Thursday, December 24, 2015

Merry Christmas and a Happy 2016

 
I just wanted to stop by and wish all of my friends and family,
the very Merriest Christmas, and a happy, healthy 2016.
 
Hopefully I will kick this coughing crud and be back in the pink for the start of
a New Year!  Enjoy spending time with family and friends, and may blessings abound.
 
Mary Anne

Monday, December 7, 2015

Speedy Fox and Friends #291

 
     Morning, my friends.  I am just back from a fabby 4 days in Northern NJ.  Got to do lots of fun things with my DD and GS!  Now I am back and so far behind on my own Christmas chores, that it will take me a week to catch up. 

     Today I have a card for the Speedy Fox and Friends Challenge #291, which is  called "Mostly Red".

     I used my new Wondrous Wreath set from SU! with Gumball Green and Real Red inks.  The birds are die cuts from Memory Box sitting birds.  My words are from Spellbinders holiday sentiments.  My layers are a white card base and a piece of glitter striped card stock.

     That is it for me this morning.  Hope your holiday chores are perking along!  Thanks for the visit!

Friday, November 27, 2015

Unity Hop

 
     Today I used "Penguin Pals" for a Christmas card to add to my stash.  Unity got this set sooooo right!  I just love these little dudes.  It is getting to the point when cards need to be just about finished, so I like when a card comes together quickly. 

     This will be added to the Unity Blog Hop for this week.  B & W with a spot of color is hard to get wrong.  The designer paper is from the "Hot Cocoa" collection by AC.  The snowflake is a Martha punch.  My stitched diagonal is from Lil Inkers and the sentiment is from Little Yellow Bicycle.  A few gems and a stardust pen add a bit of sparkle.

    Hope you have recouped from that big turkey meal, if you are celebrating in the states.  I bid you a fun Friday!

Thursday, November 26, 2015

Happy Thanksgiving!

 
     Just a quick post to wish all of my friends and family a very blessed Thanksgiving.  I am lucky enough to be a birthday girl today, also.  Before you know it we will be welcoming baby Jesus, and having a visit from Santa!

     Today's card uses a kraft base, a scrap of designer from my bin, and a layer of watercolor paper.  My images and sentiment are from an older Gina K. Design set and they are stamped in Distress Ink.  I used a water brush to pull color onto my twirly birds (that is what I call them), and a was of blue to simulate sky.  Very CAS card, but I think it is rather striking.  A simple what ribbon is my only embellishment.

     So, for all of you that are celebrating today, be safe and enjoy!  Do not eat all of the pie at the first sitting, and run for the stretch pants!  Thanks for the visit.

     I will be sending this over to Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge, which is Anything Goes!

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Get Well Soon

 
     Today I have a get well card created for Speedy Fox and Friends Challenge #289, over on the MFP blog.  The challenge is to emboss with white on vellum, and color the back.    I have not done this in ages!  I kind of used another lost technique and made some backgrounds using it.   Fold over a baby wipe until you have a thick edge, and drip on a combo of colored reinkers.  Use different motions to apply to glossy card stock.  That is how my striped background came to be.  I used Pistachio Pudding, Costal Cabana, and Island Indigo.  You can tap it, swirl it, swipe it.....l. always different, and always pretty.  My green card stock is Bazzill Lizard green.

     The stamps I used are from MFP and the set is called Greet the Day with Gerber.  For embellishments I used a lace doily, buttons, and a scrap of matching ribbon.

I would also like to enter this over at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge, which is Anything Goes!

     If I do not get back before tomorrow, God bless you all, and a Happy Thanksgiving!  I am not celebrating with family until Saturday.

Monday, November 23, 2015

Holiday Duo

    

 
     Here are a couple of cards that were made from left over bits on my desktop.  We all have the white scraps, but I end up with larger pieces of designer paper also.  Card #1 has a layer of birch tree paper, an embossed kraft oval, buck from the Memory Box Deer Family, and all 5 layers of the Elizabeth Craft tree die.  The sentiment is from SU! and I found these sparkly snowflake stickers that seemed to work.  The embossing was done with an SU Softly Falling

 
     Card #2 uses cranberry card stock, a scrap of Tim Holtz Vintage Shabby dp, The doe and fawn from the Memory Box deer family, 2 layers of the Elizabeth Craft tree die, and Happy Holidays from Spellbinders,  I added diamond stickles to the tree, and another sparkly snowflake sticker for a star.

