Parade of Stars

One more star-spangled card before the big holiday! This one was made with my wonderful friend and teacher, Bibiana. She is such a special lady.

Hero Arts "It's A Parade" (G5469) is used with a technique called "Shadow Effect". I found this link with details on this heat-embossing technique, if you are interested. I love the vintage effect!

The other stamps here are Inkadinkako's "Flag Map" and Penny Black's "Damask" (for the tone-on-tone background).

This is for Lily Pond Cards SSS Challenge, the current Simon Says Stamp Patriotic Challenge, and I found a new place for fun challenges, called "Shopping Our Stash" - don't ya just love it? - or, SOS. Their current challenge is for red, white and blue or stars and stripes.

Thanks for checking in and wishing my fellow Americans a Grand and Glorious holiday!

Rock Star

I love stars (almost as much as I love hearts - I am just not on the hexagon wagon - sorry!) and the Simon Says Stamp Star Challenge at Lily Pad Cards has had me seeing stars for days now. This little number features a great set by Papertrey Ink called Star Prints. I love all the different stars and sentiments. The other stars are Hero Arts (A1498 & A1493), oldies from 1998. Stars never get old! Just ask Mae West.

The background is a Cuttlebug embossing folder done on aluminum foil - I love the look! Lots of shine.

This also qualifies for the Simon Says Stamp Sporty or Patriotic Challenge! Cuttlebug products are even featured. Fun!

Just a fun little card for a super-star.

Thanks for looking and have a great day!

Stars and Stripes

Since we celebrated Memorial Day last weekend I have been feeling especially patriotic. Just perfect for the current challenge to use stars at (the recently retired) Lily Pad Cards, presented by Simon Says Stamp. Check it out and play along!

I am taking (yeah, I am tardy to class - it technically already ended, but it is wonderful!) the "Fold It, Pop It, Flip It, Zip It" class at Ellen Hutson's presented by Julie Ebersole who is not only extremely talented, but a total kick in the pants! This card design is called the Pocket Slider. I hope I can properly capture it for you so you can appreciate how fun it is. The inside pops up when you open the card.

I used an old CHF stamp set called "America the Beautiful" which was designed by the whimsical Kim Hughes (who now has Paper Smootches) and a Hero Arts star (A1499).

I am also submitting this to the current Simon Says Stamp Blog Challenge, "Anything Goes", where we are asked to use twine. This jute twine is from May Arts.

Thanks for looking and have a great day!

Rainy Day and Vacation Give-Away.

No, sorry - I am not giving away a vacation. But.......read below for the details.

I had such fun making this card for the Simon Says Stamp "Rainy Day" Challenge over at the amazing Lily Pad Card blog. There is always something great hoppin' over there.

Months ago my sweet blogging buddy Sheila turned me on to Whipper Snapper stamps (they are from her home state, Wisconsin). I never thought I was into cute animals, but these guys have such personalities! This is Tucan Can (CT966) and he makes me smile. I stationed him with a colorful umbrella (from the April Simon Says Stamp kit) on a hand-cut cloud card base. He has some dimension and, yes, googly eyes! The rain is MS glitter applied with a glue stamp to Hero Arts "Scattered Dots" (CG267). I don't often think to use glue on my stamps - it is serious fun.

I am heading out on a little road trip (to southern California for some fun and family visits) with the newly-retired hubby. I will sooooo miss blogging and visiting your blogs to see your amazing creations (& offering my candid comments) so I am offering a little vacation (mine!) give-away.

I had so many nice comments on the necklace that I made and shared here that I made another one. This one is crocheted copper wire with some multifaceted glass beads. There is a matching pair of pierced earrings, too. Lacey and light for summer. The length is adjustable for every neck and outfit.

Just leave a comment here so I know you'll miss me and I will pick a random winner when I return on May 24th.I will ship anywhere!

As always, thanks for visiting. I will see you upon my return!

Poppy Fields

I am still struggling a bit with the new Blogger Dashboard......but, I am determined! There is really no choice, is there?

Today I decided to combine two challenges and continue my quest to develop a "Clean and Simple" design. The first challenge is Virginia's View at Lily Pad Cards, a wonderful source of inspiration. This lovely photo is the inspiration for the challenge.

The second challenge is from Simon Says Stamp and Show, which asks that we use our "favorite word" on a creation. Now, I know many will use words like "inspire", "hope", "imagine", etc. However, I decided that most of the wonderful friendships I have started with a simple "hello", so that is the word that I selected.

My card uses Stampendous H203, called Scenic Poppy, and Hero Arts CL449 and CL493. I stamped the background flowers with Hero Arts Shadow soft brown ink on kraft for a faint tone-on-tone effect. I hope you can see it in the photo.

