Two of my favorite people....

Saturday while I was working on my cards for the week, I got an email that just made my day.
It was a picture of my friends, Denise and Renee, working on the Step It Up! card from Sept. 18th, the patchwork pumpkin! I just have to share it here!

Miss you both, can't wait to see you again!

Quick Card Sunday

I know it is not fancy, or complicated, but I just love this card. I may add some inking to the leaves but even without it I like the simplicity of this card.

Happy Halloween Everyone!

I used:
Paper: Basic Black CS #121045, Pumpkin Pie CS #105117, Old Olive CS #100702, DSP Stack Brights #117155, DSP Stack Neutrals #117157, Woodland Walk DSP #117389
Stamps: Sanded #109294
Ink: Pumpkin Pie #105216, Basic Black #101179
Other: Two-Step Bird Punch #117191, Sponge #101610, sewing

Step It UP! Saturday #11

Step 1 Card:

I used:
Paper: Concord Crush CS #119792, Whisper White CS #100730, DSP In-Color hostess pack #121028
Stamps: Flight of the Butterfly #111564, Butterfly Prints #120738
Ink: Concord Crush Marker #119801, Basic Black #100082, Pear Pizzazz #119801
Other: Butterfly Punch #119848, Aquapainter #103954


Step 2 Card:

I used: Same as above plus....
Basic Black CS #121045, Brads neutrals-black #119736


Step 3 Card:

I used: Same as above plus . . . . .
Grosgrain ribbon black #109027, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder #117335

Thanks for stopping by and looking!  Leave a comment and make my day :-)

Use It UP! Friday

I used:
Paper: Old Olive CS #100702, Very Vanilla CS #101650
Stamps: Organic Grace -retired
Ink: Old Olive #102277, Early Espresso #119680, Cajun Craze #119678, Cherry Cobbler #119681, Cats Eye Fluid Chalk (Non SU)-creamy brown, chestnut roan, dark brown
Other: brads -non SU

Technique Thursday

Repeating patterns with different color.... it may be a bit of a stretch as far as calling it a "technique" but it sure looks really pretty. I stamped in versamark on 4 different colored CS and used gold embossing powder, and then 'fussy' cut the leaves. This isn't a card to mass produce, but it didn't take as long as I thought it would.

I used:
Paper: Early Espresso CS #119686, Wild Wasabi CS #108641, More Mustard CS #100946, Whisper White CS #100730, Autumn Spice Specialty DSP #120808
Stamps: Day of Gratitude #121148
Ink: Early Espresso Marker #119680, Wild Wasabi Marker #120975, Cajun Craze Marker #119753, Versamark #102283
Other: XL Decorative Label Punch #120907, Early Espresso Satin Ribbon #119753, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder #120175, Gold Embossing Powder #109129, Dimentionals #104430


Thanks for stopping by and looking!  Have a wonderful day :-)

Wednesday - Cards I love

I used:

Paper: Early Espresso CS #119686, Old Olive CS #100702, Whisper White CS #100730, Play Date DSP #117168

Stamp: Curly Cute #120510

Ink: Early Espresso #119680

Other: Old Olive Satin Ribbon #117292, Two-Step Owl Punch #118074, sewing

Thanks for stopping by and looking!  Have a great day :-)

Tuesday Tip

Today's Tip is..... sometimes it is good to keep it simple.

This card may not look simple, but it really is.

With the exception of the two leaves, everything is stamped on one layer. There are no fancy techniques in the stamping. Just stamp with ink.

I LOVE this card. I did use EVERY stamp in the French Foliage set but it is a simple card.

I used:

Paper: Early Espresso CS #119686, Sahara Sand CS #121043, Whisper White CS #100730

Stamps: French Foliage #121166, Sincere Salutations #115068

Ink: Early Espresso #119680, Sahara Sand #105105, Cajun Craze #119678

Other: Satin Ribbon #119753, Dimentionals #104430

Thanks for stopping by and looking!  Leave a comment and make my day :-)

Mojo Monday 162

I used:

Paper: Pear Pizzazz CS #119795, Early Espresso CS #119686, Very Vanilla CS #101650, Autumn Spice Specialty DSP #120808

Stamps: Day of Gratitude #121148

Ink: Pear Pizzazz Marker #119801, Early Espresso Marker #119680, Cajun Craze Marker #119678

Other: Taffeta Ribbon #119963, Dimentionals #104430, Brads #119740

Thanks for stopping by and looking!  Leave a comment and make my day :-)

Sunday Anniversary Card

Today is my 12th anniversary.

