Roaring Birthday

My DS is attending a friend's birthday tomorrow and I've been wanting to make a shadow box card for Challenge #13 for the Stampin' Sisters in Christ. I also wanted to use some of my darling PMS stamps that I've been collecting! Right now PMS is having a blog hop and in conjunction with their Makeup 4 the Week-end Challenge. The challenge is to use Olive, Navy & Mustard on your card. So here is my Olive, Navy & Mustard Shadowbox!


I colored Rex with my Copic markers. I used the Out of the Box technique with this shadowbox. I thought it would be fun when DS's friend opens the card! He is turning 7 so I think he'll like it.

I used Just For Fun's grass stamp. That little grass stamp comes in quite handy!
Here is a top view so you can see the shadowbox depth. The tutorial for this shadowbox is at SCS here.

So, do you think he'll like it?

Stamps: Rex & sentiment (PMS), Grass (JFF), Ink: Old Olive, Rich Cocoa (Momento) Paper: Night of Navy, Old Olive, Whisper White, More Mustard; Accessories: Copic Markers, Pop Dots, Coluzzle.

Patriotic

Hello. . . . . testing. . . . is anyone out there? ;)

With no mojo and our family's focus on my DH getting ready to deploy I just haven't created in awhile. Until last night. Our local Officer Spouses' Club had a luncheon today with the theme of Make It, Bake It, Fake It. Until last night, I had nothing to take. Then the guilt came flooding in and I hit my craft room and SCS. I wanted to use a new stamp set from SU that had been so far uninked. Courage is a beautiful stamp set and I so wanted to use it. I found a beautiful card at Splitcoast to CASE. Gotta love SCS when you have both a mojo and time crunch! Nikki's card was perfect for the job!

Here are the four cards I made. They are all the same with the exception of the sentiment I used. Three of the sentiments are from the Services & Sacrifices stamp set. There's a lot of layers here, more than I normally use, but I love the feel of these cards. I did add a layer inside (forgot to take a photo) where I stamped the star from the Wanted set in VersaMark along the side borders onto kraft c/s. With all the layers on the front it helped give the back of the card some strength and provided a lighter surface to write on.


My friend Rose ended up winning this set. She is so gifted and crafty herself that it was a honor that she would even want my cards! Thanks for making my day Rose!

Stamps: Courage, Services & Sacrifice, Wanted; Ink: Rich Cocoa (Momento), Close to Cocoa; Paper: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Kraft, Very Vanilla; Accessories: copper brads, 1/16th" hole punch, Destressor tool, Ticket Corner Punch, sponge.

Kip

I won this little guy in one of the challenges over at PMS forums. During their monthly release they post a couple of challenges and you have a week to complete the challenge. So I won a challenge and since my DS loves all sports I just HAD to get Kip! Well, my nephew (9 months older than Troy) also LOVES baseball so I inked Kip up for my nephew's birthday. I used one of the challenges at the PMS forum for this card. The challenge was a card sketch with some additions (sparkle, button, layers & PINK: see those cheeks and mouth? LOL!) I hope his card arrives in time and that he can recognize that Kip is wearing a NY Yankee's uniform! Well, I did my best with that part! Anyway, my nephew is living with my brother in S. Korea and tomorrow is his birthday so "Happy birthday Gabe!"


I tried using a gray marker for the pin stripes but it was too dark and I didn't want to start over so I stamped Kip two more times and used a pencil for the stripes. I cut out his new uniform out and from the second image I cut just the mitt so Kip has a bit of paper tole going on.

I wanted the brown layer to have a leather feel to it so I misted some water onto it and wrinkled it and spread it back out. When it was dry I did direct to paper with some Close to Cocoa to help it look worn.

I used Just For Fun's Grass stamp for the grass at Kip's feet in two different greens to add depth. I used a VersaMarker over the image of Kip and clear embossed him before I sponged the green and blue background.

Thanks for taking a look! Have a fabulous day!
Melissa

Stamps: Kip (PMS) Grass (Just For Fun), Ink: Tuxedo Black, Bamboo Leaves & New Sprout (Memento); Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue, Close to Cocoa, Ballet Blue & Green Galore (SU); Paper: Night of Navy, Chocolate Chip, Polar White (Neenah), Accessories: CB, Nestabilities, clear EP, VersaMark Pen, Clear Spica pen, neutral button (SU) and blue hemp cord, pencil, various Copic markers and multiliner .03.

Back to School Ben

My son went back to school today. *sigh* He's growing so quickly. I made this card and put it in his lunch. The image is B is for Ben (4th down on right) and is a digi image from Victoria Case. Love this little guy with the backpack! It retires 1 September.

I used the current CPS card sketch #130. I love this sketch! I also used this week's Copic Colour Challenge #27 for *some* of the colors! This card uses C03, YR04 & E37 (the closest I have to #57). Since it is for my DS (who's 6) I used a number of bright colors. He loves jeans so of course he has jeans on. :) There is C03 on the soles of his shoes, zipper tag and around the lower portion of the image to help ground him. It is difficult to see the red layer has various items from the Back to School set from My Favorite Things.

I plan on having lunch with him today, a tradition we started last year. I couldn't leave with sharing a picture of my DS and DH on the playground before school started.

Stamps: B is for Ben (Victorian Case), Riveting (SU), Back to School (MFT); Ink: Night of Navy (on sentiment) Real Red (on red layer), various Copic markers; Paper: Ballet Blue, Night of Navy, Real Red, Solar White (Neenah); Accessories: Sky Blue atyou Spica pen.

