Black Patent Heart

I made this card for the Double "D" Challenge - black-and-white-and-party-continues.  I don't think I have ever made a black and white card.  But the Double "D"s Design Team has really inspired me. Plus the prizes are pretty awesome.

I started out with some pattern paper that I purchased from Hobby Lobby's open stock.

I scanned the patterned paper and brought the image into the Silhouette Studio, extracted one of the "Love", enlarged it then cut it with some glossy black paper.  I needed the design cut to stand out a little more so I traced it and used the offset tool then cut it on white.

This card shape is one of my favorites.  I layered the scalloped frames with dimensional foam dots. The beautiful black heart is the finishing touch.  In this case a "Black Heart" is a good thing. 

Recollection's gloss black from Boo Paper Pad

Paper Studion patterned paper

White Cardstock

Penny Black Heart Die

Spellbinders Label Dies (I don't know the correct name)

foam dimensionals

Silhouette Cameo

Double "D"  Black & White Only Challenge

Hello Color!

Yup!  I did it and I might do it again.  I got all crazy and used some pretty wild paper. 

The Stamp is Penny Black's Centerpiece.  I can't say this was a fast card to make.  I can color forever on a piece and I  find it so relaxing.  Then there's the other thing with the paper.  You would never believe how many times I start a project and I pull out my modest stash and end up not using one small piece.  For this card, I even had my "safe" gingham out.  I just threw caution to the wind.

What's next?  Pink hair?

Stamp:  Penny Black Centerpiece

Spellbinder die, Majestic Squares

Memory Box die. Hello

Paper:  Cosmo Cricket, Salt Air

Bling it on!

I am having so much fun with these Christmas cards, that I wondering if I will ever be able to do anything but Christmas again. I am entering my newest fun time in Simply Less is Moore Challenge - A Bit of Bling.

So do you see the bling?  I embossed the Penny Black ornament with Stampendous Marcasite embossing powder and added some jewels. The doves are also from Penny Black.  They are actually one stamp, but I glittered, cut them out and popped them up.  "Peace On Earth"" is from River City Rubber Works. The silver embossed DP that I used for matting is by The Paper Company.

That's all for now.  Have a great tomorrow. 

Hello My Friends

Life has once again gotten in the way of my card making. I've been super busy.  I thought things were suppose to start slowing down when you get older.  I'd retire, but I like to shop. But then if I keep working, I don't have as much time for card making. (And it takes me a long time to make one card).  So this is what I fussed over most of the afternoon.  Then I take the picture and it shows all my imperfections.

I probably should have gone back and blended her face a little, but that's about the time something horrible would go wrong. Sometimes it's that last touch up will get you.

This stamp is from Penny Black, and the "Merry & Bright " is from Paper Trey Ink.  I colored her with Copics and shaded with Prisma pencil and Gamsol.  I used an oval Spellbinders die, and a Martha Stewart punch for the back. The little snowflakes are from an AccuCut die.

I hope it isn't another whole week before I post again.

Penny Black Christmas in July Challenge

I could make Christmas cards all year long, and some do.  I just kind of like wait, because it puts me in that "Happy Place" when it's 15 Deg. with a wind chill of -15 Deg and the sun hasn't shown for days. Can you tell, I really like Winter?
Well, I ran across this challenge at Buttons for Brains (cute name). So I am entering this Penny Black's Christmas in July Challenge.

This is poinsettia is "Winter Glow" and I think I've used this every year since I purchased it. I'ts a large stamp, so there not a lot of layout variations, but there are many ways to display the flower. The sentiment is Stampabilities. I used Copics and Stickles for the center of the flower.  Both punches are from Martha Stewart and the DP is K&Company.

Now that I've got the itch, I won't want to stop making Christmas cards. And of course, that means more shopping.

Say if with flowers

So finally I have a challenge to enter.. Penny Black Saturday Challenge is "Say It With Flowers". Well that's not hard at all and I knew right away what stamp I wanted to use.

Can you see the Martha Stewart glitter I used on the flower and wings? This stamp is Penny Black Bee Costume. (As if this cat could really disguise himself.) The sentiment is from Verve Stamps. I did some paper piecing and matted him on black with some saddle stitch ribbon. The paper is from my scrap bin.

Here's wishing everyone a fabulous week. 

Hello There!

So where have I been?  I was sucked into black hole where there is no creative thinking.  Honestly, I tried so hard, but the harder I tried, the more went into my wastebasket.  Take for instance this little guy? Super cute stamp right? He has gone through so many transformations the last couple of days, it's a wonder he made it.

And talk about creativity! I just sat and just stared at my computer for about five minutes just thinking of a title for this posting. And see what I came up with?



 This gorgeous K&Company paper is the the perfect back drop for this cute Penny Black stamp.
I colored this little sweetie and his friend with Copics. The die I used is from Die-namics.

Hearts & Hugs

I had a great day. First lunch with Sherri, then a quick stop to Michaels.  Who has a freind that would give you her only 1/2 off coupon?  I do!  She is the best!   Then we spent the afternoon making cards at her house. But not before her cat Brady, got some loving. Her cat is so darn cute.  This Penny Black cat is almost as cute.

 And look! I stitched!

Jeanie, The Spotted Chick, had this great tutorial on stitched cards.  It's not real straight, but maybe after I've done it a few times I'll improve.  

Stamp is Penny Black which I colored with Copics.  The paper is S.E.I.

Crazy4Challenges C4C69

Lately inspiration comes in the form of challenges.  I love this stamp from Penney Black.  It reminds me of my only sister and how she took care of me when I was little. She is the sweetest sister. The Challenge is color. You can see the inspiration photo here.

Here is a  closeup to show off the pearls and the jewels on the tips of the camisole. 

I used Copics, pencil and Gamsol and cut it out with a Spellbinders die. The paper is from my scrap bin, and I don't remember the name.

OMG!!

I am a Krafty Chick!  Can you believe it? I've already done my happy dance. (Good thing I can't post that)!

Well a big thanks to Jeanie for all her encouragement. I wish I were a little more "krafty" with how I express myself. All I can say is OMG! OMG! If you visit the the very talented Jeanie at  The Spotted Chick you will know what an honor this is.

Penny Black Autumnal Gifts Cling Stamp

This is my only other Thanksgiving Card.  I can't believe I've only made two so far.  Fall colors are my favorite.

I used Copics and pencil with gamsol.  Added just a hint of Stickles to the wheat. I used a Spellbinders label die and then matted it with a Martha Stewart punch.