Dinner Magnolia & Punch It Out

This week's challenge is Punch It Out at Just Magnolia. I've paired the sketch from Friday Sketchers Challenge #97 with my new Dinner Tilda. I've colored her with Copics and paper-pieced her outfit. The DP is from the Eva paper pad from Basic Grey and the CS is Bazzill. I used an oval Nestabilities, Swiss Dots embossing folder and the EK Success Flower & Flourish punch. The flowers are Prima, sprayed with Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Mist, the pearls are Hero Art and the ribbon is from stash.

This card also fits the following challenges:

Our Creative Corner - Bows
Cute Card Thursday - Mono Mania
Papertake Weekly - Cutie Pie

Hope you're having a good week and thanks for visiting.

Cheers,

Check It Out

"Check It Out" is the latest challenge at Penny Black Saturday Challenge. It's also an appropriate title for this update because I haven't participated in a challenge since last September and I'm shouting "check it out", I'm back. Life has been its own challenge the last six months but I'm happy to say that most of it is now behind me.



I've used the sketch from Basic Grey's Challenge, as well as paper from BG's Lemonade paper pad. My little hedgehog and the words are from PB's "Wonderful" transparent set and I've colored with Copics. I also used Swiss Dots embossing folder, square Nestabilities, and MS' Doiley Lace Trim double-edge punch. Flowers are Prima and the jewels are Doodlebug.

I know I've been gone a long time but I'm hoping you'll come back to "check out" my blog again.

Cheers,
Judi

House Mouse Monday Challenge #52

The House Mouse Monday Challenge has gone to an every other Monday format and even though I had two weeks to participate, here I am posting the last Sunday night. Challenge #52 is to select your favorite challenge from the past year. I decided on two: the sketch from #48 and embossing from #19.


The House Mouse image is "In A Nutshell" and Maxwell is colored with Copics (E00, E33, E29, B02, Y21, YR61, YR68, YG23, C1). "Happy Birthday" is Endless Creations. I used Cuttlebug's "Floral Fantasy" embossing folder and two sizes of Nestabilities square dies. All the paper is DCWV. There are Dew Drops, Diamond Stickles and the ribbon is from stash.

I'm going to send this off to my girlfriend Barbi in San Diego. Her birthday's October 1 and I never get cards to her on time. She'd probably have a coronary if it actually arrived on her birthday. It might actually make it this year!

Cheers, Judi

Penny Black Saturday Challenge #64

I'm not sure what the problem was, but this card for the Penny Black Saturday Challenge #64 took me forever. The challenge was Christmas. Simple enough. I made a Christmas card earlier in the week which came together quite effortlessly. But this one had me stumped. I had trouble picking the paper, I had trouble cutting the paper, I tried ribbons, I tried different flowers, I stamped a couple of different images. Finally, late yesterday afternoon, things started falling into place.

I used "Merry Kitty" by Penny Black. The little bit of coloring was done with Copics (C1, C5, R02, R24, R27, R29). The DP was some really old Paper Patch paper, the CS was Bazzill and the mirror paper came from Marco's Paper. The squares were cut with Nestabilities standard and scallop squares and I embossed with Cuttlebug's "Christmas Ornaments" embossing folder. The flower was made by punching twice with Fiskar's "oopsie daisy" punch and once with a Stampin' Up punch. The jewel in the center is Hero Arts. And the Christmas ball is totally covered with Stickles "Xmas Red".

It's not the best card I've ever made... but it's not the worst, and in the end, I like it. I guess, subconsciously, I'm just not ready to think about Christmas.

Cheers, Judi

Papertake + Stamp Something + Colour Create = Christmas

What do you get when you take the sketch from Papertake Weekly, the color challenge of Ruby, Gold and Cream from Colour Create Challenge and the Stamp Something Challenge to use an animal? A Christmas card, of course! I think it was the color challenge which really drove me towards Christmas. I must admit I haven't had any Christmas stamps out before now. (Still not ready to admit that summer is almost over and Christmas will be here in no time.


I stamped Impression Obsession's "Christmas Tree Mouse" in Memento Tuxedo Black and colored with Copics (R59, G21, G24, E00, E02, D37, E29, W1). The DP is from a Christmas paper pack I got from Hobby Lobby and the gold CS is from stash. I used the EK Success "Scalloped Scallop" border punch and the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder. The flowers are Prima (the largest was white which I colored with R59) and the gem is Hero Arts (also colored with R59). Lastly, I added a touch of "Polar White" Flower Soft to fluff up his hat and to make snow.

Thanks for stopping by. Comments are always appreciated.

Cheers, Judi

Penny Black Saturday Challenge #63 and Papertake Weekly

So last week was all I expected it to be. I ended up working 3.5 extra hours on last week's timesheet and I was in on Saturday, so I already have 4.5 extra hours for this week. I like the extra money (more stamping things to buy!!) but it's hard to keep up with everyone's blogs and challenges. Vacations are over for a while, so it's time to catch up.

Starting the week off with Penny Black Saturday Challenge #63 and Papertake Weekly. Penny Black's challenge is stitching and Papertake Weekly is celebrating their 100th challenge with "Take Your Pick". You can use any of their 100 challenges for your inspiration. I went back through all the past PTW challenges and chose Katharina's Sketch 13. This was an early sketch and I thought it looked fun.

I used a transparent stamp from PB's new "Spooky" set. This kitty is so darn cute I just couldn't resist. I stamped him with Memento Tuxedo Black and colored with Copics (E00, E02, E09, R02, C1). (I'm not very pleased with the coloring, can't seem to get the right amount of "light" or "white" space. Guess I'll just have to keep trying.) My "stitching" is from the Technique Tuesday's "Hanging By A Thread" stamp set. The CS is Bazzill and one of the sheets of DP is from Doodlebug, but I don't know where the other paper came from. (I think I've had around for a while.) I used Nestabilities standard and scallop oval dies, two sizes of EK Success Retro flower punches, and the Swiss Dots embossing folder. There's a touch of Spica's on the kitty's hat, jewels and rhinestones from Doodlebug and Queens & Co.

Looking forward to more crafting this week (and not so much working). Thanks for stopping by. Comments are always welcome.

Cheers, Judi

Penny Black Saturday Challenge #62 & Sketch Saturday #64

I wanted to get one more card done before the work week begins because I'm not sure if I'll be back to my craft room again before Friday (my day off). I'm anticipating this to be a rough week as one of the other admin assistants is on vacation and I'm expected to do a part of her job that I've never done before..... as well as my own job. Should be an interesting week, to say the least.


So, of course, I chose the Penny Black Saturday Challenge #62. Their challenge this week is a color challenge.... blue, tan and cream. Since I also love sketch challenges, I checked out the sketch saturday challenge and, as usual, they have a wonderful sketch posted.

I used the PB stamp "Three Daisies" and I actually colored it with a blender pen and Chalk "Prussian Blue" ink. I didn't seem to have a Copics blue that matched my paper (sounds like a shopping trip to me??!!) The DP is from K & Company's Classic K Bailey paper pad and the CS is Bazzill and Stampin' Up. I used Nestabilities standard and scallop oval dies, the Cuttlebug swiss dots embossing folder and a Fiskars border punch. The pearls are Hero Arts, the blue ribbon is from Michael's and the pearl/lace is from Hobby Lobby.

Hope you have all have a good week. Thanks for stopping by.

Cheers, Judi

Truly Scrumptious 11 and Our Creative Corner

Finished up another card challenge.... well, actually two. I found Truly Scrumptious through another blog I was browsing and absolutely loved the sketch, as well as the idea of a creating a card using only white, black and one other color. And Our Creative Corner's challenge was right up my alley... they call it Triple Play. You must use at least three embellishments on your card. Now how hard can that be??!!! If you've seen any of my cards, you know I don't have a problem using embellishments.

For the Truly Scrumptious challenge, I chose pink as my additional color. I love this color combination; it's so girlie. For Our Creative Corner's Triple Play, I have used pearls, ric rac, a touch of glitter and flower with a jewel in the center. The stamp is "Willow Kneeling" by Whiff of Joy. She's stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black and colored with Copics (R39, R34, R21, R20, R11, E00, Y28, Y26, Y21, Y28 and C1). "Just Because" is Endless Creations also stamped in Tuxedo Black. I used Cuttlebug's "Perfectly Paisley" embossing folder and Nestabilities standard and scallop circle dies. The DP is All My Memories and the CS is ColorMates Dark Pretty Pink and Bazzill. The flowers are Prima, the pearl is from Hero Arts, the ric rac is The Paper Studio and the black "rhinestone" is from Queen & Co.

I have to tell a secret; as you can see, my card is the opposite of the sketch. I had all the pieces adhered to the base card and when I went to open it, found that the fold was on the right and the card opened from the left. Fortunately, I was able to get the stamped image off and turned over. Luckily I hadn't stamped "Just Because" yet.

Even though it's a little backwards, I'm quite pleased with this card.

Hope everyone had a good Monday. Thanks for visiting.
Cheers, Judi

Penny Black Saturday Challenge #55

It's been so long since I last posted, I've practically forgotten how. Let's hope this inactivity is coming to an end.

I know this is a late entry, but I couldn't miss out on the Penny Black Saturday Challenge #55. It's a sketch and a wonderful sketch at that.

I started out with one of the transparent stamps from the Penny Black "Wonderful" set. I colored my little hedgehog with Copics and added a touch of glitter with my new Spica pens. "Thinking of You" (C27) is from Endless Creations. The DP is from Cloud 9's "Sunrise Smoothie" collection and the card stock is Core'dinations. I ran it through the Cuttlebug, using the Swiss Dots embossing folder. I then lightly sanded the dots to reveal the white core. The flowers are Prima and the ribbon is American Craft Elements from a QVC ribbon pack. The last touch is "Flame" Dew Drops.

Hope you enjoy this card. Thanks for looking.

Cheers,
Judi

Cuttlebug Be Inspired #26

Cuttlebug Be Inspired #26 challenged us to use vellum in an Easter card, along with our Cuttlebug of course! The card I made isn't exactly Easter, more for Spring I guess, but I hope it's okay.

I used the Swiss Dots embossing folder on my vellum. The DP is from the Basic Grey "Blush" paper pad and the CS is Bazzill. (The frame is actually what was left from using the Nestabilities Deckled Rectangle for another card.) The "Just For You" is from Endless Creations, the ribbon is from American Crafts, the flower brad is from Karen Foster Metals and the silver jewels are from Hobby Lobby.

Enjoy!
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

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

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

Cuttlebug Be Inspired #19

Cuttlebug Be Inspired #19 challenges us to use acetate in our project. I decided I wanted to use my new "Build-A-Flower" set but, I have to admit, this card took me forever to make. Each petal of the flower has to be handled separately.... cut, then embossed... which means I did this 15 times (5 petals x 3 layers each). I'm not sure you can actually see the embossed acetate layer in the photos but it is really there (the top layer of each petal).

Besides the Build-A-Flower set, I used the Swiss Dots embossing folder as well as a border from the With Love embossing set. The DP is The Paper Studio from Hobby Lobby and the CS is Bazzill. I also used the Martha Stewart punch Lattice Arch and "thinking of you" is Stampendous.

Have a great day. Hope you come back again.

Cheers, Judi

Cuttlebug Be Inspired #18

This is becoming a Saturday habit... two posts in one day. Cuttlebug Be Inspired #18 asked us to create a card in a different shape. Wasn't sure what to do so I took a square card and made it into an octagon. I'm not sure why, but I'm not very happy with this card. I guess that happens every now and then.

The Sarah Kay image is my friend Barb's which I had stamped on New Year's Eve. I embossed the blue card stock with Swiss dots, as well as the punched flowers (unfortunately, after putting glitter glue on the flowers, the dots don't show up very well). The DP and the rub-on are Melissa Francis. I used Prismacolor colored pencils (with gamsol), lace from Hobby Lobby, ribbon from Michaels, Stickles Diamond glitter glue, Hero Arts pearls and EK Success punches.

Done for the day. Thanks for taking the time to look.

Cheers, Judi

Penny Black Saturday Challenge #35

The Penny Black Saturday Challenge #35 is "Romance", appropriate for the upcoming Valentine's Day. Not much into mushy cards which means I don't have a lot of heart stamps... so I had to convert a Christmas stamp into a Valentine. Hope you enjoy.


I used "The Light Brigade" (PB 3916K), colored with Prismacolor pencils (blended with a bit of gamsol). The heart paper is called "Pastel Hearts" from Hot Off The Press; all the rest of the papers are from my stash. "Perfectly Paisley" embossing folder was used on one of the pink pieces. The heart punch is Marvy, "Hugs & Kisses" is Darcie's and the glitz is Stickles Diamond glitter glue.

Thanks for looking. Come back again.
Cheers, Judi

House Mouse #23 and Cuttlebug Be Inspired #17

Well I'm back... and with a new card.

Valentines and Love seem to be the theme of the week, as can be seen in both the House Mouse Monday Challenge #23 and Cuttlebug Be Inspired #17. I have combined both these challenges into the same card.

The stamp is Love Bunny and Itty Bit and Hop-It have been colored with Prismacolor colored pencils (blended with gamsol). I used circle and scallop circle Nestabilities, the Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Fiskars border punch, The Paper Studio red dotted ribbon (from Hobby Lobby), "I Love You" is Stampin' Up and red Stickles glitter glue.

I hope everyone has a great Valentine's Day and give the person you love a great big hug.

Cheers, Judi

Cuttlebug Be Inspired #16

The Cuttlebug Inspiration this week is to add distressing to your project. I'm not big into distressing but figured I needed to give it a try.

This week's inspiration was brought to us by Basic Grey so, in their honor, I dug out several of my Basic Grey paper pads and decided on paper from Scarlet's Letter. I used two different size punches to create the flowers (small flower by Marvy and large flower by Punch It) and then ran them both through the Swiss Dots embossing folder. I sanded the edges and the dots, plus added Dark Brown Fluid Chalk ink. This ink was also used around the edges of the DP. The stamp is called "A Basket for all Seasons" by Mostly Animals (I've had it forever) and it was also run through the Cuttlebug before edging with the Dark Brown ink. The brown ribbon is DCWV bought from QVC and the copper brads are from my stash.

Since I raised the flowers using pop dots, I also tried to give the petals a bit of curl with a pencil. I've added another picture to show the dimension but it didn't really show it very well.

Thanks for taking a look. "Distressing" can really be quite fun; you should try it some time.

Cheers, Judi

Cuttlebug Be Inspired #15

Cuttlebug Be Inspired #15 challenge (http://cuttlebugchallenge.blogspot.com/2009/01/be-inspired-15-draft.html) is a sketch this week. I really had fun with this. I used a package of heart stickers from Jolee's by You, white and gold CS from stash, and the Cuttlebug Perfectly Paisley embossing folder. Unfortunately, I don't have any idea where the "Congratulations" stamp came from (it's a foam stamp I've had for years).

Enjoy, Judi