Bouquet for a Friend

Here's the last card I have to show you that I made for this week's Stampendous Saturday Sketch Challenge.  I love the three butterflies getting ready to land on the flowers.  I "blinged" up the butterflies a bit by adding Crystal Stickles to the edges.  This card came together quickly since I already had the image stamped and almost completely colored.  (tip for the day:  when you have a stamp already inky, stamp a few extra images and store them with the stamp set for later use!  I keep my clear stamps in the original packages and keep a few extra stamped images in the packages just waiting for when I need to make a card quickly!)

Hope you're having a good day!  Take time to get inky!

recipe: stamps:  Stampendous Spring Sprigs, Party Invite; DCWV Pastel Matstack, Latte Stack; Prismacolor Pencils, Goo-Gone, Tortillons; Tsukineko Tuxedo Black Ink, Pretty Petunia; Sakura Clear Star Pen; Martha Stewart Butterfly Punch; Crystal Stickles

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

I have to say making this card in July was a welcome break to this hot weather we've been having.  I, for one, am looking forward to the temperature dropping a bit!  I'm ready to turn off the air conditioning and open the windows and get some fresh air!

The whole time I was making this card, I had the song running through my head...

♪♫♫♪ "Oh, the weather outside it frightful, but the fire is so delightful

and since we've no place to go, Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow!♫♪♪♫

I must say it cooled me off a bit (even if my boys looked at me like I had completely lost my mind!)

This card is based on this week's Stampendous Saturday Sketch Challenge.  I had already completed 3 cards to submit for the challenge and as I was cleaning up the mess that naturally occurs while I am busy creating, I ran across this stamp set and the card immediately came together in my head.  I love it when that happens!  One component of the sketch was to have three of something in one corner, the "let it snow" stamp perfectly fit the bill!  Voila!

I think pink and blue in bright tones are a crisp combination.  And I think Changito is secure enough to use a pink-handled shovel!  It may be hard to see in this photo, but I used Liquid Applique on the snow drifts.  What fun!

Take a look at this week's sketch and see what you can come up with for the challenge, it's really a lot of fun....and a good reason to get inky today!

recipe:  stamps:  Stampendous Changito Snowplay; HOTP Pink Swirls; The Paper Co,; snowflake paper unknown; Tsukineko Tuxedo Black, Aspen Mist, Prismacolor Pencils, Goo-Gone, Tortillons; CM Oval Cutting System; Liquid Applique

Jingle Bell Elf

Is this little elf just the cutest thing?  I have a feeling he and his little buddy, Santa, will seeing a lot of ink between now and Christmas!  He's just so stinkin' cute!

This is another of my entries for the Stampendous Saturday Sketch Challenge.  I stretched my limits and "thought outside the box" on this one.  I didn't want to used buttons or snowflakes in the upper left corner....but what was going to work?  All of the sudden I thought "Jingle Bells!"  I love the way they look on this card and how they tie into the jingle bell on the tip of this little guy's hat. 

I find that in the few weeks I've been participating in this Sketch Challenge I'm getting more adventurous when it comes to mixing patterned papers.  Of course, DCWV makes it so easy if you use one of their wonderful stacks.  They take all the thought out of it!  The hardest decision is which beautiful paper to choose!

Take time to get inky today!  Check out this week's sketch and see what you create.

recipe:  stamps: Stampendous Elf Wishes; DCWV Holiday Stack; Primacolor Pencils, Goo-gone, Tortillons; Miscellaneous Jingle Bells; Creative Memories Gold Pen; Liquid Applique; Tsukineko Tuxedo Black, Red Brick

Friends Through Thick & Thin

Yesterday I needed to find a project to keep me busy while my close friend, Stefanie, was in the hospital having a lumpectomy performed.  What better way to keep busy than to get inky?  Of course, I always think Changito is adorable, and this image with him and his little friend made me smile.  The sentiment is from a different set (Stampendous Ribbon Hope) but I think the message is perfect for these little monkey friends.  And perfect for me and Stefanie.  Over our 25 year friendship we have endured a lot, including high school, her living in Korea for a few years, college, boys, men, weddings, pregnancies, parents' illnesses; we've gone through just about everything together.  Unfortunately, with our weight fluctuations, we've also been through "thick and thin" according to the scale ;-)!

