Sparkly Train

Raining Hearts

2012-02-12T15:54:00.000-08:00

This card was inspired by the raining hearts on my blog. I just love them. Thank you Cheryl for sharing them with me, I may keep them forever. I learned to make this style of shaker card from my friend Eve. It's so fun since it's like a little book with shaker on the inside.

Here is the outside of the card, which looks like a traditional Valentine card with all my favorite Valentine embellishments.

And here is the inside with the shaker.

I have used one of my hundreds of House Mouse stamps for this card. These images never fail to make me smile. I found the heart confetti in my grocery store of all places, who would have thought? As soon as I saw it, I knew I wanted to make a shaker card with it so tucked right into my cart with my other necessities, milk and cookies.

This card is entered in the following challenges
House Mouse Monday Challenge Here
Crafty Catz Here

House Mouse - Everything Is Coming Up Roses
Prisma Pencils and OMS
K&Co Design Paper & Glitter Heart
Martha Stewart Edge Punch and Heart Doily Punch
Recollections Brad, Bling, Flowers,
Spellbinders Scalloped Heart Die
Cuttlebug Dotted Swiss Embossing Folder
German Foil Heart
Dollar Store Heart Doilies cut into Circles and Tiny Heart Stickers

Be My Swee-Tea

2012-02-10T07:34:00.000-08:00

Everyone knows I adore all things tea. Well, a friend of mine sent me a cute little tea bag holder and the template so I couldn't resist giving it a try. I knew I wanted to decorate them for Valentine's day but couldn't think of what sentiment to use, so Ta-Da, I made one up; no kidding. I know that this isn't one of my talents but I was pretty tickled with the sentiment - Be My Swee-Tea. I computer generated my sentiment and put it on a little heart on the back of each tea bag. You would think I would have a picture, but duh forgot to do the backs.

At any rate, what do you think of these.

I used a variety of valentine papers and embellishments and went to town. I really wanted to keep these 'cause there just so darn cute but I know they will make someone else's day a little brighter so they have to go. I actually made 11 of them and this is all I have left to photograph. I will be sending these out today.

This project has been entered in the following challenges

The Shabby Tearoom Here
Paper Issues Here
Stamp with Fun Here
Cup Cake Craft Challenge Here
Lexi's Creations Here
Paper Take Weekly Here
Party Time Tuesday Here
Aud Sentiments Here
Paper Craft Star Here
The Sisterhood of Crafters Here
Stampavie and More Here
Truly Scrumptious Here
For Fun Challenge Here
Creatalicious Challenge Blog Here
Simon Says Stamp Here
7 Kids College Fund Here
Fab'n'Funkyh Challenge Here
Trimmie's Craft Challenge Here
Hannah and Friends Here
Card Crafters Circle Here
Fussy and Fancy Challenge Here
The Poodle Parlour Here
Simply Create Too Here

Sarah Hurley Challenge Blog
K&Co. Design Paper
Wild Orchid Roses
Recollections Bling
Martha Stewart Border Punch& Heart Doily Punch
Spellbinders Label Die
Tim Holtz Barn Door Distress Ink
Stash- Sentiment, Red Twine, Red Staples (OK I colored them myself)
Bigelow Raspberry Tea Bag

Kick Up Your Heels

2012-02-09T07:13:00.000-08:00

Hi, I wanted to share a card I made for my brother of choice who is a doctor, rancher, cowboy, and all around sweet heart. Our family adopted him years ago because he is just to good to let get away. The kids call him Uncle Cowboy Dr. Justin.

I didn't get a shot of the inside of this card but it is decorated with the same papers from the outside and has a heart inside with a computer generated sentiment "Don't Horse Around - Be My Valentine".

This also happens to be the week we post the Bombshell Sketch Challenge over on the Bombshell Blog. So to kill to birds with one stone, I used the Bombshell Sketch for this card. I used my brand spanking new Bombshell "Bucking Bronco" stamp set for this card. I just love this set, anything western and/or rodeo is a big hit with me and mine. My dad was a bull riding, bronc riding, tough son of a gun in his younger days. He's still tough just doesn't rodeo anymore gave it up when he turned 50 or was that 60.

Now, if you would all like to play along with this challenge you have the chance of winning your choice of a set of bombshell stamps. How kewl is that? Just follow along on the sketch and post to the Mr. linky dealie at the bottom of the blog post Here.

This card has also been entered into the following challenges

Drunken Stampers Here
Paper Take Weekly Here
Crafts & Me Here
Just for Fun Here
The Poodles Parlour Here
All Sorts Here
Crafter's Companion Here

Bombshell Stamps - Bucking Bronco
Design Paper - Flair Designs
Sizzix Embossing Flolder
Tim Holtz Distress Inks
Stazon Black Ink
Prisma Pencils & OMS

Blog Candy

2012-02-07T12:41:00.000-08:00

My friend, Meredith, over at the paper canteen has some wonderful blog candy. Take a look

2 - Queen Kat Designs single stamps (never inked)
6 - Queen Kat Designs full stamp sets (never inked)
3 - Our Craft Lounge full stamp sets (never inked)
1 - The Cats Pajamas full stamp sets (two stamps have been inked one time)
1 - Basic Grey 6x6 - Kissing Booth Valentine's Day Paper Pack
1 - 10 pack K&Company red, sparkly clothes pins
1 - 56 piece pack Recollections brand white self-adhesive pearls
1 - scalloped edged alterable mini book
1 - 4x4 canvas panel
1 - alterable magnetic notepad
1 - 12x12 photo album - baseball theme
1 - 8.5x8.5 K&Company photo album - dance theme
1 - 9x9 Making Memories photo album - baby theme

Because a large prize pack like this is hard to photograph in total I've taken pictures of everything for you to see:
*Two QKD Singles:

*Six QKD Full Stamp Sets:

(I don't have the print sheet for this one or the packaging - but it has never been inked - Sentiments Included in the Geisha Set:

Peaceful Feelings

Live For Today

A Gift For You

Joy

*Three Our Craft Lounge full stamp sets:

Summer Beach Set

(

Christmas Under The Sea

*One The Cat's Pajamas full set:

(Believe In Elves and Be Merry and Bright - have been inked one time but are very clean)

One Basic Grey 6x6 - Kissing Booth Valentine's Day Paper Pack

One 10 pack K&Company red, sparkly clothes pins

One 56 piece pack Recollections brand white self-adhesive pearls:

One scalloped edged alterable mini book, one 4x4 canvas panel, alterable magnetic notepad:

One 12x12 photo album - baseball theme, one 8.5 x 8.5 K&Company photo album - dance theme, one 9x9 Making Memories photo album - baby girl theme:

Why not pop on over and see if you could win. MEREDITH'S PAPER CANTEEN

Valentine Bouquet

2012-02-06T08:56:00.000-08:00

I was recently honored to be chosen as the Belle of Belli over at The Creative Belli Challenge Blog and was asked to be a guest designer. The challenge this fortnight is to create a card using a heart and of course embellishments that have been lurking in your stash.

Today's card has some of my favorite things. It uses my very favorite Cuttlebug dotted Swiss embossing folder. My mom had dotted Swiss curtains when I was little and used it often in sewing projects for us girls. I used it too when I was a teenager making my own wardrobe. It always seems to be fresh, clean, and happy to me. The card has some pretty Prima flowers. I really like the dots on the flowers, I think they reflect the dotted Swiss nicely and of course they HAD to have rhinestone centers. What good is a Valentine card without rhinestones? There just has to be some sort of sparkle. Lastly it has a bow and even the bow had dots. I use bows quite often and have a wonderful peg bow maker inspired by one that Becca from Amazing Paper Grace created. BTW she is now sellling these wonderful bow makers through Our Daily Bread. I am not connected to this company or Becca. She just happened to come up with a great tool.

Now start rooting through your stash and see what you can find to create your own heart card and join in on the challenge. It's tons of fun and looking through that stash it's always inspiring.

This card is entered into the following challenges

Stamp with Fun Here
Crafty Card Makers Here
Paper Issues Here
Lexi's Creations Here
Oh La La Creations Here
The Pink Elephant Here
The Paper Players Here

Quirky Crafts - Make A Scene

2012-02-03T15:27:00.000-08:00

Over on the Quirky Crafts Challenge Blog they are have a make a scene challenge and I have was invited to be a guest designer on their challenge team. I am very honored to participate with these talented ladies. You should really go check out their awesome inspiration cards. They really met and conquered this challenge.

This was my first attempt at creating a scene and I'm afraid I really need a lot more practice. I am pleased with my card, it just isn't as scenic as I would have liked.

This challenge was brought to us by Limited Run Digis and I used their adorable little mushroom house and

happy butterfly.

This is a fortnight long challenge so head on over to Quirky Crafts Challenge Blog and enter to win some fun prizes.

Stamps - Limited Run Digis

Cuttlebug Dotted Swiss Embossing Folder

Spellbinder Corner Die

Prisma and OMS

3M foam tape

Old Fashioned Valentine

2012-01-28T06:00:00.000-08:00

Nothing says Valentine's Day to me like paper hearts, glitter, doilies, and cupid. I still love making these tokens of affection for friends and family. It makes me feel like a girl again and anything that can take me back that far has to be special.

Today, I want to share with you a Valentine I made for my baby sister. (No peeking Beth.) I managed to get all my favorite things onto this card especially the bling.

This card has things that I have had in my stash forever like the xo ribbon and bling and tiny holographic heart stickers and new things like the paper hearts and organza ribbon. I have to buy new paper hearts every year somehow by the end of the holiday I have always used up my entire stash. The sentiment is a sticker that I purchased on clearance last year during the holiday clearance. That is, of course, my favorite time to shop. My motto is never pay full price. The little cherub is so sweet. I just had to make his little cheeks pink, both sets.

This card is entered into the following challenges
Drunk Stampers Here
Crafty Catz Weekly Here
Paper Issues Here
Critter Sketch Challenge Here
Cup Cake Craft Challenge Here
The Pink Elephant Here
Use It Tuesday Here
Sweet Stamps Here
Truly Scrumptious Here
Simon Says Stamp Here
My Time to Craft Here
Paper Play Here
Cute Card Thursday Here
Do You Stack Up Here
DRS Designs Here
Card Makin' Mamas Here
The Poodles Parlour Here
Crazy 4 Challenge Here
All Sorts Here
Corrosive Challenge Here
Card Cupids Here
Stamptacular Sunday Here

Bombshell Stamps - Bombshell Angel Stamps Set
Paper Heart Doilies and tiny holographic heart stickers Dollar Store
Darice - Sentiment Sticker and Bling
Offray Ribbon
Spare Parts - Brads
Stickles Glitter Glue
Martha Stewart Filigree Heart Punch and Around the Page Border Punch
Copic Markers
Prisma Pencils and OMS

Vellum Butterflies

2012-01-27T05:59:00.000-08:00

As promised here is the tutorial on creating Vellum Butterflies. I must admit that I did not create this technique. I learned it on Youtube from Jennings644. Here is how I do it.

You will need vellum, any weight
alcohol inks and felt stamper
embossing pad
gold pigment pad
gold embossing powder
heat gun
gold stickles
gold wire
Glossy accents
sharp scissors

Begin by choosing your alcohol colors and placing a few drops onto your felt pad. I used three colors.Tamp the colors over the vellum. They will dry very quickly.

Now, ink up your butterfly stamp. I used the large butterfly from the butterfly dreams set. First ink the stamp with embossing ink, followed by pigment ink. I know that you don't actually need both, but I find both work better for a gold emboss.

Stamp your butterfly onto the inked vellum add your embossing powder and emboss. Be sure to keep a close eye on your embossing, to much heat will girl your vellum. (Ask me how I know).

As soon as the embossing is cool, cover the entire stamped area with Glossy Accents. Do not worry about the anteannas you will be cutting those off.

Next, add your gold Stickles INTO the Glossy Accents, following patterns in the wings. Use the tip of the Stickles bottle to push the glitter into the Glossy Accents. The Stickles will be mostly covered by the Glossy Accents.

Allow to dry. This will take several hours. I usually do this early in the morning and wait until evening to work on the butterflies or vice-versa getting to this point and finishing in the morning.

Once the butterfly is dry, fussy cut along your embossed edges being sure to cut on the outside of the embossing.

Next cut a short piece of gold wire and fold it in half. I like to wrap the upper edges around the tip of skewer to create a curl in the antenna.

Flip the butterfly over and glue the antenna to the back of the butterfly.

Voila - You have now created a gorgeous jeweled butterfly.

Sitting Pretty

2012-01-26T06:14:00.000-08:00

Here's a little Valentine I made for my sister. She is a real bombshell but is as nice as she is pretty. My other sister and I always told her she was adopted since she is a blue eyed blond and the rest of the clan is brunette with dark eyes. She actually looks like my great-great grandmother, but well, you know how sisters are. Of course, my sis would have a tan, but I haven't figured out how to do that with copics yet so she is tanless.

I used paper that has been in my stash for a couple years to make this card. It's a different kind of Valentine paper, not your traditional colors; but, I think it's really eye catching. This card was made from a sketch Eat, Sleep, and Stamp. (Don't you just love that name?)

This card has been entered into the following challenges:

Card Cupids Here
Corrosive Challenge Here
Stamptacular Sunday Here
Wags-n-Whiskers Here
Paper Crafting Journey Here
The Poodle Parlour Here
Craft Us Crazy Here
DRS Designs Here
Truly Scrumptious Here

Simon Says Here
Anything Challenge Here
Drunken Stampers Here
Paper Issues Here
Cup Cake Craft Here
Stamping and Scrapping Here
Simply Create Too Here
Crafter's Companion Here
Use It Tuesday Here
Crafty Ann's Here

Bombshell Stamps - Cherry Bomb

Basic Grey - Design Papers

Martha Stewart Border Punches

Gold Stickles

Prisma Pencils and OMS

Copic

Spellbinders - Scalloped Circle and Circle Nestabilities

Butterfly Dreams

2012-01-25T08:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Bombshell Hump Day Hop. The theme of this hop was to try a new technique. We are starting this hop off at the Bombshell Stamps Blog. If you have arrived here from Alaines's Misalaineous Mosaics, you are in the right place. Haven't you just loved all the new techniques so far? I am just stunned by all the great techniques on this hop! There are soooooo many kewl projects.

OK, so on to my new technique - I searched the interweb and lots of very crafty blogs to come up with a new and uber kewl technique to share with all of you. I found a ton of great ideas and finally settled on this one, vellum butterflies. The card sort of reminds me of the song "Butterflies are Free".

I think the butterflies come out looking like little jewels. I absolutely love them. I used some alcohol inks I have had around forever and never used before. I think they'll be getting a lot more use now. As you can see from my card, I kept it simple to put the focus on these incredible little butterflies from my new Butterfly Dreams stamp set. Stayed tuned to this same bat channel or should I say butterfly channel - nah sounds dorky, because on Friday, I am going to do a tutorial on making these little beauties and you'll be able to find it here and on the Bombshell Stamps Blog Or right here on this blog

Now it's time for the next wonderful blog Meredith's Paper Canteen where you will be able to feast your eyes on another brilliant project. Happy Hopping!

