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.

Hello Birdie

Oh I am so excited about this weeks Cupcake Friday sketch over on Taylor's Blog http://tayloredexpressions.blogspot.com/2009/01/taylored-expressions-cupcake-challenge_30.html  - First it's a really great sketch and 2nd I am more then happy with the card I created for the sketch (toot, toot) - Hey once in awhile we just have to toot our own horn!                        My first order of the new SU Catalog arrived Friday night and I had a chance to play today.  I just think these little birds from (Cheep Talk) are just so adorably cute.  I couldn't wait to ink them up.                       For this card I stamped the branches with Kiwi Kiss ink and then stamped my birds with Pacific Point ink.  Next I stamped the birds again (on Whisper White and cut out jsut the birds bodies and layered them over the main image with foam mounting tape.  Then I stamped them again on Bashful Blue card stock with the Pacific Point ink and cut out the wing and raised it up with foam mounting tape.  I then added 2 punched flowers in Summer Sun and 2 small green brads (Queen and Co.) to the flower centers.  I mounted this image onto Summer Sun card stock.  The hardest part for me was cutting "outside the box" with my birds but I managed it.

The sentiment was stamped with the Pacific Point ink as well.

I used my new, Good Morning Sunshine designer paper and layered that onto some Pacific Point cs that I punched with the new Eyelet Border punch.  I added some White Grosgrain ribbon (American Crafts) and a 1/4" punched circle of Summer Sun and a small blue brad. This was layered onto Kiwi Kiss stamped with the Canvas Background stamp in Kiwi Kiss ink and layered to the base card of Pacific Point. At the top I added 3 Dew Drops.  I just love the nice Spring feel of this card and believe me I am so ready for Spring and I hope this card gets you in the mood for some Springtime weather and fun too.  Don't forget to visit Taylor's Blog and check out the other cards being made using this sketch. 

Blowing in the Wind

Here is a card that we did at my last Stamp Club meeting.  I was inspired by this card.  I had just got my Raspberry Tart designer paper and absolutely LOVED the colors and patterns so that is what I went with for my card.  Of course when I went to cut everything for the meeting I found myself short on the Rose Red card stock and had to search through my scrap boxes for enough to come up with for 10 cards.  Next up was the fact that I had 2 different shades of Cameo Coral card stock which is the 2nd layer on this card.  My card stash was mostly the Old Cameo Coral which was more orange based so that is what we went with.  I needed a background stamp as I felt it was to plain without one and wouldn't you know it about the only non-retired (SU WE STILL NEED BACKGROUND STAMPS!) background stamp I had that would work was the Sanded Background so that is what we used. 

Next up was the fact that I didn't have time to order the new (Heart to Heart) punch so we ended up using a retired (Folk Heart) punch instead and I explained to all the members they could now purchase the new punch if they wanted to recreate this card.

We also used the Scallop Border punch, White Craft ink, White Embossing Powder, White Signo Gel Pen (for the few stitching) and foam mounting tape.  I love the Dandelion Image in this set.  It will work for more then just Valentine cards.

Mice Are Nice

Wow I had hoped to particpate in more then one of Taylor's Cupcake Friday sketches to help celebrate a year of wonderful, fun cupcake cards and sketches but alas it just wasn't meant to be.  For starters I have been having major issues with my right wrist (going numb, burning and tingling in my fingers, losing sleep, pain) so I just haven't been stamping all that much.  I've had a bit of relief that last 2 days so today I finally managed to do one of the sketches.

I chose this one from http://vickichrisman.blogspot.com/ because I really liked all the different layers it had.  I had spotted some paper on my desk when I was cleaning and decided to go with that as my color scheme for the card.  This is also part of the Blogger's Challenge this week (Week #84 - Theme, Birthday cards/projects).  So don't forget to check the other members out by clicking on the bloggers challenge icon on my side bar.

I also got to use my new Whiff of Joy stamp (Isn't that mouse just the most adorable thing you've seen in a long time!).  I colored the image with Prismacolored Pencils and blended with Gamsol.

Details:  Card Base: Real Red layered with Certainly Celery embossed with the Circles CB folder. I stamped the sentiment (SU) with Always Artichoke ink before embossing. I layered strips of designer paper (Artic Frog) and a piece of Pretty in Pink card stock that I embossed with a Martha Stewart border punch.  I added Always Artichoke Grosgrain ribbon.  My focal image was mounted on Tempting Turquoise cs and both were cut using my new Labels 2 dies from Spellbinders.  I added Red and Green jewels (Me and my Big Ideas) and raised up my image with foam mounting tape.  The flame and sprinkles on the cupcake were highlighted with Spica Glitter pens.

