Meet Summer

Here's an amazing Sweet Pea stamp designed by artist Karen Middleton called Summer.  She's just stunning.  Be sure to click on the image name to see the artist's coloring.  She looks so deep in thought. I really thought such a simple card said so much in this case.

Project Materials:  Cardstock (Bazzill, Provocraft, Neenah);  Rubber Stamp (Sweet Pea Stamps);  Ink (Memento); Die Cut (Spellbinders Nestabilities);  Lace (JoAnns);  Color (Copic Markers);  Adhesives (Pop dots, Ribbon Glue, Glue All); 

Panda Love

Doesn't everyone love Pandas?  I know I do.  I just adored this image when it came out.  The artist for this stamp is Morgan Fitzsimons and it's called New Life Panda at the Scrapbook Stamp Society (Click here).  I can recall seeing the new baby pandas when I was visiting the National Zoo in the Washington DC area.

  My husband and I were there for the NBA All Star Weekend that year.  It was just fabulous and also very special as I had just watched them (from NASA at the Redstone Aresenal in Huntsville Alabama, in the building that I worked as an engineer), load up the module of the International Space Station to a special made Semi truck to be taken to Florida for launch.  Then while at DC with my husband, we were at the National Air and Space Museum when all the TVs broadcasted live satelitte images of the docking of that module that I saw a few days earlier a few feet in front of me (and everyday being built) get hooked onto the International Space Station.  Brought me to tears. 

Project Materials:  Cardstock (Bazzill, AC, Neenah);  DigiStamp (Addicted to Stamps-Scrapbook Stamp Society);  Bling (Michaels, Sticko);  DieCuts (Lifestyles);  Adhesives (Popdots, Glue All, Glue Dots);  Color (Copic Markers);

Whimiscal Snail

Che Gilson creates some very imaginative image for Queen Kat stamps including this funny character.  I made this card coloring her up in golds and purples with matching cardstocks and embellishments. 

Project Materials:  Cardstock (Bazzill, ProvoCraft, Neenah);  Rubber Stamp (Queen Kat);  Ink (Memento, Colorbox Chalk);  DieCut (Spellbinders Nestabilites); Buttons (American Traditionals);  Fibers(JoAnns);  Adhesives (Pop dots, Glue All, Glue Dots, Ribbon Glue);  Color (Copic Markers);

Teddy Bear Love

Here's a sweet teddy bear stamp from Stampavie and some gorgeous ribbon that I got last summer while visiting Turkiye.  Brings back sweet memories of a wonderful vacation with friends and my dear husband.  Wish I was back there right now!

Project Materials:  Cardstock (Bazzill, Neenah);  Image (Stampavie);  Ink (Memento, Colorbox Chalk); DieCut (Spellbinders Nestabilities);  Ribbon (Istanbul, Turkiye);  Buttons (Grandma's Button Bag);  Color (Copic Markers);  Adhesives (Pop dots, Glue All, Glue Dots, Ribbon Glue);

Grow

It's a Gorjuss Girl kind of day. Isn't she adorable?  I thought she was just perfect with this cute sticker that I found that said "Bloom."  She looks like she's growing and is about to bloom into something wonderful.  It makes me think of all the kids at vacation bible school last week.

Project Materials:  Cardstocl (Bazzill, Neenah);  Image (Gorjuss Girls);  Ink (Memento, Colorbox Chalk);  Borders (Martha Stewart);  Tag (Creative Imaginations);  Die Cut (Spellbinders Nestabilities);  Adhesives (Glue All, Pop Dots);  Color (Copic Markers);

Color me Pink

Pink Buttons, Pink hair bows, pink t-shirts, little pink socks, some tiny pink stickers and some pink twine, with pink ink, that's what cards for little girls are made of. This adorable image is from Squigglefly artist Cheryl Alger called Allie and her Bunny.  Too sweet.  I thought this image would go perfect for this week's challenge which is to use pink buttons or bows.

Drop by the Squigglefly Challenge Blog and make a fun card to participate.  You can win a prize if you use a Squigglefly image.  If you don't have any images yet, get a FREEBIE here (click here). They have some great free Shy bear images with the breast cancer awareness ribbon on them that would be PERFECT for this week's challenge.

