Valentine Surprise Candy!

Firstly, it is with heartfelt appreciation to all of my friendly followers and those of you who leave the most lovely comments to my little piece of blogland that I decided it was time to post a bit of Candy! Now, because it's a SURPRISE, I won't spill the conversation hearts just yet, but you're gonna LOVE the shopping, errr, I mean candy! :)

Secondly to enter, please do the following:
1. Make a new post on your blog with the picture of my candy and sharing the love :) with a link back to my full blog (not just the candy link :). Adding to your sidebar would also be most appreciated. (Candy will remain the top post until Valentine's Day)
2. If you haven't done so already, become a Friend/Follower of Mrs. B.
3. Enter your information in Mr. Linky below - only once, please.
4. Leave a comment after entering.
5. Visit often and be sure to check back on 2/14 to see if you are my Lucky Valentine!

You MUST check out Liva!!!

Liva has her first ever blog candy up on her site and will draw on 2/27, but... and this is a BIG but... you MUST look at her amazing creations - WOW, WOW, WOW... A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

Check out her site here!

Love you to Pieces!

This Mo Manning image was perfect to use with the Sweet Stop's Saturday Sketch and to try my hand at a "shaped" easel card (not sure what it's called when the die cuts are the top of the card when it's in easel mode). Today I used my new set of nesties "classic scalloped hearts" and finally picked up some sponge daubers and was able to distress all my edges to my liking with my Tim Holtz Distress Ink "frayed burlap", along with using his designer paper collection "Vintage Shabby". The new Memory Box die "cherish border" I found at Simon Says and purchased it especially for this card - I love it so much, used it on the inside of the card, too :) The little white roses (some colored pink with copics) are from Wild Orchid Crafts along with the heart-shaped stickpin. I did find some "chocolate" chiffon and organza on sale at the fabric store and ya know how I love me some chiffon flowers:) Also followed a wonderful tutorial on You Tube by JenniesBarn to make the spiral roses - I made mine tiny with a 2x2 square - way fun!. Used my Martha Stewart (thank you KathyCan) medium branch punch for my rose wood. This was defintely a project of "love", as it took me all day to do - but a BLAST to make!

Wishing you a happy last week of January!
(((hug)))
wendy

RECIPE: Mo Manning-image; The Sweet Shop-sketch; Tim Holtz-DP and distress ink; Wild Orchid Crafts-tiny roses, heart stickpin; Martha Stewart-punch; Memory Box-die; Sizzix-die; Spellbinders Nestabilities-classic scalloped hearts; cuttlebug-stamp die/embossing folder; copics

CHALLENGES:
DP2 Challenge
The Sweet Stop Sketches
Simon Says
The Crafty Pad
The Hybrid Chick Card Caravan Challenge
Allsorts Challenge Blog
Craft your Days Away Challenge
Crazy 4 challenges
Di's Digi Design Challenge
Fussy and fancy Friday
Hotshot Craft Blog
Mami Doodles Digital Stamps Challenge
The Poodles Parlour
Simply Create Too
Stampin' for the Weekend
Aud Sentiments Challenge
Craft us Crazy
Moving Along With The Times
Paper Crafting Journey
Cooking it up with Katie
I Brake For challenges
Inky Impressions Challenge
Little Darlings Challenge

Capture the Moment

Well, as soon as I saw this image by Elisabeth Bell, I knew I HAD to have it! Through my excitement of seeing the image, I just jumped right over to the shop and bought it. Then, going back to the Digi Bell's Challenge Blog, there is a challenge going on currently where the prize is this image - pop over and join in the fun! I chose Bo Bunny "Vicky" designer paper and love the colors and how they look with the image. The butterflies are Martha Stewart, embellished with Ranger Liquid Pearls "white opal" and run through the cuttlebug with swiss dots. The flowers are Hero Arts and the buttons I've had for years and years and are Bazzill. I've followed Domi's sketch again (love that sketch!) at Simon Says Stamp. Used my spellbinder's Lacey die and Sizzix circle die as a matt which I also ran through the cuttlebug to emboss. The corner flourish is Memory Box, Madera; and supplies from the LCS for the stickpin and ribbon.