This card has been entered in the following challenges:

Oh-la-la Here
Make It Monday Here
Simon Says Here
Everybody Art Challenge Here
Creative Inspirations Here
Flutterby Wednesday Here
Charisma Cardz Here
Stampin' for the Weekend Here
2 Sisters Challenge Here
My Sheri Crafts Here
Crafty Ann's Here

Bombshell Stamps Butterfly Dreams
Colorbox Gold Pigment Ink
Ranger Gold Embossing Powder
Alcohol Inks
Gold Stickles
Glossy Accents
Wire
Cuttlebug Embossing Folder
Gold Wrapping Paper

Sassy Sayonara

2012-01-21T11:21:00.000-08:00

I just love this sassy little geisha from Bombshell Stamps. She is one of their digi stamps. Now, you all know that digis are not necessarily one of my favorite things. I'm an old fashioned rubber stamp kind of girl, but, this digi is just irresistible.

This card was created from my stash. Even the image was previously colored. I tend to have tons of Asian themed things in my stash. I have always been fascinated by Japan and my oldest daughter even has a geisha themed entertainment business. She also collects kimono and had has had pieces of her collection featured in art gallaries. (OK, can you tell that I'm a proud, biased mama?)

For this card I used a sketch from CCEE Stampers Blog. I always enjoy entering challenges and for the next two months, I am going to be going gangbusters for challenges. The Bombshell Design Team has a internal challenge to see who can enter the most challenges and I happen to be just a little bit (a lot) competitive.

This card is entered in the following challenges:

Two Sisters Challenge Here

One Stitch at a Time Here

Stamptacular Sunday's Here

Crazy Challenge Here

Crafty Card Makers Here

Anything Goes Challenge Here

Truly Scrumptious Here

Papercrafting Journey Here

Card Making Mamas Here

Truly Mad Crafters Here

Stampin' for the Weekend Here

Bombshell Stamps - Peek-A-Boo Geisha

Washi Paper - Stone House Stamps

Cuttlebug Embossing Folders

Spellbinders - Nestability Circles

Copic Markers

Vintage Wedding Tag

2012-01-19T19:54:00.000-08:00

This month at Bombshell Stamps our wonderful Guest Team Designer, Ms. January, Laura, challenged us to create a tag using our Bombshell Stamps. Well I decided that since I have two nieces getting married this year that I would get ahead of myself and make a wedding tag. I wanted it to be elegant and have a vintage feel so I went with cream and sepia for my color palette.

The butterflies are actually my brand spanking new Bombshell set called Butterfly Dreams. I stamped the butterflies in sepia and then added Tattered Angels Pearl shimmer mist to them and pearls for their bodies. I purchased the edging and fringe just for this tag. I thought it would make it look sort of like an old fashioned beaded purse. I added a vine die cut that I received from a paper craft friend for Christmas. Pearls that I have had in my stash forever and are one of my favorite embellishments were added to each vine joining and curlicue before I added it to my tag. My tag was hand cut from cream card stock and then embossed and hit with the shimmer mist too. The Roses were made by first embossing cream card stock with a dotted Swiss embossing folder and then cut out with My Favorite Things rolled rose dies. I added shimmer mist to those too and pearl centers. I couldn't decide what to do about the leaves at first. I tried card stock punched leaves and didn't like them or ribbons. I was rooting around in my cream/white box and found these old leaf dress pins so I cut them down and added them. I think they worked out really nicely.

The tie for the tag is a piece of old lace from my stash and I added a tiny organza bow with another pearl to finish.

So one of my nieces now has a tag for a gift that I don't have yet. I guess I'll have to make a matching card for her or maybe a guest book or maybe both. I do know that she has asked for help with wedding invites.

This tag is entered in
Crazy Challenge Here
Make It Monday Here
Lexis Challenge Here
Oh La La Creations Challenge Here
Pollycraft Monday Challenge Here
Simon Says Challenge Here
Paper Take Weekly Challenge Here
Anything Goes Challenge Blog Here
Scrap Creations Here
Flutterby Wednesday Here
Truly Scrumptious Here
Whimisie Doodles Here
My Time To Craft Here
Paper Crafting Journey Here
Paper Play Here
Challenge Up Your Life Here
Sugar Creek Hollow Here
Stamptacular Sunday Here
Truly Mad Crafters Here

Bombshell Stamps Butterfly Dreams
Cream Card stock - Making Memories
Provocraft Cuttlebug Embossing Folder - Dotted Swiss
My Favorite Things - Rolled Rose Dies
Tattered Angels - Pearl Glimmer Mist
Dritz Leaf Pins
Pearls - Queen & Co.
Lace - Stash
Ribbon - Offray
Ink - Archival Sepia
Cheery Lynn - Vine Die

Fringe - Jo-Ann's Bridal Dept.

Faster on a Harley

2012-01-11T07:00:00.000-08:00

For you bike owners or just backseat passengers. You know what I mean when I say life is better on a Harley. Today on the Bombshell stamps blog its time to post the January Sketch and this month I went to town with my Harley Bikes stamps set. Here's a copy of the sketch if you want to play along

Here's my take on the sketch. I used a sentiment stamp from the Harley Bike set to create my background paper. Then I ran it through my cuttlebug using the gears folder. After that I distressed it with black ink so that I could get that messy, manly, garage feel. The bike was stamped and then colored with a Signo silver pen and orange prismas and on top of that I added orange crystal color lacquer. Of course, as you can tell, I didn't stop until I had distressed that too.

I ran orange card stock through another cuttlebug folder, diamond plate, then distressed that for the front piece and the background stripes. The motor heads are from the same stamp set. I stamped them, colored them with that same Signo pen and then glued them to some black card stock and cut around them. It really gave them just a little added depth that they were missing. (Of course, they are also mounted on foam tape)

The little orange, black and white ribbon behind them came from a 2 inch Halloween ribbon, I just cut off the part I wanted. It was just right for this card after that. The philips head screw brads have been in my stash since forever. I bought them years ago from Oriental Trading expecting them to come in handy someday. Guess they finally did. The Silver lining around the edges of the card are just silver paint pen. I couldn't find my silver paper.

Don't you love the sentiment? Same stamp set, Harley Bikes, I got a lot of mileage out of this stamp set for this card. Johnny Luv is a safe biker so I have never gotten to go as fast as I would like on our bike. Probably best that way, don't you think?

If you would like to play along, just use the sketch as your starting point. You can flip it and tip it to suit you. Then add it Here for a chance to win a Bombshell Stamp Set.

This card is also entered in the For Fun Challenge Here

The Simon Says Challenge (stripes) Here

Pile It On Here

Crafty Card makers Here

Anything Goes Here

Truly Mad Crafters Here

Bombshell Stamps - Harley Bikes

Black and Orange Card Stock

Brads - Oriental Trading

Stazon Black Ink, Tim Holtz Soot Distress Ink

Cuttlebug Embossing Folders - Gears and Diamond Plate

Signo Silver pen

Silver Paint Pen

Teaz Bunnies

2012-01-10T14:50:00.000-08:00

Have you ever heard of teaz bunnies? Well these are Teaz Bunnies

I think they are absolutely adorable. I am a tea lover and so is my baby girl. She keeps claiming to be a teaz bunnie and soakz up my teaz. I saw this MFT stamp of the bunnies in a cup and just couldn't resist, obviously it is teaz bunnies.

I may have gone just a tiny bit overboard with all the different design papers, but I just couldn't resist all those gorgeous patterns. They remind me of vintage linens. BTW did I mention I recently became vintage? Yep, I hit the 50 mark and now my kids tell me I'm a "Vintage Mom". Supposedly that is better than a regular mom, could be they are just kissing up, but I like it.

This card was made for
My Favorite Things Wednesday Stamp Club #MFTWSC53
Crafty Card Makers Challenge Here
Paper Take Weekly Challenge Here
Anything Goes Challenge Here
All Sorts Challenge Here
Heart Songs Inspiration Challenge Here

My Favorite Things Snuggle Bunny Stamp Set
Making Memories English Garden Design Paper
Martha Stewart Border Punch
Spellbinders Butterfly Circle Nestabilities
Stazon Black Ink
Prisma Color Pencils
Cotton Ball

Snuggle Stuffies

2012-01-02T09:59:00.000-08:00

My Favorite Things is having a contest for paper piecing and I was inspired to turn my little snuggle bunnies into stuffed animals, kind of a calico rabbit thing. You know these are some of my fav images since my Johnny Luv is also known as SnuggleBunny. I'm sure he doesn't mind the entire world knowing that. lol.

I decided since I was going to have calico bunnies why not give the card a sewing/quilt theme. I had a DCWV pad that had tons of calico and quilt prints and I loaded up on the faux stitching. Someday I will set up my sewing machine and try real stitching for a change. I happened to have some new cream colored buttons that have slots instead of holes and some old lace that fit through the slots just right so those were added in also. As you can see I went to town with the pinking shears as well. When I find a theme I tend to over do a little, quilts, calico, stitching, pinking, buttons, etc... But, think my fav bit is their cute little cotton ball tails or maybe the rolled rose? I have really fallen in love with these roses and have the MFT rolled rose die in three sizes and the daisy too.

I also used a sketch from My Favorite Things Wednesday Sketches #MFTWSC52. This is there last sketch for 2011. I saved all their sketches from last year. They have some great ones and they have them all listed on the SCS forum.

BTW, I am not working for My Favorite Things, they just happen to have lots of things I like. Just thought you should know. I also like Crisco and can't cook with out that and don't work for them either nor do I work for Hersey but I will eat the heck out of their Chocolate Almond Bars, another of the best things in my world, well aside from Johnny Luv and the Kiddos. OK enough rambling, I off to take one of the kiddos to the eye dr.

This card is entered into
My Favorite Things Wednesday Stamp Club Challenge
Party Time Tuesday Here
Everybody Art Challenge Here
Creative Inspiration Wednesday Challenge Here
City Crafter Challenge Here

My Favorite Things - Snuggle Bunny Stamp Set
My Favorite Things - Rolled Rose Die Large
Buttons - Oriental Trading
Design Paper DCWV
Stazon Black Ink and Tim Holtz Vintage Photo Distress Ink
Cotton Balls from First aide kit (really)
Lace - Stash
Black marker
White Signo Pen
3 M Foam Tape
Cuttlebug Embossing Folder
Martha Stewart Border Punch
Fiskars Pinking Shears

Blue Bunny

2011-12-30T09:53:00.000-08:00

Well, it's not Blue Bunny ice cream, but it is something equally as sweet. It's a My Favorite Things Flopsey. I love these little bunnies an have a number in my collection of stamps. I am waaaay excited that they have added a new Flopsey to the line, you can check out the sneak peek here. It's a Valentine Bunny and I'm just going to HAVE to have it. lol.

So after the grand intro here is my version of Blue Bunny. I used a Wednesday Stamp Club sketch MFTWSC50 for this card. I am just really digging this sketch and how it turned out.

There are loads of layers and patterns and faux stitching on this card and I paper pieced Flopsey's sweater, scarft and skates to match. Flopsey, himself, has been lightly shadded in gray Prisma pencils. You can see more detail here.

So let me know what you think. I always love to hear from everyone.

This card has been entered into:

Anything Goes Challenge Here
Party Time Tuesday Challenge Here
Creative Inspirations Wednesday Challenge Blog Here
City Crafters Challenge Here
Colour Create Challenge Here
Just for Fun Challenge Here

My Favorite Things Stamp - Ice Skating Flopsy
Design Paper - DCWV Christmas Combo Stack
Colorbok Glitter Stack
Stazon Black Ink
Tim Holtz Sapphire Distress Ink
Ice Stickles
Martha Stewart Snowflake Punch
Prisma Pencils and OMS
Fiskars Gel Pen
3M Foam Tape

Punked Out

2011-12-29T13:06:00.000-08:00

The Bombshell Design Team was challenged this month to create a "Hot and Steamy" project, Steampunk that is, using Bombshell images by our guest designer, Ms. December, Torrey.

I chose to use the Mi Amor image to work with for my project and added loads of cogs and gears to create a box for all my steampunk embellishments. The rings around the images eyes reminded me of the goggles that seem to be very popular with the steampunkers right now. I think my favorite part is the little watch stopper I used as a handle to open the box.

I didn't get a side view of this box, but I used a spiffy gear embossed paper to cover them and it came out super fantastic. The wooden box came from the dollar store and was first covered with distress inks before I began adding layers and embellishments. A number of the gears came from Michael's, where I used a coupon to get a small bag which contained quite a few gears in different shapes and metals. The clock face actually came from an old alarm clock my son disassembled and I just went through my boxes of metal bits to find other parts and pieces. The butterfly was stamped in stazon on the same gear covered paper I used for the background of the box and I added an acetate layer because, well because I like it.

I expect I will be doing more steampunk creations as my baby girl has really been bitten by the steampunk bug and I kind of like it too.

This has been entered at Charisma Cardz Challenge Here
Dutch Dare Card Challenge Here
Quirky Crafts Challenge Here
Party Time Tuesday Here
Creative Inspirations Wednesday Challenge Here
Just For Fun Challenges Here

Stamps - Bombshell - Mi Amor
Prickely Pear butterfly and die set
Papers - DCVW steampunk pad and Tim Holtz pad
Gears - Micheal's and old watch and clock parts
Prima Flowers
Ink - Sepia Archiveal, Gingerbread Chalk, TH distress mahogany, vintage photo, old paper, walnut
Box - Dollar Store
Acetate - old box
Stash - paper clips, brads
Tim Holtz - Corners

December Hump Day Hop: Give It To Me Baby!

2011-12-28T08:46:00.000-08:00

This is the last blog hop for the year. Boy, has this year gone fast! For this last hop of the year, we wanted to do something special so the theme is "Give It to Me Baby". This means making a gift using Bombshell Stamps. Then Torrey thought wouldn't it be fun to have a gift exchange so so those of us participating in the hop will all be receiving a kewl gift. How fun is that?

Now, if you've just joined in and would like to start at the beginning of this adventure, pop over here to the Bombshell Blog. If you have just arrived from Allison's Random Thoughts then you are on the right track.

For my gift I was inspired by Pirates of the Caribbean and so, I have a jar of dirrrrt. I have a jar of dirrrrt.

This does happen to be special dirt though, it is actually hot chocolate. How fun is that? My oldest daughter actually thought of this idea since my youngest daughter plays the 10 hour marathon version of the I've Got a Jar of Dirt song on Youtube all the time. The longest anyone in this family has managed to keep it on is three hours. Can I just say "HELP ME".

I used the Homeward Bound Stamp Set and the A Pirate's Life to create my jar. I wrapped the jar in an antique map design then added my images on top using old twine and an anchor charm as well as a wax seal.

After being inspired by Pirates I just couldn't help making a second project for this hop, a bottle of rum. Yes, that's right if you are asking "Where has all the rum gone?", the answer is to my house, bwahahaha.
I looked up old rum labels and this is what I ended up making.

