Owl's it going?

                                                                                    

Hi Everyone!  Well, I finished this card a few weeks ago and just have not gotten around to posting it.  I am bound and determined to keep up with my blog, so here it is!  Better late than never, right?!  I made the owl with the owl punch from Stampin Up!  I have to admit, all of a sudden I've decided I love the look of sequins on cards!  Tell me what you think!!  I think it's because they add a little splash of color and they add a little interest, too, I think.  Or perhaps I've convinced myself it's bling, I don't really know!  LOL.   Also, I'm on an owl kick!  Just love them!

It seems so nice to have warmer weather!  I hope you're enjoying it, too!  

Thanks for dropping by and viewing my card.  PLEASE leave me a message, I love hearing what you have to say!!!!

Stampin hugs,

Ret 

Bright Hopes-3 Different Cards

Hi Stampers and Friends! Can you actually believe how quickly time is passing us by?  It's literally flying!!  I can remember when I was small, and I was complaining about how slow a school week went by...my Mom would say "You wait until you get older, it'll go by so fast you won't believe it".  Ofcourse I just filed the info in the "ya,right" file and forgot about it...and guess what...she's right!!!  Time flies like a bird!!  Christmas has come and gone, it was a lovely day here.  We are so blessed to have each other.  It was a great day!  And now...here it is...New Years Eve Day!!  Wow, 2012 is well on it's way!!  Happy New Year my friends!  I hope it's happy, healthy, and  prosperous.    

 Today I want to share with you a stamp set from Stampin Up! called "Bright Hopes".  I'm featuring 3 different cards I made  with it.   (click on pics to enlarge them.)  I sure hope this will inspire you to use your stamp sets in many different ways.  You get a little more bang out of your buck.  ha!!!
For my first card, I used:
 Real Red and Whisper White SU cardstock,
Lucky Limeaid and Real Red SU ink
SU Glitter "Dazzling Diamonds",
1 Real Red brad and
Whisper White SU 5/8ths inch satin ribbon.
I stamped 5 trees and cut 4 trees out by hand.  I glued the 4 loose trees back to back twice, and glued them on top of the bottom tree.  Isn't it cute?  I hope you like it!

On to my second card, I used:
Hand Penned Holidays SU stamp set,
Whisper White and Bashful Blue SU cardstock,
Bashful Blue SU ink and Whisper White stazon ink,
White Stampin emboss powder,
1piece of  sponge ,
Eyelet border punch,
Heat emboss tool,and lastly,
SU 5/8th's Bashful Blue Satin Ribbon.
I used the Emboss Resist Technique with the wreath, if you have any questions just let me know!
                                                        
And lastly!!!   My third card using "Bright Hopes".
With this card I used:
Soft Suede, Certainly Celery and Whisper White
SU cardstock,
1 piece SU Designer Series Paper from my stash,
Soft Suede SU ink and
SU 5/8th Certainly Celery Satin Ribbon.
I stamped the wreath with 'soft suede' classis ink
and then I fussy cut it.  (oh funnn) I then used
SU Dimensionals to raise up the wreath and put
the card together.  I sure hope I inspired you all to use
stamps for more than "just one" card.  Stamp and mix it up and have alot of fun!  I've enjoyed stamping with you.  It's New Year's eve, 2011.  I hope whatever you choose to do tonigt, that you'll be with family and friends!!  Live, laugh, love and be safe!!!    HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!  WELCOME 2012!!!  May it be happy, healthy and prosperous for all of us.

Happy Stampin'!!!
Hugs,

Vintage Vogue Clean and Simple

Hi Readers,
Happy Thursday to you! Today I've done a "no frills" card. LOL I used Stampin Up's Vintage Vogue stamp set. I find myself reaching for that set once again, I seem to use it alot. It's such a pretty vintagey set. I just love it. My card base is Chocolate Chip with a pink c/s I had in my stash. I stamped the background, added layers and butterflies and waa-laaaaaaaaa(viola) done! The wings are not taped flat, they do flap! ;) LOL It's no fuss, no muss this time. Sometimes, simple is all you need.

Have you seen the new Stampin Up catalog? Oh my, it's to die for!! Personally, I think it's the best one I've ever seen. I don't know how they keep out doing themselves, but they do manage to, from some colored pages to just really beautiful product. It's really, really nice. Run, don't walk to your "favorite-ist" demonstrator and purchase your new 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog! You won't be sorry, believe me!!! There are sooooo many new beautiful stamp sets and products...oh my, oh myyyyy! hehehehe Oh, and don't forget...the catalog is something you will want to keep because the samples and idea's are just so wonderful.
Are you on your way to your Demo YET? hehehe

Ok, Ret, off your soap box. I'm such a fan of SU, can you tell? heeeee!

I am so hoping for a little glimpse of sunshine today and it looks like our little slice of Nova Scotia just might be a sunny, beautiful day! YAYYYYYYYYYY! I say it softly though, I don't want to scare the sun away, it's been so scarce so far this season.

Take care, my friends, and I do hope you're able to pull out your inks today and play a bit. I know I sure am going to! Thanks for stopping by, please don't forget to leave me a little love (comment) and let me know what ya think of todays project.

