Monochromatic Card - SSS Monday Challenge

I made this card for the September 16th  Monochromatic Challenge over at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge.  Obviously, I didn't make the deadline.

I chose to use 'white' as my main color.  Looking at the other cards, I am wondering how people define 'monochromatic'. I thought you had to use one color family.

Anyway, it was a great motivator to get a birthday card made for one of my sisters, and to get it in the mail along with a gift before her birthday this coming Monday. Ta da! Mission Accomplished.

Looking at it now, it could be a winter scene.

Winter? We are just now transitioning into fall, having said goodbye to our beloved summer this past weekend. Sniff.

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: White, textured white: Stampin' Up
Patterned Paper: Stampin Up (I'm pretty sure! My stash is pretty old!)
Dies: Countryside Circle by Memory Box (2016), and Happy Birthday by Simon Says Stamp (2015)
Pop up foam to raise the top panel. There are three layers to this card (base, patterned paper, top panel). Four, if you then count the sentiment on top.  

Yes, all my supplies for this card are older!  Still love them:)

Thanks for looking.

Simon Says Stamp - Wednesday Challenge "Bling It On" and Stamping Bella

Stamping Bella 'Sposabella'

Closer look at pearlescent chalk and glitter

Another close up shot

I'm home with a cold. So, after a nice long nap, I got restless and decided to create a card for the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge,'Bling it On' which is showcasing Stamping Bella.

Side note: I have a great collection of 'older' Stamping Bella stamps! Going through them put a smile on my face. They are so adorable. :)

For the 'bling' I used:
Pebbles Inc. Pearlesent chalk - a layer on top of her dress
Doodle Bug Design Inc. Sugar Coating Glitter - on her bouquet and bottom of dress
Prima Marketing sequins in upper left and lower right corner

Other Goodies:
Stamp: Stamping Bella 'Sposabella'
Dies: Simon Says Stamp SSSD111373
Patterned Paper: Carta Bella Fall Market line
Copic markers
Gina K Amalgam ink

This little card just make me happy.

Honey Bee Stamps - Bee Hive

Honey Bee Stamps: Bee Hive & Bee Hive honey cuts

Sentiment from a 2009 Cornish Heritage Farms set!

I made this card back in May but never got around to posting it. I love those happy bees! 

 At the Simon Says Stamp Blog, this month is Stamptember, and today's feature is an exclusive set from Honey Bee Stamps - which is actually on it's way to my house this very moment.  I fell hard.

The new set is lovely, and I can't wait to use it during Kathy's next 30 Day Color Challenge!
 Mums, Autumn, and so many color options. 

Are you getting ready for Fall and the upcoming holidays?

 I had a reality check 'just' the other day.

I did some computing. I 'only' have 12 more days to get all my Christmas projects done.  This is due to only getting craft time on Sundays, since I work full-time and for the life of me can't seem to get to my craft area in the evenings. In reality, there are 13 Sundays left, but I also have to ship gifts, and send my cards, so I say Twelve Sundays. But, shoot! I'll probably lose a couple more days due to travel plans.

I think I am now down to 11. Or even 10 craft days.  Hmmm.. I see a list in my future!

No Stamping SSS Wednesday Challenge - Feb 20 2019

Two Cards Using Two SSS Dies

Dies Used:  SSS Woodland Tree and Happy Birthday

** Edited 4.5 hours later**  I found the dies! Pictured above:)



I know.. it's been over a year since I blogged!

With the ease of posting on Instagram and FB right from my phone this poor place has been dormant. Plus, well, last year was not one for much sharing, in terms of here.  It was a very crazy year with 'recovering' and changes.  But life is back on track now!  I guess you could say 2018 was the year of reflection.  My apologies.  However, thanks to the Wednesday card challenge over at Simon Says Stamp, I am dusting off the blog, and hopefully I will be here more often. 

The Feb. 20th Wednesday Challenge is to not use a stamp, and to use SSS products. So, here you have it.  I made two cards.  And, I set those darn dies somewhere and can't find them! 

I also tried using some ink blending with distress inks on the 2nd card, but had a 'mess' from the glue I used to put down the sentiment at top.  Hence, the black touch ups. Sigh...

Thanks for stopping by!

ps.  I think the first tree needs something, perhaps a bird added to it.  I'll work on that!  Funny what you think of when you can see your work in a photo!


If I find those dies, I'll come back and edit this post.

SSS Wednesday Challenge - Christmas Tag

Christmas Tag - Stenciled background (click on image to see close up details)

Supplies Used For Making Tag Backgrounds

The theme for this week's  Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge is Christmas Tags.

 Edited:  For the challenge, we are to enter into Tracey's 25 Days of Christmas Tags, and say which day we are entering, and which tag we were inspired by.

This entry is for Day 1.
Inspired by: Gayatri's tag - I loved her vintage look.

First, I inked my kraft tag with Ranger distress ink.  Then, using  a SSS stencil (Stars & Dots) I used white craft ink to 'lay down' the stars and dots.

