Paper, Paws, etc.

LBD Starburst

2012-02-29T13:24:00.000-05:00

I picked up a 6x6 BasicGrey little black dress paper pad at Scrapdoodles in Fredericksburg last month and decided to use it to make another Starburst card. I really love these colors....especially with the doily :)

(I don't care what anyone says...I was doily before doily was cool! - nod to Dolly)

Should you wish to make your own starburst card, the tutorial is courtesy of Operation Write Home and can be found here.

Supplies:

Black Cardstock - Stampin' Up!
Very Vanilla Cardstock - Stampin' Up!
Soft Suede ink - Stampin' Up!
4" Doily Die - Cheery Lynn
2 1/4 Circle Punch - EK
Embellished Butterfly - jenni bowlin studio
DP - BasicGrey little black dress 6x6 paper pad
Ribbon - Black/Offray
Sentiment - Classic Messages / Hero Arts

Decorative Cigar Box #3

2012-02-25T14:47:00.001-05:00

Just finished my 3rd decorative cigar box. I am liking the way this turned out. The paper used is Recollections Union Square Paper Pad. The Tim Holtz Foundations were changed to Antique Gold using Rub'n Buff, and they look awesome with the DP. The edges of the DP were all blended with both SU! Crumb Cake and Ruby Red. Tim Holtz Curio Knob with modified screw - embellishments are Recollections Adhesive Rhinestones. Enjoy!

Dare to Share Challenge

2012-02-10T17:16:00.001-05:00

Photo Scraps in Eldersburg, Maryland, is having a "Dare to Share Challenge." They provide you with some embellishments (hearts, flowers and rick rac - as pictured in bottom photo), and we have to create something. We can use any products we want in addition to the provided items. Everyone who submits a card gets a 20% discount off one item. Here is my submission. I like the way it turned out. P.S.....don't tell anyone I used Christmas paper along with the SU! Crumb Cake card stock, OK?

Decorative Cigar Box #2

2012-02-05T14:23:00.000-05:00

Here is my second attempt at a decorative cigar box...first attempt at home without assistance. The paper used on this is from the DCWV Mariposa stack. Aside from the paper used, one of the main differences between this box and the first box is the knob. On the first box from class, we used stacked buttons. On this box, I used one of the Tim Holtz knobs. Since these knobs are basically for use with chipboard, I had to go to the hardware store and purchase screws that were longer than the ones that came with the knobs so that the screw would fit through the cigar box lid. Then, on the inside, you have to cover the screw head with something because it is not decorative and isn't flush against the surface of the box. I finished off the box by outlining all of the outside paper panels with a pretty gold ribbon. It was a PITA to do, but it really made a difference. All in all, I think it came out good! Looking forward to starting on my next box.

Decorative Cigar Box

2012-01-26T22:04:00.000-05:00

On January 22, 2012, my friend Gloria and I took a Decorative Cigar Box class at The Queens Ink at Historic Savage Mill. The class began at 12:00 p.m., and we finished our boxes at 5:00 p.m. I really enjoyed making this and am very pleased with the way it turned out. I have already gathered together a stash of cigar boxes, so I can't wait to make some more!

A Happy Hello

2012-01-19T16:33:00.000-05:00

Do you know what I used on the front of this card? Give up? It's cupcake liners! Cut the liners in half, then cut out the bottom, and adhere.

My inspiration came from the Scallops Gift Bag shown in the Jan/Feb 2012 Paper Crafts magazine.

I wonder what else I can do with the rest of these cupcake liners short of making cupcakes? Any ideas?

Happy New Year!

2012-01-11T12:37:00.000-05:00

Some friends and I got together to make Christmas cards last month. One of my friends commented that I should make my doily cards for Christmas. Well, since I had already designed my Christmas cards and finished most of them, I was inspired to make some New Years cards with doilies. Here is an example of one of the color schemes I used. Most of the others were black and white....but I mailed them all and didn't take a photo :(

I didn't have a stamp with a good New Years verse for the inside of the card, so I found a poem on the internet and modified it to suit my needs. It reads:

New years come, and new years go,
Pieces of time all in a row.
As I live my life, each second and minute,
I know I'm privileged to have you in it.
My appreciation never ends
For my greatest blessings: my family and friends.

Happy New Year!

Here are the instructions:

1. 8 ½” x 5 ½” card base using Rich Razzleberry card stock (Stampin’ Up!). Score and fold.

2. 4” x 5 ¼” designer paper (DCWV The Black Currant Stack); adhere ribbon (Offray) and tie knot; then adhere to card front.

3. 2 3/8” circle (Spellbinders Standard Circles Large) using Rich Razzleberry card stock (SU!).

4. Stamp sentiment (SU! All Year Cheer III) on Very Vanilla card stock (SU!) and punch out with 2” scalloped punch (EK Success). Ink edges of scalloped punch out with Rich Razzleberry (SU!).

5. Die cut 4” doily (Papertrey Ink Parisian Lace) using Very Vanilla card stock (SU!). Ink edges of doily with Rich Razzleberry (SU!).

6. Adhere 2 3/8” circle cut-out to doily center.

7. Adhere scalloped cut-out with sentiment on top of circle cut-out.

8. Pop doily onto card front (SU stampin’ dimensional).

Season's Greetings

2011-12-29T17:10:00.000-05:00

This is one of the cards I made in bulk to send out to friends and family for Christmas.

For those interested, here's how to make it:

All materials Stampin’ Up! Except bakers twine and button.

