Retirement list

I have just posted the retirement list on the Newsletter page of my site.

Sketch Card

Well, I actually got to stamp today. I found that my Stamp-a-ma-jig is my favorite new best friend! I just could not let another sketch challenge go by no matter how I feel. I, obviously, kept it pretty simple. I did use my faithful sanded on the background. I used the ticket corner punch on the outside corners and the mat pack for the piercing. For the sentiment I stamped and them punched out with the Tag Punch. The layers are just punched and cut in half so they they can layer out. The star brad was rubbed in the Not Quite Navy craft ink and after it had dried I wiped off the top layer. The sentiment is popped up with pop up glue dots.

Hopefully I will get another chance to stamp on Friday this week! If not I hope you have a nice weekend!!

Stamps: Holy Triptych, Sanded Background, Holidays and Wishes

Paper: Pacific Point, Baja Breeze, Basic Gray

Ink: Pacific Point, Not Quite Navy Craft for the inside of brad

Accessories: Hodge Podge Kit, Ticket Corner Punch, Key Tag Punch, Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon, Mat Pack for piercing

Holiday Extravangana

I'm sorry for not posting for so long. I am still having some health problems and am spending a lot of my time at the doctors.

I did not want any of you to miss this fabulous sale!! I hope to be posting again next week! Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!!

Dino Birthday

Today I am still having some medical problems so this card did not come together the way I had planned. It is hard for me to work with limited use of my left side....I see my neurologist again on Monday to change medication, yeah another adjustment period. So I do not know if I will be posting any more this week. I just could not go another day and thought I had to give the Sketch a shot. It just works that the more I use it the more I loose it, isn't that backwards? I think the card is pretty self explanatory but if you have any questions please feel to leave a question in the comments! I think I may have to hide my Think Happy Thoughts. I just love the dimension it gives to a card. Have a Great Week!!

Stamps: Sanded Background, Prehistoric Pals, Think Happy Thoughts

Paper: Garden Green, Chocolate Chip, Certainly Celery, Tangerine Tango, Very Vanilla

Ink: Tangerine Tango, Certainly Celery, Close to Cocoa

Accessories: 1-3/4" 1-3/8" circle Punches, My Way Punch, Tangerine Tango Striped Grosgrain Ribbon

White Christmas

Well, today I have to make some cards to fill some orders. So I thought I would post a card I made a few weeks ago. I was just playing around with a white base as I very rarely make them. I rolled Bold Snow Flakes Jumbo Wheel in Whisper White Craft ink and rolled it on the card base. It is hard to see in the but I think I was able to capture a glimpse in the close up. I colored the Take Three stamp with the makers. I colored the Merry Christmas also with the markers since the stamp itself has the words on top of each other instead of side-by-side like I wanted them. I used the Stamp-a-ma-jig to line them up.

Stamps: Take Three, Holidays and Wishes, Bold Snow Flake Jumbo Wheel

Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, Glorious Green

Ink: Whisper White Craft Ink, Real Red, Glorious Green, Brilliant Blue

Accessories: Ticket Corner Punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Brilliant Blue Brads, Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon

Cameo Thank You

I was asked to make a Thank you card for a woman who just spent the last 6 days in the hospital with her 5 month old new foster baby with pneumonia. She wanted something nice to give the nurses. So this is what I came up with. I did some sponging and tipped the flowers with the marker otherwise very simple.

Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes, Sanded Background, Bella's Border Wheel

Paper: Chocolate Chip,Whisper White, Cameo Coral

Ink: Cameo Coral, Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Scallop Square Punch, Large Oval Punch, Small Oval Punch

Fall Friend #3

Today I used the Sketch challenge to finish my Fall Friends cards. It is dark and wet fall day so the colors I chose matched the lack of brightness outside ;). I tried using the same sets for all 3 of my cards. This was a fun sketch to do and a fun set of cards to make! I used the Aqua Painter and re-inkers to color.

Stamps: Autumn Harvest, Sanded Background, Think Happy Thoughts

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla, Always Artichoke Patterns Paper

Ink: Basic Brown, Pumpkin Pie, Tangerine Tango, So Saffron, Always Artichoke, Cameo Coral, Ruby Red

Accessories: Photo Corner Punch, 1-3/8" & 1-1/4" Circle Punch, Chocolate Chip Double Stitched Ribbon, Aqua painter

Fall Friend #2

This is the 2nd card for my group of friends. I decided to just use the same set on all three cards but go with a different layout. I used the Big Shot to make my scallops and the Coluzzle to make the large circle. Again, the images are colored with an aqua pen and re-inkers.

