Thinking of You

It's me again! It seems my trend with my blog is that I double post on Saturdays (one for me, one for MSB) and then post on Sunday... but by Wednesday I sort of dwindle. Anyway, here's the me!



I rarely get to participate in challenges anymore. I'm busy with my DT work for Corrosive Challenge and Modern Sugar - I'm not complaining, mind you, I love what I'm doing. But I rarely participate in a challenge just because I want to. This card is two-fold. I stumbled onto a blog called Crafts 4 Eternity and they are featuring this coolest sketch challenge! Also, Tami Mayberry posted a contest to win a Father's Day digi-stamp set. All you have to do is use one of her sets that she drew for Sweet-n-Sassy. The above image is Tami's!

This card features the great set from Sweet-n-Sassy, but the red oval in the background I stamped with Papertrey Ink's Polka dot set and embossed with white embossing powder. I have honestly forgotten how fun heat embossing is! And guess what, I'll bet you'll find a card posted later with the rest of the red card stock that I cut the oval from. Hollyanne swiped it!

I had great fun with this sketch and digi-stamp set.

Super Challenge Saturday is here!!

Good Morning! It's a chilly, but sunshiny Saturday and it's challenge day!

Hop on over to Joni's blog A Sticky Situation for all the details. It's going to be tons of fun and there is a prize!!


The challenge is cartoon character color inspired cards. I chose Cinderella: blue, pink, a touch of black and the glitz. I think this card came out great! It's also my first Anya card. I hope you likey...

I used Whisper White for the base, bashful blue, pink pirouette and glitter cardstock. The Greeting Farm's Dress Me set Anya. Then with some pink polka dot ribbon to the side and I discovered I really love stamping sentiments directly on ribbon. This technique works better on non-textured ribbons, but I love it anyway. And of course, no Melissa card is complete unless it has ribbon AND something Cuttlebugged on it. I used a combination of Copics and Kohi-noor pencils to color her.

This is a close-up (I love my hubby's camera) of the sentiment. It's a TAC stamp that I received as a gift. It has 3 stamps - "Dream" "Wish" and "Inspire" -- but no name of the set. It's perfect though. Then I topped it with primas and bling. Not bad for first thing this morning with no coffee.


I hope you enjoy my card and that you participate in the challenge. I look forward to seeing your art.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and moving to Valentine's Day!

Hi Everyone,

I am so sorry that I've been gone for so long. It's been crazy to say the least and I don't have my laptop... AGAIN!! Urgh!

The holidays were nice here, pretty low key and very enjoyable. I hope your holidays were what you wanted them to be. I also wish for you a New Year that is full of health, laughter and blessings.

Now for a card...

I made this Valentine's card for a swap that Marji is hosting. I just love how it turned out. I hope you do, too!

The stamps are Autumn Leaves that I picked up for my daughter to play with. I'm not crazy about the quality, or lack there of, but with some patience and a lot of do overs, I finally got enough well stamped images to make my cards. I used my Nestabilities scallop circle die to cut out circles that I then ran through the Cuttlebug with the Textile folder. I used the swiss dots Blush ribbon from PTI, a prima with some bling and then for the sentiment I received this awesome TAC set that has a lot of words, so I put together "Happily Ever After." It's a very easy card. Oh! I also applied just a bit of Pale Plum ink over the texture of the embossed circle to highlight that a bit.

I'd like to hear what you have to say about it....

Enjoy the rest of your weekend. I have many other projects to post - so check back often.

Cold Weather, Under the Weather??

OK - I am totally in love with Riley... Riley Moose by Hanna Stamps, that is. So cute!!

I made this card for a swap and I just think it's adorable. OK... so the whole Got Milk catch phrase is a bit over used, but it worked for me here. And who wouldn't want to give this little guy something to make him feel better!?

I used Kraft card stock for my base, Always Artichoke for the next layer and with MFT's Thanks A Latte set, I stamped the mugs in coordinating colors. Really Rust is used for the scallop. I used a word program to create the sentiment and then punched it out. The Riley is colored with Close to Cocoa and Creamy Caramel. I used an old SU! dp that I can't remember it's name for the bed doing paper piecing. Layered him on So Saffron and did a little paper piercing to give it a bit of texture. I like it. I hope you do, too.

Do you want to know the story behind my attraction to this moose? Yes! Oh good!! When my oldest son was little I gave him a stuffed Chris-Moose for Christmas. He unwrapped him and out of his sweet little mouth came "look at dat moose." It's become the thing to say when you want to get him to look the other way when you want to steal his ice cream or whatever. But the sweetest part of this whole story, that wonderful little boy is now 13 and every year when it's time to decorate for Christmas, he pulls his Moose out and he sits on his bed during the holiday season.

Happy getting ready for Christmas to you. I hope you stay healthy!

Feeling the Aura

The November 1st challenge card was an Aura Technique. I've never heard of this before. However, they way it was described it reminded me of a movie I saw, The Village by M. Knight Shalaman (I know I didn't spell his name right). Anyway, in this movie there is a young woman who is blind and she describes to her father that she sees the colors that surround people. So I tried to create colors around the image. Unfortunately they are lost to the scan.

I am still learning the new photo editing software and had managed to darken this up so that you can see some of the detail.

I pulled out a retired Stampin' Up! stamp set called Natural Beauty - I discovered there are stamps in that box that have never seen ink! Anyway, I stamped the flower image with Stazon black and then used (more items pulled out and dusted off) my Stampin' Up! watercolor pencils and then to create the aura I used chalks around the image. Next I stamped the background and then wanted to highlight a word, so I chose DREAM and chalked it up. I like the effect.

Have a wonderful weekend!!

Finally!!

Hi Everyone,

Well, I am finally up and running! My computer got infected by a pretty serious virus. My husband and a friend of his stripped it down to it's bare bones then restored everything. One of the things I've lost was the photo editing software. I got a new one, and I am slowly but surely learning how to use it - but unfortunately, I think my inability there will keep me from being in the running for a design team position with All That Scraps. I'll tell ya! That is one company that I have wanted to design for ever since I saw it - I want it so bad I can taste it. I know I'm building myself way high that the disappointment is going to be massive if I don't get selected. I'm crossing my fingers though.

The set is called Hey Chicky, it comes with 4 chicky designs and the sentiment "Hey Chicky" and I think it's the most adorable set! It's the only one I have by CC Designs. I also purchased the decorative paper from ATS - I don't remember what it's called, but it's great! I wish my picture did the colors better justice.

Anyway, it feels good to be able to blog again. To share my creations with you.

Well, I best get back to my swapping projects. November came up way to fast for me! Have a wonderful rest of your weekend. Don't forget to set your clocks back an hour tonight.

Every Frankie must have his Bride...

Good Evening Everyone!

I have been inspired. I have the cutest card to share with you! You saw where I posted a CASEd Frankie card that I saw on Dawn's blog. Well, I've come up with my own creation. She's alive!

May I introduce to you Mrs. Frankie! Is she not the cutest thing - you can't help but giggle!! She was really easy to do. With the same basic instructions of Frankie, all I did was use Whisper White and then sponged a bit of Going Grey ink which isn't real visible in the photo. (I thought scanning was supposed to give you superior photos - maybe it's the operator!) Then with about 2 1/4 inch strip of black I cut a goofy curve for her hair line. Free-form cut the lightning bolt hair and adhered it to the black. For her eyes, again they are Whisper White, inked with Going Grey. I hand drew her eyelashes. I wanted a daintier nose then Frankie, after all she's a girl. Then drew her quirky smile. I think she's adorable and I hope you do, too.

Viola! A Melissa original!!!

Have a geat evening!

Too Early for Halloween??

I have been enjoying perusing Dawn Griffiths blog... I have been inspired to try many of the cards that she has showcased. This is one of them.....

Is he not the cutest ever!!! I love him!! This was the easiest card ever. Now Dawn used the This Way arrows punch from Stampin' Up! - not a punch I have, so I used the dog tag looking punch, the name escapes me at the moment. I think this looks more authentic of Frankenstien, the knobby things on his neck. Who could ever be afraid of this little guy!?

Supplies: Old Olive cut at 4 1/4 x 11, scored at 5 1/2. Lavendar Lace 4 1/4 by approximately 2", and cut the jagged "hairline" - (2) 1 1/4" white circles, (1) 1 1/4" Old Olive circle cut in half, (2) 1" black circles, (1) Old Olive circle cut in half, (2) Going Grey dog tags. Adhere hair to top of card close to score line. Adhere black circles to white circles and adhere below hairline. Soften the edges with Old Olive and sponge of half the 1 inch Old Olive circle and adhere between the eyes for his nose. Soften the edges of the two halves of the 1 1/4" Old Olive circles. Back with dimensional adhesive and place over the eyes. With a black marker draw a line for the mouth with stitch lines. Place another "scar" where his cheek is. Adhere the Going Grey tags to either side of his "neck." With a white gel pen or other white marker to add a bit of detail in his eyes - his twinkle. Done!

Now, Dawn had a stamp that I can't remember what it's called, I don't personally have the set, but it has a sentiment that says: Friend. Good. Frankenstien --I wanted to re-create something like that, so I found a dollar stamp that says Friends, but blocked off the s.

I hope you like it!!!

Heavenly!

Isn't she just heavenly! I hope that when I post this card, it looks a bit better than it does right at this moment. I put black card stock behind the card so that you get it's a white base...

Anyway, this is Group 1 of my monthly card swap. The image was provided by September's hostess, it's Halobella from Stamping Bella. I used my Stampin' Write markers to color her dress, I used the Twinkling H2Os to color her wings and Lumiere paint with Diamond Dust (warning: don't rub your fingers over the Diamond Dust - it will cut you finger!) to bring the cloud to its billowy presence. I also had more fun with the rectangle Nestibilities (gotta love these!) and I also got a new punch. It's a border punch from Fiskars. I also used PTI Tags, Bags and More set to stamp the metal edge circle and used a (yes I actually used them) sugar-coated purple brad to adhere the tag. Of course, no Melissa project is complete unless it has ribbon. The decorative paper also provided by the hostess is really pretty cloud paper.

I hope you like it!

Lovin' my Bug...

Hello Everyone... I hope you are off to a great start to the weekend. I am... I had a lovely dinner with my family and my Mom brought over this really yummy bottle of wine that is made here in West Viriginia. Then she took my youngest two children home with her. After they left I headed to my craft room.

I have a card to share with you that I made last week. This is a card I made for my friend LJ's swap. I just ordered two of the new Cuttlebug border embossing folders. LOVE THEM! I also used PTI's Women of Life set and my new scallop rectangles Nestibilities dies. Love these, too!!

Enjoy!

Sweet Baby Thank You

Good Morning Everyone...

I am on a roll this morning... I got up and made cinnamon rolls for my family, made me an awesome cup of coffee and designed (and finished) a baby thank you card.

I really struggled with a design for Tracy's swap - but this is what I finally came up with. My friend Jackie picked up this stamp for me at Hobby Lobby - sooo sweet. I grabbed the blue with white polka dots paper from my LSS - it's a Frances Meyer design and of course the ribbon came from the latest trip to the ribbon outlet. The picture doesn't do the ribbon justice at all. It's a shimmery blue organdy ribbon that is just precious.

I hope you enjoy my card.

I see I'm over 3000 hits now, please leave comments.

Never Ending Card Challenge

Check out what I made! I am part of a yahoo group that does challenge cards twice a month. I posted one a couple of posts ago (My Birthday Present) and this one totally baffled me - but it's awesome!

This is the front of the card. I used (retired) Sweet Shapes and this really cool flower that I got in one of my many swaps. I also used some great ribbon I got in a Color Me Happy box.

This ( >>>) is view two. Open the card to the left and the right and this is what you see next. The colors I chose are: Very Vanilla for the base. The ink color is Close to Cocoa, Pumpkin Pie and Garden Green. Can you tell I am ready for Fall?

(<<<) Now you take the middle panels and open up and down to expose the next part of the card.

(>>>) Open up the middle flaps again to the left and right and this is your next view. Open those flaps to the top and bottom and you're back to the first view.

Pretty neat, huh!

I really enjoyed making this card and I found an awesome blog that has video tutorials for this card and lots of other great ones, too. You really need to take the time to check out Dawn's Stamping Thoughts. Her tutorials are very good.

The Prettiest Thank You!

Recently I participated in a Secret Girlfriend swap. For this swap you send a gift for everyday for a whole month, it sounds like it's expensive and I suppose it can be, but when you're a part of the crafting world, you well.... get creative.

I had the absolute best time giving to my secret girlfriend, which turned out to be I was her secret girlfriend, too! We spoiled each other!!! It was absolutely the best round and I'd partipated in 2 others.

I would like to share with you the thank you card that she made me... I'd been struggling with making her the perfect card to say thank you and then hers came and well, anything I come up with now will pale greatly in comparison!! Check this beauty out:

I scanned it in because I'd hoped it would capture all the detail and it doesn't look too bad, but in real life, it's breathtaking!! I put a piece of black card stock behind it because the base is a plastic coaster that's pretty much clear. I just discovered these in the TAC catalog... so cool!!! The back of the card has her message. And thank you Jen for giving me permission to share your lovely creation on my blog.

My birthday present

Hi Everyone! I hope you all had a great week. My days are very stressful at work right now but hopefully there will be a change soon.

I belong to a challenge group, where we do two cards each month, each member choosing what the challenge will be be. The challenge on the 1st of the month I didn't like so well, but the challenge for the 15th of the month was a lot more fun! This was Maria's idea and at first I was very upset with her for coming up with this (LOL) but I have had a blast... not only trying a new challenge, but it gave me a chance to play with my new birthday present from my sister. Check out this card.....


The picture isn't the greatest because I had to scan it, the ribbon prevents a good scan because of the bumpiness. But isn't it pretty!! I used Lavendar Moon as the base... then used Perfect Plum as the next layer. The set I used is Papertrey's Guidelines set using Lavendar Moon and Perfect Plum inks. The ribbon is Lavendar Moon saddle stitch ribbon (yes! I actually used it!!) - then the "start" of the sentiment is "Life" from PTI's Out on Limb. The Celtic knot accent in the scallops is PTI's Borders & Corners Circles set. Now, this is what happens to the card.....




You pull the sides out and out pops the rest of the message - it's one of my favorites. I'm pretty sure I shared this before, but the inside says... "is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take our breath away."

I hope you enjoy my card as much as I do! BTW, the tutorial that I followed for this great card can be found on this great blog.

Miss You

Hi All! I have missed everyone! How have you all been? I've been doing OK. I hurt myself last week. I started Jazzercise classes and just when I thought I was getting the steps down, my left foot stopped but the rest of me didn't and I fell. Full impact on my left knee. At first only my pride was wounded - but I'm still pretty sore and it's amazing how you take for granted the ways your body moves when you want it to move one way and a shooting pain goes straight up your leg and makes you see stars!! Oh boy.

I have a card front to share with you. I sent this in as my contribution to a swap that my dear friend jonjinko is hosting. Another friend sent me this stamp as part of another swap that I was in - I just love it. It's a Great Impressions stamp and the sentiment is none other than Papertrey Ink.

The base is Real Red and I cut the sides using my old decorative scissors from Fiskars, the design is called Clouds. I wish I had bought years ago the SU! scalloped scissors, but they can't be found anywhere. {If anyone does find some, will you clue me in?} Next is Basic Black card stock. I stamped the image in 3 different panels to make it appear that the ladybug is moving along (my husband said this didn't make any sense because the flower is moving, too). I used my Stampin' Write markers to color the images, using Barely Banana in the flower petals and Apricot Appeal for shading. I think if I made this into a full card, I would then add red ribbon with black polka dots. I like it, even if DH thinks it doesn't make sense. The hostess liked it, too. That's enough votes for me.

I have another Elzybells card to share with you, but I have to wait a few more days to post it. I am so sad, too. The post below was a card I made for a swap, I mailed them and the hostess never received them. I am not happy with the postal service. I was really hoping I goofed and maybe mailed it to one of my swappers in the monthly card swap, but no one has said anything. Oh well. They're gone, life goes on.

So Sweet!

Hello Everyone! The final days of Spring break are upon us. The kids are already groaning, but we have had a wonderful visit with my sister for this past week. Tomorrow is my hubby's birthday, so we're almost done with birthdays! Whoo-hoo!!!

I have learned about a new stamp company called Elzybells and although they are very cute, this image captured my heart. I just love her. She arrived over a month ago and now she's finally inked. I made these cards and then joined the swap. I love this card - it's so feminine. I started with Pretty In Pink cardstock and ran a little more than half through the Cuttlebug using the paisley embossing folder - it's a new one! Then I took inspiration from the current Stampin' Success magazine for cards with all these wonderful circles. I used paper from a stash I've been hoarding. Then added a sentiment from by beloved collection of dollar stamps. The result, something pinkfully cute!

March Monthly Card Swap

Has anyone else just gone head over heels for Hannah? This is the second time I've received images for the monthly card swap that are Hannah stamp images. She's so darn cute! This image I received along with the beautiful decorative paper and just couldn't come up with the sentiment, so I filled the whole space... the sentiment will have to be on the part of the sender who uses my card.

I wasn't completely pleased with my coloring job... don't know if it was me or the cardstock. This particular cardstock that was used wanted to drink up the ink. Of course that might have been due to all this drywall dust that's been overtaking my house the last several weeks!!

Back to the card... I have totally fallen in love with Almost Amethyst again. It's my new old favorite. And I love love love the new Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder! And of course we know that lately Melissa has had a thing for scallops. You also cannot imagine how excited I was when I dove into my bag 'o ribbon and came up with this GORGEOUS satin ribbon that matches perfectly. I squealed! Literally. (haha! my daughter's new favorite word)

I hope you likey! I have some other cards just waiting to be published on here, so maybe I can update more often!!!

Happy Easter everyone.

I'm a girl who loves to have fun!

My original monthly swap is about the wrap up, but this was an image and paper recently shared by one of the swappers and this is what I came up with. I love this image!!

The paper is great, too, but this image is sooo cute. I hope you can see it well, my photos have definitely improved. I'm using my husband's camera and learned how to set up my pictures in front of my living room so that the light is coming in on the subject. I think it looks so good.

I hope you enjoy my card.

Verve Visual Sketch Challenge

I'm biting my nails! I am posting this card to enter the Verve Visual sketch challenge. The prize is being a guest stamper. I think that would be sooo cool!! Tell me what you think!

I thought the most gracious part of this contest/challenge is that using Verve Visual stamps weren't a requirement. I don't own any of these stamps, in fact, I'd only heard of the company a couple of days ago when I stumbled onto the sketch. To be honest, I was really in search of my challenge to present in August for the new group I just joined. I found this very cool sketch and decided to give it a go (with much encouragement from my sister).

I used Very Vanilla as my base, decorative paper by Tres Jolie, stamps are Michaels $1 stamps and the ink is Palette. Oh, the sentiment is Papertrey.

Cross your fingers for me!

How 'bout a double shot!

I have two projects to share with you today. This second project is my card for the monthly card swap. It was Laurie's turn to host (well not really, she had to step in) and she sent the coolest decorative paper. I also decided I would try a Splitcoast Challenge card map. This is what I came up with. I hope you like it!

As you can see, this card features Flowahbella by Stamping Bella. I used Papertrey's white cardstock for my base, Brocade Blue (the best blue!) to mat my paper and my image. I colored the Bella with my Stampin' Up! markers. I found the bling at Wal-Mart and it's original intention is to decorate cell phones, mp3 players, etc., but it had sticky stuff on it and I liked it! The sentiment is from my new Papertrey Ink set Mixed Messages. It's a little hard to see in this picture, but it says "With Appreciation" and I really like the simple touch it added to the card. I hope Laurie is pleased with what I did with her choices in paper and image.