The Eagles Nest

Speedy Fox and Friends Challenge 92 --4 layers

2012-01-28T00:05:00.001-05:00

This week we are layering. At least 4 layers for this Challenge. I hope you add your card. You will have a chance to win a newly released stamp set from MFP a HC. I used a pair of fancy cut scissors to try and match the border of the stamp.

All papers, ribbon and stamps are from Marks Finest papers.

Playing catch up

2012-01-25T17:01:00.001-05:00

Here are a few challenges I worked on today. One is from last week. All are from Splitcoaststampers.

This is for last weeks Wednesdays sketch challenge SC368. Background is from my stash. Stamps and ribbon from MFP a HC.

This is for Tuesdays Color Combo challenge CC359. Black, Lime and Poppy. Stamps and ribbon from MFP a HC. I used a Cuttlebug Border embossing folder on the top and bottom of my black layer.

This one is for this Wednesday Sketch challenge SC369. Stamps and twine from MFP a HC. nI colored it with pencil and Gamsol.

Speedy Fox and Friends Challenge 91 --Birthday card

2012-01-21T00:05:00.002-05:00

Well this is an easy challenge and we all need to make Birthday cards so I hope you join and enter your card for a chance to win a newly released stamp set from Marks Finest Papers a Heinrich Company.

I used scraps to make this card. Didn't have to cut anything but the card base. Love when that happens. It just went together in less than 5 minutes. The background is Polished Stone layered on Glossy Black card stock. Ribbon and stamp from MFP a HC.

Blog Hop Day 4-- Hope you have enjoyed it.

2012-01-20T00:05:00.004-05:00

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

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Love Remains Featured January 17
Cowgirls Rule Featured January 18
Sending Happy Thoughts Featured January 19
You Are Cherished Featured January 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!)We will announce all four winners on January 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!) The winners will be chosen at 11PM EST on Friday January 20, 2012.

Lois
Vicky
Anne
Pat G.
Karen H.
Patty P.
Mary
Dawn M.
Marilynn
Chrissy
Karen K.
Pam
Debbie
Nancy
Bonnie
Harriet
Kathy
Silvia
Brenda
Mark's Finest Papers

Blog Hop Day 3-- Hope you're still hopping with us

2012-01-19T00:05:00.006-05:00

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

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Love Remains Featured January 17
Cowgirls Rule Featured January 18
Sending Happy Thoughts Featured January 19
You Are Cherished Featured January 20

Lois
Vicky
Anne
Pat G.
Karen H.
Patty P.
Mary
Dawn M.
Marilynn
Chrissy
Karen K.
Pam
Debbie
Nancy
Bonnie
Harriet
Kathy
Silvia
Brenda
Mark's Finest Papers

I came up with this envelope looking idea. Not sure I like it. I came up with the idea while trying to go to sleep. Not sure I should listen to bedtime ideas. What do you think?

Blog Hop Day 2-- My favorite

2012-01-18T00:05:00.005-05:00

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

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Love Remains Featured January 17
Cowgirls Rule Featured January 18
Sending Happy Thoughts Featured January 19
You Are Cherished Featured January 20

Lois
Vicky
Anne
Pat G.
Karen H.
Patty P.
Mary
Dawn M.
Marilynn
Chrissy
Karen K.
Pam
Debbie
Nancy
Bonnie
Harriet
Kathy
Silvia
Brenda
Mark's Finest Papers

Totally love this set. I've colored it with pencil. Sponged ground and sky.

Blog Hop Day 1--Hop along please

2012-01-17T00:05:00.004-05:00

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

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Love Remains Featured January 17
Cowgirls Rule Featured January 18
Sending Happy Thoughts Featured January 19
You Are Cherished Featured January 20

Lois
Vicky
Anne
Pat G.
Karen H.
Patty P.
Mary
Dawn M.
Marilynn
Chrissy
Karen K.
Pam
Debbie
Nancy
Bonnie
Harriet
Kathy
Silvia
Brenda
Mark's Finest Papers

I cut out the rose images and attached them to the front around the oval cut out. Colored with pencil.

The Crocus of Winter

2012-01-16T13:01:00.000-05:00

I remember waiting for the crocus to come up in Feb. & March. They just pushed their way through the snow. Beautiful purples, yellows and white. That is what I was going for in this Friends of Speedy TV Challenge to use pencils. I ripped my snow drifts and added glitter.

This card is for SplitcoastStampers. Monday CAS 153/Sketch.

This one is for SplitcoastStampers Monday TLC360/ use twine. This bakers twine as well as the stamps can be found at Marks Finest Papers a Heinrich Company.

Speedy Fox and Friends Challenge 90 -- use a border punch

2012-01-14T08:48:00.000-05:00

I love making this kind of card. It's so easy and has I think a nice look especially in white. My card is for Speedy Fox and Friends Challenge 90. Go on over and join in. You may win a newly introduced stamp set.

SC367/Wednesdays sketch

2012-01-12T09:52:00.000-05:00

I was so busy yesterday working on my Blog Hop posts for next week and tutorials for my SSSD group I forgot to do my Wednesday Sketch for Splitcoaststampers. I had this morning off so I dug into my scrap box under the desk where everything goes when I clean my desk off. I found this snowflake background and the MFP a HC Church image so that was my starting point. The sentiment is from the Peaceful Nuthatch set. My next problem was the buttons. Trying to find 2 that matched but look what I found. 2 snowflake buttons. It was meant to be.

Saved the best for last

2012-01-10T21:23:00.000-05:00

Here's my last MFP a HC sneak peak for today. This is my favorite set. It's called Cowgirls Rule. Wait till you see the large image that comes with this set. So cute.

Blog Hop starts on the 17th. See you there.

CC357 and another Sneak Peak

2012-01-10T10:19:00.000-05:00

The Color challenge today at Splitcoaststampers is to use Blushing Bride, Riding Hood Red and Baja Breeze. I used another new MFP a HC set being introduced next week called You are Cherished. Super simple to color in. I embossed it with black EP and then used Tombow markers to color.

Here come the Sneak Peaks

2012-01-10T09:06:00.000-05:00

Valentines Day is on it's way and 2 of the new sets from MFPaHC for January, which will be available next week , are made just for this day. Lots of love here. So get ready to peak. First set is called Love Remains. oodles of little die cuts at work here.

The next set is called Sending happy Thoughts. I made a Joy Fold card.

Monday challenges actually finished on Monday

2012-01-09T17:19:00.000-05:00

I did it. The Speedy TV challenge is to make a Thank you card. I combined that with the SplitcoastStampers Technique TLC359. We got to choose any technique from last year that we wanted to do. I picked TLC334 Color blocking with a twist. This was a technique I wanted to try when I first saw it but hadn't gottten around to it. Today was the day. You stamp with your acrylic blocks. I smooshed 3 different colors onto a large square block and stamped it on my card stock. Then I stamped the flowers on top and colored in with markers. Ribbon and stamp from MFP a Heinrich Company.

Then I worked on the CAS card at Splitcoaststampers. CAS152 is a simple challenge. Just use die cuts. I looked through my scrap stash and found all of these shapes. I finished it off with some ribbon from MFP a Heinrich Company.

