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 #67 (and #66)

This week's Penny Black Saturday Challenge #67 is to use lace and pearls. Boy is that right up my alley! I'm not sure what happened last week but I didn't get the challenge done. It was a wonderful sketch, so I decided to use it this week.

Both the image and the sentiment are from PB's "the Wonder" transparent set. The image is colored with Copics (E00, YR00, E29, E37, C1, R02) and Tombows (155, 177) and the sentiment is stamped with Deep Green Chalk ink. All the paper (except the white) is from the "Greetings of the Season" paper pack from Hobby Lobby. The rectangles are cut using Nestabilities large and small deckle dies and the two circles are cut using the Creative Memories custom cutting system (I think this is the first time I've actually used the system). The snowflakes are punched with an Emagination punch and gold charms from stash have been added to each. The pearls are Hero Arts and the ribbon is from Hobby Lobby. "Old Gold" glitter from Art Institute is on the star and a touch of Polar White Flower Soft and Crystal glitter is snow.

Back to work tomorrow. Thanks for stopping by.

Cheers, Judi

Penny Black #64 & Friday Sketchers #68

Over the last several weeks, I have finally felt like life was getting back to normal. My sister, Sue, was progressing very nicely from her two hip replacement surgeries and she was starting to get around some without her walker. We actually were doing things outside of the house again.

But, I got a call Tuesday afternoon at work..... she was pruning some plants in our backyard and had tried to throw herself down the small hill that we have. I guess the grass was wet, her feet slipped and she went down on her knees. She had to crawl back into the house to get to the phone. I called her hip doctor and made an appointment for the next morning. Fortunately, she did not damage her hips but ended up cracking the bone around her left knee (which had also been replaced 5 or 6 years ago). She's now in an immobilizer for a minimum of two weeks (when we go back to the doctor) and is back sleeping in my bedroom. I'm getting pretty used to the spare bedroom.

Barb and I did spend a fun Saturday shopping. We met at Stamp On It about 10:30 a.m. It was make-n-take Saturday, along with a huge sale. We played with Flower Soft for the make-n-take and I managed to pick out a couple more colors to add to my Flower Soft collection. I also found several stamps and a couple of Spellbinder dies. I needed to pick up some cat food at Pet Supply Plus and then we were off to lunch at Culver's. After lunch, we found our way to both Hobby Lobby and Joann's. We had coupons, we had to use them!! All in all, we had a very nice day.

Anyway, I'm back finally to do a couple of challenges. "Hearts Desire" is the Penny Black Saturday Challenge #65 and Heidi has created a great sketch for Friday Sketcher's #68.



This cute puppy is from the PB transparent set "Critter Party". I colored him with Prismacolor colored pencils and gamsol. The DP is from the "Love You" collection by Daisy Bucket Designs and the CS is Bazzill and Stampin' Up. I used three sizes of Nestabilities Labels One dies, as well as the standard and scallop oval dies. "Love You" was from a Will'n Way transparent stamp set and the flower is Spare Parts from the Paper Studio.

Looking forward to things getting back to normal.... again (which I hope means more challenges this week). Thanks for visiting. Hope you come back again.

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

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

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

Penny Black/Friday Sketchers/Papertake Weekly

Three challenges in one today: Penny Black Summer Challenge, Papertake Weekly Four Seasons Challenge and the sketch from Friday Sketchers.

I've used the PB stamp "Make A Wish" and colored with Copics (E00, E33, E37, R24, R27, BG10, BG72, YG11, YG23, Y21, C1). The DP is from the "Twitterpated" collection from Imaginisce and the CS is Stampin' Up. Circles were cut with the Nestabilities standard and scallop dies, flowers are Prima from a QVC flower pack, and the jewels are Hero Arts and Dew Drops.

I had a great weekend. Barb and I headed to Novi for the Heirloom Productions Rubber Stamping Convention. This is Michigan's biggest rubber stamp convention with about 50 vendors; some old favorites and some new ones.

We were taking a beginning Copics class on Friday taught by Sandy Hulsart. She's a certified instructor and very talented. We learned a lot and I think I finally understand natural blending families and what all the letters and numbers mean. After class, Barb and I checked out The Stampeddler (in Northville) and Archivers. We hadn't been to Stampeddler in a long time... they are still a wonderful stamping store.

Sue and Sandy didn't come down till Saturday morning. We hooked up in the convention center parking lot and, after standing in a very long line, finally made our way in. I had a list of things I wanted to look for and managed to find a lot. The big items were the new Spellbinders dies, Flower Soft, and Copics Ciaos. I was hoping to find Magnolia or Whiff of Joy stamps, but no such luck. Back to ordering on line.

Anyway, Barb and I took a Flower Soft class on Saturday afternoon (good thing, since I bought so much of it) given by The Paper Hollow. We made two different cards, one using a card topper and one using the flower stems. We had a lot of fun; it was great to use the product.

We stayed until the end, spent a lot of money and came home very inspired (and tired). I can't wait until next year!

Cheers, Judi

Penny Black Saturday Challenge #59 & Friday Sketchers #62

What does a fabulous recipe and a great sketch have in common? Penny Black Saturday Challenge #59 and Friday Sketchers of course! The PBSC recipe calls for 3 ribbons, 2 flowers and 1 pin/charm, combine that with Jacque's sketch, and voila, you've got a dandy card combination.

"Just Buzzin' By!" was stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black and colored with Copics (sorry, I didn't keep track of the ones I used; I fooled around with a lot before I got the look I wanted). I used the Martha Stewart Doily border punch and added a touch of glitter with Spicas. Everything else is from stash... DP, CS, ribbons, sunflowers and bumble bee charm. (In case you can't tell, the third ribbon is the 1" wide strip adhered to the 1 1/2" black CS.)

I'm not a great cook, but this recipe was very easy to follow. And the best part.... no baking required.

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

Penny Black Saturday Challenge #55 & Our Creative Corner

Hope everyone had a Happy 4th of July. We've had a great weekend here in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Personally, I think the weather has been perfect... mostly sunny and in the 70's. It's heading into the low 80's today.

Not only has the weather been perfect, but I've been off work since Thursday. Four days off is a wonderful thing! I've enjoyed checking out (and participating in) some different challenges. Yesterday, I posted a card for Friday Sketchers and today, besides Penny Black Saturday Challenge #56, I'm posting to Our Creative Corner. Both challenges were color challenges.... Red, White and Blue in honor of the 4th of July.

The image I used is from Penny Black's new "purrfect day" transparent set. The kitty is actually holding a balloon but I didn't ink the balloon and added the flag instead. I used three dies from Nestabilities Small and Large Octagons and the EK Success Scallop Diamond punch. "Happy Birthday America!" is from Ann-ticipations stamped in Brilliance "Mediterranean Blue". The paper, flag and ribbon are all from stash. Oh, and there is a touch of blue Spica glitter pen.

It's been a "purrfect" weekend. Enjoy the rest of the day. Thanks for looking and come back again.

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

Penny Black Saturday Challenge #52

I actually started this card last week for the Penny Black Saturday Challenge #51 but for some reason never got it done. So fortunately, I was able to make the card I started fit in to Penny Black Saturday Challenge #52 "Blooming Gorgeous".

I continued to follow the sketch from PBSC #51 and was easily able to incorporate flowers into it. I used Penny Black's "Purrr-fect Time (1467K)" colored with Prismacolor colored pencils and blended with gamsol. The image was cut out using Nestabilities Label Four and there's a touch of black ink around the edge. The card stock is all Bazzill and the DP is "What's New Club" by A2Z Essentials. I picked this wonderful 2-sided paper up last year at the Great Lakes Mega Meet in Novi, Michigan and this is the first time to use it. The flowers are "Mulberry Street" by Petaloo and the jewels are from Doodlebug Design Inc. Lastly I tried for the first time "Flower Soft". I used the "Spring" mix in the flower basket. I think it's going to take a little practice.

Hope you enjoy. Thanks for visiting.

Cheers, Judi

Penny Black Saturday Challenge #43

Appropriately enough, the Penny Black Saturday Challenge #43 is "Easter".



I used the PB stamp "Easter March", Hero Arts stamp "Easter Greetings", the Nestabilitilies Small Labels die and the Scalloped Scallop border punch by EK Success. The image is colored with Prismacolor colored pencils and blended with gamsol. The CS is Bazzill and the DP is Doodlebug Easter Argyle. The flower and the gems are also Doodlebug. The button is from stash and there's a touch of Stickles Diamond glitter glue.

Hope everyone has a happy Easter.
Thanks for visiting.
Cheers, Judi

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

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

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

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

Penny Black Saturday Challenge #37

Get Well Soon is the challenge this week over at the Penny Black Saturday Challenge. I chose the PB stamp "Letter and Daisy" which I colored with Prismacolor colored pencils. The DP happens to be from Penny Black (I have no idea where I got it but I've had it forever), the CS is Bazzill and the handmade paper is from my stash. I used Fluid Chalk Creamy Brown to add a bit of distress to the paper and then added lace from Hobby Lobby and the bow of Michaels. "Get Will Soon" is SU.

Hope everyone is having a good Monday. It may only be 17 degrees here but the sun is shining. Thanks for stopping by.

Cheers, Judi