hugsincluded

A VALENTINE FROM OSCAR

2010-02-07T13:16:00.003-06:00

I had this little dog in my Miscellaneous Stamps box and tried coloring it in Oscar's colors. I want to send it to the Canine Soulmates organization as a Valentine to them from Oscar and to thank them for putting the two of us together!!! He went to the doggy hospital Friday and was neutered, had all of his shots, was micro chipped and tested for heart worms. I also had all of his blood work done so that he would have a complete health history with his new forever home!! He checked out well, except that he has a case of fleas -- of course, after his surgery we can't get a bath for 2 weeks, so he will have to put up with them for a while. He did not have to get a "cone of shame" (from the movie UP). With my being off this week-end I have been watching him to make sure he doesn't start licking on his incisions. He's coming along well, and I have cleaned the house and am washing all of the linens for the flea situation. As soon as the next pay day gets here, I plan on calling the exterminator to come out and use a "green solution" to spray the house and outside. I feel like he either came with them or he picked them up on our walks around the neighborhood. The doctor gave him a 30-day pill for the fleas, so that should be kicking in shortly.

Anyway, I'm still very THANKFUL to have him with me and it is a real joy for us both to have each other.

A Gretting Card for ME!!!!

2010-01-27T14:06:00.004-06:00

My big sister, Susan (susiestampsalot), made a card for me and my new Mom!!! Isn't it cute!! On the inside it says, "I Ruff You!" Susan wrote "I'm so glad you found Oscar and he found you!" ............ and it's soooooooo TRUE!!! She also brought over a gift certificate to the Three Dog Bakery in Southlake. Maybe my Mom and I will go over this week-end and get some treats!!! I sure hope that my Mom takes me; however, she may have to think about it. I got mad at her this morning. She put me in my kennel for when she's at work and (I'm ashamed to say) that I started fussing at her cause I just DID NOT want to be in there, even though she made it really comfortable with an afgahn, my chew toy with the hidden cheese inside, and my new strippey squeek toy. Anyway, she'll be back this afternoon and maybe will have forgotten about how ugly I was when she left for work this morning.

Hugs from Oscar

OSCAR

2010-01-24T13:59:00.003-06:00

Hello everyone!! My name is Oscar and I'm a 2-year old Shih Tzu and I'm the new man in Linda's life!! She and are doing very well together. I really like my new home and have taken a lot of walks (which by the way is my FAVORITE thing to do). She is very impressed with how well I behave and gives me lots of cuddles and hugs. I have taken over her ottoman but still leave her a little bit of room to put her feet up. She let me sleep in her bed last night (shhhhh! don't tell anyone, but I think that might be a permanent nighttime bed for me too). I did get a little scared last night when I got off the bed and saw a dog looking back at me from Linda's mirrored closet door! I growled in my very low and scary voice to let whoever that was know that this is MY room and stay away. Linda woke up and led me over to the door and guess what!! ...... that was ME in the mirror. Well, I wagged my tail and Mom and I got back into bed and continues our night's sleep. Whew, that was a close one..........

I'll get my Mom to post any of the new things we do. I know you will be interested to know how things are going with me and my "forever home"!!!

Hugs to all from Oscar and Mom

PARTY INVITATIONS

2009-11-02T16:00:00.003-06:00

My oldest daughter Susan Liles (susiestampalot.blogspot.com) has two daughters in elementary school. Annually, there is a fund-raiser for various things at the school (I'll bet you never heard of that happening! :D ). Anyway, they try to come up with something to do in an auction every year, and this year Susan had a TERRIFIC idea --- make up baskets filled with party giving goodies to be auctioned off! All Moms have to give birthday parties for their little ones every year and who doesn't run around getting paper plates, cups, decorations, invitations, etc. to throw a party!?!? This was a great idea to have a basket full of these goodies already made up making this job soooooo much easier!! Of course, Grandma, had to contribute something, so I came up with these two invitations (boy and girl) with envelopes to add to the basket. I thought they turned out really cute! Hope you like them.

CRAFT ROOM

2009-10-26T15:13:00.002-05:00

I am using my second bedroom as my craft room. A while ago, after cleaning it (as well as could be expected for a lot of stuff), I took some pictures of it to send to my Uncle Garner who lives in Dallas so he could see my "creative" space. In return he made this collage (is that how you spell it?). I thought it was TERRIFIC and speaks so well for his computer savvy!! So, I'm sharing it and his talents with you!!

FALL 2009

2009-10-10T12:30:00.004-05:00

I'm in the middle of making a bunch of Halloween cards to take to my doctor's office for he and his staff to pick from for their families and friends. I'm also doing my usual duties - cleaning, dishes, laundry - that I do every week-end.

During the cleaning chores, I got down my fall decorations -- a swag of fall leaves for the front door and the table decorations for the dining room. The door swag I ordered online a really long time ago and pack it away every year. The table is made up of two gorgeous ceramic pumpkins and a black candle stand that my daughter, Susan, gave me for my birthday last year. All of the other things (fall leaves - actually 3 vines of them - pumpkins, goards, etc.) I purchased last year at the Dollar Store (and, yes, they were ACTUALLY a dollar).

This is my favorite time of the year -- the colors, foliage, and everything! We're having our first chill of the season. It's in the high 50's low 60"s outside and the leaves on my trees are falling in the yard. GREAT!!!!! Sooooooooo nice! I think it looks wonderful and will enjoy it for the next weeks before putting out the Christmas decorations.

Thank you for stopping my and I'll see you guys later.

WITCHIE WITCH

2009-09-01T22:03:00.002-05:00

Here we are again with another Halloween card using the little witch from Stamping Bella. This layout was posted on Kristine B (Oregon) blog http://www.inksomething.blogspot.com/ . This was so much fun to make ... I had ALL the ingredients needed without going out to add to my already bulging stash of stamps, paper, embelishments. I love the way it turned out with all the just right layout (thank you, Kristine). I hope you like it, too! Come see me again.

TRICK OR TREAT HEDGIES

2009-08-22T13:58:00.002-05:00

I found it!! I had stored away this Stampin Up set from waaayyyy back, but it's one of my favorite Halloween sets -- "Halloween Hedgehogs". This particular stamp is so much fun to color and to use on a card -- it says it all!!! I used my Copics to color. The old fence and tree images are from a more recent SU set - "Home is Where the Haunt is" -- and I embossed this image using black ep (thank you, Susan, for this suggestion). The little candy corns and stars in the sky are also from the Hedgehogs set colored with Copics. I punched the moon out using a CM punch. I accented the images and the punched out moon in Spica glitter pens in complementary colors. This is one of my favorite cards so far this Halloween season. Look for more in coming posts. Thank you for stopping by!

GHOULIES!!

2009-08-20T11:05:00.003-05:00

I visited Sherrie at our neighborhood store (Scrapper's Boutique) yesterday and picked out this little stamp from some new ones she got in .... I'm so glad I went by as these seem to fly out the door before I even know they're there!! I'm on vacation this week, so, had I been working, I'm sure this cutie would have gone they way so many more have done -- GONE!! I colored this with my Copics (thank you Jen for the lessons) and mounted it on black cardstock. The sentiment "Have a BOO-tiful Halloween" I did on my computer and backed it with black and orange cardstock. they may not show up well in the photo, but I put in black eyelets to run the ribbon thru. I just LOVE this little card and know my grandkids will like it too.

ANOTHER LITTLE WITCHIE!

2009-08-20T11:00:00.003-05:00

Here's another little witch card. I had an image in my mind about doing some "scribbles" with the colors that I used on the card -- gray, orange, black, light purple. That's what the background is in the middle of the card. I offset the little witch image (colored with Copics) and put a tag accented with Primas at the top corner. I added a black/white check ribbon to the orange ribbon in the bottom part of the card. I hope you enjoy it! Come back and see me again!

Halloween

2009-08-09T22:50:00.002-05:00

One of my most favorite times of the year to make cards (other than Christmas, of course) is HALLOWEEN!! .... and that time is fast coming upon us. I just adore this little witch from Stampingbella and had to make my first Halloween card using it. The decorative paper is some left over from about 3 years ago and goes so well with anything and everything Halloween! The sentiment stamp is from Michael's $1 bin from a couple of years ago. I love being able to use all the stamps, papers, and ribbon that I already have. I hope you like the card and there will be more posts to follow as I have six grandkids to make them for. Thank you for stopping by yet again on these many posts. It seems like with my blog recently it is either feast or famine!

Baby Card

2009-08-09T12:24:00.002-05:00

Jen Del Muro's Sketch For You To Try this week inspired me to go to work and come up with this little baby card. The little one is busting out of an "egg" which is an oval punch cut in half with ziggy zag cuts to look like a little egg. I colored the little one (from Whipper Snapper) with my Copics and I shaded the egg with a gray Pallette stamp pad. This little card just tickled me and I hope you enjoy it, too!

Thank you for coming for a visit and come back again.

Wasabi Ketto

2009-08-09T12:16:00.003-05:00

I just had to get this cute little Ketto stamp by Stampingbella when I last visited my new neighborhood store, Scrapper's Boutique. I had this floral paper that I thought would go with this little gal and accented it with the little white flowers that I used a marker to color and did the centers with a 3-D paint dot. The little gal was colored with Copics and blended with one of the many techniques I learned in a recent Copic class by Jen Del Muro (thanks again, Jen). I also added 3-D paint dots for the hair decorations.

Thank you for stopping by and I've got one more post to make at this session.

Apple Harvest

2009-08-09T12:12:00.002-05:00

This little "just because" card started around the dp paper I found in my stash. I did faux stiching around the green background cardstock. I punched the scallop oval and then stacked the plain ovals on top with the final one holding the image from Stampin Up's Basket Full of Fun stamp set. I colored it with my Copics and added a "shiny" accent with a white gel pen.

I hope you enjoy the card. Thank you for stopping by and come back again soon!

GIRL WITH KITTEN

2009-08-05T12:48:00.004-05:00

I recently visited my new neighborhood Scrapper's Boutique and found this kitty paper on sale!! It is BoBunny Cat-Atude and sooooooo cute. I had just the perfect stamp image from Stampingbella to go with it!! It made a really cute card using complimenting cardstock and ribbon. I also had the cute little paw print brad in my stash. I used my Stampin Up Scallop Edge punch for the card base and repeated it on the border for the image. I cut out two of the little gray kitties from the dp and adhered one direct to the right hand bottom corner and popped the second image up with dimensionals. Since I made the card for a close friend, I thought the Warm Hugs sentiment also from Stampingbella was ideal!!

I hope you enjoy the card!

Thank you for stopping by and come back again real soon!

BACK TO SCHOOL

2009-07-30T14:45:00.003-05:00

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!! Don't tell my boss, but while he was out on vacation I brought my stamp stuff up here to the office to finish off this card. I was intrigued with the Tri-Shutter Card that was on Splitcoast (http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/trishuttercard) and thought it would fit to do it for this card. IT WAS PERFECT!!

My granddaughter, Audrie, is starting kindergarten this year and I just HAD to make her a card for the occassion (her Mom, Susan Liles, just told me that I need to make her another card because she is losing her FIRST TOOTH, too)!!