Friends of SpeedyTV Week 1--Gate Fold

2012-01-07T09:55:00.000-05:00

I'm still on the stamping path. One more of this weeks challenges finished. Speedy TV wants you to make a Gate Fold Card. Here's mine.

That's all the challenges I wanted to do this week. So week 1 of challenges 2012 accomplished. On to week 2. See you Monday.

Speedy Fox and Friends Challenge 89- use brads or eyelets

2012-01-07T09:01:00.000-05:00

Today is a new beginning for MFP a Heinrich Co. We have a new Blog mascot, Speedy Fox. Isn't he cute. Today we are breaking out those brads and eyelets and putting them to use. I very seldom use them. I am more into the rhinestones and pearls. But I founds some snowflake brads in my stash to go with my winter Panorama card scene. Be sure to join us. You have a chance to win a new stamp set just by entering your card. All stamps and Paper used are from MFP.

I'm on a role

2012-01-06T18:43:00.000-05:00

Not quite up to speed but accomplishing something. Spent the day with my daughter who came home to visit and let me buy her stuff. Got to love them. This card is for 2 of this weeks SplitcoastStampers Challenges. Tuesdays color CC356 and Wednesdays sketch SC366. Stamps and paper all by MFP a Heinrich Company.

It's time to get back to stamping

2012-01-05T09:34:00.000-05:00

It has been so hectic at work and home the last 2 weeks I got nothing stamped. But that all changes now. I need to get back to my routine. This card is for SCS TLC358. The theme this Monday was WET. I made the background way over a year ago and really don't remember what it is but I'm guessing it's Smoosh technique with a mixture of Dye and Pigment reinkers. EP only sticks to the Pigment ink so you have a shiney background with breaks anywhere there was a Dye ink. I also put Glossy Accents in the center of the flower. All stamps and paper are from MFP a Heinrich Company.

SSSD/January Try a Different Card

2012-01-01T02:00:00.001-05:00

I ladies. Hope you are enjoying your Holiday with your families. Our card for January is a Telescoping card. I will be showing you 2 different ones. You should make the second card for the swap. Here we go. This will be quick and great for a snowman swap. You will need 3 white circles 1 7/8, 2 5/8, 3 3/4. Sizes are what I used you can change them if you like. I also cut out a snowflake using brown card stock for his arms. You can use whatever you have. You will need a scrap of orange cs and a scrap of black cs as well as 2 white brads. Something to punch holes with and something to pierce with.

Take the 2 largest circles and lay the smaller one in the middle of the larger one. Pierce and add your first brad.

Open it up and lay the smallest circle in the center of the middle size circle. Pierce and add your other white brad.

I used a crop a dile to make eyes and buttons. Cut 2 spokes of the snowflake off for arms and attached in the back of center circle. Cut out a triangle for his nose. The hat is a black rectangle and a SU word window punch. Here he is opened.

Here he is closed. Cute!!

Ok now here are the directions you will use for your swap card. You need 2 white 3 1/2" and 1 white 3" circles. 2 brads. You also will be adding other layers of your choice. I used scalloped circles. You must layer your card for the swap in some way.

Stamp your images and sentiment. Beware of your placement. I had to redo mine so my finished card will not be matching my pictures. You want to only see the top layer image when the card is closed.

Color your images and layer to your liking.

Lay your middle circle on top of the bottom circle. Notice the middle is one is upside down. It needs to be done this way so that when it telescopes open all images will be facing in the right direction.

Pierce your hole and add your brad.

Open that up and lay your top circle on top of the center circle. Notice that the top circle is upside down.

Pierce your hole and add your brad.

Here the card is closed.

and here it is opened.

Now this can be done with squares too. So give it a try.

SSSD/January Technique

2012-01-01T01:00:00.002-05:00

Hi ladies this month we are going to be working on a Embossing technique. Here is what you will need to begin. Dark card stock, Versa mark and gold EP.

Swipe your Versa Mark pad across the card stock covering completely.

Emboss with the Gold Embossing powder first doing one half and then the other. This helps in the where am I going to hold this problem.

Heat with your heat tool. Emboss other side and heat that up.

Here is what you will now have. Next thing you nee is an embossing folder and your Cuttlebug or other machine.

Run it through.

Pretty pretty pretty

Now grab whatever you use for sanding.

and sand away trying to stay on raised areas.

Here is my card. Picture is not real good but the purple is showing where I sanded and the gold is now more antiquey looking because it's not as shiney.

Speedy the Cats Friends Challenge # 88/Snowflakes

2011-12-31T00:05:00.001-05:00

This weeks challenge was to use snowflakes. I used stamps from the new set Ice& Snow. The icicles image was stamped and then filled in with Stickles. I added bling to the snowflakes.

Speedy the Cats Friends Challenge # 87/Anything goes

2011-12-24T00:05:00.001-05:00

I was so inspired by all the projects during the 12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop I bought myself a few supplies to do some altering. For this challenge I decided to try the candle. I was very disappointed to find I had no tissue paper. I'm sure Robin used it in some gifting. I did find some mulberry paper in my stash. The marker ran. I tried Copics and Tom Bows. Will have to get the tissue paper to see if they run on that too. So its not perfect but oh my goodness how fast it melts into the candle. I would do this again for sure. I also made a card with the same image using the out of the box technique with a circle Nestabilities. My first time trying this. Turned out very good. The images are from a new set called Pucker Up by MFP-A Heinrich Company. Be sure to try the challenge this week. Anything goes and you could win some new MFP-H co. stamps.

A little play time.

2011-12-19T17:20:00.001-05:00

I finally had some me time and put it to good use getting a little ahead in my card making duties.This first card is for the SCS sketch Challenge363 this week. I really like how it turned out.

Very simple. Used 2 embossing folders for my front layers. Stamps from MFP a Heinrich Co. My next card uses another MFP set called Winter Crocus. I took a pink piece of card stock and sprayed with a purple Glimmer Mist for my background. I always was so happy to see the Crocus pop through the snow when I lived in Ohio. Kind of let you know there was hope for winter be over. You have to smile when you look at them peeking at you through the white.

Speedy the Cats Friends Challenge # 86/Christmas

2011-12-17T00:05:00.001-05:00

This weeks challenge added one more card to my pile of Christmas cards. This card uses a stamp from the set Covered Bridges. I used pencils to color the image. Sponged ink to fill in the sky and ground and used Stickles for sparkle.

Dec. Blog Hop Day 3/Marks Finest Papers-a Heinrich Company

2011-12-15T00:05:00.003-05:00

Welcome to last day of our December Blog Hop. Today the set is called New Pines. It has some great pinecones. I cut out a scalloped oval out of the center of my front and highlighted it with one of the pinecone images. In the center I added they saying that comes with the set. Be sure to check out the Hop. Leave a message at each blog and you will have a chance to win one of these new sets.

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

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Pucker Up Featured December 13

Pussy Willows Featured December 14
Ice and Snow Featured December 14

New Pines Featured December 15

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! We will announce all four winners on December 16, 2011 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. The winners will be chosen at 11PM EST on Thursday December 15, 2011.

Lois
Vicky
Anne
Connie
Linda
Karen H.
Patty P.
Geri
Dawn M.
Marilynn
Chrissy
Karen K.
Pam
Debbie
Brenda T
Bonnie
Harriet
Tammylee
Silvia
Mark's Finest Papers

Dec. Blog Hop Day 2/Marks Finest Papers-a Heinrich Company

2011-12-14T00:05:00.009-05:00

Welcome back todays set brings back lots of childhood memories. Up north we had Pussy Willows everywhere. I also remember when I was older making faux ones with bumpy Chenille stems for Spring Craft shows. I really like this set. I stamped the background with Distressed inks Old Paper and Pumice Stone with one of the images. Used Copics to color the main image.

This next set is called Snow & ice. I stamped and embossed the snowflakes. Sponged the background with 3 different blue Distressed inks and spritzed with water.

Go check out the rest of the teams projects. Leave a message at each blog and you will have a chance to win a new stamp set.

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

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Pucker Up Featured December 13

Pussy Willows Featured December 14
Ice and Snow Featured December 14

New Pines Featured December 15

Lois
Vicky
Anne
Connie
Linda
Karen H.
Patty P.
Geri
Dawn M.
Marilynn
Chrissy
Karen K.
Pam
Debbie
Brenda T
Bonnie
Harriet
Tammylee
Silvia
Mark's Finest Papers

Dec. Blog Hop Day 1/Marks Finest Papers-a Heinrich Company

2011-12-13T00:05:00.004-05:00

Welcome to the first Blog Hop for the new Company. Be sure to check it out. Today we are showing a new stamp set called Pucker Up. This is a great set with cute sayings about lemons. Now go look at the rest of the teams projects. Leave a message at each blog and have a chance to win a new stamp set.

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

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Pucker Up Featured December 13

Pussy Willows Featured December 14
Ice and Snow Featured December 14

New Pines Featured December 15

Lois
Vicky
Anne
Connie
Linda
Karen H.
Patty P.
Geri
Dawn M.
Marilynn
Chrissy
Karen K.
Pam
Debbie
Brenda T
Bonnie
Harriet
Tammylee
Silvia
Mark's Finest Papers

SSSD Ladies and an explanation to others.

2011-12-12T13:26:00.001-05:00

I belong to a Yahoo Group of swapping stamping and scrapping ladies. I am the Hostess of a number of swaps and will be putting some swap information on here for the ladies to follow and I hope the rest of you will enjoy it also. On the first of every month starting Jan 1, 2012 I will be posting 2 tutorials. One for a technique and one for a different kind of card. We have tried this in the past on the group without the tutorial and things did not go well so hope that having picture by picture instructions will make this easy and fun. Today I am going to tell you about another swap starting in January called Build a Sketch. We have 17 pieces and will be using approximately 5 of them to make a card. This month we will be using these parts. #1 is your card base. #2 is the top layer 4 x 5 1/4. # 4 is a circle 2 to 21/2 ". #15 is a rectangle 4 7/8 x 2 7/8 and #17. is a smaller rectangle 2 1/4x 7/8. Now if you need to adjust your sizes a smidge that is fine but stick to these pieces.

Here are a few examples of what you can do with the pieces to help you design a card.

Here is my card. Hope this helps ladies. The back layer is Encaustic wax. Stamps are all by Marks Finest Papers- a Heinrich Company.

Speedy the Cats Friends Challenge # 85/Thank you

2011-12-10T00:05:00.001-05:00

This week on the Speedy Blog we are making Thank you cards. This is a new set coming out this month from MFP- a Heinrich Company. It's called Pucker Up. I don't have an MFP "Thank you" stamp so I used the word Thanksgiving from another set and only inked up the part that spelled out Thanks. And abra cadabra you get a Thank you card of sorts. I've colored the image with Copics and chalk.

Speedy TV Challenge 10

2011-12-05T18:59:00.000-05:00

I received this set of stamps in the mail today. They were perfect for the Speedy TV challenge/ silhouettes and they screamed really loud at me to do some snakeskin. So I did. This is a great set available now at MFP-a Heinrich Company called Buffalo Spring.

Relaxing .. 1 more day of vacation left

2011-12-03T15:15:00.000-05:00

On Mondays there are 2 challenges I try to do. Mojo Monday Sketches and SpeedyTV. I combined the 2 this week because the challenge at Speedy TV is to use your favorite sketch. I don't have a favorite. I never know how a card will turn out but if I am in need of inspiration it can be found at the Mojo Monday blog site. So she has all my favorite sketches. I am just getting this in with little time to spare at both sites. The window die cut is from Poppy Stamps. There is a bigger one too and I think it will become mine soon. Stamp and flowers from MFP- A Heinrich Company.

Speedy the Cats Friends Challenge # 84/Favorite Embellishment

2011-12-03T00:05:00.000-05:00

Check out this challenge on the Speedy Blog. I love BLING!! This CAS card uses the new set Ice and Snow coming out later this month from Marks Finest Papers- a Heinrich Company. I've covered the image with lots of glitter as well as added a little blue bling here and there on the stamped snowflakes.

Colors of Fall

2011-11-29T21:26:00.000-05:00

Vacation Day photos

2011-11-29T21:22:00.000-05:00

Had a great day today. Went to Merritt Island, Florida to the Cape Canaveral National Beach and the Wild Life Preserve.

Speedy the Cats Friends Challenge # 83/ Masculine card

2011-11-26T00:05:00.000-05:00

This week the Challenge is to make a Masculine Card. That's something we all need to create more of. I used one of the stamps from the set Autumn Glory. It's colored with pencils and I found 2 pieces of background I had made awhile ago that I thought worked good together. Join in the fun. You may win a Stamp set from Marks Finest Papers-A Heinrich Company.

MFPs- A Heinrich Company Nov Blog Hop ** Day 3

2011-11-23T00:05:00.012-05:00

Hope you all had a fantastic Thanksgiving. I'm sure your still full from all those pumpkin pies and turkeys. I know I am. This is the last day of our Hop this month. Todays set is called What a Fox. Isn't he a cutie? I never know how a card is going to turn out when I start. Not always happy with the results. I started out with Copics but just thought they were too bold for this little guy. So I used my pencils and I am so much happier with these results. I colored the bigger fox and cut him out. Thought he needed a buddie so stamped and cut out the smaller fox. I've had this Designer paper on my desk for a week. Finally put it to use but felt it needed something extra so I tried wrapping ribbon around it at an angle in 2 shades. Then made a bow with both ribbons.

MFPs- A Heinrich Co. Nov Blog Hop ** Day 2

2011-11-22T00:05:00.001-05:00

Welcome back. Be sure to check out the Blog Hop. Today we are showing you the new set A Trip to Lancaster. This is a favorite of mine. Being from Ohio, I spent lots and lots of time in Amish Country. Great food and peacefulness. My background is a ink smoosh sprayed with water on water color paper.

MFPs- A Heinrich Company Nov Blog Hop ** Day 1

2011-11-21T00:05:00.002-05:00

Welcome to our Blog Hop for November. We have some great new sets to show you. This set is called Peaceful Nuthatch. I love this little bird. He's very easy to color. I looked in my bird guide for coloring. Both of my samples were colored with Copic Markers. Be sure to check out the Hop.

Speedy the Cat Challenge 82

2011-11-19T00:05:00.000-05:00

This weeks Challenge is a Color Challenge. Use Black, White and ONE other color. I'm using a new set available this month from Marks Finest Papers - A Heinrich Company. I've created a scene using two of the stamps. Prisma pencils and Gamsol were used to color the road. Lots of Stickles for the snow.

Speedy the Cats Friends Challenge 81

2011-11-12T00:05:00.001-05:00

The Challenge is to use your favorite technique. My favorite is using Webbing. Webbing gives everything pizzazz. This new set from Marks Finest Papers - a Heinrich Company is called A Trip to Lancaster. I am originally from Ohio and spent many days in Berlin, Ohio. The Heart of Ohio Amish Country. Love Love Love going there. The peace, rolling farm lands, the quaintness of the Amish and the Awesome food. This set is wonderful. I tried a patchwork sponged background with faux stitching. Amish Country means Quilt shops with lots of detailed quilts so that was what I was trying to represent. Sprayed that with gold Webbing. I added the detail to the bird and flowers with a fine point Sharpie.

Speedy the Cats Friends Challenge 80

2011-11-05T00:05:00.002-04:00

We were asked to make a winter card. My favorite winter flower is the Poinsettia. I have quite a few of them growing in my yard. These were made with the new Spellbinders Poinsettia layered die. The background I made with Posh Rainbow Ink on glossy paper. Stamps are from MFP.

Now there has been some sort of exciting but sad news. Marks Finest Papers has been bought and so most of the stamp sets have been retired leaving us with few stamps to show you right now. But there will be a whole batch of new and wonderful sets very soon. The companies name will be changing and I will let you know when this happens. I will be staying on as part of the Design Team. You can check out a few of the sets available right now here.

Speedy the Cats Friends Challenge # 79

2011-10-29T00:05:00.001-04:00

This week we are using only scraps to make our cards. All images and paper scraps were on my desk including the card base. The deer image is left over from my Coasters project and the holly is left over from my Altered frame. All the paper was used in something this last week that I had made. Didn't have to look for anything. And now my desk is a little cleaner. That's a good thing. Stamps from Marks Finest Papers. I decided to do the Spotlight technique to hi-light the deer.

Autumn Challenges

2011-10-27T13:17:00.000-04:00

Haven't had much time for stamping this week. Thanks to a mouse who ate the PVC pipes in the bathroom I'm getting a new floor and that put me into cleaning mode as my husband is in destruction mode. Vicious circle. So Spring cleaning came early. But today I need some stamping time. This card is for the Friends of Speedy TV Challenge #4, Harvest theme. I'm also using it for 2 challenges at SCS. Fridays Way to use it, LEAVES WT346 and Wednesdays Sketch SC356. Stamps are from Marks Finest Papers.

Speedy the Cats Friends Challenge # 78

2011-10-22T00:05:00.002-04:00

For this challenge we are altering items to give as Christmas Gifts. I got this set of coasters at Micheals. They are back with the frames. A little pricey but I got them for 50% off which made them just right for me. They are real heavy and have this base that houses them. A great gift and the picture can be changed out by season or whenever simply by slipping them into place. I wrapped a piece of ribbon around the base. Stamps and ribbon from Marks Finest Papers.

Check out the Challenge blog for lots of great gift ideas.

Cupcakes for everyone

2011-10-21T11:17:00.001-04:00

I have combined several challenges in this card. The Stampin Bs challenge was to use Scoring. The stamp set is a new set from MFP called Birthday Mini. Colored with Copics and added stickles to the frosting.

The colors used are for the SCS CC345 (pink, dk pink & green). The cup cake is for the SCS CAS140 (clean & simple card cupcake theme).

12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop.

2011-10-18T09:32:00.000-04:00

This started Monday and will go for 12 Days. Great ideas for Stamping projects to give as Christmas presents. Check it out each day.

Speedy the Cats Friends Challenge 77

2011-10-15T00:05:00.010-04:00

This week the theme is "seeing double". Use an image twice on your project. I used the set Holly Greetings. The owl is colored with pencil, the holly leaves with Copics and the wreath and sentiment with Distressed inks. Be sure to check out the other DT members items and don't miss the 12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop which starts on Monday the 17th. There are some really awesome ideas.

This card uses the the set Ginger Cookies.

MFPs Blog Hop Day 4

2011-10-14T00:05:00.003-04:00

Hello! Welcome to the October 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!
This month's new releases are: Holly Greetings, Christmas in the Country, Snowball?, Country Thanksgiving, Cardinals in Winter, and Ginger Cookies.For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.
So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set: Ginger Cookies? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)
For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Ginger Cookies. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.
Emily
Nancyruth
Neva
Faith
Dawn
Marilynn
Patricia
Chrissy
Karen
Pam
Joanne
Markie
Carol
Mark’s Finest Papers

I used a Martha Stewart punch to form my wreath.

Use a bird

2011-10-13T19:01:00.000-04:00

This card is for a sketch challenge for my SSSD yahoo group and also for the Stampin Bs Challenge this week "Use a Bird". Ribbon and image are from MFP.

IBFCC #11/ Girl Power

2011-10-13T18:53:00.000-04:00

The challenge which I almost missed the deadline for at I Brake for Challenges is Girl Power. I have these stamps on my desk for over a week. Just couldn't get motivated. Stamps are from IBFS. The image was sponged and then sprayed with water giving it a blotchy look. Spellbinder die cuts. Cuddlebug Folder sponged.

MFPs Blog Hop Day 3

2011-10-13T00:05:00.000-04:00

Hello! Welcome to the October 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!
This month's new releases are: Holly Greetings, Christmas in the Country, Snowball?, Country Thanksgiving, Cardinals in Winter, and Ginger Cookies.For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.
So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Sets: Country Thanksgiving and Cardinals in Winter? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)
For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Country Thanksgiving and Cardinals in Winter. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.
Emily
Nancyruth
Neva
Faith
Dawn
Marilynn
Patricia
Chrissy
Karen
Pam
Joanne
Markie
Carol
Mark’s Finest Papers

MFPs Blog Hop Day 2

2011-10-12T00:05:00.004-04:00

Hello! Welcome to the October 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!
This month's new releases are: Holly Greetings, Christmas in the Country, Snowball?, Country Thanksgiving, Cardinals in Winter, and Ginger Cookies.For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.
So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Sets: Christmas in the Country and Snowball? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)
For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Christmas in the Country and Snowball?. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.
Lois
Vicky
Dawn
Anne
Peggysue
Connie
Linda
Karen
Patty
Liz
Geri
Lynn
Claudine
Debbie
Mark’s Finest Papers

I watercolored the scene.

MFPs Blog Hop Day 1

2011-10-11T00:05:00.001-04:00

Hello! Welcome to the October 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!
This month's new releases are: Holly Greetings, Christmas in the Country, Snowball?, Country Thanksgiving, Cardinals in Winter, and Ginger Cookies.For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.
So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set: Holly Greetings? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)
For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Holly Greetings. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.
Lois
Vicky
Dawn
Anne
Peggysue
Connie
Linda
Karen
Patty
Liz
Geri
Lynn
Claudine
Debbie
Mark’s Finest Papers

TLC346 at SCS

2011-10-10T14:23:00.000-04:00

The technique this week was to use 2 background stamps and layer them or combine a few smaller ones to make your background. I used 3 stamps from MFP to make the background. The little cardinal is from the set Cardinals in winter. I used distressed inks and Copics. I'm also using this for the SCS- CAS139 which was an inspirational picture this week.

Here is my last sneak peak before Tuesdays MFP Blog Hop

2011-10-09T21:32:00.000-04:00

This set is called Cardinals in Winter. I water colored the image after first using Copics on one and then pencils on another. I decided I liked the water coloring the best. I'm using it for the SCS Friday Free 4 All/ Make your own background. This is just a piece of white card stock I sprayed with Gold Webbing and while it was still wet ( you have to be real QUICK ) I sprinkled Embossing powder with Glitter in it over the webbing, tapped off the excess and then heated it. There is a sparkle to the background that doesn't show up well in the photo.

There will be blog hop fun right here starting Tuesday. You could win one of the new sets just by visiting the DT blogs and leaving some love.

Rain Rain RAIN

2011-10-09T16:27:00.000-04:00

I don't think we've had an all day rain in at least three years. There were 2 outdoor art festivals I wanted to go to. But since they were a no go I stamped a little. Still had a couple of projects to finish up. This is a sneak peak of a stamp set that will be available starting Tuesday at MFP called Christmas in the Country. I have water colored this sample on water color paper. Added Frosted Lace Stickles for the snow detail.

Speedy the Cats Friends challenge # 76/No designer paper

2011-10-08T00:05:00.001-04:00

That is an easy one for me. I rarely use designer paper. I like making my own. This is a sneak peak of a brand new set that will be available on Tuesday from Marks Finest Papers called Country Thanksgiving. This scarecrow is my newest favorite stamp. Isn't he cute.

Check out the Blog for the DT samples and play along please. You could win a new stamp set. ANd be sure to check out the Blog Hop on Tuesday to see all the new sets for October. Here are a few more cards I made with this set.

A couple more sneak peaks

2011-10-05T14:55:00.000-04:00

This card is for CC343 at SCS. Colors More Mustard,Tangerine,Cream, and Soft Suede. Stamps are from the set Country Thanksgiving from Marks Finest Papers. I stamped the sunflower in all 3 colors for the background.

These images are from the set Ginger Cookies by Marks Finest papers. Colored with Copic markers.

My last card is for the SC353 sketch challenge at SCS. Stamps are from the set Holly Greetings by Marks Finest Papers. This one is colored with Prisma pencils and Gamsol.

CAS138

2011-10-03T14:50:00.000-04:00

Here is a sneak peak of another new MFP stamp set for October available next Tuesday. This one is called Holly Greetings. I used the CAS138 sketch for my card.

You know that commercial where the kids think the parents are bored because they are gone.

2011-10-02T19:46:00.000-04:00

This is what we did today.

My MFP Debut/ Speedy the Cats Friends Challenge # 75

2011-10-01T00:05:00.013-04:00

Today marks my first day as a DT Member for Marks Finest Papers and their blog Speedy the Cats Friends. The Challenge is to use Polka Dots. I had to think about this one for awhile. Then I remembered this technique. I like the way the card turned out.

To celebrate my first challenge I am going to show you how I made my card. The stamps are from MFP. The set is called Poppies Poppies Poppies. Ribbon is also from MFP.
Here are the supplies needed. Make sure your ink pads are lighter than the markers you are going to use but from the same color family.

Stamp your image on regular white or a light colored card stock.

Now take your first finger dauber and the first color and work in a circular motion to form your dots.

Now repeat with the second dauber and second ink pad.

Color your image with your markers.

Next take your reinker, and I ended up using Old Paper distressed ink. The pumice stone was too dark for my liking. On your work surface make a little puddle.

Wet your water brush or paint brush with the ink and tap it across your fingers splattering your image.

I cut the image out with one of the Spellbinder label dies. The layer behind is is a white piece of card stock sponged with Distress inks Wild Honey, Marmalade and Rusty Hinge. Added the ribbon around the layer. I finished the card with little round embellishments which added more polka dots. I hope you join in on the fun and enter your Polka Dot card. You could win a set of MFP stamps.

Wings

2011-09-24T21:22:00.000-04:00

This weeks Speedy the Cats Friends Blog Challenge was to make a card using things with wings. Now the first thing that came to mind was a bird or a butterfly but looking through my stamps for what I was going to use I came across this stamp. The little Angel "wings" that float down from Oak trees up north. Many a fall season as a child was spent playing with this little seed pods. Throwing them in the air and watching them fly back down to the ground. You have to admit they look like wings. These stamps are from MFP Autumn Fun set. The little leaves are punches I over stamped with a small leaf stamp in the set giving them some veins. Everything is colored with Copic markers.

Fall Sunflower

2011-09-22T14:04:00.000-04:00

Challenge#10 this week at I Brake for Challenges was to make a Fall Card. My favorite kind of card to make. Both the background and the sunflower are from I Brake for Stamps. I used Copic markers to color it. The background is stamped with Pumpkin Pie.

To make this card I used the Color challenge CC341 at SCS--pumpkin pie, old olive and tempting turquoise. I also used this weeks Sketch SC351at SCS. I turned the sketch on its side.

SCS CAS136

2011-09-19T15:50:00.000-04:00

Todays CAS card at SCS is to use leaves. I found this background this morning looking for a background for another card. It was perfect and became my starting point. There was no work to this card at all. One of those less than 10 minutes to put together. The red piece is a scrap. The white oval was already cut out and the big leaf was in my stash leftover from last year. It is a Cuttlebug die. The only stamping I had to do was the sentiment and the tiny leaf both from Marks Finest Papers.

Try a Petal Card

2011-09-19T14:07:00.000-04:00

That was todays technique challenge at SCS. I didn't quite get it all lined up right so I will have to try it again. I've combined it with Fridays Free 4 All, also at SCS which is "Mostly Blue".

Here is the inside and outside of the card.

Second Try

2011-09-18T18:15:00.001-04:00

Went back for a second try this morning and came up with this version for my Speedy TV swap cards and I like this one so much more. So my swap cards are finished and ready to mail. Thank goodness for those small ink pads. They made inking these stamps a breeze. I need a small Memento Black now. That would have been so much easier than trying to use the big one for the Cardinal. I actually think I like them not colored in better. I wonder what pencil would look like. We shall see I'm sure.

Speedy the Cats Friends Challenge # 73

2011-09-18T13:07:00.000-04:00

Make a 1 layer card for this weeks challenge. I just bought this set from Marks Finest Papers for the Speedy TV Winter Holiday Swap and had an idea in my mind and ended up with this 1 layer card. Not sure this it is what I will do for the swap. I've already come up with a few changes I could make. Will need to think upon this one. I used Copics to color the images.

