Don't use the word Christmas

That's the challenge this week at Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Blog. The stamps are from MFP a HC. I sponged the red background with a giant dauber then used the dauber to make circles on the background to sort of match the red circles on the die cut.

Speedy Fox and Friends Challenge 105--The Blues

The challenge this week for Speedy Fox and Friends is to use BLUES. I've used the bird from Pussy Willows. I just got this Spellbinders die and love it. I really like the sponged circles around the main sponged circle. Go and make a blue card now and enter it over on the blog. You could win a new stamp set.

A Christmas Wreath

I have been looking and looking and looking for this embossing folder for months. On line and in stores. No one has it. Yesterday I had gone into town and decided I had gone that far I might as well go to Micheals. They had 1. Just 1. But now it's finally mine. I have all these vines and flowers laying on my desk I intend to use on it but for today I am using it to hang a Christmas Wreath of Poinsettias on from MFP a HC. I sponged it with Linen and then Grey. The wreath is stamped in brown and cut out. I stamped it twice and cut out a few extra flowers to pop up. Liquid pearls for the centers. The challenge at Crafty Hazel Nuts is to use layers.

Feeling Sketchy #4

A great sketch this week. I'm using the sentiment from Hello Butterflies and the butterfly from Daffodil Greetings. I inked the embossed background with Linen and grey. Popped up the butterflies after coloring them with Copics. The little antenna's were formed with a waxed thread. 

Speedy TV 16--Flowers

The challenge at Speedy TV was to use flowers. I'm using a set from MFP a HC I just got called Hello Butterflies. I was inspired by the butterflies in my Lantana. There are a couple of blogs that always have these hand made flowers on their cards. I haven't learned the forming but I put to use a couple of punches I bought long ago. Then added a couple of dies to make a trellis and vine for my flowers to grow on. 

Speedy Fox and Friends Challenge 104-- Stitching

I used to sew a lot. Made all kinds of things including clothes for years. Now my old machine just sits in the spare bedroom gathering dust. I need to use it more. This weeks challenge was the perfect excuse to turn it on and dust it off. This week we are to add stitches to our cards. They can be real or faux. I chose real and did 2 rows of zig zag stitching to frame my layers. The set is called Brick Wall mini.  I also decided since I was sewing I would add buttons. Something I rarely do. Come on over and join us for a chance to win a new stamp set. 

April Blog Hop Day 4

 Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's 
April Blog Hop!

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Fabulous Dogs Featured April 17
Daffodil Greetings Featured April 18
Hey, Cowboy! Featured April 19
Train Talk Featured April 20

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!) All four winners will be announced on April 21, 2012 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 11PM EST on Friday April 20, 2012.

Lois
Vicky
Anne
Pat G.
Karen H.
Patty P.
Mary
Marilynn
Pam
Debbie
Nancy
Bonnie
Kathy
Brenda
Toni
Tangii
Anna S
Sue
Kelli
Janine
Mark's Finest Papers

                         This is colored with Tom Bow markers and the background sponged.

April Blog Hop Day 3

 Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's 
April Blog Hop!

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Fabulous Dogs Featured April 17
Daffodil Greetings Featured April 18
Hey, Cowboy! Featured April 19
Train Talk Featured April 20

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!) All four winners will be announced on April 21, 2012 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 11PM EST on Friday April 20, 2012.

Lois
Vicky
Anne
Pat G.
Karen H.
Patty P.
Mary
Marilynn
Pam
Debbie
Nancy
Bonnie
Kathy
Brenda
Toni
Tangii
Anna S
Sue
Kelli
Janine
Mark's Finest Papers

   This is my first attempt at a start card. Not sure I'd make another one but it works for this cowboy.

A Cowboy Thing

This is an extra stamp set being released this week at MFP a HC called A Cowboy Thing. There are a total of 4 stamps and I have used them all on this card. The large background bandana was embossed with White EP and I sponged grey and sand memento inks onto it for the color challenge at SplitcoastSatmpers, CC371. I embossed the Concho with Silver EP, sponged it with black and popped it up on the center of the bandana background. I stamped the sentiment on top of the top half of the horse.

April Blog Hop Day 2

 Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's 
April Blog Hop!

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Fabulous Dogs Featured April 17
Daffodil Greetings Featured April 18
Hey, Cowboy! Featured April 19
Train Talk Featured April 20

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!) All four winners will be announced on April 21, 2012 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 11PM EST on Friday April 20, 2012.

Lois
Vicky
Anne
Pat G.
Karen H.
Patty P.
Mary
Marilynn
Pam
Debbie
Nancy
Bonnie
Kathy
Brenda
Toni
Tangii
Anna S
Sue
Kelli
Janine
Mark's Finest Papers

I did a crayon resist technique with an embossing folder to make my background. A tutorial can be found here.

Speedy TV Beach swap

This card is for a swap on Speedy TV. The theme is beach. The background is all sponged with Memento inks. Stamps are from MFP a HC. Real sea shells from a Florida Beach were used for embellishments. When ever we go to the beach I always pick up the tiniest shells I can find so I can use them on my cards. I am really happy how this turned out.

Feeling Sketchy #3

This is a great sketch. This is a brand new sketch challenge blog. Check them out. I decided to use a set I just received from MFP a HC.  Love this light house. I colored it with Prisma pencils and Gamsol. I'm also using this card for the Challenge at Speedy TV which is anything goes. Run on over and enter a card. You could win a brand new set of stamps.

                           
                                 The paper is all from MFP a HC and the sea horse was in my stash.

Favorite Christmas Carol

The challenge this week at CraftyHazelnut's Christmas Challenge was to include music. I just received this stamp from MFP a HC. It is the music for Silent Night, one of my favorite Christmas Carols. I distressed the edges of the image after cutting it out. Then sponged with Linen and Walnut Distressed inks and added gold to the edges. I also sponged the designer paper. The Poinsettia is from Spellbinders. I sponged it with the same inks.

This next card uses 4 different stamp sets from MFP a HC. I tried a Technique Junkie Technique called Layered Masking from the Feb./Mar. 2012 issue.

2 more down. By the time the holidays come around I will have a good supply of cards made. Thanks Hazel.

April Blog Hop Day 1

 Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's 
April Blog Hop!

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Fabulous Dogs Featured April 17
Daffodil Greetings Featured April 18
Hey, Cowboy! Featured April 19
Train Talk Featured April 20

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!) All four winners will be announced on April 21, 2012 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 11PM EST on Friday April 20, 2012.

Lois
Vicky
Anne
Pat G.
Karen H.
Patty P.
Mary
Marilynn
Pam
Debbie
Nancy
Bonnie
Kathy
Brenda
Toni
Tangii
Anna S
Sue
Kelli
Janine
Mark's Finest Papers

My little puppy is digging a hole to bury his treats.  Isn't he cute!! Kind of like the 2 real doggies I have at home digging holes in my yard.

My last sneak peak for April

Background is a good old fashioned ink smooshing. I will be showing you how to do it in May on the Speedy Fox and Friends Challenge Blog. Both stamps are from MFP a HC and being released next week. 

Speedy Fox and Friends Challenge 103-- Rainbows

Make a rainbow on your card front. That's what we are doing this week. You could take it several ways. Here is my card. A very Clean & Simple and Fast card. This is just a card base. No layers at all except for the popped up butterfly. All stamps are MFP a HC.

Another Christmas card done

Well I started out with a snow theme and somewhere lost the idea so I added a little bit of stickles and a few snowflakes. The challenge theme at Crafty Hazel Nut Christmas blog was White Christmas. I used the sketch from Feeling Sketchy to make my card. This week my day off has come in the middle of the week so I need to play catch up with my card making challenges. I just love this embossing folder. I have wanted it for a long time but everyone was always out of it. Finally it is mine.

Hey Cowboy!!

