Sunny Mini

This little 3x3 card was made using cheerful colors. I wanted to use my new PTI (Papertrey Ink) cloud die and I now have a new love! They are just adorable. These were cut out of white felt. Inside reads: Hey there, Chickadee


Stamps: All PTI - Everyday Button Bits, Mailbox Greetings (for the grass)
Paper: PTI
Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive
Other: PTI Cloud Die, Yellow Button, White Crochet Thread, White Felt,, Misc. Ribbon, Foam Adhesive (to raise the clouds)

With the exception of pressing just a tiny bit too hard on the beak end of the little birdie, I am well pleased with the way it turned out. I hope you are, too. Your comments are always appreciated!

Crop Connection #2

We took our camper to Timberlake Campground at the Ross Barnett Reservoir so I could participate in Crop Connection's Summer Crop at Pearl Lower Elementary School. The first night we saw a most wonderful sunset. The sun was large and each moment it took setting was breath-taking. This was taken at our campsite with the reservoir waters between us and the sun.


Now on to the crop.


Amanda and Tiffany come all the way from the Mobile area. Tiffany has been so ill lately and I was glad to see she felt well enough to come. I hope you are completely well soon! Thanks, Amanda, for convincing her to come with you. It's always good to see you. Love you, girls!


Here's a look around a quarter of the room.

A lady (or two) showed up at the Crop with a great scrapbooking organizer, per se. And if you know anything about croppers, you'll know that all of us own many organizing things to "help" us put things in their proper place (oh yeah, that's where they stay). Once word got around, everyone wanted to get one of those chests. Yes, I said chest because that's what it is...a man's tool chest! It is a heavy duty tool chest on heavy duty wheels that lean back and rolls as a dolly. It stands hip high and when it opens up it slides back and reveals different levels of storage compartments. It's a dream! AND gotten at Lowe's. So two ladies across the table from us, Tammy and Boo (from Saucier), left and went to get them one. When they got back, more of us saw it. Shortly, two ladies behind me disappeared and went to get them one...the last Lowe's had! Many ladies were just beaming and so excited for the "deal" they got. After all, had it been classified as a scrapbooking item, it would have been double or triple in cost. Guess they knew a man wouldn't pay that kind of money.


Now on to the picture above...Valerie wanted one real bad, too. As a matter of fact, we talked about it off and on throughout the day and all of us were getting convinced that we couldn't live without one of these. So the next day came and when she showed up, she had one of them trailing behind her! She went to a different Lowe's and got her one. She was just tickled to death. See her showing it off to another lady just like it was a newborn baby. Just wait, Valerie, there may be more of your table mates with one when you see us next. *Ü* The good thing about it is that she began packing her toy...in essence cleaning out her stuff. All of us received such fun things so she could make room in her new scrapbooking, I mean, chest. Oh, yeah, we still love ya!


Back row: Valerie, Elwyn, me and Dawn. Front row: Nadine, Andrea and Deanna


Back row: Susan, Vana, Pat and Tammy. Front row: Barbara and Debbie (I hope I got your names straight, ladies.)


Finally, a picture of Dawn. She's already been shopping once with her $100 win. She's just beside herself. I'm so happy for you...AND jealous!!

So Much Fun!!

Well, Crop Connection is over...sniff, sniff. I really think the ladies need to think about adding one more day OR extending Thursday to a full day. They do an outstanding job putting this together. Everyone is satisfied and to get more than 3 women to be satisfied is a job in itself. Kudos, Ladies! And here they are:


This crop was the first summer one they've done, kind of an experiment...and what a success it was. They chose to make the winter and summer crops different. Personally, I like them being different. I believe they will have their own personality in the long run. Not being as many in attendance this time made it more personable. I really liked that, too. I guess one of the main characteristics of this crop as opposed to any others is that each person has 6' of cropping/working space! It is wonderful and you feel so uncrowded.

Thankfully, I've had real good table mates every time I've gone and this time was no exception; I was blessed with new, lifelong friends...may I lovingly refer to them as "the pro", "the giddy" and "the wayward"...love you, girls! We were fantastic table mates and we laughed so much and so hard sometimes tears and red faces appeared. I already miss them...and a morning chuckle to get my day started. Thanks Valerie, Dawn and Elwyn for wonderful memories!!! I look forward to more in the future.


Here's me, the giddy, the pro, and the wayward...let me explain the titles. It was the first time the Giddy came to a crop. She won the $100 giveaway and was "giddy" until the thing was over. She loved the crop and is a wonderful person. The Pro is literally a "pro". She has been published MANY times in scrapbook magazines but even that doesn't tarnish her true beauty...HER. And then there was the "wayward". Every time we turned around to ask her something or go eat or anything, she had just disappeared from the table, the room, the bathroom, outside, everywhere! Like a wayward child not telling anyone a thing, she just came and went like a ghost. There wasn't a thing she didn't have on hand but she was always shopping and "collecting" more things. She's lost tons of weight and has a great personality. I love you all. You let me be myself and I can't wait til we meet again. ;)

This crop was my most productive one yet. Ideas flowed and many challenges to create outside the box jumped off pages of samples I'd brought to inspire me. I used several new stamps and products. I just love playing with paper and friends!!

