CFC13 - Chicken Parade

It is a quiet Sunday morning and here and since my family is still snoozing, I had sme time to whip up a card for the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge #13 which is to make a CAS card out of a 4x9 card.  I immediately thought to use one of my favorite Penny Black stamps called Chicken Parade.

The sentiment is from a Denami Design stamp called Happy "bird"-day.  I always wanted to use one of those big 'ol PTI pure poppy buttons, they also was seemed too big on an A2 card, but I think this size was perfect for this card.  And there I go again with baker's twine.  Love that stuff!

Bridal Shower folded Invitations

I was asked to make some bridal shower invitations.  The bride's colors are black and cranberry.  Here's what I created:

I hand drew the silhouette and cut it out.  I stamped the flourish from the SU Priceless stamp set in versa mark and covered with glitter for a little glitz on the gown and tied some white seam binding in a knot around the waistline.  I heat embossed the sentiment.  Pretty simple, but packs a nice punch as it contrasts against the PTI scarlet jewel and black CS.  Oh, and I used a Martha Stewart borer punch as well.  

SNSDC13 - Orange, yellow, and Green

Well, it has been a fun ride, but I am stepping down from my DT position at the Sweet 'N Sassy Digi Challenge blog.  So, this card is my final DT card, BUT I will be announcing some exciting news on Monday so check back!  Anyway, this week's challenge is a color challenge.  Orange, yellow and green are the colors and I knew I wanted use the new 6 Petal Flower digital stamp to play along.

I went with a CAS design to really let the flowers take center stage.  I stamped that big "Merci" sentiment from the PTI "Think Big Favorites #3 stamp set though I was wishing I had a big "Aloha" stamp.  Wouldn't that have been perfect?!  Anyway, I cut out all of the flowers and then popped up the orange blooms with foam adhesive so that I could add dimension and easily layer the flowers.  You can't really see it in the picture, but I added some clear spica pen to the flowers for some shimmer.  I must say......I do love this card!  :)

Here are the copics I used to color the flowers and leaves:

OK, so now it is your turn to pick out a Sweet 'N Sassy Digi Stamp and play along with us!   Swing by the Sweet 'N Sassy Digi Challenge Blog see my talented DT members' creations for this challenge and then show us your stuff by linking up your entry!

VLVJUL2011 - week 1

I'm playing catch up on the July Viva La Verve Sketch Challenges!  As soon as saw the sketch for week #1, I immediately thought of the To the Moon stamp set!  

I used some digi paper from the Gingham Goodness Paper Pack by Trixie Scraps Designs.  The images and sentiments are mounted on a 1 1/4" square of either PTI spring rain or lemon tart CS.  I never miss a chance to add some baker's twine to a card...........even it is just a tiny little bow!

Here are the copics I used to color the images:

Here is the sketch:

VLVJUL2011 - week3

I've been pretty busy keeping up with DT responsibilities and finishing up wedding invitations I was hired to make........and working full time and taking care of my family.  Sooooooo, I have fallen behind in participating in the Viva La Verve challenges.  I am going to try to get all of the July challenges done this week so that I am eligible to win some free Verve......or able to feel less guilt when I order more to reward myself for having participated in all of the July challenges.  :)    I loved the sketch from week #3 so I started with that.

Verve Stamps definitely inspire me to produce cards that are somewhat outside my comfort zone, but I always love the end result and this is no exception!  The finished product is always something so delicate and beautiful looking. 


This time I inked up a sentiment from the Feel the Sun  stamp set and paired it with a flower from the One Person stamp set.  I chose some paper from the Basic Grey Hello Luscious paper pad and some PTI kraft, vintage cream, and sweet blush CS.  I sponged the edges with some PTI tea dye duo ink.  I stamped some text from the PTI Background Basics:  Text Style stamp set in SU crumb cake.    I colored the  flower with copics (R00, R01, R02, Y12, Y15) and popped both that and sentiment panel up with foam dimensionals.

Here is the sketch:

Paper and Such Challenge #6

Listen up all you sketch-a-holics!  This week is a sketch challenge over on the Paper and Such Design Blog!  I know many of my beloved blog followers love sketch challenges as much as I do and since you can use ANY image you want, there is no reason NOT to play along with us!  Here is my card:

How stinkin' cute is that image?!?!  I discovered these Teddy Bo images along my blog surfing way and since I love to color, I love them!  This one is called "Sunflower Bea."  I paired the image with some DSP from My Mind's Eye Gertie Papers 6x6 pad  which you can get in the Paper and Such Store.  

