SCS 264 Circle Circus

Good Morning!

Brrr! It is COLD this morning here in New England. I so wanted to stay in the bed this morning; but I have resolved this year to be a bit more healthy and that includes doing a 30 minute workout at 5:30 every morning (well maybe not every morning!) I try to do two days and then take a break for a day and then two more days. I always feel so good for the rest of the day after I do it.
The card I have to share for today is actually last week's SCS sketch 264. I know I'm a bit behind in posting it; but better late than never right!!
I also used another former KWerner Color Inspiration challenge that I did not participate in. The colors were Basic Grey, Mustard, Rust and a neutral. I started with a Basic Grey base and then added a layer of More Mustard which I ran through my CB with one of my new embossing folders. In retrospect, I probably could have left this step out as you can't really see the embossing behind the three vertical panels. For the panels I used some various ink pads and color box chalk inks to cover the paper and then I sprayed them, crumpled them up and when I straighten them out, I went over them with some more Grey and Really Rust ink. I used SU's Circle Circus for the main images with Rust, Charcoal Chalk ink from Color Box, Mustard, and Saffron ink. I did cut out a few of the circles and use some dimensionals to attach them to the front.
I was happy with the way this turned out, I hope you all like it too. I'm off to do a bit more stamping before my little guy comes home from pre-school. I will be visiting a bit later, can't wait to see what you've all been doing today!!

Better late than never Get Sketchy

Today I have my card for last week's Get Sketchy challenge. I was going to wait and post it tomorrow; but then realized that I had to have my link on the Get Sketchy page today. I used a lot of different scraps of paper along with some pieces of Basic Grey's Indian Summer collection. The butterfly is from SU's Garden Whimsy and I used two colorbox inks to stamp it with. The sentiment is from SU's "Best Yet". This was really easy to do because the pattern paper takes up the majority of the card front. Well, I know this is short; but I have some things to do before taking Reagan to a dentist appointment. Have a great day!

What can you create Wednesday

Hi All!

I had a very pleasant morning with my hubby this morning, so that is why I'm waiting until now to share my card. I have another completely original card to share for today's "What can you create Wednesday." A very simple card with just one stamp from "Sip by Sip" from SU. I used Chestnut Roan Chalk ink. This is the first full pad that I have had of it and I must say it is very nice. I will definitely be buying some more of these. I used Sahara Sand, So Saffron, Cocoa and Regal Rose for my color palette. The scallop circle actually hangs off the edge of the card a bit and that's why I doesn't show up all the way in the picture. Not really much else I can say about this one, so that's all for me today. Have a fabulous afternoon and I'll see you all tomorrow!

MMSC Cards

Hi Everyone!

Here are my two cards to share with you today. The first one here is for last week's MMSC card. I must have scanned it a bit crooked, because I don't remember it being that crooked when I got done making it. Yesterday I shared a baby girl card and today I have one more for a boy baby. I know lots of people having babies, which is fine...as long as it's not me!! Anyhow, since this was last week's and it's pretty straightforward, I'm not going to spend a lot of time on the details. I couldn't make the angled element at the bottom of the sketch work for me, so I just left it out.
The other card I have is for today's MMSC challenge. The color palette for this card came from a previous KWerner Color Inspiration challenge a while back that I had not participated in. I used Pumpkin Pie for the card base and then added a layer of Ballet Blue which I stamped with the Floral background stamp from SU in Ballet Blue ink for a tone on tone look. Next I added the two triangles in each corner, using Real Red and So Saffron. I cut a circle with my scallop circle nestabilities in Certainly Celery and then another scallop circle in So Saffron. I stamped the flower from "Fifth Ave Floral" in Red ink on white paper and cut it out. I colored it in using Watercolor pencils and blender pens. To accentuate the detail of the flower I went over the lines of the flower with a Bravo Burgundy marker. I added the prima flowers in the corners, and then the eyelets on the rim of the Celery piece. The sentiment at the bottom is from SU's "Sweet little Sentiments" and I used Real Red ink.
Have a great day everyone!!

Mojo Monday Double Dose

Hi Everyone!

Since I didn't get a chance to play last week with Mojo Monday, I am catching up with last week's sketch as well as this morning's. I really liked both sketches, so they were easy to work with. For this week's card, I needed a new baby girl card for a friend. I decided to make this one a square card, so I cut my paper to 10 1/2 by 5 1/4 so that the finished card size is 5 1/4 x 5 1/4.
Over the weekend, I bought some new goodies from Joann's, Michael's and AC Moore, including a new Inkadinkado set called "Baby Girl." I stamped the images with Color Box chalk ink queues. They don't show up very well in the picture, though. Sorry about that! I matted the white piece onto a piece of Pretty in Pink card stock and used the Threading Waters punch on the bottom. I also got some new Cuttlebug border trim folders and that's how I got the row of embossed buttons at the top of the Orchid Opulence piece. The buttons in the corner are from a new bag of buttons that I got from AC Moore. I used Floral Fusion sizzix die with my cuttlebug for the flower at the bottom of the white ribbon and added one more button in the center. Finally, I rounded the corners and finished the card.

For last week's sketch I started with a Green Galore base that was cut to 4 1/4 x11 and folded mountain style at 5 1/2. I added a piece of light blue from a Bazzill Earth tones mat pack that I had and used Soft Sky ink for the cups along the bottom. The cups and the main image for this card came from SU's Sip by Sip set. I used Teal and some pattern SU paper for the side panel and then used my Oval Nestabilities for the center image. The lady was stamped with Charcoal Colorbox chalk ink and then I used a wet Q-tip to remove the color from her shirt, the cup, and the sentiment in the speech bubble. I used markers to recolor these images and stamped it onto the white oval piece. I added the "for your friendship" sentiment from Hero Arts "Everyday Sayings" (which is actually says "Thanks for your friendship" but I didn't use the Thanks part") with a Green Galore marker. Finally I added the ribbon and the flower in the bottom along with buttons in the top right corner and the card was done.
Ok, so that's it...gotta go pick up Jonathan from pre-school. Have a fantastic day and thanks so much for stopping by!

Hi Everyone!

Wow, this card totally looks better IRL. Sorry about the less than stellar photo quality. I used an old sketch in my book for this card. I started with a Sage Shadow base and then added a layer of Cameo Coral on the left side. The background pattern is from Martha Stewart and I embossed it with Versa Mark and Clear Embossing Powder. For the main image, I used Upsy Daisy from SU which I inked first with Sage Ink and then rolled the edges in Not Quite Navy Ink: the rock n' roll technique. I layered it with NQ Navy and Coral. I cut a square of Sahara Sand paper and then used my Fiskar's Threading Waters edge punch on the bottom. I ran a piece of sheer Organdy ribbon along the side for an added piece of interest. Of course I had to find a way to add the white stitching, so I did around the outer right side.
That's all for me today. Thanks so much for stopping by. Have a great day.

What can YOU create Wednesday( --no more challenge)

Hi Everyone!

I hope you are all having a great week so far. Mine has been good and relaxing as I am taking a crafting break and spending lots of mommy time with my little guy.
So today I have another "What can YOU create?" Wednesday card. Unfortunately, I just haven't had the kind of participation that I was hoping for in establishing this challenge. Thank you so much to those of you (Vicki and Carrie) who did participate over the last couple of weeks. Therefore, while I will continue to post my own cards, I am not going to make it a challenge. I would still love to see anything that you come up with, though. I think that is important to challenge yourself a little outside of your comfort zone any time you can. So please be sure to leave me a link to anything you create!
For my card today I used Dusty Durango as a base and then added a piece of paper from We Are Memory Keepers from a line called "Grandma's Kitchen" Next I added a piece of So Saffron and then a layer of Always Artichoke. I used "Patterns" from Martha Stewart on this piece, heat embossing with versamark and clear embossing powder. The three images in the front are from SU's Pocket Silhouettes and I embossed them with Versa Mark and copper embossing powder onto a piece of Neutral cardstock that I purchased from Michael's. I added the antique copper brads to finish the card.
Have a great day!

A New Favorite!

Hi Everyone!

