Friday, November 30, 2012

A Gift for You

Talk about easy peasy, I made some quick gift tags today using a stamp set from JustRite and the coordinating die.  I used Versafine Satin Red and Olympia Green and tied gold elastic to the top. 
 
 
I am entering this in the "pretty packaging" challenge at The Pink Elephant.
 
Now it is time to finish packing and hit the road to Mississippi.  More on that tomorrow!
 
Thanks for stopping by!
 
kathy b


Thursday, November 29, 2012

Noel

It's Christmastime again!
 

 
I used the sketch over at Chocolate, Coffee and Cards and the color challenge from Sunday Stamps.  The snowflake die is from The Cat's Pajamas, the round snowflake was punched out and the sentiment (2008 Papertrey) is on a Memory Box die cut.  The corner snowflakes are the punchouts from the big snowflake.  Cardstock is SU! and I added Swarovski crystals for bling.
 
I am also entering the following challenges:
 
Paper Shelter - Christmas is Coming
Whimsy Inspiration - Traditional Colors
Try it on Tuesday - Christmas Sparkle
 
Thanks for stopping by!
 
kathy b

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Knit happens

Quick post tonight.
I have a card for the challenge at MFT.
 

I used Authentique Journey dp, DCWV cs, and the image is from MFT, colored with Copics and Spicas, with Liquid Applique added to the cap.  I paper-pieced the ball of yarn using Wausau Pearlescent paper.
 
I am also entering the following challenges:
 
Songbird Challenge - deeper shade of blue
Stamp with Fun - winter
 
Thanks for stopping by.
 
kathy b
 

 


Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Merry Winter

Well, we didn't get very good news about Schmitzy today.  If he doesn't improve, he will have exploratory surgery next Monday.   He's lost 4.5 pounds in the last week and a half, which is almost 15% of his body weight.  We decided to try the meds for another week before surgery, unless he takes a drastic downturn before then.  Poor guy :(.
 
Tonight I have yet another Christmas card!
 
 
This one is based on the Whizz Bang challenge over at Without Words, a CAS challenge blog.  I used an image from Sassy Cheryl's Digis.  It is colored with Copics and Spicas and cut out with a nestie.  DP is old stuff from my stash.
 
Short and sweet tonight.
Thanks for stopping by.
 
kathy b


Sunday, November 25, 2012

Do the Math

I've got a sick puppy dog.  Schmitzy, who we adopted after he was found wandering the streets this summer, has been throwing up for the better part of 10 days.  We thought he was getting better with the meds the vet gave him and the IV fluids he received, but when we ran out of anti-nausea medicine, the vomiting commenced.  So back to the vet tomorrow.  Needless to say, my cardmaking time has been limited.
 
I have a very masculine birthday card today. 
I've use Archaic dp from Basic Grey and DCWV cs. The sentiment is from River City Rubberworks and is cut out using a Spellbinders Fleur de Lis die.  The sketch is from I {heart} to Stamp.
 
I am also entering the following challenges:
 
Here Come the Boys - birthday
Little Red Wagon - Boy oh boy
Paper Shelter - birthdays
 
That's it for today.  Thanks for stopping by!
 
kathy b
 


Saturday, November 24, 2012

Take Time

I've got a quick post of a child's birthday card.
Gotta get back to all the football!
 
 
DP is from Springtime from Echo Park.  Rabbit is from Savvystamps and the pig and cow are from A Muse.  Sentiment is from Cornish Heritage Farms.  CS is Pearlescent from Wausau.  I used nesties for the sentiment and punches for the creatures.  I used the sketch from Critter Sketch Challenge.
 
 
I am also entering the following challenges:
 
Crafty Ann's - Birds or Animals
Fun with Shapes and More - diecuts/punches + anything but Christmas
Fab n Funky - birthdays & 3 of something or #3
The Paper Shelter - Birthdays
Hanna & Friends - Animals
 
Thanks so much for stopping by!
 
kathy b


Friday, November 23, 2012

Season's Greetings

Hi!  Let the shopping cease, it's time to stamp!
I have a card for the challenge over at Merry Monday.
 
 
 
The dp is very old Hobby Lobby and cs is SU! vanilla.  I used an SU! embossing folder for the background and cut out the banners with my MFT fishtail dies.  The sentiment is also from MFT, cut out with a Verve die and popped up with 3M tape.  Snowflakes were die cut out of Vanilla SU! cardstock with MFT dies, popped up with 3M tape with a Swarovski crystal in the center.
 
