BC149 - Embossed for you

Please Click HERE for my Annabelle Challenge Card.    -  Now it's time for the Friday Blogger Challenge.  This weeks theme is: Embossing of any kind.  I've actually done 2 cards this week.

First up is this card base on this sketch:   If you haven't yet purchased your copy of Paper Crafts: Go to Sketches I urge you to do so now.  This is a fantastic issue filled with sketches and then several samples done using the sketch.  I've had a lot of fun browsing through it looking at all the great samples and have started using the sketches now for my own cards.

For this card I have been dying to use this piece of patterned paper (Garden Tour - S.E.I.) - I just loved the colors and the patterns.  Not to mention that this paper is "embossed!" - Okay so I cheated (but just a little) by using pre-embossed paper.  It's gorgeous don't you think. For my Focal Flower I embossed this adorable floral pattern from SU-Background Sampler (retired) with Dewy Geranium embossing powder - Comotion and punched it with 1 3/8" Circle Punch.  I layered that to a Scalloped Circle of Kiwi Kiss (oh why didn't SU decided to bring this color back instead of River Rock)...I digress though.   I added some pretty little gems from Zva and then layered that to a Nestabilitie Circle of Basic Gray.  The sentiment is from:  Hero Arts) and I used the same Embossing powder that I did with the flowered circle piece.  I added some Lime Green Sprinkles (Annabelle Stamps) and some ribbon, Purely Pomegranate-retired SU along with Silver Cord.  I also used the Scallop Punch and pierced holes with a paper piercing tool. CS: Basic Gray, Rich Razzleberry, Kiwi Kiss and Whisper White.

Card #2 - Is also based on a sketch from the Go To Sketches magazine:  I liked one of the sample cards as well that was made by Lisa Johnson so my card is a "case" of her card done using different items to make it my own.  Thanks though Lisa for the inspiration.  For this card I used a Cuttlebug Embossing Folder and brayed Tangerine Tango ink over the Apricot Appeal cs.  For the border I used my brand new EK Success Punch, Scroll and Dots (I love this punch) and added a piece of White Grosgrain ribbon.  The sentiment is from SU Sincere Salutations and I added a flower from Sassafrass and Pineapple Sprinkles from Annabelle Stamps.  I hope you've enjoyed two different views on embossing and will give these techniques a try yourself.  Don't forget to stop by the other DT members blogs (click on the BC Icon on my sidebar) and check out their fabulous embossed creations.   Have a fantastic weekend!

Say it With...Pearls

Welcome! - It's time for a new Annabelle challenge.  This week our theme is:              Say it With...Pearls.               I decided to use one of my all time favorite Annabelle Stamp sets: (Holly Branch) for my card.  It's not to early to start thinking about creating Christmas cards because all to soon the holiday season will be upon us so it's a good thing to think ahead.

Card Details:  Card Stock:  Old Olive, Groovy Guava, Bashful Blue, Bravo Burgundy

Ink: Bravo Burgundy, Old Olive (Aqua Painter)

Designer Paper - Eskimo Kisses by Basic Grey

Other: Pearls from Annabelle Stamps - NOTE, I dyed the blue pearls using a Copic Marker.

Scallop Punch - SU, Nestabilie Die, Paper Distressing Tool, Foam Mounting Tape.

Don't forget to check out the other DT members blogs - They are listed on my sidebar
Please let them know you enjoy their creations.
Don't forget there is still time to enter the current Sketch Challenge for a chance to win this gorgeous White Petals Kit.

BC148 - Here For You

Click HERE for the Annabelle Challenge card or scroll down one post.

