ATTENTION PLEASE

** FYI **
Our LOVE THOSE PRETTY PAPERS blog has been hacked and we've had to start a new blog ... you can still enter our October challenge at the new blog. Here's the link: Love Those Pretty Papers

Sunday, November 9, 2008

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!!



Friday, November 7, 2008

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!!

Thursday, November 6, 2008

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!

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

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!!!

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

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!!

Monday, November 3, 2008

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!!

Sunday, November 2, 2008

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!!

Friday, October 31, 2008

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 ...

Thursday, October 30, 2008

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

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

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!!