Project Materials:  Cardstock (Bazzill, Neenah);  Image (Squigglefly);  Twill (Doodlebug);  Stickers (Heidi Grace);  Buttons (My Little Shoebox);  DieCut (Spellbinders Nestabilities);  Ink (Colorbox Chalk);  Color (Copic markers); Adhesives (Pop dots, Glue All);

Flowers for you

Here's a pretty card for a friend of mine who had her birthday this week.  Happy Birthday Arlene! I hope your special day was half as wonderful as you!  I am gonna take her some handmade cards to church today. I hope she loves them.

Project Materials:  Cardstock (American Traditional, DCWV, Neenah);  Flowers (Prima);  Ribbon (Michaels);  Brads (Basic Grey);  Die Cut (Spellbinders Nestabilities);  Rubber Stamp (Lily of the Valley);  Ink (Memento, Colorbox Chalk);  Adhesives (Ribbon Glue, Glue All, Pop Dots);  Color (Copic Markers);

Girl with an attitude

Here's a beautiful butterfly girl card that I made on some fabulous papers from Paper Temptress. You can see the column texture on the yellow background and the glittery shimmer on the red border cardstock.  These are just in conjunctions with some fabulous white cardstock that's perfect for copic marker coloring!  This image comes from Crafts and Me in the UK.

The Yellow cardstock is called Sunshine Yellow skinny columns. The gorgeous red cardstock was punched using an EK Sucess border punch and is called Sparkle Vermilion.  The paper I used to stamp the image on is Neenah Solar White.  Paper Temptress also sells several other great white papers that go with copic makers, including a sample package, which lets you try a couple of sheets of each brand (click here).

Hope you liked this amazing girl, she does have quite an attitude, huh? 

Project Materials:  Cardstock (Paper Temptress);  Rubber Stamp(Crafts and Me); Ink (Memento, Colorbox Chalk);  Die Cut (Lifestyles);  Punch (EK Success);  Adhesives (Glue All); Color (Copic Markers);

Wonderful Fairy

Here's a wonderful Sweet Pea image from artist Elisabeth Bell called Twinkle Toes Crocus.  She's just delightful.  I added some wonderful shimmer to her wings and her scarf using stickles and double layered her on cardstock before putting her on a Bazzill Swiss 6x6" card. 

I topped off the card with some gorgeous ribbon from Prima and some pen work with my Souffle.  Here's a slight enlargement of the stamped image.  Can't you always tell when the image comes from Elisabeth Bell?

Have a fairy happy day!

Americana Teddi

Here's an image from one of my favorite artists, Sandra Caldwell, this adorable gal is called Americana Teddi.  Isn't she cute?  I colored her up using wonderful copic markers and cut her out with Spellbinders Nestabilities.  The background behind her is a shimmery blue paper.

Picture Perfect

Dana is ready to dance!  This fun digi-stamp was designed by Heather Valentin of Scrapbook Stamp Society.  Isn't she great?  I just loved this image.  I wish I sometimes had an excuse to get so decked out and go for a dance.  Last time I went to Las Vegas I got lots of fun clothes to wear, but nothing so formal as this.  You can see her at this store (click here).

Project Materials:  Carstock (California Paper, Bazzill, Neenah);  Digi-Stamp (Scrapbook Stamp Society);  Flowers (Prima); Bling (Hobby Lobby); Die Cut (Lifestyles);  Brads (Recollections);  Saying (Creative Imaginations);  Color (Copic Markers);  Adhesives (Pop dots, Glue All, Glue dots);

Everyday Sweetness

Hi, here's a wonderful stamp from Stamping Bella.  This little girl is just too cute.  Look at her!  Can you just imagine a sweet little girl taking a flower in her little red wagon to a neighbor?  SO sweet.  I added a great vellum sentiment "Everyday Sweetness"

Project Materials:  Cardstock (Bazzill, AC, Neenah);  Stamp (Stamping Bella);  Flowers (Prima); Bling (Michaels);  Lace (JoAnns);  Die Cut (Spellbinders Nestabilities);  Ink (Memento, Colorbox Chalk);  Adhesives (Pop dots, Glue All, Glue Dots, Ribbon Glue); Color (Copic Markers);

Squigglefly Challenge

Happy Monday everyone!  I hope everyone had a great weekend and is read to see a card I made for the challenge at Squigglefly this week.  This image is called "Summer Space Swimmer" from artist Denise Clemensen (click here).  The challenge this week is "Border Patrol."

