BC226 August Sketch Challenge

Howdy! Just a note that I'll be popping by your blogs to catch up on commenting as I can this weekend. Now it's time for the Blogger's Challenge. This week Lisa has given us this awesome sketch to work with:

I really enjoy working with sketches...It makes things so much easier. I knew exactly what I wanted to do with this sketch. Today I am showing you a "Sneak Peak" of some of the soon to be available Amuse Studio holiday stamps, papers & embellishments. All these wonderful products will be available on Monday - You can purchase them by clicking on the Amuse Icon on my sidebar.

Aren't those stamps CUTE!!! - Everything went so well into the sketch but I stuggled with the Flower element in the corner and after trying numerous things I settled on the Twine bow as I really wanted my Spooky Fence to show.

Here's what I used:
Spooky Boo Day stamp set
Spooky Fence Die
Swirls Impression Plate
Card Stock: Slate, Pumpkin, Lemon Whip, Sugar, and the new Wasabi.
Designer Paper: Sleep Hollow
Ink: Wasabi, Memento Tuxedo Black and Memento London Fog (this one is not available through Amuse Studio)
Accessories: Onyx and White Baker's Twine
Twinkle Stickers - Dyed with a Copic marker but they do come in Orange (I just don't have any).
Paper Distressing Tool.

Now it's your turn to try out this sketch and link back using the Mr. Linky feature below:

Annabelle Stamps is Turning 2!

Have you heard the news...AnnaBelle Stamps is turning 2.

In honor of this momentous occasion they are throwing a Birthday Bash complete with Prizes. Want to know how you can win? Head over the to the AnnaBelle Blog to find out.

Off you go now....

BC225 - Learning Your ABC's

Wow summer is rapidly coming to a close (I'm so not ready) and all over the country kids are soon (if not already) headed back to school. So in honor of that event our List Mom, Lisa (Splendiferous Creations)has assigned this weeks theme as, "Back to School."

Here is what I came up with for the challenge:

This was a quick and easy card because the patterned paper really helped pull it all together so easily. I used 3 different pieces from DCWV-Grade School Stack. The Apples were stamped with Grass Pigment Ink (Amuse Studio) and embossed with clear EP. I did add a touch of brown to the stems using a marker.

I punched one layer to resemble school notebook paper and added some Red Bakers Twine to finish it off.

I think this card is going to Coleen on her first day of 1st Grade.

So now it's your turn to give this fun challenge a try.
Link below:

Supplies: Stamps: Mint Motif (School Basics)
Card Stock: Basic Black (SU)
Designer Paper (DCWV)
Ink: Grass Pigment Ink (Amuse Studio)
Clear EP
Punches (SU)
Baker's Twine
Foam Mounting tape

Whale of a Time - Amuse Style

So did you all go and check out the Studio Stampers blog yet? If you haven't you might want to do so. I'm this weeks "Featured Stamper" and there is a PRIZE up for grabs.

Here is my card for the Challenge:

I just love that adorable little Whale and had such a fun time creating the card. I had an idea pop into my head as I was falling asleep one night and got up the next morning and drew out a very "rough" sketch. Then my daughter showed me how to use a program on our computer so I was able to draw up a better sketch using my idea.

Here is my sketch:

You'll have 2 weeks to enter the challenge but you must post your card on the Studio Stamper's blog to be eligible to win the prize. Try to use atleast 1 Amuse Stamp on your card. I'm offering up one Package of the Sky Blue Grosgrain Ribbon used on the Whale card and one Package of Buttercup Buttons used on the previous day's Snail card.

Here's a close-up of the seaweed and fish (so fun)

So get creating if you'd like a chance to win those items.

Card Details: All Products A.Muse|Studio unless otherwise noted and can be purchased by clicking on the Online Store button on my sidebar.
Stamps: Keep Swimmin'
Card Stock: Sky, Bermuda,Lichen and Sugar
Sky Gingham
Ink: Lichen, Sage, Sky, Bermuda, Memento Tuxedo Black
Cloud Die
Punch: Fiskars
Sky Grosgrain Ribbon

What's my Stamping Style?

