Inkypinky Inks

Love sucks...

2011-03-22T08:30:00.000-07:00

The other day, a friend of mine was browsing my cards for sale. She came across a wedding card I had made and commented how beautiful it was but, that she had no use for it because everyone she knew was getting divorced. After a chuckle, this got me to thinking. Why not have something you can give your simply fabulous girlfriend, that is humorous, tasteful and lot's of fun?

I remembered that I had the "domestic love" set from Cornish Heritage Farms in my stash and had the perfect image and sentiment for what I was wanting. I masked half of the sentiment and just left the "love sucks" portion. I used up more of the October Afternoon paper I used on my friends Bday card and added some prints from Cosmo Cricket circa 1934 paper pad (LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this paper!).

Supplies: Stamps: Domestic love (CHF). CS: kraft, basic black cs (SU!), PP: October Afternoon (thrift shop), Cosmo Cricket (circa 1934 6X6 pad). Ink: momento. Access: jumbo scallop and scalloped scallops die-namics (MFT), scalloped circle punch, black grosgrain ribbon, brad (SU!), lace trim (May Arts), antique button (Jenni Bowlin), divine twine (TCP) and dimensionals.

Ciao!

Easter Blessings

2011-03-21T08:30:00.000-07:00

Last week, a friend and I got together to just play around and make a card. We pulled out my alcohol inks, and Cornish Heritage farm Easter basket stamp and started creating. Tell me if alcohol inks and Cornish heritage farm stamps are not one of the best combo's ever?? LOL. I think it's such a shame that CHF are no longer in business, I really loved their vintage images. In fact, there is a store (about a 2 hour trip for me to get to) that still has some of their stamps for sale. Needless to say, I purchased another one for my collection when I was there last week. ((grin)).

For the alcohol ink background I used lemonade and oregano inks by Tim Holt and then stamped my image using staz on. This is a large sized card 5 1/2 " squared. I find with these CHF stamps that they are so large, there isn't much room for patterned papers and embellishments.

Supplies: Stamps: Easter Basket (Cornish Heritage Farms). Ink: staz on. CS: glossy cs (SU!), kraft cs, yellow (bazzil), PP: paper pack (Michaels, Unsure of company). Access: alcohol inks, blender solution (Tim Holtz), rub on, ribbons, hemp twine, button (Jenni Bowlin), paper flower (Prima), mini tag (SU!), computer.

Now I just need to make some more Easter cards using this set for my family, friends and some to sell.

Ciao!

A be-lated Birthday wish

2011-03-20T08:30:00.000-07:00

My bestie celebrated her Birthday last month and unfortunately I was battling a household full of flu and cold's at the time and was unable to make anything for her. So, I put this together for her the other night. Guess she will just get to enjoy her Birthday this much longer...((grin)). I pulled this stamp from Inkadinkado out of my stash, blew off the thick layer of dust and put it to good use.

I pulled this random piece of patterned paper out of my stash (from October Afternoon) and stamped the image onto kraft cs. (by random I mean, I had no other pieces from that line...lol).

The music print paper is the reverse side of base paper. I added some yummy lace, scalloped scallops die-namics, a pearl stick pin and a home-made flower to finish off my design. To make the flower, I punched pieces of an old book using my scalloped circle punch from Stampin' up and then crumpled the pieces a few times to give them a soft, worn look. Then I just stacked the pieces, added some tulle and a brad...voila! paper flower complete.

Supplies: Girlfriends matter (Inkadinkado). CS: kraft, basic black cs (SU!), PP: Thrift shop (October Afternoon). Ink: Momento. Access: scalloped scallops die-namic (MFT), black lace (May Arts), book page, scalloped circle punch (SU!), tulle, brads (Recollections), stick pin (Prima) and dimensionals.

Happy really be-lated Birthday Peach!

Ciao!

Welcome baby Cale

2011-03-19T13:27:00.000-07:00

I made this card following this weeks MFTWSC11 and also in celebration of the birth of one of my friends baby boy. I flipped this sketch onto it's side to accomodate the set I wanted to use.

I pulled out my new "who's that girl" my how you've grown set. I paired this lovely set with some "new arrival" paper by Pebbles. I purchased some of this paper in both the boys and girls line...it's sooooo cute! I paper pieced this "mom's" pj pants and the baby's little onesie. I coloured the rest using my Copic markers. The main image is popped up onto dimensionals and some ribbon and baby braddies finish off my design. The sentiment is from A Muse and I used the "Trust yourself. You know more then you think you do" sentiment from the set. So perfect for new parents.

Supplies: Stamps: My how you've grown (MFT), sentiment (A Muse). CS: chocolate chip, creamy caramel cs (SU!), Neenah solar crest cs, PP: New arrival (Pebbles). Ink: Momento. Access: Copic markers, Ribbon (May Arts), brads (Recollections), and dimensionals.

Ciao!

green around the gills?

2011-03-11T10:36:00.000-08:00

Ya gotta love it when you take so much time setting up your card to photograph, taking multiple pictures to get the best shot and then when you load it all on the computer for whatever reason, once you auto correct your photo's they come out with a dark, bluish tint to them! Grrrrrrrr. So, with that being said...please excuse the bluish tint to my card!

I used MFTWSC10 for my card layout and used my new "something's fishy" a'la Mode's by MFT for this card. I LOOOOOve this sweet a'la mode with her stylish rubber boots, showing all them boys how even the fashionable can fish! LOL.

I continued using more of MME Stella and Rose pp (ya getting sick of it yet?). I paper pieced the fish and the a'la mode's top. Coloured her using my Copics, added some twine, ribbon, heart die's, button and dimensionals.

Supplies: Stamps: Something's fishy ~A'la Mode's (MFT). CS: whisper white (base), baja breeze, kraft cs (SU!), Neenah solar crest cs, PP: Stella and Rose (My Mind's Eye). Ink: Momento. Access: Copic markers, divine twine and heart dies (TCP), ribbon and button (SU!), 2 way glue pen, dimensionals.

As soon as this little set was released by MFT I knew I had to add it to my collection. I come from a family of outdoorsmen who love to fish, camp, and all of the above, so this chic, little gal with her fish was a no brainer for me.

Ciao!

TCP tuesday Retro!

2011-03-08T21:46:00.000-08:00

For this weeks Cat's pajamas tuesday challenge was to go retro. What does that mean you ask....to choose an older tcptues challenge. This is the challenge I chose here. An old sketch back from May of 2010. I have never made a circle shaped card before so figured that would be a challenge in itself...lol!

I was so excited to break out "whale of a time". As soon as I laid eyes on this sweet whale, I simply had to have him. LOVE him!

I started by using my largest classic circle nestie as my card base. I paper pieced my whale using more of my new Stella and Rose pp. (notice his sweet sailor hat...I paper pieced it using an old book as my pp). I repetitive stamped the sentiment on a square piece of vellum for the square panel from the sketch. I cut the waves using more Stella and Rose paper and then sandwiched my whale between the waves. The top of my whale and the tips of the waves have dimensionals to really make my design "pop".

Supplies: Stamps: Whale of a time (The Cats pajamas). CS: whisper white cs (SU!), aruba cs (bazzil), vellum, PP: Stella and Rose (MME). Ink: Staz on, momento. Access: classic circle and classic scallop circle nestabilities, wave die (TCP), baby brads (recollections), ribbon (Offray), dimensionals, 2 way glue pen.

Have a stamp happy day!

Ciao!

Start each day with "whee"...

2011-03-08T13:01:00.001-08:00

I wanted to get this week's MFTWSC9 (my favorite things wednesday sketch challenge 9)done before the new sketch is released tomorrow. ( I am just about all caught up ((grin)), I just need to do sketch #1 still).

I received this sweet little PI "start each day with "whee!" girl while our household was sick so today was my first time inking her up. She is sooo stinkin' cute (in fact, it took me forever to get her as she was always out of stock...lol). I paired her up with some new Stella and Rose 6X6 paper from MME, and of course used my new jumbo scallop and scalloped scallops die-namics from MFT. I wrapped some divine twine around my crocheted lace and tied up a wooden button with a big twine bow. PI's little mary jane shoes is sporting a baby braddie buckle, and I machine stitched the sentiment.

Supplies: Stamps: Pure Innocence "start each day with whee" (MFT). CS: Basic black, pretty in pink cs (SU!), Neenah solar crest white cs, PP: Stella and Rose (My Minds Eye). Ink: Momento. Access: Copic markers, white gel pen, classic circle and classic scalloped circle nestabilities, jumbo scallops and scalloped scallops die-namics (MFT), crocheted lace trim (May Arts), divine twince (TCP), wooden button (time 4 crafts, dollar store), baby brads (Rocollections), dimensionals, 2 way glue pen, and sewing machine.

I know I say this with every sketch but I had a ton of fun and really loved this one. One I will definately use again and again.
Ciao!

a lifetime of happiness...

2011-03-08T12:59:00.000-08:00

I made this card a few weeks ago but forgot to load it onto my blog so.... here it is. I made it for the MFTWSC8 (my favorite things Wednesday sketch challenge 8).

I used my clearly sentimental about happiness stamps by MFT and threw together a pretty, elegant, wedding card. I used my jumbo scallops and scalloped scallops die-namics from MFT, some pearl swirls, swiss dots embossing folder, and some yummy seam binding ribbon and tulle.

I added some dots with my white gel pen and the main panel is popped up with dimensionals.

Supplies: Stamps: clearly sentimental about happiness (MFT). CS: basic black, shimmery white and basic grey cs (SU!). PP: black tie (Basic Grey). Ink: Staz on. Access: nestabilities, cuttlebug, heart dies (TCP), jumbo scallops and scalloped scallops die-namics (MFT), swiss dot's embossing folder, pearl swirl (Michaels), white gel pen, black seam binding ribbon and tulle, stick pin, butterfly punch (Martha Stewart), and dimensionals.

Thanks for checkin out my newest,
Ciao!

Brighten your life.

2011-03-06T16:16:00.001-08:00

I apologize for the long delay since my last post but man oh man, it is certainly flu season at my house. Everyone here has been sick one after the other and even as I type this I myself am the last one sick. Here's hoping that once I beat this, our house will finally be through all the bugs!

Even though I have been unable to take part in the MFT sketches, I have been keeping track of them so I can play at a later date. Unfortunately, my Grandma is not doing very well health wise and I really wanted to send her a card to brighten her day. I have had my new stamps and dies from MFT sitting on my counter teasing me, all the while being unable to play with them. Last night, I could take the teasing no more and pulled them out and threw together this card for my sweet Grandma.

I paired the new kite die-namic with my American crafts city park paper, the new flat clouds die-namic and the great outdoors sentiments were the perfect additions to my card. I actually won the great outdoors sentiment stamps during the sneak peaks on the MFT design team blogs! (Thanks Kim). These sentiments truly are the bomb and a must have for your collection. I used the MFT wednesday sketch challenge #7 for my card. This is such a great sketch and perfect to highlight those sentiments and keep them the focus of your card.

supplies: Stamps: the great outdoors sentiments (MFT). CS: whisper white (base), chocolate chip cs (SU!), vellum, PP: City Park (American Crafts). Ink: Staz on. Access: Kite and cloud die-namics (MFT), felt, dimensionals, divine twine (TCP).

Ciao!

Baby Wynn

2011-02-14T14:16:00.000-08:00

I pulled out my Baby bump stamp set from MFT to make a card for my good friend who is expecting her first baby. (I just love this set). I also made her a matching 3X3 gift box using the template from MFT.

The main image I mirrored the template design sample from MFT, I just used different patterned papers and designed the card layout on my own.

The paper flowers on the card I made....check them out! They are sooo cute ((I was very proud of myself I might say)) and worked out really well. I punched 2 bashful blue pieces using the scallop punch from Stampin Up, and punched 1 chocolate chip. Then I crumpled them up over and over until they got really soft and really worn. I simply layered them on top of each other, layered my sentiment flag and a bow on top and then stitched a button through it all and then attached the whole thing using a glue dot.

I once again used my new arrival patterned paper by Pebbles. This paper is soooo sweet for those sweet bundle of joys. You can check out the first card I did using this paper and stamp set here. The kraft panel is embossed using my swiss dot's embossing folder and the main image panel is popped up using dimensionals. I had to use the "rock the bump" sentiment because my friend is definately rockin her little bump! She looks like a million bucks, feels great and only has 1 month to go!!

Supplies: Stamps: Baby bump (MFT). CS: whisper white (base), kraft cs, chocolate chip cs, bashful blue cs (SU!), Neenah solar white cs, PP: New arrival (Pebbles). Ink: Momento. Access: Copics, swiss dots embossing folder, cuttlebug, scallop punch (SU!), wooden button (time 4 crafts), ribbon (May Arts), old map, old book page, 2way glue pen, dimensionals and glue dots.

Thanks for checkin' out my newest!
Ciao!

25 cent hugs...

2011-02-11T17:45:00.000-08:00

I combined 2 challenges on my card today. I combined Jen Del Muro's sketch for you to try (SFYTT) and The Cat's pajamas tuesday challenge #145 (TCPTUES145). This week's TCPTUES challenge was an inspiration challenge (you can check out the details on the link I provided). I loooved this challenge...such purdy colours...lol.

I needed to make another Valentine's Day card for my wee babe, and I thought TCP's new Bear hugs set would be perfect! (isn't he cute?!)

I paper pieced the heart he is holding and coloured him with copic markers and highlighted him with my gel pen. The patterned papers I used are all from Basic Grey's figgy pudding 6X6 paper pad! Can you believe it...Christmas paper...lol. (doesn't look at all Christmassey so it worked wonderfully). My little bear is popped up on dimensionals and how cute is my postage stamp? TCP also released a postage stamp die and matching stamp set (love letters) at their last release, and I love, love, love it! This is definately a set I will use A LOT!

Supplies: Stamps: Bear Hugs, Love letters (TCP). CS: Whisper white (card base only), chocolate chip cs (SU!), PP: Figgy pudding (Basic Grey). Ink: Momento. Access: classic circle, classic scalloped nestabilities (Spellbinders), Copic markers, white gel pen, postage stamp die (TCP), Swiss dot's embossing folder, buttons (Jenni Bowlin, American crafts), hemp thread, dimensionals and glue dots.

Ciao!

Bee my honey...

2011-02-10T19:12:00.000-08:00

I never got around to taking part in "the cat's pajamas" (TCP) tuesday challenge last week. It was a sketch challenge and you can check the sketch out here. I had just received my new stamps from them and was dying to try my hand at this sketch! I basically put the card together in my head these last few days (since I was unable to stamp), so when I had some time this afternoon, it went fairly quickly. ((Yay!)).

I pulled out my new PJ bear (honey bear set) and paper pieced parts of him using some fabulous Valentine paper by Pebbles. I coloured the rest of him using my Copic markers and added my white gel pen highlights. I adore this paper by Pebbles....it is so cute and was perfect to make my oldest daughter a Valentine's card.

Using my sewing machine I stitched a trail from the bee's and then zig zag stitched the ends of the patterned paper strips for some added detail. I added some die cut hearts using the heart trio die from TCP for a little added something to go with my sentiment. PJ bear is up on dimensionals and the bee's have glitter on their wings.

Supplies: Stamps: Honey bear (The Cat's Pajamas). CS: whisper white (card base only), chocolate chip, kraft, rose red cs (SU!). Neenah solar crest white cs, PP: Pebbles (Twitterpated collection). Ink: Momento. Access: Copic markers, white gel pen, Tonic circle cutter system, dazzling diamonds glitter, 2way glue pen, button, hemp thread, heart trio dies, sewing machine, glue dots and dimensionals.

Ciao!

Shoe therapy....

2011-02-09T13:37:00.001-08:00

I actually got this weeks MFT sketch challenge done on the same day it was posted...wahoo! ((grin)). This is for MFTWSC6, you can check the sketch out here. This was such a fun sketch this week and perfect for those cards where you want the sentiment front and center.