Anyway, the images are from Whipper Snapper that I got some time ago and have hung on to them for all the grandchildren. The 12x12 "chalkboard" paper is from ProvoCraft and the

8-1/2x11 paper is by Masterpiece Studios (purchased at Michael's when I took delivery of the Whipper Snapper school stamps). The images were colored with my Copics using the techniques that Jen DelMuro taught us last Saturday (thank you, Jen). I really liked the way it turned out. I'm going to get a "magnifying" dot to adhere to the 24th date on the little calendar. In case you can't read the sentiment on the front, it says "The wheels on the bus.....go round and round". I did it on my computer and printed it on the cardstock.

Hope you enjoy the card and be sure to make one of these trishutters -- they're fun to make and goes toward a great looking card!!!

Thanks for stopping by and come back again real soon.

MUM

2009-07-29T12:34:00.003-05:00

One of my favorite sets is Garden Inspirations from Lizzie Anne. It so reflects the images that my daughter, Sara Williams, created for my blog!!

This card was inspired by a Behr paint commercial I saw on TV last night for their "no primming" paint. The colors shown were the orange, tan, and green. They went so well together, I thought they'd make a wonderful card. The dec paper is from Big Memory Ideas (MPS-25 Fashion District) and goes ideally with the mum image from Lizzie Anne. I was able to apply my Copic blending techniques I learned from Jen last Saturday.

I hope you enjoy my cards.

Until next time ...............

COPIC CLASS

2009-07-29T12:20:00.005-05:00

I had a WONDERFUL time last Saturday!! Jen delMuro held a Copic Coloring Class at the new Scrapper's Boutique (the new little shop in North Richland Hills --- just down the way from where I work). The things she taught us were invaluable. Some of the little things were the price of admission just by themselves!!!! She is a wonder!!! My daughters, Nancy Cook and Susan Liles were there, too which made it even more SPECIAL!!

These are two of the cards that we did in class. I'm still not good, but practice will make me better (or so says the expert, Jen)!!!

The third card is the very first image where we tried the blending techniques and I put the image on a little 4.25 x 4.25 card which I think is pretty cute.

If you get an opportunity to take one of Jen's Copic classes or, for that matter, any of her classes, you need to take advantage of them!!! She is an excellent cardmaker and a wonderful teacher!

VINTAGE PICNIC

2009-07-06T22:51:00.004-05:00

I think I'm beginning to get my "mojo" back when I received the Vintage Picnic set from Papertrey! I've been working on some of the basket images and having a wonderful time coloring them with my Copics and other markers. (BTW, I am trying to register for two of Jen delMuro's Copics classes on July 25 --- EXCITING!!!) Anyway, here is one that I'm kind of proud of as I love the cheery colors and also the layout. I hope you like it, too!

HAPPY FOURTH!!

2009-07-03T08:46:00.003-05:00

It's July 3 and I'M NOT AT WORK!!!! Yeah!! I decided last night to sleep in this morning since I don't have to be at work .... that plan seems to never work out .... I always wake up at the regular time (even without my alarm set), and can't go back to sleep; however, one advantage of being off is that I can ALWAYS go take a short "power nap" anytime during the day. I bought my little six pack of Starbucks Mocha Frappacino at the store last night, so I've had my shot of energy, my bowl of Cherrios, and my meds and I'M READY TO GO!!

I had been working on this card since Susan told me about the Vintage Picnic set from Papertrey and that it would be a must have!! I checked into it and sure enough she was right!!

I colored the plaid with fine tip Sharpies and handles and flag pole with Sakura Glaze pens in grey metalic. The stars were done with the Glaze gold metalic. I hope you enjoy the card and that you have a great JULY 4th!!

I'M BAAACCKKKK!!

2009-06-21T10:47:00.003-05:00

It's been a looooong time since I've posted. My medicines have kicked in and I'm feeling much much better! I had trouble with a medication that was prescribed to make the tingling/burning sensations a whole lot better. It had to be approved by Medicare to reduce the cost from $225 down to $60. They had me as LL Bien and the Rx was Linda Bien. After about a month and a lot of patience and stick-to-it-ness by my doctor's office, WE FINALLY got it approved. I'm feeling so much better. I had a check up last Friday and, since starting back on my diabetes diet and paying attention to my medications, I've lot a total of 61 pounds!!! I'm so proud of myself and am looking and feeling much better. I have, of course, had to get some new clothes which is a good thing!!

I have made a few cards during this time and am now taking time to post them. This first one was a "just because" type of mood I was in along with wanting to use this plaid paper. The images are from Whipper Snapper and I used my Copics to color. It's a simple card, but ideal for jotting off a quick note.

I made this card for a friend who was in the hospital. I really enjoy using this Decorative Bird Set from Hero Arts. The decorative paper is from Paper Trey's Men of Life Collection. I like the look of the cross stitch pattern and combined it with the Close to Cocoa from SU. The dots that fill in the scalloped edge is Scribbles 3-D paint in coordinating colors.

This last card was one that I dreamed up wanting to use this quilted pattern paper. I don't think it shows up on the picture, but all of the lines have been scored and Scribbles 3-D paint was used at each intersection to "anchor" the quilting. I love this little baby elephant, "Ellie" from Stampendous. The flowers are the table confetti by Gartner that I picked up some time ago at Michaels' Bridal Secttion. I then colored them with coordinating colored markers from SU as the markers seem to work better than Copics on this this type application.

Well, that's all for now -- have to go attend to my laundry. I've washed and folded three loads so far. Have about two to go. I don't mind laundry. I did my dreaded job yesterday ... ran and EMPTIED the dishwasher!! I don't know why I hate that job so much .. I think I'd rather do anything other than empty the dishwasher. I generally just run it and get the clean dishes out as I need them; however, I generally leave the dishwasher door down (which is stupid) and I have visions of tripping over the open door when I go back into the kitchen.

I'll talk to everyone again REAL soon!!! as I plan on making a few cards this afternoon. My inspiration and "mojo" is slowly returning.

Hugs to all

Birthday Balloon Ride

2009-05-18T20:07:00.003-05:00

How much fun is this little stamp from Penny Black. I'm in love with little Hedgies (no matter who makes them -- they ALL CUTE)! I colored this with my Copics and shaded the edges of the main image with Cat's Eye. The little "music" dp is a freebie that I got out of a magazine and thought it would perhaps look like "Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday to You" etc. etc. The sentiment is the curvy verses from Stampin' Up "You're a wonderful reason to clebrate!". The ribbon is a wire ribbon which is probably why it stands up so well!

Enjoy the look see.

A Day at the Beach

2009-05-18T20:02:00.002-05:00

Sweet Seasons is a set from Stampin' Up that I really enjoy using -- there's one that applies to each of the four seasons. This one, of course, is for summer. The "BEACH" is a part of the "A Shore Thing Collection" from Snag'em Stamps that I had ordered last year when I was stamping some "Save the Date" cards for a friend's wedding in the Bahamas. The card is one of those little ones (4.25 x 4.25) that I just love to make. I hope you like this card as much as I had fun making it.

Celebrate Memorial Day!

2009-05-17T14:40:00.002-05:00

My good friend, Jay, is still recuperating from back surgery. He is very patriotic and is always sending emails about our troops and American holidays out to his friends. I made this card to send him for Memorial Day. The image is Patriotic Bear from Whipper Snapper Designs. The layout is from Michelle O's blog Stamps, Paper, Scissors and Donkey Smiles. The star papers are from a stash of dp Mat Pack. The sentiment is a Stampin' Up rub-on. The star buttons have been in my button inventory for a long, long time. I used embroidery thread on the hole (and boy what a hard time I had doing that. As a result of diabetes, my left hand trembles and it was a real chore threading the buttons -- note to myself .. invest in another needle threader)!

Ingredients:

Very Vanilla CS, Real Red, Night of Navy, White, Summer Sun

Pallette Noir Black ink, Cats Eye beige for shading

Stampin' Up Large and Small Star punch

Buttons, Embroidery Thread, Copics

GRAND OPENING!!!

2009-05-09T15:37:00.007-05:00

My daughter, Sara Williams (Tweaks and Designs), designed my new blog for a Mother's Day Gift!!! ISN'T IT GORGEOUS!! I love the colors, flowers, and little birds. She was so creative (as usual) with the fonts, design and all of it!! I was secretly hoping that she'd do this for Mother's Day for me (we certainly do think alike) and hurray SHE DID!! I made this card trying to use the same mum images and same colors to introduce the opening of my new blog!! I had ordered from Lizzie Anne the Garden Inspirations set (having seen a preview of what was going on the blog) so that I could use it on the first card going on the new site. I used Sage Shadow from Stampin' Up as the base color. The polka dot decorative paper is from Papertrey's Polka Dot Parade and the small floral under it was a freebie from Lizzie Anne that came with the stamp set. I mounted the two dp's were mounted on Blush Blossom (Stampin' Up). I used SU's Scallop Circle Punch for the large flower (colored with Copics). The leafy stem was colored with Stampin' Up's Sage Shadow and cut by hand. I punched the flowers from Blush Blossom using STU's Three for You punch box. Cat's Eye shading was used on all of the edges and 3-D Paint in tan was used as the centers of the small punch flowers. Dashes, Dots & Checks ribbons from Michael's accents the dp strip.

I love this card and think it is such a compliment to MY NEW BLOG!!

I hope you like it and the blog design.

Cards for Jay

2009-04-25T12:01:00.004-05:00

The husband of one of my good friends is due to have back surgery next week. I have been making some cards to send to him while he is recuperating. I really like the Long Time Friend set from Stampin' Up -- #1 because it is easily either masculine or feminine and #2 because it is so much fun to color!! While talking about coloring, I must tell you a funny story ... my doctor has given me a prescription for Ambien to help me sleep (neuropothy complications from my diabetes) and it seems to lessen the irritation felt from the neuropothy. Well when Imade the first card (the watering can image), I had taken one 10mg pill almost immediately when I got home from work because I felt so bad. I went in the craft room and starting making the card (stamped the image, got my layout all set) and then started coloring. As the night progressed, I took another 10mg pill and went back to my coloring. I then got very tired and sleepy and decided to go to bed. The next afternoon after work, I went to finish up the card. To my astonishment, there were coloring marks on the image (the skinny leaves of the flowers coming out of the top of the watering can) where there was no image to be colored. The leaves go up either straight or at an angle and then down drooping from the can. Undoubtedly, the medication took hold of me and I just went "crazy" with a couple of coloring marks. Instead of doing the image all over again, I took a very fine black pen and drew in leaves where the green marks were. I hope that I was able to camoflage these mistakes.

Back to the card I modified some flowers that I got at Michaels to mimick the tiny flowers coming out of the tipped over flower pot. I still like the way it turned out and will definitely send it on to Jay (besides that I think he'll enjoy the story that goes with it).

The other card is from the same set. This time I didn't have to correct any coloring mistakes and will send it to him next week, too.