SGGW - Penguin Love

Happy Monday!  Hope you are all staying safe and warm.  It's COLD here again with only a high of 28 expected today and once again we have snow on the ground.  Believe me this is very unusual for Walla Walla to have had so much snow.  I really am looking forward to Spring.  In the mean time I had an extra image left over from the SGGW Mystery Image swap (see card here) so I thought I'd make up another card and send it to the Swap Hostess,       Sue Davis as a, "Thank You" for hosting the swap. 

I used the same exact color scheme as my previous card but went with a totally different layout.  This layout is the Mojo Monday Sketch Week 69.  My card base is Close to Cocoa layered with Bashful Blue and Barely Banana (embossed with Heart Cuttlebug Folder) and distressed with Chocolate Chip ink and the Cutter Kit. The designer paper (SU Spring Showers - retired)was layered onto Chocolate Chip and distressed.  I stamped the sentiment (SU A Happy Heart) with Chocolate Chip ink and punched the individual letters out with a 1/2" circle punch.  Then I layered them onto a 3/4" circle of Bashful Blue.  I stamped the heart again in So Saffron Ink and raised it up with foam mounting tape.  My focal image was colored with Prisma Colored Pencils and the boxer shorts were also raised up with foam mounting tape.  I also stamped some splatters (Itty Bitty Backgrounds) with Sahara Sand ink to match the splatters on the DP.  The dot on the letter (i) is a very tiny punched piece of Chocolate Chip card stock.

Enjoy the week and don't forget to STAMP YOUR ART OUT!

BC83 - Love Birds

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Gosh the week sure went by quickly.  Of course I've been swamped with activities so that could be one reason.  Sunday we celebrated my mom's 80th birthday and I prepared a meal for 16 people!  She really enjoyed her day and that made me happy. Monday was Coleen's birthday and that meant another party with decorations (which Grandma didn't know she was expected to do until the morning of her birthday).  Then last night was my Stamp Club so I have been one busy lady for sure.
Our challenge this week was a color challenge:
(Black, Red, Kiwi and White/Vanilla).  I really liked this color combination.  It's very striking.


I started this card last night after my stamp club and decided that I wanted to put to use some of my Christmas goodies.  I got a Janome Sew Mini!!! 
My first attempt went okay except I missed a few stitches at the start so I decided to start again and then my thread kept breaking and breaking.  I spent well over an hour trying to figure out what was going wrong before discovering that my bobbin wasn't locked in place properly.  Somewhere in the midst of all that I picked up Coleen's Squishy Octopus toy that she got for her birthday and squeezed it and all the goopy insides came squirting out all over me and the carpet so I had to clean that up.  What a mess.  By the time I got most of the card assembled it was almost 1:00 am so I decided to hit the sack and wait till this morning to finish up my card. Then I had difficulties photographing it (I need a better Camera).  I like how it turned out though so it was worth all the trials I went through to finish it up.

Card Details:  Card Stock:  Black, Real Red, Whisper White
Raspberry Tart Designer Pape (SU) - I LOVE THIS PAPER!
Stamp Set:  Together by Hero Arts
Ink: Basic Black, Real Red, Kiwi Kiss (I used a blender pen and reinker to color in the branches with the Kiwi Kiss ink).  The hearts were highlighted with a Red Spica Glitter Pen which makes it shimmer in real life.
Other: Rectangle Nestabilite Dies, Label Die, Red Thread and Sewing Machine, Heart Punch, Shiny Metallic Heart Brads (Queen and Co.) Black Grosgrain Ribbon and foam mounting tape.

Now if you haven't already checked out the other members cards/projects please do so by clicking on the Bloggers Challenge Icon on my sidebar.

Have a great weekend!

TECC51 - HAPPY 80th Birthday Mom

HAPPY 80th BIRTHDAY MOM!!! -  January 18th - This picture was taken in July and is one of the nicest photo's I have of my mom.  She hates having her picture taken so it's really hard to get a natural looking picture of her.  This is the first of the tomatoes she had from the plants she grew last summer so I took a picture of her with it and she was so excited about it that she smiled naturally for the camera instead of her usual sober look.  Anyway my mom is my dearest friend and this is a milestone birthday for her so I felt it was only fitting to share a photo of her with my viewers.

