Happy Father's Day Post

Happy Father's Day to all of the men out there ...

that have raised or helped to raise children, young men or women (depending on when you actually come into the lives of these youngsters).  It is a very important role, and we all show our love and appreciation today with Father's Day.

I had a few cards that I made this past week for the men in my life.  I thought I would share them here with you. The first card uses an image from C.C. Designs "Handyman Jack" that I have had for years now.  All the men in my life are carpenters, so it gets pulled out often. :)  The image was colored with watercolor pencils and a water brush. Lastly, I thought I had a tape measure stamp, but I did not, so the sentiment was created by  hand with a handmade ruler on yellow card stock.

Here is the inside of the Handyman Jack card created for my Pap using a stamp from a Stampin Up set called Whimsical Words along with the "Happy Father's Day" portion from a Great Impressions stamp.  The wood and screws background piece is actually thin, starched fabric from a packet I bought on clearance a long time ago originally from Michael Miller Memories.

I used an older stamp set from Stampin Up called Summer by the Sea for the rest of the cards, and scrap pieces from my bin (green stripes and cs - Not Quite Navy and Bashful Blue - are Stampin Up though).  All of the images were outlined with water color pencils and then shaded with a water brush.

Sketch, Challenges, Scraps and Reorganization

I am in the process of reorganizing my new space in the basement a little bit this weekend, and found some images that were already colored that I decided to use.  The first card is created with the Tuesday Morning Sketch (TMS138) for this week's challenge, and it uses an older stamp set called "Need it All," which I believe was from C.C. Designs (been a while, so not positive).  This was colored with prismacolor pencils and highlighted with a C1 copic.  The edges are sponged with pink so it didn't blend in too much since it was all white.  The bright light on my desk seemed to wash out the photo a bit though, as natural lighting is poor today (rainy and dreary here in PA).

The background DPs are from BasicGrey June Bug collection.  The extra layer behind made with Top Note die cut from Stampin Up was reused from a clear envelope given to me by a friend and way too pretty to throw out, so I repurposed it.  I know it's not really on the sketch, but I just had to use it behind these ovals, so I tweaked it a little.  The ribbon is from Stampin Up as well.

The second card was actually colored today with my Copics, and first off, I want to say that I am not an expert at coloring hair with Copics.  I definitely need more practice on that.  Also, you can't use white cardstock that absorbs the Copics like I did here, as I forgot it wasn't glossy.  A good cardstock to use for Copics is glossy white from SU or Gina K's glossy paper (which I typically use) or Neenah Classic Crest Solar White or Copic Sketchbook.  Check out Marianne's Info on this. 

Anyway, this card was actually created originally at the weekend workshop at my neighbor's home, and I hadn't stamped the Hello, Doily image well, and it was blotchy.  It is only seen partially on the card on the upper right.  I wanted to show you how you can still salvage an "oops."  I covered up the doily image at the bottom still allowing a little bit to show through, used some primas and an image in the center for a Get Well or Thinking of You type of card.  Not my best work, but I have definitely saved the card for a nice note to a friend letting him/her know that I am thinking of them. :)  The image is from C. C. Designs - Springtime Set (stamps I purchased quite a while back), but they still have the digis available at All That Scraps if you are interested.

Challenges I Am Entering:
Tuesday Morning Sketches
Tuesday Throwdown #90 - Spring Cleaning - use items from your stash

KLSNS36 - Jodi's Sketch Challenge

Hey there, readers!  It's Saturday already again . . .
boy where does the week go?!  I have been so busy it's crazy, so I guess that is why it flew by so fast.  I am glad it's closer to my Sunday off though :) and we are expecting 3 new crias on my parents' farm this weekend, so I am hoping and praying I will get to see a healthy, bouncing cria birth (fingers crossed they are girls).

Well, since it is Saturday, do you know what that means at KL Stampin N Scrappin's DT blog?  Yep, another GREAT challenge!!  :)  Fun, fun with Jodi this week as she challenges us all to take a look at her sketch and give it a try.  Stop by the DT blog to see it.

Here is my card for the sketch . . .

This is a new stamp that is now carried in the KL Stampin N Scrappin store from C. C. Designs SweetNovember Mermaid series called Pearl Tidepool and Seamoor.  It was colored with Copics, accented with white gel pen and sparkled a bit with Stickles. The cardstock is Stampin Up's razzleberry, cameo coral, baja breeze and a touch of yellow/apricot if you will for accents (I had seen this color combo a while back at SCS but had not been able to participate w/o having the cs on hand).  Well, now that I have it, I just had to try it out. I couldn't seem to work in all the colors into this sketch by layer, but I did add them with the yellow flowers and baubles as accents.  The colors aren't usually ones I would reach for, but I truly love these colors together, so I will probably give this color combo a try again soon!!  Now, if only my panels were all the same size. Guess I had them off a little bit when I cut them. : ( Geez.

