SC196 - Tangerines and Eastern Blooms

I made this card for SC196...this really is a fun sketch. I got to do a card with this same sketch about a month ago at a shoe box swap I went to in Phoenix. My friend, Kathleen (Defoe) brought a fun card with this sketch. As soon as Roxie posted this sketch I knew it was the same one! Congrats Kathleen!!

Anyway back to my card, I decided to break out some of my new Hawaii Papaya DSP, and thought that it goes really well with the Eastern Blooms set I got at convention this year. To embellish the card I added a little bit of kiwi kiss/very vanilla ribbon and two antique brass large flower brads. The sentiment is stamped in very vanilla, and the background of the main image panel is sponge ever so lightly with kiwi kiss. To get the two colors on the main image, I would normally just color the twigs with chocolate chip and the flowers with tangerine tango markers, but since I do not have tangerine tango markers, I used a technique with the blender pen that I learned at convention. I have a little picture tutorial to share how I did this.

First, ink your entire image up with the color that you do not have a maker for...in this instance it is Tangerine Tango.

Then, take your blender pen and rub the tip of the pen on the portion of the stamp where you want to make the second color...this is essentially taking the ink off the image. Here I took the ink off the twig portion of the stamp, making sure to clean the pen often on a scrap piece of paper.

Finally take your marker, in this case chocolate chip, and color the portion of the image where the tango was just taken off. Then huff on the image and stamp! An easy way to get two tones on an image, even if you don't have markers for one of the colors.

Well, I was hoping to post this card to SCS before I head to bed, but I can not seem to get on the site, so it will have to wait until the morning. Oh well!

Card Details:

Images: Eastern Blooms

Paper: Tangerine Tango, Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, Hawaii Papaya DSP

Inks: Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango, Very Vanilla craft

Accessories: Kiwi Kiss/very vanilla satin ribbon, Flower Brads, Sponge

CC186 - Really Breezy Harvest

I made this card for this week's CC186 - Real Rust, Baja Breeze and Chocolate Chip. Such a fun color combo for a fall card so I decided to use my SU Harvest Home stamp set. I stamped my image in Stazon black and then colored it with my copic markers. I then sponged the sky with a little Baja breeze. The DSP I used is SU's Autumn Vine, which is just perfect for this color challenge. The ribbon is double stitched Baja breeze (which I just LOVE), and it is attached to the card with some antique brass brads. The sentiment and the main image panel is clipped together with a mini library clip, with some fun rust fibers tied in a knot on the end of the clip.

I am just sooo glad that it is finally fall (my favorite time of year!)...summer is behind us as are the 100 degree days!! :)

Card details:
Images: Harvest Home
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Real Rust, Baja Breeze, Autumn Vine DSP
Inks: Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Stazon Black, Copic Markers
Accessories: Baja Breeze Double Stitched Ribbon, Antique Brass Brads, Mini Library Clip, Rust Fibers

TLC188 - Batik Pockets

I made this card for TLC188 where we were to do a colorwash batik technique. Here are the steps to create this technique (which I took directly from SCS's challenge today:

Step 1: Stamp your images using versa mark onto your watercolor paper. Apply your clear embossing powder and heat until embossing powder is melted. For my card I used pocket silhouettes.

Step 2: Get your colorwash or make your own by placing several drops of re-inkers into a mini mister (or similar small spray bottle) and then adding water to the mister. I didn't measure my drops of re-inkers, but rather just added enough water to provide the desired color intensity. Shake to mix. For this card, I used kiwi kiss and chocolate chip. Now mist your colors, one at a time, onto your embossed watercolor paper, dabbing with a paper towel if you get too much color, or to help blend blobs you may get.

Step 3: Now place your watercolor paper onto a sheet of text weight copy paper (embossed side facing up) and place another on top of your watercolor paper (to protect your iron). Using your iron press the watercolor paper until the embossing is melted and absorbed into the copy paper. You can check to see if it's all done by lifting the copy paper and if you still see shiny embossed areas, keep ironing.

To finish off my card, I used the sanded background on the so saffron base. Then added some chocolate chip satin ribbon and the sentiment with hodgepodge hardware.

It actually took me a couple of times to figure out the colors and intensity, but I think I finally got it to where I like it. This really is a fun technique!!

Card Details:

Images: Pocket Silhouettes, Sanded Background

Paper: So Saffron, Watercolor Paper

Inks: Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip, Versamark

Accessories: Ribbon, HPH, Clear EP

FS86 Way to go Terrore3!!

I made this card for this week's FS86 on SCS, which featured Terrore3! What a fun gallery she has! I decided to CASE this card. I unfortunately needed a sympathy card for one of my DH's coworkers whose mother pass away last week.

