A new little honor...

Isn't it wonderful how God gives us a little rainbow in the midst of life's storms? Well, today, my son returned to college after a 4-day Thanksgiving holiday here at home, and 5 minutes after Tom went out the door with him, I was missing him already! The weather was gloomy, rainy, chilly and very depressing and I thought, "I don't know if I'll get used to having him come and go like this!" I know, it's not a storm, but it's been a bump in the road for me transitionally. Anyway, in the midst of feeling blue, I visited my blog for any possible activity, and lo and behold! My friend, Linsey Rickett, who maintains a very creative blog "Outside the Lines", and who also happens to be a wonderful cardmaker and designer for Clear Dollar Stamps, Unity Stamp Company and Clear Artistic Stamps, has nominated me for this little award, called the "Kreativ Blogger" award. To accept there are rules to follow:

Official Rules:
1. The winner may put the logo on their blog.
2. Put a link to the person who sent you the award.
3. Nominate 5 blogs.
4. Put links to their blogs
5. Leave a message for your nominees.

I have so many deserving fellow cardmakers to bestow this award to, but my first instinct is to award it to Lori McCroskey, owner of Clear Dollar Stamps. Lori's blog, "Clearly I Stamp" is loaded with informative ideas, tutorials and tips, as well as announcements pertaining to Clear Dollar Stamps' upcoming promotions, sales, etc. Lori has been very gracious to me as a new design team member, and so encouraging, even when my cards don't look like much to me! LOL

My second nomination is for Laurie Wilson, Design Team Coordinator for Clear Dollar Stamps. Laurie is not only the Design Team Coordinator, but an illustrator of many of the CDS stamp sets. Laurie's informative blog, "Clearly Delightful" is very helpful in learning new techniques, tips, etc. Laurie works long hours, coordinating challenges, stamp sets, scheduling deadlines, etc. She surely wears many hats, and for that, I award her this award, as well.

The third nomination goes to Linda Anderson, my friend and fellow Clear Dollar Stamps Design Team Member. Linda and I met through the Splitcoast Stamping Community, as participants in the Divine Secret Sibling Round. Linda was my Big Secret Sis for 3 months, and we befriended each other through emails and she sent goodies and cards to me throughout the round. At the end of the round, Linda revealed who she was, and we've been great friends ever since! Linda's blog, "The Stamper's Touch" has some outstanding creations and Linda's blog entries are always so "human"...it makes you feel like she's your sister or best friend. I just love Linda's work!

I'd like to nominate Jami Bova for the fourth nomination. Jami's blog, "Stamp Happy" is a blog full of eye candy! Jami's style and sense of design is cutting edge and I can't enough of her creatinos! Call me a stalker! LOL Jami is a wonderful fellow cardmaker and very encouraging to me!

The last nomination goes to Judy Rozema, who's blog is a moving slideshow of sheer artistry! Judy's blog, "Joy in a Jar" is a delight to behold. She manages to crank out gorgeous card after gorgeous card, and never runs out of ink! Amazing, she is and such a sweet person. I'm happy to call her friend and fellow cardmaker.

A little sneak peek or two...

Today is a day dedicated to giving you a sneak peek at a new stamp set that Clear Dollar Stamps will be releasing tomorrow, December 1st, called "Asian Plants". This set is beautifully designed and versatile in so many applications. Below, I've crafted 2 cards and 2 other gift items from "Asian Plants" and they were so much fun to create!

When I was creating this card for a sneak peek sample, I was inspired by the embroidered ribbon flavor and colors! This beautiful stamp set along with many others and various supplies can be found at http://www.cleardollarstamps.com/

DIMENSIONS: 5”x5”. Card opens from right side
STAMP SETS USED: Clear Dollar Stamps Asian Plants
CARDSTOCK AND PAPERS: Colormates Medium Spring Green, Paper Trey White Cardstock
INKPADS: SU! Old Olive Ink, Stazon Black Ink, Ranger Gold Embossing Powder
MARKERS: Krylon Gold Leafing Pen, Signo Black Gel Pen
ACCESSORIES AND EMBELLISHMENTS: Heat Gun, SU! Large Oval Punch, Karen Foster Click-It Hole Punch, Stickles Crystal Glitter Glue, American Crafts Dimensionals, Tsukineko Sponge Daubers, Martha Stewart Branch Punch, Making Memories Grommet, Michael’s Self-Adhesive Gold Beads, K&Co. White Glitter Flower, Michael’s Holiday Ribbon, Sewing Machine
SPECIAL TECHNIQUES: Basic Stamping, Background Stamping, Heat Embossing, Sponging, Machine Stitching

Instructions:
The card base was cut from Colormates Medium Spring Green to 5"x5" size, then a 4"x4" square mat was cut from Paper Trey White Cardtock. I edged both the light green and white mats using a Krylon Gold Leafing Pen. After the edges were dry, I stamped the bamboo background image onto the white square mat using Versamark Watermark Ink. Then sprinkled gold embossing powder over the stamped images and then heat embossed using a heat gun. I machine stitched around the edges of the light green mat and the white mat.

