Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge

I've recently fallen in love with some really cute stamps.  And I'm not one to jump on the cutesy bandwagon that has been so popular this last year or so.  But these stamps aren't 'cutesy'....they are just darn cute and adorable!

I have some of Kim Hughes stamps from prior years as a designer for other companies, so it was fun to find out she now has her own company, Paper Smooches. (papersmoochesstamps.com)  She also has a blog where she runs fun challenges.  The current challenge (yes, I am down to the wire!) is based on this photo from Pinterest:

I am in the middle of making Christmas thank you cards and decided to make one using this challenge.  I used the adorable dog from Birthday Buddies and a sentiment from Sentiment Sampler.

Designer paper is from Basic Grey,  cardstock from PTI.  Colored with Copics.  Santa Hat is from a Studio G stamp.  Twine  is from May Arts.

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Merry Christmas!

So sorry for the lack of posts.  Life's been busy.  But, Christmas is winding down, so life should get a bit simpler.
Here's this year's Christmas card.  Found this stamp by Impression Obsession last February at a rubber stamp show in Clearwater.  HAD to HAVE it.  L.O.V.E. it!  Had so much fun coloring it with my copics.  Kept it simple.  Remember this post?   This stamp inspired that.

I hope you all had a wonderful and enjoyable Christmas.  I did!
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Stamped Tile Card

This past weekend I was reminded by someone, who shall remain nameless, but she knows who she is, that I haven't posted in a while.  Yes, I'm guilty of that.  The history of my blog shows that.  It all has to do with the mojo.  If it isn't flowing, it isn't happening.  I have plenty of cards that can be posted, but again, it's the mojo thing, whether it is creating cards or posting them.  It's all lumped together for me.   And, lots of time, I'm busy, or I just simply forget.

So, to break the current rut, here's a card I made a couple months ago for one of my brothers-in-law.  He is a hunter and loves dogs....I think this was the perfect card for him.   I sat down and made it right after I got my issue of the Autumn 2011 Take Ten magazine.  In it there were Stamped Tile Cards by Amber Demien on pages 52 & 53.  Absolutely loved the concept and I'll certainly make other cards like this.  Susan over at Simplicity was also enthralled with these cards and recently did a similar post here.

Cardstock by SU, corrugated & twine from my stash.  Inchie stamps by Inkadinkadoo, sentiment by A Muse.

Inside:

Sentiment here from Rosie's Roadshow, punch from EKSuccess.  Dog bone punch by Marvy.

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LIM 39: Lucky Dip - Stars

I really wanted to play along with the Less Is More crew last week when the theme was polka dots.   Love me some polka dots....my hands down most favorite pattern....any color, any size dots!  Time was not in my favor last week, but it is this week, so I combined this weeks theme of stars with last weeks polka dots.   I also LOVED the sketch layout over at the Clean and Simple blog last week (FTL 163), so I combined all three to make the three cards posted below.

First and second up are 2 super simple creations.  I used the retired SU! small star punch and sentiment from Morningstar.   The patterned paper are tiny scraps from my scrap drawer....have no clue who the manufacturer is, and popped up the stars with dimensionals.

This card doesn't apply to the LIM theme this week as it doesn't have any stars, but it does have polka dots and uses the same sketch.  The flowers are made from a SU! flower punch and EKSuccess circle punch, and the sentiment is from a Hero Arts clear set.

Ahhhhh.....  Feels good to get back to some challenges!
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Happy Halloween!

Just a quick post to share the halloween cards I made this year.   I am down to the wire getting them posted....so sorry for being a baaaaaaad blogger.

Enjoy!  If you need any image/sentiment details, just let me know via the comments or email!
Thanks for peeking!

Skipping Stones Sketch 96

I follow the new sketches over at Skipping Stones every Tuesday, but I don't often get the chance to play along. But, this week I did!  I needed a birthday card and this sketch fit the bill!

Cardstock is SU!, patterned paper is Bohemia by My Mind's Eye.  The stamped balloon patterns are from Hero Arts, Memory Box and Red Lead, balloon punch is by Martha Stewart.  Used Mat Stack 1 from PTI to mount the balloons.  The birthday sentiment is unknown...got the stamp for $2.00 at a garage sale and there are no manufacturer markings at all on the wood.   Fiskars border punch and DMC pearl cotton colored with Copics.

