Stamping Cowgirl Creations: 2012

This card is for the Teapot Challenge at Splitcoast Stampers. A lovely couple has been blessed with twins, a boy & a girl - they have been married 19 years and feel blessed by the arrival of these sweet little babies. I have to admit I don't have tons of baby stamps, but I do have this adorable little boy and girl from Whipper Snapper Designs and love to color them up for cards like this. Ironically I just made a card using both of them for fun and sent it to the church with some other cards - I just didn't know of anyone to send it to at the time - LOL!! Oh well, with that idea still fresh in my head I made another card, and made some changes from the original design. The baby bottles were made on my Cricut and then layered and shaded with my Copics. They are mounted with pop ups as is the image itself on the Floral Oval.
The inside is finished off as well, with a lovely sentiment, mounted with some blue paper in the background, and some sweet little rattles in each corner. Will get this ready for mailing early next week.

Thanks for stopping by:

Supplies: Whipper Snapper Stamps, Colored Cardstock, Fiskar Rattle Stamp, Sentiment of unknown origin, Copics, Cricut.

Just want to wish everyone a Blessed Christmas. This is my favorite time of year. As a believer I feel the real gift came to me on the cross, when Christ died for me, but you can't have the cross without the cradle first. I look forward to Christmas morning with my family, there will be gifts, of course, but we will begin our morning reading from Luke as he writes of the birth of Jesus. We will be grateful, and remember how 'one little baby sweet and small was born to be the King of all'. Merry Christmas!!

Another Christmas cards for this year. Just love this image....you can't tell from the picture, but the center Magi is cut out and popped up to stand out in front of the other two. The back layer is gold and or course a touch of bling on the star and the corners.

I will post this to Stampin Sisters in Christ for their last challenge :( - I have participated in many challenges there, and the weeks I don't participate I still visit to see the devotional for the week, always inspirational and focused on His word. They will be missed in blog land, but I give them kudos for prioritizing, and doing what they need for their families. My son and daughter are in their mid-twenties, and my husband and I always wonder how the years passed so quickly.....you never regret the time you get to spend with them, young or old, you just have a little more time for yourself when you get older.

Supplies: Copics, Stampendous, cardstock

Challenges: Stampin Sisters in Christ - #167 Last Chance

Every year I make ornaments as gifts for various family members and friends. Being a bit picky about how they are colored and show up in the glass ornament keeps me busy for months in advance measuring and mentally coloring stamps I see while shopping. Some are great for coloring, but won't fit. Others are perfect, but digital :( - some just won't color up well with the Sharpie Paint Pens....so I was REALLY excited when Our Daily Bread came out with their recent release and had several perfect images to choose from. Having lived in St. Louis for 17 years I am a big Cardinals Baseball fan, and the birds themselves are always colorful and fun to watch in the yard, so it was a simple choice for me to choose this stamp.
On acetate I stamped the image in Staz-on Black ink, then I turned it over and colored the images with my Sharpie paint pens......I am going to work later this week on some shading and giving the birds a little more depth, but I think they look great perched on these pine branches with some snow around them (I am also going to play with adding some snow to the pine cones).
(Okay I'm very excited to note that I also saw that I won a recent blog hop over at Our Daily Bread Designs - whoot, whoot - can't wait to do some shopping)

Supplies: Our Daily Bread Design Cardinal Ornament, Celebrate It Ribbon, Shredded sparkly stuff, Sharpie Paint Pens, Acetate.

Challenges: Our Daily Bread Designs 131 - A Holiday Card or Project, Really Reasonable Ribbon, Anything but a card with ribbon.

Every now and then when I am shopping, and have one of those 'just must use' 40% off coupons, I see a stamp whose image is so serene and lovely I must have it. The day I spotted this stamp I probably walked by it four or five times, trying to imagine how I would use it on a card. I imagined it colored in Copics, and for sure with some gold around it.......THEN I come home and begin to play and just can't get any of my coloring or layouts to work the way I imagined they would. Ughh!!! To the drawer it goes. A few weeks later I find myself perusing the gallery at Splitcoast Stampers and lo and behold I come upon this CARD that gives me inspiration. I kept her basic layout of the image in the circle and the sentiment in the banner. It didn't seem appropriate to use snowflakes as she did, because she used a tree image, so I used an embossing folder on my background. To fill the little corner I added some embellies. This layout has inspired me to think of one or two more ways to use this lovely stamp....so glad I kept the tones earthy, and very glad I found a way to ink this up.

