Bryan’s Harley – Dismantled!

Just thought I would share some pictures of Bryan's Harley while it’s going through its transformation. Wow what a mess!

Bryan was reassured that it will be all put back together and ready for pick up sometime this week after being Dyno-ed. Sure enough he got the call this evening that it’s ready! He’s really excited about it and anxious for warm weather to get here. (Click on images for larger view – Bryan is in the first photo with sunglasses on his head).

Read More

Spring / Digital Photography / Photoshop Elements

Awe the little bunnies remind me of Spring! This card went out as a RAK to a young lady who is currently passing time in Basic Training, I hope Tara enjoys it! I added White Fun Flock to both tails of the bunnies and added Crystal Stickles to the flowers to give them a little sparkle.

I'm taking these Digital Photography courses and the instructor has been recommending Adobe Photoshop Elements software to use for editing photos. I currently use Coral Paint Shop Pro X and I've been thinking about purchasing Adobe and then taking the Wizbang Course (Wizbang Course: the instructor demonstrates how to set/use your preferences, layer, tilting techniques... basically showing us how to use our software and what it can do for us). Since I can find my way around Coral I'm hoping I would be able to work with PS without getting too stressed! I just hate taking the time to learn new programs, especially when I could be spending that time stamping! If you use Photoshop Elements, please let me know what you like and/or dislike about it.

Through all my research I’ve came across some very talented ladies that use Photoshop Elements to create awesome digi scrap pages. Since I'm not in scrapbooking, I may have to take the leap into digi-scrapbooking, it looks like fun! Now I have to ask, for those of you that make digi scrap pages, what you do with the digi pages! Are they printable or how does that work... I know nothing about it!? I would really appreciate any info you can share with me. Thanks for reading – Jovi

Stamps: Food for Thought (Happy Hoppers / Stampabilities) ~ Paper: White, Blush, Sweet Leaf, Chocolate (all CTMH), Life Delights Patterned Paper (CTMH) ~ Noir (Palette) ~ Other: Light Pink Grosgrain (SU), Markers (CTMH), Pebbles Chalk, Crystal Stickles, White Fun Flock, Prismacolor Pencils blended with Gamsol

Read More

Update on Jake

I took Jake to the Vet; he has a crack in his toenail right under his nail bed. His Vet said that it wasn’t infected and his nail didn’t need to be removed, which was encouraging. Once his nail grows out more it wouldn’t irritate him as much and chances are it will eventually break as his toenail gets longer.

Jake weighed in at 109lbs, 9 lbs more since his last visit! At his last visit we talked about changing his diet to Iams Weight Control and cutting back on treats, which we did. Well, I have to admit I’m a sucker for giving him treats. We changed his food, cut back (a little) on treats and he still gained 9 lbs. Now Jake is on a restricted diet. We’re going to try him on Hill’s Prescription Diet Canine r/d food, (4 cups a day) and no treats! The only treats he’s allowed to have is a few kibbles throughout the day of his diet dog food. Of course he will continue with his daily walks. After a month on his new dog food I’ll take him back to the Vet to get weighed and if there is no weight lose his Vet would like to do tests to check his thyroid. It will take months but Jakes Vet will like to see him weighing in about 80lbs. It looks like Jake and I are going to try to lose 30lbs, oh yes I can afford to lose 30 plus pounds!

I included some picture of Jake walking on the treadmill in our basement. He’s at the point now where he doesn’t need to be on his leash while walking. Thanks for reading and for leaving the comments regarding Jake. - Jovi

Read More

This and That

I was going through a stack of designer paper and came across this distressed plaid paper from TAC (The Angel Company) that I forgot I had (that happens quite a bit). I was fortunate to have some of my cards and scrapbook pages published in their 2007 (Fall/Winter) Catalog (while I was a TAC demo). TAC is awesome about sending a bunch of free product and this is some of patterned paper and cardstock they sent, it’s from the Toodle Loo pack. This is one of my new stamps that I received last week in my order from HM Stamps, Take A Bite Out of Love. I’ll have more cards to share next week with this same image and some new Valentine designer paper that I picked up at Archivers.

