Friday Morning Catch-Up!!

Good morning everyone!! My DH is getting ready to leave for another fishing tournament so guess what I am planning to do.....stamp, stamp, stamp!!!!! I may do a little online shopping, too....I haveta occupy myself somehow...right??? Anyway...here are a few cards I made this week for Splitcoast challenges...
The first card was for the Ways To Use It challenge to use pink because October is Breast Cancer Awarness Month. This is also for Wendy's Hope You Can Cling To challenge to use butterflies.


I used several shades of pink to stamp the flowers and butterflies from Rubbernecker's Create a Garden set 1 #512. The basket was colored with copics and the frame stamp from Rubbernecker called French Script Frame #583 was stamped on the outside. This is actually a one layer card but it looks like several!!
The bling on the flowers and the bow finish it off.
Recipe: Stamps: Rubbernecker
Paper: White, Early Expresso,
Ink: Pretty in Pink, Melon Mambo, Regal Rose, Kiwi Kiss, Old Olive, Memento Rich Cocoa
Accessories: Rhinestones, Pink Silk Ribbon

I made this card for Splitcoast's Sketch Challenge...Basic Grey's Sweet Threads dp and Spellbinders dies were used for the background layers, the rose, and leaves. The sentiment called Beautiful Wishes #565-12 is from Rubbernecker Stamps.
Recipe: Stamps: Rubbernecker sentiment Beautiful Wishes #565-12
Paper: Vanilla, Soft Suede, Basic Grey's Sweet Threads dp
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa
Accessories: Button, Twine, Spellbinders Rose Creations die and the leaf die, Martha Stewart and EK success border punches, Sewing Machine

Here is my card for this week's Color Challenge....the images from Taylored Expressions Birds of a Feather set were stamped with Elegant Eggplant, Pumpkin Pie, and Tempting Turquoise...the birds and birdcage were all popped up on dimensionals. The seam binding, button, and twine finish it off.

This is also for Bridget's Hope You Can Cling To Challenge: Things Are Looking Up...my birds!! TFL!!
Recipe:Stamps: Taylored Expressions Birds of a Feather
Paper: White, Elegant Eggplant
Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Pumpkin Pie, Elegant Eggplant
Accessories: Seam Binding, Button, Twine

This was my TLC Challenge card for this week....to stack the background stamps!! The three background stamps used on my background were: Rubbernecker's Script, Victorian Diamond Panel, and the Wildflower Background. The sentiment  from RN's Butterflies are Free set was stamped with Really Rust and the ribbon, distressing, sewing, felt rose, felt leaves, and the vellum layered butterflies finish it off.
Recipe: Stamps: Rubbernecker
Paper: White, Really Rust, Baja Breeze
Ink: Really Rust, Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss
Accessories: Ribbon, Vellum, Dotted Swiss EF, Pearls, Sewing Machine, Martha Stewart Butterfly Punch, Felt, Rolled Flower Die from MFT, Spellbinder's Leaf die, Nestabilities

Whew....that's a lotta stamping!!!! I just found out that I have been selected as the Queen for The Queen For a Day Challenge on Splitcoast...Whoohoo!!! I am so honored and thrilled...I can't wait to see all the cards everyone has cased from my gallery!!!  Have a great day...I know I will!!!

Finesse the Dress

Good morning everyone!! Boy, am I lazy this morning....I slept late (I guess you could call 7:30am late??) and have been comatose on the couch. I really need to get outside and do a little raking and weeding but first I want to share a card I made for the Moxie Fab World's Tuesday Trigger challenge....it's been ages since I've visited their blog and when I saw the dress inspiration, I just had to play. It did take me quite a while to find the right teal color....the flower and butterfly were made from a scrap of SEI's Citruskick dp and the   Waltzingmouse's sketch challenge #68 was used for the layout.
Recipe: Stamps: Rubbernecker Sentiment
Paper: White, Basic Gray, SEI dp
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Old Button, PTI Flower die, PTI Leaf die, Martha Stewart Butterfly Punch

This was also for a few other challenges:
1. Flutterby Wednesday - use your scraps
2. Anything Goes Challenge - diecuts and/or punches
3. Papertake Weekly Challenge - use at least three different shapes
4. Top Tip Tuesday Challenge - use designer paper
5. Kaboodle Doodles Challenge - leaves
Thanks for stopping by...have a great day!!!!!

