Decisions Decisions.... (Day 12)

Hi Everyone!

So, I have arrived at a crossroads of sorts as it relates to sharing my 25 Days of Christmas cards with you. All of the cards are completed and have been for some time now. A few still need to be photographed, however, I have found however, that I am running a bit short on time in a day as I prepare for the holidays and continue with the day to day events of home and family. As you've noticed, this is the pivotal Day 12. The question becomes, do I stop now or do I continue?
I hope that I do not disappoint any of you with my decision to stop at 12 instead of continuing on to Day 25. I am, however already thinking of ways to share the remaining 13 cards with all of you at a later date.
Also, this will be my last post until after the New Year. I hope you all have a very happy and safe holiday season. Best wishes to you all!

25 Days of Christmas (Day 11)

Hi Everyone!
Super quick post this morning because I have tons of stuff I want to try to get done before Jonathan comes home from school. This is my card for Day 11. It was inspired by Kristina Werner's Day 11 video. Again, I used papers from American Crafts Merry Mint collection. I am determined to use all of it this year, so I can buy new stuff next year! LOL!!
Have a great day. Stay warm if you are someplace where it's cold!

25 Days of Christmas (Day 10)

Good Morning Everyone!

So, here we are at Day 10. I hope you are enjoying the cards I have been sharing with you and aren't tired of them yet! I have a bit of a confession about today's card, however. I actually made this one last year and for some reason didn't mail it out. If you remember this card from last year on my blog, then I guess I should thank you for paying such close attention! Although that's a bit scary as well!!
Anyhow, it was a simple card, using mostly pattern papers from American Crafts "Merry Mint" collection. I paired the two coordinating patterns with Tempting Turquoise, Ruby Red and Chocolate Chip. The sentiment in the center is from an old SU set "Frosty" and was stamped with Ruby Red ink.
Have a great day everyone! I'm off to see what great inspiration there is out there in blog land!

25 Days of Christmas (Day 9)

Good Monday Morning All!

Oh my, what a morning! I swear I felt as though I had just gotten to sleep and then it was time to get up. Of course, that was not helped by the fact that my hubby was up at 3 AM because he had to get on a plane at 5:30am this morning! Anyhow, I know that I will either be napping at some point today or will be in bed very early tonight.
So, here we are on Day 9 of my 25 Days of Christmas cards. This card was inspired by KWerner's Day 9 video as well. I started with a charcoal base and added layers from American Crafts "Merry Mint" collection. I punched out 1 inch circles from Scarlet Jewel card stock and adhered then to another piece of Scarlet Jewel paper. The glitter letters are from Me and My Big Idea "Ellen Jewel Alphabet" The "O" is a cookie shape cut out from some paper from the same Merry Mint collection. I added the white faux stitching line around the edge and then added the gold and silver stickles spots to finish the card.
Have a great day everyone!

25 Days of Christmas (Day 8)

Hello all!

I know it's unusual for me to post twice during the weekend; but I am trying to stay on track with the 25 days of Christmas holiday card montage I'm doing. Once again, I turned to Kristina Werner for inspiration. This is from Day 8. This was a very simple card to put together. The base is 4.25 x4.25 New Leaf base with pattern papers from Martha Stewart. Come to think of it, I didn't even use any stamps on this card. The sentiment at the top is from a package of SU rub ons.
Ok, so super quick post for today. Enjoy the rest of your weekend and I'll be back tomorrow with Card #9

25 Days of Christmas (Day 7)

Hi Everyone!
Happy Saturday. I hope you are all having a great start to your weekend. I actually enjoyed a bit of a sleep in this morning, which was nice. Drank some coffee and read a bit on my Nook. Don't you just love lazy Saturday mornings?!
Ok, on to the card for today. Some of you may have actually seen this card already because it is my SCS gallery. I made this card in October during the Hope You Can Cling to Challenge. I believe this was for the one that said to use pink in a holiday card. I'm sure that I also got this sketch from someplace too; but I don't remember where. All I know is that it's much to fancy for me to have thought of it all on my own! I used Regal Rose, Tempting Turquoise, Melon Mambo and White. The patterned paper is from a piece I picked up at My LSS a long time ago!
Anyhow, I hope you like it! Enjoy the rest of your day, and I'll see you tomorrow!

25 Days of Christmas (Day 6)

Hi Everyone!

Back again with another Christmas card for you. I hope you have been enjoying what I've been sharing. I have had lots of fun over the past few days going around and looking at lots of other creations in Blogosphere. Such inspiration and talent out there.
Today's card was inspired by Jen McGuire's "Thinking Inking" holiday class over at Two Peas. During the first week, she focused on using distress inks. One card she did used background stamps with the inks as a "waterink stamping" technique. I used Ripe Avocado, Ruby Red and Blush Blossom for my colors. I stamped the deer from Inkadinkado in Old Olive ink and then painted all over it with crystal effects and then added some diamond stickles to the antlers and and some gold glitter to the rest of him. It's a bit hard to see in the picture, so you'll just have to take my word for it!
Anyhow, I hope you like it and I will see you all tomorrow!

