Friday, December 31, 2010

Happy New Year!

I just wanted to stop in for a few minutes, and wish all of my stamping and blogging friends a very happy, healthy, prosperous, and safe New Year! May 2011 be everything you hope and more. You make me smile each and every time you stop by and leave me words of encouragement. I will return to regular posting by the beginning of the week. Until then, I just wanted to share this card!

Supplies:
Papers: GKD Pure Luxury, Memory Box
Stamps: Cup of Cocoa from Sweet N' Sassy, sentiment unknown
Ribbon: Really Reasonable Ribbon
Coloring: Colored pencils
Embellishments: Enamel Accents, Stickles, MM brad, MS punch around, MS snowflake,
Glossy Accents, party hat added digitally
With a little coaxing from my friend Carol, I would like to enter this guy in the Crazy for Cocoa Challenge. The current theme is celebrations! I think with his little party hat, he may just qualify!

Friday, December 24, 2010

December Rose Challenge

Normally the Rose challenge posts on the last Sunday of the month, but with the hustle bustle of the holiday, we were asked to post on Christmas Eve. Ms. Olga Rose is in charge of the December Challenge and she asked us to create a card that showed the true meaning of Christmas.I went with a nature scene, as I feel that all things come from nature. It's beauty surrounds us and reminds us everyday that we are blessed.

My background was created with lots of ink, torn paper, and sponging. The tree and deer stamps are from Amuse. A couple of the trees are cut and popped. The trees and snowflakes are all done with Sakura Glitter Pen. My sentiment is an unmounted that I bought in a lot so no clue on it's origin. I stamped it on an SU! punch and flanked it with clear gems for sparkle. Sorry I could not capture more of the glimmer on the trees.

I want to take this time to wish all of my blogging friends a very Happy Holiday! Be safe, be warm, and enjoy all of those precious little moments with family and friends. If the man in the big red suit is visiting you, I hope you were on the nice list this year! I will be back with regular posts very soon!

Saturday, December 18, 2010

The Grinch Game!

Hurry on over to Creative Clear Stamps blog and play the Grinch Game! There are fabulous prizes to be won! http://creativeclearstamps.blogspot.com/

It's really easy to play along, honest!

OBJECT: To help locate and capture the Grinch and recover all stolen property from Laura Lou Who. REWARD: SLEIGH FULL OF BLOG CANDY (minus the sleigh) (minimum prize value $100.00)
Head on over and check out all the rules! What fun!

Friday, December 17, 2010

Crazy Busy!


I sure hope that things begin to calm, and I am back to posting regularly, very soon! This week has been wild! My DS moved into his first place on Wednesday, and on Thursday, he proposed to the love of his life! After six years, she knows him for himself and accepts his zany personality! She said yes! This wedding will NOT be in 2011 like the other! Bear with me with this photo, because the box has a light in it! My DD was home for all of the excitment and just left for North Jersey. Finally, I get to sit and type!

I think I officially finished my Christmas shopping, yesterday. All that needs to be done now is a wee bit of baking. Not doing the normal, because I refuse to gain weight back over this holiday!!!!!! Hope every one's holiday prep is perking along nicely, and that I see you all again real soon. Thanks for letting me share!

Thursday, December 9, 2010

The Right Tree

We are still in the deep freeze here in PA. After taking a count, I believe I only need to make 6 more cards! Woo Hoo! They will be cute but flat so that I don't have to do a P. O. run again. I hit it good when I went the other day, but I am sure it is not pretty now. This is a card that I made for some very special people. I hope they enjoy the humor!

I used a new stamp that is from Eat Cake Graphics. I just had to have it! It was so fun to color with my Copics and sponge with SU! inks. I use blue/grey, black and heavy white card stock. For sparkle, I used my old standby, Diamond Stickles and Rangers Enamel Accents for my dimensional snowflakes and the pups nose. The punched border is one I found at Mike's from E.K.Success and then inked with Old Olive. I added a glittered snowflake and gem. What do you think?

I would like to enter this in the following:

Freshly Brewed Challenge #26- Sparkle and Shine

Inky Impressions Challenge- Christmas

Okay, time to shower and get some banana bread in the oven! I have 3 brown bananas staring at me. Hmmmmm.... might need to turn these into early gifts. Have a great day!

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

The Holidays Make Me Punchy!

My card for today is an experiment using my MS corner punches. My friend Olga has been using them for some time to create beautiful focal points for her images. All you do is create any circle or oval, and line up the corner punches and go to town! You may end up with the last punch being kind of wonky, but that can be covered with flowers or bows.