I used the Mermaid Anchor Stamp Set to create my label as well as the sentiment from the Bombshell Angel Stamp Set. I added a cork cover using some more dolphins from the Mermaid Anchor Set and another wax seal. The wax seal was created using sealing wax and the compass stamp from the Homeward Bound Stamp Set.

Here are close ups of the label and cork cover.

Next stop on this blog hop is Torrey's Left Field Studio. Enjoy the hop and all the way kewl projects along the way.

These projects have been entered into the
Charisma Card Challenge
Creative Inspirations Wednesday Challenge

Bombshell Stamps:
Mermaid Anchor
Homeward Bound
Bombshell Angel
Just Rite Stamps
Tim Holtz Distress ink: Vintage Photo, Walnut, Old Paper, Mahogany, Fired Brick
Stazon Black Ink
Archival Sepia Ink
Prisma Color Pencils
Copic Makers
Spellbinders Label Die
Sealing Wax
Offray Ribbon
Barn Twine
Cocoa, Rum, Charm from Stash

Traditional Advent Box

2011-12-16T11:34:00.000-08:00

Here is a second advent calendar I made for my youngest son. This one was done with a traditional color scheme. His favorite drawer was the one that had a i.o.u to trade bedtimes with anyone in the family.
The papers were Creative Imagination and Cosmo Cricket. The Embellishments have been saved and hoarded forever. When ever I find a Christmas embellie into my Christmas box of treasure it goes until just the right project comes along. The numbers on this are again stickers and the box was originaly colored with stazon and distress inks before I added all the paper and decorations. I don't know what is more fun with these advent boxes, creating them or filling them.

This was entered in the the Sisterhood of Crafters Challenge Here

Elegant Holly

2011-12-15T11:06:00.000-08:00

I'm very proud of this card. Sometimes, when I make something, it just comes out so well or so kewl that I am just happy and amazed that I made it. This is one of those things.

I used a two entire sets of spellbinder dies to create this card. All the holly was cut out of white paper and then colored with a gold paint pen, red and green glitter gel pens and distress inks. I added red rhinestones for the holly berries. Each panel of the tri-shutter card is layered with a dotted Swiss embossed panel and plain white panel and then attached to the card base. After attaching each embossed panel the holly was attached with liquid glue. The bottom panel has a sentiment stamped with Fired Brick and embellished with more holly.

I think tri-shutter cards are one of my favorite type of cards. Without any work at all they look fantastic. With even a little effort, they are gorgeous. I think this is one of those types of cards that can never fail to please plus they are just fun to make.

This card has been entered in:
The Shabby Tea Room Weekly challenge here
The Crazy Challenge here
Crafty Creations here
Just Add Ink here
Paper Sundaes here

Georgia Pacific Card Stock
Gold Paint Pen
Glitter Gel Pens
Tim Holtz Distress Inks - Peeled Paint and Fired Brick
Queen & Co. Adhesive Rhinestones
Cuttlebug Dotted Swiss Embossing Folder
Beacon 3-in-1 Glue
Clear Stamps Sentiment

Under the Mistletoe

2011-12-14T08:38:00.000-08:00

Today is the Bombshell design team posts their take on the monthly sketch. I knew just what I wanted to do with the sketch this month. I recently received the "Till Death Do We Part" stamp set and wanted to make a card for my Johnny Luv so this is his Christmas Card. (Johnny do not look, no peeking, not even a tiny bit.)
At any rate this is the sketch we had to work with this month and I must say it was just perfect for what I wanted to do.

I needed to flip the sketch sideways for my image to work. Then because I'm me I had to, I mean had to, just couldn't not do it, added more layers. Then because for me more is always better I had to emboss my oval too and finally I had to cut out and pop up my images.

Now these design papers are not all by the same company, but you must admit, they really work well together. The sparkly mistletoe (sparkly, sparkly - I just love sparkle) is from a piece of flower pic from Michael's. (Here's a little tip: Go now and buy some of those sparkly branch thingies at Michael's for later in the year. They make the best seaweed and coral ever. I have some in every color and some twice.) I couldn't settle on the bottom embellishments for the longest time. I tried different pieces of bling, snowflakes, holly, buttons, roses, handmade flowers, nothing worked until I found a can of old Prima poinsettas and they just spoke to me. I added a textured brad from who knows where to finish it off.
I know some people who read my blog are going to think this is a kind of creepy Christmas card for my Johnny Luv, but I guarantee you that he will understand and love it and not just because he likes everything I make. He is such a big sweetie and spoils me horribly but he doesn't ever lie about things I create. If he likes them, he likes them, if he does, he doesn't.
Wow! I have been waaay chatty today so I better get back on track with this challenge. If you would like to play along with us link up your card to our blog post Here and you can also add it Here on our forum. Some lucky winner is going to win their choice of stamp set. Darn, wish it could be me because I want them all.

Bombshell Stamps - Till Death
Black Memento Ink
Prisma Pencils and OMS
Copic Markers
Sakura Black Glitter Pen
Prima Flowers
Cuttlebut Snowflake Embossing Folder
Creative Imaginations Design Paper

Blue Advent

2011-12-13T10:33:00.000-08:00

My youngest daughter's favorite color is blue and her favorite color combination blue, white and silver. That made this project pretty simple. Her colors worked out perfect for this advent calendar. It has become a part of our traditional Christmas decorations.

The box was overed with blue Stazon ink and then I added 5 different design papers. I cannot remember whose now. The numbers are stickers. I used buttons, Cuttlebug die cuts, Martha Stewart punches, acrylic dollar bin stickers, silk flowers, buttons, and a few odd and end charms.

This has been entered at thel Totally Gorjuss Challenge Blog Here
also at Quirky Crafts Here

A Kimmie Christmas

2011-12-12T13:20:00.000-08:00

If you hang around here long enough you will find that I have a fondness for Kraftin' Kimmie stamps. The one I used today is one of my particular favorites. She isn't a Christmas stamp per se but she sure does work as one all dolled up in red and green. This card was made for the weekly challenge over at the Kraftin' Kimmie blog. It's my first shot at a Copic card. For any of your Copic Queens out there, constructive criticism is more than welcome, wanted even. At any rate take a gander and let me know what you think.

Kraftin' Kimmie Stamp - Charlotte
Memento Black Ink
Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Fired Brick
Cuttlebug Embossing Folder - Snowflakes
Copic Markers
Spellbinders Label 8 Die Cuts
Signo White Pen
3M foam tape
Paper - DCWV Ultimate Christmas Stack
Offray Ribbon

Christmas Treats

2011-12-11T20:06:00.000-08:00

Today I have a real treat for you, (yes, I do crack myself up; I am easily amused). I have a little treat bag with a tag using Bombshell Stamps new digital image, Gingerbread Pinup.

For some reason the vibrant green I used on this project refused to show up as green instead it decided it wanted to be turquoise green, not exactly Christmas colors but close (OK, not really, but let's all pretend.) I did get to go crazy with the rhinestones and glitter pens; again, the glitter just isn't sparkling today, but trust me, it surely does. I just loved the little rhinestone gingerbread men. I picked them up for a dollar early in the month and just held onto them waiting for the right project.
This little bombshell is going to my friend, who happens to be a real live bombshell. She's had a bit of a frenzied week and I think she needs a little something sweet. Oh, look I rhymed!

This little gingerbread pinup is also a part of a blog hop over at
Opus-Gluie and you can join in here
and over at Quirky Crafts Here

Bombshell Stamps Digital Gingerbread Pinup
Darice & Recollections Bling
Provocraft snowflake embossing folder
sparkly gel pens
Prisma pencils and OMS
DCVW glitter cardstock
Offray ribbon
Dollar store paper gift ribbon
Dollar store treat bag

Christmas Joy

2011-12-08T08:09:00.000-08:00

Graphic 45 is having a contest this month for a gift tag. I couldn't resist. I confess, I am a tag addict. The only 12 step program I am willing to go on is the 12 days of Christmas. As soon as I read about this contest my mind started whirling and I had to get out my selection of Graphic 45 papers. (I keep them in a special locked box in a secret panel behind a picture of - ooops never mind. Can you believe that I just didn't have enough and had to make a trip to the scrapbook store for more paper? Neither could Johnny Luv. Oh well, after the trip, I sat down and began to craft my tag. I'm telling you it took time, days to get this project done, you'll see why in a minute. At any rate here is my gift tag.
Front

Back

Now here is part of that took so long. I altered a sleigh to go with the tag. Can we say over achiever? My daughter tell's me yes, we can. (She should talk, she created an entire altered book for an English report.)
The sleigh is covered in Graphic 45 papers as well as the tag, it had to match didn't it? I had such fun sanding all the edges and distressing them. My craft area is still a disaster and one of my puppies has been running around with paper dust and glitter in her fur and I had to remove a sticky rhinestone from her paw. She is my best helper or is that hindrance? After I put the little bird/flower arrangements in the sleigh I decided it needed one last finishing touch and made some two sided Christmas stamps from more of my hoarded paper. I tucked them in using Tim Holtz pick thingies.

Check out the back of the sled, I had a Weird Harold moment (If you to young to know what that means, you just too young.) I had to add the "spare tire". OK so sleighs don't have tires but a spare runner just looked stupid.

One last shot from the front. I think I'm going to search for some deer for this thing. Dad's a saddle maker, I'm sure he wouldn't mind crafting tiny little harnesses for me - not.

The hardest part of this project is yet to come. Which one of my many friends or family am I going to give this to?

Oh, by the way, did I mention this post is graphic heavy. Oooops, sorry. Better late than never.

This has been entered in the Charisma Cardz Challengehttp://www.charismacardz.blogspot.com/
It has also been entered in the Color Create Challenge http://colourcreatechallenge.blogspot.com/

Sled - Michael's
Paper - Graphic 45
Black Cardstock
Tim Holtz Picks
Flower picks - Michaels
Gold paint pen
Stickles - gold and red
Tim Holtz Fired Brick, Vintage Photo, and Mahogany distress ink
Recollections Rhinestones
Craft Smart green acrylic pain
Prima flowers
Offray Ribbon
Martha Stewart Micro beads
Cheery Lynn Die
3 M Foam Tape
Dollar store greenery pipe cleaner
Floral Pick from stash
Tim Holtz die
Wreath from Dollar Store
Glittered Chipboard letters K & Co.

Sneaky Peeky

2011-12-07T12:08:00.000-08:00

Is Bombshell Stamps mixing up a special Christmas Treat? Could it be this cutting edge stamp company is going all sweet and sticky? Jumpin' Jimmeny, could it truly be? Stay tuned to this same Bombshell channel for more breaking new or if you are the kind that likes to get their news directly from the source keep an eye on the Bombshell Blog

Christmas Cone

2011-12-05T09:19:00.000-08:00

I love cones, I like them out of the box, when I wear my sox, on a door, they never bore. I can fill them with treats and sweets, I can fill them with tricks and flower picks. I love my cones, I do, I do. OK I'm over my Suessitis, I hope. But I really do like these simple yet elegant decorations. I have them for several holidays and they are fun to hang on a friends door.

This one is covered with design paper. I stamped the bottom with large flourish and heat embossed it before assembly. There is a punched border around the top with rhinestones on the drop points and they are repeated around the bottom of the cone. The rosette in the center is from a Tim Holtz die and a Spellbinders die. The center of the rosette is a piece of design paper from Pink Paislee. I chose it for my Johnny Luv who is true blue patriot. What is more patriotic than Santa with an American Flag.

Here's a shot of the finished cone filled with flowers on a door in my kitchen.

This cone was entered in the anything goes challenge The Crazy Challenge

BOMBSHELL "ANYTHING GOES" CHALLENGE!

2011-12-05T07:47:00.000-08:00

Bombshell Stamps is getting into the holiday spirit and wants to give something to our loyal fans!

This challenge is a one-time only contest. Use ANY stamp to create a holiday card and share it with us in this thread in the Gamblers Anonymous section of the The Casino in Bombshell's forum!

Each entry will earn one chance to win a $5.00 gift certificate to the Bombshell Store, which will be selected via a random draw.

Use a Bombshell Stamp and you'll win two chances!

If you win using a Bombshell stamp (rubber or digital), you can win a $20.00 gift certificate!

The deadline for this challenge is December 31st. The winner will be chosen by January 5th!

House Mouse Snowflake

2011-12-01T08:11:00.000-08:00

Today I finally get a chance to share something that suits the season, a Christmas ornament. We're having an ornament swap on my HM list and I get to run the swap. I have seen some gorgeous ornaments and some cute ornaments but let me tell you they are all wonderful and I cannot wait to get my tree up. This is my ornament for the swap. I must admit I totally cased this from the Just Rite catalog from a year or so ago. I saw them and KNEW I had to make some of my own. At any rate, here is my version.

I started with a dollar store snowflake and went from there. This is the first time I have used my Just Rite stamps at all. I think I am going to get pretty busy with them. They are fun to use. My little mouse is colored with Prismas and I added some red glitter gel pen and Sakura gel to his peppermint. I cut him out and popped him up on a circle embossed with snowflakes then added that to a JustRite border colored in with gel pens than a design paper border and finally a scalloped circle border to which I added gold Signo pen dots. Each layer has been outlined with a gold paint pen too. I glued the entire thing to my snowflake and then glued some red rhinestones to a few of the snowflake edges and voila an ubber cute ornament. I'm glad I saved one for my own tree. Well actually my tree has more than one little House Mouse on it. I usually make at least one House Moue a year for my tree. Speaking of which, it is definitely time to dig it out and set it up.

House Mouse Stamp- Peppermint Delight
Just Rite Stamp from Whimsical Christmas Set
Prisma Pencils and OMS
Sakura Glitter Pen
Gold Paint Pen
Gold Signo Pen
Various Gel Pens
Queen & Co. Rhinestones
Dollar Store Snowflake
3M tape
DCVW Design Paper
Spellbinders circle and scalloped circle dies
Cuttlebug embossing folder - snowflakes

Bombshell Hump Day Hop

2011-11-30T08:18:00.000-08:00

Today is the Bombshell Stamps monthly Hump Day Hop. Our Theme this month was a beautiful inspirational picture with a lovely palette of colors, which I found very inspiring.

Now if you are just beginning this hoppy little adventure and you would like to start for the very beginning hop on over to the Bombshell Blog. If you have arrived here from Milo Lija's Blog then you are in the right place at the right time.

I have chosen to use the Butter Fly Queen as my central image for this card and the sentiment is from the Man's Ruin stamp set. I also happened to use the sketch from our November sketch challenge. I really, really like this sketch and will probably use it again sometime.

Now that you have seen what I have to offer. Hop on over to Alex's Paper and Strings blog and see what extra special creations she has in store for you. It maay even be a case of de javu. as great mind think a like.

