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Showing posts with label Love. Show all posts

SBS Steampunk Romance Blog Hop

Simply Betty Stamps is releasing a new line of steampunk images... ala Romance! These are perfect for love, anniversary, engagement, or "just because" cards & projects. If you've arrived via Angela's blog, then you are on the right track, if not, be sure to start at the Simply Betty Stamps Challenge Blog for details on how you can get your mitts on some of these fantastic new images at a discount or for FREE!

I am loving Betty's new artist that creates these steampunk lines! All of the clothing folds and details... they are so much fun to color.

First up is Grace. I thought she was lookin' a little forlorn, so I created a "miss you" card. Super clean & simple!

Digi: Steampunk Romance Grace
Rubber Stamps (The Angel Company): Background Soup, (can't remember the senti set)
Paper: Bazzill & Caboodle white cardstocks
Ink: VersaFine Onyx
Other: Copic markers, MS border punch, misc. ribbon

Don't you LOVE the little bat wings on the heart?!

And next up is Emma. She is my FAVORITE of the six new Steampunks!

I cut the card front short so the edge punch showed up better. I thought the hearts were pretty fitting.

Digi: Steampunk Romance Emma
Rubber Stamp (The Angel Company): Love You
Paper: misc. eggplant, kraft & Caboodle white cardstocks
Ink: VersaFine Onyx
Other: Copic markers, EK Success edge punch

I'm very pleased with how the coloring came out on this image! It looks even better in person :) But do you see why I love this new line?! Look at all of those folds. {sigh}

Well, that's it for today, folks... but don't fret! There is much more Steampunk Romance-inspired work to see... your next stop on this hop is Betty Boo's blog. And don't forget that if you get lost along the way, just go to the Simply Betty Stamps Challenge Blog for the full hop list!

Love Notes

After almost 29 years of marriage, my heart still appreciates love notes . . .

He’s a man of few words but when he says them . . . they always mean so much!

Happy Valentine’s Day to you! ~ Wanda

A Mouse Teaches a Lesson of Love

As a full time studio furniture maker my workshop is located on a beautiful parcel of land that is surrounded by trees and wetland. Because of this close proximity to nature it's not uncommon to have wild creatures moving in and around my shop on a regular basis.

As Autumn deepens in preparation for Winter I have discovered that there is a span of several days before the first big blast of snow that wild mice seem to intuitively sense the onslaught of cold that is about to come. To shield themselves from the coming weather these mice then begin to migrate into the shelter of warmth, which is invariably found somewhere in my building.

The annual arrival of the first mouse is typically announced by a piercing shriek from one of the women in my office, who is startled by an unexpected blur of fur scurrying past her feet. Invariably these shrieks are a call to arms for me to deal with the mouse situation, and as I do every year I break out the "catch and release" traps to snare the unwelcome guests.

Before long the traps do their duty, and I am then called upon to take the traps to the edge of the property line where the evicted tenants are turned loose. Usually upon release the mice simply bolt for the nearest cover, but every so often there`s one who will brazenly make a mad dash back to the building. More often than not this mouse is back inside before I am, and the game of "catch and release" moves along to round 2.

One Autumn a few years back unfolded much the same as it does every year, and as the outside air progressively cooled I wasn't surprised to hear the familiar "EEEK, a mouse!!!!" again one day. And as is my duty I set out to track down the furry culprit yet again.

On this particular day I was standing in the middle of the lobby with two of the women, asking them "which way did he go"? Before they could answer all of us fell silent with total amazement, because in that moment the mouse in question walked right out into the centre of the lobby. Walking straight to within 2 feet of where I was standing the mouse stopped and casually sat on his hind haunches and began rubbing his forepaws over his head, as if to clean his ears and whiskers.

We could not believe what we were seeing with this mouse being so calm and fearless. What amazed me the most, though, was the transformation in the reactions from both of the women. Moments earlier they were terrified of this tiny creature. But now seeing this same bundle of fur sitting innocently on the floor in front of them they were gushing about how cute he was - all while chiding me not to harm him in any way.

