Sunday, December 28, 2008

Too Cute!!!

I just had to share this gift that my DD made for me. She knows I frequently carry fruit with me, so she knitted this fruit-cozy for me to protect it from getting banged around in my purse. It's about the cutest stinkin' thing I've seen in a long time, and it tickles my funny bone every time I look at it! Thank you, Shawn, sweetie! I love it!!!

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Post Christmas




The Christmas rush is over for another year, and I'm always kind of sad to see it go. I really love the holidays. Here are the last few Christmas cards. I'm too wiped out to post the recipe for them, but you get the idea of the spectrum they cover, from humorous to "the reason for the season". ;-)

Now it's time to clean my disaster-area of a craft room and start the cards for my stampin' club swap in one week!

Santa brought me a BigShot for Christmas, so I may have to give it a test drive, too, LOL.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

More Christmas...

I really love the way this card turned out! I used the DT Monday Challenge *6* from the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Blog. The challenge was to do distressing/vintage on the card. It didn't have to be a holiday card, but since I'm so far behind, I made six of them to send out. :-D

This beautiful image, called "Lizzie with Muff", is from Whiff of Joy Stamps.

She was stamped with Brilliance Graphite Black ink on SU Very Vanilla CS and colored with Copic markers. Stickles was used to accent her headband and the designs on her dress, as well as the ribbons hanging from the puffs on her boots. Her earmuffs, muff and the puffs on the boots were "puffed up" with Marvy Liquid Applique. That stuff is so cool! It's like magic when you hit it with the heat gun (after letting it dry thoroughly, of course). Instant dimension!!!

Anyhoo, Lizzie was cut out and embossed with a Nestabilities Long Rectangle die, and mounted on SU Riding Hood Red CS cut/embossed with the Nesties Long Scalloped Rectangle. The patterned paper is from Anna Griffin, edged with SU Close to Cocoa ink and mounted on more Riding Hood Red CS.

The sentiment (from Inkadinkado's "Warm Holiday Wishes" set) was inked with SU Ruby Red Craft ink on Very Vanilla CS and cut with, you guessed it...a Nesties Scalloped Oval die, then edged with more of the same color.

The pointsettia was a gift from my BFF Barb and the gold fern leaves were cut from a large pick from City Lights, a delightful store dedicated to all things Christmas. I saw it and knew I could use it in card-making!!!

I added a little gold organdy ribbon, courtesy of Michael's, and the card was complete.

Yikes! One Week Until Christmas!


I have been frantically trying to get my Christmas cards finished and in the mail. I'd have them all done, if I didn't have a million other things I have to do, as well (laundry, shopping, cleaning, etc.). And this year, since I have made so many new friends on SCS, I have even more cards to send than usual.

My New Year's resolution will be to complete at least 5 Christmas cards every month, starting in January. ;-)

That being said, here's one that I finished earlier this week. I love that image from Impression Obsession - it just cracks me up every time I see it! I used Stampin' Up! Not Quite Navy Classic ink to stamp the image and blender pens to move the color where I wanted it. The scarf and hats were colored with CTMH markers and I added Stickles to the pompoms on the hats. The image was matted on DCWV glitter CS, then Not Quite Navy CS. Underneath it all is embossed Snowflakes done on the Cuttlebug. The glitter snowflakes were punched out using Marvy snowflake punches. Ribbon from Michael's.

Friday, December 5, 2008

Merry Card Swap!


I love challenges, and got to combine this week's PaperTake Weekly "Ready, Steady, Craft!" recipe challenge with my stamp club card swap, woohoo!! The PTW challenge was to use 1 ribbon, 2 rectangles and 3 small, round embellishments. The stamp club swap theme this month is "It's hip to be square". We were to make a square card no larger than 5¼" x 5¼" for the swap. Since it's so close to Christmas (Yikes! 20 days!!!), I went with a holiday card that the swappers could put to good use right away. I hope they like it!

I saw the gold net at the fabric store when I was buying the supplies to make my grandkids' Halloween Costumes. Naturally, since I'm so drawn to shiny, sparkly things, I had to get a ½ yard. I knew I could work it into card-making somehow! :-D


The tree image is from SU's
Snow Swirled stamp set, as is the sentiment. I love the detail in this stamp set. It makes wonderful heat-embossed images! The embossing powder is JudiKins Malachite, which I think is perfect for holiday cards. If you click on the close-up, you can see the different colors in the EP. Too cool!

