Funky Sunflowers

Hi!  It's sunflowers today.  Are sunflowers still blooming?  My garden is looking pretty soggy and I've cut back most everything.  My new stamp room window should be behind the card in this photo, but we haven't had a weekday dry enough for the guys to cut a big hole in the side of the house.  Still loving my clean, tidy room, though, with all the space I've reclaimed by clearing out the excess.  It does wonders for the joy of stamping!

 

This (once again) clean and simple card uses a Bugaboo digi called Funky Flower Blocks.  The printed image just happened to fit perfectly in an old Spellbinders Long Classic Rectangles die.  I popped that up over a gingham border and added a die cut "hi".

 

 

 

This is my first time to use Nuvo Crystal Drops and I love them.  They dry hard, not tacky.  Achieving perfect little uniform drops is always a challenge for me with any of this type of product, but I'm probably too picky.  The color I used is called Neptune.

 

On a sad note, our local paper crafts store is closing.  I know!  I could just cry!  Big sales going on so I picked up a few products -- nothing that will overstock my stamp room, though.  A few dies of the type I'll use frequently, glitter, sequins, Bazzill cardstock, more Nuvo drops...  No stamps or designer paper.  Can you believe my self control?  I want to keep my room looking good.

 

One last thing...  Many of you know our Wally dog had knee surgery recently and we've been keeping busy with his recovery therapy.  Well, he finally gets to go swimming again!  That's a big deal to Wally and LuLu.  He's going 2-3 times a week now, increasing the length and time of his swims a little bit each trip.  We're also still doing the three leash walks each day, so you can imagine how time consuming it all is.  Plus, it's raining.  One has to keep priorities straight, and Wally and LuLu are definitely priorities.  Here's our happy wet Wally:

 

 

And another with LuLu bringing up the rear:

 

 

Wally is doing amazingly well.  Better than he's been in years, with no signs of discomfort or stiffness after exercise.  We'll continue with patience and dedication...  Have a happy day!

 

Stamps:  Bugaboo Funky Flower Blocks digi  Paper:  Neenah Classic White, Soft Sky, Graphic 45 Precious Memories designer paper  Ink:  Printer, Copics for coloring  Accessories:  Nuvo Crystal Drops - Neptune, Spellbinders Long Classic Rectangles, Paper Smooches Hello Words, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

A Little Bit Retro

Happy Monday, friends!  Today I get to be a guest designer for the Retro Rubber Challenge.  I did say recently that I'd like to use my retro stamps more often, and this challenge encourages us to do just that.  Any stamp more than a year old we're calling "retro".  So, see, you don't have to be an ancient stamper like me in order to play along.  Bet you've got some old stamps needing love, don't you?

 

Today through November 4 it's a color challenge.  There's an inspiration photo which shows a pretty fall scene, but you don't have to make a fall card.  Just be inspired by the colors.  See below:

 

 

 

 

I've been rather dedicated to fall this year, seeing as how it's usually shortchanged by the need to start on Christmas cards, so a fall card it is.  I combined three stamp sets, all several years old:

• A bit of poetry -- Firecracker Designs by Pamela, no longer making rubber stamps
• Foliage Trails -- Inkadinkado
• Itty Bitty Backgrounds splatter stamp -- Stampin' Up!

I think this little poem is perfect for a fall birthday. 

 

 

 

Could this card be any simpler?  Sometimes it just works out that way.  Even some of the inks I used are retro -- Pumpkin Patch Kaleidocolor pad and SU! Bashful Blue -- from the previous decade.  Heck, that Kaleidocolor pad might even be from the previous century!

 

Hop over to Retro Rubber and take a look at the oldies but goodies the team is sharing, then show us yours.  It warms my heart to see the old stamps in use.  Enjoy your day!

 

 

STAMPS:  Firecracker Designs Poem (no set name on package), Inkadinkado Foliage Trails, SU! Itty Bitty Backgrounds  PAPER:  Neenah Classic White  INK:  Pumpkin Patch Kaleidocolor, Bashful Blue, Memento Tuxedo Black  ACCESSORIES:  Taylored Expressions Stitched Rectangle Stacklets, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

 

Fall Plaids for Double D Challenge

Hey, there!  If your weather has changed from warm to chilly it's time to get out the fall plaids.  Actually, it hasn't been that cold here, but wet, wet wet, which means it's time to get out the rain boots.  Our Double D Fall Plaids Challenge starts today so I figured I'd color up some fall plaid rain boots.

 

I used Power Poppy's Feeling Fall set.  Added a few extra leaves to the scene and colored with Copics.  There's not much plaid on my card, but just enough there on the boot and the ribbon tab. 

