Best Wishes!!

Happy, Happy Thursday... tomorrow's Friday...yippee!! I shouldn't admit this but, tomorrow night is an "extra" ibuprofen experience here at my house... I want/need to stamp and this arm of mine is "giving me fits"!!

Anywho, I made a card for the last challenge at WPlus9 for their 4th anniversary.... this week was to STRETCH IT.... out of your comfort zone.... do something different...

So, I made a OLC- that's one layered card....CAS...AND used purples!! Go me!!

 

Stamped the leaf image from WPlus9 Fresh Cut Wreaths in SU Pear Pizzazz and used a copic marker to add a little dimension. The blooms were stamped with images from Fresh Cut Wreaths and More Fresh Cuts using SU Perfect Plum and Pale Plum. I pulled off color with the Copic Colorless blender on the large bloom, not sure it shows in this pic. Added the sentiment in Perfect Plum and a few pearls... in honor of the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge to use pearls.



Thanks for stopping by!! Love when you do and appreciate all the kind words!!

Color Throwdown #281- thanks so very much!!

Happy Wednesday!! Are you glad it's "hump" day- I am!! Loved all the cards from last week-- keep 'em coming!!

I'm hanging in there with the tendonitis in my right arm and not doing too badly using my left hand for the mouse- just slow!! Our colors are brought to us this week by Monika and they are BOLD!! Love them!!

How gorgeous is that sunset!! Perfect for coloring blending and silhouette images!!

I went a different route and focused on the colors.

I had fun playing with some Verve stamps- the flowers are from Poppy Birthday- adore them. Masked the flowers and stamped the smallest leaf image from Verve's Bloom & Grow. Added some Wendi Vecchi black embossing paste using the Simon Says Stamp falling snow stencil. The tag was created using a die from PTI. Added some stripes using a new to me stamp from Reverse Confetti, popped the tag up, added a sentiment from Verve's Making A Statement, a few enamel dots, and voila!!

Inspiration for the tag came from the Retro Sketch challenge this week and Simon Says Stamp Monday challenge is to use stencils.

For more inspiration, you'll want to stop by and visit the other team members' blogs.

Barbara Anders - Paper Pursuits

Broni Holcombe - Splashes of Watercolor

Joan Ervin - Stamping With Passion

Lori Tecler - Inking Aloud
 Wanda Cullen - Cullen-ary Creations

Melody Rupple- A Paper Melody
Monika Davis- MAD Stamper

Tammy Hershberger - Stamp Happy

 

 

Tammy's back from her break.... so glad girl!!

 



Nicole Nastali is joining us for the month of February as guest designer.  Her blog can be found here. 

And another big welcome to our Guest Star Stamper this week....Christine Dring.

Glad to have you both playing with us!!
 

Remember, if you don't have the exact colors, use whatever you have that's close...the color police won't come after you--this is all about having fun!  If you upload to a public gallery, please use the key words CTD280.  Also, when linking up your card using the linky tool at the bottom of the post, please link to your specific post, not a generic link to your blog.  

When you are finished with your creation, head over to the Color Throwdown blog to add your entry to the Inlinkz tool. 

Thanks for stopping by!! Love when you do and appreciate all the kind words!!

eat, drink, and be married!!

SQUEEKED a card in!! This girl has computer elbow- actually tendonitis. Honestly- the last couple months have been busy- two audits at work. my daughters friend died {she was like a daughter to me-it's been tough) and then, when things finally aren't hitting me from all sides....tendonitis. My job involves working on computers all day long and then, I get home and want to make cards/visit blogs.... all those repetitive hand movements- I've had to take a break. Learning to use my opposite hand - interesting and frustrating... so slow!

Enough of my woes... I do have a card.... for three challenges

Playing in the WPlus9 Birthday Celebrations- Trends. I used gold, misting, and sequins. The leaves are from WPlus9's Woodgrain additions stamped in versamark and embossed with gold. Added some misting with Heidi Swapp gold and Tatttered Angels black, a few sequins and a fun sentiment from WPlus9 Written on Ribbon. The background gold paper- don't you just love it... the pattern and color... perfect!

The layout is CAS(E) this sketch and Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge is Wedding/Anniversary!

Thanks for stopping by!! Love when you do and appreciate all the kind words!!

Color Throwdown 280- Thinking of You!!

