Musings from the Button Box

One Last Valentine for 2012...SNIFF!

2012-02-12T09:54:00.001-05:00

It is a very good thing I started my Valentines early this year. As the day draws closer, I've not been able to get my mind back into the creative mode. My DH has been having some health issues so he has been my focus. My grandkids are actually gettingr store-bought cards....eeek!! A first but I bet my 5 year granddaughter will love it for a change, so I don't feel so bad. It's sorta like the child who wants a store-bought Halloween costume after sporting beautiful mommy-made ones! Been there a few years back so I feel well prepared.

Here's the last of the cards I got made before chaos reigned in our house:

The Tilda was from a swap I participated in recently. The lovely kraft/damask print and newsprint cardstock are from Canvas Corp. The large red heart was cut with my Cricut. Ribbon is my signature fav by May Arts. The greeting inside the easel card was cut with Spellbinders and a coordinating stamp set.

I'm entering this is the following challenges:

All That Scraps - Anything Goes, ends 2/14

Fantabulous Cricut Challenge - - Use a Cricut Heart ends 2/12

Valentine Freebie

2012-02-09T13:09:00.001-05:00

Wow! The joy of pinning on Pinterest is amazing...and look at the freebie I just found for my readers:

Be sure to stop over to Vintage Indie to grab your own sheet of these fun vintage Valentines!

Hero Arts Digital Freebie

2012-02-08T21:45:00.000-05:00

Just in time for Valentine's Day Hero Arts is giving away for free this cool set:

To get yours run quickly to Papercrafts Magazine to snag yours1

Maggie Card Swap

2012-01-31T14:13:00.000-05:00

I belong to a sweet little group on Yahoo Groups that likes to exchange kits to make cards and pre-made cards. This month's card swap theme is "Wouldn't It Be Loverly", a Valentine theme I suppose. Here's a photo of the card I made my partner, Beth...

This was a lot of fun! Little did I know when I was using my yummy bag of printed kraft pieces that these were actually scraps from a new line of card stock by Canvas Corp. I'm seeing it around now and at sneak peeks from CHA this week! Also used a number of Cricut cartridges for the hearts and my ever-growing supply of Copics for coloring, then tossed in some red Stickles and slathered things with Ranger Glossy Accents. There was also a generous amount of antiquing going on with various Colorbox stamp pads. Oh, and the most fun item is the little paper piecing I used on Edwin's overalls...that's more from the scrap pack by Canvas Corp I purchased at A.C. Moore. The ivory rose was snipped from trim purchased on eBay long ago. The trinket pin is by Maya Road with a little addition of a red glass crystal I glued in place with a small dab of Glossy Accents (that stuff is amazing and love it's "multipurpose-ness"!) I used Spellbinder's lacy square for the interior. The awesome black & ivory check ribbon is from a spool I won at May Arts...lucky me! Here are a few more close-ups for you to see:

Guess what? It's an easel card!

Tilda Valentine Challenge

2012-01-25T12:09:00.002-05:00

Magnolia-licious is having a Valentine challenge. Be sure to check it out. Here's a look at my entry...

Notice I split the easel card base so the top of my heart shows! Be sure to check out the details below about my Tilda and Edwin image.

I used distressing & antiquing on the card and pop dots to lift the large heart off the base for some fun dimension.

I came across a tiny heart print cardstock in one of those scrap packs at my local craft store and knew I had to do a paperpiecing on my Edwin overalls. I also used the same print on Tilda's pocket. Edwins patches and pockets were colored with a Copic marker. I love the result...those hearts are the perfect size for this technique. By the way, all I did was stamp the image on the red heart cardstock and fussy cut and glued over my image used here. Easy peasy!

I made all the heart embellies on the card with my Cricut using hearts from the Plantin Schoolbook cartridge. The red heart window was a double cut of the same hearts, created using Cricut's Design Studio and my laptop. I pop-dotted the red frame over a black and kraft heart base, which I cut using the larger outer heart so they would match up perfectly. "I & U" were cut using "All Mixed Up". To give them more zing I highlighted the heart edges with Colorbox Frosted White stamp pad, added a layer of red Stickles, and slathered with Ranger's Glossy Accents. A heart-shaped faux crystal was added from my stash.

Here are the ingredients for my little recipe. (Oops - am showing the negative of the letters I used.)

I also plan to enter this card in the following challenges:
Just Magnolia and Hanglar Stanglar "Window" challenge. Hurry...this one ends Jan. 25th!

Mojo Back at Last!!

2012-01-23T11:49:00.000-05:00

I have been in a recovery period since Christmas and finally have some mojo back and have been spending time in my studio making Valentine cards.

I LOVED this Valentine card so much last year that I thought I'd see how many I could make to sell in my Etsy.com store. It has been ages since I listed anything there also but am at up for a test to see how the economy is doing for handmade papercrafts. I even sat down and remade my logo to finally match my name.

The buttons are from a huge tin my mother gifted me of many years ago. My sister always got mom's heirloom jewelry, etc. and I got a tin of buttons, tarnished silverplate, and the like. Gotta love those two, they always took such good care of me! Anyway, I have always marveled at how bottomless that tin has been and how metaphoric is was for my life so when I sat down to create my blog it came to mind, hence my blog name..."Musings from the Button Box".

I hope you've enjoyed my little bit of family history and will check out my listings on Esty.com and stop back soon.

I have a number of Magnolia Valentines to post and enter in challenges this week.

A Fun, Funny Cupcake Tutorial

2012-01-18T19:46:00.003-05:00

I found this a while back and LOVE this zany gal and her family. Check it out, Someday, I'm going to make one of these yummy paper cupcakes!

LOTV Blog Candy

2012-01-14T09:28:00.000-05:00

Woohoo...this is blogging worthy! LOTV is giving away 12, yes twelve, images in their candy that ends tomorrow. So...hurry over NOW and enter your name. I did!

New Year's resolution: get some LOTV this year!!

HAPPY NeW YeAr!

2011-12-30T06:16:00.005-05:00

In celebration of the New Year I thought a look back at some of my favorite projects of the past would be fun. If you like what you see, please be sure to click on the left column to follow and visit me again in 2012!

Enveloboxes!

2011-12-29T20:57:00.004-05:00

Forgive me mother for it has been many days since my last post! Christmas came and went and we are on the horizon of a NEW YEAR so I thought I post this fun tidbit as one of my last posts of the year. If you hurry over to Tracy's blog, she is giving a lucky winner 25 of these wonderful creations on January 2nd.

Wowza! You have to run check them out:

A Winterthur Christmas

2011-12-13T12:28:00.009-05:00

Joy of joys!!!! There is no place like Winterthur for stepping back in time at Christmas. Last week, my pal Bonnie and I did just that...we had a fun morning touring this wonderful mansion which was home to the Henry Francis duPont family. The mansion and grounds are located in Greenville, Delaware which is truly the most beautiful place one would have ever been blessed enough to call home. I certainly did my share of dreaming that morning when Bonnie & I toured the mansion that had been decked in Christmas finery, we toured with just two other visitors. It was a real treat to have such a small intimate group with our knowledgeable docent, Ginny.

Here is the first thing I saw that caught my paper-crafting eye...

©Bonnie L. Campbell photos, Images in Time

Layers of creamy white paper cones, embellished with pearl dots along the edges make beautiful Christmas trees!

Here is the family's living room...ahhhh, and note the hand-painted Chinese wallpaper. Mr. duPont bull-nosed the ceiling edges to accommodate the wallpaper which arrived a little too long to fit the walls. It is an amazing result! Thank goodness for benefactors like this who have preserved our history. This place is worth a vacation to this area alone but write me if you do and I'll share more jewels you'll want to see when you come.

©Bonnie L. Campbell photos, Images in Time

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Tim's 12 Tags of Christmas

2011-12-06T08:08:00.003-05:00

I happened across Tim Holtz wonderful blog of Christmas tags this morning and wanted to share a link so everyone can visit and marvel at his talent! Check out the blog by clicking HERE.

Here's a peek at my favorite tag by Tim...

Be sure to check out the video and complete tutorial on the blog too! I love all the "layers" of technique but am especially drawn to the crackling on the snowman. You'll love it!!

Sepia Tone Copic Tutorial

2011-11-16T10:52:00.005-05:00

I happened across a most worthwhile post by a fellow Maggie lover and blogger, Penni. She has a wonderful video tutorial for coloring sepia tones with Copic markers that's worth a gander. Check out her video at http://lazycatscards.blogspot.com/2011/11/card-and-video.html or by clicking her name above. Then, send me a photo of your sepia-tone Maggie and I'll post it on my blog.
Keep eyes posted here to see my version soon...not sure I have all the E-Copics needed for her method but we'll see what I can do.

OWH Veterans Day Blog Hop and Hero Arts

2011-11-11T20:03:00.005-05:00

The nice folks at Hero Arts are asking cardmakers to submit cards for OWH. As an incentive they are giving away an awesome prize of new stamps made in collaboration with OWH! If you'd like to join the fun check links in the post below or visitHero Arts blog or upload photos at Hero Arts Flickr Group by November 14th.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Operation Write Home! Whenever I feel like I need to energize my creative batteries I sit down and make a few cards for them. I feel like it's my little way of giving back to those who sacrifice so much for us. Thank you, veterans everywhere...especially my uncles, friends, and father who passed away in 1987. Bless you all!!

Here's my card...

OWH Veterans Day Blog Hop 11-11-11

2011-11-09T11:48:00.006-05:00

OWH is having a blog hop in honor of our veterans. Be sure to check it out this Friday! The hop features 11 of the biggies in papercrafting: Ranger, Prima, Basic Grey, Tombow, Tonic, Studio Calico, Hero Arts, Copic, Sizzix, SRM Stickers and May Arts. Sounds like lots of fun so go ahead and hop on over to the Stars and Stamps blog to begin.

Check out the fun and prizes!

Lots of Good News

2011-10-30T09:36:00.007-04:00

Our beautiful new little grandson arrived October 19th. Such a lucky little boy to have two wonderful parents. Congrats kids!

His artwork was finished just in time too. Daddy and I hung it while Mommy directed and baby looked on. It worked out perfectly with the beautiful mural in the room.
Take a peek...

My cool ghoul Edwin made top honors at ABC Design Team's Challenge. Check it out and stop back for the new Christmas challenge that begins November 6th.

Hero Arts Holiday Card Challenge

2011-10-27T19:30:00.008-04:00

This fun was a simple card to make but looks so elegant! I'm looking forward to making more of these for this year's batch of special handmade Christmas cards.

Hero Arts challenged us to make a holiday card with a non-holiday stamp. I chose my Blossom Art set of clear stamps and used only the leaf to create this wonderful poinsettia flower. I stamped and heat embossed 7 petals in silver on white vellum and fussy cut. I found it easiest to glue the petals to a punched green Bazzill CS star with Glossy Accents. A punched hole made quick work of assembling the poinsettia with a yellow crystal brad center.

The background is layers of: recycled corrugated cardboard; cream cardstock which was stamped using MS sentiments in aqua & clear heat embossed, 2 faux crystals separate words; 4.125" green Bazzill cs; 4" Pink Paislee Butterfly Garden dp were pop-dotted for some fun dimension; and finished with a tie of aqua netting.

Be sure to check out the fun, upcoming Hero Arts Challenges and Hero Arts Flickr group.

New Snippet of Willabee's Art Project...

2011-10-18T16:56:00.001-04:00

We're counting down the days now. Little Mr. A is due to make his debut on 10/22 but you know how those things go. Here's more of his triptych I created...this is part of the center panel. It's my own creation made of sewn layers of felt, fabric bonded to cardstock, with cardstock eyes, that have pupils on layers of chipboard that were coated with Glossy Accents. The feel were done the same.

At the 11'th hour I repainted the tree to make it match his room a little better. It is now more caramel and less red.