Ingredients:

Cardstock: Certainly Celery and Bashful Blue base from Stampin' Up; Close to Cocoa also Stampin' Up. White from Papertrey. Bitty Dots from Papertrey. Stripe paper from stash.

Stamps: Long Time Friend from Stampin' Up

Embellishments: Flowers are Brides Table Confetti from Michaels; Ribbon Brown PolyTwill from Stampin' Up; Amber Beads from Stampingbella; Pearl Beads (a donation from my daughter); 3-D Paint for flower centers; Scallop Oval Punch from Marvy; Fiskars Deckle Paper Edger Scissors; Cats Eye Ink for edgiing; Dimensionals; Copics; Chalks from Stampin' Up

Thanks for stopping by and come back again soon!

Hugs to all from Linda

Forget-Me-Nots

2009-04-21T15:03:00.005-05:00

One of my very best friends, Lisa Bartek, is a Realtor for the company I have worked for for the past 26 years. She stays in touch with her customers and clients by sending them cards that she creates. Since it is spring, she thought she'd send them seed packets of Forget-Me-Nots and stowed them in this very clever pocket card. She used a flower punch for the blue flowers. The added faux stiching on the fold-down was genious!!! I was thrilled with her card as will be all those lucky enough to receive it. Thank you, Lisa, for sharing this with us.

Thank you for visiting today and come back again real soon!

Hugs Linda

Shelbie's Birthday

2009-04-18T14:08:00.002-05:00

The original card I sent to my granddaughter never made it to her, so I made this replacement. I really am liking the color combination on this and they go so well with the Sparkling Summer set from Stampin' Up. The sentiment is from Stampingbella and speaks to all those yummy images on the card. The flowers are from Flora Doodles by Petaloo and are centered with a rhinestone brad from Stampin' Up. The cardstock is from Papertrey (Raspberry Fizz, Summer Sunrise and Summer Sunrise Bitty Dot Basics).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SHELBIE!!

Hugs to all

Linda

Take time for Yourself

2009-04-17T14:10:00.002-05:00

I've been working so hard at work that I made this card thinking of the upcoming week-end and to "TAKE TIME FOR MYSELF" for the week-end. I used Stampin' Up's Sparkling Summer for the imagae. The little shells at the bottom middle of the card, were from a bunch of embellishments given to me by a girl I work with. They were just PERFECT. They started out white and I daubbed them with caramel and brown colored ink. I really like the simplicity of this card (simple was my inspiration)!!

Hope you enjoy the card and your time off this week-end. TAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF!!

Hugs Linda

TCPTUES53 Challenge

2009-04-09T22:22:00.002-05:00

This is my first time to do the The Cat's Pajamas challenge. This Summery Color Challenge was a fun project. The colors I used were Papertrey's Raspberry Fizz, Stampin' Ups Pumpkin Pie and So Saffron (yellow). The images were from Papertrey's Tags for Spring, Stampim' Ups Garden Whimsey, and A-Muse's Splendiferous Day. The punches I used were also varied -- Stampin' Up's scallop circle and Marvy's larger scallop circle and Stampin' Ups circle punch. I used Stampin' Ups Pumpkin Pie grograin ribbon. Dimensionals added depth to each image. White cardstock was used as the base with layers of the Raspberry, Orange and Yellow colors. The dots were done with 3-D paint.

I hope you enjoy seeing this card as much as I did doing it. I think I might just do another challenge!!

Hugs

Linda

Bunny on Pink

2009-04-05T16:04:00.002-05:00

Another stamp I picked up at the garage sale is from QKR Stamp-Ede. I'm in the middle of making Easter cards and this cute bunny was a "must purchase". I colored him/her with my Copics, scalloped the edges with my scallop scissors, and set it on Cramy Caramel and Close to Cocoa cardstock. I punch a corner scallop and adhered it to Pixie Pink set on Blush Blossom. I paper pierced the edge and did faux stiching with a freehanded bow on one corner. The flowers white table confetti by Gartner I found at Michaels. I colored the flowers and used 3-D paint for the centers.

Hugs Linda

Garage Sale Purchase

2009-04-05T15:56:00.004-05:00

I went to a Stampin' Up garage sale Saturday and bought a set from 1996. The set is four long stamps (Gardening, Snowmen, Birdhouses, Teapots). Unfortunately, there was no name of the set to be found on the box. I fell in love with each one of the stamps. Here are two cards using the Gardening and Teapots. I colored each with my Copics. The length of the stamp called for a long card 8-1/2 x 3-3/4. I really enjoyed coloring these and coming up with a layout for each one. I hope you like them, too.

Hugs Linda

Speedy Recovery

2009-04-02T21:35:00.002-05:00

My boss's wife just had eye surgery. It went well and she was taken home this afternoon for recovery. She has to, of course, wear a patch over her eye during the healing process. I made this card to send to her using Stampingbella's Alexis Bad Hair Day image and the Speedy Recovery sentiment also from Stampingbella. I pieced Alexis' robe with Papertrey's Bitty Dot Basic in Ripe Avacado and their Summer Sunrise as the base of the card. The stripe at the bottom is from my stash (unknown source). I backed each layer with Stampin' Up's basic black and also used their grosgrain ribbon in Old Olive, Summer Sun, and Apricot Appeal. The buttons are a close match and come from various sources. I used Copics to finish coloring the image and freehanded the eye patch. I hope she gets a little chuckle from the card and it helps to speed her recovery.

Thank you for stopping by and come back again real soon!

Hugs Linda

Veggie Bella

2009-04-01T15:28:00.002-05:00

This past week-end my daughter and her fiance' came over to my house (along with grandkids Carly and Carson) to help trim a tree in my front yard. The limbs were hanging down so that my neighbor had to almost get on his knees to push his lawnmower under them. It took about an hour - hour and a half to get the job done. Michael did the trimming and Nancy and I did the bundling for the trash pick up the next day. Carly and Carson were in a contest (suggested by Nancy to see who could pick up the most little twigs from the side walks (save us from sweeping). We all had a good time -- and if you can make work fun, the better it is. I'm reminded of Mary Poppins and her Spoonful of Sugar!!

Anyway, I made this Thank You card to send to them. I like the way it turned out and I thought Veggie Bella (gardening) was ideal considering what I'm thanking them for. Of course none of us looked as good as Miss Bella when we did our trimming, but it was okay!!

I used my Copics to color and used Stampin' Up's Tiny Talk for the sentiment.

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs to all

Linda

Easter 2009

2009-03-28T10:04:00.003-05:00

With Spring just outside the front door, it is time to do my Easter cards. These two cute little ducks are both from Elzybells and colored with Copics.

I used Papertrey's Bitty Dot basics and matching solid CS for the basis of the Duck on the Easter egg. I did not have a Happy Easter sentiment stamp, so I used my computer to print out the "Happy East". I set the main image at an angle on Papertrey's Polka Dot Parade in coordinating colors. Faux stiching ties it all together.

For the second card, I used decorative papers I received as a freebie when I ordered some stamps (right now I can't remember from whom -- my old brain is just not working right now). Again the sentiment was done on my computer and set on dimensionals. I love the tiny buttons along the bottom.

Hope you enjoy these entries.

Hugs to all

Linda

Baby Card

2009-03-28T09:35:00.002-05:00

The inspiration for this card was the decorative papers that were a gift from my daughter. The bright colors just screamed "baby"!! I used Stampin' Ups' Baby Talk set that I colored with my Copics. I used Marvy's scallop oval punch for the main image and offset it with another punched oval out of Certainly Celery. The Stampin' Up scallop edge punch was used along the bottom and I accented it with 3-D paint dots. The ABC ribbon was bought years ago and it was a must for this application. The "for baby" and the main image were set up on dimensionals to add depth to the card. I really like the way this one turned out and I hope you do, too!

Hugs to all

Linda

Bloomin Beautiful

2009-03-28T09:27:00.002-05:00

I got this set down as I was in a coloring mood one evening. I first did the potted hydrangeas combined with the decorative paper I found in my stash. I love the colors in this one -- my kind of earthy hues. The Stampin' Up Scallop edge punch was combined wtih the two Scallop Square punches that I arranged on opposite corners of the flower image.

On the second card, I first stamped and colored (using Copics on both) the flower and then stamped over it with the "blos*som" stamp also in the set. The Gratitude decorative paper has been in my stash just waiting for the right application.

I really like the way these turned out. Hope you like them, too.

Hugs to all

Linda

Birthday Card Requests

2009-03-28T09:18:00.003-05:00

A couple of my friends requested birthday cards (one friend for her granddaughter, and other for his daughter). Here are the two cards I came up with.

Cindy fell in love with the Butch and Mimi stamp and wanted a card with them on it. I found the little Inkadinkado paw print stamp at my local Michael's store and just had to incorporate it on the card, too. The pink and black layout was perfect for the two little pups.

Chris' daughter is turning 13 and I thought Stamping Bella's Fabby (turned into a cheerleader) would make a great card for a "tween". I found the little pom-poms also at Michaels, so her purse and sunglasses turned into the two pom-poms.

They both loved the cards and were very excited to have a special handmade card for their celebrations.

Hugs to all

Linda

Thomas Kincaid

2009-03-28T08:53:00.003-05:00

Elaine Moore from Vancouver, WA. sent me some stamped Thomas Kincaid images recently. I picked out this one to work into a Father's Day card. It was a little intimidating, but I dove in and, using various mediums (chalk mostly) I finally finished this one. I really like the way the chalks translate into muted colors on the card. I used a white gel pen for some of the highlighting. The sentiment is from Stampin' Up's When I Grow Up set. I think I'll probably give card to the husband of one of my dear friends as he is an avid outdoorsman.

Hugs to all

Linda

Funky Flowers

2009-03-25T20:56:00.003-05:00

On my trip to the Scrappy Scrapper in Waxahachie last week-end, I found this funky dec paper by Sassafras Vintage Yummy Blossomed and knew it would be perfect combined with MFT's Funky Flowers by Sara Williams (I am her proud Mom). I used Stampin Up's More Mustard as the base of the card with the image stamped white and layered with orange and Creamy Caramel and Black. The sentiment is a stamp by AMuse and also layered and set up on dimensionals along with the flower image. The flowers in the corner are Flora Doodles and were ideal with all the colors on the card.

Ingredients:

Stamps: MFT's Funky Flowers by Sara Williams, AMuse Just a Little Note

Ink: Pallette Noir Black

Papers: Stampin Up More Mustard, Only Orange, Creamy Caramel, Basic Black / Sassafras Vintage Yummy Blossomed Dec Paper

Accessories: Stampin Up Grograin Only Orange Ribbon, Flora Doodles flowers, Copics, Stampingbella's Amber bead at flower center, Tiny Hole Punch, Dimensionals

Thank you for stopping by -- come back again!

Hugs Linda

Wrapped in Love

2009-03-24T15:24:00.003-05:00

My daughter and granddaughter made a trip to Waxahachie (just south of Dallas) to a fabulous scrapbook store and had a wonderful time shopping for papers, stamps, embellishments and all sorts of goodies!!! Among my purchases was a 6X6 BasicGray paper pad (Bittersweet). I knew I had this little stamp from Bella and thought the colors were perfect!! I had such fun coloring this little gal all wrapped in a string of hearts!!

