Reverse Confetti March Sketch Challenge #22

I'm giving this month's sketch a try over at Reverse Confetti.

For this card I used supplies from:

Reverse Confetti:
So Very Special Stamp set
Circle Garland Confetti Cuts

My Favorite Things:
In & Out Diagonal Stitched Rectangle Die-Namics
Scallop Border Die-Namics
Wood Plank Background Stamp
Swiss Dots Stencil
Pink Lemonade Hybrid Ink

Lil' Inker Designs:
Stitched Mats: Circles Dies
Bunnies & Bows Dies

Mama Elephant:
Embellished Tags Confetti Dies

I also used:
Hero Arts Shadow ink: Wet Cement
Silver foil cardstock
 

Thanks for stopping by!

Festive St. Patrick's Day Cards

St. Patrick's day is right around the corner and this weekend a lot of the festivities will be taking place. We'll be celebrating with that once a year cornbeef and cabbage and green beer.  We'll be heading out to parades wearing buttons that say "kiss me I'm Irish"  and breaking out the green attire because hey...no one wants to get pinched right?  ;)

This year I kept with my tradition of sending my two very special Irish ladies a wish for good luck and happiness in the coming year.  In each card I tucked an Irish blessing.

I just had to use my flash on this card to show off that fantastic shine on the pot of gold.  It looks kind of magical doesn't it?

For this card I really wanted to honor the family name.  Personalizing a card can pretty much assure it will make it to the keepsake pile.   Since I really don't have any St. Patty's day stamps or dies I had to get a little creative with other dies.  The pot of gold is made out of a circle die and a tiny banner die for legs.  The four leaf clover below was made from a small heart die and flower stem die.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  Have a great weekend and a wonderful St. Patty's Day!

A few more cards for OWH.

This week I'm still plugging away at my box of Operation Write Home cards.  I'm having fun using a few new dies and stamp sets that I received last week.  I really love this Wishing die and coordinating stamps from Simon Says Stamp although I was a little dissapointed in the size of the sentiments.  They are so tiny that they remind me I may be needing bi-focals soon. LOL!   I am totally loving the new Coral Crush card stock and stitched word bubble from My Favorite Things too!

Trying to meet that Mother's Day deadline!  I'm doing as suggested and making cards that show love to mom without the words Happy Mother's Day.  This will ensure the cards can still be used if they don't get sent for Mother's day.  I think that is a great idea.

And oh my gosh!  Is this little elephant stamp adorable or what?  This Unforgettable stamp set is a popular one over at WPlus9 and I can sure see why.  I'm not too great with my coloring so I thought these elephants would be perfect to practice on.  At first I was a little worried because they seemed so tiny.  But that is actually a plus when you're just starting out learning about watercolors and coloring.  I am totally in love with these little guys and  I should warn you that there will be many more cards to come featuring them.   I didn't use the coordinating sentiment for this one.  The inside says  "I love you".

That's all for today.  Thanks for stopping by!

MFT Wednesday Sketch Challenge #218 & March ODBD Challenge.

It's sketch time again over at My Favorite Things!  I love their sketches and always try to stay as close to the sketch layout as I can.  I think the funnest thing about working off of a sketch is trying to keep with the integrity of the sketch yet in some way making it my own.  It's fun to see how everyone else interprets the same sketch. Sometimes I think "oh yeah, that's cool, I never would have thought to do it that way".  Other times I just scratch my head, wondering where the heck the sketch is in their interpretation.  But that's what art is right?  There's no right or wrong in art.  Art is one persons expression of how they, themselves see things.  It keeps things interesting.   So, with that said, here is this week's sketch and my interpretation of that sketch.  I can't wait to see what everyone else comes up with.

As you can see, in my card I used a bow instead of a circle,  twine and heart die instead of a stripe and I broke off the angled cut on the side with a fishtail banner.  The integrity is still there.  I just changed it up a bit.

And since the focus of this card is the sentiment, I've also entered it into the March ODBD challenge over at Operation Write Home. 

For this card I used the following supplies from:

My Favorite Things:
Coral Crush Cardstock
Coral Crush Hybrid Ink
Harlequin stencil
Jumbo Fishtail Banner STAX Die-Namics
Hemp Cord

Lil' Inker Designs:
Stitched Mats: Rectangles

Reverse Confetti:
So Very Special Stamp set

Simon Says Stamp:
String of Hearts die

I also used:
Versamark Ink
Ranger fine white embossing powder

Thanks for stopping by!  Happy Stamping!

Starting March out right with lots of cards for OWH.

For the month of March I'll be working on a new box of cards for Operation Write Home.   My main goal is to get some together in time for Mother's Day and Father's Day.  As you can see that's not quite going as planned.  I've been having way too much fun with birthdays, thinking of you and I love you cards at the moment.  I'm using this opportunity to use some bright fun colors and to break in my new MISTI stamping tool.  With my MISTI I'm finding it so much easier to make multiple cards of one design.   I'm not going to add a list of supplies used because I'd be here all day,  but I will say they are from all of my favorite companies that have links on the side of my blog.  Here's round one!

This one is my favorite.  I'm loving the way the watercolor background turned out under that fabulous Penny Black background stamp!

This card below was an inspired lift from a card I found on Pinterest by  Melania Deasy.  I loved everything about her card design so changed very little.

Practicing my coloring on this little bee.   Coloring and shading  is one technique I don't seem to be getting the hang of.  

And the following card was inspired and lifted from one that Jennifer McGuire made on her blog.  I was totally loving the color combination.

Just playing around with that cute little sentiment from Lil' Inker Designs.  I put their donut dies to work again for the shape of the egg whites.

And finished off the inside with a little something.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great day.......Sunny side up!!

A half dozen, chocolate with sprinkles....please!

While perusing some of my favorite blogs last night I ran across an awesome card by Jody Morrow.  She used her donut dies to make what looked like a box of donuts.  I loved it!  Totally inspired, I went right to work making my own box of donuts.  I absolutely love how the vellum provides a window. I think it makes the donuts look so much more real.  I made this a shaker card, gluing some of the sprinkles down but also throwing in a handful of loose sprinkles. What a fun card to make and I just know that whoever I decide to send it to will absolutely love it.

(inside reads:  what I'd do without you.)

MFT Wednesday Sketch Challenge #217

Time sure passes quickly when you're having fun and look here....it's already time for another Sketch Challenge from My Favorite Things.

For this challenge I decided to make a personalized card for my nephew who will be turning 12 in about a month.  I love personalized cards because they really show the recipient that you put time and thought into their card and it's one of a kind, just like them.

For this card I used the following supplies from:

My Favorite Things:
Inside & Out Diagonal Stitched Rectangle STAX Die-Namics
Stitched Jumbo Fishtail Banner STAX Die-Namics
Party Balloons Stamp set
Party Balloons Die-Namics
Little Letters Uppercase Die-Namics
Little Letters Lowercase Die-Namics
Diagonal Stripes Background Stamp

Lil' Inker Designs:
Stitched Mats: Rectangles
Stitched Sentiment Flag Die
Jingle Bells Die set (stars)

WPlus9:
Happy Trio Dies

Winnie & Walter:
The Big, The Bold & The Happy Stamp set

I also used:
Hero Arts Shadow Inks:  Tide Pool
Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
Bakers Twine
Gold foil cardstock (stars)

Thanks so much for stopping by!

MFT Card Color Challenge #16

Look this beautiful pallet of colors in this My Favorite Things' new Color Challenge.   They're all so soft and soothing.  I couldn't wait to get started.

With these colors my mind went straight to Mother's Day.  I'm working on Mother's Day cards for Operation Write Home .   Here's what I came up with.

For this card I used the following supplies from:

My Favorite Things:

Fresh Cut Flowers Die-Namics

Inside & Out Diagonal Stitched Rectangle STAX Die-Namics

Lil' Inker Designs:

Quilted Stitched Pattern Die

Stitched Mats: Rectangles Die set

Simon Says Stamp:

Script Mom Large Craft Die

Thanks for stopping by!

LID Monthly Meet Up Challenge - February #6

OK.....one more........and yes...this is it for me.  I've just been so excited about this challenge.  I really do love my Lil'Inker dies and stamps and have had so much fun with this challenge.  I could make 4 or 5 more tonight but hey......family's gotta eat right.  ;)  So here's my last one and then I'm off to the kitchen to pretend like I'm a Lil' cook for a while.  ;)

For this card I used one of my absolute favorite Lil' Inker dies in a completely different way.  I took my little bunnies from my Bunnies & Bows Die Set  and created an embossed background.  Such an awesome technique.  The stitched bunnies give the plain white paper a great quilted affect.  I just added some pretty colored bows to really make them pop.  I used the Stitched Mats: Rectangle dies to finish up the edges.  I used the Stitched Sentiment Flag Die to hold the little sentiment from the Sun Sentiments Stamp set.  Note to self:  Find a good Easter stamp set to go with this awesome die set!  It's definitely on my wish list!  ;)

Thank you to Lil' Inker Designs for the great challenge this month and for inspiring me to get in there and use my tools!  Thanks for stopping by and have a great week everyone!

LID Monthly Meet Up Challenge - February #5

I broke out my favorite LID dies this afternoon and played a little more for the Monthly Meet Up Challenge.  

For this one I broke out the kraft cardstock and used the Quilted Stitched Pattern Die for the background.  It really gives such great texture!!  I used the On The Diagonal Die to hold the Thanks Word die and lined it with a bunch of the Of The Heart stitched heart dies.  I thought it made some great textured scallops.  I love how the bright colors pop off the kraft.  

Thanks for stopping by!!

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge - Donut Delight #2

Ok, one more fun donut card today.  This one is for one of my old Donut Shop buddies.  One of the things we still like to do is meet up for coffee and donuts to share a little gossip and catch up on each other's lives.  We haven't had a "meeting" in a while so I thought I'd drop her a little hint in the mail.  ;) 

This time I drew off some of the colors from this inspiration photo.  I love the oranges and blues!

I added a few layers of donut dies to get a nice thickness and lots of great dimension.  I stamped the icing with Versamark and clear embossed over the coral cardstock to give the icing some shine.

I didn't have a stamp set that really said what I wanted to say so I just did some negative die cutting with a small letter set from My Favorite Things.  It's straight and to the point!  LOL!

For this card I used the following Supplies from:

Lil' Inker Designs:

Eat More Donuts stamp set

Donuts Die Set

Stitched Mats: Rectangles Dies

My Favorite Things:

Coffee Cup Die-Namics

stitched word bubbles Die-Namics

In & Out Diagonal Stitched Rectangle STAX

Little Letters Die-Namics

Swiss Dots Mix-ables Stencil

Mama Elephant:

Embellished Tags (little hearts)

I also used:

Versamark Ink

clear embossing powder

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  All these donuts are making me hungry so....time to make more donuts!!  Have a great week!

LID Monthly Meet Up Challenge - February #4

Here's one more for the Meet Up Challenge over at Lil' Inker Designs. 

I figured as long as I am in the mood for Donuts I may as well make up another Donut inspired card with these awesome  stamps and dies from Lil' Inker Designs.  For this one I concentrated on frosting.  I tried to really sweeten these little donuts up with some puffy paint and frosty stickles.

For this card I used the following supplies from:

Lil' Inker Designs:
Eat More Donuts stamp set
Donuts die set

My Favorite Things:
Stitched Jumbo Fishtail Banner STAX
In & Out Diagonal Stitched Rectangle STAX
Diagonal Stripes Background Stamp
Hybrid Ink: Natural

Simon Says Stamp:
Cardstock:  Cotton, Seaglass

I also used:
Hero Arts Shadow Inks:  Soft Pink, Wet Cement
Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
Frosted Stickles
white dimensional paint
Glossy Accents

Thanks so much for stopping by.  Have a great week!

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge - Donut Delight

Mmmmm, I love me a good donut challenge!  Seriously when I saw all the wonderful donut dies and stamps that have been popping up all over the place in the last year I was so tickled.  I have a history with donuts...and coffee that my oldest and dearest friends will attest to.  My very first job was in a donut shop that was right across the street from where I lived with my parents. I started out part time at 16 years old and worked up to full time, preparing and serving these delicious  treats 5 days a week for 5 years.   In fact I met the love of my life not long after I started working there.  We started dating and he would come in to the Donut shop every day to see me.  Did I sneak him a free donut now and then?.....I'll never tell!  But I will say that we've been sharing a pot of coffee every morning for the last 30+ years and we still sneak a donut in there once in a while. (watching our figures you know).   And now  you know  why I just had to get my hands on some adorable donut goodies for my card making.

I ran across this awesome Donut Delight Challenge over at Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge blog and knew it was right up my alley.  Look at their inspiration photo.  Yummy!

For this card I wanted to take these donut dies and use them in a different way.   I thought they could double as balloons on a birthday card and the sprinkles could take on the illusion of confetti.  This stamp set from Reverse Confetti just happened to have the perfect donut inspired birthday sentiment.

And although I am crazy for dimension on a card I'm still a realist and I try so hard to keep it at a minimum so that the card will travel through the mail.  This one may need a little extra postage.  My bad!  ;)  I added a few extra sprinkles on the inside for fun.

