Today Is The First Day...of The Rest of Your Life

My Beloved Husband

2012-01-29T00:03:00.000-08:00

Hello my stamping friends. I have been away for almost a month and getting back aboard is tough, but it is what I need to do.
My beloved husband Edward,(we all called him Ed) passed on January 13th. I was with him to the very end. I kept him out of nursing homes and with his family which was what we wanted. I won't belabor how I am feeling. We had 24 joyful years and he helped me raise my three children and bury my only son. We shared a wonderful life and our faith in our heavenly Father sustained us and continues to do so for those Ed left behind. He is with God resting easy. And I, soldier on.

So, I have taken it upon myself to create my own thank you cards for those who have expressed their sympathy. We didn't have a large number of people, as we are from New York and here in Arizona we were retired. Due to Ed's disability, we did not do a great deal of socializing, so 30 or so cards will be adequate. Above, is the easy peasy one I am sending. I already have most of them sent. The stamp says it all, but it could be interpreted in two ways: God taking the hand of his servant, or, a friend/relative holding mine here on earth. At any rate, I stamped it in Memento cocoa brown and the cs is a cream color I had on hand. The image is one of the Michael Craftmart $1.50 stamps. This seems to be an addition to their Studio "G" line still selling for $1.00. I'll show another card tomorrow.

Hugs and Blessings,
Erica

Happy New Year

2012-01-05T21:01:00.000-08:00

I am wishing my readers a Happy New Year a bit late, as I wanted to be certain it was starting off for me on a good foot. NOT! I've just returned from the vet where I took my sweet Starr Kitty to be checked out. She had a swollen rear end and was in some pain. Well, $868 later, along with a drainage tube, antiobitis and pain killers and head gear to keep from scratching her shaved butt, a rather sad look, I'v decided this is not a good beginning. Especially, as I sat down with my budget yesterday and figured out how I could save $100 per month for furniture to finish my craftroom. Looks like that's on hold while I pay this bill. Oh well, she has my heart and is a stress relief for me, so I'll be OK.

I am also bound and determined to make a decision (once and for all time) as to whether or not to leave Stampin' Up as a demo. I was gone about 9 months and then went back about 2 yrs. ago. I'm not sure what made me come back. With so many great stamp companies now, it certainly wasn't because there were no stamps available. I think it's because I'm forced to come up with the "must have" $300 quarterly to remain and it keeps me away from the big box stores. There I tend to impulse buy and often use less than half the products I purchase. It doesn't help that I have two Michaels, 2 Jo-Anns, and one Hobby Lobby within a short driving distance. And they are always sending me coupons. I simply must get some discipline and decide. Only I can do that right!

So for the Simply Create Too Challenge No. 4, I made this card...with loads of inspiration from Michelle Zindorf, brayer queen of the midwest. I didn't do any brayering though. I used circle, square and teeny heart punches along with the SU Top Note die to create this card. All the cs is SU and the sentiment is PC generated. In the corners, I added Ranger's liquid pearls. This card was easy to mass produce, so that's what I did for those whom I missed on the Christmas list.

Now, go and have some fun at Simply Create Too. The challenge this time is Loads of Layers. Lay it on us will ya'.

Blessings,
Erica

Simply Create Too Challenge No. 3

2011-12-23T09:08:00.000-08:00

Good mornin' stamper friends. It's coming down to the wire. I had finished all of my cards, but needed some gift card holders. Stamp TV to the rescue. Gina K., has a tute this week in two easy to understand episodes...love these freebies... for a cute holder and I totally took advantage of it. I used dsp from a forgotten CTMH package and SU for the base. Instead of a bow, I opted for a belly band..easier to get on and off than to fumble with a ribbon. Som ric rac, a little Santa had with stickles and a blob of glossy accents...woulda' put on a pom pom, except I need to mail this. And I am off to make several more of these. BTW, this sample used a gift card I had sitting around the house. I've purchased the Merry Christmas themed cards since then. So go check out Stamp TV to learn how to make one of these. More importantly, take some time out for yourselves and visit Simply Create Too where you can get some inspiration to join us for this challenge.

Hugs & Blessings,
Erica

How Do They Do It!?

2011-12-19T13:28:00.000-08:00

OK, stampers. I've been trying to get it all done. I'm not going to go there, because I know you have the same stuff to do as me. I take comfort in knowing that I'm Not Alone. That said, you quite understand why this card appears at Simply Create Too for Challenge no. 2 in the mid-week entry, but didn't have a post to go along with it until now. You will also quite understand why I shall not be going on and on with how I did it and what I used to make it. Just understand that there is a reason why I'm so blessed to be a part of the best design team I know and they let me get away with this.

Having said how I feel, posts for the next few weeks will be sporadic and brief as I celebrate the rest of the year. And I hope you will be doing the same.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Blessings,
Erica (who is far tooo busy, and pooped, to find a proper holiday widget and re-design her blog in holiday splendor as many of her fellower bloggers have done.)

Whimsical Elf

2011-12-15T14:30:00.000-08:00

Hi Stampers. Here is a fun little elf image from CTMH. They come four to a sheet. Each one is adorable and fun to color. This little guy is ready for Christmas, don't you think? I added a strip of dsp and mixed red and green bakers' twine wrapped around the Gina K luxery white card base. I colored him with a mix of copics and Bic markers.

Well, I'm off to see my grand-daughter in a Christmas show. She is four...should be cute.

Blessings,
Erica

Little angels

2011-12-14T21:39:00.000-08:00

Hi Stampers. Hope your week is going well. We have just finished a trio of rainy days, a rare phenom in Arizona, but one much-needed. My tiny garden and newly planted citrus trees are quite happy about it.

So, I'm still making Christmas cards. I thought I was done, but my dh needed about 10 cards. It looks like I'll be pulling my stuff out again. Although I tidied my room up, the holiday stamps are still within reach. So here's one that I couldn't part with. The sketch is CASED, but the papers and adorable angel stamp are all mine. Aren't they just the cutest and doesn't the senitment really match. My dh says the papers don't quite fit, but I can't say they don't. Bakers twine tied in a bow and then snipped over a piece of SU olive ribbon are eye-catching, don't ya' think. I used a Nestie die to frame the stamp and an MS punched snowflake touched with a bit of Rangers glitter glue and with a teeny blingie star in the center. I colored with copics.

So you will see a few more Christmas cards before the end of the year. Tomorrow, I will post a mid-way card for the embossing challenge at Simply Create Too. There's another week left to submit your embossed card. And here's a heads-up...hope the team won't mind me telling. There will be blog candy coming soon.

Blessings,
Erica

Where Is the Time Going?

2011-12-11T11:53:00.000-08:00

Of course, I'm being quite rhetorical. Once December comes along, one may as well say good-bye to the year.

Over at Simply Create Too, we're embossing away on our cards. I love this technique...both dry and "wet"?.
Just for the heck of it, and since I was doing a rather thorough cleaning/neatening of my craftroom, I counted the embossing folders I own. The grand total was 45, and I'm still buying...YIKES! I do not own much embossing powders. Once I discovered glitter all over my bedding...noo, I don't craft in bed, just in my PJs, I gave up glitter embossing, except for the rare occasion when the stamp shouts at me. And that my dear stampers, is what this beautiful medallion stamp from Stampin" Up did, so out came the SU Encore gold inkpad and the Rangers fine gold embossing powder and my seldom used heat gun and away the powder blew. The result, nice and shiny and cause I love me some gems, I popped a blue one in the center. The sentiment is a Michael's dollar stamp and its all done on Gina K's pure luxury cs.
There you have it.

Happy Sunday Evening.
Erica

Christmas Cards continuing

2011-11-30T21:53:00.000-08:00

Hi Stampers. Here's another card. This one is a bit mor fussy, but was still fairly quick to make. The dsp is from a stack by "g c d"...nope, I never heard of them before either. The design name is Scandia jul. It is very Nordic style designed paper. I didn't think I'd like it, but it was on sale, and the more I leafed through the papers, the more it grew on me. It's now my "go to" paper for the season. On the ribbon from my stash, is a metal epoxy brad from Studion "G". Would you believe it was a dollar at Walmart. They have begun to carry a few Studio "G" products. That's kinda nice since it seems like I live in WAMA. Nothing like one stop shopping, right? The sentiment is a quite old stamp form Northwoods Stamps. I used Colorbox warm red chalk ink.

More Christmas cards tomorrow. I only need to make a few more, how about you?

Blessings,
Erica

A Christmas card AND Super Exciting News!

2011-11-29T15:00:00.000-08:00

Hi Stampers. I'm trying to hit upon a Christmas card that is simple, as in easy peasy to create, but still fun and inexpensive to make. This card uses a Michael Studion G dollar stamp. I have sooo many of these stamps. The base is black cs and the mat is riding hood red SU embossed with an SU folder, Petals A Plenty. I used a Nestie for the tag shape and then some gingham bias tape...which I thought was ribbon when I bought it, but it works. I used a Viva Pearl pen in gold go make the cute dots that really make the tag pop. Button and bakers twine are from my stash. Easy peasy to color with Sharpie pen markers.
I like it...it's bright and festive. We'll see if I make more of these.

Now for the news. I have been waiting for more than six months to get a check from my government penison plan. It's a cumulative amount of dollars, owed to me from when I became 62 this past July. It's finally here, and right on time for me to take advantage of Cyber Monday sales. Goodie for me, I found the
Silhouette Cameo on sale at Overstock for $249.00.There was free shipping and somehow they have not been forced to charge tax, so it really was $249.00 exactly. I haven't seen it anywhere for this price, so I jumped on my Paypal account and hit all the submits fast. Overstock shipped it today via UPS. Not to advertise or anything, but I have bought sever crafty and home things from Overstock and find them to be a very good on-line company to order from.... so I should be doing the happy dance by Friday!. Am I ever excited! Put a Silhouette Cameo on your Christmas list. Google it for lots more info, or just use my link above. I did lots of research and in my book it could be compared to the Cricuit, but surpasses it in many ways. For one thing, no pricy cartridges.

Blessings,
Erica

Welcome to Simply Create Too!

2011-11-25T15:39:00.000-08:00

Hi Stampers. Thanksgiving is over...sort of. If you're anyone like me, you will have had to struggle to fit the leftovers into the frig. Fortunately for me, I have two in my home. A rather common occurrence for people in Arizona. You see, we need to keep plenty of ice in the hot, dry and often dusty state. Actually, my food hoarding addiction is right up there with my stamping addiction. During the next few days, I'll be making turkey noodle soup, turkey salad, ham salad, split soup with ham, and a few other dishes. Wheeeww.

But there will always be time for stamping, right? And that brings me to the new and improved stamping challenge
Simply Create Too Challenge no. 1. Our team moderators, Diane, Marjo and Ruth have worked diligently to bring this re-vamped challenge to you. And what fun it's going to be. We already have blog candy for you. How cool is that??

To start off our challenge, we chose an easy peasy one. Now that Thanksgiving is done, we need to be starting those Christmas cards. My card has a base of SU's riding hood red and a non-SU mat that I embossed with an SU folder. I die cut the dsp with an SU die, as well as the SU bird done with an SU punch. The double red and cream diecuts are from Nestibilities and the sentiment is SU. I stamped using Memento dye inks. I love all tlhe Christmasy colors and the dsp. I'll probably make several more of these.

So, do join us at Simply Create. We'd love to see you there.

Blessings,
Erica

A Few Thanksgivings Cards to load

2011-11-18T13:54:00.000-08:00

Hi Stampers. Hope you're having a great Friday. I am feeling a bit rushed and frankly not doing anything on my to-do list. I have a get-together with two of my stamping friends tomorrow. Need to get my projects going.

I am undertaking my first fast for a campaign my church is supporting. I know...before you say why is she blurting this out for the world to see, since the Bible clearly states we are to be very modest when it comes to telling people about undertaking a fast. However, I view this blog as a journal and therefore, I write things in it that are meaningful to me. So I won't go on about it, but it's definitely a part of my day.

I didn't notice many T-Day cards on blogs. Lots of Halloween, but lately, I've been feeling as if Thanksgiving Day gets lost between Halloween and Christmas everywhere I go it seems. I send out about 5 cards total. I enjoy making them and have several holiday stamps. My dear 90 yr. old aunt back east loved this day, as do I. She went all out with food and decorations, as do I, and I will cherish many memories in her home. Now she is spending her first T-Day in a nursing care facility and since she has all her wits about her, I'm sure she is trying her best not to be sad. I hope and pray this card will perk her up a bit. You can see a peek inside of what I have already written. I will pop it in today's evening post (love the word post...very British), and she should have it by Tuesday.

My card uses SU olive green for the base and some scrap for the MS punched mat. I found this lovely scalloped beige lace in WAMA....love it...should have bought two, DUH! The orange paper and green check paper are from DCWV's Amber Autumn fall stack collection last year. I am using every scrap of this pad...love it. I used several different stamps, MS doily shape, Stampendous pumpkins, CTMH sentiment embossed with a copper embossing powder, Did some die cutting with my Nestie. I colored with copics and added a little bling and I am off to post..smile.

So, are you getting your menus together? Do you plan on going to friends/relatives homes? I have my menu planned. There will be 9 of us including little ones. My eldest dd is a fine cook, but couldn't get off from work earlier than Wednes. PM. She will be driving with family into the wee hours of T-Day from CA, so I won't have her to help much. But not to worry, I will be 'cooked out' by Friday AM, and I'll have her making us a fab brunch. Please feel free to share any of your plans in your comments. Even if it is just to relax with a glass of wine and be thankful. That's perfecto in my book too.

Blessings,
Erica

Less Is More Challenge no. 41

2011-11-13T17:20:00.000-08:00

Hello Stampers...hope your weekend was a good one.
At Less Is More, the divas have given us lots of inspiration with leaves. I love leaves as much as I do flowers. Often a leaf can be more beautiful than the flower it is with. And I have plenty of leaf stamps. For this card, I reached way back into my stamp days to create a wreath using Rubber Stamp Tapestry Lily Fern Paradise. These are tiny peg stamps that come in sets of leaves and flowers. This set contained several leaf pegs. The idea for this card is from Tami White of Stampin' Up fame.
Tami's tutes are fun and simple to learn. Go check her out. The link takes you directly to her tute page.

