You're Better Than That!

I made this card for a friend of mine to give to her granddaughter for her birthday.  I sure hope she likes it.

I stamped the adorable dachshund image from Whipper Snapper called "Amos" with Marvy black dye ink onto X-Press It cardstock.  I colored the image and added grass and a sky with Copic markers.  I framed this image panel with black cardstock.  The other panels of this card were made with patterned paper from Lasting Impressions and also framed with black cardstock.

Finishing touched to this card include the sheer black ribbon, and the Swarovski Crystals that I added to the dog's collar.

I was inspired by the SC395 on Splitcoast, and the SweetMissDaisy's (Anna Wight's) DTGD12 Challenge. 

I named this post "You're Better Than That!" because whenever I say that to Sloopy, she will cock up head up to the sky in a conceited kind of way, LOL! 

 Thanks for visiting my blog today.  Come back tomorrow for TWO (gasp!) posts.

Raccoon Shadow

It's Monday! What better way is there to make a Monday more bearable, than with a Stamp of the Week from Repeat Impressions? This week’s SOTW is "Raccoon" (4219-J). The SOTW is available exclusively to Repeat Impressions blog readers at 50% OFF with the special discount code from Monday, July 30 to Sunday, August 5. To get the discount code and more information about the SOTW, please go to the Repeat Impressions blog, The House That Stamps Built.

For my card, I began by stamping the raccoon onto a piece of Georgia Pacific cardstock.  I colored the image with Copic markers, and then masked the entire image with a Post-It note. Also, using a Nestabilities circle die, I masked a circle for the moon with a Post-It note as well.  I brayered SeaShells Cool Peri dye, and Vivid Lavender dye onto the paper about two-thirds of the way down the paper. I went back in and sponged Distress Ink Faded Jeans along the top of the paper.  I removed the circle mask.  Then, I masked a line for the water.  I sponged Whispers Savoy Green dye onto the paper around where the raccoon was to form the grassy field.  I then added some lines for grass with various Prismacolor pencils.  Then, I removed the water's mask, and sponged Distress Ink Tumbled Glass and Adirondack Stonewashed dye ink to make the water.  I reverse lightly stamped the raccoon image into the water with Versafine Onyx Black.  Once I had that reflection outline, I then sponged some Brillance Moonlight White over the raccoon reflection. 

I framed the card with black and gray cardstock, and added sheer white ribbon.

I got the idea for this card from one of my favorite books from when I was a child:  Little Raccoon and the Thing in the Pool, by Lilian Moore.

Make sure you take the time to see the beautiful cards made by some of the other Repeat Rock Stars using the SOTW:

Dawn Bennett
Joy Hadden
Lynette Neus

Thanks so much for visiting my blog today.  Return soon because I have many cards to make and share.

Underpants Sentiment

It's Wednesday, which means it is time for a "What If? Wednesday Sketch".  You have two weeks to enter your card using the sketch posted on the Repeat Impressions blog...The House That Stamps Built.  All participants will have a chance to win a $25 Repeat Impressions gift certificate.  I hope you'll play along with us. 

This week the sketch looks like this:

If you've followed my blog this summer, you know I've been having a lot of fun playing around with the hilarious froggies from Repeat Impressions called "Underpants Frogs" (7120-L).  Well, let's just say that this summer I'm not on top of my game when it comes to details and I just realized this week that I had a Repeat Impressions sentiment to go with this image called "May the light..." (7007-J).  So, I hope you will understand I just had to ink it up.

Letting the sketch be my guide (though I did flip it), I cut a panel from a Nestabilities die from Georgia Pacific cardstock.  I sponged this panel with Adirondack Willow dye ink.  I stamped the sentiment "May the light..." (7007-J) with Versafine Onyx Black.  I wanted the sentiment to take the center stage on this card.

Then I created the larger panel of the card with patterned paper from Colorbok, and framed it with white and green cardstock.  I cut the triangle/flag-like shapes with a Nestabilities die using green cardstock.  I also cut the spiral using a Memory Box die, also with green cardstock.  I adhered a black and white dotted ribbon and bow to the card, and placed three adhesive pearls onto the ribbon. 

