Quote Inspired

This week the Tombow Design Team has been challenged to create with one of our favorite quotes.

One of my favorites comes from Erma Bombeck. I loved her wit and charm and this quote is one that has spoke to me from the first time I heard it.

Initially my plans were to create a frame that I could hang in my craft room, but nothing was going together right. Then the "light went off" (HA!) and I decided to create a covered notepad where I could store all my sketches, ideas, inspiration, etc instead of on all of these scraps of paper I have in a manilla file folder.

So here is my creative notebook.

I used Tombow's Mono Power Bond for adhering paper to the composition notepad, Mono Adhesive Permanent to adhere paper to paper, and the new (and very loved!) Power Tabs to adhere the buttons.

I used some vintage crocheted lace from my stash as well as vintage rayon seam binding for the "ribbon". Added some stitching and buttons to finish it off. I can't wait to start filling it up with lots of fun ideas.

The "spine" was green and I didn't want green (gasp I know! since it's my favorite color!!), so I painted it brown. Ü


Be sure to stop by the blog each day to see what quotes inspire my "team mates". Also, be checking each day and on facebook as Tombow has been giving away great products.

Spring Flowers

It is definitely not feeling like spring here with snow on the ground and more suppose to be coming this way today.

This card was sketch inspired again by one on SCS. Papers are Basic Grey. Image is May Flowers by Designed2Delight.

I've been featured

WOW! My kite is getting lots of attention. Ü Marvelously Messy featured me on their blog too! I am so excited that so many like this project that I had so much fun creating!

Baby Belle

**To see and enter the Inky Antics blog hop prize, go here:


Today is the last Friday, so that means Freebie Friday on Baby Bud Designs. It will only be available today, so hurry over to pick yours up.

My card is featuring the new baby on the block: Baby Belle. Isn't she a cutie? Just in time for spring (so why are we getting snow and supposedly through Monday?!). Well we will just pretend it is feeling like spring.

I used papers from my K & Co paper pad that I just love. Tombow's new colored pencils and Gamsol to color this image and a brown Tombow Dual Brush Pen on a sponge to sponge the edges of the image piece. Tombow's super strong Power Tabs to add the buttons.                       ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WOOOHOOOOO! I made the top 3 for Do You Stack Up challenge using ribbon. I entered my kite banner and it made the top 3. Pretty excited!

                      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On a medical note: thank you sooooo much for all your prayers and e-mails. I am doing better each day. My surgeon called me yesterday and gave me permission to try to go to work next week, but 1/2 days only. I almost walked a mile today! Each day I go a little further.

I am still pretty sore and my back is really sore today, maybe cuz I did more and didn't take any naps.

My dr. appt is the 5th and then we will see if I need to start PT. I still have a dropped foot, but it is getting a little better I think.

Inky HoneyPOP Blog Hop

Welcome to the Inky Antics HoneyPOP Blog Hop! It starts today and ends on Sunday, March 27th at midnight Central time. We invite you to stop and comment on each DT members’ blog, as there will be prizes given away. Three lucky winners will be drawn at random to receive a surprise HoneyPOP Clear Set and coordinating Honeycomb Paper Pad. The more you comment, the more chances you have to win! (Limit one comment on each designer’s blog post plus the Inky blog, with up to seven comments total.)

If you’ve come from Michelle’s blog you are right on track, if not, I have the list below and you can go back and visit those that you've missed.

Here are my two cards...
For the first one I used 11025MC Caterpillar HoneyPOP Clear Set. I used Basic Grey papers from the Oliver line. I love this worms big glasses. It's hard to tell in the photo, but I used a clear glaze for the glass part of his glasses.

Here is a peek at the inside: Isn't this so much fun?! Who wouldn't love opening this up to see this fun surprise inside?

My second card uses Inky's 11026MC Cupcake Birdy Clear set.  I used some discontinued SU! papers that I have had around for quite awhile and some new Nestilities eyelet dies.

I added glaze to the cherry

Here is a peek at the inside: I cut the cupcake about 1/8" larger all the way around the stamped image to make it fill the inside of the card more.

Thank you for stopping by. Your next stop will be to visit Crystal’s blog.

Please also consider participating in the HoneyPOP Blog Hop Challenge. You’ll find the complete scoop here.