Thanks for looking and have a great day.

Somewhere

under the rainbow?

This card was inspired by the amazing Virginia Lu and her "Virginia's View" challenge over at Lily Pad Cards. Check it out and play along!

I love touching and sorting my extensive button collection, which includes new and vintage buttons. Lots of childhood memories playing with Mom's button box. I resist using too many buttons on cards because of the weight they add, but this is a worthy exception!

The great airplane is from Papertrey Ink's "Fly Away" stamp set. I have had it for years and love it, especially for masculine cards. The clouds are made with Die-namics dies and a Swiss dots Cuttlebug embossing folder.

Thanks, Virginia, for the inspiration for this fun and colorful card. Have a rainbow of a day!

Keeping It Simple & Elegant

I am really trying - to keep it simple, that is. For this card I "kissed" the Hero Arts Classic Fabric Design background stamp (CG245) with the Hero Arts Friends Definition stamp (CG125). I have had difficulty with this technique in the past, but I have learned that sometimes you just need to try different inks and stamps. For those of you unfamiliar with this, here is a great video (except for the music).

This great tulip is from Hero Arts Antique Engravings set (CL427) and the perfect sentiment (love that font!) is from Stampendous - Paisley Spring (SSC1042). As for challenges, this is a "4 fer" ! There is a Simon Says Stamp "Kissing Technique" challenge at Lily Pad Cards for which this is perfect. Then, there is the CAS-ual Fridays challenge to make a card using a pattern, an image and a sentiment. My original inspiration was the Moxie Fab World Tuesday Trigger, "Casual Elegance". And, finally, this month's contest at the Hero Arts Blog is "Fabulous Flowers"! Check, check, check, check! All good! Come and play along.                     

Such Sweet Inspiration!

A dear blogger buddy, Virginia Lu, has been offering up lots of inspiration for a long time. Her blog has lots of beautiful cards, nifty ideas, funny family stories and lovely photographs. Now it is official - she is on the Design Team at the wonderful Lily Pad Cards. There she offers up a monthly challenge called "Virginia's View". Check it out!

This moth's inspiration for her challenge is this lovely photograph. Aren't the colors great? Love them! In addition, this optional sketch was also provided. This was such a fun inspiration.

I used my all-time ever favorite cupcake stamp, Hero Arts F5495. It is so versatile! I love to use it for paper piecing, layering, and all sorts of fun stuff. Here, I coupled it with a sentiment from Hero Arts CL139, a dotted Swiss Cuttlebug embossing folder, an eksucess edger punch and some colorful buttons from my stash. What a bright and happy card, eh? Thanks, Virginia!

It was a glorious weekend in the Napa Valley! I just love our little "Hideaway". We swim in the warm mineral water, relax (no phones, no t.v. and no internet!), ride bikes and just enjoy the beauty. Thanks to you all for all your good wishes - my post-op recovery is going so well. I'm even back in the pool! Thanks for checking in and have a wonderful week!

The Infirmary is Closed and I'm Ready for Some Fun!

Thanks for all of your good wishes, positive thoughts and prayers! They all worked. I am doing quite well recovering from my surgery - every day is better! The body is a real miracle! I just need to regain some of my strength and resume my normal routine of exercise and well-being. I have sure missed all of your inspiration, ideas, support and lovely card designs. I can't wait to catch up with each of you. Thanks so much!

What a better way to return than using up some of that patterned paper? Those wonderful gals over at Lily Pad Cards are hosting another Simon Says Stamp Challenge. This one requires the use of patterned paper!

I decided to make a folded Dahlia (instructions here for your use), using two-sided paper.  I made a tag-style get well card. The paper is from K&Company and the stamps are Hero Arts CL414 and CL490. I added some hand-dyed silk ribbon from my stash.

Thanks again for stopping by! I am off to enjoy some of our unseasonably warm California weather.

A Window into my Heart

I am heading out early tomorrow morning, so I'm posting my Monday blog tonight. As I shared with you in my January 23rd post, my blogger buddy Virginia has joined the Design team at the fantastic Lily Pad Cards. She is doing a series of challenges called "Virginia's View". This lovely photos is the inspiration for her first challenge, which is sponsored by Penny Black.

For my card I decided to use one of my most favorite (I love hearts!) and oldest (it's from 2004!) Penny Black stamps (3088C, "Beaded Heart"). Perfect! I stamped it many times, colored it with Copic pens and I raised some of the hearts with dimensionals. My freehand "window" frames the hearts.

I added a bit of shine (Glossy Accents) to represent the window's glass and some thread to echo the twine from which the hearts are suspended in the photo.

This is WAY out of my comfort zone and nothing like my "normal' style - and that's what a challenge is all about! I am just delighted!

