TECC57 - Springtime Wishes

Hello! - Time for another Cupcake Friday sketch from Taylor's blog.  -  I've missed the last couple of weeks but found some time today to do this weeks.  I was over at my mom's looking through some of her stamps and saw some really adorable stamps that she has so I borrowed a few and stamped them out (for future use).  I decided this little Duck just couldn't wait to be colored so away I went.                                            The stamp is called (Friend Duck - Uptown Designs). Don't you think it's just the sweetest little duckie ever!  I paired it with some designer paper (Die Cuts With A View) that I've had for a couple of years now.  I like the collage of Springtime sayings and pictures and based my color scheme according to the colors in the paper.                                                                          My card Base is Certainly Celery layered with Cool Carribbean (now retired) and then the designer paper.  I embossed a strip of Pretty in Pink with my Cuttlebug and an Embossing folder (With Love).  Then I added 3 Frosted Brads (Doodlebug Design) to the flower centers and 3 small brads (Queen and Co.) to the bottom and layered it to a piece of Close to Cocoa card stock.                                                                                                      I colored my little duckie with Prisma Colored Pencils blended with Gamsol.  I added some Melone (Art Institute) Glitter to the flowers, Cut out and raised up the tulip with foam mounting tape and layeed this to a piece of Apricot Appeal cut with a Rectangle Nestabilitie Die.  I added Pink Gingham ribbon and mounted the image with foam mounting tape to complete the card.  I didn't stamp a sentiment because I figured this could be used for either a Spring card or an Easter card and will probably stamp my greeting on the inside.

Now if our weather would just warm up and become more "Spring like"  I'd be perfectly happy.  In the meantime I hope this card brings some sunshine and cheer to your life.  Don't forget to visit Taylor's blog and click on the Mr. Linky's links to see all the other cards people have done using her wonderful sketch. 

Hugs and Springtime Wishes coming your way.

To "Alter or Not To Alter" that is the question

It's once again Friday and time for another Bloggers Challenge - This week was "Alter it - Alter Anything".  Well I hate to say it but for this week I am actually stumped.  I just am not a person who does this kind of stuff (yea I know that's why it's called a "challenge") but between PT appointments, taking my mom to the doctor, running errands, Bible study etc...I just didn't have time to try and be creative especially when I totally "suck" at altering things.  Not wanting to not have something to show I am sharing some pictures of a Wooden Box that I (altered) years ago.  It was at one time a plain wooden box.  I found the pictures on of all things a Kleenex box and carefully cut them all out that the Decoupaged them using Modge Podge (any one remember when that was the craze)...I've show one of the sides, the top and front of the box.  I hope this qualifies because I tried to do something today and it "flopped" big time so this is all I could think of to share.

I made two of these boxes.  One for my mom and one for my Grandma who absolutely loved it.  When she passed away in 1988 I got the box that I had made for her.  I know it's nothing fantastic but it's special to me. 

Be sure to check out the other Bloggers Challenge Members creations as I'm sure they'll WOW you more then I was able to this week.

TCT - Button Mouse

Are you ready? - Yep it's time for Three Clover Thursday Challenge and this week was a color/embellishment combo (Blue, Brown and Buttons).

I knew right away that I wanted to use a particular (button) on my card.  I received 3 buttons as part of a surprise package and wondered at the time, "What on Earth" was I going to use these huge buttons for but I kept them and low and behold I finally had a reason to use one as they fit the color combo perfectly.

Normally I am not a "button" type person as I find it difficult to use buttons but here on this card you will see 3 different button patterns but only 1 actual real button. 

I started with a card base of Chocolate Chip and layered it with designer paper (DCWV) and some Close to Cocoa card stock. I embossed some "faux" buttons with my Cuttlebug and distressed the other side.  Next up I colored my sweet little party mouse, (Whiff of Joy - Party Animals) with Prisma Color Pencils blended with Gamsol.  I highlighted a few of the dots with Saddlebag Glitter (Art Institute) for some sparkle.  I layered this to a Nestabilitie Die of Chocolate Chip and raised the bow of the party hat up with foam mounting tape. 