It's scarecrow time

2011-09-15T15:22:00.000-04:00

This is my favorite time of the year. I love making Fall cards and making Fall colored leaves. Todays card is for a sketch swap for my SSSD group and I am using it for The Stampin Bs Challenge "Use 2 Border punches". The image, paper and scallop punch are from SU. The other border is from EK Success.

I colored him with Copics and sponged the background.

Peaches, Poppies and Pool

2011-09-15T10:26:00.000-04:00

These are the colors of the week at SCS. I only had the peach so I improvised with Riding Hood Red and Baja Breeze. Image and sentiment are from Marks Finest papers. The swan is stamped on water color paper. I water colored the water with reindeer and the sky is sponged.

I used Adirondack Peach Parfait to make my background.

Another Christmas Card

2011-09-15T10:08:00.000-04:00

This is an image from I Brake for Stamps. I colored it with Copics then used Heat n Stick and Dazzling Diamond Dust to sparkle him up. I used the Wednesdays sketch for this week at SCS to make my card. I did turn the sketch on its side.

Boy was this a CHALLENGE!!

2011-09-12T18:24:00.000-04:00

This Mondays technique at SCS is called"Fill the Opening". There is a tutorial to follow if you would like to play. The Challenge At Speedy the Cats Friends blog is to use a punch. So that is where I started. After I had all my pieces cut out I started putting my flowers together. Sponged a little ink on them and then just started putting this together like a puzzle inside and out. Took me quite awhile fitting my greenery in. Here it is pictured outside and inside.

The challenge this week at the Stamping Bs was to make an Anniversary card. All of my Sentiments are from Marks Finest Papers. The set is called Magnolia Wedding.

Rainbow Double

2011-09-11T17:44:00.000-04:00

This is the technique I used to make the background for these cards. You first ink your stamp with Versa Mark, stamp and then brayer a rainbow pad over it. Then you use white pigment ink and white EP to add a few more. After it cools stamp a few more with dye ink. Very easy and makes a nice background. These cards are for the challenge at I Brake for Challenges blog, "Make a background". Stamps are all from I Brake for Stamps.

A Christmas Card

2011-09-07T17:52:00.000-04:00

I've combined a couple of Splitcoaststampers challenges for this card. Tuesday is a color challenge. Use So Saffron, Always Artichoke and Cajun Craze. I don't have any of the Cajun Craze so I substituted a red. I thought of Christmas right away. They suggested a Fall card but when I saw Wednesdays sketch I knew exactly what I was going to make. Those flowers in the sketch kind of sealed the deal for me. So no Fall card. I made Christmas.

The stamp is from Magenta. Is embossed with black cut out and layered with dimensional dots.

Blinged up crossed papers

2011-09-05T18:29:00.000-04:00

I started out this morning working on this card. So glad to have a day off. I dreamed about how to make it all night. Got the background finished and then got mad at my pack rat hubby who was supposed to working on something today and changed his plans for the day to start a new project. He has about 40 new projects waiting to be finished. That really was all I needed to get moving on moving his junk somewhere else. We have this 3rd bedroom which has never been used for anything but holding hubbies junk. I have wanted for years to get things in order and get him organized. Now he has to because its all sitting in the middle of the living room. It will take him all week to organize and decide what belongs in the house and what belongs in the garage but it will be worth it. So now I'm back to working on my card in my brand new stamping room. Yeah!!! I've stamped in the kitchen for a couple of years and probably the last 2 I have been stamping in my living room/dining room. Once he moves his things I can start planning what will go in the space. Here's my room. It's not as awesome as a lot of your rooms but it will work just fine for me.

Got my computer, my work desk and all my supplies in one place. Awesome!! So now to my Challenge card. The Speedy the Cats Friends blog calls for "Bling" and Splitcoaststampers Friday Free for All wanted you to "use strips of paper and cross them". The stamps are from the Lilacs in the Summer set from MFP.

Now for my big news I was telling you about last week. Starting in October I will officially be on the Design Team for the Speedy the Cats blog and Marks Finest papers. I am very excited about this. If you have never checked out the stamps at Marks Finest Papers you really should and while there check out all the supplies they sell. Sign up for an email to get a coupon each month.

Coloring with Distressed inks

2011-08-31T16:12:00.001-04:00

Every Wednesday I get the newsletter from Splitcoaststampers. A new technique is shown every week. I have tried some but never have entered a card to SCS before. Todays technique is Coloring with Distressed inks. A technique I have used quite a lot especially when I first started stamping. However I always used regular card stock. This is done on Water color paper. It has a real soft look. I combined the technique with SCS Wednesdays Sketch 348. The background is sponged with the same colors I used to color my image.

SCS Tuesday Color Challenge

2011-08-30T22:37:00.000-04:00

I planned to have this card finished this morning but I was called to work early. But its finished now. I used the Mojo Monday Sketch for this week as my guide.

The colors to use are Cherry Cobbler, More Mustard and Calypso Coral. This is my first color challenge at SCS. Besides the colors they have what they call the "dessert". The dessert this week was to make your own designer paper. I gathered the 3 colors. I did not have the Coral so I used Groovy Guava. I decided to try the Double Embossing technique. You run your card stock through your Cuttlebug in a folder. Then after removing it from the folder rub Versa Mark over the raised area. Embossed with Clear EP. That was my bottom layer. Then I used the smaller poppy from my set of stamps from Marks Finest Papers to pretty up a couple pieces of the Cherry Cobbler for more paper with a designer look. I would never have picked these colors to use together but they worked. I especially like the Double Embossed paper. The main image is colored with pencils and Gamsol.

A new day with new challenges

2011-08-29T14:38:00.000-04:00

I had some exciting news this week and I will let you in on it real soon. All I can say right now is that DT is part of it. SO excited. So because of this I needed to join in at Splitcoaststampers instead of just being a lurker there and boy am I glad I did. I've made a gallery and already completed 2 challenges today. Why did I wait so long. I was always there why oh why didn't I participate. I hope to be posting daily now as I try to participate in what I can. A new reason to create and I am looking forward to my new duties starting in October with the DT.
This card is for the Splitcoast TLC 340 challenge. This is a technique challenge and this technique is called Embossed Kissed.

The next card is for the Splitcoast CAS 133 challenge. This is Clean and Simple and you are to use Kraft card stock and Primary or bright colors.

The Flower on my last card I saw on another blog and tried to make it. I am so intrigued by all these hand made flowers and usually can't figure them out but this one is so cute and so easy. It uses a leaf die from Spellbinders. The background is sponged with Distressed Inks.

Stamps are all from Marks Finest Papers.

A touch of lace

2011-08-27T15:14:00.000-04:00

That's the challenge at The Friends of Speedy the Cat Blog. I cleaned out the box on my work desk today and found these lace snowflakes. I put 2 together to form a flower. Added a button to the center of it. The sentiment and the butterfly are both from Marks Finest Papers.

Shabby Chic

2011-08-27T11:57:00.001-04:00

The one thing I can't bring myself to do is rough up the edges of my paper or you know rip or lightly shred them so this challenges is not really for me. But I did wrinkle up my paper and smear ink on it. Hope that shabbied it up a little. I'm too much of a neat freak to mess my work up too much. Distressing with ink is about as far as I go and that took a long time to get me to use brown. That was like dirtying my image up. I like it now and do it often but I don't think the shredded edge thing will ever be seen on a card of mine. Just can't do it. The challenge is at I Brake for Challenges. Go on over and check it out. The image is a new stamp I just received from I Brake for Stamps. I followed the directions of a Technique Junkie technique called Polished Wrinkles from a 2008 Issue.

Black Eyed Susans

2011-08-22T13:54:00.000-04:00

This week I am using a new stamp set from Marks Finest Papers called Black Eyed Susans for Encouragement. I colored them with Prisma pencils and Gamsol and then distressed with Vintage Photo Ink. I am using this card for The Friends of Speedy the Cat Blog Challenge "Embossing". I used a Cuttlebug folder to emboss my background and sponged a little ink over it. I'm also using it for the Stampin Bs Blog Challenge " Distressing".

The sentiment is from the same set. My house is very quiet now. My daughter has gone back to college. This year she will not be home on the weekends because she is getting a job there. So we are going through a little noise withdrawal. Last night we were asleep by 8:30. Going to have to turn that Wii on and start bowling in the evening so we don't sleep our lives away. She will be 20 in a week. Why can't she still be 8? I've had a child in my house for 40 years. It's hard when the last one goes. A little depressing. Now we need to start living for ourselves. We'll get there and she is only an hour away if I need a little Robin fix.

Forest Gifts

2011-08-15T15:51:00.001-04:00

This is a new set from Marks Finest Papers. Bakers twine and ribbon are also from there. I am entering it into 2 challenges. At the Friends of Speedy the Cat Blog we were to Distress in someway. I used Vintage Photo Distressed Ink to antique all my edges. Over at The Stampin Bs we were to add Clouds. I have this plastic template I bought somewhere years ago but didn't like it for big skies so it doesn't get used. It worked well for a small space.

A Quick and easy background

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

This week at The Friends of Speedy the Cat blog the challenge was to make anything but the regular 4 1/4x 5 1/2 card. I had a Center Stair Step card base on my desk. That's where I began. I wanted to use my new Lilacs in the Summer stamp set from Marks Finest Papers. Now I needed a background that would stand out so out came the webbing and if you scroll down I will show you how I did it along with a sample of a background I have had for sometime but wasn't happy with it until I sprayed it this morning with Webbing. Can't find webbing. You can find it here.

Here is a sample I had stomped with a sponge and metallic paints. Never really cared for it but I keep everything. Never know when you might be able to use it.

And here it is with Black Webbing. What a difference. So if you ever have a background you are not happy with bring out the webbing. You might be creatively surprised.

Now here is how I made my background for todays challenge card. I started out with white card stock and my small Memento pads. This size of ink pad is great for this.

Start with your 2 lightest colors and just swirl ink around. There is no right or wrong way.

Then add a medium color and then a darker color if you like. Next is the webbing.

My favorite is the black but do use the gold and white a lot. It also comes in silver. I don't find myself reaching for that one though very often. Here is my background after being sprayed with gold and then black.

The secret is to keep your arm moving. If you spray dead on you will get blobs and not a webbing look.

Stampin Bs challenge

2011-08-04T16:04:00.001-04:00

This week we were to make a square card with piercing. The tiger image is from Marks Finest Papers. I stamped him on water color paper with Archival Black ink and water colored with pencils. I stamped the fern around the bottom in 3 different shades of green.

Lilacs in the Summer

2011-08-01T14:05:00.000-04:00

These are one of my most favorite of flowers and one you don't see in Florida. I have planted the closest thing to it here, the Crepe Myrtle. It blooms all summer and is so pretty. We add a couple every year to the yard. It truly brightens my day to look out the window and see such beauty blooming in my yard. This stamp set from Marks Finest Papers is so easy to color. I used Copics and just dotted the flowers with several colors of purple. The first card is for the Challenge at The Friends of Speedy the Cat Blog. The Challenge was to use anything but Ribbon. I used some waxed cording. The background was made by inking the raised part of my embossing folder with black. Adding my white card stock and running it through my Cuttlebug and then I sponged ink on the flat surfaces.

The next card started out as my card for the Speedy the Cat challenge but I didn't like cording on it so I'm using it for the Stampin Bs challenge to use Ribbon. I used a Spellbinders border die in 2 shades of purple. Only punched out the lighter color one and layered them. I stamped the edge of a tiny lilac along the edges in 2 shades of Memento Ink.

Christmas in July

2011-07-28T19:56:00.000-04:00

This challenge gave me the excuse to get out the rubber sheet I bought about 8 months ago, cut it out and mount all the stamps. I made 2 cards this afternoon. My Christmas cards have now been started. The stamps are from I Brake for Stamps and the challenge can be found at the I Brake for Challenges blog. Both cards are sponged with Distressed inks. For the first card I cut out a circle on both my card base and my top layer. I used the circle that was cut out to stamp the little town. Placed it inside my card behind the cut out circle. The Wisemen were stamped on a scrap strip piece, partially cut out and popped up on the bottom.

The second card I embossed the Star, the Wisemen and the sentiment and then sponged the background.

Lets Rock and Roll

2011-07-26T21:09:00.000-04:00

That's the challenge at GAB. I inked up my Giraffe with Memento Potters Clay. Then I rocked Memento Rich Cocoa around the edges. The background is made with the Mousse technique I showed you a few days ago.

Stamps are from Marks Finest Papers.

water colored poppies

2011-07-25T13:36:00.000-04:00

This card is for the challenge at The Friends of Speedy the Cat "use 3 Hearts" and The Stampin Bs "black, brown and ivory". I stamped my image from Marks Finest Papers on water color paper and used Distressed ink in several browns and a water brush to color it in.

Pink, Yellow & Green

2011-07-20T19:38:00.000-04:00

That's the challenge at the Friends of Speedy the Cat. I went through my scrap box on my desk in hopes of finding something I could use and I did.Love when that happens.

I started out wanting to use the new Lilacs of Summer from Marks Finest Papers and then decided to use the new mini set Birthday Mini. Well that didn't work for me. Couldn't make the cupcake work with the card I had assembled. I ended up using the Happy Birthday from the mini set and the Butterfly from the Lilac set.

a new use for mousse

2011-07-20T14:08:00.000-04:00

Who thought this up? A very cool technique. This card is for the Stampin Bs Challenge "Use Bling". I've used Stickles and a black Flourish bling. It is also for the GAB Challenge use something new. Well I've never used mousse so that is my new along with the technique. I also just bought the black Flourish. And I'm using this as my first tutorial for the SSSD yahoo group new Technique Swap. Each month I will be having a tutorial with a different technique for the SSSD ladies to try out and make swap cards.I hope everyone who reads this blog will enjoy what I will be doing.

It feels so smooth and has a real satiny look. Now for the tutorial.

