Merry Christmas with Penny Black

Hello, again!

 

Here is another card I made using stamps from my stash; a Penny Black set called Mimi & Friends. 

             

This time I used a combination of Zig markers  and Prismacolor pencils to color the image.  The sentiment is from the Paper Smooches set, Merry Motifs, and is embossed in silver.  I brushed here and there with my clear Wink of Stella pen and added a tiny bit of Glossy Accents to the bear's nose for that 'I'm a toy' effect. I popped up the front panel with foam tape and added a strip of silver glitter paper and some patterned paper on the card base.  A few SU rhinestones, again from my stash, and the card was finished! 

Just a happy, little Christmas card!

Have a great day!

Thinking of You

Happy Friday!

I'm finally feeling a bit more Christmassy!

Here is a card I made last weekend using Paper Smooches Promenade set and my Zig markers.  It has that "I'll have a blue Christmas without you..." kind of feel, doesn't it? 

I masked the wreath and stamped the lamp post, then water colored.  A little bit of diamond glitter goes a long way and helps to make this wintry scene a bit more sparkly.

The focal panel is die cut with SSS stitched square die and the sentiment is an oldie by Stamping Up.  
Simple but poignant, I thought. :)

I am enjoying experimenting with these Zig Markers (Santa may, or may, not be bringing me the set of 60!!!)

Have a great day!

I Love Fall

Have you seen this video on Kathy's blog?  As soon as I did, I knew I had to case her card!  I went straight to Starbucks and got a pumpkin spice latte ( I have to admit, I like the old recipe better), and drank it on my way home so I could create this card.

I used an older MFT  stamp called Happy Harvest for the image and a Lawn Fawn sentiment from Into the Woods.  I actually made this card a while ago, but never posted it. I haven't sent it yet, either.  I can't seem to let it go.  


Have a great day!
 

Happy Birthday Card

Happy Sunday!  
Finally a chill in the air.  Love it!

Here is a card I made for a good friend.  
 

 


I used the SSS Hello, Friend stamp set that I absolutely fell in love with when I saw it on a blog.  I am having SO much fun coloring the doodley flowers!  I used my Zig Clean Color Real Brush Markers in deep, November colors.  I've been using Bristol paper and having lots of success blending and water coloring!!

 I added the Lawn Fawn happy birthday sentiment and the cute, little Lawn Fawn skunk, because, well, sometimes birthdays at our age just stink!  
Lame, I know.

I'm entering this in the Lawnscaping Thinking of You challenge.  

Have a great day!

Welcome, Autumn!

Happy Saturday!

Our weather lately has been absolutely wonderful; beautiful blue skies, vibrant fall colors, and unseasonably warm temperatures for the last few weeks!  I am thoroughly enjoying it.  I know as a card maker I should be starting Christmas cards and projects, but I hate to rush the season.  I've been making a lot of "wreathe" cards, using a circle as a focal point and stamping images around them.  I've also been doing a lot of coloring!

Here is a card for the Paper Smooches challenge for November using the PS set Autumn Groves stamp set and Prismacolor pencils. I used the leaf and acorn stamps, coloring the outline stamps with pencils and gold embossing the solid leaf image (the challenge is to use gold on your card).  

I brushed clear Wink of Stella over a few of the leaves and the pumpkin top and added some sequins for a bit more shine.  The card base is die cut and popped up for more dimension.

Stop by the PS blog to see the other entries.  I am always so inspired!

Have a great day!

Halloweenie Treat Boxes

I'm taking a break from cleaning (just mopped the kitchen floor and I'm waiting for it to dry...) to post my latest little project.  
I've been in a 3D mood lately and have been scoring, folding, snipping, and gluing all kinds of little things.  

This little folded box is super easy and will hold homemade toffee for my coworkers later this month:

I followed the tutorial HERE and used some Halloween paper from my stash.  For the tag, I used the Paper Smooches set, Falling for You, for the image.  The sentiment is from the PS set, Halloweenies.  I stamped some pumpkin colored splotches of ink and, so the little guy had something to hang onto, I wrapped the tag with some Doodlebug twine.  
All of these materials were from my stash.  I've been trying to resist the urge to buy new product, but boy oh boy, is it hard!  I caved yesterday and ordered a couple of things.  Sometimes you just gotta treat yourself!!


Have a great day!

Coloring Practice

I recently purchased a set of twelve Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens.  I've been so impressed by the vibrant color that I've seen on blogs and on youtube videos.  Just gorgeous!!  

It was a beautiful weekend here in PA and I took some time to sit on my back porch and practice coloring this Paper Smooches scarecrow from the stamp set Autumn Groves.

I've got a ways to go, but it was fun trying different coloring techniques.  The two on the left are both using the same exact colors.  However, I used a brush and added water to the center scarecrow. Interesting variety!!

And because it was just too beautiful not to share, here is a pic of a local roadside stand.  Perfect October day!!

Have a great day! 

Teeny Tiny Kiss Boxes

Such a cozy Fall day!!

I'm thankful for time inside this chilly Saturday.  
I saw this tutorial by Jeanette Cobb and had to try it out.  

 It is a little folded box that ties at the top and is just big enough for one Hershey's Kiss.  How cute is that?? 

A very easy envelope punch board project!  I used Doodlebug 6 by 6 paper and the happy acorn stamp from Lawn Fawn's Into the Woods set colored quickly with Spectrum Noir markers and Prismacolor pencils.  The thank you sentiment was one of those little freebies from Avery Elle that they include when you place an order.  Perfect for this!  That was stamped over a woodgrain background from Stampin Up.  I added some yellow SU seambinding ribbon and that was that.  All of these items were in my stash except for the chocolates.  Bought those this morning.

Here is a close up of the happy, little acorn fellow:

The little box is so small and cute!  The pics don't really do it justice.  I love mini things!

Anyway, these are going to a few colleagues of mine that deserve a thank you.

Enjoy your day!

My Happy Place

I am a lover of books!  
Since I was a little girl, my happiest memories are of visiting our public library, choosing a pile of books, then curling up to read away the afternoon.  
As a second grade teacher, my greatest pleasure comes from sharing books with my students and watching them develop a love of reading.  So I guess that is what inspired this card.

   I combined stamps from two Paper Smooches sets, Smarty Pants and Get Outta Town.  I stamped a bunch of books, colored them with Prismacolor pencils and fussy cut them out so that I could stack them up.  I also used alcohol markers in shades of gray to create a shadow to ground the stacks.  

It is a simple design, but it makes me happy!!

I'm entering this in the SPARKS Anything Goes Challenge for this week.  I really enjoy seeing what others create.  Be sure to check it out!

Have a great day!

SPARKS Thank You Card

Happy Saturday!!

First challenge entry in a long time!  Nothing like the last minute though.  This week it's a Picture Perfect Challenge on the Paper Smooches SPARKS blog.  

Here is the inspiration photo:

 

And here is my take on it:

 

First, I used the Squared Die from Paper Smooches on  plain white cardstock.  I trimmed here and there to create the box pattern.  Then, I watercolored the splotches using my Zig Clean Color Brush Tip pens.  Last, I used the Paper Smooches Thanks Word Die for the sentiment on black card stock.  Simple design, big impact!

Make sure you check out the other entries on the challenge blog!  Always great inspiration!!

Have a great day!

When In Doubt...CASE IT

I haven't posted since July.  
I really haven't been crafting this summer.  Lots of swimming, visiting, eating, reading, gardening, but no card-making.  
So I'm trying to get back in the swing of things.  

Whenever I am lacking motivation or mojo (or both...) I give myself a kickstart by case-ing something I fell in love with by another designer.  This time it was this card by Julia Altermann.
I absolutely love her work.  Her videos are always informative and she has a great sense of humor, too.  She's lots of fun to learn from! 
If you do not already follow her blog or subscribe to her youtube channel, hurry up and do it!!

Here is my version of her delightful card: 

 I really need to invest in better lighting.  I keep saying that....
Anyway, I followed her video tutorial, but colored with Prismacolors.  I used an old  Recollections stamp set for the monsters and two SU sets, Perfect Blend and Gorgeous Grunge for the coffee splatters.

This card is headed down to my daughter at college in Philadelphia along with a Starbucks gift card and a few other goodies.

Thank you, Julia, for your inspiration!!!  

Have a great day!

Hi, Friend

 Whew!  It's a hot one!  I hate to spend time indoors during the summer months, but the humidity today is a killer!  I'm enjoying the air conditioning and spending time doing crafty stuff.

I made this card for a friend who just adopted a kitty.  I'm just a little jealous!  I've been toying with the idea of doing the same.  I just hate to upset our old Sunny cat.  Anyway, I can enjoy visiting with her new, little fur baby for now.

Here is the card:

I was inspired by this sketch:

I paper pieced the image using Doodlebug papers, then colored and shaded with Prismacolor pencils.
The square frame and rectangle card front are cut from SSS dies.  The image and sentiment are also from the SSS sets, You Are Pawsome and Furry Cat and Box.

This is my first time playing along with the Freshly Made Sketches challenge.  Check out the other entries here!

