Wed.. Aug. 31, 2011 Encaustic wax background

I played with my iron and crayons again, and created this eery landscape.  IRL, it looks sooo cool, but loses some of the defnition in the photograph.

  I stamped a couple of trees from Mark's Finest Papers  "A Walk in the Woods" set.

Here is a link to show you how it is done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rG3h7jsYR6A

 

I debated adding a sentiment, but couldn't decide what it should be, so I just left it off.

Thank you for stopping by!

Tues. Aug.24, 2011 Ruff Day?

I just love this new stamp set by Melanie Muenchinger called "Basket Buddies". There are so many cute images and sentiments for a lot of different occasions.
I colored the images with Copics and popped the pups up on a bg of swiss dotted white cs. I constructed the bed by stamping one of the layers on patterned paper and coloring the other two with Copic markers.  Glad you stopped by!

Mon. Aug. 29, 2011 One idea-Two Cards

I loved the rainbow idea for Suzanne's challenge on  STV Friday.  It was a sketch challenge with a twist. She provided a sketch, but the twist was to use rainbow colors.

My 1st card is a 4.25" square that follows the sketch, although I rearranged it a bit.

I liked the idea I came up with for this card, so my second card to share today is similar, but is a different layout.

I made this next card  5 x 7 "- much larger than what I normally make, but I wanted more butterflies on this one! These butterflies were made with dies from Cheery Lynn Designs.

I hope you'll be playing along with Suzanne's challenge.  Click here for details. Thanks for visiting!

Sun. Aug. 28, 2011 SCS Challenge CAS132

The challenge I decided to play in was called, Hot, hot, hot. I decided to go with a beach scene.

Using a chair from Adirondack Summer stamp set from Mark's Finest Papers, colored with Copics, some quick sponging for the sky and torn kraft edges with white ink, and I was ready to upload my card. Oops, forgot to mention that I added the cloud and a sentiment from "Sand, Surf, Relax" to balance out my design.

Sat. Aug. 27, 2011 Speedy Challenge #70

Carol from Speedy challenged us to use lace on our card this week.  I decided to make a tri-fold card this time around. I opted for paper lace using a MS punch.  I embossed with a CB folder over a patterned bg. The daisies are from Mark's Finest Papers "Greet the Day with Gerber" stamp set, which I colored with Copics. The sentiment is from MFP's " Lilacs in the Summer" set.  I fussy cut the flowers and popped them up on a Nestie die cut.

Here is a view of the card opened.

Thank you for visiting!

Fri., Aug. 26, 2011 Back to School

Giovana's challenge at STV this week, is to make a school themed card.  The challenge number is STVMONGS2.

I couldn't think of any stamps that are school related, so I really had to think about how I was going to play along.  As I skimmed through my GKD stamps, I ran across "The Journey" set by Asela. I created a simple scene, with masking and sponging.  I stamped the image and colored the kids with Copics. The sentiment was computer generated.

 Thank you for visiting!

Thurs. Aug. 25, 2011 Embossed Focal Image

Today's card is for the Free for All challenge at SCS, # F4A78.  We were to use an embossed bg as the focal point. I used a EF from Quickutz.  The sentiment is from Mark's Finest Papers "Just Dandy" stamp set. I just love this font!

The paper rosette was made with the TH mini rosette die, and I added the pearl in the center.

Glad you stopped by!

Wed. Aug. 24, 2011 Vintage Birthday

I have been meaning to try and make a fabric flower with my TH die, and since I liked how it came out- the idea for this card came about. Years ago I pick up a bunch of home decor fabric samples, and I liked this brocade type fabric for my flower.

I used some pretty bg paper, ribbon and lace from Webster's pages.  I used part of a Cheery Lynn doily, which I sponged with Old Paper distress ink.  The little metal dragonfly is from Pink Paisley. I think the distressing around the edges adds to the vintage feel. The sentiment and the label are from Nina's "Fanciful Tags" stamp set, and the pearls are from my stash.

Thank you for checking in today!

Tues. Aug. 23, 2011 SCS WT335

I made this card for Splitcoast Challenge WT 335- the Ways to Use it challenge.

The challenge is all about HEAT! Looking for images that generate heat or techniques that use heat.