Thanks for stopping by and have a WONDERFUL week!
(((hugs)))
wendy

RECIPE: Simon Says Stamp-sketch; Elisabeth Bell-image; Hero Arts-flowers; bazzill-paper and buttons; Ranger-Liquid Pearls "white opal"; Spellbinders-lacey die; Sizzix-circle die; Martha Stewart-butterfly punch; Memory Box-Madera corner flourish; Bo Bunny-DPs; copics; LCS-ribbon, stickpin supplies.

CHALLENGES:
Simon Says Stamp
The Digi Bells DT Challenge
Sentimental Sundays
The Hybrid Chick Card Caravan Challenge #11
Crafty Ann's Challenge Blog
Crafty Catz Weekly Challenge
Hotshot Craft Blog
DYSU Challenge Blog
Moving along with the Times
Paper Crafting Journey

Gray Skies

Another Gilly ("singing in the rain at Prairie Fairy) creation for me today - I just love her! Prairie Fairy Fridays challenge is "california dreamin'" and decided this card would fit since we are f-i-n-a-l-l-y getting rain and snow (which we have all been "dream'n" would happen, but ya know us Cali-folks, we'll be dream'n of the sunshine in a few days!) I pulled out an old stash of Doodlebug papers I've had for about five years and followed Domi's sketch over at Simon Says

, cuttlebug embossed my clouds, got into my bag of chiffon and tulle and sewed up some flowers, added some glossy accents and glitter to a couple of them, colored up my stickpins and image with my copics. My sweet friend KathyCan is so clever and said I should put part of the lyrics on the front and the other on the inside - she's so smart! Decided it was time to do up another easel card and dolled up the inside too. I picked up some great new dies from Sweet 'N Sassy Stamps
and added some Glossy Accents to my clouds, rain and puddle, oh and Gilly's glasses, too. So much fun for a Saturday!

Thanks for stopping by - try and stay dry!
(((hugs)))
wendy

RECIPE: Prairie Fairy Designs-image; Domi's Sketch at Simon Says; Doodlebug-DPs; Sweet 'N Sassy Stamps-cloud/rain die; Sizzix-scallop die; Glossy Accents; supplies for flowers, ribbon, stickpins-LCS; copics

CHALLENGES:
Simon Says
Prairie Fairy Fridays
Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenges
2 Sisters Challenge Blog
One Stop Craft Challenge
Card Makin Mamasdoodlebug paper
Chocolate, Coffee & Cards Challenge
Hotshot Craft Blog
Pattie's Creations Design Challenge
Stampin' for the Weekend
Totally Paper Crafts
Crafty Purple Frog
Craft Us Crazy
Crop Stop
Moving along with the Times
Paper Crafting Journey
Pixie Dust Studio Pixie Challenge
Shelly's Images
I Brake For Challenges
Cupcake Craftroom

Shelly's Images 2nd Blog Birthday Give-Away!

It's a 2nd Birthday Blog Celebration at Shelly's Images! To celebrate she has an awesome CANDY collection to give away! Yay!!!

Check it out!
wendy

A little birdie told me...

So we had "stocking stuffers" at Christmastime at work and in my stocking was a new Logitec wireless mouse - EXACTLY what I needed (I had been telling my sweet hubby that I needed a new one badly)! Well on Friday one of my workmates (the little birdie) finally found out who gave us the "mouse" - it was Elaine!!! I love this sweet image by Heather Ellis and had to use it for Elaine's thank you card. I followed the sketch over at Sweet Sunday Sketch, used Prima "Pixie Glen" design paper and Memory Box Catalina die, of course a stickpin with pearls and ribbon.

