Be My Valentine

The OCC challenge for today was Crazy for Hearts: Create a card using two hearts or more. I got two on there! I'm giving this card to the husband. He likes to call the House Mouse images "rats". So this little sweet Valentine rat is for him. I stamped the mousie on Cryogen and airbrushed around her using a W1 Copic Marker while the image was still in the Nestie die. I colored with Copics and added some little white dots on the hearts with a white gel pen, and I used some Spica clear over the pink portions. I made my doodles with a fine tip brown pen. My favorite lacy Martha punch along the bottom edge and a little red ribbon to finish it off. Finished card size is an A2.

• Stamps: House Mouse by Stampabilities, Circle Sentiment by Studio G
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
• Paper: All DP is from the Candy Lane collection by SU, Curios Cryogen White
• Other: Martha Stewart Lace Doiley Punch, Copics, Brown Pen, Spica Clear, White Signo Gel Pen, Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon by SU, Spellbinder's Classic Circles, Spellbinder's Curved Rectangles

Prince Charming

I am excited to share this card with you, as it the first card I have made for the Design Team of a new company Dog Gone Stamps. A simple doodle of the beloved family dogs sparked the idea and the stamps were made. I just found them and fell in love with the quirky and fun images. Cruise over to the site and have a look! Be sure to check out this Halloween Cat!

Sharon's challenge today worked perfect for me to play along using my new stamps: Stamp Simply #72 - LOVE is in the Air! I stamped the heart border first, masked it and then stamped Prince Charming behind the hearts. I cut the entire image out with a Nestie but then trimmed the one side around the heart border. I airbrushed lightly with a dark pink Copic around the edges and used Copics to color, a few hearts are paper pieced and I used a rub on "LOVE" word over one of the hearts. This paper is new from Stampin' Up... "Raspberry Tart". I colored the crown using a gold and silver gel pens.

If you like this image, be sure to check out DogGoneStamps, they have lots more great ones. Also check out fellow Design Team member Sandy's awesome Mi Amore Giraffe card.

• Stamps: All from Dog Gone Stamps: Toad King, Heart Border
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
• Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Raspberry Tart DP from SU
• Other: Spellbinder's Labels One, Copics, Crystals, Pearls, Ribbon by SU, Rub On by SU, Gold and Silver Gel Pen by Pentel

Sick Sprinkle

Poor little Sprinkle... sick, sick, sick. My husband who has been sick for the past three days with a terrible cold came in my craft room (spreading his germs around) and said... "I must be the inspiration for that card" ...to his credit he said that before I added the jewels on the collar. Actually, the inspiration was from the TCP TUESDAY #43 - SKETCH CHALLENGE hosted by Leigh O'Brien... please follow the challenge link above and go see her awesome sample card; she made a fabulous card using Gamsol and Colored Pencils on Kraft paper! The paper I used on my card is from Stampin Up's new Parisian Breeze Specialty Collection. I airbrushed and added my little doodles while my paper was still in the Nestie oval die with a little blue Copic. The bedspread is paper pieced and everything else I colored with Copics. And of course, Sprinkle always wants a little sparkle -- so I finished it off with some teeeensy crystals for her collar and a little bow below. Finished card size is an A2.

• Stamps: All Stamps by The Cat's Pajamas
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Onyx Black
• Paper: SU's Parisian Breeze Specialty, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Chocolate Chip
• Other: Chocolate Poly Twill Ribbon by SU, White Brads, Cuttlebug Folder, Scallop Edge Scissors, Crystals by Fuji, Fine Tip Brown Micro Pen

Three Times the Cuteness!

Last Friday I had a stamping day in my cramped little craft room with two friends.... Vicki, a workmate of at least a decade or so, who for some reason actually wants to socialize with me on occasion outside of work. And Sue came over too -- who is Vicki's sister-in-law, my friend and a long time stamper and we hooked up through Vicki... now I can't even remember when I met Sue... I'm only 35, that can't be a good sign. Sue did bring me presents -- I remember that!! Anyway.... on to the stuff I can remember... last Friday... the girls came over and I thought it would be neat to use the same stamps and let everybody create their own card... That's always my favorite page in the magazines. To keep the supplies under control in our limited space I pulled out SU's paper pack "Autumn Vine" to work with on these cards. We had a great time-- stamping and cutting up together, no pun intended. The cat stamp was a find on Addicted to Rubber Stamps by a company called AAA Rubber Stamps -- how cute is that cat! The perfect sentiment is from Rubber Soul Stamps. Everyone used Copics to color, paper pieced the comfy looking chair and added some Crystal Lacquer to the fish bowl. So here are some of the cards we created using the same supplies... Everyone did their own thing.... and I think they all turned out way cute!

