One Card --- Two Challenges!

I hope everyone had a wonderful and blessed Easter weekend! This is the first day I've had time to make any cards. I really missed the time in my studio, so today made me feel great!

This card actually fits two challenges. The first one is the Whiff of Joy weekly challenge #25, which I always love and, again, got in under the wire. The sketch by Katharina was such fun. The second challenge is the very first for Copic Creations and is coloring faces and skin tones.

Our beautiful Willow is sitting in a bed of flowers. She is colored with Copics and the flowers were pulled from a $1.00 stem from Walmart (talk about economical!), dipped in glitter and held together with simple white brads. The DP is Basic Grey's Porcelain Collection. It is so delicate and charming. The bottom edge is made with one of my favorite Martha Stewart edge punches.

Thank you for stopping by for a look! I'm looking forward to more time in the studio this week. Spring is finally making a more colorful showing here in SW Missouri and I hope you all are enjoying this beautiful season, too.

Happy Easter and Glorious Spring!

Happy Easter and Glorious Spring!

Easter Reflections

by Helen Steiner Rice

With OUR EYES we see

The beauty of Easter

As the earth awakens once more...

With OUR EARS we hear

The birds sing sweetly

To tell us Spring again is here..

With OUR HANDS we pick

The golden daffodils

And the fragrant hyacinths...

But only with OUR HEARTS

Can we feel the MIRACLE of GOD'S LOVE

Which redeems all men...

And only with OUR SOUL

Can we make our 'pilgrimage to God'

And inherit His Easter Gift of ETERNAL LIFE.

BIG NEWS! I'M NOW A DESIGNER!!

It has been so hard to keep this secret the last few days!! A brand new blog Sunday Sketch and Stamp is starting up and I was selected for the first design team!! Woo hoo! You just wouldn't believe how big this is for me! I just can't wait to get started! You'll be seeing our first sketch soon so be sure to check back often! Thanks go to Maggie Bob, our founder. Please be sure to check out her blog as well as the blogs of the other five designers: Simonne, Ger, Clare, Stephanie, and Adrianne. I am truly blessed to be in very good company! Our bios will be posted soon, too. As I have said before, this is a very caring and encouraging community and I am sure I wouldn't be seeing this dream come true if it wasn't for my paper craft pals. Hugs to y'all!

We have our DT in place and we are also looking for sponsors. It is so much fun to win some of the amazing scrapping goodies out there. If you are interested in sponsoring a week, or two, or 20, please let me or Maggie Bob know. You will be much appreciated!

Another Favorite Sarah Kay....

This is going to be a very busy week with my brother and his fiance coming this weekend, cleaning house, and doing taxes (yep, I procrastinate out of fear!). I still want to get entries in my favorite challenges and maybe a surprise or two this week!

The card I have today is from a sketch I found on Tina's Kreativblog back in February. Do you hang on to favorite sketches? I have enough to keep me busy for months! Anyway, this sketch was Stamp with Stampavie Challenge #31 and I love the slight angle of the background layer. It does create a bit of an optical illusion, especially with geometric DP. But that is half the fun, right?

So, here is "Puppy Love" and I love this puppy because he reminds me of my three Shih Tzus! Margeux is colored with my beloved Copics and layered on papers from the gorgeous Basic Grey Marrakesh collection. The brads in the upper right corner as well as those in the flowers are from the Marrakesh collection, too. The little puppy is offering a key to Margeaux, so I finally had a chance to use one of the hand-wrought iron keys from my embellies stash.

Here is the sketch. If you haven't used it yet, I recommend it. I'll probably use it again!

Busy week and all, I'll try to get back with something new every day. Yep, I'm hooked!

Thanks for stopping by!

With A Friend Like Carolyn..........

................ my life is truly blessed!!

Many of you know Carolyn over at P.M.S. etc; if you don't, pop over there right now and get to know this fabulous lady and look at her amazing art! WAIT! First take a look at what she sent me:

Isn't this just the cutest card? Carolyn knows that I love photography and this image from House Mouse Designs is made more perfect by her coloring and the love she puts in every stroke. The card is just wonderful! Photos just don't do it justice. Not until you hold one of Carolyn's creations in your hand do you see the details like tiny flecks of glitter, absolute precision in cutting, and out-of-this-world creativity. I love this card almost as much as I love the bubbly, classy lady who made it for me! Thank you, dear friend, for sending me this treasure!

