Penciled Flowers

     Hi all!  As I mentioned yesterday, I have been watching ALOT of Darlene's blog.  Her videos are so informative and easy to follow.  Although I have a long way to go before nearing her talent, I have improved so much in my coloring with but copics and pencils.  That's what my card is done with today. I stamped the Hero Arts floral stamp in Gray ink on Neenah Solor White Paper as a background.  I die cut it with Spellbinders Label 8.   I stamped to same stamp again and colors with pencils and a white gel pen for the centers and little lines on the petals.  Then I used pop-dots to pop it up.  I embossed the Happy Birthday sentiment in SU pewter, punched it out, pierced holes on both side and threaded gray floss through it.

     Well, I'm off to watch another of Darlene's videos.

SUPPLIES

Stamps:  Hero Arts/Sizzix  Floral; SU Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink:  Hero Arts Soft Granite; Prismacolor Pencils PC929, PC924, PC916, PC908; SU pencils Green & Yellow; White gel pen

Accessories:  Gray floss

Tools:  SU Modern Punch; Spellbinder Label 8

March Birthday Card

     Well, it's that time of the month for the Monthly Gigglers Birthday dinner with Sally and Sheila being the guest of honor.  I wasn't able to make it, but I meet up with them at our Monthly Stampin Up party hosted by Lou Ann (Crooked Stamper).  It is also the month of my mothers birthday.  So I made the same card, but with different sentiments. 

     I've been watching alot of Darlene Designs and have really learned alot.  Many of the elements and techniques on this card are hers. 

     I used Dusty Concord Distress Ink on a 5 3/8 X 4 1/8 using my blender.  I then inked a block script stamp with the same ink and stamped it once on scrap paper and then on my inked panel.  I stamped the flower in Rich Cocoa I used copics and SU markers to color.  Then I had to cut it out (Boohoo, no die for that-I'm sssssssooooooo spoiled)and used SU Crumb Cake around the edges that showed a bit of white.  The stem is a piece of SU cardstock with a little copic coloring for shadow.  The sentiment is from SU and stamped in the same Dusty Concord.  This card has "Wonderful Mother" and the Gigglers cards had Happy Birthday.  I used the Pop-dots raised up the sentiment and the flower, and then it was ready for my 5 1/2 X 4 1/4 base.  

  SUPPLIES

Stamps:  SU Fifth Ave. Floral & Well Scripted; Stampabilities Faded Text Background

Paper:  X-Press It, SU Certainly Celery

Ink:  Dusty Concord Distress Ink; Copic markers-V12, V15,YG03, 0; SU Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, Perfect
                                                                        Plum
                                                                                 Tools:  Decrotive Label Punch



F&F Love the Fall

Hi All,  Happy Fall.  Here in NE PA the mornings are crisp & clear and the leaves are turning.  What a beautiful site.  Today the sun is shining and a gentle breeze is blowing.  The fleece sheets are on my bed and the comforter makes a cozy nest.  Linda (The Funkie Junkie) over at her Frilly & Funky Challenge Blog has made a fabulous card to inspire all the play along with her Fall into Fall Challenge.  Time to mix those vibrant rich tones and the earthtones of the season.

I started by die cutting the wreath.  Then I went through my dsp and came up with an some old SU called Autumn Meadows.  I had just bought some Mini Tag Canvas Pieces and wanted to see how ink would look on that.  I thought it came out pretty good.  Next, into my bag of goodies from The Funky Junkie Boutique.  I came up with that pretty brown lace and some colorful twine (she wraps it around old brown clothespins.  It's so cute).  The two leaves laying in front of the card were gifts from Linda for an order I made.  The image is from a scrap of material from Farmhouse Memories located at 148A Harristown Road  Paradise, PA near Lancaster.  She has an incredible shop with so many cards made using material which are fantastic and quilts like WOW!  If you're ever in the Lancaster area, it's worth the stop.  Just check her hours.  I attached it to a single sided adhesive sheet and die cut it with a Spellbinders Circle.  The leaves were punched and colored with Distress Inks.  I then wrinkled them up to look better.  Add a couple buttons and a brass chicken (don't ask why) and WaLa!  Love the Fall.

SUPPLIES

Stamps:  Hampton Art "Give Thanks"

Paper:  SU Very Vanilla, Early Espresso & Autumn Meadows dsp

Ink:  Tim Holtz Distress Inks:  Brushed Corduroy, Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Fired Brick; Ranger Archival Vermillion

Accessories:  Buttons, The Hearthside Collection-Chicken; Brown Lace; Twine

Tools:  Maple Leaf Punch, EK Success; Oak Lead Punch, Marvy; Canvas Tag, Maya Road; Memory Box Grapevine Wreath



Sunshine Wishes

     I was starting this tag for the last OCC Challenge of resist stamping, but couldn't work out the wings.  Anyway, it was a fun tag to make.  I started out with a large tag from The Funkie Junkie Boutique.  If you've never shopped with Linda before, you have to check her out.  Her prices are the best I've found, she's got so much cool stuff, and Linda ALWAYS gives great thank you gifts.  The beautiful lace on the bottom of my tag was a thank you gift. 