Artful Inkables Fox

I just love Kristin's stamps (Artful Inkables.) I have used her fox from Critter Country. I made this card for the Think Ink challenge in the Artful Inkable's blog to use red, black and white. (There is some yummy blog candy at stake!) Do you think this qualifies? ;D

I also used the sketch from Mojo Monday. This week Mojo Monday is celebrating with a sketch a day and this is actually Tuesday's sketch.

I also used color challenge from Copic Creations challenge #10 to use red and pink. The pink is the fox's head. I actually did a quick Google search for red foxes and noticed that their heads were a lighter, almost pinkish, color from their red bodies. The black layers are sprayed with Pearl Glimmer Mist so there is some sheen to them. You can't tell much, but the bottom black layer was embossed with the Bird and Swirls folder to add some texture.

Stamps: Critter Country (AI); Ink: Tuxedo Black & Bamboo Leaves (Memento), various Copic markers; Paper: White Pure Luxery (GinaK), Basic Black (SU), Red (Brights mat stack from DCWV), Solar White (Neenah); Accessories: scallop rectangle Nestabilities, Sunburst Border punch (Fiskars), Horizontal Slot punch (SU), Corner Rounder (SU), Bird & Swirls (CuttleBug), white organdy ribbon; Pearl Glimmer Mist (Tattered Angels).

Check this out!

I try to be very conscientious to only post artwork and keep the non-artwork posts to a minimum, but this is quite an incredible blog candy. Check out Stefanie's blog for an awesome blog candy giveaway!

Retirement Challenge

My DH has a woman in his office that will be retiring soon. I had been working on this image for several challenges and thought it appropriate for a retirement. The sketch came from Rubber Stamp Chat's August Challenge. The fairy is from PMS' August Challenge #1 to use a fairy, (and a few other requirements) AND a challenge to upload fairy creations to SCS. (I'll be uploading it there after I finish here.) The colors were inspired by this week's Copic Colour Challenge #26, (the blog candy for this challenge is 3 of PMS' new releases!)

I changed up the card from my initial take on it. Here is the first draft.

I decided that the background paper was just too busy. Plus you couldn't really tell that the second designer paper was the scallop circle. I also needed to add some ribbon. Here is the reworked card:

I do like this one better. The ribbon is the black velvet ric-rac. I needed a sentiment and decided to add it to the inside and give people plenty of room to write comments inside. I used my computer for the sentiment. Don't you think it is fitting? ;) It had too much blank space so I stamped Kirstin as a second generation in Going Gray ink.

Stamps: Kirstin (PMS); Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Going Gray (SU), various Copic markers; Paper: Basic Black, White (Neenah), Scarlet's Letter (Basic Grey: scallop circle, black & white in first card), Wild Asparagus (green polka dots), blue polka dots (SU - retired); Accessories: black velvet ric-rac, scallop circle & standard circle Nestabilities, Sea Glass Glimmer Mist (Tattered Angels: on scallop circle), clear star gelly roll (Sakura: wings), clear atyou Spica (dandelion), white gelly roll (Sakura: highlights on fairy), scallop edge punch (SU).

PMS August Challenge

The challenge was to CASE a card from the PMS gallery at SCS. I chose Dawn Mercedes card here.

Here is my card:

The sentiment is this week's Friday's Freebie from the PMS blog. Isn't it great? Well, this card has NO stamping! That doesn't happen very often!

Stamps: I'll Just Be Me (PMS - Digi); Ink: Gold (Encore), Y11 Copic Marker, printer; Paper: Basic Black, DCWV designer paper, White; Accessories: black ribbon, Labels Nestabilities, Paper Piercing, crystals.

Updated Stamp Storage

I wanted to do an update to this post to show how I am storing my unmounted stamps. I am not as thrilled with the Stamp Keeper as I was originally was. I am continuing to use my Stamps Keepers as there is some benefit to using them, but for the most part they are just not as easy or inexpensive as this system.

I start out by cutting the stamps and using a permanent marker to write the company name on the back. Learned the hard way! I will try to add the set name if there is room. (I am showing you my process using my recent order from ISC.) Here is a picture with the stamps cut and the name on the backs.


Next I adhere that sheet that comes with the uncut rubber to a piece of typing paper. I right the company name on top to make identifying the company easy.

I put a piece of chip board into the page protector then add the typing paper with all the images attached. (If for some reason I don't have an image sheet from the set I just stamp the images on the typing sheet after I have prepped the stamps.) Here is the finished page protector.


Next I use Alene's Tack It Over and Over onto the back of the cut stamps. It dries pretty quickly. As you may be able to tell, the first ones are clear by the time I reached the end and took this picture. (See all the extra uses for your Scor-Pal!) ;)

After the glue has "set" and is clear I just put the stamp onto the page protector. Voila! I'm finished! Using the page protectors like this gives me flexibility to move around my collection, to expend or organize as I please. Fairly inexpensive as well!

BTW, often with sentiments I will stick them to the side of their image so I can read the sentiment.

I hope this is helpful to those of you still looking for ways to organize and store your unmounted stamps!

Tropical Monkeys

Hubby is going TDY (temporary duty) to Virginia (not far from Virginia Beach) for a few days so I thought I'd sneak a card into his suitcase. I thought I'd play on the beach (VA) vs. jungle theme of these stamps. Since he is leaving three of us (me, DS and DDog) I thought that the card sketch at CPS would work great. I did flip the sketch to make this work.