It's time now for the Friday Blogger Challenge,  Can you guess what this week's theme is?                                         We had a "color" combo this week:  Orange, Blue and Moss Green...Now I have to admit that at first I really struggled with that color combo.  I kept going through my stacks of patterned paper in hopes of finding one with all 3 colors but alas there was none to be found.  Needless to say I started to panic and then I pulled myself together and started working on the focal piece of my card.  I pulled out my (Friends 24-7) stamp set and stamped the flowers on Shimmery White cs with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and water colored them using ink pads and my Aqua Painter. I highlighted the Orange flowers with a Clear Spica Glitter Pen   Next I masked the flowers (that was a tricky mask to cut) and stenciled my clouds on with Bashful Blue ink.  I mounted this to an Oval of Moss Green and added some orange gems (Annabelle Stamps). 
After that piece was finished it took me the rest of the day trying to figure out my layout and papers...I decided on a piece of retired DP from SU that as of this moment I don't recall the name of.  I believe it was part of last years Sale-a-bration catalog.
I paired this up with a piece of textured Only Orange cs tied with some Moss Grosgrain ribbon.  The sentiment was mounted on a circle of Bashful Blue cs and I added an orange flower with a moss brad.  I was super pleased with how this one turned out and hope you like it as well.

Lastly I'm leaving with you a hilarious picture I took on Sunday of our couch...count them...1-2-3-4 (only one was missing and she was in the cubby in my stamp room.)

Left to right:  Harley, Cuddles, Callie-Jo and Snickers.

Don't forget to check out the other BC members blogs (click on the icon on my sidebar) and leave some comment lovin!

Have a great weekend!

absc20 and CIC55

Hello,  I have a "double challenge" treat for you today.  It's time for the latest Annabelle Sketch Challenge and this week is PRIZE week.  The prize this week is one that you won't want to miss out on.  You can win this gorgeous Flower Kit so be sure to get your entry in.  You have 2 weeks to complete the sketch challenge and link your card up on the Annabelle Blog.  My card today is also my entry for this weeks Cupcake Inspiration Challenge over on Hope's Blog.  Aren't those Cupcake's divine looking.  I love the colors and that's what I went with for my inspiration. 

Details:  Card Stock:  Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango, Apricot Appeal, Whisper White and Haiku DP (retired) - all SU

Stamp Set:  Flowers With Love - Annabelle Stamps

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Tangerine Tango, Old Olive, Apricot Appeal, Chocolate Chip

Other:  Brown Flowers Petal Kit, Annabelle Stamps & Orange Gems

Victoria Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Foam Mounting Tape

PLEASE drop by the DT members blogs and check out their take on this sketch and don't forget to leave some comment lovin!

Lucky Me

Lookie what I got!  My hubby suprised me with this gorgeous flower basket for our Anniversary.  Since we have cats inside that love to eat plants/flowers he decided to buy me ones that they can't touch.  I love them.

We celebrated our 18th Anniversary on Sunday.  While it wasn't the most exciting day since we had to wait until evening to celebrate as we had Coleen all day we had a nice day.  I took him to see Clash of the Titans 3D as he'd never been to a 3D movie before.  We ate at Applebee's before the movie and had a nice evening out with each other.

Back later this week with stamping stuff.

Doggone Good Friend

Recently I participated in a Mystery Image swap on another group I belong too.  We were each sent the same image and had to create a card for our partner using the image.  We could use whatever papers, embellishments etc...that we wanted though.  I was quite pleased when I received the Mystery Image as this little doggie (October Stamps) is just so adorable.

I hope my partner enjoys her card as much as I did making it.

We weren't sent any sentiments so I computer generated one for my card.  My background paper is by, KI Memories.  Pet Shop Multi Stripe.  I loved the paw prints and the colors of this paper a lot.  My image was colored with Prisma color pencils and blended with Gamsol. 

The little "Dogbone" brad was on a card I had received in a swap and I just knew it would be perfect for my card so I recycled it off the swap card and onto mine!

Details:  Card Stock:  Really Rust, Cool Carribean, So Saffron, Designer Paper, KI Memories

Stamps: Dog from October Stamps, Dots & Daises BG from SU-retired,

Other:  Paw Print Ribbon-KI Memories purchased at JoAnn's, Flower Punch-SU, Brads-Pink Hedgehog Crafts, Dogbone Brad-source unknown, Nestabilitie Die, Foam Mounting tape, Punch-Martha Stewart crafts.

