Beate Sketch #7

I have been so behind on challenges lately. This is Beate's most recent Weekend Sketch Challenge. I still haven't been able to get to her previous challenge. . .the circle card. I just loved the simplicity of this layout. It was nice and easy and didn't tax my brain too much! LOL The hardest part, though, is coming up with what stamps to use. For me, I usually go with whatever might be laying on the table in front of me, unless a type of set if specified. Lately, I've been trying to use new stuff or stuff I haven't used in a while. This Changito stamp from Stampendous is new. Isn't he the cutest? I couldn't really find a great sentiment to go with it, so it just ending up being a thanks card. Does anyone know of a sentiment that goes with this stamp? All I could find from Stampendous was "Hang in There" and "It's a Jungle Out There". The sentiment I did use was from my "You're Bugging Me" stamp set from MissyB Designs. I thought the script worked well with the look of Changito! Thanks for visiting today! Hope your weekend is wonderful! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps-Changito, Stampendous; You're Bugging Me, MissyB Designs; circles from Butterfly Kisses, Papertrey Ink; Ink- Chocolate Chip, Basic Black, Bordering Blue, VersaMagic in Sea Breeze and Aloe Vera; Paper- Wild Asparagus , Whisper White; Accessories- scallop circle punch, ribbon from Oriental Trading, Aquapainter, blender pen.

Stella Ladybug

I was blog surfing and followed a link from Beate's blog to find Sketch This: Cards! Since I LOVE doing sketch challenges, I thought I'd give this a try. It looks like card sketches are posted every Tuesday. Great! Another place to visit for inspiration when my brain just doesn't feel like thinking! From looking at past sketches, they are all very different. . .especially different from my normal style of layout. I decided to pull out my Basic Grey Stella Ruby pad. I haven't used that for a while. I got this ladybug stamp at Joann's for $1 a little while back and this is the first time I've used it. I thought that since it was "sketchy" and not too cutesy, it might go well with the look of the Stella Ruby papers. I think I like it. I can't decide yet! :) The friend sentiment is from my Three For You punch box. Oh, and the little circle at the top left of the card is sort of like a paperclip. I used the slit punch on a piece of the red paper, then punched around it with a circle punch, making a sort of paperclip if that makes sense. I added the May Arts ribbon on top for a little embellishment. If you're ever looking for a new sketch, try Sketch This! I know I'll visit regularly! SUPPLIES USED: Stamp- Ladybug $1 stamp, sentiment from Three For You punch box; Paper- Basic Grey Stella Ruby, DCWV dark brown; Ink- VersaMagic in Jumbo Java; Accessories- slit punch, circle punch, May Arts ribbon, dimensionals.

Beate Sketch

This is just a quick post today. I'm on my way out the door for my sister's baby shower! This was for Beate's newest sketch challenge. It went relatively quickly, and was super fun! Give it a try! I don't usually make square cards, so that was nice challenge for me! This stamp set came from Julee at Poetic Artistry. It was a Studio G clear stamp set. I just LOVE it! Thank you so much Julee! I HAD to use it today! The flowers are actually outlines of flowers, but I colored them in with a blender pen and my VersaMagic inks! I don't have time to post a supply list right now, but I will add that on later if you're really interested! Thanks for visiting today and have a great day! Edited to add: I actually dipped the blender pen in the VersaMagic ink pad and colored in the flowers instead of blending from the edges of the stamped flower. It gave me a more vibrant color. SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Studio G clear set; Paper- Magnolia, DCWV turquoise, black, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White; Ink- VersaMagic in Spanish Olive, Pumpkin, Thatched Straw, Aegean Blue and Sea Breeze; Accessories- Basic Black marker, Making Memories brads, paper piercer, ticket corner punch, blender pen.

Just For You

Now that you've seen that wonderful package I received from Beate, you can imagine how eager I was to make something with my new stamp! The Bee card that was in the package was a Joy Fold card. (click on the link for Beate's wonderful tutorial!) Since, the stamp is a circle, I modified the card a little and made the "inside" part a circle card! I used my Circle Coluzzle on a piece of folded black cardstock, and made sure that the circle template went over the one edge so that the one side would still be connected.

The "full ladybug" that the circle card "latches" under was made by stamping and coloring the ladybugs you see on the stamp, and then putting them together "belly to belly" to make a full round ladybug. I had to color in the dots with a black marker so that they would line up better. I added wire for the round ladybug's antennae. "Just For You" is traced over in Stardust Stickles. The flower has yellow stickles over top and some bling added to the center. I'm so happy with how this card turned out. . .and I LOVE my new stamp! Oh the things I can make with it! Thanks for visiting today! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Stampendous Ladybug Topper, Dot from Green Thumb; Ink- Basic Black; Paper- DCWV Glitter Stack Black with White Dots, Red, Green and Black, Whisper White; Accessories- Circle Coluzzle, Basic Black marker, Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol, stump, Stardust and Yellow Stickles, wire, bling from Walmart, circle punch.

Super Sketch Sunday on Thursday!

