The Four Seasons

What an interesting challenge today over on the 365 Card Blog. It is to make a card celebrating the four seasons. Now I had to stop and think a long while about this one. I spent time in my stamp image notebook (we all have a binder of our stamped images, right?) There were several possibilities, but in the end, I decided to go with various Cosmo Cricket papers to create my seasons.

The images are from Girl Friday, Early Bird, and Wonderland. The cherries remind me of Spring, that stylized leaf, ears of corn from Summer, the luscious pear, Autumn, and the snow covered pine cones, Winter! Using the square nestabilities from Spellbinder, I cut my squares and used the shadow squares for the widest frames. The word 'season' is stamped directly onto the grid paper (the reverse of Ribbon Sandwich). The letters were mixed up from different sets, though primarily Fancy Pants clear acrylic. I added the 1,2,3,4, from cutting one of those 'ribbons'.

So now, let me know what you think!

Happy Wedding Day

Once again, I've left one of the 365 Card Blog challenges till the last minute! Oh well, you just can't rush the muse. I actually had a invite on FaceBook today from a friend of my son and amongst her pics, I found the photo to use on my 'keep it to yourself: Wedding Card challenge'.

She noted on her page that it was a month and counting now. So I am on top of this card! Yipee!

Pam asked that we not use any sentiments on the front of the card. I used this delightful

cherubs carrying a gilded mirror image from Stamp Francisco. I stamped it twice, once in Memento Tuxedo Black and again the mirror frame embossing with Platinum ep. I PSE'd the photo to make it black and white, and the right size for the frame. The very cool springy collage paper is a Memory Box pattern. I added a layer of lavender on the GP white Kickstand card. And finished it off with a double satin ribbon, saved from a gift. Oh, a I used a piece of packaging, embossing with the Diamond ef from Cuttlebug. The inside Wedding sentiment is from SU inked with Memento lovely posies

I would love to know what you think...

she lived in Nashville

Hey, guys, it's the weekend...yippee!

If I had to pick just one challenge over on SCS that I have, just have to do each week, it would be the Inspiration Challenge...Stef really stretches my safe box by linking to any number of catalogs, web sites, book covers, Coldwater Creek, and today the personal blog of one Sarah Collier. Oh, her work is fab! Collage is my favorite medium so when I spied her, 'she lived' series, I knew exactly what I would create. And to make the day any better, the 365 Card Blog Challenge was to work with silhouettes.

I used Tim Holtz's Patterned Pieces...inking with white and cutting this rather elegant woman out and using the reverse side for the silhouette. Doing a Google search, I was able to find an old map of Nashville circa 1917. My grandmother would have been 6. I used printer paper for the map and then distressed it with TH di old paper, wadding and wrinkling it as I went. I added 3 vintage buttons from my grandmothers' button box, a scalloped edge in SU's baja breeze. The card base is an antique looking wallpaper from My Minds' Eye.

I love the fashion from my mothers' era...the slim lines, big pocketbooks (as we call them in the South), GLOVES, and pillbox hats. The best vintage store in my town is a treasure trove of these old clothes; I love to take a walk down memory lane by visiting. Thanks so much for stopping by, I always appreciate your comments.

scatter joy

Over at 365 Card Blog the challenge today is to frame it. And it was so easy, I am almost embarrassed to post. I knew exactly what sentiment I wanted to use with this photo of Siberian Poppies taken from my garden. I used PSE to enhance the picture, though, the poppies really are this gorgeous shade of blue. The petals are cut and popped to add dimension. The oval frame is a B Line Design image which was stamped on GP white with Tim Holtz walnut stain ink and embossed with TH black soot distressed powder. The scatter joy (a Daisy Bucket clear acrylic stamp) was inked with Memento Tuxedo Black.

I'm sending this out today to someone who need a bit of cheer. I think we could all remember to scatter our joy along our paths today! Have a wonderful weekend, wherever on this earth you are!

Patience...

This card required patience, I'll tell you! I'm not a symmetrical kinda girl. So sketches that are usually give me fits. So with that said, hopefully you'll understand why chose this St Augustine quote. And I supposes I gained some wisdom this morning. The Anna Griffin ribbon stamp was inked with Memento Paris Dusk and Nick Bantocks' Sap Moss Green. I embossed the ribbon centers with clear ep and paper pierced around the ribbons. The background was stamped with Cornish Heritage Farms net inked with VersaMagic Aloe Vera. I added scalloped circles with the reverse colors on each one. I used SU's canvas on the green to match my ribbon. The quote is alos by CHF as well as the butterfly. Both were inked with Memento Tuxedo Black. I added a bit of trim and two and one half hours of my time!

The sketch was from 365 Card Blog super sketchy Sunday, the color scheme and paper piecing qualifies for Sharon Johnson's No Time to Stamp 93 (that is certainly a misnomer for me!!!) And what started this all off was a challenge I do with some twisted sistahs every Friday, and today it was to create an elegant card. I hope that I accomplished that.

It's the weekend, all. Hope yours is blessed. Thanks for stopping by!

Life short...art long

The challenge today on the 365 Card Blog is ONE stamp and ONE sentiment, no patterned paper (yikes). Actually, I think this is a fabulous challenge as there are so many images that can stand alone in their impact and beauty. Amy Tsuruta's card is one such example. I wish I had more time today to create other cards, but this one will have to do.

I chose the famous Katsushika Hokusai wave painting from 1831. And while mine is nowhere near the masterpiece of the original, I love the power that comes through in the monochromatic scheme. The image is from Stamp Francisco and the sentiment is from a local craftsman who is, sad to say, no longer doing rubber stamps. I used two colors of ink, both from Nick Bantock. Cerulean Azure and Deep Turquoise.

I love art, how about you?

homecoming...

Good Day everyone, with our Fourth of July celebration so close I've been thinking of homecomings. What joy it brings to us all, when a loved one walks back up the driveway and into our arms. My card today celebrates this feeling. And using bright and bold colors, it covers the Ways to Use it challenge on SCS. I used many hues to create the feeling of home and Artistic Outpost's new She-roes set (the woman solider) and older releases (Serenity and Home). The woman was inked on acetate, I used a vintage star button that I embossed with gold ep. The scene of the homestead was inked and then the background chalked. I used a rainbow of colors around the edge with the beautiful flower flourish from the Serenity set. Various fibers and twill add texture to the card.

Check out the awesome Heros and She-roes sets here.

it's a freakin' party

Oh, do excuse my slang today, but we're havin' a bit of a party over at MotherMarks. She's celebrating her week 52 teapot challenge and well, you know how it can be when the gurls gets together. MotherMark has even lined up the Queen to teach proper teapot etiquette~~~which of course is polite social behavior~~~who knows what this bunch of gurls will do! I hear she's even brought in those big brown hatted guards just in case...

This card for MotherMarks' challenge also fits the 365 Card Blog Challenge to paper piece and the Color Challenge on SCS. Girls, oh, girls is it ever fun to load up on challenges. I used Basic Grey's Two Scoops paper, I mean ya just gotta have balloons at a party and fancy teacups.

So have a look, join in the fun, and if you get a chance, tip a cup or pint our way!

a Home going

I have a hard time making sympathy cards. Not because I have any trouble creating them; it's because I never know what to write inside. I always seem to be at a loss for words. So most of the time, I just make a card that you don't open! This card, however breaks my pattern, for it will go to a childhood friend who recently celebrated her dear mothers homeward journey. I want to express my heartfelt joy that not only was her mother released from the ravage of disease and old age, but to let my friend know how much she honored her mother with many years of gentle care and nurture. We know she has gone home.

The challenge at 365 Card Blog was to create a card using the color lavender. Pam wrote that those who love the color would have no problem and I have to say that's me. Purple has been my favorite color since I was 5 and any hue is fine by me! To create this card, I used the Stampendous scripture stamp about finding shelter in HIS wings. The Technique Tuesday skin deep set has the most gorgeous wings. Mine were inked in Brilliance Moonlight White and embossed with Kaleidoscope. I used Shimmer White paper. MemoryBox and My Mind's Eye papers were used as well as Fancy Pants border and heart. The crown is also from the same TT set. The lavender cotton lace is Making Memories.

Hope your weeks off to a great start...

Dad Rocks

My favorite time of day or night is about 01:00. All my house is asleep, no one needs me and I can let the muse out, breathe deeply, and {B}! I do my best creating in these early hours...but since I am chasing the clock tonight, I am posting this Fathers Day card early.

It's been Cosmo Cricket week on the 365 Card Blog. For this card, I managed to use 7 different patterns of CC paper. And mostly older stuff, like Souvenir, Wanted, and Little Man. I adore CC's funky style...a bit like me! I have used the super sketchy Sunday challenge on 365 Card Blog. It is turned vertical so I could use my super mod man reading newspaper stamp. The chair, chair legs, pants, shirt, and paper are all paper pieced.

This Saturday was filled with cooking all the daddy-o's favorite foods, we kicked off dinner with Gulf Coast Jambalaya and olive bread...after our stomachs settled the apricot shortbread pie was cool enough to eat. Tomorrow we'll have asparagus quiche before church and then...well, I think I'll let DH pick...a restaurant!

Thanks so much for all your comments on my art this week, I love to know what you're thinking.

how do I love thee?

I'm a sucker for love stories.  Always have. Who remembers Ali McGraw and Ryan O'Neal  in the classic 1970 movie?  Oh, I cried buckets seeing this while I was in high school.  And it still tugs at my heart watching the youTube posting!  There is nothing that will make you feel more alive then deep passionate love.  And I am heralding it today with my card for the 365 Card Blog challenge Day 112 Everlasting Love. 

 I have used Cosmo Crickets'  lovely paper from the Fleuriste group.  I wish I could have this in a wallpaper, I'd redo my master bedroom!  I stamped the Browning quote (Technique Tuesday) directly to paper.  The peacock mirror stamp is from Tin Can Mail.  It has been embossed in Platinum and I used twinkling H2O's to color the feathers.  The gorgeous lady is a photo art stamp I inked with VersaFine Olympic onto a Brazzill teal cs.  The mirror is cut and popped on foam mounting squares.  I did add a bit of fibers at the handle.  Along the right side I stamped a music score , embossing with clear on the brown base.  To emphasis the sentiment I added a vintage silk green button and a strip of acetate.  Near the top, I stamped the Hero Arts memories script stamp, inking it with VersaMagic Seabreeze.

I carried the Love Story in my heart for 16 years until I met my DH.  Oh, so romantic and loving.  I am blessed indeed.  We have two weddings to attend this summer, I can just see making another card like this with the brides picture in it!

Thanks for your insightful comments, they inspire the muse. Happy Saturday!

it's a hullaboo

continuing on with yesterday's lament...here's another card that is late, late, late!  And for my dearest friend, no less!  I enjoyed your sharing your traditions and comments about being on the ball, on time, and some even like me, always behind!!!

The 365 Card Blog challenge for Day 111 was Say it with Stripes.  Well since it is also Cosmo Cricket Week, I had to use this stripey circle paper from the Hello, Sunshine group.  I love the retro '50's patterns.  I added my sentiment (Amy Symthe~Inkadinkadoo) stamping on a glossy green oval cut and dry embossed with the Spellbinder large ovals. The 7 Gypsies red arrow points to the hullaboo.

Writing about hullaboo's reminds me of the teen dance club of the same name.  We wore white patent leather go-go boots and danced the summers away in the  innocence of the late '60's. From Otis Redding to the Herman's Hermits and that slow dance favorite, Whiter Shade of Pale by Procol Harum.  It was a party then and in my heart, I am still that young girl who wants to raise up a hullaboo...

Thanks for having a look and let me know some of your summer favorites...I'd love that!

old Daddy

Here I go again, putting yet another card in the post that will arrive late!  It's funny to me because I am always punctual when it comes to arriving at meetings, dates, and work on time.  For the life of me, I can't figure why I am such a dismal failure in this area!  My Mom just keeps on celebrating until cards stop being delivered...but one very close relative feels if it doesn't arrive on the day, then it doesn't count!!!  I can understand the thinking.  This actually reminds me of one year when I was home from college for the summer and one of my brothers and I decided to order a fancy bakery cake for Mimi's birthday...we were go proud of ourselves and it was beautiful!  Only we discovered that evening we were 2 days early!!!  Now would you consider that reverse forgetting?????  Everyone had a great laugh over the early bird special and dug in.

This Father's Day card was created for the 365 Card Blog Day My Guy Challenge, the sketch is Laura's No. 28 from 2sketches4you.  The Ways to Use it Challenge on SCS was to incorporate texting in your work.  I used Cogsmo paper from Cosmo Cricket, the Cuddlebug Argyle embossing folder and a Dynamo label maker.  

So getting back to my title, dear old Daddy will be pulling this outta his post box Monday, IF I'm lucky that is!  And dear readers, I would love to hear how you keep on top of running behind challenge, how DO your loved ones get YOUR cards on time!

"Leaf" the everyday

Girls, do I need to leave the everyday today; however,  since there is not a chance to make Bali by nightfall, I'll have to go there in my mind!  Goodness this week is crazy!!!  I am a fussy artist, needing lots of time to let the muse dance.  Hope you like this super harried card...I'm off to support my MIL at another round of Doc's visits!  Think of me thinking of cool tropical breezes and sand under my toes.....

My card today slips in with the SCS sketch challenge and the 365 Card Blog color scheme.  Love those Mr Campy papers from Cosmo Cricket and all the leaves.  I will sending this off to my BFF who is my partner in travel...

Thanks so much for having a peep...and always, I love to read your take on 'stuff'!

boy, oh boy, oh boy...

gotta love those boys whose energy seems limitless, not stopping until they collapse in bed at who knows what time.  It's happening again at my house...and do I ever need a nap...or a holiday off to the shore....