I love these stamps from StarvingArtistamps. I used the Tropical Backdrop with Chip the Monkey.

Right now StarvingArtistamps is having some blog candy, the prize is FOUR brand new sets! Check out their blog here!

I also used Artful Sentiments Color Challenge #18 to use V06 (used V05), YG03 and RV25 (used RV14). The RV14 and V05 are hard to spot because they are the flowers, but they are there I promise!

Pink Blooms

I love working with my Copic markers and love Kimm's color challenges. Well this week's color challenge WAS a challenge for me. We were to use R20, R83 and RVOO. I don't own a single one of those colors. I'm really not a pink kinda gal. I own nearly all the purples, many blues. . . . well, you get the idea. So I had to improvise a bit. I ended up using R22 (close to R20), RV02 (close to RVOO) and R02 (I don't know why, it seemed somewhat similar in a sorta' kinda' way.)

I also wanted to use CPS's cark sketch for this week. And to add to the mix I recently bought some DCWV Brights Mat Stack with the white core so I could do the CB sanding technqiue. :) Well, here is what I came up with:

Those blooms are Sunday International, I bought them from OnyxXpressions. I did lots of sponging on the bloom layer (started on white c/s) since I just love the artwork that Michelle and Theresa create. The sentiment is from SweetandSassy Stamps in the Be Still stamp set.

As you can see I need to practice using my VersaMarker to apply my EP. I started heating my blooms and realized I went beyond the vine. I used a nut cracking tool (that ended up in my craft carasol since it was neglected in the kitchen but holds down c/s being heat embossed wonderfully) to scratch off excess powder before heating.

This card will be going to a girlfriend whose DH left last month for a year away (she's an Air Force wife.) She's had a bit of a rough time the last couple weeks.

Stamps: Spring Blooms (Sunday International), Be Still (SweetandSassy); Ink: So Saffron, Appricot Appeal, Creamy Caramel; Paper: Rose Red, White, green (DCWV), Accessories: Clear embossing powder, pink ribbon (SU), CB and folder, sanding block (SU), Butterfly charm (bought at Wal-Mart), VersaMarker, Copic Markers.

ISC Harlequin

I have been working on this card all week-end! I used a sketch challenge, Copic challenge, TJ technique (I can't remember which one it is!), and a SCS tutorial that I saw on someone's blog that has been stuck in my brain for a month or so now! Whew!

I started with the Week-end Sketch challenge (WSC89) and decided to add the Copic Creations Challenge #8, which was to use botanicals with your Copics. I chose to use this stamp from ISC's Harlequin Flowers (I trimmed off the stem & grasses to fit better in my frame.) I colored on shimmery white (SU) cardstock. This close up shows some of the sparkle. I rolled the leaves before I attached it to the frame.

Here is the card:


I found this cardstock I'd used a TJ technique and squirreled away (several pieces actually) and decided to use it up. The sad thing is that I didn't write the name of the technique on the back and now (m-o-n-t-h-s) later I can't remember which one it is. Choosing this piece, then the designer paper (retired SU) pretty much picked my colors for me. :)

The last piece of the "puzzle" was the wooden frame. I used this SCS tutorial for Faux Wood to make this frame. I thought it would be interesting to mix the scallop octogon with the straight edge. I used Tempting Turquoise as the base for the frame. Hindsite: I would do this again, but I wouldn't use the octogon nesties! A square would have been much easier than putting this puzzle piece together! I didn't use brads as the tutorial suggests, I just used a marker to make faux nails. ;)

Stamps: Harlequin Flowers (ISC); Ink: Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Certainly Celery, Garden Green, Bashful Blue, Ballet Blue, Brillian Blue; Paper: Taken with Teal, Designer paper (SU - retired), Tempting Turgquiose, Shimmery White (SU), Whisper white; Accessories: Copics, Nestabilities: large scallop & octogon, sponges Tim Holtz ruler, hobby blade, blue adhesive backed ribbon (Darice).

Sharing the Love

I recent bought this set from Archiver's with one of their 30% off coupons; Bubbles from Our Craft Lounge (OCL). I fell in love with this set when they did their blog hop.

Pat from Technque Junkies recently had a sell on the TJ CD's and I took her up on it and purchased the 5 I did not already have. I love that I can open the CD and have a year's worth of techniques PLUS 10 bonus techniques and I don't have to have internet connection, (if for some reason that goes down.) Anyway, this technique is a bonus from CD #6 called Metalic Stone.

Remember that blog candy I won from Pat's Technique Trail blog? The silver layers are from that stash and called Vintage Silver Lustre text. I love the swirl design and thought it would work with this underwater card.

I used my Copic markers to color this image. I wasn't able to blend, the ink soaks in pretty quickly, but didn't really blend. That is okay with this card. My color inspiration came Kimm's Copic Color challenge to use YG67, B23, and E47. Well I don't own any of those so I approximated with YG45, B24 and E44. I added B29 and E49 as well.

I used the July sketch challenge at Rubber Stamp Chat for the card's design. The sentiment is stamped onto the vellum layer. I didn't want to cover all that beautiful Metalic Stone technique but was afraid that the sentiment wouldn't stamp well on the texture. Here's my card:


Stamps: Bubbles (OCL); Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento); Paper: Ballet Blue, Garden Green, Whisper White, vellum, Vintage Silver Lustre; Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch (SU), Copic markers.

