Thursday, December 25, 2014

Merry Christmas!

 
     Another year has passed, and we have all had some crafting fun!  I want to wish you and yours a very happy holiday and a bright, fresh New Year, full of everything wonderful!

     As for my family, we will be celebrating over the weekend.  I can't wait to see the wonder in my grandson's eyes!

     Blessings to you all, and speedy recovery to all of those battling this dreaded flu bug! 

Hugs,
Mary Anne

Friday, December 19, 2014

My Friday Post!

 
     Hi friends!  I am still plugging along with holiday chores, but had to put up my Friends with Flair post for this week before Christmas.  I received my December KOM, the other day, and I fell in love with these little foxes, and the tree background that they were so generous to include.  A wish of mine was fulfilled with these trees, as I had asked for this many moons ago.  Just goes to show you, that they listen to their customers.

     I used kraft for my base and stamped on lots of white scraps that always accumulate on my desk.  I am very bad at grabbing a new sheet of white, when I start a project.  I stamped in Memento Rich Cocoa, and colored with assorted Copic markers.  My sentiment is from the October 2012 KOM.  There is added sparkle in the nooks of the trees and on the hearts using a clear star pen from Gelly Roll.

     Work has been a beast, so crafting time has been limited.  I would also like to enter this card at:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge:  Winter Inspiration
Pixie's Snippets Playground:  Snippets all the time

     Hope the last week before Christmas finds all of my blogging friends happy, and healthy!  Thanks for taking time to visit.

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Please Excuse this Holiday Interruption!

     Crafting has fallen by the wayside, so that holiday treat making can begin.  I am a little later than usual, this year, so things need to happen quickly!

 
     First up are the marshmallow cocoa stirs that I made.  They are in card bags for A2 cards, and my sentiment is from Sweet n Sassy Stamps.  The bottoms of the marshmallows are dipped in chocolate and crushed candy canes for perfect melting in a warm drink.

 
     Next I made some of the checkerboard pretzels with mini Snickers dipped in white chocolate and sugar.  How easy!  You place the mini bar of your choice on the first pretzel, and heat in oven for 3 minutes at 300*, then slap on the top pretzel.  Dip as desired!  I have also made another version of this with just a bottom pretzel, a Rolo, and a pecan half.  Yum!

 
     Cookies started with the ever loved Snickerdoodle!  I believe today I am making raspberry thumbprints. 

     It just does not feel like Christmas without massive treats to share.!  Thanks for the visit.

Friday, December 12, 2014

Happy Friday!

 
     Not sure how it became Friday again, but it's here, so lets deal with it!  LOL!  It also means Friends with Flair, and I have a Christmas ornament I made for this weeks linky party.  There are also some fun, new releases over at the Unity shop you must check out.  Visit Friends with Flair for some amazing inspiration!

     I will be honest, in that I have not had very much time to play with my November, Unity KOM.  I wanted to do something different, and remembered an ornament I saw on Pinterest a few days ago.  It was made in a similar fashion, but I decided to use one of my Unity stamps as a focal point in the center.

     It started with an open ring cut from chipboard with my classic circle SB dies, in the 2 largest sizes.  Using a low temp glue gun I added my vintage openwork lace.  Next came a row of ivory buttons, and a hanger with bow out of navy velvet.  I applied a navy cording to the inside edge.  Birds are always a popular subject, so I stamped the beautiful bird stamp from the kit with Midnight Muse ink form SU!.  I added some Old Paper Distress Ink, to give it a move ivory tone.  It was cut out with the largest SB circle die and glued to the back, to finish it off.  It looked so pretty added to my tree!

     Thanks for visiting, and I hope that all of your holiday prep is coming together.  Only a short 2 weeks to go!

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Bling It On!

 
     Well, here we are at 2 weeks till Christmas, and I am still trying to finish up some cards.  I saw that this weeks challenge at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge, is to Bling It On, so here is what I came up with.

     I used a Darice embossing folder and scraps of white card to create my background.  I inked the folder with SU! inks.  My snowman was printed and colored with Copics.  He is from Spyder's Corner.  The sentiment was also printed from TLC Creations.  They are so generous with the daily freebie!  The only added embellishment are crystal gems.  The snow scape are ripped pieces of white card, with the edges inked.

