Happy Birthday x3

Hello, Blogland! I have been practically non-existent this month. I hope to remedy that :) If you have followed me for more than a year, you probably know that I love it when I create a card from nothing but scraps or when I use stash (old or new, I feel rejuvenated to use up stash).

For these three cards I used scraps of K&Co. 8.5"x8.5" Birthday Scrap Kit items (papers and 3D cupcake stickers and die cut cupcake), scraps from my Bazzill scraps (small Nesties Labels 1), my last 3 American Crafts "happy birthday" rub-ons and ribbon scraps!

Here is a quick tutorial:
1. Cut white card stock at 5" x 3 3/4"; xyron.
2. Punch 12 squares at 1 1/4" of designer papers (I only used two coordinating papers for these, but my personal preference is to use 3 or 4 coordinating papers like this one.)
3. Adhere squares left to right, starting at the top left corner.
4. Die cut with SU top note die. Embellish as desired.

Enjoy your last week of 2009!

Masculine Christmas card

I had a customer request for a masculine Christmas card, no cute; e.g. she did not want "to a deer friend" or "merry chrismoose". So this is my card. I used Memory Box paper, scraps of Bazzill card stock (purplish burgundy color and white bling), SU sage shadow and plum markers, ribbon scraps, 3 MM snaps and my Cuttlebug snowflakes embossing folder. I wasn't quite happy with it, but the customer loved it. To quote my friend, Roberta, "Done is better than perfect."

How long has it been since I've entered my craft room? The remaining coaster calendars, despite the best of intentions, are still untouched (I have 18 to go...see previous post). We have all been taking turns being sick. Kathryn finally joined in last week with fever and congestion. Now I have her cold, minus the fever. This one is really mild compared to the one I had before T'giving. Nothing to really complain about, thankfully! I worked really hard the past two days trying to re-prioritize my "to do" list in preparing for the holidays. I still have ~5 gifts to make/purchase, package and send. Then I can finish up dh & our girls, then start on thank you notes. The teacher coaster calendars will have to be New Year gifts :) Eventually I will get to visit all of my favorite blogs. It has been too long! Please be patient with me :)

The Twelve Days of Christmas - Cuttlebug Style!

On the first day of Christmas...
For the next twelve days Cuttlebug Challenge blog will have some yummy eye candy in the theme of the song. You may be wondering what mini desk calendars made out of coasters have to do with "a partridge in a pear tree." Think "tree" => "recycle"...I re-purposed the coasters into teacher gifts for Christmas. To see my tutorial and detailed supply list, click here.

I purchased the self-stick calendars from www.vippies.com. Click here to order. I chose medium size; it fits perfectly in the ProvoCraft Cuttlebug Flourished Frame embossing folder!

I plan to make these for teacher gifts. The top one is for my daughters' delightful teacher, Mrs. Jacobs. The second one is for a co-teacher (and equally wonderful), Mr. Neach. I plan to make one for each teacher and teacher assistant, the secretaries, therapists, and bus driver & bus driver assistant. 2 down, 18 to go...

Mass-production would be the smartest way to go, but I do not have enough of any one designer paper to make that happen. Not to mention, I wanted Mr. Neach's calendar to be masculine. The rest of the recipients are all female, so I can do a little mass-production for the remainder of the gifts. I decided to start with papers I have the least amount of to use them up. I had just enough of the blue/brown SU papers and felt flowers to make two, but not enough felt flowers. I have a bit more of the green/sage stripe paper, but this one will also be one-of-a-kind. I have a little SU Raspberry Tart...I think I can eke out 6 calendars from it. I'll keep you posted on my progress :) Actually the 12 days of Christmas does not end until January 5th, so if I don't finish before winter break, I will give these to the teachers when school resumes in January.

To put you in the Christmas spirit, listen to John Denver & the Muppets sing their version of the 12 Days of Christmas. Miss Piggy really gets into it ~3:00-3:03! Just fast forward to that point if you are in a hurry :)

Hey, Cupcake!

I hope you can see the shimmer in the pearlized swirl paper and the glittery K&Co. 3D sticker.
The papers are all from K&Co. 8.5x8.5 Birthday Scrapbook kit, except for the pearlized paper, DCWV base card and the Martha border punch. The yummy ribbon is a scrap from blog friend Leslie :)

Thank you, my friends, for wondering where I am and if I am okay. I had a nasty stomach virus last week and I've had some dental work done this week. I'm not sure if it is the pain or the Novocaine or both that makes me grumpy and irritable. I have been absent from blogging and crafting completely. I finally made this card today because I am out of birthday cards. I was inspired by Julee's Mojo Monday sketch, but I could not work in the other circles or the bow. I hope some mojo comes my way!

Let's Hear it for the Boy!

Last week my mom asked me if I wanted her scraps of BasicGrey Hang 10 collection. I traded her with a collection of equally old K&Co. papers and coordinating 3D stickers, acetate, and chipboard pieces. Last month my BF, Kaye, gave me the MFT stamp set Let's Hear it for the Boy for my birthday. I like these BG Hang 10 papers because they are great for masculine or autumn cards. I used my MFT set! First I colored with copic markers, but no matter how much I layered colors, I could not coordinate with the BG paper. I ended up paper piecing over my coloring for his jacket, chair, and area rug. It also bothers me that there is no distinction between the wall and the floor. I'll work on that the next time I use this set, but I am happy to hear your suggestions :)

I added some SU chocolate chip felt ribbon and dimensionals. Done is good enough today.
Here is our Thanksgiving meal. We had planned to go to see my parents and grandparents for a wonderful Thanksgiving feast, but Wednesday night our dd, Julia, was sick all night. My cute little bug could not even keep down water. Wegmans grocery store to the rescue! I drove over to Wegmans and purchased mashed potatoes, herb stuffing, cranberry relish (quite good; like my own recipe!), honey brine roasted turkey breast and apple pie. We still enjoyed a very nice Thanksgiving, even though we were not able to see my parents and grandparents. We will see them next weekend :)

I hope you all have had a wonderful weekend!

Be Inspired # 59 - Add Glitter or Bling Challenge

Cuttlebug Challenge blog is giving away four, (yes, 4) Oh My Crafts! Christmas embossing folders this week. Want a chance to win? Link your sparkly card here...and you have TWO weeks to do so! I love the look of embossing, and I especially love Core'dinations card stock when it is embossed. The white wash collection reminds me of shining snow. I used the Candy Cane embossing folder and lightly sanded. I punched 6 squares @ 1 1/4" of white wash and 6 squares of BasicGrey Eskimo Kisses (I really only needed 5, since my image covers one up; oh well!) I also used SU pink pirouette and old olive card stock, copic markers, BasicGrey buttons, Nesties, and ribbon from my stash. I purchased that adorable snowman (Inkadinkado) at JoAnn online.

Thank you, Grandma!

When I purchased my 6x6 pad of BasicGrey Nook & Pantry, I knew I wanted to use it to make cards for my grandmothers. Last Friday two twin size quilts arrived in the mail for Julia and Kathryn. My grandma has made each of her grandchildren (12 total) a quilt when we each married and then a baby quilt for each of her great-grandchildren (10), then a quilt for each great-grandchild. Here are J&Ks second quilts! I still have my twin size quilt her mother made for me ("Mamaw") out of squares from old draperies and clothing. It is one of my most prized possessions.

I needed to make a thank you note for Grandma, and out came the BG paper :) I am still battling this cold or whatever, so I needed some serious mojo. I found it here at dougnat diaries.

I'll be back tomorrow with a new card for Cuttlebug Challenges!

Festival of Lights - Spotlight on Shimmerz

Here is a sneak peak at my Christmas Memories mini book I made for the Festival of Lights blog hop celebration at Cuttlebug Challenge blog. I used Core'dinations card stock and Shimmerz paints. I am lovin' the Shimmerz! I have tried other similar products over the years, but the sparkle from Shimmerz is exquisite. See the entire tutorial here, but leave a comment here too :)

Festival of Lights - Gifts From the Kitchen

My tutorial for today is to continue our Festival of Lights celebration at Cuttlebug Challenge blog and to spotlight Core'dinations papers. Fun for me! I am quickly becoming a Core'dinations addict; it works perfectly with Cuttlebug embossing folders like chocolate and peanut butter...yummy results. For a couple of more pictures and a detailed supply list, click here. I used Core'dinations papers, punches, and dies to create the caroling reindeer and the two Vixens. I used my new Candy Cane Cuttlebug embossing folder to create the caroler's song book.