After that, I embellished with goodies from my Christmas stash:  A Stampin-Up tree, sequins, a sticker, and behind the tree are two strips of washi tape (Ali Edwards).  Finished it off with the silver cord.

Thanks for stopping by!

SSS Wed. Challenge - Photo Inspiration/Paper Smooches

This week's challenge at the Simon Says Wednesday Challenge is based off a photo for inspiration and the use of Paper Smooches products.

My Card (click on image for better view)

Supplies Used

The Photos & Colors to Use As Inspiration

Supplies Used:
Stamps: Little leaf from Paper Smooches Fall Sampler Set
Dies: Grateful: Paper Smooches; Tree and leaves:Paper Smooches Seasonal Tree
Cardstock and patterned Papers - My stash of goods
Inks:  Ranger Distress Inks (used with little leaf and to alter the sentiment)

Thanks for Visiting! 

SSS Wed. Challenge - Thinking of You: Memory Box

Thinking of You

Side View of Layers

This is my entry for the Simon Says Wed. Challenge - Thinking of You. Which ends tomorrow morning.

The challenge is featuring Memory Box supplies, and for this card I used the Tree Branch Circle die by Memory Box.

Other Supplies Used:
Hero Arts 'thinking of you' sentiment from the Hello Stamp & Cut set; watering Can Archival ink; four different layers of card stock (die cut image x 2, black background, and main card); and the water-colored image I created with Ranger distress inks, a white Uniball gel pen, and a 'mountain range' stamp from the Hero Arts 'Road Trip' set (stamped in different layers).

On the Home Front:
Rosie, our sweet kitty, is on my lap.  She hasn't been eating for days. Just sipping water. I am taking her to the vet this morning.  Jake came over last night (from school) to spend time with her and we face-timed with Sami (who is also off at school) so she could talk with Rosie.  We are preparing ourselves.  She has been 'huddled up', doesn't purr, and feels cold when we hold her.  If you have read this far, please send warm thoughts/prayers for her.  She came from the ranch to live with me six years ago when the kids said I needed 'someone' to keep me company when they weren't here.  My heart. 

The Card Concept 79 - Giving Thanks

Challenge Image

Happy Sunday!
I got up bright and early today (well, yes, I wake up early anyway, but today I made an effort to get up much earlier) to get my Card Concept 79 project completed before hitting the road. 

My entry below was inspired by the neutral colors above - mainly the white pumpkins and gray.  And, the style I am using from the Card Concept blog is Style #2: Clean and Layered with white space.

Stamp Used:  Pumpkin from the Hero Arts Set 'Month November' from 2008 (I collected about half of the months!).

Other Supplies: Simon Says Stamp 'Giving Thanks' steel craft die; Patterned Paper from Cocoa Daisy September kit; twine from Stampin' Up, and cardstock from Stampin' Up, Copic marker #C0 use for the gray frame around the pumpkin and on the 'thanks', and pumpkin image stamped with Archival Ink 'watering can'.

Giving Thanks - Entry for Card Concept #79

About Today's Adventure:
Our weather forecast is showing a 'warmer day' today, as in the 60's, which is the highest temp for this past week. However, right now?  It's currently 25 degrees out!  Yet the sun is shining and our goal is to take a road trip, hike, have a picnic and chase fall colors. 

First up?  A stop at our favorite bakery to pick up Halloween treats to send off to my two college kids, and of course, a little sample snack for us! 

Thanks for visiting..

Sympathy Card and Thoughts January 14, 2017

A Card made for Bonnie, in memory of Gene

One of my favorite neighbors died recently.  So, I made this card, and took it over to his wife, Bonnie, along with some homemade chicken soup.  We visited for a while.  It was earlier this week, January 9th.  The sky was clear and for once amidst all the latest snow storms, it was a lovely, quiet night.  Perfect for the short walk and time of peace.

Gene was a wonderful man.  A local artist, cowboy and great story teller.  He - Gene, and his wife -Bonnie, have lived in the Baker area for quite a few years, except for a ten-year stint to work in Wyoming as well as central Oregon.  He has driven a mule train for various events, made bronze sculpture, painted many western themes, and had a gentle heart. He was part of the horse crew when Painted Wagon was filmed in Baker. 

One of our first years here, in town, he walked across the street, on ice, on Christmas Day, leaning on his cane, and brought us a gift - one of his art pieces.  It is of a mamma bear and two cubs. I am very lucky to have received it and will cherish it always. The kids and I used to visit him in his little studio, which has a woodstove, and is adjacent to his home.  That is where he would share his stories, and art with us and latest projects.  He had a miniature wagon team that he made, and various projects in the works.

I hate losing people. It hits me hard.  Makes me cry.  Makes me sad.  I am not attached to very many human beings, mainly because I have a low tolerance for choices people make that I think are unforgivable, like bigotry, or adultery, and even gossip about one's supposed friends, spouses or even co-workers.  Therefore, my list of people that I truly admire is, well, short. 

Rest in Peace, Gene. 
You will be missed.

