...Embossed Watercolor Trio

I'M BACK...YAY!!! Let's get right into the cards! This is a trio of cards I've made for the Technique Lovers Challenge at SCS for last week. I embossed a piece of Watercolor Paper with the Stitched background stamp in Black Embossing Powder. I then watercolored using my Aquapainters and Markers in the following colors: Groovy Guava, Only Orange, Yoyo Yellow, Green Galore, Creamy Caramel, Lovely Lilac, Tempting Turquoise, and Brilliant Blue. I challenged myself a bit with this one, too. If you know me well (or even not so well), then you realize that I seldom ever use the Bold Brights. This card features alot of the brights with only ONE Earth Element component....the background color! Shocking...I know!

I used the same Lovely Lilac cardbase for all of these creations, but I changed up the mats for each. I used more Bold Brights when it came to incorporating the papers/cardstock with the image, and here is the list of those shown: Basic Black, Green Galore, Tempting Turquoise, Brilliant Blue, Only Orange, and Bali Breeze Designer Series Paper.

I stamped all of the sentiments with Jet Black Staz-On Ink from the following stamp sets: Absolutely Fabulous, Kind Thoughts, and Always. A variety of punches were also used to make these three very different cards (Scallop Circle, 1-3/8" Circle, 1-1/4" Circle, 1" Circle, 3/4" Circle, 1-3/8 Square, 1-1/4 Square, 3/16" Corner Rounder). To add a little texture and interest some piercing was added with the use of a Paper Piercer and a Mat Pack.

That's it for today......sorry for the long post, but it feels like forever since I've done this! I am not going to include a "supplies" section since I listed everything in the description. Thanks for stopping by to see me today, and I will see you tomorrow with some other cards that I have created these last few days!

Hugs ~ Mercy

...Technique Lovers Challenge #164

This is my submission for today's Technique Lovers Challenge at SCS...Double Pocket Cards. Beth found a wonderful tutorial at Judy's blog seen HERE. This card looked so hard to make at first glance, but it turned out to be so simple and fun! I used Old Olive, Kraft, Soft Sky, and Whisper White for my color scheme today thanks to the Fall Flowers Designer Series Paper pack. I used a multitude of punches and Antique Brass Build-a-Brads, but I achieved the look that I wanted. I also faux stitched around the outside of the pocket and around the tags that fit inside the pockets.

Thanks for coming by today! I will have another sketch challenge to share with you tomorrow that incorporates the Color Challenge from SCS, so check back later! Until then...Hugs ~ Mercy

Supplies

Stamps: Circle of Friendship, Hugs & Wishes

Papers: Fall Flowers Designer Series Paper, Old Olive, Soft Sky, Whisper White

Inks: Jet Black Staz-On

Accessories: build-a-brad, punches (scallop circle, 1-3/8" circle, 1-1/4" circle, 1" circle, 3/4" circle, 1/2" circle, round tab), mat pack, paper piercer, chocolate chip marker, adhesive, sticky strip, dimensionals, stamp-a-ma-jig, scissors

...Technique Lovers Challenge #158, Sketch Challenge #166, and an Update on Christian

DON'T FORGET TO ENTER TO WIN SOME YUMMY BLOG CANDY BY LEAVING A COMMENT AT THE POST FROM YESTERDAY!

This is my submission for Monday's Technique Lovers Challenge and today's Sketch Challenge. The technique for this week was to deboss and color an image to place on your card. Linda Black has a tutorial on her blog, and it can be found HERE. I started with a card base of Kraft cardstock that measures 11 X 4-1/4, and when folded to open at the right measures 5-1/2 X 4-1/4. The floral panel is made up of Really Rust cardstock (5-1/2 X 2-3/4), Old Olive cardstock (5-1/2 X 2-1/2), and Fall Flowers Designer Series Paper (5-1/2 X 2-1/4). The panel was attached to the card base using SNAIL Adhesive. The next layer up is Really Rust cardstock (4-1/4 X 2-1/2), Kraft cardstock (4-1/4 X 2-1/4), and Old Olive Designer Series Paper (4-1/4 X 2). This panel was attached to the card base using Dimensionals.

