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

Congratulations and More Vacation Pix

I was recently asked to make a "congratulations on your engagement" card; I love making cards such as these - I ALWAYS turn to the "Glam Girls" stamp set by All That Scraps!

I used a gem for the girl's diamond - so appropriate. The CONGRATULATIONS was added using JustRite stamps; the inside says "on your engagement", also made using JustRite stamps. It was a fun card to make, I hope the recipient enjoyed it too!

I punched circles in various sizes and adhered to the envelope - kind of funky eh? I also paper pieced the Glam girls pants and used a Black Spica pen for her shirt. Her glasses were colored with a silver sparkle pen...she's looking so hot and sparkly!

I'm glad you popped in; hope you have a great week! Enjoy some more vacation pix below. Hugs, ~M.



Hungry Horse Dam (check out the link for details about the Dam)

Glacier National Park

REJOICE!

After today, I'm looking for reasons to Rejoice.
:D

It's been a long, hard day...just think, tomorrow I get to do it again! Gotta be better though!

I made this card a few weeks ago; I like all the elements in it; got that swirly thing going on! I made it for Sketch Challenge #236 over at Splitcoaststampers; Roxie always has such great sketches!

Here's a side view that gives you a little peek into the inside where I used a new (to me at least) Martha Stewart punch - I really, really like this punch; probably one of my all-time favorites, to date...gotta add that cuz it'll change next week you know!

We had an appointment tonight at 6 p.m., didn't get home till 8 p.m., but I found some creative time about 9:30 p.m. - always a great way to end my evening! Hope your week is off to a great start! Thanks for popping in; hugs, ~M.



WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps: Verve Visual Philipians 4:4, Stampin' UP! Baroque Motifs
Ink: PTI Spring Rain, Versamagic Sea Breeze & Blue Aegean
Paper: Stampin' UP! Barely Banana & Very Vanilla, Basic Grey Gypsy DP
Accessories: Sponging, Cuttlebug Stylized Flowers embossing folder

An Oldie & Wedding Pix

I made this card MONTHS ago but never posted it...not sure why?? The butterfly is 3D; hard to see all the details in this picture, but it's so pretty, IMHO! The butterfly is stamped once on the white card stock; then stamped again on pink DP; then finally stamped on acetate, cut out and adhered with glue dots. You can bend each layer up just a bit so the wings are all separate - I just love that!

And here is the complete card; bright and colorful, don't you think?

Well, I have another slide show to share - this one is pretty focused on our son as he was the ring bearer in the wedding.

Doesn't something ALWAYS go 'wrong' at a wedding? I know we had a small snafu at our wedding, but nothing major. At this wedding (DH's niece), they played the wedding march BEFORE the attendants had walked down the aisle. All action stopped as everyone quickly realized it wasn't time for the wedding march! :D It all worked out fine though.

In one picture, you'll see the lady playing the keyboard and then the lady next to her playing the violin is the bride's grandmother - isn't that amazing?

There's a picture of 2 of my favorite men - love those boys!! Our middle child - Kaity-bug - makes instant friends and I have a few shots of her and her newest best bud.

Our son's bow tie just CRACKS ME UP; I was thinking a bow tie like you have with a tux, but nope, it was hand sewn and reminds me of a country & western bow tie with the long ends...you'll know exactly what I'm talking about when you see it! Trust me on this!!

Oh and I can't forget this part. The day of the wedding our son said the flower girl kept following him around, he came up and whispered in my ear "I think she loves me". I laughed and said that's okay, she only gets to love you for one day and then we're outta here! LOL

The morning of the wedding our youngest ones went horseback riding with DH's oldest brother. I do have ONE picture of our oldest - she's doing the "typical" teenage look - you'll recognize that too! Thanks for stopping by! Hugs, ~M.

WEDDING PICTURES (including rehearsal, day of wedding, and the day we left Montana):

A Baby Girl & More Vacation Pix

A sweet, sweet family recently had an addition to their family - a precious baby girl! I used Sketch Challenge 237 at Splitcoaststampers. I so love using their sketches - the layout is always the hard part for me...they make it easy!

