A Haunting Home

Tonight is Halloween and so I wanted to post this last Halloween card I made. I am planning to have lots of trick or treaters tonight because of Halloween being on a Saturday night. I often wonder what makes kids decide if they want to come up to the door to get a treat. Both of my grown children still love Halloween and if this wasn't a weekend night my son would be outside our house looking to give the older kids that come to the door a scare. Our house is usually decorated for the occasion but we see some stop look at the house and decide not to come to the door? We are on a hill so it can be a bit of a challenge to get to the front door but we give a lot of treats to those that come. I am hoping for a lot of visitors tonight!

This card made me think of scary houses. This is a SU set from a year or two back. I always like the house and the sentiment. I masked off the image with a circle, sponged on green ink and then sprayed it with Krylon black webbing to give a cobweb look to it. I sponged yellow in side the circle area and then Shimmered it. The moon got gold glitter so that it would stand out from the shimmered back round. I still thought it needed a bit more so I punched out the bats, ran them through my Xyron machine and glittered them black before I popped them up.

Supplies
Stamps: Stampin' Up
Paper: SU Lovely Lilac, Black, GP White, DP SU (I think)
Inks: SU Green Galore, YoYo Yellow, Going Grey, Lovely Lilac, Versafine Black
Accessories: EK Success Bat Punch, SU Oval Punch, Krylon Webbing Spray, Art Institute Glitter, Misc. Brads, Michaels Ribbon

I hope everyone has a safe and fun Halloween tonight!!!

Trick or Treat,
Mary

Candy Please! 3CTC36, Stamp Something Blog Halloween Challenge, Makeup 4 the Weekend Challenge

Halloween is just around the corner and I haven't made very many Halloween cards. I am not sure why time just seems to get away from me. KWIM? This card was made for three challenges. The first one is Kerry's Thursday Challenge, 3CTC36, a great sketch challenge this week and a special thank you to Kerry! The second challenge I just found this weekend, Stamp Something Challenge Blog, This week the theme is Halloween. I guess it was fate that I found it, so I knew I would have to join in on the fun! The third challenge is a new one to me also, The Paper Makeup Blog Makeup 4 the Weekend Color Challenge. The colors to use for this challenge is black, orange, white and purple perfect Halloween colors. They also have some really cute stamps at their store.

I just love this little mouse. It is a digi stamp from the Greeting Farm and made by the same artist that designs the Motivet stamps. I love those stamps also. I colored the image with Copics and IRL the whole image is a lot brighter in color like the purple is darker and the pinks "POP" more. It is cloudy here today and I take my pictures in my usually sunny front bay window. I will try again when we see the sun or when it drives me crazy enough to pull out my OTT light.

She is still cute even though a bit paler in color and am will be collecting a lot of "treats".

Supplies

Stamps: SU and The Greeting Farm

Paper: SU Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black, Papertrey White and DP Basic Grey

Inks: Copics, Memento Black, SU Lovely Lilac

Accessories: MS Punch, SU Scallop Punch, Paper Shaper Punch, Recollections Halloween Pearl Stickers, Art Institute Glitter, Misc. Brads

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you like what I created. If you have the time and like challenges these two are worth trying. I love seeing what other talented people have created!

Have a wonderful day,

Mary

Think Snow? TSSC92

I am so not ready to have snow on the ground here but felt like making a winter card with snow on it! I made this card for Mary
Jo's Monday lunchtime Challenge, TSSC92 but once again am getting it posted right under the deadline.

I found this snow DP from last year and I love all the blues and purples in it. That is what started the idea of this card. I have had this little snowman for years, it was on of the first stamp sets that I ever bought. The think snow saying was bought just last week. I like that it was nice and small.

The snowflakes are punched on shimmery paper and stamped snowflakes from my Rubber Stamp Tapestry set around the bottom.