Welcome back! - Did you figure out from my "Sneak Peak" yesterday what this card is about? Have you popped over to the Studio Stampers blog yet?
My Upline: Krystie asked us to send a card that showcases our Stamping Style. Goodness that was a "toughie" for me. I struggled with my answer mainly because I really don't think I have a particular style of stamping. It's whatever hits me at the time I start creating. Sometimes I'm more of an "elegant" stamper, occasionally an "artsy" stamper, and at time's I even try something totally out of the box (at least I think I do). Right now though I'm into more of the Whimsical/Cute stuff so that's what I went with as my current style of stamping.

How do you think I did?

Here's a little peek of my card for Tuesday's challenge.

Make sure you pop into the Studio Stamper's blog to see the full card and read the challenge. A prize is involved.

Card Details: Stamps: A.Muse|Studio - Snail & Co.
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Lemon Whip, Papaya, Grass, Latte , French Roast & Copic Markers on the Snail. Card Stock: Sugar, Sage, Buttercup, Latte, Buttercup Gingham Other: Buttons (Buttercup) Lemon Whip Tiny Flowers Ribbon,
Circle Nestabilitie Dies

All Supplies can be purchased on my On-line Store. Just click on the icon in my sidebar.

Amuse Teaser

Welcome...today I'm sharing a very "small" peek at a card that will be posted tomorrow on the Studio Stampers blog.
Each week we've been posting a "Featured" stamper and a challenge by that person on the following day. I hope you'll check out the blog and come back for my Challenge on Tuesday as well.

Here's my little Sneak Peek:

BC224 Color My World

It's FRIDAY!!! - Wow, the summer is flying by quickly. School starts here in just a little over 2 1/2 weeks. Coleen is ready though to head back to school. She loves learning and being with other kids so it's not going to be a problem sending her back to school. Now getting her to go to bed earlier is another story as she's been up past 9:30 all summer long.

Well enough "chit-chat" as you all know it's Blogger Challenge day and our list mom, Lisa gave us a "Color" challenge today. Here it is:

Now I don't know about you or anyone else who did this challenge but I was certainly "Challenged" to use these colors. In fact I emailed to ask if we had to use the exact colors listed or if any shades of (Green, Purple and Brown) could be use. Lisa assured me that any shades of the colors would work fine. My problem was that I just couldn't seem to get past the colors of the IP photo and then when I looked through my stash of paper I just couldn't seem to find the right shades of each of the colors. The "brown" really threw me for a loop. My stamp room is a disaster of papers strewn all over the desk in my attempt to find something that would work. So what may you ask did I finally come up with...

Since I live in "Wine Country" - Yeah, check out Walla Walla Wineries in a Google search and you'll see what I'm talking about...I decided that these colors would work well using Grapes for my image. I chose the only Grape stamp that I have from a retired SU set, (Sun-Ripened II) and colored the image with Copic markers. Sentiment is from Amuse Studio (Essential Sentiments) Once that was done I went in search of a sketch to use and since Allison
has a page of the Weekly Sketches on her blog I picked one out from there. I went with the sketch from the Crafts Meow which worked well with my Grapes. The background was done using a Cuttlebug Embossing Folder (Victoria) which I reminds me of Vines for some reason. I used a piece of Chocolate Coordinations card stock which has another color that when you sand it shows through. So that's where the "greenish" color comes from, pretty cool I think.
I also wanted to use my new punch, MS-Beaded Arch that I bought this week (yes, I'm addicted to punches). I added some Zva pearls and a flower (of sorts) by punching a circle, crinkled the edges with my fingernail and added a button with some faux thread (actually thin pieces of the brown card stock)- Of I also used some Shimmer Spray-Copper on the image which you can see in the close up here:

So now it's your turn to play along. Create a card and then link back so we can all see what you created. Have fun!

BC223 Embossing (Daisy Delight)

Happy Friday! Hope you have all had a wonderful week. It's time for the Blogger Challenge and this week Lisa has challenged us to use, Embossing on our cards/projects. Now you can do whatever type of embossing you'd like. I chose to do 2 types of embossing on my card.

This card also covers the current Cupcake Inspiration challenge. There were 2 delightful cupcake photo's to draw inspiration from. Can you guess which one I picked?