Happy Wednesday!! Haven't posted for a while and then, two posts in one day!! Well, at least I had a chance to get a little inky- lately it's been sparse!!

This week the colors are brought to us by Melody.... LOVE them {but, then I always do!}

I swear every time these girls pick an inspiration pic... I want to redecorate!!

I stamped an image from MPD designs for MFT- Distressed Background Blocks onto a piece of paper from Basic Grey Fresh Cut {it has a subtle watercolor effect but, not sure the pic shows it}, added a stitched circle from Lil Inker designs. Finished with flowers made with MFT die-namics Prima Donna Petals- leaves using Simon Says Stamp Leaf Column outline, and sentiment from MFT LJD Peaceful Wildflowers.

 

The layout is this week's Cardabilities sketch.



For more inspiration, you'll want to stop by and visit the other team members' blogs.

Barbara Anders - Paper Pursuits

Broni Holcombe - Splashes of Watercolor

Joan Ervin - Stamping With Passion

Lori Tecler - Inking Aloud
 Wanda Cullen - Cullen-ary Creations

Melody Rupple- A Paper Melody
Monika Davis- MAD Stamper

Nicole Nastali is joining us for the month of February as guest designer.  Her blog can be found here. 

And another big welcome to our Guest Star Stamper this week.... Allyson Andersen

Glad to have you both playing with us!!
 

Remember, if you don't have the exact colors, use whatever you have that's close...the color police won't come after you--this is all about having fun!  If you upload to a public gallery, please use the key words CTD280.  Also, when linking up your card using the linky tool at the bottom of the post, please link to your specific post, not a generic link to your blog.  

When you are finished with your creation, head over to the Color Throwdown blog to add your entry to the Inlinkz tool. 

Thanks for stopping by!! Love when you do and appreciate all the kind words!!

 

 

SSCB # 28 --- Color Blending/Music Print

It's time for the next DT inspiration for this month's challenge at Serendipity Stamps. This time the DT was challenged to use typeprint/sheet music and a color blending technique!!

So- I have been a little bit challenged on getting stamping time recently but, I did try a couple color blending techniques. The first is from a tutorial on SCS- crayon resist. Love the soft watercolor feel - thinking you could get a more pronounced image by pressing harder with the white crayon. The sentiment was embossed with gold. Added a "little note" and some sequins!

Here's the link to the crayon resist tutorial...

Love this sentiment... Serendipity has fabulous quotes in gorgeous fonts!!!

Another variation... this time I used the embossing folder- actually embossed and sponged ink from dark pink to blue to light pink.... added a doily and the same sentiment but, embossed in white on vellum. Added some pearls and twine.

Hope you find time to join us, and...

The rules are simple... play along using at least one Serendipity Stamps image on your submission and use typeprint or sheet music. You don't have to have a blog to play along - you can link your designs to any on line gallery.

Click Here for all the details

For extra inspiration there are samples from the design team on the challenge blog or you can visit them directly and get all the details by clicking on their names below.

Karen Amidon
Jeanne Jachna

Marybeth Lopez

Miriam Napier

Jenny Gropp 

Julie Warner 

 Anya Schrier

Pauline Pollington

And there's always a deal....Buy 3 items, get a 4th one free.   Lowest priced item in cart is free.   Good through 2/26.  
 

Thanks for stopping by!! Love when you do and appreciate all the kind words!!

 

What's in it

Stamps: Music 464F {Serendipity}

Ink: Versamark, SU

Paper: SU

Accessories: Music notes impression {Cuttlebug}, twine, pearls {stash}, Note die {MFT}

 

Color Throwdown #279-Happy Birthday!!

Happy Wednesday Morning!! AND, Welcome to the next installment of colors for CTD... Lori picked the colors/inspiration this week...

 

Aren't the hat and mittens adorable!! Perfect for a baby card... just makes me want to do some baby shopping!! Which I have been browsing in the last few days!! Ha... not for me or my girls... for Bethany (youngest daughter's friend and a child that grew up at my house!)

 

'Kay my card.....

Playing with some new WPlus9 stamps and dies. Whole Lotta' Happy-Whole Lotta Happy and Happy Trio dies!

For more inspiration, you'll want to stop by and visit the other team members' blogs.

