Baby Buggy

Today's OCC Challenge was to use a fun sketch provided by Laurie Schmidlin. I love this old fashioned Baby Buggy stamp! I stamped everything in in Memento Rich Cocoa. I used a Pink Copic to airbrush some color around the buggy and used the chisel end to highlight the word "Baby" on the circle tag. I sponged some ink around the edges of the Nesties too. All the DP on this card is from Basic Grey's new collection "Porcelain". I made the little stitch marks around my Nesties while they were still in the die, using the die as a guide for my pen tip, then popped them out and pricked holes in between the penned stitch marks. I just cleaned up my tool area last night -- and found some things that had made the way to the bottom of the barrel... like my paper pricker, out of sight, out of mind for sure! Along the bottom is yet another Martha Stewart border punch.... my collection grows out of control with those punches. A little bow, some pearls and crystals to complete this girly girly card. Finsihed card size is an A2.

• Stamps: All Stamps by Impression Obsession #CL131 Baby
• Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa
• Paper: DP by Basic Grey 6x6 Collection "Porcelain", Pink, White, Brown
• Other: Pearls, Crystals, Copics/ABS, Spellbinder's Classic Ovals, Spellbinder's Petite Circles, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Folder, Misc. Ribbon, Pre-made Small Bow, Martha Stewart Border Punch, Paper Piercer Tool

Sizzlin' Hot Sprinkle!

I seem to be having the paper inspire the stamping on my recent cards. I got behind this week with posts so this card works for two challenges this week... First challenge is this week's TCP Tuesday Challenge hosted by Carole Burrage who supplied us with a cool sketch, which I flipped upside down, cause you know I just can't follow all the rules! And second is the Sharon's Stamp Simply #76 - Cabin Fever! - to make a card or project that will bring some signs of spring, new life, fresh air and warmer temps to those of us still cooped up inside. I thought a cook out theme worked for this. I cut my Background paper to highlight particular words and paper pieced them using the sketch layout. Sprinkle is popped up on a layering of Spellbinder's Ovals. I Used Copics on Sprinkle, did a little airbrushing and some doodles. Finished card is 5 1/2" Square.

• Stamps: All Stamps by The Cat's Pajamas
• Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
• Paper: DP "Hot off the Grill" # BS0246 by Flair Designs, Black, Red DP by Basic Grey Marrakech Collection, Curious Cryogen White,
• Other: Copics/ABS, Spellbinder's Classic Ovals, Spellbinder's Double Ended Tags, Black Adhesive Dots, Misc. Ribbon, Black Spica Pen, Micron Black Pen

Inka Bee

I think this Bee stamp is pretty cool! This is from a new Clear set released by Inkadinkado "Morphic Bugs". Weird name I think, but cool stamps! Anyhooo I colored up Mr. Bee with Copics and did a little airbrushing around the edges. I cut the image out with a Spellbinder's die, leaving it in the die while I airbrushed the mustard color. I added some clear glaze pen over the bee so it has some shine. I cuttlebugged a black piece of paper and then cut it up, making a stair step of paper layers with it. On the edge of the black strips I added a strip of 1/16" White Rainbow Tape. Really an easy little card. I finished with a few dew drops -- and what I did not put any ribbon on this card?? How can that be? Finished card size is an A2.

• Stamps: "Morphic Bugs" by Inkadinkado, "just Because" #947C by Savvy Stamps
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
• Paper: DP by Basic Grey 6x6 Scarlet's Letter Collection, Mustard by Bazzill, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Black
• Other: Rainbow Tape, Spellbinder's Octagon Die Set, Cuttlebug Folder, Word Window Punch, Black Micron Pen, Dew Drops, Copics/ABS

Bird and Branches

Here's my card for Jen del Muro's Saturday SFYTT "Sketch for you to Try". I liked this sketch and the card came together quickly, always a bonus! I think my all time favorite color combo is Red, Black and White. I think it is so striking. I had been wanting to use this cool Tree Branch stamp for awhile and I finally got some ink on it today! It comes with leaves to stamp on the branches as well, but I wanted to keep it with my three colors and chose to not add the leaves. So very simple stamping, I used a touch of Red to color the bird and I used my Copic N1 to add a little subtle shading under the branches. Finished card size is an A2. Click on the pics for a close up view.