PMS Challenge #2

PMS just released some new images. Their release this month was all in digi form. I had to have several of the sentiments. This particular one I won from Kim's blog candy. Thanks so much Kim!

When I saw it I immediately knew who I wanted to make this card for. My BFF Dawn! We are soul sisters I'm sure! Love you Dawn!


I made this for the PMS challenge #2, which was to CASE one of Katie's cards from her gallery at SCS. I CASEd this card. I changed the sentiment, instead of designer paper the background is actually the TJ Bandanna technique and I changed the button embellishment to a filligree.

Thanks Katie for wonderful release party and for this great digi sentiment!

Stamps: Baroque Motifs (SU), Like Branches On A Tree (PMS: Digi); Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine), Distress Inks: Broken China, Faded Jeans & Pine Needles, printer ink; Paper: Rose Red, Certainly Celery, White; Accessories: Filligree (TPC Signature Collection), scallop edge punch (SU).

Congrats to. . .

Thank you all so much for leaving comments. So many of you thanked me and my DH for our service; thank YOU for your appreciation. You all made my day! I wish I had a card to send to each and every one of you!

Now, onto the winner of the Pledge of Allegiance card. The winner is. . . .

Jennifer! Jennifer was comment number 45. Number was selected by www.random.org. Here is Jennifer's comment:

Jennifer says:

“Hi Melissa, I love, love, love your card! You used some fabulous techniques with the coloring and vellum. Hope you're having a wonderful 4th of July weekend!!

I have sent Jennifer an email. If I don't hear back from her by Wednesday morning I'll select another number.

Again, thank you all for visiting and making my week-end!

Melissa

"I Pledge Allegiance. . ."

I'm so glad you could join the SNR Card Universe Blog Hop! If you came from Becky Partan's blog you are on the right track! If you didn't you may want to hop to the SNR Card Universe and start at the beginning.

I am totally excited to participate in this blog hop! There are so many incredible artists participating in this blog hop I'm sure you will be inspired!

As an Army wife and Army veteran I have a soft spot for patriotic stamps. I don't seem to use them near enough so when I had to create my card I had to figure out which ones to use! I decide to use two new (to me) stamps from Our Daily Bread Designs.


I have quite a number of flag stamps, but I just love this flag stamp! The flag stamp is from the set God Bless America. This stamp is the perfect size for A2 sized cards! The Pledge of Allegiance stamp is sold separately. I stamped the flag onto vanilla cardstock using Tuxedo Black. I chose vanilla cardstock so I could use a white gel pen to help the stars pop a bit more. I used my Copic markers to color the flag and my white gelly roll pen from Sakura. I cut the image out and layered onto the base layer of Basic Black. I cut some vellum text weight slightly smaller than the base and stamped the Allegiance stamp using Stazon Black. I used Pearl Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist to mist the vellum. TIP: Rather than spray the glimmer mist directly onto the vellum (and leave large spots) spray the mist into the air and immediately wave the vellum through the mist. The heavier drops fall and you get a very nice misting!

I adhered the vellum using silver brads. I kept the design simple, allowing the emotion to carry the card.

Here's a peek at the inside.


I am offering this card as a RAK, just leave a comment and I will use the random generator to pick the winning comment. Open to all! Just leave a way to contact you and I will draw the winning comment Monday morning.

The next blog on the hop is Paula Mangum of The Paper Spa. Enjoy and have a happy and safe 4th of July!

Kaitlyn's Card

My husband's eldest neice is graduating so we are heading to MA tomorrow. (So this is a quick upload!) :)

This set is from Hero Arts. The sketch is from 2 Sketches 4 You. I used Babys Breath Shimmerz Spritz. (I won three bottles and got this and two bottles of Shimmerz! Awesome!) Colored the owl with my Copic markers.


Stamps: Hero Arts (set name unknown); Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento); Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Yoyo Yellow, Pure Luxury 120 lbs (GinaK), Sweet DP (SU); Accessories: Circle and Pinking Circle Nestabilities, Swiss Dots CB folder, CB, various Copic markers, Babys Breath (Shimmerz Spritz).

New Again

Have you ever taken a card you did. . . . ages ago and just took it apart and (hopefully) made it better to give away? I took this card of Wizard Dan and removed the Faux Leather layer, added "Faith" dots on top of the paper piercing border and just reattached it to the base. It is brighter and just more simple but I like it better. I will give it to my son tomorrow at his 6th birthday party. I do like the colors of this! And I'm not a bright kinda gal!


Stamps: Wizard Dan (Spiral Whisper); Ink: Various Copic, White Gel Pen (Sakura); Green Galore , Night of Navy, White; Accessories: Clear EP.

IBFS Gnome

It has been so long since I posted. I hadn't forgotten you, just got busy learning my new IMac! Things are a bit different now, a GOOD kind of different! LOL! I can no longer use my scanner with my Mac so I am taking pictures. I ran out of time with the last couple of projects so I don't have pics of them. I made sure to get a picture of this little guy going to my Dad for Father's Day.

This gnome is from I Brake For Stamps (IBFS), from their new Fairy plate. Isn't he just adorable?? Since I still had out all the Copics I used I bundled them up for the picture. I also stuck in there the new sponge I bought from the Close to My Heart booth at the Rubber stamp convention I attended on Sunday.

