Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas! 
 Have a fabulous day, dear friends!!

Supplies: 

Paper: Pure Luxury White (Gina K), DP-retired SU

Ink: Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Labels #10 Nestabilities, Pearls (SU). Red ribbon (SU), grommet

Christmas Eve Blessings to you and yours

I wish you and yours every blessing this Christmas eve! 

Supplies: 

Stamps: Bells & Boughs, All Holidays (SU!)

Paper: Always Artichoke, Cajun Craze (SU), White (Neenah), DP- Calisto Christmas (Anna Griffin)

Ink: Old Olive, Cajun Craze (SU)

Accessories: Lace hem tape (Wrights), Red stickles (Ranger)

Christmas Eve's Eve

Christmas is almost here! I love the preparations as much as I love the actual day. Shopping, wrapping, baking, more shopping, parties, shows, more shopping, seeing family and friends and did I mention shopping?! Here's a card on this day before Christmas Eve. I made this using sketch #95 on CardPatterns.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your holidays!

Supplies:
Stamps: Cute Converse (SU!)
Ink: Barn Door Distress Ink (Ranger)
Paper: Certainly Celery, Baja Breeze (SU!), Merry Days of Christmas collection (My MInds's Eye); the trees were cut from this DP.
Accessories: Oval punch (SU!), Snowflakes (scrap from MS border punch), embossing folder, liquid pearls.

Don Your Holiday Plaid

I haven't had much time in the studio lately, but regardless, life has been wonderful :) I stole away for an hour to make a holiday card...I felt so festive that I couldn't imagine making a birthday card or starting Valentine cards. So here's the card I made for the SCS IC263 challenge that we were to take inspiration from Don Cherry's jackets. I chose this jacket.

I hope you are enjoying the holiday season!

Supplies:
Stamps: Welcome Christmas (SU!)
Paper: Real Red, Certainly Celery (SU), Pajama Plaid & Santa's Forest from "The Merry days of Christmas" collection (MME)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Chipboard flourishes- Yuletide collection (K&Company), Poinsettia punch (Nellie Snellen), Labels Four Nestabilities (Spellbinders), red bling (Michael's), Red stickles (Ranger)

Holiday Snowflake

Happy Sunday! Here's my take on two challenges. First, the Featured Stamper Challenge on Splitcoaststampers where Kris was chosen as FS199. I chose this card of hers to case. With the FS challenge, you change some things and keep others. Sometimes it happens for me that my project ebs and flows in directions that I really hadn't intended when I started. Thus is the case with this card, but I hope you can see Kris' card in my inspiration. I kept her design, the same number of layers with a coordinating color between the two white pieces of cardstock, the two color base and layer, and lots of open space. I changed the colors, changed the location of the ribbon, and changed the images.

The second challenge is the Etsy Inspired Challenge (EIC116). I chose this from Koniver's shop. I love the blues and the white border. I really like this etsy inspired challenge & I wish I could play more often. It is very fun to see the shops on Etsy; for me it is another way to keep up with trends & experience unique items. I find that studying other art objects and unique things expands my creativity. This card although CAS took me a while as I had to experiment with inks. I ended up using craft ink for the snowflake as my dye ink and hybrid ink did not "take up" well by the acrylic stamp and I could not get even coverage. All of the stamps from this set have "hidden" images and if you look close you can see candles and birds in this one.

Have a great day, friends! Thank you for all your lovely comments. I am inspired and in awe by your art; you help me to strive for the best in me. And although I have not personally met most of you, I am grateful and a richer person because for our friendship. {{Hugs}}

Supplies:
Image: Snowflake from Holiday Silhouettes (Inkadinkado), Sentiment- Swirled Snowflakes (SU!)
Paper: White (Markie's finest paper), Night of Navy, Pacific Point (SU)
Ink: Night of Navy-craft (SU)
Accessories: Ribbon (Michaels)

Guest Designer Honors

  Thanks for stopping by today. I am so thrilled and very honored to be a guest designer at Card Patterns this week! I hope that you will have a chance to play along too & post your card on the Card Patterns website by next Friday for your chance to win a prize or be chosen as a guest designer. Below is this week's sketch #92.

 

I'm off to make holiday cards and gifts, plus a little shopping and of course play more challenges. Have a great weekend!

Supplies:

Image: Snowmen (The More the Merrier- SU)

Paper: Baja Breeze (SU), white (Gina K pure luxury), DP- Snow from the Wintertime collection (Echo Park)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Momento), Baja Breeze, Bashful Blue, Marina Mist, Tempting Turquoise, Cherry Cobbler (SU)

Accessories: Labels 10 Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Lace Hem tape (Wrights), white grosgrain ribbon (Offray), Polar White Flower Soft (Flower Soft)

Santa's Coming to Town!

Here's my card for two challenges. First for Queen for the Day (QFTD36) where Maxill (aka Bev) was chosen as the queen. Bev has always been very supportive & she often comments on my cards. I chose this card of her's to case: Tea for Two.  I also made this card for Crazy 4 Challenges (C4C64) where the challenge was to use circles.

Supplies:
Image: Christmas Characters (inadinkado)
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Baja Breeze (SU), White (Gina K), DP- Figgy (Basic Grey)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Momento); Cherry Cobbler, Baja Breeze (SU)
Accessories: Liquid Applique, Gold pen, Circle & scallop circle Nestablitites(spellbinders), Baja Breeze ribbon.

