Simple Joy

Hello, happy National Dog Day!  I didn't have a clue about that when I made this card featuring a super cute canine and a sentiment that I really like! Over the weekend I brought out a mixed bag of supplies and just played for fun. 

Rummaging through my background stamps I found one from Tim Holtz that is all sentiments, many are out of the ordinary. It's called Tiny Texts and I thought this one was perfect for this image. Ignoring the cake or card that looks birthday-ish, I love that this pooch has prepared a perfect cup of tea and has flowers and fixings to enjoy his day. 

Sipping my cup of tea is an ordinary joy that I savor every morning with thanks for a new day. I love the smile on this little guy. Wish I was so cute! (early in the morning...) The pup image is fussy cut from the Good Times set (Penny Black).

Paper scraps, enamel drops, and simple coloring with Zig markers. 

Makes me happy today. What is your ordinary joy? Thank you for stopping by! 

Be yourself

         Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Challenges: 
Little Red Wagon - Circle of Life
Penny Black Saturday Challenge -  ATG, Embossing (the black circle is dry embossed but the photo doesn't show it. )
Neglected Stuff Challenge - I haven't used my ZIGs to color for a long time!
Krafty Chicks - Clean and Simple

The Flower Challenge #91

Hi there, crafty friends!  

Welcome to our new challenge where we ask you to color your flower or flowers on your card, using whatever medium you prefer. 

It's an easy choice for me, you know that I love adding color to line art. This time I used my Zigs markers to color this pretty sunflower from Penny Black called Pure Sunshine. 

I definitely went with the brights for these blooms, adding a scalloped- edged border. 

The sentiment is also from Penny Black, the Delightful Day set. This is one sentiment that I'll be pulling out often. 

I hope you will  check out the inspiration at the challenge blog, and play along with us this month! I'm so glad you've stopped by, make it a great day!

Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Bring Joy

 Hello, and welcome to a new day! It makes me smile to know you're stopping by.

I saw the fabulous samples at The Paper Players and was inspired to play along! It's been awhile since I've made a slimline card, I had fun creating this one. 

I stamped the bear image in black ink and added clear embossing powder. Using my zigs I added color and fussy cut her out. To create the scene, I lightly sponged blue ink over a clouds stencil and used die cuts to add borders of green grass and stitched clouds. 

The Players featured a tic-tac-toe board. I followed the diagonal row: flowers, die cuts, slimline. Wishing you a wonderful day. Until next time! 

Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

The stamps I used are: Meadow 40-900, Happy Builder 40-474, Bring Joy 30-978 

Adding this also to the Penny Black Saturday Challenge 

Fresh Bouquet

 Hi there, friends, how are things going for you? I was inspired to play along with Time Out Challenges today for their special Photo Inspiration. We are CASE(ing) a gorgeous card from Gina K who is also the sponsor! That is certainly a wonderful incentive to play! 

I was inspired totally by the rainbow colors and encouragement theme. The Fresh Bouquet stamps (from Penny Black) seemed a good choice for rainbow colors and a happy sentiment (from The Greetery - Just Mason Around).

I embossed the black ink on Distress watercolor card stock, and colored with my Zigs and a damp paintbrush. I wanted the colors to be super bright - but in the photo they seem a bit over saturated. The Slimline Border Dies from Spellbinders added just a touch of black. 

Here's the link to Time Out and Gina's lovely card. 

I'm off to get this posted and uploaded while there is still time. You come play too! See you next time.

 Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Zigs Coloring with Flora & Fauna

 Here's a question for you. What do you do when your mojo is stuck?  First, I stamped images in January to color and worked here and there on them when I had snippets of time. Second, I got inspired by a new idea I saw online and instead of just watching it I determined to do it! Actually, it took me a couple of tries, but here's my card.

Using watercolor paper,  I stamped the lovely image from Flora & Fauna (WPlus9) in Warm Wool ink, which is a soft gray. Using Zig markers and a paintbrush I colored the floral spray, adding detail on the clock face with a black marker and die cutting the image. 

The new technique involved using the frame die cuts to create a shaped card with vellum as the main front layer. Using a cover plate on the vellum gave a wonderful etched texture.

The die cuts are hinged at the top so the card opens and this close-up shows the panel for writing your note inside. It's really nice that the card stands up on its own.  

These are the colors I used, and supplies are listed below for those who want more details. Thanks so much for sticking with me for this long post. Happy crafting to you!

Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Supply List 

Stamps: Flora & Fauna stamps and dies from WPlus9
Ink: Warm Wool (WPlus9), Versamark
Accessories:  Lavinia Layers Background Die from WPlus9; 

Stitched Diamonds Coverplate Die from Pinkfresh Studio

For the video of the technique,  and many ideas, visit Jennifer McGuire HERE

I'm entering these challenges: 

TicTacToe where I chose the middle row across - Layers, Friendship, Circle

The Card Concept where my clean and layered card was inspired by the theme, flowers and colors. 

