Anniversary Swan

The color challenge this week, over at StampTV is black, white, and kraft. I had made one card so far, using Gina K. Design stamps, but I really have been trying to get some of my unmounted mystery stamps inked. I have had this pretty swan laying on my desk for days and thought it needed to get inky!

My middle border was stamped in tuxedo black Memento ink. The image was repeated from the new stamp set called Lace Edges, from Flourishes. The sentiment are words from their taglines set that is also a new release.

I pulled out an older set from Fancy Pants to get the flourish stamped across the top. My image was colored with neutral Copic Markers. Smoky and clear gems were used to halo the image.

Hope to see you again soon!

A New Award!

This was passed to me from my stamping friend, Olga. Thanks so much for thinking of me! If you get a chance, please visit her blog and leave her some love. Olga's blog is Craftieodamae.

One of the rules for this award is to tell you 10 things about myself.

1. I use to smoke

2. I worked in a flag factory during the Bicentennial.

3. I love musicals

4. My TV preference is Grey's Anatomy, Mercy, Private

Practice

5. I was married before when I was young and stupid

6. I love antiques

7. I drive a van like a soccer mom, but it is comfy!

8. I once sold a fish hook on Ebay for $1250..... what a story!

9. I feel guilty because I make cards now and don't keep up with my scrapbooks. 2 years behind!

10. My favorite color is cobalt blue

Now I have to pick some folks to pass this on to.

Cheri

Theresa Pollack

Diana S, Queen

Janice Melton

Brenda

Geri

Vicki

Rebekka

Tina

Sue

Can't wait to learn more about you girls!

Three Little Kittens

Just a quick little post to show this card I made using Jennie Harper's sketch this week over at Stamp TV. This is another one of my many unmounteds that I bought in a large lot. Any clues as to the maker? It really was fun to color! I am having such a fun time trying to use some of these stamps that I have never inked.

I colored the image with Copics and my colors were C1, C3, 0, RV10, W1, Y21, YG11. My card stock is Pure Luxury from Gina K. Designs. The dp is scrap from my bin. I used Nestabilities plain and scalloped. Cuttlebug folders were used for embossing and pearls were used for accents. Butterfly punches are from MS. The sentiment is a new one from Flourishes.

Thanks for stopping around and I hope you will come back soon.

P.S. For those offering good wishes for Dee's house purchase, thanks so very much :)

When Pigs Fly!

Today, the inspiration challenge over at Stamp TV, is to use checkered paper or ribbon somewhere on your project. Now, I usually use Gina K. stamps for her challenges even though we are permitted to use what we wish. I have never used these unmounted piggie cherubs out of my stash before, and just couldn't help myself!

My unmounteds are 99% unknowns, so if anyone has a clue, please let me know. I did use Pure Luxury card stock in the new Ocean Mist color. Isn't it pretty? My DP is from my scrap bin. Pearls and ribbon are my accents. Images are colored in Copic markers.

Well, it is hump day and boy am I glad. This has been a real long week for my family. Lots of hurry up and waiting. My DS has jury duty but has to call every night to see if they want him. So far, no go. My DD and her fiance have put a bid on a house and it was accepted. Then it had to go into attorney review. It came out of review yesterday and now house inspection is on Saturday. For those of you who follow her blog, she has been a wreck and could use a cyber hug. She just does not want to get excited until they tell her it is not going to blow up. House purchases in her area are very hard and they looked at almost 80 homes before this bid was accepted. Big sigh....... Please cross your fingers and toes and a little prayer would not hurt either. Thanks.

TMITA #18 Think Love

What an adorable image we have to work with this week, at There's Magic In The Air challenge blog. This week we get to use the giraffe and make a treat container or bag.

The base of my project is a band box from a very popular jewelry demonstration. My DD seems to get an over abundance of these and drops some my way. My dp is from Flavia. I used a template I had for the heart on top and made an "L" bracket to keep it standing then backed it with another heart. The sentiment is from Sweet 'n Sassy stamps, Chocoholic stamp set. All of the images were colored in Copics and the #'s are 0, C1, E00, E35, R39, YG99, and YR21. I accented with some small puffed hearts from K&Co.

Thanks so very much for stopping by, and I would love it if you would decide to follow my blog! Bye for now.

