Woo-hooo! It's your birthday!

Hi everyone.  Today I made a birthday card ... this time using Paper Smooches stamps (so fun!!).  This is for the LoveFest2014 Challenge J  at SCS - Cute and Fun, hosted by Paper Smooches.

I adore this Chubby Chums stamp set ... this time I stamped the owl, colored him with Copics and fussy-cut him out.  I added a little crystal effects to his eyes and beak ... and then popped him up on a die-cut leafy branch and added the sentiment.  Fun, easy and quick to make.

Stamps:  Chubby Chums (Paper Smooches)
Paper:  White (Neenah); Early Espresso, Gumball Green (SU!)
Ink:  Black (Memento); Copics
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Twigs and Berries die (Memory Box), sponges, crystal effects

Challenges:
LOVEFEST2014J

Stenciled Birthday

Hi everyone.  It's funny how sometimes a card just comes together ... this is what happened when I made this yesterday ...

I'm currently learning how to use my Silhouette Cameo that I got for Christmas.  I purchased some thick plastic sheets and have been cutting out stencils.  My friend Nancy asked if I could cut her a stencil of this leaf pattern - of course! I downloaded and cut it yesterday morning ... and I cut one for myself as well.

The leaf pattern reminded me of a beautiful card I had wanted to CASE (copy and share everything), made by my friend Darnell (djkardkreations).  I love the way she masked the center area for her sentiment and then stamped mistletoe all along the masked area.  I wanted to give that a try and my new leaf stencil would work perfectly.  In the mail yesterday, I received my latest Simon Says order that included 1" post-it note tape - brilliant!  Now I had an easy way to create my mask for the sentiment area.

Also in the mail yesterday was a gorgeous card from my friend Lee-Anne (Creatively LA), along with a package of sequins for me to play with.  Lee-Anne is brilliant with this embellishment and I was telling her that I admired them on her cards so she sent me some ... aren't crafters the best??!!  Thanks Lee-Anne! :)

Now I had my layout, design and embellishments.  Perfect!

I masked off the sentiment area, sponged the stencil several times using two shades of green ink.  After removing the mask, I stamped the sentiment.  I included some doodling on the card (the veins on the leaves), so this card qualifies for the LoveFest2014 Challenge C - add doodling to your card, hosted by Taylored Expressions.  And I also included some turquoise sequins, turquoise rhinestones ... and pearls, so it fits the latest  challenge at Simon Say - Anything Goes with Pearls.

Stamps:  Happiest Birthday Wishes (SU!)
Paper:  White (Neenah)
Ink:  Pear Pizzazz, Old Olive (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Silhouette cameo (for cutting leaf stencil), sponges, post-it masking tape, turquoise sequins, turquoise rhinestones, pearls

Challenges:
Simon Says - Anything Goes with Pearls
LOVEFEST2014C

Peace Dove

Hi everyone.  Today's card is for several challenges - love when that happens :)  First, the latest challenge at Merry Monday #97 - Sparkle & Shine with Aqua, White and Silver/Gray.

The card is also for the challenges at ATS&M #84 - CAS (I do LOVE CAS!) ... and LoveFest2014 Challenge H - Heartfelt Greetings - hosted by My Favorite Things.  And last, but not least, I'm also entering it into the latest challenge at CAS-ology - #84 - Paint (I used the shimmer paint to create my background).

I made the background with the Faux Mother-of-Pearl technique.  I just love the look of this technique and it's so easy to do.  I used Frost White Shimmer paint from Stampin' Up!.  I poured a few drops onto a piece of wax paper, then using a piece of scrunched up cling wrap, I lightly dabbed it in the paint and randomly pounced on my card front, making sure to leave white space for sponging color on top.  I used Whisper White card stock because I find the SU! inks sponge best on this paper.  I randomly sponged Pool Party and Bermuda Bay inks - both in the Aqua family (one light and one dark).  Love the look of the background ... the photo really doesn't do it justice - it is shiny, reflective and so pretty! :)

The dove die belongs to my friend Susan, and she brought it along the other day when we had some crafting time together.  The dove is so gorgeous!!  I glued it to the mother-of-pearl background and then mounted the whole piece onto a larger (same width, but longer) piece of heavy card stock for stability ... I stamped the sentiment at the bottom.  I added a double strand of silver cording (a gift from Susan) and tied a little piece off to one side for interest.  Fun and easy card to make.