You will need a piece of glossy card stock ( photo paper will not work for this technique as you will be heating it ), 3 dye reinkers, Foam Hair Mousse, paper towel and a sealer.

Now squirt out about a quarter size of Mousse into your hand.

Smear it all around your card stock. Covering the whole piece. Your glossy card stock may roll up. That's OK just push it down. I did 2 samples and 1 rolled and 1 didn't.

Next you will squirt your reinkers all around the mousse.

Let this sit for 10 minutes. It will foam and spread. When the 10 minutes are up heat with your heat tool until all the Mousse has disappeared. Now dab with your piece of paper towel to remove any ink and to fill in empty spots.

This is what you will end up with. Let it dry. Spray it with a sealer, I used Krylon Fixatif but whatever sealer or hair spray you have will work.

After drying cut it down to the size you want and use it for your background layer.

To color my image I used ink right from the pads and a water brush. Added a little stickles and sponged the edges of my paper.

OK ladies. I can hardly wait to see how yours turn out.

A couple of Summer challenges.

2011-07-14T13:51:00.001-04:00

Nothing says summer like flowers.

This my card for the I Brake for Challenges Blog. The stamp can be found at I Brake for Stamps. I am also using this card for the challenge at Pals Paper Arts. I saw there challenge this morning and I can just see these pansies filling flower boxes on the cottage that is the inspiration this week.

I colored the pansies with Prisma Pencils and Gamsol. I have layered a couple and have added a few extra flowers and leaves to fill in white spaces and to hang over the edges of my frame.

Don't forget the sand

2011-07-13T16:34:00.000-04:00

Make a beach scene and include sand. No problem with that. Went outside and picked some up. That was easy. I can do this Stampin Bs challenge. Now for the scene. I used a stamp from Flourishes, colored it with copics and filled the sand area in with... well with sand. The background is made with a Spellbinders Impressabilities. I dragged my Versa Mark across it and used a blue PearlX over the Versa Mark. Gave it just a little bit of a sheen and hilighted a few of the sea shells. I followed the Sketch at GAB and used Cuttlebug die cuts for my embellishments.

The strawberries of Summer

2011-07-11T13:14:00.000-04:00

I decided to try a Flourishes challenge this week since I have their Strawberries set. The challenge is to use veggies or fruit. I stamped the leaves and the 2 separate strawberries with VersaMark and then rubbed Pearl white PearlX over my Cherry Cobbler background. The other images are colored with Copics.

The design is from the Mojo Monday sketch for this week.

Use a die cut as your background

2011-07-10T23:10:00.000-04:00

That is the challenge for this week at the Friends of Speedy the Cat Blog. I have been making my oldest daughters wedding invitations and have quite a few negatives from the die cuts I am using on her cards. So I decided to experiment with them. I used one as a frame with a smaller version in the center. The Water Lily and the Happy Birthday are from Marks Finest Papers. I really like this as a frame so I will be using the others.

A Mojo Monday sketch

2011-07-04T16:49:00.000-04:00

I haven't been able to fit my Mojo Monday sketch challenge in in quite awhile. Today's just went together so easily. The sentiment and butterfly are from I Brake or Stamps. The background is one I made although I don't remember what technique it is.

Red, White & Blue

2011-07-03T20:57:00.000-04:00

That is the Challenge at Speedy the Cats Friends this week. The image is from a set called Big Boy Toys from Marks Finest Papers. I made the background with Alcohol inks Red Pepper and Sail Boat Blue. Added strips of glitter and a little Bling to finish it off.

the Water Lilies of Summer

2011-07-03T14:37:00.000-04:00

These stamps are from Marks Finest Paper in the set Floating Along. I am using this card for the Summer Swap taking place right now at Speedy TV. The Water Lily is colored with Prisma Pencils and Gamsol. The background is sponged and I used a white gel pen to make the water ripples.

I love making Fall cards

2011-07-03T11:32:00.000-04:00

and when the new swap at Speedy TV was make Fall Cards I went right to work. Luckily the challenge at GAB was to use black, white and what looks like a rusty red color so I was able to make matching backgrounds for the challenge as well as the swap cards. I sponged Mustard, Marmalade, Rusty Hinge and Barn Door Distressed inks over my card stock making the GAB challenge card a little more rusty. Then I spritzed them with water, let them dry and took them outside and sprayed Black and white webbing on them. Both cards are made with stamps from Marks Finest Papers. This is my GAB Challenge card.

This is my card for the Speedy TV Fall swap. I also sponged Fall colors over my leaf image. The squirrel is colored with Prisma Pencils and Gamsol. The leaves are punches. Now I need to finish my Summer Swap cards. Hopefully I will finish them today.

A strange card for me/IBFCC4

2011-07-01T22:45:00.001-04:00

At the beginning of the week I found the I Brake for Stamps challenge blog. There was a picture of a little girl in a red polka dot dress for inspiration. I went through my stamps and found what I wanted, planned out my card then went to check out the details on the blog to make sure I had what I needed. What I found out was I was too late. This is the second blog this week I missed the dead line for entering my card soooooooo...... back to the planning for this weeks challenge-make a birthday card. I looked through my stamps again and found this image and remembered I had a background stamp that would match. I colored it with Prisma pencils and Gamsol. The image is from I Brake for Stamps.

My problem is before I could stop myself my hands had a sponge and brown ink in them. I ended up with 4 layers of brown and the cracked ground look. LOL. Don't know where that came from. Not sure how I feel about it. I like parts of it and it will probably grow on me. Why brown?? Why not a blue or yellow?? I intend to have a long talk with my hands in the morning. The hands and the brain need to work together as a team. I don't know maybe the hands knew what they were doing. It is kind of pretty in a strange sort of way.

Over the Edge

2011-07-01T18:03:00.000-04:00

On Split Coast Stampers this week Holly showed a technique she was trying to decide what to call it. Stamp the same design twice and cut the center out of one and line it up with the other image adding Pop Dots forming a frame.

I popped up my frame with large dots and also used the swan I cut out of the center and popped it up but with smaller dots so there are 3 layers of the image. I extended the grass and tree by hand to the edge of my die cut. The image and sentiments are from Marks Finest Papers new set Floating Along.

A day late and a dollar short

2011-06-30T12:44:00.001-04:00

I started 2 challenges at the beginning of the week only to find out I missed the cut off date by a day. How did that happen??? I'm on vacation!!!Doing vacation things yet still getting some stamping in but I missed the cut off. Oh well. I managed to save the first card and make it work. The Challenge at the Stampin Bs last week was to use a Friendship sentiment but this week it was to use 2 die cuts and paper piercing. So I took my image I had colored and my sentiment I had stamped and re-worked the card by adding piercing. Here it is.

I just went to post my picture and found out I wasn't late after all. The new challenge was posted before the old challenge was totally closed so I have entered it for both.

I used circle die cuts and flower die cuts and a flourish die cut. I added piercing to my sentiment and around the green circle backing my image. The torn paper strip is for the GAB Challenge. Glad I didn't miss that dead line. Now I just have to rework my card for the other challenge. Here is also a snowman card I tried this week. I think he is so cute. I am showing it closed and opened.