I used Rangers Distress ink in pine needles to stamp, with the stamping off technique, and then dotted berries on with a Viva pearl pen. Aren't they nice and shiny? This stuff does not flatten out, unless you crush it. I have several other colors which will see much use during the holidays. The sentiment is from CTMH's Holiday Trinkits (ret.), stamped in Colorbox warm red chalk ink. The card base is SU's whisper white and is an A2 size.

This card could take on many different effects according to the leaf shape stamped, but they do need to be small leaves, unless, of course, you make a larger sized card.

Hope you all enjoy the upcoming week. It's getting close....Christmas...not the opening day for Twilight (smile)!

Blessings,
Erica

Simply Create does Bears

2011-11-11T10:55:00.000-08:00

Good morning stampers. At Simply Create we are being challenged to use bears on our cards. I own few bear stamps. I did have a very old SU set..1995...YIKES! It was a gift from a fellow stamper. It's called Button Bears and it was a very good value with 17 stamps. I believe she got it from EBay. The bear is so versatile and today he is all done up for Christmas, but I twisted the colors a bit and followed along with dsp I had from last year. So pink, green, and red are the colors I used. Other supplies are my trustie Nestie to create a frame with Signo white pen dots. I have added a Sizzix Basic Grey snowflake folder. I am loving these folders. The impression seems to be deeper than Cuttlebug folders, and they make many A2 sized ones. I used my newest MS border punch and an old MS snowflake punch with a white "pebble" in the middle. Nesties circles for the sentiment. I did all the coloring with Copics. The card base is 5 1/4 x 5 1/4. I think he's a cutey and this from not much of a "bear" girl.

Have a Happy Weekend. I will be prepping for a stamping get-together for a few friends next weekend. That means lots of YouTube vids to check out for projects.

Blessings,
Erica

No Matter What, Give Thanks

2011-11-08T08:02:00.000-08:00

No matter what is going on in our lives, we have so much to be thankful for. I continue to reflect on Katie Renz and am at a loss for words today. Everyone in my immediate family knew about Katie. I often spoke of her to my grandson who is her eldest son's age, and to my daughter who is her age, to my SIL to remind him that his wife is a gift, and to my dh to remind him though he is aging and somewhat uncomfortable, he is still here, and we love him.

So, just a card of thanks today using CTMH stamps and a mix of papers and othe stuff.

Hug your loved ones today and be kinder.

Blessings,
Erica

Just a Reflection

2011-11-08T00:36:00.000-08:00

Dear Katie Renz passed away Monday morning. I had been subscribing to her blog, My Paper Haven, (see my blog list), well before she announced her cancer. I never missed a post. She was so very brave. So much so that she shared many details during the course of her journey. I needed to hear it, having two close relatives die from cancer, but never being allowed to share in their struggle. Yes, I say that, because I don't believe we should leave out our loved ones when it comes to this issue...such a shallow word. My feeling is that we need to know, we need to be involved. I so appreciate what Katie did for me. I am sure I will ramble if I go on, as it's late.

Rest in peace Katie and may your family find the strength to go on, changed, but with the sure knowledge of your love for them.

Blessings,
Erica

November Already

2011-11-03T13:33:00.000-07:00

YIKES! I can't believe it's November already. The rest of the year will just fly in a whirlwind now.

News on the homefront...finally got my fruit trees...one each lemon, grapefruit and orange. It will be three years before they will bear, but I am patient and God is good.

I had one last card to share made with freebie paper from Gina K. Aren't they fun patterns? No deets, gotta get to my "to do list", now that I played on the I-net for the last 3 hours.

Blessings,
Erica

Simply Create Challenge no. 55

2011-10-28T23:01:00.000-07:00

Good evening stampers. Super busy today as I am getting ready for Thanksgiving. I'll be having family in from out of state, so it will be fun but lots of work. My dd is great at chatting away the day...and night, but of little help on the mundane side...feeding a passel of folk and organizing the day to give them something to do. It will be work, but it will be fun too.

Now for my card. Simply Create is having its 55th challenge. Trish, our leader has asked us to be conventional and use pumpkins. But we have a sponsor, Jellypark, who graciously supplied us with this adorable little boy in a pumpkin costume. Isn't this a fun digi? I am just beginning to try to work with digi stamps. My dd taught me how to use Microsoft to re-size them. I don't think that is the program most people use, but it worked for me. The papers are from DCWV's Autumn Amber Collection, except the base which is SU's riding hood red. I colored with copics. Other items used are an MS border punch, Nestabilities die, bakers twine, button ,gems, and a black felt butterfly which was in a goodie package from a fellow SC Design team member....thanks Janet.

Well, I'm gonna try to get a few T-Day cards done and treat bags made before I abandon all card-making other than Christmas projects.

Happy stamping for the weekend.
Blessings,
Erica

2011-10-24T13:20:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday stampers. It is finally slowly cooling in Arizona. On my busy weekend, my grandson and I planted our very small vegatable garden. I haven't gardened since I moved in with my dd,sil and grands 2 1/2 yrs. ago. This time, I am trying container gardening. We put root veggies in which are appropriate for this time of year, cilantro, and pansies. Did you know you can decorate foods with pansies and actually eat them? I'll let you know if we get enough for a nibble. Gardening can be so fun.
We will see how things develop.

On to my card. This all-white anniversary card was supposed to be much simpler so I could enter it into LIM's challenge, but it got away from me and now it's lots of Nestie layers. There are some embossed polka dots on both the hearts (die cut with the CB. I doubt that the divas will accept this, so it's just for my stash and enjoyment. I high-lighted around the hearts with a Sakura sparkly pen.

So thanks for looking. Gonna work on a Mojo Monday card. I have just the image for it and I can use it for my DT submission at Simply Create.

Blessings,
Erica

Less Is More Challenge no. 38

2011-10-23T00:06:00.000-07:00

Good Morning Stampers. I feel like playing with Less Is More, challenge no. 38. It's all about polka dots. As a little girl I had a favorite dress in navy blue with white polka dots that I loved to wear. I cried when I grew out of it. Since then, my polka dots have been more subdued in the form of an occasional blouse. Uh, an entire dress would no longer work on this 60ish frame I inhabit. So what a great way to have fun with polka dots by using them on cards. In fact, I own a BG polka dot stamp, and three embossing folders of various sizes of dots. I sure do love 'em.

This is a top folded A2 card. The beautiful big flower is from Hero Arts, and is called Tall Flower...simple enough huh? I also stamped the flower on a piece of scrap maize cs, and dry embossed with one of the polka dot CB folders. Then I cut the largest blossom and mounted it with pop dots. Hmm, do pop dots count as polka dots? The sentiment is from a Hero Arts clear set called All Occasions. It's my "go to" set when I need an all on one line sentiment. I colored with Copics after stamping the flower in Memento tuxedo black. The sentiment is stamped using an ancient stamp pad from Personal Stamp Exchange in Bubble Gum. Thank goodness I had the sense to buy a refill for it long before I knew I was to be addicted to stamping.

Blessings, Erica

More Free Paper from Gina K

2011-10-22T23:05:00.000-07:00

Well hi stampers. The weekend is half done. My day was fun and busy. After a great family breakfast, I made three cards for you to see...one at a time though. Here, I've put to good use another Gina K freebie dsp. Isn't this pattern interesting? It speaks masculine doesn't it? Once again, I used the SU sentiment from Perfectly Penned. The image is a dollar Michaels Studio G stamp. I spend quite a bit of time in the dollar stamp bin sorting through to get the best ones. I saw this one once, grabbed it and never saw a duplicate again. I just love using it. Not much else to say about this card.

In the afternoon I went to Ikea with my dh. Since I made the difficult choice not to buy an IPad 2, I decided to finish installing...that is, my SIL will be doing that part....the wall cabinets in my craft room. A lack of funds left me with a most unfinished look. I still have to purchase the bottom drawers to go under the counters and it will cost me a small fortune. I thought I had my room well thought out. Alas, the money wasn't as well thought out as the plans.

Ah well, I shall stamp away the weekend and be comforted.

Blessings,
Erica

Free Paper from Gina K

2011-10-20T23:54:00.000-07:00

Hi Stampers. How is the end of the week treating you? I had a run-around day and it ended with me doing my best not to buy myself an IPad 2. I just happen to have some $$$ burning a hole in my pocket.

I subscribe to Susan's blog, Simplicity. She links to a blog called Miss Minimalist. I ordered Miss M's (aka, Francine Jay) book, the joy of less...yup, even the title is less as it uses lower case letters for the title. I'm head over heels devouring this book. I want to begin to live a minimalist life in every sense of the term. I need to begin somewhere. Why not with electronics. I already own an Iphone 4 (bless your life Steve Jobs). Apple provides upgrades every month or so. I absolutely love this piece of technology, still marveling at its very existence. I am asking myself, isn't this enough? Miss M writes about duplicates. Isn't an IPad a duplicate of an IPhone? No, not in every sense of the word, but surely near enough. So this will be my first big personal battle in learning to be a minimalist. I will be writing about this subject periodically here.

My card today is minimalist, more commonly known as clean and simple. Gina K is offering a lovely set of four black and white designer papers. You gotta have these. I am not a big fan of digi papers. I want to see my paper in person and feel it. But I thought I'd give these freebies a try. Love 'em and if you check Stamp TV, there is a video on how to "alter" them with color for an entirely different look. See my righthand sidebar for a link to Stamp TV. I'll be showing you how I used each design to make a card. The other items used include Nestibilities dies...same die for two mats with the position reversed...good idea, huh? That is a very ancient stamp of the world globes. My sentiment is from CTMH, stamped in Palette Noir Black...decided to give the Memento tuxedo black a break since no coloring was done on the image. Card base is standard A2. Get ready for another minimalist card tomorrow.

Blessings,
Erica

Betcha Can't Guess what this is for real!

2011-10-18T15:31:00.000-07:00

Hi Stampers. I have a friend who is quite the artist and absolutely enamoured of all things Halloween. It was her turn to host our monthly stamping get-together for October, and along with her co-hort, they put on quite a show. The theme was food and the menu was indeed ghoulish. Here is the "brain-food." This was sooo authentic-looking, that one of our group couldn't even eat it. Actually, the recipe called for Jello, cream cheese, shredded carrots and a bit of food coloring. And a mold was used for the uhh, fun shape.

Do you serve Halloween foods....other than the traditional stuff?

Blessings,
Erica

No Witty Title, Just Him

2011-10-17T22:38:00.000-07:00

Hi Stampers. Sometimes witty titles don't come forth from this tired brain. But I did have sufficient energy to make this card. It started out as my Design Team member entry to the Simply Create challenge going on here. I didn't think it measured up to my standards and I made different one which was lovely, but,I missed the team deadline. So now my cards will be entered with all the entries. This is a ready-made card base from a Paper Studio box of cards. You can see the inside is white. These cards can't be beat if you're in a super hurry. I added CB die cut corners and Nestie frame dies. The MS butterfly is punched 3 x, glued together and mounted so that it 'pops' off the card. The sentiment and flowers are part of an older set from Our Daily Bread Designs. They design some of the most beautiful verses and accompanying images. I colored with Copics.

Hope your week is starting out beautifully for you.

Blessings,
Erica

Simply Create Challenge #54, Shades of Black

2011-10-14T15:28:00.000-07:00

Good Evening Stampers. I worked on this card for a long time....too long unfortunately, and I didn't get it up for our challenge this week. Our fearless leader made some changes to our submission calendar meant to help the design team and I put them on the back burner and, well, the best laid plans of (wo)man! But it doesn't mean my blog readers can't have a looksie. I must say photographing black and white is agonizing. I can see why I totally need to purchase and learn all about, a light tent. It is not on my wish list, BUT, if I'm gonna show-off my cards, maybe I'd better find a way, because justice is not being served in this photo.

So, my card base is 5 1/4 x 5 1/4 Gina K Gina K Designs. heavy weight cs. It is matted with a black cs 5 x 5 piece on which I did diagonal scoring with my Martha Stewart scoreboard. Then I used my new Cheery Lynn Designs doily die in SU gray cs and exotic butterfly die on a scrap of white using my CB to cut it out. Circle diecuts were made with Nestabilities. The sentiment from Gina Ks Fanciful Tags is punched using a partial portion of an EK Success label punch, a little trick I learned on-line. The border on scrap white is Cuttlebugs' Fancy borders. I've added a gray satin bow made with my Bow Easy, a stickpin from CTMH, (already made up for you) and pearls from my stash. The crochet white flower and the center antique brad are from SU.

This card belongs in the fussy card category, but it was worth it, I think.

Have a Happy Weekend. Don't forget to check-out Less Is More early tomorrow for another challenge.

Blessings, Erica

A Trio of Christmas cards

2011-10-10T00:31:00.000-07:00

Hi Stampers, I've been putting off making Christmas cards. It's not like I don't have plenty of material to use. It's more like if I wait until November, like I did last year, they won't get made. As I ~~grow~~ older...mature, I have fewer people to send to. Most of my friends are still alive, but have chosen to send out those rather one size fits all newsletters telling me all about what every grand-child is up to, the cruises they went on, etc., I'm not gonna lie and tell you I like this sort of communication. Quite the contrary. I'd much rather receive a beautiful card simply wishing me a Merry Christmas and/or A Happy New Year. Yep, that's really all I want. And if I do want more, I'll call them after the holidays...just being honest here.
So, I kept to my word of what I wanted and I made a trio that fit the bill. I kept them simple. I do not enjoy making the same card repeatedly, so though the sketch can be the same, little else is.
I was inspired by new stuff I ordered from Gina K. First time I've given her company a go and I'm happy with my stuff. They ran a special for World Card Making Day last week. Instead of contributing a card, I was happily bargain hunting on-line.
Two of the three cards use dsp from a BasicGrey "Jovial" 6x6 pad, (available at Gina K.) The stamps are from Gina K's Fanciful Tags. You get three borders that fit the Nestibilities Fancy Tag Dies and oodles of sentiments. Can one ever have enough sentiments?..you need different fonts and sizes and directions, etc., which reminds me, if you haven't heard, Joanna Munster just posted about her brand new store with stamps galore. She has a design team search open too. Might just give that a try myself. I love her work. Check out her store and leave some good wishes.

Hope you have a great week. Get those holiday cards going.

