Libra

When we came into the year 2011, I was considered a Libra. Who knows what I am now since they recalculated all of the signs. It doesn't really matter to me. I just needed a way to begin this post, LOL!

Reflecting on the year, I feel like I have very much neglected my colored pencils. Probably because it is way quicker to color with markers. So, I decided to end the year with a relaxing coloring session with a Terry Medaris Zodiac image, called "Libra". Guess I'd better figure out my new sign...reason to buy a new stamp, LOL!

I stamped "Libra" onto Strathmore Bristol smooth paper with Stazon Jet Black ink. I colored the image with Prismacolor pencils and Caran d'Ache pencils. When finished, I sprayed the image with workable fixative.

I framed the image with black cardstock, and then placed it onto a sheet of orangy-rust cardstock. I stamped some small stars (also included with this stamp of Terry's) with Versamark, just to add a subtle background. I paper pierced around this panel. I then framed this panel with black cardstock. The thing about working with a Terry Medaris image, I truly believe the image speaks for itself and needs very little if any embellishing or layers. I finished the card with a circle clip and a gold cord bow.

I wanted to thank you all for visiting my blog this year, and hope you will continue to follow my creative journey into the new year. I hope everyone has a 2012 that is filled with happiness, good health and love (regardless of your sign, LOL!)

Oh No!

I got the idea for this card from a card on Zazzle. It made me laugh, so I knew I had to try and replicate that humor.

I decided to use Rubbernecker's "Blake" (SKU:593-01) for the snowman image. Using a Tuxedo Black Memento marker, I inked the image (leaving off the sign Blake carries). I stamped the image onto Neenah Classic Crest Solar White cardstock. I then placed a Post-It mask of Blake and snow onto the cardstock and brayered the following dye inks: Vivid Bermuda Blue, Adirondack Sail Boat Blue, and Adirondack Stone Washed. After removing the masks, I colored Blake with Copic markers, and then added a line of Crystal Stickles on the ground.

With a brush, I added many snow flakes (dots) with Copic Opaque White.

The sentiment is computer generated. I used my Cricut (George and Basic Shapes) to get a template for the speech bubble.

I placed a panel of acetate over the square scene I created.

Sheer white ribbon and a snowflake ribbon put the finishing touches on this card. The image is framed with black and blue cardstock.

Thanks so much for visiting my blog today!

Texting SNOW

Hope you don't mind another card with Rubbernecker's "Zac" (SKU 596-01) on it. He is a cutie, after all.

I got the idea from two actual Christmas cards I received this holiday season...both which were long, tall cards that spelled the word "SNOW" on them. One of the cards used a snowman for the letter "O". So, I guess you can say I am CASE-ing my mail now.

To make this card, I stamped the image of Zac onto a piece of Neenah Classic Crest Solar White cardstock with Marvy black dye. I colored the image with Copic markers. Then, I proceeded to color over Zac and his bird friends with a Versamarker and used clear embossing powder to heat emboss over the image. This created a mask.

I then proceeded to brayer the following dye inks onto the cardstock to create the sky and horizon line (which was made with a torn Post-It note): SeaShells Seashell Pink, Vivid Bermuda Blue, Adirondack Sail Boat Blue, and Adirondack Stonewashed. I added some Crystal Stickles at the horizon line. I then sprayed the entire card with Tsukineko's Frost Sheer Shimmer Spritz.

With my Cricut and the "George and Basic Shapes" cartridge, I cut out the letters of S-N-and-W using blue cardstock. I placed these letters onto the scene, spelling "SNOW", allowing Zac to be the letter "O".

Using Copic Opaque White and a paint brush, I added snowflakes to the scene, and painted some fallen snow on the letters. The card is frame with white and blue cardstock.

A sheer white ribbon and a snowflake brad complete the card.

Thanks so much for visiting my blog today. I have another card in my mind using Zac...and so I'm thinking why put away these inks and the image before I make it? Check back real soon...providing that I pull it off, it will be my warped sense of humor at work again.

