Hedgie Valentine

Good evening. Hope you're all set for a fabulous weekend. It was a beautiful day here in Upstate SC, even had some warmer temps outside...just sunny & bright all day long. Then had a lovely dinner out with some friends, so now time to do a post.

Just like many others, I've lost some followers. Guess it's the Blogger Thing that is going on if people don't have the Blogger accounts. Anyway, on to the card:

PB Hedgie Postman came from a transparent set, and was fun to color. Hedgie is my favorite of all images to color. Die die cut with a S/B classic circle, then added an outer S/B scallop circle using a snippet of black glitter paper. (the inner part of this circle removed for another time).

Background created using some Lindy's Magical powder, some gel medium, Ranger Transparent paste - mix on the craft mat - and dragged the serrated part of a plastic knife over it for the striations. After this dried, spritzed some gold Tattered Angels and then some dark blue Lindy's Stamp Gang spray. Used the Ranger spritz tool to blow the dark blue splats around. Looks very textured.  This is quite fun to do these backgrounds.

Embossed this with a folder to get the hearts & sentiment. Debated on sanding to get the raised surface to show better, then decided to just go over this with the Pentel Gold Slicci pen. Looks ok, but ....the ink can smudge off on your hand, and I got some on Hedgie's white circle. Fortunately had colored 2 of these, die cut, so just popped #2 effort over the 1st circle. Had tried to scrape the smudges off, go over with a white pen...Nah, that wasn't working at all.

- the banner is a piece of natural color muslin fabric. Used DI Candy Apple ink pad, rubbing ink pad directly onto the banner. Colored, but not as intensely as I wanted - so used Dylusions Post Box red and gave a couple of spray spritz. Got a nicer dark red, and I like the fabric texture.

- Stripe piece covering the join of the fat banner & thin banner, is a snippet of c/stock, and thought it added a little 'something' with the red. Tiny gold hearts, punched from white snippet,  four layers glued together, and colored with the gold Slicci pen.

I like the elements on this card, but was not totally happy with the finished card. Not sure what to do to 'fix it', and not sure if it will be mailed. But there you have it...possibly a Wart!

Hope ya'll had a great day, and looking forward to a super weekend. Thanks for stopping in. Hugs

PSX Heart for Valentine's Day

Good afternoon on a sunny Monday afternoon. We are still melting from the Exciting Big Snow of 2016! (that's said tongue in cheek). Our area of South Carolina seldom gets much snow, and when it happens, most things shut down. Here's a few pictures, but we had _nothing_ so bad as what our poor Northern States had. We had supplies laid in, our power stayed on, so we just cozied down and tried to enjoy the pretty.

Back Deck

Front lawn & street in front of our house

 

 

Side lawn



Friday evening's sunset

 

Now for today's card:

 

 

 

 

 

- PSX G-553 (old wooden mount) colored with copics, die cut with a S/B scallop heart that best fit the image. Edged with DI Bundled Sage. (was not in the mood to do 'pinks' at the time!)

 

- Yellow background is a mop up piece. Had used some Sunflower Silk (acrylic paint in a little pot, a bit thick-ish). Dabbed a few blobs on the 98# weight mixed media c/s, watered down using a wet brush. Then while still wet sprinkled in some Lindy's Magical powders in a yellow tone, let it spread around. This was pretty wet, so used _this_ piece to blot up the runs. This piece turned out much paler, but a nice soft yellow. The main piece will be in a later project, cause I got happy with paste, some more Magical colors, a stencil, and {ahem} tried again with frantage. That stuff just doesn't like me!

 

- Cheery Lyn Celtic Fire Doily is extra white die cut from this card   The white doily was too white to use with this twig heart, so spritzed it with some Lindy's Stampgang Starburst in a green color until I got the look I wanted.

 

- Sentiment cut from a snippet from another spray play with Dylusions, and don't recall what else...., but thought this bit looked ok with the green doily. Had a piece of glossy, lightweight package chipboard, so die cut another love sentiment from that- sorry, don't remember the die company.   Copics from the Yellow shades colored this glossy piece, (many coats) -  tried to do a 'shadow' effect with the sentiments. The chipboard made a nice dimension without having to glue so many layers.

 

- Thought it still needed 'something' at the top; S/B plain heart, smallest die, cut 4 times from the green Dylusions snippet...glued it together...and Robert's your uncle.

 

Felt a bit hesitant about a green & yellow Valentine. Then saw this card in greens & yellows by my friend, Donna, whose artistry I so admire, and that made me feel - hey, these colors are OK! What do you think????

 

Ya'll stay warm if it's nasty weather where you are this afternoon. Several of my blog friends are having some tough times health wise, just now, or else caring for a loved one who is. Prayers go out to all of you! Don't forget: Rudolph Day opened today! My card is partially done...

 

Jumping Cross the Pond to the Snippets Playground, for Week  213. (Yes, there are too some snippets on this card!)  I understand there's some High Jinks Going On! It's been so long since I visited, Parsnip may not recognize me & let me in. But I'm gonna try! Ya'll wanna join me? Safety in numbers, donchaya know? All your card needs is to have Just One Single Snippet on it, and it qualifies. ALL of us have snippets, right?

