Fall Critters

Hello friends!  I've been having fun again.  Can't help it, as sophisticated as card making gets, I still love to simply play at it.

I opened my box of printed up digis to see what fit the soon-to-be-fall season.  Sure enough there sat these Bugaboo critters, probably one of the last digis I was able to get from Bugaboo.  I don't think there's any place to buy them since the site went down.

This image was printed on watercolor paper after I lightened the outline in Corel.  I colored with Tombow markers and homemade blender.

For additional fun I stamped the sky with blue splatters.  You know I love my designer paper so I added a strip of that with the sentiment.  The sanded card base was already made and sitting in a drawer of cards I've prepared and tucked away.  Finally, the scene is finished with a whole bunch of autumn leaves which were also colored with Tombows and blender.

How can I resist playing along in Four Seasons September Challenge?  It's anything goes Fall, but there is a beautiful mood board for extra inspiration:

It's always fun when the changing seasons bring a change in card making, and fall cards are some of my favorites... until spring comes along.  Have a good day!

Stamps:  Bugaboo fall critters (name?), old Darcie's sentiment, old Ink Splatters (DOTS? - now CTMH), retired SU Itty Bitty Backgrounds splatters  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot pressed watercolor, CTMH Autumn Terracotta, Bo Bunny Autumn Song designer paper, scrap vanilla for sentiment  Ink:  Printer, Memento Rich Cocoa for sentiment, SU Brocade Blue for splatters  Coloring:  Tombow markers and homemade blender  Other:  Impression Obsession Small Leaf Set

Squirrel!

Hello, friends!  I'm sharing a fun card today with pretty papers and a Bugaboo squirrel digi-stamp.  Still having a good time playing with my supplies since the most recent declutter and reorganization of my stamp room.  I purchased the stamps and paper pad late last year knowing it would be a while before I used them, but fall has come and time to make some Thanksgiving cards.

Squirrel with his precious acorns was colored with Tombow markers and a blender pen plus a little help from a few Copic markers.  Whatever works, right?  I hand cut and popped him up on the decorated  5 1/2" card.  The pale peach cardstock is probably from Stampin' Up, but the last time I checked they had discontinued this Core'dinations-type cardstock.  I love how it can be lightly sanded to show the white core for a different sort of texture.  I tend to hoard what I have of it, for shame.  It looks much better on a card than it does sitting in a dark cabinet.

This particular page from the DCWV Fall Forest mat stack has gold foil accents throughout, and so I decided to gold emboss the sentiment and add the gold cord.  It really dresses up Squirrel's card.  For accents I added the leaves and mushroom.  That mushroom turned out to be one of my favorite parts of the whole card.  I sponged with SU inks to coordinate with the paper and then stamped and gold embossed the tiny pattern on the cap.  Did that with a very old SU set called Petite Patterns, which is a set too useful to purge.

Inside is another sentiment purchased last year.  It's a whole beautiful set on its own and I hope to use it again this year.  The plaid-pattern paper on the front and inside is the reverse side of the foiled piece.

I'm happy to share in Darnell's NBUS Challenge #31 today with my sentiment stamps and Squirrel digi.

Okay, that's enough fun for one day, but I'll be back at it as soon as possible.  Till then... have a happy day!

Stamps:  Bugaboo Squirrel digi stamp, Impression Obsession Always Something, SU Petite Patterns, Crafter's Companion Thankful Words (inside)  Paper:  SU for card base, Arches 140 lb hot press watercolor for squirrel, X-Press It (white), scraps colored cardstock, DCWV Fall Forest mat stack  Ink:  Printer for Squirrel, Versamark, SU So Saffron & Groovy Guava for mushroom  Coloring:  Tombow markers & blender pen combined with Copic markers  Dies:  Spellbinders squares, Sue Wilson Pierced Flags, Cheery Lynn Faerie Mushrooms, Paper Smooches Foliage 1  Other:  Gold elastic cord, Ranger Princess Gold embossing powder, dimensional dots

Two Old Bats Halloween Challenge - October

Hi, everyone!  Another month, another bunch of challenges that all start at the same time.  Once again I'll mention that you might want to scroll down to see all, or click here for the Four Seasons Challenge and here for the CAS Mix Up Challenge.