But as cute as this mouse was by his actions, it was clear that this was not a normal mouse. My guess is that in one of his mad dashes to flee the kitchen counter he slammed his head on the ceramic floor and, thereby, scrambled a few circuits. Nevertheless, said wild mouse earned the nickname Mr. Jingles because of how much he behaved like the mouse from the movie "The Green Mile".

Over the next few days it became clear that whatever was afflicting this mouse was going from bad to worse. Instead of walking the mouse was now limping, and I was faced with a decision of what to do with him.

By now everyone in the shop knew of the mouse, and most were offering their own opinions on what to do with him. The consensus seemed to be to put him outside and let nature run its course. By now a deep blanket of snow was covering the ground, and I could tell from the way this mouse was limping that he wouldn't stand a chance out there.

And, so, as ridiculous as it sounds I decided to buy a hamster cage and line it with wood shavings to let the mouse live out his last days in the warmth of my shop. Several times I questioned the rationale on why I was going through all this trouble for a wild creature, but at the end of the day this seemed like the only proper thing to do.

The health of the mouse continued to decline, and things finally reached the point where I was feeding him sugar water through a straw as he lay motionless on his side. One night after feeding him I said my good-byes because I was certain he wouldn't see his way through the night. Sure enough when I opened the next morning Mr. Jingles was dead.

A few days later I was reading an article that talked about Love, and it said that in distinguishing the difference between love and compassion that love brings with it a desire to relieve pain and bring happiness to another.

In that moment I realized that what I had just experienced with Mr. Jingles over the previous few weeks was, on some level, a tangible lesson in Love. Within that context Mr. Jingles had actually been a teacher.

We should never underestimate the magic at work in the world.

Happy Valentine's Day.

SBS Valentine Emos Release Day Hop!

Yeay! It's finally here :) Simply Betty Stamps' Valentine Emos Release par-tay! If you've arrived here via Angela's blog, you are on the right track... if not or if you get lost along the way, please go to the Simply Betty Challenge blog. While you are there, you might want to check out how to win a couple of these awesome Valentine Emo digi's!

And here is my little bit o' love today...

Yes, the infamous Cupid Christian feeding Valentine Lola a line ;) I really couldn't figure out a whopper of a witty sentiment... I'm sure y'all can have a little fun with THAT! Some others I was kicking around:

"What are you tryin' to say... this outfit isn't sexy?"

"How many guys CAN pull off this look, huh?!"

I know... silly. But fun! I LOVE the look in Lola's eye... is it not devious?! I Stickled her up a bit for a bit o' blinginess... I mean she had to match Christian's halo & wings, right?

That face! {giggling} I don't know of any dude (of sound mind) that would don a diaper to impress the ladies... I'm just sayin'. :)

Well, that's it for this Fiendishly Fun Friday! Don't forget to leave some lovin' along the hop... you could win a little sumpin' sumpin' ;)

Your next stop on this Virtual Valentine Voyage is Betty Boo!

SBS Valentine Emos - Preview Day 5

Just two more days until Simply Betty Stamps' Valentine Emos Release Day!!!! Did you go check the previous previews yet from the DT? You really should... especially Cupid Christian... he is LOL awesome!

Sooooo, on to today's preview... London! She is so cute, greedily hugging all of her valentines... she is one popular little thing, no?

Like Valentine Betty, London has a big wink for ya'... cute, huh?

And I am loving my Scor-Tape & squinchy ribbon look...

it uses way more ribbon, but it is soooo worth it :)

The sentiment is a retired one from TAC and the ribbon is HL.
I've used MME's Alphabet Soup Boy

& Echo Park's Everybody Loves Christmas paper lines.

Be sure to check out the SBS challenge blog for the other DT's work... it is fabulous as always!