So those borders that decorate the edge of your card, the edge of your image, how about giving them some flair?  You could use some decorative scissors, a fun border punch, a creative tear, a great die cut, an embossing plate...show Squigglefly how you decorate the borders around your image, on your card or ? wherever you want on your card.  See the wonderful creations from the Holley Hobbyists HERE.

Project Materials:  Cardstock (Bazzill, Neenah, California Paper);  Image (Squigglefly);  Color (Copic Markers, Colorbox Chalk ink);  Saying (Creative Imaginations Sticker); Border Punch (Martha Stewart);  Die Cut (Spellbinders Nestabilities);  Adhesives (Pop dots, Glue All)

It's just little 'ol me

I just love these Gorjuss Girl images.  This cute little girl makes me things of myself, I suppose.  Not that I was ever really a girly girl back then.  She's just super cute with her long dark brown hair and her striped leggings.  She carries her little teddy of security.  I think that's me now, deep down.

Project Materials:  Cardstock (Bazzill, Neenah, AC Metallic);  Image (Gorjuss Girls);  Ink (Memento, Colorbox Chalk);  Die Cut (Spellbinders Nestabilities);  Flowers (Prima);  Bling (Michaels);  Adhesives (Pop dots, Glue All, Glue Dots);  Color (Copic Markers);

Thinkin' Gal

Here's an adorable stamp designed by aritst Sandra Caldwell from Queen Kat Stamps.  She's called Thinkin' Gal.  Too cute.  I added those adorable little heart shaped buttons that say "Love Me" because that's just what she must be thinking.  Ah, so sweet.

Project Materials:  Cardstock (AC, Bazzill, Neenah);  Rubber Stamp (Queen Kat);  Die Cut (Spellbinders Nestabilities);  Ribbon (Michaels);  Ink (Memento, Colorbox Chalk);  Buttons ();  Adhesives (Pop dots, Glue Dots, Ribbon Glue, Glue All);  Color (Copic Markers);

Flowers of Tomorrow

Here's a perfect little sentiment to go with this wonderful Sweet Pea stamp from artist Elisabeth Bell.  "All the flowers of all the tomorrows are in the seeds of today."  Just wonderful.  I love this adorable little fairy girl holding a beautiful flower.  I stickled up her wings to give her some bling.    She's definitely going to be gorgeous blooming flower of tomorrow.  This adorable stamp is called Gum Nut Fairy.

To create this card I used a 6x12" sheet of printed cardstock and trimmed the end of a sheet, I added a gorgeous punched border at the botton along with a torn edge of black paper to the base.  The white paper you see at the bottom is the inside (i.e. the backside of the folded card).    The three layers of paper on the front give the card a rich layered look.

Project Materials:  Cardstock (WE R Memory Keepers, AC, Neenah);  Rubber stamps (Sweet Pea Stamps);  Ink (Memento, Colorbox Chalk);  Punch (EK Success);  Flowers (Prima);  Brads ();  Die Cuts (Spellbinders Nestabilities);  Adhesives (Pop dots, Glue All);  Color (Copic Markers); Stickles (JoAnns);

Lettuce Snail

Here's a delightful image from Queen Kat artist Che Gilson called Lettuce Snail.  I colored her up in wonderful fall time colors.  Just adorable.  Be sure to check out all of this artists fun images at the Queen Kat store (click here).  This fun lace is some that I got while in Istanbul last summer.  I am already wishing to go back!!

Project Materials:  Cardstock (Bazzill, Neenah);  Image (Queen Kat);  DieCut (Spellbinders Nestabilities);  Border Punch (EK Success);  Lace (Istanbul, Turkiye);  Ink (Memento, Colorbox Chalk);  Color (Copic Markers);  Adhesives (Pop dots, Glue All, Glue dots, Ribbon Glue); 

I love you!

