Hello, I have a few cards to share. I am a devotee of the OWH challenges and I am a bit behind.
My first card is for the monthly ODBD challenge and this month we are to make masculine cards. Cards for Fathers Day are due to OWH by the end of this month so I am in the masculine mind set.

I combined several stamps from Avery Elle's 'The Man' set to create the focal sentiment. 

I went in a feminine direction and tried out some IndigoBlu leafing flakes- oh so pretty in real life- not easy to photograh! I have 2 jars of flakes. One container is full of flakes in a variety of colors: copper, silver, blue, & green but mostly gold and the other is silver, silver and  just silver! Gorgeous!

I tried using OWH sketch #250 but I just could not find a way to put the bottom strip across my circle-- it cut off the body of the CTMH stamp of a celebrating/dancing gal in unpleasant ways no matter how I positioned it!

Try Stampin on Tuesday (Trystampinontuesday.blogspot.com) also posted a sketch- and oh no- that dreaded bottom strip again- LOL.  I was more successful with this strip! The silver leafing is stunning in person! Different from heat embossing-which I struggle with- especially on solid images- so the flakes make me happy! 

                                                

Thanks for stopping by,
Diane

The Paper Players #238 and Operation Write Home

Hello!  
I often plan to play along with the challenges at The Paper Players...and today I was successful! I chose the diagonal option of yellow-sequins-polka dots for my card and a super sweet Mo Manning digital image. Go check out the fun at  http://thepaperplayers.blogspot.com/

                                    

And even though it is April 1st-- I wanted to join in on the Mid Month Throwdown at OWH. http://operationwritehome.org/march-mid-month-throwdown-red-white-and-blue/ 
Our challenge is to use red, white and blue on a card. I like to make patriotic cards-but I also like to use the colors on other cards. And who can resist this cute little puppy by Purple Onion Designs?  I love to watch Therese ( https://lostinpaper.wordpress.com/) create her cards and I adore the Purple Onion stamps she often uses. The pooch was super quick to color with Copics and I love the simplicity of my card.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of the week,
Diane

A Bunch-O-Cards

Well, here I am-playing catch up...again!
Work has been very busy lately so by the time I get home..my creative juices and energy are gone!
I was able to create today so I played along with some of my favorite challenges.

The Male Room has a sketch for this challenge:
http://themaleroomchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/
                

The Crooked Stamper is a new challenge blog and I think it is going to one of my favorites!
http://thecrookedstamper.blogspot.com/2015/03/cssc-2.html

                        

My interpretation is a little different from the sketch but I kept the main elements that same. I colored a die cut piece of Vertigo plastic with yellow and gray copic markers to give the lightbulb a warm glow and for the metal base. I love the texture in this 'paper'. It also gives a holographic type of shine- something I could not capture with my camera!

Keeping with my lightbulb theme, I used a MFT stamp and a sketch from last week's Tuesday Morning Sketches and used a bow for the Cards in Envy Challenge- anything goes with a bow!    http://www.cardsinenvy.blogspot.com/

And for the ODBD challenge at OWH for March- it is all about the sentiment.  I purchased this ODBD stamp at the stamp show about 2 years ago- and I really like it but do not use it often..I need to play with it more often. It has a chalkboard effect when you stamp in colored ink onto white paper. The stamp does all the work for a super simple card.

http://operationwritehome.org/march-odbd-challenge-3/

OWH card makers know that we have to work a few months ahead of the holidays so I am trying to make some Mothers Day cards- these need to get to Sandy by the end of March.... so I am making it my mission for this week... make more cards for Moms!!

I hope you have a wonderful week and I plan to post more cards soon!
Thanks for visiting,
Diane

Art Impressions and Julie Nutting Prima Stamp

 

Happy Labor Day!
I have enjoyed the long weekend- spending time with family and friends!  I managed to squeeze in a little time at my LSS Absolutely Everything and purchased some new stamps and more paper! I was going to live without the paper but Paige was with me and I told her to pick out some paper and she did a fabulous job!

I used a recent OWH sketch for the first card made with the Prima stamp. I love that these stamps are also sized for A-2 cards...even without a face- I love the images!  I rotated the sketch... this is one I will use again! I used Copic X-press it for my image, tuxedo black Memento ink and papers from American Crafts 'spooky'.  Clear glaze from Sakura on the bat and her shoes added some shine.

