He is Risen!

I combined the Color Throwdown challenge (Yoyo yellow, Garden Green & Soft Suede) with Roxie's sketch challenge on SCS to create this Easter card. The flowers & leaves are MS punches; the cross is the only thing stamped. Quick and easy card before heading to bed...

STAMPS: ODBD 'He is Risen!'
PAPER: Origins DP (BasicGrey), White
INK: Chocolate Chip
ACCESSORIES: Copper brads, MS waterlily & frond punches, small flower punch in $1 bin at Mike's, Dimensionals

Paws I Care

Just had to play with another of the Paws I Care digi images from Whimsie Doodles. Today I'm feeling like the cat - lol! It's all about attitude, right? I colored with Copics, added Crystal Effects to the hearts and used Mercy Kerin's sketch for the layout. Thanks to all my cool cat blog friends who take the time to look and comment...love hearing from you!

STAMPS: Digi image from Whimsie Doodles
PAPER: My Mind's Eye Home Phot Mat Blue, White
INK: Tim Holtz Vintage Photo distress ink
ACCESSORIES: Ribbon, Scallop border punch (SU), Copic sketch markers, Crystal Effects, Sponge

CC & OCCC

I loved Betty's color challenge on SCS this week (So Saffron, Bermuda Bay, Basic Gray with any neutrals) and found the perfect plaid by My Mind's Eye to tie them all together...love when that happens. My scrunched flower is made from 5 scallop circles punched out, edges sponged with tea dye ink, then fastened together with a brad. Each layer was then crinkled, wrinkled & scrunched! Say that 3 times really fast - lol! The bird was also sponged to add a little more depth. The sketch was created by Silke Ledlow for Our Creative Corner's Challenge this week. I was able to combine the CC with the OCCC! :-) Thanks for looking and taking the time to comment!

Stamps: Verve Big Wish & Bountiful Backgrounds
Paper: My Mind's Eye Home Photo Mat Blue, Basic Gray, Bermuda Bay, So Saffron
Ink: So Saffron, Basic Gray, Tim Holtz Tea Dye distress ink
Accessories: Scallop punch (SU), Grosgrain ribbon (SU), 2-step bird punch (SU), Scallop border punch (SU), Large scallop punch (EK Success), Sponge, Kaiser black pearl, Corduroy brad, Dimensionals

Inside Out Mojo

The Technique Lover's Challenge on SCS was to complete a card's inside as well as the outside. I generally only finish the outside and add a sentiment as needed to the inside, but my goal is to try and finish a coordinating inside from now on. I used Julee Tilman's Mojo Monday sketch for the layout. I love the new petite vintage papers from Webster's Pages...they do most of your work for you! I only stamped the sentiment - inside and out. Enjoy your Monday!

STAMPS: Verve 'Wishing You'
PAPER: Webster's Pages (Seaside Retreat, Garden Gala & Nature's Storybook), Enchanted Evening, Ripe Avocado, & Vintage Cream by PTI
INK: Night of Navy, Tim Holtz Vintage Photo distressing ink
ACCESSORIES: CB, Nesties, Enchanted Evening satin ribbon (PTI), Fleur de lis border punch, Sponge, Dimensionals

Casing Brandi...

I wanted to ink up my new ODBD stamp set, so I made an Easter card for their Shining Light Challenge, which also qualifies as a CASE for SCS's featured stamper this week: beedubya aka Brandi (no relation to George Dubya). :-) I used Copics to color the image and cut it so part of the leaf stayed 'out of the box'. My back-ordered butterfly embosslit finally arrived and it is so much fun to play with...so many ways to layer the different sizes! I need to check in on the NCAA basketball game...and possibly a nap is in the forecast on this chilly, rainy Sunday afternoon.

STAMPS: Easter Blessings by ODBD
PAPER: Rainbow Sherbert DP by SU, Pacific Point, Green Galore, White
INK: Pacific Point, Memento Tuxedo Black
ACCESSORIES: Piercing tool/template, Butterfly Embosslit (SU), CB, Kaiser silver pearls, Copic sketch markers (YG00, YG03, YG06, RV0000)

Viva la Verve

Amber's 5th March Viva la Verve sketch challenge was to include being inspired by any kitchen or kitchen item we chose. Wow! That left it wide open for choices! I went to a fave decorating site called Inspiration for Decoration and found this unusual kitchen in pale lavender and green. Just to make it clear...that's not my idea of great kitchen colors but it did allow me to use the gorgeous Kioshi DP by BasicGrey that I really love - lol! The flower was stamped using Elegant Eggplant on some purple DP, then it was cut out & popped with dimensionals. The leaves were colored with Copics. The paper lace border is a matching accessory from BasicGrey. This card was also for Stef's IC from the Thymes website - so many beautiful products! I was inspired by the lavender and eucalyptus collections for their soft spring colors. Time to hit the hay...have a full day tomorrow.

STAMPS: Verve's Feel the Sun
PAPER: Kioshi DP by BasicGrey, Neenah Solar White
INK: Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive
ACCESSORIES: Ribbon Doilies by BasicGrey, Pearls, Copics

Fiddler on the Roof

Wendy's Free For All Challenge on SCS was to be inspired by a musical, plus we were to make our card in a shape other than A-2 standard size. Yes...I flunked the challenge! I was so into reminiscing about the musicals I participated in while in high school (Brigadoon, Oklahoma, Broadway in Review) that I forgot we were to use a different shape. So what did I make? A-2 size. Doh! I'm going to post it anyway and hope the challenge police don't kick me out of the gallery. I love Fiddler on the Roof (went to see it while dating my husband and then our son had a part in the musical when he was a HS senior). Sunrise, Sunset is one of the songs, so my brayered BG is supposed to be a reminder of the colors in a sunrise or sunset. Then the primary instrument in this musical collage happens to be a 'fiddle'. TFL and I'll try to follow directions better next time! :-)

STAMPS: 'Instruments' by Embossing Arts Co. 1993, Tiny Tags (SU)
PAPER: Glossy CS, Summer Sun, Neenah Solar White, Black
INK: Versafine Onyx Black, Creole Spice Kaleidacolor pad
ACCESSORIES: Brayer, Marvy corner scallop punch, Tiny tag punch (SU), Kaiser pearls, Ribbon

Let's Celebrate!

It's been 5 years that Julia Stainton has been posting Ways to Use It challenges on Splitcoast, so today we were to make a birthday card to celebrate. I used a couple of digi images from Whimsie Doodles, colored with Copics, cut out the dog & popped with dimensionals. Crystal Effects and a rhinestone flower were added to give it a little extra pizzaz. The sentiment was cut out using Creative Memories circle cutter. Enjoy your day...it's your choice!

STAMPS: Digi images by Whimsie Doodles
PAPER: Cupcake DP by BasicGrey, Ballet Blue, Neenah Solar White
ACCESSORIES: CM circle cutter, Crystal Effects, SU scallop border punch, Grosgrain ribbon, Copic sketch markers, Slot punch (SU), Rhinestone, Dimensionals

Do Not Sorrow

This card is a 2 for 1 challenge combo, combining Mercy Kerin's Tuesday sketch with the Color Throwdown challenge to use Baha Breeze, Certainly Celery & Garden Green (with optional cream). I thought this DP was close to the colors, so went with it. LOVE this new font that Julee Tilman has used on several of her Verve stamps! SU's sweet little tags are another fave of mine right now...had to add one to the freebie ribbon I got with my last Ellen Hutson order. Need to go work on another card basket for a charity auction, so need to make a trip to Mike's. Have a blessed day!

STAMPS: Verve Nehemiah 8:10 Plain Jane
PAPER: Classic K Margo DP by K&Co, Vintage Cream (PTI)
INK: Memento Tuxedo Black
ACCESSORIES: 2-step bird punch and tiny tag punch by SU, Ribbon, Copic markers (Y15, YG03, BG72), Pearl flower, Dimensionals

Life like a wildflower...

I definitely needed a winding down time after a noisy background at work this afternoon...jackhammers, drills, saws, hammers...down came the old nurses' work station and up started the new desk area. Though it will be a bit chaotic for awhile, I'm looking forward to the end result! Roxie posted a great sketch challenge on Splitcoast...one that worked for me to use some new vintage style DP I got this week from Ellen Hutson's store. She's so great to order from...prompt shipping and always a little freebie gift (usually some ribbon). The only stamping is the sentiment which I love and was suggested for Julee to turn into a stamp by my good stamping friend, Teresa (aka va.sunshine) - one of the talented Verve divas. I thought the wildflower print in the DP went well with the sentiment. On impulse, I decided to add the pearl flourish - also from Ellen's online store. So glad you stopped for a visit...love to read your comments!

STAMPS: Feel the Sun (Verve)
PAPER: Gossamer by Memory Box, Neenah Solar White, Dark Chocolate (PTI)
INK: Memento Rich Cocoa
ACCESSORIES: CM circle cutter, CB, Scallop circle Nesties, Adhesive pearl flourish, Brads

Paws-itively Fabulous!

I ventured outside the box (for me) and downloaded some new digi images from Whimsie Doodles. When I saw these images, I immediately thought of my daughter who is such an animal lover...especially her Golden Retriever, Bear. This pic of Bear was taken when DD hiked up Humpback Rocks and overlooked the Blue Ridge Mts. When Betty posted her Color Challenge on SCS (Creamy Caramel, Dusty Durango, Pretty in Pink & a neutral of choice), I knew I wanted to use them and create this doghouse card - the template shape can also be found at Whimsie Doodles. I paper pieced the doghouse, colored the images with Copics. Time for some shut eye...
STAMPS: Digital stamps from Whimsie Doodles
PAPER: Dusty Durango, My Mind's Eye DP, White
ACCESSORIES: Copics, Oval punches from SU

Mojo Monday

Sarah Bigelow, a Mojo Monday DT member, stepped in and gave us a fun sketch for a long card for today's challenge. I first stamped the image, colored with Copics, then cut the panel into thirds. Some Diamond Stickles were added to the flower centers for some sparkle. The sentiment (a great new one from Verve) was stamped on a Labels Four Nestie, but it covered up too much of the image, so I trimmed it down. The rain didn't last long this morning and the sun came out...quite a beautiful day! Too bad the whole morning was consumed by sitting in a doctor's office! I was an hour early, thanks to my mistake! Talk about senior moments...it pays to double check your calendar! Thanks for stopping by...

STAMPS: Toile Blossoms (SU), Feel the Sun (Verve)
PAPER: Terracotta Tile (PTI), Vintage Cream (PTI), My Mind's Eye DP
INK: Memento Tuxedo Black, Tim Holtz Vintage Photo Distress ink
ACCESSORIES: CB, Labels Four Nesties, Satin ribbon (PTI), Rhinestones, Sponge, Diamond Stickles, Copic sketch markers

Piecing Together Childhood Memories

This week's featured stamper on Splitcoast is the talented Cathy aka Mutnik! She has so many wonderful cards in her gallery, but I was inspired by her faux stitching and spring colors on this card. I used her shades of purples, yellows & greens and kept a floral theme, but added real stitching, changed the layout & changed it to a square card. Holly challenged us on the TLC thread to create a card based on childhood memories, so I combined this with the FS challenge. Any time you entered my grandmother's or my mother's sewing rooms, you always found the sewing machine set up and ready to sew...usually with scraps of fabric near by. Not only did they sew clothes (a store bought dress was a rare thing for me), they were also avid quilters. I learned to sew blocks of fabric together at an early age and would make tiny blankets for my dolls. So this is the memory that is represented by this card using some of BasicGrey's new Kioshi paper that I just LOVE! I cut out 9 squares (each one is 1 1/2 inch square). The flower was colored with Copics, cut out & popped with dimensionals. Thanks for stopping by...

STAMPS: Big Wish (Verve), Feel the Sun (Verve)
PAPER: Plum Pudding (PTI), Kioshi DP (BasicGrey), Pre-embossed white cards (M's)
INK: Elegant Eggplant
ACCESSORIES: Copics, Rhinestones, Sponge, Grosgrain ribbon (SU), CB, Label die, Janome sewing machine

First time blog candy winner!

Just had to share my excitement in winning some blog candy on Kathy Jones' blog (aka Wattle on SCS) during ODBD's blog hop to celebrate their 2nd anniversary last week. Here's a pic of the goodies and of her daughter drawing my number...isn't she just the cutest?!

Dogwood has the Blues

Stef introduced a cutest food site for our inspiration on Splitcoast this week. I combined this challenge with a fun new game that Anne Ryan started last week in the fun & games forum. Each Friday she will post a Queen for the Day...highlighting a stamper who comments and plays challenges in the SCS gallery regularly. This week she is recognizing Peggy Elms (aka MarilynPreston) who is such a familiar, sweet stamper friend. Since her favorite color is blue, I chose the blue & white cupcakes as my 'cute food' and came up with this card, which is also a case of one of Peggy's cards that I loved. I die cut 3 sizes of the Labels Four Nestie and stamped the image on all 3 layers. I colored with Copics and popped with dimensionals. I smudged the ink a bit and had to add a tiny butterfly - lol! So, congrats to Peggy for this royal honor and thanks to my blog friends who take the time to stop by and check out my creations!

STAMPS: Soft Summer by SU
PAPER: My Mind's Eye Home Photo Mat Blue, White
INK: Memento Tuxedo Black
ACCESSORIES: CB, Labels Four Nestabilities, Kaiser silver pearls, Enchanted Evening satin ribbon by PTI, MS butterfly trio punch, Dimensionals, Copics

A Tisket, A Tasket...

...a pink and white basket! We were challenged on Splitcoast to either make a card with a basket image or make an actual 3-D basket using plum, light green & yellow colors. I fudged a bit and added pink to the color list since I wanted to use this striped ribbon for the handle and I already had made this box bottom (folded from a 6 inch square piece of DP) at stamp club last Sunday. I highlighted it with shades of plum/eggplant in the new Verve flower that I colored with Copics, cut out and popped with dimensionals. Fun and quick baskets to create...and wouldn't they be great favors on the table for Easter dinner?!

STAMPS: Verve 'Feel the Sun'
PAPER: SU 6 x 6 DP, White
INK: Memento Tuxedo Black
ACCESSORIES: Ribbon (M's), MS Doily Lace border punch, Copic sketch markers

Viva la Verve

Amber posted some really fun aprons to inspire us for the Viva la Verve challenge this week! I chose the poppy design and literally cut out and popped my flowers (after coloring with Copics) and leaves (wow, were they ever a challenge to cut out!). The sketch was bit challenging for me to get the vine strips even, but a fun layout nonetheless. I am sooo enjoying these warm spring days...TGIF and I'm off work! Off to run some errands...

STAMPS: Verve 'Feel the Sun'
PAPER: My Mind's Eye Home Photo Mat Pink, Neenah solar white
INK: Old Olive, Memento Tuxedo Black
ACCESSORIES: CB, Nesties, CB vine die, Copics, Dimensionals