25 Days of Christmas (Day 5)

Hi Everyone!

I want to share my version of Kristina Werner's card from Day 5 of her Holiday Card Series. When I first started putting it together, I wasn't sure if I was going to like it; but it actually turned out to be one of my favorite cards that I made. I started with a piece of Tan card stock that I picked up from Hobby Lobby. I added papers from American Crafts Merry Mint Collection. I punched a scalloped edge piece of New Leaf (from PTI) and added it at the bottom. The three snowflakes stamps are from Inkadinkado and I stamped them in Charcoal Fluid Chalk ink by Colorbox. I colored three silver brads with Copic Markers and then added the green string around the top. The sentiment is also from Inkadinkado. Ok, I'm off! Enjoy your day everyone.

25 Days of Christmas (Day 4)

Hi Again!

I'm back again with another Christmas card inspired by Kristina Werner's Holiday Card Series. This one is from Day 4. At first, I wasn't going to do this one, as I'm not a big fan of doing the longer cards. I am glad I decided to do it though because it actually turned out to be one of my most favorite cards. I started with a piece of Blueberry Sky from PTI. I embossed it with Versa Mark and clear embossing powder, using the Inkadinkado Polka Dot background stamp. I know I've been using that stamp a lot; but I just love it!! So, I'm sorry to say you will see it again. I adhered it to a white card base measuring 3 1/2 x 9. I cut the circle out in the center. I used my cricut to cut the thin grey framed circle. I tried to do it the way Kristina did in her video; but I just couldn't, so I decided to stop wasting paper and go the easy way!
The snowman in the middle is from the same pack of Martha Stewart Stickers that I used in my Day 1 card. I stamped the sentiment from a set I got from Michael's with Charcoal Grey Color Box Chalk ink. For a bit of sparkle I ran a bit of blue stickles around the outline of the sentiment. Like I said, I was quite pleased with the final product. Have a great day!

25 Days of Christmas (Day 3)

Hello,

I do so enjoy making Christmas Cards each year. Normally I pick 3 or 4 designs and make about 10 -15 of each design. This year, however I decided to cut the total amount of cards that I am making and did a unique design for each card. The card I'm sharing today was inspired by Kristina Werner's Day 3 video of her Holiday Card Series. Be sure to watch the video to see how the vellum window was made. I printed another image from the Priscilla Styles Store onto vellum and then colored in the ornaments with Copics. I embossed the top piece of New Leaf card-stock (PTI) with the Inkadinkado Polka Dot background stamp using versa mark and clear embossing powder. I also embossed the sentiment, which is from a set that I picked up at Michael's, with silver powder. I also added some red and silver stickles to the ornament strings to give it some more sparkle as well.
Have a great day!

25 Days of Christmas (Day 2)

Hi Everyone!

I hope those of you who braved Black Friday shopping yesterday survived and were able to take advantage of some of the great deals that were out there. So here we are with day number 2 for my Christmas Card series. I made this card a while back for a MMSC challenge; but I don't think I posted it. I used Ruby Red and Chocolate Chip for my solid colors. The patterned paper is from American Crafts "Merry Mint" collection. I printed the digital image from "Priscilla Style's" Store on Vanilla paper and then used a variety of Copics to color it in. I cut and matted it with Label 8 Nestabilities. I put a little bit of paint onto the silver present embellishment before attaching it.
The sentiment at the bottom is from a retired SU set "Best Yet". That's about all I can say about it really. Isn't funny how it takes so much longer to make the card than it does to write about it! Have a great day!

25 days of Christmas (Day 1)

Hi Everyone!

I hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving yesterday! I am here to share my first card for my 25 days of Christmas Cards. I will be sharing a new card each day and I hope you like them. This cute little snowman card was inspired by Day 1 video of Kristina Werner's Holiday Card Series that she did earlier this month. I used Real Red, Aqua Mist, White and pattern papers from Martha Stewart. The snowman is also from Martha Stewart. Since there was no fancy work or techniques on this card, it only took about 20 mins to finish, which was great! Have a good day, and I'll be back tomorrow!

Warm Winter Wishes

Hi Everyone!

