Sunday, August 28, 2011

Grade A Teacher


With children returning to school there are a lot of “Back to School” challenges.  I decided to combine this with the current House Mouse theme of “Lets Get Fruity”  I borrowed this really cute stamp from my friend, April, and it just reminded me of some of my little kindergarteners who love to bring gifts to the teacher.

I stamped the image with dark brown Colorbox ink and colored it with colored pencils and Gamisol.  I purposely kept the apple a bit on the orange side to coordinate with this adorable apple paper I had.  I cut it out with a Spellbinder die and popped it up in the center.  I used a Cuttlebug border embossing folder to add some numbers and an apple corner rounder I have had forever.

E. Marie

This card is entered in the following challenges:
House Mouse & Friends Challenge #102 – Lets Get Fruity
Totally Gorjuss Challenge #95 – As You Like It
Totally Papercrafts Challenge #81 - Back to School
All Sorts Challenge Week #118 – Back To School
Crafty Creations Challenge #133 – Show Us Your Inner Animal (this is about as wild as I get)
Stamp and Create August Challenge – Critters/Bugs or Animals
Paper Play Challenge Week #34 – Back To School
Stamp Something Challenge - Back to School
Sentimental Sundays Challenge #70 - Back To School (plus a sentiment)
Simon Says Stamps Challenge – Use Dawny’s Sketch

ODBDSLC74 Got Doilies?

I you are looking for the Flower Soft and Our Daily Bread Designs Blog Hop please go here.





The Our Daily Bread Designs Shining The Light Challenge this week is to use doilies or doily dies.  Cheery Lynn Designs has some of the most beautiful new doily dies and I just received a die called Dainty Dutch Deco Frame.   Though it is called a frame it has all the look of a square doily so I could not resist using it.  I cut the doily out of one side of the cardstock and layered in on a piece using the opposite side of the same cardstock.  The cardstock is Marjolaine Coffe Cake from Basic Grey.

I stamped and colored ODBD’s new Flower Border and cut it out with Spellbinders’ Labels 18 Die.  I stamped one of ODBD’s Bird and Butterfly Labels in dark green on decorative cardstock, cut it out with a smaller Label 18 and layered it in the center of the Flower Border.  Then I used Spellbinders’ Label 20 Die to cut out a verse from Scripture Series 2 and layered it to the right of the image.

This card was inspired by Dawny's Sketch at Simon Says Stamps Challenge so I sponged some lace with the green ink and layered it under the image on the left and just had to add some pink pearls.



Thank you for stopping by!

E. Marie

This card has been entered in the following challenges:
Speedy the Cat's Friends Challenge Week 70 - Use Lace on Your Card
Totally Gorjuss Challenge #95 – As You Like It!
Aifactory Challenge #089 – Anything Goes
Flutter By Wednesday #168 – Open Challenge
Stamp and Create August Challenge – Critters/Bug or Animals
Simon Says Stamps Challenge - Sketch
Creative Inspirations Challenge #67 - Recipe (Set 2: Shabby Chic, Pearls, Lace)
Basic Grey Challenge #51 - Anything Goes

Friday, August 26, 2011

His Grace

If you are here for the Sparkle N Sprinkle Fall Inspiration Challenge click here.

If you are looking for the Flower Soft and Our Daily Bread Design blog click here


.



This week’s challenge at Our Daily Bread Designs Shining the Light (ODBDSLC73) is a sketch.  I had some very pretty cardstock from Basic Grey that I recently purchased and really wanted to use it and this seemed the perfect card for it.  I created a 5” x 7” white card base and added a blue layer that I embossed with a Cuttlebug embossing folder.  I used a Martha Stewart Deep Edge Corner/Border punch to create the white layer.  Then I added layers of blue, tan, and my special decorative paper.  I round all the corners throughout the card.

For the sentiment I used Our Daily Bread Designs Scripture Series 2 and the Scrolly Frame set.  I cut it out and layered it on tan and popped it up on the card.  For embellishments , I added seam binding ribbon and pearls that matched the tan cardstock.

Have a great day.

E. Marie


This card is entered in the following challenges:
Basic Grey Challenge #51 – Anything Goes
Clearly Inspired Challenge #34 (CIC34) – Scripture
Paper Pretties Monday Challenge - Blue, Brown and Choice
Aifactory Challenge #089 – Anything Goes
4 Crafty Chicks Challenge #52 – Inspiration
Sew Many Challenge #66 – Edge Punches

Thursday, August 25, 2011

A Very Busy Thursday!!

I have a lot of activity going on today on my blog.

If you are looking for the Sparkle N Sprinkle Autumn Inspirations blog hop click here.

