You Have Been Missed! SCS CC251!

This card is for today's SCS Color Combo Challenge(CC251)! This week is all about Barely Dusty Grays! We are to use Barely Banana, Dusty Durango, and Basic Gray colors! This week's dessert option is Charming! Add a Charm of choice to your card/project!

I am using one of ODBD sets called Flourished Christian Symbols! I must say this is one of my favorite sets from ODBD. Now, I own a lot and have lots of favorites, but there is something about a solid image stamp that just works ALL of the time! I love to color images and find that process fun, but to play around with different looks with a solid image just by the colors I choose is just amazing to me. I rocked and rolled this beautiful dove. I used really rust ink(do not own the dd ink pad) and slightly touched some smokey shadow to the edges a bit. I love how it turned out. I added a tiny gold pearl eye detailing. I finished with some gold pearls, ribbon bow, flower punches with gold metallic dew drops centers, and heart charm! I really love this color combo today, too! I admit that the dd is growing on me a bit!


Stamps
ODBD Flourished Christian Symbols
Paper
Smokey Shadow, Ivory, Barely Banana, Dusty Durango, Basic Gray, SU dusty durango dsp
Accessories
MS border punch, mini bowdabra, SU triple flower punch, gold pearls, gold metallic dew drops, foam tape, glue dots, sponge, heart charm, gold bowdabra wire

Mini Mittens Winter Wishes!

This card is for today's SCS Inspiration Challenge(IC212)! You can see my inspiration link here. I love the colors, dots, stripes, and motled look of the picture. I chose mittens instead of branches, flowers, and birdies.

For this card I am using Verve's Winter Mittens digi set. Since it is a digital set, I decided to alter the image a little bit with some software to create a background. I erased the strings and created a multirow mini mitten background. I printed and colored with copics and tried to mimic the smudgy look seen in the inspiration picture as well as some of the polka dots and stripe looks.

For the focal mittens, I kept the same size mittens, but added the strings back in and included the sentiment. Printed this panel, sponged the sides a little, and added the ribbon and silver pearls.


Stamps
Verve Digtal Winter Mittens
Paper
ivory, leaf green, raspberry fizz
Ink
Printer ink, copics, ranger antique linen, vintage photo
Accessories
sponges, mini bowdabra, silver pearls, silver bowdabra wire, foam tape



Thanks for stopping by and as always your comments are greatly appreciated!

Stamp Fever??? You got it bad when.....

Stamping Fever???? Ever had this? I had it bad on Sunday when my mom and dad came to visit and I kept sitting there while she was talking thinking about how beautiful her sweater would look in card format. I was not trying to be disrespectful! My mind just kept wondering! I finally told her I needed....yes NEEDED...to take a picture of her sweater so I could make a card. She laughed, but complied. I have a series of photos that ensued from my card idea. We laughed and had a great time. I thought I would share a few more pictures below! Isn't she beautiful!

Back to the card. I am using one of ODBD December releases called Peace and Joy. Now, while it is somewhat of a Christmas set, I truly believe a snowflake can be used more often during the year.

I stamped the background and surprised myself. You know I love to make my own dp. It is very calming for me. My own form of therapy so to speak!

For this background, I stamped the snowflakes in vintage cream pigment ink directly to true black cardstock and let dry a bit. I then stamped my versamark pad all over the 5 inch squared piece and embossed with kaleidescope embossing powder. Everyone NEEDS this embossing powder. When it was completed, I gasped! I surprised myself with this beauty if I do say so myself. I almost hated covering it up! Of course, what is dp for, right? Right click on the pictures to see close ups!

As for the center snowflake, I stamped it in Momento Tuxedo black and added small and tiny gems to various patterned areas. This process proved calming for me. I added what I love to call my fou fou bowdabra bow with silver bowdabra wire and curly ques! Love it! It just finishes my sweater card beautifully to me!

