Crafty Secrets Challenge - Thankfulness

Yesterday's challenge over on the Crafty Secrets forum on SCS was hosted by Pammyjo. Her clues on Monday were real brain teasers ... the phrase "I am truly thankful" written in four different languages ... yea, how fun was that!

Of course since I haven't used my french in over 40 years, I cheated and went to the internet and had the phrase translated. Sure was easier than trying to remember 40 years back ... heck I'm lucky to remember what I did yesterday let alone that long ago ... some of you probably know what I mean ... right!! Anyways, on to the card!!

I certainly have a LOT to be thankful for this year. We are not totally out of the woods yet, but after 1 more pet scan I'm praying that DH's cancer is GONE. We'll know the answer to that sometime in December. But after all he's been through this year, he is feeling really good right now and his double cataract surgery last week was a huge success.

My card base is duplex hunter green/ivory cs. I had a few fall colored scraps laying on my work table which I used for my background and the main image is from my Crafty Secrets Fall Cotton Scraps. The images on cotton scraps are fantastic for quick & easy cards. I've rounded just 2 of the 4 corners using my corner rounder by Creative Memories and the leaves are also made from a Creative Memories punch. The ribbon was purchased at Hobby Lobby.

Hope you like it and thanks for stopping by to see what I've been up to. Come back later to see what I can come up with for today's SCS sketch challenge ... should be fun!!!

PCP Cuttlebug Challenge

Hello everyone .... it is now 4:55 a.m. and I've been awake since 3:00 a.m. You know how sometimes you just can't get your brain to shut down ... well, seems tonight is my night for brain overload. Nothing bad or upsetting ... just "stuff".

So, here are a couple of cards I was going to upload in the morning ... and since it is "MORNING", I may as well get them done now. (will give me more time to play later, lol)

This is a card I did for the PCP (Papercraft Planet) Cuttlebug Group challenge. Vicki posted 3 folders (swiss dot, perfect paisley, leafy branch) and asked us to use at least 1 of these on a card. I had 2 of the 3 so used them both. The upper panel was done by coloring the negative side of the leafy branch folder using a ZIG green marker ... spritzed lightly then ran it through onto ivory cs. The lower panel was done basically the same way except I covered the entire negative side using my real red pad then ran it through onto ivory cs. I put the two together, matted onto glossy black cs and used 2 ribbons (both from Hobby Lobby) where they joined. The main image is by Paper Inspirations, stamped using Versafine black the colored using chalks and a make-up applicator. I added a little red Stickles for dimension. The outer edge of the whisper white card was edged using a gold Pilot marker. Hope you like it.

Eggs for "Eggette"

Here is a "cutsie" card for a challenge called the Creative Name Featured Stamper (CNFS) from SCS over on the CCEE Stampers blog. Charlene (LilLuvStampin) is the hostess for the month and her selection is Bonnie (eggette).

Apparently Bonnie gathers chicken eggs from over 12,000 chickens on their farm. (WOW, what a woman!!) Her favorite embellishment is ribbons and she loves the color green. So, the instructions for this challenge was to make a card that had an EGG on it somewhere, shades of green and ribbon.

I drew great inspiration from the team over on the CCEE Stampers blog but when I started looking through my stash my brain stalled out! Check out some of the other ladies work like Tosh, and Cindy just to name a couple ... the other gals did a remarkable job too!! I decided to just use a plain white card base and the eggs I stamped across the bottom are actually (bird) eggs from the Crafty Secrets - bird lover set. My daughter has chickens and she has one breed that lays what they call "Easter Eggs" and they are actually green, yellow, pink & blue so I didn't have any problem coloring a couple of these eggs "green". Of course, we've all seen brown eggs! The chicken/eggs is a $1 stamp I purchased at Pat Catan's a long time ago. I used Creative Memories letter/number stickers for the "sentiment". Hope you like it ... it was fun!

Please stop back tomorrow when I will have my creation for the Crafty Secrets forum challenge hosted by Pammyjo. Her clue to us today was: the same clue written out four different times in four different languages ... none of which were English! Had to do a little research on this one!! See you tomorrow!!!

Blog Challenge by Heather

Last post for today ... I know, you probably don't think I do anything but stamp ... and sometimes that is true! Like today ... the only work I've done is make a run to the grocery store to get what DH wanted prepared for dinner ... we just finished dinner (shrimp alfredo over pasta) and I'm back.

I made this card right before preparing our dinner and just had to share!! I made this card for a blog challenge over on Heather's blog (Scrappy Dayz Are Here Again). We are to make any type of card using Certainly Celery, Regal Rose, ribbon, brads, and any image other than floral. She's running this challenge until the 26th at which time she'll draw a name and send some goodies to the winner.

There is actually NO stamping or inking on this card. My image and designer paper are from Crafty Secrets. The image is from the "Girlfriends Images & Journal Notes" and the paper is "Pastels". The sentiment is a part of the image which I cut, positioned brads and popped up with dimensional tape. The other portion of the sentiment is on the inside of the card and reads: "My dearest wish could not come true ... Unless today brought joy to you". I did faux stitching with a "regal rose" marker and a ruler. Wrapped and tied a pretty bow made from Stampendous sheer white ribbon ... added a few more brads and here you have it!! A quick and easy card that will work perfectly for an upcoming birthday! Thanks for stopping by ... I can't tell you how much it means to me!! Hope you've had a wonderful weekend.

Kreativ Blogger Award

Thanks to Heather (scrappinmominky) for this awesome award!!