 

Big hugs, and thanks for popping in.



 

Happy Valentine's Day

Hiya, and welcome. Big Hugs & lots of good wishes that each of you will have a super happy day spent with your Sweetie (and family too), and that it can just be a very loving day. I wanted to post a Valentine to all my wonderful followers along with the above wishes. Also will finish sharing the rest of the V. cards that I did.

For all who visit here today! This one's for you along with some big hugs.

Now for the rest of those heart cards:

 

 

 

(looks like the silver trim is coming off in this photo. I did press it firmly back down prior to mailing this card. The interior red backing is from a snippet of Gelli play with some sprays over it. Didn't photo all that well, as it does not look orange-y IRL. )

 

There, that's all until next year. Don't think I've posted any of these cards twice, but if so, please overlook it.

It's sunny here in Upstate South Carolina this morning. Windy though & quite brisk. We watched some tiny yellow finches at the bird feeder this morning. Each day their coloration is changing from the dull of winter to their spring feathers. Also saw quite a few of the finches with red heads...which are called purple finches in our area. Dunno why ...but that's what the locals tell me these are. DH just went out to shake up the Nyger seeds..they seem to be ignoring that in favor of the sunflower seeds. He thought perhaps their feeder had clogged. We'll see if they go back to the Nyger. It's too expensive to waste!!!

Have a grand day. Stay warm. (we're going to Olive Garden this evening for some good Zuppa de Tosca (potato soup) and the O/G salad. Not all that romantic as far as a restaurant goes, but we both like the food. My #2 Bro & SIL are going with us). Big Hugs.

First Zentangle Try

Good evening, and welcome. Please help me say a big warm welcome to 2 new followers:

Em Louise of Creative Em

Sandra B of Always with a Sentiment

Thanks so very much for choosing to become followers here. It's so exciting to see new faces appear in the followers' list. If you want to see some stunning use of one of the recent blog candy prizes, take a look here: Shona's Stamping Stage: Valentine Love. Shona created a super stunning card with some of the goodies that were sent along, and I was so pleased to see it.  Do check out the superlative card Shona is sharing.

Additionally I will be sharing a lovely card we received from Brenda W of Inkspired to Stamp, with her first Spectrum Noir marker effort on a stamp that was in her candy package. Folks, she did an amazing job. DH said "You ought to show her the first one you did". Well, NO I'm not! Will share Brenda's card along with some pretty Valentine cards we've received - so check out the Cards by Friends tab at the top & enjoy.

Now, I have a few more Valentine cards, but have decided to share them all in one post, and just show the cards with no blather. Today I spent catching up bookwork, (the dreaded Visa bill arrived from my Heirloom Stamp Show shopping trip, and I'm feeling very guilty seeing how much was spent & feeling quite poor! Don't worry, as soon as the bill is paid, I'll get over it!). Also spent the afternoon trying to catch up on comments that have arrived for my blog, and now I need to spend some time visiting a couple of challenges I entered.

One night while vegging in front of Blue Bloods I found a die cut heart that had been used as a template (back of it had messed up stamping). Decided to finally try doing a little Zentangle doodling. Folks, it's harder than it looks - and no I did not hunt up any of the books bought to try to learn how. Got out one of the Copic Multiliner pens and started to doodle. So don't laugh! (well, OK, you can if you want to- I won't mind- really).

Here it is, placed  on top of that problem paper used on 2 Valentine cards. Hopefully you can see the slubs in the paper that make it look as though it is a pretty raw silk fabric.

 

 

Started the Zen with 3 zigzag doodle lines down the heart shape, then just started doodling more lines on the blank space between the heart edge and the first ziggly line. Then moved to the next one. You know what was hard for me? Trying to decide what the heck kind of line to draw! It ended up looking way too 'busy' for my eyes, but who knows, may find the books, and give it another try. It's a good way to be a bit productive while wasting time looking at Tom Selleck!

 

Ya'll have a good evening, and come back when you can. Always love to have my lovely visitors who are a joy getting to know. Ya'll stay warm. Big Hugs



PB - Rose Bouquet Valentine

Good morning, and welcome to my world. Back with {sorry} another Valentine...this time a pretty Penny Black bouquet of roses. Have you ever colored an image, then started making a card, and it would seem that everything that you added to it, just didn't seem right. You'd leave it, look later, and think "What if I tried.....?", well this is one of those!

- PB Slapstick Cling - Entwined.  Die cut with an oval and DI smudged around the edge.

- Sue Wilson die was split into 4 sections to add some framing.

- C/B Geometric Rings E/F. This was the first effort with the satin paper, and the top edge had quite a bit of the red color come away. You can see specs of it around on the paper, as though it has been sanded. This is just from the embossing. Covered the worst at the top with a shiny red ribbon.

- Black c/s mat, white card base. Bit larger than my usual A2, due to the size of the SW die cut. This one will need an envelope made for it.

- Little Yellow Bicycle sentiment cut 3 times from a black snippet. Layered and used Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel (UTEE) to make it shiny. This one will be sent to someone who is sweet enough to overlook all the boo-boos!

