SSS16 and A New Card! Finally!

My life is really a mess right now, but I did find time to make a card, finally!

Isn't this guy too cute? This is from a Sweet n' Sassy digi set called "Something to Crow About." I am beginning to get really hooked on digis, because they are so easy to use, so inexpensive, and sooooo easy to clean up after (you don't have to! hehehe)

I am still working on my "black" technique with the Copics, but this one turned out pretty good. I used the C range of greys and kept laying down color until it looked dark enough. I wanted to convey a Fall theme, so I used the silk leaves, althought it kind of makes him look like a turkey instead of a crow! LOL And I know that sunflowers are technically summer, but here in Texas we have them in the fall as well.

I colored a second set of his eyes, beak, wings and legs to pop up on foam dots and I added even more dimension with Glossy Accents. The CS is SU! and the DP is DCWV The Green Stack. The gingham ribbon is SU! and the leaves and sunflowers are from the craft section at StuffMart.

This is one of the many sentiments that come along with this little guy, and I like that because it is a digi, I can resize the sentiment to whatever size I want it to be.

I brought the same theme to the inside and topped off with ribbon and flowers.

Blessings!

Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge #13...and again!

This is the sketch for Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge #13:

And here is my (first) take on this sketch.....

This is a brand new SNSS Digi release called "Showers of Blessing," by Courtney Fowler. Courtney has her own blog and challenge team called the, "Created by Courtney Challenge Chicks." Her work is lovely and her love for the Lord is evident in all that she does. Initally I wanted to color her dress in blue, but it made me think of the Morton Salt girl, so I tried to pick a color that I don't use much as a focal. Green, which I love, is usually what I use for leaves, etc. Here her dress and umbrella are colored with Copics using marker in the G and YG ranges. The background is done with C1-C7. Notice how I "grounded" her with a darker shadow below? When you do this, it makes the image look like it is actually on something, instead of floating in mid-air. Her hair is done with red-toned E range markers. CS is SU! Mellow Moss, DP and brads are Basic Grey - Mellow (I JUST realized that they both say mellow! hehehe), ribbon is Martha Stewart, bling is K&Co. Anytime I put gemstone brads or crystal bling on my cards, by DH says, "You Bedazzled it! LOL (Inside joke from The Game Plan, if you have seen it.) I used my MS Lace Border punch on some of the DP.

This is a close up showing the colorful paper and the sentiment. The digi comes with several sentiments to choose from, so you have something for inside and outside. After I finished this card and submitted it for the sketch blog, I realized that it was SUPPOSED to be a Christmas-themed card...doh! So, accordingly, here is my second take on this sketch:

If you have not noticed yet, very rarely do I stick exactly to the sketch. I always change something, even if I just rotate or switch sides. Not sure why, I just always do! CS is a DCWV card blank and some SU! Chocolate Chip, DP is Basic Grey - Mellow (Again...I just love this paper!) and a Christmas sentiment DP from a DCWV Holidays stack, ribbon and buttons are from StuffMart. Again, I used the MS Lace Border punch. I chose to go a little simpler with the card so that the image would really stand out. I just love this guy! It is another SNSS digi called, "You Light Up My Life!" This one you can only get by participating in the Christmas in July Celebration going on at SNSS this month. Hurry! After this month, you cannot get this one or the other two Christmas digis. (Do Not Open Till Christmas and Stanley the Penguin)

Since he is supposed to be made of snow, I used a C1 marker and B00 marker to line the edges and softened with colorless blender. I also *try* to keep in mind where I want the light to come from, so I know where to put my highlights, as you can see on his hat.

Blessings!

Christmas In July!!! And an Important Request....

Hey Guys! Here are a couple of things I have been working on lately...

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps is having a Christmas In July promotion right now where they are giving away these awesome Christmas Digis by Korin Sutherland.

This one is called, "You Light Up My Life," and it has the snowman image with two sentiments. Isn't that little bird just adorable? I think this one is my favorite. You can only get these digis by participating in the CIJC sale at Sweet 'n Sassy during the month of July. After that, they will no longer be available. I used Basic Grey Mellow paper and Urban Prairie brads, Neenah Solar Crest CS, Copic markers and Glossy Accents on this card, along with bling from K&Co., ribbon and silk flowers from Joann and my MS Lace Border Punch. I also added some antiquing on the CS using an SU! Close to Cocoa inkpad. After I colored him, I trimmed him and popped him up on foam dots.

Here is a closeup of the ink-antiquing. I went over the sentiment with Copics as well, just to add a little dimension.

The next digi is called, "Do Not Open Until Christmas!" and he is adorable! Most people color him as a Polar Bear, but I wanted to do something different, so my image is a night time scene with a brown bear. I used SU! Not Quite Navy and Real Red CS, along with some more Basic Grey Mellow DP, bling from K&Co., Glossy Accents and, of course, Copic Markers. Red Grosgrain 5/8" ribbon and some doodling with a Bronze Sakura Gelly Roll pen finish it off.

I wanted the tree to look more like a fir than a pine, so I used markers in the BG range. I like the look of this for a fir tree. After I colored the the decorations, I used Glossy Accents to make them stand out a bit. I added some stars to the sky with a White Sakura Gelly Roll pen and topped with Glossy Accents.

Now, onto my Important Request:

My precious birth-mother, Mama Kathryn, has been diagnosed with cancer. I am going to spend a week with her in Idaho starting the 2oth of July. She is a believer and is holding fast to God's promises but it would really bless her to get some cards from all of you talented people out there. If you can and you want to, please send her a card of encouragement, especially ones with scripture, to remind her of God's love and faithfulness. I know it would just mean so much to her. If you have a blog of your own, feel free to pass on this request. My other request is that you pray for her, add her to your church prayer list, etc.

Here is her info:

Kathryn McGinnis, P.O. Box 193, Hope, Idaho, 83836

Thank you in advance for doing this for me and Kathryn.

Blessings!

Sweet & Sassy DT Blog Hop!

Well, here it is... my very first Blog Hop! I am honored that I was chosen to represent Sweet & Sassy Stamps as a Junior DT member from July '09 to Dec '09. You probably came to my blog from Lisa's blog. If not, go back to the SNSS Blog and start there! You don't want to miss ANY of the "eye candy!"

Here is another card that I made using the "Birthday Buddies" stamp set that was a new release for the month of June.


This set is incredibly versatile, it has several cuddly little critters and some great sentiments to go with them. This one is my current fave, because I think he is looking at that slice of cake like he really wants to keep it for himself! hehehe! I used SU Not Quite Navy CS, YoYo Yellow CS and the DP is from the Fun In The Sun Summer Stack from DCWV. I cut the Scalloped Circle and Embossed Circle Nesties with my Cuttlebug and popped that little guy on there with some foam dots. He is, of course, colored with Copic markers and highlighted with Sakura Gelly Roll White Gel pen. Some white ribbon, a multi-color flower and some "bling" were all that was needed to complete this card.

The next stop on your hop is Nancy.

Blessings!

Finally! An Update and A New Card for Sweet Stop Sketch 11!

Things here have been really crazy! In the last two weeks, we have gone thru:

A) a brushfire burning in the heavily wooded area behind our property for three days,

B) a snakebite to my youngest child's ankle,

C) a trip to the ER and stay in the hospital for said child,

D) a whole lot of thankfulness to God that my son is ok and my house did not burn down!

So, if I have been especially quiet the last couple of weeks, now you know why!

Here is my latest creation, using Sweet & Sassy Stamps "Birthday Buddies" set. My inspiration for this card comes from the Sweet Stop Sketch Spot Challenge #11. If you have not had a chance to participate in any of these, hurry on over there and take a look!

The CS is SU Yoyo Yellow and Brilliant Blue. The green is DCWV, olive 12 x 12, textured. The DP is also DCWV, not sure of the name but I will try to get it and add it later. I added some red crystals on the corners for some bling!

Isn't this little guy just too cute? I colored him with Copics (C1,3,5 and E00,02) and detailed him with white gel pen and Glossy Accents. The balloons are colored with Copics in the R, Y, and B families. I used a MS border emboss/punch to jazz up the horizontal strip of Brilliant Blue CS and added some skinny red ribbon from Wally World.

The sentiment is also from the same set, it has several to choose from. You may not be able to tell from this photo, but I embossed the image and sentiment with clear embossing powder after I stamped it. It really makes the sentiment POP!

Blessings!

Card for my Daddy and Copic Color Challenge #15

Here is my card for the CCC #15. It is a card for my Daddy...Yes, I know I am 38 26 years old, and I still call him "Daddy." That is what he has always been and that is what he will always be!

My Daddy rocks! Here are the Top Ten Reasons Why...(in no particular order...)

1: He has always put my mom and me before himself.

2: He does that with my children as well.

3: When I am in trouble, he will drop whatever he is doing to help me out, no matter how
important it may be.

4: When I call, he always says, "Well, hello my little darlin'!"

5: When I am faced with difficult decision, I can count on him to discuss all sides with me.

6: His brain is my personal GPS! He can tell you the fast way, the short way, the scenic route, for anywhere you want to go!

7: He knows where all the best places to eat are, along the way!

8: He prays for me and my family.

9: He can make a mean pot of Jambalaya! (Chicken, rice, sausage & spices for you yankees! LOL)
10: He still calls me "Baby," *sniff*

I love you Daddy! Have a Wonderful Father's Day...You Are The Best!!!!!

Ok, the CS is SU Real Red/Whisper White and DCWV Navy from a stack called Everyday Cardstock & Prints. The polka dot and stripe DP are singles I bought recently from Joann, and the image is from an MFT set called Let's Hear It For The Boy, which I colored with Copic markers using the R59 for the rug. The sentiment is from the same set, but I printed it out to make it bigger. The brads are Basic Grey, Urban Prairie and the buttons come from a red/white/blue multipack I bought at Stuffmart. I paper-pieced the dad, rug and tv and popped them up on dots for dimension and popped up the sentiment as well.

I followed the theme thru to the inside and printed out another sentiment from the MFT set. BTW, this card is 5 1/5 by 5 1/2.

Blessings!

SNSS Digi - A Flower For You

Isn't this just the sweetest lil' bug ever? I fell in love with this lil' guy! He is a new digi from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps. I love to use digis because I am lazy and do not like to clean rubber they are so easy to use! The digis from SNSS are especially easy to color because they are drawn with outlines that are just a lil' bit wider than most (Thank you, Korin!) and are more Copic-friendly for those of us that tend to color outside the lines just a tad! I have put all the colors I used in the picture to give you some reference. The base card (5"x7") is SU Summer Sun CS and I have layered with Black SU CS. The DP is a red gingham from DCWV Classic Prints & Cardstock Stack.

After I colored the main image, I colored another of the flowers, coated it with Glossy Accents, trimmed it, and popped it up on foam dots for some 3-D effect. I love the way it makes the flower really POP! I also gave him a "halo-effect" with two shades of grey. I like the extra depth this gives to the main image. I also "glossed" his nose, cheeks and antennae! I layered him on the black CS and then attached round silver brads with flower bead spacers from my stash. Then I popped him up on 1/16" foam.

I printed the sentiment on SU Whisper White, using two different fonts and layered it with the yellow and black CS. I added another brad/spacer to coordinate with the main image. I popped this up on 1/8" on the left and mounting squares above the edge of the main image.

The ribbon is a red grosgrain from my stash and some SU Real Red Gingham that I was blessed with recently. I have been on a charm kick lately and I found these Blue Moon flower charms at Stuff Mart last time I went. I thought it matched perfectly!

I followed the theme on the inside, with a slight twist. I used SU Real Red and Whisper White CS with SU Black/White Gingham ribbon and more of the brad/spacers.

I left the inside blank...you never know what you might want to say to a friend. All in all, this was a joy to make and I will have a hard time parting with it.

Blessings!

Copics Color Challenge #11 and CPC Magazine

Once again, I finally get to do a Copics Color Challenge! And this time, I have ALL the colors! Also, since I am using a scripture for the sentiment, I am going to load this on my Christian Paper Crafts Magazine gallery. WooHoo! So, the colors were Y08 Acid Yellow, E31 Brick Beige and BG13 Mint Green. I also added E57 Light Walnut, BG11 Moon White, RV11 Pink, and RV14 Begonia Pink.
I used a digi from Grab-a-Doodle-Do that I just LOVE! Isn't she cute? She is from a set called "Fun and Girly" that has several images to choose from. I started with a yellow CS from the Kalediscope Value Pack by The Paper Company and used the turquoise from the same pack as well. The DP is by Kelly Pannaci for Sandy Lion.

I colored this little beauty and added some hightlight with a Sakura GellyRoll White gel pen. Not sure about this, but I guess it is ok. I shadowed around her with C1 and C3 and the stems on the flowers are G24. I trimmed her and popped her up on foam dots for dimension.

The flowers and brads are Spare Parts, and I colored the yellow flowers with my Y08 because it was too light. I think it worked well.

The sentiment is from the ColorBok "Everyday Blessings" Vellum Quote Pack, which I layered on white CS, attached with Basic Grey Urban Prairie brads and popped up on more of the yellow CS.
I followed the color scheme thru to the inside, using another sentinment from the same vellum pack and more brads. I made sure to leave lots of white space for writing.

I really like how this one turned out, it feels really light and happy to me! Plus, Psalm 118 is one of my favorites!

Blessings!

Copic Color Challenge #7

This time at the Copic Color Challenge, we were asked to use the following colors:

I did not have the E47 or the B12, so I substituted E57 and B21. Here is the card I made...

The CS and DP all came from a 12 x 12 K & Co Stack called Classic K Bailey. The papers are double sided and I just love these colors together

The image is a Birthday Buddies digi-stamp from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps (click on the link to get yours, and check out all their other fabulous digis!) that I printed out on Strathmore Bristol Smooth paper. I find this works well for digi-stamps. The ink does not bleed when I color over it and the paper does not suck my markers dry. I started with R22, B21 and E47. I added R02, B24, E33, G21, G24, Y15 and W1.

The flower came from a Joann floral stem I took apart, the spacer and charm are Blue Moon, the brads are K & Co and Basic Grey Urban Prairie.

I followed the theme on the inside and used my EK Success Photo corner punch on some of the DP to add accent. The sentiment is a vellum sticker from American Traditional Designs Lil' Messages pack.

This was my first time to do the CC Challenge and I thoroughly enjoyed myself!

Blessings!

Copics, Copics Everywhere!

For those of you who like Copics... with a Copic addiction OK! who are totally OBSESSED!!! with Copics like myself...hehehe...here is what I have been up to since my Copics came from the Sweet & Sassy Stamps Copic Club.

This little Easter Anya from The Greeting Farm is soooo cute, that I could not do just one. I had to do a bevy of beauties! I colored all with Copics and detailed with a Sakura Gelly Roll Med white pen. This is the first one, she is a blonde bombshell and she is just too sweet for words.

Here is my Red-Hot, Red-Head Anya! They say (and just WHO are THEY anyway?) that red heads should not wear pink, but I think she is ROCKIN' that hot pink dress! hehehe

I really like the way this one turned out, not really brunette, more of a "bronde", if you know what I mean...She has a real 'girl next door' feel to her.

Last, but certainly not least! Here is a card that my DD and I made together during some much enjoyed mother-daughter time.


I think she did a great job and she really has taken to cardmaking since she realized how much fun it can be. She is a very creative young lady and this is just another extension of her many talents...(not proud of her, am I? hehehe)

Well, let me know what you have been up to so far this week! I love to hear from you all, I am trying my best to visit all the blogs of my 92!!!!! followers! but it is taking me a bit to do it. (my boss actually wants me to WORK, how rude!)

Blessings!

Some new cards, and a Surprise to Come (scroll down for info!)

Hello All! Just when I was enjoying the lovely spring-like weather, Texas sprung! It is about 50 degrees outside, wet and nasty! Oh well! Here is a bit of Springtime Loveliness to cheer your heart!

I was not following a sketch with this one, I actually colored the image first. This is another free image like the last one. (look at the previous post to find the link) Aren't these birdies just too sweet for words? The card itself is a lovely olive CS. I used a plain, cream CS that I border punched with MS Lace Scallop border punch and the same green CS and my image. I corner punched both with the Heritage 3 in 1 Border Punch from Fiskars. The ribbon is from Wally-world craft department and the cross with dove is Blue Moon.

I love this sentiment and thought it would be just perfect for my two little birdy friends here. Is is a sticker that I mounted on the same green CS.

Here is a shot to show how I cut them out and popped them up on foam dots to add dimension. They were, of course, colored with Copic markers. I will have to show you the colors I used later.

I just got this new MS leaf punch and I thought it really made the Spare Parts flower and gem embellies stand out. I can tell you to expect to see a LOT of this in the future! LOL

Here is the inside of the card, I have pretty much just carried the theme from the front inside.

And here is a gusset fold envie that I made all by my little self to put it in and not smush the pretty embellies. You can see in the first photo how thick it is. Want to try it? Just let me know and I will tell you how. I used a band of a matching green CS that is border punched to finish off the look and hold the envie shut. I don't have time to post the recipe today, but I promise I will.

And now, the surprise....

I am gonna give away some BLOG CANDY when I hit 1,000 hits! I am talking some SERIOUS candy, not just a little bit...check back later for a pic and all the DEETS! All you have to do to play along is post my candy on your blog (please!) If you would like a second entry, you could follow me (no pressure!hehehe) Then come back to me and leave a comment linking your post. If you choose to follow, leave a second comment. I will draw a random winner the day after my counter hits 1,000. (I am currently at 879...just FYI!)

Blessings!

Cupcake Craft Challenge #30 & DT Call

Isn't this a lovely image? For this week's challenge at Cupcake Crafts, Springtime is our inspiration. It is such a peaceful image, I immediately thought of this beautiful swan .jpg that I downloaded from a gallery of free images on the web. Thanks to Enfys at Going Buggy for the link! Here is what I came up with...

I printed out the image on Strathmore Bristol Smooth (300 series). It is really heavy weight and the Copics love it! I did not even heat set the ink and there was no smudging when I colored. When I showed it to my DH, he remarked that it looks kind of like stained glass.

I layered on CS and DP that I border punched and used a vellum sentiment that seemed to go with the image. The pretty little Celtic cross has the same feel as the border on the image so it was perfect to complete my card.

Here are the Copic colors that I used...I am up to 39 pens now! I see these really becoming an addiction!

CS: soft grey, yellow and white from a multipack I got at Joann, DP: a green flourish that came from a HL Greetings of the Seasons pack, RIBBON: yellow floral ribbon from Joann and white from Walmart, BORDER PUNCH: Lattice from the Paper Studio, EMBELLIES: Spare Parts flowers and brads, Blue Moon Celtic cross.

Blessings!