I did change a few things on my card: I used different colors, masked and oval instead of a rectangle, added brads in the bottom corner, added more layers, and used different images.

I just love masking, and the effect you get with it! In this case I cut an oval frame with my creative memories oval cutter. I then layered it over my confetti cream paper and sponged both kiwi kiss and close to cocoa. I then stamped this wonderful bird image and sentiment from There She Goes Here for you set in close to cocoa. To finish off the card I used some yummy kiwi kiss ribbon and antique brass brads.

Card Details:

Images: Here for you - There She Goes Stamps

Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Close to coca, Confetti Cream

Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Close to Cocoa

Accessories: Creative memories oval cutter, kiwi kiss/very vanilla satin ribbon, antique brass brads.

WT185 - It's Very Charming

I made this card for this weeks WT185 challenge on SCS, and for my DD's 5th b-day, which was on Tuesday, but we are celebrating it with some close friends and family on Saturday. I decided to make her a card that matches the DVD envelope I made a few weeks ago, and will be using for her new Barbie DVD! :)

For today's challenge we were to use charms. I have had some of these flower charms laying around since I made something for my nieces for Christmas last year, so it was time to use one of them! I added this charm to the ribbon knot with a pop up glue dot from SU.

The butterfly image is from Kitchen Sink Stamps as is the small daisy in the background. It was a no brainer on what images to use since KSS is also celebrating their 1st Anniversary today, and releasing 4 new stamp sets!! :) The butterfly was inked with pink pirouette, pretty in pink and perfect plum. The daisy was inked with versamark and so saffron. I also used my ink sprizing tool to add a splash of plum on the base with the daisies to match the Parisian Summer DSP.

The edges of the plum panel were scalloped using my sclloped edge punch from SU, and I used some white taffeta ribbon along with some thinner pink ribbon to finish off the card.

Now, I need to get going and clean my house for this weekend's big party!! Hope you all have a great day!

SC195 - Snow Swirled Velum

I made this card for SC195 on SCS. What a fun little sketch! I love the two block backgrounds and thought I would be a great way to showcase a new technique I learned form the workshop wow DVD from convention. The panels are basically inked up velum with classic ink and then the snowflakes are stamped to take off some of the ink. I put together a quick tutorial to show you how I got this effect.


First take a piece of velum and cover it with the lightest color of ink by directly placing your ink pad on the velum. In this case I used Baja Breeze. (Yep, expect to have inky finger when you are done with this!)


Then just as you did with your lighter color, ink the same piece of velum with your darker color...here I used pacific point.






Next, take your clean stamp, and press it down on the wet card stock to get sort of a ghosting effect. Be sure to clean off the rubber each time between stamping. You will end up with what looks like designer paper!

Card Details:
Images: Snow Swirled
Paper: Velum, Baja Breeze, Pacific Point, Whisper White
Inks: Baja Breeze, Pacific Point
Accessories: Ribbon, Dew Drops

CC185 - Butterfly Happiness

I made this card for CC185 - Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, and Confetti Cream (we were supposed to use very vanilla but I did not have any).

I used my Butterfly Happiness Stamp from There She Goes again today. Love this set! So many fun butterfly images and I love all the sentiments!! The butterfly and the sentiment are inked in Baja breeze and stamped on the confetti card stock. I inked up the leaves with Kiwi Kiss for the background panel and tore all the edges. Then I torn the right edge of the card over about 3/4", and stamped another smaller butterfly image on the inside of the card so when closed, they appear on the right side of the card. To finish the card off, I added some of my favorite kiwi kiss/vanilla satin ribbon, and sponged the edges of the base of the card with Baja breeze.

I really do love this color combo. I think that Baja and kiwi are VERY pretty together! In fact, the last card I made with a There She Goes set was almost this same combo, only I used white and added close to cocoa. Anyway. hope you all have a great day...I know I will since it is my DD's 5th b-day!! I am off to make her some chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast! :)

Card Details:

Images: Butterfly Happiness - TSG

Paper & Inks: Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Confetti Cream

Accessories: Kiwi Kiss Ribbon, Sponges

Pretty Pink Daisy

I just LOVE these daisies from Kitchen Sink Stamps 3 step Daisy stamp set. To create this pink daisy I used pink pirouette, pretty in pink, regal rose, and close to cocoa. The leave are stamped in mellow moss and kiwi kiss. Then I decided that kiwi kiss was really to yellow to be paired with mellow moss, so I colored the mellow moss portion of the leave that were still showing with some barely banana to give it more of a yellowish tinge.

