More 'Warmth and Wonder', FMS109, CAS244 and A Winner!

Oct 282013

I love this graceful cardinal image from the “Warmth & Wonder” set.

The arched top on the red card’s image panel was made by trimming off three sides from a panel made with a Nestabilities Labels #10 die. (I used this particular die as it was “handy”, but I’m pretty sure just a regular oval shaped die would have worked just as well.)

The stamp was colored with SU markers, stamped and then shaded with Copics. A teeny tiny bit of Stickles was added to the berries on both cards.

There is an elegant deer image in this set, too.

To play along in this week’s Clean and Simple Challenge at Splitcoaststampers to “tear or distress”, one of the cards is distressed using SU’s Creamy Caramel ink.

Whether left clean or distressed, I love this embossing folder paired with the simplicity of the deer image and sentiment.

One of the cards follows the sketch for the Freshly Made Sketches #109 Challenge this week.

This is one of my favorite embossing folders from SU. Love the look of the texture right on the image and sentiment.

To add some sparkle on the final card, Stickles was added around the deer’s neck.

****** BLOG CANDY WINNER ******

The winner of the “Merry Christmas” sentiment stamp by Stampabilities was post #6 – Bensarmom . Congrats, Bensarmom!! I will be emailing you to get your snail mail addy.

Thanks for dropping by today. Happy Crafting!

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Stamps: SU “Warmth & Wonder”

Papers: PTI Select White and Pure Poppy; SU Handsome Hunter; Graphic 45 “French Country” DP; My Mind’s Eye “Christmas Wish” DP

Inks: SU Handsome Hunter, Real Red, Bravo Burgundy, Summer Sun, Basic Black and Creamy Caramel; Copics:

Accessories: Stickles “Christmas Red”; Grosgrain Ribbon; Glitter Ribbon; Snowflake Eyelets; Couture Creations Annalee Embossing Folder; SU Square Lattice Embossing Folder; 1-3/4″ Circle Punch; Spellbinders Nestabilities Classic Ovals Die, Nestabilities Labels #10 Die and Floral Doily Motifs Die

'Warmth and Wonder' Trees AND Some Blog Candy!

Oct 232013

With Christmas just around the corner, it’s crunch time! To get my Christmas cards made, I’ve been busy playing with a new Hostess set from SU! called “Warmth and Wonder”. Just love this sweet set.

I decided to start with the darling tree image in the set and play along in this week’s challenge over at Less Is More.

Each card has a different patterned paper on it. It was SO FUN going through several pads to find the papers that would work. Apparently I found several that did! LOL
Without any embellishments, the cards are super mailable.

By using a marker and coloring directly onto the stamp, the lights on the trees can be multicolored.

When coloring a stamp with markers, it can be difficult to differentiate what color is where. On this particular image, I found it easiest to use just one color at a time.

After using part of the image and doing all of the trees with one color, I cleaned the stamp and colored the other parts with the second color and stamped the remaining lights.

BLOG CANDY

Finally today I have a brand new Christmas sentiment stamp to give away in a little blog candy drawing.

It is from Stampabilities and is identical to the one used on several of today’s tree cards.

To enter in the drawing all you need to do is leave a comment below in the comment section of this post. A winner will be chosen using random.org on Sunday, October 27th, at midnight.

Thanks for stopping by today. Happy Crafting!

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Stamps: SU “Warmth & Wonder”; DeNami Design “F90 Contempo Christmas”; Stampabilities “Merry Christmas”

Papers: PTI Select White and Pure Poppy; Graphic 45 “French Country” DP; Echo Park “For the Record 2” DP; My Mind’s Eye “Christmas Wish” DP and “Stella and Rose – Hazel” DP; Crate Paper “Portrait Collection” DP and “Random” DP; Lily Bee Design “This & That” DP; BoBunny “Serenade” DP; Pebbles “Front Porch” DP

Inks: SU Handsome Hunter, Real Red and Taken With Teal

Accessories: Stickles “Christmas Red”

COMMENTS ARE NOW CLOSED

A Doggie For Brooke

Oct 072013

It’s another Doggie Card. This one is for my granddaughter who just turned 2. She absolutely LOVES dogs.

Embossing gives some great texture to the dog.

The fold is at the top and is reinforced to make it a little stronger. The inside is finished as well.

Brooke’s favorite color is yellow.

Amazingly, considering the amount of patterned papers that I have, I couldn’t find any yellow plaid paper in my stash. So a suitable plaid with a light background was found and then colored with a Copic Marker. Problem solved.

I recently made a similar card for another granddaughter. However, I followed the TEMPLATE completely on this one. Instead of notching out some legs, a ruffled ribbon was adhered across the bottom of the card.

There is a fun challenge right now to make a shaped card. There’s still lots of time to play along. Click on the Badge to take you to the challenge!

