2010 in Retrospect

Hi everyone,

Well I'm still out of town so since I don't have anything new to share with you just yet I thought it would be fun to look back at 2010 and share some of my favorite creations with you.

I hope you'll enjoy this little step back in time :)

February 2010

...this was one of my very first blog posts ever

March 2010

it's amazing what a big difference a little bling makes isn't it?

April 2010

let's punk it up for those teenagers shall we?

May 2010

I turned this pup into a yankee fan :)

June 2010

time for some monkey love :)

July 2010

something a bit more simple but still fun

August 2010

I was soo fortunate to be a Verve Guest Diva this month. I had a blast!!!

September 2010

time to get a jumpstart on those christmas cards :)

October 2010

vintage-y black elegance as I like to call it

November 2010

Can you define good??

December 2010

last but not least...a lil sugar'n spice

and then here are some of my favorite projects of last year:

March 2010

here's an altered CD - now turned Magnet 

April 2010

a little cork message board

July 2010

a travel caddy 

 August 2010

the bridal shower gift organizer I designed for my friend's wedding

August 2010

a little ATC I created for our ATC Swap over at the Cat's Pajamas. 

September 2010

this here is the cover of a scrapbook I decorated

September 2010

a doorsign with those mischievous penguins

December 2010

some fancy packaging for the holidays...an easy alternative to making another card ;)

whew...okay I don't know about you but I'm exhausted...that was a busy year!!! Well I hope you 

enjoyed my little reflection of 2010.  What do some of your favorites look like? Why don't you leave me a link to it? I'd love to see!!

til next time,

~ Sony

{Things are gonna get better} SFYTT

Happy Saturday everyone!!

Yay!!! Can you believe it's the weekend already again?! Time really does fly doesn't it?
Well...I'm out of town this weekend actually because my friends are getting married. They've been dating since college and today's the day they are going to exchange their I do's. :)
I'll tell you all about it when I get back in town...and have caught up on some sleep and homework of course. ;)

So let's talk about our SFYTT challenge this week. The one and only Jen del Muro presents us every week with a great sketch. Play along for a chance of winning our next month's Guest Designer Spot!!

This card here was for my friend who just celebrated her birthday (I got her a book) despite the fact that she's been feeling a bit down lately so I thought this little sentiment (compliments of Verve), coupled with the cute mouse from the Greeting Farm would be just perfect.

Here's the list of my fabulous SFYTT Sisters: 

Check them out for some inspiration!

* Jen del Muro and a big hearty welcome
to our October Guest Designer Lesa Smaligo
* Amber Hight
* Amy Rohl
* Amy Sheffer 
* Carole Burrage 
* Jenn Diercks 
*Jodi Collins 
* Kelly Lunceford 
* Leigh O'Brien 
* Megan Lock
* Susan Liles

thanks so much for stopping by,

~ Sony

Stamps: Library Mouse (TGF), Blue Skies (Verve)
Paper: Boyfriend (CC), Real Red (SU), Basic Black, Roadmap (OA)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Copics, Stardust Stickles Glitter, Notebook Style Punch, Photo Corner Punch (SU), Cuttlebug Embossing Folder

{old storybook romance} SFYTT & TGF

Happy Saturday everyone!!!

I have SO much to tell you I don't even know where to start?!

I'm super excited because I just found out last night that I got into my school's 2 year CG program!! YAY!!!

I wasn't sure whether I'd get in because in all honesty I hadn't really drawn or done any sort of art in the last ten years so over the past two months I've been trying to catch up and get a good portfolio together...I guess I succeeded!!!! :)

In case you're wondering: I'm studying Computer Animation/Visual Effects...that sorta stuff.

So that's one reason why I have an extra big smile on my face but there's another reason also: I'm sort of seeing someone...or would be if he lived in town. I know him from college but we hadn't really spoken since then until about two weeks ago when we reconnected on facebook. Now we talk almost every day and I'm supposed to go see him next month. :)

Oh and then I have one more reason to smile extra wide and that's

because my dear friend's husband, who was undergoing treatment for cancer, is in remission and cancer free!!!! If that's not reason to celebrate and have a cocktail, what is?!

Okay now that I've chattered you all an earful let's talk cards:

It's time for another great and fun sketch challenge brought to you by the one and only Jen del Muro AND we've got a sponsor for you this week: The Greeting Farm.

For all the deets on what goodies you can win and where to link your little masterpiece to, please stop by Jen's Blog.

I have to admit my mojo seems to be on a little vacation at the moment because it took me forever to get this card together and at first I wasn't all that happy with the way it had turned out but I looked at it again and all of a sudden it reminded me of the old storybooks my mom used to read to me when I was a kid...sniff sniff....look at me getting all sappy and sentimental on you... lol. Anyway...now I'm quite happy with the look I've achieved. :)

Are you ready to see what my other mojo-happy sisters have come up with?! Stop by their blogs and check it out:

Jen del Muro and Guest Designer Ashley Nguyen Newell

Amber Hight

Amy Rohl

Amy Sheffer

Carole Burrage

Jenn Diercks

Jodi Collins

Kelly Lunceford

Leigh O'Brien

Megan Lock (on mommy leave)

Susan Liles

thanks so much for stopping by!!!

~ Sony

Stamps: Harvest (TGF), Holiday Best (SU)

Paper: Rustic White (PTI), Kraft, Cherry Hill (OA), Itty Bitty Boxes (PTI), Wooden Veneer Sheets

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Antique Linen (Ranger Distress Ink), Old Olive (SU), Soft Suede (SU)

Accessories: Button CutUpz (TCP), Sponges, NEsties, Buttons, Linen Thread (TCP), Twill Tape, Olive Thread, Sewing Machine, Copics, Pop-Up Dots

{Late...} SFYTT

ugh...I've been so busy with school and stuff I completely forgot my friend's birthday and I haven't even had the chance to play with some of the my new PTI goodies I got in the mail sooo this SFYTT it's an all out stamp jambalaya for me.

I used the Library Card stamp and Pocket Die from PTI, the Book Mouse stamp from TGF, the 'Your Birthday' sentiment is from MFT and the 'LATE' is spelled out using TCP's Coolvetica Set. The colors are from this week's TCP Tuesday challenge, which I'm also really really late for and the sketch is of course from Jen's SFYTT challenge.
lol see I wasn't kidding when I said jambalaya

thanks so much for stopping by!
I gotta run again but I hope you have a wonderful weekend and why not get ink-y with us?! Jen's always looking out for her next Guest Designer!!
Want a little more inspiration? Check out what my awesome SFYTT Sisters have done with this sketch:

• Jen del Muro and Guest Designer Ashley Nguyen Newell
• Amber Hight
• Amy Rohl
• Amy Sheffer
• Carole Burrage
  
• Jenn Diercks
• Jodi Collins
• Kelly Lunceford
• Leigh O'Brien
• Megan Lock (on mommy leave)
  
• Susan Liles

til next time :)

~ Sony


Stamps: Library Card (PTI), Library Mouse (TGF), Coolvetica (TCP), Make the Date (MFT), Essential Sentiments (MFT)
Paper: Report Card (OA), Kraft, Winter Wishes digi (SweetShoppe)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Frayed Burlap (Ranger distress Ink), Antique Linen (Ranger Distress Ink)
Accessories: Pocket Die (PTI), Crystal Stickles Glitter, Crystal Effects, Copics, Kraft Thread, Sewing Machine, Pop-Up Dots

{Much Obliged} CMC & Sweet Sunday78

My classes were both cancelled today so I had some extra time on my hand and I decided to play along with Color Me Copic's very first challenge and Karen's Sweet Sunday sketch challenge, although I admit my card is a somewhat loser interpretation.

In case you're not familar with Color Me Copic, it's a blog that's run by some fabulously talented Colorists and Stampers and that's where they share their Copic coloring techniques with all of us. It's an awesome resource if you're new to Copics or just want to improve your technique.

I had quite the challenge creating this black & white look because I didn't have all the right colored Copic Markers so what you see here is a mixture of
C1, C3, C5 and T3, T5, T7, T9
On top of that my blender was out of "ink" so I had to switch to another companies' blender
and that one didn't work all that great sooo I did what I could
...and placed another Copic order. :)

thanks for stopping by and
Happy Coloring!

~ Sony

Stamps: Shooter (TGF), It's a Western Thing (TCP)
Paper: Cherry Hill (OA), Black & White Basics (DCWV), Boyfriend (CC)
Ink: Brilliance Black, Antique Linen (Ranger Distress), Frayed Burlap (Ranger Distress)
Accessories: Copics, Rhinestone Flourishes, Brads, Photo Corner Punch (SU), Kraft Thread, Sewing Machine, White Gel Pen

{You're Super} TESC121

*** Please SCROLL DOWN if you like TURTLES and for my TCP Tuesday 119 post ***

Hi Guys,

well it's my birthday today - I'm a total of 29 years old and yes this is my very first 29th bday ;). I had loads of fun celebrating this past weekend so today is going to be very low key for me: homework, perhaps a movie and I'm hoping to get some stamping in as well.
School's been keeping me pretty busy over the past week so I wasn't able to get all that much stamping done unfortunately but I'm working real hard on changing that. :)

So today I'm excited to say that I was able to play along with the Taylored Expressions sketch challenge. I always enjoy her sketch challenges but I rarely get to play so this is a special occasion for me. :)

I also got to use some Greeting Farm stamps which have been collecting a little dust ... uhm uhm... .These cuties here are from the set Amazing Duo. I colored them in using Copic Markers and added some Stickles to parts of their outfits and some Crystal Effects to Ian's super goggles!!

The papers are digi papers actually - from the Action Hero collection available at ScrapGirls (they have some amazing digi papers let me tell ya). I like to print my digi papers on Staples Card Stock paper - I've found that it's a bit heavier weight, holds the colors nicely and doesn't warp or bubble.

The clouds were made using MFT's cloud Die-Namic. I love me some clouds!!! :) And I think that about wraps it all up for me.

Thanks so much for stopping by!!
Have a GREAT day today!! :)

~ Sony


Stamps: Amazing Duo (TGF)
Paper: Action Hero digi (ScrapGirls), Crushed Curry (SU)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black
Accessories: Copics, Stickles Glitter, Crystal Effects, Pop-up Dots, Cloud Die-Namic (MFT), Sewing Machine, Nesties, Grosgrain Ribbon (TCP)

{Hugs 4 Megan} FFF & Saturday Sketches

Hi guys!! You're probably getting a bit tired of seeing me combine challenges but what can I say?! It just makes sense when you want to play along in multiple challenges but only have so much time on your hand. I'm sure you know exactly what I'm talking about.

On that note let me tell you which challenges I combined this time: I took this week's Farm Fresh Friday Color Challenge and put it on this weeks Saturday Sketch Challenge all from the Greeting Farm.

Their cute images have a special place in my heart although the TGF gallery has quite the opposite effect on me. Argh! Some of my photos just won't show! It's infuriating!

But that's a whole 'nother can of worms - let's talk some details shall we?

The challenge was to use the colors cream, pink and red and you know what that screams right? Yup you got it - Valentine's day!

And I still had some left over Valentine's day paper! Handy!!! So this paper here is from an old Martha Stewart Valentine's Day Paper Pack I had gotten at Michael's back in February.

Who's the cutie on my card? Meet Miss Wild Sprout Megan. She is one of my all-time favorite WS. It's probably because Miss Sassiness kinda reminds me of me. hehe

I colored her in with Copics, cut out her head and propped it up a little and of course I just had to add some Stickles Glitter to her top and bow.

I also got to use my new Martha Stewart border punch. I've

been eyeing this punch for a while now but had to wait until my coupon was valid. I am a poor student after all!

Thanks sooo much for coming by!

take care and see ya next time!!

~ Sony

Stamps: WS Megan (TGF), O&A Buddies (TGF)

Paper: Valentine Day (MS), Cream, Real Red (SU), Pink (PTI)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Antique Linen (Ranger Distress Ink)

Accessories: Buttons, Stickles Glitter, Deco Fan Border Punch (MS), Nesties, Sponge, Kraft Thread, Twill Tape, Pop-Up Dots, Copics

Copics: Hair - E33, E57, E29; Skin - E000, E00, E53; Clothes - R20, RV02, RV06, R17, R29, T3, T5

{Shooter Baby} Mojo138 & Monday Mania

So I have a question for you: I've noticed that some of my cards that I'm maybe not soo sure about have been getting a lot of feedback and on the other hand some of my cards that I really really love, haven't. Does that happen to you too? Or is it just me? lol

Oh well...as long as the card can bring a smile to someone's face I say mission accomplished, right? :)

So time is becoming more and more sparse so I combined this week's Mojo Monday sketch challenge with this week's Monday Mania challenge. Gotta love a two-fer!!

This week's Mojo sketch is a definite Sketchbook Keeper. I just love those three strips on the right there.

This week's Monday Mania challenge over at Club Anya is presented to us by Crafty Jenn and she's challenging us to Pierce it! Punch it! Piece it! Sounds like good times right?

So I got

busy with my card here: I featured the cute Cheeky Shooter from the Greeting Farm. I love love love their retro, vintage-y pin-up look. I colored her in with Copic Markers, added some small Rhinestones to her belt and scarf and paper pieced her boots.

The papers I used are from the East Meets West collection by Moxxie. I did some heavy distressing to the edges of the paper and the cork panel with my Cuttlebug scissors and I sponged some Vintage Photo ink all around the edges.

I used Kraft Thread to go with my card and did some partial double line stitching on the main background panel and some zig zag stitching on the smaller panel behind Cheeky Shooter. I wanted the stitching to add to this messy and sort of unfinished look to it so you'll notice they are neither perfectly straight nor completely off-kilter and there are also some small pieces of thread sticking out at various places.

A piece of Jute Twine, some brads and paper piercing to the main background panel and the small hanging paper strips finish the card.

Thank you so very much for taking the time and stopping by! I love having you over!! :)

~ Sony

Stamps: Cheeky Shooter (TGF)

Paper: East Meets West (Moxxie), Kraft, Soft Suede (SU)

Ink: Vintage Photo (Ranger Distress Ink), Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Kraft Thread, Sewing Machine, Brads, Ribbon, Jute Twine, Checkerboard Border Punch, Cork, Paper Piercer Kit (SU), Pop-Up Dots, Rhinestones, White Gel Pen, Copics, Sponges

Copics: Hair - E97, E99, E08; Skin - E000, E00, E21; Cowboy Hat - E31, E33, E57, E29; Clothing: B05, B29, T3, E33; Scarf & Gloves: V15, V17, E33 -- Colorless Blender throughout --

{a Yankee Bday}

***PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR MY SFYTT POST***

Hiii guys - one of my good friends is a huuge Yankees fan and Softball Player and I actually bought this set called Pupstar by the Greeting Farm with her in mind because it came with a baseball and a visor so now that her birthday is approaching I'm super excited to put it to use.

The visor actually has a bone on it but with the help of a little wipe it became a plain visor and I just drew in the Yankee logo.

The sentiment is made up out of bits and pieces from other sentiments, all by the Cat's Pajamas.

The papers I used are from the Beach Stack by DCWV and Bitty Box Basics by Papertrey Ink. The baseball pattern is stamped and colored in with Copics.

Thank you so much for coming by! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!!

~ Sony

Stamps: Pupstar (TGF), It's a Western Thing (TCP), Happy Camper (TCP)

Paper: Beach Stack (DCWV), Bitty Box Basics (PTI), Kraft

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Slate (Adirondack)

Accessories: Copic Markers, Twill Tape, Jute Twine, Button (MFT), Photo Corner Punch (SU), Sponges, Nesties, Pop-Up Dots

{I Smooch U} FFF

I'm soooooo stoked you wouldn't believe it: my World Market Cost Plus is now carrying my favorite chocolate!!! It's called Kinder Chocolate and I grew up with it in Germany. It's YUMMY!!!

