Monday, August 31, 2009

Witch's Brew

Another fun Halloween card for you tonight. This one features the Serendipity Stamps "Witch" stamp. She's one of the cutest, homely witches I've ever seen. She's also really fun to color. I chose Copic Markers for that purpose this time around.

I also used Copics to color the brass buckle black, a tribute to her amazing hat! Animation from millan.net

The sentiment is from Stampendous, a stamp called "Pumpkin Plaque". I trimmed away all but the Happy Halloween portion and adhered it with dimensionals. Finally, I added faux stitching around the edges with an Inkssentials opaque white pen.

That's all for now, catch you in a day or two!






It's all about the details:
Card stock: Bazzill
Patterned Paper: Stampin' Up, Doodlebug Design

Stamps: Serendipity Stamps, Stampendous

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Dimensionals, Ribbon, buckle
Tools: Copic Markers, Inkssentials Pen

Saturday, August 29, 2009

From Our House

So tonight I drug out all of my Christmas stamps, papers and embellishments. I figure I'll shock the family and actually mail cards on time for a change.

I also had a little prodding from a stamping challenge over at Moxie Fab World. You should really check it out!

I created this card with two of my favorite patterned paper lines from last year, Cosmo Cricket's More Jolly by Golly and Cloud 9 Design Christmas Joy. I pulled out my "To You & Yours" stamp set from Stampin' Up and stamped both the house and sentiment. I then cut out the image with my Nestabilities and sponged on Distress Ink. The sentiment was punched out with SU's Modern Label Punch. The last step was to add my favorite embellishments, ribbon, lace and buttons.

I also have a confession to make. This is the first card I have made using Kraft card stock! I can't believe that myself! I loved working with it, so it won't be the last.

Be well . . . and enjoy the weekend.






It's all about the details:
Card stock: Stampin' Up
Patterned Paper: Cosmo Cricket, Cloud 9 Design

Stamps: Stampin' Up

Ink: Storage Units Ink & More and Distress Ink
Accessories: Dimensionals, Ribbon, buttons, crystal, lace
Tools: Nestabilities, SU Modern Label Punch

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Vintage Picnic

A quick post tonight for the SCS Sketch Challenge.

I am so in love with this Vintage Picnic stamp set from Papertrey Ink. I stamped the basket on My Mind's Eye patterned paper (Dreamy 2 collection --- I really do think the colors in this paper are dreamy!) and then cut it out. I stamped the flowers on ivory card stock and colored them with Copic Markers. The sentiment is also from this versatile set.

As a finishing touch, I whipped up a little bow with my Bow Easy. Man, oh man, I am so happy I discovered this amazing tool. I think it was Sharon Johnson (No Time to Stamp?) that turned me on to it first.

Have a terrific Thursday, we're over half way to the weekend. Woohoo!






It's all about the details:
Card stock: Stampin' Up
Patterned Paper: My Mind's Eye, Dreamy 2

Stamps: Papertrey Ink

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Dimensionals, Ribbon
Tools: Nestabilities, Copic Markers, SU Scallop Punch

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Build Your Wings

It's Tuesday and that means it's time to play along with Mercy's Tuesday's Sketch Challenge. I love the fact that this week's challenge is both simple and beautiful.

I chose to use My Mind's Eye Bella Bella papers as additional inspiration and then reached for this a stamp from Hampton Art called "Take the Leap". I think this sentiment is wonderful. It got me to thinking about how often I take a risk or "leap" and I decided that more often than not, I usually get pushed!

See the two little wings I on the sentiment panel? I created them by punching a small heart out of card stock and cutting it in half. I then added Distress Stickles for some shine.

You'll find the rest of the details below. It really was very simple for a change.

Thanks for sharing a minute of your time visiting. It always makes my day when you leave a comment, even if it's just to say "Hey!".






It's all about the details:
Card stock: Bazzill
Patterned Paper: My Mind's Eye, Bella Bella

Stamps: Hampton Arts

Ink: Papertrey Ink Chamomile, Colorbox Brown
Accessories: Dimensionals, Ribbon, Distress Stickles
Tools: Nestabilities, Janome Sewing Machine

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Be Strong

Tonight I have something really different for you, at least for me. I have always loved the shabby chic look but I have found it a challenge to create the look. This week's sketch over at 2 Sketches 4 You just seemed to lend itself to this look so I decided to conquer my shabby shortcomings!