Shape it Up
(make a shaped card)

Happy Crafting!
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Papers: PTI Dark Chocolate, True Black and Lemon Tart; My Mind’s Eye “Oxford Lane” Designer Paper

Inks: Copic Marker

Accessories: Kaiser Pearl; Maya Road Ruffled Ribbon; SU ‘s Square Lattice Embossing Folder and Oval Punch; EK Success 1/2″ Circle Punch and 5/8″ Circle Punch

Off the Grid, Again!

Oct 012013

Here’s another card using SU’s “Off the Grid” and “Gorgeous Grunge” stamp sets to create a backdrop for some sweet florals.

A dry embossed brick design adds interest to the background as well. To get evenly stamped images, always stamp them first before embossing. Look at the difference between the stem on the left (stamped after embossing.. oops) and the center and right stems.

This card is for three challenges this week. For the Muse challenge, I was inspired by the embossed background, the three flower image and the touches of purple. I rarely use purple, but am trying to incorporate it more into my creations. Click on any of the badges to take you to that challenge!

Happy Crafting!
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Stamps: SU “Too Kind”, “Gorgeous Grunge”, “Off the Grid” and “Express Yourself”

Papers: PTI Select White; SU Elegant Eggplant

Inks: SU Pale Plum, Lavender Lace, Elegant Eggplant, Summer Sun, Really Rust and Always Artichoke

Accessories: Grosgrain Ribbon; American Crafts Elements Eyelets; Spiral Paper Clip; Tim Holtz “Bricked” Embossing Folder; Corner Rounder Punch

Color Throwdown Challenge #260

Sep 182013

I so love the inspiration picture for this week’s Color Throwdown Challenge #260. Fall is here!

Here is my card for the challenge.

Orchid Opulence was the only exact color that I had, so a little mixing and matching came in handy. Copics made a pretty good “Baked Brown Sugar” as seen on the wheelbarrow. (Well, at least it matched the color sample in the SU Catty. lol)

So remember you don’t have to use the exact colors. Just use what you have that are close to the challenge colors. For some wonderful inspiration, you’ll want to see what all of the Throwdown Designers have created:

Barbara Anders – Paper Pursuits

Wanda Cullen – Cullen-ary Creations

Joan Ervin – Stamping With a Passion
Tammy Hershberger – Stamp Happy
Broni Holcombe – Splashes of Watercolor
Lynn Put – The Queens Scene
Melody Rupple – A Paper Melody

Lori Tecler – Inking a Loud

Vickie Zimmer – Smitten With All Things Stamping
Susan Roberts – September Guest – Rainy Day Creations (me!)

Happy Crafting!
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Stamps: SU “Summer Afternoon” and “Remembering Your Birthday”

Papers: PTI Select White; SU Orchid Opulence, Pumpkin Pie and Mellow Moss

Inks: SU Orchid Opulence; Pale Plum; Pumpkin Pie, Mellow Moss and Really Rust; Copics:

Accessories: SU “Square Lattice” Embossing Folder and Pumpkin Pie Corduroy Buttons; Paper Piercer; Ric-Rac; Raffia

Color Throwdown Challenge #259

Sep 112013

It’s my second week to guest design with the Color Throwdown Team. This is so much fun!! Here is my card for the Color Throwdown Challenge #259.

The leaves have been stamped and cut out with a coordinating die. A chipboard leaf was also cut to adhere to the paper leaf; so the leaves are super sturdy. And again this week a Copic marker was used to color the cream colored pearl to a yummy chocolate.

Loved these colors so much that I just had to stamp some autumn flowers, too!

Hope that you can find some time to play along. And remember you don’t have to use the exact colors. Just use what you have that are close to the challenge colors. For some fabulous inspiration, you’ll want to see what all of the Throwdown Designers have created:

Barbara Anders – Paper Pursuits

Wanda Cullen – Cullen-ary Creations

Joan Ervin – Stamping With a Passion
Tammy Hershberger – Stamp Happy
Broni Holcombe – Splashes of Watercolor
Lynn Put – The Queens Scene
Melody Rupple – A Paper Melody

Lori Tecler – Inking a Loud

Vickie Zimmer – Smitten With All Things Stamping

Susan Roberts – September Guest – Rainy Day Creations (me!)