SBS Valentine Emos - Preview Day 1... belated

So evidently Blogger decided to delete my January 1st post I had scheduled. Ugh.

January 1st-6th, the Simply Betty Stamps DT have been/will be previewing the latest SBS Valentine Emos line... just in time for Valentine's Day! On January 7th, there will be a big blog hop & you can begin purchasing these awesome images... digital or rubbah, baby!

Here is the Valentine Betty card from Sunday... she IS my absolute FAVORITE of this release! And she can be used for more than just Valentine's Day... anniversary or "just because I love you" cards, too. Maybe even a "kiss off" card? :)

I'm lovin' that wink... flirty girl. And I wish I could pull off a hair color like that... just sayin'.

Simply Betty Stamps also carries a few choice paper lines, including those shown here today!

I've used MME's Alphabet Soup Boy

& Echo Park's Everybody Loves Christmas lines.

Be sure to check out the SBS challenge blog for the other DT's work... it is awesome! And you make want to scroll back to start on January 1st... it's worth it!

HDH061 - A Lil' Lurid & Lovesick

HDH Macabre Monday Rules:

1. Create a dark and macabre SOMETHING (card, scrap page, altered item, whatever) that follows the specific Macabre Monday challenge given. Cutesy is fine, but creepy is better :)

2. You have until the following Sunday night @ 5pm central time to post your creation and

please leave a direct-link back here.

3. If you upload to any online galleries (S&S, PCP, SCS, etc.), please tag the title using HDH061.

4. Weekly giveaways! Some weeks will be loaded with loot, others not-so-much... but the thrill is in the win, right?! Some prizes shall be by random drawing, others hand picked... and I'm not telling you ahead of time :)

5. I'll be selecting a weekly Gruesome Twosome (my top two favorite creations) from all the players. At the end of every month these will be compiled and a Master of Macabre will be selected and will receive a little giftie from me... this could be stamp sets, handmade items, papers, halloweenie embellishments... you just never know.

Ok, my little pretties... your challenge this week:

A Lil' Lurid & Lovesick

Go HERE for the definition of lurid & HERE for lovesick.

Now put those two together for this week's challenge! :)

Bonus: This week's challenge is being sponsored by...
Tickled Pink Stamps! I'm not sure what the prize is, but you can bet it will be a goodie! The link above will take you directly to Kellie's store, but they also have a blog site here: Tickled Pink Blog

Tickled Pink Stamps is an Australian based online business and loves everything PINK. They are the home of the Lil Lolita Stamps and everything else Cute, Quirky and PINK....

In case I hadn't said... the prize for one lucky winner is... a choice of one digi from each release! And they can get till the end of October to pick as mmmmm TPS is having another Lolita release!!

Have to wait and see *wink, wink*

Debbie P., who is one of TPS's many talented design team members (The Pink Ladies) has prepared a feast for the eyes, and is our...

Minion of the Moment (guest Minion)!

Minion of the Moment, Delightfully Dark Debbie:

Ooooooh... a little sassy, a little dark, and all kinds of fabulous! Thanks, Debbie!

And check out what some of the Macabre Minions have in store for your viewing pleasure... Kellie at TPS was so awesome as to offer up her newest line, Lil' Haunts:

Macabre Mistress Lynx:

Freakin' LOVE THIS! Lynx, have I told you lately that you are my hero?!

Creepy Cricut Cween Donna:

Wickedly wonderful work as usual, Donna! Great coloring & I'm lovin' the die cuts!!

Digital Demon-ess Susan:

LOL! Love love LOVE the sentiment for this image, Susan... AND it's PINK... what's better?!

Chaotic Creepy Glowbugg:

Fantastic Frankie!! The usual awesome coloring, and I'm lovin' the embellies!

Fabulous work from my Macabre Minions... as usual!
I will be back later this week with my Lil' bit o' luridness ;)

Ok... your turn... let's see what lurid & lovesickness y'all create!

