Unity Sketch of the Month

     Morning, friends!  here is a quick post for the Unity Sketch of the Month.  I used the December KOM, called Everyday Fairytale.

     My card stock and designer paper is from Gina K. Design.  My tilted panel is bordered with a MS punch that looks like an iron fence.  I took some liberties with the sketch and moved my embossed sentiment to the top, then using twine as my horizontal feature.  I embossed the bulb with gloss black and added a touch of a blue glow with Copic marker. I gave the bulb a bit of a lift with dimensionals.

     That is it for me right now.  I hope to get more stamping time in today!  Stay warm and God bless!

Last Friends with Flair for 2012!

     Well now, here we are with the end of 2012 fast approaching.  I wanted to finish off the year with a bang, so I got to creating.  I decided to use the current Unity Kit of the Month, called "Everyday Fairytale".  It has such dreamy stamps!  If you would like to link up a Unity creation for a chance at a prize, please check out the blog for details.

     I kept both of my cards in the same color scheme.  Here is what was used:

White and Chocolate card stock
Designer papers are from Basic Grey's, Konnichiwa 6x6 pad
Inks are TH Distress Inks in Broken China, Peeled Paint, Gathered Twigs
Accents are square paper doily, pearls, and glittered brown nail heads

I decided to also enter this over at the Basic Grey Challenges, where it is an Anything Goes.
Might as well add these to the Simon Says Stamp Challenge, that is Anything Goes!

     I hope you and your family start off 2013 happy and healthy!  I love when you pay visits!

Merry Christmas!

     Hello friends, and fellow bloggers!  Hope you are having a wonderful time celebrating the holiday!  Things are already calming down, here at the Kelemen compound, LOL.  We celebrated a day early and this morning, the last of your children packed up and departed.  May you be surrounded by loved ones and enjoying special times.

     As we head into the New Year, I want to thank each and every person who has encouraged me with this adventure in card making/stamping.  I look forward to learning and sharing many new and exciting things!

Friends with Flair

     It's Friday and time for another post for Friends with Flair.  Please be sure to check out the Unity Blog for inspiration from some totally amazing designers.  Heck, if you add a creation of your own, you may just be lucky enough to win a fabulous prize!

     My December KOM ( Everyday Fairytale) has arrived, and I was excited to stamp a little something using it.  First up is a love card using a sentiment and the book stack stamp.  My designer paper and cranberry card are from Gina K. Designs.  I colored with Copic's, and added twine and a button as accents.

     Next up is a sympathy I needed this week for the family of a sweet, 97 years young lady, who loved her Irish heritage.  The So Sorry banner is also part of this months KOM.  I added a die cut Vivienne butterfly from Memory Box, as well as some vintage shammrock stamps.

     My third and last card is one I made to add to my Operation Write Home box, I just shipped out.  All Valentines need to be in their hands by the end of December....  Phew, they are outta here!  The stamps used on this card are from my grab bag of loose Unity stamps.   I saw the design on Pinterest, and cased it.

     Okay, that is it for me today!  Hope everyone is knee deep in holiday prep.  As for me, it is off to work!  Thanks for visiting.

Babies x 2!

     Today is the family shower for my daughters SIL.  She is expecting identical, twin girls in the early days of February.  I was asked to attend, but was unable to make the trip.  I just wanted to share the card I created.  I made a little inside pouch for a gift card, but realized the place she is registered, is not in our area.  It worked well for cash, also!

     I used the gorgeous pea pod images from Beyond The Fringe.  Coloring was done with Copic Markers.  I added die cuts from an SU! die called Little Leaves.  I cut apart a trim I had for the pink centered daisies.  There is sparkle, and piercing, with the addition of  Stamps by Judith dots and hearts.  There is an MS border and corner punch used, also.

     I am sure it was a really fun time.  Can't wait to hear all about it!  I know I had a grand time creating this card.  They also did a "bring a book for the library" theme!  Too cute!  Thanks for taking a peek.

Friend with Flair! Another week gone!

     Time is just zipping along! Today I would like to share a card for Friends with Flair, that I created using stamps from a grab bag at Unity.  I just adore the pears, and sentiment!  You can also link up a Unity project, and possibly win a prize!  Just check out the link over on the Unity Blog.

