Stamp Happens

TTIC #8 - Bella Swan

Ok. Before anyone goes pointing out the obvious here...let me say...this is Bella's card not Rosalie's! It doesn't have to be perfect! SIGH. Yes, you will notice a huge faux pas. I originally started making my card using Whisper White and ended up with Very Vanilla in it as well. Oh the shame! NO, I am really not that perfectionistic or you would not be viewing this card now. So let's move on!! (I need rest! The lack of sleep accounts for my snarky behavior!! I've not gone to bed before 3:00 a.m. for the last 3 nights in a row!!)

I love Bella. After all, Twilight is written from her perspective. So, this is Bella's Love Story.

  

The card base is 5 1/4" square in Baja Breeze. I finally got to try out my new Big Shot! I'm excited! I used some of the Ski Slope DP inside the Top Note die. Let's see... I used rub-ons in the corners and on the flower from Eastern Elegance (I think...). The hardware is the vanilla HDHP set. The vellum "Love Story" is from a stack I grabbed at Michaels. The silver flower is from the designer brad set. I used a black brad in the middle. There is an ice rhinestone in the bird's eye. The bird and the heart are from the Always stamp set. The die cut flower is from the set Blooms Again (or something like that. Tomorrow...ahem...later today...when I'm not so punch drunk from lack of sleep, I'll look up the proper name). I also used black gingham ribbon.

Here's a closer view of all the stuff I added. I thought the bird was appropriate for Love Birds. We're just represented one half of that pair with this card! And the heart..obviously...

In case you are wondering...Edward likes blue on Bella. Hence the color combo.

  See how the brad says "geniune"? I thought that was a nice touch. And see Bella's name? A new alpha die for my BS!

Now I'd like to show you a little gift my wonderful husband brought home for me. I'm showing you because I haven't seen this particular bookmark anywhere! And it isn't the same as the Borders series. He picked this one up from Barnes and Noble.

Here's my inspiration Bella quote for this card:

About three things I was absolutely positive. First, Edward was a vampire. Second, there was part of him — and I didn’t know how potent that part might be — that thirsted for my blood. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.
Bella Swan, Twilight, Chapter 9, p.195

 

See the blue beads?? Yep, the colors he likes on Bella!!

And here's a cool thing on the back. Stats!! Isn't that too cool?

Now for my Bella moment: Peeps. I am klutzy. NO grace. I can't dance, I can't play sports, I can't chew gum and walk at the same time. If no other characteristic of Bella's could endear me to her...this one would be enough to make me think we were twins. Too really understand this situation of mine, start thinking Emmett and his grizzlies. The bank I used to work at many, many years ago...the owners were crazy avid hunters...had a huge like, 8 - 10 foot grizzly stuffed and displayed in the center of the lobby. It was a bit scary because the bear naturally was in a standing, "I'm growling and ticked off" pose. (Sometimes I wondered if the thing might ever get mange. I hated it!) Anyway, one day as I was walking across the lobby to my office, someone called out to me and I turned to answer and FELL! I flippin' fell, right in front of the bear. He looked like he was attacking me!! And I twisted my ankle badly enough that I couldn't get up!! I ended up in the ER with a horribly sprained something or other bruised out of this world ankle. I had to wear a brace. The brace had to sometimes be put in the microwave because it had these gel packs in it. And other times had to be refrigerated. That's how bad it was! But none of the pain was nearly as bad as my humiliation. Danger magnet. HERE!!

Twilight Tuesday Inspiration Challenge #8

 

This must be the most exciting week of all!! Movie premiere week! There is so much buzz and excitement that my head is spinning! And not only are the normal Twilight sources spinning out more news than I can keep up with, bloggers are starting to celebrate like crazy! Note the Twilight Celebration Week: Blog Candy notice at the top! Click it to find all the fab candy being given away this week. Twihards sure know how to party, that's for certain!!

Next week, will be the final TTIC before the huge giveaway is, well, given away!! This has been chosen to happen after the movie premiere to give everyone an opportunity to gush about their movie experience! But Twerds, let me tell you...we have exciting news that will be revealed...EXCITING!!! Cause we OCD (Obsessive Cullen Disordered) Twilighters on this TTIC challenge team...we know how to celebrate like crazy too!

So, this week...we are getting our inspiration from Bella Swan!

Bella is every girl. Or maybe she isn't. Well, I'm willing to bet she's MOST girls and is normal. She is klutzy (HERE!), and shy. She's compassionate and loyal. She's brave and unselfish. And regardless to what I hear some people say...she is not a whiner. Well. At least no more than anyone else. I could spend so much time filling up the page with Bella quotes but I'll limit them:

That was the first night I dreamed of Edward Cullen.
Bella Swan, Twilight, Chapter 3, p.67

Stupid, shiny Volvo owner.
Bella Swan, Twilight, Chapter 4, p.83

So what you’re saying is, I’m your brand of heroin?
Bella Swan, Twilight, Chapter 13, p.267

What a stupid lamb.
Bella Swan, Twilight, Chapter 13, p.274

(Careful, there may be a couple of Dazzlegasms with these pics...cannot possibly leave Edward (Rob) out...)

           

Stamper's Inspiration Challenge:

This challenge is all about Bella Swan as your inspiration piece. Be sure to mention Bella as your inspiration and describe what about her is inspiring your project. Link back here and share!  Don't forget to leave us a comment with your link!! If you upload to an SCS gallery, be sure to use the keyword TTIC8.

Comment Inspiration Challenge:

Tell us one of your Bella moments. Surely, I am not the only one lacking grace around here!

Be sure to check out the design team's creations!

Beth's blog 

Eve's blog  (Blog candy ends today!!!)

 

Did you forget the details of this challenge? Get them here!

Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge #66

I sat down to do Beate's WSC #66 and I really struggled!! I had this card started...then I tore it all back down to the image...rebuilt and this is the final version.

I really like this stamp set, Harvest Home. I want to use it a couple of times before Thanksgiving is over, you know? So I guess that means I better hurry!! I made this card using a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" base. However, it is cut and scored oppositely from a standard card. The base is Chocolate Chip (standard color for fall!) and I used Autumn Vine designer paper. I also threw in some Ballet Blue. I like the blue better than the Sage Shadow.

I actually started coloring over the Sage Shadow color with my Ballet Blue marker. But the colors are far enough away, or sparse enough, that it really doesn't matter. I used jumbo eyelets and circle ice brads on the side. I watercolored the image with my Stampin' Write Markers. I love that technique! I just adore my SWMs. I sponged the outside of the watercolor paper with Ballet Blue ink. The image is popped up with Stampin' Dimensionals.

I stamped the sentiment in Basic Brown (the sentiment is part of the Harvest Home set). Finally, I used a piece of hardware from the retired antique HDHP set and a Ballet Blue grosgrain ribbon.

I lost another subscriber today. That always makes me so sad! I critique my blog every time trying to figure out why I lost them! What would you like to see here that I'm not showing you enough? Or what keeps you coming back? Constructive criticism only please! No reason to flame me!

This Is Bliss: BLOG CANDY

 This Is Bliss: Twilight Tuesday Inspiration Challenge #7........& BLOG CANDY

 

Hi Everyone! Especially you Twilighters out there!! Don't forget about Eve's FABULOUS blog candy!!

Christmas is coming, Christmas is coming!

Oh goodness! Can you believe Christmas is just around the corner?? I don't think my bank account is quite ready. Especially after buying my new Big Shot! Yes, it's my Christmas gift to myself. Or probably, my Christmas gift from my husband. He just doesn't know it yet!

I recently bought this great Basic Grey Wassail paper from my friend, Margie. I also bought some other stuff from this line which you'll be seeing! I love it!! Let's take a look:

I really love this paper and didn't want to detract to much from it. The paper by itself is fabulous. Both of these cards are similarly made. They are both standard 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" cards.

I used SU! Alpine ribbon for both cards. The Alpine ribbon comes with two rolls of this brown felt and one roll of the striped. Personally, I wish there were two striped and only one felt! Alas, SU! didn't call and ask me what I thought! The nerve! *wink*

I punched a wide oval hole into the card and placed this image from To You & Yours behind the punch. I stamped "From Our House to Yours" above it. It is also from the same stamp set.

Of course I had to use my Shimmerz! I added a small amount of color with my Stampin' Write Markers and then added Angel Wings Shimmerz to the snow.

This is my favorite of the two cards. I really like the way it turned out. I adore that striped ribbon!!

I embossed the chipboard holly leaves with retired embossing powder. the chipboard holly is inked in retired Baroque Burgundy craft ink. See the dove? That is a piece from the Wassail chipboard set! The antique hardware is also retired. But the rub-on is not! It is from the Season of Cheer set. And the cs it is on is Riding Hood Red. The little birds at the bottom are also from the same rub-on set. Jen, I hope you like these! They will be in your pile!!

Cuttlebug Christmas

My friend Julie really inspires me with her usage of her Cuttlebug! She always has the loveliest, most elegant cards. So I decided to do another card using my Cuttlebug and last year's Christmas DP (name ??). I added a rub-on from the Season of Cheer Rub-Ons and some Real Red ribbon.