     I absolutely love the way this EF looks inked!  Hope you do, also.  I will also be entering this over at Pixie's Snippets Playground # 154, since I was a good crafter, and used up all of my scraps to create this.

     Hope your holiday chores are perking along!

Friday, December 5, 2014

Friends with Flair

    
 
     Just a real quick post of a card I made for some very dear friends.  It uses a very pretty Unity sentiment, some fall paper pieces, some very narrow Washi tape, and 2 embossed punched hearts w/pearls. 

      I would like to enter this for Friends with Flair this week.

     BTW, Angela has another wonderful sale going on this weekend.  Stop over to the store and take a look see.  I am sure there is something that you have been dying for!

     Have a great weekend.  It is suppose to rain for days here.  Great excuse to stay in and finish decorating the tree, and writing out my cards.  I always enjoy when you visit!

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Making Little Scenes

 
     Not going to work today, so I decided to play with some older stamps, and new ideas.  I scored a pack of kraft card stock at Michael's the other day, and it was on super sale.  I am usually true to my brand, but I figured I could whip out some quick Christmas cards, that would be easier to send.

     This first card uses a white chalk marker for the snow drifts, unicorn white ink from Hero Arts for the moon and falling snow, and tiny stars from Recollections.  I just bought all of the stars that they had, as I think I am addicted to them.  I will list stamps at the end.

 
     My second card uses the Lawn Fawn, Stitched Hillside Borders, which was a gift from my DS for my birthday.  I am going to get lots of use out of these!  It also has a dimensional snowman from K&Co.  I have a huge pack of these, and now have the perfect setting for them.


     Card three does not have as much going on, and is using a different snowman.  I still love the stitched slopes!  So fun!

Here is a list of the assorted stamps used:
Sentiment- Unity
Snow dots- Stamps by Judith
Trees- DJ Design Company
Left facing deer- Stampscapes
Deer duo- DJ Design Company
Flying bird- Ann-ticipations 2001

I also used Diamond Stickles, and a Stardust pen for my sparkle.

I would like to enter these cards over at Pixie's Snippets Playground Week 153
Also at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge for their Anything Goes week.

     Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope to see you again soon!

Friday, November 28, 2014

FwF on Black Friday!

 
     How did it ever get to be the day after Thanksgiving already?  I am as busy as can be, but I just wanted to post for Friends with Flair.  I have one last Thanksgiving card I would like to share. It uses a sentiment and leaf stamp from the September 2014, Unity Kit of the Month.

     My card includes orange card stock and a background created using and old SU! stamp called Pindot Plaid.  My ink is Tangelo Twist.  I place the sentiment on a small manila shipping tag, and the rest are embellishments.  They include burlap, a metallic pumpkin sticker, and a jeweled fabric button from K&Co.
    
     That is it for today.  If you are into the shopping madness, I hope you get all the goodies you are on the hunt for.  Me, I am off to work, to see what Black Friday hold for me there.  Thanks for the visit!

Friday, November 21, 2014

Friends with Flair!

 
     Heidi-Ho, stamping pals.  Today I am posting some tags that I created with the October 2012 Unity KOM.  Friends with Flair, is one of my favorite days. I also wanted to remind everyone that there is an amazing sale going on in the Unity shop, called the Brown Thursday Sale.   How can you pass up $20+ kits for $4.95.  Eek!  The new releases are so cute!  I also saw that this KOM is reduced to $22, so hurry!



     Anyway, back to my tags.  This KOM is one of the favorites during the holiday as it has everything you need to create those special touches on hand made gifts and goodies.  It is a little early here for me to start baking, but now I am ready to tie and give.

     I used kraft card stock for Gina K. Designs, and punched my tags with the tag topper punch from SU!.  I stamped my images in Memento ink, and then added the snowy dots and the flakes with Hero Arts unicorn white.  Coloring was done with Copic markers, The white on the trees is with the SU! chalk marker, and I used a Stardust pen to twinkle up the trees.  I added brown and white bakers twine for attaching.

     Hectic week around here.  I have to work tonight to set up for our Christmas preview at 8 am, tomorrow.  That is all of the donations of Christmas items that generous people have donated all year long.  Then, tomorrow, I am cooking our Thanksgiving dinner, as the family all has to work next Friday, and can't make it home for Thursday. It will be a fun weekend!  There are going to be some good smells coming from this kitchen!  Thanks for stopping by.