     My image and sentiment are both stamped in Pistachio Memento ink.  I used a green textured card stock, as well as ivory Pure Luxury from Gina K. Designs.  Coloring is done with Copic Markers.  I added ivory crocheted lace from JoAnn's Fabric, leaf ribbon form May Arts, mini flowers from Prima, and some olive pearls.  I love the way things layered up, and that it can be used as a love, anniversary, or thinking of you card.

     Hope your holiday prep is perking along.  Thanks for the visit.

Friend with Flair.... Busy Friday!

     Morning!  I just wanted to get my card posted for FwF, over on the Unity Blog.  It's been a bit of a crazy week, with the holiday, kids home, and hubby packed, away, and home early from a trip.  Today I want to share a card that only includes a Sentiment from the November KOM, but was such fun to create!

     I pinned a card, over on Pinterest a few days back, and just had to try making these candles.  You use the Modern Label punch for the body of the candle, and the wing from the Bird Builder punch for the flame.  These are both from SU!  Add some great papers, a few MS branch punches, and gems, and you have a super holiday card!  I am thinking these would make great OWH cards for next year (minus the sparkles).

     Off to do some wrapping!  Enjoy your Friday!

Studies in Green

     I have two cards to share this morning.  My first is for Simon Says Stamp, and is an Anything Goes Challenge.  I decided to case a sweet embellishment I saw over on Pinterest.  This little tutu is created using the SU! Tab punch and one of the petals from the SU! Blossom Petals Builder punch.  You create the neck with a circle punch.  The skirt was punched from green vellum and I scratched in some lines with my piercing tool.  The rest of the card was created with scraps, gems, ribbons, unknown stamps, except for the sentiment which is from Clear Dollar Stamps.

     My second card is following the sketch over at the Repeat Impressions Blog.  I needed a retirement card for next week, and when I saw this stamp with the hammock, I knew it was a perfect choice.  I only own this one stamp set from them, but boy did that work out!  I stamped the image in Rich Cocoa, colored with Copic Markers, sponged with Pool Party and Old Olive ink from SU!, and cut it out with a SB Postage Stamp die.  The banner was created with olive glitter card stock, and the designer paper is from Wild Asparagus. The sentiment is from the Congrats! set from SU!.

     Phew, I am sure glad I was able to get this loaded.  If I disappear, know that I am having computer trouble.  My computer just didn't want to wake up this morning.  It is kind of like me, LOL!  Thanks for popping by, and have a great day.

Art Impressions #89

     Here is a quick little card I created for the current challenge over on the Art Impressions Blog.  The challenge is called "Quillin Like A Villain".  I have not done much in the way of quilling, so I opted for a bunch of balloons.  This little baby and sentiment are some of the first stamps I ever bought from Art Impressions, and they have been well loved!  The #'s are D943 and G941.

     My background was embossed with Swiss Dots, and I added some Stickles, and bakers twine for balloon strings.  The coloring was done with Copic Markers.

     Not sure what I am up to today.  Perhaps I will be back again.  Thanks for stopping around!

OWH Sketch, and Pretty Snow!

     If you are looking for my earlier House Mouse post, Click Here.

     I am back with another post to share.  First I have a photo of the snow, outside my front door.

     Next is a card I made following the new sketch at the Stars and Stamps Blog.  My card stock, papers, and pine stamps, are all from Gina K.  The sentiments are from my new Flonz Christmas Sentiments.  The sweet little felt deer, is from Hampton Arts.  Add in the twine, manila tag, Distress Inks, and TH reinforcers, and you have a cute holiday card!

     Great day for stamping!  Thanks for stopping back :)

House Mouse Monday Challenge #133

     Here is a card I created for the latest challenge on the House Mouse Blog.  This time the theme is "I am thankful for......" , with the focus on babies!   I decided to use my Butterflight HM stamp.  For some reason I find this image hard to color.  However, I am pleased with how it came out this time.  My designer paper is embossed and is from K&Co.  Coloring was done with Copics and image was cut with Classic Square Spellbinders.  The sentiment is from an old SU set called Riveting.  I added ribbon, floss, pearls, Stickles, and MS butterflies as embellishments.