I wanted my sentiment to stand out on the dark card stock and tried a couple of blue pigment ink pads but they just weren't working out and then I remembered that in my stash of Embossing Powders I had one called, Breezy Blue (Embossing Arts Company - which is no longer in business) - I've had this powder for years but it still embossed quite well and matched the Turquoise Blue in my DP perfectly.  I love it when a plan comes together, don't you?  -  Lastly I added my cool button which I added dark brown thread to and used large glue dots to adhere it to the card.  Oops I almost forgot those 3 cute little "button" brads (yep those are brads) that I added to the focal image. 

Be sure to check out the other Design Team members blogs and leave them some comment lovin!  Also get out your browns, blues and buttons and get to creating then post your creation in the Mr. Linky section on Kerry's blog and you might just win something fun!

BC87 - Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep

Wow this weeks Bloggers Challenge was just that for me.  This week was an Inspiration Challenge and I was almost certain we'd done this challenge before but found out later it was similiar but not the same.  You can see the previous challenge photo here: and wouldn't you know it I had the same problem with that photo that I had with this one.    For some reason these colors and patterns just weren't sparking my creativity that well.  I purposely went to the LSS yesterday to see if I could find some paper with a Damask type pattern on it.  I figured that since I had already used the Textile Embossing folder on my last card I didn't want to repeat it again on this card.  I found a pattern that I liked and decided to try and build my card from there.  When I started             working on my card this morning I couldn't find any card stock in my stash that had the right color to match the pattern paper that I'd picked out.  I was starting to get really discouraged until I went into my files to look for a sketch/card that I liked to draw inspiration from.  That's when I hit upon this card by the "Uber" talented Julie Ebersole - The layout was so neat and since I had recently purchased the same Nestabilities Dies I figured I'd have a chance to showcase them by using this layout.  Since I was having problems with the color scheme I thought that a White Background would work and the inspiration photo does have some white in it (headboard, lamp) and that's how I happened on the inspiration for my card.
While I was at the LSS I happened to see a stamp set by Inkadinkado (Flourishes) that I thought was so pretty that it just found it's way into my shopping bag and I knew that it was going to work for my card once I figured out how to work in the color scheme that I wanted.
First off I need to add some color to my pattern paper as the background was originally white but I brayed Pretty in Pink over it for a two-toned effect.  Next I sponged Pretty in Pink ink on my Die and then stamped the Flower Flourish with Cranberry Crisp ink.  I added some half pearls from the Pretties kit (I seldom dig into that).  Then I stamped the large Flourish on a piece of Pretty in Pink ca with the Cranberry Crisp ink and distressed the edges as well then layered to Whisper White cs.  My card base is Stampers Select from Papertrey Ink. Then I added a bird from the stamp set stamped in Cranberry Crisp ink and raised it up using foam mounting tape.  Lastly I stamped my sentiment (SU) in Cranberry Crisp ink pierced under it to highlight and layered to the back side of the patterned paper.  All images raised with foam mounting tape. 
And that is how I was inspired by a Bedding Ensemble of all things. - Be sure to check out the other members blogs (click on the Bloggers Icon on my sidebar) to see how they were inspired.

Laughter is the best Medicine

Welcome to the First Ever Three Clover Thursday Challenge. -  Let me tell you I was more then thrilled when Kerry e-mailed me asking if I would like to be part of her Challenge Design Team. I didn't even hesitate a second before sending her a message back saying I would be delighted to be a part of her Thursday Challenge Team.

She divided us up into 2 teams so we'd be posting every other week.  She did say though that if we wanted to participate when it wasn't our week to be features we could.  I had some time this week and thought I'd give the Sketch she posted for the Design Team a try.  I love "sketches" as they really help to give me that "jump start" I ofen need when coming up with a card idea.

This card is also serving as part of another challenge (Stamp Girls Gone Wild - Mystery Image).  When I saw the Giraffe image that Pat had sent for the Mystery Image challenge I knew right away what sentiment I wanted to pair with it.  It just seemed so fitting with the expression on the Giraffe's face.