In a Pickle

These Pickle Jars just make me laugh. I stamped one and then masked it to make a row of jars. I colored with my Copic Markers and then coated with Crystal Lacquer for a glassy look, one jar is popped up to add some dimension. I trimmed two little pickles out to add below with the sentiment. I added a wee tiny bit of Spica on the pickles here and there, just for something to catch the light. Some little ribbon additions and done. Finished card is an A2. Click on the pictures for a better view.

• Stamps:"Thank You" by A Muse #9-8145B, All other stamps by Lockhart: Pickle Jar #2074, "In a Pickle..." #10025, Millinery Ribbon Vine #9005
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
• Paper: Curious Cryogen White, Lime DP by Basic Grey, Polka Dots by Memory Box from the Sprout Collection, Black Card Stock
• Other: Misc. Ribbon, Copics, Cuttlebug Folder, Corner Rounder, Green Spica, Crystal Lacquer, Pentel Silver Pen (on the jar handles)

Be as a Bird...

This card is for this Saturday's OCC Challenge, which was a sketch from Jennifer Meyer. The birds on a branch are actually one image, but I cut circles highlighting different portions of the stamp. I stamped in Versafine Vintage Sepia, but then went over the birds and branches with some fine tip Micro pens to add some detail and definition since they were on small circles. I used my Copic Lionel Gold for a little airbrush action to soften the white. The DP is from Basic Grey's "Sugared" Collection.... I love this paper and the colors. I touched up the birdies with a little Gold Spica pen for some shimmer. Some little stitch mark doodles, golden pearls and a triple bow to finish it off. Finished card size is an A2. I like this quote too, all stamps used are from Coronado Island. And today they have their Spectacular Sunday Sale, so check it out.... sale items include some very cute kitty stamps and a grouping of fabulous western images (which I don't have but now I want after looking through them!). Click on the pics to see more detail. Thanks for stopping by my little blog!

• Stamps: Stamps by Coronado Island; "Be as a Bird..." #1281-D, Birds on a Limb #1121-D
• Ink: Versafine Vintage Sepia, Versafine Onyx Black
• Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, DP by Basic Grey 6x6 "Sugared" Collection, Dark Brown Card Stock
• Other: White Signo Pen, Micro Pens Black and Brown, Golden Pearls, Ribbon by SU, Copics/ABS, Spellbinder's Classic Circles, Gold Spica Pen

Life as Art

This is my card for Sharon's Friday Challenge. This week she issued the call to create a card with a modern feel - Stamp Simply #71 - A Modern Edge. For the Quote I stamped on white then masked everything but the small boxes with "ART" I just added a little color, then I masked only the "ART" boxes and airbrushed the remaining portion while it was still in the Nestie die. The background is from a new set from Papertrey Ink, I stamped randomly and colored with Copics. The glossy paper I used as my card base was actually a mailer-- a four page fold out brochure from the Bellagio (wanting me to come lose my money to them), when I saw it... I knew it was destined for the craft room. The little silver jewels are not smooth but faceted like silver studs and I stuck them in between the scallops of the Nestie. I added a little ribbon and slider to complete the card. Wa-laaa. Done.

• Stamps: "Life as Art" by Verses Rubber Stamps, The flourish is from a Papertrey Ink set called "With Sympathy"
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
• Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Dark Red Card Stock, Misc Melon Color DP, Glassy Card Stock -- Bellagio mailer! lol
• Other: Silver Studs, Copics/ABS, Spellbinder's Classic Squares, Misc. Ribbon, Ribbon Slider by Maya Road

Pretty in Pink

The TCP Tuesday challenge this week, hosted by Karrie was to make a Valentine's card. I have used Sprinkle on most of my TCP Valentine's so I thought I'd let Sprinkle rest and use this cute little rocket. This card was made with more remnants from my Basic Grey class... using a 6x6 pad and embellishments from the Two Scoops Collection. Maybe I over did it on this card... I kept fussing with it and finally I just declared it done. The little rocket is paper pieced. I airbrushed the white paper I stamped it on with some pink and green very lightly, just to take the whiteness away. The edges were made with a Fiskars border punch. Finished card size is 6x6.

