Thursday, January 31, 2008

Beehives and Buttons!


I must really be wishing for spring or something -- with this BEE kick I am on! Ha!
I ordered some really fun stamps from Hambo Stamps last week. They have a great sense of humor and some fun images! Check them out and be sure to say "Judy sent you!" I had the hive and sentiment waiting for the right idea to formulate, when the SCS Color Challenge this week was Yoyo Yellow, Going Gray and Basic Gray. I knew right away that I wanted to try my new Hambo stamps with it! My sister had given me a hive background stamp for Christmas, and I wanted to get that in there too~
I stamped the images in Black Stazon, and then colored them with SU! markers. I punched three scallops and then cut them in half for the left border, and layered two others under the sentiment circles at the top. I have oodles of Primas and really need to use them more -- I found just the colors I was looking for, and voila! A fun thinking of you card!

Stamps: Beehive and Sentiment by Hambo Stamps; Background Hive by Stamper's Anonymous
Paper: Bazzill Textured Gray, Going Gray, Whisper White, Yoyo Yellow
Ink: Black Stazon, Yoyo Yellow, Creamy Caramel, Certainly Celery, More Mustard, Barely Banana, Bashful Blue
Accessories: Primas, flower brads, scallop punches, corner rounder, grosgrain ribbon

I love my watermarks - I have about 6 or 7, I think, because I like to use different ones depending on the style of the project. I had Mama Dini make several of them for me. If you need or want one, please check out her site, as she does great work and her prices are so reasonable (starting at $1!). My friend Juliana had a new button on her blog, so I went to check it out. Low and behold, Mama Dini made it! I am proud to display it here and in my sidebar as well. If you are a CSSC and would like to add this button to your blog or site, check it out HERE.

Sunday, January 27, 2008

BEE MINE!


I have a very large collection of giraffes. I have no idea how I got started with that, except that when I was in college my sister gave me a stuffed one for my dorm room. After that, they just kept coming. I suppose if I counted, I would have hundreds and hundreds of them -- all kinds! I like the stuffed ones the best, although I have some pretty awesome ornaments and unique figurines too (oh - and some wonderful rubber stamps!). Most of my giraffes have been gifts. I love going to the zoo and seeing the giraffes. I can stand there for hours looking at them. My family gives me about 10 minutes and then we are off to something else! LOL~

I have a small collection of rustic birdhouses and a small collection of garden crosses. No idea how either of those got started, but most of those I have purchased - with a few of the birdhouses being gifts.

I have a very very small bee collection. This is the strangest collection of all, since I am allergic to bee stings and really rather dislike the real things. But I have about 10 country-looking bees - some as large as a baked potato! But -- I have a large collection of rubber stamp bees! I love them! Maybe because it's the closest I can get to them - I actually love the way they look! Cute, natural, crazy, even rabbits dressed as bees! I got this darling House Mouse stamp from my sister for Chrismtas and thought it went perfectly with the new Just B set from Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Just B, House Mouse
Paper: Eggplant Envy (retired), So Saffron, So Saffron POP DP, DCWV Pocket Full of Posies Glitter Stack, Very Vanilla
Ink: Eggplant Envy, Elegant Eggplant, Black Stazon, So Saffron, Creamy Caramel, Going Gray, Barely Banana, Pretty in Pink, Sahara Sand
Accessories: paper piercer, Primas, grosgrain ribbon, square brads, aqua brush, Stickles, dimensionals
Techniques: watercolor, piercing

I watercolored the HM image, using my reinkers and an aqua brush (I bought 3 for $6 at Michael's that work great! Three different tip sizes!). There are Stickles on the wings and antennae. The Primas were sent to me by Stacy (twinshappy)!

(And yes, if you know how big that HM stamp is, you know this is a *larger* [lol] card!)

Saturday, January 26, 2008

I Love A Challenge!

