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Thursday, December 27, 2012

Vintage Christmas ATCs

Hello my friends...

I just finished going through ALL of my previous blog plots, and deleting a ton of pictures.  As some of you may know, I had reached the max of pics allowed, so deleting was just a quick fix.  I hear I can also remedy this problem by resizing each photo to minimize the space it takes up.  But until I figure out how to do that, I will keep my post short, and maybe just add links to my Facebook.  I guess we'll see how it goes...

Anywhoo, here's a (small) pic of some ATCs I made for a swap over at myscraproom.ning:


I hope my group will like them, they were quick and easy since I didn't have access to all of my goodies.  My room was renovated and I was aching to do something, so this was what I came up with.  And it did put me in the holiday spirit, so I was happy!

Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas, and may the new year bring you many blessing!
Hugs,
Yvonne

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Hello Again!

Hey Blog Buddies!
It's been so long... so much has happened, but I've missed my little blog and I just wanted to pop in and say hello!  So I'll try to make a long story short...

Back in October, the plumbing in our entry level bathroom malfunctioned and flooded two levels in my home. Miraculously, nothing of sentimental value was ruined.  And none of my craft supplies were damaged either.  So, all in all it was unfortunate, but certainly nothing truly tragic, and for that I am thankful and feel blessed.

The damage did require the replacing of some floors and some walls. In order to get the revonvations done, I had to pack up three rooms and empty them out. One of the rooms being my "crafty" corner. Since I had to pack up and move my supplies, my ability to craft came to a screeching halt.  I was feeling pretty bummed about that, but I tried to keep everything in it's proper prespective... fully aware that things could have been much worse. Here's a pic of my crafty corner "before" renovations and the "almost after."
Besides the huge hole in the ceiling, the saddest part was seeing my room looking so bare and lonely without the hustle and bustle of paper scraps and Lindy's and paint and glue and punches & dies! LOL!

So anyways, I ended up resigning from the I Am Roses Design Team.  It was a wonderful experience and an honor to work with some of my favorite crafters. As for the other teams, I'm currently on "sabbatical" (heehee) until I can get my room and supplies operational again.

However, I find myself suffering withdrawal symptoms!  I need to be crafty in some shape, form, or manner or I'm just besides myself with anxiety! I know you all know what I'm saying!!  So I find ways to feed that urge to cut, glue, and create.  I visit my sister, Yvette, and scrap with her.  Or I rummage through boxes at night, once the construction crew has left, and find a few things here and there that I can throw together real quick.  And when true desperation kicks in, I run to Michael's and buy things I'm sure I already have!! Crazy right?  Last week, in a moment of weakness I joined a SWAP!! Let me tell you how creative you can be when you're forced to do without...  take a look at the ATC's I came up with, the theme was Vintage Christmas...
Hmm, well I guess I'll have to get back to you with a pic.  Apparently I've run out of room and can no longer post pics unless I purchase more storage space?  When did that policy take effect?  I'll do some research and get back to y'all soon, but if you know more about this, please fill me in, would love to know more about it! In the meanwhile you can see the pic on Pinterest or Facebook.
Hugs...
Yvonne

ScrapBliss

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

I Am Roses Blog Hop

Hello Again My Friends!
Welcome to the I Am Roses "A Haunting We Will Go..." Blog Hop!  If you're following in order, you should be coming from my sweet friend Patricia's YouTube channel.  It also means that you have reached the end of the blog hop!  Thank you so much for joining us, I hope you enjoyed all of the lovely projects the team has created...  Here is mine:


In keeping with the established theme, Halloween Home Decor, I created this altered frame, and I used the following I Am Roses:
Here’s the "how to" for your chance to win:
  • Hop along to each of the design team member's blogs and be sure to comment on their individual "A Haunting We Will Go” Blog Post
  • There is 1 hidden blog candy prize up for grabs in one of our DT member’s blogs!
  • Be sure to subscribe/follow the new I Am Roses Challenge Blog (http://iamroses-challenge.blogspot.com/).
  • Commenting along the way highly increases your chance of winning the prize package.
  • Comments will be closed on Oct. 31st 11:59am PST
  • We will be randomly selecting 1 winner from the comments on one of the DT’s blogs and will announce the winner on the I Am Roses Challenge Blog.
 As you hop along be sure to subscribe/follow to the individual design team member's blogs so you don't miss out on the winner announcement!
 In case you get lost along the way, here is a list of the I Am Roses design team members hopping today:

Well thanks again for hopping along with us today! The Winner will be announced on November 5, on every team member's blog! Good Luck!!
Hugs,

Yvonne

  


Monday, October 1, 2012

Graphicat Sketch #17 & SNSC

Hello My Friends!
I'm so happy to have squeezed in a little crafting time! And just in time for Cheri's next sketch challenge, so timing was perfect!  But not quite as perfect as having the chance to combine two of my favorite digi companies into one sweet card though!  For this week's Graphicat Sketch#17 I incorporated a brand new digi by Lina from the Sweet Nothing's Stamp Company!  Here it is:


The Sketch and the Sentiment are both designed by Cheri.  I used some left over paper I had from last year's Echo Park 6x6 paper pad... The Apothecary Emporium.  I added some gauze, and embossed the orange mat with my new TH brick folder. Cheri's "happy halloween" digital sentiment was colored with copics, and them distressed a bit, you can find it at her store.

The image is Lina's new release, "Hocus Pocus Sophie." If you're familiar with Lina's work you'll know that "Sophie" usually has sassy short hair.  But she decided to grow it out some, LOL! I love it! I think she is adorable either way!

Sophie is also colored with copics, here's the recipe:
Skin: 0, E00, E11, E13
Hair: E08, E09, E13
Outfit: C1, C3, C5, C9 & YR61, YR65, YR68 (stickles on her shoes, belt, and band around hat)

So here's Cheri Sketch #17... and I did change up a tad, just 'cause I couldn't get it to all fit exactly like I wanted it to, so I had to do some compromising, heehee.



Well guys, I've gotta run.  I hope you'll join us for this challenge, and I hope you enjoyed this card as much as I enjoyed making it!  Happy October! Come back soon!
Hugs,
Yvonne 


Monday, September 17, 2012

SEPT 2012 IAR Blog Challenge

Hello my Scraptastical Friends!

I wanted to let you guys know about the newest  I Am Roses blog challenge.
Here are the deets:

  • Contest runs Sept 17th - Oct 5th (Ends 11:59pm PST)
  • Theme: Halloween
  • Card Challenge: Must be a Circle card
  • Minimum (2) I Am Roses Products
  • One project submission per participant
  • One winner picked by Design Team
  • Participants will upload their project to their blog or forum, Label it “Sept IAR Challenge”
  • Participants will leave a comment to the I Am Roses blog post and leave a direct link to their project
  • Must Subscribe/or be a Follower of the IAR Challenge Blog

Once you visit the blog, you'll see quite a bit of inspiration pieces from all of the Design Team members.
Here is the one I created... it's a bit risque, but a lot of FUN...
  


Once again I used a fabulous pre-colored digi from Kenny K. (no one can color like Kenny can!) The paper collection is from Recollections, and I LOVE IT!!! It's called Steampunk Botanicals, and all of those beautiful butterflies and flowers juxtaposed with the skulls and skeletons is AWESOME! Perfect for a Halloween project, without having to go with the traditional Halloween themes and colors! I hope you like it as much as I do... 

I used the I Am Roses cherry blossoms, R40 Red Roses, and one mini R8 red rose. You can check them out at the STORE!

Thanks for stopping guys! I'm always so grateful when you do! Hope you'll join the challenge - the I Am Roses prizes never disappoint! So hop on over to the challenge BLOG and give it a shot! Somebody's gonna win... it might be YOU! LOL! Hugs!

Yvonne

Graphicat Sketch Challenge #16

Hello my lovely friends!
Hope all is well with you guys... everything at my end is going splendidly (is that even a word? lol!)  So today is Monday, and it's been two weeks since our last challenge.  That mean it's time for a NEW challenge!  And I must say, I love this one almost as much as I loved our last one!!!  I think what I was most excited about with this challenge, was that I FINALLY opened up my new pack of Graphic 45 paper... Bird Song! It's been sitting here on my desk for a little bit, and I was finally able to dig in!  I seriously made an appointment to meet up with this paper.  I told my hubster that we'd have to get up super early and get our yard work done before our son's baseball game, because me, G45, and Cheri's newest sketch had a big date right after!  Hahaha!  So here it is:


I'm so loving this paper! I'm especially loving the vibrancy and versitality! These soft blues and pinks are not your traditional Asisn inspired colors, but they match perfectly with this sweet lil' Magnolia stamp.  Even more perfect is Cheri's "Sushi Set" and it's currently available in rubber at her on-line store Graphicat Designs.