Very CAS

 

Here's my take on the CASwinter10KJ challenge to make a VERY CAS card with the decoration theme, ribbon and bling. The CAS winter10KJ challenge is an oportunity to be selected as a member of the CAS design team. I'm learning and hopefully perfecting the 'clean and simple' style but it is not one that is natural. I'm more of a layer on layer, designer paper, loads of embellishments and ribbon kind of card maker. So I thought I'd give it a try as it's an opportnity to learn from others.
Have a great day...it's almost the weekend, right?!

Supplies:
Stamps: All Holidays
Paper: White (Gina K Pure Luxury), Figgy (Basic Grey)
Ink: Marina Mist
Accessories: glitter- Pixie Stix Berry Blue (Pink Paislee); ribbon-Michaels, glue pad

The Truth

This card was made for two challenges. The first is Curtain Call 56 which is a color challenge. This week called for So Saffron, Pear Pizazz, Peach Parfait, Chocolate Chip and Whisper White. The second challenge is Card Patterns 90 (a weekly sketch challenge). I am so in love with these new line of papers from SEI called Moonrise.

This card will go in my stash for my sister's Christmas present. She is very active in her church so I am hoping she'll like these. We usually don't buy sibling presents for each other because my brothers, sister and I have more than enough for this lifetime. But gifts from the heart and hands are treasured. I think I only have about four cards made so I think I'll be making some CAS cards too.

I've got a busy work week coming up, so I may not post until next weekend. I am so loving my new job & it feels good to feel that way! Anyway, I'll try to make it to your blogs to see what you're creating. Thanks for stopping! {{{Hugs}}}

Supplies:
Image: Bible Verse (B&B Cardstock Co.)
Papers: So Saffron, Pear Pizazz, Peach Parfait, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White (SU), DP- Moonrise (SEI)
Ink: Chocolate Chip (SU)
Accessories: Scalloped Squares & Label 16 Nestabilities (Spellbinders); Small Poinsettia punch (Nellie Snellen); 1/2" circle punch & corner punch (SU); pearls (SU).

Virtual Stamp Night (VSN) Creations

This past Friday and Saturday was VSN on Splitcoaststampers. I had the fortunate opportunity to host a challenge. Although, I didn't get as many cards/challenges completed as I would have liked, I was so happy to play most of the day yesterday. The theme was "on Cloud Nine" so all the challenges in some way related to that theme. Since there is a 45 minute time limit to each challenge, there is little time to fuss about your card. And there is little time to list all the supplies used; so I'll do that here now.

The first card and tote was the challenge I hosted. I called it "Cloud 9 Math" (NOV10VSNO). The challenge was to make a 3x3 tote, or a 3x3 notecard box or make 4-3x3 cards. I love how this tote turned out & I made four cards, two in green and two in red.
Supplies:
Image: Bells and Boughs (SU)
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Mellow Moss, Vanilla (SU), DSP- Figgy Pudding (Basic Grey)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (momento), Cherry Cobbler, Mellow Moss, Soft Suede (SU)
Accessories: Lacey Squares & Classic Squares Nestabilities (Spellbinders); Scallop & Circle punch (SU), Corner punch & embosser (Fiskars); Pearls (SU)

The second card was made late last night for two challenges. The first challenge was the last VSN challenge (NOV10VSNR). to honor or remember angels in your life. I chose three angels- my sister, my mother and my grandmother. My mom and granny are in heaven now, but they were expert seamstresses. My mother made all my dresses when I was a young girl. She and my sister took the scraps from all those dresses and made me a double ring quilt as a wedding present. It is probably one of my most favorite gifts of all time. All three were/are wonderful role models. The challenge also asked that we distressed our card. I'll send this card to my sister whose b-day is later this week.

The second challenge is the FS197. Angela (aka jellybeans74) was chosen. I started with this card: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ga...;ppuser=106358. But is was late when I made the card & with the 45 minutes time limit for the VSN challenge, I ended up making a lot of modifications to Angela's card. But if you look close you can see the basic sketch.

A little explanation about some of the things that I used for this Sewing Angels card. I purchased for 25cents at an estate sale a retro McCalls pattern {the real deal}. I started with Gina K white paper & cover it with the pattern to give the thin tissue paper pattern some strength. I distressed it with Vintage photo ink because it lost it's crafty color with the white background. I also purchased my Baker's Twine from an Ebay store called A touch of Vintage Chic about two-three months ago when I couldn't find it anywhere in St. Louis. The store has some pretty cool stuff including fabric. Now Michael's carries MS twine, but once I saw it on SCS, I had to have it NOW! I know you know what I mean! LOL!! Last thing to let you know is the Sassfrass Lass Cherry Delicious paper comes with scalloped edges that is different than the rest of the paper. Pretty cute, huh?

