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!

Celebrating You

 This card was made so I could use another new stamp in my collection. I picked up this Penny Black slapstick Irises last week. I love this style of flower stamp. I pulled out my watercolor crayons, spritzer and I must say, I am happy with my first try. I usually have to try 3-4 times before I am happy with the look.

I used my Swiss Dot CB folder on the pink and light blue panel. The sentiment is by Verve, the butterfly is a Martha Stewart punch (it is covering up a small tear when I adjusted the ribbon!), and the pearls are from Basic Grey Opalines. I am happy to say this card fulfills three challenges. The layout is from Mojo Monday 141, the color scheme is from Cuttlebug Challenge and on A Spoonfull of Sugar the theme is celebrating. This might become a card for my Mom (who’s surgery was delayed until next Monday) once she is fully into therapy. I don’t want you to get the wrong idea….she is having a full knee replacement. Didn’t want you to think she was going to detox (wink). The week is half over so we are counting down to the weekend and our trip to Panama City Beach. Hopefully the oil slick stays away at least another week for us!

Asian Influence

 

Today’s card was created for two challenges. The first one is on Flutterby Wednesday. Danni asked us to include a butterfly and flowers on our card this week. Easy enough, I love both of these elements. The second challenge is found on 365 Cards. We had to convey the theme of friendship without using a sentiment on the front. I went with a different take on the theme and began by stamping a faux postage layout image. I sponged Versa Magic Pixie Dust and Memento New Sprout ink inside the areas. Using a variety (ok 3) Asian images, I stamped them inside. I also used my Cuttlebug Autumn Type embossing folder and cut out the word friend. I used a Punch Bunch to cut out the butterfly. Kaiser rhinestones and pearls were added to the panel. To finish the card, I used my Fiskars scissors to cut out the white panel and layered this on a piece of SU Certainly Celery and a card base of Pretty in Pink.

I just finished watching American Idol and I am thrilled with the final two; Crystal and Lee. I will not be upset with either one of them winning next week. I am off to bed now so I can read James Patterson’s 9th Judgement. I started it during lunch today and it is hard to put down!

 

It’s gonna be a boy!!

 It seems our family keeps having boys! And yes there is another one on the way. No it isn’t mine…goodness at 46 I do not want to have to start over with night feedings and dirty diapers. And no I am not going to be a Grandmother. That leaves the extended family. My sister’s niece is expecting a boy soon and she is having a baby shower. Sadly my Mom and I are not able to travel up to Savannah for the shower, so we made some special cards to send up with a gift card. First up is my Mom’s:

The striped paper is embossed with the Harlequin CB folder. She used SU Bashful blue paper, ink and ribbon. The footprints are from All Night Media and the sentiment is from Studio G. The border punched (Martha Stewart) topper is popped up on foam dots to give it a shade effect. Nice touch :)

Next up is mine. I used Graphic 45 paper from the Bride to Baby collection. I purchased the cutest clear set from Penny Black called Bundle of Joy with the intent of using a cute hedgie on the card. But as it came together, the hedgehog didn’t look right. You’ll see what I mean:

The card was taking a pretty vintage look, and the cutsie hedgehog was not right. But I did use the sentiment and adorable booties! I stamped the booties on a piece of the paper and cut it out using my Labels 1 die cuts. I stamped the image in Memento Rich Cocoa which is also great for the vintage feel. I edged all the paper in the ink for a softer look. There is a bit of lace, some prima flowers, a Kaiser pearl and a touch of Patina Stickles on the booties.

Here is a close-up of the booties. If you click on the image, it will get even larger. The layer of Bazzill underneath the gorgeous paper is called Patina also. A match made in heaven :)

Here’s to Shannon and the joys of motherhood!

Imagine this…

 Today’s challenge at 365 cards was to imagine outer space. I knew I did not have any cute alien creatures or space ships so I went a different route. There are times we should march to the beat of our own drum, so I am marching here. I have loved this saying ever since I was given a card with it after my Dad passed away. I would like to think that he is up there in the heavens watching down on my family. When I think of outer space, yes the first thought is planets and rockets, but also Heaven.

The card itself is very simple. I began with my stars cuttlebug folder and used some Coredinations cardstock from the Vintage Flower Power pack. I sanded the cardstock so you could see the stars shining through. I stamped the sentiment (from Inky Antics) on a piece of scrapbook paper from the Complete Boy pack by My Minds Eye. A layer of dark red is behind it and I punched a corner punch by EK Success so you could see through the cardstock. A simple piece of twine holds the charm Hope.

