Melissa's Moments

PMS Monster Blog Hop

2011-10-07T05:23:00.006-05:00

Today we have having a MONSTER of a Hop!!! Who doesn't love an ugly cute little monster?!

The Paper Makeup Artists, some of the Digi Artists and some of PMS's bestest fans (that would be ME) are joining together to bring you fun monster cards using Paper Makeup Stamps!

And in honor of this hop, all monsters on the site will be on sale for 1 week using the voucher code MONSTERHOP, of 15% off!

So settle down, grab your beverage of choice and prepare to be scared, um, we mean, inspired!

It has been one of THOSE weeks for me and I am running a little behind. I finally finished my Me and Pops card amid the handyman's visit and getting my little guy off to school. You now have my full attention. :)

And speaking of my Little Guy, I love my PMS monsters! What a perfect way to make those difficult masculine cards!

My scanner washed out some of the color, especially around the sentiment, which reads "you mean the world to me". The sentiment was stamped in VersaMark and clear embossed. Then I simply sponged Summer Sky (Memento) to allow the sentiment to pop out and then sponged Bahama Blue around the edge. I popped the sentiment up on foam.

I stamped the image a second time and colored in Pop's head and the child monster, then cut out just the colored portion and popped that up as well, placing the horn slightly over the sentiment. The green corners are some photo corners from my stash.

I love this image, because it can be used for both of my monsters, (Hubby and son)! I'm going to give this card to my son to write something to his Daddy and give it to him.

Since we moved this summer, there hasn't been any crafting done so this feels so good to get back into the swing of things. Thanks Katie for allowing me to participate!

Stamps: Me and Pops, sentiment (PMS); Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Summer Sky & Bahama Blue; Stampin Up: Brocade Blue; VersaMark, various Copic markers; Paper: Brocade Blue (Stampin Up) and Solar White (Neenah); Accessories: Nestabilities: Labels 8, photo corners (Heidi Swapp).

Anniversary PMS

2011-04-16T16:09:00.004-05:00

It's been ages since I have posted anything. Sorry about that. I've created a bit, but always seemed to forget to take a picture. Hubby is now home from his deployment and we are getting ready to move in a little over a month. So I'm still not doing much creating, but I don't mind since I have him home again. :)

Tomorrow is our 12th wedding anniversary. Hard to believe, where has the time flown?? We are celebrating tonight. Hope the weather improves so I don't freeze in my new dress! :)

I just love PMS stamps! I took the Under the Mistletoe Fairies and masked the mistletoe and stamped just the fairies kissing. One of the things I love about rubber stamps is my ability to control the image. I stamped in Memento Black and colored with Copic markers. The sparkle is atyou Spica pens.

I used SU Wild Wasabi for the base and Lavender. The patterned paper is by DCWV Old World Stack. Used Nestabilities for the scallop die cuts as well as the fancy tag. Paper Studios gemstones to add some bling to the tag, which I popped up just a bit.

Hoping this is elegant enough, not to feminine for DH. He likes greens, I love purples so I thought this was a good combination.

Have a wonderful week-end!

Nature Silhouette

2010-06-07T21:27:00.004-05:00

Here is a card that I made using a new technique from the Technique Junkies Newsletter called Pulled Glimmers. It is so difficult to show the shimmer on this.

The stamp is by Innovative Stamp Creations from the Nature Silhouette I set. I used the CPS card sketch #170. I probably should have trimmed down the top layer, but I just couldn't bare to trim it at all.

Stamps: Nature Silhouette I (ISC), Ink: Jet Black (Ranger); Paper: Lavender Lace, Basic Black Whisper White, So Saffron, Eggplant Envy; Accessories: Glimmer Mist; Scallop Punch.

Freebie In Action

2010-05-31T18:08:00.006-05:00

Sandy from It's a Colourful World offered up this incredible free digi. I showed it to my DS and he chose a couple of the images, so I printed them out for him to color to send to his Daddy overseas. I rarely post without sharing some card or project that I have made, but this time all I have to offer is my DS's artwork, (or should I say colorwork! LOL!)

Here he is hard at work. (Ignore that cushionless couch, it has been attacked by the Fort-Master this week-end!) ;)

Here he is with his completed cards. Those "lines" over his puppy are rainbows. And yes, he meant to have his fingers up like that, always one to make some silly look! Thanks so much Sandy for this wonderful images!

I have discoverd a wonderful singing group. I bought their CD and nearly always get teary during one or another of their songs. 4Troops has some perfect music for this Memorial Day! If I did this right, you should be able to watch one of their videos.

For all those that support our troops, thank you! Your support means so much to them and their families! Blessings on this Memorial Day!

OWH Memorial Day Blog Hop

2010-05-28T23:10:00.015-05:00

Welcome to my stop on this wonderful Memorial Day Week-end Bloghop! If you are following the hop you should have arrived here from Stephanie's blog, SeaSteph's Creations. If you arrived some other way please feel free to start at the beginning of the hop at the OWH blog!

I have always felt a connection with Memorial Day, probably because my birthday is May 28th. I am also a Veteran, married to a soldier that is deployed overseas this year. I so appreciate those who serve and have served in our Armed Forces to keep our great nation safe and free. My deepest and heartfelt thanks goes out to you.

I also appreciate those families that serve and sacrifice, giving loved ones to our military; providing the stability and strength that our military members require in order to serve wherever our nation sends them. Thank you!

On my card I used Our Daily Bread Designs' God Bless America, using the Pyramid technique that I learned from Sherry Cleever's blog. It may be difficult to see, but the flag is made up of four layers. (You can click on the picture to see it bigger.) I colored the flag using watercolor pencils, baby oil and a blending stump.

The sentiment is from Verve's Heartfelt Phrases. I thought this sentiment appropriate. (I think I'll tuck this card into the box I am readying for my husband!)

For the tag I used one of the Nestabilities Trio Tags. I wanted it to stand out from the flag and after a bit of experimenting used a blender pen on the inside of the Nestability, quickly put my paper in place and ran it through my CB. Once cut, I put it in a fine black embossing powder. After I heated the EP I had to fill in the areas the powder didn't stick and reheat. I eventually got this tag.

I threaded some thin black organdy ribbon through the tag and put it all together. I still needed something and ended up adding some Diamond Stickles to the stars.

I hope you have enjoyed my card, feel free to leave a comment as reading your comments makes it all worthwhile. Now hop over to Dawn's blog, The Chatty Stamper. For some reason Blogger will not allow me to embed the link to Dawn's blog, so here it is: http://thechattystamper.blogspot.com/2010/05/owh-memorial-day-blog-hop-2010-give-way.html Please cut and paste if this still won't link, you don't want to miss Dawn's wonderful artwork!

If I had a flower

2010-05-25T20:52:00.005-05:00

Here is a card I made for a friend to say "thank you." She is one of the best hostesses I have ever met and I love to join whatever event she is hosting. (Shhhh Michelle, don't tell her about this card!)

Now on to the card! I used a sentiment from PMS called If I Had A Flower. The sentiment reads: "If I had a flower for every time you made me smile, I would walk in a garden." Isn't that just beautiful? I used a Technique Junkie (TJ) technique called Wisped Frames (Feb 2010) and Desert Sand ink, but the color wasn't right for the copper background so I added Potter's Clay. Ahhh, much better!

Now speaking of the copper background, this is another TJ technique called Double Embossed Metal (Feb 2010). This is actually a think craft sheet of copper metal. This second picture shows the metal sheet and it's technique a little better. I used my Copic markers to color on the metal sheet. (LOVE those Copic markers!)

I used oval and scalloped oval Nestabilities for the sentiment layer. The ribbon is two different widths of organdy blue ribbon.

Stamps: If I Had A Flower (PMS); Ink: Desert Sand & Potter's Clay (Memento); Paper: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa & Very Vanilla (SU); Accessories: Light & Dark blue organdy ribbon, Copic Markers, large sponge daubers, CB & folders: Bird & Swirls and Victoria.

IBFS Butterfly

2010-05-22T23:41:00.003-05:00

Well, my MIL has definitely received her card, so its safe to post here. :)

I received my order from IBFS and wanted to use this graceful butterfly stamp called Butterfly Rose Collage. I stamped it on glossy with Staz-On and used my SU markers to color the image. Yes, you read right, my SU markers! I haven't used them in ages, in fact, my DS uses them more than I do now that I have some Copic markers. ;)

I used an oval Nestie to cut the center out of the vellum. I sprayed the vellum with Pearl Glimmer mist and it curled much worse than I anticipated. I had to flatten it out under some heavy binders. That only helped a little. I used the CB corners and attached with mini black brads to attach the vellum. I still had some curl in the vellum so I had to try to glue down edges under the corners. Yes, this card was a bit trying, but worth it in the end I believe. The vellum looks better IRL I believe with the shimmer from the Glimmer Mist. It took so long to get the results that I had in my head it ended up being sent late. So glad I have a sweet MIL!

I almost forgot to mention that the card sketch I used is this month's current sketch challenge over at Rubber Stamp Chat. Check it out, some Smeared Ink rubber is being offered up to this month's winner!

Birthday Paradise

2010-03-20T23:08:00.003-05:00

Doesn't this look like a fun place to be? Especially with the cool wind that was blowing here all day, I'll take paradise!

I used a set I recently purchased from Artful Inkables called Paradise Island. I am going to give this to my DH for his birthday. Yes, I know it doesn't say happy birthday on it. Humor me, my DH is deployed "to a very hot region" and I know he'll be working as normal on his birthday. So this sentiment just seemed so appropriate!

I used 2 Sketches 4 You #48 Bonus sketch for the layout. Then I used the Copic Colour Challenge #56 to use BV02, G02 and B32. I also used Copic Creations challenge #24 to use your favorite Copic technique, (I used feather blending, check out my flower.) AND I used Artful Inkables challenge #16 to make a birthday card in celebration of their birthday. Whew! Only four challenges for one card! LOL!

In other news, I am SO EXCITED! I will be attending the Copic Certification class that will be held in St. Louis in April!! Woo-Hoo!! I am beyond ecstatic! I was so surprised they chose me since I wasn't applying under a store. Our next assignment will probably be back overseas and I would love to be able to do some teaching and I think being certified will be so very helpful.

Stamps: Paradise Island (AI); Ink: Tuxedo Black, Danube Blue & Summer Sky (Memento); Paper: Ballet Blue & Garden Green (SU), Solar White (Neenah); Accessories: Copic markers, stickles, Scalloped Rectangle Nestabilities, large sponge dauber, pop dot, purple organdy ribbon (SU).

RSC Challenge

2010-03-14T16:05:00.004-05:00

I have been hanging out at RubberStampChat for awhile. It reminds me of SplitcoastStampers before it became so big. Well, they have a monthly challenge that I enjoy doing. Usually it is a sketch challenge and this month is no different. The company sponsoring the challenge this month is Scrolls Work. The challenge sketch can be found here. And here is my submission:

I am really into blues and greens again and added yellow to help "Springify" the card. I used the Spritz and Shimmer technique from the June/July 2007 newsletter. The sentiment is taken from a Scrolls Work stamp the I used the Huff technique so to only use the first two lines of the stamp, (the original stamp is about 3.5" long.) I plan on sending this to my deployed hubby, so I thought just these words were enough. :-)

I used my Copic YR12 marker to color the brads, so they really coordinate with the yellow cardstock and break up the Bashful Blue layer.

Since the front of the card is heavy with all those layers I added a layer to the inside. Brought some of the So Saffron inside to compliment the color scheme. (Sorry for the fuzzy picture, I couldn't get a clear shot no matter how many pictures I took.)

Stamps: Floral Peacock & Missing You (Scrolls Work); Ink: Tuxedo Black, Summer Sky & Cantaloupe (Memento), Basic Black (SU); Paper: Garden Green, Bashful Blue, So Saffron; Accessories: Water, Black detail EP, Perfect Pearls, silver brads, Copic YR12, CB tag & Corner die, Sunflower Glimmer Mist (Tattered Angels ~ sentiment layer).

Victoria Case ~ Cosmo Cricket

2010-03-12T23:46:00.007-06:00

Have you seen Victoria Case's artwork? I've been keeping an eye on her work. I did purchase a digi at the beginning of the school year, Ben, a boy headed off to school. (It was a limited edition.) I'm on her email list and she recently offed a special and I couldn't resist and bought a few. I mentioned that I would love it if she ever designed a boy gymnast as I haven't been able to find any boy gymnastic stamps for scrapbooking Troy's last few years in gymnastics. Well, don't you know that within a few days she drew two for me!! They are awesome! Take a look at her site! (Just scroll down just a little.) Aren't these great?! Thanks so much Victoria! Troy loves them!

This image, Bee Friends, is one of the stamps that I purchased. I used the SCS CS270 for my layout. I had to add the pearls at the bottom to add some balance. I started out coloring the green because of the Copic Creations color challenge #23 to use green.

Do you follow the Cosmo Cricket blog? Are they hysterical or what??? LOVE reading their blog! I couldn't help but post a comment recently and guess what I won??? Some yummy blog candy: a Double Deck of Material Girl & Garden Variety and some Tiny Type stickers. (I have been watching for Cosmo Cricket at my local large retailer's stores, but haven't jumped in yet.) The designer paper on my card is all from them. I loved the yellows with the Garden Green card base. (That center embossed So Saffron piece looks better IRL, the color didn't scan well.) I love the earthy Spring feel to this card. Thank you so very much Cosmo Cricket! I am really looking forward to using more on some future projects!