Today it's all about Halloween with Two Old Bats.  We have an inspiration board if you'd like a jumping off point, but this challenge is always anything goes.  Complete details can be found on the challenge blog.

When I saw the inspiration board I made a note to self about the pumpkin and black gingham.  The first place I looked was my pile of not-yet-used Bugaboo Halloween digis, and so this card came about:

I'm very sorry to say that the Bugaboo site is down due to technical problems and it's not certain that it will return, sniff sniff.  I feel especially bad for the owner because it was her livelihood.  I don't know much other than that, but I believe there was a lot of info on Facebook where I'm not a participant.

At any rate, I will continue to enjoy what I have because they're so darned much fun!  This one was colored with my go-to Tombow markers and homemade blender pen, then the card designed with a mix of very old papers and trim.  You just have to smile, don't you?

Play along with us.  The team and guest designer, Lena, have some great samples to show you, and whenever the participant number reaches 50 the Two Old Bats have a prize for a random winner.  Last month was fantastic and I'm sure this month will be, too!

I shall return tomorrow with the launch of a brand new challenge.  I hope to see you then.  Take care, friends!

Stamps:  Bugaboo digi Cat with Pumpkin  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot press watercolor, orange card base (not visible in photo), very old designer papser scraps  Ink:  Printer  Coloring:  Tombow markers with homemade blender  Other:  Spellbinders square die, K&Co Halloween trim

Two Old Bats Halloween Challenge -- August

Is it really August already?  Time flies and we're going to get earnest about fall cards soon, but I'm feeling more ready because I've been in a monthly Halloween groove all year thanks to the Two Old Bats Halloween Challenge.

Today's card is fun and girly in a witchy kind of way.  I colored a new-to-me Bugaboo digi and gave it a non-Halloween sentiment which seems to work pretty well with the shoe.

The inspiration board gives us a nice variety of jumping off points.  I based my card loosely on the cupcake photo because I had a hankerin' to color the shoe.

The "fantastic" is cut from orange glitter paper.  The zigzag stitch is an old Hero Arts stamp.  I added blue and orange gems, a glitter resin dot, and some Wink of Stella which doesn't show in the photo.  Coloring was done with Tombow markers and a blender pen.

Come see us at Two Old Bats and share your Halloween card or project in the gallery.  We were so pleased to have an increased number of players with lots of fabulous entries in our July challenge.  Have a fantastic day! 

Stamps:  Bugaboo Heels Witches Shoe digi, Verve Simply Amazing, Hero Arts zig zag stitch  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot press watercolor, orange glitter cardstock, other white card base, DCWV Happy Halloween mat stack  Ink:  Printer, SU Not Quite Navy  Coloring:  Tombow markers and blender pen  Other:  Rhinestones, Doodlebug Halloween Sprinkles (glitter resin dot on tag), Wink of Stella, Verve Amazing Adjectives die, Sizzix Fancy Tags

Two Old Bats Halloween Challenge

The Two Old Bats are at it again -- another Halloween challenge right here in the first of April.  Who would've thought?

The mood board, above, is provided for inspiration, but not required to follow.  Any Halloween project is welcome.  I chose today's image because I expected I'd be coloring a green pumpkin, but changed my mind at the last.  Nevertheless, I do have a pumpkin as part of this cute Bugaboo digi stamp called Halloween Peeker Ghost. 

I used Tombow markers and blender pen for coloring.  The sentiment was cut from green cardstock and  heavily glittered with Stickles Orange Peel and Stardust glitter.  The star is simply done in orange.

If you enjoy the fun of Halloween cards, do let your hair down and come play with us in the Two Old Bats Halloween Challenge.  We'd love to see you there.  Have a happy day!

Stamps:  Bugaboo Halloween Peeker Ghost digi  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot press watercolor, Memory Box Granny Smith, DCWV Happy Halloween mat stack  Ink:  Printer  Coloring:  Tombow markers & blender  Dies:  Taylored Expressions Stitched Rectangle Stacklets, Memory Box Stitched Circle Layers, Sue Wilson Pierced Flags, Cheery Lynn Happy Halloween  Other:  Stickles Stardust and Orange Peel glitter glue, Scotch brand foam mounting tape (to pop up star)

Five Years Old!

