Penny Black 5th Tag of Christmas

I have a couple of tags to make for gifts both to be delivered after the holidays when I have time to visit.  I have watched the videos and looked at the tags of Tim Holtz 12 Tags of Christmas there were a couple I thought I could improvise on. I embossed in white on shiny paper then sponged Fire Brick distress ink on it. I then pulled out the sizzlets little leaves and punched a few both in green and gold. It was a minor miracle I didn’t scrap the idea as I tried to glue these little babies in a laurel wreath pattern, but I managed. A whisper white taffeta bow to the top, as everyone knows mistakes happen and I punched too large a hole at the top of my “hand made” tag, so I punched two circles adhered them over the larger hole and punched a new one. Then added the red sheer ribbon along with the white taffeta ribbon.  Now to enter this in the “create a tag” challenge I found at Penny Black Saturday I stamped, coloured with Spica glitter pens and cut it out then popped it up on a couple of dimensionals.
                                
You still have time to enter a tag in the challenge at Penny Black Saturday Challenge Blog  as they are taking a break until January 7, 2012.  Thanks for stopping by today and checking out my first attempt at a Tim Holtz creation with a twist. I would also like to wish you the Happiest of Christmases and the most prosperous New Year.
There is more to life than increasing its speed.
Mahatma Ghandi

A Sketchy Birthday

I’ve been finding some great sketches lately over at Sketch Saturday, I didn’t get the last one done but I’ve saved the sketch for later use. You have until December 30th to participate, you can even enter up to three different projects too. With the sketch in mind I decided I needed a theme and a change from Christmas cards, don’t get me wrong I love doing Christmas cards but as they say a change is as good as a rest.  AT Stamp TV Tami has a Mix it up Monday Birthday card challenge, you have until Sunday night to join in the fun.
I used a Penny Black stamp called acrocat, the greatest thing about this stamp is you can use it for lots of occasions. I coloured the image with Prismas and OMS, cut it out with the small circle nestabilities I really love the lime green and blue together. I also used the Birthday cuttlebug embossing folder
                       
Thanks for stopping by today and just in case I don’t get a chance to post again have a wonderful Holiday weekend.
Dreams are the touchstones of our character.
Henry David Thoreau

Join me in a Cup of Hot Chocolate

Ah finally I have some time to post, I’m still not anywhere near ready for Christmas, I’m hoping to finish up a lot today and tomorrow. As you know by now I love sketch challenges and I found 4 great sketches at Priscilla Styles home of the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge pop over and have a peek at the four great sketches, you have until December 26th to enter.
I had this coloured snowman image sitting on my desk and it looked just about the right size for one of the sketches. I had coloured her in pink and green so when I did the card I used Sage Shadow (retired from SU) love this with pink. I added liquid pearls to the cup and the snow. The image is from Kraftin Kimmie stamps, this is a Canadian company and her images are so cute and reasonably priced,stop by her store and have a look.
                         
Thanks for taking time out of your busy holiday schedule to see what crafting I have been doing, you are welcome here any time.
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.
John Quincy Adams

A Stocking Built for Two

Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge has not one, not two but four fabulous sketches for you to choose from, You have until December 26th to get in on the fun, so click on the link to go have a better look, but wait until you read my whole post and check out my card. There is also a December challenge at Seriously Creative Challenge Blog and it’s great All Things Christmas and it was a big decision on which card to use for it. I’m hoping to slip in another one before the  month is out. So both challenge blogs have all of December to create for.
I used my favourite little guys again, it’s Amanda and Maxwell all bundled up in a sock. I used my plain oval Spellbinder die and my lacy scallop one too. My colours are Real Red and some dp from a Christmas stack I bought a couple of years ago on boxing day, it even has it’s own bling on it. The image was coloured with prismas and oms the real red ribbon is from Stampin’up. I also used one of my Fancy Labels Spellbinder dies for the sentiment.
                        
Thanks for dropping in to have a look at what keeps my hands and mind busy these days. Come back again soon you are always welcome.

A good deed is never lost: he who sows courtesy reaps friendship; and he who plants kindness gathers love.
Basil

In the Meadow we could build a Snowman

What is as good as having a sketch? well it’s finding a colour challenge to go along with the sketch. I found the colour challenge at Touch Twin Markers and the Sketch at Sketch Saturday. First of all I loved the sketch and I’m sure I will use it again, the colour challenge of course mainly was for the twin touch markers but I don’t have any so I used my prisma pencils and oms.  In January to enter you will have to use the twin touch markers but until then any medium is fine. I am not usually good at combining challenges but this one was easy.
                       
