BC153 - Sent With Love

CLICK HERE for this weeks Annabelle Challenge (Say it With Ribbon).




Now it's time for this weeks Blogger Challenge: Red, White and Blue. I really didn't want to go the Patriotic route since 4th of July will be arriving soon and I wanted to show that you can use these colors in a non-traditional manner as well.





I recently purchased some new stamps from Kimberly Crawford's new line, Mint Motif, Very Square and Very Square Sentiments. You can purchase these sets here:
(i{heart}papers)I loved the patterns of the squares and just knew I had to try them out. I found a great sketch on Karen Giron's blog that I really liked so I decided to use that for my card (with a few slight changes) as I flipped the sketch and left off the flourish in lieu of using buttons (Yes, I actually used buttons on a card!) That is so outside my comfort zone but I like how they look on this card.

Since clouds to be "in" right now I went with the cloud pattern in the Very Square set and stamped them in Brocade Blue ink on Whisper White cs and trimmed them, then mounted them onto squares of Real Red cs. My card base is Night of Navy layered with Whisper White and designer paper from My Mind's Eye (Parade - Celebrate stripes). I used my MS Loop punch for the border on the bottom of the card and a strip of the DP at the top as well. The Sentiment is from Very Square sentiments and my Airplane and loopy trail are from TCP Studio (Transportation Stamp Kit). The buttons are SU (Real Red) and I added thin strips of Night of Navy cs instead of thread to the button centers.


Be sure to check out the other BC Members blogs (click on the icon on my sidebar).

Wishing you all here in the US a very safe and happy Memorial Day weekend.

Say it with...Ribbon - Annabelle Stamps

Hi! - How has your week been?  Mine has been pretty quiet (thankfully) after the busyness of the last couple of weeks I'm enjoying the slower pace this week has offered.

This week the Annabelle challenge is:  Say it with...Ribbon.  I must say this presented a bit of a challenge for me.  First off I wanted to use some of the ribbon that Andrea carries in the Annabelle Store but the only colors I have right now are from her "pink" line.  So I had to pick out paper that would work well with pink ribbon.  Next up was what to do with it other then just tying a bow.  I so wanted to do that really cool looking pleated ribbon style but quite frankly I'm challenged with a sewing machine so I nixed that idea.  Next up I tried knotting my ribbon but didn't like the way that looked.  Then I tried tying little pieces of thread around parts of the ribbon, which looked okay but the knots kept coming untied so I gave that idea up as well.  Finally I settled on "loops" of ribbon and also the tied bow.  What do you know, I actually liked this idea!So what do you think?

Card Details:  Card Stock: Pink Passion, Teal, River Rock, Whisper White (SU)
Stamp Set:  Flowers With Love (Annabelle Stamps)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Pink Passion, River Rock
Other:  Hot Pink Satin Ribbon (Annabelle Stamps)
Designer Paper - Cosmo Cricket - DeLovely
Moroccan Screen Embossing Folder, Pink Jewel

Don't forget to check out the other DT members blogs (Listed on my sidebar) and see how they used ribbon on their creations.

Also you still have a week left to enter the current Annabelle Sketch challenge where a  PRIZE is up for grabs. 

New Stamps Coming soon as well!!!

Snippets

Hey no cards today but I've got some "sneak peek snippets" to tease you with instead... I know, how cruel is that.  Come back tomorrow and Friday to see the Full Versions...

In the meantime if you haven't visited my other blog (Wishes, Dreams and Other Things) I've posted a bunch of photo's today here: 

I think you might enjoy them even though they are non-stamping related.

Have a great day!

CIC59 Paper Flower Inspired

Here is my entry for this weeks Cupcake Inspiration Challenge.  Hope selected these delicate cupcakes (which are really more like round petie fours rather then cupcakes but aren't they pretty!  I wanted to do something in a delicate shade of pink but didn't really have any colors of pink that matched so I went with brighter shades.
I saw a layout that I liked on the Clean and Simple blog and decided to go with that.  After I was finished with my card I realized that I had the sentiment in the wrong place (oh well, it's done and I'm sticking with it.)  I had already made my flower using punches and tissue paper so the layout seemed the perfect choice to use the flower with.  Then I just received some new "goodies" and decided to use some of my new Cosmo Cricket - DeLovely designer paper for my card and my new Optic Dot -Martha Stewart punch.  My sentiment is from Annabelle Stamps(Jasmine's Cupcake) set.  I also used the Moroccan Screen embossing folder, some retired SU ribbon and a flower brad (source unknown) to complete my card.

If you haven't already checked out the other enteries on Hope's blog for this challenge be sure to pop on over and check them out.

BC152 - There's A New Sheriff in Town

Annabelle Sketch challenge found HERE and it's PRIZE time again so be sure to check it out.

