Just Believe in Pearls

I picked up these burgundy pearls the last time I was at the craft store not really knowing what I was going to do with them.  Last night while going through my paper stash I came across my DCWV The Luxury Stack.  I thought this pearlized paper would look really nice with them.

Card Recipe:

Stamps:  Just Believe

Paper:  Cream Luster, Chocolate Chip, DCWV The Luxury Stack Designer Paper, Very Vanilla
Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Brilliance Pearlescent Beige
Accessories:  1/2" Chantilly Crochet Ribbon, Say it in Pearls Siip Corner Burgundy, Nesties Labels One, Nesties Classic Large Squares, Corner Rounder Punch
Techniques:  Sponging

Hollyhocks in Pink

I don't think this card photographed too well.  I ran the pink mat through my Big Shot using the vintage wallpaper embossing folder then sponged frost white shimmer paint all over the embossing.  The pink hollyhocks were colored in with a blender pen in Pretty in Pink and Cherry Cobbler.  I then applied Dazzling Diamonds Glitter.

Card Recipe:

Stamps:  The Stamp Pad Co. Hollyhocks, Baroque Motifs

Paper:  Pink, Cherry Cobbler, Watercolor
Ink:  Pretty in Pink, Cherry Cobbler, Wild Wasabi, SU Frost White Shimmer Paint
Accessories:  1/4" Organdy Ribbon in Ivory, Kaiser Clear Rhinestones, Nesties Lacey Circles & Large Circles, Small & Large Petite Ovals, Heat & Stick Powder, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter
Techniques:  Sponging, Blender Pen

Halloween Blog Candy!

If you don't know already, I love Halloween and I thought it would be fun to have some Halloween blog candy!  I have the following items to give away:

Stampin' Up Sizzix Oval Die

Martha Stewart In Vampire Mat Pad
Martha Stewart Candy Corn Gemstones
Making Memories Spook Alley Metal Charms
Spider Web Ribbon
Trick or Treat Rubber Stamp
Boo Rubber Stamp

All you need to do to enter the drawing is leave me a comment on this post by Friday, September 3, 2010.

I will select a winner on Saturday, September 4, 2010 using random.org and will give the winner 48 hours to contact me via email.  If you prefer, include your email address with your comment and I'll contact you if you're the winner.

Thank you and good luck!

Moonlit Ravens

Yes, another Halloween card.  I just can't get these ravens out of my head!  The Boulders with Lichen and Spooky Branch are from Stampscapes.

To create this card I stamped the Boulders with Lichen using StazOn Jet Black then used my stamp-a-ma-jig for placement of the two crows.  Next, I stamped the Spooky Branch also in StazOn Jet Black and used my 1 1/4" circle punch to create a mask for the moon.

The sky was sponged with Going Gray, Basic Gray and Distressed Black Soot.  The Boulders were sponged with Basic Gray and Distressed Forest Moss.

I used a piece of Dove gray paper from Memory Box to cut my mat to 5 1/4" x 4" and assembled the card which is 5 1/2" x 4 1/4".

Thank you for coming to visit me today.  I hope you enjoyed my spooky scene.

Card Recipe:

Stamps:  Graveyard Gala, Stampscapes Boulders with Lichen & Spooky Branch

Paper:  Black Linen, Dove Gray by Memory Box, Glossy White

Ink:  StazOn Black, Going Gray, Basic Gray, Distressed Black Soot, Distressed Forest Moss

Accessories:  1 1/4" Circle Punch for Mask

Techniques:  Sponging

Vintage Vogue Bookmark

Just a quick bookmark I put together using the Vintage Vogue set.

Bookmark Recipe:

Stamps:  Vintage Vogue, Charming

Paper:  Crumb Cake, Blush Blossom
Ink:  Blush Blossom, Crumb Cake, Close to Cocoa, Iridescent Ice EP
Accessories:  Opaline Pearls in Latte, Vinyl Bookmark Sleeve, Maroon Bookmark Tassel
Techniques:  Sponging

Tri-Fold Dreams

I wanted to do something a little different and make a tri-fold card which looks like an invitation.