 

 

We have lots of inspiration for you in the pretty board below:

 

 

 

And a nifty prize for a random winner:

 

 

 

When I colored this I was thinking of the maple leaves that fall from a native tree in our backyard.  They're so big it's easier to pick them up one at a time than to bother raking them.  We don't get splendiferous fall color here on the coast, so what you see on my card is pretty much it.  I read once that sunny days and crisp nights make for the best foliage.  Nevertheless, there's still something about a lawn and garden scattered with leaves that seems so beautiful to me.  I'm not sure why.  A distant memory?

 

 

 

These are the Copics I used for coloring:

 

 

 

Come along to Double D and see the team's Fall Plaid samples and check out the winners from our previous challenge.  I hope you get a chance to play along!

 

STAMPS:  Power Poppy Feeling Fall clear stamp set  PAPER:  X-Press It Blending Card, Naturals Ivory card base, Bo Bunny Autumn Song designer paper  INK:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics for coloring  ACCESSORIES:  Offray ribbon, Taylored Expressions Stitched Rectangle Stacklets, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

Two Boo's

Hello, friends!  Sharing a little fun and frivolity today.  This is probably the last of my Halloween cards this year.  Same image, two cards.  Just wanted to be sure and use the Boo Ghost digi I picked up at Bugaboo.

 

The first one is shockingly bright with some Doodlebug Halloween paper and nearly-neon green cardstock.  I made orange spider webs and a white spider so they'd show up better against the paper.  Popped a cute little bow on there because you know I have all that ribbon to use up.  There's glitter on the spider and stars, and the spidery border strip is glittered, too.

 

 

 

 

The second card is not quite as bright.  More glitter (which I didn't capture very well on either card).  This one has a Doodlepop spider sticker and uses a scrap of starry paper left over from the first card.

 

 

 

 

I used the same Copics on each card, but somewhat rearranged the colors:

 

 

 

I won't bend your ear too much today.  All supplies are listed in the recipe below and I think it's pretty easy to see what went where.  Thanks for coming to visit!

 

 

STAMPS:  Bugaboo Boo Ghost  PAPER:  X-Press It Blending Card, CTMH Citrus Leaf, Orange, and Grape Sherbet, Doodlebug Halloween designer paper, Neenah 110 lb white (die cut spider)  INK:  Printer, Copics as pictured above  ACCESSORIES:  Offray ribbon, Stardust Stickles, Wink of Stella (on Jack-o-Lantern face features), K&Co spider border, Doodlepop spider sticker, Scotch brand foam mounting tape  DIES:  Die-namics Wonky Stitched Squares, Memory Box Stitched Circle Layers, Cheery Lynn Spider Net

Dahlias for a Lovely Birthday

How about some dahlias for a fall birthday?  I colored these up for a former coworker, thinking she might enjoy these flowers which are still blooming this time of year.  The stamp is a pretty Power Poppy digi -- Well, Hello Dahlia.  I printed it with a sentiment from the Cuppa Buttercups digi set.

 

 

Shoot, forgot to photograph the Copics before I put them away, but maybe you can see the reds there...  RV34, R39, R59, R89.  I used BV's for the other blooms.  All colors were selected to match the designer paper which covers the card base.  It's always fun to choose the paper first, then color to match.  It sometimes makes for color combos I might not have considered otherwise.

 

It's a simple design for easy mailing.  Popped up the image panel and added a length of stitched ribbon and die cuts from an old favorite Spellbinders Floral Flourishes set.  I brushed Wink of Stella onto the die cuts.  She's so pretty, but very shy about having her photo taken.  Maybe you can see Stella winking at you here:

 

 

 

I have so many October birthdays to celebrate, but I think I'm caught up now and ready to start on November.  I do love making and sending birthday cards!

 

Before I go I'd like to mention a brand new challenge blog. It's called The Flower Challenge.  The idea is to have flowers the focal point of your card.  Sounds right up my alley, doesn't it?

 

 

 

Their first and current challenge is Anything Goes with Florals, and that's where I'm linking my card today.  Can't wait to see their upcoming themes! 

 

Wishing you a lovely day!

 

 

Stamps:  Power Poppy Well, Hello Dahlia digi and Cuppa Buttercups digi  Paper:  X-Press It Blending Card, kraft, Purely Pomegranate (small leaf plus card base), designer paper of forgotten origin  Ink:  Printer, Copics for coloring  Accessories:  Ribbon, Wink of Stella glitter pen, Memory Box Cross Stitched Frames, Spellbinders Floral Flourishes, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

Poochie Birthday

My last card this week is a birthday card for a friend.  Can you tell she likes to sew?  Here's a cute little sewing machine, some stitched dies, ric rac, buttons, sewing themed paper, and a darling little pooch on a stack of fabric.

This Fat Quarters digi stamp from Sassy Cheryl's is just too adorable, isn't it?  My friend's bundle of fur is a miniature Pomeranian named Lily and she's the tiniest thing ever.  This critter doesn't look anything like her, but no matter.  She'll be loved.

