Star Birthday

Happy May, friends! This weekend, I had a little time in the studio. I'm sharing one of the cards I made for the Featured Stamper Challenge on SplitcoastStampers. Vicki, aka Basement Stamper, was our featured stamper FS482. She has a fabulous gallery & has been making cards for quite some time. I remember her work from before my hiatus & loved it then as I do now. I chose her Confetti Birthday card to case. As you might know with the FS Challenge, you change some elements & keep other elements. You can see her card here: I changed the confetti to stars by using a star stencil from Simon Says Stamp (SSS); I think it was in one of the monthly kits a while back but it hadn't seen ink. I also changed the colors to Real Red, Midnight Muse and Marina Mist. I punched three balloons; one in each color & popped up on dimensionals. I hand drew the balloon string. I kept Vicki's idea of a die cut happy but I used the "Express Edges" Happy from DieVersions in Midnight Muse & then stamped birthday in Midnight Muse using PTI's Everyday Happiness. Last I added a few wooden stars colored with a red marker. Have a great week!

Keep Smiling

Hello Friends!
It's been a while, huh? Well, life is good; I've just gotten busy & had little time for posting to the blog. The good news for me is that I've still been stamping & creating. I created today's card using this month's card kit from Simon Says Stamps.
I love this deal...every month a package comes in the mail with trendy papers & a new stamp set along with little extras.
It's just the right amount for me. You can get more info here.

I made this card for the Splitcoaststampers Featured Stampers' Challenge, FS368. I cased this card from Stampinscotsgirl's gallery. I love her style!

I added a few things of my own to the products in the SSS kit like the little pearls on the flowers, the craft paper, & the black with white polka dotted ribbon. And of course my own ink! LOL!!I hope you like it!

Have a great Sunday! Hugs & smiles, Marilyn (Aka mlj-mlj)

Christmas CASE

Hey there friends! My card today is a CASE from Lynn Put who was the Featured Stamper on Splitcoaststampers this past Sunday. I started my card on Sunday afternoon but then got distracted getting ready for the girls to come home on their college fall breaks. (how did their empty rooms get so dusty?!) Anyway, her gorgeous card is shown below.

 

I just love Lynn's style. It is the style that I aspire to create. She uses designer paper frequently (me too!) & she often has a few layers but at the same time it is a very clean looking style. I'm not sure what you call the style, but I love it! If you have a chance to glance through her gallery you too will be inspired by her work.

I kept the diagonal DP & the Lovely as a Tree single tree. I kept the same basic design & the button. I substituted the paper layer with a paper & scalloped tulle ribbon. 

Thanks for stopping! I'll be back later tonight after I join a friend for dinner & then grocery shop on the way home. Hugs! 

Supplies: All Stampin' Up

Stamps: Lovely as  Tree, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Paper: Lucky Limeade, Cherry Cobbler

Designer Paper: Festival of Prints stack (current Holiday catalog)

Ink: Lucky Limeade, Cherry Cobbler

Accessories: Cherry Cobbler button, 1/8" Lucky Limeade organdy ribbon (2012 SAB enchantment pack),  Cherry Cobbler Scalloped Tulle (Current Holiday catalog)

Designer Knock-off

Hi friends! I've had some fun evenings in the studio playing challenges. Over the past several months a number of my e-friends have been honored & I didn't get chance to participate in the fun/challenge. I know you understand what I mean when I say I just couldn't let it go without recognition. So my card today is honoring Tenia (the jazzy paper artist).  She was chosen as the Moxie Fabber of the week way back in June. More recently, Tenia was chosen as the Featured Stamper (FS250) on SCS on the 20th of this month. It's not a big surprise to me I've know T for a few years now. Not only is she talented in music and art, she is a considerate, fun person. Without further ado, here's my designer knockoff:

Here's Tenia's card (which you can also see on SCS): 

Tenia has a cool CAS style that is so challenging for me; keeping the layers and the embellishments to a minimum is not so easy for glitzy girl like me! But I think I did it & captured Tenia's "Jazzy Royal Coolness".
Here's to you, T! Love ya, girly!
Hugs,

Marilyn

Supplies: 
Stamps: Elegant double alphabet (Recollections by Michaels)
Ink: Tuxedo black (Momento)
Paper: Solar white (Neenah), Lucky Limeade (SU), DP- Christmas stack (DCWV)
Accessories: Ornament punch (SU), red stickles (Ranger), red embroidery thread, (JP Coats), ribbon & jewels (Michaels), Piercing bug tool (EK Success),bow-easy

Happiness Blooms

IC

Happy Sunday! The weather has been gorgeous in St. Louis~ mild temperatures (70s) and sunny, blue skies. I've been able to drive the convertible with top down almost every evening this week. That makes me one happy girl!
My card today is for several challenges. The Splitcoaststampers Featured Stamper challenge (FS243) and the Inspirational Challenge (IC304). I chose this card of Dianne's & I chose this wallpaper from the IC site for this week. I also wanted to play along with ColourQ (CQC104). The colors were just delightful.

