Naughty or Nice?

Isn't this the cutest little beaver? When I saw it, I knew I had to have it... and that I wanted to use it for Kim's Bah Humbug Christmas Card Swap. The idea was to use non-traditional colors so I went with blues, pinks, purples, and teal green.

The image is part of an Artful Inkables stamp set called Holiday Treats and Tails.

I used an unused fish aquarium filter to speckle ink onto the card background and layered designer papers and cardstock to give the card dimension. The image was colored with Copic markers and Spica Copic pens for some sparkle on the Christmas lights.

The sentiment is fun... Naughty or Nice?

Jessica Lynn Originals Cards for Heroes Drive

I was delighted to discover the Cards for Heroes Drive that Jessica Lynn Originals is hosting, and couldn't resist the opportunity to participate. Jessica, the designer of all those cute Brentwood stamps (plus a lot of other stamps) has a goal of 1,000 cards, all to be donated to the brave men and women serving our country through the military.

The deadline for participating in Jessica's Cards for Heroes Drive! All the details can be found here...

https://jessicalynnoriginal.com/shopwithus/index.php?main_page=page&id=29

My package of ten cards will be mailed tomorrow, including these two crds that I created from Jessica Lynn Original Brentwood stamps.

Won't you join me in this worthy cause? Let's show our support to America's soldiers!

Snow Showers

I don't really remember when or how I was first introduced to Whipper Snapper stamps, but my SCS friend Barb (who is lucky enough to live a short distance from the Whipper Snapper "store") has certainly fueled my addiction. She keeps hosting Whipper Snapper swaps...and I keep joining them. And of course, when I see all the wonderful creations (cuz she puts together an album with pictures of all the cards she receives for her swaps), I just HAVE to buy more Whipper Snappers.

This card is my creation for Barb's most recent Whipper Snapper swap. I sure like this little snowball!

Sweet!

Awwwww... I want to a life like Riley (created and manufactured by Hanna Stamps). Sitting in a comfy chair with feet propped up on a footstool. Enjoying a delicious cupcake and a mug of hot coffee. It just doesn't get any better than this!

I created this card for Laura Jean's Sweet Shop card swap. My usual procedure for creating cards is

1. Choose the image
2. Choose the paper
3. Choose the colors for the image
4. Design the layout
5. Execute the plan

BUT this time, I chose the paper first! I just love that designer paper (a product of the Paper Studio).

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go to the kitchen and see if I can find something sweet to eat. Hugs!

Autumn Is Here!

It sure seems like autumn arrived abruptly this year. One day it was sunny and warm... the next day, brrrrr!

The trees are changing colors, the leaves are falling, and the gardens have died (due to a heavy frost a few days ago). We even have had snow already. Yes! I'm serious. Nothing on the ground, but beautiful snowflakes in the air.

The card featured today is an autumn-themed card. I created it for my friend Sheena's Autumn Harvest Card Swap. I used images from The Greeting Farm. The cute little squirrels with their acorn are part of their Forest Friends stamp set.

Fall is in the air!

The 235 Challenge

In her original post, Viv wrote these words, "I know how you all like a good Challenge." That should have been a hint for me! LOL! Or perhaps a WARNING! But, no! I decided to join Viv's Sketch 235 Card Swap anyway.

Many attempts later (and much wasted paper!)... this is the card I finally came up with. A stretch from the 235 sketch, perhaps. But I need to tell you, I am a 100% asymmetrical kind of gal! Therefore, the 235 Challenge was very difficult for me!

Raindrops and Umbrellas

I was introduced to swapping Card Kits some time ago, and have discovered that I really like them. It is such fun to see the kinds of designer papers, images, and embellishments other stampers put together. Plus it's a way to get some images without buying the stamps. A win/win.

My friend Tanja is hosting a Favorite Stamps Card Kit Swap. The idea is to use images from your favorite stamp company in the kit... or, as in my case, ONE of your FAVORITE stamp companies. I have way too many favorites to choose just one.

The image I chose is the Elzybell Rainy Day stamp. I included four different papers, some ribbon, a squiggly paper clip, some eyelets, some raindrop dew drops, and a silly over-sized brad.

