Practicing My Copic Skills

 I got this image when I was in AZ over the summer and she seemed like a great image to use all those Copics I have. She turned out pretty good, but when I opened the card I could see all the ink that bled through on the inside. I was really going for a clean no layer card.  Anybody have a solution for this? I did end up lining the inside with patterned, but is there a better way? I'd love to hear from you if you have any ideas. I'm also happy to share I've finished my Christmas cards for this year. I didn't think I'd get there either. I had the hardest time deciding what I was going to do. I used a fun little set from Paper Smooches and I'll post the card later. Don't want to ruin the surprise for those of you lucky enough to get one of my handmade creations ;-)

 Thanks for looking today and have wonderful fall week. I think we are finally going to get our fall weather this week. YEAH! My favorite time of the year! 

Birthday Fishes

How cute are these fish?! I treated myself to a new stamp set from Paper Smooches last week and I am having so much fun creating with it. Remember a few posts ago I was saying I had a hard time incorporating washi tape into my cards? I'm happy to say I'm getting more used to using it now I want more! Go figure! LOL Thanks for looking and I hope your day goes swimmingly!

Burlap

Last week I was perusing the aisles of Joann's and I found a burlap paper pack from DCWV. I had no idea if it would work with my Nesties but I knew it would work with my other dies, so I bought it. I didn't even need to use a coupon because it was already 40% off which made it about $3. I love a good bargain! The burlap is backed with paper so it's very die friendly. I just needed to add a shim when I used my nestie. I think the flower gives this card sort of a vintage feel don't you think?

Thanks for looking today!

Out of the Box

My sister was telling me about an inking technique she saw that's pretty simple.You just use painters tape directly on your ink pad (sticky side down) and lightly ink your paper. It makes a pretty interesting background. This is so out of the box for me I just couldn't let the inked paper stand alone so I added some washi tape. I love washi tape but never use it. It's hard for me to incorporate it into my stamping, but it work out well for this card. I like cute and symmetrical and I can't live without my nesties, but not bad for a first pass huh? Hope you enjoy my out of the box stamping and thanks for looking today.

Whooo Knew?

Yes, who knew it would still be hot as we approach the middle of September. ISH! It was about 108 yesterday and today and tomorrow it's supposed to be 110. What's a girl to do when it's that hot? Stay in and stamp of course! Thanks for looking and have a marvelous day!

Eeeek! Halloween

What?! Two card in the same week! How much do you love Halloween shoes!! If these were real I'd wear them. I really would, just ask my husband! I love shoes. Some people just don't see the importance of having the right pair of shoes for every occasion...and then some. Well I'm not one of those people. I figured since I can't wear these I'd stamp them. Not a bad plan right? AND the best part is they take up absolutely zero space in my closet. (hi honey)What more could you ask for? Thanks for looking and hanging in there with me while I was on my stamping hiatus.

Fleas on Earth

Hello!  I hope you all had a great summer. I know ours was busy.  Between playing chauffeur for my sons volunteer job, work, a trip to see my 94 year old Grandmother, a visit with my sister and daily life I didn't stamp at all over the summer. I was so behind on thank you cards I was starting to feel very guilty. I've been MIA for so long I think I forgot how to stamp. So today I managed to knock out some long overdue thank you cards and this Christmas card. I love the saying and it's probably the main reason I bought this set. The puppy is cute too, but you gotta love fleas on earth! Luckily they don't live at my house but I know they exist. Now that school has started again I'm hoping to get back into my much needed school year routine which always includes stamping. Thanks for looking!

OWH Midweek Throwdown

This weeks OWH challenge is to do his and hers cards using the same layout. I decided to go with something on the simpler side. You can't tell from my lousy photography, but the yellow in the butterfly card isn't as lemony looking as it appears. I hope you take some time to check out their blog and take some time to make a card or two to send their way! Thanks for looking!

Whoo Whoo

I'm not a huge fan of owls, but this guy is just too cute for words. I guess it's the real ones I don't care for too much. Last year we had a few in our yard and they just sort of freak me out. I guess you could say it's the superstitious aspect of the hoot owl that I don't like. Crazy right? Don't look it up if you believe in that sort of thing.  ;)  Anyway, been stamping a little here and there and found a new little craft I'm enjoying too. Have you seen those ribbon necklaces on the internet? Well I found an online source for the "specialty" ribbon and went to town making them this weekend. I love them!

This photo doesn't really do these necklaces justice but you get the idea. One of these days I'll pick up one of those necklace displays. The hardest part was finding beads with a large enough hole to fit all the ribbon through so you can adjust the length of the necklace. We have a huge bead shop out here and there were only two beads for me to chose from. Go figure. Thanks for looking and have a wonderful day!

