Whimsical Creations: December 2010

12/29/10

Making Snow Angels?

ETA: Sometimes computers and I are NOT friends...today is one of those! I have some close up pictures I will add later today...don't even ask! LOL

So...do you have snow? We don't, although we have some rain and fog today, but overall nice temps. I know a few places had a White Christmas - but not ours, but that's okay since we had to travel!!

It's another What If? Wednesday at Repeat Impressions - check out the sketch at The House That Stamps Built and then join along with your own creation - always a great prize to be won!!

I used the Stamp of the Week (50% off this week only) for my card - Making Snow Angels. Love this little dude playing in the snow!!

Be sure to check out what the other Rock Stars have created too:

Happy New Year sweet friends, thanks for visiting!!

Hugs, ~M.

12/27/10

Doilies - the new rage!

Have you noticed the doilies everywhere? They are in crafting items, home decor, pillows...you name it; and you know me, I didn't want to be left out so I purchased a package at Michael's. I could not wait to use them - but I have to admit, I've had them a couple of weeks - anyone else do that? Buy it and then not use it right away?

Anyway, I pulled out this piece of pre-scored Sweet Blush card stock and realized it isn't an A2 size - it's actually 3.5" x 5.5", great, fun size. I scored the left-hand side about 1/4" in and glued it shut. Then I added the embossed dots only to the edge of where the card opens. I love this look; just hard to photograph!

I edged the doily with PTI's Tea Dye ink then stamped the center with this decorative circle from PTI's Simply Stationery. I could not decide what to put in the middle, I tried several different things but while digging through my stash I came across these beautiful Prima roses. I've never used them b/c they aren't something you could mail - unless you were including the card within a package you were mailing or physically giving the card to someone. (too bad I tend to shy away from bulk b/c of these reasons).

Anyway, a simple, yet delicate card!

Hope your Christmas was wonderful. And before I go, don't forget Kerry is having a great sale at Ladybug Crafts Ink through the remainder of December - don't miss out!

Hugs, ~M.

WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps: PTI's Simply Stationery
Papers: PTI Sweet Blush
Ink: PTI Dark Chocolate & Tea Dye Ink
Accessories: Doily, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder

12/22/10

Wishing You Success Beyond Your Wildest Expectations...

A sweet friend asked for a graduation card for one of her former students; I used Mercy's Sketch (HERE) for the layout and some MME designer paper (I'm working really hard to use the paper I have - yeah me!!).

I really liked this layout; I sponged everything with PTI's Dark Chocolate and hand cut the Hawaiian Shores border for the focal panel, 1st time I've hand cut a layered piece like this; thought it turned out pretty good for a girl that can't draw a straight line, glue anything straight, etc. :D

The two sentiments on the outside are from PTI's Scattered Showers; the inside is from Verve Visual's Great Expectations (wishing you success beyond your wildest expectations). The papers are PTI's Hibiscus Burst and Hawaiian Shores; such a fun, cheery combo celebrating a very fun and cheery event!

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas! Thanks for popping in; I love when you visit! Hugs, ~M.

A peek inside!

WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps: PTI's Scattered Showers, Verve Visual's Great Expectations

Papers: PTI Hawaiian Shores, Hibiscus Burst, DP by MME

Ink: PTI Dark Chocolate & Hibiscus Burst

Accessories: MME Die Cut, Spica Glitter Pen, Wrinkle Ribbon, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder

12/20/10

Me and You and a Dog Named Boo - Tams Style

I'm telling you, these Lovely Ladybug's come up with some AMAZING challenges! This week it is a song title - seriously, how cool is that? Chosen by none other than the Ultra Talented Tams (who loves pink...REALLY)!!

You can see all the creations at our Challenge Blog (HERE) AND we hope you'll join us as there are always delightful prizes to be won - and this time you have TWO FULL WEEKS to join our challenge!

So...I googled songs to see what stamps I had that would match songs, man, that made this challenge a snap! I chose the song "Me and You and a Dog Named Boo" by Lobo.

