Blog Challenge #5

Okay, finally got my challenge card done. I used three stamps - the bee and sentiment is from A Quiet Life plus the Floral background in red ink on the red layer (tough to see I know). The two embellishments are the brads and Stickles on the bee. And I used a 1/16 inch punch for my brads. 3-2-1, it can be done (okay, that's corny). This card measures 5 1/4" square. The base is basic grey with layers of basic black, sahara sand, real red, sage shadow, and naturals white.

Don't forget, used keycode STBC05 when uploading to the SCS gallery. The gallery for this blog challenge can be seen here: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?si=stbc05&limit=

Please be sure to stop by and leave some comments. Why not play along yourself as well. Thanks again for looking.

3 - 2 - 1 BLAST OFF BLOG CHALLENGE

I wanted to post my blog challenge, but I don't have a card done yet!!!!! I worked today and just haven't had the time.

Here's the challenge: 3 -2 -1 BLAST OFF!! Make a card using...

3 stamps only (for example, a main image, a background, and a sentiment)

2 embellishments

1 punch

Keyword STBC05

Blast off, you have a beautiful card!!! Once everyone is in bed, I will get into my stamp room and create. Hope you all can join in. Spread the word to all your friends also, I would love to see these challenges take off. Perhaps I should offer a prize of some sort...what do you think?

The One & Only U

Today's challenges was ways to use Stazon. I use Timber brown Stazon a lot because I love the deep dark brown color. Here I used it on an acetate overlay (I know, it's hard to see it in the picture, but trust me, it's there. Other pictures it picked up a nasty glare, this one was the best). I stamped images from Bronc Buster and Wanted then used the sewing machine to hold it in place. I've been dying to use the Cosmo Cricket chipboard pieces from their Wanted line, so I did. I'm thinking of holding on to this for DH's birthday. It's a 5 1/2 square card so it would be a bear to mail!! Those two brads are heavy!!

I have to go into work tonight to teach several taekwondo classes. Usually I love teaching, but I am so spoiled with having had the past few days off ---(here comes a really good whine...) I don't wanna go!!! Oh well, next week we're off Monday and Tuesday. I'll take it!!!

The Olive in my Martini

What a silly mood I was in today to come up with this one!!! I took the circle from today's sketch challenge and turned it into an olive!! This idea immediately came to mind as I was organizing all the designer paper I seem to collect but never use!! This paper is by Karen Foster -- love that line! Even her embellishments are adorable! I used the hat pin from SU's Pretties kit to represent the toothpick in the olive. Too much of a stretch?? Thanks for looking.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Hope you got what you wished for under your tree this year. I got the entire set of Nestabilities!!!!!!! And as if that wasn't enough, several Papertrey Ink stamp sets!!!!! Time to have some fun!! We also got a Wii and is that thing ever addicting!!

This card is for today's color challenge - Real red, Glorious green and Green galore. I need several Christmas thank you cards (Hey, that's my blog challenge this week, why don't you join in - keycode is STBC04) for so many super generous people!! I followed one of the sketch challenges as well. A triple play!! I used Polka Dot background stamped on real red with white craft ink, Leaves a la Carte jumbo wheel with green galore tone on tone, and the flowers from Garden Silhouettes I used marker (real red and glorious green). I don't use Glorious green much, I think I have ordered it only once or twice in my entire stamping career! I usually reach for olive, artichoke or celery instead. I finally mounted Define Your Life so I wanted to break it in...I really like that set!

Blog Challenge #4

Merry Almost Christmas!!!!! I'm sitting here sipping a margarita waiting for 15 more minutes to pass until the stroke of midnight. I did some stamping today, something I haven't done for quite some time. Too much stress of the holidays left me little play time. That's why my weekend blog challenge is showing up on a Monday (almost Tuesday!!).

Here goes: This challenge is to make a holiday Thank You card. Pretty simple I know, and I have only one stipulation...it must have some thankful sentiment on the front of the card. I made my card using an Elzybell image my wonderful friend VivLyn sent me. I loved what she sent that I ended up ordering some of my own (thanks Viv!!). I watercolored her with refills then traced around her with a very light grey Tombow marker. I love the way that makes images pop! Basic Grey Figgy Pudding is the designer paper that I finally broke down and used. What a hoarder!! The other colors I used were sahara sand, white, chocolate chip and bravo burgundy. Don't you just love the satin ribbon!! At first I wasn't sure I'd like it being so wide but after I used it I changed my tune!!!! Went with the oval punches and some paper piercing to finish it off. After I had it together I thought I should have done some sewing on it -- maybe I'll make another one and give that a go.