This card was based on this week's Stampendous Saturday Sketch Challenge.  I'm really having a good time working with the sketches their wonderful team provides.  It has really challenged me to be a little more creative and to get more cards made to add to my stash.  Thank you, Stampendous!

I better get going and get this card in the mailbox before the mailman arrives.  Please keep a good thought for my friend and say a prayer that her lab results next week bring good news and that there is no need for further treatment.  Thank you!

Take time to get inky today and maybe make a card for one of your good friends to let them know how much you love and appreciate them....

recipe:  stamps: Stampendous Rainy Day Changito, Stampendous Ribbon Hope; DCWV Nana's Kids, Pastels Mat Stack; Tsukineko Tuxedo Black, Pretty Petunia; Sakura Star Glaze Pen; Prismacolor Pencils, Goo-Gone, Tortillons; Miscellaneous Buttons, Paper Flowers; Diamond Glaze

Life's Uncertain.....

"Life's uncertain.....eat dessert FIRST!"

Words to live by, if you ask me!

I love this image.  It's my only Fluffles stamp (so far!☺)  I made this card for my husband's aunt for her birthday.  Linda is a big cat-lover.  So, I thought she'd get a kick out of Fluffles.  This was a quick card to make, since I already had the image stamped and colored.  I think I'll make a few more like this to build up my stash.  I hate when I need a card, but don't have one already made and don't have time to make one.  Inside Aunt Linda's card I stamped "Everyone knows birthday calories don't count!"  Oh, if only that were true!

Take time to get inky today.....

recipe:  stamps: Stampendous Full Fluffles, Birthday Calories; DCWV Citrus Matstack; The Paper Co.; Marvy Scalloped Circle Punch; CM Circle Cutting System; Tsukineko Tuxedo Black, Aegean Blue; Prismacolor Pencils, Goo-Gone, Tortillons

Skating Changito

ETA:  Good News!  This was one of the two cards that were winners for this week's challenge!

I had a fun day today making two cards for this week's Stampendous Saturday Sketch Challenge (see details here).  If you haven't already, take a look at this week's sketch and see what you are inspired to create.  This is the second time I'm participating, I've had good intentions every week, but sometimes life gets in the way.  Oh well!  Today I was determined to get these two cards completed.  It was fun, the boys sat at the table with me and played with my Marvy Punches.  They thought that was big fun! 

Anyway, back to the card.  This is the second time I've made a card using this stamp and these same papers.  I love these papers together.  In the past I've had difficulty using two or more patterned papers together, but have found that if I use a DCWV stack it's much easier since the papers are all coordinated.  The large pink snowflake was done by hand the old-fashioned way since I don't have a Cuttlebug or other die-cutting system.  It was fun to make snowflakes in July!

I added Liquid Applique in a few places on Changito.  I thought he needed a little "fluff".  And glitter was the perfect finishing touch for the gift box. 

Well, friends, better get going for tonight.  It's about time to put the kiddies to bed, and I think I won't be far behind.  All this creating wiped me out today.  More to come tomorrow.  Hope you'll take time to get inky!

recipe:  stamps:  Stampendous Changito Snow Play; DCWV Holiday Stack; The Paper Co.; Tsukineko Tuxedo Black, VersaMagic Oasis Green, Gingerbread; CM Oval Cutting System; Fiskars Scalloped Scissors; Martha Stewart Snowflake Punch; Prismacolor Pencils, Goo-Gone, Tortillons; Liquid Applique; Cystal Stickles; Stampendous Sea Green Ultra Fine Glitter

Changito Hello

Have I mentioned that I love Changito?  He's just so darn cute!  This is one of the cards I made for the Stampendous Saturday Sketch Challenge (see details here).  It's a fun challenge!  Take a look at the sketch and see what you are inspired to create.

This card came together pretty quickly for me (don't you love when that happens?)  I knew I wanted to use this big red paper bloom, but struggled to find something to add at the center of the flower.  Bling didn't work, brads didn't work, round buttons didn't work.....then I found it!  Ta-da!  An oval button!  It was from my Gram's button collection that I was lucky enough to inherit.  I remember as a kid playing with her button collection.  She used to keep them in old Ball jars and some were in cute little tins.  I thought they were a big treasure - and I still do!  So, this card will have to go to someone special since it includes a special "Gram" button.  ☺

Well better run, I have one more post for tonight.  Another take on the Stampendous Saturday Sketch Challenge.  Of course, it's another Changito.  Stay tuned!