    

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Filling Holiday Orders

 
     Everyone seems to be needing a little of this and that to add to their holiday list.  I was given a request by 2 co-workers, for Mother cards.  I was finally able to come up with a design, so I will be using it for both.  I love a good easel card!  Since I worked real hard at using up all of my white pieces, I would like to take this over to Pixie's Snippets Playground # 151. 

 
     My base is Neenah white, and the red sparkle stripe is very thick, and is from American Crafts.  The stamps are from Flourishes Christmas Candles SS172.  The dies are Spellbinders scalloped oval, and Sweet n Sassy's mother die.  Sponging was done with SU! real red, and the coloring was done with Copic markers.  Embellishments are a paper doily, red gems, and touches of Stickles.

I would also like to enter this at the:
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge-  Christmas

     Thanks for stopping by, and if you are in the grips of this Polar Vortex, stay safe and warm.

Friday, November 14, 2014

Sharing for Friday Flair!

    
 
     Happy Friday morning, Unity friends!  We had our first snow of the season, last evening.  Some got more than others, and it did not last.  The cold air, however, is hanging around.  Today I would like to share a card I made as an order for a lady at work.  I grabbed my kit of the month and just went to work.  For that reason, I will share this for Friends with Flair today.

     Here is the supply list:
Stamps:  Unity Nov. 2014 KOM
Paper:  Card stock, Gina K. Designs- Blue Raspberry, Dp, Pebbles-Family Ties collection
Punches:  Martha Stewart butterfly punch
Dies:  Fence, Sweet N Sassy, and the Number Dies are from Memory Box- Large Typewriter
Embellishments:  Stickles, and pearls

     I would also like to send this over to Pixie's Snippets Playground #150, since I used up lots of white bits for my die cutting and stamping.

     Whatever you do this weekend, make it fun!  Thanks so much for stopping by.

Friday, November 7, 2014

Friends with Flair

 
     I am a little late with my Friends with Flair post for today.  I love this little Unity Itty Bitty stamp called Hey There, Wise Guy.  Isn't this bird a cutie?  I changed up the sentiment for another Unity sentiment, which I thought went well.  The card was made with mostly scraps, and the addition of twine, Dew Drops, and gems.  Coloring was done with Copic Markers. 

     I thought this would be sweet to send to my DGS, for a just because occasion.  Hope your holidays are starting to come together, especially Thanksgiving.  Sounds like I may be cooking the weekend before, and going out for the actual day.  That will be fun!  Plan on hitting a few church bazaars tomorrow, and if I come across anything fun and crafty, I will be sure to post!  Have a great weekend.

Monday, November 3, 2014

Snippets to the Max!

 
     Welcome to another week, and a new post for Pixie's Snippets Playground # 149.  This card has more bits than a horse with it's tack.  I was so happy when people started to include banners on their cards.  It makes for some good use of those strips that are too wide to just toss, but not wide enough to create a whole background.

     That about sums up all of the papers used on this card.  The lacy heart die is from Simon Says Stamp, and the little love die is from PTI.  There is some hot pink burlap, and faceted square gems.  I used one of the threads I pulled from the burlap, to tie a little bow.  Just in case you did not know, if you pull a thread in your burlap, you have a perfect straight line to cut on.

     Since I did use one of Simon Says Stamp exclusive dies, I shall load this on their Anything Goes, Wednesday Challenge.

     Looks like some of my stamping friends had a bit of the white stuff, over the weekend.  Sorry, guys!  We just had cold and wind.  They are starting to hype up about something coming this weekend, so we will see.  Have a great week.

Friday, October 31, 2014

Happy Halloween!

     I was sure to save my last Halloween card to post today.  How perfect that Friends with Flair fell on the holiday.  After a couple hours of work this morning, it will be time to greet all of the children in their costumes.

 
     My card uses the August KOM from Unity, called "Summer Collapsed into Fall".  My base is orange and the designer paper is from Bazzill, called Spooky and Kooky.  I broke out the crimper to create the center panel, and attached a Spellbinder leaf die cut to anchor my witches hat.  There are touches of Copic marker, and lots of gold Stickles.  Gold sequins were the finishing touch.