Here are the copics I used to color the image:

And here is the sketch:

Now, hop on over to the Paper and Such Design Blog for some additional inspiration from my talented DT members and then link up your creations!  Up for grabs is a $10 gift certificate to the Paper and Such Store and a Paper and Such "Princess of the Week" badge to proudly display on your blog! 

Here are my DT member's blogs:

Chupa - http://ipalamountain.blogspot.com/

Janice - http://inkeepaws.blogspot.com/

Taylor - http://taylorusry.blogspot.com/

JenMarie - http://taylormadebyjenmarie.blogspot.com/

Kim O'Connell - http://paperperfectdesigns.blogspot.com/ (that's me!)

Amber Hillman - http://www.ambersantics.blogspot.com/

Julie Smith - http://paperandsuch.blogspot.com/

Stamps:  Teddy Bo "Sunflower Bea  Ink:  PTI tea dye duo  CS:  PTI white, kraft, harvest gold, and terracotta tile  DSP:  My Mind's Eye Gertie Papers  Tools:  Nestabilities ovals, copics  Accessories:  rhinestones

PTI July Blog Hop

So glad I could sneak in time to play along with the PTI July Blog Hop tonight.....before I cook dinner! This time it is an inspirational photo challenge.  Here is my card:

And here is the inspirational photo:

I was inspired by the colors,  but also that pillow on the right.  I remember seeing Nichole use the new leafy vine border die to make a felt flower and those flowers on that pillow had me thinking I could try and make similar paper flowers using that die.  Once I wound the vine up with my paper twilling tool, I mounted it with a glue dot on top of the flower shape  from the Tiny Tags die collection and used that as my base.  I added tiny black gemstones to the center of the flowers.  Pretty, huh?!   Thanks for hopping by my blog!   

Stamps:  PTI Botanical Silhouettes, Turning a New Leaf, and Background Basics: Text Style  Ink:  SU kraft, PTI chai, Momento Tuxedo black  CS:  PTI kraft, whire, ocean tides, spring moss, and melon berry  Tools:  PTI leafy vine border die, PTI mat stack 4 die, PTI Turning a new leaf die collection, PTI Tiny tags die collection  Accessories:  black rhinestones

SFC108 - You Make me Smile

It's Monday.  (insert groan here)  The only good thing about that is that it is time for another Squigglefly Challenge!  The challenge is an easy one!  Get out your Kraft card stock and use it somewhere in your creation.  I LOVE kraft card stock and almost always use it as a base for my cards.  Here's my card:

I chose one of the newest Squigglefly images called Giggling Susie by Diane Carubia.  I love images that are sitting like this.  It looks so cute to have the legs dangling outside the round panel, don't you think?!  Here are the copics I used to color the image:

Play along with the Design Team and show everyone you are "Up To The Challenge" by grabbing the badge on the Squigglefly Blog! If you are a winner of the challenge, grab the Award Winner badge and proudly post it on your blog!

It's easy to play along! You can use any image to play along, but to be eligible for the prize you must use a Squigglefly image. Head on over to the shop, or check out our freebies! If you're the winner you get to choose any Squigglefly image (including sets!) as your prize!

Now head on over to the Squigglefly Blog see my fellow DT member's cards for some added inspiration and then play along with us!  

Stamps:  Squigglefly Giggling Susie, Verve Thankful Hearts  Ink:  SU early espresso, PTI tea dye duo  CS:  PTI kraft, vintage cream  DSP:  My Mind's Eye Gertie Papers  Tool:  Nestabilities circles, MFT Die-Namics Pretty Posies, 1/2" circle punch  Accesories:  SU build-a-brad

TSSC183 - With Sympathy

I wanted to wait and take a pic of this card in the morning in daylight, BUT the clock is ticking and if I am going to enter this card into the Techno Stamper Sketch Challenge #183, I have to do it now because the link is about to close!

Here's the sketch:

Stamps:  PTI Botanical Silhouettes, PTI Turning a New Leaf  Ink:  Momento Tuxedo Black, SU certainly celery, SU blush blossom   CS:  PTI black, white, spring moss, and sweet blush  DSP:  Me & My Big Ideas  Tools:  MFT Die-Namics Pretty Poppies, SU 1/2" circle punch PTI Turning a New Leaf die collection Accessories:  SU build-a-brad

MFTWST29 and RCC12

Don't know why, but I haven't played along with the MFT Wednesday Stamp Club Sketch Challenge in a bit, but I'm baaaaaaaa-aaaaaack!  My mom recently said she loves the cards I make with the MFT Pure Innocence stamps, so I decided play along this week and to ink my all time favorite Pure Innocence stamp set called Being Cute is What I Do.