Color Throwdown #76 and Tami's Hop

One of the newest releases over at StampTV is a sweet set by illustrator, Tami Mayberry. It is called Happy Hearts. They are having a special Blog Hop with a place to add your creations with a Mr. Linky. Since I was able to purchase this set I sure wanted to make sure I created something for the hop!

The next problem was to come up with some cool colors to make it in. After searching many blogs, I found a challenge called Color Throwdown. This week, it is #76 and the colors that needed to be used for their challenge are Old Olive, Melon Mambo, and So Saffron. For once, I had all the colors needed! I am new to this site and saw some amazing work there!

My background is Melon Mambo card stock that was embossed with a Sizzix folder. I then stamped all of the smaller patterned hearts that come in the set with assorted colors. The middle heart was popped for dimension. The set comes with an assortment of words that can be combined to make different phrases. I used 2 lengths of paper ribbon that has been sponged in Old Olive to accent my row of hearts. I used 2 tiny puffed hearts to flank my sentiment oval.

Thanks for checking out my work!

Week 85 Something Sweet PBSC

This is my first time making a card for the weekly Penny Black Challenge. I had so much fun! I am also quite pleased with how this turned out. The challenge requires that you use at least one Penny Black stamp on your project and to depict something sweet. I do own many Hedgie stamps, but do you think I had just one with a cake, or cupcake, or anything sweet? Nope. I had to improvise and only ink the bottom portion of a stamp called Hedgehog Joy. It originally had flowers floating above it's head. I used a new set I just bought called Chocoholic from Sweet 'n Sassy stamps, added bon bons for the Hedgie to juggle. I also used a chocolate kiss border and flexed it into an arch to frame my image.

My designer paper is from the new Basic Grey collection called Sugar Rush. I cut out the image with my largest oval Nestabilities and sponged it softly with melon mambo ink from SU.
I used Copic markers to color my image and the colors were 0, C1, C3, E00, E31, E35, RV10, RV17, RV32, and W1. I accented with small heart brads, a tiny pink bow, and Sateen flowers that were tipped with RV17 and then blended.

If you would like to play along, please get over to the Penny Black Saturday Challenge site and check it out!

FTTC50 Peaceful Koi Pond

I was very excited to see the new challenge over at Flourishes, this week, was to create a scene. One of my very favorite stamp sets I have purchased from them is the Waterlily set. It includes 16 stamps and there are so many ways to use it!

I chose a very straight forward approach to this card, by stamping and coloring multiple pieces and then assembling them in layers using Pop Dots. The images were colored in OMS and colored pencils. My fish were all coated in Crystal Effects. I used Stickles for sparkle and I few Dewdrops as accents.

Have a wonderful Sunday!

TMITA Tons Of Love

This was another fun image from the fantastic Nina over at the "There's Magic In The Air" challenge site. I tried to think a wee bit outside the box on this one. The rules were to use this image and red ribbon, glitz and buttons. My red ribbon are in the form of ribbon roses, which I accented with branch punches from MS. For glitz, I used Xmas Red Stickles on the hearts, toenails, and star burst centers where she is standing. Now, as far as buttons go, I used a button stamp to create my background, and then used Crystal Effects to highlight them. I needed to pull in another color so I decided on an ice blue. I even gave her eye shadow in that color! I colored my images using Copics and colored pencils with OMS.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a wonderful day!

Oh, for me?

My beautiful, DD has gifted me with this special award! Her new blog has been coming along very nicely. The quantity of posts is not great, but the quality of her work is just gorgeous! She is my little perfectionist. I really hope you will give Dee Marie's blog, An Inky Imagination, a look and perhaps become a follower.

There are rules that go with this award.

1) Post it on your blog and post a link to the persons blog who has gifted you with it.

2) Gift this award to 15 bloggers that you have recently discovered.

3) Contact those you are gifting and and let them know where they can get their award.

Thanks so much, Dee Marie. I love you also. Now for the few new blogs I have recently discovered..... not 15.

To Colleen at Creative Paper Room

To Linda at her new blog Wonderful World of Cards

To Diana at Word Birds nest

Hope you enjoy passing this on to all the new bloggers you have recently discovered!

JUGs 16 Color Challenge

The design team over at Just Us Girls, came up with an awesome color challenge for us this week. Burgundy, blush, vanilla, and grey are wonderful colors together! Look at that awesome photo they included to get the old juices flowing.