I pulled out my who's that girl "window shopping" stamps by MFT and combined the fun sentiment with my nestabilities labels 4. I matted everything with basic black cardstock. I pulled out some paper from My Minds eye, and added ribbon, a funky button, some tulle, rhinestones, brads, and a fun stiletto heel covered in red stickles. I pierced a single role of stitches along the edges of papers and along the main image panel.

Supplies: Stamps: who's that girl window shopping (MFT). CS: basic black, very vanilla cs (SU!). PP: My mind's eye (Lush line). Ink: momento. Access: Copic marker, red stickles, paper piercer, black brads, satin ribbon, tulle, gelly stardust pen, hat pin, button (Jenny Bowlin), labels 4 (nestabilities), and rhinestones.

Thanks for checkin' out my latest!
Ciao

Tea with flopsey...

2011-02-07T21:51:00.000-08:00

Whew! I just managed to squeek in my MFT sketch challenge #5. Check out the challenge here. I have had such a busy week (hence the lack of posts and creative sharing...lol!) that I am stoked to have fit this sketch into my schedule. It is definately a sketch I will use again. I know I have said it before but I am just loving MFT's sketch challenge's. I was wanting to make a Birthday for a great friend of mine, who's birthday is coming up and I think this will fit the bill nicely.

I had a lot of "technical difficulties" with this card...lol. You can visibly see my stitching error, and my main image panel is oversized compared to what the sketch called for, then, the plaid pp panel behind my main image panel, I was planning to run the ribbon underneath it and then stitch it....oops! stitched it down and then realized my error. Not including my bobbin running out in the middle of my stitching...seriously, the list just goes on and on. Luckily though, I was able to rectify most of the issues and I am happy with the outcome of the card.

Flopsey is coloured using my Copic markers (and popped up on dimensionals), the patterned paper is more City park by American Crafts, LOTS of stitching, a felt blossom, button and sentiment flag finish off the design.

Supplies: Stamps: Tea with flopsey (MFT), sentiment (out on a limb, PTI). CS: whisper white (card base only), chocolate chip cs (SU!), Neenah solar crest cs, PP: City Park (American Crafts). Ink: Momento, certainly celery, mellow moss. Access: Copics, white gel pen, dimensionals, felt blossom (Heidi Swapp), button (MM), sewing machine and glue dots.

Ciao!

Who let the dogs out?

2011-02-04T10:28:00.001-08:00

My baby girl (my first born; who's not such a baby anymore) is turning 8 tomorrow! I can't believe it!! Seems just like yesterday I brought my sweet peanut home and marveled at her tiny size and wondered how on earth would the hospital send us home with her all on our own...lol!

My girl asked for a birthday card to do with pets. It just so happened I had been thinking how I wanted to try making a card masking all these dogs from MFT's gone to the dogs set. Perfect timing! I masked, and masked, and masked some more. I love this set (especially because it has a whippet in it!).

This card is a funny size (6 X 4 1/4) due to the length of all these dogs. I looked through my sketch book for a sketch that would suit this image and came up with an old sketch by Amy R . (sketch #37 to be exact). I pulled out my city park paper by American crafts and went to work. I adore this paper so, be prepared to see a lot of it! The sentiment is computer generated and I printed it out onto the "bone" name tag, added some ribbon and a clear button, some liquid applique for the poodle and called it done! The inside reads: "Have a grrr-eat Birthday".

Supplies: Stamps: gone to the dogs (MFT). CS: Aruba (core-dinations), chocolate chip cs (SU!), neenah solar crest cs. PP: City park (American crafts). Ink: Momento. Access: Copic markers, white gel pen, circle punches, liquid applique, dimensionals, ribbon (May Arts), clear button (SU!), glue dots.

Ciao!

MFT Guest design contest...

2011-01-30T10:47:00.000-08:00

As I mentioned the other day, MFT is holding a contest to fill a guest designer spot for February. You can check out all the details here. They are accepting entries until January 31, 10 pm (EST) and the winner will be announced at their release party tuesday Feb. 1!!

Card entries for the contest had to follow a recipe of love...

Valentine's theme
1 patterned paper
2 cs (cardstock colours) not including 1 neutral
3 types of embellishments.

I really wanted to use my: who's that girl "maid for you" set (this is the first time I have inked her up!). But trying to make sure I stuck with only 1 patterned paper kept stumping me...lol. In the end, this is what I came up with and it turned out exactly how I wanted it!

I coloured WTG with my Copics, and mounted her along the side on my oval panels (the red panel is embossed with the swiss dot's folder, mounted on a larger black oval and then mounted again over a scalloped oval). I added 2 different size rhinestones along the black oval and then added a vanilla labels 4 panel for my sentiment. WTG is popped up with dimensionals along with the whole oval panel. I added some striped ribbon, ribbon flower and a stick pin to finish it off.

Supplies: Stamps: who's that girl "maid for you" (MFT). CS: basic black, very vanilla, cherry cobbler cs (SU!), Neenah solar crest white cs, PP: Crate paper. Ink: momento. Access: Copic markers, labels 4, classic oval, and scallop oval nestabilities (Spellbinder's), embossing folder, cuttlebug, rhinestones (kaiser crafts), dimensionals, glue dots, ribbon (SU!), ribbon blossom (Unknown), stick pin (unknown).

Have you stopped by the MFT blog and checked out all the new sneak peaks on the design teams blogs?? Seriously! Dee-lish eye candy and I cannot wait to get my hands on the new stamps being released! Feb 1 can't come soon enough ((wink))!

Have a stamp happy day!
Ciao!

embossed sympathy...

2011-01-30T08:30:00.000-08:00

Please forgive the darkness of the photo, I photographed it in the evening and that's never a good thing...lol.

I had a special request for another sympathy card and this is what I came up with. The background is stamped with the fontworks "rockstar" stamp in versamark and heat embossed in silver. I layered it onto shimmery white cardstock and basic grey. I stamped the sentiment in night of navy ink and added a rhinestone. The corners are punched with the corner ticket punch and pearls are set in each corner. I finished the design off with silver satin ribbon, a bow with some silver sheer ribbon and a pearl brad. I was inspired by a card featured in the holiday cards and more vol. 5 by Papercrafts magazine. I added some more layers, different colours and more embellishments. I think it came out so elegant.

Supplies: Stamps: rockstar bg (Fontworks), brighter tomorrow (Stampin' Up!). CS: night of navy, basic grey, shimmery white cs (SU!). Ink: Night of navy, versamark. Access: silver emboss powder, heat gun, rhinestone and pearls (Kaiser crafts), pearl brad (Recollections), silver satin ribbon (Offray), silver sheer ribbon (May Arts) and ticket corner punch (SU!).

Ciao!

catch up on a latte...

2011-01-29T08:30:00.001-08:00

I am just lovin' MFT's weekly sketch challenge! The sketches are awesome, the design team is so inspirational, you get stamping done AND you can win stamps! Seriously, what's not to love? Check out this weeks sketch here.

Today's card is using MFT's weekly sketch (sketch #4) and it is a fabulous layout! I finally inked up "miss you a latte" a'la mode stamp (just love her!). I paired her up with some penny lane paper from my minds eye that I had in my stash. I paper pieced her cups and sleeves with co-ordinating paper from the same line. The ala' mode is stamped using the "out of the box" technique from Splitcoaststampers with my nestabilities. I matted her onto a scalloped circle and pierced each scallop. The cardfront has been sewn with a swirly design. The sentiment strips are sewn onto the main image to keep with the stitching theme. I added some plaid ribbon, a couple of buttons with linen thread and then popped the main image up on dimensionals.

Supplies: Stamps: ala' modes miss you a latte (MFT). CS: whisper white (card base only), bashful blue cs (SU!), neenah solar crest white cs, berry sorbet cs (PTI). Ink: Momento. Access: Copic markers, white gel pen, classic circle and scallop circle nestabilities, cuttlebug, paper piercer, 2 way glue, buttons and ribbon (MM), hemp thread (SU!), dimensionals and glue dots.

The card I posted for last week's MFT sketch challenge, "a teacher takes a hand" was recognized and posted on MFT's newsletter that goes out to all subscribers!!! I am seriously sooooo excited and giddy...hee hee!

MFT has a lot going on right now. Their design team is giving sneak peaks of the new release stamps....check them out here. Check the blog out daily as everyday there will be new sneak peaks! The official release for the new stamps is February 1st. There is also a contest going on for February guest designer for MFT! Check the details out here. Just givin' ya the scoop! heh, heh, heh.

Thanks for checkin out my newest,
Ciao!

It's a bird...it's a plane...no it's...

2011-01-28T08:30:00.000-08:00

Super Mom!

I have had this image (already coloured) floating around in my image box. I coloured it when I made my very first Copic purchase (my colours were very limited and I didn't have much knowledge of light and shadows....(still don't have the hang of that too well...lol!). I decided to use the image and make it into a card. This layout is an old sketch I selected from my book, It's one from Amy R. I had fun sprucing up the chipboard heart...I painted it pink then applied the cranberry sparkle glaze over it, added a button with some ribbon and....Voila! cute lil' embellishment!

Supplies: Kindred spirits (Gina K designs). CS: Whisper white (card base) (SU!), pink textured (Bazzil), PP: Cactus pink (star pattern), Scenic Route (floral print), polka dot (October afternoon). Access: Chipboard heart (SU!), paint and glitter glaze, button and ribbon (MM), Scallop punch (EK success).

Ciao!

You're not old...

2011-01-27T08:30:00.000-08:00

You're chronologically challenged! Ha ha ha!

This is another of my "older images" received dealies, and after a little looking around have found the image to be from Rubbernecker stamps. How funny is this guy? Love the butt crack!

The sentiment is computer generated. I coloured him using my copics but due to me not stamping it on my paper of choice, I did have a bit of "bleeding" issues with this image. It still turned out okay I think though. The layout is a very old SFYTT (sketch for you to try, by Jen Del Muro).

Supplies: Ralph picking up paper (Rubbernecker stamps). CS: whisper white (card base), blue bayou cs, riding hood red cs (SU!), PP: numbers print (Basic Grey), blue dot's (3 bugs). Access: Copics, ribbon, button, scallop, 1 1/4" circle and 1 3/8" circle punch (SU!), dimensionals.

Ciao!

I'll get you...

2011-01-26T08:30:00.001-08:00

The Kraftin Kimmie stamps challenge this week is to make a card with a "fairytale" theme. (Check out the challenge here). Since I don't have any "princess or fairytale" kraftin kimmie stamps I decided to go with the dark side of fairytales...the villian. I pulled out my "witchy-poo" stamp and went to work.

Think of her as a modern, sexy, wicked witch of the west! I paper pieced her dress and the ribbon on her hat, I coloured the rest of her with Copics and highlighted her with my white gel pen. The card layout is loosely based on an old sketch by Tiets (I took out a lot of layers and panels to suit my needs for this card).

Supplies: Stamps: Witchy-poo (kraftin kimmie). CS: basic black, cajun craze cs (SU!), neenah solar crest white cs, PP: Cosmo cricket (Black bird line), orange glitter paper (MM). Ink: Momento. Access: Copic markers, white gel pen, dimensionals, red stickles (Ranger), blossom (Recollections), brads (SU!), lace ribbon (May Arts) and dimensionals.

The sentiment was done on my computer and the inside says "and your little dog too! Happy Halloween". It was fun having an excuse to make an out of season Halloween card...lol.

Thanks for checkin' out my newest!
Ciao!

Comforting Sympathy

2011-01-25T08:30:00.000-08:00

Sympathy cards are never any fun to make but unfortunately are something that is always needed and they seem to sell right away at the shop where I sell my cards. I need to make a few more so I have a little supply of them for the shop and this is first one I have completed so far.

I went with some really old Basic Grey pp (black tie), black and shimmer white cs. I have heat embossed the sentiment using black emboss powder, then cut it using my oval nestabilities and then matted it in black with the scallop oval nestie. The sentiment panel is up on dimensionals and feature a rhinestone on each end. The corners of the pp have been cut using the ticket corner punch and then some tiny white pearls have been added in each corner. A scalloped shimmer piece of white accents the striped pattern and some large sheer black ribbon finishes off the design. Very classy I think.

Supplies: Stamps: Brighter tomorrow (SU!). CS: white shimmer, basic black cs (SU!), PP: Black tie (Basic Grey). Ink: versamark. Access: black emboss powder, corner ticket punch, corner rounder punch (SU!), heat gun, pearls and rhinestones (Kaiser crafts), Pearl brad (Recollections), classic oval and scalloped oval nesties (Spellbinders), cuttlebug, dimensionals, sheer black ribbon (Offray).

Thanks for checking out my latest!
Ciao!

A teacher takes a hand...

2011-01-24T08:30:00.000-08:00

Opens a mind, and touches a heart.
I took part in MFT (My favorite things) weekly sketch challenge (#3). I love this pure innocence image (apple for you). I paired her up with some Cosmo cricket school spirit collection 6X6 paper. Too bad the paper behind my girl is mostly covered up :( The print is adorable and features school houses and yellow buses...too cute!

I have to admit I absolutely LOVED this sketch and most of it came together fast and easily...until the end...lol. Once I came to the top left corner detail, the train stopped. Nothing I tried looked right and it stumped me good. Finally, I remembered this old twill tape ribbon I had and made a loopy, blossom type thing, paired it with a wooden button and called it done! The sentiment was a "free set" I received from MFT when I purchased 3 full sized stamp sets from the new release and all the sentiments are based around teachers. A set I simply had to add to my collection.

Supplies: Stamps: Pure Innocence apple for you, teachers sentiments (MFT). CS: Staples brand 110lb white cs. kraft cs (SU!). PP: school spirit (Cosmo Cricket 6X6 pad). Ink: momento. Access: twill tape (Unknown), wooden button (time 4 crafts), Copic markers, white gel pen, for you rub on (SU!), ric rac (May arts), red stickles (Ranger), dimensionals and glue dots.

Try your hand at the MFT sketch challenges, did you know that you can win free stamps? Yes, you! All you have to do is take part and upload your creations to Splitcoast...show us what ya got!

Ciao for now!

Cool winter wishes...

2011-01-23T08:30:00.000-08:00

I recently did a "sit & colour" images while in front of the tele again, I tried to choose some of my older images I have received in swaps, PIF's, etc. This little board-a-bella (I know that's not actually her name but, that's what I call her) totally reminds me of my close friend (that would be you, Peach! LOL). I had to colour her up and make a cute card with her. The layout is one from my sketch book and for some reason, there is not a reference as to whom the sketch originated from?? sorry.

I have continued using my patterned paper scraps (these are much newer) and are from Echo Park. Bella's pom-pom's and snow at her feet are "poofed" up with liquid applique.

Supplies: Stamps: Daisy board a bella (Stamping bella), sentiment (Rubber soul stamps). CS: Whisper white (card base only), night of navy cs (SU!), PP: wintertime (Echo park). Access: Copic markers, liquid applique, heat gun, satin ribbon (offray), blue bayou stitched ribbon (SU!), dimensionals.

Ciao!

Rock the bump gift set

2011-01-22T11:44:00.000-08:00

I have 2 very close friends who are both expecting their first babies in March. Both friends are having boys and I knew I had to bust out "baby bump" from MFT, and use their 3X3 box template (available here). For the box, I pretty much duplicated the design exactly (I am gonna try my hand at another and will change it up a bit). If you have not followed one of the MFT templates before, let me tell you...they are so easy! So well laid out, with such great instructions and so worth the very small price! What are you waiting for? Go get yours now!
Here is a close up of the card. I paper pieced her top and shopping bags, coloured her with Copics (the sidewalk too). I added a chocolate blossom, layered with tulle, wedding confetti flower and a wooden button. The main image is popped up with dimensionals.
The patterned paper is new arrivals by Pebbles and I absolutely L-O-V-E it!! I bought both the boys and girls prints....so adorable!