My post is a day early but I wanted to get the card posted ahead of time as it's part of the Cupcake Friday Challenge.  I've missed the last couple of sketches but thought I'd do this weeks and decided that I'd just make my mom's birthday card using the sketch. 

I went with flowers and butterflies because those are a couple of my mom's favorite things.  Then I remembered that I had some paper by Chatterbox that had poppies on it that I thought would work well for my card.  Once I started making the card though I decided to not use the poppy background paper but went instead for the striped pattern.

I stamped the poppies (Oh So Lovely - retired SU) with Palette Noir Black ink and colored them with Prismacolor Pencils and Gamsol.  I masked the flowers and sponged Barely Banana Ink around them while my paper was still inside the Nestabilities Die.  I stamped a second set of poppies and cut the flowers out and raised them on my main image with foam mounting tape.  I added the buttersflies from (Beyond the Basics - SU) by coloring them with Ruby Red, Really Rust, So Saffron and Always Artichoke markers).

I layered this onto a scalloped rectangle of Always Artichoke.  Then I realized that I needed another panel as the strips in the sketch go under the main panel so I added the So Saffron Panel. 

The Main Card is Always Artichoke layered with So Saffron and a Textured Piece of card stock in a dark red color from Chatterbox.  I added 3 punched circles of Really Rust with dark green brads (Queen and Co.).  My sentiment is from Sincere Salutations) and was stamped with Bravo Burgundy ink and I pierced underneath the sentiment for some added insterest.  I added 2 punched butterflies to the focal image to complete my card. 

I even stamped the inside of the card (which I don't do often but I like how it turned out.  I hope my mom will like it.  Be sure to check Taylor's blog and see all the enteries for the Cupcake Friday Sketch.

My Funny Valentine - BC 82

Time for another Bloggers Challenge and this time was, (Same but Different) which can be interpreted many ways.  We could use the same stamps but different layouts,  Same layout but different stamps,  different techniques, colors/papers etc...as long as something was the same on each card.    I chose to use the same layout for both my cards but different stamps, papers and embellishments. My first card is also a Mystery Image for the Stamp Girls Gone Wild group I belong too.  Since Kerry is a member of both groups she's bound to see this card before she gets it.  Sue Davis was the Hostess this time around and she sent this cute Penguin image from Memory Box.  As an added "twist" to the challenge she also sent each participant a piece of Designer Paper that we had to use somewhere on our card.  We could use all the paper or just a piece of it but somewhere on our card we had to use the paper she sent.  My piece is from the SU collection called, Spring Showers which is now retired.  I must admit to not being thrilled with the paper I received but after I got my card going it all fell into place and I really like how it turned out.

My card base is:  Close to Cocoa that I layered with Barely Banana edged in Chocolate Chip ink.  Then I layered a piece of Bashful Blue card stock that I ran part way through the Cuttlebug with the Hearts embossing folder and layered on my piece of designer paper.  I added a piece of Chocolate Chip twill ribbon.  I colored the penguins boxer shorts with Prismacolor Pencils and cut them out and layered them on the main image.  This was then layered to a circle of Whisper White and a Scallop of Barely Banana edged in the Chocolate Chip ink and pierced.  I added 3 small circles of Close to Cocoa with 3 small hearts punched in Bashful Blue (punch source unknown).  Then I stamped the sentiment (SU Holidays and Wishes) in Close to Cocoa ink and used a stamp from Itty Bitty Backgrounds to create the spatters to match those in the paper.  The sentiment and focal image were raised with foam mounting tape.

For my second card I chose to use the adorable Skunk image from SU Pun Fun.  I stamped him in Palette Noir Black ink on Whisper White card stock and colored him with Copic Markers.  I masked the image and sponged in some grass with Kiwi Kiss ink.  Then I added a small red brad to the flower center and highlighted the petals with a Clear Spica Glitter Pen for some shimmer.  My card base is: Ridinghood Red layered with Certainly Celery and Pink Pirouette ran through the Cuttlebug with the Floral Fantasy embossing folder.  My designer paper is from Kaisercraft.  I added 3 circles of Certainly Celerty and 3 light pink heart brads.  The sentiment was stamped with Ridinghood Red ink.  I used Ridinghood Red Taffeta.