I could not resist the sweet images from Art Impressions Mini Front and Backs...Elf and Reindeer set along with the matching dies. And this was perfect for the challenge posted at AI http://artimpressionsstamps.blogspot.com/2014/08/challenge-143-front-back-challenge.html

My photo is crooked since the reflection from my light kept showing on the acetate window. I used papers from Jillibean Soup; winter tortellini and spinach soup 6x6 pad. The window, drapes and tree dies are all by Memory Box. I perched the cute deer on top of a snow bank....love his face!





 

 

I continue to make cards for OWH-even though they need less cards- that is a great thing! I feel like I now have more time to make cards for special people in my life.... I have a care package ready for the post office and I will be adding some cards to that box...with the hopes that the recipient sends the cards to someone very special! I do not to post too much and ruin the surprise but I will post more information soon! LOL
Have a wonderful week,
Diane

Sugar Pea Designs Sketch SPDSS09

Hi all, 
I am amazed that I have not posted since July 10th!  Summer has been very full, fun and hectic! I have found little bits of time to create but not time to post. I am hoping to get caught up this week... we will see!

I have 2 sets of SugarPea Designs stamps and I have several more on my wish list! You can check out the blog at  http://sugarpeadesigns.com/blog/
Here is the sketch- and you can also find it at 
http://sugarpeadesigns.com/blog/2014/08/11/sugarsketch09/

                                       

And here is my card using one of their super cool images!

Over at the Male Room   http://themaleroomchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/ 
A pretty crazy challenge.... use pink in a card for guys.  Hmmmm, this got me thinking. I have been playing more with my distress inks so I figured I would try a sky scene and except for the die cut stars- this would have been a one layer card- something hard for me to achieve! Once I added the stars, I ended up with 3 mats.  Try this challenge and go see what the DT came up with-great inspiration!
http://themaleroomchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/make-pink-masculine.html

And I would never forget about OWH!  Sandy is asking for less cards so we can all take our tine and try to create mini-masterpieces! There are less contacts to send boxes to (yahoo- this is a good thing!) but we will continue to create cards for our troops until they are ALL home!
The OWH August ODBD challenge is to create a card with stars.
http://operationwritehome.org/august-odbd/

I used the DCWV glittery paper- the glitter does not come off- even when cut! Love that I can use it on my OWH cards! This one will be a Hero card! 

That is all for now and I hope to post again-very soon! 

Thanks for stopping by, Diane

Mama Elephant Sweet Birdies and My Favorite Things

Good morning- I hope you had a wonderful week!
The OWH sketch challenge last week was perfect for some of the Mama Elephant smaller images and companion dies.
                                       

Midweek Throwdown: Color Challenge
 CANTALOUPE and PISTACHIO. My card came together quickly- using My Favorite Things Blueprint dies.

That is all for today- I have a busy weekend planned!
Hope you have great weather and can spend time doing what you love with the people you love!
Thanks for stopping by,
Diane

A Rainy Sunday, a Sketch for OWH and More Mama Elephant!

I am not going to complain about the rain..it is not snow and it is warming up!
Today we are up to sketch #218 at OWH:
                               

Pam made our inspiration card today- stunning! (I was going to say majestic but I can use that word only for my sister's dog- Lola!)  For more of Pam's cards please go visit her blog!
 http://airbornewifestamping.blogspot.com/2014/01/american-bald-eagle-thanks-cards-with.html
                              
And here is my version:

The Midweek Throwdown for this past Wednesday was to create a card with purple and yellow. I cannot get enough of the absolutely adorable images and great sentiments from Mama Elephant!

I also figured out how to take pictures of my flip cards without them flipping open...thanks to a little washi tape (used only in the pictures taken of the front of the cards)! And who are those images made by..yup! MAMA ELEPHANT!!! 

On a very sad note, we recently lost one of our OWH cardmakers, Suzanne H. This card is made in honor of Suzanne and based on one of her cards showcased when she was a Friday Featured Cardmaker. Prayers go out to her loved ones and friends.

