Springtime Sweeties

This is for Sharon Johnson's (notimetostamp) Cabin Fever Challenge: to make a Springtime card.

I began with papers from PaperTrey Ink (Plum Pudding cardstock and dp) to create my card base. I used Inque Boutique's "Flutter By, Butterfly" image and sentiment...stamping the image with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and coloring it with Copic markers, and the sentiment with Versafine Black Onyx.

I used a corner rounder punch and distressing tool to the edges, and finished off the design with PTI Plum Pudding ribbon.

Hope you have a very enjoyable weekend! Thanks for stopping by!

Butterfly Spring!

I wanted to participate in today's sketch challenge over at Splitcoaststampers.com--check out the gallery uploads for the challenge here...

I began with a cardstock base of Stampin' Up's So Saffron. This is one of my favorite SU colors--just gorgeous! I layered it up with Neenah Natural White and Cosmo Cricket's Everafter: Something Old, which I purchased from Joan's Garden online sales.

My image (inque boutique Flutter By, Butterfly) was stamped onto the Neenah Natural white and colored with Copics E55, YR24, YR21, YR31, and the blender pen. After cutting out the butterflies, I sprinkled them with a bit of SU Dazzling Diamonds and gluedotted them into place.

I used a Martha Stewart border punch, and then stamped the inque sentiment with Versafine Black Onyx to finish the design.

Hope your week is going well! Thanks so much for stopping by!

February DD/DDA Alumni Challenge

The Dirty Dozen girls and alumni have a monthly challenge featuring different themes. This month's theme is "Know When to Fold Em'..." using a different fold as well as a theme of luck, card games, poker...etc...you can see all of the uploaded designs here.

Since I have no card related stamps, I came up with the slogan, "Thank your lucky star." My intent for this design is for a thank you.

I began with Stampin' Up metallic papers: Brushed Copper, Gold, and Silver. I also used an unknown yellow gold metallic paper. The base is a top fold copper sheet, and the pieced stripe panel flips open to create another space for a sentiment. So in effect, the card has two folds.

I covered the chipboard with the yellow gold paper, inked it up with an Essential Glue Pad, then sprinkled Champagne Jewel Ritz micro glitter over the surface.

I used JustRite's Brayton Font to create the sentiment, stamping it with Versafine Black Onyx. I then heat embossed it with SU Gold Embossing Detail powder.

Finally, I must also mention that I do not thank any lucky stars; I thank the One who created those stars!

Hope your Sunday is blessed! Thanks for stopping by!

I Love Purses!

I DO love purses-- they are one of my favorite things to shop for! I decided to make a quick card for today's sketch challenge over at Splitcoaststampers. You can find the challenge here.

This was pretty easy as the only stamping that I did was the "Thanks!" I used Stampin' Up's Many Thanks for this sentiment, stamping it with Versafine Black Onyx ink.

I used Amy Butler's Lotus Designer Mat Pad, along with Amy Butler's Grand Adhesions purse and flower stickers. Both are K and Company, I purchased both from Michael's.

Here is another purse that I created on my own, using punches and decorator paper.

The papers used here are Basic Grey Stella, SU Barely Banana and Chocolate Chip. I used my cuttlebug and textured folder on the chocolate, along with a ticket corner punch on the corners. I used two size circle punches for the purse handle, and a corner rounder punch to create the bag and flap.

Hope your day is going great! Thanks so much for stopping by!

ATCs (Artist Trading Cards)

I have always loved ATC cards. I have received a few from different friends and have made a few myself, but have not actively traded them. They are tiny, precious pieces of art; only measuring 2.75" X 3.75" approximately. My goal is to create more and actually start collecting them.

I began by stamping Inkadinkadoo's Garden Delight dragonfly with Versafine Vintage Sepia ink onto PaperTrey Ink's Linen Vellum. I scored the left and right side of the vellum rectangle at about 1/4" from each edge. I folded the score under and used red sticky tape on the folds to connect the vellum panel to the floral panel. When I attached the vellum panel, I taped it so the center was raised slightly, with kind of a hill or hump in it. It's difficult to see this in the photo, but it provides some dimension to the ATC.

My base is made from Bazzill Walnut Textured cardstock, layered with Stampin' Up Baja Breeze and Parisian Breeze decorator papers. I used my texturing tool to distress the Baja layer, then added to copper Close to My Heart brads to finish it off.

Very simple--easy enough to mass produce for a group!

Hope your day is happy! Thanks so much for stopping by!

Splitcoast Stampers Design Team!

Well, many of you have been wondering where I have been as of late...I am thrilled to announce that I have been invited to join the Splitcoaststampers Design Team for six months! What an honor! I am a part of today's new Fan Club gallery, revealed along with Cindy Motherway (Mothermark)! Thanks, Jenn, for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to be a part of this fantastic team!

Here's a bit of a sneak peek of a card that I created for the gallery:

If you're a Fan Club member, head over to see what all of the ladies have prepared this month-- it's sure to be a treat! If you're not a member, and would like to become one, click here...

Thanks for being so patient while I have been MIA. I hope to get "balance" back after this first month, and should be uploading more frequently soon!

Have a great weekend!

Fruit

Here is a fruity card from the past. This is one of my favorites!

I used Old Olive and Elegant Eggplant cardstocks from Stampin' Up, and an unknown tan dotted dp to create the base. I stamped SU retired "Weathered" on an eggplant panel, using the ticket corner punch to finish it off.

I stamped the grapes (SU Sun Ripened II- retired) with Stazon Black on Whisper White cardstock, then colored them in with my Prismacolor pencils and blended with Gamsol. I used my Coluzzle oval cutter, then distressing tool, to create the oval-- sponging the edges with Creamy Caramel ink.

The design was finished off with olive grosgrain purchased from Michaels. Life sure is different as of late-- I haven't touched my Prismas since Copics entered my life! I guess my Coluzzle has gone by the wayside to make room for Nesties as well! I will have to make an effort to make ALL of my tools feel loved!

How do you like my new blog banner? It was created by Jami Bova (Sgt.Stamper's Studios) and I just love it! Jamie was very thorough and quick--she created what was in my brain!?! How often does that happen? Check her out here... Thanks Jami!

Hope you have a great Friday!

A Rosy Thank You

I wanted to play with my new stamp set that I received today: Stampin' Up's Fifth Avenue Floral. What a great set-- line drawings that can be used quite simply as stamp only, or fun to shade in using your favorite coloring method. I used Copics here, but I can see it equally delightful to use watercolors or chalks. I stamped the flower twice, cut it out, and used dimensional tape to layer it.

The peachy patterned paper and textured darker peach are from Taylored Expressions Valentine kit. The darker peachy strip between the ribbon lines looks much nicer and textured IRL. I used SU Blush Blossom for the base of the card, and grosgrain ribbon from Walmart. The sentiment is from PaperTrey Ink's Simple Little Things.

I must apologize for being so out of the loop with my blog-- life has been very busy! I hope to be uploading more in the near future! Thanks for your patience!

Have a wonderful weekend!