I hope that I am able to hold onto this card for awhile and that I am not having to send it to a friend too soon.

Couple of VSN Cards to share

 What could this Tilda be doing? You will have to read down a bit to find out. I must say, this close up shot shows that I don’t get very close to the image when I cut things out :(

I am playing along with a few challenges at Splitcoast stampers this weekend. They are having a virtual stamp night and the theme is the Winter Olympics. The first card I will show had the theme At the Waterfront. I choose to use this Tilda I received as an image swap. I colored her and then popped her up over the water ring. I used a bit of diamond glaze on the water ring so it could appear wet.

I used the curvy rectangle nestie to cut the image out first and layered it on a piece of CS cut with the Labels 7. I did this mostly because I was on a time limit (you only have 45 minutes to create your card) and I didn’t want to waste time resizing the next die in the curvy rectangle set. It was way huge for my card. The rest was easy….layer a few pieces of paper and cardstock, lay the netting across and glue a seahorse charm. I added the charm because I will give this card to my son’s girlfriend who adores seahorses. For those inquiring minds, here are the copics I used:

My next card was for the Snow Blind challenge. We were to make a white card with all white embellishments. I began with cutting out a Labels 6 die and using an oval to cut out the center. The sentiment inside is from Justrite Joyful Hearts set.

I embossed this piece with my swiss dot CB folder. I embossed the entire cardfront with the divine swirls folder. I added some narrow ribbons, bows and a few pearls. For the finishing touch that sadly doesn’t show up, I spritzed the whole card with Sheer Shimmer Spritz in Frost. The whole card really does sparkle.

I am planning to work on a few more challenges, so stop by again later.

Embrace Life

 Today’s designer challenge on 365 Cards followed Sophie’s clean and simple style. I don’t usually like my cards when they are clean looking, but I do like this one.

I also submitted this card into the Virtual Stamp Night on SCS. It it the Olympic weekend and the 7:00pm challenge was to match the colors of the Hudson Bay Sweater designed for the Olympic games. It worked perfectly with my card and Sophie’s layout. I kept the kraft cardbase and used my CB folder Floral Screen. The strip of maroon leaves are from May Arts. I only had to add a few cream buttons and dark navy flowers. The sentiment on the bottom is from SU.

I hope you take some time this weekend to Embrace Life!

White space challenge

Today on 365 Cards we were shown a white space challenge. These can be fun as you are very limited to what you can add to your card. I wanted to use my new Justrite Joyful Hearts oval set so I picked out the sentiment, cut out the nestabilities and was  

ready to begin stamping. I tried to get the stamps to fit on my wooden oval stamper but it just didn’t want to stay. After many frustrating minutes, I looked at the size of the stamps and at the size of the stamper and discovered they didn’t match. Woe is me. I have two ovals, one larger and one smaller but I don’t own the 1 3/4 x  2 5/16 . I really wanted to finish the card so I just inked it up by hand and carefully laid it on the oval.

For the other card details: SU kraft cardstock, swiss dot CB folder, prima roses and Martha Stewart punch.

So for you American Idol lovers, what did you think of group night? I thought they let more through than in other years. Some of my favorites are still going strong. And wasn’t Big Mike’s little baby girl adorable?

Love is in the Air

Can you believe it? Two posts in one day!! Today’s challenge at 365 Cards is to use the word Love somewhere on our card. I accomplished that

not once but twice! When I saw the name of the challenge I remembered I had this adorable Fluffles stamp. He doesn’t see ink as often as he should. The card layout came from today’s challenge at A Spoonful of Sugar. I flipped the sketch as I already had the white curvy rectangle cut out. The rose striped paper is from Colorbox which is two sided. I used the flip side of the paper to make a curvy frame and embossed heart. That heart was made from a Cuttlebug set called Textile Hearts. The sentiment in the circle is from Justrite Romantic Sentiments. Here is a close up of the image

so you can see I added some Stickles on the fish and diamond glaze on the hearts. A little bling looks good on just about any card don’t cha think?!

Tomorrow is Wednesday, otherwise known as hump day. I hope the rest of your week goes smoothly.

Cultivate Love with 3D’s

 I was able to work on one more card tonight before I do some cross-stitching. Have I mentioned that I am working on two projects? I am. One is for a co-worker’s birthday (due the end of February) and the other is a baby blanket for a different co-worker (due in June). I make myself work on one of the projects each night for one hour.

