Stamp S'more

A Little Snow...

2012-01-22T22:08:00.001-06:00

A little bit ago, it was snowing here in Central Kansas.

My girl came in a little while ago saying they expect 6 inches over night.

Hoping to get out of school, I am sure.

However, the weather report says the snow is over, and we barely have anything,lol.

Looks like school is happening tomorrow!

All the snow chat, made me think this would be the perfect post for tonight.

The My Favorite Things snowflake dies are just AWESOME!

Have a SUPER week, and stay warm!!

FTL 172 Challenge

2012-01-12T18:04:00.001-06:00

Oh My Golly, I made this for the challenge over at Clean and Simple stamping blog and almost forgot to post it. Duh!

I LOVE the way this card turned out. So fresh and crisp!

Lookin a little springy don't ya think?

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

Paper: SU Certainly Celery and Pink Piroquette

Ink: Same as paper

Other: Wood Grain Impression Plate, Copic Colored Twine

Something A Little Different....

2012-01-08T13:05:00.000-06:00

13 cards and a card book in two weekends and I think I am finally adjusting to life after my job change over a year ago!

I have a ton of gorgeous paper in my stash, it is tough to cut into it, but I did it!

I still have a lot more to go.

This little number is a little outside of my box. Somewhat vintage...ok for me it is as vintage as it is going to get.

The flower was cut using my cricut. I used my gold stickles to do all the outlining. The center of the flower is a square jewelled brad. I covered the jewell with stickles s well.

Supplies:

Paper: My Minds Eye

Stamps: Verve

Other: PTI Border Die and Black Felt, Stickles, Jewelled Brad

2011 Top 10

2011-12-31T20:23:00.000-06:00

On the PTI forum, there is a thread asking folks to post their Top 10 Favorite cards (or creations) that they made during the year of 2011. I did this last year and decided that I wanted to play along again this year. I enjoyed going through all of my blog posts and looking at what I made through the year. I surprised myself when looking, I do believe the quality of my card making has gone way up this past year! So here ya go...what I think to be my Best 10 of the year!

Now that I am all excited about what I made last year, I am pumped to get creating to see what I can come up with in 2012. Of course, I am headed to check out everyone else's Top10! A little blog hoppin on New Year's Eve, with Big Bang Theory on TV, husband and pups...and if I am really lucky a trip to DQ!

Welcome 2012!

OCC Bright and Happy New Year Challenge

2011-12-31T16:46:00.000-06:00

2011 is almost all gone! I am pretty Ok with that, not been the best year ever, but not the worst either ;). The only goals I have really set for 2012 are stamp related. Use up some of my "stuff" and make more cards! I am going to try to utilize the sketches over at Clean and Simple stamping to help out with this. They have put them in a PDF format. I printed off the first 19 and have started. I will say that I have only completed one sketch in a couple of hours....but I made two cards inspired from it! Go me! Total of 3 cards in one afternoon makes it a great start!

So as I was looking around the net today, I found a nice challenge over at Our Creative Corner. Bright and Happy New Year Challenge and since I can always use help with a good color combo, I decided to play along.

Here is my first card. I must say that the pink looks red but it really is pink! This card is inspired by my friend Jen over at Jen's Ink Spot. That girl can use he twine in the coolest ways!

My second card is inspired by the #1 sketch over at Clean and Simple stamping. I left out a pfew pieces but hey, that is why they say "inspired by"

Off to visit the treadmill. Hope you have a safe and Happy New Year!

Supplies:

Stamps: PTI

Paper: Royal Velvet, Wite Cardstock

Ink: French Lilac Palette

Other: Impression plate from PTI and Twine

More Cocoa Cuddles....

2011-12-27T23:03:00.000-06:00

So, I really like this stamp set I purchased from My Favorite Things! Cocoa Cuddles, how cute! Now, I had to show you the close up first because, when you see the whole card...well I am not sure what happened but it appears as though there is a bottle of glitter volcanoing (is that a word??) out of the cocoa cup, :).

It is one of those things the camera picks up but my eyes don't.

I purchased several sets from MFT when I ordered, this is the only set that has yet to see ink. One of these days (maybe this coming weekend), I am going to play with some of my other goodies.

I am not one to set "New Years Resolutions". However, I have a couple of goals for this crafting year ahead. I am going to try to use the sketches at the Clean and Simple blog....starting with #1. And...I am going to work at making lots of new cards with all of the great stamps I already own. With all of the incredibly wonderful new products constantly hitting the market, it is very hard to focus on this goal. So we will see how that all works out.

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

Stamps: My Favorite Things

Paper: Red Riding Hood, My Minds Eye

Other: SU! Snowflake Embossing Folder, MFT Snowflake Die and Gemstones from SU!

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T00:29:00.002-06:00

Christmas is here, another year has flown by...oh my!

It is Christmas Eve, the church services are on TV and the last report stated that Santa was in Goergia. The weather man said that someone in Kansas must still be awake, as he seemed to take a detour.

I made this cool winter card a few weeks ago. Love the snowflakes dies from MFT. Cut them out of post its, put them on white card stock and sponged over them. Oh and that icicle die from MFT is just awesome! I added a little prisma glitter, as can be seen better in the close up below. The silved adds a bit of elegance and bling to finish things off.

Thanks for stopping by...Have A Merry Christmas.

Supplies:

Stamps: PTI

Paper: AquaMist

Other: PTI Impression Plate, MFT Snowflake and Icicle Die, Prisma Glitter, Ribbon and Mini Jungle Bells

FTL170 Been Thinking of U

2011-12-13T20:09:00.001-06:00

Amazed??? I am...2 post in 2 days...that is amazing for me these days!

This was another sketch challenge that "tripped my trigger". This one is from the

Clean and Simple blog, one of my favs!

I immediately thought of this flower die when I saw it.

I LOVE this die! The flowers are so awesome once they are put together. I added a close up so you could see some of the detail. I embossed the background paper with an embossing folder. The "ribbon or cording" is from Hobby Lobby.

The pearls were colered with Copic Markers.

Thanks for stopping by, I really do appreciate all of you who continue to look at my blog!

Supplies:

Stamps: Sentiment TAC

Paper: Patterned and Cardstock SU!

Other: PTI Flower Die, SU! Embossing Folder, Martha Stewart Border Punch, Pearls/Cording from Hobby Lobby

MFTWSC49 Feel The Warmth

2011-12-12T20:54:00.000-06:00

Change is good and new stuff is FUN! What is even better is feeling good enough to use my new stuff.

I have had these little gems sitting in my room just waiting for some L.O.V.E. !!! I saw MFT's Wednesday's Stamp Club sketch challenge and thought I'd give it a whirl. I adore this stamp set, I think the sentiments are just so cute...and can be used with another of my favorites...snowmen. Love versatility!

Supplies:

Stamps: MFT Cozy with Cocoa, PTI Peace Be Still

Paper: Hawiian Shores, Wild Wasabi, Choco Chip

Ink: Martha Stewart and Wild Wasabi

Misc: Square metal eyelet(??), PTI Woodgrain Impression Plate

Oh What Fun!

2011-12-04T19:20:00.002-06:00

So, I was looking around on the internet for SVG files that I can cut with my electronic cutter. I ran across the website http://www.myscrapchick.com/

and fell in love with the CUTE designs. Oh and the best part, I was able to take advantage of the black friday sale....60% of everything once you order $10. HELLO...20 svg patterns for about $5...cha---ching!

I have a BIG soft spot for snowmen or snowgirls--and had to have this one when I saw it.

And the "merry", welp it took a little time but that is my attempt at a "PTI" look-a-like! I cut it out and glittered it up with black glitter. This is actually a card, no worries, I am not turning in my stamps anytime soon, heck I have too many that have never seen ink yet,lol.

Cutting File: MyScrapChick.com

Embossing Folder: SU

Stamp: (Christmas) PTI

A Quick Card....

2011-11-26T09:15:00.001-06:00

Just a little change in scenry. I haven't been posting much, hope that I can get back into the swing of thing in January.

Stamps: Sentiment- PTI, Waves-Hot Off The Press

Paper: Marina Mist, MME

Flower Die: PTI

Make It Monday from PTI....

2011-11-07T20:07:00.002-06:00

Alrighty, I saw this Make It Monday challenge and had some ideas jumping around in my head.

I am one of those gals who just can not dream up a card and make it.

It is all a process...I start with one little inspirational part...and then go from there.

So, If you watch the MIM video, there are a few things that I changed around.

Basically, I got the die thing and that was it.

I had a cool piece of white cardstock that I had embossed and then used the brayer and a kaliedacolor pad to add all the scrumptious color.

With all that awesome color and pattern the only thing that would look good applied to the back was white cardstock and a few little pearls of course. Surprisingly...no stitching for me on this one. Go figure, a card where stitching is encouraged and I don't stitch. Feeling a little ODD today, I guess, LOL. It's all about inspiration correct???

Stamps: PTI

Embossing Plate: PTI

Dies: My Favorite Things

Ink: Kaliedacolor, Versamark and White Embossing Powder
Cardstock: PTI

Hello Cherry Cobbler!

2011-10-15T15:33:00.001-05:00

This has to be one of my most favorite new colors. Cherry Cobbler is such a deep and rich warm red color.....yummy stuff!

I used the Sending You set from PTI to make this card...oh and their wonderful Snow White Ink.

A Little Banner....

2011-09-18T22:13:00.000-05:00

Just a quick little post, without melons!! This card uses the Hero Arts banenr set that I eyed for many months. Love it when Hobby Lobby gets new stuff!

This card also inlcudes a little PTI (clouds and impression plate), MFT (grass die) and a delightful Studio G sentiment( that can be found at Wal-mart!!)

More Melon....

2011-09-10T08:47:00.000-05:00

Oopsie...I didn't look at my blog before editing a photo to post, so back to back melon posts it is! Off this morning and all day to play in the paper, ink, glue and scissors....and let's not forget the FOOD!

We have organized a get together and have a group of gals getting together to spend the day crafting. I intend on making some cards but am going to try that color crayon canvas project that I've been seeing on Pinterest. If it works I'll share!

Enjoy your Saturday!

A Melon....

2011-08-27T10:24:00.000-05:00

I have got to get up and moving, so there won't be too many words with this post today. For me I am good with that, I don't read too many blogs myself, as my husband would say when I read the newspaper "you just look at the pictures". Guess I really am a visual gal,lol.

Anywho, it is 10:30am on Saturday and my hubby and dogs let me sleep in so I am not even showered and prepared for the day. I must get a move on! Hope you enjoy this fun colored little number...so summery!

Happy Saturday!

