Teachers

In the news recently for our City has been the bankruptcy filing of a huge organization - so very sad! Many children will be without the help they need, many teachers have lost their jobs as well as other employees. A sweet friend of mine wanted to give the teachers of her daughter's classroom a "Thinking of You" card; 2 of them were laid off, the other one was moved to another location but had to take a large pay cut.

For anyone that has children and has used daycare, you know how important those teachers/daycare providers are in your life - they truly partner with you to help raise your children. These cards were such fun to make; I used the Teachers Pet paper by Imaginisce - I LOVE these papers and cannot wait to make gifts for my children's teachers for school this year.

We used 2 different sentiments from PTI's Teacher's Apple set, "The best Teachers teach from the heart, not just the book." and "Teachers affect eternity; they can never tell where their influence stops." The inside of the cards say "Thinking of You". I used another sketch challenge for the layout, this one by MFT (MFTSC93).

I love this little decorative strip on the inside of the card; adds such a fun finishing touch! Those envelopes were awfully fun too! Two-step stamping also from the Teacher's Apple set.

TFL; have a great week!! Hugs, ~M.

TSG15

Another sketch challenge and you know how much I like sketches!! I'm a little late participating in this one; but I put it together in less than 30 minutes - woo hoo for me!

This one is from "There She Goes"; I love the rounded corners in this one. AND I used a stamp set I've had for over a year (**GASP**) and have never used - "Jesus Cares" by Sweet 'n Sassy stamps.

The DP is by Stampin' Up! mixed with SU! Real Red and SU! Basic Black. The sentiment is Isaiah 41:10; what a great verse. The inside says "Praying for you" from Papertreyink's Damask Designs stamp set.

See that black flower? It used to be yellow with an orange center - SERIOUSLY! I love that you can make them any color you need with Copics!! I used the EK Success Fluer de Lis punch as it matched the design in the green DP. Tied it all off with a Vintage Button from Papertreyink. This card is certainly different than my 'typical' but I hope you like it! Thanks for popping in!! Hugs, ~M.




WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps: Sweet 'n Sassy Jesus Cares, PTI Damask Designs
Ink: SU! Basic Black, PTI Vintage Touch Chamomile
Paper: PTI Vintage Cream, SU! Basic Black, Real Red and DP
Accessories: Flower, Copics, Misc. Black Ribbon, Vintage Button from PTI, EK Success Fleur de Lis punch

Lord Have Mercy

I found time this week to participate in Mercy's sketch - everyone loves Mercy's sketches and I wanted in on the fun! I was also inspired by THIS card which I found on Splitcoaststampers - love the colors so I set about to use the same stamp set.

You know me, I love to make 2 cards at a time to put in my stash, so this time was no different.

I broke into my new paper pack called "Pretty Please" by My Mind's Eye. I love MME's paper - love, love, love them! It's double-sided and I can always use every square inch of it! I stamped the floral image (Floral Symphony) in PTI Hibiscus Burst and Versamagic Spanish Olive; I also colored in the flowers and stems with these same colors. I stamped the butterfly from PTI's Tags from Spring in PTI Raspberry Fizz and then colored over the butterfly with a Clear Spica atyou Glitter Pen. So sparkly IRL!

I also sponged both main images with Versamagic Aegean Blue & Spanish Olive. As you can see on one I used my favorite Martha Stewart Punch (Arch Lattice); the other I rounded opposite corners. One I tied a double bow with my Bow Easy; the other I added a flower and button (yes, my button is NAY-KED...hope you don't mind) - LOL!

With both cards I used PTI's Hibiscus Burst Bitty Dot Satin ribbon. PTI has such scrumptious ribbon - I'm slowly falling in love with all their papers, buttons, ribbons...and NOW they have envelopes. Can't wait to get some of those!

I'm glad you dropped in - I hope to have some news about selling my cards online very soon...stay tuned! Have a great week! Hugs, ~M.



WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps: Verve Visual Floral Symphony, PTI Tags from Spring
Ink: Versamagic Spanish Olive & Aegean Blue, PTI Hibiscus Burst & Raspberry Fizz
Paper: GKD 80 lb. Pure Luxury White, PTI Hibiscus Burst & Raspberry Fizz
Accessories: flower, button by PTI, ribbon by PTI, MFT Swarovski Crystals in Rose

Can you find the little boy?

Sure enough; there is a little boy amongst ALL THOSE PEANUTS, see his face? Isn't that hilarious!!! (don't forget, you can click on the picture to view a larger version). This was taken at DH's shop, downstairs with the owner of the Sporting Clay course; he's one of our son's favorite guys to play with!! It's amazing the pictures we end up with after our kids have been out there playing!

Enjoy - it sure gave me a chuckle. I hope to be back soon with some card creations - take care!! Hugs, ~M.