I am also entering the following challenges:
 
Wags n Whiskers - Christmas
Crimbo Crackers - Christmas Anything Goes
Crafty Creations - Christmas is Coming
Whimsy Stamps - Traditional Christmas Colors
 
Thanks for stopping by!
 
kathy b
 


Thursday, November 22, 2012

Hey, Sassy Pants

I hope everyone in the US had a great Thanksgiving and wishing a beautiful day to everyone around the world.  We ate well around here and so did the dogs - who hung out in the kitchen once the turkey came out.
 
 
 
Today I have a card using the sketch for the Wednesday challenge #99 at MFT.
 
 
I used the Cute-a-tude stamp set from MFT.  The dp is Basic Grey Urban Prairie and cs is DCWV.  The sentiment is stamped on an MFT diecut.  I added some rhinestones for bling and paper-pieced her little dress and colored her with Copics.
 
Thanks for stopping by and if you are participating in Black Friday, be safe and try not to spend ALL your money, unless, of course, it is for stamps!  It's football and stamping for me tomorrow!  Oh, having a TV in my stamp room sure has kept me in here a lot longer!!!
 
kathy b
 
 
 
 


Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Oh Snap!

I'm back with a fun little card today for the challenge over at There She Goes.  The stamp was designed by Torico for TSG.   I think it is a fun set.

 
The dp is from SU! and cs is old stash.  Sentiment is also TSG and was cut out with a Memory Box die.  Image is colored with Copics and Spicas.
 
I am also entering the following challenges:
 
Flourishes - something that makes you happy (love pictures)
Forever Friends - anything goes
Craft-room Challenge - punches/diecuts
 
Thanks for stopping by!
 
kathy b

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Merry Christmas

Yea!  Almost time for turkey day!  Ours is defrosting in the fridge.  DH has already made the dressing - it's in the freezer with the chocolate pecan pie I got at the bakery.  Can't wait to smell all the goodies as they are being readied for the table!

 
 
I just got home from agility with Geena Bea and fortunately, have a card I made this weekend.  I used last week's sketch from Sketchy Saturday, so I won't be entering it because I am too late :(.  I used a digital Pure Innocence image,  paper-pieced and colored with Copics.  I put Art Institute glitter on her wings and feet and Flower Soft on her headband.  Sentiment is from Verve and stamped with Brilliance Ink.  DP is from my stash - Basic Grey, I think and cs is metallic, though you can't tell from the photo.  The ribbon is also stash and very glittery.
 
I am entering the following challenges:
 
Paper Play Challenges - paper piecing
365 Cards - gold
 
Thanks for stopping by!
 
kathy b


Monday, November 19, 2012

Merry Merry

I am back with yet another Christmas card tonight.
This one is for the challenge at Anyone for Anya?  I used a really OLD stamp from the Otis & Milo's Christmas, from CC Designs.
 
DP is Eskimo Kisses from Basic Grey and cs is from DCWV.  I used my oval nesties to cut out and mount the image, which is colored with Copics and Liquid Applique was added to the stocking cuff, hat and dog bed edging.  Sentiment is from Studio G.
 
I am also entering the following challenges:
 
The Crafty Pad - Christmas
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge - use something >=6months (everything is greater than 6 months old except the green rhinestones!)
Paper Creator's Crafts - All About Christmas
 
Thanks for stopping by!
 
kathy b
 

Sunday, November 18, 2012

How!

Oh gosh, it's Sunday night.  Back to work...but at least it is just a 3-day week.  I LOVE Thanksgiving.  My DH is the best cook!
 
I have a Thanksgiving card today using The MFT Pure Innocence image "Indian Girl" and coordinating sentiment, "How!".
 
 
 
  I used the MFTWSC98 sketch. DP is Welcome Neighbor from SU! Borders and round tops are MFT dies, circles are nesties, pumpkins are CC Designs. Image is colored with Copics and Spicas.

I am also entering the following challenges:
 
Scrappy Frogs - Give Thanks
My Sheri Crafts - Give Thanks
Card Makin' Mamas - Thanksgiving
Guylou's Inimitability - Thanks for Everything
Pixie Dust Studio - Thanksgiving
 
Thanks for stopping by!  Hope your house is smelling as good as mine!!!
 
kathy b



Saturday, November 17, 2012

Merry Everything

Happy Saturday, one and all!
What a beautiful day we had, a lovely, crisp fall day!  I sat out on the porch and watched all the birds coming to our feeders.  Then tonight, we investigated an odd sound coming from the woods near our house. Two of our schnauzers were going nuts over it.  Well, DH found the sound on the internet - it was that of a barking FOX!  WOW! 
 
I have a card today using the sketch over at Christmas Challenges.
 