     OK, OK, OK, back to the tag.  First I stamped the sunflower, colored with Tim Holtz Distress Markers (Check out the Funkie Junkie for her price) I then covered it with Glossy Accents so that the embossing wouldn't stamp over the flower.  After drying overnight I was ready for the next step.  Like my last card, I stamped a script image on the bottom of the tag using Ranger Emboss It.  I then sprinkled Ranger Clear Embossing Powder over it and used to heat tool to melt it.  I used various colors of Distress ink to blend unto the tag and last but not least I used glue and flocking for the center of the sunflower. Oops!  I also used Crackle Accent on the Sunshine sentiment and put on the lace on the bottom and ribbon on the top.  THANKS FOR STOPPING. Oops again....I used flock on the inside of the sunflower.

SUPPLIES

Stamps:  Stampabilities "Faded Text Background"; All Others Crafty Secrets "Sunflower"

Paper:  4 X 8 Tag

Ink:  Tim Holtz Distress Mustard Seed, Broken China; Aged Mahogony

Markers:  Tim Holtz Distress Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Shabby Shutters, & Peeled Paint

Extras:  Inkssentials Glossy and Crackle Accents; Ranger Clear Embossing Powder; Recollections Walnut Flocking

Accessories:  Lace

Kimberly's Shower

Here's an older card I haven't had a chance to upload yet, and by older, I mean a couple of weeks.  My good friend and fellow Giggler Diane (aka CookieStamper) is getting ready for her daughter to be married.  I was not able to go to the shower because we were going down to Harrisburg to visit our youngest son.  I heard it was a great time.  Anyway, this is the card I made for her.  It was a first time use for several of the products, but boy were they fun. 

     It was the first time I used my SU Framelits - Labels Collection.  Very nice dies.  I was also the first time I used one of those dies with the little holes in the side to position you picture from Our Daily Bread.  Well, I didn't know how I would like them, but they were GREAT!  I highly recommend them.  I also did that lenghtening thing with the SU modern lable punches. 

Hope you like it!!!!

SUPPLIES

Stamps:  Our Daily Bread "Watering Can"; SU "Teeny Tiny Wishes"

Paper:  SU Whispering White; Paper Loft

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; Copic Markers

Accessories:  SU lace; Stickles

Tools:  SU Framelits - Label dies; Our Daily Bread Watering Can die; pop dots.





wmsc104 Oodles Of Love

     This is my first Waltzing Mouse Sketch Challenge, or better know as WMSC104.  Scroll down a little for this week Challenge.   I've seen their last couple, which were great sketches, but I didn't get around  to making the card.  One thing about their challenge is that you must use at least one of the stamps.  Luckily for me, I have a couple. 

     Enter, my card.  I had fun with the die cutting of the little things, and I love to mark stick pins.  How fun for me!!!!!  So, without further ado, I give you.....................Oodles Of Love

As far as telling you how I did it, I just cut, die cut, pasted, glued, and beaded.  The only thing of any interest may be that I used my glue gun to put a drop of glue on my stick pins so that the beads wouldn't fall down.  So I guess it's time to tell you what I used....

SUPPLIES

Stamps Waltzing Mouse "Compact Sentiments"

Paper:  SU Wisteria Wonder; Prima Meadow Lark

Ink:  SU Basic Black

Accessories:  Pins with beads from a jar: Corner Flourish; Butterflies; Flower by Petaloo

Tools:  Spellbinder Floral Ovals; Cheery Lynn Lace Corner Deco B and Exotic Butterfly

Katie's Birthday

     OK.  So I did a card for my DDIL yesterday for a baby shower, and today she needs a birthday card.  Could it be that she is steering from the "Dark Side" (Hallmark) and into the light? 

     So here's the card I did and for the first time I used the negative of a die.  I'll seen them before and I love the look, but this is my first time.  The hardest part was getting the paper on the back in the right spot. 

     I sure hope they like it!

     Now for a close-up and my die............

     The die I used was by Memory Box.  I just love their dies.  They are alway so crisp and clean looking.  I'm going to have to go through my other dies and see what else I may have to do this with.     I feel like a kid in candy store.                                                                                                   Oops!  DDIL just called and she's coming for the card.  Gotta go!

I'm back with the supply list........

