Tues. May 31, 2011 STVFRIGS1

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.  Yesterday was gorgeous- sunny and very warm!

Giovana''s challenge for us Friday was to make a masculine birthday card.

I used an image from Theresa's "Gone Fishing" stamp set, and the cracked glass technique. Instead of sponging with vintage photo distress ink, I used Stormy Sky ink, to give the effect of water.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  See you tomorrow!

Mon. May 30, 2011 Memorial Day

Today, I am sharing a card I made for StampTV's Challenge gkdmay11gs- Black and White only.  The text background is from Gina's Botanical stamp set, and the floral image is from the Springtime Silhouettes StampTV kit.  I heat embossed the flowers with white EP on Black Onyx cs. I distressed the panels for a slightly shabby chic touch!

I hope you have a wonderful day, as we remember those that gave their lives for our country.

There's a Summer Party going on at The Outlawz. There are lots of awesome prizes!!!  Just click on the banner on the upper right on this page to get all the details.

Sun. May 29, 2011 Ivory and Ebony & One Love Challenge

I can't believe it is Memorial Day weekend already?  We haven't had much of a Spring here-it's been cold and rainy, but predictions for today say 88°. After all the destruction around the country from the tornadoes, there is no complaining here.  My heart, thoughts and prayers go out to all that were affected!

Today's card is a birthday card using Theresa's "Hope Grows" stamp set and Gina's "Spring Mix" for the sentiment.  The bird is a Cricut die cut. I colored the pearls with a gray Copic marker.

My second card to share today in a one layer card for Donna Baker's challenge "gkdmay11bd" at StampTV. 

This is what Donna wrote:

My challenge to you (and for those of you who LOVE to layer, this WILL be a challenge, hee!) is to show your ONE LOVE by making a ONE layer card with the following restrictions: use ONE image stamp, ONE sentiment stamp (but you can stamp them more than once), and only ONE embellishment (but you can use it more than once such as 3 brads). Liquid pearls, stickles, glitter pens, etc. do not count as an embellishment here, they count as 'accents' .

Here is my take on the challenge.  I used the sofa stamp and sentiment from Nina's "Fine Furnishings Additions" stamp set. The wall decor is a brad that has been hanging around my craft room for eons!

****** There's a Summer Party going on at The Outlawz. There are lots of awesome prizes.  Just click on the banner on the upper right on this page. Have a great weekend!

Fri. May 27, 2011 Outlawz Challenge GC052311

Happy Friday!

I visit Susan's "Simplicity" blog every day.  The other day she made an awesome card using ribbon scraps. Susan was inspired by a card in Card Creations. 

Now I do have a lot of bits of ribbons, but I didn't have the time to sort through the pile to find coordinating bits.  I used 1/4" strips of patterned paper to achieve a similar look.

The Outlawz :  

This week's challenge: No stamp or digital image except for sentiment

There's a Summer Party going on at The Outlawz. There are lots of awesome prizes.  Just click on the banner on the upper right on this page.

I am so glad you stopped by!

Thurs. May 26, 2011 IC 285 Inspiration Challenge for SCS

I posted this card on SCS on Monday.  The inspiration was to come from the Spotted Moth web site.  I chose this photo as my inspiration.

I used the woodgrain technique to make my fence and the pennants made with Spellbinder dies for my flags.  The sentiment is from the "Bearded Iris" stamp set from Mark's Finest Papers. I punched out little stars and colored them with markers, to add the theme to the circle die. I am pretty happy with how this turned out!

There's a Summer Party going on at The Outlawz. There are lots of awesome prizes.  Just click on the banner on the upper right on this page.

I appreciate you stopping by to visit!

Wed., May 25, 2011 STVMONBD1 Shabby Chic

I love making Shabby chic cards, so I was thrilled to see that Donna chose this for a challenge this week on StampTV.  I also am entering this one in the sketch challenge Mojo Monday 192. The little metal tag was one I have had for years, but it was a very shiny silver color, so I used alcohol inks to make it make my card! 

I love country music, so back to watching American Idol now.  I will be happy with either Scotty or Lauren winning! 


There's a Summer Party going on at The Outlawz. There are lots of awesome prizes.  Just click on the banner on the upper right on this page.

See you tomorrow!

Tues. May 24, 2011 OLW 54

The One Layer Wednesday challenge this week was to use an inspiration photo from one of the cakes located HERE on CakeWrecks.  I chose the Baby cake with the pink sneakers.

I used the "Ribbon Stripes" stamp set from Gina K.  The sentiment and the buttons are from Rupa's "Oh, Baby" set.

Mon.. May 23, 2011 Fun with Pennants

I have another 60th birthday card to share with you today. I need quite a few of these to send out this year.  I used Spellbinders pennant die cuts, which cut out some pretty patterned paper in my stash.

 

I think it's a feminine CAS card and I think I really like it! I hope you do too.  I will be back tomorrow!

Sun. May 22, 2011 STVFRICT1

Ah- a fun challenge from crafty, kraft Cat. I don't think there is anyone out there that makes cards with kraft any better than Cat. I keep trying to come up to her level of gorgeousness!!!

I used the dress from Gina's "Celebrate in Style" stamp set, which I paper pieced.  I added Copic markers to the bodice and top. I decided to make a little hanger for it too.  The kraft was scored at 1/2" marks, on the diagonal.

Thank you for stopping by!

Fri. May 20, 2011 A fun new die

Although this is a discontinued die, I was able to snag one online.  Isn't it cute?  I figure I'd find all kinds of ways to use it- for housewarmings, dinner invitations, bridal showers,  and place cards.  Even a card with a cupcake on it , would make a fun birthday card. The die contains the silverware and the large plate, and the dinner napkin.  I used a Spellbinder circle the create the smaller plate with the sentiment.  

The floral wreath and the sentiment are from Gina's "Wreath of Wishes" stamp set. colored with Copics.  I used Stazon metallic ink to color the utensils.

Thank you for stopping by!!!!

Thurs. May 19, 2011 STVMONJW1

Wow- I can't believe it is Thursday already! This week is zooming by me!


This week's Mix it up Mondays at STV is a challenge to use flowers- lots of flowers.  For my card, I used flowers from Theresa's "Aloha" stamp set, which I colored with Copic markers. For part of my bg, I used Gina's tutorial for using scraps.

Thank you for visiting! See you tomorrow!

Wed. May 18, 2011 D.I.V.A.S. OBG Hop

Hi to all our visitors! I am so glad you have stopped by.  If you arrived here from Dru Cabral's BLOG, you are in the right place.

I haven't participated in a D.I.V.A.S. "Oldie but Goodie" hop in a while, but one of my little Magnolia stamps was calling out to me.  So, I inked her up and got my Copics all set to go.  I haven't ever made a card for a 1st Communion, so it was time to get this card done. I punched the flowers with a MS punch. The image was stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black, and then lightly colored with Copic markers.  I added the cross with a gold pen. The sentiment was computer generated.

Thank you so much for stopping by, and please know your comments are very much appreciated!  Now, you are going to see what 

Angie Robyn Williams has in store for you.  I am sure it's gorgeous!  Here is the link to her BLOG.

Tues. May 17, 2011 STVFRIJH1

Jennie Harper is hosting the Free for All Friday with a challenge to make our own DP.

I used stamps from the GKD Stenciled Spring set to make my dp-with two different color ink pads, and then used the stamp with the coffee pot as my focal image.  I colored this one with Memento markers, then huffed and stamped. The sentiment is from the Picture It stamp set.

That's it for me today- see you tomorrow!

Mon. May 16, 2011 Two for you today

My first card to share today is for Tina's Monday challenge on STV. We were to use two patterned designer papers.  LOL- I used three different ones. The frame was cut with a Deckle Nestie. The sentiment is from Nina "Elegant Verses" stamp set.  The bird is from a Tim Holtz Alteration die (thanks Cheri) that I colored with Copics.  His underbelly was painted with Snow Cap paint dabber.

My second card uses the technique for using scraps that Gina shared last week Wednesday. I also made this for Mojo Monday 190  sketch challenge.

Thanks for visiting, see you tomorrow!

Sun. May 15, 2011 CAS118 American Made

I wanted to do a CAS card for the SCS challenge, so I thought this image would be perfect, especially since Memorial Day is right around the corner.

I made the star by die cutting 5 pennants and heat embossing with fine detail gold EP. I stamped the eagle image with London Fog Memento ink and color with Copics, the die cut with a circle.

Thank you for visiting!

Fri. May 13, 2011 CSS Sketch Blog Hop

I am sure glad you are here!! If you arrived from Kay's BLOG, you are in the right place.  If you'd like to start at the beginning, click HERE.

It's time for another hop from the CSS Alumni Team, and we have a terrific sketch from Melissa Cash to work with, this time around.

I ended up making two card this time.  I wasn't thrilled with this one, since I just couldn't get a good enough photo.  It just looks rather plain, but does look better IRL.

I liked the basic card above, but I wanted a more detailed one.  Here is my second one.  Do you like this one better too? I used Gina's Springtime Silhouettes stamp set for the flowers, the sentiment from Gina's Stenciled Spring set and the butterflies from Theresa's Sending Sunshine set. Wow- just realized that all three sets start with the letter "s". 

I colored the flowers with Copic markers and then spritzed with rubbing alcohol, fot my watercolor effect.  Love this!

Thanks for visiting!  Make sure to leave a comment as you hop along because on Tuesday morning (May 17th), we will randomly choose one of the comments from all the blogs who will get a stamp set of their choice valued up to $24.95!

Now, it's time for you to head over to JOY'S BLOG, to take in a wonder view of her talent!

Thurs. May 12, 2011 MFP HOP Day 3

Welcome to the MFP May Blog Hop! This month, we are releasing 4 NEW SETS!

Our New Sets are: Here Comes the Grad, Big Boy Toys, Magnolia Wedding, and American Made.For your convenience, all 4 stamp sets are available for purchase TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers!

We have a NEW Blog Candy Contest! BE A GUEST DESIGNER!***

What do you need to do to qualify? Just comment on the Design Team blogs during the blog hop. The winner will be announced on the Mark’s Finest Papers blog on Saturday, May 14, 2011. ***See the MFP blog for all the contest rules and PRIZES!

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Lois

Vicky

Dawn L.

Anne

Emily

Karen

Patty

Roxie

Vicki

Liz

Claudine

Dawn M

Karen K. (You are here)

Pam


Marilynn

Geri

Lynn

Neva

Silvia

Guest Designer, Crafty Math Chick

Guest Designer, Pat

Mark’s Finest Papers

Fri. May 13, 2011 MFP HOP Day 4 American Made

Welcome to the MFP May Blog Hop! This month, we are releasing 4 NEW SETS!

Our New Sets are: Here Comes the Grad, Big Boy Toys, Magnolia Wedding, and American Made.For your convenience, all 4 stamp sets are available for purchase TODAY!

Click HERE.

We have a NEW Blog Candy Contest! BE A GUEST DESIGNER!***

What do you need to do to qualify? Just comment on the Design Team blogs during the blog hop. The winner will be announced on the Mark’s Finest Papers blog on Saturday, May 14, 2011. ***See the MFP blog for all the contest rules and PRIZES!

FRIDAY, May 13, 2011: American Made

Emily-

Karen-

Patty-

Roxie-

Vicki-

Liz:

Claudine-

Dawn-

Guest Designer, Crafty Math Chick

Guest Designer, Pat

Marilynn-

Peggysue-

Connie –

Emily N.-

Neva

Silvia

Patricia

Chrissy

Karen K. (I love your comments)

Pam

Mark’s Finest Papers

Wed. May 11, 2011 MFP HOP Day 2

Welcome to the MFP May Blog Hop! This month, we are releasing 4 NEW SETS!

Our New Sets are: Here Comes the Grad, Big Boy Toys, Magnolia Wedding, and American Made. For your convenience, all 4 stamp sets are available for purchase at Mark's Finest Papers TODAY!

We have a NEW Blog Candy Contest! BE A GUEST DESIGNER!***

What do you need to do to qualify? Just comment on the Design Team blogs during the blog hop. The winner will be announced on the Mark’s Finest Papers blog on Saturday, May 14, 2011. ***See the MFP blog for all the contest rules and PRIZES!

WEDNESDAY, May 11: Big Boy Toys

Lois

Vicky

Dawn L.

Anne

Peggysue

Connie

Claudine

Dawn M.

Marilynn

Geri

Lynn

Emily N.

Patricia

Chrissy

Karen K. (Thanks for stopping by!)

Pam

Guest Designer, Pat
Guest Designer, Crafty Math Chick

Mark’s Finest Papers

Tues. May 10, 2011 MFP HOP Day 1

Welcome to the MFP May Blog Hop! This month, we are releasing 4 NEW SETS!


Our New Sets are: Here Comes the Grad, Big Boy Toys, Magnolia Wedding, and American Made.
For your convenience, all 4 stamp sets are available for purchase TODAY!

We have a NEW Blog Candy Contest! BE A GUEST DESIGNER!

PLEASE READ THIS CAREFULLY!

All Blog Hop participants will have the chance to win a Month Long GUEST DESIGNER position on our Senior Design team! That’s right! ONE lucky winner will receive a Guest Designer package that will include June 2011’s Four New Release sets, a selection of Premium Papers, and beautiful embellishments. The winner will also receive a Guest Designer Watermark, Blog Button and have the choice to participate in the June 2011 Blog Hop!
What do you need to do to qualify? Just comment on the Design Team blogs during the blog hop. EACH DAY that participants comment on all the Design Team blogs, their name will be entered once in the random drawing. Each participant has the opportunity to have his/her name entered up to four times. (There are four days of the blog hop, so there are up to four entries per person.) The winner will be announced on the Mark’s Finest Papers blog on Saturday, May 14, 2011.

Here is my card, colored with Copic markers, and then was popped up for added dimension.  Both the image and the sentiment are from the "Here's comes the Grad" stamp set. Now be sure to visit Silvia's blog, from the list below, to be inspired!

***WE ARE AWARE THAT SEVERAL LINKS WERE NOT WORKING ON THE DT MEMBERS' BLOGS. THE LINKS WORK ON THIS BLOG. IF YOU MISS A BLOG TODAY, IT WILL NOT EFFECT YOUR CHANCES TO WIN THE BLOG CANDY!

TUESDAY May 10, 2011- Here Comes the Grad

Lois
Vicky
Dawn L.
Anne

Peggysue

Connie
Emily K.
Karen H.
Patty
Roxie
Vicki
Pam
Liz
Geri
Lynn
Emily N.
Neva
Karen K. (You are here)
Silvia
Patricia
Chrissy
Guest Designer Pat
Guest Designer Crafty Math Chick
Mark’s Finest Papers

Mon. May 9, 2011 Mojo Monday Sketch

I spotted this sketch challenge at Mojo Monday last week, and it looked like a fun one to play with.  My focal image is from Mark's Finest Papers "Greet the Day with Gerber" stamp set.

Thank you for visiting!

Sun. May 8, 2011 MFP "Big Boy Toys" sneak peek

This is such a fun set and it makes it so easy to make those guy cards, we usually have trouble creating. I colored the image with Copic markers and then went over the truck body and head lights with a glaze pen for shine.

I am going to use this one as a Birthday card, but would work as a Father's Day card, as well.

This is for the Splitcoast SC331 challenge.  Thank you for stopping by!

Karen

Sat. May 7, 2011 Speedy's Challenge #54

Susan challenged this week to use only paper, ink and stamps- no embellishments! Check out CHALLENGE 54 and play along.

You are going to love the new Mark's Finest Papers' releases this month, which go on sale next Tuesday, May 10th.

 The card I have to show you today uses an image from the "Big Boys Toys" set.  I sponged the background with Distress inks. The image coloring was done with Copic markers.

We hope you'll play along.  You have until Friday, 3:00pm, May 13th to upload your card, and we'll be commenting.

Friday May 6, 2011 MFP Grad card

Today, I have another sneak peek card for  Mark's Finest Papers soon to be released set called "Here Comes the Grad".

This CAS card came together very quickly.  I embossed the bg with a CB folder, and then stamped and heat embossed the sentiment on a die cut.
I stamped, colored and cut out the mortarboard so I could attached it to the sentiment panel.