But this isn't all I found in the package... for months I have been "threatening" to set aside my Copics, take up my Prismacolors and try my hand at some House Mouse images. Well, Carolyn sent me so many adorable images of the House Mouse, along with his pals Happy Hoppers bunnies and Gruffies bears, that I just have to make good on my threats! Oh, and more Sarah Kay cuties, too. I am one lucky lady!

Like I said, with a friend like Carolyn, I am truly blessed!! She is a God-send!

Carolyn, thank you so much! Love and hugs and chocolate kisses to you!

Ok, now you can rush right over to P.M.S. Etc!

Catalog Color Scheme #2

Last week I posted a card I made after seeing a bedding ensemble color scheme I liked in a catalog. Well there was another color scheme I liked in that catalog and here is the card I made from it. Again, a simple layout, letting the image and DP take the stage.

Whiff of Joy's Willow is colored with my Copics and nestled on frames cut from my Nesties. The DP is the charming DCWV Blossoms and Butterflies. The charm says "Imagine". I chose it because I think Willow looks a bit wistful here, as if lost in her imagination.

This is the bedding ensemble from the Penneys catalog. I love the mix of colors here.

And here is Willow's close up.

Don't forget to browse through those catalogs before tossing them into the recycle bin! They are full of inspiration!

Be sure to come back tomorrow! I will be showcasing a gem from my adorable friend Carolyn, who I compare to a rare champagne because she is "classy, bubbly and has very good taste!"

I hope you all have a wonderful week!

Mojo Monday Week 80

After regularly visiting Mojo Monday I finally completed a card to meet the MOJO80 weekly challenge! This was a fun sketch, one that I will probably use over and over.

I used this adorable Sarah Kay image that is a favorite of mine because I also love to paint, but just don't get a chance to. She is colored with Copics. Then I used papers from Basic Grey Sugared Collection, lightly sanding and distressing to add texture. The medallion cut-out is also Basic Grey. The cream colored mulberry paper is topped with gold-trimmed ivory ribbon. Add three pearls and it's done! Easy and classic!

Thanks for stopping by! I hope to make Mojo Monday part of my weekly plan. Now I'm off to look at all the other great pieces.

Whiff of Joy #24 --- Let's Get Dirty!

The Whiff of Joy Challenge this week is let's get dirty --- as in distressed. Distressing the papers adds so much to the card and I love the look. One of my favorites I did recently for Heather's WOJ Challenge #21. I scraped edges like crazy on that one! So for this card I scraped plus sanded plus dabbed on antique linen distress ink. Here is the result:

I love this image of Willow kneeling. I used my Nesties to cut the image and also for the scalloped layer. A touch of Antique Linen distressing ink and some sanding "dirty" it up. She is colored in Copics bright colors which were pulled from the fabulous Basic Grey paper ensemble Marrakech. Even sanded and scraped this paper is amazing. This DP sparks so many ideas! It is no secret that I love colors, bright bold colors, and this ensemble is one that I will probably use up all the papers in the stack! The pretty brads in the centers of the flowers are Basic Grey's coordinating embellies. The flowers are miscellaneous from my stash, as is the sentiment which is stamped with Memento Sepia. Many of my embellishments I've had for years so things like the photo corners have long ago lost their identity, but have been waiting for just the right project to perch on.

Another fun challenge, design team! Thanks!

What to Do with Those Catalogs?

If you are like me you get catalogs in the mail, lots and lots of catalogs, whether you want them or not. Well, some of them I just have to look at, like the Penney's Home Sales. I have sufficient bedding, but I love to look at the beautiful bedding ensembles. One day it hit me --- these are terrific color schemes! Sometimes I just can't come up with something new or different for my cards. Well, ta-da! Check this one out!

I saw this and thought: t-shirt stripes, outdoorsy, masculine. So, Oakley, how about a new outfit? (I love the Whiff of Joy kids!)
Here he is perched on his favorite tree stump under a tree, wishing a happy birthday to a special boy. Colored with Copics YG25, E77, E33, and BG10.

Such a cute little guy!

The sentiment is a clear stamp from my stash and the top is the MS Picket Fence punch to match the front of the card.

So, what do you do with your catalogs? This might not be a break-through idea but it sure triggers the imagination! Try it out if you haven't already!

I've been tagged for a photo ....

There is a very fun meme going around and my friend Marion tagged me to play. The rules are simple: go into your pictures and open the fourth file then the fourth photo of that file and post it! Easy-peasy! So here is my photo:

This is actually a lantern from a railroad caboose.