I also really love the sentiments in this set! I used two sentiments together for this card...the first three lines of the sentiment is one stamp, and the last three lines is a separate stamp. To layer the sentiment I inked some velum with pink pirouette, pretty in pink and regal rose, let it dry and then tore and curled the edges up toward the torn sentiment layer. Both the sentiment and the card base is inked with a little bit of pink pirouette to add a little bit of softness.

The card is finished off with a photo turn mount attached with a fire square brad from SU, and some wonderful crimped pink ribbon.

I had to laugh at myself after I finished this card...it is probably the least number of layers I have used on a card in a LOOOOOONG time, but I really do love the look of it.

Card Details:

Images: 3 Step Daisy - KSS

Paper: Whisper White, Velum

Inks: Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Close to Cocoa, Kiwi Kiss, Mellow Moss, Barely Banana

Accessories: Sponges, Photo turn mount, fire brad, pink ribbon

My Daughter is turning 5 and one of my favorite stamp companies is turning 1!!

My little girl is turning 5 on the 23rd and one of her presents is a Barbie DVD, so I decided to make her one of my DVD envelopes. Kitchen Sink Stamps (KSS) is also celebrating their one year anniversary, and this month's contest's theme is Celebrate, so I plan on entering this into the "Anything but a Card" category. To decorate the bag, I used KSS's 3 step butterfly and the sentiment is from their 3 step Daisy set. I stamped the pink butterfly with Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink and Basic Gray (stamped off once). For the purple butterfly I used pale plum, perfect plum and then stamped off Basic Gray. Finally for the yellow butterfly I used barely banana, so saffron and...yep...stamped off basic gray. Each of the butterflies have tiny pearls to outline their bodies. Each of the butterflies are popped up on with dimensionals.

For the sentiment I stamped it in perfect plum on some so saffron DSP, and then ran it though my big shot with a scalloped rectangle nestibility, then layered with pale plum, and then perfect plum.

For the bottom panel, I used my scalloped edge punch from SU on the perfect plum layer, then layered pale plum and so saffron DSP over the perfect plum. Then topped this panel off with some pink pirouette 1 1/4" ribbon. I finally added three more pearls under the knot.

Here is a picture of the back of the DVD envelope finished. As you can see the I extended the pink pirouette ribbon all the way around the envelope, and then added one more purple butterfly on top of the ribbon. To create the closure, I punched two 3/4" circles out of perfect plum and attached them to the top flap and the envelope just under the flap with pale plum ice brads from SU. Then to complete the closure, I tied some silver cord around the top brad, and then wrapped it around both the top and the bottom brad.

I have put a template and step by step direction on SCS. You can find them here. I also decided to do a quick picture tutorial here on my blog. The template really shows how the envelope is to be scored, which was difficult to show on my picture tutorial.




For the front and sides of the envelop you will need a 12" by 12" piece of paper. Start by scoring both sides and the bottom at 1/4", 1 1/4" and 2 1/4". Then score the top at 1 1/2" and move the paper back and score at 1/8" about five times to create a round fold for the top flap or the envelope.





Trim both corners on the top by 1 1/2" by 2 1/4". Then trim the bottom edge over 1/4" and up 2 1/4", and trim again over (from the original edge) 2 1/4" and trim up 2 1/4" to create the flaps you see in the picture to the left.






Accordion fold the bottom and both sides of paper so that the 1/4" flap is folded forward, and will be on the inside of the box. Place the bottom flaps inside the envelop and attach them to the bottom inside of the envelope and adhere with a little adhesive. Place sticky strip on the little 1/4" flaps. Then, out of a second piece of paper, cut it to the size of 7 1/2" by 8 1/4" to use for the back of the envelope.


Adhere the 7 1/2" by 8 1/4" piece of paper to create the back of the envelope. At this point you should be able to fold the envelope flat. Your envelope should look like the picture to the left. Stamp as you wish! Happy stamping!! :)






Envelope Details:
Images: 3 step butterfly and 3 step daisy - KSS
Paper: Parisian Summer DSP from SU!, Pale Plum, Perfect Plum
Ink: Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, Basic Gray, Pale Plum, Perfect Plum, barely banana, so saffron.
Accessories: Self adhesive Pearls from Target dollar spot, Pink Pirouette 1 1/4" ribbon, dimensionals.

LSC186 - Lovin' the White Open Spaces!!

I made this card for LSC186 on SCS. We were to use white (or vanilla) as our main color, then you had a choice of either black, brown or gray, and then you could add one more accent color. So...I chose Whisper White, Basic Gray and Baja Breeze. Additionally, we could only use one image and one sentiment. Tough for me, but fun!