The kraft card base and white CS is by PTI.  The rest of the papers are from the July Taylored Expression Key Ingredients Kit.  That baker's twine by My Mind's Eye is part of the kit as well.  The button is a PTI sweet blush button.  I used the MFT Pretty Posies Die-Namic to make the flower, hand cut the leaves, and added some faux stitching to the leaves with a white gel pen.  

Here the sketch:

UPDATE:  This card was chosen as a "Favorite Find"on the MFT Blog!

I am also entering this into the Ribbon Carousel Challenge #12 which is to use button as well as something form a spool.  My button and pretty baker's twine work for this challenge!

MOJO200 and Teddy Bo Challenge #14

Happy 200th Mojo Monday to you!  I am playing along because, well, because I usually do AND because Julee Tilman over at Verve Stamps is randomly giving away as many as eight $25 Verve gift certificates and one can never have enough Verve in their stampin' stash!!

I had yet to color up this super sweet image called "Flowers are nature's paintings" from the Teddy Bo Teddy Bea line so tonight was the night.  I was bad about making a pile of copics I used so I am not listing them tonight like I usually  do.  Sorry about that!   I paired the image with that pretty sentiment from the Verve "Hope Blooms" stamp set.   That DSP is from the SEI Aunt Gerti's Garden collection.

Here is the sketch:

I am also entering this in the Teddy Bo Challenge #14 

which is a Teddy Bea only challenge!

SNSDC12 - Sympathy Card

Happy Friday!  Another work work down.  Bring on the weekend!  It's time to play along with the Sweet 'N Sassy Digi Challenge of the week.  This week we are making sympathy cards.  I decided to use one of the newest digi stamps called 6 Petal Flower.  Such pretty blossoms!

Here are the copics I used to color the flowers:

You must use a Sweet 'N Sassy digi stamp to play along and there are plenty from which to choose!  Hop on over to the Sweet 'N Sassy Digi Challenge Blog for a little added inspiration from my fellow DT members and then get to work!  We'd love to see your creations so go ahead and play along and show us what you've got!

Stamp:  Sweet 'N Sassy 6 Petal Flower digi stamp, PTI Turning a New Leaf  Ink:  SU old olive  CS:  PTI black, white, and SU pretty in pink  DSP:  Me & My Big Ideas black & white color basics  Tools:  Nestabilities circles, white gel pen, copics, clear Spica pen

July Verve Diva Dare - Sentimental about Paper

I've said it one.  I've said it twice.  I've likely said it much more than that.  I LOVE the sentiments and fonts of the Verve Stamps so it was a pleasure to play along with the July Verve Diva Dare!  The theme is "Sentimental about Paper."  The challenge is to have a sentiment take center stage (no images) and to pair it with some of that pretty patterned paper we all hoard and love. Here's my card:

I used the Cardabilities Sketch #35 for inspiration so I will be entering this card in that challenge as well.  Here is the sketch:

Stamps:  Verve Stamps "One Person"  Ink:  SU Early Espresso, PTI Tea Dye Duo  CS:  PTI kraft and vintage cream  DSP:  My Mind's Eye Gertie Papers  Tools:  Nestabilities circles and scallop circles, MFT Die-Namics rolled rose die, SU Sizzlet Little Leaves  Accessories:  baker's twine, PTI dark chocolate button, red pearls, rhinestones

SSSC126 - It's a Girl!

Each week I sit down and write out the list of challenges in which I want to play along.  My list for the week is mostly sketch challenges so not much to combine this week!  I had yet to ink up one of my newest PTI sets called Bundle of Love so I decided to break it open to play along with Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #126.  My cards always seem to come together quickly when I play along using one of Karen's sketches and this was no exception.

Here's the sketch:

Stamps:  PTI Bundle of Love  Ink:  Momento tuxedo black  CS:  PTI kraft, white, sweet blush, and berry sorbet DSP:  PTI polka dot parade  Tools:  Martha Stewart border punch   Accessories:  PTI berry sorbet saddle stitch ribbon, pearls

Gettin' My Diva On in July

It' s no secret that I have become smitten with Verve Stamps since ordering my first set a few months ago ..................all of the beautiful sentiments, artsy combo of fonts, and gorgeous flowers to color with my beloved copics!  So, when I saw that I could have a chance to be a Verve Guest Designer by playing along with the "Get Your Diva On" Challenge, I HAD to play!  A girl can dream, right?

