
The outside of the card uses 3 sets of files for the card base, I heart U and polka dot heart.

HEART LACE SHAPED CARD ...TEMPLATE - CUTTING FILE 

I've added a fun gingham bow with a ribbon latch, red pearls, baker's twine and paper pierced for faux stitching.
Here's the inside...(which I wrote in, so sorry it's only a close up)

The inside uses more of the Fun With Hearts and the duplicated I and U is another set from
  The Cutting Cafe called 

VALENTINE MINI SENTIMENTS BACKGROUNDS

I stamped in bunches with my own mini alphabet stamp set.
Check out the amazing and affordable printable and print and cut files and while you're there, see the other spectacular Valentine makes from my talented teammates! 


Thanks for visiting,
Hugs n' Happy Cutting...
Lisa xx

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Chase Your Dreams....

Welcome back ya'll! 
I have an inspirational shadow box to share with you today for the newest Make It Monday linky party  Our sponsor this week is the ever incredible Bugaboo and this time around I chose one of their quotes to use on my project, titled, Chase Your Dreams.  
This shadow box is made from a 12x12 piece of cardstock. To stiffen it up a bit, once folded, I painted on a layer of Gesso and it gave it a nice sturdiness.  
Nine little handmade flowers made with Stampin' Up! punches


My cutting machine is not liking the texture of my black cardstock, either that, or I don't have it on the correct setting, so you can see a few "snags" in the silhouette images, but this was my 4th attempt to cut them out and well...I think it works just fine.  I thought the little girl chasing a butterfly would be perfect and the sentiment above and the single butterfly all come from the Silhouette Studio Store. 

Hope you've enjoyed this project and it's given you some creative ideas.  
Now for the fun part....my,
What is it about "Having One of Those Days?" cards that crack me up? It might be because I can pretty much relate to each of them! Had the best giggle with Billie's card here and just had to share it as my Pick Of The Week! Thanks so much for sharing this with Make It Monday!

Come share you makes with us at Make It Monday, check out my teammates ever creative makes, and you could be in the running for the prize from Bugaboo for 7 digital images of your choice!
Hugs n' Happy Crafting,
Lisa xx

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Living On The Edge...

Our Creative Corner is kicking out yet another inventive challenge for us this week and the idea comes from the brilliant mind of Lili, our very own crafter extraordinaire. There are a few steps to this challenge and here they are. 1) Create a card or project with a decorative EDGE. 2)  Your creation MUST be entirely WHITE. 3) Sentiment can be ANY color you want and lastly, 4) All embellishments MUST be white and if you're using rhinestones, they need to be silver.   So, here is my card of many white layers that includes, white cardstock, white stitching, white graph paper, white crimped cardboard, a white doily rosette, white pearls and a handmade crocheted banner of hearts, white button, white twine and a white shipping tag.
We have had so many wonderful entries lately and the inspiration and inventive creativity never ceases to amaze me, so come join us and try out this wonderful Decorative Edge challenge with a TWIST. We'd love to see it and while you're there, you'll no doubt leave with immense rejuvenation once you see what my clever teammates have crafted at Our Creative Corner.
Thanks for stopping in and I hope you have a very wonderful week!
Hugs n' Happy Crafting,
Lisa xx

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

It All Started With Tax Evasion...

Everybody loves a good romance and this darling couple, Morris and Mildred take the cake!
30 year old Mildred was swept off her feet by 92 year old Morris and their friendship bloomed into love after their first "smooch." So I thought it fitting to place them center stage on a SMOOCH shaped card from The Cutting Cafe.  The lips come with the set too!
Now, back to the story...

You see Mildred was engaged to to Morris' younger brother Stanley and one week before their enchanted wedding, Stanley was arrested for tax evasion and went to jail, directly to jail and couldn't even pass go.
The townsfolk were mortified as Stanley was always such a fine upstanding citizen and he had just recently purchased a monopoly of  abandoned shops on Boardwalk with the intention to remodel and bring in a strip mall.  No one was more horrified than poor Mildred.
But time passed and her friendship with Stanley's older brother, much older, flourished into a romance of trust, love and diligently filing taxes every year.  
The two were wed on Stanley's release date from jail and spent the next 2 weeks in Fiji for their honeymoon.
Stanley on the other hand, accessed his Swiss bank account and bought a small island and was never seen or heard from again....
Thank you AGAIN, goes out to Dr. Digi's House Of Stamps for creating the most creative and humorous digital images that really leave the possibilities endless....
Stop on by his store and see the latest releases and grab this little cute couple Morris and Mildred for yourselves.
Hugs n' Happy Filing Your Tax Returns,
Lisa xx

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Home Is Where The Heart Is...(and the candy!)