Enjoy your day!

I'd Pick You!

Hello!
I've been thoroughly enjoying summer!  It's great to have time to read, catch up with friends, or just be lazy!

A very good friend of mine treated me to a belated birthday lunch the other day and I wanted to send a thank you.  

It was the first time I colored the stamp (Stamping Bella) and I'm happy with the results.  I used my Prismacolor pencils and a few alcohol markers to shade the images.  Problem was, I adhered it to the card base BACKWARDS!!!  Ahhhhhhhhhh!!  Anyway, I am sending it off as is.  She's such a good friend she'll get a laugh out of it and know the sentiment was heartfelt!

Enjoy your day!

Hello, Sunshine!

A quick post to share this cute little card:

I water colored a loose background (much more vibrant in real life...) and stitched a wobbly line at the bottom to give the image something to slide along.  The image is Stacey Yakula's Tucker from Purple Onion Designs and the sentiment is from Stacey's The Sweetest Day collection as well.  I used Prismacolor pencils to color the image.  


The rain has stopped and I'm heading outdoors to pull some weeds.
Have a great day!

Graduation Watercolor

Happy Summer!

Two of my nephews graduated from high school this June.  
Here is the card I made for my nephew, Dashiell.  
The Tim Holtz stamp is older, but it reminded me of him.  Not sure why.  

I "smooshed" distress inks onto water color paper, die cut the borders and popped it up with foam tape.  The image is stamped in black Versafine and embossed with clear powder.  A fairly simple technique, but I like the graphic imagery.

Off to do summery things...
Enjoy your day!

Sunday Layout and a Card.

Happy Sunday!  

No, I haven't fallen off the face of the Earth.  Just super busy and, as I have said before, that translates into being super tired.

I just completed my first 12 by 12 Project Life layout!  It is composed of a bunch of pictures taken over the winter months.  
Click on the photo to see an enlarged pic.

I tried printing from my computer on the journaling cards and it worked pretty well.  I am trying to overlook the grammar typo and the fact that the print is just slightly crooked.  Other than that, I am pretty happy with it.  It was definitely fun.  

Looking forward to my next layout!

Also, here is a card I made for a friend.  

The lighting is pretty poor on this. Sorry.  The stamp is from Penny Black and I colored with Prismacolors.  The sentiment is from Purple Onion Designs.  I kept the layout very flat for mailing. Just a simple, pretty, cheerful little card.  Hopefully it cheered her up!  

It is an absolutely beautiful spring day.  I am heading out to clean up my flower beds and soak in some sunshine!

Have a great day!
Mary

Project Life Without Rules

Well, I had a nice morning out all by myself.  

Stopped in two of our local craft stores before picking Rose up at the train station.  
I hit up the clearance racks at both places.  

Here is what I got:

I got an album for under 10 dollars and everything else was 40% off or more! Whoopee!!

I've already decided that the only way this is going to work for me - the only way this is going to be fun - is for me to not follow any rules at all.  I'm not going to commit to any time frames or method of documenting our year. 

I will try to make it more or less chronological, but I want the freedom of creating inserts or theme pages as I go. 

I will share a  layout from time to time as well as little, crafty PL projects I try.

Have a good day!

Pocket Scrapbooking...Do I dare???

Happy Friday!
Happy Spring!
 
I've been very busy at work, which translates to exhausted at home.  And that translates to not much crafting going on.  But, it's Spring Break and I've spent this rainy Friday catching up on some scrapbooking.  I'm about halfway through Christmas, 2014.

I have played around with scrapbooking in the past few years, mostly mini albums.  I am starting to think I would like to commit more seriously to documenting more of our everyday life.

I am working on a Simple Stories Snap Album, not holding myself to any rigid schedule and allowing myself the freedom to dabble. It's fun.  I've been watching a lot of process videos and have enjoyed seeing the creativity and styles out there.  I think I need to try a 12 X 12 album to tell a more continuous, cohesive story.  So I'm off to my local craft store tomorrow morning to pick up an album, page protectors and a few crafting goodies (I've got a list). 

I know I won't be able to do a picture a day, or even a weekly layout.  Any kind of expectation like that just makes me anxious and robs my crafty time of it's joy.  But I will post from time to time so I have a record of this part of my creative journey here on the blog.

Weekend Cards

Happy Sunday!
After an early March snowstorm last week, I am crossing my fingers that we've seen the last of winter!

I made a few simple cards this weekend just for fun.
Here are two of them...