Snowglobe

I truly love having time off from work because it allows me to sleep in and then make cards throughout the day and into the late night. I could get used to this.

I wanted to share a card I made using Rubbernecker's "Zac" (SKU:596-01).

First, I used my Cricut, along with the cartridge "Cricut Cheer" to cut the shape of the snowglobe...twice, once with X-Press It cardstock and once with a glossy light blue cardstock.

Using the X-Press It globe, I stamped Zac using Marvy black dye ink. I then masked Zac with a Post-It note and sponged the following dye inks to make the background, also using a mask for the line of snow: Distress Ink Spun Sugar, SeaShells Seashell Pink, Distress Ink Tumbled Glass, Adirondack Sail Boat Blue, and Adirondack Stonewashed. Then, after removing the masked, I colored Zac using Copic markers, and added Crystal Stickles at the horizon line. Falling snow was added using Copic Opaque White using a paintbrush.

I then cut out a circle of acetate to place on top of the circled globe, to appear as glass.

I cut off the base of the snowglobe made with the glossy light cardstock and placed it on the bottom of the X-Press It snowglobe. I sponged some Adirondack Sail Boat Blue along the edges of the base.

I placed the completed snowglobe onto a panel of patterned paper from Me & My Big Ideas. I paper pierced around this panel. A sheer white bow and a snowflake brad put the finishing touches on this card.

I sure appreciate that you visited my blog today! Thank you so much. Enjoy your day.

2011 Christmas Card - Peeps on Earth

It occurred to me that I never shared my official 2011 Christmas card. You know, the ones sent to friends and family. Not surprising, because Christmas came and went in a flash this year. I didn't even arrive at the design of this card until December 17. And then the massive production and assembly line took place for three days. Each and every year, I always say I'll have my design by July. Each and every year, it seems I get the design in mid-December. Oh well.

I'm pleased with this year's card, not because of the design or level of difficulty with it (it was rather simple to make)...just because I think it is funny. Just plain funny. (I know, my sense of humor could be considered a bit warped).

At the beginning of December, this was on display at my local grocery store. Unbelievable. Christmas music in the background, Christmas displays all over the place, and yet this was in front of every checkout.



A couple weeks later, I go back to this picture and bizarre sighting and behold...the 2011 Christmas card was born, along with this picture from the Peeps fan page on Facebook.



I printed the digital Peeps image called "My Peeps" from Whimsie Doodles onto X-Press It cardstock. I colored the image with Copic markers, and cut around the Peeps using my Cutter-bee scissors. I then sprayed the Peeps with Tsukineko's Sparkle Sheer Shimmer Spritz. I drew the Santa hat and placed it on one of the Peep's head.

Then I simply created the snow scene using patterned paper from The Paper Studio and torn white cardstock. I covered the white cardstock with Polar White Flower Soft.

I then attached a sheer white ribbon and bow to the card. The sentiment "Peeps on Earth" was computer-generated. A punch was used to round the bottom corners of the card.



So, all of this begs the question...what will my Easter cards look like? Halloween? LOL!

Holly-Day Thank You

It's Monday! The Monday after Christmas, which means it is time another challenge from the Outlines Challenge Blog. This week the challenge is to make a holiday thank you card, which will surely come in handy as we thank our friends and loved ones for the special memories of the holidays. Make sure you play along with us this week for your chance to win a $25 gift certificate from the Outlines Rubber Stamp Company.



For my card, I decided to use the beautiful Outlines image of "Holly Background" (J-984). I stamped it with Marvy black dye ink onto Cryogen White cardstock from Curious Metallics. I colored the image with Copic markers, and added some highlights with Crystal Stickles onto the berries.

I also stamped "Posy Greeting Center" (F-1049) onto Cyrogen White cardstock with Marvy black dye ink. I used Copic markers as well to color the sentiment. I cut around the circle and placed it on the side of the image.

I framed the image panel with gold cardstock. I also used patterned paper from Crate Paper for the background, which is also framed with gold cardstock. A sheer gold ribbon completes the card.