And, for the finishing touches to the card, I added those three frogs...you know the ones, "Underpants Frogs" (7120-L) to the card with pop-dots.  To prepare them, I stamped them onto X-Press It cardstock, colored them with Copic markers, and cut around them with my Cutterbee scissors.

Thank you so much for visiting my blog today.  Make sure you visit the other Rock Stars for some more sketch interpretations.

• Cheri Weston
• Dawn Bennett
• Joy Hadden
• Karen Hasheck
• Lynette Neus
• Makiko Jones
• Patti Gilliam

Football Season Coming Soon

My beloved Buckeyes take the field in just 39 days.  Where on earth did summer go?  To help get pumped for the upcoming season, I decided to make a card.

I stamped the adorable Hambo image "Football Boy" (3702) with Marvy black dye ink onto X-Press It cardstock.  I colored the image scarlet and gray with my Copic markers.  I cut around the image with my Cutterbee scissors.

To form the layout of the card, I created a white panel framed with black cardstock, along with a panel of patterned paper from American Crafts, also framed with black cardstock.  I paper pierced and faux stitched around the larger panel.

I stamped the Hambo sentiment "Have a Ball" (3212) with Versafine Black Onyx onto the card.  I also added a pennant I cut using some Ohio State ribbon I had.  I added a small bow of Divine Twine to put the finishing touches onto this card.

Okay, now back to those last few days of summer.  Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today, and "Go Bucks!"

Raccoon

Repeat Impressions Rock Star Makiko Jones challenged us to make an outdoors/wildlife card using Repeat Impressions stamps. 

For my card, I stamped "Raccoon" (4219-J) onto a piece of X-Press It cardstock using Marvy black dye ink.  I then colored with Copic markers and cut around the animal with my Cutterbee scissors.  I then sponged lightly some Adirondack Latte dye ink onto the raccoon, just to warm up the gray a bit. 

Using a Nestabilities die, I cut a circle from a piece of X-Press It cardstock.  I sponged Adirondack Willow dye ink onto the circle.  I sponged Adirondack Latte dye ink around the edge of the circle.  Then I paper pierced around the circle.  I adhered the raccoon onto this circle panel.

Patterned paper from Echo Park was used for the card panel.  I paper pierced and faux stitched around this layer.  It was then framed with kraft. 

Three brads and sheer light brown ribbon put the finishing touches on this card.

Confession time:  I am not a fan of the outdoors or the creatures that roam during the night, so this challenge actually spooked me a bit, LOL! 

So, if *I* can do this challenge, you can too!  Join us in this Designer's Choice Challenge on the Repeat Impressions blog, The House That Stamps Built.  Read the details and show us your creations...you may just win a little something.

Also be sure to visit the other Rock Stars for some more inspiration:

• Cheri Weston
• Dawn Bennett
• Joy Hadden
• Karen Hasheck
• Lynette Neus
• Makiko Jones
• Patti Gilliam

Thank you so much for visiting my blog today!

Gazement

It's Monday! What better way is there to make a Monday more bearable, than with a Stamp of the Week from Repeat Impressions? This week’s SOTW is "Beach Time" (4305-K). The SOTW is available exclusively to Repeat Impressions blog readers at 50% OFF with the special discount code from Monday, July 16 to Sunday, July 22. To get the discount code and more information about the SOTW, please go to the Repeat Impressions blog, The House That Stamps Built.

For my card, I stamped the adorable little girl image of "Beach Time" (4305-K) with Marvy black dye ink onto X-Press It cardstock.  I colored her with Copic markers and cut around her with my Cutterbee scissors.  I placed her aside for the time being.

To create the ocean/sun scene, I created a sun mask using a Post-It note that I cut with a circle punch.  I then brayered Adirondack Sunshine Yellow dye and SeaShells Peach Bellini dye onto a panel of Georgia Pacific cardstock.  The horizon line was masked with a Post-It note as well while I did this.  Then carefully removing the sun mask, I sponged SeaShells Conch Shell dye ink into the circle using the negative of the circle mask.  I then reapplied the circle mask and added more Adirondack Sunshine Yellow dye with a sponge around the edges of the sun.  I sponged some Adirondack Sunset Orange around the edges of the panel. 