Notice that I carried the Festival of Lights theme into these projects by adding tiny light bulb ribbon to the top of the tin canister and the jar...aren't I clever? I found the paint can tin on clearance at JoAnn. I wrapped with paper I found at Michael's in the open stock section of 12x12 (the manufacturer is Carol Wilson Fine Arts, Inc.) I love that it had purples, browns, reds and greens. The paint can holds tea biscuits, the tin has mint tea, and the jar is a chocolate chip bar recipe I found online.

For more details, you can find my tutorial here. Later in the day, my DT sisters, Amber and Ellen, will be posting their gifts from the kitchen using Core'dinations. Don't forget to leave comments on all links to increase your chances of winning the $30 gift card to Peachy Keen stamps!

Be Inspired #58- Festival of Lights Premier

Our Cuttlebug Challenge this week is to create something with lights. My favorite part of the holidays are the lights: hanging from eaves, candles lit in windows, or bushes and trees strung with lights. I also like lighting candles in my home all year long; occasionally at dinner or when I have a chance to soak in the bath tub...I light candles and turn out the lights. The lantern I made for today's post will be displayed in my craft room. My lantern has a wood base and a small light bulb in the center. First I stamped a dragonfly and floral image in various inks on mulberry paper. Then I covered 4 chipboard frames with the stamped mulberry paper. I used my crop-a-dile and jump rings to join the four sides.

Come back tomorrow for my tutorial on Gifts From the Kitchen. I have a few quick and easy gifts to showcase tomorrow :)

Welcome to our first ever Festival of Lights from the fabulous team at the Cuttlebug Challenge Blog!

The party kicked off over on the Cuttlebug Challenge Blog with a map of the participating Design Team , if you get lost on the way no worries, just check the DT off the map.

In addition to the fabulous projects, we have decided to make this party the most fun ever, by hiding 2 treasures along the hop!

Two selected Designers will draw a random winner from the comments left on her blog in the hop, but it wouldn’t be a treasure hunt if you knew which blog is hiding the treasure, right?

The winner will receive a $30 gift certificate to Peachy Keen Stamps!

You will also get a free year subscription to Technique Junkie Sponsored by Pat Huntoon.

So as you hop, make sure you leave comments on every post so you have a chance to win, and add the Cuttlebug blinkie to your blog!! (Click here to download a list of all 16 DT.
P.S. the more comments you leave the better chances you have at winning Leave me comment before you hop away :)

Festival of Lights- Don't miss this!

This is going to be a very exciting 5 day celebration. You don't want to miss one single day of the Festival of Lights Celebration over at Cuttlebug Challenge.

Tomorrow, beginning at 7am east coast time, we will begin our own Festival of Lights and bring 16 wonderful ideas for celebrating with lights. You start with this map, and take a walk in the park, among the twinkling, lighted trees, and see all of the amazing and wonderful things. Leave comments all along the way, and you could win awesome prizes! You don't have to go in any particular order, just download your map, so you can circle the places that you've been, and you have until Sunday night to get everywhere. Please include our Festival of Lights blinkie (top of my right-hand side bar) and leave a comment over at Cuttlebug Challenge blog and on all 16 DT member posts to be eligible for a $30 gift certificate to Peachy Keen stamps.

Please come back tomorrow morning to see my bright idea :) For today, please go over to Cuttlebug Challenge blog for Betty's video tutorials on using copic markers (Cuttlebug University - Copic Intermediate Classes 7am, noon and 6pm today.) There are some great prizes over there...free digital images for five winners, and one winner will receive a set of 12 Sketch Copics from Hallmark Scrapbooks. WAHOO!!!!

Cuttlebug Challenge Christmas Planner Tutorial

I created this envelope book for Cuttlebug Challenge blog. You can see all the inside pages here.