Stop by tomorrow to see the card I made for Speedy's Challenge # 54.

Wed. May 4, 2011 STVMONCB1

I just had to play along with Carolina's Inspiration challenge STVMONCB1 this week.  What a fabulous photo she chose.

I was drawn to the colors and the flower shaped dishes.  I used Melanie's "A Year of Flowers" stamp set.

Now, I am off to post it on STV.  See you soon!

Tues. May 3, 2011 MFP Sneak Peek & Good News

Next week Mark's Finest Papers will release 4 new stamp sets.  The card I have to show you today is a sneak peek, using a set called "American Made". The new stamp sets will go on sale Tuesday, May 10th.

GOOD NEWS:  About a month ago, I was asked to join the Senior Design Team at Mark's Finest Papers.  I accepted and now am able to share my news with you today!  Thank you so much, Faith!

Thank you for visiting!

Karen

A personal note

Since I shared my wonderful birthday surprise party with you, I thought I'd post a few pictures too.

Here I am with my DH.

with my granddaughter

with my son

 my granddaughter, daughter, me, my sister

and a group shot

Thank you for letting me share!

Monday, May 2, 2011 Picture Frame

As you may have read in my previous post, Saturday was a fun--filled day of surprises for me, but it put me a tad bit behind with my post today, but I hope it arrived on time.

I was at Michael's about a week ago and picked up some woodens frames.  The idea in my head to transform one of them is totally different than the result you see below.

Here is what it looks like now. I painted it with white acrylic paint, then I added a thick coat of clear Distress Crackle paint.  After it dried and crackled, I sponged on Aged Mahogany Distress Ink.  I then made some rolled roses and added some lace.

 

Thank you for visiting!

Oh boy, was I ever shocked!

A few weeks back, our friends/neighbors invited us over for dinner on the 30th (yesterday).  I asked her what I could bring and she said an appetizer would be fine. I had a new recipe to try, so that would work out beautifully.

I had it all ready to go into the oven at 5pm yesterday and we were supposed to be there at 6:00.  As I was finishing some photo uploading, the door bell rang. I couldn't imagine who was stopping by, and I was thinking- oh oh- we're going to be late getting to the neighbors! I got up from my computer and headed to the door, to see who my DH was talking to.

Well, in walked in my Sis and BI, my daughter and her boyfriend, my son, my Mom, the 'dinner' neighbors, more neighbors, my GF from high school. a childhood friend and his wife and his Mom who is here visiting from AZ ( very good friend of my mom's)- and they all were shouting "Surprise".  As I was trying to take in all that was happening, I spied a gorgeous face, peeking around the foyer corner. Eeeeeck!!!!  It was my granddaughter who attends college in Arizona!!!!!  She had called me from school, on my birthday, which was Thursday.
Yes, there were tears of joy as I realized and was told my sis, son and DH that they had been plotting this for over a month! My DH and son popped for Megan's plane ticket to get her here!
I wasn't the only one getting the surprise though.  (I love this part!)  My mom wasn't told that her friend would be here, or that Megan would be either!
My daughter didn't know that her daughter, Megan,  was flying in either!!! My sister wasn't told - so Megan being here was probably the biggest surprise of all.
My sweet husband and darling son were the only ones that knew all the details.  Of course, I ended up serving the appetizer I made, along with ones my daughter and sis brought! Then the caterer showed up with yummy food! They took care of everything, from putting the leaves in my dining room table and bringing up extra chairs, to the table linens, the beer and wine and the cake my sister made.
All in all, it was a wonderful evening, although I felt like I was floating above all the activity, trying to take it all in. Have you ever been the 'guest' in your own house???? They wouldn't let me do anything! That is so strange for me.

This was the second best birthday, I've ever had. The very best-est one was ten years ago - when DH and I got married on my 50th birthday!

Thanks for letting me share with you!

P.S.  I will have photos to share in the next day or so. Oh, BTW- my appetizer was a hit! I will post the recipe soon, as well.

Sun. May 1st, 2011 SC329

Today I have a card to share that I made for a sketch challenge on Splitcoast last week. The butterfly and sentiment are from Mark's Finest Papers "Just Dandy" stamp set.

Glad you are here!