Celebrate.... in Style!!!

Happy Monday!!!  Today I wanted to share with you a very special card I made for a dear friend.  My son became friends with a young girl during his freshman year of high school and I was happy to meet her and realize what an adorable young lady she is.  I later met her mother whom I became instant friends with.  She too is a remarkable lady.  She had been a stay-at-home-mom due to health issues.  Recently, she was having chest pains and decided to head to the emergency room just to be safe.  As it turns out, she was immediately admitted and told she had to have FIVE bypasses done!  FIVE!!!!  Today, I'm happy to say she is indeed "celebrating life".  This adorable Darling Marci image from LaLa Land Crafts is such a close match of how she looks I couldn't resist doing a card for her.  BUT... not just any card.  I wanted something special... something that looks classy (like her) and something that shines (like her) and represents what celebrating is all about!

My card uses both Retro Silver Lustre card stock and the Black from the Laser Lustre Pack.  It's kind of hard to see in the above picture so here's a close up.  I LOVE LOVE the contrast and richness of both card stocks!!

For even more bling, I added a fabulous new find of mine over on MarkerPOP!... these wonderful Pebbles Candy Dots which I added to the center of my bow!! OMGosh I am soooo in love with these and they come in many yummy colors as well!!! I know the clear are on back-order, but trust me... they are sooo worth the wait!!

Trust me, this picture does not even begin to give these fabulous sparklies justice!!  They really REALLY sparkle!!!

These are some of my FAVORITE papers for that perfect wedding card or "black-tie" event.  It just speaks volumes of class and sophistication!!  Give it a try next time you want the perfect richness for the perfect person!

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!  *HUGS*

 Copics I used:

A Bird House for Dad...

If you've followed me on FB, I'm sure you've seen the pictures of the awesome bird houses my dad is building.  Yes, he's retired... FINALLY... and yes, he's finding a way to spend his time.  My dad is actually VERY crafty though he'd NEVER let anyone know. LOL  As I was growing up I remember him doing... Tri-Chem Paintings (one of which he did of Pinocchio and had framed for my son's room)... he's done latch hook rugs... put together with perfect precision, model cars and painted with even more perfection... and he's loved putting big complicated puzzles together (again, one big one he framed for my daughter's room).  So when he started building bird houses AND designing them for each person's taste, I was not surprised!!! Oh and YES I did get a purple one! Hee

So, today, I am sharing a "thank you" card I made for him using Theresa Momber's last set, "Birds and Blossoms". When I saw this I KNEW I had to have it just for this very reason!!!  And, since my dad's favorite color is blue... the flowers were my personal touch to him.  Not to mention the bird houses he made for he and mom were green.  ;-)

My card base is Pure Luxury Ocean Mist layered with Lemon Drop.  I added some DP from my stash.  I stamped my image on White Cryogen from the Paper Temptress and colored with my Copics then cut it out.  I layered more Ocean Mist and Lemon Drop then distressed the edges before adding it under a strip of Jute Ribbon then added my birdhouse using Pop Dots.  I did the same to the flowers... stamping, coloring and adding with Pop Dots to raise them up a bit.

I gotta say, my bird coloring leaves a LOT to be desired! LOL  But when you're trying to get "inky" and craft a bit while trying to care for a healing husband, well, there just isn't time to try to look up bird colors! LOL  Oh well... next time.  I just couldn't wait to use this fabulous set from Theresa and I KNOW there will be many more opportunities to use it in the near future!!

I hope you're having a GREAT Saturday and you're mot digging out from snow like we are... again.  But it doesn't look like it will be around long even though I hear more is in the near future.  Ugh!