     It is snowing here, and the roads and ground are all covered!  It looks so pretty!  Thanks for visiting today!

Black Friday and Friends with Flair!

     Good morning, and a happy Black Friday to all.  I personally don't buy into the sales hype, but I know lots of people look forward to this day of mayhem.  Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving, filled with family and friends.  I know that my family was in the moaning (full belly) stage for a very long time.

     Here is a quick Valentine I made for Friends with Flair,  using the new Unity KOM called "so into you".  It includes some designer paper, a Swiss Dot embossed heart punch, s strip of K&Co paper ribbon, piercing, and some really great stamps!

     Since I work in a retail setting, I can't totally avoid the mayhem.  Guess I will go prepare for battle!  Thanks for stopping by.

Friday... must be Friends with Flair!

     Good morning, everyone!  Sorry I have been scarce with posting and commenting, but life is a little crazy right now.  We also celebrated a milestone birthday for my ever loving hubby, this week.  That was exciting!  We will celebrate both of ours with the children over Thanksgiving.  How did we ever get so old?  Hope all is well in your little piece of the world.

     This week, for Friends with Flair, I was able to create a couple of cards with the new November KOM, So Into You.  You are sure going to love this amazing kit!

     Card one is a CAS card that uses the gorgeous feather stamps in the kit.  I stamped them in SU! Old Olive, True Thyme, and Crumb Cake.  My arrow was stamped with Memento Rich Cocoa.  I created a scored frame, and added Crystal Effects to the feathers to add a little texture.  All were stamped on ivory Pure Luxury card stock, and then popped onto a olive, textured card stock base.

     Card two is a bit more elegant and uses the gorgeous flower and sentiment from the kit.  I stamped in Versafine, and clear embossed.  Coloring was done with Copic markers.  The flower was fussy cut, and popped  onto a heart paper doily.  My designer paper is from Wild Asparagus.  I added leaves from an SU! die that was gifted to me from a dear friend.  My sentiment was added and cut out with a Spellbinders die from Ribbon Tag Trio Two.

     That is it for me.  Hope you have a wonderful weekend, and a fabulous Thanksgiving!  That is mostly for my Unity friends whom I may not see again before next Friday.  Be sure to head over to the Unity Blog, and check out all the other links for inspiration!

OWH Mid Week Throw down

     It has been quite the week for all Americans.  The election took place and now it is time to honor our Veterans.  Here is to you and all you have done to keep us safe!  Thanks to all who have served, past, present.

     The Mid Week Throw down, on the Stars and Stamps Blog, asks us to flood the blog with red, white, and blue.  I also made it into a Valentine that a hero might send home to a friend.  I stuck with the color theme, using white card stock, blue embossed designer paper from K&Co, and some red scraps which I embossed with Swiss Dots.  My DD lent me this border punch from EK Success (sorry I don't know the name).  My sentiment is from Stampers Best and my eagle is an unknown.  Both of those were stamped in Color Box Lipstick Red.  Sponging was done with Midnight Muse from SU!.  My only other addition are a couple of red Dew Drops.

     We finally have sun!  Woot!  I bet it has been 3 weeks since we had a real sunny day.  All of the neighbors solar powered lights are dark at night. It feels so nice and warm on the skin.  I got out and started a wee bit of holiday shopping.  That felt great, also.  Gosh, before long the house will smell like turkey!  Hard to believe, huh?  I even saw many folks outside putting up their lights since it is so warm.  Probably a smart move.  Anyway, thanks so very much for visiting.

House Mouse Monday Challenge #132

     Well, the weather people messed with us again.  It is still cloudy here, and we even had a quick shower.  I was so looking forward to some warm sunshine!  Ah, alas, it's not to be.

     The newest challenge, over on the House Mouse and Friends blog, is hosted by the amazing Sue Drees.  It is called "Getting Ready for Christmas".  Thanks Sue!

     I have really been in this crazy mood where I want to use up bits and bobs.  I had these squares of metallic card stock hiding on my desk.  I punched smaller squares with a 5/8 SU punch to create the presents for under my tree.  Then I wrapped them with scraps of bakers twine.  The tree stamp is one of my zillion unmounted-unknowns.  I colored that with Memento Markers and sponged with Gumball Green and Crumb Cake inks from SU!.  Then there is my precious House Mouse.  He/she was taken from a trio that had bows stuck to their noggins called Wrapped and Ready.  It is colored in Copics, and Diamond Stickles were added to the bow.  Also, there is the gingham ribbon border with MS branch punches and gems.  My designer paper is from a scrap and my die cut is from Spellbinders Romantic Rectangles which was embossed with a Swiss Dots EF.