Barbara Anders - Paper Pursuits

Broni Holcombe - Splashes of Watercolor

Joan Ervin - Stamping With Passion

Lori Tecler - Inking Aloud
 Wanda Cullen - Cullen-ary Creations

Melody Rupple- A Paper Melody
Monika Davis- MAD Stamper

Nicole Nastali is joining us for the month of February as guest designer.  Her blog can be found here. 

And another big welcome to our Guest Star Stamper this week.... Deanna Jean

Glad to have you both on board!!
 

Remember, if you don't have the exact colors, use whatever you have that's close...the color police won't come after you--this is all about having fun!  If you upload to a public gallery, please use the key words CTD279.  Also, when linking up your card using the linky tool at the bottom of the post, please link to your specific post, not a generic link to your blog.  

When you are finished with your creation, head over to the Color Throwdown blog to add your entry to the Inlinkz tool. 

Also, playing in the Wplus9 Happy Birthday Celebrations... add dimension... the base is popped up on foam dots, along with the Happy die cut and two of the balloons... as well, the twine adds some dimension!

Thanks for stopping by!! Love when you do and appreciate all the kind words!!

WPlus9 Birthday Celebration-Mood Board- Thinking of You!!

WPlus9 is having a birthday celebration... four years strong!! I have to say I have only been familiar with them for a couple years but, DANG Love!!

 

 

They are having challenges weekly with big prizes!! This week was to make a card in your "comfort zone"-- what you love, what comes naturally. I wanted to play and I'm squeaking in here... chose to play with one of my all time fav sets Fresh Cut Florals and used a fabulous Background from Basic Backgrounds 2. Also, went with the Monday Mood Board- colors, patterned background, and pearls!!

PS... go to the link above... new release... some of it is on its' way to my house right now!!

Thanks for stopping by!! Love when you do and appreciate all the kind words!!

Color Throwdown 278- Happy Times!!

Good Morning friends!! Sorry, I missed last week's challenge... LOVED the colors and I could see that you did too!! I was "up to my eyeballs" in a computer flu bug!!

This week the colors are brought to us by my sweet friend Joan.... another wonderful color palette.

 

 

My card...

First up... I have to take my pics at night using Ott lamps... so the background is not as pristine as I would like... maybe a fancier camera? Played with some new "schtuff" again. MPD for MFT Timeless and coordinating die-namics. The background was created by sponging pistachio pudding ink with MPD Graduated Circles stencil and overstamping with an image from SU's Gorgeous Grunge set. I used the Cardabilities sketch. Ha- don't hold me to the clock not being in the correct position... I had it perfect and then added foam dots for dimension and needed to stand up/look down for placement....I've had my eyes checked.... so I know it's a discipline thing, LOL!!



For more inspiration, you'll want to stop by and visit the other team members' blogs.

Barbara Anders - Paper Pursuits

Broni Holcombe - Splashes of Watercolor

Joan Ervin - Stamping With Passion

Lori Tecler - Inking Aloud
 Wanda Cullen - Cullen-ary Creations

Melody Rupple- A Paper Melody
Monika Davis- MAD Stamper

 

 

Welcome to Nicole Nastali who is joining us for the month of February as guest designer.  Her blog can be found here. 

And another big welcome to our Guest Star Stamper this week..... Heather North.

Glad to have you both on board this week!!
 

Remember, if you don't have the exact colors, use whatever you have that's close...the color police won't come after you--this is all about having fun!  If you upload to a public gallery, please use the key words CTD278.  Also, when linking up your card using the linky tool at the bottom of the post, please link to your specific post, not a generic link to your blog.  

When you are finished with your creation, head over to the Color Throwdown blog to add your entry to the Inlinkz tool. 
 

Thanks for stopping by!! Love when you do and appreciate all the kind words!!

Serendipity Stamps Challenge #28 -- Aged to Perfection!!

Good Wednesday morning and Happy Hump Day to you!!

This month the Serendipity challenge is to use typeprint/sheet music. So, we want to see your cards using typeprint or sheet music and at least one Serendipity image. The DT this week had an "extra" challenge to use a food image!

I adore this image and have been wanting to ink it up for some time. Today was the day. Isn't it lovely!! Serendipity Stamps Wine and Cheese Cling Set. I splurged after Christmas and bought the full set of TH Distress Markers. I am still trying to "understand" how they work... I have only colored with copics before and the distress marker nibs are stiff and didn't blend as easily.... not sure if it is how the markers are made or me needing more practice (well, I'm sure I need more practice) The background was created using a border from this set and tone on tone stamping.

