August Hop with Really Reasonable Ribbon!

It's time to hop with Really Reasonable Ribbon! If you arrived here from Bonnie's blog, you are in the right place! If you just happened along, be sure to start at the beginning at the RRR Blog (I am the third stop, so you don't have far back to go!) so you don't miss out on the awesome projects, fun news, and a prize from Really Reasonable Ribbon! Our hop goes live at 6:30 AM CST.

Each 13th of the month it's the Really Reasonable Ribbon blog hop where we highlight the Ribbon Club! This month is a Pink & Brown Vintage Assortment:

If you really love ribbon and would like to have a wonderful assortment of ribbons sent to you automatically each month, just join the Really Reasonable Ribbon Club! Monthly ribbon club assortments are selected and pre-packed to reflect a specific theme, color, or holiday season. The assortments vary from month to month, but an average assortment has 5-9 different ribbon styles and consists of 10-15+ yards of ribbon.  You will love it! Tell Bonnie that Judy sent you!

My card today features a fun design by I Brake For Stamps. I stamped my images using Memento Tuxedo Black ink and then colored in with Copic markers.

Since pink is my favorite color, I loved this month's assortment. I chose the Stitched Satin Pearl Pink for this card, and added some paper flowers and a pearl to the center. 

And by the way, I love my mother, and would be honored to be like her!

Thanks for stopping by today! Be sure to comment along the way at all my amazing teammates' blogs for the awesome prizes from Really Reasonable Ribbon! 

Like what you see? Become a Follower!

Now off to Heidi's blog, for some amazing eye-candy!
 

 

It's Sketch Time!

Today's Deconstructed Sketch 63 has all sorts of possibilities! Take a peek:

I ain't lion - this is a CUTE digital image (Lion) available at I Brake for Stamps HERE. I love the look on his face. You never know what he might be thinking! I printed my image on Georgia Pacific White cardstock and then colored in using Copic markers. My designer papers are from My Mind's Eye, DCWV, and Authentique. They all went together pretty well!

The sentiment is from one of Kim Hughes' Cornish Heritage Farms sets. My trims are from Really Reasonable Ribbon. 

At I Brake For Challenges (sponsored by I Brake For Stamps), we have an easy challenge for this month and I hope you will check that out too. CLICK HERE.

The Deconstructed Sketch girls have some terrific samples to show, so be sure to have a visit at their blogs too!

Amber Hight

Amy Sheffer

Arielle Gordon

Donna Wardle

Jen Shults

Jessica Diedrich

Judy Rozema, Guest Designer <---you are here!

Kadie Ensley

Lori Boyd

Pam Varnell

Sheri Gilson

To play along, link up your sketch creation HERE!

Other challenges for this card: 

My Heart Pieces Digital Stamps Challenge - Use Designer Paper  

Paper Crafting Journey - Anything Goes  

Whooo Gives a Hoot?

This week's Deconstructed Sketch was one of my favorites so far!

There are so many fun things that you can do with it!

I chose a digi image by I Brake For Stamps called HOOT.

I printed my image on Georgia Pacific white cardstock and colored in with Copic Markers. My designer paper is from the Basic Grey Bittersweet Collection.

The Deconstructed Sketch girls have some terrific samples to show, so be sure to have a visit at their blogs too!

Amber Hight (out this week)

Amy Sheffer

Arielle Gordon

Donna Wardle

Jen Shults

Jessica Diedrich

Judy Rozema, Guest Designer <---you are here!

Kadie Ensley

Lori Boyd

Pam Varnell

Sheri Gilson

To play along, link up your sketch creation HERE!

Stamps: Hoot digital image (I Brake For Stamps)

Ink: Copic Markers

Paper: White (Georgia Pacific), Crumb Cake (Stampin' Up!), Bittersweet DP (Baisc Grey)

Accessories and Tools: Cuttlebug embossing folders, Spellbinders Circle and Rectangle dies, Sweet N' Sassy scallop die, Really Reasonable Ribbon mini ric rac, jumbo sentiment brad (stash)

Let's Celebrate #200!

It's a special day for The Color Throwdown! It's time to celebrate CTD #200!! We have a fabulous challenge for you today and LOTS of prizes and candy, so be sure to check out the CTD blog for all the deets!

Lynn has chosen some fun colors for this week! Take a peek:

Aren't they yummy? I had a few ideas rolling around in my head, so you may see this combination again soon! I finally decided on a fun digital image from I Brake For Stamps called Flamingo.