• Stamps: All Stamps by The Cat's Pajamas
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
• Paper: All Dp is by Basic Grey, Two Scoops Collection, White
• Other: Fiskars Border Punch, Copics/ABS, Martha Stewart Doiley Lace Edge Punch, Pearls, Small Green Crystals, Pink Ribbon by SU, Green Ribbon by Basic Grey, Misc. Pink Ric Rac, Victorian Decorative Scissors, Heart Chipboard Pieces by Basic Grey, Spellbinder's Labels One, Spellbinder's Ribbon Tags

The Amazing Flying Fluffles

Fluffles in Flight... I know, totally corny. So, my pursuit of using coordinating patterned paper continues.. Note the strips on the side over and under the ribbon.... then the tiny little blue strips are Rainbow Tape -- colored little strips of tape this is 1/16" size, I used a strip on the sentiment too. Since this was about using the paper.... I also paper pieced the snowboard and Fluffle's hat. I airbrushed with a light blue, just a little, and used a Copic to color Fluflles. I tried something new on this card (new for me, anyway) The blue squiggles are rub ons, I applied them, then I ran it through the Cuttlebug Snowflake Folder. I didn't know if they would hold up or not, but they came through OK. I guess. Finished card size is an A2.

• Stamps: Snowboard Fluffles by Stampendous # F145, Sentiment by A Muse #9-8248C
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Old Olive by SU
• Paper: All DP by Sandy Lion, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White
• Other: Rainbow Tape, Mini Star Crystals by A Muse, Nesties, Spellbinder's Tag, Brads, Basic Grey Ribbon, Misc. Ric Rac, Copics, Misc. Rub Ons

Crystals and Clover

I made a polished stone background to use for this card. Then I embossed my clover and swirls using Versamark and Gold Detail EP. Lots of Nesties to mat the image and a generous helping of bling on the scallops. I embossed the diamonds using a Cuttlebug Folder, then tried to mirror that shape by creating my little crystal accent in the bottom corner. It seemed a little lost down there in the corner so I used Rainbow Tape (1-16" and 1/8" width tape used) to outline the shape of it and create the white lines leading off the left side of the card.

And I also want to say a huge thank you to you guys, my readers and the picture lookers... my subscription list continues to grow and so many of you leave comments for me. I really appreciate you taking the time to leave a few words... and as I've said before the feedback from you is a big motivator for me!

• Stamps: All Stamps by Inkadinkado; Heart Clover # 99041, Flourish #99040
• Ink: Versamark and Gold Detail EP, Polished Stone with Alcohol Inks
• Paper: Polished Stone on Glossy White, Green Card Stock, White, Gold
• Other: White Rainbow Tape, Spellbinder's Rectangle Nesties, Spellbinder's Labels Small Crystals, White and Gold Half Pearls, Cuttlebug Folder

Blossom Thank You

These are my colors! The Blossom Branch Stamp I stamped randomly to cover the edges of the large white panel, colored the little blossoms with a dark red Copic. The red is a hand made paper with little leaf bits and stuff.... a close cousin to mulberry paper in looks. The leaf bits matched up with the Newsprint DP. I cut one large Nestie Label out of the red paper and then cut it in to four pieces layering two in the corners. On the other corners I used that Martha Stewart punch that you see on every other card out there lately. It is a great little punch, and did not tear the hand made paper at all. I added some little pearl accents and double bow. Done. Click on the close up picture for a better look. Finished card size is 5 1/2" square.

• Stamps: All stamps by Coronado Island; Apple Blossom, Thank You Script
• Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
• Paper: Hand Made Red Paper, Newsprint DP, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Black
• Other: Martha Stewart Punch, Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon by SU, Spellbinder's Labels 1, Pearls, Copics

Red Hot Heart

For the red on this card I used glossy white card stock.... I brayered it with Riding Hood Red for the red portions. I stamped the swirl pattern repeatedly on white glossy for the background. The heart medallion was cut out with a Circle Nestie. I stamped the heart image twice and cut the second heart out and popped it up. The middle ribbon is going through eyelets, you can't see them though. The die cut scroll on the bottom is a Spellbinder's Borderability -- Illuminations Grand. I cut and embossed some of my brayered red paper then separated the two die cut pieces and glued it to the silver paper. Some more ribbon and some little red crystals to finish it off. Finished card size is an A2.