Hop list in case you get lost along the way:
1. Inky Antics http://inkyanticsrubberstamps.blogspot.com/
2. Trudy Sjolander http://truesgiftsfromtheheart.blogspot.com/
3. Jovi Kloess http://jovikloess.blogspot.com/
4. Michelle Pearson http://inspirationblooms.blogspot.com/
5. Debbie Fisher http://debbiedee.blogspot.com/ You are here Ü
6. Crystal Irwin http://crystalkbk.blogspot.com/
7. Keri Sereika (“honorary” DT member) http://pinklemonade.typepad.com/

Splitcoast Challenges

I was able to finally finish this card for a challenge that was posted on Splitcoaststampers Sunday. I can only sit for a few minutes at a time, so it took a really long time to get this done, but I am pleased with how it turned out.

Sunday challenges on SCS are Featured Stamper days. This week's featured stamper was mbrcutie25. I CASE'd this card of hers. I didn't have any butterfly stamps small enough to create a card like hers, so used my Cricut to cut some. This is what I came up with.

It took me the longest time to figure out what to do for the sentiment. I knew I wanted a thank you card, but couldn't figure out what to put there. Finally today I decided to use one of the yo-yo's I've been making.

Here is a peek at the inside:

Newsworthy + Doily Challenge

Monday's challenge on Splitcoaststampers was to use newspaper. I love the look of using newspaper, so was up to the challenge. I have seen these really cool paper flowers where you kinda wad the paper up and roll it, so did a Youtube search and kind of combined several together that I saw. Don't really have a clue what I'm doing, but I liked how it turned out.

My friend Pam sent me some paper doilies a few week's back with a challenge to use them in a project, so I decided to combine it with the newsworthy challenge. I love the vintage look I got.

Here are a few steps to show you what I did.
1. I hand cut a circle about the size of the flower I wanted, then added Tombow's Stamp Runner Permanent Adhesive all over the circle.

2. I cut a 1.5" strip of newspaper and wadded it up, smoothed it out and then twisted and rolled it and pressed it into the adhesive circle.

3. Here is what it looks like after I finished going around the whole circle.

4. Then to color it, I used a Tombow Dual Brush Pen and my Art Air gun and spritzed color all over it until it was the shade I wanted. I actually used 2 different shades.

5. To make the stem, I just twisted a piece of newsprint and sprayed it 2 colors of green and adhered to my doily that I had spritzed with a tan to give it a vintage look.

6. For the leaves I used my adhesive to adhere the newsprint to scrap cardstock and then hand cut leaves out, spritzed them with green marker, and scrunched them up and placed them behind the roses where I wanted them. The cardstock behind the newsprint gave them more body.

7. I finished the centers off with pearls like I saw Trudy did. I had planned to use buttons like I saw on YouTube, but I didn't have any tiny enough for my flowers.

Here are the Dual Brush Pens I used:

                                          990, 195, 977, 098, 761, 772

I'm home

I went into surgery yesterday about 11:40 and left the hospital at 2:30!! They had me up and walking before I was even fully awake. Still can't believe how fast you can do things these days.

There was a Walgreens around the corner and we went there to get pain meds. I was sick before we got there (1 block) and had a very bad nite where I would have rated my pain at a 10 (which I never do, cuz I always say it can get worse, but was in so much pain I didn't WANT it to be worse!). Finally started letting up after 4 hrs. The gave me new anesthesia (told them I wanted what I had when I had my brain tumor, but they didn't listen, was sure "this"-can't remember what it was, but will be finding out- wouldn't make me sick. I've been sick all morning, but it's starting to wear off.

Just feel sucker punched all over now. Was told 1st 3 days wouldn't be so great as the pain shots they gave me in my back wear off. Not as bad as the pain I had before, so, so far so good.

No pain shooting down my leg! YAY!!! Told me it takes 1 hour for 1 milimeter of nerve to repair, so from my back to my toe, we have a long way to go (hey that rhymes! Ü), but that's okay, just need to learn to be patient. Also takes a long time for muscle to heal, so my leg will drag for awhile, but walking and PT will get me where it needs to be as they think they got it in time.

Incision is about 3/4" and is glued shut. Said to take shower each day and it will "peel like a sunburn but not hurt". How cool is that?!

THANK YOU for all your prayers and e-mails.

Catch a Bug

Catch a Bug is the newly released image from Designed2Delight. If you have been playing along each week with Faith's free challenges, you rec'd this image in your e-mail today. If not, you can still purchase it here.