Color Throwdown #163 and Creative Belli Challenges #128

Hello everyone!!! It's Wednesday and time for another Color Throwdown!! The lovely Barb is our hostess today and she came up with this fabulous color combo inspired by Bo Bunny's Blitzen dp.
This is also for the Creative Belli Challenge to use Flower Soft, Felt, or Chunky Glitter...I used a felt rose.

 

Sewing was done around the edges of the Crafty Secrets Cotton Scrap and sewing and distressing finished  the edges of the background layers. The Baja Breeze layer was embossed with a pumpkin vine folder and then a white ink pad was run over the popped out pumpkins.   Pearl flourishs, ribbon, lace, and a felt rose finish it off.
This is also for a few other challenges:
1. Stamps R Us - Autumn/Fall
2. UnstampaBelles - Autumn/Fall with bonus of stitching/sewing
3. The Crafty Pad - vintage
4. Fun With Shapes and More - shabby/vintage

Do you want to see some AWESOME inspiration?? Here are the links to the Color Throwdown Designers..... check out what they created this week!

Broni Holcombe - Splashes of Watercolor
Barbara Anders - Paper Pursuits
Danielle Kennedy - Wild Dragonfly Designs
Tammy Hershberger - Stamp Happy
Kristin Beuter - Mindless Creativity
Laura Pryor - Lil' Inker Designs
Carole Burrage - Mother's Little Helper
Keva Brown - How Now Brown Kow
Lori Tecler - Inking a Loud
Lynn Put - The Queens Scene
Wanda Cullen - Cullen-ary Creations
Joan Ervin - Stamping With a Passion - that's me!
Amy Sheffer, October Guest Designer - Pickled Paper Designs

Be sure to stop by the Creative Belli Blog to see what the other Belli Girls made for you today....they will blow you away with their talent!!! If you upload a card to Splitcoast, PCP, Stamp TV or another online gallery be sure to add CBC128 in the keywords section.

Take a look at what the Creative Belli Designers have done with felt, chunky glitter, or Flower Soft!!

Chris Dickinson

Ceal Pritchett

Holly Brown

Anne Harmon

Jessica Stockmeyer

Shelly Schmidt

Maria Matter

Joy Hadden

Robin Parker

Mary Marsh

Karen Wallace

Thanks for stopping by...have a great day!!!!

Swimming for Katie Blog Hop and Fundraiser

Hello everyone...today is a special day....
From October 10-12 over a hundred stampers have joined together to support and encourage our friend and fellow stamper, Katie Renz, who is currently battling inoperable gastric cancer. If you're not familiar with  Katie, her cancer story started just before Christmas last year. This young, beautiful, healthy, vibrant mother of 3 with her infectious smile was suddenly diagnosed with an inoperable cancer, virtually overnight. A few tummy aches and then stage 4 gastric cancer. Her first post about it is here. The idea of “Swimming for Katie” came from her recent post here.

This exclusive stamp used in my sample, designed by Becky Oehlers is available as a clear stamp, as well as a digis or a dig and SVG cut file. 100% of the profits go to Katie's fund to help her and her young family. Her husband, Kevin, and her three young children need our help and support. In addition to the Keep Swimming Octopus, Marianne Walker and True =D Doodle Designs both also donated digis that are for sale. Direct donations are also being accepted. Information central is HERE. This is a permanent page that will stay active at i {heart} papers with current information and the full 3 day blog hop listing, as well as the donation button.
I also have a donation button in the upper right corner of my blog.

The adorable little octopus was colored with copics on vanilla cardstock. The fun Cosmo Cricket papers were used along with ribbon, twine, buttons, scallop dies, Nestabilities, a little bling on the crown and septer, and a white gel pen for the cheek highlights.   
Here are all the items available for sale.

Keep Swimming Octopus

Peachy Clear stamp

$5.50 with free shipping

Keep Swimming Octopus DIGIstamp

$3.00 with instant download

Keep Swimming Octopus DIGIstamp with SVG cut file

$3.50 with instant download

Keep Swimming Mermaid DIGIstamp

$3.50 with instant download

Keep Swimming Ribbon Fish DIGIstamp and DIGIpapers

$5.00 with instant download

I hope you will join me in supporting Katie through a purchase or donation. The following is a list of everyone who has projects posted today. I hope you will be inspired by them and moved to purchase or donate. If you would like to send Katie a card, her mailing address is:

Katie Renz
PO Box 5913
Bellingham, WA 98227-5913

AJ OttoBeate Carolyn MustopaDawn BurnworthDeb FeltsGretchen BelknapHeather Jensen Jen del MuroJulie RanaeKate - i {heart} papersKendra WietstockLisa JohnsonLoretta LockLori TeclerLynn MercurioMarianne WalkerMichele GrossStacy aka TwinshappyTracy SchultzDebbie OlsonCindy LawrenceCindy Haffner  Julie KoerberChristine OkkenTammy HershbergerDanielle KennedyBarbara AndersMakiko JonesAshley N NewellShannan TeubnerTaylor UsryJen TaplerJenn BalcerJenny ChesnickJess LarsenJessica KnutsenJimmi MayoJoan BardeeJoan ErvinJulia AstonJulie DayJulie Ebersole

Thanks for stopping by...be sure to check out what the rest of the designers made with this super cute stamp!!! Thanks, Kate, for including me in this amazing project and God Bless our dear, sweet Katie and her family!!!

Shoe Box Swap Cards

Hello everyone!! I had such a great day today in Georgetown at the Austin Area Shoebox Swap!!! Lots of wonderful stamping friends, good good, and fabulous stamping!!! Tonight I will show you the Fall/Halloween cards we made. Later on in the week I will show you the Christmas cards, birthday cards, and all occassion cards.

This is one of my favorites....love the little leaves!! We had 45 minutes at each table and there were 4 card stations at each table. Since I am NOT a fast stamper, I didn't get a couple of them finished :(

The little turkey was made from punched shapes...tooo cute!!!

I love the colors on this fancy fold card...the oval piece flips around and has the sentiment stamped on another white oval piece.

Here are the Halloween cards. I made a Halloween card for my swap card but you can't see it till I get the bag finished. It will be #8 of 10 Halloween sets for my Grandbabys.

I may add some googly eyes to the owl....he needs a little something!!

I love this fancy fold. The coloring on the ghost isn't finished...I need to go back over it with a blender pen.

Don't look too close at the punched fence. I put it in the envie while the glue was wet and the fence moved. I'll add a ribbon to the bottom or a black cardstock strip to hide the oops!!

It's after midnight and I have turned into a pumpkin!! Thanks for visiting....have a wonderful Sunday!!!

Church Craft Fair 2011

Good morning everyone.....I am up early to get ready for the shoe box swap in Georgetown, Texas...I am sooo not a morning person!!!!! First, though, I thought I would upload some of the things we have been making for this year's church craft fair in November.....all the money from the sale goes towards church projects. My friend, Sue Knox, took these gorgeous pictures and I made them into a card set. The design is really simple so the photo takes center stage and for easy mailing.  

All the photo card sets we made last year sold in the first hour so we are making twice as many this year!!

These are prayer pockets that my firend, Ellen, made and I decorated with my handy dandy glue gun and lots of embellies from my stash.

These will fit into the inside pockets....they sold real well last year so we made more for this year.

Thanks for visiting...I will have pictures of the swap cards tomorrow!! Have a great day!!!

Cats, Cats Everywhere!!

Good morning everyone....hope you are having a great Friday morning!!! Just one more day and my DD Holly and I will be heading south to Georgetown for the Austin area Shoe Box Swap...Whoohoo!!!! I have my card packets all made...the only things left to do are to buy some goodies at the store for snacks and write up my instruction sheet. I'll post all the cards we make on Sunday....I will have around 30 to share with ya!!
Anyway....I played with my Rubbernecker Cats Set #597 last night...aren't they adorable!!! Several pastel colors were used for the cats, the sentiemnt was from the Party Time set #439, and Marina Mist cardstock was used for the matting.

This one is pretty simple....the cat images and sentiment were stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black on the white cardstock and the Baker's Twine and button finish it off.

Thanks for stopping by...have a wonderful Friday!!! 

Color Throwdown #162 and Some Exciting News!!

Hello everyone.....I have some exciting news to share with you!!! I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am to be one of the newbie designers on the Color Throwdown Challenge Blog....Whoohoo!!!!! What a fabulous group of stampers...I am truly honored to be in their esteemed company, I tell ya!!!  Every Wednesday one of the CTD Designers has a new color challenge for you...this week it's Tammy's turn and what gorgeous colors she chose!!!

My card features the little Paper Smooches owl from the Chubby Chums set and the sentiment from the Paper Smooches Friendly Flowers set. The owl was paper pieced with a piece of Creamy Caramel cardstock that was sponged around the edges and patterned papers from Bo Bunny's Timepiece collection. The background was sponged with pool party, the branch was hand cut from Early Expresso, sewing was done around the background layers, and the ribbon, twine, button, and doily finish it off.

