…Fluttering By

Happy Monday, peeps!  I’ve had a whirlwind weekend, but I finally got a chance to run up to the hospital and see Brooke this afternoon.  My guys and I have been having horrid sinus problems, so we didn’t want to go up there until we were feeling better…heaven knows we don’t need her getting sick right now.  Her white cell count and platelets are extremely low and she has a head cold, but she was in good spirits and cutting-up with us yet we could tell that she wasn’t feeling 100%.  Please continue your prayers for her, and I will keep you updated on her condition as the days go on.

Now let’s turn to some fun and cuteness!  I haven’t really been in the mood to do a lot of stamping lately, but when I do feel the “need” kicking in I almost always reach for my images from My Favorite Things.  As soon as I saw the MFT Wednesday Sketch Challenge #13 from last week I KNEW what I was going to do, and here it is:

I decided to use the “Fred Bear & Butterfly” set, stamped the images in Black Ink, and colored them with Copic Sketch Markers.  I paired the focal panel with patterned papers from the Stella Rose- Hattie paper pad from My Mind’s Eye along with some Enchanted Evening, Harvest Gold, and White Cardstock. I stitched the edges of the horizontal panel, distressed the large floral panel, then pierced that edges of the focal panel.  I used the Die-namics Rolled Rose Die as the accent to the sentiment panel and added a Gold Rhinestone to the center.  After adding some Stickles, more Rhinestones, and several more Dimensionals the card was complete.  I’m so pleased with the way it turned out! :)

That’s it for me today!  Thanks for stopping by, and I’ll see you back here tomorrow night with the card that I took to Brooke today using an image from By LORi Designs!  Until then…

…Playing Catch-Up

I had promised to have some MFT cards for you yesterday, but I had only colored the images…no cards were made until this morning!  I have always LOVED the Wednesday Sketches from MFT, and I was so saddened when they stopped doing them.  Luckily, they began reissuing the sketches a few weeks ago so I was one happy girl!  Let’s play some catch-up on the last two challenge:

“Pure Innocence-Ladybug” for MFTWSC11

Supplies: Stamps: Pure Innocence-Ladybug (MFT), Papers: Riding Hood Red, Dark Brown, Vintage Cream, Simply Chartreuse, Stella Rose-Gertie DP(My Mind’s Eye), Inks: Memento Black, Accessories: dimensionals, sewing machine, rhinestones, nesties, big shot, mat pack, paper piercer, copics, scissors, fresh cut grass die-namics

…and “Pure Innocence-Being Cute Is What I Do” for MFTWSC12

Supplies: Stamps: Pure Innocence-Being Cute Is What I Do (MFT), Papers: Hawaiian Shores, Ripe Avocado, Raspberry Fizz, White, Stella Rose-Hazel DP (My Mind’s Eye), Inks: Memento Black, Accessories: dimensionals, sewing machine, ribbon, rhinestones, heart punch, flower punch, silver brad, copics

That’s it for me today!  Thanks for stopping by, and I’ll see you all back here in the next day or two with another card…and maybe a VIDEO!!!  Until then…

…Hi Little Lady

Happy Hump Day!  I was up late last night perusing through the endless posts in my Google Reader when today’s MFT Wednesday Sketch Challenge #10 caught my attention.  I had stamped off some of Jessie’s images this past weekend while we were together to use in the future, so I figured today would be as good a time as any!  So I sat down and came up with this…whatcha think?

I decided to use the “Pure Innocence-Emma Playing Mommy ” set, stamped the stroller image in Black Ink, and colored it with Copic Sketch Markers.  I paired the focal panel with patterned papers from October Afternoon’s Thrift Shoppe paper pad along with some Black, Red, and Vanilla Cardstock. I pierced the edges of the large floral panel, then stitched the vertical dotted panel to the that after adding a Red Cardstock strip down the center.  The edges of the focal panel were also pierced, then I used the Die-namics Dainty Lace Border Die to go across the lower part of the panel. The stroller was cut out and added to the same panel using Dimensionals.  The sentiment from the same set was cut out using a Classic Circle Nesties Die, then popped off of the card front with Dimensionals again.  After adding some Ribbon, Rhinestones, and several more Dimensionals the card was complete.  I’m so pleased with the way it turned out, but now I have to get some sleep! :)

That’s it for me today!  Thanks for stopping by, and I’ll see you back here in the next day or two!  Until then…

…You’ll Be In My Heart

Happy Saturday!  I can’t tell you how good it feels to be able to go to my little stampin’ spot and play along with other challenges again.  It was always so hard to play along when there were so many other obligations that had to take priority over “playing”…and I missed it!  Luckily, one of my favorite companies has started reissuing sketch challenges…and I get to play along this week! :)

 

 

This is my submission for My Favorite Things’ Wednesday Sketch Challenge #4 from this week.  I can't seem to stay away from their Pure Innocence line of stamps…I just think that they’re adorable!  I used “Love You With All My Heart” from MFT, stamped the image in Black Ink, and colored her with Copic Sketch Markers.  I paired the focal panel with patterned papers from the Laundry Line paper pad by My Mind’s Eye along with some Berry Sorbet and Aqua Mist Cardstock. The focal panel was created using Classic Circle Nesties and the Sizzix Big Shot. I added some Crystal Stickles to the heart, and used the Apron Lace Border Punch to create the edges of the striped vertical panel.  I forgot about having some acrylic hearts stashed away until I started digging through my craft drawers trying to find something to use along with the sentiment flag…it was the perfect touch, I think (as seen in the smaller picture above)!  After adding some Stitching, Ribbon, an MFT Button, and several Dimensionals the card was complete.  Whatcha think? :)

That’s it for me today!  Thanks for stopping by, and I’ll see you back here tomorrow with another Whimsie Doodles card!  Until then…

...Challenge Cards

I am still in the mountains with these crazy and hilarious women, but I wanted to go ahead and pre-post something for you guys to look at today. I attended my first Verve Release Party as an official Diva, and I got the opportunity to share these two brand-spankin' new cards that I've made since we got to the stamping retreat.
This first card is for the My Favorite Things Sketch Challenge #99 from Thursday. I used some patterned paper from the Laundry Line series from My Mind's Eye, and some Melon Mambo and Sage Shadow Cardstock. The images were from the new Verve set Harvest Blessings, and the leaves and sentiment were embossed on Kraft Cardstock. I added the berries in Melon Mambo for a bit of contrast. The button was actually a Clear Button that was covered with Sage Shadow Craft Ink, then embossed with Clear Embossing Powder. It actually looks marbled up close, and I love the way it turned out.

This last card was for Friday's Viva La Verve Sketch Challenge found at the Verve Forum at SCS. The twist for this week's sketch was to use black and white. I stamped the bird and sentiment from Verve's new set, Swan Song, in Basic Black Craft Ink, then embossed them with Clear Embossing Powder. The patterned papers were from The Paper Studio's Black & White collection, and the only embellishments used were brads and a piece of Black Ribbon.

On a sadder note, I received news Friday that a dear and faithful friend of our family had passed away suddenly. His family and friends are devastated, and would deeply appreciate your prayers and thoughts at this time. He will be sorely missed, but his eternal effect on my life and the lives of those who knew him will never be forgotten...I love you and will miss you, Lanny!