The sentiment was stamped onto white cardstock using Black Stazon ink. The sentiment was punched using the Large SU! Oval Punch, and then heavily sponged around the oval edge using SU! Old Olive ink. I dot doodled around the oval using a Signo Black Gel Pen. The sentiment was anchored using a Making Memories Grommet/Jumbo Eyelet that I colored using the Krylon Gold Leafing Pen (I didn't have any gold grommets at the time). Then I wrapped the green and gold sparkly ribbon around the card base and through the grommet, tying off a ribbon knot.

The big gold flower was originally a 3 layered white, glittery flower from K&Co. embellishment set. I stripped off the 2 top layers, painting the large flower with the Krylon Gold Leafing Pen and adding Stickles Crystal glitter to add dimension. I added the original white glittery flower center to the gold flower center, adhering with an American Crafts Dimensional, and embellishing with 4 medium sized self-adhesive gold beads, and a larger one for the center of the flower. I popped the whole flower up on Dimensionals, and added light and medium spring green leaves punched with the Martha Stewart branch punch and added those around the flower. I added one single large self-adhesive gold bead to the lower right corner for balance. The card was finished by gluing the card base to a 5"x5" white cardstock lining.

This little tea bag holder was so much fun to create and what a neat idea for a quick gift or just to say, "I'm thinking of you." You can find this stamp set, as well as many others and various supplies at http://www.newcleardollarstamps.com/

DIMENSIONS: 3.25”x3.25” Folded. Opens from right side
STAMP SETS USED: Clear Dollar Stamps Asian Plants
CARDSTOCK AND PAPERS: Colormates Deep Berry Red, K&Co. “Mira” Designer Paper Collection, Colormates Light Orange Dream, Paper Trey White Cardstock, Black Generic Cardstock
INKPADS: SU! Green Galore, Stazon Black Ink, Ranger Black Embossing Powder, Ranger Opaque White Embossing Powder
MARKERS: Krylon Gold Leafing Pen, Signo Black Gel Pen, Stardust Glitter Pen
ACCESSORIES AND EMBELLISHMENTS: Heat Gun, SU! Large Oval Punch, Small Circle Punch, American Crafts Dimensionals, Tsukineko Sponge Daubers, Zots, Michael’s Self-Adhesive Gold Beads, Gold Cording
SPECIAL TECHNIQUES: Basic Stamping, Background Stamping, Heat Embossing, Sponging,

Instructions:
The card base was cut from Paper Trey White Cardstock to 3.25"x9.75", scoring at 3.25" on each end. I cut a corresponding size of Colormates Deep Berry Red cardstock for the exterior of the tea bag holder. Holding both the white and the red cardstock pieces together, I cut, using an Xacto knife the diagonal interior flap. The exterior red cardstock was first stamped with Versamark Watermark Ink and then heat embossed using Black Embossing Powder and a Heat Gun. After the black embossing was dry, I edged along the sides of the exterior red cardstock using a Krylon Gold Leafing Pen and set aside to dry.

The oriental girl was borrowed from Faith (Markie's Mom on SCS) and was made by cutting a small 1" circle out of the Light Orange Dream cardstock, and I punched a piece of black cardstock using the same 1" punch. I cut the black circle in half, and then snipped "bangs" across the bottom of the hairline and glued to the Orange Dream circle "face". The body was made free hand with an Xacto knife and straight edge. I made a square and a triangle out of the K&Co. "Mira" collection paper, and then made thin black mats to outline the shapes more definitively using the same freehand method with an Xacto knife and straight edge. I glued the parts together and set aside. I created the gold fan using a very small piece of copier paper and accordian folded it and then "painted" it gold using my Krylon Gold Leafing Pen and letting it dry for a half hour. After it dried, I secured the base of the fan with a small piece of scotch tape and then "painted that with my Krylon Silver Leafing Pen, allowing that to dry for another half hour.

The sentiment was stamped onto Paper Trey White Cardstock using Stazon Black Ink and then punched out with the SU! Large Oval Punch and I then, sponged heavily around the edge of the oval using SU! Green Galore ink. I dash doodled around the edge as well using a Signo Black Gel Pen. To make it look more "Asian" I edged along the oval as well using the Krylon Gold Leafing Pen. I glued the sentiment halfway on the front and halfway to the interior. The interior white 3.25"x9.75" sized matching cardstock was glued to the exterior. I created a black mat and a smaller white mat for the inside sentiment area. Although it is difficult to see in the photos of the interior, I stamped the same bamboo shoots on the white mat, on the lower left and then heat embossed with white opaque embossing powder and a heat gun. I stamped the sentiment in Stazon black ink, then edged the white mat and larger black mat using the Krylon Gold Leafing pen and setting aside to dry.The interior right diagonal flap was secured using sticky strips that are dimensional that allow for some room for the tea bag insertion.

