Early Birthday Surprise!

My friend, Gloria, surprised me today with an early birthday present. She gave me a 24-pack of Prisma pencils, some stumps, a bottle of OMS and an Amuse stamp pad. There is an inside joke between us about me owning a VERY large set of Prismas for the past several years and my not sharpening them because I didn't want to 'ruin' them. So, she made sure to sharpen the pencils before she gave them to me, so now, I have sharpened pencils AND everything else needed to learn how to color with the Prisma pencils and OMS. So, I have NO EXCUSE not to learn how to do it!! Keep an eye peeled here to see what I create as I learn! She also gave me THE most ADORABLE card! Here it is:
She used a Stamps by Judith stamp. She double stamped the woman and popped her up with pop dots. The verse inside says "I love the smell of paper, ink and stamps first thing in the morning!" I just LOVE it! You can't tell from the picture, but the striped background paper has a glitter strip running through it. I just adore this card! And I still can't figure out how she found a stamp that looks just like me when I wake up! :) Thanks, Gloria, for everything!! You can check out her SCS gallery here--> http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=119540

Calling All Scallawags!

I just received my first order from Bombshell Stamps! I ordered Pirate's Life and the accessories set that goes with it. The pirate girl can be used for Christmas and St. Patrick's Day with the accessories set, and I'm sure she can be used for other things if you're creative enough (I'll have to work on that!). This is the first card that I made with this set. I think it turned out cute. I'll probably send it to my father-in-law for his birthday. I have a stamp that says "I hope you have a swashbuckling day!" that I can use inside.

I used SU Old Olive, Always Artichoke, Basic Black , Real Red and GP110 white cardstock. The image is stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and of course, colored in with Copics. I used the Cuttlebug and the diamond embossing folder for the background layer, then added some red metallic stick-on dots that I just bought. The Calling All Scallawags banner is popped up on pop-dots.

I also just joined an image swap on SCS. I took a spot in all 3 groups. This pirate girl is one of the images that I'm sending. Since DH went for a motorcycle ride (it's still a tad bit too chilly for me to ride, yet!) I went upstairs to my stamp room and got all the swap images stamped and ready to mail. I can't wait to get them back next month to see what images I get to play with!

Rainy Day Stamping

It's a dark, dreary and rainy day here in Maryland so I thought I'd spend the day in my stamp room. I recently joined the BRAK group on SCS and I got my first assignment...I have 6 ladies that I will send birthday cards to for the month of April. Here are 3 of the cards that I made today.

The Changito stamp I picked up this morning at Michael's. I used SU Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Pixie Pink and GP110 white cardstock. The DSP is also SU, but once the package is open, I can never remember the name of it! I do know that it's a retired DSP. The image is colored with Copics. The grosgrain ribbon is from the dollar bin at Michael's.
This is the first time that I've used my Crazy for Cupcakes set. I used Close to Cocoa, So Saffron and GP110 white cardstock. Again, the DSP is from SU, as are the white and chocolate chip grosgrain ribbons. The image was colored with Copics and 'spattered' using SU's Creamy Caramel and Itty Bitty Backgrounds. The main image is popped up on pop-dots.

This is another card using Crazy for Cupcakes. I used Wild Wasabi, Pretty In Pink and GP110 white cardstock. The DSP is from My Favorite Things (spring series). The image was colored with Copics and I used a sponge and YoYo Yellow to create the glow from the candle. I also added clear dew drops and Glitter Adornments (spring collection) from My Favorite Things.

I hope the ladies like their birthday cards!!

I saw today's Sketch on PCP and thought I'd give it a try. You can see the sketch challenge here--> http://www.papercraftplanet.com/group/sketchchallenge/forum/topic/show?id=2076575%3ATopic%3A421758. Here's the card I came up with:

I think I covered all the 'rules'. I used SU's Sahara Sand (a color I rarely use!), Basic Black and GP110 cardstock. The DSP is also SU. The stamp set I used is an oldie but a goodie- Paint Prints. The "Hello" is from Simply Circles. The card was dry embossed using my beloved Cuttlebug. I'll probably send this card to my senior friend, Miss Laura.