Did you know Sandy Allnock is teaching an on-line class-coloring backgrounds with Copic markers...it is a great class! I watched yesterday and I am hoping to have time this week to practice!  Click here to get all the details: http://sandyallnock.com/class-announcement/  

I am hoping for some sunshine this week- we need our vitamin D here in the northeast!
Take care and thanks for stopping by,
Diane

Bunnies, Bunnies, and Bees!

Greetings! I am so surprised that it is already March! February went by in the blink of an eye! I am hoping that means that spring is truly going to appear soon!

I have not posted since last Sunday so I have a few cards to share.
I have been on a tiny spending spree...I received an Oozak package today....gotta love Rusty! He ships so quickly and has a wonderful selection of all the things I just have to purchase!

The Midweek Throw Down was a color challenge this week; we are to use teal or turquoise on our cards. This is tough for me; for some reason I cannot see some colors as others see them. These are mostly blue based colors...like blue/violets and surprise... teal and turquoise!  I tried my best! 
http://operationwritehome.org/midweek-throwdown-color-challenge-15/

This stinking cute bee is by Alota Rubber Stamps. Sadly, the online store is closing but you can still get some great stamps on sale. Helena is a sweetie- go check out her site!
alotarubberstamps.com

 And today, as the first Saturday of the month, we have a new ODBD challenge- thank you cards! Since all my other cards are cutesy, I wanted to make a more masculine card. It is super simple, but I like the simplicity. I used a new die from Mama Elephant to make the curves.And that awesome stitching is made by the die! The papers are by FarmHouse Paper Company They are deep green but photographed more brown. 
 http://operationwritehome.org/odbd-march-challenge/

And here is another card for my OWH box;  I hope to send a box to Sandy this week (I do not have any Easter cards so I do not have to rush, but it has been a while since I sent in any cards.) This adorable stamp is by Art Impressions..look at the backside when the card is opened...how fun is that?

And when you think of rabbits, do you think that they are known to multiply....quickly? Lots and lots of bunnies! That thought inspired this card-made with rabbits by Mama Elephant! I printed the sentiment on my computer.

Thanks for stopping by!

Diane

Manly Yes...But I Like it Too! (And an Anniversary Shout Out!)

Do you remember the Irish Spring commercial? This weekend OWH is having a Card Bowl and we are challenged to make masculine cards.... thus the first part of my title!
             

Yesterday's challenge was for the monthly ODBD challenge and for February we are to make a card with the color brown. And amazingly- we have already exceed the goal of 50 cards! Wahooo!
Please go see all of the great cards! 
http://operationwritehome.org/odbd-february-challenge/

I used MFT camera die and stamps- and yes- I heat embossed the sentiment! A rarity for me! LOL 

Today's OWH sketch is fabulous and the sample card is by Donna- one the absolutely nicest people I have 'met' online-and so very talented too! You have to go visit Donna 
http://designingkeepsakes.blogspot.com

                                                               
                                             

For my sketch card, I used a CTMH stamp and die cut from the Artiste Cricut Cartridge. I was very surprised on my birthday with a bit of cash so I splurged and purchased some crafty supplies......  and man did I have some fun ordering!! I ordered the CTMH Artbooking cartridge and a few CTMH stamp sets, some Paper Smooches stamps and dies and some embellishments from Simon Says Stamp! I also re-stocked my supply of Copic X-press It Blending Card with an Amazon gift card---so I have loved coming home from busy work days to find packages waiting for me! lol!

And did you know that  Paper Smooches is celebrating their 3rd anniversary? They are-and they have new releases too! I am so impressed with the quality of all of the products, how fun and cute the images are, the super fast shipping and the customer service is OUTSTANDING! Go give Kim some love and help celebrate!
 http://papersmooches.blogspot.com/2014/02/happy-3rd-anniversary-to-paper-smooches.html
                                    

Here is a card I made in honor of the anniversary... I look up to Kim--her talent, her kindness and her business! I tried to keep with the OWH manly theme- and I love this paper-- I hope that coral/pinky color in a few of the squares is not too feminine- I tried to color the hippo's tongue the same color!

Well- I hope everyone has a great week and enjoys the game tonite. I know there will be heartbroken fans as well as joyous fans...I look forward to an exciting game!
Hello to my girls- Tessa, Cori, Maggie, Paige and Lola!
Thanks for stopping by, 
Diane