You will be thankful when you visit the gorgeous creations on the blogs of the Design Team this week. Be sure to visit:

Jeanne Streiff
Jenny Gropp
Lisa Silver
Robin Kirkpatrick
Sandy Hulsart
Sue Kment

I hope you had a great holiday, and I THANK YOU so much for visiting my blog today.

Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree. Yes, that song has been in my head ever since I saw a recent documentary on the band Chicago. They recorded a new Christmas album and this song is on it. So, there is no surprise at all that the song served as inspiration for this card.

I stamped the Rubbernecker image of "Ethel and the Group" (SKU:562-10) with Marvy black dye ink onto X-Press It cardstock. I colored it with Copic markers, and then cut around the image with my Cutter-bee scissors.

The Christmas tree image was cut from green cardstock with the Cricut using the cartridge Christmas Cheer. I then dry embossed the image using a Cuttlebug embossing folder and sponged around the tree using Adirondack Lettuce dye ink. I decorated the tree with Jolee's dimensional sticker lights, Viva Decor Pearl Pens (Ice White and Red), Baker's Twine, and Tsukineko's Frost Sheer Shimmer Spritz.

Patterned paper from Amscan was used to create the card panel and red cardstock frames this panel. I paper pierced around the patterned paper, as well as added dots from the red Pearl Pen.

The sentiment is computer generated.

(Click on the photo to view larger)


Thank you so much for visiting my blog on this Christmas Day. Wishing you all happiness, health and hope this season. Rock on!

Season's Greetings

In this post, you will see two cards, one being a blooper.

Let's start with the one that is passable first:



The images used on this card are digital stamps from Kaye Winiecki at The Lily Pad. I printed the tree multiple times and the presents onto X-Press It cardstock. I colored the images with Copic markers, and added some sparkle with Crystal Stickles. The tree is pop-dotted for dimension.

I placed tree and the presents onto a piece of torn white cardstock that was sprayed with Tsukineko's Frost Sheer Shimmer Spritz. The "snow" was then placed on a piece of patterned paper from The Paper Studio. A punch rounded the corners, and the scene was placed onto a white piece of cardstock that was dry-embossed with a Cuttlebug folder.

The sentiment is from Hero Arts and was stamped with Versafine Onyx Black ink. A sheer ribbon and a snowflake brad complete the card.

And now, for the blooper...(I'm sharing because I think it is passable to the untrained eye):



Very similar to the above card...all images from Kaye Winiecki at The Lily Pad. They too were printed on X-Press It cardstock and colored with Copic markers and highlighted with Crystal Stickles.

The "snow" is simply torn cardstock sprayed with Tsukineko's Frost Sheer Shimmer Spritz and is placed on patterned paper by The Paper Studio.

The sentiment is from Anna Wight's Cling Mount Set "Got Mistletoe" from Whipper Snapper Designs. This was stamped with Versafine Onxy Black ink.

The problem with this card is in the tree construction. When I was pop-dotting for dimension, I accidentally made the tree wider/fuller at the top than at the bottom. But, I thought I'd share anyway. ;-)

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog on during this very busy time of year. I do so much appreciate it. Season's Greetings to you and yours.

Let It Snow!

It's Monday! Time for another challenge from the Outlines Challenge Blog! This week the challenge is to "Let It Snow" by using the theme of snow in your creations. You know, snowflakes, snowmen, etc. Make sure you play along with us this week for your chance to win a $25 gift certificate from the Outlines Rubber Stamp Company.



What was difficult about this week's challenge is that the Outlines Rubber Stamps Company has the best snowmen images...it was so hard for me to choose! I finally decided to go with the image "Star Light, Star Bright" (H-1123). I stamped it with Marvy black dye ink onto X-Press It cardstock. It is colored with Copic markers, and some glitter highlights were added with Crystal Stickles. Fresh fallen "snow" was added using Polar White Flower Soft.

The sentiment "May the..." (C-1136) is also from Outlines and was stamped with Marvy black dye ink onto X-Press It cardstock.