Please check out Heather's blog ... she is very talented and deserves a some extra "stampin love".

Here are the instructions on this award:
1. The winner may put the logo on their blog.
2. Put a link to the person who sent you the award.
3. Nominate 5 blogs.
4. Put links to their blogs.
5. Leave a message for your nominees.


I will be back later to let you know what 5 nominees I have selected. Thanks again Heather ... I am so honored and thrilled that you like my blog. Please come back!!!


WOW ... I just found out that I was awarded this honor a 2nd time ... by my Crafty Secrets Challenge friend DRU. Thanks girlfriend ... I am so honored. PLEASE check out Dru's blog (garden of dreams) ... she is SO talented and also deserved extra "stampin love".

I'm back with my five nominees. I will have to give this award again because there are SO many others who are so deserving of this honor.

1. Marissa (marisa-isa)

2. Heidi (embellished dreams)

3. Amy (amy's creative pursuits)

4. Lori Lynn (just a note)

5. Joanne (Ambrosia & Iron)

Please check out these ladies blogs for some wonderful ideas and fun!! Thanks again Dru and Heather!!!

More Holiday Cards

Here are a couple more cards I came up with for my friends and family.

This card was fun to make. The images are from the SU mini catalog "Winter Post". I just love the "vintage" appeal of this set and these skaters are fun to color. I used my Nesties for my main image panel and added a little Stickles icicles for the snow. I'm trying not to get too carried away with my new Martha Stewart branch punch ... this time of the year you could just use it on everything!! Just a few springs here to "set the mood". I found this awesome Provo Craft Candy Cane designer paper at my friend Tammy Herbergers store (Toyrifix) and couldn't wait to put it to use. The ribbon came from a pack of "leftover ribbon pieces" I purchased from Hobby Lobby for the price of $1.99. There is a TON of ribbon in one of these packs ... very narrow to very wide ... certainly worth the $2. What do you think??

okay ... moving on ....

This is a card I started playing with because I had cut the Nesties piece I needed for the card shown above and decided (after I'd cut it) to use it for a card of it's own. Had I thought of this earlier, I would have centered it better ... hence the use of the white ribbon!!

I also have been working on 44 tree ornaments for my friend's business holiday party (future posting) and had a piece of clear acetate laying on my worktable that was BEGGING to be used!! This card, however, will be a prototype. I didn't have any Stazon White so used craft white (which never dries on a glossy surface), clear ep & heat gun. Some acetates do not like the heat gun as you can see in this photo. I was very careful, but there was still some buckleing going on.

Here is my card in "open" form. The main image is by Northwood and was colored using prisma pencils. There is just enough room at the top and bottom (which will be covered by the front cover) for well wishes and signature. I love this concept, but certainly need to work a little more at perfecting it!! The snowflake stamp is by Inkadinkado and the Merry Christmas sentiment stamp (on front) is by AMuse. The green sprigs are from the Martha Stewart branch punch, the red snowflake is a punch by EKSuccess and the white ribbon is by Darice ... purchased at Joanne's.

Back to the craftroom to work on today's Featured Stamper challenge over on SCS (and more of those 44 ornaments) ... so glad you stopped by ... please come back! Happy Stamping!!

Papercraft Planet & OCC Challenges

Here is a card I did for a couple of challenges over on the Papercraft Planet. I found the sketch challenge to be intriguing and the colors for the color challenge (put on by the Treehouse Stamps - Ashley Bowen group) are some of my favorites.

Have you checked out the Papercraft Planet yet? I am still loving everything going on over on Splitcoaststampers, but am also enjoying some of the additional freedoms and styles of this new site. Check it out!! I'm sure you'll see some familiar faces ... at least one - mine. HaHaHa!!

This card is 5-1/2" square and the base card is Old Olive. The second panel is 5-1/4" and cut from Very Vanilla. I sponged around the edges using old olive. The designer paper used for the third panel is by Making Memories (snowflake Falala) which I purchased from my friend Tammy Hershberger at Toyrifix and the main image is by Stampendous. The snowflakes are by Creative Impressions and I inked them with old olive & certainly celery. I used a little diamond Stickles for a touch of sparkle and distressed the edges of the main panel before matting it with old olive.

This was a fun card and really liked the combination of colors and layout! What are your thoughts?? As always, thanks for stopping by and hope to see you again soon!!

My friend Tammy (mentioned above) also clued me in that this card fits the OCC challenge for this week Silouettes. I had this challenge printed out to work on but forgot what the topic was!! (memory isn't what it used to be, LOL!) Thanks Tammy!! This is another fun challenge ... when you get a chance, please check it out!!

Stamp Simply #61 - Fun Folds

Can you believe I nearly missed doing Sharon's challenge this week ... OMGoodness, where is my head!!!

Sharon Johnson's blog challenge (notimetostamp) was to make some fun folds. Well, I couldn't seem to get my mind wrapped around this very well so I decided to make a "card within a card". That's fun folds ... right!! (sorry Sharon, I'm fold challenged today)! Please check out Sharon's card on her blog and don't forget to take a peek at what the other ladies on her DT came up with too ... awesome work!!