 

For the Paper Players #599

 Can you believe how fast the weeks are going round? I've been loving being a Guest Designer at The Paper Players this year, and it's time for a NEW challenge! It's a color challenge from LeAnne, using my fav new colors from Stampin' Up!: Tahitian Tide and Parakeet Party. My best bet for getting close to the bright and happy shades was using my Zigs to color. Wow, was that ever fun! 

I also made a trifold window card. My blog theme this week will be Interactive cards, so I am kicking it off using stamps from Penny Black which work well for this technique.

When you open the card, you get the full bouquet of flowers in a cute teacup! My 'painting' is loosely done and leaves bits of white in the flowers. I carried the friend sentiment from the front to the inside. Lastly the sweet sentiment and my message to go with it will be seen. 

 I bet you can guess where the extra hearts came from ! Changed my mind and decided to go with a larger window. I didn't want to use a belly band to hold the card together, so this metal clip with black thread will do. I decided that was just the bit of something 'extra' the front needed! Supplies listed below. 

What will you choose? Can't wait to see your cards in the challenge gallery. Thanks so much for visiting today! My PB stamps are never before used, so I am entering this at NBUS.

Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

My PB stamps are never before used, so I am entering this at NBUS.

Supplies used: 
Stamps: Honeybee Stamps and dies - BItty Buzzwords, Penny Black - Fresh Bouquet, Smile 
Paper: MFT Colorful Canvas Pack
Accessories - Zig markers, SU Heart dies

Rainbow Blossoms for a Friend

I know that when the flowers bloom and the weather turns warm it means lots of outside time for most of you. It happens to be very very hot here this week and I am trying to spend a bit of time in the craft studio enjoying the air conditioning and my stamps! That doesn't keep me from stamping colorful armfuls of flowers!

Finding it easier to keep the mojo coming when I stamp more often, this is a quick take on the challenge at Fusion where I was inspired by the rainbow colors in pastel shades and circles in the sketch. The sentiment circle was lightly inked with Kitsch Flamingo.

I'm also linking this new stamp with the NBUS challenge where it's a new month and the gallery has lots of room for your projects with new supplies. I appreciate your visit, wishing you a great day! 

Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful! 

Supplies used:  
Stamps: Penny Black -  Loveliness, From My Heart

Paper:  MFT Pretty in Plaid 6x6 Paper Pad
Ink:  Gina K amalgam ink, Zig Real Color Markers
Accessories - Little Things - Cherry Blossom Crystal Collection

Laughter for The Paper Players #585

Welcome to our theme challenge at The Paper Players! I scratched my head at first, wondering how to add humor to a card as believe it or not, humorous stamps are not in my stash. AHA! I realized after I ordered that this adorable doggy stamp would arrive at my house just in time. 

It's called Waggingly Happy (Penny Black.) I adore the illustrations of these happy and sassy dogs, especially this one that got into a bit of mischief with toilet paper. Which led me to stapling bits of TP and a list to the card. I just could not stop smiling while I made this! It's already been received by a friend who just got a new puppy.

Again, I colored with my Zigs after embossing on watercolor paper. Thinking it still needed something, I added splatters. Totally fun! 

Hope you will join our challenge this week and have some fun creating with us! 

Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 
               Make something beautiful!  

Lovely in Pink for Color Hues #38

 Hello! I am happy to know that APRIL is here and I'm ready to share our Challenge #38 at Color hues! Sheri is our hostess this month, and she's chosen Pink and Green for our springtime hues. 

Of course, I thought florals would be perfect and the new to me stamps called Loveliness were just waiting and ready to go! 

I used watercolor paper and stamped the images with Versafine black ink then heat embossed with clear powder. I like embossing when I watercolor and used the Zig markers because of the the vibrant  shades, especially the pinks!

I added color with the markers and used a damp brush to add shading and movement. 

All my supplies are from Penny Black today, I will list them below. Once I got the dies I've been wanting to put butterflies with pearls on every card! 

My new stamps mean I join in the April challenge at NBUS!

What will inspire your creation with pink and green? Can't wait to see it in our gallery!

Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Supplies from Penny Black: Loveliness  stamps #30-906; Soaring dies #15-731; Spring Day #30-805

Remembering Ukraine

 Welcome to my blog! Sharing a card today that was made specifically to honor the heroic people of Ukraine using the colors of turquoise and yellow that represent the nation's flag.  

 I did a bit more coloring with my Zig markers for the lovely border which was die cut and added according to this great sketch! 

I just realized that I switched the orientation of the panels but I think my interpretation is still OK.  I'll be back with two more posts over the weekend, thanks so much for your visit! 

Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Supplies:  Pinkfresh Studio - Just a Hello stamps and dies;  the Prayers die and sentiment are from Simon Says Stamp (retired) 

Warm Winter Birthday for The Paper Players

 Hello friends, are you ready for a new challenge at The Paper Players? For Challenge TPP574 Claire has chosen a theme for our CAS cards today. Winter Animals. What fun! 

The cold weather sure helped me get in the mood. For this one I pulled out an old favorite Winter Pals (from WPlus9) and created a simple scene with lots of white space. 

I used the Postage Layers Die to add to the playful style and a trio of pines. I colored with Zigs and only needed the heart as an embellishment. I love this foxy skater and the dear one I'm sending this to loves purple. 

 

I sure hope you will play along! I've had a peek at my teammates cards and you will be inspired! Thanks for visiting! Stay warm if you can. 

Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Color Hues featuring Country Florals

Hi there! 

I just love turning the calendar to a new page and starting a brand new month, don't you? Happy day, it's March 1 and that means a spankin' new challenge at Color Hues! 

The colors I chose for our group were two of my favorites, yellow and blue. I created this card using Pinkfresh Studio's Floral Notes stamp set, keeping with a provincial country look for the florals

I heat embossed the blooms in white and colored them in using my Zig markers. For the background panel I stamped the Windowpane Plaid Background Stamp in blue. I added the die cut sentiment using the Birthday Blooms stamps and dies, also from The Greetery. I love the boldness and larger size of these sentiments. For more real estate, I made this card a into a 5 X 7.  Finding just the shade of blue in my sequins stash, made me happy! I must (blushingly) say that I love how this turned out. 

I'm just remembering that after our 20 years of frequent cross country and overseas moves as my dear one served the military, I dreamed of having a home that I could decorate and make our very own. We eventually had a new home built.

It featured yellow and blue and a french provincial style - and lots of flowery patterns and accents! Although now my style is simpler and more modern - I still love this look. 

That's what I love about this craft. It's only paper! I hope you can't wait to join us at the challenge with YOUR style!

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

Let's color it Pink and Red Colorado Craft Company

Hi there! It's good to see you here again. Just in time for our Color Hues Challenge #11 to use Red and Pink. I had so many ideas for this combo, but in the end these cute mice assured me they would look just adorable watercolored in a pale pink. What do you think?

I love the stamps from Colorado Craft Company designed by world-renowned illustrator Anita Jeram. 

I stamped in black and used a brush and Zig markers to watercolor the images.I also scribbled the inks on white card stock to make the pink and red hearts. I added Nuvo drop polka dots onto the gray package, and added a floor from this great stamp by Ink Blots. 

This set is called Birthday Wishing and since it is my first time using it, I will be posting over at NBUS where challenge #23 has just begun on this brand new month.

You will love seeing the fabulous creations from our Design Team, so please head there to check them out! 

Thanks so much for your visit today, hope it's a lovely day for you.

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 
        Make something beautiful!

It's All About You with Colorado Craft Company

 Hello, happy Tuesday! It was a happy day for me when my new stamps from the Colorado Craft Company arrived and I couldn't wait to use them for a special January birthday. These illustrations by Anita Jeram have taken the card-making world by storm! Such fun and adorable critters. 

I combined the images from the Christmas Presents set and the sentiments from Birthday Wishing for today's card. 

Stamping on watercolor card stock, these were colored using Zig markers and a damp paintbrush. Isn't that dog the cutest? You can almost feel his tail wag, lol. 

I really love these sets and how easy they are to create with simply by adding color. You will be seeing them again! For today, I'm entering this at NBUS because the stamps are brand new - to me. 

Thanks to you for visiting! See you soon.

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

Sweet Sentiments

Hello there friends! Being outside has been so therapeutic as the weather has turned warm here.  My husband and I have been gardening - the veggies are planted and flowers are on the list to plant today. 
I just hope it stays only warm for a while longer before HOT summer hits! 

I can never get enough flowers, can you?  Coloring them on cards is fun too! For day 20 of Spring Card Camp the lesson involved creating and coloring a display of flowers. 

The Bouquet Builders 6  and Sweet Sentiments from Waffle Flower were just waiting to be inked! I used Zigs Real Color Brush markers to add bright hues. 

I'm adding this to the challenge at The Paper Players too! 

Guess what happens tomorrow?  Spring Card Camp 2 begins. Yep, I'm signed up all ready for crafty play time to begin! The thought sure makes me smile.
Thanks so much for your kind visit today. 

 Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!