Stampwilly Designs

Happy Valentine's Day and Technique Tuesday

2012-02-13T23:32:00.000-05:00

Hi Everyone! Happy Valentine's Day! I hope you have a wonderful day. Technique Tuesday fell on Valentine's Day this year, so I made this Valentine card with the blue block technique that I am showing on the Sparkle N Sprinkle blog today. Please hop on over to their blog to see instructions!

Bits and Pieces

2012-02-12T18:17:00.000-05:00

I hope you are having a good weekend. Winter finally blew in this weekend. I have never seen such a ferocious wind! It has really been cold too. I guess we needed a taste of it since we have had all this Spring weather for so long! Here is a card I call "bits and pieces" because I used my left over bits and pieces from other projects to make this. I always enjoy making cards from my scraps.

Sparkle N Sprinkle Spring Fling Blog Hop

2012-02-08T22:08:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the Sparkle N Sprinkle Spring Fling Blog Hop! If you have come here by way of Lana's wonderful blog you are in the right spot! If you haven't, you might want to start at the beginning with Sparkle N Sprinkle's blog to make sure you have not missed a hop and to see all the info on the wonderful prizes that are being given away! Make sure that you leave a comment at each stop for a chance to win a prize. It has felt like Spring here for awhile so it was fun making some Spring cards. I have made three cards using the cute bunnies from the Star Bunnies Set 214. On my first card I used the Girl Bunny and had a lot of fun making it frilly and girly. I paper pieced her dress and ears and used Cerise and Sparkling Snow glitter to glam her up! I used the saying from the Spring Swirl set 425.

On my second card I used the cute little boy bunny and daisy stamps and the saying is from the Just for You set.

Lastly I made an easel card using another girl from the Star Bunnies set in her Easter hat. I also used the small butterfly and saying from the Fancy Butterflies set.

Thanks for stopping by. Remember to leave a comment on each designer's blog to be eligible for a prize. Now hop on over to Shona's blog to see her wonderful creations!

Technique Tuesday - Thumping

2012-02-06T23:41:00.001-05:00

It is Technique Tuesday time again! This technique is old but a fun one and easy peasy! It is called thumping. I hope you will try it and enjoy it. Please click here to see the instructions.

House Mouse Love # 2

2012-02-05T16:11:00.001-05:00

The House Mouse blog is having a challenge themed Love. Below I made a male card for the challenge and decided to make a female version this time. We are to have more than one heart on our card also. I just purchased this new image and have really enjoyed using it. I also used some of my favorite things on this card, buttons, bows and flowers!

House Mouse Love

2012-02-05T15:05:00.002-05:00

Well, it is another warm and beautiful day here! I think we might miss winter altogether! I have made this card for the House Mouse challenge. The theme is love and we are to have more than one heart on our project. I enjoyed using quite a few new things on my card today. I just purchased this cute House Mouse stamp and I used buttons and an acetate flower overlay that I have never used before. This is a good card for males of which I have three at my house!

Valentine Tag

2012-02-04T16:15:00.002-05:00

It is cold and drizzly here today, so it is a good day to do some challenges! Here is a Valentine tag I did for the Posh Club challenge. I cut the rose and border from some DCWV decorative paper. I used the Heart Duet stamps from Posh Impressions and added these over the rose. I had fun making this since I don't usually make tags.

Technique Tuesday -- Pooled Watercolor

2012-01-30T23:46:00.000-05:00

Hello! It is Tuesday already and time for another technique at Sparkle N Sprinkle! Today I am showing the technique called Pooled Watercolor. Please hop on over to the Sparkle N Sprinkle blog to see the instructions. I think you will really enjoy this one.

Favorite Things

2012-01-27T19:15:00.000-05:00

Hello! It has been absolutely gorgeous here these past two days. I had a fun time making this "springy" card! The challenge at Basic Grey is to use your favorite things on your card. I just love ribbon, pearls, die cuts and flowers, so you see I have used them all! I used Basic Grey paper from the Sweet Threads pack. At Joan's Gardens we are to make a birthday card and use the colors, pink, green and some purple, distress some edges and do some paper piercing !

Technique Tuesday -- Acetate Resist

2012-01-24T09:00:00.000-05:00

It is Technique Tuesday again at Sparkle N Sprinkle! This past weekend some of my fun stamping friends and I tried a Tim Holtz technique that I will call acetate resist. Here are two cards that I made using this technique. Please hop over to the Sparkle N Sprinkle blog to see the instructions. Bonnie and Marie have also put up cards they made on their blogs. You can see them here.

Love Light and Peace
CraftEMarie

Something New and a Bargain!

2012-01-21T17:07:00.000-05:00

I enjoyed making this "springy" card on such a dreary day here! For the Penny Black challenge we were to use something that we found at a bargain and for the Basic Grey challenge we were to use something new. So I used the wooden flower that I recently purchased at a bargain price! My papers are from the Basic Grey -- Sweet Threads pack. I just love this Penny Black hedgehog stamp!

Oldie But Goodie

2012-01-20T22:49:00.000-05:00

I hope your day was a good one. It was cold and drizzly here today. But I was cheered up by making this card for three challenges. At Impression Obsession the challenge was to use an older stamp. I chose this pretty stamp called Porch with Flag (E1726). At Joan's Gardens the challenge is to use a window or door and make an outdoor scene, and then I followed the sketch at Top Tip Tuesday. Here is a tip I used on the window of this card. I wanted the whole window the have red behind it, but the right side of the window was showing the striped paper through it. So I carefully traced the window shape on red card stock and cut out the shape and glued it behind the window.

Sparkle N Sprinkle Blog Hop

2012-01-18T21:21:00.000-05:00

Hi, welcome to the Sparkle N Sprinkle Deco Divas - Love is in the Air Blog Hop! I f you hopped here by way of Dawn's wonderful blog, then you are in the right place! Otherwise, you might want to start from the beginning at the Sparkle N Sprinkle blog, to become eligible for the four great prizes.

Since Valentine's Day is right around the corner, I chose stamps from the Heart's & Flowers set 306 and made two Valentines. On my first card I used the Crossed Hearts stamp to make a vintage Valentine card. Over this stamp I used dimensional glue and sprinkled Starfire glitter in it to add shimmer and shine.