My white card base was was run through the Cuttlebug with a holiday EF. I added a couple of strips of thin red cs. I highlighted a few of the embossed words rows with Poppy Parade ink from SU!. I used the Embroidered Floral corner punch for my larger circle. Isn't it cool how it comes out looking like a star? My center circle uses the Scroll Lace corner punch. I layered them and added a MM poinsettia to the center. My ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon. My only stamp is from Heartfelt Creations HCPC 3353 Cardinal Family PreCut Set, and colored with Copics. For accents I used Stickles, MS Branch punches, and sticky pearls.

I would like to enter this in the following challenges:
Joan's Gardens Challenge #25- Use only Heartfelt Creation stamps
Stampin' Sisters in Christ- White with touches of red

Don't forget the wonderful challenge that is going on over at Joan's Gardens! If you stop over and check out the fabulous prizes, you may decide to enter! Thanks for coming by and just know that I appreciate each of you.

Monday, December 6, 2010

Daisy Patch Birthday

Well, I don't know about you guys, but that was one fast paced, crazy weekend! I did get a few holiday chores completed, so that was good. My tree is up, but I am sure I will add a few more things today. I alternate how I decorate each year, and this year is all of the cute ornaments. My DS helped do the top, since he is 6'3", and he got to put on the angel I use every year, which is from 1927. It was bought for my mom the year she was born. Then I know she is looking down on me, and sharing my holiday mayhem.

Okay, today I have a birthday card that I created using Heartfelt Creation stamps. My dp is from Cosmo Cricket. I then stamped leaves from HCPC 2254 Leafy Swirls PreCut Set with Memento Rich Cocoa ink directly onto the dp. They were colored with YG91 Putty, Copic Marker. The reverse side of my dp is a solid rusty/reddish rose. I used that side to stamp assorted daisies from my HCPC 3318 Daisy Patch Flowers PreCut Set in Versamark. I then added gold detail EP and heated. The centers of my flowers, were colored with Lipstick Red Copic R29, and then covered in Glossy Accents. They were cut and popped over the leaves. My happy birthday is from an EF, since neither of my Heartfelt sets used had a sentiment. The embossing is highlighted with Poppy Parade ink from SU!

I will be entering this in Joan's Gardens 25th Challenge. You must go check it out! There are amazing prizes to be won!

Happy Monday to all! I am out of here, and going to try to get into the Post office parking lot. This is all about timing during the holidays. Wish me luck.....

Friday, December 3, 2010

Joan's Gardens Challenge #25


I have gotten so many Heartfelt Creations stamps lately, I just can't let them sit here with such a super challenge at hand! As I said in yesterdays post, Joan's Gardens is celebrating it's 25th challenge, and with that, Heartfelt Creations has donated a huge prize package. Joan has also donated prizes to spice up the pot! Please try to find time to play, and if not at least check out the amazing work that is being submitted!!!

My card uses the Holly Scroll stamp #715F and to of the tiny cardinals from the Cardinal Family PreCut Set # HCPC3353. The scroll is a perfect size as a focal image for a smaller card. Mine is 4 1/4". My base is red and black card stock from Gina K. Designs and a dp from the new Basic Grey Curio collection. My images were colored with Copic Markers and popped off the card. I added a bit of Diamond Stickles for shimmer and my accents are black organza ribbon and olive green gems.

We are having a stretch of frigid weather here in PA, but nothing like some of our close neighbors, having so much of the white stuff. Hope you have a great weekend! Stay warm!

Thursday, December 2, 2010

A Heartfelt RAK

The 25th Challenge over at Joan's Gardens is going to be quite spectacular! There is a huge prize involved! The two rules are that you MUST use only stamps from Heartfelt Creations, and you must be or become a follower of Joan's Blog. Joan also has a wonderful hop full of inspiration and prizes going on. You must go check it out here!

I belong to the RAK group over at Stamp TV, and a special request came in from a mother that had recently lost her daughter. The mom had promised to decorate the girls room for Christmas. She said she would be happy for any handmade ornaments that she could add to the tribute. It is very hard to refuse the request of a child. From what I understand, she had fought a long and courageous battle.

My first instinct was to make mine with the adorable snowman from Heartfelt Creations set HCPC 3342, Snowmen Melt Your Heart PreCut Set. I started with chipboard discs and even pulled out my Zyron to make sure everything adhered. I stuck with cool blues and did my coloring with Copic Markers. My reverse side has the sentiment. My embellishments are silver cording and sticky beads, dew drops, Mica flakes, and snowflake and branch punches from MS.