• Stamps: All Stamps by Inkadinkadoo; Flourish #99040, Heart Pattern #99036
• Ink: Riding Hood Red
• Paper: Glossy White, Silver Metallic
• Other: Red Crystals, Spellbinder's Borderability Illumination Grand Die, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Folder, Misc. Ribbon, Circle Nesties, Corner Rounder

Cottage Flowers

I continue on trying and challenging myself to use multiple patterns together. I have no idea what kind of flowers these are, so if I have colored something wrong, feel free to point it out... I needed to match my DP, that was my only concern. Not a whole lot of explaining here... mix and match and arrange and rearrange. I added some Spica Sparkle to the flowers and put Crystal Lacquer over the jar. Little triple bow and some bling. Done. Finished card size is an A2.

• Stamps: Thinking of You by A Muse #9-8246B, Cottage Flowers by Lockhart #2079
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Baja Breeze Blue by SU
• Paper: All DP by Sandy Lion, Misc Green, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White
• Other: White Rainbow Tape, Misc Ribbon, Brad, Eyelet, Spellbinder's Tag, Nesties, K and Co Pearls and Gems, Cuttlebug Textile Folder, Crystal Lacquer

I've got my eye on you....

Here's the scoop... I've partnered up with Coronado Island Stamps to do some samples for them... this is the first one. It was an easy decision as they have some fab cat stamps... which you know I'm kind of partial to the kitty cats. They have several talented stamp designers and have great realistic nature and animal stamps, plus the infamous Bloomer Stamps... so visit the website and take a look. Every Sunday is Spectacular Sunday at Coronado Stamps, featuring items marked down as much 30-50%! These specials are only available Sunday to Monday morning so, don't miss out!

I've got my eye on you --- I love it! The ribbon border... This is a cool border stamp and I just threaded some ribbon through some jumbo eyelets. The stamp was perfect match with the DP from 7 Gypsies. I stamped kitty and then used a Nestie to cut it out, doing a little airbrush action with my Copic W3 before I took it out of the die. I also make the little hatch marks around the border before I take it out of the die... using the die as my guide to keep me straight. I dressed kitty up a little, with the bow and also I added some black Spica for sparkle. Click on the close up for a better look. Finished card size is an A2.

• Stamps: All Stamps by Coronado Island Stamps: Kitty Three #1192, Three Tile Border #1516-E, "Eye on You" #1288 B
• Paper: Dp by 7 Gypsies, Kraft Paper by SU, Black, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White
• Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
• Other: Copic ABS, Ticket Corner Punch by SU, White Taffeta Ribbon, Jumbo Eyelets, Silver Jewels, Nesties by Spellbinders, Spica Black, Mirco Black Pen

Happy Birthday from Maude

I colored this last night and I reached for it because it summed up my morning... When my car would not start, because my DH (insert your choice of word for D) left my lights on. My brother-in-law came and jumped off my car, Thank you Michael! Oh yeah -- my jumper cables, where were they, of course in the DH's car. I did get to work and all is well with my car, except for the fact that I have to put some code in to my radio for it to work again... hmmm... where would I put a secret code??? Got me. So the hunt is on for that. Anyway, I gave the DH one day of grief and he is on laundry duty tonight, but all is well with me and the DH now, except for the radio. So that was the inspiration behind my image choice. I colored Maude with Copics. I added some little pearl buttons to help dress her frumpy robe up a bit and some soft little bows to contrast with the image. The blue background I ran through a Cuttlebug folder and while the paper was still in the folder I sanded it, that way the ridges were supported by the folder and it sanded only the raised portion -- a good tip from my pal Robin. That about sums it up.

