Halloween Night

I'm having fun with my Bugaboo digital stamps and today it's all about Halloween night.  It's the spooky time of year when all the fences seem to be rickety and broken ... and huge cobwebs appear out of nowhere.  So much fun :)

I paper pieced this fun design and added lots of sponging to make it appear even more distressed and spooky.  I used the same technique and colors to sponge this "Halloween night" sky as I did for an earlier card called "Boo to You" (Sept. 3).  Hope you like.

"Halloween Night"

Stamps:  Rickety Fence (Bugaboo Digi Stamps); sentiment is computer generated
Paper:  Whisper White, Soft Suede, Pumpkin Pie, Garden Green (SU!)
Ink:  Basic Gray, Sahara Sand, Soft Suede, Pumpkin Pie, Tangerine Tango, Garden Green (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  sponges, glue, hand-made cloud template

I made my own cloud template using a scrap piece of cardstock with randomly shaped and sizes of scallops.  I sponged Basic Gray ink along the scalloped template, starting at the top of the page and changing the angles of the template as I worked my way down the page.  I sponged in the blank spots with Sahara Sand ink and then went over the whole page again with Basic Gray to blend.

I printed the digital stamp onto my sponged background and also onto the different colored cardstocks.  I cut out the fence posts and pumpkin, sponged more ink along the edges, and glued them to my cardfront (paper piecing).

Harvest Bunny

I do love going in challenges ... and this week's Hambo Hoedown Challenge (It's Harvest Time!) includes an adorable bunny with pumpkins image called "Harvest Bunny" which I got for free for participating in last week's challenge at Hambo.  It's a sketch challenge this time ... here it is ...

I took quite a lot of liberties with this sketch and hope that it still qualifies!  First I flipped the sketch to the horizontal.  I used the picket fence die as the strip in the middle (shown in blue in the sketch above).  I used leafy branch dies to created the oval shape for the main panel ... and moved the sentiment so that it's hanging off the picket fence.

I printed the image onto watercolor paper and used the marker layering technique (same as yesterday's card) to color the bunny and pumpkins.  The rest of the card is designer paper (DP) and dies.  I had a lot of fun creating this pumpkin patch scene ... hope you like!

"Harvest Bunny"

Stamps:  Harvest Bunny (Hambo digital stamps)
Paper:  Watercolor; Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Garden Green, Certainly Celery polka-dot DP (SU!); sky with clouds (unknown)
Ink:  Pumpkin Pie, Basic Gray, Pink Pirouette and Soft Suede (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  blender pen, Leafy Branch dies (C.C. Designs), Picket Fence die (Memory Box), hole punch, hemp twine, glue, adhesives and dimensionals

Autumn Joy

It's another beautiful day here on the Westcoast.  The sun is shining, it's cool and breezy ... the perfect Autumn Day!  So in honor of the weather, I made a card that reflects what I'm seeing outside today ... and I used the colors from the Color Throwdown Challenge (CTD211) - Summer Starfruit, Crumb Cake, Pumpkin Pie and Sahara Sand.

I watercolored this beautiful image from Clear Dollar Stamps using the marker layering technique (ink, markers and blender pen).  I had fun playing with my markers ... hope you like.

"Autumn Joy"

Stamps:  Autumn Joy (Digital stamp from Clear Dollar Stamps)
Paper:  Watercolor (Arches)
Ink:  Sahara Sand, Crumb Cake, Summer Starfruit, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  blender pen, Soft Suede Taffeta Ribbon, and sticky strips

Birthday Violets ... and hello sunshine!

I have two cards to share with you today ...

The first card is for the latest challenge from Addicted to Stamps (Bingo #3).  This is a fun challenge where you get to pick from a variety of options using the Bingo card below.  Come and join in ... it's lots of fun!

Here's how to play:

Your entry must follow the Bingo card provided.  Choose a line - vertical, horizontal or diagonal.  When there is a free box in the line, try not to use any of the other elements already provided on the bingo card (just the two elements in your line and any others that aren't listed).  Use your imagination!

I used the elements from the vertical line on the right-hand side to make my card ... hope you like!