Make It Monday #28... Glitter Die Frame

2011-08-21T21:08:00.002-05:00

Finally...I completed a MIM challenge from PTI, now hopefully to get it posted before the deadline. I started a few hours ago and was sidetracked by a basement that needed cleaning and organizing.

This was one of those things that just "happens" when you are playing around with your new stuff and inkpads. I used the my new impression plate and blended ink all over the cardstock. Add the sentiment piece and the glitter boarder and ribbon...it's a card!

Super Cool Idea....

2011-08-15T20:18:00.000-05:00

But so not my idea :) A month ago I went to stamp night with my SU! Demo, Tammy, and she shared a whole slug of cards she received at convention. One of the most popular techniques I saw was this one...and I must say it was one of those "uh-duh" moments.

Shapes cut and added to cardstock and then embossed, adds another layer of dimension.

And for this one....an extra little twist, the circles were circle punched from paint swatches found at our local Lowe's, Menards and anywhere else I could find them. Makes getting coordinating colors brainless! I like brainless!!

Thank You's....

2011-08-11T21:38:00.001-05:00

I think I am distracted,lol. Right this minute, I am supposed to be working (helping) with my daughter's softball bio sheet. I was looking for a good picture of her to add to the page...and that is where I veered off track. Couldn't find the pics I was looking for but I found my creative folder :)

I was in the mood to try out ALL my new SU! ink pads that I purchased the other day and what better way to do that than a simple set of thank you cards. Yummy colors!! I L.O.V.E. them...that coming from the gal whose current favorite commercials are the Sherwin Williams commercials with everything made from color swatches.

Happy Birthday Esther!

2011-08-07T09:00:00.002-05:00

This was a fun card to make for such a sweet and fun person! Today we celebrate our dear friend, Esther! I so love and miss Esther...and Doug and Abby! Abby and Sam played ball for a few years together in the summer...which left us mom's to hang out. Talk about a "cooker"...the state tournament where Esther and Rhonda made hamburgers....yummm! Summer's just aren't the same without the Dillon family! Esther is an amazing lady with a great sense of humor who works very hard to take care of her family and who is always learning or studying something!!

Esther...we wish you the best birthday ever and hope your next year is full of blessings, fun and sunshine!

Something New...

2011-08-01T22:06:00.000-05:00

It's always fun and exciting to find a new treasure. I have found a new (new to me anyway) stamp company that has some of the cutest stamps and great sentiments.

I feel in L.O.V.E. with this lamp stamp set the minute I saw it....It is one of the many great sets There She Goes sells. So many great possibilities....and they just released a flip-flop (thong...thong as we knew it when I was a kid) set.

A Boy Card...

2011-07-31T15:48:00.000-05:00

For some reason the other day, I had an itch to make something a tad bit on the boyish side. Not sure why, boy cards in this house are usually only inspired by outdoorsy images.

I thought the embossing folder lent itself to this card, it reminds me of the tool box in my husband's truck. The sentiment is from PaperTrey Ink.

A challenge completed...

2011-07-25T23:43:00.000-05:00

It has been a bit since I did a challenge, and when I saw this one over at

Color ThrowDown I knew exactly what I wanted to do. What I really had planned was to walk over to the craft table, pull out my packs of pre-made flowers and find a whole rainbow ready to go, lol.

Welp...not the colors I wanted...not enough colors (imagine that! not enough of something in the craft room!). So I made some little rolled flowers that did the trick.

Looking at all the colors of flowers just made me smile....thus the sentiment from PTI.

Glittery Red, White and Blue

2011-07-23T08:13:00.000-05:00

I always love this color combo when I see it used so I thought I'd give it a whirl.

This is simple card with a simple, classic layout...used it a thousand times and still love it! The flowers and sentiment are from Verve. I added a little bling to the card by getting my glue pad and prisma glitter for the leaves. The bottom picture shows a close up of the glitter leaves--kinda hard to see on camera but the glitter pops in real life.

Berries!!

2011-07-20T21:46:00.000-05:00

Here is a little sweet summer goodness.

Stamps: PTI

Dies: MFT grass, PTI Strawberry

This is a TEST....

2011-07-06T18:50:00.000-05:00

Minus the horrid sounds that come with the TV and radio tests....

Been having issues with my blog feeding into FB so I finally deleted the feed and started over. And then...no pictures. So, I thought maybe a would see what happens with a brand new post...

I guess we will see if it is fixed now :).

Stamps: PTI

Other: Impression Plate PTI

Spoke Too Soon!

2011-07-04T13:34:00.001-05:00

It's July 4th and the fireworks were amazing last night! We made a run to Oklahoma City on Sunday as I received a call that my father went back to the hospital on Saturday. Had a tad bit of a set back on the recovery...fluid around his heart and kidney failure. The doctors have been working on him and things seem to be getting better a little bit at a time. For those of you who are reading, keep the prayers coming, cause they are certainly needed and appreciated.

The fireworks....well as we entered Kansas headed north up I-135 we started to notice more and more fire works as we drove closer to Wichita. I have never seen anything like it...the sky was lit up by sparkle after sparkle. Even at a distance, with the windows up...you could smell the fireworks as we went through the city. As we drove north to Salina the show continued...Newton, Hesston, Mc Pherson and many farm houses in between. By the time we hit Salina...it had slowed a bit but there were still a few sporadic sightings of tensil in the sky. It was good to see something so pretty in the midst of everything else that has been happening.

Hope you all have a safe 4th of July!

Geeze...It's Been a Bit...

2011-07-01T20:12:00.000-05:00

...since I posted!! It's been even longer since I stamped!! Yikes!

First, I want to thank those of you who offered prayers and well wishes for my Dad.

He is doing great and at this current time it sounds like maybe...just maybe the surgery helped with a few other issues that he had been dealing with for a few years. Sounds like it is a good thing for him to be running on all of his cyclinders again!

It's getting closer to that time when we get to start eating stuff out of the garden. We have an itty bitty garden. 2 pepper plants and 3 tomatoes plants to be exact. Usually just tomatoes but hubby added variety this year. I didn't care for the first peper I picked, not exactly the same as what I am used to from the store. Last night we made fajitas and used a couple and they were yummy! Can't wait for the tomatoes...LOVE making fresh salsa! Wishin I had fresh strawberries like on this card but we were afraid the dogs would eat them.

Leave No Words Unspoken....

2011-06-20T10:28:00.001-05:00

Thought I would post a little card today. I will have to get on to making some more real soon...this is the last hidden rabbit in the hat!

I am currently at the Oklahoma City Heart Hospital, my dad is have quadrupal (sp) by-pass surgery today. I am very fascinated by the facility, the service and just the whole thing! This is just really a neat place where they focus on taking care of people and families.

My parents volunteer at the Cancer Center here in OKC. Tthe staff at the Cancer Center have been so helpful and generous....helped to make sure we had hotel reservations, snacks for the hospital wait and meals for after the surgery. Thankfully this is my first time being in this type of situation, I marvel at the care that is given to others. It's different to be on the receiving end of services...but neat to see the many opportunities that facilities and staff have to make a difference in the life of others. Very heartwarming exerience...makes a lump in the throat and can easily draw tears ro think how giving people are...such a blessing!

Another Verve Flower....

2011-06-15T21:15:00.000-05:00

I do like those Verve flowers and here is another creation using these beauties!

In person this is a really soft card. I covered flower heads with Crystal Lacquer and added some glitter.

I used one of those old embossing strips from cuddlebug...I have had them so several years and this is the first time they have been used on a card!

Good news...work training will be over with and complete by the end this next week...wooohooo! Six months worth of hard work down...only a half a lifetime more to go!! It will be a long upcoming 7 days. Kansas City Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Oklahoma City Sunday and Monday. Topeka Tuesday and Wednesday. Making it to Friday the 24th f June....just might call for a BIG margarita!!

Until next time....Happy Stamping!

From The Yard.....

2011-06-11T22:12:00.002-05:00

I have fallen in LOVE with my camera once again!! I was struggling with it recently after purchasing a new lens, then a friend helped me figure out what setting I messed up and wahhhhlaaaaa. I am a happy camper again...back to taking photos.

This lilly is one of many that we have in our yard. The cool thing is that we never planted these...nor have we ever had to water or care for them. They started on the opposite side of the privacy fence in our neighbors yard and little by little the last few years, more have popped up on our side of the fence. Now the question is how do we stop them from over taking the yard????

This Iris was one of the first flowers of the season. It was growing at the school yard in the garden. So pretty...and fits in perfect as the school colors are purple and white.

And last but not least, these little gems are starting to sprout and grow in our tiny tiny garden. We had one that would have been big enough to eat....but Kenny said he found it with teeth marks in it. Most likely the work of the snoopy bird dog. Apparently, she did not like it as she left it in the plant for us to find vs. eating it.

Hey There Sunshine...

2011-06-10T17:49:00.001-05:00

Hello Sunshine is one of the phrases that I use alot when my daughter comes home from school, being with friends, etc... She is truly my sunshine when she is smiling :) So when I saw this sentiment from Verve I had to have it. Just makes me think of my Sambo.

This time of the year is crazy busy. It is amazing how much not going to Wal-mart to get groceries effects the rest of the week. Shewww...one weekend of ball down only 4 more to go. The girls did VERY well last weekend. We saw our first ever over the fence home runs on the team. Yes, there was an "s" on the endof run. There were 3 hit all together with one being a grand slam!! Wooohooo.

It's supposed to be a cooler weekend...I am looking forward to that!

Supplies:

Stamps: Verve and Studio G

Stampin Up Gemstones

Cuddlebug embossing folder

Here We Go...

2011-06-02T20:59:00.001-05:00

This weekend starts our annual summer marthon of softball tournaments. I was hoping for cool low humidity weather to start but it looks like we are in for hot and humid.....all I got to say is bring on some wind so we don't melt like butter in a hot skillet!

This is one of my most favorite cards that I have recently made. I used that stamp set from Inkadinkadoo that I borrowed from my friend Tricia again :). And I added a little Verve! The ink colors....get this, I found a set of stacked petal pads from Martha Stewart at Big Lots for $2. Gorgeous greens and blues--SCORE! Added an embossed butterfly with bling and a little stitching and a card we have. The colors make me feel like I am in a tropical place. Ahhhh...back to the humidity.

Congrats Graduate!

2011-05-27T11:39:00.001-05:00

It is that time of year...Graduation! Do you remember your high school graduation? I remember praying that I would not fall going up the stairs to the stage...or down the stairs. Everything before, in bewteen and after was a blur! Thankfully, I the event was a success and there was no blood,lol.

One of my daughter's relatives on step-mom's side recently graduated from high school. Presley is an amazing young lady with so much talent! She gets good grades (NHS), cheers, plays in the band and many, many other things. Kenny and I have grown very fond of Presley over the years...just an amazing girl that has done GREAT things despite the obstacles in her life.

I am hoping Presley will see this when it posts to Facebook....just one more reminder Presley to come and see us once you head off to college (ok you can come over this summer too)....our door is always open and we always have extra sleeping room for ya! You will do awesome at MNU!

Good Luck Presley...we LOVE you!

Supplies:

Stamps: Verve and PTI

Paper: My Minds Eye

May PTI Blog Hop

2011-05-25T08:05:00.001-05:00

It has been a few months since I participated in the PTI monthly blog hop, so I am excited that I was able to get a card done, photographed and posted. The last challenge will be to get it linked as I plan on scheduling this post :)

This month's challenge:

"May is the month when many flowers finally go into full bloom after a long winter's sleep. For the blog hop this month we want to see your favorite take on flowers.

Along with the PTI Stamps (Woodgrain Background and Through the Trees sentiment), I have a little twine and a pretty yellow felt flower.

I do have to say that My Mind's Eye has been a GREAT source of inspiration. Gorgeous papers make my eyes sparkle and mouth water when I look at them. Just yummy I tell ya! I picked up 2 new pads today while I was in Topeka and am way excited.

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday weekend.

The Real Birthday Card

2011-05-22T19:38:00.000-05:00

Ever have one of those days where you just can't get it to come together? Welp, that is exactly what was happening when I made Laurie's birthday card a few weeks ago. I had the polka dots...and that was all the further I could get with this card. thus, the butterfly card was born.

Then finally, piece by piece, it came together. {ahhh :) }

Supplies:

PTI Stamps

Certainly celery, pink piroquette paper ad ink

Indian-giver!!!!

2011-05-15T18:49:00.000-05:00

A month or so ago I had a couple of boxes full of stamps that I decided just to give away. I stopped my my friend Tricia's house and let her take what she wanted from the box. She was so excited,lol.

Then, I had some inspiration....kept seeing brigh, paper pieced flowers with text background. Of course, the stamp set that I thought would work best with this....yep you guessed it...the set that I wanted was one that I had given away. See this is why you give your goodies to friends. So you know where they are when you need to borrow them :) Not only did I borrow them, I cut them apart....they are more versatile this way. I am sure Trixie will like the set better now :)

When I posted yesterday, I forgot that I had actually made three cards. I gave one away and still had 2 left so I figured I better get photos up. I ordered some PTI and Verve this morning and told my hubby that if that does not get me motivivated, I really should pack it all up, cause I bougth some pretty neat stuff! Can't wait!

Stamps: PTI, Inkadinkadoo, Studio G

Ink: Black

Paper: Misc Pink, Green and Kraft

Finally A Post....

2011-05-14T15:21:00.001-05:00

It's been a bit since I have posted :) I've just generally been exhausted and unmotivated lately. Those folks who make comments about state employees not working hard simply have no idea. I have never worked so hard in my life and never been so tired at the end of every day. In these days a job is a good thing, so there is no whining...."just say'n".

I have had no desire to stamp and even started cleaning out the stamp room with the idea of turning it into a bedroom. I managed to get one shelf cleaned off and started putting some never used stamps

into a large plastic storage container. When I almost had the container completely full of stamp sets, I fould myself eyeing a couple of sets to keep out in case I wanted to make something with them. Then I found myself wondering what other things I needed to leave out "just in case"....and that is where my packing ended, as it was then too much work to make the decision of what to keep and what to pack. Being exhausted, I decided it was easier just to leave it all,lol.

THEN, PTI starts their release count down this week. Can you say cool stuff...fun and summery and I feel somewhat motivated. Haven't made a card yet with anything I already have but hey...I am getting closer. So we will see....

Stamps: Verve, HOTP

Paper: My Minds Eye, PTI and Kraft

Other: PTI Impression Plate

Happy Birthday Laurie...Mini Blog Hop

2011-05-01T11:59:00.026-05:00

Good Day, Good Day...today is a super day!! Not only is it still the weekend but one of my stamping friends, Laurie, is celebrating her birthday today. I had the awesome opportunity to meet Laurie for the first time at our Stamp Away weekend a few weeks ago....what a sweet and dear person!! Funny and oh so amazingly creative, I enjoyed chatting at night with Laurie until we just couldn't chat anymore and fell asleep...good times.

Happy Birthday Laurie...hope you have spectacular day with your family.

Here is a card for ya...

This is one of those cards that the photo just does not do much for...sorry Laurie...it really is prettier in person :)

Amy had the fabulous idea of doing a blog hop to honor our dear friend's birthday...and a blog hop we have...

Here are the rest of the blogs you will want to check out

Supplies:
Stamps: Inkadinkadoo, Kaiser Craft
Ink: Certaily Celery, Pink Piro
Paper: White CS and Certinly Celery
Other: MS Lacey Punch, misc gemstones

A Favorite...

2011-04-22T21:22:00.000-05:00

So glad we had that Stamping Away weekend! Not only did we really enjoy each other's company and the food, but I would not have any blog material if I hadn't participated in the weekend.

This is one of my favorite cards that I made that weekend. Amy so graciously allowed me to use her Verve stamps...oh what luscious little gems! I fell in love and someday these will be added to my arsonal of stamping supplies. And talk about GORGEOUS....that edge die from PTI is awesome!!

Welp, my lady from OKC that buys some of my creations contacted me the other day...and the first things to go were the cards I made on our stamp weekend. Just goes to show the creative Mojo that weekend was

crazy great!

Stamps: Verve
Ink: Rose Red, Pink Piro, Kiwi Kiss and Pumpkin Pie
PTI Edge Die #2

Blue Skies!!

2011-04-16T17:57:00.000-05:00

After seeing a tornado on the way home from work the other night, then one really cold rainy day, we have returned to nice weather and blue, blue skies here in Kansas. The blue in this card reminds me of the sky in Kansas on a gorgeous spring day. We were able to catch a college softball game this afternoon and bask in the warm sunshine!

I made this card last weekend on our girls getaway. I have been seeing the pinwheels everywhere but really wasn't much into it. I saw the girls had a pinwheel die...and thought "self you don't need no stinkin die to do that". Once it became a money saving challenge in my head, I was all over it! This was actually a pretty fun thing to make and I have ideas for more in my head. Of course, I will be spending the money saved from the pinwheel die to purchase a grass die,lol.

Supplies:

Paper: Marina Mist, Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip,

White and My Minds Eye patterned paper

Ink: Snow White (PTI)

Stamp: Up, Up and Away (PTI)

Cloud Die and Brown Twine

Girl Fun!

2011-04-12T19:49:00.001-05:00

This past weekend I had the AWESOME opportunity to spend time stamping with some AMAZING designers and friends. What a hoot it was to stamp and eat and shop and eat with Amy, Barb, Jen and Laurie! Amy so graciously opened her home to us and you talk about a stamp room...wowzers! Thanks so much Amy...I so needed the time with you gals and I think the wine really loosened those shoulders muscles :)

This card was done by stamping the brocade with versamark on white cardstock and embossing with clear powder. Smush some ink on a slick surface, add water and smush your paper to the ink. It is kinda cool!

The background is stamped in white snow ink with PTI stamps. the sentiment is also from PTI.

More Card Isle Inspiration...

2011-04-04T19:38:00.001-05:00

From the card isle......

From the stamp studio.....

Stamps: PaperTrey Ink

Card Isle Inspiration...

2011-04-03T19:53:00.001-05:00

My friend Laurie, over at Soapbox Creations offered up a challenge this past week that I just could not let go by! The challenge was to find inspiration in the card isle at one of your favorite retail stores. I have had several posts and made many cards that come from ideas I found on the Target card isle. As you will see in this post, I dont limit my inspiration pieces to the cards in the card isle....there are lots of cool things on the card isle. I take pics on my phone and then just save them till I get to them. Sometimes that is a year later, but I eventually get to them.

Here is my first bit of inspiration for this challenge...

(please excuse the fuzzy photos...phone photos as I metioned)

As you can see, I chose a gift bag for my inspration piece.

And here is my card...

The newsprint background is from PTI and the sentiment is a Studio G stamp.

I have several more inspiration pieces that I am working with....I just didn't get them all done. I will post more this week.

Happy Stamping!

Oh ButterFly...

2011-04-03T00:10:00.000-05:00

I have seriously been questioning whether blogging is worth the time it takes to make a post. Photographing the card, uploading, cropping, linking and posting...all very time consuming. And with traffic being very low it is a serious thing one must consider. So, tonight, I googled myself.

Anyone, who uses the internet should google themselves, on a regular basis to see what others see of you.

Tonight as I was looking at what all was out there, I see someone has used my name in a blog post.

So I head over to see what I have been up too,lol.

I find a wonderful post titled "Eva Costigan to the rescue"...I had inspired someone, and the post was done TODAY!! Yeeeeehaaaawww! It was a card I posted a few months ago---how cool is that?

After all, that is why I blog (that and I do manage to get the important stuff down so when I try to pull a scrapbook together later, I have something in writting). With that, I won't quit card making and posting yet :)

This card was made with 2 of the $1 stamps I found at JoAnn's recently. I am loving all the butterflies that are out there and for a buck...I couldn't pass it up!

The sentiment is from PTI, along with the hawiian shores cardstock. Oh...and the glimmer mist, what an awesome touch! I wish my bottle sprayed better but it sure does add a nice soft glittery glow to projects. It will be a well used item I am sure.

Mistakes, Embellshiments and Layers...

2011-03-27T19:30:00.000-05:00

The title of this post really does say it all when it comes to this card. It all started out with a very simple layout. The stamped ribbon dividing the card in two. On the bottom embossed white cardstock, one the top the sentiment. It took 3 tries to get the bottom embossed perfectly. The ribbon went on pretty painless and then, I stamped the sentiment. Of course, that is when I also smudged the perfectly embossed part with black ink. Room for embellishment.....

So I cut the smudged piece off, put on the Victorian lace cardstock piece along with white cardstock and a line of jewels. Done right??? nope...the sentiment was stamped crooked. URGGGH, LOL. I can laugh now, no laughing then. Welp, cut another card base and cut off the cardfront from the ribbon down. Added yet another embellishment to deemphasis the cut...stamped the sentiment, again....and finally a finished card.

Needless to say, it was my last project for the evening,lol.

Supplies:

Stamps: PaperTrey Ink and Studio 110

Paper: Aqua Mist and White

Ink: Black

Misc: Victorian Lace Die (PTI), Hobby Lobby genstones, Quickutz Emossing Folder, hobby Lobby Ribbon, SU Border Punch.