There is something about the Wisemen following a star, in faith it would lead them to the King, that greatly appeals to me during the Christmas season.......Inside I will use my favorite sentiment "Little baby, sweet and small, born to be the King of all".

Supplies: Inkadinkadoo Wisemen, Paper Inspirations Sentiment, SB M-Bossabilities, The Paper Studio DP, Cardstock, Memento Ink

Challenges: Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes

Recently Stacey (Twinshappy) posted a card for the Dirty Dozen Christmas Challenge - MIM - More is Less, at SCS. It caught my fancy, and when I commented on her blog I said I was going to case it 'cowgirl' style. This was the immediate image that came to my mind when I saw hers. I changed her candy canes to my Horseshoe from Flourishes, kept the layout she used, while using a different edge (Romantic Rectanges, of course), and I have to say I love it.

For her challenge they were doing two of the same card - one simple, and one glammed up. I only made one since I'm not joining the challenge, but it is a great idea, and a fun way to get more cards done.

Supplies: Spellbinders Romantic Rectangle, Flourishes stamp, pearls, cardstock.

I needed a special card to send - the person I am sending it to makes lovely cards herself, they are inspiring to me and I am way behind in getting a thank you to her for some things. While perusing the Cheery Lynn blog I came across this interesting tutorial on a frame. I took two of my Spellbinders oval frames and ran them through the GC with some cardboard to create an oval frame. Then I used some seam binding to wrap around the frame. I decorated this with some pearls and on the back side I placed some lace. When the frame was finished I placed it over my stamped image and scripture. I had this lovely paper (some RAK) and it worked perfectly with this vintage looking frame, added some oh so lovely pearls and viola a card I feel befitting of the person I am sending it to. This was lots of fun to work with and I kept it pretty simple, for sure I will be creating another - how fun to dig into my stash of lace, and ribbon.

Supplies: Spellbinders Oval Die, Our Daily Bread Scripture, Prima Pearls, Lace, Stampin' Up Angel, Corner punch.

Challenges: Stampin Sisters in Christ #164, Totally Stampalicious Anything Goes,Word Art Wednesday Anything goes

I recently found this awesome digi at Designed2Delight. For whatever reason I became obsessed with creating a 3-D look with this. My original plan was to do a Diorama card, but as I tried to think of the layout, I wasn't impressed with my ideas. Then I saw this modified version of a frame card that folds flat. This seemed perfect for my little city.

I printed the image out three times. Colored the main image then cut out and colored the front wall. I also cut out the small building directly behind the wall and colored it, as well as cutting and coloring the two small buildings one each side of the top building. I used various size pop ups, and some rolled pot dots to create a 3-D look.

I have a picture tutorial on the layout and sizes, you can go to the bar at the top of my blog and click on tutorials to see it. This was a challenge and for sure will go to someone special, but overall it wasn't hard once I figured out my measurements and the paper I wanted to use. The overall size of the card is 5.5 by 5.5 and because it is a bit thick, due to the 3-D effect and layering, it will need a 6 x 6 envelope for mailing. Or you could use a padded envelope to protect it more. It was great fun and to do and I already have ideas for a few more with totally different image in them.

Supplies: Cardstock, Stampabilities sentiment, Designed2Delight Digi, Snowflake Embellishments, Pop Ups, Copics, Spellbinders, Corner Chomper

Challenges: The Paper Players 118 Framed, Oozak Die Cuts, Stampin' Sisters in Christ Peace

Little by little I am eeking out some Christmas cards between other things that need to be done. Followed the sketch for a challenge at Our Daily Bread Designs for this card. This sentiment is one of my favorite from Morningstar Stamps. When we were in the St. Louis area I participated in several drama productions through our church during Christmas, and Easter. Our pastor wrote his own plays, which usually had a very contemporary take, with vignettes from Biblical times. So, I was drawn to this sentiment when I first saw it while shopping at a stamp show. What a great gift the Baby Jesus was that quiet night.

