Morning Blessings

A good Good Morning to you!  I hope it is fabulous wherever you may be.

I'm here today with the final image of this month's fantastic release from Sassy Cheryl's.  This image is called Morning Blessings.  It comes with several elements, though I only used the girl.  Go on over to Sassy Cheryl's to see all of the great things you get with this image.

For this card, I printed the girl from Morning Blessings onto X-Press It cardstock.  I colored the image with Copic markers and fussy cut.  I created some grass for her to sit on with a Gina Marie Designs die, sponging Adirondack Lettuce dye ink for the color.  I placed onto a cream colored cardstock, sponging some Sea Shells Peach Bellini nears the grass and some Sea Shells Conch Shell for the sun.  Some birds from a very old My Favorite Things stamp set were stamped with Versafine Onyx Black ink.  A couple of Gina Marie Designs clouds were cut and added to the sky scene.  The sentiment is from Hero Arts and was stamped with Versafine Onyx Black.

This image is $1 off today until midnight with the code:  BLESS

If you want the entire release (all four fabulous digital stamps), use the code BUNDLE today to get $4 off.

Thank you so much for visiting my blog over the past four days.  I hope you enjoy these Sassy Cheryl's images as much as I am.

Cute and Clumsy Elves

Hello!  I truly relate to that elf on the left, LOL.

It's the last Tiddly Tuesday of 2017.  We end with the challenge of Be Merry over on the Tiddly Inks Challenge Blog.  Sure hope you take time from the hustle and bustle of the season and join us.

This card features a new image from the Tiddly Inks bundle Cute and Clumsy Elves.  I printed the adorable image onto Hammermill Color Copy and colored with Copic markers.  You might notice a little shimmer on that ribbon, compliments of a Spectrum Noir sparkle pen.  The sentiment was stamped with an old Hero Arts wooden stamp using Versafine Onxy Black.

Thanks so much for coming by my blog during this busy time of year.  I appreciate it.

Shake Your Love

It's a Fab Friday!  Fabulous indeed for many reasons.

One reason is all of the Tiddly goodness on the Tiddly Inks Challenge Blog.  Here's the card I made for the occasion.  I told you that I have had many wedding cards to make.  I decided to shake things up a bit by making a shaker card, LOL.

This card features the digital image of "Wedding Bells" from Tiddly Inks.   I printed it onto X-Press It cardstock.  I also printed a mask of the image as well.  By masking the X-Press it image, I then sponged some Worn Lipstick Distress Oxide for the background.  I then stamped an old Hero Arts swirly image with Hero Arts White Unicorn pigment ink on top of the Distress Oxide.  The results are very faint.  I also stamped the swirly image around the edges of the X-Press It cardstock with the Distress Oxide.  I removed the mask, and then colored the image with Copic markers.  I added a pink mix of Doodlebug sequins and made a shaker card.  I stamped the sentiment from Rubber Stampede onto the acetate with Hero Arts White pigment ink and heat embossed. 

Another reason this is a Fab Friday is I am off and I have a great weekend planned.  Woot!

Thanks for visiting my blog today!

Simple Bouquet

I am committed to using older images and getting my money's worth from all of those stamps purchased through the years that have yet to see much ink, if any.

This card features an image from Hero Arts.  It is one of four wood-mounted stamps in a set for weddings.  Kinda hard to use all four squares on a card and make it balanced. And three squares across wouldn't fit an A2 card.  Hmm.  So, I used the bouquet, which is my favorite of the four images and made this simple CAS card for a bridal shower at work.  Old skool embossing folder too.  Come to think of it, I think this was my first every embossing folder.

Thanks so much for looking.  Come back again for some more old skool stamping.

Water Effects

I'm just saying that you might be seeing lots of water droplets from me.  I finally cracked open the amazing set of stamps Water Effects 1 from Designs by Ryn.  (Yes, I've had the set for over four months and I'm just now exploring with them.)

Talk about a relaxing process!  I added some Kuretake watercolors to a piece of watercolor paper from Marcos.  Once dry, I stamped the water droplets with Versafine Onyx Black ink.  I then added water to the droplets and blotted with a paper towel.  This removed the color.  I added the white highlight with a white gel pen.  It was fun.  It will happen again.

The sentiment is from an old Hero Arts stamp, also stamped with Versafine Onxy Black ink. I thought it paired well. 