Happy Birthday - 3D Style & Fun Flock Style

I needed some quick b-day cards and also wanted to play with my Fun Flock some more so I created these super quick cards using Junkitz Salsa Celbration Paper; such fun, bright paper!

Nothing fancy, just stamping and coloring with Copics. This first one is layered 3 times for a great 3D effect. I used a gel pen around the edges of the white circle - these circles were done with Marvy punches...but remember, I FINALLY own circle nestability dies - WOOT, WOOT. I might be the last stamper to own them, but does ANYONE love them like me? LOL

I reversed the DP for the 2nd card and grabbed my fun flock for some cool icing on the cupcake! It's so soft and fuzzy - can you tell from the picture? I know, I know, most things that are fuzzy on food are mold...but not this time. Nice fuzzy frosting - come on, just go with me!

:D

I'm glad you stopped by; I love when you visit!

Hope you have a great hump day! Hugs, ~M.



WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps: My Favorite Things (MFT) It's a Cupcake Kind of Day, Verve Visual Cupcake Affair
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: GKD 120 lb. Pure Luxury White, SU! Tempting Turquoise, Junkitz Salsa Celebration DP
Accessories: Copies, Marvy Punches, Fun Flock, ribbon

Loud

So I decided to participate in another color challenge by Dawn McVey of "My Favorite Things"...let's just say this one hurt! LOL

Hence...the colors seem LOUD! :D

I'm not sure I've ever struggled this hard with a card - seriously! But here you go!

I also participated in Verve's Anniversary celebration using the AVS201 Sketch Challenge.

The main image and small flowers are embossed with Black Detailed Embossing Powder and colored with R59 and R34 Copics. Almost all of the layers were embossed with the Cuttlebug embossing folder, Stylized Flowers.

Thanks for popping in - hope you have a great week! Hugs, ~M.



WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps: Verve Visual Because of You
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: PTI Ivory, PTI Raspberry Fizz, PTI Scarlet Jewl, SU! Lovely Lilac,
Accessories: Stylized Flowers by Cuttlebug, Black Fine Detail Embossing Powder, Copics, Nestability Dies

Birthday Cake, Shoes and Shopping

Greetings friends! This post is full of cards; I don't normally pack this many into one post, but what the heck!

I made this first card at the same time I made THIS baby girl card. You can see I changed up the paper on the center panel and the rest is the same. I really like these colors!

I also played with Fun Flock and added it as the icing on the cake - so soft and fuzzy. I have another card I'll show another day in which the entire icing on the cupcake is done with Fun Flock!

The cake was colored with Copics and the platter was colored with a Spica atyou glitter pen. So very sparkly IRL!

These next two cards were made at the same time (you know me, why make just one??)! I love the papers - they are all from Basic Grey's Sultry pack - I'm such a Basic Grey fan!!

This first card uses another new image from Inky Antics "Tweens" girl line. Didn't I tell you these images are just perfect for young girls? And yes, I had a paper-piecing good time! :D One of my all-time favorite techniques!

I colored her cool glasses with Spica atyou glitter pens and her various purses and bags were colored with Copics. Her pants and shirt were paper-pieced using the same Sultry paper pack. She looks pretty happy to be shopping huh? I know lots of people are hitting the stores for back-to-school shopping! Our little ones start back in about 10 days.

I used my rectangle nestability dies for the main image and scalloped layer and added 3 chocolate brads on the right side. You can see I also added a small piece of DP inside the card.

This next one uses another image by Inky Antics, but from the "My Friend Ronnie" line - another great line of stamps!

I used the same layout as the Tweens card, only changing up the main image and instead of brads on the right-hand side, I added a nice big flower. The little flower was originally a soft pink, I colored it brown using my Copics.

The sentiment is also by Inky Antics and says "Those shoes make you look so skinny!"...I've been looking for those shoes - anyone know where to find them?

I paper pieced her skirt and shirt and colored the shoes with Copics and Spica atyou glitter pens.

I'm glad you popped in; I hope you've enjoyed the various cards - I mean really, what more could a girl want? A birthday cake, shoes and shopping - sounds like a deal! I hope you have a GREAT week! Hugs, ~M.




WHAT'S IT TAKE? (Birthday Card)
Stamps: Something to Celebrate (birthday cake)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: GKD 80 lb. Pure Luxury White, DP from Michael's, PTI Hibiscus Burst
Accessories: Fun Flock, Spica atyou Glitter Pen

WHAT'S IT TAKE? (Tweens)
Stamps: Inky Antics Tweens
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black & PTI Pure Poppy
Paper: Basic Grey Sultry, PTI Raspberry Fizz, GKD 80 lb. Pure Luxury White
Accessories: Nestability Dies, Brads

WHAT'S IT TAKE? (My Friend Ronnie)
Stamps: Inky Antics My Friend Ronnie
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Memento Rich Cocoa
Paper: Basic Grey Sultry, PTI Raspberry Fizz, GKD 80 lb. Pure Luxury White
Accessories: Nestability Dies, Brad, Flowers

Got some Mojo?

Hello friends and welcome to the weekend!

I found some time to participate in the Mojo Monday Sketch 98 - you all know how much I *heart* sketches. I didn't have any creating time this week so I made some time Friday evening and I love how the card turned out. Even inked up a new stamp! Eeeeeeekkkkk!!! Such fun!

The DP has such great texture, I love it! I purchased a small pack of assorted DP's from a SU! demonstrator and still have yet to use all those pieces (6"x6"); this DP is called Parisian Breeze Specialty - I only have one piece of the Parisian Breeze left! Might try to use that up this weekend....gotta find some time to create - momma's a much better person when she gets to create!

I also used some new ink from Papertreyink (PTI) called Vintage Touch Tea Dye Duo - I used the Chamomile color on all the card stock. Provides a super soft antique look to all your papers - fun stuff! And last but not least I FINALLY purchased the set of Circle Nestabilities - I know, I know, I'm the last one on the earth to own them but they are ALL MINE! LOL You can see I used them for the focal image, I Peter 5:7. AND I have the Nestabilities Dies - Label 3 set also. Both the focal image and the label underneath are each popped up on dimensionals.

I added a small piece of polka dot Parisian Breeze paper underneath my ribbon and bow. That tiny bow was made using my Bow Easy, love that gadget! And here's the inside of the card; you'll notice I used the Fleur de Lis punch since it matched the Fleur de Lis on the main image...another one of my favorite punches! I used the border punch on the striped and polka dot paper and then layered them one over the other.

On the agenda today is laundry, a trip to town, swimming, church and more laundry! I'm glad you popped in; hope you have a great weekend! Hugs, ~M.



WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps: Verve Visual I Peter 5:7, PTI Damask Designs
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, PTI Vintage Touch Tea Dye in Chamomile
Paper: SU! Parisian Breeze DP, PTI Dark Chocolate, Neenah Solar White
Accessories: Ribbon, Nestability Dies - Label 3, Nestability Dies Circle, Scalloped Circle

Ah...Summertime!

I love these new girls from Inky Antics called Tweens - so many cute images just perfect for young girls! The inside sentiment says "You're Sun-Sational"!

For this card, I used another Splitcoaststampers Sketch Challenge - #233. Roxie always has such great sketches and this one is no exception.

This DP is so fun too - reminds me of fun in the sun! I paper-pieced the intertube with some of the DP and colored her bathing suit with Copics. I used a turquoise gel pen for her sunglasses and a glitter pen for the lenses - she's looking so cool floating along! You know, a girl has to look good when swimming - LOL!

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



WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps: Inky Antics Tweens
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: Stampin' Up Tempting Turquoise, Stampin' Up Rainbow Sherbet
Accessories: Copics, Glitter Pen

Color Challenge/Sympathy Cards

Hi friends!!

I was recently asked to make a couple sympathy cards - truly, does ANYONE enjoy making sympathy cards? The loss of life is so difficult, gives me a lump in my throat just thinking about it.

But I have to admit, I enjoyed making these cards...it's the color combo I like, not the "type" of card!

I decided to participate in Dawn's Raspberry Suite Color Challenge #12 - I've never participated before, but I certainly will in the future. I LOVED this color combo!! PTI Raspberry Fizz, PTI Kraft, PTI Dark Chocolate and White - I love using PTI's Fresh Snow ink; you can see I've stamped the sentiment and edged the Kraft cardstock with the white ink.

On the first card I used a rub-on from Stampin' Up and left it pretty simple.

Now I REALLY like the 2nd card I made - it uses the Upsy Daisy set by Stampin' Up - I should so use this set more often, I always like what I create!

I embossed the flowers & the sentiment with white embossing powder; really makes them pop! I also used double-stitched Raspberry Fizz ribbon from PTI. They really have such scrumptious papers, inks, buttons and ribbons! I think I'm in love!

I also edged the Kraft with white ink on this card. I added a layer of Kraft card stock and a punched layer of Raspberry Fizz to the inside...did you notice I used my "favorite" Martha Stewart punch? Yeah...I still love it! Yeah...I have a few more cards to show you with that same punch. LOL Bear with me, I'll find another fave soon I bet!

I'm glad you stopped by, I love when you visit. Hope you're having a great week! Hugs, ~M.



WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps: Stampin' Up Upsy Daisy, Stampin' Up Sympathy
Ink: PTI Fresh Snow
Paper: PTI Dark Chocolate, PTI Raspberry Fizz, PTI Kraft
Accessories: White Embossing Powder, PTI Ribbon, Stampin' Up Rub-Ons