Annabelle Excitement

Hooray the "Sneak Peeks" are here!!! Even more exciting for me was the fact that my stamps arrived tonight!!!  I just had to participate in the "sneak peeks" so I quickly whipped up a card.  Thank goodness for sketches like the current MoJo144 sketch.  It really got me jump started on my card.   I found some old designer paper that I've had forever and due to wanting to get this posted quickly I'm going to just say that the source is, (Unknown) for this particular DP and I'm thinking it's probably retired anyway as I've had it forever.  I just loved the colors so I went with that.

Card Base is Ruby Red, layered with Old Olive embossed with the Distressed Stripes Cuttlebug embossing folder and then distressed with Always Artichoke ink.

I used the new set, (Tree-MEN-dos) ABS017 and stamped the tree trunk in Really Rust Ink.  The leaves were stamped with Old Olive and dotted with Ruby Red ink and then I sponged on some Old Olive ink as well.  I stamped the sign with Chocolate Chip ink and the sentiments with Ruby Red ink.  I also used Itty Bitty BG from SU to dot on some Ruby Red ink and distressed the edges with the Cutter Tool.  I tied on some yummy dark brown satin ribbon that I just got from Annabelle stamps as well and added three 4mm Toffee Sprinkles to complete my card.

Don't forget to stop by the other DT members blogs to see their cards.

 I just checked them out and there are some fabulous cards using this new set:          "Tree-MEN-Dous"  so you will want to make sure you check them out as you have a chance to win one of the new sets. 

Here is how:  Locate the DT blog that has a sneak peek of the next set to be previewed and then leave a comment on the ABS Blog for a chance to win!  You will only have a certain amount of time to visit all the DT members blogs and find out who has the next sneak peak so don't delay and be sure to visit all of the DT members blogs as you won't know which one has the sneak peak of the next set.

Once Upon A Monthly Challenge...#1

Here are the results from my Blog Milestone contest.  So without further ado here are the results (I apologize for this blurry photo but I couldn't copy the screen very well.)  Commenter #20 is the winner and that person is none other then Allison!!!                                                                          Allison said...

Love this image...I don't think I have seen it before. Super mix of papers to matchey the cupcake!

June 19, 2010   - Congratulations Allison.  Please contact me with the information on which On-Line store you would like your Gift Certificate from and I will get it sent off to you today!  Thanks everyone for helping me celebrate my 500th Post.  Here's to many more!
 
Now on to some FUN and EXCITING stuff...which was suppose to be posted already but Blogger put this in draft instead of publishing it when I had it scheduled. UGH!

Today is a special day.  My friend Elena (The Red haired Girl) and I have started our own monthly challenge.  Today is our first posting of our:  "Once Upon A Monthly Challenge" and I chose the theme:  Funky Patterns to start off with. 

This is the card that I sent to Elena.  You can find the card she sent me posted on  her blog so don't forget to stop by and check it out.  It's absolutely ADORABLE!  I love all the great details Elena adds to her cards.  She is a wonderful seamstress (which I am so NOT) and she does a fantastic job adding stitching to her cards and oh my her coloring is just awesome.

I chose Mint Motif stamps (Very Square and Very Square Sentiments) for Elena's card.  I used very BRIGHT colors as well using the striped pattern from Cosmo Cricket's DeLovely line for my color scheme.

I paired it with Melon Mambo, Bermuda Bay and Green Galore Card Stock.

I stamped the patterns from the Very square stamp set and then punched out circles using circle punches of varying sizes.  The card is based on a sketch from the latest Go to Sketches magazine from Paper Crafts found on Page 112.

Inks used:  Melon Mambo, Summer Sun, Tangerine Tango and Green Galore.

Other items used: Butterfly punch (source unknown), Gems, ZigZag Punch(EK Success), Cuttlebug embossing folder.

We hope you enjoy our challenge to each other and will stop by again next month when we challenge each other again.

Have a great week.

Two Challenges and a Blog Milestone

Annabelle Sketch (absc24) found HERE:  It's Prize week.  I forgot to mention what the prize is for this challenge so be sure to stop by the Annabelle Blog for details on what's available for this weeks prize.

Now it's time for the Blogger Challenge and my entry for the Cupcake Inspiration Challenge - I combined the two challenges with this card.

Doesn't that cupcake look divine! I just love the soft inviting colors and wanted to create something with a "Vintage" feel to it. 

For the Blogger Challenge we were given this sketch:

And here is what I came up with using both the cupcake inspiration photo and the sketch.

