absc033 - A Big Bunch of Love

Hello!   Wow 2010 is just about over and we're about to start another New Year.  It's been a year of "ups and downs" but one that has also been filled with great friendships, fun and blessings as well.  I want to thank all of you for visiting my blog this past year.  This will most likely be my last post of 2010 but I'll be back again "Next Year" and hope you will be as well.

The latest Annabelle Sketch is today's challenge.  Love this sketch.

Here is my card:

I love this adorable little "Bee" or "bug" as I've never seen a silver/pink bee in my life so we're using our imaginations today. 

For this card I started with a White base (Whisper White-SU cs) and added some textured Pink Passion cs and some patterned designer paper. (Sorry but I don't know who this piece is from) I also used some SU Brushed Silver cs as well.  The image was colored first with Watercolor Crayons from Caran D'Ache that I rarely use (but may have to rethink using them).  I wasn't happy with the watercolor look though as I almost always get way to much water from my Aqua Painter so after it dried I colored over some of the image with my Prismacolored Pencils.  I added a jewel heart and some silver sprinkles both from Annabelle.  The sentiment and Bee are both Annabelle stamps.  Also used were circle Nestabilitie Dies and some Polka Dot ribbon from Annabelle.

Be sure to stop by the DT members blogs.  Also we are looking for a new DT member so be sure to check that out on the Annabelle Blog.  You'll love working with Andrea and her wonderful line of stamps so be sure to try out. 

Hugs and many wishes for a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!

BC192 - Merry Christmas

Hello and Merry Christmas! - As we head into Christmas Eve the BC Challenge Group is sharing Christmas cards today.  I have several to share as I hadn't yet posted them.

First up my "Inspiration" Christmas card.  I was inspired by this card that my mom received in the mail:

Here is my version:

As you can see I did add a "pop" of red not in the Inspiration card.  Stamps used:
Annabelle ( Borders by Design 1 for the Polka Dots,)Annabelle (Holly Branch) for the Sentiment and SU (Retired Paisley).
Card Stock: Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla, Whisper White, Brushed Gold, Pear Pizzaz.  Ink: Always Artichoke. Felt Poinsettia-Hero Arts, Star Brad - Making Memories.  Gold EP - SU.

Card #2 Went to my dear friend, Elena
Card Stock: Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler, Cool Caribbean, Whispher White.  Stamp by Stampendous.  Colored with Prismacolored Pencils.  Snowflake Punch-Martha Stewart, Wavy Border Punch, EK Success, Sentiment Stamp, Hero Arts, Ribbon-SU White Grosgrain, Glitter-Art Institute

Stamps-SU Greeting Card Kids, Artful Inkables-Peaceful Wishes, Paper is an old pattern I've had for years. Ribbon-JoAnn's.
Card Stock: Handsome Hunter-retired SU, Prismacolored Pencils, Glitter-Art Institute, Ink: Handsome Hunter.

One of my favorite's that I made was this card.  Stamp Set: Christmas Critters-SU
Card Stock: Cherry Cobbler, Old Olve, Very Vanilla.
Designer Paper - Sorry I forgot to write this one down.  There are actually 2 patterns used.  I embossed the Snowdots Embossing folder on the top piece. Images colored with Prismacolored Pencils.  Scallop punch-SU, Faux Gems-Source unknown.

Can you stand one more:

This one went to my oldest brother and his wife.  They love the outdoors and have a cabin in the mountains.

Stamp Set: Holiday Treats and Tails-Artful Inkables, Card Stock and DP-SU, Prisma Colorpencils, Snowflake Punch-MS,Liquid Applique. Cream Grosgrain Ribbon, Nestabilitie Die.

There were more but perhaps I'll share them after Christmas.  I hate for these ideas to go to waste.  Just haven't had time to post everything trying to get all caught up for Christmas.

I do want to take a moment now to wish all my readers a very Merry Christmas and Holiday season.

BC191 - A Sketch and Some Information

For my Annabelle Card please click here:  It's the last release of the year and there are two great sets available so be sure to check them out.