     I never seem to have cards ready for small children, so I thought this would be great to have on hand.  Thanks for stopping by!

Friends with Flair and Simon Says

     Morning all!  This week I created a sympathy card to add to my stash.  You know how hard it is to come up with a good design when you are under pressure, right?  I saw these gorgeous stamps in my Unity KOM from 1-11, and decided to play with a monochromatic card, with a raised panel.  The stamps I used are the flower border at the bottom, and the sentiment.  Both were stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  I found this damask b&w print strip in my stash and split it between the front and inside.  I got a few strips of Washi tape involved, as well as an MS butterfly, punched out of black.  A few pearls were used as accents.

     If you would like to see who else linked up this week for FwF, check out the Unity Blog.

     If you would like to see other fantastic examples of Sympathy/Thinking of You cards, please click over to the Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog, for this weeks challenge.

OWH Sketch Challenge #145

     It is a stormy day on the east coast, so I stayed home and worked on a few Valentine cards for the cause.  I saw the newest sketch, and although my cross piece is a bit wide, I figured I would link it up to the OWH Blog.  Here is Sketch 145 and my card.

      I used some card stock that I found hiding in a closet.  It is the color of True Thyme ink, form SU!.  I created a panel with a Sizzix embossing folder.  My sentiment is digital from Gingerhouse, cut out with Spellbinders, Labels Ten, and sponged with Old Olive.  I thought these apples were so cute, as they were part of a digi subway art that I cut up.  The heart has diamond Stickles, and then is coated in Crystal Effects, to make it safe for our Heros  I added some bronze mini brads as embellishments.

     My next card is from the same color palette and uses scraps of this and that.  It has a white base, layered with the True Thyme, and o piece of SU designer paper. (unknown)  My "I love you" sentiment is on a Modern Label punch and the stamp is from Love You To Bits.  I punched some hearts from scraps as well as my owls.  There are Crystal Effects on the green heart and the owl eyes.

     Card three was really fun!  I found this digi I had printed out ages ago for a bookmark.  I shortened the panel, and did some piercing, sponging with True Thyme ink.  I embossed and sanded a panel to gets some more texture in.  My designer paper is Wild Asparagus.  I punched a couple of contrasting hearts and coated them with Crystal Effects.  They are popped with mounting foam.  A sentiment banner was made 

using my favorite Valentine stamp from Craft Smart.

     Well that is it for right now.  I started making cards for the troops too late to get a good jump on Fall and Christmas, so I am trying to make as many Valentines as I can.  I just have to keep reminding myself to keep the layers to a minimum.  Have a great evening!

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A Couple of Shares!

      Morning, everyone!  Here is a quick post of a couple challenges I have done, and have sitting on my desk.  The first is for Simon Says Stamp this week, and the challenge is called Get In Shape!  I found this sweet little birdhouse pattern, and went to town.  The pattern is from Paper Crafts magazine, and was designed by Kim Kesti

Other items I used are:

SU bird punch
Simon Says Stamp/ Memory Box Harrington Die
Assorted card scraps and an unknown glittered designer paper that I won.
Gold Cording from SU!
Color added by Copic markers, white ink.

     When this card is received, I thought the front could be removed and either used for a tag or hung as an ornament.

     The next cards are for the OWH Mid-Week Throwdown.  We are to start on our OWH Valentines for sending to our hero's.

     The first card is made from extra paper pieces I had left over from earlier in the week.  I just loved the colors, and used the negative from die cutting and filled it in with random hearts. The die is Sweet'n Sassy heart die.  My sentiment is from Love You To Bits.

     Card two was created by going in a drawer, and just picking out a stamp.  The one I chose was a rose from Inkadinkado.  I colored it with Memento markers and shadow stamped.  The sentiment is from Studio G.  There is a border die from MFT Die-namics.  Sponging is Cameo Coral SU! ink.