Thanks Susan for letting me die-cut these beautiful doves ... and for the silver cording - you are so generous!!

Stamps:  Christmas Sampler (Paper Smooches)
Paper:  White (Neenah); Whisper White (SU!)
Ink:  Pool Party, Bermuda Bay (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Dove Die (Penny Black), Frost White Shimmer Paint (SU!), silver cording, Glad wrap

Challenges:
Merry Monday #97
ATS&M #84 - CAS
LOVEFEST2014H
CAS-ology #84 - Paint

Honoring Peggy

Hi everyone.  Today I am CASEing my good friend (and very talented card maker), Peggy.  Peggy has an elegant and sophisticated style and you just say "ahhhh" when you see her card creations.  She is a master at combining die-cuts into beautiful works-of-art.  It's Peggy's birthday today, and so I wanted to honor her by CASEing this gorgeous card.  Thank you Peggy, for all the inspiration you have provided to me - Happy, happy birthday my friend!!

I am entering this card into the LOVEFEST2014 - Challenge I - Die Crazy at SCS.  This one is being hosted by Simon Says Stamp.  I buy a lot of my supplies from SSS, including the three dies used for today's card - perfect!. :)

Stamps:  Field Flowers  - sentiment (SU!)
Paper:  white, blushing bride (SU!)
Ink:  Regal Rose, Early Espresso (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Kaleidoscope Butterfly and Moonlight Butterfly dies (Memory Box), Lavish Branch die (Memory Box), hydrangea punch (Martha Stewart), sponges, white gel pen, stylus and mat, stamp-a-ma-jig

Challenges:
LOVEFEST2014 - Challenge I

Pot of Spring Flowers

Hi everyone.  Wishing you a lovely day!! ... just like the card :)  This is for the LOVEFEST2014 challenges at SCS - challenge E - inspiration photos and hosted by The Cat's Pajamas.

The pictures are a series of garden scene with sweet little bird houses.  I focused on the garden itself, stamping this pot of spring tulips.  This card is Clean ... but not Simple.  It took me several tries to get the pot just as I wanted it.  But I'm happy with it now.  I do love the Pocket Silhouette stamp set and have used it a lot over the years ... I never get tired of it.  I'm enjoying making spring cards, even though spring is a while off yet.

Here's how I stamped the pot of flowers ...  I stamped the pot and then masked around the outside, sponging more ink to give the pot dimension.  I removed the outer mask and then masked the pot itself.  I stamped the three sprigs of blooms, inking them with my markers - green for the stems, pink for the blooms, and thumping a darker pink on the edges before stamping - this gives the two-tone blooms.  I removed the mask on the pot.  I inked my leaf sprig stamp and stamped twice before re-inking and repeating until I filled in the pot (second generation stamping).  I added a little green sponging above the rim of the pot to fill in any blank spaces.

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We've had basically no snow this winter ... until now.  I was so excited when last Friday, the weatherman predicted the possibility of a little bit of snow overnight - yay!  It was an understatement as it has been snowing for the better part of three days.  We have about 8" of snow and it's so gorgeous - pure, white and so pretty on the trees - LOVE IT!.  I'll include a few pics.