Stamps: Bee Friends (Victoria Case); Ink: Tuxedo Black & Cantaloupe (Memento), Paper: Garden Green, So Saffron, Ruby Red (SU), Solar Crest (Neenah), Designer Paper (Cosmo Cricket); Accessories: Copic Markers, various atyou Spica pens, white gel pen(Signo), Label Four (Nestabilities), dew drops (generic).

For Michelle

2010-03-03T21:17:00.005-06:00

I'm dedicating this posting to my friend Michelle H. . . . . . blah, blah, blah. . . . (can you believe she finds my postings boring???? LOL! Love ya Michelle!

Now onto serious business! I think my loss of mojo isn't actually lost mojo but rather over whelming stimulus because there is so much inspiration that I become unable to decide which sketches and stamps and colors and. . . . . Well, I'm taking the first steps to wade through and craft again.

Here is a close up of the butterfly.

I started with sketch #47 from 2Sketches4You and decided to make a butterfly my central image. I chose a butterfly from IBFS Things With Wings. Copics Color Challenge #53 provided the colors for the butterfly; Y17, YG03 & C7 (I added YG00.) I sprayed Shimmerz Spritz Babys Breath to give it some shimmer.

Here is the complete card.

The background layer uses the Rainbow Double TJ technique. (You have to be a TJ member to have access to this technique.) The stamps used with this layer are from Sweet N Sassy Stamps called Dream Silhouettes and is a retired clear stamp set. I'm not sure if Korin offers it as a digi.

Stamps: (IBFS), Dream Silhouettes (SNSS); Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), VersaMarker, Certainly Celery; Whisper White Craft (SU); Paper: Wild Wasabi, glossy, So Saffron, Solar White (Neenah); Accessories: Doily Lace boarder Punch (Martha Stewart), Night of Navy Grosgrain ribbon, white embossing powder, pearl dew drops (generic).

Frog Valentine

2010-02-14T15:05:00.004-06:00

I first wanted to show you a picture of my Valentine. Before I even got out of bed this morning I had TWO Valentines from my little guy! He used his cardstock but my glitter pens (asking afterward if it was okay! Hahah!)

I was going to post a picture of his Valentines to me, but Blogger won't allow me up upload another picture right now. I will note that the first Valentine's card opened backwards, or perhaps his heart was just upside down! ;)

Before I show you the card I made my DS I wanted to send out a "Thank You!" I actually WON a new set illustrated by Theresa Momber from GinaK's sneak peek last week called Hang In There. Theresa is terrifically talented! I just love seeing her artwork and tutorials. She definitely inspired my card, not just because I used her set. You see, the night I saw on Gina's blog that I had won, my DS came downstairs to get me and I was so excited I showed him the set and a couple of DT samples before I took him back up to bed. Well, he commented that perhaps I could make him a Valentine's card using the cute frogs (he's ALL boy! LOL!) I told him I would if the set arrived in time, (I definitely wasn't expecting it that soon you know, there's always hope.) Imagine my surprise when a package arrived in my mailbox Friday! YES!! It was here and without further ado here is the card I made for him.

I had to take several pictures to get a good shot of this. This card uses the Double Embossed Metal TJ Technique. I was at Hobby Lobby several months ago in the framing section (not usually in that section of HL) and found this roll of soft aluminum on sale so I bought it. I KNEW I'd be able to use it for something! Thanks so much Pat for the inspiration!

The layout is from today's CPS card sketch #154. They actually posted it a bit early (last night) to their Facebook page so I immediately started to use it for this card.

Can you see Theresa's influence on this card? After I colored this cute little guy using my Copic Markers I masked him and sponged all around him. I really like how this turned out!

The DP was embossed with the Leafy Branch folder and brayered Bamboo Leaves (Memento) over to highlight the embossing.

Thanks for reading this far!! Happy Valentine's Day!

Stamps: Hang in There (GinaK); Ink: Memento: Bamboo Leaves, New Sprout, Dandelion & Cantaloupe, SU Basic Black Marker (sentiment); Paper: Wild Wasabi, Neenah Solar White, DCWV Old World textured mat; Accessories: Cuttlebug & Leafy Branch EB folder, Soft Aluminum sheet, Heart punch (Emagination), Large Sponges, Copic Markers: G02, G09, G28, E43, E44, E49, YG00, YG03, YG63.

Yes, I'm still here. . . .

2010-01-22T23:53:00.004-06:00

I've been so caught up with the holidays, my DH deploying and getting my DS and I on our routine I've just not had the mojo for stamping. Well, I needed a card for a friend and was motivated to receive a digi freebie from Sweet N' Sassy Stamps (SNSS) on Paper Craft Planet (PCP) that I put together a card. The challenge was an inspiration challenge for "The princess and the frog."

Here is the version I entered at PCP:

To receive the early bird freebie your card had to be uploaded by 10pm and I made it by minutes! After I posted this I noticed that my dew drop moved and required fixing. I went ahead and made some upgrades to the card at that time.

I used this week's sketch by 2 Sketches 4 You, isn't it lovely? I did turn it on it's side so I could use this princess image. Color combo from SCS CC254 was to use Bashful Blue, Soft Suede, Ruby Red and any neutral. I colored using my Copics. Here is the upgraded card:

Stamps: Princess, Forget Me-Nots (both from SNSS); Ink: Tuxedo Black & Summer Sky (Memento), Close to Cocoa (SU); Paper: Close to Cocoa, Ruby Red, Solar White (Neenah), Bashful Blue D/P (SU); Accessories: dew drop (generic) Distress stickles, clear atyou Spica, Copic markers, sponge, brown ribbon (American Crafts) brad (SU).

Roaring Birthday

2009-11-21T00:03:00.004-06:00

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

2009-11-18T14:38:00.004-06:00

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

2009-09-15T13:33:00.004-05:00

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

2009-08-26T09:53:00.005-05:00

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

2009-08-22T00:26:00.005-05:00

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!

2009-08-14T00:21:00.002-05:00

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

2009-08-13T23:27:00.004-05:00

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

2009-08-07T22:55:00.003-05:00

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

2009-08-02T00:11:00.003-05:00

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

2009-07-28T16:20:00.003-05:00

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

2009-07-24T16:22:00.004-05:00

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

2009-07-20T21:10:00.005-05:00

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

2009-07-12T16:45:00.003-05:00

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

2009-07-10T21:47:00.004-05:00

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. . .

2009-07-06T15:17:00.002-05:00

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. . ."

2009-07-03T16:05:00.008-05:00

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

2009-06-24T23:55:00.002-05:00

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

2009-06-20T00:07:00.005-05:00

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

2009-06-18T16:07:00.003-05:00

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).

2009-05-29T10:34:00.003-05:00

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

2009-05-14T22:31:00.005-05:00

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

2009-05-14T15:06:00.003-05:00

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

2009-05-14T07:41:00.003-05:00

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

2009-05-08T14:59:00.009-05:00

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

2009-05-05T16:32:00.004-05:00

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

2009-05-05T12:19:00.006-05:00

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

2009-04-29T15:35:00.005-05:00

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

2009-04-19T15:47:00.003-05:00

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

2009-03-26T14:42:00.004-05:00

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

2009-03-25T22:22:00.004-05:00

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

2009-03-23T10:24:00.003-05:00

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

2009-03-01T20:56:00.006-06:00

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.

Artistic Outpost's Knight

2009-02-25T18:17:00.003-06:00

I wanted to use this knight again from Artistic Outpost and I wanted to do the card sketch at CPS. This is what I came up with.

Yes, it looks like the scanner cut off the left edge but that truly is the sketch design! What I wish you could see better is the embossed white layer. I used a version of the Cuttlebug Highlights (a TJ technique) and used Brilliance Platinum Planet which adds a shimmery white color to the white (almost cream color.) I think it really dresses up the white space.

I really need to replenish my black brads because you can see I had difficulty coloring with my black Copic marker. They kept smudging and I marked up the lower left corner. I am thinking about tearing off this layer and redoing it, however my little sis' probably won't mind! She is deploying in April so I thought this apropriate since I think she deplays courage being a soldier!

Stamps: My Knight (Artistic Outpost), Ink: Craft Basic Black, Platinum Planet (Brilliance), Real Red, Clear Star gelly pen (Sukura); Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White, Real Red; Accessories: CB & Folder, silver brads, sponge.

Doodle Factory Moki

2009-02-23T21:00:00.004-06:00

Well I've had my eye on several of these Doodle Factory stamps for awhile but when Starving Artistamps came out with these Set The Scene stamps I had to finally jump the fence! I had to get two of the Set the Scene stamps and four individual stamps for my scenes. Today I am showing you Tropical backdrop and Moki.

I used my Copic markers to color this. Please don't notice the sky's blotchiness. My B21 dried up on me. I haven't had it very long so I'm not sure what happened. I put a tag on this so it meets OCC's challenge to use a tag. The three flowers are supposed to conjour up a lei. I'm not sure if it works, but that is my story and I'm sticking with it! ;D

I'm giving this to my DH. We are vacationing in Cancun late next month so I'm getting in the mood for a nice warm beach!

Stamps: Tropical Backdrop & Moki (Starving Artistamps), sentiment by Firecracker Designs by Pamela; Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), various Copic Markers; Paper: Basic Black, Pure Luxery #120 (GinaK); Accessories: Prima flowers, twine (SU- retired), tag punch (SU).

ODBD Eagle

2009-02-22T16:00:00.003-06:00

I saw the sketch challenge at Our Daily Bread Designs blog and just loved it! It took me a couple of days to have time to work on it, but I really do like it. I don't think I have used this set before. Being military I figured I'd have amble opportunities to use this beautiful eagle. In fact, it would work for any masculine card!

I turned to SCS Color Challenge #201 for the colors Not Quite Navy, Sage Shaddow and Creamy Caramel. I didn't actually use Creamy Caramel but I figured the designer paper and the brown in the eagle would count for the CC.

After I had colored my eagle I knew that the upper left corner of the top layer just had too much white space, even after I sponged the edges so I meandered through my embellishments and came across my Stylized Silver HPH. Check out those stars!

Since this was an ODBD challenge I also wanted the sentiment to be ODBD but the sketch would acommodate either sentiment that came with the set (without making the card huge that is!) so I used my marker to ink up "But they that wait" and stamped it on some Sage Shaddow and added the ". . . .". Then I inked up the rest of the sentiment and stamped it on the inside. I then sponged the edges.

I also used my Ornare paper piercer I received from my MIL for Christmas. This seemed the perfect time to use it. Not much room left for writing! I guess I'll have to use the left side of the inside for a message. :)

Stamps: On Eagles' Wings (ODBD); Ink: Not Quite Navy, Rich Cocoa (Memento) Basic Black Marker (SU), Copic Markers: E09, E31, E37,Y11, YR04, C1, C3, W1, 0; Paper: Not Quite Navy, Sage Shaddow, Pure Luxury #120 (Gina K), Whipser White, Designer Paper (SU), Accessories: Stylized Silver HPH (SU), 1/16" hole punch, sponge dauber, taupe grosgrain ribbon.

TK Monochromatic

2009-02-18T22:57:00.003-06:00

Just a quick upload. I made this for the Thomas Kinkade blitz challenge at Cornish Heritage Farms. The blitz begins tomorrow. This also incorporates this week's CPS card sketch. The green is Almost Artichoke and looks so much better IRL (of course!) The sentiment is Love of a Friend by Sweet N Sassy Stamps and I used my Clear Star Sakura gelly roll pen on the "friend" and "Jesus" to help them pop.

Stamps: The Forest Chapel (CHF), Love of a Friend (SNSS); Ink: Almost Artichoke; Paper: Almost Artichoke, Whisper White, DP (DCWV); Accessories: Circle scallop Nestie, 1 3/8" circle punch (SU), Sakura gelly roll pen; distressor (SU), sponge dauber.

One More Valentine

2009-02-15T11:03:00.004-06:00

Yesterday David asked me to send a Vday card to his mother. (Yes, yesterday was Valentine's Day, yes he forgot to ask me earlier; oops!) So this is what I came up with:

I used the OCC Challenge for the sketch and SCS CC205 for the colors: Perfect Plum, Pretty in Pink & Old Olive. I sponged Old Olive around the base of Pretty in Pink to tone it down a bit. I'm not a pink kinda girl. :)

The large butterfly is from Provo Craft's Cuttlebug Butterflies. I've had this for awhile but just used it for this card. After the butterfly was die cut and embossed I brayered Perfect Plum over the top to highlight it more. The brayering added soft texture as well. I colored the antennae black. The Pretty in Pink layer is embossed and Old Olive lightly sponged over it to help it pop. The small butterfly is a Martha Stewart punch that is embossed with the Swiss Dots embossing folder and Perfect Plum sponged over the dots. I probably should have added some texture to the Perfect Plum scalloped edge to help it out too or perhaps that would have just been too much??

The flowers are from the Prima Eire Collection 2 that I colored with Celery Shimmerz (link to Shimmerz). The flowers started out olive and cream. The designer paper is from the Old World Stack (DCWV).

The only stamping on this entire card is the sentiment from ISC. I embossed the sentiment to help it stand out more.

Stamps: Flair of Summer (ISC); Ink: Perfect Plum, CRAFT Basic Black, Old Olive; Paper: Pretty in Pink, Perfect Plum, Old World Stack (DCWV); Accessories: Martha Stewart butterfly punch, CB, CB Butterflies, Swiss Dots & Textile folders; sponge daubers, Scallop Edge punch (SU), Pretty in Pink button (SU), Black hemp (SU), Black detail embossing powder (SU).