One More Use...

2011-03-27T13:58:00.001-05:00

I have had these great buttons hanging out in my craft room. The only problem was that they were all in one big jar. Kinda made finidng one like finding a needle in a haystack, lol. So I decided to sort them, had them in plastic baggies for a few weeks and then....

A light bulb moment, those PTI stamp boxes are clear and I have a bunch of them! I took the boxes out and taped up the bottoms so they would hold the weight of the buttons. Now, they are a colorful little embellishment in my room...whether I use them on a card or not :) Look at those yummy colors!

Pillow Boxes...

2011-03-24T19:30:00.000-05:00

I fell in love with pillow boxes years ago..so when the sizzix die came out, I, of course, just had to have one! Like many of the other things I just "hafta have" the die has been so under loved.

Next, I decided to go clear...and what better to do that with than my left over PTI stamp boxes that the stamps come in. One side of a box makes one pillow box!!!

I also pulled out my Hero Arts stamps...and can you see the detail in one of those little creations??

I decided to try in impression plate on the plastic...worked out pretty cool! These are just too cute!

Learning....

2011-03-21T20:55:00.001-05:00

So, I have decided that I want to buy a new lens for my camera. I messed up my telephoto lens but still have my 18-70mm. Funny thing is that after several (at least 3) years of having my camera, today was my first day to take the setting off of auto and put it on manual. I have been reading about 35 and 50 mm lenses. My goodness there are some GORGEOUS photos out there with those two lenses! What I did notice is that each of them had the shot setting listed and none of those listings stated "auto". So today I decided to play.

Today, aperture and shutter speed made sense...and thus the above photo. No special light---nice and bright, however, now I know how to set the lights to reduce the shadows and still get the flash to work. Evetually, I will get it all figured out. But what fun! I think I could get addicted even if I just only ever mess with those 2 features.

I took a couple of photos of the water running in my sink. It was cool to see the difference...one photo you could even see the bubbles in the water. Below....this can was sitting on the table. yes... the dreaded tabel where I have never been able to take a good photo of anything. I must say I am pretty impressed,lol.

I have a few more pictures of creations to post on the next few days...and then...well spring fever has hit me. Historically speaking, I think if you go back through my blog, I tend to want to take a break from stamping at this time of the year. I have a girl gathering to go to in April, there should be some good creations that come out of that...and then, I think I am going to play with the camera for a bit.

Supplies:

Stamps: PTI and Glitzy

Doilie Love...

2011-03-13T21:22:00.000-05:00

Today I finally took the leap and purchased the Sure Cuts Alot software for my Cricut. I worked my computer HARD this afternoon fiddling with it and figuring it out. I think I am in LOVE with the box/template cutting ability. Wow, I have always liked to create and give little things to my co-workers...and I have a ton of co-workers now...so this will save me time...big time! And the lettering possibilities are endless!!! After all these years I FINALLY figured out (YouTube, of course) how to properly download and install new fonts...endless possibilities. Makes me want to scrapbook...ok we won't get to crazy with the love.

This is card that I made with my new PTI doilie set. I am hoping it is not the only card you ever see with this set. This style of stamp is so outside of my box,lol. I did manage to find a small amount of mojo this weekend. A card and two cute clear pillow boxes...and a few other secret projects. No pictures taken yet though...so we will see how long it takes me to get them posted.

Hello Friends!

2011-03-09T20:52:00.001-06:00

A week or so ago on Facebook, I posted that I have lost my mojo and if anyone sees it that they need to send it back my way. Of course, my sweet friend Sharon made me feel better and said she would keep it if she found it. Sweet, Sweet Sharon :) I still don't think I have found my mojo. Could be hiding under the piles of laundry downstairs,lol. Just a few more weeks of driving and classroom training...once that is done that should help a little. I am also confident that an upcoming get together in April should help "mo" and "jo" reappear...ahhhh.

These cards were done for the Clean and Simple stamping challenge for this week. I LOVE this paper!! It is from My Mind's Eye. HobLob has a bunch of new individual sheets of this glittery delight...oh my the pics I have do not do the sparkle justice. Speaking of pictures, anyone else notice that you find things you normally would not see when you take a picture of something??? I would have never noticed the specs of glitter on my pearls...but the camera picks them up. That just amazes me still!

I made two cards for this challenge as the paper was just screaming to be used. Both cards are very similar, just little differences. Stamps are all from PTI, along with the woodgrain impression plate.

It's hump day...."no whining Wednesday" as one of my friends would say. We are almost to Thursday, yeah, I hope you all end your week with smiles and blessings.

Guest Designer on OCC today!!!!

2011-03-05T05:00:00.003-06:00

Guess Who??? Yeppers...it's ME! This is a very exciting thing for me. I haven't done any design work for anyone in a few years, so this was a great challenge for me. This week Our Creative Corner is hosting a recipe challenge...Everyone LOVES sharing a good recipe!

The recipe is as follows:

1-Patterned Paper

2-Layers

3-Stamps

4- Embellishments

Now, some may say that my ADD/ADHD had me not fully following instructions...(heck that could be ODD,lol). I did not count the card base as a layer...Ya gotta have a card base or it just ain't a card. So I built from there.

1- Pattern Paper= Pacific Vineyard by PTI

2-Layers= Pacific Vineyard cut with a edging die for added interest + White cardstock cut with Mat Stack 1 die.

3-Stamps= The flower head, stem and sentiment from Flower Fushion

4-Embellishments= Glitter strips+ button+ribbon+silver studs

Below is a close up of the flower and ribbon. I actually started by stapling the ribbon on....but decided to jazz it up by placing the silver studs over the staple. Worked perfect!

Hope you all have a WONDERFUL weekend!

Rolled Flowers from Eva...Finally!

2011-03-02T21:55:00.000-06:00

Flowers, flowers everywhere! It seems that every blog I hop on has flowers added to the projects.

I have been eyeballing the rolled flowers for some time now. I tried these a couple of times in the past and just had no luck.

After watching a little YouTube video, I realized that once again, I was over thinking and trying to roll the flowers backwards,hehe.

You will be seeing more of these little creations that is for sure!

Stamps:PTI

Paper: Black and White Cardstock

Ink: PTI Fresh Snow, Black and Pink Passion

Other: Felt (Hobby Lobby)

Keep It Simple....

2011-03-01T22:30:00.000-06:00

Anyone else ever find themselves overthinking things??? It seems as though sometimes I have a tendency to make things ALOT harder than they truly need to be. Let's take for example taking pictures of my cards indoors. I took the time to build a small light "tent"/box out of foam board....it was too small. Like a man, I think..."self my box must be bigger". So my dear hubby and I build a bigger light box. Added some daylight work lamps...and still not the results I wanted.

Here comes the "simple part"... my daughter cleans out her room the other day. I end up with a white bookshelf in the basement. Well that was an uhh...duhhh. Put the card on the empty shelf and take your picture Eva. Even better, don't use the special light lamps. Just go with the flash on the camera. Jeeze...reallly??? Yeap! One step better...no photoshop yet. Picnik to the rescue! Amazing!!! So for this week I have picture taking of my cards figured out, lol.

Supplies:

Stamps: PTI

Paper: Daffodil Delight

Ink: Daffodil, Kiwi Kiss, Pumpkin Pie, Black

Good Health Soon...

2011-02-21T20:43:00.000-06:00

Oh Monday, what a day...so glad to be moving on to Tuesday in a few short hours,lol. I have been holding on to this card waiting to get all the Valentine's done and posted. I need to get started on Spring stuff...before summer gets here, hehe.

This card was a work in progress for a good amount of time. It all started with the background which has music stamped in creamy carmel on WHITE cardstock ( I had to go back and check--yes I had myself fooled there for a minute). I then stamped an image from the guidelines set with versamark and used clear embossing powder. From there I inked over the whole piece with a brayer and pink ink.

I then started inking the edges with creamy carmel, close to cocoa and chocolate chip ink and sponges to get that aged, blended in look. The center piece is pink paper with stamped music and the sentiment.

I decided to add a touch of snow white ink to the edges of the brown flowers and borders to make them a little more visible. I added pearls and twine for additional interest.

Have a Happy Week!

Supplies:

Stamps: PTI and Glitzy

Cardstock: Pink Pir., Close to Cocoa and Chocolate Chip

Other: Edge die from PTI, Mat Stack 1 and flower dies from PTI, pearls and twine.

OCC Cut It Out Challenge....

2011-02-16T19:51:00.001-06:00

This weeks challenge over at Our Creative Corner is "Cut It Out". I was so excited to see this challenge..I immediately thought of paper piecing--it is one of my most favorite things to do, and it has been awhile since I pieced something together. I had inspiration for this card from Target---again! The cupcake on their card was a little different in design and they did not piece the bottom of the cupcake, it was left open to show the kraft color through. I added a little brown glitter for sparkle.

Seeing this challenge reminded me of the first time I used the paper piecing technique. I was actually working at a stamp company. A group of us were working in the studio and Lori asked me to finish piecing the card she was working on. I said sure...not realizing that she left me to cut out the smallest pair of flip flops known to man kind, LOL!!! I swore I would never paper piece again, wrong :).

Stamps: PTI sentiment, Cupcake (can not remember...company is no longer in business though)
Paper: Kraft, Close to Cocoa, Patterned Paper )Hobby Lobby), Rose Red
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Misc: Ribbon, Brown Glitter

Valentine's Galore!

2011-02-13T21:37:00.001-06:00

On one of my last posts I made the comment that I tend to struggle when it comes to making Valentine's each year. I have decided maybe it is all in the timing. This afternoon, I was anle to bust out several Valentine's...some cute ones too!

Ever searching for inspiration??? Try the card isle at TARGET! I have many photos on my phone of great cards I want to remake with my own pizazz and this is one of them. I found this one last year at Valentine's Day in Target...the original said "Burning Love". I though "You light my fire" was a good sentiment as well. Belwo is a close up of the macth book. This sentiment was computer generated.

I am going to aplogize for the photos right off the bat...new computer, old PSE 4 not compatible and still deciding what I want to use in the future leaves me limited to the small featured program that came with the system.

Below is a little Valentine that features glitter covered hearts punched with the SU Heart Punch. A little twine, some pearls, PTI sentiment and embossing...and let's not forget that edge die from PTI---

FUN stuff!

The next two card feature the same puff hearts that were on the first card. I found these at Hobby Lobby in the Valentines isle. 40% off and they were awful cute for stickers! So in my cart they went. The cool thing is that I still have over half the sheet left even after making these three cards.