Supplies:
Image: Make Your Own (Hero Arts)
Paper: Red Hot, White (Gina K), Marina Mist, Cookie Crumb (SU); DSP-Cherry Delicious-Sapphire (Sassafras Lass)
Ink: Broken China & Vintage Photo Distress Inks (Tim Holtz-Ranger)
Accessories: Real Red & Brocade Blue grosgrain ribbons (SU); Baker's Twine; McCalls pattern; stash red & white buttons; Red flower (Making Memories- embellishment suitcase)

The third card is one of those cards that I am not crazy about, but I ran out of time with the VSN. The challenge was NOV10VSNI to make a floating sentiment. Well, I must have had me head in the clouds because I chose the teeny tiny sentiment to cut up the letters. It took over 20 minutes & when I was done, time was out & I sure didn't like the look. I am planning on changing it out with a nestie label. Probably better to use a bigger sentiment to cut letters apart {Duh-Slaps head}

Supplies:
Image: Harvest Assortment (Inkadinkado), Teeny Tiny Sentiments (SU)
Paper: Really Rust, Vanilla, DSP-Autumn Meadows (SU)
Ink: Really Rust (SU)
Accessories: ScorPal, Brown Bakers Twine, Scalloped Rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

The fourth card is much more beautiful in real life. This was my take on the NOV10VSNK challenge where we were challenged to make a card based upon "What Puts You in the Clouds?". Besides papercrafting, I love coffee. The paper is SEI & it's gorgeous. I belong to the monthly SEI club where I receive a kit each month. I joined in April when the Creating Keepsakes convention was here in St. Louis. I got some great deals for signing up & the kits are fabulous. I had hoped it would spur me to scrapbook more; it has but only a little bit as I still prefer card-making. But I love the SEI products for card making & paper crafting. If you've never experienced their products, give it a try. Everything is A+ quality. Here is a link to their blog. The paper I used here is gold foiled & it is hard to see the radiance, but it's magnificent. Also I can't even begin to tell you how wonderful it feels! {BTW- I am not reimbursed with their products for blabbering about them. Too bad for me-LOL!} I'll send this card to my youngest daughter who is in college. We share a passion for Starbucks.

Supplies:
Image: My Cuppa Joe (Gina K)
Paper: More Mustard (SU), White (Gina K), DSP-Stillness- Moonrise collection(SEI)
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Momento), More Mustard (SU)
Accessories: Eyelet Circles& Classic Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), oval & oval scallop punch (SU); gold glitter pen (unknown maker)

The last four cards are the blue trio. You may know it's my favorite color & so I was happy it worked out for several of the VSN challenges. Card Five was a lot of fun because I just got these Nestabilities in the mail this past week. I made this for the NOV10VSNL challenge to make a card with blue and white. The card opens at the white panel, so there is a blue scallop on top and a blue scallop when opened (on the inside). I'll likely go back and add a bit more color like orange carrot noses & maybe a little flower soft, but for VSN challenges, I usually can't get all that done in the 45 minute time frame.

Supplies:
Image: Holiday Lineup & Teeny Tiny Wishes (SU)
Paper: Bashful Blue, Marina Mist (SU), White (Gina K)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (momento), Markers- Bashful Blue, Marina Mist, Tempting Turquoise, Pacific Point (SU)
Accessories: Label 14 Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Snowflake punch (MS =Martha Stewart), bling (Michaels)

Card six is one of my favorite of the bunch and very easy. I used a retired (very old) stamp set that I purchased off Ebay for a reasonable price. I loved the snowflakes & love making Christmas cards. I have been buying lots of the retired holiday stamp sets off Ebay almost always under the original price. This card was made for NOV10VSNA challenge to make a Christmas card without red and green. I immediately thought of blue and white and snowflakes!

Supplies:
Image: Snowflakes, Warmest Regards (SU)
Paper: White, Bashful Blue (SU), DSP- unknown name but by SU. I think it is really old; I bought from a demostrator at her year end sale to get rid of retired product.
Ink: Bashful Blue, Marina Mist (SU)
Accessories: Snowflake punch (MS), Bling (Michaels), Brocade Blue grosgrain ribbon (SU)

Card Seven was made for NOV10VSNG2 challenge to create a card with lots of white space. I used my recently purchased Gina K heavy base weight pure Luxury cardstock. Oh my goodness! I now know why it's called Pure Luxury! {I don't get reimbursed for telling you about how I drool over this paper}.

Supplies:
Image: Thanks (American Crafts)- Sentiment
Paper: White (Gina K), Marina Mist (SU); DSP- SU retired (as noted in the above card)
Accessories: Snowflake punch (MS), Bling (Michaels)

The last and eighth card was made for NOV10VSNP challenge where Kelly (aka Schrimcat) challenged us with a sketch. Another fun one for as I just got this DP paper in the mail with a big order from Crop Chocolate. I was excited to get the order as I thought the paper would match great with Baja Breeze but one never know with on-line color matching. It did match wonderfully as you can see. Crop Chocolate is a website that features several specials every day. You can accumulate/hold them in your "la carte" for up to 45 days. My DH calls it a virtual layaway for scrapbookers. The link is in my sidebar to a website with numerous *daily deals*.

Supplies:
Image: Happy Everything (SU); the snowflake is a sticker
Paper: Baja Breeze, Close to Cocoa, Riding Hood Red (SU), White (Gina K), DSP- Falling Snowflakes-Wintertime collection (Echo Park)
Ink: Baja Breeze (SU)
Accessories: Snowflake sticker (Wintertime collection-Echo Park); Eyelet circle & scalloped circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Buttons- white (Stash), Blue (Periphery-Basic Grey), Spritzer tool (SU), Bakers twine; lots and lots of dimensions.

Whew! SO glad you joined me today and all of us over at SCS for the Virtual Stamp Night.

Have a great Sunday! Hugs, Marilyn

Get Ready for the Holidays!

