RAK for Katie

If I haven't already told you, I am a challenge junkie. If I don't participate everyday I seriously get the shakes(not really, but you know what I mean). I once saw someone post that there needed to be a 12 step program, and I tell you what, I would be one of the first in line!!! This card is for Beate's weekend sketch challenge. I saw Sandy, aka sandrasmart64, post the other day that there was a young mom whose baby is very sick, and I wanted to make a card to send to her. You can get more info from Sandy.
This is one of the biggest cards I have ever made. It is an A6, which is 6 3/8 by 4 5/8(9 1/4 unfolded). I started with a Whisper White base, then Close to Cocoa. The DSP panel is Berry Bliss DSP, Pretty in Pink and then Purely Pomegranate. I stamped the Cherry Blossom branch stamp by Rubber Stampede on Whisper White with Black Stazon. It is colored in with SU markers. I sponged the edges with both Close to Cocoa and Pomegranate ink. The rest is pretty simple. I hope that this helps to brighten her day. If you expressed an interest in being in an RAK group, this would be the first assignment. Send me an email or leave a comment, and I will get you the address. Thanks for looking and have a great day!!
stamps-Cherry Blossom and Circle of Friendship

ink- Black Stazon, Close to Cocoa, and Purely Pomegranate

paper-Close to Cocoa, Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Purely Pomegranate, and Berry Bliss DSP

tools-Circle punches, pomegranate satin ribbon, primas, brads, and page pebbles

I Thought This Was Supposed To Be Simple???

Isn't the purpose of a "stamp simply" challenge for the card to be simple?? So why is it every week, I seem to make it difficult?? Sharon's, aka notimetostamp, challenge for today was a sketch challenge. She had a lovely sample to work from, as always!!! Somehow, I seem to make it so hard. When it is done, it is easy to replicate, it's just the journey there that is difficult for me, anyone out there feeling my pain??

As soon as I saw the sketch, I knew exactly what stamp I wanted to use. I just recieved an order from Rubbernecker this week, and this was one of the stamps that I recieved. Isn't it beautiful!! I also knew exactly who it would be for. Jen, aka Jen70, usually hosts the limited supplies challenge on SCS, but had a death in the family, so this is for her and her family. I was going to put a sentiment on it, but couldn't get one to work.

So, I colored the Hearty Vase in using my SU markers. It is stamped on watercolor paper and I used Stazon Black ink. I used Pretty in Pink and Rose Red for the hearts and Mellow Moss and Always Artichoke for the leaves and stems. The base is actually my 20% cool gray prismacolor marker and it is highlighted with my Going Gray marker. I then went over all of it with my aquapainter. It really helps to blend all of the colors. It was matted on Pretty in Pink and Rose Red. The strip across the card is 3 1/4 to 2 3/4 starting with Rose Red. The base is 5 1/4 square in Basic Gray. The ribbon is Basic Gray tafetta.

Well, that is all for now. Thanks for looking and have a great day!!!

stamps-Hearty Vase

paper-Basic Gray, Very Vanilla, Watercolor, Pretty In Pink, and Rose Red

ink-Stazon Black

tools-SU markers, aquapainter, gray tafetta, Prismacolor Cool Grey maker

Circles, Circles Everywhere, But None That I Like!!