*soapbox* Please visit your local conventions! It is such a wonderful opportunity to learn of new companies and meet other crafters! I found some awesome stamps at some great prices!! AND. . . . I got to meet Kelley from Our Daily Bread Designs!! Thanks for such wonderful stamps Kelley! And thanks for tracking me down with my bag in hand!! *blushes* Can you believe I got up after making my card and left one of my bags??! *stepping down off soapbox*

I used CPS card sketch for this card. I added "Faith" dots. The designer paper is some retired SU I had sitting in my drawer. I liked how the earthy colors meshed with my gnomes clothing colors. I had to use my largest scalloped rectagle on the white layer so I cut two from Chocolate Chip and made one of them larger. It was a bit of work layering just so but I eventually made it work.

Stamps: Fairy Plate (IBFS), sentiment is computer generated; Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Creamy Caramel, Brocade Blue, Always Artichoke; Paper: Brocade Blue, Chocolate Chip, Solar White (Neevah), Creamy Caramel, DP is Retired SU; Accessories: white gel pen (Sakura), Nestabilities, CB, Copics, Sponge (CTMH).

I am happy to introduce you to Penelope. She came to me from Paper Makeup Stamps (PMS). One of the things I LOVE about PMS stamps is that they can be purchased either bare rubber (read: less expensive) or EZ-Mount. I just slather the back of the stamp with some Aleene's Tack it Over and Over, then slap it onto an acrylic block and stamp away. I've never had a problem with any of my bare rubber stamps.

More about my card. Penelope (and a few other items) were given to me as a birthday gift from my MIL. The card below was sent to my wonderful MIL as a thank you to her for my gifts. I colored her with my Copics (that's Penelope, not my MIL of course!) I am just in love with my Copic markers! I still need to improve my coloring, but I love being able to shade and layer color with them.

Can you tell I have a thing for purple and fairies? Okay, purple IS my favorite color so perhaps I just like it with everything! LOL! I used my Labels One Nestie (Christmas gift from my MIL) and used it to mask the edges. I like the faux layer effect it offers. I added some crystal stickers to embellish the ribbon, as I felt it need just a little something. I used sponge daubers to color the background of my white layer, but I just can't seem to get the hang of using them. I should stick with sponges or find something else.

Stamps: Penelope (PMS), Fine Lace (SU); Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Bashful Blue, Ballet Blue, Lovely Lilac; Paper: Lavendar Lace, White; Accessories: Ribbon (SU), Label One Nestabilities, CB, Horizontal Slot punch (SU), Crystal Stickers (Mark Richards), sponge daubers.

Purple Flowers

Here's a quick upload, it's bedtime! ;D

This image is the latest OnyxXpressions offering from Sunday International. These stamps are already mounted on EZ Mount and are beautiful!

The color challenge is from Copic Creations Challenge #3 to make a card using purple flowers. The colors I used: BV00, BV04, BV08, YG03 & YG63, E15, and the colorless blender pen on the tips of the flowers. I sponged Lovely Lilac around the flowers, but the scanner washed much of it out.

The sketch is from 3 Clovers Thursday Sketch #11.



Editing details: Stamps: Spring Blooms (OnyxXpressions), "Enjoy" from Flair of Summer (ISC); Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Lovely Lilac, Elegant Eggplant (brayered over Swiss Dots); Paper: Basic Black, Lavender Lace, Neenah Classic Solar White, DP from Once Upon A Time (DCWV), small & large oval punches (SU), corner rounder (SU), stipple brush, black velvet rick-rack, Swiss CB folder, Copic Markers listed above.

Fairy Thoughts

Two posts in one day, what's up with that?? LOL! I needed a stampin' fix as well as a thank you card for a friend. I decided to use Lost in Thought from Susana's Custom Art and Card Design. Susana has some beautiful faeries, go check them out. :)

Public Service Announcement: Susana is also having some blog candy and the deadline is drawing near. Check our her blog as well as her newest stamp designer Victoria Case who is also giving away some blog candy in the form of her new stamp line at SCACD! There will be nine stamps coming out tomorrow. I for one can hardly wait! Back to your regular reading post.

The sketch is from Our Creative Corner. (ETA: I just realized that I forgot to add the three accessories at the top. Oops!) I took some liberty with the More Mustard and Brocade Blue layers. :) I stamped her in London Fog (Memento) and colored her with my Copic markers then used my Oval Nestie to cut her out and the coordinating Scallop Oval nestie to layer beneath. The green layer is from my Prints Pack (SU).

Although this card is a bit busy, I think it works since all the colors are a bit earthy. What do you think?


Stamps: Lost in Thought (SCACD); Ink: London Fog (Memento); Paper: More Mustard, So Saffron, Neenah Classic White, Prints Pack (SU), Bordering Blue; Accessories: CB & Floral Borders, Oval & Scallop Oval Nestabilities, Copic Markers: BG13, G21, G24, YG03, Y21, Y26, Y28, W1, E00, E02, E31, E33, E37.

Brentwood

This image is Brentwood from Jessica Lynn. It was a free download. Jessica is giving away 200 free. It looks like she still has the offer going. The image itself allows you to write anything on the line after "I love". When I first was trying to print this out I used my camera program and it cut off the very left edge. Some on-line friends were kind enough to tell me they use their Word program. THAT worked like a charm! So now I'm not so digi challenged, but I know that my rubber will not be replaced.

