June Sketch For You To Try

Hi there! I am cutting the deadline really close with this card...I made it by about 3 hours! Good grief; I have had the whole month of June! It's a great sketch, so I'm glad I got to use it.... Stamping Bella is the June sponsor for Jen del Muro's SFYTT, and I just received some goodies last week, so I had to use this cute, little Peep! Isn't she just a doll in her snazzy, red raingear?

It took forever for me to pick out a paper combo...does anybody else ever have that problem? I finally decided on some October Afternoon DP from various pads. The little Peep is colored with pencils and her umbrella was paper pieced. I embellished with some lacy black trim, a red felt rose and some Swarovski crystals.

Image: Stamping Bella "Umbrella PEEP"

Paper: SU! Real Red, PTI True Black, October Afternoon DP

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Sakura Black Gel Pen

Embellies: Black Ribbon (my stash), Swarovski Flatback Crystals in "Topaz"

Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, Spellbinder's Nestabilities, MFT Die-namics Rolled Rose Die, The Cat's Pajamas CutUp Die (leaves), The Paper Studio Sticky Doos

Here's a photo of the card I was about to upload. Something just wasn't right, and I decided that the black strip was just too wimpy. I removed some of the embellies, added a thicker strip over the first strip, replaced the embellies and voila'! Much better! Still somewhat lacey,but more substantial to ground the rose.

Thanks for stopping by!

Angela

Woot, Woot...A Blog Award!!!

Thank you to my friend, Chris at Chris' Corner, for giving me this blog award! I have to tell you, Chris makes the most wonderful scrapbook layouts and scrappy cards. She also makes cards to sell at her Vet's office and donates the proceeds to the animal shelter.... How cool is that?!

Here are the rules for this award:

1. Send a thank you to the person who nominated you and include their link (see above).

2. List 7 random facts about yourself (see below).

3. Pass the award on to at least 8 other awesome blog buddies (see below).

7 Random Facts:

1. I have long hair

2. I hate cold weather

3. I like to geocache

4. I love animals...we have 2 kitties, and a hamster

5. I grew up on a farm

6. I love lipstick

7. I was a cheerleader in High School

8 Awesome Bloggers:

1. Larissa---Car-D-elicious

2. Jessica---Jess' Obsession

3. Kathleen---Will Stamp for Wine

4. Linda---Linda's Stamping Blog

5. Imke---Crafting Creations' by Imke

6. Theresa---My Sassy Cards

7. Debra---Debra's Place to Stamp

8. Denise---Denise's Fun Creations

There are many more awesome bloggers who I love to visit; I don't always leave comments, but I like to enjoy their awesome creations. I will have to try and do better with the commenting....

I would like to thank the people who visit my blog and leave comments; it really makes my day!

Have a great day!

Angela

TMS#100

Good Tuesday morning! It's time for another challenge from Melissa at

Tuesday Morning Sketches...can you believe it's week 100! Wow, how cool is that?! Our sponsor this week is Stamping Boutique; they provided me with this darling basket image. I love it...it's so summery!

The image is colored with pencils and I added some subtle glitter to the centers of the flowers. (Click on the image to get a larger view.) I pierced my circle and then added some brads and a message to finish it off. I like the simple layout.

Image: Stamping Boutique

Sentiment: Hero Arts

Paper: G.P. 110, PTI Stamper's Select and Kraft, Basic Grey DP

Embellies: Recollections Brads, Martha Stewart Crystal Fine Glitter

Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Crafter's Workshop Piercing Template, Spellbinder's Nestabilities, The Paper Studio Sticky Doos

I can't wait to see what the rest of the DT has done with this sketch; here are some links for you to check them out and leave a bit of love.

Dawn

Jackie

Jessica

Kathleen

Melissa

Theresa

Thanks for stopping by today; have a good one!

Angela

Shopping Stella Card/Gift Box

Good morning! My Mom asked me to make a card for a friend of hers who is embarking on a new adventure; she is opening a shop on Main Street. I was pretty much able to make whatever I wanted; however, my Mom wanted the card to be purple since that's her friend's favorite color. I DO like purple, but I was a bit worried because I knew I didn't have much in my stash.... I was able to find some pretty Basic Grey and when paired with purple CS, it worked perfectly. I love it when it all comes together so easily!

