Hello There Card

Hi There!

Here it is the last day of April- can you believe it?  Spring seems to be flying by this year!  I'm busy making all my summer plans and I'm pretty sure that it will be just as busy!  I love making plans! :)

Today I want to share a fun card using a mix of different products:

I've mixed stamps from Paper Smooches, Studio Calico for Hero Arts, Stampin' Up! and Teresa Collins Designs on this one!  Can you pick them all out?? :)  I had bunches of stamps on my desk when I was doing some organization and this just sort of happened!  I'm happy with how it turned out and will have to mix up my stamps more often!

Everything is stamped on this card except for the one strip of orange striped patterned paper.  I colored the telephone with Copic Markers and pieced it onto the chevron stamped oval.  The splatters in the background were created with white Dylusions mist- my new favorite white mist!

Well, better get back to my day!  I have quite a long list of to-dos and not much time to get through them all!  :)  As always, thank you for stopping by to see what I've been working on!

-tessa

Another Bicycle Card

Yes, another bicycle card... I really can't help it!  It is my favorite stamp! :) Here, I've colored it with a blend of Stampin' Up! markers and Copic markers:

Stamps: Bicycle by Hero Arts, Sweet Essentials set by Stampin' Up!
Ink: Onyx Black Versafine Ink
Paper: Naturals White, Melon Mambo, and Peach Parfait cardstock by Stampin' Up!; pattern papers from Farm Girl and Make it Merry lines by October Afternoon
Accessories: Linen Thread by Stampin' Up!; Copic markers; Stampin' Up! markers

Denim patterned paper has become a favorite of mine.  I have a hard time passing it up when I see it at my scrapbook store.   It looks very pretty with bold, bright pops of color and it has an easy, casual feel to it.  

So what are you up to today?  I've got a little shopping to do and my favorite 2 year old coming to visit in the afternoon!  I am looking forward to silly little smiles and lots of giggles!

Well, I hope you enjoy your day and thank you for stopping by my blog!

-tessa

Happy New Year!

I'm sure it will take a few weeks of writing it to get used to the idea that 2013 is here!  Hope you had a wonderful night last night, ringing it it- did you stay up?  We had our New Year's celebration at 10pm- after an evening filled with many games, ice cream sundaes, and a visit from our good friends.  The girls loved the count down and clinking their fancy glasses full of sparkling cider!

Now I am just thinking over some goals for myself in the new year.  I have one- an important one, too.  It is to find some direction.  I have been feeling a little lost lately, both on my blog and in my personal life.  It is weird how things change and you find yourself saying what was I doing again?  lol!  Luckily, no drama is a part of my reasons for being lost.  I think it has to do with my girls going to school full time.  I have been board at home ever since... I need to figure out what to do next.

As for my blog, I think I've been a little lost since I stopped being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator.  It has taken a long time for me to find my spot here- what stamps I like, what style I like, what I like to make... I am feeling much more confident going into this year that I will have something worthwhile to contribute to blog land!  I may not have a 'home' like I did with Stampin' Up! but I am feeling content in where I am now.

One thing I will be doing this year is learning some new skills.  I am planning to focus on something different every month and learning all I can in that field.  For January, I am focusing on family history research.  I have done a lot of my research all ready but I really want to focus on it and learn all I can through the internet.   When I go back to Seattle over the summer, I am planning to scan as many old pictures and documents as I can as well as record some of the stories my grandparents tell me.

I haven't made plans for each month but maybe later today I will make a little list of the things I'd like to learn  more about.

Well, after all those deep thoughts, I guess I should share a card!  I made this card yesterday with a new stamp set I received from my secret santa:

Goodies:

stamps: Picnic set by Basic Grey/ Hero Arts; Hey Day Sentiments by Studio Calico/ Hero Arts
ink: Memento ink in Tuxedo Black
paper: Naturals White, Basic Black cardstock by Stampin' Up!; pink cardstock by Bazzill Basics; patterned paper from Hip Hip Hooray line by Pebbles, Inc
accessories: Copic markers, Dazzling Details and Scallop edge punch by Stampin' Up!

I have been trying to practice my coloring more and here I used some new Copic markers I picked up over the weekend.  I am lucky to have a couple of friends who really know their stuff when it comes to Copics and I am hoping they will teach me all their tips and techniques!

A Blog Named Hero is challenging us this week to use something new and since I got this set for Christmas, I thought I'd link up!  If you have time be sure to check out their current challenge.

Well, I hope you are enjoying the first day of the new year and thank you for stopping by my blog today!  Sorry if reflections aren't your thing... I promise to not do it too often! :)

-tessa

Boo Card

Hello there!  I hope you are enjoying a beautiful fall day like I am- it really is beautiful in Virginia this time of year. 

Today I have a fun Halloween card to share with you today.  I used a fun set from Hero Arts:

Goodies:

Stamps: Girl with Balloon set and Houndstooth background stamp by Hero Arts
Ink: black Memento ink; Old Olive, Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie More Mustard, Going Gray inks from Stampin' Up!; skin colored Copic marker
Paper: Confetti White, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Rich Razzleberry cardstock by Stampin' Up!; Enchantments from Monster Mash line by Imaginisce; Brights DSP pack by Stampin' Up!

I am not the world's best colorer when it comes to using markers... I know that, and it's OK.  I added some paper piecing to make it look a little better and I do like how she turned out, even if she doesn't have glistening hair.  :)

I don't do many Halloween cards but this year I wanted to send out some pictures of my girls in their costumes to their grandparents.  I'm glad I had a need to buy this cute stamp set!  Hee! 

Well, thanks for looking at my card today!  See you next time!

-tessa

Watercolored Marker Background

Hello! If you looking for my Shaping Up Blog Hop post, it is just below this one! I have a giveaway going on so check it out if you'd like a chance to win!

Today I'm sharing a card that was published in the July/August edition of Paper Crafts Magazine! It is my first publication with them so I was pretty excited when I got the email saying they were interested in it! Here is my card:

Goodies:

Stamps: Hooray set for Studio Calico by Hero Arts
Ink: Calypso Coral Classic pad by Stampin' Up!; Versafine Onyx Black by Tsukineko; Stampin' Up! Markers in Daffodil Delight, Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo, Pool Party, and Calypso Coral
Paper: Sahara Sand cardstock, watercolor paper, and First Edition DSP by Stampin' Up!
Accessories: Baker's twine by Pink Paislee

For the background technique, I spritzed my watercolor paper panel with water and then drew stripes with my markers. I spritzed the paper again and let the markers bleed into each other. When it was just how I wanted it, I set it with a heat gun. Doesn't it make a funky background?

I haven't submitted many cards but it sure is fun when one gets picked up!

Well, I hope you enjoy the rest of your day! Thanks for stopping by!

-tessa

Wonderful Teacher Card

Good Morning!

I was able to make a card last night based on the first sketch of Kelly Purkey's Sketch Book class going on now over at Studio Calico. I am in teacher card mode with Teachers Appreciation Day coming up and this one will be for someone very special! Here it is:

Goodies:

Stamps: Friendly Phrases- Stampin' Up!; Four Apples- Hero Arts
Ink: Real Red, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake, Basic Black by Stmapin' Up!
Paper: Naturals Ivory cardstock- Stampin' Up!; Sidewalks Collection 8x8 pad by October Afternoon
Accessories: Mini Clothespins, Basic Rhinestones, Cherry Cobbler baker's twine, Decorative Label Punch, Itty Bitty Punch Pack- Stampin' Up!; Mini Kraft Bags- Canvas Corp.

I love these little mini kraft bags- aren't they cute with a gift card in them? I have 8 cards to make for the girls' teachers this year so I am trying to find some fun ways to include gift cards. I also downloaded a cute peechee type folder card from the Silhouette store to use for some of them so hopefully that will work out the way I want it to!

We are on spring break this week and we've done some fun things each day this week. Today is lunch at Chuck E. Cheese's and bike riding in the afternoon... I know I'll be worn out by bedtime!

Hope you are enjoying your day and thanks for stopping by to see my card!

-tessa

Another Bicycle Card

Good Morning!

I hope you are off to a great start to your day! It's Thursday which is always nice- almost the weekend!

I have another bicycle card to share today... I really do love that little stamp! This time I paired it with lots of little scraps of patterned paper I had in my scrap bin. Take a look:

I love adding just a little color with my Stampin' Up! markers. It's so easy and looks great! I also love the little flags from October Afternoon- aren't they fun!

Have you been peeking at all the goodies debuting this weekend at CHA? I am most excited about what Pink Paislee will be releasing. The sneaks look so perfect for spring! I am curious to see the October Afternoon lines, too- I love most of what they put out but some of their themes are a little kooky this time around!

Well, I hope you have a great day! Thanks for stopping by for a look!

-tessa

Friendly Bike Card

Hello!

Hope you are having a great day! I had a little time before dinner so I thought I'd pop on and blog for a bit! Today was my day off and it has been so nice and relaxing- I had a coffee date with my hubby, dropped off some goodies at the post office, and got caught up on all my favorite guilty pleasure shows! I missed the first hour of Downton Abbey on Sunday and wanted to watch it before it was on again. I also watched last week's Project Runway Allstars- I chose to watch Greys Anatomy instead but this week PRA won out! They have made some incredible things so far- very inspiring!

I'm sure most of you don't come for the chit chat so here is the card I wanted to share- it uses a favorite new stamp of mine from Hero Arts:

Goodies:

Stamp: Hero Arts
Markers: Stampin' Up!
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! and Bazzill Basics
Patterned Paper: October Afternoon Sidewalks 8x8 pad
Crochet Ribbon: Stampin' Up!
Rhinestones: Stampin' Up!
Letter Stickers: October Afternoon

I have been reaching for this Sidewalks 8x8 pad alot lately. I love the spring feel and the color scheme it has. The bike stamp is also new and has gotten a lot of love lately, too! It is so easy to color and really, you could leave it as is and it would look just as cute! I wish I had a bike with a basket full of flowers! Hee!

Well, I hope you have a great weekend! I am looking forward to some fun with my friends and my sweet niece's birthday party on Sunday- I can't wait!

Thanks for stopping by!

-tessa

Thank You, From the Birds...

A quick little post today. I found some goodies I forgot I had while I was cleaning up and got inspired to create a quick card! Here it is:



Goodies:

Stamps: Hero Arts
Ink: Chocolate Chip Classic ink by Stampin' Up!
Paper: Old Olive, Kraft card stock by Stampin' Up!; My Minds Eye, Tres Jolie collection patterned paper
Accessories: Stickles by Ranger, Jewel Flower by Hero Arts, Dimensionals and Chocolate Chip wide grosgrain ribbon by Stampin' Up!


Like I said, quick post! Hope your day is going well!

-tessa

A Little Something Different...

I'm not sure if I entirely like this card but I'll share anyways... After a long weekend doing inventory at my LSS, this is all I have! Here is the card:



Goodies:
All products by Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted.

Stamps: Petal Pizazz set, En Francais background, Simple Messages by Hero Arts
Ink: Rose Red, Pink Pirouette Classic Inks; Versamark, Jet Black Staz On
Paper: Whisper White, Old Olive card stock, Maine Blueberry DSP, Fresh Cuts note cards
Accessories: Kraft taffeta ribbon, Scallop Edge punch, Filigree Brads, Rhinestone Jewel Brads, Dimensionals, Clear embossing powder

I used the emboss resist technique on the note card, stamping with my En Francais background stamp, heat embossing, and then rubbing over it with Pink Pirouette ink. I knew what color scheme I wanted to use but the end result isn't at all what I thought it would be!

Hope your day is going well! Thanks for stopping by today!

-tessa

A Girly Owl Card

I love all the cute little owl stamps on the market right now! My last name is Wise so maybe it's a family thing... I made today's card for my sister-in-law's birthday later this month. Here it is:



Goodies:

Stamps: Flower Branch with Owl by Hero Arts; Birthday Whimsy set by Stampin' Up!
Ink: Chocolate Chip classic ink; Cameo Coral, Pixie Pink, Pretty in Pink, Creamy Caramel, Lavender Lace, Apricot Appeal Marvelous Markers by Stampin' Up!; Versamagic Eggplant Dew Drop by Tsukineko
Paper: Lavender Lace, Pixie Pink, Whisper White card stock by Stampin' Up!; textured card stock by Bazzil Basics; patterned paper by Heidi Grace Designs
Accessories: Dimensionals, Scallop Edge punch by Stampin' Up!; Stickles by Ranger; ribbon- unknown supplier...


I had fun making this one so I hope my sister-in-law enjoys it! Funny thing- I had the card made except for the sentiment and couldn't decide where to put it. I got out my Stamp-a-ma-jig and used the plastic part to help me place it. Had it ready to go and then smudged it at the last minute!! Of course I had to fix it! It took me a little bit to figure out a cute way to do it but I absolutely love the way the little blurb bubble looks! I think it's even cuter now! Happy mistakes!!

Anyways, hope you have a great day!

-tessa