Friday, February 27, 2015

The Outlawz Friday Coloring Anything Goes/Christmas Twist Challenge

Howdy doodles! Hope this Friday finds all of you well and looking forward to the weekend. Of course, if you are retired like me, every day is part of a weekend. My life is one lonnnnnng weekend. I am not complaining, mind you; rather I am basking in the goodness that is my life...

So we have an AG challenge again, with a Christmas Twist, if you wish. I wished. Thought I should make a Christmas card before the year is over, and I have none to give out. Seriously, can you believe that it is the end of February already? What the heck happened to the beginning of the new year? Since I still have trouble writing and typing '2015', it doesn't seem like the year should be 1/6 over. Of course, that could just be due to my age, too. We'll never know...

Our prize this month, sponsored by Sweet Pea Stamps, for our randomly-selected participant, will be four digital images. And they have so many images by wonderful artists! So be sure to get your entries in for a chance at this fabulous prize!  



I feel like I could use Sweet Pea Stamps on everything I make. Ahhh, the joy of being sponsored by Lynette and crew! I have been trying to use images from different artists to give you a flavor of what's available at Sweet Pea Stamps. Of course, you could just go look, you know.

Today I chose Joanne Schempp's Kristy for my card. Gary thinks she is a wee bit sexy for Christmas, so I will probably give this card to him in December. He secretly wishes I looked like her, I know he does. Too bad, Dude. Get a life. Where was I? Oh, yes. The image. I printed Kristy on X-Press It BC, and colored her with my Copics:

Skin: E000, E00, E21, E11, E15, YR02
Hair: E31, E35, E39, E59, E49
Greens: YG61, YG63, YG67, G29, T4, YG21, YG23, YG25
Bow/Ornaments: BG000, BG10, BG11
Cones/Cinnamon sticks: E31, E35
Outfit/Apples: E02, R05, R08, E07, E09
Fur: T0, T1

Rest of the story: MFT Fishtails Flag Stax die cut, Wink of Stella Silver, Pearl Pen Silver, American Crafts Kringle & Co. DP, Stampin' Up CS. Over and out. 

Out of what? My mind? Possibly. I should mention that my lovely and talented teammates--Carla, Kathi, and Laine--have produced wonderful inspiration for you to peruse. And get inspired by. So please do. Then, using any media of your choice, color up an image for your project and play along with us. You know you want to. So do it! (Pretty please?)

And do have a mahvelous weekend!


Friday, February 20, 2015

The Outlawz Friday Coloring Color/Photo Inspiration Challenge--Kay's Birthday Card

Hey, it's another Friday, and we have a new challenge. You can color any image you wish with any medium you like for your projects. As long as you use our color/photo inspiration here:


Really pretty palette, isn't it? I love it.

Our prize this month, sponsored by Sweet Pea Stamps, for our randomly-selected participant, will be four digital images. And they have so many images by wonderful artists! So be sure to get your entries in for a chance at this fabulous prize!  



I have had so much fun this month, working with the Sweet Pea images. This week's image, by Norma J. Burnell, is Sapphire. I think she is a real beauty! I printed her on X-Press It BC and colored her with my Copics:

Skin: E000, E00, E21, E11, E15, YR02
Bird: BG70, BG72, BG75, BG78, B99, V000, V01, V12
The rest of the story: V000, V01, V12, BG70, BG72, BG75, BG78, B99, E81, E84, E87

Well, actually the real rest of the story is that I used DP from Basic Grey Plumeria, Stampin' Up CS, the Memory Box Caserta Bloom die, some pearls, and pearl stickers. And that's it for this card. Oh, that, and the fact that I made it for my ex-sister-in-law, mother to my fabulous niece, Abby. Kay's birthday is in March, but I wanted to get a jump on things. 

Speaking of jumps. (Well, I was, sort of.) The Phoenix Suns organization was jumping around like crazy yesterday. They made several trades in an effort to squeeze blood out of a turnip. At least that's the way it felt to me. Apparently, their star guard wanted out of town, and was going to leave at the end of the season for free agency. Fortunately, the Suns traded him now so they could get something for him. The weird thing was that the Suns also sent several other players away; some of whom shocked me. But, hey, what do I know anyway? (Don't you dare say "not much". Not because it isn't true, but, really, that's sooooo mean.)

