Offset Scallop Gallop - Argyle Pumpkin

Cath at Moxie Fab World designed another super challenge - her Offset Scallop Gallop! Woopie! Where does she get these crazy ideas? I actually made three scalloped cards (I guess I got into it!), but this is my favorite. I took this photo from the side to show the argyle pumpkin's dimension. Hero Arts Stamps F4031 and CG187 were used. I stamped the "Stitched Pumpkin" 3 times, cut it into sections and mounted them with dimensional dots. The vintage image is from Crafty Secrets. I also used lots of distressing, a Fiskars punch and I topped it all off with some great ribbon and a pin from my stash. Thanks for this crazy challenge!

It is really starting to feel like Fall here and the mornings are as dark as night. Darn! I am just not ready. People are actually decorating their houses for Halloween! No way! I plan to wear peddle-pushers and tank tops for at least another week, even if I have to wear a sweatshirt over it all. I want summer to last all year! I'm off to put on some sun screen and look for some watermelon - have a great day!

Go Granny, Go!

Okay, I lied. Or was seriously mistaken. You decide! You're getting an Autumn-themed card a couple of days before October because I need to upload Cath's latest Moxie Fab World Tuesday Trigger before I unplug for the weekend. So, here's the Trigger - all warm and cozy, old-fashioned and very fall-colored, just whispering a Thanksgiving card (and a warm hug).

The 3-D flower on my card reflects the textures and shape of the granny "squares" and is made by punching out heart shapes and folding them in half, length-wise. I applied them onto a circle. The card is embellished with some lace and a vintage button from Granny's sewing basket. I love this perfect homespun paper by K & Company and the cute stamp (colored with Copic pens) is from the Hero Arts "Days to Celebrate" set, LL775.

I smell the pumpkin pie in Granny's oven as we speak....yum! Thanks again, Cath! Have a cozy weekend everyone.

Rin Tin Tin

I recently took a neat "Altered Altoid Tin" class which was a special birthday gift from a dear pal. It was lots of fun and it stretched the limits of my creativity. I have not yet completed my class project, but I will share it when I do. In the meantime, here is an altered tin I made awhile ago as a birthday card. I decked out a tin, inside and out, with a butterfly theme and made a cute coordinating accordion-folded card for the inside. The card has lots of quotes about friendship. This was difficult to photograph, so I hope you can imagine it.

My only problem with these fun projects is that I don't like Altoids! If you do, please save me your tins! Have a wonderful day!

Friends - the best things ever!

Today is a bit of departure from my regular blogging. A little celebration of friendship! And do I ever have some great friends! I have great crafting pals, wonderful friends I made while I was working, neighborhood friends, friends from water aerobics, family friends, cyber friends, old college and high school friends - all amazing. And, of course, there is that very best friend ever - I'm married to him! I am so blessed, especially since I don't even consider myself a friendly person. Amazing! I am so thankful for all of you!

Spotlighted today is a most amazing gift made by one of my dearest friends ever. Can you believe it? It is even more glorious in person - it catches every little bit of light. I know this took hours of time and tons of talent to make and I love it to pieces. I have hung it where it is the first thing I see in the morning and the last thing at night. What a testimony to a unique and wonderful friendship. Thank you, Antoinette!

Girlie Girl!

Let's go all girlie today! Here is a little card that I made some time ago. Isn't it just too sweet? Reflective foil paper was cut to represent the mirror - it just doesn't photograph too well. I colored it all up a with Copics pens, added a textured background and some cute designer paper, and tied it up with a sheer ribbon.

By the way, I have been producing lots of Autumn-themed goodies but I have decided not to hare them with you until October. Let's enjoy the last vestiges of SUMMER before we get too carried away with the holidays! Have a great day!

Another Asian Doll

chinese girl
Originally uploaded by mkmermaid (Maureen)

Here is another sweet girl with a bit of a twist. I used this great gold textured background paper to set her off and give her a bit of style. Her outfit is paper-pieced (where you stamp it onto printed paper, cut it out and add it to your stamped image). The Chineese character is from the internet and the sentiment is from Stampin' Up. Don't you just want to pinch her cheeks? Have a wonderful weekend!

From Silly to Serene

cute girl
Originally uploaded by mkmermaid (Maureen)

A little change of pace today. This sweet girl looks like she might have something up her sleeve. What do you think? Pretty cute, eh? The card front is a piece of Asian stationary that I found in a clearance bin years ago. See the cool mark in the lower left corner? The little Hero Arts doll is carefully colored with Copic pens (I'm still having trouble getting the photos to not look blotchy) and the mat is cut and dry embossed with Nestibilities dies. Some pearls for elegance and, of course, I had to add a bit of sparkle. This is going out to a special birthday girl. Thanks for looking!

Ruh-Roh!

My most amazing brother is 8 years younger, WAY smarter, and lots funnier than I am. Our age difference exposed me to some of the quirky television shows he watched in the 1960's - Fractured Flickers, Rocky and Bullwinkle, the original Batman series, and Scooby Do. Crazy memories! So when I saw these rubber stamps at a garage sale, I had to "scoop them" up. I recently made this card for him - with apologies to Hanna-Barbera - such fun! I grinned the entire time. Jinkies! Thanks, my bro......you rock! Have a great day!

Whoooo is having a hoot of a day?

Hi everyone! I am back from a long weekend. Today's card was made for my amazing former personal trainer - what a inspiration she is. She is NOT a pink, soft and flowery kind of girl - at all. This card uses one of my favorite Cuttlebug embossing folders. I lightly sanded the paper after the embossing. Some piercing, textured papers and home-spun ribbon add additional texture. A simple layout, some fall colors and a cute little owl complete the special card. I made the sentiment on my computer. You all have a hoot of a day!

My home is my castle!

While I usually keep my blogs about my cardmaking, today I want to share a bit about my weekend. We were up at our "Hideaway" in Calistoga (Napa Wine Country). It is just spectacular there - the beautiful vineyards magically change their glories with every season and the surrounding hills embrace with splashes of color and shadows. Put that together with the healing mineral water pools and hot tubs, the wonderful weather, the bike rides, the spas, the hot-air balloons, the yummy food, and - of course - the world-renown wines........what can I say? It is truly God's Country!

Our dear friends Sylvia and Susy joined us for some big fun. We visited the Castello di Amorosa, an amazing Tuscan castle and winery. The cut stone, forged metal, and even the torture chamber are all authentic! And the wine-tasting is fantastic. It is a history & wine-making lesson all in one. Check out the photos on the website - unbelievable!

I can't stop making these folded-flower cards - are you sick of them yet? The colors here were inspired by the soft, rich colors of the Castle. Enjoy!