Happy Bday / ESS Sketch #49

A family member is having a birthday next month and even though it is a bit outside my comfort zone, I decided to make an elegant/fancy looking card for the occasion. :) This will appeal to this person's fanciful side :)

After a little bit of digging, I found this DCWV Garden Stack pattern paper that seem to fit perfectly with the Cuttlebug embossing folder I had in mind to use.

Here is my take on this week's challenge:


I needed a sketch so I turned to this week's ESS Sketch #49 where Tracy Clemente provided the inspiration with this sketch featuring a strip, perfect to place some embossing and an oval shape to frame an accented image. At least that was my interpretation! :)

I chose to use this chandelier die cut that was cut using the Cricut Home Decor cartridge and embellished it with gems to add to the elegant look I was going for. I really enjoyed working with this cut and it fits nicely in the oval frame. I also used the new Martha Stewart loop punch that gives a nice lace look. The sentiment from Inkadinkado Happy Days set tied in great to the pattern paper and gives a fancy look to the card. This card is a bit bigger than usual for me, measuring 6'' by 6 1/2'' but the sketch was easy to adapt even at this size.

This was a really fun card, and I think it manages to look elegant :) ! Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:
"Happy Birthday" - Inkadinkado Happy Days 98628
DWCV Garden Party Stack, DCWV Texture paper
chandelier - cut at 3 1/4'' using Cricut Home Decor cartridge
Cuttlebug Victoria embossing folder
Martha Stewart loop edge punch
Paper Shapers Fancy photo corner
Versafine Onyx Black ink
Darice clear gems

August Month Scrapbook Calendar Page

I almost let August past by without posting my scrapbook page for the month of August created for my 2009 S.E.I. Calendar.

I came accross this adorable pictures while organizing my digital pictures and I just had to use them :) -- her name is Sofia, she is my niece and such an old soul - she is awesome to watch grow up and turn into a lovely butterfly :)


At first I didn't know what to do with this pre-design layout but once I chose the pictures, the rest fell nicely into place - and just had FUN with it!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!

Supplies:
SEI 12x12 Calendar 2009
butterfly - cut at 3'' using Cricut Hannah Montana cartridge
"so sweet" - studio G stamp
Cuttlebug flower edge embossing folder
EK wavvy edge punch
DCWV Texture paper
Darice gems
Prima Flowers

Happy Hello / ESS Sketch #48

Summer is a few weeks from coming to an end... and I am wondering where did it all go - where did all the endless days of summer go? I am going to make a point to enjoy the last few weeks!

On that note, for this week's ESS Sketch #48, I decided to use vibrant summer fun colors :)! Tracy Clemente's sketch for this week really called my name - with all those layering opportunities and with that circle accent, I could not resist!

This is my take on this week's challenge:

The colors on this card spells "HAPPY" to me! The DCWV Citrus Stack pattern paper had the circles to go with the circle accent of the sketch. I inked this cute, nicely decorated birdie with peacock like feathers from Hero Arts Happy Hello set. I really like the glitter on the piece of DCWV Sorbet Stack pattern paper, and I used a Martha Stewart daisy punch with some more DCWV glitter paper to match.

I had a good time coloring the birdie and dressing up the card with fun gems. Thanks for stopping by. have a "HAPPY" day!

Supplies:
birdie - Hero Arts Happy Hello set
"a HaPPY HEllo" - Hero Arts Happy Hello set
DCWV Citrus Stack, DCWV Sorbet Stack, DCWV Glitter Stack, DCWV texture paper
Versafine Onyx ink
Martha Stewart daisy punch
Darice orange gems
atyouSpica glitter pens
scor bug for Scor-pal

TCP Challenge TCPTUES71

This week TCP Tuesday Challenge is hosted by Carole, who has another FUN sketch for us to play with. I really like the different shape card as well as all the curves! :) I finally had a chance this week to sit down and play along.