Stella is colored with pencils and her wand and crown are accented with a touch of yellow glitter. I made sure to give her bold, red lips since that is another favorite color of the recipient! I went with one of my "go-to" layouts and embellished with ribbons, a die cut flower and some bling.

Here's a close-up of the card only. I think Stella rocks! I love her crown and wand...they give me the opportunity to break out the glitter!

Image: Stamping Bella "Stella's Goin' Shoppin"

Paper: PTI Stamper's Select and Dark Chocolate, Basic Grey DP

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Sakura Black Gel Pen

Embellies: PTI Plum Pudding and Dark Chocolate Ribbons, Recollections Bling, Doodlebug Glitter

Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, The Cat's Pajamas CutUp "Button Flower" Die, PTI Label Die (box), The Paper Studio Sicky Doos

That's it for now, although I do hope to work is some stamping later today. It's been a busy week, so there is a lot to catch up on at home. Also, my daughter would like to do a bit of geocaching if the weather holds out. Thanks for stopping by; have a great Sunday!

Angela

Vintage "For You"

Good morning! I picked up the latest Paper Crafts publication, Card Creations Volume 9, the other day and I have earmarked a bunch of cards to CASE. I think I see something new every time I look through the magazine; I love to look at it as I'm watching t.v. in the evenings.

This card caught my eye since I had recently purchased this stamp. I really love vintage and sewing themes and since this combined both, I just had to whip up a few for my stash. The original card was created by Maile Belles and is shown on page 39. I switched up the colors and sentiment. They were fun and simple to put together.

Image: Hero Arts

Sentiment: Lili of the Valley

Ink: Palette Burnt Umber, PaperTrey Ink Chai

Paper: PTI Fine Linen, G.P. 110, PTI Distressed Dots

Embellie; PTI Dark Chocolate Button

Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, DMC Floss

Thanks for stopping by; have a great day!

Angela

TMS#99

Good Tuesday morning! We have another fun sketch challenge from Melissa at

Tuesday Morning Sketches; our sponsor this week is Sparkle Creations. This cute image is called Cupcake Ruby; doesn't her cupcake look yummy?!

Ruby is colored with pencils and the image panel is accented with a bit of bling. The DP is from the Cosmo Cricket DeLovely Mini Deck; I love the bright, cheerful colors!

Image: Sparkle Creations "Cupcake Ruby"

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Sakura Black Gel Pen

Paper: PTI Stamper's Select, SU! YoYo Yellow, Cosmo Cricket DeLovely DP

Embellie: Kaisercraft Bling

Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, The Paper Studio Sticky Doos

I hope you will check out the rest of the DT's creations and play along with us this week too!

Dawn

Jackie

Jessica

Kathleen

Melissa

Theresa

Thanks for stopping by; have a great week!

Angela

More Changito....

Good morning! Theresa, from Tuesday Morning Sketches, created the sketch for this week's There She Goes challenge. Although I don't have any of their stamps, I thought I would play along. I thought the sketch was a bit tough; so I ended up flipping it.

I have been in "Changito mode" lately. I choose this image because yesterday was my son's 11th birthday! I paired the image with some Doodlebug DP. The image is colored with pencils and I used a vellum panel so the cute DP wouldn't be covered up too much. After I completed and photographed the card, I wished that I would have used a Melon Mambo base...however, I wasn't up to performing "card surgery" today so I left it....

Image: Stampendous "Changito Cake"

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper: PTI Stamper's Select and Simply Chartreuse, Doodlebug DP, The Paper Studio Vellum

Embellies: Spare Parts Silver Brads, PTI Simply Chartreuse Grosgrain Ribbon

Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Spellbinder's Nestabilities, The Paper Studio Sticky Doos

By the way, Davis' cake didn't have pink icing...it had cookies and cream and it was delicious! So delicious, in fact, that I had a piece for breakfast.... Come on, I'll bet you've done that a time or two yourself! LOL

Thanks for stopping by today; enjoy your weekend!

Angela

SCS SC337: I Think I'll Hang On To You!

Good morning! I played along with the SCS sketch challenge yesterday and was able to use a few goodies from some "happy mail" that my Secret Sister sent me. How fun to get "happy mail"!