Obviously this is going to my DS. I stamped his name using Studio G clear stamps from Michael's. They didn't have the 'Y' so I found it on Ebay and bought it. The vendor is ShopOtt.com. These stamps are great because they provide each letter in five different sizes/fonts. I stamped his name in Tempting Turquoise then used my Quickie Glue pen to adhere the Azure glitter (PK Glitz). I got the idea to adhere the glitter from Gina K's StampTV tutorial, Colored Glitter. The layout is SCS sketch challenge #228. I colored him using my Copic markers. :D Also, it is difficult to see except on the right side of the top layer, but I sponged Tempting Turquoise around the scalloped edge. The scanner washes most of it out.

Stamps: I Love ___ Brentwood (JessicaLynnOrginial), T, R, O, & Y (Studio G); Ink: Tempting Turquoise, printer ink, Multiliner SP (Copic); Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Neenah Classic Crest, Designer Paper (SU- retired); Accessories: Quickie Glue pen (Sukura), Copic Markers, stiple brush, Azure glitter (PK Glitz), Rectangle Scallop Nestabilities, CB.

Farewell Gifts

My DH's boss's wife is one of those special people. And I totally mean that in a wonderful way. She is one of the most genuine people I have ever met. Well, they will be leaving soon for their next assignment. MG Gould will become the next Air Force Academy Superintendent. That is good news for them, but sad for us. For Paula's farewell we brought gifts to fill a basket and I decided to make her some cards that she will be able to put to good use. I made three each of these two designs. I stamped the envelops to match, but unfortunately I was in a hurry to wrap them and leave for the party and didn't get a picture of them with envies. Oh well, at least I was able to scan one of each.

The first uses a new background I received from Rubbernecker called Flourish. I loved it's playful elegance, (is that possible?) The sentiment is from Verve called Jeremiah 29:11. I wish I could see Paula's face when she sees these cards, as I am sure she will appreciate them. I used my Clear atyou Spica pen to highlight "plans", "the LORD", "prosper you", and "hope and a future". The edges are all distressed. You know my thinking was that this card would be great for someone in distress, thus the distressed edges. . . . Yes, that is the way my brain works sometimes.
I didn't get a picture of the inside, but I added a layer of Lovely Lilac, distressed edges and masked a rectangle in the center and stamped the background in VersaMark.

Stamps: Flourish background (RubberNecker), Jeremiah 29:11 (Verve); Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Clear atyou Spica pen; Paper: Basic Black, Lovely Lilac; Accessories: distress tool (SU).

This next card uses Cornish Heritage Farms' Hometown Pride from their Thomas Kinkade line of stamps. (Thank you so much to CHF! I won this stamp during one of their release parties!) I do wish that CHF would offer this line unmounted. *sigh*

I do want to state upfront that this is pretty much a complete CASE of this card on SCS by stampwithkristine. She has a beautiful gallery! The sentiment is by A Muse from a set called Hero Mail. This is an awesome stamp set!! I used my oval & scallop oval Nesties for the sentiment layer. I used my T!m Holtz ruler for the paper piercing. TIP: I used my Onare paper piercing tool and it worked so much better than my piercing tool from my Crafter's Tool Kit (SU)! I also added just a couple short strips of Herma Dotto Removable onto my Ruler to help keep the paper in place. Truth be told, it was so much easier after I started using the Onare piercing tool. I used my Copic Markers B24 and R29 for the flag. I used my double rectangle punch (SU) to punch the bottom to weave my ribbon along the bottom.


Stamps: Hometown Pride (CHF), Hero Mail (A Muse); Ink: Rich Cocoa (Momento), Real Red, Copic Markers B24 & R29; Paper: Ballet Blue, Real Red, Whisper White; Accessories: Oval & Scallop Oval Nestabilities, double rectangle punch (SU), Grosgrain Ribbon (SU), Tim Holtz Ruler, Onare Paper Piercing Tool.

Another Fairy

Ever have one of those days? Yes, one of those day! Saturday I made two online purchases, then went to pay my credit card online. I am checking out my account and see two charges that I did NOT make. So I call my credit card company and yes they were fraudulent charges so they closed that credit card and will send me another one. Well, one of the orders I made hadn't been processed yet so I had to call the company and ask them not to run the charge. Well, all this info just to explain why I made this card! I didn't want to wait for my new card so I could call the company to process my order, instead I used the old fashioned way of writing a check and mailing it off! LOL! (PS: the charges were pretty small, $1 and $10; you'd think if you were going to steal someone's credit card at least do it in a big way! Fortunately I caught it fairly quickly and the charges weren't much!)

Since I decided to send a check I had to have "something" to send it in and this is what I came up with. One of my first fairy stamps was from Stamp Francisco. Here is Fairy. The background is this Flourish stamp. I was in a purple mood, having used it for another card I made so I just stayed with it. Besides, purple is the color of royalty and with that crown I figure she is a princess fairy. :)

After I finished coloring her I thought she needed some extra shimmer so I added Lilac Shimmerz to her dress and crown and Opal to her wings. Ahhhhh, lovely!

Stamps: Fairy & Flourish background (Stamp Francisco), Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Lovely Lilac, various Copic Markers; Paper: Lovely Lilac, Classic Crest White (Neenah), Accessories: Scallop Rectangle (Nestabilities), Shimmerz Lilac & Opal.

For My MIL

My MIL's birthday was a couple of days ago. I was working on a card for her and in the back (or not so back) of my mind I was thinking I also needed to make her Mother's Day card. Wouldn't you know it, when I was making the sentiment for her card I used a 'Happy Mother's Day' sentiment! So then I had to rush to make another card for her birthday! (Please tell me I'm not the only one to do something like this!)