This is our backyard ... the large tree is a vine maple that is starting to sag on the left side from all the weight of the snow.  Will try to get out there today and see if I can knock some snow off so the branches don't break.

and here's the front yard ... the red maple tree is gorgeous (yes, we Canadians love our maple trees!). :)  You can tell in the pictures that we still have what I call "snow sky" ... looks like we're in for another day of snow - yay! :)

Stamps:  Pocket Silhouettes (SU!); Pot (Rubber-Art Stamps); Cause A Scene - Master #1 - Kittie Kits (Rubbernecker Stamps); Be Happy Sentiments (Amy R)
Paper:  white (neenah)
Ink:  Sahara Sand, Pear Pizzazz, Regal Rose, Rose Red, Crumb Cake (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  sponges, post-it note for masking, stamp-a-ma-jig

Challenges:
LOVEFEST2014E

Season's Tweetings

Hi everyone.  Back with another card for the LOVEFEST2014 Challenges at SCS - Challenge G - add scoring - hosted by Scor-Pal.  I use my Scor-Pal for every card I make for the fold of the card base ... but today I added some extra scoring to frame these sweet images from Lawn Fawn.  Aren't they cute??!! :)  They bring a smile to my face.  I colored them with Copics for a simple, flat card (easy for mailing!).  All the images (including the sentiment) are from the one stamp set - love it!  I added a little detailing with my white gel pen and just the tiniest bit of sparkle on the middle bird's pompom. :)

I'm also adding this card in four other challenges (count 'em ... four!!).  This will be my second entry to the current challenge at Addicted to Stamps & More - #83 - holiday.  As well, I'm entering it into Sparkle's Creations Christmas Challenge #13 - Anything Goes, Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge #165 - add a sentiment, and to the current challenge at CAS(E) this sketch! #65 - sketch by Sam Simpson.

Here's how I made the scored frame, but there may be an easier way as it's not something that I have done very much.  I turned the card to the back side and placed it in my cutter (just for measuring).  I placed it at the 3/4 " mark and then took my pencil and drew along the guide (where it would have cut if I was using a cutter).  I did that for all four sides to create a rectangle on the back of the card.  Then I place it on my Scor-Pal and scored along the pencil lines.  When I flipped it over, I had this nice rectangular, scored frame. :)

Stamps:  Winter Sparrows (LawnFawn)
Paper:  White (Neenah)
Ink:  Copics:  E44, Y21, Y32, YR24, R27, R29, R59, G43, YG67, YR07, BG57, BG72
Accessories & Tools:  Scor-Pal, white gel pen, dazzling diamonds

Challenges:
LOVEFEST2014G
ATS&M #83 - holiday
CAS(E) this sketch #65
Sparkle Creations Christmas Challenge #13
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge #165

Love Inspired Flowers

Hi everyone.  I have been on a roll making cards this week ... my mojo has returned!!  It never completely left, but for the past several weeks, I struggled over every card I made ... things weren't flowing.  But things are flowing now and I have been having fun playing along with the LOVEFEST2014 challenges to SCS - this one is Challenge F - Color challenge (love inspired) hosted by Sweet 'n Sassy.

I think this pot of heart flowers is so adorable from Bugaboo and I immediately thought of it when I saw the challenge.  I colored the stem and leaves with my Copics and paper pieced the pot, ribbon and hearts.  I added a second layer of paper piecing to add dimension to the rim of the pot, the bow of the ribbon, and the heart blossoms (paper tole).  All the pieces were sponged to add depth and dimension, and I used my white gel pen to add some highlights to the hearts.  A simple sentiment and a shadow for the pot to ground it (drawn with Copics) finishes the card.  Another fun, easy and CAS card.

Stamps:  Flower Pot 4 (Bugaboo Stamps); Love Bug sentiment (Fiskars)
Paper:  White (Neenah), Snap Color Vibe (Simple Stories); Baked Brown Sugar, Real Red (SU!)
Ink:  Baked Brown Sugar, Real Red, Regal Rose (SU!); Copics:  G43, YG67, W4
Accessories & Tools:  sponges, white gel pen

Challenges:
LOVEFEST2014F - color challenge

Candles and Holly

Hi everyone.  Today's card is for the couple of challenges:  Merry Monday #96 - holly and Addicted to Stamps & More #83 - holidays.

I love this beautiful die from Memory Box and when I saw Jennifer McGuire's recent video on Die-cut Inlays, I thought it would work perfectly for this technique.  Your image is die-cut, and then all the pieces are glued back in place to create a flat image.  Click on the link above to take a look at the video - you'll be glad you did!