Hi there!  Today I'm celebrating with my friends at the Double D challenge blog as they celebrate their 5th birthday this month.  Congratulations, Double D!  They're asking that we use a cupcake on our creation.  I don't have much in the way of cupcake stamps or dies, but I do have this cute Bugaboo digi which I was happy to print up and color.

For the sprinkles on the cupcake I dotted first with various Tombow markers, then went over most of the dots with Souffle pens to make them puffy.  For the decorative pieces on the frosting I dotted with clear gel, then sprinkled with Art Institute glitter.  It's deep pink and very sparkly.  I think it was the wrong time of day for picture taking because the sparkles and texture don't show up much at all.

Double D 5th Anniversary/Birthday Cupcakes Challenge.  You can guess which part of the mood board inspired me:

Well, that was fun!  I'll be back on Friday with two posts.  Sorry, it just worked out that way this month.  Wishing you a cupcake kind of day!

Stamps:  Bugaboo Mouse-Cupcake digi, Power Poppy Best Day Ever sentiment  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot press watercolor, SU Whisper White, Echo Park Happy Summer designer paper  Ink:  Printer, Memento Tuxedo Black  Coloring:  Tombow markers & blender pen  Dies:  Misc Spellbinders rectangles and circles  Other:  Viva Decor Glass Effect Gel, Art Institute glitter, Sakura Souffle pens, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

A Not so Spooky Boo for Two Old Bats Halloween Challenge - November

Welcome to our Two Old Bats Halloween Challenge for November.  We had such a great turnout in October and it was tons of fun seeing all the cards!

As always, the inspiration board is just for inspiration and you can make any kind of Halloween project your heart desires, but isn't it great?

I do have to give a little nod to the inspiration board for the spiderwebs in my design.  I've got a Bugaboo digi and some cute DCWV designer paper.  The piece in the background is holographic and way cool when you see it change colors as you walk by.  There is Stickles clear glitter on the stars.  Coloring was done with Copics.

I never tire of cards that make me smile, and I sure smiled all the way through this.  Have some fun and play along with us at Two Old Bats!  Take care, and I'll see you again soon!

Stamps:  Bugaboo Boo Ghost  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot press, Neenah White card base, DCWV Happy Halloween mat stack  Ink:  Printer  Coloring:  Copics  Other:  Stickles Stardust glitter, Memory Box Stitched Circle Layers

CAS Christmas Tree

Hello and happy Monday!  I hope you're well and keeping spirits up.  All is good when I'm in my stamp room and my Golden Retriever bubble where I can set everything else aside.  Speaking of which,  I set the summery cards aside for the moment so I can play along in the CAS Christmas Card Challenge.  The prompt is "Christmas Tree".  I could do a million of 'em with all the different Christmas tree stamps in my collection, but for now I have these two:

I used one Bugaboo digital stamp called Christmas Tree Row.  The digi image is a row of 6 trees, cut down the middle to make two cards.  Unfortunately the Stickles glitter did not photograph very prettily, tsk tsk.  I took multiple pics, the glitter was dry... too much time spent, so I called this one good.

CAS Christmas -- Christmas Tree

NBUS #18 -- My Bugaboo digi is a first time use.

All done for Monday Fun Day!  I'm running a little behind this week so I'm not certain when I'll pop in again.  It all depends on how the stars line up... or something.  Take care! 

Stamps:  Bugaboo Christmas Tree Row digi, Hero Arts Christmas Greetings  Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White, Bazzil white card base, red for mat, glitter paper scrap, Echo Park Story of Christmas designer paper  Ink:  Printer, Memento Tuxedo Black  Coloring:  Copics  Other:  Sizzix Primitive Stars die, Stickles Golden Rod, Holiday Red, and Stardust glitter

Scraps and NBUS

Hello and welcome!

As I was filing away yet another scrap of textured cardstock (all sorted in bags by color) I decided I finally had to do something about the overstuffed bag situation.  Just one card, but it's a start.  The 1" wide strips were corner punched on one end.  I scored a line on the white card base to help keep things even, and then I added the rest -- some scraps of designer paper, an old Rubbernecker sentiment, and a not-yet-colored digi that's been in my box for a long time .  This one is a Bugaboo oldie called 4 Square Floral.