HDH048 - Wayward Words

HDH Macabre Monday Rules:
1. Create a dark and macabre SOMETHING (card, scrap page, altered item, whatever) that follows the specific Macabre Monday challenge given. Cutesy is fine, but creepy is better :)
2. You have until the following Sunday night @ 5pm central time to post your creation and please leave a direct-link back here.
3. If you upload to any online galleries (TACPCC, S&S, PCP, SCS, etc.), please tag the title using HDH048.
4. Weekly giveaways! Some weeks will be loaded with loot, others not-so-much... but the thrill is in the win, right?! Some prizes shall be by random drawing, others hand picked... and I'm not telling you ahead of time :)
5. I'll be selecting a weekly Gruesome Twosome (my top two favorite creations) from all the players. At the end of every month these will be compiled and a Master of Macabre will be selected and will receive a little giftie from me... this could be stamp sets, handmade items, papers, halloweenie embellishments... you just never know.

Ok, my little pretties... your challenge this week:

Wayward Words

You are to create a dark, Gothic, or Halloween page, project or card using text/words as the MAIN focus. Poetry, prose, riddle, rhyme, text, quotes or statements... as long as it's got a wicked or creepy edge, it works!

Check it! Did I surprise you?! I'm posting my challenge card on time! And not only that... I've got some treats in store for you. A few of the Macabre Minions will be strutting their stuff today... so be sure to scroll down and check them out! I'm planning on introducing HDH's Sisterhood of the Sinister this week along with their bio's so please stay tuned! If you can't wait that long, check their blog links in the sidebar :)

But first, we'll talk about this quick (in theory) and easy card I made. I've had this fabulous quote stamp forever and have only used it a few times! Mostly for backgrounds... not today! Such beautiful words need to be up front!

Stamps: quote (unknown), skull background (Mrs. O'Leary's)
Paper: Bazill & black (TAC) cardstocks
Ink: Onyx VersaFine, VersaMark, Noir Palette
Other: Transcendence EP, Tim Holtz edge die, Scor-Bug, black rose trim (Am. Crafts), ribbon (Michaels), misc. gems

And now... for some additional eye candy-corn:

Susan (Digital Demon)

Donna (Creepy Cricut Cween)

The rest of the Macabre Minions are busy {insert cracking whip sound here} and will be dazzling you soon! Please pop by Susan's & Donna's blogs for additional info about their work shown here!

HDH047 - surprise!

I got something done for my challenge this week! And not only for MY challenge, but also for Stamp It Crazy's challenge, too :) Love ya' SIC Barb!

I'll admit it... I started this card last week for The Burtonesque Dolls' challenge "The Burton Boys". This image is PERFECT for that... oh well... c'est la vie. At least I finished it... and me likey alot.

Stamps: A Man A Mess- Goth39 (Stamp It Crazy), Background Soup (TAC), That Guy (retired TAC)

Paper: black cs (TAC), Neenah white cs, random turquoise cs

Ink: Memento Tuxedo, Noir & Jardin Moss Palettes

Other: hardware (WeRMK & Karen Foster), spring, jewlry wire, Turquoise Glimmer Mist, 1/16" hole punch, super cool web trim gifted by Creepy Glowbugg (thanks, man!)

Copics: 0, BG72, G21, G85, W2

The turquoise mist shows up awesomely on the black cardstock! In real life it is way better than the photos... trust me. I know the wire is a bit wonky, but I guess the rest of the card is, too :) It's fun to see the card open and light spill through the teensie little punched holes.

Do you dig the spring & large brads?! Me too! I might have to go on the search for more springs... I've got a bunch of the brads, although some are antique brass & copper. Oooooo.... the copper & brass would look all steampunk, no?! Hmmm....

OH! And don't forget that there is only a couple of days left for current Freaker's Free-for-All challenge! How much easier can a "do whatever ya' want" challenge be?! :)

What do you think?

Ok... I know you guys are into the dark side of things and all, but I have to share this super cute Kraftin' Kimmie card I made over at my "normal" blog :)

Please click HERE

Skull spinner...

