This and that...

Ok, so it is November and things are BUSY around here. The 23rd is my folks 45th Wedding Anniversary and I am throwing them a party the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving, also my birthday, I am having at my house....AM I CRAZY??????

Also, our car that has been perpetually in the shop the last few months has now decided to not start....again....ugh!

Here are a couple things I have been working on lately...

This is a Nutcracker that I drew and colored. I have a friend that is cuckoo for Nutcrackers, I mean she has like, over 100 of them! For her birthday, I drew this and colored four of them in different colored outfits and framed them.

That got me thinking about The Nutcracker Suite and so I drew this Mouse King to go with the Nutcracker.

I think they turned out pretty good...what do you think? OF COURSE...I colored them with Copic markers.

Blessings!

Shannon

Top Five List...

Of Where Shannon Has Been The Last Month!

5: She starting cleaning out the garage...we should see her sometime next spring!
4: She joined the Circus...you should see her beard!
3: She joined the Peace Corps...she thought it was a spa retreat!
2: She was abducted by aliens...good thing she has her CHL!
1: She joined the CIA...now she has to kill you! hehehe

Actually, I have been recovering from the Mother Of All Colds, which turned into Bronchitis. So needless to say (and yet I am still saying it...hehehe) I have not been in the mood to blog...or do much of anything else.

I will begin posting regularly again soon!

Miss you!
Shannon

Sweet & Sassy Stamps Christmas Cheer Blog Hop Day 1!

I know, I know... it is only October. But, if you are like me, you need ALL the time you can find to get those cards out in the mail for Christmas! Sweet & Sassy Stamps is having a 3 day Blog Hop to showcase some of the incredible Christmas stamps and digi stamps that are available RIGHT NOW! I am the last stop for the day, so if you did not start on the Sweet & Sassy Blog, you should hop over there to start from the beginning. You do not want to miss out on all the DT's lovely creations!

This lovely image is from the Jesus Is Born stamp set. It has this image and several sentiments, including portions of scripture. It is a very versatile set, in that you can use the image as the focal point, or you can use the larger scripture portions and have a completely different look. I chose to use this portrait of Jesus, Mary and Joseph as my focal point. I colored them with Copics, cut them out and popped them up on foam dots.

I used several different shades from the E range to get the skin tones the way I wanted them. I used W1-3 for the swaddling clothes to add some contrast between Jesus and his parents.

The CS is SU! Mellow Moss and the DP is Basic Grey Mellow. I really like the way this paper coordinates with the colors I chose for the image.

I carried the same "feel" to the inside and added a portion of the Book of Luke, which I cut and embossed with my new Nesties Labels 9. I cut one size larger with the BG DP for a border and put my white CS on the opposite page to allow plenty of space for writing.

Here is one of the sentiments that go along with this set. I stamped, trimmed with edge decor scissors from Fiskars, and popped it up on foam dots as well. I was trying to go for a "stable" feel so I used a large rectangle Nestie to cut out the angular piece of DP and then embellished with hemp twine.

Come back tomorrow and start the Hop again with the lovely and talented Chris Dickinson. You can see the rest of the schedule for tomorrow and Friday on my sidebar.

And don't forget the BIG SALE!!! going on at Sweet & Sassy Stamps right now for subscribers! Just visit the SNSS store, sign up as a Sweet & Sassy Stamper, and then you can take advantage of a Subscriber Only Buy 1 Get 1 Free Sale on a large number of soon to be "out of print" stamp sets. Get 'em while you can! While you are there, check out the new digis and get your Free Digi!

Thanks for Hoppin' with me!

Sweet & Sassy New Release Blog Hop

It is time for a new release from Sweet & Sassy Stamps! The two sets that are being released are Forget Me Not and Baked With Love. The SNSS DT has some yummy eye candy for you today using these two sets.

AND!!!! we're also sending you on a Recipe Scavenger Hunt in honor of our new Baked With Love stamp set. What you do is, visit all the blogs on the Hop. While you are checking out the incredible creativity, you will collect "ingredients" for a mystery baked good. Once you have all 13, try to guess what the item is. Go back to the SNSS blog and leave your guess in the comments section with your email. Don't worry, only Korin can see your email! She will draw a winner from all the correct guesses.

If you didn't start on the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps blog, please head there now to find out your assignment then come back here to continue on the hop.

Here is the card I made using the Baked With Love stamp set.

This set was so much fun to use, it has so many adorable images.

Here is a close up of some of the individual images that are colored with Copic markers.

