Sunday, Sunday, Sunday

Good Sunday morning - another beautiful day in Wisconsin - very fall like and I am going to go to a Brewers game today.  But before I get ready to go I had to do the weekly sketch for Operation Write Home - featured on Stars and Stamps.

I never do little strips - I always do one big piece and add a strip of contrast down the middle.  I do need to go revisit this card - make sure it is not my photography skills or me - the little blue stripe does not look straight.

The paper is from We R Memory Keepers and the scallop on the bottom of the sentiment was on the edge of the pages and it is reversible - pink or blue.  The stamp is from Hero Arts and I just cut part of it out - it has a scalloped edge around it - but I liked the way I cut it better.  Designer's choice.

Everyone enjoy your day.

SRM Sticker SKIP

I think you all will enjoy this little SKIP today.  It will be fun to see what all of the different card makers do with the same SRM Stickers.

I must confess this is my third card.  First one never made it  past paper on the cutting board - second one was finished but it wasn't quite right - and then I came up with this card.  I decided to use the tree sticker to decorate the hot air balloon Riley the Moose is flying in  - wouldn't that be fun to see floating over your home.  I kept the design very simple - this would be clean and simple for me - The paper is from My Mind's Eye.  I added my sentiment on a banner - the image and sentiment are pop dotted for some extra dimension.

Please leave some comments - each blog will be giving away a sheet of these stickers.

I now want you to SKIP over to Jan's Blog - I know I can't wait to see what she has created.

At the end make sure you stop by Stars and Stamps - and leave a comment and tell us what you would do with a sheet of these stickers.

Have fun skipping.

Sparkle With Joy - Or Something Like That

Simon Says "I Love Sparkle" - I do not use too much sparkle or glitter because the majority of my cards are for Operation Write Home and glitter is a big no no - if you want to know why - stop by the Operation Write Home blog to find out.

The challenge for the month at Oozak is also sparkle.

This is a card for my own holiday collection.  I used the sketch from Merry Merry - I somewhat stretched the image from the sketch.  My card is 5 x 3.25.

The image is a Penny Black Sticker - unfortunately with my lousy photo skills - I was unable to pick up the sparkle on the card.  I added Stickles to many dots on the tree.  The Joy was outline with my stardust pen.  The background is embossed with a snowflake embossing folder.  I did use some Bazzill Bling to add color to the card.  A May Arts bow completes the card.

Have a lovely evening and week end.

Simon Says Anything Goes

So away we go.  This card did start out as a post for a challenge to use a tag and a Hero Art tag - well of course by the time I got mine made - the challenge was closed - but that is OK - because I have another Christmas card made.

The paper is from Melissa Francis - tried for a very vintage style and I do wish I had less of the background red paper showing - it has all the colors in it that coordinate but too modern.  If only a sliver of it was showing - it would be almost perfect.  The sentiment is a stamp from Hero Arts stamped in Hero Arts Ink - wet cement I believe is the color - it is greyish in color.  I then took my Stardust pen and outlined the letters - it is very pretty in real life.  The trim is tea dyed muslin and the poinsettia was ripped off a thing I had in a drawer.  The tag was dry embossed and inked.  I cut it with my Silhouette.

I am entering the tag in the Simon Says Stamp challenge - anything goes.  One more Christmas card for me to send out.  Yeah.

Changito Visits Operation Write Home

My card for today uses some paper from Imaginisce (6 x 6 pad).  I had six of this cute monkey stamped so finished coloring the ornament and hat and booties to coordinate with the paper I was going to use for the card.  The sentiment strip is from one of the pieces of paper - I thought to was perfect for this image.

The card is based on the weekly sketch from Freshly Made Sketches.

It also works for the challenge on Shopping Your Stash weekly challenge which is fur or feather - I do believe Mr. Changito qualifies for fur.

I made two of this card - they are going in my next Operation Write Home Box - which will need to be shipped in October sometime - I just sent a box of 50 today - if you look back in this weeks posts you can see I am already working on valentine cards.

SRM Sticker Week

This week SRM Stickers are celebrating OWH's birthday.  They are our sponsor.  The Midweek throw down on Stars and Stamps is to use a sticker effectively.

I think I have done that.  Don't you love that little triangle border on the birthday card - those are stickers.  The birthday card was so easy to make using the stickers.

Both of these cards were shared on Stars and Stamps - but I have another one for you - another Valentine's Day card - the love definition is a sticker.  All the valentine cards this week are from a sticker sheet by SRM Stickers.

Hard to believe it is time to make valentine cards - I may be pushing it a little - there is still time for Christmas and Winter cards to be sent to OWH.

Oldie Moldie Monday

My Oldie Moldie Choice today is a sheet of stickers I bought a year or two ago.  I am just sharing one card made from the sticker sheet.  If you look at yesterday's sketch card - you will see another card using a sticker from this sheet.

It is SRM Sticker week on Stars and Stamps - Operation Write Home's Card Blog.

I placed the sticker on white cardstock and cut it out.  I believe it is also pop dotted.  Placing the sticker on cardstock gives it more stability.

Everyone enjoy your day and dig out some of those supplies and show them some love.

SRM Sticker Week at OWH Stars and Stamps

SRM Stickers is sponsoring Stars and Stamps this week - their stickers are so much fun to work with and this week you will have lots of fun seeing them used in so many ways between Stars and Stamps and the SRM Sticker blog.

Today is sketch day on Stars and Stamps.  I took great creative license with the sketch because I had a set of Valentine themed stickers from SRM and you know it will soon be time to be making those Valentine cards for OWH (stay tuned all week for my Valentine cards).  The heart represents the shaped die cut at the top of the sketch (see creative license).  I used my Silhouette to cut the heart.  The paper is from Echo Park - one of my vast collection of 6 x 6 pads.

Enjoy our week with SRM Stickers and try to pick up some to use - you will be so happy.

Embossing and Christmas

It is time to start working on your holiday cards - I gathered together some challenges and set to work.

Lots of places have an embossing challenge.

Stampendous's September challenge is to use embossing.  

Simon Says Stamp Challenge is also embossing

Shopping our Stash Challenge - embossing

And the weekly sketch from Merry Monday.

The paper grouping is a very old grouping from Cosmo Cricket.  The santa stamp is from Stampendous - stamped with VersaMark ink and embossed with Zing brown embossing powder.  I distressed the edges of all the paper.  The sentiment is also from Cosmo Cricket.  The card size is 5 x 7.

Everyone enjoy the remainder of your evening.

Authentique Color Challenge and Simon Says - Tape It Up

Today's card is a 5 x 7 card.  The base is watercolor paper with a matching envelope sent to me by my wonderful card making friend from Canada Ivanka.  Thank you Ivanka.

I combined two challenges for this card -

Authentique September Color Challenge

Luckily I had bought a couple sheets of the Enchanted line but I did not have any of the cream or black so I went through all my 6 x 6 pads from Authentique and found a cream and black that worked.  They came from the Celebrate and Carefree pads.  Even though Enchanted is a Halloween line - some of the designs are very versatile and can be used for things other than Halloween.  Although I am going to make a Halloween card with it also.  

The other challenge is from Simon Says Stamp and Show to Tape It Up.  The black dots at the top of the card is tape and adds just the finishing touch to the card.  The dots were white - but I rubbed the orange ink pad across it to make them a creamier color.  

The edges of all the paper is distressed (I felt so much better after making this card).  The flower is made from old pattern tissue - I have just a little of that from my sewing days - I colored the dresses with ink from the Tim Holtz orange distress ink pad.  I just rubbed a brush across it and applied to the dresses - just adds a pop of color to the stamped image.  The sentiment is from SRM Stickers.  I rubbed a piece of watercolor paper across the ink pad for some color and added the sentiment.  The bow is black twill tape.

I really enjoyed making this card.

Have a wonderful day.  

More Hero Arts

Another card using the new set from Hero Arts for Operation Write Home.  I love to make holiday cards that use nontraditional colors - I do believe this qualifies.

I will enter it in the contest on the Hero Arts blog to make holiday cards for Operation Write Home.

Red and Green and Hero Arts

The weekly challenge on Stars and Stamps - Operation Write Home card blog - is to use Red and Green on your card.  One of these cards was featured but of course, with the paper out, the stamp inked - I had to make another one.

The stamp and sentiment on the first one are from one of the three new Hero Arts set which just recently were released.  He is a sweet little snowman.  The scarves on both cards are paper pieced.

This should actually be an oldie moldie post - I have had this grouping of paper and stickers from Bo Bunny for years.  The sentiment on the second card is a coordinating sticker which I cut apart to work for the card. I think there may be enough paper left for a card or two.

Hero Arts is also sponsoring a challenge on their blog to make a card for Operation Write Home.

Everyone have a wonderful evening.

Simon Says I Am Trendy

The weekly challenge on Simon Says Stamp Challenge is to be trendy -

NEON HEXAGON CHEVRON

I chose Chevron and I did use some bright colors but they are probably not classified as Neon.  I do like to use non traditional colors for my holiday cards.  Shakes up everyone's mailbox during the holidays.  I cut the chevron block with my Silhouette and colored it with Copics.  I then added some bright pink and bright green to the mini card.  I am enjoying making these mini cards - I may make more of them for my holiday cards.  

The little snowman stamp is a new Hero Arts stamp set they have done for Operation Write Home.  The sentiment is an SRM sticker.  

Wow two posts in one day - I wonder if I have anything left to post tomorrow.  

Oldie Moldie Monday

Welcome once again to Oldie Moldie Monday - the day to show some love to your old supplies.  The paper used on all my cards today is a Christmas collection from Pink Paislee.

Guess what - Oldie Moldie Monday - meets - Shopping Your Stash where their challenge is 3, 2, 1.  I think Oldie Moldie Monday and Shopping Your Stash is a good relationship we must build upon.  On my card I used 3 patterned papers (stripe, dots and green), 2 circles and 1 sentiment.

The card is based on a sketch from Freshly Made Sketches where they are celebrating their first anniversary.  For the anniversary you can use any of the sketches from the year.  I chose Sketch 42 for my card.  I just flipped it on its side.  This card will go in in next box for Operation Write Home

This week end the Penny Black blog had a challenge to make tags.  I made several tags over the week end using the Pink Paislee paper.  Both sentiment stamps are from Penny Black.  I did lots of fussy cutting on the santa tag - the tags became cards for my personal cards for 2012.  The cards are too bulky for Operation Write Home.  The tags were cut with my Silhouette.  The Penny Black blog challenges the last two week ends have helped me get some more cards made.  I used some of my favorite trim on the cards.  Torn pieces of muslin which were tea or coffee stained.

Everyone enjoy your Monday - remember to show some love for your old supplies - they are still beautiful and they just need your creativity to bring them to life.

Operation Write Home and Hero Arts - a good team

Good morning - I used one of the the new stamp sets from Hero Arts on my card for the sketch this week on Stars and Stamps.  Isn't that little snowman so cute.  I strayed some from the sketch for my bottom sentiment.

The sentiment is from an old sticker sheet I have but I like how it worked with the snowman.  I added a little faux stitching around the edge.

Enjoy your Sunday and more birthday celebrations on Operation Write Home.

Penny Black and Echo Park Christmas Card

Penny Black is having a challenge this week end to make tags - I made the tag and entered it in their challenge on their Flicker Group - then I immediately made it into a card for the holidays.  As you can see, it is a card I will be sending to family or friends since it is rather lumpy.

The tag was cut with my Silhouette plus the little circle.  I sized the tag so it would fit on the front of an A2 sized card.  This sentiment is a new stamp I bought this year - I love the fonts and what the sentiment says.  I had first stamped it in brown ink - but it did not show up well enough so I went to the black.  Most of the patterned paper on the tag were leftover strips leftover from other packages.  I love to tear muslin strips and distress with tea or coffee.  The sentiment is pop dotted on the tag and the tag is pop dotted on the card.  One corner of the card was rounded to reflect the rounded edges of the tag.

The paper is from Echo Park's christmas collection from last year.

Enjoy your saturday - off to do more mowing - the lawn was a little wet when I was mowing earlier.

Riley the Moose Birthday Card

My mother's birthday is the middle of October so I thought this cute image from Riley the Moose would make her smile.  I send cards to her every day of her birthday week.  I think I have 3 or 4 made already.

It really did help that the Riley and Company blog has a birthday challenge and I will enter my card in it.

Everyone enjoy your evening.

Thank You Heroes

On this memorable day in our history - I made a card to thank the many heroes we have in our lives - the fire fighter, the policeman, the EMT, our military serving across the US.  Thank you for allowing us to carry on in our normal days.

Simon Says Stamp and Show's weekly challenge is to make a Hero card.  I will mail this card to a hero who is currently serving in the military overseas - it will go in my next Operation Write Home box.

Card Positoning Systems, Operation Write Home meet Oldie Moldie Monday

My first card for Oldie Moldie Monday (I really am getting sick of this paper - but it has made some great cards - so I will keep using it up) - was for a challenge on the Penny Black blog to do mini cards - this card is 3 3/4 x 2 3/4 - I think.  The white is embossed with a cuddlebug embossing folder and the sentiment is embossed with white Hero Arts embossing powder (fine detail).  The stamp is from Penny Black - you will see the entire stamp on a card below.

Here is the full version of the Penny Black stamp.  Isn't he just the cutest little snowman.  I found another version of him - that one is holding some presents.  The sentiment is also from Penny Black.

This card is based on the sketch from Card Positioning Systems.  I am also going to enter it in CAS-UAL Friday where the challenge is to use embossing - all three cards would qualify for that challenge.  On this card - I used an SRM Sticker for the sentiment.  Here is the sketch from CPS - I just moved the circle element up so I could add a sentiment below.  The penguin is from Whipper Snapper Designs.

The last two cards will go into my next Operation Write Home box.  These two cards will bring smiles to many people.  I sure hope they like purple and bright pink.  Pop over - we are having a month long birthday celebration - lots of fun.

Gee maybe next Monday - I could make another card out of this paper.  I made three of the mini cards for holiday cards - so I do need to line them but that won't take too much paper.

Enjoy your Monday.

Paper Smooches and Operation Write Home

With today's sketch I am using the Paper Smooches - Circle of Honor - stamp set.  Part of the proceeds from the sale of this set goes to Operation Write Home.  It is a very versatile set.  I do need to play with it more - oh I need more time.

I used paper from Authentique - very vintage looking - and it works so well with the stamp.  I also cut my center strip with my Silhouette.  Much easier than punching stars in a strip of paper.

I hope you play along this week - I have a hero card made that I will be sharing later in the week using a sentiment from this set and my Silhouette.

Have a good Sunday - I am off to get groceries before the store gets too crazy.

Penny Black, Authentique and CAS-UAL Friday

Penny Black has a week end challenge to make a mini card.  The majority of my cards are A2 size and for Operation Write Home.  I thought I would give this challenge a try.  I kept thinking which Penny Black stamps would work for this challenge and then I remembered this set - it is a background stamp (you can see the background stamped on the navy paper) and then it has this cute mitten set and sentiment.  I cut the mittens and sentiment apart.

I stamped a navy colored ink over the background paper.  The sentiment is embossed with white embossing powder from Hero Arts - it is a detail embossing powder and it is fantastic.  The mittens were clear embossed on a patterned paper and cut out.  I hand drew the string attaching the mittens - glueing twine on did not work - thus the second background had to be made - I added a snowflake brad to the sentiment strip and put some stickles on.  The sentiment and mittens are pop dotted.  You can see on the mittens I added a cuff - I used some glossy accents and once it was dried - I dabbed on some white gesso to add more dimension.  I also added just a little bling to the snowflake center and the middle of the string.  The card fits into the challenge on CAS-UAL Friday to do embossing.

I also used some of the great papers from Authentique - and the card fits in with their monthly color challenge to use navy, teal and yellow (they use prettier color names) - if you haven't used their papers - pick some up - double sided - most of this card was made with the backside of the papers - the mitten plaid is the only pattern I used from the 6 x 6 pad Curiosity.

Every one enjoy your Saturday - there may be another mini or two in my week end creations.  Wouldn't they be cute to put on a co workers desk during the holidays.

Simon Says Read All About It

Last week end I happened upon the blog hop at Simon Says Stamp and Show - the challenge is "Read All About It" - the hop was very inspiring to me - so many had got out their paints, their books, and assorted fun stuff and created.  It made me want to revisit that part of my creativity - I don't do this too often - but I do enjoy it - maybe I need to do more - I would layer paints on the watercolor paper before I went to work in the morning and inevitably - I had paint somewhere on my body or even my clothes.

I cut a couple pieces of watercolor paper for card fronts.  I found my dictionary that I use for card making (my part of read all about it) - adhered a layer of that to my watercolor paper, gessoed it, and then started dry brushing on layers of acrylic paint - orange, pink, green, yellow - I don't know what else.  After this was all dry - I then got out some background type stamps and first stamped with white and then added some other colors on top.  Here it is in a little more detail.  (the sun is very subtle in the corner on both cards)

Card one uses a Hero Arts Stamp and a SRM Sticker for the sentiment.  The border is 3/4 inch strips of the dictionary page adhered together and then just folded and added to the front of the card - I then smeared green paint over the top with my finger tip.  I used some black twine to finish off the card.

The second card uses a Hampton Art stamp.  I got a little hasty so the ink smeared - so to save the background - I stamped the flower three times on a dictionary page and fussy cut each part of the flower.  I actually used Stickles on the 2nd layer of the card.  The center of the flower has Glossy Accents on top.  This sentiment sticker is from Doodle Bug Designs.  Once again I added the strip of painted folded dictionary paper.

I am torn (excuse the pun) (in case you did not understand the pun - I tore the paper) - do you think I should add bows to the twine or ribbon.  I don't want the bow to distract from the artsy fartsy part of the card.  What do you think?

Lawn Fawn, Basic Grey and Operation Write Home

Here is my card for the midweek challenge on Stars and Stripes - kids card using scallops.  I dusted off my Silhouette and found this scalloped rectangle and cut it out.  I cut two of them - use the frame from one and the inside from the other color.  The pigs are stamped on patterned paper and fussy cut out.  I did spray them with Goosebumps so they have a little texture.  The sentiment was created on the computer.  The sentiment and piggies are pop dotted.  I think some child will get a big smile on their face when they get this card.

Silhouette and Authentique Birthday Celebration

Good Tuesday morning - can you believe this is a birthday card for someone in October - now why isn't it for the person who had a birthday in June or August.  Do you get behind on your cards like I do - and of course - how many have I sent out to Operation Write Home - maybe I should have stolen some of those for my friends with birthdays.

This card is for the challenge at The Cameo Spotlight - a new challenge blog for Silhouette users - the challenge is to use numbers.  These numbers are from a small card on the Silhouette site - I thought they were perfect for a birthday card.

I used Authentique paper - from their Carefree Collection.  Beautiful colors.  If you have not tried their paper - please treat yourself - the paper is double sided - there is always a solid on the backside of each sheet.