You know it's funny but my mom just doesn't get "Inspiration Photo's" She thinks you have to literally recreate the photo. In this case she would have expected me to use a poodle on my card. However I went with the colors/polka dots as my inspiration.

For my "Embossing" I used Dry embossing by using a Cuttlebug Folder to add that gorgeous raised Daisy border at the bottom of the card. I also used Wet
embossing on the Daisies. Here is a close up showing the colors that are in the embossing powder I used. (So pretty).

Can't wait to see what you come up with. Be sure to link below:

Please note if I haven't commented on your card from last week I will get to it this week. I really try hard to let everyone participating know that their work is appreciated.

Card Details: Stamps: Upsy Daisy-SU
Card Stock: Whisper White, Regal Rose - SU
Designer Paper - Retired SU
Ink: Regal Rose
Embossing Powder: Cupcake Sprinkles-Comotion
Embossing Folder - Cuttlebug
Pearls: Zva
Butterfly Die: Amuse Studio
Lace - Source Unknown

BC222 In The Good Ole Summertime

Happy Friday and Welcome to the Blogger Challenge. This weeks theme: Summertime! Now while I know some of you have actually been having Summer here in the Pacific Northwest we've had a very cool/mild summer. I don't think it's gotten past 90 more then 1 or 2 days all summer so far. Which is unusual for our area. Alas you didn't come here to listen to me talk about the weather so let's get down to business.

Today my card will cover not 1, not 2 but 3 different challenges! - I'm excited that I've actually done all 3 challenges with one card. Are you ready....Get out your sunglasses as your going to need them.

I had to go through my mom's stash of stamps to find something with a summer theme as I just didn't seem to have anything fitting the bill in my stamp collection (Hard to belive isn't it). Plus I also wanted something that would work with this weeks Color Throwdown challenge:
Rainbow Colors!

This lends itself to a lot of bright, fun colors and patterns. It was so much fun using this long retired stamp set and bringing it back to life again in such a fun way.
I used the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge for my card.

Card Details: Stamps: Penguin Paradise-retired SU
Sentiment Stamp: Hero Arts
Card Stock: Tangerine Tango, Marigold Morning, Bermuda Bay, Real Red-SU
Sugar (Which is the White piece) from A.Muse|Studio.
Designer Paper: We R Memory Keepers
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black & Various Copic Markers
Swiss Dot Embossing Folder
Punches: Photo Corner and Wave-EK Success
Brads: Pink Hedgehog Crafts

So now it's your turn to give this challenge a try and show us your Summer Creations by linking below:

BC221-Sketch challenge (Let Them Eat Cake)

Welcome! - It's Blogger Challenge Day and this week we are getting "Sketchy" with this wonderful sketch from our list mom, Lisa:

I must admit at first I thought, What am I going to do with that sketch? Then an idea popped into my head to "flip" the sketch and voila' my card idea was born.

I picked an image that I wanted to use and also got inspired by the current Cupcake Inspirations challenge.

Aren't those cupcakes colorful! - Who doesn't love the rainbow. With that in mind I dug through my scrap paper until I found the piece I was looking for and here is my card:

Card Details: Stamps - Cake from A.Muse|Studio
Papers: Orange, Sugar, Ocean - A.Muse|Studio
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers
Cuttlebug Birthday Embossing Folder
Brads - Pink Hedgehog Crafts
White Liquid Applique sprinkled with Clear Glitter

Now it's your turn to join in on the fun. Link your card below:


Also entered into the Flourishes Timeless Tuesday embossing challenge.

Color Throwdown 150

Isn't this a lovely color combo! - It's my 1st time playing with the Color Throwdown but I thought I'd give it a try.

Here is what I came up with:

My card is based on a card by Alice Wertz found here


I used an old SU set, Petal Prints to create my background.
The (Taken With Teal) color presented a bit of a problem but I decided on just adding subtle touches of it. I dyed some white pearls with a Teal Copic Marker and also stamped the sentiment with TWT ink. The butterflies were die cut with an A.Muse|Studio butterfly die. I stamped the small pink butterflies on Pretty in Pink cs and then stamped them with the flower image in Rose Red ink. I love how they turned out.
Stamps: Petal Prints, Sweet Little Sentiments, Itty Bitty Backgrounds
Card Stock: Rose Red, Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery and Very Vanilla
Ink: Rose Red, Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, Taken With Teal, River Rock
Punch: Eyelet Border, Word Window-SU
Swiss Dot Embossing Folder-Cuttlebug
Distressing Tool
Pearls-A.Muse
Copic Marker

Glitz Design - Check This Out!