I have been so busy lately making Christmas cards. I'm saving them to show you until after Thanksgiving. I do have a quick one to share with you now however, because I want to post my card for this week's OCL Sketch Challenge. I did a small card measuring 4 1/4 x 4 1/4. I like to do this size card when I do a square card because it still fits in a standard size envelope. I used Pure Poppy, White and Aqua Mist all from PTI for my color palette. The pattern paper is from a 4x6 pack of holiday paper from Martha Stewart. Chances are if you've been in a Michael's lately, you've probably seen it!
The other reason I decided to do a smaller card was because I looked around and do you know the only Christmas OCL set I have is "Tweet Winter Wishes" (Gasp, I know!) I knew that the images were a bit smaller, so I decided a smaller image panel would be best. I stamped the snowman in Memento Black ink and then did some coloring a shading with my Copic markers. I added some crystal snow on my snowman because, well he's a snowman!!
Anyhow, as I said before I'm busy doing my holiday cards, so I may be in and out for a while over the next couple of weeks though. Be sure to come back the day after Thanksgiving though because I'll be ready to share my "25 days of Christmas Cards" with you!

Hello

Hi Everyone!

I spent some time yesterday working on a scrapbooking layout instead of stamping. I actually put this card together early this morning. Stamping early in the morning is one of my favorite times to stamp. It's very peaceful and quiet before everyone gets up in the morning. This is for yesterday's SCS sketch. It was a very easy sketch to work with and one that I will most likely use again. I used Ocean Tide, White and Scarlett Jewel from PTI for my papers. The large white background was embossed with the Cuttlebug Bloom Dots embossing folder. I used SU's Circle Circus for my images in the circle with The Hello stamp is from Hero Arts "Everyday Sayings"
Have a great day everyone!

Someone's Having a Baby...

But it's not me! LOL!! I'm afraid that ship has sailed all it's voyages. Actually I don't know anyone who is having a baby. However, when I decided to use these colors together from PTI, how could I not make a baby card?! I'm sure someone I know will have a baby and I'll be able to use it. I used Blueberry Sky, Spring Rain, White and Kraft for my color combination. I used yesterday's Tuesday Morning Sketch. I'm also continuing my theme of embossing this week as well. I stamped a Polka Dot background stamp from Inkadinkado with versa mark and embossed with clear powder for the background behind the kraft oval. The oval was cut using the Lacy Circle Digital Cutting kit with my Cricut. The sentiment in the middle is from another Inkadinkado set called "Baby Boy"

Hi There

Hi Everyone!

Didn't get a chance to post my card for Mojo Monday yesterday, so here it is. I actually kept it quite simple since I didn't start working on it until late in the afternoon. I'm also using this for my entry into the Color Throwdown from this past week. I'm a bit behind on that, I'm afraid. I have been trying to switch from SU papers to PTI paper and as such I don't have any of the new colors, so I used the ones I could match most closely. I chose, Kraft, Pure Poppy, Blueberry Sky and Orange Zest. I also decided to use some flowers as my focal image, instead of stamping.
For this week, I am going to be focusing on embossing, and today I used 2 Cuttlebug embossing folders, Floral Fantasy and Swiss Dots. I opted to leave out the bow at the top of the square because I thought it just competed too much with the flowers in the middle.
The card is very simple and came together quickly. I hope you like it!

Take a Load Off

Hi Everyone! Here to share my card for this week's OCLDT 38 sketch challenge. This is my last day for focusing on pattern papers this week and this time, I chose to use papers from Crate Paper's Restoration 6x6 pad. I know a lot of people who have a hard time trying to figure out how to mix and match pattern papers. The easiest way to accomplish this is to stay within the same collection package. The papers are designed to work together, so it's easy to do. I used Smoky Shadow from PTI along with Summer Sun and Regal Rose from SU as my solid papers to match with this collection. I used Hot Betty and The Spin Cycle from OCL. I stamped each image in Memento Tuxedo Black ink and then used a variety of Copic Markers to color it all in.
Here is a picture of the inside done as well, using some more of the pattern paper and scraps from the front of the card.
I hope you have enjoyed this week's theme of using pattern papers. I for one, was very surprised to learn how much quicker cards come together when using pattern papers. It's not as time consuming as embossing etc.
Speaking of embossing, be sure to come visit me next week, as that is going to be the focus for my next set of cards. Until then, enjoy the rest of your weekend!

When you love a sketch...

Hi Everyone!