These were very fun to create, and I would like to take them to the following:

Pixie's Snippets Playground #204 - All snippets, always.
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge- Christmas

     I appreciate the visit.  Thanks!

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Brown Thursday and Hop!

 
     Unity is having their annual Brown Thursday Sale with lots of new stamps.  Be sure to check it out, and get inspired by the hop!

     My card for today's hop is one last card for Thanksgiving sending.  There is a funny story that goes with it.  The subway style stamp I used was sent to me by accident, and I had ink on it before I realized it did not match the package.  I contacted Unity and they made things right instantly.  They have the best customer service, so never hesitate to order.  I also used the adorable turkey from First Gobble, Then Wobble.  He was stamped on kraft, his body was paper pieced, coloring was done with Copic markers and I applied Glossy Accents to his feathers.  The other designer paper is from Bo Bunny's Apple Cider collection.  I was able to find the perfect colored candy dots, which were a gift from my dear friend.

     I still can not believe that  it is a week from Thanksgiving!  That just boggles my mind!  Thanks for stopping by.

Monday, November 16, 2015

Thinking of You and a Holiday Creation!

 
      Hi everyone!  I sure don't want to be a slacker, so I am posting 2 cards today.  My first is for     Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge, which is "thinking of you".  I used quite an assortment of items and companies for this one:

Here are the items:
All cardstock and designer paper are scraps.
Bird Stamp- SU! Blissful Bird 
Punch- SU! Bird Punch
Die- Darice- Foliage Branch
Sentiment- is from Unity
Embellishment- black brad

 
     Card two is a holiday card using my new Darice House with Snow die.  Although, it only cuts the outer edges and the snow bits for the windows, it embosses great and has lots of nooks and crannies to stencil with.  My stencil ink was Pacific Point.  I added a little yellow Copic over the window areas.  The designer paper is from Signature Christmas by My Minds Eye.  The snowy slopes were created with the Lawn Fawn Stitched Hillside Borders.  The sentiment and snowflake background are from Unity, and I embellished with a touch of stickles to the snow.

     Thanks for stopping by, and make it a great Monday!

Sunday, November 15, 2015

Headed to the Playground!

 
     Happy, chilly Sunday morning!  I have a card I would like to share today, that uses lots of snippets from cleaning up my desktop.  Oh the things you can find when you tackle that job!

      I found a card blank of Bazzill yellow, and an embossed panel that used a Sizzix tree embossing folder.  I also found a strip of gold metallic, and a piece of a holiday plaid.  The sentiment tag is a salvage from one of last years cards, that we received.  I could not wait to try out a new Darice die called Basket.  I knew I had a tiny poinsettia die, from Poppy Stamps, and that I could fill it with some scraps .  Yay!  I added MS branch punches as my greenery, and a few amber gems for flower centers, along with ice crystals to my greenery.

Note:  The basket die comes with some spring looking flowers to fill it with, but I had to make it Christmas.

     I would like to enter this over at Pixie's Snippets Playground #203, where we can use up all of our bits.

     I hope you like what I have come up with! 

Saturday, November 14, 2015

Challenge # 288 at Speedy Fox and Friends

 
     The new challenge at Mark's Finest Paper is to create a background on solid card stock with a stamp and Versafine ink, then emboss with clear embossing powder.  I used a stamp set by MFP called Stinky Situation.  My embossing was done with a woods background stamp, and the skunk and sentiment as also from the set.  I started with a white card base, and added layers in Bazzill yellow and lizard card.  I also used the Tall Grass Die from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps.

 
     Today is the hubby's birthday, so we have plans to go get stuffed at an Amish buffet called Shady Maple.  You get your meal free on you're birthday.  How can you beat that?  This is the card I made him!  I am tricky... I waited until this morning to see what the new challenge was.  :)

     Here is the link for the challenge at Speedy Fox and Friends #288.  Why don't you give this technique a try?  It was fun and easy!  Thanks for visiting.  I do appreciate you.

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Joining my Unity Friends.

 
     Today's card is sending holiday wishes.  I would like to link this up for the Hop at Unity today.  I was a little off the track of my "Christmas Card a Day", but hey, at least I am posting!  I get pulled sideways by all the great challenges out there.  As you look at today's card, just remember, I was not going for perfect color, but more touches of it as accents. 