As always, I appreciate your coming by.  YOU'RE the reason I LOVE posting and creating new projects to share!!! *HUGS*




 Copics I used:

"Ohhh You Make me Smile.... "

My dear sweet friend, Carolyn King, does just that... she makes me SMILE!!  I love Carolyn and I love her newest stamp release... "Stamp it BIG!".  I couldn't wait to get my hand on these awesome BIG words and sadly, since my hubby's accident, it took forever for me to find the time to create even one card.  But... that I did!  Finally!!  I paired, Carolyn's set with Becky Oehler's, "Spoon Me" because those awesome retro glasses were yet another reason for me to smile!!!  Hee Hee

I started my card with Gina K Designs, Pure Luxury White Heavy-Base Weight card stock.  I LOVE the weight of this for a card base.  I used the Smile word and stamped it three times onto the base.  The glasses I stamped using the Light Weight White card stock and cut them out.  I then added some Crystal Clear card stock from the Paper Temptress to add some "glass" to my glasses though it's hard to see in the photo.

Now the glasses had to have a chain to hold them to the card... hee hee.  I used some colored wire I had in my stash from oh so long ago which was sold by StampinUp.  Not sure if they have it any longer but I loved how it looked.  You've seen those wire glass holders right??? All bright and shiny and soooo ME! LOL

I can't wait to use Carolyn's stamp set more as I didn't have lots of time to get anything worked up much but I couldn't resist trying to do at least one card with this lovely set.  It will be amazing to use in my SMASH books and my art journals as well!!! LOVE IT!!!

I hope you're having a great Thursday!  I hope to get a bit more crafting done and maybe hunker down and stay warm as we are expecting another winter blizzard... hopefully the last for the season!  Stay warm and thanks for stopping by!!! *HUGS*

She has my Heart.... Always!

Hi everyone!!  Today I am sharing one of my last Valentine cards I made for my darling daughter.  She is one who doesn't like TOO girlie and she LOVE green!! So... I tried to tone it down a bit on her card this year. LOL.

My sweet "tone-downed" girl... hee hee... is the adorable "Heart Key Marci" from LaLa Land Crafts.  PERFECT "simple" dress for my daughter who suddenly also hates wearing dresses!  (Yes, she should have been a boy! LOL)  I used my Copic Sketch markers to color her and also kept my colors light and used her favorite, green, to make it somewhat to her liking.  I mean, if you HAVE to wear a dress, it might as well be in your favorite color, right? ;-)

My favorite paper to color with my Copics, Cryogen White, was used to stamp my image on and to stamp my sentiment on.

My doily, flowers and bow were from my stash of odds and ends that I keep nearby.

I hope you are having a great Wednesday... half way through the week and for those of you who got Presidents' Day off, that surely is a nice feeling! Trust me, my kids are loving that Wednesdays are also ALWAYS only a half day of school so they are thoroughly enjoying this "short" school week.

 Copics I used:

Ready for Spring???

Good morning everyone!  I am soooo ready for Spring!  How about you??  Today I am sharing my first ever post for MarkerPOP!!!  I'm so excited to be part of their design team!!

Whether it's Easter, May Day, or a June wedding, I'm set with this adorable little basket I created using my Silhouette Cameo.  AND... just to give it even more of a Spring feel, I added the ever so cute LaLa Land Crafts, "Daisy Faerie Marci"!  You can't help but thing blooming flowers and sunny skies when you see these adorable images!!

My base card stock sed on my image is Cryogen White.  I colored my image with my Copic markers and cut her out mounting her with some Pop Dots.

I added a few flowers to the base and a few rose buds to the top handle.  A little tulle to finish off the glitz of the basket and it's ready to fill with Easter treats, flower for May Day or even a fun little basket to sit at a bridal shower table!

Thanks for stopping by today and hop on over to MarkerPOP! to see all the new CHA products coming out in the store!!!  FUN FUN!!  Have a great day!!! *HUGS*



 Copics I used:

Happy HUGS & KISSES Day!!!

 Happy Valentine's Day everyone!!!!  I hope you are enjoying your day and getting, but most importantly, SHARING some love!!!  In my world... it's my favorite part, sharing and giving love and putting smiles on faces.  :-)

Today I used a super cute image from the Saturated Canary, "Hugs and Kisses".  Not sure for how long, but right now she is only $2.00!!!

I stamped her on my Cryogen White card stock from the Paper Temptress.  I used the Solar White Thick Column paper as my card base.  I LOVE the added texture to the card this allows.  I then added a sheet of Mica/Metallic Punch card tock which I punched around the edges with a tiny heart border punch from StampinUp.  Then a layer of the Mica/Metallic Rose Quartz.