"Birthday Violets"

Stamps:  Sincere Salutations (SU!)
Paper:  White (Neenah); Elegant Eggplant, Wild Wasabi (SU!)
Ink:  Elegant Eggplant (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Hydrangea punch (Martha Stewart), 2-step bird punch (leaves), white half pearls, paper piercing tool, mat, stylus, sponge, fine black marker, Stamp-a-ma-jig, glue, adhesives, and dimensionals

After punching the hydrangea blooms from Elegant Eggplant cardstock, I sponged the edges with more of the same color of ink and then used a fine, black sharpie to add shade lines to the centers of the flowers before shaping them and adding a pearl to the center (hard to see the shading in the photo, but it adds more detail to the flowers).

I mounted the main panel onto two more white panels the same size, to make it thicker and stand out more.

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The next card is for today's SCS CAS Challenge (CAS189 - sketch by Smoatsmom).  Love this sketch and used my summery paper from Bo Bunny to create a fun card.  Hope you like.

"Hello Sunshine"

Stamps:  Hello Sunshine (Paper Smooches)
Paper:  White (Neenah); Hello Sunshine DP (Bo Bunny); Daffodil Delight polka-dot DP (SU!)
Ink:  Tempting Turquoise (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Medium Sun Punch (Punch Bunch); Puffy Cloud dies (Memory Box), Lemondrop Twine (The Twinery), sponge, adhesives, glue, and dimensionals

Hey Punkin!

Today's CAS card is for two challenges ... Clearly Inspired Challenge at Clearly iStamp (CIC#60 - Fall into Fall) ...

... and CAS-ual Fridays (CFC71 - Fall Fun).  I used the new adorable digi stamp by Lisa Lara, called Punkins.  So sweet and so fun to work with.  I paper pieced the two "punkins", adding shading by sponging around each piece.  Peapod Twine and a Pumpkin Pie button finish off this fun Fall card.  Hope you like.

"Hey Punkin!"

Stamps:  Punkin digi (Lisa's doodley doos - Clear Dollar Stamps)
Paper:  White (Neenah); Pumpkin Pie polka-dot DP, Garden Green cardstock (SU!)
Ink:  Tangerine Tango, Garden Green (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  sponges, glue, Peapod twine (The Twinery), Pumpkin Pie button, and glue dots

Fun and easy card using the paper piecing technique.  I added more depth to the paper piecing by first layering a complete image in Garden Green cardstock on to the card front.  I then layered the sponged Pumpkin Pie polkda-dot DP pieces on top.

Snowy Mittens ... and Bird Balloon

Two cards to share with you today.  I'm playing catch-up on several challenges and my first card qualifies for four, count 'em ... FOUR challenges!! :)

I started with the colors in SCS Color Challenge this week (CC393 - Lucky Limeade, Primrose Petals, Pink Pirouette) ... and the dessert was to make it a Christmas card.  I thought these colors would make cute mittens, so started there.  It actually took me longer to figure out how to mount them ... I'm really pleased with the frame and snowflake embossed background - which qualifies this card for Simon Says Challenge - Emboss it! ... and Jingle Belles Challenge - Dashing through the snow.  And finally, this is for today's Less is More Challenge (LIM#86 - Take 3 - use three previous challenges).  The previous LIM challenges are:  #45 - Let it Snow; #55 - Punches or Dies; #77 - Sewing).  Whew!!  Here's the card ...

"Snowy Mittens"

Stamps:  Season of Friendship (snowflake on mittens) (SU!); Snowman Sayings (Amy R)
Paper:  White (Neenah); Primrose Petals cardstock (SU!)
Ink:  Kiwi Kiss - retired, Whisper White (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Mittens die-cut (Sizzix), Snowflakes embossing folder (Cuttlebug), Rectangle nestie (Spellbinders), Honeydew and Blossom twines (The Twinery), white gel pen, glue, sticky strips, and dimensionals

I die-cut four of each mitten (one in Primrose Petals cardstock and three in white).  I layered two white and the Primrose Petal layers on top using glue.  With the remaining white mitten, I cut off just the cuff.  I added glue to the front and back of the cuff and wound twine around until it was completely covered.  I glued the cuff on top of the mitten.  This makes thick, mitten die-cuts that stand out nicely against the embossed background.

