Day Two-More Challenges

Hello Everyone!! Before I get to my challenge cards, an announcement....Paper Pretties is having another Cutie Pie contest!!!
How would you like to be Paper Pretties Cutie Pie? I thought you would!! All you have to do is make a card using your Paper Pretties stamps and send it to Christie at christie@paperpretties.net, and she will chose a winner from the entries. Besides getting to call yourself a Cutie Pie, you will also get all the stamps from this release for free!! You have until July 31st at 8pmCST to get your entries in!! Good luck!!
Okay, now on to the cards!! I am back some more challenge cards from this weeks Dare To Get Dirty challenges. If you want more info on these, you can get it here. My first card is for the SCS color challenge and Christine(Christinecreations) challenge to watercolor. I stamped my Cuddle Me Sophia from Paper Pretties on watercolor paper and colored it with my aqua painters and re-inkers. The colors are Soft Sky, River Rock and Very Vanilla. I used Soft Sky DSP and SS and River Rock ribbon. The hardware is from the aged copper hardware from SU. For the sentiment, I used a rub on from the Love and Happiness set that was a sellabration set for SU.
Stamps-Cuddle Me Sophia
Paper-Watercolor, Soft Sky, River Rock and Very Vanilla
Ink-Black Stazon, re-inkers-Soft Sky, River Rock, Blush Blossom, and Barely Banana
Tools-hardware, aqua painter, stitched ribbon, scalloped edge punch
My next card was for Michelle(s49erfan)’s masculine challenge. I have such a hard time with masculine cards so I really tried to follow the helpful tips that Michelle gave us. I stamped my truck from Classic Pickups with Black Stazon and colored it with my SU markers. I then layered it with Ruby Red and Creamy Carmel. The background was stamped with the Weathered background stamp from SU in Creamy Carmel, then all the edges were sponged. I added some twill tape with some aged copper hardware. The card base is Whisper White, Ruby Red, Creamy Carmel and Close to Cocoa.
Stamps-Classic Pickups and Weathered
Paper- Whisper White, Ruby Red, Creamy Carmel and Close to Cocoa
Ink-Black Stazon
Tools-aged copper hardware, SU markers, twill tape
My last card was for JulieHRR’s challenge to make a white based card. As you all know, I have layering issues…so cards like this are a total challenge for me….but I LOVE MY CARD!! Yayyy!! The base is Whisper White with the bride from She’s All That stamped on it. I stamped the flowers separately in Real Red and cut them out. I added some black and red organdy and some red brads. The scallops were made with my SU scalloped edge punch. I did one layer in white, and then added a black layer underneath for some drama. Well, that is all for me today…Hope you have a great day and thanks for stopping by!!
Stamps-She’s All That
Paper-Whisper White and Basic Black
Ink-Black Stazon and Real Red
Tools-Black Organdy, Red Organdy and brads, scalloped punch

A Few Challenges For You!!

Since I don’t participate in nearly enough challenges, hehe, I decided that I would try to participate in all the Dare to Get Dirty challenges this week. Two challenges were posted today. The first one was posted by Jody Morrow(texasjodylynn), and SURPRISINGLY, her challenge was a ribbon challenge…LOL!! I have the hardest time working with patterned ribbon, but I do love it, so I decided to close my eyes, reach in my embellishment box and pick one randomly. I came out with this ribbon from American Crafts. I used it to inspire the colors of my card. I also decided to play in the My Favorite Things sketch challenge, so I used that sketch on my card too. I stamped my Peppermint image by MFT with Black Stazon on white cardstock. I colored it in with my SU markers and then cut it out. I made the cirles using my Nesties. I layered it with Chocolate Chip and added some silver brads. The other colors on my card are Pretty in Pink and Garden Green.
Stamps-Peppermint and Essential Sentiments by MFT
Paper-Pretty in Pink, Garden Green, and Chocolate Chip
Ink-Black Stazon
Tools-oval punches, SU markers, brads, Cuttlebug, Nesties, American Crafts ribbon, Swiss Dots folder, spiral clip
My next card was made for three challenges(go me!!). The first(and I feel like I owe her a HUGE apology) was for the Featured Stamper challenge from last week. Stephanie Hargis was the featured stamper and I just adore her and her work!!! I can’t believe I didn’t play last week, but hopefully she will forgive me now!! The second challenge was for the Dare To Get Dirty challenge posted by Laurie(lauraly), and it was to use vellum. The third challenge was for the Paper Pretties Weekly Challenge to use Brocade Blue, Sage Shadow, Very Vanilla and Close to Cocoa. If you haven’t played in Danielles challenges, you really should!! They are awesome, and if your card gets chosen you win a PRIZE. Check out the Paper Pretties home page for more details!! Anyway, I ran my vellum through the Cuttlebug with my Paisley folder. I layered it on Very Vanilla with two strips of Close To Cocoa DSP. I then adhered it using silver brads and tied some hemp twine around it. The main image is by Paper Pretties and it is the August stamp of the month, which means you have until 11:59pm on the 31st of July to sign up and get this stamp a month before it is released to the public. How cool is that!!( Just be sure to tell them I sent you!!) I colored her in with my SU markers and sponged the edges to soften it up. I added a spiral clip with some grosgrain ribbon on it to add a little more to the card. Okay, well that is it for me for today(I think)!! I am off to stamp some more!! Thanks for stopping by yet again, and I hope you have a FABULOUS day!! Oh, and if you want more info on the Dare to Get Dirty challenges-check this out!!
Stamps-Howdy Girlfriend
Paper-Brocade Blue, Close to Cocoa, Very Vanilla, Sage Shadow
Ink-Black Stazon and Close to Cocoa
Tools-SU markers, spiral clip, grosgrain ribbon, silver brads, hemp twine, Cuttlebug, paisley folder

