Buttons, Buttons, Buttons

I love buttons but hardly use them. So, I'm making an effort to consider them before deciding if a card is "finished". Today, I used them on my SCS sketch challenge card. I admit, I had a hard time with this sketch. So, I tried it on a square card. This card measures 3x3. I received the Deer Friends image and the buttons from Wish RAK.

Stamps: Deer Friends
Paper: close to cocoa, real red, whisper white, CM patterned paper
Ink: creamy caramel
Accessories: SU clocoa & red markers, white gel pen, ribbon, buttons, dimensionals, SU scallop punch, Marvy scallop punch




CC Designs is fast becoming a favorite stamp company of mine. I just love this little doggy... And I'm not allergic to him!!!!

Stamps: It's My Birthday - CC Designs, Fantastic Foliage - SU
Paper: white, wild wasabi, real red & DSP
Ink: black, wild wasabi
Accessories: ribbon, buttons, CM cutting system, Copic markers, real red SU marker

Sitting on both sides of the fence...

... as usual. LOL! I have a special needs child and I'm a special education teacher. That definitely has its advantages and disadvantages... truly. I know what to do AND I know too much to make me worry. LOL! (BTW, DH says worrying is a hobby of mine. Sigh)

This photo does not reflect my political views. I'm not thrilled with either presidential candidate. But it is another positive sign, to me, that Sara Palin is just one of us with perseverance to make our lives a better place.

Sarah Palin is from my generation. She is a working Mom. She stands up to what is right regardless of her party affiliation. Her religious beliefs are close to mine. She has a special needs child. Her family isn't perfect, but they support each other. And what did she do last weekend, she stopped the bus to get a pack of diapers. She's so... normal.

Now, I'm not "supposed" to like Sarah Palin. I'm a dedicated union employee. I was raised in a political family and remember walking in parades and handing out fliers door to door... to help my Democratic family run for various offices.

It's really hard not to like her.

So, I'm not going to tell you who I'm going to vote for... well with this exception. My best friend is running for the local school board... and she's getting my vote. :)

Photo taken by Kevin Kelly

October 14 - Think Pink

I think this set from Sweet 'n Sassy is just the cutest!

This card is a double challenge.
SCS color challenge: CC188
Mojo Monday: Mojo56


Stamps: Snow Friends - Sweet 'n Sassy
Paper: pink pirouette, pretty in pink, black, white, pink pirouette DSP
Ink: black
Accessories: Copic markers, SU black marker, liquid applique, eyelets, circle & scallop punches, CM custom cutting system, Michael's ribbon, dimensionals, white gel pen

Snowmen look great in any colors!

This was one of the first Christmas cards I made. (2005 maybe?) I still love Frosty.


Stamps: Frosty, Canvas
Paper: black, brocade blue, real red, white
Ink: black, brocade blue
Accessories: markers, ribbon, spiral clip








Mmmmm! I love chocolate! LOL!



Stamps: Festive Four, The Snowflake Spot
Paper: chocolate chip, close to cocoa, very vanilla
Ink: chocolate chip, close to cocoa, cranberry crisp
Accessories: markers, ribbon, paper piercer & mat stack
Techniques: sponging

October 13 - Think Pink

I wanted to make a girly card with the boat from the SU set Toy Box.


SU Stamps: Toy Box, Small Sayings
Inky Antics: sentiment
Paper: pretty in pink, pretty in pink DSP, white
Ink: black, pretty in pink
Accessories: paper clip, ribbon, SU markers, paper piercer & mat stack, dimensionals
Techniques: faux stitching

This card measures 4.25 square. I use A Muse envelopes.

Monkey Hugs

I just love this adorable monkey. It was when I saw this cute guy in the SCS gallery that I discovered CC Designs. What an adorable collection of sets!

CC Designs - Monkey Love
SU Stamps: Because of You (grass)
Paper: wild wasabi, wild wasabi DSP, creamy caramel, white
Ink: black, wild wasabi
Accessories: CM custom cutting system, Marvy scallop punch, ribbon, Copic markers, white gel pen

This card measures 4.25 square. I use 4.5 A Muse envelopes.

October 12 - Think Pink

Polka Dots & Paisley was sent to Demos shortly before Christmas 2 years ago. And I still LOVE it! I used SCS's Sketch #106 for this card.