On my second card I used the same stamp along with the vases in the set and made a more traditional Valentine card. I made a lacy layer by using a border punch.

Thank you for visiting and remember to leave a comment to become eligible for a prize. Also leave a comment on each blog and answer the question on the Sparkle N Sprinkle blog to be eligible for ALL the prizes. Now hop over to Jill's lovely blog to see her wonderful creations!

Just Right Inspiration

2012-01-18T20:17:00.000-05:00

Hello Everyone! I enjoyed doing this card challenge for Just Rite tonight. Their challenge is an inspiration challenge. Such pretty colors! I made the flowers by using the Tim Holtz Tattered Flowers die and coloring them with Twinkling H2Os. The butterfly stamp is from the Just Rite Butterfly Garden set.

Technique Tuesday

2012-01-16T23:15:00.000-05:00

Welcome back to Technique Tuesday! Today I am showing a technique I call Acetate Dazzle. Please go over to Sparkle N Sprinkle to see the instructions. I hope you enjoy trying this technique.

Non-traditional Colors Valentine

2012-01-12T17:40:00.000-05:00

I hope you have been enjoying your day. It was like March here today with the wind blowing wildly! I am entering this card in Joan's Gardens challenge -- non-traditional colors valentine. I always like a challenge to get me out of a rut, so this was fun! I just had to use the beautiful roses from the Sparkle N Sprinkle set -- My Rose Garden. My sweet friend, Marie, let me borrow the pretty saying that I used on the heart. It added the right touch!

Sweet Hummer

2012-01-10T23:23:00.000-05:00

I know it is winter but I miss the hummingbirds at my feeder. I will have to enjoy them vicariously through these lovely stamps until they return in the summer! This stamp is one of the new releases from Sparkle N Sprinkle. Isn't this stamp lovely? Please visit Sparkle N Sprinkle to see the card creations using more of these wonderful stamps!

Technique Tueday

2012-01-10T08:27:00.000-05:00

Hello, we are starting a technique Tuesday at Sparkle N Sprinkle! Each Tuesday I will be showing a technique on the Sparkle N Sprinkle blog. Today is the first day!I hope you will visit each week. Today I am showing the technique -- Cracked Ice. So join the fun and hop over to the Sparkle N Sprinkle blog to see instructions!

Sparkle N Sprinkle Supplies:

Chickadees
Starfire Glitter

Red and White

2012-01-06T12:17:00.000-05:00

I hope you are having a good day. It is warm and sunny here. I made this card for the Red and White challenge at Joan's Gardens and for the Hearts and Flowers challenge at Impression Obsession. For the background of my card I used the Cover-A-Card Roses stamp (CC043) from Impression Obsession. The hearts are Nellie dies and the swirl is a Provo die. I used Starfire Glitter from Sparkle N Sprinkle on the embossed hearts. Valentine's Day will be here soon. This helped jump start me to get my Valentines ready!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-03T09:53:00.000-05:00

I hope all of you had a Happy New Year! We had a "quiet" one here except that loud fireworks were going off until 1pm! I wish each of you many blessings in this new year ahead!

A Year in Review

2011-12-29T10:18:00.000-05:00

As we have a new year approaching us soon, we look forward to what the new year will bring and also reflect on what the old year has brought us. Craft wise I have had the honor to be on the design team at Sparkle N Sprinkle these last few months. It is fun to see some of the creations that I have made with them. Here are a few. I am participating in A Year in Review blog hop at With an i for paper. Come see the creations that we have made throughout 2011 and also join in the fun!

Winter Card

2011-12-27T13:50:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and are still enjoying the remnants of it. We had a nice quiet one with our two grown sons and our new cat, Sapphire. I am not looking forward to taking her to the vet tomorrow, but she needs her check up and a shot! It sounds like a winter day today or maybe March! The wind is ferocious and I am staying inside. I finished up some winter cards that I started a while back. Here is one that I thought I would share today.

Sapphire

2011-12-24T15:40:00.000-05:00

Well, I didn't think I would be posting anymore until after Christmas, but I had to show off our new addition! We went to the Humane Society yesterday and got a 2 year old cat named Sapphire. She is a Siamese mix. Isn't she pretty? She is in my craft room now and we are listening to Christmas music!

Merry Christmas

2011-12-21T11:08:00.000-05:00

I know everyone is winding down for Christmas. Among all the hustle and bustle I trust we will remember the true reason for the season, which is Christ coming to earth to later die, to give everyone eternal life who believe in Him. May you have the most wonderful and blessed Christmas!

Quick Card

2011-12-16T10:02:00.000-05:00

I made this quick Christmas card for the challenge at Joan's Gardens. I don't think I have made such a quick card in a long time! LOL! I had the tree and deer dies already cut out, so I added them to a scrap of Christmas paper and a red background that I had already run through the cuttlebug. I used my dyed seam binding pieces and put everything together! Easy-peasy!

Pink

2011-12-15T10:04:00.000-05:00

It was fun to make a totally different card today. This is all pink and feminine! At Impression Obsession the challenge is Pink and at Flourishes the challenge is feminine. I used the Textured Evening Gown stamp (C4319) from Impression Obsession. Isn't it pretty?

Frosty Friends

2011-12-14T14:58:00.000-05:00

Well, it is another beautiful warm day! I am planning to go out and enjoy it before it gets cold again. I am entering this card into two challenges. I enjoyed using the sketch from Sketch Saturday. At Basic Grey the theme is Anything Goes, so I made a winter card. I used Basic Grey papers from the Out of Print and Basics pads. I also used a tree die cut that my good friend, Bonnie, let me have. I love it!

Frosty

2011-12-13T11:57:00.001-05:00

How different today is compared to yesterday! We have a beautiful sunny day today and 20 degrees warmer! The weather has been up and down for weeks now. Yesterday was rainy and cold. Here is another card I am entering in Joan's Garden's Christmas card challenge. I used Art Lenz to cover the stamped snowman and blue stamped snowflakes to make the images dimensional and move.

Christmas Chickadees

2011-12-09T10:11:00.000-05:00

It is a lovely sunny day here today. I hope you are enjoying your day. I am entering this card in the Joan's Gardens challenge. We are to show our Christmas cards. I just love these Chickadees from Sparkle n Sprinkle.

