Follow Your Bliss…

Happy Friday!!!! And YAYYYYYYY it’s a long weekend!!! ME LIKEY long weekends! LOL!

I have a supercool favorite to share with you today. I went shopping at my LSS a couple weeks ago, and came across this template from Hot Off the Press. (<—click to see the templates available) I instantly grabbed it and put it in my basket! Here’s what it looks like:

There was a sample created using the lattice across the top fold, and it took my breath away. How could something so easy look so fabulous? And for only $4.99? What a bargain! These templates come in many different varieties, from mini envelopes, to paper bows, slide mounts, tabs, faux stitching, and more! They are made of the same plastic material that the SU! templates are made from. I also really like that they have a grid on them, that helps get proper alignment. Here’s the card I created with it:

Cheers to You!

I just *love* the way that top fold looks! You’ll be seeing me use these templates often! Here’s a closeup of the shiny cherries:

Supplies:

Stamps: Cheers to You sentiment (SU! SAB set), cherries (Lockhart)

Paper: blush red dark (Prism), solar crest white(Neenah), boxer (Basic Grey)

Ink: Adirondack pitch black (Ranger)

Copic markers: R46, R59, B34, T1, T3, T5, YG63, YG67, G99, 100 (black)

Spellbinders square Nestability die.

May Arts ribbon, silver brads. HOTP lattice template, Ranger glossy accents (on the cherries), dimensionals.

FYI, Lindsey is having a sale this weekend in her store beginning today, through Tuesday!! 15% off everything! Use code JBE15 at checkout!

Wishing all of my US friends an amazing Memorial Day weekend!!

Ohhhhhh it’s Friday….Beautiful, glorious FRIDAY!

A couple days ago, I mentioned that I had some exciting news, and that I’d be sharing it with you today, as it is one of my VERY favorite things.

Rewind to about 8 years ago. I was flipping through a car magazine (you may not know this, but I am a car geek. I love cars. I can tell you the make and model of pretty much any car on the road.) and laid eyes on the most fabulous car. The Mini Cooper. I was instantly drawn to it. The small size, the cool shape, those round headlights, the big sunroof. It was the perfect little package for me. At the time, I was living in Charleston, SC. I would watch them unload the Mini’s off the ships, and park them in the huge gated area. A virtual sea of Mini Coopers. I thought to myself…Some day, I am going to get one of those.

Time passed, and several cars had come and gone. I had 3 large dogs, and the Mini never seemed to fit in to my lifestyle. That didn’t stop me from going to the dealership and test driving it half a dozen times over the years, though. Getting behind the wheel of that cute, fun, zippy car made me smile deep in my soul.

Last year, a friend of mine showed me the new Mini Cooper that they were making for production. It was called the Clubman. It was all the same fun as the regular Mini, but with something I desperately needed. More space for the dogs. I was going through some major changes in my life at that time, and thought once again…Some day, I am going to get one of those.

Last Saturday I went to the Mini dealership in Greenville SC and test drove the new Clubman. I got behind the wheel and said to the salesman, It’s been a few years since I’ve driven a stick, so I might be a little rusty. So off I went, pulling out of the parking lot. I accelerated, threw that baby into second gear, and instantly it all came back. The salesman looked at me and said “Well, I guess your memory came back! You’re driving this car like you were born behind the wheel!” LOL! We went to an office park that was under construction. A perfect place for a test drive! I could not stop smiling. My cheeks were hurting from smiling so hard. It was bliss.

Well, guess what? That Some day… is here! On Tuesday, I placed my order for my 2008 Mini Cooper Clubman S! Allow me to introduce my soon-to-be new car…Lady Godiva.

AAAAAAAAAAAACK!!!!!!! Is she not the cutest thing you’ve ever seen??? The paint color is “Hot Chocolate Metallic”, and she will be built in Oxford England, which is why I have decided on her Lady Godiva name. (Don’t worry, I won’t be driving her butt nekkid like the “real” Lady Godiva, LOL!) She will have Tuscan Beige leather interior with English Oak accents.

The dealer said she should be delivered in July. I am ever hopeful that I’ll have her for my birthday, July 2nd. I’ll need all of you to help me think positive and get her here by then, OK?

Thanks so much for allowing me to share my news. Joy is multiplied when you share it with others, and I hope it brings you a giggle, picturing me behind the wheel of this fabulous car~zooming around these mountain roads.

Is it July yet?

Hoorayyyyyyyyyyy for Friday!

I have 3 cards to share with you in the next couple days, all of which use today’s favorite: paint brochures!