recipe:  stamps: Stampendous Changito Spring, Stampendous Happy Messages; DCWV Green MatStack; Tsukineko Tuxedo Black, Gingerbread; Making Memories Daisy Red Paper Flower; Prismacolor Pencils, Goo-Gone, Tortillons; Miscellaneous button (thanks, Gram♥); Hemp Cord

Christmas In July

7/15/10 ETA-  I uploaded this photo again, hopefully it's better this time. ☺

OK-  I don't know what the deal is with my photos lately.  For some reason last time I uploaded to Splitcoast Stampers it said that all of my photos were too large.  So now when I transfer them from SPS to my blog they are small and out of focus.  Sorry about that!  I'll work on it and see if I can get it resolved.  Unfortunately, all I know about computers could fit in a thimble, but I'm getting better.

Anyway!  This was another card made for Sue with the Stampin Up stamp sets that she gave me (have I mentioned how generous that was!?!?)  It was a lot of fun to make a Christmas card on a hot July day.  Made me feel cool!  I like the way the scalloped circles on the card with the bow above almost looks like a Christmas ornament.  How fun!

Better get going and clean up my scrap area before I start dinner.  It's a mess!  I have a few projects "in process" and have the parts and pieces all over the dining room table.  I'm not what you would called a "neat crafter".  Oh well!  It's a creative process!  (that's my story and I'm sticking to it! ☺)

Take time to get inky today!

recipe:  stamps: Stampin' Up All God's Children, Hero Arts Winter's Butterfly; The Paper Co.; Tsukineko Tuxedo Black, Galaxy Gold, Watermark; Stampin' Up Watercolor Wonder Crayons & H2O pen; Sheer Ecru Ribbon JoAnn's; White Embossing Powder

Love is Spoken Here

I have another card to share with you.  Can you tell that I'm avoiding housework and other boring tasks?  I'm sure the dust will still be there when I turn off the computer (unfortunately!)  This is yet another card that I included in the assortment I made for my friend Sue.  I figured she was so generous in giving me all these beautiful Stampin' Up stamps that she deserved to have at least one card made with each of the stamps in the sets!  Boy did I have fun creating!  Supplies are so much more fun to work with when you didn't have to pay for them!  ☺

All of the images in this stamp set (All God's Children) are so cute!  I think I'll probably use it to make a set of cards for our Pastor's wife, she always so kind and sending cards to everyone.  I'll just add that to my long list of cards & gifts to make (please tell me I'm not the only one that has a never-ending list of projects!)

OK- gotta go this time.  My little guy wants to cuddle - not much that's more important than that!  He wants to show me the new freckles he just discovered on his ankle.  So exciting!  Before long he won't want to cuddle with Mom anymore, so I better soak it up while I can!

Take time to get inky today!

recipe:  stamps: Stampin' Up All God's Children, Hero Arts Hello Circles, Hero Arts Dots Background; Stampin Up Watercolor Wonder Crayons & H2O Pen; Tsukineko Tuxedo Black, Coffee Bean, Sahara Sand , Sage inks; Watermark Ink; White Embossing Powder; DCWV Neutrals Matstack; Making Memories copper eyelets

Kindness Begins With Me

This is another card I made for my friend, Sue, who's retiring as our Preschool Director.  This stamp is from the Stampin' Up All God's Children set.  I think the image is just so cute and sweet.  The center panel is lifted on pop dots, so it's not swallowed up by those fun big polka dots.

I just noticed on Lin's blog Sending Hugs that there is a "Fun and Cute" challenge at Moxie Fab World.  I think I might upload this card and play along, I hope you will too!

Better get going, I have more I'll show you in a little while.  Take time to get inky today!

recipe:  stamp: Stampin' Up All God's Children; paper DCWV Nana's Kids; Making Memories Brads; Stampin' Up Watercolor Wonder Crayons & H2O pen

Make a Joyful Noise

I told you before that the Director of our Preschool is retiring.  This is a card that I made for her as part of a gift.  About a year ago she gave me three sets of Stampin' Up stamps.  So, I decided to make her notecards using all of these stamps.  I'll have more to show you in the coming days. 

She is very musical, so this was a great card for her.  I used the Stampin' Up Watercolor Wonder Crayons to color the stamped image (a full set of crayons came from her, too!  she's so generous!)  These crayons are so much fun to work with.  From what I understand there are many ways to use them.  I chose to use a H2O pen and touch the tip of my paintbrush to the tip of the crayon to pick up the color and then "painted" the image.  It was really a lot of fun, and a great project to work on after the kidlets went to bed and the hubby and I were watching TV. 

