Chickadee Thank You Card

ETA (2/5/20):  Thank you to the Card Concept for choosing my card as an Honorable Mention!

Hello everyone!  I have had a busy week and it is just going too fast.  We painted the kitchen and family room on Monday, and there is a lot of work to finish up for that project (touch up + the putting away stuff + all the trim work I will need to be working on) and then all the normal stuff too!

I was thinking this morning on how to use of some of the 12 x 12 Plaid paper pad I got at Michaels, and I had an idea that “just worked.”  This card came together so fast!

I stamped the branches using a green inkpad and a brown marker.  The pinecones were stamped with marker too, and the wee chickadee was just barely colored in.  My Versafine ink had a hard time drying on the green cardstock, even with heating it. It must be some type of coated cardstock that I grabbed out of my scrap bin.  

Supplies: Close to My Heart Spruced Up stamp/die set, Memento and Versafine Black ink, Hero Arts Forever Green ink, Tombow markers, Recollections Christmas Plaid 12x12 paper pad, Gina K Designs Dark Chocolate cardstock.

I’d love to participate in Freshly Made Sketches #419, And The Card Concept Cozy Cabin Challenge (I used the blanket and woodsy setting for my inspiration). And the ModSquad Challenge Animal Stamps.

Thanks for visiting today!

Sloth Valentine Card

ETA 1/17/20:  Thank You Art Impressions for choosing my card as Top Spot!

I enjoy puns, and animals can’t be beat!  Especially for Valentines, this saying is sure to make just about anyone smile!  

I colored this stamp from Art Impressions’ Sloth-some set with alcohol markers, die cut out the panel and then just used patterned paper and a embossed piece of cardstock to create the layout.  I had some enamel dots with some arrow shapes, so I decided to add one to the card.  (I agonized over that detail, lol. Got to find some way to make it take a long time to finish!)

Supplies: Stamps Art Impressions Sloth-some, Die Gina K Designs, Embossing folder Darice

I would love to enter Art Impressions Hugs & Kisses challenge and Word Art Wednesday’s Anything Goes challenge.

Are you making Valentines this year?

Thanks for visiting!

Peg Stamp Card - Hummingbird Anniversary Card

ETA 6/2/19: I’d like to thank Cupcake Inspirations for choosing my card as one of the Sweet Selects for their challenge!

Hello!  Many of you have been so busy lately with your cardmaking!  I sat down to go through my blog list last evening, and thought it wouldn’t be long as I only missed a day or two.  Well, wasn’t I wrong!  Everyone is being so creative!

Well, we finally have the sun again around here, so I was able to finish and photograph a card.  I had this anniversary stamp set out on my desk still from making this card last week.  Looking at the little hummingbirds on it, and knowing I will soon need a card for my parents, I came up with this idea, adding peg stamps!

I used the peg stamps to create the border along the top.  After that was finished, I added some Nuvo glitter drops here and there. I think you can see them in the photo. I thought they added some festivity to this card, as they really sparkle in the light.

The bird and sentiment were simply stamped with black ink.  I think it turned out cute!

Supplies: Rubber Stamp Tapestry Cherry Blossom stamp set, Penny Black You and Me Stamp set, Avery Elle inks in Kraft, Celery, Raspberry and Pixie, Versafine Onyx Black ink, Gina K Designs Fresh Asparagus cardstock.  

I would love to play along with these challenges!

Library Challenge - All Creatures Great and Small (these ones are very small!)

Cupcake Inspirations - Pink, Lime and White

Thank you so much for visiting today!  Your comments are always a big encouragement to me!

Pineapple Themed Cards

ETA 6/2/19:  I wanted to thank Tuesday Morning Sketches for choosing my card as a Top Pick for their challenge!

Hello!  I just want to give you all a big thanks for all the lovely comments you have left lately. They really do lift the spirits!  Today I have a couple cards to share.  I saw a pineapple themed card kit in a Close to My Heart catalog that I really liked, but I knew I didn’t need the stamp set, as I already have a pineapple stamp.  (I think this kit sold out, but you could contact a CTMH consultant if you were interested.)

So, I did use that layout for inspiration.  For the top of the pineapple I used rock n roll stamping technique.  The inside of the card I used the second generation stamping, and stamped a verse over top.  

I decided to make a second, more clean and simple card.  I always think of pineapples as a traditional sign of hospitality, so I used that type of sentiment on this card.  

Supplies: Reverse Confetti Pineapples A Plenty stamp set, Frame is from Close To My Heart ‘Tis the Season Cardmaking set, Sentiments from Our Daily Bread Designs Home Sweet Home, Peaches and Power Poppy Natural Beauties, Hero Arts Butter Bar, Green Hills and Field Greens ink pads, Versafine Onyx Black ink pad, Echo Park A Perfect Summer 6x6 paper pad, Gina K Designs cardstock in Wild Dandelion, Jelly Bean Green and Grass Green, Avery Elle Wonky Stitched rectangle die set, Spellbinders Fancy Edge rectangle dies, Tim Holtz/Sizzix tag die set, American Crafts Twine.




I’d love to enter in Cute Card Thursday’s Tie a Bow Challenge, and in Tuesday Throwndown’s Frame It challenge. 

Just for Fun May Challenge - Celebrating the Women in our Lives

I am happy to announce Just for Fun’s May Challenge!  It is Celebrating the Women in Our Lives, with the twist of having 3 or more layers.  Here is my card.

I colored the Peony with alcohol markers.  For my layers, I have my card base, the embossed blue cardstock, my peony and then the sentiment strip.  I did not use any foam tape, so this card is still flat for mailing.

While I was at it, I also colored another peony.  This card is more clean and simple, and I paired it with a quote I like.



Supplies: Just for Fun Rubber Stamps Peony, Happy Mother’s Day, and Emerson quote, Versafine and Memento Black inks, Cuttlebug and Darice embossing folders, Spectrum Noir alcohol markers.

I would also like to enter the Mod Squad Challenge - Mother’s Day and WordArtWednesday Anything Goes.

Thank you for visiting today!  Wishing you many crafty moments!

ETA 5/9/19:  Thanks to the Mod Squad Challenge for choosing my card as one of their Top 3, based on merit!  Thank you! 

Hero Arts Cat Stamp - rereleased!

ETA 5/5/19: I was thrilled to be chosen as a Top Pick at the Retro Rubber Challenge!

Hello and hope everyone is having a good start to their week.  It is sunny here, but it was nearly freezing overnight! 

Some of you may have seen that Hero Arts is celebrating 45 years in the stamping business!  If you are like me, your very first stamps were theirs!  They recently asked people to share on Instagram photos of their oldest stamps.  This cat one is one of the ones I shared.  It is marked 1985  (although I think I remember getting maybe in 1988).  Anyhow, I then perused their new catalog and saw that this stamp is one that is being re-released in clear form!!! (See page 32 of their catalog.)

So, I had to get this stamp off the shelf and make a card.  I colored it with alcohol markers, then die cut it and sponged blue ink within the die.  I used a sketch from MojoMonday and a paper pad I just picked up the other day.  I did sponge the blue print with blue ink around the edges.  I didn't want to mat those pieces, so the sponging did the finishing without an extra layer.  

I paired it with a couple sentiments from other Hero Arts sets.  The inside has the second generation stamping in light pink.  

Supplies: Hero Arts Cats on Pillow 1985, CL582 and CL342 clear sentiment sets, Memento and Versafine Black inks, Gina K Innocent Pink ink, Tumbled Glass distress ink, Bo Bunny Early Bird 6x6 paper pad.

I would love to enter Retro Rubber’s Anything Goes Challenge and Mojo Monday #514

Thanks so much for visiting today!!!  What is your oldest stamp?

Here comes the Easter Bunny - handmade card

ETA 3/17/19: Thanks to Cupcake Inspirations for choosing my card as a favorite!

AND Thanks to Tuesday Morning Sketches for choosing this card as a favorite, too!

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Happy Friday everyone!  Today I have a card that I made for a few challenges!  I sometimes write too much, I think, so today, just the card!!

Supplies: Art Impressions Sweet Easter stamp set, Memento and Versafine Black inks, Spectrum Noir alcohol markers, EK Success edge punch,  American Crafts Everyday 6x6 paper pad, other supplies from my stash.

I would love to enter these challenges:

Tuesday Morning Sketches #494

Word Art Wednesday- Anything Goes

Cupcake Inspirations: Plaid

Art Impressions - Cutting Edge

I really appreciate your visiting my blog today!!!

Fairy Garden Card

ETA (2/28/19) I am so pleased that Art Impressions chose my card for an Honorable Mention for their challenge! Thank you!

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Let me start out by saying that this was not the card I sat down to create last night.  I had planned to work on a cute little watercolor scene using the Art Impressions watercolor stamps.  While I did use their little house stamp, other supplies that were out on my desk inspired an idea for an imaginary little fairy garden.

That is really what I like best about making card, just getting to be creative and let my mind run with an idea.  

So the background is a stamp that I colored with markers, and then spritzed with water and stamped out onto watercolor paper.  I then stamped and watercolored the house, cut it out and popped it into my scene. I did add some of the little grasses to ground it.  I do not know where the die cut leaves came from, but I cut them up and added them to my card base.  

Supplies: Art Impressions Watercolor Series structures, Grass from the foliage set, Just for Fun Rubber Stamps Floral Silhouette,  Tombow Water based markers, Versafine Onyx black ink, other items from my stash.

I would love to play along with Art Impressions Challenge 250 Cottage or House.  

Thanks very much for visiting today!  Hope you have time for papercraft today or soon!

Silhouette City Scene

ETA 3/2/19:  I was so pleased to be selected as one of the Librarian’s Choice for this challenge.  Thank you!

Hello!  We are coming off a very snowy day here.  Although we haven’t had the “big one” blizzard yet this winter, I am about ready to be done with all the school delays and cancellations.  Actually, I think the kids would like to be back on a regular schedule too!

Anywhooooo, I have a card to share today that is a little clean & simple, but I think it is a lot of fun.  I might use this for a graduation card this year, but I also might use it for a friend who is often going off on trips and adventures!

I stamped my Just for Fun Skyline stamp with two colors of pigment ink for my background.  I like  the bit of texture I get when using pigment ink, so after I stamped my Mama Elephant bridge with Versafine, I also did the little bus with two shades of red pigment ink.  I popped that bus up on foam tape and then finished the scene off with the little hearts in the sky.  

Hey, does anyone know of a good foam tape that is thinner than the standard tapes? I think it would be cheaper and easier to mail things if I had something with dimension, but thinner!

I would love to play with the Library Challenge: The Note the ModSquad Challenge blog’s Brand Name Stamp challenge, and SimonSaysStamp’s Monday Challenge: Things with Wheels.

Supplies: Just for Fun Rubber Stamps Skyline Silhouette, Mama Elephant Sightseeing stamps set, Avery Elle pigment inks in Fizz, Strawberry, Cherry and Mimosa, Versafine Onyx Black ink.

Thanks so much for visiting today!  I appreciate each subscriber and comment!  

Literary Owl - Thank You Card

Updated 2/25/18: I was delighted to find out my card was featured at City Crafter for their Book Smart Challenge! Thank you!

Hello everyone.  I got a very generous gift of more spectrum noir alcohol markers for Valentine’s Day, so I found time for coloring this morning.  I got the Vintage and Nature sets, which both have some lovely muted colors, and I was excited to have a wider range to work with.  

I thought these colors would look great with this Literary Owl.  Isn’t he handsome!  I then used a sketch to finish off the card. I am happy to be working through a lot of my older patterned paper.

Supplies: Stampendous Literary Owl Stamp,  Memento black ink, Spectrum Noir alcohol markers, My Mind’s Eye Lost & Found Sunshine 6x6 paper pad, Hero Arts CL582 stamp set for sentiment, Versafine black ink.

I was inspired by these challenges:

City Crafter 399 Book Smart

Sketch Saturday 500 Special Celebration Sketch

Thanks for your visit and kind comments!

You can find me on facebook or pinterest, too.

Featured Stamper Challenge

I got some news late last night.  I am Featured Stamper this week at SplitCoastStampers!  This is not only a lovely honor for me, but there is also a challenge involved.  Stampers are asked to CASE one of my cards from the gallery.  

Here is a link to the challenge!  I know it is a busy week, but it would be fun if you could participate!  

Merry Christmas Eve!

Watercolor Birdhouse Card

Edited to add: I was so happy to be chosen as the TOP SPOT at Art Impressions Flowers and Foliage challenge.  Thanks so much!

Hello and happy Saturday!  I hope you are doing well today.  Last night, I got out my Art Impressions watercolor stamps and got working.  It usually takes me a little practice to get back into the technique, but it does not take a long time, and luckily, watercolor paper is very forgiving because you can stamp on both sides.

I used stamps from several sets, and then added two straight lines to make the pole for the birdhouse to sit on.  I like to use dry embossing, using my scoreboard, to create a frame on my mats.

I am including a little photo of my practice attempts, too.  I wanted to share a tip and tell you how I went wrong in these.  First off, I was adding too much marker and too much water.  I learned  to be careful with the marker (or stamp off once) and to really keep the brush dry.  My tip is to use a fine liner brush when working with the little animals. (You can see how many times I practiced the bird to get it right!) That way, you do not lose the detail.  Also, I used a black marker to emphasize the bird's eye.  It makes a difference.

If you have some AI stamps and have any trouble at all, I hope these tips might help.  But definitely watch their YouTube channel and then go practice!  

Supplies:  Art Impressions Bird Bath set, Flowers and Foliage set, Tombow water-based markers, Pebbles Family Ties 6x6 paper pad, Spellbinders Labels 4 dies

I would love to play along with the Art Impressions Flowers and Foliage challenge and The Flower Challenge Tic Tac Toe Challenge (I used embossing, watercolor and blue).  

Thanks for stopping by! 

You are a Rare Bird Card

Update 9/14/17: I was so thrilled to see that my card was chosen as an Honorable Mention at Art Impressions' Off Kilter Challenge!  Thanks so much!

Hello cardmaking friends!  I originally was going to make this another teacher thank-you card, but at the last minute, I remembered this fun sentiment I have in my stash, and used it instead.

The owl was colored with alcohol markers and then trimmed out.  The woodgrain is a stamped panel I had in my scrap box.  I altered that with distress ink.  The rest of the card came together with the help of a sketch.  I am just starting to feel ready for fall crafting.  

I had really wanted to pop that owl up with one of those Action Wobbles, but I absolutely cannot find the little package of them!  I hope by posting this, that they will somehow magically show up. I have only truly lost one crafting item ever (it was a doily die) and everything else was just misplaced.  I think I accidentally threw out that die.  

Supplies: Art Impressions (with Hampton Art) Stamp and Die Fright Night set, Great Impressions Rare Bird sentiment stamp, Hero Arts Woodgrain background stamp, Memento and Versafine black inks, Distress ink Tea Dye, My Mind's Eye Darling Dear paper pad, Gina K Honey Mustard Cardstock, Avery Elle Wonky Stitched Rectangles dies, Gina Marie X Stitched circles dies, other products from my stash.

I would love to play along in these challenges:

Daily Marker 30 Day Coloring challenge

Art Impressions Off-Kilter Challenge

Cute Card Thursday - Autumn

Thank your lucky stars!

Hello!  It is a super dreary day here, but that gives me a good excuse to stay inside and make some cards.  I used a fun sketch for this one.

The stars were cut from some panels I made a while back with dendritic painting.  They weren't large enough for a full card panel so I was glad to use them here.  I used iridescent pearl paint, which I think you can see better in the second photo.  I had a scrap of patterned paper that had all the colors in it and finished it off with a fun sentiment.  Some stars were part of the sentiment stamp and the others I used versamark ink.

Supplies: Hero Arts CL582 stamp set, Darice star dies, My Mind's Eye Hootenanny patterned paper, Versafine Lagoon ink, Versamark Ink, score board, Golden Iridescent Pearl acrylic paint

I would love to play along with:

Tuesday Morning Sketches #410 (something extra this month, check it out)

Splitcoast Stampers  You're a Star

Patriotic Birthday Card

The 4th of July is one of my very favorite holidays and while there are lots of family birthdays near to it.

I started with a card idea from Rubber Stamp Tapestry's facebook page (link here, not sure if it is a public or private photo) and decided to take my own spin on it using supplies I already had.

Supplies: Rubber Stamp Tapestry A Spot of Tea and Holiday Stockings stamp sets, Avery Elle Pigment inks, Darice star die, My Mind's Eye Summer Fresh paper pad, Hero Arts Happy Stamp n Cut die and stamp set

I would love to participate in the following challenges:
Curtain Call Red, White and Blue
SimonSaysStamp Monday Challenge Red White and/or Blue
Cards In Envy Patriotic Please

Thanks for stopping by! I hope my cardmaking friends in the USA have a wonderful Independence Day!  Come back again soon!