 
I have a number of friends with December birthdays, which I often forget during this busy holidady season, so here is a card that I could give them to celebrate the birthday I missed AND the upcoming holiday!!!  I cover my bases with this one!  Of course, it won't work well for the other 11 months, but that's okay.
 
I used a Sassy Cheryl digital image (Lucy Lou's Gift to Santa) and colored it with Copics and Spicas.  I used Nestie #22 to cut out the image and another nestie for the polka dotted circle.  Red cs is from Michaels and dp is Cosmo Cricket Mitten Weather.  I die cut the sentiment (Penny Black) and added faux stitching around the edges and a string of rhinestones beneath.
 
I am also entering the following challenges:
 
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge - use something >= 6months old (dp is from 2010)
Little Claire's Designs - Christmas Themed
Paper Creator's Crafts - All About Christmas
ABC Christmas Challenge - W is for Wrapping
 
Thank you for stopping by!
 
kathy b


Friday, November 16, 2012

Even the Naughty

Yea, it's Friday! 
The DirectTV man showed up and connected my new art room TV to satellite.  I am in 7th heaven!  Of course, I had to spend more time organizing (bah humbug), but finally sat down and made a card while watching a Christmas movie on the Hallmark channel.
 
 
I went ultra traditional with this one.  I used glitter paper - cream, red and gold, so it is really sparkly, thought it loses some sparkle in the photograph.  I put a Swarovski crystal in the center of the snowflake (MFT die).  The red snowflake was created with a die from The Cat's Pajamas.  The sentiment is from SU!, {don't you just love it?} stamped with Encore gold metallic, punched out with an SU! punch and mounted on the snowflake circle with 3M foam tape.  I used the sketch from Deconstructing Jen #78.
 
I am also entering the following challenges:
 
Whimsy Designs - Traditional Christmas Colors
Holly Jolly Christmas - Inspired by a carol (Santa is coming to town-naughty or nice)
 
Thanks for stopping by!
 
kathy b


Thursday, November 15, 2012

Be Good!

Wow, this week has gone so fast!
I have been MIA since Tuesday.  Got home from agility class with Geena Bea Tuesday night and felt awful, thus, no post.  Only feel somewhat better tonight, but I do have a card to post using the sketch over at Sweet Sunday Challenge.
 
 
The dp and cs old, old Hobby Lobby.  I apologize, but I have misplaced the stamp during my rash of room cleaning and I don't know where it came from.  I added touches of black and colored the antlers and mistletoe with Copics.  Dies are from Spellbinders and MFT, punches are from EK Success.  Same problem with the sentiment, can't even guess except that I know it is a clear stamp!!!  I normally make notes of the sketch, papers, images and sentiments so when I post, I don't have to rely on my memory, which fails me more often these days...boy I miss my hormones!
 
I am also entering the following challenges:
 
Southern Girls - Christmas
Tandastamps - Christmas
Crafty Sentiments - Christmas
 
Thanks for stopping by!
 
kathy b
 
 


Monday, November 12, 2012

Sending Big Hugs

Happy Veteran's Day!
It was really special to have the day off in honor of veterans.  I spent the day working on my art room in preparation for the DirectTv installer who is coming on Friday to set up my new TV!  So much to do, so little time!
 
Today I have a card that I made because I am thinking about Margaret, my buddy in crime.  She has a lot on her plate right now and I wish I could zap myself there so we could make a Starbucks run, or a frozen yogurt trip, or go to Haagen Dazs.  We always felt better after one of those trips!!!
 
 
This is my contribution to the WSCMFT97 challenge at MFT.  I used Lily Pad papers, MFT dies and sentiments, stash buttons, pearls and roses.
 
I am also entering the following challenges:
 
Charisma Challenge - feeling blue
Simon Says Stamp Challenge - thinking of you/sympathy
 
Thanks for stopping by!
 
kathy b


Sunday, November 11, 2012

A cart full of flowers saying thanks

Hi everyone,
Today I have a card for you that pretty much started out from "playing".  I purchased this Impression Obsession stamp a while back but have been too intimidated to do anything with it.  But,  stickling it up, a Swarovski in the middle of the wheels  and adding a few Cheery lynn butterflies gave this card pizzazz.  Inside I added the Pop n Cuts dies to jazz it up some more.  I definitely need to practice this as it was nothing short of one mistake after another...but I think in the end it came out pretty well.

We are expecting some snow and temps are dropping down to 10!  By Monday it should reach the 50s again though...  Enjoy your Sunday and thanks for stopping by!