Hi,  Gosh I've missed the last 3 weeks of Blogger Challenges so I decided to play today.  It's a "sketch" week and those are always fun to do.  Here's the sketch:  This is a fun sketch but different from what I normally do. I did change the 2 side circles and instead use some Holly Leaves but the general sketch idea is still the same.

Now before I go into the details of my card I'd like to tell you about an organization that I've become a part of.

It's called, Mail For Cheer.  There are "volunteers" who send out cards to the people listed in the Newsletter.  I have just taken over putting together this newsletter and will start sending it out to the volunteers in January.

The purpose of this Newsletter is to list anyone who may need some "cheering up" for any reason.  It could be that they are going through tough times, illness, or just want some happy mail to brighten their day.  Sometimes people request cards for relatives celebrating "milestone" birthdays as well.  The volunteers get listings of anyone needing a card and their address.  They then send them a card.  They don't have to include a note but it's always nice to say something.  The volunteers know that no reply is expected back but sometimes the recipient's do send them thank you notes.  My mom has been a long time volunteer and was at one time a recipient of cards after she had her knee surgery and after my dad passed away.  I think this is a wonderful idea and know that many people are in need of encouragement, and just some good old fashioned happy mail. 

So if you know of anyone for that could use some cards please send me their names/addresses.  You will need to let them know though that they may receive mail from people they don't know.  Generally it will be marked that it's from Mail For Cheer but it's always a good thing to give advance notice that they might be getting cards from the volunteers.  Please send requests to my email address:  idratherbstampin@bmi.net and use Mail For Cheer in the subject line.

Now the details on my card:

Card Stock: Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Whisper White

Designer paper is an old piece I've had for years.  SU Sentiment stamped with Old Olive ink.

Punch by Martha Stewart

Snowflake Embellishemtn from Making Memories  - I added Glitter to the snowflake and mounted it on a nested circle of Cherry Cobbler cs.

Holly Leaves - Annabelle Stamps

Bell embellishement is a button that I cut the prongs off and mounted with some glue dots.  Ribbon from SU.

Have a wonderful weekend.  I'll be doing my Christmas Shopping - I know nothing like waiting until the last minute. 

Annabelle December Release - Day 2

Hello and welcome to Day 2 of the December Annabelle Release.  Judging from the comments on the first preview (Stemmed Flowers) you really liked that set.  Today we have another fabulous Border set to show off.  This one is:
Borders by Design2  Aren't those borders divine.  To top it off there are several small icon size stamps that can be used in a variety of ways.

Here is the card that I created today.  I've seen several cards on various blogs using a White and Silver color scheme and just thought they looked so elegant that I had to try my hand at creating one.  So without further ado here is my card:

I stamped one of the border on a strip of Whisper White cs and embossed it with Detail Silver EP.  Then I stamped one of the little medallion stamps the same way and popped it up at the end of the row.  Then I embossed portions of a piece of white card stock with the Swiss Dot embossing folder, embossed th sentiment (from - Holly Branch) with Silver EP.  I added my border strip, tied silver cording on and added this to another piece of white card stock punched with the Layered Arch punch-MS and added Silve Sprinkles to complete my card.

So now if you're ready it's time to start hopping.  -  You should have started the hop from the Annabelle Blog -  If you arrived at my blog from Sue's blog you are on the right track.  From here you will travel over to Rene's Blog and continue on arriving back at the Annabelle Blog.  You can WIN this fabulous set by just commenting on each of the Design Teams blog and then letting us know you've completed the hop back at the Annabelle Blog.

Have fun hopping.

Annabelle December Release - Day 1

Hello! - Well if you are anything like me you're still wondering how you're going to get everything done in time for Christmas.  If not...I want to slap you (just kidding).

Today is the first day of the December release for Annabelle Stamps and that means it's also a
BLOG HOP.  You'll start on the Annabelle Blog
and hop your way around the Design Teams blogs leaving a comment on each blog along the way.  Then head back to the Annabelle Blog and answer a simple question for your chance at winning this set:  Stemmed Flowers.

Isn't it pretty! - So many possibilities.  I wish I would have had more time to play with it but alas I was only able to create just one card since I'm still trying to finish up my Christmas cards and get them mailed out.  I hope you like what I came up with though.

