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Anni-VERVE-sary Blog Hop

Posted on August 1, 2009 by Spike

Welcome to the first ever official Anni-VERVE-sary Blog Hop. Verve turns two today and we’re celebrating with a hop, hop, hop! The party kicked off over on the Verve blog, so if you’ve just happened along, be sure to hop on over there to start from the beginning!

And to make this party a real shindig, there’s a mystery jackpot hidden at one of the stops along the hop. One lucky commenter on that blog will win Verve’s entire August release! But of course, it wouldn’t be a mystery if you knew which blog, would it? So if you’re feeling the love, give a little shout out to the bloggers in the hop and you just might have a reason to jump for joy! For full deets on the hop and just in case you get lost along the way, you can find your way by clicking HERE.

I can’t believe it’s Verve’s 2nd Anni-VERVE-sary already!!! I remember the first one where I pulled an all nighter getting my 12 cards done and for a relative newbie, yup…I was/am insane! LOL  But I just enjoy the stamps so much that well there is no limit!

To celebrate this year, I made this card for the blog hop in Verve colours and I am ever so thankful through the kindness of friends that they could give me a hand in posting this as my puter is still sick :(

I love the way this card turned out!

AnniVERVEsary_Spike

Card Details:
Paper: Bazzill
Stamp: Kindred Spirits (Verve)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Champagne Dazzle (Versamark), Broken China Distress Ink (Ranger)
Embellishments: Clear EP, Damask EF (Sizzix), Oval Nestabilities, Scalloped Oval Nestabilities and Fleur de Lis Pendant (Spellbinders), Mini-Rhinestones, Paper Piercing and Satin Chocolate Ribbon

The picture definitely doesn’t do the card any justice! I added some distress ink over the embossed pattern and it gives it a rich velvet look, you could swear that the paper was fabric!  The moment I saw the stamp set I thought I have got to use it with the Spellbinders Fleur de Lis Pendants!  I had lots of fun and thanks to Julee for creating amazing stamps!

The next stop on the blog hop is Rachel: http://rcbogner.blogspot.com

Thanks for dropping in today!! Have a fabulous weekend!

Love,

PS.  If you don’t see your comment right away, don’t fret as I’ve got the comment moderate on and will authorize it as fast as I can. :D

Filed under: Anni-VERVE-sary, Blog Hop, Cards 2009, Shapeabilities Pendants, Spellbinders | Tagged: , , , , , | 156 Comments »

Blogoversary Celebration and Candy!

Posted on July 24, 2009 by Spike

I thought I’d run out of things to say after 2 weeks!!! Like WOW, who would have thought that I would still be here a year later?! And if it wasn’t for YOU, I wouldn’t be here! Thank you so much for the year of wonderful words, kind support and numerous blog awards! You are all AMAZING people that I have come to know as friends. Thank you, thank you, thank YOU!!

Soooo…to celebrate YOU, I’m giving away blog candy!

BlogoversaryCandy

What’s included is:
-a tacky glitter clean up cloth (I can’t do without one now!)
-40mm wide Be Creative Tape
-pair of fine tipped tweezers

BlogoversaryCandy2

That puppy can do some serious damage! (I’ve stabbed myself a few times!) They’re soooo fantastic that I have 3 pairs!

This candy was kindly donated by Heraldine over at Be Creative in Pitt Meadows, BC. Thanks to the new Golden Ears Bridge, Be Creative is now an LSS for me as I can get there in 50 minutes compared to 1hr 15 before!

Heraldine’s little shop (in her farmhouse) is packed with everything to make it a stampers haven!! She’s got a lot of unique items and is a wealth of information as she’s been stamping for some time!

Can’t find a particular Copic colour?? There’s a good chance she’s got them! In original, sketch and even wide! (there’s quite a few refills on hand too!) Looking for Peel-Offs??? She’s got a WALL and then some! There’s always a pot of coffee brewing and homemade cookies to make you feel right at home! And boy oh boy do I feel right at home, I had the great fortune of bumping into a few of my blog readers there! What a fantastic treat! Cheers, ladies!!! :D

Heraldine is also the original importer of Sookwang tape to N.America and can get the tape in crazy big sizes. She showed me a roll that looked 2ft thick!! You can do some serious damage with that!! (could you imagine wrapping up an entire gift with that and burnishing it???? LMAO!!! Be sure to ask YOUR LSS for “Be Creative Tape” and rest assured it’s from Heraldine!