Bombshell Stamps - Butterfly Queen and Man's Ruin

DCVW Luxury Paper Pad

Colorbok Sparkle Pad

K&Co. Paper Pad

Martha Stewart Border Punch

Spellbinder Fancy Tags Die

Gold Paint Pen

Copic Markers

Prisma Pencils

Quickutz embossing folder

Darice Bling

Fibers from Stash

Prima Flowers

Gel Pens

Gold Signo Pen

Sakura Glitter Pen

3M foam Tape

T-Shirt Tutorial

2011-11-29T16:39:00.000-08:00

This is a project that I have had in mind for quite some time and finally tried out. You can experience first hand how it went. I really like my finished product.

Now, here is the really, really important part of this tutorial, perhaps even the hardest. Pretend that the model is slim and beautiful. Told you it would be hard. Now for the actual tutorial part of this tutorial.

For this project you will need

1 t-shirt that has been pre-washed
a colored stamped image
Avery t-shirt transfer paper
computer printer/scanner
Iron and ironing board
patience

Print off your Geisha Bombshell or stamp your desired image.

Color image as desired with whatever technique you wish to use. You can even paper piece at this point if you like. Then cut out your image, fussy cutting is best.

Scan the image into your computer and increase to the desired size using whatever program works on your computer. I used the built in program in my printer/scanner. Print out image to make sure it is exactly what you want to have on your t-shirt.

Now copy the image onto a t-shirt transfer product made for computer copiers. I used Avery T-shirt Transfers. Again, cut out the image this time leaving a slight border around the image.

Iron image onto t-shirt following manufactures' directions.

Careful peel off paper backing.

Finished product

I'm thinking a matching card or tag and gift bag and you have a neato gift. I see several showing up in my Christmas giving pile.

CYBER MONDAY AT BOMBSHELL STAMPS

2011-11-25T09:14:00.000-08:00

IT'S BOMBSHELL'S BLACK FRIDAY THROUGH CYBER MONDAY SALE/

RECEIVE 25% OFF YOUR ENTIRE PURCHASE FROM NOW THROUGH MONDAY

NOV. 28TH!

JUST USE COUPON CODE "CYBR30" AT CHECK OUT!

Snuggle Bunnies

2011-11-22T14:22:00.000-08:00

Today's card uses the MFT Wednesday Stamp club sketch MFTWSC46.

This is one my very favorite stamps. I bought it because of my Johnny Luv who is also known as Snugglebunny. As always, I added tons of layers; I just cannot seem to help myself. I also used one of my new MFT rolled rose dies on this project. I love these. I have them in all three sizes. They are incredibly easy to make and now I can get flowers in exactly the right color for any project. BTW, I am not associated with MFT in any way. I just happen to like their products so a little free ad for them. lol. I also like crisco but that doesn't really have anything thing to do with this project just another product I recommend. (OK can you tell my mind is wandering today - thought not) There is tons of faux sewing on this card. This is a technique that takes a little time with all the hole punching (I use a Tim Holtz ruler that has holes in it - another shameless plug) but I love how it looks and I don't have room to get out my sewing machine right now. Also, this way I get any color thread by using my gel pens and don't have to keep all that thread handy.

Stamp - My Favorite Things - Snuggle Bunnies

Paper - K&Co.

Prisma Pencils and OMS

Coffee Archival Ink

Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Mahogany and Straw

Embossing Folder- Quickutz - Vines

Spellbinders - Fancy Tags

Provcroft - Leaves

Martha Stewart punch - Rose leaf, and scalloped border punch

button - stash

stitching - sakura gel pen

Balance

2011-11-16T21:19:00.000-08:00

Today's card is a little different my my usual cards. It is a sentiment card. In fact, it has only one word on it. I used an SCS sketch for this one and beautiful scraps of Washi paper but just couldn't put an image to it. It just feels right the way it is. I think I may send this to my daughter who is a geisha themed entertainer. I think she will really appreciate it.

This card was made for the Bombshell Design Team Challenge presented by Miss November, Celina Anthony, who challenged us to create a card or project using scraps. I hoard my washi paper even the tinest scraps and this project was made for them. It has for distinct scrap papers that I bordered in black just to give them so pop. The individual layers are also popped up with foam tape. The beautiful papers really didn't need any embellishments and an image just did seem to be the way I wanted to go so I used the sentiment for the Bombshell Lotus Garden stamp set. If you would like to see what the rest of the Bombshell team came up with pop over to the Bombshell Blog and see the incredible creations the rest of a truly talented design team came up with. I have to tell you they impressed the heck out of me.

If you would like to play along just create a card using a bombshell stamp and scraps. You get extra points if you stamp on paper that is not basic white. There is a place to link up at the bottom of the post on the Bombshell Blog

Sentiment Stamp - Bombshell Stamps Lotus Garden Set

Washi paper - Stone House Stamps

Black Generic Cardstock

Black Archival Ink

3 M Foam Tape

OLDIES BUT GOODIES BLOG HOP

2011-11-15T21:25:00.000-08:00

Today is the Oldies But Goodies Blog Hop. If you have arrived here from Cindy Hess Grigiski's blog,
Stamp With Me Cindy G you are on the right track. If you are just starting the hop and would like to begin at the first participating blog, hop on over to Dru Cabral's blog, Garden of Dreams.

For this hop I created a little tag card using one of my favorite images, a House Mouse. I thought the little mousie on the tag would make a great bookmark.

I didn't want to use a traditional red, blue, yellow color scheme so I went a few shades off using K&Co. design paper as my color palette. The tag is just a regular Manilla tag from the office supply store that I dolled up using distress inks. and stamps. This really did use some oldies from my stamp collection, the splatter background stamp was one of my first from 5 or 6 years ago, the flourishes are at least 3 years old and the House Mouse was from last year. The design paper is several years old as are the brads.

Now if your ready to continue your hop just pop on over to see what a delightful creation Maria Matter over at the Joyful Stamper has for you.

Stamps - Clear Stamps - Florishes
House Mouse
Hero Arts - Background Splatter
Distress Inks -Straw, Fired Brick, and Faded Jeans
Archival Ink - Sepia
Ribbon - Offray
Vellum
K&Co. design paper pad
Signo White Gel Pen
Brads from Stash

Dining with the Bombshells

2011-10-31T11:37:00.000-07:00

Halloween dinner party here we come. This was a simple (not necessarily easy project) that I have wanted to try all month. I saw some dinner ware with a black Halloween motif and a large orange border in a magazine and it was quite out of my reach money wise. Well, I soon as I saw it, I knew that I wanted to try it with Senora Muerta. After searching for the right products to make this work, here is what I came up with.

Here is the supplies I used:

Plain glass plate from the Dollar Store

Alcohol and cotton ball

Lots of paper towels (for mistakes and Let me tell you I made lots)

Unmounted rubber stamp – Bombshell Stamps Senora Muerta

Black and Orange Martha Stewart Multi-Surface High Gloss Acrylic Craft Paint

Sponge dapper and small paint brush and a paper plate for a palette

The first thing I did was to wash my plates and then wipe down the surface I was going to work on with alcohol so that I had a perfect working surface. Next I added black paint to my stamp using a wide sponge dapper. Make sure that the paint isn’t too thick or your impression will not show detail.

Next place the image in the center of the plate and then add pressure to capture the details. My plates have a slightly concave center which is why I use an unmounted stamp.

Carefully remove the stamp and check your image. If the image isn’t clear or not complete wipe off with paper towel and clean the plate with alcohol and start again. Like I said simple but not easy, unless you are using a simple line stamp.

After stamping my image, I added a border around my plate using a small paint brush and more craft paint.

With this technique the plates dry rather quickly but they do need to “cure” for 21 days before using them. The paint is non-toxic so you can use them to eat from. They are also supposed to be dishwasher safe for the top rack, but I will be washing my by hand.

Haunted Candle House

2011-10-29T10:20:00.000-07:00

This is a little something I put together for my sister. I picked up the wooden form for the house last year at Michael's on their clearance sale. I knew just what I wanted to do with it too. It came out every bit as good as I had hoped.

The house base was painted black then I cut out design papers to fit the different walls and pieces. Add the papers were distressed with black ink before I glued them onto the house. I tried the house without paper on the inside and decided it looked better with the inside paper. After lighting it up, I didn't like the looks of the white candle so I covered that in paper as well.

Here it is all lit up. I just love the way it glows. I am definitely going to make one of these for myself.

Halloween Treat Bucket

2011-10-28T09:18:00.000-07:00

This miniature paint bucket was decorated for Halloween for my college daughter. I filled it with a pair of dollar store Halloween socks, a small shaker globe and candy. Can't have my baby miss Halloween. It is one of our favorite holidays. I even remember my mom making a red flannel nightgown and purchasing a pair of horns for me to be a little devil when I was only 3. This is the first year we are not having a party. I just couldn't find the time or really the inclination this year with mom passing. Every year we would have a private contest to see who would get the most trick or treaters.

Back to the bucket, this was way fun to decorate. I used three different border punches and decorative paper and sticky rhinestones and a dollar store glitter spider (best spider ever!) Apparently this was the year for dots too. I added doodle dots to lots of my Halloween projects as you can see around all the borders. Of course, I did make a card to go with but that's another day's post.

Spooky Shadow Box

2011-10-27T08:50:00.000-07:00

This is an inexpensive but fun project that uses us scraps of paper and odds and ends from your stash and the dollar store.

I know shadow boxes seem to be waaay popular right now with Tim Holtz and other expensive options. This box started life as a plain wooden box from the dollar store. I painted it black using acrylic paints and added a little orange Luminere paint for highlights. Each individual box is approximately 2" square. I used scarps of Halloween paper for each box. Each square was distressed with black ink around the edges.

The boxes were filled with mostly dollar store finds. I just realized that I lost the spider from the top center box. The spider was from a plastic ring as were the bats in the bottom right corner. The bones in the center boxes were one skeleton I chopped into pieces. He came from a string of skeleton garland, again from the dollar store. The center box has a Cricut cut tombstone left over from another project and some punched bats. The top left corner has two little bottles tied with string and filled with glitter. I also added a punched bat to one bottle. These were from my stash and are one of the more expensive items in the box. I paid a whopping 50 cents a bottle. The top right corner has a Jolee sticker on a rosette again inexpensive and you can add just about anything to the rosette. Now to continue my random box bouncing, we go to the bottom left box where I used a game piece that I altered with some ink and a stamp. The last box is the center bottom box and that has a foam boo left over from a kindergarten room mom project, a few flowers from a huge bouquet and a dollar store pumpkin table tossers.

Overall a way fun and definitely kewl project that just uses a little creativity and mostly stuff we have in our Halloween stash or from the dollar store. --- I really need to find my spider, I hope he hasn't bitten anyone.

Bombshell Hump Day Skelly Hop

2011-10-26T11:22:00.000-07:00

This month over at Bombshell Stamps we decided to have skeletons as the main theme of our October Hop. It could be for Halloween, Day of the Dead, or just because you like skeletons. We were also encouraged to create something decorative or ornamental, not just a card. Now all the lovely ghouls participating in this hop have created some wonderful things to share with you. So if you have just joined in, why not start at the beginning at the Bombshell Blog. If you have arrived here from Alaine's MissAlaineous' Mosaics you are in the right place at the right time.

Here is my creation for this month. It is very simple yet looks great when lit up. All the skeletons flicker and dance around the light.

I used the skeleton from the Retro Cowgirl stamp set. This was a very quick and easy project and makes a great Halloween gift. Simply measure some vellum the length and width of a cylinder clear candle, stamp your image in black, distress and tape the seam together. I also added a little bling to my skeleton's eye as that makes them glow in the dark. Now how quick and easy is that? Of course, if you want, it is simple to add a little color, Day of the Dead sugar skulls look great in this project also.

Now, off you go to Stemplelientje's Stamp Creations, where she will have another great project for you.

Happy Halloween, Day of the Dead, and All Saints Day.

Bombshell Stamps Retro Cowgirl Stamp Set

Archival Ink - Black

Score tape

Red Rhinestones - Recollections

Candle - Stash

Cherry Bomb Chocolate Cookies

2011-10-06T20:26:00.000-07:00

The Bombshell Design team was challenged to come up with a 8x8 recipe page featuring one of the Bombshell stamps and a favorite recipe. These chocolate cookies are so good you are going to have to make a third and fourth batch just to satisfy your family! This is a recipe I invented for a friend of my who lives way far away in MI. He's a pretty good cook himself.

The cherry background paper for this page was created using the cherry stamp from the Bombshell Cherry Bomb Stamp Set. I also used the Bombshell from that set. I stamped her and colored her with copics and Prisma pencils and then scanned her and enlarged her (Johnny Luv's idea - he's so smart!) so that she would be more in scale with my page.

The cherry border that she is sitting on was created using a cc designs die that cut the scallops and embossed the cherries. I added red pearls to the cherries for even more texture and colored the stems and leaves with Copics.

Polka dots and cherries always seem to go together in my mind so of course they just had to go together on this page; black and white polka dot background paper, red and white polka dot ribbons, and some fun covered brads in a wonderful red and white polka dot. Who could ask for more?

Now this is a contest and so I need all of you to pop over to the Bombshell Forum and register there and then pop on over to the blog so you can vote for my recipe creation.

Bombshell Stamps Cherry Bomb Stamp Set
DCVW Design Paper Black and White
Making Memories Brads
Offray Ribbon
Martha Stewart Border Punch and Medallionl Punch
Mary Englebreit Cherry Embellishment
Recollection Pearls & Bling
Copic Markers
Prisma Pencils and OMS

Autumn Gift Basket

2011-09-30T15:12:00.000-07:00

I created this cute little autumn basket for my niece using a berry basket made of wood splits that I picked up from Tractor Supply for only 49 cents; what a deal! Decorating it was tons of fun too. This is one of the few items I have ever made that has absolutely no stamping on it, although, I did use distress inks and gold ink on the edges of different elements. The background is K&Co. paper from their fall pad, covered in the most gorgeous leaf pattern. This side has a rosette made using a die from MFT and a butterfly sticker from the dollar store. The quote panel is from Crafty Secrets and I added a little bling to the corners. I used a Martha Stewart border punch for the top trim and some Offray ribbon. The entire basket was then wrapped using tulle and some dollar store wire ribbon.

Each side of the basket is different. This one has some Prima flowers I picked up from the clearance bin at Michaels and a button from Whimsies that I used as a center. The butterfly is a Martha Stewart punch with some Recollections pearls for the body. The flourish used for the vine is from a Tim Holtz die and the grape leaf is a Cuttlebug diecut that I gave texture to with a stylus.

This side has a more butterflies using punches from EK Success and MS edged in gold and punched from K&Co. scraps from the fall pad. Again I used Recollections pearls to accent the butterflies and the Crafty Secrets panel that I popped up using chipboard and foam tape. The bee seal is something that has been in my stash for years.

This side again uses different Prima flowers from the clearance bin with a Whimsies button as a center, leaves from an old Christmas wreath, TH die cuts for the vine and the MS butterfly and Recollections pearls.

The basket contains two kitchen towels covered in fall leaves and have a TH diecut and silk leaf layered on the top.