Take time to do that little extra something this holiday season. It will make you feel so good. I must add that my own DD just informed me she will be applying to be a bell ringer for the Salvation Army. You go, Dee! Proud of you! Thanks for stopping by!

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

A little 3D

Today I would like to share with you a little basket I created for the color challenge at Stamp TV this week. I normally keep those projects strictly over there, but I wanted to show the other photos, and I was limited to one over there.


The body of the basket was created using a template and stamp from the Rubber Cottage. I must admit that it was fun, except for the lid. I think that what I ended up doing will work for my purposes.
After I cut out the pieces of the template and scored my lines, I stamped the basket weave stamp that is included with Bermuda Bay ink from SU!. I then highlighted each weave with a Frost Blue Copic marker. Everything was adhered with Score Tape and small silver brads attached the pieces. Melanie Muenchinger's new Year of Borders set, designed for Gina K. Designs, was stamped across the lid with Old Olive ink, and then colored with Copics. The flower center were dotted with Enamel Accents, that makes the dots 3D. My basket lid is Ocean Mist CS and lined with a piece of Basic Grey, Eskimo Kisses. The handle is Green Apple CS. Both are Pure Luxury from Gina K. Designs. I created the closer with a circle punch, brad and hemp twine loop. After all that, I just had to make a coordinating tag using Melanie's Year of Flowers set.

I would like to enter this into a few Christmas challenges:
Just Us Girls: 3D challenge
Christmas Stampin' : Anything goes
Bunny Zoe's: Christmas but not a card
Stamp Insanity: Try something new
Freshly Brewed: Christmas/Winter Theme
Inktegrity Design: Anything goes
Fab n' Funky: Going with the flow
Stamp and Create: Tis the Season

Hope you like my project, and stop back again real soon!

Sunday, November 28, 2010

My First Project as a Rose!

As one of the newest flowers in the bouquet, I would like to present my very first project. Connie Rose is project coordinator this month, and has asked us to make a book mark. I won't go into details, but let's just say our little packets of supplies did not arrive due to a technical malfunction out of her control. Being the strong Roses that we are, we created beautiful bookmarks to accomplish the task. Please take time to visit the other Roses, Sue, Connie, Olga, Patti, Kerrie, Betty, who is on hiatus, and Kym.

I started with chipboard and made mine a wee bit on the long side, as I am more of a magazine reader and it would work much better. The designer paper is from Little Yellow Bicycle. Since I just received some new Pure Luxury card stocks for my birthday, I had a few new choices, and decided to go with the Smoky Slate as an accent. I used a Labels Four Spellbinders die, scored and folded in half as my top feature. I then cut ovals in the same Slate and smaller in white as my focal image. The saying I thought was inspirational and came from my stash of unmounteds which are unknown. I added stitching with a white gel pen and felt leaves to decorate. I drilled a hole and added hemp twine with the ends sandwiched in circle punches and a felt leaf added to dangle.

That is it for this morning, I hope you have a glorious Sunday!

Saturday, November 27, 2010

A Very Special Thank You!

Sorry I have been a real slacker the last few days. I truly tried to enjoy the holiday and go with the flow. Yesterday was spent shopping and celebrating my Birthday! I want to thank all of my sweet stamping friends for their thoughts, cards and well wishes. You all made it very special this year! I am quite use to a quiet day, but I was greeted with a stack of mail when I returned home.

My card was created using a new Heartfelt Creation stamp that I recently acquired. I just love it! It is called Baby Bluebirds and is # 815E. If you have a few minutes, check out all of the newly released goodies. They are gorgeous! My image was colored with Copics, sponged with Pear Tart ink form SU!. My papers are from K&Co's Madeline collection. I added white pearls and some soft green fiber as my accents.

Here is hoping that the rest of you're weekend is super! Be warm and be safe.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

So Thankful For You

I had such a fun time with my New stamps from Heartfelt Creations, making my last card, I had to keep playing. This card uses the stamps from HCPC3328 Swirly Autumn Leaves PreCut Set. It was colored with Copic Markers and Stickles and Glossy Accents were added. My designer paper is from Little Yellow Bicycle and a paper doily was added. I muddied up all of my edges with Vintage Photo Distress Ink, and added a few blue gems and some gold cording as accents.

This is a quickie post, and I hope it finds everyone well on this pre-holiday Tuesday! Thanks for stopping by for a look see!

Monday, November 22, 2010

Joan's Gardens Challenge #24

This week, with the holiday fast approaching, the challenge at Joan's Gardens has us creating a project which includes the following:

1. Create a Thanks giving card.
2. Use something Fallish such as Leaves, Pumpkins or Indian Corn (if you don't have a stamp use a leaf from your tree.
3. The color Green.
4. Some kind of swirl or vine.