The focal was made up of Really Rust cardstock (3-3/4 X 2), Groovy Guava cardstock (3-5/8 X 1-7/8), and Whisper White cardstock (3-1/2 X 1-3/4). The sentiment, from the set "All Holidays", was stamped in Old Olive Classic Ink (using a Stamp-a-ma-jig and Image Sheet for proper placement) onto the white cardstock. The leaf outline and solid leaf image, from the set "Bud Basics", were also stamped in olive ink onto the white cardstock. The large flower outlined image, also from "Bud Basics", was stamped in Black Staz-On Ink onto a piece of Vellum cardstock. Wax Paper was rubbed over the back of the image and the tip of my Embossing Stylus....this helps the stylus to move easily over the vellum without causing it to tear. The vellum flower was placed on a Mouse Pad, stamped side down, and the sylus was used to trace inside the image. This creates bright white highlights wherever the stylus is used. I continued to add highlights to the center and loops in the middle of the flower. A Really Rust Stampin' Write Marker was used to color the petals. The image was flipped right-side-up, cut out using CutterBee Scissors, and placed onto the white focal panel using half of a Dimensional. The completed panel was attached to the card base using SNAIL Adhesive on the left side and Dimensionals on the right side.

That's it for the card, but I do have an update to share with you about my son, Christian . We just received a phone call from the doctor's office regarding the Holter Monitor results. As it turns out, Christian is having frequent PVC's (premature ventricular contractions), which is exactly what the doctor was afraid was happening. He is scheduled for a tread mill stress test Friday morning at 10:30 at the cardiologist's office. It makes us nervous not knowing what the next step will be, but we are prayerful and hopeful that everything can be corrected easily if the stress test doesn't go well. We haven't told him about the results or the upcoming test, but we know that he will be very upset and angry. It has been so hard on him, and he misses his basketball teammates, practices, and tournaments. But we would much rather have a healthy child than a basketball superstar! However, to a fourteen year-old this seems like the end of the world. Going to the hospital is bad enough; but the waiting, and not knowing all the answers are simply maddening! Please continue to mention us in your prayers as we await yet another round of tests. We appreciate all of your prayers and well-wishes....you all are (and have been) wonderful cyber-buddies!

That's it for today! Until next time.......Hugs ~ Mercy

Supplies

Stamps: All Holidays, Bud Basics

Paper: Really Rust, Kraft, Old Olive, Whisper White, Groovy Guava, Fall Flowers Designer Series Paper, Old Olive Designer Series Paper

Ink: Old Olive, Black Staz-On

Accessories: adhesive, dimensionals, scissors, rust marker, stamp-a-ma-jig, image sheet, mouse pad, embossing stylus, wax paper

...Technique Lovers Challenge #157 & Mojo Monday #26

This is my submission for a couple of challenges from Monday. The Technique Lovers Challenge at SCS (TLC), and Julee Tilman's Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge (MMSC) seen above. The technique for this week was to use two or more mixed designer papers in our creation, and the sketch is pretty self-explanatory. Let me ask you a question, and be honest...have you ever just had one of those days? Nothing goes right, nothing gets done, and phone rings off the hook. That was my Monday! I hope that Tuesday goes a little smoother....I'm not sure that I could handle another day like Monday! It all started when I couldn't get my card to look the way I had envsioned it....something was missing, you know? Well, then I get it to look the way I had planned only to realize that my card base opened in the wrong direction! So, while cursing like Yosemite Sam (rackin' frackin' rabbit!), I made another one with the correct opening. I sure hope that you enjoy it, because quite frankly, the thrill is GONE for me! LOL!

I started with a card base of Sage Shadow cardstock that measured 11 X 4-1/4, and when folded to open at the right measured 5-1/2 X 4-1/4. The sage base is matted over with Chocolate Chip cardstock (4 X 5-1/4), and it was attached to the base using SNAIL Adhesive. The three long panels were made from Pretty in Pink cardstock (one strip measuring 4 X 1-1/8), and two strips of striped paper from BasicGrey's Blush 6X6 Paper Pad (also 4 X 1-1/8). All three strips were attached to the card base using adhesive. The four side panels were created using a floral print and the stripe paper ( both from the same 6X6 pad) along with the 3/4" Square Punch. They were also attached to the base with adhesive.

The focal image is from the set "Serenity", and the sentiment is from the set "Wonderful Wishes" from Verve Visual. Serenity is a two-step stamp, so I colored the solid image with a Pretty in Pink Stampin' Write Marker and a Sage Shadow Stampin' Write Marker, then stamped it onto a piece of Whisper White cardstock (2-7/8 X 1-7/8). The outlined image was inked with Chocolate Chip Classic Ink, and stamped over the solid image. The sentiment was also stamped in Chocolate Chip Classic Ink in the upper right corner of the stamped image. The edges were then sponged in Sage Shadow Classic Ink using a Sponge Dauber. The focal panel is matted with the following colors with each piece increasing by 1/8 of an inch in size: Pretty in Pink cardstock, Chocolate Chip cardstock, and Sage Shadow cardstock. The half-circle on the side is from the same designer papers used to make the four squares, and was cut using the Coluzzle Cutting System. Clear Rhinestones were added to the flowers, the left side of the long pink panel, and both of the striped side panels using Tombow Multi Liquid Glue. Everthing is attached using SNAIL Adhesive, but the completed focal panel is popped up off of the card base using Dimensionals.