As you can see I used the SU scallop edge punch for the bottom of the card and added the strip of basic gray. Then I used both my circle nestabilities and my creative memories circle cutter to layer the pocket silhouette image which was stamped in basic gray. We were allowed to use any embellishments to I added both Baja breeze double stitched ribbon, and some gray taffeta ribbon. I finished off the card with a stick pin from my SU pretties kit.

I really do love the look of cards with a lot of white, but I rarely make them...maybe this will give me the boost I have been looking for! :)

Card Details:

Image: Pocket Silhouettes,

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Gray, Baja Breeze

Inks: Basic Gray, Baja Breeze

Accessories: Baja Breeze double stitched ribbon, Gray Taffeta, Pretties Stick pin

WT194 - The Wonderful World of Silhouettes

I made this card for today's WT184 challenge on SCS. I LOVE silhouette stamps, and There She Goes Stamps has a couple of really pretty silhouette sets! The set I used for today's card is called There for you. Not only are these lovely silhouette images...the sentiments that come with this set are just so beautiful!

I was totally inspired by Michelle (Zindorf on SCS) for this card. I first stamped the plant image in kiwi kiss and then inked it in versamark (yes, I got kiwi on my versamark pad, but it is okay...it still works just fine...it just is not as pretty as it was before) :). Then I covered the image with clear embossing powder. I did the same for the birds only I inked them first in close to cocoa. Then I tore a piece of paper and covered the whole image except the very bottom and then brayered the bottom with close to cocoa. I then used the other portion of the torn paper and sponged clouds all over the sky with Baja breeze. I also sponged Baja all over the sentiment panel. I then used the ticket corner punch on all of the layered edges of the sentiment panel. To finish off the card I used a clip from SU, and some yummy kiwi kiss satin ribbon.

I love making scenes like this, I know I still have a lot to learn, but they are really fun to create!!

Card Details:
Images: There for you - TSG
Paper: Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Close to Cocoa
Inks: Same as above plus Kiwi Kiss and Versamark
Accessories: SU Clip, Clear Embossing powder, heat gun, sponges, ticket corner punch

Happy B-day Grandma!!

My Grandmother's b-day was on Sunday, and we are getting together with her tonight for cake and coffee, so I wanted to make her a card. I decided to do another sketch challenge card...I really do love this sketch, such a fun way to display some of the fun SU! DSP's. For this card I used their Parisian Summer DSP.

The image I used is from Gina K. Designs Spring Blooms Set. I got this set specifically to make a card for my grandmother...I love the sentiments in this set, and my Grandmother's favorite flower is Tulips, so it was just perfect!!

I colored the tulip with my copic markers, and embellished the card with some fabulous 1 1/4" Pink Pirouette ribbon from SU!

I really hope that she likes this card! Happy B-day Grandma!!

Card Details:

Images: Spring Blooms - Gina K

Paper: So Saffron, Bravo Burgundy, Parisian Summer DSP

Ink: Black Stazon, Copic Markers

Accessories: Pink Pirouette 1 1/4" Ribbon

SC194 & Mosaic Technique Tutorial

I made this card for SC194 on SCS. This past weekend I was at a stamper's retreat with my Upline's group and she had the work shop WOW DVD that she got at convention. One of the techniques they showed was this Mosaic Technique. I do not have the name of the gal who presented this on the DVD, so once I find it, I will give credit where credit is due.

I really wanted use this technique for today's sketch challenge, and while I was doing this card, I decided to do a short tutorial, so here goes:

First, cut strips of paper...I used both DSP and card stock. Depending on how big you want your "tiles" to be, would determine the size of the strips you cut. I cut 1/2" strips.

Then you cut the strips into random patterns...again the same goes here as for the strips of paper, cut them either bigger or smalled depending on the size you are going for.

Next, randomly place the "tiles" onto self adhesive sticky paper (you can get this at any office supply store). Be sure to leave enough space in between each tile for the "grout". You can place them closer or further away depending on how much grout you want showing.

The next step is to sprinkle your sticky paper with embossing powder, making sure you cover all of the white sticky portions showing. Then heat your mosaic paper with a heat gun.

Give your mosaic paper a "hair cut" and trim the excess paper over the edges. Your final project should end up something like this.

Use this paper as you would any DSP, to enhance your card!!

How fun is this!! I will tell you...WAY fun!!!! I just love trying new stuff!

CC184 - Christ is Born!

