Christmas on my mind!

During the last week I have begun to think about my Christmas card designs. I was thoroughly inspired when I visited Archivers last week and got some new goodies to begin experimenting with. This is my first attempt at using a stamp that I already have in my collection (and used on my cards a couple of years ago) but now want to make it look even better with new embellishments and papers. I used a combination of my Copic Markers and Prismacolors for the main image and then accented the stockings with gold stickles. Here a close up so you can get a better look :



I have another Christmas design that I have completed but I have not had chance to photograph it yet. I'll try to do that for tomorrow perhaps??

Hope you are having a great week?



Stamps : Stampenous (Stockings)
Paper : SU! Old Olive and More Mustard, PTI Vintage Cream, Graphic 45 Christmas Past DP
Ink : Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories : Michaels Gold satin ribbon, Gold Stickles, Copic markers, Prismacolor pencils, EKSuccess Small scallop border punch

Prima Baby Bunny

Today's card is for my cousin in England who just had a sweet little baby girl. This is definitely a week for working on my coloring techniques. Here I used my Prismacolor pencils again to add color to this sweet little bunny image from Stampin'Up! Let's take a close up of my coloring :



The papers I used are from the Jack and Jill collection from Prima Marketing and I added some fake lace using a border punch.

Thanks for stopping by!


Stamps : Stampin'Up! (Bunny and sentiment)
Paper : SU! Close to Cocoa, PTI White, Prima Marketing Jack and Jill DP
Ink : Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories : Prisamcolor pencils, Martha Stewart Lace Border punch, Michaels White satin ribbon, SU! small oval punch, Making Memories button

Watercolor Daisy

Good morning y'all! I do feel like I have the creative mojo back over these last few days. I am excited to create something beautiful because of personal inspiration rather than following a sketch or competition (although that doesn't mean I will never enter Mojo Monday again or try the Taylored Expressions sketch challenge). I realize that means fewer people may visit my blog because I won't be linked to any other challenge blogs or threads, but I will just learn to live with that because I want to be enthusiastic with my own ideas and not be driven by other deadlines (or my desire to get on a design team..... if it happens, it happens and if not, well ..... it doesn't!!!!)

My card today includes a sweet little image from Whipper Snapper designs. They have some cute whimsical images. Normally I shy away from whimsical cards, but I am trying to push myself out of my comfort zone and try something new.

Instead of using my PrismaColors with this image I tried using my SU! watercolor pencils and an aquapainter. I am pleased with the end result - the effect is soft and subtle. The card is very simple in its design to allow the main image to be center of attention.

Hope you are having a good week?



Stamps : Whipper Snapper Designs
Paper : PTI Smokey Shadow and white, Fancy Pants Celebrate DP
Ink : Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories : SU! Watercolor pencils, Aquapainter, Hero Arts Metallic nail heads

Fall Butterfly

Goodness gracious, it's been nearly a whole month since I made a card and posted here on my blog....!!! In September I was beginning to feel a slave to my blog and keeping it updated. I felt like I was just making cards to post here rather than creating because I enjoyed it - so I took a break. As a family we went to Toronto for two weeks and I set a couple of automatic posts while I was there, but apart from that I have not done anything even vaguely related to cards/stamping or crafts. Oh, apart from visiting Stamping Bella in Toronto - but who can resist visiting such a treasure trove!!!

My creation today is especially for a friend of mine who is currently suffering with back problems and is in a lot of pain. I wanted to create something light, airy and cheerful but still with some autumnal colors blended in. This Hero Arts butterfly stamp is one of my favorites and fit my requirements perfectly. Here is a close up of the main image :



The yellow spots are actually highlighted with a Spica Glitter marker, but unfortunately it does not show up on my camera. It's a beautiful, subtle effect that shimmers more than sparkles!

Hopefully my break from card making will produce many wonderful new creations in the coming weeks!

Thanks for coming back to visit!



Stamps : Hero Arts (Butterfly), Stampin'Up! (sentiment)
Paper : PTI White, SU! Designer Paper
Ink : VersaFine Onyx Black, VersaMagic Chalk ink in Pumpkin Spice
Accessories : PrismaColor pencils, American Crafts ribbon, Martha Stewart Lace border punch, Cricut Lacy Labels cartridge, TPC Studios fall gems

Mojo Thanksgiving

This card is based on a Mojo Monday sketch from a couple of weeks ago that I did not get around to posting until now. I was using mostly new products - a Hero Arts Thanksgiving set from Archivers, American crafts fall ribbon and new Basic Grey patterned paper.

Again, it's a short and sweet post today!
Hope you are having a great week?



