Lady Bug, Lady Bug....Fly Away Home!

Eliz Crafts Lady Bug
Originally uploaded by mkmermaid (Maureen)

Do you remember that song we sang when we were kids? Now it seems too horrible for kids to even think about (Your house is on fire and your children will burn!). What were we thinking?

Well, my pals I went on a bike ride this weekend (maybe last week's card inspired me). I didn't see any lady bugs, but it sure felt like spring. The nice weather here gave us a chance to dry out a bit and get outside to play over the 3-day weekend.

This bright card uses Elizabeth Crafts Outline Stickers, lots of super-fine glitter with is colored with glaze pens and some Heidi Swapp designer paper. The fancy shapes are cut in my Cuttlebug with Nestibilities dies and the border is a Martha Stewart punch.

Thanks for checking in and have a great day!

Pedal Pushing

pedal pushing
Originally uploaded by mkmermaid (Maureen)

I am so ready for a bike ride! I shouldn't complain about our weather because so many around the world are really suffering with bad weather, but.....

This bright and happy card (I needed that!) was made with Hero Arts stamp F5293, a Fiscarks border punch, Nestibilities dies, and some vintage buttons and ribbon from my stash. The sentiment is printed from my computer, the bike is colored with Copic pens, the background was chalked (while the image was still in the die to make a nice white border) and that's a basket full of a great product called Flower Soft. It adds a touch of texture and dimension.

Think sunny days....

Speaking of sunny, check out the blog candy being offered by my HeroArts blogging buddy, Joy. All these goodies, including one of her amazing hand-made cards to celebrate her blog's anniversaary. Just follow the link to her blog to check it out. Joy is a great source of inspiration, so visit her frequently. Thanks, Joy!

What's Cooking, Good Looking?

what's cooking vintage
Originally uploaded by mkmermaid (Maureen)

I think these Hero Arts stamps stamps (CL333 & CL346) are great with clips from my collection of vintage cookbooks. Love those googley eyes, as you all know! I embossed the potholder to represent the stitching and popped-up the chef's hat and spoon so he is ready for some serious cookin'!

I love cookbooks, but hate to cook - go figure!

Merci!

Merci
Originally uploaded by mkmermaid (Maureen)

A dear friend brought me some goodies from her recent trip to Paris, including the paper map she used (she said, "I bet you can do something with it!"). So, I made her this thank you card.

The flower is made from the Paris map with lots of distress inks. I used my Cuttlebug embossing folder for the background (I sanded it to show some of the white core in the paper) and added Michael's ribbon, Creative Imagination letters. The stamps are Hero Arts CG139, CL325 and H2141.

Tres chic, n'est pas?

kiss + tell

Today I am departing from the norm to share with you an amazing company that I found. It is an Etsy company called "kiss + tell". Karissa makes the most wonderful custom stamps and lovely wedding imitations, among many other great things.

Here is the rubber stamp she made for me with all my critical information and lots of flair. I use this on the backs of most my cards. Her prices are very reasonable (this was only about $20!), she is very professional, and a real doll to work with. It even came in this very cool little burlap drawstring bag!

I have never done this on my blog before, but I urge you to check it out and support this wonderful company.

PS: Although I am an avid Etsy shopper, I first hear about this from my blogging buddy, Britta Swiderski. Check out her fun blog for more great inspiration.

Moxie Fab World - Winter White

Cath's Tuesday Trigger this week is this amazingly beautiful 3-tiered white-on-white wedding cake. Not only Moxie Fab, but scrump-delish, Don't ya think? Come and play along!

So, first I made a 100% white card and just wasn't happy with it. It needed a little something - like a dash of soft color. I sure hope this isn't breaking the rules!

I don't think I have ever used so many elements or products on one little card. I used my Cuttlebug for the embossed background and for cutting the little heart out of chipboard. The heart was painted with a Snow Cap Ranger Acrylic Dabber, covered with glue and doused in Martha Stewart Coarse Glitter. The little doily was misted with Perfect Pearls and water for some perfect glimmer. The lace, silk ribbon, vintage button and vintage flowers all came from my extensive stash (yes, honey...I really am de-stashing!). The pearl is from Hero Arts and the papers are from BasicGrey's "basics white" paper pad. It is all distressed with Ranger's Antique Linen Distress Ink.

I'll tell you what, this has waaay more of a "shabby-chic" look than I am comfortable with. Just not my style. But without the Distress ink, the white just didn't pop. And, love can be kind of Distressing, can't it? [Note: Not for me - it rocks!]

I am such a crazy girl that I am even going to show you the all-white card that I don't think quite makes it. What do you think? I plan to re-work it someday.

But, now I'm off to have a lovely White Russian........thanks for looking!

Ruling the Roost

For this card I used some supplies which were given to me by a dear pal. She loves to keep me challenged and knows I love a French country look. The base of the card is a dotted clear transparency in a slight shade of green. Eeeek! When transparencies are used, you must layer a piece of cardstock on the back of each piece so that the adhesives are hidden.  Are you following?

I used this cute rooster stamp and a Hero Arts background stamp (S1832) for the front image. I distressed the edges and adhered it to the front of the transparent card. On the inside (left side) I adhered a piece of cardstock the exact same size over the back of this piece to cover the adhesive. Then, on the inside (right side) of the card I adhered another piece the exact same size and in the same location on the page for the sentiment, and on the back of the card I adhered a final piece of the same size to cover the adhesive of the sentiment piece. Wow, I'm getting dizzy.

A few final embellishments to jazz it up. A different look and worth the extra complications. Thanks, Antoinette for the fun supplies.

Vintage Goodness

Here is a very vintage-looking card that I recently made for a dear friend. I love the richness with all the shades of brown and tan and the square format is fun for a change.

The ribbon actually came from the holiday aisle at Michaels (seriously?!). The face stamp (colored with Copic pens) is also from there and I used the Magical Background (CG211) and Message Bubbles (CL394) from Hero Arts. Lots of Distress Inks and some vintage buttons and brown and white baker's twine from my stash complete the look.

I can't help but wonder what this gal is thinking about.....maybe birthdays past? Love you, Josie!

Sweet Little One

Today I have a new baby card to share with you. The parents of this new baby are kind of urban yuppies - very professional - and I wanted my card to reflect that - no little lambs, lace or cutie-pie embellishments for them! I used this cool vintage buggy and lots of texture and vintage distressing . Do you have a paper crimper? When I remember to use it, I love it.

Another hint for the paper crimper -  I keep some scraps of cardstock that I have put through the crimper and I use it to "pad" cards with embellishments when I mail them. Great protection (but extra postage is required).

Welcome to our world, baby Tate!

Happy New Year!

Here is a thank you card I made for the Moxie Fab World Tuesday Trigger Challenge, Strictly Stripes. The "trigger" is this set of mittens. I never really liked mittens - I need my fingers to move!

My friend loves giraffes, so I had to use this adorable one from Hero Arts for her card. And, what is a giraffe without googley eyes? And, those of you who know me know that there has to be sparkle! Lots of it.

Stamps used are Hero Arts LP114 & CL155, colored with Copic Markers, the edge is made with a Tim Holtz die and it's all tied up with some Michael's ribbon.

Thanks again, Kathleen. Hope you got a giggle out of this!