BC Wk 62 - Labor Day

Ah the miracle of computer technology....I pre-scheduled this post since I am out of town this Labor Day weekend attending my Stepson's wedding in CA.

The Blogger's Challenge this week was Labor Day - Patriotic or Baby - I got the connection between being in "Labor" for the Baby theme but couldn't quite understand the Patriotic portion for Labor Day.  According to Wikepedia here is the origin of Labor Day:

Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September. The holiday originated in 1882 as the Central Labor Union (of New York City) sought to create "a day off for the working citizens".
Congress made Labor Day a federal holiday in 1894.[1] All fifty states have made Labor Day a state holiday.
Traditionally, Labor Day is celebrated by most Americans as the symbolic end of the summer.
So I'm not entirely sure about the use of Patriotic cards for this holiday but I chose to do a Baby themed card instead.

I have so few "Baby" related stamps it was hard to find something to use but I managed to come up with this card.

I used the Giraffe from (Wild About You - SU) and the sentiment from (Riveting - retired SU).  Then I based my color scheme on the patterned paper from Debbie Mumm - Baby Boy which I purchased from Jo-Ann's.  I stamped the giraffe in Creamy Caramel and then colored the spots with Prismacolor Pencils and added some sparkle with my Clear Spica Glitter Pen.  Then I cut it out and mounted it on Whisper White card stock layered to Bashful Blue and distressed with Bashful Blue ink.  I added 3 Button Brads (source unknown).   The sentiment was stamped in Bashful Blue and mounted onto a circle of Pretty In Pink.  I used my new Cuttlebug Embossing folder to emboss the row of buttons in Pretty in Pink and also used the Scallop punch (SU) on the border.  Then I added a small strip of Kiwi Kiss card stock.  This was mounted to a Barely Banana Card Base that I distressed with Barely Banana ink.
I think it turned out pretty cute.  Now I'll just need someone to send it too but at the moment I don't know any pregnant women so it may sit awhile in the card drawer before it gets used.

Be sure to check out everyone's cards by clicking on the Blogger's Challenge Icon on my sidebar.
Have a great Labor Day holiday...Fall is around the corner and summer is winding down.  This year sure has flown by quickly.

Donating to a Good Cause

Hey, Do you want a chance to win some really great stuff (I talking about a lot of cool stamps)...Go check out this entry then on Mary-Jo's blog for all the details.
http://technostamper.blogspot.com/2008/08/you-can-win-over-200-in-brand-new.html

What a wonderful cause and for a small donation you can have a chance to win all that loot. Go contribute. I just did.

BC Wk 61 - A Touch of Country

Summer is winding down (where did it go?) and kids are heading back to school next week. For this weeks Bloggers Challenge Group our challenge was a Color Scheme (Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, More Mustard and Ruby Red)...those colors to me seem to signify the end of summer and the beginning of fall as the leaves will soon be starting to change colors on the trees.

Yesterday I posted a card for Julee's Mojo Monday sketch which I had altered to suit the image I used. Since I still wanted to play along using the actual sketch this time I chose to use her sketch for my card. So this is what's been referred to by some bloggers as a "two-fer" because I'm combining 2 challenges into one card.

I just got my new shipment of stamps from SU's new catalog/idea book and wanted to use one of the sets. I chose, Pocket Silhouettes. It has the neatest little images of plants and flowers and since flowers are a favorite of mine I just had to ink it up.

My card base is Old Olive distressed with Old Olive ink. Then I added a layer of More Mustard stamped in More Mustard ink with the retired Fine Lace Background Stamp. I added a piece of the new Chocolate Chip Designer Series paper and pieces of the new Old Olive Grosgrain ribbon.

My focal image was stamped by coloring directly on the stamp with Ruby Red, More Mustard and Old Olive inks. I added highlights to the flowers with a Clear Spica Glitter Pen (it doesn't show up in the scan that well but you can see it on the flower on the circle accent). I then did some faux stitching around the image with my paper piercing tool and a Chocolate Chip marker. I layered this to a piece of More Mustard distressed with the Cutter Tool Kit and layered on some strips of scallop ruby red using the new SU Scallop punch. The sentiment was stamped in Chocolate Chip ink and layered on Old Olive. I added a Ruby Red flower punched with the 3 For You punch and a More Mustard Brad. I pierced a line across the bottom and added Ruby Red brads. Although looking more closely at it now I see that a Rose Red brad found it's way into my container as the middle brad is a different color (but a close match).