     I am very excited to hear all about my grandson's festivities, today.  Hope that everyone has a safe, and Happy Halloween.  Don't eat too much candy!

  

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Busy Beaver

     Happy Thursday!  I can not believe it is going to be Halloween, already!  We are expecting a deep chill in the air for the weekend.  I hope to be able to settle in and get my craft on. 

 
     Today, I would like to share a card that I created using stamps from Darcie's Heart & Home Stamps, and lots of paper scraps from my desk.  Coloring was done with Copic markers, and I added a simple cake brad as an embellishment.  I do believe some of the paper scraps are from We R, and their Happy Camper line.

     I would like to enter this over at Pixie's Snippets Playground #148.  I just love Di and the gang .  It is all snippets, all the time, at the playground.  It helps to keep a paper hoarder like me in check!

     It may be a good idea to enter over at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge, this week, since it is "Anything Goes" week!

     Have a great weekend, and it makes me so happy when you decide to stop by!

Friday, October 24, 2014

Almost Halloween!

 
     With just a week to go until Halloween, I thought I had better post one of the many cards I made for this season of fright.  I will be entering this over on the Unity blog, for their weekly Friends with Flair linky party.

     My card and tag each started with a metallic pewter card stock.  The scrap of harlequin paper is an unknown.  All of the stamps used are from the August 2012 Unity KOM, called "Colors of the Season".  This has been one of my very favorite kits during the Halloween season.  I used an assortment of inks, including Distress Ink, and SU!  There are some lavender pearls, sequins, and ribbons from Really Reasonable Ribbon.

     Yesterday was a real fall day, here in PA.  It was blustery, rainy, and had a chill that went right through you.  I hope to get some baking done this weekend, before the temps hit darn near 80 next week.  They should call it "Fickle Fall"!  Thanks for the visit!

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Vroom, Zoom, Roar!

 
     Can you say masculine card with snippets.  I struggle sometimes with making manly cards.  My good stamping friend brought over her vintage car stamps (Crafty Secrets?) and her sprocket dies for me to use.  I cut as many as I could with all the scraps on my desk.  My embossed background is also gears, and is from Darice.  The embossed background is shaped using a template from Hot Off The Press.  I added some amber gems for a bit of sparkle.  The card base is Sweet Corn from Gina K. Designs.  Coloring was done with Copics, and I sponged on some grey ink to bring out the embossing.

     I would like to enter this at Pixie's Snippets Playground #147, where it is all snippets, all the time!  Check out this great challenge, because we all have lots of bits to use up!

     It has been a busy, busy week, so I am glad to get back in the craft room.  A fall chill is in the air, and it sounds like a cold rainy week ahead.  Just glad it is rain and not the white stuff!  Thanks for the visit!

Friday, October 17, 2014

There is a Chill in the Air

 
     Happy Friday, Flair friends.  Today I would like to share a card that just kind of happened.  I was playing with watercolors and the background was created.  Then I pulled out a very old shadow stamp and brushed it with some paint to get the soft block images.  I still thought the background was lacking, so I did a snowflake stamp with Versamark, to add a faint image.  I stamped a different snowflake in Versafine ink over the boxed, and gave them sparkle with a Stardust pen.  I then free handed the dots and dashes around the boxes.  All I had to do was add my sentiment, and a few lavender pearls.

     I would like to enter this over on the Unity blog for Friends with Flair, this week.  My card uses stamps from the September 2014 Unity KOM. 

     Here is to another fantastic fall weekend.  Enjoy!

Friday, October 10, 2014

My Unity Post

     Well, we made it another Friday.  Boy, am I glad it's here.  This was a week full of all kinds of "stuff".  Some was good, and some not so much.  :(  One thing that always makes me happy is time in my stamp room.  It is extra fun when the new Unity KOM arrives.  October's kit is holiday friendly.

 
     This week I decided to use this sweet mitten stamp from the kit.  I am actually making four of these since I like it so much. I started by finding this silver and navy piece of designer paper.  It is a 12x12 from my scrapbooking days.  I cut it in quads, as I am doing with all my small print 12x12.  Next I cut bases in Gina K. "In the Navy" card stock.  The silver card is a metallic from The Paper Company.  I punched snowflakes with an MS punch and added shimmer with diamond Stickles.  Coloring is with Copic markers and sponging is SU Smoky Slate.