Featured Stamper- Susiestampalot

I was so excited when I saw this weeks Featured Stamper on SCS. I had the pleasure of meeting Susan when I went to that shoebox swap in Arlington, TX. , and she is a fantastically talented stamper and super sweet and funny to boot!! I had this card done last night, but was to tired to post it and then when I got up this morning I realized that I used the wrong color ribbon….duhhh. See what 5 screaming girls will do to your brain!!LOL!!! I decided to go ahead and post it, because I still love it, even if the ribbon is wrong. I choose this card of Susan’s to CASE. My main image is from the Whipper Snapper set Posies For You. I stamped them with Black Stazon on Whisper White and colored them in with my SU markers. I cut it and it’s layers out with my circle Nesties. The colors I used were More Mustard and the new SU color Riding Hood Red. The DP is from the East Coast Prep DSP and it is layered with RHR, WW, and Baja Breeze. I did the faux stitching with my white gel pen and paper piercing tool. The ribbon is Pumpkin Pie striped from SU, and yes, I still don’t know what I was thinking!! I am off to check out all the challenges on SCS!! Thanks for looking and have a great day!
Stamps-Posies For You
Paper-Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze, More Mustard, Whisper White, and East Coast Prep DSP
Ink- Black Stazon
Tools-white gel pen, Cuttlebug, Nesties, Pumpkin striped ribbon, SU markers

And now, some pictures of my nieces...no wonder I am so tired!! It took 30 photos to finally get a couple of good ones, and as you can see, they were having fun. The picture of just the two girls are my nieces Katie and Maddie, aren't they cute!!

I'm Being Invaded.....

by screaming girls!! That's right, it is time for another sleep over, and I swear, the more they are over, the more I wanna SLEEP!!LOL!! So, what would possess a normally sane person to let not 1, not 2, not 3, but 5 girls under the age of 9 stay over for the night.....in a nutshell, it is like my stamping, everything in EXCESS!!!LOL!! This time should be better though, no storms in the forecast, and my DH isn't out of town(although he wishes he was) so I will have help(as much help as a man can be). Don't get me wrong, I love my girls, but it is hard to enjoy them when they are ALL here, and I feel bad if only a couple come over at a time because then I feel like the others are left out. I swear if I could only keep them a couple at a time, I would have them all the time, but 5, it takes weeks to mentally prepare, and weeks afterwards to repair the damage. But anyway, enough babble!! This is my card for today's Sketch For You To Try. I used the Simply Special stamp from Paper Pretties and stamped it twice, once on Very Vanilla and once on my DP. I cut out the watering can and paper pieced it. The flower was also stamped yet again and cut out and colored. The rest of the image was colored with my SU markers. My paper is from the Paper Loft and is SUPER YUMMY. I used the back side for the watering can and the flower center, and the reverse for the flower and the layer under the main image. I used some chocolate taffeta ribbon and Soft Subtles buttons on the side and pierced a border around the whole thing-by the way, totally and shamelessly stole that from my pal Jody. I saw it on a card she did the other day, and loved the way it looked, and this sketch completely worked for it!! For the sentiment, I used my Chocolate Chip marker and only colored what I wanted to show up so that I could separate it. I love the way it turned out. Be sure to check out what Jen, Amy R, Amy S, Carole, Shannan and Susan have done with this awesome sketch, and check out Jen's blog to see the card I made exclusively for it!