Here is what I used:

Card base- silver metallic from Bazzill.
Designer Paper- Crate Paper, Open Road collection.
Negative from cutting a circle.
Punches- snowflakes from Martha Stewart.
Stamps- Unity KOM November 2011
Inks- Poppy Parade, Pistachio Pudding, Smoky Slate, all from SU!, and water brush.

     Today is also Veterans Day, so a big thank you to all those you have served, past and present.  I love when you stop by, and I hope you make it a good one.

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Speedy Fox and Friends

 
     I saw a beautiful card that my dear friend Carol made for the Speedy Fox and Friends Challenge # 287, and had to give it a try. I love the way that MFP has been doing techniques as their weekly challenges!  I must say that I rather struggled with my background like Carol did, with the stencil forming more of wet blobs.  I may have salvaged it by using a bit of ink over my watercolor.

Here is what I used:

Base card- Textured Bazzill Pistachio Nut w/ watercolor panel
Stencil- Tattered Angels Sea Grass
Stamps- MFP Tropical Vacation
Ink- Smoky Slate SU!
Ribbon- Satin by ( no name)

     Hey, they say that art is a series of mistakes, so what the heck!  Thanks for stopping by.

Monday, November 9, 2015

Thanks/ Thanksgiving At SSS!

 
    Today I would like to share a card that I made sing Inky Antics stamps, and Stitched Leaves from Lawn Fawn.  Coloring was done with Copic markers, and there is a bit of sponging with Old Olive SU! ink.  I found a scrap of Thanksgiving word paper for my background, and added a strip of burlap, plus sequins for some sparkle.  My stitched leaves were cut from a scrap of kraft.

     Hope everyone had a fine weekend, and that Monday is not too much of a grind for you. A little extra coffee and we should all be as good as new!

I am entering this at:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge- Thanks/Thanksgiving.

Sunday, November 8, 2015

Christmas Cuddles!

 
      Happy Sunday, friends!  I did not get to post yesterday due to a 50th birthday party, but I am back with 2 today!  I went through my stash and pulled out lots of useful scraps to use on Christmas cards.  I also rounded up my holiday washi tape.  My adorable Penguin stamp is from Wild Rose Studio, and is one that I won over at the Playground many moons ago.  I used SB dies to cut them out and added paper and foam snowflakes, gem embellishments, and some Diamond Stickles.  Coloring was done with Copic markers, and sponging was done with SU! inks.

 
     I will be entering this over at Pixie's Snippets Playground #202, where you are asked to use snippets.  I just love this adorable stamp, Di! 

     Hope you have a wonderful day!  We are working on fall cleanup around here.  Halloween back to the attic, and Thanksgiving taking it's place.  With the unexpected warm weather, I saw many putting up their Christmas lights, before a temperature plunge.  That is fine, but please don't turn them on yet.  It spoils the post Thanksgiving fun.  Thanks for stopping by and hope to see you again soon.

Friday, November 6, 2015

I Am On A Roll!

 
     Posting 3 days in a row... whoa!  I am so excited to get another Christmas card tucked into my stash!  This time I was trying out some new dies that arrived yesterday.  I hit a fantastic sale over at Consumer Crafts, where all the Darice dies were $4 and $7, and I snagged free shipping as well!  S-C-O-R-E!  This is from a set called Ornaments.

      I cut the ornament from some thick designer paper scraps, and put it back in the die to stencil with Poppy Parade and Pacific Point SU! inks.  Backed it onto a red polka dot scrap, cut with a Classic Oval SB die. The card base is Bazzill Lizard green which I bought in bulk, so you will be sick of  seeing it. The striped layer is from American Crafts.  My sentiment is from Little Yellow Bicycle.  Some K & Co gems were added to the ornament, as well as MS branch punches to the sentiment.  Found this red ribbon in the old stash-a-roonie also.

     Maybe I can get back in the swing of blogging. Maybe I can even get a second post in today!  It has been seeming more like a chore lately.  I just want to play and have fun.  I appreciate your visits.

Thursday, November 5, 2015

Bawk Bawk!

 
Today I have a holiday card for you that I cased from a card I saw on Splitcoast Stamper and it was made by poster Misstreez.  She took a card base and scraps and created the most adorable hens.  Well I decided to make them and bring a little holiday into it.