• Stamps: Maude by Art Impressions, Sentiment by Inkadinkadoo
• Ink: Versamark and Detail White EP, Memento Tuxedo Black
• Paper: Blue DP with white core by My Mind's Eye, Pink, White, Blue
• Other: Nesties, Pearls, Spellbinders Tag, Cuttlebug Folders, Pink Ribbon, Eyelets, White Ribbon

Mouse Babies

House Mouse.... babies. They are cute, aren't they! So here's the scoop.... This weekend my Krafty Kat pals all took a Basic Grey class together, and although this is not specifically one of the cards we made it is in the same family of what we did. The Basic Grey Kit we were given was from the Two Scoops collection and we made several cards by cutting up paper differently and layering it together. This was a good class for me as I don't often seem to be able to put multiple patterns together.... although I try, I don't have a knack for it! After doing a few of the provided layouts, I mixed and matched and this is what I ended up with. I added some rub ons on the bottom and on the tag, some lace, some holes with my Japanese Screw Punch, little stitch marks with my White Signo Pen, Some Basic Grey Chipboard embellishments.... I went from pink to pastels... The image I lightly airbrushed with a light green while in my Nestie die, just to take some white away, not necessarily add color, then colored everyone with Copics. I have to say Pre-Copic I was not a House Mouse fan.... but they are so fun to color, some of them I just can't resist.

• Stamps: House Mouse Babies by Stampabilities
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
• Paper: All DP from Basic Grey 6x6 Two Scoops Collection, White
• Other: Rub Ons by SU, Half Pearls, Nesties, Basic Grey Brad, Copics/ABS, Misc. Lace, White Signo Pen, Mini Scallop Scissors, Japanese Screw Punch

One Sweet Drink

Sandy... put the phone down, I know you were picking it up to call the Pink Police! So much pink lately, what can I say. You know how some cards just come right together, easy as pie... this was not one of those. I had to leave it and then come back with some fresh eyes... but I like it in the end, despite the over use of pink. I stamped the image and airbrushed using Dark Pink while my die cut was still snug in the nestie to get the white border. My DP was so busy I refrained from my usual doodles around the edges, it was hard. Same for the "Ooh la la" little tag. Really for all the struggles this card gave me looking at it now it is just some paper strips and layers and a lot of ribbon strings. Around the glass rim it has little xoxoxoxox markings... so for the o's I used this little "Pink Dot Sparklers" from Stampendous. Just a a bunch of sparkly little adhesive dots. Was it tedious to put them on... I used the tip of my craft knife to pick them up and place them, and YES it was, they are teeeeeny. I would breathe and blow the dot off the end of my craft knife....as I was two inches from the paper trying to see with my blind as a bat eyes. After all things were threaded and stuck down I added some crystal lacquer to make it look like glass over the margarita glass and the pink portion of the tag. Finished card is 5 1/2' square. Click on the close up pics to enlarge for a better look.

• Stamps: Margarita Glass by Impression Obsession's Funky Heart Set # CL161, "Ooh la la" by A Muse #9-8050B
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Riding Hood Red by SU
• Paper: Dot Paper by Basic Grey from the 6x6 Bittersweet Collection, Riding Hood Red, Misc. Pink Card Stock, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Gold Metallic Card Stock
• Other: Copics, Nesties, Cuttlebug Folder, Dot Sparklers by Stampendous, Spicas, Gold Eyelets, Crystal Lacquer, Misc. Ribbon

Sweet Hearts

Pink and Busy, but I like it anyway! The Funky Heart Design is from Impression Obsession...The stamp is actually a large heart with the funky little design inside, but I trimmed them smaller using my Heart nesties. The hearts were stamped on White and then I airbrushed with a pink Copic. And again-- my hoarding of pearls is subsiding as I plunked a few dozen on this card! The largest heart I used my Japanese Screw Punch to make holes and threaded variegated embroidery floss for the "rope" look, I actually went through each hole twice, using a big fat embroidery needle--so not so tedious. The pearls come on long adhesive strips so they are easy to place a row and match it to the edge of the heart. The little tag edge was made using my all time favorite edge punch - the Martha Stewart Lace Doiley, love that thing. I added some red Spica to the red portion of the hearts for a little sparkle. The hearts are popped so they are all at different heights. After the generous application of pearls a few little ribbons here and there. Done. Finished card size is 5 3/4" square.