 

I mentioned I had been working a lot of hours at my job, and I knew it was impacting my creativity, but it wasn't until today that I realized that I made less than ten cards last month except for the sets for swaps. I think that is an all time low for me! I typically create every evening after dinner at least for a little while. Well, you can be sure I will be getting back to nightly time in the studio. I've had a hard time these past two weeks trying to create because I haven't been active...I get rusty very quickly if I don't create regularly. You may see more cases for a while until I get my mojo back. I so appreciate all your views and comments. Have a great week! Hugs, 

Marilyn

"Tea"rific!

Happy Sunday friends! Today's Featured Stamper on Splitcoaststamper is Bensarmom aka Sue. Sue & I joined Splitcoast around the same time & we have been viewing each other's cards & trading comments for years. She's a fabulous stamper and very nice with her comments. So... I was really happy I could play along today. I chose Sue's Christmas Elements card to case.
I used the SU! set "Morning Cup" and the SU!DSP called Paisley Prints. You know, I love blue, and since I haven't had much stamping time, I chose to play with my favorite color in a bunch of shades. Have a fabulous day!
Hugs,

Marilyn

Honoring Lydia, FS238

Hello again! Last night I made this card for the Featured Stamper Challenge over on Splitcoaststampers & I'm just getting it uploaded to my gallery. Lydia, aka Understand Blue was chosen...so well deserving! I chose this card to case.

I put my new designer paper, Lost & Found from My Mind's Eye on Blushing Bride cardstock. The circle DP is SU!'s retired Springtime Vintage (from the Occasions Mini catalog). My bird is Pink Paislee's Parisian Anthology corrugated elements that I distressed slightly with Blushing Bride ink. I added the crochet and velvet ribbon & blinged it up a bit with the white and pink pearl hat pin. 

Have a great Monday! Hugs!!

Chocolate Case

Hello friends! I hope you had a super weekend. I sure have enjoyed mine; some family time & lots of paper crafting time. Here's the template card I made for my stamp club swap in August. We swap every month; and since I work full-time, I can't wait til the last minute to get 12 cards made. As a matter of fact, I hope to get another set of 12 done before our August date so I have one set as a backup.

I made this for two Splitcoaststamper challenges. First, today's Featured Stamper challenge (FS233) where Jennie was honored. I chose to case her Elzy Sneak Peek card. I kept the design, the polkadot paper, and the ribbon. I changed to a white base, moved the ribbon and changed the stamp.

The second challenge was yesterday's Inspirational Challenge where Stef chose Linda Billet's on line glass gallery. I picked Linda's mosaic glass piece entitled True which has a heart shaped box of chocolates (glass mosaic, of course). The colors included chocolate and pinks.

Please consider coming back tomorrow morning. I have an exciting (to me) announcement to share with you.
Hugs,

Marilyn

Supplies:
Stamps: (Eat Chocolate (Stampin' Up)
Paper: (Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink) Stampin' Up, (Solar White) Neenah
Designer Paper: (Sweet Always-retired) Stampin' Up
Ink: (Chocolate Chip) Stampin' Up
Accessories: (Decorative Label punch) Stampin' Up, (Sweet Treat ribbon) Michaels

Pennant Case

Here's my take on two Splitcoaststamper challenges from earlier this week. First, the Color Challenge (CC332) with the new SU! color Pool Party with Wild Wasabi and Chocolate Chip. I do love Pool Party...after all, it is a blue! And Ya' know I LOVE blue. The second challenge was the Featured Stamper Challenge FS232. This Sunday's FS was Teri Anderson, aka teristampsalot, and one of PaperCrafts Go To Gals. I adore Teri's work. Her cards are so original. She truly is one of my paper artist heroes! I had this card 90% made earlier this week, but I couldn't find my chocolate twine until tonight. And I just had to have that twine.

I picked this card of Teri's to case, not because it is my favorite, all of her cards are my favorite (seriously...there isn't a single one that I don't love!), but because I wanted to use my new SU! Petite Pennants punch. Thank goodness I had some criteria when I strolled through Teri's gallery, otherwise I would have never been able to choose.

I have enjoyed the blogs from those that attended CHA, like PaperCrafts, and Moxie Fab World. Thanks ladies! It is so fun to see all the wonderful new products. Thanks for stopping!

Have a great weekend! Hugs, Marilyn

Supplies:
Stamp: Hello you (SU)
Paper: Pool Party, Wild Wasabi (SU) #110Solar White (Neenah), DP-Marjolaine (Basic Grey)
Ink: Chocolate Chip ink and marker (SU)
Accessories: Petite Pennants punch (SU), Twine (gosh I've forgotten the maker but at least I found it ), white gel pen (signo), button. 