So, after wrapping the green cardstock with the gold net, I stamped the tree using
VersaMark ink, embossed it with the Malachite EP, cut it out and inked the edges with CTMH New England Ivy. I stamped the sentiment with the same color and inked the edges, as well. The card base was covered with the So Swirly Stampin' Around wheel in Certainly Celery ink before I fastened the green, net-covered CS to the base. The tree and sentiment were then adhered to the net. I stuck the self-adhesive gold flat back spheres to the tree and added the gold ribbon to finish it.

Cardstock: Bazzill Kiwi Crush, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White cover
Stamps: SU Snow Swirled set & So Swirly wheel
Inks: VersaMark, SU Certainly Celery, CTMH New England Ivy
Embellishments: Gold ribbon & self-adhesive balls from Michael's

Monday, December 1, 2008

Happy Birthday, Joshua!

Today is my DS's 32nd (!) birthday. I can not believe how the years have flown by. I baked his traditional birthday pie last night (he's never really liked cake, and always requested an apple pie instead). Today I made the card to go with it. It's supposed to represent me and his father bringing a truck load of love to him. ;-) Of course, we don't look nearly that young, but what the heck...*LMBO!*

The truck image (SU Loads of Love) was stamped on white cardstock, colored with Copic markers, and cut out with a Nestabilities round die. After embossing, but before removing the circle from the die, I sponged a little yellow dye ink around the edges to give it a sunny glow. The man and woman image is from the Loads of Love Accessories set. After stamping the man, I masked him off and stamped the woman, so it would look like she's a passenger in the truck.

I used VersaMark ink to stamp the Route 66 symbol and "Happy B-Day" on the Tempting Turquoise background. The sentiment was stamped and punched out with SU Designer Label Punch. I inked the edges with Tempting Turquoise, bringing it in quite a bit, then did just the outside edge with Basic Black.

The 'diamond plate' under the sentiment is a Nestabilities texture plate used on aluminum metal sheet from Making Memories. Doesn't it remind you of heavy duty truck bed liners?

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Tempting Turquoise, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White
Stamps: Truck, people, hearts, sentiment & 'Happy B-Day'- Stampin' Up!, Route 66 symbol- Viva Las Vegastamps
Ribbon: Michael's


Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Sara, you are a sweetie!

Oh my gosh, Sara (chicagogirl at SCS) nominated ME for a Kreativ Blogger Award! I can't believe it... I don't know what I did to deserve such an honor, but I am truly humbled by the nomination! Thank you, Sara, you made my day!!!

Here are the rules:
1. the winner may put the logo on their blog
2. put a link to the person that sent you the award
3. nominate 5 blogs
4. put links to their blogs
5. leave a message for your nominee

There are so many blogs that I love and am inspired by that it is very hard to narrow it down to just five choices! Here are my nominees:
1- Sara, of course! (Sara Stamps)
2- Suzanne Dean (Scrap Bitz)
3- Bev (All the Things That I Love)
4- Michelle Rodgers (Stampers Dream Blog)
5- Katharina Frei (Stamping With a Whiff of Joy)

Thanksgiving

I've been busy sanding and refinishing (and re-upholstering) my dining room chairs so they'd look nice for Thanksgiving. Silly me, there's no way I'll have them all done in time, so I'm going to have to throw chair covers over them.

My DS sent this to me. I had to laugh, since we've been on a mission to eat and live a healthier lifestyle. Enjoy!

HOLIDAY EATING TIPS
1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Holiday spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It's rare. You can't find it any other time of year but now, so drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's the Holidays!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Holiday party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Pecan. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Re-read tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner. Remember this motto to live by:

Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Baby Girl Card


Here's the card to go with the gift, below. I had a lot of fun making this one! Last year, in anticipation of Christine's baby being born (in June), I bought a pack of the baby alphabet beads, so I could use them on the card.

This went together fairly quickly (for me!), since I used all pattern paper for the front. I don't know the manufacturer of the paper that says "Sweet baby girl" used for the top, or I'd give credit.

The paper on the bottom says "oh so sweet", which I thought was oh so appropriate for this baby! LOL She really is special. Anyway, I edged the pink plaid paper with a SU scallop punch, tied on the organza ribbon and fastened the "Welcome" label (cut/embossed with Nesties Label die) with sugared brads. The beads were strung on silver thread and tied securely to the brads before they were fastened to the card. Some Prima flowers and Martha Stewart pearls completed it.

Cardstock: Card base- Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Card background- Paper Co. pink
Pattern Paper: Top of card- Unknown, Bottom of card- Me and My Big Ideas, Middle of card- HOTP
Stamp: Alpha stamp- The Little Classic Rubber Stamp Mini's
Ink: VersaMagic "Pixie Dust" chalk ink
Embellies: Flowers- Prima, Sugar brads- OTC, Large pearls- Martha Stewart, Organdy ribbon- gift from Michelle Rodgers at Stamper's Dream


Sweet Baby Girl!