Just when you think that you have one of every kind of stamp imaginable, the limited supplies challenge is posted, and you become aware of the fact that you don't!!! I have come to the realization today, that I have no circle stamps besides Riveting and Circle of Friendship. Well, that is not 100% true, I do have Seeing Spots, but just couldn't get it to work, and believe me, I tried! I usually, as a rule, look only at the challenge guidelines for any challenge. I look at what supplies to use, what colors, the sketch, etc., but I NEVER look at the gallery. I feel like I am cheating when I do. I am also afraid, that I will unintentionally copy someone, you know what I mean?? Well today, I was stuck, I thought, I stamped, I thought some more, I stamped some more, I tore two cards apart and put them back together, to make a long story short, I was completely blocked!!! So I decided to look at the gallery for the stamp sets that I had, but nothing inspired me. I finally broke down and looked at the gallery. Bad idea!! I now feel the need to go shopping!! Where do you guys come up with this stuff at???? I will admit, when I first started stamping, I bought what I thought was cute, never taking into consideration how on Earth I was going to use them. Thankfully, I am getting better about that now!! But today I became sadly aware of the fact, that I am not completely there yet. Luckily for me, inspiration finally came. I just got an order yesterday in the mail from Embellish It. Their website is fabulous, you should totally check it out!! I still had it sitting on my stamp table, and I got to looking at the yummy ribbon I had purchased, and finally inspiration came. I started with a standard A2 card in Basic Black, then Pink Passion. I embossed the On the Spot background on white with detail black ep. I sponged the edges with Pink Passion ink. The layered strip down the middle is in the same colors starting at 1 3/4 then 1 1/2 for the pink, and 1 1/4 for the white, which I sponged the edges on as well. I tied the black organdy around this strip in a square knot, and then took the fabulous ribbon I got from Embellish It around it in a bow. Then sentiment is from Circle of Friendship, and I do believe that I used every circle punch I own on it!! I started with my 1/8th handheld punch in white, then I used the 1/4in in Pink Passion, and 1/2in in Basic Black. The sentiment was stamped in black and then punched out with the 1in circle punch. Then 1 1/4 in Pink Passion, 1 3/8 in white and then the scalloped punch in Basic Black. I layered them all together, and then put a page pebble over the top of it, it just looked bare without it. I used my Signo white gel pen to make the dots. I was going to try to be brave and totally go all Markie's Mom(dots everywhere) on this, but didn't have the guts to!!!!
Well, that's it for me today! Hope you have a good one, and Happy Stamping!!!
stamps-Circle of Friendship and On the Spot
paper- Basic Black, Pink Passion, and Whisper White
ink-Versamark and Stazon Black
tools-Lots of circle punches, black EP, black organdy, pink and white ribbon from EI, and page pebbles

Thanks Lesa!!!

Thank you so much Lesa, aka okcapitolgirl, for this fabulous thank you card I recieved in the mail today!!! She had recently had surgery, and this is a thank you for the get well card I sent her. I love it!!! I am still working on how to display cards that I get from other stampers, but I assure you, it will have a place of honor!! You rock girlfriend!!! Hope you are feeling better!! If you haven't been to her blog yet, look for her link in my blogs I stalk , you won't be disapointed!!! Have a great day!!!

Inspired By Fashion

Today's ways to use it challenge over on SCS, was to make a card or altered item inspired by fashion. It made me think immediately of Faith, aka Markie's Mom. She told a funny story on her blog in the last couple of days about being a trend setter. That story made me think, am I?? The answer is a resounding NO!! I have what Stacy and Clinton on TLC's What Not To Wear would call, a tired soccer mom look, most of the time. I am usually a jeans and t-shirt/sweatshirt kind of a girl. When I do try to wear more trendy clothes, I feel overdressed and out of place. I do, however, like to dress up for dinner or events, but it is never in a dress! In fact, I only own three, and one is my wedding dress. I used to have a ton, but we had a house fire when I was 20, and all my prom-type dresses were lost!!! I do however, and I am not sure where they are now, have quite the collection of Bridesmaid dresses, but I can't remember if I sold them, or if my Dad is still storing them. I have been a bridesmaid 4or5 times, I can't remember now..............but anyway, back to the challenge!!!