• Stamps: All Stamps by Impression Obsession; #CL161 Funky Valentine, #MC181 "You Make Life Sweet"
• Ink: Riding Hood Red by SU, Versafine Onyx Black
• Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Dark Red Card Stock, All other paper is from the 6x6 Basic Grey Collection "Bittersweet"
• Other: Nesties, Martha Stewart Lace Edge Punch, Misc. Ribbon, Copics/ABS, Embroidery Floss, Red Spica, Silver Eyelet, Adhesive Pearls, Japanese Screw Punch

Lovestruck Sprinkle

Lovestruck Sprinkle... how cute is she!!! I'm not really the lovey dovey type, but I do love making some Valentine's Day cards. I love the color combos... red, black, gold.... the colors are so striking together and easy to work with. I cut out the Nestie heart and stamped Sprinkle randomly and the "Lovestruck" in rows and made some little polka dots to edge the heart. The white curly paper is an overlay by Creative Imaginations, I glued it on to the red card stock and trimmed it down to 5x5. Finished card size is 5 3/4" square.

• Stamps: All Stamps by The Cat's Pajama's
• Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Riding Hood Red
• Paper: Riding Hood Red, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Gold, Black, White Overlay by Creative Imaginations
• Other: Nesties, Cuttlebug Folder Textiles, White Sticky Dots, Red Copic Marker

Hugs and Kisses

No Copics!!

Gold Embossing only on this card. The bottom mat I cut in two pieces and stretched to the top and bottom of the card edge, to try something different, then I just layered pieces upward, the sentiment and "XO" are both popped up with foam tape. Done.

• Stamps: All Stamps by Repeat Impressions; Hugs and Kisses Stencil #1215-H, Happy Valentine's Day # 1203-F
• Ink: Versamark and Detail Gold EP
• Paper: DP is Ridinghood Red Designer Series by SU, Gold, Curious Cryogen, Ridinghood Red
• Other: Nesties, Bling, Dew Drops, Cuttlebug Hearts Folder, Tafetta Ribbon by SU, Gold Eyelets

Duck Quilt

Yes.... the Quilt Blocks look totally tedious, and I really thought they would be... but they were kind of addictive... once you start cutting them up and playing with them, building patterns, it really comes together quickly. And a perfect way to use up old scrap paper! I like when other bloggers show cards/work in progress, so I thought I would show you one of my favorite things... the Scor-Pal Cutting Mat. I love this mat, because of the 12"x 12" detailed grid. It makes lining things up soooo easy, and the fact that it nests right in my Scor-Pal is a huge space saver too! It was handy to help me place my squares and the White Tape (This tape is adhesive and comes in different colors and widths... called Rainbow Tape). On the duck train I used 1/16" eyelets to look like little wheels. I think this duckie paper has been in my stash for at least 6 years! So tell my husband - I do get around to using it all... it just takes time. I didn't fuss up this card with a bow or any little extras, I thought the quilt strip was enough to make it look complete. Finished card size is an A2.

• Stamps: All Stamps by Repeat Impressions; Ducks #1612-G, Quilt Block #620-D, Quilt Block #612-D
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Onyx Black
• Paper: Misc. Duck Scrapbook Paper, Yellow Check DP by Making Memories, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Misc. Blue Card Stock
• Other: Nesties, Copics, Mini Teensy Buttons, 1/16" Eyelets, Cuttlebug Folder, 1/16" White Rainbow Tape, Small Diamond Punch by Emaginations

Ruffled Heart

This is one of those cards that is all about the paper and simple stamping... The pattern paper and the solid pink are both from the 6x6 Basic Grey "Bittersweet" Collection. The heart was stamped twice, once on pink and once on the DP and popped. The sentiment is a portion of a larger stamp, and I used Versamark & white embossed it. The lace needed something in between it and the white background, so I added a little strip of the DP just to "break up" the white. This is a simple little Valentine and Heart Stamp--perfect to show off pretty papers. No Nesties or Copics on this card, how did that happen???

• Stamps: All Stamps by Repeat Impressions; Ruffled Heart Border #1216-O, Hugs and Kisses Stencil # 1215-H
• Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Versamark and White Detail EP
• Paper: Basic Grey 6x6 "Bittersweet" Collection, Red, Dark Rose, White
• Other: Bling, Misc. White Lace, Cuttlebug Folder

Valentine's Words

This card looks like more work than it is.... It is all very simple stamping and layers, that's all there is! I started out with the 4x4 red dot square of paper and the three squares... and built the card from there-- I will start with a few elements and arrange and re-arrange and rearrange until I find a layout that I like. I love this Martha Lace Edge punch -- the white paper I used is 80# and it punched right through - no problem or raggy edges. Why can't all the border punched work as nice as these? The "Hugs and Kisses" and the bottom Square with the Hearts are popped up with Foam tape. Finished card size is 6x5.