I made this card for this weeks CC184 on SCS. We were to use Basic Gray, Riding Hood Red and Always Artichoke. These colors just seemed to scream Christmas to me, so I decided to use the Christ is Born set I borrowed from my friend Margy. When I first saw this set, I thought of heat embossing, so I did just that. I used white embossing powder for both the sentiment and the poinsettia. The background is inked in basic gray and wheeled with the baroque swirls wheel from SU. I layered the striped riding hood red ribbon with some going gray taffeta, and finished the card off with a large half pearl in the center of the flower.

I had a hard time getting a clear picture tonight...I think it was because there was no natural lighting, and the flash had to do a lot of work with all the white embossing. Oh well, this one will just have to do! :)

Card Details:

Images: Christ is Born, Baroque Swirls Wheel

Paper: Riding Hood Red, Basic Gray, Always Artichoke, Whisper White

Ink: Basic Gray, Versamark

Accessories: Riding Hood Red Striped Ribbon, Basic Gray Taffeta ribbon, Large Half pearl from SU's pretties kit, White Embossing Power

Demo Stamping Weekend!!

My Upline once removed hosted a stamping day this weekend for all of her down line. Each of us was invited to bring a project to share...we ended up stamping all day long! What a fun day!!



The first group of projects listed are a box/bag (which was one of the projects I brought). We used the holiday treasures DSP and the punches three stamp set. I just love this bag, I did the weekend before at a shoe box swap that I went to in Phoenix. Mel (toknighton) brought it for us to do, and Karen (imastampin) came up with this wonderful way to layer the sentiment with the double designer punches behind the square scallop. The altered tin brought by Sherian...love that Halloween DSP, and the cute Halloween rub-ons in the SU catty!! Then Karen brought a fun acetate box, which I know that the directions for this box can be found on SCS. As you can see there was plenty of candy available, and plenty of sugar to keep us going!! :)

The project pictured here are a 3 x 3 card, was one that I also brought because one of the gals had asked me to demonstrate how I make my clouds in the background of some of my cards. The pillow box was not a project, it was just something that I made for all the gals who attended. FYI...one Ghiradelli fits perfectly in the SU! pillow box die cut. The tall card was brought by Amy...such a fun shape, I hardly ever think to make one this tall. We colored the image with inks and blender pens. The final project in this picture, Cathie showed us how to do a tea bag fold...and what I really loved about this project was how green it was. Instead of using DSP we used the inside of recycled security envelops...many of them have fun patterns in them and it is way cheaper then DSP...if you want to add an additional color to it just sponge. How neat is that idea!!

My Upline once removed, Margy, brought this very fun spiral pop-up card. This was demonstrated at convention, where you punch out 2 circles, cut them each into a spiral, and then place one end on the top part of the inside of the card, and the other end on bottom portion of the card, and then she had us use the big shot stars die cut and we glued them directly onto the spirals...how fun is that!! Oh and the sentiment is also popped up by using the tab punch. Punch the tab, fold it in the middle, then adhere one of the ends to the card and the other end to your sentiment!!

The final project, which we ran out of time to do, was this wonderful 32 card set that Margy made out of a simply scraping kit. Each card measures 4 x 4 so you can get four cards out of one piece of 12 x 12 card stock. Then she just used the embellishments/stickers that came in the kit to decorate the different cards. I do think she also used the Snow Swirled stamp set to add some stamped snow flakes and the sentiments.

So, needless to say, I had a BLAST this weekend!! Such neat projects, and maybe if I have time I will work on some tutorials on how to do some of them. Hope you all had a great weekend too!!

LSC185 - TLC Meets LSC - One of my Favorites...Sponging!!

I made this card for today's Limited Supply Challenge (LSC185) - Were LSC meed TLC (Technique Lover Challenges). We were to do a technique that only uses paper, ink and or stamps. I decided to do some sponging.

I used sponge daubers to ink up my image in both baja and olive. We did this technique at convention this year, and I was at a card swap at Karen's (imastampin) house last Friday and her daughter Wendy had used this image with this technique and I really liked the look of it so I decided try it again. I first sponged the snow flakes on the image with baja breeze, then I sponged the rest of the image with old olive. I also sponged all the edges with the daubers. I don't really use sponge daubers all that much...most of my sponging is done with actual pieces of sponge, but I really do like the effect the daubers give...it is hard to explain the difference, but I do see one.

I stamped the snowflake in the background on the baja breeze panel. The sentiment is from the Country Blessings stamp set that was available a couple of years ago with the country living promo (which they will be doing again this fall, so look for more deets on that later!). I then attached the sentiment with one of the most adorable mini library clips...I just LOVE them!!

Card Details:

Images: Snow Swirls, Country Blessings

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Old Olive

Inks: Same as Paper

Accessories: Sponge Daubers, Ribbons, Mini Library Clip

WT183 - New There She Goes Stamps!!!

