Hello

Happy Thursday!

I have had a nice evening in my studio.  A couple of the dogs have stopped by for a visit and one (Schmitzy) is near my feet now, even after he ate his midnight snack (yogurt - it's been very good for his sensitive tummy).

I have a card using the sketch at ABC Challenges tonight.

I used Kaisercraft Lilac Avenue Collection dp and white cs.  The images are all stamped with Encore Ultimate Metallic Silver.  I popped up 2 layers of the medallion.  All images are from Unity and the sentiment if from PTI, while die cuts are from Spellbinders.  I added several Swarovski crystals of various sizes for sparkle.

I am also entering the following challenges:

Crafting for all Seasons - dies and punches

Crafts and Me - dies

Stamp n Doodle - 2 different dies

Lexi's Creations - monochrome

Thanks for stopping by!

kathy b

Happy Retirement

I am back, as promised, with another retirement card.

I CASEd this card from INKPAD.  She used Washi tape and I used a diecut.  She stamped her butterfly and I used a Martha Stewart punch, adding a Swarovski crystal for bling.  My sentiment is from A Muse.

I am entering this in the following challenges:

OUr Daily Bread - black & White (or cream)

Lexi's creations - monochromatic

Addicted to CAS - masculine

Flutterby Wednesday - 3 layers + butterfly or fairy

Thanks for stopping by!

kathy b

Happy Trails

Wow, it's cold outside!  We've already had more cold days this winter than all of last winter with more winter weather on it's way.  Geena Bea and I nearly froze at class tonight.  It was 40 degrees, but with wind chill it was 32.  After 2 hours outside, one is pretty darn cold!!!

Tonight I have a card I made for a retirement card, but then made another one I like better, so this one will go in my stash and the other one will be posted tomorrow!

This uses the template from Sunday Sketch Challenge (last week).  The stamp is from Stamping Bella.  I just love this jeep!  I actually stamped the cloud background and cut out the strips using MFT fishtails.  I colored the image with Copics and Spicas.  The sentiment is from CTMH and stamped with Versafine Black Onyx and punched out with a EK Success circle punch.  I used a notebook die on the inside, reminiscent of a travel journal.

I am entering the following challenges:

Crafty Catz - dies

Stuck on You Sketches - Write

Pink ELephant Challenge - anything goes

Thanks for stopping by!  See you tomorrow!

Keep warm!

kathy b

Thinking of You

What yucky weather we are experiencing, but looks like it is just storms without the snow and ice this time.  That's in the forecast for next week!!!

I'm back tonight with a Thinking of You card.

I used the sketch at The Sweet Stop, which is the same challenge Margaret entered yesterday!  I used a Waltzingmouse medallion stamp as my circle element.  I stamped the sentiment from Inspired by Stamping in Olympia Green Versafine and used nesties to cut it out and mount it.  The dp is MME Indie Chic Saffron.  I used stash ribbon and rhinestones.

I am also entering the following challenges:

The Crazy Challenge - use pink and gems

In the Pink - pink & bling

Paper Playtime - use a sentiment stamp

Dream Valley Challenge - pink & bling

Thanks for stopping by!

kathy b

SSS199: I love you

What a snowy gloomy day it is today in Colorado Springs!
Although work is really bogging me down, this was a little bright light for me creating this card.  I didn't really create it for anyone in particular, though I probably will eventually send it to my future niece (of course, let's hope she is a girl). LOL.  This card really does remind me of my older daughter, who is now 13, but still sleeps with her little Mr Monkey, who looks exactly like the little guy here. 

I followed the Sweet Stop SSS199 sketch today.  Although you can't tell the balloons are triple dimensional, each has been cut out and propped up with foam tape.  Cheery Lynn doily die cut in the back, DCWV paper from Michaels, Stampabilities monkey, SU sentiment on an SU die and Verve Balloons.
Well thanks for stopping by today...and would love for all of you to wish us here a snow day tomorrow.  My students will be grateful...they have an exam!  My girls will be grateful too, since they could sleep in. :) Margaret

A note of thanks

I'm back after a hiatus...though vacationing is NOT what I've been doing.  Work is so extremely busy, I seriously don't think I'll be going to sleep this week. :(

However, I do have a quick card for you today as I am long overdue for this thank you.  I'm entering this card into the the Delicious Doodles Challenges #24--Flowers for Spring.  This is the first time I used this stamp--it is Penny Black and it stamps beautifully.  I cut it out and popped it up, used loads of stickles and flower soft.  The background stamps are both Stampin Up.  And edging is Martha Stewart and Stampin Up.

Sorry this is so quick...but a few more weeks and I can relax again a bit more. (Maybe more like summer...) LOL  Thanks for stopping by...Margaret

Nobody Need Wait

Quick post tonight.  No challenges, no templates, zip.  Not feeling so hot  so I am posting one of my "don't like it so much" cards that I have on hand.

I used a Cheery Lynn die for the frame and an American Art Stamp, colored with Copics.  I added a row of rhinestones above and below.  It actually looks better in person.  I have learned that I need a spray adhesive for these delicate dies.  I make a gluey mess trying to adhere them otherwise, so I stopped at Michael's on the way home from work and bought some.  Will try it out this weekend and let you know how it goes.

Thanks for stopping by!

kathy b

Birthday Wishes

So glad it is Thursday night!

One more day at work and then a busy weekend!

Tonight I have a birthday card using the sketch and feminine requirements of the challenge at Seize the Birthday.

I used an image from DJ Inkers, colored with Copics and Spicas, stamped with Memento on a SU! Sizzix die cut.  The dp is Utopia from Kaiser Craft.  Sentiment is from PTI and punched out with SU! punches.

I am also entering the following challenges:

Clear It Out Challenge - birthday - use old stash (Utopia dp)

Creative Card Crew - birthday

Inky Chicks -birthday

Thanks for stopping by!

kathy b

Medallion

What a night!

I had a lot of problems getting my creativity out of my head and onto my cards.  I die cut several of my intricate dies more than once.  Changed my color scheme, more than once.  Cut my card base, more than once...you get the idea.

Well, finally I trashed it all and started totally over.  I decided to try to work with the stamp set that Margaret gave me for my birthday.  She had said she had problems using hers.  Tonight I seemed destined to work on problem situations, so why not?!  Here's the results:

I used Wassau specialty paper in gold for the background.  I used a Cheery Lynn Sunflower Doily die and placed it on top of the gold paper.  Then I stamped the JustRite Medallion border and center with Versamark twice on white and used Ranger gold detail embossing powder.  After heat embossing them, Nesties were used to cut them out and they were mounted on the 2 layers on top of the doily. 

This looks like a Margaret card, so I think I will send it to her to thank her for my birthday gifts!!!  So the evening wasn't a total disaster after all!

I am entering this in the following challenges:

Crafting for all seasons - dies and punches

Victorine Stamps - Stamp, Emboss & Embellish
Hiding in my craft - embossing

Time to go prepare for the ice storm heading our way.  Schmitzy needs to go outside before we go to bed, too!  Thanks for stopping by!

kathy b

Sympathy

A dear friend just lost a close cousin so tonight I am sharing 

the card I made for her with you.

This uses SU! products, including the scalloped punch.  I stamped the paper and used ribbon down the center of the card.  Some gold stickles was added to the floral circle.  This was quick and easy.

I am entering this in the following challenges:

Lexi's Creations - Monochromatic

Tuesday Throwdown - Monochromatic

Cards Und More - Non-cute and Brown

Thanks for stopping by!

kathy b

I Love Your Smile

Tonight's card was made using a MFT Wednesday Challenge from earlier this month.

I used Queen Bee dp from Pink Paislee.  The sentiment is from MFT.  DP is DCWV.  I added rhinestones for a little bling.

I am entering this in the following challenges:

Cards in Envy - Polka dots or stripes

A Gem of a Challenge - dies/punches

Pumpkin Spice - Love

Schmitzy continues to improve with no sign of infection!  Tomorrow will be 4 weeks since his last surgery and I am so excited.  His wound is only ~2.5"x3" now, down from ~6"x8"!!!  It's a little difficult to measure a moving target, especially when he thinks I am going to do something back there!

Thanks for stopping by!

kathy b

Happy Birthday

It's Sunday, so normally I am mentally preparing myself for work 

tomorrow...but this is a 3 day weekend!   YEA!

So I can play, play, play tonight!

I have a birthday card using the sketch at Seize the Birthday - the other requirement is that it be masculine.

This uses an MFT image created by Claire Keay, colored with Copics.  DP is Archaic (ancient stash - sad, huh?) from Basic Grey and cs are BG & DCWV.  I used nesties to cut out the dinosaur and EK punches for the sentiment.

I am also entering the following challenges:

Broken Box Stock - Happy Birthday

Sandy's Crafty Creations - ANything Birthday

SHopping our Stash - They say it's your birthday

Thanks for stopping by!

kathy b

Life's a Box of Chocolates

It's finally here...sorta like waiting for Christmas morning for me~

I love Valentine's Day!