Hope you enjoyed my rainy Saturday stampings!!

For You In Blue

This is another card I made this past weekend at stamp camp. We used all SU products- Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue, Bliss Blue and Whisper White cardstock. The stamp set is A Rose Is A Rose and the 'for you' came from Fresh Cuts. On the Bashful Blue panel, we used one of the Texturz Plates- it was the first time I had used one. The embossing is very subtle compared to the Cuttlebug. Accessories used are the silver Hodge Podge kit and Certainly Celery grosgrain ribbon. The large rose and bud, and the leaves are all cut out and layered. Even though this isn't quite my style, I think it turned out pretty, even if I did get the 'for you' sentiment crooked.

Inky Impressions- 2nd Round

Congratulations to all 27 stampers who made it to the second round in the Inky Impressions Design Team Call. A very BIG congrats to Holly (see her blog Hog Wild About Stamping - the link is in my side bar) for being chosen!! I didn't make it, but, boy, the competition was tough! Over 120 ladies applied for the team, and after looking at their submissions, the 'judges' at Inky Impressions had a very hard decision to make to narrow it down to 27. (It was originally supposed to be the best 10 who make it to the 2nd round, so I guess they DID have a difficult time deciding!) Best of luck to each and every one of them. They all deserve to be on the team!

I'm waiting (im)patiently to be able to purchase some Inky Impressions stamps. From what I've seen in the sneak peeks they're going to be so much fun to stamp with!

I love my Secret Sister!

I belong to a group called The Divine Secret Sisters over on SCS. My secret sister this round has been wonderful. She has sent me some beautiful cards, but over the weekend I received this card from her...and I LOVE it!!! Roses In Winter is one of my favorite SU sets. The front panel is completely glittered and the black panel is dry embossed using the Cuttlebug and the Swirls embossing folder. The 'extra something' is the ruby heart charm that she has hanging from the front panel. I know the scan doesn't do the card justice, but believe me when I tell you it's gorgeous! I can't wait to find out who my big sis is!!

Petal Pizzazz!

I went to stamp camp at a friend's house today and we made several cards and a couple different kinds of little boxes. This card was my favorite. I just LOVE the colors!!! This card was made using SU's Petal Pizzazz stamp set. The papers are Kiwi Kiss, Rose Red, Cameo Coral, Whisper White and Raspberry Tart DSP. What a great color combination! Accessories used were the SU eyelet border punch, Kiwi Kiss striped ribbon, and Build-a-Brad. Each 'layer' of the flower is popped up with dimensionals. I think this turned out beautifully!! (hmm- looks like there was something stuck to the large flower stamp- oh, well!)

Well, maybe not...

I saw where Queen Kat Designs is having a design team call...I thought about applying. The application process requires you to make 3 cards using 3 sketches that they provide, plus you have to send 3 random cards that you've made. This card is made using one of the sketches. I don't like it...I'm having a really hard time with their sketches. They're nice sketches but for some reason, I'm having a mental block on creating cards with them...I need an HONEST opinion about this card. I followed the sketch to a tee, but I'm really not liking this card! Maybe it's the pink strip- I don't know. I used an old SU hedgehog set for the hello and the flower stamp. The tag is stamped with the Definition background stamp. Papers are all SU.

What's Chirping?

I recently joined Paper Craft Planet and decided I'd try one of their sketch challenges. This is for sketch SK031409. I just got this stamp set- Hangin' With My Peeps- from My Favorite Things. I stamped the image and sentiment with SU Basic Black and the image is colored with my Copics...what else? :) Papers used are SU Only Orange, YoYo Yellow, Basic Black and Whisper White. The green is Dark Luscious Lime from ColorMates and the striped paper is from My Favorite Things' Spring Collection. The ribbon is some I found in the Michael's dollar bin. I also used Prima Flowers, My Favorite Things Glitter Adornments (spring collection) and I punched the sentiment out with the large and medium oval punches. Not too bad, I guess, for my first try at a sketch!! What do you think?