Be Creative
19067 Dewdney Trunk Road
Pitt Meadows, BC V3Y 2R8
(604) 465-2359

(The shop hours are Tues-Sat. 10-5pm)

Be sure to tell them that Spike sent you! :) She’ll know exactly which troublemaker you’re referring to! LOL

Alrighty, to win this wonderful group of goodies…all you need to do is subscribe to my blog via Feedburner and leave a comment below with where you’re from (city, prov/state and country)!! For all you lurkers, don’t be shy, I would love to hear from you!! (Don’t worry if your comment doesn’t show immediately as I’ve got the comment moderate on :D )

I will do the draw on Aug 2nd at noon pacific. Good luck and thank you again for your continued support!!

Lots of love,

Filed under: Blog Candy, Miscellany | Tagged: , , , | 34 Comments »

Spellbinders Pendants and Sizzix Texturz Plates

Posted on July 22, 2009 by Spike

What I’ve got for you today it’s a fun and easy Spellbinders Pendants and Texturz Plates card!

[Once again I've been such a busy bee that I forget to post, take photos of projects and cross post them here! It doesn't help having unreliable puter right now!! ARG! Methinks it's time for a NEW one but, but...that would dip into my Copic budget! Noooooooo!!!]

It was my turn over at Scrap ‘n Stamp to do a tutorial this week on Tuesday Tutorials using Sizzix Texturz Plates. Have you heard about them? They’ve been around for a while, inexpensive and have tonnes of embossing patterns to choose from. Once someone showed me how to use them I was absolutely hooked! ;) And well…at the moment I look for every opportunity to haul out my Spellbinders Pendants and oh so couldn’t resist using them for this card too. If you’d like to see the tutorial on how to use Texturz Plates (there’s “sandwich” recipes there) and a bit on Pendants or just wanna see the card being put together you can find it here: Adding Texturz to Your Life.

Tada!

Close up

Card Composition:
Paper: Whitewash and Blue CS (Core’dinations)
Embellies: Texturz Plates Kit #17 (Sizzix), Fleur de Lis Shapeabilities Pendants (Spellbinders), Peggy’s Pretties, Ticket/Tag Corner Punch (Tonic), White Gel Pen, 3D Dots aka Pop Dots.

Hope you’re having fun enjoying this wonderful weather on this Wednesday!! Thanks for dropping in today!

Love,

Filed under: Cards 2009, Scrap 'n Stamp, Shapeabilities Pendants, Spellbinders, Techniques, Tutorial | Tagged: , , , , , , | 4 Comments »

BC Crop For Kids – Class Reg. Starts Tomorrow!

Posted on July 12, 2009 by Spike

This is the second year that this event has been run in Abbotsford, BC and is on October 23-25, 2009! It’s for a VERY worthy cause and there’s so much to do, many prizes and so much fun!

In conjunction with Classic on Alexander, I’m teaching our ever so popular and 4 times sold out (so far!) Cuttlebug Class at BC Crop For Kids! All the class fees are donated to BC Crop for Kids!!

For more information about the class, please click here. (PS. You can take the class if you have a Cuttlebug OR a Big Shot)

The first wave of registration starts TOMORROW!!! Those who have a crop seat or a class pass can register tomorrow for all classes. As crop seats are already sold out, you can get a class pass for $29. That is a smokin’ deal as not only do you get into early registration but also:

Class Pass Registration for the weekend includes:
• Advance registration for classes
• Buffet Lunch on Saturday
• Buffet Continental Breakfast on Sunday
• Coffee, Tea and water throughout the weekend
• Special welcome pack
• 2 or more free make & takes
• Access to all draws, contests & ticket sales

For more information about BC Crop, click on the image above!

Hope to see you all there!!!

Lots of love,

Filed under: Miscellany | Tagged: , | Leave a Comment »

Christmas in July Sale at Scrap ‘n Stamp

Posted on July 12, 2009 by Spike

Well in case you’re wondering, I’ve been madly creating away for this weeks Christmas in July event at Scrap in Stamp!! There’s features all week, blog candy and a SALE!!

Click on the image for the event details and here’s the Scrap ‘n Stamp blog where you’ll be able to see the features this week.

I’d love to hear what you pick up at the sale!