Supplies

"Autumn Wishes" Card

Stamps: Harvest Blessings (Verve)

Papers: Sage Shadow, Melon Mambo, Kraft, Laundry Line (My Mind's Eye)

Inks: Sage Shadow Craft, So Saffron Craft, Melon Mambo

Accessories: mat pack, paper piercer, dimensionals, brads, ribbon, button, linen thread, clear embossing powder, heat gun, scissors

"Song In My Heart" Card

Stamps: Swan Song (Verve)

Papers: Basic Black, Whisper White, Black & White (The Paper Studio)

Inks: Basic Black Craft

Accessories: mat pack, paper piercer, clear embossing powder, brads, ribbon, dimensionals

...Team Edward

I am pretty sure that every woman in the world knows what I am talking about! One of the sexiest and most romantic vampires in history, Edward Cullen has captured the hearts and necks of women all over the world! LOL! I was so thrilled when I saw that The Greeting Farm had an Edward stamp...is he not adorable?!? I paired this wonderful stamp with a sentiment from an older Verve set Great Expectations, and it states "guess you're pretty hot stuff now". In my book, the answer is a resounding OH YEAH!

I used this week's My Favorite Things Sketch Challenge #95 as a starting point, but I flipped the sketch 90 degrees to the left to accommodate the large image. I also used the Limited Supplies Challenge #234, which was to create a masculine card with no flowers, no ribbon, and no bling...yes....NO BLING! Since I couldn't use any blingage I decided to pierce around the vertical striped panel with a Mat Pack and Paper Piercer. The patterned paper was from the retired Slumber Party Designer Series Paper pack, and I cut the patterned paper oval out using my Big Shot and Spellbinders' Classic Oval Nesties.

That's it for today! Thanks for stopping by, and I will see you back here tomorrow with a couple of cards and/or projects. Until then...

Supplies

Stamps: Edward (The Greeting Farm), Great Expectations (Verve)

Papers: Baja Breeze, Riding Hood Red, Watercolor, Slumber Party DSP

Inks: Basic Black Craft, So Saffron, Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze, Blush Blossom, Cameo Coral, Close to Cocoa, Soft Suede, Basic Gray

Accessories: clear embossing powder, heat gun, mat pack, paper piercer, dimensionals, aquapainter, big shot, nesties

...For Being You

This is my submission for the My Favorite Things Sketch Challenge #90 from this past Thursday. I can't seem to stay away from the new In Colors, so I decided to showcase Melon Mambo this time. The patterned paper was from the paper pack that is included in the Level Three Hostess Set "Lovely Flowers", while the diecut flowers were from the Birds & Blooms Sizzlits set. The three focal panels were created using Classic Rectangle Nesties and the Sizzix Big Shot. The polka dotted ribbon was the new Melon Mambo Dotted Ribbon. I was afraid that I wouldn't like the smaller width of this ribbon {it is 1/2" instead of 5/8"}, but it is slower growing on me. The sentiment was from the set "Act of Kindness" from There She Goes.

That's it for today! Thanks for stopping by, and I will see you all again tomorrow. Until then...

Supplies

Stamps: Act of Kindness (There She Goes)

Papers: Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry, Whisper White, Old Olive, Lovely Flowers DSP

Inks: Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry, Old Olive

Accessories: mat pack, paper piercer, nesties, big shot, dimensionals, birds & blooms sizzlits, sponge daubers, silver brads, ribbon, SAMJ, image sheet

...Hang In There

This is my submission for a couple of challenges this week: the My Favorite Things Sketch Challenge #87, and the Ways To Use It Challenge #224 at SCS. I started with a Kiwi Kiss Cardstock base, then matted the additional layers with Chocolate Chip Cardstock. The patterned papers were from the retired Hawaii Papaya Designer Series Paper pack, and the images were from Hero Arts' set "Playful Animals". The images were stamped in Basic Black Craft Ink onto Whisper White Cardstock, then embossed with Clear Embossing Powder and a Heat Gun. I colored the sweet monkey and leaves with Copic Sketch Markers, and created the oval focal panels using Spellbinders' Classic Oval Nestabilities and my Sizzix Big Shot. A piece of 5/8" Tangerine Tango Striped Grosgrain Ribbon was added to complete the card.

Speaking of little monkeys...I also wanted to share a picture that I took of my baby girl, Trinity, yesterday. The boys and I had a lazy day here at the house, and the dogs were no exception. How precious is this?!?

That's it for today! I will be stamping more this weekend, so I should have some stuff to show off later on. Thanks for stopping by, and until later...

