Fun in the Sun

Sunday's card, (which may post Saturday night), is for a challenge over at Anyone for Anya? using their sketch which I turned on its side.

I used a CC Designs image (Snorklin' Beatrice) and sentiment (Beach Sentiments).   I stamped the sentiment with PTI Pure Poppy.  DP is from My Mind's Eye Happy Day and cs is DCWV.  I used Nesties for the circles, ovals and rectangles, and an MFT die for the circle/arrow.  The image is colored with Copics and Spicas.  A row of tiny rhinestones was added for bling.  

I am also entering the following challenges:

Pattie's Creations - summertime

Aud Sentiments - Summer {watch for me next month as I join this DT!}

MilkCoffee Blog - Summer fUN

Thanks for stopping by!

Margaret has an amazing card to share with you tomorrow (Monday), so be sure to check back.

kathy b

You Rock!

Happy Weekend one and all!

I have a card to share that comes from a freebie challenge at Birdie Brown.

I was snooping around various blogs and found a card that had an image that interested me.  When I followed the link to that card I discovered that the image was a Birdie Brown.  From there I went to the Birdie Brown site and found the freebie and challenge.  Since the deadline is 11pm EDT and it is now almost 10pm CDT, I am cutting it close in regard to this monthly challenge.  But alas, I shall return.  Now I want to go shopping!

I think this pup is adorable!  I used the sketch at The Sweet Stop, one of my fave places to find a sketch.  I used Basic Grfey Max and Whiskers dp and DCWV cs.  Nesties were used for the circles and sentiment, which is also from Birdie Brown.

I am also entering the following challenges:

Polkadoodles - animals

Simon Says Stamp - anything goes

Thanks for stopping by!

kathy b

You go Girl!

Greetings and Salutations--it's FRIDAY!  Yeah!

Today's card will come as a surprise to Kathy-of course once she reads the blog it won't be so much a surprise anymore now will it?  Well, she recently got invited to be on a Design Team and as a guest designer on another blog!  This is so very exciting--both invitations came on the same day--and she will need to share the details with you since I can hardly remember.  But nevertheless, it was great to tell her "I told you so" and now commemorate it with this congratulations card.

So here, we have Tilda from Magnolia stamps.  She has her pompoms cut out and propped up on foam tape (see closeup).  There are lots of stickles all over the pom poms and her skirt--I think it's becoming my MO. LOL.  The You Go Girl was just the little cheapie $1 Michael's stamp that I purchased many years ago.  Here's more of that special ribbon I picked up in NY, this time gold with pearls.  It's beautiful but this one took a while to adhere to the paper!  I know that even though she will expect it, there are still some surprises attached with it...but I'll let her be surprised and not share everything here. :)

I will be posting this card on the Sister Act Card Challenge #13: Anything Goes.  If you have not seen this blog yet, you must go check it out.  They have beautiful cards on there...with some stamps I haven't heard of before.  It was a real treat to find this.

So here we go with the details and the card (See below).  Kathy will post tomorrow so send her some surprise congrats if you can!  Enjoy the weekend and THANK YOU for stopping by!   Margaret

Details:
Stamps: Magnolia (image); Michael's dollar bin (Sentiment)
DP:  My Mind's Eye
Edge Die: Cheery Lynn
Die Stampin Up
Other: Specialty ribbon (Source unknown); Stickles, Copics

Have a Splendiferous Day!

Hi everyone!  I'm back here in Arkansas again.  Today I am sharing the card that was sent to Margaret's daughter, Julia.

The technique is one we learned on our road trip.

If you are ever in Santa Fe, please feel compelled to stop at Guadalupe's Fun Stamps.  The people are helpful and friendly and the shop has some neat and different stuff!

Once again, I raided Margaret's scrap box.  I used the sketch at Sunday Stamps.

Sorry, but I did not check the company that created the word stamp, but I love the "splendiferous".  Perhaps Margaret can let me know.  {She did - it's from A Muse.  TY Margaret!}. I embossed it in white and it pops on the dark blue cs.  The real treat here is the birdie image.  This is a Dreamweavers stencil with water-based bar soap used as a lubricant so that it releases from the sticky paper.  I applied the stencil to double-sided tape paper.  I used Art Institue glitter, changing colors as needed.  I lightly pressed the glitter down into the sticky paper.  Then you put the stencil face down and pull the image off the stencil.  Now you are left with the backgound sticky.  So I used crystal glitter to fill in all the space that didn't already have glitter.  Then you can remove the backing and stick the design on cs.  I used a Nestie cut-out.  Margaret took the photo and emailed it to me, but for some reason, I couldn't clean it up in Photoshop other than to crop it a little, so the color is not as bright and the glitter isn't so shiny, but trust me, it is really sparkly.  I will do another of this technique soon and show you more detailed photos.

