Celebrate the Journey...SWSK Challenge #8!

EDIT: I am not sure why...just not paying close enough attention or maybe I need my eyes checked but I mistakenly thought this sketch was from Gabi but it is in actual fact designed by the talented Moni. soooo sorry Moni,smile!

Well, I feel a little guilty blog hoping and stamping when I have so many things to do before we go to Vegas but I just couldn't resist this sketch or my new Sarah Kay stamps, smile!!! I found this new challenge blog, Stamp with Sarah Kay, from Jacqui who left a lovely comment on my blog. When I went to visit Jacqui's fabulous blog I saw that she is on the DT for SWSK Challenge blog. That is when I saw this fabulous sketch by Moni and knew I had give it a go!
Don't you just love it when inspiration hits and everything falls together nicely. well that is what happened with this sketch! It was such fun making this card and it came together so quickly too, bonus! I will definitely use it again and definitely participate in the SWSK challenges again!!!

So, in between laundry and packing I made this card. It helps that my hubby and son have been away this weekend...just me and Hannah, hangin' out.....nice and quiet!!!

Well, I must say I am very happy with this card. These Sarah Kay stamps are definitely bringing out the best in me, if I do say so myself. It isn't hard they are soooo beautiful and stamp so crisp...love that!

For this card I made the base 6X6 out of some red Bazzill Basics Cardstock and mated with some blue Bazzill bling. I chose this DaisyD's pp that I have had hanging around since, forever. I have been hording it, always with the good intention of using it, and never have. Well, I think it compliments this image, Picnic of Daisies, so nicely.

When I saw that the sketch required a frame I instantly pulled out my Technique Tuesday FUNdamental chipboard frames and shapes and tried the Tim Holtz Distress Crackle paint, firebrick red, on the frame. I think I should have used a thicker coat as the crackle is very minimal. I then inked it and distressed it with firebrick red and vintage photo Distress Ink using my Tim Holtz ink applicator tool. Then I applied some antique gold metallic rub-ons,really getting good use out of them lately. I coloured this sweetie in with my Copic markers and and used white acrylic paint for the highlights. I have just started doing this and it is a great way to apply the highlights. Sometimes, I don't like the results I get with the white gel pen. I cut the image with my circle Nestibilites and embossed it. I used the largest circle die, that I have, to cut the main image. So, to make the mat I used my EK Success Curvy Cutter. I used the metallic rub-ons again to distress around the main image and to emphasize the embossed edge. I saw this tip recently while blog hopping but can't remember whose blog it was on...sorry!
Well, I didn't know where I was going to put my sentiment and I always have to have a sentiment on my cards. Then I saw that I had this My Mind's Eye Journaling tag on my work table. So, I inked up the edges and used a MFT sentiment from the Going Somewhere? set. So, this journaling tag was meant to be on this card...the fact that I could even see it on my work table among the mess is no less than miraculous, lol!

Next, I needed flowers...I didn't have any Primas that went with this colour scheme. Then I decided to cut these ones from the pp on my QK Silhouette. I just downloaded this QK flower GSD and was excited to use it. The small flowers are the same GSD file as the large one. I just ungrouped the image and deleted the cut lines so the petal was solid. Then I inked the edges of the flowers and used a new idea that I saw in Deb's blog. Where she used and embossing tool to give the paper flowers more dimensions. I really like this look and it added to the overall shabby look on this card.

I 'm getting excited about our getaway to Vegas..eeekkk!!!! Still have a few more errands to run and things to pack but then we are all set to go on our little journey!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!!!

Everyone Smiles....Cute Card Thursday #24 & Friday Sketchers #16!

This weeks FS sketch is by Carole from England. I really, really like this sketch!!! I love that it allows the pretty pattern of the paper to take centre stage. It's a shame covering up the pattern of beautiful paper with so many layers...I'll definitely use this one again. Also, I thought I would team up Carole's fabulous sketch with this weeks challenge on Cute Card Thursday. I haven't done a CCT challenge in a while and I thought it would be fun to make a card with "bright colours"! I definatley think this card qualifies as bright!!!