Stamps : Hero Arts
Paper : PTI Smokey Shadow and White, Basic Grey DP
Ink : VersaMagic Chalk ink (Paprika and Gingerbread)
Accessories : SU! Scallop border punch, American Crafts ribbon, TPC Studios fall gems

Family Placecards

These are the placecards that I created for our family Thanksgiving dinner. Altogether I made 16 of them - my hand was aching after turning the crank on my Epic Six machine for the embossing on so much chocolate cardstock and then using my Quickutz Sqeeuze to cut out all the fall leaves! I added detail to the leaves and the name labels by inking the edges with chalk ink and also finished the edges with a small scalloped punch.

Here's a close up. This one is slightly different because I used a Hero Arts leaf stamp and colored it in with my Prismacolors. After doing that with one, I went with inking the punched out leaves on the others as I was short on time!



Thanks for dropping in!



Stamps : Hero Arts (leaf)
Paper : SU! Really Rust, More Mustard and Chocolate Chip, PTI Vintage Cream
Ink : VersaMagic chalk ink (Gingerbread and Paprika)
Accessories : Cricut Lacy Labels cartridge, Quickutz Embossing folder, EKSuccess Small scallop border punch, Quickutz leaf die (2x2)

Vive La Verve Paper Roses

I love these beautiful paper roses that I found at Michaels last week - they are the perfect finishing touch to an elegant card. My design is based on the Vive La Verve week 3 sketch from Splitcoaststampers.

Short and sweet today!



Stamps : Verve (sentiment), SU! (flourish)
Paper : SU! Close to cocoa and Certainly Celery, PTI White, SU! DP
Ink : VersaMagic Chalk ink in Gingerbread and Tea leaves
Accessories : SU! Organdy cream ribbon, Recollections paper roses, EKSuccess medium circle punch

Apple Cider Thanksgiving

Fall really is my favorite time of year - I just love the colors and textures associated with this season. Of course, I then fell in love with Imaginisce's new designer paper called 'Apple Cider' when I saw it at the Creating Keepsakes convention in Charlotte. I have used a selection of papers from that collection on my card today and paired it with Stampin'Up!s Chocolate chip cardstock. The fine details are TPC Studios fall 'gems', Paper leaves from Recollections, Michaels Chocolate satin ribbon and a small scallop border punch. The main label was cut with my Cricut Lacy Labels cartridge (again!).

This card is a contribution for Taylored Expressions sketch challenge from last Friday :




Enjoy!



Stamps : Hero Arts (Thanksgiving set from 2009)
Paper : SU! Chocolate Chip, PTI Vintage Cream, Imaginisce Apple Cider DP
Ink : VersaMagic Chalk ink - Gingerbread
Accessories : Small scallop border punch, Cricut Lacy Labels cartridge, Paper leaves from Recollections, TPC Studios Fall gems, Michaels Chocolate satin ribbon

Wedding Dress with Copics

This card was originally going to be my contribution for the Play Date Cafe Challenge from last week, but as it turns out I missed the deadline to link my creation. Oh well, I'll post the card anyway. I'm just a little disorganized this week and I haven't posted since Saturday......

I've had this stamp in my collection for some years now and I have always struggled with how to add color to a dress that is supposed to be somewhat transparent. Then I came across a tutorial on Marianne Walkers blog 'I like Markers' for using Copics to color in a wedding dress and decided to try it. Of course, my final image is no where near as good as hers, but it's a start. And they say that 'practice makes perfect'... so I just have a lot of practising to do!

Hope your week is going well!



Stamps : PSX (wedding dress)
Paper : PTI Black and White
Ink : Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories : Copic Markers, Spica Glitter marker, Martha Stewart lace border punch, Cricut Lacy labels cartridge, Michaels white satin ribbon. SU/Sizzix embossing folder, Kaisercraft Pearls

Sweetie Pie (Mojo 155)

I have been wanting to use this cute little stamp for a while now, but for some reason I just could not come up with the right papers or colors to use with it. Then I discovered some Basic Grey Lemonade patterned paper at the bottom of my supplies and realized that it would coordinate perfectly with this image, especially the cherries!

The card design is based on Mojo Monday #155, which is a contest this week..... (here's hoping!!!!) The sketch looks like this :



Enjoy!



Stamps : g Studios Sweet Treats (cherry pie and sentiment)
Paper : PTI Black and White, Basic Grey Lemonade DP
Ink : VersaFine Onyx Black
Accessories : Cricut Lacy Labels cartridge, Prismacolor pencils, SU! Scallop border punch, ACMoore's Black and white polka dot ribbon

Burgundy Satin Dream

My card today was inspired by a design that I saw in the new PaperCrafts special issue 'Card Style' that is out in stores right now. It is a wonderful magazine that divides card making styles into 4 categories : Fun & Cute, Clean & Graphic, Classy & Elegant and finally Vintage & Chic. I definitely fell in love with all the Classy and Elegant samples.