I began with Very Vanilla card stock from SU and added some foof-a-la and EK Success patterned papers. I edged the EK Success paper with an ivory lace. I then inked a chipboard scalloped circle and adhered a K & Company Die Cut label (also inked with Papertrey Ink Chamomile) on which I had applied a 7 Gypsies rub-on and pearls. I added some black netting and a Prima flower which has a fabric covered brad at its center.

Can you believe it, not a single stamp used tonight, but I was able to use up some of my embellishment stash. I really need to do that more often.

Why not head over to 2 Sketches 4 You and add your own creation?






It's all about the details:
Card stock: Stampin' Up
Patterned Paper: Foof-a-la, EK Success

Stamps: None

Ink: Papertrey Ink Chamomile
Accessories: Dimensionals, pearls, Netting, Prima Flower, brad, K & Company Die Cut Label, 7 Gypsies Rub-on, Chipboard, lace
Tools: Copic Markers, SU Distresser

Monday, August 24, 2009

Autumn Cruise

I haven't played along with the Featured Stamper Challenge for such a long time, and so today I thought I'd remedy that. This week's featured stamper is "jojot" and her gallery is amazing. It took me forever to choose which card to CASE. I finally chose this one because I absolutely loved the layout.

I chose to use "Autumn Cruise" a House Mouse stamp by Stampabilities as the main image. I colored him with Copic Markers and added a sentiment from Papertrey Ink's Vintage Picnic Sentiment set. I also changed up the color scheme. I really like this combo of sunny yellow and turquoise.

Enjoy your week ahead. I really can't believe that Monday has rolled around again already. Why oh why can't the weekends seem as long as the week days?






It's all about the details:
Card stock: Core'dinations
Patterned Paper: Basic Grey, Urban Prairie

Stamps: House Mouse, Papertrey Ink

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Memento Rich Cocoa
Accessories: Dimensionals, brads, crystals
Tools: Copic Markers, Mat Pack

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Patchwork Pumpkin

One of my favorite things about Serendipity Stamps is how wonderful they are to color. They lend themselves well to watercolors, Copic Markers, reinkers, etc. but this one just cried out to be paper pieced. The name of the stamp is "Quilted Pumpkin" and I made a patchwork out of My Mind's Eye's patterned papers. I just love the detail in this stamp.

The sketch today is from 2 Sketches 4 You. They offer really creative sketches every Monday. You can check it out here.

I must really be ready for fall. I can't seem to stop making cards with deep Autumn colors and themes. They are definitely my favorite!

Carry on with your weekend. Have a wonderful one!






It's all about the details:
Card stock: Bazzill
Patterned Paper: My Mind's Eye

Stamps: Serendipity Stamps

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Dimensionals, Ribbon, twine
Tools: Copic Markers, SU Scallop Punch

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Garden Panda

I picked up this cute little panda stamp last weekend. Actually, it was my husband that spotted it and suggested I get it. How lucky to be married to such an enabler.

The stamp is made by Memory Box and is called Garden Panda (for obvious reasons). I colored him in Copic Markers and paper pieced his overalls with Basic Grey June Bug PP. The sentiment is a rub-on from Kaisercraft.

The layout for today's card is the weekly sketch challenge at Splitcoast Stampers. I love it when the stamp I want to play with fits perfectly into the sketch I want to try. Don't you?

Have a wonderful weekend. Mine looks to be a full weekend at the office . . . hope yours is fun!






It's all about the details:
Card stock: Stampin' Up
Patterned Paper: Basic Grey, June Bug

Stamps: Memory Box

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Dimensionals, Flower embellishments, Kaisercraft Rub-on
Tools: Copic Markers

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Happy Boo Day!

Here are a couple more hot off the press stamps from Serendipity Stamps. These "Tall Pumpkins" and the "Happy Boo Day" sentiment are part of the fall/winter release and can be purchased separately or as part of a cling set.

Have you ever seen pumpkins with more personality? They are so easy to color too.