I'm very glad that Marion tagged me because she prompted me to do another post that I've been wanting to do for awhile. Along with making cards I am working on building a business as a photographer. I also love Branson, my new home since October 2007. Putting both of those together resulted in another blog, The Family Branson, which hasn't gotten a lot of my attention lately. Playing this meme led to to the photo of the lantern so it seemed the perfect time to get the post written about the cafe that displays this lantern, and others like it. Hop on over to see more of Billy Gail's Cafe, and Branson!

Oh, yea, the other rule is to tag four others to play. I recently sent out a bunch of awards (which tagged a bunch of terrific crafters) so I invite anyone who wishes to play to pull the fourth picture of the fourth file in your pictures folder and share it with us. Ya' never know what you are going to get!

Prayers for Fargo-Moorehead Flood Victims

My brother's family lives in the flood-ravaged area of Fargo, ND-Moorehead, MN. Their home is safe but they have had to empty my brother's office and all have been working the sandbag lines. They are tired and hoping for better outcomes than predicted. Please keep these cities and the surrounding areas in your prayers and good thoughts.

Whiff of Joy #23 --- Donalda's Sketch

Donalda is a very talented designer and for Whiff of Joy Challenge this week she has given us a lovely sketch to build on. I already had some images colored so it didn't take any time for me to put this card together (and I didn't want to be under the wire like last week!)

I used Willow with flowers in an Easter theme. Willow is colored with Copics and framed in ovals cut with Nesties on my Cuttlebug. The DP is a very pretty Easter egg scrapbook paper I found at Michaels (forgot to get the brand name). The eggs are so pretty that it was a shame to cover them up so I cut some out, mounted them on white CS, added some embellies and 3D mounted them with foam tape. The lavendar pieces are scraps from other Spring cards and the ribbon is a swatch from a roll I found in the $1 bin at Michaels. I added a sweet heart charm with a cross embedded with tiny rhinestones. Oh, and check out the centers of the flowers --- who can resist little yellow bunny brads? All this lays on a bed of lattice patterned vellum which covers lavender textured CS.

Hmmm. The more I look at it, the more I like it. What do you think? Thank you, Donalda, for a very nice sketch!

My First Sarah Kay Images!

OK, I couldn't resist these adorable Sarah Kay images any longer!! And I am so happy I added these to my family of cute kids.

I chose the Country Girl because she reminded me of being a little girl from Iowa with opportunities to spend summers in the country. With spring upon us I just had to go bright with the colors, so I used my Copics lavishly, then added the nearly neon plastic flowers I found at Paper Wishes. After mounting those on the sparkly DCWV Blossoms and Butterflies DP I added this delightfully crazy colorful ribbon. The little embroidered chick adds a touch of Easter to the card. I had so much fun coloring this image and composing the card.

Meet Margaux! This image is very dear to me because I spent many hours standing at an easel back when I was doing oil paintings. Oh, how I miss those days! Taking colors from the DCWV Blossoms and Butterflies DP I colored Margaux with my Copics then spread some blue Shimmerz on her hat and jeans for a touch of glitz. The felt butterflies came from Oriental Trading. The inside verse is from Ralph Waldo Emerson and seemed to be perfect for this card to "My friend". I love these sweet girls and have more colored and ready to grace more cards!

I'm so glad you stopped by! Your comments and input are so important to me and I like visiting your blogs, too. So much talent out there!

Whiff of Joy Challenge #22 --- Green

This week's Whiff of Joy challenge was green, just green. I am slipping in right under the wire with my card, but couldn't resist working a card in just one color. Well, I did have to add some yellow, just a little!

Willow is colored with Copics on GP CS. The image was stamped with black Brillance heat set.

The white CS panel is embossed with my buddy the Cuttlebug which also made the die cut ovals with Nestabilities.

The butterflies and daisies are from Oriental Trading Company.

The shimmery ribbon came from Hobby Lobby.

Thanks for taking a look at my submission for the WOJ Challenge #22. Hopefully I will be quicker with Challenge #23!

Lemonade, Hugs, and Lady Bugs!

My DH was home this weekend for the first time in 18 days --- the downside of the life of a long-haul trucker. We spent time shopping and relaxing and working around the house. So I didn't get cards made, but I did some coloring. I can do that without being tucked away in my studio. He is on the road again so I caught up on reading blogs and I found a surprise or two!!