Yep, it’s true. I am absolutely in love with paint brochures. I think they are such great inspiration pieces! As you know, I love color and unique color combinations. I’m always on the lookout for fresh combinations, which is how I first came across using these brochures. I was in Lowe’s one day and one of them caught my eye. I ended up walking out with about 15 different different ones! LOL! I have quite a collection in my stamping space, and use them often. Best of all…they are FREE! WOO HOO!

Here’s a design I created this weekend using Lizzie Anne Designs In the Treetop stamp set.

This is why I love the brochures. I would NEVER in a million years have chosen these colors together! But they are so fresh and funky, I just love them with this stamp set! I used Prism cardstock: frosted kiwi, intense kiwi, frosted teal. Also cryogen white. Adirondack inks are: espresso, pool, citrus, meadow, lemonade.

It’s a rather simple design, so I won’t bore you with the details. Some items of note: I created some more grass under the tree (I would say I’m addicted to grass, but I don’t want you to take that the wrong way! BWAHAHAHAHA!!! ) I used some fun May Arts ribbon from StarLitStudio’s store, a couple of yellow Primas, and silver hardware from the new SU! silver hardware kit. Here’s a pic of the card closeup:

If you have a hard time combining colors, I encourage you to hop on over to your local Lowe’s, Home Depot, Sears, or any paint counter and check out the brochures! I think you will really like what you find! Check out a couple of other times I’ve used these as inspiration: HERE (Challenge on SCS), HERE (blog entry for the challenge), & HERE!

ENABLER ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lindsey has the NEW Basic Grey in stock in her store!!! RUN!!! Check it out —>HERE!!

Hope you all have a great weekend!!

Oh man am I ever glad it’s Friday!!! I LOVE Fridays! So, I’m sure you’ve noticed over the past couple months, that I have been using Inchies. At first, I didn’t really “get” the whole inchie thing. What would I do with them? What’s so special about them?

Well, after I started making projects with them, it didn’t take long for me to fall in love with them. They are cute, easy and fun to make, and versatile. As you’ve seen on my blog, you can use them individually on a card, or like tiles as a “quad”. You can stack them vertically for taller “tiled” images. You can make darling little magnets, ornaments for little Christmas, Easter, or Halloween trees. There’s no limit!

You can find fun ideas from Inchie Arts, as well as Ellen’s blog and store. Ellen has also created a special blog dedicated specifically to inchies, called Inchie INKlings. Several of us are designing ideas for you on our blogs: Sharon, Cindy, Mish, and Debbie. Also Karen Lockhart has ideas on her website. (click highlighted links to go to these sites!)

Ellen is carrying a really fabulous line of products from Inchie Arts, that make creating these projects a dream! You can see all of the items in Ellen’s store HERE. I really love the black and white inchie squares that are made of museum quality archival matboard. She also carries a pack of 108 precut patterned paper squares, for those that don’t care to cut these small little squares. There’s magnets, pins, glass squares…so MANY cool products. There’s also a Gotta Have it All kit that gives you everything you need to get started.

Here’s a couple inchie magnets I created using the white matboard squares, and magnets from Ellen’s store:

I used Karen Lockhart’s Itty Bitty vase and fishbowl, and colored them with my Copic markers. (for the fishbowl: Y21, T3, B000, B00. for the flowers: Y21, Y38, YR24, R46, R59, BV04, YG17, E77, B000, B00, T3) The vase and fishbowl are covered with Ranger glossy accents. The fish, rocks, and plants were colored with Copic Spica glitter pens, as were the black dots for the background. I matted the inchies with a black scalloped square, created with my Spellbinders Nestability die, then snipped a piece of magnet from the roll, and adhered it to the back. (the magnet is self adhesive on the back-just peel off the protective backing!).

I encourage you to give these Inchies a try. I think once you start playing with them, you will fall in love just as I have! Be sure to link your projects here, so I can come take a peek!

Have a great weekend!

Well hello there! Thanks for all of your sweet comments on my Inchie projects! I had so much fun making them. Today’s design features Karen Lockhart’s darling Organic Carrots. I LOVE this stamp!! I also used Dottie Bunny, which is a very versatile stamp!

When I first saw this stamp I immediately thought “pink & orange”. I dug through my stash to find this SU! patterned paper from a year or 2 ago? I don’t remember what it’s called, but I love it!

Here’s where my “Favorite” comes in. A few months ago, while at my LSS, I came across the Bo Bunny 20″ Flex Ruler. It caught my eye because it’s cute and pink, and packaged in a little “purse”. So darling!

