Kitty on the keyboard.

Sorry to disappoint, but kitty (Gabby) does not play the piano.  The keyboard I refer to is the one she sits beside every nite (or day) when I'm on the computer.  Her spot is to the left of the keyboard and usually on top of whatever I'm working on at the moment.  That's HER spot and don't try and move her!  Most nites she stretches out with her head hanging over the edge of the desktop and every once in a while she'll reach out a paw to touch me -- I guess she's making sure I stay there.  I don't know, I don't speak CAT.  I listen to her rumbling purr as it vibrates my desktop -- YES, she's that loud!  So here's the silly thing in her spot.  I just thought you'd get a kick out of it - no other reason.

Now I know she looks a little evil in these pictures, but for the most part, she's very docile.  But on occasion, she just does not want to be bothered.  She gets this strange look in her eyes and the ears turn just the slightest bit.  That's when you know it's coming -- the growl.  Yep!  She actually growls and if you don't back off, she'll bite!  She's gotten better the more she gets to know us, so I just send her on her way when she gets in that mood.  She's female!  She has a right to be moody!  Right?

Ciao for now!  I hope to have a real post soon.  I've been soooo busy getting ready for the West Springfield Stamp Show because I'm going as a vendor this year.  Yep!  I'm taking my little bow making invention with me and will be posting it on my blog very soon with all the deets and lots of pictures. 

Ciao Bella!

Not so macho masculine cards...

Well hi there!  Welcome to Sparkle n Sprinkle's May Blog Hop.  To start at the beginning, please go to Sparkle N Sprinkle's home page for this hop.  If you've just arrived from Joan's blog, then you're in the right place.

I think most of us agree that masculine cards can be, well, challenging.  I know I have to take a step back when creating masculine cards, but with these great images from Sparkle N Sprinkle, it's so easy. My first card, while incorporating LOTS of glitter, is definitely on the right track.  This image is part of one of several Stained Glass sets aptly named Sailboat.  While the colors are bright and sunny, it still evokes that masculine touch, don't you think?  If you've never done the stained glass look with glitter, take a closer look at this card.  Simply stamping on acetate with Staz-On ink, then "coloring" in the back side with Brushable Glue and different glitters will give you this stunning effect.  Sponging on yellow and orange inks to the card front keep the sunny theme going.  I tied it up in a  neat little package with a wave die and scallop oval die.

And the next card is quite opposite in its color and feel. But what Dad, hubby, boyfriend, etc. wouldn't be pleased with the sentiment alone on this next card!  Using images from several new music sets here, simple embossing with black detail EP  completes this look.  Red mirror card stock gives it the bling.

And now for the fun part!  If you leave a comment on my blog, I will be giving away one of the glitters in the Sailboat card above.  This is one of my favorite glitters (not true -- I love them all!) called Autumn Medley.  Once you've left your comment then you'll definitely want to hop on over to Barb's blog to see what great surprises she has in store for you.  Good luck to all and thanks for dropping by!

Ciao for now.

Ciao Bella!

The slumber party...

Whew!  I really had to squeak this one in on a tight time budget.  So, if you've read the previous post regarding my granddaughter's request for invitations to her slumber party, here's my rushed attempt to appease her.  Of course, a quick phone call to her Mom to confirm a few things, had me changing it up a bit.  But my little one called me and when I told her about (some) the changes, she was perfectly fine with it -- even the fact that there were no feathers (sadly!) for the card.  I really wanted to get out and get some and stick them on the card front, but as I mentioned above - my timeline is rather constrained these days.

So without further ado, here's what's going out to her friends.  Did I tell you one of the things her mother said was NOT 9 invitations!  Are you crazy?  Mom reduced it to 5 and I was not going to be the one to tell my granddaughter - let her mother bear the brunt of her fury (lol)!

Lexi sat with me while I grabbed some photos off the web and these are the ones that 

she approved. The only thing stamped on this card is the musical notes!  Shame on me!

Here's the unimaginative inside.  I've blocked her home addy

 because, sadly, it's just a crazy world we live in these days.

One of the other instructions from Mom was TAKE OUT THE POOL PARTY on the list!  Instead, my ever inventive grandchild said they'd all pile in the bathtub and splash around.  I can't imagine why Mom wouldn't want to go along with that one (NOT!).  

All I know is that I may have to fly to Outer Mongolia the night of her bash just in case they ask for reinforcements.  Mongolia is far, isn't it?  Is it far enough, though!

Ciao for now!  Just thought you'd enjoy the results.

Ciao Bella!

Let me tell you a story...