Here is an up close shot of the 3X3 box (template by MFT). What I love about this little box is you could make it for any occasion! I want to re-state that the design of this box was designed by MFT. The box lid panels were embossed with the cuttlebug, the little flowers I sewed with sequins are wedding confetti flower's from Michaels.

box supplies: Baby bump template from MFT. Stamps: baby bump (MFT). CS: whisper white, basic grey cs (SU!) PP: new arrival (Pebbles), text background (October afternoon), phonebook page, map from internet. Ink: Momento. Access: Copic markers, 2way glue pen, ribbon (May Arts), tulle (American Crafts), button (MM), wedding confetti flowers, sequins (Michaels) and dimensionals.

Card supplies: Stamps: Baby bump (MFT). CS: Whisper white (card base only), soft sky, creamy caramel cs (SU!). PP: new arrival (Pebbles). Ink: Momento. Access: Copic markers, 2way glue pen, slit punch (SU!), blossom (Prima), tulle (American Crafts), wedding confetti flower (Michaels), button (Craft time), glue dots, dimensionals.

Now I just need to make another set for my other friend. I plan to put some diaper cream (it's actually a balm from Lush that I use on my baby and it is the best ever!) and maybe a couple pairs of little socks in the box for them.

Thanks for checkin out the newest and have a stamp-happy weekend!

Ciao!

Stupid cupid why you pickin' on me...

2011-01-21T08:30:00.000-08:00

Ha ha ha! Sorry, that song was going through my head the whole time I was making this card.

Sorry about the delay in posts but I have been fighting a nasty cold and have been down with a crazy sore throat, headache and body ache's the last few days. (Still not feeling 100 % but at least feeling good enough to head back to the stamp room).

I just love this little Valentine Cupid with her bling bow and arrow! Her bow has gold stickles and the heart arrow has red stickles, her wings are dusted with dazzling diamonds for some bling! I have "popped" her head up on dimensionals and she is coloured with Copics and highlighted with my white gel pen. The patterned paper is Alphabet soup by My Minds Eye, a felt flower, button and paper doily finish off my design. (the layout is an old sketch from Sugar nellie Challenge 47).

Supplies: Stamps: hey Cupid (CC Designs). CS: whisper white (base only), blue cs (Bazill) PP: Alphabet soup (My Minds Eye). Access: Copics, white gel pen, felt flower and button (MM), paper doily (fun fair), stickles, slot punch, dazzling diamonds, 2 way glue pen (SU!) and dimensionals.

Thanks for checkin out my latest
Ciao!

This hugs for you...

2011-01-16T08:30:00.000-08:00

Phew! I dusted off my sewing machine and put it to good use with this card. I LOVE stitching on cards and layouts but for some reason don't seem to do it enough. Hmmmm...maybe a new goal to add to the mix...use my sewing machine more?

This was an old sketch from Amy R. (the original I did for this sketch was a Halloween card actually). The monkey is popped up with dimensionals and the patterned paper used is some really old scraps I had from Basic Grey (I can't actually even remember the name of the line but, they had a boys line and a girls line at the time...Jack possibly ?).

Supplies: Stamps: Monkey Love (CC Designs). CS: whisper white (card base only), kraft, blue bayou and soft sky cs (SU!) PP: Basic Grey. Access: Copic markers, blue bayou stitched ribbon and slit punch (SU!), dimensionals, nestabilities, and sewing machine.

Have a stamp happy day!

Ciao

Be mine...

2011-01-15T08:30:00.000-08:00

This is another of the 6 cards I put together in "Valentine's" theme. This little toadstool angel is also from the "hey Cupid" set from CC Designs.

Unfortunately, this photo really does not do this card justice...this photo is really dark and quite grainy. What a let down, especially when I took numerous shots of it and this was the best of them (bummer! Lol). Her wings have dazzling diamonds on them and her red mary jane's have stickles on them as well. Her head and main scalloped oval panel are all up on dimensionals for some added dimension.

Supplies: Stamps: Hey Cupid! (CC Designs). CS: whisper white (card base only), pink pirouette cs, soft sky, real red cs (SU!). PP: Basic Grey (Blush line). Access: Copic markers, white gel pen, dazzling diamonds, 2 way glue pen and slit punch (SU!), nestabilities, red stickles, dimensionals, brads, ribbon (PTI).

I have pretty much used up all of my soft sky cs from SU! This is a super sad day for me as I think it may be my favorite cardstock and it was retired so long ago! I also hate that there is no replacement colour even close to it available through SU! Woe is me...whatever am I going to do?!

Ciao!

Happy trails to you...

2011-01-14T10:06:00.000-08:00

Get a long little doggie...yee-haw! Heh heh, just couldn't resist.

Todays second post (the inspiration is a comin' so I just keep a goin') is a double whammy. 2 challenges in 1...YAY! First, it's Jen Del Muro's sketch for you to try (SFYTT) and secondly it is the cat's pajamas challenge (TCP tuesday 141- use ribbon in a fun and unique way).

I am (not so) patiently waiting for a lil order to arrive from TCP right now and if you can believe it don't actually own any of their stamps (although I have been drooling over them for a couple of years now). I did happen to have this sweet little cowboy image that a fellow stamper had been kind enough to stamp for me. He is from the set "havin' a pow wow" and this set rocks!

I coloured him with my Copics and actually mounted him onto another pp piece to make my main image larger for the sketch. I added a wooden button and the sentiment is on dimensionals. For the ribbon I accordian folded it for a fun, different, other then a bow look (for the TCP tuesday challenge). The pp (cowboy and stripe print) are scraps I had from some Cosmo Cricket paper...you will never guess how old it is...from 2006!!! Seriously, it had the year still on the bottom with the company name, etc. How hilarious is that?!

Supplies: Stamps: Havin' a pow wow (The Cats Pajamas). CS: whisper white (cardbase only), chocolate chip cs (SU!), PP: Cosmo cricket and SU! Access: Copic markers, white gel pen, large oval punch, linen thread, chocolate chip ribbon (SU!), dimensionals, glue dot, wooden button.

**This is the second post for today, so to see the first, just keep scrolling down :)
Ciao!

Love you this much!

2011-01-14T08:30:00.000-08:00

Here is another card featuring "monkey love" by CC Designs again. Get it here. (As I mentioned in my previous post, it looks like this set is retiring).

Not really too much to report for this design. Coloured with Copics, highlighted with my white gel pen, image panel and sentiment both popped up with dimensionals and a simple ribbon and bow added. The patterned papers are by my minds eye and 7 gypsies.

Supplies: Stamps: monkey love (CC Designs). CS: Whisper white (card base only) (SU!), soft blue textured cs (bazzil), PP: my minds eye, 7 gypsies. Access: Copic markers, white gel pen, dimensionals, ribbon, 1 3/8 circle punch, scallop circle punch (SU!).

Ciao!

MFT sketch challenge #2

2011-01-13T10:19:00.000-08:00

MFT (My Favorite things) is now holding a weekly sketch challenge EVERY week...YAY!! (I LOVE sketch challenges, in case you haven't noticed...lol). Not only do they supply you with an amazing sketch, the design team fills you with so much inspiration AND (if you needed more influence to join in...) there is a weekly draw and the winner gets $15 to spend at MFT!!!! AND...if you use a MFT stamp you get another $5!! So, to re-cap, you can get $20 to spend on STAMPS for FREE!! all you have to do is take part in the challenge. How awesome is that right?!

Okay, gotta take a little breather...I was so excited (grin). I inked up my very first "pure innocence" stamp (making a list), available here. Isn't she the cutest? I cannot wait to add more Pure innocence stamps to my collection...she is like a little addiction all on her own...adorable! I paper pieced her dress and used all scraps from my scrap bin. Coloured her with my Copics and check out her little rosy knee's (I saw Jody Morrow do that on her blog and had to try it....soooo cute! Thanks for the idea Jody). I added a felt blossom, a button and some brads to finsih off the design. All the patterned paper are from October afternoon (fly a kite and thrift store collections, I believe).

Supplies: Stamps: Making a list (pure Innocence, MFT). CS: whisper white (card base only), kraft cs (Stampin' Up!), Neenah solar crest cs, PP: October Afternoon. Ink: Momento. Access: Copic markers, felt flower, button (MM), brads (Basic Grey), Ribbon (SU!), Circle cutter (Tonic).

Peaches, my girly girl...I personally challenge you to give this sketch a try and show me what ya got!! Bring it! (Gotta get you doin' these challenges with me!)

This is also, my second post for today! To see post #1 scroll below this post :)

Thanks for checking out my latest,

Ciao

Just hanging around...

2011-01-13T08:30:00.000-08:00

How cute is this lil' monkey? Just hanging around to love ya! heh heh. This is more images from my swapped images box and he is also from CC Designs (Monkey love is the name of the set and it appears that it is going to be retiring so if you like it and need to add it to your collection, get it here).

I used more Basic Grey pp scraps, added a button, some plastic ribbon and raised the image panel with dimensionals.

Supplies: Stamps: Monkey love (CC Designs). CS: whisper white (card base only), taken with teal cs (SU!), PP: Basic Grey, october afternoon. Access: Copic markers, button (MM), plastic ribbon, dimensionals.

I have just noticed that I forgot to add my white gel pen highlights to my monkey...oops!

Ciao for now!

Love is in the air...

2011-01-12T08:30:00.000-08:00

I did it again!

I sat in front of a movie and coloured up 6 images, matched them to paper (before colouring). A few days later, I went through my sketch notebook, chose the layouts I wanted and a day or so later...started putting them together. YAY! 6 more cards done, all using my scrap patterned papers as well. If I was a rooster, my chest would be all poofed out! LOL!

I went on a Valentine's theme and all 6 are for the lovey dovey day. These angel girls (I have 2 more cards with some others, you will see soon) are from CC Designs "hey Cupid!". I feel like such a fool...I pulled these images from my PIF boxed images (images I have received in a swap) and then while scouring my stamps for sentiments...I actually own these stamps (I know I must have picked them up in the late fall, so I doubt I have had them long) but still....pretty bad I had no idea.

The pp is old Basic Grey blush paper and the cloud angel has dazzling diamonds on her wings, white gel pen highlights, red stickles for her mary jane shoes and I have popped up her head and the cloud both with dimensionals. Some red tulle and a heart stick pin finish off the design.

Supplies: Stamps: Hey cupid (CC Designs). CS: whisper white (card base), pretty in pink cs (SU!), sky textured cs (Bazzil), PP: Basic Grey (blush collection). Access: Copic markers, white gel pen (inksentials), dazzling diamonds (SU!), stick pin (MM), red binding ribbon, red tulle (May Arts), red stickles (Ranger), dimensionals.

Thanks for checkin' out my latest

Ciao

Just floating by...

2011-01-11T08:30:00.000-08:00

This is the last of the 4 cards I put together in one day. I was so stoked with the outcome I am gonna try to make colouring/gathering pp a regular habit. Makes it a bit easier when time can be an issue for you.

I love this adorable monkey (also from CC Designs). Coloured using my Copics and check out the dotted effect on his hiney and paws...(done using your blender pen! Just dot the blender pen onto your coloured area, the longer you leave it, the bigger the dot you will get). I added some white gel pen dots to his cheeks and balloon. The balloon is up on a dimensional. The main pp panel is popped up with dimensionals. The sentiment was done on the computer and then punched out using my oval punch. A large bow with wooden button finishes off my design.

Supplies: Stamps: CC Designs. CS: whisper white cs base, kraft cs (Stampin Up). PP: dutch girl (Cosmo cricket). Access: Copics, white gel pen, dimensionals, ribbon, large oval punch (SU!), wooden button (Crafty time (?)

Ciao for now!

So they say...

2011-01-10T08:30:00.000-08:00

Actually they say it's your Birthday!

Still sharing those cards I put together the other day. I love this little birthday kitty cat (from CC Designs)! I paired him up with some old 3 bugs boy patterned paper I bought ages ago.

Note to self: DO NOT completely adhere card together and then stamp your sentiment...UGH! It of course distorted...oh well! It will just have to add to the "home-madeness" of it...lol.

The cool cat is coloured with my copics and I of course added my white highlights with my gel pen, his cupcake has yellow stickles frosting on it. I rolled a few edges of the lined patterned paper, stapled the main image corners, added a bunch of buttons for the border along the bottom and a red ribbon piece to my wasabi ribbon treatment. This is an old sketch from my notebook as well (One from My Time, I believe).

Supplies: Stamps: CC Designs, sentiment (Stampin Up, it's your Birthday). CS: Cherry cobbler cs (SU!), PP: 3 bugs boy line. Access: Copics, white gel pen, yellow stickles, glue dots, real red and wasabi stitched ribbon, buttons (SU!), staples.

Ciao!

...and many more!

2011-01-09T09:00:00.000-08:00

This is another of those cards I whipped up the other day. I decided to make all Birthday themed ones to build up my supply for the store I sell them in. The best part of these cards is I only used pieces of patterned paper from my scrap bin...YAY me!

I made the mistake of trying to organize my patterned paper last night (and actually put away all the new sheets sitting in a pizza box on my desk) yeesh! that was a mistake! I have soooo much paper, my organizer WILL NOT CLOSE! You should have seen the look on poor hubby's face...hee hee! Just yesterday afternoon I purchased a handful of some de-lish designs I couldn't live without. Now after seeing how much I have maybe that will shock me into using what I have until it is at least down to a manageable amount (and my paper holder will close). I can dream right?

Anyhoo, a tad off course there! Back to the card: main image is coloured with my copics and popped up on dimensionals, highlighted with my white gel pen and sakura jelly pen, and some more of that yummy binding ribbon. I used an old sketch from my notebook (one from Amy R I think).

Supplies: Stamps: CC Designs, sentiment (cute converse- Stampin' up). CS: Real red, chocolate chip cs (Stampin' up), white (Staples brand 110 lb cs), PP: some old stuff by Pebbles. Access: Copics, white gel pen, Sakura glitter jelly roll, brown binding ribbon (May Arts) and dimensionals.

Thanks for popping in and have a stamp happy day!

Ciao for now...

Feeling so inspired...

2011-01-08T20:26:00.000-08:00

Don't ya just love it when your mojo kicks into overdrive and you feel so inspired that your craft just rolls off your hands? LOL! The other night I pulled out some stamped images I had picked up from the old PIF (pay it forward) forum, matched up some cardstock and then sat in front of the telly and coloured to my hearts content. That left me with a bunch of already chosen patterned paper, coloured images and cards just waiting to be put together. I whipped together 4 cards yesterday!! This is one of them.

The image in from Whiff of joy, and he is coloured with Copics of course. I added some white highlights with my gel pen, and an uber cool tissue paper flower I made, some binding ribbon and some crystals for his cupcake toppings. Have you ever tried this new binding ribbon? it is soft, lightweight and easy to tie...I just love it!

Supplies: Stamps: celebration goat (whiff of joy), sentiment (out on a limb-Papertrey Ink). CS: very vanilla, kraft, real red cs (Stampin Up) PP: October Afternoon. Access: Copics, tissue paper, pearl brad (Michaels), rhinestones (Kaiser crafts), Ribbon (May Arts).

Thanks for checking out my latest!

Ciao

Wonder is best when shared...

2011-01-07T15:55:00.000-08:00

Well hello 2011!! I hope everyone had a great Christmas and a wonderful new year

I picked up a couple "rummage bin" stamps from Cornish Heritage Farms last summer and finally inked this one up! I really wanted to try playing around with alcohol inks (can you believe that I have never tried them before?? GASP! I know, a sin right?! Seriously, they are so fun and Tim Holtz has the most dee-lish colours!). I smeared my colours around on the glossy cardstock and stamped my image with staz on, and I LOVE the effect. In fact, I loved the effect so much, I went out and bought 4 more colours...tee hee!

I dug through my scrap bin and found these bits of patterned paper (Basic Grey) added some vintage style lace trim, an oversized jewel brad and accordian folded my polka dot paper for some added interest.