Total White Out

2011-12-07T16:22:00.000-05:00

Hello! It is very windy and rainy here today, so I am in my craft room making cards! I made this card for the Penny Black challenge, Total White Out. The whole card needs to be white except for the image. We haven't had snow here yet, and we may not get it this year in South Carolina, but this card makes me think of a beautiful snowy day. I also used the sketch for this card from Sketch Saturday. I hope you are enjoying your day. I am enjoying mine inside! LOL!

Warm and Fuzzy

2011-12-02T12:05:00.000-05:00

I hope you are having a good start to your weekend. Yesterday I went to a Holiday Fair that really put me in the Christmas spirit! Today I enjoyed making another Christmas card for a couple of challenges. The challenge at House Mouse and Friends is to make a warm and fuzzy creation. I used red flocking on this House Mouse's warm and fuzzy hat! I also used the sketch from the Midnight Madness challenge #132.

Christmas Dreams

2011-11-28T16:09:00.000-05:00

I hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I had a nice time with extended family. It is very rainy here today, so I have been working on a card that I am entering into two challenges. I saw this fold not long ago and I have really been wanting to try it. At Basic Grey we are to use a household item on our project. I cut up a key chain and used it as the ornaments on the trees. I used Basic Grey papers from the Life of the Party and the Basics packs. The challenge at Magnolia-licious is a cozy Christmas picture for inspiration. As you can see I honed in on the Christmas tree! I had so much fun making this card. I wanted to show how the card looked when it was folded, so I had to use some removable tape to keep it shut! Here is the template for the folds. I hope you have fun making this too!

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-23T09:30:00.000-05:00

I have so much to be thankful for and I know you do too! I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving. God bless!

Christmas Card and Technique

2011-11-20T17:51:00.000-05:00

I hope you have been having a great weekend. I had a fun day yesterday stamping with friends and I learned a new technique that I did on this card. It is easy and fun. I used the Impression Obsession cover-a-card snowflake stamp (CC066) on the background. I dabbed white acrylic paint on the stamp and stamped it and then used my heat gun to dry the paint. I then used shades of blue Distress inks to sponge over the snowflakes. Then I wiped off the excess ink with a damp cloth. I posted 2 other back grounds I made this way. My focal stamp is part of the Impression Obsession Holy Night Collage stamp (L4191). I used a circle die cut to cut out the center. I colored it with chalks and added glitter to certain areas. I made this card for the Impression Obsession challenge. We are to use only stamps, no patterned paper.

Christmas Joy

2011-11-18T15:23:00.000-05:00

Hi Everyone!

At Joan's Gardens the challenge this week is to make a winter themed card or tag and use some kind of embossing, die cut, and animal. At Just Rite Stampers the theme is Christmas so I combined the two on this card. It really feels like Christmas outside today so the weather has inspired me to make this card. I am nearly finished with my Christmas cards! Whoooo-hooooo!

Top Tip Tag

2011-11-15T11:10:00.000-05:00

At Top Tip Tuesday the theme is to make a tag and share a tip. I was thinking of Thanksgiving when I made this tag. My tip is this -- to add interest to a background stamp a script stamp over it. Thanks for the fun challenge!

Red, White and Black

2011-11-14T15:54:00.000-05:00

I had fun doing another challenge today. And, yes, I made another Christmas card to add to my stash! At Just Magnolia the challenge is to use the colors red, white and black. I also used the sketch from Sketch Saturday. I used some Christmas paper that I bought at the end of the season last year. It is the first time I have used it this year. Hope you are having a good day. It is really nice here again!

Thank You

2011-11-12T13:40:00.000-05:00

At House Mouse and Friends the challenge is to make a thank you card. I made a Christmas thank you since it is the season for gift giving and cards are needed for a thank you in return. I used the sketch on the priscillastyles blog. Isn't this the cutest mouse?

Sparkle N Sprinkle It's A Cultural Thing Blog Hop

2011-11-10T08:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the Sparkle N Sprinkle It's A Cultural Thing blog hop! We are celebrating different cultures and customs by making cards using stamps from Sparkle N Sprinkle. If you came from Barbara's lovely blog you are in the right spot! Otherwise you might want to start with the Sparkle N Sprinkle's blog to get all the details to be able to win four great prizes! We are celebrating America's cultural richness in a blog hop. I made two cards representing other cultures that I have visited. The first card represents Africa where my husband and I went on several safaris. I just had to use the dark fern with the lovely zebra on this card. I have also been to the beautiful islands in the Carribean. I remember the colorful hibiscus blooms that I saw there, so I used the Sparkle N Sprinkle hibiscus blossom on my second card. Rememebr that through the end of the month the Sparkle N Sprinkle Team presents Design Elements, Asian, Medallions and Andrea Roberts stamps on special for 15% off. To view our specials and products just click here .

Continue on your cultural journey to Julie's wonderful blog and leave a comment!

Catching Snowflakes

2011-11-09T13:39:00.000-05:00

I combined this card into two challenges. At Magnolia-licious we had a picture of a beautiful blue necklace as our inspiration. At Just Magnolia the challenge is Anything Goes with the option of using lace and pearls.. I decided to make another Christmas card to add to my stash. I just love this little girl. I have used her carrying leaves and now she is carrying snowflakes! You will see her again carrying flowers and Easter eggs, I am sure! LOL!

Starry Night Reindeer

2011-11-08T13:27:00.000-05:00

On the Two Peas in a Bucket board we have been having a discussion about spray mists. Anne wanted us to show any of our misted pieces that we had. I thought I had a few, but I could not find any. I must have used them all and given them away. So today I pulled out my sprays and had a fun time making some more backgrounds. I used one of the backgrounds to make this Christmas card. I used a die cut reindeer that my good friend, Bonnie, gave me last year.

Our Daily Bread Sketch

2011-11-06T15:55:00.000-05:00

I hope you are having a good Sunday. It is so nice here. I want to go for a walk real soon! I entered this card in Our Daily Bread Sketch Challenge. I used the butterfly from the Butterfly Corner stamp, the Vintage Border background that I embossed in white on the pink scallop, and the saying from the Thinking of You set. This was an enjoyable card to make since I have been in the middle of making Christmas cards!