Added "Wink of Stella" to the wine glasses... well, actually a little bit all over.

 

This pic shows the "wink of stella" I added to the wine!! Fun little touch!!

Hope you find time to join us, and...

The rules are simple... play along using at least one Serendipity Stamps image on your submission and button(s). You don't have to have a blog to play along - you can link your designs to any on line gallery.

Click Here for all the details

For extra inspiration there are samples from the design team on the challenge blog or you can visit them directly and get all the details by clicking on their names below.

Karen Amidon
Jeanne Jachna

Marybeth Lopez

Miriam Napier

Jenny Gropp 

Julie Warner 

 Anya Schrier

Pauline Pollington

And there's always a deal....40% Off Coupon – from now through February 12th get 40% off the highest priced item in your cart when you enter the code “40fromhigh214” during checkout.
 



Thanks for stopping by!! Love when you do and appreciate all the kind words!!

 

Stamps: Wine and Cheese Cling Set 347QCL (Serendipity)

Ink: Distress Markers (Tim Holtz), Crumbcake (SU)

Paper: Bravo Burgandy, Crumbcake, Whisper White (SU), XPress It Color Blending cardstock

Accessories: Flag It dies (Verve), Seam binding and Satin ribbon (SU), Distressing Tool (SU),Sparkler (Webster's Pages)

Keep Me in your Heart...

Ha... time and trouble have been knocking at my door...preventing me from "playing" too much and I have been missing my stamping time and challenges!! One of those is the Viva la Verve sketch challenges...

Sooo... I made a sweet card using a new to me Verve stamp set (hard to believe, huh... the "new' word since I own just about every stamp Julee has created!!) Hundred Hearts!! I own and Verve has lots of heart images and dies now but, the hearts in this set have their own little character and they just made me happy! So, I stamped them in melon mambo and pool party and did some good old fashioned fussy cutting! The little hearts were the negatives from Verve's heart border die, which you can see next to the seam binding ribbon (also from Verve).

 

I used the Week 5 Viva la Verve sketch.

 

 

 

Sorry about the pic- have to photo at night with Ott lights and getting back into the timing of that- there is a certain time of night that works- before and after the photo is not as clear.

 

Quick post... wanted to get this posted.... the next couple of days are busy at my house!! 

Thanks for stopping by!! Love when you do and appreciate all the kind words!!

HUGS!!

Still playing with my new MPD stamps and dies...Distressed Hearts and Distressed Hearts Frame.

 

Pretty straightforward. I used the sketch from the Fusion Challenge and the colors are from ColorQ.

 

Eeeks... I'm so short and sweet- you'd think I was getting ready to watch the Superbowl... nada... renovating a bathroom... doing laundry... and making some southern cheese straws :)

Thanks for stopping by!! Love when you do and appreciate all the kind words!!

XOXO

Made this card using this week's Color Throwdown colors from Broni.

 

Had fun playing with my new MPD Distressed Hearts and Distressed Hearts Frame die-namics.

 

You have until tomorrow night, Monday, at 6pm to join us! Would love to see you play along. Head over to the Color Throwdown blog to add your entry to the Inlinkz tool. 

Thanks for stopping by!! Love when you do and appreciate all the kind words!!

Happy St. Patty's Day-Serendipity stamps new die!!

Happy Saturday. I missed the first two days of the Serendipity stamps blog hop showcasing three new dies, but I did make some cards so....

The Shamrock Die was featured on the first day of the blog hop.

Isn't it wonderful and BTW.... cuts beautifully.  I die cut the shamrock in patterned paper and adhered to cream cardstock and "fussy cut' it out. It was layered onto some diecut circles and mounted onto a banner. Added a scallop trim, ribbon, button and twine.

Here's the inside using this fabulous Serendipity stamps sentiment.

Just so you know, there are prizes... check out Mary's Blog for all the details. And visit my the rest of the DT...scroll through their blogs...these girls rocked it!! Leave a comment as you hop along to win $10 gift certificates to Serendipity stamps.

Julie Warner

Karen Amidon

Marybeth Lopez

Miriam Napier

Pauline Pollington

Vickie Zimmer

Anya Schrier

Jeanne Jachna

Jenny Gropp

Thanks for stopping by!! Love when you do and appreciate all the kind words!!