I used Sherry Cheever's tutorial to inspire me to use my iron and iron off the clear EP, exposing the white base cs.  I then used alcohol inks to create my bg's colors. The image is from Mark's Finest Papers "Black Eyed Susans for Encouragement" stamp set.

So happy when you stop by and leave a comment!  If you have any questions, be sure to leave your email addy, so I can answer you. Thanks!!

Mon. Aug. 22, 2011 CASE-ing Cat

I hope you had a chance to play along with the STV challenge on Friday.  Cat has a fabulous gallery and we were to pick one of her cards to CASE.

I absolutely love this card and decided to CASE this one.

I used a different color card base, a different image and ribbon.  For my dp, instead of finger-applied oil pastels that Cat used, I tried my hand at encaustic wax.  I used my iron and crayons. I decided to not use a sentiment on my card. I colored a piece of seam binding with alcohol inks to match my bg.

Thank you for visiting and I hope you'll play along HERE.

Sun. Aug. 21, 2011 SC345 Nature's Gifts

Today I wanted to share a card I posted a little while ago on SCS, for Challenge SC345.  I made it, while we were enduring a really hot and humid week, so I think I was trying to bring on some Fall weather-if only in my head LOL.

 The fence is a PTI die, I think, and the die cut leaves are from a Cheery Lynn die.  I sponged the leaves with distress inks, and aged the fence, as well.  The sentiment is from Mark's Finest Papers "Butterflies and Wisteria" stamp set.

Sat. Aug. 20, 2011 Speedy Challenge # 69

Happy Saturday!  Linda's challenge this week for Speedy is to emboss our card, either dry embossing or heat.

For my card, I actually used both.  I embossed the bg with the CB Swiss Dots, after I stamped with my acrylic block, and then heat embossed the sentiment.  Both the image and the sentiment are from Mark's Finest Papers "Black Eyed Susans for Encouragement" stamp set. There are so many ways to use this set.

Fri. Aug. 19, 2011 StampTV FB challenge

The mid-month challenge on the StampTV Facebook fan page, is to "Dress it Up", and use a piece of jewelry or jewelry-type element to our card.
I started with a piece of glossy cs and heat embossed with clear EP.  I used alcohol inks and blending solution to create the color palette I was looking for.  I then placed a piece of cs on top and ironed off the clear EP, leaving a pretty white image. I stamped the sentiment from Theresa's "Whimsical Wishes" set with black Stazon ink.
My little metal heart was the wrong color, so I used alcohol inks, to have it match my colors. HERE is a link to the tutorial I followed.
Thank you for visiting!

Thurs. Aug 18, 2011 Mix it up Monday Challenge

Challenge STVMONDC3 at StampTV this week, is to make a card with a striped background.

I started with a piece of white cs for my panel and drew lines with two different color fine point markers.  The then used my Scor bug, to create faux stitching. I added some sponging around the edges and around my focal image too. The rosette was made with the TH Rosette die.  The image, which is paper pieced and the sentiment are from Gina K's "Smile" stamp set.

I am glad you popped in today!

Wed. Aug. 17, 2011 "Hold your Place" challenge

The Friday Free for All challenge STVFRILM4 on StampTV is to make a bookmark. 

I started with a piece of 120# Pure Luxury cs, and used Sherry Cheevers tutorial for ironed EP resist. 

I then stamped. colored and cut out a flower from Melanie's "A Year of Flowers" stamp set and the dragonfly from Theresa's "Follow your Dreams" set.  The sentiment is from Theresa's "Fanciful Fall" set.

I mod podged the flower and dragonfly to the cs, spritzed on some Tsukineko Walnut Ink and then coated both sides of the bookmark with two additionals coats of MP. An eyelet and some fibers and I was finished!  Thanks for stopping by!

Tues. Aug. 16, 2011 TLC336 on SCS

The card I have to share today is one I made for the Try a New Technique challenge on SCS.  
I used a piece of watercolor paper.   I squiggled some Pitt Big Brush ink and water on the block and the added a touch of Twinkling H20, then stamped.  I then dried it with a heat tool.
The image and sentiment were both heat embossed. They are from the "Wisteria and Butterflies" stamp set from Mark's Finest Papers.
The bg was CB'd with the Swiss Dots folder, and I brushed a little pearl paint dabber around the edges.  Some pretty ribbon and a bow, and I was finished with it! Thanks for visiting!