Stamps: Stamping Bella Wrapped in Love

Ink: Pallette Noir Black ; Stampin Up Cranberry Crisp (red dots on scallop Oval

Cardstock: Stampin Up Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip; Papertrey White; Decorative Papers from BasicGrey Bittersweet

Accessories: Ribbon Polytwill from Taylored Expressions; Beads from the scrapbook store in Waxahachie (not sure of the maker); Copics, 3-D paint for some of the dots on the scallop oval, White gel pen,, Dimensionals

Sweet Dreams

2009-03-24T15:11:00.002-05:00

This is the first card I've done after getting in my Nite Nite Ellie set from MFT. I had the extreme pleasure of meeting little Miss Ellie at dinner one night with her mom, Jen DelMuro, and what a smart little sweetheart she is. I thought about her the entire time I was doing this card. Although she does not have brown hair, I did this for my granddaughter who (with the exception of one) all have brown hair. The stripped decorative paper that I used were included as a freebie from MFT. The CS is from PaperTrey along with the matching Tiny Dot paper I pieced together for Ellie's pj's. I like the way this turned out.

I must tell you a story, though, When I first made the card and used 3-D paint for the buttons on the pj's and the noses on the bunny slippers, I went to grab the image (all put together and all layered), I smeared the 3-D paint!! It made me so made, I turned off the light and immediately just went to bed. Not until the next day did I have the inspiration to do the image all over again and went ahead and adhered it to the "smeared" one leaving the layering in tack. Anyway, it's all fixed and ready to sent out!!

Stamps: MFT Nite Nite Ellie

Cardstock: Papertrey solid and matching Itty Bitty polka dots plus White CS; Stampin Up Certainly Celery and Basic Black; MFT Striped cecorattive paper.

Ink: Pallette Noir Black, Stampin Up Almost Apricot

Acessories: Light Green Dotted organdy ribbon, Flower accents (from stash), 3-D paint, Copics, Dimensionals

Puppy Love

2009-03-01T12:23:00.003-06:00

It was a great day when I got my new stamps from Stamping Bella. The first one I put ink to was this cute little "Butch and Mimi" stamp. I colored it with my Copics and just HAD to do a plaid bow tie on Butch and a polka dot bow on Mimi in the same red and green colors. I mounted it in a white chipboard frame and stamped it in Cranberry Crisp using the Itty Bitty Backgrounds stamp from SU. The ribbon is one that was taken off a Christmas gift last year. I ussed the Short and Sweet set from SU for the sentiment "love you" and accented it with dots of white 3D paint. I really like the simplicity of this card that focuses on the image (so cute)!! I hope you like it as much as I do.

Come back and visit again!

Hugs Linda

Lizzie Ann Designs Sketch #67 Challenge

2009-02-25T12:36:00.002-06:00

I love this layout from Lauren Meadow's blog http://laurenm.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/. I tried linking to the Lizzie Ann Designs to post this there, but had no luck.

The little birds are from Hero Arts Decorative Birds IV set stamped on Papertrey's White and colored with Copics. The dp is from Basic Grey's Phoebe collection. I used 3-D paint to accent the strip in the middle and the lower corner. I really like the way this one turned out -- I hope you like it, too.

Hugs Linda

Spring is Approaching!

2009-02-25T12:30:00.002-06:00

This little card is a vision for Springs coming!! The image is from Stempendous "Hello Chick". The small medallion is from Making Memories Flowers Charmed Plaques. The background paper is some that my daughter gave me and went perfectly with the SU cardstock (Regal Rose, Certainly Celery, Barely Banana, and Baja Breeze. I don't know if you can tell from the photo, but there is a punched strip of vellum that I decorated with White Gel Pen in the spaces and topped it with a strip of decorative border from a long time ago. I hope you like this little card.

Hugs Linda

Coffee and Friends

2009-02-21T23:08:00.002-06:00

I received Starbucks coffee as a Christmas gift and enjoy making a pot on the weekends. I like to put a teaspoon of International's Swiss Mocha in it along with Splenda and a little Coffeemate. Yummm -- it gives me the little "kick" that keeps me going until lunch. These stamps were a gift from a friend and I have never used them until now. I really like the way the card turned out with the coffee colors accented with the orange. I hope it give you a little "pick me up", too. Come back and visit again!!

Hugs Linda

Hedgie Smiles

2009-02-20T10:26:00.002-06:00

I wanted to put together a bright cheery card and thought I'd use this "Spring Air" image from Penny Black of a hedgie as the prime ingredient. The Balloons stamp from Whipper Snapper seemed to be the object of the little hedgie's interest. I used some Crystal Effects on the balloons and adhered them on double dimensionals to raise them up off the card higher than the little hedgie. I used Rob & Bob Studio's dimensional stickers to add more interest to the card. The polytwill ribbons from Taylored Expressions were "taylor" made for the colors on the card (SU's Pumpkin Pie Prints dp, Yoyo Yellow, Glorious Green).

Thank you for stopping by and I hope you enjoy the card and that it may help brighten your day!

Hugs Linda

Favorite Peeps

2009-02-15T12:10:00.002-06:00

I have loved this stamp (Daisy Canopy from Elzybells) ever since I first saw it!! It is so bright and cheery. I stamped it out twice and colored it with my Copics. I then cut out the daisy and the egg and put them up on dimensionals. The little fence is from AMuse along with the little sentiment "to one of my favorite peeps". The decorative paper is s left over piece that my daughter gave me. I combined it with the One Orange and Certainly Celery all mounted on Barely Banana. The ribbon is from American Crafts and the colors in the polka dots are truly a match to those in the card. I added the little pearls and used tiny beads and glitter pens from Spica to "jazz up" the decorative paper at the bottom. I think this turned out as a cute card to brighten someone's day!

Thank you for stopping by and come back again.

Hugs ......... Linda

Ageless Adornment

2009-02-15T01:44:00.003-06:00

Before putting this set back on the shelf, I wanted to do one more using the lily image. Thanks to daughter, Susan, I have layered, layered, layered this one, too!! Colored the image with my Copics using the blender pen to do the "magic" on the flower and the leaves. The dotted dp paper was a gift from Susan, so I tried to put it to good use on this card. I added the doodling along the edges of the green to add a bit of accent to it. I hope you like it as I think it turned rather nice. I hope my granddaughter, Lillian (Lily), likes this card in her namesake!

Come back again, real soon!

Hugs ............. Linda

An inspired color combination!

2009-02-13T11:34:00.002-06:00

I had this Ageless Adornment set from Stampin Up way up high on one of my stamp shelves and had to move it to get to a Valentine set. I left it out as I was inspired to use these colors that I had seen on an HGTV Devine Design show (soft blues and browns). I made a card that was a little "flat". Although I liked the theme and the colors, it needed something, so I took it over to my daughter (susiestampsalot) and asked for her recommendations on making it better. The refinements she suggested worked out wonderful. LAYERS - LAYERS - LAYERS! I have to remember that!! Thank you Susie -- you're an inspiration to us. Check out her blog here http://www.susiestampsalot.blogspot.com/ to see what I'm talking about!!

Ingredients: Paper: SU Very Vanilla, Close to Cocoa, Baja Breeze, Me & My Big Ideas Mat Pad

Ink: Pallette Noir Black Accessories: Copics, SU Chocolate Chip Poly Twill, Beads, Dimensionals

Thank you for stopping by!!

Hugs.......... Linda

Everything Nice

2009-02-09T15:30:00.005-06:00

Sometime back, SU created this stamp set called "And Everything Nice". I just could not resist these little girls and have had them on the shelf ready to ink up and color whenever I feel in a "colorful" mood. Well, that's just what happend this week-end! There are four images in the set along with some sentiments and I used all four images on these cards. They are so adorable and you can customize the gals' hair to go wtih either the giver of the card of the receipient(s) of the card. Which one is your favorite? I hope you like them!!

Hugs ................ Linda

A birthday celebration for Susan!!

2009-02-03T13:23:00.003-06:00

This last Saturday, I had all three of my daughters (Susan aka susiestampsalot, Sara aka Tweaks & Designs, and Nancy aka "her blog is under construction") over to my house to have a birthday lunch and cake for Susan's birthday (I won't say which one, but I will say that I've known her about 42 years now). We had a wonderful "healthy" lunch and then had a Lemon Torte cake. The rest of the afternoon was spent talking, laughing, stamping, and watching little Edison, Sara's 18 month old (he's a real pip and made us all laugh a lot).

Susan brought a couple of stamps that were sent to her from their designer (Nancy) and marketed by Cornish Heritage Farms. What lovely subject matter they are!! I stamped some of the images out and spent the rest of the evening coloring and putting them on cards. I enjoyed working with them and am pleased with the way they turned out!!

Thank you for visiting my blog and come back again real soon!!

Hugs .................. Linda

Craft Room

2009-01-23T16:39:00.004-06:00

This desk is opposite my stamping desk and hold the new computer that my daughter and son-in law gave me for my birthday!! I'm loving it. This also is the home to all of my acrylic paints that I used in my primative painting that I did prior to stamping. The floral picture above was painted by my mother years and years ago. She was quite talented and won a couple of blue ribbons in art shows. I wish she was still here to see the accomplishments of all of my talented daughters.

All of my 8-1/2 x 11 paper is stored in this recovered mail box sorter that my son-in-law salvaged from a job he once had. It certainly is a great way to store the cardstock (easy to see what you have and what you need). The little blue chest of drawers stores almost all of my holiday stamp sets (Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving, etc.). Right now I have all of my Valentine sets out.

This is a better view of the cardstock storage .... isn't it GREAT!!!???

The bookcase holds all of my magazine storage above. The shelves are home to accessories and embellishments. In front of it I have a rolling 6-drawer storage for all of my 12x12 papers, chipboard die cuts, and other card elements. The divided space on top of it I use for my Stickles, glitter pens, 3-D paint bottles, various sizes of glue dots and other adhesives. Of course I have to have my TV in there. I do a lot of stamping late at night (or more like early in the morning) and have to have the "noise" and company of the TV. The wire drawer storage from The Container Store holds my Stamping Wheels in the top drawer, larger punches in the next two drawers, all types/sizes of envelopes, plastic bags, and presentation envelopes in the next drawer and the bottom stores all miscellaneous papers, embellishments, etc.

Okay, here is the REAL workspace -- my stamping space. The storage above holds all of my SU inkpads, Versamark pads, and Stazon pads. I have a few of my ribbons on the dowel rod below; however, I'm such a ribbon hoarder, that I've had to expand on that storage (more to come). I have the small square Pallette pads at the top of my deskpad. And at the very top of my desk are my watercolor pencils, chalks, WWC Crayons, Prismas. The little 3-drawer check holds all of my tiny punches. The round turning thingy holds various decorative scissors, rulers, paper piercing tools, craft knife, stampler, crystal effects, and other smaller things that fit into this perfect storage tool from Pampered Chef.