In recognition of Forrest Gump's fabulous quote, I titled my post in honor of it. "Life's a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get."

I found this wonder box of chocolates over at Dearie Dolls Digis.

This card is for another co-worker.  The background is shimmery red paper but the camera doesn't capture that well.  The tag is stamped with an SU! stamp using Versafine Red Satin.  I used the sketch from I {Heart} Sketches.

I am also entering this into the following challenges:

Inky Chicks - Valentines

Craft Your Passion - Valentines

Digi Darla's - Valentines

Kaboodle Doodles - Valentines

Thanks for stopping by!

kathy b

Spring Heart

Here's a quicky post with a quicky card.

I used the sketch at Sketch Saturday,a digi stamp from Dearie Dolls, and the rest of the stuff is from my stash.

I am also entering the following challenges:

Crafting by Design - heart - but NOT Valentine

Papertake Weekly - hearts and flowers

Thanks for stopping by.

kathy b

For Daddy

This is a special Valentine's Day card!

It's the one I made for the dogs to give to their daddy!

I used Basic Grey Max & Whiskers DP and DCWV cs.  Ribbon is from Michaels.  I colored the SU! image with Copics.  I used the sketch from Tuesday Morning Sketches.

On the inside, I used an EK SUccess pawprint punch.

And of course, all this was with the direction of some special pups:

I put it in his backpack so he could find it when he ate breakfast this morning.  We're having lunch together at our favorite restaurant.  Even though we work on the same campus, it's a blue moon when our schedules allow this sort of thing!

I am also entering the following challenges:

The Paper Shelter - Valentine

Inky Chicks - Valentine

Stamping Sensations - fur or feather

Thanks for stopping by!

kathy b

Rose Red

It's almost Valentine's Day!

I love that day - love all the red, love the hearts, love the sweets, love giving little gifts cards to people I work with.  Today I have a darling digi image that comes from Dearie Dolls Digis.

Isn't she just adorable???  DP is stach (HL) and cs is DCWV.  I used nesties to cut her out and frame her and 2 little asterisk buttons for accents.

I used the sketch from Fetch-A-Sketch.  I am also entering the following challenges:

Broken Box Stock - Valentine

Celebrate the Occasion - Valentines

Crafty Sentiments - Valentines

Digi Haven - digi Valentine image

Thanks for stopping by!

kathy b

Thinking of You Warms My Heart

This card is for a very special girl, Olivia, who was born 3 weeks ago tomorrow.

This is a MFT image & sentiment (Claire Keay).  I colored her with Copics.  I used a Memory Box die for the edging and a Nestie for the sentiment.  Ribbon, cs, & dp are from stash.

The sketch comes from The Sweet Stop and I turned it on it's side.

I am also entering the following challenges:

Craft Your Passion - Valentine

Cutie Pie Challenge - Valentine

Lexi's creations - Valentine

Broken Box Stock -Valentine

Schmitzy had his check-up today and got a glowing report.  His doctor thought he was healing at a very fast pace and at that rate his wound will be healed in a month or so!  We are to continue what we have been doing treatment-wise and we can give him a bath as long as we keep shampoo off the wound.

YEA!

Thanks for stopping by!

kathy b

Happy Valentine's Day

I am always happy when Margaret fills in on the weekends.  It gives me a break, and if I am smart, I can get ahead by making a card

or two or three.  This weekend I made 3!!!

Today's card is a Valentine's Day card for one of the girls at work.  Tomorrow I will have another Valentine's Day card for my friend on maternity leave.

This girl loves to garden, so I went with spring colors rather than the traditional red and white.  The Impression Obsession heart is embossed with Stampendous White Detail.  The flower is made with an MFT die and I made extras of the center and used them as accents above/to the left of the heart.  I added rhinestones for bling.  The sketch comes from 613 Avenue Create.

I am also entering the following challenges:

Dream Valley Challenges - Valentine

Pink Gem - Hearts/Valentines

My Sheri Crafts - Valentine

Card Crafter's Circle - Valentine

We had a nice weekend and Schmitzy is looking a lot better.  We go back to the vet for a 2-week follow-up/stitch removal tomorrow.  Will let you know how it goes!

Thanks for stopping by!

kathy b

SSS197-Happy Easter

Hello everyone,
Boy am I disappointed today.  There has been a winter weather advisory of up to 7 inches of snow for the Springs.  Mmmm, we got a sprinkling of about 0.1 inch last night (not kidding) and bright and sunny skies all day.  Mother Nature, I ask is this some sort of sick joke?  The kiddos have been anticipating a snow day for quite some time now.  LOL  Hopefully, something will happen tonight?  Not holding my breath...Apparently we are due for a big several foot whopper since we haven't had one of those in 10 years...still waiting....