Simple was again the theme of this card. Puffy hearts. stich stamp from Hot Off the Press and sentiment from SU.

This last card also features a stitch stamp from Hot Off the Press along with PTI Just the Ticket stamps and die.

So there you have it...that's it for me and Valentine's for this year. I hope you all get warm fuzzies from everyone you desire this year, we will be celebrating by watching a couple of high school basketball games. Smooches to All!

Don't Forget I Love You

2011-02-12T09:29:00.002-06:00

Ohhh...Welcome Saturday!!! I am so glad you are here! Got to sleep in and have one of my four-legged children come in and snuggle to wake me up this morning. I love seeing those big brown eyes that radiate unconditional love in the morning.

This is the last of my valentines cards (unless I get it in gear today). I have been using this little heart as my profile pic so it may look familiar to some of you. Below is the full card, really not too much more there than the above pic as I decided to go VERY clean and VERY simple. I really do love the crisp and clean look. I simply punched two hearts, one on distressed dots patterned paper from PTI and one on purple cardstock. I covered the purple one with glue and glitter and glued the two hearts together. Add a couple of pop dots on the back of the hearts and a sentiment on the cardfront and waaallaaaa....simple card.

The sun is shining here...so I hope to get out and at least make a trip to Hobby Lobby for paper to start on locker decorations....our favorite season of the year is right around the corner....SOFTBALL is almost here. As a matter of fact the college level starts playing down south on Feb 15th!!

Happy Saturday!

Celebrate Today Valentine

2011-02-08T17:13:00.000-06:00

Welp...I dont think I am a mushy person...I am not very good at making cards centered around Valentines Day. I have tried for the last few years and always struggle to come up with a few good ones. I have only two this year and I though I should get them posted before the big heart day arrives.

This is another marina mist and pure poppy combo coupled with a whole lot of polka dots. One can never go wrong with polka dots! The stamps are all from PTI as well as the red distressed dots paper.

If it snows enough maybe we can have another snow day...I sure did get some cards made last time :)

OCC Branching Out Challenge

2011-02-05T18:46:00.002-06:00

This afternoon I was browsing through some of the blogs that I have listed out to find challenges and found this challenge. I thought the Branch Out challenge on Our Creative Corner would be a great challenge to do since I have only used my Through The Trees set from PTI one time. The cool thing is that this is a 10 minute card that looks GREAT!

The challenge is to use tree stamps and keep it clean and simple. I decided on a black and white palette with a splash of Hawiian Shores.

Surprise, Surprise...and Brighter Day!

2011-02-03T22:38:00.000-06:00

So this morning started with a big surprise and I now remember why I never made a phone call I was supposed to make...anywho.... My friend Amy sent me a text message this morning, letting me know that my last post for Play Date Cafe made honorable mention this week. I am very excited and honored to be in the group of designers that was on the list. Here is a link to the post with all the Fab 4, Honorable Mention and the Winner....and my friend Amy, well she made the FAB 4....how awesome is that!!! Congrats Amy!

I am super excited at how this card turned out. I really like making those clouds in the sky. A stress reducer for sure! I am fascinated with all the flowers that I am seeing on cards these days, BUUUUUTTT, this seems to be the only style I have mastered,lol. We are just going to say it is one GIANT Kansas Sunflower. Oh, a warm day with a field of sunflowers really sounds fantastic right about now. Much better than the artic temps we have been experiencing. Just keep dreamin, dreamin....just keep dreamin.

Supplies:

Stamps: PTI and Bling Backgrounds (Hobby Lobby)

Paper: PTI Destressed Dots and White Cardstock

Ink: Old Olive, Marine Mist and Black

Pop of Lilac/ Purple....PDCC66

2011-02-01T16:32:00.001-06:00

The Play Date Cafe has a color challenge this week that I just could not pass up. I love the concept of "a splash of color". Creations done with nuetrals and just a touch of color always pop right off the page.

I uses the PTI Guidelines 2 set and the coordinating paper. Charcoal grey and black are the two main ink colors on the stamped panel. I used French lilac ink for a little stamped embellishment and purple stickles for a little bling-bling.

I finished this off with a sentiment stamped in French Lilac from PTI's Healing Sentiments set and some ribbon.

Happy For You

2011-02-01T08:35:00.001-06:00

I would like to say that the weather outside in Kansas would be perfect for this little guy but I think it is too cold here even for a penguin! I have a "snow" or shall we say "blizzard" day today...no work, YEAH! So I am going to post this little number and go make some more cause my stash of new stuff has run dry!

Stay Warm!!

PTI January Blog Hop

2011-01-25T15:44:00.001-06:00

So I completely lied...I forgot about the PTI Blog Hop until well...just now. So I had to make something and post. This month we were to show a little "love" to a stamp set that has been lacking love.

"With the new year comes a clean slate along with many resolutions. This month's blog hop challenge involves you challenging yourself to use a Papertrey stamp set that has yet to see ink or even one that might be collecting a little dust! Go through your stash and see what little used treasure it might hold."

So....drum roll... I chose the Just the Ticket stamp set for this challenge. Mixed with Star Prints stamps, Marina Mist and Pure Poppy...a card it is! I am sad to say that my "Just the Ticket" set has only seen ink once since I purchased it.

Ok, off to pick up the keys for a rental car and head to Sterling Kansas (where ever that may be,lol) to watch my girl play basketball. Happy Stamping and Blog Hopping!!

This Week's Post...

2011-01-23T18:22:00.000-06:00

Most likely, this will be my one and only post this week. I have several days out of town and my girl has lots of basketball out of town (in the opposite direction from where I will be) so time is going to be a little more limited than normal. I am very excited becuase I get to have lunch with my friend Amy tomorrow in Topeka, I can't wait to see her it has been too long!

This card started with a color challenge. Funny thing is that the color combo was supposed to be orange and blue type colors, well it evelved into summer sunrise and hawiian shores for me :) The little girl is an image from Whimsy and Stars Studio, oh that Mabelle has some of the CUTEST ever digital images. For those of you who may be reading this she is actually looking for designers, the link will take you to her blog with details. I just don't have time for design work anymore but thought I would let my fellow stampers know of this great opportunity. The sentiment is from the PTI Healing Touch Sentiments Set.

Enjoy your week and I hope to post again sooner than what I am thinking it will be!

Good Morning Glories!

2011-01-22T09:25:00.001-06:00

Happy Saturday!

After celebrating a little bit of winter in the last post, today we will think spring, at least until I go outside.

This is one of those cards that took me forever to finish. Two sit down sessions to color the flowers, one to color the leaves, a few months to figure out what to do with the image and one card making session to put the whole thing together. The layout is from a sketch on a blog that I ran across last week...sorry I do not remember which one it was (bad Eva!). After I purchased this stamp set, I was lucky enough to run across some morning glories to look at when I was out walking. This helped me tremendously with the coloring. I know, I could google it but the real thing was so much better....also tells you how long I worked on this card since it is now the dead of winter and all spring/summer plant life is either dormant or dead!

Couldn't figure out which angle I liked so I posted both shots.

Stamps: Papertrey Ink
Paper: Enchanted Evening and New Leaf (PTI)
Ink: Memento Black, Night of Navy

Brrrr.....

2011-01-19T19:12:00.001-06:00

I seriously could have used a mug of hot chocolate today! I am going to refrain from doing too much whining but man was it a bad weather day. It was a GREAT morning drive to the big capital city....then it all went bad. I didnt think it was going to start snowing until afternoon but by 11:15am I was returning home....in what seemed a blizzard (it wasn't but on the highway in the hills...goodness the wind can whip tha snow around!)

Made it back to the office hooked up to the computer and didn't miss much of class. Went outside to find ALOT of ice on the windows of the rental car...cleaned them off and was on my way. Dropped off the rental just to find my blazer covered in even thicker ice. Smart family left me alone for a bit when I arrived home and husband made my favorite....baked chicken! Yummy! Staying in town tomorrow and eating left over chicken for lunch {smiles}.

Supplies

Stamps: PTI

Ink: Chocolate Chip, night of Navy, White prisma pencil, Black

Paper: Patterned paper purchased at Hobby Lobby, Kraft and White

Misc: Chocolate Twine, Mason Jar Die PTI

All My Heart

2011-01-16T15:31:00.000-06:00

Here is another card made with that cute little animal set that I have. The bear is so cuddly cute!

Thinking this is what my dear hubby may look like when he comes home from calling coyotes today. It's a tad nippy out but it is warmer than yesterday!

I went a little out if my element this round, I dont usually use two different patterns, a background stamp and scallops. But it just happened on this card and it seems to work. I used the window light for this photo, I seem to go from one extreme to another on my photos, lol, too little light or too much light.

Supplies:

Stamps: TAC, SU, Glitzy

Paper: PTI Pure Poppy and Hawiian Shores, SU Choco Chip

Ink: LAmoer Palette, Black Memento, Copics

Other: PTI Woodgrain IP, SU Snowflake Embossing folder

Happiness and Harmony

2011-01-14T15:47:00.000-06:00

Ohhhhhh....Happiness and harmony is a 3 1/2 day weekend! I would do a little dance but I need a nap instead. I might just go take one cause hubster is gone and so is kiddo~~~I am pretty sure the snoozing beagle won't tell on me :)

I think this card is one of my all time favorites! I had fun with the guidelines paper and just filling in the blanks. It made this card super simple. And it was bunches of fun to add all of those little pearls all over the place.

The color combo is fine linen, ocean tide and sea breeze. I have to be honest....sea breeze was supposed to be aqua mist but I did not realize I had picked up the wrong ink pad until after I was done stamping...and I was not going to do it over. This bottom picture is an outdoors shot of the card. I think it shows more of the true color.

Supplies:

Stamps: PTI Guidelines 2, Stamping Up (sentiment)

Ink: Wheat VM, Oasis green VM, Sea Breeze VM

Paper: Fine Linen, Guidelines Cardstock, Ocean Tides

Gotta Learn 2 Read~ Wine and Smoke

2011-01-11T18:22:00.000-06:00

So the other day I was poking around on one of my friends blogs and noticed she had a great color combo going on. So I went and found the challenge that she was doing~~I looked at the picture and off to work I went...HiHo....HiHo. Here are the colors

And here are a couple of cards I made with the color combo I thought I was supposed to use.

I really like the way this one turned out. It would be a great "man" card...or just a pretty I love you card to anyone for Valentines or any other day of the year.

This second I am not in love with by any means. I love the heart because I put some of those really sparkly SU crystal stones all over it, I like the ribbon and I like the embossing. I am just not so sold on all of those pieces together but as I have said before, maybe someone will be inspired by some piece of it.

