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

Prayers Go Up

     I created this card using a digi from Shelly's Images for the Progressive Freebie Challenge at Crafter's Digital Art Center.  This is the first I have been involved in a challenge there, but I really enjoy playing with digis and they have lots of tips.  This particular digi was free if you participate in the challenge.
     First, I printed this sweet Angelic image, she comes holding a heart.  I wanted her to hold this sentiment from Shelly's so after printing her I colored her, and fussy cut around her leaving the heart off.  The sentiment fit wonderfully in the oval SB die, and right under her arm, as if it were meant to be.
     This paper is some I got during the stamp convention here in Georgia  last year.  Believe it or not the lattice die in the back of the angel is cut from some lovely gold wrapping paper I have that was the perfect color.  This same paper is behind the lovely DP as well.  I placed the angel and sentiment on pop ups.  I didn't want to over due anything as the image and sentiment speak for themselves on this delish paper.

Supplies:  Digi from Shelly's Images, Spellbinders dies, Copics, Designer Paper, Foam dimensionals

Challenges:  Progressive Freebie Challenge, Word Art Wednesday Anything Goes

Swingin Baby!

     Playing yesterday and started thinking of a fun way to use this digi by Squigglefly.  As I colored it occurred to me that it would be fun to turn this little cutie into a 3-D look.  Soooo, I printed 4 images and colored them up, fussy cut them and worked on creating layers.  One image is my base, then I cut the little sling along with the bows (without their little streamers) and adhered them directly over the first layer WITH A FOAM POP UP IN THE MIDDLE......this made the sling stand out a little.  Then I fussy cut the little bear and each bow and put them on small foam pop ups to make them stand out.  The last thing I cut was the babies face - placed this over the main image with a pop up more to the front giving the look of the image peeking out.  Had so much fun I have printed up some more to work on this weekend.

     Placed the image on some Jillibean Soup paper I had with a little gemstone on each bow. I used some inchies to place the letters below spelling 'baby'.   All in all a cute card - but like all creations I am already thinking of things that will make the next one better. Below are the Copics I used to color this image.

Supplies:  Copics, Squigglefly Digi, Studio G letters, Oval Cutter, Gemstones, Cardstock, Jillibean Soup CS

Challenges:  SFC313 (Squigglefly Challenge use Inchies), Our Daily Bread Designs OBDSLC134, for a Child

Talk about dirty....

Sue (aka as Irishgreensue or Greenie) and I were on the phone earlier today 'talking dirty' - YES, we were!  We were talking about our dirty stamping areas and how we needed to clean them up.  There was a debate as to whether one is more creative working with a mess around them - or does one do better if things are all in place.  I for one TRY very hard to keep things in their place, but sistah's it just doesn't work.  I think that is why some of those Jammer Town girls like being on Pinterest so much....they have these 'boards' where they pin these fancy schmancy, VERY organized, ALL white, craft rooms, and they dream of having a room just like the ones they pin.  I look at those and say - Wow, how nice, however does one work in a room like that ??!! So after all that 'dirty talk' and since Jammer Town (here) has been soooooo QUIET of late, I thought I would clean up my craft table, but 'oh wait'....I think maybe I should color just one more card. This ones for Greenie, ya know, she is all recovered from her knee surgery - just look at her with that leg in the air showing off!!  She has been walking diligently every day.  The only thing she can lift higher than her leg is a drumstick - gotcha Green one. Supplies:  Bugagoo Digi, copics, stickers, computer, cardstock

Sisters

     Yes, I am one of those crazies who "Pins" - it can be crazy addicting, but this card is proof that it can be inspiring as well!!  As I hopped from board to board of various "Pinners" I came across the above sentiment.
     I have two sisters, one older, one younger.......I have not lived near them in years but we have always managed to stay in touch and visit.  We have even done several 'sister trips' together over the years as well.  As I was coloring this adorable image by Art Impression a few weeks ago I couldn't help but think of my sisters.  We are sooo different, and yet we are only a phone call (and occasionally a flight) away from each other if the need arises.  I will have to admit that my older sister is known to be the 'control freak' between the three of us - so it is no surprise as I was coloring these ladies I imagined her to be the one with the finger wagging, setting us straight on some matter or another.
    So now you know why when I saw this saying I just HAD to push back from the computer and sit my butt in front of my stamp table and create.  It just seemed natural to make this into an easel card for the sentiment to make sense......the little posies surrounding this are all made by moi :)  (On the bar at the top of my blog is a link to a picture tutorial I have on making some of my flowers)
     I will have to confess I don't know if I have the energy to put another one together, so this may go to the older sister - she is pretty creative herself and always appreciate the cards I send her.

Supplies:  Art Impression Golden Oldies Girls, Spellbinders, Cheery Lynn, Martha Stewart Punch, Copics, Computer

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

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

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

Double Trouble

     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. 

Merry Christmas

     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!!   

Wise men do still seek Him!

     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

Cardinals in Winter

     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.

Wisemen & women still seek Him

    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

CAS'd Cowgirl Style

   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. 

Lacey Frame

     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

Bethlehem....

        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

Humble Setting

     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

Dream Valley Halloween Challenge

   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

Still Hot...

     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

For the Cure

     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: