Tulips for Your Birthday

This was a fun card to color and design.

Over at The Outlawz message board, they have a freebie

every month for you to use and if you post a card using if you

will automatically get the image for the following month.

This is my first month playing along and our fabulous image

is from SheepSki Designs.

I colored this using my Copic markers and then did a little

detailing using PrismaColor pencils.  Something I have

learned from taking the monthly Livestream class from

Amy over at Vanilla Arts.  She is a fantastic teacher, I love her

approach to things. 

I knew right away when I saw this tulip border image

that I wanted to cut it out using the fancy frame die from Gina Marie dies.

I stamped the happy birthday using a Stampin Up stamp from the

Rose Wonder stamp set, added a few sequins and that is it.

Thanks for stopping by I hope you enjoyed my card.

Challenges entered

Aud Sentiments - Flower + Sentiment - ends 7/16

Crafting with Attitude - anything goes - ends 7/29

Cute Card Thursday - anything goes - ends 7/17

Little Miss Muffet - anything goes - ends 7/24

Sieze the Birthday - birthday option +sequin - ends 7/17

(CAS)E this Sketch

I play along this week at the

(CAS)E sketch challenge, I love CAS or clean and simple

but I often have a hard time with them. 

So I made this card following this sketch.

So out of my comfort zone but I am pleased with how it turned out.

I wanted to use the latest 4 Catherine Pooler inks that

just came out.  A couple of them actually came on in a previous

Stamp of Approval box, but they were just added to the store. 

I wish the colors would show up better in the picture.

The bottom circle are stamped in Grape Crush, the dots above it

in Limoncello and Be Mine.  The dotted line was stamping

using All Tha Jazz.  I love CP inks they are so vibrant and stamp perfectly. 

Maybe I can get more comfortable doing CAS cards if I practice them and make some more.

Spring Birthday - Distress Oxides

Hi, today I have a card to share with you that I created

following the sketch this week at

My Favorite Things Sketch Challenge.

Here is the sketch.

I thought this looked like a fun sketch to create.

I love to create my own background paper using various mediums

and lately, I got the urge to place with my Distress Oxides. 

So using some Bristol paper I made a piece of paper using Oxides

in Cracked Pistachio, Broken China, and Wilted Violet.

I love this combination of colors.  I made a larger piece so that I could

just cut off a panel for this card but still have the rest of the paper to use on another card.  

The colors reminded me of Easter but I didn't want to make an Easter

card because I probably would not use it as I don't send out

Easter cards.

The purple edge I made using one of my Fiskars punches.  The purple

circle is a Unity stamp that I stamped using Catherine Pooler

ink Sweet Sixteen and then hand cut it out.  The sentiment is

also a Unity stamp.  Cp inks are the greatest.

  The butterfly is from Stampin up that

is a 3 step stamp, so I used the same colors as I used on the panel.

Well I am just getting this one in under the wire at

MFT Sketch Challenge so I better get this posted.

Thanks for taking the time to stop by.

Challenge entered:

a2z Scrapbooking - anything goes - ends 3/31

A Inky Mess - anything goes with mixed media - ends 3/24

Always a Happy Birthday - Birthday anything goes - ends 3/30

Hello, today I have a couple cards to share with you 

that came from 2 different sheets of 

K & Company paper from the Floral Dreams stack.  This is one

of my favorite K&Company stacks. 

Here is the first of the two cards.

 I made this card following a sketch, so when I cut the two pieces

of background paper on an angle, I thought well I may as

well, make another card right way with the other 2 pieces.

This one I used a couple Gina K stamps, for the flowers and the sentiment.

I colored the flowers with my Copic markers and die cut them out

using a Spellbinder die.

And here is the second one using those leftover papers.

I stamped the flower using a Stampin Up stamp and

then colored it using my Zig Clean Color pens.  The flower and the

circle sentiment was cut using a Gina Marie die.

I really like the way both of these turned out.  I am thinking this may be a great

idea to mass produce some Christmas cards this year.  I think I may

have to make a couple soon so I don't forget.

Thanks for stopping to take a peak.

Wedding Wishes & Love

Hi, I am excited to share this card with you but more so

for the reason behind it.

My son lives in Colorado and I live in Arizona so I don't

get to see him very often.  He did surprise us and show up

for Thanksgiving along with his fiance, we just love her and she

makes my son very happy.  I had to make them a special card for

their wedding.