Crafty Secrets Autumn Blessings Cuts
K&Co. Fall Design Paper Pad
Martha Stewart Punches
EK Success punch
Recollection Pearls
Tim Holtz Die Cut
Prima Flowers
My Favorite Things Die Cut
Whimsies Buttons
Distress Inks
Gold Color Box Ink
Offray Ribbon

Bombshell Blog Hop

2011-09-27T09:08:00.000-07:00

It's that time of again. My favorite Wednesday of the month. It's time for the Bombshell Blog Hop. This month's theme is "Holidays". Pick your holiday between now and the end of the year. I of course, picked my favorite holiday - Halloween. To start from the beginning just go on over to the Bombshell Blog and follow along.

Since one of my favorite parts of this holiday is handing out candy to all the little beggars who come knocking at my door, I decided to make a little Halloween treat holder.

This is a fun little cover for chocolate bars; just pull the little tag and up pops your candy bar.

I used the new Bombshell Halloween Digis to create a witch's costume for the Bombshell Angel. the black cat is from a felt border and the pumpkin is a sticker from my stash.

I know you will enjoy the rest of this holiday adventure as you follow along with the rest of the Bombshells and friends.

Bombshell Stamps - Bombshell Angel and Halloween Digi Costume
Inkadinkado Flourish Stamp
Paper - Basic Grey
White Signo Pen
EK Success witch punch
Sakura Glitter Pen
Prisma Pencils & OMS
Le Plume Pen
Martha Stewart Glitter
3M Foam Tape
Pumpkin, Yarn, Sticker and Cat from Stash
Candy Bar by Hersey's (Yum)

Senorita Muerta

2011-09-24T09:30:00.000-07:00

This is one of my newer Bombshell stamps, Mi Amor. I absolutely love this one. I'm a big fan of Day of the Dead. I actually knew I wanted to use this stamp and edge punch, from there I started searching for a paper to go with the stamp. I wanted something that would look good in the shawl as well as in the background. This one looks almost like a shawl that I own.

The sketch is the Bombshell monthly sketch challenge for September.

To play along for a chance to win a free set of Bombshell stamps, just create a card using this sketch (remember you can rotate the sketch if you want to) and upload it to the link on the Bombshell Blog.

September Bombshell Challenge

2011-09-21T18:58:00.000-07:00

Ms. September, Stempelientje, set our challenge this month at Bombshell Stamps and she wanted speed and she wanted red. This was a challenge that I was way happy to answer! There are lots of ways to interpret this challenge and I went for a fast bike - ain't nothin' better! (Well Maybe chocolate - thought about that and decided chocolate has to take second)

I started by using last weeks SCS sketch. This is the first time I have tried one of their sketch challenges and I just really liked it for what I had in mind. The background paper was a vibrant red which I dearly love. I stamped the engine randomly all over and heat embossed it. The center section of background paper is a Cuttlebug embossing folder which is great for men, machines, cars and of course, steampunk. After dry embossing I went over the raised gears with a platinum dye pad to high light my gears. The image was heat embossed and colored with Copics and a silver Signo pen to get that wonderful chrome look (luv me some chrome). It was then cut out and popped up with foam tape onto my center panel which was embellished with some phillips head screw brads.

Bombshell Stamps has some of the best, in my opinion, motorcycle stamp sets on the market. This set "Retro Harley" is one of my favorites. They are fun to color and the detail is extra-ordinary.

Now for the fun part, if you would like to play along with us, just pop on over to the Bombshell Blog and link up your creation. You will have a chance to win a free set of Bombshell Stamps of your choice if you are this month's winner.

Sour Summer

2011-09-08T06:29:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was summer sweets and today is the sour. Isn't this just the cutest image. I just think the little puckered up mouse is too funny.

This is my last summer time card; I'm into fall after this one, but I just had to eeek out one more day of hot weather, lemonade, and sun bathing.

I add loads of sparkle to this card. The sands have Sakura glitter pen, the lemons, have Stickles, and the glass is covered in glossy accents. Just love that glimmer and gleam. I used two EK Success punches for my embellishments, flowers alone just didn't seem right. Love paper umbrellas, just couldn't quite figure out how to add a real one to this card so I stuck with the one in the image. (Any image that has paper umbrellas is definitely getting added to my collection.)

This card has already been mailed off to another mousie friend. Hope she doesn't peek.

Stampabilities - House Mouse - "Lemon Lips"
Prisma Pencils and OMS
Me and My Big Ideas Design Paper
Martha Stewart Border Punch
EK Success - Crab and Starfish Punch
Prima Flowers
Dew Drops
Yellow Stickles
Sakura Glitter Pen
Signo White Pen
3M Foam Tape
Glossy Accents

Sweet Summer Time

2011-09-07T06:34:00.000-07:00

Banana popsicles are my favorite, and the little mousies too apparently. I used to go through the box in the summer when I was a kid just looking for that wonderful yellow popsicle. Not much has changed as I grew older, I would buy popsicles for the kids and still root through the box looking for that magical color. Luckily, I was the only bananaholic in the family. I know eventually I will color this card with a bunch of different colored treats but today, for the first time, it just had to be yellow.

Yellow and white are two of my favorite summer colors. This combination always seems so refreshing. In fact, this year has been my mom and I's yellow year. We refreshed different parts of her house and it was all yellow and white - new quilt, dishes, bath mats and shower curtain. We needed something uplifting while mom is fighting cancer and this color just lifts our spirits.

For this card, I used some yellow design paper I have been hoarding for too long. I added tons of layers just cause I like them and added embossing to my white background paper. I think nothing looks better than white embossing. I just love it! The ribbon was something I picked up in Michael's dollar bin a while back cause of the lovely yellow and white colors and I also picked up the popsicle embellishment there, how could I resist a yellow popsicle? Sticles and white signo pen were added to the popsicle to make it look frosty and yummy.

Stamp - Stampabilities House Mouse "Brain Freeze"
Prisma Pencil and OMS
Spellbinders rectangle and scalloped rectangle nestabilities
Cuttlebug embossing folder
Signo White Pen
Yellow Stickles
Popsicle and Ribbon from Stash
3M Foam Tape

I'm sending this card off as a swap to a new House Mouse list friend.

Butterfly Are Free ATC

2011-09-02T06:10:00.000-07:00

This month's personal ATC swap with my Design Diva friends has a butterfly theme. I tried a new technique for this card; ironing napkins to card stock using saran warp. It works up to a point. I believe I would prefer glue though as the cling wrap doesn't seem to permanent. At any rate, I ironed some gorgeous butterfly napkins to my car stock. I then cut it into the 2 1/2 by 3 1/2" pieces, the backgrounds were stamped with a gold flourish and embossed. Next I edged the entire ATC with a gold paint pen and added some jewels to the corners. I stamped and colored butterflies and cut them out. The butterflies are backed with a second butterfly image so that when I popped them on the ATC their wings would be pretty from either side. I have been hoarding some metal filigree butterflies that I glued over a larter butterfly image on my napkins and finally I added a little butterfly domed embellishment.

I must say that it has been fun creating ATC's again. I have really been enjoying these little works of art and have a great display from a bird swap in my living room.

Martha Stewart Butterfly Stamps

Inkadinkado Flourish

Tim Holtz Embossing Powder

Recollections Rhinestones and Metal Butterflies

K&Co. Butterfly Dome Embellishments

Prisma Colors and OMS

Colorbox Gold Ink

Stazon Black Ink

Gold Paint Pen

Glue Dots

Punch Studio Napkins

Put Me in the Movies

2011-08-31T14:56:00.000-07:00

Today is the Bombshell Monthly Blog Hop. The theme this month is "Put Me in the Movies". If you would like to start at the beginning of this wonderful hop just jump on over to the Bombshell Stamps Blog If you have arrived here from Alex's Papers and String Blog you on the right track.

Hopefully you will be able to guess my movie choice. If you guessed "Peter Pan" you were right. If not, please tell me what you thought.

I used the Pirate's Life stamp set to create my character. The pirate wench was turned into Peter Pan with a slight costume change and some green tights and a hat. She was then cut out and popped up using foam tape. The pirate ship came from the Homeward Bound stamp set. I added the skull and cross bones to the sail colored it with my Prisma pencils, cut it out with nesties and edged it with stickles. The background paper was created using distress inks and pieces of the Pirate's Life set. I added some glimmer mist to it to give it some sheen and edged it with gold paint pen. The fairy is a tiny stamp I have had forever and a day. I popped her and added a trail of stickles, rhinestones and star confetti. Lastly I mounted the entire card onto some luscious purple cardstock.

Now it's time to continue your journey down Hollywood Blvd. by hopping over to Celina's Ponies and Crafts Blog.

A Pirates Life and Homeward Bound Bombshell Stamp Sets

Distress Inks - Broken China, Concord, Peeled Paint

Stazon Ink

Le Plume Black Pen

Prisma Pencils and OMS

Recollections Bling

Stickles

Gold Paint Pen

Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist - Pearl

Signo Pens - Gold, Silver

Gel Pen - Red (lips)

Copics

Spellbinders Nestabilities - Labels 4

3M Foam Tape

Bombshell Stamps Monthly Challenge

2011-08-17T05:55:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for the OBG Blog Hop, please scroll down to the next entry.

This month our challenge at Bombshell Stamps is brought to us by the ubber talented Milo. As the guest designer for August, she chose a distress theme with mostly white. I have to admit that I have been influnced by Milo and her wonderfully shaped cards this month. I have had the template for this boot card in my stash since forever but hadn't used it before.

The different sections of the boot have been embossed using two different Cuttlebug embossing folders. I added faux stitching around the top edges and distressed all the edges using a TH gizmo and distress ink. There are four different types of bling, dewdrops and charms as well as vintage flowers and a lace bow all distressed as well. The Retro Cowgirl image was stamped with Archival Sepia Ink and colored with Copic markers, Prisma pencils, gel pen, and a white Signo pen. I then cut her out and popped her with 3M foam tape (I should have stock in this stuff).

Take a trip on over to the Bombshell Stamps Blog to see the creations of the other Bombshells. These are some incredibly talented ladies. If you feel inspired to play along, there is a link over at the Bombshell Blog so you can play along and possibly win a free set of Bombshell Stamps.

OBG Blog Hop

2011-08-17T05:26:00.000-07:00

For the first hop of the day, I am hopping along with the Design Diva's. This stands for Divine, Inspirational, Virtuous, Artistic (Anoited) Sistahs! Our group originated 2 years ago on SCS and recently branched out to Facebook. OBG means you must use something that you have had in your stash for at least 6 months; papers, stamps, etc. It may be a card, scrap book page or a 3D item. If you are just starting the hop you can pop on over to Heather's Coffee Break and hop from the beginning. If you are coming from Vicki's blog, Bountiful Blessing, then you are in the right place. I really enjoy this hop, we get to use treasures that we have forgotten about but still love.

For today's card I created another little something for my sister, another pea pod card, this time using a Bugawumps stamp I've had for maybe a year or more. I purchased this stamp with the express purpose of making a card for my sis. I just fell in love with the little critter peeking out from behind the peas. I added little rhinestones to his eyes so that he would really pop. The paper I purchased last summer and has a Japanese style pea pod along with some plum blossoms, aren't the bright colors just fun; and besides, how often do you find paper with pea pods on it? Not too often, I can tell you. The card was designed using the Mojo Monday sketch for this week.

For the next stop on your journey, hop on over to Cindy's Antics for another beautiful card. You will be glad you did.

Stamps - Bugawumps
Papers - Cosmo Cricket DP and Bazzil Card Stock
Prisma Pencils and OMS
Ink - Black Stazon
Gel Pen
Copic
Sakura Glitter Pen
3 M Foam Tape
Pealrs- Queen & Co.
Rhinestones - Fun2Scrap

Two Peas in a Pod

2011-08-16T07:09:00.000-07:00

I collect stamps with peas and pea pods because of my baby sister. She loves getting special pea pod mail. When House Mouse showcased a pea pod stamp at the beginning of the as on of their Mouse of the Month promotions, I could hardly stand the wait till it came out.
Here is the card I made for my little sis. I also have a little pea pod garden stake that I am going to include with it.

I use 3 separately colored images to create the central image. The different peas are popped at different levels as are the mouse the pea pod front and back and the peas in the middle and the stem. Their is lots of depth to this card. I had to add lots of layers as my sister counts those. She really appreciates all my cards and is fun to create for. The heart embellishment in the bow was created using an orange button that matched the buttons in the corners with a heart shaped rhinestone attached to the top. The little corner buttons have been threaded with ribbon instead of thread for a fun feminine look. The inside of the card is decorated with the same papers as the outside.

I also plan to make her a little set of note cards with this image. So watch for those in an upcoming post.

Stamp - Stampabilities - House Mouse - Give Peas a Chance
Design Paper - DCVW
Ink - Stazon Black
Prisma Pencils and OMS
Ribbon - Offray
Buttons - Oriental Trading
Bling - Recollections
3 M Foam Tape
Martha Stewart Punch
Nestabilities - Labels 4

Coy Mermaid

2011-08-12T11:05:00.000-07:00

You know I love koi and I adore mermaids so when Sweet Pea stamps put them together it was a must have image for me. This is my first Sweet Pea stamp and let me tell you it surely will not be my last. I can hardly choose my next image they are all so very kewl.

This is an ATC made for Sweet Pea Stamps "Sweet Pea Dreaming" ATC challenge over on their challenge blog. I usually do a lot more to an ATC than I have to this one. This one is colored and backed with gold sparkly mat paper. I have added stickles, gold pen, and rhinestones as well as some crystal lacquer to the mermaid's eyes, a little trick I learned from one of the Bombshell Girls. I am very happy with the way it came out and will possibly be adding it to a card. Right now it is just sitting on my desk where I can enjoy it. It's too bad the camera cannot pick up all the sparkle on this card; it just shimmers and glitters in the light.

Sweet Pea Stamps - Ching Chou Kuik's Koi

Prisma and OSM

Copic

Happy to Scrap Rhinestones

Crystal Lacquer

Sakura Glitter Pen

Stickles

Signo Gold Pen and White Pen

Gel Pens

Miss Mousie

2011-08-09T08:29:00.000-07:00

This sweet little mousie has girly-girl down to an art form. She just begs for pink, lace, flowers, bows and rhinestones; and the little crown fits right in. This is one of my favorite House Mouse stamps it reminds me of when my girls were little playing dress up and trying out my make up. Now my baby girl is 16 and wants to wear make for real - aaagggghhh!

This ATC was made for the House Mouse Monday Challenge, which for me wasn't really too much of a challenge as I love ATC's. I'm sure you've noticed plenty of them on the blog lately. The image was colored with Prisma pencils and OMS and the mirror was colored over with a Sakura glitter pen to give it some shine. Then the image was cut out and popped onto the pink design paper. The little polka dots are actually glittery but the camera had trouble picking that up. I added a border punched with one of my favorite Martha Stewart border punches and added some bling to that. Love my little bows so, of course, that had to be added and the little rose is a sculpy flower I made. The rhinestone crown was just something from my stash.

Finally the card edge was distressed with gold ink.