Supplies:
4 envelopes @ 7 3/16" x 5 1/16"
BasicGrey Blitzen papers cut 6 @ 7" x 4 7/8"
Inserts (inside envelopes): 4 @ 4 1/2" x 6 7/8"
4 tabs glued to insert pages (I used a Stampin' Up! punch)
2 (or 3) binder rings
scraps of ribbon
decorate as desired (I used a QuicKutz font for "2009", a CTMH sticker, some wire, and an A Muse sentiment stamp)

Step 1: Glue the envelope flaps inside each envelope to create a pocket.
Step 2: Be careful to apply adhesive to the outside of the envelope and not to the original envelope flap (your "pockets" would be sealed shut!)
Step 3: Decorate all pages/insert pages.
Step 4: Computer generate calendars and check lists.
Step 5: Document your holiday fun!

I'd love to hear YOUR ideas for a holiday planner.

Be Inspired #57 - Sketch Challenge

Cuttlebug Challenges has a sketch challenge this week by the oh-so-fab Cindy Royal. Cuttlebug Challenges is also teaming up this week with:


The prize this week is 3 Provo Craft folders! We encourage you to donate your cards to this great cause. Click here for information on where to send your card(s).

I used the Cuttlebug Tiny Bubbles embossing folder on Core'dinations card stock. I also used BasicGrey Indian Summer papers, Nesties, SU punch (sentiment: Never trust anyone without cat hair on their clothes), and May Arts ribbon. My image (by Magenta) is colored with copics. Did you see the most recent tutorial on coloring with copics? Cindy Royal has Copics and Digital Images, the Basics Part III posted here. Did I mention that she's fab?!

This one's for you, Vicky Yager :)

My seet friend, Vic, brought this SU stamp to me and asked me to come up with some card ideas. This is a large stamp! I stamped and embossed on CTMH pink card stock, then fussy cut it out and added an SEI button and some DMC floss. The background paper (Making Memories) is from LFL (lovely friend Lauren). The brads and base card are DCWV. The sentiment,ink and ovals are all SU!

I'm going out-of-town for the weekend. "See" you Tuesday (I hope)!

Spa Sophie /Riley Moose: Give Me the Simple Life

I am so happy with how my shading came out! I started with my darkest copic, then shaded with a medium shade, then a lighter shade. I made an identical card shading light to dark. It turned out well, but more solid looking. I think it is a personal preference. The fabulous sketch is by my idol, Julee: Mojo Monday sketch #111.

Are you interested in winning a set of 12 copic markers? Hallmark Scrapbook has generously donated the set of copics to Cuttlebug Challenge blog. Leave a comment on all 4 copic tutorials for a chance to win.
Class 1: Copics and digital images
Class 2: Copics and digital images, the basics, part 2
Class 3: coming soon!

Be Inspired # 56 - Teresa Collins

This week's challenge at Cuttlebug Challenge blog is sponsored by Teresa Collins! My, sweet friend, Tracy, has been a Teresa Collins fan for years. Now I am too. Teresa's kits are so easy to follow. Her paper choices and embellishments are wonderful. This kit is an envelope book; all the panels you see (two quotes and journaling rectangles) are glued as flaps on the envelopes. What a perfect way to store extra pictures, tags, or inspirational bits. Some of the pages are half pages...love that!
On my cover I embossed Core'dinations black magic card stock with Cuttlebug's Fleur de Lis embossing folder. Then I fussy cut around the pattern and glued it on the base of the envelope. I made my kit into a gratitude journal.
I am grateful for so many things. As we are approaching Thanksgiving, which is my favorite holiday, I reflect on happy childhood memories. I always spend Thanksgiving with my grandma and grandpa and the menu is always the same: carrots, celery (some stuffed with Spanish olives and cream cheese), black olives, mixed nuts (in little nut cups at each place setting), turkey (cooked all day), dressing, cranberry sauce, sauerkraut seasoned with pork, and pumpkin pie. Yumm-o.
What are you grateful for? Why not create a Thanksgiving/gratitude project of your choosing for this week's challenge at Cuttlebug Challenge blog? I hope to see your creation linked there...a Teresa Collins kit is the prize!

