Happy Birthday, Dad!

Well, the past few days, I've been in a stamping slump...nothing worked, I hated everything...but Saturday is my dad's birthday and I HAD to get his card made and in the mail! I had a couple more of the birthday cake images from the image swap I was in. I used this same image for my FIL's card, so I needed a different layout. Nothing suited me, but I HAD to get it done, so this is what I ended up with, although I'm not totally happy with it:
The image is from Stamps By Judith and is colored using Copics. I used YoYo Yellow for the card base and a layer of Kiwi Kiss that was embossed using the Distressed Stripes embossing folder in the Cuttlebug. The red stitched ribbon is from Michael's. I punched out the numbers using the Hippie Chick die cuts and my Cuttlebug. I adhered them using the 2-way glue pen. Then I noticed I had my numbers crooked...oh, well. That gives it 'character', right? :) Inside it says "So many candles, so little cake!" Hopefully I'll get my MoJo back soon!! I have lots more cards I have to make!!! Thanks for looking!

A Garden of Sunflowers

I participated in an image swap on SCS hosted by Stampin Ninja (aka Christine). I received my images in the mail yesterday (all 66 of them!!) and I couldn't wait to start using them. This image is called Sunflowers by Great Impressions. I needed a thank you card for my assistant principal for all the things she did to spoil us for Secretary's Week.
All papers are SU- Summer Sun, Chocolate Chip and Pumpkin Pie. The white CS is GP110. The image is colored using Copic Markers. The Chocolate Chip layer is embossed using the Thank You embossing folder in the Cuttlebug. The checked ribbon and brads are from Michaels, the flowers are large and small Primas and are popped up on dimensionals.

This is another card I made using the same image (in this swap we got 2 of each image and in some cases on smaller stamps, we had 2 images on one 1/4 sheet of paper for a total of 4- this was one of those images). I will be sending this card to Miss Laura, my Senior Friend.

Again, all papers are SU- Wild Wasabi, Summer Sun, Pumpkin Pie and Dashing DSP. The white is GP110. Again, I used my Copics to color the image and then used Itty Bitty Backgrounds and Creamy Caramel by SU to speckle the image because I thought it was to stark white against the Dashing DSP. I used the same gold brads and Primas as on the card above, popping the flowers up on dimensionals.

I can't wait to get back into my stamping room to play with the other images that I got in the swap! Look for more cards using those image in the coming days!!

Oh, baby, baby...

2009 seems to be the year of the baby around here!! At school, we had 8 teachers pregnant- only 2 are left to be born.

My friend's son and DIL just had their first baby a couple days ago- a little boy named Brayden. I made this card for my friend and her husband- the new grandparents:
The baby image is by Stampabilities. I bought it years ago and had never used it. Since I'm having to make so many baby cards, I thought I'd ink it up. All papers are SU except for the white which is GP110. The image is stamped using Momento Tuxedo Black and colored with Copics and the edges are sponged using Bashful Blue. I used the Dotted Swiss embossing folder and Cuttlebug to emboss the white panel. The grosgrain ribbon is from Michael's. I added a silver charm which reads "It's a boy" and it is attached using a silver brad.

This card I made to send to the Brayden's new parents:

The image is a brand new one I received from Pink Gem Designs. Isn't he adorable??? Again, it's stamped using Momento Tuxedo Black and colored with Copics and SU YoYo Yellow. All papers, except the white (GP110) are from SU. The grosgrain ribbon, spiral clip and charm are from Michael's. The little crescent moon and star is a clear stamp from Provo Craft. I have no idea where or when I got it- I just "found" it in my loose stamp drawer! :) I also used the SU 1-3/8" and 1-1/4" hole punches and popped the circle up on a dimensional.

Now to come up with 2 more baby cards for upcoming baby showers at school...

Color Throwdown # 39- Part Deux

Many of you know that I am a Senior Angel. Today, while I was out shopping, I found the cutest ladybug necklace in an adorable ladybug box and I bought it for my senior friend, Miss Laura. I thought I'd make a ladybug card to go with the necklace. I searched online and finally found a cute poem to use on the card. As I was sitting down to make the card, I thought about this week's Color Throwdown colors and thought they'd be perfect for my ladybug card...and of course, everything was still sitting on my stamping desk, so...this is what I came up with:
Of course, the colors are Real Red, Barely Banana and Basic Black. All papers are SU. The ladybug stamp in one I bought years ago and never used. It's by Stampabilities and is stamped using Momento Tuxedo Black and colored with Copics. The poem is computer generated. The black organdy ribbon is from Michael's. I also added black and pale yellow Prima flowers with large black brads in the center. They're adhered with pop dots. I also added pale yellow dew drops and sponged around the edges of the ladybugs with Real Red. Wow...2 submissions to a challenge in one week! :)

Color Throwdown Challenge # 39

I'm really starting to like doing challenges!! The Color Throwdown Challenge for the week was to use Real Red, Barely Banana and Basic Black. I hardly ever use Barely Banana- if you read my blog you can see that I tend to use bright colors- but I really like how this turned out...