The set comes with several sentiments, and here is the one I have chosen. The CS is SU! Brilliant Blue and Real Red. The DP is from the DCWV Summer Stack but I colored in the turquoise flowers with Copic to make them match the CS. I added ribbon and some gems.

I stamped the images on Neena Classic Crest Solar White and then used my Cuttlebug to cut out and emboss with them.

This Sugar Jar turned out really well, so I just HAD to show it off! hehehe

After designing our new Baked With Love stamp set, Korin thought it would be wonderful to have a recipe card digi to go with it...so follow the link to see that digi! And while you are checking out the digis, don't forget about the freebie for today! It will be gone tomorrow!

Now how about that recipe clue????

Your next ingredient is:

ALLSPICE

Continue to hop along and collect the rest of the ingredients (note: not all blogs will have a clue)...

• Chris Dickinson
  Courtney Fowler
  Sandy Domelle
  Janette Olen
  Jeanette Comerford
  Teresa Kline
  Ceal Pritchett
  Deedee Anderson
  Lorie Souther
  Nancy Brown
  Leah Cornelius
  Shannon Pankow
  Belinda Chang
  Lisa Hjulberg

Remember, once you have collected all 13 ingredients, to head back to the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps blog and comment with the recipe you think the ingredients are for. You just might win this month's new sets, Baked With Love & Forget-Me-Not!

Thanks for hoppin!

A Drum Roll and A Blog Hop.....

TA-DA!!!! A new card! Finally!

This card is made using the new Basic Grey "Eskimo Kisses" paper, isn't it just adorable? I have paired it with the Waddle I Do Digi Stamp that was a special with purchase a while back.

I added silk/paper flowers and bling brads from my stash, along with a few other finishing touches that you can see below.

I colored him with Copics and added Glossy Accents to his scarf, eyes, cheeks, feet and beak. I trimmed him out and popped him up on foam dots.

Here is the heart charm from the wedding section at Joann. You get a bunch in a pack and they are perfect for sliding over ribbon. The pearl pin is a corsage pin and the beads were recycled from an old belt my DD did not want any more. I did not have *quite* the right shade of green ribbon, so I colored a lime green grosgrain ribbon with Copic to match the cardstock. (This is a handy trick to use if you are in a pinch!) And I finished it with Light Blue grosgrain ribbon tied with a bow.

Here is the sentiment I chose, which I outlined top and bottom in two different Copic colors (C3 & B21). I love this image! He is so sweet! You can still get Do Not Open Until Christmas at the Sweet & Sassy Stamps site, which was a companion set to this one.

DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE NEW RELEASE BLOG HOP THAT STARTS TOMORROW!

We are celebrating our October release with another 1-day blog hop. You will see amazing projects using our two newest sets as you hop along the DT blogs Thursday, October 1st. Find the clues along the way for a chance to win both sets from the new release!

Start at the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps blog then visit the following in no particular order:

• Korin Sutherland
• Chris Dickinson
• Courtney Fowler
• Sandy Domelle
• Janette Olen
• Jeanette Comerford
• Teresa Kline
• Ceal Pritchett
• Deedee Anderson
• Lorie Souther
• Nancy Brown
• Leah Cornelius
• Shannon Pankow
• Belinda Chang
• Lisa Hjulberg

Blessings!

Me, maybe some Candy and a Friend...

Ok, this is not a sale advertisement, or a DT Blog Hop or anything remotely craft related. Just me, sitting here typing...while my kids continue to NOT go to bed and I continue to wonder whether or not Laptop Wrist is a REAL ailment or just a figment of my imagination...I think it *might* be carpal tunnel, but I don't really want to *think* about it much! Things here have been pretty out of the ordinary...I cannot go into details but suffice it to say that our stress levels are WWAAAYYYY over the normal threshold and your prayers are greatly appreciated. On the up side, we both still have jobs! I know many people are not so blessed and I hope that God will open a new door, a better door, for them in the near future.

Interestingly enough, I did something recently that most people think of as a "man-thing". In fact, I was the only woman there! If you really want to know what it was, email me and I will let you in on the secret. I would post it here, but DH tells me that my blog now shows up when my name is Googled so my personal privacy is pretty much out the window. Actually, I might end up making a Blog Candy out it...that would be fun! Put all the correct answers into a hat and draw a winner? What do you think? What kind of things would make a good "Candy?" I know what my crafty friends will say....but what about the rest of you? Let me hear from you!