I finally drove down to meet my friend Christine's new baby girl today. Well, she's four months old already, but still new! OMG, she is the sweetest little angel of a baby I have ever seen!!! She smiles and coos, snuggles into your neck when you hold her, and rarely cries, even when she gets her immunizations! AND she's slept through the night since day one!!! Christine knows, and appreciates, just how blessed she is.

So, I had to make a card and a little box for the gift I took. Thanks to the gift box class, the box was a piece of cake! I found that the sturdy glossy white paper used to back the SU Designer Series Paper packets was just the ticket for the bottom of the box. For the top, I needed something heavier than DSP, so I used Core'dinations for the top. Topped it all off with a strip of Old Olive cardstock and ribbon, then a medallion like the one I did before, only I colored the open flower with a pink Copic marker and added a pink rhinestone. Oh, and I edged the white oval with gold EP. ;-)

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Something a Little Different!









Today I went to a gift box class put on by my Stampin' Up! demo (Hi, Rosalie Sweetie!). She showed us how to make a gift card holder, a CD holder, a rectangle box, a square gift box, a tall box and a triangle box. Whew! I had to wait until I got home to put the finishing touches on them, because I'm such a slow poke, and this is what I've done so far. The paper is Stampin' Up! Designer Series Paper called Ski Slope. Lots of neat colors and prints in there!

I stamped the image (SU "Friendship Blooms") and sentiment (SU "Best Yet") for the square gift box in Old Olive ink on Curious Iridescent Cryogen White cardstock. You can
really see the subtle sparkle in the close-up photo. It still needed a little more bling, so I adhered a red rhinestone in the center of the flower. The plain and scalloped ovals were cut and embossed with Nestabilities Petite Ovals.

For the triangle box, I just punched out the pattern from a scrap and used a scalloped white circle (Nesties to the rescue again!) behind it. Once again, I thought it needed something extra, so I used a light blue rhinestone in the center of the design. The ribbon is so cool - it's both satin and organdy, with a little silver thrown in for good measure. {Hi, my name is Cindy, and in addition to my stamp addiction, I am also addicted to ribbon. LOL}

The CD holder has a strip of pattern paper cut to look like ribbon, but it is backed by real ribbon as well. The snowflake eyelets, from Eyelet Outlet, have light blue rhinestones added to the center. Yeah, 'tis the season for sparklies!!! I can't help myself! The sentiment was stamped in Night of Navy and cut with a Nestabilities Label One die, then edged with more Night of Navy ink and a gold UniBall pen.


Thursday, November 13, 2008

Card Swap


Being relatively new to stamping & card making, I joined a Stampin' Up! monthly stamp club last April. Within that club, some members have a monthly card swap. I thought that was a neat idea and, after a little thought, I joined last month.....and then promptly forgot. So, last Saturday, I felt like a big dork while everyone gave me their cards, and I had nothing to give back.

As a result, I came home and got to work! We give each swap member two cards, so I had to make 20 (same style) cards. It took me far too long to figure out what I wanted to make. My first idea was a grouping of poinsettias, done with 2-step stamping and cut out. Then I realized how long it would take to make 20, and quickly changed my mind!


This was relatively easy to make, and I think it turned out nicely. I used the Cuttlebug "Textile" folder to emboss 4" x 5¼" Very Vanilla cardstock
. The edges were then inked with Tempting Turquoise Craft ink. The same ink was used to stamp the snowflake images, SU Iridescent Ice EP was sprinkled on while the ink was still wet, and it was then heat embossed. The little silver balls (half spheres) are self adhesive, and a great buy at Michael's. They have them in gold, too. They remind me of the silver dragees we used to decorate Christmas cookies, before they were outlawed in California (grrrrr).

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Very Vanilla and Tempting Turquoise
Stamps: Image- CTMH "Let It Snow" , Sentiment- CTMH "The Beauty of Christmas"
Ink: SU Tempting Turquoise Craft and Not Quite Navy Classic
Embellishments: Ribbon and silver balls- Michael's, SU Iridescent Ice embossing powder, Cuttlebug "Textile" embossing folder

Friday, November 7, 2008

Where did the time go?!


Wow, I can't believe it's been over two weeks since I last made a card! I think I was suffering from withdrawals!!! Anyway, life does sometimes get in the way of things we'd rather be doing, doesn't it? After finishing the costumes, and sending them FedEx overnight (way too much $$$), my husband and I drove to visit my father for a long weekend. Dad has been battling Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma for a number of years, so I take every opportunity that I can to spend time with him. On to brighter things...

