Cute Card Thursday Challenge #49 - Animal Magic

This week's challenge over at Cute Card Thursday is Animal Magic, which is simply to include some sort of animal on your card. I chose this cute little Happy Hopper image called Seed Shooter. It reminds me of summer It's soooo cold outside - and we are supposed to have snow tonight. I'll believe that when I see it though. I'm ready for summer anyway!!

The design I ended up with here was not the one I originally saw in my head, but then I guess I rarely end up with what I started to do. I made a 4 1/4" square card specifically to do something that I ended up not doing anyway. It really should have been a bit bigger I think, but I'm still happy with it. All the papers and embellishments are scraps and odds and ends. I found the little watermelon slice charm and the checked brad in the center of the flower in my little drawer of miscellaneous doo-dads. I have no clue where they came from. I used my Nestabilities to cut the circle, scalloped circle and the scalloped piece on the side. I colored the image with Prismacolor pencils blended with Gamsol.

Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge #75

I made this card for this week's Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge. That is one of my favorite challenge blogs and I try to do the challenge every week. So many new layouts to try. I stayed pretty true to the sketch, except that it showed small circular embellishments along the right side of the image - like brads or flowers. My original idea was to use pearls, but I wanted to get it done tonight and was running out of time so I subbed some ribbon. I may end up using this layout (or a slightly simpler version) for a swap I'm in. If I do that, then I may add the pearls and post it again. I also think it would look awesome with one of those lacey scallop borders instead of the plain scallop. I made a no-buy pledge with a friend this month, but come March 1st - look out. I have to have one of those border punches!

Supplies
Stamp: Hydrangea (Anna Griffin); Le London Script (Stampabilities)
Ink: Sepia (Ranger Archival Ink - I can't find my VersaFine - waaahhh!!)

Paper: Cream, brown and pink cardstock; DP - Wild Asparagus (My Mind's Eye)

Embellishments: Ribbon, Tapestry embossing folder (Cuttlebug)

Techniques: Prismacolor pencils blended with Gamsol; masking

House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge #26 - Mothers

The theme this week for the House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge is Mothers. Apparently, Mother's Day in the UK is coming up soon. Silly me - it never occurred to me that it would be different in different countries. Even though Mother's Day here in the US isn't until May, I thought I'd go ahead and do the challenge and have my card already done.

I went outside my comfort zone again on this one. It has way more hearts on it than I typically use and I rarely use pastel colors - except for baby cards. I found the DP in a really old DCWV Spring Stack that I had so I went with the pink and yellow to coordinate. The paper says Happy Mother's Day all over it, but of course by the time I got all the other stuff on the card most of it got coverd up. :) The ribbon and heart shaped brad on the lower embellishment are also items I have had forever and never seemed to find a use for. I hit the embossed paper with some ink to highlight the swirls. The sentiment is computer generated.

Supplies

Stamp: Happy Hoppers - Bunny Love (House Mouse Designs)

Paper: pink and yellow cardstock; DP - DCWV

Embellishments: D'Vine Swirls embossing folder (Cuttlebug); circle and scalloped circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders); heart die cut (Sizzix); Prima flower; heart brad and ribbon (unknown)

Techniques: Prismacolor pencils blended with Gamsol; paper piercing

My Cup Overflows - CK/PCMB Challenge

This week's challenge on Creating Keepsakes Papercrafts Message Board is hosted by Patti/ant me. Patti is one of the kindest most creative people I know and she has a wonderful sense of humor. She says something that brings a smile to my face almost daily. You should take a moment to visit her blog - My Ant Hill. She does some beautiful work.

Patti's challenge this week is "My Cup Overflows" and we were to use a cup of some kind on our project. I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to do this challenge because I don't own any stamps with a cup on them. But as luck would have it, I found this image that was given to me by my friend Lucy.

Patti chose this theme to help celebrate the many blessings she has had in her life and asked that if we had a story to share of how we had been blessed that we do so. I am blessed in more ways than I can say. I have a beautiful, healthy 5-year-old son, a happy marriage and a good, secure job. I am also blessed by the many friends I have made in the last few years through crafting and swapping.

I want to give a big thank you to Patti for giving us this challenge this week and allowing us to celebrate her blessings as well as our own. There are a lot of things going on in the world that aren't so great, but we should all remember how much we really have to be thankful for.