I like the "Country" feel of this card. - Be sure to check out the other members cards/projects. You can find them by clicking on the Bloggers Challenge Icon on my sidebar.

Have a wonderful Weekend!

Moments to Remember

Owls are so "in" these days so when I saw this absolutely adorable Owl stamp (www.stampavie.com ) by Rachelle Anne Miller I just had to have it.  I started out trying to use the Mojo49 sketch from Poetic Artistry for this card but since my image was larger then the sketch called for I decided to just alter it to suit the look I was hoping for.

My card base is Old Olive and I layered that with a piece of BoBunny Designer Paper (Organic Marigold). I based the colors of my owls from the DP.  I added a strip of Creamy Caramel distressed with Chocolate Chip ink. Then I added the scallop border (SU Scallop Punch) in Really Rust Textured CS and pierced it with the Crafters Tool Kit.  I stamped the sentiment (Hero Arts) with Chocolate Chip ink and added 3 Old Olive Brads.

The focal image was stamped with Palette Noir Black ink on Stampers Select CS (Papertrey Ink)  and colored with Prismacolor Pencils blended with Gamsol.  I highlighted the owls eyes and the little caterpillar with Spica Glitter Pens.  You can see how sparkly they are in this closeup. The image was cut out using a Rectangle Nestabilites Die and mounted on a Chocolate Chip Scalloped Rectangle.  Then I added a super cool flower by Sassafras.  I just couldn't see putting that flower under my image so that's why the sketch ended up being altered.  If you notice the little caterpillar was alos raised up on foam mounting tape.

I just love the expression on the owls faces.  My mom said it looks like they are wondering who is going to get the worm first (ick!)  Hope you find your own special moments to treasure in your heart forever.

$630 Worth The Rubberband! - Not for the squeamish

It's Monday and that usually means it's time for a "Cattitude Monday" entry.  I had high hopes of getting a card ready as I just recently received an adorable cat image that I planned to use for my entry but alas my plans were altered for this week.

Instead I bring you another tale (or "tail" ) of our own furry household.  Be warned that this photo is going to be GROSS so don't look if you are squeamish at all.

Saturday night our little furry buddy, Harley decided to get sick again and upchucked another piece of a rubberband (We have no clue where he found this one).  At any rate he continued to get sick throughout the evening and into the night.  I was up pretty much every hour on the hour as he was pretty sick and I had to get up and check on him, clean up the mess and make sure he was okay before I'd crawl back into bed.  At 6:00 am we made the decision to call the On-Call Emergency Vet and have him looked at.  The Vet had to take X-rays to determine what was wrong but she was pretty sure he still had something in his stomach so we agreed to surgery to find out. 

This is what was inside his stomach and had started to work into his intestines.  Pretty Gross, huh?  It's the rest of the rubberband, a small stick and a bunch of hair and thread.  Disgusting! 

I am happy to report that Harley was able to come home this morning. Here is a picture of him looking pretty "sassy" after he got home.

He's been doing pretty good since he got home but he's winding down and resting right now.  It was quite an ordeal.  While the Vet had him under she offered to Neuter him for only an extra $10 so I guess the title of this should have been $620 dollars worth the rubberband!

Lastly a picture of his incision.  He'll be on Antibiotics for a few days and also a laxative formula so he can clear out all the junk he couldn't while he was plugged up with that nasty rubberband.

Guess you know that we are going to be EXTRA careful now to keep him out of rubberbands, strings, thread, etc...as the vet said they can be repeat offenders and believe me we know because if you remember this post you'll know this isn't the first time he's ever done this but hopefully it will be his last time.  We're just happy to have him home safe and sound.

Sunset Sympathy

Here is another Sympathy card that I recently made.  I based it off of a card made by Beth Silaika found here.   I wanted to try my own take on a Zindorf styled card.  If you haven't visited Michelle's blog Freedom in Creating be sure to stop by and check it out.  She has some "Awesome" art work and tutorials on her blog.