-Margaret



Saturday, November 10, 2012

Wishing You a Joyous Season

This card was for last Wednesday's sketch challenge at MFT.  Hopefully I can get back on schedule and make a card for this week's challenge over the weekend!
 
 
DP is Cosmo Cricket Winter Mittens and cd is DCWV.  The sentiment is from last months MFT Triple Scoop.  Border and snowflake dies are from MFT while the banners are from Taylored Expressions.  The twine is from The Cat's Pajamas.  I added Swarovski crystals that really sparkle but do not appear so in the photo.
 
I am entering the following challenges:
 
Tanda Stamps - Anything Christmas
Whimsy Inspires - Traditional Christmas Colors
Ooh La La Creations - C is for Christmas
 
 
Thanks for stopping by.
 
kathy b


Friday, November 9, 2012

Dogs are not our whole life

A co-worker recently lost her family dog at 11 years of age.  Here is the card that I made for her.
 
 
 
The sentiment is from CLoud 9 designs.  I used nesties to cut it out and mount it.  The dp and cs are from my stash and the dog house brad is from Wal-Mart.
The inside sentiment is "Faithful friends will always leave pawprints on your heart" and it is from Papertrey.
 
I borrowed the sketch from Merry Monday - which is a Christmas challenge.
 
I am entering this card in the following challenges:
 
Papertake Weekly - anything goes
Simon Says Stamp - sympathy
Lady Anne's - sentimental Friday 
Clearly iStamps - critters
Pink Gem Challenge - polka dots/spots

Thanks for stopping by!

kathy
 


Thursday, November 8, 2012

Make the Season Bright

It was nice to have a couple of days break while Margaret posted.  It gave me a chance to make some cards without the pressure to post! 
 
I have a card for the challenge at MOJO Monday tonight.
 
 
 
I used Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses dp and DCWV cs.  I stamped the border and sentiment (Verve Seasonal Circles) with SU! Cherry Cobbler ink topped with silver Stickles.  The fishtail die is from MFT and the lightbulbs are from CC Designs.  The scallop is a nestie die and the circle is an EK punch.
 
I am also entering the following challenges:
 
ABC Christmas Challenge - vibrant colors
Sweet Stamps Blog - Christmas
Ooh La La - C is for Christmas
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge - 3 different patterned papers
 
Thanks for stopping by! 
 
kathy b
 


Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Birthday!

Happy Hump Day everyone--I look forward to the end of this day ALOT.  Today I have a card that is a little bit brighter in nature...a birthday card for one of my daughter's friends.  She had a birthday party this past weekend and due to all the homework couldn't get a card done.  So don't mind if I help myself to creating one for you!

This is actually a very simple card, but with all that's going on with the paper, I think the simplicity suits it well.  The little girl is one of my favorite lines of stamps by Penny Black and the sentiment is from Stampin Up.  The banner die cut is MFT and circle and scallop is Spellbinders.  Some stickles on the girl to make her sparkly (Paper is also sparkly--I think it is Me and My Big Ideas).

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope to get some more art done this weekend though I have 25 exams to grade and a presentation to fix up...we hope...  Enjoy!  Margaret

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Sympathy

Hi everyone,
Well this week is turning out to be a real downer.  Yes they say that things come in threes and three of my students have had travesty's in their lives this past week.  This next card is for a grandfather's death of one of our students.  The design is actually CASEd from Ewen Style...I love this lady's cards!  I was surprised I didn't actually have the flourish Memory box that she used (let's put it this way, I've become a collector), but it did give me a chance to try this one out, which is closely related.

The scallop is from Spellbinders.  The doily is from Cheery Lynn.  The Flourish is Memory Box.  The center shape is from Stampin Up and the border is from Paper Trey.  An all star cast of die cuts! LOL.
The sentiment is also from Stampin Up.  The paper is actually from Hobby lobby in one of their super duper books (Paper Studio) where they had similar patterns in different colors.  I used the Liquid pearls to paint the dots around the scallop and although it's hard to see, I used stickles to dot the edges of the flourish.  Eight little Swarovski line the sentiment.  This picture actually doesn't do the card justice...if I do say so myself.  Well I hope you enjoyed this card, even if it is for sad reasons...will stop by again tomorrow.  Til then....Enjoy your day!


Monday, November 5, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving

Wow, what beautiful weekend weather we had!!!  We took lots of walks in the woods with the dogs, then we had tick checks and removal!
 
Today I have a Thanksgiving card using the sketch at The Cat's Meow.
 
 
This cute little girl is Indian Emma from CC Designs.  I paper-pieced her headband, dress and boots then fussy cut her out.  She's all ready for her Thanksgiving dinner!  DP is Indian Summer from Basic Grey, as are the buttons.  I used an MFT Fishtail die for the banner, a nestie was used for the circle and the border is a die from Cheery Lynn.  Ribbon is from American Crafts.
 