I look forward to seeing everyone's Holiday Thank You cards!! Please use the keyword STBC04 when uploading to the SCS gallery. Leave a comment here also so we all can check it out. All gallery submissions can be found here: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?si=stbc04&limit=

A Quick CASE

Another fun challenge from NoTimeToStamp -- check out her blog, a link can be found to your right! This one was to decide on a stamp set, check out the SCS gallery for that set, then CASE someone's card. I opened up my Idea Book to Close to a Memory, so that's the set I went with. I cased Nancy Littrell's card seen here: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/749919

I broke open my multipack of Basic Grey's designer paper Infuse for the first time to make this card!!! The card base is Old olive and I layered up the DP with chocolate chip. I even sponged the edges of the DP with chocolate chip ink. Basic Grey papers have that vintage look to them, but when you cut them, some of the sides are too bright and need a little toning down. I even used one of the die cut flowers found in the pack for a nice embellishment. I added a red rhinestone to it for a little bling. Stickles were also added as a finishing touch. Thank you Sharon for a fun challenge and thank you Nancy for a wonderful card to case!!

Merry Christmas everyone!

I've Been MIA!

Yep, the holidays are keeping me quite busy, as I'm sure they are you. I haven't made a card in about a week, just haven't found time to sit and stamp. At this very moment, DH is wrapping presents and I should be helping..."I'll be there in a minute honey!!" Anyway, I know the blog challenge I want to post, just hope to get a card made to show. Keeping my fingers crossed!!

Blog Challenge #3

Wow, what a week I just had!!!!!! Total stress city!!!!! Things are quieting down a bit at work so I think I can breathe now!! And stamp too!!! Everything has to happen at once, doesn't it! I had stamp camp this past Sunday for 18 ladies!!!!! Wowza! I so enjoy my camps, even though they are a lot of hard work and prep.

Now, on to the challenge --- last night I sat in my stamp room for the first time in over a week. It was fun to have no real plan in mind. On went the TV (I like to watch "Numbers" on Friday nights) and I created this card. I decided to use it for this week's Blog challenge.

STAMPER'S TOUCH BLOG CHALLENGE #3:

Create a card using nothing but scraps (okay, I'll let your get away with your card base not being a scrap, if you don't have one)!! I even found my Cuttlebug snowflake background in my scrap bin!!! Quite a scrap bin, don't you think!! I even used stamps and embellishments I found already on my desk. I have this dream that I will use up all my scraps some day -- well, I don't think that day will ever come!!! Use the keyword code STBC03 when you upload to the SCS gallery, that way we can all find your creations and post lots of comments! All challenge submissions can be found here: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?si=stbc03&limit=

Thanks so much for playing!! And don't forget to tell all your friends about my challenges!

Here Comes the Sunflower!!

I love all the challenges found on SCS, I just can't keep up with them!! I end up combining them which works for me. This is not only for this week's featured stamper (Cutterscallous), but also a new stalkers challenge, Visualize Verses in which the song "Here Comes the Sun" was our inspiration. I had a lot of fun making this one! It was fun making a flower card instead of Christmas!!!!! Thanks for looking!

I Forgot!!

My challenge card (see post below) used the colors Close to cocoa, Chocolate chip, Purely pomegranate and River rock. I used the Papertrey Ink set "Believe" as well as the SU background Paisley. I colored Santa in with watercolor crayon, his beard and all the other white things with a white gel pen. He is popped up as well as the present he is holding. A few brad embellishments along with ribbon completes the look.

Check out this blog challenge gallery here: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?si=STBC02&limit=&x=6&y=14

Thanks again for playing!

Weekend Blog Challenge #2

I finished this card last night but needed better light to upload. Welcome to Blog Challenge #2. I love making Christmas cards, especially in non-traditional colors. So what better way to make a challenge for everyone to think outside the box and create a Holiday card without Real red or Glorious green. Yikes, I know, but who says Christmas must be red and green!!