So there you have it 2 cards with the same layout but different stamps/colors - Now go check out the other members blogs and see what they created for this fun challenge.  You can do so by clicking on the Bloggers Icon on my sidebar.

 

Delicious Treats

Hurry you don't want to miss this!  The very "Talented" Kerry is having a Blog Anniversary and is offering up some Sweet treats (no not those delicious looking cookies) to not 1, not 2 but 3 Lucky people.  All you have to do is follow a few simple rules for your chance to win.  See this post and spead the word.  I didn't include the pictures of the Prizes so you will have to go check it out for yourself.    I couldn't resist the picture though of the cookies.  I'm with Kerry...Give me Baked Goods any day over Candy (although I like candy too)  Okay I admit I have a sweet tooth period. 

What you're still reading this,  why haven't you headed on over to Kerry's blog and checked it out - Get Going!!!

"Designed" For Love - BC 81

It's been awhile since I've done one of Julee's Mojo Monday sketches so I figured it was high time I got in and participated.  There is now a blog dedicated to MojoMonday and you can find it here:  Beside's this being a lot of fun you can also get a lot of inspiration from viewing all the great cards and have your chance to win FREE Verve Stamp sets so be sure to check it out.  

My card is also the card for the Blogger's Challenge Group this week who's focus was on Designer Series Paper.  I thought the sketch really fit being able to showcase designer paper quite well. 

For this card I used the following:  Card Stock:  Rose Red, Regal Rose, Whisper White.  My designer paper is from DCWV (Heart Print) and the Polka Dot Piece is from an unknown source .  I know pretty sad since the challenge was to focus on Designer Paper.  I cut off the Company name after I got it (I don't do that now) so I can't really say who makes it.  The reverse side is the solid raspberry color under the polka dot pattern.

Ink: Regal Rose and I computer generated my sentiment to match SU Rose Red.

Other: Sheer Pink Ribbon (JoAnn Fabrics), Large Heart Eyelet (Old retired SU brad), 6 light pink heart brads (JoAnn Fabrics), Lg. and Sm. Oval Punches, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Heart Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Angel Dust Glitter (Art Institute) and Foam mounting tape.

I love how this all turned out and hope you do as well. - Be sure to check out the other members blogs to see how they spot lighted Designer Series Paper.

Think Spring

I'm sure those of you who have been having a cold, icy or snowy winter like we've been having are more then ready for Spring,  I know I am.  I signed up on another group I belong to for a "Think Spring" card challenge and this is the card I created for my partner. 

Stamp Set:  Upsy Daisy, Sanded Background
Card Stock: Tangering Tango, So Saffron, Old Olive, Whisper White and Haiku Designer (to bad it's retiring soon as it's so refreshing).
Ink: Tangering Tango and Basic Black
Other: Fire Rhinestone Brad, Designer Flower Brad,  Notched Corner Punch (retired), Scallop Punch, Paper Piercing Tool, Old Olive Grosgrain Ribbon, Foam Mounting Tape and Dazzling Diamonds Glitter.

I stamped the flowers once with the Tangerine Tango ink and then stamped again (without reinking) slightly above where I first stamped ( I just love the shadow look this makes) and then highlighted the darker flowers with the Dazzling Diamonds Glitter.

Romance is in the air - Blog Candy Alert

Just a "heads-up" on some cool Valentine Blog Candy being offered up here at Stamps, Paper, Scissors and Donkey Smiles - Plus you get to read all about their cute little Donkeys - They are adorable.

Then if you're in the mood for Romance you can check out ABC tonight for the latest addition of The Bachelor - Okay call me a "hopeless" romantic but I love this show. Yes, I realize that very few of the couples have ever stayed together but it's fun to watch and just maybe there may actually be a real romantic connection.

BC80 - Happy Valentine's Day

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! -  First I want to thank everyone who visited my blog last year and left wonderful comments.  It really meant a lot to me. I hope that 2009 will be a good year for everyone and that you'll drop in often.  This is my first card of the New Year.  I hope you like it.                    The Bloggers Challenge Group was issued a Color Combo for this weeks challenge (Chocolate Chip, Red, Baja Breeze) and White/Vanilla optional.  For some reason these colors just seemed to shot out Valentine's Day to me so that is the theme that I went with. 