Stamps - Stampabilities - House Mouse - Amanda Shines

Design Paper - Making Memories

Bling - Recollections

Martha Stewart Border Punch

Prisma Pencils and OMS

Sakura Glitter Pen

3M Foam Tape

Stazon Black Ink

Colorbox Gold Ink

Bingo collage

2011-08-08T08:55:00.000-07:00

Today, something a little different, there is no stamping on the outside of this card at all. I originally intended to put a sentiment into the heart, but the ribbon looked so much better. This card was made using Cheery Lynn die cuts. I absolutely love them and am making a new collection as my budget permits. Today I used the Oriental Butterfly and the Heart to Heart Doily, of course they were gifts from my Johnny Luv. (Can we say spoiled? Yes, we can.)

I couldn't get the image in the bottle cap to focus for the camera. It has a little face in it. How fun is that?

I also like the little face peeking out in the right hand corner just above the heart doily, a shy little angel hiding behind the butterfly wing. I added glitter to the bingo card to give it a little zing and had the lovely turquoise heart jewels in my stash of bling.

I was just thinking about a questionnaire I filled out several years ago, it asked about collage experience. At that time I read the question wrong and read college experience. I put down a year of business school. I'm thinking that the folks who received that answer were just scratching their heads in wonder.

Design Paper - Gypsy Chick

Die Cuts - Cheery Lynn- Oriental Butterfly, Heart to Heart Doily

Ribbon - Offray

Bling - Recollections

Pin - Dritz

Glitter - Martha Stewart

Bottle Cap - Stash

Ink - Tim Holtz Distress - Peeled Paint, Broken China, Vintage Photo

Crystal Lacquer

3M Foam Tape

Glue Pen

Glittery Koi Pond

2011-08-04T07:00:00.000-07:00

For a private ATC swap on my Design Divas group the theme was pond life. Well, I had just received this Lotus Garden stamp set from Bombshell stamps and you know how I am about koi so....

The koi were stamped on acetate and then glitter was added to the back. I found this technique on the Bombshell stamp site (thanks Kathi) and just loved it with the darling fish. The background paper is K&Co and stamped with a unknown kanji stamp that was embossed with glitter. The entire card was then mounted onto gold wrapping paper.(Ladies, you really should buy yourself a roll of gold wrapping paper at Christmas time, it is soooo much cheaper than purchasing gold paper at the store and it lasts forever.)

Lotus Garden Stamp Set - Bombshell Stamps
Kanji Stamp - Unknown
K&Co Design Paper
Versamark Embossing Pad
PK Glitz Elite Embossing Glitter
Stazon Black Ink
Martha Stewart Glitter
GP Card Stock

Quilting Kimmie Block

2011-08-03T09:57:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for WOYWW, please scroll down.

I found Kraftin' Kimmie stamps this year and have fallen in love with many of their images. This is my newest image called "Lavender". I have a good friend that is going to teach me to quilt and I made this card for her.

This card is entered in the Saturday Kraftin' Kimmie Challenge #89. The challenge this week was to refrain from using embellishments. That was a really difficult challenge for me. I love my embellishments; I mean it's really hard to not at least add a ribbon or some glitter.

Even without the embellishments I am pretty pleased with this card. I had this quilt paper for a while and had been saving it for just the right project. I used the smaller patter to paper piece Lavender's quilt and then matched up the background to the quilt blocks, fun! The main image is popped so she doesn't completely get lost in the background. I did try adding cream and white behind the image but just didn't care for it.

Lavender - Kraftin' Kimmie Stamp

K&Co Design Paper

Archival Ink

Prisma Pencils and OMS

Copic Markers

Signo White Pen

3 M foam tape

Whats on Your Work Desk Wednesday

2011-08-03T09:39:00.000-07:00

Today's sneak peek at my creative space has my creative consultants, Pearl Estelle and Opal Ann, trying to decide which colored pencils to use (or possibly chew). These girls sit on my desk all the time when I'm working. In fact the first thing Pearl Estelle did when she moved in as a puppy was to cover herself in pink glitter.

Opal Ann has refrained from that fiasco but she has glued herself to several projects. What would I do without their help?

To link up or to find other sneak peeks head on over to WOYWW

August Sketch Challenge from Bombshell Stamps

2011-08-02T09:41:00.000-07:00

Here's the sketch for this month. I really like this sketch because the three panels remind me of Japanese murals and I planned to use my new Koi stamps for this month's challenge.

Remember to use Bombshell Stamps and that the sketch can be flipped in any direction. Please add your card to our forum by August 31st for a chance to win a free stamp set. For a second chance to win, link your card to our blog on August 10th.

Here is my take on this month's Sketch.

I used the new "Lotus Garden" stamp set that was created for the Japanese Relief Fund. Koi are one of my favorite things so I know you will be seeing more of these images in the future. In fact, I am working on a way kewl ATC using this set right now. The paper has traditional Japanese patterns on it. The wave pattern that I have used behind the koi is one of my favorite patterns. I found this paper on a clearance rack and stocked up on it since I can use it for my daughter who does geisha themed entertaining and educational programs.

Stamp Set - Bombshell Stamps - "Lotus Garden"
Design Paper - Kodomo
Black Cardstock - stash
Prisma Pencils and OMS
Gold, Silver, White Signo Pens
Stazon Ink - Black
Foam Tape - 3M

Strawberry Birthday

2011-07-31T20:02:00.000-07:00

Bet you thought I was gone forever; but no, my mom is very ill with cancer and she is loosing her fight with it. I am spending my days with her and taking care of my family in the evening so things have been a little, make that a lot busy. At any rate, I am making some time to make a few cards, so, here is my latest House Mouse card made for a birthday card swap on my House Mouse list and for the 100th House Mouse Monday Challenge which I missed by 2 minutes. My timing stinks.

This was a fun card to make. I did lots of faux stitching on many of the layers. The straight pin was colored with a Sharpie to match the bling and stitching. The house mouse was cut out and popped. The strawberry was popped and the candle and leaves were popped as well. A gray smudge was added for the candle smoke. The mat for the house mouse was cut using Nestabilities Wonky Rectangles (my newest nestie set) and that was popped up too. My kids get a kick out of counting how many layers I add to a card. My sis is disappointed if there are not more than four. I think they are all spoiled, but what can I say? I made them that way.

Stampabilities House Mouse Full of Hot Air

K&Co. Design Paper

Martha Stewart border punch

Oriental Trading Buttons

Offray Ribbon

Darice Bling Heart

Dritz Pen

Prisma Pencil and OMS

Copic

Yellow Gel Pen

Turquoise Gel Pen

Spellbinders Nestabilities Wonky Rectangles

Slippery When Wet

2011-07-21T08:14:00.000-07:00

I made this card for the Design Team Challenge over at Bombshell Stamps. The theme was Slippery When Wet and of course innuendo was flying on the design team forum. Now I could have made a sweet card using our new koi or perhaps one of the lovely mermaid sets; but, no, this is what I came up with with the inspiration of my other Bombshells.

The girl in the glass was colored specifically to match the slippery when wet sign that I found on the internet. This is my first go at adding fishnet stockings to one of the bombshells. Hope she has better luck with hers, I always end up with ladders in mine. I embossed the black background using the Cuttlebug diamonds folder to mimic the sign, next I added a whole lot of bling. The sign and the glass as well as the bombshell's leg are all popped up with foam tape. Both glasses are covered in glossy accents to give them some shine and finally I added a black bow and yellow rose for more interest. The Entire front was then layered onto several more pieces of yellow and black card stock. Oh, yes, the sign is bordered in black and two bits of bling were added for the rivets where it connects to the sign post.

I originally wanted to include a couple bottles of Bailey's and Butterscotch Schnapps in a gift basket for my sister along with a recipe for a slippery nipple (drink) and a cute card and tag but that drink is served in a shot glass and I couldn't manage to get my girl to sit in the shot glass properly (as if she could ever be proper).

Bombshell Stamps - Man's Ruin Set

Cuttlebug Embossing Folder

Recollections Bling

Offray Ribbon

Prismas and OMS

Copics

Signo White and Black Pen

Glossy Accents

3M Foam Tape

Rose - Stash

Summer Shell

2011-07-20T09:24:00.000-07:00

Sorry I was away so long. I have been taking care of my mom who is stage 4 cancer and it has taken up quite a bit of my time and stole my mojo for a while. Now, I'm back and my mojo has returned (found it in MN).

Bombshell Stamps Pinup challenge for July is "Summer Daze" . The challenge was to use a summer theme and to use a bombshell stamp to create a embellishment. Not to sure I covered the embellishment part but I am pretty sure I have the summer part right; after all, summer - summer vacation - vacation - Hawaii.

I found the shell in the clearance aisle at Hobby Lobby and knew right away what I wanted to do with it. For once, something came out just the way I envisioned it so that was very satisfying. I think I will keep this next to my Mermaid in a Bottle and a little sandcastle sculpture. Maybe someday I will get to return to the islands and the ocean. In the meantime, I will be able to look at my little shell and imagine.

If you would like to win some kewl Bombshell Swag pop on over to the Bombshell Blog and add your Summer Daze Bombshell creation to the link. A random drawing will be held and one lucky winner could receive a free set of Bombshell Stamps.

Bombshell Stamps - Hawaiian Girl and Hula Girl

Prisma Pencils & OMS

Copic Markers

Beacons Glue

Shell

Stinkin' Cute

2011-07-10T10:40:00.000-07:00

I received this cute little blog award from Cindy over at Cindy's Antics. Thank you so much Cindy.

I am going to pass this on to:

Eve at Lavender Memory Lane

Peggie at Stampin with Peggie

Sue at Rubber Stamping Adventure

Sue at Sue's Stamping
Kim at Kim's Creations
Kim at Dancing in the Puddles

Theresa at Krafty Kamp
Cathy at House Mouse Haven

Sweet Southern Belle

2011-07-06T19:42:00.000-07:00

Let me tell you, I just love this ATC. I'm doing a personal trade with a couple of Design Divas and the theme this time was Southern Belle. Now I knew that I wanted to use the stamp of the lady in the hoop skirt, but I didn't know how. I was originally thinking of using a silhouette of Georgia and a peach in the background or maybe a picture of a plantation house but they just didn't work for me. I googled Georgia, Alabama, Confederate flag, southern belle, and confederate and accidentally found an image of confederate curreny - Bingo! I copied an image of the money and then cut it down as background paper for the ATC and made sure to use the portion with the red print on it . I over stamped that with a script stamp, embossed with some bronze embossing powder and distressed the edges with vintage photo distress ink and copper Brilliance ink. The belle image was stamped with sepia archival ink, distressed, and popped up on 3M foam tape. The button in the corner is a reproduction vintage button from my stash. I made the rose using Sculpy and a latex mold and then distressed it with distress inks. The last embellishment is a brad from who knows where with a topaz colored rhinestone in the center.

Computer image of Confederate currency
Southern Belle - Clear Art Stamps
Script - A Stamp in the Hand
Bronze Embossing Powder - PK Glitz
Versamark Embossing Pad
Brilliance Ink - Copper
Distress Inks - Old Paper, Vingtage Photo, Faded Rose, Fired Brick
Archival Ink - Sepia
Button and Brad - Stash
Rose - Scuply - MoldMuse mold
Happy2Scrap - Adhesive Rhinestone
3M Foam Tape

Hanging Around

2011-07-05T08:35:00.000-07:00

This is the third and last in the House Mouse ATC series. This is about as clean and simple as I get. I used the Cuttlebug Dotted Swiss embossing folder then colored the dots with a gel pen after using the Nestabilities oval to cut out the center. I colored my little mouse and then cut him out and popped him into the center of the oval using 3M foam tape. I had a little clothespin in my stash and a small piece of ribbon for the clothes line and ta-da, ATC.

Stampabilities House Mouse - In a Pinch
Cuttlebug Embossing Folder - Dotted Swiss
Oval Nestabilities
Prisma Pencils and OMS
Gel Pen
Clothes Pin - Stash
Offray Ribbon
Bazzil Cardstock

4th of July

2011-07-04T10:02:00.000-07:00

Now for something totally new and different or me and my blog. It's not a card or even a paper project. It's my first attempt at a decorated cupcake.

Wanted something very festive and saw this technique on Sandra Lee, at least the multi-colored icing bit. I think it looks something like Johnny Luv's fireworks.

For a first attempt, I am rather proud of these. I am looking forward to improving and taking a few cake decorating classes.

Happy 4th of July everyone and Thank you all of have served and are serving to make this country free.

Leather Cowgirl

2011-07-02T07:09:00.000-07:00

The girls over at Bombshell Stamps were challenged to try a new technique. Now, I had an idea or two of what I wanted to do but wasn't sure it would work. Well after playing around putting a burn on the craft desk, melting some Tupperware, melting a part of the keyboard, and burning myself twice. This is what I came up with

Using a scrap of Johnny Luv's leather, I stamped my Retro Cowgirl image on then used a wood burning tool to burn her into the leather. I used a fancy tip on the wood burning thingie to give it some texture around the edges. Next the image was colored up with copics, her skin tone didn't change too much it still looks about like the leather. Next I used some distress inks to color the background. The star brads are something my daughter had sitting around in her room (found them when I was cleaning) The concho was purchased from Tandy Leather, they come in a package of maybe a dozen and are fairly cheap and a great embellishment for Western themed stamps. I had purhcased the cowboy ribbon years ago and have been saving it for just the right project. This was it. I also added a little ribbon tassle just because I could. Finally I buffed the entire thing with a soft cloth and burnished the edges using a burnishing tool.

I took this project over to my dad's to show him, he confiscated it on the spot. He is going to hang it on his rearview mirror in his truck. He also showed it off at the show and tell portion of his leather guild meeting where it met with the approval of the rest of the guild. Not bad for a first attempt. I will definitely be working on this technique some more.

On the downside, Johnny Luv says if I burn myself anymore, he will be taking away my crafty tools. Guess I better be more careful or blame the burns on cooking.

Bombshell Stamps - Retro Cowgirl
Scrap Leather
Copics
Distress Ink, Vintage Photo and Walnut
Wood Burning Tool with fine tip and texture tip
Brads Daughter's Stash
Key ring from my purse
Concho - Tandy Leather
Ribbon - $1 bin from Michaels
Burnishing Tool - Tandy

Dream Puff

2011-06-30T09:21:00.000-07:00

This the second in a series of 3 House Mouse ATC's made for a trade on my House Mouse List. This is one of my favorite House Mouse stamps, little Amanda sleeping on a cotton ball. It's just so incredibly sweet. I replaced the stamped cotton ball with a real one and cut out the mouse and put her on top of it. The buttons in the corner are actually fabric brads that have been in my stash forever. Since my sewing machine is still packed away, I used faux stitching done with a gel pen.