Back again tomorrow with another card, so I'll see you then.

Santa's Helpers

Here's a card featuring the digital image of "Santa's Helpers" from Tiddly Inks.  I printed it with X-Press It cardstock and had a blast coloring it with my Copic markers.  The sentiment is from Hero Arts and was stamped with Versafine Onyx Black.  The patterned paper is from Jillibean Soup.

Going to enter this one in the current challenge #173 at Tiddly Inks, "Merry Berry".

Stay tuned.  I have a few Christmas cards I still need to share with you, including the official Christmas card of 2015.

Fa la la la la.

Ginger Girl

I'm hoping to eat a gingerbread boy or girl this holiday season.  Yummy!

This card features an older image from Penny black called Ginger Girl.  I stamped it onto X-Press It cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink.  I colored the image with Copic markers.  I stamped the image again onto some patterned paper from The Paper Studio and paperpieced the dress.  I used a red Viva Pearl pen to color the hearts.

The sentiment is from Hero Arts and was stamped with Versafine Onyx Black.  A couple of enamel dots puts the finishing touches on this card.

Thanks for dropping by my blog today!

Birthday Greetings from a Dachshund

Today is my Dad's birthday. I have probably mentioned this before, but during my childhood he always wanted me to make him a handmade card for his birthday and Father's Day.  Perhaps he's the reason I grew into this cardmaking hobby.  I'd like to think so.

I made him this card using a Hero Arts stamp called "Holiday Dachshund", stamped with Marvy black ink onto X-Press It cardstock.  Colored, of course, with Copic markers.  I fussy cut the image and pop-dotted it onto a white card panel.  Washi tape runs along the base.  The sentiment, from an old Hero Arts set, was stamped with Versafine Onyx Black.  A few sequins put the finishing touches on this card.

Cool that this stamp deemed "Holiday Dachshund" can sure pass as a birthday stamp too.  Yay for versatility!

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Get Well Balloon

Perhaps I should put this in an envelope and mail it to myself.  Two and a half weeks of bronchitis and I'm going nuts with it.  Hope to be on the mend soon.

This card was actually made at the request of my husband.  He needed a card for a long time friend.

The digital image is from Sassy Cheryl's and is called "Who Burst Your Balloon?".  I printed it onto X-Press It cardstock and colored it with Copic markers.  The sentiment is from Hero Arts and was stamped with Versafine Onyx Black.

Here's to health for all!

Letter Sent With Love

Just a quick Valentine's Day card to sent with you, featuring the digital image of "Letter Sent with Love" from Sassy Cheryl's. 

Colored with Copic markers, and then fussy cut.  The sentiment panel uses a stamp from Hero Arts, stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink.  The patterned paper panel is from TPC Studio.

This made was made for the current (and last) challenge over on the Squigglefly Challenge Blog. 

So glad you dropped by my blog today!  Have a fabulous week.

You Make My Heart Sing

This is a Valentine I made using the Kraftin' Kimmie set "You're A Rockstar" by Cheryl Grant. 

I stamped the image with Memento Tuxedo Black ink onto X-Press It cardstock.  I colored the image with Copic markers. I masked it with masking film. Then I stamped a large background music stamp from Hero Arts with SeaShells Sandal (note to self, use something darker), and sponged around the image panel.  The sentiment is from the Kraftin' Kimmie set, and the heart was cut from a scrap of Graphic 45 patterned paper, using a Nestabilities die.

This card seems perfect for the current challenge (#261) on the Kraftin' Kimmie's Challenge Blog, "Sing A Song".

Thanks for visiting my blog today!

Doodling Around

Time to doodle!  There's a new challenge over on the Sassy Cheryl's Challenge Blog...doodling!  Make sure you play along for your chance to win free digital stamps from Sassy Cheryl.

For my card (the card my husband refers to as the card with dead flowers on it), I printed the image from the Sassy Cheryl's digital stamp set "Funky Flowers" onto X-Press It cardstock.  I colored with Copic markers, and played around a little bit doing a yellow color was over the purple flowers.  Hmm.   I added some white highlights with a Uniball Signo pen. After coloring, I cut around the image with detailed scissors and placed aside.

I stamped a large Hero Arts background stamp with Adirondack Pool.  I doodled a frame around the card panel, wrote the sentiment, drew the heart and placed the flowers into the scene.  A purple button and Baker's Twine are the finishing touches to this card.

