Don't Dahlia Around.....

     A friend and I had a little friendly 'throw down' this past weekend.  She challenged me to find a card I have 'pinned' and use it for inspiration to make my own.  The biggest challenge there was not getting distracted as I went through the many I have pinned for inspiration.  There was one (here) however that stood out.  I originally pinned it because I liked the way it opened....a square card, but the flower is the top layer underwhich the sentiment is placed.

     Just that day I had used the last of the gift card my DH gave me at Christmas to Michael's and purchased this Jumbo Dahlia.  It is a little larger than the inspiration flower, but it worked just fine for me and I will be making more of these in different colors.  The overall card is 5.25 x 5.25 - I had to use my Grand Nestabilities and circle cutter for the layers.  The flower is on pop ups on top of the scalloped layer.  I am going to enter this in the challenge at Oozak since it is colored with my Copics - R81, R83, R85, R43.

     I have to tell you I am really excited.....the Intermediate Copic Certification class is being held in Georgia in April.  Since getting my certification in Missouri before moving I have been impatiently waiting for the second class to be close enough to take.  Even more exciting is I let a friend on Splitcoast Stampers know about it (its being held in her area, an hour from me)....we have been trying to meet for many months.  Turns out she has been waiting for the class as well and jumped on the opportunity to sign up....not only do we get to meet, but we get to take the class together. Can't wait.

Supplies:  Stampendous Dahlia Stamp, Ribbon, Rhinestones, Cardstock, Circle Cutter, Spellbinders Grand Nestabilities, Copics

Challenges:  Oozak Anything Goes

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

Life is a quilt

     I don't make New Years resolutions, why would I set myself up like that!!  However, I did decide to push myself to get a little ahead on Christmas 2013 (mentioned in an earlier post).  Today when I was picking up some paper a local store was holding for me I 'just had' to grab a few other things....don't you know this little die was sitting right at the checkout and it really caught my eye.  What a fun way to use my scrap papers and ribbon with some simple sentiments.  Once I started playing there was no stopping me - one little sheet of paper led to another and well.....here are just six cards I got put together, there are a whole buncha lil pieces in a small bag just waiting to be quilted onto paper.
     I must confess that I have always admired people with the patience to quilt...I took a class once and managed a pillow, but it wasn't on my list of all time favorite things to do.  These little shapes will do just fine for me - I can be a faux quilter - LOL!!
     Recently I participated in the challenge at Splitcoast Stampers doing cards for the Cure.....what a surprise when I won 3 months in the Ribbon club at Really Reasonable Ribbon.  They were prompt in sending me my first batch of lovely blue ribbon in December, and today I received a variety of pink and Valentines  ones......can't wait to use them on some of my 'faux' quilted cards.

Supplies:  Wplus9 die, Endless Creations Inc Sentiment, ribbon (American Crafts and Ofray), bling, CB Embossing Folder

Challenges:  Our Daily Bread Design Something Old, Something New, Really Reasonable Ribbon New Toy and Ribbon

Out of the Box

    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, 

The Mighty Sea....

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.

Our Daily Bread Design Challenge 115 - Torn or Distressed

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.

Angelic

   
     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

Our Daily Bread Designs 4th Anniversary Challenge

     Wow -Our Daily Bread Designs is celebrating their fourth year in business.  I remember the first year they were at the Collinsville, Illinois show after I had just discovered them on-line.  What a thrill to be able to touch the stamps and look at each one.  Kelley was doing demo's and Rick was manning the register.  I had the privilege of helping them at their third show in Collinsville, and I can tell you they have grown because they no longer fit in the corner I first saw them in - it takes a lot more room to display the product and cards they show case at every show.  I am very partial to the scriptures, sentiments, and images they design and provide...I use them a lot.  Since it is their anniversary the challenge was to use 'aquamarine' for 'fourth anniversary's'.  Such a lovely and peaceful color - I chose a pattern that has rich chocolate in it as well and managed to place a few flowers and some bling around the scripture.  Wishing them all the best and many more successful years in business.

Thanks for visiting,

Materials Used:  Our Daily Bread Design Scripture Set, Cheery Lynn Die, Spellbinders Die

Challenges:  Our Daily Bread Designs Blog Anniversary Challenge

A New Creation

     Having a blast playing and making step cards.....decided to make one for the challenge this week at Our Daily Bread Designs.  Used a scripture from their Customer Favorites 2011 Scripture Series 2.  One of my favorite scriptures.  I have been so busy working on Christmas cards and western themes lately that I dug out some fresh bright colors to be a little different.  The challenge was to use three different geometric shapes on the card...I used an oval for the Scripture, various rectangles on the card and circles behind my nice bright bling.

Materials used:  Our Daily Bread Design Stamp, Spellbinders Oval Nestie, MS punches, CS, Recollections Rhinestones


Challenges:  ODBDSLC81

Thanks for looking,

Heres to Age...

     It is my older sisters Birthday this week and I have my stamp room unpacked enough to get to some of my stamps and things I need so I was able to make a card for her.  In the big scheme of things it is a relatively simple card......I used a stamp I have been wanting to get inked up for a while and think she will enjoy it.  While I could have been much fussier I was also short on time as I needed to get to the post office to get it in the mail.  She has always been supportive of my hobby.....when she visited last year we spent one day down in the stamp room and she made several cute little gifts for her friends for Christmas.  It would be great if we lived closer because I know we would be get together often to play and create.

Materials used:  Spellbinders, Net ribbon, glitter ribbon, Recollections Rhinestones, Pearls, Copics, CS American Art Stamp "Never Show It"




Challenges:  Craft Your Passion Challenge 78, Anything Goes. Make it Monday Challenge 55.