     This will be entered in the weekly Friends with Flair link ups.  If you have the chance, please visit for inspiration.  Thanks for the visit.  Have a fabby fall weekend.

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

New Die.

 
     What could be better than the perfect sea gulls to add into a beach scene.  I was playing with some Twinkling H2O's, watercolors, and inks.  The background sort of just happened on this scrap of water color paper.  I also saw this stamp set sitting on my desk, as it had recently been borrowed by a friend.  Add in a few scraps of white card to make the seagulls, Viola!  The new die is from Impression Obsession, and they were fun to watercolor! The stamps are from Flourishes, and the set is called Beach Life.  I did distress my edges, and the card base is from SU!

     I think I will do a second entry over at Scrapy Land, for their Challenge #3 to use dies that they carry.

     I will also enter this over at Pixie's Snippets Playground #145, where it is all snippets, all the time.  Love that challenge!

     I am so lucky to also be able to add this card to the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge, which is to use water colors!

     Unless another challenge pops up today, that is it for me!  Have a wonderful hump day, and thanks for visiting!

Friday, October 3, 2014

Fall Friday Flair!

 
     Today's card is created using the September Unity KOM.  I do believe that this dragonfly stamp is one of my very favorites from the kit.  The only stamp used on here that is not Unity, is the foam sunflower that I used to make this background using Gelatos.  A little sponging, a few Copic markers, and a tiny squirt of Stickles, that's it!  I did distress the edges.  It's very CAS.

     Please be sure to check out all of the fantastic posts that are linked for Friends with Flair.  There is some amazing inspiration to be viewed!  Have a fun fall weekend!

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Transport

 
     Many of our citizens, whether they are senior or otherwise, tend to travel or live in travel trailers.  Ahh, what a life!  I had an aunt and uncle that lived in one shaped like this, and colored pink,  for 6 months out of every year.  At first chill, they made the annual trek to the Florida Keys.

     This is my card for the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge which is called "Transport" this week.


     My stamp set used is from Art Impressions, as well as my little grass stamp, which is one of my "go to's".  I used a bright red card base, and designer paper from Crate Paper and their Farmhouse collection.  Coloring was done with Copic markers, and sponging was done with SU! inks.  My little clouds are die cuts from Memory Box.

     I have so many friends that are just about retirement age, and I am sure this card will come in handy for just such an occasion.

     I would also like to link this up over at ScrapyLand for their challenge #3, to use one of the listed die companies.  Thanks, Carol!  Mine is the puffy clouds from MB.

     Thanks for visiting.  The weekend will be here again before you know it.  Enjoy!

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Using Those Snippets!

 
     I recently saw a fantastic background created out of scraps, and the word window punch from SU!  It's not hard to do, it just take a little time.  I also used a fairly new stamp set from TPC called Yarn Crafts.  I found this at Big Lots for $2, and I was really excited because it came to live here just in time for my DIL's birthday.  She recently got serious about knitting.

     For my embellishment, I used some American Craft twine, mini pearls, a button, and a punch from another SU! punch called Petite Petals.

     I would like to enter this at Pixie's Snippets Playground, and also over at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge, which is Anything Goes, this week.

     It's not quite Hump Day, but make the best of the week ahead!

Monday, September 29, 2014

What a Boy!

 
     Here is that moment when the tractor decides to come back through the pumpkin patch, pulling the hayride.  Just had to share the large version of this photo.  Brian came to visit us this weekend, but had to leave bright and early Sunday morning to meet his twin cousins, Ella and Grace, for some apple picking, and pumpkin adventures. 

 
     It looks like a good time was had by all!  Hope you had a fantastic fall weekend.  Thanks for the visit.

Friday, September 26, 2014

Yippie! It's FwF time!

 
     Hi everyone!  Friends with Flair was loaded a little late today, but us die hard fans will not miss a beat!  Yay, Unity!

     Todays card is a sweet thank you that I sent to a dear friend who sent me one of her Layers of Life sets as a gift.  It is called Becoming Who I am.

     Supplies used are kraft card stock, washsi tape, a burlap tag, buttons, a brad, plus some glossy Accents.  I used assorted inks, including Distress ink.

     That is it for me, as it is getting late in the day.  Have a great start to your weekend, and thanks for the visit!

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Celebrating Birthdays.