The card is a 5 1/4" square. The base is River Rock. I really, really miss this color. And Wild Wasabi. And Purely Pomegranate. My wish list this Christmas? BRING THOSE COLORS BACK PERMANENTLY! And keep Riding Hood Red. And Baja Breeze. And Pacific Blue.

Somehow, this card doesn't look as great in pictures as it does IRL. Oh well. It's really cute.

Award Time!!

I feel so humbled!! Ok, I've received a crazy amount of email and rss feeds lately so if you've sent me an award and I some how missed it...I'm begging for forgiveness!! Send me an email and I'll fix my error immediately!! I won't even use yesterday's horrendous headache as an excuse (well, I kinda will...).

 

Isn't this a cool award? I got it from 2 of my peeps!! My good friends Margie and Gayle! They are both the sweetest bloggers! I'm always amazed at how many fab friends I've made through blogging! God is good to me!

Here are the rules:
1. The winner may put the logo on their blog. (Check)
2. Put a link to the person who sent you the award. (Check, check)
3. Nominate 5 blogs. (See below, check)
4. Put links to their blogs (duh!! *wink*, check)
5. Leave a message for your nominees (check)

My 5:

1. Jen - Deconstructing Jen

2. Julie - When the Stars Fall From the Sky

3. Dani - Count Your Beautiful Blessings

4. Eve - This is Bliss

5. Jeanie - Another Day in Paradise

and sorry...I couldn't resist...I want to add one more...

6. Ann - Ickle Haggis' Craft Spot <-- Cause you just need to see the fork bracelet she made!!!

Thanks everyone! I love all of your blogs!

Christmas Wish Lists

You know what I haven't used in...like...forever? My Bind-it-All!! So I got it out, dusted it off and made these two little wish lists for my kiddos. They each have 5 sheets of lined paper they can write their Christmas wishes on. I bound them so I could save them. Won't that be cute to look back on in 10 or 20 years?

Here they are. Let's take a look one at a time...

I think this little lineup of reindeer (Holiday Lineup) is hilarious. And it fits my 9 yr old son quite well. These are made from 4x4" chipboard coasters. I used Ski Slope designer paper and my trusty Stampin' Write Markers to color the image. The image is stamped in Jet Black Stazon.

All of the eyes and Rudolph's nose are covered in Crystal Effects. I am not sure how evident that is from the picture.

Here is the one I made for my 6 yr old daughter. It had to have a lot of bling because that's the kind of girl she is!! I used a Santa that my dear friend Gayle sent me. Remember? He's a Sugar Nellie stamp from the Home Grown collection called Santa with a Tree. I'm so green with envy! This stamp is sold out and I love, love, love it!! There aren't any good Santa stamps in the SU! catty this year! SIGH. Well, at least Gayle sent me this one and several others!! Thanks, Gayle!

I added a chipboard snowflake (On Board Something Seasonal). I stamped it in white craft ink, Heat & Stick powder, heated...added white Chunky Essentials glitter, and reheated. Then I added the circle layers.

My Santa is covered in Angel Wings Shimmerz. Well, just the white parts: his beard and the outline of his hat and suit. I also added the square rhinestone brads.

And finally, this is what the inside looks like!

TTIC #7 - Emmett Cullen

I love Emmett! However, all of Emmett's really good stuff doesn't get written until after Twilight! Midnight Sun gives a pretty good insight into Emmett. I'm glad that Emmett was always so supportive of Edward. He adds just the right amount of light-hearted humor to the otherwise intense story of Midnight Sun.

So here's my favorite Emmett part of Midnight Sun:

His shirt was destroyed, torn and bloodied, sticky with sap and covered in fur. His dark curly hair wasn’t in much better shape. He had a huge grin on his face.

“That was a strong one. I could almost feel it when he clawed me.”

“You’re such a child, Emmett.”  Midnight Sun, page 149.

This was in response to Emmett fighting a bear that he would eat...hence, my card:

This is a simple 4 x 4" square card. I used the Unity Stamp Co. trees in the background again. The bear is from the set Under the Stars. I stamped the bear four times...colored and cut three out. The last one was stamped onto the trees for placement and hair effect. I used my Stampin' Write Markers (Close to Cocoa and Creamy Caramel) to color the image. I used Always Artichoke for the trees. The base is also Always Artichoke with a Close to Cocoa layer followed by the Very Vanilla layer. I sponged Riding Hood Red on the edges to commiserate Emmett's "torn and bloodied" shirt. 

I added the "Hasn't anyone ever told you not to play with your food?" (Edward Cullen) sentiment on vellum and framed with silver HPHW.

I layered the bears slightly off each other to give it a motion, 3-D effect.

And finally, I got Carlisle Cullen on the TA quiz. No big shock on that one!!