I hope you've all been having a fabulous week so far. I have two cards to share with you today because I just loved yesterday's SCS sketch challenge. I thought it was just perfect for being able to continue my theme of using pattern paper this week. It was also gave me the perfect excuse to use the new products that I picked up at Hobby Lobby yesterday morning (LOL!!) I am seriously thinking of making a whole set of cards with this layout, that's how much I like it! It was so easy to do. For the first card, I used Sahara Sand along with some papers from a new stack of DCWV papers called "Linen Closet." Let me tell you, the papers in this package are drop dead gorgeous!! Beautiful browns, aquas, blues, and greens. I also grabbed a few loose sheets of paper while I was at the store yesterday to go with the patterns and used them on this card as well. I really wanted the pattern paper to be the focus of the card, so I decided to only use the one stamp in the middle. I chose the "happiness always" sentiment from SU's Whimsical Words set because I thought this card would be good for a wedding or an engagement card. I also bought a package of Flowers by Paper Studio and layered three of them in the upper right corner.
Ok, so on to the second card. For this card I chose to use Kraft, Aqua Mist and Ruby Red and pattern paper from Cosmo Cricket's Togetherness mini deck. These papers are cute and fun to work with! I stamped the sentiment from Hero Arts Thinking of You in the center on cream paper in Ruby Red ink.
Ok, so that's all for me. Thanks so much for spending some time with me and I'll see you all tomorrow!

No One Like You

Hi Everyone!

Today I am sharing my card for yesterday's Tuesday Morning Sketches challenge. I used the Shaped Cards Digital Cutting kit by Kristina Werner to make the circle card with my Cricut I am continuing my focus on patterns paper this week also. For this one, I used papers from Cosmo Crickets Wanted mini deck. This pad of paper has beautiful blues, reds, rusts and browns in it. I LOVE IT, so expect to see more of these papers in future cards. I used Aqua Mist from Paper Trey ink and some rust paper for my solid colors in the card. The sentiment in the middle is from Hero Arts "Thinking of You" set stamped in Chestnut Roan Chalk ink on some neutral scrap paper that I had. This card came together super easily because I didn't stamp anything except for the sentiment. So, I hope you like it and thanks so much for stopping by to visit with me today.

Taking a New Direction

Oh my word, it has been almost a whole week since I've shared anything with all of you. I have actually been very busy crafting and stamping but not doing a lot of blogging. I began to think about why that was and was actually surprised to realize that I just didn't want to blog at all! So I took a little time for reflection and discovered that I had begun to think of blogging as a job (that I'm not getting paid for!) instead of a fun past time. I suspect that this is in large part to do with challenge chasing. Everyday, I read all the challenge lists and pick and choose the ones I think I can do and then create a card for it. Next comes the uploading and the linking to the various challenges and then commenting on as many cards as I can, in hopes of getting some traffic back to my blog with some comments as well. I realized that I was spending upwards of 2-3 hours everyday just doing that and that my card creating had become about doing what was appropriate for all the particular challenges instead of tapping into my own creativity.
So, I'm going to change things up a bit. I'm going to go back to participating in the standard daily challenges I participated in when I first started blogging a few years ago. That's right, one challenge per day, that is all!
I also thought it would be fun to focus on a particular theme or product each week and make my own challenge to create something around that each day. To start things off, this week I will be focusing on patterned paper. I got some pattern papers from Two Peas over this past weekend and I couldn't wait to dive right into them. The first card I am sharing today is for yesterday's Mojo Monday 163 sketch challenge. This sketch was perfect for being able to showcase some pattern paper since the image panel was small. I chose Not Quite Navy from SU as my base and then added a piece of paper from my new Crate Paper "Restoration" mini deck. The papers in this collection are gorgeous and they are double sided as well. The piece of gray around the image panel is just the other side of the floral paper. I matted it with a Regal Rose and then added a piece Vanilla. At the top of the image panel I put a piece of Basic Grey's Kraft Ribbon Doilies. I stamped the circle in the middle from Little Yellow Bicycle's "Zinnia" Collection with Regal Rose ink. The sentiment at the bottom is also from the same set and I stamped it with Charcoal Grey Fluid Chalk ink by Color Box.
Have a good day everyone!

"Follow Your Heart"

Hi Everyone!

Hope you are all having a good week so far. Mine has been crafty, and relaxing since the hubs is out of town at the moment. I made this card last night while watching all of my favorite CBS shows: NCIS, NCIS:LA and The Good Wife. I used Regal Rose, So Saffron and Pumpkin Pie, which were colors actually inspired by a challenge over at Play Date Cafe; but it's too late for me to link the card there. Oh well, it still gave me inspiration! I followed the sketch over at Tuesday Morning Sketches. It was a fun sketch and one that could definitely be used again! I used some stickles to go around the outline of the flower to make it all sparkly, which I did for the challenges posted over at Paper Take Weekly as well as Craft Your Passion. I really really wanted to put some buttons or a bow down at the bottom; but I resisted the urge and decided to put some orange little blingy stickers along the bottom on the Vanilla Ribbon. This means I can use this card for the Flourishes Timeless Tuesdays "No Buttons or Bows" challenge.
Ok, so I'm off to link up my card at all the appropriate challenge sites and to do a bit of blog hopping. Have a great day! Thanks for visiting me!