Glitz Design
has an "Awesome" Giveaway going on right now. You can check out the excitement by clicking on the links below.

This is their Beautiful Dreamer collection. Oh my it is dreamy isn't it! You have a chance to win this collection. Details can be found HERE:

This collection is called Vintage Blue - What's not to love about "vintage and the color blue?" Again you have a chance to win this collection HERE:


Last but certainly not least is,

Dance in Sunshine. How gorgeous is this!
Again the link for details on how to win this collection can be found HERE:


You will have until 11:59PM PST to follow the instructions given on how to win the Collections. So head on over and enter for your chance to win one of these amazing collections debuting at CHA.

Let's get "Hoppin" Amuse Studio Style

Welcome to the July A.Muse|Studio Blog Hop! - This is my first time participating and I'm excited about being a part of Krystie's Team Who sadly this month was not able to join in on the fun but come join me and the other A.Muse ladies and see what fun and creative ideas are in store for you.

You should have arrived here from Veronica's fabulous blog.

If not you may want to head on back to Kathie's blog for the start of the HOP. A complete list of the participants will follow at the end of my post.

I kept my design Clean and Simple to really show off the sweet little bunny and the bright cheery colors.
Stamps: Bunny Business
Polka Dot Patterns
Card Stock: Orange, Sugar (White)
Designer Paper - Orange and Grass Gingham
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Orange
Copic Markers
Ribbon - Lime 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain
Clear Twinkle Sticker Gems
Circle Nestabilitie Dies and Foam Mounting Tape

Next up on the hop is the fantastic Lianna's

blog.

Kathy Hatzke http://www.kathatstamps.blogspot.com/
Karen Crisp http://www.papernstamps.blogspot.com/
Kari Bell http://karikards.blogspot.com/
Lesa Wolfe http://www.thepaperpundit.blogspot.com/
Lisa Wakabayashi http://dragonfliesandcats.blogspot.com/
Lisa Chapman http://www.piesafepapergoods.blogspot.com/
Veronica Zalis http://lk2thestarz.blogspot.com/
Ida P.Krause http://faithartistry.blogspot.com/ - You Are Here
Lianna Vigil http://llamatales.blogspot.com/
Kristen Watson http://branchandsky.blogspot.com/


All supplies can be purchased by clicking on my On-line Store link at the top of the page on the right hand side of my sidebar.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you all had a good time.

BC220 - Floral Frenzy

Happy Friday! Let's get right to the point today. This weeks Blogger Challenge is all about Flowers! Who doesn't love flowers?

I made 2 (very different) cards for todays challenge.
First up is a card that I designed around some patterned DP from SU - (retired Sweet Pea). I love the soft feel this paper has.

All Card Stock/Papers are SU
Sentiment is Hero Arts
Ribbon-SU
Felt Flowers-SU
Punch-EK Success
Pearls - Zva

Now card Number 2 is really a change as it has a much bolder feel about it.

I love Black, White and Red together and just threw in the green for added interest.

Stamps: Amuse.Studio
Papers-Amuse Studio and SU Whisper White
Embossing Folder-Cuttlebug
Black Pearls-Zva
Red Sprinkles - Annabelle Stamps
Punch - Martha Stewart

Try as I might after about 30 photo's I gave up on this one. I just could not get the sentiment to show up clearly in the photo after resizing it. It's much sharper and clearer in real life.
Now it's your turn to join in on the Floral Frenzy by linking your card below.



I'll leave you today with a fun YouTube Video of Coleen dancing at her Kindergarten Graduation. Try not to notice what she does towards the end of the video (Did any of your kids do that?)




Have a great day.

BC219 Three Cheers For the Red, White and Blue

Happy Friday! - It's time once again for the Blogger's Challenge. First let me say, WOW to all 66 enteries from last week. Lots of great inspiration.
It's getting harder and harder to pop by and leave comments on everyone's blogs but I try my best so if I've missed you I apologize.