Okay, here are my stamp sets. I have a Dymo labeler that I use to label all of the ends of each box. At one time, I tried organizing them by Floral/Kids/Nature/etc (much like SU's catalog, but that did not work out as some of them are in large boxes than my space would hold and it made it very hard to read. So I then sorted them my size of the box as it made it much easier!! I generally keep the seldom used sets on the top shelf and work my way down. I do try to keep all of my sentiment sets in one place. The bottom shelf is mainly stamps from other companies (AMuse, Inkadinkado, Stampendous, Papertrey, etc.) I love them ALL!!

I bought this over-the-door storage for my "other company" stamps; however, one side of the thing kept slipping out of the hanger. I emptied the shelves, glued the arm that kept slipping out together and replaced the stamps with ribbons. I've tried to group them by colors (reds, greens, blues, etc.). I'm enjoying having them all together. One of my daughters was over this past week-end and picked out some ribbon which served as inspiration for the colors on the card she was making which makes perfect sense to me.

This little shelf hold some printed tutorials on the middle shelf; all of the cards I've made and not mailed out on the first and bottom shelf; and my Cuttlebug, embossing folders, and a few accessories (tags, small envelopes, etc.).

This is the view of my craft room when you enter from the small hallway. I feel very lucky to have this space devoted to something I love to do. I live in a small two bedroom, two bath half-duplex. Some other time, I'll post pictures of little piece of heaven. This little old lady certainly enjoys every inch of my home!!

I'm glad I could share this with you and hope you'll come back and visit with me again very soon!

Hugs.................. Linda

Valentines Project

2009-01-06T01:31:00.003-06:00

I found out about a Valentine project that Pat Adam (http://rubbermaid.blogspot.com/) is doing for the hospital she does work at in Michigan. Her goal is to collect 1000 Valentine cards to be used by the children and others to give out for Valentines. Check out her blog and, if you, too, want to participate, follow her instructions and get her address to send your Valentine cards! I like nothing better than to have a "goal" for making cards other than my personal use. So when I came across this project, I started my quest to participate.

I was up and running with these two cards using SU stamp sets LOVE OWL-WAYS, OWL TOGETHER NOW, and LOTS OF THOUGHTS.

Hugs .............. Linda

2009 Calendars

2009-01-01T19:29:00.003-06:00

I made these two calendars for the realtors in my office and three for my daughters. I used Sellabella from Stamping Bellas for the Realtors and used Clickabella for my three daughters. The Sellabella is self-explanatory for the Realtors; however, for my daughters, the Clickabella was perfect -- Susan (susiestampalot) adds to her blog; Nancy is a manager of an Apple Computer store in Dallas; and Sara (TweaksandDesigns.com) designs blogs and websites.

Hugs to all and HAPPY 2009!!

Linda

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

2009-01-01T19:18:00.003-06:00

I had a great New Year today! I fixed a traditional southern style "comfort" dinner with meatloaf, hoppin johns, and cornbread. The hoppin johns incorporate black-eyed peas for good luck, collard greens for good wealth. They were so yummy and were great with the cornbread and the meatloaf. For those of you interested in how to make the hoppin johns, here's how I did it:

Ingredients: 3-4 slices of bacon fried crisp

1 medium chopped onion

5-6 chopped scallions with tops

1 pkg of frozen collard greens

2 cans of black-eyed peas

2 cups minute rice

3 cups chicken broth

Salt and Pepper to taste

Fry bacon until crispy. Pour off drippings, but leave approx 3 tablespoons. Saute onions and scallions in bacon drippings. When transparent add collard greens and cook with lid on until tender. Add black-eyed peas and minute rice and heat. Add broth, cover, and bring to boil. Reduce heat and cook until rice is fluffy and liquid has cooked away. Add salt and pepper.

Here is a picture of all of it done on the stove.

Hugs to all

Linda

Christmas

2008-12-22T14:13:00.002-06:00

WISHING ALL OF YOU A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and
A NEW YEAR FILLED WITH HOPE AND HAPPINESS!!!
See you after the Holiday.
Hugs .................... Linda

Calendars

2008-12-21T15:16:00.002-06:00

This Stampingbella is for my friend at my office. She's a "bling" kind of gal and I think will get a ki ck out of this calendar. The glitzy decorative paper is from Imaginisce "Color Me Happy" and picks up on all the colors I used with my Copics to fill in the stamped image. The little stripe with flower "stamp" on the left is from some embellishments I've had for a loooooong time (don't remember where it came from). I used the "jewels to enhance the main square and the ribbon. I also used 3-D paint in the corners, too.

The second calendar is for a guy who also works in my office. Lovely As A Tree is the basis for this one. I used glossy white and rubbed on a graduation of color from Always Artichoke to Apricot Appeal to do a "wash". I then did the image with Versamark and embossed it with brown and did a little "fill in" with SU markers (Chocolate Chip and Always Artichoke). I set this all on dimensionals to make the whole calendar pop. The sentiment is from SU's Best Yet set (first time to use it).

Hope you like these two calendars. I still plan on doing more, but my new stamps have not yet shown up -- will have to get them "wet" later.

Hugs to all .......... Linda

Calendars

2008-12-21T13:06:00.005-06:00

I have always loved the Season by Season set from Stampin' Up and was able to incorporate it into this full calendar by breaking up the seasons on the Calendar (Winter - Jan thru Mar; Spring - Apr thru Jun; etc.). And, by using the Season of Friendship set also from Stampin' Up broke up each page with its own tree and calendar. Then by labeling each season on the sides, created the full calendar. I did a perforated piece on the top of each page with my Cutterpede perforation wheel, when each season passes and the three months have passed, you can just tear off each page and you're ready for the new season. I adhered each page to each other using double stick tape above the perforation. All of this is set onto the backing of a Mat Pack backing for strength and which also enables the calendar to rest on the folded back and set on your desk. I'm very pleased with the way this came out and will probably give it to my boss for his 2009 calendar in his office.

Thank you for stopping by and I'll have more calendars later (maybe even today). I'm staying inside as it is freezing outside!

Hugs ............ Linda

Preparations are DONE!!

2008-12-21T02:11:00.003-06:00

Okay, all the gifts are bought, wrapped, and packed ready to go out the door, load in the car, and take them over to Susie's for our Christmas Eve celebration. I stopped by Subway Sandwich Shop and got our traditional sandwich trays ordered for pick up on Tuesday after work. I ordered one platter of turkey and one platter of roast beef both on wheat and a side tray of veggies (specifying the onions on a completely different plate ... a practice that we all learned the hard way from the first time we ordered). We'll combine these with different things brought in my Sara, Nancy, and Susan (chips, dip, salads, deserts, and drinks) and enjoy them throughout the day. I can hardly wait. I'll be off work from Wednesday until back at the office on Monday which makes for a nice break and a wonderful Holiday!!
My next posting will be for little gifts I'm planning on making for friends, family, and Realtors in my office. I've started making some calendars that the Realtors can take home and use by their computers. Susan also gave me some book marker covers that I can also use.
Wishing you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a NEW YEAR filled with hope and happiness!
Hugs...............Linda

Two cards Same Stamp Set

2008-12-07T13:48:00.006-06:00

Both of these cards use the same theme on both. I love the serenity of these cards and the similar layouts. The larger one uses bars of decorative paper from the SU Simply Sent Handmade Holiday set. Both of the bigger and smaller card have scalloped edge on the bottom. The larger card has a self adhesive die cut with the house scene on it. The smaller one was stamped with the house scene and then punched with the oval punch and adhered to the scallop oval die cut. The scallops on the large card is accented with 3-D paint while the smaller is accented with a white gel pen on the bottom scallops and the lighter scallop strip is a die cut from the simply sent sheets.

I hope you enjoy both of these cards. Hugs from me to you .................. Linda

Ingredients:

Paper: SU Ruby Red (large card), Purely Pomgranate (small card) /Mellow Moss /Very Vanilla; Papertrey Holiday Vintage Dotted DP

Ink: SU Cranberry Crisp, Always Artichoke

Stamps: SU To You and Yours

Accessories: Ribbon, Marvy Scallop Circle Punch, 3-D Paint, SU Markers (accents only), SU Scallop Edge Punch

Card from Lisa

2008-12-07T00:06:00.004-06:00

I just must share with you all this Christmas card from my dear friend, Lisa, (wife to my bosses' son, Ray). She is an amazing cardmaker, mom, wife, and Realtor. She has embossed the snowflakes, used her scallop circle punch, and accented her perfectly colored snowman image with glitter for the snow beneath him, and topped it all off with a sparkly ribbon from Michaels. IT IS ABSOLUTELY perfect irl!!

Thank you, Lisa, for this terrific card. It made my day today.

Hugs ............ Linda

2008-12-05T13:34:00.004-06:00

Ingredients:

Paper: SU Creamy Caramel / Vellum

Stamps: SU It's Snow Time / Inkadinkado Rustic Snowman

Ink: Pallette Black and Cognac

Accessories: Copics, Ribbon from Michaels, SU Horizontal Slot Punch, 3-D Paint, Pearls, Glue Dots

I love these colors together! I did the snowman on vellum and colored the image on the back with my Copics (love them). The trees I stamped in Pallette Cognac and colored them with the light green Copics; then stamped the image again in black and colored them in a darker green Copics. A white gel pen was used to "pile" the snow on the trees and on the snowman. I stamped the snowflakes in white pigment and then used the 3-D paint to put dots on some of the snowflakes emphasizing them. The "film" ribbon is from Michaels. The sentiment is also stamped in white pigment and accented the letters with an ultra think pen tomake them stand out.

Thank you visiting my page and come back to see me real soon.

Hugs to all ............... Linda

Christmas Train

2008-12-03T11:24:00.003-06:00

Ingredients:

Paper: SU Purely Pomgranate & Old Olive, Papertrey White

Stamps: SU Circus Train / Loads of Love Accessories / Punch Pals; Whipper Snapper's Santa & Merry Christmas

Ink: Pallette Black, Colorbox Cats Eye Edge Shading

Accessories: SU Ribbon; SU Punches - Small Star, Slit, Horizontal Slot, Corner Ticket; Copics; Spica Glitter Pens; Scorpal

Well, it's final -- POLAR EXPRESS is my new favorite holiday movie (so far this year, I've seen it twice)! Last night while it was on, I was inspired to do a train card, but what to do about a train image? And then it came to me -- "I've got the Circus Train set from SU!!" I turned on the TV in the craft room to my favorite movie, got down the train stamp set and started in. First of all I had all those circus animals that were on board the train to deal with (they just did not go with the Christmas theme). I stamped the images and sprayed stamp cleaner on a Q-tip and wiped off the ink for the tiger, giraffs, and moneys. Then I stamped the images on the white card stock leaving spaces in between the cars for the mountain/valley folds (as described in http://notimetostamp.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/ (Sharon Johnson's post about her accordian card) and my daughter Susan's blog (http://www.susiestampsalot.blogspot.com/) . Then I got down the various other images from SU and Whipper Snapper and put them aboard the train via masking and colored them, too. I decorated the panels with stars that were punched out with the SU punch. I mounted the last panel onto the front of the card with heavy duty double sided tape.