I have been stuck on Christmas cards and while this isn't exactly a Christmas card it could be used for one since I used holiday colors.
Card Base: Always Artichoke.
Layered with Whisper White and Old Olive accents.  Designer paper is retired SU.
Inks: Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler and Basic Black (smiles sentiment).
Other: Punch-MS, Brads-SU,
Blossom Sprinkles-Annabelle Stamps, Paper Piercing Tool.

Now you should have arrived here on my blog from Sue's Blog  and your next stop will be Rene's Blog - Hopefully all the links will be working correctly.  If not the order of blogs goes as follows:
AnnaBelle Stamps Blog

Andrea
Kylie
Teresa
Sue
Ida
Rene'
Jerusha
Tiffany
Iwona
AnnaBelle Stamps Blog - All links are on my sidebar.

Have fun hopping!

Say it with...Red and Green

Hi! - Wow can you believe that Christmas is just 15 days away! Yikes, I'm so not prepared.  So to get you in the mood today's Annabelle Challenge is to Say it with...Red and Green - Perfect for Christmas.  I did two cards,  One of which I wasn't to thrilled with but am sharing anyway and the other I liked a lot better.  See if you can tell which one is my favorite.

This card has a card base of Glorious Green (retired SU) then layered with Real Red that I stamped stars on (you can't see them very well) from the Annabelle Set, - Santa's Star.  Next I stamped a row of trees from the same set on Gable Green cs (also retired SU) with Green Galore ink.  I stamped a single tree the same way and mounted it to Real Red cs and highlight the star with glitter.  I added a punched border (Martha Stewart punch) some holiday ribbon from Annabelle Stamps and stamped the sentiment with Real Red ink on Green Galore card stock.

For this card I embossed the bottom of some Glorious Green card stock with an embossing folder (Cuttlebug-Provo Craft) and brushed White craft ink on to.  Next I embossed some Whisper White cs with the Swiss Dot embossing folder and once again used that fun ribbon from the Annabelle Store.  I used the set,  Christmas Wish and stamped the background panel with Real Red ink and then stamped the Flourish with Glorious Green and the Sentiment with Real Red.  I used a circle Nestabilitie Die to cut this out and mounted it on the focal panel with foam dimensional tape.  Lastly I added some Holly leaves and Chili Sprinkles both from Annabelle.

Be sure to stop by each of the DT members blogs and see how they used these colors.
Off to make more Christmas cards...almost done.

Holiday Trees

Here's another card that I made and let my mom have.  I did two cards using the same stamp but in different ways so you'll be seeing the one that I kept for myself later on.

For this card I used two cute $1 stamps (Studio G) that I bought at JoAnn's.  I colored the tree trio with Prisma Color Pencils.  The sentiment was stamped with Cherry Cobbler Ink.
Card Stock: Old Olive, Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler.
Punches: Circle and Scallop Circle Nestabilitie Dies-Spellbinders
Scallop Circle Chain - EK Success
Old Olive Brads-SU
Glitter: Art Institute

Also if you have a chance I've been posting some Art Work of Coleen's on her little blog and would love it if you'd stop by and check it out.  The latest piece is here:
http://creativecoleen.blogspot.com/2010/12/oh-come-let-us-adore-him.html  but there is also an entry below that one.

Enjoy your day.  More holiday cards to follow in the coming days.

Gingerbread Greetings

Hi,  Wow it's been a few days since I've posted a card. 

I've been working the last couple of weeks on Christmas cards (still have a few left to make) and just haven't posted much on my blog.  So today I thought I'd share this little card that I created and gave to my mom to use.  I helped her with a few of her cards this year too.

This one was so fun and simple to make.
I started by punching out the Gingebread figure, piped on the icing (Liquid Applique) and then assembled the rest of the card.  Easy peasy!

Details: Card Stock: Garden Green, Bravo Burgundy, Pink Pirouette.
DP - Basic Grey
Punches: Gingerbread
Daisy Scallop - EK Success
Sentiment Stamp: Hero Arts
Pink Gems
Burgundy Ribbon
Snowflake Embossing Folder

Say it with...Christmas Scene Baubles

Hello! - Well are you all prepared for Christmas? - Me, not so much.  I'm still working on cards, need to buy gifts and try to do some holiday baking as well.  So much to do...so little time.