I decided it would be fun to see what kind of card I would create with this kit, so I made an extra and had fun playing.

Think Pink

It's Breast Cancer Awareness month. An online friend holds this cause closely to her heart, as should all women. Viv is hosting a THINK PINK Breast Cancer Awareness Month Card Swap. One of the swappers is donating $1 to Breast Cancer for each spot filled. How could I pass up this opportunity to show my support?

I took two spots!

HAPPY hALLoween KitCat Style

I can't believe it! It has been a month now since the first (of monthly) KitCat Challenges. As you may remember, there are six of us who participate in this - Catherine, Kelly, Lorie, Michelle, Susan, and myself. One person sends kits to each of us and we create something using the image and papers in the kit. We can add to the items, too. This month Lorie sent us the most incredible package. It included a wooden frame for altering, designer papers, a piece of ribbon, buttons, images, and a glue stick and nail file to complete the project.

To be quite honest, I was a bit intimidated by this project at first. I'd never done anything like it before and it was causing me to think outside the box. But once I got started on it, I was amazed at how well it came together. Lorie was right; it was quite easy! And it was fun, too!!!

The images are Peachy Keen Stamps, inked with Memento Black ink. I used my Copics (Cadmium Yellow, Orange, and Pearl White) to color them. I chose to make the sentiment more personal by coloring the HAPPY ALL within Happy Halloween a different color.

The papers are double-sided, giving us many options for how to use them.

I love the big sparkly button and black grosgrain ribbon that Lorie included in the kit. I added a little piece of yellow hemp to tie the button onto the ribbon.

I can hardly wait to see what my fellow KitCats have done with this kit. Let's go take a peek...

Catherine – PAPERADDICT http://paperaddictcatherine.blogspot.com/

Kelly – SANDCASTLE STAMPER http://sandcastlestamper.blogspot.com/

Lorie – The Thinkin’ Spot http://www.thethinkinspot.blogspot.com/

Michelle – MISC. MICHELLE http://ticketbelle.blogspot.com/

Susan- Pink Flannel Pajamas http://pinkflannelpajamas.blogspot.com/

Christmas in October

I LOVE CHRISTMAS! I love the reason behind the celebration - Happy Birthday, Jesus! I love the decorations! I love the presents! I love the crafts and card-making! I love Christmas!!!

And October is NOT too early for me to start dreaming of Christmas. In fact, it's the perfect time, because in just a little over a month, I'll begin transforming our home into the Christmas wonderland, filled with 30-40 Christmas trees. Have I mentioned that I love Christmas?!?!?

I created this card for Karen's Christmas in October swap over on Splitcoast Stampers. I used an old/retired Stampin' UP! stamp set - Stitched Snowman. Some blue tulle is the perfect light and airy embellishment. I tied a button onto the snowman completely through the card front to secure the image to the front of the card.



I chose to decorate the inside of the card, too.

Now, let's put on some Christmas carols and get in the holiday mood... cuz I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!!

Fall Is in the Air

I love fall! The beauty of the trees, the crispness of the air, apple picking, Halloween decorations, Thanksgiving, etc. It's a wonderful season! Therefore I was delighted when Roxane chose "fall" as the theme for our monthly card swap.

I wanted to try out my new Koh-I-Noor woodless colored pencils, so I chose a detailed scarecrow as the image for my card. Add a few layers of paper, a couple of embellishments, and fall is in the air.

Oh, and the new colored pencils? Well, I quickly discovered that I will need lots of practice before I am comfortable with them.

CuttleBUGS and DAISIES

There are so many fun embossing plates out there! When I joined Barb's Cuttlebug with a Twist swap, the challenge was to use TWO embossing folders or dies on the same layout. At first glance, the card I created may look like I only used one, but look again. There are two different sizes of polka dots embossed on this card.

I used the Stampin' UP! Upsy Daisy stamp set to emboss the image in white on white. Then I inked the background to give it a soft look.

I like how this card turned out... soft and simple, yet creative and fun!