Watercolored Pansies

The challenge this week at the Sweet Stamps Blog is Watercolor.  I love to use their stamps on vellum, but they also are amazing with watercolors.  I used their stamp, Pansy Layers Frame (474), and heat embossed it in white on watercolor paper.  I lightly spritzed it with water and painted it with purple and yellow watercolors.  I added some light coloring around the frame to bring out the image more.  The pansy borders are created with a Martha Stewart border punch. 

Tonight is short and sweet since I plan to head to bed early.  Starting back to work and getting up really early is a big adjustment for me and with a class of 30 little five year olds I come home pretty tired.  They are a very sweet class!! 

E. Marie

This card is entered in the following challenges:

Sweet Stamps.com Challenge #79 – Watercolored

Craft Your Passion Challenge 125 - Emboss It

Cute Card Thursday Challenge 231 – Bling It Up

Dutch Dare Card Challenge #179 – Bling It On

Stampin Sisters In Christ Challenge #154 – Punches, Dies, or Shapes

Abby And Walter

My card today is using one of the new digital stamps by Michelle Perke at SparkleN Sprinkle.  If you are new to digital stamps you might feel a little intimidated by them but the more you play with these wonderful images you realize that they provide you with great flexibility.  They can be re-sized and formatted to meet the needs of your card layout.

 

The image on my card is Abby and Walters Birthday Wishes,  I printed it in black on white cardstock.  After coloring, I simply used a Spellbinders’ Classic Square Die to cut it out, used a glue pen to add Sunny Daze Glitter to a few areas and added it to the card on top of a Cheery Lynn square doily.  I resized the sentiment and cut it out with a Spellbinder die.  I added it to the card with a bow and a blue jewel swirl to look like a balloon flying across the top.  Most of the cardstock I used is from Basic Grey - the light pink cardstock is Starry Night, the dark pink is Basil, and the polka dot is McKinley. 

Head on over to the Sparkle N Sprinkle blog for details on using this digital. 

Just a reminder that the SNS August Sketch Challenge ends on Friday.  Enter your card for a chance to win a free stamp set.  Also, mark those calendars for Sept. 20-21 so you can join us for our next blog hop, Ghosts & Goblins Fall Frolic! 

E. Marie

This card is entered in the following challenges:

Basic Grey Challenge 75 – Anything Goes

Cheery Lynn Designs Challenge 42 – Doilies

Crafty Catz Weekly Challenge #147 - Ribbons and Bows

Cute Card Thursday Challenge #231 – Bling It Up!

Delightful Sketches Weekly Challenge – Fancy and Frilly

Paper Pretties Wednesday Challenge PWC220 – Cards for Kids!

Stampin Sisters In Christ Challenge #154 - Use punches, dies, or shapes of any kind

Flourishes Celebrate Color Challenge FLLCIS5B

Summer Evening In Yellow And Grey

If you are a regular visitor to my blog, you know it is hard for me to make a simple card.  With the challenge of Yellow and Gray at Impression Obsession, I was inspired with an idea that would not only be simple, but even one layer.  Try not to be too stunned!! 

I started with a white card and stamped the Impression Obsession image Covered Bridge (H1470) in the center.  I used a large Spellbinders’ Circle die to create a window in another piece of cardstock and laid this over the image, centering it in the round opening.  I sponged yellow around the circle, leaving a little bit of “light” in the center.  Next I covered up the yellow center with the shape I had cut out and sponged gray ink around it.  I masked off the edges of the card to add a border of yellow.   

I added a little shading on the covered bridge, the rocks in the water, and the clouds with my gray alcohol marker to give it a little a more dimension.  Then I used a dark gray to stamp the sentiment, It’s Just Me (C3760), also from Impression Obsession.  This reminds me of a hot summer evening with the sun setting, listening to the water running by, while my dad and I sit on the bank fishing.   

I have to admit that I am still gritting my teeth and sitting on my hands to keep from adding something else – maybe a mosquito? 

E. Marie

This card is entered in the following challenges:

Impression Obsession Challenge – Yellow and Gray

Bunny Zoe's Crafts Challenge 27 – Summer

Top Tip Tuesday Challenge 83 – One Layer Card (Tip:  See masking instructions in post)

The Crafty Pad Challenge #184 – To “Die” For

Delightful Sketches Weekly Challenge – Punches and Dies

4 Crafty Chicks Crazy Egg Challenge #103 {4CCC-103} - Circles, Circles and more Circles

Crafts 4 Eternity Challenge R#85 – Splish Splash Splosh
Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge - No Rules

Incy Wincy Designs Challenge #160 -  Photo Inspiration

Double Trouble

I had a lot of fun making this card.  I wanted a fresh summer look and this summer we seem to have a lot of dragonflies around so I decided to use an older stamp call Dragonfly-ing 02.  The current House Mouse Challenge is to use a stamp that has a least 2 mice but I used Spellbinders Circle dies to give it the look of two images.  I created a larger circle from some Paula Deen paper I found at Michaels.  All other papers are from Basic Grey’s Green at Heart Collection.  The background is Lush, the green layers are Apple, and the bright pink for the flowers is Basil. 

For the sentiment I used an “H” from an older Basic Grey alphabet set and placed it in a circle over a cute saying from an older All Night Media set I had.  The flowers were created using Cheery Lynn’s Miniature Rose Die.  I used yellow jewels in the middle of the flowers and added a touch of glitter to the centers of the flowers in the large circle and the dragonfly wings.   

Sometimes you make a card that just comes together easily and makes you smile.  After not feeling very inspired lately with all the craziness at my house, this card gave me a big smile!! 

E. Marie

This card is entered in the following challenges:

Basic Grey Challenge 75 – Anything Goes

Bunny Zoe's Crafts Challenge 27 – Summer

Cheery Lynn Designs Challenge 41 – ABC

HM&F Challenge #126 (#HMFMC126) - Double Trouble

Speedy Fox and Friends Challenge Week 121 - "Friendship"

Penny Black And More at Allsorts August Challenge – Whiskers and/or Wings

Simon Says Stamps Challenge – Animal Antics

Art Impressions Stamps Challenge 76 – Flowers

Anything Goes Challenge 73 - Summer Days

Clearly Inspired Challenge #58 (CIC58) – Circles

Crafty Catz Weekly Challenge 146 – Animals

Craft Your Passion Challenge 123 – Gone Buggy

The Crafty Pad Challenge #184 – To “Die” For

Delightful Sketches Weekly Challenge – Punches and Dies

4 Crafty Chicks Crazy Egg Challenge #103 {4CCC-103} - Circles, Circles and more Circles

Paper Pretties Wednesday Challenge PWC219 – Square Cards!

Oldie But A Goodie Challenge – Friends (used older stamp, alphabet, and sentiment)

Ladybugs Crafts Ink Challenge #65 – Summer Fun

Kaboodle Doodles Challenge #132 – All About Friendship

Sponging Technique

This summer has been a bit crazy.  My oldest daughter ended up having two surgeries and was in a major accident.  I know the Lord had her surrounded by his angels as the SUV she was in was totaled but everyone was fine.  Then this last week I helped my youngest move away to attend a different college.  I am now an empty nester and still not quite sure how I feel about this.  I also started back to work this week.  Needless to say, I was totally ready for a day of play with my friends at Scrapbook Creations.  Nothing like a day of food (including awesome ice cream), stamping, and time with wonderful friends. 

Our Daily Bread Designs Blog's current challenge is Sponging.  I love to add color to my cards by sponging.  I decided to try a different technique using a die cut lacy doily and sponged yellow ink.  I layered two pieces of white cardstock and then sponged yellow ink over the doily, moving it around the edges of the two pieces.  Then I separated them and added layers of dark purple in between.  I stamped ODBD’s Scrolly Border in yellow, cut it out, and layered it in the center of the card.  The sentiment comes from ODBD’s Scripture Series 2. 

Thanks to my friends for a wonderful day and thanks to God for my wonderful friends. 

E. Marie

This card is entered in the following challenges:

Our Daily Bread Designs Shining the Light ODBDSLC119 – Sponging

Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge - Favorite Technique

Stampendous Impressions August Challenge – Focus on Sentiments

Paper Pretties Monday Challenge PPMC52 - "Anything Goes"

Strong and Courageous

It is very busy around my house as I help my youngest daughter prepare to move out.  She is transferring to a different college and I will become an official empty nester.  Not sure how I feel about this.   