Even though it's Halloween, I have been busy making cards for the holidays. My SU! monthly club meets next week; and since we won't be meeting in December, we'll be celebrating the holidays. One of the fun things we do every month is a card swap. Out of respect for our demonstrator, we use strictly SU products but it's OK if we use retired products. This is my swap template...only eleven more to go. I cased this card from Iliana Crouse; you can see the original here. While you are there, check out her other creations. If you've not visited her blog, you are in for a real treat. She's a real inspiration for me.!

This card was created for two challenges; Crazy 4 Challenges 61 & FS195. The C4C61 challenge is a sketch challenge hosted by Silke Ledlow. Cheryl is the Featured Stamper this week. She has such a lovely gallery; her copic coloring is awesome. I cased Cheryl's Candy Cane Christmas card. I just love this penguin stamp she used & I've had the same stamp for several years...I think it was one of the first non-SU! stamps I purchased. He's a real cutie, don't you think?

Have a great week! Hugs!

Supplies- Card 1:
All supplies from Stampin' Up
Stamps: Delightful Decorations, Heard from the Heart
Paper: Riding Hood Red, White, DSP- Christmas Cocoa (retired)
Ink: Riding Hood Red
Accessories: RHR 5/8 striped grosgrain ribbon, red hemp twine, rhinestone jewel accents, ornament punch.

Supplies- Card 2:
Stamps: Penguin (Art Impressions)
Paper: Old Olive, Real Red (SU), White (neenah), DP- Christmas Stack (DCWV)
Ink: Black (Memento), SU Markers- Real Red, Old Olive, Summer Sun.
Accessories: MS snowflake punch, red buttons (target), green button (MME)

Happy Halloween!

Hello Friends! Happy Halloween!
I've been away from Blogland for a while for a wonderful reason...three weeks ago, I started a new job! I've been deeply engrossed in it & have had very little evening time to create or visit your blogs. Weekends have been fabulously busy with family happenings.
So today I leave you with a few of the Halloween cards I created earlier this month. As you can see, they are very similar. The middle one was my favorite until I smudged the front while stamping the inside greeting (UGG!), so now the top one is my favorite. I just adore this stamp set from SU! called Greeting Card Kids. You can go vintage with these images or stay more contemporary. There is a very cute image for Christmas too.
Enjoy your Halloween Holiday!

Supplies:
Stamps: Greeting Card Kids (SU)
Paper: Only Orange, More Mustard, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Rich Razzleberry, Black, Chocolate Chip, White, DSP- Pumpkin Pie (SU)
Ink: More Mustard, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Rich Razzleberry, Black, Chocolate Chip, Blush Blossom, Sahara Sand
Accessories: Old Olive ribbon, gold brad, Scor-Pal

Soft Blue Flower

Good morning! I wasn't going to play in the studio this morning, but when I saw Julia's Way to Use It challenge to use tissue paper, I was hooked. Luckily, this card only took about twenty minutes. So I can quickly get back to my chores. I start my new job on Monday so I am trying to get caught up on household odds and ends including Halloween & Fall decorating. DD#1 (dear daughter #1) is coming home from college for the weekend & once she get home (around lunchtime), I will want to spend my time with her.

My card was made with Marine Mist as a base which I covered it with white tulle. I like the soft look. I've not made tissue paper flowers before; this was one of the reasons I jumped on the challenge. I was happily surprised at how easy it was. This flower was made with blue tissue paper and cut with the Nestabilities Dahlia die. I added a velvet floral brad.

Supplies:
Stamps: None
Paper: Marine Mist, Black (SU!), DP- B&W Intricate Swirls (the Paper Studio)
Ink: none
Accessories: White wedding tulle (Michaels), Blue lace ribbon (Wyla Inc), Velvet flower brad (Creative Imaginations), Gemstones (the Paper Studio)

Words of Autumn

A quick post with my Clean and Simple card for the SCS Challenge to use the faux letterpress technique by embossing a cuttlebug folder. I like the way this turned out and it was really simple and fast! Check out the CAS87 gallery as there are fantastic cards that are not only CAS but quick too!

Supplies:
Stamps: None- Yikes!
Paper: Crumb Cake, Really Rust (SU!)
Ink: Tangerine Tango (SU!)
Accessories: Cuttlebug folder-Autumn Type (Provocraft), paper flowers and leaves (Oriental Trading), Brads (making Memories), Ribbon- chocolate chip double stitched grosgrain (SU)

Free Bird

This lovely stamp from Tim Holtz reminds me of the Maya Angelou poem "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings"...go figure!

I am enjoying creating cards in this altered style which is new to me. It takes me quite a while to put a card together. One thing that I love about paper art is that I become so focused that I forget everything else.

I used the SU! new color coach when picking these colors. Although I am not crazy about the color coach itself (I liked the previous wheeled one better), I do like the color combinations that the SU coach suggests. In the past I doubted the suggested colors, but have found that these color coaches really know color combos. The nice thing about the SU color coach is that it has the exact shades of my cardstock and inks. My favorite 'color coach' is EK Success pictured below. The reason I like it so much is that it gives you five options for each color. You get schemes for two (1), three (2) and four (2) colors both complementary and split complementary. In addition, there are small openings, where you can place your paper to see which color it best matches. And of course you can see the monochromatic options. I'm not a studied artist and color theory alludes me, so I rely on color coaches. But just like most people, I know when colors work well together and when it just isn't right. So my go to coach is the one below and you can pick it up for about $5.

If you haven't already, check out the sketch challenge at Splitcoaststampers. It is #300 and to celebrate, numerous companies have donated prizes.

