Is it Christmas already?

Well, no, it isn't, thankfully! However, it has gotten me in the mood, so to speak! I did yesterday's and today's cards with Christmas Magnolias to send to my rain group recipients. I've been diligently trying to practice with my copics, and I do see some improvements. It's all trial and error, I suppose. I often find that the texture that I create with shadows and such doesn't always translate well through the picture (especially my low level current camera...can't wait to buy my new one!).

It was fun to bring out some items in my craft room that I hadn't used yet! My friend gave me these wonderful felt poinsettias by Hero Arts, and the ribbon is this lovely silver satin. The background paper that I cut with the Creative Memories oval shape is actually a silver metallic that shines ever so nicely in person! The paper is Wassail by Basic Grey, and I still love it!!

Card Details:

Stamps: Tilda with wreath by Magnolia (an image that was borrowed)

Paper: Wassail by Basic Grey; Garden Green and Cranberry Crisp by Stampin' Up; Silver metallic by unknown maker

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Angel Wings Shimmerz; CM oval cutting system; Scalloped ovals by Nestabilities; Felt Poinsettias by Hero Arts; Ribbon by Waste Not Paper

Copics: BV000, Y11, Y21, R24, R27, R29, E00, E02, E13, E18, E33, G12, G14, G17, G21, G24, G28

Christmas in July, Flutterby Style!

Sorry for the late post...it's been very insane here for the past week. My husband was out of town, and the morning he left, our house was broken into. They took my good camera (among other things), so I apologize for the quality of the picture. It is taken with my point and shoot, so it takes a little getting used to! We are fine, but we are really angry...I still am baffled that others make a living off stealing from other people's homes. Enough said!

Today's Flutter By Wednesday challenge is to use a butterfly or fairy and use no designer paper. This was really difficult for me, and I knew that I had to involved texture to give it more interest. Ann, you kicked my butt with this challenge, but I am so glad because I like the way my card came out. If you get a chance to play along, please link up your creation on Danni's blog with Mr. Linky! We'd love to see it!!

Card Details:
Stamps: Tilda by Magnolia (can't remember the name of her!)
Paper: Night of Navy, Shimmer, and Bashful Blue cardstock by Stampin' Up
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Silver Bells Shimmerz; Labels Four by Nesties; SU organdy ribbon
Copics: E00, E02, R20, BV000, B12, B14, B16, T2, T4, E31, E33, Y11, Y21, R21, R22, C1

She's Causing a Scene!!

I'm so sorry that you haven't seen me around of late...I think I put myself on somewhat of a stamping sabbatical. There has been a lot going on around here. None of it has been bad, just busy and a little scattering to the brain. Also, after doing the copic certification class, I wasn't able to practice like I wanted (a vacation got in the way), and I kept looking at my markers with fear. Call it performance anxiety, I don't know!! I finally sat down with them last night and started playing with all of them. I'm rusty on the techniques, but I think I've conquered my fear. I know that probably sounds a little weird to some of you, but that seems to be the only way I can explain it. Also, I had to really think about why I make cards and like doing it. Tryout after tryout after rejection after rejection for design teams can get a little daunting and well, very disappointing. So, my soul searching made me realize that I need to do this for me, at least for a while. The Flutter By challenge has always been a lifesaver for me! I'm going to be getting back on my challenge kick, and I've got a million Magnolia cards that need to be made. Instead of just collecting these stamps and supplies, I need to use them! Viva la cards!!

Enough of my mindless chatter...it's Flutter By Wednesday, and we had one humdinger of a challenge this week!! Heather, who's cards almost defy description they are so detailed and amazing, chose the theme of creating a scene with a butterfly and/or fairy and using little or no designer paper (yes, you can use some!). I decided to go with the no designer paper at all. I used stamps, sponges, and nesties to create my scene. I have three pictures for you so that you can see some of the detail. I tried my best with the cutting, but these are some seriously detailed images! The bunnies and flower are from an adorable set called Stinkin' Cute by Firecracker Designs by Pamela. The fairy is from an Inkadinkadoo clear set. The grass in the forefront is a stamp from Savvy Stamps. For the clouds, I used a cloud template and Cool Caribbean ink on the different sizes of Labels Four nesties. I wanted clouds, but with the stair step card, there isn't a lot of height unless you create it!

I used my new techniques on the coloring of the bunnies, flower, and fairy, but I think you can see more detail on the fairy image. The stickles set off the wings a bit more, and there are Martha Stewart punched butterflies. (that woman punches butterflies...how mean!)