On the bright side, our Valley of the Sun is celebrating the fact that the Arizona Cardinals reached a contract agreement with our star, Larry Fitzgerald. YAY!!!! For a while, it looked like he would be headed out of town for a new team, and we were not happy about that! However, we get to keep watching him play for at least the next two years, and he freed up cap space for the Cardinals to sign other players. I really don't understand cap space, nor do I want to. I just wanted to keep Fitz in Arizona. Whew! Now I don't have to buy a new jersey for next season. (Unless Gary insists that I get a new one. Mine is getting a little worse for wear after four years. This time I would get a red Fitz jersey.)

No more sports news from here. At this moment. Which is actually Thursday afternoon, and I am pretending that it's Friday morning. Because I can. And I must away with myself to get the hostess-with-the-mostest post for The Outlawz done for tomorrow. Which is really today. Confused yet? Oh, still? Join the club...

Do check out the fab inspiration by my talented teammates: Carla, Kathi, and Laine! (Such a great group of gals, btw.) And then play along with us, OK? Happy coloring...

And have a fantabulous weekend!


Monday, February 16, 2015

Path of Positivity Challenge #23 Midway: Laughter/Larry's Birthday Card

Well, it's Monday, the middle of the month, and time for our PoP midway challenge reminder. This month's challenge is "Laughter", something I try to do at least once a day. Sometimes more, depending on how amusing I am. Snicker...

I used a darling Limited Run Stamps Little Puppy image, deciding I could use it for my brother's birthday in March--he is a dog lover from waaaaay back. (I say that because he is in his 60's now, just like I am.)

Hey, speaking of age, I suddenly realized why old people talk about their health all the time. There is definitely a good reason--or, two good reasons, actually. One is that we no longer are in the work force, so we don't have our jobs to complain about--and human beings seem to need something to grouse over. And, two, is that our bodies are betraying us with all the fun changes we have to go through. You know, like needing to potty in the middle of the night, and then not being able to get back to sleep, so you think about all the things you need to remember to do the next day, and then not being able to remember the things you were supposed to remember to do when it actually is the next day. Or how about the need for more FIBER in your diet--ye gods and little fishes--why did that have to become an issue. Or a topic for discussion, anyway? And, yet, I find myself listening in on conversations about remedies for that very topic. And, what's more, I try the remedies. I am NOT going to tell you how they are working.  That's just TMI. (Although, when said remedies are working, you can blow it out your a**--which is a good thing...)

Did I make you laugh yet? Or are you sitting there with your jaw dropped to your knees. Which is a very awkward thing to do, btw, so if you are, just stop it! Also, If I have offended any of my readers, I do apologize. (Not really, but I felt I should pretend to be contrite.)

My sister, Barbara, was here for a few days last week. We spent most of our time in my craft room making cards. But we did manage to sit out in my beautiful backyard for a bit each day. And then we went to a movie, Black or White, courtesy of Gary's financial adviser--which I thought was really sweet. (Chad sponsored a ladies' day at the movie theater. It was his second annual ladies' event sponsorship, but I missed the first one. Must have been blowing it out my you-know-what at the time.) Barbara and I both enjoyed the movie, though felt it dragged just a bit. But we love Kevin Costner, who is still handsome at 60. (Although he developed an unattractive paunch for the movie, which I think he lost afterward. Hope so, anyway.)

And Gary and I went out to dinner Saturday with friends, Bill and Denise. We hadn't seen them for ages! We always have so much fun together, so we should get together more often. Especially, you know, as Gary and I aren't as young as we used to be. Isn't that a stupid statement. Nobody is as young as they used to be. And who cares? (Apparently, I do. You know, for the reasons I mentioned above that should have remained unmentioned.)

Anyway, we ate at Tapas Papa Frita, in Scottsdale, and I highly recommend it! Gary and I had the Valentine's Day special, which was sharing 6 tapas and a seafood paella, all very yummy! Bill and Denise both ordered off the regular menu--he had steak and she had salmon--and they loved their food, too! So, if you are ever in the neighborhood of the waterfront in Scottsdale at dinner time, do give the restaurant a try. I think you will find they make wonderful food, the atmosphere is charming, and the service is great!

On to the deets for this month:

The sponsors and prizes this month are:
- A prize package of 4 (non-colored) images from Meljen's Designs, one of our guest sponsors this month, for the post or project that the DT deems most inspiring of the bunch.
- A $10 gift certificate from Limited Runs, one of our guest sponsors this month, for a person chosen in a random draw based on all entrants.
- One digital image from Creative Bug Digital Snapshots for each person chosen as a DT Delight.

There will also be:
- One digital designer paper (made to order in a couple different ways) from Decosse's Dynamite Doodles for one lucky voter who leaves a comment.
- One digital sentiment for every single person who enters the challenge.

Our wonderful GDT this month is Helen, from Made by Helen, so check out her work as well as that of the entire DT. You will see some fun images on everyone's fab creations!