Card Recipe:

Stamps:  Charming, Simple Friendship, Flourish by Impression Obsession, Dreams Come True by Penny Black

Paper:  Shimmery White, Elegant Eggplant, Pale Plum 
Ink:  StazOn Royal Purple, Pale Plum
Accessories:  Clear Rhinestones, Nesties Classic Small & Large Circles
Techniques:  Tri-Fold

Poppy Poem

I think this Poppy Poem stamp by Penny Black is so pretty.  As soon as I get a chance I want to make another card in pink.

Card Recipe:

Stamps:  Poppy Poem by Penny Black

Paper:  Mellow Moss, Spice, Watercolor
Ink:  Distressed Broken China, Distressed Faded Jeans, Distressed Shabby Shutters, Distressed Peeled Paint, StazOn Black, VersaMagic Tea Leaves, VersaMagic Aegean Blue, Distressed Vintage Photo, Candle Light & Old Olive Shimmerz Paint
Accessories:  Jumbo Antique Brass Eyelet, 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon in Very Vanilla, Corner Rounder Punch, Nesties Labels Eight
Techniques:  Sponging, Blender Pen

Peaceful Meadow

Well, I took a break from making Halloween cards to do this Stampscapes scene.  I sure had quite a few ink pads out for this one.  After several touch-ups and color alterations, I thought Donna this is it - don't mess with it any more or your going to screw it up!

I hope you enjoy today's card.

Card Recipe:

Stamps:  Stampscapes Sedge Bank (Right), Sedge Bank (Left), Sedge Filler, Shagbark Hickory Sm., Maple Trio, Doe, Oak Branch, Water Pattern

Paper:  Desert Storm, Blush Blossom, Glossy White
Ink:  StazOn Olive Green, StazOn Timber Brown, StazOn Forest Green, StazOn Black, Adirondack Willow, Adirondack Lettuce, Garden Green, Barely Banana, Apricot Appeal, Adirondack Raspberry, Rose Red, Adirondack Current, Distressed Tea Dye, ColorBox Frost White
Accessories:
Techniques:  Sponging

Halloween Collage

I like the way the sponging came out on this card.  All of these stamps except for the spiderweb are by Memory Box.

Hope you are having a great weekend!

Card Recipe:

Stamps:  Memory Box Halloween Collage & Crow, Spiderweb by Inkadinkado

Paper:  Black Linen, Pumpkin Pie, Watercolor
Ink:  StazOn Black, Distressed Spice Marmalade, Mustard Seed, Worn Lipstick, Fired Brick, Black Soot, Brilliance Platinum Planet
Accessories:  Stickles in Black Diamond, Edge Distresser
Techniques:  Sponging

Halloween Crows

Here is another "spooky" Halloween card for you.  Have you seen the new Memory Box Blackbird Designer Paper?  I just love every sheet in this pack.

Card Recipe:

Stamps:  Graveyard Gala, Halloween Backgrounds

Paper:  Black Linen, Kiwi Kiss, Memory Box Blackbird Designer Paper
Ink:  StazOn Black
Accessories:  Black Brads, Spooky Treats Rub-Ons
Techniques:

Web Crawler Halloween Wreath

For today's card I am using the Memory Box Bramble Wreath stamp. I really like how versatile this stamp is and being able to use it year round. I just love making Halloween cards!

Card Recipe:

Stamps:  Memory Box Bramble Wreath & Web Crawler, Happy Halloween by Impression Obsession

Paper:  Black Linen, Only Orange, Memory Box Twilight Designer Paper, Basic Black
Ink:  VersaFine Vintage Sepia, StazOn Black, Distressed Black Soot
Accessories:  Nesties Petite Large & Small Ovals, Spellbinders Nested Bats, Icons Yellow/Orange Rhinestones, Silver Gel Pen
Techniques:  Sponging

Harvest Moon with Pumpkins

I wasn't sure where I was going with this card when I started it, but I really like the end result and the "vintage" feel to it.