Another Christmas Card

2011-11-05T16:09:00.000-04:00

Here is another Christmas card I made for the Just Rite Christmas Linky Party. I am getting closer to getting my cards finished for this year! I hope everyone is having a good weekend.

Penny Black Sketch Challenge

2011-11-03T17:14:00.000-04:00

I have been busy making Christmas cards today. Here is a Christmas card I am entering in the Penny Black sketch challenge this week. The little mouse is usually holding a bouquet of flowers, but to make it "Christmasy" I had him holding a Christmas gift instead!

Midnight Madness Sketch 128

2011-11-03T11:06:00.000-04:00

I made a Christmas card using the Midnight Madness Sketch 128 at Priscillastyles Blog. I am enjoying using the stamps from the Christmas Treasures Set from Just Rite. I love this cardinal. Thanks for the fun challenge! I hope everyone has a great day!

Other challenges entered --
Just Rite -- Christmas Linky Party

Just Rite Christmas Linky Party

2011-11-02T16:06:00.000-04:00

Hi, I hope you are having a good day. It is beautiful here. Just Rite is having a Christmas Linky Party. We are to use Just Rite Christmas stamps to make a Christmas project. I used a stamp from the Christmas treasures set.

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T12:09:00.000-04:00

I am sending happy thoughts to those of you who had snow dumped on you this Halloween. I know the little ghosts and goblins will really need to bundle up! I made this owl's body by using a Color Box wedge pad. I used finger sponge daubers for the eyes and then I circled the eyes with a black fine point pen. I hope everyone has a Happy Halloween!

Snowy Background Technique

2011-10-29T16:54:00.000-04:00

I love techniques! At Joan's Gardens, Selma has shown us how to do a fun technique called Snowy Background. We are to use this technique for our challenge this week. I really enjoyed doing this one. First you take glossy cardstock and sponge a light color all over the piece. I used light blue. Next you stamp images on it using Versa Mark ink and heat set them. I used a tree. Take an embossing buddy and wipe over the glossy cardstock. Stamp the stamp you want as a focal point with Versa mark ink and emboss with white embossing powder. I used my tree again. This looks like the trees have depth. You can see a fainter tree on the left of my embossed tree. Now lightly spritz the piece with water and let it sit a few seconds. It looks like snow is falling!

Other challenges:
Basic Grey -- papers used -- Out of Print and Basics Manilla

Just Magnolia

Falling for House Mouse and Friends

2011-10-28T19:06:00.000-04:00

Here is my entry to the Fall challenge at House Mouse and Friends. I used my newly purchased House Mouse stamp. Isn't he cute? I enjoyed this challenge. It was a nice break from making Christmas cards!

Fall with Basic Grey

2011-10-28T13:15:00.000-04:00

It is really feeling like Fall today. The temperature has dropped 23 degrees from yesterday and it is damp and rainy outside! I have been making a lot of Christmas cards lately so it was fun to make a Fall card for the Basic Grey challenge this week! I used one of my very favorite Fall stamps from Sparkle N Sprinkle -- Pumpkin Stack. The patterned paper is from the Basic Grey Life of the Party pad.

More Christmas Cards

2011-10-24T15:47:00.000-04:00

Hi Everyone!

I hope you are having a good day. It is beautiful here! I have not posted in awhile because I have had company and then I spent a few days at my aunt's house. While I was there I made more Christmas cards and here are a few of them. Thanks for stopping by. I hope to have more cards uploaded sometime this week.

Swirling Leaves

2011-10-11T12:40:00.000-04:00

We have a rainy day here today, but we really need it. I hope you are enjoying your day. The first picture is a Fall card that I made for a shoe box party that we had at our local stamp club last week. We are called the Stamping Divas and we meet once a month. A shoe box party is when each of us make a sample card and then have enough supplies in the shoe box to make 12 cards. We then pass the boxes around and make the other members cards. At the end of the night we leave with a stash of wonderful cards! The next 2 pictures are the cards that I was able to make at the meeting. I wish I could have made more! These ladies are really talented.

A Fallen leaf

2011-10-10T13:58:00.000-04:00

Here is my last challenge card for Two Peas. The challenge is Beautiful Leaves and we were to use leaves and alcohol inks. I dropped alcohol inks onto glossy cardstock and let them run. I would spritz a little, every now again, with 91% alcohol so the inks would move around better. I then stamped the leaves over the inked background. The leaves are starting to change here and I can't wait to see all the beautiful colors!

Leaf Angel

2011-10-09T16:21:00.000-04:00

I hope you are having a good weekend. It has been beautiful here. I am still doing challenges at Two Peas. This challenge was a very different one. We were to use Christmas and Fall stamps together to make a card. As you can see I used and angel and part of a Fall leaf for her wings. This card also goes with another challenge to stamp Old School. Before we had all the die cuts, fancy papers, etc. we used to just stamp. So we were to make a card with just stamping. I stamped the background using a cover-a-card background from Impression Obsession. I stamped a swirl in the corner and the angel and leaf wings are stamps. I enjoyed stretching my imagination on this one!

White Negative Technique

2011-10-06T11:54:00.000-04:00

As you might have seen in the post below, I am doing some challenges on the Two Peas stamping board for Septoberfest. I made this card by following a neat technique. It is called White Negative.

Stamp the Negative background on white card stock using a white pigment ink. It is important that you use clear embossing powder to emboss the image because you will be inking and stamping over the image and you want to be able to rub it off well on the embossed areas. I then inked the negative areas using a finger dauber and red distress ink. You will need to rub off the ink on the embossed areas using a tissue. I then stamped a music background over this ( use a pigment or dye ink, no permanent ink ) and then rubbed off the ink on the embossed areas again. I enjoyed working with this fun technique!

Christmas Cards

2011-10-05T13:34:00.000-04:00

Hi Everyone! I haven't been able to post on my blog for awhile. My pictures would not upload. I hope you are having a good week. We are having beautiful weather here. These are 2 Christmas cards that I have done for some challenges on the Two Peas stamping board. They are having Septober Fest with many fun challenges that will go through October 16th. My cards will be mostly Christmas cards since I need to get started on them. I have many to do! On the first card we were to use embossing. I heat embossed the reindeer and the snow swirl. On the second card we were to use Distress Inks and do some Tim Holtz techniques. I made a background using Distress inks and spritzing. I also used some crackle paint on the left bottom and stamped over it with the Santa. Then I used my distress tool to rough the edges of the card. These have been fun to make. Stay tuned for some more challenge cards!

