Where is the mojo?

I think it's on the ship! LOL!
Everything was in little plastic bags, all the paper was cut up, the ribbon and embellishments supplied for us and all we had to do was stamp the image and color. A girl can get really used to that in a week.
My sister, Marlene is new to stamping and she was on the cruise with me. We really had quite a few laughs stamping together. The funny thing is, after a week of stamping and getting all our little "kits" she now thinks that all the projects come this way...well maybe not all the projects, but I know that she was on StampingBella's website searching for some "kits". You just have to laugh! Marlene, I love you! ...don't get mad at me, I'm not making fun of you! I think many of us would be very happy if everything came in a kit, for those days when the mojo just isn't there! and what a great idea that would be for companies to do. Make kits up for that beginner stamper...get them hooked. Once they are hooked they'll buy the store! lol

This card was made using a Flourishes set, Coffee with Friends and Inkadinkado Dot Flourishes. I love black and white together. I stamped the dotted Flourishes with SU White Craft Ink, sprinkled it with clear ep and heat embossed. I did the same with the coffee cup and the flourish inside the coffee cup. I matted the image, with black and white borders, added some sheer white ribbon and a charm, tied it all up in a bow...used my heat gun on the sheer ribbon to curl it up a little, if you do this be very careful, it will burn, shread and melt...ask me how I know! lol...
For starting with no mojo, I am actually very pleased with the end result.
Thanks for stopping in! Have a Happy Halloween! And have a great weekend.
Smiles :)
Lorraine

Combined Challenges

For this card I used MFT Hot Stuff mini set and combined the challenges on SCS for SC200, and MFTWUW03. I was going to attempt incorporating the color challenge into this card, but the thought process was just too much for me today!
The first photo is of the inside of the card.
What a crazy day! I went to my husbands office to pick him up so that we could pick up the new card. As we were leaving one of his clients fell down the steps leaving his office. I found her on the ground in the parking lot crying for help! The poor thing. She is 81 years old and good bless her, she was amazing! I immediately called 911 and an ambulance came a few minutes later. While we were waiting I was holding her hand and rubbing her back. I felt so bad for her! I would have been screaming from the pain, and she wasn't ever whimpering. We later found out that that what appeared to only be a broken ankle was much more. She broke her leg in 3 places and needs to have surgery! Please say a prayer for her!
I picked up the new Escalade today. and it is beautiful. My 17 year old son is going to think that he can practice driving in this, well, he has another thing coming to him! lol
Have a great day, and A Happy Halloween.
Ugghhh....I'm not looking forward to my doorbell ringing all night long, but love seeing the little kids all dressed up!
Thanks for stopping by!
Smiles :)
Lorraine

Ambrosia Birthday

I made this card for my mother in law. It's her birthday and we'll be celebrating here at my house this Saturday with the entire family!
I really didn't want to play today! Nothing was interesting to me today. I wanted to play with all my new stamps that I received on the ship and they are not in the house! I was going to drive down to Long Island and pick them up but I didn't have the time today. I had to go shopping to get what I need for Saturday, and I can't go tomorrow because it looks like I'm going to be picking up a new vehicle tomorrow...nothing real exciting...just a new Escalade...well, I guess that is exciting! My kids are so thrilled about it. This one has two tv monitors and the old one only had one! lol
Getting back to the card, I have a bucket of these lovely large Ambrosia flowers from Prima flowers and worked around that. The colors I used are blush blossom and brocade blue. I used the Martha Stewart punch to create the border around the edges and then stamped a panel with the Flourishes Damask BG stamp. I tied some sheer green ribbon around it and then attached a charm with some gold cord to the ribbon.
(I had ordered 125 charms to swap on the cruise and they didn't get here before I left. My dh told me the box arrived on Monday, the day after I left....so you will probably be seeing lots of charms on my cards in the near future!)
Have a great day!
Smiles :)
Lorraine



** I did not make the dt that I applied for with I heart papers, but so many of my blogging friends did make it onto the team. I'd like to take this time to congratulate them. They are all so talented! I can't wait to see what they all come up with in the near future**

some sneak peaks

Here are some of the projects that we made on the cruise.Some of my things are MIA! I have a funny feeling that they are in my sisters bag! Enjoy!
Smiles :)
Lorraine

Shimmery Butterfly...Image from Gina K designs

Big Juicy Tree...Image from Gina K Designs

Daisy Bag...Images from Papertrey Inc

These are the cards that we made to go inside the bag

This was hanging on our door! made by The Cruise and Crop Group

from Gina K designs ...

cards that went inside the box we made...gina K designs

New Bellas from Stamping Bella

from Stamping Bella

Stella from Stamping Bella

so new she doesn't have a name yet bella from Stamping Bella

Vase and flowers from Stamping Bella

Proud Momma

I'm such a proud momma! My son John is majoring in Film Production at Pepperdine University.
Here's his first project!
His friend, Cole is the actor and my son makes an appearance, just like Alfred Hitchcock at the end! lol
enjoy!
xoxo
Lorraine

This ain't New York

I'm Back!