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The second card is for this week's Hambo Hoedown Challenge 83 (Zig one Way, Zag the Other - Chevrons!).  I just love this bird ... he's the cutest image and makes me smile! :)

I got this digi free from Hambo for entering their challenge last week ... that's right, if you enter the challenge, you receive a free digi to use for the next challenge - so fun!!  Click on the link above to check out this great challenge site!

I also added a googley eye ... so this card qualifies for SCS's Free for All Challenge (F4A135 - The eyes have it!). 

"Looking Up"

Stamps:  Bird Balloon (Hambo digi stamp)
Paper:  White (Neenah); Citron DP (My Mind's Eye)
Ink:  Copics:  YR07, R17
Accessories & Tools:  Crystal Effects, googley eye, glue

I added Crystal Effects to the balloon to make it shiny and then paper pieced it onto my card front.  Quick and easy CAS card!

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Finally, I've had some happy news over the past week.  My Piles of Fun card received an Honorable Mention on the Addicted to Stamps challenge blog.

And my Delicate Branches won as Headliner on the Paper Players challenge blog ... and also was in the SHOWcase at the Less is More challenge blog.  Woo Hoo!!  Great challenges ... click on the links to see these fabulous challenge blogs and join in!!

And, last, but not least, my name was picked and I won $25 shopping at Clear Dollar Stamps for participating in their September Blog Hop ... just loved all the wonderful creations from the Design Team - it was fun!!  Thank you to CDS ... I'll be shopping soon! :)



Broadway Bound Blog Hop for Hambo Stamps

Welcome to "Broadway Bound!" sponsored by Hambo Stamps! Today Hambo customers and the Bacon Bits Design Team are bringing you fun creations that depict Broadway show titles! It might be our favourite, or just one that was fun to design.

If you arrived here from Paula's blog you are in the right place! If not, you might want to start back at the beginning at the Hambo blog to make sure you are eligible for the hopper prize!

A prize will be awarded to one participant whose Broadway-themed creation tickles the Bacon Bits’ fancy in a hammin’ jammin’ way!  Another prize will be awarded randomly to a hopper who comments on all of the blogs along the way. The winners will be announced on the Hambo company blog, Talk to the Ham, on Tuesday, September 25. We love comments anytime, but the deadline for prize entry comments is Sunday, September 23 at 5 PM CST. Don't miss it!

Here's my card ... and a tribute to the Broadway Musical ...

"Old Man and the Sea"

I used the adorable digital stamp from Hambo, know simply as "boat".  I added some die-cut waves (one in-behind the boat and two in front), and then paper pieced the boat, sails and sailor, adding lots of color with my markers and sponges.  I know ... his hair should have been gray (since he's the Old Man part of the play) ... instead, I made him a bleached blonde.  :)  Hope you like.


Now dance on over to Judy's blog for another great Broadway show!

Autumn Sunset

Where has this week gone??!!  It's been a busy week, so not as much time in the studio as usual.   It's already Thursday and there's lots of challenges that I haven't had a chance to enter.  But, I did manage to find a little time this morning and made a one-layer card for this week's OLW Challenge (#106 - Sponging).  This week's challenge is hosted by the very talented Heather Telford ... I love her cards and have spent many a happy hour gazing through her gallery.

For today's card, I sponged a sunset using the colors of Autumn.  I cut out a mask from the Nestabilities Labels Two, sponged on four colors of ink, removed the mask, and added a simple branch and sentiment.  Fun and easy card to make ... except for the fact that when I was finished, I smudged some dark brown ink on the front of the card .... acckkkk!!  I need to remember to wash my hands as soon as I'm finished sponging!!  Lesson learned (you'd think!) ... but I did it again with my second version.  There's a tiny smudge on the right hand side and I've decided I can live with it. :)  Hope you like.