This was just too good not to share!  My 7 yr. old granddaughter called today and asked:

"What are you doing (red flag warning!)?"
I said I was home keeping busy.
She asked "exactly where are you in the house" (2nd red flag warning!)
I told her I was in my craft room.
She said "good!" (3rd red flag!  and the race is on!)

Then the "why?" came out of my mouth.  I was laughing so hard at the end of this conversation, I almost couldn't walk straight.  It seems she's having a sleep-over and I "need" to make her 9 invitations. (Do you remember the birthday invitation hoopla?  Now you're getting it!).  She then proceeded to explain her desires for the invitation.  I would probably have a better chance at having a novel published than what she wants, but here goes:

How can anyone refuse this little face?

It has to have a radio on it with musical notes floating.  She also wants sleeping bags on it.  An afterthought was having feathers in the background (huh?).  You'll know why when you read her list.  She has an itinerary all planned for this.  She asked me if I had a pencil to write this down.  She said "write the word 'bring' and put two dots (that would be a colon) after it.  (This is when the laughing started in earnest -- I really was having trouble writing at this point.)  Bring:  bathing suit, clothes, shoes, pillow, sleeping bag and favorite stuffed animal.  Okay, that's taken care of until she said she wants a 'plan'.  I asked if she meant "itinerary".  Yes, whatever, she said.  So here's her itinerary (I think they're gonna be there for a week!):


1.  Spa
2.  Dance party
3.  Trivia
4.  Shoe hunt
5.  Stuffed animal party
6.  Cooking party
7.  Pool party
8.  Pillow fight (remember those feathers...?)
9.  Tattoo party
10.  Hide & Seek

So, I'd like you all to stay tuned to see what the invincible grandmother can come up with for this precocious 7 yr. old.  I should also tell you about her book report and you'll know what I'm up against.  She's in 2nd grade and she teaches kindergarten kids their phonics and sounds every day for about 20 minutes (getting the picture?).  Well she had to do a book report and she told the teacher she wanted to do James and the Giant Peach.  The teacher explained to her that it was a 5th grade book and it might be a little hard for her.  Lexi didn't see the problem with that and said she wanted to still do it.  The teacher gave in, Lexi read the book and did the book report and got -- A+!  I don't know what the grand scheme of things is for this little girl, but seeing her as President one day would not surprise me.

Just thought I'd share -- OR -- the ramblings of a proud grandmother!
Ciao for now.
Ciao Bella!

Step cards...

Hello all!  I've been a bit remiss in posting, so I thought I'd pop this one up here just because step cards are back again.  I did some of these cards a few years back and everyone enjoyed them.  Then, as in all things, they disappeared for a bit and now they are back with a vengeance.  So here's my take on two products actually.  I used Glubers and the step card technique.  I don't know what got into me, but I decided to use the yellow pages for my flower and this is how this silly little card evolved.  Quirky, huh?

It's hard to tell that it's a step card from the front, but you get the idea.  Wouldn't this be a fun card to send to a friend you haven't heard from in a long while?  So, the flower is made with yellow pages and a Gluber and then I made the center out of Dimensional Glue from Sparkle N Sprinkle and added black glitter to it.  I then cut up various parts of the phone book to embellish it.  (Bet you anything that's the part of the phone book I'll need -- have never used it, but Murphy's Law will surely step in!)

Ciao for now!

Ciao Bella!

YouTube video...

I'd like to share this great video that Sparkle N Sprinkle, specifically Rosie, put together on some of the cards I've done for them over the past year.  Rosie did an incredible job.  I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did (a little narcissism here).  Here's the link:  http://youtu.be/C4vAEdN5Bs0   
Ciao for now!
Ciao Bella!

A rose is a rose...

Hello there!  Have you heard about Paper Soft by Viva?  I fell in love with it the first time I saw it and am continually amazed at the looks you get from this wonderful product.  It has the look of chalk when applied, yet, YET! it's also embossable!  So to get things started a little early, I put a lovely rose corsage together for Mother's Day.  This rose would look just as pretty on a card and, in fact, you can present it just that way.  Pin it to a home made card and the intended recipient can unpin it and wear it!  Talk about wearable art.  Here's a look at what I'll be teaching this Saturday at the Scrapbook Cupboard from 1-3 p.m.

And here's another version and a different color of the same rose used on a card (this card will not be part of the class).  While I changed the flower up a bit  by using doilies for leaves, I think it would still have a nice impact for Mom, Sis, Friend, etc.

I hope you'll join me on Saturday!

Ciao for now.

Ciao Bella!