I know many of you believe this dog to be named "Buttercup", but today, it's called Boo! :D

I used Karen's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #97 for my layout (love the long card; different and unusual). Some left over MME paper, sponging, wonderful felt and that about sums it up!!

Thanks for popping in; I hope you'll join our challenge! Hugs, ~M.

WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps: Ladybug Crafts Ink Buttercup
Papers: PTI Aqua Mist, Sweet Blush, DP by MME, GKD Cream
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, VersaMagic Jumbo Java for sponging
Accessories: Copics, PTI Floral & Scalloped Die, MIsc. Pink Gem

12/19/10

RI Stamp of the Week (SOTW) - Champagne Bottle

It's time for another Stamp of the Week brought to you by The House That Stamps Built - your chance to purchase the SAME stamp for 50% off; amazing offer!! Just hop on over to The House That Stamps Built and Wendy will give you all the details.

I used some super fun Basic Grey DP and made a flip card - no fold in the middle! My ribbon was red and white, but I changed it to red and beige to better match the paper colors. I stamped "Happy New Year" 2nd generation in Pumice Stone Distress Ink and PTI's Pure Poppy on the notebook paper cut with PTI's die - very similar to THIS card (love how it turned out then...and now).

I stamped the Champagne Bottles directly onto the notebook cut paper, then stamped the bottles a 2nd time, colored and adhered over the original 2 bottles. Such a great, image!

All the edges were distressed and inked DTP with Scattered Straw Distress Ink. Love the aged/weathered look.

Be sure to check out what the other Rock Stars created too:

Ayana Posadas
Darsie Bruno

Joy Hadden
Lynette Neus
Robin Kirkpatrick

Thanks for stopping by; here's hoping you have a GREAT week! Hugs, ~M.

WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps: Repeat Impressions Champagne Bottle
Papers: PTI Kraft, DP by Basic Grey
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, PTI Pure Poppy, Pumice Stone Distress Ink

Accessories: Copics, Spica Glitter Pen, Prima Flowers, Misc. Gem, misc. ribbon, Notebook Die by PTI

12/14/10

Repeat Impressions What If? Wednesday

Oh, I so *heart* this sketch (HERE) from Wendy!!! I think it's one of my all-time favorites even though I "accidentally" flipped it the wrong direction - HA! I cut my paper the wrong way (width/length reversed), does ANYONE else do that EVER??? You can always flip a sketch but I didn't want to flip it!

Anyway, I wanted to use the paper, so I rolled with it! The DP as well as the die cut the image is stamped on is from My Mind's Eye Ohh La La for Her paper - LOVE IT; so glad I still have some left! :D

I colored the main image with Copics and added some some white gel to it. I love this little Garden Fairy - so, so cute!

Hope you'll join us this week using the sketch and your chance to win $25 from Repeat Impressions! And while you are at it, be sure to check out what the other Rock Stars have created:

Inside View

Thanks for popping in; hope you are having a great week! Hugs, ~M.

WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps: Repeat Impressions Garden Fairy
Papers: PTI Kraft & Dark Chocolate, DP by MME
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Copics, EK Success Border Punch, sponging, PTI buttons, white gel pen

12/13/10

A Blog Hop with LOTS of Blog Candy - W@@T, W@@T

It's TLT day and this time we're celebrating "Winter Wonderland" as chosen by Jovita, our Guest Designer!

Don't forget, each Design Team member is giving away Blog Candy to one random person - leave some love along the way for your chance to win! AND don't forget to join our Winter Wonderland challenge for a 2nd chance to win. Here's a picture of my blog candy:

Now let's cover the rules and move on to the fun stuff:

The blog hop begins at: Ladybug Crafts Ink TLT Challenge Blog (HERE).
You should have arrived at my blog from Jovita's blog.
Next stop on the hop is Lisa's blog.
If you have a blog, please grab the banner and post it on your blog.
If you DO NOT have a blog, don't worry, you can still enter by e-mailing your Winter Wonderland entry to: lcichallengeblog@aol.com.

And the last bit of housekeeping is my question for the blog hop:

"It's snowing, let's go outside and make Snow _______!" Now remember, you need the first letter of each answer to form a Christmas word - once you have that word, e-mail it to: lcichallengeblog@aol.com.

OK, now on to my creation for my Secret Pal. Each year I sign up to have a secret pal our our elementary school; my secret pal requested Double Bubble gum which she gives to the children for completing various reading assignments, so I made her a fun little Winter Wonderland Bubblegum Holder. :D

I hope she likes it! I used Nikki &; Buttercup Snow Angels (minus Buttercup - umm....DON'T TELL MY BOSS I omitted Buttercup) - always a GREAT Winter Wonderland image! I colored the image with Copics &; used Fluffy Stuff for the snow. I have to say, my sweet, dear hubby helped me cover the Stampendous Plastic Pail - he's great at precision and detail and getting the "perfect" fit around those handles!

Thanks for hopping along with us today; hope you enjoy the eye candy and don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win my Blog Candy!

Hugs, ~M.

WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps: Ladybug Crafts Ink Nikki & Buttercup Snow Angels
Papers: GKD White, Basic Grey DP
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: nesties, Copics, PTI felt, PTI ric rac die, fluffy stuff, Basic Grey brad

AND before I forget, Ladybug Crafts Ink is having an AMAZING sale for December - for each stamp you purchase, you can get a 2nd one for half off!

12/9/10

Verve Visual MOJO168

Another fabulous sketch this week by Julee (MOJO168) - she has some of the BEST sketches! I also received some new stamps this week and HAD to get them inky!

I went for a vintage look - how did I do? I love the look of vintage, but I'm not very good at actually "doing" it!

I stamped the text background (If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day, so I never have to live without you. -Winnie the Pooh) from Text Objects repeatedly on Basic Grey's manila lined paper. I also stamped the dashed and solid line in pink - REALLY hard to see, but if you look close, you can see it in the close up picture. Ah...pure love! I then used the smaller sized heart from the same stamp set and stamped it 3rd generation randomly on the paper. I distressed all the edges and sponged them with VersaMagic Jumbo Java.

The main sentiment is from another Verve Stamp Set from the olden days - Beautiful You (very unique set, first year commemorative set by the design team); anyway, it was just the perfect finishing touch!

I added a PTI Sweet Blush button tied off with Chocolate Baker's twine that is usually chocolate and white, but I changed the white to tan using my Copics. :D

Added a strip of crocheted pink ribbon, 5 blush pearls and that's a wrap. BTW, I love how this turned out; I think I know the perfect person to give this card to on Valentine's Day!

Hope you've had a great week; thanks for popping in! Hugs, ~M.

WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps: Verve Visual Beautiful You & Text Objects
Papers: PTI Sweet Blush, Dark Chocolate, Kraft, GKD Cream, MME DP & Basic Grey DP
Ink: VersaMagic Jumbo Java & ?? Pink, PTI Dark Chocolate & Pure Poppy (3rd generation)
Accessories: nesties, Copics, PTI button, PTI Chocolate Baker's Twine, Heidi Swapp distressor

12/8/10

Wanna Cupcake?

Our youngest daughter attended several birthday parties this last weekend; one of the girls is a very, very dear friend so I wanted to make an extra special card for you. I used the same layout as I did for THIS card - love the layout!

You know, my great plans of keeping it super simple just didn't come true! I added some fun/funky stitching, lots of sponging and LOTS of layers. LOL

This is a flip card meaning it doesn't open, you just flip it over and write your message. The image is Verve Visual's Cupcake Affair. I added www.vervevisual.com Adirondack Dimensional Pearls in Espresso - LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the way it looks like real icing!

I also added Glossy Accents to each flower. I also snapped a picture showing the Copics used to color the image. Loved the way this turned out; hope the birthday girl did too.

Meanwhile this week our son had his Christmas Program, "Who Stole the Meaning of Christmas"; all kids were dressed in black & white and Jared was "Santa". Here's a few pictures I snapped of him before the program; too much activity to get a good picture during the program, but he did a GREAT job!