That's it for now! I have to take my oldest son to see the cardiologist to make sure that nothing is wrong with his heart later today, so please be in prayer for us. We had no idea that anything could be wrong until this past Thursday when he went in for his yearly physical. After numerous x-rays and an EKG, we were told that he would have to see a specialist before he would be permitted to play sports again. And if you knew my son, Mr. Athletic, you could just imagine how upset he got. We were afraid that we would have to wait several weeks, and then have to drive several hours from home for the testing....but God worked everything out! We go today to the Children's Hospital closest to us (about twenty minutes away). How great is our God?!?! Please pray that everything will be fine, and that he can get back to playing basketball ASAP....his AAU team has a tournament this weekend, so they need him well, too.

Until later....Hugs ~ Mercy

Supplies

Stamps: Serenity and Wonderful Wishes (Verve Visual)

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Sage Shadow, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, Blush (BasicGrey)

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Acessories: acrylic blocks, markers, rhinestones, liquid glue, adhesive, dimensionals, coluzzle cutting system, sponge dauber, 3/4" square punch

...February Class Projects

These are the projects featured for February's class, "Anything But a Card". I don't have alot of time to go into great detail today, so I will just give you the names of the stamp sets, papers,and accessories used for each project.
The first project is the Birthday Envelope Pouch. Amanda Collins is the creator of this wonderful technique, and she featured it this week ar SCS. You can view her tutorial on her blog HERE. I used the stamp set "A Little Birdie Told Me", and the new Berry Bliss Designer Series Papers. I ony used Staz-On Black and Purely Pomegranate Classic Ink Pads. I paper pieced the body of the bird with the designer paper, then stamped and cut out the birthday hat, and attached it to the top of the bird's head with a Dimensional. I also used Purely Pomegranate, Pretty in Pink, and Whisper White cardstock. The faux stitching on the handle was done using a Mat Pack, Paper Piercer, and Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write Marker. The confetti inside the pouch was created using pomegranate cardstock, a Crimper, and my office Shredder......and, viola......customized confetti!
The second project of the class is a Giant Paper Clip created using cardstock, designer papers, and punches. I used the following colors of cardstock/designer papers: Really Rust, Fall Flowers Designer Series Paper, Kraft, Whisper White, and Groovy Guava. I used the small flower from the set "One of a Kind" as the top of the medallion. It was stamped in River Rock Classic Ink. I also used these punches: Scalloped Circle, 1-3/8" Circle, 1-1/4" Circle, 1" Circle, Boho Blossoms, 1/2" Circle. I finished it off by tying some Groovy Guava Double-Stitched Ribbon around one side of the clip. The layers are attached using a combination of SNAIL Adhesive and Dimensionals....easy, easy, easy!
The final project is this adorable Pencil Box created by the talented, Laurie Schmidlin. You can view her tutorial on her blog HERE. I used the following cardstock/designer papers: Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White, and Jersey Shore Designer Series Paper. The largest and smallest stars are from the set "Nursey Necessities", and are stamped then cut out. I used Brilliant Blue and Wild Wasabi Classic Ink Pads to stamp them. The orange star was punched out using the Small Star Punch. Each layer of the star is attached using Dimensionals. Then the pencils were added to the box. I included a close up of the star below.......isn't this cute?!?
Well, that's it for today! I have to do alot of running, and I also have a class tonight.....so I will see you all tomorrow with something (I'm just not sure what yet!). Until then.....Hugs ~ Mercy

...Technique Lovers Challenge #155 & Color Challenge #153

This is my submission for yesterday's Technique Lovers Challenge and today's Color Challenge at SCS. The technique is called "Ink, Spray, and Smash Technique". It was invented by an incredibly talented stamper by the name of Faith Hofrichter. You can view her step-by-step tutorial HERE on her blog. I started with a card base of Kraft cardstock measuring 11 X 4-1/4, and when folded to open at the right is standard invitation size. The next panel up is made of the following: Basic Black cardstock (4-1/8 X 2-7/16), Green Galore cardstock (4-1/16 X 2-3/8), and White Glossy cardstock (4 X 2-1/4). The glossy paper was inked with the Tempting Turquoise Classic Ink Refill and Green Galore Classic Ink Refill. Black Gingham Ribbon was added to the bottom portion of the panel, then the completed panel was attached to the card base using SNAIL Adhesive.