Here's a stunning image from Crafts and Me.  I love this artist's images and had to get this stamp.  I made this card for my husband John.  I used wonderful XoXo ribbons coupled with a great I {heart} you sentiment done in bling.   This girl looks like a lady who gets what she wants, doesn't she?  Well, I always get what I want, I don't even have to ask for it, he just gives it to me. Isn't he perfect?

Project Materials:  Cardstock (AC, Hobby Lobby, Neenah);  Rubber Stamp (Crafts and Me);  Ribbon(K&Co);  Bling (MAMBI); Die Cut (Lifestyles);  Ink (Memento, Colorbox Chalk);  Adhesives (Pop dots, Glue all, Glue Dots, Ribbon Glue); Color (Copic Markers);

It's just little owl me....

Here's a super adorable stamp from Addicted to Stamps artist Lisa Kettle called June Mid 52.  You can see her designs at the scrapbook stamp society.  Too cute. I just had to get this image when I saw it. I added some great printed paper in the background and some wonderful pleated ribbon at the bottom of the card.

Isn't she adorable.  I love that little hat the artist drew on her too!  So cute!

Project Materials:  Cardstock (Hobby Lobby, Provo Craft, Neenah);  DigiStamp (Scrapbook Stamp Society);  Ink (Colorbox Chalk);  Die Cut (Spellbinders Nestabilities);  Ribbon (JoAnns);  Flowers (Bazzill);  Buttons (American Traditionals);  Adhesives (Pop dots, Glue All, Glue dots, Ribbon Glue);  Color (Copic Markers);

Journey

Happy Monday everyone, here's a fun card that I did using this snail from Squigglefly artist Kim Fleming.  He's called Moving Snail, but for my card, I am calling him "Vacation Snail" and he's on a Journey.  He's packed up his little house and off he goes on a discovery of the world.  I think we can all use some discovery this summer, whether we leave our house or not.

The challenge for Squigglefly this week is to make a shaped card.  As you can see, I chose to use a set of die cuts from Lifestyle to cut the shape of my card out.  Drop by the Squigglefly Challenge blog to see the examples from Rhonda's team and then make your own card to participate in this week's fun!

Project materials:  Cardstock (DCWV, AC, Neenah);  Image (Squigglefly);  Ink (Colorbox Chalk);  Die Cuts (Lifestyles);  Sticker (JoAnns);  Ribbon (JoAnns);  Bling (Michaels);  Adhesives (Pop dots, Glue All, Glue Dots, Ribbon Glue);  Color (Copic Markers);

Guest Artist: Rosalee M plus a fun card I did for a hop

Here's a wonderful card that I got in the mail this week.  Isn't it always a delight to get some handmade art in your mailbox?  This card was a sweet thank you for the last round of blog candy in celebration of 2 years.  Thanks so much Rosalee, it was a delightful surprise.  She also sent me some cute butterflies to enjoy. Keep your eye out on some cards for those.

As of now, I have gone several months longer.  Unfortunately, my last test at the Oncologist (Cancer doctor) didn't go as well as I had hoped.  It was quite a dissappointment, but it doesn't take away how far things have come.  I know the two things don't seem to be related (the brain surgery, the serious amount of medications versus the low blood counts and oncology visits), but I do think they are related in that the body is fighting off the drugs in some cases.  Even though drugs are meant to help you, to your body drugs are foreign substances so the body often fights the drugs and gets better and better at filtering the drugs out of your system, which is often why you must keep increasing the amount of drugs you take.  so, perhaps the brain surgery/high medication levels plus bad blood tests are linked, though doctors will always hesitate to say so, because there are SO many patients like me who take the same drugs that I do, don't have the same symptoms.  For now, I go on.  One day at a time.  Off to the doctor again next week and the Oncologist again in just a few weeks.

For now, here's another card that I made this week for a fun blog hop it was featured on the Addicted to Stamps blog and used in a blog hop for Skulls.  Too Cute, I love this stamp from artist Heather Valentin

Have a great Sunday!  Cheers, Holley

It's a Bird, It's a Plane...

No, it's Superman!  Here's a fun card that I made using great papers from Paper Temptress.  The image here shows the golden shimmer of the base paper, it's called Incandescent Pearl in Nero color.  Awesome paper.

I am using a super hero stamp from Starving Artistamps.  For the background, I cut out the patch on the front of his uniform.