My card today is for the 365 Card Blog's challenge to make a boy card.  It's also Cosmo Cricket week, so I had to bring out the Oh Happy Day collection of papers and sentiments.  I tore portions of the paper to make you think of waves, added Inkadinkadoo's cool surfboards, and Art Impressions sentiment and palm trees.  

I'd love to hear what you think...you did survive those days, right????   Anybody~!!!!

Girlfriend birthday

It's Cosmo Cricket week over on 365 Card Blog, so I decided to kick it off with a doubled up card for these two challenges~~~the Super Sketchy Sunday and So Girly .   I loved the unusual shape of the sketch and when I was looking through my images, this Lily Tomlin character reminded me of the oval in the sketch.  She was stamped on GP white, her dress paper pieced, nails and lipstick courtesy of Copics.  I added a big ruby 'gembrad' as an earring.  The headset is cut and left to be somewhat popped.I finished it off with both Girlfriend (Hampton Art Stamp) and happy birthday stamps (unknown), I added an iridescent blue green ribbon and a vintage red button which has real thread tied through.  The Cosmo Cricket background paper and dress piecing is from Hello Sunshine.

So let me know what you think, I know it's not the pinky girlie, girlie, but I thought it was more of the grown up confident gurly,gurly!  And by the way, this card is being delivered to a real girlie today!  We're gonna celebrate a big birthday!!!

gratitude

I can remember when I was little and would be in a sulky mood, my mother would always say, "there goes Susan with a black cloud right over her head."  I am so glad I can choose to be positive, to see the Silver lining in all the clouds and know it is within me to be joyful!

Pam's challenge today over at 365 Card Blog was a sing-a-long, with Jason Maraz's Rainbow Connection.  I couldn't wait to ink up this awesome Wordsworth Rainbow Swoosh.  My card also happens to fit with the SCS Inspiration Challenge,  lovely packaging, of which I picked this box of chocolates.  I designed the bottom to include punches as the fun gals at Our Creative Challenge issued a call for border punches.  I used SU scalloped punch and a Marvy 3/4 circle punch.

Now if you think about it, doesn't the sight of a rainbow just bring a smile to your face?  It

is a reminder of a covenant promise...I am grateful indeed!

El Roi...the God who sees

Don't you just love when the muse is there and everything flows from a idea to reality?  That's what happened today in creating this 6x6 page for the His Holy Name challenge.  I have been studying this attribute of the Lord for almost a week now and was once again, impressed with the care and concern the Lord has for every bit of my life.  Since this is a personal scrapbook I am making this year, I figured it was time to include a photo of myself.  The fact that the Lord knows every day of my life till HE takes me home, gives me profound comfort.  And I kept coming back to these verses in Psalm 139.  No matter where I go,  I can never be lost from HIS presence.

The Limited Supply challenge on SCS today was to use the color of water, 3 brads, paper piercing and fibers on your card.  I believe I stuck to the recipe.  You can find all the details here

Thanks for stopping by, I always appreciate how you see my art.

more birthdays....

girls and boys, do we ever celebrate the birthdays this time of year!  I had to play in the 

Super Sketchy Sunday challenge over on 365 Card Blog.  This will also be entered in the Gallery Idol 2009 challenge.  The Adventure Set from Artistic Outpost  is so versatile with 4 different words that fit in the space of the phone booth.   I chose to use the Happy Birthday.  Isn't this Boston Terrier just too cute.  There is a dragonfly standing in for the clipped tail!  This is a nod to Jeannie at Dragonfly Journeys, who is celebrating her 10,000th blog visitor!  And this card just begged to have the fun pom-pom trim at the bottom.

Hope you all have a happy Sunday!

Birthday redux

I had to bring this card back, first of all to complete the idea my brilliant DS had for his own birthday card, and second to enter it into the Gallery Idol 2009 that Paper Craft Magazine is hosting.  I posted this last Saturday and thought it was a great card, but when Andy opened it on Tuesday, he almost immediately said, "oh Mom, it would have been cool if you had the #13 dropping off the back of the truck"!  Now of course, I was thinking, 'now why didn't I think of that'.  So when he was occupied with opening presents, I slipped away to my studio and popped those tiny #13 rub-on's just under the front of the truck. ...to be crushed on first roll.  Thanks DS for your input, it was most welcome!!!

finding joy

 I have long admired this Emily Dickinson quote. In our world today, with it's pulls and holds, these words ring true. I knew I wanted to make the quote stand front and center.  I couldn't resist the tropical plaid ribbon and Basic Grey hot, hot colors.  I used the Swiss Dots embossing folder for more texture, along with Cornish Heritage Farms flowers and lace background. The sentiment is stamped on shimmer white paper using the Labels2 from Spellbinder.  I added an scalloped oval and a glossy black larger mat.  

The sketch is from 2 sketches 4 you.