Have a great day friends!

Supplies:
Stamps: Birdsong (Stampers Anonymous), Composer's Dream (Stampabilities) Baroque Motifs, Artistic Etchings (SU)
Paper: Crumb Cake (aka Craft), Marine Mist, Cajun Craze, Baja Breeze (for flowers) (SU), White (Gina K Pure Luxury)
Ink: Cajun Craze, Crumb Cake, Marine Mist (SU)
Accessories: Flower punch (MS-3 in 1 Hydrangea), brads- vintage ( SU retired), clear embossing powder (SU), spritzer tool (SU), pearls (SU)

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings- Maya Angelou

The free bird leaps
on the back of the wind
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wings
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks
down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings
with fearful trill
of the things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hillfor the caged bird
sings of freedom

The free bird thinks of another breeze
an the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn
and he names the sky his own.

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing

The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.

Camellias

Good morning friends! I hope your week has started out wonderfully. We are having great weather in St. Louis- lots of sun and pleasant temperatures. Perfect convertible weather!

My card today was made for two SCS challenges- the CAS challenge was a sketch and the color challenge was to use basic gray, rose red and daffodil delight. I used my new Martha Stewart clear stamps called Camellia. It is one of the things I purchased last week- a $2 bargain that I couldn't pass up. Really - could you walk away from a 10 piece stamp MS set for only two dollars?

I've got lots to accomplish today, but I hope to be back in the studio later tonight. Hugs!

Supplies:
Stamps: Camellia (MS), Sentiment -Fresh Cuts (SU)
Paper: Basic Gray, Daffodil Delight (SU), White (neenah), DP- Cornflower (We R Memory Keepers)
Ink: Rose Red, Daffodil Delight (SU)
Accessories: Rose Red ribbon, basic gray corduroy button (SU)

Halloween Stickers

A very quick card today for the SCS sketch challenge. I used papers from the DCWV Indian Summer Fall matstack. The images are stickers popped up on dimensionals. The bat from Colorbok was outlined in white & was too stark for the card, so I used my Dusty Durango marker and colored the white outline. The Oct 31 sticker was tucked away in my stash from last year's $1 spot at Target. The ribbon retired SU Jersey.

Remember the vow to start using my stash? Well, I am using it, but I haven't stopped buying. Seriously I have spent the last two days picking up bargains again. Those sale and $1 items get me every time. Jeez...I just love this craft! :)

Have a great day!

Supplies:
Image: no stamps; just stickers
Paper: Dusty Durango, Black (SU); DP- Indian Summer stack (DCWV)
Ink: none; dusty durango marker coloring on bat (outline was white)
Accessories: Ribbon- Jersey (SU), Stickers- bat(colorbok); Oct 31 (Target $1 spot)

Vintage Car

Hello friends! I created this CAS card for the SCS CAS challenge to use the colors kraft, red, vanilla, and brown. Also created for the QFTD challenge where Darla was honored. Here is the card I cased. For the car's background I used the vintage dictionary I purchased recently from an estate sale ($0.50). The hardware is SU! silver star brads which I copic colored in brown and a touch of red.

Have a great day!

Supplies:
Image: The Journey (Tim Holtz for Stampers Anonymous)
Paper: Real Red, Kraft DP, Chocolate Chip (SU); Vintage dictionary
Ink: Chocolate Chip (SU), Copic markers
Accessories: Star brad (SU), Scor-Pal

Autumn Thanks

Happy Saturday! Today is a bright sunny day! Hooray!

Here's my take on two challenges. The F4A29 challenge where Wendy presented us with a sketch. The second challenge was today's Inspirational Challenge. Stef gave us the website to World Market for the IC249 challenge. We have several brick and mortar World Market stores in St. Louis and it is so fun to browse there. The website doesn't do it justice as all the textures and smells really add to the experience. Anyway I chose two things that inspired me; I am very much into fall cards and autumn decorating so I gravitated in that direction. I chose two items from the world market: an autumn rug runner and batik table linens.

Nothing fancy to this card, but I enjoyed pulling out last year's fall DSP from SU!. Have a great weekend friends!

Supplies: all from Stampin' Up
Stamp: The More the Merrier
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel and Really Rust
Paper: Really Rust, Close to Cocoa, Vanilla, DSP- Autumn Meadows
Accessories: Circle Punches- 1 1/4, 1 3/8, spritzer tool

Big Pink Bow

Now that is one BIG bow! I am not sure what I think, but I have been seeing so many cards with big bows I thought I'd give it a try. Maybe the big bow would be better on a non-CAS card. I do have other ribbon options so I can change it. Opinions, please!

I made this card for two challenges. THe first was the Curtain Call 46 challenge to use these colors and white. Fellow stamper, Silke is part of the design team & after visiting her blog I decided to give this challenge a try. I do love color challenges! The second challenge was the SCS CAS challenge where we were given a sketch by resqbarbie (aka Denise).

Have a great evening!

Supplies- all SU
Image: Darling Dots
Paper: WHite, Wild Wasabi, Peach Parfait, Pink Pirouette, Poppy Parade
Ink: White (craft)
Accessories: Winter white emboss powder, 1.25 square punch, 1.25" grosgrain Pink Pirouette ribbon

CTD109, SC297 and Stash Use

Isn't this a happy color combination? It is this week's color throwdown challenge and the colors are Tempting Turquoise, Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, and Pear Pizzazz. I used the SCS sketch challenge from today (CS297). I pulled out this retired set from SU! called Nature's Secret. I like the solid stamp with images and words make by open space (reverse images).