Supplies: CS, Martha Stewart punch. Spellbinders, Rhinestones, Heartfelt Creations Stamp, Morningstar Stamps, Copics

Challenges: Our Daily Bread Design ODBDSC125 Sketch Challenge, The Crafty Bloggers Network Anything Goes, Totally Stampalicious Christmas

This is my design for the challenge and as part of the Design Team....Click here to visit the Dream Valley Challenge Blog and join us for some fun and prizes.

I will also be posting this on Splitcoaststampers for the Teapot Tuesday challenge....we are making cards for MMTPT220 where our cards will be sent to:

Angelique is a very good friend of Lydia's who recently had some surgery go bad.

Angelique went in for emergency surgery just before Labor Day. It was nothing life threatening but the surgeon ended up making a mistake during surgery which resulted in a second surgery. She ended up being in the hospital for three weeks and believe it or not, has at least one more surgery to go! How on earth did that happen?

She has a long road ahead of her and needless to say, needs a little teapotter love to get her through what lies ahead! Angelique is an artist and a professional editor by trade for the University of Kentucky. She loves to make crazy little bat girls out of paper and her Twitter name is Paperbatty. She loves Halloween and loves Spookey stuff! Lydia's nickname for her is Batty or Battypants.

Angelique also has and simply loves chihuahuas. Hers are rescues and she has one that dances for her!

Supplies: Spellbinders, Dollar stamp, Mark's Finest Things Sentiment, Penny Black Cat, Martha Stewart punch, Copics.

Challenges: MMTPT220

Its was my sister's Birthday last week....this is the card I made for her. Whenever I have traveled with her it has been a standing joke about how cold we have to keep the room at night - I'm pretty sure at home she sleeps with the fan on high!!! So when I saw this stamp by Bugaboo I couldn't resist getting it to color and send to her. I am partial to shaped cards and decided to make this as a twisted easel card, based on Beate's tutorial at Splitcoaststampers. Pretty sure she will get a nice chuckle out of this when she receives it.

Supplies: Bugagoo Digi, Computer, QuicKutz Dies, Rhinestones, Copics

Challenges: Sentimental Sundays - Anything Goes

Its "Hope you can cling to" over at Splitcoaststampers the entire month of October. Each day has a challenge you can participate in making a card, and then hopefully putting all those cards in the mail to Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. So far I have manged to get three challenges done, two I am still working on. Beate's challenge certainly took me out of my box for colors, using grey with a pop of color, but it was fun, and I really liked the finished project.
Yesterday's challenge was to make a cupcake holder or box....which of course can't be sent...but we were also asked to make a card with it. Boy - talk about a challenge. First and foremost a cupcake NEVER needs a holder in my house as it disappears much too quickly for such a thing. I do like a good challenge though, so I made a cute little holder on a pedestal (not nearly as cute a the other participants, whose creations I am still drooling over)......and a sweet little card with a couple of cupcakes to match. The BEST part of the challenge was HAVING to go to the grocery to buy the cupcake that went in the picture, which of course, after I had handled it, HAD to be eaten :) - it was a rough challenge but I got it done.
Today we are using five words on the front of the card as our focal point - being the over achiever I sometimes am (aren't all stamper) I used five words on the inside and the outside. If you have a chance you should visit Splitcoaststampers and join in the fun.