So now that you have your challenge of no red or green, show us what you can create. Please use the keywords (I promise to get them right this time) of STBC02 (stands for Stamper's Touch Blog Challenge 2). Thanks for playing along!!

My Elf Name is...

Found this on blogthings.com -- how fun!!!

Your Elf Name Is...

Holly Fluffernutter

What's" Your Elf Name?

My First Blog Challenge - STVN001

And it's all about the adorable snowman!!! I think I own just about everything snowman -- figurines, stamps, designer paper, etc. So what could be better for my first ever blog challenge!!

Create a card using a snowman image -- it can be with a stamp, or designer paper, or what about punches!!!! The possibilities are endless!! Please upload your card to your SCS gallery as well as posting a comment here. Use the keyword STVN001 when uploading so we can find your creation quickly. All gallery submissions can be found here - http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?si=stvn001&limit=

Thanks for playing and please spread the word.

Warm and Cozy Wishes...

From Fluffles!!! We have several December birthdays in the family so I thought this image would be just grand. I received Fluffles via Wish RAK, a wonderful group of very generous ladies who share their stamped images with you. Each month the group holds a challenge in which we must use something we received from WRAK. This challenge required a Stampendous image, a minimum of two layers and a metal embellishment. I used a few of my favorite things - designer paper (this one is by BoBunny), brads, ribbon, Fluffles, and brown (chocolate chip to be exact). Thanks for looking.

I'm thinking of starting a weekly challenge on my blog. No specific theme, just something every Friday or Saturday that would be fun. Post a comment what you think, if you'd play. I have LOADS of background paper that I would send out as prizes. Again, let me know what you think. Thanks for looking!

A Hoot of a Friend!

Every month, challenges are posted on the Wish RAK subforum -- the one thing we absolutely must do is use something on the card we've received thru WRAK. This adorable image is what I received!! I love Stampendous stamps and this one is no exception! I thought of making it an anniversary card but needed a little something to cheer a friend. This challenge was to use autumn colors -- very easy for me because they happen to be my favorite!!! Thanks so much for looking!!

Country Blessings

Wow, I can't believe this is the first in forever I have used this set!!!!! One of those gotta have then it quickly gets forgotten -- how sad. Time to look for more sets like that so they too can see the ink!!!

This is for SC150 on SCS. I had just made a 2 page scrapbook layout using this designer paper by Cloud 9 Design, so why not use up some of the scraps. I stamped the image in Timber Brown Stazon then colored it with my watercolor pencils. Then some areas got highlighted with the Sakura glitter pen. The edges were sponged with creamy caramel and ribbon added. The bottom layer of So saffron was stamped using the Weathered background stamp in Sahara sand ink going in both directions. I like the effect the double stamping provides. A little sewing, some gold brads, and it is complete. Other colors of cardstock used were Really rust, Forest foliage, Always artichoke, Close to cocoa and Sahara sand. Thanks for looking.

A Friendly Swap

My good friend VivLyn and I started a swap amongst ourselves - we send each other a stamped image and all the cardstock and embellishments of our choosing. Enough supplies are sent to make two of the same cards, one to keep and one to send back. This is my first card for our swap. Viv sent this adorable pup and I just loved him. I even asked her to send me more...which she did!!!! I used one of the SCS sketch challenges so I could incorporate these beautiful snowflake brads. The ornaments on the tree are all sparkly thanks to Stickles. I've already sent this card off to her as well as a new round of images -- can't wait to see what she comes up with.

Note to Viv: you'd best hurry up and get better!!! I miss "talking" with you!

Priceless Case

Yes, I cased this card from tropicalichick. I loved the colors and had to use them myself. Tough to see in this photo but the colors are close to cocoa and blush blossom. Now blush blossom is a color I RARELY use, I only recently bought my second pack ever!! Now cocoa is a whole other story!!! I had leftover designer paper by Fancy Pants that fit the bill perfectly. Thanks Amanda for your wonderful inspiration!! Couldn't have done it without you!

