A Herd of Smooches

Last night I had the opportunity to watch my chorus rehearsal via a private Periscope. Twas very cool, I must say. I was able to go about and do what I had to do, and not miss a minute of the singing. Unlike with Facetime/Skype, the sounds from my driving, or the dogs barking, or talking to Princess A, did not transmit to them and cause disruption. Awesome!

As a thank you to the one who made it all possible, I whipped up this little Smooches card. I could only use one layer for the card, so I stamped many layers of cows.  

The theme and the Paper Smooches stamps were chosen because today starts a new challenge over on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog, which I found completely by accident while searching something else.

Serendipity I think.
Or is it kismet?
















Card Details:

Image: Paper Smooches, Stampendous

Sentiment: Paper Smooches

Cardstock: Hammermill, SU

Ink: Memento, Tim Holtz Distress Ink
Coloring: Copics

Tools: Homemade masks

Embellies: Unknown ribbon

Christmas Critters, Sorta

I cannot resist buying cute critter stamps, and I have to hold myself back from overloading on Holiday images, so I was sure I had piles of Christmas Critters. Turns out, I don't. Lots and lots of wintery ones, but only one or two that are clearly Christmassy. One was too small, and the other too large. In true Goldilocks fashion, I chose a winter one that is just right. The size anyway; hopefully the hostess will like it for the holiday, too. 

Perhaps they are watching Santa load his sleigh...















Card Details:

Image: Stampendous

Sentiment: N/A

Cardstock: Hammermill, SU, SU dp

Ink: Memento
Coloring: Copics

Tools: Nestabilities, Mini Snowflakes Lawn Cuts die

Embellies: Gelly Roll glitter pen, Liquid Applique, unknown ribbon
Special Thanks to Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2 (#2-74)

Serene Grace

I joined a new swap over on SCS. It is a monthly themed swap, using Stampin Up! stamps primarily. Sounds fun, right? First theme was released yesterday and it is "Serene Grace". Huh. Makes my brain go to something religious. But that is not my style at all. I do not own a single religious stamp, nor do I wish to. (ok, that is not completely true, I own one. It was a gift for my sister in order to make a gift for my brother cuz the image was so close to a quilt she had made for him. Ironically, neither of them are religious either)

I googled "serene" and I googled "graceful" and came up with a great idea. Only problem? My image would not be SU. Back to the drawing board. Keeping my google results in mind, I opened drawer after drawer of stamps, and an idea struck. And every single stamp in it was the right brand!

Kind of mellows you right out, doesn't it?




















Card Details:

Image: SU

Sentiment: SU

Cardstock: Hammermill, SU, vellum

Ink: Versamark, Tim Holtz Distress Ink, Memento
Coloring: N/A

Tools: water mister, 1/16" hole punch

Embellies: White embossing powder, white brads

Favorite Things Birthday

Though I have completed at least one challenge per week, I have not had the time to blog them before the challenge expires. But I have a couple more hours today to get this one entered. (I think)

The bass in my quartet recently posted a pic on Facebook similar to this:

Who knows? It may have even been this one; I cannot remember exactly.










For her birthday last week, I remembered her post and made this card:

Tuesday Morning Sketches (#297) provided the inspiration. The scraps on my desk from a recent project provided everything else. (Except the image, of course)














Card Details:

Image: Stampendous

Sentiment: N/A

Cardstock: Hammermill, SU, unknown dp

Ink: Memento
Coloring: Copics

Tools: Fiskars Paper Crimper

Embellies: N/A

Happy 50th Birthday, Joe!

Another big event at our chorus retreat, was a celebration of the 50th birthday of our coach, Joe Connelly. I needed to make a card that was roomy enough for everyone to sign, and was special enough to double as a "gift"

Here is what I created:

I used images of items from his childhood (well, except for the big-wheeled bicycle) and followed a sketch from Freshly Made Sketches (#177)

 The inside is an exploding box with a cupcake in the center. It is supposed to be a cupcake anyway, but I had attached the base to the base of the card before I realized I had forgotten to run it through my crimper; it does not have that cupcake wrapper feel, but I was not about to take it apart to fix. 

The images from the outside of the card were stamped inside with Versamark, so it would not be so plain, but would not impede signatures. 

The frosting is embossed and the candle is a drinking straw. The flame was made by tying different lengths of orange ribbon and securing them with a brad (so they would not shift) then stuffing all of that into the straw. 

Other than the crimping mistake, I am quite pleased with how this came out. 








Card Details:

Image: SU

Sentiment: SU

Cardstock: Bazzill, SU, unknown dp

Ink: Memento, Versamark
Coloring: N/A

Tools: Nestabilities, embossing folder, unknown brad

Embellies: unknown ribbon, drinking straw

Baby (Doctor) Who

At our Retreat, my chorus had a baby shower for one of our members. I was asked to provide a card for everyone in the chorus to sign. The soon-to-be mommy is a HUGE sci-fi geek. She loves all things Star Wars, Star Trek, Doctor Who, etc, but how do you get any of that into a baby card? 

It took me several days, but I finally stumbled upon an idea. I used the phone booth from the SU set, 'Feeling Sentimental', to produce a Tardis. By googling "Tardis images", I found a background I could recreate.

Coming soon from a Galaxy near You...

I sliced around the edges and adhered it to a panel underneath, using Velcro to keep it closed. Underneath, the image of the baby on the moon seemed just right for my sci-fi theme.

 

 

The next Doctor!

The whole card then opens up for everyone to sign. The party was great fun, and I am proud to say my card was a hit!













Card Details:

Image: SU, PSX

Sentiment: Made with individual unknown letters

Cardstock: SU, GP

Ink: Memento, Kaleidacolor
Coloring: Copics

Tools: Reinkers and alcohol, cotton balls, SU punch, Velcro

Embellies: Embossing powder, unknown ribbon, unknown brads

Singing in the Rain

It poured yesterday, it rained more today, and tomorrow it is going to snow. So much for that "in like a lion, out like a lamb" thing.

Linda's May/June theme in the 'Hood is posted, so I figured I may as well make it. I don't know why I did not work on the swaps that are due sooner, especially as I know exactly what I am going to do with them, but that is the way it works sometimes. 

Ok, so back to Linda...
She wanted us to "make a card that represents some activity you love to do outdoors", I assume in the summer. 

As you may or may not know, I am allergic to the sun. I spend all summer in long sleeves and capri pants; No shorts and tee shirts for me... except when it rains. I love those overcast days!

I am sure Riley is singing as he stomps in those puddles; I know I would be.


 






I do not think I have ever done this before, but I am entering this card in multiple challenges:

Freshly Made Sketches (#179) - Thank you for the sketch
Loves Rubberstamps Challenge Blog (#144) - Create Your Own Background (not only the trees; if you look closely, you can see the yellow panel is streaked to simulate rain falling - did you notice it is falling in the same direction as the drops in the image?)
Crafting When I Can (#90) - Favorite Hobby or Activity




Card Details:

Image: Riley and Company, Cover-a-Card

Sentiment: N/A

Cardstock: Hammermill, GP, SU

Ink: Memento
Coloring: Copics

Tools: Nestabilities, Cover-a-Card

Embellies: unknown ribbon