Thanks for joining me today. I'm going to schedule a few posts - sorry they will be Valentine cards too - so that I can catch up on commenting, and also putting away a lot of stamps & dies. Next up will be a few St. Pat's and then on to some Easter cards. This year is just flashing by much too fast. Ya'll take care, and big Hugs.

A Butterfly Valentine

Good afternoon and hope that so far your Saturday has been grand. We have sunshine, warmer temperature, but some howling wind now & again. Still in the throes of Valentine production around here, but managed to get one that might qualify over at Mrs. A's Butterfly Challenge. Challenge #23 has a Letter Theme -  V for Valentine, but must also have a Butterfly. Hmmmm.

Here's my interpretation of this fun challenge.

- satin like texture red paper (Michael's - Speciality paper section - on sale). Embossed with C/B Geometric Rings. This was very pretty paper - but did not take embossing well. At the edges, some of the paper lifted from the core. Had embossed another piece that was much worse with the 'lifting', so on this one, placed a 2nd sheet of plain c/s on top of the embossing side, and it worked a bit better. Not sure if this happened due to the paper or that the folder embosses deeply. Just sayin'.

- Prior to embossing, die cut center heart with S/B D-Lites Swirled Hearts. Added a Fiskar Heart Punch shape from a snippet of the satin paper & larger center pearl.

- white lightweight glitter paper behind the Swirled Heart cutout.

- Ellentina Butterfly die (purchase from the Heirloom Stamp show that cut very well). Bottom layer is plain red c/s, 2nd layer is red satin paper. Top white glitter layer is placed slightly off-center & wings lifted. Red rhinestones for the head & body.

- Had already adhered tiny pearls before deciding to add the butterfly, so it looks as though the antennae have pearls...not really!

Thanks for looking in this afternoon and off we go to link over at Mrs. A's #23 Butterfly Challenge.
There's still time to jump right in and play along! Big Hugs.

Edit: Just got a heads up from Miss Pixie  that this fits the current challenge over at Cuttleburg Mania: I{heart} you, so will link up for that challenge as well. Thanks Diane!

Edit #2: Another sweet blogger reminded me that this card works for the Allsorts Challenge Blog too, the theme of which is Love is All Around. Thanks so very much, Miss Brenda for the kind shout-out! I have such lovely people who visit here...gosh, I wish I could just meet each one of you in person one day.

DeeDee's Digis - My Heart is Yours #2

Good evening, and welcome ....Another card from that fabulous DeeDee's Digi My Heart is Yours set.  Used the same papers & design as the earlier card, just reversed the paper position, and used the 2nd image from the set. Another 'get er done' card, as my friend Lynn would say. BTW- the top paper is from a Recollection 8.5x11 Valentine paper pack, 50% off in the local Michael's. Bottom is 12x12 sheet - Paper Studio from Hobby Lobby.

- printed 2 digi images, fussy cut one.  WoS pens on the basket hearts. Actually there were more pink hearts than shown, but the WoS pink made these look red.  Then a stylus added a bit of shaping; adhered the top basket to the MFT pierced circle image which had just a smidge of DI Spun Sugar on the outer edge.

- sentiment from an old stamp, same DI spun sugar for ink. Think it might have looked better with a darker ink shade, but it is what it is. The die is from a Sue Wilson set and the tiny hearts were an  MS punch that has multiple sized tiny hearts...and used a snippet left from this card. All these bits & pieces are in a pile. {Sigh...I had sorted all the snippets into my colored boxes very recently. Sure can't tell it just now}. White c/s snippet embossed with the tiny hearts E/F, colored with copics. (Avery Elle Elle-ments angle die)

Received this link in an email this morning, and thought I'd share.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/__Hz-eaj3x0?rel=0 .  There's a very pretty song to enjoy, and the singer explains how she came to write this song, about the memories of her childhood. (sounded as though she had a lilting Scottish accent). Think I've previously shared that I have 5 older brothers  (2 who have left us). These fellas are stair steppers - 2 years apart - and grew up on my Grandmother's farm. Not much money, lots of hard work, but they still had time to play country kids' fun. Have heard these stories all my life; as I listened to the words of this song, I could just see those 5 little boys in my mind, and got a little misty. Both the brothers who bother with the computer sent me this song today. Hope you'll enjoy it too & perhaps have some happy memories.

 

As always, have a great evening, and thanks for joining me. Hope you're able to stay cozy & warm where you may be. God Bless & Big Hugs.

DeeDee's Digis - My Heart is Yours

Good evening & thanks for joining me. First let me welcome 3 lovely new followers:

Vickie of Stamp Smiles

Donna T of  Lakefront Stamping Creations

Pauline (Cotnob) of Crafting with Cotnob

Thanks so much for becoming new followers & it's always such a pleasure to meet new friends. I hope some of my blog buddies will give a look-see at each of these blogs. I've seen these bloggers at so many other blogs that I visit, and it's quite an honor to have them come join me! Check 'em out, folks!

Now, to share a picture of the Heirloom Stamp Convention we attended this past Saturday.