That being said, I'll show you her birthday card first even though it was my second card. It is difficult to tell, but this card actually has a white base layer. I used some of GinaK's 120 lb. heavy weight c/s. This cardstock really is awesome to work with! Problem is that it doesn't show up to well on a white background. The black "lacy" cardstock goes to the edge of the card so there isn't much of a white border. The lacy border was made using my Sunburst Boarder punch by Fiskars. (NOTE: punch both edges of a 1.25" strip of paper to make a nice flower strip!)

This stamp is one from Innovative Stamp Creations set Nature's Sihouette I. I stamped it on a background of Rainbow Brilliance (TJ technique April/May 2008). I've had this peice of b/g for awhile so I don't remember everything I used for it. I didn't want to cover the picture with the sentiment so I punched a square scallop from vellum, cut off two corners and stamped the sentiment (SU). Added black eyelets and some fringe I've had for several years. I'm so afraid of fringe and don't really feel comfortable using it, but I needed something soft that wouldn't take from the flowers. Ta-dah! Fringe to the rescue! ;D I added three flat-back pearls to flower centers (saw someone do that recently on their blog, sorry I can't remember who.)

Stamps: Nature's Silhouette I (ISC), Hugs & Wishes (SU); Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento); Paper: White Heavy weight (GinaK), Basic Black, glossy white, Tempting Turquiose, Vellum paper; Accessories: black eyelets (SU), fringe, Sunburst Border punch (Fiskars).

Here is the original card that became a Mother's Day card. There is a lot of shimmer to this card. The butterflies are from Take Flight by GinaK, and were stamped on shimmery c/s (SU) then colored with Copics, after which I colored over them with my clear atyou Spica pen. I cut them out cutting off the antennea. The sentiment layer was stamped (SU retired, All Year Cheer ?#?) then I stippled on Green Galore and Lovely Lilac, then smooshed Platinum Planet (Brilliance) over the top. Oh, I edged the Label One with my black marker (SU) before smooshing and realized too late that the Platinum Planet would lift the black marker so I had to be very careful! I added some flat-back pearls and adhered the label to the stamped background (Canvas, SU) and stamped the butterflies again. I used glue dots to attach the butterflies over the stamped plain butterflies on the body only and left the wings free.


Stamps: Take Flight (GinaK), All Year Cheer & Canvas (SU); Ink: London Fog, Tuxedo Black (Memento), Platinum Planet (Brilliance), Green Galore, Lovely Lilac, various Copic Markers, Clear atyou Spica (Copic), Basic Black Marker; Paper: Basic Black, Sky Blue, Whisper White, Shimmery White; Accessories: pearls, Label One (Nestabilities), stipple brush.

Jack

I have actually had him colored and sitting on my desk for about a week now. I just wasn't sure what to do with him. He is colored using my Copics. I just love those markers!

The background uses a Technique Junkies technique called Dragged Madras. Goodness it has been awhile since I used a TJ technique. It was actually a little more difficult than I imagined. I was able to cover some boo-boos under the main image. Speaking of images, meet Jack. He is a fairy from PMS (Paper Makeup Stamps). Having only a little boy I find myself looking for images that relate to boy things and Jack fits the bill!

This card is for two challenges, one is the sketch is from CPS. I love the simpleness of this sketch. Makes for a easy card. :)

clipped from cardpositioningsystems.blogspot.com

Also, OCC's challenge this week is to use your favorite color combo! Having a boy I have grown to love blue and green. This card uses plenty of those two colors. :)

This card will go into Troy's lunch for a mid-day surprise. He has seen the image on my desk (and wanted it immediately) and has been waiting for me to give it to him.

Well, I have another image I have colored and just need to make a card of it. Must make a bday card for my MIL too. So I'd better get busy. :)

Stamps: Jack Fairy (PMS); Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento), Broken China & Peeled Paint (Distress Ink), Chocolate Chip Marker (edge of Label layer); Paper: Chocolate Chip, Whisper White; Accesories: various Copic markers, Label Three, Scallop Edge punch (SU), White gel pen, sponge.

Jerrica

Yes, it's been ages. We were on vacation for a week and when we returned I think I left my mojo in Cancun! Then I was sick, yada, yada, yada. . .

Anyway, Friday was DH & my 10th wedding anniversary. Well, I liked DH's reaction to his Christmas card (scroll down to Miss Crystal) so much that I decided to purchase Jerrica (she's near the bottom on the right) from Rubbernecker. Isn't she just perfect for a romance card?? I wasn't disappointed in DH's appreciation of my card either! Or perhaps it was his appreciation of this sophisticated lady rather than my card.

I went to SCS for inspiration and used card sketchSC224. The embellishments came from K&Company rub-ons I had purchased. They are wedding themed and looked shimmery in the package. Once on my card they didn't look as shimmery but rather like the green color that glows in the dark. Oh well, too late now.

I tried to get the ribbon to tie in with the dress colors, but I'm afraid they take away some of the pop in color from the dress. I used my Copics to color Jerrica. I used some Georia Pacific c/s I was able to get my hands on. (I thought I'd heard that this worked well with Copics. NOT a good mix!) At least I'm back stamping!

Lost In Thought

Remember yesterday when I told you I had something else to post? Well, here I am to share a couple of items.