The bad news is that I did not "read" and the color challange was actually burgandy, white and TAN.....yes tan?!?! Whoops...LOL. Maybe next weekend-hehe. Still the first one is defintely worthy of a blog appearance, so I had to share!

Stamps: PaperTrey Ink

Ink: Bourdeaux, Charcoal Greay

Paper: Scarlet, Cool Grey, White and Smokey Grey

A Valentine and A Banner...

2011-01-08T14:42:00.001-06:00

Ever notice that on some days things are way more difficult than on other days?? I've been having one of those mornings! Started the morning by taking my 6 year old bird dog to get her some puppy prozac. I am hoping in a few days we will all be able to sleep through the night once again with out the constant sound of licking! Came home vaccuumed and then started this card....I just could not get it to come together for the longest time. My girl comes home from Lindsborg around noon excited that they won the basketball tournament and that she played both games. Seriously...she wasnt supposed to play at all...they were saving her for the next tournament. Bad parents...didn't go cause the coach told us we should stay home. We won't be listening to her anymore, lol. 2:35 and I am finally done and posting this card. It is for the TAC from the Heart blog hop. Figured I better jump on the valentine wagon before it gets here and I haven't done one valentine's card.

The banner was done by cutting apart the sections of a large scalloped border. I used the scallp edge trimmer for all the little scallops--just cut them down to size. Dug out the old "Soft Spoken" stamp set for the words. And lookie there, I finally used some of that twine I bought.

Stamps: The Angel Company
Paper: Raspberry Fizz (PTI), Choco Chip
Ink: Snow White (PTI), Choco Chip

Best Year Yet....

2011-01-06T17:56:00.000-06:00

I found myself making this one last weekend and stamping this little sentiment as it fit the occassion. I plan on having my best year yet and I hope the same for all of you!

This little number started out with the idea of stamping a background image and then stamping the flower on top. I did it once and had too heavy of background image and color...so tried again and liked the results much better. Then I inked the edges of the flower and the leaves with some graduating colors...LOVE the way that made them pop...and what better way to make the whole thing pop...put it on a darker background. Notice that this was taken outside...my neighbors probably really think I am crazy...at least there was no snow ;)

Stamps: TAC, PTI and Glitzy

Warm Wishes

2011-01-04T22:47:00.001-06:00

Go, go, go....that is what today has been like. Good news is that our girls basketball team swept all three games tonight! YEAH! Not sure about the boys. I dont ever get to watch them play. Now it is 10:41pm and I feel like there are many things I want to get done in the day but no day left, nor energy. So with that, there will be very little typing in this post. This is one of my most recent favorite cards using tha TAC cuddly critters set...all the images are just adorable. You havent seen the last of this guy/gal...I have more planned for this little image!

Supplies:

Stamps: TAC, PTI and Hero Arts

Ink: Snow White, Memento Black, Copic Markers

Misc. PTI Victorian Lace Border, kraft, white and purple cardstock

Just Because...

2011-01-02T10:43:00.003-06:00

...it is cold outside and I can relate to this little critter all bundled up! The next few posts will probably consists of cards made using this stamp set. These are the most adorable animals...and I need to play with them before it gets warm out and I loose my desire to play with wintery type images. I know...I have a couple of months,lol---I am just dreaming that Spring will start tomorrow. Especially since I will start burning a lot of rubber between here and Topeka in a week. I am really hoping for gentle weather. I am good with rain for the farmers...it just needs to stay at or above 32 degrees with no north wind and mama will be a happy camper!Has anyone else noticed that it is staying light a little longer...just by a few minutes but it is happening! Ok...nuff about the Kansas weather.

This card was inspired by all the stamp sets out there that are made to use as "frames" for the nestabilities. I cut out one large shape out of the card stock to be used, then cut a smaller one out of a post it note. Put the post it note down in the middle. Stamped my "frame" and then worked on my focal image.The ribbon was colored with Copic marker to coordinate with the rest of the card. I used pencils for coloring.

Bandwagoning! 2010 Top 10 or 11....

2010-12-31T18:53:00.000-06:00

No...if everyone else jumped off the bridge, I wouldn't jump too,LOL. But...I have noticed several blogs that are featuring the stampers most favorite cards or most popular cards for this past year...and I thought it would be a fun wagon to ride. It was fun to see how much one can change in just one short year.

The first three cards were very well received on Splitcoast...even with the horrid photography!

The rest are all some of my personal favorites. I had to knock some off the list because of course, I LOVE most all of them, that's generally the reason they never get mailed. Stingy, I know!

I quickly fell in LOVE with Papertrey Inks style and fabulous line of products---fun stuff to play with! You will be seeing more of their stamps this coming year I am sure.

This little girl is one of my favorite images. I tend to forget about my digi images...there will be some more of those added this year as I am looking very forward to Mabelle's Whimsy Studio releases. Can you say GORGEOUS!! Mabelle is the image artist of the snowgirl roasting marshmellows above. Her blog is listed on the side bar as well.

Life just would not be right with out one pink and brown color combo card in the mix.

Thanks for stopping by the blog this year...thanks to those have become followers. It is reassuring to know that there is at least a small group of folks who regularly see my creations. thanks to everyone for the comments and encouragement this past year...it has been much appreciated!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope you have a very blessed year!

Happy Almost Belated Birthday Amy!

2010-12-30T21:16:00.004-06:00

Late last night, I opened my email and saw an invitation from Jen to participate in a very special little project...a mini blog hop for our friend Amy, whose birthday is today. I didn't get this done on time to do the blog hop but I decided I would post it anyway in celebration of our dear friend.

I remember when I met Amy...she was a guest at a stamp party where I was doing a demo...our friend Dena was throwing the party and boy where those girls fun! Amy booked a party and it's all history from there. Amy is such a FABULOUS gal, so warm and sincere. And what a ROCKIN stamper Amy is!!! You can find her GORGEOUS stamping on her blog Stamp-n- Paradise It has been an honor to be able to call Amy my friend and I look forward to many more years of friendship and stamping!

Happy Birthday Amy...wishing you much happiness! The color combo here was inspired from this weeks ColourQ #65 Challenge.

Supplies:

Stamps: PTI and Glitzy

Ink: Black, Old Olive and Sahara Sand

Paper:Black, Old Olive, Grey and Sahara Sand

Misc: Ribbon and SU! Gemstones

Holly Jolly Birdie

2010-12-22T20:24:00.000-06:00

Welp, after this one my stash will have run dry and I will have to get busy making more goodies. You might be seeing Christmas stuff for some time to come as I did not get nearly as far into Christmas creations as I had intended. Of course, if I do that then I may have to skip over snowman season.....naaa...can't do that. I know I have at least one more Christmas card in the camera...and then a cute little winter goose (or is it a duck, maybe it is a duck). I actually have a full lunch hour at work now, so I am looking to find away to lug my copics and pencils with me. I could get at least 40 minutes of color time in each day at lunch. Add the 2 ---20 minute breaks when I can get them in and....hummmm. What fun that would make the work day!

Supplies

Stamps: PaperTrey Ink

Paper: Misc. Patterned paper, Bashful Blue and a green (?)

Ink: Memento Balck, Copics

Misc: Spring Rain Ribbon, SU Scalop Punch, Victorian Lace border

Stuck on Merry...

2010-12-21T17:45:00.000-06:00

I dont know where to start. My brain is fried and I feel a little mojoless---so this might be a tad short. The title of the post says it all. I had to stop myself at 2 cards with the word "Merry"---and to think these were done before I bought my cricut- I could have kept going forever!

The bottom card here is actually where it all began---with a layout challenge from weeks ago. The top one just kinda evolved from there,lol. Guess I was also stuck on those little sparkly stones too!

Supplies:

Letters For Top Card: Stencil, traced and hand cut

Stamps: Snowflakes on bottom card PTI

Misc.: Paper, ribbon and inks

2010 Christmas Cards

2010-12-18T17:54:00.001-06:00

Been out and about today with my hubby, it was nice just to "hang out" with him. We need to do that more often. There are tons of people out today...the major shopping district in town is just CRAZY with people! We decided to take a little walk on the quieter side and went to a small near-by town for the afternoon. The Wal-Mart was much less chaotic, just wish I would have made a grocery list before we went,lol.

These are my Chirstmas cards for this year. They were all supposed to be Sand and Red but I realized quickly that I had not fully prepared so, I ended up with a few different colors. I LOVE them all.

Stamps: PTI

Paper: Sahara Sand, Kiwi, Pure Poppy Red, Bashful Blue amd Chocolate Chip

Ink: Snow White, VersaMark and L'Amore Red

Misc: Purep Poppy Ribbon, Red Stickles and Fine Linen Embossing Folder

Tea and Candy Canes

2010-12-17T21:21:00.001-06:00

This is a great little project that I first saw over on Michelle Wooderson's blog. My friend Melissa will just drool when she sees Michelle's blog! This such a great concept...so fun and easy to make. Mine are a tad different than Michelle's but that just goes to show you can adapt to what is available.

I started with a 3 1/4 x 6 1/2 bag that I found at Hobby Lobby in their cake and cokkie supply isle. These look like mini grocery sacks. I started by stamping the top and then folded the bottom up and satmped on it. Now, these are a tad thicker and there will be spots that are a little harder to stamp...I suggest a shabby/aged look. hit the sides with some sponged on ink and it will all work in. Everything is more noticeable on camera...but in person you dont even pick up on the little "stamp gaps". Once I was done stamping I folded the bag up and sewed down the sides. Now, I will tell ya...my sewing machine was not thrilled with his whole idea as that little sack was a mite thick once folded over...but we slowed down and made it work. Instead of a doilie I used a strip od paper puched with a doilie paper punch and then added the rest of the embellishments. I am sure you could find some great little things to put in the two little compartments of this project. These two things were just what I had in the cupboard. I also have some regulare sized lunch sacks that I am hoping to do this same thing with, maybe I should start on Valentines now so I am half way ready,LOL.

Supplies:

stamps: PTI

ink: L'Amore Palette, green (?)

misc: gems, window punch, snowflake die, doilie punch, mini kraft bags

A Little Krafty Christmas Love....

2010-12-14T20:26:00.000-06:00

This is the first time I have used this color combo and I am sure that I will return to it in the future. A little Ocean Tide, Olive Green and Aqua Mist...sweet!

