Circus Baby cards

So I was on a kick, making cards using up some past card kits and some stamps that I hadn't use very often. And then I got the sinus crud and all that goes with it, so for the last 3-4 weeks I haven't done anything. So, these card are a couple of weeks old, but I still want to share them.
I used Baby's Circus and Circus Fun by Sweet and Sassy Stamps. I had used these stamp for kid's cards before and to stamp Hunter's lunch sack when his class went to the circus, but I am really loving the sweet animal images for baby cards!!

 I made 5 cards, but I used one for a friend's baby gift.

 How sweet for a new baby!!

 I love that these little cuties can be used for either a boy or a girl!

 Lots of fun with the big, bold polka dots.

 That little elephant is super cute!!
I like the addition of the bow.

It had been a while since I played with my Copic markers, I always love coloring with them. 

I almost "kill" this card kit, I only have a couple card bases and a little designer paper left. I wanted to save it for another time and make something that isn't for a baby.

Thanks for stopping by!

Until later~

Cards, cards and cards

The first week (well, half week) that the kids were in school I spent some time in the studio. Let me tell you, I had no idea just how much I had missed being all crafty until I had time to do it again!
I used one main image stamp, 5 coordinating colors of cardstock and inks and some sentiments to create 10 multipurpose cards.

 Here is a peek of 8 of the cards- I used 2 right away.

 Here is a close up.
I used Blended Bloom from Stampin' Up and the 2013-15 In Colors cardstock and ink.
After stamping the images on white cardstock I used coordinating Copic markers to color them.
I used the the matching In Color inks to stamp the image on my color cardstock for a tone on tone background.

I LOVE this flower and I have a feeling I will be using this stamp way too often!! :-) 

Thanks for stopping by!

Until later~

Art Impressions Shepherd and Sheep

How about one last (for now) Christmas card? I used Art Impressions Shepard and Sheep for this quick and easy card.  How cute is that little guy and is wooly little companions?
 I used the same Copic marker colors one this one and the Nativity Scene card I posted a couple of days ago. I am thinking I will use both images for my 2014 Christmas cards. (AI also has 2 more stamps, the wisemen,  that I am going to be buying to round out the set.) I double mounted the image and added a hand drawn frame just like on the previous card. I did add a sentiment to this one- BUT next time I will be using the stamp-a-ma-jig to get a better placement!! LOL
Here are the links to the Wisemen stamps:
Two Wisemen and Wiseman and Camel.
Thanks for stopping by!!
Until later~

Art Impression- Nativity Scene

I Discovered Art Impressions last month. (Thank you very much Pinterest!!) I had looked over the web site and added a few stamps to my wish list, well when they had an end of the year sale I could not restrain myself! I ordered 5 new Christmas stamps!

 This is Nativity Scene, I thought the little people and animals were too cute to resist! Oh boy does this stamped image love Copic Markers. Even though I used a boat load of Copics, it only took a short time to color everything in. (LOL, after I had my card all done and uploaded the photos I noticed that the Baby Jesus looks as if he has Elvis hair!! Too funny to redo it, I think I like it that way. I will just be a little more careful about that next time.) This image is most definitely in the running for my Christmas card 2014!
 I wanted the image to really stand out so I kept the design very simple. I double matted the image panel and then used a very fine-tipped marker to free hand a basic frame.
 I have one more Christmas card I will be sharing next time, and then hopefully I will have some Valentine's cards show you.
 Thanks for stopping by!
Until later~

CTMH Christmas Village card

This is my second card using the Close To My Heart Christmas Village stamp set. I used a couple of different buildings and the snowman, but I ended up using the cozy little house again. Their are several little buildings in this set, perfect for using individually or grouped together to make your own scenes. I immediately fell in love with these darling little buildings, they remind me so much of our trips to Metamora, IN. The streets of Metamora are lined with gaily painted homes and shops, this card is how I image the town looks at Christmas time.

The Sweet Shop gets my mouth watering just thinking about what what goodies are inside!:-)

I love the layout, it could be tweaked to create several different looks. Buttons, ribbon, bows, oh my!
I used Copic makers again, I just can't help myself. LOL  A couple of

thin strips of red cardstock make the image pop against the neutral background.

Tip: Place all of your stamps on a large stamp block or stamp press, this makes it easy to have perfectly aligned images for mass producing cards.

Thanks for stopping by! 

Until later~

Warm Hello

I am still working on using some of my hoarded supplies. This is still the We R Memory Keepers Winter Frost paper collection. (The Key Ingredient card kit- December 2012 from Taylored Expressions.) I am thinking that if I can keep at it I will have killed this kit before December 2013! LOL

 I am still loving the color combo used in this collection.

With a name like Winter Frost I feel as if I need to add a little sparkle to my cards. :-)

Supplies-

Paper- We R Memory Keepers Winter Frost and coordinating cardstock (TE KI kit December 2012)

Stamp- Warm Hello- Sweet 'n Sassy

Ink- memento Tuxedo Black, Vintage Photo Distress Ink

Dies- Spellbinders Labels- Labels 10, Sizzix Snowflakes #15

Copic markers- E35

 G82, 94

W1, 3, 5

BG000

Y21

R56

C7

Misc- Icicle Stickles, Prima Say it with Crystals, pop dots and Ribbon from the KI 12/12 KI Kit

I hope you are encouraged to dig out your hoarded stash and create something cute!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Until later~

Eureka Stamps Challenge #60- Anything Goes

Last week my friend Kristie posted a beautiful card on her blog for a challenge at Eureka Stamps. (She is on the DT for Eureka, stop by and check her out at Kristie Kreates.)The theme was "Wings and things" when I saw the theme I wanted to play along and I knew exactly which stamp set I wanted to use!So, I got busy and stamped this image from Delightfully Spooky, I paper pieced her little dress and used some Copic Markers to color the image......... and then I got busy with other things and didn't get her finished before the deadline to submit her! My disappointment was brief, this morning  I was very excited to see the new theme for the challenge this week is "Anything Goes!!" Yeah, I get to submit this little darling after all! Yeah, for submitting for the first time!

Isn't she adorable?  And can you believe she is part of a Halloween set? I love fall, but Halloween is not my thing, unless it is "cute" Halloween. (Remind me that I don't like Halloween when I post my next card!! LOL It is another Halloween card, and not the cutsie kind. LOL)

Here is the completed card. I got a little bit carried away with the layers, don't you think? LOL

Supplies-

Stamp- Delightfully Spooky- The Angel Company (they are now out of business)

Ink- Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper- PTI Dark Chocolate and Jillibean Soup-Cheddar Soup

Misc- Chocolate ribbon and Kaisercraft-Chocolate pearls, Icicle Stickles, small scallop border die, pop dots
Copic Markers- E00, 11, 20, 21
YR12, 15, 18
E55, 57, 59

Inspiration- Eureka Stamps- "Anything Goes" Challenge #60

Now, click on over to Eureka Stamps and see what the Design Team has to share, as well as the other entries in the challenge. And stop by Kristie's blog and tell her Lisa sent ya. :-)

Thanks for stopping by!

Until later~

Mojo Monday Card Sketch Challenge 312 card

Today I am playing along with a challenge from Mojo Monday. It is the challenge from last week. Super cute sketch.

Here is my card....

I used a lot of old stuff on this one. It feels good to use up some of the stuff I have had around for awhile. Hailey let me borrow her ice pop stamp, one from a company that is now out of business.

Supplies- 

Paper- My Mind's Eye- Lime Twist Out of the Blue (The company no longer sells this line)

Copics- BG 11, 13, 15 and 18

E21, 25

Stickles- Crystal

Misc- Pop dot and circle punch

You can click on the sketch photo to go to Mojo Monday's blog. Click on the photo to enlarge it.

Thanks for stopping by!

Until later~

CASed card

Last week I saw a card on Taylored Expressions' Facebook page (<----click--->  Here is the link to the original card.) and saw this card that took my breath away!
 I was so impressed that I CASed the card. So here is my Popsicle Toes inspired card-

I love cards that come together quickly and still has the WOW! factor. This one would be easily massed produced too. The flower stamp is the September Stamp of the Month from Taylored Expression, love it! I was channeling my inner Kristie over at Kristie Kreates with the fussy cutting! HA! Yea, I am still not loving all that detailed cutting. LOL

Supplies-

Stamps- Taylored Expressions

Ink- Memento Tuxedo Black

Washi tape- We R Memory Makers onyx

Rhinestones- Kaisercraft Island Lagoon

Copics- Y11, BG10, BG15, R20, R24, YG03, YG05, C2

Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate it!!

Until later~

PS- CASed= Copy And Send.

Sympathy card

** Update from Jordan's mom was that the procedure went well yesterday! Thank you for the prayers!! Please continue to pray for him.**

I hate making sympathy cards!! Don't get me wrong it is not that I don't want to support the family, I do, and I have been the one who has been shown great compassion and love when I lost both of my parents.  It's just that I hate when someone passed away! I hate seeing friends and family suffer after a loss! Sometimes a card seems like so little in a time when your heart aches to see a loved one so full of sorrow. A couple of weeks ago we received a call informing us that a member of my husband's "second family" had passed away. This is a family that my husband holds near and dear to his heart. He wasn't able to make it back to Ohio for the services. But we sent a card, a card that is completely filled from edge to edge with love and prayers.

Supplies:

Stamps- Oops A Daisy and Care and Comfort- Taylored Expressions. Lg Background stamp

Cardstock -PTI

Embossing Folder- Houndstooth

Ink- New Sprout and Tuxedo Black - Memento

Copic Markers- 0, Y32, Y21, E27, YG17, R81, RV19

Spray mist- Pearl- Tattered Angels (I really wish it would show in the photo.)

Pearls- Champagne- Kaiser Scrapbook

Button and button twine

Thanks for stopping by!!

Until later~

Deconstructed Sketch Challenge 116- Fall Splendor

With the kids back in school I am trying to get in the studio more. I did not realize just how much I missed being creative until I got my fingers inky, and snapped the cap off of a Copic marker! (I tell you, those Copic markers are addictive! You will see in just a bit.)

You can see the sketch HERE. I had been looking through my stamps trying to find some inspiration when I am across Fall Splendor by Inkadinkado. I had yet to ink it up, so it was a good one to start with. I then hopped over to Deconstructing Jen for some layout ideas, as always I was not disappointed! For my final piece of inspiration I I looked to the August Taylored Expressions KI kit for some designer paper and cardstock.

Once I had all of my inspiration, I was able to begin coloring my stamped image. Oh my goodness, I rediscovered my love of Copics AND coloring!
I am not lying when I tell you Copic markers are addictive, just look at how many I used on this one image.......

Yikes!! There are over 20 markers there! I like the angle of the card in this photo too, you can see that the image actually overhangs the front of my card. (The polka dots seen in the previous photo is the inside of the card,) I think it turned out pretty cute considering how rusty I was. LOL
I am looking forward to using more Copics, and ink, and stamps, and pretty paper.........well, you get the idea.

Supply list:

Stamp- Fall Splendor Inkadinkado

Designer paper-We R Memory Keepers Happy Campers and Coordinating card stock from the August KI kit from Taylored Expressions

Ink- Rich Cocoa Memento

Button twine

Pearls- Kaiser Chocolate

Copic markers- YR15, 24, 02, 12, 65, 18, 14

E53, 55, 57, 59, 43

R22, 24, 27, 05

V12, 15, 17

YG09, 13, 63

Y19, 21, 32

0

I used a Copper mist on the inside of the card.

Be sure to visit these links for some inspiration of your own. 

 deconstructingjen

Taylored Expressions

Inkadinkado Fall Splendor

We R Memory Keepers

 

Thanks for stopping by!!

Until later~

MFT Start the day with whee- 2

I find it amazing how you can change the look and "feel" of a stamped image by just making a couple of small changes. For instance this adorable stamped image. If you remember I used soft colors and lace last time. This time I change the color scheme and the die cut shapes. Now my little girl looks completely different.

 MFT- PI Start the day with Whee

I chose My Mind's Eye Miss Caroline designer paper- I love the flowers!!  (This is a double sided paper pad- more options!!) I used the Labels 10 Spellbinders die to cut my image, and then layered it on a Petite Scalloped Oval die cut. I think the Melon Berry cardstock and dotted ribbon coordinate very well with the collection. I paper pieced her little dress and then finished the image with Copic markers- E00, 01, 25, 53, 59, 99 G24, 99, R20, 32, 35 C1, B00, and YR24. (Don't forget that you can add shading with your markers onto your paper pieced items.) A scalloped border punch gives the card another layer .

And of course the inside. The sentiment is also from MFT (My Favorite Things) Big Greetings.

Thank you for stopping by!!

Until later~

Feeling Froggy

And yet another Hailey inspired card. The girl loves playing in dirt! To quote her, " God made girls to like dirt." LOL Who can argue with that? In a few weeks I am going to buy her some flowers to plant in her very own little garden. And... she is not afraid of critters either, worms, bugs, toads.... nope, not one bit afraid!
 And just like the previous Hailey inspired cards this one also uses a My Favorite Things Pure Innocence stamp set.

 MFT- PI Feeling Froggy

I chose Ripe Avocado as my card base and then layered on some of the My Mind's Eye On the Bright Side designer papers. I die cut my image using the Petite Oval Spellbinders die. My sentiment and another cute little froggy were stamped on the Die-namics Dog Tag die by MFT and tied with a  little orange Bakers twine and pop dotted before being added.  Her little outfit was paper pieced using the same paper collection. Copics  markers= E00, 01, 97  Y11,21  G21, 24, 99 YG13  and BG72.

The inside- I used scraps from the card front, another die cut dog tag with a sentiment from the stamp set, and that cute little froggy again.

Thanks so much for stopping by!!

Until later~

Start each day with Whee!!

I have become totally smitten with MFT's Pure Innocence stamps. The little girls remind me so much of my own little girl. (The last card I shared reminded me of how Hailey loves junk food! ) This cute little girl is another one that reminds me of Haileybug- she love, love, Loves to swing! We had to leave her swing set in Ohio when we moved last summer. (Easter morning she was excited to find a swing among the other toys they scored from the Easter Bunny! As soon as daddy gets a chance to hang it in the tree out front I know where she will spend the long hours of summer!! LOL) Oh, and almost as much as she loves to swing she loves clothing with stripes! :-)
So, here is Hailey in stamp form-

 MFT- Pure Innocence Start each day with Whee. I used the My Mind's Eye  Follow your Heart paper collection.(I love the softness of the colors.) The bird collage was already on the paper, I just cut the paper for proper placement on my card. I paper pieced her little dress, and used strips of the same paper at the top of my card. For added details I used Liquid Pearls on those strips.

The image layer was die cut using Labels 8 Nestibilities. And of course the coloring was done with Copic markers- G24, 99 R20, 32, 30 C1 E00, 01, 25, 53, 55, 99 Y 21 and YR24. The lace trim is some I have had for ages.

The inside. Again I used scraps leftover from the card front and added the doily that was hand cut from one of the papers in the collection.

I appreciate you stopping by!!

Until later~

 How about a sweet card today? :-)

MFT- Pure Innocence Sweet Greetings

The inside.

When I first saw this little cutie I knew she had to come live with us. After all I believe she is Hailey's twin!! LOL Hailey is our little junk food junkie and looks like this little girl likes some of the same things! Because she reminds me of Hailey I had to dress her in a way that Hailey would dress. Dontcha love her little pants? I could see sister wearing them.
Ninety-nine percent of the time I use the entire stamped image. But I wanted to do something a little different for this card, so I grabbed my largest circle punch and scalloped circle punch. (I used them again for my sentiment on the inside of the card.)
I used the My Mind's Eye Fine & Dandy Tickled Pink papers. MME is one of my favorite paper lines, and they recently released a ton of new collections. I paper pieced her clothes with the same paper collection. (Paper piecing the Pure Innocence images reminds me of the paper dolls I used to play with.)
I grabbed a handful of Copic markers to finish my image. E00, 01, R20= skin E97, 99, YR 24= Hair, B02, 05= cotton candy, B00= shadow, and R 29 for the shading on her shirt.
The card base is Orange Zest and the ribbon is from my stash.
I used the scraps to make the inside of my card look special too.
Thanks for stopping by!
Until later~

Happy Thanksgiving cards

I only made 3 Thanksgiving cards this year. I made one for each of the kids' teachers and one for the teacher's aide that both of their classes share. I used a stamp set from The Angel Company and the Jillibean Soup Apple Cheddar collection. I also used Spellbinders Petite Oval and Labels 10 dies along with a ton of Copics. :-) (These are 4.25"x5.5" cards with the fold on the top. The ribbon is wrapped around the card front.)

I cut a little bit of the flower out before sliding the die into place. This is a good technique for odd shaped images when you don't want a lot of "white space."

 I colored this cute little guy before I decided on my designer paper. He doesn't really coordinate with the colors, but I like the "pop" of the brighter colors.

And lastly, an little Native American boy. The hair is done with Cool Gray Copics.
I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving!!
Thanks for stopping by!!
Until later~

Darling little girl cards

I am working on my shading with the Copic markers. I wanted to add some pleats to this little girl's dress.

I added the pleats to her little skirt by using various shades of color.  I also worked on hair color, giving each one a different color. (I did not keep track of which designer papers I used, I used several 6x6 pads. My new addiction. LOL)

The hair on this one was the most difficult to get right. I had never done black hair before. I tried not get too much gray because she is a little girl after all and not an old lady. LOL I have mentioned before that I am not crazy about fussy cutting- but some times you just have to do it. :-) (It really helps to have a pair of very sharp precision scissors.)

This card is a Z fold. (The card front is folded in half, and from the top the card looks like the letter "Z".  This one got a little bling to dress it up a little.

And the last one is a 5x5 square card. I like the extra space on larger cards. I finished this one off with layered flowers and a crystal brad.
So, which one is your favorite?
Thanks for stopping by!!
Until later~

Sunflower cards

I love this flower stamp from Inkadinkado (it is one of their new cling stamps, and it cost less than $5.) This card reminds me of the sunflower bouquets from Trader Joes. You know the ones with the blooms as big as your hand and wrapped in raffia.
 I used the Gypsy to weld a banner and a rectangle  together to get the image layer with a rounded top. To make the black layer I used the Magic Matter (smallest disk) and then used the medium disk for the card base. I usually make the standard A2 card but really like shaped cards. I guess I need to do more shape cards.:-)
 I stamped a sentiment on one of my cards and left the other plain to personalize when I am ready to mail it.

Thanks for stopping by!!
Until later~

Beautiful butterflies

Yesterday I share two Black and white cards with a splash of color. (You can see it HERE.) I had showed how by changing one little thing (yesterday was the die cut border) you can totally change the look of your card. Today I am going to show how changing the base color will change the look of your card.
 First up is another Black and White with a splash of color-

I used Copic markers to color the butterflies, and then I went back and added some Prismacolor pencils over the markers. (This is an good way to add more color when you do not have the right color of marker. You will want to lay down your marker color first, the pencils are waxy and will ruin your markers.) 
Now look at the difference-

Same image, colored the same way and the same 1/8" black mat, but look what happens when you change the card base color.  (I did add the tip of a wing to the top of the stamped image.)
Pretty cool, huh? :-)
Thanks for stopping by!!
Until later~

Coloring with Copics

Today I thought I would show you the process I use to color images with Copics. (I am not certified, this is just what works for me.)

First up- the "ingredients" Memento ink, an Inkadinkado cling stamp, a white gel pen, white cardstock and Copic markers.

Getting started-I used my mid-tone yellow first, leaving the tips of petals uncolored.

Using a lighter shade on the tips of the petals. (I also used the Y17 to build a second layer of color over what I had already colored with that marker.)

I used a flicking motion with my marker in what would be the "crease" in the petal. (When flicking, I always flick away from me and keep turning my paper. This helps me keep a light touch at the end of the flick.)

I moved on the the centers of the flowers.

If you look closely, you can see I added tiny dots to the flower centers with a darker color. (This helps to add dimension.)

 

On to the leaves. (Oops, I missed a leaf beside the second picket on the fence. LOL)

Adding the "vein" to the leaves.

I wanted a white picket fence. When coloring "white" you will still have shadows.

This photo shows how the "light source" is used. It is always good to decide from which direction you want the light source to hit your image. (This helps to keep your shadows consistent. This stamp also helped with deciding which direction the light would be coming from. See the little shadows on the fence to the left of each picket?)

A little darker shade to help with shadows and for the weathered look. (I added a little shadow beside each picket to add some depth.)

I went back and added a "V" on each flower petal with a white gel pen to add some Highlights.

I finished the image by going around the details with a light blue marker. (this helps with the illusion of depth and keeps your image from looking one dimensional. You could use gray {for a "shadow"}, blue {sky}, purple {night sky}, green {grass} or yellow {sun/light.})

Oh, and it is hard to see, but the marker is B000. :-)

This is a good time to go back and add more layers of your colors if you desire. 

Thanks for stopping by!!

Until later~