Card Recipe:

Stamps:  Crow with Pumpkins & Happy Halloween by Inkadinkado

Paper:  Black Linen, Dusty Durango, Watercolor
Ink: StazOn Black, Yoyo Yellow, Tangerine Tango, Old Olive, Barely Banana, Basic Gray, Close to Cocoa, Distressed Antique Linen, Tea Dye, Black Soot
Accessories:  Spica Pen in Black
Techniques:  Sponging, Blender Pen

Just Believe Get Well

I made this card for my sister-in-law who will be having surgery next month.  I received my new colors last week and absolutely love this Cherry Cobbler!

Card Recipe:

Stamps:  Just Believe, Essence of Love, Get Well Soon by Stampabilities

Paper:  Cherry Cobbler, Brushed Gold, Whisper White
Ink:  Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green, Wild Wasabi, Tangerine Tango, Crushed Curry, VersaMark with Gold EP
Accessories:  3/8" Organdy Ribbon in Gold, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Nesties Classic Large Scalloped Circles 
Techniques:  Blender Pen

Upsy Daisy for LLP

This daisy card will be donated to Little Life Preservers.  I think what Lesa is doing helping other women is just wonderful.  Remember ... keep your dreams alive, faith makes all things possible and believe in yourself.

I hope you are having a great weekend!

Card Recipe:

Stamps:  Upsy Daisy, Friends 24-7, Season of Hope by Impression Obsession (Inside)

Paper:  DCWV Purple Texture, Thistle, Glossy White
Ink:  StazOn Midnight Blue, Adirondack Cool Peri, Adirondack Purple Twilight, Adirondack Eggplant, Brilliance Platinum Planet
Accessories:  Nesties Labels Eight & Twelve, Classic Large Squares, SU Square Lattice Embossing Folder
Techniques:  Sponging

Autumn Gratitude

Card Recipe:

Stamps:  Autumn Leaf Prints, With Gratitude, Autumn Splendor

Paper:  More Mustard, Really Rust, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla
Ink:  VersaMark with Gold EP, Pumpkin Pie, Really Rust, Summer Sun, More Mustard, Chocolate Chip
Accessories:  1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon in Chocolate Chip, Nesties Long Classic Rectangles Large & Long Classic Scalloped Rectangles Large
Techniques:  Sponging

Serene Sunflowers

“Every friend is to the other a sun, and a sunflower also. He attracts and follows.”
~ Jean Paul Richter ~

Card Recipe:

Stamps:  Serene Sunflowers, Weathered, Season by Season, Bees by Inkadinkado

Paper:  Always Artichoke, More Mustard, Very Vanilla
Ink:  Crumb Cake, Crushed Curry, Really Rust, Chocolate Chip, StazOn Black, Distressed Antique Linen
Accessories:  Basic Grey Opaline Pearls in Ivy, Nesties Large Long Rectangles & Long Scalloped Rectangles, Spica Pen in Lemon
Techniques:  Two-Step Stamping, Sponging 

CAS79 Challenge - Wild Flowers

This card was for the Clean & Simple CAS79 challenge over at Splitcoaststampers.  I really like the way the embossing came out on the watering can.

Card Recipe:

Stamps:  Wild Flowers

Paper:  Cream Linen, So Saffron, Very Vanilla
Ink:  Watering Can - VersaMark with Verdigris EP; Distressed Antique Linen, Melon Mambo, Garden Green, Sage Shadow, Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango, Rich Razzleberry, Chocolate Chip, Adirondack Purple Twilight
Accessories:  Basic Grey Opaline Pearls in Grass
Techniques:  Sponging, Masking
Card Size:  5" x 7"

Mount Greylock

I recently took a trip to Massachusetts and stopped at Mount Greylock.  Mount Greylock is 3,491 feet and is the highest point in MA.  Although geologically part of the Taconic Mountains, Mount Greylock is commonly associated with the abutting Berkshire Hills to the east.  The mountain is known for its expansive views encompassing five states and the only taiga/boreal forest in the state.

As you can see, it was a beautiful day!