Mon. Aug. 15, 2011 Branching Out

I really like this stamp set from Melanie (Gina K Designs), since it can be used for so many different types of cards. I decided to make this one a Birthday card, but could also make a soothing sympathy card too. I used Gina K Pumpkin Spice and Chocolate cs.  For the background, I inked the stamp with multiple colors of ink, kind of thumped with the ink pads, and then randomly stamped.  I like the different shades on the leaves. I used a scallop nestie and a lacey circle behind the focal image.  The butterfly is a Cheery Lynn Design- love this one! I stamped it with Versamark and heat embossed with Platinum EP.

I thought a touch of twine would balance the design.

Glad you stopped by today!

Sun. Aug. 14, 2011 STVMONTAMI2

Tami gave us a wonderful inspiration photo to work with, for this challenge.

I opted for the country cottage feel, as well as the colors-to create my card.

I scored the card base to look like beadboard, and used a lacey nestie to resemble the mirror.  My image (from "Lovely Shelf" from Gina K) was stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black, and then colored with Copics.  I did a little sponging on the nestie die with Vivid ink. I love the way this bow turned out.   I made the stick pin, starting with a plain pearl one.  I colored the pearl with a Copic and then added some paper beads I made a while back.
Thank you so much for stopping by!

Sat. Aug. 13, 2011 Cheery Lynn Dies

One of my dear friends told me about the DT call for Cheery Lynn Designs, and suggested that I should try out too. Thanks for the 'push' , my friend!  I am hoping we both get chosen, wouldn't that be awesome? I love their dies!!!

Here is the card I submitted:

and a close up of their gorgeous butterfly:

Recipe: 

Card base:  Gina K 120# Pure Luxury cs

BG layer:     Gina K Ivory cs, embossed with TH Texture Fade "Bricked"

Frame:         Cheery Lynn FRM115 Lattice 2

                     C.L.  B127 Tropical Flourish, sponged with Memento Bamboo Leaves

                     C.L.  DL102 French Pastry Doily

Butterfly:     C.L. DL113 and DL113A Angel Wings (with transparent glitter

Sentiment :  Theresa Momber's "Warm with Love" stamp set from Gina K.

                       heat embossed with platinum EP.

I white-washed the rose, since it was the wrong shade of green to match my card.    Added pearls above the sentiment. 

Thank you for letting me share this with you- wish me luck!       

Sat. Aug. 13, 2011 Speedy's Challenge #68

This week on Speedy Challenge site, Carol challenged us to make a card with distressing.  I have a Distrezz-it-all, so I LOVE to add distressing!

This lovely image is from Mark's Finest Papers "Wisteria and Butterflies" stamp set. I stamped with Memnto Black Tuxedo ink and added lovely shades of lavender with my Copics.  The scalloped die behind the image is actually fun foam, which was a better color than any cs I had available.  It popped up the wisteria image nicely, and I thought it looked great with the distressed papers and card stock.

Glad you visited!.

Fri. Aug. 12, 2011 CSS Alumni Sketch Blog Hop

Boy have we got a special sketch hop for you this time around!

If you arrived from the uber talented Joy's blog, you are in the right place. If you'd like to start at the beginning, click HERE.

Make sure to leave a comment as you hop along because on Tuesday morning (August 16th), 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!

The sketch was created by Melissa Cash, who is also celebrating her birthday today.  We decided to surprise her and design birthday cards using her sketch!  Happy Birthday, Melissa!!!

Here is the sketch Melissa gave us:

I flipped the sketch a little bit and here is the card I made, using Gina's "Botanicals" set and a sentiment from Theresa's "Follow Your Dreams" stamp set.

 

Now, it's time for you to head over to see the birthday card the very talented Kay has made for Melissa.  Click HERE.

Fri. Aug. 12, 2011 MFP New Release Day 4

Hello! Welcome to the August 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!

This week's new releases are:Black Eyed Susans for Encouragement, Butterflies and Wisteria, Forest Gifts, Fun on the Farm .For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.