Thank you for visiting my site and hope you'll come back soon ..... I should be posting again soon as I have been neglecting it for a while.

Hugs to all .............. Linda

Thanksgiving

2008-11-21T12:31:00.003-06:00

There will be no card with this posting. I've been reading on other blogs about what you're thankful for on this special holiday ...... FIRST AND MOST IMPORTANT ...... I'm so thankful for my family. I have three amazing daughters who have been lucky enough to be paired with two great husbands and one great fiance'!!!! They have also blessed me with 7 wonderful grandchildren (5 girls and 2 boys). All three of my girls are wonderfully talented and smart (and they are all stampers/cardmakers/scrapbookers/web & blog designers).
I'm also thankful for all the friends I have in my career and hobby world who have enriched my life with their gentle friendship.
Lastly, I'm amazed with my wonderful boss of 26 (going on 27) years!! He and his family have become my second family and upon whose friendship I depend a lot.
All in all, it has been a WONDERFUL LIFE and hopefully will continue for a looooooooooong time more!!!
HUGS TO ALL WHO HAVE BLESSED MY LIFE!!
Linda

Lindsie's Birthday

2008-11-21T09:59:00.003-06:00

Ingredients:

Paper: SU's Pink Passion/Close to Cocoa/Chocolate Chip/Prints Sampler, Papertrey White

Stamps: Stampingbella Cuddly Cat, AMuse Hey Cupcake, SU Short and Sweet

Ink: Pallette Black and Brown

Accessories: Copics, SU Horizontal Slot Punch, Liquid Applique', Scribbles 3D Paint, Prima Flowers, Dashes/Dots/Checks Ribbon from Michaels, Cuttlebug Birthday Emblossing Folder, Dimensionals

It seems that our family's birthdays all bunch up from the middle of the year to around the holidays. My granddaughter, Lindsie, is having hers this week-end with a party/sleepover with a few of her school friends and all the cousins --- What fun!!! The last time this happened, these little girls were up until about 2 or 3 o'clock in the morning!! I begged off on the sleepover as it is waaaaaaayyyyyy after my bedtime!! Anyway, I have been thinking about using all of these stamps and finally woke up at 4 a.m. (having gone to bed at about 8:30 the night before) and had to start on the card. The layout was a little difficult vowing to use ALL of these elements. I don't think I missed any of my embellishments on this one .... MORE IS BETTER in this case, don't you think? I know Lindsie will like all of the "stuff" on here. The theme of the party is movies and film .. guess what I got for her?!?! Kung Fu Panda and Wall-E!! Thank you for stopping by this morning and come back real soon ... I'll probably have yet another birthday card to post!!

Hugs to all .................. Linda

Home for the Holidays

2008-11-16T15:38:00.007-06:00

Ingredients:

Paper: SU Ruby Red, Mellow Moss, Kraft, Handmade Holiday Dec paper, Papertrey White

Ink: Pallette Cognac, SU Ruby Red and Creamy Caramel, Colorbox Cats Eye for Edging

Stamps: To You and Yours from SU and Linen Background

Accessories: SU Handmade Holiday Die Cuts, Old Olive Check, Fabric Applique', White Gel Pen, Copics, Dimensionals

This is Taylor V's Cupcake Friday layout that I adapted to this card using SU's Handmade Holiday die cuts and papers. I thought this was a really serene setting for these elements. I used by Copics again for coloring and accents. The dots along the right corner and bottom edge were created with fabric applique' paint. I stamped the "peace" on the die cut sticker on top. The linen background creates a "canvas" look to the image.

I hope you enjoy looking at my card and come visit me again real soon!

Hugs ............. Linda

Lily and Billy

2008-11-16T15:01:00.002-06:00

Just got Lily and Billy Winter stamps in the other day and this is the inking!!! This was a challenge layout that I thought would fit this stamp. It did not qualify to enter into the challenge since I used a stamp other than Pink Cat, but I totally love this layout and card!! I also used SU Season of Joy to Versamark the background on the base card. I then went back over it with Spica turquoise glitter pen and white gel pen for the same background. I used Copics to color in the image and outlined it in Copic Wheat to make it pop. The Happy Snow is from Stampendous. I did a little detail with an ultrafine pen on the image. Finally the SU Horizontal Slot punch hold the turquoise ribbon.

Ingredients:

Paper: Tempting Turquoise and Taken with Teal / Close to Cocoa from SU; Papertrey White

Ink: Pallette Black, Colorbox Cats Eye Turquoise for edining

Stamps: Pink Cat Studio Lily & Billy Winter, SU Season of Joy (snow background), Stampendous Happy Snow

Accessories: Turquoise Ribbon, Spica Glitter Pen, White Gel Pen, Copics, Ultrafine Pen, Marvy Corner Scallop Punch, SU Horizontal Slot Punch, Dimensionals

Hugs .............. Linda

Red Poppies

2008-11-16T02:51:00.004-06:00

Ingredients:

Paper: SU Real Red, Basic Black / Papertrey White, Imaginisce Black Tie Dec Paper

Stamps: Stampendous Poppy Stems / SU Tiny Talk

Ink: Pallet Black, Pallette Red

Accessories: Michaels Dashes Bits & Checks Ribbon, Copics, Fabric Applique', Dimensionals

I've been thinking about this layout for a while. I've seen similar ones on Splitcoast and wanted to try it (again). I was deciding on what image would look best with the layout and thought of these poppies. I really like the drama of this card. I hope you like it, too.

Thanks for stopping by and come again.

Hugs.................. Linda

Season of Joy Pocket Card

2008-11-15T00:40:00.005-06:00

I have been working on this card off and on for a couple of days. I leave it alone and come up with another idea and incorporate it into the card .... does that ever happen to you? Sometimes it is best to leave a project alone until inspiration hits you and you add another element; and then, while adding that you come up with something else!! This is just what happened to this card. I had purchased some of these textured pocket pre-scored cards from SU and have finally gotten down to the last couple of card. The stamp set I had packed away from last year's Christmas sets and thought it would be perfect for this. I only used the one set (from 8 stamps within the set). I added the flower accent last and it just was the right element needed to dress up this card.

Thank you for stopping by and come back again soon.

Hugs .............. Linda

Ingredients:

Paper: SU textured pre-scored pocket card, SU Real Red, Papertrey Holiday Vintage Prints Collection, Papertrey White

Stamps: 2007 SU Season of Joy

Ink: Purely Pomegranate, Always Artichoke

Accessories: SU Markers (to color the message on the insert), White Gel Pen (faux stitching), Brads, SU Scallop Edge Punch, Marvy Scallop Corner Punch, Dimensionals

Partridge in Pear Tree

2008-11-13T00:09:00.003-06:00

Ingredients:

Paper: SU Mellow Moss and Old Olive, SU Simply Sent Handmade Holiday Decorative Paper, Papertrey White

Ink: Pallette Black, Colorbox Cats Eye for edge Shading

Stamps: A-Muse Partridge, SU Tags on Board

Accessories: Ribbon, Horizontal Slot Punch and Scallop Edge Punch, Copics, Scallop Edge Die Cuts from SU Simply Sent Handmade Holiday Card Kit, Dimensionals, Fabric Applique

I really like the simplicity of an A-Muse stamp and this one is no exception! After coloring with my Copics, I did a shadow effect all around the image with C opic Wheat. The dimensionals were used to make the stamped image pop. I used Fabric Applique in green to accent the dots on the decorative paper.

I hope you enjoy seeing this card and let me know how you like it!! I hope to see you back here real soon

Hugs .................. Linda

Magical Santa

2008-11-12T12:11:00.004-06:00

Ingredients:

Paper: SU Mellow Moss, Old Olive, Holiday Designer Paper, Papertrey White

Ink: Pallette Black, SU Always Artichoke, Colorbox Cats Eye for Shading

Stamps: Whipper Snapper Santa Angel, Papertrey Believe

Accessories: Dotted Organdy Green Ribbon, Copics, Marvy Scallop Corner Punch, Glitter Glue, Decorative Scallop Edge Die Cut, SU Scallop Edge Punch, Fabric Applique', Brads

I use this stamp image a lot for Christmas ... isn't he just the cutest ever!!! I colored him with my new Copics and highlighted him with a white gel pen and glitter glue on his magic wand. I outlined him in Copics Wheat to create the shadow. The sentiment was stamped with SU's Always Artichoke and I repeated the shadow on the letters also with the Wheat Copics. I love all the green tones (my favorite color) on the card. Who said that Christmas cards need to be green AND RED anyway!!!

Thanks for stopping by and come again real soon ... the week-end and card making time is coming up!!

Hugs to you ........... Linda

Rustic Snowman

2008-11-10T00:35:00.003-06:00

Ingredients:

Paper; SU Old Olive/Close to Cocoa, Papertrey Holiday Vintage Prints, Papertrey White

Stamps: Inkadinkadoo Snowman, SU Tags on Board (sentiment)

Ink: Pallette Black, Pallette Brown, Colorbox Cats Eye Shading

Accessories: SURibbon Originals Alpine, SU Scallop Edge Punch, Dimensionals, Copics

I'm loving this little snowman. He is just so much fun. This is a simple quick card to make, but I think makes a great impression!!

Thank you for coming over and come check me out again!

Hugs .............. Linda

Winter

2008-11-10T00:28:00.003-06:00

Ingredients:

Paper; SU Bashful Blue/Night of Navy, Textured Silver from Stash, Papertrey White

Stamps: Country Pleasures (retired SU), Tiny Talk (SU)

Ink: Pallette Black, Night of Navy, Bashful Blue

Accessories; Pearls, Silver Organdy Ribbon, Copics, Dauber for sky, SU Horizontal Slot Punch, Dimensionals

This is another stamp from the Country Pleasures (retired SU) set I found the other day. These are fun to color and layer onto a card. I used some textured silver paper from my stash and put that on the Night of Navy with some silver organdy ribbon. The little pearls that my Susan gave me look great against the Navy paper.

Thank you for visiting.

Hugs .......... Linda

Fall at the Farm

2008-11-09T11:57:00.003-06:00

Ingredients:

Paper: SU Old Olive/Close to Cocoa/So Saffron, Decorative Paper from Stash

Stamps: SU Country Pleasures, Sweet 'n Sassy Turkey Day (Sentiment)

Ink: Pallette Black, Bashful Blue (sky)

Accessories: SU Horizontal Slot Punch, Copics, Fiskars Deckle Edge Scissors, Ranger Frayed Burlap Distress Ink Pad, Dimensionals, Orange Grograin Ribbon, Dauber

This stamps set was re-discovered during my reorganization of my sets. I really like it and will definitely use it more!! This is a smple card for either Thanksgiving or as a Thank You card. I really like the country theme.

Thank you for visiting.