Thanks for stopping by:

If you are one of us crazies who loves to play with 'da Man' (sometimes known as the cowboy from the Wild Wild West by Stampin' Up) - then you will appreciate this project. 'Da Man' does not usually appear without a story, seems there has long been, a feud of sorts, going on between a few Splicoast Sweeties who ink him up regularly, (catch the stories here) as well as a whole blog entitled Women of the Wild Wild West. Yes, we have a thing for this cowboy.
He has been retired for years, he arrived on the Stampin' Up scene in 2002 and was retired shortly afterward....I didn't even know of Stampin' Up until 2004 so I missed any opportunity to purchase him. There is a movement afoot (here) to rally together and get Stampin' Up to bring him back, sigh, we can only hope. With the help of the underground I was able to broker a deal through the Mudder out west and obtain a set of 'da Man' - cost me a pretty penny but was worth it. Now when I get ideas on how to use him,(and oh girls I have soooo many ideas) I don't have to reach out and ask a friend to stamp a few for me, I can 'play' at home with 'da Man' in my own little stamp room. Yes, we stampers are a bit eccentric, but we is loveable.

An overview of the tissue box

'da Man' up close and personal

The West Ranch is next to the Bloom's Ranch

this leads to lots of stories I must say.....

What's a forest without a little wildlife.

Of course, whenever one is inspired to do a project like this a mess ensues - LOL - while no Copic's were harmed in the making of this card (a disclaimer for Blooms) my work station turned into one heck of a mess......guess I'll spend today cleaning up. Happy trail everyone!!

Materials: CS, Cottage Cutz Die, Spellbinders Floral Oval, Martha Stewart punches, dimensionals, rhinestones, Copics, Stampin' Up (da Man), Computer, blood, sweat and lots of laughter.

Challenges: Simon Says Stamp Challenge, Anything Goes, Stampin' Sisters in Christ 158

One of my co-workers is in charge of a church fund raiser, I told her I would make some cards and items to donate. I already have my ornaments done, a set of cards and thought it would be fun to make this tissue box cover, and pair it up with some other things. These are fun and easy to make - you can find directions with a video here, on Splitcoaststampers. They make a great gift to someone who is not feeling well with a card, and some tea bags.
I used my new Cottage Cutz dies for the trees - while they look nice, they look even nicer when you add the piece that looks like the trunk of the tree, just didn't feel that was necessary for the look I was going for. My scripture is from Stampin Up - 'Trust God' - a set I recently ordered and have used quite a bit.
While I have made some of these with a patterned background paper, I like the simplicity of the blue run through an embossing folder, then highlighted with some silver paper....and or course a little bling for the Holidays!!

Supplies: CS, Spellbinders, Cottage Cutz, Recollections, Stampin' Up

Challenges: Simon Says Stamp Challenges, Anything Goes,

I have no idea what came over me as I was walking the aisles of Hobby Lobby....I will say that I was listening to my usual country western station as I drove over, so I will blame Kip Moore and his song: Something 'Bout a Truck. This little stamp - LOL - not so little, just hollered for me to bring it home. Lordy, I thought, what do I need with a truck stamp......but as you can see those voices in my head won.
This card turned out nothing like the original idea I had, but that's okay with me as I think what it evolved into was even better. It also screamed out to be colored in red - ahhh, red Copics, a challenge to work with, but I got er done. Then I just HAD to have vanity plates - at a recent craft fair I saw this saying and it stuck in my head so I printed it up and added it. Step cards are always fun, this one looks so much better in person with the 3-D effect of the trees and the truck on pop ups to make them all stand out. I have to tell you I had way too much fun putting this together, thinking of just the right person to send it to.

Materials: Copics, Print Works Stamp, Computer, Cottage Cutz Die, Paper House American Road Paper