To embellish this little tea bag holder, I glued the oriental girl on the front, adding a little stardust glitter to separate her head from her chignon and added 2 oriental "hairpins" to her chignon using gold cording and tying 2 knots in each end and securing with glue behind the girl's body. I adhered the gold fan next to the girl's body using a Zot glue dot. I added a row of self-adhesive gold beads to her gown collar for adornment, and using the same beads but a larger size, placed one on the sentiment and 2 more on the inside sentiment panel.

This card was inspired by the Global Views decorative brad that I used! The colors sort of came together once I decided to use the Asian red of the Global Views brad! This set has so many possibilities for lovely Asiatic type deiigns and you can find this stamp set, as well as many others and various supplies at http://www.newcleardollarstamps.com/

DIMENSIONS: 5”x5”, Card opens from the bottom
STAMP SETS USED: Clear Dollar Stamps Asian Plants
CARDSTOCK AND PAPERS: K&Co. “Mira” Designer Paper Collection, Paper Trey White Cardstock, Generic Black Cardstock
INKPADS: SU! Tempting Turquoise, Stazon Black Ink, Ranger Gold Embossing Powder
MARKERS: Krylon Gold Leafing Pen
ACCESSORIES AND EMBELLISHMENTS: Heat Gun, Nestabilities Regular Oval Dies, Karen Foster Click-It Hole Punch, Paper Piercing Tool, Krylon Gold Leafing Pen, American Crafts Dimensionals, Tsukineko Sponge Daubers, Prismacolor Pencils, Odorless Mineral Spirits, Blending Stumps, Global Views Decorative Brad, Offray Turquoise Satin Ribbon and Michael’s Gold Embroidered Holiday Ribbon
COLORING MEDIUM: Prismacoloring with Mineral Spirits
SPECIAL TECHNIQUES: Basic Stamping, Background Stamping, Heat Embossing, Sponging, Machine Stitching, Paper Piercing

Instructions:
The card base was cut from Black Cardstock to 5"x5" size, then a 4.5"x4.5" square mat was cut from K&Co. Red "Mira" Collection paper, and then a 4.25"x4.25" square mat was cut from Black Cardstock, and a 4"x4"" mat was cut from a piece of dark teal colored and patterned "Mira" Collection paper. I stamped the bamboo images from the stamps set onto the teal, patterned 4" square mat using Versamark Watermark Ink, then embossing with Ranger Gold Embossing Powder and a Heat Gun. I machine stitched around the red mat and the teal, patterned mat after embossing. The red and teal mats were edged using a Krylon Gold Leafing Pen and put aside to dry.The Asian potted flower was stamped onto Paper Trey White Cardstock and then colored with Prismacolor Pencils, blending with Mineral Spirits and a blending stump. The image was die cut using the Nestabilities Regular Oval Dies and then I sponged the edges of the stamped image oval heavily, using Stampin Up! Tempting Turquoise Ink. The corresponding black mat and red mats were cut using die cuts. I paper pierced by hand around the red mat, and then edged in gold using the Krylon Gold Leafing Pen. Using the same pen, I edged the stamped image white oval very slightly.

The sentiment was stamped with Stazon Black Ink onto Paper Trey White cardstock and then cut out by hand using an Xacto knife and straight edge. I heavily sponged the edges using Stampin Up! Tempting Turquoise Ink and then again in gold, using the Krylon Gold Leafing Pen. I punched a hole at the top of the sentiment "tag" after adhering the mat layers together, attaching a Global Views decorative brad. I stacked the ribbon with Offray Turquoise Satin Ribbon and Michael's Holiday Wire Edge Gold Embroidered Ribbon and ran a strip of that over the card horizontally and then securing on the card back with tape. The stamped image was adhered to the oval mats and then adhered to the card base using American Crafts Dimensionals. I added a big ribbon knot to the ribbon strip to adorn the card and balance all the "gold highlights". The card was finished by gluing the card base to a 5"x5" white cardstock lining.