• Stamps: All Stamps by Coronado Island; Bird for a Limb #0115-AA, Branch and Leaves Set #0729-I, Mini Thank You Script
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Onyx Black
• Paper: Misc. DP, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Black, Red
• Other: Cuttlebug Folder, Copics, 3/4" Circle Punch, 1" Circle Punch, Spellbinder's Classic Ovals, Black Ribbon by SU, Small Red Crystals, Pearls, Ticket Corner Punch

Peachy Polka-Dot Birthday

Today's card is for the Saturday OCC challenge - To add a tag somewhere on the front of your card. It can be the focal point or more of an embellishment, large or small… just as long as it’s a tag. This is one of the new flower stamps from Papertrey. I stamped the flowers twice and trimmed them out with my Spellbinder's Nestie. Then I added a cut out flower popped up over those. I colored with my Copics, and did some very light airbrushing just to soften the edges of the bright white. I wanted to keep the background white for once because it seems usually I am covering it all with paper, and sometimes white is good too. Finished card size is an A2.

• Stamps: Flower by Papertrey, Sentiment by Endless Creations
• Paper: Misc. Polka Dot, White, Brown
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
• Other: Cuttlebug Swiss Dots, Copics/ABS, Spellbinder's Ribbon Tags, Satin Chocolate Ribbon by SU, Metal Adhesive Dots, Spellbinder's Curved Rectangles

Chase Life

Here I am. I took three days off from blogging-- so send me the bad blogger award. I feel guilty. But I'm back now! With a "cat" card, of course! This funny little kitty is from Rubber Soul and I had to get him because I have a friend who has a black cat who looks just like this -- I promise you! Big fat cat body on four little stick legs. We call him a "Sausage on Sticks" - but his real name is Weylan. Anyhow... An easy little card. Some nesties and airbrush action, some funky little ribbon and bits of embellishments. A quick run of a Cuttlebug Folder. Fat cat card, Done. Finished card size is an A2.

• Stamps: Kitty #1806-H by Rubber Soul, Chase Life #s242D by Wordsworth
• Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
• Paper: Memory Box 6x6 Collection "Glitterati", Black, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Bazzill Green
• Other: Misc. Ribbon, Spellbinder's Labels One, Crystals, Buttons, Hemp Twine, Cuttlebug Folder, Copics/ABS

Crazy Quilt

This is an easy and quick card. When I saw this new paper, the "Marrakech Collection" from Basic Grey, I knew exactly what stamps I was going to use. Totally perfect for PaperTrey's Quilter's Sentiments. I stamped in Black and airbrushed some blue and did some doodles. I highlighted the word "Friends" with a red pen. Using scissors I trimmed one thin edged mat around my Nestie. I added some silky red ribbon and some metal embellishments to finish the card. Finished Card size is an A2.

• Stamps: Quilter's Sentiments by Papertrey Ink
• Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
• Paper: Bazzill Red, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Quilt and Blue DP by Basic Grey
• Other: Misc. Ribbon, Misc. Metal Embellishments, Spellbinder's Curved Rectangles

Wild Eyes

This layout is from Saturday's OCC Sketch Challenge hosted by Laurie Schmidlin . I changed it up a bit, using ovals instead of circles, but the basic layout is still there. I just can't follow the rules perfectly!!! lol! You know I'm a cat person! Well, I love the big cats just as much as the small cats. These cool images are from Coronado Island and the artist is Sandra Jordan, you have to go see her amazing art "turned stamps"... Here is a link to see her Big Cats Collection. Totally amazing detailed images of Big Cats and other Wildlife. I colored Rajah the Tiger with Copics. I roughly airbrushed the background and then went over it with my blender pen to try and make the color not look so even. I used Copics to create the border on the ovals. On the bottom is of course a Martha punch -- cause I can't leave them alone, addicted! I used a White Gel Pen to add some little detail dots. All the Patterned Paper is from Basic Grey's 6x6 "Mellow" Collection. I thought it paired perfectly with the images. A little double bow to finish it off. Card size is an A2.