Now for this weeks challenge. I've combined 3 different challenges for this card.

Blogger Color Challenge (Red, White and Blue)

Cupcake Inspirations #117

The card is based "loosely" on the Clean and Simple Sketch 146

- I did change some of the sketch elements so I am not entering it for the challenge but I did want to give them credit for a great sketch that helped to inspire my card.

I started out to use a little Rocket image on my card but it just didn't seem to fit the design once it started coming together. Instead I utilized the image and decorated the inside of the card as well.

So now it's your turn to play by linking below:



Card Details: Stamps: StudioG (Happy 4th and Rocket)
Circle of Stars - Source Unknown as this was sent to me by a friend and there is no indentifying marks on the stamp.
Inside Sentiment - Celebrate by Graphistamp
Card Stock: Pacific Point, Real Red, Whisper White
Designer Paper - My Mind's Eye - Parade-Celebrate Stripes
Ink: Pacific Point, Real Red, Memento Tuxedo Black
Copic Markers used on Rocket
Cuttlebug Star Embossing Folder
Star punches-SU
Star Border Punch-EK Success
Bakers Twine
Red Faux Jewels

BC218 - Things With Wings

"I must hurry and catch up with the others, for I am their leader!" - My brother use to race Bicycles and this was on a T-Shirt he wore. It pretty much describes this week for me.

Coleen started swimming lessons on Monday and my Step-Son flew up from CA the same day. He came up to drive my husband's truck back to CA and wouldn't you know it showed up with no money! He spent 4 days here (until he could get some cash to head back home) and as you know when you have company not a lot gets done. So I'm behind on commenting on last weeks cards and hope to get that accomplished as well as this weeks Blogger Challenge.

This weeks theme: Things With Wings...(pretty open field if you ask me) so I went with this,

Card Details:
Stamps: TPC Studio-Airplane and Trail
Sentiment: Hero Arts
Card Stock: Real Red, Pacific Point, Summer Sun, Whisper White-Stampin'Up!
Designer Paper: Best Creation Inc.-Transportation
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Bashful Blue, Real Red, Pacific Point-SU
Other: Star Punches-SU
Baker's Twine
Loopy Punch-MS
Glitter - Art Institute

Please feel to join in on the challenge and link below:

BC217 - Get Your "Macho" On

Welcome! - I've been nursing a sprained ankle or a pulled tendon in my ankle all week. I'm not sure what happened but it really hurt. I'm happy to say I'm not so "limpy" today as I was earlier in the week. Still going to take it easy on the foot though for a few more days.

On to today's Blogger Challenge. We are tackling the challenging "Masculine" card this week. Here is what I came up with. What's more "manly or macho" then a Cowboy!

For this card I used a "retired" Stampin'Up! set - Bronc Buster. I embossed the image and then sponged the color on.
I used colors to match the paper that I had picked out. The pattern is, Horsin'Around Happy Trails by Flair Designs. I'm not sure of the lighter green paper as there was no name on the back of the piece.

I wanted to add a lot of "texture" to this card so I created it in different ways. I embossed my punched border and the paper that the stars were punched out on. I added the linen thread and did a "scruffy" looking tied bow and also distressed the edges of the card stock. Along with the texture of the embossing powder I think it all worked well together to give this a more manly feel.

Here are Close-Ups so you can see the texture a little better.

The Horseshoe charm was dyed with a Copic Marker (E19) as it was originally Gold Colored and I wanted it to match my color scheme better.

The card stock colors: Chocolate Chip, Apricot Appeal, Cajun Craze, Always Artichoke and Very Vanilla are SU.
Punches: EK Success, SU
Embossing Powder - PSX-Woven Tapestry

So now it's your turn to show us your "manly" creations. Just link below:

Taking the Plunge

Guess What I decided to do? Well it's Open Auditions for the Gallery Idol Contest So I decided to take the "plunge" and enter a card just to see what happens. The Open Audition Theme is: Congratulations and here is what I came up with:

I've never tried out before but I thought I'd give it a shot.
Keeping my fingers crossed!