A while ago, I saw a wood mounted stamp with this sentiment on it at a LSS. I himed and hawed about buying it, but in the end I didn't get it and when I went back it was gone :(...oh, well I didn't really like the font but I love the quote. Now, If you have read my little bio on the sidebar of my blog you will know that I am an American Sign Language (ASL)/English Interpreter. I love my job and love the fact that I can bridge the gap between two people who do not share the same language. It is a very rewarding career but it is also extremely challenging at times! As a community interpreter, I can be called upon for a multitude of assignments...I can literally find myself interpreting anything from birth to death and everything in between...that can be a lot of pressure! This quote really touched my heart..."everyone smiles in the same language"...no interpretation required,smile!!!

So, for this card I made a 6x6 base from SU Whisper White cardstock and used BG Sultry pp and inked the edges with chalk ink. I got my order of new Magnolia stamps from Phebe from The Town Scrapper yesterday...boy, was that fast, Thanks Phebe! I inked up Cherry Tilda...(oh, don't you just love her cute little outfit? I wish I could dress my Hannah up like this) and coloured her in with my Copic markers.

Before I started collecting stamps, I collected QK and I have quite the collection! So, I thought I would pull them out and put them to good use on this card. I love the little rainbow and clouds and the mushrooms. I thought they would be perfect for this card. I cut the tags on my QK Silhouette and printed the sentiment on my computer using one of my favourite fonts "Digs My Heart". Then I added a little crystal Stickles to the die cuts and the flowers on the pp.

I thought I would let you in on a little Photoshop tip I just learned from Jennifer McGuire's blog on how to improve the lighting on your pics. In Photoshop Elements click on Enhance, Adjust Lighting, Levels and select the white eyedropper tool. Click on something white on the pic of your card and then click again. The card will brighten. If you want to adjust the lighting further you can do so by moving the centre slide on the graph. This is a fabulous tip and really improves the quality of you pic!!!

So, my friend Dana is coming over to visit and to keep me company well I pack!!! I have a ton of things to do this weekend! You see, my hubby and I are going to Las Vegas next week for a little get away...sans kids, smile! Our 13th wedding anniversary is on August 31st!!!! I am really looking forward to some HOT weather, seeing two Cirque Du Soleil shows and just taking it all in!!!! Not sure if I will be able to report back cuz you know..."what happens in Las Vegas, stays in Las Vegas"!LOL!!!!

Thanks for stopping by and having a wee look-see! See ya when I get back!

My First Award....Thanks Bela!!!

I am sooo happy to receive my first award and it is from Bela! She has been visiting my blog pretty much from the start and leaving me such sweet and encouraging comments. then I had to great pleasure of meeting her in person at our LLS....what a small world!

The rules of this award:

1. Only 5 people allowed.

2. 4 have to be dedicated followers of your blog

3. one has to be someone new or recently new to your blog and live in another part of the world.

4. you must link back to whoever gave you the award.Quite simple really it is a way of saying thank you to those who take time out for wonderful comments to boost your day.

So, I would like to give this award to:

Carole is very talented and always has such kind and supportive comments.

Kimmie has such a great blog!!! I love reading every word she writes..she is funny and talented what a great combo....and as been very helpful answering my questions etc.

Rach always leave such supportive comments and I really enjoy her blog she has been a great inspirations with her beautiful work.

Bev has recently "enabled" me to purchase beautiful Sarah Kay stamps with her gorgeous cards...wow! What a talent!

Sonja was so sweet to leave a comment on my blog recently. I went to see her work and it is so fabulous with great doodling. I just love her style and her blog!!!!!

and I just have to award it to one more person. I know it is breaking the "rules" but rules are made to be broken right, lol! I must also give it to...

Ila as she always leave such supportive and encouraging comments. And on those days when I just have one comment on a post but it is from Ila that just brightens my day and puts a big ol' smile on my face! Also, she so kindly answered my questions about her colouring technique!

Hugs to you, Sarah Kay Challenges Week 7 & Friday Sketchers Week 15!!!

Oh my Gosh, I am in love with my new Sarah Kay stamps that I ordered from Sweet & Sassy. This is the first stamp I inked up (my favourite so far) and what a joy it was to colour!!! I had so much fun making this card too. I made it to participate in my very first Sarah Kay challenges Week 7 "How Charming". I found these adorable little butterfly and dragonfly charms at the dollar store. Here I used the dragonfly that I tried to tone-down a bit with a little metallic rub-ons and I added a MM safety pin with a few beads, like a little friendship pin. I followed Friday Sketchers week 15 sketch by Mumur.