Blessings,
Erica

2nd Submission to Simply Create

2011-10-03T11:01:00.000-07:00

Hi Stampers and Happy Monday. Here's the second box I made while in my boxy mood. This is another template I have had for some time and there's a video tute Top Note Box tutorial, on YouTube for it . I've had the ribbed felt flowers forever and the tiny maple leaf punch and the Nesties dies I used are not new. Note, I subbed my Nesties for the SU Top Note Sizzix die. I wanted a smaller top and bottom. And the Nestie has various shapes with just the one I wanted. The paper is SU. I used Crystal.Effects on the leaf, but it is missing that 'something', so it kinda' just is. I have to work on that. I punched a sort of 'opening' with an oval punch.
This is the same scripture I used on the weekend from Dee's here .

More Than six Months

2011-10-01T17:59:00.000-07:00

Hi Stampers...I have been totally wrapped up in a busy weekend and my project is up for Simply Create, but I haven't posted the accompanying post. I'm very sorry about that.
So, over there where life is a lot more simpler than it is in my neck of the woods, we can use anything we have that you have had for more than six months. I've been stamping for 7 or so years, and I hardly ever throw anything away and rarely give anything away either.

I am in a boxy mood. I'm trying several different sorts of packaging so I can figure out what's best to give away some small goodies in for the T-Day holidays. This is fom a template that was a freebie on Lauren Meader's My Time, My Creations, My Stampendence blog. Lauren is one busy woman. In addition to many family responsibilities, she designs templates and dsp every single month specializing in packaging. I love her stuff and am a frequent buyer. This cute little crayon-style box was one of her first. I don't know if it's still available. All of the items used on the box, with the exception of the scripture, are quite a bit older than six months...some retired. The scripture is from Dee here. Yet another designer who is kind enough to share her talent. Her forte is a scripture each Tuesday free to her readers. See, you don't always need dollars to hone your stamping skills.

Off to continue my busy week. I was given some fresh organic beets and I found a salad recipe in the Food Network October magazine...this is one of the few food-related magazines that's less than $5.00, on the newstand. Love the price and the magazine. Have a great weekend.

Blessings,
Erica

DSP Makes the Card

2011-09-29T16:41:00.000-07:00

Hi Stampers. Well, I'm rested from my LIM Blitz. I have done some fiction reading. I seem to be on a vampire binge and after reading several True Blood novels, I'm on to Laurel K. Hamilton series. I've caught up on Bible study homework, and baked a couple of quick breads (zucchini pineapple), for the family. I slipped in this card yesterday, cause I just had to make something.

Sometimes dsp can just about make the card. Though I have labeled myself as a clean and simple stamper, I believe you can use dsp and still make the card, well, C&S. I think achieved that with dsp from DCWV's Mariposa matstack. I added some SU lace, a button, a bit of twine and a lacy circle die from Nestie. The base is white. The sentiment is from SU's sorta' new Whimsical Words. It is stamped in Memento london fog.

Now for a bit of personal but good news. I try not to complain about finances for several reasons. Of course, the main one is that I know God is the Great Provider. I confess that it gets the better of me when faced with challenges. The "plan" my husband and I had for ourselves, was like that of most retirees who have worked and have pensions and social security coming. The dh has been getting his for more than a decade and we lived off it, but I was looking forward to mine. So, I turned 62 in July and applied for everything. Because of some unwise choices I made, my pension was two thirds of what I expected. This wouldn't have been an issue except that I can no longer take care of my dh on my own. For my health and sanity, I had to hire some nursing assistance for a few hours a day. Poof, there went the plans. Well, God is so good. No, I didn't win the lottery. I just worked the budget is all. Made some changes to our lifestyle, and was blessed my my youngest dd, whose family we moved in with and it looks like we can do this comfortably. Yes, I will have to curtail spending on stamping toys, but I can't kid myself, I have a boatload of stuff already. We all know it's the nature of the beast to want more. I just have a good feeling about the rest of my life in comparison to two months ago and I know I'm so blessed. Praise God!

Blessings to You Readers
Erica

Less Is More & My Final 10th Entry

2011-09-23T09:25:00.000-07:00

Well readers, I did it. I have made my contribution to the Less Is More Challenge no. 33. I had a blast doing it. It really made me push the envelope. I started my first card in a mess of craft room. By the time I got to no.6, I knew I needed to clean-up if there were to be a chance I'd finish all 10. And so I tidied up my room and moved on to finish the remainder. There are a few hours left and I hope the Divas will be able to give us some good news on Saturday morning. I probably won't join the next challenge. Yes, I cleaned up my room, but I let a few other chores fall by the wayside. I will stop by to enjoy the entries and comment as time allows me to.

This card is not just for Mother's Day. I think anyone who is away from home and misses ther mom, could brighten her day (especially if she's a great cook), by sending her this card. It's a known fact, that mothers everywhere don't want to wait until Mothers Day to feel loved. The image and sentiment are from Close To My Heart. The letters are from a Sizzix alphabet I found on clearance a year or two ago. I don't exactly love it, but it was on sale, so I had to have it. All the papers used are CTMH and I colored with Copics.

And now I can spend a little time catching up on my reading and apply myself to my Bible Study course.
Its been fun Divas.

Blessings,
Erica

Coming Down to the Wire at LIM

2011-09-22T22:19:00.000-07:00

Here's my 9th entry. I think I'm gonna do it. I confess I made this card a few weeks ago, but I have not posted it. I was going through my clear stamps and realized that I often buy a set of them for the sole purpose of using only one stamp. That's not good. So I purposed to have a re-look and try to use at least 3 from any sets that have more than 5 images. Often, I have put the sets into storage binders and taken them from their original packaging which is the case for this. I like the varied butterflies and the way the artist drew them. I didn't feel any coloring was necessary on them. The sentiment is from the same set and they are stamped in Ranger Van Dyke brown. And I used my Memory Keepers corner punch to give the card a bit of pizzaz along with a piece of SU chocolate chip 3/8 inch wide ribbon (retired).

There is less than 15 hours to post at LIM. If you haven't yet submitted, what are you waiting for. And if you have, I hope you've entered your fair share. My 10th card is coming.

Blessings,
Erica

LIM Challenge no. 33, card no. 7

2011-09-22T22:03:00.000-07:00

Good evening stampers. Here's my 7th entry to Less Is More. This is a bit different and I got my inspiration from a blog I just happened on called Random On Purpose. You'll see the the card I CAS'd there. I like the way she placed the dsp. It really is an easy peasy card. The DSP was hanging out in my stash and the sentiment is from a very old tried and true SU set, called Sincere Salutations. I stamped it in Memento Paris dusk and used a Nestie to get that edge. Neenah solar white is my base.

Eight is a comin'. But there's only one more day. Get on your horse. The final ride is gonna be rough. Go LIM, GO!

Blessings,
Erica

Less Is More Challenge 33, Card Entry no. 6

2011-09-21T23:58:00.000-07:00

Yes, blog readers, it really is no. 6. I started Saturday morning and have posted every day since. I looked through all of my faves scattered all over my PC, printed out and in binders, and some scratchy drawings I did of sketches I'd see when I was somewhere other than at my laptop. This one is my very own original. And I thought I'd better do a one layer card, since that's a monthly feature at Less Is More. At first I stamped one balloon in the middle. But as I looked at it and realized how teeny tiny it is, and how big the sentiment, I realized it would look better with three. Don't the stamp experts say everything should be done in threes when it comes to stamping? The fact that I noticed this makes me think perhaps I'm understanding the concept of balance and other artsy stuff that the pros talk about.

So, the base is....what else...Neenah solar white and the images are both Studion "G" dollar stamps from Michaels.
They were part of my less than $10 haul earlier this week. I stamped in Memento Paris dusk. The coloring was done with Copics and SU markers.

I have a 7th submission ready to go and I'll post it tomorrow in the PM. Then onward to create 8 thru 10. WHEW! Stay with me fearless stampers.

Blessings,
Erica

Less Is More Challenge no. 33, card 5

2011-09-20T22:24:00.000-07:00

Hi Stampers. I'm posting card no. 5 for LIM. They are over 300 entries and there is still lots of time left if you haven't played yet. I stopped by Michael's today with only a $10 bill in my purse. The store is all geared up for Halloween, which I don't do. It bothers me a bit that Thanksgiving is given such short shrift. Then we leap head first into Christmas. T-Day is my favorite holiday of the year.

With very careful shopping, I purchased 8 stamps and one punch, that with my 10% senior discount allowed me to spend $8.54 cents. They're all dollar stamps and a tiny flower center punch. I was very careful in choosing my stamps because I really do have enough stamps. But these images spoke to me, especially at $1.00.

So my card uses neenah solar white for the base, a scrap piece of SU certainly celery and the EK Success notebook border punch. I dry-embossed a small Cuttlebug folder, I purchased when the CB first came out and I couldnt get enough folders. The Congrats is from Wordsworth clear stamps. Don't you just love when you find a greeting that is vertical? It's stamped in Mary Matchables crimson red. My few Marvy inkpads are very old, but they still stamp fresh. Very little re-inking is needed. Well, hope you like my card. I'll be back tomorrow with no. 6.

Blssings,
Erica

Less Is More Challenge 33, card no. 4

2011-09-19T19:00:00.000-07:00

Good Monday evening stampers. How's the first of the week treating you? Mine wasn't too bad. I found out that I will have lots of family in for Thanksgiving. Some I haven't seen for quite some time. It will be a busy time for me.

To see my previous submissions, just scroll down. They're all in row. Might break in after the 5th entry with a little Mojo Monday...I'm liking the sketch.

My card base is Neenah solar white. I've embossed the front using a newish SU embossing folder called flower garden. I used chalks to color the flowers and butterfly, and I think it looks pretty good. The butterfly is a die from Cheery Lyn Designs. They are based right here in Phoenix, just like Spellbinders. Hmmm, wonder if they would have a warehouse sale like Bazzil Papers. These dies are finely detailed, but take quite a few passes through the CB to get the "cut". A bit annoying, but probably worth the work, as they are beautiful. I will likely invest in a few more. I sprayed with fixative to keep the chalk in place and vibrant. The sentiment is from Hero Arts clear stamps and is stamped in Rubber Monger (very old stamp pad) steel blue.

Well, off to eat a simple dinner, then on to Gordon Ramsey's Hell's Kitchen. I love his brash personality and I get a kick out of the wannabe chefs competing. The winner will be chosen tonight.

Blessings,
Erica

LIM Card no. 3 of 10

2011-09-18T22:17:00.000-07:00

Good Sunday evening stampers. I hope your second of the weekend was wonderful and you're ready for Monday. There are five days left to submit at Less Is More. Remember they are trying to get 1000 submissions this week. Don't bunch up your cards because that won't help the numbers. Just post them individually on your blog.

Here I've made a sympathy card. I used a new folder from Sizzix made for the Basic Grey line. It came as part of a duo and the other folder is a lovely snowflake one. I just love the depth of embossing this folder gives. The sentiment is from a clear set of which I'd removed the packaging for storing in a binder. I like that it's not bold and has that pretty flourish at the end. The base is Neenah solar white and a green mat as well as the small border are probably SU always artichoke. I stamped in Memento tuxedo black.

I think that's all for me this weekend. Off to bed I go where I hope to get a bit of reading done before I drop off. I've recently become a big fan of vampire novels.

Blessings,
Erica

Less Is More #2 for Challenge no. 33 Anything Goes

2011-09-17T12:18:00.000-07:00

Here's my second entry of the day and my second card of the day toward my promised 10 this week. If you haven't seen my first one, go to previous posts and be sure to go to Less Is More. This is a great chance to get your feet wet if you're unaccustomed to making clean and simple cards. Mandi and Chrissie will gently give you advise how to improve your card and keep you on track. You can't hone your craft if everyone just oohs and aahs all the time? Yes, your card is beautiful, however, have you answered the challenge the way it was written, or did you decide you'd maybe get the card size right and the theme, but didn't keep the white space showing.

In my case, my white space isSU basic gray cs, then SU riding hood red, then a scrap of white which has been dry embossed with an old Cuttlebug folder and cut using a square scalloped Nestabilitie. Perfect card for the less fussy personaliltly in your life.

I'm going to try for three today. So stay tuned and join us.

Blessings,
Erica

Let the DSP Take Center Focus

2011-09-14T16:42:00.000-07:00

Good Evening stampers. Hope you are getting through 'hump day'. The weekend is near! I promised a few fussy cards. And here I delivered. I believe my true style is C&S, however, now and then, I come across beautiful dsp pads on sale and begging for me to leave the store with them. Once I arrive home, they are given a place of honor on my craft table where I regularly leaf through them oohing and aahing. Alas, I don't know what to do with them. There are several bloggers who do amazing things with these papers and I make an attempt here and there to CAS their work. For this card, I didn't do that. Instead I used my own personal method to come up with this. First I thought of what greeting the paper lent itself to, the size of the greeting, how and if, to mat the greeting, and finally what if any, embellies might be used. Once I had a plan, it was simple to make.

Recipe: Base of neenah solar white, 5" x 5" card
SU garden gree mat
DCWV Mariposa matstack
CTMH blue (don't make me look for the hue)
Rangers Distress peeled paint dye inkpad
Sentiment Stampendous
Nestie deckled rectangles
Sizzix "Branch with Leaves"
McGill butterfly punch (large)
Martha Stewart small butterflies
A little bit of bling

And as Joan would say.....
"mood when done", I like it. Now I only have 71 dsp papers to stare at and wonder what to do with.

Blessings,
Erica

Less Is More Challenge 32

2011-09-13T01:07:00.000-07:00

Hi Stampers. I had a good weekend...that means I got lots of stamping done. I've decided on the little giftie I will make for my DH's co-workers this Thanksgiving. I'm so tickled as they appreciate the thoughfulness, often emailing me to say so. According to my DH, several have them lined up on their desks for a decorative look. I'm honored. It's a good thing they don't check the blogs out there with amazing work that makes mine look amateurish. Oh well, it is the thought that counts and I think they know that.

So over at LIM, the Divas are rolling along and are back around to the one layer card. I believe this is my most difficult to think up. I have to pour through my stamp sets...not a bad thing to do, but it can be time-consuming.

I thought of the many coffee drinkers in my life and how much I enjoy this year's Mother's Day present of a Tassimo coffee maker. It makes incredibly strong coffee, so I make it in my Starbucks' tumbler and use the "add water" feature. It makes a satisfying brew which I enjoy thouroughly as I catch-up on email and stamp in my room each morning.

My card recipe follows:

Neenah solar white A2 base, folded on the 4 1/4 side
Stamp set...Fiskars Latte Love clear stamps
Button and stripped twine from my stash
Images stamped with Memento tuxdo black
colored with various Copics

A few issues I had with my card were (1) how to color the steam, (2) should I or shouldn't I ground it by coloring underneath the cups. I did, but think I overdid it, and (3) did I achieve balance when placing the images?

My conclusion...a lot of white space requries a lot of practice and regular checking on the pros' blogs. I will return almost daily for the remainder of the week with quite busy cards to share.

Blessings,
Erica

Just What I Wish

2011-09-07T17:00:00.000-07:00

This is what I wish for many people I know. We realize all our days won't be filled with good things. However, if we have just one of those perfect days now and then, it makes the rest worthwhile. Personally, every day, I thank God for good things that I take for granted. If we live in developed countries, I thank God I don't have to go miles to get fresh water. I can't imagine one of my daily chores to be fetching a pail of water. I get so very angry with what is wrong with this country, but there isn't anywhere else I'd rather be. I'm sure most all of you would agree. Wait, there is an exception. I have thought about moving to Canada. I have vacationed there. If I could handle the cold (anything below 70 is cold to me), I'm sure I'd like it there.

On to my card. I was gifted with this Hero Arts 'Spring Tulips Sketch' stamp. I believe it's quite old. I love the sketchiness (a word?). I paired it with this sentiment from...OK, I just spent 20 mins. looking for the sentiment. I can't find it and since I'm supposed to be ironing, you're not gonna find out today. If you're desparate to know, I'll look again...promise. On the paper. Base is Neenah solar white and the dsp is retired CTMH. I colored with water color pencils....rarely used, but I am fond of them.

So, this is my second post of the day. To enter a challenge (I did) and win some fun "A Muse" goodies, scroll down, or see previous posts. I'm not sure how my blog works, but I do know I'm happy reading other's blogs when I can scroll down...less time taken.

Blessings,
Erica

Challenge OLW63

2011-09-07T11:47:00.000-07:00

Good afternoon stampers. I was over on one of my fave blogs, Simplicity. Raihala put me onto a new-to-me challenge blog, Styles Ink. The challenge is a one layer baby card. They have goodies too, just for entering. So go and check it out.

Card recipe:
card is a top-fold SU Shimmery White 5 x 4 1/4 (a bit odd size, I know)
Recollections clear stamp set Bouncin' Baby Boy (lots of adorable stamps that could work for boy B-Day too)
Memento Danube blue for stamping images...the shoes and "B" are separate.
Memento sky blue marker to color in the sneakers...tried the sky blue to stamp images, but way too light to show up on photo.
Oh My! Well, that's it since we're requested to do a one layer card.

I edited this in Picnik and since I don't have a photo box, I was having difficulty getting the white to show up properly. I was trying to avoid all the background I usually include in my photos this time. I should have taken a more sideview photo, cause it doesn't actually show up as a card. Sorry about that.

Blessings,
Erica

Less Is More challenge 31

2011-09-04T14:52:00.000-07:00

Afternoon stampers. I am going simple with the LIM here challenge today. The challenge is metal. I can do that. Well, I tried a "new to me" technique from one of the contributers and it didn't happen, so I stuck with an old standby, embossing powder. The base and mat are of white linen cs. For some height and depth, I added the mat. I know, kinda basic, huh? Both images are Michael's Studio G dollar stamps. The embosing powder is Rangers Queens Gold. A teeny bit of bling for the 'dot' in the letter i and it couldn't get much more simple than this, right?. Both stamp images are dollar stamps. I may try for something "new" later in the week.

A BIG SHOUT OUT CONGRATS to LIM and its DIVAS Chrissie and Mandi for hitting followers. I never doubted they wouldn't.
"Wishing them a Bright and Shining Future.

Blessings,
Erica

Challenge 51 for Simply Create

2011-09-03T01:30:00.000-07:00

Hi Stampers,
This is going to be a very short post for the Simply Create challenge up and running. I seem to have been automatically thrown into a new way to access my blog. I don't recall getting info on this change and I'm having some difficulty getting used to it. So bear with me.

My card uses, of course, a House Mouse image and my pencil box has dollar stamps, a button, twine and a magnetic closure. I'm going to stop now and "publish.." Here's hoping (and praying) I get used to this new to me process fast.

Blessings,
Erica

Two for One Challenge

2011-09-01T12:45:00.000-07:00

Good afternoon stamping friends. I've had this Tilda from Magnolia for a while and only inked it up once. Today, I went to Just Magnolia and found their challenge, and I wanted to join, so I did. The submissions here are truly awesome, so competition is keen. I rarely see this Tilda used. A quick perusal of the submissions didn't show me anything. I enjoy coloring her stockings and I like that she's in a sitting position. I have written down different ways I can pose her, so I think I'll get some good use from her.

In order to play BINGO, you follow the rules. Cute way to challenge yourself, huh?

My card uses the elements on a diagonal and include gems (pearls), flowers (Michaels' wedding five point flowers colored with copics), and ribbon/lace (lace from my stash). The balloons are done with a Nestie die and the sentiment is Nestie diecut and is from SU's Circle of Friendship (retired). I used an MS border punch and a doily. Papers are all SU except for the ds which is My Minds Eye's pad called Simply BEautiful. Leaves are done with MS punch. I've used all copics to do the coloring.

I've also entered this card in Cute Card Thursday Challenge no. 180. There you need to use at least one punch. I've used

MS border punch (on two panels)

Nestabilities Lacy Circles (largest and smallest dies)

Nestabilities birthday balloons (my name for it)

McGlll multi-flower punch (the tiny center pink flower)

Punch A Bunch (leaves)

See you all this weekend. Two fun challenges I'll be in are Simply Create and Less Is More See my sidebar blinkies for direct links if you want to play.

Blessings,
Erica

Birthday Card

2011-08-29T21:36:00.000-07:00

I've been getting lots of stamping time in. I checked out the LIM challenge, but haven't felt like taxing my lil' ole' brain just yet trying to pick and then combine 3 previous challenges. So, I've been adding to my stash of birthday cards instead.

Sticking with my Clean & Simple designs, I put this tegether quickly. The candles are from a Stampendous set that is my "go to" set of late and the sentiment is from SU's Whimisal Words. The ds paper was just laying around. I colored with my Copics and brightened up the flames with a copper gel pen. The base is SU"s sage shadow and the mat is Neenah solar white.

On another note, as many of you can attest, it gets might difficult to find storage for wood mounted stamps if space is a premium. Quite a while ago, I began unmounting but never was satisfied with my chosen method of storage....cd cases. Then along came SU with DVD cases that really were a godsend. However, after watching Joanna's Youtube video I see that I have been doing it all wrong. This video tute is excellent! If you haven't hit upon the best way to store your unmounteds, do give her way a try. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Now let's see if I can hunker down and turn out something gorgeous for LIM.

Hugs & Blessings,
Erica

Less Is More Challenge #29

2011-08-21T17:11:00.000-07:00

Good evening stampers. I had a lovely Sunday stamping and chatting with friends. It was my turn to host, but they lovingly brought everything to me, so that I didn't have to do a thing. Friends...real friends can be so good for the soul.

The Divas at LIM went easy peasy this challenge. If it can move, you can use it to enter. We certainly know that butterflies can fly and bees are always busy. Who doesn't love 'em right? This is a rather large dollar stamp from Michaels. I love the sentiment which is so appropriate for me these days. I used the Cuttlebug scrollwork folder and the stamp fit perfectly on it. The base is Nenah solar white and I stamped in Memento tuxedo black with copics used for coloring. I tried to keep the colors soothing and subtle. We need to be at peace with whatever challenges the Lord allows in our path. Butterflies sooth me.

Hope you are all having a great weekend.

Hugs & Blessings,
Erica

I'm Toooo Late!

2011-08-19T20:53:00.000-07:00

Wouldn't you know it? I love how this card came out and it would have been a great submission to this....err, I mean last week's challenge at LIM. But I took too long to think it up, too long to create it and alas, way too long to post it. But I like it, so into my pile it goes and I will not go to sleep until I check the new LIM challenge, which I will dream about it, so I can create it on Saturday and post on Sunday or sooner if possible. This latter scenario works for me. The later I take to think up my design, the less chance it has of actually being posted on time.

So, I won't go into any great deets here. It's simple enough. Chairs are from SU, sentiment from Stampotique, "rugs" from A Muse, ink is Rangers Broken China technique used, strategically placed Post-its. I think the divas would have given me a thumbs up for this one.

Hugs & Blessings
Erica

Lots of Color

2011-08-18T00:35:00.000-07:00

I took an entire two days this week and stamped my heart out. My room looks like a tornado hit it. I am a messy stamper. I'll work on getting it back into shape for the next two days and then I'm not going to mess it up stamp for at least one week. I'll be posting the cards I've already made and catching up on my reading. I have an e-reader with 15 downloaded books. I just had to have an e-reader last Christmas, and hubby is wondering why he rarely sees me using it. I also need to devote more time to my husband and our new routine around the house. We have been putting off going to the movies until he felt stronger. I think that time is approaching.

This is a semi-homemade CAS card. The panel idea is from Papertrey Ink...if memory serves me. The base is neenah solar white and the mats are from an SU ds pad patterns in color stack. I made a mistake and bought two of these stacks. It will take me forever to use them up as I tend to hoard dsp, but not actually use it. The flower is from the SU die called Daisies, and the leaves are a Sizzix die. I ran them through a crimper for some definition. I made the tag from more white cs and finally found a short tute from SU demo extraordinnaire, Mary Fish, on how to make the banner look . It's done with a square punch. It certainly beats the way I was doing it. Suffice it to say I was struggling. The sentiment is from a hostess set in the new catty called Happiest Birthday Wishes. This is a versatile set I'll be going to again and again. I just love it when that happens.

Hugs & Blessings,
Erica

Time to Distress at Simply Create

2011-08-14T11:57:00.000-07:00

Good Morning stampers. I am quite late posting this card. It has already appeared at Simply Create where I'm a design team member. Life has been happening at warp speed for my family these days. The big news for us is my husband is home from the physical rehab center and we are all adjusting to that. We're pulling together like never before so we can afford home nursing care. This allows me to have a bit of respite, though I must still be on hand until things become routine for his care. He is so much more healthy and emotionally uplifted in our home. We are glad we did not choose the option of assisted living in someone elses home at this time.

'Nuf said personally. So if you like to distress...then Simply Create's challenge is for you. Please go check all the samples the design team has inspired you with. Mine is flowery And I fear, my beautiful Martha Stewart butterfly barely shows up. I should have died it. The flower is handmade as my flowery mood continues. The sentiment is from a new to the SU catty set called Pursuit of Happiness. Each mat has been distressed with my Tim Holtz distressing tool. I've added a satin ribbon bow and a bit of bling. And that's it.

Well, I'm off to do a little shopping with my grandson who has started to enjoy cooking. Now that's a talent I intend to make good on. Now if I could just get him to keep his room clean, I'd say I'm helping to make a perfect husband for some lucky lady someday.

Hugs & Blessings,
Erica

On a bit of a flower kick these days...

2011-08-11T23:52:00.000-07:00

Good evening stampers. I am sitting here listening to some lovely calm Christian music...one of those WOW Gospel cds where they have gathered all the hits for the year, and realizing how truly blessed I am. This has been such a rough week in the news. Those brave Navy Seals who lost their lives...the horrible riots that raged in London....the lives of hundreds of thousands of children in the Sudan. Sometimes, I think it's too much to bear for one person. I feel so totally helpless and useless. How is it I can sit here and stamp away with so much suffering going on around me? I know there are many like me. The answer our awesome God gave me is in 1 Thes. 5:17. It is one of the easiest scriptures to memorize. It is simply, "Pray constantly." I have nothing to give and yet, I know it is enough in the eyes of my God. So I have been closing my eyes frequently during these past days and praying simply heartfelt prayers. I know that there are many who are doing the same. Until God tells me He wants more and just what that more is, I know it is enough.

I'm in a flowery mood these days. Been perusing the CTMH and SU new cattys and circling nothing but flower sets. I've pretty much mastered making the paper flowers done with scalloped circles. This one is 6 scallops punched with an SU Stamp, crimped in an old fashioned crimper and sprayed with water to break the fibers down...then crumpled and squished with a brad in the middle. I then touched some Ranger glitter glue to the edges to give it some sparkle.
The leaves are punched with a Marvy punch. My frame is the older fleur de lis Nestie and the image and sentiment are from an SU hostess set called On the Grow. The bottom image is an SU wheel called Victorian. I added a bit of white lace across the lower third. It's quite pretty IRL, and I've used my copics for all the coloring. I stamped in Memento paris dusk... a seldom ink pad that can work just as well as the tuxedo black in many cases. Blue pearls for umph finish the card.

Count your blessings my stamping friends. Count them one by one.Praise him for His unfailing love.
Blessings to you...Erica

LIM...You're a Peach

2011-08-04T22:03:00.000-07:00

Evening stampers. This is my 2nd entry to the Less Is More Challenge #26 and it's the first I've entered twice. I was truly inspired by Sue's post here when I remembered that I had a dollar stamp with the same saying as the one on her third entry. I also loved how she expertly colored the peach.
I had to cut my stamp, which was a clear one, into two pieces and make the sentiment fit on one line. It was originally two lines. I was also eager to use the Spellbinders Ribbon Banners die set. I'm sure I'll get tired of seeing these banners someday, but they lend lots of pizzaz to sentiments on a card. I sponged it in with Memento tangelo ink which closely resembled the colors I'd used on the peach. I don't have lots of copics, so I used numbers that were as close as possible to those Sue recommended. I think it photographed more like an apricot, but it is more subtle IRL. I used an MS border punch on top and bottom and my base is SU garden green. So, I'm submitting it to LIM and hopefully the divas will catch it before times up and leave a comment.

Have a great weekend and stamp, of course.

Blessings,
Erica

Fetch A Sketch

2011-08-02T23:23:00.000-07:00

Hi Stampers...hope your Tuesday was great. I am having to make life-altering decisions these days and creating cards is just what I need to take the edge off the stress. Isn't that the reason many of us create? For those 50ish and older, it could be called our "Calgon" moment. Do they make that stuff anymore? I guess Bath & Body Works and Vickie's Secret have given tried and true products we knew serious competition. Ahh, but I digress.

Here's my submission to Fetch A Sketch Challenge #3. I just used a white base and an SU sage mat, along with scrap ribbon and the Nestie blossom diecut on which I stamped a sentiment from an SU set called Pursuit of Happiness. I sponged Ranger honey distress ink to make the saying look framed. I love this saying from Bishop Tutu. If only there were something he could do about the famine in Somalia. But I think he's retired now. All we can do is pray for these poor people. And when we feel down, praise God we are who we are and we are where we are. UGH! Digressing Again.

Blessings, Erica

Made It Myself Mondays

2011-08-01T11:04:00.000-07:00

Good Morning stampers. Here is Monday we have a gorgeous, albeit sizzlen' hot one here in AZ.

I spied this blog out today by going to the Cutting Cafe here first and checking out Regina's submission....way cute, and decided to submit this project I made in June. All deets can be found in the link.

I love how this turned out and plan to make several for Christmas presents.

Here's how the inside looks. It was surprisingly inexpensiv to make if you use my sources.
I'd love to hear your comments.
I'll be back with a cute card for the Fetch A Sketch challenge tomorrow.

Hope you get to stamp this week.

Blessings, Erica

Less Is More Challenge #26

2011-07-31T18:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Weekend. How's it treating you? Mine is great....today is my Birthday! In a little while, my family is taking me out to dinner. For a present, they chipped in together and upgraded my Iphone to a version 4.....whoopie. It's so much faster and more fun that my 3. I've been informed that for a 60ish lady, I'm way cool to have and and be able to use (the operative word apparently) an iphone. And just to prove that I get more hip with age, I've hinted that they can get me an Ipad next year. So, they best begin saving.

So, over at Less Is More, we have the Lucky Dip with a theme of fruit. My little chica is kinda' showing up a bit small, but she's actually the perfect size for an A2 card. My base is Neenah solar white. My image and sentiment are from Paper Pretties (they're based in Canada). I stamped her in Memento tuxedo black and the sentiment in SU real red. The sentiment is punched out with SU's oval punch and popped up with a bit of zig zag material in the corner. I colored Chica with a combo of copics, SU markers and Bic markers because I didn't have enough of any one line to get the bright colors I needed. Chica reminds me of the Chiquita banana logo. She certainly has a variety of fruits on her head. Gee, wish I could carry stuff on my head since I often need more than two hands.

Hope you have a great week.

Blessings,
Erica

Frogs Forever...hopefully

2011-07-29T22:58:00.000-07:00

Nothing but busy in my life, but I had to squeeze in a my fave little creature to play with when cards are involved. I also like to watch and read about them. I found this cute little emoticon on Linda Heller's blog here . He is a going green frog. Did you also know that F R O G stands for Fully Rely on God? This is perfect for me. I have a friend who has little business cards made up with a cute frog and the acronym and she hands them out to friends as well as encloss them in cards. Great way to spread the word. Frogs are integral to our ecosystem and many species are heading toward extinction, so don't kill them and for heaven's sake don't eat frog legs. Chicken tastes better....honest!

So over at at Simply Create we are showcasing our favorite animal. I especially love dogs and have been proud owner to several breeds as well as a mutt or two, but my dog stamp collection is lacking, so here's my close second of which I own many images. This is a Sizzix die that I cut out twice in different greens to give him definition. I added the eyes and lashes, enhanced the smile with a black fine marker and added the buttons, ribbon, twine from my stash. The corners are a combo EK Success corner punch and SU punch. The leaves are done with an MS border punch.The flowers are from Recollectons. I found a new kid on the block kind of embossing folder. It's two-sided and made of very hard green plastic. It's also 5x5 size. I had to play a bit in my CB to get the sandwich correct, but I love the deep impression it made. I tossed the covering (which was quite minimal...going green perhaps?), but I think the brand is "Big Daddy." The papers are all just what I had on my desk at the time. So, I guess this cards would fit a going green theme easily.

Now go play at Simply Create.

Thanks for looking.
Blessings, Erica

Handmade ribbon flower

2011-07-21T11:25:00.000-07:00

Hi Stamper World. I'm amazed at so many people from so many different countries who are enjoying the life of a stamper. It's such a good thing, don't ya' think?

I watch quite a few videos on how to make your own flowers. I don't know why, since I have a draw full of unused primas in all shapes and sizes. I made this one using SU wide ribbon. I hand-sewed a basting stitched down the middle of a piece of ribbon and then left the last stitch untied. I pulled on that thread and the ribbon scrunched up. I neated it and tood both ends joining them into a circle. This leaves a hole in the middle, which I added a button to. It was easy peasy....just like I like 'em. The rest of my card consists of SU daffodil cs, ridin hood red cs, some scrap for the oval, "trellis", leaves and corners , some sponging on the trellis, and Nesties, SU punch, MS border punch, a CB corner die and the Sizzix leaf die. The butterfly is from a set that I removed from its casing to "store", and all I can tell you is that it's a clear stamp. The sentiment which I love is a Studio G dollar stamp from Michael's. I stamped direct to paper and then stamped and cut out another image and put them together with a pop dot to achieve a bit of depth. Lots going on here, but it really was a simple card to put together. Hope you like my card.

I'm off to see the dh who is making fine progress in a rehabilitation center. I'm so proud of him. It was scary for me for a while.

Hugs & Blessings,
Erica

Fetch A Sketch Challenge #2

2011-07-18T12:44:00.000-07:00

I followed this sketch at Fetch a Sketch

At Fetch-A-Sketch, the ladies are well underway with a challenge, so thought I'd add a card I've made for a specific person while using their sketch. Our Bible study leader is 70 and is getting re-married. It seems it's never too late to find love. Ordinarily, I'd send her a "Christian" themed card, but she's getting a bit of negative feedback here and there, so I wanted to perk up her spirits and remind her to just go for it. Afterall, when you've reached 70 years old, do you really care what people think? I know I won't! I should add....it matters only what God the Father knows.

So I used SU's riding hood red and the newer SU dandilion. I embossed with a CB folder and carefully brushed a nice bright red dye ink over it. Using a circle Nestie, and for the frame, a scallopedNestie, I stamped two different Michael dollar stamps on the circle. I colored the kite with my new "just couldn't resist" Memento markers. My strip is an EK Success punched out black scrap. I had a sparkly star button in my stash, which I glued on in the corner. If this card is nothing else, it certainly is bright. I am praying that she and her intended have a bright and cheery future ahead of them.

Hugs & Blessings,
Erica

Simply Create

2011-07-15T23:05:00.000-07:00

Hi stampers. Hope you're getting ready for a fun weekend. Mine? Well, not so fun. DH is in a rehab hospital trying to gain strength physically after a serious bout with unexplained diarrhea and dangerously high potassium levels. Poor hubby spent his 70th birthday which falls on the 4th of July, quite ill. So if you have a moment, just add "Ed" to your prayer list. Thank you for bearing with me.

My card for the Christmas themed Simply Create challenge was super quick to make. And I used stickers. There is a franchise store in my area that has three aisles ready for Christmas. Rather depressing in my opinion...but I suppose it's a sign of the times.

But I digress....my base is Neenah solar white, the Cuttlebug was used to emboss the SU robin hood red mat. A Nestie diecut is used to hold the ornament stickers and the sentiment is by CTMH. A little red bling pearls for accent and this card is super easy peasy for adding to my Christmas stash. I figure while I 'm visiting dh, I can easily bring the makings of this card and hash a passle out. With so many fun and well-done stickers available, why not take advantage of them for card-making during busy times, right?

Have a happy weekend and get some stamping done.
Off to check out some more challenges.

Blessings, Erica

I Sure Could use a few...

2011-07-11T23:51:00.000-07:00

It's been a week since I blogged. I'm going through some rather serious medical issues with my dh. My mind would be in a turmoil if it weren't for my faith which sustains me. I haven't got as much time as usual to stamp and blog, so posts may be a bit sporadic. It's important that I do what I can as it helps me to de-stress.

Here is the challenge for the the Less Is More this week. We are to use legs. Well these froggies have legs and then some and they look like they are dancing and jumping for joy. Penny Black makes some of the most adorable frog images and I own several. This is perfect for the challenge. The sentiment is from a clear stamp set from Hero Arts. It has many sentiments that are useful. My base is Papertrey's white and I did the coloring with copics...not bothering to do any shading. The little squigglies are covered with a glitter pen, but it may not be showing up. As Joan of Paperlicious always says..."my mood when done," ....I am smiling in spite of my woes.

Keep smiling as God grows us in his own inimitable way.

Erica

Simply Create is Tea-riffic

2011-07-02T10:28:00.000-07:00

Good morning stampers,

Gonna be a busy weekend. Happy 4th of July to you and yours. AZ is allowing firecrackers for adults to use recreationally this year. So, I'll be praying that not too many accidents happen to children, as they always seem to get ahold of them.

Simply Create is stamping with silhouettes images. They're not my "go to image," but I just happened to have three stamps and the easiest one to work with is this fat little teapot. I worked off a sketch from the new challenge in town, Fetch A Sketch...see previous posts for deets, or just hit the blinkie in the left sidebar at the top. I modified the sketch a bit. DSP is from DCWV's linen closet and I sponged some Memento new sprout over the dotted paper for the leaves (punch is Sixxix).. I used my Nesties to make the mat for the teapot and a Fancy tag.. Pearl bling and Recollections flowers and a teeny corner made with an EK Success punch round it out.

Now go check your stash, or go digi as some of my team members have done and use silouettes. Let's see your stuff.

Happy Weekend
Erica

FAS Challenge 1

2011-06-28T21:35:00.000-07:00

Good evening stampers. Ruth and Jenny at Fetch A Sketch' have given us our first sketch. How exciting for them and me too...to be able to be in on a new stamping venture. One of the best things about this sjetcg challenge beside the cute name, is that it posts every two weeks. That's really great for those of us who have lives beyond stanoubg, . And they will have blog candy at times too. And Ruth and I are two members of the Simply Create design team, another fun place to find challenges.

Here's the sketch.

My rendering includes SU cs and dsp. I used an EK Success punch and Nestabilities. I added bling and Liquid Pearls in buttercup. The tiny flowers were made from a multi-flower Marvy punch. The coloring is all copic and the image and sentiment are from an SU hostess set in a past mini called On The Grow.

So go play and have a a great week.

Hugs & Blessings,
Erica

My Take on the SU Save-a-Note...as I call it.

2011-06-27T14:36:00.000-07:00

Hi Stampers,
I hope everyone had a great weekend. I did lots of blog surfing. It never ceases to astound me at the number of stamping blogs that are out there. And if I'm only looking at stamping related blogs, how many more must there be in other subject areas. YIKES, how does the internet stand it!?

On to a project that my trio + one made a few weeks ago and I promised to show. This is my take on a video tute that Angie Kennedy Juda does. Read all about it here. I haven't seen any others, so she gets the credit. I wanted to jazz mine up for my friends to make and show the potential it has to be a stamp camp project.

So, you take one of the pastic stamp storage cases SU offers in its catty, some two-sided dsp and you find some cheapie pads at Walmart and you have the beginnings. Then what I did is add a stamped image from SU's Notably Ornate.
You add sealed envies that you cut the tops from so you have pockets for misc., a doily, some border punched pieces, and a loop for your pen. I found some "woven non-roll elastic" in the sewing section of Walmart and made a loop to attach a thinnish pen....if the pen is too fat, your case won't close. On the outside, to give it that Whow factor and possibly make it easier to locate in your purse should you tend to carry one of those big puppies, I added a key-charm. These are becoming quite popular. And I found a few videos showing hand-made ones. Some people even swap these. I tell you, there is a craft for EVERYONE. The charm is attached using your Crop-O-Dile to cut two holes on the spine which you thread a ribbon through and then attach the charm onto. BTW, this charm came readi-made from Walmart. Gosh..seems like I live in that store. It cost $4.99. I thought that was a great price. Please note, you'll need lots of strong tape such as Scor-pal. I think I've covered everything. Let me know if you have any questions. I'd be happy to share. I will show you another case made by one of the ladies in the next few days.

Hugs & Blessings,
Erica

Less Is More Challenge #21

2011-06-25T20:22:00.000-07:00

The Divas at Less Is More made it easy peasy for us this time. And since I veered a bit from the challenge last week (more like blew it), I hope to make it up here. And so, I stuck to the basics with my two cards.

For my first card, the base is an SU...retired color (ugh, gone and forgotten) black mat and the buttons are made with DCWV's Linen Closet matstack. I used a Sixxex Sixlets buttons die. Don't know if the impression around the outside of the button is showing, but it's too cute. I "sewed" them with black embroidery thread onto a black panel. I faux stitched the panel. The sentiment is from a set called clearly inspired by Paper Creations. I don't think you can find it anymore.

My second card evokes the spirt of the USA's Independence Day holiday. This is the first time I've ever made a card for the 4th of July. My panel is a bit lower than the sketch prescribes. Alas, I tried the middle and it didn't work well.
The base is neenah solar white with the wide mat an SU Red Riding Hood strip that I punched with an EK Success punch at the bottom. The blue stars from paper in my stash are diecut with a Quikutz die and there's a tiny bit of bling on the middle star. The sentiment stamped in Memento danube blue, is from the same set as the above-mentioned.

I hope my cards pass muster this time. If you don't already play this challenge, this is a great sketch to start with. Go check it out.

Hugs & Blessings,
Erica

Quickie card

2011-06-22T22:12:00.000-07:00

I made this card just to have on hand in my stash. It was easy peasy since the card is one of those ready-made ones from a $9.99 box by Paper Studio. You just need to add your own touch to these as you feel inspired. The banner is a from a Cuttlebug die set I don't often see. I inadvertently tossed the packaging, so I haven't got the name, but I think ProvoCraft was trying to compete with Spellbinders when they introduced them. I seldom see them used on any blogs, so it doesn't look like they "took." The sentiment is from Stampendous, using Memento tuxedo black, and the blue paper from my stash and the bottom is border punched with an EK Success punch. A little blue bling added for the final touch.

Hope your week is going well. I'll be back with those 3D projects my Stampin' trio made on the weekend. They came out so well.

Hugs & Blessings,
Erica

Second Post of the Day

2011-06-19T15:31:00.000-07:00

This is my second post of the day. It's rare I do that. If you're looking for my LIM card, go to previous posts.

For Simply Create's wings challenge this week, I made two cards...both quite different and then couldn't decide which to submit for my design team entry. I ended up with this one leftover after thinking a dt entry should be a bit more intricate. Now, depending on your style, you may actually disagree with me. Far be it from me to say you're wrong. I am, after all a C&S stamper at heart. The basic sketch comes from Joan at Paperlicious here.

This card uses SU's soft suede for the base and and a bit of baja breeze. The inks are SU's olive green and marina mist. The stamps include CTMH for the swirly stitches, the tiny leaves from Rubber Tapestry's dainty florals and the dragonfly is a very ancient Stampabilities image. The sentiment is from my stash of unmounted sentiments, of which I have collected quite a few. The ribbon is from my stash.

Hugs & Blessings,
Erica

Challenge Me?

2011-06-19T14:42:00.000-07:00

Less Is More has a monogram challenge today and I think they're being quite expansive in their rules. You can use stickers today. So, I did. I've had these EK Success stickers for years. I used them on a Scrabble lovers' card, and had quite a few leftovers. I am a Scrabble player and I have the app on my iphone. I'm not very good, but I do have lots of fun. It's sorta like my card-making.

This really is a clean and simple card. I just measured to be sure I was centering the squares. Then I mounted the letters on to brown scrap using the smallest Nestibilitie squares I had. The base is my usual Neenah solar white. I think A R T is a monogram for creating beautiful things (or not), as well as playing the game of Scrabble. Art is in the eye of the beholder, right?

Hope you're having a great weekend.

Hugs & Blessings,
Erica

Beautiful Fairies for Simply Create's 46th Challenge

2011-06-17T12:26:00.000-07:00

Simply Create has a "winged" challenge this time around. Once I actually got to thinking about it, I realized there are many things that have wings. From my fellow designers at Simply Create, looks like fairies rule and rock. Mine is from Inkadinkadoo's Beautiful Fairies clear-mount set. I had it for a time. Knowing I couldn't exactly design a fairy image in a clean and simple look....my go-to design, I had to get out the purty stuff....you know, sparkly bling, ribbons, corners and fussy paper. Now for some, that's their go-to look. For me, well, I buy, hmmm, collect the stuff, put neatly in a drawer and rarely use it. Not this time. If you want deets, ask in your comments, cause the issue with these fussy cards, is that the recipe list is sooo long. I will tell you that the ds papers are from DCWV's Mariposa matstack. And I'm in love with it. These beauties beg for fussing over.

Tomorrow I have a stampin' pal get-together. I have a great 3D project for us to do. So come back Sunday and check it out. Don't forget Less Is More's Saturday challenge. If you're in the USA, you can check it out Friday after 12 midnight Central time. I often do this and then I dream on it. Is that a good thing?

Hugs & Blessings,

Erica

New Rubbah...Happy Dance

2011-06-17T01:06:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's true, I got 4 new stamp sets from Stampin' Up. After being on an austerity budget for the last three months, I had to complete my quarterly obligation and I did.

Yes, I am doing the happy dance, but SU has made some changes in how they reward their demos and after thinking about it and talking with my upline, I have decided I'm not crazy about it. Although I've only done the math in my head, it seems we are not getting as much product $$$ to play with. That means that it could be a tougher sell to get hostesses for parties. I suppose this is just Shelli's way of meeting the economic difficulties. I'm sure that there are many other changes in other areas and this is the only one that has affected me.

On to my goodies. I am being more careful when choosing sets. If I can't envision up to 5 cards in my head, I pass the set up. I think I've chosen carefully. So, here I've used a hostess set called Faith In Nature. If you lean toward C&S designs; if you often make card sets to give away; if you like to keep several "thank you" sentiments on-hand; if you try to buy genderless (is there such a word?) stamp sets, then this set is for you. Of course, you'll have to be a hostess to get it. IMO, it's worth it. My card is white on white and I used the SU lattice folder and stamped in Memento tuxedo black and colored with copics. There is a thank you sentiment in the set, however, I've used a Fisher clear mount thank you, because I wanted "for your kindness". The oval is a Nestie die and the pear is stamped then die-cut with a nestie also. All paper is Neenah solar white.

1. I'll be posting a card for tomorrow using an SU flower die that retired far too quickly IMO.

2. On Saturday, don't forget the divas will post a challenge at Less Is More.

3. Simply Create will post it's challenge. I have made a fussier card than usual for the team, but I like it.

4. I have a 3D project to post for Sunday, after my stamping galpals have made one for themselves. It would be
perfect for a stamp camp and I haven't seen a anything quite like it on anyone's blog.

Soooo, do come back and get ready for the weekend.

Hugs & Blessings,
Erica

Less Is More Challenge #19 and I have a New Badge!

2011-06-12T20:25:00.000-07:00

Good Evening.
How has your weekend been? Mine has been superlative...after starting out a bit challenging for me personally. I checked out the LIM challenge at midnight and took it to bed with me. The following day, I hadn't dreamed up anything I wanted to work with, so off to my email I went. There in my inbox was another email from LIM. It was the weekly announcement of showcased cards. Lo and behold, I was one of them. I'm Showcased...forgive me for shouting, but I'm so honored. What a great card-themed year I'm having...a member of a DT team for the first time and now featured on one of the fastest growing challenge blogs. Mandi and Chrissie are the best pair of divas I know. Thank you so much dear ladies. Your challenges are awesome and have stretched me considerably. I want to thank my blog-readers as well. Thank you for commenting on my cards. That means soooo much to me.

Here we go to the one layer challenge this week...to make a card with a frame. A thought came to my ears after attending church and listening to awesome uplifting Christian music. I attend the most inspiring church. I'm so blessed. Though we don't have a violin in the church band, it is an instrument I thoroughly enjoy. This stamp, Vintage Violin, by Stampabilities was stamped in Memento tuxedo black overlaying a stamp called Music Score by Stampendous that's stamped in Memento London fog. To get the frame, I used a rectangle Nestibilitie and diecut into a piece of scrap then I taped it with removable tape onto the card base front (Neenah solar white) and stamped the music score background direct to paper. Note, I stamped-off the stamp first. Upon removing the scrap, vioila...the frame. I stamped the violin over it. The sentiment is from SU's Apple Blossoms. I hope you like my card and have a go at LIM's challenge.

Hugs & Blessings,
Erica

Simply Create Challenge

2011-06-04T15:32:00.000-07:00

This is my second post of the day. I probably should have put this one up first since I'm on the design team of Simply Create, where it's the first "other" Saturday of the month and All About You Dad #45.
Simply Create gets us going on a themed card.
With Father's Day around the corner, I was only too happy to make a few cards. I chose
this one for the challenge. I made it for my dd to
give her husband.
The FD sentiment is computer generated. The measuring tape with the sentiment is SU's Totally Tool. The papers are all SU, except for the ds which is from the Paper Studio's Mirabella collection. Memento tuxedo black ink was used for stamping and the descriptive words were cut with an SU punch and the corners of the FD sentiment mat are done with an SU ticket punch. Metal brads are used and a button is threaded with twine and twine is used to hold the descriptive words. It seems like there's a lot going on, but actually, this card was simply to put together and I'll be making more with different descriptive words, of course. Come play along with us won't you?

Hugs & Blessings,
Erica

Less Is More #18

2011-06-04T13:39:00.000-07:00

So here it is Saturday and the LIM Challenge 18 from Mandi and Chrissie is a fun one.

I knew right away what image I wanted to use, as well as the color. Monochromatic speaks neutral to me. Here, I have used an off-white card base and shades of brown. Hopefully, the photo shows the variation. The card size is 5 1/2 x 5 1/2. The A2 size would not have left me with enough white space. I stamped the cute mushroom from Stampabilities, in white pigment ink and embossed in a white fine detail powder. Then I rounded one side of each square and mounted them with thin tape. I argued with myself about rounding, but felt the squares needed a bit of pizzaz. I stared, and went away, and returned because I couldn't decide if a sentiment was in order. Finally, I decided that mushroom can lend themselves to anything so why not leave it blank writing inside as the need for the card became obvious.

So, there you have it.

Congrats to the Less Is More. I think the divas are a bit surprised at how many stampers are taking their challenge. I knew as soon as I found them, that success was theirs' (grammer?) for the asking.

Hugs & Blessings,
Erica

Clean & Simple

2011-05-31T00:00:00.000-07:00

I just love it when I come across a stamp that is detailed, and doesn't require any coloring. I was able to bring out the beauty in this Inkadinkadoo image simply by swiping a Memento sky blue pad onto the middle of neenah solar white cs. Then I stamped the image in Ranger's Van Dyke Brown. I added the sentiment from Perfectly Clear Stamps. I think this card is sophisticated and perfect for a lover of the sea.

Hugs & Blessings,
Erica

Less Is More Challenge 17

2011-05-28T10:13:00.000-07:00

Blogger is still acting weird now and then IMO, but it can't stop me from accepting the LIM challenge.
At first, I just stared at the sketch, then looked lovingly at Chrissie's design. Seems her R&R has given her lots of good mojo to work with.

At 3AM, I rummaged through my stamps and found this one. Yikes, this one had never seen ink! Had to fix that, huh? I paired it with a little paw print which is actually a bear one from a long ago retired SU set called Button Bear. I sparkled the paw up with "at you Spica" pens, but it's not showing up at all. To frame my sentiment and paw print in a necessary box, I used a square Nestabilitie with the dry embossing imprint techniques, where you don't have an actual layer, but get the effect of one. I'm sure there's a concise name here, but it eludes me for now. The smell of pancakes and bacon cooked by my SIL (yes, he can cook) is disturbing my thought process.

So, have fun with the challenge. I've a feeling we may just hit the elusive 400 mark, since this is a 3 day weekend here in the USA, giving stampers a bit more time to play.

Hugs & Blessings,
Erica

No Title Today

2011-05-24T14:46:00.000-07:00

I just didn't know what to call this since I'm putting several things of interest into it.

Let's start here. http://sarahmartina.com/blog/2011/05/24/garage-sale-tomorrow/ Click on this and see the fab Sarah Martina's garage sale. She is selling lots of goodies. IMO, she's a shabby and chic cardmaker, so expect those type of goodies. I know I'll be there.

Here's a card I made that started out as an LIM challenge idea, but the butterflies just didn't work on it. I recently purchased the SU daisy die and love the 3 sizes of flowers it makes. I've lots of ideas floating around in my head. I have decided I'm not crazy about making my own flowers...a bit too time consuming....but I like the raised flower look, so I'm opting for lots of dies that I can pile atop of each other and have something pretty.

The deets....
   white card base using Neenah solar white
   SU daisy flower die
   SU textured impressions folder (I placed the cut daisies into the folder to give them texture)
   SU embellishment
   Provocraft Cuttlebug embossing borders, With Love
   TPC Studio, Brush Stroke Greetings sentiment

I've recently taken quite a shine to all white cards. I think it's a result of Less Is More challenges, which I try not miss each week. So, I hope you like my card and enjoy the rest of the week.

Don't forget the sale tomorrow. If you hurry and post Martina's graphic (don't know if I did that exactly myself), you will get an 10% off on your order.

Hugs & Blessings,
Erica

LIM Challenge #44

2011-05-22T01:22:00.000-07:00

What a Saturday I've had. In spite of not feeling very good, my mojo was working and fingers were flyin' to complete challenge 44 from Less Is More before Sunday. I'm not sure if I have quite enough white space, but this is a kind of ethereal floral piece, so white shows through right?

I stamped neenah solar white with the image, flying stars from Penny Black in Memento tuxedo black. I then decided not to add color so that the white would stand out. Next, I put it in an SU textured impressions folder. Then I cut out a 1 1/4 inch circle at the top of the card and glued some MS punched butterflies onto the inside panel created by the punched out circle. I felt like they just weren't standing out, so I added a black thin frame. Here, I'm afraid I didn't do a very good job and had to snip here and there, resulting in a less than perfect frame. If I were to send this out, I'd work on that a bit. On opening the card the butterflies are on the inside panel. My card needed a little something more, so I added the white satin ribbon in the popular pleating fashion.

I've had another try too, but when I went to add butterflies, I realized the design didn't lend itself to butterflies. You'll see that one tomorrow, but only here of course.

Happy Sunday,

Hugs & Blessings,
Erica

Simply Create Challege #44

2011-05-21T09:31:00.000-07:00

Mornin' stampers. Saturday is here and we have such lovely weather her in Arizona. Still on the cool side....yippie....soon enough it will be hot! I have been able to sit outside and enjoy a wonderful novel called The Forgotten Garden by an Australian author, Kate Morton. Sooo many twists and turns and over 500 pages. I love meaty stories....Ah, but I digress, huh?

So here is my card for the design team of Simply Create here. Almost anything goes....just make it an occasion. If you don't see a linkie to add you entry, please come back in a few hours. Our tireless leader is a bit backed up and needed a little extra time today. Fear not, it will be there soon. We want to see your goodies, so please don't forget us.

Without further ado, my entry.

Lots of Nestibilities use today and some gorgeous dsp from DCWV's Mariposa matstack. Then in the corners, I have placed an altered CB diecut. The flower is from All Night Media, designed by the lovely Anna Griffin. This flower stamps in a wide range of colors and perfect every time. The sentiment is also from a go-to set by Hero Arts, quite old and much loved. If further deets are required, please let me know. I'm willing to share. Until then, have a happy weekend.

Hugs & Blessings,

Erica

Sneaking in a Frog Card

2011-05-13T21:32:00.000-07:00

I'm sneaking in this card for the Mojo Monday challenge before a new LIM challenge tomorrow morning. I know I won't get to show it if I don't. The froggie is from a Penny Black clear stamp set. You have probably seen this image wood-mounted too. I have a larger version wood-mounted. It always makes me happy to use frogs. Come now, have you ever seen a sad frog. Nope, I didn't think so. I have quite a collection of frog stamps and one day, I will stamp a set of cards for myself with only frog images. I do that now with hedgehogs and always give them away, usually fogetting to take pics.

