Inky Impressions Challenge #7 - Masking

One of my favorite things about doing challenges is learning new techniques or using techniques I haven't used before. That's what I experienced this week with the challenge over at Inky Impressions --- masking. Masking isn't new, I just haven't done much of it. I like the effect, though.

So, here is my card:

Isn't Angelica just beautiful? I stamped her image, masked it, then stamped the picket fence from Northwoods Stamps. What a perfect background for her. I colored the images with Copics, then I layered the colorful papers from S-E-I Black Orchid. Add some prima flowers and a couple of novelty brads and I have a fun friendship card.

I am crazy about these adorable girls at Inky Impressions and look forward to new images soon. Their design team is fabulous, too! In fact, there is currently a call out for new DT members. Check it all out at Inky Impressions.

Thanks so much for stopping by! I've been absent the past few days and have some catching up to do. I will actually have another post up tonight, and tomorrow I will be doing the drawing for the winner of my blogoversary goodies. I hope your week started off well!

Barb

In God We Trust

First Blogiversary Blog Candy!

This post will remain at the top of my blog thru July 27. Please scroll down to see new posts. Thanks for visiting!

Last week this blog turned one year old! It is so hard to believe I've been doing this that long! I am having so much fun and learning so much. Just look at these two cards.......... the card on the left is one of the first I posted. The card on the right is one of the most recent. What a difference!

• First I discovered Whiff of Joy stamps and fell in love!
• Then came Sarah Kay, House Mouse, Rubbernecker Stamps, Greeting Farm, Our Daily Bread Designs, Inky Impressions, and more.
• My tool box expanded with Cuttlebug, Nestibilities, Score-pal, Xyron, Papertrey papers and higher quality inks.
• My media went from pastels and colored pencils to PrismaColors and Copics (my absolute favorites!).
• How can I forget my favorite places to shop? Most are listed in the sidebar.
• But I wouldn't have advanced at all if it wasn't for the dozens of blogs I have found along the way, and the new friends that came with them.

So, to say thank you for making my first year such a blast I am offering a box full of goodies to one lucky winner! The box itself is just gorgeous! The contents is a variety of fun papers, stamps, and embellies.

Here is the top of the box. Beautiful, right?

Here are the fun surprises inside: Making Memories Just Chillin' 8 X 8 patterned paper; DCWV Safari Kids 4 x 6 Matstack; African Animals Rubber Stamp Kit; Victorian Butterflies Rubber Stamp Kit; Hero Arts Flower Branch with Owl rubber stamp; Safari Kids Chipboard Embellies; Safari Kids Pop Up Stickers; Colorbok Sticky Alpha Stax; Provocraft Party Brads; Around the Block Boy Brads; 3 yard spool of striped ribbon. Who knows, I might just throw in a few more things!

But it doesn't stop there! I will have five --- yes, 5 --- more drawings giving away some of my most recent card creations for the winners to keep for themselves or give away to make someone feel special! The cards I am giving away are these:

Here's how you could win the box of goodies or one of my cards:

• Leave a comment on this post and mention one of your favorite tools, techniques or stamps that you use
• Leave your comment by 8:00 pm CDT on July 27

That's all you need to do! But while you are here, have a browse and if you like what you see I would love to have you as a follower, then I can make even more new blog friends! You can link this post to your blog, too, if you like.

As always, thank you for stopping by! I appreciate the time you spend here!

Barb

In God We Trust

A Tribute to a Special Artist Who Taught Me.......

.... that white space is OK! If you don't already know Lynette over at My Stamping Addiction you just must check out her awesome cards. Lynette's cards are stunning in their simplicity. She makes it look so easy! But for someone like me who likes lots of texture and embellies it is not that easy to leave a lot of white space. But, in Lynette's honor, I used the old rule K.I.S.S., Keep It Simple, Sister!

Some folks have been asking me for simple note cards so, a couple of days ago I dedicated my cardmaking time to making note cards that are simple elegance (I hope). Thank goodness for my Cuttlebug, Nesties, and pop-ups. For this first batch I used a package of 3-D stickers from K & Company. These just stand alone and don't need much else. Scraps of card stock work really well on these note cards, too. So, what do you think?