I am also entering this in the following challenges:

Opus Gluei - wings

Ruby's Rainbow - things with wings

Thanks for stopping by!

kathy b

Happy 4th of July, Part 2

Hi everyone,
It's a glorious morning here in Colorado.  Not a cloud in the sky--though it's rather on the warm side today.  

Today I am mailing out my care package and cards for the girls...and so here is Card #2.  This is for Julia who prefers to have her cards more on the simpler side of design, but also, as of recently, likes them very sparkly.  Below all the photos I've posted the envelopes too.  I think the envelopes are always a nice surprise--like getting double the art.  And I think the mailmen like envelope art too--except today's cards will be put inside a box.  So remember..don't forget to decorate the envelope too!

So here we go again with another MFT Sweet Innocence Lady Liberty.  I absolutely adore the ribbon--I picked it up when I went to NY in November last year in this off the wall little sewing shop.  I love the sparkle and glitter and because it was rather pricey, I've been waiting to use it for a special occasion.  And OK...I've been hoarding it actually and I'm motivated to use what I have right now.  I've attached some closeups--so you can see the sparkle (Stickles) and the Swarovski Crystals.  Although it's hard to detect from the photo, I also added little stickle dots to the center of the stars of the paper piecing and the blue circle.  The picture just doesn't do it justice!  I found the shimmery blue paper in my stash.  I think it goes back to 1999 when I first started scrapbooking!!

Details:
Stamp and sentiment: MFT Sweet Innocence
Patterned paper: Penny Black and Jillibean Soup
Doily Die Cut: Cheery Lynn
Other: Cuddlebug embossing plate (Stars) and Spellbinders
Other: Swarovski Crystals, Stickles, Glitter paper, Shimmer paper, ribbon (*Last three unknown origin)

Thanks for stopping by today--I have a feeling Kathy will be posting later tonight and describing the new technique we learned in Santa Fe. :)  Below I am listing the challenges I will enter this card into--til tomorrow.  Margaret

Challenges:

Perfect Sentiments (PSC 85 Red White and Blue)

Crafty Ribbons Challenge #50: Ribbon (Sparkly)

Delightful Challenges: Red White and Blue

And here are the envelopes going to each girl.  The morning sunlight wasn't able to capture the sparkle...

A Little Birdie Told Me

Margaret and I both managed not to post yesterday, but we will make it up to you!  We both will post today and tomorrow!

I have a card to share that I made in Margaret's art room!

I used papers from Margaret's scrap box, so I have no idea where they come from, so sorry.  The stamp is from SU!, colored with Tim Holtz Distress markers and Spicas.  The die is brand new.  I purchased it at the Hen House in Albuquerque.  It is a Prickley Pear die, my first of this brand.  I really like the detail and will be buying more.  I used a bit of white rick rack from Margaret's stash, as well.  This card was sent to her daughter, Claudia, while we were on the way to the airport.  I will be posting the card I sent to Julia on another day.  I used the sketch from The Sweet Stop (SSS216).

I am also entering the following challenges:

Ruby's Rainbow - Things with wings

Bunny Zoe's - wings

Opus Gluei - wings

Thanks for stopping by!

kathy b

Happy 4th of July, Part 1

Hello Peeps,
Well somehow I think Kathy and I got our communications crossed so no one posted yesterday.  Sorry about that one.

I'm here with a card to celebrate the 4th of July.  I wanted to get this out this week to my girls since they are leaving for England on July 5th and I always send them Independence Day cards.  I think this one will go to Claudia.  I wondered when I'd use this stamp...and so happy to have found it in my stash!  OH...I did want to tell you about a new fun tool I picked up this weekend.  I attached a closeup (the crown) which I colored with the Wink of Stella Brush by Kuretake/Zig.  It is so sparkly--I love it!

I'll be entering this card into the Perfect Sentiment Challenge: PSC85 and Sketch and Stash #116.  For the Sketch and Stash Challenge we are to let everyone know what new and neglected items we've used.  For the neglected items...there are quite a few: The Sweet Innocence image--had it since it came out!  The star punches also became useful...I hardly ever use those!  I also have some new items: this past weekend I just picked up new patterned paper by Penny Black which I used below (all except the background DP)
This was a great sketch...lots going on...and was so happy to enter a 4th of July card.