I used a bright yellow paper with a lot of texture called ruche, Yellow Crepe.  Then I added some sparkly red paper on top of it (it has flecks of silver in it) called Sparkle Vermilion.  The image was stamped on Heavenly white and colored with watercolor pencils.  I finished the card off by adding some adorable buttons and a brad with the word DAD on there.  Now it's just perfect for that upcoming Father's Day celebration.

Project Materials:  Cardstock (Paper Temptress);  Rubber Stamp (Starving Artistamps);  Ink (Memento, Colorbox Chalk);  Brad (Around the Block);  Buttons (Grandma's Button Bag);  Adhesives (Pop dots, Glue All, Glue Dots);  Color (Watercolor Pencils);

Sweet Wishes

Here's a wonderful Sweet Pea stamps image from artist Anna Marine called "41667" (Plate #207);  She's a stunning woman.  I added a wonderful sentiment to this card that says "Sweet Wishes" because she looks like she could make your sweet wishes come true!

Here's a close up of the stamp colored in with copic markers.

Hope your day is filled with Sweet Wishes that all come true.  Make a great card for those that you love.  P.S. I just saw a special on the blog, they are having a sale for this Fri, Sat, and Sun for 30% off coupon code is june!!  Enjoy.  Tell them Holley sent you :)

Cheers, Holley

Americana Teddi

Thinking about making a few fun cards for the fourth of July?  well, this darling Teddy is just perfect for that!  This cutie is designed by artist Sandra Caldwell.  She's a delightful teddy bear for the holiday or any other American celebration.  I suppose you could also color her up in different colors and use her for plenty of other occasions as well.  Be sure to check her and the other wonderful stamps from Sandra out in the Queen Kat store (Click here).

Project Materials:  Cardstock (DCWV, AC Metallic, Neenah);  Rubber Stamp (Queen Kat);  Ink (Memento, Colorbox Chalk);  DieCut (Spellbinders Nestabilities);  Buttons (Jesse James);  Adhesives (Pop dots, Glue Dots, Glue all);  Color (Copic Markers);

Summer Fun

Here's a deligtful Summer Stamp, it's a Tomte with his snail friend.  This image comes from artist Mitzi Sato-Wiuff and is called Tomte 3.  Doesn't this image just make you smile?  I hope your summer if off to a great start.  As for me I felt the heat for the first time, REALLY the first time, yesterday, when it got so hot that I decided I better head for the shade.  That resulted in cutting my walking off in the day and walking at night.

Project Materials:  Cardstock (Bazzill, Neenah);  Die Cutters (Spellbinders Nestabilites); DigiStamps (Addicted to Stamps -Scrapbook Stamp Society);  Buttons (American Traditionals);  Stickers (Hobby Lobby); Lace (Michaels);  Adhesives (Pop dots, Glue Dots, Glue All);  Ink (Colorbox Chalk);  Color (Copic Markers);

Bat Girl

Here's a stunning image from Crafts and Me. I just love this girl.  If only I had such cool wings.  I could be out flying at night.

Project Materials:  Cardstock (Bazzill, Neenah);  Rubber Stamp (Crafts and Me);  Bling (Michaels);  Ink (Memento, Colorbox Chalk);  Die Cuts (Lifestyles);  Color (Copic Markers);  Ink (Prismacolor);  Adhesives (Pop dots, Glue dots, Glue all);

Squigglefly Challenge

Happy Monday everyone!  Can you believe we're now in June?  I can't.  Here's a fun card that I made for this week's Squigglefly Challenge.  This week Holley's Hobbyists are creating cards with the challenge "Make me Laugh", so the goal is to take any image and add a little fun to it with a saying, or pick an image that is already funny.  I am using this adorable image from artist Lynne Stansbery called "Pretty Little Piggies."

On the front of my card, Holly Young from Squigglefly gave me the saying, "This little piggy is passion pink, this little piggy is raving red..." and on the inside of my card I put the saying below, "Painting your toenails is how you say "Thank You" to your feet for working so hard"  

Now, that's SO true for someone like me, who is known to walk around for at least 10 miles a day and at times has done as much as 20 miles a day!  EVERY DAY.  Though I will confess, I don't spoil my feet by painting my toenails.  Perhaps my feet deserve it though.

Now, drop by the Squigglefly Challenge blog to see the other Hobbyists inspirations and think up your own funny card and play along this week.  If you use a Squigglefly stamp, even one of the freebie stamps, you are eligible to win a prize, go play along.  If you need a funny statement to go with your image, drop me a line (htondre@aol.com) I have access to Holly--humorous sayings master!

Project Materials:  Cardstock (Bazzill, AC Metallic, DCWV, Neenah);  DigiStamp(Squigglefly);  Ink (Colorbox Chalk);  Sayings (Computer Generated, front by Holly Young);  Punch (inside card-Martha Stewart; outside card-EK Success);  Die Cuts (Spellbinders Nestabilities);  Clear Stickers (Recollections); Adhesives (Pop dots, Glue All); Color (Copic Markers);

Happy Birthday

Posting Birthday wishes today for my Father. I hope he has a nice day.  Here's a cute stamp from CC Designs.  So adorable.  It's a little bee.  My DH is thrilled as he finally went and go the new car he wanted.  I honestly thought he was going to get that car many years ago (the same year that I had brain surgery), but he has been waiting and saving for several additional years.

He's such a dear, he does everything to make me so happy.  He deserves everything that makes him happy. I can't wait to see his happy face when he gets home.  I hope everyone else is ready for the Summer even though it's been feeling like summer for weeks already here in TX.

Project Materials:  Cardstock (Bazzill, AC, Neenah, AC Metallic);  Rubber Stamps (CC Designs, Cats Pajamas);  Ink (Memento);  Sewing (Linda W);  Adhesives (Pop dots, Glue All);  Die Cuts (Spellbinders Nestabilities);  Color (Copic Markers);

Vampire

 Here's one of the hottest new stamps from Sweet Pea artist Anna Marine called Vampire (Plate #207).  I am not sure if I colored her up much like a Vampire here, but I think a lot of Vampires would be seductive and looking for prey without showing all their fangs so to speak.

I just love her new set of stamps, they are wonderful.  This image is the first one that I had to make a card out of, but you have seen many others from the design team and you will be seeing more.  Here I am using some of the beautiful lace from Turkiye.  I tell my husband, you see a woman looking at you like this, you better run the other way!! (lol, unless it's me of course)

Here's a great closeup of this stamp:

I so had to get the whole sheet of stamps from this artist!  Terra Biddlespatcher also just released TWO new sheets of stamps.  Oh my!  There's a 25% off Sale going on at the store right now, it ends on Sunday, drop by the Sweet Pea Store (Click here).

Project Materials:  Cardstock (DCWV, Neenah);  Rubber Stamp (Sweet Pea Stamps);  Ink (Memento);  Punch (Martha Stewart);  Pearls (Michaels);  Lace (Istanbul, Turkiye);  Color (Copic Markers);  Adhesives (Pop dots, Glue All, Ribbon Glue);

Crafter's Companion June Challenge!

Can you believe we are in June?  I know I can't.  The beginning of a new month means that we have a brand new challenge starting at the Crafter's Companion USA Challenge Blog.  This month's theme is Yellow.  Be sure to drop by and check out all the samples from the design team and then make a card for the monthly contest for your chance to win a big prize.  You must use a Crafter's Companion Stamp for the contest.

In my sample card, I am using of the brand new stamps from Art Kure, it's called Sunflowers.  I just love to see the Sunflowers already blooming here in Texas.  Perfect for a yellow theme card.   The prize at the Crafter's Companion USA blog is a $30 gift card to their store!!  You should go make a card with some yellow in it (and a crafter's companion stamp!!) and enter in their June contest.  Good Luck.

Now, for the last winner of the May contest, the final prize was a Mini cutter three in one, the winner on my blog  is KC (Kapree Clark) Congrats!!  Huge thanks to everyone who participated and to Crafter's Companion for handing out so many wonderful prizes to all their followers.

Crafter's Companion Projects Used:
Art Kure Britian in Bloom stamp Sunflower
Double Sided Adhesive Foam Dots
Alcohol Ink Markers
Memento Ink-Tuxedo Black
Memento Ink Dandelion