Day 335 at 365 Cards invited us to use 3D’s: dark brown, a diamond and distressing. I began with Dark Chocolate cs by PTI, used a piece of fabulous paper by DCWV Mariposa that my best stamping buddy Char gave me, and finished it with a small square embossed with the CB Diamonds in the rough folder. The paper was so pretty and glittery I didn’t want to cover anymore up than I needed to. After checking at Flutterby Wednesday to see what type of challenge Danni had going I was happy to see it was an open one. This card will work!

I am off to my next craft, but first I need some kleenex – I am watching Sleepless in Seattle…

Buttons, Brads and Monograms..Oh My!

 Today’s cards are not for any challenge but instead for the local monthly swap and the make and take at Stamp and Deliver. I knew I wanted to use the easel layout for my card design and what better way to show off my new Justrite garden stamps! The new arrivals had just come into the store last week when I stopped in to get my materials for my demo card. The theme of the swap is to use buttons and/or brads. 

I began with a lovely shade of purple bazzill paper for the base. The patterned paper is from Basic Grey Two Scoops (pistachio almond). I stamped the flower on a scrap of white, colored it with my copics and cut it out. Here is a close up of the center.

If you click on the picture, it will enlarge to see the detail. I did use some spica pens on the flowers, but sadly that didn’t show up in the picture angle. I sponged Lavender Brilliance ink on the smaller background circle. It didn’t look that attractive when it was white. A deeper shade of Bazzill Bling or shimmer was used for the scalloped circle. I tried to pick up the darkest shade used on the flower. After taking a look at the purple brads I have it seemed that I would not have enough to complete the four cards I need for the swap with the square brads. What to do? Stick a butterfly on one corner! You know I love butterflies :) For the inside of the card, I chose the lighter shade of green from the paper and luckily I had 4 pieces in my green scrap ziplock baggie. YES, something was going right. The two buttons were added in the middle to help hold the easel upright when it is opened. 

This is going to be the card that I will demo at the Make and Takes. The theme is black and white next month. I think that makes an elegant monogram card. I am actually using creme and black which is totally elegant. The stamped bottom border is by Great Impressions. The center is from Justrite designer frames. The alphabet inside is Special Occasions font. I cut out a Labels 5 out of black for the bottom layer. This is popped up on foam squares. The ribbon is a double satin for the length and sheer black for the bow. I used my Bow Easy so it would look fabulous. I suck at tying bows without that thing now.

Here is my alternate card that I will display. The monogram was made with the Monogram stamper. I used a Cuttlebug border from the Organic Flourish set for the top. I added black rhinestones to highlight the swirls. For the bottom piece, I cut a piece of black cardstock with my SU eyelet border punch. Really a simple quick card to put together.

I hope you have a fabulous week coming up! Stop by again and hopefully I will have another card to show you.

Stockin’ up on cards

Every now and then I need to make some cards to have on hand. Birthday cards are always on that list, but sadly lately I also have needed many sympathy cards. The card below is the last one of my stash and I really liked how it turned out. In order to make more, I took a picture of it.

I can tell it has been in my card pile for awhile, as I didn’t use any nesties to cut out my layers. That will change with the next round of cards made. I do like the colors though, PTI Summer Sunrise cardstock and ribbon. The other layers were just Basic Grey papers. The stamp and sentiment is from GinaK Comfort and Peace set. Putting it together is easy enough…just a lot of layers.

The next card I am showing you today is one I started before the holidays and just wasn’t happy with. I wanted to try making a ribbon blossom. I studied the tutorial over at SCS and watched the short YouTube video but I just wasn’t happy with my blossom. Until today…

After many tries of tying the ribbon I think I have been successful in making a blossom. I began with SU cardstock in Kiwi Kiss and Rose Red. The patterned paper is also SU Raspberry Tart. For the embossed panel I used SU Pretty in Pink and the CB Happy Birthday folder. The image is by IO, called birthday martini and I used my copics to color it in. For the blossom I used 4 different ribbons, 6 pieces of each. I will have to admit, if I go to mail this card, it is going to be bulky so extra padding and postage will be required.

I have a few more ideas I would like to complete today, so I am off for now. Hopefully there will be another post later today.

Embossing and a holiday treat holder

 I hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving last week. Ours went well even though the turkey was a bit underdone. The microwave helped to cure that problem. I basically relaxed over the weekend and caught up on my reading. If you are a James Patterson fan, I recommend his latest – I Alex Cross. We also decorated the house inside and out for Christmas.

On to the card below. Tomorrow is our monthly card swap at Stamp and Deliver. The theme was to use any type of embossing on our cards.

I went the easy way out and did dry embossing. I used the flourish frame Cuttlebug folder on a white panel. Layered this onto a green panel then a red panel. The finished card is 5 by 6.5 inches. The sentiment on the card is from Bo Bunny. It is actually a rub-on. A few red and green Kaiser pearls were a finishing touch. I have really decided that all my holiday cards are going to be clean and simple. I am not going to stress over them this year.

The next quick little holiday treat is for our co-workers. It is a simple matchbook fold treat holder and inside is a Ghirardelli chocolate square.

The paper is from Basic Grey – one of their older Christmas packs. I used a Martha Stewart border punch on one end. The sentiment is Just Rite from the Merry Little Christmas set. I stamped it in Memento Rich Cocoa ink. The layered circles are cut from my Nestabilities. If I work assembly line style I should be able to finish them in a few nights. I have about 4 dozen to make and I just might have my DH help this year. Surely he can use a paper cutter….

Reindeer Food and a Christmas Card

I saw this idea on a couple of blogs now and thought I would make up a batch for my nephews in Georgia. I had the pail from Stampendous and it was the perfect size for Reindeer Food. I used a strip of patterned paper that I had in my collection for a while now.

I stamped the image and colored it with my copics then cut it out with my nestabilities. The snowflakes are also a variety of nestabilities. What you can’t see are the cute buttons I glued all around the pail. The saying was printed out on the computer.

The second project I finished today was a simple Christmas card. I saw the layout at Heartprints blog and fell in love. It lets me use my Cuttlebug and ScorPal.

If you click on the picture it will enlarge so you can see the details better. I began by cutting out the nesties Label 9 and the ribbon tag. The sentiment is from The Cat’s Pajamas. The image is by Impression Obsession and was stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black. I used the following copic colors: c1, yr07, B0000, BV0000, Spica pens in yellow and clear. I used the swiss dots CB folder on the card base first, then lined it up and scored in 1/4 increments. This really came together fast tonight and I just might look at my images and see what else would fit on that nestie to make this my Christmas card for this year. I know many of you are probably saying….it is almost Thanksgiving and you have not designed your Christmas cards yet? I work much better under pressure. I hope you have a great Thanksgiving week. If you are traveling….safe traveling wishes go out to you.

Perfect Paisley

 I was able to work on a quick card just now and luckily today’s challenge at 365 Cards was easy for me. We were to use paisley on our card with as a background or a stamp.

I had the paisley vellum CB’d left over from another project so I grabbed it and placed it over SU Rich Razzleberry cardstock. I attached it with some white brads. The flowers are by Prima, the ribbon is All My Memories and sentiment is by IO. That’s it!

The patient had a good night and slept all the way through. He has completely thawed out and is uncomfortable but nothing he can’t tolerate. He was able to shower and he said the worst part is just going from standing to sitting and vice versa. That stretches your stomach and groin muscles. This will probably be my last post as early tomorrow morning I leave for Atlanta to babysit for my nephews this weekend. I hope you have a wonderful weekend planned and I will see you next week :)

Tuesday’s Trio for a friend

 Today’s card involves a trio of items for the challenge at 365 cards. You were required to use a pearl, tag and ribbon on your card. I began by grabbing one of my seldom used CB folders, script and embossed a piece of dark brown cardstock.

I rubbed copper metallic paste over the embossing to make it shimmer. Next I stamped a collage stamp by Hero Arts onto a piece of kraft and then a scrap of blush cardstock. I cut out just the heart image from the blush and layered it onto the kraft image. I tore the bottom edge and layered this onto a turquoise scrap and tore that bottom edge. Using a colored pencil, I highlighted the butterfly and the postmark in blue. To go along with using seldom used products of mine, I dug out some copper eyelets and threaded the ribbon through them. I attached the tag, (don’t look for the hello stamp in any store….that’s my handwriting *wink*) a few prima flowers and the required pearl. I took the challenge literally and it said pearl, so I used a rhinestone for the second flower.

Nothing to hard or complex on this and it isn’t bulky so it should be easy to mail to a friend. Gotta get to bed as it is an early day tomorrow. My son is having surgery and we have to be at the hospital by 6:30 am.