Thanks for stopping by - have a FAB week!
(((hugs)))
wendy

RECIPE: Heather Ellis-image; Sweet Sketch Sunday-sketch; Prima DP; Memory Box-catalina die; stickpin supplies-LCS; ribbon-LCS; doodlebug-jewels; copics

CHALLENGES:
Sweet Sunday Sketch
Daisy Doodles Creative Challenge
Lexi's Creations
The Pink Elephant
Truly Madly Crafty Challenges
Polycraft Monday Challengeribbon,sparkle,flower
The Crazy Challengeribbon,image,pearls
Gingerloft Challenge
Sentimental Sundays
The Squirrel and The Fox
Di's Digi Design Challenge Blog
Phindy's Place Challenge Blogpearls,ribbon,flower
Simon Says Stamp
Moving Along With The Times
My Mum's Craft Shop Challenge
Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenges

Soak it Up!

Oh, my... how I love Gillian! I had forgotten about Prairie Fairy for a little bit, but snapped out of my fog and visited their store a couple of days ago and picked up three new Gilly's - makes me smile really *BIG*! I believe Gilly is "California Dreamin'" while having a nice hot soak! Since it is beautiful weather here, a bit chilly at night, but in the 60s during the day, bright and SUNNY! I followed the sketch over at Sketch Saturday
and had a blast with it! Tons of layers, edge inking (distressing), embossing, die cutting, flower making and using a fave embellie pink irridescent string of pearls - they are so shiny and bright, reminded me of the bubbles from the bath! I used My Mind's Eye "a happy heart" designer papers and even used the negative cut from the lacey spellbinder for the inside. Today, I wish I were Gilly!

Wishing you a bubblebath kinda week!
(((hugs)))
wendy

RECIPE:Prairie Fairy-image; Sketch Saturday-sketch; spellbinders-lacey circles, circles; sizzix swirl dies; My Mind's Eye-DP "a happy heart"; ribbon, pearls, string pearls, lace-LCS; EK success-edge punch; cuttlebug-swiss dot embossing folder; VersaMagic-chalk ink "pink petunia"; copics

CHALLENGES:
Prairie Fairy Friday Challenge
Sketch Saturday
Simon Says Stamp
One Stitch At a Time
Pan Pastel UK challenge blog
Scrappy Frogs Challenge Blog
Sentimental Sundays
Stamptacular Sunday Challengetexture=embossing,flowers,pearls,lace,satin ribbon
The Crafty Pad
Catch The Bug
CES Challenge Blog
Speedy Fox and Friends #90
One Stop Craft Challenge
Sugar Creek Hollow
Pink Gem Designs
Phindy's Place Challenge Blogpearls,ribbon,flowers
Totally PaperCrafts
Winter Wonderland
Art Impressions Stamps
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge
Digi Doodle Shop Best Challenge
Southern Girls Challenge
Do You Stack Up challenge blog (DYSU)
Cooking it up with Katie
Crafty Creations Challenge
Freshly Brewed Challenges

Happy Birthday, Erica!

First a confession (blush)! About six months ago I picked up a Martha Stewart Butterfly punch... I've used it several times since. I thought it rather odd that there were "hanging chads" (webs) on the punch image and an embossing-looking pad, but went along my merry way and snipped the web and had a sweet little butterfly. When making this card this weekend, I punched 4 butterflies in a row, set it aside, and went to work on other parts of the card. I glanced over at the butterflies in a row, and thought, wow that's kinda cool, its like 3-D - Oh, for goodness sake, "wendy", I said... that's one of the features of this great punch - oh, doy! LOL Okay, on to the card, the sweet images are from Stamp Fairy and i followed the sketch over at Sweet Sketch Wednesday, used my bleached muslin, stamped with a "friend" stamp with one of my fave colors from Stampin' Up "more mustard" (i've had this ink for 10 years and it's still very juicy), tore my muslin, hand gathered it into a rosette shape, sewed on the pearl and my flowers were complete. I took a considerable amount of time hand sewing my matts, which was actually quite relaxing - but decided at the end, I really need to get my sewing machines tuned up - LOL. The paper is My Mind's Eye "everyday flair" and the ribbon is doodlebug. The rosebush wood is the Martha Steward medium branch punch (thank you, my sweet friend, KathyCan for sending me this wonderful prezzie!). Added some Ranger Liquid "bisque" pearls. I think Erica will enjoy this specially made for her birthday card!