I was able to get some great Heartfelt Creations stamps last week during one of Joan's sales. They were just perfect for this challenge!

My card was created using HCPC 3329 Pumpkin/Autumn Vines Pre-cut Set. The sentiment was taken from HCPC 3328 Swirly Autumn Leaves PreCut Set. I used a layer of dp from the Memory Box, Blackbird collection. Images were embossed with gold detail powder and colored with Copic Markers. The vines were all hand cut. I added a few olive pearls as accents. That's about it!

I know it is a busy week for everyone so if I don't get to say it later, Happy Thanksgiving! My kids came yesterday and we had a huge turkey dinner. Today I am using as a rest day! Six hours of cooking, 10 minutes of eating, and hours of clean up. Still, I know we are so blessed!

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Sleigh Ride

I have been getting quite a good jump on my Christmas cards and thought I would share one that I just finished. I recently won this large stamp on Ebay for 99 cents, so this is the first time I am stamping with it. It is an older stamp from Hampton Art Stamps, but it delivered nice crisp lines.

After starting with Green Apple Pure Luxury card stock as a base, I added dp from Memory Box and their Mistletoe collection. Next was more PL in Onyx Black. My image is colored in Copics and sponged with Baja Breeze ink from SU! I have been using this color a lot but it is the shade that suits me most, with the newer papers. The sentiments are from Theresa Momber's stamp set called Very Merry Christmas, and is available through Gina K. Designs. I added Stickles for sparkle and an inked flower from Making Memories.

On a personal note, I would like to tell my friend Patti and her DH, that they are in my thoughts. Here is hoping for good news today. The mailman brought me a gorgeous card and goodie from across the big pond , so I want to thank Sue W. Olga, I received your card yesterday after I posted and it is just beautiful! Thank you all for making me feel so special. This birthday is starting early and I am loving it. Have a great day, everyone!

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Penguins and Snowflakes!

It has been quite a few weeks since I was able to do the Speedy the Cats Friends Challenge, but when I saw that I had to add a snowflake, I knew I had to fit this one in! I decided to use an image of Mo Manning's called Penguin with Gift. I just loved coloring it and I hope I did this cute little guy justice.

Copics were my choice for coloring. I tried creating a winter background for him by adding some swirls by hand to the ground to create snow. I traced the swirls with Diamond Stickles for sparkle. My sky was a very old snowflake stamp that has the maker so worn, I can't read it. The sponging and snowflakes are all in Baja Breeze ink from SU!. My base is Onyx Black Pure Luxury with a dp from K&Co. The ribbon was part of the monthly club from Really Reasonable Ribbon. As for my large snowflake, it is an MS punch, sponged with Baja Breeze, coated in Versamark, sprinkled with UTEE, and then heated 2x. I added a glitzy center by Recollections and.

I really hope you like this little guy as much as I do. I didn't realize until I went back to make sure of the image name that his gift under his arm, is a wrapped fish!!! How cute is that? Very windy day ahead of me here in PA. The news is saying that it flipped around planes at the airports. Yikes! Be safe out there!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Have You Tried This?

After hopping to may blogs, and seeing lots of these medallions, I thought I would try making one myself. Now I did not use the die that is just out on the market, but rather, I used a border punch and a score board. It was quite interesting trying to get the thing folded, flipped inside out, and stuck to a base circle all in one step.

Since I always make birthday, holiday and sympathy cards, I decided to add to my Anniversary stash. I used a new silver gilding ink around the lacy part of the medallion. the flower is from Prima, called Fabric Fancies and was already glittered. The dp is Making Memories and the black card stock is Pure Luxury from Gina K. Designs. Pearls were added as accents.

That was a little easier! Something tells me I have a 25th anniversary looming somewhere, in which case I can glitter 2 numbers and add them. Have a wonderful day, my faithful friends!

Monday, November 15, 2010

Joan's Gardens Challenge #23

I started on this card for Joan's Gardens Challenge around 5 a.m.. I had no idea where it was going, but I was determined to fit in all of the requirements. Here is what they are.......

