For a Super Friend...

Good morning and Hello! I was coloring with markers yesterday and want to share what I did with you. I used the sketch from CASE this sketch #12 and since I used markers, I'm entering this for the CAS-ual Fridays challenge #87:

Here is the inside:

And the challenges:

I. Adore. This. Stamp!!! Come on! It's WONDER WOMAN! I even googled her to make sure I colored her costume as close as possible. I've taken art classes in high school (MANY years ago), so I know the basics in shading, depth, etc., but I am no pro at it by far. I took a crack at adding highlights to her hair. It's not too bad. I'm always amazed at all the talented ladies out here in blog land who can color like nobody's business!

I hope you get to play along in these challenges! They are so fun! Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a great day!

Chris ☺

Supplies:
Card stock: Bazzill (white, blue); Core'dinations (red); Strathmore water color paper
DP: HOTP (yellow)
Stamps: Totally Stampalicious - Super Dottie set
Ink: Tsukineko - Tuxedo Black, Versa Mark
Embossing powder: Inkadinkado (black); Stampendous (white)
Markers: Marvy Uchida
Adhesive: SA by 3L (MyStik, 3D foam squares); Elmer's extra strength glue stick
Accessories: Spellbinders Grand Calibur; Cuttlebug Stars Embossing Folder; Fiskars corner rounder

Ay Caramba!

Hey all and good day to you! I have another card to share. I made this using the MFTWSC108 sketch from My Favorite Things:

 Here is the inside:

And the sketch:

As you can see I turned it on it's side. I started making this card last night. I got as far as heat embossing, coloring, fussy cutting and paper piecing the main panel. (Ever try to paper piece a flamenco dress? Yeah. It's hard!) I started seeing double, and at that point I only had one glass of wine! I called it a night last night but finished it up today. I used one of my newly purchased Die-Namics on this - Retro Squares. (Groovy!) I even made my own flower. I found some white crepe paper that I had, I don't know, since I got married? I cut a small strip and misted it with Glimmer Mist. Once it was dry, I hand cut 3 circles, decreasing in size. (I didn't want them perfectly round because I wanted that 'wonky' look to them.) I took a pink marker and brushed the edges, glued them together, and added the maracas that I colored and fussy cut. Finished the inside, and, Ole'! LOL!

Glad I got this card finished and posted. Now I'm all set to watch Downton Abbey tonight! Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a good evening!

Chris ☺

Supplies:
Card stock: Bazzill (green, black); Strathmore water color paper
DP: Bo Bunny - Vicki B. collection (orange, stripe); MME - Everyday Tango (pink)
Stamps: MFT - Fiesta WTG, More Essential Sentiments (Happy Birthday)
Ink: Tsukineko - Tuxedo Black, Versa Mark
Markers: Marvy Uchida
Accessories: Spellbinders Grand Calibur; MFT - Retro Squares Die-Namics; Crepe paper; Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist - meadow green; Inkadinkado black embossing powder
Adhesive: SA by 3L (MyStik, 3D foam squares); Therm-o-web dots; Elmer's extra strength glue stick

Have a purrrfect day...

Good morning all! I hope this past week has been good to you, and you were able to get some crafting done! I made this card for my best friend, who has a birthday coming up. (What with being a new Mom, she doesn't use the computer much, let alone reads my blog, so I'm pretty safe saying that!)

I'm entering this for the current Paper Smooches Sparks challenge: Cool Shades, and also for Moxie Fab Worlds challenge #49: Make your own background paper.

And the inside:

Here are the colors for the challenge:

My friend is a cat lover, so this stamp set just HAD to be used! Look at that cute little kitty with the goofy grin! He's too stinkin' adorable! I stamped him in grey and white, fussy cut the eyes and teeth from the white and adhered, then fussy cut the kitty out and popped him on some foam squares. I made the background paper by stamping the fish skeleton, mouse, and paw print randomly around the panel. I rounded the bottom corners, and for something different, I adhered the white panel off center to the card base.

