Halloween

Ok everyone is putting up Christmas cards so here is a Halloween card with a Penny Black stamp. I had some Making Memories Halloween embellishment paper pak and decided to make Sandy laugh since I chastise her about making Christmas cards already. I used my Janome sewing machine and stitched the papers together then I cut out the Cat in the Hat and popped it up with SU pop ups. I colored the image with Y17, YR15, W3 & W7. I then added some MS Last but not least I put a big orange square brad up in the corner and wrote 'Boo' on it with a pen. I mounted the whole thing on SU textured Black cardstock. See I'm learning how to do this write up thingy even if I'm not formal.

Next I made some hand made bandanna paper out of SU Real Red CS then I stamped with the 'Wanted' Set put in white pen marks and waa laa I have a 81/2 by 11 sheet of CS. My card size is 5 1/4 by 5 1/4 (I really like this size but I just bought 500 envelopes in 4 1/4 by 5 1/2 size so guess these will be a little far and few between. I had some blue denim cardstock so I used that to accent the card. I used braiding for the grass the horse is standing on and colored the image again I don't know the maker but I'm sure Sandy will she's the guru of images and beautiful cards. She makes wonderful cards and you can find her blog over on my sidebar. The Copic's I used are B21, B24,B32,B34, E50, Y06, Y00 & R21. I know most of you use patterns or sketch books but I just get the motor movin and I can make cards till the cows come home. Unfortunately I get lost in the moment and Mom will holler downstairs 'Hey we eatin tonight?' then I look at the clock and 3-4 hours has passed. If I could stay down there and design I would be a skinny person because I always forget to eat or snack but I always keep a diet coke on the counter. Mom has made it possible for me to remain a fatty, LOL.

Have a good day I'll be back later.

Shame on Me!

Here it is Sunday and I haven't posted in 2 days, Golly me! I've been so busy making cards I totally forgot to post but I sure have had fun making the cards. With all the images I've colored in the past months I find some cool DSP and away I go. My Garden girl birthday card is an image I got and I don't know who sent it to me but its cute. I used SU cs, cut around the image and with a big pop dot I set the hat up high. Then I used those extra small dainty miniature brads that I bought those things are so hateful, oh don't get me wrong there cute but heck fire there hard to work with and I have three boxes of them.

My second card is made with TAC DSP and their Julienne paper. I popped the coffee cup, creamer & sugar up then used a pre-made tag to put my verse on it from Just Rite stamps. I then made about 5 other cards and they turned out pretty cute if I do say so myself. I have received a lot of 5 1/2 by 5 1/2 inch cards so I decided since I have so very very much cardstock I would try to make a couple..............well that's tomorrow you'll want to check back because I know you'll be curious.

Until then, I want you to know that each and everyone should have a Bucket list have you seen the movie? Well this year I had my eye opener when I went through the back surgery in January. I made my bucket list right after I moved to Tennessee and retired I'm still working on doing stuff off of it but right now as I care for my 91 year old mother I'm limited to going anywhere or doing much because she takes my full focus. Someday I will take that list out and check off each item on the list. God willin and the creek don't dry I'll be able to fulfill that list but in the meantime I want you to please make your TO DO list and start checkin off those dreams and desires. Remember God loves us so lets do something for each other............Pay it forward and God will be smiling.

Until tomorrow....goodnight.

It's FRIDAY WOO HOO

Heck fire Fridays don't mean a thing to me, all my days are Friday, Saturdays or Sunday whichever is the best! I'm retired so each day is just the same unless there's a special thing going on.

My first and second card are Gina K design challenges. On Stamp TV she did a marble technique so I decided to try it and it really was fun. I now have 4 SU plastic boxes with 12 marbles in each and marked Blue, Gold, Green, Red gosh I didn't plan on cleaning each marble or box so they went into storage. The stamp is a Gina K design that I stamped, embossed in gold, then mounted on gold SU paper. I cut the technique paper and glued it on the embossed paper. Embellished it with Tempting Turquoise paper and beads.

Hey Cupcake was a image I received from a friend and I colored it in Copic's then mounted it on the marble technique paper and the Polka dot embossed folder paper with rick rack and waa laa.

My third card is again an image I received in the mail colored it in Copic's and then used TAC DSP on baroque burgundy SU cs. I cut out the caterpillar and mounted it on cut grass but you really can't see it since my photo is so bad. I used large eyelets to set off the other side of the paper.

I'm going to make a suggestion and I hope all of you will follow it: when you send images make sure you write on it in pencil the stamp maker and who is sending it. If you don't know the stamp maker at lease sign it so we can give credit where credit is due. I love all my girls on Stampin Trades & Treasured Friendships so I must say they give me so much inspiration. Thank you all for lookin at my blog.

God Bless and have a wonderful weekend.

Piggie Time

Alright I finally got down to business today and played with some stamps today. I actually made order of my desk area but I finally broke my stool. It has been so close to snapping but today I did it. Tomorrow I'm off to find two new stools for my studio that way when my friends come over they will have a place to sit and work with me.

My first card was my Piggy card I used pink SU texture cardstock, K& company paper, corkboard paper and piggy is on white SU paper. I colored the piggy with Copics E93, R30 and E31.

The second card is just as plain as my first card but I had fun with the image but it doesn't show well in the photo. I dry embossed the cardstock but then the image covered it up so you can't see it. I sponged the edge of the image then rounded the corners along with using the MS border punch. Of coarse I used Copic's on the girls one has gray hair, one has blond hair and the middle one has bluish hair so cute. I used a whole bunch: Yoo, Y18, C1, W1, E50, E51, E0000, R20, R000, V04, BG49, B000, B00 & Spica's. Well its been a long day and I'm bummed cause I couldn't play more so I'm headed to bed.

Good night and God Bless

Weeds, Weeds & Tomato's

My first tomato of the year, wow I'm not crafting I'm gardening. Yuck I hate gardening maybe if I had a raised flower bed but I don't so I sit down on the steps then I scoot down the sidewalk and twist to pull weeds. Thankfully my brother planted these back on June 6th while I was cruising Alaska. Anyway this weekend I was the goodie two shoes and I cleaned house, enjoyed my new bed Temperpedic, laundry, lawn work and weedeating. I'm dying and my back hates all the twisting and turning but I'm done. I realized today that this is a different type of tomato plant because of all the clusters on it but my brother didn't leave the label so.......... but I do believe there are about 6 of these clusters on this bush but no weeds in the flower bed where he planted these tomato plants.

Well tomorrow I'll be back to normal and I will be making a few cards so I will post something. I'm still working on the slideshow thingy can not get it small enough to fit and look good but I'll busy working on this.

God bless you all, my thoughts and prayers go out to all my stampin buddies.

Wedding Day

This is a card I made for my friends daughter who is getting married on Saturday, 22 years ago my daughter was married on the same date. This card was so simple to make I started out with white SU cardstock embossed the greeting in gold then used my SU Big Shot and made a Fifth Avenue in gold vellum. Wala stamp a greeting in the inside and I was done. So simple so elegant.

This second card is again a SU stamp set with K & Company paper Tim Coffey designer. I used lilac SU cardstock and then colored my image with Copics BV000, BV04, BV08, G94 & YG99. After I was happy with the coloring I added the layers of paper and some ribbon and its done. Well it took longer than it sounds but I'm pretty impressed with it.

Now I have to get busy and post on Craigs list my stuff I have for sale and I have some odd stamps that I will be posting probably on Ebay in the next day or two. Need cash for the new SU stamps I want. Take care & God Bless.

Bugs & Birds Monday, July 15, 2009

I made two cards for the Copic's challenge yesterday but I can't figure out how to enter them on the Artful Sentiments Blog page so instead I'll just post them here for all of you to enjoy. I had to use YG67, B23, & E47. It says if you don't have those colors go for it anyway so on my Hummingbird and flowers I used YG67, E19, YR09, YR15, B24, B21, BV00, B000. The stamp is from SU. I used SU cardstock and a saluation from Stamping Sensations' Perfectly Said Rubber Stamps.
My second card is all SU paper and cardstock and again for the Artful Sentiments challenge of Y67 - B23- E47. I used YG67, YG00, B21, B000, E40, E49 R24, R81 and C1, C3 & C5 I wish I new the stamp but it was an image given to me in an image swap. Wish people would write the names of the stamps on the back of the images when they mail them, I know Deedee is good at that thank you girlfriend. Anyway I used SU cardstock some generic DSP, rick rack , a clip from SU and the cutest brad from Eyelet Outlet that says "Don't Pick the flowers".

Ok I'm done for now but hope you all have a great Monday since I've been retired the days don't matter to me my days are all about the same other than on Saturday & Sunday I have to go to the end of the driveway and pick up the weekend papers. Oh one last thing I'm looking for Sue who sells the mounting sheets and so much more. She's SuePaws, I sent her an email over a week ago and haven't heard from her. I'm worried with her and that big RV going all over alone but maybe she's just busy getting ready for SU convention. Talk with you all soon. God Bless.

I received this wonderful award from Micki Harper at http://artfulxpressions.net/ today and am honored to think she thinks so much of my work. Thank you so very much Micki.

In order to accept this award you must:
Thank the person who nominated you for this award
Copy the logo and place it on your blog
Link the person who nominated you for this award
Name 7 things about yourself that people might find interesting
Nominate 7 Kreativ Bloggers
Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate
Leave comments on all 7 blogs letting then know you nominated them

So here is my 7 things you might not know about me:
1.) I rode horses for many years and actually was President of the Estrella Mountain Quadrille Team for 5 years.
2.) I have 7 grandchildren 3 in Tennessee 4 in Arizona hence AZGramTN.
3.) I work for a Rag Doll Cat Rescue organization.
4.) I'm obsessed with receiving packages and goodies in the mail.
5.) I just bought the Ultimate Crafters Companion and it does tons.
6.) I'm unmounting all my stamps and have been for over a year.
7.) I have few friends, lots of aquaintances but believe best friends are one of the most important things you need in life with the exception of God Almighty.

And here are the seven blogs I am giving this Award to:

Sandy www.Handstampedbyme.blogspot.com
Deedee www.stampingsunshine.blogspot.com
Nancy R. www.stampinat6213.blogspot.com
Wendy W. www.wickleywonderfulcreations.blogspot.com
Marianne www.ilikemarkers.blogspot.com
Chris www.tinescreativecorner.blogspot.com
Marjori www.my-stamp-pad.blogspot.com

Butterfly Wishes July 13, 2009

Isn't this pretty I love butterflies and could watch them for hours I just got all the Martha Stewart butterfly punches so you'll see more cards with butterflies. Wendy Weixler has a thing for butterflies and I watch her blog alot she designs for several companies and you can find her blog on my sidebar. This card was made using the new Rich Rasberry, Pale Plum

and Cottage Wall DSP. I used Satin Ribbon and the scallop edge punch to make the scalloped windows and placed a 1 inch square of Rich Rasberry in the center of it then I put ribbon around the butterfly to create the illusion of its body and antenna's. This card is 4 X 4 which is an unusual size for me but I'm breaking in another new toy I bought which I'll tell you about real soon.

My second card today is kinda plain and I know it needs something else I just haven't figured it out. I first thought a flower but then nixed it because of the circles, anyone want to comment I love comments! This is Bermuda Bay my new favorite color & white cardstock from SU. Yes I'm a lover of SU cardstock its so thick and the textured cs is also excellant. I don't use alot of the SU inks because I use Amuse Ink for my images that I color with my Copics so.... Anyway the stamp set is Circle Circus and has lots of pretty circles to choose from, I have the word window punch and got the Modern label punch just the other day I use it all the time.

So whats your new In Color or for that matter your favorite color? Let me know I love reading the comments you all leave and it makes me feel like someone is paying attention. I'm off to my studio to convert more of my stamps to unmounted. I am going to devise a system to categorize them on Excel, if anyone knows of a program out there for stamp organization please let me know.

Have a blessed day!

SU Playday July 11, 2009

Isn't this just so elegant? Today Brenda Holder held stamp camp with all the new 'In Colors' and lots of new stamp sets. I made this beautiful card using Teeny Tiny Wishes, Medallion background stamp and Circle Circus stamp sets. I used Mellow Moss & Glossy cardstock with beautiful Organza ribbon and a big pearl. I just think it is elegant and you could use it for almost anything by changing the salutation.

The second card is using Animal Stories & Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp sets with the new Melon Mambo cardstock with glossy white card stock. The big piece of white was put through the Big Shot using Perfect Details Texturz plate. Brand new Melon Mambo grosgrain ribbon and the Modern label punch & Word window punch. Just think you could use Bermuda Bay in place of Melon Mambo and stamp the Whale for a baby boy or use the same card only the greeting would be 'Hear your not feelin whale'. Isn't that cute and their so fast to make.

Ok that's it for my Saturday but I sure had fun looking at all the new DSP and the new stamp sets. As always I said 'awe I didn't see alot I'd buy' but now I see all the possibilities and oh the new In Colors are so pretty. Now I'm not a SU demo (I was but resigned) but I love the inks, stamps, cardstock everything I just couldn't get anyone in the area who wanted to stamp so I had to give it up. Well I'm gonna cruise the catalog again, have a great weekend.

God Bless

July 7th, Fun day for me stampin!

Today I was a busy beaver with my Big Shot and my die cuts after playing for about an hour I got busy and made three cards for you today, do you believe that? It's like the blog inspires me to keep busy and post some cards. Its not like I'm busy or anything I got up today at 8 AM and had to be at the doctors for another one of their oxygen tests I'm so tired of these tests then I ran to the library (it was closed) oops since I can't do anything thought I would pick up some books....not today. So I came home and started the laundry, made breakfast for Mom and started playing. I'm lovin my Studio since Becky re-organized it, she was my rock when I was going through my surgery and recovery. Now I'm better and I never see her let alone talk with her but she has her own life and with the girls home for the summer she's a busy lady.I did get this image from Becky and I love it. At first I thought it would be a lot of work to color it with Copic's but it was fun and I know a lot of guys feel like this after a bad day on the Golf Course. Thanks Beck for the images your a sweetie, you inspire me everyday.

My flower card was a labor of love with Nestabilities. I bought the Peony and got busy with the Big Shot making all sizes of the Peony then I put them all together curled the edges after I snipped them. I used a SU border punch, SU ribbons, I put the label on it an a nice brad with K & Company papers. I think it turned out cute.

I got this horse image from my friend Micki she sent some really cute images and since I love horses this was my first choice to color with Copics.

Now to let you know how good Micki is this is a card she sent me. Isn't she amazing with the Copic's and shadowing? You can find her work at: http:// artfulxpressions.net/

Well I've talked my head off and I worked my butt off (well that isn't true) I have too large a butt to work it off. Anyway thank you girls for pushing my buttons to do a blog, I'm enjoying this and although I have to watch what I say at least I'm talking to a computer and staying cool as the caretaker to Mom, thats a story for another day. God Bless you and remember God will never give you more than you can handle.

My Sweet & Sassy winning set

Geez you are very lucky as I am going to post twice today. I won a free Sweet & Sassy stamp set from Sandy's blogsite and I received it Friday in the mail. I stamped several images and then used copic's to color those cute little bunnies. Geez whiz they can be almost any color but I chose this color to go with this card stock that I stitched on my sewing machine. I love to match up several papers and then sew like 10 at a time, so I'll have some on hand. I hope you approve of this one Sandy, I enjoyed so much making it and thank you again for the darling stamp set. Hugs till tomorrow.

July 6, 2009 Fireworks

I received this card from my friend Becky and wanted to share with you how beautiful she colored the card with Copics. I just love the picnic basket and all the fun colors. Thank you Becky for thinking of me. My 4th of July was quite noisy with everyone in the neighborhood setting off fireworks. I couldn't see all them because of the trees but they were still going strong at 1 AM and I was so ready to go to sleep. I have to say though we made it a point to give thanks for all the military personnel serving our country to keep us free. I sure hope everyone had a great weekend.

OK I guess its time.....

to pull out an image and make a card. Gosh I let the 4th of July cards up for 5 days I'm just so proud of them. Now its time to get playful so I pulled out some TAC designer paper and of coarse SU cardstock and make a new card.
This is a image I got from Becky I think its a 'All that Scraps'. I used fake stitches, green sparkles and some of my mini brads (those buggers are hard to work with) but so adorable. I used my Copics E31, E33, E37, E51 & YG95. I use E31 and E33 constantly and had to buy refills for my Copics because I drained those puppies to the bone. So now I know how to do the refills also. But then I'm a certified Copic's instructor so I should know how to do it. Maybe one of these days I will import my Copic certification badge to the blog.

I've been a slacker lately the weather has been beautiful so I did a bunch of yard work transplanted my rose bushes to the front yard planted some petunia's then I mowed the grass. I was kind of nervous about it but hey the young man I was paying to do it didn't show up for 3 days and so since my grass grows 2 inches a day I had to mow. Now for those of you that don't know I had a total fusion of my lower back in January so I have been doing as doctors ordered until now. After all the yard work I felt fine no back pain and happy to acknowledge the surgery a true success. Yesterday I want to Chattanooga to visit an old friend and play with cuttlebug folders.

Is everyone ready for the 4th of July???? I just found out that our town isn't going to have fireworks this year because of the economy. Guess I'll have to watch it on TV and remember all of our soldiers all over the world serving our country and putting their lives on the line. To each and everyone of you have a wonderful 4th of July weekend.
God Bless the U.S.A.