There's so much to share that I will post them as I get the articles written. So, stay tuned...there's more to come.

Speedy Challenge #10

This card base is Sahara Sand (I think). I used a piece of DSP on the left side with a strip of Old Olive punched with an SU Scallop Punch. I stamped the grass from Inspired By Nature on a piece of white and cut and embossed it using the Nestabilities Labels 1 die cut. Using a piece of scrap piece of Dotted Swiss embossed Real Red, it was then punched with the MS Trio Butterfly MS Punch. These were randomly placed and wings lifted a little to give dimension. A PTI sentiment was stamped in Real Red at the bottom. Very easy!


Stamps: Inspired by Nature (SU), Mailbox Greetings (PTI)
Paper: Sahara Sand, White, Early Bird (Cosmo Cricket), Real Red, Old Olive
Ink: Old Olive, Real Red
Other: Nestabilities Labels 1, SU Punch, MS Trio Butterfly Punch, Dotted Swiss EF

This card will be entered in the Speedy's Challenge #10. Thank you for looking!

CPS69 & IO Challenges

Thanks to my friend, Cat, she's pushed me out of a corner and encouraged me to make a card today. NOW, I'm in the mood. Thank you soooo much!! So this is my second post. And even more exciting is that both posts were for two challenges.

The first challenge is for Card Patterns Sketch 69 and can be found here. And the second one is for Impression Obsession to use at least one of their stamps and the color red.

The card is 6 x 6. I used some real pretty mottled light beige Basic Grey paper as the first layer on top of my ivory base and wished I hadn't since it is not seen and I could have used an ivory and distressed it and you'd never know the difference. Lesson learned! I love distressing and aging.

One of my favorite colors is SU's Ruby Red and it is a sad time when that and Cameo Coral as well as some of my other fave's EVAH are retiring. What were they thinking? Okay, back to the card. The designer paper is Basic Grey from the Porcelain Pad collection. This was cut in 2.5 inch approximately squares and layered on Ruby Red. I added some soft yellow ric rac ribbon down the front. The main image was stamped in Ruby Red on top of second and third generation of one of the tree branches in Creamy Caramel (another FAVE that's going away!!!)

All edges were distressed using my scissors except for the base and the main image piece. Worn Lipstick and Antique Linen Distress Inks were used to age different panels.

This was cut and embossed using the Labels 3 Nestabilities die with a second one the next size up cut from Kraft. Worn Lipstick Distress Ink was sponged on the edges of the Kraft and DSP. Tiny white flowers from Making Memories were sponged with Creamy Caramel and tiny Opaline pearls were placed in the centers. The one in the corner is raised on foam adhesive to lift it a little above the other two little cuties.

Martha Stewart's triple butterfly punch (a regular of mine) were cut from Ruby Red scrap. A larger Opaline pearl was placed in the center of the larger butterfly and raised with foam adhesive and put in the corner. The inside was stamped first and second generation using one of the other branches and the other two little butterflies were randomly placed. I left these flat so it would be easier to mail.



It looks like I've stamped the whole thing but it's only the bottom part of the card.

Stamps: Branches of a Tree (Impression Obssession)
Ink: Ruby Red, Creamy Caramel, Worn Lipstick and Antique Linen Distress Inks
Paper: Ivory, Basic Grey Porcelain Pad, Kraft, Ruby Red
Other: Labels 3 Nestabilities, MS Triple Butterfly Punch, Making Memories White Flowers, Basic Grey Opaline self-adhesive Pearls, Ric Rac Ribbon (by Confetti)

Let me know what you think? Thanks!

Crazy for Challenges & Speedy

This card is for C4C42 at Crazy for Challenges and SCF8, Speedy the Cat's Friends #8. This is an 11 x 4.25 and opens from left to right. Instead of cutting the cardstock width wise it was cut length wise. The challenge at Crazy for Challenges is to use paper flowers, any way or any kind, and the challenge at Mark's Finest Papers is to use embossing on your card. My flowers is an SU die, Floral Fusion, layered over one another. I LOVE this little die. I really like how it accompanies Martha Stewart's leaf punch so well. Of course, that little leaf just goes with everything. It is my go-to leaf punch. All cardstock is Stampin Up. Before layering the larger flower together, I pressed each little bud with an eraser top into the palm of my hand to give it some shape. A hole was punched in the center of the larger flower and a small Pink Ice Crystal Brad (SU) held it together. The small bud was shaped the same but used only two little flowers and a silver self adhesive half pearl. A couple of Old Olive leaves were placed behind the flower and attached with a glue dot. There's no reason to use dimensionals as the flowers themselves raise up nicely.