For my card I used the new Tangerine Tango  for my card base.  I love how rich and vibrant it is.  I layered that to a piece of Apricot Appeal.  Then I took a piece of So Saffron and masked a circle using a PostIt Note and sponged on, Summer Sun, Tangerine Tango and Pumpkin Pie Ink and removed my mask. Then I stamped my tree branch (Hero Arts - Trees, Birds and Messages) with Basic Black ink.  I colored in the leaves with Old Olive and the Flowers with Tangerine Tango ink using my AquaPainter.  I highlighted some of the flowers with a Clear Spica Glitter Pen.  Then I lightly stamped the Canvas Background (SU Retired) in Apricot Appeal Ink and stamped my sentiment Brighter Tomorrow (SU Retired) with Basic Black ink. I pierced holes along the bottom using my Crafter's Tool Kit.  I added Apricot Appeal Grosgrain ribbon, Prima Flowers and Orange Brads from Queen and Co. and then Photo Corners punched in Tangerine Tango to complete the card.  I really liked how this turned out.

I have a "Sweet Tooth"

One of my favorite blogs to visit is Taylored Expressions and I have long been a fan of Taylor's Cupcake Fridays but have never participated in any of her challenges.  I thought this week was a good time to start as I really liked the sketch.  You can find the sketch here     I really like the look of a long card as you can play around with it so much more then the standard size (41/4x51/2) card.

For this card I used an image by Stampendous (Tiers of Treats).  I had one of this image as it was sent to me as a "thank you" for a recent purchase from Eclectic Paperie and I thought it would be perfect for this sketch.  I just love all the little Sweet Treats on this platter.  I can just imagine being in a Pastry Shop and sampling some of these decadent desserts.  Yum Yum! 

I chose to use a white card base (Stampers Select from PapertreyInk) and layered it with a darker green textured card stock (Bazzill).  Then I added some patterned papers from BoBunny (Shabby Princess line). I love the Polka Dots and the Stripes are so pretty.  I based the colors of my sweet treats off the designer paper.  The image was colored with Prisma Color Pencils and blended with Gamsol.  I added some little details to the image with Crystal Effects, Liquid Applique and a Red Spica Glitter Pen.  Here is a close-up that shows a little more of the details.  To complete the card I added ribbon by American Crafts and Offray. I also added a Large Red button and 2 tan brads (Queen and Co).  The image was mounted on Sage Shadown card stock and I used small pieces of Chocolate Chip as accent strips. The focal image was raised with foam mounting tape. The Sentiment is from Hero Arts.

I had a lot of fun with this sketch and hopefully this won't be my last time participating in Taylor's Cupcake Challenge. 

BC59 - Same but Different

Hope you have all had a wonderful week.  It's winding down now and we can all get ready to enjoy the weekend.  In the mean time it's Friday Challenge Day for the Blogger's Challenge Group. This week our challenge was (Same but Different). What that actually meant was we were to create 2 cards using the layout of our choice but different stamps for each card.  So I chose to use a layout from Taylor's Cupcake Challenges.  It's an older one that you can find here: http://tayloredexpressions.blogspot.com/2008_05_01_archive.html You'll need to scroll down the page a little to see her card and sketch.

I also challenged myself further to use some yet "uninked" stamps that I've purchased but never gotten around to using. 

For my first card I chose this adorable little stamp by (Great Impressions).  It has a sentiment on the stamp but I cut it off and mounted it separately on the side of the stamp. The image was colored using Prisma Color Pencils and Gamsol.  I highlighted the little flower with a Yellow Spica Glitter Pen.  The ribbon is from JoAnn Essentials line. I used the Ticket Corner Punch on the corners and added Mini Brads (Queen and Co.) and a punched flower (Three For You Punch - SU).

My card base is Pacific Point (I love this blue) from SU's new "In Colors" layered with Red Riding Hood Red also another new "In Color" and distressed the edges with the same color of ink.  Then I added the pretty floral patterned designer paper (source unknown since I cut the tab off - Silly Me). My strip in the middle was done using Pacific Point, Kiwi Kiss (Embossed with Cuttlebug Circles Embossing Folder). The image and sentiment (I just used a portion of the entire sentiment) were mounted with Foam Mounting Tape.