This Kimono Bookmark & Holder set was such fun to create and makes a great little gift anytime! I want to give credit to the tutorial that I used for creating this Kimono Bookmark Holder. The author of the tutorial is Lynda from Lynda's Quiet Time blog, and here is her link: http://stampingdoc.blogspot.com/2008/09/eastern-blooms-kimono-bookmark-card.html

DIMENSIONS: 4.25X11”, folded in half
STAMP SETS USED: Clear Dollar Stamps Asian Plants
CARDSTOCK AND PAPERS: White Paper Trey Cardstock, K&Co. Blue Patterned Designer Paper
INKPADS: Stazon Black Ink, Ranger Gold Embossing Powder
MARKERS: Krylon Gold Leafing Pen
ACCESSORIES AND EMBELLISHMENTS: Heat Gun, Karen Foster Click-It Hole Punch, Making Memories Grommet, Sandylion Floral Stickers, Wright’s Tassel, Prismacolor Pencils, Odorless Mineral Spirits, Blending Stumps
COLORING MEDIUM: Prismacoloring with Mineral SpiritsSPECIAL TECHNIQUES: Basic Stamping, Background Stamping, Heat Embossing

Instructions:
Paper Trey White Cardstock was cut to 4.25"x11". Then folded in half, Lynda suggests that it is helpful to have a cutter/scorer to do this project. I didn't. : ( With the card folded in half, slide both thicknesses of the cardstock into the cutter and cut 1-1/6" from both sides, 2" down from the folded edge top, to create the kimono sleeves. The nectk is then cut at the fold from 1-1/6" to 3-3/16" (which is where the sleeves end). Unfold the card, cut down the neck approximately 1.75" inches. Fold the back and the front part below the kimono seeves forward. Tape the back folds to the card front so that the bookmark will slide inside easily without getting stuck. Score and fold the collar out as shown.

After folding and cutting, I stamped over all the kimono using Stazon Black ink and then colored each flower spray with Prismacolor Pencils and blending with mineral spirits and a blending stump. I cut a 1"x5.5" piece of K&Co. Blue Patterned designer paper to create the obi sash, and another smaller piece measuring .75"x5.5" piece of pink patterned scrapbook paper (it is a scrap, and so old that I can't remember the brand), to fnish the obi sash. Both pieces were wrapped around the kimono (separately). Lynda wisely warns us not to glue them together and then wrap, as they will buckle, but to instead, wrap individually around the kimono and secure with glue with finished. To adorn the kimono obi sash, I added a ready made Sandylion floral "sticker".

I edged the kimono collar and sleeves using a Krylon Gold Leafing pen and then created a little gold border out of scrap white cardstock, and "painting" gold with the Krylon Gold Leafing Pen. After drying for a half hour, I glued that to the hem of the kimono for interest.

The bookmark was cut from a matching piece of K&CO. Blue Patterned designer paper to 1.75"x5.5" size and then stamped with Versamark Watermark Ink the floral sprays that match the kimono stamping. I embossed with Gold Embossing Powder and a heat gun. After allowing that to thoroughly dry, I punched a hole and attached a Making Memories Black Grommet/Jumbo Eyelet to the back of the bookmark, adding a gold tassel for adornment. To finish, I added 2 more Sandylion ready-made floral stickers to coordinate the gift ensemble.

Ah Thanksgiving!

FreePhotosBank.com

Thanksgiving is certainly in the air this week and on my mind, it is, after all, my very favorite holiday. Remember the old poem/song, "Over the River..."? That has always been one of my favorite songs and a lot of people don't know that it is really written about Thanksgiving. Before you get caught up in the busy preparation of Thanksgiving...sit a spell, have a cup of tea and enjoy the words/lyrics that take you back to a simpler time...

Over the River
(Thanksgiving Day)

Over the river and through the wood
To Grandmother's house we go.
The horse knows the way
To carry the sleigh
Through white and drifted snow.

Over the river and through the wood
Oh, how the wind does blow!
It stings the toes
And bites the nose,
As over the ground we go.

Over the river and through the wood
To have a first-rate play.
Hear the bells ring
Ting-a-ling-ling!
Hurrah forThanksgiving Day!

Over the river and through the wood,
Trot fast, my dapple gray!
Spring over the ground
Like a hunting hound,
For this is Thanksgiving Day

Over the river and through the wood,
And straight through the barnyard gate.
We seem to go
Extremely slow~
It is so hard to wait

Over the river and through the wood~
Now Grandmother's cap I spy!
Hurrah for fun!
Is the pudding done?
Hurrah for the pumpkin pie!

By Linda Maria Child

Be still and know that I am God!

What a great scripture...at first glance, it doesn't say much, but when you consider the Lord, you realize how much it does say! I was inspired by this scripture when I created this card...when I think of God, I think of his marvelous works and how the heavens declare His glory! Here's the deets:

Dimensions: 5"X5", Card opens from bottom
Stamps: Clear Dollar Stamps Leaves & Pretty Little Scriptures
Cardstock and Paper: Basic Grey Ambrosia Collection, Paper Trey White Cardstock, Black Cardstock
Inkpads: SU! More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Apricot Appeal and Stazon Black
Accessories and Embellishments: Nestabilities Regular Square Dies, Martha Stewart Border Punch, SU! Mat Pack, Paper Piercing Tool, Tsukineko Daubers, Cuttlebug, Cuttlebug Argyle & Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Gold Brads, Black Photo Anchors, Making Memories Black Grommet/Jumbo Eyelet, American Crafts Dimensionals, Signo Black Gel Pen, Krylon Gold Leafing Pen, Satin Ribbon
Special Technique: Cuttlebug Embossing, Sponging, Paper Piercing

Instructions:
From the Basic Grey Ambrosia Collection, I cut the 5"x5" card base mat, a 4.5"4.5" gold mat, a 4-3/8"x4-3/8" black cardstock mat, a 3-7/8"x3-7/8" patterned coordinating mat. The gold mat was run through the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder and the paisley patterned paper was run through the Cuttlebug Argyle Embossing Folder for added texture. I cut a 1" wide strip of another coordinating print for the horizontal strip under the stamped image. The black border was punched using a Martha Stewart Zig Zag Border Punch, and glued under the print horizontal strip.

Two square mats were cut using Nestabilities Regular Square Dies. The leaves were stamped onto PaperTrey White Cardstock and then cut with Nestabilities Regular Square Die. I sponged the four corners of the stamped image using SU! Apricot Appeal first, then Pumpkin Pie for added intensity. I paper pierced the upper left corner and the lower right corner of the stamped image. I added dash doodles around the four edges using a Signo Black Gel Pen. A black cardstock mat was cut using Nestabilities Regular Square Die.

Using a Krylon Gold Leafing Pen, I edges the four sides of the two black mats, as well as the black zig zag punched border. I popped up the stamped image mat on the black mat. A hole was punched fr the large black grommet, where I ran the rust colored satin ribbon through the grommet and around the backside of the card base, adhering it to the back. The stamped image and black mat were popped up over the underneath card layers and ribbon. I punched 2 holes for the two photo anchors and brads for embellishing. The card was finished by gluing the card base to a 5"x5" white cardstock lining.

Monochromatic for Vikki

One of my friends in the "Travelin' Dork Sisters" group on the SCS website, VikkiJo Erickson, requested a monochromatic card from her sisters...she was very curious about them and was, for some reason, focused on them like a cat eyeing a spider! LOL Anyway, I created this card for my friend, Vikki, before I was hit with that nasty gastrointestinal superbug last week and I'm just now uploading it and getting it out in the mail to her. I wasn't sure of all the "rules" of a monochromatic card, but I just "winged it!" To me, a monochromatic card is simply one of different tones of the same hue...well, that's my interpretation. Here's the deets:

Dimensions: 5"X5", Card opens from bottom
Stamps: Clear Dollar Stamps Pretty Little Scriptures, Scrappy Cat Floral Scrolls
Cardstock and Paper: K& Co. Addison Scrap Pad, K&Co. Remake Blue Collection, ColorMates Deep Terrific Teal and Light Terrific Teal, Paper Trey White Cardstock
Inkpads: SU! Tempting Turquoise, Taken with Teal and Stazon Black
Accessories and Embellishments: Marvy Regular and Scalloped Oval Punches, SU! Mat Pack, Paper Piercing Tool, Tsukineko Daubers, Cuttlebug, Cuttlebug Fanciful Flowers & Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Sewing Machine, Thread, Self-Adhesive Pearls, American Crafts Dimensionals, Satin Ribbon
Special Technique: Cuttlebug Embossing, Sponging, Paper Piercing

Instructions:
The card base was cut to 5"x5" from Colormates Deep Terrific Teal, then a 4.5"x4.5" mat from K&Co. Addison Scrap Pad, then a 4"x4 mat from Colormates Light Terrific Teal and the center mat to 3.75"x3.75" from K&Co. Remake Blue Collection designer paper. I ran the 5"x5" mat through the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, and the smallest 3.75"x3.75" mat through the Cuttlebug Fanciful Flowers Embossing Folder. I machine stitched around all four sides of all square mts except the Colormates Light Terrific Teal mat (2nd smallest mat).

The sentiment was stamped onto Paper Trey White Cardstock using SU! Taken with Teal ink and the sentiment was stamped over the leaves using Stazon Black Ink. The sentiment was punched out using a Marvy Regular Oval Punch and I punched a scalloped mat using K&Co. Addison Scrap Pad paper using a Marvy Scallop Oval Punch. I sponged the edge of the sentiment oval using first SU! Tempting Turquoise and then more heavily using SU! Taken with Teal. I paper pierced around the scallops of the sentiment mat. I popped up the sentiment oval using American Crafts Dimensionals on the scalloped mat, and then popped that up on the center square 3.75"x3.75 mat.

To embellish, I wrapped a turquoise satin ribbon around the upper left corner and lower right corner. I added self-adhesive "pearls" around the sentiment and to tie things together on the lower right corner ribbon. The card was finished by gluing the card base to a 5"x5" white cardstock lining.

A little sick

Just a short post to say that I've been hit with a gastrointestinal virus that has been wicked to say the least. As soon as I bounce back, I'll be uploading a few new creations to share, as well as new December sneak peeks for Clear Dollar Stamps. The sneak peeks will be uploaded beginning November 26th, and I have to say there are a lot of very cute stamps sets about to be released! Stay tuned...

To Brighten Little Reggie's Day

I'm a member of the Splitcoast Stamping Community and also a member of the "Traveling Dork Sisters" thread. One of our "Dork Sisters" Jackie Bowman's son, Little Reggie has been struggling with a health situation and has been hospitalized. The physicians have not made a diagnosis, and he has been to two different hospitals. Latest word is that he is home, still in pain and still no diagnosis! I made this card to brighten his day with some neon! Please remember Jackie and Little Reggie and family in your prayers as they struggle through this storm.

Dimensions: 4.25"x5.5', Card opens from bottom
Stamps: Stampin' Up! Pun Fun
Techniques: Basic Stamping,Sponging, Prismacoloring with Mineral Spirits
Paper: Generic Black Cardstock, Paper Trey White Cardstock
Ink: Brilliance Moonlight White, Stampin' Up! Summer Sun & Pacific Point Inks
Tools: Nestabilities Regular and Scalloped Round Dies, Cuttlebug and Dots Embossing Folder, Krylon Brights Pens - Yellow, Blue & Green, Prismacolor Pencils, Odorless Mineral Spirits, Blending Stumps, Signo White Gel Pen, Signo Black Gel Pen, American Crafts Dimensionals
Embellishments: Doodlebug Limeade Ric Rac, Doodlebug Brad

Instructions:
The card base was cut from black cardstock to 4.25"x5.5" size. Four rectangular mats were cut by hand to the following sizes: out of white cardstock 5-1/8"x3-7/8", out of black cardstock 4.75"x3.5", out of white cardstock 4-3/8"x3.25", and out of black cardstock 4"x2.75". The largest white mat was sponged with SU! Summer Sun ink all over and then edged around the 4 sides using a Krylon Brights Green Paint Pen, and set aside to dry. The next mat, a black one was sponged with Brilliance Moonlight White all over and then edged around the 4 sides using a Krylon Brights Blue Paint Pen, and set aside to dry. The next mat, a white one was sponged all over with SU! Pacific Point ink all over and then edged around the 4 sides using a Krylon Brights Yellow Paint Pen, and set aside to dry.

The image was stamped onto black cardstock using Brilliance Moonlight White, and then coloring with Prismacolor Pencils and blended with Mineral Spirits, using blending stumps. The stamped image was cut out using a Nestabilities Regular Round Die and then, I cut a Round Scalloped Mat out of Paper Trey's Gorgeous White Cardstock using the Nestablities Scalloped Circle Die. I edged the black stamped circular mat using the Krylon Brights Yellow Paint Pen, and set aside to dry. Then, I edged the scalloped edges using a Krylon Brights Blue Paint Pen, setting that aside to dry. I glued all 4 rectangular mats together. Dot doodles were added to the circular mats using Signo White and Black Gel Pens.

To embellish, I added 2 rows of Doodlebug Limeade Ric Rac, securing to the back of the stack of rectangular mats. I glued the two circular mats together, and then popped them up on American Crafts Dimensionals over top the secured Ric Rac. I added one single bright yellow big brad from Doodlebug. All glued layers were glued to the black cardstock base. I added doodle dots around the edge of the card base using a Signo White Gel Pen.

I hope that you like this Reggie, and we're praying for you, hon! God Bless!

Fast, But Lovingly Created!

Would you believe I had to whip out another card in a hurry? Whew! My Little Sister on SCS (Divine Secret Siblings) needed some happy mail, so I had to get crackin' and whip up something. I decided to use my new Clear Dollar Stamps Set "Deer Wishes". It is their Stamp of the Month Set for November, and if you order $50.00 or more, the Stamp of the Month Set is free! I love the deer's dear sweet face (no pun intended!). Okay, now for the deets:

Dimensions: 5"X5", Card opens from the bottom
Stamps: Clear Dollar Stamps "Deer Wishes" Stamp Set
Techniques: Basic Stamping, Background Stamping, Prismacoloring with Mineral Spirits, Sponging, Machine Stitching
Paper: DCWV Winter Glitter Mat Stack, Colormates Medium Berry Red & Deep Teal, Paper Trey White Cardstock
Ink: Stampin Up! Baja Blue Ink and Stazon Black Ink
Tools: Cuttlebug, Cuttlebug Snowflake Embossing Folder, Cuttlebag Tags Die Cuts, Karen Foster Click-It Hole Punch, Krylon Gold Leafing Pen, Signo White Gel Pen, Signo Black Gel Pen, Sakura Stardust Glitter Pen, Sakura Souffle Pen, Amercan Crafts Dimensionals, Tsukineko Sponge Daubers
Embellishments: Hero Arts Snowflake Brad, American Crafts Brads, Scrapworks Alphadots Sentiment & Conch, Michael's Holiday Ribbon

Instructions:
The card base was cut from Colormates Deep Teal cardstock to 5"x5". I embossed that square using the Cuttlebug and the Snowflake embossing folder. Next, I cut a 4.5"x4.5" square mat out of the DCWV Glitter Mat Stack using a piece of white glittered cardstock. Another square mat 4.25"x4.25" was cut using the Colormates Medium Berry Red cardstock, and another square mat using the DCWV Glitter Mat Stack was cut with an aqua and white chevron/snowflake/stripe patterned piece of cardstock to 4"x4". I machine stitched around all 4 sides on the deep teal and the aqua and white patterned square mats.

The image was stamped using Stazon Black ink on Paper Trey's gorgeous White Cardstock. I prismacolored the image using mineral spirits and blending stumprs. I cut out the image using the Nestabilities regular square die and then made a scalloped square mat using the Nestabilities scalloped square die set. I sponged around the edge of the stamped image with Stampin Up! Baja Ink. I "dotted" the background sky using a Tsukineko spong dauber lightly. I added some dimension to the ground simulating snow with a Sakura Souffle pen. I retraced the snowflake stamped images using a Sakura Stardust Glitter pen to add some sparkle. I added a little "Stardust" to the little cardinal, as well. I dot doodled around the image using a Signo Black Gel Pen and then dot doodled around the red scalloped mat using a Signo White Gel Pen. The stamped image was popped up on American Crafts Dimensionals and then adhered to the red scalloped mat, which was also popped up on Dimensionals on the center square aqua & white patterned mat.

The sentiment was from an old stash of Scrapworks Alphadots. These are chipboard preprinted circles that you just punch out and put inside a matching size metal "conch". The Scrapworks conch was silver in color, and since I wanted to use a ribbon edged in metallic gold, I decided to paint the conch using a Krylon Gold Leafing Pen! I added dot doodles around the parameter of the sentiment using a Signo Black Gel Pen. The sentiment slide was created using a Cuttlebug Tag/Slide die set out of the Colormates Medium Berry Red cardstock. I dot doodled around the sentiment slide using a Signo White Gel Pen. I attached the sentiment and conch to the sentiment slide and slide my red holiday & gold edged ribbon behind the slide and anchored to the back of the card. I added two bow knots and added a white piece of organza ribbon on each bow knot.

To embellish and balance the card elements, I added 2 red brads from American Crafts and one white snowflake brad from Hero Arts to bring the eye to the sentiment. I dot doodled around the red mat using a Signo White Gel Pen. The card was finished by gluing the card base to a 5"x5" white cardstock lining.

A New Little Monkey...

I seem to be at a place where I'm making cards in a hurry...not a place I like to be! I usually take 3-5 hours to complete a card from beginning concept to finished product. This card was one that I needed to get done in a hurry because I procrastinated for months. I only procrastinated because my collection of "baby" type stamps is limited, and I didn't want to buy a new set, so I just kept putting it off. The card is for my niece, Jessica, who just gave birth to her second child, a boy, on her grandfather's (my father) birthday, October 23rd! I had this cute set by Clear Dollar Stamps called "Monkey Accessories"...I guess the Baby Monkey is an accessory (LOL), and the Mama Monkey is from a CDS set called "Monkey Madness". As followers of my blog are learning, I am obsessed with this monkey ; )

Dimensions: 4.25:x5.5", Card opens from right side
Stamps: Clear Dollar Stamps "Monkey Madness" and "Monkey Accessories" Stamp Sets
Techniques: Basic Stamping, Prismacoloring with Mineral Spirits
Paper: K&Co. Blue Collection, Paper Trey White Cardstock
Ink: Stazon Black Ink
Tools: Cuttlebug, Dotted Swiss Embossing Folder, Buttons Embossing Border Folder, Nestabilities Regular Square Die and Scalloped Square Die, Karen Foster Click-It Hole Punch, Primsacolor Pencils, Odorless Mineral Spirits, Blending Stumps, American Crafts Dimensionals
Embellishments: American Crafts Striped Ribbon, Bo Bunny Brads

Instructions:
The card base was cut from Paper Trey White Cardtock to 4.25"x5.5" size. The front panel was run through the Cuttlebug using the Dotted Swiss embossing folder. On a separate strip of matching white cardstock, I embossed with the Buttons Embossing Border folder and then using Fiskars Paper Shapers Scallop Scissors, I hand cut the bottom scallop border.

A strip of turquoise striped patterned paper was cut and glued down across the bottom and the sentiment was stamped with Stazon Black Ink onto the turquoise paper. I glued the embossed button, scalloped strip over the turquoise strip.

The Mama Monkey was stamped onto Paper Trey White Cardstock as well as the Baby Monkey, and both were colored with Prismacolor Pencils, blending with mineral spirits and blending stumps. Another Baby Monkey was stamped on another piece of matching white cardstock, colored in the same manner and hand cut out and then placed over the Baby Monkey image underneath and popped up on American Crafts Dimensionals for dimension and whimsy. The stamped image was die cut using the Nestabilities square die and then matted with a matching turquoise scalloped square mat, using the Nestabilities scalloped square die. After gluing the white stamped image mat to the turquoise scalloped mat, I ran the ribbon vertically under the the lower turquoise and white panels, and the stamped image mats, then securing the stamped image mat with more American Crafts Dimensionals to pop up. I added a ribbon bow to the secured ribbon strip and finished with 2 Bo Bunny turquoise brads to balance the card. The card was then lined with matching Paper Trey White cardstock cut to 4.25"x5.5" size.

What's Up Birdie?

This 5x5" card was quickly made for my Little Sister (Divine Secret Siblings on SCS). I picked up this cute $1 stamp set by Studio G for her and myself (LOL) and wanted to make a card with it, so I'm sending it to her along with the mini stamp set.

Dimensions: 5"X5", Card opens from right hand side Stamps: Studio G $1 Bin Stamp Set Techniques: Basic Stamping, Sponging, Paper Piercing, Machine Stitching
Paper: K&Co. Berry Sweet Designer Paper Collection, Paper Trey White Cardstock
Ink: Stampin Up! Sage Shadow & Green Galore, Stazon Black
Tools: Nestabilities Regular Round & Scalloped Round Dies, Cuttlebug and Cuttlebug Argyle Embossing Folder, Hello Kitty Janome 3/4 Sewing Machine, Stampin Up! Large Oval Punch, Karen Foster Click-It Hole Punch, SU! Mat Pack, Piercing Tool, Signo White Gel Pen, American Crafts Dimensionals, Tsukineko Sponge Daubers, Sharpie Markers
Embellishments: Making Memories Black Grommet, Michael's Dollar Bin Organ Metallic Wired Ribbon & Offray Satin Edge Organza Ribbon

Instructions: The card base was cut from Paper Trey White Cardstock to 5"x5" size, then a Teal and Lime Green patterned piece of cardstock was cut to 4.5"x4.5", and a white mat was cut to 4"x4". I sponged the very edge of the white square with SU! Sage Shadow ink. The next square mat measures 3.75"x3.75" and was cut from a coordinating teal colored piece of K&Co. Berry Sweet collection, and then I ran it through the Cuttlebug using the Argyle Embossing Folder. I machine stitched around the 4 sides of the large teal and lime patterend square mat, as well as the argyle embossed teal square mat.

The bird image was stamped with Stazon Black onto Paper Trey White Cardstock, and cut out using a Nestabilities regular round die, followed with a lime green patterned coordinating Berry Sweet paper round mat, and then a white mat using the next size up Nestabilities scalloped round die. I colored the bird image with Sharpie Markers and then sponged the edge of the smallest white mat with SU! Sage Shadow. I paper pierced free hand around the lime green patterned round mat, as well as the scallops on the white circular mat. The stamped bird image was glued to the lime green patterned mat, and then the scalloped round white mat, and then popped up on American Crafts Dimensionals, centered on the card.

The sentiment was stamped using Stazon Black into onto white cardstock, and then punched out using the SU! Large Oval Punch. I sponged the edge of the oval with SU! Green Galore. I dot doodled around the black oval using a Signo White Gel Pen. I punched a hole for the Making Memories Black Grommet/Jumbo Eyelet, and added dot doodles around the grommet using a Signo White Gel Pen. I Embellished with a teal metallic wired edge ribbon that I found in the Michael's $1 bin and stacked it with a pale yellow, satin edged Offray organza ribbon. The card was finished by gluing the card base to a 5"x5" white cardstock lining.

Well, Hello Kitty!

A major milestone occured this week. This girl who hates sewing and never did well in Home Economics class (for those who remember those classes that we had to take in high school). I decided after looking at all the beautifully stitched cards that my fellow Clear Dollar Stamps design team members were producing, that I was in the minority and felt "out of the loop". So, I splurged on a stamping purhase, and bought this darling "Hello Kitty Janome 3/4 Sewing Machine. The machine features 6 Stitches, 17 Functions, Freearm, Buttonholer, Foot Control, and for those who were wondering it is the same model as the Janome 1117S, but the Janome 1117S doesn't have the cute Hello Kitty face and graphics on it. In fact, the Janome 1117s is $30.00 cheaper because Hello Kitty isn't adorning the machine.

So, I'm now adding stitching to my cards, and having a blast with my new Hello Kitty green sewing machine. I must give credit to Tori Wild, my CDS team sister who purchased the same machine first and learned how to sew beautifully on it and creates wonderful stitching on her cards. Thanks Tori!

When you're looking at my stitching...remember I'm still new at this! ; )