The greeting is from one of my favorite SU sets, Happy Harmony, and was stamped in Rose Red on white. This was then cut out using a rectangle Nestabilitie and embossed. The tiny flowers were stamped at the bottom and is from a retired SU set of cute little backgrounds. I think it makes the sweetest accent to a card...sorry, I don't recall the name of that set. The edges were sponged lightly with Old Olive. The flower was attached and this piece was raised with foam adhesive and placed on Rose Red cardstock. The larger floral piece was not sponged with Old Olive. This white embossed square Nestabilitie was placed on top of a Rose Red piece then adhered on the ribbon (no foam adhesive was used).

The base card is Regal Rose. A piece of white was die cut and embossed using the Jumbo Scallop Border Petite Spellbinder die. The little floral background was stamped in Rose Red. Another (same size) silver self adhesive half pearl was placed in the curve of the cut. A piece of Regal Rose ribbon was wrapped around the card and additional silver half pearls were added in the top right corner.


Stamps: Happy Harmony and Floral Petite Background (SU)
Paper: Regal Rose, Rose Red, white
Ink: Rose Red, Old Olive
Other: Floral Fusion (SU die), Leaf punch (MS), Regal Rose Ribbon, Basic Grey Opaline Silver Half Pearls, Light Pink Circle Ice Rhinestons (SU), Square and Rectangle (Nestabilities), Jumbo Scallop Border Petite (Spellbinders), foam adhesive

Let me know if you like this one and what you think. Thanks!

A Couple of Challenges

As I was looking for a challenge to do, I ran up on two that this card would fit. Though it is not my favorite card, it still fits a couple of challenges. The first one is for CAS71 to make a card for things that fly. Balloons fly...kinda! She didn't say it had to breathe, ha! The second one is for WT275 to use ribbon. This is probably my favorite way to use ribbon: neatly knotted. It just looks so tailored, clean and crisp.

Stamps: Everyday Button Bits (PTI)
Paper: All SU
Ink: Memento Black
Other: Dotted Ribbon (Michael's), various buttons, various sizes of circle punches, twine

Stampin B's #62

Today's card is for Stampin B's Challenge #62 to make a card connected to a seashore. The stamp set I used is one of my favorites and I pull it out a lot when it comes to making my hubby a card. This image is so romanticly serene and reminds me of our times at the beach just sitting together looking at the ocean. I didn't want to add water as such because I wanted to leave the view to the imagination.


Stamps: Summer by the Sea (ret. SU)
Paper: DCWV Sweet Stack, white, Old Olive
Ink: Memento Black
Misc: Copics, Nestabilities Oval and Scallop Oval, foam adhesive

Thanks for looking!

Speedy's Challenge #5

I had to make a couple of sympathy cards - I really need to keep some of these on hand as they are hard to do just off the cuff and are usually needed quickly. What better way to make a nice card than to emboss it and/or use silhouette images. This worked great with Mark's Finest Papers Challenge this week. I don't know if you can tell or not but Stickles were used in the center of the little flowers.


Stamps: Thoughts & Prayers (SU)
Paper: White, Black
Ink: Basic Gray
Other: Fleur de Lis Pendant and Octagon dies-Spellbinder, Triple Butterfly Punch-MS, Textile EF, Star Dust Stickles, Black Satin Ribbon, foam adhesive

JUGS #35

This week's challenge at Just Us Girls is to use dry embossing on your card. This is my first love. I've always thought it looked so elegant and classy. I love all the birds in this Martha Stewart stamp set. Though they look similar, they are all different. So here's my card:


Stamps: Martha Stewart
Ink: Silver Encore
Paper: Ivory, Apricot Appeal
Misc: Green Satin Ribbon, Textile EF, Lime Green Kaiser Rhinestones, Silver EP, Various Copics, foam adhesive

This is simply done with emphasis done on the shading of the bird and the addition of the flowers and leaves for dimension. The main panel was raised on foam adhesive as were two flowers and leaves.

Circles and Dots

This card is for The Shabby Tea Room #11 Challenge to use tea/tea pots or dots. Well, I'm a dot kinda gal! I love all things dotted: blouses, decor, ribbon, cards, you name it. With that said, one of my favorite embossing folders is the Dotted Swiss! I thought a couple of things came together for the "dotted" theme: circles, lollipops, jewels and brad.

This white card base has a Yoyo Yellow layer followed by a piece of real sweet sparkly paper. Over that I took a piece of Real Red and embossed it then cut the bottom with the Spellbinders Scallop Border die. Another piece of the sparkly paper was cut with a Circle Nestability with a Yoyo Yellow piece cut with a larger Circle Nestability. The smaller circle was matched to the bottom piece, raised on foam adhesive and placed on the yellow circle. This was then raised with more foam adhesive and placed "in line" with the design. A couple of small clear rhinestones were put in the middle of the lollipops and a couple were put in the border cut. After all of this was adhered, a very pretty sheer yellow ribbon was wrapped around the top portion of the card. The "wings" of a red fire circle rhinestone brad were cut off and adhered to the center of the bow.

