Celebrate!

This weekend's challenges were (color from DCBD #178 and sketch from CCM.SC #6). I just found out a friend's birthday is on July 4! These colors are perfect for a patriotic birthday, don't you think? Again, I started going through my older stamps and found this balloon/celebrate stamp from the Tag Time set. It was perfect. I first punched out the scallop oval shape and used my new favorite tool (Stamp-a-majig) to line up the image. I then colored in the balloons with my red and blue markers. Next, I started building the card. I used the Real Red DSP from the Patterns Pack and punched out some stars. I had a hard time choosing which red ribbon to use since there are so many great ones, but finally decided on the 5/8" red because it fit the design the best. I finished it off with the star brads.

Hope you have a great day and thanks for looking!

A Vegas Shout Out!

I just returned from Vegas and had such a great time!!! I'd like to thank the Sunahara family (Debbie, Donna, and Mr. Sunahara; extended too!) for being the best. As I type this, I'm listening to my new Glee cd and thinking about our fabulous trip.

Diane, I'm toasting you with my next lemon drop!

Donna H, those cookies are great!

Janice and Ken, it was so great to meet you!

Helen, your jam is delicious - thank you!

Here are some shots to remember the great Roy's dinner...yum!

Happy APA Month!

I'm a little late, but just in time! It's May, so it is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. I wanted to do something to celebrate my Japanese side, so I broke out my Japanese stamps and this is the card I made. I used the Mojo Monday sketch (week 139) for the layout.

I originally stamped a crane on black cardstock, but it just didn't work with the origami paper I selected. So, I chose this fan image. I colored it in using Copic markers and colors from the origami paper and then lightly sprayed it with champagne mist (mixed with alcohol in a mister sprayer). I also used a Gold Signo pen to color in the cording on the fan.

I recently bought an i-top tool to make covered brads. I originally bought the wrong "brads", but just found the right ones and the punch at a scrapbooking store in Vegas. I was able to use it on this card and it worked so well! I'll have to practice a little though as it took me some time to get the finished piece out of the tool!

The stamped verse on the bottom says "Thank You". I'll probably use this to send to my Auntie in Japan :) Thanks for looking!

Stamps: Fan (Tagland 600) and Hippo Heart

Bella Birds - Beautiful Papers

I love the papers from the Bella Birds DSP pack. Each paper pack has a different feel and I think the Bella Birds has a very French feel - beautiful! I used the Card Patterns sketch 61 challenge - my new favorite sketch! I paired the paper with the Carte Postale stamp set. I used the square stamp, but popped out the round image in the middle with one of the circle punches. I used a couple punches to layer the image.

This sketch is also so great, you don't have to use much - just paper! I did use a clear jewel rhinestone brad in the middle of both of these, but I didn't use any ribbon! I think I'll be making a set of these for a friend's birthday gift.

Thanks for looking and have a great day!

My Own Color Challenge!

I am lucky enough to get to pick the color and sketch challenges for our SU! group. I look for challenges all week long and post for the weekend. Well, last week, I didn't see a color challenge that worked for me, so I came up with my own. I was exercising one night and happened to look at one of the stuffed animals we have in the basement. The colors just work! Do you all know the Bananas in Pajamas? We have one and Banana 1 became my color inspiration. I chose Ballet Blue, Yo Yo Yellow, Soft Suede, and Whisper White.

I thought it would be so easy. I was going to use one of my dog sets, but then got this idea of fish in a glass tank. I broke out my clear window sheets and cut one into the shape of a glass tank. I then started searching the blogs for the ornament punch fish that I've seen. I used a bunch of them as inspiration and came up with one blue and one yellow fish. I tore the Suede paper to make it look like a sandy bottom. I also used the spritzer tool with a Ballet Blue marker to spritz the white background to make it look a little more watery.

This is the finished product - I kinda like it! I hope you do too. Thanks for looking and have a great week!

Sweet Sunday Sketch and Sending Love

Wow, that sure is a lot of "S" words in that title! I saw the Sweet Sunday Sketch #67 and the flower reminded me of the Sending Love DSP flowers. I decided to break out the paper and use it for this challenge. I ended up using only the paper, ribbon, and a crystal brad; gotta love DSP where you can do that! I used the new flower punch - it makes such a beautiful flower! The end product was super easy and cute. I'll probably do more with this sketch!