Pink and Brown

2011-09-28T16:32:00.000-04:00

At Basic Grey the challenge is to use the colors pink and brown. I love these colors together! I used the paper from the Life of the Party pad. This is the paper I stamped the bird on. You can click here to see the challenge.

Fall Tilda

2011-09-19T17:15:00.000-04:00

I am so happy that many challenge themes have been Fall lately! I love Fall and all the colors, scents and cool weather! At Just Magnolia the challenge is a sketch and Fall theme. At Magnolia-licious the colors are teal, orange and brown. I love these colors together and they also look very Fall-ish. I always enjoy using my Magnolia stamps.

Fall is in the Air

2011-09-18T16:47:00.000-04:00

Everyone seems to be in a Fall mood lately and so am I! It has been much cooler here the past few days and I am loving it! The theme at Impression Obsession is Fall. I was able to use this wonderful scene of theirs (H1749) and I made a frame for it using a cuttlebug folder. Thanks for the fun challenge!

Three Fold Card Tutorial

2011-09-17T16:12:00.000-04:00

I have been asked to do a tutorial on this three fold card I made last month. This is my FIRST ever tutorial so, I hope you will be able to follow it! Here goes!

Choose double sided paper for your card base -- 8 1/2" x 5 1/2". I used heavier paper by K&CO. The outside needs to be a lighter pattern so that you can see the stamped image when you stamp on it. Fold the 2 ends into the middle where they will touch.

Choose another piece of double sided paper that will compliment the base card and will be light enough to see a stamped image on. Cut it to 4 1/2" x 9 1/8" and use a border punch to punch one side of it. Then starting at the straight end, score this piece at 5 1/2 ".

Glue the long piece you just punched, to the back of your card base, leaving the top flap up. That will be folded over the front of the card.

Fold down flap over the front folds, decorate card with stamps and finish with embellishments!

I hope you enjoy making this card.

Happy Birthday House Mouse Style

2011-09-13T15:22:00.000-04:00

House Mouse and Friends challenge blog has just turned 3 years old and they are celebrating with a challenge and a hop! Happy Birthday to you! I enjoyed making this card as I always do using House Mouse stamps. Please click here to see the challenge and join the hop at House Mouse and Friends!

Magnolia Birthday Wishes

2011-09-11T17:09:00.000-04:00

The challenge this week at Just Magnolia is a sketch. I had fun making this birthday card for the challenge. Thanks for the fun challenge! You can see the challenge by clicking this link -- http://justmagnolia.blogspot.com/.

Pray and Remember

2011-09-11T09:23:00.000-04:00

As we remember all of those that lost their lives on this day 10 years ago, let us pray for the families and those who survived. We are thankful for our brave men and women who are still fighting to keep our country free from terrorists. May all the heroes on that terrible day never be forgotten. God bless America!

No Cook Recipe

2011-09-07T16:04:00.000-04:00

At House Mouse and Friends the challenge is to make a project and include a non-cooking recipe. I had this cute little House Mouse and instantly thought of cream cheese icing! Yum! I used white Liquid Aplique for the doughnut's icing and then ran my marker over it to make it pink. Then I used Star Dust Stickles over that to make the icing sparkle. This was a fun challenge. You can see it by clicking here http://housemouse-challenge.blogspot.com/.

Easel Card

2011-09-06T15:33:00.000-04:00

At Top Tip Tuesday they are celebrating their one year birthday with a blog hop and a challenge! Happy Birthday to you! I made a birthday card to go along with the theme. Birthday cards are my favorite to make. I used this sweet Tilda with her ice cream cone. The patterned paper is Basic Grey from the Out of Print pad. My Tuesday Tip is this -- I only had white Liquid Aplique, but wanted Tilda eating "blueberry" ice cream. After I heated the Liquid Applique, I colored it by patting a marker over it and then applied clear Stickles glitter on it. I am entering this card into 3 challenges and you can click here to see them all.
http://toptiptuesday.blogspot.com/
http://basicgreychallenges.blogspot.com/
http://justmagnolia.blogspot.com/

Pretty in Pink

2011-09-01T12:14:00.000-04:00

I had so much fun with challenge. At Magnolia-licious the theme is a picture of pink and white purses. I had this "purse" shaped card that was perfect for it! I used patterned paper to cover it and used a cuttlebug folder to add texture to the top of the purse. I am also entering this into the Magnolia Down Under challenge that asks for texture. You can see the challenges by clicking the links.
http://magnolia-liciouschallengeblog.blogspot.com

http://magnoliadownunderchallenges.blogspot.com/

Stamping on Patterned Paper

2011-08-31T15:35:00.000-04:00

My post today is for a challenge at Joan's Gardens. Heidi has shown a wonderful tutorial about stamping on patterned paper. I have just learned this new fold and I wanted to use it for this challenge. I used patterned paper from K&CO and stamped the gate, vines, and swirl flowers on it to add decoration. Thanks for a really fun challenge! To see the challenge, you can click the link here -- http://www.atjoansgardens.com/

Doily

2011-08-30T16:08:00.000-04:00

At Our Daily Bread Designs the challenge theme is to use a doily. I love this new stamp I bought from ODBD -- Butterfly Corner. I used the saying from the Thinking of You set. Perish the thought , but I cut the saying in half to be able to use it in the doily circle and now I can use it both ways! I also made my roses using a doily. I cut around the top lacy part of a pink doily and rolled it up to make rose buds. Thanks for a fun challenge! You can click here to see the challenge. http://ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/

Shabby Chic

2011-08-30T14:42:00.000-04:00

When I saw that the challenge at Just Rite was Shabby Chic it reminded me of a layered paint look technique that I did a long time ago. I used this for my background on this card. I stamped the saying from the Butterfly Garden set lightly, in a light brown color, several times. I then used a foam brush and brushed a light coating of Elmer's glue here and there over the background. I sponged pink, sage, and lavender Distress inks over this and then wiped off the excess ink. This looks like paint has been peeled off. The other images are form the Butterfly Garden set also. I enjoyed this challenge. I love the shabby chic look, but I find it hard for me to master it. You can click this link to take you to the challenge. http://justritestampers.typepad.com/