Perk Up

Here's my take on the Featured Stamper challenge (FS230) on Splitcoaststampers. Today, Beth picked Cjoy, aka Cindy. I chose this card from CIndy's gallery. It is pretty much a straight case. I changed the papers, ribbon and button. Otherwise it is basically the same. Thanks for stopping!
Supplies: All SU!
Stamps: Morning Cup
Paper: Gray, White, Baja Breeze, DP- A Walk in the Park
Ink: Black; markers- Baja Breeze, Cameo Coral, Gray
Accessories: white striped Taffeta ribbon. gray corduroy button

Father's Day card

Here's a simple card I made for my FIL for Father's Day & for the Splitcoaststamper's Featured Stamper challenge (FS227) where Mary, aka StamperCamper, was selected as the featured artist. I really enjoy Mary's blog and viewing her gallery; so, when the challenge was posted I made this quick card before heading to bed. I cased this card of Mary's.

I kept her boat theme and her sketch; I changed the stamp, colors and papers. I really wanted to more to this card, but kept it simple. It strikes me as too plain though, but I left it alone...We'll see what tomorrow brings. :)

Thanks for stopping! 

Marilyn

Supplies: All Stampin Up

Stamps: The Open Sea, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Paper: Early Expresso, Vanilla, DSP- Outlaw (retired)

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Sage Shadow

Accessories: Spritzer Tool

Daisy Power

Happy Sunday! I've been so lucky to have had lots of time in the studio these past days. As you know, I've been working on re-organizing after the new floor installation at our home. One of my major goals is to remove the wood from my wood stamps in order to make more storage room. I've developed a process that I am very happy with but it is time consuming. Basically I am taking the image sticker off the wood, trimming it to fit the stamp and then painting an acrylic top coat so the stamp sticks to the acrylic blocks. If you're interesting in hearing more, shoot me an email. Enough of me- let's get to cards...

This one was made for two challenges. The Featured Stamper, FS225, where Rosemary is our featured artist. I chose her "True Strength" card to CASE. This card is also for the ColourQ challenge #86. Here are the colors:

Aren't these fun colors?! and what a great picture! So happy and filled with summer. Thanks for taking your precious time to stop by. Have a great day!

Hugs, Marilyn

Supplies:
Stamps: Bold Blossom (SU), B-Day Greeting (Stampin Sensations)
Paper: Early Espresso, Real Red textured, So Saffron (SU), WHite (Neenah), DP-yellow small dots (Making Memories)
Ink: Early Espresso, Real Red (SU)
Accessories: Punches- 3/4" circle, 1" circle (SU); Real Red grosgrain ribbon (SU), eyelets (Paper Studio)

Miss you, little one!

This card was made for the Featured Stamper challenge over on Splitcoaststampers where Sue (aka Coffeestamper) was our honored stamper. I chose this card of her's to case. Sue has a fab gallery & I just love her Splitcoaststamper name. I made this card with my younger daughter in mind. She won't be able to come home from college for Easter but we were fortunate to see both our daughter's this weekend at the older daughter's college. We sent the little one back to her college with her Easter basket wrapped up with instructions to not open until next Sunday. So I wanted to send a non-Easter card to her. It struck me as we were saying goodbye how much I miss those girls. I guess I just suck it up when they aren't home because there isn't anything that can be done about it. But man, life is so sweet when we are all together. The little one is in a 'elephant phase' so I'll send this card to her tomorrow. I hope you have had a great weekend!
Here's a little detai for you

Supplies:
Stamps: Elephant(Studio g); sentiment (SU- retired-all year cheer)
Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Perfect Plum (SU), DP_Green at Heart (Basic Grey), Solar White(Neenah)
Ink: Perfect Plum (SU)
Accessories: Twine (the Twinery), buttons (stash), Green flower (Michaels), Purple flower (Prima)

Have a happy week!

Marilyn

Masculine Birthday

Today over on SCS, the Featured Stamper is Neva (FS213). Neva is one of the nicest folks around and she has an amazing ability to combine numerous challenges. Big shout out for Neva! Since DH needed a card for a friend, I chose one of Neva's masculine cards and cased it. I changed the orientation, the theme from tools to baseball, colors, and background; kept the same layout with sentiment in the middle and cutout around it. Hope you like it!
Supplies:
Paper: Crumb Cake, Real Red, Soft Suede (SU)
Stamps: Sporting Goods (SU), sentiment- SU
Ink: Real Red, Crumb Cake
Accessories: Long Rectangles, Spritzer tool.

Don't Give Up!