I used some new papers I've had for a few weeks that hadn't been cut into. I colored the image and then added Tombow's Mono Aqua Liquid Glue over the top to give it a glass look.

Here is a peek at the inside:

I haven't caught a bug, but by the time you read this I will be on my way to Lincoln for back surgery. I had a herniated disc and it ruptured. They will be removing the ruptured part.

I hope to be back soon. I have a couple of things preposted, so those will go live even if I don't get back on line for a few days.

QKR Blog Hop

Welcome to QKR Stampede's Sun, Moon, & Stars Blog Hop. If you have come from Dawn's  blog, (wasn't her card amazing?! I love the felt stars!) you are in the right spot. If not, there is the list below and you can start at Barb's blog and follow along.

Today I am sharing QKR's Swinging image. I used the digital image and changed the smile by copying the stars smile and pasting onto on the girl's face.

Now hop on over to Jerusha's blog and see all the amazing cards she created!
Here is your blog hop list in case you get lost along the way:

Dawn Lotharius http://dawnscrafts.blogspot.com/
Debbie Fisher http://debbiedee.blogspot.com/ (you are here Ü)
Jerusha http://www.ilovepapercrafting.blogspot.com/
Jessica Stockmeyer http://www.thebugstampinmomma.blogspot.com/
Kleeblatt http://kleeblatts.blogspot.com/
Kristie Maynard http://www.kristiekreates.blogspot.com/
Kristine Reynolds http://stampingandscrapingincalifornia.blogspot.com/
Roxie Glaza http://paperscaper.blogspot.com/

Tombow/Fancy Pants Blog Hop

This week the Design Teams of Tombow and Fancy Pants are joining together to provide you with lots of inspiration in what will be a wonderful blog hop for you all.

Sharron had sent the Tombow Design Team their assignments earlier this month and one of the themes listed for us as an idea was kites. That was all my little brain needed. Ü I have been wanting to make a pendant type banner like I've seen on so many blogs and just hadn't gotten around to it. So as soon as I saw the word "kites" I knew my banner would say "spring" and be kites.

I knew my Fancy Pants goodies were on their way and was sooooo hoping that they would work for what I wanted to create. They did NOT disappoint! Oh my, the papers were PERFECT for me! We have lots of antiques and time worn furniture in our house and the colors were going to go great with my decor. I received goodies from Fancy Pants "It's the Little Things" line.

The hardest part was drawing the kite. I am NOT a drawing artist, so used LOTS of paper before coming up with a size I thought would work. And Sharron was a sweetie and turned it into a PDF for me to share with you all. So if you would like my pattern you can just e-mail me and let me know. I tried to link it here and it won't let me.

Here is my kite banner using lots of Fancy Pants and Tombow products.

The Tombow products I used were:
New Stamp Runner Permanent Adhesive (to apply the paper to the chipboard)
New Power Tabs (for the crocheted flowers and buttons)
New Foam Tabs (on the letters that spell out "spring")
Mono Liquid Aqua Glue (on the letters-there are 3 layers of solid cardstock and one of patterned paper to make it look like chipboard letters)
Dual Brush Tip Pens #'s 192, 243, 977, 845, 873, 925, 025 (to color my ribbon like I showed here)

To start I cut my kite pieces with heavy chipboard. If you don't have any, you can use a box or cereal boxes or just use cardstock and have a lighter weight banner.

Then I painted the edges with creamy white paint and after it dried I sanded the edges for a more time worn look.

Then the real fun began! Ü Mixing papers, patterns, ribbons, buttons, etc. I layed out all my papers first and started mixing and matching until I knew what I wanted to go together. I trimmed down the pattern a little so there was an edge showing, sponged all the edges with tan ink, and glued all my pieces onto the chipboard. I used a solid color for the back.
 
At first I hadn't planned on each letter (cut with Plantin Schoolbook Cricut Cartridge) having a crocheted flower and button on each one, but it just worked out that way.

After I cut each letter and sponged it, I added Martha Stewart chunky glitter. Anna Wight's lovely projects inspired me to add some glitter.

Then to the back of the letters I used Tombow's New Foam Tabs to make them "pop" more.