The focal panel consists of Basic Black cardstock (3-1/8 X 2-11/16), Kraft cardstock (3-1/16 x 2-5/8), Green Galore cardstock (2-15/16 X 2-1/2), and Whisper White cardstock (2-7/8 X 2-3/8). The sailboat from the set "Nursery Necessaties" was stamped on the white cardstock in Basic Black Classic Ink along with the sentiment from the same set. A Stamp-a-ma-jig and Image Sheet were used for correct placement of the sentiment. I took a scrap piece of the glossy technique cardstock and used the Slit Punch to create the scalloped waves under the boat, then attached it to the white cardstock with SNAIL Adhesive. I also stamped the sailboat onto scrap pieces of turquoise, galore, and glossy technique cardstock to paper-piece the final sailboat image together. All the components were cut out with CutterBee Scissors, outlined using a Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker, then attached over the original black stamped sailboat with Dimensionals. The focal panel is attached to the card base also using Dimensionals. The star medallion is created using all the cardstock colors (except kraft), the 5-Petal Flower Punch, and the Small Star Punch. Each layer is popped up with Dimensionals, and a Black Brad was added to the center. The completed medallion is attached to the card base using dimensionals again.

That's it for today! I ahve alot of housework to get finished with before the kids get home, so I will talk to you all tomorrow! Until then......Hugs ~ Mercy

Supplies

Stamps: Nursery Necessaties

Paper: Kraft, Basic Black, Green Galore, Tempting Turquoise, Glossy White

Ink: same as paper

Accessories: reinkers, brad, stamp-a-ma-jig, image sheet, ribbon, dimensionals, punches (slit, 5-petal flower, small star), water spritzer, black marker

...Technique Lovers' Challenge #148 & Color Challenge #146

This is my submission for yesterday's Technique Lovers' Challenge and today's Color Challenge at SCS. The colors for today are Glorious Green, Green Galore, and Real Red. The technique used is called "expressiomistic". The card base is Glorious Green measuring 5-1/2" X 11", and when folded in half measures 5-1/2" square. The next layer up is Whisper White cardstock that measures 4" X 4-1/2", and the edges are sponged in Green Galore ink with a Sponge Dauber. The focal image is matted in Real Red cardstock that measures 3-7/8" X 4-3/8". The focal panel is Whisper White cardstock that measures 3-3/4" X 4-1/4". The snowflakes are from the sets " Snow Burst" and "Snow Flurries". The largest snowflake is inked up in Green Galore ink, but the stamp is sprayed with water before stamping onto the white cardstock. This causes the image to smear. This technique is done for each of the three large flakes. Once the cardstock dried, I reinked the same large snowflake in Glorious Green, then stamped over the lighter smeared flakes. This is the Expressiomistic Technique. The small flake was stamped in Real Red before sponging the entire panel with Green Galore ink with a Sponge Dauber.

The sentiment is from the set "Warm Words", and was stamped in the lower right-hand corner in Staz-On Black ink. The white focal panel is attached to the red panel using SNAIL Adhesive, then that panel was attached to the bottom white panel using Dimensionals. The entire focal panel was then attached to the card base using Dimensionals again. I added Clear Rhinestones to the centers of the three largest flakes with Mini Glue Dots, and wrapped some Red Organdy Ribbon around the top of the entire focal panel, and tied it off on a knot.

That's it for today! I hope you all are having a very Merry Christmas! My family and I are fixing to go out to eat and go to a movie together, so I will see you all back here tomorrow with a creation for SCS's Sketch Challenge. Until then...Hugs ~ Mercy

Supplies

Stamps: Snow Burst, Snow Flurries, Warm Words

Paper: Glorious Green, Real Red, Whisper White

Ink: Glorious Green, Green Galore, Real Red, Black Staz-On

Accessories: sponge dauber, rhinestones, ribbon, water bottle with spray nozzle, dimensionals

...Technique Lovers Challenge #147

This is my submission for today's Technique Lovers Challenge at SCS. We were to use the Dazzling Diamond Dust technique on our cards today, and this is what I came up with. I started with a card base of River Rock that measures 5-1/2" X 8-1/2" folded in half to open at the right. The next layer up is a piece of paper from the Holiday Harmony Designer Series Paper line. It measures 5-3/8" X 4-1/8", and the edges are sponged in Purely Pomegranate with a Sponge Dauber. The focal image is Whisper White (3-1/2" square) stamped using the snowflakes from "Snow Burst" in River Rock and Purely Pomegranate. The entire panel is covered with VersaMark, then embossed in Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder...this gives the whole image some awesome sparkle! I matted the panel onto pomegranate (3-5/8" square), then onto river again (3-3/4" square). I used piece of the 15/16" Purely Pomegranate Satin Ribbon to tie around the center of the focal panel, then used Dimensionals to pop the image up off of the card base. I used the sentiment from "Peaceful Wishes" on the bottom of the card, and stamped it in Basic Gray. Clear Rhinestones were added to the center of the largest snowflakes and the ends of the sentiment using Mini Glue Dots.