I can't seem to get away from the Valentines these days so I figured I might as well follow through. My papers are all from my scrap bin. The bistro set is a stamp from CMC stamps, which I am assuming is a Canadian company, since there is a big maple leaf near the letters. I used a tag from the Tags To Go take out box by K&Co. Burgundy organza ribbon and half pearls make up the accents. i colored my image with Copics # C1, C3, and R39. Thanks for stopping by!

Blast From the Past at STV

Nestabilities have become such a staple in card making. Our blast from the past this week, brought to us by the creative Selma Stevenson, is to double up on our Nesties. I used my round, scalloped round, and fancy tags on this card. My stamps are from the newest set designed by Rupa Shevde for Gina K. Designs. It is called Sung From The Heart.

I colored this sweet umbrella using Copics # C1, C3, B21, and YG93. My sponging was done with ice blue chalk ink. My hearts were punched with a new EK Success punch I recently acquired. I used pewter half pearls for accents. After reviewing the challenge rules, I realized that I missed a very important second step she had added. I will leave this post stand, as I do love the card, but will have to do a redo for the challenge. Grrrrrr! Okay, I am adding a small photo of the update I did. Seems the image was suppose to do an overhang on the top Nestie. All better! My dp is from K&Co and the grey card stock is from my scrap stash. Let me know what you think! I really liked the first card so much better. Oh well, thanks for looking anyway.

Get Sketchy 21

I found a new sketch site that I thought would be fun to try out. It's called Get Sketchy.

The stamps I used have been in my stash for years. They are from Co-motion Stamp Co. The wood mount is actually heart shaped for the earth stamp. I used a brush marker to ink the earth and then colored with colored pencils and OMS. The flourish stamp is from Prima and is one of there new tiny clear sets that come with a row of clear gems. My flower is a collage Prima with a map on it. Thought that was appropriate. I created a flower center from a large brad. My papers are an unknown from my scrap bin. I added touched of Stickles to the small hearts for sparkle.

Today is going to be a play day, so I am sure I will be back with more!

Live, Love, Eat Chocolate!

I used the new weekly sketch over at Stamp TV, to layout my card. Jennie Harper, who is a wonderful card designer, has been our hostess for the last several weeks, sparking our creativity with yummy sketches.

My card base is one of the newer colors of Pure Luxury card stock, from Gina K. Designs, called Ocean Mist. My scallop circles are also PL and they are from Chocolate Kiss, as well as my scallop border and circles from Pure White.

The stamps that I used are from a new set I purchased while on a trip to Ephrata, PA with my daughter, Dee Marie. They are from Sweet 'n Sassy stamps and were designed by Korin Sutherland. They stamp with nice clean lines and are wonderful to color! I used my Copics and the colors were.....0, C1, C3, Y11, B00, RV17, E31, E35, and E57. I used a rich chocolate ribbon as well as an aqua dotted swiss. The little "enjoy" stamp is from Morningstar Stamps.

Is your little corner of the world warming up yet? They say we might see 43 today. Even my doggie is not bugging to come back inside... LOL! Have a wonderful day!

What's Old Is New!

It is so fun to find a stamp in your stash that has never seen ink before! This ladybug has been in my drawer since it was purchased. The only markings on the stamp say "Limited Edition R.S. 1997. Yep, I have had it that long! Isn't it sweet how you can open and close it's wings? Just a simply adorable little thing that is easy to color and assemble. Why haven't I used this?


I made a torn paper hill with a piece of Junebug paper from Basic Grey. I do happen to have quite a few Stamps by Judith, which are perfect for combining with other stamps to create scenes. The heart flowers I used are from her as well as the sticks and stubbies that made the dots, hearts turned into butterflies, and peeking grass. I combined Copics and colored pencils with OMS to color and shadow.

See what treasures you have hidden....... show them some inky love!

TMITA Miss Kitty

There is a new challenge posted over at the "There's Magic In The Air" website. Looked like fun, so here I am!

Hee, hee.... I messed with Miss Kitty a wee little bit and turned her into a grey tiger striped kitty. Now that was fun! I used a striped dp for my background from g.c.d.studios, Cloisonne collection. My coloring was Marvy markers, Copic markers and pencils and OMS. I sponged with chalk ink. I used a fancy corner punch, dewdrops, paper flowers, silver half beads, silver cording and puffy hearts from K&Co, to beautify her. She is one kewl Kat! Thanks for such a fun image, Nina!

