SOOT TECHNIQUE LIGHTHOUSE

This card was made using the soot technique for a technique swap I joined. I made SEVERAL attempts making my soot background as I kept either catching the paper on fire or making burn marks on it before I got the hang of it! LOL The background I think actually looks a bit eerie in back of the lighthouse and ship....kind of cool!

Stamps - Calm Seas, a wonderful retired SU set. The wording is by Endless Creations

Ink - Basic Black

Paper - So Saffron DP, Whisper White, and Basic Black, all by SU

Also used were dimensionals, the ticket punch, word window punch, and the modern label punch all by SU. The grosgrain ribbon was found at a local scrapbook store.

MY BARGAIN FIND

I know....we're supposed to be moving on to the next holiday, but I couldn't resist showing you all what a great deal I just found at Michael's! All of the Halloween items were on clearance and I just happened to spot these Martha Stewart punches in the 90% off clearance bin!

I purchased the 2 corner punches on the left, and the 2 craft punches on the right for a whopping total of $5.18 which even included the tax. Woohoo..... that is less than half the price of ONE punch.

Just had to share my good find with all my blogging friends!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Well, it's Halloween! The weather was so nice and mild today that the little trick-or-treaters were able to be out tonight without having to wear heavy winter coats underneath their costumes! This is the card I sent out this year for Halloween. I was happy with the card and with the fact that the paper matched the M&M's perfectly! The little clear, plastic treat cup is from SU and made to go along with their Sweet Centers set.

Stamps - Halloween Backgrounds and Sweet Centers by Stampin' UP!

Ink - Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie

Paper - Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black, Whisper White, DP from the SU collection called Halloween Night.

The large bat is from a Martha Stewart punch. The small spider was given to me by a friend, but I think it was from a Cuttlebug die cut. I used a white gel pen to make eyes on the bat, and a black marker making the line for the spider. The bat was raised up on the card using dimensionals.

I hope you all had a great Halloween!

HALLOWEEN TREATS

I was busy this week working on making Halloween treats for the Halloween party that my granddaughter Lucy is having at preschool. I loved these smiling lollipops and thought they'd make a perfect treat for all the 3 and 4 year old children in the class. I used a new set from Stampin' UP's mini holiday catalog called "Sweet Centers". I stamped the image in Old Olive on Whisper White cardstock then cut black cardstock measuring 3 1/8" wide by 6 1/8" long, scoring it at 3" and again at 3 1/8". After scoring, it makes the top look like a matchbook and that extra 1/8" is enough to keep the paper flat against the back of the lollipop. I used a 1 3/4" punch to punch out the circle front for the lollipop which have a great rounded front like a pumpkin and not your usual flat lollipop you find in the stores. Using small pieces of red sticky tape kept the bottom and sides of the paper stuck together for a nice, neat, flat look. I also decided to let everyone know who the treat was from, so I punched a 1 3/4" circle from Very Vanilla and stamped the words and image using the 15 point font set and "Witch Way to the Treats" limited edition set from JustRite, then used a color duster with Old Olive to give it a little bit of extra color. The circle was then attached to the back of each lollipop. I hope the kids enjoy Lucy's Halloween treats as much as I did making them for her.

SPOOKTACULAR HALLOWEEN

I joined a sketch challenge swap and what a frustrating challenge it ended up being for me! I was definitely outside of my comfort zone using angles and not the usual rectangles and squares.... seeing as Halloween is just around the corner, I thought making it as a Halloween card as well would be a good idea. Even though I came close to tossing the card out and starting over, I stuck with it and think I pulled if off. :)

Stamps - I used a wonderful (limited edition) set by JustRite called Witch Way to the Treats, and both Halloween Backgrounds and Antique Crackling Background by Stampin' UP

Paper - Basic Black, Old Olive, Very Vanilla. The DP used was last years SU Halloween Night and the Cast-A-Spell DP from this year. All cardstock and DP is from Stampin' UP.

Ink - Old Olive, Basic Black

I used a color duster with Old Olive ink to add a little of the olive color to the circle of Very Vanilla, then cut out the circle and scalloped circle using Nesties. The little bat was cut from a Cuttlebug die cut and given to me by a stamping friend. Dimensionals were used to raise it up off the card.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

HALLOWEEN SMILES

I enjoy making Halloween cards more then any other kind of card. Perhaps it's because the holiday falls in Autumn which is my favorite season, or maybe because I normally use the color orange somewhere on my cards and that's my favorite color....or just maybe because it's such a fun holiday and I always look forward to having the little ghosts and goblins knocking at my door for trick or treat!

Stamps - Halloween Smiles by Stampin' UP

Paper - Very Vanilla,Black,Pumpkin Pie, and retired DP from SU called Cast-A-Spell

Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black, Jim Holtz Antique Linen Distress Ink, and various Copic markers

I also used SU grosgrain Pumpkin Pie ribbon, orange brads and SU's ticket punch. A friend had sent me a packet of black bats she cut out using a die cut from her Cuttlebug. Dimensionals were used to raise it up off of the card and ribbon. Sponge daubers were used with the distress ink on the vanilla paper.

ASIAN ART

I just LOVE the look of Asian cards. Maybe it's the simplicity of using very few colors when people make Asian cards that I like so much. All images used are from retired Stampin' UP sets that I can't imagine ever parting with. :)

Stamps - Asian Art, Asian Poetry background

Paper - Real Red, Whisper White, Black

Ink - Basic Black

Also used was a Martha Stewart punch for the right edge of the card. I saw this punch and simply had to have it! Nesties were used for the circles, a gold colored Asian coin used in the center circle, and fine detail black embossing powder was used to give the images some texture.

LUCY

It's been a long time coming! There were many days with thoughts it would never happen. But on Thursday, September 3rd, Lucy was officially adopted into our family. She has been with us since she was 3 months old and she is now 3 1/2 years old and looking forward to starting preschool next week. My heart always knew she was my granddaughter, but now the courts do too! :)

This is the card I made for the happy occasion. The stamp is called "Adoption Calligraphy" made by Paper Inspirations. It was a gift from my friend, Nancy.

Ink: Basic Black

Paper: SU Pretty in pink, Certainly celery, Regal rose, Whisper white.

DP: Making Memories - Simply Fabulous Collection - Brooke

The fabulous flower brad is by K&Company, and the green organdy ribbon is retired from Stampin' UP!

A big thank you to all of my friends for their encouragement and well wishes along this long 3 year journey... WE MADE IT!

Thank you

Even though the colors on the card look so washed out, (I wasn't even using the flash) I decided to post it anyway....

Stamps - SU Fast and Fun Notes, Warmest Regards

Ink - Basic Black, various markers

Paper - Whisper White, Mellow Moss

DP - Making Memories Kids Collection & Simply Fabulous collection

Both square classic and square scallop Nesties were used, SU Key tag punch, Regal Rose grosgrain ribbon, and Amuse Twinkle mini dots were used for the centers of the flowers and on both sides of the greeting. The poor quality photo doesn't show the nice sparkle on the flowers that was done using a clear Spica marker pen.

CAFFEINE....

I was thrilled to be able to steal some time for card making last night, something I haven't been able to do in awhile! I bought some stamps from JustRite and couldn't wait to use them. I just love how you can use a different ring of wording around the center image with their stamps. I think that is so cool....

Stamps: JustRite's "A Little Caffeine Set"

Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Copics E50, E51

Paper: Neenah Solar White, SU Chocolate Chip

DP: SU Outlaw

Also used were classic and scallop Nesties, SU photo corner punch, 1/4" Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon.

Happy 4th of July

LET FREEDOM RING...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEVEN!

Well, June sure is a busy month for me with so many birthdays! Here's another birthday card I made this weekend for Steven's birthday.

Stamps - Stampin' UP's Thoughts and Prayers, and the birthday greeting is from Hero Arts

Inks - Old Olive and Chocolate Chip from Stampin' UP

Paper - All paper is from Stampin' UP - Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Old Olive, and also the designer paper

Also used were sponges, piercing tool, and some Old Olive twill

The Thoughts and Prayers set is so versatile, this tree image can be used for so many different kinds of cards....I thought it was perfect for a mans birthday card, don't you agree?

Thanks for stopping by my blog

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOCELYN!

Today is Jocelyn's birthday!

With Pink being her favorite color, along with one of my favorite Stampin' UP images,I thought this combination would be perfect for her card.

Stamps: Crazy For Cupcakes, So Many Scallops

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics RV23, RV34, YG17

Paper: SU Wild Wasabi, Whisper White, and Regal Rose, along with some Making Memories DP

I also used Stampin' UP's Wild Wasabi striped ribbon, stampin' dimensionals, both the scallop punch and scallop border punch, and can't forget the Star Dust Stickles to give those cupcakes some yummy glitter shine!

Lots of love and birthday wishes are being sent to my daughter Jocelyn. I hope she enjoys her special day!

Hooty Owls

I just love these little owls by Pink Cat Studio! They're from the "Hooty Owl" collection and I couldn't wait to get them inked up.

I used Neenah solar white card stock, along with Apricot Appeal, Chocolate Chip, and Delicate Dots designer paper all from Stampin' UP! I finally tried Memento Tuxedo Black ink (I love it!) along with a variety of Copic markers which I've recently also given in to trying! LOL I liked the results but need lots of practice in blending with them. Also used was my Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder, and the new deckled rectangular Nesties. To finish the card off, I used a 1/2" punch along with three brads. Thanks for visiting my blog today!

It's Easter!

Happy Easter everyone! I just love this little bunny which is dry embossed using a template from Lasting Impressions. There isn't much stamping done on the card, the words came from one of those $1.00 clear stamp packets from Michael's.

Paper: Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, and Lavender Lace from Stampin' Up, and designer paper from an unknown manufacturer purchased at Michael's.

Ink: Basic Black, and white pigment ink

I also used some pink & white gingham 1/4" ribbon purchased at Michael's.

Whether your day was spent with family and friends, or you just relaxed in front of the tv, I hope you all enjoyed Easter day. :)

Thinking of You

I made this card a few weeks ago and wasn't able to post it until now. I'm hoping I can remember what I used to give you the recipe! :) The card was for a challenge where you were to use only 2 colors. Obviously, I picked yellow and brown.

Stamps: Upsy Daisy from SU

Paper: SU Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, and Close to Cocoa

Ink: Chocolate Chip & Creamy Caramel

I also used Stampin' UP's new Top Note Bigz die. These dies were made to go along with the Sizzix Big Shot that they now carry, but I just used it in my Cuttlebug and it worked fine. Chocolate Chip 1/4" grosgrain ribbon and lots of crystal Stickles were used to give the flowers some great sparkle!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Now I'm not going to pretend that this is an awesome card, or even one that I'm really pleased with....lol With it being Valentine's Day, I needed to make Steven a card. Being a letter carrier, I thought this mailbox image would be perfect! I have had this stamp forever. It has never been used and doesn't even say on it who manufactured it. But it's a big image and it certainly proved to be my challenge for today! Sorry the scan is so dark, I even photographed this card outside but I guess it didn't help.

The small greeting on the mailbox is from a tag image from Stampin' UP. I just used a black marker on the rubber so I would only get the small greeting and nothing else. The small hearts were all stamped and individually cut out. They are all from various Stampin' UP sets. I cut the end of the mailbox image so I could stuff all the little hearts inside.

The ink colors included Creamy Caramel, Certainly Celery, Riding Hood Red. Rose Red and black Stazon.

Whisper White, Always Artichoke, Real Red, and Close to Cocoa designer paper.

I also used watercolor crayons with a blender to do the grey color of the mailbox. Can't forget the small red heart brads and my ticket punch from Stampin' UP.

I hope you all have a great Valentine's Day!

Another Blog Award!

This award is called the "Marie Antoinette, a Real Person, a Real Award" and was given to me by a stamping friend, Stephanie.

Thank you so much for awarding me with this wonderful blog award, it really means a lot to me.

Just Because...

Isn't it great when you get a card in the mail "Just Because" and not for any particular reason? I was snow bound today along with a bad cold and it was the perfect opportunity to create a card...and it's been so long since I've been able to, that it was just what the doctor ordered! LOL

I wanted to use a stamp image that I hadn't inked up yet. With all the snow falling today, I decided to make it more of a spring themed card so I picked out an image from Stampin' UP's "A Flower for All Seasons" (all 4 images are adorable) along with a small greeting by Endless Creations.

The background paper is SU Lavender Lace and the rest of the paper was from a mat pack of designer paper called Emma from the Making Memories Kids collection. The white paper is watercolor paper.

Ink: Black Stazon, So Saffron, Sahara Sand, Creamy Caramel, Old Olive, Regal Rose and Lovely Lilac

I also used the scallop border punch, dimensionals and Rhinestone brads from SU, Marvy punches, and some pretty Prima flowers that I've had forever but never used. :)

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

I wanted to share this card with all of you. It was sent to me from a dear friend using a stamp I'd sent to her. I rarely see new year images and couldn't pass this one up. Deloris LOVES her Cuttlebug and has made some wonderful cards using it. You can check out some of her other Cuttlebug card creations on her blog. http://www.cardunow.blogspot.com

Thanks Deloris! :)