• Stamps: All Stamps by Coronado Island; Tiger Eyes (small) #SJ-1115E, Rajah 2 (small) #SJ065-H, Sentiment: The Real Voyage #1271-C
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
• Paper: All DP by Basic Grey 6x6 "Mellow" Collection, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Brown Card Stock by Bazzil
• Other: White Gel Pen, Spellbinder's Classic Ovals , Copics/ABS, Brown Micron Pen, Misc. Ribbon, White Rainbow Tape 1/16" Width, Martha Stewart Border Punch

A Couple of Cupcakes

A couple of cupcakes... I still had the same colors on my desk from the TCP Color Challenge, so I used them again for this card. I pulled the layout from Jen del Muro's Saturday Sketch "SFYTT" (Sketch for you to try). I enlarged some of the elements and flipped it to a vertical card, but the basic elements are all there. The cupcakes are from TCP. They are a clear stamp of three cupcakes that I stamped multiple times on Curious Cryogen White. I colored with Copics and airbrushed a hint of pink in the background. I used TWO Martha border punches... addicted to those things! The sparkle is a mixture of ultra fine glitter and crystal lacquer -- dries smooth and shiny with sparkle. I like using the ultra fine glitter, it will not get "chunky" looking when dry. Some pearls and a bow to finish. The ribbon was white and I used a Copic to color it to match my cupcakes. Card size is an A2. Click on the pictures to enlarge for a closer look.

• Stamps: All stamps from clear sets by The Cat's Pajamas; Smells Like Cake and You Say It's Your Birthday
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
• Paper: Red DP is by Basic Grey 6x6 "Offbeat" Collection, Pink, Dark Grey, Curious Cryogen White, Black
• Other: Spellbinder's Classic Ovals, Martha Stewart Border Punches, Home Made Glitter Glue, Copics/ABS, Crystal Lacquer, Pink Jewels, Misc. Ribbon, Cuttlebug Folder, Pink Souffle Pen

Blog Candy Winner

Well, the husband left early for work this morning and I didn't have a chance to make him pull a name from a bag. So I used the random.org site to pick a winner. Thanks everyone for leaving such sweet comments. Wish I could send everyone some goodies! Lynne's number came up....

Here are your random numbers: 7
Timestamp: 2009-02-14 14:10:45 UTC

Lynne said...
I looked at their online catalog. Clearly, they have a wonderful sense of humor! I hope one of the stamps is the holiday-valentine Sun & Moon - I LOVE that stamp (and want to WIN it - pick me, pick me)! And their dog stamps are awesome - clearly drawn by someone who really understands the dog personality! I too have a MS punch I need to put away - the arches border punch! Cute camel and a GREAT card!

Lynne, please email me at jennygropp@comcast.net with your mailing address so you can get some new rubber from Dog Gone Stamps! Congrats to you!

Puppy Love

I am over due in posting a dog card, to be fair to all our furry friends. Jen del Muro hosted the TCP Tuesday Challenge this week. The challenge is to use Red, Pink, Dark Gray and Black. Perfect for another Valentine card. I stamped Poochie and airbrushed around him, then used a Copic marker and White Gel Pen to create my little border on the Nesties. I used SU's slot punch to add ribbon thru the edges. On the red panel I stamped TCP's Trio of Snowflakes just to add a little extra. I stamped the sentiment in black and then shadowed the letters with a red fine tip marker. A newly acquired Martha punch along the bottom edge, I think I am addicted to her punches. I used some black rainbow tape above and below the sentiment to help it stand out. The small scallop heart punch is also by Martha, I trimmed a smaller heart from pink to pop and I added some glitter glue and Crystal Lacquer for sparkle. The Heart Shaped Valentine that Poochie is holding - I added a touch of glitter and Crystal Lacquer to help it be more of a focal point. A little Black Spica Pen on Poochie for sparkle! Click on the close up pics to see the details. Finished card size is an A2.

