Thanks

This will be my last post today. It's been a while since I had time in my studio, so I kept working. As I look back, it seems that there were quite a few sketch challenges. This card follows the Kraft Journal sketch challenge. I used a different color palette for me -- grays and kraft/brown. My stamp is from Quietfire Designs. The background uses 2 shaded of gray and the banner is a dark shade of gray. The oval and the card base is kraft cardstock.
I am also entering this card in these challenges: City Crafter -- one word sentiment; SweetStamps -- Thanks; Simon Says Stamp Wednesday -- thanks/ Thanksgiving; Marks Finest Papers Simple Salutations --at least two shades of gray.

Trick or Treat

Tomorrow (Friday) is Halloween. I thought I'd share one more Halloween card. I started with a great piece of designer paper. I pulled out several sets of Halloween stamps from Artistic Outpost. I couldn't let the holiday go by without using the dapper skeleton all dressed up in his formal finest. I wanted to mask him, but he is quite skinny and difficult to cut out. Then I remembered that I had a jar of Masking Friskit. It was the perfect answer to mask my bony friend. I used a white gel pen to highlight his bones. The haunted mansion is another of my favorite stamps, along with the colony of bats. (Yes, that's what a group of bats is called.) Halloween was stamped in orange. The 'Trick or Treat" sentiment block is a part of  a larger stamp. I stamped it and then heat embossed it and cut out the part I wanted. Halloween Kisses--my treat to you!
Since this is the week and month of Halloween, there are a number of challenges met by my Halloween card: Tuesday Throwdown -- dressed up-costume; Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge -- treats; Sweet Stamps -- Spooky; 3 Muses -- Take Fright; Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge -- anything goes; Marks Finest Papers Simple Salutations -- Boo to You; Inspiration Emporium -- In Disguise; Art With Heart -- Tricks or Treats; Artistic Outpost -- anything goes with Artistic Outpost stamps.

Happy Halloween

It took me a year, but I finally got to use my Witch's Laundry die from Cheery Lynn. My card base is black cardstock. I cut the orange moon to fit the card and then stamped it with bats from Artistic Outpost's Haunted Halloween. The sentiment is also from that set. It looks like our witch friend will have clean clothes for her big night out!
I am entering my card into these challenges: Cheery Lynn Designs -- black and orange; Dies R Us Challenge -- Halloween; Marks Finest Paper Simple Salutations -- things with wings; A Vintage Journey -- Halloween to die for; Artistic Outpost --anything goes with Artistic Outpost stamps.

Welcome Autumn

This will be the last card that I'm sharing today. I'm so happy that I got a chance to use my tree stamp from Kitchen Sink Stamps showing fall foliage. I have to use this stamp at least once every year. My card layout is based on the Mojo Monday tall and skinny sketch challenge. Fashionable Stamping challenged us to show a tree with autumn colors so I pulled out this stamp. Marks finest Papers Simple Salutations challenged us to use a metal embellishment on our card. I thought that the ribbons at the top could use a little embellishment.  The sentiment is an Artistic Outpost stamp.

Dragonfly Birthday

Happy birthday to my beautiful daughter, Kerry. Enjoy your special day!

This is the card I made for Kerry. I used a print red cardstock for the cardbase. The background panel is cut from Kodomo paper. The sentiment is a Club Scrap stamp. (Inside I used a similar style stamp that says "Happiness".) The dragonfly is  the Tim Holtz layered dragonfly. I used some perfect pearls on the wings to add a little shimmer and sparkle. The red gems were added for some bling embellishment. 

I am entering this card into these challenges: SweetStamps -- bling; Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge -- Make it sparkle; MFP Simple Salutations -- oriental paper; Dies R Us -- birthday; Inspiration Journal -- everything goes; Great Inspirations -- birthday bash.

Along the Beach

I had a very peaceful afternoon and this card is the result. I love it when I can mix and match stamps from different companies and everything works. My water and sand (both stamped twice), the birds and the sun are all Cornish Heritage Farms stamps. The children playing on the beach are Rogue Redhead Designs stamps. The quote is a Quietfire stamp.
The scene was stamped on watercolor paper. I used distress markers and a waterbrush to watercolor the images. The card base and sentiment panel frame are kraft cardstock.
I am entering this card into these challenges: Kraft Journal -- sun;  Word Art Wednesday -- anything goes; Marks Finest Papers Simple Salutations -- day at the beach; Frilly & Funkie -- cool water; Dies R Us Challenge -- Day at the Beach [spellbinders die].