 I created following the sketch this week over

at Die Cutting Divas.  I flipped the center piece but otherwise

followed the sketch.

It is a half size card or an 8 1/2 by 11 cardstock folded in half so

it is a larger card. I cut the loopy center oval using a Gina Marie die, then layered a plain oval cut from pearl linen paper. 

I struggled so long to figure out what I wanted to put in the center, then 

I saw this heart cut with the swirls using the Wall Decor Cricut cartridge and my Explore.  Then I cut the word love also with my Explore, both the swirls and the love are cut from gold mirror paper.  So hard to take a good picture of this

kind of paper, but this card is beautiful in person.  The top paper is a very pretty pearl paper that is embossed, I got it from the single sheets at Michaels.

The sentiment is also a die cut and is stamped using a Stampin Up stamp and heat embossed in gold.  The bottom strip of paper is also from Michaels single sheets and is very sparkly and glittery. 

So with all this sparkle & shine and love, this card also fits into

this month's Power & Sparkle Challenge over at the Power Poppy blog.

I just have to finish up the inside of this card and then it will be already to hand deliver to them at their wedding Colorado.

Thanks for taking the time to stop by, have a great week.

Challenges entered:

Die Cuttin Divas -  sketch must have a die cut - ends 2/12

Power & Spark - Love and/or Sparkle - ends 2/28

A Gem of a Challenge - Have a Heart - end 2/15

All Sorts Challenge - Love is in the Air - ends 2/15

Crafty Calendar Challenge - 2 or more layers - ends 2/28

Snowman Christmas

Hi, it's time again for the next Bugaboo Crafty Challenge

over at the Crafting Circle.

This month I chose to work with this cute snowman from

Bugaboo images who is the sponsor of this challenge. 

I printed him out on kraft paper and then colored him with my Prisma Pencils.

I cut an oval from the red paper using the GinaMarie die inside/out oval. 

I embossed it with snowflake embossing  folder the place it over the 

snowman so it was like a window.

I cut the label using a Spellbinder die then stamped the Merry Christmas

with a Stampin Up stamp and ran some snowflake ribbon through the

holes on the ends of the die cut.

I was sent some pencils sharpeners from MAPED to test out, although

most and geared towards school I wanted to see how they worked with

Prismas because they can be difficult to sharpen.  I am happy to report

the one I used with the eraser attached worked great with the pencils.

Be sure can check out all the cool products they have HERE.

My 6 year-old granddaughter was sitting here on my desk,

yes I said ON my desk (her favorite place to be) when I clicked over to

the MAPED website to get the link and oh boy she went wild

when she saw all the stuff.  She saw these pens

and said "Oh Nana can we order these on-line" I had to

laugh at such a different world now these kids live in.
You can order it HERE

So head on over to the CraftingCircle and color up some Bugaboo

images and join in the fun.  You will have till November 14th to join in.

And remember Bugaboo has a Friday Freebie every week. 

Variety of cards using inks & Water

Hi, I been busy playing around with my inks and

various mediums and water to see what I could come up with.

I will share several cards here instead of doing a bunch of 

different posts.

Over at StampNation they are having a challenge that is

"just add water" well that was perfect for me to  play with

inks and water.

This first card I used Catherine Pooler inks in the colors

Mint to Be and Pixie Dust for the background.

I sponged the colors on a piece of watercolor paper but

was not too happy with it so I thought what the heck and I 

told my water bottle and sprayed it and wow I loved the

effect that made.  This card was actually made following

a sketch over at the Unity Show & Tell Facebook page.

I stamped the flower from Unity Stamps and then I took my waterbrush and added a little more color to the flower. 

The next card is using another Unity Stamp.  

I tried the loose or messing coloring then sprayed it with water and let the water move the color around.  I was not really happy with it till I cut it out with a GinaMarie die and then mounted it on a coral colored paper.

OK, and up next is another watercolor background plus

using a stencil to pick some of the color back up using water.  I

stamped the peacock, from the Naturally Inspired using various Catherine Pooler inks and mounted it on a die count out also from the Naturally Inspired collection. 

And last but not least I attempted the no-line watercoloring technique.

I love this rose stamp from Stampin Up and thought it was simple enough to try 

the no-line technique.  In the end I outlined the rose with a 

color glitter pen and it looks real pretty in person.

Well that is it for today, I sure hope you enjoy all my card, 

let me know what you think and which is your favorite one.