Thought I would share a more masculine card today, using the new Tiger and Courage Set from Sparkle N Sprinkle.  The Tiger image is embossed with Black Detail EP, colored with markers and a Dove Blender Pen, and cut out with a Spellbinders’ Label Die. 

The background is created using watercolor paint and the Watercolor Cling Wrap Technique.  I stamped and embossed the Dark Fern, using White Detail EP, before I added the watercolors. 

For more information on this card, head on over to the Sparkle N Sprinkle Blog. 

Ready for another week?  

E. Marie 

This card is entered in the following challenges:

DYSU Challenge #84 -  Four Legged Friends

Craft Your Passion Challenge #122 – Anything Goes

Crafty Catz Weekly Challenge #145 – Anything Goes

Art Impressions Stamps Challenge #75 – Any Sentiment

Stamping Scrapping Challenge Central August Challenge – Stamping (used Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 16)

Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge: Paint it up!

Penny Black And More at Allsorts August Challenge – Whiskers and/or Wings
Paper Pretties Monday Challenge PPMC51- Use Scallops

Having Fun at Stampaway

Stampaway was earlier this year so I was finally able to go.  I haven’t been there in over 10 years. 

Three of my friends – Susanne, April, and Cheryl – joined me and we had a wonderful time together.

Our first stop in Cincinnati was the Montgomery Inn, famous for its ribs. 

We had a lovely dinner

and a wonderful view of the river.

We did a lot of shopping before the show, and even more at the show.  It was fun to see some companies that we don’t usually get to at conventions in our area. 

One company I was not familiar with was Taylored Expressions.  Lots of great stamps.

Another company I had not seen for a long time was Northwoods Rubber Stamps, Inc. 

And, of course, I can’t leave out getting to see Tim Holtz in person, for the first time.  He was sharing some wonderful techniques using his new markers at Stampers Anonymous.

April and I were thrilled to get to meet Barbara Bruder, one of our fellow SNS designers.  Even though she had spent days teaching classes, and working the whole show, she took time to have supper with us and we had a delightful time getting to know each other.   

Our drive back was a bit rough as we drove through the mountains in pouring rain.  We were ready to get out of the car when we reached home.  It was a great trip, but there is nothing better than coming home and crawling into your own bed. 

I will be back soon with some new cards.  Thanks for taking your time to stop by. 

E. Marie

Blog Hop Winners

Sorry I am late in posting the winners of the blog hop.  I had the opportunity to go to Stampaway this weekend and just got back.  What a wonderful time!!  I will share more about that in my next post.  Back to the winners. 

The winners of the blog hop are as follows: 

GRAND PRIZE #1 - Stamp Set of your choice on Cling Cushion

Lori Gugan

GRAND PRIZE #2 - Stampette set of your choice on Cling Cushion

 

Selma

SPECIAL UNANNOUNCED PRIZE - 3 Digital Images of your choice

 

Namabear

1st PLACE - 3 small glitters in your choice of color

Laurie (anonymous)

2nd PLACE - 3 small embossing powders of your choice

ShirleyTACS

3rd PLACE - choice of 2 Glitter Tinsels OR 2 Flocking OR 2 Sparkle N Soft Flocking OR a mix of 2 of any of those

Shereen VH

Congratulations ladies.  Please go to the Sparkle N Sprinkle Blog to get the details of how to get your prize.

Our next blog hop will be scheduled for Sept 20 & 21st and will be The Ghosts & Goblins Fall Frolic.  Come back for some wonderful Fall inspiration. 

E. Marie

Sparkle N Sprinkle Our Furry Friends Blog Hop

Welcome to the Sparkle N Sprinkle Our Furry Friends Blog Hop.  If you arrived here from Brenda’s beautiful blog, you are in the right place.  If not, you might want to start at the Sparkle N Sprinkle Blog for all the details. 

The hop runs through August 3^rd and there are FIVE great prizes available.  To be eligible for the prizes all you need to do is visit each designer’s blog and leave them a comment.  THREE of the prizes are from three different designers – if you miss comments on their blog – you miss out on a chance for a prize!  The winners will be announced on Saturday, August 4th on the SNS blog!   

Here’s the line-up…. 

Brenda Smalle 

Marie Berquist (You are here!!) 