Especially the Saturday SCS Inspiration Challenge!
I moved away from the colors, but kept the shape and elements in mind as I made this. The *weed* shape reminded me of these flowers in Oh So Lovely, and the sun prompted me to make a flower from the scallop punch, circle punch and one of the designs in the Bali Breeze paper. The background pink paper has swirls in it that are reminiscent of the beautiful sky in the art piece. There is a really pretty watercolor wash of pink and green along the bottom of the card, which is not visible in this photo.
Stamps: Oh So Lovely, So Many Sayings
Paper: River Rock, Always Artichoke, watercolor, Bali Breeze DP, PinkSwirls DP by The Paper Studio
Ink: Black Stazon, Pink Passion, Wild Wasabi, Always Artichoke
Accessories: aqua brush, word window punch, oval punches, circle punch, scallop punch, pink metallic eyelets, ribbon, corner rounder, Black Paper Frills by Doodlebug
Techniques: watercolor

I also made this for Sharon's weekly blog challenge. This week it's scallops! Check out her fun blog HERE.
This card is for a friend who lost a family member this week.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

What Do You Feel?


This is my card for a weekly challenge with some friends for the Need a Lift forum. My card is going to the mother of Maddy Mason's friend, who is turning 89 soon and is blind. Our challenge was to add some texture to our card that Ruth could touch and feel. We were also to case someone else and try to emulate their style. I cased this darling card by Julesiana.

It caught my eye in her gallery right away because of the big letters, and it got me thinking that perhaps Ruth can see some light and dark in the large letters. Mine are embossed with UTEE.

Jules has such a beautiful way of putting lovely colors together and this DP reminded me of her. I got it earlier in the week as a RAK from Billie (along with the white trim), so my colors were chosen and I went from there!
The chipboard flower is raised on dimensionals, as is the "Birthday." The Soft Sky layer is embossed with a Cuttlebug folder. The gems are a lovely blue and green.

It was interesting in light of this challenge card for Ruth that this past week I attended a workshop on blindness. I was a sponsor for the high school State Thespian Covention. We spent two days seeing one-act plays, performing our own one-act musical, attending workshops, and just generally being goofy. Our main stage workshop was presented by Leslye Orr. "Hand in Hand" is a unique theater experience seen through the touch of hands and the mind's eye. Audience members are led into the theater with eyes closed, holding hands, and seated in a spiral; objects are passed around while actress Orr, who is legally blind, enacts a drama inspired by the story of Helen Keller and her teacher, Anne Sullivan. Our eyes were closed for 90 minutes. At first it was a little uncomfortable - soon we were more aware of other senses, and images in our mind, as we touched and felt roses, velvet hats, old shoes, an apron, an orange, and many other things. We smelled apples, cinnamon toast and flowers. We heard footsteps, music and laughter. Orr had interaction with each of us - her introduction was taking our hands and putting them on her face ("This is who I am") and her head ("And this is what I am"). She "talked" with us through spelling in our hands.

After the 90 minutes, we could open our eyes and see the set-up of the room (we did not know it was a spiral, but could hear people in front of us and behind us). We could see where the non-participants sat and watched us. We could see Leslye with our eyes, and look at all of the things we had touched. During the time our eyes were closed, it was as if another door had opened - allowing us to hear, smell, and understand things that our eyes, had they been opened, would have distracted us from "seeing."

Orr, legally blind since birth, created "Hand In Hand" to share her belief that people with disabilities have unlimited possibilities, and has performed the play across the country in plush theaters and pool halls, from the Kennedy Center to Lisbon, North Dakota, for deaf-blind groups and girl scout troops, and for all those who wish to experience the feeling of being alive.

After what Leslye taught me, I was thrilled to make something for Ruth that she could enjoy with her hands. Thanks for reading and for coming to look!

Stamps: Headline Alphabet, Just B (Stampin' Up!)
Paper: Blue Bayou, Certainly Celery, Soft Sky, Basic Grey DP
Ink: Bordering Blue Craft, Blue Bayou
Accessories: chipboard flower, Suze Weinberg's UTEE, gems, circle cutter, scallop punch, Paper Frills by Doodlebug, Cuttlebug EF, dimensionals

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Today's Color Challenge!


I loved this color combination for today's challenge. I started by choosing the main stamp set I wanted to use (Something to Celebrate) and went from there! The darling buttons and red clip were a gift from Deborah (beadn&stampn). The ric rac has glitter in it and is from the Target $1 spot. There are Stickles on the baby carriage.