Supplies

Stamps: Hot Cocoa (House Mouse Designs); Sentiment (Studio G)

Paper: pink cardstock (DCWV); brown cardstock (Hobby Lobby); DP - Bohemia (My Mind's Eye)

Embellishments: pink ribbon; circle punch; scallped circle Nestabilities

Techniques: Prismacolor pencils blended with Gamsol; paper piercing

Our Creative Corner Challenge - Use a Tag

First I must confess that I am cheating just a wee bit on this challenge. I actually made this card some time ago. However, I have never posted it on my blog, it fits the challenge and it's one of my favorite cards. I do apologize for the photo. I am not a good picture-taker, which is why I usually scan my cards. I tried to use Photoshop to get rid of the glare above the card, but it just ended up looking worse, so I left it alone.

The main focal point is a stamped collage on an upside down shipping tag. Even though it's somewhat tedious - especially with this many different images - masking is one of my favorite techniques. It's not difficult at all - just a little time consuming. I love the results though.

Unfortunately, I don't remember who made all the stamps I used and I don't want to go dig them out. The ones I can remember are in the supplies list.

Supplies

Stamps: Le London script background (Stampabilities); tulip and large butterfly (Hero Arts); small buttefly (Impression Obsession); fern leaf and face (not sure, but I think they are both Stampabilities)
Ink: Vintage Photo (Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Ranger)

Papers: Pink and brown cardstock (Hobby Lobby); DP - Bohemia (My Mind's Eye); shipping tag (Avery)

Embellishments: Flower (The Paper Studio); antique copper brad (Making Memories); organza ribbon scrap

Cute Card Thursday Challenge #48 - Signs of Spring

This week's Cute Card Thursday challenge gave me a chance to use another of those adorable images my friend Susan sent me last week. The challenge was to create a card that depicted signs of spring. Here in the midwestern U.S. a sure sign of spring is rain and flowers, so I chose this Willow with Umbrella image from Whiff of Joy, along with some flower theme spring-y paper and Prima flowers for embellishment.



I don't know if you can tell from the scan, but I did a bit of a different fold on this one. It's kind of a 2/3 - 1/3 gate fold instead of the regular center fold. Also, it looks like my papers don't line up right, but that's just the scan - I really can make straight cards. :)


Supplies
Stamp: Willow with Umbrella (Whiff of Joy)
Ink: Jet Black (StazOn); Rouge Chalk Ink (Colorbox)
Paper: Cardstock (DCWV); DP (The Paper Studio)
Embellishments: Flowers (Prima); Ribbon (unknown); Brads (Making Memories)
Technique: Prisma Colored Pencils blended with Gamsol

Roses on Paper Challenge #6 - Love and Friendship

Okay - I am waaaayyyyy out of my box with this one. LOL! When I came home from vacation last weekend I found amongst my pile of bills and junk mail a little envie from my dear friend Susan filled with Magnolia, Sarah Kay and Whiff of Joy Images. These are all very new to me and it's definitely not my usual style. I really wasn't sure I liked these, but once I got this one colored and a card put together - I think maybe I do. I like it enough to post it for the current Roses on Paper challenge - my first submission for this challenge.



Roses on Paper is a US-based online store that sells Magnolia, Sarah Kay, Whiff of Joy and other stamps. I have not yet ordered from them, but have been told that they have excellent customer service and great shipping prices. When I'm finally ready to buy my first Tilda stamp, I definitely plan to order from Roses on Paper.

It was a lot of fun getting outside my box for this challenge. I'm already looking forward to my next one!

Supplies:
Stamps: Tilda with Balloons (Magnolia); Sentiment (Studio G)
Paper: Cardstock (DCWV); DP (Basic Grey)
Embellishments: Ribbon (from my stash); flowers (Paper Studio); brad
Technique: Prisma colored pencil blended with Gamsol

Design in Progress

I am in a swap on SCS for a year of House Mouse. Each person in the swap chooses a month and makes cards for the others in the swap based on that month. I chose August specifically because I had this stamp and August makes me think of sunflowers. I know August is usually one of the last months to be chosen in these kinds of swaps so I thought I'd give the hostess a little break. :)


I think I'm pretty happy with the overall design. I know the ribbon is all wrong, but out of all the thousands of yards of ribbon I have (well - maybe that's a wee bit exaggerated :) I don't seem to have one that fits quite right. I think a brown or green with white polka dots might be the way to go. I thought maybe throwing in a splash of red might be good, but now that I see it, I'm not so sure.

I also haven't decided whether to keep the rounded corners or not. My original plan was to use my circle and scalloped circle Nesties, but the image is too big to fit right.

I'll wait a day or two and look at it again. Maybe something creative will come to mind.

One More Card for the Day

This one isn't for a challenge, but I did use the sketch from last week's Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge that I posted below. I wish I had done this one first because I like it better than the one I submitted for the challenge. Oh well - c'est la vie.