Then using Copic markers and a Uniball Signo white gel pen, I colored in the ocean.  I framed the scene with black cardstock, and placed this ocean/sun scene onto a larger panel of patterned paper from Little Yellow Bicycle.  This too was framed with black cardstock.  Then, I placed the little girl onto the card.  In total "gazement". 

Make sure you take the time to see the beautiful cards made by some of the other Repeat Rock Stars using the SOTW:

Dawn Bennett
Joy Hadden
Lynette Neus

Thanks so much for visiting my blog today.  Now, if I could only visit the beach!

Jelly Good Fellow

(If you are here to join in the fun of Hambo's Birthday Hop for Judy, click here for my post.  You have until midnight tonight, so get hopping!)

Thought I'd share with you a card I made today.  I had a lot of fun with it, and of course, the Hambo sentiment just brings a smile to my face.

I started by stamping the Hambo image of "Jelly Fish" (3405) with Marvy black dye onto X-Press It cardstock.  I colored the image with Copic markers and then cut around the image with my Cutterbee scissors.

To create the bubble scene, I used a Nestabilities die to cut the circle from X-Press It cardstock.  I sponged the circle with Distress Ink Tumbled Glass.  I added the bubble texture with a Cuttlebug embossing folder.  I then framed the bubble with black cardstock that was also cut with a Nestabilities die.  I added white dots with a Uniball Signo white gel pen.  I then cut a smaller circle of X-Press It cardstock with a Nestabilities die and sponged with Distress Ink Tumbled Glass.  I added texture with a Swiss Dots Cuttlebug embossing folder.  I framed it with black cardstock cut with a Nestabilities die, and placed the jellyfish on top of this "bubble".  I added some torn kraft paper that was lightly sponged with Adirondack Latte dye ink to form the ocean floor.  I added some plantlife made from patterned paper from The Paper Studio.  It was cut with a Memory Box die.  With a paper punch I cut a star from patterned paper from American Crafts and placed it into the scene.  Three crystal beads were added to the scene to act as bubbles.

I placed the circle scene onto a panel of patterned paper from American Crafts. I paper pierced around this panel and faux stitched.  Baker's Twine was wrapped around this panel, and a clear button was tied with the twine.

The sentiment panel was cut with a Nestabilities die and was lightly sponged with Distress Ink Tumbled glass.  The hysterical sentiment is from Hambo Stamps and is called "Jelly Good Fellow" (3410).  It was stamped using Versafine Onyx Black.

So glad you visited my blog today!  I hope this card put a smile on your face too.

Happy Birthday, Judy!

Happy Birthday, Judy Rozema!  Monica decided to surprise you with a special birthday hop in your honor!  We hope you like it! And we hope you have one of the best birthdays ever! 

And for those of you visiting my blog, you can join us in celebrating Judy's birthday.  Simply leave a comment at the end of this blog post.  Sloopy and I will then pick random winner to receive the ADORABLE Hambo digi "Bailey Cupcake" (of course, Sloopy had an influence over that choice).

To increase your chances of winning, please participate in our Birthday Hop for Judy.  EACH blog will be giving away a Hambo digi to a random commenter.  How cool is that?

And, ONE lucky person who leaves a comment at every stop along the hop, AND wishes Judy a happy birthday on the Hoedown blog will get a $15 Hambo shopping spree (for rubber OR  digital images).  All comments must be left by midnight Monday, July 16.

Here's the official order of Judy's Birthday Hop, just in case you didn't start at the beginning:

Monica

Kris

Meredith

Carolina

Kecia (you are here)

Jan

Deborah

Hambo Hoedown

Here's a little bit about my card I made for Judy:


Knowing that Judy is a music teacher, and that she likes the color pink, I thought maybe a little parade might be appropriate, complete with pink band hats! 

I decided to make an easel card using the wonderful tutorial on Splitcoast Stampers as my guide (I've never made one before!)  I stamped Hambo's "Marching Band" (4219) with Marvy black dye ink onto X-Press It cardstock panel.  I colored the birdie band with Copic markers, and using a Memento Tuxedo Black marker I drew some musical notes.  

Using patterned paper from Bo Bunny, I cut a pennant from a Nestabilities die and stamped the first part of Hambo's sentiment, one of their Fractured Funnies, "Birthday Parade" (4202) with Versafine Onyx Black onto the pennant.  I added a little Baker's Twine bow to the pennant and adhered just outside the image panel that was framed with black cardstock.