That's all I have for now. It looks like it's going to be a decent day today. Cold, but decent. Perhaps the hubby and I will go see a movie. We are both sci-fi geeks, so I'm thinking that new Hansel and Gretel movie!

I hope your day is fabulous! Thanks for stopping by!

Chris ☺

Supplies:
Card stock: Bazzill (aqua, white); Recollections (grey)
DP: Echo Park - Metropolitan Dots & stripes (navy stripe); LYB - Generation Z (grey/black chevron); MME - Everyday Tango (fuchsia)
Stamps: Paper Smooches - Nine Lives (cat, purrrfect day, fish, paw, mouse); Hullabaloo (Happy Birthday)
Ink: Tsukineko - Tuxedo Black, Paris Dusk
Markers: Marvy Uchida - pink, light cool grey
Adhesives: SA by 3L - MyStik, 3D foam squares
Accessories: Spellbinders Grand Calibur, Small Classic Scalloped Circles Nesties; Fiskars corner rounder

For the record....

Happy Friday everyone! I hope that you are all ready for the winter storm that's pretty much over the eastern half of the US! (Got your milk, bread and toilet paper!?) LOL!

Today I want to share a card I made using the Retro Sketches #47 sketch:

Here is the inside:

And the sketch:

I was looking at the cards I've made so far this month, and I realized that the last 7 cards had red or pink on them! (Only two of them could be considered a Valentine's Day card. Go figure!) So I made a more masculine card....with no pink/red! I am really starting to enjoy the CAS style of card making, but will still make the occasional multi-layered card. As much as I like how the front of the card came out, is as much as I don't like the inside. I did a bone headed thing and cut the light gray panel a hair too short. And I was using up scrap. DOH!! (smacking hand against forehead)  Oh well, I used it anyway. Hey, and look at that: no patterned paper. I also used the 'for the record' stamp out of context. Love a great punch line! Ha!

Well, that's all for now. Think I'll go and curl up with a book and a hot cup of tea. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a fabulous day!

Chris ☺

Supplies:
Card stock; David Tutera card base; Bazzill (green); Recollections (white, light gray)
Stamps: Unity Stamp Co. - July 2012 KOM (Happy Birthday), Feb. 2012 KOM (you are old), For the Record set; Paper Smooches - Teen Routine set (music note); Stampendous (music score)
Ink: Tsukineko - Tuxedo Black
Marker: Marvy Uchida - light green
Adhesives: SA by 3L (MyStik, 3D foam squares); Therm-o-web dots
Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder

EYE adore you....

Good afternoon! Winter has finally shown up...with a vengeance! Holy frozen monkey balls Batman! It's COLD!!! We even had some snow fall last night: about 5 minutes worth. But that was fine by me. Now it's super windy. Kind of reminds me of Illinois, where I grew up. (There is a reason they call Chicago the "Windy City"!)

So on to today's card. I haven't played along with Mojo Monday's #277 in a while so I figured it was time. I'm also using the Be Inspired #20 photo from The Alley Way Stamps.

Here is the inside of the card:

Here are the challenges:

I was inspired by the colors in the picture: raspberry, pink, vanilla, kraft. My main panel was a happy accident. I originally wanted the outlined frames lined up and going off the same edge and the middle frame going off the other side. But as I was just about to stamp the last frame, my dog started barking his head off at somebody knocking at the door. I quickly stamp it and rushed to see who was there. Turned out it was only a REALLY pushy solicitor. (I know it's his job and all, but there is a fine line between being a slight inconvenience to a major butt-hole. He crossed that line. Excuse my french. I try to keep my blog PG13. Most times it works, others, not so much!) Anyway, when I went back to my card, that's when I realized I stamped it on the wrong side. GRRR! Luckily, the more I looked at it, the more I liked it - happy accident!

Anyway, that's my story and I'm sticking with it! Thanks for stopping by and I hope you all have a great rest of the day, sans pushy solicitors!

