A Lovely Day

Hi everyone.  Here is my design team card for the latest challenge at Addicted to Stamps & More #47 - Make Your Mark.  I used a sweet digi image from this month's sponsor, Whoopsi Daisy.  Hope you like.

This challenge's sponsor is

Prize:  2 sheets of digis (8 images)

(please follow the rules of the challenge to be eligible to win)

Whoopsi Daisy will be sponsoring the whole month of May 2013

Stamps:  Sheet 442 (Whoopsi Daisy); Be Happy (Amy R)
Paper:  White (C.C. Designs); Brioche DP (Memory Box)
Ink:  Island Indigo (SU!); Copics:  E00,0, E00, Y21, Y32, YR24, E44, E49, G43, YG67, BG72, BG57, 0 (colorless blender)
Accessories & Tools:  Arch Lattice Border punch (Martha Stewart), 1/4" Island Indigo stitched ribbon (SU!), blender pen, red chalk, adhesives, glue, and dimensionals

I colored the branch, leaves, bird and little girl's face and hair bow with copics.  I paper-pieced her dress and added more shading with copics onto the designer paper (and colored in her dress sash and purse).  I added some Island Indigo ink (using my blender pen) to her sash, hair bow and purse to darken the colors and match the ribbon.

The sentiment is stamped in Island Indigo ink.

Here's a close-up view of the image:

I hope I have inspired you to join us for this fun challenge.  Check out the other fabulous creations by the Design Team at ATS&M!

Remembering Moe ...

For my friends and loyal blog followers -

Some of you have noticed that I'm not making as many cards as usual (for me) or getting around the blog-o-sphere to visit.  And I appreciate those that took the time to contact me to make sure I was OK.  I am truly thankful for your concern and thoughtfulness.

The last year has been an extremely challenging for our family.  We have had one tragic event after another.  Time in my art studio has been limited, even more so over the past few weeks as I spent as much time as possible with my DSIL as she struggled with cancer.

My precious Moe, passed away on Monday of this week.  She had a short, but hard-fought battle with cancer.  I wanted to share a little bit about her on my blog.

Not only was Moe my sister-in-law, but she was one of my very best friends.  We had always enjoyed spending time together, and that increased after the passing of my brother four years ago.  With Moe and I both retired, we spent many hours together each week --- laughing, shopping, and going out for lunch.  I treasure all the special times we had together.

Moe was fun and lived life to the fullest.  She was always there to lend a helping hand to anyone in need - always putting others' ahead of herself.  She loved to cook and was an avid gardener ... two of the many things we had in common.    I will miss her crazy "Irish" ways, her sense of humor ... and her off-key singing :)

Love you Moe ... you are forever in my thoughts.

Welcome Baby

Hi everyone.  Here is my design team card for the latest challenge at Addicted to Stamps & More #46 - Anything Goes.  I made a CAS baby card using my new Gingham wheel stamp from SU! ... coral ink onto blushing bride cardstock (LOVE this color combo!).  Hope you like.

This challenge's sponsor is

Prize:  2 sheets of digis (8 images)

(please follow the rules of the challenge to be eligible to win)

Whoopsi Daisy will be sponsoring the whole month of May 2013

Stamps:  Short and Sweet; Gingham wheel stamp (SU!)
Paper:  White, Blushing Bride (SU!)
Ink:  Calypso Coral (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Die-namics Highrise Alphabet (Lowercase) dies (MFT), Mandarin Twine (The Twinery), Stamp-a-ma-jig, adhesives, and dimensionals

I inked my gingham stamp with coral and ran it over my blushing bride cardstock several times to create lots of gingham paper to work with.  As you can see in the close-up view below, I didn't take any time to line up the gingham when die-cutting the letters ... I like that they have character. :)

I used my Stamp-a-ma-jig for placement of my "welcome" (stamped in Coral ink) and then popped up the "baby" letters for added dimension.

Here's a close-up of the main part of the card:

I hope I have inspired you to join us for this fun challenge.  Check out the other fabulous creations by the Design Team at ATS&M!

Teacher Appreciation and Card Candy Give-away #3

Hi everyone.  It's getting close to the end of the school year, so I thought I'd make a teacher appreciation card.  Apples are always associated with teachers ... and doctors ... and loved ones (you are the apple of my eye) - love that saying!  Lots of cards that you could make with apples ... and these gingham ones are so sweet! Hope you like.