One the base panel with more patterned paper from Bo Bunny, I stamped the second portion of the Fractured Funnies "Birthday Parade" (4202).  It too was framed with black cardstock.  The largest panel of these easel card is made from Lasting Impressions patterned paper.

Judy, I thank you for your friendship and your awesome guidance as design team coordinator of the Bacon Bits. You are one of the nicest people in the stamping community that I "know".  I am inspired by your lovely creations.  I sure hope I get to meet you someday in person!  A very Happy Birthday to you!

Good Dog

It's Wednesday, which means it is time for a "What If? Wednesday Sketch".  You have two weeks to enter your card using the sketch posted on the Repeat Impressions blog...The House That Stamps Built.  All participants will have a chance to win a $25 Repeat Impressions gift certificate.  I hope you'll play along with us. 

The sketch this week looks like this:

This adorable image from Repeat Impressions called "Wagging Pup" (8106-I) reminds me so much of my Sloopy Dog.  I've been so anxious to ink this cutie up, and so that is what I did for this Wednesday's sketch challenge.

I stamped "Wagging Pup" with Marvy black dye ink onto X-Press It cardstock.  I colored the image with Copic markers and then I cut around the image with my Cutter-bee scissors.  I placed the image onto a circle panel of Kraft cut with a Nestabilities die cut.  Then a larger circle was cut from a darker piece of brown cardstock.  The patterned paper is from Bella Blvd, and was framed with the darker brown cardstock.

The letters "Good Dog" was cut from the darker brown cardstock with a Cutterbug die.  Baker's Twine was added to the card for the finishing touches.

Thank you so much for visiting my blog today.  Make sure you visit the other Rock Stars for some more sketch interpretations.

• Cheri Weston
• Dawn Bennett
• Joy Hadden
• Karen Hasheck
• Lynette Neus
• Makiko Jones
• Patti Gilliam

Tropical Vacation Inspiration

Imagine my complete surprise when the weekly hostess for the Inspiration Challenge on Splitcoast, Stephanie (aka SmilynStef) asked me if I wanted to create a sample for this week's challenge.  Well, of course!!!

And, I absolutely squealed in delight when I saw the colors of these soaps!!! The inspiration challenge (#344) this week has us visiting the Etsy shop of Indulgence by S.V. Soaps.

My card is inspired by this particular item in the shop,  Tropical Vacation Handmade Began Artisan Cold Process Soap. 

I couldn't resist making a bright, bold whimsical card with the color scheme of this soap.  And, the white and tan layers reminded me of sand. 

So, I inked up the delightful Hambo Stamps image of "Sand Castle Boy" (3402) with Marvy black dye ink onto X-Press It cardstock.  I colored the image with Copic markers.  I drew in the birds with a Memento Tuxedo Black marker.  I drew the sand and the water's edge.  For the water's foam where it meets the sand, I applied Polar White Flower Soft.

Patterned paper from Bo Bunny and Bella Blvd was used to form the layers of this card.  The strip of Bella Blvd was dry embossed with a Sizzix embossing folder.  I used a sponge to apply some Adirondack Sunshine Yellow to this particular panel. 

Three small sunshine brads and a yellow/orange striped bow was added to the card for the finishing touches.

I sure hope you have a chance to play along in this week's IC344.  I know you will have lots of fun if you do.  Thanks for visiting my blog!

Hot Dog

(If you are looking for the Repeat Impressions Designer Challenge, just scroll down or click here.)

Though I am running later than what I would like, I did want to post this card today.  Many of you could be having a hot dog, or two, today as you celebrate the Fourth of July.  Very American.  Or, you could have a little German hot dog, which is what I have, love and adore every day.  I thought I'd play around with Rubbernecker's "Dog" (SKU: 569-18) image and see if I could somehow integrate it into today's holiday.

I stamped the dachshund onto X-Press It cardstock with Marvy black dye.  I colored the image with Copic markers and then cut around the image with my Cutter-bee scissors. 

I created the flag with patterned paper from Queen & Co. (the red and white stripes) and the a scrap of unknown (sorry!) pattern paper (the blue dog paws).  I added six white dog bone brads to the blue patterned paper.  I framed the blue square and the red and white striped panel with black cardstock.