Believe in Miracles

Card Recipe:

Stamps:  Touch of Nature, Believe in Miracles by Retro

Paper:  Hemlock, Close to Cocoa, 7 Gypsies Market Designer Paper, Very Vanilla
Ink:  Basic Black, Distressed Peeled Paint
Accessories:  1/4" Rose Red Grosgrain Ribbon, Martha Stewart Ribbon Slot Punch, Nesties Classic Large & Small Squares
Techniques:

Compassionate Cards for August

Today's card is for Compassionate Cards and will be sent to Totally4troops which is located in Gig Harbor, WA.  To learn more about this month's mission, please visit their website here.

I have kept this card to a bare minimum on layers with no embellishments due to their requirements.

Card Recipe:

Stamps:  Elements of Style, Sincere Salutations

Paper:  Cream Luster, Blush Blossom
Ink:  Blush Blossom, Close to Cocoa, VersaMark with Gold EP, Brilliance Pearlescent Beige
Accessories:  Nesties Labels Four, Martha Stewart Butterfly Punch
Techniques:

Fluttering Butterflies

Card Recipe:

Stamps:  Inspired by Nature, All a Flutter, Big & Wild Things by Gel-a-Tins

Paper:  Close to Cocoa, Groovy Guava, Whisper White
Ink:  Background - Bashful Blue, Apricot Appeal, Barely Banana, Certainly Celery; Grass & Cattails - Versafine Vintage Sepia; Blue Butterfly - Bashful Blue, Distressed Broken China, Distressed Faded Jeans; Orange Butterfly - Barely Banana, Apricot Appeal, Distressed Spiced Marmalade
Accessories:
Techniques:  Sponging

What an Honor!

Do you remember the Stampscapes lighthouse card I made for my husband?  At that time, Kevin Nakagawa from Stampscapes asked me if he could make idea cards from my scene.

Well, today I received a whole pack of cards in the mail and they look spectacular!  I can't thank Kevin enough and I am so honored.

Here is a look at the back, Kevin listed the stamps I used and my web address.  How cool is that?

I enjoyed creating this card and hope I inspired you to make something wonderful.

What a Life!

Awww, here is a photo of my cat Cheops sitting in the sunlight.  I'm so glad he is getting his dose of vitamin D ... lol.  Cheops turned 8 yrs. old in June.

ATC - Amour Paris

This ATC was created with the Alcohol Ink Technique using the new Marina Mist color.  I thought I would share with you how I finish the back of my Artist Trading Cards.

If you are interested in seeing more ATC's, please leave me a comment and let me know. 

ATC Recipe:

Stamps:  Artistic Etchings, Trading Card Stamp by Inkadinkado, Cavallini Paris Stamp

Paper:  Marina Mist, Basic Black, Glossy White
Ink:  Background created with Marina Mist Ink Refill & Silver Mixative; Images - Basic Black; Back of card sponged with Brilliance Starlite Silver
Accessories:  Silver Metal Dot
Techniques:  Alcohol Ink Technique

Of the Earth Birthday

I love this new Basic Grey Cappella paper.  This collection has vintage inspired Italian papers ribboned with bold espresso and biscotti colored confections. 

Card Recipe:

Stamps:  Of the Earth, Well Scripted, Itty Bitty Backgrounds

Paper:  Bashful Blue, Basic Gray, Cappella Designer Paper
Ink:  Bashful Blue, Basic Black
Accessories:  1/4" Bashful Blue Grosgrain Ribbon, Pewter Hodgepodge Hardware, 1 3/8" Circle Punch
Techniques:  Sponging

ATC - Butterfly Dream

This is a simple ATC I made to swap using the Alcohol Ink Technique.

ATC Recipe:

Stamps:  Butterfly & Dream Stamps by Inkadinkado

Paper:  Basic Black, Glossy White
Ink:  Adirondack Alcohol Inks - Latte & Pebble, Gold Mixative, StazOn Black
Accessories:  Opaline Champagne Pearls, Gold Glimmer Shimmerz Paint
Techniques:  Alcohol Ink Technique