I need to make a birthday card for my husband's aunt today, I think I'll use Fluffles since Linda is a cat lover!  I'll share that card soon.

Hope you'll take time to get inky today....

recipe:  stamp: Stampin' Up All God's Children; The Paper Co, patterned paper?; ribbon JoAnn's; Marvy Scalloped Circle Punch; CM circle cutting system; Tsukineko Tuxedo Black ink; Stampin' Up Watercolor Wonder Crayons & H2O pen

I'll Hang on to You!

It's me again!  Three times in one day!  WOW!  This is one of the cards I made for my wonderful husband for Father's Day.  I haven't decided if Changito represents me or one of our boys clinging to his leg.  We all hang on to him tightly!

I'm not quite sure how I did it, but after I finished coloring the jeans, I realized that they looked like they actually had texture to them.  Now to figure out how I did it, so I can do it again! 

recipe:  stamps: Stampendous Hang On set; paper: Deja Vu, The Paper Co.; ribbon JoAnn's; Prismacolor Pencils, Goo-gone, Tortillons; Tsukineko Tuxedo Black, Coffee Bean inks

Dad's Taxi Service

This is the card I made for my Dad for Father's Day (I'm a little late in posting it....sorry!)  I just love my Changito images!  Inside the card I used to computer to print "Thanks Dad, for always picking me up when I need a lift!"  The background paper is from Creative Memories.  I crumpled it up (crumple?  is that a word?  it is now☺) then flattened it and ran my Gingerbread ink pad over it to age it a bit.  My other favorite embellishment on this card is the pop-top from a Pepsi can that I used like a buckle on the ribbon.  How's that for recycling?

I still have one more card I think I'll post tonight.  I know it's a shock!  I told you I was busy creating last week - I have a lot to show you!

It's not too late, you still have time to get inky today....

recipe:  stamp: Stampendous Changito Driver; CM Map Paper, The Paper Co.; Prismacolor Pencils, Goo-Gone, Tortillons; JoAnn's Ribbon; Pepsi pop top; Tsukineko Tuxedo Black, Gingerbread; Mark Richards adhesive metal nail heads

Sending Hope

Today's card is one of my favorites. I love the simplicity of this one. Sometimes I tend to get carried away with layers and embellishments, this one is clean and simple. I center flower was stamped first and then masked to make the flowers look layered.

A good friend of my sister-in-law is battling breast cancer. My Mom, being a cancer survivor, has decided to send Terri weekly cards of encouragement. Mom really appreciated the cards and notes that she received when she was undergoing treatment and saw this as her turn to "repay the kindness". If there is someone in your life who is battling cancer, or suffering from another illness, why not take the time today to make them a card and let them know that you are thinking of them? It's a small gesture, but means so much.

I still have more cards to show you, I'll be back (maybe even today!) Sorry my photos lately are a bit small, I don't know what's up with that.

Take time to get inky today....


recipe: stamps: Stampendous Ruffled Bloom, Ribbon Hope; Hero Arts Everday Sayings; Primacolor pencils, Goo-Gone, Tortillons; Crystal Stickles; Tsukineko Tuxedo Black, Pink Petunia inks

The Lord Shine on You

This card was created as a farewell card for the Director of Preschool at our church. She is a wonderful woman, and will be greatly missed by our church, the staff, the students and the families. And especially me! This was a fun card to create. Although I'm still a little uneasy when it comes to mixing patterned papers, I've found that if I use a DCWV Matstack they've taken all the work out of it for me. All the papers are coordinated, the hard part is choosing which Matstack to use!


It's hard to tell in the photo, but I've stamped a Sunlit Cross behind the scripture in Galaxy Gold. I used my Stamp-a-ma-jig for the first time one this card to create that panel so it all lined up nicely. What a great tool!


Better run. I've promised the boys popcorn tonight while we watch "Mulan." Time to get poppin'!


I'll be back in the coming days, I've been busy and have a lot to show you! Take time to get inky today!

recipe: stamps: Stampendous Sunlit Cross, Stampendous Shine on You; ink: Tsukineko Tuxedo Black, Galaxy Gold; DCWV LaCreme Matstack; Sheer Ecru Ribbon