Challenges entered:

Crafty Sentiments - anything goes - ends 10/9

Creates & Makes - anything goes - ends 10/30

Digi Choosday - anything goes - ends 10/17

Christmas JOY

Ok, I am really running against the clock on this one.

I made this card following the sketch over at 

Retro Rubber Challenge where you have to use an older

rubber stamp.  The Joy stamp is from a 2000 Stampin Up

set.

I stamped it with VersaMark ink and then heat embossed with
Brutus/Monroe Alabaster embossing powder.
I LOVE this embossing powder, some of the best I have used.  It covers
very well and heats/melts quickly and evenly.
I flipped the sketch on it's side and using some glitter paper
 added some strips.  The background paper is from a
Christmas paper stack from Michaels a couple years ago.

Well, that is it, thanks for stopping by.

Challenges entered:

Retro Rubber Challenge - sketch/use rubber stamp  ends 12/2
Time Out Challenge - Anything goes Christmas  glitter/sparkle ends 12/6
Moving Along with the times -  Anything goes Christmas ends 12/6
Crafting with Attitude - Anything goes ends 12/24
CCEE Stampers - Color Red

Thinking of You

I have a super quick card to share today.

I recently got a bunch of new Stampin Up stamp sets

and got a few that had some textures and backgrounds.

This card was made using the "You Got This" set.

It was all stamped using Distress Inks.  The background stamp I inked up

and stamped off and then stamped so it would be lighter.

The flowers I colored using my waterbrush and

Distress Inks.    The stamp is a Stampin Up stamp.

Thanks for stopping by would love to read you comments.

This will be in the following challenges

Crafting Desert Divas - In the Garden

Simon Says Stamp - Anything goes

Craft you Passion - Anything goes

A Sunflower Birthday

Hi, it's been a few days so I thought I would post another card I made.

This has a Fall look to it, I know I know we haven't even gotten

to Summer yet lol.

This is a Stampin Up stamp from quite a few years ago.

I colored it using my Prisma and Inktense pencils.  I just recently

got my Inktense pencils and wanted to try them out.  I really like

them, the colors are very vibrant.

The metal sunflower I had bought a long time ago and finally

got to use it.

Well thanks for stopping by, back in a few days with another post.

Have a great night. 

A Simple Male Card

Hi, hope everyone's weekend is off to a great start.

I have a simple masculine card to share with you

today, I know sometimes they can be difficult to do.

The sentiment is stamped with a Stampin Up stamp from the

Happy Birthday Everyone set.

You really can't see it too well but the small square along the side are cutting using my new  Cottage Cutz stitched dies and the center one is

a Gina Marie die.  Then added some enamel embellishments from 

Cloud 9 Designs.

Thanks for coming and taking a look at my card.

Watercolor Butterfly

I am so excited I made a card today!!!!!!!!

I feel like it has been a long time since I actually made a card.

The other day I was messing around with my Stampin Up

set Watercolor Wings which also has matching die set.

I stamped the butterfly in 3 steps (3 stamps) using Kaleidcolor Ink Pad

Pastel, to give a watercolor look.  If you are not familiar with them they have 5 different colors in one ink pad.  

I was so surprised when I pulled it out that it actually 

still had ink since I have had it for 15+ years.  

After stamping it I cut it with the matching die.

Then I just layered papers in colors from the butterfly and

embossed the pink layer with a butterfly embossing folder to add some
texture to this card.  

You can't see it in the picture but the pink is sparkley cause

I misted it with some homemade glimmer mist I have.

The sentiment is a GinaK Design stamp. 

Here the butterfly close up.

I created this card following one of the sketches on the Crafting Circle message board for the March Monthly Sketch Challenge so you have lots of time to join in if you choose to.

I will also enter this in the challenges at

Pink and Main - Spring Theme 

Simon Says Stamping - Touchy Feely

I

Thanks for stopping by, hopefully will post a couple more cards in a few days.

Pretty Butterfly

Hi, I have a pretty  card to share with you today.

I saw this on Pinterest and just had to try it.

I just happen to have the Stampin Up butterfly she used

but it can be done with any dies.

I just love how striking this looks. 

The butterfly is still attached to the base in the center.
You have to put your die on the paper then just line up the cutting plates on your Big Shot or Cuttlebug to just before the center or body of the butterfly.  Then holding the die in place on your paper line up the cutting plates over the other side or other wing still leaving the body outside of the plates and run it through again.  You should end up with a butterfly with it wings cut out and the body still attached to the paper.
I went ahead and cut out another butterfly out of holographic paper just so I could have that pretty paper on top.  I used my corner punch then tucked my paper underneath.
Thanks for stopping by and hope you like my card.  