I got my new There She Goes Stamp sets yesterday in the mail, and just HAD to put some ink to one of them today. You really need to go and check out these stamps...my friend Jessica just started this company, and I think her stamps are fantastic!!

For today's card I decided to use the Butterfly Happiness set. So fun! I stamped the silhouette image in basic gray and then sponged over it with Baja breeze. I stamped the butterflies in Baja breeze, cut them out and popped them up on a dimensional. The DSP is from SU's Urban Garden, and the ribbon is also SU's Baja breeze stitched ribbon.

I made this card for todays WT183 challenge on SCS...to use a white gel pen. So for the sentiment I doodled some white dashes to match the stitching on the pretty ribbon. The sentiment was punched out using the oval punches for SU.

Card Details:
Images: Butterfly Happiness - There She Goes Stamps
Paper: Basic Gray, Baja Breeze, Whisper White
Ink: Same As Paper
Accessories: Ribbon, White Gel Pen, Oval Punches

SC193 - Autumn Leaves - My newest Kitchen Sink Stamp Set!

I made this card for SC193 on SCS. I just got my newest Kitchen Sink Stamp set in the mail yesterday, so I HAD to put some ink to it...and boy did I. I have to say that it was loads of fun coming up with the colors for these leaves. The ink combinations are as follows:

For the red leaf I used Ruby red as the base, then Riding Hood Red, and finished with Close to Cocoa.

For the yellow leaves I used So Saffron as the base, then More Mustard, and finished it off with Always Artichoke.

For the brown leaves I used Creamy Caramel, followed by Really Rust, and finished it with Chocolate Chip.

Fall is my most favorite time of year. I love all the colors, and the fact that the 100 degree days are pretty much gone!! :) I also plan on entering this into Kitchen Sink's monthly contest for the best use of color category.

Oh and if you saw the card that I posted earlier today, where I said I thought my camera was broken because DS dropped it, and now all the pictures were coming out fuzzy...well...he also must have been playing with the camera for awhile before he dropped it and got fingerprints all over the lens. I bet you can see where this is going...I cleaned the lens and low and behold, I am getting crisp clear pictures again. Chalk it up to a blond moment! LOL!!

Card Details:

Image: 3 Step Autumn Squirrel - Kitchen Sink Stamps, Weathered Background

Paper: Chocolate Chip, More Mustard, Always Artichoke, Ruby Red, Confetti Cream

Inks: See Above

Accessories: Brads, Circle Punches, Scallop Circle Punch

CC183 - Going Upsy Daisy

I made this card for today's Color Challenge of SCS (CC183). We were to use Going Gray, Riding Hood Red and....Green Galore???? I am so not a green galore fan, so as you can see on my card I used it very sparingly! LOL!!

All of the panels are distress and sponged with Basic Gray (I don't have a going gray ink pad), including the green galore layer (I had to tone it down somehow! Okay enough about how much I don't like green galore). The background Going Gray layer is cuttlebugged with my "diamonds in the rough" folder. The Riding Hood Red card base is stamped with the sanded background. To show that background off a bit more, I turned the one corner up and fastened it with this great turn mount that I got from my friend Margy. I finished off the card with some dew drops and riding hood red taffeta ribbon.

I could NOT get a good picture of this card this morning!! My DS dropped our camera yesterday, and I am afraid something may have gotten messed up...it is just not taking crisp clear pictures any more! Waaaaaaaa!!! :(

I made this card for my friend, Karen's husband, Allen, who is currently in the hospital. You can find out more details about what happened on her blog. You are both in my prayer, Karen!

Card Details:

Image: Upsy Daisy

Paper: Going Gray, Riding Hood Red, Green Galore

Ink: Going Gray, Riding Hood Red, Basic Gray

Accessories: Scor-pal, Dew Drops, Ribbon, Photo Turn Mount

A pocket full of scallops - Shoe box swap

I went to Phoenix this weekend to visit some friends and join in on a shoe box swap. This is the card that I chose to bring. I really like this color combo of Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss and Chocolate Chip...very rich looking! I am also so in love with the new kiwi kiss/vanilla satin ribbon...it is just so very yummy!! The background was stamped in kiwi kiss with one of the pocket silhouette images.

For the scalloped layering I stamped my image in chocolate chip on confetti cream, and then punched it out with the new square scallop punch. The riding hood red scallop square was made out of a 2 1/2" by 2 1/2" piece of card stock.

You just center each side and punch.

This is what you end up with after punching all four sides.

Just pop the square out of the frame and you have a slightly larger scallop square to layer with the small square scallop punch from SU! You also end up with a fun frame you can use on another project if you wish!