Now, I want to tell you about a sweet person that I have come to know in the blogging world. Ellyn, who owns the blog Profoundly Seth. Seth is her youngest who was born early and was profoundly deaf. They fought to get him Cochlear Implants, which he now has, and the journey was amazing to read. She also talks about her losing a child (stillbirth), losing a husband (in the process) and how she is coping with being pregnant while her marriage seems to be ending. She has three other kids, Ava, Jace and Eli(he was stillborn) and is currently expecting #5. Her blog is an adventure into faith, family and fortitude. Please give her some bloggy love, and help raise her "hit-count"...it is her only source of income at the moment.

Blessings,
Shannon

Autumn Stroll Blog Hop! Last Stop

Turning leaves, a cool breeze and the kids are back in school...must be Autumn! Of course here in Texas it is still PLENTY HOT! But, it is getting better... This month, Sweet n' Sassy Stamps has a few new Autumn-themed clear stamp sets and some new digi's as well. If you did not get here from Sandy's Blog, then you might want to head back to Chris's Blog and start your Blog Hop day off right. You don't want to miss any of the lovely "Fall Festival" of creativity we have in store for you!

This lovely little lady is from a digi set called,"Pick of the Harvest." I have colored her with Copic markers on Neenah Solar Crest cardstock. The think I love about digis is how easy it is to use them. You just print them out with an inkjet printer, set the ink with a heat gun and voila! you are all ready to color and don't have to clean up after yourself! hehehe

Isn't this just the sweetest sentiment? It comes with several, but I chose this one. I used SU! Chocolate Chip CS and some DP from DCWV The Green Stack and Basic Grey Mellow. The flowers are just pieces from my stash and the brads are Basic Grey Urban Prairie. The ribbon I got on sale at Joann and the butterfly charm is Blue Moon from the jewelery making section at StuffMart.

Here is a closer look at our cutie! Don't look TOO close, you see where I got a little happy with the markers! LOL I really like how this sweet little gal turned out. You can get her in digi form from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps right now. It is quick and easy and you will be coloring in no time!

This precious little guy is from a set called, "Leaves Me Smiling." He is also a digi (gotta love 'em!) and I have printed him on the same paper and colored with Copics. If you look closely you will see how I used individual little brushtip strokes to add some dimension to his fur.

Again, just an adorable sentiment! This set also comes with several to choose from. I used the same CS and DP for this one, but I added a button and some silk leaves and ribbon from StuffMart.

Now, I am your last stop on the hop for today, but don't forget to check out Belinda's Blog in the morning! She is sure to knock your socks off!

Blessings!

Sweet and Sassy Scripture Blog Hop Day Three!

Welcome to the third and final day of the Sweet and Sassy Scripture Blog Hop! I have been so blessed by all I have seen the first two days! If you did not arrive here from Ceal's blog, make sure to go back and start the day from the beginning at DeeDee's blog. You do not want to miss their lovely creations. For this blog hop, I have chosen to use the Romans Road stamp set to make a little flip book that would be perfect to keep in your purse or car for those times when you are given the opportunity to share your faith with others.
I used SU! Real Red & Mellow Moss CS and Basic Grey Mellow (totally coincidence!) DP for this project. The ribbon is from StuffMart and the acrylic drops were clear and I colored the bottoms with Copic markers. (I couldn't NOT use my Copics at all! hehehe)

The scriptures were stamped on white SU! CS with SU! Real Red ink.

Now, normally I am of the opinion that one can never over embellish, but I did not want the decorations distracting from the message, so this is one of the simplest things Ihave done lately.

I just alternated coordinating BG papers, no particular layout in mind and put the scriptures in order.

I thought this DP was perfect for this last page...even if it does not really "go" with all the other pages. It seems to convey the right feeling.

I have always sort of struggled with sharing my faith...I tend to forget what the actual scriptures are and where to find them, so this is the perfect tool for me to use when talking with others about my faith and how they can accept the gift that Christ so willingly offers to us all. This was extremely easy to make and if you would like the particulars, let me know.

Now, hop on over to Chris's blog. She has shared her testimony as well, and it is sure to be a blessing to you!

Blessings!

Sweet and Sassy Scripture Blog Hop!

For the next three days, SNSS will be highlighting their collections with scriptures. I just love to use scripture on my cards and whatnot and I look forward to seeing what everyone else comes up with. Be watching for some really great ideas of how to share your faith with others using scripture stamps! Check out the details below...

Join us for the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps monthly DT Blog Hop! This month we are featuring our popular scripture stamps!

