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

Mojo Monday 103 - Contest

Nothing like waiting til the last moment to finish a card. Mojo Monday 103 closes Sunday at 8:00 p.m. MT (I'm presuming that's Mountain Time) and it's 6:00 p.m. ET right now. That's cutting it pretty close, even for me. But I loved this sketch so definitely wanted to give it a try.

The stamp is from Endless Creations. I colored right on the stamp with Tombow Markers and then added a touch of Violet Flower Soft mixed with Eggplant Ultra Fine glitter from Art Institute. The CS is Bazzill and the DP is "Violet Dahlias" by Chatter Box. The ribbon and flower are from Joann's and I also used a Nestabilities' scallop oval.

As I look at the picture I just downloaded, I realize I didn't put on the three pearls which I planned to add on the purple paper below the image. Oh well, I'll have to add them before I actually send the card to someone.

Hope you all had a great weekend. Monday's come so soon.

Cheers, Judi

Spoon Full of Sugar & Whiff of Joy Challenges

Both of these challenges are a first for me. A Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge #64 is a wonderful sketch by Camilla and Whiff of Joy Challenge #43 is to use pink and brown.

This is the first inking of Whiff of Joy's "Willow with Sunhat". I think she is so cute. I stamped Willow in Memento Tuxedo Black and again colored with Copics (R81, R83, R85, R39, R59, E00, E02, E37, E29, YG23, C1). "Just Because" is Endless Creations stamped in Chalk "Dark Brown". The DP is from the Basic Grey "Bittersweet" paper pad and the CS is Bazzill. I used Nestabilities' Labels 4, the flowers are Prima, and pearls are Hero Arts.

Hope you're having a great weekend. The weather is perfect here in Michigan (personally it's a bit warm for me) but I think most people are just glad that summer has finally arrived.

Thanks for stopping by. Comments are always appreciated.

Cheers, Judi

Penny Black Saturday Challenge #61 & Stamp Something

Another week and a new Penny Black Saturday Challenge. This week's challenge is a sketch by Beth and I've combined it with the Stamp Something Challenge which is to use a charm.


I'm using another stamp from the "purrfect day" transparent set and I've colored this little cutie with Copics (C1,C7,Y26,Y28,YG11,YG23,YG25,R02,R39,R81,R83,R85). "Birthday Wishes" is by Endless Creations, the DP is from the "Baby Powder" collection by imaginisce and the CS is Bazzill. The flowers are Prima, the "diamonds" in her color are by Hero Arts, jump rings and chain are from Hobby Lobby, and the charm is from stash. There's a touch of Spica on the flowers and leaves.

To hang my charm, I used a technique I found on Bev Rochester's blog All The Things I Love. I think my chain's a little long but, for a first try, I think it turned out pretty well.

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 #58 & Copic Colour Challenge #22

I've found another new challenge to participate in.... Copic Colour Challenge and I've incorporated it with Penny Black Saturday Challenge, which I always love. This week Copic Colour Challenge #22 is a sketch and PBSC #58 is "Soft and Sweet".

I stamped Penny Black's "Bee Sweet" with Memento Tuxedo Black and colored with Copics (colors used below). The cardstock is Bazzill but I'm afraid I don't know where the DP came from (I found it going through my stash). The flowers are Prima; even though the picture looks blue, the largest flowers are really purple. I colored them with Copic V17 which ended up being a little too dark. I used the Nestabilities standard and scallop ovals and embellished with single pearls from Hero Arts and strands from Michael's. "Happy Birthday" is Endless Creations (B151) stamped in ColorBox Chalk "Warm Violet".

Copics used:
Hair: E09
Skin: E00, R20
Hat, Dress, Shoes: V01, V12, V15, V17,
Socks, Sunflowers and trim on Dress: Y11, Y26 (and lots of Colorless Blender)
Miscellaneous: Y17, G17, RV14

Guess that's it. Thanks for taking a look.
Cheers, Judi

House Mouse Monday Challenge #44 & Friday Sketchers 59

I decided to combine two challenges.... House Mouse Monday Challenge #44 and Friday Sketchers 59. I've never participated in Friday Sketchers, but I love sketches so thought it was time to give this challenge a try.

The House Mouse challenge is to use Paper Tole which is a layering technique. I've added one layer to the parts of the image that I feel would be "in front" (e.g. Itty Bit's arms, hat, cake and candles). This is a fun technique and really adds dimension to your image.

I used "It's My Party" (HMJR1059) and colored with Copics. "Birthday Wishes" (C131) is by Endless Creations. The DP is from Imaginisce's "All Kinds of Happy" collection and the CS is Bazzill. I also used the Nestabilities Small Labels die around the main image and the EK Success "Dotted Scallop" border punch along the bottom of the long strip. The jewels are from Doodlebug and the touch of glitter is from my new Spica pens.

These were both fun challenges and I hope you enjoy. Thanks for looking.

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

Sketch Saturday #46

This is my card for Sketch Saturday #46 challenge. I've used DP from Bo Bunny's Shabby Princess collection and CS from Bazzill. The stamp is "Buttercup" from Stamps Happen, Inc., which has been colored with Prismacolor colored pencils and blended with gamsol. "Just Because" is from Endless Creations. The border punch is Doily from Martha Stewart and the flourishes are QuicKutz. I've added a touch of White Opal Liquid Pearls to the center of the flowers and Stickles Diamond glitter glue to her wings. The pearls are from Hero Arts.

Thanks for visiting. Enjoy!

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

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

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 #24

Typical week; here it is Saturday and I haven't posted anything since Monday. The week just gets away from me. I work, come home, (sometimes have a quick nap), have dinner and try to spend time each evening in the craft room, and then it's time for bed. I'm not the fastest creator so it can take several evenings to finish up a card. And, I made the mistake of joining Facebook. I don't know what that's going to entail but everyone says be careful, it's very addicting.

It was relatively slow at the office. Still a little worried about lay-offs. We missed out on another project which means no new work, but there was an interview on Friday which went very well. One can only hope.

I went to the dentist on Monday and had a glowing report. Now if only I could remember to floss more. Sue also had a doctor's appointment and we found out that she has to have hip replacement surgery. Finally some answers, she's been walking about like a question mark for a couple of months now.

Well, I digress... this post is really about The House Mouse Monday Challenge #24 "Tall and Thin". Another great challenge as this is not a card size that I work with very often.

"It's My Party" (HMJR1059) was stamped in coal black Ancient Page and colored with Prismacolor pencils (with gamsol). "Happy Birthday" (D175) is from Endless Creations and stamped in Encore Ultimate Metallic Blue. The DP is Frances Meyer (I've had it for years) and the CS is Bazzill. Everything was edged in Encore Blue and Fluid Chalk Chestnut Roan. Lastly, I used a Martha Stewart punch, Prima flowers, Hero Arts gemstones and ribbon from Michaels.

I need a birthday card for a friend at work. I think this one will work perfectly.

Enjoy and thanks for looking.
Oh, and Happy Valentine's Day!

Cheers, Judi