Little Pieces of Quiet

 When I first saw this image, I knew I would get it to make a card for my sister. She has two little boys who are constantly around her demanding her attention. I colored this one to resemble her youngest who is 4.

One thing about close-ups, you can see the tiny spots I miss when coloring :) I stamped him (Penny Black image) with Memento ink and colored him with these markers:

I saw that the challenge this past Saturday on the Penny Black Challenge site was a sketch challenge so that is where my layout came from. It is a 6 by 6 square card (no worries as I will hand her the card Wednesday night) made with Bazzill cardstock. The patterned paper is new Basic Grey Oliver (brads too). I used my Nestie circle, scalloped circle and tiny tag sets to cut out my image. For the bottom piece I used my SU scalloped border punch.

The inside has the sentiment that reads “Just working on that piece of quiet you said you wanted.” I think she will like it. How can you stay upset with someone that cute?

Revisiting Thinking Inking week 1

 A good friend of mine has decided to revisit the Thinking Inking Challenge from last year. Originally posted by Jennifer McGuire last year on 2peas, Jan (Far North) has brought the challenge back to life this summer. To get all the information in case you would like to follow along, click here and it will take you to Jan’s challenge post.

       (click the image for a larger picture)

The challenge is centered around using Distress Inks which I have plenty of. They sit there quietly stacked on top of each other with their neat label affixed. Sadly, they don’t come out very often to play. With my creative mojo absent lately, I thought this would be a stress-free venture.  The first three videos are the basics of what the inks are capable of. My tag is fairly simple. I used the following inks on it: Black Soot, Wild Honey, Broken China and Bundled Sage. I took the picture so you could see the full image on the stamp. I stamped and embossed the image with clear powder first. After using the blending tool to apply the inks, I spritzed the tag with water, but I guess not enough because I don’t really see the splotches. Next I sprinkled Kiwi perfect pearls and hit it with the heat gun.  I choose the sentiment to go along with the butterfly image because what better to represent a change than a butterfly! I stamped partial images of the stamp on the tag and added a few black rhinestones. The flower began as a white flower but I sponged broken china and bundled sage so it would match the tag. I also sponged ink on my twine for the top of the tag.

While my card mojo is on hiatus, I am busy with my cross-stitching. I am about to begin an afghan. Guess what design will be on it? Butterflies! I have been eyeing the Zweigart Butterfly Garden kit in magazines these last few months. I refused to pay the $80. After doing a google search, I found the booklet for $9, only had to buy 8 colors of yarn (i have a huge stash of colors that I never got rid of) and got the afghan at Joann’s with my 40% coupon for $17.99! I was stoked. If I finish it by Christmas, it will be my present to myself :)

Remaining “class” cards

 I spent the rest of the afternoon creating these three cards for my Mom and her friends. The first one actually has watercoloring on it. If you know me well, you know I don’t like this coloring medium. I am pleased with this image though. I used cold press paper which I think made a big difference.

The image and sentiment are by GinaK. I wanted it to have a summery feel. I layered the image with SU Pink Pirouhette and Regal Rose. Behind the patterned paper is Pesto coredinations.

The next card uses the shaving cream technique. I used Bashful Blue and Mellow Moss re-inkers for this. The sentiment is new from JustRite Designs. I used coordinating paper for the sentiment and popped each one up on foam strips.

The final card used the shaker kit from Impression Obsession.  

The wild flower image is from Penny Black, the sentiment is from IO and the butterfly inside the shaker is from Memory Box. If you click on the picture it will enlarge and you can see that I lightly colored the wings and added some microfine glitter. Inside the shaker is Sweet Pea Flower soft with a hint of lavender.

I think the ladies will enjoy working on these, don’t you? Now to just cut out the kits!

I am back…with a card!

 I know it has been almost a month since I posted. I had some family business to attend to but I hope to get back to blogging and making cards on a more regular schedule. On top of the family commitment, my laptop monitor died. I ended up purchasing a new one since it would have cost $200 just to get a new monitor. I am now working with Windows 7 and getting used to the little messages my computer keeps giving me. It took me two entire evenings to upload all my bookmarks and favorites. Luckily I was able to get my information off my old hard drive.

But on to the card. My Mom asked me to put a few cards together that her and her friends could come over and do. They are not advanced stampers (actually only my mom stamps) but I wanted to do more than just a one layer card. They are hoping to work on 4 and here is the first one.

The image is by Hero Arts and the sentiment by Verve. I colored the image with my copics and added a bit of Platinum stickles in the centers. The embossed panel was done with my Cuttlebug and the Harlequin folder. I also used my SU scalloped border and MS butterfly punches. There are actually 7 layers on this card, but it really isn’t bulky to mail. Although the buttons might give the USPS heartburn going thru their scanners:)

I need to get working on the other cards for these gals. Check back later, you never know when there might be a new post!