Supplies: Stamp: Wonder is best when shared (Cornish Heritage Farms). Ink: black staz on and alcohol inks (ginger, caramel; Tim Holtz) (not quite navy re-inker, Stampin up). CS: not quite navy cs, more mustard cs- Stampin up! PP: Basic Grey, october afternoon. Access: lace trim (May Arts), jewel brad (recollections).

Thanks for checkin' in!

Naughty...

2010-11-13T09:09:00.000-08:00

I just love Kraftin Kimmie stamps. They are so cute! I received this image (Jayne) in the PIF (pay it forward) thread on Splitcoast. I purchased all of the Halloween Kimmie stamps (of course never even had a chance to ink them up) and have some Christmas ones on the way (including Piper; the coffee drinker and matching sentiments).

I love Jayne's sultry, sexy look...lol. I paired her up with some old Basic Grey paper I had in my scrap bin (Bittersweet is the paper line). I cut her out using my Spellbinder's nestabilities (labels 4), added some old ruffle ribbon I had in my stash, a paper flower, some tulle and a pearl brad.

I am completely in love with using tulle on my cards right now, I just love the look it gives.

The sentiment is from MFT's twisted sentiments. The twisted sentiments are not profane but off-colour adult humor and sometime's risque. They are somewhat hidden on the MFT site so as not to offend anyone...I myself love them and think they are hilarious!

Supplies: Stamps: Jayne (Kraftin' Kimmie), Sentiment ~twisted sentiments (MFT). CS: cherry cobbler cs (SU!), Neenah solar crest cs, PP: bittersweet (Basic Grey). Ink: Momento. Access: Copic markers, Glitter gelly roll pen, spellbinder's nestabilities (labels 4), ribbon (MM), circle punch (SU!), paper flower (Prima), pearl brad (Michaels), and tulle (?).

Ciao for now!

My Favorite Things Wednesday stamp club...

2010-11-12T00:05:00.000-08:00

Each week MFT has a challenge and I decided to try my hand and give it a try! This weeks challenge was "cooking up some love" (Use kitchen, food type theme for your card).

I pulled out my cupcake flopsey stamp. Pretty sure I have had him for well over a year and this is the first time I inked him up :o!! How cute is he? There are lot's of other flopsey stamps at MFT, and I will for sure have to add a few more to my collection! I decided to use a sketch by Taylored Expressions (sketch #133). Flopsey's cupcake has pink stickles frosting...yum!

Supplies: Stamps: Cupcake flopsey (MFT). CS: so saffron, taken with teal (SU!), neenah solar crest white cs, PP: October afternoon (fly a kite). Ink: Momento. Access: buttons, scalloped die (MM), Copics, stickles (Ranger), ribbon (American Crafts), dimensionals, and corner rounder punch (SU!).

Thanks for stopping in and have a stamp-happy weekend!

Hot cocoa box...

2010-11-11T00:05:00.000-08:00

While out blog surfing I stubled across this super cute mini gift box template by Inge at her blog Patterned paper. This was perfect timing because last month when I was in the States at Costco I purchased a whole whack of "land O lakes hot cocoa" boxes for an insane price. I knew I wanted to find a cute little box template or something for them to give them as gifts! Thanks so very much Inge, your design is adorable!

I decided to used my digital Lily with polar bear image from Pink cat studio. Up until the last month or two, I had never used digital stamps. Now that I have tried them, I LOVE them! They are very easy to use and a lot of fun. There are a lot of benefits to using digital stamps (not that I would ever give up my un-mounted or wood mounted or anything like that!) you get a perfect image everytime, take up no space, you can still paper piece with them and they are cheaper to purchase! Lot's of positives that's for sure. Anyhoo, back to the project! There is dazzling diamonds in Lily's liquid applique fur trim, pearl centers in the felt poinsettas and lot's of stitching.

Here is a shot of the back. I chose the "Arctic white" cocoa to match the Arctic polar bear Lily is riding ((grin)).

Supplies: Stamps: digital lily rides a polar bear (pink cat studio, friendship sentiment (it's snow time, SU!). CS: blue bayou (SU!), neenah solar crest, PP: My Mind's Eye. Access: Copic markers, Spellbinders nestabilities, liquid applique (Marvy Uchida), felt, paper poinsettas (Hero Arts), dazzling diamonds, red ribbon (SU!), plaid ribbon (May Arts), twine (dollar store), tag (Michaels), button (MM), mmmmm cocoa sticker (October afternoon), cocoa packet.

Thanks for checking out my latest and happy Remembrance Day...don't forget tp take a moment to honor and remember all the soldiers that have given their lives for our freedom, and think of the soldiers out there still doing so!

The sky's the limit...

2010-11-10T00:05:00.000-08:00

I have a confession to make...as much as I love the full layers, vintage style, lot's of "stuff" on my cards. I cannot resist the adorable A Muse images! Their tiny sizes, clean lines and adorable images call to me! Over at the A Muse lounge November's challenge was to use your own handwriting, doodles, drawing's, etc. to your card...scary! I know. I pulled out my brand new girl on swing and got her inky!
I have never used A Muse paper or cardstock before and was quite impressed, it's quite thick. I paper pieced the tree top and made "grass" using the A Muse green plaid pp. I also paper pieced the clouds using some very old Imaginisce Christmas paper (at least 2 years old, maybe more). I added my own hand in the form of my birds in the distance...lol. Not very big but hey! I did it!

Supplies: Stamps: girl on swing, clouds and sentiment (A Muse). CS: kraft (SU!), Neenah white cs, PP: green plaid (A Muse), imaginisce. Ink: Momento. Access: Copic markers.

Thanks for popping in!

Cheers!

Sugar Nellie challenge...take 2!

2010-11-09T00:05:00.000-08:00

Okay, here it is....and this one will be eligible...lol. Here is a link to the contest: Sugar Nellie contest. It is a great contest and the prizes are simply delicious (6 Christmas sugar nellie stamps AND the spellbinders nestabilitie snowflake die!!!) How generous is that? And all you have to do is enter a card using a sugar nellie image following the given sketch. Easy peasy lemon squeezy! ((grin)).

I pulled out one of my gorgous "gorjuss girls" and went to town. I pulled this really, really old, non-traditional Christmas paper out of my scraps and pulled my colours from it. Instead of using a doily on this design (which just didn't look right) I used a scalloped circle using my nestabilities. The sentiments were done on my computer and I paper pieced her dress. Her little "letter to Santa" has a rhinestone on the seal.

Here is an up-close shot of her:

Supplies: Stamp: gorjuss girl sent with love (Sugar Nellie). CS: Neenah white cs, baja breeze and cherry cobbler cs (SU!), PP: Scenic route. Ink: Momento. Access: Copic markers, white gel pen (Sakura), ribbon (American crafts), silver cord (SU!), silver bells and rhinestone (Michaels), Corner rounder punch (SU!), Spellbinders nestabilities, and staple.

Give the sketch a shot...random generator chooses the winner so you never know...it might be you!

Thanks for checking out my newest creation!
Cheers!

Featured stamper...

2010-11-08T19:09:00.000-08:00

Sunday's featured stamper on Splitcoaststampers was jazzytobi. For the featured stamper you choose a card from their gallery and make a card based on theirs. I chose this card here of hers.

This was my take on it. I have been wanting to make a pregnancy card for a friend of mine who is expecting her first and this was the perfect opportunity to do so. I pulled out my adorable maternity dress stamp by A Muse and paper pieced it using October Afternoon's thrift shop paper. I kept jazzytobi's layout the same except I kept the oval upright, added a layer to the card base, and heat embossed my sentiment.

Supplies: Stamps: maternity dress, expecting joy (A Muse). CS: very vanilla (SU!), berry sorbet (PTI), PP: October afternoon (thrift shop). Ink: momento, versamark. Access: Spellbinders nestabilities, lace trim punch (Martha Stewart), black emboss powder, ribbon (SU!), button (MM).

Hope you all have a stamp-happy day!
Cheers!

A Sugar Nellie challenge...

2010-11-08T00:05:00.000-08:00

So Sugar Nellie has posted a sketch challenge and the prize is incredible! Check it out here. Totally have to admit to a pretty embaressing/funny thing. I check out the sketch, get excited, pull out some PIF (pay it forward) images from my stash, choose one, colour it, put the whole card together. Then sit at my table looking at my card, thinking to myself..."this isn't a sugar Nellie image". Yep, sure enough, I made this card for the challenge and low and behold, it's not eligible because obviously the challenge has to be met with a sugar Nellie image. Ha ha ha! So, I have my Sugar Nellie stamp chosen and will be putting together another card using this sketch and entering it into the challenge ((grin! shaking my head at myself)).
I do like the way the card turned out overall. The little paper doily on the card came from the dollar store! how thrifty is that? They had all different sizes too! The doily's really seem to be a trend right now and this way you get lot's of them for cheap! The patterned paper is from October afternoon (last years Christmas line I think. Called Good cheer). Here I am struggling to use my Christmas stash....I am gonna be in for it next Halloween! I think I may have to commit to making Halloween cards, layouts and projects for the next year :0

I searched around the Whiff of Joy site's to find out the exact name of this
image but could not find her anywhere. So if you happen to know the name please message me to let me know.

Supplies:
image by Whiff of joy, sentiment: snowfall (PTI). CS: kraft cs (SU!), berry sorbet (PTI), PP: good cheer (October afternoon). Ink: momento. Access: spellbinders nestabilities (labels 4), paper doily (dollar store), Copic markers, white gel pen (Sakura), shimmery snowflake (little yellow bicycle), pink tulle (dollar store), heart button (unknown) and corner rounder punch (SU!).

Hope everyone is keeping warm and enjoying their hot beverages of choice...Evening are getting COLD!!! It's this time of year I sure enjoy a hot Carolyns/bailey's!! tee hee!
Cheers!

Holiday Joy Tilda

2010-11-07T00:05:00.000-07:00

How cute is Tilda all dressed up in her holiday best?

I coloured her using my Copics of course! I don't know if anyone else ever runs into this problem but I never seem to have the right marker colour...lol! No matter how many I buy, I always find the exact shade I need will somehow still elude me. (Guess that's why it's beneficial to have the whole collection of markers; I just buy a few at a time to add to my collection, that way I don't feel so guilty ;)

Back to the card...I used an old sketch from Sugar nellie (the sugar bowl blog) challenge #11 to be exact, that's how old the sketch is! I used my 6X6 Basic grey figgy pudding paper pad for this card. I am really trying to start using my Christmas paper! I have soooo much of it (full collection lines, not even opened yet!). Not that that has stopped me from still buying more (the vintage Christmas papers really call my name).

Here is an up close shot of her.

Supplies: Staples brand 110lb white cs, soft sky, cherry cobbler cs (Stampin' Up!), Neenah, PP: Figgy pudding 6X6 pad (Basic Grey). Ink: Momento. Access: liquid applique (Marvy Uchida), dazzling diamonds, oval punches (SU!), ribbon and tulle (May Arts), pearl brad (Michael's), paper poinsetta's (large-Prima, texted Hero arts).

Hope you all have a stamp-happy day!

Cheers!

I'm Baaaaaaaack......

2010-11-06T14:04:00.000-07:00

Wow! It's been a year and 4 months since my last post and so much has happened since then....don't worry! I'm not going to gab about it and bore you all to death...lol! Bottom line is I burned out and needed to take a break. A new member was added to our family and we welcomed our little girl Ella to our family on August 22, 2010. I have started picking up my stamps again and am really enjoying it. Of course after being away for almost a year and a half I have had to retail therapy myself like crazy and add all the newest and greatest to my collection...lol.
This is an adorable Magnolia image I have had in my stash for a long time (I received her in the PIF forum) Tilda with Bell is her name (I think). I coloured her using my Copic images and put her together using an older sketch by Tiets (I find her work sooo beautiful and very inspiring, I love all the layers of paper she adds to her cards). The link to Tiets blog takes you to all of her sketches. Tilda has liquid applique added to her fur trim and some sparkle to her bell.
Here is an up-close view of her.

Supplies: Tilda with bell (Magnolia), sentiment: Pink cat studio (Lily and Tweet stamps). CS: Cherry cobbler cs, PP: Basic grey (various lines used figgy pudding, dasher, etc). Ink: Momento. Access: satin ribbon (SU!), 2way glue pen (SU!), gold glitter (Martha Stewart), liquid applique (Marvy Uchida), dimensionals, Copic markers, and white gel pen (Sakura).

Thanks for checking out my newest creation.
Cheers!

lovely package inspiration...

2009-06-13T13:36:00.001-07:00

For today's inspiration challenge Stef found this incredible site of packaging called lovely package. I could seriously spend hours pouring over this site. In fact, I have added it to my favorites!

I actually decided to use the "tasty bone" package as my inspiration. I knew I had some treat bags in my cupboard waiting to be used and I went from there. The bags were white so I just went with it and decided to paper piece kraft cs bones all over the bag to tie in the "kraft" look of the inspiration piece. I stamped the dog walker and dogs, coloured them, paper pieced the lady's skirt and adhered them on to the bottom corner of the bag. I used dimensionals for a few of the pooch's.

I covered a chipboard tag with the same patterned paper as the dog walker's skirt and added a sentiment. Some thick red grosgrain ribbon and a dog bone shaped clip finishes off the treat bag. I didn't have any treats on hand so for the photo I filled it with dog food...ha ha ha! So pretend it's some lovely home-made dog treats.

Stamps: Gone to the dogs, friends fur-ever (My Favorite Things). CS: kraft, neenah solar crest cs, Basic Grey patterned paper. Ink: Momento. Access: treat bag (Papertrey Ink), dimensionals, crop-o-dial, bone clip, grosgrain ribbon, chipboard tag, hemp twine, Copic markers, and sanding files.

And here is who that dog food actually belongs to. This is our new member of our family "Boots". He is 8 1/2 weeks old and a real sweetie! His Mom is shitzu crossed with yorkie terrier and his dad is purebred lhasa apso. Needless to say, my daughter is in puppy heaven...lol.

water + sand= Father's Day card...

2009-06-12T12:17:00.000-07:00

Today's limited supply challenge was to use only "beach" colours (blue, grey, sands) and you had to use all of the following: Ribbon, hemp/twine or fibres, brads and piercing on your card. I immediately knew I wanted to use my coast to coast set and make a card for my Dad for Father's Day. I decided to also combine this week's sketch challenge as well.

I started out by stamping my main background with Papertrey Ink's Father know's best set (the compass image) in night of navy and at every center of the image I added a silver brad. I stamped the lighthouse the same way and then inked up my sentiment in black and stamped it over the main image. Sentiment reads " any man can be a Father, it takes someone special to be a Dad". The patterned paper is from the 3 bugs "playtime" line. For the square panels under the main image I paper pierced the edges to sort of "frame" the main image. Red isn't really allowed in the colour scheme for the challenge but it really was what looked best and I think red is very beachy...lol. nautical, cape cod, beach cabana's....ha ha ha! That's my story and I'm sticking to it. For the final touches I added some navy grosgrain ribbon and stitched little X's with hemp thread and then mounted the whole works onto a kraft card base.

Stamps: Coast to Coast (Stampin' Up), Father know's best (Papertrey Ink). CS: kraft, whisper white, riding hood red, night of navy and patterned paper by 3 bugs playtime line. Ink: Night of navy, Momento. Access: brads, mat pack, hemp thread, grosgrain ribbon, paper piercer.

Hope everyone has a stamp happy weekend!

Just magnolia challenge week 8

2009-06-11T18:51:00.001-07:00

While I was surfing some blogs I came across the just magnolia challenge blog and decided to join in the fun. The due date is tonight 11 pm UK time so I have probably missed out but I loved the sketch and wanted to take part anyways.

I had coloured dragon fly Tilda a few days ago and already had the papers I wanted to use with her laid out so literally all I had to do was follow the sketch and put it all together. There is a ton of dimension to this card so you would definately want to hand deliver this baby...lol. The yellow flocked paper is up on dimensionals, and then the nestabilitie circles are on dimensionals and lastly Tilda is popped up as well. I coloured her with my Copics and added a little glitter with my Gelly roll pen to her wings.