I colored Flamingo with Copic markers, added some Prima flowers, scallops from Sweet 'N Sassy's scallop dies, a clip, and some fun twill from Really Reasonable Ribbon.
IBFS has a super cute line of digital images here. And if you use the code SAVE10JUDY at check out, you can save 10% off your order!

Now for some fun candy!! To be eligible to win my blog candy today, you need to comment on all of the CTD designers' blogs (including mine), and participate in this week's challenge! What is my candy? Take a peek:

Who doesn't need a roll of Scor-Tape? I use it every day! I am also including a FUN SURPRISE BAG of embellishments that you will love AND the Flamingo digital image! You have until next Monday night at 5:00 PM CST to comment, participate, and win this candy!

There is a LOT more fun stuff you could win, so hop on over to The Color Throwdown blog to see what it is!

Be sure to check out what the other team members have come up with this week! 

Barbara Anders
Broni Holcombe
Joan Ervin
Kerri Michaud
Lori Tecler
Lynn Put
Tammy Hershberger  

Wanda Cullen
Judy Rozema (July Guest Designer) <---You are here!

Stamps: Flamingo Digital Image by I Brake For Stamps

Ink: Copic markers

Paper: Chocolate Chip, GP White, My Mind's Eye DP

Accessories: Spellbinders dies, Light Blue Twill (RRR), Prima flowers, jumbo brad (The Paper Studio), Scallop dies (SNSS)

Play Ball!

I hope all my American friends had a wonderful Independence Day! 

I love baseball, and it's all-American to me! I stamped this little baseball player from MS76 Full Plate (I Brake for Stamps) with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and then colored in using Copic markers. I computer generated the sentiment and then cut it out with a Spellbinders pennant die. The designer paper pennants are made from Authentique's Glory Collection.

I hope you will come play along in our new July challenge at the I Brake for Challenges blog!

Other challenges for this card:

Crafting for all Seasons - Patriotic/Military/ Fireworks

Divas by Design - red, white, blue

Dude Time Doodles - must be masculine - Fun in the Sun

Freshly Brewed - summertime

Paper Pretties - any occasion card

Penny's Paper-Crafty - red, white, blue

Whimsy Inspiration - anything goes 

Card a Day Blog - Guy cards

Thanks So Much!

This Butterfly and Berries Collage stamp is available in the Birds and Butterflies Collage Sheet and as an individual stamp. I paired it with Thanks So Much, which is also available in a half sheet of inspirational phrases: Inspirational Plate #2.

My background was made using the Polished Stone technique on Glossy White cardstock.  I added some texture with an embossing folder and some Turquoise Netting from Really Reasonable Ribbon, along with a crocheted and paper rose. 

Thanks for stopping by today! I appreciate my readers!

Challenges for this card: Chocolate, Coffee & Cards - Anything Goes

Stamps: Butterfly and Berries Collage; Thanks So Much by I Brake For Stamps

Paper: Basic Black, Always Artichoke, Taken With Teal, Glossy White

Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Taken With Teal, Always Artichoke, VersaFine Onyx Black, Encore Metallic Gold

Accessories: crocheted flower and paper rose (The Paper Studio), Turquoise Netting (Really Reasonable Ribbon), embossing folder (Sizzix)

Elegance By the Inch

I like all of the different designs in this stamp by I Brake For Stamps.  It's called Ornate Inchies Background. There are nine different designs on one stamp, but I chose just four of them to follow the sketch I chose (iSpy Sketches ISSC21). I actually stamped the whole image and then cut out the ones I wanted to use. I think they make an elegant statement on their own!

And a couple of awards: I won top two at Delightful Challenges and was the winner at Art Impressions for my Otter card (Hambo Stamps). Cool way to start the day!

Other challenges for this card: 

Charisma Cardz - anything goes  

Quoth The Raven - Based on Edgar Allen Poe quote (the colors of the card reflect the Rue Morgue) 

Ruby's Rainbow - black, white, and one other color

Stamps: Ornate Inchies Background by IBFS

Ink: Rose Red (Stampin' Up!)

Paper: Basic Black, Rose Red, Glossy White (Stampin' Up!), Enchanted Collection DP (Bo Bunny)

Accessories: Snow Pearls (Kaiser), photo corner punch (SU!), black satin ruffled ribbon (Really Reasonable Ribbon)

One Day at a Time

Feeling overwhelmed with a "to do" list? Is the summer fleeing more quickly than you imagined? Then this card is for you! Just take one day at a time. :)

My sentiment is from Inspirational Plate #2 by I Brake for Stamps. I stamped in Cherry Cobbler ink on Tea for Two designer paper by Cosmo Cricket. The Ivory Box Pleated Ribbon and Penelope Crocheted Lace are from Really Reasonable Ribbon.