 

 

My sweet blog friend, Sheila H. (lalacrafts) and I met up once again. You may remember that 2 years ago, we met each other by chance at this convention --- recognized each other by our blog pictures. This time it was an arranged meeting, and oh, we both had fun. (I'm the left green shirt, and Sweet Sheila is on the right. Had just gotten a haircut and boy did I get clipped! Well, it will grow). Sheila was there with her friend Patty, and it was a treat meeting another friendly card maker. Enjoyed some great old family stories about our grandparents and the life styles lived in their era. The dies that came home were entered into the database this afternoon, and only had one duplicate (at least that I found!). Managed to pick up 2 of the same Impression Obsession heart die.

 

Now, on with today's card, which is a really cute pre-colored DeeDee's Digi My Heart is Yours. and this set is so reasonably priced at $2.25. This was another 'easy' card and since I have several more Valentines to get done, you can bet you will be seeing more of these DeeDee's Digis .

 

 

 

 

 - DeeDee's Digi My Heart is Yours precolored image, die cut with an oval;sky & grass sponged with ink pads & daubers. Scribbles of copics added grass texture and shading done on bears and hearts. WoS on the red hearts.

 

- Recollection Valentine paper pack (Michaels on sale - bottom dp) and Paper Studio design paper- top dp.

 

- Avery Elle Elle-Ments angle die. Same die used to cut a white snippet that was colored with a red copic and adhered to hide the paper join. QuickKutz Sweethearts EF embossed the strip.

 

- DeeDee's sentiment is part of the My Heart is Yours set. Used a fishtail die to trace the shape and hand cut.

 

- Glossy heart was punched from a snippet of red paper, then 2 coats of Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel (UTEE) was applied. Red rhinestone trim. Told ya it was easy!

 

I'm so happy to report all the blog candy winners have received their candy, and I think everyone was pleased with what I selected. Now will be working towards the next milestone!!

 

Ya'll stay warm, and come back when you can stay a spell. Hugs.



Valentine Grapevine Heart Wreath

Hiya & thanks for popping by. Sharing the last of the cards sent along to DD. This one was done for DD herself, and she didn't see the image when it was being colored at Christmas.

 

Let me first welcome a new follower: Pia of Pias Papir og Perler. Thanks so much for joining in as a new follower here. I can promise you a treat if you take time to zip over & say Hello to Pia...she's got some fabulous cards for you to enjoy. It's always lovely meeting new card friends.

 

Second: Had to do another round of Random Generator last evening. The last name drawn did not make contact in the required time. Folks, this gets harder than I thought it would be. Got a couple of numbers, but didn't have a complete name or blog name either...and it was not followers that I've seen visit for a long time. {that time was not a concern, but more of identifying who the person is}. Since this is the 3rd iteration, was trying to find someone with a blog, or a name that I could identify. (If that doesn't make sense, for example, there are several Sarahs, Brendas, Cathys where there is only a first name, and no blog listed - so not exactly certain who this may be.  I hope I'm not being unfair to anyone!!!). The last run where I had a blog link and could be certain of who the follower or blog link is:

 

#216, Brenda of Inkspired to Stamp

 

This post is scheduled to go live on 1/28/15 at 8am, so Brenda will have until 1/30/15 at 8am (the same 48 hours given to other winners)  to contact me for her blog candy.  Oh....I'm hoping RG won't have to work again to do this last candy win!





 

- Grapevine Wreath (R142) and that's all it says on the wooden block...have had this one for a long time. Colored with Copics and fussy cut. Bow has WoS. In fussy cutting, some of the swirls & stems on the wreath were just snipped off, as the tiny bits were too intricate to try to cut well.

- added a Cheery Lynn flourish die, cut from white c/s, then colored with copics. Snipped the piece apart to thread it around the grapevine. Wasn't sure if it might be a bit 'much', but left it alone.

- VOS for the background, there's a pink heart under the wreath.  Think this is Paper Studio dp that has been in the stash for years.

- plain red card front, heat embossed with another old sentiment, using my favorite Ranger Queen's Gold EP. This card had a little bit of green tucked inside, so even if DD is not thrilled with the card, she'll like the green stuff. She can have a nice lunch on Dad & Mom.

That's it! Now gotta get goin' on some cards for myself to send. Come again soon. Hugs

Penny Black Kissing Hedgies

Hi & welcome. Yet another Valentine...this one was sent to DD with the idea that she might give it to her DH. He liked the Christmas card I did for him, so I hope he'll like this one. I did! Love these little Hedgies, you know.

- PBlack Hedgehog kisses cling stamp, colored with Copics, WoS on the balloons.

- Hearts EF, snippets from an earlier Valentine card

- S/B corner die (this is a real oldie...forgot I had this set, and saw it when I was looking for somethin' else. Happens to me a lot :-)

The inside is a little mushy, so if DD doesn't give it to SIL, it may not get used. The others I sent her were a different purpose.

Hope you like it, and come again when you have time. Stay warm if it's cold in your part of the world. Big Hugs.