The image, sentiment and card panel were all framed with red cardstock. In some instances, a corner rounder punch was used. The white card panel is simply a texturized piece of white cardstock.

Small snowflake charms from Dress It Up were used to complete this card, along with Flower Soft adhered along the bottom of the entire card.




There is a blizzard of gorgeous creations on the blogs of the Design Team this week. Be sure to visit:

Jeanne Streiff
Jenny Gropp
Lisa Silver
Robin Kirkpatrick
Sandy Hulsart
Sue Kment

So glad you had the chance to visit my blog today. Have a wonderful week!

Sparkling Partridge in a Pear Tree

It's Monday! Time for another challenge from the Outlines Challenge Blog! This week the challenge is to "Make It Sparkle" by using metallic papers and Swarovski Crystals. Make sure you play along with us this week for your chance to win a $25 gift certificate from the Outlines Rubber Stamp Company.



For my project this week, I chose to ink up the gorgeous Outlines image of "Partridge" (I-989). I used Marvy Black dye ink to stamp the image onto Curious Metallics Cryogen cardstock. This particular paper has a subtle sparkle to it. I colored the image with Copic markers.

I applied Swarovski crystals (Clear Size 9 and Crystal AB Size 7) to the image. I also added some Crystal Stickles to the pears.

The image is framed with shimmery gold cardstock and patterned paper from Hot Off the Press. I sprayed the patterned paper with some Sparkle Sheer Shimmer Spritz from Tsukineko for some more faint sparkle. The image panel is raised with Pop Dots, and metallic gold ribbon complete the card.



The blogs of the Outlines Design Team are just glistening this week. Don't miss visiting:

Jeanne Streiff
Jenny Gropp
Lisa Silver
Robin Kirkpatrick
Sandy Hulsart
Sue Kment

So glad you had the chance to visit my blog today. Keep calm and SPARKLE on!

Stampin Sisterhood, Christmas Cactus

It's Sunday! Make sure you head over to the Rubbernecker Stampin Sisterhood blog for this week's challenge. Remember, if you play along, you will have chance to win a FREE STAMP from Rubbernecker and be queened Sunday Sister. And, at the end of each month, all the month's Sunday Sisters will be put in a random drawing to win a STAMP SET from Rubbernecker Stamps!



For this week's challenge, we were given an inspiration photo:



With all of those Christmas tree lights, I couldn't help but break out one of my favorite Rubbernecker images, Desert Cactus (SKU:227-04), and make it more Christmas-like. I stamped the stained glass image with Marvy black dye ink onto Neenah Classic Crest Solar White cardstock. I colored the image with Copic markers. To create some dimension, I then stamped the image again, in order to color and cut around the cactus portion of the stamp. I then pop-dotted the cactus onto the scene. I added "presents" along the ground by stamping the image onto scraps of patterned paper from The Paper Studio and Bo Bunny, and cut out pieces from the border of the stamp, and arranged them to appear like presents. Bows of Baker's Twine and gold metallic cord were added to the tops of the presents.

I drew a Santa hat for the top of the cactus with a Memento Tuxedo black marker, and colored it with Copic markers. Some Polar White Flower Soft was added for the white fuzz on the hat. An elaborate, bendable sticker from Jolee's Boutique from EK Success was added around the cactus.

The scene was frame with patterned paper from Hot Off the Press, Bo Bunny and The Paper Studio provide the framed layers on this card.



Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today during this busy time of the year. I appreciate it very much.

Tag, You're It!

It's Monday! Time for another challenge from the Outlines Challenge Blog! This week the challenge is to make a tag or two using Outlines images that could be used on holiday presents. Make sure you play along with us this week for your chance to win a $25 gift certificate from the Outlines Rubber Stamp Company.