Well enough about, if your thinking you'll join the challenge, 
then here is what you really need!!!
The actual SKETCH!


Isn't it fab!?!

I hope you'll join us this time around! Be sure to check out the Sketch Challenge blog for some more details and more inspiration from the rest of Cheri's Cool Cats, hahaha!

Thank you so much for visiting guys, hope you enjoyed the card! 
Smooches,
Yvonne

P.S.  I looked it up, "splendidly" is a word! It's an adverb; it means "magnificent, very impressive!"  And I hope that's how you spend the rest of your week... splendidly!  xo


Tuesday, September 11, 2012

SNSC Septmeber Color Challenge!

Hello my bloggerific friends!!!
Hope all is well!!!  I've had an amazing, albeit exhausting, several days - returning to work is just wearing me OUT! LOL! BUT I did manage to squeeze in a little scrappin' fun!! Just in time, 'cause it's the 2nd Tuesday of the month and that means it's time for the Sweet Nothings Stamp company's Creative Challenge! WooHoo!!!


For the month of September, we will be challenging you to create a project with this beautiful Autumn color palette.  This super cute color palette is great for any type of card and you can use any sentiment you'd like.

Here is what I have created to inspire you to challenge your creative side and play 
along with us in this contest:






Contest Rules:
  • Contest runs from Tuesday September 11th-Tuesday September 25th (12 pm EST)
  • Challenge: To use the color palette provided above. You may tweek it as you wish and add any other elements you'd like. Be as creative as you wish :D(Colors- dark peachy tan, candy apple red, bright coraly orange, light peachy tan, light sky blue)  
  • Project must include any Sweet Nothings Stamp Co. digi image.
  • Only one project submission per creative mind please :)
  • One winner will be chosen by voting by the SNSC DT and announced on SNSC Blog as well as on the Facebook Fan Page
  • Must be a subscriber to the SNSC Blog/Facebook Fan Page
  • Must submit project by Linky Tool by clicking the “Click Here to Enter” below

Prize to be won this month:
Prize this month is a $25 gift certificate to Scrapbuck.com. With all the supplies available over there, you'll be able to treat yourself to a little something on us!

I do hope you love my project.  Be sure to check out the other amazing Sweet Nothings Stamp Co. Design Team member's blogs for other great ideas...

Elizabeth 

Thank you for stopping by, I hope you'll join the challenge, and Good Luck to you if you do!
Hugs,

Yvonne







Sunday, September 2, 2012

Dare To Dream...

Hello My Friends!
I'm so happy to finally have a little chunk of time to do some crafting and blogging!!!  It really is medicinal for me... it keeps me calm, relieves my stress, and simply makes me happy.  What can I say, that's just how it is! Is it that way for you too??? Getting ready to go back to work is extremely time consuming and sometimes back-breaking work... I know "boo-hoo" right? I think the general public would be quick to remind me that I have the one thing that makes all the work worth the while... and it's called... "Summer Break!" Hahahaha, so yes, I am grateful for my schedule and I will pipe down and quit whining! LOL! And please don't get me wrong, I LOVE my job, I love working with little people... teaching them new things and watching them grow! I can't imagine that there are too many more other jobs that fill you with the kind of fulfillment you get from caring & educating our children.  I just could do without packing up and unpacking my classroom every year. But anywho, here we go... back to crafty happiness!!!

I drove my daughter back to college at the end of August. It was FIFTEEN hours of driving, yuck! We spent a few days together shopping for supplies, setting up her new room, and spending a whole lot of one-on-one mommy/daughter time. So when she dropped me off at the airport and we said our good-bye, the only thing that kept me from the usual uncontrolable sobbing that customarily ensues at that point was the knowledge that the Prima paper I had ordered had arrived and was waiting for me back home!!! LOL!