"Autumn Sunset"

Stamps:  Delicate Branches (Inkadinkado); Season of friendship (SU!)
Paper:  White
Ink:  Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Cajun Craze, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Sponges, Labels Two Nestability (Spellbinders), Stamp-a-ma-jig

Autumn Oak Leaves

Today's card is for the  SCS Sketch Challenge (SC403).  I'm enjoying making cards with the beautiful colors of Autumn.  I used the Watercolor Spritz technique and the 2-part stamp set "Gently Falling" from Stampin' Up!  I love this set ... and it works so well with this technique.  All products used for this card are from SU!  Hope you like.

Here's the sketch:

And here's my take on it ... (I flipped the sketch).

"Autumn Oak Leaves"

Stamps:  Gently Falling, Whimsical Words (SU!)

Paper:  White, Watercolor paper, Autumn Traditions DP (SU!)

Ink:  Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Pumpkin Pie, Tangerine Tango, Old Olive (SU!)

Accessories & Tools:  Water mister, Stamp-a-ma-jig, hemp twine, adhesives, glue, and dimensionals

Here's a close-up of the oak leaves:

For step-by-step instructions on how I made these leaves, check out a previous posting here.



Piles .... and Piles of Leaves

Two Autumn cards for you today.  The first is for Splitcoaststamper's CAS Challenge (CAS188) - inspirational photo from Pinterest.

Here's the photo for the CAS Inspiration Challenge:

I went literal with my first card for this challenge, using some of the colours, aspen leaf stamp and adding "raindrops" with Crystal Effects.  I love how the stamped and sponged leaves turned out with all the beautiful colours of fall.  Hope you like.

"Aspen Leaves"

Stamps:  Gently Falling (SU!); Punkins sentiment (Lisa's Doodley Doos - Clear Dollar Stamps)
Paper:  White, Very Vanilla (SU!)
Ink:  So Saffron, More Mustard, Kiwi Kiss, Old Olive, Sahara Sand, Soft Suede, Melon Mambo, Elegant Eggplant (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Stamp-a-ma-jig, sponges, Crystal Effects, adhesives, and dimensionals

The leaves are a two-part stamp (inside and outline).  I stamped the inside, used the Stamp-a-ma-jig for lining up the outline stamp and stamped on top.  I cut them out and then sponged more ink in the middle of the leaves and along the edges.  Crystal Effects were added to replicate the raindrops.

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The second card is a CAS Autumn scene for two challenges (CAS188 - as above) ... and Color Throwdown (CTD209) - chocolate chip, really rust, summer sun, cherry cobbler, and old olive.

"Autumn Wishes"

Stamps:  Punkins (Lisa's Doodley Doos - Clear Dollar Stamps)
Paper:  White, Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Really Rust, Daffodil Delight (SU!)
Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Really Rust, Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Sheltering Tree die-cut (MFT), Fence Border and Grass Border (C.C. Designs), sponges, glue, adhesives, and dimensionals

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One more quick note for family and friends ... my sweet MIL celebrated her 90th birthday yesterday!!!  Wow!  She had a wonderful time with friends and we sent her a bouquet of pretty flowers.  Today Gord took her out for lunch and spent the afternoon with her.  We will have a belated, family birthday dinner in the next few weeks. 

Hey There, Peggy

Today I made a card for Peggy McCurry (pegmac71 on SCS) ... Queen for the Day last week (QFTD129 Challenge).  I'm a little late to the party, but I so wanted to honour Peggy.  She has a gallery at SCS that is full of beautiful, fun and inspirational cards.  I chose this card of Peggy's to CASE (copy and share everything).  I love the look of the fun flowers on the kraft background and kept that the same.  I used a different stamp for the flowers, embossing in white and paper-piecing the flowers and leaves.  I added a bit of twine with a bow to finish it off.  Congrats, Peggy ... you are a well-deserving Queen and I hope that you enjoyed your special week!!

"Hey There, Peggy"

Stamps:  Flowers - no name on packaging (Ditto); Sentiment Sampler (Paper Smooches)
Paper:  Crumb Cake, Certainly Celery polka-dot DP (SU!); Indie Chic "Saffron" DP (My Minds Eye)
Ink:  Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  White embossing powder, heat tool, Honeydew Twine (the Twinery), glue, and adhesives

Panda Birthday ... and A Liebster Award

Today's card is for this week's Hambo Hoedown Challenge (Show us your gifts!) ... and features the sweetest panda all ready to PAR-TAY!