Wax Paper Resist

2011-08-28T17:23:00.000-04:00

I love trying techniques, so today I was working with wax paper. I love how this technique turned out! I have never done this before, even though it is an oldie, and I don't know why! Here is what you do. Crumple up a piece of wax paper and open it up. Take 2 pieces of glossy card stock and sandwich the wax paper between the 2 pieces of glossy cs with the glossy side of each piece against the wax paper. Iron the sandwich on medium for about 10 seconds. The wax is now transferred to the card stock and will resist any ink that you brayer or rub on. For the star burst effect, I cut out a circle from the wax paper and kept folding it in half until it was very small. I then opened it out and ironed it between the 2 pieces of card stock. For the grid look, I folded the wax paper over and over, then I folded it the opposite way, then diagonally and diagonally the other way. I am sure there are other ways to make fun designs. Just give it a try! I brayered each one of my pieces using Big and Juicy ink pads. Here are samples of my pieces and then a card I made with one of them.

Outline Glue on Freezer Paper

2011-08-27T16:10:00.000-04:00

First of all I want to say to those who are in Irene's path, that I hope you will be safe and that you are ready and battened down. My thoughts are with you!

There was a discussion on the Club Posh board about another way to outline a stamp using a hot glue gun. I tried it today and this is my result!

Stamp a large outline image stamp on the paper side of the freezer paper. Turn it over to the plastic side and rub a little bit of dish detergent over the surface. This acts as a release. Outline the stamped image using the hot glue gun. Put the piece in the freezer for 1-2 minutes then peel off the image. I glued my image to some patterned paper with Elmer's glue and then painted the outline using Posh Impressions Copper Metal Inkabilities. Thanks, Daniel, for the instructions and for this neat technique!

Shabby Chic and Butterflies

2011-08-25T17:24:00.000-04:00

I hope you are having a good day. I have been creating today. Here is a card that I am entering in three challenges. Basic Grey's challenge is Anything and I have used their paper from the Out of Print pad. I Brake for Stamps theme is Shabby Chic and Magnolia Down Under wants you to use butterflies! I had so much fun making this card. The plants behind Tilda is an overlay from K&CO. I have had these for awhile and was happy to use one on this card. Please click the links to see all the fun challenges.

http://basicgreychallenges.blogspot.com/
http://ibrakeforchallenges.blogspot.com/

http://magnoliadownunderchallenges.blogspot.com/

Road Trip

2011-08-23T17:09:00.000-04:00

First off I want to say I had a very weird thing happen today. I was sitting here in my craft room when all of a sudden the floor and chair I was sitting in started going up and down and my table was swaying back and forth! Yes, I actually was feeling the tremors from the earthquake that hit NY City today. I felt them all the way down here in South Carolina! Very strange for us! That said, this is what I have been working on today. My son's birthday is Sunday, so I wanted to make a card for him. He has a motorcycle and loves to hop on it and cruise. We'll see how much he likes that when winter comes! LOL! So I had this motorcycle stamp that I wanted to use. I am entering this card into two challenges. Simon Says Stamp and Show Some Travel and Top Tip Tuesday Masculine card. At Top Tip Tuesday we are to give a crafty tip and this is mine. To make a faux postage stamp, use scissors with a tiny scallop and cut around the edges with the scallops going out. Use a fine point felt pen and dot around the edges. You can see the challenges by clicking here --
http://toptiptuesday.blogspot.com/

http://simonsaysstampandshow.blogspot.com/

Hot Glue Outline Technique

2011-08-21T16:25:00.000-04:00

I saw this technique on the Two peas in a Bucket board. Thanks, Anne, for the neat technique! Here is what you will need.

1. several colors of acrylic paint plus white
2. medium ans small paint brush
3. large outline stamp, flower, butterfly, etc.
4. metallic acrylic paint
5. several small solid stamps
6. watercolor paper
7. black permanent ink
8. hot glue gun

Stamp your large outline stamp several times onto your watercolor paper using your black permanent ink. Outline your images using the hot glue gun. I have a low heat gun that is for children. This worked very well. Now paint your images with acrylic paints making strokes. You don't have to blend well. Then paint the back ground the same way. Let dry and then go back over all your painting using white acrylic paint and let the brush strokes show. Paint the hot glue outlines with your metallic color using a small brush. Now stamp your smaller stamps using acrylic paint to stamp various places on your piece. Attach this piece to a card base and you are done! I hope you like this and will try it! The first picture are of some pieces that i made and the second is a finished card from one of the pieces.

Shaped Holiday Card

2011-08-21T14:57:00.000-04:00

The Just Rite challenge is to make a shaped holiday card or tag. I had such fun making my card for this challenge. Yesterday I went with a group of friends to a scrapbook store to work on projects. We learned how to make this fun star card. This is perfect for a Christmas card! I used the winter birdhouse from the Just Rite Birdhouses set, the frame from the Kindness set and the saying from the Fancy Frame set. You can hop over the to see the challenge here -- http://justritestampers.typepad.com/

Fruity

2011-08-18T20:27:00.000-04:00

At House Mouse and Friends we are getting fruity! The challenge is fruit so I used my cute little House Mouse lying on a bunch of grapes. He is really taking it easy! I was glad to use my new lattice die too. Thanks for a fun challenge! You can see the challenge and other fruity cards by clicking here -- http://housemouse-challenge.blogspot.com/.

Touchy Feely

2011-08-17T20:58:00.000-04:00

At Penny Black this week the challenge is Touchy Feely. We are to use texture on our project. As you can see I used buttons, ric-rac and a flower for my texture. This was a fun challenge. If you would like to see it, then you can click the link here. http://pennybfriendssaturdaychallenge.blogspot.com/.

So Salty

2011-08-16T16:58:00.000-04:00

I have been working with another technique today. This is a background using sea salt. Here are supplies you will need.

