Twinkling Acorns

Stef has another great inspiration website over on Splitcoaststampers for today's inspiration challenge called Garnet Hill.  I was inspired by this Pears Flannel Bedding for my card today.

I designed my own designer paper by using a baby wipe as my ink pad (drop several colors to a baby wipe and press stamp onto the baby wipe) for my maple leaf image, stamping randomly all over ivory cardstock. For more definition, I then stamped the Rubbernecker folk art maple leaf in eggplant and lettuce ink pads. I sponged the outer edges of the ivory cardstock with Rusty Hinge and Vintage Photo distress inks. I then sprayed copper Glimmer Mist and Champagne Mist onto the cardstock for a shimmery effect. I colored the Rubbernecker fall acorn images with Twinkling H20s and cut them out.

I wish you could see this IRL because it's so shimmery!

Stamps: Folk Art Maple Leaf and Fall Acorns by Rubbernecker
Paper: More Mustard, Ivory, Pumpkin Spice (by Gina K)
Ink: Adirondack Butterscotch, Ginger and Lettuce; Stampin Up Elegant Eggplant; Ranger Rusty Hinge and Vintage Photo Distress Inks; Twinkling H20s Jasper Red and Nutmeg
Accessories: Twinkling H20s, Copper Glimmer Mist, SU Champagne Mist, triangle Nestabilities, copper brad, elegant eggplant ribbon, dimensionals, baby wipes, blending tool and sponge

Oompa Cat

Hi!  I hope you are having a fantabulous weekend; I appreciate your visit to my blog today.  We have family due to arrive shortly for a cookout, but I did have a little time this morning to participate in the Inspiration challenge on Splitcoaststampers.  Stef gave us another terrific website for our inspiration called Oompa.   I absolutely love the darling artwork by Noelle Dass at Oompa!!! All of her animal drawings are adorable. I chose this Cat Blue Print for a friend who is a cat lover.

I replicated her cat image using punches and Nestabilities. I made mine a full body image adding the kitty's paws.  Isn't he funky?


Cat Parts:

ears = five-star flower punch
eyes = double circle punch
face = oval Nestabilities
neck = arrow punch
body = circle Nestabilities
paws = 3/4" circle punch
whiskers = free-hand cutting

I inked up my dotted swiss embossing folder with Night of Navy and ran my Bashful Blue cardstock through my Cuttlebug. I added additional sponging around the cat to outline it like Noelle did in her drawing.

Some Saturday Stampin'

Happy Saturday to you!  Thanks for stopping in at my blog.

I had a chance to make a couple cards today.  The first one is for the Inspiration challenge on Splitcoaststampers  from the LoveArtWorks Clay Pottery website.  I was drawn to Kristen's raspberry treat platter.

Kristen uses a lot of black/white line drawing with splashes of color on some of her designs, as well as a lot of bird images, so I brought all three of those elements into my design using an old SU hostess set. I relied heavily on my stamp-a-ma-jig to get the images lined up within the frames as well as for the solid image within that set to stamp the soft pastel colors over my images after I colored them with reinkers and a blender pen. I then cut each frame and adhered to a piece of black cardstock. I used my ScorPal for the scoring outside of the black frame. My card is 4 1/4" square.

My next card is in honor of this week's Queen for the Day zgirlsgranny, aka Linda.  Linda is such a sweetheart and a terrific stamper to boot! She's also a crazy tea partier at Teapot Tuesdays, and we always have such a blast.

My poochies are clear stamps by Inkadinkadoo in solid images. For the pappa pooch on the left, I stamped him first in creamy caramel, lined him up with my stamp-a-ma-jig and stamped him again in chocolate chip. I then took a black marker and colored just certain portions of the image and stamped the image again using my stamp-a-ma-jig. For the darling daughter poochie on the right, I stamped her in Adirondack's ginger (to reflect her lovely reddish brown tresses) and then took black marker and colored portions of her, too. I had to cut out each piece of both poochies and glue them to the kraft cardstock.

This darling daughter pooch with the beautiful reddish brown hair is giving her pappa pooch a particularly delicious bone for Father's Day. It will be in the form of a gift certificate to one of his favorite stores.

Happy Father's Day Pappa!

From Masculine to Feminine

I was telling my friend, Lynn, the other day about needing to make a bunch of masculine birthday cards for all the June birthdays we have in our family, and how much I dislike making them.  It's not that I don't want to make my beloved family members a card; I just struggle so with making masculine-themed cards. 

Lynn offered to let me borrow several stamp sets that she thought might help out, one of which is Stampin' Up's Classic Pickups.  These images are perfect for my stepson.  Here's what I came up with for him:

Ever since he was a little guy, my stepson has always wanted everything to go "fast," so what better image to use than this pickup truck with the custom flames paint job.  I cut it out with an oval Nestability and put it on the inside of my card to meet the Free for All challenge requirements Silvia gave us to make a jelly-filled doughnut card. In other words, make a hole on the outside of your card and then put the image on the inside.  I stamped You're a Classic just above the pick up truck. I covered the black embossed panel on the outside with metallic Perfect Pearls for some added masculine gleam.  Vroom, baby!!!

Still in the mood to make another card, I checked out the Inspiration challenge on SCS which is this gorgeous Tea and Roses website.  I love decorative boxes, so I chose these beautiful nested hat boxes as my inspiration piece.  Obviously, this website called for a feminine theme.  Okay.  Okay.  I know.  It's not achieving my goal of getting my masculine birthday cards done, but I just couldn't resist, especially since Lynn also loaned me her Fifth Avenue Floral stamp set. 

I stamped the flowers onto SU pink pirouette dp, cut them out, sponged the edges in pink pirouette and pretty in pink, colored the stamens with white gel pen, and rolled some of the edges for dimension. I lightly stamped the larger Fifth Avenue Floral image on the background of the pink pirouette cs.    Ooooo!  I jes luvs purty, girly things.

Well, I need to sign off.  Hubby and I are off to visit some friends.  I'll be back!!!  Happy Saturday to you!

Show the Love!

I don't know about you, but I get so much inspiration just by participating in challenges from various blogs and websites.  They really help me get my mojo going....especially when I feel my mojo has up and left me.

One of my favorite challenges on Splitcoaststampers is the Featured Stamper challenge.  This week Beth chose a stamper whose gallery I had not come across before:  NikkiSchmaltz.  I chose this darling, glittery heart card she made.    Isn't it just the sweetest?

Of course, we are required to change two or more things when we case the featured stamper.  I changed:

1. stamps
2. designer paper
3. different embossing folder
4. used heart punch instead of ribbon

Yesterday I made a card for the Inspiration and Queen for the Day challenges on Splitcoaststampers.  The inspiration website Stef provided was Layla Grace, whose, as Stef wrote "...tagline is Love your Life, Express Your Style. The founders of Layla Grace state, "We feel that beautiful surroundings bring harmony, balance, and happiness to your home and life, and strive to showcase products that will achieve this philosophy.” There store is filled with inspiration.

I fell in love with this Beige Provincial Decoupage Frame. 

Secondly, the Queen for the Day was Connie Jo9 and I chose her beautiful Mom card to case.     As an option, we could also tell a story with our card.  I don't have a humorous story to tell as a lot of the other challenge participants did, and I don't know if this qualifies as a story, but I did want to relay that I am constantly touched by the deep bond of sisterly love between Connie Jo and her sister Cathy (Mutnik). They always encourage, inspire, uplift, respect, and love one another that comes through clearly in their posted comments on one another's designs.

So, I thought I'd use a photo that was taken of me and my two sisters a couple years ago when my sister, Kay (middle), came to Michigan to visit me after I had my hand surgery. We haven't been able to see each other often (like Cathy and Connie Jo) over the last 35 years because she lives on the Pacific coast and I'm alllllllllll the way over here in the midwest of Michigan. Nonetheless, we have a deep sisterly bond as well, which includes our baby sister, Wendy (left). Wendy and I have been fortunate to live near one another and we, too, share a close relationship as sisters. We took my parents to the local cider mill on a beautiful fall day, and we had so much fun! My husband had us pose for this picture in front of the wagonload of pumpkins at the cider mill.

I used my Rubbernecker Weeds and Vines images by stamping and heat embossing them in white onto kraft cardstock.  To line up the vine image for framing my photo, I relied on my Stamp-a-ma-jig.   I matted the kraft with SU's Soft Suede.

Playing Catch Up

I haven't had much time to blog lately, so I'm playing catch up with a few cards I've made in the past few days.

Today is Teapot Tuesday, and Barbara20 is hostessing for Mothermark this week.  She's got a fabulous nautical-themed teapot she's given us for our inspiration this week.  You can get the details here.  This is a one-layer card.  I brayered all the various colors to create my sand, ocean, and sky.  I used my Cricut Life's a Beach cartridge for the ship, lighthouse, sand dollar, and starfish.  I used Liquid Applique for the water's foam.

My next card is in honor of my friend and fellow Rubbernecker DT member, Cathleen (aka ctorina), who was chosen as the featured stamper on Splitcoast this past Sunday.  Cathleen makes such elegant and beautiful cards.  It was an honor to case her.  After I settled on wanting to use Blush Blossom, I knew I was going to have to make my own designer paper, which I love to do. I stamped Baroque Motifs and Linen bg in Blush Blossom and then finger walked French Script in True Thyme over that. I used my finger dauber in Blush Blossom reinker to sponge the edges of each piece of cardstock.

This last card I made for the Inspiration Challenge this past Saturday.  I used a napkin transfer technique.  This is where you split the top layer of the napkin from the back, place it on the shiny side of freezer paper, put a piece of paper on top of the napkin and press with a hot iron.  The napkin sticks to the freezer paper.  Then you can adhere this to a piece of cardstock.   I love these napkins I bought at Michael's.

Thanks for stopping in!  I hope to get to your blog soon, too!

A RAK, a Recipe, and a Card!

Happy Saturday!!!  I love Saturdays because, typically, I get to sleep in for a little bit after working all week.  We've got a busy day ahead of us, though, so I was up earlier than usual getting busy on a few things.

First up, and long overdue, I want to show you a darling card that my good chum, Joanne (aka JoJot, SnoSnot, SnoSnertie) sent to me.  She knows I love da m&ms!!!  Isn't this sentiment just the cutest?  I've been known to sneak an m&m (or two) for breakfast.  It's how I got my nickname, Big Butt Bertie.  Now that I'm older, though, I need to rid myself of such terrible eating habits....well, maybe not.  I mean, after all, a girl has to have a few vices!  Giggle.  Thanks, again, Jo!  This adorable guy is going on my sidebar, too!

Okay, speaking of eating habits.....I truly have been trying to turn over a new leaf with a better diet and exercise.  I've been having fun (did I really type that???) participating in a step aerobics/strength training class a couple nights a week with my friend, Lynn.  She dragged me there kicking and screaming, but I finally gave in and am rather enjoying it now.

Anywhoooo, our instructor provides us with a free health magazine.  In one of them, I found this scrumpdillyicious recipe for Peanutty Energy Bars.  Instead of reaching for a candy bar before exercise, I power up with one of these.  I even had to ask my friend, Barb, who is a nutritionist, if these were really healthy because they tasted too darn good in my book to be healthy for me!  She assured me that the ingredients were healthy and that if I were concerned with the sugar content, I could probably cut back on the recipe a bit for the mixture you spoon over the bars.   These are really easy to make, too, so I thought I'd share the recipe with you.  The recipe is from the Peanut Institute.

PEANUTTY ENERGY BARS

Ingredients:
1/2 cup salted dry-roasted peanuts
1/2 cup roasted sunflower seed kernels (or some other kind of nut to your liking)
1/2 cup raisins or other dried fruit
2 cups uncooked oatmeal (old-fashioned or instant is fine)
2 cups toasted rice cereal, such as Rice Krispies
1/2 cup peanut butter (creamy or crunchy)
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla
Optional:  1/4 cup toasted wheat germ

Directions:
In a large bowl, mix the peanuts, sunflower seeds, raisins, oatmeal, and rice cereal (and wheat germ if you're adding that).  Set aside. 
In a medium microwaveable bowl, combine the peanut butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup.  Microwave on high for two minutes.  Add vanilla and stir until blended.  (side note:  this is where I questioned the healthy aspect of this recipe because I felt like I was eating peanut butter fudge!!!  Love that stuff!)  Pour the peanut butter mixture over the dry ingredients; mix well.
For squares, spoon the mixture into an 8"x8" pan coated with cooking spray; for bars spoon it into a 9"x13" pan.  Press down firmly.  It helps to coat your fingers with oil or cooking spray.  Let stand for about an hour, then cut into squares or bars.
Makes 16 squares or bars.
225 calories per serving
30g carb; 6g protein; 9g fat

Now, for a card I made.  We're off to visit and celebrate March family birthdays a little later on today.  I made this birthday card for my nephew and as a part of the Inspiration challenge on Splitcoaststampers (SCS).  Unfortunately, SCS has been down for quite a while this morning so I haven't been able to upload it there.  I chose this photo from the inspiration website:

I love stripes, in addition to polkadots, and drew upon that for my card.  Instead of ships and lighthouses, I cut these party hats using my Sweet Treats Cricut cartridge.    I used my double circle and double rectangle punches to decorate the hats.  The little candles are by Rubbernecker.  They also have larger size candles that coordinate with these little ones.  I used SU's Bashful Blue, Brocade Blue, and Always Artichoke for my colors.  The striped dp is by American Crafts.

Thanks for stopping by today, and have a SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICEXPEALIDOCIOUSLY splendid day!

Groovy Inclinations

Happy Saturday to you!

Stef has another great inspiration challenge going on over at Splitcoaststampers. Today she's provided us with inspiration from Groovy Inclinations. To quote Stef, "The artist is Mindy Wilson from western Montana. Her digital prints stem from illustrations and photos combined with alterations with a graphic program and her own painted textures." I chose this beautiful Jade and Topaz print for my inspiration piece.

And here's my interpretation of it using the Fall Trilogy stamp set from Rubbernecker Stamps. Dave has 20% off on his stamps right now with a huge selection to choose from!



I used the polished stone technique to create my designer paper. If you're not familiar with this technique, you drop a bit reinker (I used Stampin Up's Sage Shadow) and rubbing alcohol onto a cotton ball and dab it all over glossy cardstock. I then swirled my cotton ball after I dabbed to help blend and mute some of the color.

I stamped my image several times in shades of Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, and Chocolate Chip. When stamping onto glossy cardstock, you want to be careful stamping your image because it can slide easily, unless you're using an archival ink which is best for stamping onto glossy cardstock.

After my ink dried, I ran the glossy cardstock through my Cuttlebug using the fleur de lis embossing folder for added texture. I also embossed the sentiment panel with this same embossing folder.

Thanks for stopping by! You know I always appreciate it and your comments!

Franz Porcelain Inspired

My sweet friend, Anne (aka Itsapassion on SCS) is hostessing the Inspiration Challenge on Splitcoaststampers. The inspiration website Anne provided features Franz Porcelain items...some of the most exquisite and loveliest pieces of porcelain I've ever laid my eyes on.

I chose this stunning Floral Bouquet Creamer as my inspiration piece. I was drawn to the vibrant blue. I stamped my Delight in Life flowers with Tuxedo Memento Black ink onto white cardstock and then colored the flowers with Copic markers using brushstrokes. I then lightly added thin black strokes with Marvy LePlume thin point marker.

My bow was made with the Bow Easy, and I used the MS zig zag punch for the border under my sentiment.

I hope you'll find some time to play in the Inspiration Challenge. Look for IC204 in the challenge forums at Splitcoaststampers.

Inspiration Challenge

Hi ya'll!

I was tickled when my sweet friend, Anne (aka Itsapassion on SCS) ,asked me if I would like to make a sample card for this week's Inspiration Challenge on Splitcoaststampers. The inspiration website Anne chose is Creative Wallcoverings ,and I chose this Black and White Cat Tumbler for my inspiration piece. It was the overall design of the tumbler from which I drew my inspiration and used that as the layout for my card.

I used my 3/4" square punch to make the diamond shaped, Cuttlebugged Groovy Guava panels at the top and bottom of the card. I then cut a 1/4" Very Vanilla piece of cardstock and wrapped black twine around that (I colored the twine with a black Copic marker). Next I cut a 3" x 4" piece of Sage Shadow cardstock and scored it vertically at every 1/4" with my Scor Pal. I then paper pierced next to the score lines and used a black marker to create my faux stitching. I then took my white Prism pencil to shadow between the black faux stitching and the score line for added depth.

The dragonfly image is from Stampin' Up's Bugs & Kisses and was first black embossed and then watercolored with Groovy Guava reinker and a watercolor brush. I glued just the center of the dragonfly to my card, leaving the wings up for dimension. I felt my card needed just a little more "oomfph" to it, so I added the black word window punches with the Groovy Guava 1/4" punched circles (what I call my faux brads). I'm not sure what occasion I want to use this card for, so I've left off any kind of sentiment.

Thanks for stopping by!