Hi, It's Me...

Quick post as I managed to make a card in the living room today.

Not much to it, but it is the best I could do under the circumstances.  Unfortunately, it is going to rain tomorrow so I don't see painting getting done...so sad.  I really want to get back in my room!

I used the image from From the Heart monthly challenge.  If you use the freebie for this month, you will get an image emailed to you to play with for the next month.  This continues all year if you play each month.  I love the images!

I used the sketch from PaperTake Weekly - which is a free for all and I chose sketch #64.  I used Authentique Essentials Collection dp.  The image was colored with Copics and cut out with Lil' Inkers Stitched Squares die.  The sentiment is made by putting two MFT Pure Innocence sentiments together.  I added two heart brads to finish off the strip.

I am also entering the following challenges:

Stempelsonnen - animal as focus

Fun with Shapes and More - Valentine with something cut out

Thanks for stopping by!

kathy b

Sympathy

Hello everyone,
January has been rather traumatic with lots of work related problems that just don't seem to end.  Very draining, especially in the time and creativity department.  It seems every January seems to be like this!  IN addition, my daughter started horseback riding lessons so there goes a good 4-5 hours when I normally do art.  Well aside from that, we received some bad news that someone in the family passed away.  No relation to me really, but it's my uncle's wife's mother.  So I made this card for her.

THought I'd post it today in light of Kathy's missing in action dilemma.  Is it me or is everyone just overly strained these days?

Details:
Girl on swing: Unity Stamps
Quote: Impression Obsession
Background stamp: Impression Obsession
Punches: Stampin Up and Family Treasures
Other: Twine, Stickles, Ribbon

Out of Commision

My DH has rendered my room inaccessible while he does some minor remodeling.  I hope to be up and running again by the end of next weekend.  I am having major withdrawls so I am crocheting in the meanwhile...

 

Hope to be back soon!

 

kathy b

Today is Your Day

I'm back today with a birthday card for a very special little girl.  Her parents are from Argentina and don't have family here and I have been designated

"Tia Catalina", which warms the cockles of my heart!

So my dear niece turned one on Thursday and her party is Saturday.  I have made her a girly little card that fits her sparkly personality.

I used an MFT Pure Innocence image colored with pink Copics.  I used Spellbinders to cut her out and for the zigzag mount for the sentiment.  Both the HB2U circle and the "1st" are from Whimsy Stamps.  I used Memento and Color Box chalk inks.  The flowers are from Michaels and the dp is from K&Company and I used Lil' Inkers square stitch dies to cut out the 2 dps.  I added a rhinestone to her wand for bling!!!  The sketch is from Hanna and Friends.  I can't wait for the party!!!

I am also entering the following challenges:

Lothian Crafts - birthday

Seize the Birthday - birthday

Crafty Sentiments - birthday

Deep Ocean Challenge - birthday

Thanks for stopping by!

kathy b



New Baby

Starting to get back into the swing of things...I have been avoiding my craft room for awhile.  I've been missing my crafting buddy, Schmitzy. 

 

 

He would stay with me all evening.  For months I had to doctor his back every night, so actually it is surprising that he would want to stay with me!  But we got really close during that time (almost 10 months).  Now Sammie comes and goes and Sadie pesters me for treats (her meds make her constantly hungry). Geena Bea won't even come into the room without coaxing her with a treat!  So I get lonesome at the back of the house when everyone else is with daddy.  So I am trying to get myself back in the room, even if I have to be by myself.

 

Tonight I have a baby card to share.  A girl at work is pregnant with her first child.  I didn't find out she was pregnant until I got the shower announcement (she moved to the building next store but is still in our dept.).  Well, I am known for my baby afghans, so I had to get busy.  So some of the time I have spent away from my room has been for crocheting.  It's been a good excuse while I was avoiding my craft room since I was using up some of my yarn stash and NOT buying more stamping stuff.

 

 

I used the sketch over at i {heart} card sketches.  The ribbon is from SU!, dp is DCWV, the image is my go to quick baby card stamp from Stampendous.  I stamped it with Versamark and embossed it with The World's Greatest Embossing Powder from Stampamania in Desert Rain.  Spellbinders were used to cut out the image.

 

I am also entering the following challenges:

 

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday - In with the new

Stamps & Fun = Creativity - embossing

Sparkle n Sprinkle - anything goes with glitter, embossing powder or flock

Party Time Tuesday - ribbon

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

kathy b

 

 



HO3

Hi everybody!

It's that time again.  My card for the Aud Sentiments DT is ready to share with the world, ha!

 

My digi image comes from QKR Stampede this challenge.

 

 

I used a technique called "spotlighting" where you color only a portion of an image and mount that on top of the complete image.  I chose to highlight the little girl.  I was amazed at the number of Copics I used for that 1 inch circle!!!

I used Spellbinders dies to cut out the image and the ornaments that the sentiments are mounted on.  I used EK punches for all the circles.  I added flourishes to the opposite corners and rhinestones to the sentiments.  I think the bg dp paper was from Basic Grey (the pad isn't a pad anymore, just scraps!).

 

I'm on my way to meeting my Christmas card needs for 2014 by getting started in January instead of November!!!  Yea!!!

 

I am entering the following challenges:

 

Pumpkin Spice - Buttons, bows or bling

My Perfect Life - Christmas

One Stitch at a Time - use a digi

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

kathy b



 

What a pear

Hello everyone,
It's hump day…are you feeling it in your bones.  We finally have the weekend to look forward to!

I'm still on my thank you card kick.  And that's what I am featuring today.  One of our family members sent us Harry and David Pears for Christmas.  Oh yum…what a great gift!  So here is the thank you card!

Although the card is not done justice on the photo, I wanted to talk about this fabulous paint I used.  It is Art Anthology.  I picked it up in New Mexico this past summer and this is the first time I've used it.  I used both gold and red to paint and blend the pear.  As you can see from the closeup, it is shimmery and sparkly and rather on the thick side.  It is so much fun!  Now I want to play around doing this technique with some of the Memory Box ornaments for next year.

Thanks for stopping by today…and hope you enjoyed this sparkly creation.  See you in a few days. Margaret

Details:
Thank you stamp: Michaels g series
Die Cut: Memory box, MFT
Punch Edge: SU
Paint: Art Anthology
Paper: MME
Other: Swarovski crystlas, Liquid pearls

 Below: you can see the shimmer and sparkle in the paint

Have you heard the news?

Hi all,
First of all…I am speaking on both myself and Kathy and we feel so terrible for not posting regularly.  We have both been so tired since Christmas and between work and travel, have had limited time to get into our art rooms.  We're trying to change that--if we are missing any longer, you all may think we are in cahoots with the new TV series schedules (you know, missing in action for about 3 months). LOL.

This was a long weekend for me and I got myself into the art room.  Wasn't as productive as I'd liked to have been, but was productive nevertheless.  Today's post plays in perfectly with the Polkadoodles and Studio 12 Challenge: Anything Goes/Girl Talk!  I used a Whimsie Doodles sketch (which I think is soo cute!) but since I don't have a whimsy doodle stamp, I'm not going to enter my card into that challenge.

Kathy's birthday is coming up in early February so I need to get on the ball in getting her gift together.  Today's card is her birthday card.  I love having a chance to use some of those stamping bellas and I'm coming to realize, I'm using them a lot for birthdays.  Inside it says, "How do you expect me to remember your birthday when you never look any older"by Viva--Kathy's almost (not quite) but almost 60 and she doesn't look it.  And her personality is very young too which helps the young image.  LOL

Well hopefully we're getting it back together again.  I'm STILL working on Christmas Thank you cards so I've got plenty of work ahead of me.  Thanks for stopping by today! Margaret

Details:
Stamps: Stamping Bella, MFT (omg), Verve (Time to Party), Unity (groovy--which is only one word of part of a bigger saying)
Die: MFT, Cheery Lynn
Square punch: Marvy Uchida
Paper: OLD paper from Hobby Lobby (Don't know the name)
Other: Stickles

A Dog Wags It's Tail

Hello blog world!  Happy New Year! I have been MIA with the flu, even though I got the employer-mandated flu shot.  Guess the experts didn't come up with the best vaccine this year.  I know several others that have had flu shots AND the flu this year, as well, so I have not been alone.  Keep washing those hands and stay away from those with symptoms (if you can - avoid people who show up to work sick - they are your worst enemy!!!).

Tonight I have a card to share that I made for the animal rescue I have talked about before.  We had someone donate a considerable sum after a lottery win and they wish to remain anonymous.  So, the person who facilitated the donation will receive the card and give it to the donor.  I have been the donor coordinator for this group since it's inception about 7 years ago, so once I got into this cardmaking hobby, it seemed only proper that I make special cards for donors that do something special for us, whether it be in dollars, or having birthday gifts given for the animals, or other such things.  So here is the card that is going to this male benefactor:

I used a Lost Coast Designs image and isn't he just fun?!!!  Reminds me of Mardi Gras!!!  Dp is from Bo Bunny.  The SU! sentiment is cut out with an MFT fishtail die.  The sketch is from Try Stampin' on Tuesday.

I am also entering this in the following challenges:

The Crafter's Cafe - anything goes (I missed last week's "animals")

Crafty Sentiments - New (donation, stamp)

The Pink Elephant - Thank you

Please think positive thoughts for my sweet Sadie who turned 16 last month.  I discovered a new lump tonight and need to get the vet to check it out.  Doesn't feel like the usual lipoma so I am a bit worried.

Thanks for stopping by.  

kathy b

Dance

Happy Day!  Sunshine Day!  Fifty degree Day! 

Lots to celebrate!

 

This is my contribution to the DT at Aud Sentiments this week.

 

 

The digital image is from Stamp Art Design by Kathryne.  I used SU! dp and Xerox cs.  Spellbinders were used for the sentiment and the fishtail is from MFT dies.  I added rhinestones for bling.  I also used an accompanying sentiment on the interior of the card:

 

 

 

Please visit my teammates and check out what they have created!

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

kathy b

 



Baptism

Hi everyone!
I heard on the radio today that the first Monday after New Year's is the most depressing day of the year.  I know that yesterday I was really dreading today…but how does that change from any other Sunday? LOL

Today my card is one I made for my little nephew for his baptism this Saturday.   I love angels and collect any angel I can find, so this gave me a chance to use one of my stash.  I'm also posting the inside of the card.  I will be entering this card into the Retrosketches #96 Challenge. 

Thanks for stopping by today…now that we've gotten through this "most depressing day of the year" I guess we have nowhere to look but up. :)

Details:
Image: Stampendous
Sentiment (Stamped inside): Stampin Up
Embossing folder:  Cuddlebug

Yet another thank you card

Hi everyone,
I'm back again with yep, you guessed it, another Christmas thank you card.  This one is small and simple.  Mailing all these elaborate cards is getting expensive!  I'm sure you can appreciate.

This post is short and sweet…Unfortunately work is staring me in the face so I need to get some work done by tomorrow early morning!  Thanks for taking a peek today…hope you all have a good week!

Margaret

Details:
Sentiment: G series( Michael's bargain bin)
Edging and die: Stampin Up
Fishtails: MFT
Paper: jillybean soup

Kind Thanks

Hello everyone!
I've been reading online about the storm across the East Coast.  Wow!  What an explosion.  I hope everyone out there is snuggled into their homes with power, heat and enough food to eat.

My card today is yet another thank you card.  It will be entered into the Crafty Catz Challenge #212-Thank you and into the Sweet Stamps Blog Challenge: Something New.  I used some old sketches I have been pinning onto Pinterest (Now remind me what did we ever do before Pinterest???).  This card took a little while to make as I stamped the flower numerous times and layered it with foam tape.  Reminds me of the Mandala making process.  It's a lot of work…but the product is great.  I won this stamp from Sweet Stamps a few months ago but this is the first time I am actually using it (Of course I purchased it because I knew I could layer it, but I needed to be "in the mood" to do that much detail.  Once I finished the card I realized maybe I should have made those squares a bit larger…but then again, we are our own worst critic. :)

Thanks for stopping by today…enjoy your Friday!

Details:
Image: Sweet Stamps
Sentiment: Stampin Up
Paper: Doodlebug
Dies: Spellbinders
Embossing: Cuddlebug
Other: Stickles, Stampin Up edge punch, Family treasures punch (old old punch)

"So Jazzed" about your birthday

Greetings everyone!
Today I am here to share with you a card I made for my godson Owen's birthday.  His birthday is tomorrow, January 3.  I hope he doesn't think this is too girly…I sort of put two and two together AFTER I finished the card (do you ever get vacation brain?? LOL).

This is a Mo Manning design and I am entering it into the DP2 Challenge : #215 Anything Goes with a Mo Manning image.  I just love her images…they're so so fun and look awesome stickled up.  I wish they were all on rubber because I'd get them all. LOL  The cupcake was just one of the dollar bin stamps from Michael's a long time ago.  The cupcake paper is an old Paper Studio and I think the word paper is Doodlebug (I THINK!!!).  Of course, there is some card to go along with the stickles...

My parents who live in NY tell me there is a big snowstorm coming…I know Kathy is also expecting low temps and snow.  All of you out there on the East Coast…stay warm and safe, cuddled up with a cup of hot chocolate topped with marshmallows and whipped cream (you DID get that at the store didn't you?) while watching your favorite movies!  Who am I kidding…those of in the West all wish we had your snow day! :)  Thanks for stopping by.  See you tomorrow.  Margaret

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone!
I hope you all had a peaceful time bringing in the New Year.  I am wishing it brings us GOOD STUFF…

I was busy busy busy today making my holiday Thank You cards so I will have plenty to post while I start working (YUCK) LOL.  So right now I am posting one of those which will be going to an old childhood friend (HUGE animal lover) who surprised me this year with a gift.  I have had this stamp set for numerous years and have used it for the first time today!  (The sketch is from an old "I Heart Sketches " sketch).  I'm entering it into the Tuesday Morning Sketches, Anything Goes  Hope your year starts off great!

Details:
Image: Kanban Crafts
Paper: My Mind's Eye
Others: Spellbinders, Stickles, Embossing by Cuddlebug