Thanks for peeking!

LIM 35: The Colour of Your Eyes

The great thing about all the card challenge blogs out there is that they give you a jumping off place to begin especially when you need one in a hurry.
The Less Is More week 35 challenge helped me greatly this week when I needed to make a 'thinking of you' card.   Their challenge this week is to make a clean and simple card where the primary color used is the color of your eyes.   Can you guess the color of my eyes???

This card came together quite quickly...SU cardstock, Fiskars patterned paper, Sizzix die cut, Impression Obsession sentiment, and some seam binding dyed with my Copics.  IRL, the seam binding ribbon looks a lot less bright and more muted like the card.  Perhaps it is my monitor playing games with the color.
Thanks for peeking!

OLW 66: Get Inspired by Janelle

This week's One Layer Wednesday Challenge over at Simplicity's blog is all about getting inspiration from a sweet, talented blogger named Janelle, who is going through a rough patch in her life right now.   Funny how, a few days before Susan issued the challenge, I happened to think about Janelle and was trying to remember her blog.   I always visited her blog from the OLW challenge thumbnails and since OLW was on hiatus during the summer, I had lost track of her blog.  I am so sorry to hear of Janelle's sudden medical condition but glad to see she is posting almost daily to her blog and appears to be in good spirits.  I also have added her blog to my blog list so that I can keep up with what is going on with her.   I think about you daily, Janelle, praying you pull through this.

On to the card:

Janelle has this thing for cupcakes (and, so do I!).   And, so, cupcakes were my inspiration.  Two cute stamps by Karen Lockhart, a little copic coloring, and voila!  a stack of little yellow cakes with pink buttercream icing!  YUM!

Thanks for peeking!

Clean & Simple FTL 160

I needed a quick card yesterday, and after looking at a few blogs, knew I could make it using the new sketch over at the Clean and Simple blog.

Sentiment is from Verve.  Used Marvy, Punch Bunch, Fiskars, SU! and EKSuccess punches, some patterned paper from my stash and was done in a flash.   Used a bit of Sakura clear glitter pen on the tips of the flowers....boy! did that make for a tough picture to take.  Took longer to get a decent picture than make the card!  Click on the picture to get a closer look at the shimmer.

Hope you all are celebrating World Card Making Day today and make some cards.  Well, at least one card.  Head on over to the CAS blog for some quick and simple ideas.

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Yes, another male birthday

I mentioned in a previous post this month that September is full of male birthdays for me....so.....another male birthday card!

Background stamp by Hero Arts, sentiments by Tim Holtz.  Watch die cut from Spellbinders Shapeabilities.  Cardstock from SU.

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LIM Week 34 Sketch

I had fun doing the Less is More challenge last week so, I thought I would try it again this week.  This week's challenge is all about complying with their sketch.   Well, next week, I must read ALL the rules first.  I think I've complied  with all the rules except for the one layer.  Ooops!  Oh well, better luck next week!

Image is by Impression Obsession and the sentiment is by Make an Impression.

Colored with copics and popped up the largest flower for dimension.  Another card for my stash.  Yeah!
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OLW 65 Sentiment A Mania

The OLW challenge this past Wednesday over at Jennifer's blog is to use a sentiment either as the focal point or shares the focal point of the card.  And, it must be only one layer with minimal embellishments.  After some thought and a few cards that ended up in the trash, I ended up with four...I was on a roll today!

First up uses an image by Stampabilities and sentiment by Verses Rubber Stamps.

The second card uses an image by Hero Arts and sentiment by Verses Rubber Stamps.

Card #3 uses both image and sentiment by Hero Arts.

And, lastly, card #4 uses a background stamp from Cornish Heritage Farms and sentiment by Verses Rubber Stamps.

Fun challenge this week Jennifer!

Thanks for peeking!

LIM 33: 1000 Challenge Anything CAS Goes

The gals over at Less is More are trying for 1,000 card posts to their challenge blog this week.  I thought perhaps I could help them along.    I have a few simple Thank You cards  that I believe fit CAS.

They were all quite quick and easy to make...heat embossed images and sentiments in white on kraft...a classic look, with a little ribbon from my stash.  Easy peasy!

The swirl is from Heartfelt Creations and the agapanthus cluster is from Stampendous!   The 1st sentiment is a $1 Studio G from Michael's, the 2nd is Penny Black and the 3rd is a $1 Snag 'em from Imaginesce.  Kraft cardstock is SU!, white cardstock is Georgia Pacific.