I am also entering the following challenges:
 
The Poodles Parlour - thanksgiving
 
Thanks for stopping by!
 
kathy b


Sunday, November 4, 2012

For you

Hello everyone!
I'm back...have been working on cards all day.  It felt so great to be back in my stamp room after a long hiatus. (Or at least it felt like that).  This is a card for someone who nearly lost her father.  He was found on the side of the road, nearly dead.  His family filed a missing person's report after he didn't call (is a truck driver).  He's on the road to recovery but has a long way ahead of him.  Feel so bad for this family.

Anyway, this is a feel better card.  I found this paper in my stash.  It's really lovely.  It was a sheet set that I purchased many years ago from the Dollar store!  There are two sets of Memory Box flourishes stacked one on top of the other.  Sentiments are from Stampin Up and edging is Martha Stewart.

Hope you enjoyed...Thanks for stopping by.  Margaret


Saturday, November 3, 2012

Happy Holidays

Happy Saturday!
We are making it a habit to watch lots of college football in between/during chores on Saturdays this fall.  We're big SEC fans and I love Nebraska because I went to college there.  This morning, because our grocery store burned to the ground last month, we had to drive 30 miles to Little Rock to do grocery shopping so we can start on our Thanksgiving dinner and get stuff in the freezer. 
 
My card today uses a sketch from Try Stampin' on Tuesday
 
 
The dp is Happy Holidays from Hobby Lobby and cs is DCWV.  I used a nesties die (Floral Doily) to mount the tree, which is from Stampin' Up! and the ink is Wild Wasabi.  The border is from MFT and I added rhinestone accents.  The "ribbon" is package decoration from The Container Store.

I am also entering the following challenges:

Christmas Stampin' All Year Long - fav color or anything goes
Fairy-tale Challenge Blog - monochrome + dies/punches
Ladybug Crafts - monochrome

Thanks for stopping by!

kathy b


 

Friday, November 2, 2012

Friends Fur-ever

What a joy it is to be in my art room again!   Even though there is a lot of work yet to do, my tables are clear and I can stamp, cut, emboss, etc.
YEA!
 
Tonight I have a quick card using last week's sketch over at Less is More, .  I don't do a lot of CAS, so once in awhile, I need to challenge myself and see what I can do!
 
 
This sketch caught my eye.  Though my initial idea did not work out, I did keep the parts for another card - not CAS.  The stamps are from Stampendous (bone), a company in Hawaii produced the dog but they did not mark the block, Studio G (pawprint) and My Cute Stamps (sentiment).  The punch is from SU! and the dp is from my scrap pile. I colored the pup with Copics.
 
I am entering the following 2 challenges:
 
Southern Girls - animal crackers
 
Thanks for stopping by!
 
kathy b
 


Thursday, November 1, 2012

You Had Me At Woof

It's been exactly a week since I have posted.  My room is taking shape and I hope to have it pretty well together by the end of the weekend.  My purging will not be done by any means, but I will have a more workable setup and I have a place for a television and Directv receiver, yea! 
I may never leave my room again!
 
Today my husband took me on a lunch date (a rarity due to our job schedules).  We went to the restaurant where we had our first date, where we had lunch on our wedding day and where we have celebrated a number of anniversaries over the years.  On our first date, I told him he had to pass the "Gretchen test". Gretchen was my 5 yo schnauzer who was a really great judge of character. Needless to say, DH passed with flying colors and we currently have 4 rescued schnauzers in our family. So, in memory of that date so long ago, I made my  DH this card.
 
 
 I used an MFT Claire Keay set, MFT dies, Nestabilities, SU! Punch, Swarovski crystals, a Teresa Collins rhinestone, DCWV cs and Basic Grey Boxer dp. Image is colored with Copics and paper-pieced. The pup is popped up with 3M tape.  The sketch is from last week's MFT challenge.
 
I am entering the following challenges:
 
Mema's Crafts - anything goes with a winter/holiday theme
OOzak - winter vibes
Inky Impressions - lots of layers
Paper Pretties - favorite stamp set
Word Art Wednesday - encouraging uplifting sentiment
 
I know this does not look like a typical anniversary card, but it really fits us as we are not the typical couple.  Dogs have played a big part in our relationship for all these years, so what would be better than a girl and her dog saying you had me at woof???  I know he will love it as he loves all things dog related. 
 
Thanks for stopping by and for reading all my ramblings!  It is so good to be back stamping again!
 
kathy b