Sunday Sketch & Stamp #15 - Maggie's Sketch

It's a good thing I looked at the calendar! I can't believe 2 weeks have passed already! It's time for Sunday Sketch and Stamp #15 --- Wow, 15! Every challenge we see more and more beautiful projects! Thank you for playing along with us!

Well, this fortnight our fearless leader Maggie has a fabulous sketch for us. I had fun with it and I'm sure you will, too. Here is my card:

I have to tell you about the designer paper! I just got it this week at Michael's. It is DCWV Farmers' Market. The stack has the most creative papers I've seen in a long time and is perfect for the adorable characters I like to use, like the wonderful Willow with a Basket on this card. Also, the paper is 70% recycled and has a wonderful buff color on the back side.

I used two Whiff of Joy images for the front of this card. Willow and the sheaf of corn and grapes for the corner embellishment. Both are colored with Copics.

With the details of the dp I kept the embellishments pretty simple. Just a simple flower in the upper right corner and twine wrapped around the lower part of the card. I like the country harvest feel of this project and I can't wait to use more of the papers!

The inside of the card is quite simple, but I wanted to show the lovely buff color. The tag was cut out from one of the papers in the collection.

Here is Maggie's sketch. Try it --- you'll love it! I hope to see you all in our list of participants. Please be sure to hop on over to the Sunday Sketch and Stamp challenge blog and see the rest of the designers' and guest designers' inspiring projects.

Thanks for stopping by. I'll be hopping around looking at your projects, too!

Barb

In God We Trust

Whiff of Joy Challenge #54 - Jane's Sketch

Whiff of Joy Challenge #54 is a versatile sketch by designer Jane. It has a bit of a surprise attached! Here is my card:

Here is Jane's sketch:Here is the surprise..... the tag pulls out!

I took Jane's lead and cut out the upper right corner of the sketch to reveal the inside of the card. The sentiment on the tag is heat embossed.

I put a corner pocket inside the card to hold the tag. But you just HAVE to look at Jane's card!! It is a masterpiece, inside and out!

Here is the close-up of the lovely Willow with Muff. She is colored with Copics. I love this image and never tire of coloring her.

Materials:

Image: WOJ Willow with Muff stamped on Papertrey white with Memento Tuxedo Black; colored with Copics.

DP: Signature Christmas from My Mind's Eye

Card Stock: First Blush Collection from Prima

Snowflakes: Hobby Lobby

All in all, the card is free of a lot of embellishments. It was better to let this gorgeous paper take the stage. The sketch, with the cut out, has so much depth.

Jane, thank you for such a fun sketch and the inspiration! I hope I did it justice and I know I will use it again!

Thanks for stopping by. Be sure to hop over to the WOJ challenge blog and see all the wonderful projects from the DT. Don't stop there! WOJ has fabulous new winter and holiday stamps. Take a look here!

It's a beautiful sunny 70s day here in the Missouri Ozarks. I hope you are having a beautiful weekend, too!

Barb

In God We Trust

Winter Blues

Even though I named this post "Winter Blues" it is by no means sad. I just love blue as a winter color. This is also one of the rare times that I colored an image for the dp, rather than find the dp to match a colored image! What a concept! The paper is from the Signature Christmas stack by My Mind's Eye and is very silvery and blue. So I colored this adorable image in, what else, BLUE! The ribbon and embellies are silver. I don't have a sentiment on here yet. It will depend on who I send this to.

Recipe:

Image: Sugar Nellie colored with Copics

DP: My Mind's Eye

Dies: Nestibilities

Snow Flake embellies: Michael's

Border punch: Martha Stewart

Silver Ribbon: Hobby Lobby

I don't think I've mentioned this in my recipes before, but I always stamp the images with Memento Tuxedo Black on Papertrey white card stock. Perfect for Copics!

Thanks for stopping by! I'm always glad to have visitors. Comments are welcome, too!