So, here's what I came up with. The image on the left is the card in "closed" form. The center image shows the main image 3" x 3" card with verse inside and the last image is a view of both cards opened. Kind of different I thought, it was fun to make, and very simple. The main image is a stamp by Seaside Stampin and I colored it using make-up sponges and chalks. The verse inside the small card is by Stampendous and the verse inside the A-2 card is by Great Impressions. The base card is duplex huntergreen/ivory cardstock and the designer paper is by Making Memories Snowflake Falala. I was visiting my friend Tammy Hershberger at Toyrifix yesterday and found some GREAT new holiday paper ... this one included. Couldn't wait to get creative with it. Tammy is also a member of Sharon's design team ... check out her blog for the card she made ... it's really clever!

Hope you like this card and thanks for stopping by! My day is complete when I hear your comments ... thanks for that!!!

Dropped from DT - how sad!

A quick note on the subject and that's all I'm going to say about it!

Today several of us on The Rubber Cafe Design Team got our pink slips. The team was rather large (20 ladies) and the owner felt the need to cut it in half. Unfortunately I was included in the half that was cut. I only had the pleasure of designing with this group for a short 2 months, but in that length of time I made some new friends and learned some new tricks. I am not bitter ... only disappointed and feel somewhat like I have failed the team in some way but better days are ahead and I am looking in that direction. I wish all the remaining girls on the team "good luck"!

Okay ... moving on now!!

Cuttlebug Christmas Cards

Here are a couple cards I made for a new group/challenge over on the Papercraft Planet (PCP). It's a group for "Cuttlebuggers". This looked like a good group to join ... can always use more information and hints on using my cuttlebug folders as well as things like Nestabilities!! Should be great fun ... will let you know if I learn any really cool tricks & tips!!

Here is a closer view ... not really much to this card other than cuttlebug swiss dot embossing folder (ef), scor-pal and a few images (Inkadinkado). I did decide to embellish it with my new Martha Stewart leaf sprig punch and a snowflake from the EKSuccess snowflake punch that I had laying on my worktable.

The burgundy card didn't come out very good on the embossing ... needed a steadier hand with the Versamark pen! But, you get the general idea. Thanks for stopping by!!

Color Throwdown #19

Here is my card for the challenge over on the Color Throwdown blog! I would not have put these colors together but LOVE how this card turned out!! The colors today are: Not Quite Navy, Bravo Burgundy, Bordering Blue & White.

I chose to use Stampin' Up's "Home For Christmas" as my main image. I inked it up with Not Quite Navy onto glossy white cs then mounted it onto Not Quite Navy cs. I used Creative Memories fine tip markers to do a little coloring around the door. The snowflake ribbon I purchased yesterday at Michael's and the snow flake punch is by EK Success. What do you think??

Colorful Cardinal Christmas Card

Here is a card made to cover two different location challenges. First today's Sketch Challenge over on Splitcoaststampers and then the PCP Color Challenge over on Papercraft Planet.

I flipped the sketch in order to use this beautiful cardinal image which is in the new SU "A Cardinal Christmas" set. The color combination is one I would have NEVER put together but am really pleased at the outcome. The colors are: Riding Hood Red, Really rust, Basic Gray (or going gray) and Whisper White. The three images used on this card are all from the same set.

What do you think?? I'm really pretty happy with this card ... may have to use this layout again soon! Thanks for stopping by and saying hello ... always good to hear from you!

Crafty Secrets Challenge - Punches

(Ooops ... I was supposed to tag this to post on Tuesday ... oh well, it's been a long day and I messed up ... so you get to see this post late Monday night .... sorry!)

Today's Crafty Secrets challenge over on SCS is hosted by "yours truly" and I've asked the gang to be creative in using their punches along with their Crafty Secrets product!! Why not come play along ... it's great fun!!!

I have seen SO many awesome ideas on everyone's blogs lately using corner punches, border punches and even images punches. I can't wait to see what these talented ladies come up with!!

On my card I have used the ever popular Martha Stewart doily lace border punch. My main image panel is made by cutting a 2-3/4" square piece of cs then centering it in the punch on all four sides. My image & Happy Birthday sentiment are from the Crafty Secrets Glamour Girls set and the other sentiment is by Hero Arts. I've used ocean green vellum with peach satin ribbon from Hobby Lobby, Hero Arts gems and Prima flowers. It's difficult to see in the photo (you can click on the image to enlarge) but I used a ZIG ocean green marker and did faux stitching across the bottom which is actually on the inside of the card.

Thanks so much for stopping by ... hope to have a few more things to share with you later in the day. Happy Stamping!!

Paper Craft Planet Color Challenge

Being a new member of the Papercrafters Planet (click on the side bar badge to view "my page"), I have joined in on a few groups. I am still finding my way around but having fun in the process. Today I noticed that the color challenge (in the Treehouse Stamps Group - Ashley Bowen) was to use kiwi kiss, baja breeze and white (or colors close to that).

So, not having the new SU - IN colors, I used old olive, soft sky and white. I also used a new SU set called "Nature Silouettes". The designer paper I used is Basic Grey-Boxer and I even took the time to clip out around the end flowers to give it a little more dimension. (you can click on the image for a larger view) The sky is a stamp by Ala Art and I made the moon by stamping a large sponge pod into summer sun and rocking one edge in pumpkin pie.

I'm happy with the outcome ... what do you think?? Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!

Stampin' D'Amour challenge with a RAK

Kris Dickinson (parkerquilter) over on Stampin' D'Amour has posted a "Get Ready for Christmas" challenge! (Yikes! Christmas is only 45 days away!!!) Kris is giving us until Nov. 17th to make/post a card and qualify for the awsome RAK she is putting together for this challenge. How great is that!!! If you are not familiar with Kris's work, please check out her BLOG which is jam-packed full of wonderfully creative projects. I am always in AWE of her work ... such a talented artist and sweet, sweet lady!!!