This card was made for my BFF Barb's birthday this week. She's the culprit responsible for my card-making addiction. :-D LOL!!! I wanted to do something kind of elegant, so I went with gold heat embossing and gold braid/ribbon combo.

The lovely "Willow with Hot Chocolate" (Whiff of Joy) image was colored with Copic markers and cut out. I stamped SU's Bella Toile background stamp in VersaMark on Bordering Blue cardstock, then heat embossed with gold EP. After cutting it out with my new Mega Nestabilities Curved Rectangle
die (great prices at Paper Dreams!), I inked the edges for more definition and adhered the image using pop dots.

Cardstock- Stampin' Up! Bordering Blue
Pattern Paper- Debbie Mumm "Noah's Ark" stack
Stamps- Image: WoJ "Willow with Hot Chocolate", Background: SU "Bella Toile", Sentiment: Penny Black "Bubbly"
Ink- VersaMark, SU Not Quite Navy
Embellies- Gold EP, gold organdy ribbon, gold metallic braid all from Jo-Ann, Dew Drops by Robin's Nest

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Notice

Hello, everybody! I hope you are having a wonderful week! I am busy sewing my grandkids' Halloween costumes, so I probably won't be posting a card this week. I did so want to participate in some challenges, too. Oh well. If I can get both costumes finished this week, then next week I can play again. That should be great motivation!

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Quickie Gifts




Today was my turn to be hostess of the monthly Stampin' Up stamp club, and I wanted to make a little gift for the other members. Since the evenings are getting chilly, I thought a nice cup of herbal spice tea would be appreciated. I made 18 of these last night (yeah, I know - waited until the last minute) and they were really a hit!

They were very easy to do, once I figured out the template. To make the 4" x 4" cards with a pocket inside, I started with a 8½" x 6" rectangle. I was able to get two out of a 12" x 12" piece of cardstock.

I've included a couple of photos to give you an idea of how it was done. The flaps on the pocket are ½" and I cut the tops at an angle so they wouldn't get in the way when I folded the pocket up. A Fiskars border punch was used to dress up the pocket a bit.

Easy peasy! You could make it a little larger and include a packet of hot chocolate (and wouldn't the WoJ "Willow with Hot Chocolate" stamp be adorable on the front?!). Hmmmm, I think I know what my next card will be! :-D

Cardstock: The Paper Co. Solar White, DCWV Green #1
Stamp: Image and sentiment- SU "Happy Harmony"
Ink: SU Old Olive Classic
Ribbon: SU Old Olive ¼" grosgrain

Friday, October 17, 2008

SCS Challenge "Rock, Paper, Scissors"


This card was a bit of a stretch for me, for sure! I made it for the SCS challenge LSC189. What?! We can't use ribbon??? And no Cuttlebug embossing or Nesties? You have severely handicapped me, ya know! LOL. Fortunately we could use decorative scissors, plus brads, pearls, glitter, etc. Otherwise, I'd have never been able to make the card!

I just got some wonderful Pearlescent Watercolors today from My Favorite Things
. After coloring the image with Prismacolor pencils and odorless paint thinner, I used some to add shimmer to the iceberg the bears are on. The starry sky has silver star adhesive brads, tiny silver ball adhesive brads and adhesive rhinestones. I added some swirls with a Copic Spica clear glitter pen. A touch of Stickles was used on the baby bear's scarf. You can't see it, but both bears have shiny noses, courtesy of Judi Kins Diamond Glaze.

The cardstock layers were cut with Stampin' Up! wavy scissors. I wanted it to look like waves in the sea. What do you think? Did you think of waves? ;-)

Cardstock: Stampin' Up, CTMH, STardream Metallic
Ink: SU Basic Black Classic and Not Quit Navy Classic
Stamps: Image- Stampin' Up! (I don't know the name of it), Sentiment- Inkadinkado "Warm Holiday Wishes"

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

WoJ Challenge



May I just say again how much I love the images from Whiff of Joy? I have so much fun coloring them! This week's challenge is Autumn Colours.

This time I stamped the "Willow with Hot Chocolate" image on watercolor paper and colored it with Derwent watercolors. The image (and bronze background oval) was cut and embossed with Nestabilities oval dies. I dipped the edge of the watercolor paper in VersaMark and then in gold EP and heat embossed it. The image and background are fastened to the card with Stampin' Dimensionals.

The pattern paper was edged with a Fiskar's border punch and laid over brown leather-look paper. The paper leaves were colored a bit with my Copic markers to make them "pop" a bit more.

This may be the last card I am able to do this week. I have to make my grandkids' Halloween costumes, so I'll be busy! But check back anyway - I might need to take a break from sewing, and what better way to relax than card-making? :-)

Have a great week, y'all!