My colours are Ridinghood red & crumb cake for the cardstock, I used the yellow/gold on the scarves and the beige colour in the broom. The dp is from a 8X8 stack I bought a few years ago.
Thanks for stopping by and having a peek at what I’ve been working on this week. Come back again soon, there is more.
The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.
Marcel Proust

It’s a Total Whiteout

Well not a total whiteout, we were allowed to colour our image. At Penny Black Saturday the challenge was to have an all white card with the exception of colouring a Penny Black image. I used one of my newer stamps, I just could hug these little penguins to pieces.
The cardstock I used was White Georgia Pacific, The penguins were stamped in Versafine black and coloured with prismas and oms, I added some liquid pearls to the pompoms on the hats and spica glitter pens to the scarves. To finish it off I put the punched snowflakes with the pearl centers for more white. The whisper white taffeta ribbon is from Stampin’up.
                           
Nice to see you here and come back again soon. I love to read your comments so don’t forget to let me know you were here.

Kind words are the music of the world.
F. W. Faber

It’s a Blue Christmas

My favourite thing to do……..Monochromatic. I found the challenge at Drunken Stampers Challenge Blog. I did my card in shades of blue, the stamp I used I have had for a long while, it is from a Canadian Company that is very close to home here in South Western Ontario called the Artful Stamper. Go check it out they have great stamps and tutorials.  We were in London a couple of Saturdays ago at the Fairgrounds Farmer’s Market and one of the vendors had some great artwork and then I found out she was a designer for the Artful Stamper.
                         
This stamp is great, use it with the frame or just use the snowman, I have also seen it layered. I stamped in Brilliance Mediterranean Blue, coloured with prismas and added some spica glitter pen to the scarf and hat, it sparkles in real life. Punched the snowflakes with my mini EK punch and added the bling.
Thanks for stopping by today and come back real soon I have a lot more to post in the next few days.
A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds.
Francis Bacon

Warm and Fuzzy Christmas

I’m taking advantage on the sketch challenge at Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge you will find here, this is a weekly challenge and a new one will be up on Monday. I also did the card for the warm and fuzzy challenge at House Mouse & Friends come and join them the challenge is on until January 1, 2012.
The stamp I used is Mouse E Claus, featuring Muzzy, coloured with prismas and oms, I love the warmth of a fuzzy blanket so thought this was the perfect image for the challenge, I added some flowersoft to the pompom and to look like snow under his feet.
                             
Thanks for stopping by today and come back again soon.
The ability to convert ideas to things is the secret to outward success.

Silent Night

It’s December already, wow why do the days move so fast? Before long Christmas will be here. I am working on Christmas cards and this is the one I made today. It’s Thomas Kinkade stamp called Silent Night. I stamped it on GP white with Brilliance Mediterranean Blue covered it with a large piece of Sookwang tape then Glitter Ritz cool highlights. Mounted the image on night of navy and GP white then attached it to a base  of Bashful Blue cardstock.  It was a very quick and easy but a very messy project. I’m still wearing a lot of glitter.
                          
Thanks for stopping by today and come back again soon, I have a few more images and projects I’m working on.
Live each day as if your life had just begun.
Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Want to go Sledding with Tilda?

The weekly MMSC sketch at Pricilla’s Styles is on the blog and what a great sketch it is too. There are choices, Two sketches and it’s your choice, make it fancy, make it clean or somewhere in between. Hop over there and have a peek perhaps you will take the plunge and enter a card, half the work is done for you.
I had the cutest Magnolia image of Tilda with her sled, Here is a great place to get ideas and the Magnolia stamps. I coloured her with prismas and oms, I added white flowersoft to her hat and jacket trim. The flourishes are a cuttlebug die and I used the snowflake embossing folder for half of the background and added the red rhinestones to the corner.
                                 
Thanks for stopping by today and come back again real soon, I seem to be on a “crafting roll”
There is only one person who could ever make you happy, and that person is you.
David Burns, Intimate Connections

Time to be Thankful

It’s Thanksgiving week in the United States this week and there are a couple of challenges featuring “thankful” cards. The first one I found at Crop Stop and you have until November 29th to put your “thankful” card on their blog. I’m also entering this one at  Use it Tuesday and there is 4 days left on this challenge there too. I love the concept of Use it Tuesday as it is to use your stash and boy have I got lots of it. Stamps that have never seen ink and paper I’m saving.
The stamp is from Unity Stamp company, the image just lends itself to a circle, so used my plain circle nestabilities (my first set of nesties) The background is green vellum I found on one of our yard sale ventures earlier this year and I embossed it with the birds and swirls cuttlebug folder. I attached the vellum to green cardstock  with brads and then adhered it to the card base.
                            
Thanks for stopping by today and try to take some time to for yourself.
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.
Helen Keller

The Juggler

Here I am with a two for one today, I found a great sketch here on Creative Accents Blog and combined it with the Saturday Penny Black Challenge of Christmas + Red + Embossing. The cardstock I used is Cherry Cobbler and Crumb Cake, my image is Acrocat from the critter line of Penny Black Stamps. The die cut under the image is a Fleur dis lis square from Spellbinders and the flourish is a sizzix die. The embossing folder is from Stampin;up called Petals-a-plenty.
                                  
Thanks for stopping by today and you have two days to do the challenge for November on Creative Accents Blog and until December 2nd to try the challenge at Penny Black Saturday Blog Challenge.
Dreams are the touchstones of our character.
Henry David Thoreau

Peek-a-boo Monica

Every Monday there is a great sketch at Pricilla Styles Blog home of the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge, you can choose which of the two sketches you would like to do or do them both. I love a sketch challenge it takes half the deciding out of my hands.  For my card I used one of my favourite stamps, house mouse, you just can’t help loving these cute little rodents.  The image I chose was Merry Christmouse with Monica. The cardstock is Riding hood red and GP white. The DP is from a Christmas stack I bought a couple of years ago after Christmas. The snowflakes I’ve has for eons along with the red rhinestones, which btw were terrible as I had to glue them on and they kept sticking to my tweezers, there has to be an easier way.
                                   
Thanks for dropping by today and if you need some inspiration just hop on over to the MMSC Blog to check out the challenge, a new one will be there on Monday. 
he art of being wise is knowing what to overlook.
William James

Warm Winter Wishes

I have had this Hero Arts snowman for a long time and I think he was feeling very forgotten in my bin of Christmas stamps. He is so happy and cute how could I not use him on a card.  The sketch challenge at Pricilla styles was a great one to use. I’m down to the crunch as a friend asked me to make her a few Christmas cards, I have a few more to do but as usual there are so many stamps and designs it’s had  decide on what to use next. Since I also need cards I have been making two of each, seems to be just as easy to make two.
                           
Not too much to tell about the card I used Sage Shadow card stock (retired)  some dsp that is in my stash. Used my new ek mini snowflake punch I bought when I was in the U.S. a couple of weeks ago. There were two in the package one snowflake and one holly leaf with berries. I haven’t had a chance to use it yet. I also bought the ribbon/trim in a dollar bin. (wonder why I only bought one?)
Thanks for stopping by today and come back again soon.  If you get a chance please leave a comment, I love to read them.
The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.
Marcel Proust

Time for Fall Colours

Wow what a great colour challenge Orange and Brown, very basic fall colours. The challenge starts today November 14th and is open for two weeks, you will find it at Clear it Out Tuesday Challenge Blog. Are you up for the challenge? I hope to see your creation there.
                         
I used Happy Scarecrow from Class Act Inc. a Canadian company located in Oshawa, Ontario. I coloured him with pencil crayons and oms.  The brown layer is dry embossed with the Pumpkin Harvest cuttlebug folder. I made my tag starting with a rectangle and sliding it through the center of the largest die in the Big scalloped ovals so it only cut the top. I punched a hole in the top and threaded several lengths of fibers through and knotted them. Then layered the tag on the mulberry paper. I did a bit of distressing on the tag and layer.
Thanks for stopping by today and you have two weeks to get in on this challenge at Clear it out Tuesday Challenge Blog.

You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.' You must do the thing you think you cannot do.

Eleanor Roosevelt

Merry Christmouse

I’m here again with one of my favourite “rodents” this one is Monica getting herself ready for Christmas. Any chance I get to use these little guys I do and I found another challenge at Pricilla’s Blog, now you don’t have to use a house mouse stamp but I did for this week’s challenge. The time is almost up for posting today, but check out her blog and join in on the next one.
                            
Not much to tell about this one, the dp is from a stack I bought last year, ribbon from Wal-Mart, The rest was scraps of cs I had in my stash.
Thanks for dropping by to have  peek and come back again soon.

What we should be asking is not whether we need a big government or small government, but how we can create a smarter and better government.

President Barack Obama,

Time to be Thankful

I am addicted to the House Mouse and Friends challenge blog, the challenges are every two weeks, the first and third Monday of the month and you will find the current challenge HERE. Two week challenges are great because they give me more time to create.
The Canadian Thanksgiving is over but the American one is coming up soon, on this 11/11/11 Remembrance day we have a lot to be thankful for. I read a post on Facebook that read “Superheros don’t wear capes, they wear dog tags” how true that is. We need to be thankful for the men and women that are fighting to keep the peace.  Here is my card for the “thankful” challenge.
                          
This is one of my favourite, sort of CAS sketch, it’s about as CAS as you will find from me. The stamp I used is Taking Notes. The colours are Cherry Cobbler and GP White. I coloured with Prismas and oms.
I am also entering this in the Crop Stop Challenge to show my flag's colours, being Canadian ours is red and white. 
Thanks for stopping by today and think about what you are thankful for.
Do not follow where the path may lead.
Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.
Harold R. McAlindon

Santa……Define Naughty

I found this sketch challenge at Pricilla’s Styles Blog is a a “round about” way from a DT on the site. It was a cool sketch and I just had to try it. I am working on some Christmas cards for a friend so everything I do from now until December will be Christmas.  I love my Dolly Mamas, I have a few, this is the only Christmas one I have. I coloured it with pencil crayons and oms. The dp is from a Christmas pack I bought at a local craft store. The base is Old Olive and the layer is Cherry Cobbler. I punched some small snowflakes with my new EK punch I bought on my trip to Port Huron this past week. I added a few rhinestones and the fur trim is done with white opal liquid pearls.
                       
Thanks for stopping by today and come back again soon.

I could not at any age be content to take my place in a corner by the fireside and simply look on.

Eleanor Roosevelt

Catching some Rays………….

The challenge at House Mouse and Friends  is to make and Fall card, well what is more fall than SUNFLOWERS especially with a mouse sunning himself on it.
I coloured the image with pencil crayons and oms added some stickles to the flower. The base is Daffodil Delight, the layer is from a stack pack. I cut the image with the large circle and adhered it to the card. I cut the Old Olive cardstock with the large scalloped circle and the large inverted scalloped circle to make a “rick rack” border and popped it up to make a frame.
                       

Our cottage is closed for the winter and it is so disappointing not to have that lovely greenery to use as a backdrop for my pictures, I need to do something to make everything more appealing. It’s so “blah” to take pictures inside.
Thanks for stopping by today and have a wonderful “fall” day.

Do what you feel in your heart to be right - for you'll be criticized anyway. You'll be damned if you do, and damned if you don't.

Eleanor Roosevelt

What is Your Favourite Holiday?

We had some really cute clipart to work with over at Clear it Out Tuesday for their challenge starting November 1st,  I made a Birthday tag it is 4 inches. The digi image I used is from My Grafico and there were 13 holidays and seasons to to choose from and perfect, they were already coloured. You can see all of them here.  I covered the balloon with some 3D glitter paint (I’m still working on how to control how much to use.) the colours in the owl were pink and green so the base is Wild Wasabi, I cut it with the largest Spellbinder scalloped circle making sure it was attached at two of the scallops and the layer is Regal Rose. 
                          
Thanks for stopping by today and remember you have until  November 13th to join the favourite holiday challenge at Clear it Out Tuesday.

The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.

Eleanor Roosevelt

No Apple Bobbing for this Bunny

Happy Hoppers and House Mouse are one of my favourite stamps your can find them at House Mouse.com, stop by there and see all of the cute stamps.  This bunny image is the cutest thing I have ever seen. it’s called An Apple A Day. I coloured it with pencil crayons and oms  The red layer is dry embossed with the tulips folder from Sizzix…..one of my favourite folders. This card was made for a one on one swap at Stamp in Canada for October, I also entered it in a Stamp TV challenge to use Red and Kraft.  They have great weekly challenges and a lot of tutorials.
                          
Thanks for stopping by today and come back again soon,

We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand... and melting like a snowflake. Let us use it before it is too late.

Marie Beyon Ray

Autumn Leaves

I like autumn and I found this great challenge at Crop Stop and just had to find some time to “get it done”. You will see in the picture the crystal effects is not dry on the brown buttons in the right corner. I tried a new technique tonight called “Rock & Roll” it takes some dexterity with the fingers (one of the leaves has a little more roll) The button was cut with the sizzix button die, the faux brads were punched with the 1/2 “ punch. 
                            
I used the Stampin’up two step stamp set called Gently Falling, First I stamped the outline stamp in chocolate chip then inked the solid one in more mustard then did the rock and roll with cajun craze for one and old olive on the other.
Thanks for stopping by today and come back again, you are always welcome.

Learn from the mistakes of others. You can’t live long enough to make them all yourself.

Eleanor Roosevelt

Show us how you use your Trim

I made this card for Clear it out Tuesday’s challenge found here. I just joined the design team and this was my first card I have made for them. I am a little late due to having to dig through the boxes I brought home from the cottage.  Martha’s etsy site is having a 50% off clearance until October 31, 2011 and you will find it here at Creating is Fun. The code for the discount is  move50, drop in and see the great things she has in her shop.
                              
I used one of the four cute stamps from Sunshine Designs in Ottawa, They have been bought by Frogs Whiskers Ink. The dsp is retired from Stampin’up, not sure where the sentiment is from. I used my new Nellie die that was a prize for doing the House Mouse and Friends Birthday Blog hop. Thanks Heather it is fabulous.
Thanks for stopping by and come back again soon.  Are you getting your Christmas cards done? time is running out.

Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art.

Eleanor Roosevelt

EEK a Mouse in Disguise

Well I had this cute image left over from another project and thought it would make a cute Halloween card. There are a lot of Halloween challenges right now and I’m entering it in a couple. Of course one of my favourite ones is House Mouse and Friends , there you will find it is a colour challenge to use Green, Yellow, Orange and Black optional is Halloween. Well the colours just “screamed” Halloween.  I am also entering it in Clear it our Tuesday that was Halloween as well.  Since I used my Fleur dis lis doily die I’m entering it in Crop Stop Challenge Blog challenge for “dainty doily”. If you have some time stop in to all of these blogs they are my fav. Now on with the card. Oh dear I almost forgot about the Drunken Stamper's Blog they have a Halloween challenge too, they are just back from a summer hiatus and their blog is awesome too so don't forget to drop by to check them out as well.
                       
I cut the circles and doily with my cuttlebug and dies, the background is embossed with the distressed  stripes as soon as I decided that I distressed the image and the other two layers. the flower ribbon boarder is a punch from Stampin’ up. The orange pearls were once white and coloured with a permanent marker. I coloured the image with pencil crayons and oms. Thanks for dropping by today and come back again soon.
"Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart"
- Eleanor Roosevelt

Sparkly House Mouse & Friends Christmas

September 26th post on House Mouse & Friends Challenge Blog the prize winners from the Blog Hop and to my surprise I was a winner. Thank you so much for the fabulous blog hop, the cards by the DT members were all fabulous. Of course the next challenge was posted as well, to make a sparkly Christmas card.  Here is mine for the challenge. You might have to use a bit of imagination as the picture doesn’t capture the sparkle. I cut a frame for my card out of red glitter card stock and I used a glue pen and ultra fine glitter all around the stockings and candy.
                      
The stamp I used is Candy Cane Dreams featuring Amanda, coloured it with pencil crayons and oms. It looked a little plain so I added the red bow and the hand cut holly leaves, the berries are pearls I coloured with a red permanent marker.
Thanks for stopping by today, come back and visit anytime your are always welcome.
It is easier to be wise for others than for ourselves.
Francois De La Rochefoucauld

Joy to the World Let it Snow

Welcome today, if you are looking for the World Cardmaking Day Canadian Blog Hop card please find it here.
I didn’t get  any cards made yesterday, I had spent my afternoon hopping, today was rainy, dull and cool here at our cottage so decided to work on a couple of challenges for the Penny Black Blog. The first one was last Monday’s challenge to make a winter card, at the time I started the card I didn’t have any “winter” stamps so I improvised using the hedgie that was throwing flowers and coloured and cut the image out. I elevated it on some snowflake dp that I cut in a circle with spellbinders. I then added it to the  front of the easel card base.
                              
Well I had so much fun making the easel card I just had to do another, I made this for the same blog this was for a chance to win your wish list, and wow mine is BIG not only to win but to have a guest spot on the blog. There wasn’t a theme so I continued with Christmas in a different colour combo.
                             
Now what is as cute as hedgehogs? That would be penguins for me. I bought this set at Stamp Art in London ON last week and just fell in love with it. It is called Carolling Penguins and comes two sentiments, Let it Snow and Joy to the World. The colour I used was Ridinghood Red and the dp from the same stack as the other card. I used the Fancy Labels Three for sentiment.
Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you had a productive World Card Making Day on October 1sr.
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
Eleanor Roosevelt

World Cardmaking day Canadian Blog Hop

Welcome if you arrived from Chelle’s Blog you are now at the right place.
I certainly never thought I would blog let alone sign up for a blog hop, but it sounded like a lot of fun. What a time I had deciding which stamp I would use and the one I chose is from the Artful Stamper in London Ontario.,The African Queen was purchased at the Stamp Shack a long while ago and it has never seen ink until now.
                      
I embossed it in black on Whisper White  then coloured with tombow markers. The card stock is More Mustard and black the fibres are from my yarn stash. The Happy Birthday is embossed in gold. This might just be a perfect card for my Grandson’s Birthday in a couple of weeks.
Thanks for stopping by, your next stop on the Canadian Blog Hop is Janet’s blog, I hope you enjoy looking at all the great cards and pages done featuring Canadian products.
To find what you seek in the road of life, the best proverb of all is that which says:"Leave no stone unturned."
Edward Bulwer Lytton

Altered Altoids Tin

What a cute challenge I found at Clear It Out Tuesday, to alter an item. Well one time I was in the U.S. I bought some Altoids and the tin has been sitting empty on my table for a while now. I decided it would make a cute embellishment box so I punched 6 pink and 3 purple 2 inch scallops, took my bone folder and broke down the fibers a bit then spritzed them with water and scrunched them up. When they were dry I layered them and put them on the tin that I had put some purple cs. and I used my leaf die from Cherry Lynn Designs. I attached some pearls to glitz it up a bit.
                               
Thanks for stopping by and hope you have a crafty day today.
Happiness is not a state to arrive at, but a manner of traveling.
Margaret Lee Runbeck

“Let’s Block it Out” challenge #38 at Crop Stop

Second post for today, I was thinking I would miss the challenge that I found at Crop Stop Challenge Blog but there is still two days for you to get in on it. I decided I wanted to use my Snowmen stamp set that is made in Canada. The set is a Sunshine  Design that was produced at Stamp Barn in Stittsville. I started with the dp and then coloured them to match, layered on pink to pop out the pink in the design. I added a little bling and some liquid  pearl to the snowmen too.
                          T
Thanks for coming by today and having a look at what I have been crafting. It certainly isn’t  a “snowman” kind day today either.
"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream."-C.S. Lewis

Celebrate Monochromatic Yellow

Another day another great challenge found at Penny Black Saturday Challenge Blog…..what I love to do…..Monochromatic.
I need to make a few graduation cards in yellow and I thought was a great plan not to make them in pink, blue or purple which are my go to colours.. I coloured with prismas and oms used my daisies 2 die from Sizzix  my lacy oval die from spellbinder added buttons from a Close to my  Heart craft button bag,. Ribbon from Walmart.
                          
Thanks for stopping by today to see what I have been doing on this last weekend in September. I hope I have inspired you to do some crafting today.
"One who makes no mistakes never makes anything."
by: Source Unknown

Fall Fun with Monica

Over at Stamp in Canada we have been having a one on one monthly challenge. This was made for the September swap. I sent to the person that signed up after I did and it was Margaret that was below me on the list. Of course as usual I had to make a House Mouse card. Now as most of my friends in the stamping group know, I am not  fond of distressing but for some reason it just seemed to be calling to me to rough up the edges. Now I am very pleased with the finished card.
                                                
The colours I used were Close to Cocoa, a Stamping up  retired colour, dp is from a stack pad I bought at Winners. The stamp is HMKR1045 Turning over a New Leaf from House mouse designs. The sentiment is from Hero Arts.I coloured the image with prismas and oms then coated the leaves with a glaze of white opal liquid pearl mixed with a bit of water. I cut the three three extra leaves  out and popped them up along with the sentiment.
Thanks for stopping by today you are welcome here anytime.
Be a good listener. Your ears will never get you in trouble. Frank Tyger

Happy 3rd Birthday to House Mouse and Friends Blog

I am so in love with House Mouse stamps, I do have a couple of “friends” too. I use them as often  as I can. Any card I send with a House Mouse on it gets lots of giggles.
The challenge found here is to make a birthday card with flowers (flowers optional) I used One Mouse Band stamp, it seemed appropriate to “announce” a birthday party.
                      
If the colour isn’t PINK then it will be PURPLE, they are my “happy” colours. I coloured with prismas and oms, used the polka dot cuttlebug folder for the background. The sentiment is from Penny Black and ribbon from Stampin’up.
If you like the little rodents you need to check out the awesome creations the design team comes up with. Find them here a new challenge will be posted on Monday,
"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and sings it back to you when you have forgotten how it goes." author unknown

What I Did This Summer Challenge at Drunken Stampers

Yahoo the Drunken Stamper’s Challenge Blog is back from summer hiatus They decided to change the challenges from every week to every two weeks, the second and the fourth Saturday of the month. Woks for me really well too.
Of course I used one of my favourite rodent stamps, called Friendly Breeze from House Mouse Stamps. You will see a lot of these as I have a HUGE collection, I think I could stamp every day for 3 months and never have a repeat. Here is what I did this summer.
                      
A lot o my crafting is done at the cottage and  love to take pictures on the railing of the porch.  As you can see it’s another “pink” card, llove prety in pink, the dp is from a stack pack  It made me think of a picnic blanket. The pink lacy piping I got at one of the many yard sales we go to in the summer.Thanks  for having a peek at my summer and drop in to the Drunken Stampers Challenge Blog and try a challenge.
There isn't a person anywhere who isn't capable of doing more than he thinks he can. Henry Ford

Friendship all Buttoned Up.

I have been busy creating this week while at the cottage, the weather is cool but not cold, just right for making cards. (nothing is sticking to me) I am trying to get my cards in for the Penny Black Saturday Blog challenge found here before Mr. Linksy closes. I also am putting this card in for the challenge at Crop Stop to use buttons.
I love the little critters from Penny Black, they are so adorable and so easy to colour and make into a really  cute card.
                         
As you see I’m branching out with my colours, So Saffron and brown, wow a big step for me. Just wait though there are pinks and purples on their way.
Thanks for stopping by and come back again soon,
What you see depends on what you're looking for. Source Unknown

A Delicious Birthday

How quickly time passes, it’s time for me to post another challenge. I found this challenge on Penny Black Saturday Challenge Blog it was to put something delicious on a card, I am a little limited to what stamps I have so I used this cute hedgie and put a cupcake on his toes. I cut it from the cute cupcake ribbon that just had to be used on this cute card.  I have teamed it up with a second challenge which was from Crop Stop to show off your spellbinders. I used the large and the small circles and the large die from Fleur dis lis motifs. I glued it flat then popped up the image. The colours are Kraft, Bashful Blue and Pacific point.
                                 
Oh yes and I embossed the background in Polka Dots cuttlebug folder.
Thanks for stopping by today and have a wonderful crafting day.
Imagination is the eye of the soul.
Joseph Joubert

Monochrome Sympathy

I have finished a card for a challenge I found at this new blog called The Pretty Little Ribbon Shop, they have monthly challenges which are much easier to keep up with. I love the look of Monochromatic cards and I love the colour purple….any shade will do.  I would have loved to put a big fancy bow on the card but it really didn’t call for it so I just put a tiny knotted one on the embossed stems of the flowers.  I think sewing on a card makes it look a bit more elegant. I also prefer to use “Thinking of you” instead of sympathy it could also be used for a “get well” too.
                        
I am really liking the Fancy Labels die set from Spellbinders I have used them on a couple of cards lately. Thanks for stopping by and don’t forget to go check out the Pretty Little Ribbon Shop and perhaps do the challenge you have until the end of September to get it finished.
You're happiest while you're making the greatest contribution.
Robert F. Kennedy

Think Pink

I finished this card for a couple of challenges both are Monday challenges. One is for Stamp TV to make a PINK card for A.J. who has just been diagnosed with breast cancer. Her birthday is this week and she loves PINK. PB&J blog also has a Monday challenge and this past Monday it was to do SIMPLE, now most of by stamping buddies know I don’t do simple well, so I kept it to two layers and a bow. The sentiment was just stamped, layered and popped up along with the image that also didn’t require a lot of work but was coloured with prismas and oms. You can find the links in the left column, perhaps you might like to try one or two.
                         
This is my second pink card this week, sometimes there are a lot of “happy pink cards” made.
This card is also for my friend Lynn a pre-surgery pick-me-up so Lynn I hope you like it.
The mind that is anxious about future events is miserable.
Seneca

Sew Sentimentally Embossed and a Tutorial

I did this card for a Stamp TV challenge last week and thought perhaps my readers might like to see it and the Decorative Label border template. I love my decorative label punch but sometimes you need a border around it…..well my demo Kristin showed us how to make a border and was nice enough to create a tutorial for me to post. The card is done with black and white, the white was embossed with a SU folder, (note to self….put names on the folders in marker) the ribbon is from my ever growing stash.
                    
The challenge was to use a sentiment as the focal point, to use dry or wet embossing and to sew either real or faux. I really like to use the feather stitch on my sewing machine.  Now on with the template it is very simple the green represents the punched image and the black is the border. I think it just finishes the sentiment beautifully.
                              
Thanks for stopping by and I hope if you have the decorative label punch you will enjoy the tutorial for the border.
The art of being wise is knowing what to overlook.
William James

A Mouse in a Nutshell

This week is sketch week at Crop Stop there are two new sketches each month and two other challenges the other two weeks of the month. All can be found at the Crop Stop Blog.
I am very fond of my little rodent stamps, I love to colour them with prismas and oms. The flower and water I used ice stickles. I used pretty in pink and regal rose card stock, one dp is from Stampin’up the other from the dollar store. I cut the buttons with the Sizzix button die.
                          
Thanks for stopping by today and come back again real soon.
"True friends are families which you can select."   Audrey Hepburn

No Cooking Recipe Card Challenge #103

This was the challenge over at House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge Blog. We had to make a “recipe” card and use a House Mouse, a Happy Hopper or a Gruffie. My recipe is from a good friend’s recipe book and it is AWESOME…..Watermelon Salad. There sure have been a few stumbling blocks along the way in making this card. First I couldn’t get my printer to work to print the recipe on to the card stock then I had to hand write the recipe….glad it isn’t a long one. I will replace the card with a computer generated one when I get a chance. Although I am not unhappy with the outcome.
                    
I made a pocket card and this is the closed version. below is the recipe card out of the pocket.
                   
I used a Happy Hopper called “seed  shooter” the cardstock is Real Red and GP white. The ribbon is from my stash. Thanks for stopping by today to have a look at what I have been doing this weekend.
May the sun always shine on your windowpane; May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain; May the hand of a friend always be near you; May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.
Irish Blessing

House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge

This will sure be a quick post today, I almost forgot to put my card in for the challenge for the House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge Blog, The challenge was to use a House Mouse, Gruffie or Happy Hopper stamp that has fruit on it. As you all know by now I love House Mouse and have a  good selection of stamps and l use them a lot.
  
This is my first time making a card for the challenge blog. I  had one small piece of glittered strawberry dp in my stash and co-ordinated the other colours with it, (although hubby thought it looked like Christmas) what do they know.
Thanks for stopping by today and come back again soon.

A Bouquet of Good Wishes

I am trying to keep up with the challenges and it’s a challenge just to remember where they go. This one is for the  Penny Black Saturday Challenge found here to do Shabby Chic and the Anything goes challenge at Crop stop found here. Anyone that knows me knows I do not like distressing but this one I am very pleased with. I used a Penny Black image and my favourite colour…..PURPLE.  My newest punch the ribbon punch from Stampin’up and put pearls in each of the little holes.
                             
I am also going to put this for another challenge for ribbons,  but unfortunately the link is on my laptop at the cottage. When I get back there I will add it to my list of blogs so you can check it out. It is their first challenge too.
Thanks for stopping by and don’t forget to leave a comment I love to read them all. 
Far away in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead.
Louisa May Alcott

Under the Weather?

Well another of my “favourite” stamps……House Mouse, they are so cute. I had this one in my bin of coloured images that were slated for a card and it didn’t fit. There is a new group at Pages in Time just for sharing sketches and our cards made with the sketches which you will find here. I have used the scrapbooking layouts for doing cards and they do work quite well. It’s a great all round site for crafters too.
The image was already layered on Daffodil delight so my colour combination wasn’t to difficult to pick out, I used old olive and certainly celery for the base and accents. The dp is from my stash, Because my image was a little larger I used smaller rhinestones in the corner.
                        
Thanks for stopping by today and if you want a great place to find new friends and to post your projects stop by Pages In Time Card group and have a look.

"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."
Reinhold Niebuhr

Last week’s Stamp TV challenges

While waiting for the mood to hit me to finish the ATC swap I thought i would post the two challenges I did for Stamp TV. The first one was Friday’s Free for  All,  a bookmark challenge, you could make a corner one, a regular book mark or a card with a book mark. I used some shiny paper and stamped Garden Collage on it with stazon timber brown then sponged three colours of dye in on it, finished with some fibres  and beads.
                        
The Mix it up Monday challenge last week was to make a striped background, of course I was home and my markers were at the cottage so I just got  it finished about an hour ago. I used a lot of scraps to make the card. The image was painted with twinkling H20s and already cut out, even the base and the cardsttock for the striped layer was out of my stash. It was fun to make. TFL
                       
Thanks for stopping by and come back again, there are lots more challenges in my plans for this week.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. Nelson Mandela

Clear it out Tuesday……Glitter it!!

Clear it out Tuesday has a challenge on their blog to glitter your card, well there is nothing I like better than to get all sparkly. I wanted to try my hand at watercolouring so I stamped the flowers from Elements of Style which is not retired from the Stampin’up catalogue. I used watercolour paper and it was not bad for my first attempt and it was set aside for later use. When this challenge was posted I thought wow lets “glitter it”. This was also my first attempt at using glitter ritz on a full image…..I had glitter ritz everywhere, the one that I used is transparent with cool highlights. The card stock I used is Pear Pizzazz and Bravo Burgundy.
                                
Now you really can’t see how super glittered it is so here is a close up picture.
                                
I must say the glitter hides any imperfections in my watercolouring, (don’t look too close though)
Thanks for stopping by and I would love if you would leave me a comment I love to read all of them.
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.
Henry David Thoreau