Penny Black Saturday Challenge #42

"Think Spring", that's not so hard to do today. It's still kinda cold but the sun is shining just as bright as can be. Much different than yesterday when it was snowy and windy. So participating in the Penny Black Saturday Challenge #42 was total enjoyment.

Since I can't wait for my daffodils to bloom, I chose the BP stamp "seeing your face...". I think this stamp is so cute and the epitome of spring. I colored my little hedgehog and his daffodil with Prismacolor colored pencils (blended with gamsol). All the paper is from the K & Company "Daffodil" paper pad. I used my new EK Success Zig Zag Stitch (EXPL8024) edger punch, as well as a Punch Bunch punch and the Nestabilities oval and scallop oval dies. The flowers are Prima and the bling is "Gemstones" by Hero Arts.

I can't wait for spring. Hope my daffodil makes you feel like it's just around the corner. Enjoy.

Cheers, Judi

House Mouse Monday Challenge #30

"Shaped Card"... anything but a square or rectangle. That's the House Mouse Monday Challenge #30. So I pulled out my Nestabilities and ended up with a scalloped circle.

The House Mouse stamp is "Bird Watching", colored with Prismacolor colored pencils and blended with gamsol. The DP is "Petite Sunrise Posies" from the DCWV Posies Glitter Print pack and the CS is SU. "Thinking of You" is Endless Creations C27. Ribbon is from stash and there's a touch of Diamond Stickles.

Enjoy, and thanks for looking.
Cheers, Judi

Penny Black Saturday Challenge #41

I remember doodling as something done in the margins of that ruled paper we used in class to take notes, and usually included some boy's initials in a heart. Who knew that one day doodling would be a recognized technique in cardmaking.

This week's challenge for Penny Black Saturday Challenge #41 is doodling. It's been a long time since I doodled but I did give it try for this challenge.

All the stamped images are from "Critter Party". I used two sizes of Nestabilities Labels One and the Swiss Dots Embossing Folder. The DP is from "Floral Prints" from DCWV paper stack. The CS is from stash. Ribbon is American Crafts Elements ribbon pack from QVC, pearls are from Hero Arts, flowers are from Prima and the touch of glitter is Stickles Diamond.

Try doodling again. It really is quite fun.

Cheers, Judi

Cuttlebug Be Inspired #23

Cuttlebug Be Inspired Challenge #23 is to use punches (along with the Cuttlebug) in unusual ways. I have to admit that I must not have read (or at least comprehended) what the challenge was because, not until after finishing my card and getting ready to post it, did I actually pick up the use punches "in unusual" ways. I don't think I really captured the unusual ways.

Anyway, I still had fun making this card and am really quite pleased with it. I must give credit to Sue Nelson (heartprints.net) for the inspiration. I fashioned this card after a baby card she had created. She has a wonderful website full of absolutely fabulous samples; everyone should check it out.

For my card, I used:

Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder

Scor-Pal

Martha Stewart Doily Border Punch

Endless Creations (#E16) Stamp

Sparkle Gems by Hero Arts

The Art Institute Ultra Fine Eggplant Glitter

Paper and ribbon from stash

Thanks for stopping by.

Cheers, Judi

House Mouse Monday Challenge #29

I've haven't fallen off the face of the earth, really. I'm going to catch up on some challenges and then add a post about what's been going on.

First is House Mouse Monday Challenge #29 which is this wonderful sketch.

So, here's my take:

I used "Buzzy Friends". Hop-it and Bumble have been colored with Prismacolor colored pencils and their wings have been given a touch of The Art Institute Crystal Glitter. Paper is all from stash, as well as the brads and black pom poms. I used the standard circle and the scallop circle Nestabilities and the flowers are Prima.

Hope you enjoy. Come back later for another post.

Cheers, Judi

Penny Black Saturday Challenge #39

Penny Black Saturday Challenge #39 is a Recipe 3 2 1: 3 brads, 2 ribbons and 1 flower. This is my first "recipe" challenge and I quite enjoyed it. Here's my card....

The "recipe" is:
Choose paper (mine are from stash and scraps)
Cut some with Nestabilities standard oval and scallop oval dies
Run some through the Cuttlebug using Swiss Dots embossing folder
Pick transparent stamp from Penny Black "Critter Party"
Stamp with Ancient Page "Coal Black" ink
Color with Prismacolor colored pencils
Blend with gamsol
Add three brads from stash
Add two ribbons: flowered from Michael's and white from QVC American Craft Elements ribbon pack
Add one flower from QVC Prima Marketing flower pack
Add Stickles Diamond glitter glue for a touch of sparkle





Hope you enjoy the results of my "recipe". Thanks for taking a look.
Cheers, Judi

Rainy, Lazy Saturday

This is my calendar for March. Boy is it appropriate for today. It has been raining ever since I got up this morning. It came down so hard for a while that we ended up with a small pond off our back patio. It dissipated this afternoon when the rain slowed down. It didn't stop the turkeys from having lunch in the back yard though.

All in all, we really had a pretty nice week. I think we had at least six straight days with sunshine even though it was very cold. It was nice to see the sun. The finches are ever so slightly starting to turn yellow, the Red Wing Blackbirds are back at our feeders and the daffodils are up about 2". I think spring is actually on the way!

On Monday, we went to an orientation meeting for Sue's hip replacement surgery. It was very informative. It's pretty amazing the things they can do to the human body. She'll be in the hospital three days after her surgery which has her coming home on Monday sometime. She has to be re-trained to do a lot of every day tasks... like getting in and out of the car, in and out of bed, using the bathroom and showering, even up and down stairs. I've planned to take the whole week off but will see how she does. Maybe I can leave her alone for a couple of hours towards the end of the week.

Had dinner with Marla on Thursday night. I was her last client, so we went to Applebee's when we were done. I had the mini bacon cheese burgers and fries (ate two and brought Sue home one). They were very good. Of course, I couldn't leave without having a dessert shooter (hot fudge sundae). Just the right amount.

Sue and I spent this afternoon working on Mom's taxes. It didn't take us as long as I thought it might. We do seem to be missing one piece of information... the report from Wachovia/AG Edwards with all the trust figures. We may have to see about getting another copy. Once we get that, the information will be ready to send to her tax preparer (although it seems we've done all the work!)

The schedule came out this week for the classes for the Great Lakes Mega Meet. I don't think I'm going to take as many as I did last year. I'm not interested in the scrapbooking layout classes, but do like the mini book ones. Registration is Wednesday night so have to make my final decisions soon.

Have a good week.

Cheer, Judi

House Mouse Monday Challenge #27

Finally, I've completed a challenge. Don't you hate it when life interferes with stamping?? Every evening this week seemed to present some obstacle which prevented me from spending my allotted time in the craft room.

I started working on the House Mouse Monday Challenge #27 on Tuesday but didn't get it finished until last night. The challenge this week was "All About chipboard". Well, I didn't have any so, to be able to play, I just had to go buy some and that meant a trip to Hobby Lobby. But, then, what are lunch hours for???

Anyway, here's my project using chipboard.

The stamp is "I Can Catch It" and Amanda is colored with Prismacolor colored pencils (blended with gamsol). The DP is "Sweet & Sassy Green Floral" by The Paper Studio and the CS is Bazzill. After stamping Amanda on white CS, it was cut using the square scallop Nestabilities. The pink frame was made using two square Nesties run together through the Cuttlebug. The chipboard is a glittered flower pack also by The Paper Studio. Lastly, the ribbon is from Michael's.

Thanks for looking.
Cheers, Judi

Penny Black Saturday Challenge #38

Penny Black Saturday's Challenge #38 is "Something to Eat". I was very limited in my food choices so have opted for a birthday cupcake.

This card was totally made with bits and pieces from my paper scrap stash. The PB stamp is from the transparent set "Critter Party", which I colored with Prismacolor colored pencils (blended with gamsol). I used two sizes of Nestabilities Labels One and the Martha Stewart "Doily Lace" punch. Red and black brads are also from stash.

Enjoy!

Judi

Cuttlebug Be Inspired #20

This is the sketch which is the Cuttlebug Be Inspired #20 challenge for this week.

For my project, I used:

Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder

DP from Basic Grey's "Scarlet Letter" paper pad

"flourish" die from QuicKuts (used in my Cuttlebug)

"Pebble Brad" by Making Memories

Ribbon, white letters and flower from The Paper Studio

Here's my take on the sketch.

Cheers, Judi