Cardstock: The Paper Co. Paprika Texture and Buckskin Brown, Stardream Metallics Bronze
Pattern Paper: Debbie Mumm "Harvest & Holiday"
Stamps: Image- Whiff of Joy "Willow with Hot Chocolate", Sentiment- CTMH "Friendship Blessings"
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black, SU Chocolate Chip Craft, VersaMark
Large flower brads: JoAnn
Leaves and small brads: CTMH
Ribbon: Michael's

Friday, October 10, 2008

One for Three!



This card was made to participate in THREE challenges! The first is the Whiff of Joy Challenge which is the sketch I used for the card layout.

The second is the SCS color combo challenge CC187, which are the colors I used. The colors were Stampin' Up!'s Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango and Kiwi Kiss (or Old Olive - I used both).


And the third challenge is from OCC's Bling on the BLING! challenge, which explains the rhinestones, gold EP and beads, LOL!

This card was a lot of fun to do, combining all the elements. The image (Whiff of Joy's "Willow With Hot Chocolate") was stamped in black pigment ink and heat embossed with clear EP, then colored with Copic markers. I added some Diamond Glaze over the mug to make it shiny, but I don't think it shows in the photo very well. I carefully cut out the image and fastened it to the Kiwi Kiss background with pop dots. Old Olive was used as a border, the edges inked with SU Pumpkin Pie Classic ink.

I used VersaMark ink to stamp the swirls on the three background panels, and heat embossed them with gold EP. The pattern paper is from SU's "Haiku" pack. Lots of yummy patterns/colors in that pack!!!

After fastening the three swirled panels to the pattern paper, I added the ribbon and threaded the beads on the gold chain which, very conveniently, fit on one prong of each of the brads. Ta-DA!!!

The sentiment was stamped in Chocolate Chip ink on Tangerine Tango CS, the edges inked in Pumpkin Pie ink. I dipped the edges of the Chocolate Chip background in VersaMark and heat embossed in gold EP.

After it was all assembled, I decided it needed a little more "bling", so I added the rhinestone flowers. And there you have it! So, what do you think? Please leave a comment!

Cardstock: SU Tangerine Tango, Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, Old Olive. Glitter cardstock from DCWV
Pattern paper: SU "Haiku"
Stamps: Image- Whiff of Joy "Willow With Hot Chocolate", Sentiment- Penny Black "Salutations", Swirls- Stampabilities "Swirls & Curls"
Ink: VersaMark, SU Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black
EP: JoAnn Gold Detail, Clear
Ribbon: SU Kiwi Kiss satin ribbon
Rhinestone Flowers: Hero Arts Small Blossoms


Wednesday, October 8, 2008

On a Roll!


I've been so busy in the craft room lately, I can hardly believe how much I have gotten done! Here's another card for your consideration. I absolutely love this image, "Melinda Hugging Heart" from Whiff of Joy Stamps.

The image was stamped in pigment ink and heat embossed with clear EP. She was colored with Copic markers, and Stickles Star Dust was used on her wings.

Cardstock: SU Riding Hood Red, Whisper White, Curious Iridescent Cryogen White
Pattern Paper: DCWV, Papertrey
Stamps: Image- Whiff of Joy "Melinda Hugging Heart", Sentiment- Hero Arts "Anytime Messages"
Ink: SU Basic Black Craft and Ruby Rd Craft
Embellishments: Cuttlebug embossing folder "Just My Type", Nestabilities Long Rectangles dies, Fiskars border punch, Making Memories heart brads, SU Riding Hood Red taffeta ribbon

Last WCMD Card

And here's the last card for World Card Making Day. We were supposed to use anything tree-related. It could be a tree image, or a leaf or acorn, etc. I headed right for Stampin' Up!'s "Lovely as a Tree" stamp set, but I wanted to make something kind of spooky for Halloween. So I used Inkadinkado's "Fall Season" for the tree and Hero Arts' "Happy Halloween" for the bat and sentiment.

The tree was stamped with SU Chocolate Chip Craft ink and heat embossed with clear EP. I sponged the sky background with CTMH Sunflower dye ink and SU Pumpkin Pie and Real Red Classic inks, which I also used on the tag. The bat was stamped last in Chocolate Chip Craft ink.

The scalloped circles were cut with Nestabilities dies, and the Choc. Chip was pierced with a 1/16" punch in each scallop. The striped pattern paper is edged with the new SU border punch.

