A Couple of Challenges!

I planned to post this yesterday, but alas, things don't always go as planned. Instead, we went ice skating and shopping for a few more Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils for Mommy...lol! It's back to school for us here tomorrow, and I wanted to be sure to squeeze in one last post before I head back to work. Here is my version of Kerry's first sketch challenge over at Three Clovers Designs. I basically took the sketch that she gave us and turned it on it's side. There is a method to my madness...lol! I wanted to use my sweet little lamb from High Hopes Rubber Stamps, and he just didn't fit right with the sketch the other way. By waiting an extra day, my card was able to work for the challenge over on the High Hopes Blog too. This week, we were asked to do some kind of sponging on our creation. I very lightly (and I stress the word lightly...lol) sponged Bashful Blue all around this sweet little guy for the sky. For a closer look, just click on the photograph and it should enlarge for you. In the past, I've ended up sponging way too much ink on a few of my creations, and really ended up ruining them. Now, I go with the less is more approach, and it seems to work out much better for me. I paired this image up with some spring-like papers (Nana's Nursery) from DCWV, a little bit of Regal Rose card stock, an American Crafts button, and a smidgen of May Arts gingham ribbon. Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope that you had a great weekend, and I hope that you have an even better Monday...Toodles! :D

Blogger's Inspiration Challenge

This week's Blogger's Challenge is an Inspiration Challenge. Lisa, our Challenge Mom, gave us this bedding photograph to inspire us to make a creation. Now that I have this picture very close to my actual creation, I can see that I'm off a bit with the colors...lol! I went with Stampin' Up's Riding Hood Red, and now I'm thinking that Really Rust might have been a better choice, but that is alright. The reason that I decided to go with the red color was because this sheet of Bella Rose Designer Paper has a similar print to the one in the inspiration piece. I distressed the edges a little and then ran gold ink over them. The little medallion image is from the retired Stampin' Up set called Gentler Times. I added a golden Making Memories brad to the center and I also added a little bit of golden embroidery thread to the strip of May Arts ribbon to tie everything together. A very simple and hopefully, elegant looking note card. Please click on the Blogger's Challenge logo to see what the other ladies in the group have come up with. Thanks so much for stopping by today. I'll be back tomorrow to share my creation for Kerry's new sketch challenge. Enjoy your evening...Toodles! :D

A Warm Hello!

This card was created for the sketch challenge over on the Spoon Full of Sugar blog. I haven't been able to play with one of their challenges in ages. It's so nice to have a little time off from work!

I would have posted yesterday, but we had a little situation here that included a visit from the Fire Department!!! Everyone is safe, but when I arrived home, our Carbon Monoxide detectors were going off..ugh! We don't really know what caused the problem exactly, but we have a new detector now and everything seems to be alright...Thank goodness!

Now back to the card details. I have been really working hard and practicing with my Prisma Premier Colored Pencils. I hope it shows! The High Hopes Stamp images are perfect for coloring! I ordered some new ones last evening because I'm sure that you are tired of seeing the same few that I have...lol! The sentiment is from Hero Arts. I was inspired by the plaid patterned paper from Scenic Route...hence the olive colored cowboy hat...lol! The green patterned paper is from Stampin' Up along with all of the card stock (Riding Hood Red, Old Olive, and Close to Cocoa). I used my Nesties, a few different EK Success punches, some copper brads from Making Memories, and a touch of faux stitching to complete my card. I wish you all a wonderful Wednesday, and thank you for visiting today...Toodles! :D

Mary Jo's Lunchtime Sketch!

Happy President's Day! I'm happy to be home today. It gave me the chance to play with Mary Jo's Lunchtime Sketch. It also gave me the chance to play with my new Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils! I have wanted to try them for the longest time. I decided to treat myself yesterday and used my 50% off coupon along with the balance on a gift card that I had received at Christmastime. I love the way they color! I have wanted to be able to shade correctly since I've started stamping. It's going to take more practice, but I'm quite happy with my first attempt! This little guy is named Norman and he is from High Hopes Rubber Stamps. I've had a little love affair with Norman for the past year! He is simply adorable and he has his own lobster...lol!! I used Mary Jo's sketch along with my favorite Stampin' Up Designer Paper (Summer Picnic) and some red and white polka dot ribbon and a touch of red and white gingham ribbon. Some card makers love Prima Flowers...I, however, love to use Buttons!! When I found this polka dotted one in my stash, I knew I had to add it to this card! It just seemed to be the right accent. Thanks so much for stopping by today...Toodles! :D