Stampabilities - House Mouse - DreamPuff
Prismas and OMS
yellow gel pen
Martha Stewart Baby Pad
Brads from Stash
Cotton ball from first aide kit
Rose - stash

Bombshell Hump Day Hop

2011-06-28T20:09:00.000-07:00

Our wonderful Bombshell Hump Day Hottie, Alison, has decreed that the theme o' this here hop be Shiver Me Timbers. So avast ye maties and prepare ter be astounded. Everyone be havin' a different interpretation o' this here theme and I be telling ye that those Bombshell wenches be displaying some special booty. So, if ye wish ter begin this here journey from the beginning, set sail for the Bombshell Blog if ye came from Mary G's Stamp in Hideaway yer on the right course.

I be truly inspired by the theme and so be havin' two treasures for yer viewing pleasure. The first be
Sunset Galleons. Inspired by the Black Ships o' Portugal that sailed ter Japan.

The second be me representation o' that most infamous ghost ship the Flyin' Dutchman.

Next on yer blog hopping adventure be Meredith's Paper Canteen where she be awaitin' yer with further beauties. So be off with ye.

Bombshell Stamps - Homeward Bound

Adirondack Inks

Colorbok Cardstock

Signo White Pen

Brayer

Brillance Platinum Ink

House Mouse ATC's

2011-06-28T08:53:00.000-07:00

I had a great time creating this ATC for a swap on the House Mouse List. We needed to make a total of three House Mouse ATC's. I will post the next two later this week. Each of my ATC was made in a different style.

The first one is shabby chic and I think my favorite.

For this card the mouse was cut out and popped onto a nestabilities label that wad distressed around the edges. The perfume bottle was colored with crystal lacquer and looks just like a bottle my little brother gave me years ago. The background paper was also distressed and I had some dollar store paper lace and a bit of satin ribbon to one edge. The butterfly is another dollar store find. The rose in the corner I actually made myself with some sculpy and a mold. I distressed it with a little green ink and added some Martha Stewart leaves. The bit of diecut in the left corner is what was inside something else I cut out but it fit perfectly on the ATC. The pins and bling were in my pile of stash.

I am keeping an additional one of these ATC's for myself, sending one off in the swap. That leaves me with one extra. Wonder what I should do with it?

House Mouse Stamp - Sweet Scents
Making Memories - English Garden Design Paper Pad
Stazon Ink
Prisma Pencils and OMS
Distress Ink - vintage photo, weathered wood, peeled paint
Bling - Darice
Ribbon - Offray
Pins - Dritz
Paper Lace - Sticker - Dollar Store
Crystal Color Lacquer - Sakura
Martha Stewart Punch
Sculpy
Rose Mold - MoldMuse

Wild Thing

2011-06-27T07:47:00.000-07:00

First I have to tell you that Bombshell stamps has two brand new stamps sets out. The profit from these stamps will go to the Japan Relief Fund. So Far we have $75 We need to sell 5 more of these sets before the end of the month so pop on over the the Bombshell Store and order yours today. These sets are absolutely awesome and the Bombshell Girls will be featuring cards made using these sets on their blogs (me too) this Sunday.

Now onto today's feature presentation "Wild Thing". The challenge for this month over at Bombshell chosen by our very talented June Bombshell, Emily Wilson, was to use an animal print in our cards. I love leopard spots, my children and old boss are always buying me things with this print on it, my puppies even have leopard bedding, so this was not a difficult challenge for me. I mean I already had the leopard paper.

The Cherry Bomb bombshell already had that wild thing look (kinda like Jane as in Tarzan and) so I decided to use her and one of my fellow Bombshells started singing "Wild Thing you make my heart sing" so I was off and running. (I still have that song stuck in my head, thank you very much. NOT) I used the scalloped heart from the Spellbinders nestabilities set for my heart then ran it through my Cuttlebug using the leopard embossing folder. To give it some zing I added black Stickles to the spots. A couple rosettes made from a Die-namics and Tim Holtz die, a little blag netting and I had my Wild Thing.

Bombshell Stamps - Cherry Bomb Set
Die-namics Rosette Die - My Favorite Things
Small rosette Die - Tim Holtz
Black Stickles
Netting from Stash
Copics
Prisma pencils and OMS
Paper - The Paper Studio
Spell Binders Scalloped Hearts Die
Black Bazzil Cardstock

Sing

2011-06-25T07:30:00.000-07:00

I am participating in a ATC swap whose theme is birds. I am so very excited about this swap. The hostess and most of the other participants are all from Norway. How cool is that. I was thinking about how I can instantly communicate and share pictures and other information with people around the world. It's as easy as turning on my computer. Things are so different from when I was a teenager. I remember the first apple desktop computer. They were really just for offices. Look at us now. - Just Wow!

Anyway back to this spiffy little ATC. I am really pleased with how it turned out. I started with a piece of white card stock which i painted with cream acrylic paint. When it tried I dry brushed some Weathered Wood distress ink over the top. The next step was to emboss the flowery corner with copper. Nest I distressed my edges vintage photo. After that I used my handy dandy distressing do-hickey thingamabob to rough up the edges and distressed again using Shabby Shutters distress ink. (I really love these inks.) I added some more distress ink using a sponge and Old Paper to the entire ATC. Lastly I stamped the word sing using copper ink and my Justrite stamps. That completed the background. Whew. Very Labor intensive.

Next up I cut out my bird using my very kewl new bird shapeablitity. I just had to have this die cut set when I saw it on Becca's Amazing Paper Grace Blog. (She has one of my most favorite blogs on the entire interweb.) I embossed it's little wings then stenciled it with Weathered Wood. After stenciling I colored the entire bird with Shabby Shutters than ink the edges with the same color so they were a little more prominent. The last step for the bird was to cover it with Distress Rock Candy crackle paint. (Did I mention there is lots of detail on this project?)

Third step was to back the entire background piece with a lovely copper card stock that was given to me as scraps from an art teacher. You can see it peeking around the sides of the background. This added more detail and a little more weight. After backing the piece, I used my crop-o-dile to set 3 copper eyelets.

Yet another step. I used some neato resin flowers that I THINK are from Whimisies but don't know for sure. I purchased them loose from my local scrapbook store. In fact after I made the first ATC I had to make a trip to the store to pick up enough of these flowers for 5 more cards. I almost panicked when I couldn't find them. Then a wonderful sales lady found some in the back room for me. Yeah! After returning home with my treasure, I added some pink metallic galaxy pen to the flowers so they matched my project better before sticking them to the card.

Following this step I went out to the dead tree in my yard (someday Johnny Luv promises to cut it down) and broke off some branches. I took those branches to my craft desk and proceeded to break them into tiny pieces trying to find the right combination to fit on the cards. The branches were glued on with Beacons glue (This is a wonderful adhesive, if you haven't tried it you should.) Lastly I put some foam tape behind my birds and attached them to the branches on the ATC.

Finally done, the cards are now ready to wing their way to Norway.

Brilliant Copper Ink
Weathered Wood, Old Paper, Shabby Shutters, Vintage Photo Distress Ink
Tim Holtz Rock Candy Crackle Paint
Just Rite Stamps
Tim Holtz Stamps
Spellbinders Bird Sanctuary Shapeabilities
3M Foam Tape
Craft Smart Acrylic Paint
Eyelets and Flowers Unknown
Dead Dogwood Tree - Branches

Bombshell Bottlecap Necklace

2011-06-23T21:44:00.000-07:00

This is my very first tutorial for a simple project that is loads of fun. You can do so much with this little bottle cap bombshell.

Here are a list of the necessary supplies:

Bottle cap
Rubber Mallet
Bombshell Stamp
Coloring Medium of Choice
Glossy Accents
Necklace Bail
1" Hole Punch
Ink Pad
Card Stock

To begin this project you will need to flatten your bottle cap. Use the rubber mallet and whack the cap hard against a stable surface. I can use my sturdy craft desk but I have also done this out on the porch. This step is not necessary if you prefer to use the inside of the bottle cap and not flatten it.

Stamp your chosen bombshell onto card stock. We will only be using her head for this project.

Color in the portion of the image you will be using. Do not forget to color around her head as that will be your background.

Next, punch out the head. Center the image in your punch by using your punch upside down.

Glue the image to your bottle cap using the Glossy Accents. Use which ever side of the bottle cap you prefer.

After gluing the image to the bottle cap cover it with Glossy Accents. Slowly squeeze the glue bottle till the image is completely covered and the glue has reached the side of the bottle cap. Do NOT over fill the cap with glue. This step is the longest as it takes several hours or over night for the glue to completely dry. Do not be tempted to touch your image to see if it is dry; you will leave finger prints. (Ask me how I know.) When the image is clear the glue is dry.

The final step is to glue on the necklace bail. Turn the bottle cap over glue the bail on using the Glossy Accents. I place my bottle cap on an acrylic block or wooden stamp so that it is not lying flat. This allows the bail to glue on evenly.

After the glue has tried. String your new Bombshell charm onto a chain or ribbon and wear proudly.

2011-06-15T05:04:00.000-07:00

Today is one of my favorite blog hops, the Oldies but Goodies Hop. For this blog hop the Design Divas have tor create something using products or stamps that haven't been used in at least 6 months. It makes you think about what's in your stash and remember things you really enjoy but have forgotten or just not got around to playing with.
If you've just hopped in you can start at the beginning with Mary, at My Stamping Hideaway if you've just come from Cathy at Ink It Up Stamp It Out, you are on the right track.

For my card today, I used a stamp that I have owned for about 2 years that has never seen ink. I have lots of different ideas for this stamp, but just never played with it. The liquid snow is also an old product. I purchased it the year before last for a snow effect on some Christmas cards and then didn't use it. I was afraid it was going to be to old and thick to use, but it worked just fine. I even added some old glitter to the writing to give it that little bit of dazzle that it needed to really stand out.

The sky background was made using French blue Chalkbox ink and a cloud stencil on plain white card stock. I added some light blue Stickles where the blue ink showed for some more interest. This card is for my brother in law, whose birthday was yesterday.

I'm the last stop on the blog hop today. Thanks for hopping along with us. Hope you enjoyed yourselves and found something to inspire you.

Stampabilities - Snoopy's Airplane
Georgia Pacific Card Stock
Making Memories Card Stock
French Blue Chalkbox Ink
Cloud Stencil
Liquid Snow
White Glitter
Prisma Pencils and OMS
Blue Stickles
Sakura Glitter Pen

Mousie Reminder

2011-06-14T07:35:00.000-07:00

Just a little bookmark made as a RAK on my House Mouse list. The balls are paper pieced to match the border. The flourish on the side seemed appropriate to fill in the large blank space. The back of the bookmark is the border paper so the back looks as pretty as the front. The entire thing is laminated to keep it nice. I added some pretty ribbons and lace to the top and ta-da a very simple but fun project.

House Mouse Stamp
Flourish by Clearly I stamp
Design Paper - Martha Stewart Baby Pad
Prisma Pencils and OMS
Copic
Self Laminating Paper
Ribbons from Stash

Birthday Buddies

2011-06-13T09:50:00.000-07:00

This happy image was a gift from my Johnny Luv. It was colored on our trip to Texas a few weeks ago. There are 11 layers at the thickest part. (My daughter counted) The mice, the pompom, the hat and some of the confetti has all been popped up, as well as the frame surrounding the image. I really need to take out a few shares of 3M, I use so much foam tape.

The card is embellished wiht Sakura glitter pen. on the background, around the layers, and on the birthday hat and confetti. Yellow ink was stippled behind the mage and the white layer has distress ink around the edges. A triple bow was added using a peg bow maker.

This card has been entered into the House Mouse Monday Challenge. The theme for the challenge is to add a jewel.

Stampabilities - House Mouse
Paper - K&Co.
Happy to Scrap - Rhinestones
Sakura Glitter Pen
Stazon Ink
Sunshine Yellow Adirondack Ink
Broken China Distress Ink
Spellbinders - Label Nestabilities
Prisma Pencils and OMS
Offray Ribbon

Nighttime Ride

2011-06-09T17:03:00.000-07:00

This is the card I made for my dad. I stamped on the cowboy silhouette and embossed it. After that I went over it with my Le Plume black marker to give it a uniform darkness and added grass out to the edge. I went over everything with my Versamarker and re-embossed with clear embossing powder. After embossing
I masked where I wanted the moon to be then brayered on two shades of blue ink. The bottom and edges were sponged with more black ink. The moon has some light blue pounced into it. The stars are pieces of Recollections bling that I took of a fancy star border. The card was mounted on mat silver paper then double matted onto navy blue card stock.

This is my dad, Martin Bergin, last of the old time cowboys, a master saddle maker, and cowboy poet. He is a hard working, hard riding, hard drinking old goat. If he hasn't done it; it ain't been done. I hope I take after him just a little.

Image ?
GP white card stock
Black Soot, Denim, Stone Wash Adirondack Ink
Recollections Bling
DCVW card stock

Summer Sweets

2011-06-08T05:29:00.000-07:00

Doesn't this image just make you want to stop for by for dessert? I remember my mom cooling pies in the window when I was young. Of course, we didn't have a beautiful window but the pie sure was good.

This is the third and last entry for the stamp convention this weekend. This card is entered into the "Slice of Life" category. I used my new favorite K&Co. paper pad for this card; the colors just seem so very cheerful but somehow old fashioned at the same time. The edges of each layer are distressed with the matching distress ink and more distress ink was pounced around the background of the image. I did my best to match the image colors with the papers, the blue is just a little off but not too much. The blue flowers have been in the stash for months, I picked them up in the dollar bin at Michaels. (Am I the only one upset that the $1 bin jumped to $1.50? I haven't purchased anything from it since that happened. )

Image - Lockhart Stamps
Paper - K&Co. Sweet Nectar Pad
Happy2Scrap - Bling
Distress Ink - Spiced Marmalade, Broken China, Shabby Shutters
Stazon Ink - Black
Prisma Pencils and OMS
Ribbon - Offray
Flowers - $1 bin

Cone or Cup

2011-06-07T08:04:00.000-07:00

This little card is another entry for our local stamp convention. The theme is "Cone or Cup". The only image I had with any icecream at all was this cute little House Mouse stamp. This is a rather simple card for me and I'm not sure what it is missing but it feels unfinished to me. Unfortunately, I did have to mail it in already to be able to make the contest deadline.

The papers are from a small K&Co. pad called "Sweet Nectar". The papers are just so pretty and the colors so happy; that I wish I had purchased several of these. I may look around to see if I can find more. This one was purchased on clearance at Michaels. (You know me, I live for sales.)

The image was cut out and popped up onto a Nesties label that has been brushed with pink chalk, white was just too stark. The three spotted layers were also popped. This is a very small scale card for me. It is an A2 size and they are a harder fit for layers and embellishments. Usually my smallest cards are a 6" square.

This card is being entered into the House Mouse Monday Challenge. The theme is Adorn it with Jewels.

House Mouse - Mice Scream for Ice Cream
Nestabilities - Labels 4
Stazon Ink
Prisma Pencils and OMS
Stickles - Orange
Happy2Scrap - Rhinestones
EK Success Chalk
K&Co. Paper Pad - Sweet Nectar
Offray Ribbon
Distress Ink - Marmalade Spice
Stazon Black Ink.