The cruise was such a blast! I'm still rocking! LOL!
We had such a great time. I can't even begin to tell you how much we enjoyed ourselves.
We got so much loot in our goodie bags that I had to buy another suit case to bring it all home in. Unfortunately, my sister took home the bag for me so I can't post a picture of all our goodies, but as soon as I get my stuff I'll show you what we got!
All three companies were so generous! Stamps galore, ink pads, coloring pencils, cutting tools, punches, paper, baubles, ribbon and so much more were packed into a backpack for us. And then, during classes more stuff was given to us! Emily and Nicky from Stamping Bella were so nice...they took us under their wing and we had so many laughs together! I love my new sistahs! MWah to them....and their husbands! I really think that we have new life long friends!
Gina K is just as nice as you think she is. So calm and easy going. We made some beautiful projects in the classes that she held.
Nicole had some wonderful projects for us as well. Her stamp sets are beautiful and her classes were a real challenge! lol
I promise to take pictures of everything we made and brought home. But for now, here are some pictures of me, my sister Marlene and my sister in law, Elizabeth goofing off at Margarettaville in Ocho Rios! And some pictures of the cruising stamping rock stars!
Smiles :)
Lorraine


Parrot heads in OchoRios


Dancing!


Heather and Mike ( I loved them! so nice!)


Elizabeth


Formal night...me and my sister


Nicki, Nicole, Gina and Emily


Me and Emily (Stamping Bella herself!)


Nicki and Gina K


Marlene, Irene and NIcki


Alma (cats pajamas), Nicki (Stamping Bella) and Kim (MFT)

Blog Candy

Another scheduled post, just to keep you visiting. LOL! But this is going to be worth your while!
I'm over 15 K on my visits! Yippee!
I think it's time for some blog candy!
Tell all your friends, and if you'd like, link this post for the blog candy to your blog!

Just leave me a comment telling me what's on your wish list (stamping related only, please! lol)
Come on, leave a comment, you're really going to want to win this candy! It's going to be dandy!
The winner will be drawn on November 15th. This is going to be great! Promise!

Smiles :)
Lorraine

Coffee with Glitter

I wanted to work on one more card so that I could schedule a post for you while I was away. I really struggled with this card. Ugghhh, I kept trying to fix it and the more I did to it the more messed up it got.
And that got me to thinking...I wonder what these stamp companies think when they see an ugly card made with their designs. Do you think that they put you on "may not ever purchase from us again list"? LOL! I mean, if it were me, and I designed a beautiful image that was meant to be worked with in such a beautiful way and then see someone butcher it, and turn it ugly, I would have to say to myself, "OMG...I hope she doesn't buy anymore of my stamps! "
So to all the people at Flourishes, I do apologize for this card, it just didn't come together for me like I wanted it too! and please let me continue to buy. I'll try to do better! LOL



Stamps...Flourishes
paper...creamy caramel, rose red, choc chip, white
embellishments...ribbon, glitter, clear ep, brads

Toile Bunny

I'm scheduling this post so that you don't miss me too much while I am away! LOL!
this is a card that I made for the sketch challenge on SCS, SC198. This was really a challenge for me! I do not have any nesties, haven't given in to that yet, although I do pine to own them. I don't have a circle cutter that cuts in all different sizes, just my jumbo and mega circle punches. So when I saw the measurements that were required for this card I didn't think that I was going to be able to play in the challenge. So my measurements may be off a little bit, and things are just not perfect, but I tried.
I had this pad that one of my CCD students gave me and it is in the shape of 1/2 a circle. So I traced that onto the card stock and used my good old paper snips and cut out the shape the only fashioned way! No nesties, so no border, just good old direct to paper and sponging!
I added some su ribbon and got out my pretties kit, I tried to dye a flower but that didn't work, I didn't like the outcome so I added some primas and a stick pin decorated with all the little pretties that come in the kit!
Thanks for looking and I really hope that you are enjoying your day!
I am either lounging by the pool, sipping a cocktail, on a beach, sipping a cocktail or stamping somewhere, sipping a cocktail!
Big Smiles :)
Lorraine



Stamps...Tender Toile, Toile Blossoms
Paper...Sahara Sand, Always Artichoke
Ink...Always Artichoke
Embellishments...Primas, Ribbon and Pretties Kit

I'm Sailing!