First, I won a some blog candy from Pat's Technique Trail blog and recieve a wonderful package of paper from Pat at Paper Temptress. Yes, some of that yummy paper you're seeing everyone play with lately! A few of those sheets were Comic Coloring Paper. Well, I took one of those sheets and stamped a new image that arrived in the mail. Of course I used my Copic markers to color my image in and wow, what fun! The paper is thin but not vellum thin and the markers just soaked right in. I loved how the paper felt with my Copic markers! Thank you Pat for this wonderful paper!!

Now this leads me to my next share, the stamp I received from Susana at Susana's Custom Art and Card Design (SCACD). Now I make no secret of loving butterflies and fairies. Well, I saw on someone's (two someones actually) blog this lovely fairy and broke down and ordered her.

(Side note: I've mentioned before my heartburn over paying for Priority Mail prices to ship unmounted rubber. Well, I checked out Susana's website, didn't see shipping prices so I added this fairy to my cart and checked out to find out about shipping. Dang it, $4.95 for shipping. I close my window and move on. A while later I recieve message from Susana herself and she told me she can ship priority just ask for it in the comments section. Don't you know I had this order finished within minutes! She also had refunded the difference in shipping to my PayPal account within minutes.)

Susana had my order shipped by that same evening and I received my fairy within two days! That is some great customer service! Thanks so much Susana! Without further ado, here's my fairy:
The reason I may not make her into a card is that my green copic marker started leaking on me while coloring the grassy area and ran into other parts of the image. I was able to fix most of it (except that far right 'shroom) plus I'm not real happy with my grass. I need to go back to Marianne's blog to see what she says about grass. :)

AI Elephant

I have been looking at this Zany Zoo set from Artful Inkables for quite a while I just didn't have the time, energy, mojo, or what-have-you to use it. So today I grabbed this elephant and used the SCS CC221 for this week and came up with this.

The scanner misses some of the soft sponging along the edge of the base layer of Sahara Sand, (I rarely use this color but it just fit so well with the elephant's coloring.) It also misses some of the sponging on the whisper white scallop edges. This looks better IRL, not as stark as the scanned picture looks.

I love Kristin's artwork, it is so easy to color! I used my ever growing Copic markers. *sigh* I just can't get enough of them!

I actually did some more coloring today, but I will post it tomorrow. I'm not sure I'll even make a card out of it, but I'm so excited about it I have to share, it's just bedtime and I'm beat!

Stamps: Zany Zoo (Artful Inkables); Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Wild Wasabi, various Copic markers; Paper: Sahara Sand, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White, Far East Mat Stack (DCWV); Accessories: Rectangle scallop Nesties, Leaves CB folder, Distress tool (SU).

Fairy Wishes

I can't believe how long it has been since I have posted. I've been pretty busy and hardly stamped. I did create this card for a friend/neighbor's daughter's birthday.

I've had this fairy (Artful Inkables: Fairy Whimsey) stamped on my desk for quite awhile waiting to be put to use. I used lots of glitter/stickles on this card. You can't tell but even her wings have some sparkle from my new at you Spica clear pen. The blue scallop edge uses Distress Stickles, while the fairy herself uses Diamond and her hair yellow Stickles.

The Ballet Blue layer beneath the sentiment is actually two punches, a circle and ticket punched the four corners of a rectangle. You don't really notice it unless you are looking at it.

I used Dots and Daisies background stamp (SU- Retired). The sentiment is from Gina K's Make A Wish stamp set. The fairy is colored using Copic markers. It was stamped on Whisper White before I really grasped that you can't blend very well on that cardstock.

It is a simple card that I enjoyed playing with.

Stamps: Fairy Whimsey (AI), Make a Wish (GinaK), Dots & Daisies (SU); Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), So Saffron, Basic Black Marker (sentiment), various Copic markers; Paper: So Saffron, Ballet Blue, Whisper White; Accessories: Designer Label, 1 3/8" circle, ticket corner punches (SU), Various Stickles, at you Spica Clear, Oval & Scallop Nesties.

Brunished Velvet

I just had to try the Burnished Velvet technique that I saw on the Cuttlebug Challenges blog. The technique is the large white layer, so all those swirls and birds were burnished with glitter. Yes, it was a bit of a mess but not too bad. I used that large Powder Pal I received from Stampin' Up! that I never thought I'd use! The cardstock is actually a Shimmery White whcih I think looks great with the shimmer of the glitter. Here's my card:


The sketch is from the current sketch challenge at Our Creative Corner. I really think this is a lovely sketch, but that middle layer gave me fits! The lighter layer is actually vellum over the Tempting Turquoise. I just couldn't figure out what to do with it so I just left it. It does help soften the card as it is a bit bright and sparkly.

The scanner faded the sponging on the sentiment layer. I used the Nestie to mask the edge of the oval, thus a faux layer.

For the two butterflies I used my Martha Stewart punch and used my Quickie Glue Pen all over the butterfly, then as soon as it turned clear I pushed it into the glitter. The glue did make the vellum curl up so I let it wrap itself around my finger while I was waiting to dip it into the glitter. Although in the scan the butterflies are flat once the card was released from the scanner the butterflies did curl a bit so it really gives the card dimension.

The glitter I used is from P K Glitz and is just gorgeous! The colors are China Jade, Azure & Eggplant.

Stamps: Dreams du Jour (SU); Ink: Wild Wasabi; Paper: Wild Wasabi, Whisper White, Shimmery White, Tempting Turquoise, Vellum; Accessories: Cuttlebug, Nesties, P K Glitz glitter, butterfly punch (Martha Stewart), Quickie Glue Pen, Border punch (Fiskers), stipple brush.