Thanks for dropping by today!
Happy Crafting!
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Oak Leaves Card

Stamps: SU “Wonderfall”; CAS-ual Fridays Stamps “Truth Is”
Papers: SU Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip and Mellow Moss; Kaiser Craft “Marigold” Designer Paper
Inks: SU Chocolate Chip, Mellow Moss, Really Rust and Creamy Caramel; White Gel Pen; Copic
Accessories: Kaiser Pearl (colored dark brown with Copic); SU “Autumn Accents” Die and “Needlepoint Border” Embossing Folder; Raffia; Gingham Ribbon; Lace Ribbon; Hero Arts Art Flower; Corner Rounder Punch

Trio of Cards
Stamps: SU “Bring On the Cake”, “Too Kind”, “Gorgeous Grunge”, “Bright Blossoms” and “Express Yourself”; PTI “Watercolor Wonder”
Papers: SU Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip and Mellow Moss
Inks: SU Chocolate Chip, Mellow Moss, Really Rust and Creamy Caramel; White Gel Pen
Accessories: SU Scallop, Large and Small (retired) Oval Punches, Paper-Piercing Pack “Essentials” and Very Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon; Grosgrain Ribbon; Gingham Ribbon; Kaiser Pearls; Swirl Clip; Tim Holtz Paper Piercing Tool; Corner Rounder Punch

Color Throwdown Challenge #258

Sep 042013

I have some fun news to share! I’ve been ask to be the guest designer for the Color Throwdown Challenges for September starting with this week’s Color Throwdown Challenge #258!! Here is my creation.

Check out this week’s beautiful color palette. Aren’t those greens gorgeous!!

And see those pearls? They used to be a pretty off-white until they were colored with a yummy chocolate Copic marker. I love how they turned out!

Hope that you can find some time to play along. You don’t have to use the exact colors. Just use what you have that are close to the challenge colors. Oh and for some fabulous inspiration, you’ll want to see what all of the Throwdown Designers have created:

Barbara Anders – Paper Pursuits

Wanda Cullen – Cullen-ary Creations

Joan Ervin – Stamping With a Passion
Tammy Hershberger – Stamp Happy
Broni Holcombe – Splashes of Watercolor
Lynn Put – The Queens Scene
Melody Rupple – A Paper Melody

Lori Tecler – Inking a Loud

Vickie Zimmer – Smitten With All Things Stamping

Susan Roberts – September Guest – Rainy Day Creations (me!)

Happy Crafting!
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Stamps: CAS-ual Fridays Stamps “Casual Elegance”; PTI “Inside & Out: Birthdays II”

Papers: SU Chocolate Chip and Whisper White; American Crafts Pebbles Basics Designer Paper

Inks: SU Chocolate Chip, Sage Shadow, Old Olive; Copic (close match to Kiwi Kiss) and Copic

Accessories: Kaiser Pearls (colored with Copic E79); Hero Arts Art Flowers; Grosgrain Ribbon; EK Success Plaid Edger Punch

Birthday Girls Turn 9

Aug 272013

My twin granddaughters turn 9 years old in just a few days. Here are their cards this year.

The “pockets” were adhered to the card front with dimensional tape on the bottom and sides leaving the top elevated and open. It made them just right to insert some birthday spending money or gift card!

The cards were inspired by the “CASE Study #154 Challenge”. Besides the colors, the yellow polka-dot pocket on the card with the stamped sentiment imitates the sentiment strip on the inspiration piece. The cards also qualify for the “Seize the Birthday ‘Anything Goes’ Challenge”.

Thanks for dropping by!

Happy Happy Crafting!
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Stamps: PTI “Birthday Bash Sentiments”

Papers: PTI Dark Chocolate; My Mind’s Eye “Unforgettable” 6 x 6 Designer Paper Pad

Inks: SU Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Karen Foster Metals Antique Gold “Alpha Charms”; K & Company Pearl Brads; SU “Adorning Accents” Edgelit; Tim Holtz Paper Piercing Tool

A Couple More for the Guys

Aug 192013

With an uncle and a father-in-law’s birthday coming up this week, here are a couple more cards made “for the guys.”

A white gel pen was used to accent the grasses.

I have had this next image for years. It was about time it found some ink!

Here the gel pen helps add the look of some whitewater rapids.

Guy cards can be fun, too!

Happy Crafting!
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Card 1:

Stamps: SU “Wetlands” and “Gorgeous Grunge”

Papers: PTI Select White and True Black; Authentique “Loyal”

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black; SU Always Artichoke and Chocolate Chip; White Gel Pen; Copics

Accessories: Paper Piercer; Button

Card 2:

Stamps: Thomas Kinkade “It Doesn’t Get Much Better” Vignette; A Muse “Happy Birthday Mix”

Papers: PTI Select White and True Black; Echo Park “For the Record 2” Designer Paper

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black; White Gel Pen; Copics

Accessories: Grosgrain Ribbon; Twine

Kira Turns 1

Jul 062013

Recently we made a quick trip to Vegas, but it wasn’t for the usual sort of Vegas activities that come to mind. It was instead to visit with one of our sons and his family in their new home and to celebrate their youngest daughter’s first birthday. Here is the card I made for the occasion.

A piece of white cardstock was added to the inside for a sentiment.

After cutting away so much of the fold for this design the card seemed a little fragile, so reinforcements of black cardstock were added to the fold on the inside.