Hello everyone :)  Welcome to my little house..literally. This isn't just any home, it's a Valentine Heart box that holds candy!  Thanks to the amazingly affordable printable stamps and cutting files at The Cutting Cafe, I've assembled the cutting file, Heart Tic Tac Box with the adorable Front Door Shaped Card cutting file.  
The Valentine wreath also comes with the Front Door cutting file and even if you don't have a cutting machine, these shapes are easily cut by hand as well.  The heart sentiment is also included in the Front Door file from The Cutting Cafe.
Here's the backside of the house that includes a heart window in the Heart Tic Tac Box file.  I've added a clear window so the candy won't fall out as well as a Tree Swing from Echo Park in the Silhouette Cutting Studio. The Hanging Lamp Post is from Alaa Studio.
The roof I designed myself by measuring the dimensions of the box opening and then adding 1/4" to each side to allow for a crease, cut and fold lid.  Then folding white cardstock to a point and mounting to lid, I then added shingles.  The fence is a free SVG from Birds Cards.
Here I've added slits into the lid portion so that I could run twine handles up and through to make carrying the little house easy and keep the candy inside!
Here's a little look at the roof dismantled for easy candy filling!!
This week at The Cutting Cafe, the fabulous design team are highlighting incredible Valentine ideas and you won't want to miss them! Remember, you don't need a cutting machine to accomplish this, so please stop by and have a looksie for yourself.
Thanks so much for stopping by today.
Hugs n' Happy Crafting...
Lisa xx

Monday, January 14, 2013

I Choose You...

This image is so wonderful. 
It's called Oh, Please Be Mine from the ever amazing artist Lynne Stansbery and  fits perfectly for our challenge over at Squigglefly of Winter Blues. You can make a winter themed card or a card that focuses on the color blue or combine the two.  I decided that the wonderful image needed to be the very prominent feature so I pierced holes all the way around the die cut heart and crocheted a blue frame. Added several blue variation flowers and a matching sentiment at the bottom. The heart is actually mounted on foam squares so that it can be removed and hung anywhere that the recipient chooses.  
So many terrific options to choose from on this challenge so we'd love for you to visit. Here's one more bit of  handy dandy news too.
Squigglefly Reward Program
The reward program is free to join and is a great way to earn free images. For every $15.00 you spend you will earn a free image. You can use the free image immediately, or save up and go for a big splurge one day. They never expire. Another thing that's really great is that if you are just now finding out about the rewards program, and you've already purchased images - Squigglefly will credit you any money spent in the current month! So stop in and see the incredible images from Lynne Stansbery and ALL the other fabulous array of talented artists!
Have a brilliant and creative day,
Lisa xx

Sunday, January 13, 2013

When Life Brings Rain...

Hello hello hello! 
Gosh, just wanted to say thank you for all the wonderful comments you all left on my Shabby Chic project. I really appreciated that so much.
Okay, on with the show for Make It Monday. :)

First time I've ever had the backside of an image to color and this little cutie was a bit tricky for me, but I've tried to make it look like she's heading outside. Hind sight being what it is and all, it escapes me why I didn't just put her in front of a door..duh.  Anyway, the sentiment I made on my PC and that still seems quite  fitting for A Little Girl With Umbrella from our terrific and NEW sponsor Milk N Coffee.  Our randomly chosen winner for this new linky party happening over at Make It Monday will win 3 digi's of their choice.  Hope you enjoy the card.
Now for my....
Absolutely striking combination of colors, LOOVE that Raspberry Ripple with the contrasting black and the cool white. A terrific job of layering and all the fun designs on the DP. Beautiful card Sandy and thank you so much for sharing it with us this week!

Thank you for your visit and I hope you have a good week.
Hugs n' Happy Stamping,
Me xx

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Got Shabby?

Hello to you! 
Welcome back again to my little crafty spot in the world.  
Today I've got a crazy project for you that is inspired by the current challenge over at Our Creative Corner where Sharon is hosting this weeks theme of 
SHABBY CHIC!
I've taken several pictures to explain the process.



VERY IMPORTANT STEP here...
At this point, make sure you have an entire box of nicely organized hardware sitting just at the edge of your desk. With your elbow, ever so skillfully, shove that sucker right off onto the floor and watch as 200+ pieces scatter across the floor and into your carpet!
Then proceed...


Thank you again Mitra....LOVING those Scrabble pieces :)




And there you have it.  A very inexpensive, Shabby Chic holder that hangs on the wall to inspire you.  
Hope you've enjoyed your visit and please check out the incredible creations from my teammates at Our Creative Corner and see the excellent definition of Shabby Chic as described by our host, Sharon.
Hugs n' Happy Crafting,
Lisa xx

Challenges I would love to enter this project into:
Anything But a Card - Things With Wings (Birds and Butterfly)