Romance Novel & Tea Thyme are gorgeous paper collections and I had seen so many lovely projects on youtube already... I was just itching to get my grubby little hands on them!  And here it is my first attempt at doing the first collection justice and of course no project is complete without...






R77-15 - White Roses
R21 - Pink & White 

Here's the VIDEO if you'd like to take a peek...

As always my friends, I'm so glad you've dropped by! I hope you enjoyed this
project as much as I enjoyed making it! Have a great week!
Hugs,
Yvonne

Friday, August 17, 2012

Mixed Media Fun with Lindy's Stamp Gang

Hello friends! Hope you're having a lovely day.  It's Friday so it's gotta be good, right? If you're like me, you're anxious to spend some time crafting this weekend!

But before I bust out my paper, glue, and Lindy's, I want to share the project 
I completed last weekend...

I was inspired by some interesting guidelines set forth in a challenge I was wanted to participate in.  It required the use of a set of random items. The items were as follows: a tp roll, acrylic paint, gift wrapping tissue (the kind you use to stuff in a gift bag,) and chipboard.

So these are the items I stared with...

Part of the requirement was that these items must be used, but you could add any other embellishment.  I've been totally intriged by all of the Mixed Media projects so many of our fellow crafters have been making, and figured this would be a good time to try.  I've also been itching to try out the new Flat Fabios.  The colors are amazing - so rich and vibrant!  Well, I ended up using a TON of Lindy's... starting with the Fabios and working my way through Moon Shadows, Embossing Powers, Glitz Spritz, and Starburst Stains!  Woohoo!!!  My fingers were so stained, I had to scrub then several times!

Here's a collage of some of the preliminary steps of getting this started:





Once I prepared the chipboard to use as a faux canvas (lol!) I used colors from the Go Greased Lightnin' Set, specifically I used Greased Lightnin' Green & Danny Zuko Denim.

Next, I prepared the items I wanted to lay on the chipboard. 

I used Grab a Guy Gold Starburst Stain on the painted tp roll, and I used it to make the flowers. The wood veneer cloud was painted white, sprayed with Scintillating Silver Glitz Spritz, and stamped with a dictionary print stamp.   Moon Shadow Ink in Van Dyke Sepia was used to stain the wood fence, and then sprayed it with Catus Gold.  The little chipboard bird has a base coat of white paint, and then a layer of several of the Beauty School Drop-Out Flat Fabio collection.  For a finishing coat I embossed it with Magic Moon Pearls

Last I added a few flowers, leaf ribbon, and tiny butterflies as finishing touches.  And taa-daaaaa, one completed Mixed Media Faux Canvas completed! Yay!!! No wonder everyone's making them - I had tons of FUN, and hope you'll try and LOVE it!

Well my friends, I hope you enjoyed today's post. 
Thank you so much for visiting! Hope you have a great weekend with lots of fabulousity! LOL!
Hugs,
yvonne

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Amigas Para Siempre

Hello My Friends!
Hope you're all doing well on this lovely day!
I have a card to share today featuring a lovely digi stamp illustrated by Megan Suarez.
I used a color combo I hadn't played with in a LONG time! They are not usually
my "go-to" colors, but I do love them... they're so natural! LOL! They remind me
of trees, and their leaves, daisies, and tiger lillies!
Anywhoo here it is:



The sentiment is from Abby's "Bella Amistad" set.


Well, thank you guys for stopping by!
Hope you'll be back soon!
Hugs,
Yvonne


Monday, August 13, 2012

I Am Roses August Color Challenge

Hello there lovelies!
It's time again for the next I Am Roses Color Challenge!  This time around the theme is "Back to School" and the challenge color will be YELLOW!  Your project must contain at least two different
I Am Roses products, and only one entry per participant allowed :)  So be sure to head on over to the
I Am Roses Challenge Blog to get the additional details.  You don't want to miss another chance to earn some fabulous IAR goodies.  The prize will be sent directly to the challenge winner soon after the winner is selected.  But before you go here is the little something I pulled together:


It's an empty jar of Tostitos Salsa.  It's the perfect height for crayons, and it hold 72 of them! I painted the lid yellow,  and added a few little extra touches. To include the dasiy that I first sprayed with some Lindy's Stamp Gang Starburst Stain in Grab a Guy Gold, and then a little bit of Scintillating Sliver Glitz Spritz over it. 