The ground of each panel is canvas sheets painted with acrylics. I hope he likes it!

Here's the completed middle panel...

The photo was taken under the glass so forgive the glare!

Edwin's Halloween Treat Challenges

2011-10-14T14:52:00.010-04:00

Hi fellow crafters and Tilda fans! Today, I'm posting a treat bag/box made of painted and distressed wood. I hope you enjoy.

You can barely see the moon-colored cardstock, black & corrugated layers under all that goodness!

Glossy Accents were added to button & eyes.

Bats on curled wire are on chipboard base with a coat of black Stickles and Glossy Accents.

I used the masking technique on the jack-o-lantern!

Check out that weathered wood treatment!

I began with a wood handled shopping bag purchased from the craft store for $1 (I love bargains) which I painted with 2 coats pumpkiny caramel brown (sand lightly between coats), a fairly thick coat of Decoarts Weathered Wood crackling compound, then finally black acrylic paint and a spray coat of clear matte. I love the affect and almost didn't want to cover over it!

I used a handpunched round of glittery cardstock for the moon backdrop to my little Edwin vampire. I only have 2 Edwins and they are both Halloween stamps...my personal favs! The sentiment is a Stampendous cling stamp.

I used lots of Copic markers coloring Edwin in spite of his fairly simple coloration. The clothes, shoes, and hair used: C1, C3, C5, N7. For his deadly pallor I used: E000, E50, V000, RV000, RV02, V02. The jack-o-lantern used: Y04, Y07, YR21, G20, Y17, G82 and that's about it!
I'd like to enter my box in the following challenges:

Magnolia Down Under #117 Halloween, ends 10/14
ABC DT - Pumpkin Challenge (10/22)
(10/22)
Magnolia Stamp Lovers Fall Challenge (10/22)
Hooked on Crafts Anything But A Card (10/15)

7 Kids Kollege Fund Halloween (10/25)

Simon Says Halloween Challenge (10/18)

Another Sneak Peak...

2011-10-12T22:59:00.007-04:00

With all the Tilda Christmas stamp hubbub, I've forgotten to post snippets of the tryptic I've been making for my new grandson who will be arriving any day now.

Here's a better close up of the leaves...thank you Cricut and Design Studio for the outer leaf. I used the Accent Essentials cartridge but made the leaf wider using Design Studio. The inner portion is fabric I cut to fit inside the leaf and backed with Stitch Witchery backed card stock. I lost count at 70+ leaves.

Here's the completed first 16" x 20" mixed media, canvas panel...

Magnolia Tilda Sweet Christmas Dreams Collection for 2011

2011-10-10T23:13:00.005-04:00

I visited a few stores tonight that are taking preorders for the new Tilda Sweet Christmas Dreams collection. If you have a chance be sure to check out all the new stamps. Here are a few online stores in the USA that began taking preorders today:
Stamping and Scrapping

Stamp and Create (shipping now so I ordered Tucked Tilda in a stocking and Halo Tilda Angel)

Tilda's Town (free shipping - preorders)

Have fun and drop me a comment with what you'll be buying...it might help me decide what to get!

Magnolia Sweet Christmas Dreams Collection for 2011

2011-10-07T20:01:00.005-04:00

I found it at last! I've looked for days and am thrilled to finally be able to post this. It turned up on a Facebook group.

This photo seems to be missing some of the stamps in the club kit like the angel and all the sentiments, mini, and santa hats. Maybe the photo is not the complete issue or those missing items are exclusive to the club kit. I'm really not sure, sorry!

Don't you love the ice skater and the Tilda in a stocking?? I've slowed up buying these because they've gotten so pricey but might have to break down and buy just one!

Bitz-N-Pieces

2011-10-06T07:52:00.006-04:00

I was enjoying a little a.m. time at the Magnolia Facebook page and came across a scrumptious card. Soon I plan to put this cake and candles card tutorial to good use and make one of these for my granddaughter's fifth birthday.

Here's another sneak peak at the mixed-media artwork for my grandson-2-be's (also affectionately known as "Willabee") nursery...

I'm in overdrive...the little fellow will be here very soon! This is my 2nd go-round on making leaves. The first batch were too small so the Cricut and I spent all day yesterday cutting leaves in fabric, Wonder Under, white cardstock and colored Bazzill cardstock. I hated to do them all over again since it took over 70 to complete but am soooo happy with the end result!

Check back for more snippets and a baby pic someday too!

Magnolia Tilda Sweet Christmas Dreams Collection for 2011

2011-10-05T10:24:00.009-04:00

The stamping world is buzzing over the release of Magnolia's Sweet Dreams Christmas Collection for 2011! Two days ago I happened across a black and white of the collection and failed to copy a link so I could get back. Since then, I have spent hours scouring the internet to no avail! If you come across it, please send me an email with the link or a copy at rba0422@gmail.com

Luck was on my side when I came across a blog post with a photo of the club collection, which just started arriving in mailboxes across the USA.

As always, the club collection has fewer stamps than the main release so we still have great anticipation! The stamp in my color photo above and the little ice skater didn't show up in the club collection which should give you an idea of what is to come soon. I'm really looking forward to seeing the full release!

In my search I found some great links to share:
Tina's Blog of amazing Tilda cards...and how the heck did she get the collection so quick?

This gal's blog has one of the cutest stamps I've happened across from the new collection. Check out this sweet ice skater! I found the blogs listed on her margins to be amazing also. Inquiring minds want to know where this lucky person got this image!

Guess you'll also want to visit Shop Bron's website too.

Halloween Treat Box - Bella BLVD Style!!

2011-09-26T08:00:00.007-04:00

Well, it is officially Fall in the USA and nothing makes me feel it more than thinking HALLOWEEN! Check out one of my first project of the season...

I made this for my great niece's birthday gift this past weekend. I tucked a spot of cash, a bunch of Halloween pencils and a treat inside for this sweet little first grader. Wish I could be there when she goes shopping with her loot!

This cool pencil box was a gift from the kind folks at Bella BLVD. (I commented on their Facebook page during the last CHA and was the lucky winner of their giveaway.) Don't you just love this cute collection by Bella BLVD...it's called "Too Cute To Spook"?!! The cute little vampire came from the $1 bin of rubberstamps at my local Michaels store. I intended to give him a nice little Hero Arts haunted house but it ended up looking best punched and added to a spot of scalloped corrugated cardstock over some fun layers of black eyelash yarn and Cuttlebug stars and gems.

The kit I was sent was pre-cut so it took some doing to make this into my own version but I rather like the way it worked out. I colored the corners of the white cigar box with Memento tuxedo black with a little help from a black Copic marker. All the parts were antiqued with black too, black cardstock bottoms were added inside and out. I used the piece intended for the bottom on the back side (flip side with orange skulls & stripes showing) and beneath the "open at your own risk stamp. It was a challenge to make my own unique treasure with pre-cut pieces but I love the way it turned out!

Well, I'm running off to leave some love for Bella BLVD and enter my fun project in The Lily Pad's bling challenge. They say the challenge is for cards but since their DT made tags, I thought I'd give my box a go and see what happens!

Back to Reality...

2011-09-25T10:12:00.006-04:00

Sorry about the unexplained hiatus! We've been on vacation in this household and tying up some loose ends from the end of another summer rental season as well as beginning some exciting new projects.

We had a wonderful stay at the Wyndham in the Smoky Mountain town of Sevierville! My DH, sister and 7 aunts and uncles from Ohio met for a week-long stay enjoying a great visit. Save for the long drive from Delaware everything was perfect including the weather...nothing like Fall in the mountains. We only had one day of rain and it was still warm enough to swim and enjoy the hot tub. Our resort was terrific and even had a putt-putt range. The family surprised us with a wonderful grandparent version of a baby shower...the surprise was even grander when were able to Skype the event with the expectant parents...our son, Justin and his wife, Michelle. What a terrific family we have!!

My next-door neighbor for the week was a well-equipped cardmaker judging from the bag of rubber I spied sitting on the windowsill! I had to refrain from knocking on the door to ask to join the fun :) So...if you were the party occupying room 1533...send me a hello!

Getting back home meant fullfilling a promise to my darling DIL who is expecting our first grandson next month! I have three 16" x 20" canvasses to make into a mixed media triptych of art for above the baby's crib. I'll post snippets from time to time over the next week so you can see it take shape. I hope the kids like it! I love the color scheme Michelle chose and had fun finding a few fabrics that match the baby's comforter to incorporate into my masterpiece. HA!

Have a great Sunday and stop by again soon...

Zippered Card Tutorial

2011-09-05T11:02:00.003-04:00

Okay, so this isn't my card just yet but I thought it was such a cute idea. I just had to share a photo and a link!

The directions for this card can be found at Market Street Stamps and it looks like so much fun! I'd love to try this for a few special cards I tuck in to my never-ending box destined for OWH. It would also make a perfect Christmas money holder or giftcard holder too! I hope you'll give it a try soon.

Woohoo...Top 5 Badge at All That Scraps

2011-08-30T14:31:00.003-04:00

I goofed on the end date for the Hot, Hot Days of Summer Challenge over at All That Scraps then along came an earthquake and a hurricane named Irene and I almost forgot to stop back entirely. So...imagine my surprise when I stopped over just now and see my cute little Pirate Tilda stairstep card sitting beneath top winner (and uber talented) Debbie Dolphin! In case I forget here it is again:

Stop back again soon to see what's new!

Call for Submissions

2011-08-26T05:00:00.000-04:00

When it rains, it pours...eh, not such a good analogy as we are awaiting the arrival of hurricane Irene here on the East Coast but appropriate since this is my second post this week about magazine submissions!

Well, Paper Crafts magazine has a call out for submissions based on a couple sketches for the March & April 2012 issues. The list of requirements is long so I'm sending you to their blog for all the deets. Just keep in mind the first date you need to submit your item is September 12th. Here's one of their amazing sketches:

Naughty or Nice?????

2011-08-25T04:16:00.017-04:00

I finally finished my 5"x7" card for the Cosmos Cricket and Cards Magazine challenge from the cool sketch in my August 21st post. I loved Debbie Olson's card (seen in my post below too) and was inspired by her scalloped crescent because it looked so much like an envelope flap so I incorporated it on my card. My "peppermints" were made using Fire Brick Distress Ink pad and Glossy Accents with a retired Sassafrass Lass clear stamp. The peppermints looked too new for my card so I antiqued them a bit with brown Stazon Ink. The vintage-feel papers are from an 8x8 Cosmos Cricket pad called Wonderland from a few years back. For fun the faerie wings were treated with a dab of diamond Stickles and coated with Glossy Accents. Be sure to click on the photo for a better look.

I made my own "naughty or nice" list which was antiqued and punched with an EK Success punch. My favorite May Arts ribbon was tied around the middle. A pair of cute little friends were colored with Copics and pop-dotted to the front. This wonderful stamp is a digi called "The Larakins" from the Emerald Faerie Garden.

I used these Copics for the stamp:

Hurry over and enter your card...this challenge ends on August 27th with a winner announced on September 3rd.

Cosmos Cricket and Cards Magazine...

2011-08-21T19:36:00.010-04:00

...are having a challenge AND the winner will be published in "Cards" Magazine! Check out the fun sketch here. You gotta love this amazing Cosmos Cricket sample card by Debbie Olson... She used lots of yummy CC paper and PTI stamps. I best run see if I can come up with a card myself while the inspiration is fresh.

Hope to see you soon, with my card!

OWH K-9 Challenge Winner!

2011-08-19T13:09:00.003-04:00

Hooray! Can't believe but my card won the K-9 Challenge honoring PFC Ciara. Check here and you'll see it's true but be sure to click on the home button at the top of the page to see more about the fun happenings for an OWH September.