Earthy Blossoms

I am always so behind on the SCS challenges!! It couldn't be that there are so many of them, could there? No, I didn't think so. Plus I find I only have time to sit down and seriously stamp after the kids are in bed. By then I am so tired I can't even think straight!!

This card is for the mini VSN challenge called Totally Tubular - we needed to base the colors of our card on the shade of lipstick we generally wore. I'm not a big lipstick wearer, but when I do, I tend to got to the browns and earthy reds (definitely not bright red!!). I also tend to use Blossoms Abound when I do challenges, this is one of my top 5 favorite all-time stamp sets. The colors are Ruby red, Cameo coral, Chocolate chip, Creamy caramel and Very vanilla. The designer paper is something I bought from Jacksonbelle Embellishments by Fancy Pants. Of course I used brads as well as the wide satin ribbon for the first time - love it!!!

What's Black and White and Red All Over?

Why this card of course!!!!! I used a sketch I found on Gina K Designs forum on SCS. I also used this for the stalkers challenge - make a thank you card. I think I may have goofed though, I believe we were to make a fall thank you card. Oops! Oh well, I like it anyway. I used a lot of scraps, which is always a good thing. The designer paper is by Doodlebug (I think), the sheep by Gina K, and the words (too cute) are by Rubber Soul. I do sewing on karate uniforms where I work, and the 1 inch grosgrain ribbon is is remnants from a piece of ribbon used on a uniform! Fun and fast, my kind of card!!

Fun Color and Sketch Challenges Combined

I always love color and sketch challenges -- so why not combine them!!!! The colors for this week's stalkers challenge are Elegant eggplant, Regal rose, Pretty in pink and Sage shadow. And I found the sketch on Jenn D's blog http://igotstamps.blogspot.com/2007/11/my-first-anniversary.html#c4422572463272347271. It was fun to make a quick card for a change instead of stressing for hours over one! Thank you ladies for helping me over my slump!!

Moonstruck's My Name...

And mischief is my game!!! LOL!!! Here is companion #2 in our house. We adopted Moonstruck from a local animal shelter and she fits right in -- almost right away!! DH wasn't thrilled that I got her, but he has since grown to love her too. I'm thrilled to have some female persuasion as I have two boys, one husband, and a black cat named Fred (see picture below)! All in one week of her life her first owner dropped her off at the shelter because they were moving. She was quickly adopted and two days later returned because of allergies. DS and I came along and couldn't resist. The employees of the shelter made us promise to take good care of her since she had so much happen to her. We've had her for a year and wouldn't trade her for the world. Fred needed a few days to get used to her but they are good buddies too. Don't you love that racoon tail??!!

Merry Holiday Spirit

Another set of cards for the Christmas card challenge - I made 10 of these. They're pretty simple but I think the additional layers help it out a bit. I added the touches of hunter green so it didn't end up a monochromatic card, a type of card I have a hard time with because I so love color! I used the bold snowflake jumbo wheel on the background for the rose red layer and a strip of designer paper by Anna Griffith. The main image is from the Holiday Spirit set, one that I had to have and now hardly ever use! Used the oval punch, instead of word window, for the tab. A little faux stitching and the card is complete. The card base is white cardstock sold by Papertrey Ink -- a must have!!!

Always My Helper!!

I had to include this photo of my constant companion! No matter where I go, Fred is there too. We got Fred at the Humane Society along with his brother. One Father's Day weekend they pushed out the screen to a window they were lying in and ran away. Well Fred, being the scardy cat that he is, came back but his brother (yep, you guessed it, Barney) didn't. Fred is so lovable and friendly and thrives on attention. Now I'll have to take a picture of our other cat (she's sitting on my lap at this very moment!) and tell stories about her.

Wish RAK Monthly Challenge

For this month's Wish RAK challenges - we are given three catagories of challenges, one color, one sketch, and one theme. This is for the sketch challenge (#126). I adore snowmen images and this one is no exception. Colored him up with watercolor pencils (my favorite!) then highlighted around him with a light gray Tombow marker. I love how that gives dimension to any image! Of course I used another favorite of mine, Basic Grey paper!! This is from the Fruitcake line, Berry Brach and Marischino Cherry. A little red ribbon, some word window punches (says "totally Christmas") and lots and lots of gold brads. I also stamped Flannel Plaid on the background.