"Panda Birthday"

Stamps:  Panda Gift (Hambo Digital Stamps)
Paper:  White (Neenah); Hello Sunshine DP (Bo Bunny)
Ink:  Basic Black, Pink Pirouette (SU!)
Accesories & Tools:  Big Shot, Balloon die (C.C. Designs), Twines (Mandarin, Honeydew and Lemondrop - all from The Twinery), Crystal Effects, glue, glue dots, adhesives, and dimensionals

I used my Basic Black and Pink Pirouette Stampin' Write markers to color in the panda.  I printed off a second image and coloured in just his arms and paws and cut them out.  I mounted them on top of the paper pieced gift, gluing them flush at the top, and using a rolled glue dot on his paw.  I secured the twine from the balloons in-behind so it looks like he's holding on to the bouquet of balloons.  His hat is also paper pieced ... and the balloons are covered in Crystal Effects to make them shine.

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Shirley from shirley-bee's stamping stuff, nominated me for a Liebster award ... thanks so much Shirley!!

Here's the details of the award:

ABOUT THE AWARD

This award was designed to be a blog award in the pay it forward fashion. Once you've been nominated, you award it to blogs that you like that have fewer than 200 followers, to encourage new visitors to visit these new blogs.

RULES FOR ACCEPTANCE

Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to their blog. Post the award onto your blog. Give the award to five bloggers who you appreciate that have fewer than 200 followers. Leave a comment on their blog letting them know that you have given them this awesome award!

PAY IT FORWARD

Here are the five blogs that I'm nominating.  If you haven't visited these blogs before, go and have a look. Better still, follow them then you won't miss out.

Carole's Creative Critters
Made by Meadie
Snippets
Stamping with Klass
Stamping with Kokirose

Grateful

I'm getting better at combining challenges and today's card is for three:  Addicted to Stamps - Make Your Mark Challenge #3 (use markers) ... and ... OLW105 - Autumn ... and SCS Ways to Use it (WT392 - markers).  This is also my second one-layer card this week - yay!  This card is made with all SU! products.  Hope you like.

"Grateful"

Stamps:  Always Thankful (SU!)
Paper:  Whisper White (SU!)
Ink:  Rich Razzleberry; Stampin' Write markers:  Pumpkin Pie, Tangerine Tango, Wild Wasabi, Garden Green, Rich Razzleberry, Summer Starfruit, More Mustard, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Sahara Sand and Basic Gray (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Blender pen, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Rich Razzleberry 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, and adhesives

I used the marker layering technique to color the image (markers and blender pen).  Check out the tutorial on SCS on how to do this fun technique.

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My Mouse Painter card got picked as "Best in Show" for the Hambo Hoedown!!!  I'm so happy!! :)  And I got a new "badge of honor" to add to my blog. 

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Just a quick update on my mom for friends and family.  Mom has been staying with me for the past week after being released from the hospital.  In that time, she has made steady improvements and is now able to get around without the use of a walker and starting to do more for herself.  Noodle has been staying with Moe for the past two weeks and visiting mom most days since her release from hospital.  He will be coming to stay with us today and mom is really looking foward to having him with her full-time. 

Delicate Branches

Today's card is for three challenges:  Paper Players #112 (Colours from Lesley - Basic Gray, Baja Breeze, Basic Black) ... and Less is More #84 (One Layer - Foliage) ... and CAS-ology #10 - Sky.

I struggle with one layer cards.  I'm really not one to add lots of layers, but usally I have two or three and I love using die-cuts.  So this challenge is just that for me.  I went to Heather Telford's wonderful blog for inspiration.  To me, she is the expert at one layer cards ... her masking and sponging is second to none.  What's also amazing about Heather's work is her huge gallery of cards that are all so unique.  Hope you like my "ode to Heather" card for today using the soft, muted palette from the Paper Players challenge.

Please email me if you have any questions about how I made this card ... or check out Heather's tutorials on her blog.