I was able to make two tags for this challenge. Both were made using the Outlines images of "Wavy Poinsettia Large" (I-981), "Wavy Poinsettia Medium" (H-982), "Wavy Poinsettia Small" (E-983) and the sentiments from "Posy Winter Greetings" (F-1124). I stamped all with Marvy black dye ink onto X-Press It cardstock. I added color with Copic markers. The largest poinsettia was actually colored green for the poinsettia leaves, and the small and medium poinsettia images were used for the actual petals of the poinsettias. I did do some highlighting with a white gel pen and added some shimmer with some Pebbles Pearlescent Shimmer Chalks. I cut around the images. Some Stickles were added to the center of the flower.

Patterned paper from My Minds Eye was cut by the Cricut into tags using the George and Basic Shapes cartridge. Lace, sheer ribbon, and gold ribbon were added to the tags for the finishing touches. I paper pierced around one of the tags, and faux stitched with a white gel pen.





Make sure to visit the blogs of the design team to get some great ideas for gift tags.

Jeanne Streiff
Jenny Gropp
Lisa Silver
Robin Kirkpatrick
Sandy Hulsart
Sue Kment

So glad you had the chance to visit my blog today. Have a terrific week!

Hang It Up!

It's Monday! Time for another challenge from the Outlines Challenge Blog! This week the challenge is to make an ornament for the tree or wall hanging. Play along with us this week for your chance to win a $25 gift certificate from the Outlines Rubber Stamp Company.



For my project, I used a clear plastic ornament that I purchased from Michaels (less than $2 with a coupon). I stamped the Outlines image of "Sparkle Sleigh" (F-817) with Marvy black dye onto X-Press It cardstock. I colored the image with Copic markers, and added a few sparkling touches with a clear Stardust pen. I cut around the image using a circle Nestabilities die.

Then carefully, I rolled the circle panel and stuck it into the plastic ornament casing. Then, it unfolded itself. I added some mica flake glitter along the bottom, and a sheer white bow as the hanger. This project was surprisingly very easy and I really like the results. I don't know why I was sweating this particular challenge.



Make sure to visit the blogs of the design team. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Jeanne Streiff
Jenny Gropp
Lisa Silver
Robin Kirkpatrick
Sandy Hulsart
Sue Kment

So glad you had the chance to visit my blog today. Have a terrific week!

Stampin Sisterhood, Hot Diggity!

Sundays are a very special day over on the Rubbernecker Stampin Sisterhood blog. Each and every Sunday, Sisterhood Challenges are issued. Participate for your chance go win a FREE STAMP from Rubbernecker and be queened Sunday Sister. At the end of each month, all the month's Sunday Sisters will be put in a random drawing to win a STAMP SET from Rubbernecker!



This week, we have a sketch challenge.



For my card, I flipped the sketch. I stamped the Rubbernecker image of "Dog" (SKU: 569-18) with Marvy black dye onto X-Press It cardstock. I colored the image with Copic markers and cut around the image.

I then used my Cricut and cut the bag of bones and bone using the cartridge of "Paper Pups" from black and white cardstock, and patterned paper from Bo Bunny. I added some Baker's Twine to the bag.

For the card's panel, I paper pierced around patterned paper from the Paper Studio, and framed it with black cardstock, and patterned paper from Bo Bunny.

I used three little dog paw brads in the upper corner, and stamped the Rubbernecker sentiment of "Hot Diggity" (SKU: 568-11) with Versafine Onyx black.



Thank you for visiting my blog today. I hope you get a change to play along in the Stampin Sister Challenge this week. For more design team inspiration, and for further details, make sure you visit our Stampin Sisterhood Blog.

Black Friday Puppy

I was delighted to have the chance to play along in this week's Free For All Challenge on Splitcoast, F4A92. The challenge was to make a winter/holiday card showcasing the color black, in honor of Black Friday. (Sorry I am a day late in posting this...and no, I wasn't out in the crowds. I had way more fun stamping).

I immediately thought of this adorable detailed stamp from Hampton Arts called "Holiday Puppy". Sadly, it had never seen ink until this card, even though it has been in my possession almost five years (I purchased it at a stamp store in Sedona, AZ - now closed).

I stamped the image with Versafine Onyx Black pigment ink onto Neenah Classic Crest Solar White cardstock. I colored the hat with Prismacolor pencils, and added Flower Soft to the furry parts of the hat as well.