BC147 - Chicken Greetings

Annabelle Card found here  Hello and Happy Friday!  It's been quite a week here (again).  Last Sunday my mom wasn't feeling well so she decided to stay home from Church.  She said she felt dizzy/light headed and had a heavy pressure on her chest.  Needless to say I was pretty worried so I stayed home as well to make sure she was okay since she wouldn't let me take her to the ER.      On Monday she decided she needed to see a doctor and I was able to get her in to see her Primary Care doctor.  Her Blood Pressure was 180/98!  -  The doctor said she didn't think it was a problem with her heart but felt that she might have over done things (trying to dig and pull weeds) on Saturday and that the sore muscles and pain from them were causing her BP to go up.  She put her on a low dose BP medication to see if that would help.  So far she's doing much better but gets tired quite easily still.  I've been keeping a close watch on her though as my mom is 81 and I don't want her to over do things again.

Anyway I managed to finish up my card this morning.  We had a "Sketch" challenge this week for the Blogger Challenge.  I "flipped" the sketch to fit the image I wanted to use.  I just love my new Whipper Snapper set, (Beautiful Day) illustrated by the fabulous Anna Wight.  I tried to "channel" her coloring muse and don't think I did to bad of a job.  The image was colored with Prisma Colored pencils.

My DP is from the SU Designer Sweet Pea pack - It has become a favorite of mine.

I added a bright orange button and teal embroidery thread.  I pierced the edges of the tag and distressed them with Close to Cocoa ink (I'm going to miss that color). 

The flower was highlighted with some Crystal Glitter (Art Institute)

Stamps: Beautiful Day-Whipper Snapper Designs

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Prisma Color Pencils

Card Stock: Pumpkin Pie, Taken With Teal, DP Sweet Pea - SU

Other: Glitter, Thread, Button, Nestabilitie Dies, Foam Mounting Tape, Distressing Tool.

Be sure to check out the other BC members blogs (click on the icon on my sidebar) and don't forget to leave some comment lovin!  We all appreciate it!

Say it With....Pink and Brown (Annabelle Stamps)

Hi!  Hope you have been having a good week so far and are ready for the weekend.  I know I am.  Sunday is my 18th Wedding Anniversary so I'm looking forward to that. Although hubby and I did pick out our own gifts this year.  I got a new camera (Canon Power Shot) and he got a, (used Bass Guitar).  We will probably go out to dinner and maybe catch a movie.

For this weeks Annabelle cards our theme is, Say it With...Brown and Pink.

I chose images from the set, (Flowers With Love) and colored the flowers with Prisma Colored Pencils.  My paper is from two different retired Stampin'Up! series and right now I don't have the names handy.  I thought they went well together though.  I added some pink gems and brown pearls as well as some of the gorgeous new flowers that Andrea is carrying at the Annabelle store.  I also got to use one of my new EK Success punches that I bought with that last of my birthday money.

Don't forget to check out the other DT members blogs (they are listed on my sidebar) and see their lovely creations.

Also there is still time to participate in the Sketch Challenge and the PRIZE (package of new ribbons) that is available.

CIC53 Have a Beautiful Day

Gosh it seems like I am always rushing to get my Cupcake Inspiration Card done in time to post it before Hope's deadline.  I knew this week that I just had to participate since I sent this photo to Hope.  I subscribe to the Taste of Home cooking magazine and this was one of the photo's in an issue.  I thought it was just so pretty and cheerful.  I was inspired by the Bright Flowers, the cute little ladybugs on the cupcakes and the Grass Wrappers.

For my card I wanted to use my brand spanking new stamp set designed by Anna Wight for Whipper Snapper Designs called, Beautiful Day  I decided to paper-piece the flower and used SU designer paper (Haiku-retired) I colored the flower center with a Yellow Marker and added Lemonade Glitter (Art Institute).  The adorable lady bug was colored with PrismaColor Pencils and I highlighted the spots with a Black Atyou Spica Glitter Pen.  I used a Cloud/Grass Template and then cut the grass out to create my little scene. 