Thanks for reading...and will be back with another Independence Day card tomorrow!  Margaret

Stamp and sentiment: MFT (Sweet Innocence)

Star Punches: Stampin Up and Family Treasures

Other: Cuddlebug, Spellbinders, Stickles, MFT banners

DP: Jillibean Soup and Penny Black

 Some closeups--notice how sparkly the crown is--using the Wink of Stella Brush!

You do some of the nicest things

Hello everyone,
Margaret here.  I just got home after dropping Kathy off at the airport to go back home.  Do you know how they say, "Glad to see them, glad to see them go?"  Well certainly not accurate in this situation.  In fact it was really sad to see her go.  After her visit, I feel rejuvenated rather than drained and coming home, there is a hint of loneliness.  Thank goodness I have Daisy, numerous projects on my agenda and cards to make for my girls.  Sign of a good good friend.

Well, while she is flying home, I'm posting today's card.  This is a thank you card I made for the lady who hosted me and Daisy when we evacuated...along with my aunt, uncle, their cat and two dogs.  She has been very kind to me since I moved here...so I thought the sentiment was very appropriate.

I hope you enjoyed this simple but pretty card (at least I think so!)  Tomorrow Kathy will have a GREAT card to show you...along with the technique we learned at Santa Fe!  Thanks for stopping by! Margaret

Stamped sentiment: Stampin Up
Die cuts: Spellbinders (Circles); Memory Box (Little spirograph like circles); Cheery Lynn (Edge)

For the shoe DIVA

Hello Everyone!
Margaret here.  Kathy is still visiting, but we took a few days off so we could go on our stamp search trip to New Mexico.  We ended up visiting Guadalupe's Stampa Fe store in Santa Fe, The Hen House and China Phoenix 2 in Albuquerque.  Our trip was long, but also rejuvenating!  We learned a couple of new techniques..and Kathy will be posting one of those in the next few days.  It was a great trip--Stampa Fe moved to a new location and it is MUCH MUCH BETTER than their last store.  Now it's off the street, rather than up the stairs.  Much brighter and airier.  They don't have as many stamps as they did before, but they still had a nice selection.  The lady who owned the store was there and she couldn't be more helpful or sweeter.  The cards they had for inspiration were WONDERFUL...very creative artists there.  And very unique as well.  We also LOVED the Hen House.  This is apparently a new store, celebrating their second anniversary.  Once again, unbelievably helpful and kind folks there. Their store seemed to have a little bit of everything.  What I loved most was how all the product was displayed.  Very creative and unique.  They also did not have alot of stamps, but I managed to spend a little anyway on unique shimmery pens and three dimensional paints and a few stamps.  They had quite  a bit of different types of paints which I hope to get to play with soon.  The China Phoenix 2 supplied me with my horse stencil and stamps to utilize the new technique we learned in Santa Fe.  I think that store does most of their business with classes as they didn't have too much product...they had some beautiful classes coming up and the owner was just a delightful lady--so very sweet.  Overall...a wonderful trip!

So today we've both been working on cards and each of us have completed 2 cards.  I'm posting my card today that I will be sending to my daughter Claudia tomorrow.  She is a shoe diva and so if I find anything with shoes...I always think of her.  Inside the card I did say that I would have liked to change the sentiment from friend to "daughter"...  :)  The sentiment says, "The best friends come in all shapes and sizes, just like fabulous shoes."  The image is from Stampin Up and although it's hard to tell, there is a butterfly stamp that I stamped and cut out, popping up with foam tape on the shoe.  The shoe was stamped on red paper with versa mark and I used Winter Wonderland Embossing Powder to emboss it.  Other details below the card

I will be entering this card into the Stamp Challenge #9--Lady's Anne Challenges  Anything Goes

Stamp and Sentiment:  Stampin Up

Die cuts:  MFT banners, Cheery Lynn Butterflies, Spellbinders scallop rectangle, and Martha Stewart edging punch

Other:  Black Stickles on butterflies, Swarovski Crystals, Winter Wonderland Embossing Powder by Stampendous

I love you more...I love you most...