I used:
Paper: Chocolate Chip CS #102128, Whisper White CS #100730, Bashful Blue CS #105120
Stamps: Medallion #115223, French Script-retired but you can use En Francais #109521, Baroque Motifs #113490
Ink: Bashful Blue #105209, Chocolate Chip #100908
Other: Oval Punch #119855, Scallop Oval Punch #119856, Organza White Ribbon -retired, Dimentionals #104430


Thanks for stopping by and looking! Have a wonderful day :-)

Step It UP! Saturday #10

Step One Card:

I used:

Paper: Crumb Cake CS #120953, Whisper White CS #100730

Stamps: Long Fellows Hostess Set

Ink: StazOn Black #101406, Pear Pizzazz Marker #119801

Other: Computer generated sentiment -font: Digs My Heart, Sakura Pigma Micron 01 Pen, Dimentionals #104430, Aquapainter #103954

Step Two Card:

I used: Same as above plus...

Greenhouse Gala DSP #117167, Brads #119736

Step Three Card:

I used: Same as above plus. . . .

Basic Black CS #121045, Pear Pizzazz CS #119795, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder #117335

Thanks for stopping by and looking! Leave a comment and make my day :-)

Use It UP! Friday

I used:
Paper: Basic Black CS #121045, Whisper White CS #100730, Printed Paper -non SU
Stamps: Haunting Halloween -retired
Ink: Pumpkin Pie Marker #105115, Going Grey Marker -retired, Basic Grey Marker #121044, Garden Green Marker #100080, Elegant Eggplant Marker #105110
Other: Dimentionals #104430, 2-way glue #100425, Dazzling Diamonds #102023, Ribbon non-SU, Aquapainter #103954

Technique Thursday

Cards I LOVE....

Today my baby is FIVE.
We celebrated this past weekend but I thought I would share the card I made for his special day today.

I used:
Paper: Crumb Cake CS #120953, Early Espresso CS #119686, Real Red CS #102482, Tempting Turquoise CS #102067, Whisper White CS #100730, Patterns DSP Stack-Brights #117155, Play Date DSP #117168
Ink: Computer generated sentiment
Other: 2-Step Owl Punch #118074, Old Olive Satin Ribbon #117292, Square Lattice Embossing Folder #119976, Corner Rounder Punch #119871


Happy Birthday Joel! 


Thanks for stopping by and looking! Have a great day :-)

Tuesday Tip

Today's tip is. . . . every once in a while make a card with just one color and a neutral. This kind of card isn't easy for me. I like my bright colors and printed DSPs. For this one I am really using 2 neutrals -River Rock and Black.  I like the way it turned out. I think the key is to have enough detail in the card to add interest. Try it!

My friend Jeanne really likes river rock so this card was inspired by Jeanne!

I used:
Paper: Basic Black CS #121045, River Rock CS #108640, Patterns DSP Stack Neutrals #117157
Stamps: Just Believe #120453
Ink: Versamark #102283, StazOn Black #101406
Other: Black Embossing Powder #109133, Oval Punch #119855, Mat Pack #105826, Ribbon and brads non-SU

Mojo Monday 161

I used:
Paper: Early Espresso CS #119686, Whisper White CS #100730, Greenhouse Gala DSP #117167
Stamps: Happiness Shared #120534, Just Believe #120453
Ink: Baja Breeze Marker #120965, Pear Pizzazz Marker #119801, Early Espresso Marker #119680
Other: Early Espresso Satin Ribbon #119753, Oval Punch #119855, Scallop Oval Punch #119856, Mat Pack #105826


Thanks for stopping by and looking! Have a great day :-)

Quick Card Sunday

I used:

Paper: Very Vanilla CS #101650, Basic Black CS #121045, Newsprint DSP #117166

Stamp: Afterthoughts (level 1 hostess), Artifacts -retired

Ink: Stazon Black #101406, Versamark #102283

Other: Clear Embossing Powder #109130, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder #120175, Brad non-SU, Fluid Chalk non-SU, Distressing Tool (Cutter Kit) #106958

Thanks for stopping by and looking! Have a wonderful day :-)

Step It UP! Saturday

Step 1 card:

I used:
Paper: Early Espresso CS #, Whisper White CS #, Play Date DSP #
Other: Two-Step Owl Punch, Oval Punch, computer printed sentiment


Step 2 Card:

I used: Same as above plus...
Top Note Die #, Mat Pack #, Circle Punch #




Step 3 Card:

I used: Same as above PLUS... Dotted Scallop Ribbon Punch #119275, Scallop Edge Border Punch #119882, sewing

Thanks for stopping by and looking! Leave me a comment and make my day :-)

Use It UP! Friday

I love my knobly gnomes.