SUPPLIES

Stamps:  SU Perfect Punches

Paper:  SU Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry and Certainly Celery

Ink:  SU Rich Razzleberry

Accessories:  Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot Ribbon

Tools:  Memory Box "Wild Blooms" die; pop dots  



Gigglers Birthday Cards

     Last night the Gigglers got together to say "Happy Birthday" to four of our group. Pam, Elaine, Shannon, & Vickie were the birthday girls and showered with cards.   I CASed these cards from a fabulous cardmarker named Melissa and you can view the card here.  I was so blown away, I had to email her to see how she did the inking of the debossed portion of the cards.  She told me that she inked the ef before running it through her embossing machine.  I have heard of that, but have never done it, or seen it look like hers.  I would recommend you check out her SC gallery and her blog. 



     My cards were all pretty much the same except for one item being different on each card.    Dragonflies, a gold and pearl button, pearls and a butterfly.  Everything else is the same.

 

 

SUPPLIES: 

Stamps:  SU Fabulous Phrases

Paper:  SU Very Vanilla and Crumb Cake

Ink:  SU Crumb Cake (for stamping and sponging)

Accessories:  Small Organza Roses; Half Pearls:  Recollections Pearls; Button; Dragonfly Brads; Doily
Tools:  MS Punch (I kept the tiny flowers from a punch); Spellbinder; CheeryLynn Designs (Butterfly)
Cuttlebug & SU embossing folders

                                

From my Garden (Or Ode to the Designing Women)

     Another week, another challenge.  I don't know what I would do without the talented ladies who have all the ideas, and I just paste the paper.  I probably don't recognize them enough.   Well, here goes...thank you ladies who share your inspirations with others.  Your ideas and designs are what makes alot of cards great.  Wait....I don't mean my cards are great.  Maybe average.  But that's a jump from the one sheet of cs with a stick figure on it.  Without further ado I give you.....................................

     This is for SC Sketch Challenge 388 and SC Color Challenge 378 which is the Delight(ful) Celery Party.  Which is Daffodil Delight, Certainly Celery, and Pool Party.  Cute, huh!  If you've never done a challenge, you're missing out.  Just click the links and give it a try.  By the way,  I tried to combine two more challenges, but I somehow couldn't get transportation and graduation on the card.  LOL!

SUPPLIES

Stamps:  SU Garden from the Heart; The flower is from Crafty Individuals (?)

Paper:  SU Pool Party and Certainly Celery; BasicGrey Picadelly, Recollection Cream

Ink:  Archival Jet Black; Color Box Creamy Brown, SU Pool Party

Markers:  SU Daffodil Delight and Certainly Celery

Accessories:  SU Pool Party Ruffled Ribbon, Distress Stickles-Antique Bronze

Tool:  SU Label Punch, SU Dots ef

Best Wishes

     Well, as I went throught the SCS challenges I combined the Card Sketch Challenge (SC387) with the Color Challenge (CC377).  Great sketch and great colors.  So I made a nice wedding card.  Who doesn't need them in the spring and summer, right?  Just before posting I went over the the Clean and Simple Challenge (CAS172) just to find out the theme this week is Love.  Bing, bang, boom.....I give you "Best Wishes"

     I had a little trouble with the color challenge.  1)  I didn't have any Soft Suede paper, so I took white paper and colored it with a Soft Suede marker.  It looks a little dark, but it is Soft Suede.  2)  The leaves is the Certainly Celery were so light that I outlined them with Certainly Celery marker. 

     For the ribbon I used the ribbon that was tied unto my thank you gift from my purchases at The Funkie Junkie Boutique.   Besides my order I was sent some adorable butterflies made from corrugates cardboard in a glassine packet tied with that beautiful hand dyed rayon seam binding.  Linda also has a great tutorial on how to do it yourself. 

     Anyway, here is my clean, colored, card sketch.  If you've never done a SCS challenge I suggest you give it a whirl. 

SUPPLIES

Stamps:  SU Kind and Caring Thoughts

Paper:  SU Whisper While, Blushing Bride

Ink:  SU Certainly Cerly, Soft Suede

Accessories:  Rayon Seam Binking and Pink Flower Brads

OCCC Vintage Friend

     Well, with an hour to go before the deadline,  I finished my card for the "Our Creative Corner" Challenge.  It's a really great sketch and perfect to try out my SU Labels Framelits.  And I just LOVE my Melissa Francis paper.  I took a class she had last year at the CKC in Valley Forge, PA and she was GREAT!