Stamps: Polka Dots & Paisley, Happy Everything
Paper: pretty in pink, basic black, whisper white
Ink: pretty in pink, black, mellow moss
Accessories: SU markers, ribbon

Michigan Mini Mingle October 11, 2008

Yesterday was the Mini Mingle! I had a lot of fun seeing people from last March and chatting, crafting, and more chatting. Here are pics of some of the people sitting around me. I almost forgot to get my camera out I was chatty. LOL! But I got a couple of pics. On the left is Anne. She is such a sweetheart.















On the right is Emma.... now named the crazy English driver. LOL! I say the lovingly of course. :) She is such a sweetheart too... but watch out for her in turnabouts... whoa! LOL! stamping across from Emma is Michelle. The two of them together are a hoot!






And here are our Mini Mingle coordinators: Robin and Baby Avery! Avery is 4 months old. Isn't she the cutest!?!




















And, Wow! Joni (jstarbright) made this mini album for me as a thank you gift. It's beautiful and you didn't have to... but I LOVE IT!

























And this is the door prize I was lucky enough to get. Isn't it beautiful?!? I keep studying it. LOL! I've been such a chicken about altering things. Some day I'll start. I think Robin made this prize.

Michigan Mini Mingle October 11, 2008

This is the name tag I made for myself for the Mini Mingle.
I have Wish RAK friends to thank for the the Nestie scallop and eyelets!
I signed my name as Miss Boo.
Once I did that, I wasn't sure how to get my real name on it
and have it balanced and looking nice. So, I left it like this!

Stamp: Stamping Bella - Witchybella
Accessories: Nestie scallop rectangle, eyelets, ribbon,
Martha Stewart paunches - bat & spider web, and Copic markers

The following are the cards I made during the all day event. Yes, that's right... only 4! LOL! I'm a little chatty... just a little (wink).



Stamps: Booglie Eyes
Paper: black, white, only orange
Ink: black, gray
Accessories: ribbon, CB pumpkin harvest (Wish RAK), Nestie scallop rectangle (Wish RAK), SU markers










Stamps: Costume Bears (PIF), Tiny Talk
Paper: only orange, black, white, CM patterned paper
Ink: black, only orange
Accessories: Copic markers, small star, word window, and circle punches, ribbon, brads (Wish RAK)

Layout inspired by a card made by genie1314. I added more ribbon, brads and the tabs.









Stamps: URA Hoot - Cornish Heritage Farms (PIF), sentiment - TAC, Sanded BG - SU (Wish RAK)
Paper: chocolate chip, creamy caramel, regal rose, white
Ink: black, chocolate chip, regal rose
Accessories: scallop edge, oval, circle, and designer label punches, eyelet, Copic markers, ribbon (PIF)









Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes, Family Phrases
Paper: chocolate chip, creamy caramel, more mustard, pretty in pink, DP (I think it's DCWV)
Ink: brown satzon, chocolate chip, creamy caramel, real red
Accessories: ribbon, SU markers, CB swiss dots (Wish RAK), circle & scallop punches, CM heart maker

Layout: Beate's weekend sketch WSC10

A Walk Down Memory Lane

Dawnmercedes and I went to Novi for the Rubber Stamp & Paper Arts Festival in August 2008. This picture is of Dawn with Tracey from Starving Artistamps. Fun times. Dawn tells the story so well on her blog.













The Michigan Mingle in March 2008 at Birch Run was a blast. Here are Joni, Debra, and ? (Sorry I can't recall your name. I must be getting old!)









During the day at the Mingle, we took a break and went to famous Frankenmuth for some fabulous chicken and butter noodles! YUM!






Wow! This event took place a year ago. It really doesn't seem like it's been that long! We were at a shoebox swap in Cincinnati Ohio. This is a photo of the original challenge chasers chat thread that attended the event: Jeanne, Dawn, Me, Kittie, Sherry, and Amber.


This was my first SCS event.... SHOPPING... at the Stampaway Convention (Aug. 2007) in Cincinnati!

Sherry, Bev, Barb, Me, the cowardly lion, Dawn, and Amber.

October 10 - Think Pink

Artist Trading Cards, otherwise known as ATCs, are small and fun. They are the size of a baseball card. They can be traded or used on card fronts and scrapbook pages. These pink castle ATCs were part of a group of ATCs I made as classroom incentives.

Believe

Stamps: Dreams & Dragons, $1 sentiment
Colors: pink passion, oretty in pink, white
Accessories: ribbon, markers

More Artist Trading Cards

Here are some more ATCs I have done.

Simply Said

Stamps: Simply Said
Colors: only orange, green galore, yoyo yellow, white
Accessories: ribbon, markers







Baroque Motifs: These are ATCs that I made for a swap I was in.

Stamps: Baroque Motifs
Colors: old olive, elegant eggplant, white
Accessories: ribbon

October 7 - Think Pink

Awww! Someone has been in the doghouse and needs to give an apology. (I really should make more of these types of cards. ) I made this card awhile ago, but I believe I used an old Beate WSC sketch.

This card measures 4.25. square, I use 5.5 A Muse envelopes.

Stamps: In the Dog House - Penny Black, Paw BG - Great Impressions, Priceless & Mini Mates - SU
Paper: chocolate chip, creamy caramel, pretty in pink, white
Ink: Brown stazon, chocolate chip, creamy caramel
Accessories: SU markers, CM heart maker, taffeta ribbon, dimensionals
Techniques: sponging

Fun with Chocolate!

OMG! I haven't made a card since Saturday. And I haven't updated my blog since Sunday... I think it was Sunday? LOL! Between temporarily homeschooling my son while he receives treatment for a medical condition and packing up eBay sales, the time just flew by.

But the SCS sketch challenge inspired me tonight... well early morning and I've been wanting to use my new TAC set again. My favorite color to work with is chocolate (orange is a close second, Ink :). I was so into the chocolate theme, I had to go pop some chocolate chip cookies in the oven. LOL! It's 2:30 AM!!! But now that this is done, I've taken my sleeping pill. I will update my THINK PINK card before I dose. And the pink will have some shade of brown.... keeping with both themes and all. :)

Wish RAK: CB swiss dots
PIF Ribbon: yummy polka dotted chocolate
PIF Stamps: Fall Fun

OK... I'm addicted to wishing and PIFfing! The only thing missing is a PIF image.

The acorns are popped up on dimensionals. This is a great sketch challenge. I know I'll be using it again in the future. Thanks Roxie and Toy!

Stamps: Fall Fun - SU, Seasonal Cuties - TAC
Paper: chocolate chip, close to cocoa, creamy caramel, white
Ink: chocolate chip, close to cocoa, creamy caramel
Accessories: ribbon, brads, CB swiss dots, square punch, Martha Stewart branch punch, dimensionals
Techniques: sponging

Tis the season...

.. for making Christmas cards! It's never too early :)

Merry & Bright

Stamps: Sassy & Seasonal, sentiment from Gina K Designs
Paper: real red, real red DSP, white, handsome hunter, CM patterned paper
Ink: black, real red, handsome hunter
Accessories: markers, ribbon, scallop edge and circle punches, liquid applique
Challenge: SCS - Sketch #193







Elegant Merry Christmas

Stamps: Peaceful Wishes, All Year Cheer 3
Colors: real red, old olive, white
Accessories: markers, eyelet, ribbon

October 5 - Think Pink

Christmas doesn't have to be red and green! Christmas can be lovely in pink! On this card, I paired it with caramel.

Stamps: Hung Up On the Holidays, Priceless, Holidays & Wishes
Paper: white, pretty in pink, creamy caramel
Ink: pretty in pink, creamy caramel
Accessories: markers, taffeta ribbon
Techniques: sponging

October 4 - Think Pink

Wow! What a fun and crazy day! I didn't get all the challenges done that I wanted, but maybe I'll try some more tomorrow. I got distracted by my cluttered and messy craft room and ended up organizing all my PIFs and Wish RAKs that have come over the last month. Whew! That was a job, but now I might be able to find what I want! LOL!

Then I looked at the time. Oh my! October 4th is almost done and I haven't posted my THINK PINK card yet.

So, here is my cute and very pink Juggles the clown. I made a subtle tone on tone BG on the pretty in pink layers with the flower stamps from All Through the Year (SU). This is a 5x5 card that I made for High Hopes 1st challenge on their new blog. I absolutely love their stamps! Another challenge comes tomorrow. The link is on the side bar under Sunday challenges.