I had so much fun creating cards using the "Fun on the Farm" set.  My background for my first one is a photo, I knew I would want to use with these fun images. I colored the images with Copic markers, cut them out and placed on my photo.

Here are two more I want to share with you:

So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set:Fun On The Farm? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)

For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Fun On The Farm. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.

Emily
Nancyruth
Neva
Faith
Claudine
Dawn
Marilynn
Patricia
Chrissy
Karen K
Pam
Joanne
Kittie
Markie
Mark’s Finest Papers

Thurs. Aug. 11, 2011 MFP New Release Day 3

Hello! Welcome to the August 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!

This week's new releases are:Black Eyed Susans for Encouragement, Butterflies and Wisteria, Forest Gifts, Fun on the Farm .For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.

Here is my card, showcasing the "Forest Gifts" set.  Aren't these animals so cute?  What a fabulous scene Faith has created! I stamped in brown Memento ink and then colored with Copic markers.  The background was sponged with Distress ink pads.

So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set:Forest Gifts? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)

For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Forest Gifts. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.

Emily
Nancyruth
Neva
Faith
Claudine
Dawn
Marilynn
Patricia
Chrissy
Karen K
Pam
Joanne
Kittie
Markie
Mark’s Finest Papers

Wed. Aug. 10, 2011 MFP New Release Day 2

Hello! Welcome to the August 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!

This week's new releases are:Black Eyed Susans for Encouragement, Butterflies and Wisteria, Forest Gifts, Fun on the Farm .For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.

I have a sample card to show you one of the beautiful butterflies in this set. I colored it with Copics and added sparkle with a Sakura Clear Star pen. I die cut two lacey circles to add a backdrop for this beauty!  A little ribbon and a button and bow, finishes it off on a pretty floral patterned paper.
Isn't this the perfect sentiment to go along with the image?

So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set: Butterflies and Wisteria? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)

For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Butterflies and Wisteria. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.

Lois
Vicky
Dawn
Anne
Peggysue
Connie
Linda
Karen
Patty
Roxie
Vicki
Liz
Geri
Lynn
Mark’s Finest Papers

Tues. Aug. 9, 2011 MFP New Release Day 1

Hello! Welcome to the August 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!

This week's new releases are: Black Eyed Susans for Encouragement, Butterflies and Wisteria, Forest Gifts, Fun on the Farm .For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.

My card to share with you, uses a beautiful image of the black-eyed Susans, which I colored with Copics.  I did some sponging on the die cut with the window.  I also added from CB'd Swiss Dots and ribbon for texture.

So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set: Black Eyed Susans for Encouragement? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)

For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Black Eyed Susans for Encouragement. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.

Lois
Vicky
Dawn
Anne
Peggysue
Connie
Linda
Karen
Patty
Roxie
Vicki
Liz
Geri
Lynn
Mark’s Finest Papers

Mon. Aug. 8, 2011 Origami Diamond Fold

Good Morning!
My card to share today was one I did for a challenge at SCS on Friday.  Our challenge was to have small flowers on our card.  I watched a tutorial for the Origami Diamond Fold,  that Deb Felts shared from Wendy Bell's blog.  HERE is the link. This card is a 4" square when completed.

I used a poppy stamp from Mark's Finest Papers "Poppies, Poppies, Poppies" stamp set. I made a mask and then stamped the image three times, then colored with Copic markers. I used a circle nestie for this, and then adhered to a nestie lacy circle die cut.
I have included an inside view, so you can see how it opens.  This was really fun to make!  Thanks for visiting!

Sun. Aug. 7, 2011 Gnome what I'm sayin????

I am so happy to share these cards, showcasing Tami Mayberry's lastest stamp set, called "Gnome One Like You".  For the first one, I did some masking, and a  little coloring with Copics.  The sentiment is from Gina K's last StampTV kit, called "Vintage Chic". 

I thought it was a perfect fit for this card!  Don't you think so?  My second card, below, is for Jennie's Free for All Friday Challenge.

Challenge STVFRIJH3 is asking us to use a bird/ birds on our card.  Since I love Tami's flamingo, I wanted to make another, using that image.