Pink Dragonfly

Hi Everyone!

Here is my card for today's MMSC sketch. As you can see I rotated it, to make a horizontal card instead of a vertical card. I didn't realize until after I photographed it, that I completely forgot to put on a sentiment! Oops!! I used Scarlett Jewel (PTI), Regal Rose, Blush Blossom(SU) and pattern papers from Basic Grey's Indian Summer Collection. The dragonfly is from the Priscilla Styles store. I printed it out on Gina K. Luxury White card stock and then colored it in with Copic Markers (RV32, RV34, R59 and E29) I glazed the entire image with crystal effects and then used silver stickles to add some bling and sparkle to it.
This card fits a number of challenges including:

MMSC: Sketch
HYCCT 22: 3-2-1 (3DSPS, 2 Embellishments, 1 Ribbon)
2 Sisters Challenge: Anything Goes
Mark's Finest Paper: Die cuts and punches
Totally Gorjuss: Sparkle
Crafty Emma: Buttons and Bows

Christmas White Mojo

Hi Everyone!

Sorry for such a late post. I was working on something else this morning and didn't get a chance to work on this one until later this afternoon. This is for today's Mojo Monday sketch. I used Ocean Tide, Aqua Mist, and Ruby Red and White for my colors. I really like using white with my cuttlebug folders; but it's hard sometimes to get it to scan well. The wreath in the middle is from Our Craft Lounge "Tweet Winter Wishes" I used some rub-ons from SU for the sentiment at the bottom. Since this is a small square card, I opted not to put a lot of stuff on it. It's a pretty simple holiday card and I hope you like it. Enjoy the rest of your night and I'll be back again tomorrow!

Love You

Good Morning Everyone!

TGIF!!! YAY. Do you all have a fun weekend planned? I think we're going to try to go to the Pumpkin Patch and then Jonathan's Birthday party is Saturday afternoon. Jim's leaving to go do some training for about 4 weeks on Sunday, so lots of stuff going on over the next couple of days.
Here is my card for today using OCL's "Savor the Roses" set. This is such a pretty set and I always enjoy coloring it in. I used Pure Poppy, Vanilla and Chocolate Chip for my color base. The pattern paper is from SU. I cut a Vanilla oval using Petite Oval Nestabilities and then embossed it also using my tan embossing mat. I stamped the image with Rich Cocoa ink by Memento. I colored her in using Copic Markers (E000,E00,E01,R20,E04) Skin, (R24,Y21, G24) Hat, glove, flowers, (E29,E25,E33,E35)Dress and shawl.
Here are the challenges for this card:

Sketch: SCS
Color: For Fun Challenges (Red, Brown and Cream)
Embellishments: Nutty Nutshells (use 2 buttons, ribbon and flowers)
The ABC Challenge (flowers)
Misc: HYCCT17 (Pop it Out) It's a bit hard to tell in the picture, but I did pop out the main image as well as the flower in the corner.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Happy Halloween Candy

So, here it is the week before Halloween and I'm just now getting around to posting my first Halloween card! I actually already made my Halloween cards and mailed them. I did a lot of them last month while I was taking my blogging break. I realized though that I forgot to make one for my Mother-in-Law. (Freudian slip...maybe?!! LOL!!)
Anyhow, I put this one together today using stamps from Martha Stewart. It also fits a number of challenges from the last couple of days.

Sketch: Cards and Things. This was super easy to work with and it really worked well with the small stamps from the MS set.
Color: Color Throwdown: Dusty Durango, So Saffron, and Perfect Plum
Halloween theme: A Spoonful of Sugar and My Time to Craft
Anything Goes: Tuesday Throwdown
Misc: Caardvark (showcase the inside as well as the outside of your card)

Mojo Monday "For You"

Hi Everyone!

I hope you are all having a great week so far. I'm sorry I've not been able to do a lot of blog surfing lately to see what you've all been up to; but hopefully I'll be able to change that sometime today. I really like seeing all your creations, I get so much inspiration from everyone.
Here is my card for this week's Mojo Monday. I really liked this sketch, it was very easy to work with. The picture is a bit crooked, though isn't it?!! Haha!!
Still, you get the general idea. I used pink and brown and a bit of Kraft for the color palette. The stamp in the middle is from SU's Fresh Cuts and I stamped in on white paper with some rose petal chalk ink. At first, I was a bit disappointed that I didn't get the entire image inked clearly all the way; but then I decided that I actually like the way it looks. I think it gives it a bit of a soft, subtle vintage look. My ribbon supply is running really low, so I decided to use some embroidery thread instead around the bottom brown piece.
Ok, so I'm off to get everyone ready for school this morning. Have a great day!!