The stamper that inspired me to try the color throwdown challenge is Silke Ledlow; she's one of their guest designers this month. You can view her blog here. In my opinion, Silke is one of the best artists/designers of all time. I love everything she makes. When I am stumped for an idea or low on mojo, I head over to her blog. Pretty soon I will have an idea or I'll be creating a case of one of Silke's card. And besides being a super artist, she is so nice!

On another note, I have vowed to start using more of my stash~ it is not that I hoard it. I don't have a single thing that I hold back on using. The issue is that I buy too much and I don't seem to get around to using all of it. I think for so long, I didn't have much so if I saw a good deal, I'd buy it. I wouldn't pass it up & now I am overloaded with designer paper and all kinds of embellishments including ribbon. So I've put myself on a supply diet. PLEASE no fainting! And no, I don't need to have my head examined. I will still be buying stamps and card stock, but I am slowing way down on purchasing DSP and embellishments, so I can use up the stash. I am sure I'll break down at something(s) really pretty, cute, fun, adorable or otherwise irresistible. What do you do with all your things? Do you use them up? Certainly I am not the only one who over-buys {is over-buy even a word?}.

Thanks for looking!

Supplies:
Image: Nature's Secret, Little Pieces (SU)
Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Pear Pizzazz, Melon Mambo (SU); white (neenah), Yellow embossed (unknown- stash)
Ink: Tempting Turquoise
Accessories: wide felt ribbon (unknown-stash)

Butterfly Faith

Here is another faith related card to add to the gift set I am making for my sister for Christmas. I combined three Splitcoaststamper challenges. The sketch (SC296), the color (CC287) and the teapot challenge (MMTPT110). I really like this color combination with SU! new in-colors. The purple- Concord Grape is really rich. It is nice for faith related cards as it is so regal. You can't see from the picture but the designer paper is textured which adds a nice feel and a little dimension to the card. Thanks for looking!

Supplies:
Image: Verse- B&B Cardstock Co.
Paper: Concord Grape, Peach Parfait, and Pear Pizzazz (SU), White (Neenah), DP- Latte (DCWV)
Ink: Concord Grape, Gable Green marker with spritzer over sentiment
Accessories: Texturz plate SU), butterfly punch (MS), sprtizer tool (SU), pearls (Michaels)

Light of the World

This card was made for this past Sunday's Featured Stamper challenge on SCS where BobbiesGirl (aka Carol) was our chosen stamper. I picked this card to case. I will be making a gift set for my sister for Christmas. She is very involved with her church, so I am hoping that she will enjoy cards with some bible verses.

I'm sure you can see the similiarities to Carol's so I won't bother detailing what I changed and kept like we do for the SCS challenge. Instead, I'll share how I made the flower. For the bottom layer, I used my scalloped circle nestability; I pencil marked the center & then at every scallop, I cut toward that center mark to make the petals. The next layer was the Dahlia nestability die & the top paper layer was made with the SU scallop circle punch. The same petal making technique was used for all three paper layers. After cutting the petals, I spritzed with water and curled the edges a bit. I added the crocheted flower and used the sparkled lavender brad to hold the layers together.

Hope you like it! I have quite a few more cards from VSN (virtual stamp night) to post, so please come back soon.

For my US friends, have a wonderful Labor Day holiday!
Hugs, Marilyn

Supplies:
Image: Sentiment by B&B Cardstock COo.
Paper: Lavender Lace, Lovely Liliac, Gable Green, Vanilla (SU); Latte (DCWV)
Ink: Lavender Lace
Accessories: Nestabilities- oval, scallop oval, round scallop, dahlia (Spellbinders); Cuttlebug (Provocraft); punch- scallop (SU); lavendar ribbon (stash), Lace-hem tape (Wrights); Crocheted flower (Fancy Pants); sparkle brad (all kinds of happy-Imaginisce)

VSN Challenge Cards

Here are my cards for tonight's Virtual Stamp Night (VSN) Challenges over on SplitcoastStampers. I am so excited to play as I haven't been able to play for several years. I have this evening and all day tomorrow open. Nothing better than stamping all day!

I really need a lift too. This past week I started meeting with my career coach since my position at work was eliminated with a restructure. Last Friday, 8/20, was my last day. I received a good severance package so I won't have to worry about income for a while which is quite reassuring. I'm optimistic that I'll find a rewarding position. Keep me in your thoughts, please.

Back to the cards. I missed the first challenge, but hopefully I can start early tomorrow and make a card for it too. My first pictured was for the "B" challenge ( AUG10VSNB); the challenge was to incorporate a window. The second card was for the 'C" challenge (AUG10VSNC); we were to use the wax paper cuttlebug resist technique.

Our challenge on the third card, "D" (AUG10VSND), was to be inspired by the camping theme. I don't really care for camping. Here in the midwest, I get eaten alive by mosquitoes if I stay out past dusk. Plus I'm not a big fan of all the other creepy, crawly things. But I do love nature, the outdoors & I love to stay in the cabins or lodges at the state & national parks. We took our daughters on a 'western states" vacation & one of our stops was the Grand Canyon. How beautiful! We stayed in a cabin there. Each morning right outside our cabin was an Elk grazing on the tree's foliage. That is one HUGE animal; downright intimadating when you are only six feet away. Thus the inspiration for this card.