1. Create a Window card (Create an opening on the front of the card to see the image stamped inside.)
2. Use Christmas Ornament - or something similar
3. Some thing Gold
4. Something fuzzy

So far, I have shown you the inside of my card. My ornament is a clip on glass bird form Flourishes set called All That Glitters. My designer papers are from Memory Box and the card stocks are from Gina K. Designs. I used Nestabilities Beaded Oval and Scalloped Oval dies under my bird. The sentiment is from GKD stamp set called Festive Frame by Melanie Muenchinger. I did some sponging with Rich Cocoa, Memento ink and then threaded some fuzzy fiber from Adornaments, and tied a bow. Next I turned my attention to the ornament and decorated his tail, beak, and legs with Champagne gold Stickles. The rest of the bird was coated in Glossy Accents.
Where is my window you ask? Well, this was the hard part. I thought about cutting an oval that was divided equally on the front panels, but it just was not working. I decided to add an 1 1/4 inch hole, just big enough for the birds head to peek out. I ran a metallic gold Sharpie around the hole to make it look finished. An MS border punch was used to dress up the front. I needed to create a closer so I cut an oval in half, used the gold Sharpie on the scallops and added gold beads. A Velcro circle was halved and positioned under the closer.

Phew, what do you think? That is what I call some serious playing! I may even do a little more on the front. Maybe a border stamp? I sure do love the inside, though!

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Trying Something New

A friend and fellow Rose, Kym, does lots of these beautiful 3D cards. Olga Rose asked her the other day where we might find some of the sheets she uses. She was gracious enough to share a few places, and I thought I would try it out.

It just so happens that tomorrow is my DH's birthday, and I wanted a card to give him from our furry baby, Jessie. We always kid that we should have a Lab in each color, so I thought this would be fitting.

My card base is SU! Soft Suede that I ran through the Cuttlebug in a Swiss Dot EF. I added a layer of forest green scrap card stock, and then started to build my scene. There are 3 popped layers and then the black pups head. I must admit, this was really fun! I can see me doing these in between, when the mojo is low. I layered my sentiment on some SU punches and then added piercing. The card was finished with a couple wraps of hemp twine.

Thanks for taking a look. I hope to get in some quality play time today, so I may be back.
UPDATE: You guys are tough, lol! Here is a link to the free sheet. http://www.3dsheets.tripod.com/index.html

Thursday, November 11, 2010

It's Veterens Day!

I decided to post a photo of a card that I had created for my Cousin, awhile back. She had just lost her Dad, and I wanted to honor him. This is a photo of 3 Brothers. Mike, Joe, and Paul. They all served at the same time during WWII. Although they served in different branches, they all saw action, and were able to come home, marry, and raise families.

They grew up in a tiny little borough in PA, and I remember as a little girl, hearing the stories of how my Grandmother was the only lady in her town who had a silk banner with 3 stars, hanging in her front window. They hung these so people would know they had someone from the household fighting in the war. The handsome Navy man in the middle, is my Dad, Joe. He was the finest man I will ever know and I miss him dearly.

Anyhow, please take time today to think of friends and loved ones who have served or are still serving, so that we can be free. Attend a parade or a service. Perhaps, just speak their name softly during you're day.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

A Couple Of My Apple Cards

I have been trying to work on apple cards in my spare time, and I thought I would share a few of them. The lady does not need them until Spring, so I have plenty of time.

Both cards use a new stamp I received from Heartfelt Creations. It is called Red Delicious #277E. It has a white card base, followed by a layer of Basic Grey. My plaid panel was made using my new Sizzix plaid EF. I ran ink pads directly onto the folder, and I love how the background came out! I added a row of stitched ribbon with a duo of metal and pearl brads. My sentiment is from Gina K. Designs, and was cut out with an oval Nestabilities die, mounted on double layered rectangles. My apples were colored with Copics and popped up.

My second card is again a white base, layered with Grass Green PL card stock, and a top layer of glittered paper from the DCWV Citrus collection. My sentiment is from Impression Obsession layered on Labels Fourteen Nestabilities. I stamped a checkerboard border with an old SU! stamp. Sorry, don't know the name but it is all apples. This time I colored my apples like Granny Smiths, in all green Copics. It is such a great stamp to color!

Okay need to get my hair out of it's towel and dress for work! Have a great day!

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Challenge Completed and Some News

The challenge for Joan's Gardens is #22 and again, Joan has a list of steps for us to follow.

A character ( preferably Magnolia or Sarah Kay)
Some thing that sparkles
Nestie by Spellbinders - New if you have one
Greeting

Joan, you always come up with great ideas! I started with a white card base layered with Pure Luxury Innocent Pink and paper from the Olivia collection from Basic Grey. My character is from Sarah Kay and is called Sweeping. The sentiment I chose to coordinate is a digi that is an unknown . Both were cut out with Spellbinder Nestabilities Long Classic Scalloped Rectangles Small. Say that 3x fast...... LOL! For sparkle I added some Making Memories glittered flowers with Dewdrop centers and a shimmery bow. All of the images were sponged with SU! inks and colored with Copics.