Supplies: Stamps: Dragonfly Tilda (Magnolia Stamps), sentiment (A Muse). CS: Staples brand 110# cs, Neenah solar crest cs, always artichoke, so saffron, embossed blue cs (not sure who makes this, but I LOVE it!), and patterned papers by Chatterbox. Ink: Momento. Access: Copics, white gel pen, Sakura gelly roll pen, buttons, hemp twine, dimensionals, glue dots, ribbon, and word window punch.

Simple cherry gingham Anya...

2009-06-11T11:01:00.000-07:00

I have developed a new bad habit....colouring images and leaving them on my desk....ha ha ha! I need to stop just colouring them and complete them into cards! I received this uber cute snow, rain, shine miss Anya image from the Canadian PIF thread and immediately had to colour her. She is sooooo cute! Once coloured I managed to talk myself into making a simple card to finish her off!

I added some scraps I had in my box, added a few simple embellishments, a sentiment and some paper piercing and voila! Card complete. Miss sunny Anya has crystal effects on the lenses of her sunglasses and is popped up on dimensionals.

Supplies: Stamps: snow, rain, shine miss Anya (the greeting farm), sentiment (A Muse). CS: whisper white, riding hood red, kiwi kiss and patterned papers by Stampin' Up. Ink: Momento. Access: Copics, white gel pen, dimensionals, crystal effects, blossoms, glue dots, button, rafia and paper butterfly.

Thanks for stopping in and have a super stamp happy day!

Gorjuss book inspiration...

2009-05-30T13:34:00.000-07:00

For today's inspiration challenge on Splitcoast we were to gain inspiration from book covers. This is the book cover that inspired my creation here. I loved the punk undertone, and the colours and neat swirls.

I inked up one of my Gorjuss girls from set #2 and set to work. I coloured her up using my Copics of course and kept my colour palette close to my inspiration piece. I added some white highlights with my gel pen and then cut her out. For the bg, I randomly stamped some swirly images in various colours (Making memories foam stamp and Baroque Motif's from Stampin' Up!). I added a sentiment in the top corner, added some ribbon and a star charm to finish it off. My gorjuss girl is popped up for some added dimension.

Stamps: Gorjuss girls #2 (Sugar Nellie), baroque motifs (Stampin' Up), edgy eloquence (Stampin' Up) and foam swirls (Making Memories). CS: whisper white, green galore and regal rose. Ink: Momento, basic black, regal rose and green galore. Access: Copic markers, white gel pen, dimensionals, ribbon (Making Memories), star clip (Unknown).

Have a stamp happy day!

Plenty of joy...

2009-05-29T11:30:00.001-07:00

Today's limited supply challenge on Splitcoast was to use:

**½ sheet of plain cardstock for your card base—no other plain papers…NONE. Not even for mats.**Plenty of patterned paper, decorative paper, flocked paper, glitterized paper, shiny paper, etc. **No coloring supplies…no copics, pencils, markers, crayons, etc.**Please keep embellishments simple.

Wow! what a doozy...lol. It took me a while to figure out what I wanted to do and finally I came up with a Christmas card. I had some scrap My Mind's eye (snowed in) patterned paper and decided to heat emboss peaceful wishes on it in gold emboss powder. (the sentiment is embossed in black). I matted my main image with some gold paper and then used some of the co-ordinating patterned paper for a fun strip along the bottom. I added a nice strip of black velvet ribbon and a poinsetta blossom that I stacked on some additional blossoms. For the punched branches I used some basic grey distressed paper (if you look closely you should be able to see the variations in colour).

Stamps: Peaceful wishes (Stampin' Up!), sentiment (Papertrey Ink). CS: basic black, gold cs and patterned papers by My Minds Eye (snowed in line) and Basic Grey. Ink: versamark. Access: gold emboss powder, heat gun, black emboss powder, velvet ribbon (May Arts), branch punch (Martha Stewart), pearl, blossoms, and dimensional.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and a stamp happy day!

Spring showers...

2009-05-27T00:15:00.001-07:00

Ugh! Remind me not to insist on making challenge cards at un-just times of the night and then insist on photographing and uploading them the same night! The photography is never good lol. I have to work all day tomorrow and really wanted to get a card done for the sketch challenge and seeing as it was posted early...well....I had to do it. Hee hee.

I received these wonderful digital images while playing in the Canadian swapp forum on Splitcoast. They are gingersnaps Spring thing available at ATS. How blooming cute is she?! I coloured her and her ducky friend up using my Copics. I added some highlights using my white gel pen, and added some crystal effects for the rain puddle. I followed the sketch exactly but made my card 5 1/4" square, which did make it a wee bit squishy, but I like the result none-the-less. The main image panel is popped up on dimensionals as well as the duck. For the finishing touches, I added some ribbon, felt flower with some buttons and a sentiment in the corner. I chose not to use an oval punch for my sentiment because the sentiment was too long...lol.

Stamps: Gingersnaps Spring thing~digital image (C.C Designs), sentiment (rain or shine My Favorite Things). CS: whisper white, soft sky, Basic grey and Scenic Route patterned papers. Ink: computer printer ink and momento. Access: Copic markers, white gel pen, crystal effects, dimensionals, felt flower and buttons (Making Memories), ribbon (PTI), and glue dots.

Have a stamp happy day!

Chasing butterflies...

2009-05-26T15:59:00.001-07:00

The colour challenge on Splitcoaststampers today was so saffron, pumpkin pie and bashful blue (CC220). I decided to ink up my new Edwin chasing butterflies stamp by Magnolia and make a card for my sweet nephew.

I picked up this cool patterned paper by Chatterbox during a half price paper sale at my local scrapbook store about a month ago and thought it would tie in well with Edwin's outdoor adventure...lol. This turned out to be a very simple layout and card but for the time it took me to finally accept it and let it be, you would think it was waaay more in depth...ha ha ha. I paper pieced Edwin's shirt with the reverse side of the patterned paper and coloured him with my copics of course. I added a simple scallop border and some punched vellum butterflies for some added interest. Edwin is popped up for some added dimension and a sweet sentiment from A Muse to finish it off.

Even though it's a simple card I like the cheery feel to it.

Supplies:

Stamps: Chasing Edwin (Magnolia), moon sentiment (A Muse). CS: so saffron, pumpkin pie, bashful blue, neenah solar white cs, vellum, Chatterbox patterned paper. Ink: Momento. Access: Copic markers, white gel pen, butterfly punch (Martha Stewart), glue pen, slit punch, and dimensionals.

Thanks as always for checking out my newest and have a stamp happy day!

Have faith...

2009-05-24T00:05:00.000-07:00

I needed to make a really powerful, up-lifting, positive card for my Uncle who is sick. He has just been diagnosed with lung cancer and has just started radiation treatment. I wanted to send him something letting him know we are thinking of him and have faith he will overcome this long journey ahead of him.

This sentiment is from Unity and called move mountains. I actually received this image/sentiment from the PIF thread (pay it forward). For the card base, I stamped the weathered bg once and then turned the stamp and stamped again. This gives it a more crackled appearance and tends to fill up more of the extra space on the bg image. I added some scraps from my pattened paper bin, matted the main image and popped it up onto dimensionals. I used my colour spritzer tool to distress up the main image added some chocolate taffeta ribbon, a button and a twig. Yep, you heard me right a twig. I love the effect it adds to the card. I dug through my sketch notebook and came across this older sketch challenge from Splitcoast (SC215). It was a perfect fit for this card as I needed the sentiment to be the main focus.

Supplies: move mountains (Unity) weathered bg (Stampin' Up~retired). CS: chocolate chip, so saffron, white, riding hood red, assorted scraps (Basic Grey, crate paper). Ink: versafine (vintage sepia). Access: colour spritzer tool, chocolate chip marker, dimensionals, button, chocolate taffeta ribbon, glue dots and twig.

Thanks for stopping by and have a stamp happy day!

Little odd forest inspiration...

2009-05-23T12:16:00.000-07:00

I finally had some time this morning to take part in the inspiration challenge on Splitcoast. The challenge was to gain inspiration from little odd forest handbags.

I finally narrowed down my choice to this specific bag here. I loved the story book theme and knew I had some scraps of paper that went perfectly with this idea, along with reading flopsey images I received in the PIF forum (pay it forward). Because of the large size of the flopsey image I decided to make my card 5 1/4" squared, and I just happened to have a very cool sketch in my notebook that I found on Tiets blog.

I sanded all the edges of my patterned papers and once adhered down, used my "all in a row" stamp and stamped some stitching around the papers. Keeping in theme with the purse I added some of my number (measuring tape) ribbon onto my clip along with a paper blossom and button. Flopsey is coloured with my Copic markers and then I used some crystal effects for his glasses and also some liquid applique for his tail (it isn't puffed up yet as I am awaiting it to dry before I heat it.

Supplies: Reading Flopsey (My favorite things), all in a row (Stampin' Up). CS: kraft, white, assorted patterned papers (Basic Grey, Rusty Pickle, Bo Bunny). Ink: Momento and basic black. Access: mini clip (Unknown), paper blossom and button (Making Memories), hemp twine, measuring ribbon, Copics, crystal effects, liquid applique, sanding block and glue dot.

Have a stamp happy weekend!

Think simple. Think Amuse...

2009-05-16T13:33:00.001-07:00

The continuation of my on-going quest to use my Amuse stamps....ha ha ha. I decided to try last weeks Splitcoast sketch challenge.

So I decided to pull out my Amuse "love take out" stamp and randomly stamped it on my main image cs. I added a bit of colour with a marker and then added a single white dot (to the heart rice) with my gel pen to keep the eye moving. I added just a bit of patterned paper, a scalloped edge and a coin with some paper ribbon for the final details.

Stamps: Love take out and luck and fortune sentiment (Amue). CS: Whisper white, basic black and real red (patterned paper by we R memory keepers. Ink: Momento. Access: coin (Wal Mart), slit punch, Copic marker, white gel pen, and glue dot.

A clean and simple card. Thanks for checking out my latest and I hope everyon has a great Victoria day long week-end!

Sympathy for the Freeman family...

2009-05-14T17:48:00.000-07:00

I was checking out the Splitcoast sketch challenge cards in the gallery when I came across a card that informed me of the Freeman family's loss. They lost their daughter named Kaleigh. Check out the Freeman family blog here and read about the fight and many hurdles this family has gone through. Kaleigh joined God on May 11. I will forewarn you that reading Kaleigh's blog is extremely heartwrenching, but what a strong, and wonderful family they are. I was so moved reading the blog that I really wanted to make a sympathy card to send to them and let them know just how much their story

touched me.

I made the card following the sketch challenge and used my new gorjuss girls #2. I stamped her onto watercolour paper and then watercoloured her using a paintbrush, and ink pads. I stamped my sentiment onto acetate with Staz on and then layered it over the main image. The organdy ribbon was curled using my heat gun (warning! Use caution doing this the ribbon will melt very quickly!!).

Stamps: Gorjuss girls #2 (Sugar Nellie), Sentiment (Stampin Up~ brighter tomorrow). CS: mauve mist, watercolour paper, acetate, bazill cs, wild asparagus patterned paper. Ink: Brilliance and perfect plum, elegent eggplant, so saffron, chocolate chip, close to cocoa, creamy caramel and blush blossom for watercolouring. Access: Silver organdy (offray), ribbon blossom (unknown), glue dots, branch punch (Martha Stewart), lace trim (Making Memories), pearl pin (Making Memories) and dimensionals.

Hug your loved ones and remember just how blessed we are.

A Mother's Day SFYTT...

2009-05-11T12:21:00.001-07:00

I made this Mother's Day card following Jen Del Muro's SFYTT (sketch for you to try). I am late posting this card as it's been completed for a few days but I have been just too busy with work and family life to even get it uploaded. So think of it as a belated Mother's Day post...lol.

I received this Whiff of Joy image called "celebrating goat" while playing in the PIF forum. I set to colouring it and then added this yummy Basic Grey patterned paper and this awesome yellow flocked paper from Chatterbox, added some blossoms (coloured the blue one using my Copic markers) and a button. I added a fabulous sentiment from Papertrey Ink's out on a limb set, and framed it using my nestabilities, and added some highlights on the main image using my white gel pen.

Supplies: Stamps: Celebrating goat (Whiff of joy), sentiment (Papertrey ink~out on a limb sentiments). CS: Pacific point, white cs, Basic Grey and Chatterbox patterned papers. Ink: Momento. Access: ribbon, Blossoms, button, thread, glue dot, classic and scalloped circle nestabilities, cuttlebug, Copic markes, and white gel pen.

I hope all the Mom's out there had a wonderful day and enjoyed their day of honor. I Love you Mom!

Faviana inspiration...

2009-05-02T12:08:00.001-07:00

I popped onto Splitcoast this morning to check out the inspiration challenge and I was so surprised to immediately be inspired by the post! I took off immediately for my stamp room and went to town...lol. The inspiration challenge was to find inspiration from Faviana prom dresses! Check out the challenge here. Here are the dresses that inspired my card here and here.

I received this awesome sentiment while playing in the PIF forum (pay it forward) it is by Unity Stamps. I paired it up with some old Basic Grey patterned paper (black tie line) inspired by the pattern of the second dress, layered some blossoms and a pearl brad to mimic the flower on the first dress and added some Martha Stewart punched branches to mimic the leaves trailing down the dress. For the finishing touches I added some black velvet ribbon, and some sheer silver May Arts ribbon peeking out from behind the blossom, and some punched vellum butterfly's.

My aunt is going through a bit of a hard time right now and I think this will be a nice "i'm there for you" card.

Thanks for stopping in and have a stamp happy weekend!

The road to a friends house...

2009-04-13T13:54:00.001-07:00

I snagged this adorable A Muse stamp whilst out shopping at a little stamp shop not so far from me. It was the last one so of course that doubled the need to have it ((grin!)). I couldn't wait to use this little guy and was quite happy to find the weekend sketch challenge posted by Laurie. I also happened to notice that at the A Muse lounge there was a challenge posted that I could probably incorporate into the sketch. "Think simple. Think A Muse." that is the challenge.

I stamped my carrot car onto Neenah cs and then stamped it again onto some patterned paper by Making Memories (all the patterned paper on my card is from the 6X6 flower patch pad). I paper pieced the carrot and coloured the green leafy stem and the bunny's scarf using my Copics. I used my nesties to cut and emboss the carrot car and also for the scallopped circle mat. I added some lace ribbon trim (also from Making Memories) and the sentiment is some ancient rub on's I had kicking around. A Muse actually has this sentiment but the shop I was out was sold out, so I have put in a special order as i simply *have* to have it! I think my card meets the criteria, overall I really like the way it turned out and this is huge for me as for some reason I seem to struggle using these stamps. I buy them, want them, love them, but hardly use them as their size (being so small) intimidates me! Sounds so silly but it's true. So I am really working at using my beloved A Muse stamps (while adding more to my collection of course...wink!) and cranking out some cards.

Supplies: Carrot car (A Muse). CS: kraft cs, sage shadow, neenah white, patterned papers by Making Memories (flower patch line). Ink: Momento. Access: ribbon lace trim (Making Memories), classic and scalloped circle nestabilities, cuttle bug, and rub ons.

Thanks for checking in and have a stamp happy day!

Easter tags 2009, a new tradition?

2009-04-11T11:48:00.001-07:00

While I was reading Pinefeather's blog I have come to notice that she makes tags for her daughter's and nephew's special holidays. I was so inspired that I decided to give it a try. I love the idea that she makes them for their Easter baskets and then they can be used as an embellishment on a scrapbook page after...genius! I would like to make this a tradition that I carry on with every year.