Stamps: Autumn Harvest, Think Happy Thoughts, Sanded Background

Paper: So Saffron, Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango, Very Vanilla

Ink: Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Tangerine Tango, So Saffron,Ruby Red, Cameo Coral, Basic Brown, Ruby Red

Accessories: Big Shot, Coluzzle, Circle Scallop Die, Circle Scallop Die #2

Insert Signature

Fall Friends

Today I wanted to make some cards to give with some small gifts I have for a few close friends. I am so thankful for the group of friends God has given me! I did quite a bit of masking on this card. The hard part is to figure out the layout before you start stamping. Normally I would think back to front, but when stamping a masked image you have to work front to back. The image is colored with aqua-painter and re-inkers.

Stamps: Autumn Harvest, Think Happy Thoughts, Sanded Background

Paper: More Mustard, Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie, Very Vanilla

Ink: Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron,Ruby Red, Cameo Coral, Basic Brown

Accessories: Ticket Corner Punch, 1-1/4" & 1-3/8" Circle Punch

Birthday Boat

Well, for today's Limited Use Challenge I just used what was still on top from yesterday. The challenge was to use circles and rectangles. The only embellishment we were allowed to use was ribbon. I just could not incorporate ribbo0n to this so I went with out. I cut the large scallop circle with the Big Shot and the large circle with the Coluzzle. I colored the image with makers and decided not to sponge anything (are you still there...?) I am trying to stock up on my manly birthday cards before the busy season hit! Did you know this catalog retires in only like 10 more weeks!?!

Non-Stamp Related- Sister's surgery went well yesterday and they did not find anymore cancer, Brother just got out of recovery and is doing well.

Stamps: Winds of Grace, Think Happy Thoughts

Paper: Night of Navy, Garden Green, Very Vanilla, Prestwick DSP

Ink: Brocade Blue, Night of Navy, Garden Green

Accessories: Circle Scallop Die, Coluzzle, 1-1/4" & 1-3/8" Circle Punch

Get Well Brock

This card is for the sketch challenge today. This will also be going to my brother who has surgery on Friday. Yes, it seems like my family has decided to invest highly in our medical. My brother had his leg shattered at work a few years back. Now he has an extra bone growing. So they will be removing the extra bone and the rod which has been giving him severe pain. He is also a diabetic so legs are a hard healer. I guess God wants to see us on our knees more!

Most of the card explains itself except the sentiment. I stamped the Get Well and punched with the wide oval. I then punched the large oval and cut in half to fit behind the wide one. Off to get the house ready. My folks are staying here since I live half way between my brother and sister.

Stamps: Winds of Grace, Sincere Salutation

Paper: Brocade Blue, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, Prestwick DSP

Ink: Markers- Basic Black, Brocade Blue, Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Chip Classic Ink

Accessories: Big Shot, Top Note, Horizontal Slot Punch, Wide Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon

Get Well Dena

This card was made for my sister. She was diagnosed with thyroid cancer yesterday. They removed a 4cm cyst from her thyroid last Thursday. The doctor also removed a small nodule while he was in there. The cancer was in the small nodule. She goes back into surgery on Thursday to have the rest of her thyroid removed. God is in control!!!!

This is a full sized card, one full 8.5 x 11 folded. I wanted to make it big and fill it with love. I tried to use the Color Combo Challenge today but added Chocolate Chip so I did not stay with in the complete realm of things.

I colored the tree with the markers and tapped the tree with the Pretty in Pink and Riding Hood Red.

Stamps: Watercolor Vine Jumbo Wheel, Lovely as a Tree, Think Happy Thoughts

Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip, Riding Hood Red, Pretty in Pink, Very Vanilla

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red, Pretty in Pink

Accessories: Top Note, Big Shot, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, Horizontal Slot Punch, Kiwi Kiss Satin Ribbon

Oval Punch Vases

This weeks schedule is jam packed full so if I miss a day or two along the way please forgive me! My dear husband is healing well and therapy seems be be going ok. I am finally am getting to be able to do other things than care for him. One thing I got behind on was thank you cards. So here is one that will go out this week!

I saw this idea on someone else's blog. I saved the picture thinking it would have their name on it to give credit to but when I finally got to make it I found it had no name on it. So if you are the originator (or know who is) please let me know so I can give proper credit!

The vases are made with the oval punch. I cut a curve in the top and a flat bottom. I spritzed the vase with co-ordinating colors (since we do not have In Color markers). I then sponged the edges (of course ;) ). I used my Aqua-painter and Going Grey ink to make a shadow under the vases. I used various punches to make the flowers and the basic black marker to draw the stems.