I am hardly containing my excitement right now.  It's almost 5pm and in 1.5 hrs I'll be boogying down to the airport to get Kathy.  I even bought honey in the event our voices get hoarse from the 10,000 words we are going to try to fit in tonight.  LOL

So today's card is for my older daughter Julia and it has two stories attached to it.  As you may remember my girls are with their dad all summer and I'm way behind on my card making to them.  They're waiting impatiently.  I found this sketch on Pamela's World of Scrap: Sketch 237c and I knew I needed to do something with it for Julia.  You see Julia has this very geometric mind which loves everything, including her cards, in harmony and order.  And I've noticed she loves making cards with circles in an orderly fashion--so imagine my excitement when I saw this sketch!  The second story is the sentiment ( stamp by Flourishes).  Oh my goodness...when this came out I HAD to have this stamp.  You see, we have this little word game between us.  It goes like this, back and forth between the two of us:
Julia: I love you
Mom: I love you more
Julia: I love you most
Mom: no you don't
Julia: Yes, I do
Mom: Well I love you to the moon and back
Julia: Well I love you more than the universe is wide
Mom: Well I love you more than the universe is wide squared
Julia: Well I love you more than the universe is wide to the infinity power
And so on and so on this goes on. LOL

So, she told me to surprise her with the card this time (usually she has a request)...and I think between the circles, and the sentiment...she's going to love it.

The paper is all My Mind's Eye and I put a little stickles on the heart.  I was really happy when I found that an MFT Die cut fit this sentiment perfectly!  The heart edging is an old Martha Stewart punch but one of my favorite that I own.  All the circles are punched out using SU circle punches, 1/4" and 1".

Thanks for stopping by...tomorrow we will have a full day shopping at Simple Pleasures (our fabulous local stamp store) and Archivers.  Kathy doesn't have stamp stores where she lives.  And if you all are ever in Colorado...you MUST stop by Simple Pleasures.  It's not only an amazing and fabulous store loaded with dies, stamps and paper...the owner and all the employees are simply fabulous as well: kind, nice and very very helpful.  It's a retreat...  :)
Thanks for stopping by today...

Sweet baby card

Hello dear readers!
Today you have me--Margaret!  I was able to return to my home on Saturday.  Today I unpacked the last of my stamps but I haven't quite unpacked everything of the rest of my stuff.  Been in a bit of a slump...perhaps the let down after all the drama of the fire.  BUT...tomorrow Kathy is coming to visit tomorrow and I'm very excited!

So today's card is for my sister's baby shower.  She is due at the end of July but her shower is in a couple of weeks.  I cannot go because I am taking herbal classes every weekend all summer and in order to get my certificate, I need to attend each class. :(  However, I did want to make an extra special card.  We think the baby is a boy, hence the blue theme.   I fell in love with these little baby shoes by Impression Obsession and just had to have them.  I knew they'd come in handy one day. :)

There are of course many stickles on the shoes.  And a bit liquid pearl.  The edge is Martha Stewart.  The paper is from a pad that I bought at Michael's many many years ago (I think the brand is DCW).  I am crazy about the ribbon.  I found it in this itty bitty store in Brooklyn that had all sorts of odds and ends when I was visiting my parents--and now I have a purpose for it. :)

I will enter this card into the Sweet Stampin' Challenge "Something Sweet"  it is subject to interpretation so I'm thinking it's a "Sweet baby card"

Well thanks for stopping by.  I will be back tomorrow!  Margaret

Life is Better When It Sparkles

 Less than forty-eight hours from now 

I will be in the car with Margaret,

 arriving at her home after flying non-stop into Denver!   

I can hardly wait!  

Stamp stores and art room time, 

what more could a girl want for other than some Starbucks and B&N time???!!!

I have a darling card to share with you tonight.  This image reminds me of Margaret's youngest, Claudia.

This is a Pink Cat Studio image that was one of my first stamp purchases.  It's from a set called Dress-Up Lily.  It comes with the girl and lots of little accessories.  I chose to use the magic wand, popped out with 3M foam tape, for this card.  The image is colored with Copics and Spicas and cut out with an oval nestie.  The sentiment is from Verve (back when it was called Verve Visual) and is stamped with Encore Gold Metallic, with a row of rhinestones beneath, cut out with Spellbinders Labels #4.   The border is from a Martha Stewart punch.  The flagtails are custom.  The DP is Colorbok that I picked up at Wal-Mart the other day and cs is DCWV.   I used the sketch at The Sweet Stop and I really like this one!

I am also entering the following challenges:

Scrap It Girl - use your dies

Creative Corner - girly girl

Aud Sentiments - anything goes

Thanks for stopping by!

Not sure if you get me or Margaret tomorrow. 

Come back and be surprised!

kathy b

To a Really Smokin' Dad!

Happy Father's Day one and all!

I have another Father's Day card (and the last for this year) to share today.

