…Hello My Sweets!

It’s Sunday and I’m looking forward to a calm and relaxing day with my family.  In between spring cleaning, coupon shopping, and being a domestic diva (teeheehee) I found some time to make a card…aren’t you proud?  LOL!

I got this newer “Cheeky Chat” from The Greeting Farm, and I couldn’t wait to get her inked up!  I stamped her in Black Ink and colored her with Copic Markers before cutting her out with scissors, then added her to the focal panel that was paper pierced around the edges.  I used Kraft Cardstock as a card base {shocking…once again}, then used some patterned papers from the Latte Matstack paper pad from DCWV.  I stitched around the edges of the large purple background panel, then cut the polka-dotted panel in a large circle before adding it to the base.  I trimmed the sides that overlapped the card base edges, then added one of the sentiments from the “Daily Grind” set from There She Goes.  After adding some Ribbon, Silver Brads, and TONS of Dimensionals the card was complete.

That’s it for me!  Thanks for stopping by today, and I’ll see you all back here tomorrow with a couple of cards using some MFT stamps and sketches!  Until then…

…All About the “Cattitude”

…and you have happen to be the owner of a fluffy feline, you KNOW that’s the truth!  It’s ALL about the attitude with those finicky little fellas!  Here’s another card that I made at our latest Girls’ Weekend.  I sure do miss those girlies…sniff sniff! :(

I stamped two of the kitty images from the “Cattitude” stamp set from There She Goes in Black Ink, and colored them with Copic Markers.  The focal panel was cut out with one of the Classic Circle Nesties Dies, and I added some Orange Rhinestones to the right-hand side of the panel.  I paired the completed images with some patterned papers from the Fine & Dandy True Blue paper pad from My Mind’s Eye along with some Orange Zest, Aqua Mist, Dark Brown, and White Cardstock.  I distressed the edges of the large background panel using the Zutter Distrezz-It-All, and pierced the edges of the orange patterned paper panel.  I added some Chocolate Ribbon around the center of the large panel, and added a bow at the top.  After adding a Sentiment Flag, Corduroy Button/Twine combo, and several Dimensionals the card was complete…what do you think?

That’s it for me today!  Thanks for stopping by, and I’ll see you all back here in a day or two to answer some questions regarding couponing.  Until then…

…You Bring Me Happiness

Good Sunday to all of my loyal readers!  As you all know, I’ve been in the mountains of Georgia enjoying the company of some of my dearest friends over the weekend.  I wanted to take time out to prove to everyone that I was actually up here getting some stamping done…it’s shocking…I know!  LOL!  But here’s the first card I'll be sharing from this fun-filled weekend (yes…I made more than one):

I borrowed these Stamping Bella images, called “Arthur and Annie”, from my bestie Jessica Diedrich…aren’t they AMAZING?!?  She was fortunate enough to meet the fabulous Emily Block on her trip to Winter CHA just a few weeks ago, and came home with these yummy goodies to play with!  I stamped the images in Black Ink and created a sidewalk for them to stand on using one of my Copic Multi-Liners.  The entire panel was colored with Copic Sketch Markers and I pierced the edges of the upper section using a Mat Pack and Paper Piercer.  I used a sentiment from There She Goes’ set called “Spring Fever”, and added three Red Rhinestones underneath it for some *sparkle*.  I paired the completed panel with a piece of patterned paper from my “i-have-no-idea-whose-paper-this-is” file. :)  After adding some Red Ribbon, a Kiwi Button with Twine, and several Dimensionals to the card was complete.

That’s it for today!  See…I promised that I would have something to share from my girls’ retreat…you’re surprised, aren’t you?  LOL!  Thanks for stopping by to see me, and I’ll see you all back here Wednesday with an MFT creation using their new sketch…I can’t wait to see it!  Until then…

…Egg-stra Fun Greetings

Happy Valentine’s Day!  I promised that I wouldn’t be sharing any more mushy-love cards (even though it IS Valentine’s Day), so I’m keeping my word!  Instead I have a Spring/Easter creation to share…check it out!

I received me “Buckets of Love” stamp set from There She Goes a while back, and I forgot all about it!  I wanted to do something a little outside the box, so I came up with this…too kooky???  I collage-stamped the eggs image in Black Ink and colored them all with Copic Sketch Markers. I added some grass by using the MFT Fresh Cut Grass Die-namics die then matted the entire focal panel with Black Cardstock.  The focal panel still looked a little plain, so I added some Paper Piercing around the colored portion only.  It still needed something else, so I cut some clouds out using White Felt and  another MFT die called Cloud Trio…I thought that was a nice touch {and a little unexpected at the same time}.  I have all of these dies from MFT and I hardly ever use them, so I’ve decided to make a conscious effort to use them more often!  GO, ME!!!  LOL!  I added some Black Saddle-Stitched Ribbon around the focal panel to finish it off, then attached the panel to a Raspberry Fizz Cardstock base with several Dimensionals.  I’m pretty stinkin’ pleased with the way it turned out…what do you think?

That’s it for me today!  Thanks for stopping by, and I’ll see you all back here in the next couple of days.  I’m thinking of taking a little hiatus from the computer in order to get my house back in order.  It’s tidy, but I need to clean up some baseboards and closets or I will go NUTS!  LOL!  Wish me luck, and I’ll see you all later!  Until then…

…CASE Study Challenge #24 (CSC24)

Happy Thursday, everyone!  Today’s card is for the CASE Study Challenge #24 over at the CASE Study Challenge Blog.  Here’s my new sample:

…based on this card:

I decided to use the layout from the original sample, but I changed the color palette and the stamps used.  I used “You’re A Hoot” from There She Goes, stamped the images in Black Ink,  and colored them with Copic Sketch Markers.  I stamped off several of the smaller flower accent stamps onto the Kraft Cardstock base in Sahara Sand Ink, then added the smallest flower accent to the focal panel in the same color.  I gave the bodies of the owls a little sparkle by adding some Icicle Stickles, then cut them out, and popped them onto the focal panel with a few Dimensionals.  I added some Paper Piercing to the edges of the focal panel, then stamped the sentiments on Not Quite Navy Ink in the lower right-hand corner of the panel.  After adding some Rhinestones, a Punched Flower/Brad Combo, and more Dimensionals the card was complete.  So how did this one turn out?  :)

Check out the samples from the rest of the CSC team:

• Iwona Palamountain (Chupa)
• Amy Wanford
• Andrea Ewen
• Cristina Kowalczyk
• Jean Martin
• Julie Smith
• Lenet Mos
• Melyssa Connolly
• Sue Kohler
• Teneale Williams

That’s it for me today!  Thanks for dropping by to see me, and be sure to stop by the CASE Study Challenge Blog to see the official rules and linking tools to play along.  I’ll see you all back here tomorrow with a special By LORi Designs’ Release Blog Hop, so until then…

…CASE Study Challenge #23 (CSC23)

Happy Thursday, everyone!  My boys finally went back to school on Tuesday after being home for over 4 weeks, so schedules are finally getting back to normal for everybody.  We were all about to go stir crazy!  LOL!  I haven’t really had any cardmaking mojo the last week or so, but I did get a chance to sit down and color some images that I’ve neglected over the last few months…and I’m showcasing one today!

Today’s card is for the CASE Study Challenge #23 over at the CASE Study Challenge Blog.  Here’s my new sample:

…based on this card:

I decided to use the layout from the original sample, but I changed the color palette and the stamps used.  I used the C.C. Designs’ image “Sugarplums Teddy Emma” from All That Scraps along with a sentiment from the “Bear Hugs” set by There She Goes.  I stamped the image in Black Ink and colored it with Copic Sketch Markers.  I stamped the sentiment onto a scrap piece of Olive Cardstock, then created a sentiment flag to scroll along the bottom of the image.  I cut out the focal panel using the Out Of The Box Technique with my Nesties and Big Shot, then paired the completed focal panel with some patterned papers from BasicGrey’s Pyrus paper pad along with some Rust, Olive, and White Cardstock.  I added some Faux Stitching along the edges of the largest patterned paper panel using a Mat Pack, Paper Piercer, and Chocolate Marker.  After adding some Ribbon, a Corduroy Button with Twine, and several Dimensionals the card was complete.  So how did this one turn out?  :)

Check out the samples from the rest of the CSC team:

• Iwona Palamountain (Chupa)
• Amy Wanford
• Andrea Ewen
• Cristina Kowalczyk
• Jean Martin
• Julie Smith
• Lenet Mos
• Melyssa Connolly
• Sue Kohler
• Teneale Williams

That’s it for me today!  Thanks for dropping by to see me, and be sure to stop by the CASE Study Challenge Blog to see the official rules and linking tools to play along.  I’ll see you all back here tomorrow with an announcement and a card for this week’s By LORi Designs Challenge, so until then…

…CASE Study Challenge #22 (CSC22)

Don’t Forget To Check Out My Stamp Sale HERE…Prices Have Been Reduced AGAIN!

Well…we’ve been enjoying all of this snow, but I think we’re quite over it now!  LOL!  The boys were supposed to go back to school on Monday, but they’ve been home for the last three days due to the inclement weather.  I think we’re all about stir crazy, and I think we’re all ready for them to be back at school!  Luckily, I’ve had a chance to work on some deep cleaning and purging, and I’ve even made a couple of cards to share with you over the next few days!

Today’s card is for the CASE Study Challenge #22 over at the CASE Study Challenge Blog.  Here’s my new sample:

…and it’s based on this card

I decided to use the layout from the original sample, but I changed the color palette and the stamps used.  I used “Love Birds” from There She Goes, stamped the image and sentiment in Black Ink and colored it with Copic Sketch Markers.  I stamped off the same image onto a scrap piece of paper, colored the heart, cut it out, then attached it to the original using Dimensionals.  I gave the heart a little sparkle by adding some Icicle Stickles to it, then paired the completed focal panel with some patterned papers from BasicGrey’s  Sugar Rush paper pad along with some Gray, Black, and Vanilla Cardstock from PTI.  I sponged the edges of the large gray paper panel, then punched on edge with the Spiral Punch.  I added some Stitching the plaid panel, then added some Paper Piercing to the polka-dotted panel along with a Scalloped Border.  After adding some Ribbon, Rhinestones, and more Dimensionals the card was complete.  So how did this one turn out?  :)

Check out the samples from the rest of the CSC team:

• Iwona Palamountain (Chupa)
• Amy Wanford
• Andrea Ewen
• Cristina Kowalczyk
• Jean Martin
• Julie Smith
• Lenet Mos
• Melyssa Connolly
• Sue Kohler

That’s it for me today!  Thanks for dropping by to see me, and be sure to stop by the CASE Study Challenge Blog to see the official rules and linking tools to play along.  I’ll see you all back here tomorrow with another TGF Farm Fresh Friday Challenge, so until then…

…I’m Being CASEd! (CSC21)

Don’t Forget To Check Out My Stamp Sale HERE…Prices Have Been Reduced AGAIN!

Yep…I’m being CASEd, and I’m even CASEing myself!  I was approached by Iwona Palamountain (Chupa) from the CASE Study Challenge Blog a couple of months ago to be the Guest Muse for her January challenges, and I jumped at the opportunity.  Each Thursday they will post an inspirational piece created by me, and will challenge you all to CASE it in some way.  Here’s my new sample:

…and it’s based on this card:

I decided to use the layout from the original sample, but I changed the color palette, the stamps used, and the sentiment placement.  I used “Wonderful Winter Wishes” from There She Goes, stamped the image in Black Ink and colored it with Copic Sketch Markers. Instead of using grass for the image to stand on, I added some Chunky Crystal Crafty Sparkles from Our Craft Lounge instead.  I paired the completed focal panel with some patterned papers from Cosmo Cricket’s Pixie-Licious paper pad along with some White and Plum Pudding Cardstock from PTI.  I Paper Pierced and Distressed the edges of the large green patterned paper panel, then Stitched the crooked strips together before adding them the green panel.  After adding some Ribbon, Silver Pearls, and several Dimensionals the card was complete.  So did I do a good job CASEing myself?  :)

Check out the samples from the rest of the CSC team:

• Iwona Palamountain (Chupa)
• Amy Wanford
• Andrea Ewen
• Cristina Kowalczyk
• Jean Martin
• Julie Smith
• Lenet Mos
• Melyssa Connolly
• Sue Kohler

That’s it for me today!  Thanks for stopping by, and be sure to stop by the CASE Study Challenge Blog to see the official rules and linking tools to play along.  I’ll see you all back here tomorrow with another TGF Farm Fresh Friday Challenge, so until then…

…A Few Of My Favorite Things from 2010

Another year has come and gone, and we’re at the beginning of a new one.  I wanted to take a look back and share some of my favorite things from this past year with you all today. 

It’s hard to believe that I was watercoloring at the beginning of the year, then my life changed with the arrival of my Copic Sketch Markers!  In the words of my sweet friend, Jessica Diedrich…”Taste the rainbow, baby”!  LOL!  My life hasn’t been the same since these little puppies arrived. :)

Then there was my favorite new recipe of 2010…Lemon Pasta with Roasted Shrimp:

 

My favorite trip of 2010 with my favorite people, Pam Varnell and Jessica Diedrich…Summer CHA in Chicago, IL (pictured with Sankari Wegman…she happens to be another favorite of mine):

And of course there are my favorite photos of my favorite fellas:

Christian- 16 years old

Gabriel- 14 years old (pictured with his best friend, Jessica)

And my gorgeous-yet-goofy hubby, Chuck (pictured with our niece, Danielle):

Then there are my favorite cards from 2010:

January 2010

February 2010

March 2010

April 2010

May 2010

June 2010

July 2010

August 2010

September 2010

October 2010

November 2010

December 2010

What are a few of YOUR favorite things?  Will you continue doing those things, or will you start a new adventure in the new year?  I don’t know about you, but I want the adventure…bring on the NEW!  I can’t wait to discover all of the soon-to-be favorite things, and I can’t wait to share it all with you in 2011!

That’s it for me!  I want to wish you all a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year!  Thanks for stopping by for the trip down memory lane, and I’ll see you back here Tuesday with a card for By LORi Designs. Until then…

…Video Tutorial, Anyone?

CHECK OUT MY STAMP SALE HERE…PRICES HAVE BEEN REDUCED!!!

Alright…I promised changes, so here’s the first one…A VIDEO TUTORIAL!  I have gotten tons of emails regarding THIS CARD and THIS CARD using the By LORi Designs images.  Everyone wants to know how I got the images to merge or combine to look like a totally different digital stamp…are you curious, too?  Keep in mind that this is my very first video tutorial…so please be kind!  LOL!  Check it out:

Video Tutorial by Mercy Kerin

So whatcha think???  It’s easy as can be, right?  I bet you didn’t know that I was THAT country either, did ya?  LOL!  All I ask is that if you use my tutorial to create a card or project please link my tutorial to your blog post.  These videos and techniques take a lot time and effort, and are meant to encourage and instruct…so please give credit where the credit is due. :)

That’s it for me today!  I have a feeling that there will be more video tutorials to come…so keep a lookout!  Thanks for stopping by, and I’ll see you all around later…is it Christmas yet?!?  Until then…

…Mercy’s Tuesday Sketch Challenge #105 (MTSC105)

CHECK OUT MY STAMP SALE HERE…PRICES HAVE BEEN REDUCED!!!

Happy Tuesday!  It’s sketch challenge time, so let’s get to it!  Here’s the sketch for you to play along with:

My Sample (using “Lollipop-Christmas Bundle”, “Lollipop-Christmas Tree”, “Lollipop-Cat” from By LORi Designs.  The sentiment is from the “Snowy Days” set from There She Goes):

Stephanie Kraft’s Sample:

Let’s see what the Muses have in store for you today:

• Cindy Haffner
• Jackie Pedro 
• Pam Varnell
• Julie Lacey
• Jessica Diedrich  
• Stephanie Kraft (December 2010 Guest Muse)

Now it's your turn! Create a card or scrapbook layout using the sketch above, and add your creation using the InLinkz linking system below.  Be sure to use the keyword MTSC105 when uploading to a public gallery.  Be sure that your link works before you leave the sketch post, and I will post “Mercy’s Magnificent Musings” on Sunday!

Happy Stamping!

…I Would Pick You!

DON’T FORGET TO CHECK OUT MY STAMP SALE HERE!

Hey there, everyone…I’ve made it to my 1,000th post!  Yep….1,000…WHOOHOO!!! :)  As I promised yesterday at the end of my post, I have a card for you today using three new images from By LORi Designs’ new Bug & Roo collection designed by Lori’s talented 14 year-old daughter, Hannah Boyd!  I’d like to introduce you to Charlie, Maggie, and Evie…aren’t they precious?!?

I used my Photoshop Elements program in order to create this scene with the children holding hands (Don’t fret!  I will be working on a tutorial to show you how you can do the same thing!), then colored each one with Copic Sketch Markers.  I paired the completed image with some patterned papers from BasicGrey’s Marjolaine paper pad along with some Not Quite Navy and Spring Moss Cardstock.  I used a sentiment from the “Dream A New Dream” set from There She Goes, and added some Moss Rhinestones beside it.  The patterned papers were stitched to the focal panel, and a piece of Chartreuse Saddle-Stitched Ribbon was added to the top portion of the card.  Whatcha think?

That’s it for me today!  Today marks the beginning of my boys’ three week Christmas vacation, and I am so excited to be spending some quality time with them.  There’s a lot to do this week, but I’ll see you all back here tomorrow with another Tuesday Sketch Challenge.  Thanks for stopping by, and thanks for all of your support and encouragement over the last few days…it has meant the world to me!  Until later…

…TSG70: A Farewell to There She Goes

Well I’m back from my little stamping getaway, and I can’t wait for you all to see the cards that I made this weekend!  I made 13 cards along with a cute little project that will be featured on my blog next Wednesday…fun stuff!

As the title suggests this post is about this week’s TSG Challenge, but this will also be my last project as a member of the TSG Design Team.  I’ve had such a wonderful time getting to know and working with the phenomenal Trendsetters and their fearless leader, Jessica Knutsen!  Thank you so much for letting me a part of this ridiculously talented team…I will miss you all!

Now for my sample:

This week’s challenge is brought to us by our Trendsetter of the Week, Jessie! For this challenge you will need to include: 1. One (1) piece of patterned paper, 2. Two (2) solid cardstock colors, and 3. Three (3) embellishments of your choice. That’s it…1, 2, 3! We can’t wait to see what you come up with!

To be eligible for the giveaway, you are to create a card that includes the 1, 2, 3 RECIPE, then go back to the TSG Blog to add your name and a link to your project in the InLinkz that is located at the bottom of this challenge post. This challenge is open until the winner has been announced on the following Monday (September 6th). The winner will get a $5 gift certificate to use in the TSG Web store!

By participating in this challenge, you may also find yourself in the Trendsetting Spotlight that shines on the TSG Blog every Thursday. We will be on the look out to find challenge cards that stand out and show Trendsetting qualities. TSG stamps are not required to participate in the challenges but are appreciated :)

You do not need to have a blog to be able to participate in the TSG Challenges! You can simply add the URL link from your project after it has been uploaded to your online craft gallery. If you upload your card to an online craft gallery, please use the keyword TSG70 so we can check out your beautiful work!

Need some inspiration to help you get started? Check out the TSG Blog to see the complete list of Trendsetters participating in this week’s challenge!

That’s it for now!  Thanks for stopping by, and I will see you in a few with a TGF September Release Preview.  Until then…

…Believe In You

 

Happy Thursday, TSG fans!  If you’ve come here from LISA’S BLOG then you’re in the right place.  If not, then you will want to start back at the TSG Blog for the complete list of Trendsetters participating in today’s hop.  Today we are bringing you a sneak peek of a new school-themed stamp set designed by the uber-talented, Torico.  There are a variety of images and several sentiments to go along with them.

“Believe In You” is a 6x8 stamp set that includes a total of 37 of stamps and will sell for $24.

Would you like a chance to win the Believe In You stamp set? Here’s what you need to do: go to each of the Trendsetter’s Blogs and leave a comment on their Believe In You Blog Hop Challenge post. After you have finished checking out the eye candy and have left some love, return to the TSG Blog to add your name to the Mr. Linky at the bottom of this Blog Hop Challenge post. A winner will be chosen randomly using a random number generator to receive their very own Believe In You stamp set. The winner will be announced Saturday (the 28th) during the Release Party Chat.

That’s it for now!  Thanks for stopping by, and I’ll see you in a few with another Verve Day Thursday card.  Your next stop on today’s hop is PAM’S BLOG!  Until then…