Fall Blessings

Indian Summer is my favorite time of the year. How 'bout you?

When the summer temps are high and uncomfortable, I admit it: I pretty much fold like a cheap beach chair. But come Autumn, I feel refreshed and revived. It's definitely my time of the year. There's something about crisp leaves, cool days, apples, pumpkins, rosy cheeks, warm and wooly sweaters and delicious bowls of warm comfort food that brings me back from the nearly-dead.

With several challenges and Autumn in mind, I created this card using one of the digital images from artist Chris at Sketching Stamper that I resurrected from my digi stash. I colored this using Prismacolor pencils with Gamsol. The 'zen' takes over and I can color for hours with pencils.

Today's challenges...
Corrosive Challenge -Shake off the dust - unused image from my stash
Creative Craft World - Fall theme
Gingerloft Challenge  Halloween
Robyn's Fetish Challenge -Keep it simple
Opus Gluei - Easel card
Stamp It Crazy- recycle something (buttons from an old garment)
Dare U 2 Digi Stamp - shaped cards

Before I sign off.. if you love garlic and shrimp, check out this recipe at my food blog.. it's delish, very easy and so worth trying.

Ciao for now, friends!

A Furry Friend

Happy Monday everyone..! I hope that this week is terrific for you.... wherever you are in blogland!

This is a card that I made for a few challenges. It's a little 'bright' for my typical style.. but it's one of those cards that looks better in real life.

DareU2DigiStamp - where it's about buttons this week
Teddy-Stampers - the card must include one ribbon, two designer papers and 3 brads/buttons (Thanks Sharon for telling me about this!)
Sweet Sunday Sketch - and here's the sketch parameters
Paperplay Challenges - use an image with one of our 'furry friends'

And my interpretation...

I used one of the very first digital images that I purchased from Sketching Stamper.... and this little cutie has traveled to many baby showers for the most delightful party favors!  It's so versatile~ Chris Dark does such a fab job on her images.

'Til next time... enjoy your day and be safe in all you do. Thanks so much for taking time to stop by and say hello.
Hugs,

Think Spring!

So this doesn't count as being an 'obscure' occasion for us... 'but January is National Hobby Month and that means we get to celebrate what we love to do all month long.

I am so sick of snow, frigid temps and being house-bound... how 'bout you? So I chose to make something that reminded me of Spring. Daffodils fit the bill as they are one of the first bulbs to flower. I love daffodils.. just wish the local deer wouldn't use them as snacks!

Today's card is for a few challenges. I used the sketch from Mercy's Tuesday sketch challenge #56 for this week, did some Cuttlebug embossing for the dare at Digital Tuesday Challenge, and added a grosgrain bow and button for the challenge at Tuesday morning sketches.

This digital image is one of my very first digis I purchased when I found it at Sketching Stamper. Artist Christine Dark does amazing botanical designs great for coloring enthusiasts... I love her work!

Thanks for stopping by, enjoy your day and think Spring!!

'Til next time have fun and be safe in all you do!

Details: Daffodil image from Sketching Stamper, Cuttlebug embossing folders, prisma pencils with OMS, ribbon from Michael's, button from my stash, misc DP, Neenah white cardstock.

A Crafter's Journey

Happy New Year friends, followers, fellow bloggers! I hope that you enjoyed a safe and delightful celebration of 2010 with something bubbly to sip! Did 2009 just zip by or what?

Looking back this past year, I realized how much my card-making has certainly developed along the way... much of which is a result of so many great blogs that I visit and the creative inspiration and interaction that I get from so many of you.
I've been very fortunate as 2009 brought me so many great things...

...the opportunity to participate in the charter design teams of Dustin Pike and KLM Digital Designs. Katy and her Mom, Sue, two terrific ladies of KLM, will remain forever friends. With Katy's help I have a beautiful blog -- the chronicle of my creative journey. Thanks Katy!!

It's also the year that I found digital images.. those of the very talented Chris Dark at Sketchin' Stamper, and of Mo Manning of Mo's Digital Pencil. If you don't know the story about Mo, I was blurfing one day and came across her book and illustration site - she's an author of children's book and artist of fantastic images. Being the fanatic that I am for coloring, I knew I would love to color her type of work. I just couldn't resist, so I wrote to Mo and asked if she would ever consider doing her illustrations for stampers. Then, after many emails back and forth, Mo created her new digital stamp business, and the rest is history. Mo now has so many faithful followers. I am so proud to have been part of this wonderful venture for Mo and to take an important part in her charter challenge design team. Can you image listening to a total stranger from out of the blue in blogland and then acting on a request?

Last year was also time for me to move on from Stampin' Up. It was a great springboard for me as a new stamper, but when the new independent consultant agreement was introduced, I wasn't about to compromise my personal and ethical beliefs, creative license, and freedom of speech. And yes, the world beyond the limits of SU is truly amazing...and it's validated from so many of you day after day.

In late July, I met the very talented Michelle Zindorf when I attended her beginner and advanced workshops in Columbia, Missouri. WOW... the tips that you learn in her classes are amazing. Brayering is a whole new world and I'm only at the tip of the iceberg! The options are endless. Thank you Michelle for sharing your creative talent!

In my 'spare' time, I started my blog Operation M.O.M.... which is dedicated to cooking, kitchen tips and stuff about life. A significant goal this year is to dedicate more time to sharing things I've learned through my love of cooking, crafting, decorating, basic time management and being organized at home. Watch for some great stuff!

Since 2009 was my first full year of blogging, I picked two of my favorite projects to show you today. Both happen to be colored with Prisma and Lyra pencils (my fav) and are images from Mo's collection. The challenge at Quixotic Paperie this week is to share your fav... but I couldn't narrow it down more than this. You should check out their blog candy.. wow!

So, it's a new year, a new decade, with new creations, goals and resolutions. I hope you will join me in this creative and exciting journey to see what 2010 will bring all of us. I've resolved to take more creative risks and set some pretty decent goals for myself. How 'bout you?

My wish for you is that you have a most creative, productive, resourceful 2010. May your mojo be ever-present!! Thanks for stopping by, and until next time, be safe in all you do.

Mercy's Sketch Challenge #51

Hi everyone.. I hope you are staying dry and warm in your neck of the woods.. the weather looks a little challenging for us here smack dab in the center of the US over the next few days. That means lots of time for me in the Wired Angel's Craft Grotto working on projects. It might also be a good time to head to the mall because so many others don't dare go out in this weather!

Every Tuesday is Mercy's Sketch Challenge, and although I only participated once recently, I do have good intentions every week as I really like Mercy's style. Life just seems to get in the way of well-meaning plans. That never happens to you, right??!

I used this digital image from Sketching Stamper earlier this week when I colored it with Copic markers for another project, but I had to try this using Prisma and Lyra pencils this time. I really love the classic look of this image... a Della Robbia look.

Thanks for stopping by and visiting. I hope you have a terrific day. Be safe in all you do.

Dare U 2 Digi Stamp Challenge

Happy Saturday everyone! I hope you aren't spending time at the malls fighting your way through crowds and pulling your hair out, but rather enjoying a terrific day.

So while I'm doing double duty finishing up some Christmas cards for those on my list, this card is also for the Dare U 2 Digi Challenge that Sandra and Christine host every other Friday.. or as my friends across the Pond would say... a fortnight!! This challenge is to use red, green and a neutral of choice. And, this image was perfect.

One of the first digital images I ever purchased was designed by Christine Dark at Sketching Stamper....and that's how I knew digital images were the way to go!! Besides instant gratification, there's no issues with storage... I can make it any size I want... and the UPS guy doesn't have to show up at my door. This is just one from my recent purchase. If you haven't noticed, I really love botanicals!

The digital image was colored with Copic markers on white linen paper, framed in red pepper linen paper (both Neenah) and some DP from my stash that I really want to use up. The card is 5.5" square.  'Love this elegant, clean look.

So, enjoy your day... and be safe in all you do.  Thanks for stopping by!

Catchin' Up

My Design D.I.V.A.S. group at Splitcoast does weekly challenges especially geared for sending to our Secret Sisters.. and although I've been following along and diligently making items, I haven't been able to post with other commitments related to Design Team projects... so, I have two items to show you as I play catch-up.

First, there's the Secret Sister Birthday challenge. And here's a card I did for my SS. It's a digital image from Chris at Sketching Stamper... These California poppies remind me of when I lived in San Diego.....and I colored with Copic Markers. I hope she likes it - it's about her, not me.

And then two weeks or so ago, we were to make a package or box of some type... so I chose to make two 'purses' that include my famous (very secret) spice mix and recipe for homemade "Boursin-type" cheese.. this is SOO yum and everyone loves it. What better secret to give a secret sister??

I've still got a scrapling to do to catch up...more on that once I've got it made. Thanks for stopping by... enjoy your day, and be safe in everything you do.

Dare You 2 Digi Stamp Challenge 5

Hello everyone..

Today I have a card to show you that I designed for the fifth challenge at Dare You 2 Digi Stamp (DY2DS)… It’s a sketch this week, hosted by our friends Sandra and Chris, from across the Pond. This is a Friday challenge, but since they are currently at least six hours ahead of us… and very close to Greenwich Mean Time, they are fast asleep (well, maybe).. and I have had the opportunity to design this while enjoying a hot cup of PG Tips… the most wonderful tea that the UK has to offer!

This beautiful digital image is from Chris of Sketching Stamper and you can view her wonderful designs here. With Mother’s Day approaching here in the States, it would be perfect. I have always loved the combination of yellow and black. I think it’s such a striking contrast and a perfect Spring card.

Thanks for stopping by! Enjoy your Friday and have a wonderful weekend!

Details: Paper Pizzazz designer paper, SU designer paper, black and white linen cardstock, SU Vanilla Grosgrain ribbon, So Saffron paper, Copic markers, Sketching Stamper Digital Image.

Dare You To Digi-Stamp Challenge

Each week the DY2DS design team provides us opportunities to get creative and think outside the box. This week Chris and Sandra conjured up a color combination challenge of pink and green, and there's a prize involved: two single digi stamp downloads - one from Sketching Stamper and one from Sandra Dry Digital designs. Check out all of the beautiful pink and green combinations using digital images that the gals made here. Isn't it so refreshing to work with beautiful Spring colors?

Details: Calla Lily digi-image from Sketching Stamper, Prisma pencils with Gamsol, Basic Grey Porcelain Designer Paper, 120lb white cardstock, salmon ribbon from Michael's.

A Fleet of Teddy Bears!

You know that baby shower favor that I shared with you in an earlier post.. well, here's the final project.. It's an entire fleet of teddy bears. They are all decked out and ready to go to the party... I'm just awaiting a list of the attendees so I can place their names on the front of the gift package and these will become the name cards for seating at the baby shower luncheon.

For this project, I colored the teddy bear digital image from Sketching Stampers (thank you Chris for your lovely designs!) using Prisma and Lyra pencils, and blended with Gamsol. I then scanned my image, inserted them and printed using MS Word. Each teddy was cut out using my Nesties Oval and Scallop dies and affixed to the SU Top Die frame that was done in Bashful Blue. They were popped them up using SU Dimensionals.

Inside I've tucked a cello bag of various Hershey's Kisses, including: caramel, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, hugs, and of course, Hershey's with almonds. Who doesn't love some form of chocolate regardless of the occasion? Teddy Bears = Kisses!! Right??

Baby Shower Favor

This is a sample shower favor that I made for the proud Grandma-to-be to see! The SU Top Note die cut item has a paper bag between the two pieces of Bashful Blue cardstock, and it’s ideal to hold a bag of chocolates or cookies for the guests to enjoy. Each person’s name is placed on the front to also make this a place setting.

I colored the teddy bear image (a digital image from Sketching Stamper's website) using Prisma and Lyra pencils and then Gamsol to blend. I used white linen paper, SU’s Bashful Blue and So Saffron. The oval and scallop were cut using oval and scallop Nestabilities.

Dare U 2 Digistamp

Hello, and happy Friday! We are now another week closer to retirement (oh, that's soooo scarey!!)

Here's a card that I made for a sketch lay-out challenge I found while surfing tonight. It's a digital image from Sketching Stamper, and Chris, the owner, happens to be one of the members that heads the DT for "Dare you to Digi"! You can also find the link to Sketching Stamper on the left side of my blog. Check out Chris' designs ~ she's so talented!

I colored "Elise", one of Chris' digital stamps, with Prisma and Lyra pencils using Gamsol to blend and used a bit of Copic markers to highlight her hair a bit. I used Neenah white linen cardstock, Stampin' Up's Pink Pirouette (perfect for a Ballerina!), and the most perfect designer paper that I think I purchased at JoAnn's a while back. Even the ballet slippers were cut from designer paper.

From what I can tell, this is the first of their weekly Friday challenges and you can get to their site by clicking on the title of this post. Why not join in on the fun with our friends across the Pond?

Enjoy!

Teddy Bear love

Do you love teddy bears? I do because each has such a unique personality whether you are sewing them, or coloring them. There's something about a teddy bear that automatically generates a smile.This digi-stamp from Sketching Stamper is adorable and so versatile (see link on the left!). I've colored this image at least five times already because it's a great image to work with. This was colored with pencils and it's perfect for a little person's birthday, or to just say hi!

Details:

Image: Sketching Stamper digital image Teddy Bear (computer generated printing)

Ink: Prisma pencils with gamsol.

Paper: White Linen, DCWV Premium Stack: Nana's Kids

Coloring With Pencils

I recently found this great website where I can purchase and download floral images just like these two. Check out my link on the left to Sketching Stamper Digi-Stamps. Christine, the owner, was so helpful with all of my questions about digi-stamps.

This is the type of coloring that I really enjoy doing.. an image that I can shade and lay color to create depth. I could do this technique for hours and hours (and I do!!). It's so relaxing and therapeutic!

These are colored with Prisma and Lyra pencils and worked with Gamsol using blending stumps and tortillons.The daffodil image has a bit of a glare in the photo as I used a bit of stickles at the center of the flowers. In real life it looks much better.