This is what I came up with for this week's challenge:

I turned the sketch on its side so that I could use this CUTE, FUN image of mermaid Sprinkles from the newly released Cat's Pajamas By the Sea set. When I saw this image I flipped and just had to have it! I hadn't had a chance to ink her so I had to do something about that! :) Hard to tell but the DCWV pattern paper has shimmer on it and I used atyouSpica glitter pen to add shimmer on the image. I added dark blue gems to tie in the colors and add dimension. The sentiment

This was such a fun sketch to play with, I had a blast! Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:
mermaid Sprinkles - The Cat's Pajamas By the Sea S-9668
"STAY COOL!" - The Cat's Pajamas By the Sea S-9668
star fish - The Cat's Pajamas By the Sea S-9668
DCWV Fun In the Sun Summer Glitter Stack, DCWV texture paper
Versafine Onyx black
atyouSpica glitter pens
Darice dark blue gems
AMUSE small gems

Fortune Cookie Note / ESS Sketch #47

I needed to make a fun notecard for someone who is about to start her second year of college and I wanted to wish her luck!

Here is my take on this week's sketch:


I started with this week ESS Sketch #47 created by Tracy Clemente (like my ESS Thursday badge :)?); when I saw the "tag" that Tracy put on this sketch, it immediately brought to mind the idea of a fortune cookie with fortune sentiment as the "tag" :)... after all what says "good luck", "good fortunes"- better than a fortune cookie???

I used pattern papers from the DCWV Far East stack - came together nicely with the image. The fortune cookie sentiment adds dimension to the card, and I like the way it came out. Really enjoyed this set, and the A MUSE Fortune Cookie Words set has so many FUN sentiments :)... I could see many uses for them!

Supplies:
"A new opportunity awaits you" - A MUSE Fortune Cookie Words set
"The cookie has spoken" - A MUSE Fortune Cookie Words set (sentiment inside)
Fortune Cookie - A MUSE Fortune Cookie
DWCV Far East Stack
Momento Bamboo ink
Versafine Onyx Black ink
JudiKins Color Duster
Cat's Eye Chalk Rose ink

Thank You / ESS Sketch #46

I needed a thank you card to send to a family member for their help in making a gift special.

I was cleaning my workspace and I had this Inkadinkado Birds Galore stamp set out; and my attention went to that 'mystic' owl image. I got this urge to ink it so I went with that. The body of the owl reminded me of the EK Success edge punch; so it was meant to be! :)

This is my take on this week sketch:


I also wanted to participate in this week ESS Sketch #46 where Tracy Clemente brought us another simple sketch that leaves a lot of room to play! I didn't have time to play last week so I didn't want to miss my chance this week and took the first opportunity I got!

I have had this DCWV The Pocket full of Posies stack for years now; and I challenged myself to use it. I pulled some colors from this funky stress pattern paper and filled some of the blank spaces with my Cuttelbug embossing folders; including two of my all time favorites, the swiss dots and the edge folder on top of the card - this was inspired by this week's challenge on The Cuttlebug Spot (to use our favorite embossing folders) :).

I really do like how the edge punch matches the image. I used the JudiKins color duster to color to mirror some of the stressing in the pattern paper.

Had a great time making this card and using some of my stash instead of just stashing them :) -- and that is always a GOOD thing! :)

Supplies:
Owl - Inkadinkado Birds Galore 97625
"Thank You" - Inkadinkado Collaged Expressions 97610
Momento Sweet Plum ink
Cuttlebug Branch embossing folder
Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder
Cuttlebug Frills Volant embossing border
DCWV The Pocket full of Posies Stack, DCWV Texture paper
JudiKins Color Duster
Cat's Eye Yellow Amber ink
EK Success border punch

TCP Challenge TCPTUES69

For this week TCP Tuesday Challenge, Jen, from i{heart}2stamp, brings us another Color Challenge! She chose some very bright, summer FUN colors; such a great combination, I decided to use them all!

I was really itching to ink this new Cat's Pajamas By the Sea set - isn't it adorable??? This set is part of three new Cat's Pajamas release which consist of two very FUN summer stamp sets and one get well stamp set - they are so darn cute; and I could not resist getting all three!!! You could check out the Kitty Kat Pack- a great deal on all three sets! Poochie and Sprinkles look amazing and those cute little penguins are just irrisistable!

I honed in on Poochie sitting down with a cold ice drink reading a book under the shade of an umbrella - wish I could be right next to him being a beach bum myself :)!

Here is my take on this week's challenge:

This new By the Sea set goes nicely with Life is a Beach Cricut Cartridge. I felt like Poochie needed some palm trees to finish his fun under the sun scene :) - I added some shading to the palm trees for some added dimension. I tore some orange texture paper for the sand and added the sun to finish it off. These were some FUN colors to work with and I had a great time making this card!
Supplies:
Poochie under sun umbrella - The Cat's Pajamas By the Sea S-9668
"BEACH BUM" - The Cat's Pajamas By the Sea S-9668
tiny seashel - The Cat's Pajamas By the Sea S-9668
palm window card - cut at 6 1/4'' using Cricut Life is a Beach Cartridge
sun - cut at 2'' using Cricut Don Juan Cartridge
orange button - The Cat's Pajamas Candy Sprinkles Buttons embellies
atyouspica glitter pens for added glitter
Versafine Onyx Black ink
Cat's Eye lime green ink

SpongeBob Bday Card

I made this card for someone special, she is a like a little sister who I watched grow up. And one of her favorite TV shows was SpongeBob Square Pants. I have fun memories of her hurrying up to the TV to catch the show or putting on Nick for her or her with those bright SpongeBob pajamas bottoms she wore out. She turned 19 this month - a shock to me for sure - and she is still a SpongeBob lover at heart.


This was a fun card to make; really impress with the details that the cartridge provides to each of the die cuts. I used a Hero Arts Happiness Messages set for the sentiment and the inside.

This is what the inside of the card looks like, I thought the sentiment was totally appropriate:

Really like how that wooden sign looks and a perfect spot to put in a sentiment. She flipped when she saw this card; and that was fun to watch!

Supplies:

Sponge Bob - cut at 4 1/4'' using Cricut Nickelodeon's SpongeBob Squarepants Cartridge
sea weed - cut at 3 3/4'' using Cricut Nickelodeon's SpongeBob Squarepants Cartridge
jellyfish - cut at 1 1/2'' using Cricut Nickelodeon's SpongeBob Squarepants Cartridge
wood sign- cut at 4'' using Cricut Nickelodeon's SpongeBob Squarepants Cartridge
"Sponge Lover" - cut at 4'' using Cricut Nickelodeon's SpongeBob Squarepants Cartridge
"Hip, Hip, Hooray!" - Hero ArtsHappiness Messages
"happy birthday"- Hero Arts Happiness Messages
DCWV The Sorbet Stack, DCWV Texture paper
Momento Rich Cocoa

TCP Challenge TCPTUES67

For this week's TCP Challenge, the very talented Leigh from Sunflower Studio is our host - filling in for Toni who is having "Fun in the Sun" on her vacation! Leigh brings us an inspirational challenge based on these graphic fabric prints bought to make beach bags. That stripe pattern one caught my attention immediately and I went with that!

Thanks to Tracy Falco wonderful enabling, I was able to use the newly released Cat's Pajamas Fun in the Sun set. I really wanted to ink one of the images on this set, so I chose Poochie with his surf board.

I needed a sketch, and I found the inspiration in this week Simon Says Stamp Challenge, where the sketch created by Dawny from Pink Piggy reminded me of the TCP inspiration picture.

This sketch caught my attention also because I saw plenty of room to use a lot of fun summer pattern papers; specially those I have been hanging onto for a while now!

Here is my take for both of these challenges:

I really like sand-like pattern paper; it is hard to see on the picture but it has dimensional water drops on it, looks pretty cool! I stress the ribbon a little bit (maybe too much) and added red lines with my copics (first time I have done this, and will need to practice). Poochie looks rather dashing in his Hawaiian inspired shirt :)

This was a fun card to make, had a great time layering! This will be a thank you card to someone for making it possible for me and the hubby to have some fun in the sun this weekend!

Supplies:
Poochie w/surfboard - The Cat's Pajamas Fun in the Sun N-9670
"FUN in the SUN" - The Cat's Pajamas Fun in the Sun N-9670
DCWV Summer Stack, DCWV Texture paper
M's ribbon
Versafine Black Onyx ink

Heartfelt Wishes / ESS Sketch #44

My very good friend's birthday was Monday, and I had to make her a special card even if it will reach her a bit late :)...

As it turned out, I was able to turn to this week's ESS Sketch #44 where Tracy Clemente is back (WELCOME BACK, TRACY!!! You were missed!) - and with a FUN sketch that highlights an image while providing a space to use a border punch!
Well, that is my interpretation anyway - and where I can use a border punch, I usually do! Justifies the purchase and any future purchases of border punches!