This jar is a great little gift for your favorite artsy kid... but in my case I'm actually gifting it to the teacher that is moving into the third grade classroom I have just vacated.  She and I have switched grades and classrooms.  After 12 years of third grade, I decided I needed a change, and I am looking forward to the challenge! I'm also looking forward to see how well this lil' project does in the "Latinas En American" challenge I'm entering it in... we'll see!

Thanks so much for stopping by, I'm always so tickled when you do! And be sure you head on over to the I Am Roses Challenge Blog!
Hugs,
Yvonne

Friday, August 10, 2012

Rainy Day Sophie

Hello My Lovely Friends!
I'm really excited to share this quick and easy card with you all! I'll be entering this baby into the "Latinas en America" Challenge.  This week's challenge requires the use of paint.  For this card I used white acyrlic paint on the wood veneer cloud.

Let's get right to it:


You might not have noticed... but Rainy Day Sophie's puppy is missing! I thought I'd just give this digi a slightly different look.  Lina's creations are all so versatile, and it's one of the perks I love most about her stamps!  There's so much you can do with them, change 'em up a bit, and get some variety... all with just one digi! Pretty cool, huh?

So here's the Card Recipe:
Stamp: Rainy Day Sophie (minus puppy)
Paper: My Mind's Eye, Quite Contrary, Jack & Jill
Cloud: Wood Veneer by Diana McRae
Swirl: Cheery Lynn Flourish Die
Tag: Jillibean Soup Wood Flag "hello"
Flowers: I don't have a die, so I just hand cut and roll with a quilling tool

Copic Coloring:
Hair: E50, E53, E55
Skin: E000, E00, E11, E21
Umbrella, Boots, Bow: R22, R24, R29
Raincoat: BG000
Puddle: B000

Well my friends, I'm glad you were able to stop in for a visit today.  Please feel free to leave a comment, or if you have a question... you can alway reach Sweet Nothings Stamp Company on the Fan Page on Facebook as well! Someone is always there and happy to chat!

Thank you so much!

Yvonne


Friday, August 3, 2012

I Am Roses Card Share

Hey There Blog Buddies!
So are we ALL obsessing over the Olympics, or is it just me??? LOL! I am totally smitten by the US Girls Gymnastics Team!! As many of you might know, I have a little gymnast of my own (and by little I mean just shy of 5 feet, 'cause she's 19 years old now!) And although the Olympics wasn't ever in the cards for her, she did excel in her own right and earned herself a full athletic scholarship at a D1 school! So, yes I am extremely proud of my girl. And extremely proud of our  2012 Gold Winning American Team! And since the Olympics have been monopolizing all of my free time, I'm posting today a project I created for I Am Roses which I should have posted yesterday... but all is well... here are a couple of pics:

Beautiful Sophie, a lovely little stamp by Sweet Nothings Stamp Company,
and a shuttered window my sister Yvette made for me.
Yvette was inspired by Sa Crafters on YouTube. I learned how to do the
faux brick wall texturing from my facebook friend Ann Everbloomingcrafts.

Love You Forever... sketch by Gina at www.myscraproom.com

All of the lovely flowers from

I Am Roses
Here's the vid if you'd like to take a peek:


Thank you for stopping by!
Hugs,
Yvonne

Friday, July 27, 2012

"Creating is Fun"

Hello my lovely friends! 
Hope all is well at your end. I'll have to make this quick today since 
my home is buzzing with excitement.  We are huge fans of the Olympics, 
and we can barely wait to see the opening ceremonies tonight!
So I'll get right to it... my friend Martha Pineda has a little shop called
She invited me to be a Guest Designer and I was happy to accept.
Martha has the loveliest assortment of laces and embellies.
Here are a few tags I created with her goodies:


Here's a better pic of what I worked with:

As you can see I used her laces to make flowers, create faux pockets, and 
if you look closely the center tag is completely covered in lace.  I 
also used her pearl buttons as centers for both flowers and bows!

And here my friends is the best news... Martha is having a huge sale
That's my kind of SALE! LOL!
So pop on over and take a quick look,  I think you'll like what you see!

