Swan Love

This is a card I made for submission in a Guest Design spot over at Clear Dollar Stamps.    Anyone who knows me knows that I fell in love with these stamps shortly after I discovered them.  They are so wonderful to use and always give crisp clean images with each inking.  We had to use pearls on our card, and since I just got some last month this was the perfect time to debut them :D  This card is fairly simple looking, because pearls remind me of simplicity.  

This is also my first attempt at copic markers, and I love them!! I told my husband that my birthday was coming up, so I would love to get more ;)  And since he'll be in the field and miss the 3rd straight birthday in a row, I told him he owed me. 

 Stamps:  Joyful Day (CD Stamps)

Ink:  Stazon Jet Black

Paper:  Whisper White, Night of Navy, Shimmery White, Bashful Blue DSP

Accessories:  Pretties Kit, Labels Nestabilities 

Copics:  B93, B95, W-1, YR68, R35, R37

A Mojo Color Challenge

Flower Soft is so much fun to work with , so I am always looking for ways to use it.  I got all of my Flower Soft at Clear Dollar Stamps.  They have a great variety of colors at a great price.  This morning I decided to combine the color challenge over at Splitcoaststampers with the Mojo Monday challenge.  The colors for this week were Kiwi Kiss, Summer Sun, and Pumpkin Pie.  Just to let you know (as if I didn't already know), watercoloring on Whisper White cardstock does not work so well.  Here is what I came up with.

Stamps:  Spring Critters & Critter Messages (CD stamps)

Ink:  Basic Black, Kiwi Kiss, Pumpkin Pie, Sahara Sand

Paper:  Kiwi Kiss, Summer Sun, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White, Good Morning Sunshine DSP

Accessories:  Flower Soft yellow, Crystal Effects, gold brads, stampin' dimensionals, circle punch, Summer Sun & Pumpkin Pie markers, scallop punch, sponge

Day 2 of Virtual Stamp Night

So here are my day 2 submissions for the VSN that took place this last weekend over at Splitcoaststampers.  I was only able to participate in 4 of the 13 challenges that took place on day 2.  They were all wonderful challenges and sometime down the road, I will use them to inspire me for other occassions.  It was obvious that the hostesses put in a lot of time and effort, and it showed.  All of the challenges looked fantastic!

Here is my first card that I did for the "Melt My Heart" challenge that was hostessed by Emily.  The challenge was to use the melted crayon background technique.  I used the crayon colors blue, blizzard blue, blue green, and turquoise blue to get this background.  All I can say is that 

this technique is incredibly fun, and if you haven't tried it you need to.  

Stamps:  Cute Critters (CD stamps)

Ink:  Basic Black

Paper:  Whisper White, Apprioct Appeal, Tangerine Tango, Close to Cocoa

Accessories:  crayons, iron, foil, Appricot Appeal & Only Orange markers, Tangerine Tango ribbon, oval punch, Labels nesties, stampin' dimensionals, Tiny Bubbles embossing folder, 

paper piercer

My second card for the day was for the challenge "Window into my Soul" hostessed by Jenny.  The challenge was to make a window or acetate card, so here is what I came up with.  

Stamps:  Moose Wishes (CD Stamps)

Ink:  Basic Black, Riding Hood Red, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel

Paper:  watercolor paper, Candy Lane DSP, acetate paper

Accessories:  courdoroy button, slit punch, label nesties, silver cord

My third card for the day was for the challenge "Love Starts with L" hostessed by Robyn.  The challenge was to use only things starting with the letter 'L'.  It is a lot harder than it sounds.  Here is what I came up with.

Stamps:  Joyful Day (CD Stamps)

Ink:  Lovely Lilac

Paper:  Lovely Lilac, Very Vanilla

Accessories:  Label punch, Lable hodgepodge, Linen

And for my final card of the day, the challenge was the "Joy of Love" hostessed by Taylor.  The challenge was to make a Joy fold card, and this is what I came up with.

Stamps:  Sip by Sip (SU)

Ink:  Basic Black

Paper:  Rockabilly DSP, Riding Hood Red, Basic Black

Accessories:  Kiwi Kiss ribbon, circle punch, oval punch

Day 1 of the Virtual Stamp Night

Wow, is all I can say about all of the challenges that took place on Splitcoaststampers for the Virtual Stamp Night (VSN) for February 20-21.  I so badly wanted to be able to participate in more of them, but I just couldn't.  You can bet that when my husband deploys again I will most certainly be able to do a bit more.  Last night was devoted to watching UFC 95 with my husband, and when I got a break or two I would check the VSN threads.  The hostesses came up with some amazing challenges.  There were 20 challenges in all, and I was able to make cards for about 8, so I guess I didn't do too bad.  

The first one I did was "Sketch a Little Love" hostessed by Janet.  The challenge was to think about what you love and using her sketch of a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 card.  On the card you were to have a big circle and a big chipboard heart, or something like it.  I love Jesus, so I chose to make this card.

Stamps:  Delight (Verve)

Ink:  Basic Black, Rose Red Craft

Paper:  Pacific Point, Sahara Sand DSP, Good Morning Sunshine DSP, So Saffron DSP

Accessories:  chipboard heart, rose glitter, circle cutters, Heat 'n Stick powder, heat gun

My second card for VSN was for the challenge "For the Love of Chocolate," hostessed by Christi.  You had to pick your favorite chocolate and then from there you had to use certain colors based on your favorite kind of chocolate.  Mine is milk chocolate, but as the statement says, "I never met a chocolate I didn't like."

Stamps:  Chocoholic (CD Stamps)

Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Basic Black

Paper:  Chocolate Chip, Almost Amethyst, Real Red DSP, Whisper White

Accessories:  circle cutters, silver pen, Close to Cocoa, Real Red,

 & Almost Amethyst markers, paper piercer, stampin' dimensionals

The next challenge for VSN that I participated in was a "New Love," hostessed by Paula.  In this challenge you had to use all  new things.  I chose to use my Moose Wishes from CD Stamps, because I do love that little moose :D  The only thing on my card that is not new other than ink, was my ribbon.

Stamps:  Moose Wishes (CD Stamps)

Ink:  Basic Black, Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa

Paper:  So Saffron, Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, Good Morning Sunshine DSP, Watercolor paper

Accessories:  aqua painter, stampin' dimensionals, circle cutters, slit punch, Pacific Point ribbon, circle scallop nestabilities

My fourth card for the night was for the challenge, "As You Wish," hostessed by Christy S.  The challenge was to take a quote from the movie 'Princess Bride' and make a card based on that.  I chose the lines, 'Stop rhyming now, I mean it.  Anybody want a peanut?'  That movie is one of my all time favorite, so this challenge made me chuckle.  

Stamps:  Nutty Christian, Just Nutty (CD Stamps)

Ink:  Basic Black

Paper:  Sahara Sand, Delicate Dots DSP, Whisper White

Accessories:  stampin' dimensionals, Certainly Celery ribbon, silver brads, paper piercer

CDSWCC7 My Friendly Monkey

Last week I could not play along with the Papercraftplanet Clear Dollar Weekend Color Challenge like I had wanted to.  My in-laws were in town, so that put a limit on my time in the 'craft cave.'  This week, I made a point to play.  Monique hosted the challenge this weekend and the colors she chose were awesome:  Sage Shadow, Pacific Point, and Really Rust, with White as a neutral.  What a great combo!  I love, love, love this little monkey from Clear Dollar Stamps.  He's so super cute!  This image in particular comes from the set Monkey Madness, which has 34 stamps (can you believe that?).

Stamps:  Monkey Madness (CD Stamps)

Ink:  Basic Black, Baja Breeze, Pacific Point

Paper:  Whisper White, retired Sage Shadow DSP, Pacific Point DSP, Really Rust

Accessories:  sponge, Stampin' Dimensionals, gold brads, Sage Shadow, Really Rust, Close to Cocoa,  and Creamy Caramel markers, Blender Pen, Circle punches

A Color Challenge

I've been watching the Color Throwdown blog for quite a while, and I'm not sure why I waited this long to take the plunge.  The colors they choose are always fantastic, but for some reason I have chosen today to get involved :D.  The colors for this weeks throwdown are Ballet Blue, Brilliant Blue, and Tangerine Tango.  What a great combo!  