High Hopes Challenge #17

Well, this is certainly cutting it close! I've wanted to play with this sketch since the challenge was posted over on the High Hopes Blog last Sunday, but things around here just didn't work out the way that I had hoped. So, I took some time to just relax and stamp this afternoon and made this just in time before the next challenge is posted tomorrow. Here are all of the details...the main image is from High Hopes Rubber Stamps and I watercolored it with Stampin' Up inks. The sentiment is from Stampin' Up and the solid card stock (Old Olive, Buckaroo Blue, and Riding Hood Red) is as well. The patterned papers are from Chatterbox and I found these matching buttons in my stash. I hope that you have a very Happy Valentine's Day! Thanks so much for stopping by...Toodles! :D

Blogger's Challenge - Happy Valentine's Day

This week's Blogger's Challenge is to make something for Valentine's Day. I went digging through my Penny Black drawer and found these stamps. I just love these cute little critters! They make me smile every time I use them. I also went with last week's Blogger's Challenge sketch and turned it the long way. The papers are Stampin' Up's Real Red, Bashful Blue, and Summer Picnic. I then added some May Arts ribbon, an American Crafts button, and some faux stitching in the corners. My Nesties weren't large enough for the circle or the scalloped circle, so I traced a spool of Stampin' Up ribbon for the circle and I used my 1/2" punch for the red scallops. For more inspiration, please click on the Blogger's Challenge link in my right sidebar. I'm off to check out what the other ladies from the group have come up with. I hope that you have a very Happy Valentine's Day tomorrow. Thanks so much for stopping by...Toodles! :D

Blogger's Challenge Sketch and CTD28!

This week's Blogger's Challenge is a sketch challenge. I'm having a little trouble linking the sketch here, but if you check one of the other members of the Blogger's Challenge group, I'm sure that they'll have it in their post. Just click on the link in my right sidebar. I actually created a card that is pretty close to the sketch for once though...lol! I didn't realize it until my blogging friend, LeAnne, pointed it out, but these are the colors for this week's Color Throwdown Challenge...Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, and Chocolate Chip. What luck! Two challenges in one card! :D Here are all of the other details...I used the Stampin' Up set A Happy Heart along with their new Candy Lane Designer Series Paper. I actually paper pieced Ellie! This technique almost never happens for me...lol! My Nesties helped out with the large circle and the scalloped circle. My 1/2" punch and my tag punch were also used. A little silver swirl clip with a piece of Pink Pirouette ribbon and a couple of brads finish everything off. Sorry for the darker photo, but it's getting late here and I really wanted to post this on time. I wish you all a happy weekend! Thanks so much for stopping by...Toodles! :D

Yippee...No School!!!

Oh happy day! My school has a day off today! A very nice unexpected treat! The power went out just after noon time yesterday and now they are having some problems with the boiler. So...no heat, means no school! This happened at a great time because my new Trendy Trees set from Stampin' Up just arrived and I really wanted to play! What a fun set! The main colors are Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Riding Hood Red, and Pumpkin Pie. I also used the flower/circle from the True Friend set. The little hills for the trees are made from some Bali Breezes DSP, and the two panels are from the Bella Rose DSP pack. I added a couple loops of May Arts ribbon, a row of paper piercing after the sentiment (which you really need x-ray vision to see...lol), a couple of Making Memories brads in the corner, and my punches came in very handy to finish this card off. I must admit. I am more pleased with this creation than my last post. Amazing what a day off from teaching can do for a stamping girl...lol! Oh my, I almost forgot! This sketch is from Splitcoaststampers. It's SC195. I originally thought that I was doing this week's sketch challenge, but when I finished my card, I realized I clicked on the wrong link. Oh well, I'm just happy to have extra stamping time! Thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope you have a wonderful one! I'll be back some time tomorrow for Blogger's Challenge...Toodles! :D