Thanks to Virginia and Lily Pad Cards! You have until February 2nd to submit if you'd like to join me. This is also going into the Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Anything Goes!

I'm liking the photos I can take with my new camera! I still have lots to learn about it, too.

Have a great week!

Hugs and Kisses

Another Valentine today!

I am so crazy about the new Hero Arts set called "XO". This time I used it to create a background and matched it up with a chipboard (empty cereal box, actually!) die cut from Tim Holtz that I colored with pens. Lots of ribbon scraps, some bling, a vintage button from my stash -  and we have a card. I embossed the little heart from the "xo" set to give the dress form some soul. The sentiment is from Hero Arts CL500, "Love Every Day", another favorite of mine.

In person the color is not so "neon". This is a difficult color to photograph, even in natural light.

This will be going into the Hero Arts monthly contest which is featuring lots and lots of love and the Lily Pad Cards Simon Says Stamp Chipboard Challenge.  Check them out and join in - you have until tomorrow.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great one!

Sweet and Simple for my Sweetie!

Good Monday morning to you!

First, I want to make a huge shout out!!!. Two of my dear blogging buddies, Barb and Virginia have announced some special news. They are now part of the amazing design team at Lily Pad Cards! Wow! That is a great place - something is always hoppin' there - and these gals will only make it more special. Please check it out and participate in the Virginia's View Challenge. What great fun! All my best and a huge congrats to these two special gals.

Speaking of Barb, she gave me this adorable little chipboard embellishment (doodlebug designs inc.) I that used on this card I made for my husband. Don't you just love its glittery adorableness? The photo just doesn't do it justice. Thanks, Barb!

I had been seeing so many of you who took the "Clean and Simple" class using lots of white and I loved it. So, I gave it a shot myself. I am tickled with the result - a fresh and fun look. The card front is textured with a Cuttlebug embossing folder and the simple sentiment is from Hero Arts new clear set "XO", CL586. Love!

And, speaking of Lily Pad Cards, I thought that I would enter this in their "Simon Says Stamp Chipboard Challenge". Check it out and play along. You have until Thursday to submit.

What a way to start the week! Thanks for checking in here and have a great one!

One More with Texture!

I am enjoying this month's Simon Says Stamp challenge at Lily Pad Cards to use lots of texture. Lily Pad is the neatest spot - so many great ideas, videos and grins. I love "getting my toes wet" over there! Check it out.

For this card I used one of my current favorite Hero Arts Stamps, Designer Woodgrain, S5208. It is great for masculine cards. Other textural elements include twill tape (I dyed it with tea), rough twine, Tim Holts' Tiny Attachers and Distress Stickles, tiny buttons from my stash, and - my favorite - a rusty washer salvaged from my toolbox! I knew it would come in handy someday. The candle and the sentiment (cut with Spellbinders Labels 8) are also Hero Arts. Lots of Distress Inks and the black is Versafine's Onyx Black.

Thanks for checking in and thanks, Lily Pad & Simon Says Stamp, for the great challenge.

One Poofy Over-the-Top Puppy

There is a great challenge, sponsored by Simon Says Stamp, over at the amazing Lily Pad Cards. Check it out and play along - you have until November 24th. I made this card for my dear friend Antoinette. It is all about using texture.

Texture? For some reason, all I could think about was a fluffy poodle! I haven't used my Sizzix dies in ages, so I got out the adorable poodle dog for this "over the top" card.  Where to start describing this silly card? Let's start with the pooch.

I used two coats of white flocking powder (Reflections from Michael's) for her coat. The base coat is quite flat, but the second coat is "poofy" for added texture and character. I colored her softly with some chalks and used a black glaze pen for her face. The bow on her tail is some hand-dyed silk - I used the bow-making technique on the fantastic Shari Carroll's Hero Arts video (I used embroidery thread instead of twine). This video is wonderful. Finally, she sports some bling from my stash. Fancy puppy - down, girl! She may just have her eye on the adorable Freddie.

Other Key Supplies:

• Stamps - Hero Arts H2141 & CL325, Sizzix 655731
• Cuttlebug Embossing Folder - Fleur de Lys
• DCWV textured cardstock with white core - sanded after embossing to add texture
• Crepe paper (a garage sale find) cut with Martha Stewart Fringe Scissors (these are fun)
• ek success punch
• My Favorite Things Die-namics rolled rose die and felt
• Martha Stewart leaf punch
• Pink party toothpick

Thanks for checking in - hope this brings a silly smile!

A Ribbit-ing Birthday - in under the wire!

I've had so much on my mind lately and this sketch from Cath over at Moxie Fab World is one of them. She has been providing some neat sketches to spur our imaginations. This one stuck for me! I had never done a circle card and now is the time!