I chose an old SU stamp set appropriately titled, (Vintage Postcard) for my focal image.  I lightly sponged on Cool Caribbean and Green Gable ink and then stamped the image with Chocolate Chip ink.  I mounted the image on Pixie Pink cs.  My card base is Pretty in Pink layered with Cool Caribbean embossed with the Swiss Dot embossing folder.  Then I layered a panel of Gable Green and designer paper by My Mind's Eye (So Sophie).  All the panels were distressed with the Cutter Kit distressing tool and I brushed on some Green Gable ink as well.

My flower was created using the Boho Blossoms punch.  I punched out 5 flowers, wrinkled them up real well, brushed on Pretty in Pink ink, added some glitter and a  Ice Circle Brad.  (I cut the prongs off the 2 brads on the sides) I also used some retired pink ribbon from SU.  I used the (Just a Note) sentiment for the inside of the card.

So now for my Blog Milestone news:  This is my 500th POST!!! - To celebrate I am offering one random commenter a $25 Gift Certificate to their favorite on-line store.  You will have until Midnight Sunday PST to leave a comment for your chance to win.  No Anonymous commenter's.  You will need to leave me a way to contact you should you win.  I will post the winner on Monday morning so stop back by to see if it's you!!!

absc24 - Birthday Cake

Hello! - It's time once again for the newest Annabelle Sketch challenge.  This one's a bit different (at least it was for me) with those alternating side panels.   It works up really fun though and is a great way to use up some of those scraps (come on we all have them) that you have laying around. I hope you'll give it a try.                                                                                                                         For my card this week I chose Helen's Party for my stamp set.  I haven't used it in awhile and wanted to give it some more lovin.  I chose My Mind's Eye (Bloom and Grow) designer paper and based my colors from that.

My card base is: Bermuda Bay layered with Certainly Celery.  The panels are, MME DP, and Apricot Appeal card stock. 

For the focal image I stamped the Cake with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and water colored it with: Bermuda Bay, Apricot Appeal, Tangerine Tango, Certainly Celery and YoYo yellow ink pads and an Aqua Painter.  I added some Lemonade Glitter (Art Institute) to highlight the flame and used Crystal Effects on the cake platter.  This was mounted to an oval of Tangerine Card Stock.  The sentiment was masked and stamped (side by side).  I used Lime Sprinkles and an Orange Gem for my bling and tied on some May Arts Orange Dotted Sheer ribbon to complete the card.

Don't forget the NEW STAMPS are coming soon.  Be sure to add the "Blinkie" to your side bar and post the news to your blog for your chance to win some great prizes.

Also on a "side-note"  I am nearing my 500th post and am giving away a $25 Gift Certificate to your favorite On-Line store to one random commenter on the day I post my 500th post so be sure to stop by in the next day or so and comment for your chance to win.  No Anonymous Commenter's either.  You must leave a way to contact you if you win.  The contest will remain open until Midnight on Sunday - PST and the prize drawn and winner posted on Monday 21st.

Snippets - Here's a peek...

Okay I haven't posted yet this week but I've been busy stamping.  I thought I'd "tease" you a little with another "Snippet" of an upcoming card.  So what do you think?  -  To see the entire card you'll have to come back on Friday for the Blogger Challenge.

Also I'm nearing my 500th Post (wow that's a lot of posts) and want to do something special to commemorate the event.  I'll be offering a $25 Gift Certificate to your favorite On-Line store to one random commenter on the day I post my 500th post.  So don't forget to stop by and leave a comment or you'll miss out on your chance to win.

Hip, Hip, Hooray!

Hip, Hip, Hooray!  New Stamps are on their way!!!

Yes, Excitement is in the air over at Annabelle Stamps . What's all the excitement about...well new stamps are on their way.  To celebrate we are having a fantastic contest.   So what's up for grabs?

Four New Sets are being released this month and there will be 4 winners drawn randomly from those who follow the contest rules (who will each receive one of the brand spankin new sets.) !!!

 Here's what you need to do:

To be entered into the draw:

1. Grab our blinkie from the sidebar on the AnnaBelle Blog and place on your blog. You just need to copy and paste the text underneath the blinkie into a html gadget. (In blogger click Design then click add gadget and select HTML/Javascript) and remember to link your post to the AnnaBelle blog!

2. Please tell your friends about the new release and previews starting 22nd June in a post!

3. Become a follower of this blog if you aren't already :) You don't want to miss out on the fun and giveaways!

4. Add a link to your post spreading the word with Inlinkz.



The contest ends 12.00pm AEST Monday, June 21st!! NOTE there is a clock on the Annabelle Blog stating the AEST time frame.


Pretty Simple - So don't forget to enter for your chance to WIN - These sets are really great so you won't want to miss out on your chance to win one.