Thanks for looking and have a great day!

Great Butterfly Layout!

I love this layout! I found it on Verve's site - VLVApr2010 Week 3. I wanted to use my Nouveau Chic DSP, so I started cutting it out to match the sketch design. I wanted a lighter setting for the butterfly, but wanted some interest to the piece. So, I sponged it with Apricot Appeal and then sprayed it with some platinum shimmer paint. I used a little mister and mixed alcohol and some drops of the platinum shimmer paint. It truly does make the nicest shimmery spray and because it is a mister, it doesn't spray a huge amount. It doesn't take too long to dry either. I'm not sure you can see it in this photo, but in person, it is just that little extra that fits the card. I was glad to finally be able to use some of my gray satin ribbon. I love that satin ribbon, but have found that I keep using the same four colors! The gray satin is very elegant; will have to find more uses for it!

Thanks for looking and have a great day!

Tall Tales - Makes It Easy!

I wanted to participate in Verve's sketch challenge (Week 1). I couldn't make up my mind which stamp set to use. So, I went to my beloved DSP. I haven't used Tall Tales in a while, so I took out the papers and got to work. This paper is really great - there is such a wide variety in this pack. I pulled several sheets and decided I wanted to use one of the sheets as the main focus. I didn't even have to stamp. I have the matching set, but I thought the paper was so pretty, I had to use it instead!

Thanks for looking and have a great day!

Happy Retirement!

One of my dear friends retired in December of last year. But, work has been so busy that they are just now getting around to having a retirement party! I've been meaning to make him a card but haven't yet. I just received the invitation to the party that will be held next week, so that helped push me to make it ;)

I used the Clean and Simple Fall To Layout 89 sketch with the Curtain Call Color Challenge Act 28. The colors from this challenge are great and just using a little Rose Red was perfect; the card has a more masculine feel. The sketch is perfect too. I've been meaning to break out my Seeing Stars stamp set and star punches. So, that's what I did.

This clean layout lends itself to so many possibilities. I wanted to keep it pretty simple though. I did use some of the linen thread and wrapped it around the main section about three or four times. I then punched a star brad around the thread.

I think this will be the perfect card; now, what to get as a gift?!?! Thanks for looking and Happy Monday!

One of my weekend challenge cards!

I've been thinking a lot about my older sets and remembered my Island Blossoms and how beautiful the flowers are from that set. So, I dusted it off and got to work. This weekend, our groups' challenges were from Repeat Impressions (Sketch M510) and the colourQ color (challenge #31).

It was hard to decide which flower stamps to use, but I decided on a couple. I decided to cut out the pieces so that they popped more. I tried to stamp and cut out the stamen piece, but it was too delicate to cut. So, I used the paper cutter and small round punch. I adhered with mini glue dots.

I really wanted matching blue ribbon, so I used my white satin ribbon and dragged it through the Brilliant Blue ink pad. What a mess I made! Wowza - next time, I'm wearing disposable gloves...

I love this sketch and these colors together - it just screams summer, no? Anyway, thanks for looking and have a great day!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all you mothers out there, whether they be two legged or four!

I saw this card a while ago and had to CASE it. I have looked high and low and can not find where I found it. If I CASEd your card, please let me know. I always like to give credit where it is due and I'll remedy on this entry if it is your creation. And thanks - loved this card so much!!!

I made the same card for both moms (mine and mother-in-law). I just changed the ribbon color. That satin ribbon is so beautiful and luxurious - it really makes everything look a little more elegant. I love that way it feels too! Ribbon is just too much fun :)

Anyway, hope everyone has a wonderful, wonderful day! TFL!

Happy Birthday, Sarah!

Happy Birthday Sarah! Enjoy all the good things and spoil yourself rotten today :) Love ya!

An Oldie But Goodie!

I've been meaning to use more of my older sets lately. I broke out my cat and dog sets this weekend and forgot about this adorable set Meow Meow. There are so many cute images in this set. I wanted to make a card using the Taylored Expressions sketch (#111), so I was a little limited in the size of the image. I decided on the kitty face - isn't she sweet? Love the kittehs...

I wanted fun colors for this card and broke out some older DSP. Since the sheet I found in my scrap bin wasn't with the original pack, I can't remember what the name of it is. But, I used my color coach and figured out which colors they were - so pretty: Lovely Lilac, Certainly Celery, Tempting Turquoise, and Positively Pink.