Another Featured Stamper Case

Yep, it's another case of the Sunday Featured Stamper and this one is stampertammy's. What a wonderful gallery! I'm posting really quickly to my blog today, need to run some errands, so I don't have any links. But if you're ever on SCS (and who isn't these days!!!), check out her gallery!! I recently bought some stamps from Cornish Heritage Farms that needed to see some ink. The flowers are poppies and the verse is from TAC. I dug into some Basic Grey Infuse paper too - love those papers. It almost hurts to cut into one, then once I do, I just can't stop till it's all used up!!!! A little sewing along the bottom (don't look too close, it's crooked!!) and some ribbon and the card is complete. Quick, fun and easy!!! My kind of card!!

Ghoulish Halloween

Now just when I thought I'd keep up with my blog, work gets in the way!!!!! The past week and a half have been utterly crazy, and next Sunday is my stamp camp which I'd better buckle down and get something together!!!!!

This card is for the October Wish RAK card contest. We needed to make a Halloween card using purple, black and bright green along with something received thru wish RAK. I got the image from some spooky ladies on WRAK (hehe, just kidding) and colored him up with watercolor pencils. I seem to pull them out a lot lately. And that's saying something because coloring is not something I'm very good at! I used DSP by Rusty Pickle which I absolutely love from the Addams Family collection. I think I bought one sheet from every company of Halloween background paper, it is ALL so adorable!! Frank and the Happy Halloween tag are popped, another love of mine!

CASE Your Own Card!!!

That was the Technique Lovers Challenge yesterday - case one of your own cards and only change up the stamp set. I loved this color combo I did for a swap - artichoke, bordering blue and saffron so I figured why not do another one!! I used Serene Sunflowers instead of Roses in Winter. I needed to put the words Happy Birthday on the left side because I was afraid the first stamping of the leaf would be too dark to stamp on top of. I changed the corner punch too as well as added the brads (the RIW card used piercing in the upper right corner). Okay, so I changed a few other things besides the stamp set, but it is my own card I'm casing after all!!! Thanks for looking!!!

Featured Stamper Challenge

The Sunday challenge features a stamper's gallery that you case and this week's stamper is Jenn Balcer. What a lovely gallery! I had so much fun making this card because I got to rummage thru my stash of background paper!!! Talk about a paperaholic!! Anyway, this DSP is by Rusty Pickle and I thought it was perfect - love the green and black layer with the spider's web already on it!! Any chance I'll mail this card out to someone??? Probably not, I'm quite the hoarder!!!! Hehe!!

Christmas Card Challenge

I love the Christmas card challenge on SCS - make 10 cards each month for as many months as you wish. What a fabulous way to get those cards done!!! Here's my one for September - yep, finished it on the last day of the month!!! I love this snowman from Holiday Tag Team, he is just so darn cute. I used a layout I had seen on SCS and used Purely pomegranate, Chocolate chip, Garden green and Whisper white cardstock. The snowman is popped up with dimensionals. I colored the snowman with various markers and thought about using Stickles, but ended up not. I was so busy watching the poor Steelers lose that I honestly forgot! Maybe the ones for next month I'll put some on!

This card is just so my style! I used sponging and stamped French Script over the main image -- definitely something I love to do! This card is for a swap that asked for Roses in Winter and Sketch Challenge 120 from SCS. I thought I was going to have trouble with this sketch for some reason, but it all pulled together very easily. The colors are Always artichoke, Bordering blue, So saffron and Very vanilla. Fun, fun, fun!

Zoofari Birthday

Let me tell you, I don't know how some people can keep up with their blog so well!! I need a big kick in the pants to try and keep it updated better.

I just finished up with a big swap, so maybe I'll have some time now to stamp and play! This is a swap card, using Zoofari, Hugs and Wishes, and Petals jumbo wheel. It measures 4.25 square, a really fun size of a card. Don't ask me what inspired me to color the zebra celery and caramel, it just seemed like the right thing to do!! The other animals look normal!

I love celery, bashful blue and red together - just ended up adding chocolate and sahara sand as well. The center circle with the leopard is popped up on dimensionals.

Yet Another Challenge Card!