Thanks for popping in; hope you have a G-R-E-A-T day! Hugs, ~M.

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WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps: Verve Visual Cupcake Affair
Papers: PTI Berry Sorbet & Sweet Blush, GKD White, and misc. paper I found in my stash :-)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: nesties, Copics, Spica glitter pen, Glossy Accents, Adirondack Espresso Dimensional Pearls

12/7/10

What If? Wednesday

Guess What If? Wednesday is THIS week over at The House That Stamps Built? It's a CASE (copy and share everything) of a card I made recently. I *heart* this wreath from Repeat Impressions - so much you can do with it!

I made a very CAS (clean & simple) card using a bit of designer paper, 1 "colored" card stock and white card stock. I trimmed the ribbon from the designer paper also. Those pearls on the wreath and the side of the card? They were WHITE until I colored them with my Copics - love how you can change the color of ribbon, pearls, gems, etc. with your Copics.

Let's see what the other Rock Stars have created this week; I promise it will be amazing! AND you can join us too; just CASE this card and enter at The House That Stamps Built!

Thanks for stopping by; next up this week is a delicious looking cupcake - YUM, YUM. See you again soon; hugs, ~M.

WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps: Repeat Impressions Wreath
Papers: GKD 120 lb. white, PTI Scarlet Jewel, DP by Basic Grey
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Copics, Nesties, pearls

12/6/10

TLT Challenge - Gaelle Style - Pearls

Another amazing challenge at the TLT Challenge Blog; this one issued by Gaelle. She challenged us to use pearls - YUMMY; love me some pearls! And you see, my card has a "story"...there are some pearls but did you see that "ROCK" on Nikki's left finger? Yeah, she's gotten engaged and is all chatty about it - she's talking to her BFF planning her wedding I just know it! Um...this image is called "Chatty Nikki"...see, it really does tell a story!

LOL

The design team has done an amazing job, so be sure to check out their cards too AND you'll definitely want to join the challenge for your chance to win a LCI stamp!

And that's not all the fun we have in store for you! Kerry is having a FLABULOUS (yes, it's a word when talking about Ladybug Crafts Ink) sale for the month of December...and we're having a blog hop next week - December 14th. You know what that means, right? LOTS of flabby prizes!

Hope you will join us for all the fun! Hugs, ~M.

WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps: Ladybug Crafts Ink Chatty Nikki
Papers: GKD 120 lb. white, PTI Sweet Blush
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Copics, MS Scoring Tool, Nesties, Blush Pearls

12/5/10

SOTW - ARUBA?

Ah...nope, we're not stamping Aruba, but we are stamping a Divi Divi Tree which is found in Aruba! Are these trees not just the coolest in shape? You can read a bit about them HERE - I'll admit, I had no clue so I found this information interesting! And to see a few pictures from where I drew my inspriation, click HERE.

I could attend a brayering class taught by Michelle Zindorf and STILL never be able to brayer as she does - but I gave it my best shot using several different Distress Inks - Antique Linen, Scattered Straw, Tumbled Glass, and Stormy Sky - I literally just used the edge of the ink pad for the Stormy Sky. I LOVE the soft, muted colors...and Wendy, I.WANT.TO.GO.TO.ARUBA! :-)

The Divi Divi Tree was stamped in Memento Rich Cocoa and Colored with SU! Markers & Copics.

Be sure to check out what the other RI Rock Stars have created AND hop on over to The House That Stamps Builthttp://www.thehousethatstampsbuilt.com/stamp-of-the-week/stamp-of-the-week-divi-divi-tree/ so you can purchase this stamp for 50% off!

Hope your week is GREAT; thanks for popping in! Hugs, ~M.

WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps: Repeat Impressions Divi Divi Tree
Papers: PTI Dark Chocolate & Simply Chartreuse, GKD White
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Cocoa, SU! Markers, Distress Inks
Accessories: Copics, brayer, Misc. Punch

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