This has been a busy week for me and I didn’t get to stamp as much as I would have liked. I had new bedroom furniture delivered yesterday which had me really busy clearing out and donating the old furniture and reorganizing /redecorating my bedroom… I still have to go shopping for curtains tomorrow then I’ll be done!

I have to take Jake to the vet this afternoon. He has developed a sore near his nail… hopefully it didn’t happen from walking on the treadmill, I think it may have happened at the groomers last week. That’s right, Jake walks on the treadmill. Since it’s been so cold here in Colorado I haven’t been taking him out for his daily walk, instead he’s been using the treadmill for his exercise and he loves it (at least I like to think he does)… LOL ~ Thanks for reading – Jovi

Stamps: Take A Bite Out of Love (House Mouse / Stampabilities) ~ Paper: White, Toodle Loo Designer Paper (TAC), Toodle Loo Cardstock (TAC) ~ Ink: Noir (Palette) ~ Other: Gemstones (Hero Arts), Dashes, Dots & Checks Ribbon, Pebbles Chalk, Prismacolor Pencils blended with Gamsol

Read More

Chamomile Tea

Burr it’s so cold outside, I could use some hot tea!

Sometimes I really like working with the larger House Mouse and Happy Hopper images, even though they take a bit longer to color. The images are so large they basically take up the entire card front, which makes putting the card together fairly easy. For this card I used the House Mouse image Chamomile Tea, the patterned paper is from DCWV Glitter Stack.

Are you ready to see a lot of House Mouse cards? The House Mouse group that I belong to is having another Mouse A Round (MAR) swap. The MAR is my favorite swap and I always sign up for it. Our MAR is basically the same as a Flood Swap, each week a participants name is pick and everyone who signed up will send that person a House Mouse card, along with a couple House Mouse/Happy Hopper images and piece of designer paper. I better get busy stamping! Thanks for reading - Jovi

Stamps: Chamomile Tea (House Mouse / Stampabilites) ~ Paper: White, Sweet Leaf (CTMH), Glitter Stack (DCWV) ~ Ink: Noir (Palette) ~ Other: Crystal Glitter, Dotted Organdy Ribbon (Offray), Pebbles Chalk, Markers (CTMH), Prismacolor Pencils blended with Gamsol

Read More

Pretty Simple

This card has a really quick and simple layout, not very many frills! I added the torn strip along the bottom edge to give it a little more visual element, it looked pretty boring just plain. I added Hero Art Gemstones to the puppy’s collar. I love those little embellies and have been stocking up. A girl can’t have too many gemstones and pearls… Right?! The image is Penny Black Tongue-tied and cardstock is from Bazzill. Thanks for reading - Jovi

Stamps: Tongue-tied (Penny Black) ~ Paper: White, Maraschino (Bazzill) ~ Ink: Noir (Palette) ~ Other: Red Gingham Ribbon (SU), Gemstones (Hero Arts), Pebbles Chalk, Prismacolor Pencils and Gamsol

(click for larger view)

Read More

New Harley

After months of looking and comparing information about different Harley Davidson Motorcycles, Bryan finally bought one! His new baby is a 08 HD Denim Blue Street Glide with a lot of extras. The bike came with Cruise Control, Brembro Anti-lock Brake System and a factory Security System. It has a whole 2 miles on it!

The Harley Davidson dealer called Wednesday and told Bryan they went 400 miles to another HD dealer (out of state) and found the bike he wanted. He came home last night (Thursday) with the keys, but no bike! His bike will not be ready for another two to three weeks. Some of his extras will be installed during that time: Reinhardt True Dual Exhausts, 204 Cams, Arlen Nest Big Sucker Air Cleaner, Screaming Eagle Race Tuner and the 103 Big Bore Cylinder upgrade. Bryan explained to me what all those upgrades entail… I just know it means more horsepower, more torque and great sound! After he runs his break in period he’ll have it put on the Dyno machine for final adjustments.

