InStyle End of Summer Hop

Good afternoon everyone!!!  Are you ready to hop along with InStyle Stamps' End of Summer Hop???  Let's do it!!!  If you came here from Kimme's Blog, you're on the right track.  If not... go back and start at the beginning... I promise it will be worth it!! 

As always, once you've finished the hop, you can go to InStyle Stamps Blog and vote for your favorite creation you see along the route and YOU could win a prize!!  You don't even have to use InStyle Stamps, but if you do, you could win more!! 

My card was created with the new Sunflower image.  I don't know where you live, but here in Iowa, it seems we have a huge abundance of sunflowers.  Either out along fields or near farm homes.  Seems they grow early in the summer and you never see them towards the end.  To me, watching them get so all and dusty and withered makes me think they should grow at the end.  I always thing big stocks of dried corn stalks would be perfect decorated with these huge sunflowers.  And don't you think they'd look great next to scarecrow and such at Thanksgiving time?  I do!!

I used my Copic markers to color my sunflower and sponged some blue around before I removed my Nestabilitie from my image.  I also used my new BIG dots Cuttlebug folder to emboss a small strip behind my image.  It reminded me of the seeds in these big wonderful flowers.

Your next stop on the hop is Axa's Blog.  Have fun and remember to stop and vote at the ISS Blog!

Good luck!!!

Hawaii Bound....

I wish!!! Today I have a simple card I created with Theresa Momber's last set, "Aloha".  I haven't had much time to get my Gina K July releases inky yet so I have been playing a bit just recently.  I LOVE these flowers!!

My card began as a single layer card.  Though you can't tell very well from the picture, I initially was thinking I'd stamp all these flowers on my card then coloring in.  Well... I decided I didn't want every flower to have a leaf so I stamped, colored with my Copics and cut them out then mounted them individually into the shape of a lei.  The very top large purple flower IS stamped directly on the base.

I love that Theresa included some smaller images with this set.  So easy to make a scene below with a little bit of sponging.

I wished I had this set years ago when my mom made a few trips to Hawaii with my nieces as their graduation gift.  But... somethings tells me she'll be going back as much as she loved going.

Stay tuned for more cards using "Aloha"... I'm so glad to finally be getting it inked up!!  You can grab Theresa's set at Gina K Designs and check out her other fabulous sets as well. 

Have a great day!!

Praying For You

Today I wanted to share a card that I created for our Lake Association.  As secretary, it is my responsibility to send sympathy cards, thank you cards, etc.  I often think going a little extra to make a sympathy card is the most important time to do so.  I created my card using Creative Clear Rubber Stamps, "Arms of Jesus" set.  I used the sentiments only and put most of my design in the embellishments and choice of colors. 

I added my butterfly to the front as a "gentle/soft" touch.  I colored it with my Copic markers.

On the inside I again tried to make use of the "less is more" rule.  Simply adding my sentiment and a small stamped image in the corner.

NOT that I'd ever look forward to sending a sympathy card, but I think this is one I would be proud to send.  Sometimes just adding a few words is all you need.  *smile*

Have a great day!!

Such a Tiger!!

I had a date with my darling husband today.  The last couple of weeks we have taken off early in the morning and left the kids sleep to go out Geocaching.  We rarely have time alone... but lately we have taken it.  If you don't know what Geocaching is... you can go to www.geocaching.com to read all about it.  In short, it's a world-wide treasure hunt/game.  Exercise, time alone together and some fun/adventure thrown in and we have a great "date".  *smile*

The reason I am telling you this is because I found myself at my studio making card after card directed towards none other than... my husband.

My image is one of the new images from InStyle Stamps called, "Linc".  Doesn't he look so fierce?  Hee Hee  When I looked at Linc I thought... "awwww how cuddly".  Well... yes, I love to cuddle with my husband.  So, I couldn't resist making this "tiger" into a "love note" to send to him someday.

Have you been to InStyle Stamps lately???  You can not only buy stamps, but you can buy digital images as well.  And... something new... InStyle Stamps now has a "Newsletter" you can subscribe to!!! How fun!!!  Stop by and make sure you subscribe!!

On the inside, I kept my card simple with ample space to write my own little sentiment.  Stay tuned for a few more images that ISS released this month which I am slightly behind on posting.

Have a great day and if you get a chance to cuddle with a "tiger"... enjoy it.  *smile*

Yummy Family!! Hee Hee

Now would you REALLY eat this adorable family??? Really???? Awwww I sure wouldn't.  Ok... maybe if I was desperate. LOL  InStyle Stamps released this "sweet" family last month called "Candy Corn Fam Bam". 

I can see so many cute things to do with these little guys so be prepared... you may see them again before Halloween actually arrives.  NOT that I may not use them after either! LOL

I colored my images with my Copic markers and though it's hard to tell, I used my Sakura glitter pens on the lettering.  I didn't do it this time, but if you want, you can easily make them look even yummier with some crystal effects on them.  :-)

I found this bright colorful Halloween paper in my stash from last year and just couldn't resist layering some up with my layered candy corn.

You know... I did notice this year they are selling candy corn at Easter time as well.  It's not the traditional colors as I used, of course, but the pastels just don't seem to get it for me.  I mean... I CAN be tempted to eat this HEAVILY sugar-based treat but... not so sure I'd go for it in pastel colors. LOL  Remember when they came out with GREEN Ketsup??? Just didn't taste the same! LOL

Have a great day!  *smile*

My Honey Bear!

Happy Tuesday everyone!! Today I want to share my "Honey Bear" with you. :-)

I used the "Mother Bear Clear Rubber Stamp Set"  from Creative Clear Stamps for the "honeycomb" background on the yellow card stock and also for the bear. But... mine is not a "mother" bear here... it's my darling husband.

When my son was two years old I didn't realize how much attention he paid to the things I said until when we walked in the house one evening after I picked him up from the sitter and as he came in he yelled... "Hi Honey, we're home!!" LOL Although his "honey" sounded more like... "Huueee" without the "n". LOL My husband died laughing and for the longest time.... I bet until he was 4 he would call him "Honey". Fun times to remember.

Though it's hard to tell here, my card base has a "leathered" look up close and I think it makes for awesome manly cards. A few self-adhesive copper nail heads and all ready to send as a quick "just because" card (I send those often) to MY Honey. :-) I think he and the kids are making my birthday dinner tonight too... so it never hurts to say thanks with a handmade card. :-) 

Have a great day and again, I'm sorry I've been away. I will make up for it. I am very honored to be on the Creative Clear Stamps summer design team!! *smile*