Here is a list of what I used:

Base  of yellow by Bazzill and scraps of kraft from Recollections.
Crimping tool for lower half of kraft.
Walnut Stain Distress Ink to muddy things up. 
Sentiment is from Unity.
Snowflakes are MS punches with diamond Stickles accents.
Chicks are assorted punches with the body being a half oval. 
Snow dots are white gel pen and Unicorn White Hero Arts ink with a Stamps by Judith stubby.

This was quite fun to figure out, and I would love to enter the challenge at:

Pixie's Snippets Playground #201- Must use Snippets.

That is it for me today.  Another warm one is predicted here in PA.  Just does not feel like November.
Thanks for stopping!

Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Time for the Unity Hop!

 
     Time is zooming by and I need to get my cards finished.   I wanted to share a Christmas card I made to add to my stash. I will be loading this for the Friends with Flair/ Unity Hop for this week.  Please be sure to check out all of the great work, this weeks Unity sale and  get inspired.

     My card starts with a random piece of grey card stock.  Next, I added an embossed snowflake (from Darice) panel, which was inked with swipes of Pistachio Pudding and Smoky Slate inks.  There is a strip of green and a piece of mint green cotton lace.  The 2 Unity stamps are from grab bags I won, and are the deer and the poinsettia.  The deer is from a Unity set called Believe in Miracles, and I do believe the flower is from a KOM.  They were colored with Copic marker and the flowers were fussy cut.  The deer was cut out with a SB classic circle die.  Clear gems were scattered for sparkle.

     With Halloween behind us, Turkey Day fast approaching, and Christmas around the bend, I already feel like I can't breathe!  If I stick with making at least a card a day until Thanksgiving, I may be able to write them out on Black Friday!  Hey, a girl can dream, right?  Thanks for visiting!

 

Saturday, October 31, 2015

A Haunting We Will Go!

    
 
     Happy Halloween to all of my favorite witches and goblins!   Come on, you know who you are.  Are we all ready for a night full of fun?  Today I am sharing a card I made with a teeny tiny stamp set that I found at work for maybe .25.  I saw a card somewhere on Pinterest that stamped little images in hex punches from SU!  I thought and thought what I had that would be small enough, until I found these tiny witches.  I also fell in love with the tiny sentiments that were included.  The inside reads cackle-cackle-cackle.  LOL!  These are all scraps of papers lying on my desk, the bubble and star stamps were done with Hero Arts Unicorn White ink, as were the stars and the smoke I created.  My final touch was one of my google eyed bats from Recollections.

     Remember to keep the kiddies and all of the scared pets safe, while you answer the door.  Who knows, you may even see me hovering on my broom!

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Let's Go To The Hop!

 
     The Unity hop, that is.  I am happy to be able to join in this week!  Please be sure to check out all of the super talent that is linked to the design team hop.  There is also a great sale over on the Unity site, as Angela cooks up each week.  Don't forget to shop!  If you link up or leave a comment, you could win a super prize, also!

     Okay, on to my card.  I am using stamps from the January 2011 Unity Kit of the Month.  This card uses the adorable tall snowman.  I started with a white card base, that is distressed with Old Paper Distress Ink.  Next I distressed a die cut made with my Lil Inkers stitched diagonal die.  There are two open circles that were created with the SB classic circle dies.  A layer of inked kraft , and then my sweet snowman, colored with Copics, and cut out with a Lil Inker stitched rectangle die.  I tied it up with a twine bow.

 
     Card two is a black base and hand cut banners made with a Darice snowflake embossing folder and inked with soft sky ink.  Again, my chubby little snowman from the same kit is also colored with Copic markers.  I added sparkly highlights to his apparel, and gems to random snowflakes.  My sentiment is from Unity, but was in a grab bag so I am unsure of the set name.

     It is a rainy, dreary day here in PA, so please forgive the lighting on my photos. 

Sunday, October 25, 2015

Just Mark Me Absent!

 
     Sorry, but I have been taking a little blogging break.  That does not mean that I have not been making things, I just have not been sharing lately.  I figured I best post a couple of the Halloween cards I have created before the holiday goes poof, and flies right on by!

     This set was for a dear friend, and uses stamps from Inky Antics.  My papers are all scraps from my bin, as are the bits of ribbon from Really Reasonable Ribbon Co.  I use to subscribe to their monthly club.  The fry box is SU!, as is the scalloped and circle punch.  The leaf punch is from Martha Stewart, and I found it at Tuesday Mornings for a song.  It is fun because you can change up the ribs with different colors.  My stamping was done with Memento inks and then colored with colored pencils and mineral spirits.