I coloured her in with my Copics and used BG Sugared pp and Bazzil pink bling cardstock and some other green cardstock that I had in my stash. The ric rac ribbon and buttons are from my stash again and I added a few Prima flowers and a MM jewelled brad and some Crystal Stickles to the flowers.

This is a quick post this morning. I was sooooo excited to show you my card that I couldn't wait to post it. I have to run now drop the kids off at Nana's and Papa's and head to work!

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by and having a wee look-see!!!!

A Mini-Makeover...and a little venting!!!

When I first saw Kimmie's fantastic new blog background that she downloaded from The Cutest Blog on the Block I wanted to give my blog a mini-makeover too! It was definitely in need of a little sprucing up, smile! It took me a while to find just the right background but I really like the one I finally decided on. Unfortunately, it didn't really match my "homemade" blog banner. So, it was time for a banner update too! Well, with a little surfing, I found a great place to buy (very inexpensively) an easy peasy, pre-made digi blog banner kit at ShabbyPrincess.com, there are a lot of great choices, so check it out!!!

I don't have a card to show you today, as, I have been working on scrapbooking stuff lately and just going through a bit of low-point in my stamping/cardmaking/blogging phase. Trying to decided what my priorities are; scrapbooking, stamping, blogging, or all of the above....trying to find that Life-Art balance and a sense of purpose to it all. I guess I am just feeling very frustrated and very disillusioned after a recent bad experience with an on-line order gone-wrong, with a stamp company, that I have been extremely loyal to. I have never received such poor, or should I say non-existent, customer service in my life...well, it was just a very frustrating experience that has made me think hard about where I place my loyalties and who I give my money to. The odd thing about this whole experience is I am still as addicted to the product...I just need to find a new dealer, lol!!!

Thanks for stopping by and seeing my mini-makeover and listening to me vent, smile!!!

Life is in Full Bloom!!!

The weather here has been crazy last night I drove home from work in a awful rain storm with hail and all! But the up side to all this rain is I have never seen such a green, lush August before. Definitely, "Life is in full bloom" around here!!! I just hope it lets up as we head out today for one final camping trip for the summer....I just hate setting up the trailer in the rain, uugghh!

So, I made this card last weekend when I was playing around, colouring with Distress inks and a waterbrush. I really love this card but it looks better IRL as it is much more sparkly with all the crystal Stickles and Sakura Stardust Gelly roller pen that I added. I inked up Tilda in lace skirt, again. She is my favourite Magnolia stamp right now...just love her and I used my new Magnolia Lilac stamp too. I thought the lilacs would be perfect for this paper and perfect for Tilda to hold a bouquet of lilacs too, smile.

I have been loving all the BasicGrey 6X6 pp pads and I picked up two more pads the other day...Lilykate and Gypsy, oldies but goodies. For this card I used BG LilyKate and BazzillBascis cardstock. The sentiment is from a MFT set. When I was rummaging through my stash I found this green velvet ribbon...it was perfect! It came in a really cheesy scrapbooking kit that I got on our Cruise a few years ago. I Think it is the only good thing that came in that kit but I just HAD to buy it, lol!

Now, I have a second card and I really debated about showing you this one as it didn't turn out how I envisioned it. This is Tilda in her little swimsuit (she is sooo cute) but I struggled getting her lined up properly on the dock...it was a bit frustrating, oh well. I also, used the Popsicle stamp that I got in my Summer Stampclub...it is very cute!!

I coloured Tilda, The dock and the Popsicles in with Copic markers and added some Crystal Stickles. I cut the main image with my circle Nestibilites and embossed it too. PP is BG Cupcake and Cardstock is BazzilBasics. I cut the Green BG pp with the Large Scalloped Nestibilites and pierced the centre of the scalloped edge. The ribbon is from the same cheesy Cruise scrapbooking kit, lol! The sentiment is Mellisa Frances rub-ons and I add the bee and butterfly (QK rub-ons) to the main image and coloured them in with Sakura Gelly Roll Stardust pigment pens.

I wish I could stay home and make a card for the Friday Sketchers # 14 . It is a beautiful sketch by Beatrix from Germany and the Sassy Sketchers have made awesome DT cards once again...go check it out (oh, and a big Hello and welcome to Kristine from Norway...she is a NEW Sassy Sketcher and has beautiful cards on her blog)!!! I hope you all have a great weekend and I know you will make some fabulous creations with Beatrix sketch, smile!!!

