My More is MORE Moment and Thank You!

Edited...I posted this card before I went to bed and knew I was going to need to take a better picture in the morning. While I was making the card, I kept debating whether or not to add ribbon. This morning, in the light of day, I kept looking at my card and I just knew I needed to add ribbon and do a few more things to it. So, here goes...my more is more moment. I added the ribbon, four more silver pearls to the corners, and I colored the flower image and cut it out and popped it up on dimensionals. So, what do you think? More is MORE or do you like the LESS is more version?

This card is for today's SCS Inspiration Challenge(IC200)!!! Thanks so much, Stef!!! The Kir De Vries store is amazing. I chose the image on the right hand side as my inspiration picture and colors.

I have been asked by Korin of Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps to be their Guest Designer for the month of October. I am so thrilled because the images are wonderful and I am having fun creating with them.

Today, I am sharing with you today one of Sweet 'n Sassy's acrylic sets called Bee Happy! I love this wonderful flower and the many other images and sentiments that come in this set.

For this card, I tried to stay clean and simple to convey the look of my inspiration choice. I actually colored with ink and let dry a metal frame that I have had for awhile.
I ran the background red cardstock through a texturz plate. Then, I sponged using Ranger fired brick on this piece and the background poppy cardstock. I colored the main image with copics and sponged Ranger Antique Linen ink on top of the whole surface. The edges are alittle more darker. I sponged the background ivory panel with the same ink. I added simple oval sentiment. The inspiraton piece has lots of words on its label, but I thought since my frame label has embossed circles that the one simple sentiment looked best.

I finished with silver pearl accents in the corners to highlight the silver canister tops.

I love the CAS design of this card. As always, thanks so much for stopping by and your comments are greatly appreciated!!!

Please check out the Sweet 'n Sassy blog for more

Stamps
SNSS Bee Happy
Paper
Pure Poppy, Ivory
Ink
Ranger Fired brick and antique linen, Momento tuxedo black
Accessories
MM metal frame, foam circles, oval punch, SU texturz plates, silver pearls, copics, sponges

ODBD Release Day with Candy hunt!!!!

It is release day with Our Daily Bread Designs and we have three fabulous sets to showcase for you today. If you got here from Debi's blog then you are on the right blog hopping trail. If not, then start at the ODBD blog and proceed from there.

The neat thing about this blog hop is that there are prizes - the twist? The prizes are hidden - you don’t know which of the designers have the prizes but if you leave a comment on each Blog along the ODBD Blog Hop, you will be entered to win. All you have to do after entering a comment on each blog is go back to the Our Daily Bread Blog and leave a comment that tells us:

1. That you have visited and commented on each blog on the hop, and
2. What you liked best about these new sets!

The ODBD Blog Hop will be open for comments until 6PM EST Friday Oct 2.

The prizes:. A $5.00 Store Credit, a $10.00 Store Credit, and a $20.00 Store Credit! These credits will be for any merchandise in the Our Daily Bread Designs Store! Be sure to check the Our Daily Bread Designs Blog to see if you’re a winner on Saturday, October 3rd.

I am showcasing for you today one of the new releases this month called With Deepest Sympathy. I used this set along with the Amazing Grace Hymn individual stamp as the background image behind the focus image. I wanted to show that while the three releases focus on sympathy sets, the images can be used for other types of cards. Here, I chose not to put a sentiment on the outside and just let the beautiful image speak for itself.

I am using enchanted evening and bermuda bay cardstock. I added a piece of the thoroughly modern dp and patterns designer paper in the bermuda bay that I heavily sponged along with the other ivory colored cardstock. I used Ranger inks in antique linen, vintage photo, walnut stain, and tea dyed. I used the ornare piercing pad to pierced the borders and used a permanent marker for my faux stitching.

I colored the main image using copic markers. I finished with a heart charm and some sheer ribbon.

Please continue on the blog hopping trail to Silke, Grace, and Sandee's blogs!!! Happy blog hopping!!!


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


Stamps
ODBD With Deepest Sympathy and Amazing Grace Hymn
Paper
PTI Enchanted Evening, Bermuda Bay, Ivory, Thoroughly Modern, Bermuda Bay Patterns dp
Ink
Adirondack Pool, PTI Enchanted Evening, SU texturz plate, ornare piercing pad, Ranger antique linen, tea dyed, vintage photo, walnut stain, sponges, copics, foam circles, glue dots, mini bowdabra, heart charm, gold cording

Moments....

This is for yesterday's SCS Color Challenge(CC238)! We are to use pretty in pink, going gray, and sage shadow. I do not have any going gray so I substitued smokey shadow cardstock.