So, today I've gotten a leg up on my Easter cards.  I haven't decided whether to give this to my daughter Claudia who happens to be particularly fond of this stamp or my parents...but Claudia may win out. :)  I've modeled the sketch after The Sweet Stop Challenge SSS197.  I really like this sketch...it is not too busy but has just a small touch to add elegance to it.  I tried to think outside of the box a little bit and hopefully it doesn't distract from the sketch too much.  (This was my second card of the day so my creative juices got the best of me).

There are two types of patterned papers (the middle is very faint) and although it's hard to see (due to the large image and paleness of white on pale pink), the scalloped edging is Martha Stewart.  The part that I am most excited about is this lovely image from Northwoods.  It is adorable!  I actually cut the egg and last bird out separately and popped it up with foam tape to give it a 3D zip.  I also added gloss to the egg and a little bit of flower soft to the bird to make him fuzzy.  (see detail below the regular card)  The purple paper is glitter.  I'm really pleased with how this one turned out.  The Sentiment is Stampin Up.  If I had a teeny one I'd put it up above the bird but of all the Happy Easter's I didn't quite have a little one to fit!

Well I hope you enjoyed today's creation and I thank you for stopping by.  Have a good rest of the week.  Margaret

DS88 - Baby news

Hello Readers!

It's Saturday evening and I'm already starting to dread the rest of February!  We have an unusually high amount of activities and deadlines over the next three weeks. :(  Anyway, today I have big news.  My sister (my only one) told me a couple of days ago that she is having a baby!  Therefore, I made her this card using the Deconstructed Sketch #88.  The card has DP from Doodlebug (everything in the circle). I believe Jillibean is the green paper.  Edging is Martha Stewart, and other dies are Spellbinders and MFT.  The stamp is Stampin Up.  I am attaching a closeup...there are numerous Swarovski on this card and I also made the bird 3D with some embellishment...  Thanks for stopping by...tomorrow I will have an Easter Card to share. :)  Margaret

Happy Birthday

I am so happy it is Friday!  It has been a hectic week!!!

Friday night in the art room is such a joyful time for me.

Tonight I made a birthday card using the sketch over at Seize the Birthday.  It calls for a feminine card and what is more feminine than a fairy?!!!

I used an image called Matilda Muffinbread from Stampinbella.  I colored her with Copics and added Art Institute Glitter to the flowers, shoes, and cupcake icing and paper.  I used Wild Rose dp and DCWV cs.  Nesties were used to cut out the circles.  The sentiment is from Papertrey stamped with Versafine Olympic Green ink.

I am also entering this in the following challenges:

The Crazy Challenge - birthday

Flutterby Wednesday - fairy

Schmitzy's snack time - he's working me from both sides of my desk!

Thanks for stopping by!

kathy b

Valentine Lily

Yea, it is Thursday night!  Almost the weekend!

I have another Valentine's card - so now I can pack up my cards and send them to Margaret and the girls.  One for each of them!

This one uses the sketch from Sweet Sketch Wednesday.

I used a Sizzix embossing folder for the background.  CS is from Michaels and DP is from DaisyD's (very old stash). I colored the image with Copics and added a glittery heart using the SU! glitter paper scraps from Margaret's Valentine's Day card.  I used Nesties to cut out Lily and mount her on cs.   Ribbon is Pure Poppy.

I am also entering the following challenges:

Milk Coffee Challenge - Valentines

Fab n' Funky - Valentines

Paper Pretties - Valentines

Inky Chicks - Valentines

Schmitzy continues to make progress.  He's at my feet asking for a snack right now, so I need to take care of that.  Thanks for stopping by.

kathy b

LOVE

Still working on getting all my Valentine's Day cards together. 

This one uses the sketch over at Come & Get It.

I used a Cuttlebug folder for the background.  The red circle cut out is a die from MFT.  I mounted the stamped images behind the diecut and popped it up with 3M tape.  I used a Memory Box die for the the borders.  The heart box is from A Muse, the Love is unknown and the balloons are from Aleene's.  I used Versafine Satin red to stamp and Spicas & Copics to color.

I am also entering the following challenges:

Cards Und More - Love/Valentines
Try it on Tuesday - Valentines
Created with Love - Valentines
Cutie Pie Challenges - Valentines

Thanks for stopping by!  Hope your weather is as beautiful as mine is!

kathy b

3 Hearts

Wonderful Tuesday!

We got great news about Schmitzy...he is healing as expected and today I get to remove his Penrose drain!  Yea!