I used:

Paper: Basic Black CS #121045, River Rock CS #108640, Very Vanilla CS #101650, Newsprint DSP #117166

Stamps: Knobbly Gnomes -retired

Ink: Daffodil Delight Marker #119677, Real Red Marker #100052, Pacific Point Marker #120968, Old Olive Marker #100079, Crumb Cake Marker #120967, River Rock Marker #120972, Soft Suede Marker #120973, Chocolate Chip Marker #100071

Other: Aquapainter #103954, brads (non-SU), ribbon (non-SU), Square Lattice Embossing Folder #119976, Ticket Corner Punch #119867, Sponges #101610

Thanks for stopping by and looking! Have a wonderful weekend :-)

Technique Thursday

This may not be new to most of you but I don't ever think to do it - using a circle punch to create a scallop edge. It was fast and easy, and I think it is oh, so cute! I will be trying this technique in different ways in the coming weeks.

I used:
Paper: So Saffron CS #105118, Early Espresso CS #119686, Play Date DSP #117168
Stamps: Flight of the Butterfly #111564
Ink: Early Espresso #119670
Other: Circle Punch #119868, Butterfly Punch #119848, Old Olive Satin Ribbon #117292, sewing

Thanks for stopping by and looking!  Leave a comment and make my day :-)

Cards I LOVE....

I made this over the weekend for my Uncle Bob, who was in the hospital last week. I love the bright and cheery colors, and I think the images are so cute! I love this card so much, I made two. :-)

I used:
Paper: Basic Black CS #121045, Real Red CS #102482, Whisper White CS #100730, Patterns DSP Stack -Brights #117155
Stamps: Morning Cup #120489-clear #116988-wood
Ink: Pacific Point Marker #120968, Old Olive Marker #100079, Daffodil Delight Marker #119677, Real Red Marker #100052
Other: sewing, ribbon (non-SU)

Thanks for stopping by and looking :-)

Tuesday Tip

Buttons... How do you like to use buttons? Here is a card I made this weekend with buttons...

I used:
Paper: Basic Black CS #121045, Cherry Cobbler CS #119685, Very Vanilla CS #101650, Love Letters DSP #117162
Other: Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die #114507, Big Designer Buttons Deck the Halls #121002
twine #100982


I made another card last January using buttons. I was wanting to make one of those cute cherry cards but didn't have the stamps or paper so I used what I had to come up with a substitute....

The card stock and buttons are SU but they are retired (except for the whisper white). The printed paper and ribbon are non-su, and the sentiment is printed from the computer. I just wanted to share another example of buttons as a focal point and not as an accent.

Thanks for stopping by and looking! Leave a comment and make my day :-)

This award was sent to me by the very sweet and helpful, Beth. Check out her blog... Crafts by Beth

Thank you, Beth.

The rules for receiving this award:

1. Thank the person that passed it to you.
2. Copy the award to your blog.
3. Share three things about yourself that you enjoy doing.
4. Pass the award on to 5 others


The three things I would like to share...
1. I love art ... I love learning about artists, seeing their work, and tying to understand their vision.
2. I love a well told story. I love it even more if it is true. I will often end up researching interesting stories and find out all the little details.
3. I used to LOVE to roller skate as a kid. I think I would still love it.... I need some sidewalks

The five others I would like to pass this award to...
1. Louise -her blog is Kard Krazy  she is such a wonderful artist, and I love her work
2. Lynn Pratt -her blog is Stamp-n-Design it is AMAZING what Lynn can do with paper
3. Kelly - her blog is Arizona Stamp Lover Designs - this a fun blog with scrap pages and cards
4. Meg - her blog is Corgi Creations - I love her style and wish I could create cards like hers
5. Sankari and Brooke -their blog is Cinema Saturday Creative Challenge - I was so happy to have found this blog. It combines two of my favorite things... movies and cards<3

Mojo Monday 160

Note to self:
1. Do not make cards before coffee
2. Reserve the right to do-over, but post anyway.