I tried to find something on-line that inspired me, but all I could keep thinking about is wedding dresses, so that is what I went with!!! Back when I first got married I bought all of this yummy paper and embellishments to make my wedding album. I have yet to make the first page of it!!! I decided to use some of the neglected goodies I had bought for my scrapbook since it might be years before I get it done!!! I started with a Basic Black base of 5 1/4square, then a Very Vanilla mat. The paper I used is by K&Co. and isn't it yummy. The bottom paper is called Windsor Words Pearl Foil Paper and the top is Juliana Swirl Pearl Embossed Vellum. I attached the vellum using Bazil black tie pearl brads. Don't they look like the fancy buttons they give with tuxes??? I first tied the black organdy on and knotted it, then the vanilla organdy. I tied a bow with the black then the vanilla. I wrapped a piece of black organdy around the middle so they would look like they were tied together and then finished it off with a bow made out of silver cord. I didn't like how it looked, so I cut the loops of the cream bow, to give it more volume. If I had ordered the Always set, that heart would totally be on this, but it hasn't come yet, so I didn't stamp anything at all. Do you ever do that, get something in your head, and nothing else will do??? I hope it's not just me!!! The sentiment is a sticker by K&Co. too. I did put the vanilla layer on deminsionals, just to give it some more depth. Thanks for looking, and reading!!! Hope you have a fabulous day!!

stamps-none
paper-K&Co. DP, Basic Black, Very Vanilla
ink-none
tools-black wide organdy, vanilla narrow organdy, silver cord, sentiment sticker

Shelly's Sketch and I've Been Tagged, again!!

I just wanted to let you all know that I have now been tagged with the E for Excellent Blog award three times!! I am so excited!!!! I was tagged first by Linsey Rickett, then by Silke Ledlow and finally by Sue Berker!!! You girls really know how to make a person feel wonderful!!! I have already nominated people when Linsey first nominated me, but I just wanted to let Sue and Silke know, that I appreciate it so much, it means the world to me!!! If you haven't checked out any of their blogs, you should, they are fantastic!!!!

On to my first card in days!!!! I haven't stamped since Saturday night or early Sunday morning, and I have been dying to do it!!! I got all my Valentine's ready and sent out this morning, so now I am free to stamp stamp stamp!! I really need to clean clean clean, but oh well, it's not going anywhere!!

Today's sketch challenge over on SCS was hosted by Shelly, aka Papermoon04, and what a fabulous sketch it is!! I just recieved my new My Favorite Things stamp sets, and I finally broke down and bought the Punny Farm set. I wasn't sure I loved it, and then of course, I kept seeing all the samples on SCS and slowly but surely fell in love with it!! At their last release party, I just had to get it. The base is 5 1/4x5 1/4 Certainly Celery. I stamped the sentiment from the Punny Farm set directly on the card. Then I took a piece of white, then black, then Certainly Celery dsp, for both the larger and the smaller of the two squares. The main image is done using Charmaine aka CharmWarm's tilt card tutorial. It is so cute cause the cow dances!!! I colored it in with SU markers and sponged some Bashful Blue for the sky. I love those funky black fibers and you know how I love my brads, so I had to toss some of those in.

Well, that is all for now!! Thanks for all of your support and comments!! Have a great day, and if your roads look anything like mine, be safe, it is SLIPPERY!!
stamps-Punny Farm
paper-Whisper White, Basic Black, Certainly Celery, and Certainly Celery DSP
ink-Stazon black
tools-black fibers and brads, pennies, dimensionals, SU markers

Last One Today!!

Since I now have 4 girls under the age of 8, and one very tired puppy, I am going to make this one fast. This card was made using Beate's weekend sketch. The frog was colored using Renee Jul's no copics, no problem technique. The heart is colored in with a red glitter pen. This was the first card I made out of the 5, and my favorite!!Gotta Run!!!

stamps-Unfrogettable and Just So Hippy

paper- Whisper White, Real Red, Regal Rose, and Sassy DSP

ink- Stazon Black

tools-SU markers, Aquapainter, rose grosgrain, glitter pen, Red brads

Snowed In!!!

Well, in the matter of a few hours, we got snowed in. Probably not literally, because I have a four wheel drive, but I still don't want to take the chance. The Girls and I had went into town to eat lunch and play at the play place at McD's when it started snowing. By the time we got home, the roads were completely covered and slick!! All this in the matter of 20mins!!! So we are stuck inside, so I took some pictures of them when I could get them to sit still. Hope you enjoy them as much as I do!!! Mom, does that picture of Taylor remind you of anyone!!!LOL(it's my sexy pose from when I was a kid, hehe)

Hope you are having as much fun as they are!!!!LOL

ps dh just called and is bringing home his 7yr old cousin to spend the night. Anyone wanna sleep over??????HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I Love This Hippo!!!