Valentine for my son

2009-02-14T14:14:00.003-06:00

Happy Valentine's Day!

This image is the second one I purchased from Spiral Whisper named Skateboard Kev. (The first image was Wizard Dan.) I really like this one too. My DS dreams he can skateboard like this! LOL! Perhaps one day, he's only 5.5 y/o now. Anyway, I wanted to participate in the Copics Colour Challenge #1, hence the reason for these colors; B28, V06, YR07. (Now I don't actually own these exact colors but I was able to procure close-enough colors with my 40% from Hobby Lobby.) Young boy + bright colors = fun card!

Beate has restarted her Week-end sketch challenges! Yeah Beate! This card is in response to WSC#68. I did change it from a long card to a regular A2 card as I thought with the size of this image it would work better.

I sponged on some gray to give it the feel of street dirt! (Check out those knees.) My DS asked what that "stuff" is on it. I guess it didn't dawn on him. Oh well, maybe next time. The base is Apricot Appeal. The blue stripes is from an old package from SU I think called Sweet. The red circle is from my Basic Grey Scarlet's Letter. (Notice how when embossed with the CB folder it now looks like a basket ball! Oops!)

I used my clear Sakura gelly roll pen on the red top of the skateboard. Looks great IRL, I'm not sure you can really see it in the scan.

Well, now I need to run and make a Vday card for my MIL.

My Knight

2009-02-13T13:00:00.005-06:00

I usually approach my projects looking at what challenges are out there to help me in finding a direction to go with my project. I needed a Valentine card for my DH (who brought me home roses yesterday) and I didn't want to wait until Saturday to make it! Yes, I procrastinate but I try not to be that bad! LOL!

Anyway, I have been wanting to use the CPS sketch challenge for this week. I knew I wanted to use My Knight set from Artistic Outpost, so I turned to SCS Color Challenge #193 for the colors Real Red, Basic Black and Kraft. Yes, I actually used Kraft on my card. I think it is from the original package I bought years (and years) ago! LOL!

This card is actually the first version. Just a bit wimpy for a knight, don't you think?

After I was completed and saw the card on the screen I decided to remove the kraft as the base and replace it with the black. I also tucked the red "lace" up under the knight layer. Here is the finished card.

Stamps: My Knight (Artistic Outpost); Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine); Paper: Real Red, Basic Black, Kraft, Old World Stack (DCWV); Accessories: Red brads (SU), Tag was modified from CB die tag, "lace" border uses Wrought Iron corner slot punch (SU-retired).

Copic Junkies Challenge

2009-02-06T22:53:00.004-06:00

I recently joined a new Yahoo group called SNSS CopicJunkies. In a nutshell, this group is into Copics and places a Copic order each month. Our fearless leader, Korin of Sweet N Sassy Stamps, issued a challenge of posting some Copic projects this week-end. I was thus challenged to use this new stamp from Spiral Whisper called Wizard Dan. I bought this stamp after I saw Frances' card here.

First thing I want to point out about this card is that after my frustration of trying to blend my Copics on Very Vanilla yesterday I pulled out some of my pure luxury 120 lbs. card stock from GinaK. When I opened it up and pulled out a sheet (from the back) I immediately had to pull out a second sheet because it was sooooo think I thought the sheet was one of those cardboard sheets they put in to help the paper not bend. Well, the second sheet was just as thick!! It was also very smooth so I was a bit aprehensive about the ability to blend my Copics. Let me tell you this card stock was just awesome! I love my SU card stock, but I may never go back to Whisper White if I will be using my Copics! *gasp*

I am a bit disappointed that my scanner didn't catch all the subtle shading I did, but you can see some of it in his hat. If I were to name this card it would have to be something like Zindorf meets Copics! LOL! After I colored Dan I Zindorfed him (used my VersaMarker and clear embossed him). Then I used a couple of post-it notes to mask off the sky and brayered on Gable Green, then Green Galore, then added a bit of Glorious Green. I had an obvious Glorious Green line so I was able to hid it by sponging on the Glorious Green. I then masked the grass and started to brayer the sky Bashful Blue, then Ballet Blue (which also had a horrible line) and finally Night of Navy at the top. I went back and tried to sponge away the line like I had the green, but as you can see it really didn't go away. I toned it down well enough, but it is still there.

Oh, I used Basic Gray to add some shadow under Dan. I'm hoping Michelle (Zindorf) would be proud of me! LOL! You can definately see where I VersaMarked outside my lines. I need to slow down and be more careful. I thought about adding some Faith Dots around the Night of Navy layer but decided to paper pierce instead for a more subtle touch.

After I colored Dan I was scrolling through my 'card sketch' category in my Google Reader and came to MJ's technostamp card sketch #54. I had played along when this was the current sketch and really liked it and thought it would showcase Dan nicely so I used it for this card.

I used my Label One Nestie. The Bashful layer uses the Faux Felt from the latest Technique Junkies newsletter. I love how easy the technique is and adds such wonderful texture to my card. Since I will give this card to my own little Wizard I figured he will like the feel of the card. :) Five year-old boys do notice those types of things whereas 40-something men don't. ;)

Stamps: Wizard Dan (Spiral Whisper) Simple Sayings II (SU); Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento) Gable Green, Green Galore, Glorious Green, Bashful Blue, Ballet Blue, Night of Navy, Basic Gray, various Copic markers; Paper: Gable Green, Bashful Blue, Night of Navy; Pure Luxury (GinaK); Accessories: Label One Nestie, CB, sponge daubers, VersaMarker, Clear Detail Emboss Powder (SU), Crafter's Tool Kit (SU), heatgun, crimper.

CPS Challege

2009-02-05T21:25:00.003-06:00

I really do enjoy being challenged. I decided to go for this week's CPS card challenge. I knew that I wanted to use my new Sweet N Sassy Stamp set Be Still. I needed a jumping off point in choosing my colors so I turned to SCS's color challenge: Old Olive, Creamy Caramel & Cameo Coral. Yes, Cameo Coral!! So two challenges in one card. I will share that while I was making this I was thinking about a boy in my DS's Kindergarten class that lost his father this week to an apparent heart attack. How heart breaking for this family.

The Creamy Caramel layer uses the faux felt technique from Technique Junkies. I did distress the edges a bit to also help soften that layer. I thought that it added a nice soft feel overall to the card. I tried to tone down the Cameo Coral by sponging Creamy Caramel around it. I used my new Rich Cocoa (Memento) ink to stamp both the sentiment and the deer. You've got to love 40% Hobby Lobby coupons! ;D

I colored the deer using my Copic markers on Very Vanilla c/s. Boy, I finally understand why Marianne doesn't recommend SU coated cardstock! It really didn't want to blend at all! I really worked on that bly sky. I used my Colorless Blender to make the spots on the deer's back.

Stamps: Be Still (SNSS); Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento), various Copic markers, Creamy Caramel; Paper: Old Olive, Creamy Caramel, Cameo Coral, Very Vanilla; Accessories: Label One Nestie, Oive grosgrain ribbon (SU), antique brass frame (SU), crimper.

Another CPS Submission

2009-02-04T13:49:00.003-06:00

When I first uploaded my AI Duck I didn't realize I was entering it into the CPS contest. Well, since you can upload two cards I decided to try my hand at this sketch again. This time I wanted to try a new TJ technique called Background Burst. Only thing is that I didn't do it as a background. Oops! Sorry Pat! ;D The technique is actually the heart itself. Well, it was until I needed it to stand out more and I clear embossed the heart. I actually did a good bit of tinkering with this card. Here is the first rendition.

I used the heart from Gentler Times (SU retired). Now I don't have a fancy scallop heart punch. I actually used a trick to add the scallops around the edge. (I would LOVE to give credit, but now I can't find the source, if you know please let me know so I can include proper credit!) Basically you punch a scallop circle and then punch the inside out so you are left with a thin scallop border. Clip the scallop border and now you can add the scallops around any shape you want. Probably clear as mud! I've got to find that tutorial!

The flowers were painted with Shimmerz! I have seen this done several times and I love the look IRL. In fact, I think I prefer the flowers painted over painting an image! You can visit Shimmerz here. I added little pearl (generic) drew drops to the center of the flowers using my Mono Multi.

The base Old Olive has another stamp from the Gentler Times VersaMarked to add some depth and interest to that layer. The first card also uses VersaMark on the Lavendar Lace layer as it just needed "something". Famous last words, I know! You guessed it, I really wasn't happy with this card so I removed the Lavendar Lace layer and replaced it with Lavendar Lace with Swiss Dots embossed and swiped with Craft White for interest and texture. Please let me know what you think of this new card! This is the final version and what I have uploaded to the CPS contest.
Stamps: Gentler Times (SU, retired); Ink: Craft White, VersaMark; Paper: Old Olive, Lavender Lace, Elegant Eggplant; Accessories: Prima Flowers, Shimmerz: Cleery, Lilac & Opal; Scallop circle punch (SU), Colozzle circle (to cut out the center of scallop punch), Swiss Lace folder, CB, pearl dew drops, chalks (SU).

Createx Jeremiah

2009-01-29T19:14:00.003-06:00

To get person for just a moment, my favorite Scripture verse is Jeremiah 20:11, so when I saw it at Verve I just had to have it. It arrived recently so I wanted to put it to good use. My younger sister is in the Army and getting ready to head to a hot spot overseas in or around April. She returned from a one year unaccompanied tour in S. Korea in May, so you can imagine how she and her family feel about another year long separation. She is the one that I thought of when I first started to think about making a card using this stamp.

The background is a TJ technique called Createx Creations that I have had sitting around for months now. I love the vibrant colors of this technique and since I wanted to use a royal purple for this card this background came to mind. Since the background is so dark I pulled out my So Saffron for the base and used my Color Coach to find Almost Amethyst. I used my new Label One Nesties for the two layers and a couple Sakura metallic gelly roll pens to color around the embossed outer portion of the layers. I used my Craft Elegant Eggplant and clear embossed the sentiment, then my Elegant Eggplant marker to make the dots on the So Saffron.

Stamps: Jeremiah 29:11 (Verve); Ink: Craft Elegant Eggplant, Elegant Eggplant marker, Sakura Metallic gelly roll pens; Paper: So Saffron, Glossy, Almost Amethyst; Accessories: Createx paint, clear EP, Labels One Nesties, CB.

Another Artful Inkables

2009-01-28T20:57:00.002-06:00

Well, I decided to try the SCS color challenge CC203. The colors were Garden Green, Baja Breeze and Pacific Point. Well, I don't have either one of those blues so I used Not Quite Navy and Soft Sky instead.

I also have been wanting to try the CPS sketch for this week. AND (LOL) I wanted to use my new duck. She is more yellow IRL, I'm not sure where the orange came from since I don't even own any orange shades of Copics. You've got to love scanners. :) BTW, the Daring Duo is one of the stamp sets that Artful Inkables has for an incredible 50% off for just a couple more days!

Well, what do you think? I think I need more practice with my Copics! I have joined a group that is doing a Copic Club. It is a six month committment for $25.00 a month for 5 markers (includes shipping.) I think it is a fantastic deal!

Stamps: Daring Duo and Critter Country (plant); Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), various Copics, Soft Sky (sponging around edges); Paper: Garden Green, Not Quite Navy, Soft Sky, Porcelin Prints DP (SU); Accessories: Rectangle Scallop Nesties, CB, Swiss Dots CB folder, corner rounder (SU).

Father & Son & 50% Off Promotion Code

2009-01-26T22:01:00.004-06:00

I just had to use one of my brand new stamp sets. Here is Father & Son from Artful Inkables. This set is currently 50% off! Kristin has a number of other stamp sets for 50% off until the end of the month. Run, do not walk to her website and check out her awesome sell!! (Not affiliated just an extremely satisfied friend/customer!) Just make sure to use the promotion code: 50% off to get the discount.

This card combines SCS color challenge CC202 and Techno Stamper's sketch challenge #54. I just realized as I was typing up the recipe that I forgot the Regal Rose for the color challenge. Oops! Well, I'll leave it since I'm pretty sure that if DH thought purple wasn't masculine he'll think even less of Regal Rose. LOL!

Stamps: Father & Son (AI), Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Bravo Burgundy; Paper: Bravo Burgundy, Old Olive, Whisper White; Accessories: CB & Folder, sponge, Large Oval, Large Scallop Oval, Label One Nesties.

The Fairy and the Butterfly

2009-01-16T21:58:00.004-06:00

I'm sure you've all heard of Jen de Muro's blog tart (if not just click on the link.) Well, I've been thinkin' and thinkin' (feelin' like Whinny the Poo here) about the card to send. I'm sure it shouldn't have been this difficult! LOL! I wanted to use this new stamp set I bought from Treehouse Stamps called Beautiful Fairies (Inkadinkado). (To see Ashley's Fairy go here.)

I just love fairies, butterflies and unicorns. I guess the idea of being able to fly freely and the touch of the magical intrigue me. Anyway, about the card. The blue and green background was a Technique Junkie background called Color Pop (Dec 08- Jan 09 issue) that I had lying around and I loved the colors (Bashful Blue & Sage Shaddow.) I didn't want to use white so I went with Blush Blossom and stamped my fairy with Tuxedo Black (Momento) and heat set (because my COPIC started to smudge the ink.) The wings have two different Stickles colors. I used my largest scallop oval and sponged around using both Bashful Blue and Sage Shaddow. The the butterfly was punched with my Martha Stewart butterfly punch, then I used three colors of Stickles, (two were Distress stickles.) I rolled up a mini glue dot and placed it under the body of the butterfly to adhere it to the card, but still allow the wings to be free.