Supplies
Stamps: Stampendous, Rubber Stamp Tapestry, Amuse
Paper: SU Bliss Blue, Papertrey White, Paper Co. Shimmer White, DP unknown
Inks: Copics, Memento Black, SU Bliss Blue, Lavender Lace, Ballet Blue
Accessories: Paper Shaper Punch, Nesties, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Stickles, Kaiser Pearls, Misc. Jewels, Michaels Ribbon

Thanks for stopping by today to see my Challenge card. I would love to know what you think of it. I really appreciate all the wonderful comments that I receive.

Hope your having a beautiful Fall day,
Mary

Christmas Wishes, Sugar Bowl Challenge 22 Kathy's Sketch

It is time for another Sugar Nellie challenge at the Sugar Bowl, this week it is Challenge 22, Kathy's sketch and you need to use lace on the card. I just got my new Christmas Sugar Nellie's so I couldn't wait to use one of them. I think this angel stamp is my favorite, though all four are

really adorable.

When I started the card I knew I wanted her dress to have some sparkle to it. By the time I finished the card the whole think was sparkling! A while back I bought some Swarfsky crystals for another project and didn't use them all so it seems a perfect fit for this card. I used them on the stars, her wand and the little strips in the corner. I dabbed the back round with Icicle Stickles and painted the stars on her dress with Stickles also. The trim on the hat on the dog is painted with the Stickles. Once I started I kept finding new places to put sparkle.

I still needed to find the right embellishment for the bottom corner like in the sketch. I decided to stick with the star theme and punched out stars and ran them through my small Xyron machine then glittered them with Diamond Dust. They still didn't "POP" enough so that was when I used the crystals as a the finishing sparkle. I wish my pictures showed how much sparkle there is but it just doesn't come through. I tried a close up to try to show the sparkle but it still doesn't show it all like IRL. The card needed lace on it and I tad this pretty piece in my stash. It didn't stand out very well so I put a piece of cranberry ribbon underneath so show the dainty detail of the lace. I hope this card has inspired you to add some sparkle to your creations!

Supplies

Stamps: Sugar Nellie, Impression Obsession(saying)

Paper: SU Regal Rose, Papertrey White, DP Basic Grey

Inks: Memento Black, Copics

Accessories: Nesties, MS Punch, Paper Shaper Punch, Marvy Star Punch, Swarfsky Crystals, Stickles, SU Glitter, Jo Anns Ribbon and Lace

Thanks so much for stopping by today to check out my creations. I really appreciate the wonderful comments that you leave.

Have a sparkling day,

Mary

I'm waiting for you! Copic Creations Challenge #14, Basic Grey Challenge Week 6

Today is beautiful here in New England! I was afraid that Fall was just going to skip us this year! It snowed yesterday, a lot. I always like the first snow fall but not until Fall has passed. This whole week is suppose to be gorgeous and I have Friday off. Friday night I get to go to our LSS customer appreciation party with my sister Peggy. This is going to be a great week I think.

This card was made for two challenges, the first one being Copic Creations Challenge #14, Black.
I am not much of one to practice using certain colors like black and greys. I only pull them out when I have to color something those colors. I love Tink from High Hopes but I done use the stamps I have of him often. I just got this Tink in late Dec. last year after the holidays. I figured he would be perfect for this challenge because he looks so sweet.

The second challenge is the Basic Grey Challenge week 6, a color challenge, red, green and blue.

I love the Basic Grey Holiday paper pak. They are not your traditional Holiday colors so it is really fun to use them. I really tried to match my blue back round with the blue holly in the DP so it would "pop" a bit more. Do you think it does? I had to create my saying on the computer because I couldn't find anything good to use in my stamp stash. I dressed it up with Rubber Stamp Tapestry stamps.

Supplies

Stamps: High Hopes, Rubber Stamp Tapestry

Paper: SU Kiwi Kiss, Bravo Burgundy, Memento White, DP Basic Grey

Ink: Copics, Kiwi Kiss, Real Red

Accessories: Nesties, MS Punch, Stickles, Amuse Pearl Stickers, Recollections Sticker Pearls, LSS Ribbon

Thank you for stopping by to see what I created for these challenges. I would love to know what you think.