I framed the white panels with black cardstock. The sentiment is computer-generated. A sheer black ribbon, and a black dog paw brad complete the card.

I'm grateful for this challenge, because this cute little puppy needed to be inked. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today.

Tomorrow We Diet

I started this card yesterday, and worked on it before and after the Thanksgiving meal from my parents. I just finished it this morning. Thought I would share now...because it is still relevant, right? I mean, there are still leftovers to get through. The diet can start when those are gone. Or, who are we kidding with the upcoming month ahead? Perhaps on January 1st.

I stamped the Rubbernecker image of "Ethel w/Chicken" (SKU:562-01) with Marvy black dye ink onto X-Press It cardstock. I colored the image with Copic markers. I then cut the image panel with a Nestabilities circle die using the out-of-box technique. I then added some details to the image by paper piercing, putting Polar White Flower Soft on Ethel's slippers, and adding a coat of Judi*kins Diamond glaze on the poultry and Ethel's glasses. I framed the image with a Nestabilities scalloped circle die cut from brown cardstock.

Patterned paper from Crate Paper was paper pierced and dry embossed with a Sizzix folder, and brown cardstock frames the panel. A strip of patterned paper (unknown source...it was a scrap) was placed across the bigger panel. The sentiment is also from Rubbernecker and is called "Diet" (SKU:564-03). It was stamped using Versafine Onxy Black onto a scrap of yellow cardstock. I added some Baker's Twine to the top of the sentiment panel.

Thanks so much for visiting my blog today. On tomorrow's menu: Wolverine Stew! (I hope)

Beary Christmas

I was beyond flattered when Kaye Winiecki contacted me, asking me if I would join her design team and make a few cards using her new digital stamps. Hello?! Of course!!

For my first project, I decided to use her irresistibly cute new digital stamp called "Beary Christmas". This is available through The Lily Pad.

I printed the bear image onto X-Press It cardstock and colored it with Copic markers. Polar White Flower Soft was added onto the hat. I cut around the image. I decided he needed a little snow scene to be in, so with that decision, came some white cardstock tearing for the snow on the ground (highlighted with Stickles). I placed the snow-covered ground onto a piece of patterned paper from Me and My Big Ideas. I then framed the panel with black and white cardstock.

The sentiment is from Whipper Snapper Designs (Anna Wight's "Got Mistletoe?" Cling Set), and was stamped directly onto the patterned paper with Versafine Onyx Black pigment ink. A sheer white ribbon completes the card.

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today. I am now looking at FIVE DAYS off, so you know some stamping is going to happen during that time. I hope you'll visit again soon to see what I accomplished during my break.

Gift Card Holder

It's Monday! Time for another challenge from the Outlines Challenge Blog! This week the challenge is to make a gift card holder. Play along with us this week for your chance to win a $25 gift certificate from the Outlines Rubber Stamp Company. You might as well have a gift card holder ready, should you be the lucky one who wins, LOL!



I am rather challenged when it comes to making anything other than a card. Scoring, cutting, measuring are not my forte that's for sure. So, I was delighted and relieved to be able to use the Outlines image "Gift Card Holder -Kid" (I-921), which makes gift card holders SO EASY! To make the three layers of the gift card holder, all I did was stamp the entire image three times with Marvy black dye ink onto Neenah Classic Crest Solar White cardstock. Then, following the wonderful step-by-step gift holder tutorial found on the Outlines site, I was able to construct my project with a few cuts and glue. I colored the different layers using Copic markers, and added some highlights with Stickles.

I placed the gift card holder on a panel of patterned paper from Doodlebug Design, and placed a bow on the corner of the card.



No doubt, this is the season for gift cards so make sure you visit the other members of the design team for more great ideas:

Jeanne Streiff
Jenny Gropp
Lisa Silver
Robin Kirkpatrick
Sandy Hulsart
Sue Kment

So glad you had the chance to visit my blog today. Have a terrific week!