2 Sketches 4 You - The Stamping Boutique

This young lady is my first post for The Stamping Boutique; yeah!!! I enjoyed this challenge, it's for 2 Sketches 4 You; check out their blog, it's full of fun stuff! I used the Teen Girl Whimsy; what a great and funky image. When I showed the image to my oldest, she said "well, that looks like the 70's"; I just laughed!

I colored the image with Copics, cut out with nesties, sponged around the edges and mounted onto PTI's Dark Chocolate. The designer paper is Basic Grey's Bittersweet. I embossed the larger pink layer with the Cuttlebug Paisley folder and sponged with VersaMagic's Sahara Sand. The inside says "hey, chica"; how cute is that? Isn't it perfect for the image?

I hope you'll join us for this week's sketch from 2 Sketches 4 You; we love to have people play along! Thanks for stopping by, have a GREAT week! Hugs, ~M.



WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Digital Stamp: TSB Teen Girl Whimsy
Papers: PTI Kraft, Sweet Blush, Dark Chocolate, BG's Bittersweet
Accessories: nesties, sponging, Copics, spica glitter pen

Modern Birthday

Hi there friends, how are you?

Do you have any idea how difficult it is to properly photograph a white card? WOW...either it's tough or I'm not very good. No comment needed, I know the truth in that statement - LOL!

I made this 'modern' birthday card at a friend's request; I love that she gave me free reign and I had seen a card similar to this on Nichole Heady's blog; finally had a chance to recreate it!

Finished card is 5.25" square.

Obviously a very simple card; die cut the center flower, adhered patterned paper behind the die cut; die cut a felt flower, adhered over patterned paper and topped with a pearl. I used my Scor-Pal to dry emboss around the edges - can you even see those lines??

I adhered the white square with dimensionals to the base card. Fun, simple, whimsical - ah...just my style!

Hope you're having a great week; hugs, ~M.



WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps: Verve Visual Big Wish (inside)
Papers: PTI Hawaiian Shores & DP, GKD White
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (inside)
Accessories: PTI dies, felt, pearl, Scor-Pal

The Stamping Boutique Design Team

Greetings friends, so glad you stopped by! Here's the link to the post with a PICTURE of me (that's unheard of)! LOL

I was recently chosen for The Stamping Boutique Design Team - I cannot wait to play with their images. I chose this froggy (Pocket Patootie image - don't you LOVE that name?) right off the bat to make a b-day card for my boss; the inside says "see, you made it another year without croaking!" - LOL! I've worked with my boss for 6-7 years (I've lost track), we have a great working relationship - and I love his wife too; she's the best!!

However, I KNEW the card would ultimately end up in the trash (urgh, sinking feeling in my stomach) so I kept it extremely simple. Is that bad - anyone else out there do that? Not put all your 'bellies into it because you KNOW it's headed to File 13??

Anyway, I stamped the image and colored it with watercolor pencils & odorless mineral spirits, used a gel pen for the lures on his hat and then drew the border and stitch marks.

Quick, simple and I'm not devastated that I have all these ribbon, twine, buttons, etc. if it does find it's way to File 13! LOL

Thanks for stopping by; I appreciate you taking the time to visit! Hugs,, ~M.

RF: The "57" on Heinz ketchup bottles represents the number of varieties of pickles the company once had. REALLY?!? Who knew, did you?



WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps: The Stamping Boutique Fishing Frog
Papers: PTI White, Kraft
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: black design pen, watercolor pencils, OMS

Repeat Impressions Sketch J210 - Lupine Flowers

Hope you will join us for our newest sketch challenge - Sketch J210 - you can win a prize - a gift certificate to Repeat Impressions. We all LOVE prizes right? It's so fun to see a sketch and see what everyone comes up with - it's always so very different!

Check out the deets at The House That Stamps Built!

I used Repeat Impressions Lupine flowers, I just love their line of flower stamps! I stamped the image 3 times onto Paperworks Weaved Paper; I colored the image using these copics...but I forgot to include the T1 I used - I used it to warm up the green I used on the stems of the flowers.

The DP is from Basic Grey's Kioshi line - I really like this line of paper; of course I have an addiction for DP...DON'T TELL!!! :D

I followed Wendy's sketch as is adding a pretty silver buckle in the lower right-hand corner. Umm...I think I've had these in my stash for a year - that is soooo pathetic, eh?

I tried to get a close up of the weaved paper with the flowers as I sprayed it with Glimmer Mist's marshmallow after coloring - I am SO IN LOVE with the shimmer it adds, I should certainly use it more often (don't forget you can click on any picture to see an individual view of that particular picture)!

Thanks for stopping by; I hope you join us for the sketch challenge - we want to see what YOU come up with!

And don't forget to check out what the other DT members have put together for your viewing pleasure:

• Ayana Posadas
• Dana Joy
• Darsie Bruno
• Harriet Skelly
• Joy Hadden
• Julie Smith
• Lynette Neus
• Makiko Jones
• Robin Kirkpatrick

Thanks for popping in; have a great week! Hugs, ~M.



WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps: Repeat Impressions Lupine
Papers: PTI Lemon Tart, GKD 120 lb. White, Basic Grey Kioshi DP
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: nesties, copics

A Woman's Best Friend (MTSC74)

Everyone has probably heard "a man's best friend"; but you know, sometimes a dog is a "woman's best friend"! I have a very, very dear online friend who lost her dog after 14 years. That's a LONG TIME; the loss is so hard and as is often the case, 'time' heals, but it will take a long, long time!

I loved Mercy's sketch (HERE) and decided to use it for a sympathy card making my dear friend's dog the focal point. Unfortunately, I need a new toner cartridge, so the picture isn't the greatest (sorry CW)!!