Hugs,

Ret

I'm back and Peace Within

Hi Cardmakers and friends! It's no secret that I've been struggling the the past 8 months with my health, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. I totally refuse to let it keep me down though, so here I am. My dear Hubby my Mom and my friends have stood beside me thru all of this and have kept me going, so thank you all for your support.
I have picked up my inks and stamps and managed to stamp between naps, LOL!!! I am praying and so hoping the tiredness will go away so I won't have to take all those naps, that I'll be able to stamp to my hearts content!!!

Today, I wanted to share with you a card I made with Stampin Up's "Peace Within" stamp set. When I was working on the card and now after it's done, it really does
make me feel "peace within"!! LOL So it's living up to it's title! I stamped and then colored it in with colored pencils, using the colored pencils and gamsol technique. I was happy with the soft look it gave me. I decided to do a sympathy card with it and used the "faux bow" technique, which I learned about on You Tube by DO Stamping With Dawn!! Give it a try, I know you'll love it!! I won't use it every time, but once in a while, it's just plain fun!! Please excuse pic of my card, the margin on the left hand side makes the card look lopsided, and then white appears on the right hand side and I don't know where that came from!!!! It happened in the resizing...sorry about that, but I don't know how to fix it!

I hope you've enjoyed this post and my card. Thanks so much for stopping by! Take care andddddddddd....

happy stampin,

See what I've been up to....

Hi Everyone!!! Hope it's a bright and beautiful day where you are today! Well, to say I haven't been bored is an understatement! heeeeee! My poor Dear Hubby feels like the house is being invaded by treat bags! LOL I can't take all the credit for these, Scotty actually cut out the diecuts for me with my Stampin Up Big Shot. I've been truly blessed to have his help. As you can see, I used assorted Christmas cardstock for these. This fall when we were in the States I was lucky enough to find these darling Christmas brads in a little Scrapbooking store in Tupper Lake, NY! I'm so glad I snatched them up, they certainly came in handy for this project.

I hope you like these and I also hope I've inspired you to try your hand at them. They are perfect for stocking stuffers or just a little "I thought of you" xmas treat. Please take a minute and drop me a comment and let me know what you think of them. I love reading what you have to say. Have a great day and thanks for stopping by.

hugs,

Of the Earth Black Magic Card

Hi Stampers! Today I fiddled around with the "Black Magic Technique". Black magic is simply stamping your image in white craft ink on black cardstock. Then coloring your image with shimmery water color pencils (Stampin Up Watercolor Pencils worked perfectly). I understand that it requires you to use a white gel pen for accent on your image. I didn't do that...LOL I decided to add my white as faux stitching instead. That probably doesn't count!!!! hehe But that's what I wanted to do, so I guess I morphed the technique a bit.

Give it a try & add your own little twist to it, too. I think that's half the fun of stamping. I can tweek any technique or procedure to suit my own tastes. 100 people can stamp the same image and they will all look different...such fun!!

Have you been enjoying the Olympics? I am really enjoying them this year and I can root for both the USA and Canada and not show any favortism!! hehe Keeps me busy rooting for the two teams. LOL It has been fun, I must admit. I have such respect for the Athletes!!! I get tired just watching them!!

I hope you'll take a minute and leave me a comment. I love to hear what you have to say. Take care everyone and happy stampin!!!

hugs,

OK!! I admit it! I'm a Michelle Zindorf wanna be!!

Hi Stampers!! I know that you know all about Michelle Zindorf at Freedom In Creating! She's such a wonderful artist! If you haven't seen her work yet, then you MUST go to her blog...her work is fabulous!

I thought I'd try my hand at following her tutorials. I chose to work with Stampin Up's "Wandering Words" stamp set. I worked with the brayer and inks and this is what I came up with. It's not even close to her masterpieces, but I'm happy with it.
Let me know what you think. I used Whisper White cardstock, with Night of Navy, Not Quite Navy and Black inks. As you can see I also did some paper piercing to add to the border. I hope you like this! I sure had some fun making it!!! Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you're all enjoying the Holiday season!!!

Take care!!!

Happy stampin,

Unfrogettable

Needless to say I had alot of fun with Unfroggetable from Stampin Up.

I used Tempting Turquoise, Black & Regal Rose C/S. I watercolored and played like I was a kid, using beads & feathers. lol I did faux stitching & used crystal effects to make "google eyes". I pop-dotted the main frog to be dimensional. Added ribbon, and there we have it! This card is the standard A-2 size. Hope this brings a smile to your face!

Both Way Blossoms

I used Both Way Blossoms by Stampin Up. Apricot Appeal, Black and Whisper White C/S. I put a dab of Crystal Effects in the center of each daisy & it makes them look glassy. I sponged with Bashful Blue in the center of card. Gingham ribbon is from my stash & finishes of the 5 x 5 card. I wish you could see how cheery this card is in real life. This was alot of fun to make.

anddddd here we are again, Touch of Nature

Guess what....I LOVE this set! lol This time for my background, I used the shaving cream technique. I think it came out nicely, very soft looking. I used Stampin Up products...reinkers were Creamy Caramel and Pixie Pink. All stampin' was done in Close to Cocoa for this A-2 size card. I hope you like this as well as I do. And I promise, I won't use this stamp set again for a while....REALLY!!! (fingers crossed!) lol

Touch of Nature Again

I'm not sure what there is about this card, but I really like it. Infact, I love the Touch of Nature set by Stampin Up. It's one of my favorite stamp sets and I doubt I'll ever get tired of it.

