I actually completed a challenge!

That's right...a challenge from the lovely Marge at MaricopaStamper. This is a challenge for January from SBS22. It was to create a a Valentine's card WITHOUT any pink or red. And I really, really like the results! I used some old paper lace, crackle paint from Ranger, some really cool linen string from SU that I stole from another project I recently made, a $1 stamp, and some jewel brads. Love it. Thanks for the challenge, Marge!!!

It's a cute one.

Well, it is cute, but I can't give credit where credit is due because I find who I CASEd it from

:c( Sorry! If this is yours, let me know so I can give credit where credit is due. I saw this somewhere sometime and LOVED it. I used a pencil eraser as my "dot stamp". It worked GREAT! I sponged the bottom half of the background to make it appear as if I used two different papers. The scalloped lace is part of some very old scalloped paper lace I had on hand. The sentiment is computer generated, and the pot is from PTI. Love that.

Love pours out...

I thought this turned out SO cute!! I was a user with the Nesties hearts. My friend, Phyllis, is so generous and let's me use, use, use of her wonderful goodies. Then I cuttlebugged and inked. The little vellum envelope is made with a large punch I have. Love that thing!

Happy Birthday, Dad!!

Today is my dad's birthday. I'm giving him a cornbread mix that he requested the recipe for. I think he'll be pleased. Here's the card I came up with...

I KIND OF tried the Michelle Zindorf style, though I didn't brayer, I sponged. And it's nowhere NEAR her ability level, but I still love the look of it. (If you haven't visited Michelle's blog, DO!!!! Prepare to be amazed.) I recently got the reverse image stamp...well, I recently got the amazing deer stamp as well, so it's the first time they've both been inked up! I fussy cut the embossed leaves again for this one and think it adds a great tough. I used SU chocolate chip and not quite navy cardstock. And here's Dad...and yes, he REALLY is amazing!

My first shaker card!

And I LOVE how it turned out! I found the background paper on clearance at Michael's and knew immediately how it would be used. I used the Cuttlebug embossing folder, the Fiskars border punch "threading water", an EK Success heart punch, gold microbeads, some acetate, and then I assembled. Oh, I had also been given some little metallic confetti a few years ago that I cut apart. It did say, "I LOVE you" so I cut it so it would fit just the love in there.

So cute. I'm really enjoying this one!

A new card...

This is the card I made in place of Christmas cards this year since I was (am) so behind! They're actually STILL sitting on my table. I'm slowly inserting kids' pictures, thank you notes, news, etc...and hope to mail them one day soon. I used the awesome bird from Inkadinkado. It's SO pretty. I embossed it with this really cool awesome powder called Cobalt Tapestry and Topiary Tapestry and they have a really cool distressed look with flecks of copper. Love how they turned out. I also used my friend Phyllis's embossing folder and "fussy cut" them out. Fussy cut is a term my friend, Deb, uses any time she needs to cut out small pieces to put on a card. Love it.

A complete CASE...

I love, love, love this card by Melissa Phillips and knew I needed to CASE it. I love how it turned out! As for the deets, I used PTI Beautiful Blooms for the flowers, Studio G for the sentiment, and Cuttlebug scalloped circles to cut out the blossom.

Happy New Year!

I know, it's been forever and a day since I've posted. Bad, bad, bad! We had THREE weeks off
for Christmas break...not planned. We had one week of deep freeze and snow, so it was like we were glued to the computer and TV checking for school closures every night! It wasn't a very relaxed first week off, but the kids were all smiles each time they heard that they got to sleep in. They'll pay for it later with extra days though. But I am SO tired of snow (it's gone now). I love to look at snow...from a distance...far, far away...or in pictures...yes, pictures are good. I only like to actively participate in snow if I'm having a snowball fight up in the mountains where we've purposely gone to play in the snow. Ugh. However...the kids loved it and were very inventive. They disassembled skateboards and made miniature snowboards and had an absolute blast. My 18 yo ds was more challenged because he weighs a lot and has HUGE feet that didn't fit very well. But he still played and had a great time.

I really will post cards soon!