I’ve always admired wavy layers on scrapbook pages and cards, but had a hard time drawing them freehand. I also didn’t want to invest in a cutter and be limited to the particular templates they offered. That’s what’s so great about this flex ruler. I can create a wave in whatever shape I want! I like to trace it with the small end of my embossing stylus, that way I don’t have to erase pencil lines. You could also trace the pattern on the back, if you wish, just remember that the wave will be reversed once it’s flipped over. It only costs about $11-$12 US, which I think is a bargain. It rolls up into a small circle, and I just keep it hanging on my pegboard at my work area. Easy peasy!

So, back to the card. I used my flex ruler to create the wave, and machine stitched it to a pixie pink cardbase that was stamped with Dottie bunny in Adirondack raspberry ink. I colored in Dottie’s dots with my Sakura white souffle pen.

My organic carrots were colored with Copic markers, and airbrushed with a little warm yellow (Y21). It was cut and embossed with my petite oval Nestability die, and layered with a green galore scalloped mat.

To finish off the design, I added some May Arts ribbon and Stickles to the carrots, and more May Arts ribbon across the bottom with some WeRMK silver hardware.

Guess what’s coming up this week?? My one year Bloggiversary!! You know what that means, right?? Trudee Treats for you!!! You are gonna flip out when you see all the loot I am giving away!! So stay tuned, you won’t want to miss this!!

Have a great day!!

Happy Friday, everyone! I don’t know about you, but I am sooooooooo ready for the weekend!! Don’t forget to change your clocks Saturday night an hour AHEAD!
It’s been a little while since I’ve had a Friday Favorites entry. With Spring upon us, I wanted to share one of my favorite places to buy plants for the garden. As you know, I simply LOVE shopping with QVC. They have some of the best customer service around. In addition, they have very high quality products, which brings me to today’s entry: Cottage Farms. (click that link to shop!)

What’s so special about them? Why don’t I just buy plants from my local garden center? Well, I do buy *some* things locally, but here’s one of the reasons why I buy from Cottage Farms. Their warranty:

Cottage Farms Warranty

We aren’t happy if you aren’t happy. In addition to QVC’s 30 day guarantee, Cottage Farms warrants its perennials for 1 year & annuals for 90 days from the time of shipment. If for any reason you are dissatisfied, Cottage Farms will replace your plant with a similar or comparable one, at no charge. If your replacement is not available or it is too late in the season to ship, it will ship the following season.

So, how cool is that? I have used this warranty, as I didn’t have luck with some plants I bought a couple years ago. They were happy to replace them for me, as they didn’t come up. I don’t know about you, but if I buy plants from my local nursery, and they don’t work out, I can’t get a replacement!

Another reason I love buying from CF is their selection of plants. They have some very common, longtime favorite selections, along with some more unique items that I have never seen locally. In addition, they don’t ship the plants to you until they are ready to be planted for your particular growing zone! So, when you receive them, it’s time to plant. Cool, huh? And thanks to their warranty, if an unexpected frost or freeze hits, you’re covered, as they will replace them!

The plants are packed very nicely, and delivered by UPS. I believe their greenhouses are in Alabama. Your plants will come with a growing guide that tells you what it is, how to plant it, if it likes shade or sun, moist or dry, etc. They really take all the guesswork out of it!

I hope you enjoyed this little peek into one of my favorite Spring rituals! Shopping for flowers…ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Happy Friday! In celebration of Lindsey’s birthday, we decided to have a Take Two challenge in her honor! Lindsey got to choose, so since she’s in a Valentine frenzy at the moment (LOL!) that was her choice! Happy Birthday Lindsey!!! Be sure to check out Michele, Julia, and Lindsey’s blogs to see what they did for our challenge! I can’t wait to see them, either!!

Valentine Tart of Hearts

When Linz said Valentine, I immediately knew I was going to use Karen Lockhart’s new Tart of Hearts stamp! It’s also Ellen’s Stamp of the Month, so check out what Ellen has cooked up for you!

After I colored the image with my Copic markers, I cut it out and covered it with Ranger Glossy Accents. I set that aside to dry, then worked on my layout. I remembered this weeks CPS sketch, and thought it would work nicely. With pink and brown as our colors, I couldn’t wait to pull out my Basic Grey Blush paper pack! It’s been awhile since I used it, but I still LOVE it! I used a mix of the 12×12 and 6×6 papers. (the stripe and the filigree strip are from the 6×6 pad.)

I sponged some of the edges with Ranger Adirondack Espresso ink, then machine stitched the 2 panels with brown thread. I stamped the Lockhart sentiment with my SAMJ, and adhered the shiny tart on dimensionals.

I adhered the main panel to the Prism Frosted Pink card base, then finished it off with a Basic Grey chipboard heart, brown button, and May Arts ribbon. I also added some pink Stickles on the bottom strip, as well as in the center of the flowers in the background paper.