So today the Annabelle Challenge is:
Say It With Christmas Scene Baubles.

This is a wonderful holiday set.  I've never heard of the globes being referred to as "baubles" as I've always called them "ornaments" but whatever you call them they make awesome cards.  Today however I chose not to use the globes but rather one of the little scenes in the set and the words.
I saw this adorable card in a magazine and decided I could do something similar with my Annabelle Stamps and this is the result.

I started with a card base of Garden Green (now retired SU).  Then I used an SU background stamp, Wood grain) and stamped it with Close To Cocoa (sadly another retired SU color) on Crumb Cake card stock.  Next I stamped the trees with Garden Green ink on a separate piece of Crumb Cake cs forming a little forest.  Added some snow using, White Liquid Applique.  I added sparkle to the trees with some glitter.
Then I added strips of Cherry Cobbler cs.  I stamped the sentiment with Chocolate Chip ink before mounting my focal piece with foam dimensional tape.  Lastly I added some small Chili Sprinkles to complete my card.  It's really a simple and easy card but I like how it turned out.  Great for those "last minute" cards.

Now you can try this challenge yourself using this set or if you don't have it I'm sure another Christmas Bauble set would also work.  We hope though you like this set enough to order one for yourself or someone else as a gift perhaps.  As always there is a prize up for grabs ($20 Gift Voucher) at the end of the month for anyone entering any of the monthly challenges.

For those wondering my blog header is actually a picture of our house and my mom's next door.  We put the lights up on Saturday in a snow storm, spent 5 hours at it.  I know CRAZY but hey, it's pretty and festive don't you think.  Snow melted  on Tuesday and yesterday during a rain storm but arrived again today.  Getting good use out of our new Studded Snow Tires!

absc32

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Whether or not you've already celebrated or even if this isn't a holiday you celebrate where you live I think we all have things to be "Thankful" for in our lives so this wish goes out to everyone.  Thank you all so much for your faithfulness in visiting my blog, for you wonderful comments and for you friendship and continued support.  You all mean a lot to me and for that I am thankful.

So today it's actually Friday in Australia and time for the newest Annabelle Sketch challenge.  Here is the sketch:

As you can tell with my card I rotated the sketch to fit my image.  Isn't it great that we can do that!

I started off with a Card base of Old Olive layered with Cherry Cobbler and Designer Paper from Basic Grey.  I've been using up a lot of my old papers rather then buying new ones.  The stamps I used are from last year's Christmas release, (Wise Men).  I silver embossed the Baby Jesus and the Sentiment and then used Copic Markers to color in the image.  The star was done using an SU Crushed Curry Marker.  I added an embossed strip of Cool Caribbean and some Silver Sprinkles to complete the card.  The focal image was raised with foam mounting tape. - Now it's your turn to try this sketch out.  You have a month to try this challenge or any of our other weekly challenges.  You can even combine them.  One lucky participant will receive a $20 Gift Voucher to the Annabelle Store.

Take care and have a great day. - We've had an early winter here and it's very cold so I'm staying inside where it's nice and warm.

Time for some Christmas Cheer

Happy Monday! - Look what arrived here yesterday.  -  Oh I am so NOT a fan of winter but this little one sure loves it.

We even went out and built a snowman together. - Should have got those Christmas decorations up on Saturday as it looks like we're in for more of the "white stuff" this week.

So now I'm going to share some Christmas cards with you to help get you in the mood.

I recently participated in a Mystery Image swap and the Hostess sent everyone this awesome packet of pre-stamped images along with papers, embellishment's to create our card/s with.  We had to send one card to our partner and the rest of the supplies we could do whatever we wanted to with them.  Most of us decided to make 4 cards and share how we used the items we were sent.  So here are my 4 cards:

Supplies:  Card Stock: Very Vanilla, Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler and Certainly Celery and the Designer Paper is: Jolly Holiday

Stamp Set: Contempo Christmas

We were able to add any embellishments that Rose did not include in the packet and I did use some Old Olive brad and some Silver Cording on two of the cards.

Have a great day.  I need to go shovel snow.  UGH!