I made 3 tags. 1 for my daughter and 2 for a good friend of mine's boys. I received these "bunny train" images from the PIF thread (pay it forward) they are by Whipper Snapper and I snipped off the rest of the image as I only had room for the bunny and basket. Using my alphabet stamp (big deal by SU!) I stamped the first initial of their names, and added some ribbon, lace trim, buttoms and patternend paper scraps. The bunny images were coloured with my Copics and then popped up on dimensionals.

Supplies: Stamps: bunny train (whipper snapper), big deal alphabet set (Stampin' Up!). CS: blue bayou, soft sky, tempting turquoise and whisper white. Ink: blue bayou, chocolate chip, pink passion. Access: yellow lace trim (making memories), pink polka dot grosgrain ribbon (unknown), double stitched blue bayou ribbon and chocolate ribbon (SU!), dimensionals, Copic markers, white gel pen, crop-o-dial, eyelets, satin Offray ribbon, buttons (Stampin' Up), and hemp thread.

I hope you all have a very happy Easter!

Everyday gifts...

2009-04-07T10:46:00.000-07:00

I made this card following last week's SFYTT sketch for you to try (from Jen Del Muro). I really want to share with anyone that is taking the Copic journey Suzanne Dean's blog. On the right hand side of her sidebar she has Copic tutorials listed and they are AMAZING! Following her instructions and tips I coloured this sassy little gg (gorjuss girl)! Not perfect by far I am sure but I was sure impressed. She really had a great way of explaining the light source, shadows, etc. So, I really recommend her tutorials.

I started by pulling out my patterned papers, taking my colour combo from there and colouring my image. I distressed all of my papers by sanding and inking the edges and even used my little spritzer tool to add some distressed droplets on the cs. I mounted my gg onto the old bench image from Magnolia, added some blossoms, a button, and the lace edge punch from Martha Stewart. I added a sentiment from "out on a limb" by PTI. The finished card size is 5 1/4" squared.

Stamps: Sitting (gorjuss girls, Sugar Nellie, old bench (Magnolia), sentiment (PTI ~Papertrey Ink). CS: close to cocoa, soft sky, riding hood red, Neenah solar white cs, Basic Grey patterned papers. Ink: Momento. Access: paper distresser, distress ink (walnut stain, Tim Holtz), colour spritzer tool, blossoms, button, hemp thread, glue dots, Copic markers and lace edge punch (Martha Stewart).

Thanks for checking out my latest! It's a beautiful day here and It looks like Spring might finally be here!

funky foxy gorjuss girl...

2009-04-06T17:42:00.000-07:00

Gorjuss girls by Sugar Nellie are taking the stamping industry by storm. I stalked funky kits for weeks waiting until the moment that the girls were re stocked and pounced! Lol! Well, they are taking pre-orders right now for gorjuss girls #2 (until the 11th) and I was sure not going to miss out this time around.

Anywho...this is my very first card using my coveted GG. I paper pieced her coat and raised the foxes head onto dimensionals for some added dimension. I chose my colours right out of my patterned paper, the sentiment is from "rain or shine" by MFT. I used my cuttlebug to emboss the top portion of the card, added some ribbon, a blossom and stacked some buttons for the final touches.

Stamps: Foxy (Gorjuss girls, Sugar Nellie), sentiment (rain or shine, My favorite things). CS: kiwi kiss, white, tangerine tango and patterned paper by we R memory keepers and Crate paper. Ink: Momento. Access: old olive grosgrain ribbon, glue dots, buttons, hemp thread, blossom, dimensionals, Copic markers, cuttlebug embossing folder, cuttle bug, and white gel pen.

I have another GG to share with you tomorrow....

Happy stamping!

bluebell tink...

2009-04-03T10:39:00.001-07:00

Reward offered for return of missing mojo...lol. Between all the insanity of my life and a missing mojo =no blog posts or any creative fun. I did however manage to finally not only colour an image but make a complete card...YAY!

I inked up my new "fairy tink" from the Greeting Farm, and coloured her up with my Copics and made a simple card to try and ease my mojo out from hiding. I gave tink some gorgeous blue/green hair, added a light layer of stickles over her wings so she is all blinged up and using my stardust gelly roll pen outlined her hair for some added bling there too! Using my white gel pen I added some light freckles to her cheeks. The sentiment is from Stamping Bella and the patterned paper is from my scrap pile (I'm trying to really hit my scraps hard and start clearing it out...lol. I seriously have almost full 12X12 sheets that have only had 1 card made from them....terrible!)

Stamps: Fairy Tink (The Greeting Farm), sentiment Stamping Bella. CS: kiwi kiss, pink pirouette, bashful blue and neenah cs. Patterned paper from Chatterbox. Ink: Momento. Access: Copics, classic and scallop nestabilities, cuttlebug, dimensionals, stickles, Sakura gelly roll stardust pen, Sakura white gel pen, sweet blush satin ribbon (Papertrey Ink), bashful blue taffeta ribbon, button (SU!), medium oval and word window punches.

Happy stamping and thanks for popping by!

Just a sneak peek....

2009-03-30T14:58:00.000-07:00

No new card or anything to share BUT....I do have these sneak peeks of the new Magnolia stamps from the Spring 2009 collection!!!!!

Check em' out!

Inky Impressions 1st design team call

2009-03-17T13:57:00.000-07:00

Inky Impressions is holding their 1st ever design team call!!!! So I am uploading my 2 projects in hopes of getting chosen to continue on to stage 2 of the design team try outs. Check out the call here. The cut off date has been extended so there is still time to try out (grin).

I chose to use "talking to the birds" by Sugar Nellie for my first project and made a card, take out box with matching fortune cookies for a little birthday gift set. I used my Copic markers and the discontinued Haiku designer paper by Stampin' up as my inspiration.

I covered the tiny take out box in matching patterned paper, tied various ribbons along the handle, popped the sugar nellie scalloped circle up on dimensionals and included a little pull out sentiment on a word window punch. (the pull out window says "...and many more").

I adore this image of Nellie and the birds and thoroughly enjoyed colouring
her. The sentiment on the card is

from Stampin up's "pun fun" and popped up onto dimensionals for some
added dimension. I added some stickles to the blossom in her hair and the blossoms on the tree, and tied on an Asian coin (I think they are meant for good luck?).

For my second project I made a card

using Tilda with Christmas stocking. I

paired her up with some left over Cosmo
Cricket dutch girl patterned paper that

I had and that is where I got my colour combo from. I popped tilda up off of the bench and drew in some grass with my Copics. I used my spellbinders double ended tags for my sentiment and once cut and embossed left the die in place and sponged soft sky onto my tag. I added some taffeta ribbon and coloured my confetti flower using a Copic marker. I really liked the way that the flower matched the design on tilda's booty slippers. I added a small button and tied on some hemp thread for my finishing touches.

Thanks so much for stopping in and checking out my latest! Let's hope it's enough to get me into the next stage!!!
Have a stamp happy day!

Blushing bride Anya

2009-03-12T14:21:00.000-07:00

Check out sweet little cake topper Anya & Ian! The are from the greeting farm and I have a nice order on my way from them!! I happened to snag this sweet image from the PIF (pay it forward) thread. I couldn't wait to colour them using my Copics and once that was done set to work to make a full card. This card is 5 1/4" squared.

I came across this patterned paper by My Mind's eye in my scrap box, paired it up with some shimmery cs, blush blossom, and some embossed white paper I have had since I first started scrapbooking waaaay back about 7 years ago! I cut Anya and Ian out and then mounted them onto my nesties, added my nesties double ended tags for my sentiments. I wound the satin ribbon through the tag, added a bow and some stickles and some glitter with my glitterpen on her dress and all in her hair. You can see it better in the second photo I have added. Just click on it to make it bigger!

Supplies: Cake topper (the greeting farm), sentiment: happy harmony (Stamping Up!). CS: blush blossom, shimmery white (PTI), embossed white (unknown), My Minds eye patterned paper. Ink: Momento and staz on (for sentiment). Access: Copics, nestabilities classic and scallopped circles, double ended tags, cuttlebug, stardust glitter pen, stickles, sweet blush satin ribbon (PTI), and dimensionals.

Happy stamping!

Ride em' Billy!

2009-03-09T13:46:00.000-07:00

Ha ha ha! Isn't Billy just too cute? I just adore Lily & Billy. They are so fun to colour and just too cute! Get Lily and Billy here.

I coloured Billy with my copics and followed last week's sketch challenge on Splitcoast. I pulled out my "playtime" patterned paper by 3 bugs in a rug and using my sewing machine zig zag stitched everything down. For some reason I still feel like this card is missing something but I am not too sure what needs to be added. I popped Billy's head up for some dimension and a sentiment in the bottome right hand corner.

I have been stamping my images in Brilliance graphite ink and embossing with clear emboss powder. I am finding that this really gives a nice look and helps with my colouring too.

Stamps: Billy plate 1 (Pink Cat Studios). CS: white Staples brand (110#), blue bayou, real red and playtime patterned paper (3 bugs in a rug). Ink: Brilliance graphite blk. Access: clear embossing powder, heat gun, Copic markers, sewing machine and dimensionals.

Thanks for popping in!

Make a wish Lily

2009-03-08T00:05:00.000-08:00

I am in love with the new "enchanted Lily" set!!! Look how cute Lily is with her sweet lady bug wings and little lady bug friend! Lily is available from Pink Cat Studio's. I wanted to make a birthday card for a friend's daughter and knew that Lily would be perfect.

When AmyR posted her sketch challenge, I knew it would be perfect with the design I had in mind. This is a great sketch and one I will for sure use again. I took my colour combo from the Scenic Route paper I used and added this thick luscious pink gingham ribbon from Making Memories, some stickles on Lily's wings and antenna for the finishing touches.

Stamps: Enchanted Lily (Pink Cat Studios). CS: Staples brand 110# cs, berry sorbet, kiwi kiss and Scenic Route pp. Ink: Brilliance graphite black. Access: Copics, white gel pen, stickles, ribbon (MM), scallop circle punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, slit punch.

As I am posting this, it is snowing like crazy out my window!!! Nothing like having some great Spring/Summer stamps to trick us into thinking this weather is gonna turn soon....lol!

Ciao~

Garden book Tilda...

2009-03-07T00:05:00.000-08:00

I finally made my little bookworm Tilda (study Tilda is actually what she is called) into a completed card! I came across this sketch challenge by ATS (all that scraps) and decided it would work nicely for what I had in mind. I did have to change the oval shape to a circle shape as I still have to buy some oval nesties to add to my collection.

I started by cutting Tilda out mounting her so her crossed legs hang over the edge of the circle design. I used some scraps left over from my Making Memories paper pack (flower patch) and took my colour combo from there (berry sorbet, sweet blush and whisper white). I added my lace trim punch, swiss dot's embossing folder, some prima's and some buttons that I sewed onto the prima's and tied the thread. The sentiment I took from the quote garden. The quote "a book is like a garden carried in the pocket" is a Chinese proverb. I added some stitched berry sorbet ribbon and some stickles for Tilda's wings for the finishing touches.

Study Tilda is an image I snagged from the PIF thread (pay it forward). Such a great way to accumulate some great images. I love books so anytime I see a cute image that has to do with books, I simply must have it ((grin)) and what better then a Tilda image with books!

Stamps: Study Tilda (Magnolia). CS: whisper white, sweet blush, berry sorbet, white cs and Flower patch patterned paper (Making Memories). Ink: Momento tuxedo black. Access: classic and scallop nestabilities, cuttlebug, swiss dots embossing folder, Copics, stickles, prima's, buttons, pink thread, berry sorbet stitched ribbon, lace edge punch (Martha Stewart), and computer for sentiment.

Have a stamp happy weekend!

MFT Idol challenge...

2009-03-06T10:38:00.000-08:00

A MFT (my favorite things) idol challenge has been posted...check out the details here. Sounds like a lot of fun so I decided to make an entry and this is what I did.

I pulled out my "gone to the dogs" set and paper pieced the chic girls skirt and coloured the rest of her using my Copics. I embossed my dog with black emboss powder, coloured him, cut him out and popped him up on dimensionals. I added some gold cord for his leash and an oval stamp to ground my images. The sentiment tag was done using the bone tag from "friends furever" set. I added some ribbon, prima flowers and a brad.

Stamps: Gone to the dogs, friends furever (MFT). CS: tangerine tango, creamy caramel, white cs, haiku designer paper. Ink: Brilliance graphite black, and creamy caramel (stamped off). Access: Copics, prima's, orange brad, glue dots, dimensionals, striped ribbon (May Arts), gold cord (SU!).

Happy stamping!

Scuba steve!

2009-03-03T15:16:00.000-08:00

I decided to try my hand at Amy's sketch challenge and pulled out...."diver Dan" by high hopes. If you have ever seen the movie "big daddy" with Adam Sandler then you know what I am getting at...lol. "scuba Steve" is the diver doll that the little boy has in the movie and Sandler steps on him and says " D**n you scuba Steve!"....seriously soooo funny and as soon as I saw this image that is who he became.

I actually received this image in the PIF (pay it forward) thread and coloured him up with my copic markers and then followed Amy's sketch challenge. I came across some Basic Grey patterned paper (colour me silly) that I have had in my stash forever and figured if I don't use it now, it's probably not going to get used! For the cuttlebugged panel, I left about an inch of it outside the embossing folder so that I would have room to stamp my sentiment. The main image and turquoise mat are popped up on dimensionals and I tucked the ribbon under the main image instead of over top of it.

Here are the copic colours I used for anyone that is interested.

Supplies: stamps: diver Dan (high hopes), sentiment (by sea). CS: tempting turqoise, green galore, white cs, patterned paper by Basic Grey (colour me silly line). Ink: blk. Access: Copics, dimensionals, green apple grosgrain ribbon, cuttlebug and embossing folder.

Happy stamping!

Copics, Tilda, and loads of fun...

2009-02-28T10:30:00.001-08:00

I am a baaaad blogger! Lol, sorry as usual life gets in the way of all my fun! I had my daughter's appt at Children's hospital, work, and the wait for my Copic markers to show up....ahhhhh! the humanity! bwahahahahahahaha!

Okay, seriously...my daughter has a birthday party to attend this Sunday and the little guy loves trucks. I busted out my Lizzie Anne Designs loads of fun truck (the one I HAD to have but it has never seen ink until today :o ) and went to work using Taylor's cupcake challenge. I stamped it onto Staples brand white cs with Brilliance ink, used my nesties to cut it up and coloured with my new Copics.

I used some patterned paper scraps I had laying about to tie in the colours and the Birthday theme and then added some "screw" brads as per the sketch and added some ribbon to finish off my design. The dump truck scallop panel is up on dimensionals.

So I finally jumped on the Copic bandwagon. I insisted that I didn't need these markers but after finally drooling and lusting after them secretly I have finally taken the plunge. I read up, and read up, and studied as much as I could about them, how to get a general feel for them, etc.

There are so many sources of information on these markers and I am going to share my favorites: the Copic chatter thread on Splitcoast has some amazing information on it, links, etc and everyone is soooo nice and very helpful. Marianne the Copic queen has a blog and I would strongly suggest starting at her first posts and working your way to the current...she is such a fountain of information and a wonderful teacher. Lauren Meader (aka mytime) has a great tutorial on her blog. Jenn from Kiyomikrafts has another great tutorial on her colouring style and her work is incredible! Here is one more from the MFT forum . These are just a few of my favorites.

I coloured this adorable Tilda last night and was actually quite proud of what I had done...lol. I thought I would share it here.

Stamps: Loads of fun (Lizzie Anne designs). CS: kraft, riding hood red, staples brand white, patterned paper: numbers from Basic Grey (cupcake line), polka dots from 3 bugs. Ink: Brilliance black. Access: Copics, dimensionals, classic and scallop nesties, cuttlebug, "screw" brads, red grosgrain ribbon and yo yo yellow grosgrain ribbon.

Thanks for stopping in!

Get well penguin...