Have you ever made a card and every time you look at it, you think: "Wow, I really like that!"?
I love when that happens! And I have to tell you that that is how I feel about this card. I got the inspiration for this card from the same magazine as yesterday's card. Incidentally, if you missed my post yesterday, you may want to read it if you are wondering why I'm not posting challenge cards this week.
Anyhow, I definitely like this layout and have a feeling I will be using it a lot in the future. I also really like the colors together. I started with a standard size card in Bermuda Bay and then cut three 1 1/4" (?) strips and then I added the 1" strips of Sage Shadow to each one. I ran the Sage Shadow piece through my CB with the "Floral Fantasy" embossing folders. Next, I added the Crushed Curry and Bermuda Bay ribbons. I tied each off the side of the card with some white thread. I added the layer of Bermuda Bay with Soft Suede, followed by the Swiss Dots Crushed Curry piece. I used my Scalloped Circle Nestabilities for the Sage Shadow circle in the center. The floral image in the middle is from "Time Well Spent" I stamped it in Bermuda Bay ink and then used a variety of blender pens and inks and markers to color it in. To finish the card, I added the Prima flower in the middle with a gold square brad.
Thanks for stopping by. Have a great day!

Simple "Thinking of You"

Hi Everyone!

I hope you all had a fabulous weekend. Ours was great. On Saturday night we went out to dinner and then went to see the new Alvin and the Chipmunks movie. It isn't often that we get to take the kids to a movie at the theater, so it's always so much fun when we can.
This week you may notice that I'm going to try something a bit different with blogging. Last week, when I was making my daily cards, I actually made two each day. One for the challenge and another random card. This week, instead of participating in challenges, I will be posting these random cards that I did last week. In other words, I'm actually not crafting this week. I intend to spend the week focusing on some other things that I've been neglecting. I still intend to go around and visit everyone that I normally do. Next week, I'll do another set of 10. I'm going to try to keep this pattern for a while in order to bring some balance into my life.
So, now that I've rambled on and probably bored you all to tears, here is my card for today. I got the inspiration for this card, from one of my monthly stamping magazines. I really liked the simplicity of the card and that the focal image was small. I used Chocolate Chip, Barely Banana, Bashful Blue and Regal Rose for my color palette. For the flower, I used my scallop circle punch and then cut out the center with a 1" circle punch then I put a 1" bashful blue circle behind it and then added the brown button. The rest is all straightforward, so that's all for me today. Thanks for visiting!

Get Sketchy and "Be Happy"

Good Morning Everyone!

I spent most of my morning yesterday doing some errands, so I didn't have a chance to start stamping anything until late in the afternoon and before I knew it, it was time to start dinner and unfortunately, I didn't have time to do my post. My card for today is for yesterday's Get Sketchy challenge. I haven't had a chance to participate with this challenge in quite a while, so I was happy to have a chance. This was a very simple sketch, so I tried to keep my card fairly simple as well. I started with a Sahara Sand base and then added a layer of Elegant Eggplant. For the Bashful Blue piece, I stamped it with the Print Pattern background stamp from SU in Bashful Blue ink before cutting it in half and then rounded all the corners. I cut a strip of Gable Green paper and used a stamp from LYB "Zinnia" stamp set with one of the purple inks from a Color Box Queue chalk ink. The main images in the middle are also from that same LYB "Zinnia" stamp set. I matted both and then placed each on to another piece of Sahara Sand. Next, I added the Eggplant bow in between the two center pieces. To finish the card, I added the faux white stitching lines around the two Sahara Sand pieces and then rounded the edges of the card.
Simple, but I was pleased with the way it turned out. I hope you like it too. Have a great weekend and I'll see you all on Monday!

SCS sketch and super quick post

Hi Everyone!

I am on my way out the door to take Jonathan to a doctors appointment; but I wanted to make sure I got something up to share with you. I am going to try to do some blurfing a bit later this evening depending on what time we get back from the hospital. He has an appointment with a pediatric gastroenterologist; and I have no idea how long we're going to be.

Anyhow, here is my card for yesterday's SCS sketch challenge. I really liked this sketch; but not very happy with the way my card came out. I don't know, it's a bit simple for my taste. It needs just a little something more. I will probably try to do another one tomorrow.

It's all simple and straightforward and as I said, in a hurry today. So, no time for details.
Have a great day!

What can YOU create Wednesday Challenge

Hi Everyone!