You can find Martha's store at

Okay guys I gotta run, I have just enough time to pop some popcorn,
and settle in on the couch! Forgive me if you find any typos, 
I'll have to proof tomorrow! Thanks for stopping by!
Hugs,
Yvonne


Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Sewing Themed Tag ;P

Hey Guys! Hope all is FABULOUS!
Today I want to show you a new tag I made featuring one of
Abby Scrapbookaholic's new stamps, and what I'm submitting for this
week's "Let's Use Lace" challenge at Latinas in America.

Here is the tag:




I used a #6 craft tag, and modge podged pattern paper on it. My sister
had received some old McCall's pattern paper in a goodies swap from
Donna, and Yvette was nice enough to share some with me!
I made the little pink rosette out of ribbon that looks like 
measuring tape. It's the same ribbon I used for the bow.
I added a little lace skirt to the dressform, and a pearl necklace...
'cause I'm thinking she's a pretty classy broad! LOL!
A few additional embellies and I was happy with the turn out.
Especially the little antique sewing machine and 
scissor buttons, aren't they the cutest?!

So the stamp translates to "Because You're Special" in spanish, and it's
part of the "Bella Amistad" set.


Well, my friends, I'm so happy that you spent a little time 
with me today! I hope you'll leave a comment and will come back again!
Hugs,
yvonne



Monday, July 23, 2012

"Grey Goes West" Blog Hop & Sketch Challenge #13

Hello my lovely fellow bloggers!
For today's Blog Hop you're going to need to bring along your sense of humor, 
and seriously setaside any straitlaced attitudes or prudish inhibitions!  
Graphical Designs is releasing two collections, 
both being a lil' bit spicy!

The 1st collection has a Western flair to it...  here's my first card:


For this card I followed Sketch #13 fairly strictly. The sexy cowgirl is
a pre-colored digi from Kenny K...  I only wish I could color that beautifully!
Here's the sketch:
The winner of  Sketch Challenge #13 will win
ALL of the New Digi Releases (Both Collections!!!)

The 2nd Graphicat Design Collection was inspired by the ever popular trilogy by 
EL James
You may have heard about it... it's a bit naughty, but ever so entertaining...
"Fifty Shades of Gray"
Our terribly talented and wickedly funny Cheri put together a series of stamps
in honor of the overwhelming popularity of this literary phenomenon.
Now I must warn you... some are very explicit, and of course that is NOT
for everyone.  So please proceed at your own risk... and by that I mean that
you risk being offeneded.  Some might think of it as vulgar, others might  
 just see the humor that was intended.  Either way I will quote Cheri's long standing disclaimer:

"My stamps are meant to bring a smile and even a chuckle. 
I love humour and I only mean to make you laugh, however, my humour is not for everyone. 
If I offend you, or you don't find the sentiments and images funny, 
I'm sorry, please just find your way out of my site and I wont be upset if you never return. 
PLEASE, do not contact me to complain, I will NOT respond."

 ...And that my friend, is how GraphiCats roll...
So here they are.... this is your last chance to bail... just click away... lol!
 

So, what do ya think?  Bad? or just Funny?
Personally, I think it's just funny... but that's just me.  I generally try
not to take anything too seriously... I try to stay on an even keel.
And I must admit, I have read all three books in the series, and enjoyed them all.
Once I got over the initial shock of the sexual content, and trust me... it is
indeed VERY shocking (and educational btw) I was able to enjoy the romance of it all.

So now, some details about the blog hop...

Be sure to leave a comment at every blog in the for a chance to win
a digi from each GraphiCat participating.

The hop begins at Cheri's personal blog

Next you should visit the Sketch Challenge Blog!
You must submit a sketch to be eligible to win 
the aforementioned Grand Prize


The next GraphiCat on the blog roll is Yours Truly,
and you're already here, YAY!
Please be sure to leave a comment, because on my blog, I'll be throwing in
an extra prize to accompanying the digi Cheri is providing.
My prize will be an assortment of I Am Roses flowers... hope you like them!

And here are the rest of the ladies participating:



Jess 

Please don't forget to leave some love at every stop!
So glad you stopped by and hope you enjoy the Hop!
Hope to see you back soon!
Hugs,
Yvonne