I stamped the Rubbernecker sentiment of "Hot Diggity" (SKU: 568-11) onto a sentiment flag that was cut with a Nestabilities die using Versafine Onyx Black.

Thank you so much for visiting my blog today!  I hope you are enjoying your holiday (or day, if you are a visitor from outside the United States).

Purple and Green

Repeat Impressions Rock Star Lynette Neus challenged us to use the colors of purple and green in a creation.  I just couldn't help myself...I had to use the Repeat Impressions image "Underpants Frogs" (7120-L).  I inked them up last week, and I just can't stop smiling at these little guys.

On a square piece of X-Press It cardstock and using a stamp positioner, I stamped the froggies with Marvy black dye ink.  I colored them with Copic markers.  Also with my Copics I added a sky and grass blades into the scene.  I framed my image with black cardstock and placed it onto a green piece of cardstock that I cut with a Nestabilities die.  I added a bow to the card and called it done.

Join us in this Designer's Choice Challenge on the Repeat Impressions blog, The House That Stamps Built.  Read the details and show us your creations...you may just win a little something.

Also be sure to visit the other Rock Stars for some more inspiration:

• Cheri Weston
• Dawn Bennett
• Joy Hadden
• Karen Hasheck
• Lynette Neus
• Makiko Jones
• Patti Gilliam

Here's to you America

It's Monday! What better way is there to make a Monday more bearable, than with a Stamp of the Week from Repeat Impressions? This week’s SOTW is the sentiment "Here's to you America" (3703). The SOTW is available exclusively to Repeat Impressions blog readers at 50% OFF with the special discount code from Monday, July 2 to Sunday, July 8. To get the discount code and more information about the SOTW, please go to the Repeat Impressions blog, The House That Stamps Built.

For my card, I used patterned paper from The Paper Studio and Bo Bunny to form the layout of the card.  I framed these panels with black cardstock.  Using a Nestabilities die, I cut the scalloped edge from white cardstock. The stars were made with my Cricut and the cartridge George & Basic Shapes. A sheer white bow was tied around the card.

And, this week's SOTW was stamped using Versafine Onyx Black pigment ink.

 Please take a look at some of the other creations the Rock Stars made using this week's SOTW.

• Dawn Bennett
• Joy Hadden
• Karen Hasheck
• Lynette Neus

And a very special thanks for visiting my blog today.  For those of you getting ready for the upcoming Fourth of July holiday...stay safe and have fun, and remember the reason why we celebrate.

Beach Dachshund

I keep making beach cards because I find them so relaxing to create.  This time around, the Rubbernecker image of "Dog" (SKU:569-18) begged me to put him in the beach scene.  Who am I to object to such a request?

And, it just so happens that this request fits July's Rubbernecker Stampin' Sisterhood challenge perfectly.  Here is the inspiration photo:

I stamped the adorable little dachshund with Marvy black dye ink onto X-Press It cardstock.  I colored him with Copic markers.  I cut around the image with my Cutter-bee detail scissors.

I then cut a piece of X-Press It cardstock with a Nestabilities die and used Copic markers, a white Uni-ball Signo gel pen, and FlowerSoft to create the beach setting for the card.  I drew the birds in the distance with a Memento Tuxedo Black marker.  I paper pierced around the image panel.

Using my Cricut and the cartridge Life is a Beach, I cut the crab using creme cardstock..  I sponged around the crab with Adirondack Latte dye ink, and used the Uni-ball Signo gel pen and Memento Tuxedo Black marker to add the crab's eyes.

I paper pierced around a panel of Bo Bunny patterned paper. I faux stitched with a colored pencil.  I placed the beach scene, complete with the dachshund and crab onto this panel.  I framed this panel with creme cardstock.  I added Caribbean Baker's Twine around the card, tied a bow and added a brown button for the finishing touches on this card.

I've got to share with you the reason I put the crab into the scene.  Earlier last week, I discovered this adorable video that has gone viral....watch this!



Makes me wonder what Sloopy would do on the beach, LOL!

Sure hope you can join us this month on for the Stampin' Sisterhood Challenge! Head on over to the blog and check out all of the details. Though you aren't going to win a trip to the beach, you could win a stamp set from Rubbernecker Stamps!