I am using a new release by Flourishes called Falling Leaves. I used the quote in the set.


This card is also for Mercy's sketch challenge(MTSC41)! Great sketch. I converted the size to my standard 5.5 square.

I did make a funky flower thingy using a flower punch. I added some Nouveau Chic dp and some retired pretty in pink dsp. I layered a MS border punch. I decided I like this punch layered better than alone as I have had it for quite awhile and rarely use it.

**** Shipping Note **** I do want to add that, since I normally make 5.5 squared cards, I get charged $.60 to ship just because it is not a standard envy. So, if I am going to be charged the amount anyway, I may as well add some layers. Shipping is usually $1.00 per card sometimes alittle more.

Stamps
Flourishes Falling Leaves
Paper
PTI smokey shadow, pretty in pink, PP dsp, nouveau chic, gp white, sage shadow
Ink
sage shadow, pretty in pink, smokey shadow
Accessories
Nestabilities, MS punches, fiskar punches, sizzix, silver pearls, foam circles, glue dots, large flatback pearl from pretties kit, texturz plates

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge(FTTC35)!

It is time for Flourishes Timeless Tueday Challenge(FTTC35)! It is the last Tuesday of the month so we have a Guest Challenge Host for you. Please welcome Francie Gumprecht(Francie G) as our guest challenge host! Welcome Francie and thanks so much for hosting with us! Francie is challenging us to extend our creations outside the frame. Whether your want to make a dimensional piece or use subtle cut lines, the look is to go beyond the frame you choose for your card. We cannot wait to see what you create!!!


I am using the All that Glimmers and Sleigh Ride sets. I stamped the ornaments and greenery using Momento tuxedo black ink onto Flourishes classic ivory cardstock. I colored using Flourishes Copic Color Collections in Dusty Rose, Poppy, and Water. I used versamark and clear embossed the ornaments before I cut out to adhere on top and off of the edge of the oval frame to give them some depth and shine. I am using spellbinders flourish impressabilities for background textures, label eight, and label six die cuts. I finished my card with some sheer ribbon and red kaiser pearls.

I am also using the sketch designed by Cindy at Crazy 4 Challenges blog. Another fun and fabulous sketch, Cindy!!!

I have come to the conclusion that the new SU in colors may not look all that great when blended together(...some work some do not...my humble opinion...lol!!!). However, I have been playing around with other colors that work beautifully when mixed with the new in colors. My color combo here uses Always Artichoke, ivory, and Bermuda Bay. I threw in a pop of red for fun and contrast. I actually love this combo of not so normal colors together. Of course, it really is all about ratios for me.

I do want to add that the other day I mentioned that I was going to try and come up with ways to use the tiny gold pearls that I have left on several sheets of my gold pearl domes. I tend to use the big ones mostly. However,waste not want not...hmmm. So, today's ingenious(laughing loudly) idea by me is to use the tiniest die cut from the new label six spellbinders as corner layering accents. I added a red kaiser pearl to the centers...THEN added the tiniest gold pearls to the top and the bottom of each one. I am on the fence as to whether or not I like it or not. I left them on the card because by the time I placed those tinnie tiny things on those tiny diecuts.....I was NOT about to move them....lol!!! What are your thoughts on my layered diecut accents with pearls??? Really....I want to know!!! TIA!!!

Please check out what the other blog team designers created!!

Francie Gumprecht

Silke Ledlow

Cindy Haffner

Dee Jackson

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

Stamps
Flourishes All that Glitters and Sleigh Ride
Paper
Flourishes Classic Ivory Cardstock, Always Artichoke, Bermuda Bay
Ink
Always Artichoke, Ranger Antique Linen and Fired Brick, Adirondack Pool, Momento Tuxedo Black
Accessories
Nestabilities petite ovals, label six, label eight, impressabilites, sheer ribbon, gold cording, mini bowdabra, kaiser pearls, gold pearls, foam circles, glue dots, SU texturz template, sponges, Flourishes Copic Color Collection, fiskars border punch

Rejoice!!!

This card is for today's Feature Stamper Challenge(FS138)! Congratulations, Nancy!!! What an amazing gallery. Literally thousands of cards to choose from. Here is the one I chose to CASE.

I am using two sets that will be released October 1st from ODBD called With Heartfelt Sympathy and With Deepest Sympathy.