Lily Pad Inspirational Challenge

2011-08-08T11:43:00.019-04:00

My card was inspired by Pia who was inspired by Janet. I guess mine's about a dead ringer for Pia's! I'm not used to being so inspired :-) Pia's card was just the inspiration I needed for an unfortunate trio of sympathy cards I needed to create but just couldn't muster the inspiration. Everything used on the cards came from my stash on hand and required no shopping trip except for plain white cardstock!

My kraft base card is an A2 size (4.25" x 5.5"). The front of this was stamped with a $1 bin clear single butterfly stamp in Brillance white, the white card stock piece was stamped in an aqua blue to match the printed paper mat beneath.

I finished the card with a vintage black grosgrain ribbon and couldn't find a suitable button so I made my own. Making the button was easy-peasy! I put a epoxy sticker on card stock and punched 2 holes then cut it out and antiqued the edges in black and tied it to the grosgrain ribbon with 1/8" black satin ribbon. What a simple way to avoid a trip to the craft store!

Hurry over to enter the Lily Pad Inspirational challenge. It ends August 11th.

OWH K-9 Challenge

2011-08-03T17:13:00.007-04:00

I'm entering this card, destined for some far off land to help an American soldier stay in touch with home, in the Operation Write Home K-9 Challenge. This challenge honors PVT Ciara who just finished canine boot camp! Go Ciara...I have a couple canine cousins here who wouldn't cut the mustard at boot camp. They like to nap toooooo much.

My A2 size card (4.25" x 5.5") is layered in vintage unknown baseball & striped paper in patriotic colors with a little "Hello" tag slide on red/white polka-dot grosgrain ribbon. The dog is from a TPC set I purchased at Michaels just for making OWH cards but it's sure to get some extra use after my new little grandson arrives this Fall. The dog was colored with Copic markers and eyes & nose were coated with Glossy Affects for a wet look. I fussy cut the dog and adhered him with pop dots...I think it turned out pretty cool!

You needn't rush over to the Stars & Stamps blog...these can be made all year long for our troops.

Mo Manning Birthday Sweet Challenge

2011-08-02T15:35:00.013-04:00

Happy birthday darling daughter, Carrie! The good thing about having a stamping mom is you get little girl cards no matter how old you get. Here's the one I made for my special gal...
The challenge over at Mo Manning's blog is "Something Sweet" this time around...hurry over if you're interested. This challenge ends tomorrow.

My digital of Angelina certainly qualifies as sweet but I also added Recollections cupcake paper and a Tim Holtz Sizzix rosette topped with a felt Martha Stewart cupcake. True to form for me...the cuppie was further embellished with diamond Stickles and a pink faux crystal. Lots of Glossy Affects give the balloons & maryjanes life.

Angelina was colored with these Copics: E000, E00, R00, R11, R20 (flesh); Y00, YR21, E13, 0 (hair); RV000, RV21, RV23, RV25, G20, YG03 (dress); RV23, RV25, C3 (shoes); RV000, RV21-23-25, G20, YG03 (balloons); and C1, C3, BG000, 0 (shadows.)

If my confection isn't sweet enough for you, you'll want to check these out! Click here to get yours!! Wish I'd seen them in time to order for my birthday girl :-( But hey...you can make them too. Check this amazing blog for the recipe and instructions.

A Stair-Step Card at Last!

2011-07-31T11:51:00.023-04:00

Well, it took a week longer than anticipated but I hope it was worth the wait! I had a ball making this card. It represents a lot of firsts for me in card making. A first "step" card, first "dirty" Tilda, first Pirate Tilda, first time painting a card, and first time using gauze.

To make Tilda look a little grubby I added brown tones to the shadows on her hat and the stripes on her shirt...as I look at it now, I might go back and add it to the boots as well!

The diecuts are all from Cricut Paper Doll, Accent Essentials, and Life's a Beach cartridges. I tried something new this time (another first!) by cutting everthing, except the flag & ship, in white Neenah Solar White and then colored everything with Copics. It is so much easier than running little scraps of colored cardstock through the unit and the small items are easy to color. I added Glossy Affects to the crab, starfish, shell, anchor, & fish eyes for some fun dimension and also to the back of the ship to make it a little less fragile.

The waves were cut using a Fisker border punch. Each row was antiqued a bit with white paint & stamp pad then slathered well with diamond Stickles. I chose to use alternating rows in different colors with waves facing opposite directions to give the card some movement. The shadow of the little pirate ship from Cricut Paper Dolls in the background gives the illusion of distance.

The gauze is a simple 2x2 bandage that I opened and stained with coffee to make a net for my shells. It was tied to the pier with string as was the anchor. The pier is a stamp by Art Impressions that I stamped on kraft cardstock and colored with Copics #E25, 29 and O. I cut it out and glued it beneath the first row of waves. Tilda was fussy cut also and pop-dotted to the pier to give a 3D affect.

I used the following Copics:
Flesh - E0000, E21, E50, R000, R20
Hair - C3, C5, N7, 0
Clothes - E40, 43, R22, R39, R46, B91, B95
Boots/hat - C1, C3, N7, E40, E43, E44
Earrings - YR21
Pier - E25, E29
Sun - Y00, Y15, Y17
Sealife - R22, R46, R17, Yoo, Y15, Y17, C1, C3
This photo is inspiration over at Magnolia-licous Challenge blog this time around. I love the colors and the geometrical shapes with a plain white background!

I'm entering this in the following challenges:
7/31 Magnolia Highlites - Summer Bash, Fishing fun
8/24 All That Scraps - #12 Hot, Hot Days of Summer
8/8 Magnolia-Licious #22 - Photo Inspiration

Make a Side Step Card

2011-07-23T07:51:00.004-04:00

Split Coast Stampers has a wonderful tutorial to make the side step card. Be sure to click the link and go there to get directions to make yours. It looks complicated but is so easy!

I've been dying to make one of these: CHECK BACK FOR MINE LATER THIS WEEKEND...but go ahead and get started on making yours.

All That Scraps Top 5 - Woohoo!!!

2011-07-19T10:07:00.004-04:00

Wow if making Top 5 at All That Scraps isn't enough to light my fire and get me crafting, I don't know what will! Look out OWH...I feel a card-making marathon coming on.

I hope my swap partner at Magnolia Card Kits and Swaps Yahoo Group, Frances, sees her card made top honors. Frances received this card I crafted, with her in mind, through a recent swap on the group. Come check out our little group!

Copic Coupon Code at Michaels

2011-07-18T16:15:00.004-04:00

I was scrolling through my Michaels Craft Store coupon selection a short time ago and was overjoyed to see a 40% off coupon for art pens & markers. The good news is my Michaels Store just began carrying the markers and hadn't put them on the shelf yet but a manager gave me a peek some weeks back so I knew exactly where to find them to have another look this time with 40% coupon in hand! Their price is steep at $6.99 each but at 40% off $4.19 is a bargain when one considers there is no shipping charge. So if you are inclined hurry over but first click my link and get your coupon! Oh, and you might want to print the chart above to take with you. Happy shopping Copic fans...I bought 9!!

If you're new...don't forget to follow my blog so you can come back for more fun tidbits like this deal!

Refilling Copic Markers

2011-07-18T10:11:00.006-04:00

I'm really loving the Lily Pad! They have fun, easy projects for all levels of cardmakers and interesting how-to videos. Check out the latest on refilling Copic markers.

I have the booster nib and followed the directions judiciously and could not get a great fill with the amount suggested. The Lily Pad method does it quickly. I'll be filling mine this way from now on.

A word of caution...DO NOT forget to clean the nib after every use. I did and tinted my blender slightly!

It is CHA Chicago week so things will be quieter than usual around the blogs and websites. I'm hoping my favorite spot to buy Copics will learn a bit about customer service in their travels at CHA. When I find a suitable replacement...I'm outta there!

Magnolia Stamps of Sweden - Edwin's Fish

2011-07-15T08:21:00.007-04:00

It has been years since I first saw this stamp and failed to buy it!! I have thought about and wanted to use it so many times since and am always annoyed that I let another summer go by without getting one so today I have decided to contact Diana at Magnolia-licious and order it! Just wait to see the next teepee card I make :-) Here's a photo from the official Magnolia website in Sweden.

The only bad thing I have noticed about this stamp is the fish all face the same direction. Otherwise, I think they are just the cutest...this coming from someone who HATES fish in either a tank or on my plate but I do love the sea and live fish swimming in their natural habitat.

If you have this stamp and would like to part with it...get in touch asap and maybe I'll buy yours instead of ordering new. Thanks for looking in today!

Teepee Card Tutorial

2011-07-06T14:57:00.009-04:00

Hi cardmakers!!

Would you love to make your own teepee card? Well, go ahead and start by cutting 3 each 6" squares like this......

I had a blast making mine and was going to put together a little tutorial for you when I happened across this perfect one today. So no point in repeating things when you can just click this link and head to the Crafty Pad and follow theirs.

I can tell you a little about how I embellished mine though. Click the photo to bring up a larger copy to view for more details. This is mine flattened:

You'll see I added polka dot paper to the corners that are hidden under my shell print DP. These are small pieces I cut just to cover the exposed portion so not to waste paper. I believe they were 3" squares I cut diagonally. If you look an the enlarged photo you will see a small slit on the full polka-dotted triangle (next to the seahorse's back.) This is a simple perfect closure I copied from my Yahoo Group pal, Beth Babcock!

I'm terrible with flower embellishings and decided to add a aquariam/shaker box since my card is ocean-themed. The shaker round is a blister bubble from a trio pack of Prima rosebuds which I recycled, then filled with beachy colored seed beads and a diecut seahorse. I glued a backing of DP + CS which was slightly larger than the opening I cut in the card (used my circle Nestabilities). While the shaker dried, I cut a circle in the triangular section of the card. The finished/dry shaker piece was then glued into place on my triangular section of the teepee card. The outer ring surrounding the clear blister was cut using 2 Nestabilities dies that fit perfectly around. I glued punched circles in a darker green and added Glossy Affects to add dimension. This section still needed a little embellishing so I added a coordinating bow to finish off things.

TIP - don't try to use glitter in these. Static makes the glitter stick to the bubble and you can't see the innerds. I assembled 2 before I caught on that you couldn't see anything for the glitter sticking to the viewing area. You can see a small amount that I was unable to remove by clicking on the photo here-->

Next teepee card I make, I'm thinking of blunt cutting the pointy feet the card stands on since they seem to break down quickly. If anyone has a solution for this, please comment here. Thanks for stopping by my blog!!

Maggie & Friend Teepee Card

2011-07-03T16:50:00.015-04:00

The challenge over at Magnolia Card & Kit Swaps was to make a teepee card to share with a teammate. My teammate is Frances from Florida. I wanted to make her something that I thought any Florida-lover could enjoy and what better than an ocean theme? When I think Florida I think blue water and sandy beaches! I hope she enjoys the card and homemade box.

This box was so easy! It took all of 10 minutes including the stamping and diecuts. All you need do is measure the outer edges of your card, add width dimension x 2 + approx. 1/4" to length and width and score on those lines on all 4 sides. clip on the inner aspect of where the lines intersect on the two shortest sides. Folds on scoring and assemble 2 sides of the box, glue in place. Voila! Your done and ready to decorate.

Here are some additional challenges I'm pleased to enter my card:
1) Week #113 Just Magnolia & Hanglar Stanglar - Anything Goes w/optional Shabby Chic(closes July 7th)
2) Magnolia Stamp Lovers Challenge - Thinking of You Summer Flowers (ends July 16th)
3) All That Scraps - #11 Anything Goes (ending July 13th)
4) Creative Inspiration - Summer Vacation (ends July 9)

Hop Over to the Lily Pad to Win Hero Arts

2011-06-29T11:23:00.003-04:00

I became a Member of Lily Pad Cards today! Go become a member for a chance to win a collection of Hero Arts stamps. Contest closes at 11:59 p.m. EST on Friday, July 15.

This is a new site I've grown to love. The little blue guy is a hoot and there are lots of fun videos and challenges to enjoy. I hope you check it out...you can click on the blue frog and it will take you there. Easy peasy!

OWH & WE R Memory Keepers Event

2011-06-23T22:13:00.005-04:00

OWH and We R Memory Keepers have a month-long event planned for July. Be sure to stop by We R Grateful for details and prize info. There are lots of cool prizes with a grand prize cruise. You have until August 5th to send cards to qualify.

For those of you who don't know about OWH, it is an nonprofit organization that sends cards to our deployed troops. These blank handmade cards are made by American crafters (like me) who wish to help the troops stay in touch with home.

It's so worthwhile and rewarding...I hope you'll consider helping!

Magnolia Tilda Summer Stamp Kit 2011

2011-06-22T13:22:00.006-04:00

There is much controversy over Magnolia's latest stamp kit for summer 2011. I thought it would be fun to re post the image from our Magnolia Yahoo Group for my visitors to check out and comment.

I have to say, I'm so glad I didn't get around to ordering this kit which would have been the first time for me. Last summer the kit was so much fun with summer stamps from the Bon Voyage collection. Ironically, I visited Magnolia's site and had it in my cart and something stopped me. Boy! I'm really happy as I'd have been very disappointed. They are cute stamps but none are very summery. However, sometimes these unusual stamps net the best cards. I'm still pining for Edwin's Town and Edwin's Fish which I never got around to ordering.

Here are some helpful links I visit so you may explore Tilda's wonderful world:
The Official Magnolia Inspiration Challenge Blog (TOMIC)
Stamp Club Kits
Magnolia's Online Store
Magnolia-Licious Store
Tilda's Town (free shipping)
CC Designs Magnolia Department
7 Kids Kollege Fund Stamp Store

Wowzers...Loads of Card Sketches!!

2011-06-14T19:43:00.003-04:00

Looking around the internet today I came across Card Positioning Systems indirectly from OWH and am I tickled. If you're like me, you love sketches or recipes since they make cardmaking so much easier. Haven't tried one yet? Be sure to check this site out and have a look around checking sketches. There are lots to see!

For those of you who are unfamiliar, "sketches" are digital puzzles of a sort that give you a guide to follow when designing a card. Check this one out and you'll understand what I mean:

Each geometric shape represents an element ie. the narrow strip across the middle could be ribbon or lace, the top square a white block with a stamped image, and the 2 background pieces could be patterned paper to coordinate with your image or focal element. I'll toss a quick one together so you can see how it all works! Check back in the a.m. to see what I put together for OWH.

Stamper's Dream Blog Hop

2011-06-13T10:11:00.003-04:00

I rarely suggest a bloghop or blog about one (other than OWH) but this one was so enjoyable I wanted to share it with my visitors. If you have a few minutes and want lots of terrific inspiration Stamper's Dream is sponsoring a hop and has some terrific candy to share. Check their blog to get started. I promise, the cards and projects you see are very inspiring!
Here's a peak at their candy:

You have until Thursday, June 16th to comment for a chance to win!

Lily Pad is Tres Cool...a little blue too!!

2011-06-10T17:42:00.011-04:00

I used a tiny stamp set from those $1 bins at the craft store for this card!
This cool set of stamps was my first purchase from Papertrey Ink.
I love them and the great dies!
I found a cool place to share...the Lily Pad. I've been enjoying their Youtube videos for ideas for fun quick cards for OWH. The cards are two I made for their challenge which will soon head off to OWH for our troops. I hope you enjoy and take a moment to stop by the Lily Pad too.

I'm A Cover Girl...Woohoo!!!

2011-06-08T13:33:00.010-04:00

This cute little card is the cover shot currently at the Yahoo's "Magnolia Card Kit and Swap" group. Thanks to Melanie for adding her! If you want to learn more about the group and join us please be sure to hop on over HERE. If you love Tilda and company you'll want to join us soon!

This card dates to when I was first teaching myself to color with Copics so I won't even go into the color selections! The dock stamp is not a Magnolia stamp and was just quickly stamped on brown Bazzill cardstock. I added a couple simple fish cut from the Cricut Doodlecharms which I pop-dotted and added a bit of twine to make them look to be hanging. Tilda's toes are dipping in a bit of water I deco'd with diamond Stickles. The sun is an ancient Sizzix diecut I purchased on eBay.

That about does it for this post. I hope you'll stop over and join the fun with our little group on Yahoo!

Bling It Emerald Faery Challenge

2011-06-01T07:21:00.007-04:00

Hurry over and check out the 2nd challenge on the new Emerald Faery Garden challenge blog. You have until June 15th to upload your entry which could win you a terrific prize. The theme they've chosen for this challenge is "bling".

To "bling" my 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" card up a bit, I added several faux pink crystals with lots of diamond Stickles. The sparkly circle around Ally & Beeble was first given a rub down with a pale pink stamp pad then slathered it in tons of Stickles and allowed to dry. I moved on to my Whimsy Sentiment Tickets which were stamped with Ranger Distress Ink in fired brick and outlined in more Stickles. I handmade the large cardstock rose and gave it a dousing of diamond Stickles too. It always turns out my preferred form of "bling" is wonderful Stickles...I just LOVE the stuff!
To add a little more sparkle and shine I added Glossy Accents to give Beeble some dimension & my pink daisy a dewy look. The wings had a coating of Stickles and Glossy Accents! I used dimensional foam tape and squares to give Ally and my glittery circle a little interest and "lift".
The digi image was colored using the following Copic markers:

skin - E0000, E50, E00, R11, R20
hair - E0000, Y00, YR21
flower - R00, R11, R20, R22, G20, G82, YG00
clothes - B91, B95, C1, C3, RV25
wings - E0000, BG0000, RV000, B00

...a couple tiny Prima rosebuds nicely accent my handmade rose!
I'd also like to enter this in the following challenges:
Crafty Catz #84 Pink & Green Challenge which ends June 2nd.

* OWH Memorial Day Weekend Blog Hop *

2011-05-28T09:50:00.019-04:00

Happy hoppin' cardmaking friends! I wanted something very special for the Memorial Weekend OWH bloghop so I decided to draw my own image. The cute little bear was a breeze to sketch but a "bear" to color with Copics. Can you believe it took about an hour and half to color this simple looking bear? The bear measures approx. 3" x 3" and is double matted & pop-dotted on an A2 size card. The paw with real tissue was also pop-dotted to give some fun dimension. The nose, eyes, & tear were coated with Glossy Affects for a wet look. Please leave me a comment or email me at rba0422@gmail.com if I can provide coloring info. on the copics used.

I hope you enjoyed my little original creation destined to travel to some far off sandy place to help some young hero stay in touch with home. Please follow my blog and come back soon, oh and do leave comments...I love hearing from fellow cardmakers.

Please be sure to visit COURTNEY who has another great card for your enjoyment. AND...most importantly...get crafting cards for the troops!

Now...hop on and have a great time!!!

((Grrrr on Blogger my little bear says! If comments aren't working try this on your rounds...jot comment in the box, then click pull down menu next to "comment as:" , and select name & URL...it really allows you to comment and links back to your blog!))

Update - Glory beeeee....the FOLLOWERS list has reappeared! I hope you'll "follow" my blog so you can stop back for a visit soon. Thanks for stopping!

ABC & Hero Arts Fabulous Flowers Challenge

2011-05-21T21:11:00.001-04:00

I've finally taken the time to use the wonderful Blossom Art Flowers CL495 set of Hero Arts stamps I got from ABC Crafts a long while ago. The combo of the daisy flower and my leftover parts of a digital image of Emerald Faerie Boo from my tutorial seen below. Sentiment is PTI.
(See Copic colors on the faery in tutorial below.) I haven't had much experience coloring flowers with Copics yet!

The daisies & leaves were colored with RV00, RV21, RV23, RV25, RV29, G20, G83, YG00, YR21, & YR23.

I used several fun techniques on the card, first being masking of the trio of HA flowers. To do this stamp a flower on paper, cut it out, lay/secure it over a stamped image, & stamp another. I then fussy cut the lower border of the flowers, sewed around the sides without flowers, matted it in pink and pop-dotted it over a trio of pink, green, & gingham layers. The faerie was fussy cut with an extra head and wings which were pop-dotted to the faerie, wings were coated with Stickles and Glossy Affects. I also covered the flower centers with Glossy Affects and sprinkled them with gold seed & bugle beads for some fun texture. The paper is all from my stash, with DP by Basic Grey & pastel pink embossed floral by Bazzill. This layer was sanded to make the embossing pop with a little white chalk around the edges. I added a little distressing here & there for interest and topped it all with a pink bow and vintage white organza ribbon.

I often admire the wonderful cards made by the Hero Arts designers but don't often join their challenges. It will be fun to enter this easel card.

Other challenges I'm honored to enter:
ABC DT Challenge - May Flowers(ends 5/21)
Word Play Weekend #3 - "Wing" challenge
Crafty Catz - Anything Goes(ends 5/26)
Crafty Creations #119 May Flowers(ends 5/25)

OWH Father's Day Shirt Card

2011-05-20T11:29:00.007-04:00

It is amazing the wonderful things one finds on Facebook and throughout the internet, specifically I mean Operation Write Home OWH. It is one of my favorite charities! A few days back up popped a cool card for Father's Day that I just had to try. The tutorial offered here is on the OWH website. The challenge was to make 5 and send them in to fill a shortage of Father's Day cards destined for our troops in the Middle East. I was surprised when I ended up with 18! They were so much fun and afterall each 12x12 sheet of old "ugly tie" scrapbook paper yeilds 9 ties. And after you get the hang of the origami tie they move quickly. That means 19 cards made in 2 days...woohoo...it had been a dry spell so its fun to do something worthwhile again and before I knew it I had a nice size stack of them...

If you're looking for a way to use up old paper, this is a most worthy use. I love the blue pinstripe shirt and can see someone's dad wearing that crazy tie!

My new Whimsy Mini Everyday Postage stamp makes a perfect sentiment for a dad card for anytime during the year.

Making an Embossed Picture Frame

2011-05-11T06:58:00.006-04:00

This was a fun project that was born years ago when I saw someone run a bottlecap through a Wizard...I thought ah-ha! I can run other things through there with paper and make interesting things myself, right? This was my first try after so many years...shame on me. It was so fun and easy and looks great on my card. The little Making Memories brass frame will last forever so I'll use it again and again.

To get started I used the following sandwich with my Cuttlebug: A plate, B plate, metal frame, cardstock, Spellbinders rubber embossing mat (or 2), B plate. I cranked it through and reversed it back again.

After cutting out the frame and window, I antiqued the frame lightly with a mini catseye purple chalk stamp pad and backed with a contrasted green cardstock. I made the backing by tracing the wrong side of the frame and cutting out about a 1/16" greater along the perimeter than my tracing line. For my faery project, I attached the base image to the green cardstock backing after tracing and cutting inside my tracing line so none of the image showed around the frame. The frame was then pop-dotted into place over my green cardstock backing and faery image to give a 3D appearance. To finished things I added & pop-dotted another head & wings to my faery which I allowed to overlap the frame for a little whimsy. To finish things I added lots of diamond Stickled to the raised areas of embossing and a few purple self-adhesive pearls...I think tiny AB crystals would have looked better but these worked in a pinch! I hope you give it a try!

DT Card Classes at Emerald Faery Garden & Challenges Galore!

