Bubbling With Excitement

I am so honored to announce that I was selected to be on The Stamping Boutique's Design Team, alongside some other incredibly talented paper crafters. I love coloring Tracey Malnofski's images as they are so whimsical and fun. This should be a fun ride during the next six months, so visit me often for updates and new projects.

My official start day for The Stamping Boutique is February 1, but I couldn't wait to get started, so I decided to jump in a day early and participate in the current Critter Sketch Challenge, which happens to be a challenge that The Stamping Boutique is sponsoring. Hope you have a chance to play along too. I just love getting a sketch and having it work so well with an image. That's what happened with this card...

For this challenge, I selected TSB image "Dawn" and printed it onto X-Press It cardstock. I colored it with Copic markers. For a little sparkle, I highlighted some of the fins with Stickles. I then cut around the circle, and for the other two circles of the sketch, I simply used a circle Nestabilities die to cut two pieces of white cardstock. I colored them with Copics also, hoping to add to the underwater feel I trying to achieve. Patterned paper from Bo Bunny makes the large panel of the card, and the side ric rac is actually cut from a piece of Lasting Impressions patterned paper. Small crystal beads and a sheer ribbon help put the finishing touches on this card.

Thanks for visiting my blog today and allowing me to share my happy news with you.

We Went Postal

This was my first Sassy Cheryl image. I bought it about this time last year from Squigglefly. In my mind, this was a must have image, because days before I purchased it, my then fiance and I had decided on the location of our wedding...an old post office. I would have absolutely loved to have had this precious image incorporated into our invitations, programs, thank you notes, etc. But, reality hit...there was no way I could do the image justice, times 100 guests, with all of the other things that needed done in the upcoming six months. So, on my hard drive it sat. Not forgotten though.

It seems only right, that it in the very least, the image should act as a Valentine or Anniversary card. And that is what the current challenge on Sassy Cheryl's has inspired me to do. The challenge is called "What's Love Got to Do with It?", using the theme of love.

I printed this Sassy Cheryl image called "Delivery with a Kiss" onto X-Press It cardstock. I colored the image with Copic markers. From there, I added panels of Making Memories and Hot Off the Press patterned paper to create the layout for this card. The hearts are cut from patterned paper using a Nestabilities heart die. I then paper pieced around the image panel and one of the larger panels of patterned paper. As a finishing touch, I added our postmark, a rubberstamp I had custom made on Etsy, which has our names, date and location of our wedding. (And, yes...I was able to at least use this at our wedding, on our programs).

So, I'm guessing I'll give this card to my husband, Chris. I will.

Desert Warmth

Imagine my surprise when I opened up a package from Cat's Cupboard and found two Terry Medaris images tucked into my order. THANK YOU, Cat! Brings back lots of fond memories of traveling to San Diego to take two of Terry's classes at Cat's store during the spring of 2009. I met so many wonderful, talented people that weekend.

So, when I saw this particular image, I knew I had to incorporate it into my self-proclaimed BCS card series. Sorry, I'm just a couple weeks late on this. Just wasn't too excited about that Auburn vs. Oregon National Championship game. The game didn't turn out how I wanted it to, but I'm thinking I like how this card turned out.

The cactus image is a Terry Medaris image. I stamped it with Stazon Jet Black ink onto Strathmore Bristol smooth paper. I colored the image with Prismacolor and Caran d'Ache pencils. This was a challenge for me, because I didn't have an example of this colored by Terry (or Annette, for that matter) so I was totally on my own for color choice. I usually just copy examples when it comes to Terry's images, because I have surrendered long ago I can't compete with Terry's color choices.

I cut around the image and put it on scraps of kraft, and patterned paper from Lasting Impressions and Bo Bunny. I initially paper pierced around these panels, and I just couldn't get away with it any longer...stitching was needed to go with this card. I don't stitch!!! I don't sew!!! I don't know how...but, somehow I crudely did, and I'm pleased to share the results. Three gold brads put the finishing touches on this card.