Wednesday, August 26th:
SNSS Blog featuring Chris Olsen
Courtney Fowler
Janette Olen
Connie Babbert
Nancy Brown
Teresa Kline

Thursday, August 27th:

Sandy Domelle
Leah Cornelius
Lisa Hjulberg
Jeanette Comerford
Korin Sutherland
Lorie Souther

Friday, August 28th:


Deedee Anderson
Belinda Chang
Ceal Pritchett
Shannon Pankow
Chris Dickinson
SNSS Blog featuring Michele Kovack

SSS16 and A New Card! Finally!

My life is really a mess right now, but I did find time to make a card, finally!

Isn't this guy too cute? This is from a Sweet n' Sassy digi set called "Something to Crow About." I am beginning to get really hooked on digis, because they are so easy to use, so inexpensive, and sooooo easy to clean up after (you don't have to! hehehe)

I am still working on my "black" technique with the Copics, but this one turned out pretty good. I used the C range of greys and kept laying down color until it looked dark enough. I wanted to convey a Fall theme, so I used the silk leaves, althought it kind of makes him look like a turkey instead of a crow! LOL And I know that sunflowers are technically summer, but here in Texas we have them in the fall as well.

I colored a second set of his eyes, beak, wings and legs to pop up on foam dots and I added even more dimension with Glossy Accents. The CS is SU! and the DP is DCWV The Green Stack. The gingham ribbon is SU! and the leaves and sunflowers are from the craft section at StuffMart.

This is one of the many sentiments that come along with this little guy, and I like that because it is a digi, I can resize the sentiment to whatever size I want it to be.

I brought the same theme to the inside and topped off with ribbon and flowers.

Blessings!

Take a Walk on the Wild Side!

It is that time again! Time for the Sweet & Sassy Stamps July Blog Hop! We have some beautiful creations from our amazingly talented design team for you to enjoy. If you did not come here from another SNSS DT members blog, then hop on back to SNSS and start from the beginning! You don't want to miss the eye candy (and maybe some BLOG candy too!)



This set is called "Doodle Birds" and it is just so much fun!


I stamped the image with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers. The CS is all from my stash (trying to use up some of what I have) and the DP is from the DCWV Green Stack.


I added branches punched with an MS punch and Basic Grey Urban Prairie buttons with ribbon from StuffMart. I trimmed the birdy and popped her up, along with the nest. This sentiment makes it perfect for a housewarming card!




Now, the next stop on your "hop" is the incredibly talented Courtney. Hop on over there and see what creative things she has for you! And don't forget today is the LAST DAY for the Blow Out Sale 40-50% off and Christmas in July Sale over at Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps

Blessings!

Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge #13...and again!

This is the sketch for Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge #13:

And here is my (first) take on this sketch.....

This is a brand new SNSS Digi release called "Showers of Blessing," by Courtney Fowler. Courtney has her own blog and challenge team called the, "Created by Courtney Challenge Chicks." Her work is lovely and her love for the Lord is evident in all that she does. Initally I wanted to color her dress in blue, but it made me think of the Morton Salt girl, so I tried to pick a color that I don't use much as a focal. Green, which I love, is usually what I use for leaves, etc. Here her dress and umbrella are colored with Copics using marker in the G and YG ranges. The background is done with C1-C7. Notice how I "grounded" her with a darker shadow below? When you do this, it makes the image look like it is actually on something, instead of floating in mid-air. Her hair is done with red-toned E range markers. CS is SU! Mellow Moss, DP and brads are Basic Grey - Mellow (I JUST realized that they both say mellow! hehehe), ribbon is Martha Stewart, bling is K&Co. Anytime I put gemstone brads or crystal bling on my cards, by DH says, "You Bedazzled it! LOL (Inside joke from The Game Plan, if you have seen it.) I used my MS Lace Border punch on some of the DP.

This is a close up showing the colorful paper and the sentiment. The digi comes with several sentiments to choose from, so you have something for inside and outside. After I finished this card and submitted it for the sketch blog, I realized that it was SUPPOSED to be a Christmas-themed card...doh! So, accordingly, here is my second take on this sketch:

If you have not noticed yet, very rarely do I stick exactly to the sketch. I always change something, even if I just rotate or switch sides. Not sure why, I just always do! CS is a DCWV card blank and some SU! Chocolate Chip, DP is Basic Grey - Mellow (Again...I just love this paper!) and a Christmas sentiment DP from a DCWV Holidays stack, ribbon and buttons are from StuffMart. Again, I used the MS Lace Border punch. I chose to go a little simpler with the card so that the image would really stand out. I just love this guy! It is another SNSS digi called, "You Light Up My Life!" This one you can only get by participating in the Christmas in July Celebration going on at SNSS this month. Hurry! After this month, you cannot get this one or the other two Christmas digis. (Do Not Open Till Christmas and Stanley the Penguin)

Since he is supposed to be made of snow, I used a C1 marker and B00 marker to line the edges and softened with colorless blender. I also *try* to keep in mind where I want the light to come from, so I know where to put my highlights, as you can see on his hat.