This technique is fun and easy to do ... although the candle die-cut is very intricate and it took a bit of time.  After all the pieces were inlayed, I used my green marker to highlight the subtle embossed lines on the holly leaves.  I coated all the green card stock with green glitter glue and then did the same for the red card stock, using red glitter glue.  I added just a couple of drops of dazzling diamonds on the "flames".

I will definitely be doing this technique again - easy and fun!

After all the time inlaying the pieces, I was nervous about stamping the sentiment directly onto my card front ... and, of course, I flubbed it! :)  It was too low on the card front and the card wasn't balanced - yikes! :)  Didn't want all that time and effort to go to waste, to I cut around the candles and then popped the panel up on a new card front and added the sentiment below - much better - whew! :)

Stamps:  Christmas Greetings (SU!)
Paper:  White (Neenah); Real Red, Garden Green, Silver Foil, Daffodil Delight (SU!)
Ink:  Black (Memento)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Glowing Candles die (Memory Box), green glitter glue and red glitter glue (Studio G), stamp-a-ma-jig

Challenges:
Merry Monday #96 - holly
ATS&M #83 - holidays

Welcome Spring

Hi everyone.  I am loving making spring cards ... these bright colors make me happy :)

This card is for the LOVEFEST2014 challenge at SCS - Challenge B - Lovey Dovey Spring at SCS.  I used a free digital image I got from Birdie Brown a while ago, called Dreamin'.  LOVE this cute image and it would also be perfect for a baby card or even a "love you" card.  I colored it with Copics, popped it up on my card front and added a fun sentiment from Paper Smooches.  Another quick and easy card.

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After a few days of rain, we are back to sunny skies again.  Since the sun was shining brightly through our windows, I thought I'd share a picture of one of my crafts from many years ago.

About 30 years ago I took lessons and learned how to do copper foil stained glass.  I made many pieces ... unfortunately, the ones I made for us have all been broken over the years of moving, etc.  And a few of the pieces I made for other family members also were damaged, but two undamaged pieces were recently returned to me and I thought I'd share them with you.

This is the first large piece I made and I gave it as a gift to my DB and DSIL - both of whom have since passed away.  My niece and nephew gave this back to me and every time I look at it I think of Dave and Moe ...

This second glass piece I gave to my DFIL and DMIL many years ago when they lived in the Caribou.  Snow owls are a fitting image for up north.  It was the last large piece I made before we moved houses and I no longer had a place to work on stained glass.  My DMIL moved to a senior's residence recently and no longer has a place for the stained glass, so it is now back with us ...

I wish you could see how beautiful the glass is with the sun shining through ... it just doesn't come across in the photos.  Also wanted to mention that my sweet hubby made the oak frames (as he did for all the pieces I made).  Thanks for looking.

Challenges:
LOVEFEST2014 - Challenge B

Graphic Birthday

Hi everyone.  I have a simple CAS card to share with you today that covers three challenges - love when that happens! :)

This is for the Less Is More challenge (#159 - masculine), CAS on Sunday (#27 - masculine), and the CAS[E] this sketch! (#64 - sketch by N@ Ali).

Here's the sketch:

I just bought some cork sheets and wanted to give them a try.  They have an adhesive backing which makes them really easy to use.

I went with a graphic design today, creating a rectangular panel that has one side (exactly half) with a piece of cork.  I die-cut the leaf and then glued the stem on the right edge of the cork.  Since the panel was fairly large, I went with a small sentiment to balance it out.

Easy and quick card to make.

Stamps:  Bitty Birthday (SU!)
Paper:  White, Black
Ink:  Black
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Meadow Leaf die (Poppy Stamps), cork adhesive sheets, Stamp-a-ma-jig

Challenges:
Less is More - #159 - masculine
CAS on Sunday - #27 - masculine
CAS[E] this sketch! - #64 - sketch by N@ Ali

O Christmas Tree

Hi everyone.  Today's card is for the Sparkle Christmas Challenge (#12 - trees).  This is a die that I borrowed from my friend Susan.  It has five layers, but I opted to use just the three biggest for today's tree, sponging around the edges with a darker green to give it dimension.  I love the flourish pattern on the designer paper - and I wanted it to be the star, so left everything else white to show it off.  To give the tree even more dimension, I added foam tape at the bottom of each of the pieces ... and glued the peak of the middle and bottom layers to the card front.  The top piece is popped up at both the peak (with the star) and along the bottom.