8 ½ x 5 ½ Soft Suede card stock base / score and fold.
On 5 x 3 ¾ Very Vanila card stock, mask a 2 ¾ x 2 1/8 rectangle in center and sponge lightly with Soft Suede ink.
Stamp image (Lovely As a Tree) in Early Expresso ink across center
Stamp sentiment (Snow Swirled) in Cherry Cobbler ink
Emboss Very Vanila stamped panel with Square Lattice embossing folder; adhere to 5 1/8 x 4 Cherry Cobbler card stock; wrap with bakers twine; adhere to Soft Suede card base
Add button with glue dot.

Christmas Card Mini Swap

2011-12-12T14:07:00.001-05:00

On December 10th, five of us girlz got together for a mini Christmas Card swap at my neighbor's home. We each brought 20 kits - so everyone could make 5 cards of each design (not counting their own). Everyone left with 20 awesome Christmas cards :)

Marsha's card

Angie's card: CASEd from the Laurel Shoe Box Swap

Davina's card

Denise's card: CASEd from a previous Shoe Box Swap

Vicki's card

Be Strong

2011-12-09T08:55:00.000-05:00

Since I haven't had time to post any new cards lately, I'm posting a few cards I made in October for a few of my friends who are breast cancer survivors. They are amazing women, and one can only hope to have their strength and courage on any given day.

The stamp set used is "Be Strong" by JustRite. JustRite Crafting For a Cause donates 20% of the sales from this stamp set in 2011 to Ovarian Cancer Research.

I also used a couple different embossing folders and Spellbinders dies, and colored the ribbons with Copic markers.

You add sweetness to my life!

2011-11-17T12:54:00.000-05:00

This card was made with another scrapbook kit received during the 2011 Buggies and Buds Shop Hop. This kit was from Times to Remember in Lancaster.

I added my own Chocolate Chip SU card base, inked some edges with Chocolate Chip SU ink, and inked the sentiment (from an old SU set called "Fairies" that I got on the yardsale table at a recent crop I attended) in Chocolate Chip. Everything else was from the kit.

The Spirit of Christmas

2011-11-10T11:08:00.000-05:00

I went to my friend Jane's house to do some stamping the other day, and she had a card our friend Amanda had made using overhead transparency sheets. So, she gave a class and we made some clear cards :)

In a nutshell, you take an overhead transparency, cut it to size, score it, fold it, then stamp your background design on the front side using White Opaque Stazon (don't use SU White Craft because it won't dry!).

The next part of lining up the images, etc., from front to back it a bit tricky (maybe if I get the time I can do step by step photos, but don't hold you breath for me to actually do it...lol), but you have to cover all 4 parts of the card with the same size cardstock. If you adhere the front layer first, then turn the complete card over and line up the exact same size piece on the back (it's clear, so you can line it up exactly). Then you can put your other pieces on the other 2 sides of the card.

It was a bit difficult to photograph a clear card, so I hope you can get an idea of how it turned out.

I like the way it turned out, and it was really fun to make.

Country Cottage Mice

2011-10-27T13:34:00.002-04:00

Country Cottage Creations in Paradise, PA, was my Home Store during the Buggies & Buds Shop Hop. This year, they gave out an adorable 8x8 scrapbook kit with a number of mice images. I colored one of the images with Copics and added some color-coordinating card stock and turned the scrapbook kit into a card. I think I have enough DP left over to make another card with one of the other mice images provided.

Update: I'm adding the second card I made.

And another update. I'm out of mice images now :)

Live, Love, Bark!

2011-10-25T14:26:00.000-04:00

A friend broke her foot, so I wanted to make her a card. I had made this card, but didn't know what to use it for. So, since my friend also has Westies, I made it a Get Well card for her!

I think she'll like it!

L & L Bear

2011-10-22T13:33:00.000-04:00

I made this card out of the 8x8 scrapbook page kit I received from L&L Rubber Stamps and Scrapbooking in Ephrata, PA, during the Buggies & Buds Shop Hop 2011. I added the bling, black card base and ribbon. Everything else was in the kit - including the stamped image, which I colored with Copics.

I have a few more kits I need to turn into cards. Hopefully, I'll get to those sooner than later!

Love Life!

2011-10-16T13:48:00.000-04:00

I had a terrific time at this year's Buggies & Buds Shop Hop. Last year we did ALL of the shops, this year, we decided to only do 6 - and add more sightseeing into the trip.

This year's take-n-makes and/or make-n-takes were mostly 8x8 scrapbook layouts as each hop registrant received an 8x8 album and each shop was supposed to provide a page kit. However, some shops offered a choice of an album page or a card kit. As a cardmaker, I chose the card when possible (and will make cards out of the album page kits). This is the card from "From the Heart" in Paradise, PA. Isn't it cute? Now just need to find a gift card to slide into the little envelope and a reason to send it to someone!

Be Merry

2011-10-05T13:35:00.000-04:00

September 24th was the Maryland City Shoe Box Swap. The theme was Christmas or Winter.

This is the card I made (of course I cased the idea from elsewhere).

I am also using this design for the Splitcoaststampers "Non-traditional Christmas/Holiday cards swap." The challenge is to not use use red or green as the main color. No problem!

Since I had to do directions for the shoe box swap, I've included them below in case you'd like to have them. Of course, you can use whatever colors you'd like!

1. Create a 5 ½ x 4 ¼ card base using Brocade Blue card stock.

2. Using 1 x 3 ¾ Old Olive card stock, punch with Scallop Edge Border and adhere to 3 ¾ x 3 ¾ Night of Navy card stock; cover seam with white ribbon; and adhere to front of card base.