Thanks for stopping by today ! I hope you enjoyed our challenge!

Hello! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! I know I did! Thank you all for your kind comments about my dogs. I have worked very hard training them, and they are truly my little angels. Shelby is continuing to do well, also.

Today’s favorite is Memory Box Patterned cardstock! You have seen me use this on many of my cards here, and there’s a reason for that…it rocks! It truly is cardstock weight, and comes in so many beautiful designs! Some of the packs are double sided, and some are single sided. Either way, you are going to love the look and feel of this! It’s very smooth, and the colors are so vivid! There is also a wide variety of styles. There are fresh and funky styles, cute and fun, classic and traditional.

I made 4 designs for Rubber Soul and Wordsworth using the Enlighten paper pack yesterday. These first 2 cards use Cherry Blossom Memory Box notecards, Rubber Soul Chick with flower, skinny oval, and Wordsworth Tiny Wise Words collection.

You Bless Me

Both cards use different types of stitching as an accent, and Halloween Dew Drops. The chickie was stamped on Neenah solar white cardstock, then cut and embossed with my circle Spellbinders Nestability dies, and matted with a mellow moss petite scallop panel. I used Moss taffeta ribbon, and the white taffeta was custom colored with my pink Copic marker. (notch for ribbon is a Debbie trick!) I colored chickie with my Copic markers, and added a tiny pink AMuse bling to the flower center. All supplies in bold can be purchsed in Ellen’s store!

Using the same paper pack, I created two more cards with Wordsworth’s Pussywillow image, and Rubber Soul’s Heart Sing set with the Wordsworth’s Thanks collection.

How about some distressing? This design uses Ranger’s distress ink in frayed burlap, old paper, and peeled paint. A dill Memory Box notecard, poison ivory cardstock, and WeRMK brass hardware accents. I created the puffy white pussywillows with my white Sakura souffle pen for some great dimension. It’s colored with the following Copic markers:

Last but not least, my favorite bird on a branch:

So Kind

I think this is my favorite card of the bunch. I love the print in this cardstock! I created some depth to this design simply by adding shadows with my Copic W3 marker around the bird, branch, and words. I used Colorbox Fluid chalk ink Queues in Chocolate and Blueberries, and Rose Petals. Some more Dew Drops, Primas, and Cinnamon Stickles finish off the design.

Thanks for stopping by today! I hope you all have a great weekend! Don’t forget that Jacksonbelle Embellishments’ big sale ends tonight midnight Pacific!

Hello!

Thanks for your patience with me today! I am very excited to share this favorite with you, as it’s something I have wanted for several months! (click below for the link)

OBN 24″ Photography Lighting Tent Kit

This is my new setup for taking photos of my projects! I have to thank Sherry (BadSherry on SCS) for sharing this info with me, as this is what she uses, too. Thank you, Sherry!!!

I was so tired of having to wait until daytime to take well lighted photos of my cards. In addition, I had to set it up, and take it down every time. Drove me crazy, and such a waste of time! Now, I have this set up on a table in my basement and I can photograph my projects any time of day or night! Rain or shine! WOO HOO!

I purchased the 24″ tent box, because I wanted it large enough to accommodate a 12×12 scrapbook page if needed. If you make things under 12″ you can get the 17″ kit HERE. I got mine on sale for 83.99 at the beginning of the month, but it’s 89.99 now. I think it’s still a fabulous deal! Shipping was really fast, too…within a week and that was from Colorado to the East coast.

It was very easy to set up, with easy to understand instructions. I love that it comes with different color backdrops: white, red, black, blue, and gray. I like having options!

If you are looking for a reasonably priced set-up, I would highly recommend this system. My blog entries on December 15th were photographed at around 10pm using my new system. The colors are true, the glitter is visible, and I think they look great!

Please let me know if you have any questions. I’ll do my best to answer them! Have a great weekend! I will have some eye candy for you soon!! HUGS!!!

Happy Friday! I am SO GLAD it’s Friday, this week has been so stressful, and I am ready for a break. I plan to start my Christmas baking tomorrow! I am so excited. Thank you all for sharing your recipes with me! I found some great ones, and have to decide which I will add to my collection.

Today’s favorite has nothing to do with stamping or paper crafting. It is, however, one of the most favorite things in my life.

I present to you: philosophy (<—click to go to their home page) Calling all philosophy girls!!!

I think it’s been about 4 years since I first discovered this fabulous company. I used to be a Mary Kay consultant, and when I decided to quit, I was looking for a new skincare regime. I was watching QVC one day, and saw the company founder of philosophy, Christina Carlino (may she live forever) give a presentation of these products. I was so taken by her knowledge and the science behind the product, that I decided to give it a try.