This Sunday I have a stamping date with my gal pals. I don't know what the hostess has planned for us to do. Frankly, I'll be happy to just sit aroun and chat and munch some goodies. Hope your weekend is a happy froggy one.

Hugs & Blessings,
Erica

White On White LIM Challenge

2011-05-13T10:23:00.000-07:00

Good morning. Blogger has been down for about 20 hours and even now, I can't compose properly, so have had to put on my thinking cap, sans my caffee, and come in the back door. I'm saying a little prayer that this post will go up properly.

I struggled with the Less Is More Challenge this week. I wanted something original for me. Usually, I get ideas from others. So, after viewing 50 or so entries and commenting, I stopped my visits and and put my thinking cap on, with coffee & chocolate, and this is what I came up with. This is a 5x5 card on Neenah solar white cs. I punched the MS leaf border and laid it out horizontal completely covering the card. I added the MS hydrangea punch which has three sizes of blooms. I recently purchased this punch and love it. The blooms were given shape with my embossing tool. This is a very popular look these days. In the center of the larger of the blooms, I placed a bit of silver liquid pearls. On a Nestie label die, I stamped and silver embossed a saying from Our Daily Bread Designs ...note to self must increase my stamps from this company. So, I'm pleased with my card and may leave it up to ogle for spiritual inspiration this week.

Have a great weekend.
Less than 20 hrs. 'til a new LIM challenge....WHOOPIE!

Hugs & Blessings,
Erica

Teacher's Appreciation Week card

2011-05-09T09:23:00.000-07:00

It was Teacher's Appreciation Week last week, and oh how very much I appreciate
them, for my daughter, my grandchildren, and yes, for myself. They should be
called miracle workers and it goes without saying, they can never be paid enough for what they are asked to do these days. I sometimes reflect on teachers who I had the good fortune to be taught by more than 45 years ago. Many still linger in my heart because I recognized then, and now, how much they were contributing to my education. I remember their names and how they looked. I wish I could do more
for teachers of today and if my life journey changes I have some ideas I hope to put into play. For now, I will make cards for my grands to give and add a little gift card too. I know they do appreciate it.

So this card is made using a very versatile Flourishes set I just love, called Mugs & Things. I believe I warned you you'd see more of it. Copics were used for the coloring. I am improving here, but I still want Promarkers and won't be buying more Copics....just too expensive for my budget. That's a little hand-sewing you see and the bling for a little pizzaz. I've used ds papes from my splurge a few weeks ago.

Got a gift card for Mother's Day to Michaels. So I will be some new goodies soon. Also a Tassimo coffeemaker I have coveted and beautiful flowers. I also got a Tassimo coffee-maker. I had been wanting one of these babies for a year. It makes robustcoffee. The latest health info says coffee goes a long way toward preventing diabetes. So I had to have it....GRIN! Here is a pic for your enjoyment. I didn't "set-up" the flowers properly...forgive the tags.

Hugs & Blessings,
Erica

2011-05-09T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hi legionnaires, I am CASing this just a bit, Here is the basic sketch from Mary Fish, Stampin' Up demo I go to often for simple, but elegant SU inspiration. I ran through her downlines' blogs and came across one very similar to this. Unfortunately, I ran through the blogs so quickly, that I can 't recall which one. It is not exact, but close enough. Sooo, if you're "the one", please take a bow. I really like how this card turned out and the sketch went into my faves folder.

I knew I couldn't or shouldn't color this image, so how to bring the pattern out...? It dawned on me that to do this card justice, I would have to need to concentrate on ds paper. This is SU ds paper and base cs and the image as well as the sentiment is SU. The antique brads are too. It's rare that I create an entire card using SU products. Odd that, since I'm an SU hobby demo. I like so many different stamp design companies, that I find it very difficult to stay with any one company when making a card. It's why I'm unable to make money from being a demo. I don't know how those big money-making demos do it. There is just sooo much stuff to play with...Guess I'm being a bit redundant, huh?

Have a great weekend.

Hugs & Blessings,
Erica

In My Mother's Garden

2011-05-06T23:38:00.000-07:00

Hi legionnaires, since I've noticed that most bloggers are also mothers, I wish all of you a VERY Happy Mother's Day. Personally, I don't know how on earth mothers do it these days. Especially those who hold jobs outside home and manage to turn out a page or scrapbook page now & then. Well, my hat is off to them.

Todays card is my design team entry for Simply Create. We are challenging you to make a card that is about mothers...use a saying if possible. Won't you come play with us. You have to two full weeks to make your submission.

This is a stair-step card. SCS has a great tute. I have taken images from three different stamp sets and paper from several sources. I used my Nestie for the wagon and compter generated the saying as well as the sentiment. Should you want further deets, just ask in your comment.

Try a stair-step card. They truly have the WHOW factor.

Hugs & Blessings,
Erica

Just Thank You

2011-05-04T12:10:00.000-07:00

Well, this is nothing to look at. The LIMettes took pity on their challengees and gave us an especially easy peasy one this week. This is an old Stampendous sentiment and this is the first time I've used it. The little birdie is from a clear set I've put away and don't feel like looking for....just being honest here. To punch the card up a bit, I used my Memory Keepers corner punch. It was sooo plain. So, there's plenty of white space and this card is nothing special, but it fits the bill. I'm working a Congrats card next which I hope is a bit more detailed w/o giving up too much white space.

Hugs & Blessings,
Erica

House Mouse for Easter

2011-05-02T15:24:00.000-07:00

Hi legionnaires. I didn't post my Easter cards, but I sent some out that I was happy with. This is one of two I manged to photo before mailing. I love House Mouse images. But let's face it, there aren't many people who want anything to do with mice...cute images or not. So, I don't often buy them. This one was half price at HL a few weeks ago. When that happens, I don't resist the urge. And I do have a dear friend who appreciates the little guys and she loves flowers, so here you are El. I'm sure you have it by now.

I used the SU tulip frame for this and two Nestie shape and colored with Copics. I think I almost have the hang of it...not that I'll ever be a pro mind you. The sentiment is an unmounted image I received years ago. A bitty butterfly and a teeny weeny bling.

Well, here comes Mother's Day....hot upon the heels of Easter. Lots of holidays to make cards in the coming months, and then our breather and we begin all over again.

Hope everyone has a great week and especially the people in the tornado devastated areas. Soo sad.

Hugs & Blessings,
Erica

Simply Create Challenge #42

2011-04-22T23:53:00.000-07:00

Hi Legionnaires,
Welcome to the Simply Create challenge which is metal for the dudes. A manly card...in my case, a teen, and something metal. I had fun with this, but not at first. It took me a while to get into it, but when I did, it came together nicely. My image is Karate Boy from Stampabilities. I use him often for teen/boy cards. But never before with metal.
I had some copper and silver papers from Stampin' Up (retired) and I ran them through Cuttlebug folders. A little twine caught up with a tiny button band-aid and copics for coloring, with some brads that look like nailheads. The sentiment is computer generated and punched out... and voila.

Hope you enjoy my card. Now get into your craft space and create for the weekend.

Happy Easter
Erica

2011-04-20T23:55:00.000-07:00

Good evening legionnaires. Are you ready for Easter? I know most of what I'll be making....gonna leave it to eldest dd to decide veggies. My family loves roast lamb, but did I ever get a shock when I saw the price. And I didn't even buy a whole leg. And you can't get domestic lamb anymore...at least not without going on a search. And who has the money for the gas to do that? Ah well, life just keeps rolling along, right. I figure, as long as I have the $$ to shop for stamps here and there, then all is well.

My card today is a fussy one. HL has a 50% sale going on loose dsp and pads. Well, I couldn't resist...I did try to stay out of that aisle. Most stamps were 50% off too...groan! I am not a addicted, I am not addicted, I am not addicted. I have decided that small 6.5 x 4.5 pads give me more value than larger pads. This beautiful dsp is from DCWV's Mariposa Matstack. At half the price of $8.99, I really did get a bargain....soo, I bought 4 other pads...totally taking care of my dsp addiction for a while. Sooo, I learned, if you design your card with care, you can get two good-sized mats for A2 cards from one sheet. Here's one of two I made. Isn't it pretty? I used a small strip of a pink dsp at the bottom and I'll use the larger leftover piece for another card. The lovely sentiment stamped on a Nestie is from Stampabilities. I was happy to find out this company manufacturers its'stamps in OK, USA. I want to use as many products as I possibly can that are made in the USA. It is not easy these days. I added some pre-made flowers and MS punched leaves. A black ribbon/bow from my stash and a bit of gold bling finished it off. I did lots of sponging with Ranger's Distressed tea dye ink.
I will post the "partner" to this card tomorrow. And, coming soon is a card for the upcoming Simply Create blog challenge, where I'm privileged to submit my designs for inspiration.

Hugs & Blessings,
Erica

Did They Say Acetate?

2011-04-16T13:42:00.000-07:00

Good afternoon legionnaires. I'm here this afternoon with my challenge for the LIMeettes. If you read the challenge here you will see that Mandi and Chrissie expected there to be groans. And that's just what I did as soon as I read the word "acetate". Don't quite why I'm scared of acetate, but I've never used it on cards. But knowing full well how this acetate might agitate more than a few of the LIMettes, they made it easier by allowing us to use acetate somehow with no fixed plan. Flowers came to my mind first and they gave us a sample using them, but since I was making some Easter treat boxes for my DD, I decided to incorporate a piece of acetate into it.

I used SU's window sheets. This is strong acetate that makes excellent strong windows. I had just purchased them recently, not really knowing what I'd do with them, but planning to search U-Tube. Using it for this challenge was easy peasy. Just use a die to cut a scallop (could use a scallop punch, as the box is small), and adhere a piece of acetate over it. I stamped an image of a decorated egg onto the acetate with Stazon royal purple ink, but it is not showing up. I chose to photo outside and I have shadows going on too unfortunately, but you get the idea, right.

I really need to get brave and make a card with acetate too. After all, it's nothing to be frightened of, huh?

Blessings,
Erica

Fussy card

2011-04-15T23:12:00.000-07:00

Hi legionnaires. I mentioned that once in a while I'd be making a fussy card...you know, a Becca Feeken style....though. as also mentioned before, I will never come close to her works of pure art. Anyway, here is my fussy card for the month. I needed a card for a friend who's elderly family friend and neighbor had passed away suddenly. Anytime, I put a silk bow, flower, hemp, and stickpins all on one card, you better believe I classify it as "fussy". I didn't know how else to use this birdcage, and I desperately wanted to use it. I have a ton of doilies now...collected from tables following a luncheon. Wanna laugh. My friend's handsome City of Phoenix husband actually assisted me in collecting. I was so shocked to see this quite sweet soft side of him. He got more than I did. Stickpins kinda' freak me out...I'm so scared that they will poke someone looking at the card. So I was very careful to push its point well into the bow. I'm too lazy to give all the deets, so I will only do it if someone makes a request in my comments. Are you all ready for Easter. I am making baskets for my two granddaughters. I never made them for my children. Gee, being a grandparent sure is different. Have a great weekend and don't forget to stamp....Less Is More will post their challenge early Saturday. Go check it out and don't forget my Simply Create....still time to get your project with eggs posted. Blessings and Hugs, Erica

Masculine Birthday

2011-04-11T23:38:00.000-07:00

How was your Monday? I ran errands most of the day and it was a beautiful 70s day here in sunny AZ. It won't be long before we say goodbye to this kind of weather.

One of my errands was a quick trip to HL to use a 40% coupon. I bought a storage binder for my clear stamps. I was shocked to discover that I have 32 sets. How did that happen? It is definitely time to get them in tidy order of some kind. I took a quick looksie at the clearance section and found three stamps, a silhouette (these are getting popular), a House Mouse (I'm building a small collection), and a nice leafly pattern BG stamp (can we ever have enough BGs?). It's rare that I have a stash of masculine cards, so for this month, in between making mini Easter baskets for my dd's co-workers, I've decided to try to add about 10 to the pile. I started off with this one. On Papertrey's basic white, I stamped a BG stamp in Colorbox chalk green and added a strip of beige from my scrap pile. The sentiment is from SU, also stamped in chalk green. A few gold brads just to pop it a bit and I have a non-descript masc. card. I may make another one of these, maybe in chocolate chip?

Have a happy and safe week. Hugs & Blessings, Erica

The Limettes Challenge No. 10

2011-04-10T17:33:00.000-07:00

I just love the title for all who participate in the Less Is More challenges each week. Gotta admit though, it does sound a bit like a girl group from the 60s. Hmmm, if you are 50/60, you do remember the Ronettes, right. Now don't go asking me to post the words for any songs they sang. But let me tell ya' when they do come on the oldie station, I am blasting it and singing at the top of my lungs. So, here is my submission for Less Is More. where we were to make a one layer card with the sentiment the main focus. As usual, not too much bling. I used all Stampin' Up images. The bird is from Notably Ornate. Would you believe, I actually bought this set because I loved the bird more than anything else. The sentiment is from a large set (love the height of it), called Word Play. I feel like these two images are perfect for each other. I stamped on Papertrey Basic white...my fave white base cs and used Versifine Ink's midnight blue. There are three score lines spaced 1/4 inches apart under the sentiment and then 2 spaced the same running vertically. Pity I wasn't able to get them photographed properly, because, they do lend character to the card which did need a little something else. I added the crystal star in hopes this would help, but, as luck would have it, it is prettier IRL. LIM almost reached 300 last challenges last week. I think Mandi and Chrissie should have a bit of a celebration when they do....hint, hint.

It's an Eggstra Special Challenge from Simply Create

2011-04-08T18:17:00.000-07:00

At Simply Create, where I am a design team member, our leader has challenged us to make somethng with eggs on them. I coulda' just attempted to sketch a self-portrait, since I often do suffer from eggstritis, but instead I've opted to have fun with a card, since Easter is almost here and I do send out cards. I chose to use a digi image. These are becoming available quite frequently now. I still must learn how to better manipulate them. I am copying them all out on one page and then cutting what I need, which I know results in huge waste if I don't use the rest of the images. Gotta study up on it. I have You-Tubed plenty of instructions, so I just gotta find time.

So, here are the deets.

