Age is just a number.....

      Had lunch with a friend yesterday and we stopped by my fave stamp store afterwards Impressive Ideas in Roswell Georgia. They were unpacking a new shipment of pull out pop up stationary and I just had to have some.  Ideas for this card are just exploding in my head right now so it was difficult to sit and decide just exactly what I wanted to do first.  I used my Silhouette Cameo to cut the border and then grabbed a Mo Manning image I had laying in my work area - I didn't want to over think the card so I went with what was within reach.  After coloring this sweet old couple with my Copic markers (you can see just a few of the markers laying next to the card that went into coloring this image).  I used my Silhouette to create a sentiment.  The overall look of this card is pretty clean an simple, at least for me,  You will certainly see more being created in the near future.

Materials:  Pre cut pull out card, Copic markers, Silhouette Cameo, Mo's Digital Pencil image, Designer Paper, Embellishments

Love & Happiness.....

     I saw this layout and design posted on Pinterest by Jo Ham of Its My Creative World.  Can I just say she is one creative lady.  You may have noticed from several of my posts recently I have been making wedding cards for some friends.  It was while wandering through Pinterest one evening that I came across this beauty.  I CASED her work, changing the coloring some, I also changed  the sentiment and die it was printed on, and instead of  using a flower I chose some different embellies.   Jo designed this half round step card for use with a Silhouette, I just had to download it and try it on mine -- I love step cards and just couldn't pass up this great shape.
     There is a learning curve on the Silhouette and on this card I learned several lessons I thought I would share.  First, Jo said in her blog that after cutting and folding you would have to cut the excess outside edge, no problem.  My little experience with Silhouette has taught me that the dashed lines for folding can get a little worn and sometimes tear easily if you are too rough - it took me two tries on this card to get it the way I wanted it.  What I learned was that right after cutting those excess edges, take the time to then adhere the background while it is laying flat.  Playing around too much with my first one caused some stress on the fold lines. I also discovered that the pieces she included in the cut file for the background weren't really to size - while they fit the main circle, the edges of those change after you hand cut it......I am going to play around and see if I can change her pattern and save it.
     The image is from Mo's Digital Pencil -- ya'll know how much I love Mo's designs).  The lovely couple was colored with my Copic Sketch Markers....I also used my Gelly Roll Clear Star pen to give some sparkle to her gown.  I ran my Cheery Lynn small flourish die through my Cuttlebug about 4 or 5 times to create the embellishment behind the couple, the white background was also run through the Cuttlebug with a Valentines embossing folder. After generating my sentiment on the computer I lined up my Opulent Oval die over it and cut it out adding a darling little Dove from Jolees.
     Know that I fell in love with this card and was obsessed all day putting it together.  Using my Silhouette is still very new to me - it can do so much and I know so little.  If it weren't for great tutorials by ladies like Jo, and others I have pinned, I would be at a loss - they inspire me to practice, practice, practice using this fine machine as a tool in my paper crafting world.

Materials:  Silhouette, Mo's Digital Pencil, Copic Sketch, Spellbinders, Jolees, Cheery Lynn, Cuttlebug, Gelly Roll

Challenges:  Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes
  

Spring into summer

     I was working on this image before vacation, and feel like I need her finished up with Summer around the corner.  This image so reminds me of my bestie Vicki.  We are complete opposites and often laugh about it.  I am an early riser, she hates mornings - I am ultra conservative, she likes to pretend she can be, but is much more liberal than I am - she loves to relax in her garden, I do not have a green thumb and look for reasons not to grow things.  When I saw this image at Mo's Digital Pencil I just had to click 'buy' and add her to my collection.

      For my inspiration today I used the Sketch Challenge 439 over at SCS shown above.  I turned my card sideways and changed the shapes up a little.  There are days that challenges like this can be great inspiration when your trying to finish projects up.  The original design was somewhat similar, but I am glad I let the sketch inspire me.

Materials:  Mo's Digital Pencil Image and Sentiment, Cheery Lynn Flourish Die, Spellbinders Oval Die, Corner punch, MME Paper, Copic Sketch Markers, Ribbon

Ruh Roh ......

     Ruh Roh - Rocco is in the doghouse.  I am catching up with cards I need to make, while I was on vacation I missed a few birthdays.  Like "Rocco" I think I need to be in the doghouse for not being better organized.  I couldn't wait to color up this sweet little fella from Mo's Digital Pencil.....the fun was in deciding what markings to give him since this particular digi is mostly an outline, I love that belly I gave him, and who doesn't  love that 'oops - I think I'm in trouble' look he is sporting!   I found the tennis shoes in my clip art file and printed them up and fussy cut them out - Rocco is responsible for the piece missing from one of them, you can tell from the guilty look on his face as well as the tenny hanging from his mouth, tee hee.  For the front sentiment I dug out my Sizzix "Wingo Zingo' Alphabet - while I have owned it for quite some time - this is the first I have used it....it wasn't as dusty as I thought it would be :-)

     The sentiment on the inside says "I'm in the doghouse for missing your Birthday, Hope it was a good one"    What fun it is coloring Mo's images - next goal is to learn to merge some of her images together and layer them.  Need to get Photoshop and practice.....I have a few in my Mo's file that would look great together.

Supplies:  Copic Markers, Spellbinders Die, Sixxix Letters, Cardstock, Clip Art from Computer

Challenges:  Use It Tuesday #56Anything Goes

Lets Cook Up Some Fun

     I wanted to post this last night but was just plain tired after my usual workout, a bike ride and dinner with my hubby.   My Darling Husband has purchased a bike...he wanted to find an activity we could do together and he knows I enjoy biking (not heavy duty biking, but there are some nice trails nearby).  Yesterday when he came home from golf  he informed me we were biking.  Rain was predicted and I wasn't too sure about the big black cloud just outside, but he assured me it was NOT suppose to rain until much later.  Out we headed to check the tires, filled them, loaded the bikes and headed out.  Four miles into our ride it started to drizzle - argh - we quickly turned around and got back 12 minutes quicker than it took us to get the first 4 miles. The bikes were quickly loaded onto the back of my SUV and as the last strap was pulled the skies let loose with a deluge!!  We laughed pretty hard in the car....and I can only say that I am pretty sure that our rides together can only get better from here on out.
       Mo has a challenge this week to do a Clean and Simple card with one of her images.....tee hee.....one doesn't usually think clean and simple when playing with her images. The truth is this isn't exactly how I wanted this to turn out.  My original thought was to have these two darling images over lap, but no matter how many tutorials I followed it just wasn't gonna happen on THIS card (working on it for a later date, need a few hours to play).  Once I started playing I was gonna get er done, and this was the result.  Just felt she needed a little something and added the ribbon and utensils for some embellishment.  She is going in my stash.  I have a few days off this week and plan to spend some of that time looking through tutorials to see if I can learn to 'merge'!!

Supplies:  Mo's digital images, ribbon, DP, Copics, Embellihments I p/u from Hobby Lobby but lost the package :(

Challenges:  Challenge 184 Clean and Simple at Mo's Challenge Blog

Lifes a beach....

     Its been the kind of spring that makes one want to get to the beach and feel the sunshine!  While it has been fairly mild in Georgia, my poor family and friends in the mid-west have been bemoaning the late snow and cold weather.  St. Louis recently broke a 100 year record for 12 plus inches of snow....I am sooo not missing living there and experiencing that.
     However, what really inspired me to make this card was the Design Team call over at Mo's Digital Pencil.  The minute I saw it was open my heart started to pound quicker, and I let out a hopeful SQUEAL!!!!  You are suppose to post something with your favorite Mo's image - LOL - I love them all, how could you possibly pick just one.  This said, if I think too hard about it I'll never get an image colored - they are all too, too sweet and fun.  So.....since I HAD to pick - I chose this lovely curvy lady with the delish umbrella drink.  We will be heading to the beach in a few months so I have visions like this dancing around in my head.  Yes, she is in a a "teeny, weeny, itsy, bitsy, yellow polka dot bikini" (hope your humming along now) with the tropics surrounding her.  There are harder images to color, but she is oh so fun to play with!!!  Of course I used my Copics to color her, my Spellbinders to frame her, a nicely discounted Paper Studio embellishment, and some ribbon, all mounted on some fun two sided Jillibean Coordinating paper. I like the way the chevron on the lower layer mimics the ripples in the sand as the ocean washes up on the beach.

     Yep, this will be me when we finally make it to the sand and sunshine.....an umbrella drink is a must!  I finished of the inside off the card as well - I used two shells that I stamped, colored lightly, spritzed, then bent into a shell like shape.  They are adhered with some Collall glue to give them dimension.  My original thought was to use them on the outside of the card, but this little lady screamed for a palm tree and coconuts.

     I had to laugh when I read the Design Team call requirements....does Mo really think it is a burden to have to color and play with one of her images weekly, or any time for that matter  - I say bring it on  - that is my kind of play.

Supplies:  Copics, Mo's Digital Pencil, Paper Studio Embellishments, Spellbinders Die, Jillibean Paper, Computer Sentiment, Collall glue

Challenges:  Mo's Design Team Call, Stamp and Create, April One Die Cut. Oozak, Pearls, lace, ribbon

STOP, in the name of Love

     Sometimes I think my life and all my friends live in my computer....I spend so much time creating, then loading and sharing, following others on Facebook, Pinning, perusing Splitcoast Stampers to leave comments, and get inspiration. But yesterday those activities paid off....the image above was free from Mo's Digital Pencil if you happened to be a follower on Facebook - since I'm a follower how could I resist a free digi.  Of course as soon as I downloaded it I HAD to color it.  The challenge at Oozak this month is 'Pink and Bling' so I used that as my inspiration.  Yeah, the sentiment may seem a little 'corny' but you have to admit it fits the image....I have been tapping my foot all afternoon humming this tune as well.

Supplies:  Digi from Mo's Digital Pencil, Computer for sentiment, Copics, Rhinestones, Cardstock Recollections Amour, Spellbinders

Challenges:  Oozak #10 Anything Goes with Pink and Bling

Riding 'Big Red'

     It is no secret I enjoy coloring with my Copic Markers......or that I like Mo Mannings images.  This little fella is one of my faves from Mo's Digital Pencil.  I think I chuckled the whole time I colored him as I took a little trip down memory lane.  When the kids were little we lived on a dead end street, and there were a bunch of kids.....ALL of them owned various sizes of three wheeler's that they rode endlessly in circles with each other.  I can still see the rocks and dust kickin up behind them as they laughed and played on them.  Coloring up this fella called 'Giddyup' was great fun.......doesn't he look excited to have all that 'horse power' to ride!! I have been itchin to use my new Die-namics die from My Favorite Things - it made a great little embellishment, and the stars that punched out from the top die were used around the image.  Yeehaw!!!

Supplies:  YeeHaw by the Paper Studio, Mo's Design Digi, Die-namics die, corner punch, Copics, Spellbinders oval die

Challenges:  Challenge 168 at Mo's Challenge Blog, Inky Chicks Anything Goes (1st challenge evuh), Craft Your Passion Challenge145 Gone Country

Jesus 1st Christmas

     I was late getting to Michael' for sales after Christmas....that just happens when you work retail and have to be there for everyone else.  When I finally made it I found a 'few' things left that were good buys.  This sentiment/background stamp was one of them.  It just called to me as I stopped to read what it said.  Into the cart it went.
     My resolve is to get my Christmas cards done earlier this year - Thanksgiving is late and flying by the seat of my pants won't work in 2013.  Since I just finished a few that didn't make it out I feel like I'm already ahead - LOL!!!

     Once I stamped this sentiment/background I realized it looked pretty barren and didn't feel that holly or other embellies would do it justice.  Then I started playing around with it on vellum, a great idea but what do I put under it????  Why the Baby Jesus of course, so I printed off one of my fave Mo's digis and colored this little sweetie with my Copics and I am very pleased.
     My friend Katie suggested I join in the challenge at Splicoast Stampers with the Fan Club SCSCCJAN13 so I am uploading this there as well.  I can say with confidence I now have 3 cards done for 2013 and three ornaments - hope I keep it up.

Supplies:  Stampendous Stamp, Mo's Digital Image, Copics, Vellum, Vellum Tape, Cardstock

Kissed by the sun and God

 

  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

Zoom, zoom.....

     Before I went on vacation I was perusing the net for horse and cowboy images.  I came across a few adorable images that were digital.....ughhh!  For some reason these intimidate me.  Over the last year I have purchased and downloaded several and they live a lonely life in my computer files.  Soooo, I decided to play and teach this old dog new tricks.
     Other than my western cards I do very few that are for the masculine gender. This little fella and his dog from Mo's Digital have been on my computer for about two years I thought it was about time I inked him up with some Copic's and added a new design to my card stash.  Below is a just for fun card I made that I actually used two digital's on - woo hoo - I'm starting to get the hang of this.

Supplies:  Top card Mo's Digital Pencil, Spellbinders, Crimper, Sentiment My Favorite Things, Ribbon, Copics, Button Embellies,  Second card, Digital by Clear Dollar Stamps, Copics

Challenges for the First Card:  Ozook Challenge 3, Paper Players Challenge 98, The Ribbon Girl. use ribbon or lace, The Perfect Sentiments Anything Goes

And a one, and a two, and a three...

     Oooh, I just love Mumu by Mo Manning.......just before I went on vacation I purchased this stamp. Next trip to the stamp store I want to get the one with her hanging the laundry.  She just reminds me of a free spirit, unafraid to shake that booty with an in your face attitude.
     The challenge at Stampin' Sisters in Christ was to do something on your card your afraid of.  I don't really fear trying anything when it comes to stamping, but there are styles and techniques that are for sure out of my box.   Sooooo, I decided to distress the edges of my background paper as well as sew around them. (I am so NOT grunge that it was a challenge for me to even get those edges messy). I also decided to work on perfecting my paper piecing by cutting her skirt out of some lovely paper I have been hoarding.  There were several sentiments I felt fit this cha cha mama, but for today's card I chose this one by Inkadinkado.  The next one I make with her I plan on using another sentiment from this set that says 'Confidence is Sexy' with a truly wild paper pieced skirt!!

Materials:  Mo's Digital Pencil, Copic markers, Pearls, Inkadinkado Sentiment

Challenges:  Stampin Sisters in Christ  , The Perfect Sentiment, Anything Goes  PSC34

Woman in Pink

     I'm not sure if its because I enjoy biking, or I am just getting older, but I just love this image by Mo Manning.  MuMu, who is of that age where a lady still wears a skirt to shop, looks as if she hasn't a care in the world as she bikes home from the market. Her plump rump is planted firmly on the seat as she pedals along with her face soaking up the sun, and her surroundings.  I can only hope I grow older with this same sense of empowerment, while still riding my bike.
     The flower I used is made from some crinolin and netting that I cut from a Sizzix die and colored with my Copics, after which I scrunched it all up around a brad..  The leaves are a Memory Box die.  I have been working on reorganizing my craft room and my sewing machine is now out and useable, so I just had to stitch around the outisde.  That and I thought it gave the card a more 'down home' look to go with this sweet image.  If you know me you are probably surprised there aren't pearls on this as I love 'pink and pearls'.......I don't think I'll add any, but sometimes cards change before they go in the mail :)
     For the challenge at Our Daily Bread Designs I have used, Stitching, Pink, Ribbon, Ink, Nestie, Green Leaves.  For the challenge at 4 Crafty Chicks I used material for my flower.

Thanks for visiting, have a great day....

Materials: Spellbinders, Sizzix, Fabric, Stamp by Mo's Digital Pencil , Bo Bunny Paper, Seam binding, Copics Memory Box

Challenges:  Our Daily Bread Designs (SPRING), 4 Crafty Chicks #85