I really like how this turned out. I am keeping it sentiment-less so that the University can use it however they need to.

Stamps: Beautiful Fairies (inkadinkado); Ink: Tuxedo Black (Momento), various COPICs, Sage Shaddow, Bashful Blue; Paper: Blush Blossom, glossy, vellum; Accessories: corner rounder (SU), glue, reinkers, sponge, Stickles, butterfly punch, Scallop oval nestiblilites, CB.

Money/Gift Card Holder

2009-01-13T21:35:00.004-06:00

I am such a bad aunt. *sigh* I have a couple of nieces/nephews that I need to send gifts to. I have been searching for a tutorial that I saw a couple of months ago and never did find it but I did find something very similar. Ryann of The Inked Spot has this tutorial on her blog and there is no reason to reinvent the wheel, so I have linked to her tutorial. :D

Since I am late with these I am keeping them simple. Here is the front of of the holder.

Here is the inside. The money is folded into thirds and fits nicely. The money is actually smaller than a gift card so I will change the dimensions of future holders to 4.25 x 11 so I can get two holders from a single sheet of cardstock. I used the window word punch and 1" circle punch to make the pocket inside. I stamps some miscellaneous stamps from that stamp set on the inside, leaving enough room for a short message. Oops! I just noticed I missed a dot on one of the scallops. Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: Holiday Tag Team; Ink: Basic Black, MARKERS: Rose Red, Basic Black; Paper: Rose Red; Accessories: Rectangle Nestabilities, White gel pen, window word punch, 1" circle punch.

My Little Fox

2009-01-12T09:31:00.003-06:00

I haven't done one of MJ's Monday Lunchtime sketches in ages, but I wanted to get back in the swing of things, it just took me a little longer than I expected to finish this card. Ever have have a couple of "it has to be this way" parts to your card that seem to hinder putting it together? That was this card.

I knew I wanted to use Foxy (isn't he just darling?) that I bought from Tree House Stamps. He was from their $1 spot and is about 2.75 x 2.75 inches! My maiden name is Fox so I just have a soft spot for foxes. :) I decided to send this card to my Dad for his birthday later this month, so I wanted a masculine card.

I also knew I wanted to use MJ's sketch #51. It looked like fun, so the challenge was on! I received the Labels One from my wonderful MIL as a Christmas present so I HAD to use that as well. I thought it would work so well as the focal point in this sketch. I knew that this Ginger Blossom (SU) would coordinate beautifully, so that was a must-have.

It was that layer beneath the fox that I struggled with for two days! This warm chocolate ribbon finally called loud enough for me to find him! LOL! I wanted teh fox layer up a bit but not as much as a pop dot, so I double layered my mini glue dots. I added the buttons to finish off the sketch and whew! Finally! :D

Stamps: Foxy (Treehouse); Ink: Tuxedo Black (Momento), various COPIC Markers; Paper: Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, Ginger Blossom DP (SU); Accessories: buttons (SU), Labels One Nestabilities, Paper Piercer (SU), ribbon (American Crafts).

SNSS Dragon

2009-01-08T17:10:00.004-06:00

I wanted to share this card that I made using the sketch at Card Positioning System using the retired Princess stamp set from Sweet N Sassy Stamps (SNSS). There are some of these stamps sets left if you "need" one for your little princess! ;D (Nope, not an employee just a happy customer.)

The dragon is colored using Shimmerz: Mocha, Celery, Spiced Cider & Opal (over the Celery to mute it a bit) so it has lots of shimmer (go figure, LOL!) When Troy (my 5 y/o DS) saw this on my desk he immediately wanted it! He loves this dragon! (He especially liked the green wings.)

Stamps: Princess (SNSS); Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento) Broken China Distress Ink; Paper: Soft Sky, Tempting Turquoise, Wild Asperagus DP; Accessories: generic dew drops, Nestabilities Scallop Circle, sponge, Shimmerz, paint brush, C1 7 W1 COPIC for shading.

Princess Birthday

2009-01-05T14:57:00.003-06:00

My friend/neighbor's daughter had her 6th birthday recently. I had ordered this Princess stamp set from Sweet N Sassy Stamps. Now I have both the Knight and Princess sets from SNSS so I can sell my Dreams & Dragons (SU)! I love that these SNSS stamps are larger than the D&D stamps.

The layout is from CardMaps. I just love having one place with loads of layout ideas! The tag is not attached so it could be used as a bookmark. Does a 6 y/o use bookmarks? LOL! I sponged Cameo Coral on the embossed borders to help show the detail. Then I debossed the base layer (accidently actually).

I took this picture with the COPICs that I used. I don't know how others get their markers to stack so nicely, I did try to get all the end caps rightside up but wasn't too successful. Oh well, I think I'll stick with scanning my cards.

Well, off to get my DS from the bus stop. :D Can you tell, the holidays are over? Yes, two posts in two days! ;D

Stamps: Princess (SNSS), Hugs & Wishes (SU); Ink: Tuxedo Black (Momento), various Copic Markers, Cameo Coral; Paper: Cameo Coral, Once upon A Time (DCWV), shimmery white; Accessories: CB: border folder & tag die, Scallop edge punch (SU), small grosgrain ribbon and silver cord,brads, black fine embossing poweder.

Errr, Merry Christmas. . .

2009-01-04T14:39:00.006-06:00

Yes, too much time has passed since I have posted anything. Rather than give excuses (we've heard them all) I thought I'd just post my Christmas card for 2008 and share a couple of other Christmas cards that are special to me.

My first share is from my darling 5 y/o son. He proudly made it himself while I was out shopping (and DADDY supervised!!) Yes, I was shocked! Daddy usually steers away from my craft room so to have him supervise Troy was quite the surprise. Yes, they used my Tonic guillotine cutter and my ATG gun!! Yikes! That is some serious crafting, hehe! It is probably difficult to see, but he stamped the Santa and tree from Crayon Christmas (SU) and ~~scribbled~~ colored them in. This lavendar layer is actually adhered to a white base, hence the ATG need. I do believe that my DH suggested they go buy me a card but Troy wanted to make one. That is how David got sucked into "supervising".

This is the card that ended up going out to friends and family. My first version was stamped onto acetate, colored on the back with COPICs, vintaged the Very Vanilla layer under the acetate and distressed the edges, used brads to adhere the acetate to the top two layers. This photo is actually the second version. I stamped onto Very Vanilla, aged and distressed, added brads, mounted on burgundy. The background stamp is SU's Antique Background using Galaxy Gold Brilliance ink. About a 1/3 of my Christmas cards looked like this one. The final version just omitted the brads. I didn't want to add more to postage because of the thickness. I was reminded by Lisa Somerville that simplier is usually better (or something along those lines). Thanks Lisa! :D Oh, you really can't see in this scan that I colored the windows with So Saffron. It was the only coloring I did, sponging not included.

Stamps: The Forest Chapel (CHF), Antique Backgrounds (SU), Season's Greetings (SU), Ink: Basic Brown, Basic Black, Glaxy Gold (Brilliance); So Saffron Marker (windows), Antique Linen & Brushed Corduroy (Distress Ink); Paper: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip; Bravo Burgundy; Accessories: brads, Cut-N-Dry (Ranger), Distress tool (SU).

The next card is the O-N-L-Y card that my DH has ever said "Let's keep this!" Yes, after stamping for eight years those were the first words out of his mouth when he opened his card from me this year. Here's why:
I got this stamp, Miss Crystal, from RubberNecker.com. I used one of Tim Holtz' 12 Days of Christmas 2008 ( Day 2) for her dress and paper pieced the dress. I used stickles for the white rim of her hat, the stars she's holding and the "string" so it all sparkles. I used the snowflake CB folder for the white layer. I used the scallop punch from SU for the opening base layer (Elegant Eggplant.) I also scalloped a white layer inside the card and offset it so when it is closed you can see the white peeking out. It really helped add to the card without adding any more embellishments. Oh, this card was inspired by Linda Duke. I used some CB snowflake dies for the last embellishments. Whew! So what do you think of Miss Crystal??

Stamps: Miss Crystal (RubberNecker); Ink: Tuxedo Black (Momento), COPIC: Skin White (E00), SU Markers: Real Red, Close to Cocoa; Paper: Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White; Accessories: CB snowflake embossing folder and snowflake dies, Tim Holtz Day 2 Technique; Stickles, Paper Snips (SU).

Child's Birthday and Son's Artwork

2008-11-17T09:09:00.002-06:00

I've been super busy with my volunteer position, but had to take a break and make a card for a boy in my son's class, who's birthday party he was attending this week-end. So I was actually relieved to "have to" stamp this week-end! It is simple I know, but I let Troy pick out the stamps for me to use. He said his friend loves football and he picked the sentiment from my GinaK Make A Wish stamp set. He also said his friend's favorite color was red and Troy picked Ruby Red for the card.

Stamps: Good Sport (SU), Make A Wish (GinaK); Ink: Ruby Red, Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip; Paper: Ruby Red, Chocolate Chip, Shimmery White; Accessories: Brads (pewter), sponge daubers, SAMJ.

Next up is Troy's artwork. (Humor me here, he doesn't want to stamp as much as he used to.) He was finally ready to make a card for his cousin that is living in S. Korea right now. My brother is active duty Army and his wife is an Army Civilian. They are both working in S. Korea for two years. Troy has a mind of his own so I must admit that I groaned a bit when I turned around and saw his "sunset". We had stamped the tree (ISC) and grass (A Muse). I CB these dinos and was trying to figure out what to do to "kick it up a notch" when I turned and saw that he had colored all this red to make a sunset. So we talked about sunsets and layering colors and how the sun is at the horizon when a sunset is happening. (He is only 5 and still learning all these little details! LOL!) So orange was added. Since we needed a horizon that was added with green marker (over the grass) then the blue beyond the sunset.

We put the dinos through my little Xyron and added Dazzling Diamonds, then Troy added them to his picture. The tall one is supposed to be eating leaves from the tree. I'll bet Betsy didn't envision that when she was designing this tree!

Stamps: Marvels of Nature (ISC), Hero Mail (A Muse, grass & Sentiment), Ink: Real Red, Green Galore, YoYo Yellow (Sun started out as a circle stamp from SU), Markers: Bashful Blue, Gable Green, Only Orange, Ruby Red, Chocolate Chip; Accessories: CB Dinos, Xyron, Dazzling Diamonds.

Thanks for your patience with my little guy. I'm a proud Mama!

Harlequin Thanks

2008-11-17T08:56:00.001-06:00

I posted this card to the TJ yahoo group but forgot to post it here. I needed a thank you card to a luncheon I attended hosted by my Husband's senior rater. This gal is so very sweet so I wanted something nice AND I wanted to use my new Harlequin Flowers set.

I used an Alcohol Ink technique from Technique Junkies and came up with this. I liked it but I thought it needed something I just couldn't figure out what. BTW, I colored silver brads with a Copic marker to get the color.

After I sent out a distress call to the TJ group I went with the suggestion of adding a sentiment. The brads are holding a sheet of acetate in place and the "Tender Thoughts" is stamped on top.

Well, what do you think? Is it the right finishing touch?

Stamps: Harlequin Flowers, Natures Silhouette I (ISC), Ink: Staz-On Black, various alcohol inks (Ranger), Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Basic Black, Whisper White; Accessories: acetate, paint brush, brads, 1/16th hole punch, Copic marker to color brads.

I haven't stamped in ages until this week-end, and that really because I had to. I've been bogged down with finishing a project for the volunteer position for my Officer Spouses' Club. I'm nearly finished so I hope to be back stamping soon. I will post the quick little projects I worked on this week-end, (one of which is my son's work.)

Camo Knight

2008-10-27T22:13:00.005-05:00

A quick note. I received my Tuxedo Black Memento ink pad from Pez-A-Doodle and had to try it out. I used it on both of these cards. Result? No smearing while I was using my COPIC markers! I like the blackness (as apposed to the purple tinge of some blacks.) and the coverage was really good, not splotchy or light. It worked great! This may just become my favorite black ink pad, replacing my Black Onxy by VersaFine. Now, on to the cards!

I really like this Camouflage technique! Troy was invited to a dual birthday party on Saturday. The party was for a boy and a girl, both live in our neighborhood. So I needed two cards. Since I had already this finished Camo background I used it with this new knight stamp set I have from Sweet & Sassy Stamps.

Stamps: Knight in Shining Armor (S&SS); Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Paper: Old Olive, Sahara Sand, Going Gray; Accessories: brads (SU), COPIC markers, bleach, cotton ball.

For the girl's card I reached for my Dreams & Dragons (SU). It is quick and simple. I love being able to use my Nestabilities to make quick layers.

Stamps: Dreams & Dragons (SU), Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento); Paper: Pixie Pink, Whisper White; Accessories: Nestabilities, COPIC markers.

I just thought I'd take a moment to show a picture of my son today. He stayed home from school because his stomach hurt. Good thing I decided to go ahead and keep him home, he was sick. He very rarely ever gets sick like this. He asked to take a nap, but didn't want to go up to his room so I put the blanket over him, leaving a peeking hole so he could continue to watch TV. He didn't last too long before he was out. Hopefully, he'll be feeling a lot better in the morning.