The stamp is called "Sunny Panda" from Memory Box. It's one of the stamps that I picked up on my first trip to The Queen's Ink. All papers are SU, including the patterned paper which is a retired DSP. The image is stamped in Momento Tuxedo Black and colored with Copic Lipstick and SU Barely Banana markers. Both the black organdy ribbon and the red stitched ribbons are from Michael's. The large black brads are unknown. The flowers were in a bag of Primas that one of my Secret Sisters sent me and I put red adhesive beads in the centers and adhered them with glue dots. The main image is popped up on dimensionals.
Hmm- now to search for another challenge to do... ;)

Watercolor Hello

I saw this "Flowers Everywhere" stamp by Penny Black and I just HAD to have it!!! It was screaming to be watercolored...and even though I had never watercolored anything in my life, I had to give it a go! For my first try, I guess it isn't too bad. I used my AquaPen and watercolored with SU Classic ink pads...Real Red, Creamy Caramel, Going Gray, Basic Grey, Apricot Appeal, Only Orange, Bashful Blue and Buckaroo Blue. The card base is Apricot Appeal with SU's Apple Cider DSP and Real Red. The image is stamped on watercolor paper using Momento Tuxedo Black.
I'm not quite sure what I'll do with the card yet- it might be a birthday card for the May Birthday RAK group I'm in ...or I might send it to my senior friend, Miss Laura...who knows.

Cupcake Craft Challenge #36

I don't usually do challenges, but this sketch intriqued me...this is my submission for Cupcake Craft Challenge #36. This is one of the stamps from Pink Gem Designs. Isn't he cute? The "Just for you" sentiment is by Impression Obsession. I used all SU papers- Real Red, Basic Black, Whisper White. The background white is embossed using the Dotted Swiss embossing folder in my Cuttlebug. The image is stamped in Momento Tuxedo Black and colored using Copics. The edge is punched using SU's eyelet edge punch. I'm not sure who made the red gem stick-ons or the red gingham ribbon. (sorry for the crooked scan!)
I'm going to use this card as a thank you for a parent volunteer who helped me with kindergarten registration last week.

Birthday "Stash"

May is a big birthday month for sending out cards, so I needed to replenish my 'stash'- so today I made these 3 cards. All of the images were stamped and given to me by my friend, Gloria...and I finally got around to using them! The first card uses a Magnolia image Fishing Edwin. Isn't he sweet? I used the fish from SU's Very Punny. I really wasn't happy with how this card ended up, though...I had the idea to emboss the Bashful Blue with the Swirls folder on my Cuttlebug to make it look like water...good idea, I just didn't execute it very well. Oh, well..I used all SU papers and colored the image with my Copics. The fish is popped up on dimensionals.
This is another image by Magnolia called Birthday Tilda. She's just too cute for words!! Again, all papers are SU. I embossed the DSP using the Dotted Swiss embossing folder in the Cuttlebug. The black organdy ribbon is from Michael's. The image is colored with Copics and sponged along the edges in Certainly Celery. Not sure who makes the flower or the large black brad.

This card is for my FIL's 70th birthday on Tuesday. Gloria had given me this image and I was scared to death to attempt to color it, but I thought it would be perfect for his card and once I started coloring, it was so much fun!! I used all SU papers and Copics to color the image. I used a gold Atyou Spica pen to highlight the 'sparks' from the candles. For the numbers I used my Cuttlebug and Hippie Chick alphabet die set. I sponged Real Red ink onto the numbers then went over it using the gold Atyou Spica pen. Not sure who makes the red gingham ribbon or the adhesive gems. Inside it says "You know you're old when the candles cost more than the cake!" I hope you all have a wonderful week!!

Thoroughly Modern Milly

It's Saturday- woo hoo! I met a friend this morning for a "Frosty" at Wendy's (::waiving:: Hi, Paula!). After our delicious Frosty and a great chat, we went our seperate ways...DH came home from work and being that it was such a beautiful day, we took the motorcycles out for a ride...it was SO good to get back on my bike after a long, cold winter!! Since I hadn't ridden much since October, I was done (and aching!) after about an hour and a half, so I came home and he carried on riding. It was a good time for me to get into my stamping room again! I've been wanting to use some more of my new Pink Gem Designs stamps. This is what I made...a card for my senior friend, Miss Laura. I hope she likes it!!!