Cardstock: SU Really Rust, Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip
Pattern Paper: Striped paper- SU Patterns Pack (Hostess Level 1), Glitter cardstock- Debbie Mumm Harvest and Holiday
Stamps:
Tree- Inkadinkado's "Fall Season", Bat, sentiment- Hero Arts' "Happy Halloween"
Ink: SU Chocolate Chip Craft, Pumpkin Pie and Real Red Classic, CTMH Sunflower dye ink
Embellishments: Eyelet and ribbon


Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Another Card


This is the other card for the SCS challenge. This Limited Supplies challenge was called WCMDLSC08 "No P's Please". Meaning we couldn't use patterned paper, or any pastel colors. After I uploaded the card to the gallery, I realized there was a 'P' in Peace. Oh well, at least the materials used didn't include anything with a P!

I used my Nestabilities Large Rectangle die to cut the scalloped edges on the card. The scallop edge on the red cardstock was made with Stampin' Up!'s new border punch. The embossing was done with the Cuttlebug "Just My Type" embossing folder, and I used a SU Real Red marker on the berries.

Cardstock: SU Whisper White and Real Red, gold foil (unknown manufacturer)
Stamps: Bird image- Inkadinkado "Birds Galore", sentiment- Inkadinkado "Warm Holiday Wishes"
Ink: SU Real Red Classic and Whisper White Craft
Embellishments: Cuttlebug embossing, ribbon- Michael's

Terrific Tuesday to You!

We're supposed to have hot weather for the next couple of days, and then (I hope) we'll settle into more autumn-like weather. I don't like it when it's hot....I get cranky and irritable, just ask my DH! LOL

Anyway, here's another couple of cards I made for the World Card Making Day challenges at Splitcoast Stampers. I sure had fun doing those challenges! There were a couple that I wasn't going to do - either because I didn't like the colors chosen, or because I wasn't sure I could do something using the required technique. This lavender card is from the Technique Lover's Challenge WCMDTLC08, called Nested Flowers. I think it turned out okay.

Paper:
Paper Co, Provo Craft, HOTP
Sentiment: Hero Arts "Anytime Messages"
Ink: SU Eggplant Envy
Embellishments: Square Rhinestones- Making Memories, Round brad- Doodlebug, Ribbon- Michael's

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Yesterday's Cards


Yesterday was World Card Making Day, and I spent the whole day in my craft room participating in the challenges over at SCS. What fun!!! Here are a couple of the results from the day.


"Give Thanks" Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Very Vanilla and Old Olive
Pattern Paper: SU More Mustard
Stamp: CTMH "Give Thanks"
Ink: SU Basic Black and Pumpkin Pie Classic
Colored with Copic markers, Diamond Glaze over some of the fruits, Copic Spica gold glitter pen over cornucopia, ribbon from Michael's

"So Grateful" Cardstock: SU Basic Black, Really Rust, The Paper Co. Weave Black
Ink: VersaMark (heat embossed gold EP on edge of black), SU Basic Black Classic
Embellishments: Leaf stickers from Stickopotamus, brads from Doodlebug, gold cord from my stash

Friday, September 26, 2008

TGIF!

Killing two birds with one stone today! I wanted to participate in my first SCS color challenge (CC185: Breezy Vanilla Kisses), AND I wanted to make a card for Carolyn King's blog regarding Alzheimer's caregivers (HUGE blog candy prize given!!!), so I combined the two. I adore the colors chosen for the color challenge; Stampin' Up! Very Vanilla, Kiwi Kiss (or Old Olive), and Baja Breeze.

Carolyn King's challenge was to "make a card for a caretaker of a person affected with Alzheimer's". Her grandmother, who died of the disease, would have celebrated her birthday today, and Carolyn wanted to do this in remembrance of her grandmother.

If any of you have seen the movie "The Notebook" (keep the Kleenex handy), you'll understand the challenges and heartbreak the loved ones have to deal with. I feel honored to be able to participate in this cause. Since I don't know anyone who is a caretaker, I will send my card to the Artman Home where her grandmother spent the last years of her life.

For this card, I stamped the image (Whiff of Joy's "Melinda Hugging Heart") on watercolor paper and colored it using Derwent watercolor pencils.
I filled in her wings with Stickles "Star Dust" glitter glue. Angels have to have sparkly wings, right? :-D

I used the Cuttlebug Textile Texture embossing folder on the Baja Breeze and layered it over Old Olive.
The stamped image was die cut with a Nestabilities Long Rectangle die, then layered over Old Olive cardstock using Stampin' Dimensionals after threading a ribbon slide on the ribbon and adhering it to the three layers of cardstock (Old Olive, Baja Breeze, Old Olive).

Lastly, I stamped the sentiment in Old Olive Classic ink, glued on the buttons and added the rhinestone flowers.