I am going to enter this card into the current Stampin' For the Weekend Challenge, as the theme is "Getting Warmed Up". Where better to warm up than a desert? As I look at the snow outside my window, I'd certainly like a desert trip.

And who better to learn about Prismacolor pencils than from Terry Medaris? And who could be nicer than Cat? THANKS to you both!

Hogs and Kisses

Aren't these two pigs just an adorable couple? They are from Starving Artistamps. I stamped them onto Georgia Pacific cardstock and colored them with Copic markers. I cut them out...and they sat on my workspace for about four weeks. I didn't really know what to do with them.

And then I was inspired by the current Mojo Monday sketch challenge #174. I tweaked the sketch just a bit, by making it a square card, and then everything fell into place. Patterned paper from Bo Bunny, Lasting Impressions and Making Memories create the panels for this card. Nestabilites dies cut two of the panels and the larger hearts. Some light sponging with Distress Ink Spun Sugar was done on one of the panels. A white gel pen dotted around one of the panels.

The sentiment is computer-generated. Small hearts were cut with a punch, and adorned with little pink rhinestones. Sheer white ribbon completes the card.

Thanks so much for visiting my blog. I hope you had a great weekend. Sigh...as I look ahead at a five day work week with no snow in the forecast. ;-(

Here's the Scoop...

I had the day off yesterday. Gotta love snow days. So, what did I do with this unexpected time off? Well, I made some cards, of course.

This scoop of hearts image was a digital freebie from The Stamping Boutique. I printed it onto X-Press It cardstock and colored it with Copic markers. I cut around the image, and then drew my own hearts (the ones on the bottom of the card) with a Memento black marker, and also colored these with Copic markers, and cut them out with my Cutter-bee scissors.

Patterned paper from Bo Bunny, Lasting Impressions and Making Memories create the layout for this card, along with white cardstock. The circle panels were cut from Nestabilities circle dies. A little paper piercing was done along the top and the bottom of the card. The sentiment is from My Favorite Things, and was stamped with Versafine Onyx black.

Thanks so much for visiting my blog today. I was snowed in all day long...so, I have a couple more cards to share with you. Check back soon, and enjoy the weekend.

Love Silhouette

I was intrigued by a recent Try a New Technique challenge on Splitcoast, TLC308,which was the many different ways to use silhouette stamps. One of the suggestions was to stamp a silhouette image onto patterned paper. It had never ever dawned on me to do this before, so I had to give it a try.

The silhouette used is a new stamp given to me by my new mother-in-law at Christmas. It is from Inkadinkado. I stamped the image with Versafine Onxy black ink onto the "I Love You" patterned paper from DCWV. I cut the panel and framed it with black cardstock. Light beige cardstock and more black cardstock form the layout for this card, which was inspired by the current Clean and Simple (CAS) sketch challenge, CAS102, on Splitcoast.

Black sheer ribbon and a small red cardstock heart cut with a Nestabilities die add the finishing touches to this card.

No coloring!!!??? Really???!!! LOL!

UPPERCASE

I have never owned a camera that can adequately take a picture of a purple card, so I'm not going to allow myself to stress over this one either. Just imagine this card a bit more purple.

The image and sentiment are both from Eat Cake Graphics. They absolutely crack me up. A little later into the year, when my Kindergarten students understand the conventions of lowercase letters when writing, I'm going to say this sentiment to them, just to keep myself entertained. I stamped the sentiment and image with Marvy black dye ink onto X-Press It cardstock. The image is colored with Copic markers.

The layout is from this month's Sketch For You To Try Challenge. Panels of patterned paper from Lasting Impressions and DCWV framed with black cardstock were arranged accordingly. A white gel pen was used to "stitch" around some of the panels, and a corner punch was used to round two of the corners on one panel. A ribbon completes this card. The Eat Cake Graphics sentiment was stamped onto a circle panel that was cut with a Nestabilities die. A Nestabilities die also cut the black inverted scallop around the sentiment.

So glad you stopped by today. I sure do appreciate it.