That's it for today......promise!

Supplies

Stamps: Snow Burst, Peaceful Wishes

Paper: River Rock, Purely Pomegranate, Whisper White, Holida Harmony Designer Series Paper

Ink: same as paper, VersaMark, Basic Gray

Accessories: iridescent ice embossing powder, rhinestones, sponge daubers, dimensionals, satin ribbon

...Technique Lovers Challenge #144 & Inspiration Challenge #104

This is my submission for both the Technique Lovers Challenge (from Monday) and today's Inspiration Challenge at SCS. The technique was to make a Nugget Box using cardstock and acetate. I will be spotlighting this in my "Awesome Acetate" class in two weeks, so I will not be able to give you the step-by-step instructions, but I will let you know what materials I've used. The base of the box is Soft Sky cardstock, the lid is acetate, and the paper on the Hershey's Nuggets is the Cute Pie Designer Paper. I "wrapped" the box with Purely Pomegranate Double-Stitched Ribbon, and finished the knot in the bow with a Jumbo Fuchsia Rhinestone.

The inspiration today is mitten wrapping paper, and it can be seen HERE. The card was made for both challenges...I had to try to kill two birds with one stone! The card base is also Soft Sky cardstock measuring 3" X 6", and folded in half to make a 3" square card that opens from the bottom. The next layer up is Purely Pomegranate (2-7/8 " X 1-1/2") and Cutie Pie Designer Paper (2-3/4" X 1-3/8"). I used more of the Pomegranate Double-Stitched Ribbon in the center of the card and attached it with SNAIL Adhesive, then closely trimmed the edges with my CutterBee Scissors so it wouldn't wrap around to the inside of the card. The frame is from the set "Label Classics". It is stamped in Staz-On Black ink onto a scrap piece of Wild Wasabi cardstock, then it is closely cut out and mounted onto the card base using Dimensionals. I used the 1" Circle Punch to punch out a piece of pomegranate scrap paper, and mounted in onto the frame using dimensionals.

The mitten is from the set "Flaky Friends". It is stamped onto four different colors of cardstock in Staz-On Black ink: Soft Sky (the mitten), Bashful Blue (the small button on the star), Purely Pomegranate (the star), and Wild Wasabi (the small button under the star). Then I cut out the individual parts of the mitten, and attached them to make one mitten with different colors. The completed mitten is then attached the the circle with dimensionals. The sentiment is from the set "Hugs & Wishes", and it is stamped in black ink at the bottom of the designer paper panel. Lastly, I finished off the card by adding some Baby Blue Stickles to the cuff of the mitten.

Well, that's it for today! Thanks for stopping by and checking out my stuff! I hope to see you all again tomorrow with a submission for the Featured Stamper Challenge. Until then...............Hugs ~ Mercy

Supplies

Stamps: Flaky Friends, Label Classics, Hugs & Wishes

Paper: Soft Sky, Wild Wasabi, Purely Pomegranate, Bashful Blue, Cutie Pie Designer Paper, acetate

Ink: Black Staz-On

Accessories: rhinestone, SNAIL Adhesive, dimensionals, 1" circle punch, ribbon, scissors, stickles

...Technique Lovers' Challenge #141

This is my submission for today's Technique Lovers' Challenge at SCS ~ Horizontal Pocket Card. The tutorial can be found HERE. The card is Wild Wasabi cardstock along with some of the papers from BasicGrey's Mellow collection. I scored, and folded the card as indicated by the tutorial, then cut my designer papers to mat on top of the wasabi. The edges of the Mellow papers were sponged with Chocolate Chip ink before being attached to the card. I also sponged the card's edges with chocolate. I used the wonderful set All in a Row to add stitching around all of the designer edges only in chocolate. The medallion is from the set Sweet Sampler, and is stamped in Really Rust onto Very Vanilla cardstock. The edges of the vanilla are sponged in chocolate and Creamy Caramel to add some texture. The center of the medallion is a lime-green rhinestone brad from Paper Scraps. (The brads were on sale at Hobby Lobby, so I had to get some of them!) I also added rhinestone brads to the sides of the card to help it stay closed. The medallion panel is lifted using Dimensionals.