Challenges:
Mojo Monday: Sketch
Incy Wincy Designs:Color

Oh, my it has been a while since I've posted a card hasn't it?! I was so sick all weekend, I barely got off the couch! Oh, well. Hopefully I can make up for that today! This is for the OCL sketch this week. I didn't get a chance to play last Friday, so I wanted to be sure that I did it this week. The OCL sketch challenge is my FAVORITE weekly challenge and so I always try to participate. I chose Cameo Coral for my base and then added a layer of Simply Chartreuse (PTI) The pattern papers are from Me and My Big Ideas.
I stamped Betty from "Hot Betty" in Cocoa ink on Gina K Luxury White paper and matted it on to a piece of Pumpkin Pie paper with a (Memento) and used different Copic Markers to color her in. The Coffee Mug, Flower Pot, Flower and Sentiment on the side are all from "The Spin Cycle" Now, in the interest of full disclosure, I have to say I lost the "steam" stamp for the coffee mug. So after looking for 3o mins for it, I decided to just give it a go and try to draw it myself. Yes, well...shouldn't have done that!!
Ok, I'm off to pick up kids from school! Enjoy the rest of your day!

Hi Everyone!

Today I am sharing a couple of cards that I will also be putting into the HYCCT gallery over at SCS. The first one is for Tuesday's "Piece of Cake" challenge. I don't do paper piecing very often, so I hope I did this one correctly. I am also going to be putting this one over on 2 Peas under Jennifer McGuire's Holiday Thinking Inking page. She has been concentrating on distress inks and I am always on the lookout for ways to use mine. I used the "block technique" for this card, using weathered wood and peeled paint for my colors on the watercolor paper. I stamped the petals from SU's "Pick a Petal" on to some pattern paper and then cut them out before adhering them to the scallop circle. The pattern on the scallop circle is from a Cling Stamp by Hero Arts. The two prima flowers with the white eyelet finished the card.
The second card I have is for the Shaped Card Challenge (HYCCT) I used my Cricut with K. Werner's card shapes digital cutting file for this card. Not a lot to say about this one, as I think it is fairly straightforward. I used Old Olive, Blue and a some red Coredination paper. The pattern paper is from the Merry Mint collection by American Crafts.
I did not use any special techniques with this one. It does fit a few challenges that I found yesterday and I have listed them below.

1. A Spoonful of Sugar: Winter Wonderland
2. Anything Goes: Ribbon
3. HYCCT: Shaped Cards
4. Flourishes: ink/edge distressing.
5. Tuesday Throwdown: 3 of something (I used three ribbons across the center of the card)

Have a great day and thanks for visiting with me this morning!

Butterfly Sympathy

Good Morning Everyone.

Well, the weekend and and day off yesterday were very good...right up until everyone starting throwing up! Yuck!! A nasty stomach bug has landed in my house and is wrecking havoc on all the kids. No school for anyone today.
I did get a chance to do some crafting over the weekend including this card that I did for the MMSC challenge. The butterfly is from the Priscilla Styles store. I printed it out on Gina K. Luxury white card stock and then colored it in with copic markers. BG72, BG75, BG10, W3. I added some silver stickles (my new found obsession!) around the butterfly to add a bit of depth to it. The card base is Ocean Tide from PTI and I used black and Sahara Sand for the other colors. I thought they were a good color palette to use for a sympathy card, which I needed to for a co-worker in my hubby's office. That's all for me today. Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you have a great day!

You Are Amazing

Hi Everyone!

Here is my card for this week's MMSC74 sketch. I used the "Man with Flowers" digital stamp set from the Priscilla Styles Store. I printed it out of vanilla card stock and colored it in with a variety of Copic Markers. I used the colors for the color throwdown challenge as well. I didn't have any Espresso, so I found a dark brown that matched as well as I could get. I added a bit of Pale Plum just for some contrast with the darker colors. The image was mounted on a circle with scallop circle Nestabilities and also Label 1 Nestabilites. The sentiment is from Hero Arts. I added the gold ribbon and the flowers and completed the card.
Before I go, I also wanted to tell you about the give-away over at Paper Craft Star. They are giving away a $25 gift certificate to PTI! Yippee!! Make sure you hop on over there and read all about it!!
The challenges for this card are:

Sketch: MMSC 74
Color: Color Throwdown (Espresso, Vanilla and Perfect Plum)
Misc: Fab n. Funky (Use a digi image)

OCL Fall Birthday

Hi Everyone!!