...You Are Loved (MFTSC80)

This is my last Greeting Farm card from this weekend! I used the "Geisha Anya" stamp for the focal image, and I also used the "For Someone" stamp set for the sentiment. I started with a Chocolate Chip Cardstock base. My layers were all matted differently using Rose Red Cardstock, Chocolate Chip Cardstock, and Kraft Cardstock. The striped patterned paper was from the Chocolate Chip Designer Series Paper pack, and the pink dotted patterned paper was from the Raspberry Tart Designer Series Paper pack. The large Pink Pirouette Cardstock panel and the Kraft Cardstock sentiment were pierced with the Mat Pack and Paper Piercer. Geisha was stamped in Basic Black Craft Ink onto Watercolor Paper, embossed, then colored with an Aquapainter and Classic Ink Pads. The only embellishments used were 5/8" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon and Clear Rhinestones.

That's it for today! Thanks for stopping by on this gorgeous Wednesday, and I will see you all back here tomorrow with a card/project for this week's Fresh Batch Sketch! Until then...

...Owl Be There (MFTSC81)

I spent the day at Pam Varnell's (aka stampingpam) on Saturday, and we decided to have an all-day Greeting Farm extravaganza! I absolutely love these stamps...adorable images, high-quality red rubber on cling foam, and so easy to use. This card was created using this week's My Favorite Things Sketch Challenge #81 as a starting point. I have recently gotten questions from several individuals interested in the process I go through when making my cards. Honestly, I find myself starting with a good card sketch. I can always find one that will accommodate the stamp(s) I want to use...large stamps = large panels, small stamps = small panels. I will get the basic structure of the card cut out, and lay it aside to use after I have everything ready to assemble. Some of my favorite sketches come from these websites/blogs:

• MojoMonday Blog (Mondays)
• My Favorite Things Sketch Challenges (Thursdays)
• Card Positioning Systems
• Jen del Muro's "Sketch For You To Try" (Saturdays)
• Weekend Sketch Challenges (Friday)
• Amy Rysavy's Sketch Challenges (Friday)
• Taylor VanBruggen's "Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenges" (Friday)
• Lauren Meader's "My Times Sketch Challenges" (Saturdays)
• Splitcoaststampers' "Sketch Challenges" (Wednesdays)
• The Fresh Batch's "Stamps and Smiles Sketch Challenges" {designed by me} (Thursdays)

Next, I move on to my patterned paper (if I want to use any), and I get my color palette from the colors included in the paper. I also use a few Color Inspiration Challenge blogs/websites if I am having problems coming up with a color combination on my own. Here are some sites that I frequently use:

• Kristina Werner's "Color Inspiration" Challenges
• Lauren Meader's "My Times Color Challenges"
• Splitcoaststampers' "Color Challenges"
• Stampin' Up Color Combo Website (you can pick one color, and the site will come up with several possible combinations for you to choose from...it's very cool!)
  

After I have the "bones" of the card together and I know which colors I will be using, I stamp and color my image(s). The majority of the time, I will stamp my images in Basic Black Craft Ink then emboss it with Clear Embossing Powder...especially if I am going to be watercoloring. I find that it is so much easier to "stay inside the lines" when the images are embossed. I also use Watercolor Paper when I am going to be watercoloring...the higher the weight of the paper, the easier it is to blend and move the color around...I usually use 90 lbs or higher. I always use an Aquapainter, Classic Ink Pads, and Classic Ink Refills when I watercolor . However, if I am going to use Copic Markers, I will use Whisper White Cardstock instead of watercolor paper. I may or may not emboss the image(s)prior to coloring; if I do NOT want them embossed though, I will use Jet Black Staz-On Ink instead of the craft ink.

Finally, I assemble the card using a combination of SNAIL Adhesive and Dimensionals. I add embellishments like ribbon, rhinestones, buttons, and brads to add some sparkle or pizazz.