I've been published! & Cuttlebug University is now open

I've been published in ScrapStreet.com magazine! Click here, bottom of page 30. The Cuttlebug design team members were asked to submit 2-3 layouts using Cuttlebug products and Core'dinations card stock. My Eggciting Easter layout (pictured above) was not chosen, but my Golden Dreams layout is online. To see all the creations published by both me and my Cuttlebug sisters, click here. **Hey, Steph, can I get a what,what?**

Speaking of Cuttlebug Challenge blog, Cuttlebug Challenge University is Open!

What is Cuttlebug Challenge University?

Cuttlebug Challenge University is a set of in-depth, unique, step-by-step classes. In each class you will learn easy to follow techniques. Once you complete your 4 classes for the month of November and have linked your projects, you will receive a Graduation Certificate from Cuttlebug Challenge University.

Click on over to Cuttlebug Challenge blog and check out the first class - coloring with copics!
Then I received this lovely award from the sweet Christi of Blessings on Paper. This is how it works:
1. You can only use ONE word.
2. Pass this along to five of your favorite bloggers.
3. Alert them that you have given them this award.
4. Have FUN!!!

Here are the questions with my responses:

1. Where is your cell phone? purse
2. Your hair? shoulders
3. Your mother? pollyanna
4. Your father? wise
5. Your favorite food? Indian
6. Your dream last night? delightful
7. Your favorite drink? coke
8. Your dream/goal? heaven
9. What room are you in? craft
10. Your hobby? papercrafting
11. Your fear? murder
12. Where do you want to be in six years? craftroom
13. Where were you last night? tap
14. Something that you're not? tall
15. Muffins? zucchini
16. Wish list item? BasicGrey
17. Where did you grow up? Maryland
18. Last thing you did? dishes
19. What are you wearing? jeans
20. Your t.v.? off
21. Your pets? cat
22. Friends? generous
23: Your life? blessed
24. Your mood? content
25. Missing someone? dh
26. Vehicle? SUV
27. Something you're not wearing? makeup
28. Your favorite store? Stamper's Alley (oops, that's two words)
29. Your favorite color? red
30. Last time you laughed? today
31. Last time you cried? Oct. 27
32. Your best friend? Kaye
33. One place you go over and over again? Stamper's Alley
34. One who emails you regularly? girlfriends
35. Favorite place to eat? Minerva
36. Facebook? rarely

Here are my 5 people:
Lauren, Kay, Steph, Silke, and Chrissie

Some bunny is thinking warm thoughts of you

My Favorite Things (MFT stamps) has a challenge to use white as the primary color. I used Snow Bunny Flopsey and colored with my copic markers RV10, E09, R59, E29 and E33. I practiced shading him; I had lots of fun. My papers are BasicGrey Eskimo Kisses and Bazzill card stock. I embossed with Cuttlebug embossing folders Harlequin and Swiss Dots. The buttons are Making Memories and I used dimensionals to pop up the Flopsey panel.

My wise friend

I enjoyed coloring with my copics on kraft card stock the other day, so I decided to give it another go :) This time my inspiration came from BasicGrey Challenges blog. The challenge this fortnight is a photo inspiration. I loved the autumn red and dark brown in the sofa; it reminded my of Basic Grey Indian Summer papers.

Happy November!

Monsta card

***Library card reads:
Author: EARTHLING - USA - VA
Title: THANK YOU
Due Date: 10/09
Borrower's Name: HETEROCHROMIA OF PLANET BLUEDOP FROM A GALAXY REALLY FAR AWAY

I made this card for LFL (lovely friend Lauren) for sending me some lovely gifts for my birthday. Lauren is the master of fun fabulous cards and some of her expertise is in making monsta cards. She sent me monsta post-it notes, so you know I had to use one on her thank you card! I was trying to channel Lauren's fun fabulous style for my thank you card. What do you think...is it Lauren-worthy?

merry {christmas}

I am ready to pull out my Christmas music cds. I always start with Elvis. DH asks me to wait to play my Christmas music until November 1st. He knows I would play it all year long! He does let me play Michael Crawford's O Holy Night all year long. So Halloween is tomorrow, but I have done the bulk of my online Christmas shopping. Yep, some of my family members will be getting their gifts in the mail in just a few days :) They might as well start enjoying their presents now...Thanksgiving is practically here!

