Enjoy today with a maggie

 Which little cutie is this? Can you tell from just this snippet of the image? Today my BSB (best stamping buddy) came over and we stamped images of each other’s magnolias. After looking at a few challenges today, I decided to use  - Tilda with birdcage!

The challenges that I am entering are:

365 cards color scheme for day 34  Here is a look at the colors we had to use

Week 49 at Just M agnolia is requiring 2 folds on your card

Basic Grey has a sketch to follow  Here is the sketch that Martine created

Now you know the requirements I had to comply with, here is my card creation:

I began with finding the paper for the color challenge. I pulled out my Basic Grey Green at Heart paper pack. Once the papers were chosen I colored in my darling Tilda with copic markers. I added scattered straw and frosted lace stickles to her dress, bow and the bird so they would shimmer. I cut the image and sentiment out with my Labels 4 from Spellbinders. I sponged the shapes with Versamagic Spanish Olive ink. Along with the BG paper, I used Marigold Morning from SU. To complete the sketch, I added buttons from BG and the middle one is from Tres Jolie. Isn’t the two toned button a perfect match? The flowers are by Prima with a couple Martha Stewart punched branches. To comply with the Just Magnolia challenge, the card is a gate-fold.

I have included the copics that I used in coloring my image

Thanks for taking the time to stop by.

Y’all Come…

 Once again I was asked to make the invitations for my husband’s work. They are having a volunteer luncheon in a couple of weeks with a Southern Picnic theme. I made invites that resembled a picnic basket.

I began with cutting out the card base from Creamy Caramel and Soft Suede cardstock. I stamped a basket weave stamp from Flourishes in Artprint brown ink. The cardstock was then run through the Cuttlebug with the distressed stripes folder to make it have the texture of a basket. Being that my husband works for the library, I decided to use my Labels 7 Nestabilities to cut out the invitation so it would resemble an open book. I used a base of Real Red and the actual invite was computer generated. For the sentiment on the outside, I used my Justrite stamps. Here is a close up of the invitation:

My husband thinks I went to the extra trouble of adjusting the ink on the stamp so the basket looked realistic. If he only knew it was extremely hard to get equal pressure on that stamp to cover the cardstock! If I never see a picnic basket in the next few weeks, it will be too soon.  I hope to return to my cards in the next few days.

Mojo #131 To Love and Be Loved

 

I came home to some happy mail today. An online friend sent me a Verve stamp set called Feel the Sun. I looked over the various online challenges and settled on Mojo Monday’s sketch 131.

To begin I started with a piece of SU Kraft cardstock. Next I thumbed through my 6 by 6 paper packs looking for just the right paper. It then dawned on me that my card is 8.5 inches long and a 6 inch paper won’t cut it. On to the big guns. I pulled out my Mariposa pack and actually cut into two of the large pieces of paper. This was an emotional moment and I only cut exactly what I needed so I could preserve the pretty paper. I stamped the flower on two pieces of white and colored them with copics (E31 and R20). I then stamped the image two more times and cut out the center and the inside petal layer. After coloring these, I popped them up on foam tape.

For the sentiment, I used my new Labels 10 nestie. I cut out the shape and knew I wanted to sponge the inside. I looked through all my brown/tan inks to find just the right shade. Now I know why I also hoard ink pads. I decided on my VersaMagic tear drop of Wheat for the color. Once this was done, I stamped the sentiment in black. For the center panel of the sketch, I grabbed one of my new Color me Crazy velvet butterflies from Petaloo. I used the same brown (E31) copic marker to color her in. I decided this butterfly is a she. For a finishing touch, Cotton Candy stickles was added to the flower centers and the wings. Isn’t she pretty?

Thanks for stopping by today and enjoy the rest of your week:)

Secret to a rich life..