My sketch is Deconstructed Sketch 58:

I love this sketch and will be using it a lot!

The Deconstructed Sketch girls have some terrific samples to show, so be sure to have a visit at their blogs too!

• Amber Hight
• Amy Sheffer
• Arielle Gordon
• Donna Wardle
• Jen Shults
• Jessica Diedrich
• Judy Rozema, Guest Designer <---you are here!
• Kadie Ensley
• Lori Boyd
• Pam Varnell
• Sheri Gilson

To play along, link up your sketch creation HERE!

And you my have noticed I have a new blog design! The wonderful Kim Teasdale worked with me in creating one that showed my love for pink and giraffes! I love it. Check out her work at Dilly Dally Alley Designs!

Other challenges for this card:

Cooking It Up With Katie - Lace, Sunny, Flowers (I think the encouraging sentiment is "sunny"!)

Crafty Creations - Embellish It Use 3 Different Embellishments (pearls, pleated ribbon, lace)

Little Red Wagon - Sentiment as main focus

Scrapbook Sisters - anything goes

Stampavie and More - lots of flowers

Stamps: Inspirational Plate #2 by I Brake For Stamps

Ink: Cherry Cobbler

Paper: Tea for Two DP by Cosmo Cricket, Crumb Cake

Accessories: Chino Pearls by Kaiser, Ivory Box Pleated Ribbon and Penelope Crochet Lace by Really Reasonable Ribbon, Circle dies by Spellbinders, paper roses by Wild Orchid

 

It's Beach Weather!

It is definitely beach weather here -- too bad there are no beaches close by! This little cutie is from the MS76 Full Plate by I Brake For Stamps.

I think she looks like she is ready to build a sand castle! I stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and then colored in and made her sand with Copic markers. The pennant sentiment is made with rub on letters that I have had forever!

Our challenge this month is to create a project with a "summer fun" theme. There are only a few more days before time is up, so grab your summer stamps and join us!

Other challenges for this card:

Deep Ocean Challenge - Welcome Summer

LEJ Designs SIO -  Summer's Here

Oldie But Goodie Challenge - must use something at least 6mts old  & state what it is- Summer Holidays  

Sassy Cheryl's - Summer 

Sweet Stamps - Patriotic Or Summer 

Lexi's Creations - At the Beach 

Paper Playtime - Anything Goes with Sentiment 

 

Chef Charlotte Bakes a Cake!

Time to begin your weekend! What better way to start than with a piece of yummy cake!?

Chef Charlotte (I Brake for Stamps) is here with her birthday wishes for my mother-in-law, who is celebrating her 82nd birthday today!

The inside of the card uses a sentiment from Half Sheet #052. It says "Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live." Perfect! Click on either photo for a clearer close-up!

I stamped Chef Charlotte with Memento Tuxedo Black ink, and then colored in using just a few Copic markers for highlights and cake color. I added a little candle to the dotted bow for fun.
My Hot Pink Checkerboard Ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon.

You can save 10% at I Brake For Stamps by using this code: SAVE10JUDY.
Cool huh?

Thanks for taking a peek and have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!

Challenges for this card: 

ATCs & Cards With Attitude - Anything Goes 

Inspire Me Fridays – Always Anything Goes 

Digi Doodle Shop's Best - Let's go spotty 

Little Miss Muffet Challenges - Anything goes 

Sassy Studio Designs - Hats off to you (include a hat)

  

Stamps: Chef Charlotte and Half Sheet 052 by I Brake for Stamps

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black and Copic Markers C1, C3, C5, R00, R20, RV02, RV04, Y04, Spica Glitter pens

Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White and Melon Mambo (Stampin' Up!), Pink Dot designer paper (Stamping Station)

Accessories and Tools: Dots embossing folder (Sizzix), candle (Dress Ups), Pink Satin Checkboard Ribbon (Really Reasonable Ribbon), white dotted bow, pink brad (The Paper Studio)

For the Birds

Yesterday's Splitcoaststampers Ways To Use It Challenge was to incorporate a bird on your creation. I immediately thought of the fabulous collage birds that Della carries at the I Brake For Stamps website. I stamped my Flying Swallow Collage from I Brake For Stamps using VersaFine Onyx Black ink, then sponged in some Chocolate Chip and Soft Sky ink. The beautiful Wild Orchid flowers are also available at IBFS here. 