For this card I used my scallop punch, which I love.  I wanted to back the Brilliant Blue with some Whisper White, but thought it might be a bit of a challenge to make sure the scallops lined up.  I'm sure you're all thinking 'it's not really that hard.'  After thinking about it a few minutes I discovered that it's not.  I scalloped my blue cardstock first that was already cut to the size I needed for this card.  I then cut a larger piece of the white and scalloped that.  After they were all scalloped I lined them up, and then cut off the remaining white cardstock.  Yay, I feel like I've really accomplised something. . .I know, silly.  

I paper pieced the little walrus, which is a part of the awesome set, Zoo Critters from CD Stamps, and embossed the Happy Birthday on the blue, which is a part of the set Birthday Wishes that is also from CD Stamps.  I'm also quite proud of myself, because I finally figured out that the macro setting on my camera will give me a pretty good close up picture. . .wow, I should really read directions once in a while.

Stamps:  Zoo Critters, Birthday Wishes (CD Stamps)

Ink:  Basic Black, Craft White, Ballet Blue

Paper:  Ballet Blue, Brilliant Blue, Whisper White

Accessories:  Tangerine Tango ribbon, Circle cutters, Scallop punch, 

detail white embossing powder, paper piercer, white gel pen, Stampin' Dimensionals, sponge

Color Challenge Tuesday along with a little MOJO

Today the in-laws leave, so again I don't have much time to post but I did want to put in a little bit of time in the 'craft cave'.  Here is what I came up with for today's color challenge on Splitcoaststampers.  The challenge was to use the colors, More Mustard, Kiwi Kiss, and Rose Red.  When I got in my little cave, I decided to kill two birds with one stone (bad pun if you consider the stamp set I used, lol) and make my card for the Mojo Monday challenge as well.

Stamps:  Cheep Talk (SU)

Ink:  More Mustard, Rose Red, Kiwi Kiss

Paper:  Kiwi Kiss DSP, More Mustard, Rose Red, Whisper White

Accessories:  Kiwi Kiss ribbon, Button Bouquet, Flower Fusion, Oval punch, 

Labels 2 Nestabilities

Technique Challenge

Again, I don't have much time to gab, but I did want to post what I made today for the technique challenge on Splitcoaststampers, while everyone is out flying a kite.  The challenge was to make this round top box.  I love to make things like this, and I am really enjoying my Sweet Slumber DSP.  This little box would be so fun to put either some candy in or even some little 3x3 cards to give away.  I will definitely be doing one of these again :D

Stamps:  Cheep Talk (SU)

Ink:  Basic Black

Paper:  Sweet Slumber DSP, Certainly Celery

Accessories:  So Saffron ribbon, On Board So Tweet chipboard, circle rhinestone

Secret Sister Gifts

It's a gloomy day and I have a few minutes to post while the grandparents have the kids.  At the church I attend, we are having a Secret Sister.  I'm sure you've all heard of what it is, but I'll explain it anyways.  All the ladies who wanted to participate filled out a form of our likes.  For example; our favorite flower, candy, our anniversary or birthday, things of that nature.  We then picked names out of a hat, and for the next 6 months we get to pour out love to our secret sister in the form of encouraging notes, gifts, flowers, or anything you feel would make her feel special.  Now, I attend a fairly small church and it is no secret that I like to make things.  I'm pretty certain that my Secret Sister is going to have a hunch after she receives this gift ;)  

Stamps:  Chocoholic (CD Stamps)

Ink:  Chocolate Chip

Paper:  Candy Lane

Accessories:  Scallop Circle Nestabilities, Circle Cutters, chipboard flowers, Button Bouquet, Button Latte, skewers, Kiwi Kiss ribbon, Pretties Kit (soaked in Riding Hood Red), rub-ons, Chocolate Chip ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals, small silver bucket, foam, green beads, candle, frap bottle, M&M's

Ways To Use It

I think that it is safe to say that I will be incredibly sad when this years In Color from Stampin' Up! have been retired. . .sigh.  But while they're here, I will use the heck out of them :D  For today's Ways to Use it Challenge from Splitcoaststampers, the challenge was to use fabric on your card.  I don't have a lot of fabric laying around anymore, so I decided to use linen, which is sort of the same thing. . .right?!?! 

This card is a 5x5 card and I used my new set Sip by Sip.  I totally copied the idea from the catalog of using a chipboard heart behind a popped up image.  I just liked it so much. 