SUPPLIES

Stamps:  SU Oval All

Paper:  Melissa Frances Attic Treasures; SU Crumb Cake & Very Vanilla

Ink:  SU Early Espresso and  Blushing Bride Markers and Crumb Cake for Sponging

Accessories:  Ribbon and Lace from my stash

Tools:  SU Oval & Scallop Oval Punches; SU Labels Framelits



Happy Mothers Day

     Wow!  It's been over 2 months since my last post.  I'm having a hard time remembering how to do this.   And as you can see my photography skills need to be sharpened up.  Actually, I was late to pick my Mom up for dinner and my craft table was such a mess I didn't have room for my little light tent, so I just took this among the mess.    But enough of that.  Today is Mothers Day and I made this for my wonderful Mom!  This card started with the pretty floral paper and everything just fell into place.

Supplies

Stamps:  SU-Well Scripted; Verve Hope Blooms

Paper:  SU- Whisper White, Peach Parfait, Poppy Parade; My Minds Eye- On the Bright Side;  Some blue paper I had in my stash.

Ink:  Color Box Wicked Black

Accessories:  Darice Bling

Tools:  SU Oval and Scalloped Oval Punches

Diane & Shirley's Birthday Cards!

     What's harder than making a birthday card for a friend.  When that friend is Diane (cookiestamper) Zechman.  She is the best cardmaker that I know (or have seen).  She is the one that I talked to when I couldn't mix patterned paper, and looking back on my blog I'm sure you can see what happened there.  She has also tried to help my fellow gigglers and me on how to use Copics.  I'm still working on that little lesson, which is my bad, not hers.  Long story short, she's my inky hero. 

     So last Wednesday we had our monthly giggler birthday dinner for her and another giggler, Shirley.  We have a great dinner, funny gag gifts (presented by Lou Ann and Mary Ann) and TONS of laughs.

  So my card for Diane is sweet little Betsy Bluebell with a paper pieced dress, holding her tissue (SU white waffle paper) wrapped flowers.  I brightened the ladybug and tag with SU Crysal Effects and the flower centers with Crystal Color Lacquer.  I used stickles for the butterflies, but they didn't show up very well in the photo. 

SUPPLIES

Stamps:  Penny Black "Betsy Bluebell"; SU Petite Pairs

Paper:  Recollections White; SU Daffodil Delight; BasicGrey "Picadilly"

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; Copics

Accessories:  Spellbinders, SU Crystal Effects;  Crystal Color Lacquer;  Friskers Corner Punch; Pop dots; SU White Waffle Paper

And here is Shirley's card.  She is new to the gigglers, but fits in just fine.  She is the aunt to fellow giggler Mary Ann so she's also known as "Aunt Shirley"  She just got a cricut for Christmas and has recently gotten a cuttlebug and is really going right to town with her cards and for a newbie, she is great!

     For her card, I went for a more vintage look with my pretty flowered paper, lace ribbon, and a hat pin.  This was my first hat pin, but I wanted to make this a little more special and thought this may spruce it up.  I also used one of my most favorite stamp sets, SU Perfectly Penned.

Hope you enjoyed the Birthday Girl's Cards!

SUPPLIES

Stamps:  SU Perfectly Penned

Paper:  Paper Loft; SU Whisper White

Ink:  SU Basic Black; SU Bravo Burgandy

Accessories:  Spellbinders; Hat pin; SU lace ribbon; beads

Mojo Monday - 227

     Well, it's Sunday night and only an hour left for the Mojo Monday challenge.  I wouldn't want it in too soon.  Looks too eager, don't you think?  Anyway here my card.  I know it's not autumn, especially today. The weather outside is frightful and no fire inside to be delightful.  Anyway here it is....

SUPPLIES

Stamps:  Justrite "Autumn Blessings"

Paper:  SU Autumn Traditions; SU Very Vanilla; SU Always Artichoke

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; SU Always Artichoke, Ruby Red, More Mustard

Accessories:  Tim Holtz ef; SU Soft Suede Ribbon; Twine; Spellbinders Classic Ovals 

Welcome Baby

Another Verve challenge at SCS.  This one is 5 1/4 X 3 1/4 which is a different size for me.  But I do like it.  The rosette I made with my SU Simply Scored.  I sponged the top of the flower and the border of the sentiment with SU Regal Rose.  I used a 1 and a 1 1/4 punch for the center.  Hope you like it....

  SUPPLIES

Stamps:  Verve "Hope Blooms"

Paper:  DCWV Nana's Nursery; SU Certainly Celery

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; SU Regal Rose

Accessories:  1" and 1 1/4" Circle Punches

To Risk

This is for a couple of challenges.  The Verve VLVJan2012 and SCS CC359.  My inspiration for the black background (besides the color challenge) was a card that my good friend, Diane Zechman (aka cookiestamper) made awhile back.

SUPPLIES

Stamps:  Verve - To Risk

Paper:  Recollections White, SU Poppy Parade, SU Basic Black, BasicGrey Picadilly

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; SU Poppy Parade SU Lucky Limeade

Spellbinders; Paper piercing mat