• Stamps: All Stamps by The Cat's Pajamas
• Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
• Paper: Riding Hood Red DP by SU, Pink Pirouette, Black, Dark Grey, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White
• Other: Border Punch by Martha, Spellbinder's Labels Two, Ribbon by SU, Slot Punch, Small Scallop Heart Punch by Martha, Red Fine Tip Marker, Black Micron Pen, Glitter Glue, Crystal Lacquer, White Gel Pen, Copics/ABS, Black 1/16" Rainbow Tape, Black Spica Pen

She was good with rope...

I guess I was feeling a little country today! All of the paper is from Basic Grey's 6x6 Collection "Scarlet's Letter". I paper pieced the top half of the boots and colored the shoe portions with Copics, they are cut out and popped on the oval. I used red line tape and then wrapped the rope around my panels, that red line is miracle tape - it hold anything and everything! The bottom little scallop is the Martha lace punch that I can not seem to stop from using on everything... but it seemed too lacy for the card, so I trimmed the bottom scallop off, leaving just a small scallop edge. Some little adhesive stars and a little rope bow to finish it off. Card is an A2.

• Stamps: All stamps by Lockhart; Boots #2057, Sentiment #10021
• Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
• Paper: All DP is by Basic Grey 6x6 "Scarlet's letter" Collection, Neenah Classic Crest Ivory
• Other: Corner Punch, Hemp Twine, Copics/ABS, Spellbinder's Classic Ovals, Cuttlebug Textiles Folder, Adhesive Gold Stars, Black Micro Pen, Martha Lace Edge Punch

The Giraffe says BLOG CANDY!

That's right--- time for some BLOG CANDY as in FREE STAMPS!

Dog Gone Stamps has provided five stamps for me to put up for grabs. They are on the way to me now.... so I'm not sure which images they are, but if you have been to visit the Dog Gone Stamps site, then you know they have some really fun images! All you need to do is leave me a comment below this post for a chance to win. I'll use my usual "picking system" of letting the husband draw a name from a bag (while I again, try and explain what Blog Candy is). Leave a comment by Friday at midnight, winner to be posted Saturday.

And of course, this sly eyed Giraffe image is from Dog Gone Stamps. I stamped the image with Memento Rich Cocoa and colored it with Copics. Everything else on the card is just layers and ribbon. Seriously, I am going to have to take this Martha lace edge punch to my office and leave it for awhile so I can give it a rest, I reach for it with every card! The ribbon corners were a result of some stray ink! Finished card size is 7 1/4" x 4 1/4".

• Stamps: Giraffe by DGS, Just Because by Savvy Stamps #947C
• Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Versafine Onyx Black
• Paper: Curious Cryogen White, DP by Basic Grey, Black, Brown
• Other: Ribbon by SU, Copics, Fine Tip Black Pen, Martha Stewart Lace Edge Punch, Black Rainbow Tape 1/16" Width, Buttons, Hemp Twine

Ouch!

Ouch! heeehheee. I picked up these three stamps this weekend at a local stamp show, from the Morning Star Stamps booth. The card is simple. I stamped the big band-aid on some peachy colored paper, cut it out and ran it through the Swiss Dots CB folder and then popped it to add some dimension. I stamped the sentiment under that, and used my Scor-Pal to emboss some lines above and below. Then I used Black Rainbow tape 1/16" width to create the thin black lines. I used my black marker to make some polka dots. The tiny band-aid I randomly stamped and colored using Copics. A little polka dot bow to finish it off, Done! Card size is an A2.