1. table salt or sea salt -- I used sea salt in a table grinder
2. glossy card stock
3. brayer
4. water spritzer
5. multi-colored ink pads -- I used Big and Juicy pads

Brayer your card stock using a multi-colored ink pad. Spritz the card stock with water and sprinkle salt all over the card stock. Spritz one more time over the salt. When the piece is dry rub off the salt. You will have a neat background. I found that the darker the colors of ink, the better the background shows up. My first picture is of some backgrounds that I did with this technique and the second is a card I made using one of backgrounds. I hope you will try this fun technique!

Straight Edges

2011-08-12T12:14:00.000-04:00

This challenge was a challenge for me! At Top Tip Tuesday the challenge is to only use straight edges on your project! With all the frilly dies, etc. it is hard to stay straight! LOL! So I had to really put on my thinking cap and this is what I came up with. This is a good way to use up some paper scraps too. Also my TIP is -- in order to make your project look antique, rub the edges of your pieces with dark ink and also use a distress tool to rough up the edges. You can click here to see the challenge and other wonderful projects. http://toptiptuesday.blogspot.com/.

Sea Sponge Background

2011-08-09T17:42:00.000-04:00

On the Posh Club board, Andrew once again gave instructions for a neat background using a sea sponge. I tried it and I really like it! Here are some samples that I made. On the first samples I used black glossy card stock, wet my sponge and wrung it out real good, then I patted it in metallic re-inkers and dabbed the sponge lightly onto the card stock. I used gold, silver and copper re-inkers. On the second samples, I used matte card stock and denim, green and purple colors of re-inkers. The last picture is the card I made using one of the colored backgrounds. I just love the look of the background on the card.

Summer Hummer

2011-08-07T13:11:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone. I hope you are able to chill in this heat today! At Basic Grey the challenge is Sizzling Summer. They are right about that. We have been sizzling ALL summer! LOL! I made this card for the challenge because I have been enjoying the hummingbirds at my feeder this summer. It is fun watching them flit around, chase each other and contend with the bees that like their feeder too! I will certainly miss them when they leave in about a month. This hummingbird is from an Inkadinkado clear stamp set. The embossing folder is a sizzix, Tim Holtz folder, and I used paper from the Basic Grey Out of Print pad. You can see the challenge by clicking here --
http://basicgreychallenges.blogspot.com/.

Color Orange Challenge

2011-08-06T10:44:00.000-04:00

The challenge at Impression Obsession is to use the color orange. I had some beautiful orange K&CO. paper that I used as a background on this card. The white border was made by using the Martha Stewart lace corner and border punch. My image is from the Impression Obsession Cupcake set (MC181). The leaves are stamps from Heartfelt Creations. The flowers are some that are handmade. I added white Liquid Applique to the cupcakes for dimension. To see the challenge and other challenge cards, please click here -- http://mitrafriant.typepad.com/impression_obsession_news/.

Top Tip Tuesday Challenge 45

2011-08-05T17:09:00.000-04:00

It is still hot and steamy here, but we had a wonderful rain yesterday. I hope you are staying cool today. I tried this challenge at Top Tip Tuesday. It is a color challenge using blue, green and brown. I usually don't put these colors together, but I think I like them! You can see the challenge and other challenge cards by clicking below. My tip is to make colored pencils look soft and to have a water color look, use odorless mineral spirits to blend the color.

http://toptiptuesday.blogspot.com/.

Technique Time

2011-08-04T15:13:00.000-04:00

I have been playing with one of my very favorite techniques today. I call it Julie's technique because she was a wonderful lady in our local stamp club that taught us this. Sadly she lost her battle with cancer a few years ago, but every time I use this technique I think of her and her sweet spirit.

Supplies --

1. multi-colored dye based ink pad
2. black or dark permanent ink
3. bold stamps
4. glossy card stock
5. brayer
6. Marvy metallic markers
7. water spritzer

First you roll your brayer over the multi-colored ink pad several times, going in one direction. Spritz the brayer with water and dab dots of color right on the brayer with your Marvy marker. Now roll your brayer in one direction across your glossy cs. You can do this several times before inking up again. This makes a wonderful background, great for scenes. Last, stamp bold stamps in black permanent ink onto this background. The first picture is the card I made using one of the backgrounds. The second picture is of more backgrounds I made with this technique. Can you see how it looks like a sun burst behind the sailboat and the ocean in the forefront? If you look closely at two of my backgrounds, it looks like there are mountains in them. I hope you try this technique and see what fun cards you can make with them.

Buttons, Bows and Blooms plus a Sketch

2011-08-03T14:54:00.001-04:00

I couldn't wait to do this challenge because buttons, bows and blooms are just right down my alley! This is the challenge at Just Magnolia. I also used the sketch from Magnolia Stamp Lovers. You can see the two challenges by clicking here - http://justmagnolia.blogspot.com/ and http://magnoliastamplovers.blogspot.com/

House Mouse ATC

2011-08-03T14:28:00.000-04:00

At House Mouse and Friends the challenge this week is to make an ATC ( artist trading card ). Not only are these fun to swap, but they can also be used as a focal point on a card. I had fun making this ATC. The little mouse looks like he is being very diligent with his writing. You can pop over here to see the challenge and other wonderful entries. http://housemouse-challenge.blogspot.com/

Toothbrush Technique

2011-08-02T11:53:00.000-04:00

I tried a technique that was discussed over at the Posh board. I enjoyed doing it and I think it turned out well. Here is what you need.

1. old toothbrush with firm bristles
2. 2 colors of re-inkers -- one light and one darker
3. gold or silver re-inker
4. small paintbrush
5. white or cream card stock

The new toothbrushes these days have uneven bristles, so I pressed my brush in the ink and then used a loose wrist action to pounce it on the card stock. Also most of my re-inkers are very dark, so I used my alcohol inks and had to work very fast since it dries quickly. After applying the 2 colors I then dipped my paintbrush into gold re-inker and splattered it over the card stock. The first picture shows samples of the backgrounds I made with this technique and the second picture is the card I made with one of the backgrounds. I hope you will try this simple, but pretty technique.

