Birthday Pup

I made this card for The Greeting Farm's Farm Fresh Friday challenge.  We were to make a card featuring desserts.  For this card, I used the pup from the Pupstar set.  I put a cupcake from the Chef Ian set in his food dish to help him celebrate his birthday.  The papers used are Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, and The Sweet Stack by DCWV.  I used glossy accents on the pup's nose to make it look wet.

My prize winning card!

Earlier this month, I entered a Valentine's Day card in a card contest at Stamp Your Art Out, a local stamp store.  I just found out yesterday that I, along with two other people won!!  The best part is that I get a $20 gift certificate to the store.  I can always use extra money to by stamps.  This is my winning card....

Another sweet vintage image

I liked the images this week so much from http://digitaltuesday.blogspot.com/ that I decided to make another card using the second image.  My first card can be seen below on the Wednesday 24 posting.  This image was also taken from a 1920's magazine.  Because this image is so detailed I wanted to make the rest of the card simple and subtle.  The papers used were SU's Pumpkin Pie and Chloe's Closet papers by Making Memories.  I colored the image with Copic Markers, cut it out with a circle die, then added a small flower and ribbon. I also made this card for sketch challenge 4 at: http://www.handstampedsentiments.blogspot.com/

Princess Kitty with Bling

I made this card for today's SCS sketch challenge- SC269.  I used the Princess Kitty digital image from Karen's Doodles.  For this posh kitty, I wanted to give her a lot of glamour and glitz.  The bold colors used are SU's Pacific Blue, The Paper Company's Shimmery Mango, and Mediterranean Summer collection papers by TPC Studio.  I used an inverted scalloped square die by Spellbinders to cut the mango paper.  I don't have the scalloped square die, so I used the inverted scallop to cut out the blue paper then glued the round parts onto the back of the orange piece.  Sounds confusing, but I was able to obtain the same effect without having to purchase the scalloped squares.  I colored the Princess Kitty with Copic markers and surrounded her with diamonds.  Well, maybe they are rhinestones, but she doesn't need to know that.  :)

Vintage Tuesday

I recently found a great blog that posts two free digital vintage images each week that can be used for card-making.  There are some wonderful and sweet images available there.  One of the images from yesterday was an image taken from a 1920's magazine featuring two children watching a boiling pot.  I used some great paper by Basic Grey that features old-fashioned wisks and mixing bowls to use for this card.  The children are colored with Copic markers.  I wanted to keep the colors and embellishements simple, so I only added Really Rust cardstock and antique looking lace and brads to complete the card.  I had to print the image at work, as they have a much higher quality printer than mine at home.  When I tried to print it at home, the image came out too light.  I really enjoyed working with this sweet vintage image. 
Check out the blog at: http://digitaltuesday.blogspot.com/

Monochromatic challenge

I made this card for The Greeting Farm's monochromatic challenge.  This was the first monochromatic card I have ever made.  It truly was a challenge at first, but once I decided on the main color shade, I was able to build upon that color.  I used So Saffron cardstock and So Saffron DSP by Stampin Up.  Since Flutter Anya has butterfly wings, I added a few texturized butterflies to fly along with her.  The sentiment "lighten up" is from The Greeting Farm's My Guy Ian stamp set.  The orange satin ribbon came from Build a Bear Workshop when my son made a stuffed owl.  When he took the ribbon off of the owl's neck to throw it away, I said "save that ribbon, I'm sure I will use it."  As you can see, that ribbon came in handy..

Spring treat holders

I love making treat bags and boxes to give to friends and co-workers.  I made several different shaped boxes and bags using the Easter/Spring stamp set by Mark's Finest Papers.  I love these little chicks!  They are so easy to color by sponging.  The ribbon and papers used are also from Mark's Finest Papers.  The larger box is a nice sturdy box I received from a cupcakery up the street.  The handled purse is an Accucut die that my mother has (she cut some out for me last year.)  Finally, the little box is a pre-cut commercially available box.  I found about ten of them in my stash, but I have no idea where they came from.  These are quick and easy to make and are sure to put a smile on people's faces, espcially when they contain chocolate. :)

Easter Anya likes circles

I made this card for The Greeting Farm's Saturday Sketch challenge.  I first chose the polka dot paper then decided to carry the circle theme throughout the card.  I embossed the greeen and white paper with a Sizzix embossing plate.  It gives a more subltle pattern than the embossing folders.  I also used circle Nestabilities and round dew drops.  Another Easter card, done...

Serving up cupcakes

Today TGF's Ian is serving up cupcakes.  I made this card for The Greeting Farm's Farm Fresh Friday color challenge: guava, kraft, and chocolate.  In addition to these papers, I also used the cupcake print paper from Basic Grey's Nook & Pantry paper pad.  This paper really sets this card off.  The sentiment is from Stampin Up. How appropriate. I colored Ian with Copics, and added black gems for his buttons.  His cupcakes are cut out, stacked up, then a candle was added.  Wouldn't you love to get a plate full of cupcakes from sweet little Ian?

Do the tango

I made this card with a digital image from a company called Karen's Doodles.  They have several cat and dog images, in addition to cute critters and children.  I used Kraft, Baja Breeze, and DSP from Stampin Up.  I colored the image in Copics and framed it on a circle Nestabilities die.  I used a Martha Stewart border punch, kraft ribbon, and antique brads to finish off the card.  Don't the cat and dog look romantic together?

Notecard Kitty

I made this card with a free digital image from a new company called Wink Wink Ink. They sell a variety of cute and whimsical digital images.  For this card I printed the cat image at 50%, colored it with Copic markers, and cut it out.  The kitty is mouted on the lattice pendant die from Spellbinders.  I added ribbon, an embossed background, flowers, rhinestones, and a sentiment that says, "a note for you."

Nothing but attitude

The cat on this card definitely has an attitude.  Can't you just see him saying, "What part of MEOW don't you understand?"  The stamp is from Penny Black and the sentiment is from Verses, a Cincinnati-based company.

Paper pieced Ebony

I made this card for The Greeting Farm's Wild Card Wednesday challenge: paper piecing.  For this card, I used Ebony, which is a digital stamp.  I had to print Ebony several different times on multiple papers.  I colored Ebony's hair and skin, then cut and pieced her outfit together.  It's a fun technique, but it uses up a lot more paper when doing it with a digital image.  I wanted to make this card "extra" fancy, so I used a big flower, lots of pearls, and romantic colors. 

Gerbil update

Yesterday I posted the story about how our cat Snowball recently killed one of my son's gerbils.  Well, unfortuantely the gerbil that survived that cat attack, passed away last night.  Ian went to feed his gerbil before going to bed and he found him dead in the cage.  I checked him out and it appears he just died.  Ian was so heartbroken, thinking he had somehow caused the gerbil's death.  It was so sad, because to lose an animal you love (even if it is a gerbil) can be heartbreaking.  Well, we are going right after school today to adopt two new gerbils.  Hopefully, they will survive the wrath of our seven indoor cats. 

Webelo Scout Ian

I made this card for a sketch challenge for The Greeting Farm.  I chose to use the Cute Troop set from The Greeting Farm.  It has a boyscout Ian and a girlscout Anya.  I colored scout Ian to look like a Webelo Scout, just like my own son, Ian.  The saying "the law of the pack" is a rub-on from K & Co.  The background paper featuring pinewood derby cars is also from the same company.  I told my son Ian that the boy on the card looks like him, and he quickly pointed out that the head is way too large and he has no hands.  He does have a point, but nonetheless Webelo Scout Ian is still cute....  

Peaceful Kitty

I made this card for today's SCS's color challenge CC258:  Perfect Plum, Pale Plum, and Soft Suede.  Like many people, I rarely use the plum colors.  For extra kudos, we were to add a critter on the card.  See the critter Speedy the Cat on the fence?  For this card I stamped the Speedy the Cat scene onto white and then sponged it to create a sun and sunset.  I used the Spellbinders classic frame and lattice dies to add some elegance to the card.

Got Mice?

Speedy the Cat's friend does.  In fact, he has one in his mouth.  I made this whimsical card with the new Speedy the Cat's Friends stamp set by Mark's Finest Papers.  It goes perfectly with the "got mousies?" stamp by Impression Obsession.  For this card, I went for bold using black and red.  Well, at least one of the mice managed to get away.  Speaking of rodents being caught by cats.  A few months ago our cat Snowball was making a "racket" and he came running  to me.  Much to my suprise he dropped a dead animal at my feet.  I looked at it in shock thinking, "where did he get that mouse?"  Then I realized that it wasn't a mouse, it was one of my son's two GERBILS!  I raced into his room, found the cage on the floor, the other gerbil hiding, and five other cats surrounding him.  Long story short, I saved the other gerbil, took the dead gerbil away from Snowball, and cleaned up.  Snowball seemed so proud of himself that I couldn't scold him for going with his instincts.  I'm sure the cat on this card is proud of himself, as well.

Classy Kitty

I made this card with the new Speedy the Cat's Friends stamp set from Mark's Finest Papers.  As you may know, I love cats (have 8 of my own) and I love making cat cards.  I sell a lot of cat cards (and dog cards for the dog lovers) at the STAF no-kill shelter where I volunteer.  It is a great shelter that is home to over 650 animals, mostly cats!!  I was very excited when I saw this new stamp set, as I am always looking to add to my cat stamp collection.  I thought this classy Siamese would look good surrounded by pearls, flowers, satin ribbon, brass, and a lattice pendant.  Nothing but the best for a cat!

Matchbook candy holder

I made this matchbook candy holder for the Splitcoaststampers try a new technique challenge, TLC260.  Making the matchbox involves a lot of scoring, made easier with the use of a Scor-Pal. The bunny image is from the new Spring/Easter stamp set by Mark's Finest Papers.  These candy holders are very cute and sweet, but they only hold one piece of candy. :(  It's a lot of work, just for one piece.  Those of us who have a sweet tooth always need more than one piece of candy at a time. 

Clean and simple spring chicks

I made this card for today's Splitcoaststampers clean and simple challenge CAS54.  For the clean and simple challenges, we are to make a card with minimal layers, embellishments, etc.  Today's theme was: Wishing for Spring.  We are getting a lot of snow today in Ohio, so I would say this is an appropriate theme for the day.  For this card I used the small chick from the Spring/Easter stamp set from Mark's Finest Papers.  I sponged each chick then mounted them on frames made by the curly label punch.  For the background paper, I used the new SU scallop trim border punch for a delicate look.  Clean and simple cards can be a challenge, but I'm real happy with the outcome of this card.

Spring Chick

I made this card with my new Spring/Easter stamp set by Mark's Finest Papers.  The set comes with a large and small chick.  I used the large chick and sponged it with several colors of pink ink.  I used SU's Melon Mambo, Mark's Lime Squeeze, and Basic Grey's Lemonade paper pad.  The colors look brighter and more vibrant in real life, than in this picture.  Sometimes it is difficult to get the right lighting for a good picture. Oh  well, I've never claimed to be a photographer. :)

Vintage Ebony

I made this card for the Greeting Farm's Farm Fresh Friday Challenge.  We were to make a card with a vintage-feel.  For this card I used my new digital stamp, Dressy Ebony.  I won this stamp in a recent contest.  I colored Ebony with Copic markers, further practicing my coloring and blending skills.  To give the card a vintage feel I used muted colors, So Saffron, Soft Suede, and a light blue.  I used the Spellbinders lattice pendant die and embossed the background paper with a Cuttlebug embossing folder.  The half pearls, off-white sheer ribbon, and layered prima flower further added to the vintage feel. 

Flowery Charlotte

I made this card for today's Saturday Sketch Challenge with the Greeting Farm.  I chose to use the Charlotte digital stamp that was recently released.  I found a great you-tube tutorial on coloring African-American skin and hair with Copic markers.  I used what I learned to color Charlotte.  I used Spellbinders Dahlia and Fancy Tag dies.  The papers used are K & Co. Greenhouse pad, SU Old Olive, Pretty in Pink, and Regal Rose.  The card is embellished with flower-shaped ribbon, half pearls, and prima flowers. 

Easter Anya

My first Easter card for the year.  Meet Easter Anya!  She is a new rubber stamp release from The Greeting Farm.  I made this card for a Greeting Farm Saturday Sketch Challenge.  For this card I used Melon Mambo by SU and Lime Freeze by Mark's Finest Papers.  The designer paper is from Basic Grey's Lemonade paper pad.  I don't usually use such bright colors, but an Easter card calls for bright, happy colors.  Anya is colored with Copic markers and I added glitter to her bunny ears.  The grass was made using a Martha Stewart border punch.  The sentiment is a SU stamp which pairs well with Easter Anya. 

Diamonds are a girl's..

-+-+

Best Friend?  Not this girl.  I don't really care for jewelry, much less diamonds. I do enjoy craft supplies, though.  Oh, well.  I made this artist trading card (ATC) for an exchange called, "diamonds are a girl's best friend."  Actually, I had to make ten of these ATC's.  For this ATC, I stamped a Greeting Farm kitty onto pink paper.  I have added 33 diamonds (rhinestones) to each card for sparkle and bling.  I always try to incorporate cats into my ATC's whenever possible.

Redwork inspired

I made this card for a Greeting Farm challenge called, Redwork inspired.  Redwork is a style of embroidery that started in 19th century Europe.  Essentially it is embroidery done on white cloth with red floss.  For this card, I stamped Ian with Versamark and embossed him in red.  I did faux stitching around the red frame and embossed the white backgroundwith conversation hearts.  The large white space on this card reminds me of a work of embroidery.  I added three gingham buttons and white satin ribbon, which add to the fiber feel of the card.  I really like the simplicity of this look.   

Heart explosion template card

Stamp Your Art Out, a local rubberstamp store is having a card contest.  You have to make a card using their heart explosion template.  Three lucky winners will win a $20 gift card to the store.  This is what I came up with.  I used my criss-cross card die and placed the heart explosion inside the pocket.  I used the template to trace the exploding heart then traced a smaller heart to add to the front of it.  The image on the front of the card is a digital download from The Greeting Farm. The card is topped off with glitter, a ribbon, and a "be mine" heart charm.

Kimmie and Snowball

Here's Snowball, my flame-point siamese mix cat.  Can you see his blue eyes that are crossed?  The other picture is of my striking torti cat Kimmie, who has owl-like eyes.  I thought I would take their photos since they were looking awfully cute while I was adding the previous post to my blog.  On the rights side of my blog is Maukie, the virtual cat.  If you click on him he moves his head.  When you put the curser or his stomach he purrs, and on his head he meows.  Pretty realistic!

Valentine treat box and calenders

I used an Accucut box die to make valentine treat boxes for friends and co-workers.  I texturized the top of the box with the Cuttlebug conversations heart embossing folder, which you can't really see from the photo.  It contains conversation hearts with some modern-day sayings, such as "lol" and "txt me."  As you can see I added a cute cat in an envelope to the top of the box.  Of course, candy will be added to the boxes. :) The calenders will be given to a few special cat-lovers in my life, such as fellow volunteers at the STAF shelter.  The calenders were freebies from a local pharmacy that I decorated with a cute kitty and "meow" sayings.

Stuffed Kitties

In addition to making cat cards, I occasionally make stuffed cats.  I have several different styles that I can make.  I sold several cats at the December STAF shelter open house.  At the time, I took several special orders and I just now got around to making the cats.  One woman ordered the tall back and grey cats, and someone else ordered the small grey cat.  Glad they are finally done, as I have not been in much of a mood to sew.