3. Using 4 coordinating designer papers, punch a 1 ½ and 1 ¼ square of each paper.

4. Corner round punch opposite corners of each square.

5. Adhere larger squares on card front.

6. Pop smaller squares, aligning inside corners.

7. Add self-adhesive rhinestone in center.

8. Stamp sentiment (SU! Warm Words) on bottom of card front in Night of Navy ink.

Purple Butterfly

2011-09-29T22:06:00.000-04:00

I was playing around with a big daisy stamp, and colored it shades of purple, then wanted to see what it would look like if I used the doily die on it. Then I didn't know what to do with the middle. Tried a few combinations, and ended up with what you see. There was no plan...it just happened. Too bad I'm not a better photographer because you can't really see the bling or the glittery pen I used on the butterfly. Oh well. I think I'll give it to my friend who loves purple everything!

The Play Date Cafe Challenge PDCC 100

2011-09-24T12:00:00.023-04:00

Here is my submission for The Play Date Cafe Challenge #100.

You can find a Quilted Card Tutorial online at Splitcoaststampers.

The instructions are to follow the color combination of the photo below as closely as possible making those colors the focus of your creation. Hope you like it!

The Pink Elephant Challenge #117

2011-09-23T17:34:00.001-04:00

This week's Challenge at The Pink Elephant in an Inspiration Challenge. You just need to create a card or project taking inspiration from the photo below. You can use the colors, theme, a single element, etc., from the picture.
As soon as I saw the photo, I had an idea for a card! Unfortunately, that idea didn't translate well to paper, so I scrapped the original idea and made this card. I've never participated in a TPE challenge before, so here goes!

Big Sister Cards

2011-09-20T14:49:00.000-04:00

Now that this Secret Sister round is over, I can reveal that I was the Big Sister to Jane! Below are the cards I've sent her for the past 3 months.

Peace Out
(Images: Studio G)

Little Red Dress

(Pattern: Paper Crafts March/April 2009)

Hugs and Kisses

(Image: Ann-ticipations)

Bargello Technique

(Splitcoaststampers Tutorial)

I Do Own the Road

(Image: Stampalicious)

I love the button tires...wish I could find more of these buttons!

100% Pure Bull

(Images: Make An Impression)

It was sure fun being Jane's Secret Sister!

Dr. Painless

2011-09-17T18:00:00.006-04:00

My awesome allergist, Dr. Abrishami, who I've been going to for 20+ years, is retiring. His assistant (a high school classmate of mine) is putting together a memory book for him, consisting of notes and photos of his patients. So, I made him this card. I initially colored the image with Copics before planning on the card stock colors I was going to use. I think the black and purple turned out really well. I hope he likes it!

Cheer the h*ll up!

2011-09-16T11:55:00.000-04:00

I made this card for a good friend who had surgery recently. On the way to the hospital to visit one day, another friend calls me to warn me that the patient is "in a mood" and fussing at everyone. Ok, so I walk in her hospital room and she's on the phone crying, complaining, hating life, threatening to walk out, blah blah blah. So, I hang out with her a while and start asking questions, and realize, she's missing a medication she normally takes, and it's been 3 days. Not good. In a nutshell, I tell the nurse, she calls the doctor, my friend gets her medication...all is well by that evening :)

She's home now recuperating and doing really well. Her favorite color is purple - hope she likes the card! I'm sure she will, but even if she doesn't, it makes me laugh!

And...I've entered this card in The Play Date Cafe Challenge #99. I just ran across the blog and they are doing a challenge featuring the colors lavendar, soft yellow, and white. Perfect for my card!

April Birthday

2011-09-15T22:13:00.001-04:00

I was going to post a different card today, but realized it was too much like one of the cards I sent during this Secret Sister round, and our Secret Sister reveal isn't until Saturday.

So...I happened to run across this card on my little laptop (that I don't use regularly). I had sent this card during the last Secret Sister round (April 2011). It just so happened to be her (Mary) birthday that month too!

Supplies: Designer paper (BasicGrey 6x6 cappella paper pad); Punch (Martha Stewart Crafts Doily Lace Edge Punch); Stamp (DRS Designs); Ribbon (Offray); Cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Self-adhesive rhinestones.

For You (actually, it's for me)

2011-09-12T14:41:00.000-04:00

I received this adorable card from my Secret Sister. I believe this is the last one for this round....waaaaaaa (I like to whine), and we're not doing another round until next year (waaaaaaa!).

I really like how it's a hanging picture...I will have to CASE that idea!

Thank you Sis! See you soon!

Kitty Sympathy

2011-09-02T13:16:00.000-04:00

I made this card for my friend and co-worker who recently had to send her Ollie Cat to the Rainbow Bridge. He had been sick for several months, and she did all she could for him until it was time to "walk him home." It's never easy losing a beloved pet.

~ Supply List ~
Stamp - Purrs & Pants
Paper - SU! Cherry Cobbler and scraps of white and some other unknown grayish color.
Inks & Markers - Momento Black, SU! Cherry Cobbler (sponged); Copics, Gelly Roll Clear Star (wings)
Accessories - Spellbinders Classic Frame and a little bling.

Here's a close up of the wings so you can see how glittery and pretty they are.

Another Red Hat Westie!

2011-09-01T02:40:00.002-04:00

The artist of this stamp is Deborah Colvin Borgo of Borgo Illustration. She is a terrific artist who also breeds and shows Westies. She's painting the trophies for my local Westie dog club, and since I needed to mail her a deposit check for the club, I decided to throw together a card using one of the few designs that she turned into rubber stamps.

I hope she likes it!

I won a challenge!

2011-08-29T01:05:00.000-04:00

I found out I won the "public vote" in the Quirky Crafts Challenge 17 - Red Hat Society Challenge!