So glad you stopped by today!

Sat. Aug. 6, 2011 Speedy's Challenge # 67

This week Colleen challenged us to make a card that is not an A2 size.  I chose to make a 4.25" square card and to use one of the adorable images from the "Fun on the Farm" stamp set.

I decided to use this dotted bg paper, to compliment this cute cow's spots.

I cut the image (colored with Copics) with a circle die and then popped it up on a lacey circle die cut. The sky and grass were sponged with distress inks.

Thanks for stopping by!

Fri. Aug. 5, 2011 Showcasing Tami's newest stamps

Today I want to share another card I posted at the Gina K Release party Tuesday night.  When I started stamping with Tami's new set, I made 4 cards in one evening, since they were so much fun to make. This little lawn mower and bird bath were colored with Copics.  I cut the grass using a pair of MS scissors.  The clouds were die cut from PTI felt and PTI cloud dies. The sun is from Tami's "Oh Boy" set.
Below is my card for Tina's Gatefold challenge, using the adorable gnome.

 

 He sure makes a cute Santa, doesn't he?  Aren't these adorable images?  
 Thank you for visiting!

Thurs. Aug. 4, 2011 Mark's Finest Papers Sneak Peek

New releases will be available, starting on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2011. My card today sneak peeks one of the images from the "Forest Gifts" stamp set. 

This squirrel is so cute and there are a number of cute sentiments to go with him.

I sponged the background with distress inks and colored this little fella with Copics. I love this sentiment too!  I added a die cut flourish, a little ribbon and some brads and voila' and it was finished.
I appreciate you taking a look at my card today!

Wed. Aug. 3, 2011 Three photos for you today

Last night I was at the August Release Party over at StampTV. As usual, it was a fun time, seeing all the new stamps and creations from the Design Team. I love chatting with everyone too!

If you didn't make it, this is one of the cards I shared.  I am Guest Designing for Tami Mayberry this month.  Her new stamp set is called "Gnome One Like You".  

This is such a happy and fun stamp set to own.  Sooo many cute images!

 Here is the inside, where I used a sentiment from Melanie's "Hip to be Square" stamp set.

The next card I have for you today, is a card I made for the F4A75 challenge on Splitcoast. I used an image from Mark's Finest Papers "Adirondack Summer" stamp set.  It is available here.

So glad you stopped by today!

Happy Happy me!

I was thrilled to be asked to Guest Design for Tami Mayberry's new set this month. Oh my, I have had such a fun time creating with it!

I have this card to share with you today.
I popped this cute little guy (colored with Copic markers) on a photo I had taken a few years back. I added the "Welcome Gnome" sentiment to a sign that I made, and was so happy how this came together. 

 

I hope to see you at the Release Party tonight at StampTV where I will have two more cards to share with you!

Tami, thank you asgain for this fabulous opportunity!

Mon. Aug. 1, 2011 STVFRICB1 Lazy Summer Challenge Card

Good morning and happy Monday!

Some of you may have seen this one in my gallery at STV already, but I wanted to share it again, for those of you who may have missed it. I am very happy with how this one turned out. White, kraft and shells screams beach front to me!
Carolina challenged us to use a stamped image on a card, but without coloring the image.  I used images from Melanie's "Gifts from the Sea" stamp set, stamped with ink, and the bottom row stamped and heat embossed with white EP.
I have a cute story to share below the photo.

DH and I have a lake home, that we bought back in '97.  Back then my granddaughter was about 7 years old.
As a child I spent many summers on the adjoining lake, at my aunt and uncle's house.  There were many shells in the lakes at that time, and I, like so many other city kids, used to collect them.
Sadly, I haven't seen any in either lake in a gazillion years.  However, when my GD was coming to visit, we'd take a trip to Michael's and purchase a bag of larger size shells.  We placed them on the shore and in the shallow water close by.  She was so excited to find them and take them home.  After 3-4 summers of this ritual, my GD said to her mom-"I'm starting to think that Grandma and CJ have something to do with these shells!!"   I think we waited another year before coming 'clean'.  LOL  It sure was fun for all, while it lasted, and a wonderful family memory!
  Thanks for stopping by and letting me share!