I have a HUGE scalloped tag sizzix die from a LONG time ago and decided to use it to make a card tag. The base is made out of kraft cardstock and I stamped a little "text style" in versamark and rubbed some shimmering chalk over it. I added teh white and patterned paper. along wit the victorian border. I sta,ped the wreath, used a circle punch for the middle and hand cut the outer edge...topped the whole thing with a little irredescent ice embossing powder. There are two tags that have been connected using a large eyelet to keep them together.

Supplies:

Stamps: PTI and TAC

Paper: Patterned, Ocean tide, Kraft and White

Ink: Old Olive, Oasis Green

Mojo Monday 168 and A Sweet 16

2010-12-12T10:13:00.000-06:00

I LOVE this sketch and I LOVED this image the minute I first laid eyes on it. The little girl with the car keys is SO where we are at in life! This was going to be what I made Sam's Sweet 16 card with but I didnt get it ordered in time. I decided what the heck...I would go ahead and make a sweet 16 card with it anyway.

The skecth that I used is from the Mojo Monday Blog, Sketch 168 ---lots of awesome inspiration over there...and when I last looked, lots of cards for this sketch challenge. Take a gander over and look around about. Some amazing stuff!

Lots to get done today, not sure how I am going to fair on blog posts next week but I have pictures taken and waitingto be editing for the purpose of blogging!

Supplies:

Stamps: The Angel Company and PTI

Paper: Basic Grey

Ink: Memento Black and Copics

Misc: Ribbon and Gem Stones

TAC Brayer Blog Hop...

2010-12-10T13:00:00.005-06:00

It is finally here, December 10!!! This card has been sitting behind the scenes on my blog just waiting to be posted for a few weeks now. I LOVE the way this one turned out...particularly proud of myself I have to say!! The brayer and I are NOT friends. It is one of the most under used pieces of equipment in my stamp room. But who can resist a good challenge and I had GREAT inspiration. This one was done as a retirement card for a very special man that has been both friend and dad-like throughout my life. Take a bow Rex! Fishing is one of his favorite pass times and he passed that right down to me. I don't get to do it nearly enough but the day will come when my days at the lake will return. There is nothing better than the feeling of a fish tugging on the end of the line {sighs, smiles,giddiness}.

Kinda clever huh?? How did I do it, since this is actually a lined image not a bold image?? I started with glossy cardstock. I used a piece that was way bigger than what I needed to give plenty of room to work. I stamped the image with versa-mark and embossed with black embossing powder. Then I took the versa mark pen and colored in the image. The versamark pen does make the black embossed powder bleed a bit so be prepared. In this case it made no difference because I was going for black. If you wanted to you could actually color the image in black and then add versamark by pen to help cover some of those little pitted areas that don't get quite as much embossing powder as other. I like the little pitted areas as the color in those areas is kinda like a relflection of the sun.Once versamark has been applied all over the image, I again embossed with black embossing powder.

Once that is complete, I started working with the brayer on the background. I tore a piece of 8 1/2x11 computer paper in two making sure to give it a wavy edge. I used this as my mask. I did the grass first. Put the mask over the top of the image, lining it up with his feet. I brayered using Kaleidacolor Fresh Greens ink pad. There are many layers of color here.

Once the grass was done, I used the other half of the computer paper to mask the bottom (grass). I brayered a layer of yellow. I then cut a circle out of computer paper and placed it on the cardfront where I thought a sun (or moon whichever you prefer-fishermen are out at the crack of dawn and don't come home till after dark) would look good. I then went to work brayering on color with the Kaleidacolor Dessert Heat ink pad. To finisih, I cut the piece down to size and built the rest of my card.

Supplies:

Stamps: The Angel Company (Wonder and Joy) Sentiment: PTI (Enjoy the Ride)

Paper: Glossy Card Stock, Kraft and Black

Ink: Memento Black, Sunflower, Frsh Greens and Dessert Heat, Versamark

Misc: Black Embossing Powder, Embossing Folder, Black Embroidery Floss, Silver Sticky Bling from Hobby Lobby

Tomorrow, Tomorrow , I Love U Tomorrow....

2010-12-09T13:50:00.001-06:00

I know, I haven't updated my blog lately and when I did it was a picture of the neighbors dog {chuckle}. For those of you who come back to check, Thank you for being patient with me :) Basketball has started and all the Christmas stuff to do, like I said on FaceBook someone needs to cue the elves to come help! Tomorrow there will be a new post. I can't post it early cause it is for a blog hop. One of my goals is to get the few cards I have been able to make photographed and ready to post this weekend. It is on my To-Do List.
As of Monday, Dec 13, life will change again and I will have to adjust to a new schedule of NO internet during working hours {GASP!!!}. Going to have to "schedule" those posts for sure. I am going to have to work a little on my evening and weekend time management to adjust! Tomorrow, new card, I promise :)

Need to Post...Seeing Red

2010-12-03T15:12:00.003-06:00

So the last post, the colors werent all that festive. I went to post some little boxes I made...something more Christmas like. Welp...apparently, I did not load all the pics like I thought I did. I only had one box, which was a complete CASE of someone else's project...right down to the colors. Can't post that...so what's a girl to do???

I noticed this very handsome picture of our neighbors dog. He's red...which makes him Christmassy right??

Isn't he the cutest! His name is McGraw--he LOVES playing ball almost as much as my husband and daughter! He also likes to eat tomatoes off the vine. He stands and watches me pick them off in the summer...I rub them off and he doesnt care if they are red or green. He catches them and then gobbles them right up. He will bring his ball to the fence. Jump up on his back legs and drop the ball on the other side to get you to play with him. I need a dog like him to play ball with....mine just chase squirrels and rabbits which is absolutely no fun for me.

More Change...

2010-11-30T10:34:00.001-06:00

Maybe someday I will write a book about change. Of course, there are many of you out there that know more than I do about the subject---maybe I should be reading what others have to share on the topic!

Change is in the midst and that is pretty much all I can say publicly for now. I only say that much because my creative mojo has slowed down a bit, thus the reason for fewer posts. I have the time I just dont have the creativeness dancing around in my head right now. Could be cause it is jammed full of other stuff dancing around,lol. This change will be awesome once it happens....I just have to make it through the anxiety of the "new and unknown" and it will be good! Hubby goes hunting this weekend and my girl is gone for the weekend so I am hoping that I can just play in my room most of the weekend. I have unused new stamps and new markers...I have no real excuse.

This card is so not season related...I know everyone is into Chirstmas right now but this was one of those cards that were put together with pieces and parts from the stamp table. Sorry for the flash glare (this was the better photo!)

Supplies:

Stamps: PTI

Paper: Kraft and Black, Pure Poppy

Ink: L'Amore,Black

Misc: Embossing folder, ticket border die (PTI), silver sticky things (Hobby Lobby), flower dies (PTI)

PTI November Blog Hop Challenge...Tags

2010-11-25T08:50:00.000-06:00

Here we are again...time for another blog hop and it is on a holiday this time!! It's a good thing because I am working on this post to get it ready to go for tomorrow and it is almost midnight, sooooo thankful tomorrow is Thanksgiving an I don't have to get up early. My hubby is the bird cooker in this house!

This month's PTI blog hop is all about tags. I have lots of cool PTI goodies that I could use for this challenge, but I have had limited time. I had hoped to have more but these 4 will have to do. I was inspired by a gorgeous black and silver wreath that I saw in the floral department at our local grocery store. Wish I would have had my camera...it was stunning. So I decided to use the non-traditional color combo for some Christmas tags.

My last tag post was a special tag that I made to go on my girl's birthday package. She turned 16 on the 24th and was so excited. I had to make the gift wrapping special because this was the only box she had to unwrap from us this year. Decided after buying the car, a new windshield, front brakes and tires and gas each week that one boxed gift this year was plenty.

She was most excited about getting to go on a date with her boyfriend anyway!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Supplies:

Stamps: PTI Wreath for All Season, Peace Be Still, Friendship Jar Holiday Fillers, A Little Argyle, njoy The Ride

Paper: Kraft, Black, Chocolate Chip, Tempting Turquoise

Ink: Snow White, Memento Black, Pumpkin Pie, VersaMark and Refection Blue

Misc: Ribbon, Eyelet Border, Gemstones, Snowflake and Dove Die, White Felt

Need 2 Get Bizee!

2010-11-21T09:33:00.000-06:00

I have one week off...and today, after church, I am going to get busy getting some things done! I promised myself that I would use everyday of this week constructively (naps are constructive). I will not just veg out on any given day...and have started my today list. One of the things I really need to do is send this to the person I am sending it to. Since it is a complete stranger I am sending this to, I feel pretty confident I can post it to my blog before they get it,lol. I am also out of goodies to post on my blog, thus I must get busy!

Supplies:

Stamps: PTI

Paper: Kraft Cardstock

Other: Flower dies (PTI), Misc felt, ribbon and button. Wood grain impression plate.

Box O' Gift Card Holders...

2010-11-18T15:49:00.000-06:00

Fun and mighty simple is what I would say about this little project! My co-worker asked me to do some gift card golders for her grandchildren for Christmas this year. Of course, I was all over it! The nice thing was that 13 gift card holders were pretty easy using the Tiny Treats set from PTI and the dies.

I decided to make them all traditional (or almost traditional) Christmas colors

but could shake it up and add variety by using different images in the centers.

The gift card holders are made from a 5.5x 4.25 piece of card stock.

Lay the cardstock on it's long side and score at 1 and 3. Stamp and fold.

I used just a tad bit of double stick on the ends of the 1 inch fold to make

a little place to slide in a gift card.

The gift card location is actually on the back of the front of the card holder.

This allows for writting on the inside in the traditional location.

Packaging makes a project complete and polished.

I took one of my PTI stamp boxes and wrapped it with patterned paper.

Cut the die and decorated. Just the perfect finishing touches!

Supplies:

Stamps: PTI Tiny Treats Christmas, Wreaths for All Seasons. Peace Be Still and Friendship Jars Holiday Fillers

Paper: Riding Hood Red and Kiwi Kiss

Ink. Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss, Versamark and Momento Black

Misc.: Mat Stack 1 and Fillable Frame #4

Holiday Greeting & PaperDolls Challenge Card

2010-11-16T16:57:00.000-06:00

This is a color combination that I just love when I see cards made with it. I was blog hopping and found a color challenge using it...after searching again, I found that the color challenge was actually from a few years ago. So we are sticking with just the sketch part of it that came from the PaperTrey Paper Dolls blog.

My blue wreath seems really washed out in the photo so you may have to click on the pic for a better look.

Supplies:

Stamps: PTI Wreaths for All Seasons, Woodgrain Backgrounds and SU! Sentiment

Paper: Kraft, Choco Chip, Pure Poppy and Aqua Mist

Misc: Victorian Border (the negative side), copic colored gemstones and copic colored jute

Had 2 Fix It!!!