Anyways, back to the challenge! All you have to do is make a card, tag or ATC following these three simple guidelines: 1) Must be a Christmas Theme ... 2) Must use RED somewhere ... and 3) Lets see some sparkle or bling. That's it! So, what are you waiting for??? Get those sparkley, red, holiday card juices flowing and "show us what's you've got!!"

Oh yea, here's my contributions to the challenge. I used the same Stampendous image on both the tag & card.

The tag is sponged using SU real red ink ... image stamped using versamark then embossed with gold sparkle ep. Edged with a gold Pilot marker ... added a couple sprigs of ribbon and ta dah ... tag!

My card is whisper white and the Christmas red cs has been bordered using a gold Pilot marker. The image was stamped with Versafine Black and embossed with clear ep. I stamped the image again on whisper white and using my swivel craft knife, cut out the baby Jesus so I could use pop dots for dimension and focus! The ribbon is Jo Ann's gold organdy and the gold gems are from Michael's.

Thanks so much for stopping by and saying hello! I always LOVE hearing from you all!!

SCS Featured Stamper #92

OMGoodness ... this is my 3rd upload today!! Hope I'm not overloading you!! I've just finally had some time to play!!

Here is my card for today's Featured Stamper (Wendy Bell) over on SCS. Wendy has a great style and it was fun casing one of her creations. THIS is Wendy's card I cased and made it my own!!

My santa image is from the Vintage Christmas set by Crafty Secrets ... the HoHoHo is by Our Lady of Rubber and the stockings (3 on the stamp) is by Brother Sister Design Studio. My base card is actually basic black (hard to tell in the photo unless you click for a larger view) and the scene was created on glossy white which I inked using various SU inks and sponge pods. I cut out a circle using my Eclipse masking for the moon and positioned before sponging. I stamped the stockings on whisper white paper then cut around them with a swivel craft knife. I colored them using Creative Memories fine tip markers and attached using Making Memories brads. The snow is Icicle Stickles. Thanks again for stopping by and being so kind with your comments ... LOVE hearing from you when you have the time!!!

Papercraft Planet Sketch Challenge

Here is a card I made for the sketch challenge going on over on the Papercraft Planet ... have you checked out this site yet??? You really should, it's great fun and you'll probably see someone you know!!!

This was a "simple" sketch that really packed a PUNCH when completed!! The image is just a simple $1 stamp I picked up in my travels and I wished the photo showed it better, but I have embossed it using "black opal" embossing powder and it really has a festive sparkle. The red cs has a sparkle to it also and the designer paper is by The Paper Studio. I bordered the red matting circle with a silver Pilot marker (not the best job) but it helped make it stand out from the red bg without using another layer.

The sentiment is from Rubber Stampede and after stamping with SU real red, I cut it out using Fiskar postage stamp scissors ... mounted it onto the same green as the card and cut again. The snowflakes are from a EK Success punch. I'm happy with how this turned out and I can check another Christmas card off my list ... how great is that!!! Thanks for stopping by ... always good to hear from you!!!

Penny Black Fun ...

I was introduced to this blue cardstock with fine ribbing by a friend and what an easy, fun creation you can make by just stamping and coloring with a white Prisma pencil!! A while back I stamped off several of these two Penny Black images onto one sheet of this blue cs and colored them in with the white pencil then never got back to creating the cards with them. Well I must have been mentally waiting until I had purchased my SU Top Note die cut because it worked perfectly for these cards.

The color of this "special" blue paper matches perfectly with the SU Blue Bayou paper so that is what I coordinated it with. The only other cs I used was Whisper White and Basic Black. The card in the very front actually uses the negative space to the die cut used on the card to your left. (You can click on the image for a larger view). The card on your left was matted with a panel of blue bayou that I ran through the cuttlebug using the snowflake folder. The card in the back right was done on Whisper White which I bordered with red-line tape and prisma glitter (though it doesn't show well in the photo). I matted the die cut with blue bayou which I cut out using a swivel craft knife.

These two cards uses another Penny Black image which was stamped and colored in the same manner as the cards above.

I used my Nestabilities to create a sentiment for the top card and the bottom card has liquid applique used on the snow for a little more dimension. The background is actually shiny copper cs which was embossed using the Cuttlebug and the snowflake folder. I ticket punched the corners and used Colorbok metal dots for accent. (You can click on the image for a closer view).

Hope you like my cards ... thanks for stopping by!!

Stamp Simple #60 - Back to Nature

Happy Friday everyone! The weather here in NE Ohio is still beautiful although I'm hearing that's going to change very soon. We've been having 70 degree days and I've been very busy trying to get all of my last minute outside Fall cleanup chores done while I can. Chores are pretty well completed but that hasn't left me much time for stamping. Luckily, I hadn't finished trimming back my roses yet because when I saw Sharon Johnson's challenge for today ... I knew exactly what I wanted to do!!

Sharon's challenge over on her notimetostamp blog is Back to Nature ... using Nature Elements on your card/project. If nothing of nature is available, she does offer an alternative ... If you don’t have access to the *natural* items you’d like to use, you MAY use an artificial item (flowers, leaves, etc.), or you may STAMP the image if you don’t have access to either the real thing or an artificial item. See, EVERYONE can play this challenge!!! Just create away and HAVE FUN!!!