The "with sympathy" on the main panel is embossed with clear embossing powder using SU! Craft Chocolate Chip ink. The DP is by Basic Grey and the card stock is PTI's Kraft, Spring Rain & Ripe Avocado. I just love the color combo.

Mulder, may you rest in eternal peace, CW, may you find comfort and peace through friends, family and the many memories of Mulder. Love you dear friend!

For my American friends, hope you enjoy the long Memorial Day weekend! Hugs, ~M.



WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps: PTI Anniversary Set
Papers: PTI Ripe Avocado, Spring Rain & Kraft, Basic Grey Kioshi DP
Ink: SU! Chocolate Chip Kraft
Accessories: nesties, sponging, clear embossing powder, corner chomper

I'm a Rock Star!

Did you see THIS???

If you are a subscriber to the blog, you may have seen it already, if not, click on the link above (word THIS) and see what's been revealed!!

Have a great week; hugs, ~M.

W@@T, W@@T - you know what that means!

I'm going to toot my horn...but I do have some sad news to share too. :(

Anyway, I am so excited to say I have been chosen as a designer for The Stamping Boutique! Woo hoo; I cannot wait to play with their images. They have digital images which I am learning to love a lot more than I ever thought I would. Yep, I was someone that thought "phew, why purchase digital images - my ink will probably bleed, will I ever use the image more than once, etc."; well I quickly learned what "blonde" statements those were. I love digital images - here's some that I've used to date in my creations (you can click on the links to see the cards I created):

Harold & his Cake
Maltese doggies
Herby the Frog
Little Mermaid

See, I really do love these images and cannot wait to begin work!! You can check out their incredible images HERE.

If you read my last post, you know what an absolutely insane weekend we had - so very busy. But this morning before leaving for work, our daughter reported her guinea pig, Snowball, had passed away. :( I cried right along with her - she's passionate about her pets and she really, really loved Snowball. We'll have a burial ceremony tonight when dad gets home from work.

Thanks for popping in and sharing my GREAT news and a bit of sad news too. I appreciate you taking time from your busy day to visit!

Hugs, ~M.

SOTW - Vase of Tulips

I LOVE this image - so big and beautiful - lots of opportunity to color and I do love to color. This is Repeat Impressions Stamp of the Week and you know what that means? Spend money - but save 50% on this particular stamp. Oh yeah, who doesn't love a bargain? But remember, you MUST be a member of their blog - The House That Stamps Built! Check it out; the DT has some amazing eye candy for you!

For this card, I used Taylor's sketch #114 - a definite sketch to use time and time again. Love it! Lots of possibilities with this sketch.

I also ventured out and tried something new - see that blue amongst the flowers? What do you think? I think it makes the image 'pop'; do you think so too, or do you think it looks strange? I paper pieced the vase and then colored the flowers to match the colors within the DP (by Basic Grey). The larger flowers I colored bolder and added some red sparkle to the center of each of those flowers. The edges of the nestability are sponged with PTI Sweet Blush.

This card measures 5" x 5".

And as a side note? Our daughter's team won their basketball tournament with 4 games in one day (AND they only had 7 players); and our son's baseball team ended up 3rd in their tournament after playing 8 games in 2 days!

Thanks for popping in; don't forget to check out the blog - The House That Stamps Built and see how you can purchase this same stamp for 50% off. It's a delightful stamp, no doubt!

AND if you'd like to visit each of the DT members and leave them some love, I know they would appreciate it!!

Ayana Posadas
Dana Joy
Darsie Bruno
Harriet Skelly
Joy Hadden
Julie Smith
Lynette Neus
Makiko Jones
Michele Greenwood (that's me!)
Robin Kirkpatrick

Hugs, ~M.



WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps: Repeat Impressions Vase of Tulips
Papers: PTI Sweet Blush, DP by Basic Grey
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, PTI Sweet Blush
Accessories: copics, nesties, twine, ribbon, buttons, sponging

Garden Fairies are in 'de house!

Ah....come now, isn't this little fairy the cutest? It's called Nap Time Fairy by Repeat Impressions - I LOVE the image!!! It has been a few weeks since I've been able to stamp just for fun so I decided Sunday night to use Jen's SFYTT (Sketch For You To Try) and ink up this adorable Nap Time Fairy. Also looking to double the fun - so I made TWO cards!

I colored each of the flowers, stems and leaves using Copics, one bright and one lighter both matching the various colors in the DP and card stock. Each fairy has glitter on its wings - two different kinds. On the lighter colored version I used Pink Shimmerz, then added Crystal Effects on top - REALLY hard to see in the picture. The other I applied Crystal Effects and then sprinkled on some glitter - MUCH easier to see, but both look sparkly IRL!!

The green swirled strip of DP is actually the reverse side of the polka dot DP - isn't it marvelous? Oh yes, MME has the BEST paper; just love all their lines of paper!

I finished each card with a button, ribbon and twine. Thanks for stopping by, let me know what you think of my new fairies that have come to play! (***REALLY wish they were cleaning fairies***).

Have a GREAT week; hugs, ~M.



WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps: Repeat Impressions Nap Time Fairy
Papers: PTI Sweet Blush & Berry Sorbet, DP by MME (Quite Contrary), GKD 80 lb. White
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, PTI Vintage Cream & Sweet Blush
Accessories: copics, nesties, twine, ribbon, buttons, sponging

Yes...it's true!

We are officially the parents of a high school freshman...wow, what a journey!

Enjoy the slide show from our oldest daughter's promotion ceremony...and thanks for stopping by, I'll be back very soon with some creations to share!! Hugs, ~M.