Hey Chick! FMS276

Sometimes you just have to create a card that makes you smile!

Amy's great sketch was perfect for showcasing the chicks from Hey Chick!  I used Zig markers and an aquapainter to watercolor those feathery critters then added a strip of paper from Serene Scenery.  Hope you join us at Freshly Made Sketches! 

I am also linking to Addicted to CAS "Wood" Challenge.

Stamp Review Crew: Lift Me Up

The Stamp Review Crew is featuring the set Lift Me Up today.  I love that it comes with coordinating framelits and designer paper called Carried Away. There are endless combinations with this suite of products so you are in for an entertaining hop!

I am delighted to be sandwiched between two good friends on this hop! I met Ann Schach many moons ago when we roomed together at the first Convention I ever attended.  Her cards are amazing! So if you missed Ann Schach's beautiful work head back there............

                                                                       

Otherwise continue onward to Mike Funke's blog.  I met Mike at that same Convention way back when. He is sooooo creative and oh so stylish!

And at that same SU! Convention Ann offered to share some basic brayering tips and told us all to bring a brayer and ink for her session.  As we gathered around the table everyone took out a brayer and inkpad.....except for one person who took out a brand new brayer and a bottle of ink - a chocolate chip refill to be exact!  Wonder who that rookie was?????

Fusion - Pretty in Pink

It's been a cold snowy week around here. Some of us enjoy hanging out by the fireplace sipping tea with friends while others head out to explore ice castles.......

I went with the sketch and the photo this week at Fusion - always more than one way to play along with us!

Stamp Sets:  All Things Thanks (SU), Tea Time (Avery Elle)

Ink:  Sweet Sugarplum, Crumb Cake

Celebrating! FMS275

I am usually never at a loss for words but when I got a message from Lydia Fiedler a while back asking me to join the Dirty Dozen Design Team at Splitcoaststampers I was speechless! I am still pinching myself and am truly honored to be joining such an amazing group of designers!  



When I first started stamping about 8 years ago my upline Mary Fish  said "Join Splitcoast.....you will have a gallery for your cards, endless inspiration and lots of "how to" advice."

I took her advice and joined.  And she was oh so right - Splitcoast is a vast resource for all things stamping.  And every month the Dirty Dozen gallery provides inspiration and an invite to play along. I won't be sharing my DD cards on this blog because the Dirty Dozen Gallery is part of the Fan Club membership. There will be over 70 cards each month from the team alone to inspire you!  If you are already a member head on over and see the new "Food for Thought" gallery!  If you aren't a member....think about joining!  It's the best kind of membership to have.....no long boring meetings or raffle tickets to sell.......just lots of stamping techniques, projects, inspiration and a whole community of stampers to chat with!


Meanwhile over at the Freshly Made Sketches gallery my friend who has an amazing way with flowers - Narelle Farrugia - designed a fun sketch for us this week.  Hope to see you in the gallery!


                                                        

You're Perfect in My Book! FMS274

True confession;  Cardmaking is not my #1 way to spend my free time......gasp!  I am a reader......I started way back in the dark ages with The Bobbsey Twins and have never looked back.  After I retired from teaching I took a part time job at our local library.  Every Tuesday afternoon you can find me processing the new books that have just been released - it's a great job - and every week one or two of those new books usually end up at my house!  

But fear not - cardmaking is a close second to reading!  Both of these pastimes inspire me, entertain me and teach me so many new things.  And through stamping blogs, Facebook and cardmaking events I have even met a lot of "characters" in person! ;0)  

When I looked at the SAB set Tasty Treats my first thought was Bookmobile!  So I added a few images from To Thine Own Shelf  (Simon says Stamp) and tucked in a little heart. I just might be sending this out as a Valentine to a friend who also loves to read.

Hope you join us this week at Freshly Made Sketches.  My friend from waaaaay up north....Jen Brum....designed a great sketch for us!


                                                   

Stamp Review Crew: Sunshine Sayings

The Stamp Review Crew is featuring Sunshine Sayings today.  This set has some great sentiments as well as coordinating diecuts.  And it is perfect for sending flowers on Valentine's Day!

And I may have to send some flowers - or popsicles -  to Miss E who came down with strep throat yesterday.  But they gave her a "very cool" mask to wear in the Urgent Care waiting room!

Hope you enjoy the Review Crew Hop!

If you missed Valerie's wonderful work head back.......

.......but if you are on track head on to see what treats Martha has in store!

I based my design on the sweet sketch at Cas(e) this Sketch this week.

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And my friends at the Paper Players are having a Valentine challenge this week!

Stamp Set: Sunshine Sayings

Paper: Sweet Sugarplum, Very Vanilla, Blushing Bride

Ink: Blushing Bride, Sweet Sugarplum, Wild Wasabi

Interlocking Hearts - Fusion

Sweet inspiration from Fusion this week!  I changed up the colors but used the interlocking hearts idea and sketch to make my card.  A bit of sparkle adds to the wintry look - perfect for Valentine's Day or a winter wedding!

And it is definitely winter around here. My son and the big guy skied at nearby Gore Mt. yesterday and this was their view from the top........

Meanwhile at a much lower altitude they have all managed to get Miss Emma up and going!

Me?  Well I am perfectly content staying home and making cards!

I used both the sketch and the hearts today.  Hope to see what inspires you at Fusion!

Die Cuts:  Celebrate, Sunshine Sayings

Paper:  Blushing Bride, Sahara Sand, Falling in Love DSP

Good Idea! FMS273

I love hearing people describe their creative process to create cards. In the beginning I scoured countless blogs admiring beautiful cards and hoping fabulous ideas would leap off the computer screen into my head.....that was the Wishful Thinking Method of Stamping. Next I became a late night stamper and was convinced that the best ideas happened after midnight......the Hail Mary Method. Then I subscribed to a zillion stamping magazines and tried as many different trends and styles as I could.......known as the Throw It Out There and See What Sticks Method.  These days I prefer to craft in the morning so I am now using the Sleep On It Method.  I scope the challenge the night before and plan what I am going to do as I fall asleep.  So for this card I decided I would use an ombre technique to stamp chicken wire in three sections.  Then I would put a crazy looking chick with blue hair in front with a sentiment.  And somehow this card became all about red cups and coffee........I think I need a new method.....  

I love Karren's sketch at Freshly Made Sketches this week and look forward to seeing what you do with it.....and I'd love to know what you were thinking to get you there!

                                                 

Stamp Set:  Newton Loves Coffee by Newton's Nook

Ink:  Watermelon Wonder, Flirty Flamingo, Blushing Bride, Chocolate Chip

Designer Paper: Tasty Treats