Stamps:  Gingham Wheel (SU!); Autumn Sentiments (Amy R)
Paper:  White, Real Red polka-dot DP, Gumball Green, Early Espresso (SU!)
Ink:  Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Gumball Green (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Apple die (C.C. Designs), Gumball Green stitched ribbon, Stamp-a-ma-jig, glue, adhesives and dimensionals

I stamped with my gingham wheel in the three different colors onto white cardstock. I die-cut the apples (one of each color) and then six more out of white cardstock.  I die-cut the stem from Early Espresso and the leaf from Gumball Green.  I glued the stem and leaf together; then layered them between a gingham apple layer and a white apple layer.  I added one more white apple layer of cardstock to the bottom, making each apple three layers so it is thick and strong.

Here's a close-up:

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The card above uses my latest card candy.  Check them out ...

There are three different sizes of clouds ... and five different sets of three (felt, polka-dot embossed, blue-edged, plain, faux stitched).  I also have included a backing paper of sponged sky that can be used in the background of a card.

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Would you like some of the card candy above??


If you are interested in receiving the two packages above, leave me a comment on this post before end of day, May 26th, 2013.

I will use the "True Random Number Generator" to determine which comment will receive the candy.  I'll post the name and ask for that person to email me with their home address.  Easy, peasy!

Thanks for stopping by ...   :)

Happy BEE-day

Hi everyone.  Here is my Design Team card for the latest challenge at Addicted to CAS.  I used an adorable digital stamp set from our sponsor, Bugaboo, which is paper pieced with glitter added to the wings and flower center.

This challenge is being run by our leader ... the fabulously talented Kylie (Kylie's Addicted to Stamps ... and now butterflies), and she chose this fun code word ...

This challenge's sponsor is

Prize:  7 digital images 

 (please follow the rules of the challenge to be eligible to win)

Stamps:  Cute Bee Flower (Bugaboo); sentiment is computer generated
Paper:  White, Daffodil Delight, Basic Gray, Pumpkin Pie, Certainly Celery, Barely Banana, Just Add Cake DP (SU!)
Ink:  Daffodil Delight, Basic Gray, Tangerine Tango, Basic Black (SU1)
Accessories & Tools:  Dazzling Details (SU!), Orange Glitter Glue, sponges, glue, glue dots, adhesives, and dimensionals

The bee is paper pieced and I sponged around each piece with the matching color of ink to give more dimension.  The flower is done with the paper tole technique, cutting out a second flower, separating each petal, sponging around the edges and then attaching back to the base flower using glue at the center and rolled glue dots at the edge of the petals.  This gives the flower some dimension.  The center (Pumpkin Pie cardstock) of the flower is covered with orange glitter glue.  And I also covered the wings with Dazzling Details, but it's hard to see in the photo above.

Here's a close-up of the image:

and here's another angle so you can see the dimension on the flower ...

I hope I have inspired you to join in our fun challenge ...  Addicted to CAS - Birthday. Come check out all the wonderful creations by the other Design Team members.

Sunshiny Day

Hi everyone.  I made the above card for two different challenges ... Color Throwdown (CTD242 - real red, daffodil delight, kiwi kiss, tempting turquoise) ... love this combination - so fun and spring-y :)

... and also for this week's SCS Ways To Use It Challenge (WT427 - may flowers).  I love these bright red flowers with the yellow centers.

Not too much stamping with this card - just the sentiment.  Mostly dies and I layered them all so they are two or three layers thick to give them more strength and presence.  Hope you like.

Stamps:  Be Happy Sentiments (Amy R)
Paper:  White, Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Kiwi Kiss; Daffodil Delight polka-dot DP (SU!)
Ink:  Early Espresso, Tempting Turquoise (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Picket Fence die (Poppy Stamps); Puffy Clouds die (Memory Box); Flower Border, Grass Border and Sunflower dies (C.C. Designs); 5/8" circle punch, glue, sponge, adhesives, and dimensionals

I popped up the fence, small cloud, sun and center of the sun for added dimension.

Here's a close-up ...

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Welcome to our newest member, Annette!!  So glad you could join us!! :)

Watercolored Roses

Hi everyone ... and a special "Hi" to Donna! :)  I'm really on a watercoloring kick these days.  Love this technique (marker layering) using watercolor paper and my Stampin' Write markers.  I've had this stamp for a long time, but never seemed to be able to get it to work for me until today.  It's a very large image, but I wanted it framed, so I cut around 1/2 of the bottom rose, a little of the top rose and about 1/2 of the bud and then pulled them to the front of the frame.  It gives the image more of a 3-D effect and I'm so happy with how it turned out.  And I used the colors from this week's Color Challenge (CC426 - certainly celery, bermuda bay, regal rose) at SCS.