     I would like to take this over to Pixie's Snippets Playground, since this was created with lots of scraps, and that is Di's requirement.  It is the 200th challenge at the playground, so I want to wish a big Congrats to Di, and all of the playmates! 

Monday, October 12, 2015

By Request.....

 
     Suddenly, I was asked to create cards for people.  It has been dry all summer, LOL!  Besides a few retirement cards, wedding cards, I needed a 50th Birthday card.  I decided to get into my un-mounted stamps, which I do not use far enough.  The reason being I have no clue who has made them.  Other than the cake stamp, I can list what I do know.

     The papers.....  White card base with scraps of black, gold, and TH Vintage Shabby.  The balloon dies are from Papertrey Ink.  The twine strings and bow are from American Crafts.  Sequins are from Fancy Pants.  I did add the 50th with a stamp from Impression Obsession.  Some Stardust pen was added to the embossed balloon and the 50th.  The smattering of dots are from a Stamps by Judith stubby stamp.

     Not sure I missed anything.  I would like to enter this at:

     Pixie's Snippets Playground # 198-  Always use snippets  (almost at 200)

     Hope you had a fantastic fall weekend, and I sure do appreciate you spending a few minutes of your day with me!

Friday, October 9, 2015

A Second Unity Post

 

     Since I could not seem to figure out what day the Unity Blog Hop was this week, I was thrilled I did not miss it.  Here is another card I created with the August 2013 KOM.  So many amazing images and sentiments to get inky!

     This card starts with a kraft base, and designer paper from Momenta.  I stamped the subway art in the corner of a piece of water color paper, and then punched out 2 leaves from the opposite corner. This let the designer paper peek through the holes.  I used my Spectrum Aqua markers and a waterbrush, to add soft colors.  There is a little sparkle added with sequins. 

     Please check out the surprise sale at Unity, as well as all of the wonderful creations to be seen on the Inspiration Hop!  Have a pleasant weekend!

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Halloween Treats

 
     I have started working on some treats for friends and co-workers.  This treat box is one of the things I came across during the season, and with the help of my friend Carol, was able to mass produce these fun little goodies.  Here is the link for the You Tube video.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5IGVGVdavc .  To complete the project, I brought out one of my older Unity Stamp, Kits of the Month.  This kit is August 2013 called Cozy Moments.  It has wonderful Fall and Halloween images/sentiments to work with.  You will also need an envelope punch board to make this project easy.  My paper is double sided so I did some of each side. The rest of the stamps are done on those many leftover pieces of white, that we all have.

     The inking was stamps in Memento, and Distress ink in Rusty Hinge, Peeled Paint, and Mustard seed.  I added a brad and a sparkly bat from Recollections.  These have been one of my favorite embellishments this Halloween, so I went back to my local Michael's and bought all they had!

     I will be entering this project for:

Unity Inspiration Blog Hop-  Use Unity
Pixie's Snippets Playground #197-  Use snippets
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything goes

     I appreciate the visit!  It is so nice to see the sun, here in PA!  Looks like it will be a fairly perfect fall week.  Enjoy!

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Unity Inspiration Hop

 
     Here is a card I created with an older Unity KOM, and I would like to add it to the links for the Unity Inspiration Hop.  It is actually October 2010 and Called Take Time To Laugh.  I just love going back to older kits and picking one at random to create with. 

     My card starts with a white base.  The designer paper is Basic Grey from the What's Up collection.  I embossed my image and sentiment with WOW bright white ep, and then water colored my piece with the bird.  For embellishments I added handmade wrinkle ribbon, b&w bakers twine, some McGill punched leaves, and a smattering of enamel drops in white.

     Hurricane Joaquin will be bearing down on the east coast this weekend, and I am praying for everyone's safety.  After Sandy, I think we need to take these things seriously, even when we think the media is over hyping them.  Thanks for stopping
by and I will see you on the flip side!

Friday, September 25, 2015

All About the Journey......

 
     Today I would like to encourage everyone to visit the Unity Blog Hop, and check out all of the wonderful new stamps that they have on sale.  You will be truly inspired!

     On to my card.  I used the Unity stamp set called All About the Journey.  This was also one of the earliest Unity sets I acquired.  It is great for vacation cards, and cards for guys.  Mine started with a white base, with a layer of kraft striped dp.  My next layer was done with a background stamp from Stamp Camp, which was bought at a show.  I added a strip of burlap to give it a rustic feel. The images and sponging were both done with Distress Inks, cut out, and popped up.  The compass rose has some stardust pen accents with a glitter gem center.