Hugs ............. Linda

Turkey Day

2008-11-08T20:54:00.005-06:00

Ingredients:

Paper: SU Old Olive, Close to Cocoa, Various DP

Stamps: Sweet 'n Sassy Turkey Day

Ink: Pallette Cognac, White Pigment

Accessories: Ribbon, Copics, Brads, White Gel Pen

I had made a little witch Halloween card for a friend of mine to give to her granddaughter and SHE LOVED IT!! My friend asked me to do a Turkey card ('cause she calls her "her little turkey"), a Christmas card and a Valentine card. The hard part was coming up with a turkey image (turkey's are about the ugliest fowl there is on this earth)! Sweet and Sassy had this goofy looking turkey that I fell in love with and just had to get him (or is it a her??) I used some left over decorative papers, punched out squares and used them as a background with faux stitching around them. I colored the image with my new Copics (still learning how to use them correctly). I like the way this turned out and I hope my friend's granddaughter is as excited to get it as she was with the little witch.

Thank you for stopping by the ol' blog homestead, and ya'll come back real soon, ya hear!!

Hugs ............... Linda

Christmas Choir

2008-11-05T16:13:00.004-06:00

Ingredients:

Paper: Bashful Blue, White, Basic Black, Music Dec Paper from my Stash

Stamps: Sarah Kay's Choir Boys from Sweetnsassystamps.com

Ink: Stazon Black

Accessories: Grograin Black Ribbon, Gold Buttons, Markers, Colorbox Cats Eye Shading, Dimensionals, Gold Glitter Pen, White Gel Pel

Don't you just love these little choir boys?! I had a lot of fun coloring them. I remembered having this muscial paper in my stash from a long time ago and just had to use it on this card. Alas, this is the last of it and will have to go find more ... it certainly adds to a lot of cards ... especially this stamp set which I must use again!

Thank you for stopping by to see my blog and come again real soon.

Hugs ............. Linda

Share Happiness

2008-11-03T00:25:00.003-06:00

Ingredients:

Paper: SU Barely Banana, Old Olive, Purely Pomegranate, Papertreyink Holidy Vintage Prints decorative Paper, Close to Cocoa, White

Stamps: SU Everyday Celebrations

Ink; Stazon Black, Always Artichoke

Accessories: Marvy Scallop Oval Punch, SU Scallop Edge Punch, Dotted Green Organdy Ribbon, Marvy Oval Punch, SU Crimper (on Close to Cocoa Paper), Markers, Copics, Flower Fusion, Brads, Dimensionals

I love this SU set and haven't used it in a long time. It surfaced again during my reorganization I did this weekend. What a happy card this made! I hope you like it.

Come again real soon.

Hugs .......................... Linda

Building a Snowman

2008-11-03T00:15:00.004-06:00

Ingredients:

Paper: SU Bashful Blue, Brilliant Blue, Snowflake Dec Paper from Michaels, White

Stamps: SU Sweet Seasons, Stampendous Happy Snow

Ink: SU Bordering Blue, Versa Mark, Apricot Appeal

Accessories: Black Embossing Power, Heat Gun, Ribbon, Pom-Pom (for cap), Stipple Brush SU markers, Copics, White Gel Pen, Dimensionals

I read a blog last week that passed on a tip to pounce a stipple brush loaded with a light yellow behind a snowman to make it pop. I took that to heart and, guess what ... it worked. I embossed this image on the white and then colored it. I added the tiny pom-pom to the little boy's cap (thought that was really a cute element to add). I only used dimensionals on the Happy Snow element so the flat surface of the main image I thought needed the dimension of the pom-pom.

I hope you like my little card (actually it is a little card ... 4-1/4 square).

Hugs .................... Linda

Swining In to say HELLO

2008-11-03T00:02:00.002-06:00

Ingredients:

Paper: SU In Color Pacific Points, Dec Paper from Stash, White

Stamps: Elybells Girl on a Swing, A-Muse Fence, SU Lots of Thoughts

Ink, Stazon Black, Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Copics, SU Markers, Colorbox Cats Eye Shading, Marvy Scallop Oval Punch, Fabric Applique', Pearl Accents, Ribbon, Marvy Corner Scallop Punch

What a fun card to make. I love this little girl -- she looks so happy on her little swing. I thought the fence background went well with my little girl. My daughter gave me the pearls and, of course, just had to use them. The ribbon was the perfect compliment to the dotted decorative paper.

Come back and see me soon!

Hugs ............... Linda

Note of Love

2008-11-02T23:52:00.003-06:00

Ingredients:
Paper: SU Old Olive, Purely Pomegranate, So Saffron, White
Stamps: Elybells "Feeling Poorly", SU Lots of Thoughts
Ink: Stazon Black
Accessories: Ribbon, White Gel Pen, Copics, SU Markers, SU Flower Fusion, Brad, Dimensionals
I have very few Get Well cards and wanted to practice with my new Copics. I did find it a little hard to keep the color inside the Stazon lines without it bleeding into the black; however, I don't think it is too noticeable (on the face); however, I did use the SU markers on the rest of the image just because they match all of the other elements on the card. I still like the way it turned out and appreciate the simplicity of it.
Thanks for stopping by!
Hugs .......... Linda

The Thanksgiving Table

2008-11-02T23:41:00.005-06:00

Ingredients:

Paper, SU More Mustard, Black, Purely Pomegranate

Stamp: SU's Lots of Thoughts

Ink: Basic Black

Accessories: Fabric Applique', SU Corner Photo Punch, Dimensionals, Purchased Card Front

My company sends out Thanksgiving cards every year instead of Christmas cards. In addressing them for my boss's customers, there was one that failed to get printed on the inside. I thought the picture was lovely and brought it home to cut it down to a size that would fit on a 5-1/2 x 4-1/4 card. I added the black along one side accented with fabric applique' dots and did two corner photo punches. I then stamped the "Many Thanks" to the upper corner.

Hugs to all and come back and visit again!
Linda

Organizing

2008-11-02T15:51:00.001-06:00

Yesterday (Saturday) was a day of re-organization in my craft room. First came my stamp sets. I have a shelving unit from The Container Store that is 7 shelves high by 24 inches wide that was stacked to the hilt with my sets. They were originally organized by flowers, kids, etc. and when put back got totally out of this “theme”. The bigger (longer) boxes stuck out over the smaller ones making them hard to find. When I get my Stampin Up sets in, I cut them, mount them, and then label them with their names on the end along with the number of stamps for that particular set in case one strays from its home in clearing up my stamping space. I reorganized my shelves with the “hardly ever used” ones on the top shelf and then organized the rest by the size of the box they’re in …. A totally awesome idea as they can be scanned and pulled down so much earlier! Then, I decided the way to stay organized is to put the set back right after making the project that used them in (dangling participle).

Have you ever made a purchase for something to use in your crafting and that something leads to making a space to store it which leads to a new look for your space? That happened to me when my purchase of Copics came in the other day. I had NO space to put them on my desk that they would be in easy reach. I had to then reorganize my desk! I’m so glad I did! Everything was moved around, downsized, and reorganized to make my stamping a lot easier. I tore off the used up desk pad paper and got a fresh new “scratch” paper to mount on my CM cutting pad. Everything is all clean & organized giving me a rejuvenated attitude and got the creative juices flowing. It’s amazing how cleaning up a space also tends to clean your mind and your outlook!!

I’ve some cards to post, so enough of this “drama” and time to get to the fun stuff! See you in a minute.
Hugs ………. Linda

Snowmen Lineup

2008-10-27T12:11:00.001-05:00

Ingredients:
Paper: SU’s Baja Breeze (base), Night of Lavy, White, Dec Paper from Michael (5 sheets $1)
Stamp Set: SU’s Holiday Lineup, Stapendous Happy Snow
Ink: Stazon Black, SU Bordering Blue
Accessories: SU Markers, Prisma Markers, Fabric Applique’, Snowflake Ribbon from Michaels, Little Felt Flurries from SU, Dimensionals

What a fun card to make!! I loved all the different colors I was able to use in this “colorful” lineup. The noses were accented with fabric applique’ along with the pom-pom on their hats. Thank you for viewing my card. Come back and visit me again real soon!!
Hugs to all Linda

Reindeer Lineup

2008-10-27T12:09:00.001-05:00

Ingredients:
Paper: SU’s Creamy Caramel. Ruby Red, Dec Paper from Michaels (5 sheets $1 on sale), White, Paint chip from Lowe’s
Stamp: Holiday Lineup
Ink: Stazon Black
Accessories: SU Markers, Prisma Markers, SU Corner Photo Punch, Fabric Appliqué, Glitter Gel Pen, Ribbon is SU’s Ribbon Originals Alpine

I just love this new set from Stampin’ Up!! It was a challenge for me to come up with the different shades of brown … some of them I went over twice in order to keep the same color but just a bit darker … others were just a different color. I used fabric applique’ to make Rudolph’s nose stand out and a glitter gel pen for the pom-pom on the reindeer’s cap – I haven’t decided which reindeer it is i.e. Princer, Dander, Blitzen, etc. I did not need a sentiment stamped on this as the decorative paper “says it all”. Thank you for viewing my card.
Hugs to all. Linda

Bird of Peace

2008-10-24T13:29:00.003-05:00

Ingredients:

Paper: SU's Bashful Blue, Night of Navy, White, Snow dp from JoAnn's on sale 5 sheets fro $1

Stamps: To You and Yours from SU

Ink, Night of Navy

Accessories: Marvy Oval Scallop Punch, SU's Large Oval Punch, Ribbon, Fabric Applique, Silver Gel Pen

I stamped the bird image on the decorative paper and accented the flourishes with the silver gel pen. I then stamped the sentiment on white and punch it out and backed it with two more oval punches fit together to make them longer on each end. The bird image and sentiment were adhered with dimensionals.

That's it for today's cards. The week-end is upon us ... so many stamps, so many cards to play with!!!!

Thank you visiting my blog and I'll see you back here real soon!

Hugs to all

Linda

Winter in the Country

2008-10-24T13:13:00.003-05:00

Ingredients:

Paper: SU's Creamy Caramel, Bashful Blue, Vellum, White

Stamps: To You and Yours from SU, Holiday Hedgehogs from SU (for snow flurries)

Inks: Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Markers, Ribbon, Holiday Felt Flurries from SU Fabric Applique White, Silver Glitter Pen, White Gel Pen, Silver Stickles

I stamped the image on Vellum and turned it over to color it with markers and gel pen for snow, then flipped it back over for the silver Stickles accents. I then stamped the snow flakes in white and popped them with white fabric applique and silver gel pen on the creamy caramel oval scallop "frame". The image fit perfectly into the open oval.

Thank you for stopping by to view my latest cards ... another one with this same set follows.

Hugs to all

Linda

Christmas Snowman

2008-10-19T21:48:00.002-05:00

Ingredients:

Paper: Real Red Base, Papertrey's Holiday Vintage Prints Collection, Close to Cocoa, White

Stamps: Inkadinkado Snowman, SU Tagon Board 2007 (sentiment). Itty Bitty Backgrounds

Ink: Stazon Black

Accessories: Marvy Oval Scallop Punch (negative on Close to Cocoa paper), Prisma Green/Red markers, SU markers, White Gel Pen, Sakura Silver Sparkle Gel Pen, Narrow Olive Green dotted ribbon, Dimensionals,

I first stamped my snowman image and colored it with Prisma markers and SU markers. I then punch out the oval scallop and the stamped all the little snowflakes all over it and adhered it around the snowman. I then randomly colored a few of the flakes with the silver sparkle gel pen and darkened the other flakes with the plain white to make them stand out more. I set this on dimensionals to make it pop up from the dotted papers from the Holiday Vintage Prints. The dotted olive ribbon looked good to me just wrapping two corners on the close to cocoa paper.