I wanted to make a birthday card that will appeal to my friend's girlie side and I know that would make her smile; so I came across this Hero Arts Four Dolls set that screamed CUTE and I went with it. This set has NEVER seen ink but I have admired others' amazing creations (waving hello, Tinla and Anthonette!) and decided it was time! :)

This is my take on this week challenge:

I really like the soft colors of this DCWV Far East Stack pattern paper, so I pulled the colors from it and tried to keep it simple. I paper pieced the doll's cute outfit with matching paper from the same stack; and used a matching burgundy ink to match the flower on her outfit to the base pattern paper - that flower on her outfit did match the base paper so perfectly! I used my Cricut to cut the flower blooms and my Cuttlebug emboss the background with a floral look. I added the pearls on the flower blooms and on the doll to continue the soft look; and to give it a girlie touch that I'm sure she will love. I really like the images on this set, it speaks to the girlie side of me as well! :)

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:
Japanese doll - Hero Arts Four Dolls set
"heartfet wishes" - Hero Arts Heart to Heart set
DCWV Far East Stack, DCWV texture paper
flowers - cut at 1 5/8'' using Cricut Storybook Cartridge
sentiment tag - cut using Cricut George Cartridge and Design Studio
Cuttlebug Floral Screen embossing folder
Martha Stewart edge punch
Hero Arts pearls
Momento Rhubarb Stalk ink
Versafine Onyx Black

TCP Challenge TCPTUES67 / Christmas in July!

This week TCP Tuesday Challenge is hosted by Carole, who has a sketch for us to play with. Lots of FUN circles on this sketch!

I was trying to figure out what TCP image to use, when I came across this wreath with cute robins on it from the Elegant Christmas set. The circular shape of the image just called for me to use it; so I thought it was just perfect for a Christmas in July card! After all, it can never be too soon to get started!

I really like the elegant look of this set. I ended up using mostly scraps leftover from last year's Christmas cards. I used some H20 pearlescent watercolor around the wreath to match the shimmer on the pearlescent gold paper and glitter on the green strip of paper. The additional circles were a perfect spot to add the snowflakes and the sentiment:). I also added some red stickles on the wreath and just had fun with this card!

Thanks for stopping by! :)

Supplies:
wreath with robins - The Cat's Pajamas Elegant Christmas W-8546
"Joy" - The Cat's Pajamas Elegant Christmas W-8546
DCWV Taj Mahal Stack, DCWV Christmas Stack 2008 Canson Effects Papercraft
Martha Stewart snowflake punch
Paper Shapers Fancy photo corner
Ranger Stickles Xmas Red
Versafine Olympia Green ink
H20 Sea Breeze
J's gold brads

Sympathy Card

This sympathy card came together pretty quickly; I used vellum and a Cuttlebug folder. Really like the soft look the vellum gives this card. I then colored the bird and grass on the back of the emboss image to make it less muted and to give it more dimension.

I used my Cricut to create a matching envelope. The sentiment is from a perfectly clear Stampendous stamp set. Times like this is always so hard to find the right words, I am hoping the card conveys them for me.

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:
"You're in my Prayers" - Stampendous Encouraging Word
Envelope - cut with Cricut Plantin Schoolbook
DCWV pattern paper, DCWV texture paper

Vellum

Cuttlebug Bird Call embossing folder
Momento Bamboo ink

TCP Challenge TCPTUES66

For this week's TCP Tuesday Challenge, Susan is challenging us to use our Happy Camper set. I was pretty thrilled to get a chance to play with this set since I find the images FUN and adorable! :)

Here is my take on this week challenge:

As a starting point, I needed a sketch. So this time I used Paper Popsicles Card Challenge sketch which I found on my craft buddy Jen's blog, {Brain Things....}. She is a trainer for Paper Popsicles and I enjoy to read the tutorials she creates for them. I saw this sketch and it caught my eye; so I thought it would be FUN to play! :)

There is something about this squirrel that I find so cute, and even though I am a bit unhappy with my coloring -new Copic user :)...- I really had fun making this card and stamping all those nuts! This card is more of a note card and meant to write back to a friend, catching her up on how NUTTY things are lately :) The sentiment NUTTY is spelled out using TCP Nightie clear font stamp set - a bold font that is pretty simple to space out nicely and makes a FUN statement. I combined this with Kraft paper and TCP matching embellies (ribbon and button).