I made a "legal" size card using Whisper White cardstock then covered it with designer paper. I made a pocket using a scrap of "Ink, Spray & Smash" paper I had in my stash and did faux stitching to resemble a real pocket. I then popped up the pocket with dimensional tape so the rose stems would fit in properly. I had this cool mauve accent ribbon in my sewing stash and thought it would help pull things together. And there you have it!!

I would like to take a quick moment to thank Sharon, and all the design team ladies over on the Stamp Simple blog for their kind words and support over the past month as I was spotlighted as their "guest designer". These ladies made me feel "right at home" with them! THANKS LADIES!!!

Now why not give Sharon's challenge and try ... it's fun!! Don't forget to check out the other ladies cards/projects ... they are always inspirational!! Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!!

Sharing a friends creation ...

My friend, Linda Davis had this great card idea rolling around in her head for awhile now and I told her she'd better get it down on paper before she either forgot ... or someone else came up with it (which may have already happened).

Anyways, here is the cute card idea she had! The front is a House Mouse image and she used alphabet stickers for the "Say Cheese" sentiment. Laying them at different angles really gave it a cute whimsical look. She also ticket punched the corners, added Colorbok metal dots and did a little paper piercing to set the corners off. A little sponging helped to color in some of the "white space" and really gave it nice eye appeal.

NOW FOR THE "WOW" FACTOR: On the inside of the card is a "mirror" so when the little girl opens up her birthday card, the first thing she would see is herself ... is that a cute idea or what!! To hide the mechanics of the mirror mounting, Linda has embellished with these adorable "foamy" Blossoms & Leaves by Creative Impressions. She has also added little pearls in the flower centers ... all girls like flowers & pearls!!

Now isn't this a cute, clever card my friend has done! Linda doesn't have a blog but she does follow mine and would love to hear your thoughts on her creation ... please show her some love and leave a comment!! Have a GREAT day everyone!!

Heidi's "Candy for a Cause ..."

What a great idea Heidi has going on her blog right now!! It's called Candy for a Cause ... cards for the Ronald McDonald House. Please jump on over there and lend Heidi a hand reaching her goal. We all love making cards and here is a way to put our talents to good use!!!

Here is a snippet from her post: RMH is home to many sick children and their parents while their little ones are inpatient or getting treatment of all sorts. I want to collect cards for them to send out, I am looking for general cards such as Thinking of You, You make me smile, Thank you, I am there for you, Friendship ......... anything you think that they would use. My goal is 100 cards- so please help me reach that goal ...

With the holiday's rapidly approaching ... let's reach out to those who can't be HOME for the holidays!! Thanks!

A Get Well card for Allison

A few days ago I learned that one of the ladies over on SCS (Lauraly) had her young daughter in a Seattle hospital with a newly discovered brain tumor. This young lady is undergoing some pretty serious and dangerous tests to find out exactly what is going on. We've been asked to send a card to Ali to help keep her spirits up during this difficult time.

I was told that Ali likes PINK and GREEN as well as horses & dogs. I made my card using a get well House Mouse image that I thought might make her smile. I hope the medicine she has to take isn't the same color as this little guys medicine ... looks pretty yucky to me!!!

HERE is a link to the SCS thread if you'd like to follow Ali's progress or if you have the time, make her a card. Obviously, I have her address if you'd just like to contact me that would be great too! Help make a little girls pain a little less painful with a card to make her smile!! Thanks!!

CCEE Challenge - Sketchy

I found time this week to play the challenge over on the CCEE Stampers Blog. This week is a sketch challenge similar to the SCS sketch #SC75 with the exception of changing panel 3 to any shape other than square and we were to add eyelets. Every week is a new challenge idea and these ladies samples are AWESOME!

I love these new images from Stampin' D'Amour. If you like Vintage or Retro ... you really should check out Stampin' D'Amour. The owner, Pamela, has started her own rubber stamp line but carries a lot of other really awesome items as well.

I'm thrilled to be a member of her design team but really need to find more time to be creative!! Hope to have more unique items to show you in the near future!

Have a great day all ... and thanks for stopping by!!

SC201 & Color Throwdown Card

Today I combined the Color Throwdown challenge with the SCS sketch challenge. It's NOT my favorite but it's okay. I made my own bg papers using images from two of the new SU sets: A Wish for Peace & Winter Post. I used liquid applique for the snow of the branches.

I have a ton of projects to get started on & completed so I'd better get back to it!! I'll have more to share later. Have a great day all!!!

Paper Craft Planet

Have you been to the new PLANET yet???

You really must check it out!! It's called Paper Craft Planet: An Online Community for Paper Crafters. It's relatively new and it already has gathered a LOT of followers just in the past week!! A lot of familiar faces are there too!

I heard about PCP through my friend Tammy (stamphappy) who is now a member of their design team ... Congrats Tammy! They are still working on a few things but all in all ... things are running pretty smoothly. Check it out when you get the chance, you won't be sorry!!!

Crafty Secrets Challenge #41

Here is a card I did for today's Crafty Secrets Challenge over on the Crafty Secrets forum of SCS. Our hostess today was Lori Lynn (aka Lucy)! Lucy was kind to me (Ethel) this week on the clues for her challenge.

In case you are unaware, the hostess posts "clues" on Monday for the challenge she'll be posting on Tuesday. Most of the time the only clues I can figure out are Lori's and mine. When it comes to Joanne (angelnorth) and Pammyjo hosting, Lori & I have a terrible time (my brain obviously doesn't work the same way as theirs) and hence the Lucy & Ethel antics were born. We have had so much fun ... I look forward to this challenge every week!!