This is a sneak peak of a new MFP a HC stamp set coming out next week called Hey Cowboy. I looked through my whole stash for a horse or a cow and all I could come up with was this pig which actually works for our farm. Pigs are so smart. They can get out of everything but they don't like barb wire. No more afternoon walks through the front property and no more snacking on my flowers.

Sneak Peaks day one MFP a HC

The set is called Fabulous Dogs. A great set for the dog lover.

             Embellishments from Joann Fabric.  Top background stamp is from IO, Cover a Card.

Speedy TV Challenge 15/Spring.

This is also a sneak peak of a new MFP a HC set available next week called Daffodil greetings. Check out the challenge at Speedy TV.  I used Copics to color the images and the clouds are sponged over some scallops.

Speedy Fox and Friends Challenge 102-- a Mother's Day Card

I know it's over a month away but I thought it would be a good idea if we all got a head start on this one so that is why I suggested it. 

The challenge this week at Speedy's Challenge Blog is to make a Mothers Day card. I went a little different and strayed away from the normal flower images and went with some furry friends. I did add some flowers though. All stamps are from MFP a HC.

Feeling Sketchy

That is the name of a brand new blog having weekly sketch challenges. This is the very first one. I will be following along with the sketches each week. This one is super easy. Check it out if you like doing sketches.  Here is my card.

All stamps are from Marks Finest Papers a Heinrich Company.  The chickens are from a sassy little set called Flap My Wattles and the chicken wire is in a mini set called chicken wire of course.

Christmas card #3

I am so glad I found the Crafty Hazelnut Christmas card Challenge Blog.  I will have my cards all done by the time December gets her. This week we were to use a sentiment on the front. This was a real fast card. I purchased the background paper last Christmas and hadn't used any of it.  I stamped the wreath in Antique Linen and didn't like it so I inked up with London Fog and tried to match up the design. I love how it turned out. The same thing goes for the sentiment. I had stamped that in red and didn't like it so I inked up in black and tried to match up. It worked out well.  Inks used: Distressed and Memento. Stamps and ribbon  are from Marks Finest Papers a Heinrich Company.

SSSD-April - A Different kind of card- The Center Step

This one ladies will take a little thought so I urge you to use practice paper first until you get the cuts. Here we go.

                               You will need a 5 1/2 x 11 piece of card stock and a method of cutting.

The first measurement you need to figure out is where 1" is. In my case where was 1" under the ruler on the other side of my blade.

Next you need to find the where your blade is and there should be a mark on the side. I put black marker on mine so I could see it better. Line that mark up with 1" and cut from there to the 6 1/2" mark. Flip it over and do the same thing on the other side.

Here is what you should have when both sides are cut. The 2 end pieces will be your side steps. when we are finished.

                              If you have a scor-pal this is how it should be placed on your pal.

     Score 1", 2" and 6 1/2" from the edge to the cut line. Turn it over and do the same thing.

                                               Now score between the cut lines at 5 1/2"

                 Fold them as all mountain folds except the 2" score line. That is a valley fold.

                   Fold flat. This is how it should look. Use your tool to make the folds crisp.

       This is how it will look standing up. Now the fun begins. Decorate it anyway you wish.

SSSD-April Technique-Crayon Resist

Hi ladies. This is a quick and easy technique. It will give you that worn vintage type look. You can use a white crayon but I had trouble seeing where I colored and where I didn't so I decided to use a dark color.  The first thing you need to do is run your white card stock through your machine inside an embossing folder. 

 Now leave it in the folder for some stability while you rub the crayon over the raised parts. Take the paper off your crayon and laying it on its side rub the design. Getting some darker areas.

                                                  This is what you will end up with.

        Now take your sponge and start working the color into your paper using a sponge and dye ink.

Continue to add color or colors until you are happy with the results. Buff it with a paper towel. The ink will not stick to the heaviest colored areas. 

                                              This is my card.

                                             Here is a second background I did.

Experiment with colors. Try out white. You will love the results.