Birthday Dog

Hello all! It's been a while. I've been stamping here and there. Working on cards for my stash, graduation cards and cards for Operation Write Home. I'm pleased with the way this card turned out and decided it was blog worthy, so here it is. (I still love all of my Angel Company stamps) I have a few more I'll post over the next few days too. Is everyone enjoying spring? I know in the mid-west they are having lots of snow! Here in the west we have a little rain, and some warm windy days. Hello allergies! You can leave any time!! Thanks for looking today and I hope you find some time to be creative.

Just for fun

Just a little fun post for you to enjoy over the weekend. Love this little girl and plan to add it to the new box of cards I've started for OWH. Have a great weekend and thanks for looking!

OWH Midweek Throw Down

It's time for OWH midweek throw down! This week is a recipe mix card. Love this one! Here's the recipe: 

1 Embossing Folder

1 Border Punch or Die

2 Pattern Papers

1 Ribbon or Twine

As with any recipe I "adjusted" for taste. (smiles) I used 4 patterned papers and 2 dies. Delish! Thanks for looking today and I hope you can play along.

Can't think of a good title for this post

Since I'm home with the crud today and my antibiotics have had a day to kick in I thought I'd try stamping. Not too shabby for someone on drugs! LOL! I know you can't really tell, but the key on the bottom card was die cut out of shiny gold card stock. I had to use a brad to attach the ribbon because the key is so delicate. Pretty clever right? Thanks for looking today!

A Little Late

I had planned to post this earlier in the week and time just got away from me. I hope you all had a nice Valentine's Day with that special someone in your life. And I hope you take some time to tell all the people close to you how much you love them!

Happy Birthday Cupcake!

Here's another little addition to my personal stash of Birthday cards. This little cupcake is a great image to practice my Copic skills. As you can see I need to keep practicing ;-) Thanks for looking today and have a groovy weekend!

OWH Midweek Throwdown

It's time for the OWH Midweek Throw down. I love that I have been able to participate in this challenge two weeks in a row. This week it's all about the kids and I thought this image would be perfect. I will be adding some crystal lacquer to the bubble gum to give it an "authentic" look. Thanks for looking today and I hope you take some time to stamp!

Butterflies!

Who doesn't like butterflies? I have always had a love of butterflies, so when I saw this paper pack by MME I knew I had to have not one, but two. Luckily for me there are so many beautiful papers out there with butterflies on them, so when this paper pack runs dry I can always find something else. I saw a great tutorial about using up an entire pack of 6x6 paper to make cards. It takes a little bit of pre-planning but you can get so many cards out of one pack. I haven't quite mastered the skill but I'm working on it. Thanks for looking today and thanks for all your comments!

Just Cuz

I seem to have a shortage of Birthday cards these days, so I decided after I completed my box of OWH cards I'd focus on making Birthday cards. Here's the first of many I hope. Gotta fill up my personal stash and decided to post it just cuz! Thanks for looking and have a marvelous Super Bowl weekend.

OWH Midweek Throw Down

Here's my little contribution to OWH's midweek throw down. Click on the OWH blinky to the right of this post to go to their site. They are in need of Birthday cards this time, so get busy! I only have two more cards to make to complete my box! Yay for me!

Just for you

Not much to say today, but thought it was time to post something new for you to look at. I'm still pluggin' along with my box of cards for OWH. I'm almost there! Hope you are have a fun week and thanks for looking!

If it works, go with it

I came up with this layout earlier this week and loved it, so I went with it. I think it works really well for Valentine's Day and OWH cards. Still pluggin' along but lost count of how many more cards I need to make to complete my box. All the stamps used in these cards are from Hero Arts. I'm not a big fan of the acrylic stamps sets but I have to say this one is great. It's sticky enough to stay on the block and holds ink well. Some of my other acrylic sets don't hold ink well at all. I'm not sure if they reformulated the acrylic, but whatever they did, it's working! Thanks for looking and have a wonderful weekend.

AEIO

Two posts in one week! Yeah for me. Since I have to work tomorrow I thought I'd get as much stamping in today as possible. I'm half way through completing a box of cards to send to OWH. I like to send at lest 50 at a time, so that means I have 25 left. Wish me luck! Oh, this AEIO missing U stamp set is the one from Hero Arts I mentioned in yesterdays post. I found it at Michael's and was thrilled when I saw it. It's a perfect set for Valentine's Day cards too.

Happy Hearts Day

More Campbell's Soup looking kids! I love this Stampin' Up set I got late last year and am slowly working my way through all the images in the set. One of them is of the fall/Halloween variety so I may put that off until later in the year. My next ideas are to stamp more for OWH using the new set I got from Hero Arts designed specifically for them. Mostly love and missing you stamps but they are perfect for Valentine's day too. Hopefully I'll be able to get some cards together and post more this week. Until then, thanks for looking and have a wonderful week!

Happy New Year!

2013 is already shaping up to be a great year! Got some stamping done today and started purging the craft room. Simple thank you's for the awesome Christmas gifts we received. Hoping to get them filled out and in the mail tomorrow. I hope 2013 has started out great for all of you! Thanks for looking!