But I didn't stop here! These were so much fun, that I took some image I had colored but no particular card sketch to use them on. So, more K.I.S.S:

So, Lynette, thank you for sharing your Stamping Addiction with us. Now I am addicted to elegant simplicity!

Please pay Lynette a visit. And if you are like me, try K.I.S.S --- you'll get hooked!

During my first year of blogging I learned so much from everyone in blog-land. Who knows? There just might be another tribute this week!

Barb

In God We Trust

House Mouse Challenge #47 -- White on White

It is just barely after midnight, which means this is one of those rare occasions that I have a card ready on the first day of a posted challenge! The challenge I am talking about is the House Mouse Monday Challenge and this week my very talented and dear friend Carolyn gave us quite a treat --- white on white. The image must be colored but the papers and embellies must be white. As long as I have my Cuttlebug for texture, my pop-ups for dimension, and ribbon for finish, I can do white on white all day long! The truth is, this is my first completely white on white and I love this style!! I have to do this again! Here is my card:

The image is the adorable angel mice heralding in the holidays. I colored them with Copics using the new ultra pastel B0000 (wings), V0000 (mouse on the left), and G0000 (mouse on the right). Then coated them with Angel Wings Shimmerz for sparkle. The paper is the luxuriously satiny Constellation Jade that I've had on hand for awhile. It is so gorgeous and perfect for a white on white theme. For that matter, I think I will have many Christmas cards made with this paper. Hmmm...

Ok, back to this card... Cuttlebug snowflake embossing folder and Score-pal for texture, add some snowflakes punched with the Cuttlebug dies, pearl accents, and snowflake brocade ribbon and I have at least one Christmas card done.

Oh, this was fun! Hey, why not play along if you haven't already? At least stop by the House Mouse Monday Challenge blog and check out all the great cards by the design team. You will be inspired!

Thanks for stopping by! Your time and comments are appreciated. Oh, and help me celebrate my 1st blogiversary by entering to win my blog candy.

Barb

In God We Trust

Whiff of Joy Challenge #39

It's been a beautiful weekend here in southwestern Missouri. Very mild temperatures, dry air and lots of sunshine. Great for sitting on the deck and watching the wildlife in the country. We have three little ground squirrels (I thought they were chipmunks) and they are so fun to watch chasing each other in the grass!

Well, on to the Whiff of Joy Challenge #39. This week it is piercing. I could do anything I wanted to as long as there was some paper piercing. I hadn't done any before, but bought the pad and piercer (that is one scary tool!) and some patterns so I was ready to go. Guess what? I love paper piercing!

For this card I used Willow and Toddler from the latest kit, Weddings and Babies. All of these new stamps are sweet and I like to color them in very light shades. So, I used Copics BV0000 for Willow's dress and BG0000 for the baby's layette. These are two of the 12 newest, palest shades of Copics and I don't know what I did without them!

Other details of the card:

DP: Basic Grey Wisteria

CS: Bazzill lavender and misc. ivory

Tools: Cuttlebug Dotted Swiss embossing folder; Nestibilities label die; Martha Stewart leaf punch

Embellies: Off-white roses, 1/8 inch satin ribbons, Joy tag from my stash

Thanks for stopping by! I appreciate the time you spend here and the comments you so kindly write. Don't forget about the blog candy I am offering to celebrate my first blogoversary!

Barb

In God We Trust

Sunday Sketch and Stamp Challenge #7 --- Sketch by Ger

Two weeks have passed already and what fantastic cards and projects were posted over at Sunday Sketch and Stamp Challenge blog for challenge #6! Thank you everyone, and I hope you play along with us again this week --- and bring a friend or three!

Now it is time for SS&S challenge #7 with this brilliant sketch by Ger. I know I had fun with it! Why not give it a go? Then pop on over to SS&S blog, check out the design team's cards, and don't forget to enter the drawing. Yes, there is a prize!

Our sponsor this week is Wild Rose Studio and all of us on the design team used their adorable images for our cards. You don't have to do that, but you could win some!