My last card was for the last challenge for the evening ( AUG10VSNE) and we were to be inspired by summer vacations. We took some vacations when I was a kid, but mostly we stayed home. We rode our bikes everywhere. One of my best girlfriend's family had a tandem bicycle which is what inspired my card.

That's it for tonight! I'll post the rest of the VSN cards on Sunday. Hugs!

AUG10VSNB supplies:
Image: Sweet of You (SU-retired) {I still love this set}
Paper: Pear Pizazz, Rich Razzleberry, White (SU), DSP- Green at Heart (Basic Grey)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Momento), Pear Pizazz, Rich Razzleberry,Melon Mambo, Wild Wasabi
Accessories: 1/2" Pear Pizazz poly ribbon (SU), Cha Ching brad (Brazzill), Velvet flower (7 Gypsies)

AUG10VSNC supplies:
Image: A Little Bit of Happiness (SU-retired)
Paper: Barely Banana, Soft Suede, Glossy (SU)
Ink: Vintage Photo (Tim Holtz-Distressed-Ranger)
Accessories: Wax paper, Iron, Woodgrain Embossing Folder (Tim Holtz), Cuttlebug, Twine.

AUG10VSND supplies:
Image: Yukon (SU-retired)
Paper: Mellow Moss, River Rock, Vanilla, DSP-Fall Traditions (SU)
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento)
Accessories: Thread, Twine, eyelets (SU!), oval punches (SU), Zipdry glue.
Info:

AUG10VSNE supplies:
Image: Pedaling Past (SU)
Paper: Ballet Blue, Old Olive, DSP-The Paper Stack (DCWV)
Ink: Old Olive (SU)
Accessories: Bling Flourish (Want2Scrap)

Sew Krafty

Hello friends! I haven't posted much this month for several reasons. First, it is that time for kids to go back to school. Since my daughters are in college this means purchases, loads of laundry, packing cars, driving hundreds of miles...you get the idea. My second reason for little posts is that we had our family vacation & were gone for a week plus several days of laundry and packing.

The above card was made for the SCS CAS challenge. The challenge today was to use the colors turquoise, kraft and white. I started with a base of Tempting Turquoise from SU! I chose my new stamp from Hero Arts called Make your Own & stamped it on craft paper using black ink. I used a partial doily as my background. My sentiment was computer generated and punched out with SU! word punch. Small pieces of temptine turquoise & white lace hem tape were knotted to a small safety pin with the sentiment. The buttons are from Oriental Trading.

I really like this retro sewing theme that we are seeing in stamping because it reminds me of my Mom and my Dad's mom who were excellent seamstresses. I have a little collection of retro sewing items including my great-grandmother's non-electric, foot powered sewing machine. It is fun to create with the retro images and things when the memories are so pleasant!

Have a great evening!

Supplies:
Image: Make your Own- Hero Arts
Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Kraft, White (SU)
Ink: tuxedo Black (Momento)
Accessories: Doily, tempting turquoise ribbon (SU!), Lace hem tape (Wrights), tiny safety pin, buttons (ORiental Trading).

Route 66

Hello friends!

We just returned from a wonderful week of vacation at the Lake of the Ozarks. Lots of fun in the water and sun~ amazingly HOT like most everywhere else in the US. Since I don't have anything new, I thought I'd post the card that I made in late July for my BIL. He is my DH's twin so I always spend a lot of time trying to make his cards extra special. He is a car nut ~ he builds stock cars for races & he has completely restored several cars. He loves it like we love our paper artistry.

I am crazy about this Classic Convertible set from Stampin' Up, but I seem to have a hard time with sketches for it. So I turned to my friends at Splitcoaststampers and stalked the SU! Classic Convertible gallery. Well it wasn't hard, I fell in love with the newest one from July. It is from a fabulous artist~ Wanda, aka cullenwr on SCS . You can view her card here on her website. As you can also see, I changed up the colors, but otherwise, I made very little changes to her card. (why mess with wonderful?!) I even had the same DP in my stash which I bought some time ago to match this stamp set.

I'll be back soon with a new creation, a few photos from vacation, and a little bit of personal news. {{{Hugs}}} Marilyn

Supplies:
Images: Car - Classic Convertibles (SU!), Route 66 (free image from internet), Gear - It's About Time (SU!), Rough Texture jumbo wheel (SU!), Happy Birthday (SU!)
Paper: Bermuda Bay, Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, White, Black (SU), DP- Roadmap (paper Pizzaz)
Ink: Black (Momento), Tempting Turquoise (SU!)
Accessories: Red brads (SU!)

Teacup Birthday

A quick monochromatic card for the Tea Party Tuesday challenge on Splitcoaststampers. I used mostly Stampin' Up products today. The background texture was created with the texturz plates in my cuttlebug. I misted the card-stock lightly with water which seems to do the trick to get a good impression with the texturz plate in the cuttlebug. My sandwich is Plate A, texturz plate, misted card-stock, embossing pad, card-stock as shims and B plate. My bow was made with the bow easy. I cut out the teacup and water colored with melon mambo. I did not want a deeply colored teacup so instead of coloring directly with my marker, I took the brush side of the marker and colored onto an acrylic block, then twisted my watercolor painter into the marked acrylic block to pick up ink.