Lori's clues were: architecture ... McDonalds ... church

Yep, you guessed it: GOTHIC ARCHES

I first stamped my paper with a vintage christmas stamp by Stampers Anonymous then marked the arch using the template I printed from a website Lori provided for us, cut it out, edged it using a gold Pilot marker and matted it with Christmas red cs. I then continued to create my collage using images from both the Crafty Secrets Christmas Images & Journal Notes booklet and the Seasonal booklet, Michael's holiday ribbon and some holly charms I found in my stash. My card is A-6 in size and the bg designer paper is by Colorbok.

Thanks for stopping by ... always good to hear from you!!! Please come back!!

I've been TAGGED!!!

I've been tagged recently by not just one, but two friends.

A new The Rubber Cafe design team friend Michelle (randomcrafting) tagged me over a month ago (sorry Michelle ... I'm not very good at this) and more recently by my friend Tammy (stamphappy). So, I guess I'd better get this done.

The Rules
I am to link my tagger and list these rules on my blog.
Share 7 facts about myself on my blog, some random, some weird.
Tag 7 people at the end of my blog by leaving their names as well as their blog links.
Let them know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

OK ... here we go (boy, I hate this ... believe it or not, I'm not good at talking about myself!)

1) I've been married THREE times ... yep, 3rd times the charm ... what can I say, I'm obviously a slow learner in the marriage department!! (But I finally found what I was looking for!!)

2) Besides my paper crafting ... I am also a certified Floral Designer. I attended the Pittsburgh Floral Academy, worked in floral design at a couple shops in PA and even had my own business with a friend until having to move out of state.

3) Took dancing for 13 years starting at the age of 3 .... then went back to it as an adult until my granddaughter was born ... decided it was time for Dancin' Granny to hang up her tapshoes!!

4) I love to type. When I was working out in the world ... that is what I did best. Last I checked I can still type 90 wpm with 0 errors. (I've had lots of practice over the years.)

5) My favorite snack food is chips & french onion dip! ( Of course, as I've gotten older, ALL food is my favorite.)

6) I come from a HUGE family ... my mother had 3 brothers & 8 sisters! Her family name is MORGAN and it wasn't until MY granddaughter was born than anyone in the family named a baby Morgan. Her name is Morgan Darlene Franjko! (Now there are a few others ... guess it caught on!)

7) I am only 5'2" tall and my husband is 6'2" tall ... makes kissing a real "pain in the neck" !

Okay ... enough about me. Now I'm supposed to tag 7 others but I think I'll pass on that part for now ... maybe later! Thanks for stopping by ... hope I didn't bore you too much!!

Nestie Embossed Cards

I recently joined in on a new site called Paper Craft Planet and was so inspired by a set of cards created by JessJean that I had to make a couple for myself.

I have always used my Nestabilities for cutting but never took the time to figure out how to use them for just embossing! Well, when I saw jessjean's cards (and she gave instructions) I just had to give it a try and here's what I came up with. I used two ovals to emboss but will have to try it with just one! The santa image is from Crafty Secrets - Vintage Christmas and the cardinal is from SU - A Cardinal Christmas. Add a few prima flowers and some ribbon and there you have it ... instant card!!

It is just amazing to me how much inspiration there is out there ... and I'm trying to draw in as much as possible!! Hope somewhere along the line I have given you inspiration!! Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!!

Featured Stamper #91 - BECCA

This is my card for today's Featured Stamper over on SCS. If you have never seen Becca Feeken's work, you are in for a treat ... please take the time to stop by her gallery or her blog!

Here is Becca's card I chose to case today. Her gallery has so many beautiful works-of-art, it was difficult to decide what to pick!! She is a great inspiration and I need to take the time and try some of the techniques she shares on her blog.

My card is a 4.5" square. The base card is Whisper White and the double matting is made using Garden Green and Real Red. I made the background by using the ink, spray & smash technique onto watercolor paper. I chose Real Red & Old Olive reinkers for my colors. After drying with the heat gun, I stamped on this swirly image (The Rubber Cafe) and embossed with detail clear ep. My focus panel was made using the deer image from the new SU Winter Post set and the sentiment from the new SU A Cardinal Christmas set. I embossed the deer using Black Opal ep. The gems are Hero Arts and the ribbon is organza from Hobby Lobby.

Thanks so much for stopping by ... so glad you took the time out of your busy day to visit!!!!

"Cheater" Card

Happy Sunday afternoon all!!

To a true stamper, this is definately a "cheater card". The only stamping involved is the sentiment. I've had this paper (DCWV 12x12) for ever and it is so pretty, I just HAD to make it into a card. I didn't know how else I would use it ... if you use it scrapbooking, you cover the beautiful scene up with your photos.

It will work perfectly for that need it in a hurry card! Thanks for stopping by!!

Time Change

OMGosh ... can you believe it's NOVEMBER already!!!

For those of you that this applys to ... don't forget to change your clocks BACK!!! That's right, you get to pick up that extra hours sleep that you lost in the spring!!

Funny story ... after giving my husband some grief about what time it was this a.m. and we hadn't changed the clocks back yet ... he rolled over and immediately changed the clock. Then while we were talking he commented on how bright out it was for the time ... well, long story short we finally figured out that the new clock I bought for the bedroom was a "SMART" clock and had already changed the time back ... guess we don't have as much time to get ready for breakfast as we first thought!!!