Recipe: Base is SU's garden green, the scalloped oval and MS punched border mat inside are SU's so saffron. White cs is good ole' WAMA Georgia Pacific.

The dsp was bought loose and is from the Paper Studio.

The bunny image, basket with eggs, eggs in the grass and sentiment, are all from Regina Easter at The Cutting Cafe. Regina has lots of digital images for Easter. In fact, she has lots of images period and she is the first digi on-line vendor I worked with. I'm always pleased with everything I get from her store.

Sorry, sounding like an ad, huh?

So, the flowers are from my stash, but the leaves, and fence are surely recognizable by Martha Stewart. I stamped the grass repeatedly with a tiny grass stamp, I've had in my stash forever. Then, I just cut around it to form blades. An oval punch for the sentiment and Nesties for the image, where I used the bunny and the "out of the box" technique for his ears. His little outfit is paper-pieced with dsp. The eggs in his basket are colored with "at you Spicas." The bunny is colored with Copics as is the basket. And there is sponging all over the card with Memento new sprout. The so saffron oval was dry embossed with a CB dots folder. I bought the ribbon at my LSS. Inside, the sentiment is done with a Nestie label shape and I cut out another egg to accent it. The shape of the card is called a criss cross card and instructions can be found in many places on You Tube. I got mine from Splitcoaststampers. What a weath of information they are. I had a ball designing and putting this card together. It's not my usual style, but I like how it turned out.

Hope all my readers have a great weekend and do try this challenge. You have two weeks to come up with a card. Also, please check out the my fellow DT's creations. I'm not the only newbie who has joined in on the fun. Blessings, Erica

Just Use Ink Challenge

2011-04-03T22:14:00.000-07:00

Hi legionnaires, I love 3D boxes. I enjoy making them and looking at other designers' work. This cute box had a template whose maker is not clearly identified. I copied the template out a while ago, so I can't give proper credit, but you see this style frequently. It can hold a little cello bag of Easter candies perfectly. I used Bazzil textured purple/blue cs. Used my Nestie for the squares. A little SU retired dsp and some lace from my stash. The cute image is from Penny Black's Garden Friends. On the lid are Michael's wedding flowers which I colored in Easter colors and added some liquid pearls to the center. I know it's difficult to see the top. I am too lazy to re-photo. I'm submitting this for the challenge at Just Use Ink to make a box or bag. Well, I hope your week gets off to a great start tomorrow. Hugs & Blessings, Erica

Early Bird for the Less Is More Challenge 9

2011-04-02T19:43:00.000-07:00

No way I'm gonna be late for the LIM challenge this time. Fortunately, my Saturday wasn't filled with stuff to do.

Here, I went with my usual white base. I've noticed that good quality really white cs is important when making cards requiring lots of white space to show. My Walmart Georgia Pacific won't do, so I use Papertrey's basic white. I love the weight and pure no-color. Various brands of ink I use all stamp true. That brings me to the ink used here, Marvy Matchables crimson for the CTMH Spot on Backgrounds, and for the sentiment, a Dollar stamp from Studio "G" stamped in Su's early espresso. This dye ink shows black IMO, which was not my intention, as I wanted a very dark brown as the name suggested. Oh, well, now I know, and so do you. I added one tiny red crystal in the flouish and what you probably can't see is the red Sakura gel pen I added to the center of each starburst.

This is such a fun challenge and I have some other ideas floating in my head. I'll bet there will be 2nd subsmissions from lots of other stampers.

Hugs & Blessings,
Erica

Less Is More Challenge 8

2011-04-01T14:44:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to get this post done since early this morning with no success. Could Blogger be getting an early start on the weekend? So LIM wants a longish card this week. Mine is 8 1/2 x 4 inches. I have incorporated several stamp companies here. The chair is from SU's Timeless Treasures, the oval acting as a rug, is from A Muse' Essential Ovals, the "faux lace" is from a bunch of stamps that I bought on-line and for cheap. Have you ever done that? It's kinda a grab bag. You can usually count on about 25% of them being usable. The rest you can give to the kiddos to play with. And finally, the saying is from Papertrey's On the Couch. I used a Nestie and did the out of the box technique to hang a bit of the rug out of the circle. My inks were Memento Potters Clay and Versafine Sepia vintage. I like this longish card, but you do have to think it thru and follow some basic rules, such as the rule of thirds. Ask me what it is and I'll link you to someone who can explain it far better than me. So have a good weekend and see you with my #2 weekend challenge submission. Hugs & Blessings, Erica

Edited to Add: I didn't make the deadline for submission. And, I still have my dog-gone UTI. I am considered, "older female with recurring UTIs...", for which very little can be done! I am not rushing to finish my other deadlines I gave myself. I will instead begin my DT work on my next Create Simply submission. I was rather disappointed with my first.

Mojo on a break

2011-04-01T02:21:00.000-07:00

Hi legionnaires, my mojo is not working well and I have several things on my mind that may be hampering me from doing the challenges I commited to. So, in the interest of not leaving you without something to critique, I am posting this card done with a Martha Stewart stencil I found. It's a lovely piece and when I finished embossing and then chalking, it was unfinished. I added my dollar Studio G butterfly to it and a simple sentiment. Colored the butterfly with Copics and used the same chalk on a Nestie square around the butterfly. I popped that up on a blue punched out label edged in white. Something was missing, so I added blue cs stamped in white dots. Still something missing, so on went some wide lace that I threaded some ribbon through. Finally, some three little dots of bling in the left corner. The end result...well, I can't say I'm in love with it, but it's a card I will add to my freebies pile. My dd goes through them periodically whenever she forgot to tell me to make something special for her. Hugs & Blessings, Erica

There's a New Kid on the Block

2011-03-28T10:46:00.000-07:00

Hey legionnaires. How's your Monday going? Beautiful weather in most of the country. Spring has sprung.

There’s a new challenge blog in town with articles, swaps, interviews, videos, challenges, great prizes and MORE! Check out Lily Pad Cards! [Link: http://www.lilypad.inlinkz.com/]. They have a weekly video too....luv that. The prizes offered are fabulous. Why not start your week off by entering? I did.

I plan on taking three challenges this week, Less Is More, Gina K's Sketch Spotlight and Mojo Monday. That's my plan and I'm sticking with it. So come back soon.

Hugs & Blessings,
Erica

First card as a DT member at Simply Create

2011-03-25T12:19:00.000-07:00

Hi legionnaires. Blogger is acting super weird this afternoon, so I'm keeping this post very short. It's not allowing me to save drafts, so forgive grammer, spelling, etc. I just wanted to let visitors know who come via Simply Create (see sidebar), the deets on the card.

Recipe: Base is SU Kraft (retired)
Mats are SU's cajun craze (new) and certainly celery
Mat with images are on SU confetti cream
Images from TLC Craft Companion
Sintiment from Juki-Kins (very old)
Button, twine & bling from my stash
Border punch is EK Success
Mats are embossed with the SU folder square lattice

Hopefully, things on Blogger will be greatly improved later this evening.

Cyber Hugs & Kisses
Erica

Less Is More Challenge #7

2011-03-23T16:25:00.000-07:00

Afternooon legionnaires. before I talk about my card, I have some fabulous exciting news to share. I was invited to be a member of the design team for Simply Create (blinkie to the right). When Trish H., lead designer, sent me an email, I think I re-read it 10 times and then got up and ran through the house shouting with joy. Well, those of you who have been given the honor of being a design team member realize most of the family just don't get it, but I know my fellow bloggers do, so smile a little for me. Simply Create is a no-hassle challenge blog. Challenges are issued once every other week and sponsors are only monthly so you take the challenge, because you enjoy what you do, without trying to be rewarded.

On to my last card for the masculine themed Less Is More challenge here.
I think sympathy cards for a man to give or receive are among the most difficult to design.

This past Saturday, I took a class with Ken Pesho. He is an instructor for Stampscapes, a rubber stamp company specializing in scenic stamps. Ever heard of them? I thoroughly enjoyed myself and learned a great deal and of course, armed myself with some beautiful images from the stamp line. I wanted to use one of them, but, of course, it couldn't be a "scene" since we have to have white space on our card. After looking through some saved cards, I came across this sketch and I just knew it would work. I don't think I need to actually credit any particular designer, as I've only used the sketch. I stamped with Memento tuxedo black and sponged with my "finger spongy thingie" in blue, green and butterscotch, to achieve the shading. I added some little white marks with a Signo white gel pen. Michelle Zindorf...queen of brayering, does this frequently. So I'm pleased with my last card and I'm ready for next weeks' challenge....sorta, after I clean my craft room. I'm sure design team members alway have nice neat areas to create in.

Don't forget to come back and visit Thursday PM, and check-out my very first Simply Create card as a DT member. And a shout-out to Janice at Scrappin To Stay Sane who urged me to try more challenges. Super Hugs to dear friend.

Cyber Hugs and TGIW
Erica

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Wacky Arizona Weather

2011-03-23T04:51:00.000-07:00

Hi legionnaires. Kinda chilly today and raining yesterday. By Thursday, it'll be in the 80s. But I'm thinkin' spring and my head is in the clouds....more aobut that tomorrow.

This cute hedgie image and the sentiment are from Penny Black. Lots of springtime cs and ds papers. The sentiment is on a Taylored Expressions banner die. Banners are all the rage in case you haven't noticed. A pretty bow, bling, and Prima flower remind me that spring really does come first. Oh, and that's Rangers baby blue Pearls down the left side, just to make it pop a bit. I colored in pencils and blender pen. I don't do hedgies and mice with Copics very well. BTW, there are new markers (new to me) on the block...apparently very popular in Great Britain, similar to Copics, but a steal in price by comparison. They are Promarkes and can be found at CarpeDiem and Blick Art Supply. SCS' Newsletter had a forum last week comparing them to Copics.. Might be worth it for me to invest in a set of 12...just to see ya' know.

Hugs & Blessings,
Erica

Less Is More Week #7

2011-03-20T15:27:00.000-07:00

Happy Sunday legionnaires.
It's kinda gloomy outside but the temperatures are in the 70s and I have my corned beef, cabbage and potatos in my pressure cooker. I'll be making some sweet cornbread to go with and then I'll have apple pie for dessert. Sounds delish, huh? Well, honestly, the pie might not get made...depends on how long I stay reading blogs, a pastime I indulge in far toooo much. Ah, I am doing what I love and lovng what I do.

So Less Is More is asking for a masculine card today and we can have minimal layers. I'm glad since I feel this image needed a layer to anchor it...groan!! And, isn't the sentiment appropro both in its font and its masculine meaning. After all, don't men always do what they ~~want~~ love? Actually, I hope I come across this saying, by PrintWorksCollection, with a more feminine font, else, I'll have to make one on my own. The anchor is called Textured Anchor by Stampabilities. I really like the size of it. My card base is SU's Blue Bayou (retired) and the ink used is Rubber Monger Steel Blue. I don't think they are in business any longer. Thank goodness I have a refill. I used an SU corner punch also. I would give this to a man who liked sailing or fishing. On the inside, I'd probably use a very simple Happy Birthday stamp. Congratulations would also work well.

I have another idea floating around in my head, so another post will be coming in the middle of the week.

I'm so happy for Less Is More. So many talented designers have found there way to this challenging blog.

Hugs & Blessings,
Erica

A collage card

2011-03-18T23:42:00.000-07:00

I am not a collage card type. Now that's not to say that I don't know a gorgeous one when I see it. And every once in a while I will make an attempt to design one. I bought a small designer mat pad by K&Company and because the pages are intensely flowery, you can't just do anything you want. Clean and simple won't work...at least I haven't discovered a way to make it work. But I was desperate to use at least one mat today. So I chose that flowery one...poppies maybe and a scrap in black and beige I had on my desk. Then I had to find a stamp. TPC's Vintage Bird Cages was right in front of me. Just stamping it was not gonna do, so I stamped in Encore gold and embossed with a fine gold powder by Ranger. Very satisfied so far.I found just the right Nestie to frame my bird cage.

Now here's where I ran into trouble. I started with a black card base. I needed neutral. But there needed to be a mat that was 1/4 inch smaller all-around to top the mat. Ahhh, well how about a newsprint in black & white. The print I used is fine if you can resist reading it. It's about bringing up kitty and right there at the top is all about pesticides, weedkillers and rat bait. Not very good reading and I don't see how you could avoid reading some of it if you see this card. I tried faux stitching hoping to draw the eye quickly away from the words. Not very effective, huh? So legionnaires, in spite of all the other design elements on this card, I am disappointed with it. Any suggestions for a newsprint that has easy on the eye storylines either digi, or a large stamp, will be greatly appreciated. I believe Hero Arts may make one. Going to my LSS tomorrow for a class and they have Hero, so I'll be on the hunt.

Oh, and the blue flower is handmade by moi. It is made from a paper towel cut into a scallop and spritzed with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist...that stuff does come in handy in sometimes. I have an excellent tute link should anyone want it.

Well everyone, have a great weekend. I still need to clean my room up.

Hugs & Blessings,
Erica

My Cupcakes

2011-03-17T14:21:00.000-07:00

Good afternoon legionnaires. I have accomplished absolutely nothing today. Well, I did eat breakfast and now it's lunchtime. I stayed in my PJs all day. I did find a great tute by Heidi Blankenship (her first, hopefully, not her last) on how to make flowers with a scallop Nestie. And then wonders upon wonders, I made a few. Most of the time, I download vides never to be returned to again. I know...sad, huh? And I can't even say they're for when I retire, since I already am! I even did a bit of experimenting of my own with pleasing results. Soo, I'll have to hustle after lunch. I have to make a banana cream pie, write a letter to my 88 yr. old aunt back east., and alas, clean my stamp room which is a total shambles. Dinner will be leftovers.

So here is an easel calendar. And these are my chocolate and vanilla cupcakes. They are my grands, Melea and Sienna and are 6 months apart. This pic was all I wanted for last Mothers' Day. Since my vanilla one is in CA, and mom is ridicously busy, it took some doing. But I love our photo, so I put it to good use and sent it on to CA. I had plans to make lots more of these, but, well, you know....the best laid plans of woman. Anywho, it was easy peasy and fun to make. I get to have my little family together for Easter and since the last time we were together was T-Day, I'm excited. I am so very blessed.
Hugs and Blessings to You.
Erica