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.

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!

CIC51 - Easter Blessings

Aren't these cupcakes beautiful! - These are the basis for this weeks Cupcake Inspiration Photo on Hope Stamps Eternal.    I was inspired by the colors (green, blue and gray) and of course the butterflies.  At first I was stumped about what I was going to use for my stamp and then this morning I discovered this as yet uninked stamp (Whimsical Flowered Egg) from Great Impressions that I bought last year and never used.  I water colored the image and then colored over it with Prisma Colored Pencils.  Next I masked the image and sponged on some Bashful Blue ink.  I decided to do the "Cracked Glass" technique as well to give it a bit of an "antique" feel.    I cut another butterfly out and added some shimmer with a Spica Glitter Pen.   I mounted the image to Baja Breeze Card Stock.  This was mounted on Certainly Celery with Designer Paper from Basic Grey (Figgy Pudding).  I embossed the bottom with a Cuttlebug embossing folder and added Basic Gray Ribbon (retired SU) and pearls from Zva found here:  The sentiment is from Verve (Everlasting Life) and was stamped with Basic Gray ink.

Be sure to stop by Hope's blog and check out what everyone else did with this inspiration photo.  Have a great day!

BC144 - Upsy Daisy Friendship

CLICK HERE FOR THE ANNABELLE
SKETCH CHALLENGE - IT'S PRIZE WEEK
SO BE SURE TO CHECK IT OUT.

Hello! - Well I must say not only was this sketch a bit of a "challenge" for me but trying to get it posted was an even bigger one.  I have no clue what was going on but Blogger wouldn't put my photo's in right or align the typing the way I wanted it etc...It's been about 2 frustrating hours of deleting and reentering everything so hopefully this time is a go. This week the BC challenge is a "Sketch" challenge.  I tried several different papers, stamps etc...before settling on this one.  Which I happen to like so it was worth all the time and effort in the end.  Card details follow at the end of this post.  Below is a bit of what I've gone through this week.

We had a bit of a scare this week with Coleen.  She became ill on Tuesday morning and her mom took her in to the doctor.  I was at bowling at the time but called to find out how things were going.  The doctors did a bunch of tests and thought it was appendicitis.  They wanted her admitted to the hospital right away.  Needless to say my bowling stunk and I headed out to the hospital as soon as we finished bowling.  It was a long afternoon and one I hope to never repeat.  The poor child had actually started feeling better but they wanted to give her an IV and after 3 tries and her screaming and crying about how much it hurt her mom and I finally told them to stop.  Then when Coleen wanted something to eat/drink they said the doctor didn't want her to eat for another 4 hours.  The poor kid had gone without food all day long.  We ended up signing her out of the hospital against the doctor's orders and brought her home.  They spent the night with us and Coleen ate spaghetti and drank some milk before going to bed.  She was just fine the next morning and has been doing great since.  We think it was some kind of a stomach bug but I sure was disgusted with all the needless tests they took and what they put that little girl through.

Card details:  Card Stock: Basic Black, Real Red, Whisper Whip, DP (Source Unknown). Embossing Powders (Winter White - SU retired), (Bold Black), Clear

Ink Pads, Versamark & Lipstick Red Fluid Chalk ink (Color Box).

Ribbon - American Crafts, Scallop Punch-SU, Circle and Scallop Nestabilitie Dies, Swiss Dot embossing folder.

Be sure to stop by the other BC members blogs and check out their takes on this sketch.

Thought I'd leave with a picture of these tiny little red tulips blooming in my rose bed.  Aren't they cute!

absc18

Talk about "frustrated"...I've been trying to get Blogger to upload my photo's a certain way and now matter how hard I try they still come out different then what I want them too.  UGH!!!     So here we are ready for another Annabelle Sketch challenge. This sketch was a FUN sketch to use.  It allows you to use a variety of patterned papers (which I like).  I am really in love with SU's new Sweet Pea designer series so I've used it once again for this weeks card.

My colors are:  Tempting Turquoise, Pretty in Pink, Old Olive and the Sweet Pea designer paper.    The stamp set that I used is, (Flowers With Love).  I stamped my flower with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored it with Prismacolor Pencils.  I added some shimmer with Spica Glitter Pens (hard to see in the photo).  The small flowers are from an SU punch and I added Blossom Sprinkles for my bling and some awesome ric-rac ribbon that I bought for a $1 at JoAnn's.

That's pretty much it for this card, simple and easy (which I like).  I hope you'll give this sketch a try too.  It's a PRIZE sketch and you have 2 weeks to complete your card and post a link on the Annabelle Blog using the Mr. Linky feature.  Don't forget to check out the other DT members blogs too and see their fabulous takes on this sketch.