I used the sketch from CAS Colours and Sketches.  The DP is ancient KI.  I stamped the image on white, colored it with Copics and Spicas and fussy cut it the colors of dad's bbq!  This one will be from the boys to their dad.

I am also entering the following challenges:

Kitty Bee Designs - Father's Day

Pattie's Creations - Father's Day

Simply Create Too - Father's Day

Crafting By Designs - Father's Day

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you enjoy your day with the male(s) in your life!

kathy b

Friends Fur-ever

Hi all!  Margaret is home and the fire is 45% contained.  Yea!

Tonight I have another card for my rescue donor stash.

The sketch comes from Feeling Sketchy.  The stamps are from My Cute Stamps.  The dp is Basic Grey Max & Whiskers and cs is DCWV.

I colored the images with Copics and used nesties to cut them out.  The sentiment is punched out with SU! punches.  I fussy cut the bone.

I am also entering the following challenges:

ABC challenges - animals

Victorine - In the garden with animals/bugs

Corrosive Challenges - Animal Antics

Thanks for stopping by!

kathy b

Thinking of You Makes Me Smile

Good News!

Margaret is on her way home tonight or in the am!

She's not unpacking just yet, but she and Daisy will be sleeping in the own beds again.  The fire is 30% contained and her uncle's house was untouched.

Tonight's card is for a challenge I found for the first time tonight.

It's called FUSION and it is so cool.  It is written up like a research experiment, which really tickles my fancy!  You see, I am a researcher by day, so their language of hypothesis, experiment, conclusions, etc. are right up my alley!  You have the option of doing just the sketch, just the photo, or both.  I chose both!

I used ancient KI paper to simulate the photo.  My images are a conglomeration of pets, companies L to R, T to B are Lockhart Stamp Co., Clear Dollar Stamps, Inky Antics, and Lockhart Stamp Co.  I colored them with Copics.  The sentiment is a piece of unmounted rubber, so I am sorry I don't have a clue where I got it.

Aside from the Fusion challenge, I am also entering the following challenges:

Delicious Doodles - All Creatures Great and Small

Stampin' for the Weekend - Cute

ABC CHallenges - I {heart} animals

Thanks for stopping by!

I'll be back with a Father's Day card tomorrow.

kathy b

On the Way to Our Dreams

I am so glad Margaret got online and updated her status.  I could never have said all she said, the way she said it!  I am confident that her home will be spared, but if I were in her shoes, I'd feel like I was about to lose everything, too!

I actually made this card for a challenge at Crazy 4 Challenges three weeks ago (#186), and ironically, had planned on posting it tonight before the wildfire was directly affecting Margaret.  It may or may not be prophetic...

The sentiment is from Tim Holtz and Stampers Anonymous.  I bought this while on a shopping trip with Margaret, though I cannot remember what city/state we were in at the time.  I can invision the store and the shelf I picked it up at though! I stamped it with Versafine Majestic Blue.  The DP is Basic Grey and I used an MFT die for the border and nesties for the circles.  CS is DCWV.  The silver elements are from Mark Richards Metals.

I am entering this in the following challenges:

Aud Sentiments - anything goes

The Perfect Sentiment - masculine

Word Art Wednesday - anything goes

Crafty Sentiments - masculine

Sentimental Sundays - metal findings

Thanks for stopping by!

Come back tomorrow for an update on the Colorado Springs Wildfires and Margaret's whereabouts.

kathy b

No card--Update on forest fires in Colorado Springs

Hello dear readers,
I am writing with a heavy heart today.  I don't have a card-- perhaps Kathy will have one--she sure is overloaded lately with card making.