Stamps: Cat & Bird - Whipper Snapper Designs, Sentiment from SU Holiday and Wishes

Card Stock: Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Baja Breeze, Whisper White and

Ski Slope Designer Paper

Ink: Basic Black, Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeae, Real Red

Other:  Cuttlebug Embossing Folder - Birds and Swirls, Lace Punch (Martha Stewart),Oval and Scallop Oval Punches - Marvy, Heart Die (Source Unknown), 3 small red brads (Queen and Co.), Real Red Glitter (Art Institute) and foam mounting tape.

Don't forget to check out the other members creations by clicking on the Bloggers Challenge Icon on my sidebar.

BC 79 - Celebrations

Hello,  I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas.  Mine was quite nice inspite of the not so nice weather (we did have a "White" Christmas) for a change.

I'm a "Day Late" with the Blogger's Challenge and considered just skipping but decided to post anyway.  Now mind you my card is nothing fancy but at least I participated.  I had a hard time photographing this card because of all the glittery embossing powders.

Our theme this week was, Celebrations (of any kind).  I choose to do a New Year's theme for my celebration card.  I went with a color scheme of White, Black & Gold.

The stamps I used were: Fireworks Rockets - (A Stamp in the Hand) and Celebrate (Graphistamp) both of which I have had for a number of years.  I used Gold Fire Opal EP (Embossings Arts) on Basic Black card stock for the rockets.  I stamped the bursting fireworks with Black Diamond (JudiKins) EP on Whisper White card stock.  My sentiment was stamped with Palette Noir Black ink and highlighted with a black Spica Glitter pen (doesn't really show up well though).  I added  strip of Brushed Gold card stock and 3 black brads. 

Pretty simple really but it looks pretty in real life. - Be sure to check out the other blogger's challenge members creations (if you haven't already). 

I'm looking forward to sharing with you all in the coming New Year!

Peaceful Christmas Wishes

I realized I hadn't posted this card yet so I thought I would share it with you all today.

The stamp set is called:  Peaceful Wishes and is by Artful Inkables I fell in love with the deer images as I have always enjoyed driving to the mountains to look for deer. 

For this card I used Riding Hood Red Card stock for my base and layered a piece of designer paper (Basic Grey) along with a scalloped punched pieced of Riding Hood Red.  Then I embossed a piece of Sage Shadow cs with the snowflake embossing folder and highlight the snowflakes with a white craft pad.  I tied some Hunter Green Grosgrain ribbon around this piece.

My deer were embossed with Woven Tapestry EP (Personal Stamp Exchange).  This company no longer exists and I've had these powders forever but they really looked great embossed on this card.  The sentiment was stampedwith Cranberry Crisp Ink and I distressed the edges with a Gold Mettalic Ink Pad (Encore).  Then I mounted this onto some Handsome Hunter card stock and raised the image with foam mounting tape.  Pretty easy really but I love the way it turned out.

Here's  a picture of hubby clearing our driveway out today

BC78 - Hey Santa

Happy Winter! - If you are like most of the country you're probably buried under a ton of snow or ice and wishing hard for spring to arrive (I know I am)...Hopefully everyone is safe and warm. 

  Our Blogger's Challenge for today was Non-Traditional Christmas Colors for a Christmas card.  Well I not only went with non-traditional colors but I decided to use stamps that were rather "non-traditional" as well.

I found this cute little set of stamps (Studio G) for only $1 and thought I'd use them for today's challenge.

I love the Elf Feet and the fact that's all the elf you see is just the feet.  I went with my color scheme by using a piece of Designer Paper - (Doodlebug Design - Seabreeze Dotted Line).

My card base is Night of Navy, layered with Baja Breeze and Kiwi Kiss.  I ran half the piece of Kiwi cs through my Cuttlebug with the Snowflake Embossing Folder.  Then I embossed the snowflakes using a Versa Mark pad and Iridescent Ice EP for some sparkle.  I layered the designer paper on the other half and added a piece of Kiwi Kiss Satin Ribbon.

My Elf feet were stamped with Palette Noir Black ink and watercolored with Kiwi Kiss and Baja Breeze Ink Pads.  I couldn't resist adding just a touch of traditional color so I used some red on the bells and stockings with a Spice Red Glitter Pen.  The sentiment (don't you just love it) was also stamped with the Palette Noir Black ink.  Then I added 3 small mini brads (Queen and Co.)  The panel was then added to a scalloped piece of Night of Navy cs (I used my Nestabilites Dies for the panels) and raised up with foam mounting tape.  I added a bow of the Kiwi Satin to complete the card.