I started out by purchasing the purity cleanser and hope in a jar moisturizer. It didn’t take long for me to realize that I had found my new skincare company. The purity cleanser easily removes all of your makeup, even your mascara and eyeliner. It’s so gentle, and doesn’t burn your eyes! I also love that it does not dry out your skin–when you finish washing your face, it feels soft and clean, never tight. The hope in a jar moisturizer is often described as “a glass of water for your skin”. I couldn’t agree more. It just quickly absorbs into my skin, and then it leaves you with the most beautiful healthy glow!

I also use the following products from the skincare line:

• hope in a tube (eye cream)
• vitamin C microdelivery peel kit (OMG…this is the most AMAZING product!!)
  
• microdelivery exfoliating facial wash
• booster serum and booster caps (makes your skin feel like silk. Helps with the fine lines and wrinkles)
• the present
• when hope is not enough (night replenishing cream)

I can honestly tell you that I have used almost everything from their line. (Haven’t used the acne products) These that I have listed are my favorites that I can’t live without.

And now, the fragrances of philosophy. Ohhhhh the fragrances! I own almost every single one of these, as well, LOL! But, I have to tell you, that my signature fragrance is amazing grace. It is the most beautiful fragrance–ultra clean, fresh, and the tiniest bit of floral. It is femininity defined. No matter where I go, I always get a compliment. “You smell so good!” I love to receive that compliment! I use the spray fragrances, roll on fragrances, body creams, hand creams, and 3-in-1 bubble bath/shower gel/shampoo. These scents are all light…not heavy, overpowering scents that make you want to open a window to get fresh air, LOL!

The other fragrances that I love, and use depending on my mood:

• falling in love (warm, very romantic, with a hint of blackberry)
• baby grace (like pure grace with a slightly sweeter, comforting scent. Like the head of a newborn baby. seriously.)
• pure grace (an ultimate clean scent that smells like soap and water. Like a clean white tshirt dried on a clothesline on a spring day)

Some other items I use from philosophy are:

• supernatural airbrush foundation
• supernatural lip glosses
• kiss me lip glosses
• hot salt bath scrubs
• many varieties of the 3-in-1 shower gels (cinnamon buns, pumpkin pie, lemon custard, sugar cookie, margarita, lime, coconut…)

I purchase my philosophy from QVC. Their prices are the best I have found, excellent customer service, and they often have really great specials!If you have any specific questions about the products, let me know and I’ll do my best to answer you!

I know it’s so hard to take a leap of faith on skincare and fragrance without trying it, so I’d like to share some samples with one lucky reader!
Please leave a comment on this post if you’d like to be in the drawing for a few samples of my favorite philosophy products!

I’ll randomly draw a name on Sunday, OK? Thanks for stopping by, and good luck!

Q & A

Karen asks:

Could I ask a favor of you, can you tell me if any of the Philosophy products contain either of these two ingredients?
Cocamisopropyl betaime (CAPB)
Paraphenylenediamine (PPD)
I have seen her on QVC many times and since learning I have a severe allergy to these products that is affecting my eyesight, I am looking to find something and this sounds wonderful.
I always look to my SCS friends for referrals on products, we girls must spread the word when something is this great.

Thanks

Hi Karen! If you hop on over to the philosophy website, you can select whatever product you are interested in. Towards the bottom there is a tab that lists the ingredients of that product! HTH!

Broni asks:

Yes, it sounds wonderful, Trudee, but does it REVERSE aging????? Will I be able to wake up 10 years younger the next day?? Put my name in the drawing….I can use whatever help I can get!!! THANKS for the give-away and the advice!!

Hi Broni!! YES!! it does!! I am actually 64 years old!! Don’t I look fabulous??!!!

TracyK asks:

I’m totally intrigued by the vitamin C microdelivery peel kit. Iwill have to check these out on QVC. My skin is ultra sensitive. Have you had any problems with the peel kit? Love, love, love your blog! Thanks for sharing your beautiful and unique creations.

Hi Tracy! philosophy is formulated for ultra sensitive skin, as Christina has said hers is extremely sensitive. The Vitamin C peel is very gentle. The results from one treatment will astound you! You really only “need” to use it once a week. And it smells like a fresh orange…yum

Paula Kay asks:

I would love to try something to help my old dry skin out. I have never done QVC can you tell me where to look??? Thanks for such a delightful blog. I always try to come and visit.

Hi Paula! Just click on the QVC link in my post, (in blue print) and it will bring you right to the philosophy section of the site!