First, I remembered that my dear friend Carolyn had treated me to not one, but two awards!! She is such a sweetheart in immensely talented! (I'm sorry I didn't get these out sooner, hon!)

I am passing this huggable little guy to Lauri, Joan, Nancy, Marion, and Julie H. "in appreciation of your lovely and witty comments and for always knowing the right thing to say at the right time".

These ladies are talented as well as caring, up beat, and supportive. Please take a look at their wonderful blogs.

Who doesn't love lemonade, especially with warm weather coming? Make mine pink, please, with a touch of strawberry. This cheerful lemonade stand is rolling on to Pattie, Nancy, Lauri, Marion, and Julie, 5 people who have shown a great attitude or gratitude this week and every week. I appreciate them!

Then this weekend Leigh blessed me with this adorable Lady Bug --- isn't she pretty?! I am passing this on to 10 papercrafters who are constant sources of inspiration to me: Carolyn, Kym, Joan, Amy, Mina, Lynette, Shannon, Chrissie, Barbara, and Helen. All very creative ladies.


This community of artist-bloggers is very amazing! I appreciate all the contacts I make, every chance to learn and improve my craft, and the friendships. So, if you visit my blog and leave comments, please feel free to take any or all of these awards as your own, too. Hugs from me to you!

Nancy, Carolyn, Oma, Leigh, and Shannon: It's time to watch your mailbox!

On February 25 I ran this post: Would You Like To Win An Original "Made For Keeps"? Five wonderful ladies made comments and, as promised, I made something special for each of them. Those special somethings were mailed today. Ladies, please remember to post a photo of what you get.

I haven't posted any of the items here yet, but I just couldn't resist showing sneak peeks! So, who is getting what? Nancy, Carolyn, Oma, Leigh, Shannon?

Thank you for playing, ladies!

New WINNER of My Blog Candy

I have put Random.org to work one more time because, unfortunately, I did not get an address from the first winner. So, I hope everyone is still checking in, because the NEW WINNER is:

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:

72
Timestamp: 2009-03-19 14:07:07 UTC

Amy at Fits-and-Starts

Congratulations, Amy! Please email me your snail-mail address and I will sent the poppies right off to you!

For a Little Girl's Birthday and for a Friend

Today was a day for laundry and working on house cleaning, so I didn't get any cards made. But I did make several yesterday. I'm showing a couple of those tonight. The others I made yesterday complete the group of cards for the five lovely ladies that won the chance for an original Made For Keeps card and those will be sent out soon. They will be showing them on their blogs (I hope!).

Our Grand-niece will be 5 years this weekend. When my husband showed her a photo of one of my cards she said, "I want one of those!" She liked Willow of Whiff of Joy and all the flowers. So the card below is pink with lots of flowers and with Willow painted with Copics. I think she'll like it (especially with a $5 bill inside --- wink)!

Recently I bought a bunch of new Copic Sketches, especially in pastel colors, and they arrived just in time for the new WOJ Spring images. I am so crazy about the Copics!! I purposely kept the coloring light on this image (those who know me know I love rich colors and deep shading for a near-3-D effect) and I am OK with it. It is such a sweet image, in any case, and the card will be sent to a dear friend.

The last load of laundry is about done (towels) so it is time for a relaxing shower and wrapping up in a fresh towel while it is still warm ..... mmmm. I think a cup of peach herbal tea will make a nice nightcap, too!

Nite-nite! Sleep tight!

Call Out for Blog Candy Winner.......

Just a reminder........ The winner of my blog candy needs to email me her address so I can send the goodies! If I don't hear from kotenok77 by 12:00 midnight (GMT -6) Wednesday, March 18, I will draw another number.

Thanks again to everyone who left comments last week!

Birthday Boy!

Last night I promised you a peek at the third card I made yesterday. No sketch or challenge here, just my own layout. It seems I don't make many cards for boys and I really should. Now with this adorable image of Oakley from Whiff of Joy I can think of dozens of ways to use it! Oakley is colored with Copics, the birthday background is Cuttlebug embossing folder, the DP is K-ology, and the buttons from my stash. I really like these colors together for a little boy. How about you?

I made three cards today and you will see one of them here, maybe tomorrow. But the other two will hopefully appear later on either Carolyn's, Leigh's, Oma's, Shannon's, or Nancy's blogs. These are the five lovely ladies who will be getting a Made For Keeps original card (see this post).

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget the "wearin' o' the green" tomorrow!