Here are some more pictures of my Mom. My mom's friends call her Jo, short for Josephine. My favorite picture is my mom hugging my column. I actually sent this one to my siblings with the title "Crazy Walmart Shopper would NOT leave without her POLE!!!" Like North Pole? Get it?

















As always thanks so much for stopping by! Your comments are greatly appreciated!





Thanks for stopping by! Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year! Tidings of good cheer, health, happiness, and prosperity for 2010!


Stamps
ODBD Peace and Joy
Paper
Ivory and PTI True Black
Ink
Versamark, PTI vintage cream, Momento tuxedo black
Accessories
Kaleidescope ep, sheer ribbon, silver bowdabra wire, mini bowdabra, clear gems, silver pearl

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge FTTC47 and SCS CC250!!

It is time for Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge(FTTC47)! This week Cindy Haffner is our host. Cindy is challenging us to ATC or Artist Trading Cards. These wonderfully sized trading cards 2.5 X 3.5 are perfect for making quick last minute cards. If you make a bunch ahead of time all you need to do is add it to a card base. Get creative with these trading cards and join us in the fun! Here is a link from SCS to give you alittle more insight into ATC. We would love to see what you create!

For my Flourishes ATC I am using ONE of my favorite Flourishes sets called Thank You. I stamped the script writing in this set using vintage photo ink that I stamped off one time. I stamped the flower in Momento Tuxedo black ink. I sponged the area with some sunflower ink. I cut the cardstock and used a border punch on one side. I sponged some vintage ink around the edges to vintage it up a bit and my trading card was done. To show you how a trading card looks when added to a card, I completed my standard 5.5 card size and added my trading card to the center.

This completed card is for today's SCS Color Combo Challenge(CC250)! This week is all about Crushed Red Sand! We are using Crushed Curry, Real Red, Sahara Sand, and neutrals of choice. The week's dessert option is button(s)! I am using Flourishes Classic Ivory cardstock. I colored the tulip with Flourishes Copic Color Collection in Poppy and Dusty Rose. With half of the country it seems covered in snow, these colors lend themselves to some warmer looks! Of course, they could also be used to make some last minute Christmas cards or tags, too!

For the Sahara Sand background panel, I am using one of the decorative images in the Flourishes Many Sentiments sets. I stamped repeatedly. Then, I sponged the edge lightly with some antique linen and vintage photo inks. Nothing says summertime and warm weather like gingham ribbon! I also added the dessert option button to the top with soem Ivory May Arts string!

To see what the rest of the blog design team created for you this week with stenciling, please click the blog links below to check them out.

Maki Jones

Silke Ledlow

Dee Jackson

Cindy Haffner

VERVE CAS Quickie SETS!!!

I needed some teacher gifts and I always love to give some homemade cards. However, with the economy like it is, I hate to give someone one of my many layered cards which usually cost over a dollar to mail. Plus, the post office here adds 20 cents to any card that has any bulk. I needed to make cards that require regular postage. Here is my challenge.

• To create three sets of 10 (30 A2 cards) -cheapest to mail
• Give the look of layers on some
• Make them CAS- quick and easy without a lof of steps
• Have at least ONE non bulky embellisment of some sort....hmmm

The challenge was ON!

The idea for this set came from SCS Inspiration Challenge (IC211)! Here is the photo at the top of the page that inspired me. I started with Flourishes classic white cardstock. I LOVE the white and the ivory and use it all of the time regardless if I am coloring with copics or not.

For these sets I chose to use some Verve stamps. Some people think CAS style cards should not use die cuts. I personally think any die cuts are easy peasy. However, my BigKick has been sent to the company to get fixed so I am without any cutting and textured machine. For three of these card styles, I searched through my scrap bins and found the negative images of past die cut shapes and used these as stencils to create a faux layered look. Thank heavens for the pack rat quality in me! LOL!


For this card I am using PTI hibiscus burst ink to sponge inside the oval stencil area. I created some lighter and darker areas to create some depth. For the flower, I am using Verves Budding Blossoms. I stamped it in ripe avocado at the bottom for the leaves and pure poppy at the top. I stamped my image directly onto the sponged area. I added a sentiment from Verve as well. I finished with a medium sized gold pearl added at the base of the card. I made 9 of these, three for each set.