Hi Everyone! I am officially sailing on Royal Carribean Mariner of the Seas with Gina K, Stamping Bella and Nicole. I truely can't wait to meet all of these talented stamp designers.
This is the card that I made for the Anything Gina K Swap. I'll be passing these out to other swappers tonight at the meet and greet!
When I come back I will have plenty of pictures to share with you all.
Enjoy your week! I know that I am going to have a blast!
Smiles :)
Lorraine



I used the polished stone technique to create the background. The snowman is from the Gina K set and he is stamped on shimmery white paper.

Chin Up

Isn't this image just adorable? This is called Chin Up from Firecracker Designs by Pamela. I'm still playing with the color combo posted over in the challenge forum at SCS, CC188. I knew that I wanted to work with this image. It's so much easier to sit down and make something when you already have something in mind. And with the color combo a given, well, that makes it so much easier, almost no thought process,,,ykwim?

I stamped the image and then sponged all around the image using Pretty in Pink. Then I outlined her in bashful blue for some shadows and then colored in her scarf. I then used my versa marker and colored over all the dots and then used clear ep. I outlined the snow woman and dotted the dots with some glue and added some dazzling diamonds. I strung some pearls to her hands and added some fabulous ribbon (repurposed from a gift) and used my glue dots to add the snowflakes, which were also dazzled with dazzling diamonds. Let me tell you, this stuff is all over, even in my hair. I am so messy when I work! LOL!
The background panel was stamped with snowflake images, also from Firecracker Designs, using a tinted pink versa mark pad and then embossed with hologram ep.
Thanks for checking in.
I'm off to pack! I hope to post one more time before I leave, but if I don't get the chance, let me tell you now that I will miss you while I am gone! I wish you were all traveling with me!
Smiles :)
Lorraine



Paper...Pink Pirouette, Black, White
Ink...BB, SU markers
image...Chin Up by Firecracker Designs by Pamela
embellishments...ribbon, snowflakes, strand of pearls, dazzling diamonds, scallop border punch, ep, versa mark

Cupcake Birthday envies!

My husband asked me to make him two gift envelopes for my nephews, Peter and Paul. They are celebrating their 3rd birthdays on Sunday. They are so cute! (The twins!) I'm gonna miss the party but not the fun! I'll be on Royal Carribeans' Mariner of the Seas while they are eatting birthday cake!
These gift envelopes are on the plain side, but I was really is a rush to get these done. You can really dress them up and make them your own by adding all kinds of embellishments, using your circle punches, prima flowers, stickles, dazzling diamonds, or what ever else you've got. The choices are endless!

This is an easy and fun project to do. It's a card envelope...perfect size for that cash gift or for enclosing a check. I think that they took me 15 minutes to do. It takes more time deciding color combos and stamps to use!

One sheet of 12 x 12 designer paper and 4 pieces of 8 1/2 x 11 card stock will make 4 envelopes.

First start by cutting your card stock so that it is 8" x 7 ". Place your paper so that the 8" is across the top in your paper cutter. Slide your paper to the right so that the end is at the 6 1/8 " and score...slide your paper to the right again so that the end of the paper is at the 3" line and score again. Set this aside.

cut your designer paper 6 3/4 " by 2 3/4 ". This will be your cover on your envelope.Or if you'd like the entire envelope cute your paper 6 3/4" x 7 3/4". Iff not using dp decorate and stamp your paper. With adhesive place the designer paper onto your card stock so that it is on the end that is 3". Fold your card up so that the dp is on the outside and the smaller flap is on the inside. I used a 1 3/8" circle punch to make a notch on the smaller flap.

If you would like the inside of your card to have a finished look, but a piece of coordinating card stock 6 3/4 " x 2 3/4 " and stamp with a sentiment.

For the band around the envelope cut your card stock 7" x 1 3/8 ". Cut a piece of dp 7" x 1 1/4". with adhesive layer your dp on top of your card stock. This will be your band to go around the envelope. Fold your layered band around your card envelope so that both pieces meet in the front of the card. glue together. and then decorate...i used some ribbon that I had and glued this on top of the paper. I then stamped the Happy Birthday in Versa MArk and then Brillant Blue, and heat embossed with Clear EP. I punched it out with my SU Scallop punch! Use a dimentional to attach to the band. Slide the band onto the card and your done. Clear as mud! LOL! Thanks for looking.
Have a great day!
Smiles :)
Lorraine