I am sending this for a swap that my friend Susan is hosting for cards that use a die cut machine in some way. I used my Big Kick with Cuttlebug embossing folders to make the background. Once again, I used chalk ink to highlight the raised areas.

It's back to work for me tomorrow after being on vacation last week and a holiday today. Bummer.

Supplies
Stamp: O Lucky Day (House Mouse Designs)
Ink: Jet Black (StazOn); Rouge, Pink Pastel (Colorbox Chalk Ink)
Paper: Cardstock (Hobby Lobby) and scraps from my stash; one tiny piece of Aunt Gertie's Garden (SEI)
Embellishments: Circle and scallop circle dies (Nestabilities); Floral Fantasy and Swiss Dots embossing folders (Cuttlebug); ribbon scrap; green paper flowers (unknown - from my stash)
Techniques: Prisma colored pencil blended with Gamsol; paper piercing

Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge #74

Two cards in one day - I'm on a roll!! Here's my card for this week's Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge. I missed last week and was bummed because I really liked the sketch. I'm going to keep it in mind for later.

The daisy image was given to me by my friend Susan. She got it from an individual who makes and sells her own stamps on E-bay. I used two of my Cuttlebug embossing folders for backgrounds - Stylized Flowers (red) and Swiss Dots (green). I also changed the sketch slightly. Instead of the circular sentiment thingie, I put my big flower down below the square slightly and I moved the ribbon to the top of the area instead of the bottom. I still think it looks enough like the sketch to qualify though.

House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge #25 - Sketch

Here is my card for this week's House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge. This is a record for me - It's usually Wednesday at the earliest before I get my card done. Since today is a holiday I'm off work and just playing in my craft room. I should be cleaning it, but oh well...

I decided to be a little different this time and chose a Gruffies image for my card. I just think this guy with his tea is so cute. It was given to me by my friend Lucy. The flower brads were originally a very light lime green and the ribbon slider was a bright chrome finish. I decided to get out my alcohol inks and tone them down a bit and make them go together better. The ribbon slider says "Happiness" and is much easier to see and looks much better in real life. The scan kind of screwed it up. I also decided to step outside my comfort zone with the color scheme. I rarely use blue and green together.

Supplies
Stamp: Gruffies - All Warm and Furry (House Mouse Designs)
Ink: Black (unknown); Alcohol Inks - Lettuce and Bottle (Adirondack)
Paper: Cardstock (Hobby Lobby); DP (My Mind's Eye)
Embellishments: Circle and Scallop Circle dies (Nestabilities); ribbon, ribbon slider and flower brads (unknown - from my stash)
Technique: Prisma colored pencils blended with Gamsol

Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge #55

Here I am - barely squeaking in another challenge before the deadline. This one is for this week's Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge. I think my friend Susan is rubbing off on me - I can't seem to make a card without a mouse or a bunny on it anymore. :)

The background papers are cardstock that I ran through my Big Kick with a couple of Cuttlebug embossing folders (D'Vine Swirls, Swiss Dots and Floral Fantasy). I used a brayer to roll a slightly darker shade of ink over the paper to highlight the raised areas.

Supplies
Stamps: Party Mouse (House Mouse Designs), Celebrate (Michael's $1 clear stamp)
Ink: StazOn (Jet Black); Colorbox Chalk Ink (Olive Pastel, Wisteria, Rouge)
Paper: Pink, Green and Purple cardstock (Archiver's)
Embellishments: Cuttlebug embossing folders (D'Vine Swirls, Swiss Dots, Floral Fantasy), Nestabilities circle and scalloped circle dies, Prima flower, brad, ribbon
Techniques: Prisma colored pencil blended with Gamsol, paper piercing

Two Challenges - One Card

Whew! I am pretty late with my House Mouse and Friends challenge #24 this week. We have been out of town all week and just got home this afternoon. I just squeaked this one in. The challenge this week is "tall and thin". I decided to combine this challenge with this week's Cute Card Thursday #47 challenge which is "music and dance".

I love this image. It's the first House Mouse stamp that I ever bought. I think this is the first tall and thin card I've made. I'm not sure if it's going to be a favorite. It was hard for me to fill up all that vertical space - maybe I should have gone horizontal instead of vertical. Oh well - I'll play around with the format some more and maybe I'll like it better next time I try it.