     Today is the birthday of two of my dear friends.  What are the odds that a husband and wife team share the same day?  Well, such is the story of Carol L., and her hubby Butch!  Carol is not only a IRL friend, but also a stamping buddy and blogging friend.

 
     Here is the card that I made for Carol, and the funny thing is that she saw it laying on my work space and told me she loved it.  I had cased it from a card I saw on Pinterest.  It uses Unity and SU! stamps, with an assortment of inks and punches.  The ribbon I used is one of my very favorites.  I also used the ever popular Dotted Swiss Cuttlebug folder and an iridescent gem..

 
     The card for Butch is a sponged scenic background, with a stamped giraffe (unknown).  I framed the giraffe with a tall grass die from Sweet n' Sassy die.  My sentiment is from SU!.  Again it is an assortment of inks.

     I hope they both have a wonderful day!  If you have a sec, please stop over and wish them a happy day!  Thank you for stopping around.

     I would like to enter these over at Pixie's Snippets Playground, where the challenge is always to use up our bits!

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Watercolor!

 
     Today I would like to share a little watercolor that I did for absolutely no reason.  I saw a technique where you stamp your image with light Distress Ink.  I slowly wet and worked the image that was stamped in Antique Linen.  The bird stamp is from Heartfelt Creations, and I have had it for ages.

     I used some scraps of papers from my stash, a couple of brads, and a Xyron/Spellbinders Shapez die to cut out my birds.

     Just a quick post, and I am glad to share!  Thanks for the visit.

Friday, September 19, 2014

A Little Embossing

     This week just zoomed by, and there was not much crafting time to be had.  I was going through my card stock scraps, and these two colors landed next to each other on my desk top..... hmmmm.  That is how my Friends with Flair snippets card was born.
 

     Cranberry and lime green, who would have thought.  I punched the tiny banners and heart using SU! punches. I also used a SU! scallop punch for my little border.   My sentiment and image are both from the September KOM at Unity, and silver embossed.  What a lovely Jacobean flower!  I added a bit of paper piecing with the same scraps as my punches.  For embellishments, I used silver sequins and pearls, and a couple of silver mini brads.  My little heart is coated in glossy accents (sorry it is not showing up).

 
     So after all that, I went back and added a bow in lime green.... can't decide, so here are both.

I would like to enter this card at:

Pixie's Snippets Playground #142-  Use up those scraps

Unity Friends with Flair-  weekly link

     Always happy for your visits.  The weather is changing here in PA, and it won't be long before the leaves color
and fall.  My favorite time of year!

Monday, September 15, 2014

Simply Stripes

 
     The challenge on the Mod Squad Challenge Blog this week is called Simply Stripes.  I have had this pretty stamp sitting on my desktop for months.  My friend was purging it from her collection, and I thought it would make some lovely creations.  This stamp is from Wordsworth.

 
     I used a white card base layered with a quilt strip paper from Little Yellow Bicycle.  I also used scraps of Lipstick Red, and In The Navy from Gina K. Designs.  The Faith stamp was embossed with Ranger gold EP.  The little flowers are from the SU! punch pack called Itty Bitty Accents.  My only embellishments are some champagne gold pearls.  I embossed my little strip of navy with a very old EF from Cuttlebug.

     Thanks for taking a look.  Hope you're week is off to a great start!

Friday, September 12, 2014

Sharing with Friends

     It's mid September already, the weather is starting to change,  kids are back in school, and I am seeing the last of the butterflies in my garden.  I thought it would be a good time to pay them a little tribute.  I have a butterfly bush that is the a major focal point in my garden, and they just swarm to it during the summer months.  We thought it was a goner after last years ice storm, as it was just a mass of dead tubes for branches, all the way to the ground.  I am happy to say that it came back prettier than ever!


      Today's card has a black card base, designer paper from We R Memory Keepers (recess), a shipping tag, plus a scrap of oak tag for my sentiment.  My image stamps are from the August 2014 Unity KOM, with my sentiment being from the July KOM.  Coloring is with Copic markers.  I double cut the butterfly so that I could make it pop up.  The blue parts of the butterfly were coated in Crystal Effects, and I used a product that I won, which was new to me, to create the sparkle.  It is called Cosmic Shimmer glitter jewels.  It looks amazing IRL.  Thank you Di, at Snippets!  My only other embellishment are some teal pearls.