Good luck Chrissie and Mandi on your challenge this week...I hope you make it!

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OLW 64: Color It & Penny Black Saturday Challenge 169

I am just so, so happy the OLW challenges are back!  They make me step out of my comfort zone, they make me practice, and they give me cards I needed to make anyways.

So, this week's challenge was:
COLOR IT! Stamp an outline image and color it using any coloring medium you want: colored pencils, watercolor pencils, watercolor crayons, paint, Copics, Bics, Sharpies, markers of any kind, or your kid's box of Crayola crayons. Doesn't matter...just COLOR IT! Remember keep it to one layer.


I am also submitting this for the Penny Black Saturday Challenge Week 169.


And, here's my result:

I used a lovely Penny Black image and a Memory Box sentiment.  Colored it with my Copics.  
Here's the same image/sentiment matted and a little vintage-y ribbon.

In my first attempt on the challenge, the sentiment was angled, but, with some careful trimming, I was able to salvage the card front (it was Gina K cardstock, after all...not worthy of the trashcan) and the card back will be used on something else.  I added a small border strip (hidden by the ribbon) and voila!  Another birthday card!  Cardstock by PTI, border punch by SU, ribbon is Hug Snug seam binding dyed and crinkled by me.


Thanks for peeking!

OLW 63: We're Back Baby!

I was SOOOOOO excited to see the OLW back in action this week.  I've really missed it.   In case you need a refresher, head on over to Jennifer's blog and check out the OLW 63 this week which is all about making a one layer card and making it baby themed.

And, yes, mine is another MALE card!  I'm on a roll!

Without further ado,

Isn't it sweet?  I love it!  And, I was so happy the theme this week was for baby.  Because it just so happens that our longtime sailing partners are expecting a grandson next month.  This will be perfect for them.

Water image is from Meers stamps, sailboat is a snag 'em from Imaginisce, and the sentiment is from A Muse.  Inks on the sailboat are versamagic and the water is memento.

Thanks for peeking!

Another Male Birthday

Here's a quickie post with another male birthday...one of my brothers in law shares my birthday.   This was quick and easy using that wonderful embossing folder from SU.....LOVE that texture!  Cardstock all SU, sentiment is Studio G from Mike's or Jo's and the calendar is a Snag 'em stamp from Imaginisce.  Border punch is Fiskars.

Thanks for peeking!

A month of male birthdays

September has lots of male birthdays for me.  Don't know why I let it fluster me so....you know...just substitute the bright pretty colors and flowers and ribbons for dull colors, anything but flowers, and twine.    Simple enough, but, I guess I just prefer the feminine versions.

Here are two cards I've sent out for male birthdays that have already come and gone.  The idea had been floating around in my head for close to a month.  Saw something similar in a magazine I recently flipped through.  Since I've been trying to organize my craft room, I've been looking through old idea magazines, so I can't say if I saw what inspired me in a new magazine or an old one.   Sorry I can't give proper credit for the inspiration.

Both of these were made with SU Kraft and Night of Navy paper, Night of Navy ink,  & Star punches.  I embossed the large navy stars on the second card with a Cuttlebug embossing folder.  The text is the Happy Birthday definition by Hero Arts and the sentiment is by Impress Rubber stamps.  Twine is from May Arts.

Thanks for peeking!

Happy Birthday, Pauline!

Yes, I know today is not your birthday, but, if I wait to post it on your actual birthday, you won't see it for over a week.   I know you've received the card by now....I mailed it a week ago.   Sooooo................
A HAPPY BIG ___  BIRTHDAY TO YOU!   I'll never reveal your age!  But, I do know it is a big one!

Paper is by SU! and Cosmo Cricket.  Sentiment by Make an Impression and Viva Las Vegas Stamps.  The peonies are from Memory Box and that gorgeous wreath is a die cut....the brand new grapevine wreath by Memory Box.  Ribbon from my stash and image colored with Copics.

Pauline, I hope you have a wonderful, fun and relaxing birthday trip!

Thanks for peeking!

Good Luck!

My plan was to post this yesterday.  Then John and I got started on THE closet.  The one that had all sorts of things piled in it and we flipped coins to see who would dare go in there to find anything.   We pulled everything out and sorted it, took down old shelves, patched, sanded, painted and put in new shelves.  It's gorgeous!  And, we're really glad it's done.