Card Number 2 uses this elegant reindeer stamp by

Inkadinkado and a snowflake stamp from SU's retired set, Nature's Secret. The card base is Old Olive layered with patterned paper (Basic Gray - Fruitcake line) that I stamped the snowflake on with Red Ridinghood Red Ink.  The piece down the middle is the reverse side of the designer paper and I added white scalloped borders using SU's new scallop border punch.  The Reindeer was stamped using Red Ridinghood Red ink and highlighted with Spica Glitter Pens and Stickles.  I cut it out using Rectangle Nestabilites Dies.  Card Stock was, Old Olive, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White.  The ribbon is Always Artichoke Grosgrain.  My sentiment was computer generated.  Then I stamped the snowflake off once and onto my sentiment using Red Ridinghood Red ink embossed it with a VersaMark pad and Iridescent Ice EP.  I added 3 Dew Drops to the side and mounted the image and sentiment with foam mounting tape.

Isn't it fun to see how you can use the same layout and yet create very different cards just by changing your stamps, papers, colors, inks etc...So be sure to check out the other members and see what they came up with for this weeks challenge.  You can find them by clicking on the Bloggers Challenge Icon on my sidebar.

Have a great weekend! - Ida

Coffee With A Friend

I saw some cards being posted on blogs using this sketch and just had to try it out myself.  In fact it was the Wednesday sketch on Splitcoaststampers SC188 if you want to check out all the other cards using this sketch

My card base is Chocolate Chip that I layered with the new Kiwi Kiss and distressed with Kiwi Kiss ink and my distressing tool.  Then I added a piece of designer paper by BoBunny.  I stamped my coffee cup from Flourishes on Whisper White card stock and again on the patterned paper.  I cut the coffee cup and saucer out and glued them over the image.  The saucer was raised up using foam mounting tape.  Then I stamped the steam using Chocolate Chip ink and highlighted it with a Clear Spica Glitter pen (it doesn't show up in the scan but is pretty in real life). I stamped the sentiment with Basic Black ink.  The sides were distressed using Ranger's Brushed Corduroy ink. Then 3 brads (Queen and Co.) were added and the edges distressed again.

The triangles were done using the reverse side of the patterned paper and ran through the Cuttlebug using the Swirls embossing folder.  It reminded me of the steam from the coffee cup. The focal image was mounted with foam mounting tape to complete the card.

Soft Sympathy

Here is another Sympathy card that I sent recently to a fellow church member who just lost her brother. I started with a base of Perfect Plum layered with Pale Plum.  I added a layer of Pink Pirouette (it's such a soft dainty pink) that I ran through my Cuttlebug using the Textile Embossing Folder.  I added strips of Perfect Plum and Shimmery White that I used my new SU Scallop punch on and 3 Pretty in Pink brads. 

For the focal image I used (Live Your Dream) and colored directly on the stamp with markers, (Pale Plum, Mellow Moss, and rocked it onto my Perfect Plum pad for some highlights.  I misted the stamp before stamping it onto the Shimmery White card stock.  The butterflies were stamped with Pink Pirouette ink.  This was mounted on a Scalloped Rectangle of Perfect Plum that I cut using Nestabilities Dies.  The main image was mounted with foam mounting tape.  I computer genrated the sentiment.

Super Blog Giveaway

Hey do you want a chance to win some super cute and absolutely adorable stamps? Well DUH who wouldn't. Well right now Katharina (Whiff of Joy) is having a 100,000 Hits Blog Giveaway. So what do you have to do to enter? Well hop on over to her blog using this link: http://katharina1704.blogspot.com/2008/08/100-000-hits-blog-candy-elisabeth-bell.html and you'll find all the information you need.
Now I have yet to purchase any of these wonderful stamps but I can assure you that sooner or later I will be buying some. (Have to save up my $$ first). They are so cute and this line is just wonderful. Maybe I'll be the lucky winner!

GO Quick and check it out for yourself.

4 and 20 Blackbirds Baked in a Pie

Did you really think there were going to be blackbirds in a pie here!

Okay so this isn't about the song but hey I couldn't come up with anything related to blackberries that was as clever.



So here is my granddaughter Coleen helping to bake her very first pie! (She's only 3 1/2). 



First photo we are dumping the blackberries into the measuring cup.

Next up is pouring in the sugar. After that I showed her how to cut shortening into the flour.  She actually thought that was a lot of fun.

Then she learned how to roll out the dough and cut in the air vent.Doesn't she look dangerous!  After that we pinched the pie shell together.

Let me tell you she was having the time of her life and Grandma was having fun too.  I think children should learn to cook at an early age and not from a box or mix either.  That's great for saving time but there is something to be said for learning to cook from scratch and it taste so much better too.