I am sharing this via the linky for  Friends with Flair , over on the Unity blog.  Stop over there and get some wonderful inspiration.  Have a great weekend!

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Background and Snippets

 
     I don't normally do a CAS card, but I fell in love with the Amuse stamps that I created my background with.   I also love the pretty floral stamp and sentiment, that are from a recent Unity kit of the month.  It was from April 2014, to be exact.

     All of the papers are from my scrap stash.  I used Versamagic chalk inks to stamp the background, and Copic markers to color my image.  It gave the card a very imperfect look.

I would like to enter this at:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge- Create a background

Pixie Snippet's Playground- use your snips and bits

     That is it for me today, unless I find a burst of mojo.  It is a solemn day, as we remember 9-11,  pray for those lost, and hope for peace.

Saturday, September 6, 2014

Mod Squad Challenge Holiday w/ Vellum or Plastic

 
     Phew, that was a long title.  Happy Saturday, everyone.  I decided to try my hand at this Mod Squad Challenge, and I hope I did not get too carried away.  We were asked to do a holiday card (any holiday), and include plastic/acetate, or vellum. 

     I decided to use my Unity stamps from the August KOM, and I was able to include both the vellum, and the clear plastic in making this card.  There is a black card base and pieces of designer paper from We R Memory Keepers, called Hall Pass.  Coloring is with Copic markers.  I found a scrap of yellow vellum and added a couple of fall flowers to anchor my bat.  The embellishments are a smattering of sparkly stars and accent pearls to the outside of the see through front, for dimension.  Oh, my little batty friend is from a past KOM, from August 2012.

     That is it for me.  Sounds like it may be a stormy Saturday here on the east coast, but we have the promise of cooler weather.  Enjoy, and thanks for visiting.

Friday, September 5, 2014

It's That Time!

 
      Another Friday?  Jeepers, time is zooming!  All of the little kiddies are back in school this week, and getting from point A to point B takes longer with the added traffic.  It is once again time for  Friends with Flair.  This is my favorite day of the week, since I get so excited over all of the inspiration that links up each week.  Thanks Unity, for giving everyone a place to share.  Who knows, you may even win a prize!

      My card starts with a Sweet Corn base, and papers from Crate Paper Fourteen collection.  My scalloped banner is in Blushing Bride from SU!, and I pierced around the edges.  I stamped my Unity image in Color Box chalk in Blush Rose.  Color was added with Copics, and I punched it out with a scallop circle punch.  For embellishments, I added bakers twine, a crochet flower, and an enamel dot center. 

      This beautiful sentiment is from the August 2014 KOM.  Have a great weekend!

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Happy Fall!

 
     It was time to break out some fall stamps.  This set from Inky Antics is called Squirrel.  I used scraps and snippets for the whole thing.  The card stocks are cherry red, cocoa brown, soft sand, and white.  The SB leaves that are die cut, are from sweet corn, and left over from my DD's wedding place cards.  Even the stitched ribbon is a snippet.  The cocoa panel is embossed with dotted swiss, and Dewdrops were added to the corners.  My images were stamped in Memento and most are colored with Copic markers.  A couple of the leaves were paper pieced with scraps.  The only extra stamp is the tiny grass, which is from Art Impressions.  I used the Word Bubble Framelets from SU! for my sentiment.

     Because of all the bits used up (YAY!), I would like to enter this over at Pixie's Snippets Playground.  I always feel so good when I use things up!

     I would also like to enter this card over at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge, which is Stamp-tember Stamp-It, with a blog hop celebration included.

     I am still not back to work , but I am suppose to return Monday.  Healing has not been as quick as I had thought.  I do believe I am allergic to the Vitamin E oil I was told to use, as it did not let my incision heal.  Three weeks in, I am a bit frustrated, but slowly healing.  Ever so happy my fingers bend now, but still need my hand to strengthen.  Fine motor skills are lacking.  I know, insane, right?

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

It is the Harvest Season

 
     As many of  our gardens are offering up the last of their abundance, the Mod Squad Challenge is called A Fruitful Harvest.  My harvest card is not traditional colors and beets are the focus.