Blessings!

Interestingly enough...

Ever had one of those days when you just aren't sure where an image is going? I was coloring in this image from Whiff of Joy Stamps:

and it just wasn't going where I wanted it to go. In fact, I tossed it aside several times, annoyed that I had "wasted" the image, but felt compelled to pick it back up and continue. I just love the attitude of this image and toyed around with using it as a congratulations card for a woman getting married ("maid marion=maid marrying") but I could not come up with a sentiment. I did not like the outcome of the coloring and kept messing with it, sure that I would eventually jack it up beyond repair!

Then, all of a sudden, it really started to take on a life of its own! and I was off and running without even a sketch to use. It all just sort of "happened," you know? So, without further ado, here she is! TADA!!!

Just outlining did not seem like enough, so I started coloring a background. The background sort of looks like it is her that is shining.

I looked at her and thought, "I know just what paper to use..." The CS is SU! Chocolate Chip, the DP is Basic Grey "Mellow", the bling is K&Co., the ribbon is Joann and I doodled with a Bronze Sakura Gelly Roll pen on the edges.


I had the idea to look for a scripture that could be used as a sentiment so off I went to the online reference to search for "Arrow." You can imagine what most of what I found was about...arrows piercing this or that...but Isaiah 49:1-3 really just jumped out at me. It seemed to fit and the translation from The Message was perfect.

You can really see the doodling on this picture, I drew little vines and leaves.

Sorry the pics are not the greatest, but the lighting is bad here today...anyway, just wanted to share. Hope you are all having a great day!

Blessings!

Christmas In July!!! And an Important Request....

Hey Guys! Here are a couple of things I have been working on lately...

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps is having a Christmas In July promotion right now where they are giving away these awesome Christmas Digis by Korin Sutherland.

This one is called, "You Light Up My Life," and it has the snowman image with two sentiments. Isn't that little bird just adorable? I think this one is my favorite. You can only get these digis by participating in the CIJC sale at Sweet 'n Sassy during the month of July. After that, they will no longer be available. I used Basic Grey Mellow paper and Urban Prairie brads, Neenah Solar Crest CS, Copic markers and Glossy Accents on this card, along with bling from K&Co., ribbon and silk flowers from Joann and my MS Lace Border Punch. I also added some antiquing on the CS using an SU! Close to Cocoa inkpad. After I colored him, I trimmed him and popped him up on foam dots.

Here is a closeup of the ink-antiquing. I went over the sentiment with Copics as well, just to add a little dimension.

The next digi is called, "Do Not Open Until Christmas!" and he is adorable! Most people color him as a Polar Bear, but I wanted to do something different, so my image is a night time scene with a brown bear. I used SU! Not Quite Navy and Real Red CS, along with some more Basic Grey Mellow DP, bling from K&Co., Glossy Accents and, of course, Copic Markers. Red Grosgrain 5/8" ribbon and some doodling with a Bronze Sakura Gelly Roll pen finish it off.

I wanted the tree to look more like a fir than a pine, so I used markers in the BG range. I like the look of this for a fir tree. After I colored the the decorations, I used Glossy Accents to make them stand out a bit. I added some stars to the sky with a White Sakura Gelly Roll pen and topped with Glossy Accents.

Now, onto my Important Request:

My precious birth-mother, Mama Kathryn, has been diagnosed with cancer. I am going to spend a week with her in Idaho starting the 2oth of July. She is a believer and is holding fast to God's promises but it would really bless her to get some cards from all of you talented people out there. If you can and you want to, please send her a card of encouragement, especially ones with scripture, to remind her of God's love and faithfulness. I know it would just mean so much to her. If you have a blog of your own, feel free to pass on this request. My other request is that you pray for her, add her to your church prayer list, etc.

Here is her info:

Kathryn McGinnis, P.O. Box 193, Hope, Idaho, 83836

Thank you in advance for doing this for me and Kathryn.

Blessings!