I'm late, I'm LATE!!!! CSAYL

Yes, late is the theme for today!!!! I actually had my card complete and ready to go last night, but unfortunately my computer has not been very cooperative as of late and the internet went down just as I was about to post. I was planning on getting up REALLY early today to make my post, but hmmmmmmmm yep, late!!! The alarm went off at 5:30 a.m. and I lay there thinking I would drift through one song and then get up................NOPE! Half an hour later I woke up. I guess that if I REALLY want to get up on time, I'll have to set the alarm to the Screaming Sound that would rise anyone from their bed while risking cardiac arrest from the shocking sound!

Anyway, I was almost talking myself out of going to the gym this morning with the excuse that I had to make this post. As you know, i've been on Vakay for the last couple of weeks and all my routines and good eating habits went out the window, so I was really committed to getting back on track today~

So I did get to the gym, was running late and missed getting there early enought to do my cardio before swim, but managed to slip into the pool (Gracefully of course........think Esther Williams........and if you're going HUH??? well you're just young! lol) in time for Aqua fit!

After being in the water for a few, I started to think that I was missing something........hmmm did I fully pack my bag for work??? Ohhh I hope that I didn't forget my undergarments.......oh well, just focus on the class Vicki.....splash splash!!!

Sure enough, the essentials were not in my bag!!!! Had to make a trip home to ensure that I was dressed appropriately for work, which of course made me late!!!!.....................and If I ramble on any more here, I'll be late getting dinner on too!!!!

The Challenge this week, hosted by Debbie is to decorate your card inside and out. This seems to be quite trendy lately! I chose to make a gift card holder.

On Saturday, Kristi treated me to a Prism class taught by Paula Williamson! All I can say is WOW!!!! Paula is one talented lady! I totally learned a lot from her, so thanks Kristi and Paula......it was a real treat! Check out Paula's BLOG . Her work is AMAZING!!!!!

So I played with the Prism's on this image........not totally please with my work, but the image was pretty small (excuses, excuses!) and I am looking forward to going at it again!!!!

The image is an Elzybell that was carried by amuse. I coloured with Prism Pencils, blended with Gamsol and Sponged with Versamark Chalk Ink. The Cool Clear Snowflakes are from Heidi Swapp and the Snowflake on the inside of the card is from a Dollar Store. Ribbon, sentiment and hardware from Stampin' Up!





Head on over to the CSAYL Blog to see the Awesome Creations! Hope you'll play along!


*****Vicki~~~~~

Dogginit, you're old!!!! OCC Pet Parade Challenge

Glad that my dad has a good sense of humour............actually, that is probably from where mine stems, except I think mine is a tad bit more twisted!...I made this card for his 74th Birthday!

This is a rather simple layout inspired by a sample that I had seen in the latest SU! Catalogue.......well cased really...........I just liked the look of the layout and decided to adapt it to my challenge card, which is sponsored by Dog Gone Stamps

This image, Give the Dog a Bone is from STAMPOTIQUE. I totally LOVE LOVE LOVE the images that you can find there. This image actually has a bone tree that is part of the image, however I just used the puppy on this one.

This weeks challenge is a prize challenge sponsored by Dog Gone Stamps. Head on over to the OCC for the details on how to play and win. Because I am prescheduling some of my posts, I'm not sure the exact deets. You can also see the DT's PURRRRRFECTLY Pretty Papercrafts!

Card Colours: Really Rust, Close to Cocoa, More Mustard, Gina K White

Have a great day!

*****Vicki~~~~~

Hanna Stamps Friday Challenge

Today's Challenge Hostess is our newest Design Team Member, Nikki Fairbarn. I had the opportunity to speak with Nikki on the phone last evening and it's really exciting to put a voice to a name. We're very lucky to have her on our team and she's thrilled to be with us too!

Nikki created this awesome sketch especially for the Friday Challenge. To play along, please see the details HERE in the Hanna Forum. You can win a free stamp set, just for playing the challenges!!!!

You can find the DP that I used on this card over at Hanna Stamps! The Sea Glass Paper is from SandyLion, the Other blue is the unprinted side of Torn, from the Crate Paper Static collection.

Image is coloured with Copics, the smaller blue panel embossed with a cuttlebug folder and dusted with Dazzling Diamonds Glitter.

Rhinestones are from Making Memories and the Funky Punch (my lastest punch purchase) is from EK Success.

Well, we're heading home tomorrow, so I am going to truly enjoy my last day of vacation. Kristi, Mark and Hanna have been the best hosts and we're sure going to miss them. Marks parents have also been wonderful and are sending off us this evening with a wonderful Italian dinner!

I am so grateful for good friends! I would never have met Kristi, but for stamping and feel very fortunate that our paths have crossed!

Happy Stamping!

*****Vicki~~~~~

InStyle Thankful Thursday Post

Today is Thankful Thursday Sketch Challenge over at InStyle Stamps! Michelle, our Fab Hostess for today has cooked up an amazing Sketch for you!

Sweet Jasmine is looking very summery here with here wee babe! It's funny how one goes about constructing a card. For this particular creation, I started with the sketch and then worked my image in around it. I saw a wee scrap of the small dotted paper on Kristi's scrap table and then went from there!!! Cardstock is from Prism, but I am not sure about the DP. Here's a little more of that May Arts Ribbon that I am loving so much!!!! I have a HUGE roll, so you won't be seeing the last of it!