Barb

In God We Trust

Inky Impressions Challenge #21 --- Stitching But No DP

Inky Impressions Challenges are always fun --- and creative! This week there is no sketch, but there are two requirements: No designer paper (what!!! no dp? What will I do; what will I do?) AND stitching, real or faux. Well, I guess I go simple -- not easy for me! I love layers and embellies. But, I also love my Cuttlebug and embossing folders. So, here is my card.............

Requirement #1: No designer paper. Ok. I used Papertrey white cardstock and made a simple top fold note card.

Requirement #2: Stitching, real or faux. Well, my sewing machine is still crated away somewhere (I must go on a search for that soon), but the Cuttlebug embossing borders set called "Just My Type" has this great zig-zag and buttons. So, some simple runs through the 'bug, tracing with Sharpies and I have faux zig-zag. Then some colored pen magic and I have sewn on buttons. Ta-da!

Requirement #3: Of course, Inky Impressions Lili, colored with Copics and mounted on a pretty purple card stock.

The ribbon is from my stash of fun patterned ribbons. Simple is good, and fun, and cute! For more good, fun and cute, hop on over to Inky Impressions and have a look at the design teams' projects. Join in the fun, too!

Thanks for stopping by!

Barb

In God We Trust

House Mouse Challenge #55 -- Peek-A-Boo Card

The House Mouse Challenge #55 calls for "aperture". In other words a "peek-a-boo" hole. The design team has some amazing projects that are "must-see"!

I've had some holiday images colored for awhile but not yet made into cards. I was waiting for just the right sketch challenge. Then here comes an unexpected theme. Well, one image immediately came to mind and I knew I could make a simply elegant holiday card..............

........... with a chuckle inside!! I love this little guy roasting the marshmallow over the candle! How fun is this!!

The image is colored with Copics and PrismaColors for accent. The dp is K&Company Christmas Cheer selection and is just scrumptious! The reds and greens are so rich! The gold-trimmed poinsettias are stripped from stems I bought in Michael's floral department. The bloom on the front of the cards has a pearl brad center and the partial bloom inside is accented with small stick-on pearls.

This is one of my favorite Christmas cards so far this year. I guess I like the element of surprise inside.

Be sure to hop over to the House Mouse challenge blog, not only to see the cards, but also to see who their new designers are!

Thank you for stopping by! I hope you've had a terrific weekend!

Barb

In God We Trust

Whiff of Joy Challenge #53 --- Red, Cream and ?

The Whiff of Joy Challenge this week is to use the colors RED and CREAM plus ONE MORE COLOR. So I chose one of my favorite Whiff of Joy images and colored her with Copics R59 Cardinal Red, YR21 Cream, and YG95 Pale Olive. This combination was a beautiful match for the K&Company Christmas Cheer papers. I love the subdued colors in this collection and the scrapbook sized papers have designs perfect for cutting and pasting onto cards.

I cut out the holly from a corner of the dp and placed it on the background piece. I used another holly piece for the Nestibilities Large Label 4 then set that on an XL Label 4 in red. A strip of ribbon provides a perch for Willow. Embellishments include poinsettias and white flowers from Prima, ruby jewels and a sentiment cut from the dp.

I liked working with these colors and they just might show up again as I work through this stack of gorgeous Christmas papers.

WOJ is growing! If you haven't seen the new Christmas Gnome stamps click here!! WOJ has a very talented new illustrator, Norma Fickel, and her adorable gnomes are a must-have!

The weekend is here and I hope you all have a chance to create, rest, and spend time with those you love, not necessarily in that order!

Barb

In God We Trust

Busy Beauties Halloween Bride

Happy Halloween!!

The Busy Beauties team is celebrating Halloween by making cards using the new "Here Comes the Bride". My bride is crazy about chocolate!!! So hand over the chocolate and nobody gets hurt! bwaahahahah! Don't forget, she has a really big, really crazy boyfriend!

This card was really simple. I colored the image with Copics. The M&Ms and Hershey's papers are stacked on a card blank of Kraft card stock. From "The Print Shop" I pulled images of a candy bar and Frankie then added the text.