Card Stock:  Wild Wasabi, Cool Caribbean, Whisper White and DP Haiku

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Cool Caribbean, Wild Wasabi, Yoyo Yellow

Other:  Flower Punch, Brads, Lady Bug embellishment (source unknown)

Glitter, Circle Nestabilitie Dies, Foam Mounting Tape

Sponge/Cloud Template

Sorry if the photo seems a bit blurry...try clicking on it.
Hope you like my take on the Inspiration photo.

absc19 - Spring Daffodils

Hello...I hope everyone had a delightful Easter.  It was a blustery and cool one here but we all enjoyed a good time and after a wonderful Church service Coleen was able to do her Easter Egg Hunt outside (although she had to wear a coat).  She sure had a good time.

It's PRIZE week here again and this time Andrea is offering up some wonderful (ribbon)as the prize.  I believe it's a packet of all 6 patterns of the gorgeous flowered ribbon shown at the above link.

Now I must admit that I find this type of a sketch difficult.  I don't know why but for some reason it's just not one I'm comfortable with.  I decided to give it a try anyway and hope you like what I came up with.

My card base is: Bermuda bay layered with Certainly Celery and some DP (retired SU-Haiku).  I stamped the Daffodils from, (Flowers for You) with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored them with SU Markers.  Then I added some sparkle with Spica Glitter Pens and used the color spritzer tool and also distressed the edges with ink.

The Yellow squares were embossed with the Swiss Dot embossing folder on Crushed Curry cs.  I added some of the new Annabelle Flowers and  Pineapple Sprinkes from Annabelle Stamps.  The Sprinkles on the sentiment panel are Lime.

Be sure to check out the other DT members blogs to see how they used this sketch.  Their names and links are on my sidebar. Remember you have 2 weeks to give this sketch a try and leave a link to your creation on the Annabelle Stamps blog.

Have a wonderful weekend. Here is a picture of Coleen in her Easter Dress

BC142 - Easter Greetings

Click here for my Annabelle Card



HAPPY EASTER!        This is one of my favorite holidays and the music playing today is my favorite Easter Hymn.  The theme for this weeks Blogger Challenge was (Easter)

 To me the most special thing in the world is the fact that my Savior suffered and died in my place so that I might have eternal life. 

You may wonder then why I have an Easter Egg on my card instead of the Cross.  I'd like to offer some fantastic explanation but the plain truth is that I have more non-religious type stamps for Easter and I didn't have time to do a second card.

However the Egg is a symbol of new life as the chick emerges from it's shell and that is sort of way person is when they accept Christ into their lives.  They emerge from their old shell/life into their new life with the Lord so I think the egg fits.

Now if you don't share my same religious beliefs that is fine but I felt I should share this part of my life with my readers.

Don't forget to stop by the other BC members blogs (click on the icon on my sidebar) and leave them some comment lovin!

Have a great Easter weekend.

Card Details:  Card Stock: Certainly Celery, Pretty In Pink, Bashful Blue, Lavendar Lace and Whisper White, Designer Paper (Die Cuts With A View).

Stamps:  Egg W Bow (Peddlers Pack), Happy Easter sentiment (Hero Arts)

Moroccan Screen Embossing Folder (Provo Craft)

Copic Markers

Glitter (Summer Sea - Art Institute)

Nestablitie Die

Ribbon - May Arts

Circle Punch

Pearls (Zva)

Say it with....Flowers (Annabelle Stamps)

Happy Friday and HAPPY EASTER...  For this weeks Annabelle Challenge the DT is using the theme...Say it with Flowers.  What a wonderful theme for those celebrating the arrival of Spring and of course Easter weekend.

For my card I chose to use some of the brand new ribbons, flowers and pearls available at Annabelle Stamps  Check them all out because I think you will like what you see.  I know I loved what I received from Andrea to work with.

My card base is: Garden Green layered with textured Pink Passion card stock and some designer paper from Die Cuts With a View. 

The Stamps I used are from one of the Floral sets available at Annabelle Stamps, (Flowers With Love).  I stamped the sentiment with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and the flower with Pink Passion ink (SU).

Other items used: Lace Punch (Martha Stewart) White Pigment Ink, Nestabilie Dies, Pearls & Flowers from Annabelle stamps.

Sorry for the short post but I am pressed for time. If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me.  Hope you'll check out the other DT members blogs and don't forget to leave a comment to let them know you stopped by.

Have a truly wonderful Easter!