As for mine, well, I printed the puppy on X-Press It BC, colored it with my Copics, (T0, T2, T4, T6, T9, E04, E93, E25), and added: a strip of DP from the Basic Grey Curio collection, some Tim Holtz tiny staples, a dog button, Washi tape, and Stampin' Up Candy Dots. Hope you get a kick out of my sentiment. When I saw it I laughed out loud, so I knew I had to use it for my brother--he has a very dry, but wicked, sense of humor. (I think it is hereditary.)

Do have a fabulous week! And we would love for you to join our funny challenge this month--be sure to let us know how your card relates to humor, in case it isn't apparent. And keep smiling! You know you want to...

Friday, February 13, 2015

The Outlawz Friday Coloring "Have a Heart" Challenge/Gary's Valentine's

Hello, hello, hello. I am going to make this very brief, (for me), as my sister, Barbara, is staying with me through today, and I don't want to be rude by spending too much time on the computer writing my blog, as I already have spent an inordinate amount of time working on cards while she has been visiting, and that is rude enough; btw, is this sentence long enough for y'all? Snicker...

Our prize this month, sponsored by Sweet Pea Stamps, for our randomly-selected participant, will be four digital images. And they have so many images by wonderful artists! So be sure to get your entries in for a chance at this fabulous prize! All you need to do is to color an image on your project with any coloring medium/media you choose. Get out your markers/pens/pencils/etc., get set, go.....



Our challenge is "Have a Heart", so you need to use a heart somewhere on your projects. I used Sweet Pea Stamps Hot Chocolate Fairy, by Janna Prosvirina, for my image this week. Isn't she too cool? I chose this image for Gary's Valentine, as he has been drinking hot chocolate this winter. Of course, that has pretty much come to a screeching halt, as the weather has warmed up considerably here.

I printed the fairy on X-Press It BC, and colored her with the following Copics:

Skin: E000, E00, E21, E11, E15, YR02
Hair: E50, E53, E43, E57
Wings: E02, E17, E19, E18, E41, E42, E44, E47, E49
Mug/Chocolate/Cream: T0, T1, T2, T4, E02, E17, E19, E18, E40, E41
Hearts: E43, E44, E49
Dress: E41, E42, E43, E44
Stockings: E41, E42, E43, T0, T1
Background: BG70, BG72

Other details: DP is from My Mind's Eye Honey Cake collection, paired with Stampin' Up CS and Zutterized; tiny staples from Tim Holtz; a border cut with Memory Box Twirled Heart Border. 

So that wraps up this week's Friday edition. I will be back Monday with a new card and more chitchat. In the meantime, please stop by our challenge to see the wonderful inspiration by my talented teammates: Carla, Kathi, and Laine. And please play along with us this week!

Have a great weekend!


Friday, February 6, 2015

The Outlawz Friday Coloring "Send a Card to a Friend Day" Challenge/Merrilyn's Birthday Card

Hey, I was supposed to make a card for a friend. My sister, Merrilyn, has a birthday on Tuesday, the 10th, (one she shares with our daughter, Angela), and I needed to make a card for her. Well, I decided I could combine Merrilyn's birthday with this theme, since she is one of my best friends.

We have some really cool news at our Friday coloring challenge! We are going to be sponsored for the next three months by Sweet Pea Stamps! Too exciting for me, as I love the fabulous artists that are carried by this website! Amazing collection. You can spend hours perusing the images. Ask me how I know...Anyway, our prize each month sponsored by Sweet Pea, including February, for our randomly-selected participant, will be four digital images. So be sure to get your entries in for a chance at this fabulous prize! All you need is to color an image on your project with any coloring medium/media you choose. Get out your markers, get set, go.....


This week I chose Sweet Pea Pixie by Karen Middleton, for my sister's card. Merrilyn and I both love pixie haircuts, so I thought this was perfect for her. Isn't this image beautiful? It is the spittin' image of me in another lifetime. Really. I promise. Don't believe me? Well, a girl can dream, can't she?  

I decided to do a wee bit different skin tones this week. So, after printing the image on X-Press It BC, I used the following Copics:

Skin: E000, E00, E21, E11, E15, YR02
Hair: E53, E43, E57
Trim: E02, YR02, E81, E84, E87

Not sure if I will change to this combo permanently, but it does give the image less of a "bruised" look, don't you think? I will probably try it for the next few faces I do. Back to the card: the DP I used is from the Bazzill Basics Wayfarer collection, and it was paired with Stampin' Up CS. My doily is courtesy of Teresa Arsenault--thanks, Teresa! And my Prima butterflies are courtesy of Ann Marie Governale--thanks, Ann Marie! My die cut was made with MFT Large Leafy Flourish die. Ooooh, another easy-peasy card.