Did you all have a fabulous weekend? Mine was great! Spent a lot of times with the kids doing different things and somehow still managed to do quite a bit of crafting. Saturday, as I am sure many of you know, was World Card Making Day and SCS started a challenge called "Hope You can Cling to." They started with three card challenges on Saturday and then they will have one challenge per day for the rest of the month. You can click on the blinkie I've added to my blog this month for all the details.
I was able to do all three of the ones for Saturday (Yippee!!)and also the one for Sunday. Rather than posting them here however, I put them in my (long neglected) SCS gallery! So stop by and leave some love for me on "Pink Holidays", "Lingerie Inspired", "Bring on the Brown" and "Unsentimental"
As for today's card for here on the blog I am sharing my card for this week's OCL sketch challenge. I used "Say it Big" and "Shades of Fall" I had not ever really thought about using leaves for a birthday card; but why not, right? I stamped the leaves with Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie and Ruby Red ink and then used Copics to shade them in. I cut each one out and then covered them with crystal effects to make them shiny. What I really liked about this technique is that as the crystal effects dried, it made the leaves curl up around the edges a bit, and gave them a crispy feel. The 4 square pattern paper piece was inspired by K. Werner's Finally Friday Video this week. I couldn't find 4 patterns that I liked, so I used stamps and Versamark to create two of the sections.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

1. Sketch: OCL
2. Colors: Color Throwdown (Red, Orange, Olive Green)
3. Misc: Crafty Calendar (Autumn Birthday)
4. Misc: Sentimental Sundays (Sentiment with Autumn Colors)

Betty Easel Card

Hi Everyone!

TGIF! I have an easel card to share with you today. These are fun and easy cards to do and I really must do more of them! For this card, I chose to use Hot Betty and Spin Cycle from OCL. I stamped it with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Gina K Luxury White card stock and then used a variety of Copic Markers to color it in. I chose Black, White and purple for my color palette. I hope you all like it. Have a fabulous weekend and I'll see you all on Monday.

Challenges for this card:

Sketch: SCS 300
Colors: Fab n' Funky (Black, white, and one color)
Misc: ABC Challenge (Easel Card)
Penny's Paper- Crafty (Circles)

Spots, Stripes and a Star

Hi Everyone!

Just a quick card to share with you today. This was an easy card that I did following the Tuesday Morning Sketch. I recently bought some Christmas stamps at Michael's and decided to use them because the star in the sketch made me think of Christmas. I used Ruby Red, Black, White and two pieces of patterned paper from American Crafts, Merry Mint collection.
I added a bit of sparkle around the edges of the star using some stickles. The ribbon at the bottom looks a bit orangy in the photo; but IRL it actually matches the red of the star quite nicely. There really isn't a whole lot to say about this card, really. It was so simple!! I am only entering this one into two challenges:

Sketch: Tues Morning Sketches
Misc: A Spoonful of Sugar (use spots and stripes)

Have a great day, and thanks for taking time to stop by and see me!

Tea Time Mojo

Hello Everyone!

Here is my card for yesterday's Mojo Monday Challenge. I opted to do the square card rather than the circle card. The image I used is the Rose Teapot digital image from the Priscilla Styles Store. I printed the teapot on Vanilla card stock. Normally, I reach for my Copics when going to color something; but this time I decided to use watercolor crayons and pencils. When I got done with the teapot, it was a bit too purple! I took an eraser and went over the image and that took away a bit of the color, and resulted in a bit of a softer image. The card base is Elegant Eggplant, with a strip of scalloped Artichoke at the bottom. The other colors I used in the card are Mellow Moss, Sahara Sand and a bit of a lighter purple that I found in my scraps.
In trying to stay true to my own challenge to only participate in four challenges a day, here are the four for this card.

Sketch: Mojo Monday
Embellishment: PollyCraft (no designer paper)
Misc: Paper Rock Scissors, (use two types of ribbon. I used ribbon and some purple twine)
Squigglefly: use your favorite embellishment (mine are buttons!)

That's all for today. Have a great day and hopefully you'll find some time to be creative.

Back for OCL

Good Monday Morning!