     I would like to enter this at:

Unity Blog Hop-  Create with Unity
Cardz for Guyz- use Blue and Kraft

     Hope you enjoy a fabulous fall weekend.  We will be hanging close due to road restrictions from the Pope's visit.  Thanks for visiting!

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Unity Hop

 
     Thanks for stopping back.  I seem to be stuck on a nautical theme this week.  Tuesday night seems to be the time for the new hop at Unity, plus all of the new releases and sales!  Be sure to check it out!

     My card today uses one of my very oldest Unity Stamp sets called Bold Insight, and I just love it.  I started with a kraft base, and added a layer and a strip of Momenta designer paper (which is my new favorite go to this week).  My sentiment is big, and I used it as the focal point of my card. It was stamped with Distress Ink.  I added a ships wheel that I die cut from Darice, and some brass studs to accent.

     I appreciate the visit, and hope you will take time to visit the Unity Blog Hop, and check out all of the work from the design team and crafters.  Quite inspirational!

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Embossing

     Today I would like to enter a card into the Cardz 4 Guyz #88 challenge for this week, which is embossing.  It can be dry or heated. 

 
     My card uses a more vintage stamp of a lighthouse which I have had for years.  It is made by Stampendous from 1997.  Phew!  It depicts the Cape Hatteras Light in NC.  I embossed it with white detail powder, colored with Distress Inks, and cut and layered with classic oval dies from Spellbinders.  My designer paper is from Momenta.  I added Memory Box/ Poppy seagull die cuts and a twine bow to complete my card.

     Please stop back later for more creations I plan on posting.  Make it a good Tuesday!

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Everything Changes......

 
     This card was created for lots of reasons.  I found a fantastic challenge with a tutorial, I wanted to use some new things, and I can not get use to the new days of doing things at some sites.

     Let me first list the challenges I am going to share this card for.

Speedy Fox and Friends #278-  I just had to try this tutorial!
Unity Blog Hop-  Day has changed to hook up those Unity Stamp projects.  I used their sentiment.
NBUS #5- My Lawn Fawn Stitched Leaves, and my Unity sentiment are new to me.

 
     The tutorial over at Speedy Fox and Friends was really fun!  I started with a white base, added a piece of designer paper that has gold leaves.  I positioned my mini bricks stencil from Crafters Workshop, and pounced it with Hero Arts Unicorn White ink.  Next I took a background stamp from Stamp Camp and with black ink, I stamped through the openings in the stencil to create a layered look.  I cut my leaves from kraft and sponged them with white on the edges.  I stamped, colored, and fussy cut my morning dove for The Artist Stamps in CA.  (very old but favorite stamp from my collection).  My Unity sentiment was stamped, colored to match my dove, and punched with an SU! circle punch. This was from one of my Unity prize bags.   Random sequins were added for sparkle.

     I so appreciate your visit, and hope you visit again.  Thanks!

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Darnell is Having an NBUS Challenge #5!

 
     Oh, how I love when there is an NBUS!  Darnell has so many amazing sponsors this time, it will make you squeal!  What is an NBUS, you say?  It is a challenge where you use never before used stuff.  If you would like to check it out, please visit, comment, and perhaps play along.  It started today, and continues until the 18th.  It can be found here.....DJKardKreations.  Read the rules, and get inspired!  This is #5!

 
     Okay on to my card!  Besides the fact that I have used a few of my new stuffs to create with, I have also used scraps of card stock from my bin to cut my elements.  (always a bonus to use things up)  I started with a rust base, cut my next layer with a Lil' Inkers stitched rectangle, My image is new to me, and was buried in my digi files.  Sorry no designer name attached.  (please advise if you know, thanks!)  I cut and embossed a SB oval and did the same with my farmer image.  My corn dies are also new to me, and they are from My Favorite Things.  I topped it off with a Lil' Inkers small sun die, which is also new.  I threw on a rustic twine bow, and a little computer generated sentiment, since I could not come up with one the right size, and attached it to a Simple Stories banner, from a new pack of fall die cuts.  I am pleased with this card, I do believe!  I normally struggle with masculine cards.

     I would also like to enter this masculine card at:
Pixie's Snippets Playground #193-  Must use snippets
Cardz for Guys #87- 3 of something (my corn stalks)

So glad you visited!  Maybe you can find something to inspire you.  Have a great week!

Saturday, September 5, 2015

Make it Colorful!

 
     Today I would like to share with you a card I made for the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge for this week, called Make It Colorful.  I recently purchased this SU! stamp set called Over the Rainbow.  I was quite surprised at what a few colorful ink pads could do.

     The inks used are Ridinghood Red, Tangelo Twist, Hello Honey, Pacific Point, Vintage Violet, and Gumball Green.  My sentiment is stamped in Memento, and I used a water brush to coordinate my rainbow letters.  I used one dimensional to raise my fussy cut sun.

     I do believe I will enter this over at Little Red Wagon #305, Clean and Simple.  I think one dimensional makes it pretty clean, right?

     I appreciate the visit, and hope you enjoy this end of summer holiday!

Friday, September 4, 2015

A Couple of Challenges!

 
     Here is a card I created for a couple challenges... I am trying to beat the clock on one.

 I used the following items:

Dies:  Darice for the flourish, and Elizabeth for the negative on the words.
Papers:  Recollections and Basic Grey
Punches: Flowers and Bird are from SU!
EF:  Cuttlebug woodgrain, also dotted swiss on the birds wing.
Embellishments:  pearls from Recollections

     My first is for Mark's Finest Paper, Speedy Challenge- Sympathy Card.
Second is for Pixie's Snippets Playground # 192 where you use snippets all the time.
The third is SOS #217  Put a Bird on it!

Sorry this is so rushed!  Have a great weekend!

Friday, August 28, 2015

A Little Flair!



     Happy Friday!  This will be my second time typing this post, since Blogger was so kind as to not allow me to add the picture, when I had completed typing.  Ugh!  I used stamps from 2 of the recent Unity KOM.  They were May and July.  I love this pretty gown, and I had never inked it before.  The font for the Happy Birthday is so pretty, also.

      I started with a cranberry card stock base, a layer of pink card from Bazzill, some designer Basic Grey scraps, and a top layer of white.  My 2 layers were cut with Lil' Inker stitched rectangle dies.  I added Prima flowers, Recollections pearls, and tiny negative hearts cut with a border punch.  Sparkle was added with a Stardust pen.  This will be perfect for a sweet princess!

     This will be entered at the following:

Unity, Friends with Flair-  Use Unity
Pixie's Snippets Playground #191-  Use snippets
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge-  Anything Goes

     Enjoy this weekend, as summer winds down.  The week ahead has the unknown with Storm Erika.  Be safe if you end up in her path.  Thanks for the visit!

Friday, August 21, 2015

That Stinks!

 
     Today I have a card that uses the "That Stinks" stamp set from Unity.  I will be entering this in the Friday, Friends with Flair share this week.
 
     My skunk is a little mottled, since I was trying recreate one that I have had running around my yard at night.  I did this with my Copic 0.  It removed the color to give me some texture.  We also have one that is almost completely white.  I spotted him down by the lake, looking for grubs.  So, I am thinking that the mottled one is an offspring of Whitey.  ( I thought whitey was a shopping bag blowing around, until I saw it was going in circles.)  I used all paper scraps, my inks were Copic, and my sponging is SU! ink.  There was some fussy cutting, and  For embellishments, I used lines of sticky back pearls which I bought at a show.
 
     Have a fantastic weekend, everyone.
 
     

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Had To Try One!

 
     There have been so many versions of cards with little Minions, that I just had to try and create one for myself.  The biggest thing is to get the shape right, and I found that Spellbinders Labels Nine contained that perfect bean shape.

     The clothing is a whole other thing.  I found printable Minion gear on Pinterest!  All I had to do was figure out the right scale and print!  My sentiment is also printed and is from TLC Creations.  The stitched clouds are a die from Lil Inkers.  I used a negative scrap for my circle opening.  Also I sponged a nice blue sky for a background, also on a scrap. Some Glossy Accents on the goggles, and a strip of Washi on the bottom, and I am calling this card done.

     I do believe I shall post this over on Pixie's Snippets Playground # 190, since I used up bits from my desktop!  Thanks for the visit!