My Sentiments Exactly!

I've had this stamp for a while and hadn't used it. Since I was home from work today, I thought I would give it a go. I think I'll send it to my secret sister...hope she isn't reading my blog! :) Both the main image and the sentiment are from Rubbernecker Stamp Company from their Old Characters line. I used SU Brilliant Blue, Ballet Blue, Chocolate Chip and Whisper White. The background paper is from a long retired SU set that I found in my scrap box. The image was stamped in SU Basic Black and colored with Copics. The white grosgrain ribbon is from SU, also. Enjoy!

Inky Impressions 1st Design Team Call

A brand new stamp company, Inky Impressions, is holding their first ever design team call. They asked that applicants post their 2 best cards...they're specifically looking at our coloring skills since their stamp images require a lot of coloring. Well, I LOVE to color- I always have- and I love to color with my Copics. I thought that I would never be chosen, so why bother? Well, the more I thought about it, the more I thought- why not? The images that I've seen so far in their sneak peeks look to be right up my alley, so I decided to go for it! So, above are the two cards that I'm submitting for the call. The clown image is from High Hopes Stamps, "Sending Smiles" is from Hero Arts. I used SU Basic Black and Whisper White cardstock. The striped paper is from My Favorite Things (Spring collection) and the polka dot paper is unknown. For embellishments I used Prima Flowers, My Favorite Things Adornments (Spring collection) and Copic Markers. The orange and green ribbons are some that I received at The Meade Girls SBS last weekend, as was the polka dot paper (courtesy of Kim, the owner of Create IT Crafts) so I don't know who the makers are. The dragon image is also from High Hopes. I used SU Basic Black and Whisper White. The green paper is Dark Luscious Lime from ColorMates. I ran it through the Cuttlebug using the Mesh embossing folder (I thought it looks a little like what I think dragon skin would look like!) The image is also colored with Copics. I hope that you enjoy these cards and I'm hoping that the 'judges' at Inky Impressions do also! Wish me luck!!

Bombshell Stamps!

I found a new stamp company (well, at least new to me!) called Bombshell Stamps! They're '50's pin-ups and tattoo inspired stamps and they're SO cool!!! They have great images for coloring and you can even get special ink to 'stamp' tattoos right on your skin (the kids will LOVE that!) I have SO many card ideas running through my head using these stamps!!! I have a banner in my side bar where you can click on to go to their site or click here ---> http://www.bombshellstamps.com/homebase.html Check 'em out!!

Curious Kitty

This is another card that I made for my senior 'buddy', Miss Laura. The image is from High Hopes Rubber Stamps. It's a cute image but I'm not quite sure I like how the card came out. It's a 5-1/4" square card. I used SU Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White and one of the SU DSPs (but I can't remember what the name is). The buttons are some I've had for years and I added them to go along with the sewing box in the image and are attached with glue dots. The Thinking of You stamp is from SU, as is the Old Olive narrow twill ribbon. I also got to use my brand new SU eyelet border punch! I sure hope Miss Laura likes it!

What a GREAT time!

Yesterday was our Meade Girls shoebox swap and boy, did we have a GREAT time! We made lots of beautiful cards and shared good company...and good food! Check out the Stamp Maryland blog listed in my favorite blogs to see all the great pictures from the swap, including pictures of all of the cards, courtesy of Amanda, our hostess- who, I must say, outdid herself on this swap! Just to explain the bunny ears- if anyone was 'caught' forgetting to put something back into the box after they finished making the card, they had to wear the bunny ears...I thought they looked cute (but of course, I didn't have to WEAR them!) :)

It's ALMOST spring!

The "Meade Girls" are hosting a spring/Easter themed shoebox swap tomorrow and this is the card that I'm taking (sorry for the crooked scan!). I purposely left off a sentiment. I figured each person can put on whatever sentiment they want and however they want to put it on. The tulip basket stamp is from Stampin' Up!'s A Flower For All Seasons set. I used Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, Whisper White and Tea Time DSP. The image is colored using SU markers and the center image is popped up on pop dots. I paper pierced the white piece and sponged around the edges using Certainly Celery. The weekend here in Maryland is supposed to be VERY nice (temps near 70, which sure beats the record breaking low of 8 degrees we had 3 nights ago!) so the spring theme is perfect!! I can hardly wait till tomorrow- the Meade Girls sure know how to throw a party!