That's it for today! Thanks for stopping by on this gorgeous Monday, and I hope that I have covered the questions that you all have asked. If you ever have any questions about a product, technique, or process please just let me know...I will gladly share whatever I can with you. I will see you all again tomorrow with another Greeting Farm creation, so until then...

Supplies

Stamps: Forest Friends (The Greeting Farm)

Papers: Basic Black, Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise, Watercolor Paper, Rockabilly Specialty DSP

Inks: Basic Gray, Tempting Turquoise, Only Orange, Kiwi Kiss, Basic Black Craft

Accessories: mat pack, paper piercer, dimensionals, clear embossing powder, heat gun, aquapainter, sponge dauber, adhesive, white gel pen, clear rhinestones, scissors

...MFT Sketch Challenge #78 (MFTSC78)

• This was my submission for this week's My Favorite Things Sketch Challenge #78 at SCS. I used the set "Home Sweet Home" from The Greeting Farm (TGF) to create this miss you card for one of my SU customers who moved to Pennsylvania. Can you tell that I am totally enjoying all of my TGF stamps? LOL! I used patterned papers from the retired Ski Slope Designer Series Paper pack along with Baja Breeze Cardstock, Real Red Cardstock, Old Olive Cardstock, and Watercolor Paper. The images were stamped in Basic Black Craft Ink, embossed with Clear Embossing Powder, then colored with an Aquapainter and Classic Ink Pads. The only embellishments used were Silver Brads, a Baja Breeze Corduroy Button, and some Silver Twine.
  
• That's it for today! Thanks for stopping by, and I will see you all back here tomorrow with a card for the SCS Color Challenge...if I like it! LOL! Until then...

...My Favorite Things Sketch

• This was my submission for this week's My Favorite Things Sketch Challenge #77 hosted by Cindy Haffner. I started with a Rose Red Cardstock base, then matted the additional layers with either Pacific Point Cardstock or Rose Red Cardstock. The large, light pink panel was a piece of Regal Rose Designer Paper from the 6X6 Patterns Pack II Designer Series Paper Pad, and it was pierced using a Mat Pack and Paper Piercer. The blue patterned paper was from the Pacific Point Designer Series Paper pack, and the darker pink was from the Raspberry Tart Designer Series Paper pack.

• The Whisper White Cardstock focal panel was created using Spellbinders' Classic Oval Nestabilities along with the Sizzix Big Shot. The image was from a set by The Greeting Farm called the "Miss Anya Collection". She was stamped in Basic Black Craft Ink, embossed with Clear Embossing Powder, then colored with Copic Sketch Markers. The sentiment panel consisted of a Clear Button that had been backed with a piece of Pacific Point Designer Series Paper...I punched out a circle using the 1" Circle Punch, ran it through the Xyron Sticker Maker (backwards so that the glue was on the front side of the cardstock), then attached it to the back of a large Clear Button. The sentiment was from the Hanna Stamps , and was called "Things Hanna Would Say". It was stamped in Jet Black Staz-On Ink onto s scrap piece of Rose Red Cardstock, punched out with the Word Window Punch, and attached to the button using Mini Glue Dots. The only embellishments I added were a piece of 5/8" Regal Rose Grosgrain Ribbon and two Silver Brads.

• That's it for today. I am back home from the weekend stamping retreat, and I am simply too pooped to party! Thanks for stopping by on this rainy Sunday evening, and I will see you all tomorrow with yet another creation! Until then...

Supplies

Stamps: Miss Anya Collection (The Greeting Farm), Things Hanna Would Say (Hanna Stamps)

Papers: Rose Red, Pacific Point, Whisper White, Patterns Pack II DSP, Pacific Point DSP, Raspberry Tart DSP

Inks: Basic Black Craft, Jet Black Staz-On

Accessories: mat pack, paper piercer, dimensionals, nesties, big shot, copic sketch markers, ribbon, brads, clear embossing powder, heat gun, punches (1-1/4 square", 1-3/8" square, 1" circle, 1/4" circle, word window)