Raccoon Valentine

Good morning, and here's another of the Valentine cards done for DD...and I hope she has the package in her hot little hands by now. If you look closely, you'll see I'm using snippets of card stock from cards shared earlier. I liked this houndstooth pattern and think it looks nice with the red. 

 

 

 

- Great Impressions image, colored with copics, die cut with S/B Labels 3. (Used some black WoS on Rocky's black mask & body)

- 6x6 paper pack (think it was Authentique - Pretty).

- MS heart border punch. Tiny hearts on bottom are the cut out bits.

- hand cut the faux mat and the fish tail banners.

- Heart brad & card front embossed with a hearts EF.

That's it! Hope you aren't getting totally sick of seeing Valentine cards. Next up is St. Paddy's Day. I promise, there won't be quite so many of those! Have a wonderful day and come again when you can. Big Hugs.

Whiff of Joy Henry - Valentine

Whee! It's Saturday, and one of the 3 winners has provided her contact information. Still waiting to hear from the other 2 USA candy winners. The international winner contacted me this afternoon. Yippee!

Several visitors asked about this card and if that stamp was a PSX image. I actually thought it was made by Inkadinkadoo. When I checked, to my surprise it IS a PSX stamp, but I had never looked to see the maker. Thanks all of you who commented and caused me to relook!

 

 

- Whiff of Joy - Henry with Love Balloon, die cut with Lil Inker pierced oval. Background done with a cotton ball inked with Memento Summer Sky ink, dabbed gently around the oval after Henry was colored. Fiskers cloud punch and Viva Décor pearls on the clouds.

 

- corrugated paper saved from a box of chocolates sprayed with Dylusions Postbox Red, and Tattered Angels gold.

 

- Ribbons from stash.

 

- Cheery Lynn die sentiment

There's a beautiful new card added to the Cards by Friends section, received yesterday from my friend Gloria. She used a foiling technique and it's a totally gorgeous card. Gotta learn how to do that! Got an order for some Flitter Glu and metal gilding flakes too. Seeing lots of that look done around on Youtubes.

 

The joke below came in email this week and I had to laugh. When our DD was very small, she learned to talk early, and had a pretty good vocabulary. However, she would say some words that we just could not figure out what she meant. Then when we realized what she was saying, we had to smile. At night, we'd ask what she had done at nursery school that day, and she'd say " Played with Aza gran". We'd never heard of that name before, so of course would say "Who?". She would look at us as though we were not quite bright - say a bit disgustedly "Aza gran". I finally asked which child was "Aza gran" and the teacher said no kid by that name. After a minute's thought I asked - "Well who does she play with the most then?". "Adri-enne". I think DD was about 2 or 3 at the time. A niece was learning the Pledge of Allegiance in nursery school. She'd get to the part of "..and to the Republic, for which it stands". We realized the child was saying "For Richard Stands". We kept correcting her and she would say "But that's what Teacher said" and nothing could shake the kid. Finally her Mom had to get the Teacher to make her recite it correctly. If that Teacher told her, the words were "For Richard Stands", that's the way it was gonna be! So when I read this joke, both these old memories surfaced! Hope it gives you a laugh too.  

 

 A little boy was doing his math homework. He would say to himself 2+5, that son of a bxtxh is 7.   3+6, that son of a bxtxh  is 9...'. His mother heard what he was saying and gasped, "What are you DOING?". The little tyke answered "I'm doing my math homework, Mommy". "And this is how your teacher taught you to do it?" Mom asked. "Yes, ma'am" he replied. Infuriated his mother asked the teacher next day "What ARE you teaching my son in math?". The teacher said "Right now, we're learning addition". The mother asked, "And are you teaching them to say 2+2, the son of a bxtxh  is 4?!!!"  After the teacher stopped laughing, she answered, "What I taught them to say, was 2+2 the SUM OF WHICH, is 4!".

Don't forget Rudolph Day starts tomorrow, and we have a new hostess. So be sure to submit your cards and get a head start on Christmas 2015. Be sure to check the rules as Miss Scrappymoi has changed the requirements to be just one single card. My card is ready, but I haven't got a link for you just now. Hope to have it available when I post the card for tomorrow.

Thanks for joining me today. Have a blessed Saturday, and big hugs from me to you. Come back when you can, now heah?

Valentine - Surprise Blog Candy for my International Followers

Hi Again. I'm back with another Valentine card and a little surprise Blog Candy. When Random Generator for the blog candy was run earlier in the day, all the winners were USA residents. I felt that  all my lovely international followers were being a bit slighted. Decided that I would do another RG and select the first International follower whose name matched a number. That sweet follower will be thanked with an LOTV voucher in the amount of $35...which is approximately the cost of each of the earlier prizes. I have used LOTV before to send a voucher, so I know that company will work with my pay pal account and we can get the money conversion done properly....And I think all of us love the LOTV products.

First here's another {sorry!} Valentine card. Remember I still have to do some for my own use - so bear with me. This is another of the ones I did for DD.

-PB Hot Pants, Lil Inker Stitched Rectangle (or maybe it was MFT Pierced rectangle, gosh I forget!)

- S/B elegant ovals mat

- Momenta Arrows die cut from background paper created by spraying Dylusions over a piece of lace onto white cardstock. It was a bit too bright for my liking, so used it to die cut.

- other papers from Paper Studio 6x6 Love Struck pack

- VOS sticker hearts. Yay, that's it!

Congratulations to:

#254 - Kate of I Love Socks and Cards

The same rules as earlier: Contact me by 6:00PM EST on 1-25-15 and provide mailing address and also your email address please. (only I will see your personal data). I will contact LOTV and arrange for the voucher to be mailed directly to you. (at least this is the way LOTV handled it for me in the past..I hope they still do it that way.)

I do appreciate ALL of my lovely blog followers and it makes me happy to be able to send a little gift along to say so! I do so enjoy getting to know people from other parts of the world, learn about their lives and where they live...in places I shall probably never have the pleasure to see. I always love it when pictures are shared showing places that you visit. TTFN (TaTa for now. I watch too many British series methinks!). Big Hugs.

Penny Black - Tokens of Love

Good afternoon & warm welcomes. Hope you're not going to get sick of seeing Valentine cards, but that's the theme of most of my cards just now!

First order of business is to share the name of my newest followers:

Kellie of A Little Bit of Kellie and Sara of UTs Hobby Time . Shared Sara's blog link earlier, but I didn't have her name at that time. Sara was kind enough to let me share her name with you. Hope you'll take a few minutes and check out both of these awesome bloggers' work.

 

Another of the cards that were sent along to the DD. I'll keep the blather short, because the Blog Candy winners will be announced at the end of this post. Don't know how to insert the RG's results, so you'll just have to trust me on the numbers!

 

 

 

- PBlack Tokens of Love

- S/B Long Scalloped Rectangle

- MFT Stitched Fishtail banner

- VOS (probably Paper Studio) background paper

- Dylusions Sprayed background paper used for banner and card mat. Tried sprinkling Osti Red Brusho crystals over this piece while it was still wet...the crystals didn't spread as much as over just plain water.* You can just see some of the darker red sprinkles on the fish tail banner.

 

*This piece started out as one of my first Gelli plate efforts.  Gelli plate was inked with some copper acrylic paint, stencil placed and print pulled with white card stock. The piece has been on the table for a while. Since the background was white with the copper hearts, decided to spray Postbox Red Dylusions then sprinkle Osti Red Brusho crystals. Just goes to show, most warts can be salvaged to some purpose!!

 

- tiny heart brads - and yes there is some WoS on the Balloons & the envelope heart. The sentiment was done by masking off a portion of a stamp so that just the Valentine part showed, then punched with an SU oval punch. Card done.

****************************************************************************

NOW: Drumroll please: Congratulations to:

 

#224 - Benzi (http://benzistampz.blogspot.com/)

#180 - Shonna Erlenborn (http://shonasstampingstage.blogspot.com/)

#257 - Nancy ( http://whatsonmykitchencounter.blogspot.com/)

 

Did 3 passes on the Random Generator to get each number, matched the number to a name on the  database, and Ta-Da!

Each person has 48 hours to contact me by  1-25-15 at 6pm, provide mailing info, and an email address so that I can advise when candy is shipped.  Moderate comments is set to on, so any personal info left in a comment will only be seen by myself.  

 

Previous blog candy winners know that I like to include a little surprise in each envelope, which I hope the recipient will enjoy. It will be an unused product, or I will so state (sometimes I'll send along a well loved stamp that is extra to me. If it's stained, I will clean it as much as possible. Most of the items are duplicate purchases, or items purchased at good prices with the intention of using for blog candy. Sometimes original packaging has to be removed to make for easier mailing and I will say so.)

****************************************************************************

I want to thank each follower who took the time to join and help me reach this milestone goal. You can't believe how excited I am & I hope each person will be pleased with the items being sent. So thanks again for ALL of your support. Wish I could send something to each of you! Now it's set to go for the next milestone! I'm already collecting some goodies - oh I am optimistic, aren't I??? Many hugs, and hope I hear back from the winners within the time frame.

Penny Black Roses on the Run

Yahooo! Powered up the computer tonight and saw the 300 follower show up in the followers list. Whoo-ee! Candy time!! A big, warm welcome to UTs Hobby Time (sorry I don't know the blogger's name just yet).  Thanks so much for helping me reach this astounding milestone (well it is to me anyway!).

Sorry that I've been MIA for the last few days. I've received some lovely comments on the last couple of posts which made me feel so pleased. Had some other things going on in life & just haven't had a lot of time to spend on the computer lately. Also DD had requested some Valentine cards when she saw what I was coloring over our Christmas visit. Been working on those in the evenings, since she needed them soon in order  to send them out in a timely manner.  I'm sharing one here tonight:

- PBlack Roses on the Run, colored with copics & WoStella.

- S/B Decorative Labels 34 for the shape and some stencil coloring in the fancy edges.

- MBox Twisted hearts die; inserted the cut out pieces back in the die. Backed the red paper with some Elizabeth Craft double side tape (a new to me product, and it's a bit thinner than the Sookwang, so a tad easier to die cut. Made placing the cut out bits into the outline quite easy). Some VOSdimensional EK heart stickers were in the Valentine stamp drawer, so using some old stash too.

- Cheery Lynn sentiment cut from the same sticky paper as the hearts.

- Paper Studio 6x6 Love Struck paper pack.

Hope the DD will like this, and yes, I did finish off the inside. Even included envelopes for each card that was placed in the package sent to her.

As soon as I can catch up all the comments that are waiting on a return visit from me, I will be doing the Random Generator. It won't be long - I'll do my best to get it done and announced very shortly.

Thanks for joining me tonight, after another beautiful day. It was mammogram and bone density scan time for me - so I'm glad that's done for the year. Ya'll have a lovely evening. Big Hugs.

DeeDee's Digis - From the Heart

Good Afternoon from drizzly, gray & damp South Carolina. First order of business is to welcome some lovely new followers:

Tiziana Biagioli of Sweet and Colored

Viv of Viv's Visuals

Barbara C of BJ Crafty 

NanaConnie of Grammy's Attic 

Kath B of Handmade by Kath

Margaret M of Em's Paperdaze 

Janis of Her Peaceful Garden

 Oh my goodness, do I love having new friends to get to know, and thanks so much to all of you for becoming followers here.
********************************************************************************** 

The latest goal of 300 followers is drawing near. I'm excited enough to share a picture of the Blog Candy that will be going out when that face pops into the Followers list with 300 above it!  If you should follow via Bloglovin, but are not in the 'Followers List' at the top of the blog, please do join there as well. I don't have a way (er...know how ...) to track Bloglovin followers. When new faces appear, that follower's name and blog(if I can find one)  is added to my data base and that's what is used for the Random Generator when Blog Candy is given away.

 

Win requirements will be: (1)regular follower of this blog** (2) Share the Candy picture on your own blog with a link back to this blog (3)There will be 3 winners when the Random drawing is done and announcement will be made when this is to be done.

**********************************************************************************
In the Cards by Friends section, shared some more of the wonderful Christmas cards we were blessed to receive this past Christmas; please do take a few minutes to enjoy those too.

Today's card uses a DeeDee's Digi image - From the Heart (currently on sale for $1.00). Papers, sentiment and image are all from this set. I think it made a cute (and Easy!) Valentine card. There's so much more that could be done with the set, but I just wanted to get a fast card made to do a post. DeeDee's has a new DT member, Faith Anderson of Daffodil Cards, and Faith does some awesome work in Photo Shop using these digis. The beauty of these designs (at least in my opinion) is that you can jazz them up as desired, or use as is, and still have a delightful card.

 

 

- Image fussy cut, and portions of a 2nd image were used to add a little dimension. Minimal shading on the chocolate heart done with copics. Glossy accents added on the bow in Bunny's hair.

 

- S/B Oval Bliss cut the oval mat, Large Petite Scalloped Oval for the sentiment, and MS heart punch did the border. Two little punchout hearts had a drop of G.Accents added. That's it...card is DONE and ready for mailing. Couldn't have been easier.

 

Thanks for visitin' this afternoon, and please do pop round to my new friends - say a big Howdy, and let them know I sent you if you would. Additionally, check out the pretty cards being added to the Friends' Cards section. The Blog Candy will be in the sidebar shortly. I hope it will make you drool a bit!! Big Hugs, stay warm. God Bless.

**Please don't become a follower just to be eligible for the Blog Candy. I hope all of my followers enjoy what I post, and come to visit as their time permits. Thank you.

Valentine

Ok, ok, I know ---- I said no more with the Valentine cards for this season. I had one that had been mailed, and I wanted to be sure it arrived before I posted it here. I'll be brief (yes, I can be, if I try hard!)

 

 

 

- PB Hedgie image, colored with copics, Glossy Accents on the balloon. S/B deckled oval die, Copic BG0000 for background.

 

- Cheery Lyn Kaleidescope doily die cut from pink textured Bazzill. A 2nd doily was cut from a snippet of pearl white paper, and the 'spikes' trimmed at the edges. Some of the pearl peeks out from the holes in the pink doily.

 

- pink MBox leaf die cut from a snippet of darker pink paper.

 

- Papers from stash, ribbon to hide the join.

 

- sentiment stamped with Memento Love Letter on a S/B ribbon label die, and added glue & some Sparkle n Sprinkle pink glitter to the heart.

 

That's it! Ya'll enjoy the day. If you're where it is raining, I hope you don't get flooded. If you're where it's snowing, I hope that won't be too dreadful with the ice & packing down on roofs. Wherever you may be as you read this post, God Bless & keep you safe. Hugs



Friday Fun Day at Jo's Scrap Shack

It's FRI-day so that means it's Fun Day Challenge #37 over at Jo's Scrap Shack and today's sponsor is  3 Twenty Crafts  and the theme is, of course, Valentine's Day.

So here's the card I'm sharing:

- 3 Twenty Crafts Background Builder set was used to create the black & red chevron pattern of the heart inside the aperture. Die cut 2 S/B heart shapes, stamped 2 of the border stamps to create the background, first with Brillance Graphite, embossed with Ranger Clear EP. Stamped 2nd die cut heart with Brillance Rocket Red, embossed with clear EP. The tricky part was trying to get the angles properly on each die so that when cut apart, rejoined 2 different colors, a neat chevron pattern would be created. Covered this with 3D Crystal Lacquer, which is quite shiny IRL, but not showing well in the photo.

- card front was diecut with a smaller S/B heart, then brayered with Rocket Red ink over C/Bug Cross My Heart EF.

- MBox Heart Chain border die cut from lightweight black glittered paper. Hearts cut apart to add down the join of the black & white border stamping. Tiny red rhinestones added for some bling.

- using the leftover snippet of the black glitter paper, I switched the position of the heart chain border, recut another heart border, and then used the shaped part - the heart tips. Thought this made an interesting shaped border, rather than using the hearts, as I'd intended. Is this 'thinking outside of the box'?. Added some rhinestones, the MB love sentiment die cut and Cheery Lynn Kisses which were from snippets of the black glitter paper. Rounded the corners using a corner chomper instead of trying a punch. Cut through 4 layers of paper and I didn't have to use any bad words. :-)

Hope you like this card and will play along with us at Jo's Fun Day Friday Challenge. You will find all the rules over at Jo's Blog and it's very easy linking. We'll love seeing what you create for Valentine's Day! You have a chance to win a $10 Gift Certificate in the 3 Twenty Crafts Store.

Hugs & thanks for spending some of your time with me today.

 HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY 

Lovely Valentine Card from a Lovely Friend

Good evening & welcome to a very late post. Today started late, then had to make a grocery run, as our area is expecting some severe weather to move in tomorrow evening. Could be a 'no-show', and I won't complain, but it's best to have supplies on hand. Our weather folks are saying it could be the worst that our Upstate South Carolina region has seen in a few years. All this is relative, compared to what our neighbors up north are dealing with. Also DH came down with a cold on Friday, so I've been trying to keep my distance, as I don't want it. We're wiping down surfaces, I'm sleeping in another room, and generally staying away from him, except to administer TLC when needed.

Let me welcome some new friends, and I hope you'll find time to pay a visit to these talented bloggers as well, and let them know I sent you.

Shirley R of Card Art, Etc

Jill N of Greenwood Girl Cards

Mary S of All Nite Owls

Also many thanks for all the comments about the light box that I shared; I must give all the credit to Miss Cornelia of Stempel Spass: It was her idea, I just made something rather like what she had done. I'm also finding that it works better for my use at night, but I'm still experimenting with using during the sunshine hours too.

On another note: I tried my first attempt at using stencils & embossing paste last evening. I'll share that later. It was not a stellar result, as I used too much paste over what was probably too intricate a stencil for a first try. (well, I did just a tiny bit in a class, but we won't count that!). I'm going to see what I can do with it now that it's dried.

I don't have a card to share this evening, as I've been working on some other stuff lately, but I did want to share this lovely Valentine we received Saturday, from the lovely Miss Bonnie K. So you can enjoy it along with us!

Exterior of Bonnie's Valentine Card

Interior



So Bonnie, thank you so much for thinking of us. You made the day for 2 people at this house.

Now I'll say good night, 'cause I'm off to watch the next episode of Downton Abbey. Can you say 'addicted'? Well, not really, but I am addicted to Doc Martin. I was so pleased to see that one of the PBS stations had the 1st episode of series 6 aired last night. I had already seen it on Acorn TV, but was not expecting our local PBS affiliates to air it that soon.

Come again when you have time. Hugs

Northwoods Valentine Tree

Good Morning, and happy Friday. The sun is shining, we still have a few snow patches, it's cold. Tomorrow there is Heirloom Stamp show in Dululth, Georgia, which is about 2 hrs or less from our home. I waffled about attending, but at the last minute...we're going. It's always fun.

Found an image that was colored last year, just waiting to go onto a card. Needed to get something ready to post this morning, so used a S/B Grand Nestie in the same shape as this image to make a card.

- Northwoods stamp, colored with copics, diecut with a S/B Grand Labels 23, edged with DI while still in the die.

- Glossy accents had already been applied to the hearts, but as there was a package of EK Success puffy heart stickers still on the desk, decided to stick a few on the hanging hearts. Trying to use up this package of stickers. (If you notice the tiny stamp bottom right corner, it is one made for DH to use. Got it in my hand by mistake, as it is shaped just like the one I normally use for cards I create.)

Northwoods stamps are among my favorite stamps to color. The images always stamp out crisp & clean, and I just like the classic styles that the company produces. Guess I am just a traditionalist at heart.

Since it is a Friday, there will be a post for the Fun Friday Challenge later this afternoon. Hope you can pop back over for a quick visit, and I'm off to get things ready for our fun tomorrow. Printed out a list of IO Cover A Card stamps that I have, plus a list of the Memory Box dies...I'm going to try very hard to not duplicate items I already own. We'll see how well I adhere to this plan. As always, thanks for spending time here this morning, and I hope you like today's card. Hugs