Well, it's been a restful couple of weeks and I know that I said I wasn't going to be back until Oct 6; but I missed everyone and I think I'm ready to get the ol' blog rolling again. I have done some stamping over the last couple of weeks; but it's just been some simple and cute Halloween cards. It was nice to just play around with stuff and simply stamp without chasing a bunch of challenges. I enjoy doing challenges and I enjoy the traffic it brings to my blog and the comments that everyone leaves for me are always so great to read. That being said, however, it is a lot of work! I try to do my share of visiting and commenting on other blogs within a challenge. I know many of you also try to do this as well, so you know what I'm talking about. For a while, it was a bit of an obsession, almost like an addiction to see how many challenges I could incorporate into one card. I decided that it was ridiculous for me to stress out about it so much. After all, we do this for enjoyment, right?! So, when deciding to start the blog again, I thought about how I could still do some challenges; but not feel overwhelmed by them. I think that I'm going to make sure I limit myself to only 4 challenges per card, per day. One for a sketch, a color challenge, an embellishment challenge; and one miscellaneous challenge.
I may use other challenges for ideas for a card; but not worry so much about entering a card into that particular challenge
Anyhow, so on to my two cards for this morning. Both of these are for the last two weeks of OCL sketch challenges. I just couldn't let the month go by without creating for these sketches. This is my favorite challenge and I look forward to it each week. The first one is for OCLDT31 sketch last week. I used Ripe Avocado, Scarlett Jewel, Aqua Mist and Ocean Tide (all from PTI) for mu color palette. I stamped the image from "Savor the Roses" in Memento Ink in Rich Cocoa and then used Copics to color it in: E000, E00, E01 and E02 (skin), R20(cheeks), E04 (lips) R59 (roses, and bottom of shawl) BG72, BG75 (hat, glove) BG10 (shawl)
The second card is for OCLDT32 sketch.
I used Mellow Moss, Rust and Cocoa along with a piece of patterned paper from Basic Grey. I colored "Kona" in with Copics YG63, YG67, G24, Y21, Y26. I used Watercolor crayons and pencils for his board. This one was simple and cute to do. I will be saving this card to give to my littlest man next month for his birthday.
Ok, so I'm off to plan some more creations. Have a great day and I should be back again tomorrow!

Time to breathe....

Hi Everyone!

I'm just here this morning very quickly let you know I'm taking a bit of a blogging break. I have been stamping and challenge chasing like crazy the last few months and I am just a bit burned out I'm afraid. Sometimes, I don't know which is more challenging: stamping every day or blogging every day! For now though, I think taking a breather from both is a good idea. Give me a bit of a chance to regroup my mojo. Just a few weeks, though. I'll be back Oct 6 with some fabulous new creations, (hopefully!!) Happy stamping to all of you until then.

Flowering Tree

Hi Everyone!

Just a quick card for today. I made this card using the Get Sketchy challenge. I moved the sentiment because I just didn't like it up there by the ribbon and buttons.
The flowering tree image is one from the Priscilla Styles Store. I printed it out on the computer and then used some Copics to color it in. All in all this was a very simple card, so not one that I feel needs a whole lot explaining. I am entering this into the following challenges:

1. Get Sketchy: Sketch

2. All Sorts: Fall Colors

3. Alphabet Challenge Blog: T is for Tree

4. Fairy Fun Friday: Embossing.

Have a great day everyone!

A Kind Snowman

Hi Everyone!

I hope you all had a great weekend. Mine was good. I took Reagan to see the Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato/Camp Rock concert here in San Antonio on Friday night. It was an awesome concert and we had a blast! The rest of the weekend was spent just hanging out at home watching sports and movies and playing with the kids. Didn't get a chance to do much crafting; and actually just kind of enjoyed being lazy and rather unproductive.
I put this card together this morning for Friday's OCL DT sketch challenge using papers from the "Merry Mint" Collection from American Crafts and Ruby Red Card stock. The stamp set I used is OCL's "Tweet Winter Wishes" I used stamped both of the images in Memento Rich Cocoa ink and then colored it in with Copics. E07, YG67 hat, mitten, scarves. B00, B02, C1 Snowman and snow. C1, C2, C5 Bird Bath.
This card also fits the following challenges:

1. OCL sketch

2. Bah Humbug: Use your favorite medium. I love to color with Copics and really wish I had some more!

3. Christmas Stampin: Brads and Eyelets

4. Cowgirl Sunday: Any Christmas card

Enjoy the rest of your day!

"Man With" Flowers

Good Morning Everyone!

I am up bright and early this morning, catching up on a couple of episodes of General Hospital that I've missed the last couple of days. I made this card on Friday and never got around to posting it. This is a tri-shutter card
I have seen these around all over the place and I have to admit, they really really scared me. I thought they were entirely too complicated to even try them. Then I saw the challenge over at Charisma Cardz which was to try something new and the one over at Hannah and Friends which was to try the tri-shutter card. So, I decided to just brave it and go for it; and you know what? It was easy as pie!! I had so much fun making this card! I used a piece of red Coredination paper for my base and embossed the ends with the bloom dots embossing folder and then sanded them. I also used Certainly Celery and grey coredinations paper. The image is from the digital set "Man with" from the Priscilla Styles store. I cut the image out with Petite Oval Nestabilities as well as the Celery and black mats. I colored the image with a variety of Copics and then sponged the edges with Firebrick Red distressing ink and also used some bashful blue ink as well. The sentiments and butterfly are from Hero Arts.
I am also entering this card into.. challenges:

1. Southern Girls Challenge: Anything Goes
2. Our Creative Corner: Fun with Folds