At around 2pm today, I was evacuated.  Although I was packing all day yesterday, I still lost my mind today when I was told I needed to leave!  I was shaking like crazy and tears were flowing.  I didn't know whether I would ever come back to this home, ever sleep in my cloud of a bed, ever be able to cook in my kitchen, make my guest bed, ever get to pick from all my videos to watch movie night--and oh no...I left my laundry in the wash but I can't go back now and I wish I cleaned up more...the things that race through your mind.  I took one last photo, remembering when I first saw it when I was looking for a home to live here.  I was packing a big suitcase with stamps when this occurred and when that call came through I started just dumping anything and everything.  I still have about 75% of my stamps at home but at least the most important ones are with me.  :)  As stampers, you can appreciate that these are not just THINGS (many people don't understand)...these are a part of you--they define you, bring you so much joy...as well as the joy it brings to others when you make them a creation.  I already had my car packed with all my baby photos, videos, albums.  Even though I'm divorced, I also packed my wedding album so my girls can have it. Some clothes, some of my herb books, the girls' little comfort objects and some of the things they made me for Mother's day, camera, computers with a few key things from work,  and an heirloom down comforter passed down from my grandmother--it had literally come all the way from Poland on the proverbial "boat" a century ago.   (the thing with the down comforters is a Polish thing. LOL)  I left behind all my other beloved items: Other things the girls made, all my wonderful cookbooks, photos of the girls that were framed that I forgot to pack, the art on my walls that I so painstakingly waited and searched for...all my beautiful cards from the girls and Kathy, some of my favorite clothes--I just needed to get whatever I needed to have for the next few days.  I did't have that much room in the car because I wanted my dog to be comfy and I still needed to make room for her stuff and her body!  My poor Daisy was freaking out and I could not get this 100 lb of hairy love on the leash to get into the car!    She was freaking out and running away from me...downstairs into the basement, around the house...she just knew something was coming down.  Poor baby.

So needless to say...this has been quite an experience.  I guess at this point, knowing I am safe, all those "things" that were so very important at the time seem to have dissipated in importance.  If my house is still standing, then it will probably take me a year to unpack--but I will be going into that art room and purging the stuff I don't use, and reorganizing. And cleaning all that yucky stressful energy.

As an update on  the fire itself: 38,000 people have been evacuated.  2 people are dead.  360 homes are burned to the ground and 14 damaged.  15,000 acres burning.  And on the third day of this outbreak, only 5% containment.  In addition, there is another fire burning South of town in one of our natural scenic tourist areas, Royal Gorge.  That is about 20% contained and will have an impact on over 100 jobs and the homes in that area, not to mention tourism.

Keep praying for all of us in Colorado Springs.  This is the second year in a row our community has been challenged with these devastating fires (Waldo Canyon last year).   I am in awe of how generous and concerned people have been.  Friends, family have phoned and texted nonstop so that my mind wouldn't race away with me to other realms of panic and hysteria (I know Kathy is laughing right now since I'm such an overreactor).  People I work with offering places to stay.  It is at times like this you realize the value of true friendship and realize I work with very neat people too.  I was almost tempted to drive to Arkansas and show up on Kathy's doorstep. :)  I'm so happy to see that in times of such duress the best of people comes out.  Perhaps that is the purpose of it all?  An energetic cleansing so to speak?  Get people out of their ego and into their hearts?

OK, sorry this has been so long and philosophical--I appreciate being able to write about it here. :)  By the way--through all of this, I didn't eat much, but I did indulge in some major carbs and chocolate...and it really made me feel better!! LOL

Special Joy

Quick post tonight.  Poor Margaret is on watch for evacuation due to wildfires, so keep her in mind, please.

My card today uses an old sketch from Deconstructing Jen (#102).  The Dp is Cosmo Cricket Material Girl and cs is SU! Vanilla and Dusty Durango.  The image is from Stamp Oasis, stamped with Dusty Durango ink.  Flower dies are from Memory Box and fishtails are MFT.  The sentiment is cut out with Nesties Labels 21.  I added Swarovski crystals for a little bling.

I am entering the following challenges:

Word Art Wednesday - encouraging sentiment

Penny's Crafty Challenge - 1 image, 2 dp, 3 embellishments

Thanks for stopping by!

One of us will update on Margaret's status tomorrow.

kathy b

Wanted: Best Dad Ever

Hello Dear Readers!
Can I say how happy I am to be back and stamping?  I'm sure Kathy is so happy to get a relief...although her cards have been such a treat and she's been racking up the awards lately!  Hurray!  You go girl!

So I am still laughing at my card as I sit here uploading this post.  If you've been following this blog a while, you may remember last year's card with Sheriff Steve of Colorado.  But if you haven't, the short story is that my father has deemed himself as "The Sheriff"...so last year I made him a card with a star button that said "Sheriff Steve Colorado".  He would love to move here if he didn't have all the logistics leftover back home.  However, he is recently retired so we're hoping...  Anyway, in light of this theme, this year's card is another Western theme...WANTED: Best Dad Ever Cash Reward $500.  LOL.  

I'll be entering this card into the following two challenges:
Anything goes challenge blog: #94 Father's Day
Cards Galore June's Challenge Sketch

I hope you've gotten as much of a smile out of it as I have making it.  Thanks for stopping by and see you later this week or tomorrow even!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Stamps and SU (Best Dad Ever)

Patterned Paper:  Paper Studio

Dies: SU star punch; Spellbinders

Other: Cuddlebug

Sadie's Chair

Happy Monday!