Unfortunately, I didn't win the Design Team's vote, so I don't win any free images, but I was invited to be a guest designer. I'm not sure yet if I will do that. Maybe. If I do, I'll let you know. :)

Red Hat Westie

2011-08-24T13:15:00.002-04:00

I came across the Quirky Crafts Challenge Blog recently, and they are having a Red Hat Society challenge this week. It just so happens that I had made a couple of Red Hat cards recently, so I figured, what the heck, I'll enter the challenge and see what happens. Wish me luck!

~ Supply List ~
Stamp - Borgo Illustration
Paper - Stampin' Up! Poppy Parade and Perfect Plum
Ink - Momento Tuxedo Black
Accessories - Doily, Copic Markers, Offray Ribbon, Spellbinders Nestabilities, and Stampin' Up! Embossing Folder

Here's another version. Enjoy!

Ribbon Challenge #1

2011-08-22T10:48:00.000-04:00

Notice I titled this with a "#1" because I hope we do more - it was a lot of fun.

Prior to the last Ft. Meade Shoe Box Swap, we were all sent a yard of this green/brown/orange/white ribbon, and we were asked to make a card using any or all of the ribbon. We were to bring the un-named/un-signed card to the swap where all of the attendees would vote for their favorite. The winner got to take home ALL of the cards.

This is my submission. I came in second place. Amanda won with her amazing creation. You can see all of the cards here: "Stamp Me" - Amanda's card is the second one down. It's much more striking in person than in the photo. It was very cool what she did with her ribbon to create the flower.

Enjoy!

August Secret Sister Card #1

2011-08-20T12:00:00.000-04:00

I got flowers from my Secret Sister! Nice!

Not sure if you can tell, but the pink flower in the middle is popped out!

Very sweet. Thank you my friend!

Who's Your Mummy? (Tutorial)

2011-08-14T11:07:00.004-04:00

This card is totally CASEed. If anyone knows who is the original creator, please let me know as I would love to give proper credit. I posted a similar Who's Your Mummy? card back in February - without instructions. I used this card as my Shoe Box Swap card yesterday (Meade Girls Halloween/Fall Shoebox Swap), and since I had to write instructions for that, I figured it was a good time to share them with you. Have fun!

~ Supply List ~

Paper - SU! Very Vanilla, Really Rust (retired - pick your favorite shade of orange), Basic Black Whisper White

Ink - SU! Creamy Caramel (retired - pick any beige or tan)
Accessories - Circle Punches: 7/8", 1 1/4", 1 1/2" ; sponge, paper cutter, scissors

1. Sponge the fronts of the Very Vanilla pieces with Creamy Caramel.

2. Sponge the edges of the Very Vanilla strips.

3. Tie long thin strip of Very Vanilla into a paper knot – sponge it with Creamy Caramel. (Note: it really is possible to tie the knot - just don't try to pull it tight, tie it the best you can and flatten it out)

4. Assemble/adhere eyes using:

a. 1 ½ circle punch: Really Rust

b. 1 ¼ circle punch: White

c. 7/8 circle punch: Black

5. Adhere eyes to large piece of Very Vanilla.

6. Starting at the top, adhere the strips of Very Vanilla.

7. Turn over and trim off excess strips.

8. Assemble card using Black card base, Really Rust layer, then Mummy face.

9. Adhere knot to Mummy face.

It's a Cupcake Kind of Day

2011-08-07T17:57:00.000-04:00

When I needed a birthday card for my friend Amanda, I used my love of red velvet cupcakes as inspiration.

~ Supply List ~
Stamps - Impression Obsession: Creme Cup & Cupcake Kind of Day
Paper - SU! Cherry Cobbler & Crumb Cake; Georgia Pacific 110# White
Ink - Momento Black, SU! Cherry Cobbler
Markers - Copic, SU!, and Gelly Roll Clear Star
Accessories - SU! Scalloped Oval Punch, 4" paper doily, Spellbinders Nestabilities Standard Cirles Large.

July Secret Sister Card #2

2011-07-24T13:45:00.000-04:00

Inside verse reads: "thinking of you."

Three little words for my Secret Sister..."Thanks so much!"

Black Currant Quilts

2011-07-13T12:34:00.000-04:00

I was on a Quilted Card kick a few weeks ago. So I got out my DCWV Black Currant Stack and 3/4 inch square punch and had some fun.

I initially used the Quilted Card tutorial at Split Coast, but then Googled quilting patterns online and made a bunch of other designs.

I especially like the Scottie dog pattern I found - but, of course, I had to make it a Westie and do it in white! Enjoy!

Quilted Card

2011-07-13T12:15:00.000-04:00

Here's another technique I tried during our last Secret Sister round. The tutorial can be found on Split Coast Stampers here: Quilted Card Tutorial.

I made a few variations using the same colors. One was square and the others were A2 size. You can see the one I sent as a Secret Sister here: My Stampin' Hide-away: Happy Mail!

It's really not difficult...I used the SU Grid Paper to line up and adhere the strips. The grid paper then becomes the backing and gives the quilt block more stability to work with - whether you need to trim it or mount it or whatever.

Enjoy!

July Secret Sister Card #1

2011-07-10T10:59:00.000-04:00

Secret Sisters bring the fun back to receiving snail mail!

I'm having no luck at all trying to figure out who might be my Secret Sister this round. Oh well...that's part of the fun!

Thank you S.S.

Perfect Plum Pinwheel

2011-06-27T14:45:00.001-04:00

I had a great time at the Maryland City Shoe Box Swap on Saturday.

Here is the card I made for the swap. I like the way it turned out.