I love the bright, happy, sugary sweet little card. This designer paper is filled with glitter and sparkle. The picture does NOT do it justice. The lemony yellow almost makes your mouth water!


Stamps: None
Paper: White, Yoyo Yellow, Real Red, The Glitter Sweet Stack (DCWV)
Misc: Spellbinders Jumbo Scalloped Border Petites, Circle Nestabilities, Clear Yellow Ribbon, Clear Rhinestones, Fire Circle Rhinestone Red Brad (SU), foam adhesive

A "Speedy" Challenge

For you stampers out there, you probably get the title. Yeah, I'm referring to Speedy the Cat! This is my first challenge with Mark's Finest Papers. Don't know why this has escaped my attention before but this is only their 4th challenge. This one is to create a card or project with an animal on it.

The one I want to share is a teeny, tiny card with a little bird on it. I hope birds can be classified as an animal...hmmm. The card is actually the More Mustard piece. It lifts up for a tiny message. I cut a piece of Old Olive from the Fleur de Lis Pendant Spellbinders die as a base. The "card" is a 2x4 piece of More Mustard folded in half. A scrap piece of Naturals Ivory was Cuttlebugged with the Textile EF and cut a little smaller to fit on top. I used two graduating Nestabilities Squares for the main image with the Old Olive piece raised with foam adhesive. I thought the Naturals Ivory was a better choice since it was a little bird...it had a more "natural" feel to it. The tiny bird from PTI's Everyday Button Bits was stamped in More Mustard with an Apricot Appeal button placed in the center and the tiny wing stamped in More Mustard and cut out and placed on the button. On the inside is the sentiment, "hey there, chickadee". It's the sweetest, teeniest card. Hope you like it.

A Simple Case of Casing

I wish I could take credit for this card but I can't. The changes I made were: the upper portion in a different stamp, the sentiment, the main image stamp and color of button. Okay, it may seem I've changed a lot, but it looks a lot like the original.

Using a Kraft card base, I stamped the larger Damask design in Rose Red. In the spaces between the large image, I used a smaller Damask stamp and stamped it in Versamark. A piece of Baja Breeze was stamped lightly with the Linen stamp in Blue Bayou. To the side, the sentiment from the Damask Designs stamp set in Blue Bayou. Adhere this on the card base.

Small twine was wrapped around th card and threaded through a Rose Red button and tied in a sweet little bow.


Stamps: Damask Designs (PTI), Linen (SU)
Paper: Kraft, Baja Breeze
Ink: Rose Red, Blue Bayou, Versamark
Misc: Twine (SU), Rose Red Button (SU)

Stampin B's #59 Challenge

This card reflects my love for the beach...rather, just hints at it. It is a standard but landscape card using 3 circles (the challenge). I had these inchies that I'd been wanting to use and thought it just perfect for this challenge. The focal image was more emphasized with the addition of the texture of the Bahama Beach Mudd Puddles. This is the coolest stuff!!!

I used stamps from Michael's dollar bin by Studio G. from three different sets. Images were colored with Copics and Clear Stickles were added to the waves. Each image was raised on one foam adhesive before placing on the orange circle. The main image (center) was raised with foam adhesive x 3. Hope you enjoy this...because I'm headed to the beach!



Stamps: Studio G (3 different sets)
Ink: Black Memento Ink
Paper: White, Only Orange
Misc: Copics, Bahama Beach (Mudd Puddles), Clear Stickles, foam adhesive

A Little Distressing CAS #WT270

I can't believe it has been so long since I've posted!! I have taken a break mostly because things were everywhere...some packed and some not. My lack of posting isn't that I hadn't wanted to, mostly been quite busy lately and disarray.

This card is for the WT270 challenge. Distressing is one of my FAVORITE things to do!! I was glad to see this challenge. I used a sentiment I really liked. You can use this card anyway by using any color combination and end up with a great looking card, fast and easy. Felt a little patriotic, so I went with the red, white, and blue theme. This sentiment would make a great graduation card, too. The card base is 6x3. Stamps used were from the Seeing Stars set from Verve.

Faux Passion

Today's card is one I enjoyed making. I used a sketch from somewhere but forgot where I got it. As you know, I love aging, distressing and shabby looks. This is the first time I've done the faux stitching. I do not own a sewing machine (don't gasp too hard) so this was the next best thing. Not sure I did any more than an "okay" job on it. I used a fine pen point but think I may need an extra fine next time.