This is also for a few other challenges:
1. Order of the Opus Gluei - owl
2. Paper Sundaes - lots of layers
3. Sentimental Sundays - sewing or stitching
4. Crafty Catz - things with wings

Thanks for stopping by today.......I hope you can join us for this weeks challenge....remember, you don't have to have the exact colors to play the Color Throwdown Challenge...... use the closest you have.  Use the link service to post your card and please link directly to your card so we can find it easily. Also, include a link in your post to the Color Throwdown. If you upload your card to a public forum, please use the keyword CTD162 so we can find your project.  Hope to see you there!

Do you want to see some AWESOME inspiration?? Here are the links to the Color Throwdown Designers..... check out what they created this week!


Broni Holcombe - Splashes of Watercolor
Barbara Anders - Paper Pursuits
Danielle Kennedy - Wild Dragonfly Designs
Tammy Hershberger - Stamp Happy
Kristin Beuter - Mindless Creativity
Laura Pryor - Lil' Inker Designs
Carole Burrage - Mother's Little Helper
Keva Brown - How Now Brown Kow
Lori Tecler - Inking a Loud
Lynn Put - The Queens Scene
Wanda Cullen - Cullen-ary Creations
Joan Ervin - Stamping With a Passion - that's me!
Amy Sheffer, October Guest Designer - Pickled Paper Designs

Halloween Set #6

Good morning everyone....hope you had a great Monday and are ready to start Tuesday with a bang!!! Ya, right....wishful thinking...LOL!!!! I hobbled all day yesterday because of my sore calves....all the walking I did last weekend sure did take it's toll on this old lady!!!! I did finish another Halloween gift set....6 down, and 4 to go!! I need to decide what to put inside the bags....I don't think my children would appreciate me filling the whole thing up with candy even though my grands would love it!!!  

This set was pretty simple...the only coloring I did on the Changito image was the pumpkin....the spiderweb, spider, and sentiment are from Crafty Secret's Halloween Fun set. The black rick rack and the Martha Stewart Punched bat finish it off.

I needed a larger spider web for the bag so I used one from Rubbernecker's Halloween Set #1 #734 and the dangling spider was a stamp from Craft Smart (dollar bin at Michaels). Sorry about the lighting...two bulbs burned out in my ceiling lighting fixture and we have to haul in the 10 foot ladder to change them....maybe that will get done today??
Recipe:
Stamps: Stampendous, Rubbernecker, Crafty Secrets, Craft Smart
Paper: White, Black, Orange Gingham from Paper Studio
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Only Orange, Really Rust, and Summer Sun markers, Nestabilities, Martha Stewart Bat Punch, Black Rick Rack, Stampin Up punch for the sentiment, White Gell Pen for the bat's eyes

Thanks for visiting ....hope you get to do something wonderful today!!!!

Round Top Trip

Hello everyone...I got home from Round Top, Texas last night and boy, I'm still  pooped!!!! We walked for two days straight and still didn't get to all the tents and booths. The backs of my legs feel like boils but I tell ya....we had a fabulous time!!!!! The highlight of my shopping yesterday was when I found a $1.00 table full of the most wonderful antique dishes....on the last day of the two week trade days the venders want to get rid of stuff so they don't have to pack it home. Ooooh, how I love a good bargin...Whoohoo!!!
Anyway...I made this Halloween card before I left...it was made with stamps from Red Lead Paperworks. They have such cute little witch stamps!!
Recipe: Stamps: Red Lead
Paper: Pumpkin Pie, White, dp scrap
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Really Rust
Accessories: Fiber, Ribbon, Circle Punch

This is a picture of the wonderful Pecan Grove Inn Bed and Breakfast in Carmine, Tx where we spent Saturday night. It is a turn of the century home with 7 bedrooms and a dining room where we all eat family style. The owners are sooo nice and they are great cooks!!! Susie and I shared a double room...all the rooms have their own bathroom and little sitting area.

This is the side garden and patio...check out all the big  beautiful trees!! All the houses in the area are gorgeous, too!!

This is the sitting area in our room.....the owners love antiques and period pieces, too!! Note the wood siding on the walls...it's original. The ceiling has the original beadboard and the floor has the original 6 inch painted wood planks.

The last two pics are different tents with lots of goodies....some of the tents house from 2 to 20 or more venders. Take these tents times 200 or maybe 300 and that's how many tents are in each town not to mention the huge metal buildings with hundreds of venders sharing the space. We went to 3 towns in two days...yikes call us crazy!!

Thanks for stopping by.....have a great Monday!!!!