This challenge is called "Pretty Purse Plastic."  You have to use either one of the plastic gift cards from the challenge or use one of your own for inspiration.  If you use one of your own, post a pic of the gift card on your blog.  I loved this week's sketch challenge over on the Clean and Simple Stamping blog so I used that sketch for added inspiration.  First, I will show you my card:

And here is the gift card I used for inspiration:

I stamped a bunch of flowers from the Wishful Elegance stamp set and colored them with copics to create my own patterned paper.  I added some glossy accents to the center of the flowers to pay homage to the pretty shiny plastic gift card.  The sentiment is from the Great Friend stamp set which just may be my favorite stamp set.  Since I added some faux stitching to the dark chocolate banner, I am also going to enter this card into the Do You Stack Up Challenge #28. 

And here are the copics I used to color those flowers:

Stamps:  Verve "Wishful Elegance", Verve "Great Friend"  Ink:  Momento tuxedo black and rich cocoa  CS:  PTI white, melon berry, dark chocolate, terracotta tile  Tool:  SU scalloped border punch, Sizzex Flowers #6 embossing folder, copics, white gel pen  Accessories:  Glossy Accents, pearls

FTL148 - Happily Ever After

My brother asked me to make a wedding card for him and he asked for something masculine.  So, no ribbons, no flowers, no bling.  Hmph. Tricky for a wedding card!  I decided to go with a classic black & white color scheme and a CAS layout.  I thought the Clean and Simple sketch #148 was the perfect fit!

I just love the combination of font on the sentiments from the PTI Botanical Silhouettes stamp set.  That houndstooth DSP is by Me & My Big Ideas and it is paired with PTI black and white DSP.  

Home Sweet Home

I needed to make a "New Home" card today so I used the Sunday Sketch and Stamp Challenge #63 for inspiration.  My absolute favorite stamp set to use to make new home cards is PTI's Boards & Beams.  This image was perfect because the person for whom I am making this card just bought a 3 story town house.  

Here are the copics I used to color the image:

And here is the sketch:

Stamps:  PTI Boards & Beams CS:  PTI white, kraft, pure poppy, and dark chocolate  DSP:  Sorry!  No idea - this was a piece of scrap  Tools:  1.5" circle punch, 1.75" circle punch  Accesories:  Baker's twine, a PTI dark cholcolate button, red pearls

SNSDC11 - Bling it on!

It's Friday again!  Woot! Woot!  Time for another Sweet 'N Sassy Digi Challenge!  This weeks theme is "Bling it on!"  I chose to bling up the centers of the flowers on the Flowers from Cocoa digital stamp.

I used PTI kraft and white card stock and the rest of the CS and DSP is from a Taylored Expression Key Ingredients kit.  Here are the copics I used to color the image:

Now it's your turn to play along!  Remember that you must use a Sweet 'N Sassy digi stamp to play along.  Be sure to head on over to the Sweet 'N Sassy Digi Challenge Blog for some added inspiration and then link up your creation!

MOJO199 - Kind Words

I was one lucky duck who won a whopping $30 Verve buckaroos just for commenting along the way on a recent blog hop!  I ordered some new goodies with my Verve cashola......plus spent some of my own cashola so you can expect see a bunch of postings with my new Verve stamps in the near future.  


I am playing along with the Mojo Monday Sketch #199 tonight.  I inked up that oh so pretty sentiment from the Kind Words stamp set and that little flower image is from the Feel the Sun stamp set.

I just love the mix of fonts in that sentiment!  The mix of fonts in the beautiful sentiments is one of my favorite things about Verve Stamps.................plus all of their gorgeous flower images to color!  I snuck in some baker's twine which my other new obsession. 


Here's the sketch:

Stamps:  Vere Stamps "Kind Words" and "Feel the Sun"  Ink:  Momento Tuxedo black, PTI tea dye duo  CS:  PTI vintage cream, rasberry fizz, hawaiian shores   DSP:  Basic Grey Hello Luscious, October Afternoon Thrift Shop  Tools: Nestabilties circles and scallop circles, copics (RV19, RV14, RV13, RV10). MFT Die-namics jumbo scallop Accesories:  Twinery pink sorbet baker's twine

CR84FN33 - Farewell, Friend

One of my co-workers will soon be moving on to new adventures, so I am making a card for her.  My intention was to play along with the CR84FN33 challenge with  the colors of red, white, and pink.  However, I HAD to add a bit of brown so I hope it still counts!