I printed the sentiment at the bottom of a piece of white card stock (it's a digital sentiment), and then tore the edge.  I layered it on top of another, larger piece of torn card stock and then mounted those two pieces to my card front.  I added dazzling diamonds along the torn edges of the "snow", and once dry, mounted the tree in place.

I haven't mentioned this for a while, but when I use designer paper on my card, I usually add a strip (about 1 1/8" wide) to the inside bottom of the card for interest.  You can see just a peak of the inside in the photo above.

I made a second card exactly the same to donate and will keep one for my Christmas stash, which is already growing!  :)

Stamps:  Traditional Christmas Greetings (Pink Petticoat)
Paper:  White; 'Tis the Season Designer Paper (My Mind's Eye)
Ink:  Garden Green (SU!) - for sponging around the edges of the tree die-cuts
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, 5 part pine tree die (Elizabeth Craft Designs), star die (Simon Says), dazzling diamonds

Challenges:
Sparkle #12 - trees

Pure Sunshine

Hi everyone.  Another quiet week for me :) ... so that means I'll have some time in my studio to play and I'm also hoping to get more organizing done (I started out with good intentions in January, but life got in the way so still have lots to do).  Had a wonderful weekend ... as I mentioned yesterday, my friend Susan came by on Saturday for some fun crafting time, and yesterday my family all met at my mom's house for a belated birthday celebration - mom turned 85 a week ago!  So wonderful to spend the evening together - lots of fun!

Today's card is for a couple of things.  First of all, I saw this beautiful card made by my good friend Bonnie a while back ... and fell in love with the image.  Here's my first card using this beautiful stamp set.  I just love the watercolored look of the images.  I stamped the stems in Kiwi Kiss ink, then the blooms were stamped twice each, the larger background is Daffodil Delight ink, and the smaller second stamping is done in Crushed Curry.  I used some pretty designer paper for the strip at the side and added a knot and double string of Honeydew twine which matches the Kiwi ink perfectly.  (I have to admit that this is the second time I made the card ... first time I used Pear Pizzazz ink - gorgeous green ... but when I added the twine (an after-thought), the colors didn't match up so I stamped a new card front).  :)

This card is for a couple of challenges.  First, the LoveFest 2014 challenge at SCS - this is for challenge B - Lovey Dovey Spring - hosted by Stamping Bella.  And this is also for last Friday's Free For All Challenge at SCS - #208 - sunshine.

Hope to be back again soon with more cards.

Stamps:  Too Kind (SU!); Sunny Sentiments (Amy R)
Paper:  White; Sweater Weather DP (SU!)
Ink:  Kiwi Kiss, Daffodil Delight; Crushed Curry (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Honeydew twine (The Twinery)

Challenges:
LoveFest2014B
F4A208 - sunshine

Furry Christmas

Hi everyone.  Back with another animal Christmas card ... this one is for the LoveFest Challenge at SCS - Challenge A - Puppy Love.  There is an eleven day event with lots of challenges and prizes ... all being sponsored by SCS (Splitcoaststampers) member companies.  I'm hoping (finger's crossed) to complete all of the challenges - this is for first challenge.

I received this cute stamp set for Christmas from my good friend Darnell, who I call Dolly.  Thanks Dolly!! :)

I'm sure most of you know Darnell, but in case you don't, check out her blog djkardkreations.  She is fun and funny and very creative!

I colored this sweet image with my Copics and added some fun details with a white gel pen, dazzling diamonds and crystal effects.  This was my second go at this image ... the first one turned out too dark (the big dog was dark brown), so I changed up the large dog to make him a dalmatian ... at least I hope that's what he looks like and not a weird shaped cow :)  It made such a difference to have more white in the image and I'm happy with how it turned out.