ISC Tag

2008-10-23T00:29:00.003-05:00

ISCC16 is to alter a tag using a Tim Holtz technique. Tim is sooo incredible talented and creative that I am always a bit intimidated to try one of his techniques. David is out of town for a couple of days so I charged ahead to distract myself. I decided to use this technique. He doesn't name his techniques so he just labels it July Technique Challenge. I know I've seen versions of this technique around, it is basically a resist technique. It is the first time that I have used my craft iron and melted the embossing powder from my c/s. I also used some grunge board! Orginally, I used the Ranger Archival ink BUT I just don't care for how it turned out so I used my SAMJ and restamped in Onxy Black and embossed to help the writing to stand out more. Much better! Without further adu:
Stamps: Natures Sillhouette I, Friendship, Marvels of Nature (ISC); Ink: VersaMark, Onxy Black (VersaFine); Paper: Whisper White; Accessories: Black Detail EP, packing paper (to use to lift the heated EP), grunge board, crackle paint; Color Wash: Eggplant, Bottle, Cranberry.

I wanted to try MJ's TechnoStamper's card sketch #40 and decided that my tag would be a perfect fit. I did make this card larger than my usual A2 to fit my tag. For the embellishment I used my CB and cut a butterfly from acetate and used one of the butterfly folder to emboss the butterfly. Then I colored the acetate with alcohol inks to match the colorwash sprays I used on the tag. I used a mini black brad to attach it to the tag. This type of work is so outside of my comfort zone. Now the question is, who do I send this to? :)

Stamps: Natures Sillhouette I, Friendship, Marvels of Nature (ISC); Ink: VersaMark, Onxy Black (VersaFine); Paper: Handsome Hunter, Wild Asperagus DP, Whisper White; Accessories: Black Detail EP, packing paper (to use to lift the heated EP), grunge board, crackle paint; Color Wash: Eggplant, Bottle, Cranberry, CB Butterfly die & folder, acetate, alcohol ink: Stream, Bottle, Wild Plum, mini black brad.

TJ Just One Shimmer Resist

2008-10-19T20:43:00.005-05:00

I had made this for a TJ Just One swap. My partner has received her card so I thought I'd go ahead and post it. I really love this technique, it always seems to come out so elegant. Since it has been awhile (and I didn't write down the recipe) I'll have to try to remember everything. :)

Stamps: Upsy Daisy, Baroque Motifs (SU); Ink: Groovy Guava, CRAFT White, Onxy Black (VersaFine); Paper: Goovy Guava, Basic Black, Appricot Appeal; Accessories: Perfect Pearls, spray bottle, pearls, Nestabilities, Ticket Courner punch (SU), Organdy & Grosgrain ribbons.

So Far Away Camo

2008-10-12T10:06:00.000-05:00

I have had in mind to try this new TJ technique (called Camouflage) with this new stamp set So Far Away from Firecracker Designs by Pamela (FDP). I saw this stamp and just fell in love with it. The set has some wonderful sentiments that allow you to tailor your card many different ways. Pamela is a Junkie as well and offers a special discount to TJ members, so I jumped on the wagon and bought this set. Thanks Pamela!

The easy part was doing the technique and embossing the soldier stamp on the c/s. I decided to layer onto Basic Black and again on Chocolate Chip. Then was stumped. Then I decided to go with the flow of the stamped image and round the corners at the top and I put the brass brads at the bottom corners. Then I was really stumped because it just didn't look finished. I decided to add the brass eyelets and then leave it alone!

I have a friend who's husband recently left for a six month deployment. I think I'll send this to him.

Stamps: So Far Away (FCD); Ink: CRAFT Basic Black, Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip; Paper: Basic Black, Chocolate Chip, Handsome Hunter; Accessories: bleach, Basic Black MARKER, CAD, 1/16th hole punch, brads, eyelets, Detail Black EP, heat gun, corner rounder (SU).

ISCC14

2008-10-11T21:09:00.003-05:00

I kept thinking about this challenge. Not real sure what to do with it. The ISC challenge was to use this card sketch. She when I'm not sure what to do I just start surfing.

I was checking out the other cards submitted and saw Melanie's gorgeous card using patterned paper, thinking about the pads of paper that I have hardly touched (and feeling a bit guilty) I decided to find some to use here. I also checked out Chris' card using a stamp from Majestic Women. She did a wonderful job! As I was trying to figure out what stamp was the right size for my squares I kept coming back to this Friendship stamp. Thank you Melanie and Chris for the inspiration. This is what I came up with.

I stamped the swirl from Flair of Summer I onto the patterned paper. The black scalloped squares were punched using my Marvy Giga Scalloped Square punch, then I just cut two 2" squares from Brocade Blue c/s. The sentiment was printed on my computer using Fine Hand font. The embellishment was taken from my stash.

Stamps: Flair of Summer I & Friendship (both ISC); Ink: Black Onyx (VersaFine); Paper: Basic Black, Wild Asparagus (MME), Brocade Blue; Accessories: Giga Scallop Square punch, Rock the Kasbah (Imaginisce), Pop Up Glue Dot.

Melanie Made Me Do It. . . . (ISCC13)

2008-09-26T14:09:00.005-05:00

Yes, it is true. I wasn't planning on participating in ISC's ISCC13. The challenge was to make 2-4 ATCs using a resist technique. My first ever ATC was for ISC's What Size is Your Art challenge. I did it and it was a challenge, but I'm just not an ATC kinda gal. This is where Melanie from Smartie-Artie comes in. She pushed (challenged) me to do it. *sigh* We've both been answering the call of ISC challenges and admiring each others work. I guess I just needed a little encouragement. Well, here are the results.

I'll start with this one. I did this one today, and it isn't my favorite. Perhaps it is the colors I chose. I do however LOVE this technique, Shimmering Resist. I did it the first time here. I did it another time for a 1-on-1 swap and haven't shown that card yet. This is a technique from the Aug/Sep TJ newsletter. What you can't see very well are the two butterflies under the sentiment. I used Pixie Pink to stamp them but the stamp wasn't very juicy and they faded a bit especially after the shimmer was applied. This purple is Marvelous Magenta that I pulled out from my DS's stash (where I put my unwanted c/s.) This shade seemed to work well with the butterflies since they have Groovy Guava shimmering over them. ;D

Stamps: Marvels of Nature, Artsy Victorian, Friendship (all ISC); Ink: CRAFT White & Pixie Pink, Basic Gray; Paper: Marvelous Magenta, Whisper White; Accessories: CB Vintage Dies, Shimmery Spray.

This next ATC is actually my favorite. Can you tell I had recently visited Michelle's blog? No brayer, but I did sponge all the ATC. The colors were also inspired by Michelle as I would probably never use Sage Shadow without prompting.

I guess this technique is just a plain o' Embossing Resist. I stamped the tree from Marvels of Nature using craft ink and clear embossed it. Then I masked all but the bottom and sponged Handsome Hunter for the grass. I reversed the mask then punched a circle (1 1/4") to act as a mask for the sun and sponged Bashful Blue everywhere. I then used Ballet Blue around the edges, then Brilliant Blue around the edges "careful to not cover all the Ballet Blue" (Did I sound like Michelle? Hehe!) I removed the sun mask and used the reverse mask (post it note with the circle punched out) to sponge on So Saffron and some smudges of More Mustard (you really can't see the MM.) I left it at that last night. (I had already ruined a couple other ATC's trying to figure the best way to get the sentiment over the tree and background.) This moring I had the ephifany I needed! I stamped the sentiment using Staz-On onto acetate and attatched the acetate to the ATC using these mini brads.

Stamps: Marvels of Nature (ISC); Ink: Bashful Blue, Ballet Blue, Brilliant Blue, Handsome Hunter, So Saffron, More Mustard, Black Staz-On, CRAFT: Sage Shadow & Creamy Carmel (tree trunk); Paper: Sage Shadow, Whisper White; Accessories: acetate, post it notes, 1/16" hole punch, mini brads, clear detail embossing powder.

Thank you Betsy from ISC for the blog challenges and thank you Melanie for the push!

Purple Dreams

2008-09-24T21:24:00.002-05:00

Lorie issued a challenge to use this sketch from CPS (Card Positioning System) for some "Glory from Lorie". Here is the card I came up with. I know I've been using a lot of purple lately, but it is my favorite color. :)

I took a picture instead of scanning because it takes so long to dry and I wanted to upload this tonight. I'm not 100% satisfied with this but I think it will do to give to a non-stamping friend. :)

Stamps: Dreams du Jour & Fresh Cuts (SU); Ink: Elegant Eggplant CRAFT, Black Onyx (VersaFine); Paper: Elegant Eggplant, Lovely Lilac, Whisper White; Accessories: Coluzzle, Scallop Circle Nestabilities; CB Argyle Folder.

Heart to Heart Thanks

2008-09-24T13:54:00.004-05:00

I'm pretty sure everyone that is into paper craft blogs as seen Cammie's blog candy. Wow! Truly an amazing blog candy at that, $1,000 worth of crafting goodies! I think what Cammie is doing to honor her grandmother is such an incredible testament to her love for her grandmother.

Ever have one of those cards where you think you are all finished but when you see the card on your screen to upload somewhere you notice just how it isn't quite finished? Well, that was this card for me. Just to show you, here is the first scan.

That long layer is just polished stone technique. I hadn't done it in so long that I thought I'd use it here. Also, this is MJ's Techno Stamper's Sketch #36 for this week. What a great sketch! I just bought that CB folder at Hobby Lobby a week ago and was dying to use it. So as you can see, it is just okay. Nothing jumps out at you about this card.

First I added another layer of Not Quite Navy under the main layer, that helped a good bit. But that Polished layer still needed something. So I started looking through my silhouette stamps and came upon this one from ISC's Nature's Silhouette I. Because of the glossy cardstock I didn't get a perfect image (some of the silver showed through and I didn't like it that way) I used my Copic black marker and colored it in. Without further adu:

Stamps: Nature's Silhouette (ISC) So Many Sayings (SU); Ink: Black Staz-On, Basic Black Marker (sentiment), Soft Sky, Blue Bayou, Encoure Silver Refills; Paper: Not Quite Navy, Soft Sky, Glossy; Accessories: Large Oval Punch (SU), Birds & Swirls CB Folder.

ISCC12 Sketch Challenge

2008-09-15T23:28:00.005-05:00

ISC is back to their challenges and this week's is a sketch challenge. I just love my new Artsy Victorian stamp set. The images are so large!

I used my black Copic to color the edges of these pearl brads, but they took awhile to dry and I'm afraid that as careful as I was I still ended up with a couple of smudges (on the white areas of course!) I used my white gel pen to try to cover them up but fear I only made them worse. I think it scanned blurry because of the thickness of the brads.

Those are pearl dew drop knock-offs next to the sentiment. I used my tag punch (SU) to cut the sides on the sentiment layer. Sorry, I don't remember whose blog I saw that on. I like how it is almost like an arrow pointing to the sentiment.

Stamps: Artsy Victorian, Flair of Summer (sentiment) both from ISC; Ink: Wild Wasabi, Lovely Lilac, Onyx Black (VersaFine); Paper: Wild Wasabi, Baic Black, Shimmery White; Accessories: pearl dew drops, Petite Pearls (Bazzill)

Beerafella

2008-09-14T15:58:00.003-05:00

I was inspired by Jen Del Muro's blog to use one of my bellas for her card sketch.

Just a bit of personal info, my DH loves beer. Not just any beer mind you, microbrew type. I have been to more brew pubs around the world then I would ever have dreamed! The down side? I don't like beer. That being said I had to get this guy for my DH. I also got the sentiment, "they followed me home. . . " Yes, originally I thought that the sentiment went with my Stampingbella; but that sentiment goes so well with this guy too. I didn't scan the inside, but you would just see the sentiment stamped in black on the inside. Hubby has worked every day for the past three weeks (yes, you read that right, that's 21 days in a row.) Thanks to Gustuv and Ike, DH has been working to provide military support to the areas affected by those two hurricanes. Today is the last day of 24 hour operations, so tomorrow he goes back to work as normal. Nope, no day off to compensate just go back to work as normal. That's okay, he'd just get underfoot as I get Troy off to school. ;)

Okay, enough of my blathering!

I used the same designer paper that I used on my cowboy cards posted earlier. The stripes and the green are opposite sides of the same paper. Does the weathered wood give you the feel of standing on our back deck??? :) I thought the buttons a fitting masculine accessory. I even took the time to thread some linen thread through them to help give a polished look. I used my Copic markers (except for his hair since I don't own a dark brown.) I'm still working on my shading. I did get to use my colorless blender to fix a couple of spots I colored outside the lines, (as per Marianne's awesome guidance.)

Oh, and I thought I'd add; I got a nice smile from DH (after I explained that it was the beer that followed him home) rather than the deer in the headlights look. Perhaps he'll thank me properly later on! ;D

Stamps: Beerafella, Weathered (SU); Ink: Onxy Black (VersaFine), Chocolate Chip; Paper: Chocolate Chip, Outlaw dp (SU), Really Rust, Very Vanilla; Accessories: Copic markers, neutral buttons (SU), linen thread, corner punch (SU).

Cowboy Howdy!

2008-09-11T22:33:00.003-05:00

Wow, two posts in one day! Something must be wrong with me! ;)

I have a nephew's birthday coming up soon and my DS has a birthday party to go to this week-end. So I need two little boy birthday cards. I have been wanting to use my Lizzie Anne Designs blog candy I won awhile back from Rose Ann. This cute little cowboy and this sentiment are just perfect for those boy cards that I struggle with!

It has been quite awhile since I have participated in one of MJ's TechnoStamper's sketch challenge, but here is my submission for #34.