Chris ☺

Supplies:
Card stock: Recollections
DP: MME - Everyday Tango; DCWV - Linen Closet
Stamps: The Alley Way Stamps - AdoraBOWL set
Ink: Tsukineko - Tuxedo Black
Marker: Marvy Uchida - Bubblegum Pink
Adhesive: SA by 3L - MyStik, 3D foam squares
Accessories: MME Enamel Dots; Jo-Ann Scrap Essentials tag; Doodlebug twine; Martha Stewart - Butterfly punch

Happy for you!...

Happy Sunday my blog friends! I want to share a card I made just a bit ago. I'm entering this in the Color Throwdown #225 and for Case this sketch #11.

Here is the inside:

and the challenges:

I adore these colors and love this sketch. Not really digging my card though. Nope. I think the diagonal sentiment placement really through me for a loop. Oh well, some cards just come together like magic, then others, not so much.

Anyhooo, that's it today. Getting ready to watch the Ravens kick some boo-tay! Thanks for stopping by!

Chris ☺

Supplies:
Card stock: Bazzill (white); Recollections (pink, melon, kraft); DCWV (pumpkin)
Stamps: Unity Stamp co. - April 2012 KOM
Ink: Tsukineko - Tuxedo Black
Adhesives: SA by 3L - MyStik, 3D foam squares
Accessories: Grand Calibur, Small Standard Circle Nesties by Spellbinders; Cuttlebug D'vine Swirls E.F.; Marvy Uchida markers; rhinestones from my stash

My Heart Skips A Beat...

Hi there! I have another card to share today! This is for Casual Friday's #86: Long and Short and Unity Stamp's Friends With Flair.

The inside:

For CFC86, you had to make a card that is not an A2 size card (3" x 6", 4" x 8", etc.) I trimmed my card base to 3" x 6". This just might be the most CAS-iest card I've ever made! (Is "CAS-iest" a word? Hmmm, it is now! Ha!) I stamped the heart beat on my card base and also a couple times on some scrap red card stock (I stamped on the "back side" of the red card stock, so the textured side showed when cut out.) I popped one of the red hearts with a 3D foam square on the front of the card and adhered the other one on the inside. I also added some score lines above and below the heart beat. Super easy and fun to make!

That's it tonight. I'm done for now and it's time to channel surf the t.v! Have a great evening!

Chris ☺

Supplies:
Card stock: Bazzill Basics
Stamps: Unity Stamp Co. - January 2013 KOM
Ink: Tsukineko - Tuxedo Black
Adhesive: SA by 3L - 3D foam squares; Elmer's Extra Strength Glue Stick
Martha Stewart Score Tool
Fiskars Corner Rounder

Dino-mite!....

Good morning and TGIF!! I am excited for the weekend to start. I had an email this morning from a friend that I haven't seen in over a year. She moved out of state a while ago, but will be in my neck of the woods tomorrow, so we are going to meet for lunch and catch up. So excited!

So, last night I was up in my craft cave, and made this card to send to my niece for her birthday.

And the inside:

Here is the sketch I based it on:

I'll be entering this in the current Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge: Designer Draft. I followed the sketch pretty closely, but adding my own flair to it (the rounded corners). I gave the dinosaur a "bow" made of bone! HA! A girly dinosaur - I love it!

Well, that's it for now. I've got to go straighten up the guest bedroom, just in case Linda crashes overnight! Drinking, along with eating, was perhaps mentioned, so I want to be ready just in case! LOL!

Have a great day!

Chris ☺

Supplies:
Card stock: Bazzill Basics
DP: MME - The Sweetest Thing
Stamps: Paper Smooches - Hullabaloo (Happy Birthday); Knick Knacks (You Rock); Cutasaurus (Dino, You are awesome, rocks, bone, foot print)
Ink: Tsukineko - Tuxedo Black; Clear Snap - Chestnut Roan
Markers: Marvy Uchida
Adhesive: Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L - MyStik, 3D Foam Squares
Fiskars corner rounder

Whooo's having a birthday?