     Thanks for stopping by!  Hope your weekend full of fun!

Friends With Flair, and Joan's Gardens!

      It is once again time for the Friday, Friends with Flair link up, over on the Unity Blog.  I have really gotten quite a few cards made this week, but I will just show you a couple.

      My first card is one I will use for sending a Thanksgiving wish.  Who would have thought that one sheet of double sided paper and  few punches could create this!  I sure had fun playing!  Here is what I used.

Kraft card stock- Pure Luxury
DP from K&Co Margo pad
EK Success order punch
Assorted leaf punches
Sentiment from Unity KOM 10-12
Gem flower from K&Co.
Ink is Color Box blush rose

     Card two is another playtime creation.  It started with an inked embossing folder, and just happened from there.

White card stock (lots of it)
Inks are SU! assorted blues and old olive
Embossing is the Cuttlebug swiss dot folder
My stamps are from Unity KOM 1-11 (snowmen)  and my Itty Bitty Winter Delivery Tag
Coloring is with Copic markers
Snowflake is MS with a small circle center.
Diamond Stickles and mini brads are my embellishments

      I would also like to enter this card over at Joan's Gardens, where this week we are asked to create Winter Cards.

     My DH is on his way to a job in Baltimore, and just passed fleets of power company trucks headed north.  As this is affecting my family as well, this is the best news I could ever hear!  Still praying for all those who are having their strength tested at this time.  Please, Gov. Christie, get these folks some emergency fuel to keep warm and so they can get to work. The gas lines are 4 hrs. long.  My DD has enough gas to get far enough into PA tonight, so she can fill up and come home.  I see lots of warm food and relaxing in store for my weekend.

OWH Sketch #144 and Mid Week Throwdown.

     Hi folks!  We were very fortunate to escape Sandy with little to no damage.  I am still concerned for  my DD in Northern NJ, who was told no power for 1-2 weeks.  She took a walk today to survey the neighborhood, and said lines were on the road everywhere and most houses had at least one tree on top of it.  She lost siding and has a tree in her yard, but it is not her tree.  The hard part will be keeping warm as the temps have dropped to the low 40's.  Just glad it is not worse.

     I would like to share two cards I made for OWH.  My first card is the Mid Week Throw Down, which is to Celebrate Friendship.  I used my Unity KOM 1-11, called To the Moon and Back.  My inks are SU! Crumb Cake and Midnight Muse.  I cut stars with my Sweet 'n Sassy star dies and dangled them with twine threaded through silver eyelets.

     Card two is for Sketch #144 and is  made with Pure Luxury card, dp from DCWV, and a white embossed ornament from SU!.  I do not know the embossing folder, as it was one of my DD's.  My sentiment is from Unity KOM 10-12.  I added some silver cording from SU!.  I see some fuzzies on this one, and I know I trimmed them.  Grrrr!

     Thanks for stopping around.  I know these cards are fairly simple, but they were fun to make.

Simon Says.... Autumn Leaves!

     Over on the Simon Says Stamp Blog, the new challenge is Autumn Leaves!  Gosh, I think that after hurricane Sandy enters and exits, most will be on the ground, awaiting clean up.  Here is a card that I created that shows my love of the fall.

      I found this gorgeous stamp from Impression Obsession hiding in a bin near my stamp table.  it is called Colonial Fall.  I did not want to solidly color the image, so I got out some sponges and dabbed color here and there.  I added a few touches with Copics, just to give a bit of definition.  I decided to cut it out with the Spellbinders Floral Ovals.  A little more sponging was added to the edge, and then it was time to mount it using foam tape.  The designer paper is an unknown, but the card stock base is Pure Luxury.  For embellishments, I made a hemp bow, and punched and sponged some leaves.  The punches are from McGill and Emagination. One simple amber gem finished it off.

     Thanks for the visit, and I hope to play more today!

It's Friday!

      Time for Friends with Flair, and time to strut some Unity creations!  Check out the blog, leave some love for the people who have linked up, and you may be the winner of some yummy Unity stamps.  Of course, if you have a Unity creation to add, link it up!