Now, on to my news! There is a special group of ladies that formed over at Stamp Tv, and they call themselves "The Roses". Well, today I was asked to become part of the bouquet! I am so honored! The group does a special challenge each month and posts the last Sunday. The members take turns hosting. As I get more detail, I will be sure to fill in my followers. Thanks again, ladies, I shall now bear the name Mary Anne Rose.

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Ornaments

Here is another card that I created using Flourishes Stamps. I remember how excited I was to get this set, because I have many of these ornaments from when my Mom was a little girl. I still use the angel that was on the top of her very first Christmas tree.

I started with a layer of Jovial from Basic Grey on my base card. My next 2 layers are Lipstick Red and Sweet Corn, Pure Luxury card stock from Gina K. Designs. The Flourishes set that I used is called All That Glitters. I decided to use a sentiment from Christmas Tea. Branch of Old Olive were stamped across the top of my panel to give the ornaments a place to hang from. I staggered the sizes of ornaments I stamped and colored them with Copic Markers. Glossy Accents were added in strategic areas and then sprinkled with fine glitter, for sparkle. Gold cording was wrapped on my corners and tied in a bow.

Copic colors I used were: 0, BG000, BG05, BG07, C1, E55, E57, G05, N5, R24, R29, V04, Y17 and YG06

Thanks for you healthy wishes. I am on the mend. Have a great day!

Friday, November 5, 2010

Cup of Friendship

Last Christmas, I received some gorgeous stamp sets as gifts. As the holiday cards had all been sent, I saved them for this year. Boy, are this set is fun! It is from Flourishes, and is called Christmas Tea.
I started was a white base and then added a layer from the Basic Grey Jovial collection. I added two wraps of ribbon, Two glittered brads on silk poinsettias, and lots of color with my Copic Markers. Behind the teacups, I dotted with Crystal Accents let it dry and then used weathered wood Distress ink to make the dots pop.

The Copic colors used are: C1, C3, C5, B0000, B00, BG05, BV29, E35, R24, R29, Y17, YG06, and YG17.

Fighting a tummy bug here so I will keep this short. Have a wonderful weekend!

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Heavy Heart

Pets become such important parts of our lives, and it hurts terribly when they leave us. Our best friends lost their doggie the other day to old age. He was one of the smartest dogs I have ever had the pleasure to have met. Sad to say, it was his time to run and play in greener fields.

I made this card to help ease their pain a bit. My base is Ivory with layers of Chocolate Kiss and Lipstick Red Pure Luxury. I used a poem that I recently bought at a convention from Purrs and Pants Stamps. I distressed the panel with Vintage Photo, Distress Ink. My hydrant and bones are from an old SU! set that does not have it's name. I colored them with Copics, popped up the hydrant over some stitched ribbon. The bones and part of the hydrant were coated in Glossy Accents.

Have a good day!

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Poinsettia Time!

Recently, I was lucky enough to win a gift certificate from Patti J.'s blog, called Cherish Each Precious Day. Thanks again, Patti! I chose my certificate from Heartfelt Creations, and was able to choose some very lovely things! This card is created using a couple of them.

To begin, I stamped the HFC Open Poinsettia stamp 1461D, onto Basic Grey Fruitcake paper 2x with VersaMark and embossed with gold detail ep. I cut both out and layered, but removed some of the petals for my top layer. I added Crystal Effects to the center and used Dewdrops as accents. I outlined all of my petals inside the gold embossing using a Copic marker #R39.

My card base is Pure Luxury Soft Sand card stock with a layer of the reverse side of my BG Fruitcaker paper. The paper has distressed edges but I added a wee bit more with Vintage Photo Distress Ink. I stamped my leaves which are from the HFC set called Leafy Swirls PreCut HCPC 2254. I again embossed with gold detail and colored my leaves with Copic colors # G00 and BG10. As I use to scrapbook quite a bit, most of my older Basic Grey is in 12x12 size and the collections included adhesive letters that have been neglected. I decided to use them to form my sentiment, in the hope of using them up.
My poinsettia was mounted to the front, and I decorated the inside, leaving that sentiment to be determined later. Hope you like! Happy Hump Day!

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

My Blog Has "Tude"!

My friend Olga, gifted me with this awesome new award. Thanks so much, buddy! If you follow all the directions that come with it, you can receive a $5.00 gift certificate from Digi's With Attitude. You can find all the specifics right here.
One of the rules of the award is that you must tell 3 unknown facts about yourself:

1) I recently lost 40 pounds.
2) I hate driving on roads that are not rural.
3) I secretly wish I had red hair.

