"Ogre" You!

The week's Hambo Hoedown #11 was a tough one for me...we were to use this adorable ogre plus one of the included sentiments and then distress our card. I'm not very good at distressing...but here's what I came up with:

Side View:

I printed the image onto GP110 white cardstock and colored him using Copic Markers. I used an SU speckle stamp and Creamy Caramel to stamp spatters onto the image, then sponged the image and edges using Certainly Celery (sort of like mold!). I used my distressing tool around all of the egdes of the cardstock and patterned papers. I also wrinkled up the layers of patterned paper under the main image, then smoothed it out before distressing the edges of that, too. I also sponged the Prima flowers using Creamy Caramel to make them look a little wilted and withered. So, how'd I do? Head on over to the Hambo Hoedown blog and join the fun!! While you're at it, check out my friend, Gloria's blog. Gloria is this week's Hoedown Guest Designer of the Week!! She made some FABULOUS cards using this ogre image! Woo Hoo, Gloria!

I also entered this into 2 other challenges:

Cardmadefairy's Digi Days Challenge- use a digi, 2 patterned papers and 3 embellishments

Card Ideas- Let's Hear it for the Guys!

********

Image: Ogre and sentiment digi -images from Hambo Stamps Stamps: Itty Bitty Backgrounds (Stampin' Up!) Cardstock: GP110 white, card base unknown Patterned Papers: Close to My Heart Accessories: distressing tool, sponge, pop dots, buttons (Bo Bunny), natural hemp, glue dots, Prima flowers, large antique copper brads (American Crafts), ribbon (Michael's), key tag punch

Time for Another Tuesday Throwdown!

This week's Tuesday Throwdown Challenge is a color challenge...we were challenged to create a card using these colors:



SU: Barely Banana, Ruby Red, Creamy Caramel, White or Very Vanilla (neutral color).
CTMH: Buttercup, Cranberry, Brown Bag, White or Vanilla (neutral color).

This is the card that I created for this challenge:

I used Creamy Caramel for the card base, then a layer of Ruby Red which I ran through my Cuttlebug using the Herringbone embossing folder (this is a really cool design! It was the first time that I've used this particular folder!) and a strip of Barely Banana which was also run through the Cuttlebug using the Dotted Swiss embossing folder. I stamped the gingerbread man image from Sherrod Studio's Fresh Baked stamp set ontoVery Vanilla cardstock using Creamy Caramel ink. I cut them out and popped them up using dimensionals. I attached self-stick pearls for buttons. The ribbons are from the Offray Ribbon Outlet (if you've never been- you've GOTTA go!), the flowers are Primas and the gold brads are Recollections from Michael's. I stamped the Warm Winter Wishes sentiment onto Very Vanilla using Memento Tuxedo Black ink, punched it out using the Word Window punch, then sponged around the edges using Creamy Caramel ink.

Now, it's YOUR turn!!! Create a card using the challenge colors and post it to your blog or gallery (if you post to your SCS or PCP gallery, please use keyword SSTT03 so we can find you!). Also post a direct link to your card on the Sherrod Studio Blog using Mr. Linky. We can't wait to see your creations!

Sweet Dreamers' Challenge # 4- Word Has It...

My blog group, Sweet Dreamers, had a challenge this week to make a card using the sentiment as the main focus- AND we weren't allowed to color anywhere on the card- YIKES! You know me- I just LOVE to color...what made it worse is that I was the one who made up the challenge!! Well, today was the deadline so here is a little card I threw together in about 5 minutes...it's simple but I think it turned out rather pretty.

The card base is Pretty in Pink with a layer of Cool Carribean. The patterned paper is Pretty Please "Polka Dot Pink" by My Mind's Eye. The sentiment is from an old SU retired stand-by "Lexicons of Love" stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black onto GP110 white. I sponged lightly around the edges using Cool Carribean ink. The ribbon is from Offray from the ribbon outlet, the flowers are Primas and the buttons in the center of the flowers are Pink Lemonade from Basic Gray. Whew- at least I beat the deadline!!!