When he rides to Sturgis this year along with friends, he has to be comfortable and have plenty of storage: Quick Release King Tour Pack (colored matched) with a street Glide-styled passenger back rest, another quick release backrest for when he’s not using the Tour Pack, Sundowner Touring Seat, Windshield, Highway Pegs, Hog Tunes (radio, speakers & amplifier).

I’m pretty excited for Bryan, he was able to get exactly what he wanted. Plus I’ll have my riding partner back! When his bike is ready I’ll make sure to post a picture, for now all I have is the key and fob to share… lol.

Read More

New Rubber & Puppy Love

I decide to give this image another try and this time around I only colored it once! Again the image is Puppy Love from Inky Antics, cardstock and patterned paper is all from Close to My Heart paper pack Life’s Delight.

Look what I have… My order from HM Stamps arrived yesterday. Today Riley and Austin are home… SNOW DAY! Hopefully I can get some cards made today with my new rubber without too many distractions (knocking on wood)!

Stamps: Puppy Love (Inky Antics) ~ Paper: Blush, Lilac Mist, Sweet Leaf (all CTMH), White, Life Delights Designer Paper (CTMH) ~ Ink: Noir (Palette) ~ Other: Celery, Bluebird, Light Pink Grosgrain (all SU), Round Corner Punch, Pebbles Chalk, Pearl Stones, Prismacolor Pencils blended with Gamsol

Read More

Sketches and MSR

This layout started out as SCS Sketch Challenge 154. 154? I don’t do the sketches in order. I go through the SCS Sketch Forum and usually just pick one that appeals to me. With this card I modified the panel sizes (2-3) and didn’t add a panel (4-b). Since I changed it a bit I didn’t upload my card into the Sketch Gallery. I used the image Best Pals from Inky Antics, all cardstock and designer paper is from Close to My Heart (CTMH).

This last Saturday was Mountain Shadow Riders first meeting for 2008. Since it’s my goal to get more involved with MSR, I joined the MSR Welcoming Committee (we haven’t come up with a fun name yet). We’ll get in contact with new members, send out information packets, and buddy up with them at meetings and events… basically, make all new members feel welcomed! Also, Christine (our MSR Chapter Director) asked me if I would be interested in being our Historian. Of course I said yes! I LOVE taking photos. I’m so excited that I’m taking digital courses at my local camera shop for the next few months… I don’t want to disappoint the MSR ladies!

Thanks for reading - Jovi

Stamps: Best Pals (Inky Antics) ~ Paper: Chocolate, Sweet Leaf, Blush, White (all CTMH), Life’s Delight Designer Paper (CTMH) ~ Ink: Noir (Palette) ~ Other: Organdy Pink Dotted Ribbon, Markers (CTMH), Sandpaper, Prismacolor Pencils blended with Gamsol.

Read More

Birthday Wishes

Yesterday I spent the day with my sister, it was her birthday. We went to see the movie P.S. I Love You. It wasn’t a movie that I would have chosen us to see… I’m usually more interested in comedy, drama or horror flicks. Since it was her birthday I went along with her suggestion. When I left the theater I no longer had any eye makeup on… it was quite the tear jerker. I would probably watch it again when it comes out on video.

This is the birthday card I made for my sister. I used the Happy Hopper image It’s My Party. I applied Liquid Applique to the cake for frosting, after puffing it up with the heat gun… it was too puffy and looked goofy. I then peeled off the puffy part of the Liquid Applique, which left with the frosting texture I was looking for (click image below to see the yummy frosting). I used Sakura Stardust Gelly Pen on the hat, cake and candles to give it some sparkle.

Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day - Jovi

Stamps: It’s My Party (Happy Hoppers/Stampabilites) ~ Paper: Chiffon (Bazzill), Casa (Bazzill), White, Patterned Paper from Making Memories ~ Ink: Noir (Palette) ~ Other: Gemstones (Hero Arts), Stardust Gelly Pen (Sakura), White Liquid Appliqué, Pebbles Chalk, Derwent Watercolor Pencils, Prismacolor Pencils blended with Gamsol. Card size: 5.5 x 5.5

Read More

Windblown

I just had to share this picture that Betty (Biker Betty) took of me Saturday when we stopped for lunch after our ride.

I’m such a mess… thank goodness the wind covered up my helmet hair! LOL You can read more about our Saturday ride over on Betty’s blog. She also has some wonderful entries about her motorcycle adventures… and did I mention that Betty also stamps?

Read More

Third time is a charm…

At least that’s what I was counting on when I had to color this image for the third time! The first time I colored it I was totally confused on which paw belonged to who... Was it a kitty paw or a puppy paw?

Since Inky Antics stamps have a line drawing on the wood and not a colored image, I went to Inky Antics website to see the colored version. Once I had it figured out I began to color the image. While I was content coloring and listening to the TV in the background I realized I colored three of the paws brown… ugh. For my third attempt I made sure I didn’t have any distractions while coloring.

This layout is from SCS Sketch Challenge 157. On the day’s that I feel like I have no creativity I like to go through the Challenge Forum and find me a Sketch to work on. I would be lost without Sketches! The image and sentiment stamps are both from Inky Antics, Puppy Love and Unexpected Hug. All the cardstock and designer paper is from CTMH paper pack Caprice.

Stamps: Puppy Love (Inky Antics), Unexpected Hug (Inky Antics), Flannel Plaid (SU) ~ Paper: Cream, Chocolate, Crystal Blue, Honey (all CTMH), Caprice Designer Paper (CTMH) ~ Ink: Noir (Palette), Bamboo (CTMH) ~ Other: Brown Gingham Ribbon (Offray), Pebbles Chalk, Prismacolor Pencils blended with Gamsol

Read More

First Ride of 08

Today I rode along with some members of Mountain Shadow Riders (MSR) for our first ride of 2008! The temperature was in the mid 50’s which was nice, but we also had gusts of wind at times that were close to 50 mph. I discovered I hate riding in the wind! After our ride we enjoyed each others company over lunch. It was great chatting with the ladies… and gents.

Here are a few pictures from today (click for a larger image).

Read More

2007 Mileage

Do you believe I rode 1,583 miles since July? I started keep track of my riding mileage when I received my “M” endorsement.

Starting mileage: 4,865
Ending mileage: 6,448

Read More

Bunnies or Mice

I hope the first few days of 2008 were wonderful for you and will help set the tone for the rest of this year. I didn’t make any resolutions for 08 but, I do plan to make little improvements here and there throughout the year.

I’m taking a break from the winter stamps… maybe that will have some effect on the weather here (wishful thinking)!

For these two cards I used the Happy Hopper image Bunny Love. I believe I’m starting to like Happy Hoppers more than House Mouse… Gasp, I really typed that! IRL anyone would pick bunnies over mice… right? I’m already looking forward to seeing what new bunny stamps will come out this year! Thanks for reading ~ Jovi

Stamps: Love Bunny (Happy Hoppers/Stampabilites) ~ Paper: Romance, White, Petunia (all Bazzill), White, Patterned Paper from Paper Salon ~ Ink: Noir Palette ~ Other: White, Rose, Pink Grosgrain (all SU), Diamond Stickles (Ranger), Clear Sparkle (CTMH), Pebbles Chalk, Markers (CTMH), Prismacolor Pencils blended with Gamsol

Stamps: Love Bunny (Happy Hoppers/Stampabilites) ~ Paper: Romance (Bazzill), Pear (Bazzill), White, Pattern Paper Glitter Stack (DCWV) ~ Ink: Noir (Palette) ~ Other: Celery Grosgrain (SU), Clear Sparkles (CTMH), Diamond Stickles (Ranger), Pebbles Chalk, Markers (CTMH), Circle Coluzzle, Prismacolor Pencils blended with Gamsol ~ Card Size 6.25 x 4

Read More