Have a great day all!!! Hope the extra time you find in your day today is able to be spent stamping!!! See you later with some works-of-art (I hope)!! Enjoy!!

Twisted Chick Creations Flaxychick: Chocolate Covered Snowflakes#links#links

If you like chocolate and if you like blog candy ... you HAVE to check out Michelle's (flaxychick) blog. Click on the link below and then, don't forget to come back here to see me!!

Twisted Chick Creations Flaxychick: Chocolate Covered Snowflakes#links#links

Stamping Fun with a Friend!

I finally made time last evening to do some stamping with my friend Sandy. While she was compiling a beautiful Thomas Kinkade holiday gift set, I was busy jumping around from one thing and another! Here are a couple of cards I was able to get completed.

My friend Tammy (stamphappy) had some older stamps that she let her friends go through and take what we wanted and when I saw these cute little bunnies, I just had to have them. Aren't they sweet!!! After stamping the image on glossy white paper with India Ink Black, I colored it in using my inking nibs and SU inks. The framing was made using a negative I had left over from another project and the background pine paper is from a DCWV pack of 12x12 scrapbook papers. The words are from Hero Arts and I used my oval scalloped Nesties to showcase this sentiment. This card was fun and easy and I know exactly who I want to send it to!!

This next card was made for the challenge over on The Vintage Veranda site. If you like vintage, you MUST check out this site ... these ladies are awesome in their design and style. It's a new site and has LOTS to offer!

For their second challenge, they are looking for cards/projects dealing with HARVEST. Thanksgiving dinner always deals with the recent harvest in my family and when I saw this Fall cotton scrap by Crafty Secrets, I just had to have it for my card. Isn't this turkey-dude hilarious!!!

The bowl image is also by Crafty Secrets ... in their Little Chef set. I used the Fiskars postage stamp scissors for the edge on the red panel (since I don't have my SU scallop border punch yet) to mimic the edge of the "What's Cooking?" panel.

Well, that's all for today. Hubby's sitting next to me working on HIS computer for work and mentioned he's getting hungry so ... better go get something prepared!!! Thanks so much for stopping by and taking a peek ... ALL COMMENTS WELCOME!!! Happy Stamping My Friends!!!

The Rubber Cafe DT cards

I know, I know ... it's too early for Valentine's Day cards you say, but that happens to be what The Rubber Cafe DT is working on at the moment so please bear with me ... hey who knows, I might even give you some great ideas !!!

The four images I'm working with are the Woman's Face, Lg. Lace Heart, Floral Spray and Happy Valentine's Day.

The card on the left was made using ONLY 3 of the 4 stamps mentioned above. The only thing added was the Darice red sheer ribbon, colored the flowers in the spray using Prisma pencils and double matted the main image using glossy black and red cardstock. How simple yet elegant is this card ... I'm very happy with it!!

The card on the right is also a pretty easy card to make. I used SU whisper white as the card base then stamped it using the Happy Valentine's Day sentiment stamp with SU real red ink to make my background. The panels #2 & #3 are simply red cardstock which I have outlined using my Creative Memories round tip black marker and wrapped Michaels polka-dot sheer ribbon around the panel #3. The hearts where stamped using Versafine Black, colored the ribbons with a ZIG real red marker and cut them out with my handy-dandy swivel craft knife. Using a Creative Memories fine tip black marker, I hand wrote the Forever Yours sentiment inside the hearts.

What fun cards to make (once I finally got my creative juices flowing again ...) and look, I'm WAY AHEAD of the game!!! Thanks for stopping by and please come back again ... I LOVE hearing from you all!!! Have an AWESOME day ...

Stamp Simply Challenge #59

I am SO SAD!!!

This is my last week as Guest Designer on Sharon Johnson's blog (notimetostamp). It has been so much fun all month and I'm really going to miss all the talented ladies. I've enjoyed having the "heads-up" on what the challenge actually is before the Friday posting!!! Mind you, I WILL STILL be playing the challenge ... (another one of my all time favorites) but I'll just to WAIT like everyone else to see what fun idea Sharon has in store for us ... boo hoo!!

This week's challenge has to do with "Button Up for Winter". This means getting all those FALL chores done before winter hits ... so, we are to make a FALL card and incorporate a BUTTON on it! Thats it!!

The sentiment on my card says "Give Thanks" (thanks to all you gals over on Sharon's Blog for being so kind to me and making me feel like one of the gang) "and in all things be Grateful" (I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to get to know these ladies better and be inspired by their talents!)

Please take time to check out Sharon's blog for ALL the details on this challenge and also don't forget to check out the samples the design team ladies have come up with. I've linked their sites for easy access. Show a little love and leave them a comment, I'm sure they will LOVE it!!!
Sharon

Julie

Tammy

Janine

Dee

Jennifer

Becky

Thanks for stopping by and have a WONDERFUL day!!!

Color Throwdown Challenge #17

One of my other favorite challenges is the Color Throwdown Challenge blog. I got hooked on this one because my friend, Tammy Hershberger (stamphappy), is one of the ladies who started this blog. Thanks girlfriend!!

Today's colors are perfectly HALLOWEEN ... purple, orange, green & black. This card came together pretty quick when I discovered this Crafty Secrets image (one of their cuts) which actually has all four colors within the image! It just all came together from there! Pretty easy-peasy actually!

If you get the chance, please check out this fun challenge and the awesome samples the ladies provide for inspiration!! Once again, thanks for stopping by ... please come back!!