My card is a 5x5 Certainly Celery base. A slightly smaller piece of Apricot Appeal has been distressed and layered on the base. Baja Breeze was cut in a rectangle, paper pierced and edges distressed. A Not Quite Navy pen connected the piercing holes to similate sewing. A retired piece of SU DSP was then cut, pierced, "sewn", overstamped with the SU Sanded stamp in Creamy Caramel, edges distressed then sponged with Ranger Walnut Stain Distress Ink. To give this card a softer look, 2 pieces of Ivory Organdy ribbon was tied in a knot to the front side. This piece was then layered on top of the Baja Breeze piece. The next piece is Baja Breeze, edges distressed and Antique Linen Distress Ink sponged on the edges.

The main image piece was stamped with the Inspired by Nature stamp using SU markers, huffed and lightly pressed on white cardstock. I wanted a faint image, not a distinct one. The "Live With Passion" sentiment was stamped in Close to Cocoa on top of the flower. The edges were then distressed followed by a sponging of Worn Lipstick Distress Ink. This layer was raised with foam adhesive and centered on the Baja Breeze piece. Three bronze graduating size opaline pearls were placed in the bottom right corner to finish it off.

I used several things that will be retired from the SU product line. I am VERY saddened to see Creamy Caramel leave their stock. It is my absolutely favorite light neutral I reach for so many times. Apricot Appeal cardstock I love as it goes with just about everything, too. It makes a great card base. I hope you enjoy this card. It was a little time consuming but I love the outcome. Your comments are always welcomed!


Stamps: SU Inspired By Nature, Sanded
Paper: Certainly Celery, Apricot Appeal, Baja Breeze, ret. SU DSP, white
Ink: Close to Cocoa, SU Markers Ranger Distress Inks: Walnut Stain, Antique Linen, Worn Lipstick
Other: Ivory Organdy Ribbon, Basic Grey Bronze Opaline self-adhesive Pearls, scissors for distressing, Paper Piercer

Big Wishes

PTI's Big & Bold Wishes are great! They are simple and I love the size of the sentiments. Today I want to share with you a card that can be used for literally anything. It reads "Wish Big" and tends to lend itself to birthdays, although I think about wishing big for a great day, graduation, cruise or even wedding. Depending on the sentiment used inside, it can go many ways. I love the classiness of red, white and black cards.


Stamps: Big & Bold Wishes (PTI)
Paper: White, Real Red, Basic Black
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Other: MS Butterfly punch, Black Satin Ribbon, Clear Rhinestones, Rectangle Nesties, Glue Dots and foam adhesive

Hey There

Here are the last two cards from the set mentioned in the post below. These two use the "Hey There" sentiment from PTI. In the first one, the inside sentiment reads "May your day be filled with happiness". This was stamped on a little smaller white piece of cardstock with mini dots (next to the smallest) from Polka Dots Basics II on the bottom. These were stamped in Brocade Blue.


Stamps: Big & Bold Wishes and Polka Dot Basics II - PTI
Ink: Brocade Blue
Paper: The Sweet Stack-DCWV, Regal Rose
Other: Regal Rose Grosgrain Ribbon, Self Adhesive Pearl, Glue Dot (for securing the ribbon knot)

On the second one, a little dragonfly punch was punched out using Apricot Appeal DSP. It has tiny flowers on it like the sparkly patterned paper. "You've been on my mind" sentiment was stamped inside in Brocade Blue. I'm not sure I like this as it seems a little busy. What do you think?


Stamps: Big & Bold Wishes - PTI
Ink: Brocade Blue
Paper: White, The Sweet Stack (DCWV)
Other: Old Olive Satin Ribbon, Lime Green Rhinestones (Kaiser), Clear Rhinestones, MS Dragonfly Punch, Glue Dot for securing ribbon knot

Cold vs. Spring

The war is on!! The winter cold is having trouble giving up its stronghold in the south. A cooooold front came through with strong winds expressing its vicious fight in leaving for the season. Though there might be another "snap" on Easter, as it usually is, it is on its way out...YAY!!!

With all of that said, the warm days struggling to stay around and more sunny, happy days appearing had me making some springtime cards the other day. I found a layout I really liked and ended up making a set with simple differences. Here are a couple of them.

I love the sparkle of the DCWV The Sweet Stack. Click on the image if you can't see it on the post so you can see how pretty it is. This is such a happy pad of paper. It is great quality and thick like cardstock.




The inside sentiment of these say "a hug with a fold in the middle". I love this set from PTI! It has such cute sentiments and a nice variety of them, too.

Stamps: Big & Bold Wishes (PTI)
Paper: Pretty in Pink, White, The Sweet Stack (DCWV)
Ink: Rose Red, Pumpkin Pie
Other: Cream Grosgrain and Blue Satin ribbons, self adhesive pearls and rhinestones

I'll be sharing the rest of the set in the next few days. Stay tuned!