By now you should know, if you pay any atention to my blog or gallery(thanks to all of you that do!!!), that I LOVE THIS HIPPO!!!! Melanie, you really rocked this one girl!! This set has to be one of my favorite all time animal sets, and I can't wait to get my hands on her new one, Just So Hoppy. It has 4 new animals(kangaroo!!, frog, chick, and bunny) and a ton of sayings and other stuff to go with the Just So Hippy too. I think it is so cool of her to make her two sets coordinate, really makes them versatile, and well worth the money!! In fact, her new Just so Hoppy set has 24 stamps in it!!!WOW!!!

Anyway, this card was made for Kimmie's 5th challenge, which was paper piecing. It was the second to the last card that I made, and I had to force it too. I now wish I had used a brighter coordinating piece, but that Love embellishment is stuck like glue and I am not tearing up the whole card!!! So, the hippo was paper pieced using the DCWV Baby Girl mat stack. I colored in the toe nails on the hippo and then cut out just the body and head and stuck it on. I wrapped celery grosgrain around both edges of the card, but then I covered it up with my paper flowers. the small one is by Petaloo, the ghost flower is by Heidi Swapp, and the pretty sparkly flower is by Heidi Grace. The Love embellishment, I got at Wal-mart on CLEARANCE(dont you just love that!!) and I just tied a piece of silver cord through it. The colors on this card are Regal Rose and Certainly Celery. I love this paper, and I love the paper pieced look, but I do wish I had used a brighter color on the background. What I love about this card, is that you could use it for both V-day or for a baby card. What do you think??

Thanks for looking and as always, have a great day!!!

stamps-Just So Hippy

paper-Regal Rose, Certainly Celery, Whisper White, and DCWV Baby Girl

ink-Stazon Black

tools- Regal Rose marker, celery grosgrain and brad, paper flowers, and embellishment

Thank God For Barney!!

My nieces are very engrossed in a Barney video right now, so I think I can post another one of my cards that I made. I don't know what people did before TV. I don't let them watch a lot of it while they are here, but it is a great way to keep them occupied for a while!!

This card was made for Sketch #4 over on Nicola's blog, My Paper World. A link to her blog is in my blogs I stalk . I am also entering this in Kimmie's celebration challenges. The 6th challenge was to make a card for someone who inspires you, this is for my friend, who shall remain nameless!!! This card is Taylor's favorite, and one of mine too. It is the second one that I made, so I was doing good at that point!!LOL It is a tent card, and on the main image, I did the cracked glass technique. For those who don't know how to do it, this is how I did it. I took my cardstock and stamped my heart from Boho Blossoms in red first. I cut out the piece to the size that I want it to be. I then took my versamark pad and put it directly on the paper, covering the whole piece. You can either use UTEE(ultra thick embossing powder) or clear EP. With the UTEE, which is what I used, two times of doing this(versamarking and sprinkling the powder) should be enough to get the desired effect. With the clear, I always had to do four. After you are done embossing, pop it in the freezer for a few minutes and the edges will curl up. As you flatten it out, bend it until it cracks from all different directions to get the desired effect. For a better tutorial with pictures, you can find it on the SCS website.

I then matted that piece with Real Red and Basic Black. The base is Basic Black and I used my corner punch to create the scalloped edge. I sponged the edges of the white piece to soften it up. The sentiment was stamped twice, once in red and once in black. I used my circle punches in various sizes to layer it. I put a page pebble on it to give it a little extra pop. Thanks for looking and have a great day. Barney is off, and the natives are getting restless.LOL!!! By the way, DH said to them today, as he RAN out the door to go to work, maybe they should stay again tonight, now what am I supposed to do with that!!! Guess they will be here tomorrow too!!LOL
stamps-Boho Blossoms, Riveting
paper- Real Red,Basic Black, Whisper White
ink-Real Red and Basic Black, Versamark
tools- Scallop 1 3/8, 1 1/4, 1" circle punches, corner rounder, page pebbles, UTEE