I just LOVE these designs! They're so much fun to color! This image is called Spring Milly...isn't she just adorable? I used papers that were laying on my desk, so it's very similar to one of the cards I made earlier, but I was in a hurry to stamp and color and didn't want to look around for different papers!! :) All papers are Stampin' Up, with the exception of the white which is GP110. I stamped the image in Momento Tuxedo Black and colored with Copics, sponging the edges of the image panel with SU Bashful Blue.

Now, I can't wait to play with the other 4 Pink Gem Designs stamps that I have. Oh, and I received an email from Janet of Pink Gem Designs saying that they've released some MORE stamps! Uh, oh...DH better hide the credit card!!!

A Few Thank Yous

I was finally able to get into my stamping room this evening to play with my new Pink Gem Designs stamps. I made these 2 thank you cards using one of Janet's adorable stamps- Mimi & Bird...the first card is made using SU's Kiwi Kiss, Bashful Blue and Basic Black and a retired DSP. The image is stamped on GP110 using Momento Tuxedo Black ink and colored with Copics and popped up on dimensionals. The Thank You Very Much stamp is from SU. The edges of the image are sponged using Bashful Blue. The flowers are Primas and in the center of the flower is a Glitter Adornment from My Favorite Things (spring collection).
The second card is made using SU Basic Black as the card base. The DSP is from the 6 x 6 Spring Collection from My Favorite Things. The image is stamped using Momento Tuxedo Black ink onto GP110 and colored with Copics. I doodled around the edge using the fine point of my SU Basic Black marker. The irridescent crystal flowers are from the Glitter Adornment set (spring collection) and adhered with glue dots.

I'm happy with how these 2 cards turned out and I can't wait to play with the other stamps that I got!! Keep checking back to see what I come up with!

I'm in Love!

Look at these adorable stamps that I got in the mail today! They're from Pink Gem Designs and they're SO

cute! Pink Gem Designs is in England, but I got them in about a week from the time I emailed my order!! And the prices are really reasonable! I got these 4 stamps (plus 2 more for 6 stamps total!) plus Air Mail shipping for a little over $30! Check 'em out! Here's Janet's site: http://www.pinkgemdesigns.blogspot.com/. Tell her Mary sent you! ;) I think you'll love them as much as I do! Now, I can't wait to play with my new stamps!!! Keep a watch here for what I create using these adorable images!!

Happy Easter!

I just wanted to share some Easter greetings that I received from friends. It's always so nice to get 'happy mail'!

This first card is from Amanda. I just LOVE Riley from Hanna Stamps! He's SO cute and she did a fabulous job coloring the image!! I love how she used the flowers! Thanks, Amanda!
This beautiful card is from my dear friend, Kathi. She is such a sweetheart! I believe that this image is from Penny Black. She's so pretty in her Easter Bonnet! The color combination is so spring-y...perfect for Easter! Check out her coloring! WOW!

Finally, this card is from Kelly in Wisconsin. I'm part of the Divine Secret Sisters on SCS and Kelly was my 'little sister' this round. She sent me this adorable card. I love her layout and how she paper-pieced the eggs!

Ladies, thank you so much for your wonderful creations! I hope everyone has a good Easter!

More Birthday Cards I've Received...

I've received some wonderful birthday greetings this year! My birthday was on the 8th. Here are a couple more that I got this week:

This beautiful card is from a new stamping friend, Paula, who happens to live 'just around the corner' from me.
I've never tried to make a latch card. Maybe she's inspired me?! Hers is beautiful!
This is the card that my mom made. Isn't that a pretty floral image? I think I might need to borrow it from her! And she colored it beautifully. I think she loves her Cuttlebug as much as I do!

I recently joined the Birthday RAK group on SCS. I received this cute Hanna Stamps card from Loretta as a BRAK. I agree, Loretta, I'd rather be stamping than vacuuming any day!!!

My Birthday Celebration Continues!