Wedding Card

Today I am sharing a wedding card for a friend's son. I began with a white card base. Then I took an 1/8" smaller piece of white and placed the D'Vine Swirls EF on 2/3 of the piece leaving 1/3 at the bottom for the sentiment. I like this sentiment and thought it would be nice for a wedding. Marriage is a simple pleasure and does fill your heart with joy! A white piece of narrow organdy was tied in a simple knot on the front. Tiny Kaiser pearls were randomly placed on the "swirls" and Basic Grey Opaline silver pearls were placed beside the sentiment. A true wedding sentiment was stamped and embossed in silver on the inside. Though this is simple, it makes an elegant statement. Hope you like it...


Stamps: Floral Whimsey (Verve), retired SU for inside sentiment
Ink: Silver
Paper: White
Other: White narrow organdy ribbon, Kaiser and Basic Grey self-adhesive pearls, Silver EP, D'Vine Swirls EF

Sunny Days Are Coming ...

My card is for the SSNOTIME129 and FTTC56 Challenges. One is to use a punched border and the other is to use scallops, so this fit both challenges. I'm beginning to get Spring fever and really felt the urge to make something cheerful. Yes, little umbrellas can be cheerful!

This is a white square card base. A larger white piece was cut and a scallop border was punched all around it, then placed over the front of the card base. Another piece of white was cut to fit inside the scalloped piece and stamped with a Basket Weave. A Barely Banana circle was cut with a Nest. die, as well as a white scalloped die. The BB piece was also stamped with the little raindrop in this stamp set in Versamark. It's hard to see. The umbrella was stamped in Orchid Opulence and cut out. A rhinestone tops the umbrella and a touch of Yellow Stickles were touched inside each little fun flower. This was raised with foam adhesive and placed over the umbrella handle. The yellow circle was also raised with foam adhesive. (There is a shadow behind the umbrella handle...it is not suppose to be there.)


Stamps: Scattered Showers (PTI), Basket Weave (Flourishes)
Ink: Orchid Opulence, Versamark, Pink Passion
Paper: White, Barely Banana, Memento Black
Other: Yellow Stickles, Circle and Scallop Circle Nesties, Scallop Border Punch (MS), foam adhesive

The Sweet Sounds of Birds

Today, I want to share a card that reminds me of spring. Listening to the birds happily returning to the area and seeing more daylight and the warmth of the sun just makes me want to sing.

This card uses a Pretty in Pink card base. A Rose Red piece was embossed using the Textile EF. Small square lemon nail heads were put in each corner then this panel was placed on top of the card bsae. The bird image was embossed on white cardstock using silver detail EP and colored with Copic markers, then cut out. A PIP piece was cut out using a Rectangle Nestie and embossed. A smaller piece of musical patterned paper was placed inside the embossed area of the PIP. The bird image and PIP with musical piece were raised with foam adhesive.


Stamps: Martha Stewart Clear Bird Stamps
Ink: Silver Encore
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Rose Red, White, Patterned Paper
Other: Silver Detailed EP, Copic markers, yellow nail heads, rectangle Nestabilities, Textile EF, foam adhesive

Lots Happening

First off, I have to share a little of my absence. I ran the Half Marathon last weekend in New Orleans at the Mardi Gras Marathon Race. Everything was great: temp, excitement, felt good, etc., etc. When I was approaching my 7th mile, my world changed! I tripped on New Orleans' finest street repairwork and fell hard! I got banged up pretty bad but am thankful I didn't break anything. If you are interested in reading my report, go here.

Now back to my stamping. I won the Flourishes Challenge for last week and am soooo excited about that! It was such a surprise and I "needed" some good news, ha! I can hardly wait to go shopping.

Today, I have a card that I'm submitting for the SCS CAS56 Challenge. It is "spring"y and feminine.

The card base is white cardstock. A square piece of Pretty in Pink was placed on top. Two different PIP dsp were cut in different sizes and placed an 1/8" smaller than the PIP solid piece. Regal Rose ribbon was placed around where the two pieces meet. Light pink taffeta was placed around it and knotted. The sentiment was stamped in Regal Rose on a scrap piece of PIP then die cut using Spellbinders Fancy Tags. A tiny Kaiser pearl was placed on either side.


Stamps: PTI Button Bits (sentiment)
Ink: Regal Rose
Paper: White, Pretty in Pink, PIP DSP
Other: Regal Rose Grosgrain, Light Pink Taffeta, Spellbinders Fancy Tags die, Kaiser Pearls

Whimsically Elegant

Okay, so I don't know how to title this. But as I look at my card, this title still comes to mind. The challenge today on Splitcoast is to use textures (think embossing folders, ribbons, and/or flowers, etc. – most embellishments fit into this category!), and at least ONE color that is one you don’t NORMALLY use (be sure to identify it in your card description). The third part, though optional, is to use some patterned paper in your creation. Without further adieu, here is my card for the very first F4A1 Challenge.

