I didn't forget how to COLOR!!

It has been close to a year since I last picked up a Copic Marker and I am so excited to see that I have not forgotten how

I created this fun card for my nephew who was turning 24.  Wonder if he ever received it?  I haven't heard. Not sure if I am more concerned about my creation sitting in some corner of the postal system or the check that was inside!!

Closer look at my shading and stitches.  

I just adore sewing on cards, don't you?? 

After I cut out my colored image I gave it dimension with foam squares.  The Birthday sign was actually stamped a second time then I cut out just the part with the message and popped it up with additional foam squares.  

The stamp is made by Whimsy and that dog's front feet are cracking me up!

Thank You

I know I've said this numerous times but seriously taking something "ordinary" and wrapping it up pretty makes a simple gift seem so much more SPECIAL,

 right?

Attention to details:

Glitter cardstock that I cut down, punched a round hole and scored so that it would slide over and hang from the neck of the wine bottle.  I stamped the little chef, added some shadowing with a Copic Marker and gave him striped pants by drawing crisscross lines.  The food on his tray was colored with Copic Markers, cut out and I used foam squares to make them 3-dimensional.

Oh and that RIBBON

I hope she kept it, we all know

I WOULD

This OLD MAN...........

This "OLD MAN"
he played six, he played knick knack with some stix
with a Knick Knack paddy wack
give the dog a bone
this OLD MAN came rolling ("stumbling") home

Does anyone else remember that or did I just show my age?

MOXIE FAB is hosting a "Stamping with Markers Challenge" and I am hoping to WIN the new "E" set of Copics. Want to play along? You have until March 16

This old man from "You Know You're Old When" by Gina K Designs is one of the funnest stamp sets to color with my Copic Markers. I have so much fun shading, highlighting and making their wrinkles look as realistic as possible.

I wish I had taken a photo of the fun beer assortment that I put together for this gift; they had some fun labels. I'm not a beer drinker but my recipient loves Beer so I hope this is the perfect gift

CHALLENGES I AM ENTERING
Moxie Fab World: Stamping with Markers Challenge
One Stitch at a Time: Anything but Square
Paper Sundaes: Masculine Colors (does not have to be masculine)

....................Supplies I used....................
Stamps: Gina K (you know your old when, beautiful backgrounds by Nina Brackett)
Ink: Copic Markers, Momento (tuxedo black)
Cardstock: Paper Trey Ink (scarlett jewel, kraft), Gina K (dark brown, olive, cream,), Stampin Up (close to cocoa)
Tools: Paper Trey Ink (limitless layers 1 3/4" collection)

2nd Entry - Moxie Fab Neutrals Color Challenge

Have I mentioned how badly I want to be considered
?? MOXIE FAB ??

MOXIE FAB WORLD
NEUTRALS COLOR CHALLENGE

The challenge is to use this color combo EXACTLY: French Vanilla, Twig, Smoky

NO PROBLEM since I happen to think this Color Combo is super Yummolicious AND because
I want that "I'm a Moxie Fab Challenge Winner" button for my blog. Of course being the MOXIEST of ALL would get me published in the July/August 2011 issue of
Paper Crafts Magazine.

Complete Details
----> HERE <----

Here is a close up of a few details showing what I've done

My baby was colored using Copic Markers. I used two different kinds of glitter. A very fine glitter for the background behind my baby and a chunckier glitter for the fur. I've used 4 different Dies: Spellbinders (circle, snowflake & mittens) and Paper Trey Ink (the pointy circle).
I dyed my seam binding in a cup of hot tea (YES I drank it afterwards ;o),

The crochet lacey stuff is a Vintage Find that I purchased at an Antique store for $1 and I straight stitched it to my project along the top and bottom.