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

A Twofer

 
     Recently I have been creating for the shear fun of creating.  Today I would like to share 2 winter cards I made this week.  My first card is my version of a card I saw on Pinterest,  I did some layers, stamped trees with Smoky Slate, using the SU!, Lovely As A Tree stamp set.  Next step was to cut a heart, using a SB die on black, and pop it up over the trees.  My die cut trees are from Simon Says Stamp/Memory Box, and are called Small Forrest Tree. The sentiment is from SU! Watercolor Wings.  I added pearls for snow, and large silver sequins snowflakes as embellishments. A strip of Washi tape was added across the bottom.

 
     I have been liking the dramatic look of black and white lately so I went with it for card number two, also.  I did the typical graduated layering, added a piece of designer paper from Bo Bunny's Altitude collection.  After cutting a classic oval from SB, I ran it through an embossing folder with snowflakes.  My large focal snowflake is a recent purchase of Darice dies.  I am liking that one.  My greeting is are dies from SB.  I added a sparkly snowflake sticker for some glitz.

    They were fun to create, and I am glad to have a couple more holiday cards completed!  I always enjoy your visits and comments.  Thanks!

Friday, August 14, 2015

Friday Comes So Quickly!

 
     Can it possibly be Friday so soon?  The week has zoomed by here.  My little Doxie had her spay surgery on Wednesday, and we are tied up with keeping her from straining herself.  Thank goodness the vet supplied pain relief.  She is a ball of constant motion, and does not like the "cone of shame" she has to wear when we are not staring at her.

 
     Anyway, on with my card.  It uses The Unity Kit of the Month for July 2015.  My card uses lots of the white scraps that I tend to accumulate, and a piece of polka dot designer scrap.  All of my stamping was done with peeled paint Distress Ink.  I carefully hit the cone with some colors of Copic.  Yes, I know those 2 inks are not compatible, but I went with it.  My border was created with a Martha Stewart punch.  I added Stardust pent to my ice cream for sparkle, and some gems to the punched border.

     I will be entering this for:

Friends with Flair-  Use Unity Stamps
Pixie's Snippets Playground-  All snippets, all the time

     Thanks for the visit!

Monday, August 10, 2015

Tie it up!

 
     I would like to share a water color I did, for my entry into the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge.  This week we are asked to "Tie It Up".  I used hemp twine as my tying agent.

     This started with a kraft card base, and a scrap of designer paper that reminded me of murky water.  The stamps used are as follows:

Mexican Garibaldi fish from Fred B. Mullett
Vintage Flourish stamp from Stampabilities
Sentiment from Unity Stamp Co.

 
     Everything was stamped with Distress Inks in assorted colors, and then misted, or colored with a wet brush.  My panel was distressed and the edges rubbed with inks.  Twine was added, as well as brass brads.

     That is it for now.  Might be back later today.  Thanks for visiting.

Friday, August 7, 2015

It's Friday!

    

    Today I have a Unity post, for Friends with Flair, that has been a long time coming.  A few months back, I made my grandson a memory matching game using 2 sets of Unity stamps.  I then gave it to him, and never took a picture.  The game is holding up fairly well, and when I saw he brought it to play with his last trip here, I snagged it up and took a couple of photos.

 
     The sets used were Meow, Purr, Baa, and Roar, Grr, Eek.  As soon as these sets became available, I just had to have them!  I used assorted inks and Copic markers, along with other assorted Unity stamps to create some texture on the backgrounds.  They were cut with a Spellbinders classic circle die, as was the designer paper I used for the reverse sides.  I layered them between laminating sheets and then cut again.  I also made a paper board box for storage.  This is one of the more fun projects I have done, and it has been hours of fun for a 2 year old.
 
     As a little side note, I did use the sheep from the set, but those two cards seem to have scampered off.  Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you enjoy your weekend.


Friday, July 31, 2015

Unity Linky for FwF, plus some!

 
     Another week has passed and it is time for the weekend!  It is also time for Friends with Flair, over on the Unity Blog.  We are just at a break in a heat wave, and boy, does it feel good.

     Today my card uses the July, 2015 KOM.  I fell in love with this vintage camera, and decided to give it a bit of a funky look with water colors. I truly used many scraps from my bins including my card base which I believe is a retired SU! color.  I have started cutting down many of my small print 12x12 favorite papers, which just sit since I have gotten away from scrapbooking.  One of my very favorite techniques is stamping direct to designer paper, which I have done with the ric- rac and background stamps from the kit.

I will be entering this for the following:

Unity Friends with Flair- Use Unity Stamps
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge- Anything Goes
Pixie's Snippets Playground #188-  Use those snippets 

     Have a wonderful week ahead, and thanks for stopping!