Before there were dies I relied on punches and decorative edge scissors to do the fancy work.  To save space in my stamp room I've given up most of those items, but a few have survived the purges.  Pictured below is the lower edge of the card inside.  The flower is a Poppystamps Flower Stack die.

Since my Bugaboo digi is NBUS I'm sending this card over to Darnell's NBUS Challenge #16.

Thank you for coming today!

Birthday Chick

Hi, everyone!  I'm back for one last challenge this month, and this one is at my old stompin' grounds -- Double D.  Their challenge is "Balloons" and I just happened to have a -- you guessed it -- not-yet-used stamp that was perfect for it!

It's a Bugaboo digi called Chickz - Happy Birdday Chickie.  I was nearly caught up on my Bugaboo digis when along came one of their 50% off sales.  I weakened.  Anyway, this one is no longer not-yet-used (yay!).

Bright birthday Copic coloring here.  I drew the border rather than add a layer.  It's lightweight, easy mailing, nothing to snag up.  Put one postage stamp on it and it's ready to go.  I mail all my cards, so that's important to me.  The mail can be brutal, no kidding.

Double D Challenge:  "Balloons"   


Thanks ever so much for stopping by!  I hope to see you again soon.  Have a happy day!

Stella has Something to Say

Hello there!  Just fun stuff today -- two of Bugaboo's Stella digi-stamps which I colored on our camping trip in July.

Remind me never to become as cynical as Stella (and to wear a better bra).  Stella Glue Stick:

Frame it - Stella - If You're Happy:

I'm down to only *four*(!) Bugaboos which have been printed and sitting in the box for several years.  It feels like an accomplishment about to happen!  I wonder how long before I finish up?  So many stamps waiting...  Enjoy your day!

Flowers and Feline

Hello there!  I hope I'm finally getting back on track with the card making I love so much.  We were away camping for a week, and then spent most of another week with the ensuing catch up.  How can so much happen while a person is away?  Ah, well, I'm breaking in slowly with two very simple cards using some of my campground coloring.

I took a pile of images that wouldn't require much effort, and ended up doing more coloring than I expected.  When I had a few minutes at home I chose two of them that would be the quickest to put together.  They're both Bugaboo digital stamps.  The first is Floral Frame 01.  This one is so pretty, but in a whimsical sort of way.  Love that!

It's colored with Copics on Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White.  The sentiment is from the Poppystamps Birthday Blowout set.

The second card is totally whimsical using the Kitty Your Purrrfect set.  Sentiment comes with it.  I simply added three wonky stitched circles with the Lil' Inker Silly Stitched Die Set and then mounted the panel on a gingham card base.  There's not much gingham showing on the front, but the whole card base is made of it so it's fun when you look at the backside, too.

A little more gingham inside and an old, old sentiment from my stash:

Yesterday I started coloring something new and maybe I can piece together enough minutes to finish it soon.  A little coloring at a time is better than no coloring at all!  Also, I'll someday get around to going through our trip photos and share a few of those on Goldens and Garden.  I haven't been good about keeping up that blog lately.  Some things have happened that knocked the wind out of my sails as far as sharing the Life stuff, but not to worry... keep looking up.  Have a happy day!

Puppy Play

Hello there and happy first day of May!  I'm playing with my cute Flower Puppy from Bugaboo today.  He asked so nice and I couldn't say no.  We played very briefly between gardening and dinner prep -- quick to color, and a ready made sketch from The Paper Players Challenge.  He turned out very cheerful and fun, as is the way of puppies.

I used puppy paper and a matching sentiment sticker with Doodlebug matte sprinkles for accent.  Colored with Copics.  The "play with me" is cute, but for no particular occasion until you think of it in conjunction with the inside sentiment.  Then it has the option of becoming a birthday card.

I love that this quote is from Ward Cleaver.  I still enjoy watching "Leave it to Beaver" now and then.  They were my American dream when I was growing up.  The quote stamp is from the retired Stampin' Up! Smarty Pants set.

That's all for me and my puppy.  Thanks so much for stopping in today.  You know I love it when you do.  Wishing you a very happy day!