• Stamps: All Stamps by Morning Star Stamps
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
• Paper: Bazzill Peach, Curious Cryogen White, Black
• Other: Black Rainbow Tape, Copics, Misc Ribbon, Black Fine Tip Marker

Au Fleur

This image is from Coronado Island and is one of the many stamps featured in today's Sunday Spectacular Sale . The sale price is valid until 10:00 am on Monday and you can buy it mounted or unmounted. I had fun with this card. I just got the new Basic Grey "Porcelain" collection of papers and thought it pair well with this floral image. The flowers were kind of open so I thought they might be good for paper piecing. I used two different sheets of the Basic Grey to stamp and cut out the flowers. All of the colors coordinate in the collection and I think they worked perfect for this image. I airbrushed some soft pink around the edges of the Nesites. To get the thin edge layers on the Nesties I just hand cut some in the same shape. On the vase, I tried to give it some extra texture so this is what I did; I used my "Putty" Copic marker to color, then I used my Blender pen to kind of dab here and there removing color randomly, and last I used a Clear Glaze pen to give it a little shine. Click on the pic for a better view. Added a big old bow to finish it off! Finished card size is 5 3/4" Square.

• Stamps: All Stamps by Coronado Island; Au Fleur #0390-I, Thank You Script #1305-B
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
• Paper: All DP by Basic Grey 6x6 "Porcelain" Collection, Brown Card Stock, Pink Card Stock, Curious Cryogen White
• Other: Misc. Ribbon, Spellbinder's Labels One, Clear Glaze Pen, Copics/ABS, Fine Tip Black Pen, Pearls

Rabbit and Ribbon!

This Saturday's OCC Challenge was to use your favorite embellishment and design your card around it. I picked ribbon! I know it's a bit early for Easter cards, but I have had this carrot ribbon for almost a year.... and I've been waiting to use it! This is Rabbit and Carrot image is from Dog Gone Stamps. I stamped my image and masked it using Eclipse Tape and airbrushed a little orange on the background. I colored Mr. Rabbit with Copics and of course added some Spica Sparkle to the Carrot. I cut the main image out using Spellbinder's Labels One then hand cut the additional layers. The Ribbons I threaded through the legs of the brad and then poked the brad through the paper. On the bow I pulled the bow tails down through the ribbon slots on the Spellbinder's Ribbon Tags and then wrapped around the card.

• Stamps: Rabbit and Carrot by Dog Gone Stamps, Sentiment from Mike's Dollar Bin
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
• Paper: Green DP by SU, Misc. Orange Specialty Paper, Curious Cryogen White
• Other: Carrot Ribbon, Spellbinder's Labels One, Spellbinder's Ribbon Tags, Silver Brads, White Gel Pen, Copics, Orange Spica

It's a Journey

So it's Friday again and time for Sharon's Challenge.... this week it is Stamp Simply #73 - Let’s Get Negative! You can do this challenge by using negative images of punches or die cuts OR by using a negative image, or reversed out, stamp.

I think my entry is a little lame, cause I could not think of doing anything else after seeing Sharon's elegant example, using the negative from a Nestie to create a window... well, this is all I could come up with. It is a good man card and it was simple. I thought the frames in the image mimicked the Nestie Label design. I created the window using Spellbinder's Large Labels and popped the inside image so that it sat inside the Label's window. I stamped on Curious Cryogen White Paper and Airbrushed using a Copic Putty Marker. I added some metal and pearl accents to finish it off. Click on the pics for a better view. Card size is an A2.

• Stamps: Life is a Journey by Inkadinkado #90997-O
• Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
• Paper: Curious Cryogen White, Black Card stock, All other DP is is from the Urban Oasis Collection by SU
• Other: Metal Accents, Copics/ABS, Fine Tip Black Pen, Pearls, Spellbinder's Large Labels

Sprinkle - Sick Again!

Poor little Sprinkle... sick again! I airbrushed a little around the edges and made some little doodles before taking the circle out of the die. The bedspread is paper pieced and everything else is colored with Copics. On the bottom edge I used the "Iron Eagle" punch, I trimmed the edge from the punching and used that as a strip under the bottom portion of the circle. I added the ribbon along the edges of the the striped paper and tied off little bows. Of course she needed a little bling on the collar-- as usual! All of the DP on this card is from basic Grey's 6x6 "Sugared" Collection. Finished card size is an A2.

