SURPRISE!!!

Stamps: Surprise by Elisabeth Bell for SCACD; Studio G sentiment;

Cardstock: Hobby Lobby; Papers: DCWV Christmas Stack; Ink: Memento;

Coloring medium: Prismacolor markers; Embellishments:

 EK Success corner punch; Basic Grey pearls; Prima Hibiscus flowers;

 Button from stash; MS Doily Lace Punch;

Best Occasions adhesive rhinestone accents

Okay...I don't really have any surprises to report, but Surprise is the name of the precious stamp that I used on today's card:o)  Isn't she pretty?  She is from the Special Edition Ornament Collection by Elisabeth Bell for Susana's Custom Art and Card Design.  If you haven't seen this lovely and unique set, you really should check it out.  Most of the stamps are ornaments; but the cool thing about them is, you can mask out the ornament and use the image within it.  So...it's like having two stamps in one.  Ya gotta love that!!  I know I do:o) 

I also wanted to let you know that Busy Beauties will be releasing some fun, new digis on December 3rd, and we will be celebrating with  a blog hop:o)  All the Busy Beauty Babes will be sharing some sneak peeks of the new images from now until the day of the hop.  We hope you like what you see.

My mother's surgery is in the morning, and she has been worried about it.  I thought I would ask some of you awesome card makers if you would help me cheer her up by sending her some cards.  I know she would love it, and it would make her feel extremely special:o)  If you are interested in doing this, drop me an EMAIL and I will send you her mailing address.

I think I am going to head on outta here.  I think I have caught some kind of a bug from hanging out at the hospitals and doctor's offices with my mother:o}  I will let all of you know how her surgery went tomorrow night.  See ya later!!!

Hugs!!!
Carolyn

Welcome to a New Try It Out Tuesday Challenge!!!

Good Morning!!!  Our Try It Out Tuesday Challenge for this week is..."I've Got the Blues".  You are to create a card/project that includes a stamped image and any mix of blues and one neutral and/or metallic, such as silver or gold.  For my card, I chose to use one of the beautiful images from the Elisabeth Bell Sampler Edition #2  made exclusively for Susana's Custom Art and Card Design.  This charming image is...Cherry Blossom...and since I am part Japanese (actually Okinawan), I fell in love with this exotic beauty right away!  I selected a Paper Studio DP called Cute Blue Patchwork to show the varied shades of blue.  For my neutral color, I chose white; and for my metallic color, I selected a pretty copper card stock called Penny Paper by DCWV.  Miss Blossom was heat embossed and colored with Prismacolor markers.  A touch of Stickles was added to the blossoms on her wonderful outfit.  You know me...I am addicted to the sparkly stuff...even if it is only a little.  The sentiment is computer generated and is pronounced ko-nee-chee-wa.  It means "Hello" in Okinawan...actually, the formal meaning is good afternoon, but many people use it more loosely as an hello:o)  I know the card is pretty bad, but time did not permit me to make another one:o(  Sorry!!!  I will do better next week...that is, if all goes well with mom's surgery this Thursday.  Please, say a prayer for her if you can.

I hate to cut this post short, but I have another long day ahead of me.  I do hope you plan to join in on the fun and play along with us in this week's challenge!  Remember to use the keyword/tag TIOT44 when uploading your masterpiece to SCS or PCP.

Have a fabulous Tuesday!!!

Hugs!!!
Carolyn

Operation Write Home Blog Hop Winners!!

Any Hero Card

Image is God Bless Ewe

by Heather Dennis

Card Layout inspired by Kwerner Design

Good evening!!!  I hope your Monday was nice and painless:o)  I had planned to post the winners earlier today, but my mother's appointment lasted a lot longer than I thought it would.  She is having her surgery first thing Thursday morning, and today's appointment was to make sure all was okay to move forward.  Fortunately, she has been given the green light.