Oh my word, there are so many cards I SHOULD be working on but when I saw this tree stamp, as I ran through the craft shop, the idea for this card seemed so obvious I HAD to play. And no, I didn't really run through the craft shop, if I did I might miss something....but I did stay focused and head to a few certain aisles to see if anything new had arrived. My son is one of my biggest fans and supporters and making cards for him is always a pleasure. So when I saw this stamp I decided to get a head start and make his Halloween card. He is in his mid twenty's but has always been easy to spook - when I saw this tree I just knew it needed lots of spooky eyes peeking out from the night.
This is a Step Card. To create the background for the tree I took cut a circle from some removable paper and placed it over my Brilliance CS. Then I used my Color Duster brushes to repeatedly stipple over the page in Night of Navy, More Mustard, and some Summer Sun until I got it as dark and spooky as I wanted. Then I removed my circle, and with my Copic's, colored in the moon. I cut a stencil for a cloud pattern and laid it down, using my sponge with Night of Navy, I dabbed the sponge over the edges while I continually moved the stencil around to created a layered look in the background. I then stamped several of my headstones, colored, and fussy cut them. My fence die is pretty large so after running it through my Grand Calibur I cut the bottom and messy cut the tops. My headstones in the background are popped up over the skeletons, and the headstones on the front are flat on the step, with the fence popped up over them. Inside is the sentiment "BOO'. I'm pretty sure he is going to like this ... until it gets sent it will adorn my stamp room.

Materials: Brilliance CS, Recollections Tree Stamp, Hampton Art Headstones, Memory Box Fence Die, Crafts Mart Skeleton Stamp, Embellishments, Copics

Challenges: Dream Valley Something Old, Something New

Recently I have been working on some masculine cards for the church....I used this layout with a great scripture and scene stamped in the background from Our Daily Bread Designs. While I was working I saw this image I had colored peeking out at me and decided it would look great in this same layout. This is my newest Floral Ovals die from Spellbinders and the stamp is a recent purchase from Sutter Stamps, they have some great images, as well as scenes. Operation Write Home has a challenge going on for masculine cards so I am going to enter this there. Like the style of this stamp and layout so much I will probably make a set of them to take to the ranch to a friend.

Supplies: Sutter Stamp, Spellbinder Die, CS, Copics

Challenges: Our Daily Bread Designs August Challenge, Operation Write Home.

My oh my, how the weeks are flying by. I am finally using both arms after my surgery - not that being one armed stopped me from doing some stamping......stamping is a real form of relaxation for me. I just had to plan my cards out and take my time, and use a lot of straight cuts. Nice to feel comfortable using all the tools I have at my disposal, and be able to color with my Copics again. This card is for the church bookstore.....they tell me they need some more and I am happy to oblige. I will also put it in a few challenges because its always fun to put your name in the pool to win something.
I really like this Lattice Motif die and think it looks great using matching papers. Of course, its always fun to have an excuse to make some flowers. These were cut with a die from white cardstock, then I put a little ink on the edges, rolled, layered, and then spritzed them with some Shimmer Sparkle. The vines are from my Cheery Lynn die, and I edged the card, and die with my gold leaf pen.,

Supplies: Spellbinders Lattice Motif, Cheery Lynn vine, McGill Stylus, Gold Leaf Pen, Mango Frost Matstack, Stampin' Up Trust God.

Challenges: Simon Says Anything Goes, Perfect Sentiment PSC47, Stampin' Sisters In Christ #154

This little cutie from Mo's Digital Pencil "Little Umbrella" screams summer....and I think now that it is mid August (and kids are back to school here) I have realized all those things I meant to do to celebrate the sun. When we were at the Ranch I had to watch my sun time by the pool, and riding (not easy when its 110 degrees) as the medication I was on warned me to be cautious....I decided to follow the directions and did not get to spend the time I so enjoy in the pool and basking in the sun. Now, before I know it, summer is just about gone! So why not color up this lovely lady.
When I began coloring her I posted her in process on my Facebook page. One of my friends, who is in charge of Cross Walk Bookstore in Missouri (where I send a lot of my Christian cards for sale) challenged me to put some scripture to it and send it to them. Loved the challenge - while there were some scriptures I thought of, I just happened to get a Stampin' Up order in the mail a few days later and lo and behold my Trust God set contained what I think is a perfect sentiment. "Each one of us is God's special work of art". Inked it up, put it on paper, and viola - a card that makes me 'smile'. I am in the process of coloring and putting a few more of these together as I think it is the perfect birthday card for a few of my friends.