BC155 Happy Father's Day

Welcome!  Click here for the Annabelle Challenge

Now for today's Blogger Challenge our theme this week is, Father's Day.  I must admit that I have a really hard time with these challenges.  Not because they are hard to make but rather since my father has passed away I just don't feel up to making these types of cards.  At any rate I can always use this card to give to my hubby so here it is.

Nothing real fancy this week but I like how it turned out.

I started by picking out my papers from the SU Sweet Pea collection.  I love the brown, saffron and olive in this piece and think it lends itself to a masculine feeling card.  I chose to highlight just a sentiment and used the Happy Father's Day sentiment from, (All Holidays).  I colored directly on the stamp with Old Olive, Chocolate Chip and So Saffron markers, huffed on the stamp and stamped it down on Whisper White card stock. This was mounted on a piece of Chocolate Chip, layered to an embossed piece of Old Olive and mounted on So Saffron and Chocolate Chip Card stock.  The edges were distressed with a distressing tool.  I added punched circles of the same colors, some wide Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon and Old Olive brads. I used the Argyle embossing folder.

Be sure to stop by the other BC members blogs to view their Father's Day creations.  Have a great weekend.  It's FINALLY suppose to be sunny here so I'm looking forward to that.

Say It With...Pink and Green

Hi! - Hope your week has been going well.  Nothing real exciting happening here (still lots of rain) but that should change come the weekend - Hallelujah!  For this weeks Annabelle Challenge our theme is,         "Say it With Pink and Green."  These are lovely colors together.  For my card I picked out designer paper (Sweet Pea - SU) and stamps from Annabelle Stamps ( Flowers With Love). 

I found inspiration for my layout from this card by Genevieve Cassady found on Page 92 of the new, ( Card Creations Vol 8. Issue)  I love the look of the Tag on the card but wanted my sentiment to be at the bottom instead of along the side so for that element I added the gorgeous Sprinkles (Blossom and Olive). I also changed the ribbon element and added the flower.    Other items used:  Flower Ribbon from Annabelle Stamps,  Labels 8 Nestabilitie Die, Aqua Painter, Ink Pads (Rose Red, Pretty in Pink, Old Olive and Memento Tuxedo Black for the sentiment.) Card Stock: Old Olive, Pretty in Pink and Whisper White. Zig Zag Punch (EK Success) and Swiss Dot embossing folder.  Be sure to stop by the DT members blogs and see what they have created using these colors.  Don't forget you still have a week left to participate in the latest sketch challenge for your chance to win some Black Current Metallic Sprinkles.

CIC62 - Sending Love Your Way

Hey, Did you hear the news?  The Cupcake Inspiration Challenge now has it's own Blog!!! You can check it out HERE

The cupcakes for this weeks challenge (CIC62) come from, Sweet Frosted Cupcakes. Don't they look delicious! I'm so glad you can't gain weight just by looking at these sweet treats or I'd be in BIG trouble!

My card was inspired by the White/Pink color scheme and the lovely flowers on the cupcakes.  While browsing through the latest issue of, Card Creations - Vol. 8 I spotted a card by the wonderfully talented Kim Hughes (Paper Hugs) on Page 42 that I really liked.  I decided to "case" her card but after I got started my card actually took a few twists and turns and evolved into this card instead.  Still I want to thank Kim for the inspiration.

I hope you'll join in on the fun at the new Cupcake Inspiration Challenge blog.

Card Details: 

Stamps:  Flourishes from (Technique Tuesday) - This is an older set so I'm not entirely sure that they still carry this set.

Sentiment from (Hero Arts)

Card Stock: Melon Mambo,Whisper White

Designer Paper:  Cosmo Cricket (DeLovely) and Scrapworks (Lucky in Love)

Punch: EK Success-Daisy Scallop

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black and Melon Mambo(SU)

Labels 8 Nestabilite Dies

Pearls: Zva

Flower Punch-SU and Lg. Corner Rounder (retired SU)

Brad: Queen and Company

White Grosgrain ribbon (SU)

BC154 The Future

Click  HERE for this weeks Annabelle Challenge.   For this weeks Blogger challenge the theme was, Graduation.  Now I don't know a single person who is graduating this year and rarely have a need for Grad cards so my selection of stamps for that theme is quite limited.  However after some searching I settled on this sentiment stamp from (Hero Arts - Anytime Messages) and the Graduation Cap from and old Hero Arts set, (Designs for the Year) that I've had for a very long time.  I wanted to go with something bright and cheerful as well so I picked out another pattern from the (Cosmo Cricket, DeLovely) mini deck.