2010-11-15T12:10:00.001-06:00

If you travel a few posts down on my blog you will find a card that looks similar to this one. And when you take one look at it...you will understand the meaning of the title of this blog post. The pinks just clashed on camera. I was going to pull the other one all together but it is much more fun to show the before and after...It's kinda like an episode of "What Not To Wear".

Just goes to prove that there are just somethings that should wait to be posted!

Supplies:

Stamps: PTI-TinTypes Background and Signature Greeting

Cardstock:PTI

Dies: PTI---Flower and Rick Rac

Misc: Crytsal Brad, Felt,Woodgrain Background

Candy Canes, WaterMarks and Embellishments {2s4y challenge}

2010-11-13T13:18:00.001-06:00

Ok today's post is kinda of a fun one...

It's not everyday that you get to see my mess ups, but today I thought I would share one of my "reasons for embellishments" with you. This card was done for the 2sketches4you, Laura's card sketch #65.

The first card you see was the original card. I was down to the very last two things---put the copic colored stones on the "label with the sentiment and then stick the whole piece on the card.

Things were looking pretty good and the "oh cr*p" (and it was loud too) I had a big red finger print on the left hand side of the candy canes. I thought it was copic so I rushed for the blender pen -- it helped but did not take it all away. Go ahead...click on the pic and look,it's ok that's why I posted it :)

Well, how the heck am I going to cover that up? I thought I would just take a pic and throw my watermark over it...you dont know how many times I have done this in the past! Works great unless the blemish is right smack in the middle of the card. So after much thought...we have below, the final version of this card. I actually like it better than the first card. It's different and unique!

Here is a little close up of the added embellishment for you.

Supplies:
Stamps:PTI Holiday Friendship jar Fillers
Ink: Mometo and Copics, Snow White
Misc. Label Punch(SU), crystals color with copics, PTI pure poppy ribbon.

Wish Upon A Star/ Mojo Monday 164

2010-11-12T15:51:00.001-06:00

I have long loved the sketches on Mojo Monday...but it is always Monday when they are posted and I just never seem to get it done. So this week, I broke out of my mold (ok I am off for a few days~ little extra time on my hands) and made card out of real paper and stamps..vs just thinking about it in my head,lol.

Here is the sketch.

Here is a link to blog post Mojo Monday 164. I encourage you to go check it out...there is SO MUCH eye candy over there!! Good Stuff!

Here is my take on this weeks sketch.

Supplies:

Stamps: PTI Star Prints and Studio G sentiment

Paper: Pink Piro, Kraft, White and Choco Chip

Misc: Ribbon, Embossing Folder(SU), perals

TAC Deck the Halls Blog Hop and SSSC#92

2010-11-11T21:52:00.002-06:00

I decided a couple of weeks ago I wanted to participate in the TAC Deck the Halls Christmas blog hop and have some items picked out that I have been intending to order for a few weeks now...but I never got my order placed,lol. Last Sunday I decided that I was just out of time to order and get something done. Hummm, what now??

As I was going through some images that I had previously stamped out on paper, I found this gem. She is the cutest little MRO image EVER and is from the set WinterCheer (very retired!! but woulnt she be great to see again~). This is another all time favorite of mine. I bough this set just for this image. Unfortunatley, I sold this set at my last garage sale (probably should have not done that). So this was my one and only image that I have left.

Talk about pressure! I started to sweat over coloring this little jewell. Copics or pencils??? Safe side of me said pencils...I can do those and I am not sure how old this paper is and how it will react to the Copics. The other side of me was screaming COPICS cause vivid color would look awesome with this image. I watched a few of the videos on the TAC Papercrafting site on how to use my Copics, practiced a couple of techniques using circles and off I went. I took my time coloring this frosty snow girl and was pretty please with the coloring..considering I have not done much practicing :) It was only after I finsihed the complete card that I realized that the light should be coming from the camp fire...uh duh! I had an imaginary sun to the back of her,hehe. Once done coloring I decided to try to use the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge from

The Sweetest Things blog for this week. It was a challenge but it was fun!

Supplies:
Stamps: The Angel Company (WinterCheer)
Other Supplies: Pure Poppy Ribbon and Paper, Snowflakes Dies, Copic colored crystal gems, Large Scallop Border Die, Tempting Turquoise Paper-and a button

Curtain Call Color Challenge #55

2010-11-11T09:28:00.002-06:00

My goodness...it is going to be a long winter if I continue to insist on taking photos outside! The batteries in my camera were already protesting this morning,lol.

I continued with the grateful theme for just this one more post and decided to take on a little color challenge this week and do the

Curtain Call Color Challenge.

As for the grateful...today is Vetern's Day so today we celebrate and show our gratitude to all those who have served our country. Thank you to all the veterns out there!

The layout might look a little familiar too as it was a Clean and Simple layout from a couple of weeks ago that I just never made it around to doing. The pain from the pinched nerve is subsiding, yeah! Thanks for the wonderful thoughts and prayers!

Supplies:

Stamps: PTI Signature greeting and SU

I Think I Heard Snow....EWWWW!

2010-11-09T18:29:00.001-06:00

As pretty as that white stuff may be...it is just to early for it here in Kansas! But I do believe I heard that word come from the television tonight, I think I didn't want to hear it so I just walked away,lol. I love living in denial! It is so much better than reality!

Speaking of snow. This snowflake image was in one of my PTI sets that I ordered last month and I had been dreaming of stamping it on a cardfront just like this. I used irredescent ice over the top of the stamped and colored image and it is so sparkly. The rickrack die cut was colored with the Copic marker taht I used to color the snowflakes with...it works awesome!! I have been playing with the new light box hubby helped me put together and could not decide which background I liked better so...I posted them both.

Postings have been a little slim lately...hang in there with me. I have had a pinched nerve that is being worked out. Pain straight down the arm...which does not make for good stamping and coloring. Chiropractor says one more visit at the end of the week and I should be good as new or at least better than the old.

Stamps: PTI
Paper: White Cardstock
Ink: Momento black and Copics
Misc. Irredescent Ice

OCC Challenge...An Attitude of Gratitude

2010-11-06T20:12:00.002-05:00

As I was hopping along the other day, I came across a challenge that I knew I wanted to do. I found this challenge on Our Creative Corner. The challenge is to create something that expresses gratitude. Although we should do this all through the year, this is the season when gratitude seems to be more of a focus for everyone.

I am grateful for many things. The first thing I am grateful for is the fact that I have a loving and caring God who watches over me and my family (and all of you too) even when I am not holding up to my end of things.

I am so grateful for my husband, daughter and parents.You are the BEST family in the world! I am thankful for past relationships gone as well as relationships and friendships that have worn the test of time and stay strong through the years. I am very grateful that I have had many job experiences over the years, as each has taught me new things about the world and myself...even those that didn't seem to be a good fit at the time where very important to my life's bigger picture. I am thankful for those who have been teachers and mentors to me over the years...no matter how small or larger the lesson...you were an important person to me. From the person who helped me learn to walk...my elementary art teacher...to the mentors that helped me make it through high school...the girls who taught me to stamp and color...those who now teach me new little tips and tricks...and to everyone in between...I am grateful! Thank you for being you and being a part of my life.

Supplies:

Stamps: PTI

Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Riding Hood Red and Chocolate Chip

Misc: SU Embossing folder, PTI Fillable frame 4, ribbon

Followers Widget plus Bright and Cheery

2010-11-04T09:59:00.000-05:00

Morning, Morning!! I have been trying to add one of those fancy reader things on the side of my blog...you know the ones were you can click and then just scroll down and see all the feeds and photos of great stuff. Yeap, well I am a little technologically challenged and the " help" function doesn't seem to be much help. I did however read that I should add a followers widget to my blog to make it easier for people to return and read. That one is easy enough...so I will try it. We will see if I can get more than 3 followers,lol.

After a few days, I have decided that I need something a little more bright and cheery when I open my blog. This purple and green card is just a tad more cheery :) :) :). You won't get to see the whole card, hehe, because I forgot to take a full card photo,lol.

Supplies:
Stamps: The Angel Company

Look For The Good...

2010-10-30T21:24:00.000-05:00

Welp...this is all I got. Wasn't sure if I was going to post this one or not, it's just not one of my favorites but it's all I got for now. Haven't been much in the mood for creating this week. Just lots of others things been going on. One of the best things the last few weeks is that hubby and I have been walking together after work. When we dont take the dogs it is a very peaceful stress reliever!

Over the last two weeks, I have watched the changing of the leaves on one particular tree. I so wish I had pictures...maybe I will take one sometime this next week. This tree has had changes daily and for the past two weeks I have enjoyed coming around the corner and noticing the change for the day. It has gone from green with a few yellow patches and a tinge of orange/red. To yellow with a tinge of green on the bottom leaves and the brighter colors on the top leaves. The change has been enough to notice every day but not too much at one time so that we can enjoy it. There was another tree that was one of those quick changers. It turned to that glowing red color without me noticing the changing leaves. This is one of those trees that you know you must enjoy it's beautiful color that day as it could all be gone soon. And with in a few days all of that gorgeous color was on the ground. I caught myself thinking that I want to watch for that one next year to see if I can catch more of the changing process. I started my bucket list this week. First on the list is something I have always wanted to do, east coast during the fall change.

This is one of those posts that ends up being nothing about the card. Oh well. I have just made snowflake cards---I am so hoping I dont have any snow stories to tell when I post them! Not yet!!

Autumn Apples, "I think I can" & Natural Light...

2010-10-25T10:09:00.001-05:00

Put all of that toegther and you end up with a pretty decent card and a picture that you don't have to spend much time photoshopping. Woohooo!!

Unfortunatley, I do not have ANY good natural light at home and I will not always be able to take my photos at Memorial Hall, so it will be back to photoshopping after this post. The "I think I can" part has to do with my Copic markers. I watched some basic videos and decided it was time to practice. What on Earth did we do before YouTube?? Everything is on YouTube...it is such a fabulous resource.

This was my first attempt at blending with the Copics and I think it turned out pretty well. I do find that I have a harder time with these little devils staying inside the lines. It's not from marker bleed either, it is just me and my heavy hand. I will say that I like the saturated color but it takes so long to get to the end result. Have to do more practicing and then see what I think.

Supplies:

Stamps: PTI Fall Friendship Jars Fillers

Paper: New Leaf, Pure Poopy, Close to Cocoa and White

Ink: Chocolate Chip and Momento Black

Copics: R35, R27, R29,G14,YG09,G07,E31, E33,E35

Misc: SU! Embossing Folder, PTI label die