Changito is colored with pencils; he turned out a bit lighter than I usually color him. I ran out of the PTI Stamper's Select and was using white paper from another source. While the paper is really nice, it is super smooth whereas the PTI has more "tooth" to "grab" the color. I tried to shade and blend, but didn't have much luck. After I started coloring the image, I remembered I had some Copic markers in "Changito Colors" sent to me by a stamping/blogging friend. Ack! I think I really messed up here, because the paper probably would have been perfect for the markers.... I will have to try them next time...I confess I am a bit nervous since I see so many who color beautifully with them.

I tried to make a little scene and added some felt grass and clouds, along with a punched sun. I finished it off with a button and Baker's Twine, and some brads. The sentiment for the inside reads: I think I'll hang on to you! I thought the card would be perfect for one of the kids to give to my hubby for Father's Day.

Image: Stampendous "Changito Piggyback"

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Sakura Black Gel Pen

Paper: SU! Baja Breeze and Pumpkin Pie, SU! DP

Embellies: Spare Parts Brads, PTI Button, Divine Twine Baker's Twine,

Extras: Crayolas/Goo Gone, MFT Die-namics Grass and Cloud Dies, EK Success Sun Punch, The Paper Studio Sticky Doos

Thanks for stopping by; enjoy your day!

Angela

TMS#98: Inspiration Challenge

Good morning! Today we have a bit of a different challenge for Tuesday Morning Sketches...it's an inspiration challenge! Our inspiration is a photograph of a scent I recently bought; not only does it smell wonderful, it's packaged beautifully!

I will have to admit, I am not one who usually likes this type of challenge...I have a hard time thinking out of the box. One look at those beautiful flowers though, and I was hooked! It was fun to make something totally different; for instance, I would have never came up with the unusual color scheme on my own and I rarely use gold brads.

I colored my image with pencils, added a bit of texture with an embossing folder and kept the layout simple to keep the focus on the flowers. I used the EK Success "retro flower" punch and rolled the petals of the larger flowers under, and added gold brads to the centers. I popped them up for added dimension.

Image: Stamping Bella "Daisybella"

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper: PTI Stamper's Select, SU! Blushing Bride and Summer Sun

Embellies: Spare Parts Gold Brads

Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Sissix Embossing Folder, The Paper Studio Sticky Doos

Now it's your turn; I would love to see what you come up with using the inspiration photo! Be sure to stop by the Tuesday Morning Sketches blog to see what the rest of the DT has created too.

Thanks for stopping by!

Angela

CAS Chicks

Good Monday morning! Did you have a good weekend? I worked, so I have lots of catching up to do. Two days away from home = 1 messy house! Can you relate?

I made these clean and simple cards not too long ago to add to my stash. They were quick to make; minimal layering, a bit coloring, some glitter and paper piercing. I made some in each color combo; even though pink is my favorite color, I think I like the blue better.

Here's a close-up.

Image: Stampendous Calendar Chicks "Flower Chick"

Sentiment: SU!

Paper: G.P. 110, SU! Bashful Blue, Pretty in Pink, Garden Green

Embellie: Glitter

Extras: Crayolas/Goo Gone, Tim Holtz Piercing Ruler

I'll be back tomorrow with a card for Tuesday Morning Sketches. Thanks for stopping by today; have a good week!

Angela

Bellarific Friday: Paper Piecing

Good Friday morning! I couldn't resist playing along with Bellarific Friday this week, as the challenge was paper piecing...I love to paper piece! I immediately thought of this image, but went and looked through all my Bella stamps so I could do something original. There were some options, but I couldn't resist my old favorite! Baby cards are one of my favorite kinds to make, and I needed some more for my stash.

Image: Stamping Bella "All Bummed Out Baby"

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper: PTI Vintage Cream and Dark Chocolate, Canvas Corp DP

Embellies: Assorted Buttons---Autumn Leaves, PTI, SU!, PTI Vintage Cream Twill, PTI Dark Chocolate Baker's Twine

Extras: Prisma/Crayola/Goo Gone, Spellbinder's Nestabilities, Glue Dots, The Paper Studio Sticky Doos

Thanks for stopping by today; enjoy your weekend!

Angela

TMS#97

Good Tuesday morning! It's time for another fun challenge over at Tuesday Morning Sketches; our sponsor is Whimsie Doodles and Melissa has a fun sketch for you to try!