Yesterday I got to stop by and visit my friend and her newborn (12 day old) baby daughter, Olivia.  What a joyful thing a baby is!

And today I have a Valentine's Day card for my BFF, Margaret!  Today is my birthday and yesterday I received a Priority package from her and the girls.  It was filled with handmade birthday and Valentine cards and several very special birthday gifts!  Two of them were used on this card!

The first is the frame, which I cut out using SU! red glitter paper.  It is from Memory Box and is called Small Felicity Frame.  The 2nd is the hearts, also from Memory Box, and called Precious Hearts.  Both are new 2013 releases, aren't I lucky to have such a great friend who knows my desires!  Happy Valentine's Day is stamped on a diecut on the inside.

I will have more gifts to share in another post.  For now, I am entering the following Valentine challenges:

Created with Love - Valentines

Fashionista Challenge - Valentines

Lexi's Creations - Valentines

CAS on Sunday - Valentines

Glitter & Sparkle - Valentines

Thanks for stopping by and sharing my good news with me!

kathy b

Feel Better Soon

It's Monday and I feel like I need a vacation!  I actually got in my art room for a little bit last night  (during the 2nd half of the super bowl).

I have a get well card to share with you.  But before I do, let me set the record straight.  I almost always find a sketch challenge before I create a card, then afterwards I look for other challenges my card may fit.  I thank Margaret for the compliment that I make cards and THEN find challenges - I wish I were so talented!!!

I'm pretty stuck on this Schmitzy theme right now.  This weekend he was looking so much better - his wound was granulating really well until he ran into some bushes and used our bed for a scratching post.  He rubbed so much of it off and now it has to grow again (1.5x1).  Tonight he did it again, this time getting under the bush next to the porch.  He rubbed off a 2x2 section this time.  I was so frustrated and depressed I couldn't even pay attention to the ball game.  It's like 2 steps forward, 3 steps back.  I worry that he will get infected and that will do him in...

Back to the card.  I used a digi image from Sweet n' Sassy.  The sketch is for their blog challenge, Sweet Stop Challenges.  The banner is made with a MEmory Box die and the fishtail is a MFT die.  The sentiment is from PaperTrey.  DP is Basic Grey Euphoria and cs is DCWV.  I used ZvaCreative crystals on the banner for a little bling.

I am also entering the following challenges:

Raise the Bar - animal attraction
House of Gilli - anything goes with pink and bling
Crafting by Design - Animal Antics

Thanks for stopping by.

kathy b

{love} Bouquet

It's Sunday...and the dreads have started for a long work week....  However, that hasn't stopped me from making this cute Valentine's card.  I was looking through my stash of Valentine's stamps and felt compelled to use this particular one from Northwoords.  I went hog wild with the glitter, liquid pearls and clear gloss.  I also popped up two of the hearts with foam tape to make the card more 3Dimensional.  THe edging punch is Martha Stewart and the little "love" tag attached with a Swarovski crystal is stamped and punched with Stampin Up.  The background is embossed using Cuddlebug.  The papers used are actually pink and purple though it's hard to tell.  The card is a bit garish since I took it by flourescent lighting...if only I could get my act together to photograph it by daylight....

I'm going to enter this card into "My SHeri Crafts Challenge #103; Valentine's".  I hope you enjoyed...thanks for stopping by.  Enjoy your week...can you believe it's already February?  ~Margaret

PS I love you

I love Saturdays and I made the most of today by hanging out in my art room with my girls all afternoon.  I decided I cannot do Kathy's approach (Make a card and then find a challenge that it fits in)...I need to find a challenge and create a card for it. :)  I really love sketches and today I found the most adorable sketch and just had to challenge myself with it!  I made this card for Valentine's Day for my parents and all the teeny embellishments are just so cute!  The sketch is from My Creative Corner (Make Mine Mushy)

The photo really doesn't do this card justice and unfortunately I finished the card at night so it was photographed by overhead light (never a good thing since all my lights are garish environmentally friendly ones).  The paper is WOW sparkly glitter paper (the pink and silver).  All the stamps are from SU and the teeny flowers in "hello" actually have a Swarovski crystal attached to them.  The dies were Spellbinders and MFT.  "Happy Everything" was actually one of those dollar stamps from Michael's (which I understand now they're selling them for $1.50!).  Still...a deal.  Anyway, I hope you enjoyed your day today...I am now looking forward to movie night. :)  Thanks for stopping by and I will be back again tomorrow.  (Kathy is taking a break to take of poor Schmitzy since his last surgery...)  ~Margaret