 

I finally was able to sit down today and work on a card or two. This coming Wednesday night is the card swap at my lss (Stamp and Deliver). The theme this month is odd shaped cards or folds. I went with the folds and created a wiper card. This card also will be submitted for the ad inspired challenge at 365 cards and for flutterby challenge to use green . I began with grey cardstock cut into 4 1/4 by 8 1/2 pieces. You will need 2 of these. Score at 1.5 and 3 inches on both sheets. Fold on the scores. Create your main panel as desired and add patterned paper on the two side panels. Cut a piece of cardstock 1.5 by 3 inches long. Score on the diagonal at 1.5 inches. This will be the part that pops up. Embellish as desired. Once the card front is complete, add a strip of sticky tape on each side and adhere your second piece of 4 1/4 by 8 1/2 cardstock. Along with the grey cs, I also used Aqua Mist by Paper trey ink, the patterned paper is from My Minds Eye Home collection. The butterflies are from a Martha Stewart punch, buttons by Basic Grey, ribbon from Michaels. I sponged the front sentiment panel with SU Baja Breeze, Ranger Distress inks in bundled sage wild honey and dried marigold. A few black rhinestones finished the card. I needed to make 4 cards total and I didn’t have enough of the patterned paper so I also made this version:

Both sentiments are from the clear set by Cloud 9 birthday sentiments. This really is an easy card to put together and when folded, it will fit into a regular envelope for mailing. Thanks for stopping by today.

Baby shower creations

 I have been busy the last two days putting these baby shower creations together. A co-worker is pregnant and she is moving to New York. We are having a shower tomorrow for her. First is the centerpiece which is a diaper cake. You can find a fabulous tutorial by Susan Liles if you click on her name. We know the baby is a girl hence the pink theme (wink).

 Here are a few more shots of the diaper cake from different angles.

There are pacifiers, teething rings and rattles all around it. It went together really fast. The paper is from the Baby Girl Nursery pack (thanks again Char).

And now for the shower favors:

 Aren’t these baby booties too cute? These did take a bit longer to trace, cut and glue together but I think they are worth it. They are made from a variety of patterned papers with cardstock bottoms. Here is a close up”

They are filled with pink and white M&M’s. A small brad holds the strap so it really resembles a shoe! Now to just wrap my present, fix my cold cut platter and make a card. This is very hard to concentrate on as I am watching the American Idol results show.

Til next time :)

Wacky colors and early birthday gifts

 

Do the colors of the above card look wacky to you? I must state, the shade of purple is not really coming through on this picture. Today is wacky color Wednesday at 365 Cards. We needed to use Orange, Purple and Blue. I began with looking for some patterned paper and found some scraps from Basic Grey Sugar Rush. The image is a RAK that I received from a stamping friend in the UK (thanks Joan) and I believe it is a Sugar Nellie image. I colored her with these copics:

I added some ultrafine Flower Soft in Citrus Crush to the flowers. A strip of ribbon and pearls were added along with a butterfly punch. The sentiment is by A Muse and stamped on a Labels 4. I am also going to submit this card to Challenge 94 Recycle at A Spoonful of Sugar and Challenge 100 at Flutterby Wednesday. All three of these challenge blogs have some wonderful creations for you to look over.

I would also like to show you some early birthday gifts from my stamping buddy Char:

Isn’t that card wonderful? She knows my love of butterflies (especially blue ones). I can’t wait to try that pop-up butterfly punch!!! The big day is actually this Sunday, sigh.

Song inspired Mojo 129

 Today’s card fulfills two challenges. The first is the Mojo Monday sketch challenge and the second is from 365 Cards who gave us a song to be inspired by. The song is What a Wonderful World. I went with the first part of the song when Mr. Armstrong sings of the trees and roses. If you would like to hear the song, click on the blue words above that say 365 Cards and it will start playing for you.

The card itself is not very complicated. I was a bit pre-occupied when I made it last night. I had come home from a city council meeting and was playing catch up on some shows I missed last week. I began with just a plain white card base and put a layer of Sweet Blush from Papertrey Ink on top. The patterned papers are from Basic Grey. I stamped the roses (Hero Arts) and colored them with my copics. The sentiment is by Justrite. The ribbon is silk and the buttons are also from BG so the color matches perfectly! I tried layering the stamped panel on a few different shades of cardstock but none of them gave me the wow factor, so in the end I just used my Tim Holtz distresser and left it at that.

I hope you enjoy your Wednesday otherwise known as Hump Day! The week is all downhill from here:)

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.

A few days for 365 Cards

I have tried to play catch up today. With our son getting into his new home, we have spent each evening with him doing small tasks. I have three cards tonight to show for some of this week’s challenges. First up is today’s Sunday Sketch by Pam. I began by using my new paper pack from  

SEI called Claire. All three patterned papers on the cover are from the pack. I used my new Labels 12 from Spellbinders to cut out the shapes. In keeping with the curve of the label, I used an SU label and a corner rounder that attempted to mimic the curve. A strip of silk ribbon and a few button from Dress It Up finish the bottom. I didn’t want to drag out my huge sewing machine for the stitches, so I used my paper piercer and created some faux stitches.

Next up is a card for Day 6 stampin saturday. We were required to put ink on our stamps not color in a stamped image. Yikes! I rarely make a card without using my Copics anymore, this seemed so strange. I found this piece of background paper that was made with the shaving cream technique some time ago.

I looked at the colors I had used to create the background (Raisin, Butterscotch and Ginger) and dragged out my watercolor pencils. I used a stamp from Penny Black ( I just adore their floral stamps) and put the crayon color directly on the stamp then misted it with water. The sentiment is from SU and the flowers were punched from a SU floral punch. I added half pearls to their middles. Ladies, please close your dropped jaws, there are no nesties used on this card either. I went the old school way and just used my paper cutter to cut simple edged shapes.

For my last challenge, Day 5 Fancy Folds, I got out one of my wild card templates that I have had for years. Let me show you the card, then I will explain.

I began by using some material that was left over from the Wild Card class I had attended many moons ago. I glued the fabric onto some light cardstock and cut out the two templates that you see in the first and third picture of this section. Eyelets and copper leaves were attached to the third template. Inside is a small note card. The middle template is from a sheet of paper that I stamped a variety of leaves in Ranger Raisin ink. The top template has crushed velvet leaves on the four petals that open the envelope. Hopefully, the recipient doesn’t get tired of opening all the cards up to get to the sentiment inside!

It is time for a hot chocolate and a cinnamon raisin bagel while I catch up with some recorded shows from this week. I hope you all have a fun week coming up. If our schedule stays on track, we are driving up to Atlanta on Saturday to move our oldest. I will get to spend an evening with my sister and bring her Cuttlebug to her. She has been hearing about this machine for quite a while and I was able to get one for her quite cheaply.

My Lavender space challenge

 Today at 365 Cards Pam challenged us to a white space challenge. Since I used a lavender cardbase, mine is called the Lavender space challenge. I made this quick and easy because I spent my evening helping our middle son get organized in his new house.

The card details are: cardstock – Papertrey Ink Lavender Moon, ink – Versamagic Purple Hydrangea, stamp – Studio G, ribbon – May Arts, bling – Basic Grey, Nestie – New Label 10 :)

Here is what the challenge looked like and you can see what some of the others did with it. That’s it for tonight….I am off to bed.

Tuesday Trio….Follow Your Heart

 When you look at this picture can you figure out what the trio of elements we needed to use were? It is Day 2 at 365 Cards and Pam had a fun trio for us today.

So, did you guess circles, silver and pearls? Then you are a winner! Here is the entire card for your viewing pleasure:

I began by using my Blooming Dots CB folder on a piece of Coredinations Flower Power paper. I sanded the panel so the dots would pop out and be seen. I used my SU scallop border punch on the right side and used a strip of silver ribbon to attach the heart charm. The sentiment is from Justrite Joyful Hearts set. After cutting out some ovals for the sentiment I used Silver Liquid Pearls on the scalloped layer. I know it is a simple card, but I rather like it. 

American Idol comes on with the 10 remaining girls tonight. I don’t have a favorite just yet, but hopefully they won’t be as nervous as last week:)

Mojo in colors

 Good Evening. This is a short post tonight to show the card I just finished after dinner. It uses the color challenge from 365 Cards and the layout from Mojo Monday #128.  The sketch was a more simple one which is good since I am using some busy patterned paper. It is a new year at 365 Cards and it began with a color challenge. You can view the challenge here.

I began with a base of SU Chocolate Chip and put down a layer from Basic Grey Ambrosia paper pack. The butterfly strip is also from the same pack. In keeping with the colors required I added strips of SU Close to Cocoa. The sentiment is Justrite from the Just A Note set which is stamped and embossed on vellum. I layered the circle on a nice red flower and finished it with some chocolate dew drops to complete the sketch layout. This came together really quick….maybe I should submit it to Take Ten Magazine?!

G’Night :)

Sunday’s cards to share with you

Happy Sunday to all of you. I worked a bit this afternoon and completed a total of 5 challenges with three cards. I finished 3 more challenges for SCS virtual stamp weekend. I also finished the two most recent challenges at 365 Cards. 