You'll find all the other specifics below. I'm off to bed early because I have an early day tomorrow. TGIF, has never been more true!

Thanks for dropping by.






It's all about the details:
Card stock: Bazzill
Patterned Paper: Dream Street Papers

Stamps: Serendipity Stamps

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Distress Inks
Accessories: Dimensionals, ribbon
Tools: Copic Markers, Paper Piercer, Nestabilities

Workbench Birthday

Today we celebrate my dad's 81st birthday!

I ran across this stamp while I was visiting the Peddler's Pack Stampworks site and it just jumped into my shopping cart. (Yes that can happen even online!) This image reminds me so much of my dad. He was always puttering away at his workbench while we were growing up. He was either building or fixing something ... usually something one of his three daughters broke! I grew up believing (and still do) that my dad could fix anything!

I colored the image with Copic markers and added some Spica Marker in silver to shine up the tools a bit.

Happy Birthday Dad. I hope your day is extra special.






It's all about the details:
Card stock: Bazzill
Patterned Paper: K & Company

Stamps: The Peddler's Pack Stampworks, Papertrey Ink

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Dimensionals, brads, SU Twine
Tools: SU Punch, Copic Markers, Spica Marker

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

With Sympathy

I actually have a second post today. That's a rarity for me. But this is one of the cards that I referenced in the last post. The sympathy card that I wanted to make for a coworker who lost her Mom last week.

I chose a sketch from Mojo Monday to start the creative juices flowing. Isn't it pretty? I used Stampin' Up DP and a stamp from the Pocket Silhouettes set as a background for my Scarlet Empress sentiment.

Thanks for your faithful visits. They brighten my day!






It's all about the details:
Card stock: Bazzill
Patterned Paper: Stampin' Up

Stamps: Stampin' Up, Scarlet Empress

Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Colorbox Chalk Creamy Brown
Accessories: Dimensionals, Pebbles Inc. Candy Dots, Ribbon
Tools: Martha Stewart Border Punch, Croc-a-dile Corner Chomper

Trick or Treat

As you can see, I am still on my Halloween kick. I can't help it, have you seen all the cute paper, stamps, and embellishments there are out there this year?

I made today's card for Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge #35. I love this week's sketch. It's so versatile. I chose to use a Michael's $1 stamp for the sentiment and brand new papers called "Boo to You" from My Mind's Eye that I picked up today.

I also picked up the Martha Stewart Spider Web punch and this too, too cute Bat Punch from EK Success. I punched him out of black card stock and then added two little Kaisercraft pearls for his eyes.

Well, I'm off to do more stamping. I'm behind by at least two birthday, one sympathy, and one get well cards. Please tell me that I am not the only one who makes Halloween, or Christmas, etc. cards instead of what they should really be working on!

Have a great evening!





It's all about the details:
Card stock: Bazzill
Patterned Paper: My Mind's Eye, Boo to You

Stamps: Michaels

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Colorbox Cat's Eye
Accessories: Dimensionals, Kaisercraft Pearls
Tools: Martha Stewart Spider Web Punch, EK Success Bat Punch, Janome Sewing Machine, Mat Pack

Monday, August 17, 2009

Scenes from my Childhood

It's time again for the Design Team from Serendipity Stamps to flex their creative muscles and answer the challenge of the month.

This month's challenge is to create a card that is monochromatic. I have to admit it went against my nature to stick to one family of color throughout my card. I love the use of color and I kept wanting to add just a punch of some other color. I really am drawn to these types of cards when others make them though.

I used two Serendipity Stamps for this card .... Teddy Bear and How Dear to this Heart. I think this teddy is so beautiful. I used to collect teddy bears until they threatened to take over my whole house. So I scaled back and just held on to a few of my favorites. Now it's just stamps that fill every nook and cranny!

Check out the other DT members creations by visiting their sites below:

Anya - http://www.aschoss.blogspot.com/
Shannan- http://withfeathersandsequins.blogspot.com/
Jennifer - http://www.thimblesbobbinspaperandink.blogspot.com/
Lynda- http://www.stampact.typepad.com/
Yvonne - http://www.yvonne-anabelle.blogspot.com/
Amy - http://soamused.blogspot.com/






It's all about the details:
Card stock: Stampin' Up
Patterned Paper: Stampin' Up

Stamps: Serendipity Stamps

Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Papertrey Ink
Accessories: Dimensionals, SU Ribbon, Prima Flowers, brad
Tools: SU Scallop Punch, Nestabilities, Bow Easy

Serendipity Snow Angel

Serendipity Stamps has just released their Fall and Winter catalog supplement and I am having a ball playing with all the amazing new stamps.