That, coupled with the great video and Simon Says Stamp challenge for embossed resist over at Lilly Pad cards, and the Critter contest on the Hero Arts blog (for which today is the last day!), my little brain has been busy.

One of my dear cousins loves frogs. And, who wouldn't? So, every year for her birthday I break out the cute Hero Arts Flower Frog stamp, F5294.

This year I stamped it 3 times so I could layer the torso and the head, colored her with Copic pens and added some Glaze Pen and Stickles. And, of course, Googly Eyes! No matter how I try, I just can't seem to get Copic-colored images to photograph true. It isn't fair - I work so hard at blending, it looks great and it photographs so blotchy. Darn!

I cut the scalloped circle with Nestibilities. Then I tried something a little different. I cut a circle with my circle cutter and cut it into fourths. On two of the pieces I clear embossed with Hero Arts CG330, Flower Dots (my new fav - so '60's looking!) and the other two pieces I did with Hero Arts CG149, Circle Pattern. I inked the pieces up and applied them - can you even see them?

Anyway, I added Ms Flower Froggy, some sweet leaves and a sentiment (Hero Arts CL137) banner (as per Jennifer McGuire's great instructions). What a combination! She is seriously lots brighter and more cheery in person.

Happy birthday, cousin Joyce!

Sending Love to Japan

I have been thinking about Japan. Immediately after the terrible disaster we had so much news - sometimes too much - about it all, but now it is difficult to hear anything about the recovery efforts. I just can't even begin to get my arms around what it must be like there - so much grief, personal loss and economic destruction. My thoughts and prayers are with them every day.

A current challenge over at Lily Pad Cards is about making a patriotic card with a twist. So, I decided to make a card for Japan. It was a healing exercise for me. The stamps are Hero Arts CL476 and CL373. I used paper piecing, Stickles, a circle cutter, a die and that's a bamboo hors d'ourve skewer! Simple and sweet.

Now we have to send our best thoughts and prayers to Norway - what is this world coming to? Have a good weekend - I'll be back next week, God willing!

The Big Move!

This has been such a crazy day that I will be glad to say "goodnight"! Lots of craziness. I decided to post this before calling it a day in case tomorrow is even more crazy.

I made a set of "We've Moved" cards for our niece and her husband. Since they moved to New Hampshire, the "Live Free or Die" state, I decided on a patriotic theme. My crafting pal Antoinette lent me this cute Stampin' Up set which is so perfect. If you haven't seen it you can couple the truck up with lots of different goodies and people. Very cute.

I used some papers and brads from my stash. I am going to enter this into the "Some Odd Girl Presents a Theme Challenge" at Lily Pad Cards. The trick is to make a patriotic card with a twist. What do you think? Probably not my best work, but I made 20 of these! The bar is pretty high over at that webiste. The gals there are something else.

Thanks for looking! I will be back on Wednesday with another card.

Lily Pad Cards!

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

Memory Box

There is a great company out there that I have just recently discovered called Memory Box! They have great stamps and some fantastic dies, some of which are coordinated with their stamps. What a score! I used their products to make two additional cards for Lucy's Lovely Lines sketch challenge (see yesterday's post) at Lily Pad Cards. 

For this first card (on the right) I used their "Tree of Birds" stamp. I watercolored the tree with ink pads, water and some Liquid Pearls. The tree is raised with dimensionals. Fun! The background is Hero Arts' Envelope Pattern (S5507) stamp. The cute label is cut with Memory Box's "Pastry Labels" die set. The sentiment is by Savystamps.

For the second card (on the left) I used the "Orchid Branch" stamp and matching die. I love that I didn't need to cut the image out with scissors! I made the banner sentiment with Hero Arts CL047 using a technique that I recently learned - I rolled the banner around a pencil, one end one way and the other end is rolled in the opposite direction. I added some Stickles, lace and pearls from my stash. I love this fresh look.

Thanks to Memory Box for the great products and for sponsoring this challenge. Of course, thanks to the amazing gals at Lily Pad Cards who rock when it comes to inspiration.

Lucy's Lovely Lines at Lily Pad Cards

Hello everyone! Wow! What a great summer weekend I had. I hope you all had a great one, too. I am posting this tonight because I have a couple of card classes tomorrow so I will be short on time. 

This card was made for the "Lucy's Lovely Lines" challenge at Lily Pad Cards and for the Hero Arts June contest to use water coloring. 

Here is Lucy's sketch and my take on it.  I used Hero Arts CL315 set. I water colored with Distress Inks, added a piece from a vintage dress pattern and some twine from my stash. For the sentiment I broke out this cool brass charm that I have been hoarding for years - it was just too perfect. Fun! I will be back tomorrow with another take on Lucy's sketch - she really inspired me!

Have a great week and thanks for looking.