If you're a Silhouette Cameo lover like me, then you might recognize my lacy heart which I used the Punch card stock on as well.  Oh and the Valentine cuts are on sale at Silhouette also!! Go stock up for next year!! *wink*

This image was so much fun to color and I really love all the texture in her drawings.  Makes you really think about what colors to use where.

I hope your day is special and that you make many wonderful memories.  I have a feeling (since I DID write this last night), that I will be "resting" a bit and being taken care of.  Hubby whispered he had a secret and to not worry about planning dinner so we'll see.  ;-)

With him being "laid up", he DID ask me how he should "purchase" his Valentine's gift for me. LOL  Well now.. THAT was easy... AMAZON!! LOL  And I did get a couple things I wanted from Amazon which happened to arrive today!! Woot!  Plus I ran out and grabbed him a couple really comfy throw pillows (he said mine were totally uncomfortable for him to lay against on the couch) as part of my gift to him.  He was totally in love with that! LOL  But I too have a little extra something for him tomorrow to open and of course, my kids as well.

It was kind of funny in that when I went to grab them a few things for Valentine's I almost felt like I was doing Easter baskets!!!  WTH was I thinking??? I mean seriously, usually I crab them a heart of chocolates but something made me want to get the more than just candy and of course NOT as much as a full heart of it!  So they get a bit of sweets and some other fun treats.

Thanks for stopping by today and have a fabulous day!!! *HUGS*

Copics I used:

I'm SOOO Excited!!!!

Yep, that's my news today!!!! I am thrilled to be joining the MarkPOP! Design Team!!!  It was a little sunshine in the hectic days we've had for the last three weeks and since hubby is feeling a bit better, I am getting more crafting time.  Woot!!

Make sure you stop by the MarkPOP! blog to see all the wonderful creations and inspirations the design team will be sharing with you.  My first project will post on Saturday, Feb. 16th!!!  :-)

And remember, MarkerPOP! has so much more than just markers!!!  Be sure to check out all the fun new items filling the store from the Winter CHA show!!!

Have a great day!!! I'm planning to do some crafting and a bit of shopping myself.  Thanks for stopping by! *HUGS*

Of Course "I" Sparkle!!! Hee Hee

As many of you know, I have been "nursing" my hubby back to health for the last couple weeks...   or, well, sheesh, I guess it's almost three weeks now!! Anyway... though I'm not REALLY giving any shots to him ;-)... I am doing most his running since both his legs were messed up in an accident.  When I saw this adorable little nurse from Saturated Canary, "Sparkle Nurse", I just couldn't resist making him a "Hey, I'm doing pretty good, huh?" card. LOL

I colored her with my Copic markers and printed her on Cryogen White paper from the Paper Temptress.  This is by far my FAVORITE paper for using with my Copics.  And honestly, all my paper except the DP is from the Paper Temptress.  I wanted to play with her Pop Tones papers. The two lighter shades of blue which I layered are Berrylicious and Blue Raspberry and I LOVE how they have soft difference in shades.  My navy blue card base is Incandescent "Blumarino", and I LOVE how it's just a perfect shade of navy.  Seems most I try photographs so dark it looks black and I LOVE how this one actually shows blue!

I added some "sparkle", of course, to my sweet nurse and around my sentiment. Hee

I can't wait to use more of the paper from the Paper Temptress' Pop Tones set... there are sooo many unique colors and I can't wait to pair them up with my Copics!

I hope you have a fabulous Tuesday.  I am planning to take a couple hours while hubby rests and head down to my son's high school to help with their Abraham Lincoln birthday celebration.  (Yes, he goes to Lincoln High School. *wink*)  Tomorrow is my daughter's Valentine's party at school so tonight we will be prepping and sparkling up her card box/bag (whichever she decides to go with).  Busy as always in the Gilliland home!!!