• I kept the basic layout and design and even made my card base the same. I did choose to use soft suede instead of chocolate chip as my colors.
• I kept the lightly stamped background panel even though I used a different image. Same for the cattails and scripture on my card.
• Instead of using gold pen around the edges, I opted for a soft suede base for my card and used some small gold pearls in the corners along with some stenciling. I finished with one band of ribbon and a bow instead of three bands of ribbon like Nancy.
  
  I must say this was the fastest card I have ever made. It is also very CAS for me.
  
  As always, thanks so much for stopping by!!!
  
  Stamps
  ODBD With Heartfelt Sympathy and With Deepest Sympathy
  Paper
  Ivory, soft suede
  Ink
  soft suede, ranger antique linen
  Accessories
  ivory satin ribbon, nestabilities, gold pearls, foam circles, sponges
  
  
  
  
  
  

Beautiful You Moments....VLVSEP05!

This card is for two challenges. First, it is for today's SCS Inspiration Challenge(IC199). This card is also for Verve's VLVSEP05 sketch with a twist challenge.

For the inspiration challenge, I chose this kid's bedding at The Pajama Squid.

For the Verve sketch with a twist challenge, we are to use specialty papers. I am using some of MME's Festive & Frost Christmas papers for a non Christmas card.

I did not use any silver or gold pearls in the making of this card...shocking I know. I also did not use any ribbon. I used my copics to alter the color of the pearls I used. I played around with a few colors to try and get a darker burgandy look to match my cardstock. I ended up using W7 and R59. Swirl alittle bit of W7 then alittle bit of the R59 and the two blend to make this rich scarlet jewel color.

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

Stamps
Verve Beautiful You set
Paper
MME, PTI scarlet jewel, ivory, kraft
Ink
PTI scarlet jewel, pretty in pink
Accessories
Nestabilities, copic altered pearls, MS butterfly punch and border punch, SU texturzs plate, paper piecing template, permanent marker for faux stitching lines, photo corner punch

In Our Hearts.....

This card is for today's Limited Supplies Challenge(LSC239)! We are to make cards that are S.O.S. This is was a great challenge, Judy. I really worked at coming up with the SOSs!!! Thanks a bunch!!! This card also uses Mercy's sketch (MTSC40)! Thanks for a great sketch, Mercy!


I am giving you a sneak peek of an October 1st releases set from ODBD called with Heartfelt Sympathy.

For my challenge requirements, here is how the letters work....

S. Sympathy, Scene, Sketch, Sneak Peek
O. Circle sun, Circle button, tiny dots(circles)dsp, round silver pearl accents, round button
S. Sunshine, Silver pearls, Silver cording, Sponging, sky, Satin ribbon, sage shadow cardstock, smokey shadow cardstock

Stamps
ODBD with Heartfelt Sympathy
Paper
GP white, sage shadow, smokey shadow, noveau chic
Ink
momento black
Accessories
Nestabilities, satin ribbon, button, silver cording, silver pearls, copics, sponges, foam circles, dimensionals

Swan Song Verve VLVSEP04 Challenge!

This card is for Verve's weekly sketch challenges with a twist. This weeks VLVSEP04 twist was to make a black and white card. It is also for Penny's Challenges to us a bird!

I stamped all of the black panels with an Verve image in versamark and embossed with clear ep. It does not show up the best in the world, but I think it looks great IRL. I am using all Verve images. I am also using one of the new sets that I order that just came yesterday called Swan Song. LOVE it!!!

I stamped my swan in momento black twice and cut out. I must add that while this image looks very intricate it is really easy to cut out. Love that!!! I colored the top stacked portion with sakura gel pen which offer a nice sheen of sparkle. Hard to see with a camera, though. I took a close up shot, but you will need to click on it to see the sheen more vividly.

I have been using quite a bit of the larger silver and gold pearls lately. I am trying to come up with clever ways to use the tiny ones I generally leave on the sheet. So, I added a tiny silver pearl to the feather points and used one of the larger ones for the swan's head.

For the clear embossed background panels, I used images from Bountiful Backgrounds, Grateful Elegance, and Filgree Fantasy sets. For the sentiment, I stamped with versamark and embossed with black ep. I stenciled inside my nesties with smokey shadow ink. I have been stenciling just about everything with my nesties shapes lately. I love the look.

I added a foo foo sheer ribbon with stick pin detailing and a few more silver pearls and it was done!!! I am laughing because it was NOT that easy. LOL!!! I had a few MOMENTS while making this card.

I do want to ask if someone knows of a corner rounder punch that actually rounds and does not leave the corners jagged looking I would LOVE to know about it. I have tried several different brands and I always get a less than smooth look.