Details: Card Stock: Bermuda Bay, Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Gable Green.
Designer Paper (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Bermuda Bay
Other: Punches, Zig Zag and Embossed Curved Edge (EK Success)
Labels 8 Nestabilitie Dies
Certainly Celery Grosgrain Ribbon
Waterfall Sprinkles (Annabelle Stamps)
Foam mounting tape

Don't forget to click on the BC Icon on my sidebar and check out the other members blogs for their Graduation themed projects.

Have a great weekend.

absc23 - Thinking of You (Prize Week too)

Hey it's Friday and we all know that that means...Yep, it's time for a new Annabelle Sketch Challenge!  This weeks sketch is really fun and we'd love it if you joined in on the fun.  Beside's a PRIZE is available so why not give it a shot.  The prize this week is a jar of gorgeous 3mm and 4mm Black Currant Metallics.  Let me tell you these Metallic Sprinkles are divine so you don't want to miss your chance at winning some.

Here is my card for this challenge.  It's bright but I just love how this one turned out. 

My card making process sometimes varies and for this card I started by picking out my paper first.  I went with some fun bright patterns from the new Cosmo Cricket - DeLovely Mini Deck.  They are so cheery and with all the rainy weather we've been having here I needed something bright to keep me feeling upbeat.

Next up I chose my image.  The flower is from, (Floral Stems) and the sentiment is from, (Swirl Tree).  I stamped both with Memento Tuxedo black ink and watercolored the flower using Summer Sun and Kiwi Kiss ink pads and an Aqua Painter.  I highlighted the flower with a Yellow Spica Glitter Pen.  See how shimmery it looks in the close-up. YUM!

My card base is Taken With Teal, layered with YoYo Yellow (soon to be retired from SU) and then the DP from Cosmo Cricket.  The focal image was mounted on Kiwi Kiss card stock.  At the bottom I added 4mm Lime Sprinkles and the flower has a 6mm Waterfall Sprinkle in the center.

So that's it for this week.  Be sure to stop by the Annabelle Blog and the other DT members blogs to see their take on this great sketch.  Be sure to leave some "Comment Lovin" because it's just nice to know you stopped by.

Have a great week and remember COMING SOON...New Annabelle Stamp Sets (You won't want to miss them)!!!

Mr. Roboto

Today I am sharing a card that isn't for any challenge (imagine that!).  Instead this is a card I made to send to a friend's son who is turning 10 on June 9th.  I hope he likes this card.         I started by using this fun Robot stamp (Bella Blvd). That I won from Hope (Hope Stamps Eternal) awhile back.  She also sent along a fun selection of papers from Bella Blvd..  I chose to use one of the patterns from that line and based my card colors from the paper..  The robot was stamped with Night of Navy ink and the grass with Kiwi Kiss ink.  I added Cranberry glitter (Art Institute) for the heart.  Then I distressed the edges and layered the image askewed  (something I rarely do) on Kiwi Kiss card stock.  I punched a border of Tangerine Tango with my EK Success, (Zig Zag Chain) punch.  At the bottom I added 3 deep red brads (Pink Hedgehog).  I punched stars  and stamped the sentiment  (SU-It's Your Birthday) with Tangerine Tango ink.   Hey I even did the inside of the card.  Sentiment computer generated.

Card Stock: Chocolate Chip, Summer Sun, Tangerine Tango, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White Designer Paper:  Bella Blvd.   

CIC61 - Birthday Wishes

Greetings from the "Soggy" Pacific Northwest!  I'm telling you it's been a rainy spring here  and quite frankly I am so ready for it to be over with and for summer weather to start.  I can almost feel my feet getting webs between the toes (quack, quack) due to all the rain we've had!    But enough complaining (it doesn't change the weather any) and on to today's Cupcake Inspiration Card. 

Seriously don't these cupcakes look divine!  I love how dainty they look.  I was inspired by the soft colors (and yes if you look very closely you'll see some cool blue in the photo) so I chose to work with the colors, the flowers and the dots for my card.

              Once again I chose my new stamp set, (Very Square) from Mint Motif and available at (I {heart} Paper)  I stamped the square pattern in Cool Caribbean and So Saffron Ink on Whisper White card stock and then added a border using my new, Daisy Scallop punch from EK Success.  I layered this to Whisper White cs embossed with the Swiss Dot embossing folder.  My sentiment is from an old SU set (Elegant Greetings) and was stamped with Cool Caribbean ink.  I added 3 So Saffron flowers and used Silver Pearls (Annabelle Stamps) for the centers.  I love how this one turned out.

It's heading off in today's mail for a friend who is celebrating a birthday on Friday.

Speaking of birthdays....here's a sneak peek at a card that I'm sending to a young boy who will be turning 10 soon.  I hope he likes it. Come back tomorrow to see the full card. 

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.