This adorable stamp is called "Snow Angel", isn't she cute?I love the primitive design and her face has the sweetest expression. I stamped her in Memento Rich Cocoa and colored her with Copic Markers and then distressed her with Papertrey Ink's Chamomile ink. I cut her out and popped her up on dimensionals. I wanted to glitter up her wings, by regular Stickles just didn't seem right, so I reached for Distress Stickles in Antique Linen instead. Perfect!

The sketch is from this week's challenge at Splitcoast. You can check out the gallery here.

Have a great week everyone. I'll be back tomorrow with more from Serendipity.






It's all about the details:
Card stock: Bazzill
Patterned Paper: Basic Grey

Stamps: Serendipity Stamps

Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa
Accessories: Dimensionals, Distress Stickles
Tools: Fiskars Holly Punch, Copic Markers

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Get Ghoulish

Another great sketch challenge from Mercy inspired today's card. I've been itching to break out my Halloween stamps and patterned papers. Although I am not a huge fan of the holiday itself, for some inexplicable reason, I love to make Halloween cards. Go figure!

The image stamp is called "Halloween Grocery List" by Whipper Snapper Designs and the "Get Ghoulish" sentiment is from Martha Stewart's Spooky Phrases stamp set. I used Doodlebug Design PP called Candy Sticks for the backdrop. I love the colors in this paper and it has a nice touch of glitter for a little sparkle. You can see it much better by clicking on the image for a close-up view.

The Martha Stewart Drippy Goo punch seemed like a perfect fit and the cute little skull brad is from a set I purchased a few years ago and I don't recall who made it. Anyone know the answer?






It's all about the details:
Card stock: Bazzill
Patterned Paper: Doodlebug Designs

Stamps: Whipper Snapper Designs, Martha Stewart

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Dimensionals, Ribbon, Metal Brad
Tools: Martha Stewart Punch, Copic Markers, SU Distresser

Monday, August 10, 2009

The Lousy Beautician

One of my wonderful friends turns 60 on Wednesday and I just had to pull out my Eunice stamp from Art Impressions to help her celebrate. I added one of my favorite sentiments from Eat Cake Graphics. "Time may be a great healer, but it's a lousy Beautician." Do I hear an amen to that?

My friend Karin is known for her love of bling, so I had to add some crystals, glitter brads and pink Stickles on her glasses. Isn't she just a sight for sore eyes? LOL.

I started out using Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge #33, but I went astray when the sentiment insisted on a different placement. Funny how sometimes they just have a mind of their own!

Happy Birthday "old friend"!

Thanks for dropping in.






It's all about the details:
Card stock: Bazzill, Stampin' UpPatterned Paper: Stampin' Up, Razzleberry Lemonade

Stamps: Art Impressions, Eat Cake Graphics

Ink: Memento Tuxedo BlackAccessories: Dimensionals, Crystals, Stickles, Glitter BradsTools: SU Punches, Copic Markers

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Love Stories

My parents celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary yesterday. I still have a hard time wrapping my brain around that fact. They still seem so young to me. They married young, Mom was 15, Dad was just shy of 21. They had their rough times, although I don't remember many for the good times were and continue to be so very good.

These two incredible people have lived an amazing life and most of it has been side by side. A true love story.

I love you Mom and Dad. Happy Anniversary!

The sketch used in this card is the WSC #90 hosted by Laurie of "Just Give Me Stamps".





It's all about the details:
Card stock: Stampin' Up
Patterned Paper: Stampin' Up

Stamps: Savvy Stamps

Ink: Stampin' Up, Baja Breeze, Distress Inks
Accessories: Dimensionals, Silk Ribbon, Dew Drops
Tools: Nestabilities, Computer generated sentiment, Janome Sewing Machine, Bow Easy