Below are the directions if you want to give it a try:

1. Punch 4 squares from 2 coordinating designer papers using 1 ¼ square punch. Sponge edges with Elegant Eggplant (or Perfect Plun or whatever).

2. Adhere 2 Perfect Plum squares to make an 8-point star.

3.      Adhere first DP square – BUT – only adhere the right side because you will need to tuck the last square under the left side of the fist square. Continue adhering squares.

4.      Adhere small circle to center of completed pinwheel. Insert brad in center. (Or you can use a button or rhinestone or flower or whatever.)

5.      Adhere large DP to Whisper White then adhere white ribbon. Adhere all to Perfect Plum card base.

6.      Adhere pinwheel – either flat or use Dimensionals / Pop Dots.

7.      Stamp sentiment of your choice on scrap Whisper White and punch out with oval punch. Sponge the edges with Elegant Eggplant (or whatever color you choose), then adhere to Perfect Plum scalloped oval. Adhere on top of ribbon (popped or flat).

Hope you had a "wheely" good time with this!

Hot for You!

2011-06-26T11:06:00.000-04:00

This past Friday and Saturday was the annual Great American Scrapbook Convention at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, Virginia. I had never been before, but had always heard about it from my scrapbooking friends and knew they had things for us cardmakers too. So, on Friday, I finally went for a few hours. I enjoyed it.

They offered a lot of classes and make-and-takes. I only had time to do one make-and-take, and I thought it was really cute and wanted to share it with you.

I thought the dragon mug was adorable. All the pieces were already cut out for you, so you just had to assemble and draw and chalk. Once I got home, I added my own pack of hot chocolate - but you can use tea or Starbucks gift card or whatever. How cute is that!

Looking Chic

2011-06-24T12:10:00.000-04:00

I found this adorable clear stamp by Stampavie / Penny Johnson, and you know I just had to have it. Of course, this meant I would have to "color" - which I haven't done much of yet.

So here are my first 3 attempts with the Copic colors I have.

Whaddayathink?

Hello Secret Sister!

2011-06-22T20:53:00.000-04:00

Secret Sister snail mail is so much fun! I received this pretty card the other day. Such soft colors. It was hard to capture the color on the camera.

Thanks so much Secret Sister!

Another Round of Secret Sister Begins!

2011-06-04T10:42:00.000-04:00

I received this beautiful card from my new Secret Sister the other day. I love the soft colors and textures used. The bottom flower is popped out, and the stamens are glittery. The sentiment reads: "Each day provides its own gifts." Just lovely.

Thank you Secret Sister!

Doily Party Dress

2011-05-20T00:32:00.001-04:00

Yes, I'm still playing with doilies, and, no, my Secret Sister will not be getting any doily cards from me this round. That would be a give-away!

So, I decided to get a little creative and color the paper doily black. At first, I started sponging the color on - then I thought, what the heck, and just started painting the doily by rubbing the entire Memento Tuxedo Black stamp pad across it! That actually worked much better.

As with the last doily dress, for the bodice, I used another doily and some white cardstock, punched them both at the same time with a heart punch, adhered the punched doily layer to the punched white cardstock, trimmed off a little bit of the sides of the heart, added the ribbon and a brad, and here you have my version of a black and white party dress with pink trim.

Whaddayathink?

Doily Dress

2011-05-10T12:05:00.000-04:00

Not sure how it began, but I am a doily fan.

I saw a card (on a blog or somewhere that I can't remember) where they took a scalloped circle and folded it to make the bottom of the dress, then used a heart punch with the sides cut off to make the top.

So...

I decided to try it with a doily! It took a few tries to get the folds right, but it worked! For the top of the dress I had to cut out another doily and adhered it to white - rather than it being a lace top - which just wouldn't be right.

Once that was done, I added the ribbon sash and adhered it with a brad.

But then...I couldn't figure out what kind of card to make with it. I decided it would be a short wedding dress. The inside of the card says: "...And they lived happily ever after. The End"

I'd like to hear what else you might suggest I do with it, because I want to make some more, but would prefer to not make all wedding cards!

Tri-Shutter Card

2011-05-09T13:18:00.002-04:00

Now that the Meade Girls Secret Sister round has concluded, I can post some of the cards I made that were similar to those I sent to Mary of My Stampin' Hide-away because I was her Secret Sister.

I made two tri-shutter cards, the top left one I kept and the one below I sent to Mary. I had never made a tri-shutter card before, but I like the way they turned out.

Here is what a shutter card looks like closed. You can see additional images of Mary's card on her blog here: My Stampin' Hide-away.

The designer paper used for both cards is from the 6x6 BasicGrey cappella paper pad.

The Tri-Shutter Card tutorial can be found here: Split Coast Stampers.

Secret Sister Reveal Package Arrival!

2011-05-05T13:56:00.000-04:00

Our official Secret Sister reveal gathering is Saturday. However, my Secret Sister is unable to make it, so she mailed me her reveal note and package! And my Secret Sister is....drum roll...it's Jen! Check our her blog Jetstudio Design.

Thank you Jen! I love it all! That is especially neat how you made the post it note holder out of an acrylic photo frame. I may have to try that! I will definately use it and the notebook/tablet!

And...LOVE the dog theme of everything!

Branson, Missouri

2011-04-28T16:31:00.002-04:00

My friend, Denise, and I decided to travel to Branson, Missouri, for a vacation get-away. We picked the rainiest week they've ever had - combined with a record-breaking number of tornados in the State.

The St. Louis airport was partially closed, but we had no problem flying into it on Sunday.

There has been a lot of flooding here as well. They opened the dam - second time in 12 years. The road over the dam was closed soon after we drove over it! Yikes!

Nevertheless, we're determined to have a good time, and we are seeing lots of shows.