The school year is winding down! Two more days next week and then off to see my daughter in Utah for a week! I am looking forward to summer!

Other challenges for this card: 

Delightful Challenges - Distressing 

Crafty Ribbons - Flowers 

Forever Friends - must include an animal - Spring 

Little Miss Muffet Challenges - Flowers  

Do You Stack Up? - Use a flower

Stamps: Flying Swallow Collage by I Brake For Stamps

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Soft Sky, Authentique Gathering DP

Ink: VersaFine Onyx Black, Chocolate Chip, Soft Sky

Accessories: Wild Orchid Roses, silk leaves, Offray lace trim, Recollections pearls, tulle and pearls adornment, distressing tool

The Artist in All of Us

May is flying by - just like the rest of spring! I love seeing all the different blooming flowers in the neighborhood and around town. If you want to see some beautiful flowers, head over to the IBFS Challenge blog where we have a fun FLORAL challenge for you!

I went in a little different direction from the rest of the team, and created a whimsical card - still has florals!

I used Happy Hannah Painting for my images. I stamped with VersaFine Onyx Black ink on Neenah Solar White and then embossed with Ranger Clear Embossing Powder. I colored in with Copics, added a strip of crazy Basic Grey DP, a rolled flower, some buttons, and a sticker that says "Create."
I love to create!

Have a wonderful day - hope you get in some creative time today!

Stamps: Happy Hannah Painting by Embossing Arts available at IBFS

Ink: VersaFine Onyx Black, Copic Markers

Paper: GP White, Neenah Solar White, Basic Grey Lauderdale DP

Accessories and Tools: MFT Rolled Flower die, Heidi Grace sticker, Button Up buttons, Spellbinders label die

Try a Little Faux Patina!

Today at the Splitcoaststampers Technique Challenge, I have a technique for you to try called Faux Patina. It really is simple to do, and not all that time consuming, so I hope you will give it a shot! The results are lovely. Click on any photo for a close-up!

First, you will need to get out your brayer, choose an embossing folder, and four ink colors, from lightest to darkest. Think of combinations that you have seen in metal objects. My four (in order) were  (Stampin' Up!):
1. Sahara Sand
2. Taken With Teal
3. Always Artichoke
4. Soft Suede

Using the Inspired by Belleek Pottery technique, ink the front of your embossing folder with your lightest ink (Sahara Sand):

Next, I sponged on Taken With Teal, to bring out the embossed images better. I think I could have gone a lot darker with this.

Sponge on your next two colors, using varying degrees of depth of color (some parts will be lighter/darker than others as you choose):

Finally, use a clear embossing pad (I used VersaMark) to lightly rub over the raised embossed images. Sprinkle on embossing powder (I used Ranger's Queen's Gold Embossing Powder) and heat!

If you get too much powder covering your design, just wipe some off with a cloth or brush. You don't want the entire piece embossed, only sections here and there.

The end result is a lovely vintage looking background! There are various color combinations that you can try. Check out all of the Technique Challenge gallery submissions to see a variety of styles and colors!

Stamps: Music Collage Quarter Sheet by I Brake For Stamps

Paper: PTI Kraft, Soft Suede, Always Artichoke, River Rock, Very Vanilla

Ink: Soft Suede, Sahara Sand, Taken With Teal, Always Artichoke, VersaMark

Accessories: Queen's Gold EP (Ranger), paper roses (Wild Orchid), embossing folder (Cuttlebug), leaf die (Sizzix), crochet lace (Really Reasonable Ribbon), distressing tool 

Other challenges for this card: 

Bunny Zoe's Crafts - Shabby Chic/Vintage

Cupcake Craft - The Sound of Music 

Lollipop Crafts - Anything goes 

Squigglefly - Anything Goes

I Love Coffee!

I do love a good cup of coffee, but I also love the scent, and I love using coffee as a dye/aging process for seam binding. There are so many gorgeous colors in the Really Reasonable Ribbon store HERE. When I want to add an aged or vintage look, I add coffee! Take a look:

I used Dark Peach Seam Binding with these steps:

1. Brew a cup of coffee and fill Mini Mister with cooled coffee.

2. On a craft sheet or plastic placemat, spray coffee onto seam binding, while crinkling at the same time.

3. Continue spraying and crinkling until desired shades are achieved. Let dry.

Easy to do and it ends up smelling wonderful too!  My lace is from an antique store that I raided this fall on one of my junk jaunts looking for vintage lace and Valentines to use on projects.  