A Slice of Life

2011-06-06T04:50:00.000-07:00

We are having a stamping convention here next weekend. There will be two card contests. The theme's are "A Slice of Life" and "Cone or Cup". This is one of my two entries for "A Slice of Life".

As you can tell, I went with the Pie theme but added some old advertisements to give it a glimpse of times past. The top add is so cool, it's an advertisement for stamping onto doilies. The Sweetie Pie image was stamped several times so that it could be layered and the pie is popped up with foam tape and the berry juice has glitter on it so that it looks moist. The stove image was also raised. I just love the little pie in the oven.

Stamps - Great Impressions
Design Paper - Graphic 45
Brad - Making Memories
Paper Lace - Dollar STore
Faux Sewing - Signo Pen
Charms - Stash
Sakura Glitter Pen

Stamps -

Put On A Happy Face

2011-06-03T15:40:00.000-07:00

Today's card is very simple. I tried to add more to it, but it just wanted to stay simple. The image just wanted to speak for itself. I never argue with my cards, or at any rate not to hard, because I always loose so....

This was a very happy card to color, especially th smiley face on the pansy. Pansies are one of my favorite flowers and when I was young, my mother taught me to look for the face in the pansy and to use the petals to make little flower fairies.

The image was sent to me by one of my House Mouse List friends and I am sending this card off to a different mouse in Australia. I just love international mouse mail.

The image was colored with Prisma pencils and OMS, obviously my favorite coloring method. I do have Copic markers and some Tombow markers as well, but colored pencils are just so easy to blend and use. I used a French Blue chalk ink and a cloud stencil for the background sky. I can't stand a white background on one of these scenic type stamps. I think the clouds give it a finished look. Because pansies are such an old fashioned, homey type of flower; I chose a homey purple gingham and grosgrain ribbon to pair with them.

Stamabilities House Mouse Stamp
Design Paper - Paper Studio Basics Pad
Prisma Pencils and OMS
Chalkbox French Blue Ink
Stazon Black Inck
Offray Ribbon

Butterfly Baby

2011-06-02T07:12:00.000-07:00

How sweet is this image? I have had it on my wish list for the longest time, but I just don't have anyone having babies. One of my wonderful house mouse list friends sent me the image so I was finally able to play with it.

I used the sketch from Papertake Weekly Challenge. I knew I wanted yellow and black for my butterfly and just repeated those colors in the design paper. The white dots from the butterflies wings tie the black borders in with the image since just plain black was to stark. The offray ribbon also repeated the dot pattern for a cohesive whole.

Stampabilities House Mouse Stamp
Offray Ribbon
Signo White Pen
Stazon Ink
French Blue Chalk Ink
Cloud Stencil
Paper from Michaels stack about 6 years ago.
Prisma Pencil and OMS

June Bombshell Sketch

2011-06-01T08:29:00.000-07:00

Over at Bombshell Stamps we have begun the month with our new sketch. This new sketch makes any image really standout. Be sure to play along with us. You can flip the sketch around to suit your own needs and post on the Bombshell Blog after June 8th.

Here is my take on this sketch.

This card showcases my new Bombshell, Ahoy Sailor. I love the retro look of this cute sailor girl. It actually reminds me of an old photo of my mom dressed up in my dad's uniform. We are an old Navy family.

I'm sending this card to Seal Team 6 as a thank you for their recent operation in Pakistan. My entire family will be adding notes to the inside.

I used four different design papers on this card from the DCVW Nautical Stack, purchased of course, on sale. The bunting across the bottom was another wonderful sale find. It was from a package of borders from the K&Co. Americana collection. This card exhibits a real 1940's patriotic feel which is exactly what I wanted for this stamp.

The central image with colored with Copics and Prisma pencils then popped on a spellbinders oval. The oval was shaded with chalk so that the white uniform wouldn't blend into the background of the oval. The little stars are from a Darice 4th of July package. ( I usually buy a large supply of these right after each holiday. You can often pick them up for as little as 10 cents a package)

Bombshell - Ahoy Sailor Set
Spellbinders - Ovals
Copic Marker
Prisma Pencil & OMS
Chalk
DCVW Nautical Stack Paper
K&Co. Americana Border
Darice - Star Rhinestones
Red Gel Pen
Offray Ribbon
Bazzil Card Stock

Wild West ATC

2011-05-27T04:57:00.000-07:00

I am exchanging ATC's with a couple of internet friends. The theme was "The Wild West". I started with a barbed wired background paper and then stamped the line of cowboys across the bottom in black and embossed. Next the Retro Cowgirl was stamped over everything and colored with Prisma pencils and Copics very lightly. The small cowgirls embellishment attached with a brad to the middle is another stamp. It was stamped onto acrylic with stazon and backed with a piece of light leather colored paper. The paper was distressed first and the acrylic was attached with sepia crystal glaze. The star brads were added to each corner and then I distressed the edges of the entire card and added some distress die. Last I punched holes in the side and whipped stitched 1/8" brown satin ribbon through the length of the card.

Hoping my internet buds like this little ATC. I had forgotten how fun they were to create. Maybe I'll get into a few more trades soon. It's always wonderful creating and sending off the little pieces of art and then having the anticpation build waiting to see what will come back. It's never a disappointment.

Retro Cowgirl Stamp -Bombshell Stamps
Cowboy line up - Stampisantity
Cowgirl - ?
Brads - Making Memories
Design Paper - Creative Imaginations
Ribbon - Offray
Embossing Powder - Stampendous
Memento Black Ink
Walnut Distress Ink
Prisma Pencils and OMS
Copics
Sakura Glitter Pen

Graduation Announcement

2011-05-26T08:16:00.000-07:00

This is my daughter Violet's graduation announcement. She didn't like what the school had to offer and wanted something mom-made. The focal image, a Northwoods stamp, is stamped and embossed in gold and layered with white cardstock and gold wrapping paper adhered to more card stock. Green print on the vellum overlay was done on the computer and attached with a green satin ribbon and glue under the ribbon.

Bombshell Stamps May Blog Hop

2011-05-25T08:15:00.000-07:00

GOTH UP YOUR BOMBSHELL

For today's hop the challenge was to goth up your bombshell, add tattoos, heavy eyeliner, and use dark colors. The hop begins at Allison's blog, The 21st Century Pillowbook, so if you would like to start at the beginning that's the place to go. If you have arrived here from Kelli's, Cajun Stamping Queen, you are in the right place.

My take on this challenge was the darker victorian sided of Gothdom. I went with a triptych since I just could make everything I wanted fit onto a card. I used the Bombshell Angel and gave her my version of a victorian morning gown complete with veil and fringed parasol.

The background was brayered using Adirondack inks then a cloud stencil was used with black ink to give it a foggy night look. All three panels were distressed with black ink. The center image has black tree branches stamped behind the central image and colored in with Prisma pencil.

The fencing for the cemetery was from a Circut cartridge as were the tombstones. The sentiment is framed with a spellbinders label die and covered in black liquid pearls. The sentiment itself was generated on computer using the Morpheus font found on the Bombshell Stamp website. The little bats on the two side panels are from a Martha Stewart border punch.

Next on your gothic journey is Sugar's Cards and More Enjoy the rest of the hop and the incredible creativity of the rest of the Ladies.

Bombshell Angel Stamp Set
Adirondack Inks, Pitch Black, Eggplant, Purple Twilight, Mushroom
Stazon Ink, Black
Glitter, Martha Stewart
Liquid Pearls Black
Red Gel Pen (lips)
Tulle Stash
Cricut Cartridges, Happy Hauntings, October 31st
Le Plume Black Pen
Copic Markers
Bat Border Punch, Martha Stewart
Prisma Pencils
3M Foam Tape
Prima Rhinestone, Bird's Eye

Tea Time?

2011-05-24T18:20:00.000-07:00

This is an image that I just love that was given to me by one of my friends on my House Mouse List. I wasn't sure what color it wanted to be for the longest time, then I saw some gorgeous Russian blue and white tea sets and that was the inspiration. I colored this on my trip to Texas. Johnny Luv tried to be extra careful and not hit any bumps while he was driving so that I could color. Now that is true love.
I had to wait until I returned home to finish coloring this image. I needed to see a picture of a parakeet so I could color one correctly. I looked at several stores for a blue and white floral pattern paper before I realized I had this in my stash. It is several years old from Laura Ashley.

Image - House Mouse
Papers - Laura Ashley
Prima Flowers
Recollections Bling
Sakura Glitter Pen
Bazzil Card Stock
Prisma Pencils and OMS
Ribbon Offray

Naps with Trolls

2011-05-20T12:45:00.000-07:00

I waited years to get this stamp. It was on the top of my wish list until my Johnny Luv found out and so now it is one of my most treasured stamps. Coloring this stamp is loads of fun. Sometimes I add sparkle to the trollie's hair but this time I added flocking. The trolls' cute little belly buttons are jeweled with Stickles and their eyes are brightened with yellow Prisma pencil, black fine tip Sharpie and then Glossy Accents.

. Everything really just fell together for this card. I had colored the image while staying at the hospital with my mom and I just happened to have the exact right flocking at home and these papers matched perfect as did the buttons. No advanced planning at all was involved.

Stamp - House Mouse by Stampabilities
Papers - Walmart note cards
Flocking - Martha Stewart
Buttons - Oriental Trading
Ribbon - Offray
Signo White Gel Pen
Circles and Scalloped circle nestabilities - Spellbinder
Glossy Accents
Stickles
Prisma Pencils with OMS
3M Foam Tape

May Bombshell Challenge

2011-05-19T19:00:00.000-07:00

The theme for this month's Bombshell Guest Designer challenge is Linen and Lace. If you would like to play along just pop on over to the Bombshell Blog for a chance to win some awesome stamps. While your there check out the rest of the cards made by the Bombshells Design Team. These ladies are awesomely talented.

I wasn't to sure what I was going to do for this challenge. I had several ideas but finally decided on this card when I found a small piece of lace and the rope of pearls in my bag of lace trim. I wanted my card to look feminine, sort of vintage, and a little naughty. I think the cream and sepia color scheme with the pearls really captured that feeling.

I am having lots of fun with my peg bow maker so you are going to continue to see lots of bows for a while. This time I have a triple bow. That peg bow maker is just awesome. Thanks to Becca of Amazing Paper Grace for the wonderful tutorial on making this great tool.

Bombshell Stamps - Bombshell Angel
Creative Memories - Card Stock
Offray Ribbon
Pearls, Lace, Pin - stock
Butterfly - Shapeabilities from Spellbinders
Prima Flowers
Adhesive Pearls - Queen and Co.
Prisma Pencils with OMS
Copics

Oldies But Goodies Blog Hop

2011-05-18T06:30:00.000-07:00

Today is the monthly OBG blog hop. If you have arrived here from Heather Dennis's blog, Heather's Coffee Break, then you are on the right track. If not, just click on the logo above to and start from the beginning.

For this hop, you must use something that has been in your stash 6 months or longer. For my card, the stamp has been in my possession for two years without seeing ink, the washi papers used for the paper cranes are at least four years old, and the stickles is probably 2 years or older as well. I just never had cause to use the blue stickles even though I love this product and use it a lot.

I adore Asian images and this is blog hop reminds me to use them. I had to hunt for 6 months to find this image. How sad that it took this long to actually use it.

Next stop on this blog hop is Linda Payne at Payne Holler Cards . Be sure to follow along to see all the fantastic cards that the talented Design Divas have made. This is always a fun hop and reminds me of some of the wonderful things that are in our stash or our stamping world that we forget for the new and exciting for the moment products.

Stamp - Kodomo - Folded Cranes
Washi Paper - Stone House Stamps
Prisma Pencils and OMS
Stickles - Blue
3M Foam Tape

Mouse Blush

2011-05-17T11:00:00.000-07:00

This sweet little card is one of the simplest cards I have made in ages. The image was another that I colored during mom's hospital visit. The mirror was covered with Sakura glitter pen to give it a reflective qality. The image was cut out using oval nesties and layered just a little. The background paper is actually a note card I purchased at Walmart. I purchased an entire notecard set since they had pretty papers and no images on them. The image is placed over a layer of tulle ribbon and has little pieces tied on each side with a rhinestone in their center to give it a girly look and that's all she wrote, short, simple, and sweet.

House Mouse - Monica Blushes
Tulle - Stash
Papers - notecards - Walmart
Darice Bling
Prisma Pencil and OMS
Sakura Glitter Pen

Soda Pop Party

2011-05-16T11:00:00.000-07:00

Another House Mouse card for you today. I colored this image while I was with my mom in the hospital at the end of last year. I am finally getting around to making card out of some of these colored images.

This really wanted to be a loud, happy card with loads of embellishments and layers and who am I to argue with a card.

I love the pennants that have been showing up all over blogger land lately and jumped right on that band wagon. The buttons that have become popular again are here on the bottom of my card. They were layered and then put on top of another paper layer for more color. Barely perceptible in the left corner is a star shaped paper clip with ribbons tied to it and a rhinestone in the center. It shows up much better in person. The mice were cut out and crystal effects were added to the bottle which I rounded and popped up. All the papers are again from clearance paper pads from Marshall's (you should really check them out if you have one near you.) I used one of my old Nesties label dies to focus the image and a new heart Nestie behind that.

I'm thinking this is a fun birthday card to add to my stash and it probably won't be staying around here to long.

Stampabilities House Mouse Stamp
Twine, paper clip, and buttons from stash
Ribbon - Offray
Design Paper - DCWV Mod-Retro Stack and Mango Frost Stack
Prisma Pencils and OMS
Crystal Effects
3M Foam Tape
Recollections Bling
Spellbinders Label 4, Heart Circles, Nested Pennants

Special Delivery

2011-05-15T11:00:00.000-07:00

This sweet image is the May Mouse of the Month called Special Delivery. My sweetie, Johnny Luv, has been getting me the Mouse of the Month since we were married two and a half years ago. Before that I was lucky to get a new House Mouse once every six months. He just plain spoils me.

I have never made a baby card before and frankly don't know anyone having a baby anytime soon except for my sweetie little dog; but, I really wanted to use this image. I had a very pretty paper pad I picked up on clearance called Nursery and thought it would be perfect for this card. (Nursery - baby card - no brainer really)

Johnny Luv took a close up of the little Hummingbird. I am waaaay proud of how the little bird came out. I have several other House Mouse images with hummingbirds but have never been able to get them to look good before. I practiced on several birds with pictures of hummingbirds before me on the computer until I figured out how to color them. The eye was made with a tiny black pearl and looks more life like to me.

I know this is turning into a long post, but I wanted to add one more picture to show all the different layers of this image You can also see the sky in the background of this image as well. I didn't like leaving it just white to blah.

Thanks for hanging on through such a long post. I appreciate everyone who reads and comments. It really is fun for me to share my little cards with you.

House Mouse - A Birdie Told Me
Design Paper DCVW Nursery Pad
Offray Ribbon
Prima Pencils and OMS
French Blue chalk ink and cloud stencil
Stazon Ink
Black Bling - Recollections
3m Foam Tape