Well, for more lovely creations, stop on by the KL SNS DT blog for a look!  You will be glad you did.  Participate in our challenge there for some fun and maybe a surprise gift from Kelly *wink*  If you upload your photo at one of the on-line web sites, please use the keyword/tag KLSNS36 so we can find you.

Edited:  I sat here working (cough, cough) and realized that my card really could use something under that circle and off to the side a bit . . . so I was thinking . . . that  new sentiment stamp that I got in the mail this week should be perfect for this image!! :)  Whatcha think?  (ohh, and the lovely flowers are from my parents -- just because -- isn't that sweet?!)  xoxo Mom and Dad

Inky Hugs and Happy Stampin!

My Stampin N Scrappin Week

Today is my turn for a tutorial at KL Stampin N Scrappin's DT blog,

so I decided to show you all the steps to

create a Spring Fold Card.

Check out the DT blog for all the steps

and details to create one,

and then share your link with me here or there

so I can take a peek at your card, too!! :)

I used the new Liberty stamp from C.C. Designs found now at KL Stampin N Scrappin.

The DP is from Stampin Up, but the red piece is from BasicGrey's

Nook and Pantry paper pack.

Inky Hugs and Happy Stampin'!!

Girly Challenge from Jacilynn for KLSNS34

Jacilynn has challenged us all this week to create a Girly Card, well . . . this is right up my alley. 

Although I would have loved to glitter it all up and add pearls, flowers, ribbons, etc.

 I did restrain myself a little bit.  :)

I created my girly card with a new stamp that is now carried in the store from C. C. Designs SweetNovember series called Pearl Tidepool and Seamoor colored with prismacolor pencils and gamsol, white gel pen and Stickles.  The cardstock is Stampin Up pale plum and gable green, but the DP is BasicGrey Two Scoops, which can also be found at my store.  So check out some of the sweet new CCD stamps this month at KL Stampin N Scrappin and get 30% off any High Hopes stamps while you are there by using the coupon code -- HHJP30 -- at check out.

For more inspiration, check out the KL Stampin N Scrappin DT blog,

and I hope you can join us there with our challenge too!

 
Inky Hugs and Happy Stampin'!!

Challenge #32 at KL SNS hosted by ME!!

Woohoo, hey there, readers!!

This week has gone by so fast.  I have been busy with work and once in a while get to check out my garden and see if anything is growing out there.  : ) Well, that got me thinking about a "May Flowers challenge" for us to try out this week at KL Stampin N Scrappin.  So part of the challenge is flowers and the other part a sketch I made.  Note:  You can flip the sketch on its side too (I guess I should have made my card first then came up with the sketch because I ended up turning it myself).  lol

As usual,  you don't have to use items from the KL Stampin N Scrappin store, but if you have them, we would love to see what you create with them.  Also, you can combine our challenge with other challenges out there, and the Top Three Blinkies are up for grabs as well as . . . "some surprise items"

from the KL Stampin N Scrappin store!!  (shhhh . . . surprise means I forgot to take a photo) but they will include some Copic markers, High Hopes and C.C. Designs stamps and some embellishment type goodies (all from the store), so I hope you can play along!!!

Challenge:  Use flowers somehow on your card, and follow the sketch below.

(the stars and dots can be any shape embellishment)

Deadline:  You have until next Friday night, June 4th, at midnight to play along. 

Please type your name and link to your card in Mister Linky at the KL SNS DT blog.

If you add your photo to an online gallery, please use the keyword KLSNS32

Here is my card for the challenge . . .

For Memorial Day and to kick off our Memorial Weekend Sale,

I used Honey Sailor (new to the store) from C. C. Designs

and some BasicGrey Junebug paper!

My card also qualifies for Sharon's Flyin High and Proud color challenge this week!!

So, if you want to use red, white and blue and you live

in the USA . . . join us for some more fun HERE!

So . . . grab something floral and try out my sketch!!  You must have an extra day off this weekend, right?!

So, sneak away to your craftroom for a little "me" time and join us for some fun!! :)

I pray everyone of you has a SAFE Memorial Day weekend with family and friends!

Inky Hugs and Happy Stampin!

Card Challenge at KL SNS this week!!