Here you can see the chunky glitter better

 I hope you enjoyed my project as much as I enjoyed creating it. Don't forget to stop by Tombow's and Fancy Pants' blogs this week to see what the designers on both teams created.

fits following challenges:
Do You Stack Up ~ Ribbon Challenge

Fancy Pants Nugget Box

This super easy nugget box pattern can be found on Paper Craft Planet. I love how it turned out and it really is so easy to make. Just print on your cardstock or paperk, cut out, fold and decorate!

I used SU's Mellow Moss Cardstock for my box base and then sponged all the edges with Mellow Moss ink. The pretty papers are from Fancy Pants' It's the Little Things line.

Tombow's Mono Adhesive Permanent was used on the one flap to put the box together and their AWESOME new Power Tabs were used to adhere the yo-yo to the box (LOVE those tabs!!).

I made a little yo-yo for a simple decoration on the top, added stitching to the patterned paper and to the tag that I printed the sentiment off of the computer. Those yo-yo's are sooo simple and I have a bunch of circles cut, so I can sew on the way to the dr. since it's such a long drive.

You can fit a yummy chocolate egg (coconut or raspberry flavored for me Ü) inside or any other goodie you like.

Be sure to be stopping by Tombow's blog each day for super fun projects that the rest of the Tombow team created as well as Fancy Pants' blog for cool project their team designed. AND come back here tomorrow for my project that is full of fun and just screams SPRING! Ü

QKR Tuesday

Today is my turn to host a project on QKR Stampede and I have a fun idea for you for using QKR's digital images. I used digi Love Bear for this card and changed the heart to a clover.

There is probably an easier way to do this, but I am still learning. Here is how I did it.

1. I opened the image up in Paint and cut out the heart on the bear and saved him in my files.

2. Then I opened him up in Inkscape.

3. I opened the image with the heart back up in Paint and copied the heart.

4. I went back to Inkscape and pasted the heart and resized it. Then I pasted 2 more hearts and rotated them where I wanted them and saved to my files.

5. Then I went back to Paint and opened him there and with the drawing tool, drew the stem and saved him once again as "clover bear".

This is a great way to get more for your money with the digital stamps.

50,000 Hits Blog Candy

**this post will remain at the top until I draw for the blog candy. Please scroll down to see current posts

I am almost to 50,000 hits. I just need 205 more, so I'm going ahead with the blog candy as I think I can make it by Monday.

I don't have a picture of what all I'm sending, so you'll just have to trust me that it is good. Ü

In the box SO FAR are several 6 x 6 patterened papers, lots of vintage seam binding, other vintage goodies like buttons, rick rack, etc. Some Inky Antics stamps, misc. stamping supplies, Tombow Mono Adhesive Permanent tape roller, some of my hand crocheted flowers, if I get to it, there will be a few fabric yo-yo's that are the rage now too. I will post here to let you know as I add more goodies. Ü

Along with the goodies I am sending, here are some from some of the DT that I work for: (note, I will send them your name and address and they will mail these to you directly)

Inky Antics: Easter Chick HoneyPOP set and a yellow honeycomb pad

Tombow: Jelly Bean Dual Brush Pen set
 QKR Stampede: $20 (plus free shipping/handling)

So what do you have to do to win? Just leave me a message telling me what you like best about my blog. (no annonymous posts as I have no way of contacting you).

You have until 5 pm CST Monday, March 14th to enter to win. I will draw a name and post it Monday evening. Hopefully I've heard from the winner by Tuesday evening so I can mail it out Wed morning.

Good Morning

Nebraska sunrises can be as beautiful as the sunsets. We are to have another beautiful day. Stop back as I will hopefully have something creative to share with you.

Meanwhile, hop over to Card Ideas for another fun Saturday challenge. Need more inspiration? Be sure to stop by D2D's Photo Gallery as well. It is FULL of awsome projects.

MRI update

MRI was yesterday. Dr. called today and I have another bad disc that is pinching a nerve into the bulging one. I have an appt next week to see a surgeon to see if he can operate.

Thank you for your prayers and would appreciate them a bit longer.

Snow Day

4" and counting. No school, so hoping to be creative.

**Back update: Had a rough nite. MRI is scheduled for Thursday. I REALLY wish there was a pain pill I could take even though I hate taking meds.

D2D Saturday Challenge

Going Green: When I think of March I think Spring and "green". When I think "green" I think recycle, use what you have, etc. Your challenge is to use Designed2Delight's Friday’s Freebie and something you have recycled. This can be a card, altered recycled item, or anything else you can think of.