Today (Thursday) the weather is beautiful! Tomorrow is supposed to be even better! We fly back on Saturday - there's supposed to be some thunderstorms that day. Oh well.

But I digress...I wanted to tell you about the great scrapbook store we found in town! It's called Scrapbooks Forever.

Now, we've been to a LOT of scrapbook stores in various states, and in all honesty, this was a really nice one!

We were surprised to find such a nice store here! They had a lot of stuff I had not seen elsewhere.

We both picked up some stuff. Denise (in the blue and white top above) is a big scrapbooker, where I am basically a card maker. BUT - I have good intentions to do some scrapbooking, so I picked up some things for that just in case :) I got some really cute rubber stamps. Now I just have to come up with a card to use them on. Guess I'll be working on that when I get back.

See ya!

Secret Sister Easter Card

2011-04-22T22:35:00.000-04:00

Received this cute card in the mail from my Secret Sister. Love the bunny tail!

I believe this is the last card I'll be getting from my Secret Sister for this go-round. It's been a lot of fun and I look forward to the next round.

I hope everyone has a Happy Easter - especially my Secret Sister!

Peep Show!

2011-04-19T12:17:00.000-04:00

Now that I have your attention...

Here is the Easter card I made for my co-workers. It is a digi design and colored with Copics. (I'm still learning how to use the Copics...I like them, but would like to eventually get better with the shading, etc.)

I made the digi myself by cutting and pasting the peeps and bunnies into a new graphic, added the text, then printed it out. I'm happy the ink didn't run when I colored the image.

Happy Easter to my Peeps!

Apple Punch Cards

2011-04-18T01:56:00.000-04:00

Saturday was the Meade Shoe Box Swap. Here is the card I designed for the swap. The apples are made out of the tab punch. Of course, I CASEd the original idea and put my own twist on it. The apple brads and apple ribbon both came from Micheal's.

Everyone had their choice of making their card in either Poppy Parade or Green Galore. I didn't have enough of either color to do them all in one or the other, and I'm glad everyone got the color of their choice because there was at least one of each color left at the end :)

To see all of the cards made at the swap, visit my friend Mary's blog: My Stampin' Hide-Away. Enjoy!

Ribbon Run 1

2011-04-09T22:22:00.000-04:00

So, the Meade Girlz went on a field trip today to the Offray Ribbon Factory Outlet in Hagerstown, MD, and I finally got to go!

This month the special is a "fill the bag for 99 cents" with your choice or spools of ribbon from a dozen or so different tubs full of the spools. I came out with a 76 spools in my bag...for less than a buck!

Top that off with the 25 cent bags of assorted ribbon and I got this entire stash for about $6.00!

I haven't quite figured out what I'm going to do with all of this ribbon, but you know I just had to have it, right? Yeah, right....I need more ribbon like I need a Government shut down! LOL! I crack myself up - been that kind of a day.

Time to refill the Baileys.

I have a "beary" nice Secret Sister!

2011-04-08T01:38:00.000-04:00

How cute are these bears????

Thank you Secret Sister :)

Paw Flower

2011-04-07T14:13:00.000-04:00

I actually made this card a couple of years ago. I was on a pink & black kick, which I still think it a terrific color combination and have done several cards using that combination over the years.

I forgot I had that little paw punch. I'll have to dig that out :)

Have your cake and eat it too!

2011-04-06T01:02:00.003-04:00

I made this birthday card for my friend, Mary - one of the Meade Girls / Maryland Stampers.

It's a bit plain, but I couldn't think of anything else to do with it. I like doilies and I like how the doily gave it an added touch. I think it's cute.

I've been playing with my copics...learning as I go. However, there wasn't much to color with them being Westies (all white).

Sneak Peep....er, I mean Peek...

2011-04-02T13:44:00.000-04:00

Here's a sneak peek at the Easter card I made for each of my co-workers. I don't want to post the entire thing just yet, because I don't know if any of them actually look at this blog. I don't think they do, but you never know!

I know they will get a kick out of it. Each year, the SIOC Easter Bunny brings each of us an Easter basket full of goodies - and there are always Peeps included. A co-worker and I have even visited the Peeps store at National Harbor Place. That is where I discovered Chocolate Covered Peeps! That's my new favorite Peep treat! I don't even want the regular ones anymore - except for the chocolate and vanilla ones.

Secret Sister Strikes Again

2011-03-26T11:39:00.000-04:00

Somebody knows I love dogs!

Two more cards in April before the big reveal and we all find out who has been our Secret Sister for 3 months. Looking forward to it!

Thank you, Secret Sister, for the adorable card.

Secret Sister Surprise

2011-03-14T02:19:00.001-04:00

I got a very nice surprise from my Secret Sister the other day! How cute is that card?! Love the extra goodies, and I will definately use them! Thank you so much Secret Sister!

(I use a lot of exclamation points when I write, don't I?)

Get Well Teacup Card

2011-03-13T01:07:00.000-05:00

I had another great day at the Shoe Box Swap at the Maryland City Fire Department Hall (thank you Kathy, for hosting a great event!).

I arrived around 8:20 a.m. and left around 5 p.m. We made 25 wonderful cards - 26 including mine. My card was a teacup with an actual lipton tea bag in the cup.

You can see all the great cards on my friend Mary's blog: My Stampin' Hide-Away. Enjoy!

Maryland Stampers Challenge

2011-03-02T12:29:00.004-05:00

So, here's my first attempt with a digi. My friend, Amanda, from the Maryland Stampers Group, challenged us to make a card using this free digi from Karen's Doodles. Since I only have a handful of Copics (mostly flesh tones), I went with the neutral color scheme (which I like anyway) and added the green with a Marvy marker. The little flowers actually have pink undertones. It turned out OK, but I think it looks better in person.

