New Crop of Trees

Every year we get 3 new redwood plugs from the fair......this year, we got the regular coastal redwood AND a little cedar plug........it's pretty cool to see them grow - we're hoping to eventually have our own grove in the back yard.  They seem to thrive in the barrels, so I hope they do well in the ground itself. 

Funny, they don't look very impressive at this stage - but WOW, they're pretty awesome when they're mature!!

Buzz...Buzz....Buzz

 

Kind of an artsy-type of card (for me), something I don't do often and I'm not all that comfortable with but every once in a while it's good to do something a bit different.  I think what prompted this card was getting that cool hive embossing folder (Darcie's)....I already had the bee stamp and the B&T paper (CTMH), so all that was needed was "coloring" with some Memento Dew Drops and a bit of light Copic coloring, some Stickles application, a little bit of ribbon and metal embellishment and we're good to go.   

 



Goofy Guy

Another small card......but fun, don't you think?  Yep, it's one for Chef B - you just know that Goofy is just bouncing along to some tune that's playing in his head!!

I don't remember which stamp set Goofy is from (I borrowed it from Heidi during out stamp weekend in April - thanks Heidi!!), but it was absolutely perfect for the card I wanted to make.  Easy to color (don't you just love those solid color "coloring" images?), and the B&T paper is a no-brainer.  I did some "pick & omit" stamping with the sentiment (from Paper Smooches) and ta-dah....the care is finished!

Cochon

A VERY simple (and plain) card....but I didn't want anything to distract from the B&T.....because this is a card for Creepella (who's sitting about 3 feet away from me right now.....I'm so sly).  It's a running joke about my INTENDED mispronunciation of certain words.........."cochon" being one of my favorites.....I pronounce it "couch-on".....much to her disgust (apparently I completely insult her 4 years of high school French sensibilities.....). 

When CTMH came out with this particular B&T paper, I was thrilled beyond measure.....unfortunately it has been retired so whatever I have left in my stash is ALL I have.....shudder......

I've been mighty busy with some stitchy projects but they're still in progress and a couple of them are SURPRISES so I need to be careful of posting anything too soon.  I've been rather neglectful of stamping lately (stitching or stamping - sometimes quite the dilemma.....), and school starts on Wednesday so there's yet another hurdle in my path!!  But this morning after enduring my own slice of Hell (exercising...ick), Bob and I popped into the stamp room for a cool down and I realized I never finished the card I started LAST weekend..........sigh............  But the break was good because I came up with a slightly different design and finished the cards (WAHOOO!!!). 

Since next weekend is a long one, I'm hoping that I can really get back on track with the craft fair cards which also means more to blog!!  Wish me luck...............

Woo Hoooo Dress

Ok, I know it's a huge photo.....but the sentiment is so great I really want you to be able to READ  it.  The last time I used this stamp I didn't have a blog nor did I take any photos of the cards I made so alas, I don't recall how I used it. 

This time, I let the words direct me......strawberries on one side, champagne on the other, the dress stamped on B&T paper that looks lacey and it's on a metal hanger - well then, can't get much more perfect than that!!

Stamps: Dress - Paula Best; strawberries - PTI; champagne glasses - CTMH; Inks - Memento; B&T - CTMH; metal hanger paper-clip - Stamper's Corner.

Creepella and I are off to the Gem Faire, I'll be keeping a beady eye open for some sparkly card-making accessories......................wish me luck!!

Netting Butterflies?

I know the post title doesn't make sense but every time I see a "net' I think of the Scarlet Pimpernel when Elton whines about just "wanting to net butterflies"......well at least Creepella and Gail will appreciate it. 

Another get well card (Heidi and I are each making 5 different sets).  The main design for this card has been in my head for ages.  As soon as this set was introduced (actually re-introduced by Kim Hughes/Paper Smooches) I HAD to have it and there it sat for ahmm, a bit if time.  But I've finally gotten it inky and oh, it feels so good!!  

For the cardbase, I used CS from PTI, a Cuddlebug embossing folder, nestabilities, Memento and CTMH inks, Copics, gemstones from A Muse; QuicKutz net & handle dies, metallic CS and vellum from CTMH, and the cool colored google eye is from Stamper's Corner.

Care For a Slice?

Hmmm, well if it were Pumpkin Pie you might have a fight on your hands if Creepella were around.  The girl is a fiend for pie, pumpkin pie in particular.............so it's no surprise that I'm always on the look-out for pie stamps.  These stamps are from.......oh come now, they're stinkin' cute - I'm sure you know what I'm going to say, so say it with me..............PAPER SMOOCHES!!

I like a bit o' dimension in my cards so I purchase foam tape in the huge tire-sized wheel every couple of years.......yes, it SEEMS ridiculous but it's not - really it's not!!

For this card, I thought it would be cool to have the little ant holding the pie and of course that means I needed to pop out the pie and the little ant's head........perfect!!!

Stamps - Paper Smooches; Ink - Memento; Copics; Stickles; Marvy scalloped circle punches; ribbon (is probably from May Arts, but it's been in my stash for a few years).

Sending Cheer

Still working away on get well cards for the craft fair......and trying to keep them cheerful and fun.  This is an example of using the card sketch from one of the CTMH card-making kits and changing out the B&T papers.  Pretty easy, lots of paper-cutting and NO coloring (which is sometimes EXACTLY what I need!).  

I really like the Baker's Twine from CTMH, it's a bit thicker than most out there so it doesn't look so anemic......I wrapped it around the card a couple of times and I'm happy with  the result. 

I think I've mentioned before that I do NOT own a Cricut so it's good thing I'm a fan of fussy cutting (although I wouldn't really call THIS fussy-cutting). 

All items from CTMH except for the gemstones - picked them up at Michael's Dollar bin a couple of years ago!

Sending Sunshine

I've always loved this cloud cardstock from A Muse.  I purchase a package of it when it was first released about 4 years ago.  I still have quite a bit of it.....and now Doodlebug has come out with some cute cloud B&T paper so I feel a bit more comfortable with actually USING some of this CS. 

Pretty simple card but VERY cheerful.  Whipped out the ol' Nesties and yet more A Muse CS and in no time, my sun was done.  The cloud dies are also from A Muse.  The sentiment is an old one from Hero Arts.

Because I really wanted the sun to shine, after inking the edge of the sun's center, I added some Stickles to really make it sparkle.  It's so happy and cheerful - exactly what I wanted as this is a get well card.

Feeling Floral

 

 

Confession time...........I purchased this stamp set for just ONE stamp - it's that little curly viney stamp.  I'm happy to say now that I have the set I see the potential in some of the other stamps as well.  I know, I know - sometimes I'm frightfully shallow.  But come now, I know that some of YOU have found yourselves in the same situation.......it's ok, I won't judge.

 

Anyhow, I like the pop of color in the middle of all of the black & white.  I went with a Kraft card base because there are hints of some mocha color speckled around on the B&T paper.  I've been seeing a huge trend in that bold aqua color lately - I like it.

 

I tried to make this an all CTMH card but alas, the markers just weren't working for me.  At this point, I'm done with trying.  I've invested a boatload of $$$ in my Copics and I'm immensely satisfied with them and while I try to be as loyal as possible to CTMH products, I just don't see the point in compromising when I don't have to......Copics are a quality (and pricey) product but they deliver.  CTMH has a long way to go in the product improvement of their alcohol-based markers.....hope they're working on it.

 

All stamps, B&T, CS, ink gem stone & glitter glue - CTMH; Copic markers.

Would You Like Some Fries With That?

Yes, yet another mini-card....I used another fun Paper Smooches stamp (they're so much fun to color) and some lively B&T from CTMH, added some Stickles, cut it out and slapped it on with some foam tape. 

This was for Chef Bo-Bo Head.........one of his favorite meals is a plain & simple cheeseburger from Cheesecake Factory - yum!

Do You Feel A Draft?

 

I love this stamp.....it's one that I picked up at a local stamp convention.  I think it might have been $3.00 (un-mounted)....a block of wood set me back about 75 cents and the cushion was a few pennies.  Pretty cheap for all the fun I've had with this stamp!

 

 

This time I've stamped the image a couple of times, colored and cut out the gown and ehhh BACKSIDE and popped part of it out with foam tape.  I LIKE it!!  The B&T paper is ancient (it's actually an 8.5 x 11 sized-page!!) 

 

I dug around in the medicine cabinet and found some gauze tape and accessorized the spiral paper clip accent.  A mint-green brad help to adhere the clip and I was done. 

Hopefully this will make SOMEONE smile........even if it's just a "crack"..............

YIKES....that was baaaaaaad!!!

Slow Sunday

I nearly killed this maiden fern.  Thankfully Creepella took mercy and nursed it back to health.  I love maiden ferns.....they look so peaceful, blissful, calm and just aaaaahhhhhhhhhh,

The end of a weekend and I'm trying to rev up for another busy week......at least I got some stamping done this weekend - something to blog about during the week!!

Have a great new week!

New CTMH Stuff.....whoa Nellie!!

 

 

Yes, it's that time again......time for the new Autumn/Winter CTMH catalog......and let me tell you - I am digging a lot of the new papers!!  This one is called "Laughing Lola" - love the rich colors and designs.....and IMO, it can be used for both girly-girl or manly male cards......how cool is THAT?



 

This particular card design is taken directly from the Laughing Lola Card-making Workshop On The Go kit.  I'm totally over the moon for both of the card kits in this catty - I'll be posting a few more cards in the future with some of the oh-so lovely new papersssssssssssssssss.

While I stuck with the design lay-out (including all of the CS-cutting & placement, etc) I did change a few things....instead of stamping in black, I used Gypsy (purple); added a few more "splatters" and some Stardust glitter around the stamped-border and lastly, swapped out the black bakers twine for some A Muse sheer ribbon.  I don't have a Cricut so I fussy-cut all of the pieces (the label in this card)....but for those Cricut-owners, there's also a new Cricut/CTMH cartridge offered in the new catalog. 

Inside, I've used a retirement sentiment (this is one of the cards for the Craft Fair) but this card is suitable for a wide variety of card-giving!!  Yahoo for CTMH......

And BTW, I've just celebrated my 18th year (yes, EIGHTEEN) as a CTMH consultant.  It still makes me laugh to think that when I first signed up, I thought "Oh, I just need a year to get all the stamps and papers that I'll ever need......"  HA!!!!  Sometimes I make myself laugh.........