Sassy & Sweet Notes

Crafty Goodies Share (Video)

Put together a video where I share some of the crafty goodies I've picked up recently, as I get ready for some of my holiday crafting. Thought I'd share this with you, in case you like watching these kinds of things! *grin*

Happy Holiday Weekend!

High Hopes Challenge: Pearls or Gems

The current High Hopes challenge topic is to add pearls or gems to your project.

For my project, I chose to use Candy Cane Penguin. I added a few different sizes of pearls to the background, and to add a little visual interest, I used my tracing wheel to create blade tracks on the skating pond.

Find all the details of this week's challenge on the High Hopes blog.

 

Supplies
Stamps: High Hopes
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: Neenah, Bazzil, Stampin' Up
ShinHan Touch Twin markers: PG144, PB185, R3, R2, CG1, CG3, CG5, WG1, GY175
Other: Adhesive pearls, tracing wheel, bakers twine, Corner Chomper

We Have a Winner!

Yay! We have a winner, randomly selected from all comments on the give-away blog post and on the facebook post I did about the give-away ....

Congrats to Kim Ross!

Here's What Kim had to say:
These backgrounds are adorable!! The fishies are probably my favorite since I grew up in Fort Lauderdale and like all things ocean. :)

Get in touch w/ me via email, Kim, and I'll get this package of goodies out to you right away!

Thanks to all who entered!

Woof, Meow, Glub! And a Give-Away!

A couple cards to share with you, using two of my new images for Whipper Snapper. This card uses the new Dog's Life background image. I kept the coloring simple -- no shading or shadowing, to make for a quick, easy, panel-style card.

This card is made with the new Meow Mix background image, and again I kept the coloring simple without shading or blending.The sentiment is from the Cat's Life cling mount set, which is a perfect companion set to the new background image.

This card is made with the new Under the Sea background image. The sentiment and cute star fish are from the recently released You're a Keeper cling mount set. I'm not sure they could be any cuter! *grin*

I think all of these images would be super cute stamped as a subtle background image too, instead of colored as the main focal image.

And how about a give-away!! Whipper Snapper has graciously provided me with some of my new stamps to give away on my blog! How sweet of them! I have decided to start off with a give-away of the new Under the Sea background stamp, and thought I'd sweeten the give-away even more by adding in a couple jars of Fun Flock (Snow Cone Blue and Citrus Orange) and three fun bottles of Stickles (Aqua, Purple, and Star Dust)!

Enter to win by leaving me a comment here on this blog post letting me know what your favorite THEME of stamp image is (flowery, critters, kids, etc... you get the idea). Double your chances of winning this give-away by "liking" my Facebook page.

This give-away will remain open until Wednesday, August 28th at 5:00pm Central. At that time, comments will be closed and one winner will be randomly selected from all entries and announced on the blog. Good luck!!

UPDATE: Comments Closed! :)

 

Supplies
Dog Card:
Stamps: Dog's Life BG and Beautiful Day Cling Mount Set (Whipper Snapper Designs)
Paper: Neenah, Paper Accents
Ink: Memento Black
Other: Banners #2 die (Sizzix), Button, Baker's Twine

Cat Card:
Stamps: Meow Mix and Cat's Life Cling Mount Set (Whipper Snapper Designs)
Paper: Neenah, Paper Accents
Ink: Memento Black
Other: Sentiment Banner (MFT), Paw Accents (Jesse James)

SeaLife Card:
Stamps: Under the Sea and You're a Keeper Cling Mount Set (Whipper Snapper Designs)
Paper: Neenah, Paper Accents
Ink: Memento Black
Other: Tag Die (Spellbinders)

Another *Amazing* Sunset

Last night's sunset was spectacular! Enjoy these photos!

This is the photo I took with my phone, before running into the house to get my "real" camera. The sun was still completely behind the cloud. By the time I got back outside with my camera, the sun had dropped just below the cloud.

If you'd like to see more sunset photos, check out the Weather category for posts about all kinds of weather... sunsets, heat, rain, etc.

Run Free! Woo-hoo!

Now that I know this card has arrived at it's destination, I can share the photos I snapped without ruining the surprise! *grin*

I made this silly-cute card for my friend Gabi who recently told me a rather funny story (that thankfully had a happy ending) about her family's weiner dog who got out of their yard and raced around the neighborhood. I just couldn't get the image of him racing down the street out of my head, so I got crafty!

This is a really large card -- 5.5 x 7x5 I think it ended up being, and I'm pretty sure it weighs in at 1.25lbs. Ha! Ok, maybe not that much, but it's heavy! I like using paper that has substance to it, so when I get this many layers (there are more on the inside), it can really add up.

The dog, tree, and sentiment are from Lawn Fawn, and the house images are from The Stamps of Life. I had so much fun creating this happy-go-lucky scene.

I used lots of foam adhesive for lots and LOTS of dimension. And I used my tracing wheel to add faux stitching lines for a bit of texture.

Woo-hooooo!

Edited to add: This is the inside of the card. The sentiment stamp is an "oldie but goodie" from AMuse. ... but this photo is missing one element that I added after the photos were taken. I decided the house looked too exposed -- and who likes an exposed house!? -- so, I used the cloud die and cut a green cloud, snipped it in half to create a flat bottom, and used it near the house like a shrub.

Like this! *Thanks for the photo, Gabi!* :)

 

Supplies
Stamps: Lawn Fawn (tree, dog, outside sentiment), The Stamps of Life (houses), AMuse (inside sentiment)
Ink: Memento Black
Dies: Lawn Fawn, MFT
Paper: Neenah, Stampin' Up, Paper Accents, and the olive green is a brand I can't recall ... I bought it at The Paper Source, though!
ShinHan Touch Twin markers: Lots!
Other: Tracing Wheel, brad, foam adhesive

A Beautiful Sunset

Tonight's sunset was beautiful! I'm glad I was out and about, and had time to get my camera! Going...

Going...

Gone.

New Baby on the Farm!

This afternoon, we welcomed a new little heifer calf to the farm! Darcy delivered this little cutie! And she is a wee little thing ... one of the smallest calves we've had! She's full Dexter, and look at those big, beautiful eyes! Can't wait until I can get photos of her face in sunlight! She was happy to stay in Darcy's shade today.

*I LOVE BABY COWS!*

High Hopes Challenge: Sparkle & Shine

The current High Hopes challenge topic is to add sparkle and shine to your project! That's pretty easy with glitter or gems!

For my project, I chose to use SNOW. For sparkle, I added a healthy coating of Ranger's Clear Rock Candy dry glitter. Oooh la la! It adhered perferctly with a 2-way glue pen ... it's not going anywhere! And I wish you could see the sparkle!

Find all the details of this week's challenge on the High Hopes blog.

 

Supplies
Stamps: High Hopes
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Dies: Scalloped Border from The Stamps of Life
Paper: Neenah, October Afternoon, Stampin' Up
ShinHan Touch Twin markers: PB144, R2, R3, R136, BG1, BG3, BG5, BG7
Other: Tracing Wheel, button, bakers twine, 2-Way Glue Pen, Distress Dry Glitter in Clear Rock Candy

Clearsnap and The Stamps of Life Blog Hop

Good morning! The Stamps of Life girls are blog hoppin' today with the Clearsnap designers, and I have a couple projects to share with you! My first project is a cheerful swamp scene. I stamped three frogs and die cut them with the coordinating framelit die. I colored them various colors of green and added dots for extra "cute" factor.

I adhered the scalloped layers (the water) to the card by only adding adhesive to the outside edges and the bottom of the layers, leaving the center area of the layers unattached. I placed the frogs between different sections of the scalloped layers with foam adhesive for even more dimension. The sun in the background is actually a snow globe die cut from a Sizzix set that was just the right size for the sun. And the clouds are from another Sizzix set called Kites. I stamped the sentiment on a small banner and attached the banner to one of the clouds with a brad. I think this card turned out so very fun! 

The second project I have to share is this "better late than never" snail card. To create the hillside, I pulled a celery colored ink pad across the paper several times, in both directions. I added some faux stitching lines to enhance the suggestion of hills. The balloons are stamped in various shades of ink, and die cut using a coordinating framelit die. The snail was stamped on a separate piece of paper, colored, cut out with paper snips, and adhered to the card with foam adhesive. I added a charming "slime trail" behind the snail with Sprinkles! glitter. I think the purple card base adds extra cheer, don't you!?

If you'd like to start at the top of the blog hop, head on over to the Clearsnap blog. Or, you can make your way through the below list of hop participants ... and have FUN!

Oh, and, you might want to leave comments as you go -- I hear there is a fantastic prize being awarded to one lucky reader! Details about the give-away can be found on the Clearsnap blog.

Clearsnap Blog http://blog.clearsnap.com/
Jeanne Streiff http://inkypaws.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/
Tami Sanders http://tamisanders.com/
Lorie Souther http://www.thinkinspot.com/
Suzanne Austin http://whatsinalousyananut.blogspot.com/
Kim Howard http://basementstamper.blogspot.com/
Judy Rozema http://jarfullofjoy.blogspot.com/
Becki Adams http://beckiadams.com/
Beverly Sizemore http://bevscreativepath.blogspot.com/
Emily Niehaus http://emmielouwho.blogspot.com/
Jennifer Priest http://hydrangeahippo.com/blog
Laura Williams http://www.lauralooloo.blogspot.com/
Steph Ackerman http://stephaniescraps.blogspot.com/
Anna Wight http://sweetmissdaisy.typepad.com/   [You Are Here!]
Kelli Hull http://stampingwithadream.blogspot.com/
Adrienne Ford http://bry-and-i.blogspot.com/
Tiffany Johnson http://iheartartblog.com/
Lydia Fiedler http://www.understandblue.blogspot.com/
Meihsia Liu http://meihsia.blogspot.com/
Debbie Cole http://debbiecole.com/blog/

 

Supplies - Frog Card
Stamps: Froggy2Love and TinyAnd2Cute (The Stamps of Life)
Dies: Froggy and Scalloped Border (The Stamps of Life); Birds & Tree Framelits and Clear Stamps, Kites, and Mittens & Snow Globe (Sizzix)
Ink: Licorice (Stephanie Barnard for ColorBox)
Paper: The Stamps of Life, Neenah, Stampin' Up, Bazzil
ShinHan Touch Twin markers: GY175, GY59, GY47, G56, G46
Other: Tracing Wheel, brad

Supplies - Snail Card
Stamps: Snail2Stamp and Balloons2Cut (The Stamps of Life)
Dies: Balloons2Cut (The Stamps of Life)
Ink: Licorice, Celery, Cornflower, Blueberry, Plum, and Grape (Stephanie Barnard for ColorBox)
Paper: Neenah
ShinHan Touch Twin markers: Y36, YR31, YR21, PB144, PB185, PB183, BG3
Other: Sprinkles! Glitter (Stephanie Barnard for ColorBox), tracing Wheel, button, thread

August Rain!

With all the rain that's been falling in various parts of Texas, just NOT on us, we finally got a bit of it! Unbelievably, one small storm popped up yesterday and passed right over us yesterday, early evening. Even though it was small, it was mighty! It delivered 1" of rain to the farm in less than an hour. I got outside just in time to get some shots of just how dark and menacing the clouds were, before they were upon us.

You can really see the wall of water behind the front. That rain was comin' DOWN!

The storm really wasn't very large at all. The edges fanned out like light, wispy petals. The neighbor's cows weren't too concerned.

The color of the clouds was very pretty. There was a teal blue green area that would show through as the lower clouds rolled forward.

The breeze picked up, and I could see the rain was getting closer and closer. And it seemed as though we might be swallowed up by the clouds!

More of that pretty teal blue green color showing through.

And finally, it was time to go in... rain was soon to be upon us. YAY!

Chicken Sittin'

Here's a fun card to share with you today, featuring another one of my *favorite* new Whipper Snapper images, Chicken Sittin'! I love coloring this image -- and I'm pretty sure this guy couldn't be any more cheerful! *grin*

The sentiment is from the recently released cling set called Blooms and Sentiments. All of the images in the set were designed to fit on tags, like this. I sized the images so they fit just right! I hope you add it to your collection of stamps -- it has quickly become one of my "go to" sets.

 

Supplies
Stamps: Chicken Sittin' and Blooms and Sentiments, Whipper Snapper Designs
Ink: Memento Black
Paper: Neenah, Stampin' Up, Paper Accents
ShinHan Touch Twin markers: YR133, YR132, R136, CG.5, CG1, Y36, YR31, R3, R2, YR21, BR103, BR107, BR96, BR93, GY175, YR23, YR24, GY47, GY59, PB183, PB185, PB71
Other: Office Supply Tag, Spellbinders long and scalloped rectangle, bakers twine, button

High Hopes Challenge: Red and Green

The current High Hopes challenge topic is to use Red and Green on your project! That's pretty easy, especially with the new holiday images!

For my project, I chose to use Elegant Santa, Sm. Open Holly, and Holly Jolly.

Find all the details of this week's challenge on the High Hopes blog.

 

Supplies
Stamps: High Hopes
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: Neenah, October Afternoon, Stampin' Up
ShinHan Touch Twin markers: YR133, R136, BG1, BG3, BG5, R5, R3, G56, BG52, Y36, YR32, YR21
Other: Tracing Wheel, button, string, office supply tag

Cheeto

Meet Cheeto, one of my new Whipper Snapper stamps.

Have you starting making your holiday cards, yet?

 

Supplies
Stamp: Cheeto, Whipper Snapper Designs
Paper: Neenah, October Afternoon, Stampin' Up, Paper Accents
Other: Sizzix Zig Zag Circle and Ornate #2 Label die, EK Holly punch, buttons, string, tracing wheel

Halloween Toss

How about a little Halloween fun, today! This card was made using my new Halloween Toss stamp image. The sentiment is from The Witch is In cling mount set. I think this is spooky-fun!

Happy Saturday to you!

Weeee! New Whipper Snapper Images!!

The Whipper Snapper fall/winter release is underway, and I have samples GALORE to share with you. I selected two cards to share today. They just happen to be two of my very favorites of my new stamp images! The new image on this card is the background image. It's called Chicken Yard, and I just love it! The focal image and sentiment are from my Crazy for Chickens cling mount set.

The Chicken Wire background on this card is also part of the fall/winter release. Chicken Wire is a perfect companion to the Crazy for Chickens cling mount set, as well! But, it's also a great companion image to soooo many of my stamp images and cling mount sets! A must have, as far as I'm concerned! The focal image on this card is Sheep, Chicken & Birdie.

Stay tuned for more!

And if you want to see even more, like my Facebook page! I share lots of inspiration using my images!

Yippee, for Fall Projects!!

The Stamps of Life just released a fun pumpkin stamp set, and I have completely had a blast working on fall themed cards. It is a nice mental escape from our dreadful summer weather. This card is quick and easy, that's for sure!

Yippee, for Fall projects! They just make me feel good!

 

Supplies
Stamps: Pumpkins2Cut and MiniTags2Cut by The Stamps of Life, Leaves by Stephanie Barnard for Sizzix
Ink: Licorice and Pumpkin, by ColorBox for Stephanie Barnard
Paper: Neenah, Bo Bunny, The Stamps of Life, and unknown (text)
Dies: MiniTags2Cut by The Stamps of Life, Leaf from Sizzix
ShinHan Touch Twin markers: YR21, GY175
Other: button, twine, tracing wheel

High Hopes Christmas Fun Blog Hop & Release

It's time for a new High Hopes release! Today we have a Blog Hop to celebrate the release. The designers are showcasing some of the stamps that will be released today.

You will want to start at the top of the hop at the High Hopes Blog then hop along the way. There will be prizes along the hop, but you won't know where! Leave a comment at each blog to be entered into the prize giveaway.

The hop will remain open until 12:00 midnight EST, Saturday August 10th. The prize winners will be posted on Monday on the High Hopes blog.

Now, hop along to Aaemie's blog and see what wonderful inspiration she has to share with you!

High Hopes Challenge: Favorite Embellishment

The current High Hopes challenge topic is to use your Favorite Embellishment! For me, that's buttons!

For my project, I chose to use one of the new holiday images called Christmas Pals.

Find all the details of this week's challenge on the High Hopes blog.

 

Supplies
Stamps: High Hopes
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: Neenah, The Paper Loft
ShinHan Touch Twin markers: PB144, R1, R2, R3, R4, GY175, Y42, Y169, R136, YR132, Br103, BR107, BR96, Y36, YR31, BG1, BG3, BG5
Other: Tracing Wheel, October Afternoon button, hemp twine, Spellbinders deckled rectangle die

A Goose Egg!

Alan found a nest made of twigs and leaves that Thelma (one of our Brown African Geese) made. And in it, a pretty white goose egg! I love how her nest is complete with one squeaky dog toy, one plastic scoop, and 8 inches of green cording. Looks like she found some treasures she wanted to decorate her nest with.

At least now we know we have a Thelma, and perhaps either a Louise, or a Luis. *grin*

High Hopes Sneak Peek!

On Wednesday of this week, High Hopes is releasing their line of 2013 holiday images. And if you're a fan of Santa, snowmen, and penguins, you're in for a treat!

Speaking of treats, I decorated this treat packet with a fun and easy snowman tag -- one of the images in the upcoming release. The sentiment is a separate stamp, so you can leave his tummy blank, add To and From, or add a sentiment as I've done. So cute, so easy, so fun!

 

Supplies
Stamp: Snowy Tag & sentiment (High Hopes Stamps)
Ink: Memento Black
Paper: Neenah
ShinHan Touch Twin markers: PB144, BG1, BG3, BG5, BG7, CG1, CG3, CG5, GY175, Y42, Y169, R136, RP7, RP89
Other: Holly Punch (Martha Stewart), Button, string, tracing wheel, May Arts twine

The Challenge Chicks: Flowers!

If you're a stamper and you like challenges, or you're new to the idea of challenges and want to give one a whirl, I invite you to participate with The Challenge Chicks! We're a small group of friends and stampers hosting monthly challenges. Won't you join us?!

Our challenge for August 2013 is being shared today!

This month's challenge is Flowers!

For my project, I chose one of my all-time favorite Whipper Snapper images, Three Flower Friend.

I stamped the image in brown Memento ink and colored it with Touch Twin markers.

Now, get yourself a good dose of flowery inspiration and check out the rest of The Challenge Chicks projects:

Diane Zechman
Lydia Fiedler
Jeanne Streiff
Kelli Hull
Kelly Schirmer
Anna Wight (that's me!)

And finally, you'll find this month's challenge gallery on SplitCoastStampers using keyword CHXAUG13 . We invite you to play along! Upload your project to your SplitCoastStampers gallery, add the keyword above, and your project will be automatically added to the gallery. Or join us on Facebook!

We look forward to seeing your projects!

 

Supplies
Stamp: Whipper Snapper (Three Flower Friend)
Ink: Memento Brown
Paper: Neenah, Hampton Art, Stampin Up!
ShinHan Touch Twin markers: BR109, Y36, CG0.5, GY48, GY175, R18, R136, BR107, BR103, BR97, YR31, BR95, R13, R135, Y35, Y37, Y44
Other: Tracing Wheel, Hemp Twine, Button, Labels Fancy #4 Die by Stephanie Barnard for Sizzix

Hello August!

If you have one of our On the Farm 2013 calendars (thank you!), you already know that the photo for August is this lightening photo I took in August 2012. What a night that was!

August 2013 is promising to be HOT HOT HOT (much like every August here) and will burn up what's left of the garden. And I've decided that August might possibly be my least favorite month in Texas. Blech. Hot.

At least September and October are on their way ... and that means cooler weather, and the onset of holiday FUN!

Want to see more weather related photos? Check out the Weather category.