Thanks for stopping by,

Bev's Blog Candy!!!

Just a quick post here to let you all know that Bev, at All the things I love has some fabulous blog Candy available on her blog to celebrate over 20, 000 hits!!! Wow!!!! Congrats, Bev!!!

Go check it out, if you leave a comment and post a link on your blog to her Blog Candy post you have a chance to win all the fabulous things she has included. (I especially love the gorgeous flowers that she crochets herself...so beautiful!!!)

While you are there look around, her cards are simply fabulous!!! She just may enable you to buy some Sarah Kay stamps...I know that is what happened to me, smile!!!

Thanks for Stopping by!

Practice Makes Perfect....& Friday Sketchers # 13 & 12!!!

Warning! This is a Long Post.

Well, I have had a very busy long weekend mostly spent in my scrapbooking room or in front of the computer. I did manage to get out of the house a few times. I visited with friends, at The Scrapbook Academy Friday night, for the free crop and made a few other trips out, over the weekend, to do a little shopping too, smile!!

This weekend, I decided that I would spend some time practicing my colouring technique with my Copic markers, you know what they say, practice makes perfect!!! I also, revisited my old love of colouring with Distress inks (although I wasn't very good at it) and to give the Prismacolor pencils and OMS another shot...uuugghhh!!! I also planned on cleaning my house but I didn't get around to it, oh well, lol!!!

First, I reviewed Ila's Prismacolour pencils and OMS colouring tutorial and tried colouring in several images but honestly they all ended up in the garbage. I just can't get the same fabulous results that Ila or Inge get. I just don't think I have what it takes to work with this medium...uugghhh!!!

Then I moved on to the Distress inks...I found a fabulous tutorial by Marlene on her blog, A lil' bit of Me, on colouring with Distress inks. Marlene's tutorial is excellent and she is one very talented lady, wow!!! I will definitely be visiting her blog again!!! I picked up great tips from her tutorial and really enjoyed water colouring again...It is soooo relaxing....I really need to do more of it!

And, last but not least, I thought I would review a few Copic tutorials. A while back, I found a series of great video tutorials on Elyssa Tanenbaum's blog (I just love the name of her blog, too cute)! Then I found Sherrie's blog and she has a few really good video tutorials too and, of course, I referred to Claudia Rosa's blog where she has posted fabulous tips and tutorials on colouring with Copic markers....she is a wonderful resource!

I hope you aren't bored with my ramblings but I thought you might like a quick reference to check out theses great tutorials too!!!!

Now, do you wanna see what I made, smile!!!!! This card follows sketch #13 on Friday Sketchers Challenge. This week's fabulous sketch is by a fellow Canuck, Kimmie, from Krafin Kimmie's Kornor! I visit her blog everyday, sometimes several times a day, so, I basically stock her blog, there, I admit it,lol! I really admire her talent and dedication to her craft and she is a real master with the Copic markers too!!!

For this card I used some of my new Magnolia stamps. I just got the sun and the birds and I really love them. I used BG Boxer pp and Bazzill basics cardstock. I stamped Tilda with lace skirt and coloured her in with my Copic markers, trying to apply what I learned. I also, attempted to add in a coloured background with chalk. I added lots of stickles and a sentiment from one of my MFT sets. I also, used my new square Nestibilites and I finally have the tan embossing mat, YAY!!!

Last weekend, I was camping and didn't make a card in time for Sketch # 12, for Friday Sketchers. So, I did it this weekend. I am pretty happy with how it turned out ( even though it is a little different from the sketch). I have been using a lot BG 6X6 pp pads on my cards they are so perfect for card making, I just love them!!! For this card I used Two Scoops, a scrap of Fancy Pants pp and some Core-Dinations cardstock that I roughed up with my Tim Hotz Distress tool. The paper flowers are from the dollar store and I added a little crystal stickels. I love this image of Tilda bearing gifts (can't remember her real name right now) and I love the little bottles of bubbly chillin' in the ice bucket!!!

Well, I have two more cards to post but I think I have rambled on loooong enough!! You are all probably bored to tears by now, right?! So, I will save them for another day!!!

Thanks for having a wee look-see!!! I love it when I get comments, so be sure to let me know what you think of my cards or if my links are of any interest.

Thanks for stopping by,