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Old Olive, Very Vanilla, Baja Breeze
Stamp: Whiff of Joy "Melinda Hugging Heart"
Sentiment: Hero Arts Cleardesign "Friendship" set
Ink: Old Olive Classic and Basic Black Craft ink
Embellishments: ribbon from Michael's, rhinestone flowers from Hero Arts, ribbon slide by Nunn Design from Paper Wishes and buttons from my sewing box.


Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Happy Wednesday!


Here we are, halfway through the week already! Autumn started off feeling like Autumn - perfect daytime temperatures with cool nights (good sleeping weather!). My favorite time of year!!! However, now it's hot again, booo.

Today's card was made for the Whiff of Joy Guest Designer Call, which is open until September 26th. I must say, I absolutely ADORE these stamps! Anyway, I don't expect I have any chance at all of winning, since I'm so new to blogging and I don't have many cards to display, yet. But I enjoyed participating, anyway ! Gotta start somewhere, right? ;-)

Whiff of Joy Stamps also launched the Whiff of Joy Challenge Blog today! I plan to participate in that as much as possible, too.

This stamp is called "Willow With Lantern". You can order it directly from W.O.J., or if you're more comfortable ordering from a U.S. retailer, All That Scraps has them, as well!

Katharina's sketch # 22 was my design inspiration. I stamped the image on white cardstock and colored it with Prismacolor pencils, using the Magic Colored Pencil (aka Gamsol) technique. There's a wonderful tutorial on You Tube that shows how to do it!

A Copic Spica Gold Glitter pen was used on the red hem of her skirt, as well as the bow behind her, though you can't see it in the photo. (I need a new camera... or maybe a professional photographer, LOL!) Then the image was cut out using the largest Spellbinders Nestabilities Scalloped Paisley die in my Cuttlebug machine (I love that thing!).

Next, I fastened it to Stampin' Up! Real Red cardstock with Stampin' Dimensionals and carefully cut around the paisley, leaving a narrow edge of red showing. After the background was assembled using the 2 patterned papers, the ribbon was added, and the word window was punched where I wanted it. The sentiment was stamped on white paper in S.U. Real Red Classic ink and taped to the folded card base so it would show through the punched "window".

Willow was taped to the background (I use the ATG 714 tape dispenser), the dew drops were glued on with clear glue and the snowflakes were added. The last step was attaching the card front to the card base, and again, I used the Stampin' Dimensionals. I wanted there to be a little depth between the card front and the stamped sentiment.

Cardstock: Folded card base - DCWV textured cardstock. Stampin' Up! Real Red
Pattern paper: Swirls - Daisy Bucket "Wrapped Wishes". Dots - Debbie Mumm "Harvest & Holiday"
Stamp: Whiff of Joy "Willow With Lantern"
Sentiment: Heidi Grace "Christmas"
Embellishments: Dew Drops by The Robin's Nest, ribbon from Michael's bargain bin ;-), snowflakes by Jolee's Boutique, Copic Spica Gold glitter pen, Spellbinder's Nestabilities

Saturday, September 20, 2008

TA-DAAAAH!



Okay, it's not completely finished, yet, but I have a fully functioning craft room now! I was able to use existing components (wire shelves, desks, etc.) to get organized, so there was no expense there. I still have to get storage for the stamp pads and refills, and I definitely want to do something different for the window treatment - I can't stand those vertical blinds. Eventually I plan to stamp each stamp so I can organize the images by subject in a binder. I don't even know what all I have in that department! Anyway, it may not have coordinated, matching color units, but it works, and that's what counts!

You probably can't really see it, but the ribbons, Primas, and eyelets/brads are all in their color families. I even have the Stickles (on their sides) in the appropriate area. Now when I need "something" extra for a card, everything is easily accessible!

Friday, September 19, 2008

Organizing!



I've been in the notorious "black hole" for the past two days, trying to turn it into something resembling a craft room. It's a long process, but I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I just hope it isn't the light from a freight train!!! LOL

I already have shelving on the wall from the inventory from a former business, so getting my stamping stuff organized into an efficient set up should be a snap (yeah, right). At this point I have my ribbon spools, Primas, and various other embellies sorted into their color families. It ought to make the card-making process a little easier having everything out where I can see it!

Still trying to get the ink pad, refill, pen storage figured out. I'd love to be able to buy one of these or one of these but they just aren't in the budget. So, I'll keep my eyes peeled for something I can use. Maybe I'll just have to build one myself!

Meanwhile, this was a secret message card I did back in April. Sorry, I was new to card making and didn't know to keep track of the recipe!

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Got to Meet a Splitcoast Stamper!!!