Be sure to check out the other great cards/projects by clicking on my Bloggers Challenge Icon on my sidebar.

This is a picture of our house yesterday after the HUGE dump of snow we got.  I had to go out and dig the Polar Bears and Penguins out from under the snow in order for them to be seen. 

Winter Wonderland

I've been absent for a few days from blogging and really haven't been stamping either so no new cards to show at the moment.  Winter arrived here in Walla Walla with a vengence and it's still coming down.  I am so NOT a winter/snow type person so I've been in a bit of a cranky mood this past week. 

I thought I'd share a few wintery photos with you.  These penguins are part of our Christmas Decorations but by Christmas they will probably be totally buried as it's suppose to snow all week long.

These are pictures of the trees across the street from us.  The photo on the left is looking down our driveway between our house and my mom's.  The picture on the right are trees from a house on the corner across from us.  This was taken just as the snow plows were heading down the street clearing the road.

This is my mom's dog, Rusty (He's 1/2 American Eskimo and 1/2 Chow).  Doesn't he look cold....but he hates staying inside.  Our temps have been so cold and all this snow is very unusual for our area. Looks like this year we'll be having a, "White Christmas!"

Thankfully I finished up my shopping yesterday before the new storm hit.  I'm not going out unless I absolutely have to.  Stay warm everyone.  Wintery Hugs to all.

BC77 Christmas Ornaments

Boy time is rushing by so fast and I am no where near ready for Christmas.  How about you?  For our challenge this week we were to do Christmas Ornaments or Decorations.  I wasn't going to participate because I have just been swamped trying to get things done and just didn't feel I had time to try making an ornament (not my usual forte).  However last night at my Stamp Club we made these little ornament boxes and it dawned on me that I could post them for the challenge.  Talk about a "DUH" moment.... I'm sure you've probably already seen these somewhere but I think they are cute and the ladies at my Club enjoyed making them.  I found a template for the Triange Box here:

They are a lot of fun to make and really turned out cute. 

Details:  Santa:  CS, Real Red, Blush Blossom, Basic Black, Whisper White

Punches: Scallop Circle, 5-Petal Flower, 1 3/8" Circle, 1/2" Circle, 1/4" circle, Word Window, Boho Blossom

Other: Pretty in Pink Ink sponged on face, White Signo Gel Pen to highlight eyes, Silver Cording, Pop Tab, Black Grosgrain Ribbon, Sticky Strip Tape to close box.

Angel: CS Bashful Blue covered with Designer Paper (retired), Blush Blossom, More Mustard, Brushed Silver

Punches: Circle Scallop (Cut in half for wings) Large and Small Oval (for Halo) Large Oval  also used for hands (cut in half) 1" Circle (head) 1/2" circle under angels arms, Round Tab Punch, 5-Petal Flower Punch (used to create hair)

Other: Pretty in Pink ink daubed with Q-Tip for cheeks,

That's pretty much it.  Just some scoring envolved and gluing together and voila you have a cute little ornament.  Don't forget to stop by the other members blogs to see what they created for this challenge.  You can do so by clicking on the bloggers challenge icon on my sidebar.

TECC45 Jolly Old Elf

One of the things I look forward to is seeing the new sketch on Taylor's Blog for Cupcake Friday.  I love her creations and how yummy they always are.  It's also inspired me to get out of my comfort zone and also gives me a starting point for my own cards (which always helps when your mojo is tired).  For this card I went with a retired stamp set from SU called, (Jolly Old Elf).  It must not have been a popular set because I could only find 1 card on SCS where someone had used that set.  I personally love it.  The different Santa's are so unique.  I chose this one because of the ong beard he had as I figured it went so well with the oval shape in the sketch.

My card base is: Always Artichoke - Or at least I think it is.  I found some paper in my stack that was also suppose to be Always Artichoke and yet it had a slightly different shade to it so I'm just guessing that what I used is the AA card stock.
I layered some Cool Carribean (a retired color that I miss) along with some designer paper by Basic Gray.