For this card, I found a rectangle negative in my scrap bin. I sponged with some spring moss and added alittle bit of ripe avocado for some added depth. I am using Verves Serenity and Enjoy sets. I inked the leafy stem using ripe avocado and rock and rolled with raspberry fizz. Love this look. I finished with a large gold pearl at the bottom of the joined stems. I made 6 of these cards. Two for each set.

This card was easy and hard at the same time. I found a circle stencil from my scrap bin. I used summer sunrise ink to create the sunny day background. I stamped my Verve Whimsy Tree using momento tuxedo black ink. I colored with a couple of copics which made this card alittle harder. I lightly colored so the ink does not go through to the back. Wanted to keep these one layer. I added a sentiment from Verves Filigree Fantasy set. I added a tiny gold pearl as the one embellishment to the card. I made 6 of these two for each set.

I LOVE this leafy stem from Verve called Leaves. One can never go wrong with leaves and stems. I wanted to stamp it in colors, but refrained and stayed in the green hues. The hard part with this card was ONLY stamping two of the images. I have a hard time with white space. I added a sentiment from Verves Kindred Spirits set. I added two tiny gold pearls to the tip of the stems. My ds loved this card best. I was iffy about this one. I made 9 of these, three for each set.

I wrapped the sets with 10 envelops each and tied with some organdy ribbon. I made my bows using the mini bowdabra. I actually sort of like all the white space! If there is any advice at this point, make sure you have great photos of all of the cards and sets before you give the gifts away! LOL! I so need a better group picture as well as a picture of all of the sets wrapped....duh?

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge(FTTC46) and SCS CC249

It is time for Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge(FTTC46)! This week I am your challenge host. I am challenging everyone to stenciling. Stenciling is really popular right now in cardmaking. You can use your spellbinder templates, stencil a fluffy scalloped sky, or use other stencils either store bought or handmade to add some stenciling to your card this week. Here are a couple of links from SCS to give you alittle more insight into stenciling. Tutorial 1 and Tutorial 2. We would love to see what you create!

For my card I am using one of the new released sets called A Year of Flowers Calendar Set 1 and Seasonal Wreaths for the sentiment. For the stenciling portion of my card, I chose to use two of the spellbinders impressabilities. I will talk more about my stenciling in a moment. I am using Flourishes Classic Ivory cardstock which is wonderful for coloring with copics. I colored my January flower using Flourishes Copic Color Collection. I finished my card with punch border, ribbon, and sentiment tags!

This card is also for SCS Color Challenge Combo(CC249)!

This week is Saffron Moss Melons!

We are to use So Saffron, Mellow Moss, and Melon Mambo with Neutrals of Choice.

This week's dessert option: Polka Dots!!!

This is the card that almost was NOT! Ever have one of those days? Well, I cracked my BigKick a couple of weeks ago. It still sort of worked if I wedged it just right. Last week when trying to emboss a diecut it cracked so loud I literally jumped back thinking stuff would fly. So, I am literally without any die cut or embossing tool. (Insert violin playing here)! I have only had the thing since May. I promise I do not try to torture my tools! I emailed Sizzix to get it fix, but I have to mail it in first. Yikes! So, I have weeks to go without my beloved tool! (Insert more violin playing)!

With all of that said, I needed to stencil for this week's FTTC card challenge which I assigned. Now, while I LOVE embossing and stenciling together, the embossing part was not an option. I played around with several ideas and items with no luck. Just when I was about to scream(dramatic moment here), I realized I had these wonderful Spellbinder impressabilities. I figure I could stencil with these. I started out sponging, but the quick way is with a versamark pad dabbed directly over the template and cardstock. I LOVED the results so much I decided to do my focal flower with a different one. I do not think versamark looks this dark on ivory cardstock, but, lucky for me, I think my versamark pad is old and alittle dirty. I loved the dirty look so I kept it. (NOTE: Actually, I think a brayer would be easier and faster, but I could not find mine).