HOPE YOU ARE ENJOYING YOUR WEEKEND! ~Intentional caps there~ ;-)

Basket Full of Love

I've been making cards this week. Though not the colorful, whimsical ones I long to do...rather, the 47 Kindergarten report cards I spent my every available moment on during the week. I am happy to say I am finished, and now I am faced with a guilt-free three day card-making weekend! Yahoo!

To make this card, I reached for this almost forgotten image I have from Art Gone Wild, called "Puppy Basket". Too cute! I stamped it with Marvy black dye ink onto X-Press It cardstock and colored with Copic markers. I cut around the image with a Nestabilities oval die.

The layout of this card was inspired by the current Mojo Sketch Challenge #173. Brown cardstock frames various pieces of patterned paper from Making Memories, Lasting Impressions and The Paper Studio. The scalloped brown oval was cut from a Nestabilities die, and the computer-generated sentiment was cut with a Cuttlebug die. A white gel pen was used to dot around some of the panels. Dog paw brads and red heart brads embellish this card, along with a sheer red ribbon with white dots.

No clue as to how I forgot about having this adorable stamp, but I did. It was hidden behind some other stamps on one of my shelves...and I thought it would make a great Valentine. So, I will submit this card for the challenge, Forgotten Stamp Friday #6.

Stay tuned for more cards. I have a couple of birthday cards I must make, and I still haven't forgotten about my BCS series...just got a little sidetracked and disgruntled that Auburn won on Monday.

As always, thanks so much for visiting my blog. I truly appreciate you taking a look at my work.

Aiming Cupid

Two posts in one day!!??!! Can you believe it?

This card came together rather quickly this afternoon, so I rushed to get a picture of it before nighttime.

I stamped the cupid bug from Bugawumps with Marvy black dye ink onto Georgia Pacific cardstock. I colored the image with Copic markers, and added a little Stickles onto the wings for good measure. I used a Nestabilities die to cut the circle and sponged some Distress Ink Spun Sugar. Another Nestabilities die was used to create the scallop.

Patterned paper from Bo Bunny, Me and My Big Ideas, Hot Off the Press and DCWV was used for the panels of this card. One of the panels was run through the Cuttlebug with an embossing folder. The layout was inspired from the current Mojo Monday sketch challenge, Mojo172.

The sentiment was computer-generated and the inside sentiment reads, "...to be my Valentine", also computer-generated. Three heart brads and a ribbon add the finishing touches to this card.

This card was also inspired by today's Sentimental Sundays challenge #37, Anything with Wings. This little cupid bug fits perfectly, I think.

Thanks for visiting my blog, again today. Have a terrific week.

Sow Soo-eet Piggy

I was absolutely right when I predicted it would take me a couple days to recover from going back to work. Cheers for the weekend, a.k.a. cardmaking time, or neglecting-everything-else-I-should-be-doing time.

To add to my Valentine card stash, I thought it would be fun to ink up this adorable image from High Hopes, called "Sow Soo-eet Piggy". I stamped the image with Marvy black dye ink onto Neenah Solar White cardstock, cut with a Nestabilities die. I colored the image with Copic markers. I used a Copic marker to add the little dots around the frame.

The current sketch challenge on Splitcoast, SC314, was used for the layout of the card. Patterned paper from Bo Bunny, Making Memories and Me and My Big Ideas were used for the various panels of this card. One of the panels was embossed with a Sizzix embossing folder. Again, a Copic marker added the little dots around the outermost frame.

The sentiment was computer-generated, taken directly from the given name of this stamp. Cracks me up! Sheer white ribbon (my go-to ribbon) adds the final details to this card.

I have about three cards swimming around in my mind that I want to do. Check back for more soon. And, as always, thanks so much for visiting my blog. I hope you too are having a pleasant weekend.

A Sugar Low?