2011-05-10T10:20:00.023-04:00

This was a fun project! Check out my card class for this card at the Emerald Faery Garden website. I used a digital image of Boo & Snookie which I altered for this card.
Digital images make altering so easy! I flopped & cropped mine and printed 2 so I could layer them for some fun dimension. I used Neenah Solar white cardstock and colored with Copic markers. Here's my recipe: Flesh - E0000, E00, E50, E21; R000, R20, R11. Hair - YR21, YR24. Hat - G20, G83, YG00. Pants - BG0000, B000, B01, B02, RV000, V000, V06. Wings - E0000, BG0000, RV000, G20, G83. The wings were highlighted with diamond Stickles & coated with Glossy Affects. I cut only wings and head on image 2 which were pop-dotted over the finished frame to give the illusion of the faery peeking out of the frame.

I loved working with the current Mojo Monday sketch and am entering my card in this week's challenge. Check out this wonderful sketch: I chose not to use a sentiment (substituted 3 purple pearls) because I'm just horrible with them!

Lots of Prima hydrangeas with Robin's Nest centers were arrange around the frame & May Arts green silk ribbon/bow. My ribbon was less than perfect after removing a row of gathering stitches from a prior craft project but I loved the look...it's accidentally distressed!! A pearl pick finished things nicely.
However, the finished card look a little plain to me so I jazzed up the frame with lots of diamond Stickles and a few purple pearls. I was satisfied in the end!

Check back tomorrow to learn how to make the fun embossed framed I used on this card!

I'm entering this card in the following challenges too:
ABC May Flowers Challenge(5/21)
Flutter By Wednesday Challenge #153(5/10)
Creative Inspiration Embossing(5/10)
PaperTake Weekly

EMERALD FAERY GARDEN CHALLENGE

2011-04-30T18:00:00.007-04:00

The theme this week in the Emerald Faery Garden is ANYTHING GOES...my personal favorite! I hope you find my pop-up tag card fun and something you'd like to try. The instructions are very easy and available at Splitcoast Stampers. It is interactive and sure to tickle anyone! Of course, you'll want to run right over to the brand new Emerald Faery Garden Challenge Blog for this first challenge too. AND best of all...you can win 4 digi stamps of these wonderful little creatures!

The card was made with a digi stamp of Emerald Faeries Kenz & Tilly, Bazzill embossed cardstock, Basic Grey cardstock, May Arts striped twill ribbon. Flowers were cut using the Cricut Accent Essentials cartridge with self-adhesive pearls. Sturdy double stick red tape in 1/4" and 1/8" widths hold everything together.

I chose Kenz & Tilly for my Mother's Day version because it so sweetly depicts a mother's love to me. The faeries were colored with Copic markers: flesh - E00, 50, R00, 11, 20; dress - R00, 02, RV21, 23, 25, C1; scarf - R00, 02, RV21, 23, 25; hat - G20, 82, YG00; shoes - RV23, 25, 29, pants - C1, 3, 5; stripe pants - G20, 82, E50; hair - Y00, E50, YR21; wings - YG00, BG0000, RV000, G20. Lots of coloring, for sure!!

To make it possible to add a note for mom, I made my tag into a pocket by adding a thumb notch on the top with a circle punch. A square piece of white cardstock was scored and folded in half then corners rounded an eyelet added on the front of one half and a May Arts ribbon tied for easy moving in and out of the pocket...I think this would work well for a gift card holder too. Mom will love you for this imaginative card!

Make A Wish Event with Mo & Zo

2011-04-24T19:38:00.010-04:00

Happy Easter everyone! All is quiet after a great family gathering so I thought I'd sit down for a little looking around the internet and catch up on a few missed things. Luckily, I came across this great carnival event sponsored by Mo Manning & Zoe at Make It Crafty and it's such a great deal for a great cause. I hope you'll stop by and pick up this wonderful Mo Manning piece of digital art for just a buck! She's contributing 100% of the proceeds from the sale of this sweet piece of art to the Make A Wish Foundation. BUT run as fast as you can over to Make It Crafty's blog to see and read about how Zoe make her amazing circus ferris wheel. I was "blown away" by her amazing talent.

If you're like me, and have family who benefited from this wonderful group, OR if not, you'll want to be sure to participate!

BLOG CANDY WINNER!

2011-04-22T07:08:00.006-04:00

Congrats to Pookie for winning the Emerald Faery blog candy in celebration of the Emerald Faery blog hop a week ago. Pookie, if you're stopping by...kudos and thanks for playing!!

Visitors...click on the Emerald Faery stamp to go shopping or visit the blog!

Some Hippity Hoppity Challenges

2011-04-21T09:20:00.026-04:00

Hi everyone...happy Spring, Passover and Easter to one and all! It was so nice to return from our Caribbean cruise to sunshine and Spring-like weather after being cold for so long...but with Spring comes rain too. Who cares after the crazy winter we've all had in this hemisphere! This sunny Easter card was made from ingredients gifted to me over at the Yahoo Group Magnoliacardkitandswap board in their Hippity Hoppity kit swap.

Copics used: skin - E50, 33, 00, R00, 20, 11; hair - E50, 33, 25, 99;
dress - BG0000, 01, 05; boots/bow - BG0000, 01, 05, G20, 82, 02; basket - E50, 33, 99. Colored fronds with Copic BG0000, 01, 05 and walnut with glaze in Rock Candy Stickles.All materials were provided in a kit for the card. My sewing, coloring and assembly plus an eyelet, Nestibilities die, green gingham paper, yellow scallop trim, & green cardstock were added/used from my stash. It came together nicely!
I hope to enter it in the following challenges:
Magnoliacardandkits Yahoo Groups
All That Scraps Magnolia Challenge #9
Magnolia's Down Under Easter Challenge
Magnolia Stamp Lovers Easter Challenge
7 Kid Easter Challenge
ABC DT Easter Challenge
Flutterby Wednesday Challenge

Emerald Faery Blog Hop Release Celebration

2011-04-14T17:00:00.016-04:00

Hi bloggers! It's time again for a couple of super sweet Emerald Faeries to make their debut at Deb's Creations. If you arrived here from Anita's, you're on the right track...if not hop on over to Julie's blog and start your engine!

Please join me in welcoming the two newest additions to the growing Emerald Faery family...go ahead and hop on over to check out the latest releases exclusively available from Deb's Creations! They are available now in digi format and for pre-order in rubber. These sweet little creatures are the brainchild of wonderfully talented Australian illustrator and animator, Linda Catchlove. Is that not the perfect name for someone who creates these amazing little faeries? Ahhhh...wouldn't you just love to have one of Linda's paintings? A girl can dream, can't she? Lucky you can get one of the digital Emerald Faeries of your liking. The rules are easy:

Follow my blog.

Leave a comment on this post since I don't have one of those blasted frogs.

If you don't have a blog, leave a comment on this post with your email address.

Come back April 22nd (my birthday) to see if you won!

Go ahead and hop on now. Here's a list of the design team members in my group:

Julie

Trudi

Anita

Ronda (you're here)

If you'd like to sneak a peak at the other design team group, tip-toe on over to Natalie's blog and get started there too!

Don't forget to leave a comment for your chance at my blog candy!!

Someone Pinch Me...

2011-04-11T16:34:00.006-04:00

I came back from vacation to great news. My Faery Cake tutorial featuring Emerald Faeries Willy & Mia made the first round of the May Arts Ribbon design team challenge! If you run over to their blog and vote for me you have a chance to win some super trim & ribbon too. Check it out at May Arts Blog. For those of you who aren't involved in papercrafts this entry is for a very large USA ribbon manufacturer. Being a design team member means you have the honor of creating a variety of handcrafted items featuring their products which are used in variety of formats such as advertising, trade shows, teaching, electronic media like Facebook & blogs. The lucky person(s) who wins this challenge will prepare tutorials that promotes the use of this company's wonderful ribbons. Thanks for helping me by voting!

A Favorite Layout...

2011-04-09T06:00:00.000-04:00

Rarely comes along a piece that I have such an emotional bond to as this scrapbook layout. I made it a couple years ago with the intent of selling it on eBay. I priced it higher than my market of buyers, tho' much lower than many of the well-known artists sell, so it was no surprise...it didn't sell! Yay! I don't make scrapbook layouts much anymore preferring to make cards since they are much more compact.
Oh, the joy! So now my youngest son who inspired me to make the layout is having his first child and if we're lucky we have a 50-50 shot it'll be a boy! We'll be thrilled with what we get but a grandson would be fun since we have two wonderful granddaughters. Anyway, new daddy2B, Justin, is a volunteer firefighter hence my attachment to this cute layout. I hope you enjoyed seeing my moldy oldie again, as much as I!

I used paperpiecing technique with my original illustrations of the "little hero" and his pedal car-driving dalamation friend. Please keep in mind, these are my original illustrations and may not be reproduced in any fashion without my written permission.

French-Theme Altered Art Magnet Hanger

2011-04-07T13:33:00.000-04:00

I was in the mood to exercise my altered art side so I decided to toss together a few items and made a magnet for a friend...one who sends me the most amazing handcrafted gifts and I am so terrible at reciprocating! I've been thinking of her lately and thought she might like this... I made this collage using old bits of this and that I had in my studio with an reprint of a vintage image that looked very French to me. The edges of the photo were antiqued with UTEE and the Eiffel Tower was embossed with copper. I love distressing cardstock and added a square of corrugated stock I had on hand from old packing materials. I will be so sad when my supply is exhausted! All parts were antiqued with walnut stain, vintage buttons and stickers round out things. But what would it be without my prized May Arts Ribbon and lace trim? This was my first time using the i.Rock too...check out the flourish of pearls! I hope my friend likes the gift I'll be sending off soon!

More 2 Die for...

2011-04-05T06:00:00.005-04:00

Big thanks out to my longtime papercrafting pal, Karen S. for her help in looking for more cool paper dies for me. A week or so back I did a long post about matching dies and stamps putting a call out for more. Here are her three finds:

Taylored Expressions

The Cat's Pajamas

Whimsy Stamps - My favorite! I love Whimsy Ticket Sentiments by Ann Vento so what better than a die to make it easier? I have 2 sets of these wonderful stamps so I must add the die soon. Check it out HERE.

In my true overly analytical style, I have NOT found the perfect label and die set to purchase for myself yet! I am in creative overload with so many new sets released at the recent CHA. Will keep you posted on my choice.

Emerald Faery DT Challenge

2011-04-03T06:00:00.004-04:00

Deb is having a challenge featuring the Emerald Faeries. If you don't have an Emerald Faery yet, click on the EF link to go get yourself a digital stamp!
I'm having a love affair with lady bugs so I chose Ally & Beeble for my entry. Here are a few more shots...
I glazed the ladybugs with Glossy Effects and colored the images with Copic markers. Wings were blinged with Stickles. I used the jar & ladybug stamp from an old SU set I bought second hand ages ago! The postage stamp sentiment is an i.Cling from Studio G. I'm thankful for finally using this cool SU set I bought on eBay.

Hop on over to enter your card!

SPRINGSC11 Mother's Day Card Spring Challenge

2011-04-01T01:00:00.010-04:00

This was a great chance to make a special Mother's Day card for a very special lady in our family! I entered it in the SCS Spotted Canary Spring Challenge. I couldn't post a photo to the listing but hope it was just a temporary glitch and that it'll show up but if not there is a link back here. The faeries are Ally & Beeble from Debs Creations Emerald Faery collection. The digital download was colored with Copics. I added Glossy Effects for some fun and Stickles to the fairy wings. The flower was handmade by me from pink cardstock. The base is MS ribbon loops. The sentiment was computer generated. Paper is vintage from my stash, maybe Pizzazz but I love it! The card turned out very girly for my husband's dear mom :-)

Thanks for stopping by!

Wowza...Easter Blog Candy

2011-03-28T23:34:00.003-04:00

Angela at Angelwood is sharing some rather amazing cards and crafts by herself and daughters. Boy oh boy...those gals have talent!! If you scoot on over to Angela's blog she also has 3 huge sets of blog candy to share also. Be sure to visit soon...her candy ends a week before Easter on 4/16/2011

A Faery Cake Recipe...

2011-03-24T18:30:00.006-04:00

I'm always in search of ways to recycle cool trash. My Faery Cake idea was born with the help of two empty chipboard spools from spent rolls of tape and ribbon. I'd love to share my recipe in hopes that more people will make this fun little project. Please be sure to visit my blog and share links to your cake!

Ingredients

two chipboard spools from tape, ribbon, etc. in 2.75" and 4.5" (any two sizes you have on hand will work)
one sheet pink 12x12 cardstock (for 12 roses and one 6.5" diameter scalloped circle for our cake base)
one sheet 12x12 black & white designer paper (to cover 2 layers & make a 5.75" diameter scalloped circle for our cake base)
fairy image (mine are Emerald Faeries by Debs Creations in Australia )
assorted pink crystal & pearl faux flatback gemstones
glitter glue
pens, markers, paints, etc. to color your fairy image (I used Copic markers)
May Arts Ribbons - #SK18 1.25" green silk, SK08 1.25" dk. green silk, BY66 green leaf trim, BY16 dk. green leaf trim

Tools

scissors
hemostats (makes cardstock roses so easy)
ruler
craft knife
tacky craft glue
hot glue gun
sewing machine
2" scalloped circle punch and/or
Cricut die cutter & Accent Essentials cartridge (optional)

Color your stamped image as desired, highlighting wings & clothing with glitter glue. Be sure to cut out image with a 3-section tab at the bottom, as shown in photo above. Later you’ll attach the image to our top layer of the cake with the tabs.

Trace perimeter of the spools in designer paper (DP) and chipboard and cut circles that will be the tops of our layers. Measure perimeter & width of spools and cut 2 strips of DP to fit. Adhere DP strips to perimeter edge of spools and chipboard circles.

Measure tab on your image, using craft knife cut a slit in the center of smallest circle to fit this tab. Insert tab and fold tabs back, glue in place on the underside to keep fairies upright. Glue this layer to matching chipboard circle and glue to the top of the smallest spool to form the top layer of the cake. Assemble your bottom layer in the same fashion from the larger spool.

Stack, center & glue layers with small layer on top of the larger layer to complete your undecorated 2 layer "faery cake".

**After assembling the cake I decided to add a pink scalloped base. So be sure to cut 2 scalloped circles from the Cricut Accent Essentials cartridge – one DP in 5.75” and one 6.5” pink cardstock. These were layered and glued to the bottom of the cake. If you don’t have a Cricut, a doily or plain circles will work too.

Make 12 total pink cardstock roses - 9 using 2" scalloped circle punch and 3 2.75” roses cut from the Cricut Accent Essentials cartridge. If you do not know how to make roses please check the tutorial on my blog below.

Cut 6 - 3” pieces of MA #SK08 dark green silk ribbon. Using hot gluegun fold to fashion leaves as shown in the photo above. Attach two leaves to the back of the 3 largest roses and set aside.

Run a gathering stitch down the center of 24” of May Arts (MA) ribbon #SK 18 and gather. Gather and glue around top layer of our cake. Glue length of MA #BY66 green leaf trim around bottom layer of cake and begin decorating by gluing flatback pearls and small roses! Hot glue 3 largest roses with silk leaves to base of top layer.

Decorate area around fairies with small pieces of MA #BY16 and BY66 and flatback pink crystals & white pearl gemstones. Glue in place with tacky craft glue.

Our cake is done! Please don't let anyone taste the cake...I posted mine on my Facebook page and a friend thought it was a real cake!

Button Freebie...

2011-03-23T11:05:00.007-04:00

I'm just loving this new button craze in cardmaking and papercrafts and wanted to share a link I thought my visitors would enjoy. Check out this cool vintage-looking button card which is a freebie from Dana at Paper Daydreams... Be sure to visit Dana's blog to see the wonderful card she made with hers!

I'm off and running today to try to finish up a tutorial I'm making...wish me luck!!

OWH I've been missing you...

2011-03-22T16:27:00.010-04:00

It has been so long since I sat down to put together cards for OWH. Taking MIL to her appointments and running back and forth to the beach to get ready for the upcoming season have eaten into my creative time so it felt great to make a few I thought I'd share. *If anyone is interested in volunteering to make cards for our deployed troops please click the link at the top of the right sidebar here...............>

My cards are made on a kraft 5.5" x 4.25" card, with a black layer under scraps of Cosmos Cricket vintage cardstock. I don't usually stitch on these cards since I'm usually making them assembly line method but decided to stitch down a narrow scrap of black dotted paper. They just seemed to call out for something coffee related so I stamped the cardstock with an old SU mug and restamped and paper pieced Bo Bunny Double Dot with a heart glazed with Ranger Glass Effects. The sentiment was computer generated with a boatload extra so I can keep making more coffee-related cards for the troops! I hope you enjoy...

Spring's First Full Moon Walk on the Beach

2011-03-20T13:29:00.009-04:00

My DH and I had a great time taking a walk after dark on the beach in Fenwick Island, DE. I was so thankful I took my camera considering I rarely get to see a full moon reflecting over the beach and ocean. It was an awesome sight I wanted to share with my paper-loving friends!

Francis admiring the full moon.

WINNER and Handcrafted Roses!!!

2011-03-19T17:02:00.026-04:00

Yay...Babe O'Mara! You are the lucky winner from my blog hop offering of one digital Emerald Faery stamp. Congrats to you! I hope you'll stop by Deb's Creations or the Facebook page to leave a photo of your card. I can't wait to see it.

Here are a few photos to show you how easy it is to make handcrafted roses...

I punch a 2" scalloped circle of cardstock then cut in a spiral like this. Fold beginning point over with a tiny dab of glue, begin rolling your rose. Hemostats are helpful for rolling.
Roll around cut spiral to round center and glue in place with hot glue and press rolled rose into glue.

Here I am gluing roses on to my Faery Cake seen below...

EMERALD FAERIES PREVIEW BLOG HOP and BLOG CANDY...

2011-03-14T18:00:00.019-04:00

If you hopped here from Deb's blog you're on the right track! I'm stop #3 on your fun way to meeting the whole new design team while sampling some wonderful new designs from Deb's Creations.

You're going to love the latest release of the newest whimsical little creatures in the Emerald Faeries Collection, by Australia native Linda Catchlove.

Without further adieux, please meet the newest additions to the Emerald Faery family...

...........Little Willy & Mia

Hi, I'm ISLA..................................

We've been padding around the studio making a special faery cake to celebrate this momentus occasion. It felt so magical creating this fun little cake topper. Willy & Mia are the perfect pair for my special recipe!!

Cake measures 3.5" h x 4" w, faeries add another 2".

It just wouldn't be a party without some yummy candy to go allow with faery cake! Those of you who frequent my blog know I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to share links with my visitors to yummy blog candy from around the blogosphere. Well!!! I'm please to let you know each Deb's Creations DT member will be giving away one of your choice of the new digital Emerald Faery stamps. Hey, Deb's easy to get along with, if you prefer you may chose one of the original four faeries too. Your pick. To win your very own digital Emerald Faery you must: 1) be sure to follow my blog, 2) leave a comment to this post with your email address. Please, don't forget the email address! Stop back here Friday, March 18th to see who won.

Here's your list of blogstops for today....please come back soon to say hello and see what new here in the Button Box!

Vicki
Deb
Ronda (you're here)
Denise
Tracey M.
Louise
Viv
Debbie
Julie
Tracy
Cabio
Sammie
Anita
Bron
Kirsten
Sammi B.
Natalie Z.
Marley
Alyssa

Challenge Loot!

2011-03-14T13:13:00.007-04:00

Check these out!!! This is what I chose with the ABC DT Challenge gift certificate I won with my Tilda Valentine card (see below.)

I'm going to try to make a few quick cards for OWH with them this afternoon. Come back to see if I finish. I'll post one right here if I do. Maybe I need to set a timer on myself to see if I can make one in a half hour!

* * Whatever you do...be sure to stop by here later tonight for a special event!! There'll be lots to see and some candy at last! * *

Stamps 'n Dies...Oh My!

2011-03-10T14:08:00.010-05:00

I've been on a quest in recent weeks to find the perfect labels die with matching stamps. So many have come on the market in recent months I thought an article about them would be both helpful to me and my fellow blogging cardmakers. Well, let me back up a bit. I should clarify that there are many die and stamp sets period, not just "labels" per se but all sorts of beautiful shapes.

My cousin sent me a note yesterday about buying several sets from Papertrey Ink so I'll begin there. They have many wonderful matching sets of all sorts of shapes with matching stamps. You can find dies or matching stamps for as little as $5. If you're looking to wet your feet with a small investment...I really like their Fillable Frames grouping. The matching stamps are here. My current must have is sold out but you can see the Button Boutique here.

Clear Dollar Stamps has a unique idea. They sell lots of dies and stamps too but I found it interesting that they have a great set of stamps designed to work with the Cricut Storybook cartridge...may favorite cartridge! Check out Marquee Labels and Storybook Inspiration for some cool backgrounds and sentiments that will really customize your Cricut label diecuts. Check out this page for an awesome set of dies and matching stamps too.

My Favorite Things Die-Namics have a bunch of great shaped dies and a couple sets of matching labels & stamps. This is the company that got me started on my quest to find the perfect set to purchase! The cool sets here are just $19.95 for stamps and matching die. I should run order now, shouldn't I?!

Prickley Pear has an interesting bunch of shaped dies with matching stamp sets. I love these sets but wish they also had labels! Be sure to see my fav on page 2...the dragon flies :-)

Waltzing Mouse in the UK offer a wonderful selection of stamps that are compatible with Spellbinder's Nestabilities. Who wouldn't love stamps that work with our favorite dies?

Verve's Cut Above Dies are lots of fun. Be sure to click on each design and check the matching stamps sets at the bottom of the page.

If you are like me and love the ticket trend on cards, you've got to hustle over to Whimsy Stamps and check out their dies and stamps. This shop carries all the great Ann Vento Raindrop Echo ticket sentiment stamps as well as a complete line of other matching dies and stamps. This week the stamps on are sale at 25% off too! But the best gem I found looking around this great store were digital stamps to fit the Nestabilities. You'll find them here in Raindrop Echo also.

Last one up today is Gina K Designs of Stamp TV fame. I highly recommend subscribing to Stamp TV so you get their videos for lots of interesting cardmaking techniques, tips, etc. too. They have a wonderful selection of stamps to work with the Nestibilities also.

Well folks, that's about it for today. PLEASE leave me a comment if you have a lead on other sets of dies and matching stamps!!! I'd love to see your favorites. Thanks so stopping by and please come again soon.

News-Worthy Week!

2011-03-04T10:59:00.007-05:00

The highlight of my week was coming home to a package from fellow artist extraordinaire, Leslie Avila. Leslie made me a wonderful beachy colored canvas collage that is as extraordinary as she. Thank you and HUGE smooches out to this sweet gal.

My beautiful collage is covered with interesting things to see...painting, stamping, flocking, beading, sewing, piecing, Swarovski crystals...I could go on and on. It is amazing and I will treasure it forever! Can you believe she made this for me??? Do yourself a favor and visit Leslie's blog sometime soon!

It has been a whirlwind week...running with my MIL to appts. and lunches with she and her delightful sister and dinner with my galpal, Bonnie plus planning and scheduling a last minute cruise to the Virgin Islands for hubby & I next month!! Woohoo! We have been wanting to visit Mazatlan in Mexico for 2 years but it just wasn't in the cards with current oil prices making airfare so expensive. We opted for something that was a better value and included meals!! Oh my, on our last cruise I actually got tired of eating but this a shorter one so we should be okay. All that is left to plan now is return airfare and one night hotel...sheesh...what a relief.