Now I must hook up 5 deserving Bloggers:






Be sure to hook up your post to the Digi's With Attitude Challenge Blog!

Monday, November 1, 2010

November Already?


Yipes! Time is flying, and the temps are starting to dip. Just wanted to share a quick post with you all this morning. This card has been laying on my desk for a couple weeks. I try to keep cards like this on hand, but I just haven't found a challenge for it. I purchased this gorgeous Impression Obsession stamp while I was visiting my DD. We found such a good deal, that she had to get it also. My papers are from DCWV's Latte collection. I added wrinkle ribbon, Stickles, pearls, and a vintage button for my accents. I used the largest of the Labels Ten Nestie set and cut off the bumps to fit my image. This card has great sparkle but again, I can not make it pop.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and just know that I appreciate each and every visit!

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Holiday Wishes

Today I would like to share a card that I created with an adorable image from Mo Manning. It is Bismarck with a large bone. My card base and DP are both from DCWV. My image was printed on Pure Luxury white from Gina K. Designs, colored with Copics. I added Crystal Effects to the fur areas of the dogs hat and then sprinkled with Polar White Flower Soft. My corners were punched with an MS punch called Modern Garland, and then the edges were inked with Old Olive ink from SU!. Accents that were added, were a gingham bow and a red gem to the bone.
I will be entering this at:
Hope you are having an awesome autumn weekend!

Thursday, October 28, 2010

It Won't Be Long Now!

The temperatures have been a real roller coaster here in PA. It will not be long until the first snowy flakes start to fly! This week, the new weekly Challenge #21 at Joan's Gardens, has us following another list of fun instructions which include:Something from Nature but not flowers - Real or handcrafted (such as twigs, corn husks etc.)
Something Punched
Something Green
A background for your focal point such as a Spellbinders Nestie

I used a white A2 card for my base and added a layer of Memory Box dp. My next layer is card stock form DCWV in a pretty shade of apple green. The background for my focal image is a Sizzix EF that I inked in Baja Breeze and Pear Pizzazz ink form SU!. Touches of Stickles were added to the snowy background for sparkle. My punch is what is holding the sentiment and is also from SU!. The focal point from nature is my large snowflake. Ruffled white organza ribbon and a pearl and metal brad are the accents.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Sunday, October 24, 2010

A Second Entry?

I decided to do yet another card for the Challenge at Off The Wall Craftiness! Did I tell you that the prize is an assortment of bakers twine from The Twinery? How awesome is that?
My card base is ivory with a top layer of distressed green from Basic Grey. I created a panel of Soft Suede card stock stamped with a coffee background stamp from Hampton Art Stamps. The fancy edges of my sentiment, are an unmounted corner stamp I have had for years. Not sure where it or the UM sentiment are from, but I love the way they created a different shape when they were put together. The corner stamp was embossed in gold and colored in 2 Copic shades of brown. The sentiment was stamped in Cottage Ivy from Memento. I added a large take out cup of beverage from Rupa Shevde's set called My Cuppa Joe, which can be found at Gina K. Designs. A couple wraps of jute twine and some gold sticky beads, and I think I created a manly card for an under the weather gent.


I must also acknowledge this special badge I received from my sweet friend Carol, over at Our Little Inspirations. She is such a talented person, so please go pay her blog a visit. She is full of wonderful ideas! I know I am suppose to tell you 7 unknown facts about myself before passing this on, but you would start snoring.....! Please help yourself or take it to pass to a friend. I love all of my blogging buddies!

We are suppose to experience record high temps the next few days, here in PA! DH has taken a couple days off, and maybe we can get a bit of outside work completed before winter. Whatever you have in mind, have a wonderful Sunday.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

OTWC Challenge #30

As usual, Kim Wilson has given us a beautiful inspiration piece for this weeks challenge! Look at all of these woodsy colors and textures. I am always happy when I get to do the challenges over at Off The Wall Craftiness!

My card base is Soft Suede card stock from SU! My DP is from Basic Grey. I found a scrap of a medium brown in my stash and used that to offset my shades. I printed my digital image in sepia tone. It is from Digital Designs By Elisa, and can be found in her Fall Dreaming Freebies. I pleated a strip of Soft Suede and hit the edges with Distress Ink. I then took my crackle stamp form Fiber Scraps, and distressed the pleats further. My embellishments are punched oak leaves, and a pretty metal and epoxy brad.