***I have added another shot of this card so you can see the stitching a little better.***
The flat insert is simply vanilla cardstock sponged with chocolate ink, and matted onto rust and wasabi cardstock. The edges were stamped with the small flourish stamp from Priceless in Creamy Caramel. Quick and easy card...once I got a chance to sit down and work on it! LOL!

Well, that's it for today! I have alot of work to do before my Open House on Saturday, but I will try to post every day this week if I can. Thanks for stopping by, and have a great week!

Hugs ~ Mercy

Supplies

Stamps: Sweet Sampler, All in a Row, Priceless

Paper: Wild Wasabi, Really Rust, Very Vanilla, Mellow designer paper (BasicGrey)

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Really Rust, Creamy Caramel

Accessories: rhinestone brads, scoring blade, dimensionals

...TLC140, SC144, CC130 ~ Cracked Glass!

This is my card for today's Technique Lovers' Challenge......cracked glass! {I am not going to post a link to the cracked glass tutorial until after I show it to my class next week...sorry ladies! You'll have to wait}! I went ahead and combined this challenge with a couple of the others that I had to do. The color combo for this card is Always Artichoke and Groovy Guava. I also added Kraft along with some watercolor paper.

I started by sponging the outside edges of the artichoke card with artichoke ink. The stamps used on the leaf panel are from the set With Gratitude. The leaves are stamped on watercolor paper with Staz-on black ink. I used an aquapainter to color the leaves with guava first (in the centers), then I painted the rest of the leaf with artichoke. To add a little "movement" to the leaves, I painted around each one with Creamy Caramel to make light and dark shadows under and around each leaf. The edges of the panel are sponged with artichoke. I then performed the cracked glass technique on the entire panel, and sponged Chocolate Chip ink into the cracks. The panel was then layered on top of a piece of guava cardstock and some paper from the Fall Flowers designer pack. The front panel is stamped in Craft White onto a piece of Kraft cardstock. This sentiment is from the hostess set Word on Word. I sponged the edges of the kraft with artichoke also, then did the cracked glass technique on it (including the chocolate ink sponged in the cracks) before mounting it on top of some guava cardstock. The smaller "thank you" panel is stamped in VersaMark on kraft paper using one of the sentiments from the new All Holidays set. I embossed it with Seafoam White embossing powder from Ranger, then mounted it on top of a scrap piece from Fall Flowers. The card was then assembled using dimensionals to raise the sentiments above the leaf image. And that's all there is to it!

I told you that I might have another to share today! Surprised? Well, I am pooped, and now I have to get dinner for the troops...so I will see you all some time tomorrow. I have several meetings to go to, and even more calls to make, so I will try my best to have another creation for you!

Hugs ~ Mercy

Supplies

Stamps: All Holidays, With Gratitude, Word on Word

Paper: Always Artichoke, Fall Flowers DP, Groovy Guava, Kraft, watercolor

Ink: same as paper, Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip, VersaMark

Accessories: sponge, glassy glaze, aquapainters, embossing powder, heat gun

...Technique Lovers and Color Challenge Combo

I have absolutely fallen in love with this set. I have seen thousands of cards made with it, but I had no problem making an original of my own. Fabulous Flowers is right...it is such a fabulous set to work with! I had to make a card for two challenges so that I wouldn't get too far behind. So I decided to mix a color and a technique together. The technique was to make a paper tole image; and the colors were Sahara Sand, Chocolate Chip, and Bayou Blue (love, love, love this new in-color). The largest flower was stamped twice. I cut out one whole large flower, then I trimmed the second flower a little closer to the center to make it layer the largest. I stamped the six-petal flower, cut it out, and made it the top of the cluster. Brads make up the center of the bloom, and I used a glue pen and chocolate glitter to add some *sparkle*. The sentiment is embossed in chocolate to give it a little dimension. The background on the card is Canvas in Sahara Sand, and the background used on the panel is French Script in Chocolate Chip. I hope you all love it as much as I do!

On a different note, I wanted to thank Ina and Sharon for ordering some stamp sets from me! I have sent them to you both using priority mail. I have also sent you an email regarding shipping and handling. Please let me know when you receive the email and your sets. I am so glad that these have found a home where they will be loved and used. Thanks also to Lakesha, Pam, Martha Lynn, Melanie, Jan, Cindy, Gina, Betty, LaShonne, Candee, Lois, and Kaye-you ladies know who you are! I appreciate your business and your friendship more than you'll ever know! Mr. (or in my case, Mrs.) Brown should be delivering our goodies sometime Monday!!!! I will send you girls an email to let you know for certain when it gets here.