For this card I used the following supplies from:

Reverse Confetti:
Donut You Know stamp set

Lil' Inker Designs:
Eat More Donuts stamp set
Donuts Die set

My Favorite Things:
Stitched Jumbo Fish Tail Banner STAX
Textile Rectangle Frame Die-Namics
In & Out Diagonal Stitched Rectangle STAX
Harlequin stencil

I also used:
Hero Arts Shadow Inks: Tide Pool, Cup O' Joe and Soft Pink
Memento Tuxedo Black ink
natural twine
sequins


Thanks so much for taking a trip back in time with me and playing with Donuts with me!  This inspired me to take on a couple more donut cards for some other challenges out there.  I'll post a couple more today.  Happy Monday!!

SSS Wednesday Challenge - Texture #2

Today I whipped up another card for the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge.  I love adding texture to cards and for this one I broke out the Gesso paste and one of my favorite Simon Says Stamp Stencils.  This is the first in a batch of Mother's Day cards that I'm making up for Operation Write Home.

ADD A LITTLE TEXTURE

Even the cardstock I chose has some awesome texture and a little shine.

For this card I used the following supplies from:

Simon Says Stamp:
Script Mom Large Die
Fresh Dasies Die
Falling Hearts Stencil
Cotton Cardstcock

My Favorite Things:
Heart STAX dies

I also used:
Gesso paste
sequins
Glossy Accents

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a great Monday!!

MFT Wednesday Sketch Challenge #216

Having fun today with My Favorite Things Wednesday Sketch Challenge #216.

For this challenge I grabbed the opportunity to use that awesome Skyline Border die from MFT.  I am having so much fun with that die.  I love how it looks when it's layered.  It really adds a lot of depth and interest to a card.  It's so fun creating a little scenery on a card too.  I feel like I'm really using my imagination when I create a landscape scene.

To create this card I used the following supplies from:

My Favorite Things:

In & Out Diagonal Stitched Rectangle STAX dies

Pinking Edge Circle STAX dies

Cloud Coverup Die

Skyline Border Die

Lil' Inker Designs:

Hello Word Die

Border Builders Dies

Winnie & Walter:

Big Bold You Stamp set

I also used:

Penny Black Nature's Friends Stamp set

Hero Arts Shadow Ink: Charcoal

Versamark Ink

white embossing powder

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a great weekend!!

SSS Wednesday Challenge - Texture

I had some fun with Simon Says Stamp's Wednesday Challenge this week.  They want to see some cards that incorporate a little texture so I ran straight for my dies!

ADD A LITTLE TEXTURE

I layered some dies to add my texture.  First starting with Lil' Inker Designs quilted stitched pattern die in white and on top of that I added My Favorite Things cloud coverup die.  I love the depth and interest that the stitched die gave under the cloud die.  This was the perfect backdrop for using the  Simon Says Stamps small planes dies.

For the inside I just used a simple sentiment using the Expressions For You Stamp set.

I also used the following supplies from:

Simon Says Stamp:

Expressions For You Stamp set

Small Planes Dies

Lipstick Red cardstock

My Favorite Things:

Blue Skies Ahead Stamp set

Candy Jar Companion Stamp set

Cloud Coverup Die

Stitched Jumbo Fishtail Banner STAX

Lil' Inker Designs:

Quilted Stitched Patter Die

I also used:

Hero Arts Shadow Ink: Pale Tomato

Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

Thanks so much for stopping by.  Have a great day!

LID Monthly Meet Up Challenge - February #3

I'm giving this challenge another shot because I just can't help myself.  I love Lil' Inker Designs.  Especially their awesome dies!

Winter is just about over and I'm hoppy to finally get a chance to use this adorable Lil' Inker Bunnies and Bows die set.  Here's the first of many cards I plan on making using this little cutie.

Almost all of my cards get a little added dimension with foam tape or fun foam.  For this one I just popped up the Anytime Tag and added a few butterflies.  The card can still lay pretty flat for mailing but has enough pop to make it fun.  I stenciled some pretty Swiss Dots on the inside of the card too just to tie it in with the front of the card.

For this card I used supplies from:

Lil' Inker Designs:

Bunnies & Bows Die Set

Boarder Builders Die Set

Anytime Tags Die Set

Stitched Mats: Rectangles

My Favorite Things:

Wood Grain Background Stamp

Die-Namics Inside & Out Diagonal Stitched Rectangle STAX

Swiss Dots Mix-ables Stencil

I also used:

Printworks Happy Easter Stamp

Hero Arts Shadow Inks: Cup o' Joe, Berrylicious, Wet Cement

Martha Stewart butterflies punch

sequins

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Stay warm and stamp on!