Stamps...SU So many Scallops
Paper...unknown
Embellishments...ribbon, unknown (Nordstroms gift package I think! lol) Versa Mark, Clear EP

Time to Stamp

This is a card that I made for the sketch challenge on 2 Sketches 4 You.
I found this one to really be a challenge. It took me more time than I care to admit. I usually don't do vintage, but I wanted to work with this stamp set that had never seen ink ( see how many I have!)
I went searching through my stash of dp and found this old paper from SU. I'm not sure what it is called, maybe Time Worn? I then got out some old SU in colors, True Thyme and Cranberry Crisp, as as Tim Gunn would say. "make it work, make it work". and worked it I did.
I hope that you like my attempt at a vintage look.
Thanks for checking in with me today.
I have some packing to do...leaving for the cruise in a few days!
Smiles:)
Lorraine



I tweaked the image a little!



stamps ...Cornish Heritage Farms, Time to Stamp
Paper...True Thyme, Cramberry Crisp, creamy caramel, Tine Worn SU DP?
embellishments...choc chip ribbon, gold cording, hodgepodge , clear embossing powder

Tickled Pink

I want to share something with you. Angelladcrocket posted my aunt olive card in the Favorites Thread on SCS! How neat is that!
And I got the nerve up and applied for a DT! I'll let you know how that works out!

This is a card that I made for the CC Challenge CC188 on SCS. The color combo was to use Pink Pirouette, Black and White. I have been wanting to ink up my TAC Tickled Pink set and I thought that this would be a perfect color combo for this diva.
I am still working on the emboss resist technique that Michelle Zindorf does so beautifully. I don't know why, but the ink didn't resist in many spots. But all in all I like the outcome of this card.
I have no idea where I purchased the palm tree stamp, it's red rubber, single and unmounted so I have no idea where it came from. I think I may have purchased it from RubberStamp Ave, but not too sure.
Once again thanks for stopping by
Have a great day!
Smiles :)
Lorraine



Stamps...TAC, tickled Pink, unknown Palm Trees, Inkadinkado Dot Flourishes
Paper...black, pink pirouette, white
embellishments....May Arts Polka dot sheer ribbon, pink pearl, crystal effects, embossing powder, rhinestones, brads

Christmas Joy

I love trying something new and saw this challenge on SCS , TLC190 Stair Step. It looked like something I could do so I gave it a whirl. Go on over and check it out. All the directions are right in the link! This was fun to do and gave me an excuse to use one of the TAC sets that I purchased a while ago and ink it up. See, I'm still using my old stuff, although I have to tell you a secret, I did purchase some new stamps! I couldn't resist. When I get them you will see why.
Thanks for looking and I hope that you are having a wonderful day.
Smiles :)
Lorraine



Recipe
stamps...Tac, Joy of Christmas
Paper...real red, old olive, vanilla, dashing DP
embellishments....ribbon, stickles, ribbon charms, pop up flowers

House Mouse Challenge Monday is here

Well it's Monday and that means another challenge over at House Mouse and Friends! This weeks challenge was a sketch. I just love sketch challenges.
The image is Monica with Pacifier and I think that she is so sweet! I used Berry Bliss DP with Pretty in Pink, Close to Cocoa, and Purely Pom. I added some prima flowers and some baubles and some organza ribbon and then used the sentiment from warm words and printed it directly to the paper.
Thanks for looking and have a wonderful day!
Smiles :)
Lorraine

Country Blessings

I worked so hard on this card! LOL! Really!
All of my embossing stuff was still out from my Zindorf card yesterday, so I decided to try more embossing resist using my brayer and some autumn themed stamps. I went nuts searching for this set and finally found it in a box with my loose Christmas Images. Who knew?
I stamped the leaf images in my versa mark pad and then stamped the leaves in really rust, and old olive. Dusted all the images with clear ep and heat set the images. I kept doing this with different images from the set. then I brayered over the embossed images using pumpkin pie, and really rust. I then followed up with sponging using always artichoke and really rust. I stamped two more leaf images and heat embossed them and then using my paper snips cut each one out. I wanted to add some copper pearl ex to them so I tapped the stamped images onto my versa mark pad, added some heat and stick, and then dusted the images with the pearl ex...heated them again. I layered them on top of some silk leaves, using glue dots and dimensionals to place them on the card front. I cut out the little acorn and used some crystal effects and placed the acorn on top of some gold sheer ribbon.
So what do you think? Leave a comment and let me know!
Once again, thanks for stopping by. I always appreciate your visits and live for the comments!
Smiles :)
Lorraine

another Zindorf case

I went into the dungeon to make a card today and I have to say that I just wasn't getting the inspiration from anything around me. I have been stalking Michelle Zindorfs blog and decided to attempt another one of her creations, Is it autumn yet. You just have to see her original card. It is magnificent. I really want to attend one of her classes and can't wait for her to come to the New York area. I will travel for this rock star.
One day I will be confident enough to make up one of these designs on my own. For now, I'm just happy to case the Brayer Queen!
Thanks for stopping in!
Smiles :)
Lorraine