Stamps: Juggles - High Hopes, Mini Mates - SU, All Through the Year - SU
Paper: rose red, pretty in pink, white, only orange
Ink: black, rose red, pretty in pink
Accessories: ribbon, brads, white gel pen, circle, scallop, & flower punches, Copic markers, SU rose red marker, dimensionals

World Card Making Day Madness Part 6

World Card Making Day
SCS Ways to Use It Challenge: trees

I received this wonderful truffle tree from one of my friends on the PIF thread. And I received the cute brad from Wish RAK! Thanks ladies!

Stamps: Truffle Tree - Impression Obsession, sentiment - Inkadinkado
Paper: chocolate chip, chocolate chip DSP, close to cocoa, white
Ink: brown stazon, creamy caramel, chocolate chip
Accessories: Copic markers, brad, ribbon, ticket corner punch

World Card Making Day Madness Part 5

For Limelight's What's in your bag? #6, we have to post a picture of a sleeping family member. I have several... mostly of the cats. LOL!

In this first picture, my DH is working in bed on the laptop. Rockie used him as a pillow and fell fast asleep. Isn't this 20 pound fat cat so cute!?!








This second picture brings back happy memories... and some sadness too. This photo was taken on Father's Day 2007. It was the last we had with Grandpa and we all miss him greatly.

But this photo brings back a smile and a giggle. It's tradition for the Dad's to get a group photo and it's fun to see the group grow through the years. When it was time for the group photo, Grandpa was sound asleep. Well, we couldn't leave him out... and we didn't want to wake him up either. So the dads gathered around him.

He was missed this past Father's Day. The upcoming holidays will be hard, too.

World Card Making Day Madness Part 4

Happy Fall Y'all: I made this card for the SCS Inspiration challenge found here. It measures 4.25 square. I use 4.5 A Muse envelopes.

Stamps: Pick of the Patch - TAC
Paper: more mustard, more mustard DSP, chocolate chip, chocolate chip DSP, retired Halloween DP, white, old olive, creamy caramel, ruby red, baroque burgundy, pumpkin pie
Ink: black, creamy caramel, close to cocoa
Accessories: SU markers, ribbon, brads, large oval punch, Marvy leaf punch, dimensionals








You Did It! - I made this card for SCS's Featured Stamper Challenge.

Featured Stamper: SherryLC05

I used the same layout. I used 4 but different characters and theme. I used different colors and pattern of DP. Here's Sherry's adorable card.

Stamps: Nothin' But Net - TAC, sentiment - Inkadinkado
Paper: pumpkin pie, close to cocoa, old olive, Basic Grey DP, white
Ink: black, close to cocoa, chocolate chip
Accessories: Ribbon, Copic & SU markers, scallop edge punch

World Card Making Day Madness Part 3

This pic is for Limelight's What's in Your Bag? #5.

I don't usually buy Halloween candy this early... because I'll eat it! LOL! But I happened to have some on hand because this will be part of a trail mix I make for an SCS event next weekend. I love candy corn! It's been so hard not to open a bag! And I have hidden it from DH :)

World Card Making Day Madness Part 2

This card was for 2 challenges posted today.

SCS Sketch Challenge

and

Sweet & Sassy Challenge #1

Stamps: mouse image - Great Impressions, Mini Mates sentiment - SU
Paper: ballet blue, bashful blue DSP, regal rose, rose red, rose red DSP, white
Ink: black
Accessories: Copic markers (for coloring), SU markers (for dots), white gel pen, ribbon, circle, scllop, & corner punches, dimensionals

World Card Making Day Madness #1

There are so many sites having special contest, challenges, and sales. It's going to be a FUN day!

Here are my first 2 entries for the Limelight Paper Crafts contests.

What's in your bag? #1 - Breakfast

My sweet DH brought this home for me yesterday afternoon... actually he brought home 2 and I saved one for this morning.:)




What's in your bag? #2 - Mouse Pad

Boy am I embarrassed... not by the school... I graduated in '92. But yikes! It's so dirty!

BOO 5 - The Versatility of Carved & Candlelit

These Carved & Candlelit cards were made in past years. I still love this set and should get it out again.... The problem is that I am addicted to my Copics right now. LOL! The next post for my daily Think Pink card, I again use this set in a very unusual way.

The Great Pumpkin: The is card uses SCS sketch #121

Stamps: Carved & Candlelit, True Friends, $1 stamps
Colors: pumpkin pie, close to cocoa, chocolate chip, white
Accessories: ribbon, cutter kit, marker
Techniques: distressing


Here's another not so spooky spider hanging out on a pumpkin. This card uses SCS Sketch #44


Stamps: Carved & Candlelit, Web Wishes
Colors: black, only orange, old olive
Accessories: WW crayons, ribbon, tag

October 3 - Think Pink

Thinking outside the box: I used a pumpkin from the Halloween set "Carved & Candlelit" for the vase on the card.