The inside of my card sports more leaf punches, a fall saying from MelanieMuenchinger's stamp set called A Year Of Leaves, which can be found at Gina K. Designs. I added strips of coordinating papers, and a small pumpkin digi from the same collection. It was punched out with a 1" SU! punch.

We had our first good frost this morning. The house was a wee bit chilly! I have a large brisket in the roaster and after this post I think I will bake a peach and and apple pie! Have a great weekend!

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Winter Foliage


I just had to give the Cardinal stamp set (HCPC3353) that I bought at the York show some inky love! Heartfelt Creations has so many gorgeous goodies, it was difficult to choose. I thought this set was a good choice since it can be used year round. I also used a Gina K. Designs set called Winter Foliage, that I recently bought. It is one of GKD's older sets but so useful. Loved being able to combine these 2 sets for a special look.

The card base is Soft Suede from SU!, with a layer of All Spruced Up, Pure Luxury card stock. My white, is also PL. Coloring is done with Copic Markers. I used the embroidered floral corner punch from MS. I used Diamond Stickles and MS Mica Flake Glitter for an icy look. I used a scalloped oval Nestabilities Die for my popped up sentiment. I added paper glaze to the bird eye, beak and feet.

Thanks so very much for the apple stamp/image suggestions. I knew I could count on you to jar my brain!

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Common Days and a Favor

I just love this medallion from the new SU! set called Day of Gratitude. This time I colored it with assorted Marvy Brush Markers and cut it out. After I hand cut it out, I had to find a proper background to display it on. What looks like a fancy DP is actually a shopping bag from a local scrapbook store. I then added a layer of very deep plum card stock that was run through the Cuttlebug with a TH Texture Fade.

My sentiment is stamped on another favorite new thing that my DD bought from SU!. What a go to punch! It just seems to fit so many sentiments. I added some rust Primas with DewDrop centers. I also cut green leaves from my Sizzix die that Olga gifted me with. Slight accents of Champagne Stickles were added to the Primas and Medallion.
I will be entering this at Just Inspirational Challenges who has an "Anything Goes" this week. Oops, the Paper Cutz Challenge #63, is also an "Anything Goes".

Now on to the favor! Please leave me comments that have reminders on who has great stamp sets that include apples and apple sayings. I have been asked to start making cards for a small operation that sells an apple product. I have lots of time, so please, if you can steer me in the right direction, I would so appreciate it! It does not matter if they are realistic or comical. Thanks in advance!

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Send It Up!


This week, Challenge #61 over at Stamping Sisters In Christ is all about prayer.

Challenge: Make a card/project that features prayer; either someone praying, or a verse about prayer, or a greeting that lets someone know you are praying for them. I was also planning on doing the sketch challenge over at Stamp TV, so I combined them.

I created a 4 inch square card using Pure Luxury Lipstick Red and Onyx Black. I found some red dot dp that I have had for ages. Know how I know that? It was 8 1/2 x 11! My sentiment is from a set called Lean On Me by Gina K. Designs. The round floral is also GKD and is called You Are Not Alone. I added red pearls and a bow made from red and white bakers twine that I received in my RRR monthly ribbon club pack.

Hope you are having a wonderful Sunday! Go Eagles and Phillies!

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Celebrating Love

Thursday was our 33rd wedding anniversary, and when I saw this image on my computer the other day, I was drawn to print and color. This is one of my very favorite images from Mo Manning. It is called "Seniors In Love". My card is all made with scraps of card stock and dp that was laying around my desk. I colored with Copics, and sponged my sky with Baja Breeze ink from SU!. I added a few sugared Primas to my front and my inside sentiment is "Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be".

Time goes by so quickly..... grab your honey and give a hug! Hope you have a blessed Autumn weekend!

Friday, October 15, 2010

OTWC #29 Treats Are A-Brewin*

It is hard to believe that Off The Wall Craftiness is hosting their 29th challenge already. This year is like a blur. I was working on this holiday card for the last few days and kept setting it aside. I don't do many for Halloween, but I found this sheet of dimensional witches and ghouls from K&Co in my stash. I am trying to use up some of the goodies I have accumulated. When I saw Kim's challenge for this week, the colors screamed Halloween!

My DP is from Basic Grey's Eerie pad with a strip of Soft Suede from SU! My cauldron is a digi image is from Robin's Artful Musings. I am adding this late, as I just found a new post for the image! My coloring was done with Copics and sponging was done with chalk inks. Stickles were added for extra sparkle. Extra pink was added by using adhesive pearls.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend, and that you enjoy my witchy!