I just received these bella images (Chefabella) in the mail and had to make a card! First of all, it fits the Bella Bonanza challenge from Labor Day weekend. Then I figured I'd make more for a swap I'm in (DKOS). The background paper is by Chatterbox - I love how well it coordinates!! No fail cardmaking I say!!! Her chef's hat is all glittery too - what gal doesn't appreciate a little glitz and glam while cooking over a hot stove!!!

House Mouse

House Mouse stamps intimidate me -- look at all that coloring!!!!!! Definitely not my strong suit but this was for the Labor Day weekend wish RAK challenge. I even used the Featured Stamper challenge for the layout, just had to turn it on its side to accomodate the image! Multiple layers on the scallop punch makes it look like a flower also. You can't see it very well but I stippled bashful blue around the flower to give the illusion of the sky. Thanks so much for looking!

Loved These Colors!

This was a color challenge that actually got me to open my first pack of In Colors cardstock. The colors used were Purely pomegranate, Pretty in pink, and Old olive. I always seem to pull out Blossoms Abound when it comes to some of these challenges, I just love that set. I inked up the first flower stamp with pretty in pink then used a regal rose marker and tapped randomly over the stamp. The second stamping was done in purely pomegranate. Background paper was from a Basic Grey collection, Gypsy I think.

Now I'm off to work on more of the Labor Day weekend of Wish RAK challenges. 15 challenges in all, I only have 9 done!! Better get crackin'!

Here's #2

Challenge #2 - Autumn is just around the corner so we needed to make an autumn inspired card. I had just received this adorable Ollie image by Stampendous so I wanted to use him. After all, what's means autumn more than Halloween!!

Scraps were used so my streak is still alive! I had this Cuttlebug background already made. And the brads are fun Fright Night ones by Queen and Co.

Labor Day Challenges - #1

I felt the need to stamp this long weekend. I have soooooo many wonderful images sent to me by the very generous ladies of Wish RAK that I decided to post some fun challenges. This was the first Labor Day challenge, but a different kind of labor came to mind - so making a baby card it was!!!

I love this girafe from the Bundle of Joy set so I watercolored him up. Then to my scrap bin I went to finish the card. That is my personal challenge this weekend, to use nothing but scraps on my cards. Loved the yellow and blue and brown - fun and simple!

Irresistible Halloween

Let me tell you what, today was just not my day when it came to stamping. I have done the resist resist technique many, many times, but today, I couldn't get it to work. I settled for just the versamark resist technique on this one. It's for the Technique Lovers Challenge on SCS. I went for the scrap bin on just about everything - I really need to do that more often. I should make that my own challenge this week!! Anyway, the brads by Queen and Co. I found while cleaning out my stamp room, and they are just perfect!!!!! But then every card should have brads, right??!!

What a Cool Cat!

Another swap card using Cool Cat -- as much as I like cats, I don't use this set a lot. Could it be I have too many other stamps to pick from ---- NEVER!!

The cat could be any color, except black. I used Going Grey because Basic Gray was just too dark. Something needed to sparkle on the card which is always a hard thing for me, I'm not the glittery lady. I used Iridescent Ice embossing powder on the background and that provided me with plenty of glitz. I'm still cleaning up glitter!!!!! Colors used for cardstock were Night of navy, Garden green and Real red. Great Christmas colors, don't you think??!!

Sometimes Simple is Best

This card took just minutes to make -- which is a good thing when it comes to making swap cards. This is for my favorite swap, Different Kinda Swap. The recipe was to use the Serene Sunflowers set with Rich Regals cardstock and Earth Elements ink. Only one word could appear on the front of the card too. I can't believe how quickly this one came together. I sign up for so many spots that an easy card becomes a blessing.

Well, next week school begins, but the teachers are threatening to go out on strike!!!!!!! Don't they know my children NEED to go to school -- or is it me that needs them to go to school??!! School shopping is all done, the tour of the new 7th and 8th grade building has happened, now for the first day to hurry up and get here!!!!!!! Keep your fingers crossed with me about the strike.

Happy Day!

I can't believe a whole week has gone by and I haven't updated my blog!!! Busy, busy, busy time at work. I teach karate (taekwondo to be exact) and every 8 weeks we do our belt rank advancements - well, this is the week for them. Lots of preparation goes into it, very stressful yet oh so rewarding!