Stamps:  Roses (Rubber-Art Stamps), A Word for You (SU!)
Paper:  Watercolor (Arches)
Ink:  Staz-on Black, Certainly Celery, Bermuda Bay, Regal Rose (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Square Nestabilities (Spellbinders), blender pen, crystal effects, and sticky strips

The image was stamped with Staz-on ink onto watercolor paper and then colored using the marker layering technique.  I sponged around the inside edge of the square frame to give it definition.

If you look really closely, you might see that there are raindrops on the roses and leaves, so I added a little crystal effects on each drop for added interest (can't see in the photo).

Here's a close-up:

Sweet as can be ...

Hi everyone.  Here is my design team card for the latest challenge at Addicted to Stamps & More #45 - Photo Inspiration.

Here's the inspiration photo:

I focused on the window, wood and flower box for my card today.  Hope you like.

This challenge's sponsor is

Prize:  2 sheets of digis (8 images)

(please follow the rules of the challenge to be eligible to win)

Whoopsi Daisy will be sponsoring the whole month of May 2013

Stamps:  Sweet Sentiments (Amy R)

Paper:  White, Wild Wasabi, Tangerine Tango (SU!)

Ink:  Tangerine Tango, More Mustard, Soft Suede (SU!)

Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Small Madison Window die and Small Flower Box die (Poppy Stamps), Balsa wood, Leafy branch die (C.C. Designs), Mini Sun Punch (Punch Bunch), Yellow Gingham Washi Tape (SU!), stylus and mat, glue and dimensionals

I die-cut the window and box from balsa wood and then sponged first with More Mustard and then topped with more sponging of Soft Suede ink (to soften the yellow color).

I placed washi tape onto a piece of cardstock that was cut to size for the window curtain and then glued it to the back of the window.

I cut each ray in half for the mini suns ... yes, it was finicky  :) ... and then shaped them with my stylus and mat.

The window is popped up from the card front to give more dimension.  And the card front is popped up from the card base.

Here's a close-up of the window:

I hope I have inspired you to join us for this fun challenge.  Check out the other fabulous creations by the Design Team at ATS&M!

Happy Mother's Day

Hi everyone.  Two cards to share with you today.  I have Mother Day's cards for both my mom and my hubby's mom.  I used digital stamps from Clear Dollar Stamps for both cards and also used the same technique (marker layering) for both cards.  I do love "watercoloring" with my markers and blender pens.  The card above is a whimsical image and I kept the coloring basic, just adding a little shading to the flowers and leaves.  The flower pot is paper pieced and I added a border of the same paper to the top of the card and also to the inside bottom of the card.

Stamps:  Spring Violets (Clear Dollar Stamps); Sentiment - Daises for Her (Lisa's Doodley Doos)
Paper:  White, Hello Sunshine DP (Bo Bunny), watercolor
Ink:  Daffodil Delight, Gumball Green (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Blender pen, 1/4" Daffodil Delight grosgrain ribbon, glue, adhesives and dimensionals


Here's a close-up:

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For the second card, I used a more elegant image and tried to make it look more like an original watercolor ... and I left some white space (as I mentioned a few posts back), advice from my son who teaches art.  I found it a bit hard to leave the white space, but I'm glad I did ... I really like how it turned out.  I fussy cut around the image after it was watercolored.  I popped it up on my card base and then added a card front popped on top with a square window.

Stamps:  Dahlia (Clear Dollar Stamps); Sentiment - Happy Mother's Day Bouquet (Annabelle Stamps)
Paper:  White, watercolor
Ink:  Regal Rose, Raspberry Ripple, Gumball Green, Basic Black (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Blender pen, Square Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Stamp-a-ma-jig, and dimensionals


Here's a close-up:

I entering both these cards in the Paper Players #144 Challenge (Mother's Day Theme).

Flowers for a Friend

Hi everyone.  Here is my design team card for the latest challenge at Addicted to Stamps & More #44 - Addicted to CAS.  I made a little vase of flowers for a friend ... hope you like.

This week's sponsor is

Prize:  2 sheets of digis (8 images)

(please follow the rules of the challenge to be eligible to win)

Whoopsi Daisy will be sponsoring the whole month of May 2013

Stamps:  Sentiment Sampler (Paper Smooches); leaf sprig (unknown)

Paper:  White, Summer Smooches DP (SU!)