Well, I finally got to Amy's Super Sketch Sunday Challenge, and it's Thursday! Time just seems to be disappearing for me lately. This is one of my FAVORITE challenges to do every week, and I just can't believe it took me this long to get to it. I usually do it on Sunday, but this past Sunday was busy with rehearsal, and my husband was gone all day with choir concerts. . .so no break for mommy! I even had to take BOTH girls to rehearsal with me. Anyway, I LOVE to do Amy's sketches. If you haven't visited Amy's blog, you should. . .and try one of her challenges! I did my first Scrap Stash Saturday Challenge this past Saturday. It really makes for a lot of fun and inspiration. . .especially if you don't have TIME to think up a starting point for your card! LOL This card could actually be used for both challenges because I got the patterned paper out of my scrap stash! Trying to use up those scraps! Hopefully the next thing you'll see me post is some thank you sets for my husband or shower invites for my sister! I just have to be inspired to come up with something cute and creative. They may end up being very simple so I can just get them finished! Thanks for visiting and have a beautiful day! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Riveting, Faux Ribbon; Paper- DCWV Spring Stack, Basic Black, Certainly Celery; Ink- VersaMagic Midnight Black, Red Magic, SU Real Red; Accessories- small and large oval punch, red ric rak, circle punches, Cuttlebug Flower die, button from Making Memories, black grosgrain.

My First Scrap Stash

I have been wanting to try Amy's Scrap Stash Saturday Challenge for a while. I just think it's great for using up some scraps rather than always cutting into new paper to make a card. Mind you, I would have to do at least a year's worth of Scrap Stash Saturdays to use up my scraps! LOL Amy always does such a nice job with the scraps she chooses. So, I had a little time yesterday and thought I'd give it a try. It was tough! Hopefully you think this card goes together alright. I wasn't sure about that cream/mauve patterned paper fitting in, but I used just a tad of it and I think it worked. It was a fun challenge, and I'm so glad I tried it. Hopefully it will get easier the more I do it! Thanks for visiting today and I hope you're having as beautiful weather as we are here! Finally, the sun's out again! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Edgy Eloquence; Paper- DCWV, Oriental Trading, The Paper Company; Ink- Lovely Lilac, Ruby Red, VersaMagic Dusted Mauve; Accessories- round tab punch, double rectangle hole punch, Making Memories brads.

Spring Trifold

I wanted to make another of those adorable Trifold Cards-Cami Style. I just think they're so cute. I used the stickers that I received from Mary when we swapped cards. I thought the stickers were adorable, and perfect for this time of year! The sentiment is from one of the Studio G $1 clear stamp sets from Michael's. The stamp actually says "Have a Great Day", but I had to omit the "Have" because it wouldn't fit. I added a little doodling on the left side of the image. The flower on the frame was another sticker from the set I received. In order to get the "double-sided" patterned paper, I cut two pieces (the same size) of different patterns from the DCWV Spring Stack and adhered them back to back. It worked pretty well! I love all these cute little cards that have been the fad lately. They're different, and just so cute! If you haven't made any yet, BEWARE. . .you'll become addicted! :) SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Studio G clear stamp; Ink- Charcoal Fluid Chalk ink; Paper- DCWV Spring Stack, light green, SU Whisper White; Accessories- scalloped oval punch, coluzzle oval template, black marker, Jolee's Boutique stickers, paper piercer, white gel pen, gingham ribbon, slit punch, Aquapainter.

Kitty Notes

I made this notepad holder a little while back, but I wanted to post a tutorial to go with it, so I held off on posting it until now. The tutorial is almost finished, so if you're interested, check back later today!

This holds a 3"x5" notepad, and even has a slot to hold a pen on the side! When I saw these, I thought they were so cute, but looked a little complicated. It really wasn't once I actually did it. Hopefully, you will find the tutorial helpful. I don't think the picture shows it very well, but there is a shadow of glitter around the kitty. It's really pretty when the light hits it!

The girls and I are taking my grandma shopping today (our weekly ritual), so I'll finish up the tutorial when we get back. Remember to check back later! Have a great day! SUPPLIES: Stamps- Pink Cat Studio, Cat Plate #1, alphabet; Ink- Black Fluid Chalk Ink; Paper- DCWV black, pink, olive, lime, watercolor paper; Accessories- Making Memories brads, word window punch, horizontal slot punch, Aquapainter and classic ink pads, Bic pen, ribbon from Michael's, Dazzling Diamonds glitter.

Super Sketch Sunday #8

For those of you who have never visited Amy Westerman's blog, you really must! She makes some BEAUTIFUL cards and does some really neat things, like her Super Sketch Sunday Challenge. She posts a card sketch for you to try every Sunday! How cool is that? This is my card based on her sketch. I made it for my cousin who is going to be 10 years old soon. I think she'll really like all the "girly" colors and sentiments. So, go check out Amy's blog and try her sketch challenge! Have a beautiful Sunday! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- SU Think Big, A Muse sentiment; Ink- Pixie Pink, Chocolate Chip, Green Galore; Paper- DCWV brown, SU Whisper White, Oriental Trading patterned paper; Accessories- Prima flower, Making Memories brad, Oriental Trading ribbon, sponge.

More Gorgeous Ribbon

I made this card a while ago, but it was very plain, so I decided to add this beautiful ribbon to it to dress it up. This is more of the May Arts ribbon that came in my wonderful package! I love it! I just can't get enough of this ribbon. At least I'm actually USING it instead of hoarding it, right?! This is a set I haven't used for a while, Natural Beauty. The word background is stamped in Versamark on three different colors of cardstock. The butterfly is cut out, wire antennae added and mounted on dimensionals. SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- SU Natural Beauty, Everyday Flexible Phrases; Ink- Versamark, Basic Black, Old Olive, Baroque Burgundy; Paper- Basic Black, DCWV Olive, Burgundy, Cream, Brown; Accessories- wire, dimensionals, May Arts Ribbon, Aquapainter.

For anyone that's interested, tonight starts Virtual Stamp Night over at Splitcoast! It begins tonight at 7pm, and continues again tomorrow from 12pm until 11pm. If you're interested, check it out and come join the fun! I'm hoping my girls will let me participate! :) I participated in my first VSN last month and had a BLAST! You will too! Have a great day!

Start Everyday With a Smile

I got my GORGEOUS blog candy package from Beate yesterday! I was so excited! I couldn't believe how much wonderful stuff was in there! It was VERY hard to part with any of it, let alone actually cut the ribbon. . .oh my! The beautiful dance card that was in the package inspired me to dig out my long-neglected Edgy Eloquence set. I really love that set, but once it got put away I kinda forgot I had it. In order to get the sentiment in one line (rather than 3 lines on the actual stamp), I used a Stamp-a-ma-jig for perfect positioning. Even though I cleaned the stamp in between each stamping, I still got a little bit of left over ink where the previously inked portion of the stamp touched the cardstock, so that's why the skinny piece of pink scrapbooking tape by Heidi Swapp appeared on the card! :) I thought it matched perfectly with the big Prima Jamaican flower and pink polka dot May Arts ribbon, which were both part of my package. I added the black piece of cardstock with the ribbon, and a punched circle of it behind the flower to balance the sentiment. I also thought the black brads added a nice touch. Hope you started today with a smile! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- SU Edgy Eloquence; Paper- Whisper White, Basic Black; Accessories- May Arts ribbon, Prima Jamaican flower from the Caribbean Collection, Making Memories brads and small flower, Heidi Swapp scrapbooking tape, circle punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig.

Ode to Oodabug

What is an "Oodabug" you may ask? Well, when I was a wee-little girl (I mean just starting to talk kind of wee-little)my grandma had this ladybug magnet on her fridge that I just LOVED. I would stand in front of the fridge and point up at it and say in my raspy little toddler voice "Oo, da bug". I was allowed to hold it since that's all I did. . .I would hold it and look at it, not try to put it in my mouth like most toddlers would. The most I would do is try to pick off it's dots. Everyone in the family thought it was so cute but odd since the ladybug wasn't very colorful or pretty at all. It was wooden, and pieces of the wood had chipped off here and there. (I didn't do it!) But I LOVED that ladybug magnet. Everyone in my family has called ladybugs "oodabugs" ever since then. Finally, at my wedding shower (twenty-some years later), I opened a gift from my grandma and it was my "oodabug". I came across it last night, which inspired my card and post for today. As you can see in the picture, she has been well-loved! :) So now you have the story as to why my blog is entitled "Oodabug Alley".

SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Ladybugs and sentiment from Stamps by Judith; Ink- Basic Black; Paper- So Saffron, Basic Black, Whisper White, DCWV Patterned paper and red; Accessories- Ribbons from Michael's and Joann's (stitched, dotted and organdy), Celery grosgrain, Prismacolor pencils, Gamsol, stump, brads from Making Memories, Large oval punch, horizontal slot punch

A Purr-fect Day!

I had to have this set after seeing cards on Julee's blog. She did such a gorgeous job with the cats on this card and this card and made me want to buy them. I absolutely LOVE these cats from Pink Cat Studio. If you haven't already, you must check them out. The shipping was REALLY fast too! As for this card, I decided to use one of the sets of VersaMagic Dew Drops that I got at Joann's. It was the Jewel Box set, which consists of Perfect Plumeria, Purple Hydrangea, Spanish Olive and Aegean Blue. I loved the color combo and found cardstock in my collection to match. The VersaMagic pads worked really well with my blender pen, so I was able to color in the cat that way. I masked the cat and used the A Muse small oval to ground her. The doodling was an afterthought. The card needed something, so I started on the bottom right side trying to imitate the cat's tail. The ribbon I found at Michael's on one of those little wooden spools. I got the sentiment piece idea here, on Stamping with Serendipity's Blog. It was designed by Craftingcrazy. What a neat idea! Thanks, Pam and Craftingcrazy for the great idea! The Horizontal Slot punch was used on both ends. Then I punched two pieces out of the same color blue paper with the Word Window punch and looped them through and attached with brads. The brads are from Making Memories. The sentiment itself was stamped in two steps since it was too long. I stamped "Have a Purr-fect" in the first step, then cleaned the stamp REALLY well and stamped "Day!" on the second line. I can't wait to do some more cards with this set. It's so much fun!