I found that some of the buttons in the newer packs match, so I used them. I'm loving the buttons lately! I think the edging is backwards on my card, but that's okay, right?

Happy Friday and have a great weekend!

Caterpillar Cute!

I have been wanting to use my Love Bug set for a while, but just haven't gotten around to it. Well, I finally got my chance :) I used the Stamping 411 sketch (SSC147) for this card. I wanted a lot of bright colors, so I decided to use my Razzleberry Lemonade DSP and markers to match.

It is kind of hard to color in such little details, but it was fun. I love this little caterpillar - so cute! I also used another stamp in the set to stamp a little background on the right side. The white space just looked too white, so I edged the side along the Melon Mambo ink pad. I'm not sure I like that effect with this card, but too late! ;) Next time, I think I'll spritz it instead.

Thanks for looking and have a great day!

Happy Name Day!

Today is my Mother-in-Law's Name Day. She's named after St. Irene.

I love Gretchen Barron's Inspiration in Action sketches. I used #26. I think it is an elegant sketch and the colors she used on her sketch helped me pick out with DSP to use! I used Porcelain Prints. I think this paper is so elegant and beautiful. My Mother-in-Law is very elegant and such a beautiful person (inside and out), that I wanted to match the card to her :)

I pulled the colors from the paper (Wild Wasabi, Blue Bayou, and River Rock). I used the set Petal Prints and chose one flower for the main image and cut it out. I stamped the piece behind the flower using the leaves stamp from that set.

You know, sometimes I wish I'd quit when I'm ahead. The card looked good to me as it was. I don't know why I thought it needed some Dazzling Diamonds! I think I took away from the elegance of the card with the DD, but it's now there to stay! Oh well, live and learn, right?

Thanks for looking and Happy Name Day to all the Irenes out there!

A Great Pairing

I miss the Walk In The Park DSP. It really is a great pairing with the Great Friend set. I decided to pull both out for the Limelight Papercrafts challenge #46. It's such a pretty sketch. The butterfly on the sketch just made it too easy for me to decide with set to use. So, I just sat down and went to work.

Thanks for looking and have a great day!

How Best To Glue Pieces?

I love the colors from the 4/27 Colour Q challenge! I just had to play along. I combined it with the Simply Sunday Sketch #10.

I first put the card together just as the sketch is laid out. But, because I didn't stamp any background stamps on the separate pieces, it just looked like too much empty space. Since I used the Pewter Jumbo Eyelet, I decided to pull out my retired Hodgepodge Hardware and match the eyelet with brads for the label. I started looking at the little paperclip looking pieces and decided that they would fill the empty space nicely. Well, they do, but I had a heck of time glueing them down. I think you can see a little of the glue, eventhough it is dried. :( If you have a good tip for glueing down things like this, please let me know! I'd be most grateful!

I used the Easy Elegance stamp set. I used my markers to color in the flower image and then stamped off twice. I like the way it looks and it fills in a lot of space!

Thanks for looking and have a great day!

Love That Fluffles!

I love my Fluffles stamps. I didn't realize that Stampendous had sketch challenges and happened upon this one. So, it gave me a great reason to break out a stamp and join in the fun! I thought this stamp was perfect for this sketch because of the size and shape. I might use it for my Anniversary card later this year!

I used the Sending Love DSP and matching cardstock and corduroy buttons. I didn't even use ribbon on this card - a rarity for me! I colored in the image with some Copic markers.

I love the stamp - it just makes me go "Awwwww!" Hope you like it too! Thanks for looking.

Crazy For Cupcakes!

I finally got to stamp this weekend - yay! I've done a lot of challenges, so lots to post.

This weekend, our color challenge was Rich Razzleberry, Kraft, Pale Plum, and Chocolate Chip. I chose the colors because I saw them on someone's blog and they were so pretty together. I don't think I recreated the feel of the card I saw as mine is not elegant! But, how can you not like a cupcake card? I used the Crazy for Cupcakes set.

For each piece of cardstock, I ran it through the Big Shot with a textured plate. You can't really see that effect though :(

I used the Chi-Chi Memories Sketch Challenge (#2). It was great because I got to break out my photo corners punch. I love that punch, but don't seem to use it much.

Thanks for looking and have a great day!