I stamped my images using Memento Rich Cocoa ink and distressed the edges with Spun Sugar Distress ink and Close to Cocoa dye ink. I added a little corner doily piece for some fun paper lace.

My mom worked as an organ and piano teacher when I was born. When I turned 4, she taught me to play piano (Teaching Little Fingers to Play - anyone else learn from that book?), and I have been playing ever since. When I was in junior high, she became an elementary music teacher. My dad had a beautiful tenor voice - one that never wavered, even when he was 79 years old. He was a minister, and when I was 10, he took on two country churches (in addition to ours) that didn't have a pastor - or a pianist. So I traveled with him Sunday afternoons and played for two services every Sunday and learned to sight read on hymns - and have hardly missed a Sunday playing since then!

My husband is a trumpet and French horn player, my daughter plays the oboe, and my son is also a trumpeter, keyboardist and guitarist. All of us love to sing and harmonize. When my kids were about 3 I taught them a silly made-up song about brushing your teeth. For you music officianados, I sang on the tonic, and they had to sing on the 3rd and 5th above that, then switch parts. Short song, but they learned harmony that way!

I am a music teacher by day, and a music director on weekends. I find good music in just about every genre there is, and enjoy listening to a symphony as much as a raucous rock band. Unless it's Lady Antebellum, and they edge everyone out.... :)
Their Christmas album is my favorite!

Ah, Musica!
Have a great day!

Stamps: Music Collage Quarter Sheet by I Brake For Stamps

Paper: Naturals Ivory, Very Vanilla, Lost & Found Madison Avenue DP by My Mind's Eye

Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Spun Sugar Distress, Close to Cocoa

Accessories: white pearls (Kaiser), Dark Peach seam binding (RRR), button, doily, lace trim (Offray), frame (Jolee's), stick pen (Karen Foster)

Oh To Be A Princess!

Well, I was one of them.  Not totally, but somewhat.  I had to work this morning, but I did get up at 5 AM, and caught the last half of the wedding.  And I loved it.  I think there will always be a desire hidden in the back of my mind somewhere to be a princess. Although at this point in my life, I would be happy with just having a massage occasionally, or a cleaning service come twice a year~!

This sweet little princess is happy today, and that makes everybody happy :)

I stamped my princess (I Brake For Stamps) with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored in with Copics. You can see the whole gang of cute kids here. Use SAVE10JUDY and get 10% off! While you are there, check out the awesome Wild Orchid flowers and Bo Bunny papers that Della is carrying! I just got my order of the flowers this week and am excited to use them.

Click on the photo for a close-up (and a not blurry picture -- I don't know why Blogger is now blurring up the pics until you enlarge them) of the cute sentiment by TLC Creations.

The glitter is Starfire by Sparkle N Sprinkle. 

Have a perfectly royal day~!

Challenges for this card~
Daring Cardmakers - royal or patriotic
Just Add Ink - just add a flower
Creative Belli - royal

My Dogs Like You and My Turtle Loves His New Home

I hope you had a wonderful Easter weekend! I am still looking for sunshine, but we did have a good day yesterday.  I made up little Easter baskets for everyone in the family, and that was fun to deliver those and enjoy some good Cadbury chocolate!

I think this image by I Brake For Stamps is so funny.  I have so many sentiments that would work with this guy - his expression is priceless!  That being said, my dogs like everybody!  :)  You can see their pictures in the right sidebar!

I stamped my images with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored in with Copics. You can see the whole slew of cute kids here. Use SAVE10JUDY and get 10% off! While you are there, check out the awesome Wild Orchid flowers and Bo Bunny papers that Della is carrying!

And speaking of pets, take a look at my turtle's new home! My friend, Alex, bought Raph (my 16 + year old red-eared slider water turtle) a new terrarium, complete with waterfall and plants.  Plus, this awesome new food with raspberries and mealworms and shrimp (all dried, of course).  He is in heaven.  He has lived the last 16 years of his life in a 10 gallon aquarium, which was so small, and didn't allow for much movement.  He is a happy guy lately! (Phone picture, so kinda blurry)

Hope you have a colorful day!

Challenges for this card:
Bunny Zoe's - one for the boys 
Simon Says Stamp and Show - buttons
Creative Inspirations Paint - inspired by rainbow


 

Stamps: MS76 Full Plate by I Brake For Stamps and Inkadinkadoo sentiment

Paper: Real Red, Ballet Blue, GP White, SU! and stash DP

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics

Accessories: rainbow ric rac (Coat's), brads, distressing tool, buttons, Spellbinders dies