Stamps: Just B, Embrace Life, Something to Celebrate, So Many Sayings
Paper: Real Red, Blue Bayou, Soft Sky
Ink: Black Stazon, Blue Bayou, Real Red, White Craft
Accessories: buttons, clip, ric rac, Stickles, designer label punch

Monday, January 21, 2008

Paper Bag Album


I am beginning a paper bag album for a friend, and used a SCS Featured Stamper Challenge for my design. Here is the album cover I cased by Veronica (I'mVeronica).

I kept the layout the same, but changed colors and images. I was wanting to use my new Berry Bliss paper too~ I haven't made a paper bag album in a long time, so this was a perfect opportunity to start one!

The large flowers are both chipboard. The back one is covered with DP and edges are sanded. The front was sponged with Purely Pomegranate. All papers are distressed, and the sentiment is popped up on dimensionals.
Stamps: Time Well Spent
Paper: Berry Bliss DP, Confetti White, Purely Pomegranate, Paper Bags
Ink: Purely Pomegranate
Accessories: chipboard flowers (The Paper Studio), pink gems, cutter tool, eyelash fibers
Techniques: distressing

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Some oldies but goodies!


I love the look of monochromatic cards. Here are a couple that I made a long time ago and have never posted to my blog! They use the same layout and design but with different colors and stamps -- Really fast and easy!

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Today's Color Challenge!

Today's SCS Color Challenge is Rosy Apricots! Sounds yummy in the dead of winter here! The three colors were Rose Red, Apricot Appeal and Sage Shadow. Here is my card for today:

Loved this combination -- I haven't used Sage in a long time! I was (still am) a big fan of All About U and Just B is becoming one of my new favorite sets!

The inside dots on the B are pierced, and I carried that to the flower panel and also around the large oval on the sentiment (a little harder to see).

Stamps: Just B, Oh So Lovely, So Many Sayings, Sanded
Paper: Rose Red, Rose Romance, Apricot Appeal, Sage Shadow
Ink: Black Stazon, Rose Red, Sage Shadow
Accessories: brads, ribbon, circle cutter, aqua brush, oval punches, word window punch, paper piercer
Techniques: The flowers are watercolored with Rose Red.

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Well today is the big playoff game and Tony is imagining...


Here is my card for today's Inspiration Challenge: Butler Fabric. You can see the swatch of material I chose by scrolling down to "Pink/Lotus Pond" here.

Froggy is imagining that he is a Prince -- namely because his name is Tony Romo and he is thinking about winning the Cowboys/Giants game this afternoon. Then everyone WILL think he is a Prince.....he is also thinking about getting a new girlfriend......LOL...(I am definitely rooting for the Cowboys.....)

The pink BG DP is from Berry Bliss - there is a subtle pattern on it that is hard to see in the photo (I LOVE that paper!). The green brads and Froggy match exactly IRL -- the brads were closer to the light and thus look brighter. (Card is standard A2 size - it just looks as big as Texas in this picture!).

(I actually made this card for a challenge I have with a group of friends. We make a card for the Need a Lift forum every week and this one is for a teen who is battling cancer. Debils made our requirement to use Gable Green somewhere and that, combined with today's IC, made me think of these stamps and colors!)

Stamps: Unfrogettable, Lily Pad, Imagine by Heidi Grace, Sanded BG
Paper: Bashful Blue, Brocade Blue, Whisper White, Berry Bliss DP
Ink: Black Stazon, Gable Green, Rose Red, Rose Romance (retired), Bashful Blue, Brocade Blue
Accessories: brads, aqua brush, paper flower (RAK gift)
Techniques: watercolor

Saturday, January 12, 2008

The Challenge Card That Wasn't!


This is not my card for today's Limited Supplies Challenge and it is not my card for Sharon's (notimetostamp) "Tall and Thin" Challenge either.
I thought it would be, but I broke all those rules as the card went along. LOL!

I started out with the LSC150 and chose 2 colors from the same family: Rich Regals - So Saffron and Elegant Eggplant. I had these flowers from another day and wanted to use them. I chose my DP. So far, so good. Cut my cardstock to be a tall and thin card for Sharon's challenge. Punched the corners. I had embellishments in the same color family - just like the LSC said. Decided I wanted a sentiment at the bottom -- had to use two punches for that. Uh oh. The sentiment is stamped on WC paper and smudged a bit with my aqua brush. Wanted glitter on the flowers. Uh oh. Added brads on the corners and then more brads by the sentiment. Hmmm...... Needed leaves -- another color (we were only supposed to use 2 in the LSC) and used the 5 petal flower punch to make them. Too many punches! And then I needed ribbon and another ribbon...... and more glitter on the leaves. Not simple for me. Or for Sharon's challenge. Too many punches and colors and embellishments for the LSC......