Supplies
Stamps: Two Part Harmony (House Mouse Designs); Oh Happy Day (Club Scrap)
Ink: VersaFine Onyx Black and Vintage Sepia
Cardstock: Die Cuts with a View (Blue); Hobby Lobby (Brown)
DP: My Mind's Eye
Embellishments: Nestabilities, Ribbon, Prima Flower, Brad
Technique: Prisma Colored Pencil blended with Gamsol

Daring Cardmakers Oriental Splendor Challenge

This is for this week's Daring Cardmakers challenge, which is to make an Asian theme card without using red or black. I actually do a lot of Asian theme cards, but it is a challenge not to use red or black - especially black.

I made the little kimono out of origami paper and used a blue ribbon for the sash. The Japanese script stamp is from 100 Proof Press and gold embossed on blue cardstock. The mat behind the kimono is actually dark blue - not black. I also used a piece of mulberry paper as an extra little layer.

Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge #72

Well, I FINALLY got my card done for this week's Mojo Monday sketch challenge. This card just wasn't coming together for me, but I think I finally came up with something that will do. Most importantly, my mother will love it. It's for her birthday and she loves anything I make and anything with daisies on it. This card is much more "fussy" than my usual style, which is fairly clean and simple. it was fun doing all the layers though. These challenges are great for making me step outside my box.

The yellow paper with red dots is actually the same yellow cardstock as the base, which I ran through my Big Kick with the Swiss Dots Cuttlebug embossing folder. I hit each of the dots with a red marker. The daisies and the Happy Birthday piece are pop-dotted, which is a little difficult to see in the scan.

Supplies:
Stamps: Gerber Daisy (Rubber Stampede); Sentiment (My Sentiments Exactly)
Paper: Yellow and red cardstock (Hobby Lobby); DP (My Mind's Eye - Front Porch collection)
Ink: Vintage Sepia (VersaFine)
Embellishments: Swiss Dots embossing folder (Cuttlebug); Circle, scallop circle and long rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinder); ribbon and button
Technique: Prisma colored pencil blended with Gamsol

House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge #23 - Valentines

Here is my card for this week's House Mouse and Friends challenge. I almost didn't do the challenge this week because to be honest, I was getting kind of tired of making Valentines. I think this is the fourth one I've made in the last month. In the end I couldn't resist though. We are going out of town next week to visit my in-laws, so I needed to try to get a little crafting time in before we leave.

This card could probably be used for something other than Valentine's Day as it's kind of generic. I used more masculine colors and may just end up giving it to my DH. The other ones I have made are a lot of pink.



Supplies Used:
Stamp: Chocolate Heart (House Mouse Designs)
Ink: StazOn Jet Black
Paper: Brown, red cardstock (Hobby Lobby)
Embellishments: Ribbon, red heart button, Floral Fantasy Cuttlebug embossing folder, Nestabilities circle and scallop circle dies
Techniques: Prisma colored pencil blended with Gamsol; paper piercing, embossing

My First Blog Award

I received my first blog award over the weekend from my wonderful and dear friend Susan. Susan and I "met" about two and a half years ago when I joined one of her swaps on Papercrafts message board. We started swapping together, then e-mailing each other fairly often, then talking on the phone. We have yet to meet in person, but we usually talk on the phone once every week or two for anywhere from two to four hours. I consider her one of my very best friends. You should take a minute to check out Susan's blog. She is really creative and does beautiful cards.

I also got the same award from Christy. Christy is just about one of the cutest people I have ever come across. She recently started hanging out with us in the Papercrafts community at Creating Keepsakes online. She makes me laugh and she is really a breath of fresh air - even though she does make me feel like an old lady. You should check out Christy's blog too. She does cute cards and she's just bubbly and fun.

Thanks Christy and Susan!

Tag, You're It #43 - Purple

Happy February! And for those here in the US - Happy Superbowl Sunday! Today is the day to hang out with friends, eat lots of food, drink beer and - of course - watch football. I'm not a big football fan, but the Superbowl is different. It's more about the party than the game. I am cheering for the underdog, as usual - the Arizona Cardinals.

Okay - back to crafting. Here is my tag for this week's Tag You're It! challenge. This week's theme is purple, which seems to be a personal theme for this week, as well. My card for the Mojo Monday challenge was also purple.

I ran the base of the tag through my Big Kick with the Script Cuttlebug Embossing folder. I then swiped over it with Wisteria Chalk Ink to highlight the script. I received the stamped image in a swap and don't know the company. I highlighted parts of the image with different shades of purple pastels. I sponged a couple of areas with Vintage Photo Distress Ink, then sponged over the whole thing with Old Paper Distress ink. I finished it off with some organza ribbon, a purple Prima flower and a purple gem brad.