Less Is More challenge no. 232...Oh NO! One Layer

Yes Limettes, the dreaded one layer card challenge, at least for me it is. I took the plunge and hunted around my very messy desk and came up with a Stampabilities clear mount set called Fountain Pen. It was just 3 small images in a $1.99 set. I've had it for quite some time and finally, the moment came to use it.

I masked an area of a 5 x 7 Strathmore water-color ready-made card and then using Faber Castell Gelatos in yellow, orange and green shades, I smooched the colors around with a wet sponge. I've recently seen a tutorial where they apply the color directly to the sponge and then spritz the sponge. I then used my marker spritzer from SU (so glad I have been hanging onto this seldom used tool), using a Memento Paris Dusk dual marker. I removed the mask and stamped in Memento tuxedo black using my MISTI to get an accurate position within the water-colored area. I had a sentiment in mind, but couldn't see a suitable place for it. I think the card works without it. I was thinking of a torn page and ink splattered effect.

Hope you have some time to play with this challenge at Less Is More.

Have a great rest of the weekend.

Blessings,
Erica

Get Creative Challenges no. 18, Must Use Flowers

Hi Stampers,

We're having a gorgeous July 4th weekend in terms of weather and my little family gathered together at my oldest daughter's new home 20 minutes away. She's the first in the family to have a home with a pool and believe me, living in Arizona, a pool is a really good thing.

We're using flowers at our Get Creative Challenges this month and we're sponsored by The Stamping Boutique here, http://thestampingboutique.com. I used a digi image from the store and added a computer-generated sentiment. I had my hippie days in mind when making this card. I still regret not going to the Woodstock festival. And if you don't know what that was, you are definitely less than 50 yrs. old.

My card is brighter than it appears here and fun. The flowers are punched from a retired SU punch and the I colored with Bic markers. I have tons of these but don't use them since it's difficult to achieve shading. For this car, I didn't think shading was necessary. The papers are pieces I had hanging around for quite awhile. A little bling in the middle of the flowers and this car is ready to head out on its adventures.

Remember, family comes first for this fun weekend, but there are two weeks to submit at Get Creative Challenges, and we'd love to see your creations. Who doesn't own flower crafty stuff?

Blessings,
Erica

Get Creative Challenges No. 16, QKR Stampede Sponsored

Happy Saturday,
I have a design team card for you today. Isn't this a silly old lady? Get Creative Challenges is being sponsored by QKR Stampede for the next two weeks. We had several images to choose from and they're all fun. If you join us, remember to use butterflies. I didn't follow the rules with this image. I just couldn't see her with sweet butterflies anywhere. I colored her with copics and for once I'm happy with the job I did. I think I need to use a lighter hand than I have been. It certainly helped that I didn't exactly have hair to color.

I'll be sending this off to a pal with a note to join me for lunch soon.

Please join us at our challenge and have fun with butterflies.

Blessings,
Erica

Challenge no. 86 at Simply Create Too (mid-post)

Hi Stamping World,

The weekend is here....Yippie. Yet, my heart does go out to Texans and Okies (that's not offensive right?), who are suffering having to start over and for those who have lost loved ones. How my heart ached for the father who could not be of any help to his daughter as her car tilted over in the flooded waters, when she was on her way home. We're supposed to be there for our children and I can't imagine how tough this is for her dad. There were many sad stories. Cell phones allow us to reach out and seek help, but they also mean that the opportunity for our loved to say last words is also a fact.

My DT submission for Simply Create Too challenge no. 86, Keep It Simple is a sympathy card for a cat-lover. Pet loss cards should be simple. We share such special relationships with our furry companions. Everyone has their own way of handling the loss. Some of us mourn deeply and can't imagine replacing their companion. Others do get another one to make new memories with. I have rarely been without an animal in my life. I run from ant farms, gerbils, birds, fish, cats, dogs. The only one I've not had the pleasure of enjoying...I think, is a snake. Oh, and ferrets are quite popular, but no go for me.

So, this kitty and paws is from an Art Obsessions. There's no name listed, so let's just call it Cat Lady. There are six other cute stamps in the set. I had to fussy cut the little booger and I'm happy to say I'm mastering the art gradually.  I'm sure I'll get around to using some of the other more fun images.  The sentiment is from Stampin' UpAlthough it takes me a bit of time to get a layout for CAS cards, I'm always attracted to
them .

This card will join my sympathy stash and I hope I won't need to use it anytime soon.

Hope you find some time to play this weekend. I got some new small hauls from Papertrey, Simon Says Stamp and Michaels and my mojo has kicked in. It should make for some regular posts.

Blessings,
Erica

Get Creative Challenges no. 14

Hi Stampers,

My card is already uploaded at Get Creative Cards. But with Mother's Day festivities, I totally forgot to post on my blog.

There's not much time left to join us, but please consider it. Our sponsor is Oddball Art and I used a cute digi image of this little gal for a Mother's Day. I hope you had a blessed and Happy Mother's Day.

Hugs & Blessings,
Erica

Simply Create Too Challenge Pretty Woman

Hi Stampers,

After claiming that I would stamp everyday because I had purchased a MISTI, I let you guys down. I've been stamping, but getting the cards on my blog has just fallen by the wayside. I've also enabled several of my friends to jump on the MISTI wagon. I'm predicting it will be just as important to have in your craft room as a scoreboard was several years ago. Seriously, does anyone NOT own a scoreboard now?

That said, my challenge team at Simply Create Too is gearing up for Mother's Day, but is keeping it simple. You just need to create a card that's womanly. Heaven knows that can be interpreted in many ways. Believe it or not, I actually get teary-eyed watching a woman park a big-rig truck. And if I had a stamp image of that, I'd use it. I mean really, what can't a woman do these days? Thank You Lord.

But I digress, so on to my card. This is a Julie Nutting image. She had birthday themed accessory stamps in the package, so I cut off the balloon she was holding and using pretty papers and a Studio G sramp for the sentiment, piecing a portion of her dress, she is ready to go. She's colored with Copics and I'm still struggling with getting the hair right, but she'll do.

Won't you let your imagination fly with us for the next two weeks. We'd love to have you.

Blessings,
Erica

Oh My...Simply Create Too is Gonna Be BUSY!

Well friends, I've been absent from my blog for quite some time. I booked a cruise on an amazing ship with the Holland America line called Quantum. Perhaps you've heard of it as it is the most tech-savvy ship built so far. It has a robot to make cocktails for one thing, and I wore a watch style band to open my cabin door. I never had to use any paper money, as everything was paid for via this watch band. I went alone by choice and had a chance to really unwind, relax and in general just enjoy.

So I'm home again and I have a card up for the Simply Create Too Design Team. We've had a change in leadership and a bit of a make-over. We're still going strong with challenges and I'm now one of the more senior design team members.

We're in the middle of our 82nd challenge and it's one that every stamper can enjoy, as it's "Anything Goes" time. We get record numbers of entries when we do this challenge, so why not head over and join in the fun.

My card uses lots of fun colors for Easter and a clear stamp image from Penny Black that's been around for quite some time. I colored with Copics. She's a happy little girl with her bling, gold cord, button, and crochet flower, and fun papers.

Happy Easter to all of my readers.

Blessings,
Erica