Hello there, Readers and Friends!

We are having another GREAT challenge over at KL Stampin N Scrappin's design team blog!!  This week Jodi has challenged us to a card recipe (1 ribbon, 2 designer papers, and 3 embellishments).  I am hoping mine qualifies although I have three flowers and added a charm.  : ( Maybe we can count the two yellow flowers as the same embellishment just separated *wink*) lol

This little sweetie is Puppy Kiki currently available at KL Stampin N Scrappin from C. C. Designs.  I colored her with my Copics and then paper pieced the dress with some papers from Nook and Pantry by Basic Grey.  The teal plaid pattern in the background is from Nook and Pantry too.

The ribbon and yellow cs are so saffron from Stampin Up.

The pretty heart charm (which says "made with love") and Prima flowers can be found at my store as well, and if you stop by before Sunday morning, you can get one item at 40% off this week

during our May Super Sale

using code MSS40!!  So head on over there and check out the new arrivals and great stamps!!

Hope everyone has a GREAT weekend and Happy Mother's Day to all of the mom's out there!

Hugs,

Color Challenge on KL Stampin N Scrappin

Hey there, readers!  There is a color challenge going on this week on KL Stampin N Scrappin's DT blog in continued celebration of Earth Day this month!  Joanna has challenged us to use green, brown and neutral colors.  Although this may sound like an easy challenge for most of us, I hesitated on this one for a while.  You could say that I was a bit out of my color chart comfort zone.  I usually use pinks with my greens, ya see, so green and brown was a bit of a stretch.  lol

Well, after looking through some of my BasicGrey paper, I found some lovely greens and browns in the Nook and Pantry paper pad that were perfect for this challenge.  Next, I wanted to showcase some of those cute C. C. Designs stamps that I got in for the store last month, and the Spring kit was just sitting there calling my name.  lol : )  This set is terrific with 9 "people stamps"(one is a couple),  2 accessories stamps (swing and a tree stump) and up to 19 different sentiments that are perfect to compliment the images.

I colored the cute image of Rainy Day Emma with my Copics and my white Signo gel pen.  I tried to stay with the green, brown and neutral theme, so I tried my hand at black hair again.  I think I am getting better at black hair but am still unsure if she looks too gray.  What do you think?  Honestly? I think a little more practice or a little more black might have helped.  Either way, I guess she could be a little lady instead of a child.  *wink*

Edited:  Okay, after I typed up this post, I darkened up the hair on Emma a little bit, what do you think now?  :)  I like it better.

Thanks for stopping by, and please tell me what you think . . . I love comments or constructive criticism.  They both help me to 'grow' creatively!! :)

Speaking of growing . . . I just had to share a picture of some flowers from my flowerbeds that I brought indoors to my office today.  ohhh, they smell so GOOD!  *SMILE*  Have a GREAT day!

Inky Hugs and Happy Stampin!

Glitter Puzzle Tutorial for KL SNS

Hey there, Readers and friends!

I am here to share with you a tutorial

for the glitter puzzle technique that I originally found on SCS.

Mine is made a little bit different from theirs, so I hope it inspires you to give it a try.

First, you choose your shape.  In this case, I chose a large octagon nestabilities die.

Cut two pieces, one out of card stock and one from acetate.  I folded my acetate over a little to make a small tag to put under the glittery piece when I adhere it.

Then add sticky tape to the back of the die cut.  In my case, I used

my Xyron for that, but any sticky adhesive like 3M tape would work.

Then trim the pieces into whatever shapes you want for your different glitter pieces.

Choose at least 2 different colors of glitter and sprinkle on the pieces.

I used the deep red glass glitter  (btw, although made from glass its fine and not sharp at all)

from KL SNS and a white glitter I have had for quite a long time.

You may have to touch it up a little bit after you piece it back together.

I had a few spots from where I had touched it, so I used some monoadhesive

glue to add to it.  Then I layered it onto a scalloped octagon shape.

Then match up the acetate sheet so you knew where to stamp the

sentiment or image you want to place over top.

Then put the acetate piece off to the side and stamp it.

You can slip the tag part under the shape and adhere it down or

use brads to fasten it down over top of the glitter puzzle piece.

Then decorate the rest as you desire.  You can see others at SCS found here.

Note you can also use this to create a scenery behind an image, too.

Card Details:  Cupcake Kiki, Studio G sentiment and tiny cupcake, Octagon nesties, 3M tape double sticky tape, deep glass glitter , Nook and Pantry paper, white cs, barely banana cs, white gel pen, prismacolor pencils and Gamsol, acetate and organdy ribbon

Hope I inspired you to give it a try, come on . . . grab the glitter and give it a go!  : )

Note:  Cleaning up the extra glitter is a real breeze using an old (or new) dryer sheet.