Supplies used: GP 110 lb cardstock; SU cardstock - Always Artichoke (I think), Creamy Caramel, Very Vanilla; MS punch - Arch Lattice; Spellbinders Nestabilities - Classic Scalloped Circles Large & Standard Circles Large; Copic Markers E11, E13, E15, E50, E53, R20, W1; Marvy marker - Olive Green. (I'm not sure what the little corner dot thingies are called - if I had gotten them from my friend who owns Cutters Creek, they would be called Twinkle Jewels, but I won these as a prize at a past Meade Shoe Box Swap.)

More Coaster Calendars

2011-02-21T23:01:00.000-05:00

So, I made some more coaster calendars and used up the last of the pack of 2011 calendars I purchased. My Aunt wanted a red one, so I made her two different ones using reds. And, since I hadn't made myself any, I decided to make one each for my desk at home and at work. These are so easy and fun to make!

The butterfly is much more glittery in person. I'm not the best photographer when it comes to getting the lighting right :(

Secret Sister Valentine

2011-02-17T01:11:00.000-05:00

Look at the lovely card I received from my Secret Sister!

I can't wait to see what the month of March brings!

Thank you Secret Sister!

Woof

2011-02-16T02:12:00.000-05:00

Enough said :)

Who's Your Mummy?

2011-02-15T02:54:00.000-05:00

This was actually a Halloween card that I cased years ago. Then I got the idea to make it a Birthday card using the sentiments of a Stampin Up! set I purchased some time ago (not readily sure of the name of the stamp set at the moment...). I thought the sentiment went well with this card.

I suppose I should put the instructions on how to make it? Naaaaa....way too lazy.

Best Friend

2011-02-12T14:28:00.000-05:00

How cute is this use of the chef in the SU Voila stamp set!? I'm not sure what company makes the dog and/or the sentiment stamp.

What can I say...other than...at the end of the day, it's all about the Westies!

My Very First Secret Sister Card

2011-02-11T01:22:00.000-05:00

Thank you Secret Sister for my adorable card!

Of course, now I'm trying to figure out who it's from...I think she is trying to throw me off the trail with the Lancaster, PA, postmark! Hmmmmm...

Love the moose!

Coaster Calendars

2011-02-09T22:21:00.002-05:00

Yaaaay! I finally had a chance to update my blog!

At the last Meade Girls Shoe Box Swap, one of the cards wasn't a card, but rather a cute little desk-top calendar made from plain ol' cardboard coaster that you cover with designer paper and embellish, etc.

I really liked it, so I decided to make one for each of my co-workers (coasters courtesy of Outback Steakhouse....thanks Outback!).

The little calendars can be purchased at Impress Rubber Stamps. By the way, I want to give a shout-out to Impress....they sent me my order, and a couple days later I got another package from them, but it was someone else's order (a rubber stamp). They told me to go ahead and keep it! Whooohooo!

Party Animal

2011-02-03T22:46:00.001-05:00

I haven't completed any new cards in a while (although I do have some unfinished ones...), so here's one I made a few years back.

Gotta love those Westies!

I have a Secret Sister!

2011-01-31T02:42:00.001-05:00

Yes, I have a Secret Sister...na-nee-na-nee-boo-boo! Hey...I've never had a sister...secret or otherwise....humor me :) And...I'm somebody's Secret Sister too! I hope I am a good Secret Sister...it's the first time for me.

Looking forward to the monthly goodies and the big reveal in a few months! Stay tuned as I will post my treasures when they are received!

My dog saw you naked!

2011-01-30T01:25:00.004-05:00

Come on...it's a funny birthday card! I amuse myself...

I had a couple people ask if the window was made with a die, and it was. It's by QuicKutz and called "Window." I picked it up at one of the shops I visited on the Buggies and Buds Shop Hop this past October, but I don't remember which one it was :(

The little Westie peeking in the window is actually a custom-made rubber stamp I had done years ago from a drawing someone did for me. I have a bunch of custom-made dog-related stamps. I just wish I could find time to start using them!

Oh yeah...the 2-piece stamp set was purchased from the website Sparkle N Sprinkle.

My First Copic Markers

2011-01-28T00:06:00.001-05:00

I finally used my Hobby Lobby gift card from Christmas and took the plunge and purchased some Copic markers. Unfortunately, the Hobby Lobby in Laurel was out of many of the colors, so I picked up a selection that I thought I could play with to do skin and/or hair or whatever. I read some online articles and watched some online videos on how to do the skin and shading, etc., but it seems like everyone has a different way.

I guess I am just going to have to try to find some time to experiement on my own. Maybe I can find a class to take...

Kitty Sympathy

2011-01-23T01:59:00.000-05:00

I made this card for a co-worker a few months back when her kitty, Maliboo, went to the Rainbow Bridge. She really appreciated it, especially that I personalized it to Maliboo's fur color and her skin tone, hair color and favorite color pink. Hard to tell, but the wings are stickled and they glitter.

This Old Guitar

2011-01-22T13:14:00.000-05:00

This Old Guitar --John Denver

This old guitar taught me to sing a love song
it showed me how to laugh and how to cry.
It introduced me to some friends of mine
and brightened up some days
and helped me make it thru some lonely nights.

Oh what a friend to have on a cold and lonely night

This old guitar gave me my lovely lady
it opened up her eyes and ears to me
it brought us close together
and I guess it broke her heart
it opened up the space for us to be
What a lovely place and a lovely space to be.