Thank you, Holly!!

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU to Holly for honoring me with this blog award...my first!!!! And isn't it a pretty one?! Who would have thought that after less than a week of being a blogger that I would be honored with such an award!! Check out Holly's blog at http://hogwildaboutstamping.blogspot.com/. She's a wonderful stamper!!! I know I'll get tons of ideas and lots of inspiration from her!! Thanks again, Holly- you really made my day!!

Bewareth!

This is another card I made with one of the High Hopes images I got in the swap. I just LOVE this dragon stamp but I'm not totally thrilled with how the card came out at all! Not quite sure what I don't like about it or what I could have done to make me like it better. Any ideas? I used SU Basic Black, Pixie Pink, Whisper White, Wild Wasabi and SU DSP. Of course, I used my Cuttlebug AND my beloved Copics!

I didn't make it but...

A few weeks ago I decided last minute that I would apply to be a guest designer on the High Hopes design team...I don't know what possessed me to think that I would ever be picked- especially after seeing how many stampers applied AND after seeing some of their work! I got my email telling me that I was not chosen but they would keep me in mind for future design teams. This is the card that I submitted using the challenge that they required. After seeing this card, you'll see why I wasn't chosen! :) It was the only High Hopes Stamp that I had at the time that would fit the challenge. Okay, so I wasn't chosen, but a year ago, I never would have even considered applying! I've submitted 2 cards to Scrap & Stamp magazine for publication- something else I never would have thought I would do, but with a little pushing from Tracy, I decided to go for it. Maybe I'll get lucky there!

Snow Day!!

Well, it waited till March, but we finally got a big snowstorm! So, that meant no school for me today! Woo Hoo! The snow is slowing down and now the fun begins...shoveling out!! Ugh! It looks like we got about 8 inches or so with drifts in spots probably a foot and a half! Okay, we've had snow now- I'm ready for spring!!

Laugh Out Loud!

I am having such a good time with the High Hopes images that I got in the swap. Here is a card I made for my 'stash' using the Juggles stamp. I don't usually like clowns, but this guy is just too cute! I used Stampin' Up! Real Red, Wild Wasabi, Basic Black and Whisper White cardstock. The striped is also from SU but is from a retired DSP pack that I can't remember the name of! The Laugh Out Loud sentiment is from Hero Arts. Of course I used my new Copics! I just can't get enough of them! I'll be taking a Basic Copics class at Create IT Crafts later in the month and I'm hoping to improve my coloring skills!!

Wingin' It!

This is another card that I made for my senior buddy. I participated in a High Hopes image swap and this is one of the images that I got. Isn't he just adorable?? The stamp is called "Wingin' It". I used 3 of my most favorite things to make this card- High Hopes Stamps, my Cuttlebug and my brand new Copics!!! I hadn't planned on putting the black square behind the scallop, but the yellow-on-yellow just didn't show up...all-in-all, though, I'm happy with how it turned out and I hope Miss Laura likes it, too!

I'm A Senior Angel!

I have been a Chemo Angel for many years. After hearing how my friend, Kathi, enjoyed being a Senior Angel, when it came time for my reassignment, I decided to take the different route and become a Senior Angel (see http://www.chemoangels.net/ if you're interested in joining!) After much anticipation, I finally received my senior buddy's name- Miss Laura. She is 94 years old and lives in New York. This is the angel card that I made her to send with my intro letter.

I did it!!

Well, I finally took the big leap into the blogosphere! This blog is definitely a work in progress...I just need to figure out exactly what I'm doing here! The purpose of this blog is to share my love of stamping, to share pictures of my creations and tell a little about what we, as a family do- trips we take, events and happenings in our lives. I hope that you will check back often as I adjust to my new role as "blogger"!