Inky Hugs and Happy Stampin!

Sketch Challenge at KL SNS (#19)

Hey, it's Saturday!! and . . .

do you know what that means?!

Yep, another challenge at KL Stampin N Scrappin's DT blog.

It's KL SNS #19 -- Risa's Sketch Challenge

This week, Risa has challenged us to use this sketch, and there is a prize up for grabs as well! The winner will get 2 Magnolia stamps, some Magnolia card kits, glitter, chipboard and some other embellishments. Stop by the KL Stampin N Scrappin blog to see a photo! :)

Here is my creation for this challenge using one of the new stamps at KL SNS -- SweetNovember Baby Bunny Tulip , blush blossom and apricot appeal cs, some bunny DP from my stash, porcelain BasicGrey DP, miscellaneous varigated organdy ribbon, some fake snow for a fluffy tail and three pink bunny brads.

Note: The Copics I used were

E000, E00, 0, Y11, Y21, Y23, R20, R22, R29, YG09 and G24.

Here's a closeup to show you the layers, popped up sections of the image and the fluffy tail on my little Baby Bunny. Unfortunately the colors bled a little around his legs. : ( ah well, you can't win them all, right?!

Now hop on over to KL Stampin N Scrappin DT blog to see some more great creations by the rest of the KL SNS Design Team!! Hope you can join us for some fun this week, too. Be sure to post your link there on Mister Linky.

Inky hugs, and Happy Stampin N Scrappin!

Happy Birthday Joanna!

Woot woot! Happy Birthday, Joanna!

Hope you have a "hoppin' good time on your birthday!!"

Card details: Hippity Hoppity stamp set, Martha Stewart doily punch, bashful blue wide double stitch ribbon, green DP from Sugar Rush, Kleenex tissue box top for the swirly bg blue piece, Bashful Blue and Cameo Coral SU card stock and Bic Mark-Its (because my gray Copics weren't here yet, but I think I am getting the black/gray shading just about down).

We are having a Birthday Celebration blog style to celebrate

one of our DT girls' birthdays today!! :)
Hop along with us and celebrate too!

Now, please pop on over to Kathy's blog to see what

gorgeous creation she came up with for Joanna's birthday celebration!

Red, White and Black Challenge from KL SNS

Another challenge from KL Stampin N Scrappin DT is going on this morning in which all you have to do is use red, white and black colors in your creation. You don't have to use stamps or items sold at KL Stampin N Scrappin, but . . . if you have them we would love to see what you create with them.

Here is my creation (wow, I need practice with my Copics
especially coloring red or black hair *sigh*). This sweet little Emma holding a balloon is from the Sugarplums Party set created by C. C. Designs and also available at KL Stampin N Scrappin.

I am not thrilled with my card this week, but there is a LOT of beautiful inspiration on the DT blog that you really should check out! :)

Also, don't forget the new shipping codes for this month are:
FebShp -- get $6 off priority shipping on a min. $30 order, or use

FebShp2 -- get $10 off a $69 order

Click on the KL SNS link above to see the new improved KL Stampin N Scrappin Store with new Spellbinders nestabilities, glitter, charms, and some DRS Designs stamps added as well!

Happy Stampin' N Scrappin'!!

Monkeyin around at Tuesday Morning Sketches

There is some fun going on over at Tuesday Morning Sketches Blog (hosted by Melissa Craig), and although they're not really monkeyin around, I guess I was when I used this sketch. LOL KL Stampin N Scrappin is sponsoring this week at TMS, so stop on over there to check out what you can win from me and Melissa! :)

Using the TMS challenge, I created a set of 6 little Valentine cards for some friends. I also used the new Monkey stamp acquired for my store from C. C. Designs called Flower Power and colored him with Copics and accented with a white Signo gel pen (these stamps will be available in the store later on today). I then used some of my left over Bittersweet BasicGrey paper from last year, pink textured cs, white cs punched with the MS doily punch and the heart stamp and friend sentiment are both from Stampin Up.

I sure hope the girls that receive these love them as much as I did creating them. Thanks so much for the great challenge, Melissa. Hope to see LOTS of you ladies (and gents) out there participating over at TMS!

Also, if you haven't stopped by the KL SNS DT blog, we are still in the middle of challenge #15 (a sketch challenge too), and we would love for you to join us. There are prizes to be had there as well! :)