Now, for the winners of the OWH Veteran's Day Blog Hop:

Grand Prize Winner of 2 Busy Beauty Boutique digi stamps of her choice and 1 Fresh Brewed Designs digi stamp of her choice is......
Maggie
Timestamp: 2009-11-16 22:34:59 UTC

Winner of a Busy Beauty Boutique digi stamp of her choice is...

Patty K

Timestamp: 2009-11-16 22:37:21 UTC

Winner of a Fresh Brewed Designs digi stamp of her choice is...
Karen
Timestamp: 2009-11-16 22:41:50 UTC

Congratulations, ladies!!!  Please contact me with your Busy Beauty Boutique selections, and contact Heather for your Fresh Brewed Designs selections.  Thank you for participating in the OWH Veteran's Day Blog Hop and for showing your love and support for our nations heroes!!!!

Here is the digi that I used on today's cards, and it was created by the super sweet and incredibly talented Heather Dennis.  Feel free to copy this image and use it for future Any Hero cards:o)  Thank you, Heather darling!!!!:o) 

Today's cards are going to be sent to Operation Write Home.  They are Any Hero Cards, and I plan to create a card or two each week...along with some Valentine cards to send to our courageous and selfless soldiers far from home.  I have been wanting to do this for quite some time, but it took the OWH blog hop to give me the jumpstart I needed.  If you would like to send some Any Hero Cards, you can send them to OWH anytime.  If you would like to make a few Valentine cards, you have until January 5th, 2010.  I truly hope you will be able to help our nation's heroes send some Valentine's love to their loved ones.  OWH also accepts handmade birthday cards, thinking of you cards, anniversary cards, etc...all the time and everyday!!!  Have a great night, my friends!!!

Hugs!!

Carolyn

Any Hero Card

Image is God Bless Ewe

by Heather Dennis

Card Layout inspired by Kwerner Design

Remembering Our Heroes!!!

Good morning!!!  I hope you are having a nice, relaxing Saturday:o)  Today, many of us are participating in the Operation Write Home Veteran's Day Blog Hop, and you should have arrived here from the bombshell of a blog~ Art Loves Chaos.  If you arrived here first, you will want to hop on over to the beginning of this heartfelt hop to honor our nation's heroes at the OWH Homefront Blog.

Any Hero Card

Image is Strawberry Lolita (variation without strawberries)

from Busy Beauties Boutique

Today, I have a few cards to share with you.  The first two are Any Hero Cards.  These are cards meant for soldiers who are about to go out on a mission...soldiers who receive very little mail from home...and for soldiers who need a boost.  These are those notes to let them know we care about them, support them, and are thinking and praying for them here at home.  Many of the cards we create for OWH are designed for them to send to a loved one, but these are especially for them!!  I really love this!!!  For all that these men and women to do for us, the least we could do is send them some love and encouragement from home.  I think I will be creating at least one Any Hero Card each week.  I cannot think of a better reason to create a card...can you?

Valentine Card for Operation Write Home

Image is Bubbly Beauty Cameo

from Busy Beauties Boutique

The next few cards are Valentines for our heroes to send home to someone they {{HEART}}.  Dontcha just love Valentines:o)  If you would like to send some Valentines to our troops, and help them send some love to their loved ones...the deadline for sending them to OWH is January 5th, 2010.  

Valentine Card Interior for Bubbly Beauty Cameo Card

Image is Bubbly Beauty Accessory Set 

from Busy Beauties Boutique

Valentine Card for Operation Write Home

Image is Some Bunny (soon-to-be released)

from Fresh Brewed Designs

The last two Valentine Cards wer created using the ADORABLE images found at my darlin' Heather's shop~ Fresh Brewed Designs!!!  She has the sweetest images!!!

Valentine Card for Operation Write Home

Image is Love Mug 1 2 

from Fresh Brewed Designs

The above image is called~ God Bless Ewe, and Heather made it especially to be used for today's hop and for creating some Any Hero creations:o)  She is such a sweetheart!!!  This precious image is not yet available in her store; BUT, you can pick it up here for FREE!!!  Yep!

I also wanted you to know that all those who leave a comment on this post will be given three chances to win some digis of their choice.  One grand prize winner will receive two free digis of his/her choice...one image from the Busy Beauties Boutique and one image from Fresh Brewed Designs...one winner will receive a digi of his/her choice from the Busy Beauties Boutique, and one winner will receive a digi of his/her choice from Fresh Brewed Designs.  The three winners from the commenters on my blog will be posted on Monday, November 16th.  If you would like to boost your chances at winning, make sure you stop by and visit the blogs of the following ladies:

Heather

Catherine

Carmen

Kelly

Rhonda

Each of them will be offering the same blog prizes to three randomly chosen winners from today's commenters.

Before I go, I would like to THANK all the wonderful folks at Operation Write Home and all the generous and talented paper crafters who help our nation's heroes stay in touch with their loved ones!!!  This means a great deal to me because I have a brother who is currently serving in Iraq, and a son who will be heading to Iraq the beginning of next year.  It touches my heart to think...I may be receiving a card created by one of you:o)  How proud I am to be an American!!!!

Now, hop on over to Holly's lovely and inspiring blog.  While you are there...stop and have a look around...her creations are FABULOUS!!!

Thank you for dropping by:o)  I hope your weekend is filled with happiness, love, and relaxation!!!!

Hugs!

Carolyn

Fun with Fresh Brewed Designs!!!

Image by Heather Dennis for

Fresh Brewed Designs

Digi Stamp is titled Snow Friends

Using Hanah's Sketch and Color Challenge

Happy Friday!!!  As Madea would say..."Halleluyer!!!"  Today, the beautiful and super-duper-mega-talented Heather is releasing some new stamps in her awesome shop- Fresh Brewed Designs:o)  Ususally, she has a mini-hop to showcase her adorable images, but this week she is having a release with a twist.  Still, there will be lots of fun to be had by all!!!  First, there is a sketch and color challenge that will last from today until Sunday night.  Below is the precious sketch that Heather's wonderfully talented daughter, Hannah, has created for us to play with.  Isn't this sketch fun?!?  I love it and all the creativity behind it.

According to Heather, Hannah whipped up a few of these awesome sketches...I cannot wait to see what she has planned for us next:o)  In Heather's words..."some of Hannah's sketches would make your brain twist"...sounds like a fun challenge to me!!!  Along with the sketch, Hannah has also issued us a color challenge...RED...YELLOW...PINK.  I love that she chose colors that are predominantly associated with springtime...talk about pretty, cheerful colors for a fun wintertime creation!  To add to the fun, you can either use the sketch...the color challenge...or combine the two:o)  Just HAVE FUN!!!  The sketch/color challenge starts today and will end Sunday night.  You are not required to use a Fresh Brewed Designs image; but if you have one, why not color it up and play along:o)  Since the images being released today are winter-themed...snowmen to be exact...we do ask that you use something in your stash with a similar feel.  A winner will be selected from all the challenge participants, and the lucky person will receive some Fresh Brewed digis of his/her choice.  I do hope you will be able to play along with us this weekend for FBD's Release Challenge:o)

Image by Heather Dennis for

Fresh Brewed Designs

Digi Stamp is titled Snow Friends

Using Hanah's Color Challenge

Before I go, don't forget to check out tomorrow's Operation Write Home Veteran's Day Blog Hop.  It starts at 12 PM PST (3 PM EST).  This hop is more than just blog browsing and prizes...every person participating in the hop will be sending their creations (Any Hero cards...messages meant to be given to a soldier with words of esteem and encouragement...and handmade cards for soldiers to send their loved ones) to bring a bit of cheer into the lives of many soldiers far from home and the loved ones who miss them.  I sure hope you will be able to take part in this meaningful event!!