Card Details:
Stamps: There She Goes - Love Birds
Card Stock: SU-Bermuda Bay, Real Red
Designer Paper: My Minds Eye-Love Me DO "Love Birds"
Copic Markers
Spica Glitter Pens
Oval Nestabilitie Dies
Punch-EK Success
Red Grosgrain Ribbon-SU
Heart Sprinkles - Annabelle Stamps.
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

BC216 One Sketch - Two cards

Welcome and Happy Friday. Before I get started with today's BC Challenge I'd like to share this picture of Coleen taken on Monday at her Kindergarten Graduation (I know how cute is that!)

She was just adorable and I had to share. Later this week on my personal blog I'll have other photo's and a little video of her dancing at the graduation so hopefully you'll check it out.

Now on to the BC June Sketch Challenge. Today I have not 1 but 2 cards to share with you using this sketch.
Here is the sketch:

Here are my cards:
The first version is my "feminine" version of the sketch.

I bought the stamp during my friend, Teresa's visit a couple of weeks ago. It's from Hero Arts and I just love it. I just used a portion of the actual stamp for this card.
I love the way the DP looks after I embossed it with the embossing folder. Sort of made it look like material.
Here's a close up of the ladies:

Supplies: Stamps-Hero Arts
Card Stock-More Mustard-SU, Coordinations and Bazzill (I like to spread the love around with different companies)
Baker's Twine
Measuring Tape Ribbon-Offray
Buttons-A.Muse Studio
Copic Markers
Circle Nestie Dies

Now on to the "Masculine" version:

I had a hard time getting a decent photograph. I think it's just due to it being a (manly) card and we know how difficult men can be sometimes!
Here are a couple of closeups of the detail on this card.

This one is going to "Hubby" for Father's Day.
Supplies: Stamps - A.Muse Studio
Card Stock: Basic Black, Always Artichoke-SU
DP-Creative Imaginations
Brads-SU
Embossing Folder-SU
Ink: More Mustard-SU and Memento London Fog
Clear EP
Paper Distressing Tool

Now it's your turn to play along. Just link up below:


Have a wonderful weekend.

BC215 Pets

Hello and Happy Friday!
This week the Blogger Challenge Theme is: PETS-What a great theme. If you're a regular on my blog you know by now what my favorite pet is, Yes it's a "Cat" and we have 6 of them in our house. So for my card today I naturally chose to use a cat image.
Here's what I came up with:

I wanted to showcase the row of furry feline's but didn't feel like coloring all of them so I just left them uncolored and then used another image to color. Stamps: The Cat's Meow-retired SU
Card stock: Very Vanilla, SU - All other colors are from Chatterbox - I've had them for years so I don't know the exact color names. The DP though is Sunny Plaid from the Sunroom Collection.

I have to confess that I purchased another punch just for this project. I've been wanting this punch for some time now and even looked at it last week while my friend was down for her visit but didn't buy it then. However it seemed like the perfect time so I went and bought the Paw Print punch yesterday and I'm glad I did as it really added to this card.

Okay I just have to show off the "perfect prop" for this card:

This is, Captain Cuddles the youngest of your furry feline family members. He just happened to get up on the couch while I was taking photo's so I had to take his picture with the card. Isn't he adorable!


It's been quite the week here with pets. Sunday evening Coleen was in the basement playing with her pet rats (Cheesy and Wheezy) when she came upstairs screaming and holding something in her hand. She was hysterical so it was hard at first to understand her but we managed to get her calmed down enough to find out that she had accidentally shut the door on one of the rat's tails and it had come off. Yes, it was icky since the bone and tissue were exposed. She was crying and quite upset. We managed to get her calmed down and after her mom got home we researched on the Internet about what we could do since it was a holiday weekend and taking the rat to the Vet would have been an ER call and way to expensive. After talking to the on-call Vet we just bathed the rats tail in Saline Solution to help stop the bleeding and waited until Tuesday to take him to the vet. He ended up having to have a portion of his tail amputated but I'm happy to report that Wheezy is home now and doing just fine.

Please note that Blogger is having "issues" right now with some people's blogs (mine is one) when trying to leave comments. If you don't have the feature (Name/URL)and don't see a comment from me it's because I am unable to post comments on certain blogs if that option is not available to me.



Now it's your turn to play along. Just use the link below to show us your Pet themed project.