About Me

My photo
I would classify myself as an artist. It took me a while to finally accept that monicker, but that's what I am; AN ARTIST!!! I have a wonderful hubs that supports my "talents" in most all avenues, except maybe when the credit card bill comes in the mail...LOL And I have 4 great kids and 5 beautiful grandchildren that I love to pieces. Come on by and sit a spell and "STAMP 'TIL YA CRAMP!!! & "CROP 'TIL YA DROP!!!"

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Happy Halloween from Mrs. Rood !!!!

Do your homework !!!!!

My costume this year..... I went as myself!!!   Bwahahahahahahahahahaha!!!  I'm a substitute teacher in real life.  This is truly what I have felt like somedays after a long, hard day at school.  My niece has an annual Halloween party and it is soooooo much fun!!!  We laugh, eat, and drink (some more than others)....bwahahahahahahaha!!!  I have to drive home so I never drink and drive.....besides my niece is a police officer and she would never let me do that anyway. LOL!!!!

Sit up straight, look ahead and follow directions, and have a safe and Happy Halloween!!!!!

Until later, students......Gotta split......TFL!!!!!!
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Saturday, October 30, 2010

Vacancy....!!!!!

I've already told you in previous posts that Jeff (my hubs) is out of town most of the time working. 
 He gets to come home approx. once a month, but once in a while the job is on a time crunch and he has to stay until they get it caught up or completed.  This is one of those times. It will be over 2 months since he has come home and we are having some serious withdrawals here. I miss my best friend and his wonderful "Sugarbear" (my nickname for him) hugs. Harlee is missing those as well and her "straight" man. They are constantly joking around and they play off each other so well. We do talk to each other several times a day; I guess its better than nothing, right?

So I made this card for him using the new Nifty Fifties cartridge. I LOVE the fifties look, even though I was a child of the sixties.  The motel sign was the perfect image.  The original title was "Sleepy" Motel, but I threw that wording away and made my own.  The font on the cart is too cool, man!!!

On the inside I wrote: Come join us !  Exclusive room available overlooking downtown Roopville. Take a ride on a new John Deere tractor. Look at the breathe taking scenery (Harlee & Crystal). Commune with nature (Booboo & Looloo). Cost? Hugs and kisses!!!!

Until later, guys and gals.....Gotta split man....TFL!!!!!

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Friday, October 29, 2010

B-I-N-G-O!!!!

Didn't you just love playing that game.....and don't forget the song. 


There was a farmer had a dog and Bingo was his name-o....B-I-N-G-O.......
B-I-N-G-O
B-I-N-G-O and Bingo was his name-o. 
Then repeat, and clap for the first letter of his name instead of singing it....so on and so on until you are just clapping the whole name.
This is the Bingo game I created for the kiddies to play at Thanksgiving.....anything to keep them out of the kitchen and asking a hundred times when dinner is ready. Or worse yet getting in my way while I'm preparing the meal. 

The base is the backing off of a paper stack and I cut the size to 5-1/4" X 6-1/2".  I created the square tiled piece by using a printing program and then printed it on white cardstock.  They measure 5" X 5".  Here is the blank that you can use.  It isn't to size and you will have to play with it to get it to the size you want...... I then used my ATG gun to adhere it to the base.  I used my gypsy and created the welded "bingo" wording using Designer Calendar cartridge.  Ran them through the xyron machine and adhered them to the top of the base piece.
I used only pictures on my board, so the little ones can play.  The stamps I used is a retired set from SU! called Little Somethings.  You can use anything that will fit into a 1" square. After stamping randomly I used Bic Markers to color the images. The "call" squares will be put in a bowl and the 'caller' can pick one out. I punched out circles to use as markers with a 3/4" circle punch from some scrap cardstock. 
I hope that the kiddies enjoy playing this game.

Until later, Gamers.....Gotta split......TFL!!!!!!
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Thursday, October 28, 2010

The boot scootin' boogie !!!!

or should I say boots......witchy boots to be exact.....Bwahahahahahahahaha!!!!!
Well,  even witches deserve some glam boots to fly out on the town with, right?  Isn't that a great boot image....??? It's a glitterbabe image (its called BOOT).  I have a printing program that allows me to crop, flip, layer, etc...... So that's exactly what I did.  You can't expect her to fly around all night with one boot on....do ya???  I added some glitter to the lace holders......not really sure what those are called.  But I think you get my drift.  Punched out some flowers and added a brad for a little something extra and she must have found a good-lookin' warlock while she was out boot scootin' boogie-ing.  Look, she even left her fishnets in her boots. 
Grab your broom and join in the fun @ Glitterbabe's Challenge blog

Until later, Witchiepoo's.........Gotta fly split.......TFL!!!!!

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Home sweet home.....

No challenge .......just a card for my son and his girlfriend.  They recently purchased a house.  I haven't seen it yet; they live about 2 hrs. away....but I will be going to see it soon.  Not sure what has happened lately, but I can't get a good picture that will show the true colors.  I try to use natural light as much as possible but now all my cards seem to have a yellow glow.  I try to correct it with my photo program.  Then it seems to wash out the pics ......hmmmmmm !!!!

Anywhoooooo, I'm so happy for Nick and Courtney (Corkie)........they are both very sweet and I love them both dearly!!!!!

Until later, home bodies........Gotta split...........TFL!!!!!
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Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Knock....knock......

Wh'o's there?????
Gargoyle.
Gargoyle Who?
If you Gargoyle with salt water, your throat will feel better!

Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!

Don't ya love a good knock knock joke?  I couldn't resist..... my card is a gargoyle door knocker on a bloody door after all....LOL
I found this digi online and fell in love with it. If I lived in a castle; I would have a gazillion gargoyles.  I distressed, smudged, inked, smeared and crystal effected this card to death.  There is life beyond the typical straight-laced card, right? I'm sure there are a gazillion other creations like these over at Haunted Design House. The challenge for this week is Smeared & Smudged. 

 Open the door and enter life beyond the normal!!!!!!

Until later, gargoyles........Gotta split......TFL!!!!

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Monday, October 25, 2010

Snow is on the horizon.......

well, maybe not snow.....but I do have this SNOWY OWL.  I love the owl punch from SU!.  I have seen it done sooooo many ways.  But I haven't seen it this way.  I have a tendency to lean towards white or light colored everything.  Maybe its my hair color, but I LOVE white owls, white daisies (Shasta daisies), yellow flowers (Jonquils), this list goes on and on.......  But then again I do wear a lot of dark colors; black especially. Sorry.....I digress!!!!!  But doesn't this look just like a Snowy Owl. Oh, and check out the topnote too.....I just received that too.  I inked around a little to bring out some of the colors.  That red just pops off the card.....its the new Cherry Cobbler from SU!

Until later, snow birds.......Gotta fly split......TFL!!!!
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Friday, October 22, 2010

It's ALIVE !!!!!!!

Harlee has a birthday/halloween party to go to this saturday.  I made this card for the little girl and we will enclose a gift card.  The 'Frankie' image is a coloring page I found while surfing the net and the spider balloon in from Dustin Pike/Doodle Dragon Studios.  They looked perfect for each other. Frankie was colored with color pencils w/ OMS and a paper stump.  The balloon was colored with Bic markers. Don't ya love the yarn I used for the balloon string; it looks spider webby. Bwahahahahahahahahaha!!! Added a MS border punch and some line drawing with a sharpie and taaadaaaaa!!!!  
He's alive !!!!!

Until later, Igors......Gotta split......TFL!!!!!
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Thursday, October 21, 2010

You've been framed......


Glitterbabe's Challenge for this week is sponsored by JLJ Designs 
and you have to create a card with a frame.  I chose to frame my images with the crack MS border punch and then outline squiggly lines with a white gel pen.  The images too cute, don't ya think?
When I saw the candy corn I immediately thought of a party hat, and the pumpkin was the perfect "head" to  put it on. I used scraps to cut the eyes and the mouth and glued on some googly eyes. Ribbon was added to the bottom of the candy corn to give it that party hat feel.  I colored the candy corn with Bic markers and the pumpkin with color pencils, OMS, and blended w/ a stump. I embossed it with an animal print folder. Makes it look like a bumpy,warty ol' punkin. Attached everything to the card base and ta da!!!!  A card is born....!!!

Until later, my sweet punkins..........Gotta split......TFL!!!!
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Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Pow!!!!

Fight like a girl!!!!
This week's challenge at Cricut Cardz Challenge blog is breast cancer awareness. 
Luckily in my family tree there is no breast cancer.  We have our fair share of illnesses, but breast cancer just doesn't appear at all.  Knock on wood!!!!
I love the fist on Indie Art cart.; just had to use it on this challenge.  The first words I thought of when I saw the challenge for this week was "FIGHT LIKE A GIRL !"
The "pow" was just a given......LOL ! The bra was created with Country Life cart.  The image is from the clothesline. I hand cut the layered pieces on top to give it some extra dimension. 
Don't delay......get your "GIRLS" checked and fight like a girl!!!!

Until later, girlies...........Gotta split.....TFL!!!!!!
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Tuesday, October 19, 2010

With all my HEART....!!!!


I went on a search for a heart diagram to use just for this challenge over at Haunted Design House.  You can find some great digi's by just searching under images for what you want.  Right click to save it and for most of them, you can resize without too much trouble.  As soon as I saw this one I knew it was perfect. It was a black and white drawing and I just colored it with color pencils, OMS, and blended with a paper stump. Bic marker for the blood. The wording was computer generated and printed on a separate image and the banner pieces were cut out after coloring them and added using dimensionals. A little white gel pen for the highlights on the blood too.
 Lurid and Lovesick enough???? I think so, and thats they name of the challenge....Lurid and Lovesick !

Don't skip a 'beat'.......stumble over there, watch for spills on the way and make something Lurid and Lovesick.  I know you got it in you.....unlike the unfortunate person this heart belonged to. 

Until later, Heartbreakers.....Gotta split.....TFL!!!!!
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Friday, October 15, 2010

Monogram wedding favor tutorial.....

A few days ago I posted a photo tutorial of the boxes that I'm making for my sister's wedding.
Below is a video of the same. 

Ok, I wasn't very happy with the instructions I gave you on the previous post so you get to hear my lovely voice (Bwahahahahahahaha) again try to explain the way I mark my booklets

If you have any questions, please contact me and I will try to explain it better.  Love this system, but if you have a system that works for you don't change it. 

NOTE: this will NOT work on some of the font cartridges because the alphabet in the booklet are sometimes in alpha order and the letters on the overlay is set up like a keyboard.
Until later, video-watchers.....Gotta split......TFL!!!!
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Thursday, October 14, 2010

Turn it up........

The Glitter that is!!!!!!

This was made for the challenge at Glitterbabe's Challenge Blog.  Sponsored by Copic Musketeers. It's 'anything goes' as long as you use one of her images.  She has become quite the accomplished artist.  Surprising to find out a new talent that you didn't think you had before. 
What's a talent that you would like to try and never had the courage to do so.  I think mine would be to sing.  Oh yeah, I sing in the shower and around the house....but not in front to people outside of the family.  I have a very southern accent and I think I have a terrible speaking voice, but who knows....maybe one day!!!!
So, turn it up and have a great day creating something for this challenge and try something new.  You just might find that special 'new' talent !!!

Until later, talented ladies......Gotta split............TFL!!!!
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Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Monogram madness...............

Recently my sister got engaged. She called me a couple of weeks ago and said that the wedding is in November.  Of course my response was "This November?"  She said...."Yes!"
Oh my goodness...... Now this is her second wedding and it won't be a large wedding, or at least we hope not....Bwahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!  But it keeps growing in size like an ugly mole.  Don't get me wrong; I'm super excited for her.....but her daughters and I will be the ones delegated to work. Anywhooooo, like anything else.....it's as fun as you make it, right??? 
So, I'm off and running.......!!!!!!

I decided to make 100 monogram favor boxes.  I printed out their monogram on cream cardstock, making sure it would fit in the 1-1/4" circle punch. I got about 40 per sheet of 8-1/2 X 11"


Here is what 100 monograms looks like. 

Then using Tags, bags boxes and more cart. I cut out the square box at 5" ; that would make a folded box of about 1-1/4" . I needed it just big enough to put two kisses into it.



I also punched out {100} scallop circles (Stampin' Up! punch)in
 cream cs and {100} 1-1/2" circles in black cardstock.
I layered them all together.


Then I printed out the saying for the boxes, again about 40 to a sheet on
cream cs.
(Here's some kisses from the Mr. and Mrs.)


Here is all the boxes cut, the labels cut, and the monograms put together.  I finished one for you to see the finished product with the ribbon. Pam's (my sister) wedding colors are cream/ivory and black.  I have to wear a black dress with pearls....yep, I'm the bridesmaid.....!!!!!

I've have a LOT of scoring to do.....wheewwwww!!!

Until later, crazy crafters.........Gotta split.......TFL!!!!!!
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Monday, October 11, 2010

Create something Simply Sinister.......

I think this is what I look like most of the time when I'm in my studio....Bwahahahahahahahahaha!!!
My hair is every which-a-way on my head, my eyes are bloodshot from not getting enough sleep; can't seem to shut my brain down.  I call my work space my "studio", my sister calls it "my laboratory", and my sweet hubs lovingly calls it the "money pit"......Bwahahahahahahaha!!!
Whatever it may be called, I love going down those stairs into the lair to CREATE.

Haunted Design House has a challenge to make something Simply Sinister.  Not a lot of layers, do-dads, bling, etc......simple but.....sinister.

I found this sinister digi online.  I was searching for coloring pages for halloween and this one popped up and I thought he was just too sinister looking.
I just bought the MS crack punches and thought they kinda look like lightening strikes.  After all, what secret sinister creations aren't made with a lightening strike or two......Mwahahahahahaha!!!!

I colored him with my Bic markers and I think it turned out pretty good.  I used crystal effects on his eyes and the test tube to give it a little sumpin' sumpin'......and white signo pen around the edges.

Until later, Creators........Gotta split......TFL!!!!!!
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Thursday, October 7, 2010

FALL IN........LOVE!!!!!!!

Fall is in the air and also on this challenge at the Glitterbabe Challenge Blog.  It's being sponsored by Deedee's digi's.  This is one of the images and its adorable.   I had to quickly throw this one together yesterday, I was a bit out of time. 
Let me tell you why..........
Let me begin by saying; I love our Booboo but I have stated several times I DO NOT want another dog.
FYI: Never say never !!!!!
A friend of mine found a dog walking in the middle of traffic about a week ago and took it home to care for it and see if she could find the owner.  My friend then took it to the local vets, posted flyers and all the normal processes in order to find the owner of this dog. .....to no avail.
She also posted it on facebook with pics.  Now I see lots of pics of dogs, cats, family pets via facebook all the time. But this caught my eye.  My friend then started posting all the dog's manners......how sweet she was, she didn't bark, she was housebroken and she was good with kids, on and on and on.....
Then said friend stated she could no longer keep her and that she needed to find a home for the dog.....no one offered.  This went on for a week and then said friend stated that the shelter was the only other option.  Thats when I posted and said I was interested.  I called her and we were discussing the dog and  arrangements for me to pick her up.  I asked her a few questions regarding the dog and then I asked did it have a name.  She said that the dog had a collar but there were no tags to indicate any name. My friend said we've just been calling her Looloo.  I said " You're kidding me" and then I told her the name of our dog.......Booboo.  It was like Looloo belonged to us and as you can see from the picture why I fell in love with her instantly.