Cute as a Button

2011-08-01T13:14:00.000-04:00

At Daring Cardmakers this week, the theme is to use buttons as your focal point on your card. I was very excited about this challenge because I had made some button projects last month to add to cards, so I was able to use one for this challenge. Here is the link to the challenge -- http://daringcardmakers.blogspot.com/

Penny Black -- Ground

2011-07-31T17:37:00.000-04:00

I hope everyone has had a nice weekend. This weekend I have been working on challenges and trying a new technique that I will show later this week. This card is for the Penny Black challenge -- Ground. We are to make a card making a background with Penny Black stamps. I don't have any small PB stamps to make a background with, so I used the flowers from this cute hedgehog for my background! You can click here to see the challenge and other fun cards that others have made. http://pennybfriendssaturdaychallenge.blogspot.com/

In the Garden

2011-07-29T10:04:00.000-04:00

Good morning! I hope you are having a good day and staying out of the heat! I have been playing this week with some new dies. I love birds and flowers and bows as you can see from these cards.

Zentangle With Color

2011-07-25T15:07:00.000-04:00

Two posts below I showed my first attempt on a zentangle using stamps with it. I tried another one and added some color to this time. Here is the result. One thing about these is that you can do sections, leave it and come back to it later. I have enjoyed doing these and plan to make more in the future.

A Garden of Good Wishes

2011-07-25T14:46:00.000-04:00

At Basic Grey the challenge this week is a sketch. You can see it by clicking here. http://basicgreychallenges.blogspot.com/. I love using birds on my cards so I chose these sweet chickadees from Sparkle N Sprinkle. I used Basic Grey papers from the Out of Print pad and colored the birds with colored pencils and Gamsol. The circle is a spellbinders die.

Zentangles

2011-07-23T14:37:00.000-04:00

On a the Two Peas discussion board we were discussing zentangles and how we can make them using stamps. If you do not know what zentangles are, here is a link. http://zentangle.com/gallery.php. These are a form of elaborate doodles. I have been intimidated with these, but thought I would try my hand at one today since we were discussing them and since I was going to try starting with stamps. I used my brand new butterfly from the dollar bin at Michael's and stamped it 3 times. I used an open flower stamp I had and stamped it 3 times. Then I started to doodle around them. It really isn't as hard as it looks and I really had fun with it. I also had some K&CO. paper that had a zentangle on it, so I used it as my inspiration. I would like to make some more and add some color, so hopefully I will upload some more soon. The first picture is the paper I used for inspiration and the second is my zentangle. I can see how you can get hooked on these!

Wish You Were Here

2011-07-23T11:15:00.000-04:00

At Daring Card Makers the challenge this week is to make a card with the theme Wish You Were Here. I decided to make a post card. I started with a tag from K&Co. and stamped the ship and plane on it. The postage stamp in the middle is a 3-D sticker. I stamped the saying, palm tree and swirl on the bottom layer and used cuttlebug shell dies and popped them up. I wish I was here myself! LOL! You can see the challenge by clicking the link. http://daringcardmakers.blogspot.com/

Embossing

2011-07-20T10:43:00.000-04:00

I am entering this card into two challenges -- Simon Says Embossing and Impression Obsession Any Type Greeting Card. I was itching to use my new lattice die from Cheery Lynn Designs. I cut out the lattice using thin cardboard and then painting Tim Holtz crackle paint on it and rubbing Tea Dye Distress ink over it. This Flower Wheelbarrow stamp ( D1312 ) from Impression Obsession went perfectly with this card. I ran black core card stock through a cuttlebug folder and sanded the card stock for the green to show through. I also used embossing powder to emboss the wheelbarrow. You can see the challenges by clicking here --http://simonsaysstampandshow.blogspot.com/

http://mitrafriant.typepad.com/impression_obsession_news/

Summer Colors

2011-07-19T11:56:00.000-04:00

At Magnolia Stamp Lovers this week the challenge is Summer Colors. When I think of summer colors I think of bright, flashy colors like lime green, hot pink, yellow, etc. So as you can see I used these bright colors on my card. I just had to use one of my new Magnolia stamps that I bought this weekend when I went to the Scrap and Stamp show this weekend. I also used a new die from Memory Box. Their dies are so sweet and delicate. I am also using this card for the Daring Card Makers challenge where we are to use a picture off Pinterest as an inspiration. I love making birthday cards so this picture was my inspiration and it had the bright summer colors I like too. .http://pinterest.com/pin/16368002/. You can see the challenges by clicking here.http://magnoliastamplovers.blogspot.com/ and http://daringcardmakers.blogspot.com/.

Buttons, Bows and Bling

2011-07-19T10:59:00.000-04:00

I had a wonderful time at the Scrap and Stamp Convention in Winston-Salem, NC this past weekend! I came back to do some challenges this week and of course to use some new products I bought! This card is for the House Mouse challenge -- Buttons, Bows and Bling. This card was so much fun. I love the theme because all of these are my favorite embellishments. I just had to use this new card stock from My Mind's Eye. It is a little hard to see the bling, but I used rhinestones in some of the centers of the flowers on the card stock. You can click here to see the challenge and blog hop for this week. http://housemouse-challenge.blogspot.com/

Sponge Technique

2011-07-11T14:42:00.000-04:00

I was thinking about trying some technique today. I was looking on the Posh Club stamping board and I saw Andrew Overton's sponge technique, so I gave it a try. I had forgotten how great a sponged piece looks. The background on this card was sponged with 3 different colors of dye based yellow inks. The blue and red flowers and leaves were also sponged in the different shades of that color and the blue and red flowers were popped up. This was fun! I am glad I discovered this technique today.

It's Your Day

2011-07-10T16:42:00.000-04:00

I made this card for the Just Magnolia challenge this week. We had a sketch to follow. You can see the challenge by clicking here. http://justmagnolia.blogspot.com/. I had fun with this card. I always love using Magnolia stamps. I decided to turn this card into a birthday card. I love, love ice cream. This little cutie is certainly enjoying her ice cream cone!

Make a Splash

2011-07-07T14:54:00.000-04:00

At House Mouse and Friends the challenge this week is Make a Splash! I loved making this card because it has been so hot here! We did have a nice rain last night, but boy is it humid today. I just love this cute House Mouse stamp. The little mouse on the end is really enjoying the rainy day. I paper pieced the umbrellas and added 3-D raindrops. You can click here to see the challenge -- http://housemouse-challenge.blogspot.com/