So, I'm not too crazy about this card after my husband's comments...but, I am so happy to say SCHOOL'S OUT!  IT'S SUMMER!  I'll now have some time to re-do a card, if necessary.  LOL!

Summer Reading

For JUN13VSNB's challenge, "Summer Toys", we were to make a card depicting one of our favorite summer time toys growing up.  Call me a nerd, but I read a lot during the summer.  It was a time to read things that hadn't been "assigned" during the school year.

For my card, I stamped My Favorite Things "Flopsey Reading" onto X-Press It cardstock using Marvy black dye.  I colored the image with Copic markers, and cut using detailed scissors.  I rearranged the image a bit...the books and Flopsey's location.

The background was made using a background stamp from Hero Arts.  I stamped it with Versamark onto white cardstock and dusted with Pan Pastels.

The sentiment is also from MFT's "Flopsey Reading". 

The panels were cut with a Nestabilities die, including the one with the bright blue cardstock.

Ribbon treatment completes this little shaped card.

Eye Shadow

There is a Spring DT call for CAS Challenge cards on Splitcoast Stampers.  The first challenge posted is to "see what you can do with things like paint, wet embossing, re-inkers, etc. Take out that acrylic paint you bought on sale....break out your favorite colored embossing powders....try out some crackle paint or rock candy from Ranger....use your water brush or a wet paintbrush with your kids' water color paints (the 99 cent store ones are awesome!) ...... anything as long as it's not the usual ink and stamp."  The challenge is inspired by the Macy's cosmetics department.

With cosmetics on my mind, I decided to use eye shadow as the "theme" of my card.  Using my newly purchased Spellbinders {die}velop Foto Frames & {die}alogue Bubbles Die Set from A Jillian Vance Design I cut a foto with black cardstock two times.  I used both the die cut and the negative to ensemble the cosmetic compact, adding a sheet of acetate for the "lid" (though not really visible from the photo).  Then, using a Nestabilities circle die, I cut four circles from Curious Metallic Ice Gold Cryogen cardstock (it has a sparkle to it).  Then, I applied various shades of blue/purple Pearl-Ex/Perfect Pearls (not something I normally color with) using Versamark Watermark and a brush.  I sealed the colors with Workable Fixative and hairspray. I pop-dotted the lid to the base.

I sacrificed an cosmetic applicator by adhering it on the edge of my eye shadow compact.  On a piece of Georgia Pacific white cardstock, I stamped the sentiment from Paper Smooches "I Heart Art" set with Versafine Onyx Black. Then with a solid paint stroke stamp from Hero Arts inked with Versamark Watermark, I stamped across a portion of the sentiment and added some blue Pearl Ex and sealed it.  I framed the entire card with black cardstock.

Definitely CAS, and definitely fun to make.  Hope you can join in on the fun.  Thanks for visiting my blog today! 

Watering the Flowers

Today I was awakened to our first "Snow Day" off in two years!  Love having a surprise day off!  So, I decided to spend my day in my stamp room...just playing!  And play, I did.  I did my first ever Mixed Ability Challenge on Splitcoast.  Today's challenge is called "Water You Doing?", MIX4.  The challenge: to use water with water-based or water-soluble mediums on your project to make color MOVE!  A definite detour from what I normally do when papercrafting.

To make this card, I used a piece of 100% Cotton Cardstock Watercolor Paper from Marco's.  I used a paintbrush and painted the panel with water. Then, on a spare acrylic block, I added a drop of Adirondack Stream reinker and a drop of Adirondack Lettuce reinker.  I painted the panel with the reinkers and water, allowing the two colors to bleed together.  I sprayed some Sheer Shimmer Spritz Gold from Tsukineko onto the panel. Once dry, I took some bubble wrap that I dipped into some white gesso and stamped it onto the panel.

Then, I stamped a portion of a floral image from Innovative Stamp Creations (Nature Silhouette) with Versafine Onyx Black to create the stem.

The flowers are also from Innovative Stamp Creations (Art4Frames), and was stamped with Versafine Onyx Black onto a scrap of the 100% Cotton Cardstock Watercolor paper that was waterwashed with Adirondack Cranberry reinker.  I cut around the flowers and added them to the silhouette stem.