I had a great day at the office.  It had been a week since I was in the office even though I was working (from home).  It was great to see my co-workers again!  Summer has arrived - it was 95 degrees today, and I never mind working in the office when it is that hot outside!

Today I have another Father's Day card.   This one is from our 15.5 year old Schnauzer, Sadie, to her daddy.  She is a black Schnauzer and has a favorite chair.  She will come and stare at whoever is occupying it when she wants to get up on it.  Even at her age, she is still spry enough to get up on the wingback chair without assistance!  Who can deny the soulful brown eyes of this precious senior citizen?  I even crocheted a little blanket for her to use when she snuggles up on this chair.  (Can you say "spoiled rotten"?).  Hey, she's been one heck of a great agility dog and companion, she deserves whatever she wants at this age!

I used the sketch from Sweet Sketch Wednesday #209.  Instead of adding layers to the background as in the sketch, I used Nesties to cut holes so that the underlayer showed thru!  DP is Authentique Bundle Collection: Journey, while cs is PaperTrey Silver. The stamp set is from Clear Art Stamps.  I love how it has parts so you can make a scene.  I stamped the phone, fussy cut it and popped it up on 3M foam tape.  The I also fussy cut the table, which is stamped with Memento then colored with Copics and Spicas.  The chair is stamped on DP.  The puppy dog is an American Art image (Emerson) stamped with Versafine Onyx Black, fussy cut and popped up with more foam tape.  I used rectangle and circle Nesties of various sizes and added rhinestones to the upper left of the design. 

Ii am also entering the following challenges:

Crafter's Cafe - For a male or Father's Day

Craft Your Passion - Masculine/Father's Day

Crafty Cardmakers - Father's Day

Lexi's Creations - Father's Day

Mema's Crafts - Father's Day

The Pink Elephant - Father's Day

ABC Challenges - Animals

I am entering more challenges than usual - Father's Day challenges were rampant and I just couldn't narrow it down.  I'm just crazy about my Sadie and I just love this card because I know her daddy will treasure it.

This is Sadie:

Thanks for stopping by.  I think you may be seeing some cards from Margaret this week.  I need to get a stash going for when I make my trip to CO next week.  We will be on the road shopping for more goodies (like we need MORE), but hopefully we'll spend some time making stuff too!

Thanks for stopping by!

kathy b

NOEL

What a great day!  I got to catch up with Margaret (shhh...don't tell but we were on the phone almost 2 hours)!  Isn't it a shame that work gets in the way?

Only 10 more days til we get to visit in person!!!  YEA!!!

Ok.  I have a Christmas card to share tonight.

I used the sketch from Merry Monday#60.  I used very old Memory Box paper that years ago I bought on a trip with Margaret to Eclectica in Memphis, which sadly closed its doors last year.  CS is from Bazzill.  I used an All Night Media image stamped with Encore Metallic Gold.  I used MFT dies for the fishtails and added red Swarovski crystals for a little bling.

I am also entering the followingchallenges:

Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas - use diecut or punch

ABC Christmas - K is for Kept Safe (Memory Box paper

Holly Jolly Christmas - 6 or more layers

Christmas Cards All Year Round - Vintage

Thanks for stopping by!

kathy b

Thank you fairy much

After a long hiatus...hello again everyone!  Between graduation activities, my parents visiting and then a friend with her daughter visiting...we have been busy and my art room has missed my presence!  Thank you to Kathy for posting all those cards each night...I am sure it is exhausting.  Today's card is a Thank You--a very very belated thank you---for my birthday goodies from Kathy.  I got a whole bunch of fairy stamps (I'm a collector of those)..but the one I really felt compelled to feature was the one below by Crafter' Companion.  OH MY GOODNESS.  I used to love those fairy stamps by Hampton Arts...and I only have one of those and they've since discontinued.  Crafter's Companion has a whole line of fairy stamps...and of course, I must build my collection.  Easy peasy to color...fun to color...and even easier to cut out!

I was sort of playing...since I've figured out when I do that, my cards come out a bit better than when I have a plan.  The whole feature is the fairy..and she is sparkly sparkly with tons of stickles.  I did something different and tried to make her pastel--I tend to use strong colors but wanted to try something different, while giving her wings a sort of watercolor look.  The backdrop (and sentiment die) behind her is MFT die cut (from their newer line) and I attached alot of gold sparkly flowers with a Swarovski crystal above.  The sentiment is SU.

