April Showers

Happy Friday! I am so happy Friday is here because it means only one more week before I leave for a short holiday to visit some dear friends. 

Today is also release day at Sami Stamps, and Sami is thinking of April showers with this cute release. You really must see them. You also have time to participate in the challenge this month which was introduced at the first of the month.

Here is a thumb nail peek at all the new images:

I have used the image "Slippery Umbrella" for my card, and I've used this week's sketch from Tuesday Morning Sketches to create my fun, colorful card.

Now, hop over to the Sami Stamps blog and see what the other team mates have created and then click on the "shop" button at the top of the blog and go to the store for more information about these adorable images.

Challenge entered:

The Sisterhood of Crafters - April Showers

Make My Monday Challenge - April Showers

Tuesday Morning and Fuzzy Slippers

Hi everyone. Another happy Tuesday to all of you. This week we have a wonderful sketch that is so super easy to use that I KNOW it is going to be one of your favorite "go to" sketches. Let me give you a look:

Our sponsor for this week is the wonderful Doodle Pantry. If you aren't familiar with their delightful images, you definitely MUST go to their store and have a look. I have used "Bunny Slippers" this week for my project.

I have turned the sketch 90 degrees to accommodate my image (told you this is a versatile sketch). I have used bits and pieces of card stock and DP, so I cannot give you manufacturer names. The base is a 4 x 6" white with a blue layer and then the DP. Instead of the Baker's string, I used a burgundy ribbon (it looks black in the photo, but actually matches some of the flowers in the background paper). I then used a piece of green and a piece of blue card stock. The image is pre-colored, except for the nose which I colored in with Copic markers. I also added shadows and "ground" below the slippers with W1 and W0 marker to anchor them.

The sentiment is also from the Fuzzy Slippers sheet. I printed it off and cut it with a Spellbinder die. I also turned it and moved it slightly off the ribbon. The pink buttons match the slippers. 

Hope you will give this sketch a try and then post it to the Tuesday Morning Sketch challenge page. Also, if you have time, drop by my team mate's blogs and leave them some nice feedback. All of the cards they make are just the greatest.

Branching Out

I am branching out a little bit (and yes, I couldn't refrain). My girlfriend brought me some Tim Holtz distressing markers a while back, and I've just now gotten around to giving DMs a try. My other girlfriend had purchased a set of 24 some time ago, but she "lost" them (meaning in her vast craft room, she forgot where she put them). We'd been searching for them for over a month. She finally found them, so today we got together and gave DMs a try. 

I know that I still need some practice, but I rather liked the effect and plan on doing more (just as soon as I go shopping and add some more colors to my supply - smile)! I don't think my girlfriend liked them as much as I did, but I'll bring her around.

Hope you are having a great week. Talk to ya'll later.

A Bugaboo Tuesday

Good morning. Good morning. The best to you this morning. OK, I don't know why that tune popped into my mind this morning. Do you remember that Kellogs comercial? This week our Tuesday Morning Sketches challenge is brought to you by Bugaboo. If you aren't familiar with Bugaboo's whimsical little images, you really need to visit their online site. Such a treat!

This is our sketch for this week:

I think it is a classic looking sketch, and I know it will quickly become a favorite to use. The team has proven how versatile looking this sketch can be with a variety of lovely cards, so do stop by the TMS blog and have a look before heading to your crafting table to make your entry for this week's challenge.

I have used "Deacon and Ava Love" which I've colored with Copic markers. I then cut the image into an oval shape. This week my card is a 6" x 6" square. I have topped it with a piece of striped DP matted with green card. I kept trying to buy the Noor Joy Craft butterfly die for months and every place was sold out. I finally found and purchased it, only to have it sit in my die box for months, unused (silly, silly me). I have finally pulled it out and have now used it twice (back to back). 

I cut the blue piece behind my image with a Spellbinder die, and I used a Fiskars border punch to make the scalloped edge on the pick strip. The pink flowers are by Recollection (large one) and Wild Orchid Crafts (small ones). The sentiment is computer generated, cut with a Spellbinder circle die and then the Spellbinder scalloped circle die.

Can't wait to see what you come up with for your entry. Go get craftin', and have a great week!

Happy Easter Sami Style

It is the first Friday of the month, so time for another Sami Stamps release. Here is the thumb nail of this new release:

To get a better view of all these adorable eggs and fairies, visit the blog and/or the store.

It is also time for another challenge. This month, Sami wants to see paper piecing on your card or creation. Remember, you MUST use one of Sami's images which is not hard because Sami graciously gives away at least one image each month and reduces the price on others.

I have used the Butterfly Easter Egg image for my card. I have paper pieced the egg and the butterfly using left over papers in my scrap pile. The card is a white 6" x 6" base, and I've used a mixture of papers from various sources. The butterfly die cut at the top was cut using a Noor Joy Crafts die and white card. The scrap for the egg came from a scrap from an old Easter papers set I got several years ago. I liked it because the design definitely looked like a decorated egg. I add three colored gems (actually over small dots of the same colors) in between the larger dots.

The butterfly is actually three layers (the original and two from patterned paper) which I adhered as 3-dimensional using small foam dots between each layer. (I apologize. It has been my intent to take another photo from the side showing the 3-D effect, but I evidently "blinked" and the thought flew right out of my head - smile!)

The two decorative ovals are from a set by Spellbinder (both from the same set). The sentiment is computer generated. 

Before I close, I would like to wish everyone who celebrates Easter a very happy and blessed one. What was started at Christmas is complete at Easter. 

Hallelujah!