Here is my card:

I did rotate the sketch to better accommodate the image (rotating and mirror image is allowed!).

I used the "Party Girl" image and colored it with Copics then blinged it up with rhinestones. The DP is SEI Black Orchid and the image is placed on black glitter paper. The flowers are cut from glitter paper with Cuttlebug dies. The stars are stickers that are embellished with more rhinestones. The letters are from a collection of old typewriter key stickers.

Inside is room for a personal note.

So, enough of my yakking! I can't wait to see your creativity! So, whatcha waitin' for?

Thanks for stopping by!

Barb

In God We Trust

Inky Impressions Challenge #6 --- Stitching

Happy Friday, everyone! I hope you all have fun weekends planned. If you have some time I highly recommend you pop over to Inky Impressions Challenge blog. You will fall in love with their brand new images, Lili and Angelica. I have a couple of their stamps and eagerly waiting for a couple more. These little girls are wide-eyed and adorable. The design team is a group of ultra-talented ladies, too!

For challenge #6 the theme is stitching --- real or faux. I have a sewing machine but it is still packed from our move. I haven't used it for years, not since I got into scrapbooking and cardmaking. So, for my card, my stitching is faux.

This image is Angelica's Daydream. I found sentiments about dreams for the outside and inside that seemed appropriate.

I colored her with Copics and framed the image with die cuts using my Nesties. The stitching is purple ink pen. The DP is from "Me and My Big Ideas" and the flowers from Oriental Trading Co. The paper "ribbons" are embossed with the Cuttlebug Dotted Swiss folder.

The inside is a simple sentiment about believing in your dreams. I have a packet of these acetate tags and sentiments and they make nice accents.

Thanks for stopping by! While you are here, if you haven't already, pop up to the top of my blog where I have some blog candy to celebrate my first year of blogging on Made for Keeps. What a year it has been, too!

Barb

In God We Trust

Whiff of Joy Challenge #38

Two! Count 'em --- two! Two cards today!! Despite the severe thunderstorms cutting my sleep to only four hours last night, I have had a bunch of energy today.

I had already colored this wonderful image of Willow and Infant and planned out the card for the Whiff of Joy Challenge #38, so I wanted to get it in. Considering the time difference, I might be just barely sliding into home plate, but I wanted to post it anyway. The new Whiff of Joy Willow as Bride and Mother images are just so touching!

I colored Willow with Copics (but I forgot to make note of the colors). The papers are a variety of card stocks, two of them embossed with Cuttlebug Embossing Folders, and making the scalloped border with MS punch. The flowers are so dainty and pretty and I added a tiny pearl to each. With a pretty aqua ribbon and a few more pearls I have a card that I wish I knew a new mother I could give it to!



Thanks again for stopping by! Whew! What a day!

Barb

In God We Trust

Inky Impressions Challenge #5

It's been a busy few days so I am running late with cards for my favorite challenges. Inky Impressions is one such challenge and the images are so adorable!

For this challenge followed the sketch, but hid the image of cute little Lili inside the card. The iridescent flowers are Blossoms and Leaves from Creative Expressions and the DP is from Daisy D's.

Here is Lili with the birthday cake. She is so cute and looks a lot like my grand-niece. She is colored with Copics.

Inside the card is the Happy Birthday greeting --- and the peep hole (cut with Nesties) that the cake shows through.

For the sake of saving time I scanned the card rather than photograph it. I'm not sure I like the results. Tell me what you think.

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to put in your entry for my blog candy (at the top of this page).

Barb

In God We Trust

A Very Pleasant Surprise Kept Me Away for a Few Days!

Last Thursday I had a very pleasant surprise: friends from Phoenix, whom we hadn't seen for nearly two years, were on their way to Branson! They weren't on a set time schedule, and since they had not been here before, we talked them into staying for a few days to see the sights, a show or two, and spend hours catching up! We had three wonderful days before they had to continue on their trip. Hopefully, it won't be another two years before we see them! I'm sure it won't --- they loved it here, as do we!

So, I have some catching up to do! My first priority is to post a very special celebration of my blog which, of course, means C-A-N-D-Y! So, please some back soon to see what I have in store!