Another challenge card! Barb over at Stamp It Crazy is holding a challenge for a spinner card... it will end on Monday night, so better hurry! It's been a LONG time since I've done one of these... I forgot how fun they are to make!

And I had so much fun doing The Burtonesque Dolls' skull & black flower challenge, I decided to add that to the mix again as well. Same tissue paper & Glimmer Mist technique as the last one, but with a smaller flower die.

Stamps: Creepy Tree (Stamp It Crazy), Punk Princess (retired TAC)

Paper: Bazzill & black cardstocks

Ink: Memento Tuxedo & VersaFine Onyx

Other: Copics (BV20 & 0), Black Gold Glimmer Mist, tissue paper, Micron pen, pennies & pop dot

Don't you LOVE that creepy tree? VERY Burton-esque, no? :) And I thought the sentiment was kinda lovey-dovey... hmmm... I wonder if Poot would appreciate this card for our next anniversary...

... maybe not :)

I posted a little lovely on my other blog... more black with a shot of red love card. In case you're up for it :)

But what I really wanted to tell you guys, is about the card challenge over at Stamp It Crazy's new blog! Barb is giving away a $25 gift certificate for her store... go HERE for details! The challenge isn't dark or halloweenie, but I'm sure you Pepsi lovers (blech!) will have no problems!

So I've had these glittery black chipboard letters for OVER A YEAR, and figured I should use some :) It's been kinda blah here lately, with the sun only peeking out for a few, so I thought I'd take advantage of my dark mood.

It's kinda Twilight-ish, maybe? I don't know since I STILL haven't seen the movies or read the books. I KNOW! Crazy, for a lover of all that is macabre... especially vampires.

The black netting used to hold some glass pebbles... I cut it apart and tied it together with some black Scrapper's Floss. Recycling gone goth? ;) The flower is Bazzill & the spider is confetti.

Super simple and easy and not very creative, but you've got to have those projects from time-to-time!

What do you think?
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Simply Betty Stamps Valentine Emos - Preview Day 1

Ok, you KNOW how I just love the creepy stuff, but I SWEAR that as soon as I saw this Valentine Betty image I was a goner. Is she not the CAH-YOOTIST chick ever?! Complete all the way to her adorable little skully hair bow... it makes me smile.

See?!

Next to all of the Halloweenie Emos, this is my FAVORITE Emo to date. Look at that sassy little wink as she blows a kiss... LOVE it.

Digi/Rubber image: Valentine Betty (SBS) - available starting January 7th!

Paper: MME ASB-Ledger, Echo Park ELC-Ornaments, Bazzill red cs

Other: Copic markers, Diamond Stickles, circle punches, misc. twill, tile & brads

Be sure to pop over to the Simply Betty Stamps blog to check out my awesome fellow DT's work! And you may want to load that blogsite into your Reader, because there will be previews every day from now until Release Day on January 7th!!!

And don't forget that January 3rd starts up another year of Macabre Monday challenges here at HDH!!

It's Tuesday and I should be working! But instead, I thought I'd share my take on this week's challenge :)

I know... it's cute... but in a kinda creepy way, right? I can't remember which TAC Angel demo suggested it, but she thought I could creep-out these cupids, and... Ta Da!

Stamps: Love & Friendship (TAC)
Paper: DCWV card base, White UltraSmooth cardstock
Ink: Palette Noir
Other: Prismacolors w/ mineral oil, Black & Crystal Stickles, Scor-Pal & Scor-Bug, misc. sheer ribbon, black gems from JoAnn's, pop dots

I love their little black glittery wings... I did go a little Stickles-happy on this one, but it IS a wedding image after all... ya' gots to have the glitta, baby. :)

I'm hoping to see some more participation this week! I really want to have a bunch of names in the bonus drawing! If we get a good number I might draw more than one name... you never know... that's just how I roll.

What do you think?
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