Finger Food

I'm still working on a card for my friend Pat. She's really my best friend, the one that I have known since we were babies! I really wasn't happy with the card that I made yesterday so I worked on another one today. I think that I am going to send the other card to my sister in California who is having a little problem with her X. I think that she'll get a chuckle out of it. Anyway, getting back to these cards...I have to say that I love this image. The stamp image is from Stamps Happen and is called Finger Food. I think that she is a riot!
My friend Pat loves Martinis. Her nick name is Aunt Olive. Whenever you ask her what she wants to drink, she'll say something like, Oh just something light...Vodka on the rocks with Olives! LOL! so we nick named her Aunt Olive!
The little Martini glass is an image from Stampingbella. I stamped 4 images of the martini glass and used crystal effects on each layer to create a little charm to add to the ribbon. I then sprinkled some dazzling diamonds on the image to give it a little bling. All the glasses in the main image have crystal effects on them. It really looks great in person.
After I finished putting the card together, I thought that it was missing something so I added the buttons on the ribbon. Now, I'm not sure which way I like it better! lol too late now!!!!
Thanks for the visit!
Smiles :)
Lorraine





stamps...Stamps Happen, Finger Food, Stamping Bella Martini glass
paper...riding hood red, old olive, dashing dp
embellies... ribbon, dazzling diamonds, crystal effects, buttons

Cheers

I am still sick, but decided that I needed to get out of bed, and attempt to do something. So I went into the dungeon and tried to make a card for my friend Pat for her birthday. I tried the color challenge over at SCS, CC187. This is what I came up with. I am not thrilled with it...it was supposed to be a 5 1/4 " square card and my Martha Stewart punch would not punch so I ended up cutting off the edge of the card because it was all messed up. I do like the image. I made her dress all sparkly by covering the colored image with crystal effects and then sprinkling some gold sparkles on top of the crystal effects.
Thanks for stopping by. I'm going back to bed!
Smiles:)
Lorraine

Blog Candy Winner

I never heard from the blog candy winner, and couldn't contact her because she was an anonymous post so I went to Random.org to get another winner. The new winner is ...

Loretta Rodger said...
I love the color combo and the beautiful way you colored the mouse and flowers!


Please send me your snail mail info and I will get these images out to you.

I don't have anything new to post, I have actually been sick in bed the last couple of days. I hope that you are all well. My aim is to feel up to doing something creative by tomorrow.

Smiles :)
Lorraine

Critter Pumpkin

I know I said no more Halloween cards, but I needed one more to send out, and this image is so cute I just couldn't resist. The challenge over at House Mouse & Friends for this week was to make a card using a tag. I really struggled with this one, I usually don't incorporate tags into my designs, they usually don't work for me.
I used my prisma color pencils to color in the image, and then OMS to blend. I also added some crystal effects to the pumpkin.
See that little pumpkin tag on the card? I received that as blog candy from Holly! She sent me a whole package of these adorable Halloween charms. I tore open the package and forgot to take a picture.
the sentiment and the bats on the tag are from Gina K designs, Spooky Silhouettes.
I probably won't be posting the rest of the week. My husband and I are having a dinner party on Saturday. With all the cooking and cleaning that I have to do I should probably stay out of my craft room! LOL!
Thanks for stopping in.
Smiles :)
Lorraine

Johnson & Wales

My son is in the process of looking at colleges to attend next year. Yes, next year I will have three in college at the same time! Last weekend my son Stephen and my husband went to Johnson & Wales in Rhode Island. Stephen really wants to go to the culinary program that they offer. This is a card that I made for the head of admissions as a thank you for taking the time and meeting with Stephen last weekend. She was very helpful giving him advice.
Stephen told me that the school colors were gold and blue, so here's what I came up with. I used the chef from Viola, night of navy & brushed gold card stock. I used my cuttlebug embossing folder on the brushed gold panel to the side of the chef, wow, i haven't used the cb in a long time! The covered tray is on a brad and slides to say Thank You.
thanks for looking and have a great day!

Smiles :)
Lorraine

PS...If any of you have an "in" at Johnson and Wales will you put in a good word for my son? He's a great kid! This is the son who bought me a stamp set! LOL!