Ismaki Challenge #13

I just have to say that I look forward to monday so I can see what beautiful sketch is at Ismaki!!! They really have the most amazing sketches to work with! I am really stepping out the box when working with these and I am so loving the results!! I think both feet are really coming out! (LOL) I am using colors I never would have used and everything... Anyway here is my card for the sketch. Two options were given along with the sketch. Option #1 to use 3 flowers and option #2 was to have 5 words!! I am so happy that I got both options this week! I think it is a first! I thought this sentiment and image would be great for an anniversary card!! What do you think??
I used paper from MME - a big paper pack I bought sometime ago and never used it!! Flowers are from Hero Arts, brads from American crafts and waxy flax from Close to my Heart. I also added some cinnamon stickles to the flourishes and Lola's shoes and heart pockets. (It is still wet and looks alittle clumpy!!)

Well, thanks for stopping by and have a great night!! (I will be celebrating my oldest's 6th b-day!! I cannot believe she is that old seems like she was just born!!)

Fantastic Friday Challenge

This is a new challenge being held at Korin's blog!! She is the owner and artist of Sweet 'n Sassy stamps!! Her next release has the cutest owl in it that can be seen on her blog!! Anyway the challenge is to make a card that has winged creatures on it!!! I was in luck because just as I was finishing this card I got the email and I already had put a bird and a butterfly on my card!! Yippee - that worked out great!!
I used paper from a Making Memories paper pack that I picked up from Micheals. I wanted to create a scene like I see on so many wonderful cards so I used a couple different ctmh sets for the gate, flowers, butterfly and bird. I got the main image and the sun in a swap!! (I am still hesitate to color the sky in blue because I am afraid I will totally ruin it!!) I have to take baby steps!! (LOL) But I am still pleased with how it turned out!!!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great week-end!!

Cute Card Thursday #3

Well I was bummed I couldn't continue on to a 3rd b-day with the set from the first two challenges but there is always next week (lol)!! Anyway this weeks challenge is to make a card using People. That is easy enough since the majority of cards I make use people!! So I picked this stamp from Stampingbella. When I first seen it I wanted it because it reminds me of my girls. They are about that size at 3, 5 and almost 6!! I used the sketch from this week's bella sketch challenge and I just flipped it to fit my image. I used Basic grey's two scoops paper along with CTMH blush cardstock that I ran through the cuttlebug. The sentiment is from Papertrey's everyday blessings stampset. I also added some flowers from Sweet Kids (Crafty Secrets) on the bottom of the main image. To spice it up I also added stickles!! Well, today is a laundry day so I have to go fold!!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great night!!!!

Paper challenges!!

I got two challenges finished today which is great since I didn't think I would get to stamp!! It is nice here so I was outside on the trampoline!! I think I tired out the kiddos so in the end I did get MY playtime!!

The first one is for the Paper world sketch challenge. I decided to go the vintage route with this one. I love this image and I have been wanting to use it and I thought this sketch was perfect!! The stamp is from the Crafty Secrets Sweet Kids stampset. The paper is K & Co. The pearl brads I picked up at my LSS. The bird in the corner was on the dp and I just cut it out and added fine glitter to it. The buttons came from my stash!! I added tea dye Distress Ink all over the card!!



The second card is for the Papertake sketch challenge. This sketch inspired me to use my new LCR stamp from Sugar Nellie. I used some scrap paper from CTMH that I just wanted to use up and thought the colors were perfect for a young kid. I colored the bunny in with prisma pencils and gamsol and of course I had to add stickles. The sentiment is from Papertrey as is the circle stamp. Ribbon is Martha Stewart and flowers are prima. I thought the top needed something extra so I added some dew drops to finish it off!! Well I hope everyone else is having a beautiful day!!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great night!!!

Ismaki #12

I really enjoyed the sketch this week!! It came together pretty quick for me this week!! I have a bunch of thank you cards to make so this was a good way to start them off!! I used more K & Co. paper along with Hero Arts flowers with little sticky pearls for the centers. I colored Lola in with prisma pencils and gamsol then went over her hat and stockings with stickles.

By the way did everyone have a great Easter week-end?? I had a blast and cleaning all day yesterday was so worth it!! (Having a full house that is!!) I wish I could do it at least once a month!! Hope yours was just as fulfilling!!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!

Chichiboulie Fairy

My shipment of Bella stamps has finally arrived!! I got a couple of the new little girl ones and a Chichiboulie fairy!! I was debating over Eloise or the reading reverie and I chose the later! I don't know why because the other seems to be the more popular choice but this one is really cute!! I am glad I got her because I got to make this card! My five year old is obsessed with reading!! I can't believe how quick she has picked it up and now she wants to either know how to spell everything or wants me to sit with her and let her read books to me ALL day!!
I wanted to make the card to let her know that I think reading is VERY important! Sometimes I think I disappoint her because I have way to many distractions and it is hard for me to sit for lengths of time without having other things that have to be done. Not to mention I have to entertain her two little sisters. It would be nice if the world would just pause while I kept moving!! (Wishful thinking! LOL)
Anyway about my card. The layout came from the Ismaki sketch challenge #4! I have wanted to use it for awhile but never got around to it til now. The paper is from Cosmo Cricket. I just love this pack. The papers are just beautiful. I also used Me and My Big Ideas rubons, ctmh waxy flax and brads and a flower from Hero Arts. I found the sentiment from a search and printed it from my computer. That's it!!
I just want to wish everyone a Happy Easter. I don't know if I will make it back until Monday. I am having 14 out-of-towners coming to stay with me for three days so I think I will be very busy!! I really can't wait though because it has been awhile since this much of my family will be together for a holiday!!

Well thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!

Cute card Thurday #2

Todays cute card challenge was to use creatures!! Anything big or small!! I don't have many animal stamps so I decided to use the nursery bash set from CTMH again!! Last week I did a 1st b-day with my giraffe and this week I decided to do a 2nd b-day with the piggies!! If this keeps up I will have a whole set done!
Along with the stamps I used CTMH paper and cardstock. I first ran my hollyhock through the swiss dots cuttlebug then sanded it. The ribbon I got from micheals and the waxy flax is from CTMH. I didn't use stickles at all yesterday so I made up for it and added it to the pigs nose and ears! I also did the #2 in cinnamon stickles. I went over Happy Birthday with my glitter pen!!

Well thanks for stopping by and happy Thursday!!

Weather - your interpretation !!

....is the challenge at Papertake weekly!! I just got these cute little stamps today and the little girl has an umbrella so you better believe I was going to use her!! As soon as I seen this new set Sweet kids I HAD to have it!!

Again the paper I used is from K & CO. I just love the vintage look to it and thought it would be great with this image. I wanted to use this sentiment from Papertrey on the card but I didn't want to mount it and that is how I came up with this layout. After I made it I thought it needed something and I remembered this ribbon from Cosmo Cricket. I can't believe how great it matches! I so LOVE when that happens!! On the bottom I added dew drops. I colored the images in with colored pencils and gamsol. I colored the flowers in but wanted the bright color so I decided not to blend them but when I went to blend the grass I forgot and now have these pink smudge marks in the grass!!! UGH! Hate when that happens.... Anyway I then went over the flowers with liquid glass and sprinkled crystal snow ultra fine glitter into the glaze.

Well, thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!

Sweet Kids

I was in the middle of doing my card for SC168 when I heard the mailman. I ran out and sure enough my Crafty secrets Sweet kids stampset was there!! I am stoked!!! I was going to do this card using the cute owl from Stampingbella that I received in a swap but I had to ink these kids up! I used this beautiful paper from K & Co. that I got last night. I ran to Micheals to get a large canning jar that I needed for a gift. That was all I was going to buy really!! I was at the register facing the cashier and right behind her was a rack of K & Co paper. I told her I would be back!!! I bought 2 different packs. It is so pretty. THEN underneath the paper I seen these paper ribbons! I was so excited because I had seen this ribbon on Marlene's beautiful card and I thought it was so pretty!! So you can imagine how excited I was!! So in short my $2.99 canning jar turned into $35.00!! Oh well. The flowers are Hero Arts and the center is a dew drop!! Can you believe I didn't use on iota of stickles or my glitter pen!! And I think it still turned out cute!!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!!!!

Ismaki challenge #11!!

....was a tough one for me!!! The ones with lots of layers and such seem more easy!! I really had a tough time with this one!! I don't know if it was the sketch itself or the fact that I had to use purple. When I make cards using colors that I don't love I find I hate them!! Plus this is like the first card I made without a white mat on the main image. It is throwing me off! This card was made for my daughters teacher who is leaving them now for a new job. So we made it a thank you, miss you and good luck card. Her favorite color is purple so Lauren had to have a purple card for her!! She wanted so many flowers but I let it stay at this much!! I think it is a little overdone for me but my 5 year old thinks more of everything is better!! I used a DCWV paper pack, hero arts flowers and these cool frosted dew drop things for the center of the flowers. (From Stampingbella) We also added stickles to Nellie's hair things and the hearts on her pockets. I sat Nellie on Tilda's bench. The sentiments are from Papertrey's mixed messages and the flourish stamp around the outside is from Autumn Leaves. Well that is it! Gotta go get dinner ready.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great night!!!

Marlene's Blog Candy Challenge

I made this card for Marlene's blog candy challenge found here! The challenge is to make a card utilizing the color green and also to use ribbon!! That is her favorite color and she loves using ribbon!! She made this challenge to give back to her visitors!!! If you seen her blog you would see why she has so many visitors!! It is lovely!!

Anyway the prize consists of stamps and a bunch of things but the thing I am most excited about are the Hanglar and Stanglar images!!!!!! When I seen that I was so excited I felt like I could not breathe!! I have been trying to get some of these on eBay but I gave up seeing how I can't understand anything because they only sell them in Sweden!!!!! The catch is that her tween son is going to be picking out the winner!!! You know I only have girls so I am not sure if I have anything to appeal to him!!

Anyway it was a great challenge and I had fun coming up with this card!! The image is one that I purchased off eBay. I wanted to put a castle behind her so I traced the image on tracing paper then masked the original!! The problem was a little ink went through...argh!! But it isn't THAT bad!

I used Bo Bunny paper with bazzil bling cardstock. The other stamp I used is from CTMH's princess set!! The flowers are Hero Arts flowers and the rub-ons are from Me and My Big Ideas!! I colored Tilda's and the frogs crown with my sakura glitter pen and I used ultra fine crystal snow for her wings!! The inside says "You have to kiss alot of frogs to meet your prince." I hope you like her but more importantly I hope Marlene's son likes her (LOL)!!

Sorry to go on but I really am so excited about these images. They are the cutest!! If you never seen them make sure you stop by Marlene's Blog. She makes beautiful cards using them.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!

My Paper World Sketch

I made this card using the sketch found over at My Paper World. It was an interesting sketch!! I decided to use up the rest of my crate paper, then when my card was done I thought it looked alittle empty!! So I just kept adding embellishments!!! I think I went alittle overboard!! Then I had to put the blue cardstock under the ribbon to cover it up !! Even my daughter thought it was too much!!!! Oh, well it was fun to create something out of my box!!! Anyway, I got this image from eBay!! I have a hard time finding some images so I lucked out and got a bunch their!! The rub-ons again are Me and My Big Ideas, ribbon is from Micheals as is the flower. I colored the image in with prisma-pencils and gamsol! I also went over some spots with my sakura glitter pen!! (I use that everyday now!! How did I live without it???) The sentiment is from CTMH.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!!

Cute Card Thursdays

...is a new blog that I have found that has challenges to make cards that are cute!!! Today was there very first challenge!! I totally love the idea of this!! You can find the info here: Cute Card Thursday . The first challenge is called New Beginnings. You have to make a cute card using the theme of 1st or new beginnings.

With my selection of stamps the only thing I could come up with was for a 1st b-day!! I am glad for this because I always put off doing masculine cards!! They are really a challenge for me!! I have 2 I have to make for a 1st b-day so this is perfect!! Everything I have used for this card is ctmh. I ran the bamboo cardstock through the happy birthday cuttlebug folder and then sanded it down!! I added liquid glass to the spots and hooves of the giraffe along with the balloons. I used my sakura glitter pen on the Happy 1st birthday!! I can't wait to see what next week's challenge is!! This challenges will get me thinking that girly things aren't the only things that are cute!!!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!!

CPS #55

This is a card I made for CPS!! I wanted to make a card without a figure on it since that is what I have been making lately!!! I liked this sketch alot and thought it had so many possibilities!! Of course my card did not turn out like I had expected but I tweaked it a bit and I really like the end result!! It is funny because at first I thought it was horrible!! (because I don't usually do this type of card) The more I looked at it the more I liked it!!!


I used basic grey dp and technique tuesday stamps! I then added the paper flowers from Micheals over the stems. The ribbon is from American Crafts that I bought at Micheals!! I also got the brad from the bridal section next to the paper flowers!! Sentiment is from Papertrey!! I also went over the pink buds and the outside of the flowers with my sakura glitter pen! Well, I have to get ready for a field trip with the Daisies!!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great evening!!!

Ismaki Sketch Challenge #10

I am really loving these sketch challenges!!! I love the style they use on the international blogs and decided to try one of my own using this style!!! The sketch is found here: Ismaki Sketch.

The card is 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 so I decided to use this Tilda stamp as it takes up a good portion!! I used Making Memories paper from a paper pack I got from Micheals. I also picked up some of the paper flowers that Lauren M. mentioned on her blog!! They are great!! The rub-ons are from Me & My Big Ideas! Sentiment is from CTMH - Because of You stampset!! The inside reads "...and smiled!"

I really had a blast doing this card and I think it is my favorite card I have ever made!!! Now I just have to find more envies in the 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 size since I have been making alot of cards that size!!! What do you think????

Well have a great night and thanks for stopping by!!!

Birthday Nellie

Good morning!! I just got this Nellie in the mail so I had to try this it out!! This is probably the first time I colored one in then found paper to match her!! After I found paper I had to paper piece a new cardigan for her because I didn't like the way the one I colored came out!! I used Papertrey aqua mist cardstock and ribbon!! The paper is actually stuff I printed off the computer awhile ago!! (Only did that once!! I can only imagine the ink it takes to make 1 sheet!!) Anyway sentiment is also from Papertrey and rub-on is from Me and My Big Ideas.

I am not sure if I really like it!! Not much layering going on and I really like layering!! But I am happy about how my bow turned out since I am really bow making challenged!! I actually followed a tutorial that Taylor from Taylored Expressions gave on using bunny ear bows!! It has helped alot!!!!

Well thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!!

Hip to Be Square

Here is a card I made to cover two challenges!! One at Papertake weekly and the other for the bella babe sketch!! It is almost identical to the card I made the other day but I liked the way it looked so I thought I would use it again!! This time the card had to be square or use squares on it!!I chose to use minivanabella because I know lots of moms who I could send a card to. Then I thought Absolutely Fabulous for the sentiment would be perfect because mothers are just that!!! The sentiment is from Papertrey!! I put ribbon around the main image mat and added a flower with a dew drop in the middle. I also added stickles to the main image!!
I hope everyone is enjoying there Sunday!! I am relaxing because the doctor said I pulled a muscle in my obliques from coughing!!! (That is how I know I am getting old!! Coughing do you believe that!!!!)

Anyway thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!!

High Hopes Blog candy

...over at Katarina's creative place!! Take a look here:
http://katharina1704.blogspot.com (Sorry I cannot fiqure out how to link yet!!)She has sneak peeks and if you post a comment and spread the word you get a chance to win some!!!

Lola - Everyday is a gift!!!