Well, I am tired and I want to watch "300" with my husband...so I will say goodbye until tomorrow! Hugs ~ Mercy

Supplies

Stamps: Fabulous Flowers, French Script, Canvas

Paper: Sahara Sand, Chocolate Chip, Bayou Blue, Very Vanilla

Ink: same as paper, versamark

Accessories: embossing powder, brads, glitter, dimensionals

...Cracked Winter Wishes

I can't seem to get away from Christmas and winter cards. I suppose it could be because of the hot and humid weather we're experiencing here in Georgia. I can't even go outside without smothering or sweating to death! So I stay tucked away inside making cards that make me feel cooler than the actual temperature. This specific card was for a recent challenge to make what is called a "tent topper" card. This layout/technique was actually the invention of one super-savvy card maker by the name of Michelle Wooderson. Her design uses a circle topper, but I wanted something a little more "antique" looking so I used an oval. I stamped my snowflakes on the vanilla oval, then did a cracked glass technique over the flakes. I matted the vanilla onto a pomegranate oval, and I pierced around the sides. I just {LOVE} the cracked glass technique! I will be teaching my friends how to do it in our October class. I'm sure that they will love it as much as I do.

I have a few more challenges to catch up on, so I am going to get off of here and get busy! Oh! STAMP SALE-Don't forget to check out the left column for some stamp sets that are on sale. I've actually lowered the prices on them...so go shop! I will be accepting money orders or PayPal for orders that need to be shipped, but I will accept checks or cash from customers in my area.

I'll see you all later! Hugs ~ Mercy

Supplies

Stamps: Print Pattern, Snowflakes, Canvas

Paper: Purely Pomegranate, River Rock, Wild Wasabi, Very Vanilla

Ink: same as paper, versamark

Accessories: hodgepodge hardware, ribbon, glassy glaze, mat pack and paper piercer, dimensionals

...Blurry Vision

NO...you're not imagining things. This picture is blurry. No need for eye rubbing or eye drops! This picture was taken using my new cell phone, because my scanner has been down all week! I haven't been able to upload any new creations, and it has been driving me CRAZY! So I put my foot down, and I got the cell out! I think it turned out pretty well. This is actually a card for a couple of challenges this week: Technique Lovers Challenge and Color Challenge. The base of the card is Close to Cocoa stamped in cocoa with Weathered. Toile Blossom was stamped using Staz-on black, and was then watercolored with cocoa, bashful, and celery. I used my Coluzzle to cut the oval out, then I cut around the branches with an Exacto knife. "Sympathy" is stamped in VersaMark and embossed in brown, while the verse is stamped in Bashful Blue on a scrap piece of paper that was the same color. I pierced around the oval opening, and around the corners. The inside of the oval was sponged in celery. The white card front was matted with Certainly Celery, and adhered to the cocoa card. It is so much prettier in person!

Thanks for being patient with me and my delayed posting. I wanted to take the lemons and make lemonade...if you know what I mean! Everything is terrific now that I have discovered an alternative way to post a card without the use of a scanner. It's all good! I hope everyone is wonderful, and I can't wait to see or hear from you all. But for now I must catch some Z's...so good night ~ Mercy

Supplies

Stamps: Toile Blossoms, Weathered, Brighter Tomorrow

Paper: Close to Cocoa, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Whisper White

Ink: same as paper, VersaMark

Accessories: coluzzle, exacto knife, mat pack, paper piercer, sponge, blender pens, brown embossing powder

...Oh, Oh, Oh, It's Magic!

Well, yesterday I promised you a "magic" card...so here it is! Our adorable little lonely pirate just stands there waiting for you to pick him up by the tab and give him a pull. Then...

...he magically appears on a vibrant island in bold colors! Do you love this or what?! Don't get all worked up into a tizzy, ladies. I will be doing this card for one of our upcoming Stampin' Up! play days. This card, however, was for a technique challenge at SCS. And BOY was it a challenge. I had several "DOH!" moments in the process of making it, but I love the way he turned out. It's clean and plain when it is closed, then BAM!, live in technicolor! The only thing I don't like about the closed image is that when I scanned it the design on the front wasn't dark enough to show up. It is so much cuter in real life!

Enough about the card...Mrs. Brown delivered the goods today! I sat down to start this post and my friendly little UPS lady rang the doorbell...I shot up out of the chair and ran to the front door. There it was...my first SU delivery. I was almost brought to tears...NOT! I squealed like a six year old school girl. I haven't opened it yet, so this post will short. I can hear it calling out to me from the other room. I may or may not post tomorrow depending on how my stamp sale is going. I have a couple of ladies coming by tonight to look at stuff, but I told all of my ladies that I would be here all week if they wanted to drop by the house any time. Needless to say, between cleaning and hosting a sale I didn't have enough time to make anything new today! I want to do a color challenge/sketch challenge combo if all goes well tomorrow. Who knows? I may have a *special* little project to share with you instead.