Jen White, a fellow SCS member, is in town with her DH and adorable baby daughter (and 2 Great Danes!) to visit her DH's family for a couple weeks. I was so excited to get to meet her, since I feel like I already know her from her posts on SCS. She's so sweet and funny and nice! Anyhoo, we weighed in together at Weight Watchers and then went to Souplantation (fabulous salad bar) for lunch. Next week she's going to WW with me again, and then we'll hit the local stamp stores. Here's a quickie card I made using the same image from the blue Thank You card below. (I usually stamp a couple extra images as long as I have the stamp out.) This one looks completely different.

Cardstock: SU Always Artichoke and Mellow Moss
Pattern Paper: Colorbok Sage Stripe
Stamp: Stampin' Up! "Beary Best"
Sentiment: Penny Black "Salutations" stamped in SU Close to Cocoa and heat embossed with clear EP
Ribbon: Coffee grosgrain from JoAnn
Wooden heart button: Blumenthal
Stickles, Judy Kins Diamond Glaze
Spellbinders Scalloped Circle Nestabilities

Friday, September 12, 2008

Never Forget


I remember where I was when President Kennedy was shot.
I remember where I was when the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded.
I remember where I was when America was attacked by terrorists.
I remember. . .

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Making Noise


My DH suggested a card design a couple months ago, and this is the result. I absolutely love that stamp ('Shadow Cats in Love' from Third Coast Art Rubber Stamps). They have a wonderful variety of images (over 5,000!), and all are unmounted red rubber, which allows you to use them the way you want.

This is a simple card. I didn't get too crazy with embellishing since I thought the image could speak for itself.

Cardstock; Stampin' Up! Basic Black, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Cover, silver metallic (mfr. unknown)
Stamp: Third Coast Art Rubber Stamps
Ink: Stampin' Up! Basic Black Craft
Sentiment done on printer in Blackadder ITC font

Friday, September 5, 2008

Wake up Call

This has been a rough week, so I haven't gotten any cards made. My younger sister had a heart attack on Labor Day. <:-( She's going to be okay. They had to put in two stents, end-to-end, because the blockage was so long. The front artery in her heart was 90% blocked! So, I guess my message today is, please pay attention to your body, especially if it is sending you signals, however subtle. If you feel tightness or pain in your chest, or if your left arm tingles, gets numb, or aches, if you have pain in your jaw, or break out in a sweat with any of these symptoms - GET TO A DOCTOR immediately. She had all those signs. And apparently, has had them in the past, too, although not as strongly.

I'll try to whip together a card later and post it tonight.

Sunday, August 31, 2008

Thank You Swap



This one was made today for a Thank You card swap on SCS. What?! You say you have never heard of SCS (also known as Splitcoaststampers)? I highly recommend you pay a visit over there! You will be blown away by the talented members, and I can guarantee you will come away inspired!

The card inspiration came from the SheetLoad of Cards (gotta love that name!) August newsletter. If you need to make a bunch of cards all the same (and Christmas IS right around the corner, you know), this is a terrific resource. Check 'em out! On the left is the archive where you can download past issues. BTW, their sponsor for September is High Hopes Stamps, an absolutely wonderful stamp company up in Canada. I placed an order with them and had it within a week, all the way from Canada to San Diego!


Cardstock - DCWV linen textured and glitter stack, gold foil (unknown mfr.) die cut with Spellbinder's Scalloped Square Nestabilities
Pattern paper - ProvoCraft "Illuminations", vellum by HOTP Paper Pizazz "Vellum Dots"
Flower stamp - Stampin' Up! "Garden Blocks" stamped in SU Pumpkin Pie Craft ink on pale gold parchment from Paper Co.
Sentiment Stamp - Penny Black "Salutations" stamped in gold EP and heat embossed
Bow - gold cord I had in my sewing stash ;-)
Ribbon - also from my sewing stash

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Well, here I go...


...dipping my toes into the world of blogging! I hope you all will bear with me, because I have absolutely no idea what I am doing or where I am going with this, but I plan to have a good time doing it!

So, now I'm off to learn how to upload images. Keep checking back! I may not post new stuff on a daily basis, but I promise I'll try to keep things fresh.

This card was made to thank my DD's new MIL for all the effort she put into the wedding.

Stamp - Stampin' Up! "Beary Best" heat embossed & colored with Copic Sketch markers
Cardstock - Stampin' Up!
Pattern Paper - Making Memories
Sentiment - See-D's Phrases Collection stamped in SU Brilliant Blue Craft ink & heat embossed
Embellishments - Prima flower, Offray ribbon, scallops done with Spellbinder's Nestabilities, machine stitched