Here's the Sketch! Isn't it Fabulous??? Now hop on over to the ISS BLOG to get the deets on the prize challenge!!! Would love for you to play along!!!


Happy Stamping!


*****Vicki~~~~~

Sweet Vacation TIme!

It's so nice to be able to sleep in, not be on a schedule and just enjoy time with friends! Usually my days are very full and there's very little down time. Anyway, I am just enjoying the slow pace.............haven't even stamped since last Thursday! Lucky I still have a few things in the Coffers!

I made this card for the Hanna Stamps New Set Challenge. This is how it goes: Purchase the Cyber Hanna Stamp set, available at Hanna Stamps Today. Make a card and post it before the August Release Party, which is the first Monday in August in THIS FORUM

The winner will receive two free sets of their choice to be announced at the August Release Party.

Our Hostess for this month's challenge is Jeanne and the challenge is colour. Use Pink, Gray, Black and White on your card.

I used Pink Pirouette, Basic Grey, Black (all from SU!) and Neenah White. I coloured with shades of cool greys from copic, along with slate grey. I used Scalloped Circles for a base for the main image and sponged punched hearts from SU!!!

Hope you'll play along!

*****Vicki~~~~~

Christmas Stamping and Hanna Release Tonight!

Lots to show you today! I was a busy chicka leading up to my holidays!!! This first card is for the Christmas Stamping All Year Long Challenge Blog and I was the Hostest with the Mostest this week........the Mostest What you ask??? Hmmm the Mostest Buttons on my Card? The Mostest Christmas Cards completed this year to day (hmm probs not!) The mostest charm?? hehe............probably the mostest schmack talk on my blog........hehe!!!

So the challenge this week is a Stampless Challenge! Yep, Stampers stripped down to nothing! The only thing on your card that can be stamped is the sentiment. Sound Fun? You should see the amazing creations the Design Divas have worked up for you this week! Wowsa........my card looks a little naked in comparison! Hop on over and take a look by following the links on my sidebar!!!





We're partying over in the Hanna Forum tonight! The RELEASE PARTY STARTS HERE
at 9 p.m. est! As you know, I'm hanging here just outside of the Motor City with Kristi and it's going to be a blast to be doing a release party together!!!! So come on out, it should be much fun!

Cyber Hanna has her computer booted and looks like she's in too! I love this main image from the Cyber Hanna set! There are some very cool accessories in the set, which should have you creating a scene in a jiffy!


As you know, over at Hanna STamps we're celebrating Retro Summer! After a Hot and Sticky day of selling ice cream, Riley's enjoying his day off with a little physical activity......he's a little worried about chubbing up from sampling each and every sample of ice cream to make sure that they are all fit to be served!

Hope you'll join us tonight at the release party! It's going to be tons of fun! Gotta Fly! Things to do today, but if you have any questions about card recipes, just pop a little note into my chat box and I'll get back to you!

Happy Stamping!

*****Vicki~~~~

The Ice Cream Man is coming! The Ice CREAM MAN IS COMING!!

I'm not sure how many of you are old enough to remember the older episodes of Saturday Night Live, but they sure made me laugh! My absolute favourite cast included Chevy Chase, Bill Murry, Gilda Radner....the sketches involving Todd and Lisa and of course Mr. Bill. And then Eddie Murphy came along! Oh my gosh, that man just had to open his mouth and flash that impish grin and I could erupt in giggles! That leads me to think about a solo comedy tape that he released called "Raw" and well it was pretty Raw.......but there was a sketch called the Ice Cream Man is Coming and it had to be one of my favourites in the tape! So I'm letting you into my mind a bit to share what goes through my head when stamping! It's funny what some images will evoke.

Now it's not that wee Riley can't hold down a job, he is just a fellow that craves variety and want's to try all kinds of occupations and experience many adventures! Perhaps he is a social scientist who is working on his PHD on the effects of stress in various careers!

I think his tenure as an ice cream man would be pretty sweet, don't you? Everyone is Happy to see you and you get to work outdoors in good weather!!!

I used the new melon cardstock from Stampin' Up! as a base for this card and coloured with various shades of teal to match the Bermuda Bay dotted Grosgrain Ribbon.




Oh my gosh, I think my Hypothesis about Riley may just be accurate! Here he is making notes on his Laptop...............hmmmm I hope his Study is Long Term, because I can't wait to see what he's up to next!

Again, I used two new Stampin' Up colours on this Card, the darker being called Soft Suede, which is kind of a mix between a Taupish and Khaki colour depending on what is layered with it. The DP is from the DCWV Safari Stack.

Our Release Party is tomorrow night at 9 p.m. est HERE

Oh and Guess What??? One of our fine designers, Sandra MacLean is featured stamper over at Splitcoaststampers! Sandra is Super Talented, with colouring skills that will rock your world. You can check out her blog here. The hyperlink for her name will take you to her Splitcoaststampers Gallery. Unfortunately Riley has not worked for the postal service yet, because Sandra's stamps did not get to her this month; and because Riley hasn't experienced the world of Private Investigator, Kristi is playing detective and is on the case as we speak!!! Still make sure you take a peek at her blog and gallery, you won't be disappointed.
I hope to play the challenge a little later this morning!

See you tomoz with more sneaks!!!!


*****Vicki~~~~~