JUGs 15 Technique....Add Stitching!

I thought this card was just perfect for the add stitching challenge that the JUGs crew has offered up this week. Sometimes we purchase things and rarely use them but I must say that since I bought my Janome, Sew Mini, I have used it constantly without having troubles. Very easy to operate!

My card base is Pure Luxury Chocolate Kiss from Gina K. Designs. The dp is from my scrap bin and I am unsure of maker. The stamp set I used was designed by Rupa Shevde for GKD and is quite fun to create with. I stamped my images in Memento, Rich Cocoa and then colored them with Copic markers. The colors used were 0, C1, B21, B23, E35, E57. There are highlights on the steam, cup and carafe that were done with my Stardust pen. I added brown Dewdrops down one side because they sort of reminded me of coffee beans.

Hope you're little corner of the world is warming up! Be back soon.

Close In Heart

I created this card to enter into 2 different challenges. The first is Selma's, Blast from the Past challenge over at Stamp TV. This one was a revisiting of using embossing on your card plus the addition of heart/ hearts somewhere on it. The second challenge, is the Flourishes Feel The Love challenge, which was to make the card of your choice as long as it is love themed.

My base card is ivory and has 2 stitched panels of dp that I added from the Cloisonne collection by g.c.d. Studios. I used a contrasting pattern across the bottom. My sentiment is from Rupa Shevde's Warm and Wonderful set, and was stamped with olive chalk ink and cut out with a Labels Four, Nestabilities. The edges were barely touched with a raspberry colored pencil and softened with OMS. The hearts are Spellbinders Shapeabilities and the embossed areas were accented with a Sakura stardust pen. My main image is from Gina K.'s Signs of Autumn stamp set. It was embossed with Ranger's fine detail gold embossing and then colored with Copic markers. I used 0, Y23, YG91, YG93, RV17, RV19, RV32. Other than my stitching, my only other accent, is a tiny bow that I tied through the holes in my heart.

FTTC48 Timeless Tuesday

This weeks Timeless Tuesday challenge over at Flourishes Newsletter, is to create a card using black and yellow plus add one extra color. I have chosen red as my plus. I used Flourishes, Beach Life set on an ivory base card. The background was created with the little flip flop stamp. I used Marvy markers to color. Sponging was done with a yellow chalk ink. Coconuts were added to the palms by using opaque black gems. I used a red organza ribbon and bow as accents.

See you soon!

Impression Obsession Spring Challenge

One of the first flowers that I remember seeing in the stores come Spring, are Primrose. They come in such a beautiful assortment of colors! I remember seeing a golden color with cranberry centers and thinking what a cool combination of colors!

The Impression Obsession Blog is hosting a challenge this week. It is for Spring/Love cards that are created with their stamps.

My flower image is called Primrose & Butterfly, and was illustrated by Gary Robertson. It is item F1103. My background stamp and circle sentiment are from a clear IO set called Spring Seals. My image was colored in Copics and the rest is stamped in olive chalk ink. I added some Stickles to the butterfly and flower centers for sparkle. I used my paisley Cuttlebug folder to create texture.

Thanks for looking!

Jennie's Sketch At Stamp TV

This is the sixth week that Jennie Harper has been in charge of getting our creative juices flowing with a new Thursday sketch challenge. I never know exactly where I am going when I do a sketch.

I did a combo of three different Gina K. Designs sets before I completed this card. Tropical Flowers and Not Forgotten (the daughter sentiment) are both by Gina. The beautiful pendant is from a set by Theresa Momber, called Timeless Treasures. I stamped the pendant with olive chalk ink and surrounded it with clear gems and pink pearls. I make slits at the bail and fed thin pink satin ribbon threw to complete the necklace. I added tiny little accents of color to the lady.

My card stock is creme de menthe, Pure Luxury, also from GKD. The dp I used is from g.c.d. Studios and is from their Cloisonne collection. My pink base is a scrap. The flowers behind the pendant were made by coloring the stamps with markers. I added piercing and sponging to finish.