Enjoy your Sunday!!

Love,

Filed under: Miscellany | Tagged: , , | 1 Comment »

And now for something completely different II…

Posted on July 9, 2009 by Spike

Well I figured since I’m on a roll with doing different things at the moment, sometimes it’s great to take a break…try something new and you’ll have fresh perspective to add to what you love it do! That all being said and done…I admit it…I’m a technique junkie, I want to try new and different things! LOL
Now when I first saw these, I thought oh cool it kinda reminded me a little of paperdolls. It’s not normally my thing but hey, there’s many different things out there for everybody. But when I saw this oriental one as well as another, I thought oh, wow…well…here’s an excuse to give this technique a try. It’s paper tole.

Paper Tole or decoupage is the art of constructing a 3-dimensional image from a 2-dimensional print. It’s been around for a very long time 17th century in France.
Now one could do it oneself by taking an image and painstakingly create the layers on your own.
Or one could by a kit out there and cut them out yourself.
But well, for me…I love technology and as I can be lazy at times, this is all laser or die cut!! HELLO! So you can do all the fun parts!

Asiandecoupage

Look! There’s even arrows showing you which goes where and 3 sets in the one! And it’s printed on a prism/foil background!! I LOVE IT! If you’re curious, this set is called, Sagi No Mai from the artist Haruyo Morita So I sat watching TV with the sheet and a pack of square pop dots piecing them together. Jeff looked over and asked, can I do one? I guess he musta been bored because put one together and even admitted to liking it. But…SHHHHHHHH…no one is supposed to know! LOL

Here’s what they ended up looking like all assembled.

completeddecoupage

I was surprised how big they were on an A2 sooo…I just grabbed an embossed piece of paper from the With Gratitude Cuttlebug EF and some Raven Bazzill CS and that’s it!

DecoupageCard1

Because of the paper, it gives a different look depending on the angle.

DecoupageCard2

Thanks for walking with me on this little indulgence! It was quick, easy and fun! It’s sometimes nice having directions for things!! LOL

Now don’t you worry, I’ll return with my usual mischief very shortly! Thanks for taking the time to visit today!!

Love,

Filed under: Cards 2009 | Tagged: , , | 7 Comments »

And now for something completely different…

Posted on July 8, 2009 by Spike

That’s one of my fave Monty Python quotes!! Well this is a little different from what I usually do as well as different in terms of my style. I find it’s always nice to try out different techniques, you will definitely not like all of them but it’s nice to expand one’s repertoire! I just came back from taking a class at Be Creative in Pitt Meadows. Here’s a shout out to all the fabulous gals I have met, shared and learned so much from!! Hugs to you all!!! :)
This class was taught by Elizabeth who was showing us how to use Cornish Heritage Stamps’ Thomas Kinkade line with Stampbord. She has an amazing eye for this!! This class is also not for everyone as its very finicky and detail oriented but the results are fabulous. I suggest anyone wanting to learn to take the beginner class using Stampscapes stamps first where you learn all the basic techniques of inking and scratching (then inking and perhaps more scratching!) before you dive into the intricate, detailed world of Thomas Kinkade!

I used Thomas Kinkade’s “The Light of Peace” stamp.

LightofPeace

I was really, really pleased with the way the surf turned out, thanks to Elizabeth’s eye and experience! I could have spent another hour or so scratching more detail but I knew that Heraldine had to close the store sometime!! LOL
What was really great was that everyone’s creations were super fabulous but very different! It was amazing!

I had loads of fun, learned lots and would definitely play around with this technique a whole lot more. I can only see getting better with time as it’s a fiddly technique. That being said…to quote Elizabeth, don’t worry about making a mistake, if you don’t like it…just scratch it out! :) Love it, love it, love it!!

Thanks for stopping in today and have a super fab Wednesday!

Love,

Filed under: Techniques | Tagged: , | 2 Comments »

Wahoo! I’m an aunt!

Posted on July 7, 2009 by Spike

Yesterday my sister-in law gave birth to a 11lbs 12.5oz healthy girl!! So I’ve been thinking pink and bling!! And sure enough that’s totally what my card looked like in the end for the tutorial I just finished for Scrap ‘n Stamp!!