RECIPE: Stamp Fairy-images; Sweet Sketch Wednesday-sketch; My Mind's Eye DP-Everyday Flair; Martha Stewart-butterfly 3-D punch, medium branch punch; Ranger-liquid pearls "bisque"; supplies from LCS for rosettes; Stampin' Up-more mustard ink; copics

CHALLENGES:
Sweet Sketch Wednesday
Simon Says Stamp
Gingerloft Challenges
One Stitch at a time
PanPastel UK Challenge
Catch The Bug Challenge
One Stop Craft Challenge
Simply Create Too
Totally PaperCrafts
Phindy's Place Challengeembossing,ribbon,sewing
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge
Moving Along with the Times
PaperPlay Challenges
Sassy studio designs
Just Inspirational Challenge
My Mum's Craft Shop
The Pixie Cottage
Whimsy Stamps Challenge
Cards und More
Everybody Art Challenge

Let's Go Play!

This new to me Elisabeth Bell Image reminded me of a sweet BFF of mine. There was a fun sketch over at the Sweet 'n Sassy "the Sweet Stop" challenge, which I followed. Used Prima "printery" collection, fun ribbon, pearls and buttons. It was a bit tricky to get the sentiment to line up exactly right on the paper stamp image, but I think I did it! It's been a while since I had used lace, and this card just begged for some lace and stickpins. I found a nifty little gadget in the jewerly making department at the LCS called clear ear nuts, which just happen to fit perfectly on the end of the stickpin to prevent injury - they work GREAT!

Here's the sketch i followed at The Sweet Stop Challenge for this week - love this sketch!

Thanks for stopping by!
(((hugs)))
wendy

RECIPE: Elisabeth Bell-image; The Sweet Stop-sketch; Prima-Printery designer paper; embelli supplies-LCS (lace, stickpin, buttons, ribbon); copics

CHALLENGES:
The Sweet Stop
Elisabeth Bell's World Challenge blog flower,pearl,lace
Anything Goes Challenge Blog
Bearly Mine Challenge
Crafty Sentiments Designs
Everybody Art Challenge
Top Tip Tuesday
Cupcake Craft Challengesnew elisabeth bell image
Simon Says Stamp Challengenew elisabeth bell image
Incy Wincy Designs
Lexi's Creations
Stamp and Create
The Crazy Challenge
The Cutie Pie Challenge Blog
Truly Madly Crafty Challenges
Catered Crop
Dream Valley Challenges
Gingerloft challenges
One Stitch At a Time
The Squirrel and the Fox

Happy Birthday Donna!

This is another new image from Sassy Cheryl for me, and chosen especially for my long-time BFF (gradeschool), Donna. For this special card I followed the sketch over at Seems A Little Sketchy, used Basic Grey "Out of Print" designer papers, the beautiful felt flower from Ladybug Crafts Ink, cuttlebug embossing, Sizzix dies; ribbons and handmade stickpin colored to coordinate with the papers with copics, and a bit of liquid pearls on the cake. I also took the image into Photoshop and personalized the cake for "Donna" :)

Happy Birthday, Donna!
(((hugs)))
wendy

RECIPE: Sassy Cheryl-image; Ladybug Crafts Ink-felt flower; Seems A Little Sketchy-sketch; Basic Grey DP; Sizzix dies; cuttlebug embossing; stickpin supplies-LCS; ribbon-LSS; copics

CHALLENGES:
Sassy Cheryl's Digi Challenge
Ladybug Crafts Ink Challenge
Seems A Little Sketchy
Simon Says Stamp
Dream Valley Challenges
One Stitch At a Time Challenge
The Squirrel and the Fox
BasicGrey Challenges
Catch The Bug Challenge Blog
Craft Your Days Awayturning a new number "51"
Di's Digi Designs Challenge blog
Just Some Linesa new year "#51"
Secret Crafters Saturday Challenge
One Stop Craft Challenge embossing,diecuts,flower
Fussy and Fancy Friday Challenge
Simply Create Too
Sassy Studio Designs
Shelly's Images Challenge
Some Odd Girl Blog

Sweetheart Starlet

It all started here...