To see what the rest of the blog design team created for you this week with stenciling, please click the blog links below to check them out.

Betty Wright

Maki Jones

Silke Ledlow

Dee Jackson

Cindy Haffner

Stamps
Flourishes A Year in Flowers Calendar Set 1 and Seasonal Wreaths
Paper
PTI true black, Flourishes classic ivory, SU melon mambo, mellow moss, and so saffron
Ink
PTI raspberry fizz, versamark, so saffron, mellow moss
Accessories
mini bowdabra, gold cording, button, MS border punch, MS tag punch, Spellbinders Impressabilities, sponges, Flourishes Copic Color Collection, gold pears, glue dots, foam squares

Always!

This card is for today's SCS Feature Stamper Challenge(FS149)! Fabulous gallery Pam! WOW!!! I chose this card to case.

I am using a new release from ODBD called His Gift! I chose to keep the basic layout the same and on the one card I tried to use the same hues of colors, but went with a more vintage feel.

If you know anything about my style of cardmaking, you will know that the more vintage feel card is my favorite. For the vintage feel, I sponged colored my main image using ODBD ink pads in bordeaux, sunflower, and olive. The bordeaux matches the rich razzleberry cardstock beautifully. I used it to stamp my sentiment just so you could see the ink alone as well. I also added some Ranger inks in antique linen and vintage photo. For the border punch detailing, I used a EK Success border punch and cut some of it off so the edge is shorter. Just another way to get more punch from your punches. Thought I would share.

For the black and cream card, which I do not have pictured separately, I used Momento tuxedo black ink, black satin ribbon, button, silver cording, and silver pearls. While the vintage is my favorite, you can never go wrong with a black and cream card. I used a MS border punch at the bottom. I just wanted to show you two completely different looks with the same set, same sketch, and same embellishments just different colors.

Stamps
ODBD His Gift
Paper
Ivory, rich razzleberry, PTI true black
Ink
ODBD sunflower, bordeaux, and olive, Ranger antique linen and vintage photo
Accessories
MS border punch, EK Success border punch, ribbon, sponges, gold cording, silver cording, silver pearls, gold pearls, glue dots, buttons

Flourishes FTTC45 and SCS CC248!

It is time for Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge(FTTC45)! This week Cindy Haffner is our challenge host. Cindy is challenging us to gatefold cards. Here are a couple of links to help you get started from SCS. Gatefold 1 and Gatefold 2. Gatefold cards are great year round, but something about opening a card from two sides this time of year gives a more regal, gift-like presentation. We love to see what you create.

For my gatefold card, I am using Flourishes Birds and Vine and Falling Leaves stamp sets. I cut and measured the card and cut side panels before I started stamping. Since I generally do 5.5 squared cards, I stayed with this size for my gatefold. I was unable to use my score pal since it does not have a 2.75 score marking. I used my Fiskars cutting tool and my stylus to create these two score lines at either end of my cardstock.

I stamped, colored, shadowed, and sponged my own background paper panels starting with Flourishes Classic Ivory Cardstock. I used the flower image from the Birds and Vine set. I colored with Flourishes Copic Color Collection and accented with an Inkssentials white opaque pen.

This card is also for today's SCS Color Challenge(CC248)! Artichokes, Bananas, and Razzleberries! I sponged the edges with barely banana and touched just alittle with a bordeaux on the focal image. My sentiment is from the Falling Leaves set. This week's Color Combo Challenge(CC248) with dessert option is velvet, velour, or velveteen. I added some black velvet ribbon to the corners. I finished with some tiny MS butterflies and gold pearls. The larger butterfly is sort of holding the gatefold card closed. I say sort of because it keeps popping open. Must fix this! LOL!!!

Please check out the other blog team designer's cards to see what they created with the limited challenge for you this week.