With the above in mind, I will post this card, but I don't like it and I reserve the right to do-over.
I have a busy week and got most of my cards made for the week - and I love them- but this one just wasn't going right....

I used:
Paper: Tempting Turquoise CS #102067, Whisper White CS #100730, Patterns DSP Pack-Brights #117155, and Neutrals #117157
Stamps: Morning Cup #120489-clear #116988-wood
Ink: Tempting Turquoise Marker #100058, Pear Pizzazz Marker #, Melon Mambo Marker(say that three times fast) #121074, Daffodil Delight Marker #119677, Crumb Cake Marker #120967
Other: Buttons-retired, ribbon non-SU

Quick Card Sunday

I love this card. I really LOVE clean and simple cards that are still interesting. I have thought about trying to make this into a Step It UP! card but I don't think I can. I love it just as it is.

I used:

Paper: Pacific Point CS #111350, Whisper White CS #100730, Real Red CS #102482, Playdate DSP #117168

Stamps: Occasional Quotes -hostess set

Ink: Pacific Point Marker #120968, Real Red Marker #100052

Other: Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder #117335 

Thanks for stopping by and looking! Leave a comment and make my day :-)

Step it UP! Saturday

Level 1:

I used:
Paper: Crumb Cake CS #120953, Very Vanilla CS #101650, Elegant Soirée DSP #117163
Stamps: Word Play #120651-clear #120308-wood
Ink: Crumb Cake Marker #120967, Baja Breeze Marker #120965
Other: Very Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon #109071




Level 2:

I used: Same as level one plus . . . Square Lattice Embossing Folder #119976




Level 3:

I used: 
Same as above plus . . . Soft Suede CS #115318  and Deck the Halls Big Designer Buttons #121002

Use It UP! Friday

Not a great picture of this card but it will have to do.

I have had this brushed silver card stock for YEARS. It is so pretty I haven't wanted to use it up. LOL!

I used: 

Paper: Whisper White CS #100730, Brushed Silver CS #100712

Stamps: Season of Joy #110384

Ink: Versamark #102283

Other: Silver Organdy Ribbon -retired

Thanks for stopping by and looking! Leave a comment and make my day :-)

Technique Thursday

Cards I LOVE....

I used:
Paper: Early Espresso CS #119686, Pear Pizzazz CS #119795, Very Vanilla CS #101650, Autumn Spice DSP #120808
Stamps: Lovely as a Tree #115026, Thank You Kindly #111700
Ink: Pear Pizzazz Marker #119801, Early Espresso Marker #119680, Old Olive Marker #100079, Crumb Cake Marker #120967
Other: Brads-Brights #119738, Aquapainter #103954

Thanks for stopping by and looking! :-) Leave a comment and make my day!

Tuesday Tip

Before I post a picture of today's card, I think it requires a little bit of a back-story.
I have a ton of pictures I have saved over the years for inspiration. When I am not feeling inspired I go through these saved images or I start blog hopping. I am not sure where the card came from that I used for inspiration but I have to say this, IT WAS ADORABLE. What I am about to share with you is not.

something went terribly wrong in my card....

Tuesday's Tip: Sometimes you just have to make the ugly card.

I feared as I worked on this card that my creative juices were gone, dried up like an old well. I pushed through and finished the ugly card and went on to create 8 other cards that I liked. Whew!

Okay... here it is.... no laughing -

okay and since you have had to look at this sad little card, I will throw in another tip... Two-fer-Tuesday (two  tips that is )
I USUALLY try to figure out what it is I am responding to in a card I like. Is it the colors? Is it the layout? Is it the sentiment? Is it the layers? Or a combination of any of them.

In this case the original card was done in bright yellows and a touch of red. It was so cute.
I didn't have any bright yellow ribbon or buttons, so I went with what I had. And since I was toning down the yellow, I thought I should bring down the red to a bright pink.
Sometimes this is the only way to figure out what it is you love about a card.

Just remember next time you create something that leaves you less than thrilled, push on through it.
Keep making cards. You will find your mojo again.

Stamp Set Giveaway!

This month when you place an order through my Stampin UP! web site, your name will be placed in a drawing for a free set!