2009-02-20T13:43:00.001-08:00

I wanted to make a "get well" card for my Mom, as she just had surgery on her wrist for her carpal tunnel syndrom. I snagged this image from the PIF (pay it forward) thread and knew right away it was perfect to make this card for my Mom.

I started by paper tolling this image. Before cutting I looked at the image and broke it down into layers...for example: solid base layer, pillow, penguin, and then his ice pack, nose, flipper and feet. I coloured him up using my Prisma's, gamsol, and stumps and then popped each layer up with dimensionals. I added stickles to his ice bedside table...soooo cute! I used my nestabilities and word window punch for the sentiment. The patterned paper is some scraps I had sitting on my table from a scrapbook class I had just attended, added some ribbon and she is ready to go! The finished card size is 4 3/4" squared.

Here is a side view so you can see all the layers of the paper tolling.

Supplies: stamps: happy healing (stampin Up!), sentiment My favorite things (rain or shine). CS: real red, white, bazzil blue, patterned papers by Bo Bunny. Ink: black. Access: word window punch, scallopped and classic circle nestabilities, cuttlebug, Prisma pencils, gamsol, stumps, dimensionals, stickles, and ribbon.

Hope everyone has a stamp happy weekend!

Best fishes Riley...

2009-02-17T00:00:00.000-08:00

I have a friend who asked if I would make her a Birthday card for her brother. She told me that the fishing Riley would be perfect becuase her brother loves to fish and like mooses...lol.

I received these images from the PIF thread (pay it forward) and couldn't wait to get started. I coloured him with my prisma pencils, gamsol, stumps and then used my 2 way glue pen and applied fun flock to him. Riley is super fuzzy and oh so sweet! I found some scrap patterned papers that worked well with the look I was going for (sort of a fisherman's style and colours). Once I had it all laid out, I decided to add some stamped fish onto my background and then some random zig zag stitching with my sewing machine for some added details. The sentiment was done on my computer and the Riley panel is popped up on dimensionals.

Supplies: stamps: fishing Riley (Hanna stamps), by sea (SU!). CS: chocolate chip, old olive, more mustard, white cs, and patterned paper by Basic Grey (mellow and recess lines). Inks: Black and more mustard. Access: Prisma colour pencils, gamsol, stumps, fun flock, 2 way glue pen, dimensionals, sewing machine and computer for sentiment.

Thanks as always for checking out my newest!

Bellarific Friday!

2009-02-16T10:28:00.000-08:00

Bellarific Friday has started up on the Bella blog! Each week a new challenge will be posted for us to all try. Read about the details here. This weeks was a colour challenge and purple and Red were the colours! At first, I have to admit I was down right frightened...lol. But I just went with it and this is what I came up with!

I couldn't seem to find the "perfect image" from my supply of Bella images so I dug through my box of PIF images and came across "friends forevah" and knew it would be perfect for what I had in mind. I coloured the girls with my prisma pencils, gamsol and stumps. I used my scalloped rectangle nestabilitie die, mounted the main image over it, wrapped some real red grosgrain ribbon around the bottom and popped the whole panel up. Again, I didn't have a sentiment that I was happy with so I whipped one up on the computer for now. (looks like I am going to have to go sentiment shopping over at Bella...lol). I mounted the sentiment circle onto the scalloped circle punch and then boosted it up with double the dimensionals so it pops out further then the main image.

Supplies: Stamps: Friends forevah (stamping Bella). CS: purple cs (Bazzil), riding hood red, white cs and patterned paper from Crate Paper. Ink: black. Access: Prisma pencils, gamsol, stumps, real red grosgrain ribbon, scalloped rectangle nestabilitie, 1 1/4" circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, scallop circle punch, dimensionals and computer for sentiment.

Give the Bellarific Friday challenge a try!

So tweet!

2009-02-09T09:18:00.000-08:00

I made this last week sometime and finally got around to posting it. This little birdy is from Imaginisce "twitterpated" collection and isn't he the sweetest?!

I picked up this luscious paper last time I was in Vancouver, it is by "Pebbles Inc.". I took my colour scheme from the paper and designed my card from there. I coloured my birdy in Prisma pencils, gamsol and a stump. Sent my riding hood red panel through my cuttlebug to emboss it with the swiss dots embossing folder, cut out the sentiment circles with a punch and with my scallop nestabilities. I have had so much fun stamping up Valentine's cards this year...anyone else having as much fun as me?!

I am super excited as on Friday I took the plunge and purchased a set of 19 "like new" Copic markers from the B/S/T forum (buy/sell/trade) on Splitcoast! YAY! I cannot wait to get these in my hot little hand. I have spent my evenings since Friday researching everything I can about these markers and am super eager to play with them and add to my collection. Anyone else starting fresh as a newbie with these markers too?

Supplies: stamps: Imaginisce clear stamps bird and sentiment (twitterpated collection). CS: close to cocoa, so saffron, soft sky, riding hood red, whisper white and patterned papers by Pebbles Inc. Inks: Brilliance graphite. Access: Prisma pencils, gamsol, stumps, cuttlebug, swiss dot's folder, scallop circle nestabilities, 2" circle punch, ticket corner punch, polka dot ribbon, and dimensionals.

I hope everyone had a great weekend...back to the Monday grind today!

Just a love note...

2009-02-05T12:21:00.001-08:00

to say Happy Valentines Day! Today's ways to use it challenge on Splitcoast was to use an "embellishment pile up". (Layer embellishments on top of each other).

I received these "mailbox greetings" images while playing in the PIF (pay it forward thread) and set to work colouring them in with my Prismas. Isn't it funny how distorted colours can be once uploaded to the computer?! This card is one of them! Not only are my colours distorted but my colouring is not showing up well...so....you will just have to take my word that it really does look nice...ha ha ha! Seriously though, the card base is riding hood red not this orangish colour that it appears to be. I combined the ways to use it challenge with yesterday's sketch challenge and this is the result. I used crystal effects for the water under the mailboxes to give a glossy look. The embellishment pile up is as follows: mini envelope (made with the mini envelope template), chipboard heart inked up with riding hood red ink, Making memories cranberry glitter paint, red button from the designer buttons, red plaid ribbon. I added a little note to be pulled out from the envelope and it says: "a love note to say..." and the inside of the card says "happy Valentine's day".

Supplies: Stamps: mailbox greetings (Papertrey Ink). CS: riding hood red, kiwi kiss, white, patterned paper by Scenic Route. Ink: black and riding hood red. Access: Riding hood red taffeta ribbon, cranberry glitter paint, crystal effects, chipboard heart, button, mini envelope template, red gingham ribbon, computer for sentiment.

I am home with a sick Birthday girl today....my poor sick girl is celebrating her 6th Birthday today!!!! I cannot believe she is 6 already. Everyone always told me how fast kids grow but until you have your own, you don't realize just how true it is.

I wish you all a stamp happy day!

2 posts in 1 day?!

2009-01-30T13:02:00.001-08:00

Yes, it's amazing...I actually posted twice in one day...lol! Today's limited supply challenge on Splitcoast was to make a CAS card (clean and simple). My style usually involves lot's of layers, mixed papers, paper piecing, dimensionals, etc. So challenging myself to try and go simple really was a challenge.

I did manage to limit myself to 3 layers and a paper pieced gown...lol. I started by stamping my Rubber Romance bride onto shimmery white cs and then stamping her again onto soft sky. I ran the soft sky image through my cuttlebug and embossed her dress and then cut it out. I added some prisma flowers for her bouquet, added my ribbon, heart charm and sentiment and done! I did add a couple of dots of stickles to add some glam to my bride (her flower centers). A fast and simple card!

Stamps: bride (Rubber Romance), happy harmony. CS: night of navy, baja breeze, soft sky and shimmery white cs (PTI). Ink: Brilliance graphite. Access: ribbon (Making Memories), heart charm (unknown), Prisma flowers, stickles, glue dots, cuttlebug and emboss folder.

Thanks for checking in!

Baby powder...

2009-01-30T10:11:00.001-08:00

My cousin just had a baby girl on Wednesday and I was in need of a baby card for her. I received this adorable image while playing in the PIF thread (pay it forward) and basically designed my card around this image.

The bear image is from Elzybell (the UK stamps) and I decided to use my exacto knife to cut away the blanket and layer patterned paper under it. A reverse paper piecing if you will...lol. I coloured the bear using my prismas of course. I used my circle (scallop and classic) nestabilities to cut out the bear. All the patterned paper is by Imaginisce (Baby powder line) and I matched it up with pretty in pink and pink pirouette cs as the complimentary colours. I added some dollar store ribbon I had kicking around, a mini safety pin and sentiment to finish off the design. I am really happy with the outcome of this card. I think I love doing baby cards the most...lol.

Stamps: Baby teddy with towel (UK Elzybells), Holidays and wishes. CS: pretty in pink, pink pirouette, white cs, patterned papers by Imaginisce baby powder line. Ink: Brilliance blk ink, basic black. Access: exacto knife, Prisma's, gamsol, stumps, classic circle nestabilities, scalloped circle nestabilities, mini safety pin (Making Memories), ribbon (dollar store), and ticket corner punch.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Ciao

Bee mine...

2009-01-29T12:12:00.000-08:00

I am back from Vancouver and trying to get back into our routines. My daughter goes back to Children's hospital in 4 weeks time to meet with the doctors again. She has been diagnosed with Alopecia and is starting a 6 week oral steroid treatment to see if the doctors can get her hair to stop falling out and possibly re-grow again. I don't know if many of you know about Alopecia (I myself had never even heard about it until now but, there is an incredible website that explains as much as they know about it. Check out the site here if you are interested: Alopecia). Thanks so much for the messages of support and prayers that were sent out to my family and I, we really appreciate it.

I did manage to squeek in a card once I got home last night. I pre-ordered this adorable "just buzzing by" set and couldn't wait to ink it up. Since I saw this set, I knew I wanted to make a "bee" Valentine's day card. I started by stamping the bee's in a line and colouring them using my prisma pencils, gamsol and stumps. I borrowed some of this adorable Valentine's themed paper from my friend who I stamped with last night (it's from My Mind's eye) and matted it with bravo burgundy cs. I did the sentiment on the computer and punched it out with my oval punches and popped them up to add some dimension to my design. (it's also hiding a boo-boo I stamped underneath the bee's...lol. Luckily I was able to hide it with the sentiment). I added some ribbon and an adorable stick pin. I wanted a thick white border to really make the design pop and added some stickles to the bee's little antenna's.

Supplies: Stamps: just buzzing by. CS: whisper white, bravo burgundy, regal rose and patterned paper by My Mind's eye. Ink: Brilliance graphite black. Access: bravo burgundy 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, bravo burgundy and regal rose grosgrain ribbon, stick pins (Making memories), dimensionals, small and medium oval punches, Prisma pencils, gamsol, stumps, and stickles.

Wishing you a stamp happy day!

an update...

2009-01-28T11:07:00.001-08:00

Hello,

I just wanted to pop in and let everyone know that I am dealing with a medical issue with my daughter and have been out of town and unable to post. I unexpectedly left to Children's Hospital last Wednesday afternoon and am still in Vancouver. We will be meeting with a specialist this afternoon and will hopefully get some answers as to what is going on. Hopefully, I will know then if I will be returning home or if we will be staying for more appt's.

Jen

Bonjour....

2009-01-21T11:59:00.001-08:00

Bonjour mon ami!!! LOL. I got together with a friend last night for some stamping fun and this is what I came up with.

I stamped MFT's (My favorite things) gone to the dogs set and chose to match up my chic lady with my favorite of all the dog images...a whippet. What I love about this set is how many different breeds of dogs are included. What fun...a dog for everyone!

I paper pieced her skirt and then coloured everything else using my prisma pencils, gamsol and stumps. Using the same patterned paper as her skirt, I also used it as my bg paper and made a photo corner as well to tie it all in together. I added some chocolate taffeta ribbon and sewed a designer button onto the ribbon bow. The main image panel is popped up with dimensionals and I included a pearl brad in the center of the photo corner. The sentiment is from the Carte postale set and really matched well to the design I was going for.

Stamps: Gone to the dogs (my favorite things), carte postale (Stampin up). CS: chocolate chip, riding hood red, whisper white and Basic Grey blush patterned paper. Inks: Black Brilliance graphite ink. Access: Prismas, gamsol, stumps, chocolate taffeta ribbon, designer button, thread, needle, dimensionals, pearl brad (Michael's).

Happy stamping!

bravo regal kisses in a garden....

2009-01-20T15:48:00.001-08:00

These were the colours for todays colour challenge on Splitcoast. (regal rose, bravo burgundy and kiwi kiss). I must say, this colour combo was a lot harder than I thought. This was actually my second attempt...my first card was too hideous to see the light of day...lol!

I pulled out my Papertrey Ink garden of life stamp set and stamped my selected "flowers of choice" in the colour challenge colours. I popped up 4 blossoms to add some dimension to the design and also randomly stamped the small circles to fill up some of the negative space I had. I added my sentiment in black ink and a wee bit of ribbon to finish it off.
Another simple design but this one really seemed to work with these colours and unfortunately, I was on a time restriction today.

Supplies:
Stamps: Garden of life (Papertrey Ink). CS: regal rose, kiwi kiss, bravo burgundy and whisper white. Inks: regal rose, bravo burgundy, kiwi kiss and Brilliance black graphite ink. Access: dimensionals, old olive grosgrain ribbon.

You rock...

2009-01-19T11:40:00.000-08:00

This is just a fun card I made while doing some stamping with my friend a week or so ago. I finally inked up this super cute pouty girl from inkadinkado's mini clear stamp line.

I paper pieced her top but left the rest of her in black ink and decided to not add any colour to her. I paired her up with Cosmo Cricket's dutch girl paper (I loooooove this paper!). The card base is kraft layered with soft sky, real red and then the patterned papers. I added some riding hood red taffeta ribbon, some designer buttons and the "you rock" sentiment from Stamping Bella to finish off the card.

Stamps: mini stamps (inkadinkado), sentiment (stamping Bella). CS: kraft, soft sky, real red, white cs, and Cosmo Cricket dutch girl patterned paper. Ink: Brilliance graphite black ink. Access: riding hood red taffeta ribbon, designer buttons, glue dots.

Just a simple fast upload today. I have soooo much on my plate right now I seriously don't know if I am coming or going. I went to Vancouver to see the hockey game and got back super late last night....unfortunately a loss for my Canuck boys but an exciting game none-the-less.

Bye for now!

fields of navy baja dreams...

2009-01-15T14:26:00.001-08:00

I combined this weeks colour challenge and sketch challenge on splitcoast. Only I just realized that I did the colour challenge wrong...lol. The colours were baja breeze, not quite navy and Kraft. I did the challenge but didn't use any kraft...ha ha ha!

I stamped upsy daisy once in baja breeze and again in night of navy (had to use night of navy as I don't have not quite navy ink). I used the Urban garden designer paper to compliment this sketch and colour combo. The not quite navy cs panel has been embossed with the swiss dot's folder for some added texture. I wrapped some ribbon around the designer strips as per the sketch. The main image panel is raised with dimensionals.

Supplies: stamps: upsy daisy, happy harmony. CS: baja breeze, not quite navy, whisper white and urban garden designer paper. Inks: baja breeze, night of navy. Access: night of navy ribbon, cuttlebug, swiss dots emboss folder, dimensionals.
Thanks for checking out my latest!

Baby girl & baby boy Ellies...

2009-01-14T18:36:00.000-08:00

I made these cards awhile back and actually submitted them for publication but obviously were not picked up as I never received word...lol. So I decided to upload them. I made a baby girl version and a baby boy version, both exactly the same except for one uses pink and the other uses blue.

These cards are both 5.25X5.25 square. I embossed the stars on the kraft panels, the elephants, and the alphabet wheel. I added a googlie eye to the elephant to add some fun. The alphabet panel and the scalloped panel are both raised up on dimensionals.

The blue version totes a little sailboat instead of the elephant but I loved the way this one turned out as well.