Card Gone Wrong...

Well...I got my stamp order from Hambo stamps and hadn't had a chance to play with them, so, today I decided I'd make a card using the "Crack Stamper" stamp. The image turned out great- stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black ink on GP110 white cardstock and colored using Copic Markers. I doodled around the edge using my SU Basic Black marker fine tip. So far, so good. I decided to use some of the new Basic Grey Lemonade paper that I had bought- yet, still good...I picked SU's Basic Black as the base card with a layer of Glorious Green, matching the green in the patterned paper...STILL good...I decided to add some Prima flowers and a gold brad- just making it better...but what happened next is beyond me. I, being the ribbon-a-holic that I am, decided that the card NEEDED ribbon...so I pulled out my SU Pumpkin Pie grosgrain ribbon that matched the patterned paper and started putting it on...and on...and on...and on...well, THIS is what I wound up with...THIS is what NOT to do when card making!
It was AFTER I had the card completed that I realized it looks like a psychedelic barber pole!
Well, once that mono-adhesive is down it's stuck! So, I have this hideous card that I can use in a 'fugly' contest! :) So, that's my story and I'm sticking to it!

I hope you all have a wonderful Friday!!!

Hi, there, "deer" friend

I love this little set from Stampin' Up, but I just have a hard time coming up with a decent card using it. This is my second attempt using this set (the first ended up in the trash!) I used Bashful Blue for the base card, and Chocolate Chip and Barely Banana for the layers. The patterned paper is Cheeky from Making Memories. I used the SU eyelet border punch and SU Old Olive and Chocolate Chip markers to color the tree. The owl and rabbit are stamped in Chocolate Chip, cut out and popped up using dimensionals. The large pink flower is from Irene's Garden and the smaller orange and green flowers are Primas. The pink gem brad is from S.E.I.
The "Hi there" stamp is from Savvy Stamps. It's a little small for the space, but once it's on...it's on! :) The ribbon is from Michael's.
I guess it's okay, but I really need to practice with this set. Maybe I'll go check out the SCS gallery for some inspiration!

Stampin' up a storm!

I was home alone today so thought I'd take advantage of it. While I was catching up on laundry from the cruise, I decided to stamp a little...afterall, I have to wait for the clothes to get out of the dryer before I can put a new load in, so I didn't want to 'waste' time waiting around! ;)

The first card is made using an image I received in an image swap on SCS. The image is "Daisy" from Sugar Nellies. She's just so sweet. The Thinking of You is from Sherrod Studio's Gracie set. All papers are SU (not sure what the white CS is since I didn't stamp the image). Daisy is colored using Copics. Embellishments include Prima Flowers, Glitter Adornments by My Favorite Things and black organdy ribbon from Michael's. This is a simple card but I think it turned out nice.
My second card of the day is made using Bombshell Stamps' Bombshell Angel. Boy wish I were built like that! Again, all papers are SU- Riding Hood red, Certainly Celery, Basic Black and Bella Rosa DSP- except for the white which is GP110. The image is stamped using Memento Tuxedo Black and colored with Copics. I sponged around the edges using Riding Hood Red. The Bella Rosa panel is embossed in the Cuttlebug using the Dotted Swiss embossing folder. I used Prima Flowers and Glitter Adornments from My Favorite Things on this card as well, along with self-stick red half-beads. I love this card!

My last card of the day (so far!) is a Get Well card for Ricky. Ricky is the son of a teacher at my school. Ricky had surgery on June 14th and, due to complications, is still in the hospital. His mom hasn't left his side the entire time that he's been there. We decided at school to do a card shower for Ricky. I think he'll really enjoy getting lots of "happy mail"! This card also used an image from the image swap. This image is from Whipper Snapper. All papers are SU except for the white which is GP110. I colored the image using my Copics and then doodled around the edge using my SU Basic Black marker (fine-tip end). This is such a sweet image. Ribbons are from Michael's. I attached self-stick red half-beads to each corner and popped the image up on dimensionals. I hope Ricky likes it and I hope he's home from the hospital soon!! Now I think I'll need to make his mom a 'hang in there" type card...