For my recycled project I used a green envelope to make this fun pocket gift bag.

I taped a green envelope closed and then cut it to the size I wanted. I layered patterned paper on top and then decorated. The Lucky Bird has been joined with the mailbox from Sending My Love Kaela. The sentiment is from Wee Bit and Lots o' Luck.

I used Tombow's New Power Tabs to hold the ribbon ends to the inside of the envelope. I didn't need a whole tab for each side, so cut one in half.

It's kinda hard to see in the photo, but I stamped polka dots on the crepe paper and then sewed down the center and gathered to go around the envelope. I punched holes in the side for my new crinkle ribbon I made (tutorial to follow in the next week or two).

This time I gave my Lucky Bird shiny boots, like my friend Bridget did.

Would you like to be on the Designed2Delight Design Team? Faith is taking applications until the 14th. You can read all the deets here on her blog.

Also for challenge:
Do You Stack Up ~ Just Green It

D2D Thursday Sneak Peek

Today Designed2Delight DT are sharing some lovely cards made with Lucky Bird. This is the freebie that you will receive in your e-mail tomorrow if you are playing along with us each week. Be sure to stop by the Card Ideas blog to see the other cards made with this fun spring image and welcome our first Guest Designer Bridget Douglass! Welcome Bridget!!

For my card I used Basic Grey's "Marjolaine" paper. I colored my bird with Tombow's new colored pencils and some of their Dual Brush Pens. If you are on Facebook, be sure to join the Tombow group. There are going to be prizes and fun each month and you don't want to miss out.

#'s N95, 173, 195, 062, 491, 192

Eggshell, Jay Blue, Horizon Blue, Opal Green, Humming Bird, Oil Yellow

This card was also created for:

One Crazy Stamper ~ Sketch Challenge
Cute Card Thursday ~ Signs of Spring

Tombow New Product Projects

The DT received new products from Tombow to try out and play create with and I love it ALL!!!! Super duper stuff!

This week the Design Team will be highlighting some of the new products they created for this challenge. Be sure to stop by the Tombow blog every day for wonderful inspiration.

My first project is a card using Tombow's Dual Brush Pens, (not new) New Foam Tabs, and New Stamp Runner Permanent Adhesive.

I used Designed2Delight's Simple Valentine Birdcage digital image. I colored with Tombow's Dual Brush Pens

left to right: blender pen, #243, #192, #985, #905, #885, #452, #N65

I forgot to take a picture, but I used #977 a caramel color in my air art gun to spritz the splattered color on. I used to do that alot and saw my air art gun in the drawer when I was looking for something else, so decided to play with it again.

I made the card front with scraps from my scrap pile and layered the image in the center with the Foam Tabs.

For my second project I created this cute little gift bag using Tombow's Dual Brush Pens, Mono Glue Pen, New Stamp Runner Permanent Adhesive, and New Fastener Tabs.

I printed this cute digital image (Chloe from Baby Bud Designs) on watercolor paper. Since I wanted to watercolor it, I needed to seal the ink. I don't know if this has been done before, but I came up with the idea to draw over all the lines with Tombow's glue pen and then emboss with clear embossing powder. Love how it turned out!

I used the following Dual Brush Pens:

#725, #755, #925, #173, #850, the blender pen and #879 for her hair (forgot to put that in the picture)

Here is a little tutorial of how I made the bag.

1. cut a lunch sack the same height as the width

2. cut solid cardstock 1/8" larger than the width and height for the front and an additional 2" for the back to create the flap

3. cut patterned paper 1/8" smaller for the front and 1 7/8" by 18" smaller length for the flap

4. score the pack solid cardstock piece at 2" on one short end

5. punch a hole from each end on the scored line

6. add ribbon thru the holes and adhere with adhesive

7. apply adhesive to one side of the cut paper bag and center it on the inside back piece of the solid cardstock
8. apply adhesive to the other side of the paper bag and line the front piece to the back edges (it will look like this)

9. apply adhesive to the patterned papers and adhere to the front panel and front flap

10. Use Tombow's Fastener Tabs (these are ULTRA thin and so awesome!!) to

adhere to the inside flap.

11. Decorate front of bag as wished and fill with goodies for someone special. Ü

I hope you enjoyed the projects I shared with you today and will give Tombow's new products a try. I know you are going to love them as much as I do.

These items are also for these challenges:
Pixie Cottage ~ Spring and/or Sketch