Happy Birthday, Dianne!

 

Good Morning! April 20th is my sister, Dianne's birthday and this card was made for her. Dianne is very creative with so many hobbies and one of her favorite things to do is to decorate her house with nostalgic 1940-1950's things that speak of "Country" style. So, when thinking about what stamp set to use for her birthday card, I immediately reached for this cute Anna Wight "Crazy for Chickens" set by Whipper Snapper Designs. I had a 12x12 piece of scrapbook paper that was loaded with rows of black silhouette chickens alternating with gingham borders. So, I thought it would make a cute bottom border for my "Chicken Birthday Card". Overall, all the design elements came togehter quickly as I got my "Country" inspiration on. Happy Birthday, Dianne! I love you!!!

 

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Pictured above, is the card interior with another chicken stamp from the "Crazy for Chickens" set and a computer-generated sentiment. I used coordinating designer paper and layout to create the interior.

 

Okay, Here's the Deets:

Stamps: Whipper Snapper "Crazy for Chickens" by Anna Wight, Computer-Generated Sentiment

Cardstock & Papers: Cosmo Cricket "Garden Variety", Reminisce "Baking Gingham Stripe", Paper Trey Ink White Cardstock

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Tools: Cuttlebug, Spellbinders Circle & Blossom Dies, My Favorite Things Die-Namics Sentiment Strip Die, EK Success Eyelet Border Punch, Sewing Machine, Thread, Signo Uniball White Gel Pen, Stampin' Up! Dimensionals, Adhesives.

Copic Sketch Markers: Y11 Pale Yellow, Y21 Buttercup Yellow, Y26 Mustard, R14 Light Rouge, R27 Cadmium Red, E25 Caribe Cocoa, E31 Brick Beige, 0 Colorless Blender

Embellishments; Pebbles Gingham Ribbon, Paper Trey Ink Button

Techniques: Copic Coloring & Blending, Machine Stitching

 

Thank you for visiting! I love comments, thoughts & hellos!

 

 

 

Lovin' Kitties

 

Good Morning! I've just gotta say, I love kitties! I know that not everyone does, but those who do...just can't get enough of them. I bought this cute There She Goes stamp set called "Catitude", illustrated by Torico 2 years ago, but just got around to inking it up. In 2000, we brought home 2 kittens from 2 different litters: one was a Tortie Calico whom we named "Peanut" and the other was a Grey Tabby whom we named "Chloe". Peanut was a precocious, fun-loving and gentle kitty, not to mention my very favorite. Two years ago, we had to put her down due to multiple serious health issues but we still have Chloe, the grey tabby. So as a tribute to Peanut, I always color all my kitty images to resemble her gorgeous colors and it always adds a little whimsy to the image, as well. And with this cute image, I was able to pay tribute to Chloe, too. : )

 

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Pictured above, is the card interior with coordinating papers and the sentiment is from There She Goes "Catitude" stamp set.

 

Here's the Deets:

Stamps: There She Goes "Cattitude", A Muse "Happy Birthday" Sentiment

Cardstock & Papers: My Mind's Eye "Stella Rose" Paper Pad, Paper Trey Ink White Cardstock

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Stampin' Up! Sage Shadow

Tools: Cuttlebug, Spellbinders Circle & Scalloped Circle Dies, My Favorite Things Sentiment Strips Die, EK Success Border Punches, Sewing Machine, Thread, Stampin' Up! Dimensionals, Adhesives, Copic Sketch Markers, Sponge.

Embellishments: Doodlebug Button, The Twinery Twine

Techniques: Copic Coloring & Blending, Machine Stitching, Sponging

 

Thank you for looking! I love comments, thoughts and hello's!

 

 

 

 

A Happy Place

 

Good Morning! Whenever I go to the mailbox and find a new stamp set, that is my Happy Place! I recently purchased this cute stamp set, "Blossom to Blossom" by illustrator Torico by There She Goes Stamps and couldn't wait to start coloring her supercute images. I don't usually use a lot of purple or lilac in my cardmaking but I envisioned shades of purple, pink and aqua to compliment Torico's image. Below is a closeup of the epoxy stickers that I used to create polka dots on the little girl's dress.

 

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Pictured below is the card interior with coordinating papers & design and one of the sentiments included in the stamp set.

 

 

Here's the Deets:

Stamp: There She Goes "Blossom to Blossom"

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Stampin' Up! Baja Breeze

Paper & Cardstock: Doodlebug "Hello Spring" Paper Pad, Clear Dollar Stamps Cardstock, Paper Trey Ink

Tools: Cuttlebug, Spellbinders Circle, Blossom & Big Scallop Border Dies, Paper Trey Ink Cloud Die, Sponge Dauber, Sewing Machine, Thread, Embroidery Thread, Adhesives, Stampin' Up! Dimensionals

Embellishments: Doodlebug Buttons, KaiserCraft Pearls, Recollections Epoxy Stickers

Copic Sketch Markers: RV000 Pale Purple RV11 Pink, RV23 Pure Pink, Y11 Pale Yellow, Y15 Cadmium Yellow, Y21 Buttercup Yellow, Y26 Mustard, BV11 Soft Violet, BV13 Hydrangea Blue, BG000 Pale Aqua, BG11 Moon White, BG45 Nile Blue, E00 Skin White, E31 Brick Beige, E34 Orientale, YR21 Cream, YR24 Pale Sepia, B000 Pale Porcelain Blue, B00 Frost Blue

Techniques: Copic Coloring & Blending, Machine Stitching, Sponging

 

Thank you for visiting. I love comments, thoughts and hello's!

 

 

 

 

 

Nautical Fun

 

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Well, it certainly was nice to work on a card that didn't take days and days on end, like the last one! I bought a new (well, new to me) stamp from There She Goes Stamps, called "Float My Boat" by their illustrator Torico and as soon as it arrived in the mail, I was inking that cute image up. I love all of Torico's illustrations and hope that There She Goes Stamps never, never lets her go!

I decided to go with a nautical color scheme and envisoned, a pale lime green, pale aqua, bright red and royal blue and all the elements just flowed like the ocean. I curved the "Ahoy Matey" polymer stamp on the acrylic mount to ge the curved sentiment over the image. The little flag is stamped twice, one on the main image, and another cut out and popped up on Stampin' Up! Dimensionals for 3D fun. The corner larger green button was created by tying down the green button then affixing the royal blue metal star brad to the top of the button with Zots. I don't know if you can see the embossed pale aqua background but I used a Cuttlebug circles embossing folder for that.

 

Pictured above is the interior of the card with a computer-generated sentiment and coordinating papers and layout. I added another metal star brad to add a nautical touch to the interior. Below is a closeup of the main image:

 

Here's the Deets:

Stamp: There She Goes "Float My Boat"

Papers & Cardstock: October Afternoon "Seaside" Paper Collection, Various Paper Trek Ink and Clear Dollar Stamps Cardstock Solids

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Tools & Embellishments: Cuttlebug, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Paper Trey Ink Border Die, Martha Stewart Circle Punch, EK Success Corner Rounder Punch, Sewing Machine, Thread, Embroidery Thread, Stampin' Up! Dimensionals, Adhesives, Zots, Doodlebug Buttons, Star Brads, Ellen Hutson "Freebie" Ribbon, Computer-Generated Interior Sentiment.

Copic Sketch Markers: RV000 Pale Pink, RV23 Pure Pink, R02 Flesh, R08 Vermillion, YR21 Cream, YG03 Yellow Green, YG94 Grayish Olive, E25 Caribe Cocoa, E31 Brick Beige, B32 Pale Blue, B41 Powder Blue, BG11 Moon White, BG15 Aqua, BG45 Nile Blue, C2 & C5 Cool Greys, 0 Colorless Blender

Techniques: Copic Coloring & Blending, Machine Stitching

 

 Thanks for looking and visiting! I always love comments, thoughts and hello's!

 

 

 

The Card That Almost Wasn't

Have you ever stamped an image, got less than inspired to finish the card and just let it sit on your work table? Well, this is it! I love the stamp image from Whipper Snapper but when I stamped it, and die cut the oval around it, I remained stumped for inspiration, stumped for creativity, stumped for design and layout and so it sat on my table for days and days. Then one day, I decided to finish the card and once I got the papers cut, the inspiration starting to seep in and I ran with it.

I didn't have a sentiment to match the frog, so I snagged "Wart's New" from another card creation and things began to come together. But, I'm tellin' you...this is the card that almost wasn't! My favorite part of cardmaking is always embellishing, so after I Cuttlebugged the big dot embossing on the green bottom background, I got inspired to add some green expoxy stickers to serve as the warts on the frog! It's the little things that excite me, lol Here's a closeup of the expoxy warts:

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Below, is a photo of the card interior with a computer-generated interior sentiment. I decided to add the green expoxy stickers for some extra warts inside. Whatcha think?

 

 

 

Here's the Deets:

Stamp: Whipper Snapper "Fish Friends"

Paper/Cardstock: Heidi Grace "Sunshowers" Designer Paper Pack, Paper Trey Ink Yellow and White Cardstock

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Stampin' Up! Green Galore & So Saffron Inks

Tools: Spellbinders Oval and Scalloped Oval Dies, Spellbinders Label Die, EK Success Corner Punch, Martha Stewart Border Punch, My Favorite Things Die-namics Sentiment Strips Die, Cuttlebug, Cuttlebug Big Dot Embossing Folder, Sewing Machine, Thread, Sponges, Stampin' Up! Dimensionals, Adhesives, Signo Uniball White Gel Pen, Recollections Green Epoxy Stickers, Doodlebug Button, The Twinery Twine, Computer-Generated Sentiments

Copic Sketch Markers: B000 Pale Porcelain Blue, B000 Frost Blue, BG000 Pale Aqua, RV000 Pale Purple, RV11 Pink, YG000 Lily White, YG03 Yellow Green, YG63 Pea Green, E25 Caribe Cocoa, 0 Colorless Blender

Techniques: Copic Coloring & Blending, Sponging, Machine Stitching

 

Thank you for visiting! I love comments, thoughts and hello's!

 

 

 

Sing in the Rain!

Good Morning! Today I have a card that has been on my mind and heart for awhile...I've been wanting to use my new Stampavie Gillian Roberts stamp, "Under My Umbrella" with a sentiment that would encourage a friend through their storms in life. I computer-generated the "Sing in the Rain!" sentiment and matching verse on the interior of the card, shown below:

 

 

I wanted to create some rain drops on the main image, but was a little leary of doing so, for fear of messing up my whole image, but I grabbed a Sakura Stardust Clear Glitter Pen and just drew some straight flicks with the pen and hopefully, in the closeup photo below, you can see my efforts. What do you think? The pink flower in the middle of the gingham ribbon bow was a decorative pin - I removed the stick pin part with wire cutters and glue-Zotted it onto the center of the bow.

 

Click on any photo to view larger

 

 

Here's the Deets:

Stamps: Stampavie Gillian Roberts "Under My Umbrella"

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Stampin Up! Sage Shadow

Tools: Cuttlebug, EK Success Mini Scallop Corner Punch, My Favorite Things Mini Tabs Quartet Die, Sewing Machine, Thread, Zots, Adhesives, Stampin' Up! Dimensionals, Sakura Jelly Roll Stardust Clear Glitter Pen, Spong Dauber, Copic Sketch Markers

Embellishments: K&Co. Decorative Pins, Pebbles Gingham Ribbon

Techniques: Copic Coloring & Blending, Machine Stitching, Sponging

 

Thank you for visiting. I love comments, thoughts and hello's!

 

 

Dreaming of Spring

Hello! Thank you for visiting my blog today. I've been dreaming of Spring lately as a warm weather fan and my backyard songbirds have been singing lately. So, I wanted to use this cute stamp set from Clear Dollar Stamps, which was a purchase 2 years ago and it was screaming for some ink. I decided to make the bugs in the image ladybugs and added black polka dots to their bodies. Below is a closeup of the colored image:

 

The cute illustration by Laurie Wilson had a great selection of sentiments with the stamp set, but I decided to go with a Paper Trey sentiment to convey what a gift each day is and how we should embrace each one. Below is the card interior with coordinating designer papers and design. The interior sentiment is computer-generated.

 

 

 

Click on any photo to view larger

 

Here's the Deets:

Stamps: Clear Dollar Stamps' "Loving Ladybugs", Paper Trey Ink "Everyday Button Bits" Sentiment

Cardstock & Papers: October Afternoon "Modern Homemaker" and Paper Trey Ink White Cardstock

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Stampin' Up! Green Galore

Tools: Cuttlebug, Spellbinders Circle & Scalloped Circle Dies, Spellbinders Tag Trio Die, Martha Stewart Loop Border Punch, EK Success Corner Rounder Punch, Sewing Machine, Thread, Stampin' Up! Dimensionals, Uniball Signo White Gel Pen, Sponge, Adhesives, Embroidery Thread.

Copic Sketch Markers: B000 Pale Porcelain Blue, B00 Frost Blue, BG000 Pale Aqua, Y11 Pale Yellow, Y13 Lemon Yellow, Y15 Cadmium Yellow, Y21 Buttercup Yellow, Y26 Mustard, YR12 Loquat, R02 Flesh, R08 Vermillion, G20 Wax White, G24 Willow, G82 Spring Dim Green, G94 Grayish Olive, YG03 Yellow Green, YG63 Pea Green, YG67 Moss, E29 Burnt Umber, E34 Orientale, 0 Colorless Blender.

Techniques: Copic coloring & blending, sponging, machine stitching.

 

I'm working on another card with a Gillian Roberts illustration - another Springtime card! Thank you for visiting...I always enjoy thoughts, comments and hello's.

 

 

 

 

 

A Little Spring Fever

Hello, and thank you for visiting my blog. I treated myself to a new stamp from Stampavie and couldn't wait to color it with my Copic Sketch Markers and use some new paper I purchased 2 years ago before my shoulder surgery, lol! The artist of the stamp is Gillian Roberts and I love her style of drawing...always so cute.

Pictured above, is the interior of the card with coordinating cardstock & papers. The sentiment is computer-generated. Click on any photo to view it larger.

Here's the deets:
Stamps: Stampavie "Looking at You", Paper Trey Ink "Birds of a Feather" Sentiment
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Stampin' Up! Baja Breeze
Paper & Cardstock: My Mind's Eye Stella & Rose "Gertie" Designer Pad, Paper Trey Ink White Cardstock
Tools: Spellbinders  Label Die, EK Success Corner Rounder Punch, EK Success Daisy Border Punch, Stampin' Up Dimensionals, Black Fine Tip Marker, Sewing Machine, Thread, Embroidery Thread
Embellishments: Paper Trey Ink Pink Blush Polka Dotted Ribbon, Making Memories Mini "Button" Brads, Doodlebug Button, Hero Arts Fancy Felt Flower, Computer Generated Sentiment
Techniques: Stamping, Copic Coloring & Blending, Machine Stitching

I'm working on a cute Clear Dollar Stamps' Ladybug card and hope to share that in a few days! I always enjoy thoughts, comments & hello's.

A Tweet Return

I'm back! I bet I've lost my blog followers after a 2-year absence but, I'm hoping that's not the case. Much has happened in my absence, including an extensive rotator cuff repair/partial shoulder replacement operation and that is not a surgery that I would wish on anyone, but the surgery was successful. The recovery on that is very lengthy and I'm just now feeling about 75%, but I made a card! I must admit, I had to re-orient myself to my stamping nook, re-familiarizing myself with where I stored all my supplies and even forgot what I had regarding tools, embellies, etc. My first card after 2 years was a 2-week process...LOL! And, I inadvertently made the card 6"x6" instead of my favorite size, 5"x5"...but I have transparent polyethelene envelopes that will work nicely for that, I think. ; )

I decided to break out a Clear Dollar Stamp set, "A Tweet Hello" that I had purchased before my surgery, illustrated by Laurie Wilson. It's a small image, but very cute and I couldn't wait to use it. Below, is a photo of the interior of the card with a computer-generated sentiment and coordinating stamp images from the same set:

 

Click on any photo to view larger

Here's the Deets:

Stamp Set: Clear Dollar Stamps "A Tweet Hello"

Paper & Cardstock: My Mind's Eye Stella Rose "Gertie" Collection & Paper Trey White Cardstock

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Stampin' Up Sahara Sand & Sage Shadow

Tools: EK Success Eyelet Border Punch, EK Success Mini Scallop Corner Punch, Spellbinders Circle & Scallop Circle Die, Spellbinders Oval & Scallop Oval Dies, Sewing Machine, Thread, Round Corner Punch, Stampin' Up Dimensionals, Embroidery Floss

Copic Sketch Markers: RV000, RV13, B000, B00, BG000, E25, E27, E31, E34, C1, C2, C5, 0 Colorless Blender

Embellishments: Paper Trey Pink Blush Polka Dotted Ribbon, Doodlebug Buttons, Basic Grey Opaline Pearls

Techniques: Copic Blending, Sponging, Machine Stitching
 

Thanks for looking and checking up on me! I love comments, thoughts and hello's!