I made this card because I was in need of some birthday cards - I plan on making more, just in different color combos. I received the cake image thru the wonderful Wish RAK group. Just post a wish and ***POOF*** it shows up in your mailbox, sent to you by a very generous person from wish rak. Of course you can see I used my Cuttlebug (love that thing) , added flowers I found in my craft room (I'm always amazed I can find anything in there) and popped up the cake layer. It's fun stamping...for fun!!! Thanks so much for looking!

Birdie Wishes

I love birds but I wasn't sure if I liked the stamps of birds by Martha Stewart. So what did I do?? Wished for them in the Wish RAK group on SCS and I received a lot of them from some very generous ladies. Okay, I like them, but, and I can't believe I'm about to say this, not enough to buy them!!! I will keep playing with the ones I received though!

This card is for one of three catagories of the monthly Wish RAK challenges. This card required a minimum of 2 layers -- mission accomplished. I had colored this image in while we were on vacation using watercolored pencils.

Thanks so much for looking and believe me when I say your comments are always very much appreciated!

More Christmas Cards

Another card for a swap I'm in -- I love this set, City of David!! The colors are Perfect plum and Pale plum (I rarely use these colors, but love how they look together), along with gold, Mellow moss and Very vanilla. Not much to it, just a little watercoloring, Flannel plaid background, and some brads. Oh yeah, I almost forgot about the Stickles on the star -- can't forget about the Stickles!!!!!!!

Christmas in July

Here's my July Christmas card for the challenge. I made 10 of these while on vacation! Tough thinking about Christmas after you've spent the day at the beach!! I love using non-traditional colors when it comes to the holidays and Christmas is no exception. This card is Cameo coral with a layer of Chocolate chip and a Cuttlebugged layer of Cool caribbean. Scallop circle is punched out of Certainly celery. The Lace Snowflake is stamped in Chocolate chip as is the Happy Holidays ($1 stamp from Michael's -- thanks Viv!). Brads, ribbon and dimensionals finish it off.

Thanks so much for looking!

Cards I Did on Vacation

I used the You Make Me Happy set for the first time, and I think it's a sweet set! I used the old In Colors (guess I should call them the Out Colors!) - True thyme, Cranberry crisp, Vintage violet and Marigold morning. I had the dragonfly brad and couldn't wait to use it.

Bear with me, I'm still trying to up my photography skills. I still don't have the lighting right, but I will persevere!!

By the way, vacation was fabulous!! This was the fifth year in a row we've gone to the Outerbanks and enjoy every time!! Now I don't want to go back to work though!

Vacation -- It's Almost Here!

That's why I haven't updated my blog in over a week - at least that's what I keep telling myself!! Friday we leave for half of the trip down to the Outerbanks in North Carolina. I can't wait - and neither can either of the boys!! Our two cats know something's up though, especially since last night when we pulled the suitcases out of the attic! Our neighbor will come and visit them everyday because they are definitely people cats. I hope the house we've rented has internet access so I can get my daily fix of SCS. Maybe I'll find some time to post a card or two - of course I'm taking my stamping stuff!!!!! I actually have some stamp sets that still need cut out so they will get done now.

Wish RAK Monthly Challenge

This card is for Catagory #3 of this month's Wish RAK challenge - Flower with a layer. We had to use a flower image we received thru wish RAK and the timing of this one couldn't have been more perfect -- thanks crooked river!!

The flower is Fresh Bloom by Stampendous. I watercolored it with Cool caribbean, painted it with Crystal Effects, sprinkled lightly with glitter and cut it out. I played around adding dimension with the bone folder and pop up dots. We needed to use Sketch Challenge #74, a tri-fold card. I had the background paper in my scrap bin, thought it would be perfect.

Thanks so much for looking!!! Keep in mind, this is my first attempt at photographing my cards, I need to work on my technique a bit!

Oops!

Forgot to post that Tracey from http://traceystamps.blogspot.com/ also tagged me!!!!! Read some fun facts about her too!!!!! Thanks Tracey!!

I've Been Tagged!!