So, that is it for me now, right now(this was set up ahead of time to post), I should be at work, but after work, the invasion will take place...wish me luck...I am gonna need it.....COME ON HANNAH MONTANA DVD-DON'T FAIL ME NOW!!!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!

stamps-Simply Special

paper-Chocolate Chip, Sage Shadow, Very Vanilla, Paper Loft DP

ink-Black Stazon

tools-SU markers, chipboard flowers, buttons, chocolate and cream taffeta, spiral clip

Jared's Announcement

When I saw today's Limited Supplies challenge, I knew it was a sign. I have been promising my sister a sample for my nephew's birth announcements, and when I saw the challenge I knew it was time to finally sit down and make it. I started by cutting my Buckaroo Blue card stock in half long ways. I then scored it at 3in and 8in. I used my new scallop punch from SU to make the scallops on the top flap. Then I punched the holes in the scallops with my 1/16ths handheld punch. The layers are Certainly Celery and Whisper White which I ran through my Cuttlebug with the Swiss Dots folder. Isn't that giraffe the cutest!! It is from Melanie Muenchinger's Just So Hippy set. It was the first set that I bought of hers, and it is still one of my favorites(which I haven't used in forever)!! I colored her in with my SU markers, and then layered it with CC and BB. I added two silver brads to the top of that panel, and I added the two at the three at the bottom BEFORE I glued it down to the flap. The sentiment if from Just So Hoppy, another one of Melanie's sets, and I just love that they go together-ya know what I mean?!! The main image is secured at the bottom of the image so that the top panel tucks behind it to hold it closed. I believe(if I remember correctly) that I used Toy's sketch for today too, so yayyy me!! That is it for me now! Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!

stamps-Just So Hippy and Hoppy

paper-Buckaroo Blue, Certainly Celery, Whisper White

ink-Black Stazon

tools-circle punches, silver brads, celery and bluebird grosgrain, Swiss Dots folder, Cuttlebug, SU markers

I've Got Nothing......

Okay, so I am officially in a funk...I think I hid it well til now, but seriously, if you knew how painful this card was for me today, you would be whining too. I started this MONSTERpiece at 11am and am just now done(4:30pm). How is that for a creative process. The harder I try to make a card, the more NOTHING comes to me.... she who has deadlines cannot have NOTHING!! I tried originally to make a shaker card using coffee, but it really wasn't that good, so I threw it away. Unfortunately, I had coffee on my mind by then, so I couldn't think of anything else to do for the challenge(btw, the Ways To Use It challenge was to use something from your kitchen cabinet). After thinking and thinking, I finally decided to die my twill tape with coffee. So once it was dark enough, I had to wait for it to dry. By the time it was dry, I was so sick of this card that I just threw it together. On another note, yes, I am aware that it isn't that bad, even my DH says so, but I think the process just wore me out and now I am to the point that I won't be happy with anything that I do. So am I alone here or what??? Please, someone tell me that this has happened to you...please??

Thanks for stopping by and listening to my rant, hope you have a fabulous day!!

BoooHoooHOOO

Well everyone, it is sad but true...this is my last week as Melanie's guest designer. I know, I am sad too!! hehe..... I made my card using the super cute cuddling lions image from Melanie's new set Cuddles and Hugs. I stamped it on watercolor paper and colored it in with my SU markers. I used a bunch of different ribbons from SU, included my favorite, the retired black organdy. I added three black brads in the top corner and then stamped my sentiment in the bottom corner. To accent the sentiment, I pierced a line underneath of it. The main image was cut out using my circle Nestabilities. Be sure to check out the card that I made for Melanie's blog too!! That is it for me now, I am off to pout about my term being over....Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!! And a great big thanks to Melanie for making me her guest designer!!! Can't wait to see what her new stamp set will be on the 24th, and I can't wait to see what her new guest designer will have in store for us!! Big Hugs Melanie!!

stamps-Cuddles and Hugs

paper-watercolors, So Saffron, Basic Black, Very Vanilla

ink-Black Stazon

tools-SU markers, spiral clip, black brads, ribbon, Cuttlebug and circle Nestabilities

New In Colors

I almost forgot all about today's sketch challenge....can you believe it!! My new in colors from Stampin Up got delivered yesterday, so I wanted to play around with them. I stamped my flower from Both Way Blossoms and colored it in using my aqua painter and ink pads. I cut it and all the layers out with my rectangle Nestabilities. The sentiment is a rub on from the Love and Happiness set. I added some pink satin ribbon and a spiral clip with some black gingham on it and silver brads in all the corners. I am not in love with the new in colors yet, but hopefully I get there. To me, they are kind of a disappointment after the last two sets. Am I alone?

