He is Risen

This stamp had been sitting on my shelf for awhile. While on my recent kick of using "old" stamps, I knew it was time to ink this one up again. While I don't send a lot of Easter cards, I do send a couple. This design would be very easy to mass produce, and would take very little time to complete. (My kind of card!! LOL) The sentiment is from a retired The Angel Company set, and the cross stamp is one I picked up at Hobby Lobby a couple of years ago.
 I like how the yellow outline really makes the image pop. All edges were ink with a dark purple ink.
Thanks for stopping by!!
Until later~

Today I am sharing a couple of "girly" cards. Again, I paired an old stamp set with some new 6x6 designer paper pads. This first card was my inspiration for digging out some of my older stamp sets. I have some Polar White Flower Soft that I was wanting to use. I knew I DID NOT want to use it as snow... I have had enough of that this winter, thank you very much!! ;-) So I happened to remember this stamp and the bubbles, and decided to give it a shot. I really like how it turned out.
 I just wish I had colored the bathtub teal instead of blue. Oh well. LOL

I colored my image with Copic Markers and added the Flower Soft, I then added an off-set mat before adhering it onto my card front. I used the Upper Crust border punch on my designer paper before mounting that strip onto a layer of cardstock. This ended up being a pretty hefty card with 7 layers of paper by time I finished. Sheesh!! LOL All edges were  distressed with Vintage photo Distress ink.

I wanted to change things up a bit on this one, I used the Spica clear pen on the bubbles. AND, did you notice I used the correct colors on the bathtub? LOL I like how the circles on the bottom paper mimics the bubbles. The Corner Chomper was used on all four of the card's corners and on one of the image corner. The sentiment (Have a Bubbly Birthday) is a set that coordinates with a set of fish stamps that are in my collection. Don't be afraid to mix it up. :-)  I can image using this card along with a gift/gift card for Bath and Body Works.
Thank you so much for stopping by!!
Until later~

Teddy bear

Copics+ 6x6 designer paper pads+PTI cardstock and ribbon+ a border punch+ a sweet image= One cute card!! :-)
Thanks for stopping by!!
Until later~

A little birdie

It had been awhile since I had made a card, and I was afraid I had lost "it." But, I found the perfect thing to get me motivated and wanting to create again- 6x6 designer paper pads. The scale is perfect for cards, and the size is very easy to work with.
 I decided to pair some new paper with some "old" stamps and I must admit I am very pleased with the outcome! :-)

It is very relaxing for me to stamp an image and color it, matching cardstock and designer paper to my finished image, well not so much. LOL But, having said that, I think I almost pulled it off with this card. LOL The image is one I have always liked.... and one that has been around for awhile. (It was retired when I started stamping almost 7 years ago.) I used Papertrey Ink cardstock, a border punch, Distress Ink and an edge distresser to finish my card.
Thanks for stopping by!!
Until later~

A peek inside my studio layout

When I saw the American Crafts City Park collection I knew I wanted to use it for my studio pictures. (I have told you before that I hang on to my pictures {these are from 2008} until I find paper I think would be perfect for them. So needless to say I am behind in my scrapping AND I scrap all over the place time wise. LOL)  I left this one pretty plain because there is a lot going on in the pictures. I used the foam Thickers on this layout too. (I told you I love them.) It was fun to mix it up a little and do a quick and simple layout.
Thanks for stopping by!!
Until later~

Princess

I have another challenge layout today that I did for iVillage, this time it was a sketch challenge. The thing I like best about sketch is that you can follow them to the "T" or use then as a springboard to create your own layout. I stuck pretty close to the sketch this time. I am very happy with the out come, and because I started with the basic layout already tweaked it was done in very little time.

This is the sketch. (So sorry I can not remember where I got this sketch from, I had saved it on my old laptop and when I transferred everything over a couple of weeks ago I found it again.)

This is my take on the layout. I used Basic Grey's Two Scoop paper collection and stickers (Title, flower and rickrack "ribbon.") I love the soft colors in this collection. (I used the brads from the Basic Grey Lemonade collection.) The pennants were cut using the Gypsy (I un-linked the pennant shape to customize the height and width.) The pennants with the heart embellies are also pop-dotted. I used some pink heart bling for a little sparkle- what's a princess without sparkle? LOL
 I showed this layout to Hailey when I had it all finished, she said, "Momma, I want to eat it!!" I asked her why, thinking she liked the papers, but no!! She said it was because she is wearing a candy bracelet!! She is so silly!!
 Thank you for stopping by!!
Until later~

Love lives here

This Layout is for the iVillage Chopped Challenge March Edition. Our mystery "ingredients" this month were- striped paper, metal embellishments, 2 or more photos, a title and embellished die cuts.
 I used Bazzill cardstock as my base and added pieces of American Crafts City Park collection designer paper, love that line. (You know I love to use my pretty paper sparingly. LOL) (The Orange dot paper used for my house is also the same paper I used for the tops of the trees. I LOVE double sided paper, it gives you more bang for your buck.) The clouds were cut from another paper in that line. {Don't be afraid to cut elements from your printed paper.} The title was done with white foam Thickers, what took me so long to try them? I already ran back to the store and got a second set of these. LOL The yellow crocheted ribbon was some I have had FOREVER in my stash, I am so happy I finally got to use it. The yellow rose is ruffled ribbon, I just rolled it and added a couple of dots of glue to hold it in place. I used a big glue dot to adhere the rose and that gave me a good place to put the stickpins, the ends are safely stuck in the glue dot.
 The pictures are from Easter 2008, I can not believe how much the kids have grown in 3 years!! (Does any one know of a magic potion that can keep them little? LOL)
Thanks for stopping by!!
Until later~

Coloring "transparent" things with Copics

The class I took this month was using Copics to make things look transparent. This is a fun technique and really adds a lot of dimension to a stamped image.We used the balloon stamp, but it work well with other images too.

We started by coloring the balloon in the front and worked our way back. Um yeah, I really need to work on circles!! (The pink balloon has a flat side. LOL) Not too shabby for my first try at this technique. =) {I love the cord used on this one, it is wired, so it holds it shape so well.} "Celebrate"  and scalloped layer were cut with the Cricut. All edges were inked with Vintage Photo ink. Matted image was pop dotted.

LOL, still need work on the pink balloon, not sure what is going on with the deformed side. (I forgot to ask, but I think the sentiment layer was 2 brackets welded together and cut with the Cricut.)

Ok, a little better. LOL There is no way this technique could be pulled off with water based markers, the colors would turn out "muddy" (because you layer your colors) and the paper would pill. That pretty green ribbon started off  white, love coloring accessories with Copics, they are a perfect match every time. =)
 These 3 images were colored during class, after I got home I had to finish my "homework" and I wanted to play around a little with the technique, so....

This time I colored from the back forward, I started with the green one and ended with the blue one. As you can see, there is not much difference no matter which direction you go.

 I love this one, it's may favorite!! As you can see Hailey needed to practice her coloring too. ;-D Precious!!!
Thanks for stopping by!!
Until later~