BC143 - Spring is in the Air

Annabelle Challenge HERE




Spring has Sprung (almost) - Happy Friday, Today the Blogger Challenge theme is:

"Think Spring" and with the 1st Day of Spring arriving tomorrow (20th) it's very fitting that we honor this lovely season.  Spring is my favorite season of the year and since I was born on the first day of Spring I really love it!

For this card I chose another "no stamping" card.  I've had these wonderful fabric stickers (Hot off the Press) for a couple of years now and this one just shouted out spring to me.  Isn't it sweet.  I decided to pair it up with some Sweet Pea designer paper from SU and some soft colors (Perfect Plum, Pale Plum, Pretty in Pink.  I stitched around the tag (it's a little uneven because my machine just won't work right. For some reason the thread bunches up on me.)
I frayed some Eggplant grosgrain ribbon and tied it on my tag, added some felt and prima flowers, a punched border and some pink jewels to complete my card.  I also embossed the pale plum layer with the Moroccan Screen embossing folder.  I chose to leave off a sentiment and let the tag speak for itself as to the theme.

Be sure to click on the BC icon on my sidebar and check out all the other members wonderful Spring cards/creations.  Have a great weekend and HAPPY SPRING!

I've included a picture of Coleen and her bouquet of Spring Tree blooms that she picked on our walk this week. 

Say it in Green n Blue

Hi,  Hope you are all having a wonderful week.  It's time for this weeks Annabelle Challenge and our theme this week is,

"Say it in Green and Blue."  I did double duty with this card as it's my very first time doing the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge on Karen Giron's blog (SSSC60).  I loved this sketch and thought it would work well with these fun flowers from the Annabelle stamp line (Floral Stems) The sentiment is from: (Flowers With Love). 

My card stock colors are: Not Quite Navy, Kiwi Kiss, So Saffron and Very Vanilla.  The patterned paper is by (Cosmo Cricket).  I colored the flowers with Copic Markers (B21 Baby Blue, YR21 Cream, and YG00 Mimosa Yellow).  I added Olive Sprinkles to the flower centers.  The border strip is the Scallop Punch from SU) I added Olive Twill ribbon (SU retired) and some dark green embroidery thread tied in knots.

Please stop by the Annabelle Blog and check out the other DT members cards by clicking on their links.  Don't forget you still have 1 week left on the current Sketch Challenge and a chance to win the stamp set Flourishes available from Annabelle Stamps.

CIC50 Shamrock Wishes

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!  -  Even though I'm not Irish I still like to celebrate the day by wearing green.

Here is my card for this weeks Cupcake Inspiration Challenge.  What a fitting cupcake for St. Patrick's day.
I wanted to create a card that could be used for something besides a St. Patrick's Day card and I think this works.  I wanted a "linen" like feel to match the napkins and just had to include a shamrock of some kind. 
My little (Gnome or Leprechaun) is from Stampendous.  I colored him with Prisma Colored Pencils and paper pieced the hat.  I added some glitter (Sea from Art Institute) to the Shamrock.
My colors are:  Card Stock: Sage Shadow (SU) Light Beige is from a piece of Chocolate Box Core-dinations.  The patterned piece is one I've had in my stash forever and had no company listed on the back.  The (Wish) sentiment is a $1 find (Inkadinkado) and was stamped with Sage Shadow ink.  The eyelet lace is from my stash as well.  The brads are from Paper Hedgehog and the flowers are Prima's.
I distessed the edges with a paper distressing tool (SU).

BC142 - Songbird Birthday Wishes

It's Friday and time for the Blogger Challenge.  This weeks theme is, Birthdays (we all have them and we all need cards for them).  Since I was late getting started on my card due to hand issues (yes they get sore and some days they hurt more then others) I opted for a non-stamped card today.

I can't take credit for this design since it's largely cased from a card made by the fabulous Kim Hughes out of the current Stamp It Cards issues (Page 16).  She stamped a bird image, I chose to punch mine using the new SU XL Two-Step bird punch currently available in the Occasions Mini Catalog. 

The paper I used for this card is from the Sweet Pea Designer series pack also available in the Occasions Mini catalog as are the Sweet Pea felt flowers that I used.

The sentiment is a rub-on from the Chit Chat rub-ons (SU).  I did use 3 Olive Sprinkles available from Annabelle Stamps.   The ribbon is retired SU and the birds eye is a tiny Zva pearl from Hope Stamps Eternal.

I hope you enjoy this card as I think it's perfect for a Spring time birthday.  Don't forget to check out the other BC members blogs (click on the Icon on my sidebar) and check out their fabulous birthday creations.

A breath of Spring - absc17

Hi and welcome to the newest Annabelle sketch challenge. It's PRIZE time again and this time the prize is the set, "Flourishes" available here which is a fun set to use for adding "bling" to your cards.