CHALLENGES I USED:
Moxie Fab World: Neutrals Color Combo Challenge
Flourishes: Bringing Back Beautiful (show some VINTAGE Beauty on your project - I used the vintage crochet lace)
Simon Says Stamp & Show: A Childhood Memorie (my mother would bundle my sister and I up in two piece snow suits and I loved the mittens that we had, they were attached with a long piece of yarn and ran from one arm hole through the other so they wouldn't get lost)
.....................Supplies I used.................
Stamps: Crafty Secrets
Cardstock: Stampin Up (shimmery white, baja breeze)
Patterened Papers: Basic Grey (fruitcake)
Tools: Spellbinders (snowflake, circle, mittens), Paper Trey Ink (1 3/4" Limitless Layer Circle Dies), Stampin Up (scallop border punch)
Misc: seam binding, vintage lace, button from Italy, Jute twine

Christmas Bells

Today I am featuring the
Hero Arts
" WREATH with BELLS "

I've colored the image with a more whimsical color combo, however, we know my love is Vintage, can you imagine how beautiful these would look by simply changing the colors, ink those edges.... AWWWW, Why didn't I think of that?????

Pssssssssstttttt!!!!!
Today's card meets the ABC Toys & Crafts " SEW Special " challenge requirement of STITCHING because the larger ribbon was stitched along the sides.

REMEMBER our " SEW Special " Challenge is still going on and we want you to get CREATIVE and
SHARE your Interpretation

CHALLENGES I USED:
Crazy 4 Challenges: Circles
Fresh Brewed Challenges: Winter/Christmas
Mark's Finest Papers: Use a Circle on your project
Totally Gorjuss: Non-Traditional Christmas Colors
Crafty Creations: Christmas is Coming

Enjoying the Little Things

Justine (CARDiology) here sending warm, sunny greeting from the beautiful island of Antigua!!! This week the ABC Toys & Crafts Design Team has focused on the new Sarah Kay images for Fall. I am sharing the cute little " Rose Cuddling the Winter Bunny ". I wanted to keep a rather warm feel to my project, therefore, I chose to stamp the image onto Kraft cardstock and see how using the Copic Markers would look. The colors are VIBRANT
After stamping my image, I created a mask then sponged numerous inks in order to create
the glow of a
SUNSET

I love how my little girl appears to be anything but Anglo Saxon (white), huh?

I rather think she looks either Native American or African American

What do you think?

My tag was created by first stamping with the Hero Arts LEDGER Stamp then I inked the edges. The Button is handmade by Kristy of BUTTONS & BOWS. It is available with the
HARVEST BUTTONS

My only wish is that I could have captured how amazing this card turned out. No matter how I angled, no matter, what lighting or what background location I used, I could NOT CAPTURE a decent photograph. Trust me though, in real life this image is spectacular.

Most of the products that I used are from
ABC Toys & Crafts

This is sort of Masculine, Right?

As this post goes live I will be on my way to Antigua for a little Rest and Relaxation. Prior to leaving I was on a crazy creative MOJO Streak so I hope that you will continue to visit. This will be the perfect time to catch up on posting items that I've not had the time to share.

Today's card features another new line of stamps being sold at ABC Toys & Crafts. new Rachell Anne Miller Stamp Set ( CAKES are YUMMY ). The coloring and paper piecing possibilities are endless. Ordinarily I wouldn't look at this stamp set and think masculine, however, I am thinking that the color combo and the lack of buttons, bows or ribbon, this could definately pass for MASCULINE!!! (so I used a one of the frilly Circle Die and the cake plate is pink, I suppose this is as masculine as I could muster)

What do you think??

Click on the ABC Design Blog Blinkie over in the right side bar to see what the rest of the Design Team has created using the Rachelle Anne Miller stamps.

CHALLENGES I USED:
Crafty Creations: Red, Brown, Green
Meljens: Anything Goes
Fresh Brewed: Sweet Treats

.....................Supplies I used.......................
(highlighted items are available and linked to ABC Toys & Crafts)
Stamps: Rachelle Anne Miller (cakes are yummy)
Ink: Copic Markers, Momento (tuxedo black)
Cardstock: Stampin Up (chocolate chip, certainly celery, ), Bazzill Basics (red/pink)
Patterned Paper: Fancy Pants (wildhearts), The paper Studio
Tools: Spellbinders (lacey circles), Cuttlebug, Singer Sewing Machine
Misc: Stickles (crystal), Making Memories Charms (celebrate)

Chic Shopping

Only * 70 * Shopping Days left until
CHRISTMAS
(click on the highlighted products to begin your Holiday Shopping Today)

This week the Design Team of ABC Toys & Crafts featured our newest stamp line
by

Penny Johnson Stamps
" CHIC SHOPPING ".

This little Fashionista was brought to life using Copic Markers and she isn't waiting until the last minute to get her Holiday Shopping done. She is all bundled up in her " Lemonade " fashions by " Basic Grey " with a " Sparkley Fur " trim by " Cotton Candy Stickles ".

Did you notice that amazing Handmade BUTTON??
These can be purchased -----> HERE

CHALLENGES I USED:
Basic Grey: Sparkle
Paper Sundaes: Change of Seasons
Ohh La La: Nothing Floral
Little Red Wagon: Something Old/Something New (old paper & tulle - new stamp & button)
My Partner in Crafting Crime: Shine on you Crazy Diamond (show sparkle)

Tea for Two & Two for Tea

Today's card is featuring one of the newest Stampavie stamp lines that ABC Toys & Crafts has started carrying "Designs by LEERE" I used "COFFEE GIRLS" but my girlies are drinking "TEA"

Check out the ABC Design Blog where we are featuring Erin Thiem as our
very first
(she even gets a super cool blinkie to display letting everyone know she has been featured)

"Friends of ABC Toys & Crafts"

The ladies on my project represent my daughter and I (yep look closely, the one that is ME even has purple hair!!) When my daughter was home from college recently, I took her to a wonderful Victorian Tea House (The girl LOVES her TEA). We had so much fun and even sat at a little soda table just like this. I will also have fun creating cards for my little sister. Growing up the only dinner table we had was an antique Soda Fountain Table. On the rare occassions that our mother cooked, she would set up our table like a fine restaraunt, put our kool-aid in wine glasses and welcome us to "PAMMIE POO's Restaurant"!! Cannot wait to get started on that project...................

Here is a close up of the antique Sicilian Teapot and Lace that I purchased in Sicily before leaving. To die for ehhhh?

The inside sentiment was created with two stamps from the Crafty Secrets Stamp Set " Sweet Stuff ". I used one of the Spellbinders " Fancy Tag " Shapability dies.

CHALLENGES I USED:
Fresh Brewed Designs: Girly
Stamp Something: Something Punchy (I used 3 different dies)
Stampsmith Challenge: All Dressed Up (this is there VERY 1st Challenge)
Wild Orchid: All Stitched Up
Paper Sundaes: A Change of Seasons (not necessarily meaning weather I chose the changing from a girl to a woman with my daughter having tea all grown up!!!!!!)

ABC Inspiration Challenge

The ABC Toys and Crafts Design Team challenged each other to use the above montage photo. I was inspired by the cherries and the bold Blue & Red Color Combo!!

We would love to see your take on our challenge and maybe YOU will be the WINNER of THIS

(click on Blinkie for complete DETAILS)

Here is a close up of the brand new Designs by Leere " PARTY GIRL " stamp that I used. Isn't she FUN?

My project is actually a pocket card that I stitched up the sides rather than just gluing. I love how the note card that is tucked into the pocket sticks up and resembles a tiered cake. I added polka dots to her party dress by touching my colored image with the Clear Blending Marker. If you look closely, you can also see that I gave my image eyeballs and FILLED her glass with "Vino".

My girlfriend Kristy's birthday was Friday night and I created a "Party in a Bag". The contents of the bag included: Vino Frappe' (a slushie mix that is made using WINE", Mediterranean Gourmet Pita Chips and a Spicy Gourmet Mediterranean Dip mix AND a BEAUTIFUL PARTY GLASS for the Birthday Girl!!!). Here is a photo of she and I with her fun Glass.

Challenges I Used:
ABC Toys & Crafts: Inspiration Photo
Stampin for the weekend: Tag It
The Crazy Challenge: Let's Cook it (cherries & wine come from the kitchen, as did all of the goodies in my package)
Flourishes Timeless Tuesday: Celebrations
Creative Inspirations: 2 or more Stamped Images (party girl & happy birthday sentiment)
Wild Orchid Challenge: Ribbons & Bows
Stamp, Scrap & Doodle: Stitching

..............Supplies I used................
Bold Items are available at ABC Toys & Crafts---Use Discount Code ABC20JF to save 20%
Stamps: Stampavie (Leere Designs "Party Girl), Hero Arts (Happy Birthday),
Cardstock: Stampin Up (bliss blue, real red), Gina K (white 120lb)
Patterned Paper: Stampin Up
Ink: Copic Markers, Momento (tuxedo black),
Tools: Cuttlebug, Spellbinders (Nestabilities Scalloped Ovals), sewing machine, Martha Stewart edge punch (Scallop Dot), Stampin Up (Sizzix label die)
Misc: Ribbon scrap & Antique Button

Quick & Easy Bookmarks

SARAH KAY stamp
week at
ABC Toys & Crafts
(make sure to check out the discount - no code needed)

I am just over the moon with how much fun and how EASY the Sarah Kay stamps are to Color... Most of the time I color my projects with someone else in mind, however, I am keeping this project for myself. Not having furniture has had it's advantages, such as, taking long walks around my new neighborhood and READING.

I was thrilled to see Beate Johns' tutorial for creating these corner bookmarks -----> HERE

See how nicely it sits on the corner of my page

Here is a peek at what the back side looks like when being used

I just love coloring their little shoes with a closer look at one of my favorite

Martha Stewart border punches
CHALLENGES I USED:
C.R.A.F.T. Challenges: Babies or Children
Stamp with Sarah Kay or Stampavie & More: Anything Goes
For Fun Challenges: Coloring (I used Copic Markers)
The Town Scrapper: Anything Goes (This is their last challenge until Sept. but some of their DT have yummy Blog Candy up for graps on their personal blogs)


Simon Says Stamp: Fruit (I used a strawberry themed patterned paper)
The Creative Cottage Challenge: NO Cards

Here are the products that are available at ABC Toys & Crafts:

HUGZ,

"Fun in the Sun"

ABC Toys & Crafts
will be Featuring all things
" PENNY BLACK "
What kind of Celebration would it be without a
DISCOUNT 15 % DISCOUNT
(NO CODE NECESSARY)

I was so excited to have the opportunity to play with the "BEACH DAY" stamp set. Just look at this adorable image!!!
Does she not just scream "paper piecing"? It was all I could do not to try and use everyone of the stamps at once. Not sure you can really see how I stamped the little border of seashells with Versamark ink then stamped over them with the sentiment "Fun in the Sun"?

Because I wanted to use that sentiment, I gave my little girl a little "sunburn" but I also used a yellow felt flower (thank you PAT) and button to resemble the SUN. Cute eeeh?
CHALLENGES I USED:
Cupcake Craft Challenge: Use the photo above (I liked the colors & of course beachy)
Cute Card Thursday: Summer
Simon Says Stamp: Photo Inspiration (I liked the turquoise)
Easy Craft Projects: Summer
Freshly Brewed: Summertime
Stampavie: Sparkling (I added glitter to the butterly in the center of her bathing suit)
Crafty Calendar: Summer (Glitterbabe is sponsoring this)

Christmas in July

Fussy & Fancy challenge is using the theme
" CHRISTMAS IN JULY "

I am so happy that I was thinking ahead when I packed up my crafts for this move. Apparently I had pre-stamped these cute little mice "JUST in CASE"!!

I love the non-traditional colors that I used but I wanted to be able to participate in the "Color Throw-Down" challenge. There are some fabulous prizes being given away.

Don't forget HERO ARTS are on sale 15% off
(use this code: 15HERO510) & FREE SHIPPING on CLEAR STAMPS

How about WINNING these cute stamps? Just click on them to head over to Lorraine's GIVEAWAY.

CHALLENGES I USED
Fussy & Fancy: Christmas in July
Color Throwdown: Color listed above
Simon Says Stamp: Blue Lagoon photo inspiration
Flourishes: Christmas in July (Christmas stamps are 25% off)
The Pink Elephant: 3 layers, 2 die cuts & 1 ribbon