Good morning all! I wanted to share a card that I am entering for the Retro Sketch #46 challenge.

the inside:

And here is the sketch:

I really enjoyed working with this sketch. The possibilities are endless! I decided to go with a color block look using primary colors. I like how this turned out. I stamped Happy Birthday first then ran the card base through my Grand Calibur, embossing only the bottom of the card. I rubbed the Chestnut Roan ink pad over the embossed image to make it stand out a bit better. After stamping and heat setting the birch trees, I trimmed the three card stock colors to size and adhered them to a black frame. That was adhered to my card base with foam squares. The owl was then stamped, fussy cut, and adhered with another foam square.

An update on my Father in law: he's doing sooo much better at home! He's eating more, (home cooking beats hospital food ANY day!), and gets stronger every day with his therapy sessions. Yeah Dad!! ♥

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope that you have a fabulous day!

Chris ☺

Supplies:
Card stock: Bazzill Basics (yellow, red, blue); Recollections (kraft, black)
Stamps: Paper Smooches - Autumn Groves (trees); Woofers and Tweeters (owl); Hullabaloo (sentiments)
Ink: Tsukineko - Tuxedo Black; Clear Snap - Chestnut Roan
Adhesives: SA by 3L (MyStik, 3D Foam Squares); Recollections adhesive tape
Accessories: Grand Calibur; Darice woodgrain embossing folder

Put on your dancin' shoes....

Hi all and happy Monday to you! I'd like to share a card I made for the current CAS(E) this Sketch challenge #10:

Here is the inside:

And the sketch:

It's a fairly simple card, but wanted to use something other than a "twig" as the sketch shows.(Of course, you can use whatever you want on these challenges, I just wanted something different) Enter the dancing girls! LOL! I've been wanting to ink this stamp for a while now, and so now I have! Love those sassy ladies! I topped the image with some rhinestones and I was done.

Well, time to go get some dinner ready. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful rest of the day!

Chris ☺

Supplies:
Card stock: Recollections (black, kraft); Bazzill Basics (red)
Stamps: Unity Stamp Co. - July KOM (dancing girls/ dancin' shoes sentiment); FWF winnings (inside sentiment)
Ink: Tsukineko - Tuxedo Black; Clear Snap - Chestnut Roan, Black
Adhesives: SA by 3L (MyStik); Therm-o-web - dots
Other: rhinestones from my stash; Fiskars corner rounder

Hogs and Fishes....

Good day and Happy Sunday! I'd like to share with you a card that I made last night for my Father-in-Law, who is recovering from a mild stroke he had on New Years Day. (What an absolutely CRAPPY way to start off the new year!) Just so you know, he is home now and in the care of my Mother-in-Law. He bounced back pretty quickly, but is still weak on his left side. They had him standing the day after the stroke,  and putting him through physical/occupational/speech therapy after that each day thereafter. He was moved this past Monday to another facility that had a much better therapy center. He was supposed to be there for 2-3 weeks, but he was doing so well they let him come home on Friday! Yeah Dad! So, to celebrate, I put a care package together for him, including this card:

And the inside:

I had this punny sentiment in my head, perfect for my F-I-L since he loves to email jokes, especially punny ones. This card is a MAJOR labor of love, for the fact that there is a boatload of masking done on it! I was in stamping Heaven, I tell ya! I used stamps from 9 different Paper Smooches sets to make this. There is also fussy cutting, paper piecing, and coloring going on here. Originally I had sketched both fishes in the water, but then came across that little envelope and thought: Wouldn't it be cool if one of the fish were jumping out of the water, as if delivering a card to the pigs? (Did anyone notice that bright flash of light on the east coast? That was the light bulb turning on over my head! HA!)

It came out soooo much better than what I had sketched! This is by far the best originally designed card by me that I've made! (If I do say so myself!) I hope he loves it as much as I loved making it!

So that's all I have for now. Are you all excited about the craziness that is CHA?! I feel that I've been sitting in front of my computer for hours commenting to win goodies on all blogs and Facebook pages! LOL! Hopefully I'll be a lucky winner! (Fingers crossed!)

Have a great rest of the day!