There really isn't much mystery here. The designer paper is some old SU! Outlaw paper. I used my SU markers to color in the little guy. I used my SU distresser on the edges and sponged with Creamy Caramel. The strip under the sentiment is a "faux" ribbon, so in other words it is just a strip of Chocolate Chip cardstock cut about the width of SU grosgrain ribbon. I was afraid that real ribbon wouldn't look boyish enough. *eyeroll* The scallop rectangle is one of my Marvy punches that is soooo hard to punch I litterally have to step on it.

So overall it was pretty simple, but I like it. I need to work abit on my coloring. It has been sooo long since I've really colored anything. I did try to ground him a little and there is some shading on his hat . . . . .

Stamps: Cowboy, Howdy (both Lizzie Anne Designs); Ink: Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel; Paper: Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, Outlaw DP; Accessories: SU Markers, rectagle scallop punch (Marvy), distresser (SU).

Purple Tapestry

2008-09-11T13:12:00.003-05:00

I have a friend that agreed to be our OSC president. She is such a wonderful person to take on this huge task. She choose a purple butterfly for our symbol this year. I found a purple butterfly at the Garden Depot over the week-end and have been meaning to make a card to attach the butterfly to and give it to her.

I also wanted to take my tapestry stamp for a test drive. What a gorgeous stamp! It is huge! I had to trim some off the sides to fit on this card. I stamped it on vellum then attached the (mostly) trimmed vellum to the black layer. I used my paper piercer, foam sheet and my WONDERFUL Tim Holtz ruler to punch the holes for the brads. After I had the vellum attached I trimmed off the edges so it was layered perfectly.

It is difficult to read the sentiment. It is a stamp from SU! that reads, "It is extraordinary how extraordinary the ordinary person is. ~George Will" I thought it was appropriate for my extraordinary friend. For the sentiment I used purple Perfect Pearls. I used anti-static powder on the black layer and it left a little bit of residual that the scanner picked up on.

The black brads are Spare Parts by the Paper Studio and the "purple" brads are SU! silver Vintage brads that I colored with my V17 COPIC marker. I just love using those Copic markers to color my brads! BTW, I added those purple brads to help hold down the bottom portion of the vellum since it was curling up along the bottom edge. I liked it better before I added them, but I don't have any adhesive that I thought would stay invisible to hold the bottom down. I probably should have added some in the bottom corners, but I just didn't. I don't think she'll mind. :)

Stamps: Artsy Victorian (ISC), Quotes to Live By (SU!); Ink: Purple Twilight (Pigment, Ranger); Paper: Lavender Lace, Basic Black, vellum paper; Accessories: Perfect Pearls, brads, Tim Holtz ruler; anti-static powder, paper snips (SU!)

Shimmering Resist

2008-08-31T22:15:00.004-05:00

I had spent time earlier today applying Aleene's Tack-it Over and Over to some stamps I had received months ago, (Stamp Francisco.) A little organizing can do creativity good! Seems like forever since I've had time to sit down and stamp something. In fact, it felt a bit strange at first. I had no idea what to do or what direction to go. So where did I turn for inspiration? To my latest TJ newsletter of course! ;)

I wanted something shimmery so I checked out the Shimmering Resist technique. I'm also so very late getting a birthday card to my brother. That is what inspired the sentiment, however I think this card will go to my sister. I'm not so sure my brother would appreciate the butterflies and flourishes on this card.

This card is really fascinating to look at. I love the shimmer, but the layers catch your eye as well. Would you believe that the main layer c/s started off as Pale Plum (Sentiment layer came from the same sheet of paper!)

It may be hard to tell, but the brads started as silver and I used my COPIC V17 to color them for a monochromatic feel to the card. They don't glitter as the scan appears.

I probably should have done some sponging on the sentiment layer, but I was afraid of covering some of the letters.

I used a homemade shimmer spray for the main layer, I also sprayed the black scallop; (I should have sprayed the flowers before I punched them.) I used Dusty Concord distress Ink for my shimmer spray. After I sprayed it on the Pale Plum it matched perfectly with my Lavender Lace!

Stamps: Flourishes, Swallowtail Butterfly (Stamp Franscisco) Define Your Life (SU); Ink: CRAFT Whisper White, Pale Plum, Onyx Black (VersaFine); Paper: Pale Plum, Lavender Lace, Basic Black; Accessories: silver brads, COPIC marker V17, Giga & Mega Scallop punch, Super Jumbo Oval punch, ThrioFlower Punch (SU), Dusty Concord Reinker (Ranger), Perfect Pearls.

Another ISC Challenge

2008-08-22T16:22:00.000-05:00

Have you ever had a secret place that you loved? A place you wanted to keep to yourself?? Well, for me ISC blog is that place! They have such wonderful challenges, they draw me in even when I should be doing something else! Like getting ready for our Officers Spouses' Club Welcome Tea on Wednesday! (I'm the Membership Chairperson; yikes, what was I thinking?!) ;) Anyway, I won some blog candy and got to go spend $25!! Okay I added one stamp set over that, but you should see what I got!!!

Tim Holtz Design Ruler (I haven't been able to find one of these locally!)
Batik Flower Background
Artsy Victorian (Wow! You should see the size of these stamps!)
And I added:
Marvels of Nature

Thank you so much Betsy! It was like being a child in a candy store for sure! There is still so much that I want from ISC! So I'd better keep up with these challenges right?! ;)

Well, here is my submission for ISCC10, What Size is Your Art? Please keep in mind that I have NEVER done an ATC, Moo or Inchie before!

I like the idea of having these and using them on a card. I started with Whisper White and stamped the Batik Flower background using River Rock, then I sprayed Glimmer Mist in Sunflower. After they dried I stamped the bush silhouette from Flair of Summer in Old Olive. I stamped "Enjoy" in Basic Gray. Sponged the edges with Pumpkin Pie then just touched the edges with Creamy Caramel. I loved how the Pumpkin kind of glowed. I just added the olive ribbon and the pumpkin buttons. Done! Now to use them on a card! LOL!

Stamps: All stamps from ISC: Batik Flower b/g, Flair of Summer; Ink: River Rock, Old Olive, Basic Gray, Pumpkin Pie, Creamy Caramel; Paper: Whisper White; Accessories: sponge daubers, Olive ribbon, buttons, Mini dots.

Another Bandanna Congrats

2008-08-14T15:55:00.003-05:00

I found out yesterday that a friend was selected for promotion. Well, I decided to make him a congrats card using the TJ Bandanna technique. Yes, I guess this is my favorite TJ technique, for right now at least! It does seem to work well for masculine cards so I guess that is why I gravitate toward it.

I decided to try to use the colors in the newest ACU (Army Combat Uniform) uniform, I should have used more green, but I am enough with the results. Of course this doesn't have the digital layout, but I wasn't that hard pressed to be precise. The colors are actually almost too light since it makes it difficult to see all the white dots. This is the card I finished last night.

Then this morning I woke up and realized that I used the incorrect rank for his promotion. This is Lieutenant Colonel instead of the "Full Bird" Colonel. Oops! Know anyone getting promoted to Lt. Colonel? I have a nice card for them. *eyeroll*

Stamps: Soldier (sentiment: Paper Inspirations), Rank (ImaginAir Designs); Ink: Shabby Shutters, Antique Linen, Old Paper (Distress Inks), Onyx Black (VersaFine); Paper: Garden Green, Whisper White; Accessories: Signo White gel pen, CAD, Eyelets (SU).

Another Mini-Book

2008-08-12T22:50:00.004-05:00

As I mentioned in my last post I needed two of these little mini-albums. This one will go to my Grandmother. She allowed me to take her picture of my Dad in his sailor suit, taken when he was 18. She has never let anyone borrow this picture before, so huge on her part.

I used four clear envelops again so it holds eight pictures. I received my last order (as a demo) from Stampin' Up! so I felt I should use something!! Here I used the Dreams du Jour from the new catalog. I can see I'm going to love this set!

Stamps: Dreams du Jour (SU); Ink: Certainly Celery, Garden Green, Regal Rose, Onyx Black (VersaFine); Paper: Rose Red, Shimmery White; Accessories: CAD, jumbo eyelets; aqua pen, scallop edge punch (SU), scallop square punch (Marvy), clear envies, sponge/stiple brush.

Clear Envelop Mini-Book

2008-08-08T22:22:00.004-05:00

By now you must realize that a) I like a challenge and b) I really like Innovative Stamp Creations Blog Challenges. :)

Their latest challenge (ISCC10) is to create a mini-book. I think Betsy must have been visiting here because I really needed to do this. Well, actually I need two. Now I have been motivated to make this easy Clear Envie mini-book. I have really been wanting to make one of these since I saw it on someone's blog several months ago.

This mini-book will go (once I pick-up some glossy photo paper and print some photos) to my Dad. His health continues to deteriorate and he is on oxygen constantly. Here is a picture of him and Troy during our visit recently.

I decided to use the new (and easy) Bandanna Technique from my TJ newsletter. I love this technique, it is so easy and really quite relaxing. Perhaps a little time consuming but not bad really. The stamp set is Nature's Silhouette I.

I also was able to use my NEW Scallop Edge Punch!! (Along the right edge.) I placed an order my last day as a demonstrator and ordered this punch along with a few stamp sets that I've really been wanting. :D

Here is a glimpse of the inside made of clear envelops. I recently found this tutorial on Dawn's blog. Mine is slightly different in that my back cover is about an inch or or so longer and folds over the front to make that brown flap that the top cover slides behind. (Make sense?) I only put 4 envies inside since I figured I could put photos front and back.

Thanks Bestsy and crew for the push and motivation to get this done for my Dad!

Stamps: Natures Silhouette I (ISC); Ink: Distress Ink: Fired Brick, Pine Needles, Faded Jeans; Staz-On Black; Paper: Whisper White, Chocolate Chip; Accessories: Clear Envies, Nestabilites, Scallop Edge Punch (SU).

Dino Glow

2008-08-06T12:35:00.003-05:00

I needed a card for a friend's son who is turning 4 today. Troy is at his birthday party now. *sigh* I thought that using my Dino-Mite set from SU (retired) would be a good choice. I also thought that it would look good using the Glowing Image technique from the current TJ newsletter.

Well, I started this last night and still spent a couple hours on it this morning! No the technique isn't difficult I just chose a bit much to have to mask and reverse mask! Also, I tried giving this a bit of Zindorf's brayering style which added time to the whole process. All this for a 4 y/o's birthday card! Oh, and my white CRAFT ink didn't want to dry! Even after I (tried) heat setting it.

This card is designed so that the Very Vanilla layer opens and is layered on the quartered sheet of Close to Cocoa. That is why there is a strange edge to the bottom, my c/s was buckled due to the heat gun.

Stamps: Dino-Mite (SU); Ink: Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Ballet Blue, Night of Navy, So Saffron, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel, CRAFT White; Paper: Close to Cocoa, Very Vanilla; Accessories: Brayer, Signo gel pen, Post-It notes, COPIC G21 (grass), 1" Circle punch (sun).

Designer Tiled ISC

2008-08-02T16:22:00.003-05:00

I was inspired to make this card by ISC's Challenge #9, Monochromatic Mania. It also uses a new TJ technique Designer Tiles.

I started off wanting to try out this new technique. Then I pulled some designer paper from my Far East Mat Pack (DCWV) that seemed to fall into the same color scheme (to meet the ISC requirements) and went from there. After I finished the top layer I looked at my Earth Elements to see what color fit the best and this Really Rust was perfect! I inked up the silhouette from Nature's Silhouettes I with CRAFT Really Rust. I'm so glad I used the craft because regular dye ink probably wouldn't have given enough coverage due to the texture of the designer paper. I matted the top layer onto a Really Rust with VersaMark on the edges to darken the c/s then layered that onto a folded layer of Really Rust. I cut the VersaMarked layer a tad bit small, but used it anyway. I really like how this turned out!

Stamps: Nature's Silhouettes I (ISC); Ink: VersaMark, CRAFT Really Rust; Paper: Really Rust, Whisper White, Far East Mat Pack (DCMV); Accessories: Xryon, Copper EP, heat gun.

My SU News

2008-08-01T10:03:00.002-05:00

I just thought I would announce that I am no longer a Stampin' Up! demonstrator. I let my demonstratorship lapse. I still love SU, I just couldn't get my business going here in Illinois and got worn out doing monthly classes only to have one (maybe two) people show up.

At least I won't feel guilty using various other stamp companies! ;)

Bandanna Congrats

2008-08-01T09:37:00.002-05:00

We had a promotion party to attend last night so I took the time to make a congrats card. The layout is from June's PageMaps. I really liked the TJ Bandanna technique and decided to give it a whirl. I can see how this technique might require some time for the dotting, but it was also fun and relaxing and once you get going it isn't too time consuming (or perhaps you're just having so much fun you don't realize it?) :)

I originally used Peeled Paint Distress Ink but I thought it looked like puke so I used Pine Needles over top to give more of a green. Fortunately, I think it saved it from the trash can! In future I'll use Pine Needles since it doesn't go on as dark as it looks on the cover of the pad and I think it will look even better without the Peeled Paint underneath. Tip for the day: test out your inks before you start!

The sentiment is actually computer generated. I can never seem to find a "congrats" sentiment or one that fits the space I need. The font is Armenian Serif.

I am sure that I'll be doing more cards using this technique!

Stamps: Baroque Motifs; Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine), Distress Inks: Broken China, Faded Jeans & Pine Needles; Paper: Basic Black, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White; Accessories: White gel pen, black grosgrain ribbon, 1/16" hole punch and black brads.