I created the background pattern using some Stampin'Up! Pink Pirouette cardstock and an Anna Griffin background stamp using Stampin'Up! Baroque Burgundy ink (which was retired a long time ago!) I added a small border in white craft ink on the black strip to finish off the top. The satin ribbon is one of my favorites and I love this color in particular. The sentiment is from another Stampin'Up! set.

Thanks for dropping in



Stamps : SU! Sentiment from 'Happy Harmony', Anna Griffin background, Technique Tuesday small border stamp
Paper : SU! Basic Black and Pink Pirouette, PTI White
Ink : SU! Baroque Burgundy (retired), Basic Black and White craft ink
Accessories : Kaisercraft pearls, EKSuccess small butterfly punch, Cricut Lacy Labels cartridge, Michaels Burgundy satin ribbon

Snowy Sketch for You to Try

Thinking snow on Labor Day???! Surely it's too early to think about this type of card just yet?

It is 90 degrees here in NC and the cold weather is a long time away, so I thought I'd create a cold, snowy beauty in the form of a card. I long for a blast of really cold wind so I can wear some sweaters (or at least long sleeves!).

My card is based on Jen's SFYTT and the theme was inspired by Amy Sheffers contribution to the same sketch on her blog Pickled Paper Designs. The sketch looks like this :



Hope you've enjoyed your day off!



Stamps : Inkadinkado Christmas round borders set
Paper : PTI White, SU! Red Riding Hood, Bo Bunny Snow DP
Ink : VersaColor Rose Red Pigment Ink, Technique Tuesday chalk ink (blue)
Accessories : Cricut Lacy Labels Cartridge, HeroArts red gems, Clear embossing powder, Michaels white satin ribbon, SU!/Sizzix embossing folder

Thankful Butterfly

Yesterday I was hopping along on the Our Daily Bread blog hop for their new releases this month and was so inspired by what I saw! This particular card was inspired by Chris Olsen on her blog Twinkles Glow with Stamps. If you comment on each of the ODB design team blogs you will be in with a chance to win either $15, $20 or $25 to spend in their online store! Check the Our Daily Bread Blog for more details!

The patterned paper I used as the base for this card is from Stampin'Up about 4 or so years ago, but I still love the colors and patterns. I wanted to include some lace ribbon on this card, but seeing as I do not have any I just used my lace border punch to fake the 'lacy look'. The 'Thank you' sentiment is from a small clear set by Technique Tuesday that I got at the Creating Keepsakes Convention in Charlotte last month.

The corner flourishes are from the Cricut Lacy Labels cartridge using one of the label layers. It was originally a circle of flourishes and I just used my small detail scissors to cut the image apart and use two parts for the corner details. I then added the tiny flowers which were the cutouts from a floral border punch. They were so small and fiddly - I had to attach them using teeny tiny glue dots.

Enjoy!



Stamps : Technique Tuesday (sentiment)
Paper : PTI Vintage Cream, SU! Close to Cocoa, SU! Patterned Paper (not sure of the name??)
Ink : VersaMagic Chalk ink Jumbo Java
Accessories : EKSuccess Large Butterfly Punch, Cricut Lacy Labels cartridge, Spellbinders Label Die, Kaisercraft Pearls

Mediterranean Tree (MTSC89)

Good Afternoon everyone! I have been getting a little more time to make cards this week as all my boys are now back in school. It's wonderful to get into my stamp 'closet' and create for a couple of hours at a time rather than a few minutes stolen here and there.... pure bliss!

Yesterday I was checking out some sketch challenges and I came across Mercy's Tuesday Sketch. I decided to base my card today on her design, which looks like this :



The patterned paper I used is from DCWV Mediterranean Cafe and the label die cut is again from the Cricut Lacy Labels Cartridge. I know, I know.... most of my posts this week have used this cartridge..... but it really IS that good!

Hope your week is going well!



Stamps : Stampin'Up! (Tree and sentiment from Thoughts and Prayers)
Paper : PTI Enchanted Evening and White, DCWV Mediterranean Cafe DP
Ink : SU! Not Quite Navy, VersaMagic Chalk ink Night Sky
Accessories : Cricut Lacy Labels Cartridge, Kaisercraft Pearls, Martha Stewart Lace Border Punch

Mojo Birthday for Miriam

Wow! This is my second post for today - I must have the mojo right now!

This card is for two purposes. I needed a card for my best friends birthday and I also wanted to enter Mojo Monday. And I think this is the earliest I have ever managed to post my Mojo Monday contribution!

The Mojo sketch looks like this :



Thanks for stopping by!