Then again when the tutorial involves using the new Spellbinders Pendants and Borderabilities, those sooo lend themselves to elegance and bling!! I used the In Spades Pendants and Borderabilities sets. If you’d like to see how this card came together, please visit the Tuesday Tutorial here.

Pendant_Spike

Here’s a closer look at the detail:
Pendant2_Spike

Thanks for dropping in today! Here’s to a happy Tuesday!

Lots of love,

Filed under: Cards 2009, Scrap 'n Stamp, Spellbinders, Tutorial | Tagged: , , | 5 Comments »

BELLA BIRFFFFFDAY SKIP, HOP, AND DANCE

Posted on June 25, 2009 by Spike

Welcome to the Birthday Blog Skip, Hop & Dance sponsored by Stamping Bella! If you’ve just happened upon my blog, you can CLICK HERE to start from the beginning at Bloggabella.

It’s Em’s Birthday today!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY EM!!!! I have a few Birthday Bella stamps but I really, really love using Cupcakeabella and used it to celebrate the occasion!!

Cupecakeabella_Spike

Cupcake close up! I just love way the yummy frosting turned out!! I just took some pink liquid pearls and added a blop of Sugarberry Smooch to give it that lovely purple frosty look and texture.

CupecakeabellaCU1_Spike

I couldn’t resist using a fuzzy, purple, puffy flower that I secured in place with an SEI brad.
CupecakeabellaCU2_Spike

Card Composition:
Paper – Bazzill, Wisteria (Basic Grey)
Stamps – Cupcakeabella (Stamping Bella)
Ink – Black Dye Ink (Amuse)
Embellishments – Pink Liquid Pearls (Ranger), Sugarberry Smooch (Clearsnap), Threading Water Border Punch (Fiskars), Bridgeport Designer Brads (SEI), Fuzzy Puffy Flower (from the $ store).
Copics – B000, E02, E33, E35, V12, BV08, RV000.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Now it’s time to hop on over to Diane’s Blog.  Have a great day!

How about a prize? (It’s a blog hop to celebrate Em’s BDay and she’s giving away goodies!! Doncha just love it!! Thanks Em!!!) In addition to the fabulous eye candy, we have decided to hide a prize somewhere along the hop! One pre-selected blogger will draw a random winner from the comments on her post, and the winner will receive a $40 Gift Voucher to Stamping Bella!!! The fun part is…we’re not telling you who it is! So as you hop, make sure you leave comments on every post so you have a chance to win!! We will announce the winner on Monday in the Splitcoast forum. MWAH!

If you’ve hit a bump, you can find the master blog hop list from SCS HERE.

Thanks so much for hoppin’ on by! Enjoy your Thursday!

Love,

Filed under: Birthday, Blog Hop, Cards 2009, Stamping Bella | Tagged: , , | 68 Comments »

It’s the Cuttlebug Challenge Blog Countdown to CHA!!!

Posted on June 25, 2009 by Spike

Remember when we gave you a sneak peek of the new Cuttlebug embossing folders? But wouldn’t you like to see them in FULL COLOUR ACTION??

At the Cuttlebug Challenge Blog, we’re having a Countdown to Summer CHA ‘09 CELEBRATION!!!! From June 29th until July 31st, that is a FULL month of new folder previews as well as really fun ideas from the design team!!!! Plus, there will be challenges and prizes where you could win some of the NEW folders before everyone can get them?? How COOL is that???

Help us spread the word! In doing so, our lucky readers will be entered to win one of our wonderful kits. . . FULL of embellishments and papers from the Anna Griffin Collection . . . including an Acrylic album

How can you win????

1. Be sure that you’re registered as a Follower on the Cuttlebug Challenge Blog
2. Give a shout out in a forum and CREATE A POST ON YOUR BLOG about the Countdown to CHA event!
3. Leave a comment on THIS post on the Cuttlebug Challenge Blog with the link to your blog and forum post(s) you have created with the shout out(s)!

Winners will be notified on June 29th, 2009.

Please post this ad when doing your Shout Out!! We have created this ad for you to make it easier to spread the word. Simply use it on your blog or anywhere else :)

3654586829_15faa7da6d

I sooooo can’t wait!!! The team have been working away like busy little elves on really cool projects to showcase the new A2 folders!!

Thanks for stopping in!!

Love,

Filed under: Cuttlebug Challenge, Cuttlebug Challenge Blog | Tagged: , , | Leave a Comment »

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