Except for the spots on their bodies looking different. They look like twins.....
Booboo is on the left and Looloo is on the right.
As you can see from the pics that they became instant friends and respect each others boundaries when it comes to food, sleeping arrangements, etc......

Now wipe your tears and get over to the fall challenge before winter sets in.

Until later, dog lovers.......Gotta split.........TFL!!!!!!!
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Wednesday, October 6, 2010

You know how a turkey peeks over a log....

very carefully!!!!
Growing up here is the south....there is always grown-ups trying to pull one over on the kiddies. My dad would ask..."You know how a turkey peeks over a log?"  I would shake my head no. He would say "Here, let me show you.....!  He would then grab the hair at the nape of my neck and pull slightly upward, just enough to make you squeal with pain and he would say...."That's how."  He would laugh and laugh and then I would laugh too.  Maybe its a southern 'thang', or maybe just his way.  But we knew if he was picking on us or joking around; then we knew that he was just lovin' us.

Over at Cricut Cardz Challenge is a Thanksgiving banquet of sorts.  Any card or creation you can imagine using a Thanksgiving theme. Maybe even a little turkey talk.  Go gobble up all the ideas and try it out yourself.  We all have soooo much to be thankful for!!!!

Deets:
 I used Stretch your Imagination cart for the turkey and the
sentiment is from Designer Calendar cart.
Corner punch from fiskars.
Yummy Wrinkled seam binding that I dyed.

Until later, Gobblers.......Gotta split...TFL!!!!

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Sunday, October 3, 2010

Live your own life............

and I try to do that everyday. Hey, check out this boney guy......ain't he something.
He's living his own life and it looks like he's having a blast doing it.


Here's a close up of his gold 'toof' and sparkling red eyes. (His eyes are stick-on pearls that I colored red with a sharpie)

Rock & Roll over to Rubberstamp Chat forum and join him for the challenge sponsered by Bombshell Stamps.  I bought him a while back and haven't inked him up yet.  Each piece is separate so you can make him stand, sit, dance anyway you wish.  The guitar was cut from the Indie Art cartridge.  He just looked like he wanted to play!!!!!!
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Saturday, October 2, 2010

Happy National Card Making Day !!!!

So , let's PARTY!!!!!!


(inside of card)

Isn't this image too awesome!!!
It's one of Glitterbabe's images and her name is Twinkle Toes. I found Stef (aka Glitterbabe)'s blog while chugging along on the internet. She is totally amazing and we can't forget .....freakin' hilarious. 

The train border was a pre-made border that I found on clearance at the Hob (Hobby Lobby).  I embossed the dk. green with an animal prints folder. Check out the gold
"bling"...those are some of my infamous Giggle Dots that I made.  I dropped dot of hot glue onto a silicone mat and while it was still warm I pressed gold film onto them. 
After they cooled off completely I then glued them to the card using Tombow glue.
That's it for me today. I hope everyone has a wonderful and creative
National Card Making Day!!!!

Until later, card makers.....Gotta split.....TFL!!!!
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Friday, October 1, 2010

There's "mayhem" among us......

and its "magical" !!!!!!

This crystal ball stamp I received from winning a challenge on another blog and it's from Viva Las Vegastamps.  Isn't it too awesome.....and it has nothing to do with the fact that my name is Crystal.....Bwahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!
The challenge for this week at Haunted Design House is "Magical Mayhem".  I think a crystal ball is pretty magical and depending on what you see in it, I'm sure it can cause a little mayhem.

I stamped the design with black staz-on and used colored pencils, OMS and a stump to create the misty blue fog. Then I punched some stars on a scrap and inked over them to create the misty stars. Star punch is a border punch from Creative Memories.  I was trying to make it look like a ticket for the free reading......not so successful. But I still like it.

Madam Crystal: {in her best medium voice}
"I see you visiting Haunted Design House;
lurking and coming up with
a magical creation of your own......
and creating mayhem in your wake."

Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!

Until later, Mayhem makers....Gotta split....TFL!!!!!!
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