Have a wonderful day,

Mary

Sweet Enjoyment, 3CTC35

It is becoming quite chilly are here these past couple of days. I have kept my activities inside because of it. I was cleaning out a stash of cards that I made quite a while ago. Many were favorites that I made out of season or just wasn't sure what to do with it, so I tucked them away until now. When I saw what Kerry's Thursday challenge, 3CTC35, was I knew this card would be perfect for it. Kerry's challenge this week is a card inspired by nature. I am sure mice love corn picking time. They all fill their tummies for the long winter right around the corner.

I fell in love with this stamp from Cornish Heritage Farms. I was just starting to color with my Copics and thought it was perfect for coloring with them and the mice were just soo cute! I actually love all the Friendly Critters stamps. I didn't put any saying on the front because I wasn't sure what fit but before it finds a new home I'll find something suitable. I have to laugh because I noticed that the sky was made with Prisma colored pencils and Gamsol, it was before I owned a Cloud Maker which I couldn't live without now.

Supplies
Stamps: Cornish Heritage Farms
Papers: SU Really Rust, Always Artichoke, GP White, DP Flair Designs inc.
Inks: Copics, Prisma Colored Pencils and Gamsol
Accessories:SU Slot Punch, CTMH Leaves, LSS Ribbon

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. Please let me know what you think of one of my early Copic colorings. I really appreciate all your wonderful comments.

Enjoy your day,
Mary

Fall Is In The Air, Copic Creations Challenge #13

It is beautiful here in New England, all the colors are out on the trees and the air is finally crisp. I am starting to see pumpkins on door steps, corn stalks tied with colorful ribbons and mums in full bloom. It really puts me in the Fall mood even when making cards.

This is a card I started over a week ago and never quite found time to finish it, kind of out of sight out of mind. I made it with the Copic Creations Challenge #13 in mind, coloring pumpkins. It seems like I am always experimenting on different ways to color pumpkins with Copics. With these pumpkins I wanted an aged look like they have been picked and were in a pile just waiting for someone to come along and take them home. I added a touch of green and brown to them after I colored them orange and yellow to try to get the aged feel.

I just love this Just Rite Autumn Stamp Set. Everyone of the stamps comes to life when you put color to them. They make such a wonderful card and every card looks so different. Lots of creativity for not a lot of money I think.

Supplies

Stamps: Just Rite Stamps

Papers: SU Pumpkin Pie, Kiwi Kiss, Papertrey White, DP Bo Bunny

Inks: Copics, Memento Black, SU Bashful Blue

Accessories: Nesties, Cloud Maker, Stickles, Memory Box Pearl Stickers, Recollections Pearl Stickers, Michaels Ribbon

I hope this card gave you the feeling of Fall in the air. Thank you so much for stopping by and letting me know what you think of my card. It really means a lot when other creative people stop to see what I have spent my time creating.

Have a wonderful Fall day, Mary

Sugar Bowl Challenge 21 Tiets' Sketch

I have loved this Sugar Nellie image since I got it this past summer but I have been waiting to use it until it got closer to winter. When I saw that Sugar Nellie's challenge 21 Tiet's Sketch was a Christmas or winter card I pulled it right out! Since blue and purple are my favorite colors to use I knew exactly how I wanted her to look. It did take many, many tries before I decided on the the back round DP and the accent papers all around her. The rectangle strips are actually one piece of DP that is two-sided and the circle is SU shimmer CS that I embossed.

The snowflake strip that is across the center of the card is made from the new Martha Stewart punch around set. I was lucky enough to get both punches as a set and with a 50% off coupon it was a real bargain! I did stamp little white snowflakes on the CS to dress it up a bit. I also glittered and put silver pearl stickers on each snowflake. I love sparkle so all the other snowflakes on the card are glittered and have a silver pearl also. Her muff I wanted to look furry so I added white flock.

This card seemed to take me a lot longer than most of the cards I make. I guess I had too many choices on what to use on it. I am happy with the end creation and I hope you are too.

Supplies

Stamps: Sugar Nellie, SU (circle saying)

Paper: SU Bliss Blue, Lovely Lilac, Shimmer White, DP Melissa Frances,

Inks: Copics, Memento Black, SU Ballet Blue

Accessories: MS Punch Around Punch, EK Success snowflake Punches, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Maya Road Felt Snowflakes, SEI Jewel Brad, Recollections Silver Pearl Stickers, Hero Arts Blue Rhinestones, Art Institute Glitter, White Flock, Misc. Snowflake Charms and ribbon

Thank you for stopping by to see my Sugar Nellie winter creation. If you like it I would love to know. I really do appreciate all the wonderful comments that you leave for me.

Enjoy this beautiful Fall weekend,

Mary

Let It Snow...., Basic Grey Challenge #5 Martine's Sketch

I don't like winter too much but I love snowmen of all kinds. This is a new snowman stamp that I just bought at my LSS because I just loved the expression on the face! I still have lots of Fall cards to finish but the sketch for the Basic Grey Challenge, Week 5 Martine's Sketch, was perfect for this stamp and I couldn't resist inking it up right away.

The paper is from last year's Basic Grey winter 6x6 pak. I love both these papers and was kind of hoarding them until now. You can't see it in the picture but the snowman is outlined in glitter over the Copics that I shaded him with. I also painted inside his body with white paint to give him a bit of texture. I included a picture of some new sparkle that I found and bought at a stamp convention. It is called Twinklets by Floracraft and it is like real ice crystals. It isn't like a chunky glitter because it is very thin, flat and clear. That is the best way I can think to describe it. It comes in a good size bottle and it goes on with glue or like on the large snowflake because the bottom flake is felt I used Crystal effects so it would stick good. This stuff is wonderful if you like sparkle on your creations!

Supplies
Stamps: Great Impressions, Savvy Stamps
Paper: CTMH Textured White, DP Basic Grey
Ink: Memento Black and Copics
Accessories: EK Success Snowflake punches, Twinklets Diamond Dust, Art Institute Glitter, Hero Arts Rhinestones, Queen & Co Pearls, Maya Road Felt Snowflakes

I hope you enjoyed seeing my creation for this challenge. Thank you for all your wonderful comments, I really do appreciate them very much. Please visit again soon.

Enjoy your day,
Mary

TSSC89, The Crystal Ball

It has been a crazy week at school. I started this card at the beginning of the week and just finished it Friday. Today was the first chance I had to upload it! I made this card for MaryJo's Monday Lunchtime Sketch challenge, TSSC89, so I am getting it posted just under the wire.

This image is a digi stamp that Ratmomma generously had for free over on SCS. I liked her because I don't have any stamps of just the witch's head. The sketch was a circle with a scalloped around it. I decided to make it a "crystal ball" to go with the Halloween theme of the card. To make it look realistic I put Crystal Effects all over the circle to give the impression of glass. I like using Crystal Effects but it is not easy to get it evenly all over the circle! The Crystal Effects also dulled the colors of the Copics a bit and the black actually ran on the dots just a little on a few of them, guess I'll have to be careful of that next time. The bottom of the crystal ball is from a snow globe digi stamp from Byrd's Blog. She has wonderful images and sayings that she gives away free from her blog, how wonderful is she!

After the card was done I decided to add the Halloween colored Primas and then have the spiders nesting in the center of them. The spiders are covered with black glitter to make them "pop". I used a really cool product on the scalloped circle. Krylon makes a webbing spray that is really easy to use and it makes a great stringy back round. The white looks like cobwebs.

Supplies
Stamps: Digi stamps by Ratmomma(SCS), Byrd's Blog
Paper: SU Old Olive, Black, Papertrey White, DP Basic Grey
Inks: Copics
Accessories: Nesties, MS Punch, Paper Shaper Spider Punch, Crystal Effects, Krylon Webbing, Prima Flowers, Art Institute Glitter

I hope this card might make you think about doing sketches a bit different than what you normally do. Mary Jo have a great sketch every Monday you should stop by and try it. Thanks for stopping by.

Have a wonderful week,
Mary