Whatever Goes Wednesday

Did I ever mention I love Wednesdays!! Its the middle of the week so we are getting closer to the weekend and its the new card sketch challenge on the SCS site. I love using their new sketch for my motivation. It helps me use templates I would have never thought of before. So for this card I used their sketch (which is awesome) and also the color challenge which is Elegant Eggplant, Certain Celery, and Cool Caribbean. I also used some beautiful Basic Grey " LilyKate" paper. For the stamp set I used the new Double Line Doodles I got at the SU regionals this past weekend. I really love it!! Especially the little frame. In this card I cut out the middle of the frame and placed a square of Elegant Eggplant behind it to give it more depth. I embossed the sentiment with white EP. I also used stickles on the flower ends and punched out small flowers to pop up in their middles. For those small flowers I added Iridescent Ice EP to them with VersaMark. I finished off with paper piercing, ribbon, and sponging.

Too Cute Tuesday

So I had to make another card using the adorable SAB "Very Punny" set. It was so hard to pick which cute stamp to use. But I settled on the piggy since I wanted to use some scrap pattern paper I had lying around. I thought it would go great with the Tickled Pink Piggy. I watercolored the main images and added crystal effects and dazzling diamond glitter. I tied two pink satin ribbon bows around the patterned paper. I hung two tags with the sentiment and a prima flower from the ribbon. I used the SU Paisley background on Whisper White cardstock for added detail. Other cardstock used was Certain Celery and Pretty in Pink. Then I did some paper piercing and sponged the edges. It sparkles a lot more IRL.

I also wanted to thank you guys for asking about Josh. He is still feeling yucky and I think the medicine is making him more hyper at night. Is that possible or is it my imagination? Hopefully this will pass soon!!

Mail Out Monday

Happy Monday everyone!! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. Its been an hectic one for me since my 2 year old is sick with the cold :( He is getting a little better but his cough still sounds yucky. I did however find a little time to stamp while he was taking his nap. I must admit this SAB set "Very Punny" is the one I was most looking forward in getting the most. I though it was so adorable and cute from the moment I saw it in the catalog. For this card I used the darling lady bug stamp. I colored her in with Prisma colors and added black stickles on her dots. I matted it on SU Certain Celery and did some sponging. I also used Basic Black and Real Red card stock. The patterned paper is from Basic Grey. I added some ribbon and brads. I finished it off with some paper piercing and faux stitching.

Sunday Scoop

I must start by saying that I almost did not make it to the Stampin Up regional show because I could not find the room they were in. The Houston George R Brown convention center is huge and I have been there tons of times but for some reason I had the hardest time finding the area they were presenting at. It was on the third floor in the back area. Luckily I had a nice gentlemen help me find it. Aside from that mishap I had a WONDERFUL time at the Stampin' Up regional. I learn tons of great ideas on how to improve my business and other great techniques I had never seen before. I also met some wonderful ladies that really made the event more enjoyable. I gave them my blog site so hopefully they will keep in touch that way. These are the projects we did using the new set they gave us when we arrived. I love it!! Its called Double Line Doodles. I will post a picture soon. Also keep checking in since I learned a cool folding wallet template that is so cute. I will have a tutorial soon. Well I just wanted to show you guys the projects we did and give you some scoop on how the event went. Hopefully they will come to Houston again since it was a blast. Below are some pictures of examples they brought.

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Fun Friday

Before I go on my way to the Houston Stampin' Up seminar *smile* I wanted to leave you guys with a new post and card. This is another one of the sets I got this week from the mini catalog. It is also a great buy because you can't go wrong with it. It's so easy to make a cute card. I mean who doesn't like hot chocolate or a latte?? For this card I embossed the latte steam with silver embossing powder. I cut out the heart and added some beads and put it on dimensions on top of the coffee cup. I also used the Flannel background on the Blush Blossom card stock because I always relate hot chocolate with a warm flannel blanket. It just makes it more cozy. I added some brads and some hodgepodge. I hung a tag with the sentiment on the hardware with hemp cord. I also used some chocolate patterned paper and stamped the coffee beans on it. I matted it on SU Chocolate Chip. I used some argyle ribbon I bought at Micheal's for a dollar. I am not sure if it matches completely but I wanted to use it. I also used a file folder tab in which I put "a latte" on it. I finished it off with some paper piercing. Well aside from that I also wanted to wish you guys a wonderful weekend !!!