Chris ☺

Supplies:
Card stock: Recollections
DP: WRMK (green stripe); Frances Myers (pink dots); DCWV (pink argyle)
Stamps: Paper Smooches (items underlined are the parts used)
Green Acres - pig, SNort, moo & moo;
Space Cadet - Get Better in warp speed;
Simply Said - Now and Forever;
Metropolis - clouds
Surf and Turf - fishes, wave, splashes, You;re swell;
Flap Happy - Sending Prayers;
Teen Routine - envelope;
Autumn Groves - swirly;
Graffiti - "hogs', "fishes"
Ink: Tsukineko - Tuxedo Black; Clear Snap - Chestnut Roan
Markers: Marvy Uchida
Adhesives: SA by 3L (MyStik); Elmer's extra strength glue stick

With sympathy...

Hello everyone and happy Sunday to you. Today I'd like to share a card I made for a friend of mine, whose boyfriend's grandmother past away last week. We all loath to make them, but alas, they are always needed: the sympathy card.

And the inside:

I used Retro Sketch #45 to make this card. (I had it done before the challenge ended, but totally forgot to post it. Oh well.) I'm trying to use items I've had forever on my cards, and that die cut tag is it. I'm not sure who the mfg is. I hand cut the two banners, stamped one of them and used foam squares to pop that one up. Then I punched and adhered the butterflies. I still think it needed something. Maybe some twine. Too late now, the card is in the mail! Anyway, I hope they like it.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful rest of the day!

Chris ☺

Supplies:
Card stock: Recollections
DP: DCWV - Linen Closet; Echo Park - Metropolitan Dots & Stripes
Stamps: Papertrey Ink - Botanical Silhouettes; Inkadinkado - inside sentiment
Ink: Tsukineko - Paris Dusk; Clear Snap - Creamy brown
Adhesive: SA by 3L (MyStik, 3D foam squares); Helmar - 450 glue
Accessories: American Crafts - brads; Martha Stewart butterflies punch; die cut tag ???

Love Machine...

Good afternoon and happy Tuesday to you all! I got a late start in blog land because I was waiting on a roofer guy to stop by to inspect our roof. We had a couple leaks in the attic and we need to either repair or replace. Well, as I suspected, alot of the slate tiles are damaged and it would be better to replace than to repair. So I guess remodeling the kitchen will be put on the back burner for yet another year. Last year we had to replace the furnace and AC unit. Oh the joys of home ownership!

So that said, I'll show you a card I made for the challenge on the Create blog: use chartreuse, aqua, and light gray.:

and the inside:

I had this negative die cut that I saved hoping to someday use it, and whadda you know? I finally got to use it! Added some gray stripe washi tape. I stamped the washing machine twice, fussy cut, adhered with some 3D foam squares, along with the die cut negative. On the inside, I did some masking with the 'i heart u' stamp. A clean and simple card. And I loved using non-traditional colors for a Valentine's card!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a great day!

Chris ☺

Supplies:
Card stock: Bazzill Basics (aqua); DCWV (chartreuse); Recollections (white)
DP: Echo Park - Metropolitan Dots & Stripes
Stamps: Paper Smooches - Squeaky Clean set, Freezy Fellas set; Hero Arts (Happy V-day)
Ink: Tsukineko - Tuxedo Black
Adhesives: SA by 3L - MyStik, 3D foam squares
Washi Tape - Recollections
Marker - Marvy Uchida

Let's Boogie!

Good morning and Happy Sunday! Are you ready for some football?!! Ha! The Ravens play today, and I've dressed the part. Wearing my black and purple...but I most likely won't watch the game. ☺You will probably find me up in my craft cave, creating away!

Speaking of creating, I made this card last night and will be entering it for the My Favorite Things January 2013 Guest Designer challenge.

Here is the inside:

And the sketch:

I used the ALM-Disco Queen stamp set. On the inside, I did a bit of masking. The "Happy" is from the Totally Witchin' set, and the "Birthday" is from the Twisted Threesome set. I believe I will be making a purchase from the MFT store to remedy the fact that I do not have any birthday stamp sets. What was I thinking?!!