Sorry if you received this multiple times, I was trying to 1) correct spelling and 2) correct paragraph spacing for easier reading.

Thank You

2008-07-24T09:12:00.001-05:00

My next door neighbor is a medical doctor. A couple of weeks ago I sliced my finger at the knuckle (pointer finger, left hand) and I showed it to Hyatt and he told me it would need stitches. He'd have done it for me but didn't have a suture kit at home. The next week he did remove the stitches for me and has checked up on me about my finger. What an awesome neighbor!! I say all this because here is the thank you card that I made for Hyatt.

I won this Elvis image from Lori Craig's blog candy awhile back. (You have just got to check out her blog if you haven't already!) The image is from Cornish Heritage Farms' Elvis line. Thank you so much to both Lori and CHF! This image is so incredible that one of my girlfriends was amazed that it was a stamp!

I drove into St. Louis earlier this summer and stopped at The Ink Spot in Kirkwood, (awesome little stamp store!) There I purchased a couple of sayings to go with my Elvis Portrait. I only inked the first "thank you" for this diamond and inked the rest of the "thank you very much" for the inside. Can't you just hear Elvis' voice in your head saying that? LOL!

This stamp has been sitting on my computer desk since it arrived. I've wanted to use it but have been intimidated. What better way than a masculine thank you card?! The layout is from SCS SC184. I kept it simple. Okay, I wanted to add something but really couldn't think of anything bling related to add. What more do you need with that gorgeous face??? Yes, I {heart} Elvis! *sigh*

Stamps: Elvis portrait & Thank you very much (CHF); Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine), Basic Black (SU Marker for sentiment); Paper: Bravo Burgundy, Whisper White, Victorian DP (SU); Accessories: Stamp-a-ma-jig, various square punches.

ISCC8

2008-07-22T00:49:00.004-05:00

Well, I have been itching to get back in the saddle again, so this is as good of a time as any. :) I have "tried" to come up with a card for ISC's Challenge #8, which is to use one of Tim Holtz's techniques. Well, I tried to use his March technique but I don't think Tim has to fear me! Ha! It really didn't turn out anything close to as good as his, but I really do like how it turned out. Lots of shimmer. I used SCSS185 for the card sketch.

It may be difficult to tell, but those side pearls are some cheap knock-offs I bought from my LSS. I used Dusty Concord refill with one of my Perfect Pearls to mix in the spritzer. Yes, I need more spritzers now. *sigh* Tim was right. I used Snow white paint dauber to stamp the small flower from Summer Flair but you really can't see it. My jet black archival ink didn't show up well over the spritz background so I used my Versafine Onyx Black instead and it shows the fine lines of this flower much better.

As I was trying to determine what embellishments to use I got some ink on my ds paper. The only way I could think to cover it was to ink the edges and distress. Here I am using distress inks and hadn't even thought to distress any part of the card! *eyeroll* So each layer except the strip is inked and two layers are distressed using my SU distresser. Add a bit of paper piercing and "wahla" (as my DS would say!)

Stamps: Summer Flair (ISC); Ink: Dusty Concord Distress Ink, Onyx Black (Versafine), Platinum Planet (Brilliance: Flourish on bottom layer), Snow White paint dauber; Paper: Lavender Lace, Pallet O'Prints, Very Vanilla (top layer) and Vintage Violet (SU: Strip); Accessories: Perfect Pearls, spritzer, sponge, SU distresser, pearls, micro dots adhesive.

Unmounted Rubber Mounting Option Review

2008-07-14T14:54:00.001-05:00

I have been wanting to figure out a system for mounting all my unmounted (um) stamps that I have been accumulating. Up until recently I was leaving the trimmed stamps in the little bags that they arrived in with the image sheet. They were all in a drawer and I'd have to rummage through the drawer to see what I was looking for. My stamps using EZ mount were in a different area (on those acrylic photo frames.) And my acrylic stamps were in a completely different drawer. I didn't feel very organized and it was frustrating!

I tried some EZ mount, but didn't like trimming twice (cut the rubber then placed on the EZ mount so I wouldn't waste any EZ mount.) At $4.50 a sheet it adds up quickly.

Next I tried Tack N Peel, and the 4 x 6.5" sheet covered my largest block with a 1/2" strip left over. The stamps stuck without a problem, in fact it was VERY sticky. The Tack N Peel will loose it stickiness and get cloudy; then you need to clean it to restore it's stickiness. I did clean my block once because I got ink on the block and it cleaned up fine and the stickiness was intact. At $9.00 for a single 4 x 6.5" sheet I felt that it was just too expensive AND I still had a storage problem. (Anyone want to buy my 4x6" block with Tack N Peel on it??)

The next thing I tried was Aleene's Tack-it Over & Over. The Tack-It comes in a bottle the size of their Tacky Glue for around $3.99. Just squeeze some glue on the back of your um stamp and use a paint brush to cover the entire stamp. Leave it to dry, (it doesn't take too long.) Now you can mount your stamp to an acrylic block or to your preferred mounting system. NOTE: I first used a sharpie to write the manufacturer's name on the back of the stamp for future reference. I had no problem with the Tack-It smearing the name.

The Tack-It goes on milky looking, but dries clear. It is definitely sticky, but I am able to pull up the stamp from my storage sheet and mount on my acrylic without problem. I am also cleaning my stamp on the acrylic block then move the stamp back to my storage sheet. I haven't had any problems with the stickiness. Now I have heard that over time the stamp may loose it stickiness and you will have to clean it off and reapply, but doesn't seem like much of a problem to me. I have read that you can apply the Tack-It to the rubber before trimming your stamps. I prefer to trim then Tack!

I have not had any issues of poor stamped images due to not using any type of foam mounting. If you had a stamp that wasn't the best quality you could always use a piece of foam (I have fun foam I originally purchased for some activities for my DS) under your cardstock.

Pros:

Cost effective
Easy to us
Allows storage options similar to EZ mount and acrylic stamps

Cons:

I seriously can't think of any

My next post will be about my new um storage system.

Product Review: Stamp Keepers

2008-07-14T14:31:00.008-05:00

Now that I have figured out how I will be using my um stamps I needed a system to store them. One that is thrifty is preferable. :) I stumbled upon the Inque Boutique website and saw the video for their Stamp Keepers. I also questioned one of my favorite stamping groups, Technique Junkies, for their storage ideas. It seemed one of the most popular ideas was to use three ring binders and some sort of storage mechanism (sheet protectors, laminated sheets, etc.)

So I started on my search to purchase some Stamp Keepers. I HATE to pay for shipping. So I set out to find a local store that had some Stamp Keepers. I came across the Checkered Cottage in Kirkwood, MO; a wonderful little store full of crafty items (and some wonderfully sweet owners). They didn't have any stamp keepers but could order some for me. Well, I picked up my keepers a few days ago and have opened them up and begun to play with them. ;)

First let me mention that these cost me $2.25 for each page and I bought four. My investment was $9 plus tax. The 2 1/2" three ringed binder I found in my stash. Because the Keepers are clear it is difficult to get a really good picture. Here is a photo of a Stamp Keeper.

Inque Boutique provides this description, "These sturdy, acid-free clamshell pages keep stamps neatly organized and at your fingertips. Made to fit into any standard 3-ring binder, they offer simple, compact storage & easy portability." My first thought was that the thickness of the pages is really nice for storing rubber which can get a bit heavy. This was really good news.

This next picture shows one of the Keepers open. The sheet on the left is the promotional sheet that came inside the clamshell. I'm not sure if you can see it clearly, but they come completely apart, no folded sides. Easy to open when they are in the binder. My thinking before I had these in hand is that I could use both sides to store stamps. As you will see soon, that isn't always possible.

Before I go on I will mention that on all four Keepers I had to use my Crop-A-Dile to modify the bottom hole to fit into my binder. In holding a Keeper next to another 3-ring binder I see that it isn't just a misalignment with this one binder. It wasn't really a difficult problem to fix just more of a small irritation.

This next picture shows all four Keepers being used. Because they are clear you can see down through them. I will pick up a package of tabbed pages to put in between the Keepers to help in seeing what is in/on the individual Keepers, as it can be confusing looking down through them. It will also allow me to note what company is being stored on which Keeper.

I mentioned that I purchased four of these Keepers. The first one I put See-D's stamps from Inque Boutique, (seen in the next photo.) Since these stamps are from the same company as the Keeper I figured these stamps would be ideal for the Keeper. Actually, I am least satisfied with storing these stamps. The stamps themselves don't stick as well and require being inside the clamshell so they don't get lost. You can see in the picture where a couple of the stamps slid down to the second set. See-D's are thin and fit nicely into the clamshell, but only one layer deep which means that you can only use one side of the Keeper to store stamps on. When I tried to put stamps on both sides of the Keeper it would not stay closed. After a day of photo taking and moving things around I am noticing that this Keeper doesn't want to stay completely closed along the bottom corner, (with the stamps only on one side inside the clamshell.) I expect to loose some stamps if I don't figure out a way to conveniently keep it closed.

This picture just shows the open Keeper with stamps that clung to the correct side. Stamps on the right weren't clinging. Perhaps it is just this one set, as the bottom set doesn't appear to be having problem falling off. This is more an issue of the stamps clinging rather than the Keeper itself.
The second Keeper has a background stamp from Cornish Heritage Farms that is mounted on EZ mount. I taped the promotional sheet inside the clamshell and mounted the stamp on the outside of the Keeper. Used this way you can store stamps on both sides of the Keeper allowing you to store twice as many stamps than if you only stored them inside the Keeper. Of course, when storing your stamps this way you want to ensure that they have a good stick which the EZ mount does. The EZ mount used on this stamp is the thicker one, and although I didn't try it I am pretty sure that it won't fit into the clamshell.

This next Keeper is storing my um rubber from I Brake For Stamps that I used Aleene's Tack-It Over & Over. I taped the promotional sheet inside the clamshell and then used it as a guide to stick the stamps on the outside. These stamps stick very well and I don't have any fear that they will fall off. (I would like to find this little missing butterfly, somehow lost her while I was cutting the rubber, no she didn't fall off.) I like being able to use both sides of the Keeper. I did not try to put the stamps on the inside since they stick so well and I will be able to get more use out of using both sides not to mention that it will be much easier to access the stamps this way. If there were sentiment stamps I'd probably mount the stamp next to the stamped image in order to read the sentiment easier rather than storing them inside the clamshell, exceptions might be a set of sentiments such as the next set.

Now in the fourth Keeper I have some of my acrylic stamps. (I'm sorry, I threw away the plastic they were in and don't know who's they are.) These were a bit trickier. I taped the sheet inside the clamshell but as I was sticking them to the outside I realized that they would have to be stuck on backwards over their image, thus making it difficult to read. So what I did instead was stick them inside the clamshell (back onto the plastic sheet that you would normally store them on.) Storing them this way will only allow me to store on one side (just like the See D's.) The acrylic stamps stuck without problem to the outside of the Keeper so with sets that aren't sentiments I'll probably stick them to the outside of the Keeper just as my rubber stamps are on the previous page.

Here is the open Keeper so you can see the acrylic stamps inside.

Pros:

Sturdy pages
Multi-use design (storing on the inside or outside of Keeper)
Clear design allows you to store inside or outside of the Keeper

Cons:

Improper alignment of bottom hole
Cost ($2.25 per Keeper)
Keepers that do not stay completely closed risks losing stamps stored inside

Bottom Line: I like the Stamp Keepers enough to use what I have and perhaps purchase a few more. Their biggest draw is the sturdiness of the pages to hold the weight of rubber stamps. However, I will be keeping my eyes open for similar storage options that are more cost effective.

ISCC6

2008-06-27T00:49:00.004-05:00

Well, I am back from my vacation (yes, I did finally get packed) and life is good. My MIL arrived today and I'm getting ready for Troy's birthday party on Saturday. (Baked the McQueen cake tonight.)

I am attending a farewell tomorrow for a wonderful new friend. Her husband was supposed to retire, but the Air Force decided they needed him still so now they are off to new adventures. Here is the card I have made for her. She is a crafter so I really hope she enjoys this card!

This utilizes ISC' card sketch#6 and the colors for tomorrow's farewell (black, white and yellow for a queen bee.) Well, I don't have any ISC bees so these flowers will have to do for this card. (Hey Betsy, can you help me out with my lack of bee stamps? ;D )

I did CASE this from Lisa on ISC's blog, just scroll down a bit and you'll see her awesome card. Thank you Lisa for the inspiration!

The white layers are all shimmery white, which helps to add some pizazz. I did add a bit of dimension by using one pop dot under the bottom flower and two (one on top of the other) under the second to give a little more dimension. I may add some stickles but I'm not sure where. We'll see what it looks like in the morning. ;)

Stamps: Friendship & Nature Silhouettes I (ISC); Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine); Paper: Shimmery White & Basic Black (SU); Accessories: Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, paper snips (SU).

Starving Artistamps Blog Candy

2008-06-27T00:34:00.003-05:00

You know I don't advertise others' blog candy often (if at all) but this one looks pretty juicy! Starving Artistamps (SA) is a wonderful company that I have purchased from several times (at one time they sold my friend Kristin's line of stamps.) Their stamps are great as well as their customer service!

Well, they are giving away a NEW Doodle Factory Tropics and TWO sheets of Tropic Sentiments! Scroll down to the second half of the posting to see the stamp sheets for this giveaway. What great images and some really awesome sentiments. If I had to only pick one I think it would be "You are treasured".