My card base is Kiwi Kiss which I layered with Good Morning Sunshine Designer Paper (SU). For the right panel I used Summer Sun cs distressed with the Cutter Kit and Chocolate Chip ink and layered with another piece of the GMS designer paper.  I also did faux stitching. I added a Yellow Flower and a Blue Brad to the upper right hand corner.

The middle panel is Old Olive cs layered with this really cool textured piece of cs that I bought a zillion years ago.  It's from The Paper Company. I also used the Scallop border punch.

I colored the Giraffe image with a So Saffron and Blush Blossom markers.  The sentiment (Hero Arts) was stamped with Pacific Point ink.  I added 3 green gems (Me and My Big Ideas) and layered this to Kiwi Kiss and Chocolate Chip cs that was also distressed with the cutter kit.  I raised this up using foam mounting tape.

Please be sure to visit Kerry's blog and those of the featured designers today and leave them some "stampin love" via the comments section.  Have a great day.

Friday the 13th and Love Story

What do these two Movie titles have in common?  Nothing really unless you realize that it's Friday the 13th and the Bloggers Challenge Theme for this week is Valentines/Love and the fact that my sense of humor is rather odd.  I'm actually featuring 2 cards today for this challenge. 

 My first card is one that we did last month at my January Stamp Club meeting.  I was inspired by a card that I found on SCS here - Thanks for the inspiration.  My card base is Old Olive layere with Pretty in Pink and Raspberry Tart DP (I love that paper).  I stamped the hearts twice.  Once with Cameo Coral ink and once with Rose Red ink.  I cut them both out and layered they on Pretty in Pink and Old Olive cs.  The Rose heart was raised up using foam mounting tape.  I stamped the small heart/circle with Kiwi Kiss ink and punched it out with 1/2" circle punch and mounted it over the (o) in the word Love with foam mounting tape.  I used Kiwi Kiss/Vanilla  ribbon, slot punch and 3 Rose brads to complete the card.  Really simple card but looks very elegant. 

 For my 2nd card I found my inspiration from a card done by Nancy Young.  I went with a Brown/Pink color scheme because I wanted to use some of the new Chocolate Box Core'dinations card stock that I bought.  My card base is Chocolate Chip layered with Pretty in Pink that I stamped with the small heart from the Cheep Talk stamp set in Pretty in Pink ink.  The sentiment is from retired SU set All Year Cheer2 and was stamped in Chocolate Chip ink.  I pierced around the edges with the piercing tool.  Then I ran a piece of the Chocolate Core'dinations card through the Cuttlebug with the Hearts embossing folder and lightly sanded it till the pink core showed through.  Next up I punch out the back side of the same card stock (see how bright pink it looks but when sanded looks pale pink) with a Labels 1 Nestabilities Die.  I added some Pretty in Pink Striped ribbon. Some Flower Fusion flowers in Chocolate Chip and Pink Pirouette.  The leaves are from a flower punch (Spring Flowers - retired) and punched in Gable Green card stock.  I added a pink heart brad (Queen and Company) to complete the card. 

Don't forget to check out all the wonderful Valentine creations by the other members.  You can do so by clicking on the Bloggers Challenge Icon on my sidebar. 

Have a safe Friday the 13th and a very Happy Valentine's Day.  Celebrate the ones you love.

Red, White and Blue means I love You!

I decided this week to try a new "Challenge" and decided on this one over on Little C's blog.  It's my very first time (hopefully not the last) participating in the challenge but I had a lot of fun with it and like what I came up with for the challenge.  I hope you do as well.  The challenge was to use the colors above and create a Valentine card with it.  Normally one thinks of Red, White and Blue as very Patriotic colors but I think they really worked for the Valentine theme.

I remember that I had this wonderful designer paper (My Minds Eye) in my stash that fit the colors so perfectly that I just had to use it for my card.  I started with a base of Night of Navy cs and layered Real Red and the striped designer paper.  Then I added a piece of Whisper White and some Red patterned paper (SU - Summer Picnic) that I stitched with my Janome Sew Mini.  I also added 3 White heart brads (Queen and Co.)  I used a Heart Die (Thin Cuts) to cut out the large heart in Real Red cs that I covered with glue and True Red glitter (Art Institure).  I layered that to circles of Whisper White and Brocade Blue cs.