I stamped my Santa on Whisper White card stock and colored him with Prisma Color Pencils.  I cut out the hat and added white liquid applique and a generous sprinkling of Dazzling Diamonds Glitter.  The star was colored with a Yellow Spica Glitter Pen.  The hat is raised up on the image with foam mounting tape.
I mounted him to an oval of white edged with Cool Carribean ink and then layered to a larger scallop oval of Always Artichoke that I pierced with the Crafters Tool Kit.  I added a piece of Cranberry Crisp (retired SU) and an embossed border of Whisper White.  I stamped my sentiment (Perfect Ending) with Cranberry Crisp ink.  I added three 1/2" circles of Cranberry Crisp cs along with three green Christmas Tree brads (Making Memories) and tied a piece of Artichoke Grosgrain ribbon around the Cranberry piece of card stock.

Yet another Christmas card done!

Christmas Fishes

It's time for another Friday Bloggers Challenge and I say,  "GO FISH!" -  Our challenge this week was a color challenge, (Bashful Blue, Close to Cocoa, Tangerine Tango, Kiwi Kiss and Vanilla or White could be added.)  Now to me that is quite a color scheme and not one that I would normally work with either.  Of course if you had the perfect Designer Paper (Frosty Day - from SU) you would have been set but alas I had not purchased that paper so I had a tough time with this one.  I decided to use my Cozy Critters stamp set again and since Fish come in various colors I figured the little fish would work well with this color scheme.    I watercolored my fish on the White Card stock and for some reason the color just didn't work well for me (too much water or not enough and I didn't use watercolor paper either) but it looks halfway decent so I went with it anyway.  I also colored and cut out the little hats and added glitter (Art Institute) to make them festive looking.  I'm not sure of the hats yet,  Do you think they are a little, "Over the Top?"

My card base is Close to Cocoa (had to work that in some place) and I layered it with a piece of Haiku Designer paper in Tangerine Tango (it reminded me of fish scales).  I colored the scarfs and cut them out so I could layer them to the different colored fish.  Then I layered them to a piece of Close to Cocoa card stock and distressed the edges.  Next up I cut out a circle of Basful Blue and a Scalloped Circle Nestabilitie of Kiwi Kiss.  I embossed the Bashful Blue circle with the snowflake pattern and then cut them in half.  To finish off the card I used some Chocolate Chip (I know not part of the colors but close enough) twill ribbon. 

That's it for this week.  Check out the other members creations by clicking on that little Icon on my sidebar.  Have a great week. 

Alien Ballerina

Doesn't this little Ballerina just make you SMILE! - This was the latest "Mystery Image" from the Stamp Girls Gone Wild group I belong to.  Kim really picked out a fun image and I wanted my card to be just that, a lot of FUN.   I started by using some really bright colors and funky patterns.                                             My card base is Pink Passion layered with Orchid Opulence.  Then I layered a piece of Gable Green and some designer paper (KI Memories)  I ran half the green card through the Cuttlebug using the Circles embossing folder and then added the DP and tied a piece of purple ribbon around that.    The stamp I believe is from (Stampotique) and the sentiment is Hero Arts.

I colored my little Alien Ballerina with Prismacolored pencils.  Her hair is highlighted with a Yellow Spica Glitter Pen and I added Candycane Glitter (Art Institute) to her Tutu for extra sparkle.  Then I added 3 colored brads and a pink pom pom for her nose.    I think she is really fun and funky and hope you do too.

Fa La La La La

ETA: Oopsie...I forgot to include the Close-Up picture of the Owl - It was late when I posted. So here it is:

Do you just want to pinch this cute little owls cheeks? I just love it when a card falls into place so easily. I started by picking a sketch and chose this one from Mojo Monday Then I picked out my Stamps & Finally the colors/paper patterns and away I went. I so love how this turned out.

My Card Base is Always Artichoke layered with Sage Shadow and designer paper (Wintergreen - Retired SU)

The Scalloped piece is Certainly Celery.

I stamped the Owl (Cozy Critters - Whipper Snapper Designs) on Whisper White card stock, colored it with Prismacolor pencils and blended with Gamsol. The Owls eyes were highlighted with a Yellow Spica Glitter Pen (see Close-up for detail). I stamped the Owl a second time on the designer paper and cut out the hat and scarf and paper pieced them to the original. I masked my owl first though and sponged Sage Shadow ink around him. I left my Circle Nestabilitie Die on so that I would leave a white border. This was then mounted onto a larger cirlce of Sage Shadow.

I added 3 light mint colored brads and stamped my sentiment with black ink and punched it out with the word window punch. I added a Celery Grosgrain ribbon and knotted bow at the top and raised my owl with foam mounting tape.

I think he has a nice "wintery" feel about him.