Also if you'd like more Cuteness check out this link on my other blog:

http://wishesdreamsandotherthings.blogspot.com/2010/11/sweet-coleen-and-little-bit-of-nature.html



CIC86 - Let's Talk Turkey and a Farewell

Hello!  Wow Fall  is in full force and winter is nipping right on it's heals. 
Welcome to CIC Challenge #86 and just look at these gorgeous Fall Cupcakes.  They look so yummy.

Today our Sponsor is Robyn's Fetish and the prize being offered is,  5 Robyn's Fetish digital products (5 imagies or 4 images/1 paper).

Now before I show my card for this challenge I want to say that it is with a heavy heart that I announce that this will be my last Sunday as a member of the CIC Sweeties Design Team.

I have so enjoyed working with Rachel and the rest of the Design Team these past three months.  However my home life needs some looking after and with health issues with family members I just feel that I need to focus on home life first and foremost.  This does not mean I won't be back.  I still plan to join in on the CIC fun but only when time allows and as a participant rather then a Design Team member.  I encourage you all to give this challenge a try as it is truly a lot of fun.  Thank you so much to Rachel for allowing me to be a part of the DT and to the other Sweeties for their inspiration and friendship.

Now on to my card.  Robyn offered us the use of several images and even some paper patterns.  I chose to use this adorable Turkey image but my own paper since our colored ink cartridge was very low on ink.

I colored my Turkey with Prisma Color pencils and cut it out. Then mounted it on a sponged circle die and layered that with a Pear Pizzaz circle.  The card base is : Chocolate Chip, layered with Peach Parfait, designer paper, Basic Grey and a punched piece of Pear Pizzaz.  I tied on some Chocolate Ribbon, added some faux gems and embossed the sentiment (SU) with Chocolate Chip Pigment ink and Clear Embossing Powder.  -  So now it's your turn to be inspired and don't forget to link back on the Cupcake Inspiration Blog.

BC178 - Giving Thanks

Welcome! - Today I am sharing my card for the Blogger Challenge Group.  Our theme this weeks is:
Give Thanks - Can you believe next week is Thanksgiving (unless you've already celebrated as our Canadian friends did last month.)

I wanted a CAS card this time as I am trying to work on Christmas cards (have you started yet) and need to get busy or they won't get finished on time.

I started by using this awesome background that I made following a technique I learned HERE:  Basically I tapped in on an acrylic block in 2-3 shades, spritzed with water and then stamped down on my card stock and smoothed out some of the colors with my finger.  Sarah included a link to a video tutorial on how this is done so be sure to check it out.

I then stamped the leaves with the same distress ink colors. I stamped one and cut it out, brushed on some Pearl-Ex Powder and stamped the speckled background over it.

Card Details:  Stamps:  Leaves:WeRMemoryKeepers(Maple Grove) and SU-Falling Leaves.
Card Base:  Really Rust
Next Layer, Chocolate Chip (it looks black in the photo but it's not).
Homemade Background:  Inks Used:  Peeled Paint, Brushed Corduroy and Dried Marigold. - Distress Inks-Tim Holtz (Ranger) - I also used a Really Rust ink pad for the far left leaf.
Border Punch: Martha Stewart
Embossing Powder - Opaque Vanilla (Annabelle Stamps)
Cream Grosgrain Ribbon (SU)
Green Gems - Zva

So that's it pretty much.  -  Be sure to check out the other BC members blogs.  You can find the link on my sidebar.  I'm sure they have created some awesome cards/projects.

Annabelle Sneak Peek - Borders By Design 1

Hello and welcome to the last of the November previews for Annabelle Stamps.  Today we are introducing you to a great border set, (Borders by Design 1) - Yes, there will be more to come in the coming months.

Now there will be a Blog Hop again for a chance to win this set.  You will start at the Annabelle Blog and proceed from there to the next stop on the Blog Hop.  Below is the order of the Hop so if you get lost along the way you can always click on the DT links to find your way back.

Annabelle Blog
Andrea

Kylie
Teresa
Sue
                                               Ida
                                               Rene'
                                               Jerusha
                                               Tiffany
                                               Iwona
                                              AnnaBelle Stamps Blog - Answer the Question in the comments section.