Okay, guess I'd better get back to the laundry and maybe do some cleaning...well, maybe not... :) I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable 4th of July!!

It's almost June!

Wow, I can't believe that June is almost here! I need 7 birthday cards for June and thought I'd get a start on them using my brand new Pink Gem Designs stamps. Here are 3 cards that I made tonight while DH and DS went to the Orioles game (I was supposed to go but wasn't quite feeling up to the rain and heat...) I have a love, like, hate relationship with these cards! ;)

This first card I absolutely LOVE! The stamp is called Daisy and she's just too cute! I stamped her using Momento Tuxedo Black ink onto GP110 white cardstock. The other papers are all SU- Real Red, Basic Black and Bella Rosa DSP. The image is colored using my Copics markers. The flowers are Primas, the large gold brad is from Recollections, and black organdy ribbon is from Michael's. This is a fairly simple card but I love the way it turned out!!
This second card I LIKE...again it's a simple card, but this image- Birthday Milly- is just so cute how could you not like her? Like the card above, the image is stamped with Momento Tuxedo Black onto GP110 white cardstock and colored with Copis. The panel looked a little bare so I doodled around the edge with the SU Basic Black marker. The other papers are SU- Buckaroo Blue, Basic Black and one of the SU DSPs.

This card I HATE! I LOVE the image- she's called Mrs. Hoot and she IS a hoot! ;) I just don't care for the way that the card came out...maybe it's the colors, maybe it's the layout...I don't know. Anyway, I'm posting this card so you can see the image, not because of the card. Just in case you're interested, I used Chocolate Chip, Wild Wasabi and one of the retired SU Christmas DSPs from a couple years ago...the flowers are Primas and I glued pale yellow Dew Drops to the center of the Primas. The sentiment is computer generated. I do love Mrs. Hoot and will have to play with her again soon to come up with a more deserving card for such a cute image!

So- that is my LOVE, LIKE and HATE relationship for today! :) Thanks for looking!

Saturday's Stampings...

It was such beautiful day here in Maryland that DH decided to go on a looonnnngggg motorcycle ride down to the Norfolk area and back again...he and some friends are going to Sturgis in August and they need to get their butts in shape before those long 600-mile-a-day days on their way to South Dakota...so...while he was gone I got back into my stamping room to get a few more cards made...

I wanted to make thank you cards for everyone who donated to the American Cancer Society for my school's Relay For Life team. I needed something simple since I was going to have to make so many, so this is what I came up with. (If you dontated to me, don't peek!) I used SU's retired Hope Is... stamp set. All papers are SU- Tempting Turquoise, Basic Black and Tempting Turquoise designer papers, although the white is GP110. The verse is stamped using Momento Tuxedo Black. The ribbons are SU's black organdy ribbon and 1/8" white grosgrain from Offray. The stick-on gems are from Michael's and I used black Prima flowers from the Halloween collection. Inside I stamped the ribbon heart in Tempting Turquoise and then stamped "Thanks for your support" in black over the ribbon. I really do appreciate everyone who donated to our team. The Relay holds a special place in my heart- moreso since we lost my niece, Julie. I decided to use turquoise since that is the color for cervical cancer. (Sorry for the crooked scan!)
This next card I made for the BRAK group on SCS. The image is Hopeful Ant from High Hopes Stamps. I have had SU's Watercolor Wonder crayons for a long time and have never used them, so I thought I'd give them a try...not so sure I care for them now that I've tried them. I used the Aqua Pen with them to color the image. The papers are SU's Pumpkin Pie, Green Galore, Basic Black and a Halloween pack of DSP (sorry, I can never remember the names of the packs!) The image is stamped on watercolor paper using Momento Tuxedo Black.

I hope you all are enjoying this holiday weekend!!!

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!!

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... ;)

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?