Shona Erlenborn 

Karalee Ingram 

Julie Zippel 

Shanna Shands 

April Williams 

I have several projects to show you today.  There are so many adorable animal stamps that I had a hard time deciding which ones to share. 

My first card uses an older stamp, Leo.  He is stamped and colored and then the mosaic design is created over him, using April’s Mosaic Backgrounds technique in Tips and Techniques.  I used Spellbinder Dies to create the framing around Leo and added the Wild Thing sentiment.  Full details on this card can be found here.

Sparkle N Sprinkle has just started to sell the wonderful digital stamps from Michelle Perke.  One of these new images is Woofie in the Snow.  This adorable image is also available in rubber in the Woofie's Christmas Stampette set.  I stamped it on vellum and heat embossed with White Detail Embossing Powder and used markers, a dove blender, Twinkling Clouds Sparkle N Soft, Starfire Glitter, and some dry embossing to bring out the design.  The sentiment is part of the stampette set and was heat embossed with Pine EP.  Go to the gallery here for more details.

This card was kind of last minute.  I used the Kitty Trio image and layered it on a decorative background created with Tear-ific tape, border punches, glitters, and embossing powders.  The sentiment is Little By Little, embossed with Moss EP.  Check for details on this card in the gallery soon. 

Just a reminder that through the end of the month, the Sparkle Team presents all the stamp images in the Animals, Dogs & Cats and Insects categories on special – 15% off!  To view all our specials, which also include a few glitters, embossing powders and flocking – just click here.     

Now it is time for you to head to Shona’s sparkling blog and see what wonderful creations she has for you.  But before you leave, don’t forget to leave a comment.  Have fun hopping!!

These cards are entered in the following challenges: 

Leo/Wild Thing

Crafts and Me Challenge #95 – Green With Envy 

Puppy Wishes

Sweet Stampin’ Challenge - Christmas in July  

Clearly Inspired Challenge #56 (CIC56) – Get Wet  

Paper Pretties Monday Challenge PPMC50 - Seeing Double

Ooh La La Challenge #110 – Recipe (1 image, 2 designer papers, 3 embellishments)

Lexis Creations Challenge #170 – Christmas In July

Top Tip Tuesday Challenge #92 – Focus On The Ribbon 

Little By Little

One Stop Craft Challenge #193 – Just Good Friends

Stampin For The Weekend Challenge #14 – Photo Inspiration

Sketch Saturday Challenge Week #218 – Sketch

Simon Says Stamps Challenge – Kristina’s Inspiration

Birthdays Are Like Flease

Summer is flying by!  It is August 1st and that means it is time for a new Sketch Challenge at the Sparkle N Sprinkle Blog.  Our lucky winner of the July Sketch is Karen Ladd.  Congratulations!! 

This month it could be you!!  We have an easy sketch and you have a whole month to enter this challenge.  We can’t wait to see what you create!!  For some inspiration head to the SNS blog to see what some of our designers came up with.

For my card I just couldn’t resist playing around with this a bit.  I flipped the sketch to create this fun multi-fold birthday card. 

I created my own “fence” that opens to reveal this sweet pup hiding in his doghouse.  This image is called Ruh-Roh.  How perfect.  I added some Swanky Gray Sparkle N Soft to make him fuzzy and gave him a bright red, sparkly collar by adding Fire EngineRed glitter with a glue pen.  The sentiment is Birthdays-Fleas, also from SNS. 

When you open the next flap it reveals another sentiment, Birthday Wishes-Vertical, bordered by dog bones from the Grover Stamp Set.  I added a little Log Cabin Embossing Powder to the bone borders and around the edges.  The little paw and bone buttons go great with this animal themed card. 

Speaking of animals, guess what happens tomorrow?  Our Furry Friends Blog Hop begins on the Sparkle N Sprinkle Blog.  Start there and hop to each of the designers’ blogs to see all the great SNS animal images and creative ways to use them. 

E. Marie 

This card is entered in the following challenges:

Phindy'sPlace Challenge #114 - Button It 

Crafty Catz Weekly Challenge #143 – All That Glitters 

Crafts 4 Eternity R#82 – Brilliant Birthday  

Speedy Fox and Friends Challenge Week 118 - "Juvenile Birthday Card"

Stamptacular Sunday Challenge #174 – Patterns Galore

Dutch Dare Card Challenge #175 – Color Challenge