You should have arrived on my blog from Sue's Blog and your next stop will be,
Rene's Blog - Leave comments on ALL the DT members blogs and the Annabelle Blog for your chance to win this set.

So now here are my cards:

For my first card I used the Polka Dot border to create the pink dotted background.  I also paired this up with the set we just previewed (Christmas Wish).  Background paper, Basic Grey     Card Stock: Bravo Burgundy and Pink Pirouette, Whisper White.  Blue Gems, Bashful Blue Grosgrain Ribbon and Encore Metallic Blue ink (on the star).  Nestabilitie Dies.

Card #2 - For this card I just used one of the borders on the bottom of my tag image but it looks really great and adds a fun touch to the tag.   Card Stock and Ink used: Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Very Vanilla and Designer Paper from http://www.thegirlspaperie.com/ .  Other: Photo Corner Punch (SU), paper piercing tool, circle punch, tag punch, Stamps from (Christmas Scene Baubles-Annabelle Stamps). Clear EP, Gold EP, Cream Grosgrain Ribbon.

Card #3 - I just couldn't seem to stop using this set!  For this card I started by stamping the "Awesome" border stamp with Cherry Cobbler ink on Whisper White cs.  Then I added the greeting (Christmas Wish) in Always Artichoke ink.  I stamped the trees from (Hooo Loves Christmas) with Versamark and Embossed them with Silver EP.  I just watercolored the baubles on the tree with (Cool Caribbean and Cherry Cobble ink. 

The Card Base is Always Artichoke layered with some old Basic Grey dp and tied with Artichoke Grosgrain ribbon.  As an added detail I used the Silver Sprinkles to highlight some of the border design.

So there you have it 3 very different and fun holiday cards all using this fantastic border set that you could design more then just holiday cards with. 

Now get hopping and enjoy the trip.

November Annabelle Release

Hello! - Wow has time flown by this past month. Today is the first day of the Previews for the November Release at Annabelle Stamps.



The DT will be showing cards/projects using, Christmas Wish - Isn't this an elgant looking stamp set.

As always we'll be doing a Blog Hop where you can win the stamp set being released. It's easy...just start at the Annabelle Blog and follow the links to the the next blog, leave a comment on EVERY DT members blog, head back to the Annabelle Blog and answer a simple question in the comment section. That's it, easy peasy.




You should have arrived on my blog from Sue's Blog
Your next stop on the hop will be Rene's Blog


So for today I have 2 cards to share using this set.

First up is one that uses the large frame image.  For this card I stamped the frame image with Melon Mambo ink and cut it out and mounted it onto Always Artichoke cs.  Then I stamped the sentiment with Artichoke ink and cut it out with a Nestabilitie Die brushed Melon Mambo ink around the edges, then stamped the snowflakes with Cool Caribbean ink and added a tiny jewel to the center of the middle snow flake.

Next I embossed a white panel with the Swiss Dot embossing folder, added designer paper (Basic Grey), some ribbon (May Arts) and 2 snowflake brads that I added glitter to.

My second card is really a different design for me but I like it.  A big shout out to Michelle Woerner for the wonderful layout idea.  She has a set of cards here using this layout.  I love how fun and easy this was to make (except for losing my circle die and taking an hour before I found it).

Card Base, Whisper White.  All Designer paper from Basic Grey (Figgy Pudding lines from 2 different years.)
I stamped the Scroll image with Bravo Burgundy ink and the sentiment and snowflakes with Cool Caribbean ink.  Other colors of card stock used: Pear Pizzaz, Basic Gray.  Other items used: Silver Sprinkles and Tiny jewels on the snowflakes and silver cording.

So if you like this set and want a chance to win it, start hopping!
See you back in a couple of days for another sneak peak.



CIC85 - London Christmas

It's time once again for this weeks CIC Inspiration Challenge.  Oh my goodness look at those gorgeous cupcakes.  Aren't they lovely.

This weeks sponsor is: Simply Betty Stamps.  We were graciously given some Digi Stamps to work with and I chose London to work with.  She's certainly "quirky" and quite different from my normal style of stamping.  I loved that she came with a kitty since I'm a cat lover.