Materials: Stampin' Up sentiment, Mo's Digital Pencil, Copics, cardstock, corner punch, Marvy punch, Inkadinkadoo shells stamp

Women of the Wild West - woo hoo - got me my cowboy. After losing to higher bids on e-bay a sister stamper hooked me up. A little across the continent negotiating and at long last I had him in my arms....thank goodness I have an understanding husband! The Man's a little used, but what man isn't LOL!! Some of the ladies at Splitcoaststampers have a little rivalry going on about the Man here - I made this card for the Get Dirty Masculine challenge. I have been waiting for the little buckaroo to arrive for a week with this card in mind. I do like my western stamps.

Materials: Spellbinders, Copics, Stampin Up Wild Wild West, Sutter Stamps, Unity sentiment, Local King Rubber Background

When I was going through the aisles of JoAnn's Fabric recently I came across this sweet pad of paper called Beaches, by Paper House. It contained several great 6 x 6 sheets of scenes perfect for beach type stamping......Couldn't wait to try it out and was thrillled when I saw the Teapot Tuesday Challenge was a destination card with a challenge to show the weather on a card, inspired by the lyrics from a song.
With this background, and a love of the beach, the song Good Day Sunshine by the Beatles popped into my head (didn't have a rub on with those words, so I used these). Now I am humming the words: I need to laugh and the sun is out, I've got something I can laugh about. I feel good, and it's a special day, I'm in love and its a sunny day! - I can just about feel the breeze of the ocean as I toss my head back and hum on my imaginary beach.
Inside I have computer generated the sentiment - "Life's a Beach, Enjoy It" with some cute little flip flops in the corner. I will be putting this in the mail to a sister Teapotter this week and I hope she feels the peace it is meant to bring her.
I am having shoulder surgery Monday and may not be able to stamp for a week or two - but you can bet I will try. I prepared this a day early.

Materials: Rub On Sentiment, Computer, Paper House mini paper pad, Dollar Stamps from JoAnn's, Copics

Challenges: Teapot Tuesday MMTPT 209, Simon Says Anything Goes

This is my 4th and final week as a guest design team member at Our Daily Bread Designs,

This week's challenge will last for two weeks and ....

Is a sketch.....

To make the challenge even more fun, we will be giving out a prize, a $15 gift certificate to be used toward stamps at the Our Daily Bread Designs store!! Entries for the prize must be submitted by Sunday, August 5th at 8 p.m. EST. One random winner will be chosen and announced next Saturday.

While it is not required to use Our Daily Bread Designs images and sentiments on your creations, we would love to see them if you have them. As a way of recognizing those who do use Our Daily Bread Designs stamps, we will again be choosing three or more of our participants for the Shining the Light Award . In order to qualify for this award or join the challenge, however, you must use Our Daily Bread stamps and have your submission added to Mr. Linky by Sunday, August 5th at 8 p.m. EST. If you upload your creations to Splitcoast Stampers or any other online gallery, please use the keyword isODBDSLC117. When creating your posts on blogs please include a link to the challenge.

Now on to my take for this challenge:

I turned my layout sideways, and instead of ribbon I chose to do flowers in its place. I was just in a pink mood when I was laying this out. my flowers are handmade, they are easy and fun to make and I have a picture tutorial you can view here. Stretched the take a little, but it is exactly what I had in mind when I started so I am happy. and 'hey' its all about me isn't it - LOL!! My sentiment is from the Quote Collection 2. Have as much fun as I did playing. See I told you I wouldn't use the sea this week, it was tempting.

For more inspiration for this challenge, please visit my dt sisters:

Jan Marie Ennenga, Chris Olsen, Jan Keen, Lori Ulrich,

Kathy Roney, Rosemary Dennis, Sabrina Jackson

To see all the creations in one place or join the challenge, click here.

Materials: Our Daily Bread Design Quote Collection 2, Spellbinder Dies, Memory Box Flower Die, Zva Pearls, Cheery Lynn Butterflies.

A few weeks back I saw this sweet horseshoe die by Provo Craft used on a card, I knew I had to have it, and was able to find one for sale on e-bay. When it arrived I couldn't wait to use it. The first set of horseshoes I made were with a pewter colored paper and I scuffed up the edges with silver ink. Once I laid the card out I determined I needed a different color horseshoe. I ran the die thru my CB again with brown paper and used my gold Color Box ink to scuff the edges, giving it a nice used patina.

This Mustang stamp is a favorite of mine from Serendipity Stamps.....so regal looking. While I wanted to use my new horseshoe die, I will have to admit that this card really ended up being about the inside. I am not sure what this layout is called but when I saw it here I had to try this cut and fold technique. It was pretty simple, all I needed was a 5" x 10.5" piece of card stock, a few cuts, and scores an inch wide, and viola -- a lovely looking and unique pop out for my inside. I made a second card with some fabulous polka dot paper, its is posted over at Splitcoaststampers.

When I was finished with this card I gave it to my friend Lori who owns a beautiful thoroughbred named Tuscany - I thought she would appreciate it.

Materials: Serendipity Stamp, Hampton Art Sentiment, Cuttlebug Die, Spellbinders Die, Xyron, Krylon Pen

This is my 3rd week as a guest design team member at Our Daily Bread Designs,

This week's challenge is Sun/ Clouds (116).

To make the challenge even more fun, they will be giving out a prize, a $15 gift certificate to be used toward stamps at the Our Daily Bread Designs store!! Entries for the prize must be submitted by Sunday July 22nd at 8 p.m. EST. One random winner will be chosen and announced next Saturday.

While it is not required to use Our Daily Bread Designs images and sentiments on your creations, we would love to see them if you have them. As a way of recognizing those who do use Our Daily Bread Designs stamps, we will again be choosing three or more of our participants for the Shining the Light Award . In order to qualify for this award or join the challenge, however, you must use Our Daily Bread stamps and have your submission added to Mr. Linky by Sunday, July 22nd at 8 p.m. EST. If you upload your creations to Splitcoast Stampers or any other online gallery, please use the keyword is ODBDSLC116. When creating your posts on blogs please include a link to the challenge.

Now on to my take for this challenge:

I like making step cards - when I started playing with this image and sentiment from The Mighty Sea I wasn't sure what I was going to do but the colors and layout just seemed to come together. The little shells are a $1.00 stamp I found at JoAnn's. (Hmmm, are you sensing a theme here with my $1.00 or less purchases - maybe I should change my blog name to the 'Frugal Stamper" LOL!! ) After stamping and coloring them with my Copic markers, I cut them out and arranged them around the card

I promise next week to leave the beach behind as this is the second time I have used a beach scene.....can you tell its summer..... I find the ocean a peaceful and wonderful place to visit - whenever I stand at the edge of the beach with the water lapping up on the shore, tickling my toes, I truly feel the magnificence of God and all that He has created.

For more inspiration for this challenge, please visit my dt sisters:

Jan Marie Ennenga, Chris Olsen, Jan Keen, Lori Ulrich,

Kathy Roney, Rosemary Dennis, Sabrina Jackson

To see all the creations in one place or join the challenge, click here.

The Teapot Tuesday challenge at Splitcoast Stampers was all about girafffes for Alex. She is a 17 year old who has had some serious health issues with complications from her Chrones. This challenge is a destination challenge where we make cards with a specific person in mind and send them to them. Alex likes giraffes, when the Teapotters are done with her she will have a herd, jungle, or whatever, lining her dresser.

It was a 'tall' challenge for me this week (tee hee, I made a funny) - especially since I don't have any giraffe stamps...I mean I can do western in my sleep, but a giraffe, oh my - what to do. Just had to draw my own and color her up. So I can safely say this card was made with no stamps damaged in the process...a first for me. Enjoy.

Challenge: MMTPT207 at Splitcoaststampers.

Materials: My imagination, copics, tree by Jolee, scissors

This week's challenge at Our Daily Bread Designs.....

....is Torn or Distressed (115).

To make the challenge even more fun, we will be giving out a prize, a $15 gift certificate to be used toward stamps at the Our Daily Bread Designs store!! Entries for the prize must be submitted by Sunday July 15th at 8 p.m. EST. One random winner will be chosen and announced next Saturday.

While it is not required to use Our Daily Bread Designs images and sentiments on your creations, we would love to see them if you have them. As a way of recognizing those who do use Our Daily Bread Designs stamps, we will again be choosing three or more of our participants for the Shining the Light Award . In order to qualify for this award or join the challenge, however, you must use Our Daily Bread stamps and have your submission added to Mr. Linky by Sunday, July 15th at 8 p.m. EST. If you upload your creations to Splitcoast Stampers or any other online gallery, please use the keyword is ODBDSLC115. When creating your posts on blogs please include a link to the challenge.

Now on to my take for this challenge:

This challenge made me stretch myself as torn and distressed are not my typical look or style. While shopping recently I came across this sweet cross and purchased it for a whole penny, yes - you read that correctly, a whole penny.......it was too good of a deal to pass up! I sponged some distress ink over it and then dabbed it with some brown Color Box ink. With my Spellbinder Fluer De Lis Die I cut a frame. Then I stamped one of my favorite sentiments from the set "Pray" from the "Full of Grace" collection, onto the same design paper I used for the base. I roughed up the edges of the base as well as the piece holding the sentiment and rubbed some ink around those edges. A rhinestone in the center of my cross and the corners of my die completed the look. On the back of the envelope, for this card, I stamped the Grunge Cross from the "Never Give Up" set. Thanks for stopping by.

For more inspiration for this challenge, please visit my dt sisters:

Jan Marie Ennenga, Chris Olsen, Jan Keen, Lori Ulrich,

Kathy Roney, Rosemary Dennis, Sabrina Jackson

To see all the creations in one place or join the challenge, click here.

Recently I was inspired by a card I saw created by Marianne' Papirverden with this fold, and wanted to try my hand at it. I have figured out a few things doing this, one being you do not want to use a really heavy cardstock for the base of the card, it makes this really thick to fold....and if I do another (which I most likely will) I will probably do it more like hers and round the outside panels. I am also considering using a brad on the next one so that the top swings up to hold a message as well as for a signature, as it is now you would have to write a note and sign the back of this. In spite of what I learned I do like this, I am especially fond of the DP, a very feminine look. You can find Marianne's blog by clicking above if you want to see her card, it is quite lovely.

Materials: K&C Company Ancesttry.com paper, Spellbinders dies, Our Daily Bread Design Scripture Series 1 Customer Favorites, Stampin Up image, Rhinestones

Challenges: Our Daily Bread Design Anything Goes 115, Stampin Sisters in Christ Use Something New

This week's challenge at Our Daily Bread Designs.....

....is anything goes (114) but it must use Our Daily Bread Stamps.

To make the challenge even more fun, we will be giving out a prize, a $15 gift certificate to be used toward stamps at the Our Daily Bread Designs store!! Entries for the prize must be submitted by Sunday July 8th at 8 p.m. EST. One random winner will be chosen and announced next Saturday.

While it is not required to use Our Daily Bread Designs images and sentiments on your creations, we would love to see them if you have them. As a way of recognizing those who do use Our Daily Bread Designs stamps, we will again be choosing three or more of our participants for the Shining the Light Award . In order to qualify for this award or join the challenge, however, you must use Our Daily Bread stamps and have your submission added to Mr. Linky by Sunday, July 8th at 8 p.m. EST. If you upload your creations to Splitcoast Stampers or any other online gallery, please use the keyword is ODBDSLC114. When creating your posts on blogs please include a link to the challenge.

Now on to my take for this challenge:

There are many places I like to shop for craft supplies. Recently at Michael's I found these fabulous $1.00 frames and bought a 'bunch' in different shapes and sizes. This design has been in my head since I first saw this oval. I covered the frame with a paper that has an old wood look. The image and sentiment are from Our Daily Bread Design "Light of the World" set. It was colored with my Copic's and sponged in Stampin' Up Bliss Blue around the edges. It just seemed to call out for some shells, which also happened to be found at the same store as the frame.

For more inspiration for this challenge, please visit my dt sisters: