Kraftim Kimmie and Magnolia cards

Happy Sunday all...Just a quick post this morning. I have a couple cards to share. One is for Kraftin Kimmie's challenge--no embellishments--can you believe that. Me, with no doo dads. Ha! I'm the queen of doo dads ..lol..I have to tell you it was soo hard for me. Everytime I turned around I went to grab something to add to this card. So for this card to end up with "nothing" was just amazing. It's a bit rustic, ok well, alot rustic, and I really went overboard with the distressing to. I colored in the image using distress inks. I know I'm late posting this, but I didn't get a chance to upload it before now. Sorry...so have you been over and checked out all of the images that Kimmie has in her store? They are just soo kewl. I know I've said this before, but I have to say it again, I just love these images. They are so fun, very unique and they have personality. I guess that's what draws me to them. Their faces. Most of them have the, don't bother me now, kind of look...lol...or if looks could kill...well you have to see them for yourselves if you haven't already. I know I can't wait to get some more of them.

My next card is from Magnolia. But you already new that, right! lol...I have found that I just adore these little stamps. I only have a few so I'm sure you'll get sick of seeing the same images over and over until I can get some new ones. And there are so many out there to get. If you don't know here's a couple place to get them, Magnolia-licious and Hallmark Scrapbook. I know there's other places, but these are the 2 places that come to mind right now. Enjoy!!!

the butterfly is from See D's and the little greeting is from Inqued Boutique along wit the stamped friends puzzle on the inside of the card. The paper twist is some oldie twist from Making Memories (do you remember those)? Those were another hot item back in the day that we all just had to have in our stashes...lol...not to mention, do you remember this paper? It came out of Slab 1 or 2..(I think). It was in with the rest of the slab storeage so I'm assuming it was part of one..and lookie, I used my deckle scissors...lol...ok I'm being silly now. I'm up to early. It's 3 am here and I've been up since 1 :30am. Already did 2 loads of laundry, took care of dishes from dishwasher and have dinner in the over...woohoo...now I get to play until everyone else gets up and running...

Well that's all I have for now. I'm working on another mag stamp using more inks to color them in. I guess I'm still trying to find that happy medium with coloing in images. I'm just not happy wqith the way my images turn out. They don't have that vibrant bold look to them like I like. Does anyone have any suggestions, links that I can pop over to for tutorials on how to's? I'd love to go and read up on more....well have a great day...hugs from a cold and snowy Charm City

Be Mine Set for Magnolia-licious Frame Challenge

WooHoo...I finaly was able to get this finished for the challenge over at Magnolia-licious. The challenge was to use a frame on your card. I made the frame using my Cricut machine and welded the hearts at the top and bottom together. This card ended up being much bigger than I had planned but I really do love the outcome of it.

I don't know the names of the Magnolia stamps. They dont have a name on the packages. But I loved how I have Edwin looking at Tilda and Tilda is looking forward (to me with a smilin blushing grin on her face)...lol...I put this scene behind a transparency and added a bunch of feathers, wire beads and a bouquet of hearts to the sides of the card. Then I used the tutorial that Becca (Amazing Paper Grace) shared with everyone for the box. Have you seen this box? OMGosh!! If you haven't you really need to check it out. It's just awesom. I did however make mine shorter than what she did, and I really overworked the cardstock for the box. The next one I will know what to do and I won't have to try and refold it so many times...Enjoy!!!!

Isn't this just the cutest and creative little box evah? LOL...Thank you Becca for your instructions..

the front of the card....do you see the little "love" potion bottle...

and here's the little box...I tried to use the same materials as I did for the card....

Here's what I used from my Cricut machine... Sweethearts cart

tree--4 1/2"

frilly hearts--2"

hearts--2"

Mickey&Friends

fence--3"

Storybook

frame--8 1/2"

Plantin Schoolbook

flower border--2"

Well that's it for today...I didn't have to go to Jury Duty...woohoo...I hope everyone has a wonderful day...Hugs from Charm City

I'm Yours Be Mine or Else

LOL...I so couldn't resist this sentiment to go along with this Kraftin Kimmie stamp. I am so into these stamps it isn't even funny. I just love their expressions that are on their faces and their cute little do dads that come with them. The sentiment is actually a $1 stamp from JoAnnes that had a couple of birdies sitting on a limb and they were holding these little signs..I thought it went perfect with this little girlie that has a voodoo doll...lol....I thought it could be used for a funny Valentine's card for DH...we always do a mushy and a funny card for each other. So what do you think? Think I might get a laugh or two out of him? Well that's all I have for now. I have a couple of things in the works and hope to get them finished the next couple of days...Thursday I have "JURY" duty...that dreaded word.."JURY"...so I just have to wonder what is on the docket....oh well, best to everyone and I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday evening...Thanks for stopping by and saying hi....hugs from a very rainy Charm City....

My First Sugar Nellie and a Magnolia Card

First off, I am so doing the Happy Dance over here...lol..I was reading on Suzanne's blog (Scrap Bitz) on how she takes her photos of her cards. So I thought I would give it a try. Heck, anything would be better than what I have been taking. The photos below were from her instructions. And I love them. You can actually see the real color instead of the tint that I always end up with. Thank You Suzanne. You are AWESOM!!!! So the magnolia card I had posted with the feathers below I retook and it looks so much better. You can actually see how pink the papers are. The card and box below is my first Sugar Nellie card. I have to say that I really love how this set turned out. I purchased my Nellies from Funky Kits. They are offering a sale but they are over seas and the prices are different. A little higher than what you see on their page but I know with Pay Pal they did the conversion for me before I confirmed my order into American dollars. I'm new to this stuff so I thought I'd share this info in case someone else out there was new to it also. I also did something that I have only done one other time and that was I went Hybrid. The pattern paper and purple cardstock is actually from a kit from Digital Freebies. I purchased the year thing to get the archives for all of the freebies. And let me tell you it was so worth it. This was my first set that I printed and I really liked it. The bag I made I purchased the template from My Time Made Easy. It's called in a pinch bag. IT was so easy peasy to put together and well woth the money. There are so many ideas running through my head for this little darling. The flowers were inspiration from Patti Jo -PJSDeigns that I jsut had to try that as well. She makes some very pretty flowers out of cardstock. Hop on over and take a gander through her blog. I was just blown away. So enough of the rambling. Hope you like the set and the Maggie card I've posted tonight. Have a great evening....Hugs from Charm City

I think I used to much purple stickles though...I kind of went a little wild with it..lol.. Isn't this just a darling bag...you have got to go see the ones that Lauren has made..They are AWESOM!!!! And here's my Maggie. I think she turned out better than the other ones I've made so far. Although the cheekies needed to blend in more I just couldn't get that to happen..I left the sentiment blank and thought I would jsut fill it in next year at Christmas time... Thanks for stopping by tonight....

Kraftin Kimmie Challenge

Here is my take on the challenge over at Kraftin Kimmie. We were to use pink, red, chocolate and some hearts. I had alot of fun with this card. Still trying to learn how to color images in. the card has a tint on it and I couldn't get a great shot...sorry about that...I love love love this stamp. Look at her expression. It looks likes she's so frustrated...lol... here's the inside of the card. Just a simple one....well if you get a chance pop on over and play along....Well that's it for now...have a great day....Hugs from Charm City

Magnolia-licious Highlites Pretty in Pink Contest

Hello blogland. I've been wanting to post this card I made a few days ago for the contest over at Magnolia-licious Highlites blog. This is my second Magnolia card (well the first one I don't count) and I have to say that I really need alot of work on the flesh tones. I had seen someone else post a card doing a piecing and I really wanted to try that. So this is what I came up with. I also wanted to use this darling stamp but didn't want to make it into a Christmas card. So how did I do? The photo has kind of a tint to it. It's really crisp white in real life ... Well this is all I have for today. I do have a few more cards to post but I will do that tomorrow. I hope everyone has a wonderful day....hugs from Charm City....

Pink Elephant and Paper Take Weekly Challenges

Happy Friday---Man am I glad this week is over and it's finally the weekend. I know soon enough I won't be glad it's the weekend as I will have to be working them. This was just some disheartening news I received today at work. I have about a month and then it's weekend duty. YUK!!!! But you know what they say, this to shall pass. I just hope it will pass sooner than later. KWIM!!!!! On a lighter note, I made this card for our niece's birthday tomorrow. I used the sketch from Paper Take Weekly and the theme challenge---birthday---from The Pink Elelphant. The stamp is another from Kraftin Kimmie. Have you gone over there yet? If not, what the heck are you waiting for. They just released a new line of stamps and they are to die for. Let me say it again, To Die For!!!! LOL....I really thought this one fit our niece. She's so pretty and alittle glam like this stamp but has that little tude thing going on. Have you seen the artist' blog that creates these stamps, Annie Rodrigue? Holy cow girls and boys. Pop on over there and check her blog out Moonlight Whispers . I was flipping through her pages and I was in awe of her work. As I was reading I noticed that she uses ink to color in her images. It looked like liquid ink not from a marker. So me being the kind of person that I am, decided to try it on this little birthday girl. I have done this before, but I really tried to make it work with the blending and all. And I have to say that I really like coloring in with a paint brush better than a marker. Why, I don't know. I just do. I even used acrylic paint watered down with water (hair color). I remember back at the holiday season there was a tutorial using inks like this as well over in the classroom at Ellen Hutson that was very helpful. So I have all of these bottles of reinkers that I am putting to good use instead of using them on the ink pads themselves. I also used Canson watercolor paper 90lb. instead of the Neenah paper. I felt like this would hold the liquid ink better than the Neenah paper. I just used the backside of it instead cuz it was smoother than the front. It's called the Biggie Jr. and I got it at Joannes for about 10 bucks for 5o sheets. But I did use clear embossing powder after I stamped my image so it would keep the colors from bleeding together. So there you have it. A new found method ( for me anyways) of me trying to color in images. I know I still have alot of trial and error, but I think this will work for me as I just can't seem to get a hang of those darn cute Copic markers. So what do you think? Is she ok for my first try at using reinkers? paper is by Scenic Route reinkers from Distress Inks worn lipstick broken china and tea dye and acrylic is yellow ochre (with a little mix of tea dye ink) I also added some stickles this is the sketch for Paper Take Weekly Well that's all I have for today. I hope to play some more this weekend. I received some new stamps in the mail the other day from a very special friend and have been dying to play with them. I hope you all ahve a wonderful weekend. Hugs from a very warm Charm City

Just a little toot

Good morning all--I just wanted to pop in here and give you some of my happy news of a layout that was accepted over at Scrapbooking Magazine. If you don't already know, this is a free magazine that is published weekly and best of all, it's free. Free-- I tell ya. There's not many things in this world that is free. This magazine is chucked full of inspiration. All you have to do is sign up for their newsletter and it's delivered right to you in box. How cool is that. So gander on over and sign up if you haven't already. And then peek around a look at all of the eye candy that is there this week.

The layout that had gotten picked up was an 8X8 double page winter layout that I had done for a circle journal that I'm in. Here are the layout deets if you are interested in checking out what all I used.

Well that 's it for now. I'm off and running for a bit and hope to be back to play alittle later after school starts. Have a warm and safe Monday. Hugs from Charm City

Caardvarks Kraftin Kimmie and even a Magnolia card

First off, I'd like to say, Happy bitter sweet cold Sunday. And it is really cold here in Charm City. Today was just a lazy day. We finally took down and stored all of our holiday decorations yesterday. And let me tell you, it was such a chore. We have to go up in the attic to store all of the tubs and boxes. It's such a tight fit for 2 pleasantly "phat" people...lol....and I say that in a nice way. Any whoo, onto the cards for today...Enjoy!!!! you can click on the photos for a better view

I made this one for the challenge over at Caardvarks (sketch challenge). If you get some time stop by and take their challenge. They have some really nice candy going on with it. And don't forget to check out the DT's cards and the others that have posted. They are all just so inspiring. All of the product here is out of my "older stash." Anna Griffin papers (at which I just love love love her papers and I have been hoarding them). To make the scallop border I used 3 1" punched circles and used a pencil to trace them, then moved all 3 down the line to make the length of the card and cut them out. I added black stickles with a pearl inside to highlight each scallop. Used a felt flower border, green ribbon and a row of sequins on top with Prima flowers and one of those darling little Junkitz rubbery tag thingies that has been in my stash forever. In the upper left corner I used 2 of the felt flowers added 2 little felt balls with a stick pin with pearl beads to it. There's a better photo below of the stick pin. I added some Ranger Glossy Accents to the bottom of the pin so it wouldn't prick anyone who gets this card.

and here's the sketch

next up is for a challenge over at Kraftin Kimmie Stamps blog. This is my new love for stamps. I have to have "ALL" of them. They just released some new stamps and they are just darling little creatures. You have to pop over and check them out. The challenge is to use metal on your card and you have to use at least one stamp from Kraftin Kimmie. It took me awhile to color and cut Josephine out, but I really love how she turned out. She is just so cute. The metal I used was a metal saying (magic moments--don't remember who made this) brads (Karen Foster) paper clip and stamples (Making Memories). Added some stickles for a little glitz but I don't think it came out in the photo. Fiskars border punch and Prisma pencils with Gamsol. I'm still trying to work on my coloring. So what do you think? Isn't she just a darling little stamp? Pop on over and see what the rest of the girls did with this challenge.

here's the paper clip that I broke in half and used it on the ends to hold the ribbon.

In the photo's below, do you remember.......

this Borderlines victorian edger/ruler from Creative Memories?

or how about this Deluxe Card Template from Deluxe Cuts? I remember I just had to have all of these templates. I bet you did to. They were the hottest thing on the market when they came out. Not to mention the one's for scrapbooking. I had to have all of those as well. So as I was digging through my stash of "dusty tools" I came across these beauties and decided to make a card. Not to mention I dug out a Magolia stamp. I don't know why, but I have been so intimidated with these stamps. I have been a lurker on the Magnolia blog/yahoo group and have so admired everyone's work and wished that I could make something as gorgeous as their cards were. So I decided to give it a try. My card didn't turn out gorgeous, but for my 2nd card of Magnolia stamps I think it turned out ok. What do you think?

I used the ruler on the right border and added some Heidi Swapp chipboard letters to it for the greeting with Making Memories stickers at the top (I'm). Punched a 2 1/2" circle, added a black mat and I have her sitting on top of a string of ribbon that I folded in half. I used the Deluxe Cuts template to make the background. But you really can't see much of it with the circle. Added some Prima flowers and Robins Nest pearls. I know the coloring is just horrible, but I'm trying.

Well that's it for today. I'm off and going to work on dinner. We always eat early so I need to get crackin. Have a blessed week ahead. Hugs from Charm City

2S4Y Kazan's Sketch

How's it going peeps? Thank goodness this week is over. It's been one hard week for us here. I just hope that your week has been better than ours. I just wanted to pop in here real fast and post this card I made using Kazan's sketch from 2 sketches 4 you . I had alot of fun playing with this. It's a little out of the ordinary but I really love how it turned out. Enjoy!!! you can click on the photos for a better view I got this stamp from a dear friend Betty (the Scrappy Witch). It's one of Kraftin Kimmie's stamps. If you look at her face, look at how she looks like she's in so much pain with all of the little kiddies she has...lol...my first instinct was to use it as a Mother's Day card with matching envelope. So I used Kazan's sketh this week to make a Mother's Day card. The paper is from Cosmo Cricket (earth love and the boyfriend), DCWV stitch rub ons, Stampin Up heart punch, buttons and some pearls on the inside of the hearts. I used Prisma pencils to color in the image. There are other stamps that Kimmie makes and are all just as adorable as this one...I can't wait to use some more of her stamps.

the outside of the card..here I added some stickles for some added glitz.

this is the inside..I thought this was just so fitting. I used EK Success corner punches and printed the saying off the computer.

this is the outside of the envelope. I left it blank in case I wanted to mail it in the mail.

this is the back side of the envelope...

Well I hope everyone has a wonderful evening. I think we are going to get a couple movies and chill for the night. It's just been a long week. Hugs from Charm City

Happy Tuesday

Well have you ever woken in the middle of the night only to find out that your heat isn't working. Well that is what happened to us last night. And it was a bone chilling night here in Charm City. We just replaced the dryer yesterday because DH just couldn't fix it (not from lack of trying). So yesterday he went to Sears and came home with a new one. And then this last night. Don't they say everything happens in 3's? Well if that's the case, I have to wonder what will happen next. DH went and picked up 3 floor heaters to heat the house until we can get someone to come out (hopefully later today). Then he got a new ther. stat for the wall and we replaced that. But nothing. So here comes another "dreaded" bill that we really don't want. It seems like things always happen before or after the holidays to us. Gotta love the new year...lol.... Well I thought I'd post a few more things that I have made. Just a couple of cards and a gift box...Enjoy!!! just a little card playing around with the sketch from last weeks challenge at 2S4Y. Not much in the old supply category except for the little stamps and ribbon. I actually used inks with water and colored in the stamps with a paint brush and added stickles. this is an older card I made and just wanted to add it again. I really did a horrible photo job on the last one (not that this one is any better) . I really loved this stamp and thought she had a lot of attitude. Do you remember the photos of our little GB that I posted with the Steelers outfit I got him for Christmas? Well here's the little box I made to go along with the outfit. I used Accent Essentials Cricut Cartridge and something else for the words. Sorry, I couldn't find my little sheet that told me the specifics...But to get the emblem for the steelers logo it was Accent Essentials. Well that's all I have for today. I hope your day will turn out better than ours has already...hugs from a very cold and chilly Charm City...

Old Supplies Challenge

Happy back to reality everyone. This past weekend I was thumbing through all of my older supplies and decided to start using them. I say this every year and although I do, not as much as I want to. So I am REALLY making it a point to use up these supplies (and tools) that have been here in my playroom for, well, years. You remember those just had to have items. Those papers that are just beauties and were saving for that extra special project. Well I decided there are none here anymore. I am using all of it. No Holds Barred!!!!!! LOL.....about a year back I went through everything and got rid of so much to my girlfriend and felt really good about myself. But now I'm there once again. Feeling a little closed in... So I challenge you to do the same thing. I'm going to get a goodie box ready and do a rak on here (don't worry, I won't add really old really out dated things) and will have new things as well.... but more on that later....so keep an eye open for it...it will be coming soon.... You can click on the photos for a better view of the cards So these are cards that I have made mostly yesterday after going through my supplies....I'm really sorry the photos aren't the best but you get an idea of how I used them......Enjoy!!!! (card and opened envie) first up is a set I made using K&Company paper I have had for a really long time. Do you remember those scrapbooking supplies from the dollar store? Well that is a rub on from one of the sheets.The stitching is actually a rub on from DCWV that I only used a few of the strips.... And the silk ribbon is a package that the colors blend into the next as you go down the strand from 7 Gypsies. It really is just gorgeous ribbon, but again, it was a must have to have and I never even opened any of the packages that I purchased. Go figure...lol...the glitz circle is a fairly new purchase from Wal-Mart....again, really sorry for the colors....this is really so much prettier.... here is the card...I made this card and envelope using 2 1/2 sheets of 8.5X11 black cardstock and 2 12X12 sheets of pattern paper. The half sheet of black stock was actually used to make the closure of the envelope. I took an 8.5X11 sheet and folded it in half (not litterally) and decided how long I wanted to make the card.

this is the inside of the card...jsut a simple one waiting for something to be written/stamped...

(the backside of the envie) I have to say that I really love how this set turned out. I just wish I could have gotten better photos for you.

Next up is some lovely papers that, again, I had to have when it came out from MOD. They are just soo pretty and yummy. But anyone that knows me, I'm a rustic/aged kind of person. So what was I thinking....lol....this card is the same size as above. I just didn't make an envie yet for it. Do you remember that tag maker from Making Memories? Yep, I dusted that off and used it on this. The metal rimmed tag, safety pin andthe cheeky pebble flower stickers are both from Making Memories---rub on Kaiser Kraft---chipboard boy/girl from Basic Gray (used distress crackle paint)---and the pearls and metal heart unknown...

the inside of the card using another rub on from the same sheet....

I made this one the same size as above ( can you tell I'm hooked on this size right now...lol)...and yep you guessed it, but these papers are from Artic Frog. The shaker ice cream cone is another one of those dollar store scrapbooking purchases and the circle words are from a sheet from Doodle Bug. These were the only thing left on the sheet so I didn't feel so bad...heehee...happy birthday stamp was one of those from Memories in the Making (Leisure Arts) that have 12 different stamps on it. It looks like a date stamp but has different things instead. Come on, I know you have one of those in your stash somewhere. lol...and I just added some white tulle and tied a knot...this card is actually going to my niece in a couple of weeks. She's turning 11yrs and I thought she would just love this card.

I really love the color red, so I wanted to make a red/white card like I had at Christmas. I think it is such a striking color combo. The stamps are all old except for the script stamp in the lower left corner. I actually just got that one a week back.

heart fly stamp is Autumn Leaves (I think)

the hearts stamp is Stampin Up

and the circles stamp is a Unity Stamp

rest of the supplies I can't seem to remember....sorry....

these are from Anna Griffin...I just could not get a good photo. Spellbinders die and Cuttlebug embossed cupcake stamp. It was in a set of four little embossing folders and then it cuts it into a postage stamp. Really cool. I think I have only used this once.

here some more MOD papers and you guessed it, more scrapbooking stickers (flowers) from the dollar store. Can't remember who made the rub on and I even snuck a little Making Memories cheeky pebble flower in ther to...lol...the little flourish was from ZVA Creative (was a fairly new purchase to).....do you remember those EK Success special corner puches for cards? Well I dug out the only one I have and used it on the little block with the rub on. If I remember correctly, you can take this and punch all corners on the card. Even a pre-made card...

Well that's it for now. I want to challenge you to get out those older supplies and get crafting. I would love to see anything you make using some so leave a message and I'll come and check out how you used your supplies.... Well, I'll leave you with this little giggle I got when I read my horiscope this morning..my thoughts are the ones in red....

.You have a keen mind, Gemini, and are always absorbing new bits of information (yah-- all of the inspiration here on the internet). What is amazing is how much of it you manage to retain (are they crazy—when you get old you seem to forget information not retain it). Today, however, even your considerable (deflated) brain may be taxed beyond its limits. At work you may feel overwhelmed by the mass of information to sort through ( I guess so working in the publishing industry). At home there may be books and magazines piled up that you're anxious to read (Yep, I only look at pictures in magazines and listen to books). Consider taking the evening off from intellectual pursuits ( who’s going to cook dinner?). There is something to be said for passive entertainment.

Second Post for today

As promised, here's a second post for today. Just a few more cards. And can you believe that I still have a couple more to post. I just need to take photos of them and I will try to get them up tomorrow. ....Enjoy!!!!! This is another card I made using Scrappin Doodles digi's. I'm sending it to Aunt Rene down in Florida. She wasn't able to come for a visit this year (well last year now) and we miss her. So I just wanted to cheer her up to....the coloring isn't that good though. I'm still trying to work on that. I have found though that instead of printing onto my cheaper cardstock and use Neenah paper it really does color much better. So I'm going to try and use this type of paper when I want to color. I was blog hoping and came across a card that a girl made using black and white. I was really inspired by it and decided to make one. And I used all old products/stamps too....it looks so much better in real life.

and here's another one I made for the 2K4Y challenge with alittle twist. Again all older products except for the Sweet Treats Cricut cartridge @ which I used the numbers cut @ 1 1/2" then I added silver stickles. The Happy New Year thingy was actually blue and I used silver pigment ink and a painters silver pen to color....and that little black suit is actually one of those Karen Foster flip things...I just trimmed off the metal tab at the top and substituted it for the number...

Well that's going to be it for today. I'm off and running for now...Have a Happy Day...Hugs from Charm City.....

The Pink Elephant Sketch Chalenge

Over at The Pink Elephant they have 2 sketches for this week. I think today is the last day to post but I could be wrong about that. It could be tomorrow. I couldn't find anything on the site to tell me which day but I'm sure it's there, I just didn't find it (it's an age thing over here...lol). But any-who here is what I came up with for their sketches. If you get a chance pop on over and play along. They have some really fun challenges every Monday. And the DT just ROCKS them.....Enjoy!!!!!

I made this using the Sweethearts Cricut cart for the nest/birds cut @ 4 1/2" and the circle @5" with the Christmas Cheer cart (globe). I really loved the two little love birdies and wanted to play with them...

and here is the second challenge...I flipped it on it's side. The digi stamp is from Scrappin Doodles that I had purchased sometime last year. I had these printed out and stuffed into a folder and thought I would use these for the challenge. The paper and things are from Making Memories Cloe's Closet collection. Another set I've had like forever in my stash.

Here's the inside of the card. The little bird stamp I think is from Autumn Leaves.

Well I hope everyone has a lovely day. I still have more cards to post later. I'm hoping I can post a couple more later today if I get a chance.........Hugs from Charm City...