Barb
In God We Trust

Whiff of Joy 1st Anniversary Blog Hop Guest DT Call!

Whiff of Joy is one year old! They have done so much in one short year and have a lot to celebrate. Katharina is getting ready for a big blog hop on July 25th, and new stamps will be released at that time! Woo Hoo! More of their fantastic stamps!

To introduce the new stamps Katharina is choosing 15 --- that's right! --- 15 guest designers to showcase the new stamps during the blog hop. Well, in case you didn't know, I LOVE Whiff of Joy stamps and would love the chance to be a guest designer, even for a day. So, I made this card from Katharina's unique sketch and am submitting it for the blog hop guest designer spot.

Oakley and the wooden bench are colored with Copics, my favorite media for WOJ. The papers are from my age-old stash of scrapbook paper. The buttons from Oriental Trading Co.

He is just so cute, sitting there on the bench. He almost looks like he should have a fishing pole leaning against the bench!

This is Katharina's great sketch!

Wish me luck, everyone! Oh, if you want to try out for the guest designer spot for the blog hop, Katharina is taking entries until July 8th, 8 pm GMT+1.

Inky Impressions Challenge #4

Hey, y'all! There's a new challenge on the block! If you haven't already, check out Inky Impressions. While you are there click on their link to Inky Impressions Rubber Stamps. You've just got to meet their adorable girls Angelica and Lili.

I have a card for their 4th challenge, which was to use distressing. Angelica's Daydream was my choice of stamp and I colored her with Copics. The papers are from the Basic Grey Sugared collection. I even used the stickers that came with the package and dressed it all up with some rhinestones.

Isn't she just the cutest?! I love the stamps of children, and these are definitely my newest "kids".

Thanks for stopping by!

In God We Trust

Barb

Whiff of Joy Challenge #37

Wow! Two posts in one day! Well I have a bit of catching up to do, so a little bit of doubling up is in order.

This card is for the Whiff of Joy Challenge #37. No sketch this week, but a recipe. The recipe calls for 3 patterned papers, 3 flowers and 1 ribbon --- and, of course, a WOJ stamp. I chose the new stamp Pregnant Willow and colored her with Copics, primarily blue. Hmm, must be expecting a boy? The rose swing is also WOJ from the new Woman's Delight collection. The full recipe for the card is down the page a bit.

Card details:

3 patterned papers: 2 coordinating papers of blue and lace from Daisy D's; rose paper from Anna Griffin.

3 flowers: from my stash --- I've got so many I forget where I got them all!

1 ribbon: the last of a roll of bridal ribbon from Michaels.

Copics for Willow: Skin E00; Hair Y21, E33, YR 21; Dress B21, B24

Copics for rose swing: Roses RV11, RV25, R27. Leaves G21, G28. Seat YR24, E37

Thanks for stopping by! Please be sure to visit Whiff of Joy Challenge blog and see all the beautiful cards from the design team and participants. Hey, join in, too, if you haven't already!

In God I Trust

Barb

Sunday Sketch and Stamp #6 --- and a Big Surprise!

Thanks to everyone who joined us in the Sketch and Stamp #5! So many fabulous creations!

This fortnight it is my turn to provide the sketch! Woooo Hooo! This is actually my first published sketch and it is so much fun to see the different interpretations. I've already seen the Design Team's cards and they are terrific! Our sponsor is Crafts 4 Eternity (C4e) digistamps. I used the cute little bunny image called "Butterfly Kisses".

Now for the big surprise! All the Design Team cards are actually surprise birthday cards for our friend and sister designer Clare!! Today is her birthday! We "hid" all of our cards from her until today. Plus, we mailed the actual cards to her.

Happy Birthday, Clare!

Here is the sketch....

Now, be sure to jump over to Sunday Sketch and Stamp to see the rest of the DT's cards and to see the goodies in store for Sketch #6. Also, take an extra few minutes to visit Clare's blog, wish her a happy birthday, and browse through her wonderful creations.

Happy 4th of July!

Have a safe and Happy 4th!

God Bless America!