We'd love to have you join us for the Flutter By challenge this week...it was a great awakening for me. Thank you to all who read and comment on my blog. I read every comment, and it is uplifting to hear your words of encouragement and praise. I hope you have survived the confession of my existential crisis and know that I'm back on track!! Have a fabulously fluttering day! Stop by Danni's blog and leave your creation via Mr. Linky (if he's MIA, leave me a link here or in Danni's comments!)

Card Details:

Stamps: Grass by Savvy Stamps; Stinkin' Cute by FCD; Beautiful Fairies by Inkadinkadoo

Paper: Wild Wasabi by Stampin' Up; Georgia Pacific white

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Nesties Labels 4; Rosie's Roadshow cloud template; Stickles; Martha Stewart butterfly punch

Copic Markers: Seriously way too many to list, and I forgot to...sorry!!

Running around like a butterfly with its wing cut off...

Alright, bad visual, but that is what I am feeling like, so I thought I would throw in the plug for this week's awesome Flutter By Wednesday challenge. Cathy, one of our very talented design team members, chose this week's challenge to be a color combo--pink and brown. I love this combo, and I tried to keep it strictly those two colors (don't worry, you don't have to do that!!). Just make sure that you include either a butterfly and/or a fairy on your card, then upload to Mr. Linky on Danni's blog, so that we can all see your creation!

I'm still having a hard time finding my way back to crafting. I've been trying to declutter my house, and I think I have also decided it's time to declutter my brain. Is that even possible? Do you ever have that slump where you just don't feel like being creative? I admire the people that plug along and make multiple cards, but I'm a girl who needs to be inspired. I guess my brain is still on vacation.

Card Details:

Stamps: One of a Kind and Priceless by Stampin' Up

Paper: Eva by Basic Grey; Close to Cocoa and Chocolate Chip by Stampin' Up

Ink: Chocolate Chip and Versamark

Accessories: SU brown embossing powder; Nesties Curved Rectangles; SU scalloped circle and oval punches; Fiskars 1 1/2 inch circle punch; SU oval punch; Basic Grey Bling; SU ribbon slide; brown grosgrain ribbon

Christmas in July!!

Just a quick post today...still trying to get back into my stamping groove! I just walk into my craft room and stare at the stuff! YIKES! I hate it when that happens. I've been trying to get the rest of my house in order, so everything else has taken a bit of a back seat! I have also been taking a break from the computer...very little blurfing and commenting, so I am sorry! I'll be better soon!

This card was for my stamp club swap this month, which was a Christmas in July theme! I just love the Snow Swirled set from Stampin' Up. It begs to be embossed, so I unearthed my embossing supplies and went to it!

Card Details:
Stamps: Snow Swirled by Stampin' UP
Paper: Night of Navy, Bashful Blue and Bashful Blue DSP by Stampin' Up
Ink: Silver Encore; Versamark
Accessories: SU Oval and Scalloped Oval punches; SU Navy organdy ribbon; SU Winter White EP

Buttons and Bows and Butterflies!

Hello all our Flutter by fans! Today is Wednesday, and it is another fun challenge with the Flutter by team! Today's challenge is from our talented team member, Michelle. She has challenged us to use buttons and bows with our butterflies and/or fairies this week! It's time to dig through those drawers and find the buttons! I hope you can visit the other team members' blogs to see their creations...then, upload to Danni's blog with Mr. Linky! One of our team members, Jodi, is celebrating a birthday today!! Also, sorry for the late addition...this post was scheduled, but I am finally back home! We have a new member to add to our team, and her name is Taylor! I hope you will visit her blog and give her a big welcome!

With no stamping on this card, you would've thought it would be easy to make. Well, you know when you have a visual in your head of what the card should be and you just take a long time executing it? Yep, that happened to me. I actually spent two days, on and off, on this card. I think the main snag was the metallic thread in my sewing machine. I wanted to use the thread, but I don't think I had the right needle. I'll have to get one better suited for metallic thread. And, can I just tell you that sewing around those small flowers isn't easy. I swear that my stitching is usually much better than that! One fun thing...I did get to use my new Basic Grey paper, Lemonade that I snagged at Archivers at the end of June. It is really gorgeous paper!

Card Details:
Stamps: None (can you believe it?)
Paper: Lemonade by Basic Grey; Kiwi Kiss, Rose Red and Pink Pirouette by SU
Ink: Rose Red for edges
Accessories: Nesties Flower; sewing machine; pink and pink metallic thread; McGill Build a Butterfly punch; buttons; Coffee Shimmerz; satin ribbon

Owl Be There

This card was actually a good way to use up scraps! That's ironic because making scrappy log cabin quilts is a good way to use up scraps of fabric! I thought making a log cabin block out of Basic Grey paper would be fun! I had to make this card big to be able to show an accurate view of the block. The part that was tricky was finding scraps from various BG papers in lights and darks that coordinated well. Sometimes, the different packs don't have enough darks, and then the colors in the different lines don't always coordinate! Who would have thought that using scraps would be so difficult!! This really ended up being a fun card to put together. I had wanted to stitch around the different papers, but I decided against it because it would've gotten just a little too busy for my taste! This is a cute set by The Greeting Farm called Deer Friends.

Card Details:

Stamps: Deer Friends by The Greeting Farm

Paper: Assorted Basic Grey; Old Olive, Summer Sun, Tangerine Tango, and Chocolate Chip by Stampin' Up

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: SU Word Window punch; SU Twill tape; Marvy Uchida scalloped oval punches

Copics: E33, G24, YR04, E18

Happy Fourth of July!!

I hope you are all enjoying your Fourth of July...we are at a picnic, I'm sure (sorry, scheduled post!!). I love visiting my old stomping grounds in the summer!! It is always great to catch up with family members and friends. The Fourth of July always used to be my favorite holiday, especially with the fireworks and picnics. When I was younger, my family owned a campground, and there were always a million kids around on this holiday. Swimming in the pool and buying candy at the candy store were definite highlights, but I always loved that my dad would take us to see the fireworks in nearby Warren, PA. Magical! I miss those simple days. Now, all I think about is how late my kid will be up for them!! Anyway, enjoy your holiday and celebrate the birth of our glorious country!

Card Details:

Stamps: Here for the Party by DRS Designs

Paper: Brilliant Blue, Yoyo Yellow, and Real Red DSP by Stampin' Up

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Mello Yellow Blingz by Shimmerz; Quickutz stars

Copic: RV29, R00, R01, B12, B29, Y02, Y08, E21, E25

A Cup of Smiles

Another fun tri-shutter card!! I actually made this back in May for a DT call, so I haven't posted it until now! I love the way it came out, especially the colors! I used the gorgeous Porcelain paper from Basic Grey and a very adorable set from The Greeting Farm called Cup of Stuff. The little mouse is absolutely precious!! This is a quick post today!!

Card Details:

Stamps: Cup of Stuff by The Greeting Farm

Paper: Porcelain by Basic Grey; Certainly Celery and Barely Banana by Stampin' Up

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Scor-Pal; Marvy Uchida Scalloped Oval punch; SU craft knife; SU oval punch; Labels 4 Nesties; Rhinestone stickers; SU ticket corner punch

Copics: R11, R21, Y11, YG13, W2, W4

The Birthday Boy!

I wanted to get just the right angle on this picture for you to be able to see the shimmerz that I used. I swear sometimes I do acrobatics trying to take pictures!! Funny! This is my first scheduled post for while I'm away, so I hope that it works!! This is a card that I made a while ago, but I saved it for the express purpose of when Meredith and I were visiting my friends and family in New York State. This is another Cutie Pie kid from DRS Designs, and he is darling! The paper is from the Dollar Spot at Target!!

Card Details:
Stamps: Best Present Ever (Cutie Pie Kids) by DRS Designs; Riveting by Stampin' Up
Paper: Target $ Spot paper; Yoyo yellow, Real Red, and Tempting Turquoise by Stampin' Up
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black and Real Red by Stampin' Up
Accessories: Nesties Labels One; SU circle punches
Copic: R00, R01, E25, E57, R29, Y11, YR02, YR04, B16, B34, B37

Flutter By Simplicity

This really is a simple card for me! No fancy embellishments...just a little texture. I just love this color combo, so it was a keeper!! Today is Wednesday, and it is Flutter By Wednesday!! So many of you are playing with us, so it is always a pleasure to see so many new cards on Mr. Linky on Danni's blog. It's a butterfly revolution! This week was an open challenge, and I know my other team mates would love to have you visit their creations (links located on the left side bar!). This week we also have a wonderful guest designer...Carolyn Bounds. She has an awesome blog, and I love the name she chose for it!!

Card Details:

Stamps: Kind Thoughts by Stampin' Up

Paper: Baja Breeze, Pink Pirouette, and Choc. Chip by Stampin' Up

Ink: Baja Breeze and Choc. Chip by Stampin' Up

Accessories: SU Sizzix Top Note die; sponges; Cuttlebug embossing folder