I added the leaves and used a Cuttlebug border to emboss the top of the card, for some added dimension. I used a Martha Stewart border punch to repeat the zig-zag.

It has been pretty Nutty lately; not too much time for crafting and I am really having withdrawals:) - making this card was very relaxing! :)

Have a great weekend!

Supplies:
squirrel - The Cat's Pajamas Happy Camper S-9667
nuts - The Cat's Pajamas Happy Camper S-9667
"NUTTY" - The Cat's Pajamas Nightie S-8636
ribbon and button - The Cat's Pajamas embellies
Paper Company Kraft Paper
DCWV Texture paper
Cuttlebug border embossing folder
Martha Stewart border punch
JudiKins Color Duster
Versafine Vintage Sepia ink
Prima leaves

July Month Scrapbook Calendar Page

Happy 4th of July!!!! :) In light of that, this is the scrapbook page for the month of July created for my 2009 S.E.I. Calendar.

Inspiration for this page came quickly after taking a look at this week's challenge at Bitten by the Bug (BBTB), where Regina challenged us to use the freedom cut from the Graphically Speaking cartridge. The BBTB design team did a GREAT job with their various projects using this cut. I combined this cut with a cut from my new Stand and Salute cartridge that I also bought after seeing BBTB highlight it; it has a bunch of cuts that I could see myself using! :) I used a white gel pen to dress up the freedom cut and added a border of gems for fun.

Enjoyed myself so much making this page, thinking about all that I am grateful for.

Have a great relaxing weekend!

Supplies:
SEI 12x12 Calendar 2009
"freedom" - cut at 3 5/8'' using Cricut Graphically Speaking
shooting star - cut at 1 1/4'' using Stand and Salute
star border - cut at 1 1/4'' using Stand and Salute
Darice gems
Sakura white gel pen

TCP Challenge TCPTUES65 / ESS Sketch #43

For this week TCP Tuesday Challenge, Jen, from i{heart}2stamp, is back with a Color Challenge! She chose some really nice colors; bright and FUN :) --- use to be that these would be outside my comfort zone, but they have grown on me :)...

I knew I wanted to use this week's ESS Sketch #43, where Tracy Clemente did a nice job at keeping it simple and wide open to many FUN ideas. My first thought when I saw this sketch was how an edge punch was a must!

I made this card with my friend in mind, she just finished her first year of med school; and I been thinking of her lately. I wanted to drop her a line and rope her in for a summer time visit --- before life gets CRAZY again for her!:)


Here is what I came up with for these two challenges:


I chose to use It's A Western Thing set; where Sprinkle, in her FABULOUS cowgirl outfit, is swirling a rope. I thought the sentiment was just perfect and I used some AMUSE tiny star rhinestones on the sentiment for FUN :)! To tone down the white paper, I used a light yellow stamp pad with a color duster; my first time using this and I was pleasantly surprised with the results. And after seeing so many creative blog posts using Copics, I finally took the plunge and bought my first set, which I eagerly used here and had a blast with them! Thanks Tracy Falco for enableling :) ; especially for encouraging me to buy those TCP stamps! I find myself finding use for them! :)

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Supplies:
Catch ‘Em Kitty - The Cat's Pajamas It's A Western Thing S-7510
"HOWDY - The Cat's Pajamas It's A Western Thing S-7510
Fiskars Apron edge punch
AMUSE star rhinestones
Momento Black Tuxedo
JudiKins Color Duster
Marvy Uchida yellow ink
DCWV Pattern Paper, DCWV Texture Paper

Swanky Stamper of the Month for July!

My day started off with all smiles when I found out I was chosen to be this month Swanky Stamper of the Month of July!!! As it is apparent :) , I really do enjoy participating in the weekly TCP Tuesday Challenges and using my adorable The Cat's Pajamas stamps!

This card became a Father's Day card for my Father-in-law who we will see this Christmas and who has promise to feed us some smores when we go up to his cabin. These images from Alma's newly released TCP summer set, Happy Camper was so much FUN to use and so perfect for his card! He is a no nonsense type of guy- yet he called to let us know how much he liked it! :)

Thank to Alma, owner of The Cat's Pajamas, I am now going to shop with a very generous gift of $25 that comes with this very swanky award! Now that makes me smile :)