Here is the set I will be sending out to one lucky winner:
Afterthoughts

The drawing will take place on November 1st and I will post the winner's name to my blog.

Mojo Monday 159

I used:
Paper:Crumb Cake CS #120953, Basic Black CS #121045,Daffodil Delight CS #119683, Whisper White CS #100730
Stamps: Just Buzzin' By #113228, Thank You Kindly #111700
Ink: Stazon Black #101406, Daffodil Delight Marker #119677. More Mustard Marker #100076, Crumb Cake Marker #120967, Basic Black Marker #100082, Signo White Gel Pen #105021
Other: Scallop Trim Border Punch #118402, non-SU ribbon, 1" circle punch #119868, 1 1/4" circle punch #119861, Auqapainter #103954


Thanks for stopping by and looking! :-)

Quick Card Sunday

I have been wanting to make a card using Newsprint, Marina Mist, Very Vanilla, and Basic Black ever since I saw Newsprint DSP. I love simple cards. This is a simple card that still has a lot of detail, and yet it is still a quick card. Embossing folders and printed paper are my favorite things, and stamps too, oh and markers too....I like it all!LOL!

I used:
Paper: Basic Black CS #121045, Very Vanilla CS #101650, Marina Mist CS #119682, Newsprint DSP #117166    
Stamps: Friends Never Fade #120618-clear  #118750-wood    
Ink: Marina Mist Marker #119679, Basic Black Marker #100082    
Other: Square Lattice Embossing Folder #119976, Non-SU Ribbon (a gift from my friend, Kris), Dimentionals #104430, Aquapainter (used dry to fill in color) #103954    

Step It UP! Saturday

Level One Card:

I used:
Paper: Cherry Cobbler CS #119685, Very Vanilla CS #101650, Deck the Halls DSP #120810
Stamps: Season of Joy #110384
Ink: Always Artichoke Marker #105113, Cherry Cobbler Marker #119681, Crumb Cake Marker #120967**only used on level one card
Other: Mat Pack #105826, Very Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon #109071**, Glue dots #103683


Paper was cut as follows:
Card base = 11" x 4 1/4"
very vanilla = 2 1/2" x 3 1/2"
red printed paper = 1 1/2" x 3 1/2"
filigree printed paper = 2 1/2" x 1 3/4"
music printed paper = 1 1/2 x 1 3/4"



Level 2 Card:

I used:
Same as level 1 card plus... Crumb Cake CS #120953, Twine #100982, Clear button**only used on level 2 card -retired

Paper was cut as follows:
Card base = 11" x 4 1/4"
Very Vanilla mat = 4 1/8" x 5 1/16"
Crumb Cake mat = 4" x 5 1/8"
Very Vanilla (for stamped image) = 2" x 3 1/4"
red printed paper = 1 1/2" x 3 1/4"
filigree printed paper = 2" x 1 3/4"
music printed paper = 1 1/2" x 1 3/4"


Level 3 Card:

I used:
Same as Level 1 & 2 plus...Deck the Halls Big Designer Buttons #121002, embroidery floss - non SU

Paper was cut as follows:
Card base = 11" x 4 1/4"
Very Vanilla mat = 4 1/8" x 5 3/8"
Crumb Cake mat = 4" x 5 1/4"
Cherry Cobbler mat = 3 3/16" x 5 1/16"

Very Vanilla (for stamped image) = 2" x 3 1/4"

red printed paper = 1 1/2" x 3 1/4"

filigree printed paper = 2" x 1 3/4" 

music printed paper = 1 1/2" x 1 3/4"

*All measurements are approximate. I often trim a bit off as I place them on the cards.


Thanks for stopping by and looking! :-) 

Use It UP! Friday

I am still working on "boyish" cards. I love this make a monster set. It is so much fun to use.

I used:

Paper: Tempting Turquoise CS #102067, Whisper White CS #100730, Old Olive CS #100702, Pumpkin Pie CS #105117, Printed Paper is a CostCo stack I purchased a few years ago I think it was My Mind's Eye.

Stamps: Make a Monster #120606, sentiment is retired SU(I can't recall the name of the set)

Ink: Tempting Turquoise #100058, Pumpkin Pie #105115, Going Gray -retired, Old Olive #100079

Other: Dimentionals #104430, Aquapainter #103454

Thanks for stopping by and looking!  :-)