My card was inspired by the current color challenge at BasicGrey challenges. The colors are perfect to open up my new 6x6 BasicGrey Eskimo Kisses paper pad. I was also inspired by Laurie Schmidlin; she recently posted that she loves the looks of copics on kraft card stock. I just had to try it too.

Supplies: BasicGrey Eskimo Kisses, stamps by Magenta and A Muse; Bazzill green card stock; SU! punches, dimensionals, white gel pen and kraft cardstock; and Memento ink.

Halloween Gifts for Teachers: eat, drink & be scary

I drank a lot of mocha frappuccinos this summer in preparation for this year's teacher Halloween gifts. I am sure these were partially to blame for the weight I gained between July and October, but we all need to make sacrifices, right?

I did not account for the amount of M&Ms it would take to fill 15 of these (I've already given a few of these out...the ones in the picture will be delivered today.) Each bottle got about 4oz, then I added lollipops and jawbreakers from our Halloween candy stash. Yep, this year I did not buy the good stuff...no Reese's peanut butter cups, KitKats, Almond Joys....no temptations for me. Sorry, neighbor kids, it is Smarties, jawbreakers, and lollipops for you!

The lid toppers read, "You light up the place with that smile on your face."

Have a spooktacular day!

Be Inspired #55 - My Favorite Things

Some of my favorite things are chocolate, papers, and stamps. Could there be a more delightful stamp set than Flopsey Chocolate Bunny by My Favorite Things stamps (MFT)? This week at Cuttlebug Challenges four lucky winners will receive a MFT stamp set. Create a card using any of your favorite things (ribbon, buttons, brads, stamps, Cuttlebug embossing folder, etc.) and link it to this post at Cuttlebug Challenge blog.

Supplies: Core'dinations card stock and Cuttlebug embossing folder Herringbone for the carpet; Fiskars border punch; Nesties Labels 1; Memory Box Twilight papers; Copic markers; Bazzill brads; SU dimensionals; paper piercer.

Tell Santa that you need...

...the new release of Provo Craft Cuttlebug embossing folders. They are GORGEOUS. I can't decide which is my favorite, so I guess I will have to ask Santa for all of them! Want to see what they look like? Click here. The Home Shopping Network (HSN) has these bundled for a fabulous price: click here to start shopping!

My internet was not working Sunday and has been intermittent. Perhaps it has the H1N1 :) I have not had time to create since last week, but I do have a new Cuttlebug Challenge Be Inspired post planned for tomorrow. See you then!

Thank you, Daring Cardmakers!

The current challenge at Daring Cardmakers is "I can see clearly now..."
This inspired me to use a clear acrylic slide I purchased in August that coordinate with SU! punches. All stamps, stickers, ink and papers are from a SU! The ribbon is from my stash. I also used my Nesties Labels 1 and Shapeabilities Pendant.

BOO to you!

My card was inspired by this sketch at Crazy 4 Challenges, these K&Co. Halloween papers sent to me by my bf Kaye for my birthday, and my friend (Amy Sheffer) who used googly eyes like this on a card she made last year. I used Nesties for the circles, a Cuttlebug embossing folder Distressed Stripes, and Me & My Big Ideas alphabet stickers.

Be Inspired # 54 - Create something beautiful for Fall

Every leaf speaks bliss to me fluttering from the autumn tree. - Emily Bronte

Our current challenge at Cuttlebug Challenge blog is to create something beautiful for fall. It can be a lovely autumn theme or a fun and glittery Halloween theme. Just remember to use a Cuttlebug product :) I used my Distressed Stripes embossing folder on Core'dinations card stock. There is one catch: you must scraplift from one of the Cuttlebug Challenge blog's designers. Of course it doesn't have to be the same, just be inspired by one of us! (You will receive extra credit if you pick me. Just kidding!)