Well, I have tons of things to do...I better get on outta here...or they will never get done:o}  The older I get, the more I hate to iron!!!  I just let the clothes pile up...hoping they will miraculously iron themselves I suppose...then find myself swamped when I finally get around to it...UGH!!!  Sorry for the impromptu rant...it's called me typing out loud...that is one of the chores waiting for me this rainy and cold Friday morning, and I am already dreading it.  Anyhoo, have a delightful Friday!!!  I'll be thinking of you while I iron:o)

Hugs!!!
Carolyn

An SCACD Blog Hop Featuring the New Elisabeth Bell Sampler Edition #2!!!

Image by Elisabeth Bell for SCACD
from the Elisabeth Bell Sampler Edition #2
Stamp name: Boho Chic
(You can click on images for a more detailed view)

Good morning and welcome to the Spicealicious Blog Hop featuring the new Elisabeth Bell Sampler Edition #2 made exclusively for Susana's Custom and Card Design!! Are you ready to see samples of these awesome, one-of-a-kind stamps?  Silly question right?;o)  Well, if you arrived here from the lovely and talented Suzanne's blog, then you are on the right track.  However, if you came upon my post first, then you are going to want to head on over to Jennifer's scrumptious blog...and while you are there, wish her a Happy Belated Birthday:o)  Her birthday was earlier this week. 

For my first card, I used the rockin' image Boho Chic.  Isn't she cool?!?  I love her awesome catwalk pose!!!  The layout for the card front is from Sketch Saturday #76; and with all the added bits of bling, it also qualifies for the challenge at Allsorts, which is "Bring Out Your Bling." 

Image by Elisabeth Bell for SCACD

from the Elisabeth Bell Sampler Edition #2

Stamp name: Fashionista
(You can click on images for a more detailed view)

Although I was assigned to showcase Boho Chic, I went a little crazy and colored the stylish shopping gal Fashionista.  The sketch is from this week's Midnight Madness Challenge (MMSC27).  I thought these two images went together very well and decided to make a set of cards for my trendsetting niece.  I love that these images can be used to create cards for someone my age, as well as a trendy teenager.  Gotta love a set of images that allows you to create and send love to just about everyone on your card list!!!  I know there is an image in this set that I am going to use for my hubby's Valentine...the caption is going to say..."Let's get Physical".  Hahahaha!!!  I know!  I know!  Too much information!!!  And yes, my face is red:o)  So, on that note...I am going to head on out of here.  Your next stop on the spicealicious hop is the sweet and incredibly talented Susan.  And just a note...if you see any stamps you like on this hippety-hop, they will be available for sale at 6 AM EST right HERE.

(You can click on images for a more detailed view)
Just in case you get sidetracked on your happy hopping adventure, here is the hop order:

Jennifer

Dianne

Suzanne

me:o)

Susan

Anki

Lorelie

Danni

Aud

I can't wait to play along in the hop...I want to ogle the creations of my DT sisters!!!  Their paperlicious masterpieces always fill me with inspiration...along with filling my ever growing wish list;o)  I'll have to check it all out when I get back from my mom's doctor appointment. Have a wonderful Thursday!!!!

HUGS!!!

Carolyn

Card Ingredients:
Card 1:
STAMP~ Boho Chic by Elisabeth Bell Sampler Edition #2 for SCACD
PAPER~ Cardstock from Hobby Lobby; DP from DCWV-Rock Queen Mat Stack; metallic DP from DCWV-Metallic Paper Stack (Silver Paper)
INK~ Memento-Tuxedo Black
ADDITIONAL GOODIES~ fibres, lace and ribbon from stash, Prima flowers, Spare Parts red gemstones, Silver Stickles, Diamond Glaze, Cuttlebug embossing folder-Argyle, Nesties Ovals-Classic large and Scalloped large   

Card 2:
STAMP~ Fashionista by Elisabeth Bell Sampler Edition #2 for SCACD
PAPER~ Cardstock from Hobby Lobby; DP from DCWV-Rock Queen Mat Stack
INK~ Memento-Tuxedo Black
ADDITIONAL GOODIES~ fibres, lace and ribbon from stash, Prima flowers, Spare Parts red gemstones, Silver Stickles, Diamond Glaze, mini black brads, Making Memories-metal photo corners, silver star brads  

Try It Out Tuesday #43...Create a Scene!!!

(:You can click on the image for a more detailed view:)

It is that time again...time for another Try It Out Tuesday:o) Our challenge this week is to Create a Scene!!!   You are to use background stamps...dies...punches...whatever you like, as long as you are creating a scene to accompany your main image.  For my card, I chose to use the wonderful and wintery stamp by Victoria Case for SCACD ~Snow Fun~ from the Winter Wonderland Collection.  For the card front, I used the fabulous sketch at the wonderful Sketch and Stash Challenge Blog.  To honor part of the challenge requirements...I used my new stamp and my poor, neglected Swell Noel DP by K&Company.  I know there is no scene on the front of the card...I don't have any background stamps...so, I chose to create a simple scene within the card.  I pretty much CASEd a pop up card design that I found on the Country Living website HERE.  It starts on photo 13 of the slideshow.  I loved the look of the soft blues and crisp whites...plus, it was super easy to whip up...and I love simple:o)  Once again, I used the darling image~Snow Fun, and just popped up the triangular trees and the image.  Then, I added the Polar White Flower Soft and the sentiment.  Since I used the snowflake punches and fake snow, I will also be able to play along with this week's challenge over at Cupcake Craft Challenge (Snow Much Fun)...and since there is stamping, I can play along with the Crafty Cardmakers Challenge (Stamp Something).   By the way, did you notice the loopy looking slanted tree?  TIMBER!!!  I didn't until I uploaded the photos:o}  DOH!!!  Must have been struck by lightning or something...hahaha!!!  No worries, it has been fixed and is now standing tall and proud;o)

(:You can click on the image for a more detailed view:o)

I hope you have a wonderful Tuesday and plan to play along with this week's challenge. All you have to do is upload your creation to PCP or SCS and tag it with the keyword TIOT43. Also, don't forget to check out THIS post!!! You could be the lucky winner of an incredibly yummy prize package:o) Now, you must head on over to the delightfully inspirational blogs of my DT sisters...and be prepared for some brilliant eye candy!!!

Hugs!
Carolyn

SCACD Blog Candy, 3 French Hens, and a Sketch

Happy Monday all my paper crafting friends!!! I hope your weekend was warm, cozy, and filled with love:o) I enjoyed the company of many wonderful friends over the weekend. Although all the visits took place through phone calls, it was just as nice as if they were right here with me. Okay, it probably would have been a bit better if we could have shared a cup of hot chocolate in person; but if that isn't a possibility, sharing a cuppa over the phone is the next best thing:o)

Today's post is going to be a quick one.  I can almost hear the sound of relief from y'all...hahaha!!!  I have an appointment to go to this morning, so I can't go off on my typical boring rants.  Aren't you lucky...my poor hubby will have to be the one pestered with my babbling;o)  Who am I kidding?  Like me, he has mastered the art of selective hearing.  For the above card, I used the beautiful and sweet, image 3 French Hens.  It is from the Elisabeth Bell Special Edition Ornament Collection made exclusively for Susana's Custom Art & Card Design.  I have used this precious image A LOT...cuz I love it so!!!  The wonderful sketch is from Friday's sketch at Taylored Expressions (TESC90).  I have been a long time subscriber to her blog...actually, she is the person who inspired me to purchase my first set of stamps...Like It Latte from SU.  Needless to say, she has created a stampin' monster!!!;o)  Anyhoo, it has been a very long time since I have participated in her weekly challenge; and when I saw this sketch, I knew it was high time I started playing again!  Don't you just love those sketches that get your creativity flowing?  I certainly do!!!

I also wanted to mention that the fun blog candy starts today over at the SCACD store blog and ends on November 11th at 10PM EST.  The lucky winner will be announced thirty minutes after the candy's closing at 11 PM EST (same night), and he or she will win one full sheet of the new Elisabeth Bell for SCACD images, a 6x6 pad of Basic Grey's Indian Summer paper, along with some other yummy goodness.  Also, don't forget to mark your calendars...the new Elisabeth Bell images designed exclusively for SCACD will be released on November 12th, and we will be celebrating the release with a fun blog hop!!!!!! 

Have a wonderful Monday my paper crafting pals!!!  I will see you tomorrow morning with this week's Try It Out Tuesday Challenge.  Thank you for dropping by, and BIG {{{HUGS}}} to you all!!!!

Lotsa Love,
Carolyn

Are You Ready for Another Fresh Brewed Blog Hop!!!

Hello again:o) It is time for a Fresh Brewed Designs Blog Hop:o) YYYYAAAAYYYY!!!! If you arrived here first, then you are in the right place...cuz I am the first stop on this hippety-hop:o)  Today, we will be showcasing the brand spanking new Angel Cake images by the sweet and wonderful Heather!! As with all of Heather's hops, there will be a generous prize awarded on Heather's blog, and one lucky commenter from each of the blogs particpating in the hop will receive an image of his/her choice from the Fresh Brewed Designs Shop. All winners will be selected via random.org.

For today's card, I used the adorable Ice Skater Angel Cake:o)  Isn't she the cutest in her flouncy, little dress?  I love her, and she is soooo much fun to color!!!  I have another, more wintery, version of her that I will be showing later this month...along with a few other angelic sweeties from this fabulous collection.  I colored her with Prismacolor markers, and the DP is by K&Company...one of my most favorite paper companies.  The card's layout was inspired by the fun sketch from this week's Midnight Madness Challenge (MMSC26).  The ribbons are from my stash...the flowers are by Heidi Grace...and the pearl brads are by Spare Parts.

Here is today's blog hop list, so you can drool over more of these awesome Angel Cakes by some truly inspirational ladies:

Me:o)  Thanks so very much for dropping by!!!!

Sharon

Mary

Jenn

Rhonda

Heather

So, now you are to hop on over to Sharon's incredible blog and see the lovely creation she has made with these adorable Angel Cakes!!!  Have a fabulous Friday and a wonderlicious weekend!!!!  Later, gators;o)

Hugs!!
Carolyn

Try It Out Friday!!

Good morning my stamping friends!!! Yes, it has been way too long since I last posted.  I guess it has taken me a little while to get used to the idea that my baby isn't with me anymore.  I can say that he is enjoying Hawaii...he got married while he was home...which means I now have a daughter:o) and he is planning to take scuba lessons.  Sounds like he is having a great time!!!  Still, I can tell he misses home...he has called everyday since he left; and on most days, he has called at least twice.  How I wish Hawaii wasn't so very far away...I'd be taking scuba lessons with him;o)

Okay, I know you didn't stop by to hear my babbling.  You came by to see what this week's Try It Out Tuesday Friday is all about.  Well, if you love sketches as much as I do, then you are going to LOVE this week's challenge!!!  Suzanne has a wonderful sketch for us to follow, so head on over to the store blog to check it out!!!  For the card, I used the adorable Kringlet:o)  I absolutely adore this sweet, sweet image!!!  I plan on participating in the Operation Write Home Blog Hop on the 14th, and I think I will use this precious image for the Valentine's cards I plan to send.  Dontcha just love a versatile image?  I sure do!!!

Well, I am going to head on out of here for now...BUT, I will be back in just a few for the Fresh Brewed Designs Blog Hop.  I hope you will stop by and see the fabulous, new images the beautiful and talented Heather has in store for us...plus, there will be prizes!!  I also wanted to pass on some more wonderful news....the new Elisabeth Bell images designed exclusively for SCACD will be released on November 12th, and we will be celebrating the release with a fun blog hop!!!  You know what that means right?  There will be some awesome goodies up for grabs on the store blog from November 9th thru the 11th.  One lucky person will win one full sheet of the new images, a 6x6 pad of Basic Grey's Indian Summer paper, along with some other yummy goodness.  Don't forget to mark your calendars!!! Have a funtastic Friday, my dears!!!

Love and Hugs!!!
Carolyn