I ended up switching out the oval for a rectangle, but I thought this was a fun sketch to work with. I broke out some bright, cheery papers...since this is a "get well" card, I thought they would be perfect! My bug is colored with pencils and his wings are accented with glitter; I also dotted his eyes with a gel pen (those eyes remind me of "the deer in the headlights" look...too funny!). The jar is cut out and popped up for dimension, and I added a few Bella Dots and some orange ribbon for embellishments. Inside the card reads, "hope you're feeling better soon!".

Images/Sentiments: CC Designs

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Sakura Black Gel Pen

Paper: Gina K Designs White CS, PTI Orange Zest and True Black, Doodlebug DP

Embellies: Bella Dots, PTI Orange Zest Ribbon, Doodlebug Glitter

Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, The Paper Studio Sticky Doos

I hope you will head on over to the Tuesday Morning Sketches blog to see what the rest of the DT has come up with...I can't wait to head over there myself! Hopefully you can also play along!

Thanks for stopping by!

Angela

MFTWSC22: Cesare Pavese

Hello! I just had to give the MFT sketch another try.... I switched gears this time and went for a bit of a shabby-chic look. This DP from 7 Gypsies is one of my favorites; love the versatility of all the colors. I used vellum panels so you could still see the pattern; the corners are held in place with crystals which also frame the sentiment panel.

Here's a detail shot with the flower. I was thinking a had a leafy vine die, but I guess I don't. Anyway I found this leaf die while looking through my PTI dies. It's a bit different from the one I usually use, so it was fun for a change of pace.

Do you see how you can see the DP through the ribbon? I fixed that by cutting a strip of yellow paper just a hair narrower than the ribbon and adhered it first. It's an easy trick, try it!

Sentiment: MFT Clearly Sentimental About Parents

Ink: PTI Smokey Shadow

Paper: PTI Smokey Shadow, 7 Gypsies DP, The Paper Studio Vellum

Embellies: PTI Lemon Tart Satin Ribbon, Gray Grosgrain Ribbon (my stash), Swarovski Flatback Crystals in "Black Diamond"

Extras: Spellbinder's Nestabilities, MFT Die-namics Rolled Rose and Scalloped Border Dies, MFT Felt (green), PTI Leaf Die, PTI Raspberry Fizz Felt

That's all for now; enjoy your Monday!

Angela

MFTWSC22

I took a bit of time to play along with MFT's sketch challenge today. I have to say this didn't turn out as I envisioned, but it is growing on me just the same.... I thought this was a really neat sketch; I have another idea brewing, so I may have to try this one again.

Sentiment: MFT

Paper: PTI Kraft and Pure Poppy, October Afternoon DP

Ink: SU! Real Red

Embellie: Wright's Red Grosgrain Ribbon

Extras: MFT Die-namics Grass, Kite, and Cloud Dies, MFT Felt, Spellbinder's Nestabilities, PTI Pure Poppy Baker's Twine, The Paper Studio Sticky Doos

I hope you are having a great weekend!

Thanks for stopping by!

Angela

Noah's Baptism Card

Hello! Today I have a card I made for a co-worker; this is for her great nephew's baptism. Her only request was that it have his name on the card. Well, that was pretty simple...I like it that way!

The layout is from a card I previously made using this Verve set, but that card was for a little gal and was made with pink and white. I didn't have a great match for the blue in the DP, so I decided to use dark gray (it looks more black-ish in the photos) to mat the panels. I tell you, I fiddled around with buttons and assorted ribbons, but decided to leave this one a bit more plain. The more I look at it, the more it grows on me; I do like that you can read a lot of the words in the DP, which I love. I am just hoping my co-worker likes it too!

Image: Verve "Practically Perfect"

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper: PTI Stamper's Select and Smokey Shadow, Pebbles DP

Embellies: Alphabet Beads (Hobby Lobby)

Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, Spellbinder's Nestabilities, The Paper Company Sticky Doos

Tips and Tricks:

I wanted the words in the DP to match up, but didn't want to waste paper. I put the dies onto my DP and measured to make sure they were just right, then held them in place with a bit of painter's tape before running the paper through the Cuttlebug. I had to be careful and get it precise because the narrow scalloped border left no wiggle room. One other thing to mention if you try this trick is to only run the paper through as far the die (then roll backwards), otherwise the paper can wrinkle.... Then you have to press it out with a bone folder.... Don't ask me how I know...I just do!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Angela