If you are looking for the Flower Soft and Our Daily Bread Designs blog hop click here.

If you are looking for the Our Daily Bread Stamping In Time Challenge(SNTODBD42) scroll down.

Have a great day!!


E. Marie

Our Daily Bread Designs Stamping In Time Challenge (SNTODBD42)

Today is Thursday so it is time for a new Our Daily Bread Designs Stamping In Time Challenge (SNTODBD42)!  The challenge this time is to use lace along with Our Daily Bread Design stamps.  Check the Stamping In Time challenge post on the Our Daily Bread Designs Blog for detail of how you can enter this challenge and have a chance to win money toward free ODBD stamps.  For some amazing cards to get you inspired check out the following design team blogs:




I decided to make a square card and used three different Basic Grey cardstocks for the background.  I ran some rose ribbon across the top and then cut my lace in half and ran a strip of the lace above and below the rose ribbon.  It doesn’t show up in the picture but I sponged a little Victorian Velvet Distress Ink on the rose ribbon and Antique Linen on the lace.

The image is from ODBD’s Sew Special set, just released this month.  I heat embossed it in black and colored it with Tombow Markers, then cut it out using the coordinating Rocking Chair Die.  This worked beautifully.

The sentiment is also from ODBD’s Sew Special set and I stamped it on the tag from their Spool Tag Set.  I cut this out, sponged the edges with black ink, and used dimensionals to pop it up on the card.  The ribbon is yellow seam binding but I sponged it with a little Victorian Velvet, along with all the edges of the cardstock used on the card.

The layout of this card is inspired by the sketch at Sketch Saturday Challenge Week #169 but I flipped it to accommodate the direction of the tag. 

Thanks for stopping by.

E. Marie

This card is entered in the following challenges:
Basic Grey Challenge #51 – Anything Goes
Crazy 4 Challenges C4C101 – Bingo (Embossing, Die Cuts, Ribbon)
Sketch Saturday Challenge Week #169 – Sketch
Aifactory Challenge #089 – Anything Goes

Flower Soft and Our Daily Bread Blog Hop

Welcome to a very special blog with the Flower Soft & Our Daily Bread Design Teams!  As you make your way through the hop make sure you comment on each and every post.  There will be two prize winners chosen randomly among the blogs.  Flower Soft and Our Daily Bread will each be selecting a winner for a $20 prize package!

The blog hop ends on August 30th.  The prize winners will be announced on The Flower Soft blog and Our Daily Bread Blog on August 31st.

If you came here from Dina Kowal's fantastic blog you are in the right place.   If not please start at the beginning at the Our Daily Bread Blog where you will find all the details and the entire hop listed in order.


Flower Soft is the perfect addition to Our Daily Bread Designs’ images.  For my project I decided to make a step card, using a combination of cream, white, green, and some lovely floral background cardstock from K & Co.  On the left side of the card I used a verse from ODBD’s new Scripture Series 2 set stamped inside a border from their new Scrolly Borders.  This is layered on white cardstock punched with a Martha Stewart corner/border punch.

Along the bottom I created a decorative fence, also using a Martha Stewart border punch.  I added seam binding ribbon and a bow.  On top of this I place the flower filled watering can from ODBD’s Happy Birthday set.  I colored the image with markers and cut it out.  I added Flower Soft to various flowers using some single colors and also some combinations I mixed.  Along the bottom I added Flowers Soft’s Fushia mix.

For the middle step I used layers of white, green, and floral cardstock all punched with a Deep Edger Martha Stewart border punch to create a floral edge.  Then I added Flower Soft’s Garden Oval Topper to the last step.  I decorated it with more of the Fushia and Ultra-Fine Sage.  I stamped the birthday sentiment and added four little butterflies, also from ODBD’s Birthday set.

Now hop on over to Deb Felt’s blog to see what wonderful project she has waiting for you.  Don’t forget to leave some love for all the designers for a chance to win.

Thanks for stopping by.

E. Marie

This card has been entered in the following Challenges:
Aifactory Challenge #089 – Anything Goes
A Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge #162 – Happy Birthday
Flutter By Wednesday #168 – Open Challenge
Sentimental Sundays Challenge #69 – Happy Birthday Projects
Stamp and Create August Challenge – Critters/Bug or Animals
Totally Stampalicious Challenge – Use Three Different Punches
The Pink Elephant Challenge TPE113– Inspiration Challenge!!

Sparkle N Sprinkle Autumn Inspirations Blog Hop

Do you feel the nip in the air as colorful leaves swirl around you and fall to the ground? You have arrived at our Sparkle N Sprinkle Autumn Inspirations blog hop celebrating Fall’s Colors!  If you arrived here from Dawn’s delightful blog then you are in the right place!!  If not, and you would like the chance to be eligible for the Grand Prize (a stamp set of the winner’s choice) and five other mystery prizes, start at the Sparkle N Sprinkle Blog.  Should you have any problem with a link along the hop, just return to the SNS Blog where you can find the complete hop list.


For my first card I decided to use a technique that I haven’t used for a while – a Penny Spinner card.  I stamped the Pumpkin and Pumpkins-Sm images and used SNS Brushable Glue to add Autumn Sparkle colored Sparkle N Soft.  The sentiment is Happy Fall Y All which can be purchased as a single stamp or as part of the Harvest-Scarecrow set.  To learn how to make this card go here and for instructions on making a Penny Spinner card check in our Tips and Techniques section here.


For my second card I wanted to really bring out the beautiful colors of Fall so I used a batik technique using reinkers and mulberry paper to create the background.  I used Swirly Oak Leaf, Swirly Maple Leaf, and Swirly Acorn and stamped and heat embossed them in clear and then I painted the mulberry paper with reinkers.

The sentiment is Faith and is stamped over the bleached image, Swirly Oak.  For detailed instructions for this card check the SNS Gallery here.  All the stamps used on this card can be purchased individually or together in the Autumn Swirl Set.  Remember that all of the SNS Thanksgiving, Fall and Halloween stamps are on special - 15% off – through the end of the month.

Your next stop is Eleanor’s elegant blog.  I know you will love what she has waiting for you.  Don’t forget to leave a comment for each designer and then follow the directions on the last blog.  Winners of the 5 “mystery prizes” will be selected from the comments on those designers’ blogs!  Winners will be announced Saturday, August 27 between 11AM-3PM on the Sparkle N Sprinkle blog

Enjoy!!

E. Marie

This card(s) has been entered in the following Challenges:
Aifactory Challenge #089 – Anything Goes
Bling It On Challenge #6 – ABC (Autumn Colors, Bling, and Cute Pumpkins - see first card)
Charisma Cardz Challenge #34 – Glitter It (see first card)
Flourishes Timeless Tuesday #132 - Sentiment (see second card)

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

CAS Wedding

Just a quick card tonight.  I needed a wedding card and wanted to make something very simple but elegant.  I used a white card base and added a purple layer.  Then I cut and embossed the top white layer with my Designables Frame Embossing/Cutting Folder from Marianne Designs.  This created a wonderful frame for my image.


I stamped my image with Versamark ink and heat embossed it with white embossing powder.  Then I lightly outlined the image with colored pencil, along with any other area where I wanted a little color, and then ran my Tombow Blender over it to lightly spread it.  That’s it!!

E. Marie
This card is entered in the following challenges:
Allsorts Challenge Week #117 – You’ve Been Framed
Art Impressions Stamps Challenge #28 – Anything Goes
Charisma Cardz Challenge #33 – Negative Space
Flourishes Bring Back the Beautiful – The Beauty of CAS (clean and simple)
Little Claire's Designs Challenge #12 - Wedding/Anniversary

Flashback - One Of My Favorites

The challenge this week at Moving Along With The Times is Flashback.  We were asked to repost an old project that we are very proud of.  It was fun to go back and review the last eleven months on my blog.  It is hard to believe that it has been that long since I started all of this.  I had to be talked in to it by friends and now it is such a part of my life.  It was also very hard to pick just one project.  Not because I think all of my projects are so awesome - there are some that I was tempted to actually delete.  There were just a lot of projects that I really challenged myself with or there were some wonderful memories that went with creating the project.  I finally picked one that qualified for both areas.


This card was the first step card I ever made.  I didn’t even know the correct name for it but loved the look of it.  It also has special memories of a lovely day spent with a friend.  I spent that day with my friend, Bonnie, in her studio in the mountains.  We played all day and I shared a lot of new toys I had just purchased at a local convention and she shared all of her wonderful supplies, including the beautiful paper to make this card.  I also won my first challenge with this card.

Thank you for stopping by and revisiting this card with me.  I am very close to the one year anniversary of my blog so watch for a chance to win some blog candy when we get closer to the date.

E. Marie

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Thankful Tilda

Well, my time off in the summer is over and we are back at school.  I always have a really hard time getting back on schedule and forget how tired I get.  I just crash when I get home.  It will get better but it certainly put a kink in my creativeness this last week.  I made up for it Saturday at Scrapbook Creations this weekend and though I never get as much done as I hope, it was great spending time visiting with friends.