"Delicate Branches"

Stamps:  Delicate Branches (Inkadinkado); Elements of Style sentiment (SU!)
Paper:  Whisper White (SU!)
Ink:  Basic Gray, Baja Breeze, Basic Black (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  sponges, post-it notes for masking, Stamp-a-ma-jig

Piles of Fun ... and Joy

I have two cards to share today.

The first one is for two challenges:  Clear Dollar Stamps (CIC59) - Leaves ... and Addicted to Stamps (Sketch Challenge #2).  Here's the sketch:

And here's my take on the sketch using the latest digi release from Clear Dollar Stamps - Piles of Fun by Lisa Lara (Lisa's Doodley Doos).  I love all of Lisa's digi stamps ... they are so fun to work with!  Even though there is a lot going on with the sketch above, I tried to simplify it to keep it CAS (clean and simple).  I used twine instead of another layer of designer paper, and having the white-on-white panels also maintains a clean feel to the card.  Hope you like.

"Piles of Fun"

Stamps:  Piles of Fun (Lisa's Doodley Doos - Clear Dollar Stamps)
Paper:  White (Neenah), Leaves DP (Piles of Fun Digi Stamps)
Ink:  Daffodil Delight (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Lilac and Pale Yellow Twine (The Twinery), sponge, adhesives, and dimensionals

The strip of leaves designer paper is part of the digital stamp set that I printed onto Whisper White cardstock - love it!

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The second card for today is for the SCS CAS Challenge (CAS187 - color blocking).  This is such a wonderful technique and there are lots of ways to interpret the color blocks (inked blocks, reverse masking, cardstock blocks).  I chose the latter and made blocks from two colors of green cardstock using my Postage Stamp Nestie (I do love this nestie!).  I also used my Bubble Alphabet die from C.C. Designs for the JOY.  Hope you like.

Edit:  I've also entered this card in the Jingle Belles Challenge - Going Postal.

"JOY"

Stamps:  Merry & Bright (Amy R Stamps)
Paper:  White (Neenah); Gumball Green, Certainly Celery, Cherry Cobbler (SU!)
Ink:  Real Red (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Postage Stamp Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Bubble Alphabet die (C.C. Designs), Stamp-a-ma-jig, glue, adhesives, and dimensionals

I glued three layers for each letter for the JOY, two white with a Cherry Cobbler layer on top.  I stamped the "to the world" in Real Red because I find when I ink a small stamp like this using the Stampin' Write Markers, the Real Red appears darker than normal and matches the Cherry Cobbler cardstock perfectly.

Pink Blossoms

Today's card is for two challenges:  Color Throwdown (CTD208 - melon mambo, whisper white, pink pirouette, garden green) ... and CAS-ual Friday (CFC69 - embossing).  I used my new embossing folder from SU! called Fancy Fan for the backdrop to the spray of pink blossoms.  I love this new folder ... so pretty and the embossing is very clean and deep.  Hope you like.

"Pink Blossoms"

Stamp:  A Word for You (SU!)
Paper:  Whisper White, Pink Pirouette (SU!); Heavy White (Neenah)
Ink:  Garden Green, Melon Mambo (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Fancy Fan embossing folder (Sizzix), Flutter Vine die (Memory Box), 8 Petals & Branch die (C.C. Designs), medium oval punch, sponges, mat pack, stylus, glue and dimensionals

I sponged Garden Green onto the Whisper White Flutter Vine to mute the tone of the green.

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I've had a very exciting week!  My "Seas the Day" card was picked as one of the top cards for August for Clear Dollar Stamps.  As well, my "Sweet Rainbow" card was mentioned for the Color Throwdown  ... and picked as "Top Addict" at Addicted to Stamps.  And, my "Swirly Tree" card was picked by Jaydee as the "Headliner" for Paper Players.  I am so thrilled!! :)

Mouse Painter

Today's card is for this week's Hambo Hoedown Challenge (Splatter up!) featuring the adorable Mouse Painter digi image.  This is a lot busier in real life than it was when I designed it in my head.  I was hoping more for a CAS style, but I think the size of the background scene with the barn, etc. is quite large and the bold colors make it seem busier than it really is.  Anyways, I hope that you can figure out that my Mouse Painter just painted the barn and has splatters of the paint colors all over his overalls and hat ... at least, I was hoping it would be obvious.  Hope you like.