Supplies: Stamps: nursury necessities, alphabet wheel. CS: sweet blush (PTI), berry sorbet (PTI), bashful blue, night of navy, kraft. Inks: versamark, basic black. Access: dimensionals, scallop circle punch, 2" circle punch, white emboss powder, double stitch berry sorbet ribbon (PTI), blue polka dot ribbon (dollar store).

So, I received my complimentary demonstrator Stampin' up catty the other day and I just about fell out of my seat!!! I am in utter awe and love...lol. Seriously, I think this just might be the best catty yet. There is so much on my wishlist it's crazy. Has anyone else gotten a peek at it yet and if so what do you think about it? I would love to hear your thoughts.

Super Billy...

2009-01-12T13:23:00.001-08:00

Isn't Billy the cutest?! After playing with this image I am seriously considering placing an order to Pink Cat studio's to get my own Billy...and I might have to add a Lily too! LOL! Seriously though, how blooming cute are they?!

I am still playing with a bunch of PIF (pay it forward) images and had a blast playing with this little rascal. I coloured Billy up using my Prisma pencils, gamsol and stumps. For some reason, in this photo Billy's cape doesn't look as red as his mask and it really is in person... I swear...lol. I added some crystal effects on his mask for a shiny "pleather" look. I busted out my semi-new 3 bugs "playtime" paper to compliment my super hero. I took my colour combination right from the paper. The blue bayou panel is embossed with the numbers folder for some added texture and the sentiment is raised on dimensionals.

Supplies: Stamps: Billy plate 1 (Pink Cat Studios). CS: riding hood red, whisper white, blue bayou, more mustard and patterned papers by 3 bugs in a rug (Playtime line). Ink: black. Access: Prisma pencils, gamsol, stumps, blue bayou dbl stitched ribbon, dimensionals, cuttlebug, numbers embossing folder and crystal effects.

I wanted to send out a quick "thank you" to a Michelle who left me a very nice comment on one of my posts. Thanks so much, that really means a lot to me (((hugs)))).

Perfect match...

2009-01-11T20:45:00.000-08:00

Today's featured stamper on Splitcoast is JayDeKay. I chose to case this card here of hers. I changed the main image from a circle to a square to better accomodate my image, the colours, stamps and added some extra layers. The photo quality isn't great as I took the photo in the evening...ugh!

I received this image from the PIF (pay it forward) thread and wanted to paper piece it. Because I didn't have the stamp to stamp onto the patterned paper, I cut out the negative space on the socks with an exacto knife and layered patterned paper behind it. I thought these socks and their cute sentiment would be perfect for a Valentine's card so decided to continue to use up my Basic Grey blush scraps. I took the colour combination from the patterned paper. I pressed the chipboard heart into my riding hood red ink pad and then covered it in Making Memories glitter paint so it is actually very sparkly. I added some ribbon and a little button heart to finish off my design.

Supplies: Stamps: Laundry notes. CS: riding hood red, Baja breeze, pink pirouette, whisper white and patterned papers by Basic Grey (blush line). Inks: basic black, riding hood red. Access: Exacto knife, Prismacolour pencils, gamsol, stumps, berry sorbet double stitched ribbon (PTI), dimensionals, chipboard heart (SU!), cranberry glitter paint (MM), heart button (unknown), hemp thread, slit punch, and cropodial.

Thanks for checking out my latest!

Fashionably late Ella & Loo loo...

2009-01-10T00:15:00.000-08:00

I whipped up this card while having a play session with a friend the other night. Nothing like a little play date to get the creative juices flowing again...lol. I finally inked up my Ella & Loo loo stamp and went to town. This was a super fun stamp to play with.

I paper pieced Ella's dress and band on her hat and coloured the rest with Prismacolour pencils, gamsol and stumps. I added some stickles to both Ella and Loo loo's pearl necklaces to add some bling. The patterned papers are some scraps I had kicking around from GinX and Cactus pink. The sentiment was done on the computer and reads "I didn't forget..." and the inside of the cards says "I'm just fashionably late! Happy belated Birthday".

Stamps: Never grow up Ella & Loo loo (Stamping Bella). CS: basic black, pink pirouette, whisper white and patterned papers by GinX and Cactus pink. Inks: Graphite black. Access: Prismacolour pencils, gamsol, stumps, ribbon (Offray), 1 3/8" circle punch, scallop punch, stickles, 2 way glue pen.

Don't break my heart...

2009-01-09T12:57:00.001-08:00

That is the theme for todays limited supply challenge on Splitcoaststampers! These were the rules for the challenge:

Stamps: Any (bonus points for using a heart image!)*Paper: any + red...any shade of red

*if you use a punch or die it must be heart shaped

*if you use embossing folders...they must have a heart

*if you use an accessory it MUST be heart shaped or red

*if you use designer paper...yup you guessed it, red or hearts!

It looks like I followed all the rules for the challenge. I received this adorable monkey image (from CC designs) in the PIF (pay it forward) thread sometime last year and knew exactly what I wanted to do with him. I coloured him using my Prismacolour pencils, gamsol, stumps and cut him out. I embossed the heart from the SU! set always and cut it out and stamped it again in ridinghood red onto whisper white cs. I popped the cut up heart over the stamped one and then added my monkey over top of that. I did the sentiment on the computer. The layout of this is an old mojo sketch of Julee's. I used up some scraps from the Basic Grey blush line, added a scalloped edge and some taffeta ribbon to finish it off.

Supplies: Stamps: Monkey love (CC Designs), always (Stampin' Up!). CS: Chocolate chip, whisper white, riding hood red, sweet blush (PTI), and patterned paper by Basic Grey (blush line). Inks: black, riding hood red. Access: Prismacolour pencils, gamsol, stumps, clear emboss powder, heat gun, versamark ink, riding hood red taffeta ribbon, dimensionals, slit punch.

Starstruck Cowboy...

2009-01-09T09:38:00.001-08:00

On Splitcoaststampers yesterday the ways to use it challenge was to use stars in your design somewhere. I happened to have some of this western patterned paper from a few catalogues ago sitting in my scrap folder so I took the opportunity to finish it off.

I adore this stamp and am so sorry to see it retire so figured I would let this cowboy go out in a blaze of glory...lol! I stamped the cowboy in chocolate chip onto confetti cream cardstock. Then I sponged distress ink all around him to really dirty him up. I added the final embellishments, ric rac, sentiment, eyelet and twine. Distressed all the edges of the patterned papers and card base as well.

Supplies: stamps: Bronc buster, embrace life. CS: kraft, chocolate chip, confetti cream and PP: stampin up! Ink: chocolate chip, Tim Holtz (walnut ink) distress ink. Access: large eyelet, cropodial, sponge, ric rac (MM), twine (dollar store).

Just a simple masculine card, but it helped me get back into the swing of things...lol.

Frightfully delightful freaky Friday challenge #4

2008-10-30T13:21:00.000-07:00

Have you been playing or following along with Leigh O'Brien's "frightfully delightful freaky Friday challenges??" Check them out on Leigh's blog. This week's challenge was a sketch challenge in a Halloween theme...of course! This was a really fun layout to play with.

I started by masking a moon on glossy white cs and using my brayer applying 3 layers of blue bayou ink for the night sky. Then I stamped in my branches and owls. By using my white gel pen I was able to colour the owls eye's white to really make them pop. To get my scalloped border on the main image I used a small circle punch and just taped them along the edges of the main image. I still have not purchased and nestabilities but am hoping maybe Santa will bring me some for Christmas...wink! I added my sentiment using the rounded tab punch and added a brad and some orange gingham ribbon. The main image panel is up on dimensionals.

Supplies:

Stamps: branch out and we're not scared (MFT), Boo sentiment (PTI~spooky sweets). CS: blue bayou, pumpkin pie, glossy cs and patterned papers by: Making Memories (black sparkly paper), KI Memories (Halloween words). Inks: blue bayou, blk staz on, white craft. Access: dimensionals, brayer, white gel pen, orange snaps (MM), circle punch, brad, rounded tab punch, orange gingham ribbon.

Thanks for checking out my latest,

Inspiration Saturday...

2008-10-25T12:34:00.001-07:00

Today on Splitcoast was the inspiration challenge and there were 3 different bedding displays from JC penny to gather inspiration from. I chose the second image...I loved the bright bold colours, the mix of polka dots, stripes and flowers... wonderfully girly! So, sticking with that theme I went for a super girly card. I finally inked up my "fairy nice" set I traded for months ago :o

I started out by choosing my colours to follow the inspiration piece: pixie pink, pretty in pink, green galore and a wee bit of tempting turquoise (in the patterned paper and her wings). I stamped my fairy onto watercolour paper and using paint brushes painted her in, layering a bit of darker colour in some areas for a bit of shading. I added some barely banana ink around her to really make her pop. Using my 2 way glue pen I also added some glitter around her...a wee bit of pixie dust if you will...lol. The layout is from Wednesday's sketch challenge.

The rest of the card is pretty straight forward I think. The pretty in pink panel was cuttlebugged with the swiss dots folder and the patterned paper is from Imaginisce and the thick plaid ribbon is by Making Memories (I think).

Supplies: Stamps: Fairy nice. CS: gable green, pixie pink, pretty in pink, water colour paper and patterned paper by Imaginisce. Ink: Brilliance graphite black, basic black, Used for watercolouring: pixie pink, pretty in pink, gable green, tempting turquoise, and barely banana). Access: cuttlebug, swiss dots emboss folder, 2 way glue pen, dazzling diamonds, paintbrushes, dimensionals, ticket corner punch, plaid ribbon (Making Memories, I think).

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

frightfully delightful freaky friday challenge #3...

2008-10-23T10:29:00.000-07:00

The frightfully delightful freaky friday challenge this week was a colour challenge. To make a Halloween card using only the following colours: Purple, dark orange, olive and black (neutrals allowed too). This is what I came up with!

I received this awesome image from MFT from the PIF (pay it forward) thread on Splitcoast. I really wanted to paper piece the witch's dresses but because I didn't have the stamp decided to use an exacto knife and cut the dresses out and line up patterned paper beneath the main image. Voila! They now have stylish dresses...lol. I coloured them in using Prismas, gamsol and stumps and added black stickles to their boots and her hat...these ghoulish gals are ready for a night on the town! Using my white craft ink and a sponge I sponged the edges of all the black cardstock, cuttlebugged the purple panel and then using the finger walk technique stamped the cheesecloth bg on the olive panel. The sentiment "ghoul's night out" was done on the computer. I added a black glittery bat to continue the "glitter" theme and added the fat olive ribbon under the panels and tied purple, olive and pumpkin grosgrain ribbon off of the main image. The main image is popped up to add some dimension to the design.

Stamps: Totally witchin' (MFT), cheesecloth bg. CS: basic black, elegent eggplant, old olive, whisper white and patterned papers by: Making memories (spellbound) and renessaince (?). Ink: blk staz on, basic black, white craft ink. Access: cuttelbug, skulls and swirls embossing folder, sponge, Prisma colour pencils, gamsol, stumps, exacto knife, dimensionals, 5/8" olive grosgrain ribbon, pumpkin, olive and eggplant grosgrain ribbon, horizontal slot punch, black stickles, glittery foam bat (Making Memories), and computer for sentiment.

Ciao!

Anything but square...

2008-10-17T16:39:00.001-07:00

Last Saturday's challenge on "our creative corner" was to make any shaped card (except square or rectangle).

I decided to make a haunted house card and feature my new adorable Bella "little witchy".

I drew a house template and then traced it and cut it out. I did the same for the roof and popped the bottom edge up with dimensionals to give it some dimension. I coloured my little witch using prismas, gamsol and stumps. I used my circle punches to create a pumpkin, added some ribbon and a tag with a computer generated sentiment.

Stamps: Little witchy (Bella), pumpkin stem (Spooky sweets ~Papertrey Ink). CS: Basic black, whisper white, old olive, pumpkin pie and designer paper by Making Memories (Spellbound). Ink: Brilliance black graphite, distress ink. Access: sponge, Prisma's, gamsol, stumps, circle punches, chipboard tag (Beary Patch), slit punch, dimensionals, and ribbon.

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Frightfully delightful freaky Friday challenge #2

2008-10-16T13:20:00.001-07:00

For the second freaky Friday challenge Leigh O'Brien asked us to make a non Halloween card using a Halloween stamp. This one took a lot of thought as I did not want to do the same idea that Leigh did by using a "haunted house" image for a welcome or congrats on your new house card. I really wanted to do something different. So finally after much thought I came up with this! A gift card holder for a coffee gift card with a beat up looking Frankenstein for the "rough morning" image...lol. I came across this cool gift card holder tutorial that I had printed off ages ago by Julia Stainton.

I started by stamping Frankie onto watercolour paper and then using my black marker inked up his shirt (minus the words) and stamped it onto my patterned paper and paper pieced his shirt. I coloured Frankie using a paintbrush and ink in the lids of the pads. When I stamped him onto the watercolour paper I masked off the words off of his bag and using my snap stamps I stamped the words "cafe". Using my sewing machine I sewed the edges for the "pocket" for the inside to hold the gift card and then also sewed the scalloped edge onto the front. Added some distress ink on all the papers and added some blue bayou, old olive and reverse side of patterned paper to matt the main image. I inked up the swirl from the Baroque motifs set and added a couple of swirls onto my main patterned paper. The sentiment "Mornings can be rough..." was done on my computer and printed right onto my patterned paper. I added some ribbon and then popped Frankie up onto dimensionals so that he pops off of the card.

For the inside I cut out a little message panel and once again using my computer printed the rest of the sentiment onto the inside "coffee's on me!". I added some coffee beans and distressing onto the cardstock.
I think this turned out really cute and know many friends (including myself) who could totally relate to these sentiments...lol.

Stamps: Best Fiends, baroque motifs and like it a latte. CS: watercolour paper, old olive, blue bayou and patterned papers by Bohemia My Minds Eye. Inks: Brilliance graphite, chocolate chip, walnut stain distress ink (Tim Holtz), basic black marker. Access: slit punch, chocolate chip twill, brown and black ribbon by May Arts, paintbrush, sponge, dimensionals, sewing machine, and computer.

Thanks for checking out my latest!

cootie catcher Thanksgiving center piece MFT style...

2008-10-13T15:01:00.000-07:00

So I have to admit that I really bought this set for the little owls...I honestly did not think that I would use this scarecrow and now....I am in scarecrow love!! I started playing with this little guy and wanted to make a little center piece for my table for Thanksgiving so I started checking out Splitcoast for a little something to hold some treats. I came across a past technique challenge (TLC154) where you make those folded fortune teller's (I never knew they were actually called cootie catchers...lol). I used a piece of 12X12 double sided patterned paper and followed the instructions and voila! a sweet little candy dish.

I stamped my scarecrow in Brilliance ink onto kraft cs and coloured him using Prisma colour pencils, gamsol and stumps. I used rafia for his hair, sticking out of his chest and popping out from his shirt sleeves...he looks so real. I stamped his hat twice and popped up the brim over his hair to add some dimension to him. I also popped up the corn behind him for added dimension. I used a glue dot to secure him to his "stick", made a hole in the center of the cootie catcher and he sits right in the center scaring people from eating my pistachio's...lol. I still wanted to add a little something and decided that one of the sentiments from "branch out" would be perfect ("let us gather with grateful hearts") so I stamped it onto really rust cs four times and secured them onto the cootie catcher with brads. I am really excited that this came out exactly like I had envisioned and hoped!

I really hope everyone is having a wonderful and happy Thanksgiving! It is just my husband, daughter and I for dinner at our house this year and also my first time making the dinner completely on my own... :o should be interesting...lol.

stamps: we're not scared (MFT), sentiment (branch out~MFT). CS: kraft, whisper white, really rust and designer paper by KI memories. Ink: Brilliance, basic black. Access: dimensionals, rafia, glue dot, Prisma colour pencils, gamsol, stumps, brads, hemp thread, and pencil.