Thanks for stopping my and I hope to see you again very soon!!

Hugs,

Linda

Wheat Image

2008-10-19T21:39:00.002-05:00

Ingredients:

Paper: SU Barely Banana (base), Papertrey First Fruits dp, White

Ink: Stazon Black

Accessories: "All Sorts of Things" Matte Finish Buttons in Mango, Copper Twine, Copper Stickles, Dimensionals, Paper Piercing Tool & Mat Pack from SU

This is Jen's challenge that I found on iheart2stamp.com. I used Papertrey's First Fruits wheat stamp and matching dp for the main elements of this card. I was going to stamp the image with Stazon Brown, but found it dry and had to go over it with black which worked out fine after I used my SU markers to color over the image. I really like the way this turned out and especially because it shows off all the decorative papers I used.

Thank you for visiting and come back again real soon.

Hugs

Linda

Grateful for You

2008-10-19T21:29:00.002-05:00

Ingredients:

Paper: Fall Mat Stack 2, SU Sage Shadow, White, Basic Black

Ink: SU Always Artichoke, SU Close to Cocoa

Stamps: SU Dotted Autumn 2007

Accessories, SU Photo Corner Punch, SU Ticket Corner Punch, Ribbon (from stash), Fabric Applique, Copper Stickles, Markers, ColorBox Cats Eue Shader

I started out with the stamped image on white and built my card "down" from there. I made the top and bottom dp the same measurements and attached them to the black exposing the center of this layer. I then put opposing dp on the top and bottom and photo corners from there accented with fabric applique and ribbon on the center black with the white popped with dimensionals. I then added the copper stickles for a little bling!

Thank you for visiting my blog today.

Hugs to all

Linda

D-Fence!

2008-10-17T02:34:00.002-05:00

I saw the D-Fence card on susiestampalot.blogspot.com and knew I had to put my Bella's to work cheering on the "D-Fence"! The Storage Units, Inc and More's Whatchadoin' Wednesday Challenge was a picture of a bedroom with black and red linens for the colors. On my card I used red cs for the base, then a layer of vellum, and the top layer of black. The little Bella Cheerleader originally holds a purse in one hand and sunglasses in the other which I changed to pom-poms in each hand. The little fence is from AMuse and the small chipboard "D" is from Michaels. Thank you viewing my card and visit Susan's blog for the full story and challenge.

Halloween Hedgies

2008-10-12T19:00:00.003-05:00

What is Halloween without our favorite Hedgies!!! I made this gate card using my new ScorPal!! Yes, I did it … I got a ScorPal, thank you very much.

Ingredients:
Stamps: Halloween Hedgehogs, Sentiment $1 stamp from Michaels, Itty Bitty Backgrounds
Paper, Summer Sun, Stripe dp from SU, Basic Black, Certainly Celery, White
Ink: Stazon Black, Basic Black, Creamy Caramel
Accessories: ScorPal, Orange Gingham Ribbon, Stapler, Markers, White Gel Pen, Dimensionals

Halloween Cupcake Party Invitation

2008-10-12T14:10:00.002-05:00

Cooler days and chilly nights mean the fall season and Halloween cannot be far away. I started this session with a Halloween Party Invitation.
Halloween Party Invitation Ingredients:
Paper: Pumpkin Pie base, Perfect Plum, Lavender Lace, Old Olive, Orange checked dp from stash, “Halloween” from 12x12 DieCuts with a View, Close to Cocoa, White
Stamps: Stampendous Hey There Cupcake, SU’s Tiny Talk
Inks: Close to Cocoa, Basic Black
Accessories: Wired checked Ribbon, Die Cuts Bat and Spider, Paper Crimper, Dimensionals, Fabric Applique, Markers
I first ran the Close to Cocoa paper thru the crimper and then cut out three cupcake bottoms. Three tops were then stamped and dotted with markers, and again dotted with the fabric appliqués in corresponding colors (orange, green, purple). The top was adhered with a regular snail adhesive and the bats and spider die cuts with dimensional. The cupcake tops were also adhered with dimensional. The invitation can be put on the inside of the card and personalized in various ways.

Halloween

2008-10-12T13:20:00.003-05:00

Flourish Witch Card Ingredients:
Paper: Close to Cocoa, 12x12 Halloween from DieCuts with a View, Dotted and Starscape dp from stash, White
Stamps: Hero Arts Magic Flourish Broom
Ink: Stazon Black, ColorBox Cats Eye Shader
Accessories, Cutterpede Scallop Edge, Orange Gingham Ribbon, Scallop Corner Punch, paper Crimper, Dimensionals
I started using the scallop edge to make a shortened front on this card; adhered the Halloween dp with the curvy sentiments to the loger inside. Then I stamped the little witch image and colored her with markers and Spica glitter pens. The scallop corner punch and cats eye shading make the stamped image stand out again the “starscape” dp that I set again the crimped close to cocoa paper. I ran the orange gingham under these layers, tied a knot on one side and put the two shortened tails on the opposite side. I hope you like this card – it was a fun project to do for a Sunday afternoon.
Hugs Linda

Audrie's Birthday

2008-10-10T21:39:00.002-05:00

Before getting started on all of those holiday cards, I needed to make a card for my youngest granddaughter, Audries, birthday 5th party at Let's Jump, a jumping and other activity spot for the younger set (not the Grandma set).

The card I made was using the tutorial from Alesha Wells http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/scallopedgemedallion that was on Splitcoast this past week.

The little puppy image is from Whipper Snapper Designs "Little Puppy". I only used the card front in Pixie Pink and the medallian in Purely Pomegranite. The little puppy (white cs) unfolds up to reveal "Love You" from SU's Tiny Talk set. The Happy Birthday is SU's It's Your Birthday set. I used the Scallop Edge Punch for the medallian (following the tutorial) and all along the edge of the card front and shaded it with ColorBox Cats Eye shaders. The ribbon is from my stahs and has all of the colors used on the card materials.

I hope Audrie likes her little puppy. I thought it turned out really cute!

Hugs Linda

Holidays

2008-10-10T16:07:00.003-05:00

Just a note to let you guys know that it's about time to be working on those Holiday Cards!! That includes Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas!! I've already posted a few of the Fall/Thanksgiving type cards and a Halloween card or two thrown in there. IT'S TIME TO GET SERIOUS NOW!!! I'll be working on these all thru the next few days and weeks at the craft table. So be looking for some from me put out there with "hugs" from ME!!

Last Card for the week end

2008-10-06T02:23:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

Stamps: SU From the Heart (retired from 1999), SU Birthday Whimsey

Ink: Stazon Black, SU Basic Black

Papers: SU dp from Christmas last year, Certainly Celery, Barely Banana, Real Red, Basic Black, White

Accessories: SU WonderColor Crayons, Blender Pen, Marvy Oval Scallop Punch, Marvy Oval Punch, Prima Flowers, SU Ice Circles Rhonestone Brads, SU Scrappin Borders, Ribbon, Dimensionals, SU Scallop Edge Punch

I got this set, too, from the Amy Davis garage sale Saturday morning. This is SU's From the Heart retired from 1999. The original image was holding a heart that I substituted the flower on. The green base card is held to the black with the four brads down the side and scored just to the right to open it. The opposite side of the green has the scalloped edge accented with the holes punch with a tiny single hole punch in each of the scallops. I graduated three scallop oval punches and set the plain oval with the image on top. The dots are accented with fabric applique in each of the ovals. A really fund card that I kept adding all the "bling" to to make it a little more interesting. I hope you like it as much as I do!!

I'm off to bed after finishing looking at the Food Network Challenge before it goes off the air here at 3 a.m. on Monday morning. Need to get some rest before starting my work week at 9 a.m. It is supposed to rain here in north Texas today, so I'll need to get ready for a "bad hair day" today. Hope your week goes well!! Thank you for stopping by.

Hugs Linda

Sunflowers WCMB #3

2008-10-05T04:43:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:
Stamps: SU Provencal (Retired), A-Muse Tiny Bee, A-Muse sentiment
Paper: Really Rust, More Mustard, Summer Sun, Basic Black, White
Ink: Stazon Black, Basic Black, Chocolate Chip, Colorbox Cats Eye Shaders
Accessories: SU markers, More Mustard Ribbon, Flower + Rhonestone Brad, Rhinestone Stickers (Michaels), Stampin’ Up Scrapbook border stickers, Dimensionals

Yes, I’m still stamping. Every time I go to bed, my mind’s eye keeps seeing layouts and card designs and colors and I have to get back up and start working again. My mother used to call that “wool gatherin”. I didn’t know what she was talking about when I was young, but now I totally understand!! This card was fun to do. One thing I’m sure you realize is that I LOVE to color. I used SU markers for this image and then used a stipple brush on the color around the sunflowers and then I used a Prisma shader in gray to create a shadow effect. I used Spica yellow glitter pen on the tiny bee’s wings and did freehand for the flight patterns.

Hugs Linda

Second Provencal WCMD entry #2

2008-10-04T23:40:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:
Paper: Basicgrey Scarlet’s Letter, Basicgrey Lily Kate, SU Really Rust, SU More Mustard, White
Stamps: SU Provencal (Retired), Imaginisce For Peep’s Sake Thank You
Ink: SU Almost Artichoke, SU Basic Black, Color Box Cats Eye shaders
Accessories: SU Markers, SU Old Olive Ribbon, Stickles Copper, Rhinestone Stickers (Michaels), Dimensionals, SU Horizontal Slot Punch, Marvy Scallop Oval Punch, CM Oval cuts

These Basicgrey papers lend themselves perfectly to this Provencal stamp set from Stampin’ Up (thank you Amy Davis for these garage sale finds)! An elegant design seems to come so naturally to the creation of this card. It makes an ideal masculine card and also an elegant card for simply anyone. What a perfect combination for World Card Making Day! I’ve stepped out of my usual “cute” cards to more of a unique blend of elegance and timeless designs. It seems I just can’t quit making cards ……………… so little time; so many more cards to make!! Yeah!!
Hugs Linda

World Card Making Day Celebration

2008-10-04T20:00:00.000-05:00

This is WCMD day and I wanted to make a special card for the day. There is an old Bette Davis movie "Now Voyager" on TCM that puts me into a lovely mood -- black and white, romantic and warm (they don't seem to make movies like this any more) -- and great for making this card from a retired set I found at an SU garage sale today.

I knew at once I had a layout for it using Basicgrey Blush papers combined with Ruby Red, Close to Cocoa, and Pretty in Pink from SU. The new Styled Silver Hodgepodge was the perfect accent along with the Dashes-Dots-Checks ribbon with the exact same color tones. What a celebration of layers on the card!! I hope you like it as much as I do. It will have to be sent to someone special.

Thank you for stopping by.

Hugs Linda