In honor of seeing that Rachelle Anne Miller is coming out with more stamps (YIPPEE) I have made this card using the last set!! Her illustrations are just so adorable and I would love to see everything she draws become a stamp!!! You can check out her website here: http://rachelleannemiller.com/ !! There is also a sneak peek of her new stamps!! Well here is Lola with her bird. I love this image!!
I used three bugs in a rug paper. I ran the black cardstock through my cuttlebug and it matched the dp paper almost perfect! I love when that happens. I also used my white gel pen and made dots around the black paper and also on Lola's clothes and hat. At first I thought it would be too much but I think it turned out cute!! I also added some prima flowers with Queen & co. mini brads. The sentiment is from Papertrey.
Well I am off to the doctor. I have been having this pain in my side and I thought maybe I bruised my rib but now I am wondering if it is something else! I really hope not!!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great week-end!!

Ismaki Challenge!!

While looking through some international blogs I found this website that puts out a sketch challenge!! I am excited about this and looked through these various sites because I really love all these stamps that come from Europe! I like to look at what others are doing with these stamps. The stamps I mean are magnolia, sugar nellie and hanglar and stanglar. I just LOVE them!!! They tend to use alot of layers, as you can see I do also, so it is good for me to get inspiration!!!

Anyway this is the first sketch I have tried! I choose a Sugar Nellie stamp and the precious paisley paper pack (Say that 4 times fast) to create my card. It is a 5 1/2 x 5 1/2. I ran my pink carnation cardstock through my new paisley cuttlebug embossing folder!! I colored Nellie in with prisma pencils and gamsol! I also added stickles to her heart pockets and lace hems. To make her shoes and buttons stick out I put liquid glass on them. The moon and sentiment are from papertrey's out on a limb set!! I think she came out so cute!!

Well thanks for stopping by and have a great night!!!!

Out on a limb!!

Finally got the Out on a Limb set from Papertrey!! I have been waiting for it to be in stock. I just love all the sayings in this set. I can't wait until I have a little more time to play.

I had to make another sympathy card and this set works great. I liked this card alot just because of its simplicity!! I tend to use alot of layers with my cards so this is very different for me!! I only matted the main image on hollyhock cardstock and that was it!! I used this ribbon that I found at Micheals and it matched perfect. I stamped the berries in hollyhock also. To make it match the ribbon I outlined them with a gellyroll pen!! To just add something to the white cardstock I went over the edges of both white pieces with my scoring blade! I like the end result. I think simplicity goes good with a sympathy card. I didn't want to overdue anything!!

Hopefully this is the last one I will have to make for along time!!!
Well thanks for stopping by and have a great night!!!

Thank you Nellie!!

Here is a card my daughter and I made this morning for her teacher. It was her 5th birthday and her teacher gave her a small gift.
The card HAD to be purple because it is both of their favorite colors!! I wanted to keep the layout fairly simple because I knew I would be adding alot of bling. The paper Lauren choose is from K & Co. We also used some bazzil bling cardstock in lilac. The sentiment is from a stampset I picked up from AC Moore and it is heidi grace I believe.

I colored her in with my prisma pencils and gamsol. I then decided to go around it with markers for a more defined look. Not sure if I hate it completely or sorta like the look. I am not really a marker person because I don't really like bright cards!! (Well, my bright cards anyway!) I like a distressed look!! (Hence my blog name!!) I also picked up these pearl stickers yesterday at my LSS so I added them onto her shirt!! I think they look so cute! We also added alot of stickles as you can see and used my glitter pen!! In the end though, Lauren loves it and that is all that matters!!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great Saturday!!!!!

Release date for Sweet 'n Sassy stamps!!!

Today Korin over at Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps has released 2 new sets for March!!! Adoption Day and Funny Farm are now ready to be purchased!!
Here is another card I made using the funny farm. Different I know but it is a big joke at my husbands place of employment as he works at a milk plant!! I used watermelon, olive green and black cardstock from CTMH. I also used the largest rectangle on the small rectangle set for my tent topper! Ribbon was purchased at Micheals!! To make the background used my new birds and swirls cuttlebug folder and then sanded it!! I just love the cuttlebug!!

Have a great day and head over to Sweet 'n Sassy!!!!!