It's time for another "What can YOU create?" Challenge. Thanks so much Vicki and Carrie for participating in last week's challenge. Please visit their blogs to see their outstanding creations. Vicki has also created her card for this week!! I hope that you have time to play along this week. You can find out more information about the challenge by reading this post. Remember, you only need two entries during the month to qualify for the prize I will give away at the end of the month. Also, I appreciate those of you who are trying to spread the word about the challenge on your blogs. Thanks so much!
Now for my card today. I started with a piece of Bermuda Bay which I folded "Mountain Style" at 4.25. Next I added a piece of Dusty Durango which I ran through the cuttlebug with the Swirls embossing folder. I cut a strip of Melon Mambo and punched the edge with the Fiskar's Threading Water punch. The sentiment at the bottom is from Stampin Up's Chit Chat rub ons. I stamped the main image from "Wings of Friendship" on Whisper White paper. I used markers, inks and blender pens for coloring the image. I layered the image on to a piece of Melon Mambo and then onto a piece of textured Green Galore. To finish the card, I added some Bermuda Bay ribbon and then did some faux stitching with my white gel pen around the edge of the card. I rounded the edges of the bottom of the card and that was it!
So, I hope you like it. I would love to see what YOU can create. Please join my challenge if you can. Have a great day!

Cheers to You MMSC

Hi Everyone!

Here is my card for today's MMSC sketch. Nothing fancy this week, so not a lot of explanation needed. I used the SCS color challenge combo of Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink and Rich Razzleberry. In hindsight, I don't think that this "Cheers to You" stamp set was the best to use with these colors; but I really want to use it, so I just went with it!
Anyhow, I hope you like it. Enjoy the rest of your day and I'll see you tomorrow for
"What can you Create?" Wednesday!!

Long Haul Mojo

Hi Everyone!

Sorry so late with posting today. I've actually had my card done for a while already; but just been lazy getting to the computer. This is for today's Mojo Monday sketch. As you can see, I flipped the sketch. I don't often do that; but I was really in the mood to use my SU's "Loads of Love" set. I started with a piece of Basic Black paper and cut it in half at 4.25, so that it would fold out from the side. Next I added a layer of Rose Red. I used the shaving cream technique for the next layer. I stamped the truck in Brown ink and then used blender pens and crayons, inks and markers to color it in. I layered the image onto a piece of Regal Rose and then again on to a piece of Pale Plum. I rounded the two outside corners of each piece. I used the "friends for the long haul" sentiment from the same set. I stamped it with a purple color from one of my Color Box Chalk ink queues. For the side element I used Certainly Celery which I punched with my Fiskar's Threading Waters Punch and then added the black ribbon around it.
So, that's all for me today. I hope you have a great evening. I'm off to check out everyone else's Mojo for the day!

Quilting Technique

Hi Everyone!

***Be sure to read here for information about my new "What Can You Create" Wednesday Challenge***

Here is my attempt at doing this week's SCS technique challenge "quilting", which was posted on Monday. I'm not sure if I did it correctly; but this is what I came up with. I used the scraps of Basic Grey's Indian Summer papers that I had been working with over the last few days. I cut 36 one inch random squares (thank goodness of the 1" punch!) and covered a piece of card stock slightly larger than the "Top Note" die that I wanted to use. After I had covered the entire piece, I ran it through my CB. I used Chocolate Chip, Dusty Durango, Blush Blossom and piece of green from my scraps.
Not too sure I really like the way this one turned out; but I wanted to at least share something for today with you. I don't know...what do you think?
Have a great weekend!

What can YOU create Wednesday Challenge

Hello Everyone!

****EDIT**** After receiving some feedback, I've decided to change the requirement of 3 weekly challenges to 2. Twice a month...that's all you have to do. Hope that helps some of you!


Welcome to my first attempt at creating a challenge for my blog. I know, just what we all need, another weekly challenge, right?! I've been wanting to do one for a while now; but I was at a loss to decide what to do. As you all know there is every imaginable challenge out there from sketch challenges, and color challenges, techniques, punches and the list goes on and on. It was then that I got to thinking, maybe the challenge lies in not using a challenge, to rely upon your own creative skills. I, for one can't remember the last time I didn't use a sketch to make a card or look back through the SCS color challenges for inspiration. Thus the "What can YOU Create" Wednesday challenge began to take shape in my mind. If you would like to participate in my new weekly challenge all you have to do is the following:

1. Create an original project. It can be a card, a layout, a 3D object, whatever it doesn't matter. The only rule is that you must not use any help from another source...no sketches or color combinations charts. Templates for 3D projects are fine as longs as the "decorating" of the item is uniquely yours. The only things you may use for inspiration are projects that you have already made. So, if you have gallery on SCS or a blog and want to scroll back through your past creations that is fine.

