Caught Up In The World Of "Brayering"

I have been fascinated lately with Michelle Zindorf's (the queen of brayering) blog and all her beautiful brayer techniques.  I have to admit the only real brayering I have done in the past is on some Tim Holtz tags I have made for his 12 tags of Christmas.......so be easy on me, the first card is one I cased from Michelle's blog, the second one is one I just had fun mixing the colors....I know I need a world of practice, but these cards will be given to a non-card maker and will look "wonderful" to them...lol!!  I have a few more I want to do for Halloween...the only downside to this technique is it sure uses lots of wasted ink...wowza...guess that is what refills are for!  Did I mention that Michelle Zindorf will be teaching classes in my area...a girl can only "dream", as its just not in my "budget" this year...sigh!!

My inks used were not the ones Michelle used, mine are rather dark, but its what I had........I just received this set from SU on Friday, I purposely ordered it to try this, I did forget to "sand" my solid images before I inked them, so the black is not quite as "deep" as I would like!

Vintage Prim Halloween Tag

Love the different cuts my Cricut can make....made the base of this tag with a cut from the Flourish cartridge...the cardstock is SU cajun craze....a wonderful "vintage" color!  The flower was made with some Jenni Bowlin Crepe paper ribbon I bought last year...tags are one of my favorite things to make!!!

Halloween and Christmas

Don't you just love this little jar image with the eyeballs in it....I stamped and colored this image last Halloween, its from a set that has other funny little images on it...I added SU crystal effects to the jar to make it look like glass and shine.......the "E" for the word "spook" e (yes I know its spelled wrong, I did it on purpose) is a TH grungeboard letter that I added distress ink to and then glitter.

Next card is one I did for a Flourishes Christmas card challenge FLLCNOEL4.  I had a hard time doing a xmas card so early, but its one ahead I guess!

A Little Bit of Metal Challenge

Here I am still doing challenges...what can I say .... it keeps me motivated...I need that right now...I am so stressed and busy I can't think straight!
I made this card for the Shabby Tea Room challenge...this week it was to add a bit of metal......I added my little tag that says "birthday girl"...it was crimped on the ribbon with a tag maker I have had for---evah!!  I amnot sure they even sell these anymore??  I left it rather simple, I just loved the DS paper and wanted to leave it exposed!!  I found an awesome glue to use.....it acts like a glue gun without the heat...strings and all....it works quick too,in a matter of minutes...its from Beacon.....love the fact that I won't "burn" myself with this glue!

FlourishesTimeless Tuesday Challenge #81

Flourishes challenge this week was to use lace!   I have had this lace doily corner stamp forever, this is the first time I have inked it ....I decided to turn it into my "fancy" spider web!  I also used one of my favorite apron stamps...making it into a Halloween apron......I thought this would be a fun card to give my Mom for Halloween with some goodies...she doesn't have a computer so she won't see this post :>)   .........I also added a bit of lace to the apron edge......

Vintage "Tablecloth" Card

If you go to "Simple Treasures" for a visit, she is having a vintage challenge using bright red, aqua, yellow, black or silver with a "kitchen" theme........I decided to make a card with a background that looked like a vintage tablecloth to me....not your "shabby chic" vintage, but more of a "retro" vintage.......I have oodles of these old tablecloths myself and use them all the time...not only for my table, but to sew with!   The red is suspose to be the "edge" of the tablecloth......and what else screams vintage, but red gingham (ribbon).......make sure you scroll on down to see my "Wheel Wednesday"!!
Edited:  I guess I should add that I stamped all the flowers for the background using "real red, dandelion, and Bermuda Bay.

Wheel Wednesday #1!

Hey......it's Wheel Wednesday for me......I mentioned I was going to "try" and do a card every Wednesday using a wheel.......today I used a jumbo wheel from Stampin' Up! called "Texture"...I ran the wheel thru SU's new color of Marina Mist....overstamped on it with the bird image from the set "Friends 24-7"...added a few primas, a bit of trim......think I will save this card for a friends birthday coming up!  I have a major amount of wheels...it will be fun to use them again! 

Happy Halloween Banner Card

I finally gave in to making a Halloween card....I had told myself NOT until at least Sept 1st would I start on my fall~Halloween cards......but I had this little idea to make a small Halloween banner, and here is the result......the cardstock for the base of the card is Stampin'Up! shimmery white cs....I have very little left, just sent in an order and forgot to add it in...I love that stuff.....so pretty!  I had a hard time in positioning my banner.....next time I would do it a bit different...but it kind of grows on you....!!

Birthday Wishes~Just Add Ink Challenge #31

I have been somewhat slacking in doing challenges....they are wonderful to challenge your mind with.  This week at "Just Add Ink", the challenge was "color" using  Stampin' Up! colors Real Red~Kraft~Chocolate Chip....a very pleasing combination!  I stamped the flower using a heart image from a SU hostess set called Punch Potpourri......a fun set as it works with 4 of the SU punches!  I stamped and punched 6 hearts, curled up the edges a bit, added a button, and I had an instant vintage look flower.....I really like how it turned out...a clean and simple card!

Recipe:  Stamps:  Punch Potpourri,  Ink:  Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip,  Cardstock:  Kraft (crumb cake), Real Red, Very Vanilla, Accessories:  Real Red grosgran ribbon, button, Vintage Wallpaper EB folder, Full Heart xl punch, Modern Label xl punch

"Smile"

Sometimes I just need to make a "pick me up" card....this weekend I was in the need for it.....this happy fat cat just makes Me "smile".....I hope it does you, too!

We went  to our county fair Friday night to see "Bullarama"......I have never seen bull riding IRL before.....there were 40 cowboys riding, one of which we knew...Mason....too bad he was thrown...I had so much fun......when we got up Saturday morning we noticed we had a tree fall in the night...I am sick about it, it was protecting my gorgeous shade gardens.....now they are all exposed to the hot sun ...but am thankful it didn't fall on any of us!  I am off to the casino to console myself.....I should just go and buy more TH stuff.....but I "need" the break from  "real life".....wish me luck!!

Grateful For Fall

I have a "hate~love" relationship with August!!!  I love the feel of the air, even though it is extremely  HOT...it still has that "feel" of whats to come...I LOVE that!!  August also means that it's almost the end of summer here in Michigan....fall will come and go and next thing you know its cold and dreary...we can go days without sun...I hate that...guess I had better enjoy it while I can!!

This morning I was thinking I have all these SU wheels, I love them, but never seem to use them much, so I pulled out my "Bright Blessings" wheel, ran it thru "Old Olive" ink, then punched out 3 scallop circles with my SU extra large scallop circle punch...kind of neat how none of the "punching" was planned, it just worked out!  Because I punched 3 circles, I decided to make 3 fall cards!!  I will list the supplies used under each card...all supplies used are Stampin' Up!...if you are interested in buying any of these goodies, just let me know and I can help you out.  I think I am going to have a "wheel Wednesday".....every Wednesday I will create something with a "wheel"...lets see how long that lasts (first I have to "remember" to do it...)..LOL!!

Cardstock: Soft Suede, So Saffron, Very Vanilla, Ink:  Old Olive, Soft Suede, So Safron, Cajun Craze; Old Olive Satin Ribbon, Linen Thread, Falling Leaves Stamp set, Bright Blessings Wheel; XL scallop circle punch

Cardstock:  Old Olive, Very Vanilla, Ink:  Old Olive, Soft Suede, So Saffron, Cajun Craze; pumpkin pie grosgrain ribbon, Stamps:  Falling Leaves,  Define Your Life;  Bright Blessings wheel, XL scallop circle punch

Cardstock:  Soft Suede, Very Vanilla,  Ink:  Old Olive, Soft Suede, So Saffron, Cajun Craze;  Stamps: Falling Leaves, Bright Blessings Wheel; Extra Large Scallop Circle Punch, Modern Label Punch , retired certainly celery ribbon (just because it was laying on my desk!)

Flowers For "U" ~ Totally SU

A busy day today.....made this card early this am.....I punched out 3 flowers with my somewhat "new" SU XL Scallop Circle Punch...I got this punch "free"...don't you just love "free"??  I then ran it thru my "Big Shot" using the SU embossing folder Square Lattice...using my sponges, I sponged Poppy Parade Ink on all the flowers, cut out the SU Exclusive Sizzlits Die "little leaves" which happens to be one of my most used dies......the bit of DS paper is SU Gala Greenhouse...I think I am going to poke a little sentiment somewhere on it...what do you think??  The ribbon used is Daffodil Delight as well as the cardstock for the card base!

The new mini Stampin" Up! holiday mini will be available to order on Sept 1...if you would like me to send you off a catalog, just let me know and send me your address, I would love to.  I have to say this is my most favorite one yet.....I guess because of the all the new items we are carrying plus the wonderful Halloween and Christmas items....

Quirky~Cutesy~Clean Style~Challenge From Embellish Magazine

I needed something to get me motivated again...so what better way then to do a challenge!  I picked Embellish Magazine....the challenge was quirky~cutesy~clean style using the colors of seafoam, kraft, peach, and cream...you could also add brown or black, I choose brown.  I didn't struggle picking out a quirky or cutesy stamp, have plenty of those it seems......the pic shows it a bit dark, but if I enhanced it, it showed it too bright...I stamped the tree image on a tag, cut out a few of the leaves int he peach color, the little squirrel I stamped on SU crumb cake cs (formally known as "Kraft"), used a brown glitter pen for the top of his acorn (you can see it better IRL)...all images are popped up, so there is quite a bit of dimension to this card...........

Back From Vacation~Give A Hoot

Hey, do you "Give A Hoot"??...I am back from vacation...lol...!!  I needed "something" to get me in in the creating "mode" again and this little "hoot" was staring me in the face from a stamp drawer!!  He is one I purchased from "M's" awhile back....I used SU Blush Blossom (now retired) cardstock for my base and a scrap of also retired SU DS paper....I used some metal spiral things under his google eyes...just a quickie card, but I need somethng to motivate me.....

Traveling to Paris at the "Forum"

This month at the "Forum" we are "traveling" to Paris (not in real life...lol).....what a way to end a summer.....a bit of candlelight, a glass of wine, the perfect mate......so here is my project for that.....a "stamping on a candle technique"...if you haven't done this, give it a try, its very easy and fun!!  You can make your candle as elaborate as you would like, but I kept this one very simple......first you stamp on a piece of white tissue paper, cut the image out very close to the edge, lay it on your candle where you want it, tear a long piece of wax paper (long enough to go around the entire candle and overlap in the back to hold onto), lay your piece of wax paper over your image  and grab the excess in the back to hold the wax paper over the image tightly, then use your heat tool to "emboss" the image onto the candle, it doesn't take long at all, you can see the wax paper melt onto the image, don't hold  the heat gun in one place too long and do be careful not to burn yourself!!  I would suggest you try on a candle you don't care about first until you can get the hang of it......

Sweet 16 Mardi Gras

It's hard to believe I haven't posted for an entire week...and "me" who usually tries to post everyday!!!  My granddaughter Ally had a "sweet 16" birthday bash on Friday night...it was a Mardi Gras theme......this is the card I made for her and her "card box"   and of course a picture of a few of the "lovely girls"...the front row left to right is my granddaughter Mariah, next Ally the "birthday girl" and my daughter Lori....hopefully will be back with more tomorrow.....bye!!

My "other" blog

Along time ago I started another blog called "Nellie Doodle Cottage"...so named after my goldendoodle Nellie.....funny, too "cuz" I don't even live in a cottage but a log cabin.....must be my big dream...but I have long neglected my poor "other blog, so am trying to get it up and running again.....I posted a yummy lemon layer cream cheese pie on it....if you want the recipe...go here and make one, it's so darn good, and no cal. of course...yeah right!!

I will be posting some of my "finds" this week and will have items for sale here and there...take a peek, if you would like!

Check Out This Jar Swap~Pretty Things Jar Swap

Check out this "jar swap"...you fill up a jar with pretty things to use on a card, tag, etc.....you send out a jar and get one back, there will be a jar blog party in  September to show off our jars...what fun is that....you have to have a blog to participate.......

A Little Fun With The Top Note Die

I make a few "simpler" cards that I send with a friend to her workplace to sell.....it helps to support my paper addiction...LOL.....I noticed  a Top Note Card on the front of the new SU catalog that I just loved...they used scraps of paper and then cut out the top note.....theirs is a wonderful vintage look, but I wanted mine to be more "summery"....I will never get tired of this die, it is just so handy, and am working on another one for a challenge using the top note.

I "need" to get back into more "stamping" though...its been awhile since I "colored"  anything and it will be like starting over...but I just create as the mood hits me I guess...........