     The card base is an unknown card stock, with a layer of embossed dot card from Michaels.  The designer paper scraps are from DCWV Leafy Violet paper collection.  The beet stamp and sentiment are from Flourishes "Garden Fresh" set.  Coloring was done with Copic markers.  The embellishments are hemp twine and buttons from an assortment at Gina K. Designs.  I also used a Punch a Bunch leaf spray punch to add in more of my pattern paper.  The scallop edge is a punch from SU!

     Hope everyone had a great Labor Day weekend, and I appreciate the visit.

Friday, August 29, 2014

FwF on a Holiday Weekend.

     Here is to the beginning of a nice holiday weekend.  I would like to share a card I created for this weeks Friends with Flair.  I have really enjoyed the August KOM, and all of it's beautiful images.

 
     Today, my card uses a sweet corn base and layer, and assorted scraps from the Violet Leaf stack from DCWV.  My image, plus sentiment was stamped in Memento Toffee Crunch and colored with Copic markers.  The die cut is called Fanciful Flourish from Cheery Lynn, and I added some tiny Got Flowers? w/ pearls.  There is also a scrap of Rich Razzleberry framing my sentiment.

     I would also like to enter this card at:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge:  Anything Goes
Pixie's Snippets Playground :  Use snippets

     Whatever you ending up doing to celebrate this final swish of the summer season, be safe and enjoy!

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Back to School!

 
     Yesterday was the first day of school for many of the kids in my area.  Lots of moms are letting go of their babies for the first time.  Oh, I remember that feeling!  It is filled with very mixed emotions.  This week, at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge, the theme is back to school.

Here is what I used.

Card stock:  Gina K. Designs, Lipstick Red base.
Designer Paper:  The green is from American Crafts, The apple is Debbie Mumm, The tags
were cut from a sheet of Crate Paper.
Image: is from Dearie Dolls.
Embellishments:  Epoxy letters and stars, Metal school brads, and natural twine bow.

     I know a little one who will be starting pre-school soon, so I thought I would send a little ice cream money as a treat.

Update: I had my stitches removed from my hand, yesterday.  Dr. said it looks great, but I am out of work for 2 more weeks.  After that, I can not lift extra for 4-6 more weeks.  I have to admit, this is a little more complicated than I thought.  I am however happy I asked questions and found some of things that hurt are all normal.  Although the incision is in your hand, the surgery is actually in your wrist.  Explains a lot!

     Thanks a zillion for stopping by.  Tuesday already, phew!

Monday, August 25, 2014

Coastal Inspiration

 
     Happy Monday Morning!  I decided to enter the Mod Squad Challenge, this week.  The theme is Coastal Inspiration.  I brought out and older Gina K. Designs set, by Tami Mayberry, called Oh Boy!

     To create my card, I started with a Lipstick Red GKD Pure Luxury base.  On my white layer I did direct to paper inking.  I stamped my images on my background for placement, and then paper pieced all of the elements with scraps of dsp.  My little fish punches, were a gift from my friend Carol.  She gifted me with a bag of them in confetti colors, and I just love them!  I added some diamond Stickles to make my ocean & sky shine, and a hemp bow to resemble rope.

     I would also like to enter this card over at Pixie's Snippets Playground, since I used so many little scraps to paper piece.

     I hope you like, and I thank you for stopping around for a visit. 

Friday, August 22, 2014

Friends with Flair

     Happy Friday, friends!  I feel so bad about missing a post last Friday, but as you know from my previous blathering, I had surgery that day.  I am glad it is behind me, and I am praying that things start healing a bit more quickly.  The Dr. found lots of inflammation and also tendonitis.  The stitches come out on Monday, and although they are healing well, and my fingers are bending, I still can not hold a pen steady or apply pressure to stamp.  Okay, enough of this, cause it stinks to be home from work, and unable to be crafty!


     I created this card with my Unity KOM for August 2014, before my hand went down.  I have a few backups to use.  Please be sure to visit the Friends with Flair post over on the Unity Blog

 
     The card is a simple one, with a white base and some great Halloween paper I found at Tuesday Mornings.  I believe it is Bazzill, and that cute hounds tooth is on the reverse side.  I colored the hat image with colored pencils and applied some fun beads as a band.  This new kit has so many fun images, and I can't wait to get into coloring them!

     I want to thank everyone for the cards and well wishes, and I am sure I will be up and at it soon.