By Sue (aka bensarmom) whose blog can be found here - http://bensarmom.blogspot.com/. I've never been tagged before, how fun. So I need to list 7 things about myself -- here goes:

1. I am married, have 2 boys, Phillip who will turn 12 on the 10th and Kevin age 8.

2. I love to stamp and have become addicted to scrapbooking too thanks to our local scrapbook store. I never knew what my style was with scrapbooking until I started taking classes there - oh boy, more stuff to buy!!

3. I am a third degree black belt and a certified instructor. I love teaching taekwondo to all age groups. I always wanted to teach, thought it would be in nursing (I am also an RN), but I couldn't find the time to complete my Masters Degree.

4. I am a night owl. If I don't control myself, I am on SCS till 2am!! And if I'm not on Splitcoast at that time, then I'm in my stamp room! Love it when everyone's in bed and the house is quiet!

5. We own two cats. Fred is a black domestic short hair who loves Halloween!! Moonstruck came into our lives last year when I went to the shelter for a tour and fell in love with her. Besides, I needed another female in the house!!

6. I love sports! I think that's why God gave me two boys! I'm a huge Pittsburgh Steelers fan and follow hockey closely too. Baseball's okay.

7. Starting in the fall, I hope to expand my Stampin' Up business. I currently have one recruit, but have had three ladies state an interest in becoming demos. Right now I hold two stamp camps each month, but want to add more classes once the boys are back in school. Busy, busy, busy, I've always gotta stay busy.

Thanks for reading about me. Now to find someone else to tag!!!!!

Birthday Blues, and Reds, and Whites!!

Boy the computer has been very slow today!!!!! I absolutely hate that!

Here's a card for the Wish RAK monthly challenge - this one required a birthday card in red, white and blue. I had received the Living Large image from Wish RAK and pulled out some old background paper. It is so much brighter in real life. The candles are sparkled up with Stickles and the "You take the cake!" is popped up. There are two other catagoried for this monthly contest...do I try to do them or should I work on swaps that are due the end of the month?? What a dilema! Problem is, we leave for vacation in 18 days!! Guess I could work on the swaps there -- yeah, right!!!

Wash Day

Another card for the Wish RAK Celebration - VSN style. This challenge was inspired by a tropical drink - Lava Flows. I initially wanted to go with the colors of the drink (reds, whites and yellows) but then I came up with this idea. A baby card you ask??? Yes, this is what could happen if you've had too many Lava Flows!!!! Warped sense of humor, I know, but I've been without good sleep for several days so my mind is not thinking all that well!! I love that wheel, so glad I have plenty of images to play with since it's retiring.

For this card, Filigree is stamped in the background. I used Pale plum, Perfect plum, Certainly celery and white. I had this piece of lacy trim that I wanted to work in. Watercolored the clothes using my Aquapainter and ink refills.

Sunset Inspired

This challenge our colors were inspired by the sunset. Of course I thought of red, oranges and yellows. I used pumpkin pie, Marigold morning and Cranberry crisp (bidding a fond farewell to these wonderful colors). The Nice and Easy Notes I received thru wish RAK. I colored and cut out a second flower pot, tied hemp around it, and popped it up. Fun, fun, fun!!

Thank You Fairy Much!

Used an image I received thru Wish RAK. Over the weekend we held our Wish RAK birthday celebration and this challenge was to make a thank you card. My photo keeps getting deleted off of SCS so I figured I'd put it here. Colored with watercolored pencils, cardstock colors are Barely banana, Pixie pink and Basic Grey Gypsy. I can't believe I used these colors because I'm not a real huge fan of pink and yellow together.

Monochromatic Friendship Card

Wish RAK Celebration Challenge #2 - make a monochromatic friendship card. I love the shirt out of the Do The Hula set so I figured, why not, it's already got color on it!!!!! Used a sketch challenge as well -- why not. The "Aloha" is computer generated.

Challenge #1 - Food

The first challenge of the Wish RAK Celebration weekend was to use a food related image. I had to go with Fluffles -- after all, this is a birthday celebration!! Trying to use scraps on these cards too. I'll need to post the rest later. It's almost 2:30 in the morning and I'm really getting tired. Need to get some sleep because we're doing round two tomorrow. So much fun!!