• Stamps: All stamps by The Cat's Pajamas
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
• Paper: Neenah Classic Crest White, Pink Card Stock, All other paper is Basic Grey "Sugared"
• Other: Misc. Ribbon, Iron Eagle punch, Spellbinder's Petite Circles, Pearls and Crystals

Hanging Around

Another little Valentine.... I airbrushed and drew the border while my paper was still in the Nestie. I paper pieced the heart and added Spica to the DP so it would have some shimmer, and the highlight in the balloon I added a drop of glitter glue. A fussy little bow to help dress it up a bit. the little Monkeys were colored with Copics. I used some white Rainbow Tape for the little strips next to the sentiment and stuck a little jewel on each one. Everything else is just paper layers. Finished card is an A2.

• Stamps: Changito's Love Balloon by Stampendous, Sentiment by Stamping Sensations
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
• Paper: DP by Memory Box "Sprout Collection", Curious Cryogen White, Bazzill Mustard, Misc. Brown Card Stock
• Other: Glitter Glue, Clear Spica, Spellbinder's Classic Rectangles, Pink Sheer Ribbon, Fine Tip Light Brown Pen, Pink Gems, Rainbow Tape

Sweet Birthday

What can I say... The PINK aliens invaded again. And this was the result. I am not sure why I feel compelled to use every piece of Basic Grey's Two Scoops Collection. Honestly they are not "my colors" at all. It is hard to tell that from the number of pastel and pink cards I have made lately! Here are the details... The cupcake bottoms are paper pieced.... I thought that color looked just like those paper cupcake wrappers. I trimmed the cupcake image out using Nesties and airbrushed with a little yellow. I used a little glitter and crystal lacquer on the icing. The sentiment tag is also airbrushed pink (Copic Heath). I made the little doodles while the tag was still in the die, then edged it with a yellow Copic. I tied off some taffeta ribbon on the tag edges and popped a little bow on the top of the card to finish. Even though there is an over abundance of "pastel, pinky, yellow, girly, glitter" going on, I think I like it! Finished card size is an A2. Click on the close up for a better look.

• Stamps: Cupcakes by Impression Obsession, Sweet Birthday Script by Savvy Stamps #945D
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Onyx Black
• Paper: Neenah Classic White, All DP is by Basic Grey 6x6 Two Scoops Collection
• Other: Crystal Lacquer, Glitter Glue, Fine Tip Black Pen, Spellbinder's Curved Rectangles, Spellbinder's Double Ended Tags, Martha Stewart Lace Edge Punch, Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon by SU, Corner Punches by SU, 1/16" White Rainbow Tape, Copics/ABS

What's New Pussycat?

I love these funky little cats! The inspiration for the fun layout was a Sketch Challenge from Jen del Muro. Thanks Jen! So on to the card details... I stamped the kitty and then drew a circle in pencil using a nestie die to trace the edge, then I trimmed the circle leaving the whiskers poking out. I added a few circle layers under the kitty images to help them stand out. The sentiment and the Flourish border I stamped and added a little Light Olive Copic to bring in the green color from my paper. The Flourish Border Tile is one stamp then I sliced it in two pieces using one on top of the card and the other on the bottom edge. I used a little strip of black Rainbow tape to help define the edge of the border. Some little black sticky dot embellishments and a little bow....Done. Finished card size is an A2.

Stop by Coronado's site as they have their weekly Spectacular Sunday sale... some fun kitty images on sale! Sale prices are only good until 10:00 AM on Monday!

• Stamps: All Stamps by Coronado Island -Three Tile Border #1516-E, Kitty Three #1192, Kitty One #1194, Whats New #1289Dx
• Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
• Paper: White, Dark Green, All DP is from SU's Urban Oasis Collection
• Other: Copics. Spellbinder's Classic Circles, Black Sticky Dots, Misc. Ribbon, Black 1/16" Rainbow Tape