I used one of the few Magnolia stamps I recently purchased and I had actually colored and cut out this cutie earlier while waiting on my daughter during her freshman college orientation.  Can you believe my youngest has now started college?  Ok, back to the card before the tears start up.  This card has a cream base and I used my Cheery Lynn Designs’ Lattice 2 die over the background design paper.  I cut out a section on the right side to place my framed image.

I colored Tilda with Tombows and added her to the card with pop dots.  I added a variety of flowers to the “trellis”.  I used two different sizes of flower punches to punch out some of the floral design from the background paper.  I sponged the edges with ink and shaped them with a large tip embossing tool.  This is a great way to make flowers that coordinate with your card.  I used the smallest ones to create a bouquet with a little bow for Tilda and then mixed the rest in with three different paper flowers and two lace flowers that I made.  I added brads, pearls and a buttons, along with some glitter.  I cut out a butterfly with one of my new Cheery Lynn Designs’ butterfly dies and popped it on top of the flowers.

Thanks for stopping by my blog and watch for more creations later this week.

E. Marie

This card is entered in the following challenges:
Crazy 4 Challenges C4C101 – Bingo (Brads/Flowers/2 or more Designer Papers)
Magnolia Down Under Challenges #110 – FLUTTERBYS (Butterfly)
Magnolia-licious Challenge #10 – Color Challenge/ Black and White or Monochrome












Magnolia Stamp Lovers Flower Challenge
Just Magnolia Challenge Week #120 – Funny Sentiments
Paper Play Challenge Week #33 – Recipe:  3 Different Embellishments (Brads, Button, Pearls), 2 Patterned Papers, 1 Lace
Stamp Something Challenge – Something to Say Thank You
Top Tip Tuesday Challenge #47 - 'Thank You' (Tip:  Punch flowers from your designer paper so they coordinate with your card)
Aifactory Challenges Challenge #089 – Anything Goes
All Sorts Challenge Week #117 – You’ve Been Framed
Art Impressions Stamps Challenge #28 – Anything Goes
Corrosive Challenge #130 – Girlie
DYSU Challenge #33 - Thank You
Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge #131 – Recipe: Pink/One Button/Ribbon/Lace
Flutter By Wednesday #167 – punches and/or die cuts
4 Crafty Chicks Challenge #51 – Metal (Brads)
Fussy and Fancy Friday Challenge #43 - Use 3 or More Of Favorite Embellishment (Flowers)
Sew Many Challenge #65 – Summertime
Creative Card Crew Challenge – Hand Made Flowers

Monday, August 15, 2011

ODBD's New Scripture Series 2 and Scrolly Borders Sets

Today Our Daily Bread Designs is having a very special stamp release.  As part of our third year anniversary celebration in March, customers submitted their favorite Scriptures that they would like to use on a card, and after much thought the winners were chosen and made into this special edition set, Scripture Series 2 and Scrolly Borders.  To see the full release please visit the Our Daily Bread Designs Blog You will also see samples made by the winners of the contest whose verses were chosen and to hear their stories of why they chose the verse they did!

The Design Team has also created samples for your inspiration with these Scriptures.  Here is the list of participants:
ODBD
Connie
Marie   *You are here
Grace 
Patter
Silke
Pat

There are prizes hidden along the way, so be sure to leave a comment on each one for a chance to win!




I recently was shown how to make an adorable card holder that makes a great gift.  I knew this would be perfect with these wonderful new scripture stamps.  I used an 8½” x 11” piece of cardstock, scored and folded into the holder, and decorated it.

To embellish the band that holds it shut, I stamped flowers from the Sweet William – Small set on the coordinating decorative paper and cut them out using Spellbinders Blossom 3.  I layered these on a cream base decorated with one of the new Scrolly Borders, stamped twice and cut out. 

I made a set of four cards, using a different scripture on each one.  I used Cheery Lynn’s Lattice 2 die, layered it over decorative paper, and cut out a window to reveal the verse and scrolly border.  I recently discovered a great way to color my seam binding ribbon to coordinate with my card.  I used the wet wipes from cleaning my stamps to lightly sponge the same ink onto cream.  I wrapped this around the front of the card and added a silk flower.  I used the wet wipes to add a little more color to my flower, also.

I know you are going to love the Scripture Series 2 and Scrolly Borders sets as much as I do.  For more inspiration and a chance to win one of THREE $20.00 Gift Certificates, visit each Design Team Member listed above and don’t forget to leave a comment.  Winners will be announced Wednesday, August 17, on the ODBD blog so be sure to check back!

Thank you so much for stopping by and have a wonderful day!


E. Marie

Thursday, August 11, 2011

ODBDSNT41 A Good Friend

The challenge today for Our Daily Bread Designs Stamping In Time: On Assignment Challenge ODBDSNT41 is embossing.  I decided to use dry embossing and use some of the new quilting stamps from Our Daily Bread Designs.


I don’t scrapbook (yet) but I always see these beautiful 12” x 12” shaped papers with wonderful borders all around.  I love them but really did not see much of a use for them when making cards.  I was up visiting a friend a few weeks ago and saw a wonderful idea.  Someone had taken one of these papers and cut it in half and then used one side to fold in half to make the card base.  The beautiful edge was still on two of the card sides and it made an adorable card.  I purchased some paper with a large scalloped edges and a design that reminded me of a quilt and decided to use ½ to create my card base.  Then I created a second layer by cutting pieces of a coordinating cardstock, layering them on a piece of dark brown cardstock and then embossing each strip with a Cuttlebug border embossing folder with a a quilted look.  After embossing all the strips I rubbed Antique Linen Distress Ink over the embossing to give it a subtle pattern.  I used another border embossing folder with a stitched design between each of the strips and on two sides of my “quilt” and rubbed some teal ink over these.  I used a Martha Stewart corner/border punch to create a decorative cream edge around my “quilt” and angled it on the card base.

I love the rocking chair image from ODBD’s Sew Special set.  I stamped it in teal on cream cardstock and cut it out using the large scalloped oval nestability from Spellbinders.  Then I stamped the sentiment from the Sewn with Love set with Vintage Photo Distress Ink on top of the rocking chair image.  I added a bow using some cream seam binding.  I wanted it to have a bit more color so I rubbed the Antique Linen Distress Ink over it.  Then I used my wet wipe that had teal ink on it from cleaning my stamp and rubbed it over it.  It added just a hint of the teal color and worked perfectly.  My last embellishment is an antique sewing machine button from a set of buttons I picked up at a local store.

 
E. Marie

This card is entered in the following challenges:
Stamping Sisters In Christ Challenge #101 - Something from your stash that you 'just had to have' cause you would use it everyday....but have forgotten about...(Border Embossing Folders)
DYSU Challenge #32 - Emboss It
Speedy the Cat's Friends Challenge Week 67 - Anything but a standard 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" card
Bing It On Challenge #6 - A (Antique Sewing Machine), B - Bow, C - Cuttlebug Embossing
Moxie Fab World Tuesday Trigger Challenge – Inspiration Photo/Luminous Layers

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Hello

 
Since I am a bit partial to butterfly images, I really wanted to make another card with the new Fancy Butterflies Set from Sparkle N Sprinkle.  With Basic Grey’s challenge this week of Sizzling Summer (summer images and hot papers), I knew the cardstock I recently purchased would do the trick.


I ran a piece of red cardstock through an embossing folder, distressd the edges, and sponged Jet Black StazOn ink around the edges before adding it to the card base.  I added a strip of the new butterfly decorative cardstock, along with a small square, also distressing all edges and sponging with Jet Black StazOn.  I added a strip of ribbon that actually was black with silver stripes.  I sponged it with Fired Brick and Spiced Marmalade die ink which resulted in a lovely metallic color that matched perfectly.

I stamped the Fancy Butterfly image in Fired Brick dye ink on pumpkin colored cardstock.  I colored the image with markers and cut it out with a die.  I went over the image and the edges with a Versamarker and heat embossed with Clear Detail embossing powder, then sponged with StazOn and popped it up in the center with foam tape.  I stamped the sentiment from
Kind Wishes with the Jet Black StazOn, cut it out with a die, and added the Fired Brick and Jet Black StazOn to the edges.


E. Marie


This card is entered in the following challenges:
Basic Grey Challenge #50 – Sizzling Summer
Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge - Tim Holtz Technique (Distressing)
Aifactory Challenges #089 – Anything Goes
All Sorts Challenge Week #115 – Red Card
Catch The Bug Challenge – Anything Goes
Clearly Inspired Challenge #33 (CIC33) – Things with Wings
Corrosive Challenge #128 – Earth Tones
Craft Us Crazy Wednesday Challenge #14 – Anything Goes In August
Craft Your Passion Challenge #70 – Favorite Season
Flourishes Shades of Sunset Challenge – Favorite Sunset Colors
Incy Wincy Designs Challenge #106 - Something Old/Something New (Old-Ribbon, New-Stamps/Paper)
The Pink Elephant Challenge TPE111 – Butterfly
Stamp And Create August Challenge – Critters/Bugs or Animals
Delightful Sketches Challenge - Things With Wings