So here we are with the finished pie and then of course we had to eat it.  YUM YUM.  I hope you have enjoyed this pictorial on Coleen's first blackberry pie baking experince.

Cattitude Monday - A Tad Late...

Hi There!

It's Monday and while I normally try to post my Cattitude Monday entries on Sunday night so they'll post very early Monday morning I did not get this card finished until this morning. So if you get e-mail updates from me and it's Tuesday before you see this card just consider it retroactive!

I am still trying to learn how to use my Copic markers better so if anyone who is more of an expert then I am has any constructive comments on my coloring with these markers please feel free to let me know.

Card Details: Stamps: Hero Arts, Linen Background (Stampin'Up!)

Ink Pads: Palette Noir Black, Copic Markers*(Question for readers, Do you like to know the exact colors used?)
Card Stock: Brocade Blue, More Mustard, Textured Rust and Patterned Floral from Chatterbox

Other: Black Mini Brads (Queen and Co.) More Mustard Brad, Scalloped Square Punch (Marvy), Flowers (source unknown), Lace Punch (Martha Stewart), Photo Corner Punch (SU), Distressing Tool.

With Remembrance

This post is one of those that you wish you never had to post due to it's nature.  However death is a part of life and so it becomes necessary at times to post these kinds of cards.  Friday I attended the Funeral Mass of a man that I had worked with many years ago.  In fact it's been about 23 years since we worked together.  He was a great supervisor and one that challenged me to do things that I would have never done on my own.  He forced me to become more out going instead of being scared of my own shadow and for that I will always be grateful.  He was fun to work with and always had some great stories to tell and he made me laugh.  It's rare that one finds a co-worker that they can feel that comfortable with but I did.  So this post is dedicated to, David M. Deccio who died July 25th at the age of 61.  May his spirit rest in the arms of the Lord and may his legacy live on in the lives of those he touched.

  I sent this card to his wife and son.  I wanted something that was more Masculine and yet serene.  I was browsing through my stamping magazines looking for something that fit that criteria when I happened upon this card,  by Debbie Olson (Thinking Inking) on page 66 of the August/September issue of Paper Crafts magazine.  I just loved her card sample and thought that I could recreate the look using stamps that I own.  I think it turned out really well.  So Debbie if you are reading this a big, "Thank You!" for your inspiration.

Stamps:  Coast to Coast (SU - Retired), Sentiment from PTI (Paper Tray)  Card Stock:  Shimmery White, Basic Gray, Basic Black.

Ink: Palette Noir Black

Other:  Textile Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug), Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon, Circle Punch, Black Mini Brads (Queen and Company), Foam mounting Tape 

                       

BC Wk 58 - Color My World

Happy Friday Everyone! For our challenge this week we had another color scheme, (Old Olive, So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie and Rose Red)  After pulling out these colors and looking at them I had "no clue" as to how I was going to work them all into a card.  I like the colors but that Rose Red was throwing me off a little.  I tried (in vain I should add) as I searched through my piles of designer paper to find one that had all 4 of those colors but alas my search came up empty handed.   So what's a stamper to do...Well "light bulb" moment here, Create my own patterned paper!

So I pulled out my ink pads and set to work using flower images from (Priceless) to create this lovely floral background paper on Whisper White card stock.  I really like how bright and cheery it turned out.  Then I decided on my layout and "Voila" my card was done!  Well maybe not that quick.

Details: Card Base: Pumpkin Pie layered with Old Olive (textured), So Saffron that I punched using the new SU Scallop punch which will be in the soon to be released 2008/09 Fall and Winter Idea Book (so why hasn't UPS delivered mine yet!!!) Then I pierced holes in each of the scallops and added a strip of So Saffron and Rose Red at the top of my pieces as well. I stamped my butterfly in Pumpkin Pie ink, cut it out and embossed it using a VersaMark pad and Iridescent Ice EP.  I mounted it to a 1 1/4" Circle of So Saffron, glued down the body and lifted the wings with foam mounting tape.  This was layered to a 1 3/8" circle of Old Olive and then onto a Scalloped Circle of Rose Red that I raised with foam mounting tape.

I stamped the sentiment with Old Olive Ink and added 3 Saffron brads to complete my card.

Simple and Easy but I like it! - So now be sure to check out all the other great projects using these colors and then go COLOR YOUR WORLD with some great colors like these (or even use these).  Have a great day.