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Yesterday, my stamping buddy Susan came by for an afternoon of fun in my studio.  She brought along several of her embossing folders, stamps, and dies that I have admired on her cards, but I don't own.  And Susan spent time stamping, embossing and die-cutting from my supplies that were new to her.  SO MUCH FUN!!  It's great to be able to spend time with someone that has the same passion ... and it's great to be able to share our supplies - I was like a big kid in a candy store :)

Thanks Susan for being here yesterday ... can't wait until we can do it again!!  After you left, I spent about an hour just looking at all the fun stamped images and embellishments and organizing them into little bags.  Last night I couldn't sleep ... I had cards whirling around in my head :)  FYI, the cookies you brought are all gone - totally delicious!

Edited to Add:  Just saw that the challenge this week at Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge is #164 - Christmas Love, so I'm entering this card.

Stamps:  Furry Christmas (Simon Says)
Paper:  White
Ink:  Copics
Accessories & Tools:  dazzling diamonds, crystal effects, maraschino and pea pod twines (the twinery), white gel pen

Challenges:
LOVEFEST2014A
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge #164 - Christmas Love

Java Great Day!

Hi everyone.  Time for the latest challenge at Addicted to CAS.  This challenge is being hosted by the very creative Deepti (Dee's Art Utopia) ... and she choose this fun word ...

This challenge's sponsor is

Prize:  7 free digis
(please follow the rules to be eligible to win)

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I have to say that Bugaboo has an incredible selection of fun digital images.  It is one of my favorite places to look for digital stamps and I have several that I have used over the past few years.  I have three of their "coffee" stamps.  This one is call Java Great Day ... don't you love it??!! :)  I used the image of the coffee cup, but didn't use their sentiment, instead I used the same words, but printed it in a fun font that I downloaded called Celebration Time.  Having fun experimenting with the different fonts that are available for free on the internet :)

I used a layout that I have seen several times over the past few months ... a partial die-cut circle surrounding the focal image - it's a great way to highlight your image.  I added a line of stitching to give it even more impact.  Simple paper pieced image ... I had so much fun making this Clean and Simple card.  FYI, I printed off the "foam" onto white card stock, smeared it with dazzling diamonds glitter and once dry cut it out.  I gave it a little shape using my stylus and mat so that it has a bit of dimension - not sure if that comes across in the photo, but it was a small effort to give it a bit more oomph!

Just a reminder that the ATCAS challenge (#32 - code word:  Coffee) runs for a full two weeks, so there's lots of time to enter.  Come join in the fun ... and check out the inspiring cards from the rest of the Design Team!

Stamps:  Coffee Time - Java Great Day (Bugaboo)
Paper:  White, Snap Life (Simple Stories)

Ink:  Real Red

Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Circle Nestability (Spellbinders), dazzling diamonds

Penguin Christmas

Hi everyone.  Quick and simple Christmas card to share with you today ... and a quick post.  This is for a couple of challenges - Merry Monday #95 - include an animal ... and SCS Christmas challenge to use red.

I used a cute digital stamp from DigiStamp Boutique, coloring it with Copics and adding stickles to the snow, crystal effects to Percy's beak and feet, FlowerSoft to the cuff of stocking and Percy's hat ... and gold liquid pearl to the star.  Easy, peasy one layer card ... except that I made it two layers by popping up the card front :)

Stamps:  Christmas Percy (DigiStamp Boutique)
Paper:  White
Ink:  Soft Sky; Copics:  R27, R29, Y32, Y21, YR24, W4, E44, E77, YG67
Accessories & Tools:  stickles, crystal effects, white flowersoft, gold liquid pearls, glue, small paint brush

Valentine's Day Tags

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing the tags for the treat bags I've made for my kids and grand-kid! :)  I used five different adorable images from Bugaboo - Puppy Love series to make the tags which are colored with copics (close-up photos are below).