I'll be entering this card in the : Flutter by Wednesday's Challenge #243 (anything with a butterfly or fairy)

I hope to get a bunch more stamping in over the summer...it is a requirement! :)  Tomorrow I leave for the airport to bring my girls to North Carolina for the summer..not too ecstatic about that.  We are sort of in a sad mode today on account of that.  At least I am.  Well will be seeing you back soon.  Thanks for stopping by!  Margaret

Peace on Earth

Let the countdown begin!  
Margaret and I are planning to hit every stamp store from Colorado Springs to Albuquerque!   Is that cool or what?  
I've put a countdown timer for when I take off from Little Rock.
Less than 2 weeks away and I can hardly wait!

Tonight I have a Christmas card.  Boy am I behind in making these.  I am really going to have to be more deliberate in planning to make them or I will be scrambling at the last minute!

I used a JustRite stamp and Versafine Olympia Green ink stamped on SU! vanilla cs and popped up with 3M foam tape.  DP & green cs are ancient Hobby Lobby (2008).  The diamond border is an MFT die.  I added twine next to it and as the ornament hanger.  The sketch is from Sweet Sunday Sketches #185.

I am also entering the following challenges:

ABC Christmas Challenge - use hoarded item (dp)

Cuttlebug Mania - Christmas in June (border die)

Holly Jolly Christmas - 6 layers

Christmas All Year Round - Vintage

Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Extra - anything goes

Thanks for stopping by!

kathy b

Celebrate

I went to town today and got the last of my car repairs done.  Before I left, they realized the back brake light wasn't working - but after trading out bulbs and checking the fuse, they finally figured out what was wrong.  Now my car looks like new again.  Yea!  While I was waiting, I was able to work on my real job because I brought a computer with me, I hate to waste an opportunity!

My card today is simple, but took a little while to construct.

I used a Cornish Heritage Farms Backgrounder and colored some of the tiles with Copic Y08, YG05, RV04 and YR04.  I was tickled to find colors that matched the Doodlebug jelly embellishments (from long ago).  The mini strand of yellow pompoms comes from The Cat's Pajamas.  CS is from Michaels.  I used the sketch from Fetch-A-Sketch.

I am also entering the following challenges:

Inky Impressions - Birthday

Penny's Challenges - Birthday

The Cupboard Trilogy - Birthday

Thanks for stopping by!

kathy b

Happy Father's Day

Hello Everyone,
I am taking a quick break from my guests to relieve and surprise Kathy with a post.  She is feeling in a slump right now...happy thoughts her way. Hugs!  I cannot wait to see her in less than two weeks and have a marathon 10000 word session!

My daughter Claudia made this card for her dad for Father's Day.  I think it is so simple and striking--I'm so proud of her in how far she has come with her cardmaking skills.  I think perhaps we need to include her as our third member of our blog team.  What do you think?  I'm starting to use her cards as inspirations myself!!  The stamp is Stampin Up.

Sorry this is short--next week I will be back with cards to post and post and post.  I cannot WAIT to get back into the art room!  Til then...happy stamping!

Nuts About You

This has been a day.  I don't know if it's because it is Monday, or because it is the 1st Monday of June, or because it's the first day for school to be out, or what, but it has been a very odd day.

I was tickled when I got home and discovered I had been a Top 3 at Technostamper and Honourable Mention at Merry Monday.  Made my day!

Tonight I have a Father's Day card, though not the typical kind.  This one is from my youngest pup, Geena Bea (my picture), to her daddy.  They both have this "thing" about squirrels, as in wanting to rid the world of them!  If he spots one, he will call to her with a quiet sound, so as not to run the squirrel off, and carefully hold open the doggie door so she can blast out of the house full blast to try and catch the flying rodent.  We have learned that country squirrels are far more savvy than city squirrels, and we guess that is because they have far more predators.  She gets close, but not near as close as she did in town, and she had a flight of stairs to traverse there!  She actually caught one!

So now for the card:

I used the sketch at The Sweet Stop.  The stamps are from A Muse and squirrelly is colored with Copics.  I used a Memory Box die for the border, rhinestones from stash, DCWV cs and MME Miss Caroline Dolled Up dp.

I think GB's daddy will like her card!

I am also entering the following challenges:

Cut It Up - Father's Day

Wags n' Whiskers - Father's Day

Love to Create - Father's Day or Special Guy in Your Life

Mema's Crafts - Anything Goes with opt. twist - Father's Day

Thanks so much for stopping by!

kathy b