Card 1

The background is from a Stampin Up wheel that I removed and remounted on EZ Mount.  The gingham was stamped with Mustard Seed Distress Ink and sprayed lightly with water to give it a softer look.  I stamped the sentiment with black Versafine ink, then heat embossed with clear embossing powder.  Just as everyone has said, this is so much better than trying to use black embossing powder!!  The kitty is colored to look like my daughter's cat, so I think this card will be for her.

Additional Products:
SSS 'You are Pawsome'
SSS Stitched Rectangle Frames
Spectrum Noir markers
SU CS in Crumbcake


Card 2

This image is from Penny Black set called Cake and Wishes.  I kept it it very simple.  The image is stamped on water color paper and I used my Distress Markers to paint the image. The panel is cut with the SSS Stitched Rectangle die and popped up with foam tape on the white card base.  Very basic, but I think it turned out really cute!

Temperatures are supposed to be in the high 40's and 50's this week.  Finally, a taste of spring!

Have a great day!
Mary

Pretty Frames

Happy Sunday.

I'm putting off the evil hour when I will have to go shovel our way out of the driveway after yesterday's snow.  Not fun.

I've got two cards to share today.  Both have a popped up frame that was inspired by Sandy Allnock's card HERE.  She is just amazing and full of inspiration, but you probably already know that.

Card One

I had made the tag a while ago and it was sitting on my desk waiting for the right card to come along.  The image and sentiment are from Purple Onion.  I used Distress Inks smooshed on my work surface to create the background, then die cut with SSS stitched frames.  The middle frame is popped up with foam tape.  I am in love with this technique!!  Thank you, Sandy!!

Card Two

I used the same technique but with patterned paper.  This paper is from an American Crafts pad.  I used prismacolors to color the Purple Onion image.  Little Rosie was just the breath of springtime I needed!  The banner is from Lawn Fawn. I stamped and white embossed on vellum. I added a stamped and embossed heart as well. I decided to keep it pretty plain other than that; no sentiment on the outside of the card this time.

I know I will be using this background technique over and over again!!  

Ugh, my back and shoulders are already hurting just thinking about that driveway!
Have a good day!
Mary

Merry Monday # 146 Santa!!

Hi!
Our first snow day!  That makes it a four day weekend here!  Apologies to the northeast (Boston, etc) who, I'm sure, are completely over it!

I'm having so much fun playing along with the Merry Monday challenges!  I've never participated before and it's nice to see my stockpile of holiday cards growing each week.

This week's theme is SANTA.  Do you know I only have one Santa image.  One.  That seems hard to believe.  This is from an old Stampin Up set called Holiday Tag Team.  I'm so happy with the way this card turned out, simple and fun.  

I colored with my Spectrum Noir markers and then debated on what to do with the background.  I started drawing little dots in pink and gray, then added a bit of yellow.  It just took on a little, happy life of its own!  It kind of looks like he is dancing amidst confetti or something, doesn't it? The sentiment is from Purple Onion Designs and the die is from Simon Says Stamp.

Come play along with the challenge!  At least come check out the entries from the design team and the other entrants!!

 

Hope you find time to do something creative today!

Mary 

Shaker Thank You

Hello!
Pretty day, but SOOOOOO cold! 
I'm spending the day cleaning, not card-making.Boo! But it has to be done.

I'm playing along with the Paper Smooches Anything Goes on the SPARKS Challenge blog.

I made this card to thank a co-worker who is way more tech savvy than her grade partners.  She took the reins last Friday when we were entering scores and assessment data.  All I can say is thank heavens for Melissa!!  We would have been there for hours figuring out columns and percentages! 

She is a big morning coffee fan so I thought she would enjoy this.

  

I hit up my Pinterest boards for inspiration on this, but used Spectrum Noir alcohol markers to color a bunch of the coffee cups from the Paper Smooches Warm Hearts set and piled them in the shaker instead of sequins or glitter.  So cute!! The PS Thanks die is cut from black CS and the paper is American Crafts.

I'm also playing along with Virginia's View challenge since the theme there is shaker cards.

 

Have a good day!  
Stay safe and warm!!

Merry Monday Candy Canes

  Brrrrrrrrrrr!!! 
A bitter, bitter cold day here!  The wind is howling!  I am not setting foot outside today!  

This little guy is much braver than I am!  Of course, the only thing blowing there are cute little candy canes!  

        That's the theme this week at the 
         Merry Monday Challenge Blog!  

         Candy Canes!     

 

I had fun making this card!  I used stamps from Paper Smooches and Lawn Fawn.  I masked a bit and colored a bit, added some sparkle and there you go!
Head over to the Merry Monday Challenge blog for some more fun and inspiration!

Stay warm, folks!!