Pretty butterfly card

Hi, today I have a card to share with you that I made following

the sketch this week at Tuesday Morning Sketches.  Although

I have not done them for quite some time I do love following

a sketch to create a card.

I love the soft colors and how this turned out.

I made the background paper after watching a video

on You Tube from Deanna Paper Crafts.

The butterfly is a Stampin Up stamp that I stamped on watercolor paper and then colored using my Distress Ink pads.

I cut the lacy circle using my Explore and the Sophie cartridge.

This is also one of the sketches for the current challenge going on

at the CraftingCircle message board.  Got till the end

of the month so come on over and play along

Miracle of Christmas Card

This came out so wonderful, I just wish that the colors would have shown up better.  I made it following one of sketches this week at RAQs Challenge on the Circut message board, and boy lining up all those squares truly was a challenge.

The blue background star paper was from a Winter stack that I got at Wal-Mart a couple of years ago.  I don't know about your but the three Wal-Marts in my area really seem to be scaling down there scrapbooking area.  Well I cut the star paper into 1 1/2 inch squares.  I tired my best to get them straight and spaced the same, I did OK for the most part.  The center scalloped ovals were cut from A Child's Year cartridge and measure about 3 1/2 inches.  The papers are so pretty the center is actually a very very dark blue pearlescent metallic that I get from Paper and More and so it the lighter blue behind it.  They have fabulous papers, they are so pretty, try their sample packs they ship for just a $1 and super fast.  Well the imagine is the center is from an older Stampin Up Christmas set that I stamped and embossed with a pearl embossing powder.  The sentiment on the bottom is from that Stampin Up set.

I pop dotted each layer.  Someone on the message board said that with the paper I used it made it look like a night sky window looking outside.    And I also did the inside very simply.

Thanks for stopping by and would love it if you left a comment.  I love reading what everyone has to say.

A Southwestern Birthday Card

Finally, my husband has been after me to make a southwestern card since we live in the Southwest.  I had bought this Paper Wishes background paper with the intention to make just such a card and I have had the Stampin Up set for years so it all worked together well.  The card also works for a couple of challenges.  It is built around one of the sketches this week for RAQs Challenge on the Cricut message board.  

I made this card for my older brothers birthday coming up later this month.  He lives in California and just loves to come here and visit our desert so I made this with him in mind.  So with that said it fits into the theme of the Cricut Couple's  Anniversary challenge.  You were to make a card for someone you love (yeah I guess I love my older brother)he teased the heck out of me when we were little and he STILL does when he comes to visit! LOL
The Happy Birthday is cut and shadowed from Martha Stewart Cake Art Cartridge, I love her Cake Art cartridges great images.  Although the bottom border is on one of the cartridges I used the punch to cut it out.  I stamped the "characters" with Versamark watermark on brown paper and then heat embossed them with clear powder and cut them out.  A couple of them are pop dotted.  Here is a close up

I just love the colors of this together, the turquoise on the back is Core'Dinations paper And the pattern on the background paper makes it look 3 dimensional.  Thanks for looking and would love to hear your comments. 

Black & White with a splash of Red

This card is so much prettier in person.  I made this card following one of the Sketches at RAQs Challenge, the extra crediy was to do one card with black & white and a splash of color.  I always think red goes well with black & white, and the red I used is a very deep pearl metallic like red.  Paper and More has some great papers check them out, try their sample packs to see the colors and weigh of the papers.  The white is a also a pearl linen white paper that is very pretty.  The flower and border at the top is cut from Elegant Cakes cartridge.  The border across the top was made using a border from Elegant Cakes that I duplicated flip and welded together using my Gypsy, I think it came out pretty cool and elegant looking.  I added some red bling flowers to the center spaces of the border.  Happy birthday is a Stampin Up stamp that I heat embossed with a detailed white embossing powder.  The card size is 5 by 6 1/2 which I think is a great size for a card.  I did kind of mess up on one part, I put the ribbon across the card and meant to tye a piece of clear thread around where I was going to put the bow so that it looks like it was tied there, but I forgot so the bottom of the ribbon shows under the bow, oops!

Overall I think the card came out great, thanks.