This old guitar gave me my life my living
all the things you know I love to do
to serenade the stars that shine
from a sunny mountainside
and most of all to sing my songs for you
I love to sing my songs for you.
Yes I do, you know
I love to sing my songs for you

I don't play the guitar, but I thought this was a cool card to make. I found the template online somewhere a couple of years ago and modified it a wee bit.

Merry Kissmas!

2011-01-20T02:09:00.000-05:00

Before this past Christmas, I made this card and liked it so much that I was going to make a lot of them to use for my Christmas cards this year. Well, that didn't happen. Nevertheless, I was determined to keep making them because I simply liked the color combination. So, little by little, I've been making different versions of the same card, some horizontal, some vertical, using different ribbons, and mixing in different color coordinating cardstock, etc. I think I have about 10 done so far. I am hoping to keep making them until I run out of paper, or just get tired of it - whichever comes first. The goal is to have plenty of Christmas cards done well in advance of Christmas this year.

I found the faux postage template somewhere on the web. It's just a Word document with four postage blocks that print on one sheet. You can modify it to suit your needs, such as moving the postage amount to whichever corner you want, etc. I haven't tried flipping it sideways to make the stamps horizontal yet.

One thing I realized after I made these is that postage will probably be more than 44 cents by Christmas. I guess that really doesn't matter. I'm going to use up the blocks I've already printed out at 44 cents and worry about changing the amount when it happens. Actually, maybe I should just take the amount off now that the Postal Service is making more of their stamps the "forever" stamps. I'm so glad they decided to do that.

The stamp I used in the postage block is a from an old SU tag set that I don't know the name of because I am too lazy to go downstairs and look :)

A Little Bit of Thanks

2011-01-19T14:08:00.001-05:00

I needed to make a bunch of masculine thank-you cards, so I took some ribbon I had and designed a card around it. I like the way it turned out. I wasn't sure if it was masculine enough due to the swirly things in the design, but my friends assured me it was.

I used SU Old Olive cardstock for the base and the same color ink for the tree image. The black is punched with a MS punch (that I don't know the name of), and I don't know where the ribbon came from (I think it was a prize at a previous shoebox swap?).

Anyway, I had multiple inquiries about the image. It is from the Inkadinkadoo set called "Utopiary." The sentiment is from the SU set called "Quick & Cute."

Meade Girls Shoebox Swap

2011-01-18T02:14:00.001-05:00

On Saturday, I went to a Shoebox Swap hosted by our own hostess-with-the-mostess Amanda, at one of the recreation centers on Ft. Meade, Maryland. When I mention "shoebox swap" to my non-card-making friends, they think I'm doing something with shoes, and they give me funny looks (as they know I am so not that into shoes). So I try to explain that each person designs a card and makes "kits" for each other person attending the swap. You put all the materials in a "shoebox" (actually, no one uses a shoebox - you can use any sort of decorative box or basket or whatever), then everyone continually "swaps" boxes until you have made one of each card kit out of each person's box. It's basically an all-day thing as we start in the morning and finish around 5 p.m. During that time, we work on the cards and eat and talk and eat and joke and eat, and oh, did I mention eat? There were 22 of us at the swap (23 if you count Flat Gloria who constantly caused Jane to misbehave), so at the end of the day, we all left with 21 beautiful cards (or 22 if you count your own sample card that is in your own box). Clear as mud? Good.

So, above is the card I designed. I called it "Daisy Doily" - or was it "Doily Daisy?" I can't even remember at the moment. Yes, that is an actual paper doily. They are fun to use on cards. Anyway, I provided 2 samples so folks could choose if they wanted to do it vertically or horizontally. You can view ALL of the great swap cards on my friend Mary's blog My Stampin' Hide-Away. I heard that the next Ft. Meade swap is in April. Looking forward to it!

Offray? Okay!

2011-01-17T12:38:00.001-05:00

So, apparently, there is this amazing Offray Ribbon Outlet in Hagerstown, Maryland. I've never been there, but my friends have been there many times and rave about it.

My neighbor (and crafting buddy) went to an all-weekend crop in that area and made a side trip to the Outlet. This is the stash she brought back for me :)

I think many of my friends are ribbon junkies and they are trying to get me hooked! LOL!

Now, if I can only come up with a system for storing my ribbon collection which keeps growing...

Tickled Pink!

2011-01-11T22:46:00.001-05:00

Here are my "faux postage" cards for an online card swap. Although they are not due until late February, I'm afraid I'll forget to do them if I keep putting them off. The theme is to use any Retired Stampin' Up set, so I chose "Tickled Pink" from 2002. I've been on this faux postage kick lately. Oh, yes, I CASEd this card - as usual ;)

Pursonally Purses with Coordinating Note Cards

2011-01-09T15:06:00.001-05:00

For Christmas, I made each of my co-workers on my shift a "Pursonally Purse" and three coordinating note cards.

In the front pocket, I placed a Ghirardelli Chocolate square.

I passed them out at our annual shift luncheon at Ruth's Chris, and they were all thrilled! It made all of the time and effort put into this project worth every second! I have the best co-workers anyway :)

The "Pursonally Purse" pattern can be found and purchased at Inking Idaho.

Enjoy!

In Memory of a Fur Kid

2011-01-07T19:10:00.002-05:00

I made this pet sympathy card for a friend whose little dog, Rusty, went to the Rainbow Bridge last week. It just doesn't seem fair that they don't live longer :(

The card-front stamps are from the set "Paws to Remember" by Raisin Boat.

The inside is stamped with the following verse from "Purrs & Pants.":

I wonder why they have to go?
I wonder if we'll ever know.
But even though you're now apart,
Your pet will live right in your heart.