Now, what to do with my weekends since football is over for another season. Actually, that isn't going to be difficult. As soon as it is warm enough I will be swimming. In the meantime, I will read books, play Words with Friends, color with my Copics, and watch movies with Gary. Tough life, but somebody has got to live it...

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! 


Monday, February 2, 2015

Path of Positivity Challenge #23 - Laughter/Angela's Birthday Card

A very good Monday to you all. Did any of you watch the Super Bowl? (Crazy finish, wasn't it?) We were not going to watch, but got invited to a Super Bowl party and actually enjoyed watching the game while stuffing our faces. I think I need to work off those extra calories this week. Perhaps I can contemplate my navel longer than usual--yeah, that should do it...

I was happy to see that the half-time show was really well-done, since it was put on in our stadium. Good job, Arizona! Too bad there was so much rain during the week. OMG! We were getting a wee bit owly by Saturday, after having rain for three days in a row. Egads! We are not used to that. I don't know how those of you who live in rainy areas keep from going nutso-kookoo. I need the sunshine to maintain my sweet disposition. (Yeah, I know what you're thinking right now.)

Thank heavens the rain stopped for Super Bowl Sunday. Not sure how they would have managed all the pyrotechnics if the roof had been closed at the stadium. People would have been gagging on all the smoke. (They may have been anyway. There were a LOT of fireworks!) Yesterday morning we awoke to fog and wondered if we had been transported to San Francisco overnight. Dense fog? In sunny Arizona? Whaaaaat? It did burn off by afternoon and our sunny, blue skies returned to save me all of us from going totally bonkers. And our temperatures are going to go back up to the low 80's by midweek. Happy, happy! I can go outside again to enjoy my beautiful backyard.

So we have a new challenge starting today at PoP, running through March 1st. This one is "Laughter", something I know very little about. I seldom smile. And I never say anything amusing. But I do enjoy telling little white lies...

I needed to make a card for our daughter's birthday on the 10th. Oh, lordy, she will be 43! How is that possible? I can't be old enough to have a daughter that age. Can I? Don't answer that. Anyway, Angela has taken up running. Yes, running. Whatever for? I say, if I can't drive to the end of the block, I don't need to go. (Even if it is a mere 100 feet away.)

I digress. I am prone to doing that when something rattles my cage. Back to the card...

We've established that Angela runs. So I found a fun image, Meljen's Designs Brooke's Butterflies, that I could use for Angela's birthday card to simulate running. Then I just had to find a quote that would prove running is a silly thing to do. Erma Bombeck had a fabulous quote that mirrors my feelings exactly. All I had to do was color the image, frame it with some DP from the Basic Grey Lauderdale collection, mount it on Stampin' Up CS, and add a couple of bling flowers. Or floral bling, or whatever you call it. Easy peasy. (BTW, Angela does not have pigtails at the present time. Her hair is done in a pixie cut, somewhat like mine. And granddaughter Kelsey thinks that is just awful. Her mom's hair looks like Grandma's hair. Whatever is this world coming to?) Oops, forgot to tell you what Copics I used:

Skin: E000, E00, E21, E11, E04, R20
Hair: E53, E35, E37, E59
Shirt/Shoes: R21, R22, R24, YG21, YG23, YG25
Jeans: B32, B34, B37, B39

I hope you are able to join us this month. (Can you believe it is February already? What the heck happened to January? Did a monster eat it? Did it get lost somewhere in the rain? Inquiring minds would like to know.) Our DT has created some wonderful inspiration for you, so be sure to check that out. Also, we have a wonderful GDT this month, Helen, from Made by Helen, so check out her work as well.

The sponsors and prizes this month are:
- A prize package of 4 (non-colored) images from Meljen's Designs, one of our guest sponsors this month, for the post or project that the DT deems most inspiring of the bunch.
- A $10 gift certificate from Limited Runs, one of our guest sponsors this month, for a person chosen in a random draw based on all entrants.
- One digital image from Creative Bug Digital Snapshots for each person chosen as a DT Delight.

There will also be:
- One digital designer paper (made to order in a couple different ways) from Decosse's Dynamite Doodles for one lucky voter who leaves a comment.
- One digital sentiment for every single person who enters the challenge.

That should do it for this edition. Hope everyone has a wonderful week. And remember to laugh whenever possible. It puts smiley wrinkles on your face, and I don't want to be the only one with them...