I colored this little Foxy Mama with Marvy Uchida markers and, but for some grey shading, left the boots white. (GOT to have white go-go boots!! LOL!) The disco ball is colored in a couple shades of grey, then covered in glitter glue to add that sparkly touch.

Well, that's all I have for now. If you get the chance, you should play along with this challenge. There's a major boat load of MFT goodies to be had if you are chosen as the next Guest Designer! Thanks for stopping by, and I hope that you have a fabulous day! GO RAVENS!

Chris ☺

Supplies:
Card stock: Bazzill (green); Recollections (white, blue); DCWV (plum); Strathmore water color paper
DP: Bo Bunny - Vicki B. collection
Stamps: MFT - ALM Disco Queen, Totally Witchin', Twisted Threesome
Ink: Tsukineko - Versa Mark, Tuxedo Black
Markers: Marvy Uchida
Adhesive: SA by 3L (MyStik, 3D foam squares); Recollections adhesive tape
Accessories: Doodlebug twine; DecoArt Craft Twinkles Writer; Inkadinkado embossing powder

Get your drink on!

Ok, now that I have your attention...! ☺ Good morning and happy Friday to you! So I was playing in my craft cave yesterday and came up with this little gem:

the inside:

I know it's after New Year's, but I wanted to use these stamps! Also, this is a rare card I've made since it doesn't use ANY designer paper! I did try a new technique (to me at least). I used adhesive tape in two widths and poured glitter on them. {side story: If you've ever used glitter, you know how it gets everywhere, regardless of how careful you are using it and cleaning up after using it. Now keep in mind that I made this card before I had to leave for a doctor's appointment. Yeah, still had glitter on me. I can only imagine what was going thru the doc's head when she saw the glitter! LOL!}

Anyhooo, that's my story and I'm sticking with it! I'll be entering this card for a few challenges. Two are for the Drunken Stampers challenges: A toast to the New Year and challenge 112: All that Glitters. I'm also entering this for Simon Says Stamp's challenge: Something New, (my "New" is the New Year!) and for Unity Stamp's Friends With Flair.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope that you have a fabulous day!

Chris ☺

Supplies:
Card stock: Recollections
Stamps: Unity Stamp Co.- November 2012 KOM (glasses, Cheers); Hero Arts (Happy New Year)
Ink: Tsukineko - Tuxedo Black; Clear Snap - Gold
Adhesive: SA by 3L (MyStik, 3D foam squares, Crafty Power Tape); Recollections adhesive tape
Glitter: Stampendous - Halo Gold Mix
Sakura gold metallic Gelly Roll Pen

I love you sew much...

Good morning and Happy New Year! I hope that you all had a fabulous time being with family and friends these last couple of weeks. (I know I did!)

So without further ado, here is my first card creation of 2013:

and the inside:

I'm entering this for 3 challenges: Retro Sketch #44, Moxie Fab World's Tuesday Trigger: Sweet Dreams, and Paper Smooches Sparks challenge: Anything Goes Here is the sketch and color inspiration:

 

 

I so want this as my bedroom! Love the serene, beachy feel to it! That pop of plum in the rug just sets off the soft teal and yellow perfectly. Love love love it!

Well, there you have it. My first card of the year! Off to do some vacuuming now. Whoever coined the phrase "The only thing constant is change" obviously never cleaned a house! Housework is ALWAYS constant!! LOL!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a great day!

Chris ☺

Supplies:
Card stock: Recollections (white); DCWV (plum)
DP: MME: Follow Your Heart (blue, tan); The Sweetest Thing (yellow)
Stamps: Paper Smooches - Needle Little Love set
Ink: Tsukineko - Tuxedo Black
Twine: Doodlebug
Adhesive: SA by 3L (MyStik, 3D foam squares); Recollections adhesive tape
Accessories: Grand Calibur; Cuttlebug Embossing Folder; Fiskars corner rounder