"Tune" In Thursday

There is so much to talk about today!! Let me start with my "tunes" I have added. I hope everyone enjoys them. If you guys have any request just let me know. I must add that the Lifehouse "Everything" was DH's and my wedding song *smile* Now to the the card. I know that I am a little late in getting them but yesterday I got my new Stampin' Up order with my "Carte Postale." I have been dying to order it after seeing such great cards made with it on the SCS site. For the color inspiration I went to the SCS color challenge. I used Chocolate Chip, Cool Caribbean, and Blush Blossom. I added some yummy "Urban Couture" Basic Grey paper that matched the theme and colors perfectly. I then added a designer brad to the main motif. I did some paper piercing and sponging to finish it off. I just love how easy it is to make a great card with this set. Lastly I am so excited because tomorrow I am going to the Stampin' Up convention here in Houston!!! I can hardly wait I don't think I am going to sleep tonight *giggle* I will take lots of pictures and post them up when I get back.

What A Suprise Wednesday

Last night I was looking through all my Micheal dollar stamps when I realized that the cute "Sweetie" cupcake stamp has a small cupcake stamp to match. I bought them in different occasions without even knowing they were the same but in different sizes. *surprise* So that prompted me to make a card with them using the small cupcake as a background for the larger one. I also used some cute BIG bracket stickers to emphasize the main image. I added some stickles on the big and small cupcakes. I added some yummy brads and cute candy paper. I tied some purple organza ribbon and hung a circle heart tag from it. I did some paper piercing and sponged the edges. This card reminds me of a candy store... *yummy*

Questions Answered

First, I want to say that I am finally happy with my banner. Now I want to answer some questions people have been asking about where I got the images for it. I went to istockphoto.com where you pay a small fee to browse there HUGE collection of graphics. It is well worth the price. I paid one dollar for the current image I used on the banner. After I downloaded the image I liked I went to Tutorials by Jennifer where she gives easy step by step instructions on how to create a banner using photoshop. If you guys have any other questions please leave a comment and I will try to help.

Too Cute Tuesday

I finally got around to doing an altered picture frame project. I have seen many beautiful examples on the SCS site and I have always wanted to give one a try. I bought this frame at the dollar store...yippee..with the intentions of altering it. I knew I wanted to make a little boys frame for my son's room. I have had this stash of adorable Basic Grey paper for a while and have been dying to find a great use for it. I pulled out the pack of papers for this project and settled on this cute space ship pattern. I then adhered it with ModgePodge and once it dried I sanded it down. The I found these cute BIG photo corner stickers. I stuck them on some paper and then cut them out. After they were cut I put dimesionals on the back and popped them up on the frame. Then I added some ribbon to the side of the frame and added a cute tag with his name on it. Picking the pictures to use was easy since I have had these three snapshots of a recent vacation ready to be framed. Before I put them in the frame I added some cute sentiment rub-ons directly to the pictures. Then I put it all together and came up with a adorable frame for my son's room. After seeing how fun this was to make I am already on the lookout for some more frames to alter. You can really customize them to fit in any area of your home and to display all those cute pictures.

Hipp-Hippo Ray Its Friday!!

Guess what I got in the mail yesterday. My order of High Hopes stamps!!! They are so adorable. This hippo is my FAV so I had to make a cute girly card last night with it. I stamped the image with Stazon and watercolored the image on watercolor paper. I then added some stickles to her tutu and bow. Then I stamped my SU paisley background on Regal Rose cardstock and sponged the edges. I added some brads on each corner and matted it on Sahara Sand cardstock. Then I found this cute SEI tag and matted it on Chocolate Chip. I added a bow on the top. Then I popped the main image on dimesionals and finished it off with some paper piercing. I love the way the layout turned out. I am going to have to use it more often. Well aside from that I also wanted to wish everyone a great weekend!!!

Happy Valentine's Day

First I want to wish everyone a Happy Valentine's Day!! Then I want to say that I am totally in love with this adorable Whipper Snapper stamp. Its so sweet. I also love the SU Paisley set. I used SU Bordering Blue, Real Red, and Chocolate Chip. I watercolored the main image and added some stickles. I did some paper piercing and added a vellum tag with the word "love" stamped on it. To finish it off I added some heart punches in the middle of the paisleys.

Too Cute Tuesday

I am so ready for Valentine's Day to arrive. I hope the hubby has something nice and romantic planned this year since I think I have mentioned it about 1,000 times *smile* Today I have been at the flower shop all day so I am tired but I wanted to make some cards to sell for walk in customers. (this post was made Monday night) I have been wanting to use my new Whipper Snapper heart mouse stamp and I finally found some time. I watercolored the image and added some stickles on the heart and the mouse's ear. The I layered it on some Chocolate chip SU cardstock and added some brads on the four corners. Then I used my SU On the Spot background which I stamped on Pale Plum cardstock. I also matted it on Choc Chip. Then I tied some ribbon and added a heart clip. I popped the main image on dimensions and sponged the edges. I will probably be gone all day today to so I will be making posts at night.

Drum Roll Please!!

