Asleep on the Couch Design

Feeling the LOVE

2012-02-01T18:03:00.001-05:00

Hello blog friends! I have missed you! I know it has been far too long between visits. Well, much to my surprise, my creative juices started flowing and the is is the end result. I am not typically a big fan of Valentine's Day so I am not sure why this is what I pulled together. I am pleased with the end result and actually think is might help me get in the spirit of things between now and February 14th.

Hope that you are feeling loved today!

I am linking to a few other blogs to helps spread the LOVE... Look here and here.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my latest creation. I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or ask a question.

Happy Day!

Guess what...

2011-11-24T00:00:00.000-05:00

I borrowed the polka dot frame from Maddycakes and added my message using Picnik.

50 years is a LONG time...

2011-10-27T15:22:00.000-04:00

Just ask my parents, Janice and Foster! I am so excited to be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary by asking you to donate to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Light the Night walk. I think this marks my 10th year of participating in Light the Night and I am so thankful that my parents join me each year and we typically have a grandchild or two with us to enjoy the fun activities leading up to the walk. The pictures are from the walk in Savannah in 2010. As survivors of blood cancers, both of my parents have directly benefited from the services offered by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as well as the research this organizations funds. Please consider making a donation as your way of recognizing 5O years of Janice and Foster.

I have made it super easy by putting a fundraising widget at the top of my sidebar. Click on DONATE NOW and you are directed to the donation page. All donations are tax deductible. Thanks in advance for supporting this cause. I don't ask for you to donate or give on a regular basis and would never start making it a habit. This is my one cause! If you have friends or family members who understand the impact blood cancers can have on an individual and their love ones, please share this with them and ask that they make a contribution to Light the Night. To learn more about the organization, check out the website, http://www.lls.org or to learn more about Light the Night, visit this website, http://www.lightthenight.org.

Jars of Summer

2011-09-01T19:03:00.000-04:00

I have started posts several times over the past few months, but life ~~job~~ keeps getting in the way. In July, I did squeeze in a trip to the North Georgia mountains for a little R&R. On my vacation, I managed to relax in between bouts of canning. This first picture is a sampling of the goodies I made around the July 4th holiday and when I returned from the trip. Pickled okra, spicy dill pickles, peach honey butter, blueberry maple pecan conserves, pepper jelly, corn salsa, and blueberry lemon jam. That is not all I've made. Make the jump and see what else is stored in my kitchen cabinets...

Make the jump for the good stuff...

After the fireworks

2011-07-03T01:00:00.004-04:00

Hi friends,

I hope you have enjoyed the last two posts. It feels good to be back sharing my creations. Hope y'all enjoyed reading them and will get a chance to use the recipes. I am happy to say, I am going on vacation and looking forward to the time away from my job and the heat. I hope to be able to post in the next two weeks but I will have sporadic access to internet. Of course, I have an iPhone, but alas, I have not figured out how to post from the phone. The phone is called a smart for a reason. I am working on the work smarter, not harder part and will put some energy towards mastering that in the coming days.

I may come across some fun stuff to share as I travel this week. To give you some incentive, these are some of the things I will be sharing soon...

Make the jump for the good stuff...

Blueberry Pickin'

2011-07-01T11:55:00.000-04:00

Every year, well at least the last three summers, I have spent many a morning at the Brewer Christmas Tree Farm picking blueberries. This is my summer therapy. When I come back from the farm with this many berries,

approximately 8 quarts, I have to figure out what to do with all that berry deliciousness. I freeze several bags and always keep a big bowl in the frig for nibbling at will. This trip I decided to make blueberry butter in the slow cooker and blueberry gelato. I wrote about the blueberry butter this time last year on this post. The gelato was a great way to use my new ice cream maker!

Make the jump for the good stuff...

Making A Comeback

2011-06-30T15:30:00.000-04:00

I was amazed to see that I have not posted since... oh, NOVEMBER! Wow! Believe it or not, I have not made a card since OCTOBER. I have crafted a few other items and started playing with the sewing machine I inherited from my grandmother. I attribute my "comeback" (a mere attempt at this point) to Pinterest! My creative juices are flowing and ~~my "not right now, I am pinning" levels are at an all time high~~ I am eager to reconnect with the blog world. If you have not checked out Pinterest, follow the button in the side bar and find out what all the hubbub is about... Go ahead, I'll wait...

Isn't it a great way to inspire and be inspired! I posted this cucumber salad on one of my boards and now I am going to add the recipe here so everyone can enjoy the yummy goodness!

Make the jump for the good stuff...

Missing you

2010-11-24T11:37:00.000-05:00

Hello blog friends! It has been so long. I hope you are all doing well and getting ready for the fun, food and fellowship of Thanksgiving. My life has been crazy the past few months. I am shocked to see that I have not posted since September. Shame on me. I promise to do better.

I moved! It only too a month to unpack most of my stuff if you do not count the boxes I shoved into the guest bedroom closet before book club last month. I plan to go through those over the winter holiday. The most exciting part is my new studio area. Right now, it looks like a craft store blew up, but I have a vision. Last weekend, I went to IKEA and purchased my first set of Alex drawers. LOVE THEM! I hope to buy a new storage piece each month until I have a unified collection.

Basically, just wanted to give you an update. I have many things planned for the coming months related to Asleep on the Couch. I may even buy a couch! Most of all, I wanted to let you know I miss posting and that I am thankful for my blog followers. Enjoy your time with friends and family. Make sure to let the special people in your life know you are thankful for them.

Thanks for stopping by Asleep on the Couch!

Happy Day!

Do you miss me?

2010-09-08T11:02:00.000-04:00

I hope you have noticed that I am missing. Do not fret. This next month is SUPER CRAZY for me. Work and moving have me neglecting my creative endeavors. So sad. Fear not, I have recipes from my recent book club to share with fantastic pictures of the final dishes.

Also, when you move, you purge. I have soooooo much stuff collected for an out of this world blog candy spree. Pretty sure we are talking more than one chance to win some goodies. The Light the Night walk is coming up in October. I will use some of the most prized blog candy items (hint PTI CHA stamp set) to raise some money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. My parents are both survivors and I do this walk every year. More about that coming soon.

Just a reminder that I am still around, just a little behind on blogging and creating. Things will stay pretty slow until late September. I leave you with this thought. When I walk in the mornings, the acorns are crunchy under my feet. A true sign that fall is just around the corner!

Happy Day!

Canning Week and a review

2010-08-26T11:03:00.000-04:00

It is Canning Week over at A latte with Ott, A and From A Mess Hall Bistro I decided to join in on the fun. As you know, I have had a great summer of jams, preserves and slow cooker butters. I am not brave enough to try actually canning vegetables. One day, I will try. I hope to get some figs in before the summer disappears, just have to find a source. I did want to share with you my latest discovery. Awhile back, my mom gave me a coupon for Ball jars and supplies. I decided to splurge and bought the new Home Canning Discovery Kit. Obviously, I have already discovered home canning, but I was so excited about the possibility of using less water and making smaller batch creations. The kit includes a recipe booklet and jars so you can get started right after you open the box.

I used this on the last batch of Peach Butter I made. I posted about it here. I LOVE it! Less water, shorter time to bring to boil, less space on my stove. The benefits are numerous. I typically only produce in half-pints, so I can put 5 in the basket at a time. This would not be ideal if you have just harvested your garden and need to get everything processed and in a jar quickly. What I do think will happen, is I can be more adventurous with my recipes and try new things because I am working in smaller batches. I could use a slightly larger stock pot, but what I have works for now. I'll keep looking at the thrift store until I find a deal. So, if you are considering trying canning or already have all the other supplies, I suggest this as a great first step or as a way to try something new. You can order them on-line here.

Thanks for stopping by Asleep on the Couch. Head over and check out Canning Week. I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or ask a question.

Happy Day!

Peachy goodness

2010-08-18T13:03:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago, I had the good fortune to drive through middle Georgia on my way home from Calloway Gardens. If you did not know, this is where the concept of Georgia Peach was born. Middle Georgia counties produce the sweetest, juiciest, most delicious peaches in the whole wide world. Argue if you like, but I will not change my opinion. I stopped at Taylor Orchards to grab a bag of peaches and some homemade peach ice cream. OK, I stopped for the ice cream and happened to pick up a bag of peaches. I should have gotten two bags. Ultimately, they ended up in a batch of peach butter. I did save one to enjoy just plain and simple. SO Delicious!

I used the slow cooker like I did for the blueberry butter I made earlier this summer. Here is the recipe:

15 good size peaches

1 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 teaspoon allspice

1 cup Sugar

1 cup Splenda Blend

1 cup Honey

Blanch and peel the peaches, cut peaches into smaller chunks. Fill slow cooker and set it on low. Add spices and sweeteners. Cover the slow cooker but keep the lid raised by placing a spoon on the rim. The cooking process takes form 6 to 12 hours. When it butter reaches the desired consistency then you are done. You can use a whisk, potato masher or hand-held blender to smooth out the butter. Process in a water bath and let cool.

My house smelled great while this was cooking. Yankee Candle should make this into a candle scent. Everybody is getting butters and preserves for the holidays! Just need to work on my cute packaging.

Happy Day!

CHA SuperShow Make and Takes

2010-08-14T17:18:00.000-04:00

CHA make and takes are soooo much fun! Each day I tried to set-up a decent picture of the day's work. This first picture contains a pair of earrings, the grunge paper cuff that I made at the SplitCoast tables, one of the Paper Crafts magazine cards, the cute button pin from Blumenthal Lansing Co, another cute pin from Papertrey Ink as well as a card and my super cute scissor holder.

This picture is of two cards made at the Kaiser Craft booth. Really loved their papers, bling, laser cut wood pieces and stamps. Of course, the third is a classic Papertrey Ink holiday card.

More cards. First from Archiver's made with EK Success punches and the Inkadinkado Spray ink, then peeking out in the back is a Fiskars card. The third card is another Paper Crafts magazine card. Closing out the set is another Papertrey Ink card using this year's CHA special set, Four Of A Kind.

This is the final set of make and takes. Sorry the picture is lacking, but I did the best I could with the setting. I really considered "borrowing" the black room information holder. Admit it. It made a perfect card display. This set starts off with my other cute scissor holder. So fun, I had to make another one to make a set. Next are two projects from the Michael's tables, a key chain and a bracelet. Rounding out my collection is a heart shaped pom pom from Clover and a duct tape luggage tag from the Joann's tables.

Are you dying to go to the next SuperShow after seeing all this fun crafty stuff? I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or ask a question.

Happy Day!

CHA Crafty Star Sightings

2010-08-12T17:23:00.000-04:00

Cath Edvalson Moxie Fab World

What a great lady! I am so amazed that she responds to all her comments and takes the time to acknowledge all the submissions for her challenges. I really thought she had a small group of interns responding, but Cath sent me a response to my clean and graphic card while I was at CHA and I had the chance to confirm that she was actually in the hotel room sending emails during the SuperShow. Now, that is dedication to the cause. I really had a great time meeting the whole Paper Crafts Magazine crew and loved reading my sneak preview copy of the latest edition on the plane home.

Debbie Olsen Thinking and Inking

How the PTI team stayed smiling the whole show is beyond me. They worked so hard with the make and takes. Smiling, instructing, posing for pics, demoing(is this a word?), stamping, smiling, laughing... Papertrey Ink is the reason I started coming to CHA SuperShow and I loved the booth this year. How cute are those PTI aprons? Debbie is so sweet and always smiling. When I asked for some support for my first blog candy, she included me in one of her posts. I really appreciate her effort. Hope she says yes to my next request for blog candy support...

Sharon Harnist PaperFections

While I was working on one of the PTI make and takes, I noticed this crafty star sitting across from me. Sharon graciously let me snap a photo while she worked on the PTI make and take. Among their many talents, Sharon and Debbie do amazing things with COPIC markers. Make sure to visit their blogs.