As promised, here is a card in honor of tonight's Sugar Bowl, the third of four cards in my Bowl "Card" Series. I'm more excited about the card than the game, which is so not right. I support my Buckeyes, of course, of course. And I want them to win, of course, of course. But I want them to win with honor and integrity. I would rather lose this game with our second and third stringers stinking up the Superdome than to win with players that broke KNOWN rules and who sold items which if lucky enough to get should remain sacred for a life time. THEY SHOULD BE SITTING OUT ***THIS*** GAME...Why delay the suspension? Money, perhaps? Ridiculous!

Now, on with the card. ;-)

I have been wanting this image from Impression Obsession for so very long...ever since seeing it from the coloring masters themselves: Colorin' Kate's and Mama Dini's. I studied and studied their examples, and I still have much to learn with this image, especially with jar reflections...but I'm sharing my first attempt.

I stamped the image with Stazon Jet Black ink onto Strathmore Bristol Smooth paper. I colored it with Prismacolor pencils. The pink gum balls were colored with Copics (I know, the cardinal sin is Copics with Stazon ink...but I was careful), because my color pencil collection is woeful and lacking in the bright pink department. The background of the image was colored with PanPastels (a medium I want to explore more). I then sprayed the image with workable fixative.

Patterned paper from American Craft was used on the panels. The sentiment is from My Favorite Things. A ribbon was added for an embellishment. I didn't do a lot of framing or panels or embellishing because I believe this image totally speaks for itself. I love it, and hope to have opportunities to use it throughout the year with different color schemes of candy.

I am ending my two week vacation today, so I will try as much as I can to keep creating and posting. My guess is I will collapse in fatigue the next couple of days because my body will be in shock...and then the weekend will rescue me.

I promise a Fiesta card for the conclusion of my Bowl "Card" Series next Monday. I just love combining football with cardmaking.

Thanks so much for visiting my blog.

Go Buckeyes...if done the right way!

Orange Drink

So, I guess you can call this the BCS, or the Bowl "Card" Series. A couple of days ago, I featured the Rose, today I have the Orange, tomorrow will be the Sugar, and next week I'll try and post the Fiesta. LOL. Seriously, I can do it, because I collect stamps with those themes because of my Buckeyes. Though, I tell you, not feeling too very sweet this year, due to the OSU tat-Five.

Actually, I made this card last spring and forgot to photo it and share it until today. I guess that's what planning a wedding will do to you. But, it works out nicely for the my little BCS thing, so all is well.

The main image is a Penny Black image, called "Make Lemonade", which I obviously ignored and chose orange. I stamped it with Marvy black dye ink onto coated paper (which I desperately need to get more of, as I am out), and colored the image with Copic markers. I love to color fur on coated paper with Copics. Almost a watercolor effect. The oranges are from PSX and were stamped onto Georgia Pacific cardstock and also colored with Copic markers. I cut these images out with Cutterbee scissors and arranged onto the card. Panels using orange cardstock, white cardstock and patterned paper from Making Memories help create the panels for this card. A Cuttlebug embossing folder was also used for some texture, along with some faux stitching from a white gel pen. A sheer white ribbon completes the card.

Now, off to watch the Orange Bowl. Sugar Bowl/Card tomorrow.

Thanks for visiting my blog!

Yellow Rose

Happy New Year, Everyone!

My husband asked me to make a birthday card for his grandma. She'll be celebrating her 85th birthday in just a few days, and he shared with me that she loves yellow roses.

So, I dusted off this precious Penny Black image that I used for my Christmas cards in 2009 and inked it with Marvy black ink onto X-Press It cardstock. I colored the image with Copic markers.

I wrote 85th with a Memento marker on the tag, and the sentiment is a stamp from Rubber Soul. The patterned paper is from DCWV and is framed with black cardstock. Some lace and a ribbon help complete the card.

Thanks to the current Forgotten Stamp Friday Challenge, FSF04, I remembered having this image.

And, please note...that the blue and yellow color scheme of this card in no way represents my affiliation or endorsement of "that team up north". I just can't stand how well those two colors look together...at least they look pathetic on the football field.

Off to watch the Rose Bowl now. Brings back some good memories ('97).