If you're on the east coast I hope you are digging out and surviving the white stuff!  We re enjoying an unusually warm February and I'm NOT complaining!! :-)

Thanks for stopping by and make it a memorable day!!! *HUGS*




 Copics I used:

Awesome Chaos Organizer...

Have you seen the Recollections Creative Chaos Planner??? I am in love with mine!!  It has tons of bright fun pages, calendar pages, goals, favorites, contacts, etc. and you know I LOVE my colors!!!  This planner just makes you WANT to organize your life!!  This is how it looks when you buy it.

This is how it looks after I added MY bling to it...

I couldn't resist using one of my favorite Saturated Canary images, "Let It Rain" to the front, because for me... EVERY day could be a rainy day and I'd love it!!!  I colored her with my Copics and fussy cut her out then mounted her on top of a 4" doily.  Here she is up close, sporting my favorite color combo! :-)

Next, I added some 2" squares to label the year and covered it with a bit of Glimmer Mist.

A little bling and a affirmation written on the already printed tag and I think I'm ready for just about anything life throws at me this year!  ;-)

I find myself grabbing and remembering daily what I need to add to the calendar just because it's so fun and full of color!!!  You can get your book at Michaels along with some goodies to add inside and make your pages your style.  Think of it as a planner and SMASH book all in one!! I plan to, and have already, added a few pics tot he mix that I want to remember along the way.

That's it for me today... it's been a long one and I'm ready to hit the bed early tonight!! I do appreciate your stopping by!!  Have a great Wednesday!!!  *HUGS*



 Copics I used:

It Can Only Get Better....

Ahhh yes... another rainy day/umbrella image and if you know me, you know I HAVE to have it!!!  I'm a sucker for rainy days and certainly can't get enough of the stamps of the same nature!!

This little cutie is from The Paper Nest and is named, "Rainy Day Avery".  I wuvs her!!!  I printed her on Cryogen White paper from the Paper Temptress.  My card base is Pure Luxury Sweet Corn with a layer of Black Onyx and some DP from Authentique.

Of course I colored her with my Copics and added a sentiment from SRM stickers.  It reminded me that even though we have a few rainy days, things CAN and WILL get better and you know... this IS life.

The last couple weeks have been rough for my family but like I said before... things are looking up and sunny skies are heading our way!!!

I hope you have a fabulous day and stop by The Paper Nest.  Christine's images are so darn fun and great to color!!

Thanks for stopping by!!! *HUGS*




 Copics I used:

Fuzzy, Soft and Cuddly....

A soft, fuzzy bunny is all I thought about when I colored this sweet little image from Stamp Fairy.    This week's newest challenge over on Color Me Creative is to "Color with Texture".  Use your Copics, pencils, whatever you'd like to create texture on your image.  I used the "towel" technique where you add Copic Blending Solution to a rag or hand towel or washcloth (which I used) to create soft "speckles" of texture to the image once it's colored.

Here's a close up so you can see the fine "speckles" it creates once colored.

I always think of more a "flocking" look when I use this technique but I love how subtle it is.  Makes me want to rub my finger across it to really see if something is there.  Hee

Of course, I colored the image with my Copics prior to doing the technique.  I also used the "feathering" brush stroke around the edges of my image to add a bit of shadow around it.

My card base is Pure Luxury Passionate Pink and layered on some Moonlit Fog and Bubble Gum pink onto that.  My image was printed on Cryogen White from the PaperTemptress.  My DP is from the paper pack, Authentique "Lovely" collection.

I hope you are having a lovely Sunday as WE certainly are feeling all warm and cuddly with hubby/daddy home!  His surgery was a big success and though we tease him that his name is now "Frank (enstein)" we are happy he is home and on the mend.  It was a VERY scary time for us but nothing can ever replace the love we have for him and we are very thankful to God who watched over him and brought him home again.

As always, I appreciate your stopping by and REALLY appreciate your understanding as to my sparse postings as things have been kind of hectic in our home for the last couple weeks.  Oh and, don't forget to watch the Super Bowl!!!  We will be having our usual "carpet picnic" with the kids while enjoying the games and most certainly the commercials!! LOL  *HUGS*




 Copics I used: