Sentiment Only

     This picture doesn't really do justice to this card.....but I am happy with it.  The challenge at Our Daily Bread Designs was to use a sentiment only - no images......I jumped at the chance so I could use some dies and bling.  

     This weekend I will be attending the Gateway Stamp Convention in Collinsville, Illinois.  It will be my last since we are moving - I have been attending for 6 years now.  This year will be a special experience for me as a few months ago I contacted Kelley at Our Daily Bread Designs to see if she might like some help, and she wrote me this week to say, yes, I could help demo.......I'm sure it will be work, and may even get a little tedious at times, but I am thrilled to be helping someone who has a great product that I enjoy using.....there will even be time to do some shopping!!!  If your from the area be sure to stop by and say 'Hi' - there are lots of vendors, demos and product to purchase. 

Challenges:  Our Daily Bread Design ODBDSLC63 - Sentiment Only
                       Make It Monday - Anything Goes
                       Stampin Sisters in Christ - something new (Recollections Rhinestone Circles)


Supplies:  Floral Doily Motifs Die, Grand Big Scalloped Circle Die, DP, ODBD Sentiment, Recollections Rhinestones, VersaFine Black Inc

Friendship is Timeless

     Wow - being on vacation has really put me behind in my stamp room.....Good news is we sold our home while I was at the ranch before the sign could even be put in the ground.  Praise the Lord on that one...now we have to hustle to Atlanta and start looking for one to move in to!!

     I have a girlfriend who is having some knee surgery today - I made her this card to cheer her up.....she is very athletic and I hope she is up and running soon.  I was going to use my 'confidence is sexy' stamp on the inside because this little lady looks so full of joy an happiness as she rides along.....but I found a better sentiment on friendship to use.

     I just love this Mo Manning stamp and have been itching to use her......she will be used again soon as she is such fun to color and as I said I love how she exudes happiness and joy as she goes about her day!!! 

Submitting this to Dream Valley Challenges for their challenge to use a stamp this week.


Materials used:  Kraft paper, CS, Nesties Oval and Scalloped, Cuttlebug EF, Mo Manning Stamp,  Inky Antics Sentiment, Copics

It's a PAR-TAY - over at the Outlawz - no sunscreen required.

http://outlawzchallenges.ning.com/

Getting our Cowgirl on!!

     No cards to post this week - my DD and I have been playing cowgirls all week at the ranch - Yee Haw!! Met up with some friends from Germany and had a great time.  One more fast ride today and then a guest rodeo tonight and we'll be done.  It will take a while for us to quit smiling.  My gift to several of those I know here was to make sets of cards for them (what a surprise they all had a western motif).  Looking forward to getting some things done in my stamp room this week.

Birthday Divas

     Working ahead on some birthday cards.....which rarely happens but I decided to break down and buy myself the new Grand Caliber and a die so its been killing me to not play with them!  This was a fun stamp I purchased from Verses Rubber Stamps - when I saw it I immediately thought of my 'book club' buddies...we have been know to have a glass of wine during our dinner conversations at book club - most of us are older and we have one young un we tease regularly about all the things she needs to know to age gracefully :)  - I have also been in the mood to make an easel card so when the time was available I had a little fun in my stamp room. While I wanted to layer - I didn't want the layers to look like they were all stacked neatly, so I made them skew some to the right and some to the left, it reminds me of an optical illusion.  The yellow pearls were added because I think sometimes you need a little surprise color in a card and this was mine.   

Supplies:  Grand Caliber, Grand Big Scalloped Circle Die, Tag die, ribbon, metal stickers, CS, Verses Rubber Stamp, Memento Ink, Brilliance CS, Copics, Embossing folder.


Challenges I'm entering:  Dream Valley, anything goes - Paper and Such Design, birthday - Ellephantasticschallenge, birthday - Some Odd Girl Blog, shapes, Craft us Crazy, something new or special - Crafty Creations, anything goes - Papertake Weekly, punches and dies,

Thank You

Since blogger was down for a day it looks like my Thank You to Angella Crockett at our Daily Bread Designs Blog didn't get posted.  What a surprise when I found out she had chose my 'Count Your Blessings' with a flower as the 'Customer Card of the Day' this week!  If that wasn't enough the lovely things she said about both me and my work was very uplifting.   The Our Daily Bread Blog and Angela's blog are one of my favorite to visit for ideas and inspiration, their design team members are really gifted.  Thank you for the honor - it just made my day!!

Embedded Embossing

     Another wild and crazy week in my house.....I did however, get to spend most of Mother's Day playing in my stamp room and this is one of several creations.  The challenge required embedded embossing and this is something I have been wanting to play with.  I had fun doing this and I actually made three cards, very similar with this technique.  Pink is one of my fav colors so that made it even more fun.  Entering this in the challenges over at Our Daily Bread Designs Challenge SLC 59 (embedded embossing) and, Stampin Sisters in Christ  for their challenge to make a card with 'all things beautiful'.  I'm not one to use lots of bling (not because I don't want to I just never seem to leave enough room) - this week I found some space to put some pearls on.

Supplies: DP, MS punch, EF and Cuttlebug, Grand Calibur and Fleur De Lis die, pearls, ODBD Sentiment, Memento black and angel pink ink.

Finally Friday!!

     Not a fancy card, by any means today, but at least I feel like I was able to play.  There is soooo much going on around here getting the house ready to put on the market that I feel like I have little to no time to stamp. When I'm not cleaning closets and talking to workmen I am on the internet looking at homes in the Atlanta area.....sometimes I feel like my head is going to explode, they ALL begin to look alike.

      My Mothers Day gift to myself is to spend the day stamping and playing. I have a long list of cards to work on and I am looking forward to it.  Today's card is one of many I want to get ready for our church bookstore, who has graciously bought my cards to sell.....they are in need of a few more.  I used my new Our Daily Bread Designs frames and matching Nestabilities.....thought I should add a little something so played around making a crinolin flower with some netting, this makes a nice soft flower and one that should mail easily.

     Wishing all you Mom's an early Happy Mother's Day.....sadly my mother and my DH mother have been gone for many years, but we will be thinking of them Sunday.  

Supplies used: CS, Stampin Up More Mustard, Ribbon, ODBD sentiment and frame stamp, Nestabilities, Crinolin and netting for flower, brad.  Cuttlebug EF


Challenges:  Craft Your Passion  - Anything goes
                   Dream Valley Challenges:  Flower
                   Make It Monday  - Anything goes
                   Craft us Crazy  -  Flower
                   Divas by Design - Anything goes

Thoughts in German

     In less than a month I will be at the ranch riding.  I will be meeting up with some friends from Germany that  I have not seen in over a year, and I am very excited!!!  Because we haven't seen each other in so long I wanted to make a special gift for my friend Michaela, and thought a set of handcrafted cards for her to use when she returned home would be nice.  It didn't seem right to use English on them, as I assume she will be sending them to German friends or family, so I asked a friend to help me with German - I am hoping she likes them.  This is one style and I will probably work on making another style for her also. 

     It has been a crazy week as we get the house ready to put on the market.  There are painters here and I am working hard cleaning closets, and packing up excess stuff.......right now I think stamping keeps me sane!!!

Supplies used:  Cardstock, a western stamp from my many (can't remember who it is by), Memento Ink, Copics in Warm Gray, Browns and Yellow.  My computer for the sentiment.

Stampin Sisters in Christ Challenge 85

     Its Saturday night and it has been a long week of rain and storms here in the St. Louis, Missouri area.  Please take a moment to say a prayer for those in the area where a  tornado hit last night.....it was only about 15 miles from me and my heart goes out to those who lost homes and belongings....while it is fortunate that no one died, and true that belongings can be replaced, I can't even begin to imagine what they must be feeling and going through, not only today but the next several weeks as they begin to clean up after such destruction.    

     It has been my goal this week to get a  card done for the Stampin Sisters in Christ challenge 85 and finally had a few minutes to sit down and play.  We were to use versa mark or color on color someplace in the card....I decided to keep it very simple and stamped my background stamp from Heartfelt Creations in versamark and then stamped it again in versa fine black and cut the sentiment out.  I mounted this on some lovely silver paper, that really doesn't show up in the picture and put a few rhinestones and a sweet little butterfly on the card to complete it....certainly nothing fancy, but a card I know I will use. 

     Easter Blessings to everyone!!!

Just Because

      Had to send something out to my son in California and I know he always enjoys getting a card from me so I took about 20 minutes to throw together a card to send.  Nothing fancy but masculine looking.  Love my kids they are always sooo supportive of my work, thanking me when I make a card for them, and always praising my work.  All those years wondering if your doing the right thing as a parent and then they grow up and your proud of who they are, and so happy to have made it through those tough times.  

Supplies used:  Our Daily Bread Design Anchor Stamp, CS, Cuttlebug and Nesties, Copic markers to color.

Pretty in Purple

     I am not sure why it took me so long to break down and  finally order some stamps from Lily of the Valley.  I admire them on a pretty regular basis as I travel throughout blogland. - they are soooo cute I debated over and over about which to get - which is probably why it took me so long to place the order. Since I have a friend with a Birthday soon I opted for the friends one!!! I knew I would be using purple and that worked out just great with the challenge at Really Reasonable Ribbon RRR#22 (if you haven't visited this site you should they have awesome ribbon) . My friend has dark hair and wears lots of purple, and plum colors - I on the other hand tend to be a little bright in my clothing choices, hence the blond in pink. Couldn't help but bling it up a little and add a touch of ribbon (also a requirement for the challenge) ...as I wanted something 'girlie' looking!!  I finished off the inside of the card as well....Her birthday is in June, it is nice to be working a little in advance.  I ran my background paper through my CB in an EF it gives a fun texture to the paper - making it almost look like fabric.  Working with my copic's was fun!!!  I am also entering this in the Tuesday Throwdown Challenge for 'Sparkle and Bling', and the Paper Sundaes #64 challenge  'Childhood Memories'.

Supplies used:  Cardstock, Lily of the Valley Friends stamp, Memento ink, Copic markers, Multi liner, Spellbinders  Label 17, Rhinestones from Michael's, Ribbon, Stampabilities sentiment inside, Embossing folder.  

"Bee" yourself.

     This week I wanted to play with a new Magnolia stamp, my Copic markers, and make a card with a frame. I also wanted to push myself to find challenges at several blogs to enter my card into.  The sentiment inside says: "Be yourself, everyone else is taken".   

     With the lack of sunshine the other day I reached for some bright colored paper to cheer me up.  You might notice that Tilda and the little bee match!  A big black stripe would have overpowered that little fella.   My original plan was to use some new flowers I made from crinolin, that I saw at the Funkie Junkie blog,  but I liked the shape of these better....having made some of her flowers I look forward to making another card to use them on.  She had a great tutorial on these, and you can use your Copic markers to color them with. 

     I was excited to hear from my friend Pat that there is a Scrapbook convention this weekend over in Illinois and we are going to head over there tomorrow......Stamps by Judith will be there along with many other vendors, hope I don't have too much fun $$$$.  

Challenges I am entering this card in:       Stampin Sisters in Christ - Children's card
                                                                    Tuesday Throwdown #43 - Spring Theme
                                                                    Paper Sundaes (PSC63) - Spring Theme
                                                                    Creative Inspirations Paint - Spring
                                                                    Dream Valley Challenges - Something with wings


Supplies used:  DP, Sizzix die, Nestabilities, MS circle cutter, Magnolia stamp, Copic markers, pearls. flowers.  

Blessings

   During the last month I participated in some blog hops at RubberNecker Stamps and Our Daily Bread Designs and was thrilled to be a winner at each.

    Over the weekend I played with my new 'Morning Glory Frame' from RubberNecker......I really liked this stamp when I was visiting their blog hop and did a little happy dance when I realized I could order it after winning!!  My original plan called for another stamp inside the frame I created, but then I received the new Scripture 7 set from Our Daily Bread and wanted to use this stamp instead for the ODBD Blog challenge  to incorporate a frame in a design. I did a great big Happy Dance the day I won this and wonder if I haven't used up my luck for the year, maybe I should have bought a lottery ticket last week when that BIG money was up for grabs - LOL.   Just had to bling this up a bit with some of the new shiny's I bought at Michael's.....since pink is a favorite color of mine I am liking this card. 

      This frame will be used a lot these next few weeks with my new Scripture set and some others I ordered from ODBD as I start making card sets to use as gifts.   I had hoped to do more than one challenge this week but then I start playing and get so into what I am doing the week just flies by.....maybe next week!!  

Supplies used were, RubberNecker Morning Glory Frame, Our Daily Bread Designs Scripture 7, CS, Embossing powder, Oval Nestabilities to cut frame and foam square to mount and layer.  Recollections Rhinestones.

   

Happy (Hoppy) For You

Needed a card for a friend and was inspired by the spring like weather we have experienced the last three days. This past weekend I finished the Copic Certification class here in St. Louis and have been wanting to play with my copics ever since! As I travel the blog world I have been smitten with Magnolia stamps and recently found a store that sells them....I really had to control myself and not go crazy (trust me I showed great restraint). This little bunny was one of my purchases, I think he is just adorable.

I kept the coloring pretty simple on these images.....one thing I realize is just how many more copics I need (LOL - want) so I can get more depth.......placing an order right after I post this.

Decided to be brave and enter this in the Magnolia-licious Challenge - this isn't quite on par with the great work I view there but I decided to get my feet wet, so to speak, and jump in with those big girls. They give me something to aspire to.

Supplies used: Radiance smooth CS, Memento black ink, Magnolia stamps. Copics: lets just say a bunch.

It's a Girl Thing

What a crazy weather week here....first 3 inches of snow on Monday and then 80 degrees yesterday...today it is cool and cloudy. Not complaining just justifying being in my stamp room coloring :)

Have had this digital stamp from Mo's Digital Pencil for a while and wanted to make a 'girlie' card. She is soooo adorable. When my kids were young a group of us would get together every Friday - one of the kids favorite things to do was pull out the 'dress up' box and go to town putting things on....even my son got into it with capes and fun hats. Couldn't help but think of this when I was coloring little Ruby here. I used my prismacolor pencils and gamsol. The sentiment is from my computer.

I am going to enter her in the Stampin Sisters In Christ Challenge this week.

Supplies: Ruby from Mo's Digital Pencil, Nestabilities, DP and vellum, Pearls from Michaels, Prismacolor pencils, gamsol.

Howdy Partner

Woke up this morning to some very unexpected snow - three inches of white slushy stuff!! Just the excuse I needed to play in my stamp room - LOL - maybe we should run a poll on 101 reasons to play with our stamps I would love to hear what everyone has to say on that subject.

This little doggie is a digital from Meijens Designs. I just fell in love with this digital since it can be pink for a little Cowgirl Doggie or blue for a little Cowboy Doggie. Always looking for an excuse to play with my Copics and couldn't wait to get them out today....as always it was fun. Each time I use them I learn more and more and wonder what took me so long to try them. I really like how the background behind this puppy turned out - I ran my EF through my CB with some TH Distress Ink and I really think it has a nice aged look to it.

Now its time to do some good old housework (ugh) - then I can come back and play some more!!

Used my Sizzix letter die and my Spellbinders for the frame (ran two together through the Cuttlebug to obtain this look). The background for the doggie is some beige paper run thr my Cuttlebug with the Paisley EF that I dabbed with Tim Holtz Pumice Stone for an aged look.

Awesome Blog Candy at Angelwood's Crafting Corner

Some fabulous blog candy available at Angelwood's Crafting Corner. Had an awesome visit there today to view a young artist in the making!! Be sure and visit.

Spring is around the corner!!!

Wow - what a crazy week! The weather has been all over the place, but in general on the cool side. The sun has peeked out very little and rain seems to be the norm.....yuck! I think I am in definite need of some vitamin D. This may explain the bright colors on my cards this week :) As I began to play with my copics, creating some pretty little springy flowers, it seemed that only vibrant backgrounds called out to me - seriously I fought this urge as it took me way out of my usual comfort zone, but I followed the call and created some pretty intensely colored cards!

WARNING - you may wish to put some sunglasses on before viewing, and please note the creator of these cards is not responsible for your eyes being overwhelmed by the brightness - LOL!!

Challenges I am entering the second card in: Outlawz Girlz CC0308, Our Daily Bread Designs SCC51 and Stampin Sisters in Christ Challenge 79

Materials used: CS, DP, Sizzix die, Nestabilities, Cuttlebug EF, Stamp by Stampa Rosa, Copic Markers YG17, G14, R43, RV10, YR15, Y13, Y15, Y17, Y38. Ribbon and embellishments.

Button, Button, whose got the button???

All week I have wanted to get a card ready to enter in the Stampin' Sisters in Christ and Our Daily Bread Designs Challenges. Wow I have almost let the week slip by me. Tuesday I worked and Wednesday I went shopping at a new stamp/scrapbooking place with my friend Pat....its so nice to have someone who shares the same enthusiasm I do for this craft and is willing to drive miles to look at paper and stamps with me. While we were shopping I was sooooo excited to find some Magnolia stamps and new funky ribbon - as I told Pat even if I don't use this ribbon I'll enjoy looking at it and thinking of things to do with it - and surprise, surprise it is exactly what I wanted when I finally put my card together.

The challenge at SSC required buttons so I knew I would be including some in my design. I don't often purchase buttons because when I go to use them they are never quite the color I want. Blog hopping last month I discovered an exquisite card by Angella Crockett at Body, Mind and Spirit, Stamps - her buttons actually matched her design paper because she makes her own. This lovely lady also had a tutorial on her blog showing the process step by step.....so I jumped right in and made some, and today I am using them on my card. Posted below is a close up of these cute little homemade buttons. This is the second time I have made my own buttons and what fun it is to use different shapes - even changing the ribbon or thread tied through them can change their appearance......Thank you Angella for taking the time to share your creative talent thru a tutorial. There is so much to learn from so many of you - thank you for sharing your ideas and talent!!

Products used were DP, ribbon, die cut, bling, punches, crystal effects, ODBD sentiment stamp, and angel stamps from Michaels. My angel image was inked up with Stampin' Ups Rose Red and I stamped her on a scrap sheet first to mute the color under my sentiment.