A Labor of Love...

For A Sweetie...

At work...

A Gift for Starlet complete!

There is just the sweetest gal at work, Starlet, she is amazingly kind and just a darling. I photographed her and her husband right after their elopement, and fell in love. From that point forward we were fast friends. I wanted to make her a "special" thank you gift for her kindness, generosity and sweetness at Christmastime. I shopped at Sassy Cheryl's and found the perfect new image for my project. In Photoshop I inserted the sentiment into the heart for the thank you card of my project. I left the other 10 cards with empty hearts, leaving that up to Star - whether they become Valentine's, Thank You's, Birthday's or any occasion she wishes. I cuttlebug embossed, colored to my heart's content (literally - ran out of R20 on the last card), colored the stickpin, and cut with my sizzix dies. Then... I had to tackle the BOX - since these are A2 size (the envies are clear and a "roomy" A2 size), I had to do math (ugh!). I used my EK egdge punch and stamped with one of my favorite heart stamps, dressed it up with some of my stash ribbon, added the pearls, and finished up my Sweetheart set for sweet Starlet.

Thanks for stopping by,
(((sweetheart hugs)))
wendy

RECIPE: Sassy Cheryl-image; cuttlebug embossing folders; Sizzix dies; EK border punch; ribbon, jewel, pearls, stamp-LSS; copics

CHALLENGES:
Show Me with Sassy Cheryl
Simon Says Stamp challenge
Dream Valley Challenges
Sparkles Forum Challenges
Catch The Bug Challenge
CES Challenge Blog
Di's Digi Designs Challenge Blog
Sweet Stampin'
Cardmadfairy's Digi Days Challenge
Card Makin Mamas
Crafty Ann's Challenge Blog
Frosted Designs Fabulous Friday Challenge
Jellypark Challenges
Simply Create Too
Digistamps4joy
Freshly Brewed Challenges
I brake for challenges
Inky Impressions Challenges
My Mum's Craft Shop
The Paper Shelter
Scrapbook Sisters Card Challenge
Whimsical Designs
C.R.A.F.T. Challenges

Platter of LOVE!

Today was a very productive day, which made me happy! I love "happy"! :) So as mentioned in a previous post Sassy Cheryl had a BIG sale on New Year's Day - this is one of my NEW images from my haul. I pulled out the chiffon, whipped up some yummy flowers, shopped my stash for the DP (sorry, i don't know the maker), didn't find a sketh that grabbed me, so just winged it. Somebody stop me - well, okay, DON'T - I can't stop cuttlebugging, especially my fave swiss dots, so I cuttlebug'd to my heart's content.

(((hugs)))
wendy xx

RECIPE: Sassy Cheryl-image; cuttlebug-embossing folder; Sizzix-dies; chiffon handcrafted flower-supplies from LCS, ribbon; copics

CHALLENGES:
Sassy Cheryl's Digi Stamps Challenge
Simon Says Stamp
Catch The Bug Challenge
CES Challenge Blog
Di's Digi Designs
Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps
Sweet Stampin' Challenge Blog
Challenge up your Life -flowers,ribbon,swirls
Card Makin' Mamas
Jellypark Challenges
Simply Create Too
Delightful Challenges
Digi Stamps 4 Joy
Freshly Brewed Challenges

Thank You, workmates

Well, Sketch N Stash had a new sketch up and the DT were spotlighting Heather Ellis images - so I HAD TO SHOP! Oh, my... have I been under a rock?!? I love her images... Made up a bunch of monochrome thank you cards for my workmates (lovingly called "stocking stuffers"). I rummaged through my ribbon stash (these ginghams must be at least 5 years old:), did some cuttlebugging, die cutting, simple stickpin making, followed the sketch, lightly colored Heather's images and here ya go - thank you cards.