I had so much fun making these yesterday! :)  I have always given my kids a little sweet treat to celebrate Valentine's Day and to show them that I am thinking of them.  Evan, Nikki and Jer are each getting a bag of cream-filled Belgian chocolate hearts, Alex is getting a bucket of Jalapeno Jack Popcorn from Kernels (he prefers savory to sweet) ... and Cooper is getting a little red racing car to play with once he's a little older and ready to grip onto things - won't be long! :)  I have a bag of treats for hubby too that I'll be giving him along with his Valentine's Day card I made a little while ago (posted here).

Here's the close-ups of the tags:

I'm very limited with my copic colors, so I outlined the puppies in brown and then filled them in with a light gray and blended the two colors together - it turned out really well.  But, I definitely need to get some more Copics to round out my supplies :)

Since I used my markers, I'm entering this into the ATS&M challenge - Make Your Mark (my second entry).

I hope you all have a wonderful and love-filled Valentine's Day tomorrow.

Stamps:  Puppy Love (Bugaboo); sentiment is computer generated
Paper:  White
Ink:  Copics:  R29, R39, W4, E44, E77, V09, V25
Accessories & Tools:  white gel pen, hole punch, Real Red stitched ribbon

Challenges:
ATS&M #82 - Make Your Mark

Spring Garden

Hi everyone.  It's great to be back in my studio again.  The past few weeks have been very hectic and it's nice to finally have a break and be able to play! :)

I made this card for this week's Muse Challenge (#54 - card by Therese Calvird).  I loved Therese's beautiful spring card and used similar colors and layout.  It's not very often that I have a colored card base, so this was a challenge for me! :)

I love this stamp set from SU! (Simply Soft) and have made many cards with it - I never get tired of these beautiful flowers.  I used the marker layering technique to color in the blooms so I'm entering this into the latest challenge at Addicted to Stamps & More - #82 - make your mark (use markers).  The sentiment is from a stamp set that I received as a gift from my good friend Debbie ... love this sentiment and perfect for so many occasions!

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Just a quick note about our family.  Last Sunday I held a baby shower in honor of my DGS Cooper.  It was such a fun afternoon and my cousin graciously took lots of photos.  Wanted to share a couple of sweet six-week-old Cooper and his beautiful parents. :)  The lighting was low so the pics are a bit on the blurry side.

Stamps:  Simply Soft (SU!); Fluttering By - sentiment (Verve)
Paper:  Pear Pizzazz, watercolor
Ink:  Staz-on Black, Daffodil Delight, Crushed Curry, Pumpkin Pie, Tangerine Tango, Cajun Craze, Pretty in Pink, Raspberry Ripple, Pear Pizzazz, Old Olive (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  blender pen, white gel pen

Challenges:
Muse #54 - Therese Calvird
ATS&M #82 - Make Your Mark

Copper Ornament

Hi everyone.  A second card for today - same layout and design as the first, just changing up the ornament to copper and a different shape.  Still having difficulty photographing this card and think it must have something to do with the aperture.  The ornament moves freely within the cut-out and so it's hard to get it to stay still :)  This is the best shot I could get ... and it looks like the ornament is sideways ... but it's not in real life.  Isn't photography fun??!! :)

Again, this card is for the current challenge at Festive Friday (FFC24).  Here's the photo inspiration ...

This time I used my heated copper (the colors are beautiful in real life ... copper, pink, orange) and the soft copper really takes well to being embossed.  I didn't have copper jump rings, so I used some copper wire and made my own jump ring with wire cutters and needle-nose pliers - pretty proud of myself :)

Again, I love how the ornament moves inside the cut-out.

The sketch this week from CAS(E) this sketch! (#63) is so fun and I know I'll be using it a lot!

And I'm also entering this into the current Addicted to Stamps and More - #81 - Anything Goes.

Stamps:  Traditional Christmas Sentiments - digital (Pink Petticoat)
Paper:  White (Neenah)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), ornament punch (SU!), Musical Flourish embossing folder (Cuttlebug), copper metal sheet .005 thickness (K&S Precision Metals), mini torch, copper wire, wire cutters, needle-nose pliers