Hi Everyone...It's Friday and time once again for the Blogger Challenge.  This week is a "Sketch Challenge" and believe me I was (challenged) at first because I couldn't quite figure this sketch out.  Thankfully our List Mom, Lisa pointed me in the right direction (I hope) and below is what I came up with.  I flipped the sketch to accomodate the images that I wanted to use.

While viewing some of my favorite blogs I came across this card by Shannan Teubner and just fell in love with the scene she created.  Since I just happen to have that same set I couldn't resist my own little Western Themed card.  I'm going to be sending this one off to someone who just recently moved to a new town.  I think she'll get a kick out of it.

My card base is Sage Shadow layered with Chocolate Chip and a layer of the old (Outlaw DP - retired SU) that I really love.  I distressed the edges with some Pumpkin Pie ink.  My main image was stamped with Memento Tuxedo black in and colored with Prisma color pencils.  I stamped Sprinkle Cowgirl first, then masked her and stamped the town behind her.  I layered this panel to some Pumpkin Pie card stock, tied some linen thread that I rubbed over the Pumpkin Pie ink pad and added the star element (stamped in Garden Green on Creamy Caramel cs).  I also added 3 Pumpkin brads, and some designer ribbon (retired SU) to complete my card.

Don't forget to stop by the other BC members blogs and leave them some comment lovin too.  Have a wonderful weekend.

absc22 - Prize Week

It's PRIZE week again on the Annabelle Stamps blog.  Here is the "sketch" you need to follow for your chance to win the adorable and fun stamp set: Helen's Party  For my card I used images from Swirl Tree. I stamped the Cup image 3 times on a white panel using (Chocolate Chip, Close To Cocoa and Creamy Caramel ink)  Then I stamped the cups on top of each other using a mask and the same 3 colors to create my stacked cups.  These were mounted over the original middle cup with foam mounting tape.     My card base is Chocolate Chip layered with Close To  Cocoa and then a piece of Whisper White that I ran through the cuttlebug using the Swiss Dot embossing folder and brushed with the Creamy Caramle ink pad.  I added strips of Designer Paper (SU-retired), Photo punch corners (EK Success).

Be sure to stop in at the Annabelle Blog and check out the other DT members cards using this sketch for some inspiration.  Remember you have 2 weeks to get your card ready and post it to the Annabelle Blog.

Anything Goes and a Cupcake Inspiration

Look at those Yummy Bright Cupcakes...These are the CIC58 inspiration at Hope Stamps Eternal this week.  I just loved the fun, bright colors so thats what I went with for the inspiration on my card.  Granted my colors are slightly different but equally as bright and fun. 

The object it to create what inspires you and even though I don't match the cupcakes colors totally you can see where the fun colors/patterns inspired me.

I found this super cute Frog stamp at the LSS the other day.  It's a .99 stamp set from (We R Memory Keepers). 

                                         The patterned paper is also WRMK paper from the Sunny Forecast line.  I used some Tangerine Tango for my orange accents and the frog is mounted on an "unknown" color of card stock.  It's an SU color but doesn't match any of my SU card stock so I'm thinking it's an older color or one that was off a shade from the color it was suppose to be.  It just happened to match the colors in the patterned paper really well so I went with it.  The frog was stamped with Wild Wasabi ink on Very Vanilla card stock.  The sentiment was stamped with Crushed Curry ink.  I added 3 Orange Brads (Queen and Co.) and the eyes of the frog are tiny black pearl (Zva)  The fly trail is Hemp Twine.  My ric-rac piece was done using a punch by EK Success and the flies wings have Frosted Stickles on them.  I'm sending this off for another group I belong to doing an (Anything Goes) swap where we can use stuff from any company we want.  I hope my partner likes her card.

Below is Coleen and her version of this card.  She stamped this and put it together all by herself.  She was so proud of her card and for a 5 year old I think she did a wonderful job with it. 

Say it With...White (Annabelle Challenge)

Hello! - Here we are again with another fun challenge from Annabelle stamps.  This week our theme is:  "Say it With...White."  We could color our image if we wanted but all our card stock and accessories had to be white. 
I've long admired the "white on white" look I've seen other stampers do but for some reason I just never tried it myself...until this week!

For this card I used just a sentiment from the Annabelle Stamp set, (Swirl Tree).  I really liked the elegant font and thought it would go great with my embellishments.  I used Shimmery White card stock (SU) and embossed a piece with the Swiss Dot Cuttlebug embossing folder.  Then I used my new punch (EK Success-Scroll and Dots) and layered my sentiment panel that I cute with a Nestabilitie Die (Label 8).  I added 3 Flowers from the White Petals kits (Annabelle Stamps) along with 3 Heart Pearls also from (Annabelle) to complete my card.  I just love how this turned out and hope you do as well.

Be sure to stop by the Annabelle Blog and also the DT members blogs to see their take on the theme.  You can find the DT members listed on my sidebar.

