Always on my Mind...you little bug, you!

Hello, ladies!! I trust you all had great weekends!! Mine was somewhat relaxing, and I did get a little crafting time in there! This little guy is a cute little image from Rusty Pickle Digital Delights, and I had a lot of fun coloring him and playing around with the layout of this card. I knew that I wanted to cut him out, so I had to think of a background. I used my brayer to create the look of a pond, and I used a fun little stamp from Savvy Stamps to give me the grassy look. Then, what to do about a sentiment. Well, I cracked up when I found this one...a little play on words because we know how much frogs "love" bugs!

We are in the works of coming up with some fun challenges for you all for the Rusty Pickle Digital Delights...stop on over to the blog because Michelle is always giving something away and adding great new images for sale!

These are the Copic colors that I used...sorry that the Ciaos don't have numbers on the ends of them...I used G94 and G99, I believe!

Card Details:

Stamps: Frog by Rusty Pickle Digital Delights; Grass from Savvy stamps

Paper: Glossy White, Soft Suede, Soft Sky cardstock all by Stampin' Up

Ink: Soft Sky, Blue Bayou, Soft Suede, Old Olive by Stampin' Up

Accessories: Copics (as shown above); brayer; sponges; SU oval and scalloped oval punches; SU rubons; 1/2 inch and 3/4 inch circle punches; SU soft suede ribbon

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!!

Hooray for the Red, White, and Blue!

This week's Flutter By Wednesday challenge from Danni was to use the colors red, white, and blue on our cards with a butterfly or fairy, of course. To play along, just create your card and link it up to Danni's post using Mr. Linky...it is fun to see everyone's creations!

I was able to accomplish two things this week: conquer my fear of using my sewing machine on my cards and using this awesome shimmery patriotic paper by Reminisce! I was able to do both, and I felt that because I was honored to be the featured team member this week that I ought to make two cards. I guess I'm always overcompensating!! Oh well...they just came together this week. And, they are super simple cards!

Card Details:
Stamps: Butterfly by Savvy Stamps; Celebrate Everything by Stampin' Up
Paper: Brilliant Blue and Whisper White by Stampin' UP
Ink: Silver Encore; Real Red by Stampin' Up
Accessories: Red thread for sewing machine (used free motion foot); Royal Red Shimmerz

My second card today started simply enough, but I had to add a few elements to make it all come together. The sentiment is stamped on twill, and it is sewn in a zig zag stitch to the navy grosgrain behind it. The grosgrain is only a little wider, so it doesn't show up as much. The paper that the butterfly is cut out of has the words to the Star Spangled Banner printed on it. So many friends, stamping and otherwise, have loved ones in the military at this time that I thought this was a tribute to them.

Card Details:

Stamps: Sentiment by Paper Makeup Stamps

Paper: Patriotic designer paper by Reminisce

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: SU twill; Navy Grosgrain; Nesties Labels One; Quickutz Butterfly die (for the Revolution); Red rhinestone stickers

Thanks for stopping by today...hope you can play along with the challenge with us this week!!! And, if you have the chance, wish my stamping/blogging/mommy friend Dawn a happy birthday on her blog!