Stamps: Heard From the Heart

Paper: Pacific Point, Kiwi Kiss, Tangerine Tango, Riding Hood Red, Whisper White

Ink: Real Red, Only Orange, Always Artichoke. Brilliant Blue, Pacific Point, Going Grey, Basic Black Marker

Accessories: Large Oval Punch, Spritzer, Boho Blossom Punch, 1/4" Circle Punch, Double Circle Punch, Aqua Painter. Riding hood Red Striped Grosgrain Ribbon

Thanksgiving Turkey

Today's Limited Use Challenge was to disguise a stamp or use it for something other than it was intended. So I took my petal stamp and used it as feathers for my colorful turkey. Doesn't he look sad? I think next week I will have to challenge myself to stay away from the Earth Elements family and maybe go at least one layer without sponging....don't think I will make it. Well, this was a fun card to do and I am looking forward to sending it to the party I made it for. I have so many family members and can only be one place for Thanksgiving. Oh and I did manage to use Cameo Coral (pink) in one of the feathers!!

Have a Great Weekend!!

Stamps: Watercolor Vine Jumbo Wheel, Pick a Petal, Holiday & Wishes

Paper: Ruby Red, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla

Ink: Ruby Red, Pumpkin Pie, Close to Cocoa, Really Rust, Cameo Coral, More Mustard, Chocolate Chip, Basic black marker for the eyes

Accessories: Big Shot, Top Note, Wide Oval Punch, Small Oval Punch, Double Circle Punch, Photo Corner Punch, Horizontal Slot Punch, Designer Label Punch, Twine

Caramel Apple Train

Today I was in a carmel apple color mode so that was set even before I saw the Ways to Use it Challenge. The challenge was to do something cracked. I love doing the cracked glass technique! First I stamped the train in Riding Hood Red and ran the Chocolate Chip marker around the edge before stamping on the card stock. Sometimes I rub the ink in the cracks of the glass and sometimes I do not. It seems I am going through a shabby look phase so I decided today I would. After I had cracked it I just ran the image over the ink pad and then wiped off the excess. This is a different fold card than what I usually do. I tried to get a good picture but the sun just would not cooperate today. I cut the Chocolate card the regular size and trimmed an inch off the top side. The Riding Hood Red is just a smaller version folded the opposite way. I used the twill on both of the backgrounds and did quite a bit of sponging (even the ribbon)...if only my fingers tasted like caramel apple :). For the sentiment I stamped in Riding Hood Red and then just went over Journey with the marker. I rubbed the brad in Chocolate Chip craft ink and dried with my heat gun. After it was dry I wiped off the top and the indented spots stayed.

Stamps: Happiness is a Journey, Twill Background

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Riding Hood Red, Very Vanilla

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Riding Hood Red

Accessories: Mat Pack for Piercing, Circle Brads, 1" Double Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, 5/8" Riding Hood Red Striped Grosgrain Ribbon

Techniques: Cracked Glass

Harvest Sketch

Today's sketch challenge was perfect for something I have been wanting to try. I have seen so many that have layered color on color to get a faux matted/embossed look. I am sure there is a technique name for it so let me know if you know what it is.

I stamped the gourds and leaves with Basic Brown and colored with re-inkers in the lids of the ink pads and Aquapainters. The leaves are popped up with pop up glue dots. Of course I had to sponge around the edges of the card front. Do you think I should of added a ribbon between the olive and tangerine card front?

Card details to be posted very soon!

Easy Boys Cards

I had a friend from church contact me about having her 3 boys (ages 6, 11 & 13) come over to make Thank you cards. I designed 3 very simple ones that they would be making by themselves. So these are the ones I came up with. I tried to keep it to 2 colors with a neutral, one stamp set each and one ink pad each. She wanted to keep the cost to a minimal so I left out the embellishments. My little kids always try to do the "wow" cards and get carried away. I wish sometimes they would take a step back to just do the simple.

edited to add: I was not happy with the first one so I took a redo and used the photo corner punch.

Stamps: Prehistoric Pals, Spot On Jumbo Wheel, Short and Sweet

Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Taken with Teal, Whisper White

Ink: Taken with Teal Accessories: Large Oval Punch, Small Oval Punch

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Stamps: Bronc Buster, Four Square

Paper: Handsome Hunter, Sage Shadow, Very Vanilla

Ink: Handsome Hunter Accessories: Scallop Square Punch

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Stamps: Winds of Grace, Think Happy Thoughts

Paper: Pacific Point, Baja Breeze, Whisper White

Ink: Baja Breeze Accessories: 1 1/4" Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch

Pages for Calendar

So I thought today I would post the pictures of the inside of the calendar I made. A picture can be put on each page. I designed each page to match the color of the month tab along the side. Again, I will be holding this class the first week of December. If you are interested please contact me RSVP must be by November 16th. Details for the outside can be found in the Calendar post. Each picture can be clicked to enlarge and will open in a new page.