Fabulous Inky Fridays with Tiddly Inks!

Greetings my Tiddly Friends!!

Just a quick and simple post to highlight yet another of Christy's adorable new images available at the Tiddly Inks shop!!

Please come join me in checking out more fabulous creations from the TI family over at our challenge blog and don't forget to particpate in Challenge #33 going on this week!! 

I had so much fun coloring up Donna's Adventure!  I colored her with my Copics and trimmed her out.  I then embellished her with my white gel pen (hair, polkadots on her boots and umbrella) and Diamond Glaze (boots), and yellow Doodlebug glitter (pockets). 

I kept my card very simple as there are so many colors and textures going on within my main image.  My card measures 4x4" square.  I used my new SU! Blueberry Crisp DP along with Enchanted Evening from PTI, and Real Red from SU! 

I used my SU! spiral punch and white yarn as simple touches to finish off my card. 

I hope you enjoy and have been inspired!!  Please visit the TI Challenge Blog and see the other beautiful creations!!

Crafty Hugs!!

Meredith

Tiddly Inks is BACK!! Challenge # 33 - Refresh Me

Good Fabulous Morning All!!

I'm SO glad to be back on Tuesdays with you to bring you another new TI creation!!!  Brand new for this awesome NEW YEAR!!!  Today's challenge is called "Refresh Me"! 

The challenge is to create an all white card!  The image can use color but everything else must be white!! 

I used one of Christy's newest members to the TI crew - Belinda!  She is just beyond adorable.  I see many cards with Belinda in my future!!  And you'll be happy to know that right now she's on sale at the shop!! 

I started with white cardstock.  I grabbed a small placecard and a strip of Post-it brand white stickies - as you can see it has small lines on it that my children practice their letter on!  

Belinda is colored with my Prismacolor pencils.  Her hat is paper pieced.  I used Diamond Glaze on her Mary Jane shoes and the band on her hat.

I used white ribbon - grosgrain, lace and chiffon, white yarn and twine as my fiber embellishments.  I then used popped up letter disks that I placed pearls in the center of.  Under all of that is a paper trimming that had white lace on it. 

Lastly, I added a white, star paperclip tied with the chiffon ribbon to the top left of my card.  I LOVE how this turned out but it was indeed a challenge!!

You MUST see what my fellow DT members have created!!  Beyond inspiring!!

I hope you have enjoyed and been inspired!!

Crafty Hugs!!

Kraftin' Kimmie - Challenge #60 - Time To Unwind

Greetings!!!  Today, after all was said and done, I got to sit down and just create.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE the teams that I work for, the amazing women that I am forever inspired by, and the delicious eye candy that I get to see every day.

But sometimes, I like to bust out of my "regularly scheduled crafting" and join a new challenge.  My latest new love is Kraftin' Kimmie stamps.  I was introduced to KK whilst blog hopping one day and voila...I'm the proud owner of at LEAST a dozen if not more KK stamps.  I couldn't help myself!!  And if you're new to KK you'll see what I mean!!!  Just so cute, sassy, snarky and adorable!!

This week's challenge is "Time To Unwind".  The use of fibers, ribbon, twine, stitching, etc is prohibited!  LOL!  And I have to say, it WAS a challenge for me!!  I always use either stitiching, ribbon or SOME kind of fibers on  my card!  EEKS!  I sat for a WHILE trying to embellish appropriately!

But when I sat back and said "done" I was happy.

I used the beautiful and very seasonal Antoinette in my creation today. 

My card base measures at 5x5" square.  I've used G45 Fashionista and brandie new SU! Blueberry Crisp designer papers. 

I colored Antoinette with my Copic and Prismacolor markers.  I stamped her snowflake in Brilliance White Craft Ink and then immediately coated them with MS white glitter.  I also glittered up the blades of her skates although it's almost impossible to see in the photos.

I layered my papers and matted my snowflakes.  Just behind where I wanted to add Antoinette, I added a piece of the Blueberry Crisp paper punched with my new spiral punch from SU!.  I've always wanted it and FINALLY decided to grab it up with some holiday cash I had. 

I added my main panel to the card and then worked my embellishments to fit snuggly in around Antoinette.  I popped the matted snowflakes up on 3-D foam adhesive.  I pleated a scrap of the G45 paper, held it in place with double sided tape and then added a white, heart shaped paper clip over it. 

On my darling husbands urging, I used my Quickie Glue Pen to add a bit of sparkle to the white space around her.  I LOVE how it turned out! 

I hope you have enjoyed and been inspired!!
Happy Crafting!!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

New Treat

So we're working towards a "chemical" free household around here.  In lots of ways...cleaning supplies, soaps, dish detergents, etc.  But also in terms of our food consumption.  We're working towards maintaining an all organic household.  It's very costly but is so worth it!!  Especially with two little ones in the house.  We are moving towards banishing anything with High Fructose Corn Syrup in it.  BLEECH!!  Sugar and sugar and more sugar!!  Just what our kids DON'T NEED!  LOL!

I'll climb down off of my soap box now  =)

With that said...I used an AMAZING Alton Brown recipe this morning to make homemade granola bars!

They are AMAZINGLY delicious and so filling!!!  My husband and I were STARVING the other morning on our way home from hot yoga and were wishing we'd thought to bring something JUST LIKE THIS with us.  Well...no more worries about that since we now have a  huge stash of them!!  YUM!!

Here's the recipe!

Thanks Alton Brown!!

• 8 ounces old-fashioned rolled oats, approximately 2 cups
• 1 1/2 ounces raw sunflower seeds, approximately 1/2 cup
• 3 ounces sliced almonds, approximately 1 cup
• 1 1/2 ounces wheat germ, approximately 1/2 cup
• 6 ounces honey, approximately 1/2 cup
• 1 3/4 ounces dark brown sugar, approximately 1/4 cup packed
• 1-ounce unsalted butter, plus extra for pan
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 6 1/2 ounces chopped dried fruit, any combination of apricots, cherries or blueberries

Directions

Butter a 9 by 9-inch glass baking dish and set aside. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Spread the oats, sunflower seeds, almonds, and wheat germ onto a half-sheet pan. Place in the oven and toast for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.


In the meantime, combine the honey, brown sugar, butter, extract and salt in a medium saucepan and place over medium heat. Cook until the brown sugar has completely dissolved.


Once the oat mixture is done, remove it from the oven and reduce the heat to 300 degrees F. Immediately add the oat mixture to the liquid mixture, add the dried fruit, and stir to combine. Turn mixture out into the prepared baking dish and press down, evenly distributing the mixture in the dish and place in the oven to bake for 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely. Cut into squares and store in an airtight container for up to a week

Smeared Ink Monday!!

Good Monday Morning!!  I hope everyone had a great weekend!  I know we did!  Very relaxing, productive, full of yoga, zen and harmony.  My kind of weekend!

Today I share with you my 2011 journal cover.  The gals and I on the Smeared Ink forum have been doing 10 minutes a day of journaling.  I am not going to be sharing my journaling pages however I am thrilled to share my cover!

The notebook is not huge - I think it's roughly 6x9".  I love my Nymphs set from Smeared Ink especially this one image. 

I colored her with my Prismacolor pencils.  I then blended them using a paper stump.  I took my Quickie Glue Pen and traced many of the lines and coated them with my superfine Stampendous gold glitter.  I trimmed her out and added her to the rest of my collage"y" looking cover.  I used scraps of paper and fabric that were lying on my craft table.  I then used a couple of rub-ons that I've been searching for an excuse to use.  Once I put the rub-on's on, I grabbed my sanding block and distressed them quite a bit.

I used black, glittery stickers to spell out 2011 and added an acrylic clip on the right hand side, embellished with white, grosgrain ribbon.

I LOVE my journal but I love it even more now that it has a gorgeous new cover!!

I hope you have enjoyed and been inspired!!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

Simply Betty Stamps Challenge #1 of 2011!! So come HOP HOP HOP!!

Hello Everyone!!  You should have come from the amazing Linda's blog and if not you need to start here!!

Well here we are a New Year and a whole new set of challenges! Today we are having one big shindig! Betty is combining our first Challenge for 2011, and a blog hop for a chance to win 2 Valentine Emos!! 

All the Valentine Emos are now available in the store in digi form, the Pre-orders for rubber is also now available just remember that they will start shipping Feb. 1st.

Hop along leave all the DT gals some love and you will get a chance to win two digital Valentine Emos of your choice!

The challenge is Two is Better than One! Use two images to create a love card, or it could be a "Besties" card, etc.  The possibilities are endless!

Upload your creation to the inlinkz on the SBSC blog Monday by 10pm PST!!

Here is my creation using Betty and London:

I printed the girls in MS Word and colored them with my Copics.  I then stitched their main panel to a green DP which was a gift from my SBS Secret Santa!!  ;)  LOVE IT!!  

I layered a pink DP scallop on the right hand side, punched holes in the scallops and added silver heart brads through each one.  I added a super cute 'friends forever' chipboard sticker in the center.  I also added two sparkly chipboard flowers upon which I glued pink buttons threaded with white linen twine.  

Please keep hopping along to the fabulous Nicole's blog!  Leave lots of love and keep on hoppin'!!

I hope you've enjoyed and been inspired!!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

Simply Betty Valentine Emos!! Day Six Preview!!

I'm going to be sad now that these gorgeous previews have ended!!  But there's so much more fun to come with the SBS Team!!!  We have the first challenge of the new year coming up combined with a fantastic blog hop!!! WOO HOO!  Keep your eyes open!!!

Today's last preview is showing off the uber cool Emo Valentine Miller!

Isn't he just TOO cute???  I colored Miller and then heavily sponged all around him.  I stitched his panel, the die cut panel behind him as well as the bottom left corner of my card.

I layered some fab dude paper and used SU! stickers from an old Simply Scrappin' kit to embellish three out of four corners.

I LOVE the challenge of creating a masculine card! 

Please check out my amazingly talented fellow SBS DT members!!

Crafty Hugs!!!
Meredith

Simply Betty Valentine Emos!! Day Five Preview!!

Happy Wednesday!!!  And a very happy day here at SBS!!  We're previewing another FABULOUS Valentine Emo! 

May I introduce you to Valentine London!

Isn't she just adorable holding armfuls of Valentine's??  I colored her with my Copics and then sponged the edges.  I stitched her to a really pretty and feminine floral paper and then ran a frame of green, self-adhesive rhinestones around her. 

She is matted to a similarly feminine pink paper (all from the same pack) and I whipped up a scallop edge with the green, fuzzy flocked paper. 

The left hand side is wrapped with twine and tied in a tiny knot.  Through which lives a heart stick pin.  The bottom right has a self-adhesive chipboard sticker that says 'amore'.  I added the stone for the "O" and the vintage linen for the tie.

I hope you enjoy and have been inspired!!  Please don't forget to visit my fellow SBS DT members and leave lots of love!!!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

New Tiddly Freebie!

Hey All!!  Please pop by Christy's beautiful TI site to grab up today's fabulous freebie!!!  It's SOOOO cute!!

Thanks Christy!!

And be on the look out for TI's fabulous new image release on January 11th!!! 

See you soon!!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

Simply Betty Valentine Emos!! Day Four Preview!!

Hello!!!  Welcome to day four of the gorgeous Simply Betty Stamps Valentine Emo release!!  Aren't they just FANTASTIC!?!?!?!

Today we created with the ever beautiful Lola! 

I colored Lola with my Copics and Prismacolors.  I then used my Diamond Glaze and coated her hair and set her aside to dry for a few hours.

I then trimmed her out and mounted her on my main panel of polka dotted Making Memories paper which is stitched to a white background. 

I then used more MM paper and created a scalloped edge to go to Lola's left. 

I layered and stitched more paper and ribbon down below and behind Lola's panel.  I finished the creation off with a self-adhesive tag and some linen twine.

Please come on by and check out what the rest of the fabulous SBS gals have created!!! 

I hope you have enjoyed and been inspired!!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

Pretty Things!

Everyone should definitely check this out!!  A fabulous give away from a fabulous site!!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

Welcome to 2011 and our Smeared Ink Monday of the New Year!!!

Hello Everyone!!  It's been a while!!  Phew the holidays were busy and fun and wild and OVER!!!  I don't mean to sound "grinchy" but while they were fun, I'm so thrilled that 2011 is here.  Onto new and fantastic adventures!

Today I'm bringing you a wintery/pre-Valentine card that I made using one of the gorgeous Goddess stamps from Smeared Ink!!

I started with a heavy, medium blue cardstock as my base cut to 5.5"x5.5".  I hand cut the scallop on the right edge as I was crafting away from home while watching football today so I only had minimal tools to work with.  I then chose a few different DP layered in the back. 

My image is stamped in Momento ink in Tuxedo Black.  She is colored with my Copics and Prismacolor markers and trimmed out.  I added some iridescent rhinestones throughout her hair. 

When I got home, I arranged my card using a vintage tag that I purchased at my local Antique store.  I layered that with my background paper and zig zag stitched around the edge with white thread.

My sentiment is also stamped from the same set.  It's stamped in black ink onto a scrap of paper that I'd been using as a scratch piece of paper when I blend colors off of the page.  I ran my Versamark pen over it and heat embossed it to give it some added shine.  It's mounted to a pleated piece of notebook paper that I ran my TH Vintage Ink over.  It's then stitched at the bottom. 

 

I hope you have enjoyed and been inspired!!  Come see all of the new January challenges and gorgeous eye candy over at the Smeared and Smudged forum!!

Crafty Hugs!

Meredith

Simply Betty Valentine Emos!! Day Three Preview!!

It's another LOVEY day here at SBS!!!  Today we are creating with Betty's new Emo Christian Valentine.  Isn't he hysterical??

I started by coloring Christian with my Copics.  I trimmed him out and then used my Stickles in Fruit Punch to glitter up his Halo, Wings and Arrow ends.  I set him aside to dry.

I was watching football with my family and not home so I only brought limited supplies with me.  But I managed to create a fantastic background by layering 5 different pieces of paper and simply using my scissors to create a few different shapes.

When I got home, I stitched the edges with a straight stitch with white thread all around my background panel.  I added the sentiment WTF using one sparkly, chipboard letter and two sparkly letter stickers.

I love how it came out!!

I hope you will get a chance to grab these new and fabulous images as well as visiting my fellow darling design team gals here!!

I hope you have enjoyed and been inspired!!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

Simply Betty Valentine Emos!! Day Two Preveiw!!

Fabulous Sunday Greetings Everyone!!  I'm here with you today to bring you another AMAZINGLY fabulous new Valentine Emo Preview!!

Today is Rio's special day!!  Isn't she ADORABLE??

Rio is colored with my Copics and Prismacolor markers.  I then trimmed her out, glittered up her hair and set her aside to dry. 

My card base is cut with my jumbo scallop.  I then mounted my DP which I believe is by American Girl (I "borrowed" it from my daughter) onto white cardstock, I corner rounded the top left and bottom right. 

I used faux stitching (once again, I didn't want to bring my sewing machine all the way up to Maine) on the left panel and rhinestones, fibers, and a button on the right hand panel.

I also mounted my sentiment "4 eva" (alphabet letters are from Lawn Fawn's "Harold's Alphabet" set) on the same paper and popped the small panel up on 3-D adhesive.

Please make sure you get to visit my fellow Design Team team ladies gorgeous creations!!  You can find them all here!!  Please make sure to leave lots of love!!!

I hope you have enjoyed and been inspired!!

See you tomorrow for Day Three Preview!!

Crafty Hugs!!
Meredith

Simply Betty Valentine Emos!! Day One Preview!

Greetings Everyone!!  I'm so thrilled to be posting today to bring you DAY ONE of the newest Emo line here at SBS!!!  May I introduce to you "Betty Valentine Emo"!!

Isn't she RIDICULOUSLY adorable??  Oh I simply had a BLAST coloring her with my Copics!!  I colored her and then trimmed her out.  My card is 5.5" square.  I layered and layered and faux stitched the edges.  As I'm on vacation in Maine and while I *try* to bring EVERYTHING with me but my sewing machine is just not one of the things that is that makes the trek!!  So my white gel pen did the trick!

I used puffy letter stickers to spell out my sentiment of "Love is..".  I added a yarn wrapped panel in the lower left hand corner and two different sized rhinestone strips on the right hand side as my added embellis.

I hope you have enjoyed and been inspired!!!  Please leave some love and do pop in on my fellow DT gals' blogs as well as they have done a GORGEOUS job with their previews!!

 Crafty Hugs on this fabulous New Year's Day!!

Meredith