For my card this week I chose the set, (Flowers With Love). I watercolored the floral image and added some shimmer with a Spica glitter pen. Doesn't it look pretty?  My card base is Regal Rose layered with Kiwi Kiss.  The designer paper (which I just love) is by, My Mind's Eye and is part of the Penny Lane collection.  I also used the Sanded BG stamp (SU) and added Blossom sprinkles for my bling.

Remember the contest now runs 2 full weeks so everyone will have plenty of time to play.  You can leave a link to your card via Mr. Linky at the Annabelle Blog We'd love to see your take on this great sketch.

BC141 - Shamrock Blessings

If you are here for the Annabelle, "Say it with...Cake" challenge look here

Now on to the Blogger Challenge this week.  This week was a "color" challenge:
Greens/White (Neutrals as needed).

First up I used "Black" as my neutral color.
I won this wonderful stamp set, (Shamrock Blessings) from Our Craft Lounge and just had to ink it up for this challenge.

I stamped the shamrocks with Kiwi Kiss ink on Whisper White card stock and stamped the sentiment with Memento Tuxedo Black ink.  Then I layered this onto Old Olive card stock cut with Labels 8 Nestabilitie Dies.
I added three 3mm Black Currant Sprinkles from (Annabelle Stamps)  These are so gorgeous you really need to see them in real life to truly appreciate how pretty they are.
My background papers are from Stampin'Up! I also embossed a piece of whisper white card stock with the Moroccan Screen embossing folder.  The ribbon is black velvet from a retired SU ribbon pack.

For my 2nd card I was inspired by a card from the current Paper Crafts magazine (March/April) issue made by Maile Belles (Page 63).

I liked the layout but changed a few things to make this card my own.

Again I used the Shamrock Blessings stamp set from Our Craft Lounge.

For this card I chose, Kraft card stock as my Neutral color.  I stamped the shamrocks in, Kiwi Kiss, Old Olive and Always Artichoke inks and punched them out with a square punch and mounted them onto matching card stock.  I embossed a piece of Kraft card stock with the Houndstooth embossing folder.  The sentiment was stamped with Kiwi Kiss and the "Lucky" portion colored with an Always Artichoke marker.  I added a piece of DP from SU and tied some Linen thread around it.  Then I used an Old Olive Felt flower, a White Flower and a Button (all SU) as an embellishment.

I really had fun with both these cards and hope you enjoy them.  Be sure to stop by the BC members blogs (click on the icon on my sidebar) and check out their great cards as well using this color scheme.

Say it With....Cake and CIC48

"Strawberry Fields Forever"

Hello!  It's time for this weeks Annabelle Challenge and we are doing something different this week.  Since we are now doing the "Sketch" challenge (bimonthly) on the opposite weeks we will be doing cards based on themes, color schemes etc...to start off we have the theme:  Say It With....Cake.

I'm also combining this challenge with this weeks Cupcake Inspiration Challenge on Hope Stamps Eternal.  Aren't those cupcakes divine!  What could be more yummy then ripe, juicy red strawberries.  Make's my mouth water just thinking about it.  Of course those who know me well know that I am a HUGE fan of the fruit and that I picked them to earn money every summer from the time I was 11 till I graduated from High School.  That's a lot of strawberry picking but you know I never got tired of the fruit even after spending my summers out in the hot sun or having to pick in a wet field after it rained.  I can't wait each summer for the berries to riped so we can enjoy delicious Strawberry shortcake.

My card features the awesome Annabelle Stamp set,  Jasmine's Cupcake.  I think she's perfect for both challenges. She's mainly colored with Copic Markers (the few that I have) and yes I need lots of work using them.  Her hair though was colored with an SU Marker (Creamy Caramel) as the only brown Copic I have was much to dark for what I wanted.  I paper pieced the dress with a piece of DP from (Cut-it-Up) called Green Salt.  To make the frosting fluffy I used Light Pink Puff Stitch by Color Point and some Candy Pink Glitter (Art Institute).  The bows were raised using foam mounting tape.

I punced 3 flowers with my SU punch and added yellow brads.  They go perfect with the blossoms from the inspiration cupcake.  I'm not sure who makes the red/white polka dot dp (wish I could give you the source) and I added dots to the Real Red piece with the Swiss Dot embossing Folder.

Other Colors, Pretty in Pink, Glorious Green, Whisper White.

Ric-Rac (isn't that pretty) from JoAnns for only $1 for 9 feet! 

Be sure to visit the Annabelle Blog as there is still time to participate in last weeks Sketch Challenge - Up for grabs is the fun stamp set,  I Can Fly  and you can also join in on our theme this week using any stamps you have as long as you use "cake" of some kind on your card.  Leave us a link via Mr. Linky so we can check out your delicious creations.