And up until now I couldn't get it here in the states so now that I can - I'm totally beside myself. :)

Soo todays' Farm Fresh Friday challenge over at the Greeting Farm is presented to us by the amazing Cindy and she came up with this fun sketch.

A little while ago Marie found some discontinued sets and put them in the clearance bin. Well, one of them was this cute-petutie here and as soon as I spotted this I was gone, smitten, had to have this set. It's called Pupstar and this pup comes with a bunch of cute little accessories and toys...there are so many possibilites I can't wait to play around with them all but for now here's just one of them.

The papers I used don't necessarily match but I think that makes for a fun funky card - something a little bit different. I used papers from the Cosmo Cricket's Boyfriend Collection, My Mind's Eye Quite Contrary Collection and Fly a Kite by October Afternoon.

I'm also using Kraft colored Thread - yeah you heard right - colored thread again!! I really liked how my Thirsty? card with the burgundy thread turned out so I had to give it another go. I'm starting to like playing around with different threads. hehe I may have to go get some more colors now.

What else can I tell you about my card...oh yeah - the sentiment. The "I" and the "U" come from the Nightie Alphabet set by the Cat's Pajamas and the "Smooch" is from the Pupstar set by the Greeting Farm.

That's all for now folks!! I hope I was able to inspire you a little to get funky and try something a bit different, think out of the box. :)

~ Sony

Stamps: Pupstar (TGF), Nightie (TCP)

Paper: Fly a Kite (October Afternoon), the Boyfriend (CC), Quite Contrary (MME), Kraft, Basic Black

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Soft Suede (SU), Antique Linen (Ranger Distress Ink)

Accessories: Kraft Thread, Copic Markers, Ribbon, Screw Brads, Nesties, Pop-Up Dots, Sewing Machine

{Thirsty?} Two-fer

Happy Monday!! It's a new week and I'm super excited to share this card with you because it's the first time I've dared to use colored thread!! Eeekkk - how exciting!!! lol

This card here combines this week's Mojo Monday sketch challenge and TGF's Farm Fresh Friday Inspiration challenge. I did take a little bit of creative license with the Mojo Monday sketch but shh...don't tell anyone. ;)

The Farm Fresh Friday challenge was to create a gothic card inspired by the bedroom picture below.

Well I don't know about you but when I hear goth I think of Vampires!

My image is the Dressy Edward Digi Stamp by the Greeting Farm. I love their new Creeper line and I wanted to make my Edward a bit more like them so I took a thin black pen and thickened his eyelashes and changed the shape of his eyebrows to give him a bit more sinister look.

The sentiment was typed up on the computer.

The paper I started out with is from the Cosmo Cricket line Snorkel. I s

ponged the edges with Antique Linen and Vintage Photo ink by Ranger Distress Ink. After that I added some gold shimmer with Smooch Spritz. Now I have to tell you that I do like this Spritz but I don't like their spritz bottles. They don't work properly so I bought some empty Mini Misters from Michaels' and used them instead. Works like magic!!

On top of all the sponging and misting I went to town with my scissors and distressed and tore the edges.

The four little panels on the left are embossed with a Cuttlebug Folder and stitched together with burgundy thread. I also spritzed some Gold Shimmer on them.

The netting underneath Edward is actually Floral Wrapping and I streaked some Scattered Straw Distress Stickles over it.

Thank you soo much for coming by! I hope you have a great week!

~ Sony

Stamps: Dressy Edward (TGF)

Paper: Snorkel (CC), Kraft, Dark Chocolate (PTI), Bravo Burgundy (SU)

Ink: Antique Linen (Ranger Distress Ink), Vintage Photo (Ranger Distress Ink)

Accessories: Smooch Spritz (Gold), Sponges, Floral Wrapper, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Glittery Chipboard Sticker, Computer, White Gel Pen, Copic Markers, Sewing Machine, Scattered Straw Distress Stickles