Embossed butterfly

Thank you for so many inquiries on these butterflys....they are from Gina K's "Take Flight" set and I didnt realize how much I used them!! I have a page of them stamped with Memento black, ready to be colored. I use all different mediums to color them- this one is done with SU markers. I didnt want the deep colors from Copics on this particular card. I sometimes go to the internet and literally lookup pictures of butterflys so I can get the colors spread as realistic as possible.

But no matter how I do them - they all get clear embossed and paper pieced onto card. Love that look! It's easiest for me to stamp the butterfly on the card, especially the head and antennaes. Then when I cut out the butterfly, I dont have to cut those out also..but just line them up with the stamp. Hope this was clear to those who asked :))

Stamp sets: Gina K's Take Flight, unknown sentiment stamp

Paper: Gina K's Green Apple, SU's - cream confetti, black, and dp

Embellishments: black SU grosgrain

Technique: Matting, cuttlebug, sponging, paper piercing, clear embossing

Have a blessed day

(this is an automatic post so I hope it really did post, will find out when I check Mon am :))

postage stamp flowers n butterfly

another flower card, I know! but it will probably be my last "summery" one for awhile. I am tired of the pastels and ready for Autumn!!!
I love the different seasons and have put my pastels to the back of my paper stash. Ready to move on to pumpkin pie, green apple, (we are talking card colors LOL)...all the beautiful fall colors....hmmmm..and the pinks and blues with brown....and the teal and banana...oh and the celery and rose..oh heck! is there a color combo I DON'T like ??? LOL
This is my last card for a few days - we have homecoming at church tomorrow so will be cooking tonight, hoping daughter with 2 grankids will come spend all day tomorrow (wooohooo), work and jail bible study Monday night, work and exhaustion Tuesday night, work and church Wednesday....wow! I'm tired already... just kidding :)))

Have a blessed day,

Good Tip in this post :)

This is for the STVCC26 color challenge to use black, white, and green. I'm trying to teach myself to do simpler cards by entering a few CAS challenges over at SCS. For this one, used Basic Gey dp and embossed the wonderful seahorse from STV's Eclectic set. Matted image and background onto Hunter Green, black, white and used black card base, little ribbon and..hopefully, this works as a CAS!

(trying to get a picture that showed the colors took longer than making the card, grrrrrrrrr..now I have to get out of here and up to work)

TIP: This image is raised on the card but not with a ton of dots - I used a foam take-home container from carry-out and cut out size I wanted....now the seahorse is raised evenly and I didn't use half my SU dimension dots :))))...when I washing the container DH asked me "why?" and when I said I can use it for my cards and to save his from now on...he just shook his head...grin...

Have a blessed day,

Beautiful White Cat - great CAS card!

Love this stamp and wish I could tell you who its from - won it off Ebay several years ago and there is no name on the wood block. It is a huge stamp, as you can see. This card shows you that your large stamps don't need much... gave her a little collar heart charm with fibery-yarn collar. The rest is mostly shading with the exception of her eyes! added a dash of gold glitter pen to her eyes...

Stamp Set: Large cat - unknown
Paper: Night of Navy, Elegant Eggplant, White base
Ink: Memento black
Copics: eyes B24, shading C1, background BV000, nose/ear R20
Embellishment: heart charm from Michael's jewlery-making section

I can hear her purring...although her stare is "dead on" at something - have any mice around LOL

Have a blessed day,

follow your heart - pink roses

felt like doing something different - haven't used the "tear" technique in forever!! lol ...purple background is stamped and cuttlebugged..green bkgrd is double stamped (script and leaf)..roses have been watercolored and tips are lacquered (doesn't show in pic)...I love roses so this card makes me smile :)

Stamp sets: Year of Flowers by Melanie - Gina K, sentiment unknown, background stamped with SU Script, Autumn Stamp Kit leaves stamp from Gina K
Paper: SU Perfect Plum and pink dp, lavendar with sentiment from paper stash
Ink: Perfect Plum, Always Artichoke, Memento black with clear EP
Watercolors: Pearlescent
Technique: Matting, tearing and piecing

Hope you love roses LOL
Have a blessed day,

Inking Cuttlebug Folder

Really enjoying the Autumn Stamp Kit from Gina K...this card was done by inking the inside of the cuttlebug folder for the STVTC26 challenge. I also did a reverse mask where the image is set. Jump over to Stamp TV from my sidebar to view the wonderful tutorials on how to do both of these techniques. I could try and explain it here, but Gina's videos are excellent - and seeing is (for me) easier than reading instructions.

Stamp Sets: Autumn Stamp Kit, sentiment from Tropical Flowers-both Gina K's
Paper: SU's Apricot Appeal, Garden Green, Black, white base
Ink: Garden Green, Creamy Caramel, image stamped in Memento Black on glossy cs
Copics: YR04, YR09, YR68, E09
Ribbon: plaid is $1 Michael's bin, Orange is from SU
Technique: Cuttlebug, Nestabilities

Have a blessed day,

STVSC25 Early Rooster

Spent Saturday trying to get my challenge cards done - here is mine for STV's Sketch Challenge ending August 20th. If you haven't looked at STV's challenges yet, hop on over there from my sidebar and check them out. You could win a stamp set!!!
I was so glad to receive the Signs of Autumn Stamp TV kit. You know what getting new rubber is like .. LOL! I have so many ideas for this set and already love the dp that came with it!!! Decisions, decisions...but the rooster won out as being the first stamp I used out of this kit (had to make one with the Inspiration Mosaic stamp- but that's for another post :)))).

So for this card, kept it simple and followed the sketch very closely.

Stamp set: Signs of Autumn Stamp TV Kit (rooster and the sentiment), my mini-mini grass stamp from unknown
Paper: Green Apple, Pumpkin and dp all from kit, card base is SU's Ruby Red
Ink: Adirondak - lettuce, butterscotch, latte and Vivid - coffee bean
Embellishments: from same kit (brad is from stash)
Technique: cuttlebug background, light sponging

This is my first purchase of a STV kit. But it won't be my last... just hate to use it all up and then not have any more of the beautiful dp and ribbon, sigh!

Listen to me...I have enough dp and ribbon to last me a year!!!!
Have a wonderful day,

STVPF26 Seahorse in pastels

I did this card for the color challenge at STV - I was just able to purchase this set (had to pace myself after a recent trip to the Enchanted Cottage and Stamp Tour) and couldnt wait to use the seahorse! Have made several cards with this little guy which I will post later.

This one is done with:
Stamp set: Eclectic Summer from STV, large Reed from Stampscapes
Paper and ink: Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink and Saffron, Dp is from SU.
Sentiment: Rubber Stamp Tapestry
Technique: Color Resist, cuttlebugged background
Embellishments: sparkly stickers from $1 store, stickles (doesn't show well in pic)

Using all pastels was a tough challenge for me because my mind is already thinking about autumn and Christmas!!!

Have a wonderful day,

hi there - my little goldfish

Can you believe it!! I didn't use the inspiration mosaic stamp! Big Smile! I was starting to see everything in grids - thought I may need a break.
This is my favorite little goldfish - I love him! The label on the side says it's from a stamp company called Anita's.
Used Iridescent Gold and Sea Glass glimmer mist on white card stock. Colored him with copics YR04 and YR09 (outlined with C1). The sea grass is stamped in Tempting Turquoise and Hunter Green. One of the stamps used for the sea grass is the large Reed stamp from Stampscapes, the little one is a mini stamp I found somewhere...I just keep stamping it over and over to build up and fill out the sea grass. Image is matted on Taken with Teal then onto Basic Grey's Lime Ricky. The card base is Cool Caribbean (hate to run out of that,it's a favorite...sigh!) Ribbons are from Michael's $1 bin. The sentiment is from Rubber Stamp Tapestry. This card is really bright and sparkle-ly (is that a word?) ...doesn't show that in the picture.
Just felt like a Caribbean color card - haven't made it to the beach yet (like some people I know...smiling here)

long time to grow friends - true true true!

another card using the awesome Inspiration Mosaic stamp by Melanie from Ginak K and the Tropical Flowers set, and Tree Silhouettes -both also from Gina K.
Now understanding that my cardstock is already cut - this card took FIVE MINUTES !!! (not including time for stickles to dry) even the inside is stamped on the side with the same background stamp..... Got to love that!

just sponge, stamp stamp stamp, adhere .. and step back ...because the card is
DONE!
I don't often have as much time as I've had recently to stamp - so time is important.
My tip of the day LOL Take the time to precut your cardstock in various mat sizes - so nice to just pluck out your colors - this leaves you time to "design" !

Welcome to the INSPIRATION MOSAIC Blog Hop

I am very happy to be a part of this hop! Love this stamp ...it's name fits it perfectly! My Inspiration Mosaic has its own acrylic block :) it sits to my right and those of you who follow my blog know that since receiving it two weeks ago, haven't made a card without it!!!! Don't know why, but this stamp takes your stamping to a whole different level - really makes your work stand out. Hope you like what I have for you below. Couldn't decide between these two for tonight, so here they both are......





They were both done with, of course, the Inspiration Mosaic stamp. The top card has also used the poinsetta and leaf from Melanie's A Year of Flowers stamp set and the bottom card has also used the Tree Silhouettes by Gina K. Both simple cards, just designed to make you "think" they were difficult...colored top card with copics + masking and used sponging + masking on the bottom card.
Hope they make you realize you NEED THIS STAMP!!!!! LOL, come join me in my Inspiration Mosaic addiction.... but be forewarned, this stamp sold out when it was last shown ... so don't wait!! Now....

For even more inspiration, be sure to check out Melanie's blog.


Melanie also has several guest designers joining in on the hop tonight:

Jennie Harper, Tina Gilliland, Linda Payne, and Jenny Charboneau

These GinaK's Senior DT members have Inspiration Mosaic projects on their blogs as well: Cathy, Emily, Erika, Jessica, Lee, Theresa , and Donna Baker and founder of StampTV Gina Krupsky

and finally, don't forget to check out our CenterStage DT members:
Shannon Bracken and Brenda Turner

Don't end the hop without getting over to Melanie's....She is celebrating half a million visitors! Can you imagine that???(and I had to leave my name in this post, love seeing it joined with these fabulous stampers)

Enjoy the Blog Hop!

Bug Me Anytime

Wanted to pop in this quick card - I am NOT a spider fan ..but this little one is so cute. You can find him in the Bug Me Anytime set by Rupa from Gina K and of course by now you know where to go to purchase the Inspiration Mosaic stamp by Melanie from Gina K

...gotta get out of here and head home for tonight's BLOG HOP....tonight 10pm cst ...come on back and see what the creative Design Team and Guest Designers have done with Melanie's stamp and celebrate with her the half a million visitors to her website.... need to leave and try to get a jump on the rush hour traffic...see ya tonight :)

a reminder DON'T MISS THIS !!!! AUG 12th at 10PM cst

Be here at 10PM - you don't want to miss any of this!! I am so excited to see what's been done with this stamp!!! But be forewarned...it sold out almost immediately when it was released, but it's back in stock for NOW! join in the "Hop" and be prepared to be WOWED !! and to be online ordering .... hint-hint ....you're going to want this for the holidays .. LOL .... lalalalalala- lala-la-laaaaaaaaaaaaa (that was supposed to be a tune) Big Smile here :)

I'm off to work but have my new cards ready to share with you for tonight's hop! See you tonight ....AND Melanie is having some blog candy to celebrate ....drum roll, please ..... a half a million hits! oh my! can you imagine that, Have a wonderful day LOL

For you - everyone who entered my 1st blog candy!

During my visits to everyone's blog, I found myself in other countries. Enjoying the different cultures...it was so nice!

With a different culture in mind, I made this card. I have had these little people for years and never used them (from very old retired SU set).

Of course I pulled out my trusty Inspiration Mosaic stamp by Melanie from Gina K and then went to work!!

I first used a stencil and gold glimmer mist for the background on red cs. Let it dry, then stamped with the Inspiration Mosaic stamp. Made two of the large rectangles from white cs, stamped them with gold pigment ink using a stamp that gives a marbelized effect and adhered to background. Stamped my little people, colored with copics and gold glitter pen, cut them out and mounted onto the white rectangles. Stamped sentiment on scrap piece of cs. The flowers are two layers- one is made from punches using scrap piece of the red background that had the gold glimmer mist, the other is stamp/punch on white cs that was lightly sponged red - pearl to center.....matted onto gold then black then on red....done!!!

Thanks again to everyone who took the time to stop by ....
Best wishes,

WINNER OF CANDY BLOG!!!

Thank you everyone! I feel like I'm now a world traveler. Had no idea there are so many "stampin sisters" all over the world. Tried to go to each of your blogs and leave some "love" (hope I didnt miss anyone)...and it was wonderful - some had no translator but I enjoyed the pictures!! This made me realize that I needed to add the Translator to my blog so everyone from other countries can read it as well as look at the pictures.....this was great fun! I know you want to know WHO is the winner, so here it is.....drum roll...the winner picked out of my bowl (DH doesn't have a hat...actually, neither do I) ..... IS

cajitasdecorativaskuin said...
oh waw whata beatiful candy , i have linked your blog on my site ,i hope to win ,thanks for the canche ,regards and hugs from peru =)

August 8, 2009 9:47 PM

Congratulations, please let me know your mailing address and I will send this right out.

Loved doing this and will be doing it again - I am already setting aside items for when I get to 5,000 visitors! Thanks again and please stay in touch,

quick cards with Melanie's new Inspiration Mosiac stamp

see the Inspiration Mosaic stamp by Melanie I made these this evening and just decided to post them all. (trust me, more are coming)
It's perfect to create illusion, do matting, masking, and so much more. Hope you like some of the cards I've done with it and hop over to Gina K and get this stamp for yourself!! Also, check out Stamp TV for some of the most beautiful creations, done by super talented ladies, using this stamp. You can go directly to Melanie's blog from my sidebar and see what she has made.... they are incredible! Get some coffee or your favorite "kick back" beverage...and go check them out! Enjoy...LOL

Blog Candy

THIS CANDY IS CLOSED - WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED TUESDAY EVENING

Here it is...my first Blog Candy! I put together 4 different packs of Chipboard (for card makers and scrapbook makers alike!), a pack of Basic Grey's "Sultry", and thought everyone would enjoy a Christmas set from Stampin Up - brand new - "To you and Yours" ....

Good luck - a comment is one entry - posting this candy to your blog is two!

This will end on Monday, August 10th. Winner will be chosen by random drawing of names (drawn by DH) on Tuesday evening the 11th........winner's name will be posted that evening!

(Click on the image to see enlarged pictures of items)

THIS CANDY WILL BE CLOSED AT 9 PM, TONIGHT AUG 10th.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED TOMORROW EVENING AT APPROXIMATELY 8PM.

Shoot for the Moon

I like this card but it didn't turn out quite like I wanted. The background is a stamp from unknown that I versamarked and applied powder pigments - then clear embossed the whole thing. Next, I added the inspiration mosaic stamp (from Melanie at Gina K - see posts below to the stamp's link) with gold ep and tried to use the "splatter" technique with a stiff brush to add "star" effect....hmmmm, not sure that worked! Anyway, I re-embossed again with clear ep. The sentiment background is same background stamp but on white paper (which I dropped when heat embossing, peeled it off my pants, and kept heating...hey, time limit thing LOL) but ended up applying clear ep again anyway. Matted sentiment on gold paper which really doesn't show in picture...then gold ribbon and sparkly blue ribbon...will try this again but probably not doing this background stamp again on black paper. Matted the whole thing on night of navy and elegant eggplant - used white mat to break up all the dark colors...shooting for the moon!!! not sure LOL

You're just my style

So trying to decide which Stampin Up sets I'm going to put on Ebay..it's hard..pulled this one out...had to use it! Nope, not parting with it :)
She's colored with Copics, matted on white mulberrry, paper/ink is Vintage Violet and Bordering Blue. The swiss dotted ribbon I think came from Michael's. Cuttlebugged the background mat...little stickles bling on hat and ...done!
She is so classy! Hope you like her, she is quick and easy...hmmmm, that didnt sound right, but you know what I mean :) LOL!

Get Well Card - Can turn either way - look and see what I mean

The sentiment in this card allows you to chose if you want the card to be vertical or horizontal. I folded the front panel in half and attached the flowers cut from Melanie's "Arranged with Love" set (jump on sidebar and check it out at Gina K's store)...the card's background has been stamped with a script stamp and then the ribbon was added. I like that the ribbon can be either the side or the bottom of the card. This one is a little different...that's what I like about it...
Have a great day

Just Magnolia Week 16+ Friday Sketchers #63 Challenges

This card was done combining the Just Magnolia Week 16 and Friday Sketchers #63 challenges. I put two different magnolias together - so naturally they made the sweetest "friends for life".
The challenge at Just Magnolia was "distressing" and for some reason I wanted to go vintage. I had this dp in my paper bin which was just calling me to use it ...yep - paper speaks to me LOL sometimes so does ribbon ..please tell me I'm not alone :).....colored the little Tildas with Copics, distressed with Pale Plum and Always Artichoke, added some fiber yarny stuff, gold embelllishments, the sentiment is from Creative Vision. and I have my card! Hope you like it...

Using your scraps

This card is made with all scraps - except the cuttlebugged mat background. The side panel is made from pieces (the lighter green ones are literally "slivers") put together to look like they are whole pieces, the sentiment is stamped on white scrap and matted on scraps but the button was the winner for me on this card!!! I pulled out some of my really tiny pieces of ribbon (keep them to add to a corner of a card..or something...can't throw away anything!!) anyway, I punched out a circle and just put these pieces around the circle. The back is a mess and you can see I just glued a large button on the front to cover the rough ends...voila!
used up some of my scraps!
I'm buried in it - my fault because I can't ditch anything...but I am really buried in it....so I have promised myself to come up with an idea at least once a week to use these scraps...may be the ugliest cards in the world when I get done but at least I will have some empty jars (to fill with new scraps) LOL