All the DP is scraps I've had left over for quite some time - not sure who makes them, but I know I purchased them at Hobby Lobby. I so love the colors...of course, I'm a pink kinda girl! :D

I colored the baby carriage using Copics...I see now I should have blended a bit more - OOPS - but still like how it fades!

I used some buttons as the wheels, a bit of sparkle on the center of the flowers too. I cut out the 3 openings along the top and bottom of the carriage, adhered a white piece of card stock to the back of the carriage and then adhered the entire piece to the pink card stock. I like those white pieces popping through the carriage. (don't forget, you can click on any picture to see a larger version)

We're sending the card with lots of love and can't wait to meet their newest addition!!

Here are a few more pix from vacation - these are all from Yellowstone Park. We got within 30 yards of the grizzly bear cub - they estimated it to be about 2 years in age as it was no longer with its mother. It didn't even BLINK at all the people! Just continued turning over roots and eating. LOL

I also got very close to the buffalo - a bit closer than my husband liked as he hollered at me to not get any closer.

I LOVE the pictures of our little ones at Fishing Bridge - some of my favorite pix. The last few were taken while we were waiting for Old Faithful to erupt. She doesn't erupt as often as she used to. The entire time in Yellowstone, my DH kept saying "it's better to be 15 minutes early and not 5 minutes late"...anyone want to guess which one we were? Let's just say we had to wait until 10:20 p.m. to see it erupt and no, there are no lights!!! :(

The last two pix are our oldest daughter trying to look cool, she borrowed my sunglasses and didn't like her small smirk in the first picture, so she added the peace sign and asked me to take it again. Oh, it made me laugh...all that at 10 p.m. at night!

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



WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps: Verve Visual Practically Perfect (inside); SU! Something to Celebrate (baby carriage)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: Gina K Designs 80 lb. Pure Luxury White, Gina K Designs 120 lb. Pure Luxury White, PTI Hibiscus Burst
Accessories: Dimensionals, buttons, border punch (inside), Copics, SU! Ticket Punch

A Wedding Card & Some Pix

Hi there friends!! I had thought about pre-posting some articles for viewing while on vacation, but before we left on vacation, I did 2 pre-post articles and neither one posted - go figure! So I decided not to worry about it...but I'm back and have tons of things to share.

First we'll start with the wedding card I made for hubby's niece; this is what started our vacation - a wedding in beautiful Montana (after a quick trip through the Grand Tetons National Park, Yellowstone National Park & the capitol of Montana)!

Also a first for me...a CLEAR CARD. WOOT! WOOT! Tooting my horn since I've never made one before. LOL

I asked hubby a few times what their wedding colors were and never got an answer, so the night before we left I'm throwing this thing together. It's rather hard to hide all your adhesive in a clear card; ya know? Her colors were pink and green; so I hit it on the nail when I chose pink. I used Hibiscus Burst & Raspberry Fizz from Papertreyink. The white on the outside of the card is a rub-on from Stampin' Up; I think it looks really cool...IMHO.

The cake is also from Papertreyink (Piece of Cake) and is stamped 2nd generation in Hibiscus Burst, the flowers are stamped in Raspberry Fizz and then covered with glitter. The half back pearls were the "perfect pink" to match the card. I loved making the card; I hope they enjoyed the sweet little gift ($$$) inside the card!

Now on to some vacation pictures; I'll be posting these along with my creations for the next week or so (we took a LOT of pictures...what I find really funny? All 5 of us have cameras, no I won't subject you to ALL those pix, just the ones I took - LOL).

Grand Tetons National Park

Montana State Capitol - Helena

I'm glad you stopped by; I love when you visit and leave me some love!! Hugs, ~M.



WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps: Papertreyink Piece of Cake, Papertreyink Wishing You, Papertreyink Heart Prints Sentiments
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Papertreyink Hibiscus Burst, Papertreyink Raspberry Fizz
Paper: Gina K Designs 80 lb. Pure Luxury White, Papertreyink Hibiscus Burst, Papertreyink Raspberry Fizz
Accessories: Dimensionals, Nestabilities, Glitter, Pearls, Stampin' Up Rub-Ons