This first card was for Day 364 which was to copy DT Vicky’s style. She loves florals and soft colors. I began with stamping my Justrite Breath of Spring image and coloring it with my copics. I cut it out using my oval nesties. Next I stamped the oval with Versamark ink and covered it with Heat N Bond. Once it was all sticky, I covered the image with Ultrafine glitter. This made it eligible for the glitter challenge on SCS. To finish the card I cut strips from SU Tea Party paper pack and added a strip of So Saffron ribbon. The sentiment is from SU Warm Words. I used some foam tape to pop the oval up as Vicky also likes to do. Here is shot of the copics I used and a close-up of the image:

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next card I have is for today’s challenge at 365 Cards and since it is Sunday, it is a sketch challenge by Pam.

I used the sketch layout, but also incorporated the triple inspiration challenge at SCS. We had to use three different ribbons on our card. I used ribbons to follow Pam’s sketch lines and instead of just having blunt ends, I cut each one in a different style. The flowers are very old Prima’s and the charm is also something I have been hanging onto for a while. The card base is from the Chocolate Coredinations pack. I needed a 12 by 12 sheet and didn’t have any plain brown paper that size. The front panel is from a new DCWV Linen Closet paper pack.

My third and final card this afternoon is for the first sketch challenge on Friday night which was to follow the shape of a Inuktuik. The Olympic symbol this year.

I began with a base of SU Taken with Teal cardstock. Next, I pulled out another new paper pack, DCWV Cafe Mediterranean. The colors are very vibrant and they went so well for the sketch. I used various papers from the pack to follow the sketch and finished it with turquoise rhinestones and new prima flowers. I have a fondness for Prima flowers and tend to purchase as many new types as they create. The corner sentiment is from Justrite Seeds of Kindness set. The bottom corner looked plain with something there.

I know this was a longer post for me, and I thank you now for reading to the bottom. Enjoy the rest of your weekend. I am switching gears and pulling out my cross-stitch project. The latest one is a baby quilt for a co-worker. Once I get a bit more finished, I will show you a picture of it.

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!

Hooray for Mojo Monday!

 I had some new craft items that I have been wanting to play with and tonight I sat down while watching the American Idol results show. I went to 365 cards to see which designer was being showcased. Today is Amy and her style is fun, bright and whimsical. I next headed over to Mojo Monday to take a look at their current sketch. I really wanted to do the circle sketch, but the image was just a bit too large for my largest circle, so I went with the square.

I knew I wanted to use this image by Hero Arts so I pulled out my new Basic Grey paper pack Sugar Rush and looked through the pages. I choose two that were similar in brightness to Amy’s color choices. I used a scallop square nestie to layer the image in Almost Amethyst. The ribbon is from May Arts that has a nice shimmer to it IRL. I choose square brads for the corner since I made a square card and the color is almost spot on. To finish, I took my new pot of Citrus Crush Ultrafine Flower Soft and covered the flowers. The color blend fit the colors in my background paper perfectly. I couldn’t ask for a better match. And for those inquiring minds….

here is the handful of copics I used to color the little gal.

Be sure to enjoy your Friday and the last remaining days of February:)

Fly Away Home!

I was struggling with the theme for our card swap this month at Stamp & Deliver. All we had to do is to utilize a punch on our card. That isn’t hard at all really but I wanted to show a few different ways to use my punches. I started playing with a few looks, tossed most of them out, and put this together an hour ago.

Before I started with the final layout, I checked a few challenge blogs that I love and incorporated two of them. First was an easy one, Flutterby Wednesday was an open challenge, just make sure there is a fairy or butterfly on your card. The second challenge I will enter this for is A spoonful of sugar. This week’s challenge asked us to use distress ink, pearls and glitter on the card.

I began with my Tilda image. I stamped her in Memento ink and colored her with these:

After I was done coloring, I cut her out and layered her on an oval that was distressed with Antique Linen ink. The patterned paper is from the DCWV Garden Party pack. On the darker blue panel, I used my Martha Stewart Arch Lattice border punch. I stamped a flourish from Basic Grey in Vintage Sepia ink on the lighter blue panel. The butterflies are also a Martha punch. But you may be asking…who makes the ladybug punch? Cheri does! I used a one inch circle punch and punched a red one and a black one. I snipped the red circle in half and used my crop-a-dile to make the smaller holes. I layered the red halves to look like wings. A smaller circle was punched for her head and sadly the face is hand-drawn. For finishing touches, I used some Stickles glitter glue in Mermaid on her dress and boots, pearls were added on the butterflies and as a trail on the ladybug.