SCS Sketch Challenge #200

Happy Wednesday everyone!! When it's "over the hump day", I know it's time to play a couple of my favorite challenges! I LOVE doing sketch challenges whereever I find them and I always try to make time for the sketch challenge over on Splitcoaststampers.

Today's sketch was pretty easy peasy and that is exactly what I did with my card. I probably could have "dressed it up" a bit ... but sometimes simple is better.

Card recipe:

Stamps: Great Impressions

Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Really Rust, Very Vanilla & DCWV designer paper

Ink: Versafine sepia & Ranger vintage photo distress ink

Accessories: sponge applicator, Prisma pencils, Creative Memories square punch

Thanks so much for stopping by ... please come back!!

Crafty Secrets Challenge #40

Today's Crafty Secrets challenge is hosted by Joanne (Angelnorth). Joanne is being very "business" minded today and has asked us to make a card that would fit into a business sized envelope. These long cards are always fun (postage is same as A2) because you have more work surface to play with!!

The Crafty Secrets booklets have the perfect images for a long card and that is what I've used on my card today. This image came from the Christmas Images & Journal Notes booklet. There is actually the sentiment Merry Christmas under the ribbon ... I wanted to use a larger sentiment more positioned in the middle for my card so I hit the original with ribbon. My Seasons Greetings sentiment comes from the Crafty Secrets Vintage Christmas stamp set.

I don't think you can see it well in the photo, but I used an American Crafts gold glitter pen to go over the designs on the ornaments to give them a little sparkle and to tie in with the gold & red brads down the right side. (Looks better in real life!!)

Thanks for stopping by and PLEASE stop back!! I love hearing from all of you!! Have a great day ... we actually saw a few SNOW flakes here in NE Ohio this a.m. Good reason to spend more time in the craftroom ... that's where I'm headed ... how about you???

A simple Sympathy

My mother (age 78) is 1 of 12 children and she is next to the youngest. Needless to say, over the years I have lost a few of my aunts and uncles but there was still 6 of the 12 left until this past weekend. My uncle Boob (Wilbur) passed away on Saturday at the age of 93! Can you believe it, he was still handing out food to (as he put it) the old people for Meals-on-Wheels until just recently. I wanted to make a special card for my aunt ... she is going to miss him terribly ... they have been married "forever" and I sure the empty house is going to be very difficult for her.

I recently received my new rubber for my work with The Rubber Cafe design team, and thought the large lace heart would work perfectly to hold this beautiful irish saying ... and it did! I hope it will bring her a little comfort!

Thanks for stopping by ... have a great day!!

Dancing In Detroit

What a great weekend!! It was so nice to visit with our friends again after two years and the dancers were AWESOME!!!

The "girls" were out for a night on the town in Detroit and what a time we had!! (L-R: Jennifer, Nancy, Me, Sara). Sara got the tickets, did the driving and kept us all in stitches all night!!! (Sara is Nancy's daughter). It was so great that Mark felt up to coming along and hung out with Nancy's husband (Mark) for an evening of football/baseball on the TV and there was plenty of half-time food for the "boys" to eat ... Nancy made sure of that!!

If you like dancing and have never seen this show, you should really check it out ... these kids are amazing!! We had pretty good seats but bringing the binoculars along was a great idea for those "close up" views!! These kids danced "continually" and the show was so well put together! I can't wait until next season!! Being an x-dancer, I can "feel their pain" and know how exhausted they were at the end of the night!! What a GREAT time ...

Thanks for stopping by ... just had to share the fun time with you all and hope your weekend was as much fun as mine was!!!

SCS Sketch Challenge #199

It was so nice to find a little time today to make a card for this week's SCS sketch challenge. I think sketch challenges are my favorite ... sometimes the layout is the hardest part for me and the sketch takes care of that!!

I LOVE making Halloween cards ... too bad I never take time to send them out to anyone, LOL!!

The Crafty Secrets challenge this week is to use Orange & Black so this fits that challenge also. LOVE, Love, love these Crafty Secrets images ... whether they are stamps, booklet images or cut outs ... they are just so darned cute!!!

Check out what I did with the brads in the upper right corner (you can click on the photo for a better view) ... I decided to draw pictures on them with my EKSuccess photo pen. This is as close to pumpkin carving as I get these days and gave the card a little more whimpsie!!

The bg paper is by The Paper Studio ... the orange panel was punched with the Fiskars roping border punch and the BOO panel was made using images from the Crafty Secrets Halloween Fun stamp set. Hope you like it and thanks so much for stopping by!!!

Stamp Simple Challenge #58

This week's challenge over on Sharon Johnson's blog (notimetostamp) is to keep it FLAT. With the rising cost of everything these days ... including postage ... sending a flat card will certainly save you a few bucks. With the holidays not all that far away, I've put together a few gift sets of Thomas Kinkade cards.

I can't believe I didn't even use ribbon on these cards (ribbon is somewhat of an addiction with me in case you hadn't noticed, LOL).

I simply stamped the image using India Ink Black onto glossy white ... colored them here and there with various SU inks ... added a little prisma glitter and there you have it ... very simple and festive!

Please take time to check out Sharon's blog for ALL the details on this challenge and also don't forget to check out the samples the design team ladies have come up with. I've linked their sites for easy access. Show a little love and leave them a comment, I'm sure they will LOVE it!!!

Sharon
Julie
Tammy
Janine
Dee
Jennifer

Thanks for stopping by! It's always great to hear from you!!!