Is it possible to have too much fun making a card?

These are the Copics I used for coloring:

I have to run off and take care of business today when I'd really like to go play in my stamp room, sigh...  Can't always get what you want.  Enjoy your day!

Stamps:  Sassy Cheryl's Fat Quarters digi, JustRite Just Because sentiment set (old)  Paper:  X-Press It Blending Card, Neenah 110 lb white, blue/green Bazzill cardstock, Tangerine Tango, dark gray, black, Paper Mania Happy Days designer paper  Ink:  Printer, Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics for coloring as pictured above  Accessories:  Buttons, linen thread, Scotch brand foam mounting tape  Dies:  Die-namics Wonky Stitched Squares, Memory Box Stitched Circle Layers, Taylored Expressions Ric Rac Borders,  Taylored Expressions Sewing Machine, Memory Box Tiny Bow, JustRite tag die

Pumpkin Time

Hi, there!  It's Team Diane's turn to start a new Double D Challenge today, and the theme is Pumpkin Time.  I'm on Team Darlene, but many of Darlene's teamies have joined in with samples today, as well.  I couldn't pass up the opportunity to use my new Feeling Fall set from Power Poppy as this particular stamp features three pumpkins and a kitty cat.

 

 

 

Here's our beautiful inspiration board:

 

 

 

 

Hey, well, at least I have pumpkins.  I also used a gorgeous Tutti designs Maple Vine Frame, cut from designer paper and looking very fall-ish.  This frame could easily be pumpkin leaves, too.  Hmmm... I could have cut it in green...  I layered the vine frame over a Memory Box Oval Master Frame with a Sue Wilson Porto die in the center for the image.  I hand cut the "Boo" banner and applied Wink of Stella sparkle to the "Boo!" and to the purple ribbon in the image.

 

 

 

 

When I was clearing out the excess from my stamp room I took a good look at my embellishments.  I kept all the brads, and they are legion, so I figured I should start using them.  Hence the four purple brads accenting the image panel.

 

I colored with the following Copics:

 

 

 

 

I'm playing along in two other challenges today, as well:

 

• Cards in Envy:  Frame It!  Use a frame, and cards must be flat enough to mail in an envelope.
• The Paper Players PP315:  Happy Halloween

 

Be sure to check out the wonderfully varied Pumpkin Time team samples at Double D, and then show us yours.  I get such a kick out of seeing all the entries.  Have a good day!

 

 

Stamps:  Power Poppy Feeling Fall  Paper:  X-Press It Blending Card, Bazzill rust cardstock, Memory Box Nightfall designer paper  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Lovely Lilac, Copics for coloring  Accessories:  Brads, Scotch brand foam mounting tape  Dies:  Memory Box Oval Master Frame, Tutti Designs Maple Vine Frame, Sue Wilson Porto

Retro Butterfly

Did you stamp Saturday for World Cardmaking Day?  I sure did!  Spent most of the day in my newly revamped stamp room and, gosh, was it ever nice.  Everything so tidy and organized and uncluttered.  All that space to move around in.  After the new window is installed and painting done I'll have a hard time ever leaving it.

 

I'd like to use my "retro" stamps more.  I got reacquainted with them when I was purging and making tough decisions and, honestly, many of them do seem brand new to me after lying dormant for so long.  Years ago I did a brief stint on Rubbernecker's design team, during which time I received a bag full of loose, cling mount stamps.  I've kept most of them, and Saturday I decided to use one for old time's sake.  I don't remember the name of the stamp as it was not packaged when I received it.  I thought the butterfly (Rubbernecker) and the sentiment (Fiskars, also several years old) made a nice combination.  This is a birthday card, by the way.

 

 

I stamped in Versamark, embossed in gold, and watercolored with my Gansai Tambi paints.  Made the background wash first, then painted the butterfly image, touched up the background a little more, and finished with a few splatters.  The photo washed out the gold a little, but it looks very gold in real life. 

 

A vanilla card base is covered with older 7 Gypsies designer paper.  I wasn't going to add the string (more of my Fun Fibers) but I saw the current Retro Rubber Tie Me Up Challenge and decided to go for it.

 

 

All those Rubbernecker stamps that weren't being used because they were jumbled together in a bag and I couldn't actually see what they were...  I grouped them into mini-sets, stamped an index sheet for each and placed them in these clear boxes I've had for years.

 

 

I tell you, I'm an organizing fool lately!  Have a good day!

 

 

Stamps:  Rubbernecker butterfly (name unknown), Fiskars Make a Wish Quotes  Paper:  140 lb hot pressed watercolor, vanilla card base, 7 Gypsies Gypsy market designer paper  Ink:  Versamark  Coloring:  Gansai Tambi watercolor paints  Accessories:  Ranger Queen's Gold embossing powder, Fun Fiber, Scotch brand foam mounting tape