Ink:  Old Olive (SU!)

Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Vases dies (Papertrey Ink), Real Red buttons, White Baker's twine, Stamp-a-ma-jig, stylus and mat, post-it note mask, glue dots, and dimensionals

I die cut the vase and shaped it using my stylus and mat.  I did a dry-fit onto my card front to figure out where I wanted the vase to be and then masked off the top and stamped three leaf sprigs.  I used the Stamp-a-ma-jig for placement of the sentiment.  The card front is popped up from the card base for more dimension.

Here's a close-up:

I hope I have inspired you to join us for this fun challenge.  Check out the other fabulous creations by the Design Team at ATS&M!

You're Special, Peggy

Hi everyone.  Today my card is for the "Queen for the Day" challenge at SCS - QFTD163 - Peggy.  Peggy and I have become on-line friends through SCS.  She makes the most beautiful cards and also is so generous with her wonderful comments to a lot of the crafters on the site.  Peggy loves using dies and her collection is second to none.  A lot of her cards are layers and layers of beautiful dies and many are tone-on-tone white or ivory.  She has a unique style ... but every once in a while, she'll make something a little different.  And here's an example with this CAS card that I chose to copy in her honor.  I hope you like my version of your card, Peggy.  Congrats on being chosen Queen for the Day - wear your crown proudly ... you deserve it! :)

Stamps:  Be Happy Sentiments (Amy R)
Paper:  White, Pink Pirouette, Certainly Celery (SU!)
Ink:  Regal Rose, Wild Wasabi (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Postage Stamp Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Tender Leaves die (Memory Box), Medium Daisy Punch (Punch Bunch), Medium Sun Punch (Punch Bunch), clear stickles, sponges, glue, adhesives and dimensionals

I punched three of the pink daisies, sponged the edges with Regal Rose ink, and shaped them using my tweezers, stylus and mat.  I did the same thing with three of the medium sun punches and then glued them to the center of my daisy.  Clear stickles were added to the center for some bling.

The leaves are two of the largest from the tender leaves die set.  I cut them from Certainly Celery cardstock and sponged the edges with Wild Wasabi for interest.  I glued them together and then glued the rose on top.

Here's a close-up:

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Welcome to new member Mary H!!!  Thanks for joining us!

Rainy Day

Hi everyone.  Here is my Design Team card for the latest challenge at Addicted to CAS.  I used a sweet digital stamp set from our sponsor, Clear Dollar Stamps.  It was a super simple card to make because I used their colored digital images for this card and the dot designer paper is also part of the digital set.

This challenge is being run by the lovely and talented Christine (Das Kartenchaos), and she chose this fabulous code word ...

The sponsor for this challenge is

Prize:  $15 gift voucher
(please follow the rules of the challenge to be eligible to win)

Stamps:  Rainy Day (Clear Dollar Stamps)

Paper:  White

Ink: Black Stampin' Write marker (used colored images so my printer did all the work)
Accessories:  Circle Nestie (Spellbinders), removable tape, adhesives, and dimensionals

I printed the duck, sentiment and cloud onto my card front.  I then printed another copy of the cloud and fussy cut.  

I printed off a page of the "dots" designer paper that comes with the set.  I used my largest circle nestie and placed it over the dots, securing it with removable tape.  I ran my black marker along the edge until I had an arch; moved it down a little and repeated until I had four black lines ... this was my rainbow.  I cut along the outside lines and then adhered it to my card front so that the edge was underneath the cloud.  I trimmed the excess.

I glued the cloud on top and popped the card front up on my card base.  So fun!!! :)

Here's a close-up of the main image:

I hope I have inspired you to join in our fun challenge at Addicted to CAS - Rainbow.  Come check out all the wonderful creations from the other Design Team members.

Loll's Card Candy in Action

Nancy's card

Hi everyone.  I wanted to share the few cards with you.  The beautiful creation above was made by my good friend, Nancy Littrell.  When I made my first set of card candy, I sent a package of each to Nancy and she has used them on several of her cards.  Thank you for letting me share your card, Nancy ... I absolutely LOVE it!!!

I sent packages of my second card candy to another wonderful on-line friend, Bonnie of Stamping with Klass.  Today, I was excited to see that she made a card using my large daisy as her focal point ... and she agreed that I could share it with you.  Thank you Bonnie ... I am so happy that you liked the flowers and the card you created is amazing!

Bonnie's card

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Welcome to new member Julie!!!!