To my friends in the Mid-West, I can not even imagine a -52 wind chill! Please be safe and warm. We are expecting a bit of snow tonight into morning and then the cold blast will reach us. I am sure it will be nothing like what you are dealing with. We have been in the 20's for days now. Oh well, more time to play!

JUGs 14 Sketch

This is me trying to get a little whimsical. I made this with the sketch this week over at the Just Us Girls website. The bird is delivering a message of "heart you evermore".

The dp I used is from Memory Box. There are 2 shades of teal card stock. I even drug out the seldom used deco scissors. My mailman bird is from Third Coast Rubber Stamps. I distressed my own white flower. Coloring was done with Copics. A primitive heart, circle, and MS border punch were used. Buttons, arrow brad, sponging and white opaque gel pen added to the distressing.

Thanks for looking!

TMITA Painted Pony

I haven't been able to participate in the There's Magic In The Air challenges for a few weeks but I had to find time for this adorable painted pony image. It is also a color challenge that uses 3 of the in colors from SU and a green that I did not have so I substituted for Garden Green.

I used a green textured card stock that had a white core. After I ran it through the Cuttlebug with a folder, I was able to sand it to let the white show through. To color my image I used my Niji waterbrush with ink pads and then accented in a few places with Copics. My sentiment is one of my zillion unmounteds and I have no clue who made it. I stamped it in dusty durango onto a manilla tag that was sponged in soft suede. My pony was pop dotted for dimension. I added some coordinating buttons that were threaded with paper. There is also a crushed curry grograin ribbon. Thant for letting me play along!

Another Creation with a Melanie Muenchinger Set

The set used for this card is another wonderful illustration by Melanie Muenchinger for Gina K. Designs. Not only are there many leaves, acorn and caterpillar, but beautiful sentiments and words to be used.

My base is Moonlit Fog Pure Luxury card stock by Gina K. I half embossed it with a Cuttlebug folder. My dp is a double sided unknown, possibly Basic Grey. I also used both sides of that dp to gold emboss my leaves and acorns. I added accents of color with Copic markers. Sponging was done with Sahara Sand ink form SU. I added gold half beads for sparkle.

You can still enter something made with Melanies sets over on her blog. It's not too late! She will be awarding some wonderful prizes! Be sure to check out all the talent that is Celebrating her 2 year Anniversary!

Melanie's Blog Hop Celebration!

Melanie Muenchinger is celebrating her 2 year anniversary as an illustrator and blogger by having a hop that has many designers posting creations made with her 25 sets. I started collecting stamp sets from Gina K. Designs less than a year ago, and I am still trying to complete my Melanie collection. Santa brought me 2 more which included her newest set, "Tech Talk". It is simply amazing to work with and I have seen so many creative items that have been made with it.

The card pictured above was created for her hop. I added a paper doily and some very fine ribbon to dress up my card. The screen sentiment is the only stamp not from the set. The laptop is far from tiny and is easy to paper piece. You can bling it up or make it masculine. There are so many pieces to this set that you can create a full desk top!

I really hope you will take a minute to stop by her blog and enjoy the hop links. Here is to you, Melanie! Keep bringing us your amazing sets to inspire us! Congrats!

Crocus Do Not Bloom In January Here

For Christmas, my DS bought me the Year of Flowers set that was just released by Flourishes. As I am just learning to use my Copics, I think this was a perfect gift for me to practice on. Crocus always make me smile because they tell you that spring is around the corner! Crocus, however, do not usually bloom in January here in Pennsylvania. At the end of February/beginning of March would be the best shot around here, and that is only if we have an unexpected warm spell.

I created a frame for this little floral using a scrap from a Nestabilities. I sponged and used my crackle stamp. My dp is an unknown. I used some deep purple ribbon from Gina K. and some very deep purple gems as my accent. If you have not seen this wonderful set of stamps, you must check it out!

Hot Valentine!

I did a little playing while my DD was home over the holiday and this was a sweet little Valentine I came up with.

The Image and the sentiment were part of a set that I purchased last season from The Cat's Pajamas. I combined them with some pretty dp that I have had for ages. Sponging was done with Melon Mambo ink from SU. I used scalloped oval and deckled rectangle Nestabilities to cut out my images. Adding blue paper flowers and puffy orange hearts from K&Co as my accents, finish things off.

I would like to wish everyone a very happy 2010. May it be a very healthy and creative year for all!