Yesterday, I went out with some friends to Savage Mill in celebration of my birthday. Savage Mill is a historic mill in Savage, MD that has been converted into a very cool mall with some wonderfully 'different' shops. Our first stop was at The Queen's Ink, a very 'artsy' stamp store. I had never been to QI before and was excited about seeing what I had been missing! I was NOT disappointed! The store is beautifully decorated and filled to the rafters with all sorts of stamping and scrapbooking supplies! It was almost overwhelming!! After shopping to our hearts content at QI, we went to lunch at Ram's Head Tavern...yummy! After getting our fill of good food and good conversation, we decided to walk off our lunch by meandering throughout the mall. These lovely ladies also gave me some lovely birthday gifts. Here's what I got:

From Loretta, an adorable post-it-note holder made from a chipboard coaster. She attached a decorated RSVP pen with a matching ribbon. Now, maybe I'll be able to find a pen when I need to write something down! She also gave me a cute little bag with my initial on the front and inside it was filled with all sorts of dimensionals. This was such a sweet thing for someone to do who had never even met me before!
This is a card that Rhonda made me. The card has a cut out flower and she placed packing tape on the back and then put glitter on the sticky side. It's SO pretty! She also made 'party favors' (on the left) for everyone. It was filled with chocolates...notice I said WAS! :)

Rhonda also gave me this...a wooden box that she had covered with patterned paper. The box looks like a book, and she painted the edges of the 'pages' in gold. Inside she also lined the box with patterned paper and filled it to the brim with all sorts of stamping goodies- stamps, ribbons, fibers, brads...This box will look so pretty sitting on the coffee table in my living room!

It was such a fun and relaxing day. Thanks, ladies, for inviting me!!

Pink Gem Designs

While reading some other blogs, I stumbled across another new-to-me stamp company, Pink Gem Designs. They're clear acrylic stamps and they have some of the most adorable images!!! Check 'em out!!

http://pinkgemdesigns.blogspot.com/ The company is located in England, but they seem pretty easy to purchase using PayPal. I think I'm going to NEED some of these stamps!!!

Birthday Celebration- Meade Girls' Style!

Last night, I was treated to a great birthday celebration dinner at Cheeseburger In Paradise by the Meade Girls. What a fun time- good food, good friends and lots of great gifts and cards...and yes, they made me wear a silly hat! Here are pictures of what they gave me:

Tracy gave me a collection of altered items all with a seashell theme. The larger container is filled with bath salts with a hanging tag. The smaller container is a delicious smelling Yankee Candle. She also altered a cute little spiral notebook- perfect for taking notes, and some wonderful hand lotion. Notice the matching card behind the candle? Sure makes me think of summer and the beach!
Amanda gave me this fabulous hanging calendar. The year runs from April 2009 through March 2010. I love it and it'll look great in my stamping room (once I get it organized- see the next post!)

Kathi gave me a gift certificate to Create IT Crafts, one of my absolute favorite stores! I can't wait to spend it!

Stacy gave me a great little embossed bucket filled with embellishments and candy-filled eggs. I can't wait to try the Glimmer Mist!

Dawnmarie gave me a whole bunch of Bath & Body Works stuff (my 2nd favorite store!) It all smells SO good!! (Sorry, for some reason I just couldn't get a clear picture of this! )

...and then there was Kimme's gift. Kimme wasn't able to make it to the dinner celebration, but she sent my gift through one of the other girls. Well, if you know Kimme, she's a sweet, innocent little thing- or so I thought! Here's the gift she gave me:

...a lacy pair of pink panties and a set of candy nipple tassles!!!! Well, I guess I had Kimme pegged wrong!! :)

After gifts and a delicious dinner, there was cake- well, I think there was a cake under all those flaming candles! I was afraid the fire alarm was going to go off! The wait staff had the whole restaurant sing Happy Birthday and boy, was THAT embarassing...well, not as embarassing as it would have been if they had seen Kimme's gift!!! :)

What a great birthday I'm having this year...and it isn't even my birthday, yet!!

1-Month Anniversary and Maid Charlotte

I can't believe that since I started this blog a month ago, that over 1,400 people have viewed it and many have left messages!! When I started this adventure, I never thought anyone would want to read my ramblings, but I thank you ALL for coming to see what I've been up to. I really DO appreciate all of your comments!!I finally got the chance to use one of my brand new Whiff Of Joy stamps. They're SO cute!! This card is made using the Maid Charlotte stamp from the Medieval series of the Charlotte and Charlie collection. I think she's so cute! I used all SU paper, except for the white which is GP110. The image was stamped using Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored with Copics. The pink glitter adornments are from My Favorite Things, the white grosgrain ribbon (which I'm now sorry that I added to the card!) is from SU. I'm not sure who makes the little rhinestone stick-ons. I also dry embossed the DSP using my Cuttlebug and the Swirls embossing folder. I made this as a thank you for a very special person.