From that to blog candy...http://cardsbyrbowen.blogspot.com/ Check out fellow Magnolia-licious member, Rene's, blog candy for a $20 gift certificate to the Magnolia-licious store. Hurry over to check it out...the contest ends 3/11!

Well, I hope you had a chance to read my post below about my granddaughters' Valentine card which was inspired by the wonderful photo from ABC DT Challenge blog. I was thrilled to peek in on the blog this morning to see I won first prize and a gift certificate!! Woohoo!! Big thank yous to the ABC DT!

A Sneak Peak of the Emerald Faeries...

2011-03-02T16:24:00.008-05:00

Oh my! Excitement is brewing over at Deb's Creations. Two new Emerald Faeries will make their debut on March 15th! Here's a little teaser of what you will see...

If you have a sec hop on over to the Emerald Faeries' Facebook page here. OR if you'd like to shop and chat it up with other friends of Deb's and folks who also love the Emerald Faeries check out Deb's Creations page by clicking this link. When you're finished and totally in love with the faeries, like me, you'll want to head over to Deb's Creations store to start buying a faery or 2, or 3!!

Here's a little slideshow of some of my Emerald Faery creations...please enjoy!

This selection of cards were created from the current collection of Emerald Faeries that are now available for purchase at Deb's Creations storehere. You'll have to have them all!!

Keep checking back for blog candy I will be posting in the next day or two :-) I can't wait!

ABC DT V Day & Sweet Treats Challenge

2011-02-26T07:44:00.008-05:00

ABC DT Challenge ends at midnight tonight...not sure of time zone so be sure to check! Here's the inspiration photo:
My sweet Tilda card for my granddaughters is a perfect fit. This Gingerbread Tilda works perfectly for Valentines Day too since she's carrying a basket full of hearts!
I made it using Gingerbread Tilda I won last year at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/magnoliacardandkitswaps/. The DP is from the Je T'adore collection by Making Memories. It was colored with Copic markers:
outfit - R00, 11, 17, 20, 22
hair - E50, 99, 29, YR21
basket - E50,29 YR21
boots - C1, 3, 5, N7

♥ ♥Check the link above on 3/3 for the winners!♥ ♥

Kissing???????

2011-02-24T16:05:00.013-05:00

Hmmm...just needed a break today to do something without Copic coloring or little human figures! I've spent hours coloring lately though there are no cards on the blog to show for it. They will appear someday :-)

I enjoyed this video at Hero Arts showing the "kissing" technique recently and thought I'd have a little fun trying something new and while I was at it, entered it in their February challenge.

Check out the stamps I used...
The inexpensive foam fleur de lis stamp was purchased years ago for a New Orleans album I made for my daughter who volunteered in St. Bernard Parish after Hurricane Katrina. It was the only stamp I could find in my stash that seemed appropriate for the technique so it basically dictated the direction of the card. So much for inspiration! Hey, but at least Paris is the city of "love"...right!?!

To achieve the "kissing" one must use 2 stamps which are pressed or kissed together to share ink from both stamps. I inked my fleur de lis stamp in black Memento and "kissed" it with the larger background stamp which was inked in white Brilliance ink. Lastly, the fleur de lis was stamped on gold matte metallic cardstock and voila'!

You can clearly see both images plus the added interest of the metallic finish to the cardstock. (Click image at right for a better look.)
I LOVE the look! I assembled the tag pocket from kraft cardstock, black brads reinforce the pocket edge which was folded down twice. I punched a hole at the back of the pocket and added a length of my brand new prize May Arts ribbon I won for my Valentine banner in an earlier post.
The ribbon was antiqued with black & walnut ink as was the kraft pocket. The double-layered image and pocket cardstock were distressed slightly as well. The fleur de lis was stamped twice so I could add some fun dimension. To finish things off I added 3 royal blue faux crystals which I colored with black Copic marker.

This technique was so much fun. I can't wait to try it again.

Stair Step Card

2011-02-22T11:03:00.002-05:00

Today's adventure is to use some of the fun coloring I did this weekend. Since we have a number of weeks before Easter I thought I might get busy trying a new technique before the crunch hits so I decided to look around Split Coast Stampers for some ideas and came across wonderful Beate's stair step card and thought it would look terrific with my Tilda bunny. Watch for my card to show up on this post later today or tomorrow.

Kraftin Kimmie Challenge #66

2011-02-19T10:13:00.002-05:00

Check out the fun, original sketch for the current Kraftin Kimmie challenge. I might have to try this one if time permits!

MIA Valentine...

2011-02-18T17:24:00.014-05:00

Thank goodness my little granddaughters got their Valentine from DH & I. This one I sent to my daughter's office at a large lawfirm downtown never arrived. She's our only unmarried child so I usually send one each year to her in thanks for all the running around she does for us. I can't believe it never arrived.

I proved you can make a great card without stamping! The double-layer heart was cut from Cricut's Doodlecharms cart. and embossed by the Cuttlebug. I antiqued it with a white foam stamp pad. The ribbons & lace are leftovers from the May Arts competition, entry below.

At least I thought to make photos!

UPDATE...the card showed up this week with 41 cents postage due! Interesting since I took it to the p.o. to be weighed. I can't see how this simple card could require $1.05 postage. I think I'll be making more rectangular cards!

May Art Ribbon Contest Winner

2011-02-16T12:03:00.003-05:00

Wish I'd thought to tell my fellow bloggers before now but I hope you'll take a moment to stop by May Arts and give a shout out comment voting for my Valentine "LOVE" banner! It's a tight race and all your votes are so appreciated...thanks in advance!

UPDATE!!! My banner was a winner...not the grand prize but a winner. Thanks May Arts...I love your ribbon and fun challenges.

It's an Emerald Faery Valentine

2011-02-14T01:00:00.004-05:00

I've waited patiently 'til today to announce "officially" that I have joined the design team (DT) at Deb's Creations in Queensland, Australia so I could share my very first project and L-O-V-E for this cool group and my new passion for the wonderful Emerald Faeries!

Check out the cool french fry style take out box I made from a LeeLou template in a double-sided DP. To make it a very cool present for my 4 year old granddaughter I added a scalloped 2 layer heart that I dry embossed with my Cuttlebug folder and antiqued lightly in white ink. The felt heart, flowers, ribbon, etc. are all from my special little V-day stash. I coated the cream pearl heart with pink Copics to make it work for the collage.

This weekend my special little gal came for an overnite with gramma & grandpop so we had a lot of fun making Valentine cookie pops to fill her box. The Wilton kit was a big hit and perfect project for an adult and 4 year old. I made the icing, filled bags, supervised and decorated a few myself but mostly it was fun spending time with my special little love!

My cute little faery is from the Larakin stamp from the Emerald Faery collection that is a shop exclusive to Deb's Creation. I am in the USA so I'm thrilled to beable to get digital downloads of the faeries so I don't have to wait for shipping. This means I can also manipulate them to my desire. I flip them and resize to suit whatever my need. This little fellow is the top faery (Ashtob, I believe.) in the sweet Larakin digi stamp. So to save ink and paper I just erased "Boo" from the bottom and printed away.

I love working with digi stamps but it takes a couple tries sometimes to get it right. I find it's best if I print my images out a day ahead so the ink dries well and I still give them a good once over with my Marvy embossing tool. You'll still need to avoid coloring over the lines so as to not smudge the ink. I used Copics on little Ashton as follows:
Skin - E0000, E50, E21, R00, R11, R20
Pants - G20, G42, YG00, E50
Hat - E50, RV23, RV25, RV29

I hope you'll stop on over to Deb's to order an Emerald Faery or her other cool stamps & supplies!

Valentine's Day LOVE Banner ! ! !

2011-02-11T14:46:00.009-05:00

Happy V-Day, y'all!!! I made a couple of these thinking I'd send one to artiste extraordinaire, Leslie Avila (check her link in my list of favorite places on the left sidebar.) A few weeks back she posted on FB a "play it forward" challenge and I was lucky enough to be her 5th & final participant.

The wonderful ribbons I used on my "LOVE" banner were gifts from May Arts. I've entered this in their Valentine challenge too in addition to the matching card seen below with cute little Tilda.

For the banner I used labels & alphas diecuts from the Cricut Storybook cartridge and a folksy heart from another that I do not recall now. The accordian pleated bases for the letters were fanfolds using the MS scoring board. The tops have hand sewn borders of MS Eyelet lace. All parts were antiqued using walnut ink. The altered art end flags were decorated using lots of misc. items from my stash. Along with double-sided DP from K & Co. No dollars were used in the creation of this fun piece.....DH will be so happy!!

Valentine Challenge Card

2011-02-10T22:40:00.022-05:00

This fun sketch is by Melanie Navarro Fuentes from the Yahoo group Magnolia Card & Kit Swaps. This is a fun group stop by and check it out!

After a little struggle with ideas my card ended up turning out okay.
Thank goodness for a huge stash of ribbon and embellies! For some reason, I seem to have a problem with using flowers. Each time I set out to make a card, I always feel certain I will use flowers and true to form I did so this time but alas...NO flowers again! The ribbon & buttons looked so cute, I had to use them instead.There are 2 layers of pop-dots to give the card fun dimension. I used vintage K & Co. Valentine DP from my stash with one new addition from Making Memories. All layers were sewn with some extra distressing for fun.
For some added interest I dry embossed the pink heart Tilda is holding and added string. By the way, this Tilda is Butterfly Tilda who had a wing-ectomy! She's the only suitable Tilda I had for this card so I just took off her wings and added a paper-pieced dress and strung heart.
I love the card interior! Mine aren't usually this embellished :-) Again, I used the altered art style of tossing things out in a well-planned but not-looking-it fashion!!I colored Tilda with the following Copics:
Shoes - C1, 3, 5, N7
Socks - RV02, RV21, C1, RV000
Flesh - E50, E00, E0000, E21, R20, R00, R11
Hair - E50, E33, E21, E25
I'm entering this card in these challenges too:
All That Scraps Magnolia Challenge #6 - Queen of Hearts
7 Kids Kollege Fund #14- I {Heart} You
Magnolia Down Under - Love
Totally Tilda - Lots of Hearts

Tilda Valentine...

2011-02-03T22:27:00.015-05:00

Can you tell I'm loving this new Tilda stamp? It's so versatile...I just love it! So today's card is a Valentine destined for one of the precious little gals I love.

This was one of the first times testing out my Zutter Distrezz-It my kids gave me for Christmas. It sure beats those handheld numbers but takes some getting used to. I went hog-wild with the distressing using some packaging from Christmas packaging as a base on top of the kraft cardstock. Coupled with lots of yummy ribbon & cluny lace from May Arts, this was a fun Valentine card to create. The DP is by Making Memories from the the Je T'adore collection. The cute hugs coupon stamp is one of those $1 clearstamps from the craft store. I added tiny punched hearts and faux crystals for fun.
I'm currently on the road and don't have my Copics with me so I can't list them but can tell you the flesh is the same as below in "Mellow Yellow". Brunette hair - E000, E50, E33, E99. Pinafore - O, C1. Dress - R??? (will update soon.)
I'm entering this in the following challenges:
All That Scraps - Queen of Hearts (ends 2/13)
Totally Tilda's Challenge - #15 Lots of Hearts
Challenge #14 7 Kids Kollege Fund - I{heart}U
Simon Says - Love Is In The Air
May Arts for the Love of Ribbon Challenge

My Mellow Maggie!!

2011-01-30T11:39:00.012-05:00

Fellow Maggie enthusiast and cardmaker extroidanaire, Cabio, selected this photo for inspiration on the Magnolia-Licious Challenge blog.

There is something very soothing about this buttery palette and I just had to give it a try. Also new to me on this card is black hair. My Copic collection is meager in the yellow dept. but it it worked somehow. Mellow tones of yellow are rare ones for me but I think it turned out okay and I'll definitely try them again.