2. Post a comment here on this post please by Tuesday with a link to your project. I may do a Mr. Linky if I can enough interest and participation.

3. Participate in at least 2 of the 4 weekly challenges during the month in order to be eligible for the monthly prize I will give away. (That's not 2 times a week, it's 2 times per month!)

4. Be Honest!!!

That's it, that's all you have to do. Since it is a challenge, I think it only fitting to give a way some goodies to those who participate. At the end of the month, I will randomly select a winner to receive a surprise gift from me. It could be paper, it could be stamps, it could be ribbon or all three. You'll just never know!

I really hope you all will enjoy this challenge to be inspired by yourselves and not just everyone else around you. So many of you have great talent and I bet you don't even realize it.

To start things off this month, here is my card. Simple in design and execution; but completely my own. I hope you like it!

Lots of Layers...

Hi Everyone!

Wow, the day has just flown by. I really wanted to get this posted for you a lot sooner than now; but just got busy with other things. I'm sure many of you can relate to that! So, here is my card for today's MMSC challenge. I liked this sketch and the fact that it was actually pretty simple. Lots of layers though, so unfortunately I didn't have room for a sentiment. I used the colors for the SCS color challenge today: Handsome Hunter, Bermuda Bay, and Certainly Celery. The "dessert option" was to use something pink as long as it wasn't card stock. I wrapped pink thread around the bottom of my card and added the pink button at the top.
I've been debating about some more things regarding my blog, particularly the posting details. To help me decided a few things, I put a poll on the side to ask a quick question. Please take a moment to answer the question. It will help me tremendously.

Have a great day!

Mojo Monday 120

Hello Everyone!

As you can see, I've changed some things about my blog. Be sure to read the post below for this one for the details and explanations. I've got about 10 mins before I need to leave to get Jonathan from pre-school; but I wanted to get my card posted for today's Mojo Monday sketch. This was a challenging sketch to work with. Still, I enjoyed it and I think my card came out pretty well. It has a lot of dimensional used on it to pop up the various layers. It's hard to scan when I use those, so I apologize for the blurriness of the flower. I used Rich Razzleberry for my base along with Melon Mambo, Blush Blossom and a piece of brown from an assortment package I got from Michael's for my color palette. The two different types of pattern paper are from Basic Grey's Indian Summer kit. I hope you like it. I can't wait to see what everyone else has created for this week's sketch. Have a great day!

Time for a Change

Good Morning Everyone.

I hope you all had a fabulous New Year's holiday. Ours was a very nice afternoon and evening spent with some wonderful friends and we all had a great time. In fact, I decided instead of sharing a card with you today that I would share a few pictures from the festivities. I also wanted to be able to take the opportunity to share with you a few changes I've decided to make with my blog. First, as I'm sure you've notice I've changed the title of my blog. Since I'm no longing really blogging about General Hospital on here, I decided to take that reference out of my title. Don't worry, I'm still watching though! I did, however, keep the URL address of my blog the same, so as to ensure if you are a follower of my blog or frequent visitor that's all the same still.
Of course, it's a new month so I also changed the design, as I always do. As for content, much of it will stay the same. I'm going to try continue with daily posting and play along with challenges. I'd like to find a few new challenges this year just to have a bit of variety. Anybody have any recommendations? I also plan to do some blog candy give aways, so be sure to stay tuned for those. I will also be sharing more scrapbook layouts over the next few months. Well, as soon as I order the pictures and get them done!!
I'm looking forward to sharing another year of fun and creativity with you. I do enjoy visiting your blogs as well. You all provide such great inspiration and I feel as though I know many of you through your creations. I hope that you all feel the same way about me!
Ok, so today's the last day of Christmas vacation for the kids, so the plan tomorrow is to get back to regular blogging routine. Until then, enjoy the rest of your weekend and holiday and I'll see you tomorrow!