Mother Earth

 

Is it a flag for a new country? No, it is my interpretation for the 4 elements of nature. Today’s challenge 365 Cards was tough. We were to divide our card into four equal parts and have them represent earth, air, fire and water.  Please click on the link and check out what the others did. They are fabulous. I went for the basics and choose to display the colors that represent the elements. Things to note on my simple card: the swirls on the four sections all match perfectly together and I remembered to tilt the earth on it’s axis *wink* (If any of you are science majors, please tell me if I tilted the earth on the wrong side.)

I played tennis again after work today and it went much better. I ate a small sandwich before playing and I bought a Sobe life water to drink. We were actually able to volley the ball quite a few times. On the down side, we were scolded about our shoes. Apparently we have running shoes not “tennis” shoes. We left horrible marks in the clay. So this weekend I have to go shopping. Apparently they also make “tennis” clothing that enable you to put a ball in your pocket without stopping the blood flow to your thigh. I hate to go clothes shopping but I will have to make a trip this weekend.

Sandy Greetings

 Today’s challenge at 365 Cards was to try a new technique – Sanding. We needed to give the card a distresses look by sanding it. Like many others, I pulled out my Coredinations cardstock and ran it through my Cuttlebug. I choose to use my Holly folder. After sanding the image, I used the ticket corner punch on the corners. I decided to keep the card simple so I added two prima flowers, a strip of organza ribbon, a few Robins Nest dew drops and the sentiment.

This card didn’t take more than 15 minutes to complete and I am truly grateful. We had a long day traveling out of town to attend a gun show. I have never been to one before and it was an eye opening experience. It was a successful trip as I was able to find a gun that I liked, a 32 Kel-tec semi-automatic.  We traded in one that I didn’t like at all. I was able to buy a second clip, ammo and a small case that fits in my pocket and conceals it nicely all within our budget. The gun is so small that your hand covers the whole thing. Now when I travel out of town alone for work, I will feel a bit more comfortable.

I have tried a different look for the image upload. It is called reflection….what do you think?

DIY Flutterby blooms

 Today’s card was made to fulfill two challenges. The first is for 365 cards which asked us to create our own patterned paper. Since today is Wednesday, I hopped over to Danni’s blog Flutter by Wednesday which asked us to make a card with a butterfly or fairy on it and include flowers. No twisting my arm to include a butterfly!

For the patterned paper I first choose a background sheet from my new pack of Basic Grey Indian Summer. (I finally got to pick up my new paper!) Next I took a piece of SU Kraft paper and used the Fine Lace background stamp with Memento Rich Cocoa ink. Then I choose a stamp by Inkadinkado from the Fall Season clear set. I inked it with my Kaleidacolor pad - Cappuccino Delight. I randomly stamped it over the fine lace image. I trimmed the corners with an EK Success corner punch. For the butterfly, I took a small piece of Tim Holtz grunge paper and my butterfly CB set. I cut out the image first than ran it through one of the four embossing folders that come in the set. I used a sponge and choose two shades of ink from the ink pad to color it. I popped it up with foam tape and attempted to curl the wings a bit. I added a few Primas to resemble the butterfly’s flight trail.

The card seems a bit dark to me  but that is what I was drawn to create tonight. I didn’t think I was in a dark or gloomy mood. Hopefully tomorrow’s card will look cheerier.

Three in one Tilda

I have been wanting to color one of my many RAK images of Tilda. Today I looked at a few challenge blogs that I follow and I was able to make this card and complete three challenges. To begin, 365 Cards asked us to create a card with what’s inside that counts. The front should enable you to know that Tilda is missing her friend. See, she is sitting all by herself on the wonderfully colored bench. Be kind, it was first time coloring wood. The second challenge using sparkle for Flutter by Wednesday #75. I used Stickles on her dress and hair bows. I also painted her wings and the flowers with Pixie Dust Shimmerz.

The third and final challenge was for Just Magnolia Week 22. We needed to use embossing on our card. To begin with I colored the bench and Tilda with copics. I cut out Tilda and placed her on the bench. I then set out to find some patterned paper and settled on this piece of SU from last year’s Holiday mini. I embossed the paper with my CB Moroccan Screen folder. I cut out the bench using my Labels 5 nesties and sponged SU Baja Breeze ink. It looked naked without the ink. I added a button with a cool heart imprinted on it (click the picture to make it bigger and you will see it), new primas I purchased this past weekend and Robin’s Nest teardrops. Get it , I told you Tilda was sad as she is missing her friend.

Here is the sentiment inside the card. It is from Hampton Art.

Here is a close-up of Tilda so you can try to see her sparkle.  That’s all for tonight, it is after 11, the Leno show is over and I need to get to bed.