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

Stamps

Verve Swan Song, Bountiful Backgrounds, Grateful Elegance, Filigree Fantasy

Paper

Black and gp white

Ink

Momento black, versamark

Accessories

Nestabilities, foam circles, silver pearls, C1 and 100 copic markers, sakura gel pen, thin satin and 1" wide sheer ribbon, corner rounder, label 4, sponges, glue dots. , SU pretties kit, mini bowdabra

Thank You!

This card is for yesterday's SCS color challenge(CC237)! We are to use crushed curry, rich razzleberry, and basic black. I added ivory cardstock as my neutral. This card is also the sketch designed by Cindy Haffner at Crazy 4 Challenges(C4C3).

I am using a September ODBD release set called Friendship. I love this flowy flourished dragonfly image. The set comes with wonderful sentiments and scriptures, too.

I generally love black, but for some reason I was having a fit incorporating it today with these colors. I ended up using a piece that barely shows behind the ivory cardstock background panel. I used two pieces at the top and bottoms of the horizontal panel. I used an EK Success border punch detailing on those. As for those two pieces, that is pretty much it with the black.

I textured the ivory piece with a SU texturz plate that mimics the flourishy look of the dragonfly image. I am using ODBD sunflower and ODBD bordeaux inks instead of the RR and CC which I do not own. These colors are a very close match. I stenciled inside the petite rectangle nestie using these colors.

I added a piece of crushed curry dpp. I finshed with a wide piece of burgandy ribbon that I got at Micheal's....which is a close match to the RR. I did a ribbon knot with it this time. I added a layer photo corner punch and some gold pearls.

As always, thanks so much for stopping by!!!

Check out how you could win a blog banner for your blog

during my Blogaversary Blog Banner Contest!

Stamps
ODBD Friendship
Paper
crushed curry, rich razzleberry, ivory, black
Ink
ODBD sunflower and bordeaux
Accessories
Nestabilities, wide satin ribbon, EK Success border punch, gold pearls, photo corner punch, texturz plates, sponges, glue dots, foam circles

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge(FTTC34)! And my BOW moment!

It is time for Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge(FTTC34)! This week Silke Ledlow is our challenge host. Silke is challenging us to a technique. We are to try Stamp Misting. You ink the stamp, mist with water, then stamp. You can decide if you want your stamp mist image to be the background, focal image, accent element, or all three. We would love to see what you create!!! Check out the Flourishes blog for tutorial links.

I am using the Rejoice set. For the stamp misting challenge, I focused on the background. I also used an outlined image. I am not sure if this technique generally uses ONLY a solid image, but I figure I would do something different. I used alittle too much water, but I really love the effect and kept it. Once it was dry, I sponged the edges a lot with a mixture of Ranger antique linen and vintage photo. I felt like it need a little something more so I inked SU En Francaise background in the vintage photo ink and stamped off several times and stamped at an angle across the background image. The look is very subtle and I love it. I paper pierced and faux stitched the edges to finish that portion of the card.

I used the same image for the focal image. I stamped using bordeaux ink onto Flourishes classic ivory cardstock . I colored with Flourishes copic color collections in Dusty Rose and Evergreen. I stenciled the inside of the focal image nestie frame with the same antique linen and vintage photo inks. I removed the stencil and sponged the edges a bit so the contrast is not too stark. I ended up shadowing the image with the C1 copic marker. I finished with a another huge satin bow and a few tiny touches of bling!!!

The comment box is working now....finally!!! Sorry about that inconvenience!!!

Be sure to check out the other
Friends of Flourishes Blog Team Designers
to see what they created for you this week.
Cindy, Dee, Kim, and Silke

As always, thanks so much for stopping by!

*****I am editing this blog post for a special BOW moment/announcement. I have had many of you lately commenting and asking about my bows. A few weeks ago I purchased the mini bowdabra from Micheal's. I mentioned it in my LSC card I did since one of the requirements was to list and use a new tool. Today, I received a comment at SCS on this card. It is from Sandy, who is the inventor of the bowdabra. She is offering to all my friends/readers a free bowdabra.com VIP membership. This membership allows us access to special promotions, coupons, video tutorials, etc. It is over a $300 value as membership is 9.95 a month and lasts until 1013.

Use promo code: sandy - This promo code may be used by you or any of your readers/friends and it will give you a FREE bowdabra.com vip membership until 2013.

How cool is that!!! Thanks, Sandy!

Stamps Flourishes Rejoice Paper Rich Razzleberry, Flourishes classic ivory Ink bordeaux, ranger antique linen and vintage photo Accessories satin ribbon nestabilities, copics, sponges, foam circles, glue dots, piercing template, gems, mini bowdabra