      Today, I created a card that uses the August KOM 2012.  I was inspired by the sweet little row of apples and the open font.  I used a red card base and then tried making a paper quilted background from 1/2" strips.  That was really fun, and I love the rich colors I was able to put together. Coloring was done with Copics, and sponging is done with Distress Ink.  My embellishments are stitched red ribbon, and colored mini brads.  I added a little shine to the apples with some Glossy Accents.

     My second card is using the new KOM of October, called Labeled {From Ours To Yours}.  Again, I  used scraps, from my stash.  I stamped my deer and sentiment in Midnight Muse ink, cut it out with a deckle rectangle die, and added scattered hearts from the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps heart die.  I liked the non-traditional colors.

     To my east coast friends, get the batteries and bottled water ready, cause Sandy is planning a visit.  To the rest of my blogging friends, have a wonderful autumn weekend!

House Mouse Monday Challenge #131 and Hop

      There are some exciting things going on over at the House Mouse Monday Blog.  That excitement includes a hop with tons of prizes, and a new Challenge with a Spooky, Sweet, and Colorful theme.  Be sure to click on the link and check out all the wonderful inspiration.  The colors of choice are Orange, Purple, Lime Green and Black.

     Today my card uses a House Mouse stamp called Monster Mouse.  I trimmed out the scary one and added him to a Halloween background with die cuts from K&Co.  I added a wee bit of hemp twine and an multi- color gem.  The card base is a soft orange card stock I just unearthed from my stash.

     Hope all is well and praying that Sandy takes a turn out to sea, this weekend.  If you are to be in her path, take things seriously, and batten down the hatches!  Thanks for stopping for a visit.  I just love your comments.

OWH Sketch #143 with Tonic

     After looking at all the totally creative designs that people are coming up with for the new OWH sketch,  I decided I needed to play along.  This week, they are featuring Tonic punches, but I do not own any.  I will have to see if we can change that.  For now, this is what I came up with.

Card stock:  GKD Pure Luxury
Designer Paper:  Basic Grey- Konnichiwa
Die: Memory Box- Latchette Border
Stamps: Unity
Embellishments: Recollection pearls.
Ink:  Memento-Rich Cocoa

     Thanks for stopping by.  It's another beautiful day here in PA.  I am finally feeling human again, with just a wee bit of sniffles hanging on.  I think I shall venture to work for a couple hours, to try and build up my strength.

Just Can't Miss My Friday Flair!

      The new KOM arrived!  If you are going to give me new holiday stamps, then I guess I best use them!  I decided to put together some of the Halloween stamps, and see what I came up with for my Unity, Friends with Flair post, this week.  I took the large feature stamp and removed the center.  I added some webs and a sentiment plus the pumpkin face to create my focal point.  The base is black card, layered with MS designer paper, buttons, twine, gems, and a flat back spider button.

I would also like to enter this over at Simon Says Stamp Challenge blog!  This week, it is Joy's Eerie Inspiration.

      It is a rainy day here in my area.  Hope whatever you have planned for the weekend, you enjoy.  See you next time!

Clearing Off The Work Space.

     Here are a couple of cards that have been laying on my desk.  They don't really have a home, but were mighty fun to create.

      My first card is a love card, which is always needed for OWH.  I started with a white base and layered on some awesome paper that was a gift from my DD.  She said it was Stampin Up!.  I cut a thin strip for the center, since it reverses to black.  My die cut is from MFT Stamps, called a Die-namics die.  It is their open scallop edge.  My stamp is from SU!'s set called Love Is A Great Thing.  I stamped it on white, sponged on Pool Party, and Cameo Coral inks, and then highlighted the letters with a Copic marker.  I hit the border with a Sakura Stardust pen, and then covered that with a glaze pen, so that the sparkle did not leech anywhere.

     Card two is a monochromatic card.  I used the cupcake set from Impression Obsessions stamped in Memento Pistachio ink. I cut my images with the Spellbinders Deckle Rectangles.  A punched a border with an MS punch called Bangle Chain Trim, was used.  I was also trying out an amazing border stamp I won as part of a blog candy package.  Thanks, Julie!  I think it is a Unity stamp, and I love it!

      Okay, that is 2 more that can be filed.  Thanks again for all the well wishes.  This is real slow going.  I am suppose to hear from the Dr.'s office as to my throat culture, today.  How exciting!  Have a great day.