For my card I colored both London and the kitty with Prisma color pencils.  I must admit to having some difficulty coloring digital images with my pencils.  They do tend to "bleed" a little.  Hopefully it's not to noticeable. I did a rather funky layout as well to match the image.  My papers are all from DCWV (Holiday stack 2009).  The card base is Chocolate Chip and I layered some Brushed Gold card stock over it.  It is really hard to get decent photographs of the shimmery type card stocks.  This was the best I could come up with after several attempts.  I added tiny pearls to cover up the (skulls) on the image.  See I'm just not that "goth" but I'm sure some would have left them showing.

Other items used: Punches - Tree (by Marvy)  Border Punch (Martha Stewart)
White Grosgrain Ribbon, Red Faux Gems, and the Pearls from Zva
I also used some homemade gold shimmer spray over the image.

Don't forget to check out what the other "Sweeties" have done and leave some comment lovin!

The PRIZE this week is: 6 Digi Images of the Winners Choice.

BC177 - Let The Merry Begin

Happy Friday! - If you are here for the Annabelle Challenge please scroll down one post.

Today we have a "Sketch" challenge for the BC Group.

You will notice that I rotated the sketch to fit my little Gingerbread Boy.  Isn't he adorable.  Would you believe this is a punch.  Yep, it's true.  I punched my Gingerbread Boy using Creamy Caramel  cs(why did SU retire this color).  I alos punched out the eyes (Basic Black), Mouth (Real Red), and the Buttons (Chocolate Chip).  The Tie was punched from a Designer Paper scrap.  I added frosting using white Liquid Applique.
He's mounted on Mint Melody (an old long retired SU Color) and Chocolate Chip cs.
The card base is Chocolate Chip, layered with Crumb Cake that I computer generated the sentiment on.  Then I added layers of Designer Paper (DCWV-Holiday 2009 Collection).  I also added some piercing, green faux gems, and Red Grosgrain ribbon.

Hope he makes you smile as much as he did when I finished making this card.  So fun!

Be sure to check out the other BC members blogs (click on the icon on my sidebar) to see how they used this sketch.

Say it in Gold

Hello!  It's challenge day at Annabelle Stamps and this weeks theme: 

Say It With Gold. - Before I go into the details of this card I must say this card was nearly impossible to get a decent photograph of.  I have a feeling it was the Brushed Gold cs coupled with the glittery gold paper.  Oh how I wish I had a light box right about now but I'm not even sure that would have helped.

Anyway for this card I used my favorite Christmas set (Holly Branch).  I stamped the sentiment with Versamark Ink and embossed it with Gold Detail Embossing Powder.  I did the same with the holly and berries.  This I cut out and omitted part of the swirls (just cut them off) so it would fit on my circle.  I water colored the leaves and berries.

Details:  Card Stock:  Whisper White, Brushed Gold, Cherry Cobbler

Ink:  Versa Mark, Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler

Designer Paper: DCWV-Holiday Collection from 2009

Punch: Martha Stewart

Circle Nestabilitie Die

Foam Mounting Tape

Here is a close-up of the Glittery Card Stock:

See you again on Monday for the newest Annabelle Release. 

CIC84 - Through The Looking Glass

Welcome! - I'm Late, I'm Late...
Did you all remember to set your Clocks back an hour?

So for this weeks Cupcake Inspiration we have these fun, whimsical Alice in Wonderland cupcakes to inspire you. 

We also have a wonderful sponsor:  Tiddly Inks.  Christy generously allowed the DT members to use 2 of their newest images for this weeks challenge.

Isn't "Alice" adorable!  Now I'm not so sure I captured the inspiration photo all that well but I do like my card. 

I'll admit this is one I "struggled" with.  Couldn't seem to find any paper related to the inspiration photo.  I did however come up with this piece (Nancy Jane Collection from http://www.adornit.com/) For some reason the bright flowers just reminded me of something you would see in Wonderland so I went with it even though it doesn't have any rabbits, Cheshire cats, mad hatters, etc...I colored Alice with my "limited" supply of Copic Markers.  Which I must also add I've not used very much and really need practice on using them so hopefully it doesn't look to bad.
I added some fun ric-rac and some lime sprinkles to complete my card.  Another thing, I left off a sentiment because quite frankly I just had no clue what to use on this card. (Suggestions anyone?)