BC151 - Colorful Bird

Happy Friday!  Check HERE for the Annabelle Challenge (Say it with White)

Wow this weeks Blogger Challenge is a color challenge and boy is it a "bright" one. How do the colors, Red, Teal and Curry sound!  I picked out my colors from SU and boy oh boy they looked bright together.  Since I had no paper that matched those colors I went down to the LSS and picked out paper that I felt would go with those colors.  The pattern I picked is, (Love Me Do - My Mind's Eye). 
Next up I chose my image, (Sketched Birds - Hero Arts).  I stamped the Sanded BG (SU) on Whisper White cs and then colored my bird with markers (Real Red, Taken With Teal) and stamped it on top of the sanded background.  I added 3 yellow jewels.
My card base is Real Red layered with Crushed Curry and a punched piece of Taken With Teal.  The punch is (Quilted - MS).  I also punched out some Teal hearts and stamped the sentiment (Sincere Salutations-SU) with Real Red ink and tied a Red ribbon (JoAnn's) around the punched piece.  Even though these are pretty bright colors I like how this card turned out.

Don't forget to check out the other BC members Blogs by clicking on the Icon on my sidebar.  Have a great weekend.

BC150 - Happy Mother's Day

Happy Friday!  I haven't felt well this week so stamping was pretty much on the back burner (see post below for explanation).  I did however want to give my mom a Mother's Day card and since the Blogger Challenge theme this week was none other then Mother's Day cards I managed to come up with a card I think she'll really like.  I started with picking out my patterned paper, (My Minds Eye - Bloom and Grow series). Then I picked out a layout that I liked and went from there.  The only stamping on my card is the sentiment on the outside and the inside.  I used papers, punches and embellishments to create this card.

Details: Card Stock: Bermuda Bay and Whisper White.             Designer paper, My Minds Eye. Punches, 3 Flower Punch, XL2 Step-Bird Punch (SU), Layered Arches (MS) Labels 8 Nestabilitie Dies, Paper Piercing Tool, Brads (Queen and Co.), Ribbon (Ellen Hutson) and Foam Mounting Tape.

I hope all of you Mother's out there have a truly wonderful Mother's Day weekend.

Don't forget to check out the other BC members blogs to view their Mother's Day creations.

absc21 - It's Prize Week

Hi! -  It's PRIZE week again at Annabelle stamps.  Here's what you could win,This is the Floral Stems stamp set available here:  All you have to do is create a card/layout using this sketch and post a link back to your card on the Annabelle Blog.  You have two weeks to get your challenge card in so get started on yours for a chance to win this wonderful set for FREE

Normally I would have a card ready to show you using this sketch but I've been a bit "under the weather" this week.  I woke up on Sunday morning at 4:00 am with a feeling that I couldn't breath and I was choking on something.  I got up for about an hour and then managed to go back to bed.  I went to church and felt okay but by mid-afternoon the gagging feeling had come back even worse.  I looked in the mirror and discovered that my Uvula (Do you know what that is?) was swollen and resting on my tongue.  I know TMI!  Very weird and very annoying.

Okay for those who don't know what a Uvula is here is a picture of your mouth:

Yep, it's that weird dangly thing in the back of your throat.  I was pretty freaked out about this and almost afraid to go to sleep Sunday night but I managed to fall asleep after doing some reasearch on the Internet and discovered this condition happens quite often.  Mainly to those who go out and party (heavy drinking) and smoke.  Neither of which I do by the way. 

There are other causes such as Strep Throat and Viral infections that can cause this to happen.  I went to the doctor Monday and was told that about the only thing I could do is "tough it out"by Gargling with Salt Water, sucking on ice chips, throat lozenges and taking Ibuprofen to reduce the swelling.  For this I paid $25!  -  I had read on the Internet that eating Ice Cream was a great way to reduce the swelling so I got some Dixie Cups and followed the rest of the doctor's advice.  I felt pretty crummy most of Monday and Tuesday and slowly started feeling better on Wednesday.  Needless to say I just didn't feel up to creating a card this week.  If I find time in the next couple of weeks I'll post a card using the sketch on my blog even though it will be late.

I'm sure you'll be able to gather plenty of Inspiration from my fellow DT members so don't forget to check out their cards/projects.

To all the "Mother's" out there have a wonderful MOTHER'S DAY weekend.  My MIL is coming down on Saturday and will be spending 2 weeks with us so I should be pretty busy with her here along with taking care of Coleen.

My Personal Blog

Just a NOTE that you will now find a link on my sidebar to my other Blog:
Wishes, Dreams and Other Things.  -  This is where I mainly post personal stuff, family photo's, books I've read (when I find time), recipes, music I like (which you'll find there is a Playlist playing on this blog) and whatever else comes to mind.  I don't post a tremendous amount on this blog but sometimes it's fun to see what people's lives are like so I hope you'll drop by for a visit.  I just posted some photo's.