This card is really pretty in real life (she said modestly). Have you ever noticed that certain designer papers do not photograph well? Maybe it is just my amateur photography skills. The paper I used is Deja Views: The Sharon Ann Collection from Michaels. I love this paper. It is just as pretty as the beautiful sentiment stamp (Serendipity Stamps). The shiny ribbon is from my stash, the red card stock is Bazzill, and the popped-up leaf is K&Co.

Happy Wednesday! Now go make a card and enter it in this week's Cuttlebug Challenge :)

Take A Bow, Part III

Here is entry #3; my final entry for the Caardvarks' "Take A Bow" challenge. I really really really want to win those spools of yummy May Arts ribbon! No doubt I am up against some tough competition. Did I use my ribbon in a 'wonderful' way? What is wonderful is that I used all ribbon scraps from a large ziploc bag o' ribbon scraps sent from my blog friend, Leslie. Thanks, L! I delight in using up scraps :)

Supplies: All card stock, designer paper, and dimensionals (double high) are by SU! I also used a border punch (EK Success), Rhinestones (half-back pearls from Michaels), and two clear dew drops colored with my black copic marker. The sentiment stamp (PSX) is stamped in Ancient Page Coal ink.

I hope you are enjoying a wonderful weekend!

Take a Bow # 2

This is my second entry for the current challenge at Caardvarks. I think the ribbon treatment is more 'wonderful' than my previous post. There is still one more day and I have another idea tickling my brain. I hope I can find the time :)

The butterfly is a Spellbinders' die. I used the Cuttlebug Spots & Dots embossing folder. The sentiment and chocolate chip card stock & ink are by SU! The textured orange card stock is Bazzill. The ribbon and rhinestones (pearls) are from Michaels.

Happy Friday, my friends!

Take A Bow Challenge

Caardvarks' current challenge has May Arts as the sponsor; my favorite ribbon manufacturer. The prize is several rolls of their delicious ribbon if you use ribbon in a wonderful way. I don't know if my ribbon usage could be described as 'wonderful', but I'll enter anyway. Perhaps I will find time this weekend to be a little more creative with some ribbon...it has me thinking about using ribbon I never use...can I make a card using it in a wonderful way? Hopefully I can come up with something. Aren't challenge blogs terrific for helping you: #1 Use your stash and #2 Help you think outside your normal patterns?

For my card I used DCWV double-sided paper, layered on SU! chocolate chip. The base card is DCWV. I don't know who made this ribbon; it came in a kit. I used the SU! top note die, tag punches, stamp, markers, and dimensionals. The mini brad is by American Crafts.

This week has been unexpectedly busy, and as a result I have been a bad blogger. I did some fly by visits to all of my blog friends this morning, but left minimal comments. My sincere apologies! I was a little relieved to see that many of you have been busy this week too and did not post much either. Sending out a cyber hug to all of you still reading this post :)

MFT is Totally Witchin'

MFT is having a challenge: Think lift, flip and spin! I went with flip :)

I made this flip card with purple Bazzill card stock and Making Memories papers. I stamped with Memento ink and colored with my copics.

I have received several emails regarding copic markers. I am a beginner, but I recommend buying the Basic set of markers. It will save you money over buying them individually. The larger sets have more shades of each color, but I need more practice before I worry too much about shading! I also prefer the fine tip on the original markers over the ciao or sketch. This is just my amateur opinion :)

Mojo Monday 107

Julee is up to sketch #107! Yesterday (10-7) was my birthday. Coincidence? I had a fabulous birthday: dh & I had a coffee date at Greenberry's Coffee & Tea, I stamped all morning with one of my favorite stamping buddies & we went to lunch, I made all of the cards in this post, then I had a dinner date with dh & our girls :) I love Julee's sketches, and this one really inspired me. I pulled out my Colorbok Friendly Forest papers and 3D glitter chipboard embellishments. The "dots" I added are shiny black fabric paint.















For the "cute" deer card, I had actually pulled the original deer off and used on this card. I used my new SU! Friendly Forest deer stamp (chocolate chip ink), cut it out, and popped it up on dimensionals.




Then I decided to finish off the package of Colorbok chipboard 3D stickers...