I hope you and your kiddies have a safe and happy Halloween. My treat will be a fancy dinner with my hubby.

Barb

In God We Trust

Christmas Cookies

Recently, while shopping at Hobby Lobby, I found a bag FULL of cute holiday embellishments, like buttons, snowflakes, and other fun items. When I found the cookie cutter and the serving board I knew exactly what image to use for a yummy Christmas card.

Here is Whiff of Joy Willow with a plate of warm cookies. Yummmmm! She is colored with Copics and mounted on a piece of red holiday ribbon wrapped around a square of shimmery card stock embossed with Cuttlebug snowflakes. The red checked background is from scrapbook paper I've had for quite awhile. Then little poinsettias provide the background for the embellishments. The sentiment is computer generated.

So, how many of you have started your holiday baking? Don't ask me; I'm busy with holiday cards. But I know a great bakery for the edible goodies!

It is so hard to believe that Christmas is less than 2 months away! So much going on this time of year. Don't ya just love it!!

Thank you for stopping by!

Barb

In God We Trust

Copic Creations Challenge #14 --- Black

Working an image in monochromatic of any color is a challenge I like to take on. Copic Creations Challenge is to use just black. I have used just black before, but in PrismaColors as I found it easier to blend to grey. Well, not one to give up on my Copics, I decided to take on this challenge.

I actually did two cards, but by the time I finished one of them it no longer technically qualified as a Copic image. I'll show that one at the bottom of this post, just because I like it and it is in black.

This card with Whiff of Joy's Charlie with Snowballs image is colored with Copics. The image is cut out with Nestibilities Label Four. Primarily using black, I supplemented with some of the Cool Grey neutrals and highlighted with the Blender.

The papers are from the SEI Black Orchid Collection and silver metallic. Keeping the card fairly simple, I added a few fun stick-on snowballs and a computer-generated sentimented. After this card, I think I might try some more --- it was fun!

Now, on to the one that isn't technically Copics image. This gorgeous Fashion Lady from Rubbernecker is very fun to color. I originally colored her gown in shades of black Copics, but thought she needed some glitz. But I got carried away with the glitter and totally covered the beautiful Copics coloring underneath. (Trust me, it was beautiful coloring!) I do like all the glitter, though.

The papers are, once again, SEI Black Orchid and silver metallic. The image is on a Nestibilities large curved rectangle die cut and I used the new Nestibilities poinsettia dies to cut the flowers and attached them with coordinating brads. The sentiment is computer-generated.

Black and white is striking and beautiful! I see so many amazing creations in b & w. To see more, hop on over to Copic Creations Challenge and see the DT's awesome projects!

Thank you for visiting and taking a look at my creations. Your time and comments are very much appreciated!

Barb

In God We Trust

Another Fall Card

We've had such a beautiful autumn here and the colors have inspired so many pretty cards. I just had to do another one. Maybe the last for this year --- maybe not!

The image is, once again, Whiff of Joy Charlotte walking through the leaves. This is very appropriate right now since so many leaves have fallen on our country road it is hard to see the edge of the pavement! And I love to hear the crispy crunch and see them swirling into the air behind the car.

Charlotte and the leaves are colored with Copics, all the richest oranges, greens, and yellows I have. I cut the image with the Nestibilities die on my Cuttlebug. The card blank is golden yellow Bazzill card stock. On the front is a piece of scrapbook paper of gorgeous leaves. I like to use wide ribbon, especially when I don't want to detract from the paper. The ribbon on this card is sheer copper-colored with gold along the edges. I found I have several rolls of wide ribbon, then my mom cleaned out her craft room and gave me a bag full of holiday ribbons --- all wide!! She used to make bows for floral arrangements, and these ribbons are beautiful!

I finished the card with a few little Prima flowers and a K & Company sticker.


Whiff of Joy will soon be sending out the Winter 2009 Stamp Kit that I pre-ordered and I can't wait to get it!! I know I won't be disappointed! With that I will be in full Christmas and Holiday mode for sure!

I'm so glad you stopped by and I hope you are having a terrific week!

Barb

In God We Trust

Quiet Moments

Well, tonight is a bit of a break from Halloween and Holidays. I love this Sarah Kay "Quiet Moments" so much. This is the first time I colored it and I loved all the details. Just that much more depth to put into it! And, of course, I used Copics --- lots of Copics!

The papers are bits and pieces of scrapbook papers for a soft collage look. And I love the Prima flowers on just about anything! Add a touch of ribbon and a butterfly charm and this card is a nice quiet moment for friend or family member.

Thank you for stopping by!! I love visitors and really appreciate your comments.

Barb

In God We Trust

Busy Beauty and Bubbles!

Last week was a busy one, so today was a lazy one. It looks like the coming week will be busy, too. But I wouldn't want it any other way!

So when I think about ways to relax, a bubble bath comes to mind. Remember the Busy Beauties introduced by Carolyn Bounds ? (here is my post from that blog hop) I don't want you to forget them! This Beauty in Bubbles image is great! I colored her with Copics then jazzed up the bubbles with some iridescent jewels. I used a glitter paper background and a faux mirror and .... butterflies!! I love these stickers from K & Company and they just seemed to be perfect for this card. How calming would that be? A bubble bath surrounded by delicate beauty!

I had fun with this card, though I haven't taken my own advice and filled the tub yet. It's really tempting, tho'!

Thanks for stopping by! I hope your coming week is terrific! Don't forget, the goblins are comin', too!

Barb

In God We Trust

Sunday Sketch & Stamp #14 -- Ger's Sketch

(I apologize for this post being so late today. The scheduler can be so unpredictable and, wouldn't you know, on the day I didn't get to the computer right away, the scheduler failed me.)

Many, many thanks to everyone who participated in the Sunday Sketch and Stamp #13! What wonderful creations!! We are so glad you played along this past fortnight and look forward to seeing your projects for Challenge #14.

Challenge #14 is not only Ger's fun sketch, but we also have a sponsor! Our sponsor this fortnight is Your Next Stamp, a digistamp company with very fun images. The Sunday Sketch and Stamp design team and guest designers are using some of YNS in our cards this week, so be sure to take a look. They are so creative!

So, on to my card. First, Ger's sketch. She challenged us with a big circle this time and it worked out really well!

Isn't this a fun Halloween card? I used a black blank card, then mounted a purple circle. Purple is such a great color for Halloween. Instead of the rectangles, I used a couple of circles cut from glitter papers to give the illusion of the moon. Flying over the moon is the image "Cute Witch", which she certainly is! She is colored with Copics. The rickety fence is cut on my Cricut using the Paper Doll Cut Outs cartridge. The smiling pumpkin, also from YNS is colored with Copics. To finish it off I used the Halloween greeting from YNS.

I had so much fun with this card. Thank you, Ger, for a great sketch and Karen at Your Next Stamp for the adorable images to play with.

Now, y'all need to pop right on over to Sunday Sketch and Stamp for more fun and details about this challenge. We all visit the participants' blogs so, I'll be watching ---- bwaaaahhaahhahhhaa!

Barb

In God We Trust

Color Create Challenge #30 -- All White!

If there is one thing I love to do it is to play with color combinations. I usually color up a bunch of images, then match them to paper later.

Well, I found a new challenge called Color Create and had to jump in! So the first week I do the challenge they have --- NO color!! All white, except the image. No problem! I love to do that, too. In fact I had this pretty little note card done a week or so ago but hadn't posted it yet. This is the perfect time.

Now, for whatever reason, the photo decided to take on a pink glow, but, as you can see in the detail shot below, the card really is layers of white.

Beautiful Whiff of Joy Willow is colored with Copics (and I lost my list of colors), my favorite medium. She is sitting pretty on two layers of Nestibilities die cuts, the bottom one embossed with Cuttlebug folder Bubbles. The base layer is Cuttlebug Snowflake embossing folder. The sprigs of fir are Martha Stewart punch.

I do like layers of white and will probably be doing more with my Christmas cards. It is such a clean look and so wintery, too.

Thanks for stopping by! I hope your weekend is full of fun and good weather.

Barb

In God We Trust

Whiff of Joy Challenge #52 -- Heather's Sketch

When Heather has a sketch for Whiff of Joy Challenges I just can't wait to get on it! So, last night I finally had some time to get busy and here is my rendition of her wonderful sketch.

When it comes to snowmen, Herb is a favorite of mine! Herb with a Tea Cup warmed me up as I pulled out my reddest reds and greenest greens Copics for some rich winter coloring. For the layout I used a piece of sweet candy cane glitter ribbon that I just couldn't resist at Michael's. (I know that not much of this yummy trim shows here, but you will no doubt be seeing much more of it in the weeks to come!) The candy cane stripes for the horizontal ribbons was just a perfect compliment. Here's the list of ingredients:

Card blank: shimmery white card stock

White glitter paper for front

Image colored with Copics

Glittery snowflake flowers from Marcella of K & Company

Candy cane glitter ribbon and candy cane stripes from Michael's

Red star brad from K & Company

Poinsettia from Prisma flowers

And here is Heather's terrific sketch! Another keeper, Heather!! Thank you for the inspiration!

So, if you haven't already, hop on over to WOJ Challenges and see all the gorgeous projects from this ultra-talented design team. And the participants are awesome, too!

Thanks for stopping by! Your visits are very much appreciated!

Barb

In God We Trust

Inky Impressions Challenge #20

This week Inky Impressions has a fun sketch for us. I chose Angelica Bunny Hugs to color and coordinated her with some beautiful fall paper. We've had such gorgeous colors here this fall and I just had to carry that into this card.

Materials:

Image colored with Copics

DP from Recollections (Michaels) Autumn collection

Flowers die cuts from Spellbinders Shapeabilities Daisy Heads

Brads in centers of flowers and on sentiment from Recollections Autumn coordinates

Sentiment from K & Company stickers

Here is the sketch:

This is a fun sketch to use, a definite keeper. Hop on over to Inky Impressions and see the wonderful projects by the design team. While you're at it, why not play along! This is a rapidly growing challenge with very creative folks!

Thanks for stopping by! Your visit is greatly appreciated!

Barb

In God We Trust

A Different Kind of Card --- A Tribute to Heroes

I'm taking a bit of a break tonight from my usual stamped cards to share a set of cards I am very proud of. Some of you might have seen this on one of my other blogs, but since I wrote this it has taken on a life of its own.

Called "When Our Sons Become Our Heroes" this was inspired by a conversation I had with a blogger many of us know and love, the very talented and warm-hearted Carolyn at PMS, etc. Her son recently joined the Army and will be deployed to Afghanistan. My son has been in the Navy 13 years and has been deployed all over the world, including a year in Iraq. As we talked we reminisced, sharing stories of our boys. The next morning I woke up with this on my heart. Within 20 minutes it was on my computer. Carolyn was the first one to see this, and I continue to dedicate it to her and Jonathon and my son Scott.

Since writing this I have made cards and posters, selling many of each. I was even asked to autograph two of them yesterday! There is also a slightly modified version for "Daughters". This week I am going with a friend, a veteran, to the Veterans' Museum here in Branson to donate a framed poster-size of each tribute. I have also been invited to a local high school's Veteran's Day banquet where students will read these as part of the program. I am just blown away by this. As my Aunt Lorraine said "God put this in your heart for it to come out at the right time." And I am grateful.


My mother wrote a description for the back of the card that tells how this all came about.

As I write this, my 84-year old uncle, a WWII Navy veteran, is preparing for a trip to Washington, DC to visit the WWII Memorial. He is battling cancer, but this trip has him so excited he is giddy! Des Moines, IA-based Hy-Vee food stores is sponsoring these trips for the veterans. God bless our vets, and Hy-Vee!

God bless all our troops, at home and abroad.

Thanks for stopping by. Your visits are always appreciated.

Barb

The Glad Bells

On a recent treasure hunt through antique stores I found a couple of very old music books. One was published in 1902 and the other about 1969. I love the yellowed edges, especially in the older book, and the notations from past music directors.

These books didn't contain many Christmas hymns, but this page of "The Glad Bells" is quite seasonal. The page was a perfect fit for a 5x7 mat with a 4x6 opening. Behind the music is a card stock blank for a personal note. I colored "Willow with a Lantern" in Copics and 3d mounted her image on the music. Just a few simple pearls around each corner and I have another mailable-frameable card for Christmas.

The week is starting off great! We have bright sunshine and the leaves are changing to every color in the fall palette. My camera is ready to go!!

I hope your week is off to a terrific start, too! Thanks for stopping by and I hope you return soon.

Barb

In God We Trust

What Makes an Old Milking Shed Spooky?

In the woods, not far from our house, is this very old, run down milking shed. The dairy cows are long gone, but now and then a deer or two will saunter by on their way to a nearby watering hole. It really is a peaceful little spot under thick trees.

But, a few Photoshop tricks, some Cricut cutouts of skeletons and ghouls, plus a few stickers turn this peaceful little shed into a Halloween haunted house. I made a few quick little cards. I just couldn't resist.

Happy Halloween, everyone! (A bit early!)

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you all are having a great weekend!

Barb

In God We Trust

Inky Impressions Challenge #19 and an Anniversary Card

Tonight I have two cards to show. The first is for Inky Impressions Challenge #19 and the second is an Anniversary Card I was commissioned to make.

First, the Inky Impressions card. This week instead of a sketch we have a yummy recipe with lots of sweet ingredients:

- 1 Image
- 1 Sentiment
- 2 Ribbons
- 3 Layers
- 3 Embellishments

I chose the image Lili's Prayer and colored her in the rich fall colors the we love so much this time of year. For one of the layers I used a wide ribbon, luscious with a harvest pattern, then added ribbon #2 of the recipe.

Here are my ingredients for the recipe:

• 1 Image - Lili's Prayer colored with Copics
• 1 Sentiment - Autumn Greetings heat embossed with copper powder
• 2 ribbons - Wide Autumn Print and ecru sheer w/woven edges
• 3 layers - ribbons, Lili showcased on cardstock die cuts from Nestibilities, Sentiment on die cuts from Nestibilities
• 3 embellishments - Autumn leaves brads
• The background paper is new from My Mind's Eye Signature Christmas

Be sure to hop over to Inky Impressions and take a look at the design team's wonderful projects and the participants, too. In fact, why not join in?

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The second card is for my husband's partner to give to his wife for their 20th anniversary. Her favorite color is orange and she loves hummingbirds. I also had the go-ahead to make the card very sentimental. I had a lot of fun with this card and I used the frame-ready matted style that I have come to really enjoy. This card is ready to pop right into a 5 x 7 frame, but I'll let Sam pick that out.

Here is my recipe for this card:

• Card blank made from peach Bazzill cardstock and attached to oval cut mat
• Stampabilities Hummingbird stamp colored with Copics (R27, R59, G00, G21, W1, W3, W7, YR21, 100)
• 2 hearts cut from ivory Papertrey cardstock, embossed with Cuttlebug dotted swiss and script embossing folders, cut with Nestibilities Heart dies.
• Flower bunches from Michael's wedding department
• "To Love and To Cherish" stamp (source unknown) heat embossed on Nesties die cut
• Pearl embellies.

The inside of the card has a heartfelt sentiment computer printed on onion skin paper.

I'm fairly certain that Sam's wife will like this card!

Thank you for stopping by! It has been a busy week and I do have more cards to post. It took some computer shifting to get back to work since my wireless router quit on me and files needed to be transferred to my only PC with internet access at this point. (Isn't it amazing that 20 years ago a home computer was a novelty, but now I literally have more working computers in the house that televisions!)

Have a great weekend!

Barb

In God We Trust