Maki Jones

Silke Ledlow
Cindy Haffner
Dee Jackson

Stamps Flourishes Birds and Vines and Falling Leaves, SU En Francaise bg

Paper Always Artichoke, Rich Razzleberry, Flourishes Classic Ivory

Ink Always Artichoke, Bordeaux, Barely Banana, PTI dark chocolate

Accessories Nestabilities Petite Rectangles, MS butterfly punch, sponges, copics, black velvet ribbon, gold pearls, stylus

Every Good and Perfect Gift!

Hello! If you got here from the ODBD blog then you know I am sharing a "time with you" moment! I LOVE Christmas tree ornaments. I think there is no such thing as having too many ornaments on the tree. Over the years I have collected qutie a collection. I still love getting an ornament whether it is an inexpensive or expensive one. If someone gives me one of the inexpensive glass type of ornaments that come 6 or 12 to a box that they may have fixed up a bit, I put it on my tree and treat it as a fragile keepsake which it is. I love taking out various ornaments I have collected over the years and reminscing as I decorate the tree. With that thought, I decided to share with you a quick and easy project so you can have some party favors or last minute Christmas gifts for friends.

For today's ornaments, I used regular store bought glass ornaments like I mentioned above. I used jet black and white staz on ink. I used some sheer ribbon, gold cording, and the mini bowdabra. I am also using one of the newly release sets from ODBD called Peace and Joy. Now, this scripture works for this project because it is long and narrow. The words seem to fit beautifully in the width of the rolling technique I use to ink up the ornaments. I place the rubber on the table with no acrylic block, ink with staz on, and roll the ornament across slow and steady with a steady pressure. The results is awesome. I literally sighed when I did the first one. I love how it looks. I let it dry and added a sheer bowdabra bow with some gold bowdabra wire with curly ques and it was done! LOVE that! I would love to hear if you make a few of these!

I will try to retake the purple ornament photo. My camera battery was drained and needed recharging. This image looks alittle fuzzy to me.

As always, thanks so much for stopping by and your comments are greatly appreciated!

ODBD Release Day Blog Hop!!!

Hello everyone! Welcome to the Our Daily Bread Designs December Release Blog Hop! And, what an amazing blog hop it is going to be, too!!! If you are here looking for my Flourishes Timeless Tuesday post, you can scroll down or click here!

ODBD is releasing two gorgeous sets called His Gift and Peace and Joy! If you came here from Debi's blog, you are in the right place! If you happened on my blog but did not start at the ODBD Blog, you really should go there and start from there! The reason is we are playing a game. Each designer has one secret word hidden within her post so you must hop to each, copy the word hidden in the designer's post with designer's name, and leave a comment. Then, you will return to the ODBD Blog and leave a comment that you have visited all the blogs and left a comment so you can receive a special email address to email Grace with your completed sentence!


Guess what? Once you have done that you are enter for a chance to win! For this Release Blog Hop, Kelley has generously offered to give TWO lucky winners their choice of one free set! Winners will be chosen by Random.org from the correct emails received by Dec.2, 8PM EST.

Since these two sets are all about Christmas and God's gifts, I thought it would be great to make gift tags using each of the sets! These were pretty fast and fun to make! The snowflakes are done using versamark and some red ep! I layered some petite circle and scallop nesties and used both of the snowflakes in the set. They are truly sparkly in real life. One of the sentiments from the set is stamped on the back. You can click on the pictures to see a larger image.

For the scripture tag, I stamped off of the script poinsettia image and stamped the scripture inside. I sponged with ranger inks to create more of a vintage look. I used one of the spellbinders nestabilities shapes to create my tag look. I also used a scrap piece of my SEI dp. Love that! This dp is beautiful and weighty enough to stand alone. This way the back is just as beautiful as the front of my tag!

Thanks so much for reading my post and checking out what I created for you this month. My secret word is WISH! Next, you need to hop over to Angie's blog and see what she has created for you! You may also want to know that starting in January the design team will be bringing you fun challenges monthly with even more ways to win!!! As always, thanks so much for stopping by! Have a Blessed Day!