I followed the ingredients on the Magnolia-Licious HiLites blog as well where the recipe is 4 flowers, 3 DP, 1 ribbon, and 2 Magnolia images. My second image is the Tilda sunflower stamp.

Rosalie so kindly wrote and asked me for the Copic colors I used. I will try to post them more often in the future! Here goes:
Flesh - E0000, E00, E33, E50, R00, R11, R20,
Dress - Y00, YR21, E000, E50, C1, E99, E25 (see only 2 yellows used)
Socks - E50, E000, Y00, YR21
Shoes - E50, E33, E25, E99
Hair - C1, C3, C5, N7
I used my colorless blender on the hair, shoes/socks, & dress ruffles. Since I am still building my Copic collection I have to improvise but it seemed to work on this!

Challenges I'm entering:
Magnolia-Licious Challenge Blog
Magnolia-Licious HiLites

This card was a lot of fun but DH thinks it's too busy!

OWH Principals of Design FREE Online Seminar

2011-01-29T18:21:00.005-05:00

The instructor for this series of free seminars sponsored by OWH, holds a B.F.A. from Parson's School of Design, New York. She has 25 years design experience and works as a Sr. Graphic Designer for a small Connecticut printer. Her freelance work includes public service campaigns for a wide variety of national organizations including the American Heart Association, NFL and National Parks Foundation. Check out what Paula has to share and participate please!!

The series begins today, January 29th but is totally self-guided so you can start at anytime. I'll add photos of my attempt to this posting on Sunday. Please check back to see more and go check out OWH if you're not familiar. This is a wonderful, worthy organization all cardmakers can love!

HUGE Thanks to Danielle and ABC Design Team...

2011-01-29T10:36:00.005-05:00

What a surprise! I'm very humbled and honored...please thank the academy, etc. AND definitely Fitter Twit who nominated me back at Christmas time. Be sure to visit her fun blog too.

My cute little handmade treat/coffee/etc. bag took First Place over at ABC Design Team for the January "Baby It's Cold Outide" challenge. I'm really honored and thankful!!

Amazing New Stuff...

2011-01-25T20:15:00.004-05:00

Cosmos Cricket has introduced a wonderful new product I can't wait to get my sticky little fingers on...they are GLUBERS!! They are large circles of glue that are perfect for making things like ribbon flowers and those accordian pleated rounds I love.
Be sure to visit their blog for a cute video on them and join me in patiently waiting for our favorite suppliers to start carrying them. Sheesh...I'm not so good with patience but I'll try. Here's a photo of the package I snagged from their website so you'll know them when they start popping up.

Janome Sew Mini

2011-01-24T15:52:00.005-05:00

I have always debated whether to sew on my papercrafts or not and apparently, I'm not alone. I'll be back this evening to elaborate and complete this post so be sure to stop back...Click here to check out a wonderful tutorial. This is an amazing bunch of information for anyone considering sewing on papercrafts.

I think one of these little sweeties is in my future! One of the members of a Yahoo group dedicated to Tilda that I love pointed us in the direction of this tutorial and it comes highly recommended. Darn, wish I'd seen this before Christmas!

The Mini Sew can be found at Overstock.com with shipping for just $2.95 or at Hancock Fabrics as mentioned in the tutorial...there is no sale on them currently so you might want to find a coupon! If you want to save a couple more dollars visit Overstock.com through the Ebates.com portal and please use my link here. (We'll both get a bonus when you buy your Mini Sew!)

My suggestions are to be careful with the needles selected, thread tension, and type of thread. The tutorial also gives great guidance on thread so you should be set to get busy sewing on paper! Have fun :-)

Let me know if you buy a Mini and how it works. For me...there's a new TOOL to put on my wishlist!

Baby It's Cold Outside!

2011-01-21T10:35:00.010-05:00

Oh yes! It is in the 20 degree range here today. A good day to enter my cute little card in the ABC DT Challenge for my final entry! I had so much fun entering this challenge I just kept making cards for it. This is my fav by far tho'! The black/white/hot pink colorway is so much fun and any excuse I can find to use the black & white gingham ribbon, I'm taking it! It is one of my favorite embellies.
The large pink faux crystal heart is a leftover from Valentine's Day 2010 by Recollections and a focal point for the card. This really isn't a Valentine card but more a seasonal card that reminds one of where we are in the year.
The sweet little digital image I used on the card is from the Pure Innocence collection by Heather Ellis. The rubberstamp is available at All That Scraps too.

My choice of Copic markers were in keeping with the color scheme I chose for the card but would work with almost any color due to the neutral gray/black & white on the coat & scarf set. For the first time in my postings, I'll post the Copics I used:
Coat/hat - C1, C3, C5, B00, O (to tone down/blend the B00)
Boots - RV21, RV23, RV25, RV29
Face - E00, E33, E50, R000, R20
Its tough to see the Diamond Stickles used on the coat and snow and also, the shimmery metallic finish to the gray background paper by SEI that I used an MS punch. Additional embellies include MS snowflakes with faux crystal centers and white Robin's Nest pearlized decos. If I've left off anything important please leave me a comment and I'll try to answer...Oh...AND I love comments and followers. Please stop by again soon!

Cute Little Calendar for Play Date Cafe PDCC64

2011-01-18T22:29:00.011-05:00

This is the wonderful inspiration photo at the Play Date Cafe this week! I have to say this is one of my favorite colorways! I carried a photo with the same colors with me forever as I decorated my house near the ocean. Don't you think it is the perfect set of colors for a house near the beach?
These serene colors make me think about the beach and ocean I love so I wanted to make myself a little prezzie! I decided I could keep my own craft and enjoy it all year if I made a little desk calendar to use when I'm talking to potential renters of my place at the beach. Don't you think its adorable? I do!!
My little calendar is just 4" x 4".
To make it I used two 4x4 white unprinted bleached coasters. I scored one thru the center and adhered them together, gluing only one half of the back. The unglued portion become the easel back.
Another generous blogging crafter suggested www.printablecalendar.ca for free calendar templates and I found it to be perfect for this project. I used 2 taupe colored DP for the background, distressing & sewing then punching and lacing up one side where I added 2 beads for a little fun. 2 coordinating ribbon tabs add a little more color as does the 2011 date I cut with my Cricut Plantin Schoolbook cartridge. I used a vintage set of Stampin Up "Fish Frolics" stamps for the seahorse & bubbles. I added a little Glossy Accents to the bubbles, seahorse & 2011 for a little fun dimension.

I really enjoyed this project and like the idea that I'll be able to enjoy my little present to myself all year long! I hope you'll try making one...they make perfect teacher's gifts AND it's quick & easy.

Thanks to PDCC for this.........

ATS & ABC Challenges

2011-01-17T17:40:00.008-05:00

The challenge at All That Scraps this week is to use something with a "snowman" theme. Stamps used have to be carried in their store. The rubber of this cutie is in their My Favorite Things collection here (tho' I believe its currently out of stock.) I made mine from a digital image that I purchased online somewhere ages ago.

My easel card was a fun one to make from a pack of MS seasonal papers I purchased back before Christmas and never used. I distressed and sewed the layers together and added gingham ribbon with a red buttons. I love the "snow day" theme to the paper and wanted it to play prominantly with the card so I left the front pretty simple and used the sentiment inside. The interior is decorated with old red cluny lace a hand punched snowflake layered with a adhesive glittery foam snowflake, metal asteriks, & red pearl.

Hurry on over to All That Scraps to check out this challenge. It ends today! Over at ABC Design Team the "Baby Its Cold Outside" challenge runs until Jan. 22th and you can enter as many times as you like. I am working on another entry for this week too! Winner will be announced Jan. 27th.

All That Scraps Woo-Hoo!!

2011-01-16T13:30:00.004-05:00

Excited...who me????? Oh my!! It feels really good when one of your favorite online places gives you an award. Seems like weeks ago when I entered their "Winter Near You" challenge with my New Year's tiara. Pam Sparks surprised me with a nice little email letting my know my creation made Top 5. Woohoo again!!

My granddog, Daisy, will be happy to hear about it too. Good girl, Daisy :-)

Wonderful Quote & Sneak Peek...

2011-01-14T13:50:00.001-05:00

Today, I've spent most of the lunch hour blog hopping for the wonderful Itty Bitty line of Unity stamps. If you haven't done so be sure to visit their blog and check it out too. They are giving away 25 stamps to a lucky hopper...hope its me. I bought my first Unity stamp at Christmas time and fell in love.

While I was hopping around the internet this morning I came across a quote that sums up some of my feelings about friendship and wanted to share it with you...
"A friend is someone who gives you total freedom to be yourself-
and especially to feel, or not feel.
Whatever you happen to be feeling at any moment is fine with them.
That's what real love amounts to
- letting a person be what he really is."
— Jim Morrison
Pefect message my friends! Be yourself...I like you just the way you are. Be well and have a great day.

Please go hop and come back later this weekend. I'm wrapping up my Valentine masterpiece for 2011 and might even have one to sell on Esty.com. The photo above it a sneak peak!!!

Bags Are Quite The Thing!

2011-01-09T12:40:00.008-05:00

I've been blog hopping today before getting busy on a new project and was struck by how many bag crafts I happened across. Either my sister bloggers and I are on the same wave length or bags are regaining in popularity OR both!

I wanted to point out a couple great spots of inspiration I came across that I intend to revisit soon:

For nifty paper sack crafts I visited old pal Cindy Lyles at Starlit Studio for her rendition of cute little thank yous and nifty gifties. You've got to see them...I'm definitely going to give this a try when I make my grandgals' Valentines. Ahhh...finally a project for my heart-shaped doilies. Thank you, Cindy!!

Cindy was inspired by Mish Mash's Christmas pouches. Aren't they the cutest things ever?? She also has an Etsy.com store with lots of interesting tidbits.

And Dineen a newbie over at the Magnolia-licious Challenge blog came up with a pattern/template that works perfectly for my handcrafted bag below. Be sure to go print yourself a copy :-)

I was also very inspired by the delicate loveliness of Viola Mahr's beautiful cards and crafts. She sells lots of yummy goodness at her Etsy.com store too.

And totally unrelated to bags but looks interesting is a video classroom of sorts that might be fun... .

Please be sure to leave these talented bloggers some love if you stop by and come back to see my LOVE-ly surprise I'm working on that will be posted soon! Ohh...before I forget...how about following my blog too?

Last Holiday Party...

2011-01-05T15:42:00.011-05:00

Tomorrow the family and I are off for our final family gathering for the holidays...so sad but my tree is down so I guess its time to tuck these memories away until November 2011 when we can make some new ones!

I'm heading down to mix up the ingredients for my coffee bag and plan to make a gourmet minty chocolatey coffee bean concoction as a small thank you. I also plan to use this style bag soon for coffee beans I give away every summer by the bag full to my beach house tenants. Can't you see these as shower or wedding favors too?? It would be so easy to print tags with names of your bride & groom and would look so special!!

The embellie is a wood snowflake with a large MS punched snowflake in DCWV glitter CS with a Prima faux crystal flower center. For a festive feel I looped a 6" length of silver lame' eyelash yarn from my stash behind the snowflakes. A couple layers of coordinating papers, one distressed make a nice base for my tag which I made with my computer covering the large "M" in Glossy Accents.
This bag was super easy to make! Start with a 6.75" x 12 piece of DP paper and just wrap as you would a gift around your largest MS punch keeping it open on one end. I used 1/8" ScoreTape down the side and on the bottom to finish off the bag. Inside I've got my beans in a cellophane sack with twist tie so the oils don't leak onto my package.
Two punched holes through both sides of my bag make tieing a sweet bow an easy way to close the package with a festive touch.

I'm entering this in ABC Design Blog's "Baby It's Cold Outside" Challenge which ends 1/22/2011...BTW, you can enter this challenge as often as you like. Be sure to check the rules for stipulations!