Giving Thanks - A Card for Auntie Rachel and #dailymarker30day

Thursday Morning Before Work:  Bright and Early Project! I colored the background

Saturday - Worked to get the card done

Pens, Ink, Washi Supplies

Final Card: Giving Thanks for You

As mentioned before, I am following Kathy's #dailymarker30day challenge.

The first photo is from coloring the Hero Arts background stamp on day #17 of the challenge, with Thanksgiving in mind. 

And, today, day 19, I finished the card. The background morphed quite a bit, eh?

I used Vintage Photo Distress Ink to turn it brown.

This card is actually getting sent to my Aunt Rachel.  She sent a beautiful box of my Grandma Marina's treasure to me: a knit sweater that my Grandma made (it fits beautifully), one of my Grandma's crocheted doilies, another recipe of my Grandmothers (to add to my collection), and a lovely letter from my Aunt on how all of these things made their way to me.

What a treasure.  My Grandmother died earlier this year, in January, at the well lived aged of 104.  She was one amazing woman.  I traveled to California  and was able to see a lot of my Campos relatives, including my mother Grace.  The time and celebration spent with everyone will be treasured for many, many years.  We celebrated in Monterey, right on the ocean.  And we did a lot of story telling, many while drinking martini's in my little cottage room. 

Anyway, here are the supplies used for getting this card done!
Ranger Archival Ink - Potting Soil (used for stamped images)
A variety of Copic pens
Micron .03
Precision Pen .05
Doodlebug Designs 'Fall Flurry' Washi Tape
Hero Arts CG679 Graphic Leaves Background Stamp (Found out this was part of a Basic Grey collaborative - there used to be matching patterned papers!)
Paper Smooches Fall Sampler stamps: Leaf, and sentiment
Simon Says Stamp Giving Thanks Steel Craft Die
Bo Bunny Farmers Market journal card (behind the Giving Thanks die image)

WCMD With a Moxie Fab Challenge

 

Today is WCMD and all sorts of challenges are going on.   After a day of self imposed honey do's around the house (single mama, been gone a week = boatloads of chores), I finally made a card. :) 

Above is a sketch from the Moxie FAB blog: Moxie FAB WCMD Sketch Challenge


Back story: This past week I was in Bend, Oregon for work, and a good friend watched my kittie Rosie, once again!  This is about the third time Katie has come to my rescue to check in on my gato.  And, I am overdue for giving a sweet thank-you gift (chocolates from a super cute little store in Downtown Bend) and card.  So, with that, I was inspired by the sketch. I actually love the way the patterned papers worked with this sketch.

Here is my interpretation (followed to the T, need a card quick!):

WCMD Moxie FAB Challenge Card

 Goodies Used:
Stamps: Kitty:Inkadinkadoo (MEOW collection); Sentiment: Paper Smooches (Sentiment Sampler)
Cardstock, patterned paper (Fancy Pants Beloved collection), vellum:  Simon Says January 2014 Card Kit
Enamel Dot: MME Now and Then 

My kittie is orange and white.  So that's her, giving her personal thanks to Katie! Why yes, I will 'sing it' for her:)

Happy WCMD my crafty friends!

Read all About It! Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge and Blog Candy

Today, on this beautiful and action packed Labor Day, I was able to sneak in a card for this week's Simon Says Stamp And Show Challenge which is 'Read all About it'. And, in honor of Stamptember, their month long celebration, I used a couple of stamps from the Hero Arts/Studio Calico set 'I Love Books'.


But, before you look at my entry, you HAVE TO go to the challenge and read about the Blog Hop and GREAT giveaways to be had, as well as the GRAND PRIZE for entering the challenge!!!!   SWOON!  So many great things happening this month with Stamptember.  Lots of artists, new stamps, techniques.  I was sure regretting having to say goodbye to summer, but now?  Bliss!


OK, here is my card:

Card Recipe:
Layers:  Cardstock (Kraft card base from Archivers), altered text patterned paper (Simple Stories 'Summer Fresh' line),  Yellow dotted patterned paper (MME - Lost & Found Two), and.. a bookplate that I have been hoarding for many years (Antioch Publishing).
What I did to the text pp:  1. Stamped with the 'every book is an adventure stamp' in Ranger embossing ink, and embossed with clear embossing powder.  Applied Heat. 2. Applied Ranger Distress Vintage Photo ink with an applicator across the surface, then rubbed ink off embossed text with baby wipe.  Applied Distress Black Soot to the edges. 
What I added to the bookplate:  Stamped 'I Love Books' on the panel with Stazon Jet Black ink. 
Embellishments: Orange twine, black button, and yellow thread.  All from my stash of goods.

I love this theme!  I am an avid reader and snatched the Hero Arts/Studio Calico 'I Love Books' set the moment it came out.  The bookplates also tugged at my heart with the promise of adventure, the sweet boy escaping in a tree and the moon in the background (I have a thing for the full moon)! 

Speaking of which:  Would you like to have one of these bookplates sent to you for your own project?  Just leave me a comment on this post, and five lucky people will get one (along with some other goodies) in their mail!   I will do a drawing a week from today, on September 10th.

Thanks for visiting!