Stamps: Carved & Candlelit, Flower Filled, Wonderful Words 2, Canvas, Itty Bitty Backgrounds
Paper: cranberry crisp, regal rose, white
Ink: cranberry crisp, regal rose, mellow moss
Accessories: ribbon, brads
Techniques: sponging

SCS Sketch #92 was used for the layout of this card.

October 2 - Think Pink

Today's Ways to Use It challenge today on Splitcoast was so inspiring. We were to use a quote or a poem as the central focus of our card or project. I looked through all of my verses sets and decided on this one.

Stamps: All Through the Year, Words of Wisdom
Paper: pink pirouette, close to cocoa, whisper white, chocolate chip, creamy caramel
Ink: pink pirouette, close to cocoa, chocolate chip
Accessories: taffeta ribbon, brad, Martha Stewart branch punch, EK Success support ribbon punch, paper piercer & mat stack, chocolate chip marker, dimensional
Techniques: faux stitching, sponging

This card measures 4.25 square. I use 4.5 A Muse envelopes.

Precious Moments

Today's Ways to Use It challenge on SCS was to wonderful to pass this up. This is a very simple scrapbook page that I made years ago before I knew what I was doing. LOL! But the message is the important part, so I plan to keep it like it is.

Imagine there is a bank that credits your account each morning with $86,400. It carries over no balance from day to day. Every evening it deletes whatever part of the balance you failed to use during the day. What would you do? Draw out every cent, of course!!!

Each of us has such a bank. It's name is TIME. Every morning, it credits you with 86,400 seconds. Every night it writes off, as lost, whatever of this you have failed to invest to good purpose. It carries over no balance. It allows no overdraft. Each day it opens a new account for you. Each night it burns the remains of the day. If you fail to use the day's deposits, the loss is yours. There is no going back. There is no drawing from tomorrow. You must live in the present on today's deposits. Invest it so as to get from it the utmost in health, happiness, and success! The clock is running. Make the most of today.

To realize the value of one year,
ask a student who failed a grade.

To realize the value of one month,
ask a mother who gave birth to a premature baby.

To realize the value of one hour,
ask the editor of a weekly newspaper.

To realize the value of one hour,
ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.

To realize the value of one minutes,
ask a person who missed the train.

To realize the value of one second,
ask a person who just avoided an accident.

To realize the value of one millisecond,
ask the person who won the silver medal in the Olympics.

Treasure every moment that you have! And treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time. And remember that time waits for no one. Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why it's called the present!

Author unknown

BOO 4: Not So Spooky Spiders

I love this spider from Web Wishes. She is so cute! Both of these cards were made for SCS Featured Stamper Challenges recently.

DROPPING IN FOR SOME CANDY

Featured Stamper: E3stamper

I used the same layout and theme.
I have different colors and images.
I used backgrounds instead of DP.

Here's Shannon's aodrable card.

Stamps: Web Wishes, Polka Dots & Paisley - SU; sentiment - Impression Obsession
Paper: black, certainly celery, white, only orange
Ink: black, certainly celery
Accessories: SU markers, oval, circle & designer label punches, CM custom cutting system, Marvy scallop punch, Michael's ribbon


TANGY, SWEETIE, and, HAPPY

Featured Stamper: NikiE

I kept the same layout and theme (Halloween).
I changed the colors and characters.
I left off the sewing and hardware.

Here's Niki's adorable card.

Stamps: Web Wishes, Polka Dots & Paisley
Paper: black, green galore, only orange, lovely lilac, white
Ink: same
Accessories: ribbon, markers

You can view the other BOO postings here.

October 1 - Think Pink

It's well known that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. So in honor of all the people and their families dealing with this tragic disease, I will be posting a THINK PINK card everyday I post in addition to other themed postings.

BELIEVE IN MIRACLES

Stamps: Roses in Winter, Typeset Alphabet, Michael's $1 stamp
Paper: pretty in pin, regal rose, white
Ink: pretty in pink, regal rose, certainly celery
Accessories: taffeta ribbon, ticket corner punch, brads, dimensionals