Do check out what the other "Sweeties" came up with.  I'm sure they've done a fabulous job. 

Don't forget you can win a $10 Gift Voucher from Tiddly Inks so why not join in on the fun and create your own "Alice" inspired card.

BC176 - Stars and Stripes Forever

Happy Friday! - Please scroll down one page for the Annabelle Challenge.                   Today the Blogger Challenge group will be showcasing "Patriotic" cards/projects.  Since Veteran's Day is just around the corner it seems appropriate to celebrate our great country and the brave men/women who serve in the Armed Forces to protect our Freedoms.                                                  For this card I used two different stamps from two different companies.  The bear image is from a long retired SU stamp set, Americana and the sentiment stamp is from, St. Louis Stamp design.  I think they go pretty well together.  The paper is a scrap I had and I added a punched border of stars, some punched stars and some white grosgrain ribbon to complete the card.  I'm sorry the photo isn't very good but I tried and tried but just couldn't get this to photograph any better.

Card stock used: Night of Navy, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White.  Ink:  Cranberry Crisp, Night of Navy. 

Punch EK Success.

Be sure to check out what the other BC Members have done and have a wonderful weekend.



Say it with...Hold A Candle

Hi!  Welcome to Annabelle's Say It With....Challenge.  This week we are showcasing the stamp set: (Hold A Candle).  I have 2 cards to share today so let's get started.

For my first card I chose the current MojoMonday sketch:
As you can see I rotated the sketch to fit my images.  Isn't it wonderful you can interpret the sketch in different ways.

My card base is: Chocolate Chip layered with Cherry Cobbler and some Plaid Designer Paper (Cosmo Cricket-Mr. Campy line).  I stamped the Balloons on Very Vanilla Card Stock and colored them with Prisma Color Pencils.  The balloons and the strings were highlighted with a Clear Spica Glitter pen (doesn't show in the photo :o( though.)  I added a Loopy Border at the bottom and double tied some Soft Green Satin Ribbon.  The sentiment was stamped with Chocolate Chip ink and I added 3 Chili Sprinkles underneath it.

My second card was actually the first card I made for this challenge but I wasn't sure it showed off the stamps from the set all that well so I made the other one as well using different stamps from the set.

For this card all the card stock & dp is exactly the same except I used Close to Cocoa for the card base.  It's hard to tell in the scan but the cobbler layered were embossed with the Swiss Dot embossing folder and I added a strip done using a Chain Punch across the layer.   

You can see how using the same papers but different stamps and layouts can really change up your cards.

Now remember you can participate in this challenge.  We'd love for you to use the set, (Hold a Candle) but if you don't own it "yet" then feel free to use another set as long as it uses a Candle somewhere on the card.  All challenge cards are eligible for the $20 voucher given away at the end of the month.

Be sure to check out the DT cards.  I've seen them and they are fabulous!

Saying "So Long" to Halloween

Gosh it's over already!
Would you believe that we saw a commercial on TV last night advertising something for Christmas.  GOOD GRIEF! -  I don't know about you but personally I think that's a bit much.

Anyway as a last tribute to Halloween here is a link to some fun Halloween kids.

Also check out what my dear friend Elena sent me:

Isn't that just adorable!  I loved it.  Her coloring is fantastic and she paired this sweet image with some awesome papers.  I really liked the folded edge she created with the designer paper and the use of buttons.  So cute and so fun.
To top it off she sent this sweet little Milk Carton Treat holder (with treats inside!)

The treats didn't last long but I'll be treasuring this little holder for years to come. 

 One of the parts of the dp was too cute not to photograph so I did a close-up of it.

If you know me you know that I am somewhat afraid of spiders but these were just so much fun I couldn't resist showing them off.

Hope you all had a great Halloween.  The weather was actually decent and it had rained the night before and is raining today.  We had about 40-50 kids show up which wasn't too bad.  Still "loads" of candy left over though. 

Now it's on to the next holiday although I hate to say "good-bye" so soon.