Happy 4th of July

  

Hoping everyone is having a wonderful 4th of July today! 

this week's Blogger's Challenge is red, white, and blue. My card is a bit non-traditional for a 4th of July card, but it certainly fits in with the red, white, and blue. I started with a red base card and added the blue panel. I stamped the sentiment (Artistic Outpost) along the fold edge of the card. The face (Prima) was stamped on a piece of Tim Holtz watercolor paper. I then masked her and stamped (Hero Arts) the background. I used the distress watercolor technique from Tim Holtz's Compendium of Curiosities 3 Book, p. 39. This just happens to be the  current CCC3 challenge. (A special thanks to Inspiration Emporium for their generous sponsorship.)
My card is being entered into these challenges: Blogger's Challenge -- red, white, and blue; Classy Cards 'n Such -- red, white, and blue (Tim Holtz's distress markers can be purchased there.); Tuesday Throwdown -- anything goes; Compendium of Curiosities 3 challenge -- distress watercoloring; Mark's Finest Papers Simple Salutations -- patriotic; Art With Heart -- red, white, and beautiful; V's Sweet Ideas -- red, white, and blue.

Way 2 Go

My caard today is a window card for a graduate. I used a set of Club Scrap Stamps. Aren't they cool! The background is a piece of designer paper which I stamped directly on.
My card is being entered into these challenges: Tuesday Throwdown -- celebrations; Marks Finest Papers Simple Salutations -- graduation card; Stampendous Impressions -- Dads and Grads.

Call Him Father

My card is a CAS card honoring all fathers. I started with a teal base card. The sentiment strip across the middle is a piece of design paper from my stash. The sentiment is a stamp from Club Scrap. My focal image is from SweetStamps and is colored using distress markers.
I am entering this card in these challenges: SweetStamps -- for Dad ; Tuesday Throwdown -- special man; Word Art Wednesday -- anything goes; Marks Finest Papers Simple Salutations --Father's Day; Stampin' for the Weekend -- anything goes.

Creativity

I couldn't miss this week's challenge at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challege. The theme is to use an artistic stamp. Has someone been peeking at my stamp collection? After a difficult time deciding which stamp I wanted to use, I pulled out David. For my background I went back to Creative Chemistry 101.I used the archival resist technique. The sentiment is also one of Tim Holtz's stamps.
I am also entering this card into these challenges: Marks Finest Papers Simple Salutations --cardstock only; Word Art Wednesdays -- anything goes.

Leave Ordinary Behind

Summer will soon be here and I'm ready for a vacation. I love this Tim Holtz sentiment, " Leave ordinary behind". It has so many interpretations. For the background, I used an embossing folder to add a little texture. I then die cut the suitcase and parts and assembled it (Tim Holtz/Sizzix). I added a couple of stamped stickers from my travels (I wish). A tag was used for the sentiment.
 I am entering my card into these challenges: Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge -- vacation/travel; Word Art Wednesday -- anything goes; and Marks Finest Papers Simple Salutations --die cuts/punches.

Mother's Day

Front

Open

In addition to the challenges I will be entering, I also challenged myself today. I have had the butterfly pivot design die from Karen Burniston for quite a while. so I decided that I would use it for my challenge card. My entire base card is made from two-sided design paper (Heartfelt Creations). I did adhere two half sheets together for added sturdiness. Once I die cut the pivot butterfly and its layers, I stamped the flower on the front using the distress marker direct to stamp technique. The front and inside sentiments are all from Rogue Redhead Designs.
I am entering my card into several challenges: Tuesday Throwdown -- special lady; Simon Says Wednesday challenge -- spring flowers; Mark's Finest Papers Simple Salutations -- Mother's Day; Artistic Stamper -- in the garden; Simon Says Work It Wednesday --patterned paper; and Classy Cards 'n Such -- Mother's Day (CCnS carries the distress pens, Heartfelt Creations stamps, and much more.)

Rose Garden

I am finally back to blogging after being off for a couple of weeks. My Dad passed and I needed a little time for family and myself. I miss him terribly, but it's time to go on. Art is a wonderful way to help healing.

My card today is based on the Rogue Stampers sketch posted on Facebook. The background was done using a favorite technique from the current Technique Junkies newsletter, pearly gelatos. I then stamped over the color using a Rogue Redhead Designs script background stamp. The focal flowers, ferns, and sentiment are also RRD stamps. I stamped and masked the roses and then stamped the ferns. I love how the roses come to the front.  The lace came from my stash.
I am entering this card in the following challenges: Design Junkies Try That Technique --pearly gelatos; Mark's Finest Papers Simple Salutations -- use lace, ribbon, or twine, Vintage Journey -- spring flowers; and V's Sweet Ideas -- favorite technique.

Spring is Here

Today is the first full day of spring and for one day we are scheduled to actually have spring temperatures in Chicago. Today's Bloggers Challenge -- celebrates the coming of spring by wanting us to think spring.
My card starts with a spring green background on which I stenciled alphabet letters for interest. I then added the French Lattice Cheery Lynn die cut. the flower packet, stamped flowers, and sentiment are all stamps from Artistic Outpost. The die cut butterfly and flower are from Cheery Lynn.
My card is also being entered into these challenges:Cheery Lynn Designs -- think spring; Classy Cards 'n Such --flutterbys (Classy Cards 'n Such is a great place to order Cheery Lynn Design dies); City Crafter -- spring in the garden; Three Muses -- spring; Marks Finest Papers Simple Salutations -- things with wings; Artistic Outpost monthly referral challenge -- anything goes with Artistic Outpost stamps; and The Artistic Stamper --letters, words, numbers (background alphabet letters, sentiment and seed packet words, and 15 cents).

Live in the Moment

Live in the moment is such good advice. The cool sun dial (Serendipity) makes a  great image for the moment. Framing my image is a doily from Cheery Lynn.
 I am entering my card into these challenges: Cheery Lynn Designs -- doilies; Simon Says Monday Challenge -- Tick Tock; Marks Finest Papers Simple Salutations -- About Time.

No Perfect Words

It's Bloggers Challenge Friday and today the theme is with sympathy.  I based my layout on this week's Mojo Monday challenge  which is a tall and skinny sketch. My card is 3 3/4 by 6 inches. For my background paper I used design paper from Graphic 45. I kept my card in shades of grey and black with just a touch of blue. The sentiment is from Club Scrap.

I am also entering my card into these challenges: Take a Word -- blue; Marks Finest Papers Simple Salutations -- sympathy; and CAS-ual Fridays --2 shades of grey.

Birthday Circle

Today I decided to play with offset dies technique from the current Technique Junkies newsletter. I also used the out of the box technique (Oct/Nov 2004).I used a kraft basecard. I chose several colors of cardstock for the frame and offset circles. I stamped the background frame and the brown circle with background stamps from Rogue Redhead Designs behind the scenes plate. The image and sentiment are from RRD Winter Women. The lime and orange circles were dry embossed using a Sizzix (Tim Holtz) embossing folder.
This card is being entered into these challenges: Technique Junkies Try This Technique -- offset die cuts; Flourishes Timeless Tuesday -- lotta polka dots; Three Muses -- out of bounds; and Mark's Finest Papers Simple Salutations challenge -- stamped background.

Happy Valentine's Day

First, I'd like to say Happy Valentine's Day to all of my friends. Hope it is a fun day!
Today I am sharing a fun and non traditional Valentine that I made for my grandson. He's seven and not the frilly, lacy Valentine type. He does like to see the peacocks at the zoo though.
I started with a piece of design paper from my stash. I loved the color as a background for my peacock. I then die cut a heart from a piece of Heartfelt Creations design paper and adhered it to the background. The peacock, an outline sticker, was then layered over the heart. I used distress markers to add a little color to the peacock. My sentiment and the stamped heart are both from Quietfire Designs Rubber Stamps.
I am entering my card into these challenges: Bloggers Challenge -- use two designer papers; Our Daily Bread Designs -- non-traditional Valentines Card; and Mark's Finest Papers Simple Salutations -- Valentine's card.
Note: prepared my blog post in time for Bloggers Challenge. However, I had to go and assist my father's leaving the hospital and adjusting to being home, so I didn't get to link to the challenges until today (Saturday)

This Day

Wow, it's been ages since I played with the Bloggers Challenge. My long hospital stayed sure played havoc with my art creation. However, this week the challenge is quotes and here is my card. One thing about the time I spent in the hospital -- I had lots of time to think. My New Year resolution is to appreciate life a lot more and to be more aware of my health. This quote by Goethe says it all.

I based my layout on the Mojo Monday sketch challenge 327. I started with a background of designer paper. The quote is done in the chalkboard technique from Tim Holtz. The flowers and leaves are Cheery Lynn die cuts. I added a ribbon of lace.
I am also entering my card in these additional challenges: Word Art Wednesday which is anything goes; Friends of Speedy (MFP) which is New Year's resolution; Simple Salutations (MFP) which is a sentiment plus black/white; and Frilly & Funkie which is New Year's resolutions.

All Packed and Ready to Go

Have packed suitcase, will travel. The top image shows the suitcase closed, with lots of travel stickers on it. When you open the suitcase, the clothes are all packed and ready to go. There's a bit of a story to my card. I started with kraft cardstock and cut out the suitcase using the Tim Holtz die. I made a second cut to cut out the trim. The travel stickers are pieces of scraps which I stamped using Stampsmith stamps. Of course the suitcase had to have lining inside. Once the suitcase was assembled, I started packing. For the clothing, I used the Stampsmith vintage paper doll set. I stamped the clothing pieces and parts of the two dolls on designer paper. I cut out the clothing pieces from the stamped images and highlighted parts with distress marker.

My card is being entered into several challenges. At Stampsmith the challenge is world traveller. Mark's Finest Paper Simple Salutations challenge is girl things. Frilly & Funkie has the challenge theme, my steamer trunk. Inspiration Journal's challenge is summer vacation. (While I actually spent my summer babysitting for grandchildren, a trip to Paris, or anywhere, would have been a wonderful adventure.)