Click on the title of this posting and it should take you straight to SA's posting so you can check it out!

Why Am I Stamping Instead of Packing?

2008-06-10T23:56:00.003-05:00

Yes, you read that right! My DS and I fly in the morning and I haven't finished packing yet! BUT. . . . today I received my FREE Innovative Stamp Creations stamp that I won on their blog and I looked at it longingly, thinking I wouldn't be able to play until I returned. Well, I HAD to have a Father's Day Card to take with me since we will be with DH all next week, vacationing in the beautiful State of Virginia (okay, its a commonweath, whatever that means! LOL!). That led me to stamping instead of packing.

I remembered the Techno Stamper's Sketch Challenge #21 and decided to use it to make DH's card. I also remembered ISC's color challenge AND I had two stamp sets I wanted to use. One from Artistic Outpost, My Knight and the other my brand spanking new Nature's Silhouette I from ISC. So, TWO cards were born!

First is DH's card using the knight.

This is just a quick card with no real embellishments. I did use my brand new Nestabilities rectangles that I bought at the Gateway Rubber Stamp Getaway this past week-end. Since this is going to a man and I know his appreciation level of hand made cards I didn't feel pressure to dress it up any more than I did.

Stamps: My Knight (Artistic Outpost); Ink: Onyx Black (VersaFine), Basic Black Marker (SU), VersaMarker; Paper: Wild Wasabi, Real Red, Basic Black and Cool Caribbean; Accessories: Nestabilities Large Rectangle, Cuttlebug, Stamp-A-Ma-Jig.

Now for my next card using the Nature's Silhouette I I used the same sketch just changed up the stamps and used a larger Nestabilities rectangle, added some pearls (bought at Archivers) and distressed some of the edges. I did increase the size of the middle layers slightly, which allowed me to use the larger rectangle.

Stamps: Natures Silhouette I (ISC); Ink: Onyx Black (VersaFine), Basic Black Marker (SU); Paper: Wild Wasabi, Real Red, Basic Black and Cool Caribbean; Accessories: Nestabilities Large Rectangle, Cuttlebug, Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, distresser (SU), Pearls.

Now off to pack I go!

Friendship Box with Insert Tutorial

2008-06-03T00:30:00.008-05:00

I tried out the box at ISC for their ISCC4 and filled it and gave it to Troy's soccer coach last night. Big rush (no surprise there!) so no picture, but I only used designer paper and stamped some soccer stamps I have from SU. It was simple, but nice! I did have some problems with where to score so I had been pondering this box.

Then late last night I came up with an idea. What if you used acetate for the box, then you could stamp an insert. You could actually make up a couple of these boxes and have the inserts already trimmed to size then just stamp when you needed them! Okay, probably not a new idea, but hey, I was excited! So today I started work on my idea to see if it was feasible.

First I made the acetate Friendship Box. It is acetate, so it is a bit difficult to take a good photo of when it is empty. Also, I am using my new portable lighting studio that I bought a couple of weeks ago from Radio Shack; (it was on sale for $19.99!) I'm still learning how to best use it. :D

I did use mini glue dots (from SU) to adhere the acetate together. I just love those little dots! Now the obvious question is can you see the dots? Yes, but since they are only located on the sides of the box you don't really notice them.

The next thing I did was figure out my size and score lines for the insert. Now I had a bit of a problem with scoring my box and had to cut off 1/2" from the "bottom" (that becomes the front of the box without the lid) so my calculations may differ if your box uses that 1/2". :)

Insert size: 8.5" x 4.75"
Score: ETA: .5" along both long sides then score along short side .5", (move forward) 3.75", (move forward again) .5".
You will not have any insert for the front portion of the flap.

I actually messed this up when I scored this insert and did the last 1/2" at the end of the insert instead of after the front fold so I had to fix it when I figured it out. (So ignore the faint score line at the bottom of the insert here.) ;)

Then I cut the bottom half of the sides since I didn't need it to overlap. Here is my insert (upside down.) I hadn't realized that my last 1/2" score was in the wrong spot yet. The score lines are pretty obvious here. I also trimmed out the extra corners for the lid and cut slits for the bottom. (This was when I finally realized my mistake.)

Now comes the fun; you get to stamp your insert. I tried Michelle Zindorf's technique of embossing stamped images and then brayering over them. My colors came from SCS's SCSCC167 of Sky Blue, Certainly Celery and Night of Navy. TIP: When you are stamping this remember that part of your insert will be upside down so you need to figure this out BEFORE stamping! Fortunately, I realized this before I stamped.

After I finished stamping and embossing I then used my foam brayer (to have a softer Night of Navy) to brayer color on the insert. I gently wiped away the ink from the embossed images.

I folded on the scored lines and placed the insert into my Friendship box!

Oh, I did round the corners of the lid to allow it to insert into the box a bit easier. I think that because I used acetate it was a bit stiffer than cardstock.

Please let me know what you think of my "bright idea"! Thanks!

Stamps: Friendship & Summer Flair (ISC); Ink: VersaMark, Sky Blue, Certainly Celery, Night of Navy; Paper: Whisper White; Accessories: Clear Emboss Powder; heat gun, mini glue dots, brayer with foam attachment, acetate.

Mosaic Friend

2008-05-30T01:31:00.004-05:00

I love challenges! (I guess that is pretty obvious!) But I especially love a challenge where I can win FREE stamps! Well, ISC has kicked into high gear and has been issuing challenges and offering some free stamps. Well, here is the ISC challenge #3. It is a sketch challenge and this is what I came up with:

I used the TJ technique Mosaic Magic (must be a member to access this link.) I have done this technique before, but it was over a year ago. The technique was in the August 2006 issue.

I used one of SCS color challenges (SCSCC61) which is to use Cameo Coral, Certainly Celery, Basic Black and the option of Apricot Appeal. Those are the colors used for the mosaic, however when I embossed that layer it darkened the cardstock colors. You can see this in comparing the green layer under the mosaic, which is Wild Wasabi, it looks like the Certainly Celery in the mosaic.

Stamps: Friendship & Flair of Summer (sentiment) (ISC); Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, VersaMark; Paper: Basic Black, Certainly Celery, Wild Wasabi, Apricot Appeal, Cameo Coral; Accessories: Xyron, pewter HPH, Silver Pearl Ex, Clear EP, Ribbon (SU).

BEElieve

2008-05-29T00:05:00.003-05:00

Well, I fussed and fussed with this card and I think I finally got it to a point where I like it. I started with the Technique Junkies' Mesh Direct background. When I was making it, it reminded me of a beehive, but after I was finished I was thinking giraffe. I wanted to use the Technostamper's Sketch Card Challenge #19. The size of my giraffe just wasn't working with the sketch so I switched to this lovely bee from ArtfulInkables. I really like the size of this bee, it isn't so small that it gets lost on your card.

Well, I haven't used my few Stickles very much so this seemed like as good of time as any so I used a yellow and Diamond on my bee. Well, that had to dry so I moved on the the More Mustard layer and decided that my bee needed some flowers so I used my CB flower folder.

Now for those three circle's in MJ's sketch. . . . Well, "BEE" just jumped out at me so that part was simple but figuring out the size was another. I ended up using my Rummage magnetic stamp alphabet from Making Memories that I've had, er, well. . . . for too long and hadn't used yet. After that I tried using the set for "LIEVE" to finish off the BEE, but I really didn't like it (I used the word window punch.) In the meanwhile I decided my BEE needed some attention. I decided to make the white circles smaller, then decided I didn't want to use my Build A Brad (which has yet to be used as well) so I used Crystal Effects (CA) on top to give it some shine. I pulled out my Euphoria Alphabet (SU retired) and used my Stamp-A-Ma-Jig to stamp the "HAPPY" and then punched out with the small oval and layering onto a More Mustard large Oval.

I have always liked when I see ribbon used as loops, not sure why and I hadn't thought it add them to any other cards, but it helped to add some balance here. I carefully assembled the card, which wasn't too easy because the CA still isn't dry but I'm too impatient to wait until tomorrow to scan and post this card!

I plan on giving this card to a friend that recently accepted the challenging volunteer position as president of our local Officer Wives Club Association. So here is to Lori! May she bee happy this next year as our president!!

Stamps: Bee (Artful Inkables) Rummage Alphabet (Making Memories), Euphoria Alphabet & Numbers (SU); Ink: Summer Sun, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black; Paper: Summer Sun, More Mustard, Whisper White, Shimmery White (bee), Basic Black; Accessories: mesh, brayer, Ribbons (SU), large & small oval punches, CB folder, 1/2" circle punch (SU) Stickles, Crystal Effects, Stamp-A-Ma-Jig.

Challenge X2

2008-05-26T22:01:00.003-05:00

I do seem to get motivated by challenges. This card was born from the drive to complete two challenges. The first is Allison's Clear Challenge and the second is ISC's color challenge.

Allson, of Stampin' When I Can, has been posting some challenges for a while, but this will be my first attempt to participate. Here challenge is to be "clear or mostly clear." So I used a TJ technique called Floating Sentiments, which uses acetate. I sure hope that qualifies for her "clear" requirement! :)

The second challenge was ISC' second card challenge, this one is a color challenge. So, from this:

I came up with this:

I have tried to take on Michelle's unique stamping style of using her VersaMarker pen and brayer before and, well, I didn't even try to make a card with it. (My DS did love it and asked for it before I threw it away! What a darling he is!!)

I randomly stamped the ISC images using StazOn Timber Brown, then used my Aquapen with SU ink pads to color the images. I did have some smearing when coloring and then some more when I used the VersaMark to emboss. As you can see, I need some more (okay, a lot more) practice! After I colored then embossed all the images I used my brayer to put a layer of color over then entire piece. It definitely shows where I over-wrote with the VersaMarker.

I placed the acetate layer over the top and added the silver brads, then added this to a brown folded layer. Ta-da!

Stamps: Friendship, Flair of Summer (ISC); Ink: StazOn Timber Brown & Olive Green, So Saffron, Bordering Blue, Certainly Celery, Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa; Paper: Chocolate Chip, Whisper White; Accessories: acetate, Snow White Paint Dauber, AquaPainter, 1/16th hole punch, silver brads, brayer, VersaMarker, Clear Emboss powder.

This next card is literaly a 15 minute card. Every time I start to think about selling my Dreams & Dragons stamp set I seem to need a young girl card and use it. I used shimmery white and stamped in StazOn Black. I used some stickles to add even more shine and colored with SU markers. Truly a quicky card! Thank goodness she is just turning 4 and won't look at it critically!

Stamps: Dreams & Dragons; Ink: StazOn Black, Ballet Blue, various SU Markers; Paper: Regal Rose, Certainly Celery, Shimmery White; Accessories: Crop-a-dile, SU eyelets, Stickles.

Teacher Thanks & TSSC 18

2008-05-23T15:47:00.010-05:00

Today was "Fun Day" at my son's pre-school class. I didn't even have any thank you gift started until two days ago! I just couldn't 1st) believe that the school year was over and 2nd) think of what to give the best Pre-school Teacher and Assistant! Then it hit me to use up some of the coasters that I couldn't live without ahem, well over a year ago! I remembered the Coaster Boxes that were all the rage not too long ago on SCS and an idea was born.

I made two coaster boxes, just like the directions on SCS (Resources section) state. (I'm not usually one to change up the "ingredients" of a recipe!) The Island Blossom box is for Mrs. Sandy (the Assistant) and the Petals & Paisleys box is for Ms. Ross (the Teacher). Here is a picture of the finished boxes.

This picture is of the cards in the boxes. I coordinated the cards to the box. I'll talk more about the cards a little further down.

Here are the boxes filled with their gifts. Since Ms. Sandy is trying to stay away from the sweets I thought I'd give her a green plant instead. A little birdie told me that Ms. Ross likes Twix; at least I thought she said Twix and not something else!

I also wanted to show my DS's card he made (and designed) for his teacher. He also made one for Ms. Sandy, but I forgot to get a picture of him holding it. Ms. Sandy's card is the same color scheme, just different writing. The writing is SUPPOSED to read: "[from] Troy Dear To Ms Ross". We're still working on writing things out and English IS a bit difficult to write phonetically. And did I mention that he turns 5 next month? :) But I am so very proud of him!

Okay, here is the card for Ms. Ross. The idea of this (and Ms. Sandy's) card came from Techno Stamper's Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge #18.

I actually started working on these cards Thursday night, but Friday morning I had an epiphany and changed up things a little bit. The circles reminded me of a winning ribbon so I removed the flowers from the top circle layer and switched to "Best Teacher" and "Best Assistant" as well as adding the ribbons. I designed the scallop layer with a bar pin on the back of the "ribbon" so that it detaches from the card and can be worn. I hope that makes sense since the cards are now given to their owners and I can't take a picture!

I took this picture before I added the sentiment, but you can see it on the next picture. The sentiment keeps it in line with the sketch.

Here is the Best Assistant card. Ms. Sandy actually wore hers while we were enjoying Fun Day. I do want to point out that the "Best Teacher" and "Best Assistant" are computer generated.

I didn't realize it until after I finished, but all these projects are Stampin' Up! only.

Stamps: Define Your Life; Ink: Basic Black; Paper: Regal Rose, Shimmery White, Island Blossom Petals & Paisleys (both are retired); coasters, grosgrain ribbons, Lt. Pink organdy ribbon, Giga scallop circle punch (Marvy), stapler (ribbon to giga circle layer), pin backs, Crop-A-Dile, SU Stamper's Tool Kit.