Hope all is well, and I will see you tomorrow...if I'm lucky! Hugs ~ Mercy

Supplies

Stamps: Ahoy Matey, Matey's Map roller

Paper: Brilliant Blue, Real Red, Very Vanilla, Blush Bashful, acetate

Ink: Staz-on black, Ruby Red

Accessories: blender pens, markers, stamp-a-ma-jig, circle punch, eyelet, ribbon, sticky strip, sponge

...Wild Roses

Well I spent another day at Kesha's, and I stamped my little heart out. I wanted to use some sets that I had been neglecting to glean some ideas for projects this year. The following creations were made using the set Wild Rose DD. I LOVE this set. It is so pretty! The first card is a remake of one created by Beate Johns, but I tweaked it a little to keep from copying her outright. I changed the colors, the background stamps, and the layout a little. I love the finished product!

This card is using the same set only I used a new technique to accomplish the look I wanted. Don't worry ladies, those of you in my classes this year will see this very soon...WINK! WINK! This technique smears and smudges the background, but allows you to make the front image crisp and clear. I can't wait to share this with you ladies!
I hope everyone has had a wonderful day, and enjoyed the rain showers we so desperately needed. I will see you back here tomorrow with another card or two.

Hugs~Mercy

Supplies

Stamps: Wild Rose DD, Canvas, Handle With Care, Just Jeans, French Script

Paper: Bravo Burgundy, Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Very Vanilla, Certainly Celery

Ink: same as paper

Accessories: ribbon, brads, dimensionals, sponge or dauber

...Another Day, Another Challenge (Or Challenges!)

The card above is my take on on the latest color challenge and technique lovers challenge. The colors are apparent , but the technique was to use scrap pieces of cardstock to create a background. A little cutting and adhesive yielded rather cute stripes. The primas were just as simple. The green one is from the summer collection, but I had to dye two white ones to get the red and turquoise I needed (I forgot to take those with me...total brain-fart!). I embossed the sentiment, and I also pierced the stem for the flowers. It was so much fun!

This card was for a sketch challenge, so I used a 4-1/4 square layout. The background is embossed and flowers were cut out and popped up. Special thanks to Matthew Eakin for the color combo~ LOVE IT! The circle and triangle were pierced, and some ice stickles finishes off the center of the flowers.

Thanks for looking! Hugs~ Mercy

Supplies

Stamps: Polka-Dot Posies, Bodacious Bouquet, Happy Everything, Paisley, Print Pattern, Canvas, Houndstooth

Papers: Real Red, Green Galore, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White, Very Vanilla, Creamy Caramel, Not Quite Navy, Mellow Moss

Inks: same as paper, versamark

Accessories: mat pack & paper piercer, sponge, white embossing powder, primas, white brads, dimensionals, ice stickles, denim embossing powder, scissors

~Another Long Card~

I made another long card yesterday, but used a different stamp set to get a totally different look. This is quickly becoming my favorite size for cards. I was intimidated by the size at first, but I absolutely love it now!

Card Recipe:

Stamp Sets: Delight in Life

Papers: Chocolate Chip, Gable Green, Rose Red, and Very Vanilla

Inks: same as papers except Very Vanilla

Accessories: chocolate ribbon, sponge, markers (gable green, rose red), dimensionsals

Have a great day!

Here's the Thing...

The challenge was to make a large card using a set(s) that are retiring. Here's my attempt. I was afraid that it was going to be hard with such a huge canvas to cover, but I found that I actually like this size better. The larger card size works wonderful for those sets that have larger images, like this one. I even tried doodling around the edges to add a little "umph".

Card Recipe:

Stamp Sets: Living Large, Beyond the Basics

Papers: Vintage Violet, Cool Caribbean, So Saffron, and Whisper White

Inks: Staz-on Black, Cool Caribbean, Vintage Violet, Blush Blossom, Close to Cocoa, Pink Passion

Accessories: Prima, Mustard brad, Violet stitched ribbon, non SU! ribbon (lemonade and aqua from http://www.ribbonsandbowsohmy.com/) dimensionals, blender pens, reinkers, sponge, ticket corner punch, and black marker for doodling.

I can pretty much guarantee that this will not be the last large card that you'll see from me! Thanks for the challenge Beth! Enjoy!