The base is a 6x6 white card. Black 6x6 cardstock was placed over the top for the first layer. Someone gave me this paper recently and I love it. The thing I love about it is the sparkle which gives it a feel of silver. This is one "color" I do not use much. The patterned paper was cut an 1/8" smaller than the black piece. I wrapped white organdy ribbon around this piece finishing it with a bow in the front. I cut a piece of silver cardstock from the Labels I Nesties. A large white flower chipboard was raised with foam adhesive and centered on the Label. The center is black glitter. It came together well.


Stamps: None
Paper: Patterned Paper (unk.), silver cardstock, black, white
Other: Labels I Nestie, large flower chipboard, white organdy ribbon, foam adhesive

I hope you like this and look forward to knowing what you think.

Pink Cards

Today I have a couple of cards I want to share with you that use shades of pink.

The first one is for Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge to use flowers of any kind on your card. Beginning with a white card base, I chose this beautiful Basic Grey paper to begin with. I stamped a sentiment from Verve's Beautiful You set in Mellow Moss, cut and embossed using Labels I die cut and sponged Pretty in Pink along the edges before removing the die. The second piece was cut and embossed using an Octagonal die, sponged with Mellow Moss and lightly stamped in PIP with SU's retired floral stamp from Petite Patterns. The sentiment was placed on the octagonal piece with foam adhesive. Martha Stewart's edger was punched on the bottom of the designer paper and laid on top of the PIP cardstock. After placing a strip of Mellow Moss along the bottom edge, the patterned paper piece was placed above it. Pink taffeta ribbon was then wrapped around the card and run through a floral ribbon slider by SU and tied in a knot. Tiny pink rhinestones were added to the octagonal piece. MS triple butterfly punch was punched out of PIP cardstock. To small pearls were added to the large butterfly and raised with foam adhesive; then put on the corner of the sentiment. Inside (not shown) a piece of Mellow Moss was placed on the bottom edge with a scrap piece of Basic Grey pink on top of it. The two smaller butterflies that were punched out of the PIP for the larger butterfly on the front is gracefully put at different angles along the left side above the double strip.


Stamps: Beautiful You (Verve), Petite Patterns (SU, ret.)
Paper: Basic Grey Porcelain, Mellow Moss, Pretty in Pink, white
Ink: PIP, Mellow Moss
Other: Octagon and Labels I Nesties, tiny pink rhinestones, small pearls, MS triple butterfly and edger punches, SU pink taffeta ribbon, SU flower ribbon slide, foam adhesive

The second one is Flopsey with pink cheeks holding "her" pink cup of coffee and wearing pinky Spring Mix Flower Soft houseshoes. She was fun to color, too. Just look at her sweet little cheeks and inner ears! Aren't they worth kissing?? Flopsey was stamped first on a piece of white cardstock; then stamped a second time, colored, cut out, raised on foam adhesive and placed over the first one. A scrap piece of white cardstock was embossed with the D'Vine Swirl EF and cut a little smaller than the card itself (4.25 x 4.25).A smaller piece of Creamy Caramel was wrapped with SU Chocolate Satin ribbon and placed on top of the embossed piece. The top layer was then placed on top.


Stamps: Flopsey (My Favorite Things)
Paper: White, Creamy Caramel
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Other: D'Vine Swirl EF, Copics, Spring Mix Flower Soft, foam adhesive

I hope you like these. I welcome any constructive criticism. I'm loving these Copics!!

Floral Cards

These were made for a couple of challenges, but since I made several cards at one time, not at home, and was not where I could post them then, I forgot which ones they were for. NOTE: Keep post-it notes on hand to document the names of challenges!!

I wanted only a little bit of the black showing under the main panel as if it was a shadow, so I took 2 black scalloped Nesties, pieced them, then taped them together to give it that look without looking like a completely different panel. The top piece (white) was embossed, raised on foam adhesive and placed on the Baja Breeze piece.


Stamps: Inspired by Nature (SU)
Paper: Basic Grey Two Scoops, Baja Breeze, Basic Black, White
Ink: Ruby Red
Other: Rhinestones (Mike's), Square and Scalloped Square Nesties, foam adhesive

This one was, also, for a challenge, but didn't get posted as such. I used More Mustard and Kraft to bring out the colors in the patterned piece. This stamp set is so versatile and a must-have. I stamped the flower in black on More Mustard and cut out. Three Kraft leaves were attached to the back of the flower and raised on foam adhesive. Rhinestones were placed in the center of the flower and the edge of the Label 1 piece. A piece of Basic Grey golden patterned paper was embossed with the Dotted Swiss folder.


Stamps: Beautiful You (Verve)
Paper: Kraft, More Mustard, Basic Grey Two Scoops
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Other: Labels 1 Nestie, Very Vanilla Grosgrain, Studio 18 Rhinestones, Dotted Swiss EF, MS Leaf and Edge punches, foam adhesive

'Specially For You

Throughout the next week I'll be posting cards I made at the Crop last weekend. Here are a couple.