So, that's why the card is a day late.  I sent it off earlier this week as motivation for Colleen who was attacking a similar home project....a garage sale that occurred Friday evening and yesterday.   Yes, we moan and groan our way through these tasks, but we always feel so good when they are done.

On to the card:

I used Stampin' Up!'s Right at Home set, and typed up the sentiment on my computer.  Paper is from an old DCWV Fun in the Sun Summer Matstack from 2009 and SU! Night of Navy.   Stripes, dots and bright colors are timeless!  Used nesties dies to frame the image and Martha Stewart's small tag punch. Ribbon and twine from my stash.  Colored with copics.

Thanks for peeking!

Boy oh Boy!

Colleen and Randy's kids have been busy!

Yes, another grandchild arrived a couple weeks ago, this time a grandson.
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And, after my horrible delay at getting a card to them on the arrival of their granddaughter, I wasn't going to miss a beat on this grandchild.   Even though I was on vacation at the time, I knew ahead of time it was going to be a boy, so I had the card made, the envelope addressed and stamped.  The moment I knew of the baby's arrival, the card went in the mail!

Without further ado, here it is:

Aren't those shoes cute??

It's a very old stamp from Stampabilities.   I used to stamp these on white paper that had a leather-ish look to it.  But, I can't find it anymore, so I bought some 'pleather' (vinyl fake leather) from JoAnn's and stamped the image with StazOn, cut out and popped them up on a Nesties diecut.   I like the pleather better than the cardstock because it provides a soft texture to the card.  Can't remember where the sentiment is from (sorry!), but the scallop border is a Fiskars punch and the button is made from a PTI button die.  The tag is a punch from Martha Stewart.   Patterned paper from my stash, cardstock from PTI also.

Congrats Colleen and Randy on grandchild #8!

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My very own pelican!

Since moving to Florida earlier this year, I have really enjoyed seeing all the different types of birds that are here.  Especially the pelicans!  Everytime I see one, I say to whomever is with me, or to myself,  "ooooohh, look at the pelican!"  Love to watch them dive into the water for fish.

When we moved here, I mentioned to John that I really wanted our home to reflect a seashore-y, nautical feel.  I thought it would be neat to have a fun mailbox made of dock pilings.   We had an opportunity to pick up some pilings this past weekend and this is what we came up with.

And, here's a closeup of my pelican!  Isn't he just adorable???

Ok, so this is what I've been doing instead of making cards.
Gotta get back to the cards.   Will share some soon.  Promise.
Thanks for peeking!

Happy Birthday, Colleen!

Today is Colleen's birthday!
I hope you have a wonderful day, girlfriend!

The stems/leaves are from PTI's Everyday Button Bits and the sentiment is from Morningstar.  Both are stamped in Memento Bamboo (love that color!)  A few punched flowers (eksuccess), gems, ribbon and paper from the stash along with my new favorite MS border punch finishes it off.

Thanks for peeking!

OLW 60: Quick Layers of Ink

Yeah!  I made the Simplicity challenge this past Wednesday!  And, it was a fun one!

This week's OLW challenge is to make quick and easy cards with nothing but layers of ink by overlapping the stamped images and/or sentiment. The idea here is to practice whipping up a quick card or even an easy card set at the last minute with just ink and cardstock!

I really needed a few quick thank you cards and this challenge fit the bill.  I dug through my stamp drawers and pulled out a mess of stamps and memento ink colors and went to town. 

First up:

Love, love, love this polka dotted scallop stamp from Memory Box.  This is the first time it's seen ink...so glad to finally use it!  Flowers and sentiment are from Savvy Stamps.

Second:

Another GREAT round script stamp from Memory Box.  Flower stamp by Just For Fun and sentiment by Printworks.

Next:

 Same Memory Box script, Hero Arts leaves and AMuse sentiment.

Fourth:

 Memory Box script again, Judikins cattails, Hero Arts sentiment.

Fifth:

 Hero  Arts script and blocks, Lockhart sentiment.

And, last but not least:

Bline Designs polka dot stamp (use this one ALL the time!), Just For Fun flowers and AMuse sentiment.

Thanks, Susan, for pushing me to get these done!  It feels good!

Thanks for peeking!