"Mouse Painter"

Stamps:  Mouse Painter and Farm Background stamps (Hambo Stamps)
Paper:  White, Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Soft Suede, Certainly Celery polka-dot DP, Garden Green polka-dot DP (SU!)
Ink:  Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Soft Suede, Sahara Sand, Pink Pirouette, Basic Gray (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  toothbrush (for splattering), glue and dimensionals

Apple of My Eye

Have been busy the past few days and not much time for card making ... but managed to make a card this morning for yesterday's SCS Challenge "Ways To Use It" (WT391 - Apples).  I used an adorable digi stamp from Clear Dollar Stamps that was created by Lisa Lara.  I love Lisa's whimsical style and just adore her creations - so much fun to work with!!  Hope you like.

"Apple of My Eye"

Stamps:  AppLicious (Lisa's Doodley Doos - Clear Dollar Stamps), sentiment is computer generated
Paper:  White, Holiday Treasure DP (retired) (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Crystal Effects, Honeydew Twine (The Twinery), and glue

I printed the image several times and paper-pieced the tree and apples.  I added Crystal Effects to the apples to make them shine.

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Just a quick update on my mom for friends and family.  Mom was released from the hospital on Wednesday and is now staying with me for the next couple weeks or so, until she is able to be on her own.  Mom is amazing and has been whipping around my house in her "red racer" walker.  For now the walker gives her stability but it won't be long before she's doing the laps on her own.  She's in good spirits, with little pain and is getting lots of much-needed rest.  Noodle has been over for a few visits, which makes mom very happy.

Swirly Tree Christmas

I've been playing with watercolor paper and re-inkers again.  It took me a bit of time and lots of tries until I got the saturated colors I wanted for the card below.  And, with using red and green inks, it was important that they didn't blend together very much or I would have ended up with a brown background.  Luckily the inks cooperated and they sort of formed a ying yang shape which worked perfectly with my new Swirly Tree die from Memory Box.

This card is for this week's Paper Players Challenge (#111 - Leaves or Trees).  And I'm happy to add another Christmas card to my stash ... I now have about 1/2 dozen cards already made for this year and will need to make another 30+ over the next few months.  I do love making Christmas cards! :)

"Swirly Tree Christmas"

Stamps:  Christmas Greetings (SU!)
Paper:  Bazzill White, Watercolor paper; Real Red (SU!)
Ink:  Real Red, Re-inkers:  Real Red, Wild Wasabi (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Swirly Tree die (Memory Box), Circle Nesties (Spellbinders), Aqua Painter, Water mister, adhesives, glue and dimensionals

Boo to You

Today's SCS CAS challenge is  (CAS186) - use fabric.  I don't have any pieces of fabric ... but I do have a small stash of felt squares (black, red and green).  It took me a little while to come up with an idea ... originally I was going to make a card with red felt rolled roses ... but I really wanted to do something a little different, so I decided to use the black felt and make a Halloween card.  It isn't common to give Halloween cards here ... in fact, I have never done it.  But the Children's hospital is asking for Halloween cards for the kids to give to each other, so I thought this card would make some child smile.  I hope it makes you smile too ... it's definitely not very scary! :)

I like the texture from the felt ... it definitely makes it different than using black cardstock.  I ran my fingernail along the letters to try to create a rough edge and show more of the "fuzz" from the felt.  Hopefully you can see that in the photo below.  This card also qualifies for  TLC391 challenge - no stamping.

"Boo to You"

Paper:  Whisper White (SU!)
Ink:  Basic Gray, Sahara Sand (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Black felt, Big Shot, Sizzix (Tim Holtz) Branch Tree die, Bubble Alphabet die (C.C. Designs), small googley eyes, sponges, glue

Used a home-made, randomly-sized scallop template to sponge cloud formations from Basic Gray ink.  Filled in the white blank spots with Sahara Sand ink and then lightly sponged more Basic Gray ink over the whole piece.  Made two panels (card front and inside panel).