Card Details:
Image: Pocket Silhouettes
Paper: Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip, Confetti Cream
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss
Accessories: Scallop Square Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Kiwi/Vanilla satin ribbon

Lovin' Your Blogs

I would like to thank Shelly/Stamp with Shelly for the "I Love Your Blog" award. She has such a wonderful blog, I visit it daily! If you are not familiar with it be sure to visit it...she is so talented! Thanks so much Shelly for thinking of me! :)

I am new to this blog thing, but really enjoy playing with it and visiting other talented people's blogs. I am thrilled each time I see new people visiting my blog...it is just way too much fun!

Here are the rules for this award:
1) The winner can put the logo on their blog
2) Link the person you received your award from
3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs
4) Put links of those blogs on yours
5) Leave a message on the blogs of the blogs you’ve nominated

Here are my nominees, they are some of the blogs that I visit frequently (if not daily)!

Judy - Joy in a Jar

Wendy - Wickedly Wonderful Creations

Karen H - Karen's Kreations

Heather - Heather Rolin

Karen M - I Made That?!?

Bev - Bevithia

Chat - Me, My Stamps and I

I hope you all have a wonderful day!!

FS83 - CARDinal CRAZY Christmas

I made this card for today's Featured Stamper challenge on SCS. Today's FS was Denise (aka card crazy). She has such a wonderful gallery!!

Okay the purpose of the FS challenge is to CASE a card in the chosen stamper's gallery, BUT to change at least three things. I decided on this card from Denise's gallery. The changed I made for my card includes a different color combo, a slightly different image, a different corner punch, and omitted the brads that she used.

I chose the DSP for the background because I though it sort of looks like a bunch of snowflakes in the background, which I thought worked well with this card. This is the first Christmas card I have done all year...it is just still to hot for me to think about Christmas, but I just HAD to use my new set! I really like this corner punch...it is so very elegant looking! I was really sad when SU! decided to retire it. Oh well, it may be retired, but I will never be getting rid of it! :)

Card Details:
Image: A Cardinal Christmas
Paper: Riding Hood Red, Creamy Caramel, Always Artichoke DSP and card stock
Inks: Riding Hood Red, Black Stazon, Copic Markers
Accessories: Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon, Corner Punch

LSC184, SEP08MFTA2 & MFTSC46 - Orange Java a triple threat!

I stamped this card for the LSC184, MFTSC46 and SEP08MFTA2. The LSC184 was to make a card that incorporates both a coffee image and the color orange, the sketch is this weeks MFT sketch challenge, and SEP08MFTA2 challenge was to make a card with no white showing.

I decided to use MFT's Hot Stuff set. For the main image, I stamped it first on whisper white, colored the image with some copic markers, and then stamped it again on a piece of Bella Rose DSP, and cut out the portion of the background to make it look like wall paper behind the image. The coffee bean corners are cut out and popped up on a dimensional, as it the red and orange frame around the main image. The base pink panel is cuttlebugged with the divine swirls embossing folder, and I used some new riding hood red taffeta ribbon to separate the two base panels. The DSP on the middle panels are all from SU's Bella Rose DSP, and finally, to finish off the card, I added a little bit of fun pale pink crimped ribbon in the corner with a SU hodgepodge hardware silver styled ribbon slider.

Wow, feels good to do three challenges at one time...what a fun card this was to make, I LOVE this sketch...such a great way to show off some of the great new DSP's that SU is offering in their new catty!! I am sooo loving the new tangerine tango in color too...at first I was not sure of it, but now that I have used it a number of times I am hooked!

Card Details:
Image: Hot Stuff - MFT
Papers: Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango, Bella Rose DSP
Inks: Black Stazon, Basic Black, Copic Markers
Accessories: Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon, Pale Pink crimped ribbon, HPH ribbon slider

Dare to be Different!

I made this card for MFT's Guest designer challenge. Their theme this month was to make a card with "attitude" in honor of their new stamp set Chika' released last night.

When my 15 y/o niece was visiting me I had just received this set and made a card with it...she LOVED it, so I though this would be a fun set to use for this challenge.

I made all of the cupcakes vanilla with pink frosting except for one...it is chocolate with orange frosting, chocolate sprinkles and a sparkly cherry on top and popped up with a dimentional...(I used red stickles to add the bling to the cherry).

The sentiment reads "dare to be different"...which is computer generated. It is my observation that some teenagers work so hard to fit in, while other work very hard to stand out in a crowd...this card represents the latter.

Some more card details...the scalloped circles were made with my circle nestabilities, and for the regular circles I used my creative memories circle cutter. The background of the card is cuttlebugged with divine swirls, and the DSP used is from SU's summer picnic package.