The first one I used a Naturals Ivory 4x4 card base layered with some Basic Grey Two Scoops. I thought Blue Bayou and Wild Wasabi colors matched this paper well. The main image was stamped in Blue Bayou and watercolored using the ink pad method. It's a little hard to tell but the center flower was lightly watercolored using Wild Wasabi. The flower was cut out and "formed" by bringing the petals up in order to give it more character. A large brad was added to the center of the flower. Square Nestabilities were used to cut out the Blue Bayou and Wild Wasabi pieces with the WW piece embossed before adding the flower, which was pop dotted to the center.

The sentiment piece was stamped on NI in Blue Bayou. This was punched out using SU Oval and Scalloped Oval punches. A small black Kaiser pearl was added to the "so" of You're So Special. One of the trio of flowers stamp in that set was punched out using the corresponding SU punch. It was then raised on foam adhesive. A piece of Blue Bayou double stitched ribbon was wrapped around the bottom and layered with the main image on top.


Stamps: Boho Blossoms (SU)
Paper: Basic Grey Two Scoops, Naturals Ivory, Blue Bayou, Wild Wasabi
Ink: Blue Bayou
Other: Square Nesties, Oval, Scallop Oval and Boho Blossoms SU punches, Blue Bayou double stitched ribbon, Black Kaiser Pearl, Brad, foam adhesive, brush for watercoloring

The next one was made using NO stamps. Actually I just love making cards with or without stamps. This one is very simple as you can see. I found these gorgeous flowers from a vendor at the Crop last weekend. I got one of every color they had. They are large and came with the large, pretty colored brad in the center and only for 50 cents! Just couldn't resist these. A scrap piece of the Cranberry Crisp was punched with the SU scallop edge. A string of rhinestones were placed on it. This was as straight as I could get them; even though they were not cut apart they look crooked. It doesn't show IRL as it does here.



Thank you for looking!

The Last of 'em

Here's the last two Valentine's cards I came up with. I think my hubby is Sweet Stuff and remembered I had this cute little stamp retired from SU. I used Glossy Accents to top the lollipop and give it some shiny dimension.


Stamps: Very Puny (SU, ret.)
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Real Red, white
Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento
Other: 2 shades of pink Copic markers, Glossy Accents, Circle and Scalloped Circle Nestie, D'Vine Swirl EF, Red and White striped SU grosgrain, foam adhesive

A new found friend at the Crop saw my cards and wanted me to make her husband a card. We came up with a design and she chose the cardstock. No stamps were used on this one. I'm really liking the square cards and can see more in my future, ha!


Paper: Pink and Red (unk. source), Note dsp (DCWV Music Stack)
Other: Labels 1, Heart Nesties, White sheer ribbon, heart brad, double sided and foam adhesive

Crop Connection 2010

Last weekend was so much fun! Revisiting friends and making new ones were great! Though this was a Crop, I attend so I can have dedicated time to spend making cards. As a matter of fact, I think I'm the only card maker there. Not to say some don't make them, but that's all I do. I was productive in making many cards and am pleased with that. In the next few days, I'll be sharing them as I upload them to my site.

For now, I want to share some pictures of my friends!

Beth and Me

Amanda and Tiffany

Amanda and Me

Tiffany and Me

Fantastic Tablemates: Me, Terri and Caroline

Jo (who is trying to figure out how she can say that SHE made my cards...) Jo worked the Crop and wasn't able to "play" with the rest of us. Glad to get to see her; she's so sweet!

A Little Birdie Told Me

If only I would "practice" more with my Copics. This is a new tool, if you please, for me and I haven't spent enough time playing with them. BUT, every time I do I fall more and more in love with these. They are wonderful!

I got this sketch from SCS somewhere and really liked the layout so I thought I'd give it a try. It really makes a statement and so easy to do. To me, anything layered on even a tad of black makes the layer "pop".


Stamps: Martha Stewart Clear Bird Stamps
Paper: White, SU Apricot Appeal 6x6 DSP (ret.), Black
Ink: Silver Craft
Other: Silver Detailed EP, Copic Markers, Textile EF, tiny blue and clear rhinestones, black grosgrain (SU), foam adhesives

Comfy?

I just love PTI's stamps or have I told you that yet? They are so "me" and I find I reach for those quicker than any other stamp line. Can't wait to get more...I AM making a new list. Waiting for the new sets to be available. Okay, now on to my card.

This one uses the On My Couch set. I paper pieced the couch using SU dsp paper. Using one piece of Apricot Appeal, I embossed the top with the Dotted Swiss folder and the bottom part with the Textile folder. These are my two favorite folders, too. Don't you just love the sentiment?


Stamps: On My Couch, PTI
Paper: Black, Apricot Appeal, White, SU DSP
Ink: Memento Black
Other: White polk dotted black grosgrain ribbon, Labels 1 Nestability, small SU corner rounded, Dotted Swiss and Textile EF, foam adhesive