The sentiment is from Hero Arts.

I framed the panel with black cardstock and then placed onto a white cardstock.

Fun. Fun. Fun.   Thanks, Snow Day!

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.

Thank You Daisies

I'm delighted to share a card with you this evening. Thank you, relaxing weekend!

This card was made with a new digital image from KLM Designs. I printed the image called "Daisy Border" onto X-Press It cardstock. I colored the image with Copic markers and added brown buttons and embroidery floss to the center of the daisies. The sentiment is from Hero Arts and was stamped with Versafine Black Onyx ink. Patterned paper is from Lasting Impressions and was framed with brown cardstock.

This card was inspired by the current Inspiration Challenge #259 on Splitcoast. The daisy shown here Plaid Pony Vintage inspired my color choice.

Thank you for visiting today. I have lots of cards to share in the upcoming week, and I have FIVE days off starting on Wednesday...THANK YOU! Come back soon, as I hope with my upcoming time off, I'll add more to the "To Share" stash.

Tulips Triptych

When I took a look at today's Inspiration Challenge #242 on SCS, I was immediately drawn to the bright, warm background colors of this Tulips Triptych seen on the Novica site. I thought through sponging and with a tulip image from Hero Arts, I could somewhat capture the beauty.

I sponged panels with the following dye inks: Distress Ink fire brick, Distress Ink mustard seed, and Adirondack Butterscotch. I then stamped the solid tulip image with Adirondack Lettuce dye ink and Distress Ink fire brick, Distress Ink mustard seed, Marvy dye violet, and Whispers Whisper pink dye ink. I then did some shading and added some additional color to these stamped tulips with color pencils. I cut the tulips out and arranged onto the sponged panels. Other cardstock panels were also used to complete this card.

Like I said above, this creation was inspired by IC242, but also meets the requirements of some Dare to Get Dirty 2010 challenges, including DTGD10melmel and DTGD10kmahany.

Okay, now back to doing things I should be doing.

Sloopy Asked For Me

Those of you following the saga of me getting a wedding party together will be pleased to learn that I got Sloopy to ask her sitter if she would be in the wedding. And, thanks to Sloopy's efforts, I'm elated that she agreed to be a part of our special day.

I decided to make the front of the card seem like any other card. This would fit Sloopy's personality. The Sloopy Dog looks out for herself first and is always demanding belly rubs. This adorable dachshund image is from Cowtown Stamps. I stamped the image with Marvy dye black ink onto Georgia Pacific cardstock. I colored it with Copic markers and cut it out to adhere to the patterned paper panels. The speech bubble and sentiment are computer-generated. Patterned paper, black cardstock, ribbon and adhesive pearls were also used to complete the front of this card.

The inside of the card is where the question is asked...I altered a Cowtown Stamps dachshund image by placing a bouquet from Hero Arts into the mouth of the dog. These images, like those on the front of the card, were also stamped with Marvy dye black onto Georgia Pacific cardstock and Colored with Copic markers. Patterned paper, black cardstock, and computer-generated speech bubble and sentiment were also used to complete the inside of the card.

Thanks, Sloopy, for helping The Mommy. And thanks so much to the recipient of this card for being a special friend to me! I'm honored to have you in our wedding.

Be In My Wedding?

I have had the hardest time asking my friends to be in our wedding party due to their busy, hectic lives. Also in my thinking is who really wants to wear a bridesmaid's dress? No one. I wouldn't.

But, I am absolutely thrilled, honored and so very grateful that the recipient of this particular card has agreed to stand beside me on our very special day.

Since I'm a wimp and couldn't even ask face-to-face, I made this card in hopes that it would do all the work. I used the digital stamp "Happy Mother's Day" from My Favorite Things and altered it so that the lady was carrying a bouquet rather than the original flower pot. I did this by printing the image and cutting out the lady's body and using it as a template to trace. I then stamped a bouquet image from Hero Arts. All images are on Georgia Pacific cardstock and are colored with Copic markers.

The sentiment is computer-generated on patterned paper, and was punched using an EK Success paper punch. Texturized cardstock and Martha Stewart adhesive pearls were also used to create this card. The inside of the card has the recipient's name with a question mark.

Thanks so much to my dear friend for agreeing to take a part in our day!

Stay tuned, because I hope to have two friends with me on our wedding day. Another card is under construction.