Another treat - is to watch Wheelchair Basketball at the Parolympics going on right now in London.  I know several players and their significant others on the men's team.  They will play again on Wednesday at 7 a.m. central time.

Have a wonderful day.

Oldie Moldie Monday

Couldn't let Monday go by without posting a couple Oldie Moldie Monday cards.  I was hoping to make another one with my paper for the Merry Monday challenge - but maybe they are not having one on Labor Day.  This is an old collection from Cosmo Cricket.  Using scraps, diecuts and anything else that works with the paper.  These cards will be going in my Operation Write Home Box.

Have a wonderful Monday.  I need to finish up some chores around the house - you know the four day work week will seem like 6 days.

Lawn Fawn and Operation Write Home

It is Lawn Fawn week on Operation Write home Stars and Stamps and also on Operation Write Home week on Lawn Fawn.

They have the cutest stamps - I used this little sheep and sentiment for my card following the bonus sketch on Stars and Stamps.  It is a fun sketch to do.

The paper I used is from a 6 x 6 pad from Echo Park called This and That.  Of course, I did my usual trick of just cutting the strips of plaid, matting them and laying them on top of the full piece of polka dots.  The sheep and one bale of hay is pop dotted for a little dimension

Have a wonderful week - stay tuned for more fun with Lawn Fawn all week.

OWH Virtual Card Party

I have played along with lots of the challenges this week end and got a bunch of cards made.  This card is for the challenge - Christmas for Kids - I guess this could be Christmas or all cold months for a kid.

I still have some of the purple paper I used on my cards from the SKIP last week.  I still like it so want to use it up.  Plus I have lots of purple card bases.

The stamp is from Whipper Snapper - a Wisconsin company.

Thanks for stopping by.

OWH Virtual Card Party

Here is my card for the first challenge - I thought the digi bible sentiment from Dee's Bubagoo Boutique - went so well with my fall papers.

The first challenge is sponsored by Our Daily Bread Designs - each month they sponsor a month long challenge - they will pay the postage on box of cards sent overseas to our heroes for each 25 posts - up to 2 boxes.  What a wonderful way to support OWH.  The challenge this month is to use an uplifting sentiment or bible verse.  

OK back to our regular scheduled Sunday - how to watch tennis on TV, baseball on TV, clean house, make cards and watch Paraolympics Wheelchair Men's basketball.  I know several of the players on the team and their significant others so they have a special place in my heart.  Go USA.

Operation Write Home, Virtual Card Party, Sketch

OK - here I am for the Sunday morning sketch challenge on Operation Write Home - it is also combined with the virtual card party which Linda is sponsoring - you are to use your punches - unfortunately my circle punch this size is broken - so I used my Spellbinders.  I tried to use my bird punch - but didn't like the birds.  The birds are from dimensional stickers from Michael's.   And to top it off - it just kinda (emphasis on kinda) resembles the sketch.

So if I could write Dr. Seuss I would - I tried the sketch, I could not do - I tried the sketch, I could not do - oh woe is me - what would you do?

So I am going to post it anyway and I am going to go eat some breakfast and do some cleaning.  I like my card (kinda) - it probably could qualify for a before and after - have to think about the after.

Have a wonderful, creative day.

Yee Ha - another card for OWH

Operation Write Home is having a virtual card making party this week end - so I am playing along - good excuse not to get any work done around the house - hey I went to work today for awhile so that must count for something.

Sandy is sponsoring a challenge to use a cowboy or horse on a card.  I bought this stamp recently from a local stamp company - Cracker Box Palace - so I finally got it inked up.  Thanks for the encouragement.  The paper (except the denim) is an old pad from K&Co along with the rub on.

Yee Ha - time to round it up and shut it down for the night.  See you in the morning for the weekly sketch.

OWH Virtual Card Party

This is my card for Challenge 2 - recipe:  2 patterned papers, 1 image and 3 words.

Penny Black stamp - tree
Hobby Lobby Paper
Sentiment - Hero Arts
Hero Arts Ink