Stamps : Stampin'Up! Upsy Daisy (sentiment and flowers)
Paper : PTI Melon and Vintage Cream, SU! River Rock, SEI Dill Blossom DP
Ink : VersaColor Paprika Pigment Ink, SU! Basic Black
Accessories : Cricut Lacy Labels cartridge, EKSuccess Small butterfly punch, Karen Foster patterned ribbon, EKSuccess Small scallop border punch

Razzleberry Cupcakes (TESC126)

These cute little cupcakes were created using a $1 stamp from 'g Studio' stamps at Michaels! I've said it before, but I'll say it again - I LOVE a bargain, especially when it comes to stamping supplies!

The die cut label behind the cupcakes was cut using my new Cricut Lacy Labels cartridge. It is such a versatile cartridge and cuts wonderful tight mats behind the main label. The patterned paper is from the Razzleberry patterns last year at Stampin'Up! I think Razzleberry is one of my favorite colors.

And finally the card was based on the Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge from last Friday. Here's a look at the layout :



Thanks for dropping in!


Stamps : g Studios (cupcakes), Stampin'Up! (sentiment)
Paper : SU! Rich Razzleberry and Razzleberry DP, PTI White
Ink : VersaFine Onyx Black, SU! Basic Black
Accessories : Cricut Lacy Labels cartridge, Spica Glitter Marker, Prismacolor pencils

100th Post and an Award!!!!!

This is officially the 100th post on my blog since I began in March of this year and on Friday last week I was awarded the 'Cherry on Top' for a beautiful blog - what a great way to celebrate 100 cards!

To keep this 'title' there are some things I have to do/tell y'all!

1. Andrea Ewen was the one who nominated me - thank you so much Andrea, I am really, really honored. Check Andrea's blog (Ewenstyle) - it's awesome! We started blogging at the same time and also met on Splitcoaststampers, which I also recommend you visit for fantastic papercraft inspiration as well as competitions and challenges.

2. I'm supposed to post the award - which I've proudly done at the top of this post.

3. List 3 things that I like about myself :

• I've kept my English accent even though I've lived in North Carolina for 9 years. (which makes my 'y'alls' sound quite strange!)


• I'm good at organizing (just don't ask my husband about plastic boxes and wicker baskets....!!)


• I had to be very inventive when I created my own stamping 'room' at the back of our walk in closet - it is approximately 5' x 6'!

4. Post a picture that I love :




5. Lastly I need to nominate 5 others who deserve this award. And the nominations go to (drumroll please....!!)

• Amy Sheffer of Pickled Paper Designs


• Susan Lyles of Susiestampalot


• Sherri Siemens of Card Creme


• Paula Williamson of Paper Possibilities


• Beate Johns of Fresh and Fun

These women do not know me (apart from Paula who so graciously answered so many of my questions concerning coloring with Prismacolor pencils) but I visit their blogs every single day and try to leave comments when I can.

I hope you'll visit these wonderful women who are so deserving of this honor!

Dill Blossom Happiness

Each month on Splitcoaststampers there is a Verve month long sketch challenge called Vive La Verve. On a weekly basis there is a new sketch posted along with 3 photos of rooms. The idea is to use the sketch along with one of the photos for inspiration. My card today was from Vive La Verve for August for week 4, using the photo from room 1.

The patterned paper I used is from SEI 'Dill Blossom' paper pad that I got for $2.00 from the Creating Keepsakes Convention in Charlotte a couple of weeks ago. I just LOVE a bargain!

See you again soon!



Stamps : Basic Grey 'Happy for You'
Paper : SEI Dill Blossom DP, PTI White
Ink : VersaFine Onyx Black, VersaMagic Chalk ink
Accessories : EKSuccess small butterfly punch, small circle punch and small scallop border punch

Thoughtful Silhouettes (Mojo #153)

I have had this patterned paper in my stash for a couple of years now and I think I have only used it once before, so yesterday I challenged myself to create a card based on the Mojo Monday sketch, using my new Stampin'Up! Hostess set and the SU! paper from 4(?) years ago.

The sketch was a regular quarter size card but with all the layers I was using a square seemed to work better for me. The labels in white and plum are from a brand new Cricut Cartridge that I discovered over the weekend. It's called 'Lacy Labels' and is available exclusively from Wal-Mart (in their range of Cricut 'Lite' cartridges). At $39.99 it's an awesome deal to get over 50 different label die options in one place. And, of course, in any size that the Cricut machine will cut...so plenty of options for cards.

Here is the sketch layout I was working from :



Thanks for stopping by!



Stamps : SU! Hostess Silhouettes
Paper : PTI White, SU! Pale Plum, SU! DP (name??)
Ink : SU! Mellow Moss and Basic Black, VersaMagic Chalk ink Spring Pansy
Accessories : Cricut 'Lacy Labels' Cartridge, Kaisercraft Pearls, Corner rounder, Michaels white satin ribbon