Have I mentioned that I am hooked on Teddy Bo images lately?  Maybe once or twice.  This sweet image called "Can you see me?" from the Teddy Bea line was perfect for a farewell card!  That cool DSP is digi paper called "Strawberry Squares" by Sassy Designs.

Not sure if this will fly with the CR84FN color challenge, 

but I might as as well try!

Stamps:  Teddy Bo's Teddy Bea "Can you see me?  CS:  PTI dark chocolate, white, sweet blush, pure poppy  DSP:  Sassy Designs Strawberry Squares  Tools:  nestabilities circles, copics (R85, R83, R81, E57, E55, E53, E51, R29, R24, R05)  Accessories:  SU chocolate chip satin ribbon

Happy Birthday Cake

It's another great sketch this week over on the Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge Blog!  I recently stumbled across the Teddy Bo website and now I am absolutely hooked on their adorable images!  This week on the Teddy Bo Challenge Blog, you must use an image from their Teddy Bea line so I chose "Happy Birthday Cake"  and combined the challenges.

Don't you just LOVE her dangling leg?!  ACK!  She's so sweet!  Here are the copics I used to color the image:

And here's the sketch:

  

Stamps:  Teddy Bo's "Teddy Bea Happy Birthday Cake," sentiment from PTI Inside & Out Birthday  Ink:  Momento rich cocoa  CS:  PTI vintage cream  DSP:  DCWV Animal Crackers Matstack  Tools:  copics, SU large oval punch Accessories:  SU pretty in pink satin ribbon, glitter

Happy Birthday Wishes

This is my 2nd post of the day so if you are here for the Paper and Such Challenge, click HERE!


So, I am combining a few challenges with this next card.  I am entering this card into the following challenges:


Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #125 - sketch challenge
Stamps R Us Challenge - "Through the Garden Gate" theme
Cupcake Craft Challenge - Choose your favorite challenge (I chose flowers)
Just Us Girls Technique Challenge- cardstock buttons

You can find the tutorial on how to make the cardstock buttons HERE!

Stamps:  Verve Great Friend, PTI Botanical Silhouettes  Ink:  Inkadinkadoo indigo dye ink, momento tuxedo black, Color Box moss green  CS:  PTI rasberry fizz. white DSP:  My Mind's Eye Happy Go Lucky  Tools:  Nestabilities circles, crop-a-dile, copics (RV19, RV14, RV13, RV10), SU scallop border punch  Accessories:  Twinery pink sorbet baker's twine, sheer white ribbon

Paper and Such Challenge #5

It's time for a Paper and Such Challenge!  This is my first challenge as a Paper and Such DT member so I am excited to play along!  This week we have an color challenge.  

Here's the photo:

Ahhhhhh!  Look at those colors!  How can you NOT play along?!

Typically I choose my image first and build my card from there, but this time I built my card backwards!  I immediately pulled out a sheet of PTI kraft, vintage cream, dark chocolate and orange zest card stock a piece of patterned paper from the PTI Autumn Abundance paper pad.  I also knew I wanted some button and twine on my card to go along with theme of the items in the photo.  THEN I decided on my image and this Milton with Daisy Stamp was perfect!  I colored the image with copics and added some clear spica pen to the center of the flower.

  Here are the copics I used:

Now, check out my fellow DT members blogs for some additional inspiration and then show us what you've got by linking up your entry to the Paper and Such Design Blog!  What are the rules you ask?  RULES SHMULES!    You can use any image from anywhere in the whole entire world, BUT you can only enter twice per challenge.  I know.  VERY strict.  I apologize.  Up for grabs is a $10 gift certificate to the Paper and Such Store so get crackin'!  

Chupa - http://ipalamountain.blogspot.com/

Janice - http://inkeepaws.blogspot.com/

Taylor - http://taylorusry.blogspot.com/

JenMarie - http://taylormadebyjenmarie.blogspot.com/

Kim O'Connell - http://paperperfectdesigns.blogspot.com/ (that's me!)

Amber Hillman - http://www.ambersantics.blogspot.com/

Julie Smith - http://paperandsuch.blogspot.com/