Happy New Year!
(((hugs)))
wendy xx

RECIPE: Sketch N Stash-sketch; Heather Ellis-image; Sizzix-dies; cuttlebug-embossing folders; copics; ribbon and stickpin supplies-LSS

CHALLENGES:
Sketch N Stash
Clear it out old ribbon
Scrap-Creationsold ribbon/new image
Papertake WeeklyNew image
Party Time TuesdaysNew Image
Top Tip Tuesday
Tuesday throwdown pearl/sterling silver bead cup
Cupcake Craftroom
Through the Craftroom Door
House of Gilli
Incy Wincy Designs
The Pink Elephant
Pile it on
Simon Says Stamp
Sparkles Forum Challenge
The Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge
Jellypark Challenges

Show me with Sassy Cheryl!

So Sassy Cheryl had a huge sale today, so I shopped - LOL! I picked up five new images and so pleased to say I got to play today. Thank you cards are in order, so here we go - using Cheryl's image "A Mother's Day Heart", I'm well underway on my next set of thank yous!

Cheryl also has a weekly (holiday challenge is 2 weeks) "SHOW ME" challenge... well, here ya go, Cheryl - I'm working on YOUR images :)

Waiting for the "Ball" to drop!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
(((hugs)))
wendy

Thank YOU, Kerry!!!

So DH (dear husband) hadn't been to the mailbox in a while (over a week)... and it's his chore, since he insists upon carrying the key on his keychain (that's why it's his chore!) :) LOL... Today he walks in, arms loaded with mail, and what to my surprise and delight - a wonderful package from Ladybug Crafts Ink (Kerry) (Royal Mail!). Kerry had a "Birfday" candy post for her birthday and being the lucky one chosen randomly, I WON! Well, thought I would open "my" prezie from Kerry with YOU! :)

Not to mention she's having a HUGE 50% off cling stamp sale for the WHOLE MONTH OF JANUARY! Hurry over to the STORE HERE and gobble them up, while they last! :)

Thank you ever so much, Kerry!!!
xoxo,
wendy

Thank YOU!

It's time to make Thank You cards! I love this image from Sugar Nellie of "Victoria" one of the adorables over at Funky Kits and followed the sketch at Tuesday Morning Sketches. I enjoyed the creation so much, I made a set of 6 (no sentiments)with a giftbox cardfolder plus 1 (pictured) to say thank you. I can't believe I didn't use any patterned paper - so not like me - but the image is so ding-dang-darling, I couldn't find any paper to compliment... have you ever had that problem?!? Anyway, this goes to one of my fave doctors I work with, Shay!

Thank YOU for stopping by,
(((hugs)))
wendy

RECIPE: Sugar Nellie-image; Tuesday Morning Sketches-sketch; Memory Box-Catalina die; Bazzill CS; cuttlebug-embossing folder; handmade flower with deep purple chiffon/pearl; Spellbinder-nestability; Ranger-liquid pearls; copics

Challenges:
Tuesday Morning Sketches
Simon Says Stamp Challenge
Art Impressions Stamps
Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog
Crafty Creations
Little Red Wagon
My Mum's Craft Shop
The Pixie Cottage
Scrapbook Sisters
Everybody-Art-Challenge
Party Time Tuesdays
Top Tip Tuesday
Paper Creations Inkold ribbon, new image
Paper Playtime
Cutie Pie

With an "i" for Paper blog hop - year in review!

Oh goodness, Cheryl popped over and left a sweet comment, and led me to a fun blog hop over at Karin's blog! So here goes - my faves for today from this year (even though I didn't start posting without the helpful nudge of my bestie, KathyCan, until August - lol). My partner in copic-crime (my bestie), Beth, reeled me into the world of copic addiction and with Kathy's guidance to challenges and sketches, my OBSESSION was born! Thank you, MY BESTIES!

Since I didn't start until August, I picked 12 of my favorits I've made since then. Pop on over to the hop and join in the fun!

Happy New Year!
(((hugs)))
wendy