Beautiful scripture don't you think? I can always use to be reminded not to give up. Today over at SCS is the Featured Stamper challenge, where Julie from the UK is being featured. She puts so much detail in her cards, you ought to hop over to her blog if you've never been. I chose to case this card .  I know I promised to show off some of my new Valentine stuff, but then the FS challenge posted so I took a quick break to make this card. But really...the Verve stamp is new to me...Verve was having a nice sale so I purchased quite a few faith oriented stamps & sets. The next post will have some new Valentine things...promise. Don't give up!

Supplies:
Stamps: Galatians 6:9 (Verve)
Paper: Vanilla, River Rock (SU)
Ink: River Rock (SU)
Accessories: Ivory Roses (Prima), frond punch (MS), Labels Four Nestabilities (Spellbinder), Impression plate (Sizzix)

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)

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)

Cupcake Birthday & Coral Blooms

This card was made for the Featured Stamper challenge on SCS. LeAnne's gallery is filled with wonderful creations. I chose to case this card. I am very happy with the Close to My Heart acrylic stamps- very crisp images & no need to prep or prime the stamp in order to get a nice image. I love this sketch and have used something similar and possibly identical in the past. I used up some retired stamping up designer paper. One thing that is really nice when you use double sided DP is that you can cut the full size (in this case 3 3/4 X 5 panel) and then just cut it in half and flip one side over and mount; because the double sided DP always matches. Another thing I love about this sketch is that you can use the center ribbon or narrow paper to hide if the designer papers don't match up precisely. It is a fairly quick card.

I am really happy with how this card turned out. And happy because it is honoring a very special stamper. This was made for the Queen for the Day SCS challenge. Lesley, aka Marleygo was crowned on Friday. It took me several days to complete as I only had a few minutes on Friday and Saturday to work on it. I chose to case this card. It is perplexing to me how sometimes when I start with an idea- whether it be a sketch, color combo, a case, or embellishment and as I create the card, it morphs. Most of the time, my idea doesn't look like my imagination pictured. I know other stampers experience this as I have read similiar descriptions.

I intended to also complete this past Tuesday's color challenge with this card, but I couldn't get turquoise to work. So I stuck the other two colors- cameo coral and ruby red and added close to cocoa. The image panel started larger like Lesley's; but that didn't look right either despite numerous adaptations. I just love this creative journey, don't you?

Have a great week friends! Marilyn

Cupcake Birthday Supplies:
Stamps: Piece of Cake (CTMH-D1407)
Paper: Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery (SU!), White, DP- retired SU!
Ink:Tuxedo Black (Momento), SU markers: Apricot Appeal, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery
Accessories: Nestabilities- circle and scalloped circle (Spellbinders), Apricot Appeal ribbon (SU), glitter glue (Sulyn Industries- stash recycled from my kids old art cabinet)

Coral Blooms Supplies:
Stamps: Eastern Booms (SU!)
Paper: Cameo Coral, Ruby Red, Close to Cocoa, Vanilla
Ink: Cameo Coral, Close to Cocoa, Ruby Red
Accessories: Ribbon- 5/8"white organza (SU!), Button (stash), adhesive pearls (want2scrap)

Hip Hip Hooray

Today's Featured Stamper was Emily, aka Scoopy at SCS. She designs for A-Muse and has a wonderful gallery filled with Clean and Simple (CAS) cards. Since I don't do CAS easily, it was fun to case her. It is always good to copy someone else when you are doing something outside your comfort zone. For me, I like CAS but can't quite get the hang of designing a card that doesn't look naked. I cased her Hippo Birdie card. I do like how this one turned out so I may make several like it using the Pun Fun set with different colored card stock. Who knows, I might actually design a CAS on my very own. Thanks for looking! Happy Memorial Day weekend.

Supplies:
Stamp: Pun Fun (SU!)
Paper: Barely Banana (SU!), White (Neenah)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Momento), Copic Markers
Accessories: Ribbon (Michaels)

Con-GRAD-ulations!

Today's Featured Stamper over on SCS was Cathleen (aka ctorina). Cathleen has a beautiful gallery; she makes the most amazing cards with beautiful flowers and ribbon. However, today I needed to get busy making graduation cards. We have several family friends who are finishing their HS years.

I chose to case Cathleen's Whimsical Sheep card. I kept the colors because these are the school colors for the graduating senior. I also kept the design. I changed the papers, the central panel to embossed words and the embellishments.

Have a great week!

Supplies:
Image: Embossed folder- 2 X 2.75 - Congrats (ProvoCraft)
Paper: Black, White, Baja Breeze, Real Red (SU); DP- Real Red (SU-mat pack), Offbeat (Basic Grey)
Ink: None
Accessories: Grad Cap (Sandylion stickers)- the tassel was yellow and I exchanged it with blue embroidery floss, Diploma- handmade with copy paper and embroidery floss, edge punch (Fiskars)