Well, that is it for me for today!! Lots of blurfing and commenting to do!! Have a great day and thanks for coming by!!

stamps-Both Way Blossoms

paper-Pink Pirouette, Kiwi Kiss, Basic Black and Whisper White
ink-Pink Pirouette, Kiwi Kiss, Black Stazon

tools-rub ons, black gingham, pink satin, silver brads, aqua painter, spiral clip, Cuttlebug, Nesties

A Challenge and some RAK's

This week it was my turn to pick the Great Swaps Girls Featured Swapper. I chose Arin Burdo(arinstamps). Her gallery is fabulous and her coloring is AWESOME!! I chose this card of hers to CASE. I changed the images, sentiment, ribbon, eliminated the stitching and colors. I also added three brads up in the top corner. This was my first time using the Out on a Limb stamp set from Papertrey. I really love it!! I stamped the branches and leaves with Black Stazon and colored the leaves in with my SU markers(Always Artichoke). After stamping and coloring and adding the sentiment, I went over the whole thing with the Linen BG stamp using Creamy Carmel. Then I distressed all the edges. This card was super simple, but I think it is very elegant.
stamps-PTI Out on a Limb and Linen
paper-Basic Black, Kraft, Whisper White and Always Artichoke
ink-Black Stazon and Creamy Caramel
tools-kraft taffeta, marker, edge distresser


Here are some of my RAK's I have been sent. The first came to me from Nikky(Butterflyears). You should see this card in real life, there are so many layers on the main image. Thanks Nikky, it's gorgeous!!






This second one came from Jackie Pedro. I LOVE Jackie's work and this card is no exception. It is even more amazing in person. She also sent some brads and ribbon along with it...how awesome is that!! Thanks Jackie, I love it!








Here are some goodies I got from Jana the other day!! She sent me a Basic Grey Stella Ruby paper pack, some button blossoms, YUMMY ribbon, and a super cute stamp!! Thanks Jana, you rock!

Prettie Wednesday- Trash to Treasure

Welcome to Prettie Wednesday!!! Two weeks ago Julie challenged us to make a trash to treasure card using something that would normally be trash. I completely drew a blank!! After tossing around many ideas, I had pretty much given up when my new My Favorite Things stamps came. As I sat there transferring them to CD cases, I remembered a card I had gotten at the Southern Illinois Shoebox Swap. I decided to reuse the bag that the stamps came in(you know-the plastic package) to make my card. I don't know if this is considered a shaker card, but it has sand in the bottom of it and then I colored and cut out the tree from Soakin' Up The Sun, which is available at the Paper Pretties store. I was gonna put Sophia in with the sand and the tree, but I didn't steal enough sand from my cousins sandbox, so I decided to put her on the outside. The top panel was made with my corner rounder, since my new scallop punch had not yet arrived. I put some hemp twine through it and wrapped it around several times. I then sponged a little white ink and sanded the panel to make it look a little weathered. The paper is some that I picked up at the new scrapbook store I found close to my home. They don't have a lot of stamps, but they have a TON of paper and accessories, SO FUN!! My Sophia and palm tree were colored with my SU markers and aqua painter. This card gets to live here with me until Jana gets moved back home, yayyy!! Next weeks challenge was issued by Charmaine, and is sure to hurt my brain-we are only allowed one embellishment, the HORROR!! This weeks challenger is Jana and I can't wait to see what she has cooked up for us!! Be sure to blurf around and check out what the other Pretties have been up to, and as always, if you wanna play along, just leave us a link so we can check out your goodies!!

stamps-Soakin' Up the Sun by Paper Pretties

paper-Ruby Red, More Mustard, Whisper White and Karen Foster DP

ink-Black Stazon and White Craft

tools-hemp twine, white brads, corner rounder, SU markers, aqua painter, sand and plastic bag