Now that American Idol is finished, I can quickly put together the other three cards for the swap! Enjoy your night:)

Can you say sketch challenge?

Let me start with a quick health update…our son is over the nasty stomach virus and feeling great. He unfortunately shared it with us first and we are still trying to get our strength back!  

I needed to finish the gift set for my co-worker. Her birthday is this week and I was hoping for at least 6 general occasion cards to give her along with the cross-stitch project that you can see in this post. I noticed that it was sketch week on 365 Cards this week so I choose three sketches to make a few more cards from. First up is Vicky's sketch. I kept the same papers and color scheme from my first three cards and worked them into the sketches. The fabulous lace was a find on Monday at JoAnn’s. Instead of adding two different papers like the sketch, I let the lace and sentiment take their place. The image is from Justrite and colored with copics.

My second card followed Amy's sketch. I decided to use a cut out scalloped oval to place my image inside. I did use some foam tape to raise the image oval up so it is noticed a bit better. Robin’s Nest dew drops are in the corners and I wound scrapper’s floss on the sides. (I have had that for years and finally found a time to use it.)

For the third card I followed Kristies's sketch and made this one:

  The buttons are from Jesse James Dress it Up Heirloom Collection. I have had these since last summer and their color was perfect for this. I debated about stamping the image in versamark on the purple strips, but didn’t like how it came out so in the end, I kept them blank.

I do want to show you a great find from Monday. We went into this vintage consignment shop called Top Drawer in College Park, FL. They had everything from designer clothes to fine china, furniture and these:

 

My husband took one look at them and said “Oh look, butterfly ashtrays.” I was like “They are not, they are glass dishes, there are no indentations where a cigarette would sit!”  I plan to use them to hold charms (see above) and buttons, brads or eyelets. At any rate, they will fill a special place on my work desk. I was excited when I saw them and promptly picked them up. All the above charms were bought on my shopping spree Monday also. They are all by Blue Moon Beads.

If you are still reading this, thanks for staying with me. My posts are not usually this long. I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend:)

Just Words

Good Morning....Just a few words this morning. I was not able to make anything to show you last night as I was running on 3 hours of sleep. The "babe" came down with a nasty stomach virus in the wee hours of Tuesday morning. I left for work at 7, had back to back meetings all day and returned home at 7:15 pm. After a quick dinner I relaxed while watching American Idol and promptly fell asleep. I am leaving work today at noon to go home and feed the babe. Hopefully, I can work on a few more cards that are coming due rather quickly. I do have some wonderful new items to play with from my Fantastic Monday with friends! I am so glad my week started off on a good note! Keep some good thoughts for him..he looks an Ethiopian orphan!

Everyday cards and Valentine’s cupcakes

 I wanted to make a set of everyday cards as a birthday present for a co-worker. I made the cross-stitch teapot that I already showed you and these will go along with that. I used the image from Justrite Plant a Little Love set. I cut out the images with various nestabilities.

The cardstock is from Coredinations called Pesto. The green is the same shade as the mat on my project. While I was shopping for the green cs at Stamp and Deliver, Claire (store owner) showed me this fabulous piece of cream paper which I have tried to incorporate onto each card. I colored the image with my copics and added some pieces of ribbon from MFT spring ribbon bundle.

This card has a few score lines made with my Scor-Pal. I used my eyelet border punch on the cream paper and my bow easy to tie this snazzy double bow. A button flower and pearl were added to the bow. For the next card, I used a sketch from Mojo Monday.

I stamped the image on a Labels 8 die and layered that with a Labels 5. Some kaiser pearls are attached to the edge. Decorative scissors were used on the cream strip. I am still working on a few more layouts, but wanted to get this post done tonight before I get too tired. I also wanted to show you the cupcakes I made for my guys today.

They are Red Velvet cupcakes with Cream Cheese frosting. The boxes are from Wilton as are the candy hearts and if you look close in the window, there are toothpicks in the shape of an arrow. They were a big hit this morning! Tomorrow is a fun day with the girls. We are going to lunch at PF Changs. I have never been to one of these restaurants before and I hear the food is out of this world. I hope you have a fun week and can find time to spend with your friends:)