Ashley Cannon Newell A New Design

This lady is on point. She has style, business savvy and is so sweet. I had some questions about submitting for publication and Ashley took the time to give me her perspective. We met at CHA SuperShow in Orlando. Now, I know I am not her BFF (I am open to the concept. If she is interested), but she is a source of inspiration through her blog and Embellish Magazine as well as the numerous publications and design teams.

I saw so many other Crafty Stars, but never got a chance to get photos. It's my own fault. I always remember my camera after the photo opportunity. Not shocking, that I failed scrap booking. Next, I'll share pics of the many make and takes I completed at the SuperShow. There was so much to do and so little time.

Thanks for stopping by Asleep on the Couch.

Happy Day!

Finally a new blog banner

2010-08-10T17:08:00.000-04:00

Working on a college campus, fall is CRAZY for me. I am trying to get items posted but alas, it is not happening the way I hoped. This picture is proof that I did attend CHA. I meet a great set of ladies that offered to take my photo in the BIG frame. Let me clarify for you, I do not enjoy having my picture taken. The pictures never seem to be very flattering. In this case, I am OK with the outcome.

Also, Ashley Cannon Newell's husband, McArthur, took this picture of Ashley and me which turned out pretty well. Who am I kidding, I do not care if it is unflattering, it is posted on Ashley's blog, A New Design. I danced a gig and giggled when I saw the post.

Back to my pictures. My cheeks always take over my eyes. I really must work on my "pose" for when I am famous! I'll check with my stylist and get some suggestions. Oh, I don't have a stylist. I do have more to share about CHA. Hope this weekend I can get it all organized. Bottom line, I had a BLAST, saw lots of inspiring industry biggies (I was not as star struck this year as I was last year) and got my craft on at all the make and takes.

Happy Day!

P.S. I created my new banner using freebies from the Scrappin Cop. Go check out all the digi stuff she has posted. I could have spent all day scrolling through her blog.

Pinwheels for Paige

2010-07-23T00:37:00.000-04:00

When I say I am not posting until after CHA, what I really mean is... OK, one more challenge and then I am done. Paige at CARDS Magazine requested cards with pinwheels. Here is my response. The medium pinwheel even spins! Have a SUPER weekend!

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my latest creation. I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or ask a question.

Happy Day!

Links:
CARDS

Details:
Stamps: American Crafts ( Fresh, Fun)
Ink: Ranger (Faded Jens), Memento (Tuxedo Black), PTI (Fresh Snow)
Paper: PTI (Kraft, White), Cosmo Cricket (Snorkel, Girl Friday), American Crafts (Everyday Howdy)
Other: K & Co (Brad), Mark Richards (Metal Stickers), Queen & Co (Nightfall), Micheals (Rhinestone)

I'm a Winner! My mom always said I was...

2010-07-21T15:41:00.001-04:00

Just a quick post to let you know I am SOOOO excited about winning one of the prizes from the Zva Creative blog hop. The DT posted fantastic creations highlighting all the wonderful bling that Zva Creative offers. My comment that won was on Veronica Goh's blog, Treasured Moments. I had no clue they had such a wide selection including fabric covered brads and rhinestone brads. Check out their website to find a retailer near you.

Thanks Zva Creative!

Happy Day!

Links:

Zva Creative

Treasured Moments

Shabby vintage BOO!

2010-07-17T17:48:00.000-04:00

As I mentioned in my last post, I am trying to create cards in all the styles noted in the new Paper Crafts publication, Card Style. Well, not sure I will get to all of them, but I did try Shabby & Vintage. This is the style I attempt the least in my normal card making, so I feel pretty good about the outcome. If you like orange, then this card is for you. The one hang up is that Cath says this style is soft. I am pretty sure this card is not soft. However, I did master the ribbon, inking and distressing. Oh, and the multiple layers, too.

I incorporated several different challenges. It has been while since I attempted to "Pile it On". In this case, I think it helped me push the envelop and be more successful. The stamped background meets Kristina Werner's Finally Friday and A Year in Cards challenges. The Get Sketchy sketch was the starting point for the layout. I know it ended up round, but I did use the papers to create the four sections and have a center focal point.

OK, so now I really have to get some work down before I leave town. It is so much easier to avoid work by making cards, cleaning out a drawer, taking a nap, browsing blogs...Well, I could go on forever. Pretty excited about my Girls' Weekend in the mountains. We are going tubing in the Chattahoochee River. I bought a TON of sunscreen last weekend. Pretty sure we will squeeze in a trip to Trader Joe's and IKEA! So EXCITING!

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my latest creation. I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or ask a question.

Happy Day!

Links:

Moxie Fab

Paper Craft

Get Sketchy

Year in Cards and Finally Friday

Details:
Stamps: Studio G (Series 20, Series 36)
Ink: Ranger (Spiced Marmalade, Mustard Seed, Tea Dye, Antiqued Linen), Memento (Tuxedo Black)
Paper: PTI (Vintage Cream), Recollections (Black), Basic Grey Ambrosia (Tangy, Orange Smoothie)
Ribbon: Robert Stanley Collection (Black), Create It Basic (White)
Other: Queen & Co Pearls (Nightfall), Crafter's Workshop Template (6x6), Gartner Twine (oyster), Spellbinders (Bloom)

Clean & Graphic or Fun & Cute

2010-07-14T15:08:00.000-04:00

This week Cath at Moxi Fab World is hosting card style week to celebrate the publication of the new special issue from Paper Crafts magazine, Card Style. I have not been feeling the creative spark, but last night Dawn at Wplus9 Studio posted her submission for Clean & Graphic, and I was inspired. Thanks for the jump start, Dawn!

After I finished my Clean & Graphic card, I decided it also worked for Fun & Cute. How cute are those whales? I debated where to submit and ultimately picked Clean & Graphic. Here is why,

1. A lot of white space.

2. A simple design and elements.

3. A quick and easy message.

Why don't you try your hand and submit for the challenges. Pushing past a creative block or out of your ocmfort zone is always a good thing. For instance, I did not distress a single item on this card. Lately, my Ranger distressing tool has been glued to my hand. Literally after the diamond glaze spill last night, but that is another story. So this forced me to put it down and step away from the Tim Holtz Distress Inks.

Short and sweet today, or should I say Clean & Graphic?

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my latest creation. I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or ask a question.

Happy Day!

Details:
Stamps: KI Memories (Garden)
Ink: PTI (Enchanted Evening)
Paper: Bazzill (Lime Crush), PTI (Aqua Mist), DCWV (Robin #1, Robin #3, Brights)
Markers: Copic (BG(45, 0000), C(1), Marvy (Yellow, Briliant Yellow)
Other: Recollections (Bling), Doodlebug (Mini Rub-ons), Martha Stewart (Whale, Wave Punch), Diamond Glaze

Links:

Moxi Fab World

Paper Crafts

Wplus9 Studio

Slow Cooker Blueberry Butter

2010-07-08T12:11:00.001-04:00

One of my favorite things to do in the summer is berry picking. I have accomplished strawberry, blackberry and blueberry this summer. Figs, while not berries, are coming soon. This past Monday, I drove to the Brewer Christmas Tree and Blueberry Farm in Midway, Georgia to do some pickin'. My friend Kate, who is my partner in crime when it comes to berries, joined me. We left early and it just started to get hot when we finished filling our buckets.

Not too long ago, I discovered the Can Jam hosted by Tigress in a Jam. This month the round-up was all about berries! I love digging through the different recipes and blogs from all the participants. Every time, I learn something new about canning. Some of the flavor pairings are amazing. Things like, chinese five spiced pickled cherries and grand marnier blueberry peach sauce. I also discovered Blueberry Slow Cooker Butter at Food in Jars. If you live in the Northeast right now and pretty much any where in the Southeast this time of year, the heat is a serious burden. I mean it is heavy and down right overbearing. So, if I can avoid standing in front of a hot stove then I am all about the cooler option. Enter the slow cooker!

I made a few adjustments to the recipe and the end result is a dense and fruity delicious spread. Not overly sweet and very true to the berry flavors.

7 cups pureed blueberries

1 cup pureed blackberries

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 cup Splend sugar blend

Juice from 3/4 lemon

Juice from 1/4 lime

2 teaspoons Cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg

Add pureed berries to slow cooker with the cooker set on low and the lid in place. At the one hour mark, stir. After this, leave the lid ajar (hee, hee, canning humor) by placing a spoon, spatula, whatever under one side of the lid. This lets the steam evaporate.

Leave everything this way for 5 hours. At the start of 5 hours, add sugar(s), lemon juice, lime juice and spices. Give it all a stir. Take the lid off at this point, turn the cooker to high and let the cooking down proceed. Stir occasionally. (I stopped this part too early, because I would have ended up getting in bed as the rooster crowed)

Pour in jars when you like the consistency, leave a 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch space at the rim, clean the rims and process in a boiling water canner for 10 minutes. Store unopened jars in a cool, dark place. Should yield 6 to 7 half pints depending how much you cook it down. Information below is based on 7 half pints and the nutrition information is for one half pint.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 406

Sodium 15.5 mg

Potassium 339.7 mg

Dietary Fiber 9.4 g

Sugars 83 g

Protein 2.2 g

Vitamins

A 6.5%

B-6 6.4%

C 86.3 %

E 14%

Manganese 67.8%

Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my latest creation. I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or ask a question.

Happy Day!

Links:

Tigress in a Jam

Food in Jars

Digi Designing = New Header

2010-07-01T13:37:00.000-04:00

Happy first day of July!

I am amazed at how quickly the summer is flying by for me. As soon as I return from the CHA SuperShow, I hit the ground running with the school year. I'd like to say I am excited, but I am just not feeling it at this point. Needless to say, I have a TON of things to do at work before I leave for CHA. Which means, I may not post as often between now and August.

I do have some exciting things in the works for August and September. This is another thing that might limit my posts. You see, I need to get all my ducks in a row. Anticipate at least two BIG blog candy opportunities.

On to today's creation. Look up. I made the new patriotic banner this morning. I used Microsoft Word, so no need to worry about the fancy programs. Once I completed placing all of my digital elements, I saved a pdf to iPhoto and used Picnik to re-size and add the drop shadow. Voila!

The digital elements were all freebies. I used Lettering Delights' American Love alphabet, a pdf of the music from America the Beautiful (can't remember where I got this, just googled it), Sugarplum Paperie for the fireworks. Oh, the ribbon and flare came from Brittney at Britt-ish Designs. I think that covers it.

Such a sense of accomplishment. Now I have to really get to my job...

Thanks for stopping by today. I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or ask a question.

Happy Day!

Links:

I'm a Guest Designer!

2010-06-30T16:51:00.000-04:00

So excited to share this card and introduce you to the Creative Belli challenge blog. Early last week, my friend, Robin Kirkpatrick, asked if I was interested on being the Guest Designer for this week. Well, of course I said yes. So, I set to work on my card for the following sketch.

I flattened it a bit and stretched it a bit, but all and alI stuck with the original elements. I made the pinwheels by modgepodging(This is a word, I am sure of it.)two layers of the printed digital papers I used for this card. Then I cut the squares using Nestibilities. I found a pinwheel pattern on-line and used it as a guide for where to make the cuts so the squares became pinwheels. I used a glue dot in the center to hold the corners, poked a hole in the center and used the brads to secure everything together. I think I should have distressed the pinwheel edges more before I assembled them, but oh well.

The theme this week for the CARDS blog challenge is Fourth of July, so I hope to use all my scraps to pull together another card by Friday.

I want to thank everyone at Creative Belli for having me this week and for hosting such great challenges. Stop by and try your hand at the sketch. Also, go visit Robin at her blog, Robin's Rubber Room, and see what great things she does with her cards.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my latest creation. I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or ask a question.

Happy Day!

Links:

Creative Belli

Robin Kirkpatrick

Details:
Stamps: Expressions (KI Memories), Series 12 (Studio G), Fresh (American Crafts)
Ink: Fresh Snow, Pure Poppy 9PTI), Antique Linen 9Ranger)
Paper: Kraft (PTI), digi papers
Other: Crimson Lake ( Marvy Marker) Que Sera Fera Brads (K and Co.)

CARDS and Paper Crafts all in one...

2010-06-25T13:28:00.000-04:00

Happy Friday! I am not sure if it is obvious, but I am suffering a slight creative block. When I sit down to make a card, I feel less than inventive or successful. Apparently being Moxie Fab zapped my mojo. Alas, I seem to have found some creative juices this morning because I got up and made this card for the CARDS Blog challenge to use hat pins. Also, I used the current Paper Crafts Magazine sketch. I hope it is not an industry no-no to combine challenges from the two different publications.

This is probably the sparkliest (Is that a word?) card I have ever made. STICKLES galore! I was covered in glitter by the time I finished. I lost track of time and I may not be as showered as I usually am when I go to work. Oh, don't judge me. I am sure you have had to douse yourself in body spray and get in the car at some point.

A few things about this card. The fireworks patterned paper I made using the glittery fire works images from Sugarplum Paperie and the striped paper is from Kellie's Kreations. Aren't you impressed? I mixed some digital elements into this card. I cut the frame out of clear card stock with my spellbinder's nestibilities and covered it with Stickles. I do not own any hat pins, so I just made my own using straight pins and the small stars. That should cover all the neat-o-keen parts.

Notice the new CHA count down at the top of the page. I am SOOOOOOO excited. Booked my flight yesterday and now I have to do some searching for a cheap hotel. Where are you staying?

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my latest creation. I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or ask a question.

Happy Day!

Links:

Details:

Stamps: Expressions (KI Memories)

Ink: Antiqued Linen, Tea Dyed (Ranger), Pure Poppy (PTI)

Paper: White card blank (Michael's), Clear card stock, Stamper's Select (PTI)

Copics: Clear (Spica)

Other: Xmas Red, Turquoise (Stickles), Yellow Gold (Martha Stewart Glitter), Lipstick Twine (Gartner), Threading Water (Fiskars), Stardust Pen (Sakura), stick pens,

Bunk Beds, Tape storage and CSN Stores

2010-06-22T16:04:00.000-04:00

A while ago, I was contacted by Jason at CSN Stores and he asked me to browse around their 200+ stores and do a product review. I was amazed at the selection and variety of items they offer. In my attempt to be good, I started by browsing the twin beds and bunk beds. My mom is looking for a set for the grandchildren's room. I am pretty sure the kids would like this set-up...

Of course, I am willing to bet Grandmother is more interested in something like this...

Being good lasted for about thirty minutes and then I started looking at stuff for my studio space. Oh, and I checked out the kitchen supplies, too. As I meandered through the site, I discovered this...

TAPE is all the rage right now and I love this dispenser. These colors are great, too. With this, I know one part of my supplies will be neat and organized. So what will happen is my tape will be a shining organized beacon in the sea of supplies which is my studio space.

This product is solid and well constructed. Plus, the company is environmentally conscious. By shredding and using cardboard boxes as packing material, they support the reduce and reuse movement. Additionally, they employ and maximize the capabilities of those in community with developmental disabilities. What a great company!

I am looking forward to receiving my new tape dispenser. I'll let you know what I think about it when it arrives.

Meanwhile, head over and check out all their stores.

Happy Day!

LWID and Strutting my Stuff

2010-06-17T16:21:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, I mentioned all the berries I used for Triple Berry Jammin'. Well, berries leave juice and juice stains, so I decided to throw some white ribbon in the bags and see what resulted. Pretty and pink shades of ribbon. From left to right, blackberry juice produced the darkest ribbon and my favorite color. Next is strawberry. A soft shade of pink that smells delicious. Last and with a purple hue, is fermented grapes, aka my wine. The bottle was sitting on the counter, so I figured why not try pouring some in a bag, too. The third ribbon from the left is actually cream ribbon dyed with wine. I think at this point, I was grabbing anything and throwing it in the bags. No, the wine did not have anything to do with this behavior.

I had given up on LOOK WHAT I DID, but one of my friends left a comment about her flowers on yesterday's post. See her flowers here. How exciting to put a seed in the ground and experience the growth of such beautiful flowers. Good job! I am so glad she wanted us to see what she accomplished. So, I will renew my call for LWID posts. Create your LOOK WHAT I DID and use inlinkz or leave a comment that includes a link to your post.

To start the process, I will share this for the Strut Your Stuff posting over at Somewhat Simple. Thanks for stopping by I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or ask a question.

Happy Day!

Links:

Somewhat Simple

Triple Berry Jammin'

2010-06-16T11:29:00.002-04:00

Over the past few weeks, I have picked strawberries, blueberries and blackberries. My freezer is full to over flowing, so I had to make something with all these berries. Even though it is 110 heat index down here, I was willing to stand over a hot stove and make jam. So, I headed to my local store to grab some supplies. While browsing the canning shelves, I discovered "NO COOK" pectin. Are you serious? I do not have to sweat to death and dehydrate while getting a steam facial to make jams?! A little leery for fear it might mean the jam is not legitimate jam, just some knock-off version, I bought a pack of the pectin and some freezer jars, only after confirming they were BPA free. I checked out the Ball website. Cruised through the recipes and then adapted the Berry Blitz recipe for my purposes.

Triple Berry jammin

1 pkg Freezer Pectin

3/4 cup Splenda Sugar Blend

1 1/2 cup crushed balckbeerries (12oz)

1 1/2 cup crushed blueberries (12oz)

1 1/3 cup crushed strawberries (16oz)

zest of 1 small lemon

1. Stir sugar blend and pectin in a bowl, mix well.

2. Add berries and zest, stir for 3 minutes.

3. Ladle into clean jars, let stand 30 mins and freeze for one year or keep in frig for 3 weeks.

According to SparkRecipes these are the nutrituion details per 8 oz jar: (more information below the nutrition facts)

Nutrition Facts
5 Servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories		204.5

Total Fat		0.4 g

	Saturated Fat	0.0 g

	Polyunsaturated Fat	0.2 g

	Monounsaturated Fat	0.1 g

Cholesterol		0.0 mg

Sodium		4.5 mg

Potassium		225.3 mg

Total Carbohydrate		43.6 g

	Dietary Fiber	4.8 g

	Sugars	35.4 g

Protein		0.9 g


Vitamin A	2.4 %

Vitamin B-12	0.0 %

Vitamin B-6	3.9 %

Vitamin C	88.2 %

Vitamin D	0.0 %

Vitamin E	3.5 %

Calcium	2.7 %

Copper	5.6 %

Folate	7.2 %

Iron	3.1 %

Magnesium	4.3 %

Manganese	41.8 %

Niacin	2.2 %

Pantothenic Acid	3.7 %

Phosphorus	2.5 %

Riboflavin	4.6 %

Selenium	1.3 %

Thiamin	2.7 %

Zinc	1.6 %

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

I know this label is LARGE, but I could not figure out how to change the size without making a huge effort. I'll do better on this part next time I post a recipe. The bread in the picture is homemade by one of my past student leaders. He dropped if off last week and it is DELICIOUS! All the other jam is in freezer jars. I knew I would need one to test the final product so I just used a glass jar. So I could share this with more people, I posted over at Blue Cricket Design. Each week she host Show and Tell, much like my LOOK WHAT I DID. The difference is, people actually link up to her weekly post. So, if you want to show and tell, provide a link.

Reviews thus far, " Yum! - I liked the consistency a lot. A little bit sweet from the Splenda I might have preferred just sugar. But that is being picky." "It was great! Did you see how fast I ate it?"

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my latest creation. I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or ask a question.

Happy Day!

Links:

Ball Fresh Preserves

SparkRecipes
Blue Cricket Design

Link Party:

CARDS Challenge and a few others

2010-06-11T13:54:00.000-04:00

Happy FRIDAY!

I am ready for the weekend. What about you? This is my submission for this week's CARDS magazine challenge to use floral paper. I have a tough time with floral stuff. I really want to create vintage shabby chic cards that scream girlie but alas, I am not successful. I ooh and awww when I see the likes of Sarah Martina, and Melissa Phillips post wonderful cards that scream feminine and frilly. I'll keep working on developing that part of my style. My mom has always said I didn't like it or wouldn't wear it if it wasn't cotton. I guess, just like my clothing choices, I struggle with frilly cards. Doesn't mean I do not love them when I see them.

I used the Clean & Simple FTL 93 sketch as the foundation of this card. OK, what you need to know is the center strip is moved up because it hides a multitude of unhappy accidents. I experimented with some folding and distressing of the paper and let's just say, NOT successful. Love being able to hide a mess with another layer of craftiness. This pic shows the layers little more clearly and highlights the hidden section.

I am excited to go blackberry picking tomorrow with a group of girlfriends and then have lunch. Sounds like a good start to a Saturday. What do you have planned?

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my latest creation. I'd love to hear from you.

Happy Day!

Links

Your Next Stamp - Buttons

A Spoon Full of Sugar - Floral Delights

Details:
Stamps:Floral Fusion (PTI)
Ink: Antique Linen (Ranger), Tuxedo Black (Momento)
Paper: al la Carte, Amplified (American Crafts), White Card Blank, black cardstock (Michael's)
Other: Pearls (Paper Studio, Recollections), miscellaneous buttons

Waltzingmouse, Trigger and a few others

2010-06-10T14:11:00.000-04:00

So, I am trying to check other things off my 2010 list, and one of those is to get published. OK, I actually just wanted to start submitting in 2010 and I have checked that off my list. What is a list if you don't add as you check off? So, I added getting published. Here is the quandary, I never know if I should post cards on my blog and still submit them for consideration. Thankfully, many of the publications clearly state, "please do not post submission online."

SO, today I am taking a risk. I submitted this card for consideration but I am still posting it because I wanted to share with those who follow me. I mean, I might not ever post here if I only consider the concept of publication. I want to be published, but it is more important to me that the people who actually follow my blog get what they come for when they visit.

This card is for the Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge and Moxie Fab World's Tuesday Trigger. I also listed a few other challenges it works for under the link section at the bottom of this post.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my latest creation. I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or ask a question.

Happy Day!

Links
Waltzingmouse
Moxie Fab World
Cute Card Thursday - Anything but Square
American Craft - 2 or more AC products

Details
Stamps: Studio G
Ink: Anitque Linen (Ranger), Berry Sorbet (PTI)
Paper: Tropicals (American Crafts), Kraft (PTI), Blue Sparkle (The Paper Cut)white random cardstock
Copics: BG(0000,45), B(24)
Dies: Spellbinders, QuickKutz
Punches: Martha Stewart, Marvy Uchida, Karl
Other: Rhinestone (Recollections), Diamond Glaze, Bubbles Texture Plate (Fiskars)

Check me out...

2010-06-09T17:10:00.000-04:00

I'm MOXIE FAB! OK, I have been doing the "I'm so EXCITED" dance all day long. Well, there was the brief I got to potty dance, but the rest was definitely so excited dance. Being able to add the Moxie Fab winner button to my blog is on my list of things to accomplish in 2010. I love checking things off my lists.

I did a little rearranging last night. I love these two bars of goodies. All neat and organized and easy to see. Not perfect, but I am committed to getting up during commercials and doing something to improve the craft space. This weekend, I may even turn the TV off and really do a overhaul. Hope to have a card tomorrow.

Thanks for stopping by and have a Happy Day!

Cards Blog, Land Ho!

2010-06-04T11:21:00.002-04:00

Hello everyone and a special greeting to all the followers and recent commentors (not really a word, but you know what I mean). I truly appreciate the feedback and the fact that you follow Asleep on the Couch. I hope that you are getting something out of my post, ideas, mojo infusion, a giggle, mindless entertainment...please keep coming back for more. THANKS!

I got home last night and decided I wanted to work on another window card for the Cards Blog. Not that I did not love my last card, I had an idea and I wanted to see if I could make it work. Well, I am pleased with how my idea trasnlated into a card. My mom loves to go on cruises and I thought this would be great to slip in her suitcase as a surprise when she unpacks.

I am always amazed that it takes me an evening and some of the next morning to create a card. I sit down to make a quick card and the next thing you know I have been hunched over my craft table for hours and all I have to show is ONE card. I started this card by stamping, masking and inking the inside image. These pictures show a few of the stages of evolution. I used my Ranger blending tool to create the sky, pulled out my Copic markers (still mastering these suckers as evident by some of the fuzzy edges) for the island and palms then added dimension with the sun and clouds. The final product has a little more antique linen blended around the edges.

The front of the porthole is from fotosearch.com. I printed it and cut out the center, added the metal rhinestones and covered it with Diamond Glaze. I have flash backs to the Love Boat, and I am pretty sure they had banners on the ship, so I added the bunting for fun and a pop of color.

Hope you enjoy this card. I loved making it and feel good about the final product. I am working to find my own style even if it takes me all night to create ONE card. I have one more picture of the card to share because I LOVE how it highlights the image through the window. OK, now I am sick of looking at the card, too.

The supply list and other links are listed below. This card does satisfy a few other challenges. If I had not rambled on about the techniques, I would go into detail about each challenge. Instead, I will list the link so you can just hop over to the challenge websites.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my latest creation. I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or ask a question.

Happy Day!

Links:

Cards Blog - Windows

Meljen's - Dry Emboss

Little Red Wagon - Altered Embellishment

KWED - 6 metal rhinestones

Stamping for the Weekend - Summer - Travel
Creative Inspirations - Beach

Pile it On - Palm trees have coconuts, is that a veggie or a fruit?
Edited 6/10 to include Raise the Bar - Celebrate Summer!

Details:
Stamps: Everything Happy and Changito Pirates (Stampendous), Warble (Dear Lizzy), Mr. Campy (Cosmo Cricket), Series 12 (Studio G)
Ink: Spiced Marmalade, Faded Jeans, Mustard Seed, Antique Linen (Ranger), Tuxedo Black (Moment), Raspberry Fizz, Enchanted Evening, Aqua Mist (PTI), Blue Sky (Martha Stewart), Chestnut Roan, Dark Brown (Chalk Colorbox)
Paper: Kraft, white (PTI)
Copics: E(33,37,39), BG(4549), G(12,24,28), RV(11), Y(15, 0000)
Other: Woodgrain Texture Plate (Fiskars), Metal Rhinestone(Michael's), Diamond Glaze, Puffy Paint (Tulip), Liquid Applique (Marvy), Twine (Gartner), Clip Art (fotosearch.com)

2S4Y, several other challenges and a mojo infusion

2010-06-03T13:53:00.001-04:00

My vacation was great. Love spending time with my nephew. Seeing my parents is cool, too. No, really, I do love seeing them. Having a 3 1/2 year-old involved adds a little something extra. All that swimming, watching Shrek and eating icee pops really takes it out of you. My crafty mojo is a little sluggish as a result. So, I decided to check out some challenges to get the juices flowing. This is the final product.

I started with the Laura's great 2Sketches4You sketch, added windows from the Cards Blog using QuickKutz dies. The flowers are almost a year old. I started with them as I planned my card making class from last fall. They did not make it into the class, but I held on to them for inspiration to strike. The flowers meet the challenges for Charisma Cardz, Little Red Wagon, Kah-wink-e-dink and Pixie Dust with 6 punched circles. The embossed layer works for Meljen's Designs and Just us Girls. I had to do some maneuvering to get these to work because the layer is longer than the Fiskars Texture plate, but I was able to get it all lined up and embossed. For 365 Cards, this is so me because you will notice the edges are slightly distressed. I am a little rough around the edges with some very wonderful parts and this card is much the same. Finally, for Stamping for the Weekend, who wouldn't smile or cheer up if they received this in the mail? For Pile It On, the scallops on each end look like bites out of the pink layer. If I knew of a pink veggie, I would identify it at this time, but none are coming to mind. Here is a bonus. This card can sit either way. In this picture it is slightly easier to see where I used the pattern wheel on each edge of the card. Thanks for the idea Kim Kesti.

BTW, I have been cleaning and purging, so expect another blog candy soon. So far, I have some great scrapbook supplies. I tried to be a scrapper, but my heart is really in card making. My loss is another persons gain. Plus, I am trying to be more focused in my studio, all the extra stuff just leads to my ADD kicking in and nothing getting accomplished.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my latest creation. I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or ask a question.

Happy Day!

Links:

2Sketches4You - Sketch

Cards Blog - Windows

365 Cards - It's so You

Charisma Cardz - Flowers

Meljen's - Dry Emboss

Little Red Wagon - Altered Embellishment

Just Us Girls - Dry Emboss

KWED - 6 of Something

Stamping for the Weekend - Cheer Up or smile

Pixie Dust Challenge - Punch it out

Pile it On - Eat Your Veggies Scallops on the ends look like a bite out of the pink layer.

Details:

Stamps: Around & About Sentiments (PTI)

Ink: Berry Sorbet, Orange Zest (PTI), Antique Linen (Ranger)

Paper: Kraft, White (PTI), Newspaper print, No clue on the pink or PP

Other: Pattern Wheel, QuickKutz Flowers01 die, homemade dew drops with Butter Scotch Alcohol Ink (Ranger), Twine (Gartner), misc. button and brad, Fiskars Texture Plate

LWID, updates and a little vacay...

2010-05-27T11:28:00.002-04:00

Ok, time for some housekeeping. My book club buddy at Dear Reader was the only person to submit for LOOK WHAT I DID and I have yet to give her proper credit and recognition. She has an ESTY shop here. At our last book club meeting, she shared with us her latest creations and her new pencils she had printed to advertise her shop. What a great idea! Swing by her blog and check out her shop. If she wants the scrapbook and paper pack, I can drive it over this week. I'll have to ask her. Otherwise, it will go into the next blog candy pile. Thanks for submitting. I am not sure I will keep trying to get LWID off the ground, still mulling the option.

Also, I made one card that I did not end up submitting for the Gallery Idol Open Call. I like it, but I did not feel it was strong enough to contend with all the other fantastic submissions. I hoarded the thanks stickers for years, so I am glad to have finally used them.

My staff assistant went to the local paper supply store and brought back sample books for me. Yippee! All the different papers and just the right size for card making. This is how I contribute to the reduce, reuse, upcycle, repurpose, freecycle movement. What fun! I just need to find the time to play.

Finally, I have the family in town starting this afternoon so I will be taking a few days off from Asleep in the Couch. Of course, if some thing great comes up, like I am selected for the next round of Gallery Idol, I will probably have to post. If you put it out there, the universe is supposed to send it back. Can't hurt to try believing it will happen. Funny thing is I would have to abandon my family to create my next round submission. I know. Cross that bridge when it comes. Worry about that when it happens. What if there were not what ifs?

Alright, everybody have a great weekend!

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my latest creation. I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or ask a question.

Happy Day!

Details:
Ink: Antique Linen (Ranger), Chestnut Roan, Dark Brown Chalk Inks (Colorbox)
Paper: Kraft, White (PTI)
Other: Stickers (JoAnn's Paper Craft Essentials), Rectangle (Spellbinders)

Last Gellery Idol Submission and KAH-wink-E-dink Winner

2010-05-25T13:29:00.000-04:00

Howdy!

I managed to squeeze in one more card for the Gallery Idol Open Call. Not to brag, but I really like this card! I guess that is not bragging, just stating that I am very pleased with the final product. The competition is stiff for the Gallery idol. I am just proud of myself for entering a few cards. I do suggest you go check out the submissions. If you submitted, Good Luck in the process.

Actually this card incorporates multiple challenges you will find the list at the bottom of this post, but I will highlight a few. The card is based on the following sketch.

Pile it On's challenge is "Outside the Box". My card is outside the box in a few ways, I did not stamp for this card. As you know this is outside the box for me. Plus my embellishments hang off the edge of the car. This actually qualifies me for The Crafty Pad Challenge, too.

My favorite part of this card is the phone cord. I used my kraft twine and a sharpie to color it black. Then I wrapped it around one of my Ikea hooks to create the curl and used clothes pins to secure the twist. To make sure it holds the curl, I painted the Modge Podge mixture from my flowers on the twine. What do you think of that?

I also wanted to let you know I won for last week's challenge at KAH-wink-E-dink. The challenge was to create your own embellishment. I submitted my "Thanks Berry Much "card from this post. How exciting!

Wow, this trying to do multiple challenges is time consuming. Not sure if I will be able to do this every time I post a card, but it was fun for today. Hope you have a great time visiting all the links.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my latest creation. I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or ask a question.

Happy Day!

Links:

Gallery Idol

Phone book Challenge

Get sketchy

KAH-wink-E-dink
Pile it on - Outside the Box
YNS - Cut it out and pop it up
The Crafty Pad (something hanging over the edge)
Inky Impressions (ripping, distressing, sparkles)
Creative Belli - punch holes for phone cord
Paper Craft Planet Simon Says Challenge - Bling

Details:

Ink: Chesnut Roan Chalk, Dark Brown Chalk (Colorbox), Antique Linen (Ranger)

Paper: Card base (DCWV), Phone book page, Black Card Stock (Recollections), Kraft (Reused Packaging), White (PTI)

Other: Ribbon(Hobby Lobby), Black Sharpie, Twine (Gartner), Modge Podge, Diamond Glaze, Label 1(Spellbinders), Clip art, printer

Thanks Berry Much

2010-05-21T11:55:00.001-04:00

Apparently my creative mojo is kickin' in the a.m. It seems all my inspiration comes right before I wake up and as I am getting ready for work. I started this card last night, but got frustrated and quit working on it around midnight. I wanted something simple with the strawberries as the big POP, but last night nothing really came together the way I envisioned. Well, this morning I seem to have a better handle on how to make my vision happen. I watched Ashley Cannon Newell's video this week on using the Ranger blending tool and Distress inks to create vintage paper embellishments. Ranger's website is down, so I linked to Ellen Hutson's store for these products. I used the same techniques to create emphasis on the sentiment and berries. Now, the berries are not floating on a cream card base with some words bouncing around them.

I used my Copics to color the strawberries. I did not have any berry images in my collection, so I found these on google images and re-sized them for my purposes. The little seed marks did smear a little when I first started coloring using the R0000, but the other colors did not seem to make the printer ink smear. Actually, the smearing contributed to the success of the not totally ripe end of the berries. No mistakes, just creative discoveries.

I submitted this card for this week's CARDS Magazine blog challenge, will submit it for the Gallery Idol Open Auditions and based the lay-out on this stripped down Caardvarks sketch. I listed other challenges under the links section at the bottom of this post.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my latest creation. I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or ask a question.

Happy Day!

Links:

Ellen Hutson

A New Design

CARDS Magazine blog

Gallery Idol
Caardvarks

Challenge:

Stamp Simply #140 - Gone Askew

oh-la-la creations - bright and cheerful

Kah-wink-e-dink - make your own embellishment

Details:
Stamps: Series 12(Studio G)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Momento), Antique Linen(Ranger), Chai(PTI)
Paper: Vintage Cream (PTI)
Copics: R(24,29,39,0000), G(12,24,28,0000), Y(13)
Other: Clip Art(My Coloring Pages)

Fabric Stiffener Tutorial

2010-05-19T23:59:00.002-04:00

Would you believe that Kim Kesti and I are on the same page? Well, we were both thinking about using stiffener with fabric to make it easier to cut and more structured. She posted about it here. This is my first "Tutorial" so be nice about the rough edges. I actually decided to create a tutorial after I had started the project so here it goes...

Pictures are in order from left to right:

1. I suggest you use throw away storage containers for this because the watered down Mod Podge will adhere to the walls of your container. Realized this after I used a nicer storage container. (I also dipped the white panel to give it some texture on the card.)

2. I used a variety of dies to cut my flower shapes. I backed the fabric with kraft card stock to make it easier to cut in the Cuttlebug. Plus, I can use those shapes later so no waste. (Kim used the stiffener to make using the dies with fabric easier. Why didn't I think of that?!)

3. Once you cut the shapes, dip them in the diluted Mod Podge and shape them by gathering in the center and clipping with a clothes pin. I know I could use a few pictures here demonstrating this process. I'll do better next time.

4. I experimented with creating rosettes and bunting, too.

5. I cut strips of fabric, dipped the strips in the mixture and then rolled the strips into balls and secured them with straight pins while they dried to create centers for the flowers.

6. Voila, finished flowers.

Things I learned:

Already told you about the mixture container. When I made the mixture, I added too much water, so I had to repeatedly dip the fabric to achieve the level of structure I wanted. Next time, I would decrease the amount of water so I had a more dense mixture. Keep your mixture stirred, the Mod Podge settles on the bottom. Wear gloves, the mixture will adhere to your nails.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my tutorial. I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or ask a question.

Have a great day!

Stiff flowers, Moxie Fab, 2S4Y, Mojo and Belli

2010-05-19T12:34:00.001-04:00

Over at Moxie Fab World, Cath posted a challenge to use fabric on cards. She asked us to be innovative. I know we are all making fabric flowers, but I have not seen anyone using fabric stiffener to give the flowers structure. I researched homemade stiffener and decided that combining water and Mod Podge would do the job. I made a "tutorial" and will post that later this afternoon.

Back to the card. I used the sketch from 2Sketches4You and borrowed elements from Mojo Monday and Cardabilities, specifically, the flower placement and the twine placement. This works for the Creative Belli challenge because I used a brad and had to punch a hole to insert the brad. Plus, I will submit this for the PaperCraft's Magazine Gallery Idol open call.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my latest creation. I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or ask a question.

Happy Day!

Links:
Moxie Fab World
2sketches4you
Mojo Monday
Cardabilities
Creative Belli

Details:

Stamps: Floral Fusion (PTI)
Ink: Raspberry Fizz, Chai (PTI)
Paper: Kraft (Colorbok), artsy.licious Fine Flocked Paper-Willow (Chatterbox), white card base (Michael's)
Other: Fabrics (Amy Butler), Twine (Gartner), Mod Podge Matte, Pearls (Recollections, Queen&Co.), Rhinestone (Darcie), Brad (Bazzill), Valentine's Day 2010 Ribbon (Hobby Lobby)

LWID and Preserves

2010-05-19T10:32:00.002-04:00

Hello happy readers!

It is time to share my LOOK WHAT I DID. Last weekend, I went strawberry picking with some friends and I wanted to show you the fruits of my labor. Get it?! Sometimes, I am so funny. You are looking at this year's strawberry preserves. I have not made strawberry preserves since I lived in California. I was making them on Mother's Day because I was so far away from my mom and her mom taught me to make the preserves so it was a connection of some sort. I lived in the center of strawberry field heaven and I had a lemon tree in my front yard. Really, it would have been a violation of some law of nature had I not made preserves.

Well, it just so happen that my kitchen in Cali was smaller than my current kitchen which translates into creative storage and balancing of tools, pans, bowls, etc. Towards the end of making the batch, I stood up to get something out of a cabinet and POP! the corner of the cabinet cut my forehead. After one failed attempt to close the wound using a butterfly bandage and some medical attention at the local emergi-care office, I have a small Harry Potter scar and a great story about how I gave up blood, sweat and tears for my mom's gift. The weekend's batch was much easier to make.

Edited: I used the Joy of Cooking recipe as the starting off point for the preserves. I decreased the sugar by a 1/2 a cup, used the juice of 2 1/2 lemons and only plumped for half a day.

So what have you been working on or accomplished lately? I said I would post pictures of the LWID Candy and forgot. This is the paper pack and the scrapbook.

We already have one adventurous artist willing to share. Check out who posted for LWID here and make sure to share your latest endeavor.

I'll hope to post a small tutorial and a new card later today.

Thanks for stopping. I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or ask a question.

Happy Day!

I love the smell of INSPIRATION in the morning...

2010-05-14T11:09:00.000-04:00

Happy Friday!

Do you ever wake up in the wee hours thinking about a card design? Well, I am not used to having my slumber interrupted by visions of cards dancing in my head. Today, I woke up with this card in my head. See, it all started yesterday when I finally took the last box (the ones I packed almost two years ago when I moved to Savannah) of craft supplies out of my car and opened it. I thought is was just a box of paper, but I was wrong. I found Thickers, stickers, ribbon, and a good bit of American Crafts patterned paper. What's scary is the fact that I still have more boxes in my parents storage room.

I opened the box, and immediately sat down to watch TV. My mojo was not kickin'. It might have been the big dinner I had with friends that put me in a little food coma. I had what you would call a delayed reaction because this morning, I was INSPIRED. I'm feeling good about making this card (and liking the final product), showering and still getting to work on time. For a minute, I debated the shower.

The sketch I used is from Card Patterns. I also used products that were over a year old so this works for the Cards Blog. Plus, it is a Thank You card, so I think I will submit it for the PaperCrafts' Magazine Gallery Idol Open Auditions. Oh, did you notice? NO STAMPS! Rarely do I make a card without stamping. Watch out, I am living on the edge, today. Check out the flower, so many layers and pearls. Love it!

Thanks for stopping by Asleep on the Couch. I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or ask a question.

Have a great weekend!

Links:
Card Paterns
Cards Blog
PaperCrafts' Magazine

Details:
Stamps: NONE
Ink: Chamomile (PTI)
Paper: a la Carte (AC Patterned Paper), Clear Acetate (Grafix), Paper Frills Bumblebee (Doodlebug Designs)
Other: Sprinkles Cucumber (AC Thickers), Decorative Trim (Hobby Lobby), Pearls (Michael's), Labels 1 (Spellbinders)

Aarrrr, 2Sketches4You!

2010-05-11T11:33:00.002-04:00

Ahoy, Matey! We had graduation last weekend and I made some cards for several of the graduates. We are the Pirates, so I thought the pirate ship image was perfect for these cards. I had the main image completed this weekend and struggled with how I wanted to finish out the cards. When I saw the 2Sketches4You sketch. I had a revelation. The waves work perfectly for the challenge and to finish off the cards.

I pulled out some old supplies on this card, puffy paint and liquid applique. LOVE the clouds! I hope the new grads appreciate the cards. I am still deciding on what the sentiment will be for each card. Here are a few ideas, "Godspeed", "Heave Ho" (for the one who has been here 8 years working on two degrees. Time to go.), "Smooth Sailing"... I keep coming up with new sentiments. Who knew that pirate ships were so inspiring!?

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my latest creation. I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or ask a question.

Happy Day!

Links:
2Sketches4You

Details
Stamps: Pirate Ship (RubberSoul), Everything Happy (Stampendous), Mr. Campy (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: Enchanted Evening, Aqua Mist, Chamomile (PTI), Blue Sky (Martha Stewart), Tuxedo Black (Momento)
Paper: Stamper's Select (PTI), Khaki (Paper Source)
Copics: R (39,0000), Y (13,15, 19, 0000), W2, C1, E (33,37,39), YG0000, Colorless Blender
Other: Square Die (Spellbinders), Diamond Glaze, Souffle pen (Sakura), Puffy Paint (Tulip), Liquid Applique (Marvy)

Mother's Day Triple Whammy

2010-05-07T00:04:00.000-04:00

Even though I was sure I would not get a chance to sit down at the craft table, I was able to do some crafting Wednesday night. This is a triple whammy card! I used this week's Cards Patterns sketch #62 to get the ball rolling. Of course, I needed to make a Mother's Day card, so I added Our Creative Corner challenge to make a Mother's Day Card with out flowers or blossoms.

Finally, I used the Embellish Magazine Color Challenge with Embossing. I really did not figure out a way to add the color green until it came to the packaging and I decided to use a green bow. Because it is bulky, I needed a deeper envelope. This PTI stamp box worked perfectly! I added a bow. BAM! Wonderful package for my dear mom. Actually, would you believe that I made all these decisions and only after the finally product was complete I realized it followed the Embellish challenge? I am sure my subconsciousness was involved. I did looked at the challenge colors when they were originally posted.

I took some advice from Ashley Cannon Newell. Recently she posted a video for PTI on how to use adhesive tape to make ruffles. Well, actually on using ribbon on cards, but I realized that the key is the adhesive. Boy, was it easier to put the two trims together and create the ruffles when I used Crop & Glue Lines High Tack which I had in my stash from the CHA Supershow. What was I thinking trying to use liquid glue!?

I'd love to know what you think. Thanks for visiting.

Happy Day!

Links:
Card Patterns Blog
Our Creative Corner
Embellish Magazine

Details:
Stamps: Fresh (American Craft), Glitter Stamping Starter set (Martha Stewart), Polka Dot Basics (PTI)
Ink: Versa Mark (Tsukineko), Tuxedo Black (Momento), Chai (PTI)
Paper: Lemon Tart, Stamper's Select, Hibiscus Burst (PTI)
Other: Deep Impression Embossing Powder Clear (Stampendous) Decorative Trim Turquoise (Hobby Lobby) Decorative Trim White (Wal-mart), Labels 1, Square (Spellbinders), Pearls (Michael's), Diamond Glaze

Busted LWID

2010-05-05T19:02:00.000-04:00

OK. So, my LOOK WHAT I DID idea is not the next big thing in crafting. But, I am not giving up on this idea, just yet. I know each of you have great stuff happening and I want to make sure that you get to share it with each other. I guess, I'll just have to bribe you... MORE BLOG CANDY!

I will reopen the inlinkz for the LWID. The carrot is... another box of goodies, including a 12 x 12 red scrapbook and a selection of patterned papers. I'll take a picture and get the whole package posted next week. Is that tempting enough? Please share an LWID with the rest of us, we really want to know what you have been doing with your time. I'll randomly draw a winner from the people who submit for LWID.

I'll start. Remember I said I was heading home to spend the weekend with my nephew? Well, this is the picture of us heading into the Braves game...

and this is about 20 seconds after we got back in the car at the end of the game...

We had a BLAST! I LOVE that kid! I know, I know... He is the CUTEST kid ever. I am busy with graduations, so the cards postings are not likely before Monday. I am working on some so I will have pics next week.

By the way, I made Super 6 for Sketch 61 at Card Patterns Sketch challenge blog. The link is in my side bar under the Featured Designs section. Go see what the five other card makers submitted for the challenge plus the winner's card.

Thanks for stopping by and I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or ask a question.

Happy Day!

Here's how you post for LWID:

Upload your LWID to your blog, click on your blog post title, copy the URL, and add it to Inlinkz below or upload your project to this flickr gallery, copy the URL for the flickr page and put that in the Inlinkz.
Pick your image and complete the process.
Upload your projects by11:59 p.m EST, Wednesday May 19.

Aunt Sally and Color Cue

2010-04-30T11:19:00.000-04:00

Happy Friday!

I am headed north to spend the weekend with my nephews. Pretty excited about being Aunt Sally for a few days. the highlight, or potential disaster, just depends on how you look at it and what happens, is the 4 year-old T-ball team trip to a Braves game. Not sure if I am excited or terrified. Either way, I am sure I will have a a great visit. On to the latest card...

This is a triple whammy. First, I wanted to participate in the current Wplus9 Design Studio Color Cue challenge. Then I used the Card Patterns Sketch #61 and followed the Creative Belli challenge to use something from my stash to create a birthday themed card. Well, I had to tweak the colors a little to use what I had in my stash, but I held to the color families. To meet the Creative Belli challenge, I used the brilliance ink that has sat in my drawer forEVER, pulled out the pearls and not gems, and dug through my wrapping paper drawer for the tissue paper.

But, wait. That is not all folks. I even finished the inside of the card. Banners are all the rage so I added one to the inside. I woke up thinking about what to say in the sentiment and "Put on your party dress. We're Celebrating!" won the battle in my semi-slumber state. Off to do some work before I hit the road to Atlanta. Wish me luck!

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my latest creation. I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or ask a question.

Happy Day!

Links:
Wplus9
Card Patterns Sketch
Creative Belli

Details:
Stamps: Warble (American Craft+Dear Lizzie), Everything Happy (Stampendous)
Ink: Brilliance - Pearlescent Lavender (Tsukineko), Tuxedo Black (Momento), Chai Blend (PTI)
Paper: Lemon Tart, Stamper's Select (PTI), Floral Collection (ANW Crestwood), white tissue paper
Copics: YG (0000), Y(13)
Other: Pearl Accent (Micheal's), Diamond Glaze, Scallop Punch, Heidi Grace paper distressing tool

Inside the Owl and LWID

2010-04-28T11:35:00.004-04:00

Happy Wednesday!

I had a few questions about the inside of the last card. Yes, I did have the inside stamped and completed. Pretty proud of finishing the "whole" card. I even trimmed the owl out so I could cover the evidence of Copic coloring. Speaking of Copics, Dawn at WPlus9 Design Studio, just like me, is still trying to master the Copic. Check out her new stamp set and the adorable pram she colored for her first round of sneak peeks for this months stamp release. Super cute baby images. Did you see that amazing flower, too? Can't wait to see the rest...

Now, LOOK WHAT I DID... I won this great set of stamps from My Cute Stamps. Holly had a contest for Earth Day and my comment was selected. Yippie for me! I took the picture next to my Making Maroon Green sticker. What that means is I am a on a committee here at work that is trying to make the school more "Green" Every little effort counts! I look forward to cracking the seal on these stamps and making some wonderful cards. So, I shared my LOOK WHAT I DID, now it is your turn.

Here's how you do it:

Upload your LWID to your blog, click on your blog post title, copy the URL, and add it to Inlinkz below or upload your project to this flickr gallery, copy the URL for the flickr page and put that in the Inlinkz.
Pick your image and complete the process.
Upload your projects by11:59 p.m EST, Wednesday May 5.

Thanks for stopping by Asleep on the Couch Design. I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or ask a question. Happy Day!

Links:
My Cute Stamps
WPlus9 Design Studio

Way to go Graduate!

2010-04-23T14:36:00.000-04:00

Happy Friday!

I am glad to see the end of this week. This time of year, I always have a few student graduating so I make a couple grad cards.

Dawn over at WPlus9 Design Studio had this great response to the Everything but the Kitchen Sink challenge and I was inspired by her response to the sketch.

In my head the knot in the tree was the perfect response to this sketch. On top of that, Paige over at Cards Magazine asked that we use wood grain on our cards this week while

Cath at Moxie Fab gave us another sketch. Finally, the diamond glaze on his eyes (hard to see, I'll post a better picture later) makes this Papertrey Peeps worthy. Off to a student retreat...

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my latest creation. I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or ask a question. Happy Day!

Links:
Moxie Fab
Cards Magazine Blog
Everything but the Kitchen Sink
Papertrey Peeps

Details:
Stamps: UR A Hoot (Cornish Heritage Farms), Grow - a- Garden (Basic Grey), Warble (American Craft), Mr. Campy (Cosmo Cricket),
Ink: Dark Chocolate (PTI), Tuxedo (Momento)
Paper: Kraft (PTI), Bank Roll (Bazzill)
Copics: R (29), W (2), E (33.37, 39), Y (19,15), YG (0000)
Other: Diamond Glaze

Thinking of You

2010-04-22T13:03:00.000-04:00

The daughter of a person I work with passed away last week, and I decided to make a card. I have not really dabbled in sympathy or paying respects cards so this was a new experience for me. Very telling, I might add, because I learned a lot about myself in the process. For instance, I used my Copics to add new green buds to the branch. I really felt it important to demonstrate that the cycle of life continues even when we loose a loved one. In this case, the person was young and I felt the butterfly was a great representation of the beauty of life even when the life is short. Finally, the empty nest spoke to me because I am sending this to the mother who lost her child. I know, pretty heavy stuff, but sometimes it goes way beyond use of white space and finding just the right embellie.

I "loosely" based this card on this weeks 2Sketches4You challenge. I rotated the sketch, used the bulk of the branch as the large element across the whole card and the lower branch to represent the half scallop. Our Creative Corner challenged everyone to use butterflies and Papertrey Peeps challenge #6 is to add some bling. While it is subtle, the butterfly is covered with glitter. All told, this is a triple whammy!

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my latest creation. I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or ask a question.

Happy Day!

Links:
2Sketches4You
Our Creative Corner
Papertrey Peeps

Details:

Stamps: Grow-a-Garden (Basic Grey), Glitter Starter Stamp Kit (Martha Stewart), Autumn Abundance (PTI)

Ink: Dark Chocolate Perfect Match, Chai Blend, Chamomile (PTI)

Paper: White card blank (Michaels)

Copics: R (24), Y (15,13,19), G (28,24)

Other: Crystal Fine Glitter (Martha Stewart), Xyron Sticker Maker

Loook What KatyDidCrafts Did

2010-04-20T10:53:00.001-04:00

Yes, I am ALIVE! This having a day job is really cramping my crafting style. Oh well, it does pay the bills and keep me in crafting supplies. So, I had two readers link up for LOOK WHAT I DID.

Thanks to KatyDidCraft and Sandyh50!

Sandy won one of the Birthday Blog Candy packages. (BTW, I finally mailed those so be looking for your packages ladies. They should arrive towards the end of this week.) This means Sandy has gotten some page time here on Asleep on the Couch, so this week's

LWID Featured Designer is

KatyDidCrafts

I have to admit, the designer is a good friend and I am a little partial to her work. She is super cool and her felted stuffed animals are just adorable. She has several other pictures of her creations as well as many of her other interest featured on here blog. Head on over and check it out...

Thanks for stopping by Asleep on the Couch. My hope is to get some cards posted this week and to start another LOOK WHAT I DID. Dig through your stash of creations and accomplishments and find what you can share with the rest of us. I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or ask a question.

Happy Day!

Falling to Pieces plus Shimmer & Shine

2010-04-12T08:00:00.008-04:00

A while back, I posted several version of a Halloween card. Well, this is the one I ended up actually putting together. I am very pleased with the final product except that you can't really see the ribbon treatment. I folded and glued the ribbon back and forth on the end with the pumpkin and witch's hat. Super cute in person, but the black on black makes it hard to capture on camera. Because the background is two different patterned papers pieced together, I am submitting for the current Moxie Fab World Challenge, Picking up the Pieces.

The frame is cute with Spellbinders Label 1 and I made it sparkle and shine with Stickles. The witch's hat shines because I added some Diamond Glaze on the band and buckle. Interestingly enough, Paper Crafts Magazine's current challenge is for things that, "Shimmer & Shine"and I think this qualifies. So, DOUBLE whammy!

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my latest creation. I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or ask a question.

Happy Day!

Links:

Moxie Fab World

Paper Crafts

Raindrops and gun shots

2010-04-08T18:06:00.003-04:00

It's almost Friday!

I am so glad to get a card made and posted this week. Working on a college campus, this time of year is always jam packed with job responsibilities. I was able to break away for a little while last night and get my fingers dirty with ink and glue. For the ~~triple~~ quadruple whammy, I used clouds/raindrops for the Cards Blog challenge, added some string to the sentiment for the Everything but the Kitchen Sink challenge, Our Creative Corner wanted us to use buttons and stepped up my game by using the color combo from the Embellish Magazine submission challenge. Bam!

The center of the sun is crinkled up tissue paper colored with Copics and the raindrops are Cloud 9 Design Rain Dots colored with Copics and then sealed with Diamond Glaze. I kept getting blue marker ink on my fingers because it would not dry on the Rain Dots so I covered them with the glaze. Ingenuity is a wonderful thing because I like the drops much better after adding the glaze. I love those extra touches!

Now, I did mention gun shots, well, actually I mean, Did you know that the sound of a Cuttle Bug exploding sounds a lot like a gun shot?! Needless to say, my Cuttle Bug is dead. I was trying to do to much and the machine said, "I do not think so." My dog almost bolted out the window, and I ducked under my craft table for fear a stray bullet might get me. Alas, it was just the sound of my machine busting into several pieces.

What type of cutting and embossing system do you use

and why do you like it, or not?

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my latest creation. I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or ask a question.

Happy Day!

Links:

Everything but the Kitchen Sink

Cards Blog Challenge

Embellish Magazine
Our Creative Corner

Details:

Stamps: Scattered Showers, Boarders &Corners Monogram (PTI), Series 21 (Studio G), Fun, (American Crafts)

Ink: Rasberry Fizz, Noir, Summer Sunrise, Chamomile (PTI)

Paper: Stampers Select (PTI), Blue Claypso (Bazzill), white tissue paper

Copics: C1, Y(19,15,13), BG49

Other: Floss (DMC3809), Diamond Glaze, Corner Punch, Rain Dots (Cloud 9 Design)

Blog Candy Winners

2010-04-07T14:00:00.003-04:00

Congratulation Blog Candy Winners!

flutefish said... Would love to add some stamps and other goodies to my collection
Maria Turd
sandyh50 said... I just found your blog and became a follower! Thanks for the chance to win!

Please send me an email with your mailing addresses so I can get these boxes out of my studio and into your craft space. Hope you have fun with your new goodies. Do not forget to submit your LOOK WHAT I DID. Also, I'll give away the PTI stamp set when I have 50 followers so spread the word.

Happy Day!

LOOK WHAT I DID Kick-Off

2010-04-07T12:33:00.000-04:00

Is it Wednesday already?! Last week I mentioned that I wanted to get a chance to see what your are doing in your crafty world. This is how I posed it, "I really do want to know what makes you proud and gives you the hankering to share with others." As you have seen this week, I posted 2 LOOK WHAT I DIDs before the actually kick-off day.

For today, I will take you back to where it all began. My card making started when I was in living in Arizona and decided to make my holiday cards. Little did I know, I was living in the mecca for scrapping and paper crafts. I would love to have all the resources of the Phoenix valley within driving distance, now. Back then, I thought all places had a scrapbook store on every corner. You can see I discovered heat embossing, vellum and chalk early on in the process.

I chose to post this, because I brought another box of my studio stuff back from my parent's house this weekend and it contained my notebook full of old cards, several punches, my chalks and HEAT EMBOSSING tool. I have missed heat embossing. Even with the mess it can make, I am excited to play with the powders and my newer stamps. You should see my older cards, it is amazing how my style has changed and how the industry has grown in 10 years. I am excited to see what the future holds. Enough about me and memory lane...

Please join in and share your LOOK WHAT I DID. Feel free to share something new or old.

Stand up and say, " LOOK WHAT I DID!"

By the way, that box I brought back also contained some great stuff for a new blog candy. Just dangling the carrot. Winners of the Birthday Blog candy will be announced this afternoon around 2 p.m. EST.

I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or ask a question.

Happy Day!

Here's how you do it:

Upload your LWID to your blog, click on your blog post title, copy the URL, and add it to Inlinkz below or upload your project to this flickr gallery, copy the URL for the flickr page and put that in the Inlinkz.
Pick you image and complete the process.
Upload your projects by11:59 p.m EST, Friday April 9.

Little MESS and my good deed for the day

2010-04-06T12:16:00.000-04:00

No card today, and no drawing for Blog Candy winners. I know, what is the hold up? Well, blame it on this little one... Don't be fooled by the adorable face and crooked nose, HE is a MESS. See, what had happened was... I, minding my own business, went to put my suitcase in my car on Friday morning to go home for a visit. Then just as I was headed back up my front stairs, I heard it, "Is this your dog?"
D'oh, I did not go fast enough up the stairs and back into the house. Enter cute puppy with no owner to be found, me headed out of town and the morning commuters zooming by at 90 miles an hour on our street just inches from his cute little tail (OK, a slight exaggeration, but I needed to create suspense). He joined me as I finished my morning routine and then we headed to work.

Divine intervention, I saw the Eureka Farms RV ahead of me in traffic. My dog stays at Eureka Farms when I travel. I essentially stalked the RV until it stopped and then begged the owner to take the little booger until I returned on Monday.

Well, last night was entertaining to say the least. I had to juggle feeding the dogs, this little one will eat anything you put in front of him. My dog was feeling all, "Why is he here?" and "How could you let him eat my food?" I did manage to make signs and get them posted on the street at about 10 p.m. We survived the evening, only to endure crate time. Oh my, can he whine and cry! Needless to say, I did not get much sleep last night. While he was all bright and chipper this morning, but I was dragging. On my way to work, I got a call from his mom. She just knew he was gone forever. Nope, he is at my house, I am sure still whimpering in his crate. Boy, do I appreciate my almost 4 year-old dog more today than yesterday.

So, I will work on a card and the drawing this afternoon. When the little MESS goes back to his house and my dog, Linus, returns to snoozing on his bed while I create.

Happy Day!

Preemptive Look What I Did

2010-04-03T09:38:00.002-04:00

Saturday Greetings!

I know that I was going to wait until Wednesday to post my LOOK WHAT I DID, but I am just too excited. So this is my second early LOOK WHAT I DID, check out the Cards Blog. Guess who has a card featured from the last challenge? I did several happy dances yesterday and tried to explain to anyone who might get "it" that I was on the blog. Not everyone was as excited as me, mainly because they are not familiar with the whole card making world, but I assured them they should be impressed and amazed by my talent (wink, wink). OK, this should be my last preemptive LOOK WHAT I DID.

I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or ask a question.

Happy Day!

LOOK WHAT I DID...

2010-04-01T18:51:00.000-04:00

Hey everybody!

LOOK WHAT I DID. This is the new post I plan to host. I love telling you what I made, but I want a way for my subscribers, really anyone to share what they do with others, so LOOK WHAT I DID was born. I have thought about names for at least two weeks, and I will try this one on for size, for now.

Basically, on Wednesday, I will post a new project and tell you what I did. Usually I post cards, but this could be anything I make, accomplish, achieve, discover, and experience... I'll add an Inlinkz and hope that you will post your LOOK WHAT I DID. Then others can visit your blogs and check out what you are proud to share with everyone.

For example, my new blog banner is a LOOK WHAT I DID. I used my digital scrap images and Microsoft Word to make my new banner. It is that simple. Complex only if you decide to own up to how many hours it actually took to figure out how to place all those images, add a background, get the sizing correct, learn to save it as a PNG image and change the banner in blogger. Of course, that is just an example. I whipped this banner together in no time with ease, wink, wink, nudge, nudge.

Please consider joining me next Wednesday for LOOK WHAT I DID. I am posting now, so you can capitalize on that moment between now and Wednesday that you get that warm proud feeling and think, "Dang, I did a good job on that." or "Well, I'll be. I need to tell someone about that..." Not sure if you put thoughts in quotes, but they needed something to set them apart from the rest of my rambling.

I will cruise through all of your submissions and pick a few to highlight in a post later in the week. I am working on a blinkie for you to put on your blog when I highlight your LOOK WHAT I DID. Be patient, I did just figure out how to save a picture as PNG for my banner.

Now, I know many of you might have Esty shops and I love that you are hopefully making money with your crafts. Share what is new and exciting, maybe a new product design, a new pattern, a technique that you mastered or that you actually sold something on Etsy for the first time. Please don't use this a just a way to plug your shop. Your craft will speak for itself when you share your LOOK WHAT I DID.

No. This is not an April fool's joke. I really do want to know what makes you proud and gives you the hankering to share with others. I am off to visit with family, so I may not post again until Monday. If you are looking for him, I hope the Easter Bunny finds you. If not, enjoy the beauty of a warm spring day!

I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or ask a question.

Happy Day!

Eggs Galore

2010-03-31T21:54:00.000-04:00

Eggs, eggs everywhere, not a chicken in sight, but what a cute chick! Have I mentioned that I am pretty corny? I believe it is one of my endearing qualities. This is my Easter card. I am very happy with the finished product. All that fussy cutting flowers was not a ton of fun, but the outcomes works for me. In my rush to get out of the house this morning, I left the post-it with all the details on my craft table. I'll update the details tomorrow. Speaking of tomorrow, it is the last day to participate in my blog candy. RUN, don't walk to your craft space and make a card using this sketch.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my latest creation. I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or ask a question.

Happy Day!

Details:

Stamps:

Ink:

Paper:

Copics:

Other:

Moxie Fab Package and one Card three ways

2010-03-29T17:35:00.000-04:00

Howdy all,

I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend. The highlight of my weekend was sushi and a pedicure with my friend, Kate. Nothing like a full belly, a massage chair and a hot stone foot massage. Wish I could do that every weekend.

Actually, that was not the only highlight of my weekend. On Saturday when I returned home, under my welcome mat was a package of goodies from Moxie Fab World! I won one of Cath's drawings. Oh, my, she sent me a a bunch of craft stuff. Look at the American Crafts package of FUN! Of course, I will pay it forward by keeping some in my "To Be Blog Candy Pile", but the rest I will have a blast figuring out how to use in upcoming cards.

Also, this weekend, I spent some time working on a new card. I spent a good amount of time trying to decide where to place the elements. As you can see below, I moved the little witches hat and pumpkin around about 50 million times. OK, a slight exaggeration, but I did struggle with where they should land. Finally, I just said, "Enough." and stuck them down on the card. I'll share the final card in a later post with much better pictures.

Remember my blog candy and challenge (See the top of this page). April 1 is just around the corner and I said I would give the PTI stamp set away if I have 250 followers. As you can see, I am no where near 250, but I do loooove my 21 (at last count) Followers. So, I might drop it down a little. Spread the word and tell your blog friends to sign up as a follower.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my latest creation. I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or ask a question.

Happy Day!

Links:

Moxie Fab World

American Crafts

Gossip, 2S4Y, and Embellish Magazine

2010-03-25T14:10:00.002-04:00

Hello all!
I wondered why my inbox was blowing up with blog candy comments and then I saw the email from Craft Gossip.com. They posted about my blog candy; link is at the top of the page if you have questions! SO excited to get the word out to others that I am hosting a blog candy challenge. All I want to do is share some craft love and encourage creativity. OK. I admit. I do feel cooler now that I have been on Craft Gossip.

Last night, I spent the evening talking on the phone with my BFF and making this card. This is a double whammy for 2Sketches4You and Embellish Magazine. Set a craft goal yesterday, and accomplished it. Now if I could just do that in my work life, personal life...back to the important stuff.

I tried a some new things on this card. At one of the numerous blogs I visit each week, maybe even one from the JustRite blog hop, the card maker noted that she did not fully ink up the stamp. I liked the result, so I tried the technique on my card. Also, Debbie Olsen recently did a tutorial on how to color white silk ribbon with Copic refills. Well, I have no refills, so I colored the whole ribbon with R29 and put it in a plastic bag added a couple drops of colorless blender and smushed it around achieving much the same effect as Debbie. Finally, I had nothing navy in my paper stash so I used PTI Enchanted Evening to ink white card stock to make myself a sheet of dark blue paper. I left a little white peeking through and you can see that in the punched edge. All and all, I am pleased with the end result. I even like my blue and green poinsettias.

This week I have spent some time fine-tuning a new weekly posting I plan to host. Not a challenge, but a way to toot your horn and show off a little. Still getting the kinks worked out, but I hope to roll it out next week.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my latest creation. I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or ask a question.

Happy Day!

Links:
Craft Gossip
2S4Y
Embellish Magazine
JustRite
Debbie Olson
PTI

Details:

Stamps: Peaceful Poinsettia (PTI), Majestic (American Craft),

Ink: Frost (VersaMark Dazzle), Pure Poppy, Enchanted Evening, New Leaf, Chai Blend (PTI)

Paper: Bank Roll (Bazzill), Stamper's Select, Kraft (PTI)

Copics: R29, 0

Other: Oyster Twine (Gartner), Green Grass Pearl (Queen & Co.), Button from stash, Double Loop Punch (Martha Stewart)

Triple Card Score

2010-03-24T14:06:00.001-04:00

As I speculated, no post this past weekend. Too much fun eating my way through Savannah and visiting with friends. We had a great weekend! DT, you can come back when ever your want a little Savannah in your life.

I did get a chance to create last night. I love NCIS, but I am ~~too cheap~~ on a tight budget so I use an antenna rather than pay for cable. Well, as of late, my channel 11 has not been receiving. So, I missed last night's episode and managed to muster up some creative mojo to replace the NCIS crew.

Bam!
A triple challenge card including Lucy's Card's, Clean and Simple style, Color Cue from Wplus9 Studio, use white, teal, light yellow and bright pink and Paper Crafts Go-to Sketch Challenge #1. It felt good to make something after taking a few days off. I also started collecting my supplies for the Embellish Magazine and 2S4U challenges. Need to knock those out tonight. A girl has to have goals.

Things are warming up here and I am loving the later sunlight. Not such a fan of the sand gnats that come with the hotter days, but I'll survive. Thought I would also share a picture of the pots on my front steps. So festive and springy...

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my latest creation. I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or ask a question.

Happy Day!

Links:

Paper Crafts Magazine

Lucy's Cards

Color Cue
Embellish Magazine
2S4U
NCIS

Details:
Stamps: Papertrey Ink: Scattered Showers (sentiment), Heidi Grace: Valentine's Day

Ink: Papertrey Ink: Raspberry Fizz, Chai blend VersaMark Dazzle, Frost

Paper: Papertrey Ink: Stamper's Select, Lemon Tart Bazzil: Watermelon Sensation and I am not sure the name of the teal-blue paper.

Copics: C1, Y0000, Colorless blender

Embellies: Recollections: Pearl, Heidi Swapp: Florals, miscellaneous button from my stash.

Other: EKSuccess Corner rounder, Heidi Swapp paper distresser

2 Sketches 4 You Bonus sketch

2010-03-18T12:26:00.001-04:00

Hello all! I can say that now because I have followers. Yippie for me! Thanks for those who have already signed up as a follower or subscribed. Please spread the word so we have the 250 needed to have the drawing for the PTI Floral Fusion stamp set.

This weekend I am hosting a friend from Maryland, so I am pretty sure that I will not be posting or creating. Who knows, I may squeeze it in, but I feel like we will spend most of the weekend eating our way through Savannah. I have found some new places to try and I take hosting guest as my way to justify over indulging. Love it when people visit!

This is my submission for the 2sketches4you bonus sketch designed by Sarah Martina. Love what Sarah does with her card making supplies. She is so talented.

I used a file folder in my office to create a faux photo box. I think the picture turned out pretty well. The background adds something, but does not take away from the actual card. OK, I suggest everyone go get some good food and catch up with an old friend like I plan to do this weekend.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my latest creation. I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or ask a question.

Happy Day!

Details:

Stamps: Studio G: Hello, American Crafts: Majestic

Ink: Momento: Tuxedo Balck, Versamark: Dazzle

Paper: Card blak, Bazzill: Whirlpool

Copics: Spica Clear

Other: Bazzill Fab Brad,Darice Finishing Accents, Amy Butler Fabric

Floral Fusion, anyone?!

2010-03-15T17:31:00.000-04:00

I know I promised this last Friday, but this is as soon as I could get it posted. I already posted here about the boxes of goodies. I have THREE boxes full of stamps, stickers, ribbon, embellishments, storage tools, buttons, etc. Now, I am adding... drumroll, please....

CHA Summer Papertrey Ink stamp set, Floral Fusion!

Now that the stakes are MUCH higher, I have a new set of guidelines.

1. Submit a comment to enter on this post. If you have commented since the original post, I will include you and feel free to comment again for a second chance. Please only one comment per person.
2. Complete a card using the sketch or color combo and link to it using the Inlinkz a the bottom of the page to enter again

These are all Papertrey Ink colors, but any versions will do, just keep it in the same family.

3. Become a follower of Asleep on the Couch to enter again.

4. If you have a blog, post about the give away and link back to Asleep on the Couch. Please note this in your comment so I can give proper credit for multiple entries.

Here is the catch, I will do the drawings on April 1 only if I have 250 followers. Now, I know that is a lot of people, but you cannot buy this stamp set and I am excited to share it with someone who is willing to help out my cause by spreading the word about Asleep on the Couch and participating in the fun.

Props to 1. LInda Lynch and 2. Robin Kirkpatrick for submitting challenge cards the first time around. Of course, they will get credit for those efforts.

I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or ask a question.

Happy Day!

Owl be Irish for a day!

2010-03-11T18:16:00.001-05:00

Even though I am a redhead, I understand that is due to my Scottish roots. So, I pretend on St. Patrick's Day to be a lovely lass from Er'land (that is my attempt at an Irish accent in writting). Here in Savannah, we go over board for St. Pats. Green fountains, parades with lots of Irish people, green beer and more green beer. Businesses close, mayhem in the streets, OK, maybe not that over board, but the wild rumpus definitely ensues. I can't wait for the fun to start!

This is a 2Sketches4you and GetSketchy.com bonus challenge theme, Spring card. St. Patrick's means it is March, and after March comes April Showers. Of course, it is raining so hard outside as I type this that I am putting on my floaties (see insert) before I head to the car.

Did I just say April Flowers? I wonder how I might bring flowers in March? Tomorrow is the day I post the addition to the Birthday blog candy. Oh, that makes me think of PTI. They are having fun with the new release. Go check it out, here. Stop by tomorrow for the candy details.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my latest creation. I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or ask a question.

Happy Day!

Details:

Paper: Mi Casa (DCWV), Monkeying Around/Banana Leaf (Recollections), Lime Crush (Bazzill), white card base

Stamps: Series 12 and Series 29 (Studio G)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Momento), Chai, Chamomile (PTI)

Copics: Y19, 13, YG0000, E37, 39, 33, W20

Other: Jelly Roll pen (Sakura), Diamond Glaze, embossing plates (Fiskars), Rain Forest, Pear Blossom, Mango Mamba Twinkling H2O (LuminArte)

Final Moxie Fab

2010-03-08T18:23:00.000-05:00

This is my Love submission. See the happy couple riding off into the sunset? Ok, the sun is pretty high in the sky to be a sunset, but you know what I mean. This is definitely out of the box for me. I tried to create a scene around the adorable stamp from Heidi Grace. My execution is not perfect, but I think I will keep working on it. I feel like this type of card forces me to use my stamps in more creative ways. I also used masking, paper piecing, and of course, my Copics. Have you tried anything like this?

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my latest creation. I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or ask a question.

Happy Day!

Details:

Paper: Silver Lining - Luster (We R Memory Keepers), white card base

Stamps: Valentine's Day (Heidi Grace), Road Trip (Inkadinkadoo), Everything Happy (Stampendous)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Momento)

Copics: R29,R24, RV09, RV11, Y19, Y13, Y15, G24, G28,G12, R0000, BG0000, YG0000, BG45, BG10 Atyou spica clear

Other: Gemstone (Paperstudio)

More Moxie

2010-03-08T18:20:00.000-05:00

I was inspired by the Oscars to create, so this is one of my final submissions for the Moxie Fab Stamping Olympics. My first card is clean and simple. My color choice is bright and packs a punch. I read that the IT color this season is turquoise, so I added this ribbon. I like the final result. What do you think?

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my latest creation. I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or ask a question.

Happy Day!

Details:

Paper: White(PTI), white card blank (Michaels)

Stamps: Thank You (Inkadinkadoo)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Momento)

Copics: R24, R29, R0000, Y13, Y19, Y0000, RV09, BG45, BG10, Atyou spica clear

Ribbon: Celebrate It Dashes, Dots and Checks, Decorative Petals (Michael's),

Other: Gemstone (Paperstudio)

Reading is fundamental

2010-03-08T15:32:00.000-05:00

The Handmade Marketplace: How to Sell Your Crafts Locally, Globally, and On-Line

I used my birthday gift card to buy this book on Saturday, along with a Cinnamon Dolce Frappuccino® Blended Coffee and a peanut butter cookie. I had to use my "free" money for a little indulgence, plus I think it falls in the "calories do not count on your birthday "category since it was originally a gift given on my birthday. Do not judge me!

Kari has a fresh view of making and selling your handmade products. The book is personable and fun while informative and chocked full of wisdom from successful designers and business people. Already, I am waking up in the middle of the night jotting down ideas and thoughts. I am not sure I want to start selling my wares on a broad scale anytime soon, but I am inspired after reading this book. Expect to see changes in my blogging. No worries, all good stuff. I want you to have the best experience possible when you visit this little slice of the cyberspace pie. So, I am making some tweaks and doing some long term goals setting to ensure a quality product. I guess at this point, my product is Asleep on the Couch.

I still remember promising a bigger and better blog candy. I am adding a little floral flare to the pot, hint, hint. Look for the reveal later this week. This evening, I will post some new creations.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my latest thoughts and creation. I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or ask a question.

Happy Day!

P.S. Did you notice I have THREE followers? I know I have more followers than that, but it is so neat to see the little blocks pop up in the sidebar. I love seeing how people visualize their identity. Notice the cute elephant from my friend, Kate, at KatyDidCrafts. Check out the great stuffed animals she makes...

Embellish and a few others

2010-03-05T15:32:00.003-05:00

Hello all, I carved out some time last night to focus on the Embellish challenge. So many of the challenge are asking us to think SPRING! I admit that is difficult when in Savannah we are waking up to freezing temps. Alas, I got the fever a little bit last night and this is the result. What do you think? So many of my latest cards have been feminine and fluffy. SO not my style, but I guess there is a sweet little girl hidden somewhere deep inside this crusty outer shell. Get Sketchy posted a Spring theme challenge, so this is a double whammy. PLUS, I used an adapted version of the 2Sketches4You sketch as my jumping off point.

Hoping to give an update on the birthday challenge turned on-going challenge by Monday. If you are a PTI fan, you will be eager to see what I am adding to the blog candy. Just a little hint, this is not available in any PTI monthly releases.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my latest creation. I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or ask a question.

Happy Day!

Details:

Paper: Lemon Tart (PTI), Passionate, Bluff (Bazzill), Willow (Chatterbox)

Stamps: Everything Happy (Stampendous)

Copics: G28, Atyou spica clear

Other: Embossing plate (Cuttlebug), Double Loop punch (Martha Stewart), Celebrate Decorative Petals (Michael's), Gemstone (Paperstudio)

Floss 3701(DMC)

Double whammy and the Olympics

2010-03-01T22:38:00.001-05:00

I carved out some time for creating this evening. I had an offer to watch a movie and seriously considered it, but I've neglected my craft table so I stayed at home and gave it some love. I am pretty sure it feels better. Apparently,I enjoy personalizing inanimate objects. So, I managed to make one card. Yes, it is a double whammy. The sketch design I used is 2Sketches4You and the color combo is from Michelle Wooderson's colors for PTI's spring color challenge.

Not talking about the recent Olympics. No ice skating here, I guess this is really a triple whammy. Hey, that does sound like an ice skating move. This card is also my first submission for the Moxie Fab Olympics. I am entering this one under the "thinking of you" category.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my latest creation. I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or ask a question.

Happy Day!

Details:

Paper: Lemon Tart, Aqua Mist, Lavender Moon, Spring Moss(PTI), Clear Craft Plastic(Grafix)

Stamps: Scattered Showers (PTI)

Ink: Chai, New Leaf(PTI)

Other: Embossing plate (Fiskars), Crystal Fine Glitter (Martha Stewart)

Just an update

2010-03-01T17:44:00.000-05:00

My work life got in the way of my craft and hobby life, so I have been MIA for a few days. I know the birthday challenge ended yesterday, but I have something big up my sleeve so I am extending the deadline. Participation was a little lack luster and I know that I can drum up some more participants with my surprise. I'll post in the coming days with some new creations and the surprise. Thanks to those who signed up to follow, left comments and attempted the sketch or color challenge. In the final drawing, I will include anyone who falls in those categories TWICE. Thanks for the patience.

Thanks for stopping by and I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or ask a question.

Happy Day!

2010-02-24T15:22:00.000-05:00

No new creation today, but I did figure out how to make my blog have a third column. Feeling pretty good about that technological success! I hope to slowly make adjustments to the blog to update my "image".
This is a big week at Moxie Fab World. They are giving away stamps from My Cute Stamps! Love it! I don't know about you, but this week is mad crazy with fun stamp and card making stuff, check out Papercraft Connections for more fun.

I did purchase this last night and can not wait to have the time to devour all the information, images, tips and goodness.

Thanks for stopping by Asleep on the Couch. I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or ask a question.

Happy Day!

Added Bonus

2010-02-23T14:44:00.000-05:00

I survived the trip north to Atlanta with the van full of college students. It has taken me since Sunday to get it all back in place and be able to think about Asleep on the Couch. Fret not, I did spend my advising time being crafty and you will reap the benefits. I am adding these adorable hand made flowers to the Birthday candy packages. So on top of the stamps, stickers, paper, ribbon, tools, buttons, beads, and other fun stuff, now, you can also win crochet embellishments. Super cute!

I will admit, I am a little sad to only see one name under Mr. Linky. I hope that everyone is busy creating and will post at the last minute. To keep it interesting, I may have a few more surprise candy bonuses up my sleeve. Tell your friends to participate, I promise, these boxes are full of enough crafty stuff that you could split the candy.

It is Homecoming and I am busy all week, but I plan to get a few challenges knocked out this evening. Hope to have something to post tomorrow.

I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or ask a question.

Happy Day!

Follower √

2010-02-18T21:55:00.000-05:00

Now, I have a few friends who subscribe to Asleep on the Couch, but I have not gotten any followers in the little thingy (technical term) on the side of the page. At last, I have a follower and a little picture on the side of my blog. Check it out, Holly Brooke Jones is my first follower! She has a two great companies, Vinyl Wall Art and My Cute Stamps! Check out her blog, Creating Cupcakes. What a week, Debbie Olson, Holly Brooke Jones... I am blown away...Then there was that ZEBRA on the loose here in Atlanta. How crazy is that? No creations this post. Just wanted to brag about my first follower. So exciting! Of course, I know that the people reading this are also followers. I appreciate you even if you do not show up in my little followers thingy on the side.

I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or ask a question.

Happy Day!

2 Sketches 4 You & Belli

2010-02-16T23:24:00.003-05:00

I am off to Atlanta to chaperon a group of my students at a campus activities programming conference. I love driving the big white van filled with college students, did that seem convincing? No really, I enjoy these trips, I would just prefer a limo. This post is probably the last until Sunday. I have a few more sketches that I hope to tackle when I get back from Hotlanta. Plus, I may have plans to add some goodies to the Birthday challenge and candy. See the link above this post for the details. This is my card for the latest 2Sketches4You blog.What do you think? I was planning a sympathy card, but it turned into a wedding card.

Edit: My friend Robin pointed out that this also counts for the Belli Challenge. Another double whammy! Thanks Robin.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my latest creation. I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment or ask a question.

Happy Day!

Details:

Paper: Value pack white card base (Micheal's), Vintage Cream (PTI), White (PTI)

Stamps: Glitter Stamping Starter Kit (Martha Stewart), Autum Abundance (PTI)

Copics: BG, 10, BG 45, BG49, Y13, Y19, R24, Y0000

Other: Embossing plate (Cuttlebug), Crystal Fine Glitter (Martha Stewart), Vanilla (Smart Craft paint), Xyron Create-a-Sticker, button and brad

DIY DIsh

2010-02-15T12:00:00.002-05:00

If you are anything like me, you are always looking for ways to keep your mojo going. Well, the ladies of the DIYDish are serving up mojo, fun and crafty ideas. To kick it off properly, they are giving away TWO janome machines. I would SEW love to have one of those machines.

Happy Day!