So this is "The Challenge Card That Wasn't!"
Stamps: Embrace Life, Studio G sentiment
Paper: So Saffron POP DP, DCWV Old World Matstack, Elegant Eggplant, Watercolor
Ink: Elegant Eggplant, Always Artichoke
Accessories: aqua brush, 5 petal flower punch, corner punch by Family Treasures, word window punch, large oval punch, eggplant brads, Stickles, grosgrain and organdy ribbon
Techniques: watercolor

Friday, January 11, 2008

Another one!


Here is the second card I made with Embrace Life. I am really liking this set and didn't think I would at first!
Stamps: Embrace Life, Small Script
Paper: Wild Wasabi, Barely Banana, Blue Bayou POP DP, Watercolor
Ink: Blue Bayou, Wild Wasabi, White Craft
Accessories: aqua brush, HPH, word window punch, Stickles, organdy ribbon
Techniques: watercolor

Sunday, January 6, 2008

Embrace Life in 2008


I made this card today for the SCS Featured Stamper Challenge. Nancy Riley was chosen as the FS, and I cased her card HERE. Nancy mentioned Teal in her description, so I started with that color and went from there. The layout is similar to her card; everything else is different! I kept the stamping simple since the paper is so coloful and busy.

When I first saw this set I wasn't too impressed with the sentiment. But as I evaluate some things and choose what to be resolute about, I surely need to embrace and enjoy life more. I used to. I don't know where or when I became this grumbling, complaining person -- sometimes I just grumble in my mind, but it certainly still affects what people see on the outside.

Maybe I should make more cards with this set to remind me......... :)

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Lilac Charm


We have some lovely lilacs along our property. In fact, one whole side of it is lined with them. In the late spring, they bloom prolifically and their fragrance fills our backyard with their fabulous scent.

I long for them, as our temperature right now is 9 degrees. I look out at their branches and it's hard to believe that they will bloom again in the midst of the wind and snow. But I know they will. Now that we have turned over to the new year, Spring is closer!!

Here is a picture from last spring. They look like they are trying to be hydrangeas, but they really are lilacs! 75 feet of them!


Stamps: Lilac by Great Impressions
Paper: SU WC, Elegant Eggplant, Brocade BG DP, DCWV Old World Matstack
Ink: Black Stazon, Lovely Lilac, Old Olive, Green Galore, Mellow Moss
Accessories: aqua brush, Photo Corner punch, Olive organdy, charms (3), sponge dauber
Techniques: watercolor

I was tagged by my friend DEBI (click to see her blog). The rules of the game:
• Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
• Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blog, as we all want to know them. (What?? lol)
• Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.
• Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Well, let's see -- I don't know if I will come up with anything original, or things people don't already know, but I will give it a try!
1) I sang for the Pope at the Vatican when I was 15 years old. I'm not even Catholic!
2) I don't know how to swim, but I love to fish from boats! And I will even clean my own fish and I love to eat fish!
3) I have a comfort zone of about 10 degrees - 75 to 85 would be perfect. Now why do I live somewhere where it is NINE????
4) I love to crochet, play the piano, surf the net, and rubber stamp. Is it any wonder that I suffer from carpal tunnel? Surgery is looming.....
5) If I could buy a new car, it would be a Toyota Prius. Lime green or white, with blue flames. I am sure my teens think I am too old for that kind of car design.
6) I love Pretzelmaker pretzel bites warm from the oven, and Parmesan pretzels with lots of cheese!
7) I am married to my soul mate - the love of my life.

Now to tag some others.....
Amanda - One of the nicest people I know!
Angel - Just celebrated her birthday after a big move across the ocean!
Chat - Blog candy!! Check it out! Chat does fabulous layouts and has such neat details on her cards.
Dawn - Shares great stories on her blog about her life!
Tosh - You have to check out Tosh's cards, if you haven't before. She does amazing layouts that are really eye-catching. Today she has a great technique too!

You can find their blogs listed in the sidebar to the right!