• Stamps: All Stamps by Repeat Impressions; "Hugs and Kisses Stencil: # 1215-G, "Live, Laugh, Love" #3108-J, #1203-F, "Happy Valentine's Day" # 1203-F
• Ink: Riding Hood Red bu SU
• Paper: Riding Hood Red DP by SU, White, Black
• Other: Nesties, Martha Stewart Lace Doiley Edge Punch, Riding Hood Red Ribbon by SU, Crystals, Double Heart Brad

Stork and Bundle of Boy

My last card was so pink, I felt I needed to go the other way and do a boy theme. I stamped the stork on white and masked him with Eclipse tape. Then I used torn pieces of eclipse tape and air brushed the sky, to TRY to make it look like clouds. I only used one color of blue to airbrush. I would continue to reposition the eclipse masks as I airbrushed, making the blues lighter and deeper in areas. The clouds were inspired by my Blog Friend, Sandy Hulsart, who does amazing stamped scenes and captures clouds and nature perfectly in her stamping. A few weeks ago she posted a Video Tutorial on Scene Stamping, it included a segment about how she makes clouds, using a torn paper towel as a mask. The video is fantastic and Sandy gives excellent instruction. This card did not use the paper towel technique, but using a mask made from Eclipse tape was also a suggestion from Sandy. So my thanks to Sandy.... who inspired! I think the rest of the card is pretty self explanatory... little double blue bow and some buttons to finish. Done. Finished card size is an A2.

• Stamps: All stamps by Repeat Impressions: It's a Boy #1816-E, Stork and Bundle #4318-K
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versamark and White Detail EP
• Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Stripes and Plaid DP by DCWV Nursery Stack, Misc. Blue Card Stock
• Other: Misc. Ribbon, Buttons, Nesties, Copics/ABS, Eclipse Tape

Girly Get Well

So while making this card all I could think of was it was the color of Pepto Bismol. It is that color, isn't it? I picked the floral pink paper knowing I was going to paper piece the tissue box.... had no idea it would end up this pink in the end! The paper was double sided with the other being the stripe pattern. I double stamped the Kleenex box and popped up the two panels that say "Sniff" to help give the box some dimension - with the Kleenex poofing out on top, it needed something a little more on the bottom. Little ribbon knot and some corner pearls to finish it off. Done.

• Stamps: Tissue Box by Lockhart #4003, Feel Better Soon by The Cat's Pajamas # C-6371
• Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
• Paper: Misc. Double Sided DP (floral/stripes), Off White Card Stock, Misc. Coral Card Stock
• Other: Nesties, Kleenex, Martha Stewart Fine Tip Pen "Brick" for doodles, Half Pearls, Japanese Screw Punch, Misc. Ribbon

Live, Laugh, Love in 2009!

Moving right on to some Valentine's Day cards.... Let's hope 2009 brings lots of Living, Laughter and Love.

Happy, Happy New Year!

This is a simple Valentine's Day Card... the little hearts are puffy satin and they come in a string of ribbon, so I just snipped them and used them individually. Finally... I am not hoarding my embellishments as much (still a little stingy about some of them)-- look how many crystals I am parting with on this card! Now that the crystals are easy to find and are coming self adhesive it's quick and easy to pick them up with your craft knife and bling up a card in no time. Quadruple bow made with red tinsel string, Christmas find at Micheal's, easy to use for bows. Finished Card size is an A2.

• Stamps: All Stamps by Repeat Impressions; Live, Laugh, Love Word Block #3108-J. Live, Laugh Sentiment #2504-H
• Ink: Versamark and White Detail EP, Real Red by SU
• Paper: White, Misc. Red Pattern DP, Gold Card Stock
• Other: Red Crystals and White Half Pearls, Nesties, Cuttlebug Textiles Embossing Folder, Red Tinsel Cord, Red Satin Heart Ribbon, Photo Corner Punches by SU