Cranberry Crisp & Old Olive go so well together & look so natural. I love how the bird turned out...looks soft, like his belly is downy. lol I stamped the bird again & cut it out, then I pop-dotted it so it would be dimensional on this A-2 size card.

All SU products once again!!!

Touch of Nature

First of all, Touch of Nature stamp set by Stampin Up, and all SU products.

I did lots & lots of sponging... I started sponging with Old Olive in a circular motion...then sponged over that & around with Pumpkin Pie and more sponging with More Mustard...again, using a circular motion. I love how warm this looks in real life. I wish we could all see each others cards in real life, they are so much prettier!!!! The flowers and butterfly are dimensional, I used pop-dots. The finished card is the standard A-2 size. Sure hope you like it!

Grassy Cliff Card

This card was also done in a Stamp Camp. All SU products again!!! Now, this card was done a little differently. We took a piece of scrap paper, tore it & placed it on the paper where the white appears....inked around the torn paper & when you took the scrap away, viola...a hill/cliff!! I have seen this done on another site as well, but I can't remember who it was, sorry! The the gal had us add the grass to the top & bottom & it turned out kinda cute. Now that I see the card here, I realize I should of put a bird or something on the hillside in the grass, it would of given it some character! ackkkkkk! maybe next time!

She's All That

Yup, life is very, very good! I was lucky enough to go to a Stamp Camp & this was one of the Stampin Up sets that was used. I do love this set, just for the poodle on the leash. I think it's adorable. I would very much love to order this set, but in Canada it's almost $50 & that's quite a bit to spend seeing how it's just this image I'm in love with!! haha Stampin Up products used here, except the ribbon and glitter on the bottom of the dress, which came from my own stash. Also, I used Dazzling Diamonds on the top part of the dress. Really jazzy A-2 size card in person!!! :)

A Little Bit of Happiness

ohhhhh my memory is soooo bad! I borrowed this set & used it just once, and do you think I can think of the name of this!! Nope! Hopefully, one of you will enlighten me. lol

Stampin UP products once again. I watercolored the image, pop-dotting the center leaf to high light it. LOVE that ribbon!!!! This is a A-2 size card.

note: I finally found out the name...it's a hostess set, "A Little Bit of Happiness"!

Moose You

This little fella is just so sad & silly looking that he's irristable to me! haha
Well, seeing how it has a pink flower on it's rack, I guess I should say "She"!! ;)

A fairly simple, A-3 size card. All Stampin Up products. Close to Cocoa base, with a few layers.

This is not my set, it was borrowed, and I keep saying I'm going to get it. It's just such a cute critter in person & I love the porcupine that's in the set. I put him inside.

Another A Litttle Birdie Told Me

I don't know what there is about this set, but I really like these little birds. I think they are just so happy lookin'! It just occured to me, that I forgot to color the flower!!! The birdie on the right looks forgotten too, but I did color it a pale blue, honest! Must be my scanner. I'm beginning to think I might be better off to take pics, because the cards really don't look very special here. In real life they are very cute & crisp with the colors. oh well.

The colors look off here, but I used the So Saffron DP, and it seems to look kinda pinkish here. hmmmmm. Once again, all Stampin Up products here. I'm not sure I should mention every single color & piece I use here. I can only hope YOU, as viewers, will let me know which you prefer in your comments. I love this SU ribbon...it feels so nice & looks so clean & crisp! Ohhhhh, you don't know it yet, but I'm a ribbon hoarder! (hangin my head in shame, lol) I LOVE RIBBON!!! I ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO HAVE IT!!! LOL Finished size is 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 square.

A Little Birdie Told Me

I like this little set. It's cute & pretty versatile, I think. I do not use all Stampin Up sets exclusively, I like others too, but it seems that's all I've put on the blog so far. I'll mix it up as I go...you'll see.

For this I chose Really Rust, So Saffron, Ruby Red, Whisper White & Groovy Guava CS. Layer, layer, layer!

lol I did a quickie watercolor for the image. All products are SU for this standard A-2 size card.

Garden Silhouettes Sympathy Card

Phew, I absolutely don't know what I'm doing on this blogger thingy. Please bear with me, I'll purty things up when I know how. I'm basically just trying to learn to add the pic, text & to post it!! lol (gasp) I sure could use some pointers!

Why is it you never have a sympathy card done up when you need one? This is made with Garden Silhouettes, Baroque Motif & Linen BG stamp sets from Stampin Up. I pieced in some DS paper, using close to cocoa CS as my base, I also used the Close to Cocoa 1/4" grosgrain ribbon! Actually, everything on this card is from SU. I did add some paper piercing near the top. I just love these colors together! Finished, this is a A-2 size card.