My Niece's b-day is in about a month, so I am thinking about saving this card for her...I hope she will like it!!

Card Details:
Image: What's Up Cupcake - MFT
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Chocolate Chip, Summer Picnic DSP
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Regal Rose, Tangerine Tango, So Saffron
Accessories: Ribbon, Circle Nestabilities, 1" circle punch, red stickles, diving swirls embossing folder

I am soooo excited!I I won!!! :)

I am just so excited!! I entered this earring and necklace set in Kitchen Sink Stamps monthly contest and won the category for "anything but a card"! How cool is that!! This month's theme was "turn up the heat" - I definitely turned the heat up on this one...in my oven...and made butterfly charms out of shrinky dinks for my almost 5 year old DD (who thinks I am the best mom ever for making this for her, LOL!!).

To make the charms, I used the two smaller butterflies from their new 3 step butterfly set. I stamped the first step stamp with bashful blue, then I used Stazon blue for the second step stamp, and the third step stamp in black Stazon. I punched a 1/4" hole in the top of the image, cut it out and put them in the oven...and ta-da...out came the fun charms you see before you!. I then paired the charms with these fabulous beads I got at Michael's to finish the ensemble.

It was truly fun to make this for my DD and I am so glad she likes them! Speaking of my DD...here is a picture of her wearing them. She could not wait to put them on and was so excited to get her picture taken with them!

To view all of the fabulous winners in this months contest you can go here...they are all so wonderful...I feel honored to be part of them!

Project Details:
Image: 3 Step Butterfly
Paper: Shrinky-dinks
Inks: Bashful blue, Blue Stazon, Black Stazon
Accessories: Beads, Wire, Earing posts

SC192 - Full Moon

I made this card for this week's SC192. I have had this idea for this image ever since I got this stamp set, and finally got the chance to do it! I started by heat embossing the tree and wolf in black, on whisper white paper. I then punched out a circle to mask the moon, and brayered the entire image with bordering blue. Then I sponged a little more bordering blue, along with basic black to add a little bit of shading. I sponged some darker clouds on the bordering blue base with basic black ink, and also sponged the not quite navy DSP with bordering blue...the photo corners and sentiment were also sponged with a little bit of basic black. I had the hardest time adding accessories to this card tonight...but finally decided on some photo corners. I am still not sure about it, but since it is almost midnight...that is what it is gonna be! LOL!!

Card Details:
Image: Nature Silhouettes, Flexible Phrases
Paper: Bordering Blue, Whisper White, Basic Black, Not Quite Navy DSP
Ink Bordering Blue, Basic Black
Accessories: Photo Corner Punch, brads

CC182 - Happy Harvest

Here is the card I made this morning for CC182, where we were to use a monochromatic color theme. I obviously decided on browns, by using Kraft, Close to Cocoa and Chocolate Chip papers. The image for today's card is from Kitchen Sink Stamps - 3 step Turkey Trot, which was stamped first in Creamy Caramel, then Close to Cocoa, and finally with Chocolate Chip. I can not say enough about Kitchen Sink Stamps...they are just so fun to use and the result you get from them are just soooo amazing!! For today's layout I decided that some distressed edges would be perfect (it is not tearing, so at least I have gotten away from that on one card...one card at a time...LOL!!). I used my scor-pal to crease the top edge and fold it over, then fastened it with a antique brass brad. I got to use some of my new Kraft DSP, and the ribbon behind the image is some chocolate chip twill that is just tied in a simple knot. I was hoping that making a very fall looking card would make it feel a little more like fall is approaching, however at close to 100 degrees here today, that makes it a little tough!

Card Details:
Image: 3 Step Turkey Trot - Kitchen Sink Stamps
Paper: Close to Cocoa, Kraft card stock and DSP, Chocolate Chip
Inks: Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Twill Ribbon, Scor-pal, brad

Wonderful Friend!!

I went to visit my very good friend, Margy, this weekend and she gave me this wonderful bottle with my kids pictures in it. How cute is this!! She took this really cool cream beer bottle (she said that is came that way) and added the rub-ons and taffeta ribbon to decorate. Then last spring while she was watching my kids for a day, she took some pictures of them, and added them to the blooms die-cuts. She decorated each of the blooms a little differently, you can not tell from the picture, but the red bloom with my DD in it is outlined with glitter. The blue bloom's edge is highlighted with a bashful blue marker, and the picture of my DS is outlined with paper piercing. The orange bloom with both kids together, has a 1/8" punch in each of the petals.

I just can't get over how sweet it was of her to make this for me! I will cherish this always...thanks so much Margy!! Love ya!! :)