I really like this Pun Fun stamp set from SU! It is not one of those sets that the minute you see it, you have to have it. {or at least it wasn't for me} But here's the reason I love it ~ it has a variety of images- eight altogether & you can make a quick card that looks great b/c of the image size (aprox 2X2). It is easy to make sets and duplicates. That's about it from me. Have a great day!

Supplies:
Image: Pun Fun, VIntage Labels (SU!)
Paper: White (Neenah), Melon Mambo (SU!)
Ink: Black, Melon Mambo
Accessories: Sizzix embossing plate, MM ribbon, corner punch (all SU); glitter glue, watercolor painter, bow easy, pearl pins.

Plaid Flowers

Isn't this a pretty color combo? It was this past Tuesday's color challenge on SCS. The colors are from SU! new in-colors and new pallet; specifically they are Crushed Concord, Pear Pizazz, and Daffodil Delight. I even included the challenge's dessert option to add dew drops. I combined the color challenge with today's TLC challenge. Joan Ervin shared a new technique called Plaid Silhouette. Joan's has a nice tutorial on her blog.

Have a great day!

Supplies:
Image: Office Accoutrement, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Crushed Concord, Daffodil Delight, White (SU!), DSP- Sugar Rush (Basic Grey)
Ink: Crushed Concord, Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizazz (SU!)
Accessories: Velvet flowers (7 Gypsies-Eggplant), Dew Drops (orchid-Robin's Nest), Oval punches (SU!) Rose leaf punch (MS)

Hugs and Fishes

The Clean & Simple Challenge over at Splitcoaststampers today is to make a card with the Dr. Suess title "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish" inspiring your creation. I went with the two fish as inspiration not the colors. That is mainly because I purchased this ribbon a while ago and had yet to break the seal. You know frugile me picked it up at one of my local craft stores (LCS) in a clearance or sale bin. I need one more spool of ribbon like I need a hole in my head, but I couldn't pass up the fun colors and design. I did not purchase the bermuda bay ink pad & the solid images did not stamp well with marker coloring so my images are stamped in Taken with Teal and outlined with Bermuda Bay. I think the effect is interesting. Hop on over and play along. Here's to a great Monday!

Supplies:
Image & Sentiment: Fishy Friends (#3019-TAC)
Paper: Night of Navy, White, Old Olive, Bermuda Bay
Ink: Taken with Teal, Black, marker- Bermuda Bay
Accessories: ribbon- Michaels

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Happy Sunday!
This card was made for my Father-in-Law who celebrated his 84th birthday this past Friday. We had a family party on Saturday complete with ice-cream cake.

Have a great week!

Supplies:
Images: The Journey (Tim Holtz); sentiment-Simply Chic Stamps (Provo Craft)
Paper: Bashful Blue, Simply Celery, Vanilla, Close to Cocoa, DSP- retired SU (SU!)
Ink: Chocolate Chip (SU), Vintage photo (TH-Ranger)
Accessories: HPH, color spritzer (SU), twine, book page

Daddy's Girl

This is the card my daughters gave their dad (my DH) for Father's Day this year. I just love this image and set (called Greatest Dad) from The Angel Company. It was a special but now it's available in their new catalog. My coloring was with Copics- I'm learning. I often don't have much time for practicing but when I do have an open image, I am enjoying the playful challenge.

My husband has always been a very involved and loving father. So this image of a dad on the ground playing is just the kind of thing he would do with the girls.

Have a great weekend!

Image: Greatest Dad (TAC)
Papers: Bermuda Bay, Brilliant Blue, Green Galore, White (SU!)
Ink: Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers
Accessories: Brilliant Blue brads, Large oval punch (SU!)

Pretty Petals

Today's card was made for the sketch challenge on Splitcoaststampers. I had the DSP and cardstock out already so I decided to go ahead and use it for the challenge. Below are a few of the cards I made earlier this week with this retired SU! DSP (Sweet Always)~ the reason the papers were already out. These colors are good for young ladies, so I know my daughters and their friends would like the cards.

{sorry the pic isn't the greatest- it's hard to get three cards in one shot }

I want to make more cards with the retiring colors, DSP and other DSP that I've been neglecting. Most of my friends and family have no idea if I am using "old retired" stuff including colors and stamp sets. So I may not post much in the SCS gallery, but I'll posting here on my blog in case there is an idea you want to case. All that said, it won't keep me from purchasing all the new SU! in colors and new colors in the line though. LOL!

Have a great day!

Golfin' Back Home

It's good to be home! I've been away for over a week at a professional conference. Great conference & it was fantastic visiting New Orleans even though my sightseeing time was limited. But as much as I love to travel, I am happy to be home with my family. Since I am still catching up with life - ahhh- you know unpacking, laundry, bills...I am posting an older card that I did not showcase. I made for my father in law for Father's Day.

I used a technique from Gina K's stamp TV called recessed diamond background where you use your scor-pal to emboss your background diamonds & then distress with the same color ink as the cardstock. Here, I used SU! Garden Green. (Green in my FIL's favorite color)

Thanks for checking in; hopefully, I will get some stampin' time soon & have something new to show you.

Supplies:
Image: Vintage Golfer (Stampabilities)
Paper: Garden Green, Bordering Blue, White, DSP- retired SU!
Ink: Garden Green
Accessories: Scor-pal

Lavender Dreams

A little lavender floral card that I made a while back that I had not had a chance to blog it. Things are busy around my house- I am still stamping but not posting near as much. Hope you are enjoying your summer!