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.