My focal image is a new stamp that I picked up by Shirley's 2 Girls - Letter Hearts.  I stamped the image with Night of Navy ink and chalked in the envelope with Brocade Blue stampin pastels.  I added the same red glitter to these hearts as I did the larger heart. The sentiment was stamped with Paletter Noir black ink.  I mounted this to a Scalloped Rectangle (Nestabilities) and mounted it with foam mounting tape.

I think this is the card Hubby is going to get for Valentine's Day.  I hope the sparkly glitter isn't to girly for him but I couldn't help myself.

If you haven't already head on over to Little C's blog and check out the other cards for this fun challenge.

TECC54 - Cheery Cherry Cupcake

Time for another Cupcake Friday sketch from Taylor's Blog and this week I've got a Cupcake on my card!  You don't have to use them but if you've got them then why not use them!  -  I used this sweet cherry top cupcake from the new SU Hostess set (Darling Dots) for my card and paired it with (Summer Picnic - retired) designer paper.  For th cupcake image I stamped it using markers in, Real Red, Bashful Blue, Old Olive on Whisper White card stock.  This was then layered to a circle of Real Red and mounted on a Labels One Nestabilities Die.  I stamped the sentiment (Hero Arts) with Palette Noir Black ink on another piece of the Summer Picnic Designer paper.  The corners were rounded and this was mounted onto a piece of Bashful Blue card stock, distressed with the Cutter Kit and Bashful Blue ink.  I added 3 Old Olive brads.  I also used a piece of Bashful Blue card stock ran through the Cuttlebug with the Swiss Dot embossing folder and layered that to a strip of Real Red Card stock.  The Cupcake image was mounted with foam mounting tape. I also highlighted the Cherry with a Red Spica Glitter Pen. -  I love how cheerful this card looks.  Be sure to check out the other cards made by various partipants by going to Taylor's blog and clicking on the Mister Linky button which will take you right to each participants cards. Have a great week.                             

You've Got A Friend - BC85

Welcome to another installment of the  Friday's Bloggers Challenge Group. - I wasn't sure if I'd participate this week.  It's been a rather trying week for me.  I had a Nerve Conduction test done on Monday and found out that I do indeed have Carpal Tunnel in my right wrist.  I'd have a fairly good week last week with little or no pain and very limited tingling in my fingers at night so I was able to sleep decent almost all week long.  Tuesday arrived an I had Bowling League.  Well needless to say in spite of bowling so well (I had a 225 game!!!) my hand just doesn't handle the after effects and I was up almost all night again on Tuesday and pretty much the same on Wednesday night.  Due to lack of sleep and the fact that my fingers are going numb all the time I just didn't know if I could stamp much but thankfully I managed to get a card done to share.  Our cards are based on the above sketch (sorry I couldn't get it larger).  I did reverse the sketch to fit my card idea but it's still the same sketch.

Once again I chose to use the new SU set, (Cheep Talk) for my card.  This time I went with a base of Chocolate Chip that I layered with Kiwi Kiss embossed with the Distressed Stripes embossing folder and brayered lightly with Kiwi Kiss Ink.  Then I added a piece of the Good Morning Sunshine Designer Series paper and a  ribbon/bow of Alpine Orginials Felt ribbon (SU Holiday 08 Mini) that I purchased and just never got around to using.  I stamped the sentiment in Chocolate Chip ink and then pierced under it to high light the sentiment.  I stamped the branch in Kiwi Kiss ink and the small bird in Pacific Point ink.  Then I added the Pear in Summer Sun ink.  I added 3 light yellow dew drops as well.  This was layered on a scallop circle of Summer Sun card stock.  Then I stamped the larger bird with Pacific Point ink, maked it and sponges an oval of grass with Kiwi Kiss ink.  I pierced the corners and layered this to a piece of Chocolate Chip cs.  Both the focal images were raised using foam mounting tape.

So now it's your turn to check out the other members projects by clicking on the Bloggers Icon on my sidebar.  -  I need to go ice my hand now and hopefully get some sleep.  Take care and have a great weekend.