 Stamps:  Sip by Sip (SU)

Ink:  Basic Black, Riding Hood Red

Paper:  Riding Hood Red,  Very Vanilla, Rockabilly Specialty DSP

Accessories:  Twill Tape, chipboard heart, stampin' dimensionals

Mojo Monday Week 73

I've been following the Mojo Monday blog for quite sometime and never took the plunge to actually participate until this week.  Not sure why I waited, but here is what I came up with.

Stamps:  Trendy Trees (SU)

Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, Bashful Blue

Paper:  Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Good Morning Sunshine DSP

Accessories:  oval punch, Filigree Flower, Yellow Rhinestone Circle Brad, sponge daubers, 

So Saffron ribbon (Ribbon Bundle SAB)

I was very excited for my order to show up yesterday.  As soon as it did I started 'playing'.  It worked out that I could since my husband was gone at a live fire last night and didn' show up back home until about 12:30 in the morning.  Poor guy, but I did have fun with my new goodies.  This is one of six cards I made last night.  I know it's pretty simple, but I did try something new with it.  I punched out a circle and used it as a template for the clouds with a sponge dauber of Bashful Blue ink.  

After I clean to get ready for my in-laws to come, I plan on 'playing' some more while the kids are doing school work :D

Look What I Got!

I was pleasantly surprised to find this given to me by Jacque4u2c.  She has an awesome blog with so many wonderful scrapbooks.  I feel quite honored, because I feel quite new to this whole blogging thing.  Thanks so much, Jacque.  I think I'll pass it on to:

Donna

Linda

Deb

These ladies are so very talented.  Go check them out!

Clear Dollar Weekend Color Challenge

It's that time of the week again, and I was a bit afraid that I was not going to be able to participate.  I've been feeling very under the weather, but my house needs cleaning because my in-laws are coming into town this week.  We did a lot of picking up so I rewarded myself by making a card :D  This weekend's Clear Dollar color challenge from Paper Craft Planet was hostessed by Laurie Wilson.  The challenge was to use the colors: Brocade Blue, Pumpkin Pie, Green Galore, Pixie Pink, and a neutral of white or black.  This was such a fun challenge with some fun color to work with.  I chose to use one of my new sets called Zoo Critters for the challenge.  This is what I came up with.  

Stamps:  Zoo Critters, Monkey Madness (CD Stamps)

Ink:  Basic Black

Paper:  Green Galore, Brocade Blue, Whisper White

Accessories:  Labels Nestabilities, pink ribbon, Pumpkin Pie ribbon, green ribbon, blue ribbon, Brocade Blue eyelets, slit punch, Green Galore, Brocade Blue, Pumpkin Pie, Sahara Sand, and Pixie Pink markers

Ways to Use It

My husband got back out of the field on Friday afternoon of last week and then had an extended weekend.  We've had baseball/softball tryouts and I feel very sick right now.  Ughh, I hate having a cold.  I'm very blessed though. . .I never seem to get too sick.  So after my long explanation as to why I haven't posted in a few days, here are my submissions for the Ways to Use It Challenge on Splitcoaststampers.  The challenge was to go crazy with your embellishments, and I know what you're thinking 'she didn't go too crazy.'  No, but this was stepping out for me.  I have been hanging onto these leather frames for a very long time.  I had other plans of combining the chipboard flower with the frame, but I just couldn't make it work so I chose to make 2 cards instead.  

Stamps:  Spring Critters (CD Stamps)

Ink:  Basic Black, Not Quite Navy, Chocolate Chip

Paper:  Sahara Sand, Whisper White, Rose Red DSP

Accessories:  Baja Breeze ribbon, leather frame, aqua paiter,

 Sahara Sand & Rose Red markers

Here is the other card, and I did layer this embellishment.  I covered the chipboard flower in Not Quite Navy paper, used a felt flower, a white flower, another felt flower, and topped it with a pink rhinestone brad.  This is the result.

Stamps:  none

Ink:  none

Paper:  Sahara Sand, Rose Red DSP, Not Quite Navy DSP

Accessories:  Chit Chat rub-ons, Baja Breeze ribbon, chipboard flower, Flower Fusion, 

Flower Fusion 2, white flower, rhinestone circle brad