We have a winner!! Tami Moreno was picked out by my son Josh. Yippeee!! Just send me your address at anammontoya@hotmail.com

In other news I am about to pass out from making Valentine's Day gift baskets for my mother- in-law's flower shop. She brought over tons of plants and ivy and wicker baskets to fill with lotions, candles, candy, and teddy bears. It was fun at first but after the twentieth basket I was over the excitement.

This is just half of the baskets

I also wanted to ask if anyone has any tips on how to paste your banner in your HTML blogger template. I am about to pull my hair out with frustration. errrrrr Thanks Ana

Please excuse my header. I am trying out new images but it will take me a while to get it right:( Not great with HTML. I will let you guys know when I am happy with the results.

Friday Blog Candy

There is so much to celebrate today on Inkastamp!! He have hit the 35,000 hits mark and Valentine's Day is around the corner!! Yippee!! I think all this excitement needs some blog candy action. I just love giving away stamps and reading all the comments you guys leave. I really appreciate the time you take out to read my blog. For this giveaway all you have to do is leave a comment telling me what your favorite gift/flower for Valentine's Day is. I will start it out by saying my favorite flower to receive on V-day are Peonies. I also love to go out to eat Sushi with my hubby. Don't forget to leave your name. The winner will be announced Saturday at 9:00p.m Good Luck and Happy Weekend

Flower Power Thursday

Aside from photography and stamping I also really enjoy flower arranging. My mother-in-law has a flower shop and I often go and help her design. Since Valentine's Day is coming we have been busy getting everything ready for the busiest day of the year. Its crazy!!! but so much fun. Since I have had flowers on my mind I wanted to stamp a card with flowers. For this card I used Stampin Up Bodacious Bouquet and Paisley Background. I cut out all the flowers and made some of their petals stick out with dimensions. I also put some stickles in the flower centers. I also used some yummy pattern paper and tied ribbon around it. I used some chipboard to mount my sentiment and hung it from the ribbon. I finished it off with some faux stitching and sponging of the edges.

Make sure to be on the lookout for postings on great ideas for flower arranging and creative ways to display them for Valentine's Day.

Too Cute Tuesday

Hello Everyone!! I just want to start off by thanking everyone who posted such sweet and inspirational comments about my grandma. It really helped me cheer up reading through all of them. I dedicate the post and pictures to everyone's grandmas that have touched our hearts forever.

Well this weekend was pretty crazy. I had so much going on like getting the house ready for my husband's Super Bowl party. He has one every year and all his buddies that he has not seen the whole year come over. It was loud and crazy but he had a great time. After the mayhem this weekend I finally got a chance to stamp. I guess having so many boys around made me want to stamp a non-girly card....hehehe I bought this cute Whipper Snapper Bulldog stamp and have yet to use it. We have two bulldogs of our own which is why I had to buy this stamp. I water colored the bulldog and added some crystal effects to the patches and stickles to his collar. I matted it on SU bravo burgundy and so saffron. I then cute up some cute dog pattern paper and also matted it on so saffron. I punched holes on some twill and added a buckle to resemble a dog collar. I added a heart charm for a tag. Then I used some dog paw rub-ons and stamped "genuine" from the SU hostess set Around the Block. I think it came out pretty cute.

I know that this blog is all about cards and crafts but I thought since I consider everyone who reads my blog friends I thought I would share another hobby and a personal story that goes with it. Today marks a year since my grandmother died. Although I am sad thinking about her absence I also want to celebrate her life.

She was a women of strength, love, and above all dignity. She raised 14 children with the smallest of all necessities yet they all grew up to be responsible and respectable people. She was a better women than I will ever be.

Along with paper crafts I love photography. I am no expert but I love capturing special moments so they can always be remembered. I am still learning and trying to improve my work but I believe "practice is the best of all instructors"

These pictures were taken a few weeks before she passed. There is a remarkable story behind them that is worth sharing. In the months before these pictures grandma was slowly declining in health and her memory cloudier than ever. We all knew the inevitable was coming so as a family we all visited her as much as possible. One day she woke up extremely alert and decided she wanted to make everyone her famous chicken soup. Much to our surprise she knew everyone's name and she started to reminisce about the past. She was happy and it was as if she was years younger. She would get up without any help and start chopping veggies. She also requested to have a priest come and give her communion. So after making many phone calls all the family (we are talking about LOTS of people) along with the priest came over to have lunch. It was the strangest thing, its as if the soup had no end and even though she made one pot there was enough for ALL of us to share. Then we all prayed and she was given communion. I truly believe that was grandma's final goodbye to everyone because the next day her shine and strength went away and she did not even remember the gathering we had. She died peacefully a few weeks later but I know her spirit still lives on.

I call this one "The Hands Of Time"