Short Break

No time for cardmaking this week, but I may get some blog reading done.  Next project will be to finish making Easter cards.  Hope you have a great week.

Perspective

Yes, it's very disappointing not to have the puppy we planned for, but we have so much to be thankful for. I had a message that a Flickr friend, Debbie, is seriously ill in the hospital & cannot participate in the card exchange that was her idea.  Sure makes my troubles seem like nothing.  There will be another puppy for us, but Debbie needs our prayers.
I work the weekend, so decided to spend time at my craft table today. Merry Monday has a beautiful color combo this week.  All those flags were too difficult for me, so I didn't use the sketch.  I ended up with 6 pearls, so will also enter the challenge at ODBD.  This is the most fussy cutting I've done in a long time--spoiled with all the dies available now! I began by stamping Penny Black's christmas view in Brilliance Pearlescent Lime. Then I white embossed it, diecut the inner circle & popped it up over the green image.  The poinsettias were white embossed again, watercolored with Memento pink markers, fussy cut & glued over the base images. The flower centers have Frosted Lace Stickles & tiny pearls were added to the little snowflake centers. I stamped "JOY" from ODBD Sweet
William-Small in Versafine Smokey Gray onto a PTI tiny tag. The card is made with circle diecuts & I used a Cuttlebug embossing folder on the front.  Love this pink & white ribbon & it was a good match, so that finished it off. I'm so grateful for all of you & I'm slowly catching up on your blogs. Enjoy the weekend.

Sadness

I never considered that there could be a problem such that we wouldn't be able to keep the puppy we brought home.  Unfortunately, we've made the difficult decision to take him back to the breeder.  I won't go into details & we know all things happen for a reason.  Just pretty hard to feel that as you go through it.  Thanks for all the well wishes & I appreciate your kind thoughts.  Hugs, Greta

Easter Tulips

Just in the nick of time for the Impression Obsession In the Garden challenge.  I stamped the little tulip from Petite Flowers 1, CL179, on a scrap embossed with a Sizzix folder & colored them with 3 of my neglected Gelly Roll pens--love the shimmer.  The sentiment is from IO Easter Eggs, MC121 & is black embossed.  I added pearls to this self-adhesive trim I got in close-out at Michaels.  Had a scrap of purple cardstock just the right color to use as a mat.  
This will be used for a card exchange--not too thick so postage will be reasonable. I'll also enter Pixies Snippets Playground. Thanks so much for stopping by. I'll check your blogs soon.

Spotlight Card & Puppy's Name!

We're going through the adjustment of a new puppy--it's been so long. His name is Friedrich Mannheim & we call him Fritz.  His best friend right now is a rubber kong toy--constantly chewing with those sharp puppy teeth!  No time to really design a card, but I've had this idea in my mind for awhile & in 3 sittings finally got it done.  I like spotlight cards, but haven't done very many.  I thought a spotlight panel would be neat to do with the Hero Arts Silhouette Grass stamp.  I copied the scrapling I did for the Hero Arts scramble a few weeks ago--just used a different section of the stamp.  I inked the stamp with 3 Distress Inks & then spritzed before stamping.  Distress Glitters are added, but hard to tell from the picture.  Virginia's View Challenge is about to close & I'll link up there.
I'm reading blogs a few at a time using my laptop where I can see what puppy dude is doing.  Thanks for understanding.  Hope your week is going well.  We've had beautiful weather until tonight.  I keep telling Fritz Oregon dogs don't mind the rain, but he's not yet convinced--LOL!

Puppy Is Home!

Quick post before a late dinner while puppy takes his first nap at home.  Getting close to a name, but not sure yet.  Uh oh--just woke up.  Be back later.

Another Spring Card

Finished one last card before we get our puppy. May be awhile before I make another one--LOL! 

The challenge at ODBD is to use amethyst & since that's my birthstone I had to play along.  I white embossed the blooms from Sweet William-Small on watercolor paper, die cut them with the matching Spellbinders & then brushed on Tattered Angels mists in 3 shades of purple. The leaves are die cut with PTI Turning A New Leaf.  I added sparkle to the blooms & leaves with my Wink of Stella pen--so pretty in real life.  The sentiment is by Stampendous & is stamped in Memento Gray Flannel & clear embossed. The piece is punched with a Fiskars border punch & the vellum flag is die cut with MFT Fishtail Flags.  I attached a piece of newspaper to the card front using Gesso--wanted it muted & must have used too much on top as you can't see the newsprint at all now.  It's spritzed with the same Tattered Angels  & I dropped on some splotches. I haven't done the challenge at 

Case This Sketch in a long time, but Joni's sketch inspired me. The background may be too much to count as CAS, but I'll enter & let them decide.
I'll post puppy pictures as soon as I can & hope you understand if I get a little behind checking blogs.  Enjoy your weekend.  

Confetti!

I have to admit--confetti is really not my thing. However, Danielle's PTI MIM projects were really cute & I hate to miss those challenges. The only cover plate I own is the hexagons, so I covered it with scraps (strips) of 5 different colored papers so I could just run it through my Big Shot once. The outside rows have small pieces & I cut the hexagons in half.  I used Danielle's technique of picking them up with tape, adding a few more as needed.  My card is made with the 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 Lil' Inkers Stitched Rectangles. I've been wanting to do a strip of 
glitter using Score Tape & thought it'd be perfect for this little card--so I did 2!  The sentiment is from PTI Boutique Borders Birthday & is stamped in Memento Gray Flannel--just right for this type of card. Finished off with a few white sequins. Never hurts to try something even if you're not sure you'll like it.  Turns out, I'm really happy with this fun, little card!
The breeder called & said all the puppies passed their physicals, so now we just have to choose the one meant to come home with us!
Thanks so much for taking time to visit my blog.  

Liebster Award

I was given this award by my blogging friend, Lisa, quite awhile ago & more recently by Colleen, whose blog I've recently discovered.  Lisa & I met because I follow the DeNami Designers, but the first thing I noticed on her blog was the picture of her Miniature Schnauzer, Max! We instantly connected as Schnauzer moms & her incredible talent is a constant source of inspiration. The first thing I noticed on Colleen's blog was that she's right up the road from me!  She uses lots of wonderful PTI products & makes a wide variety of great cards.  I appreciate the honor from both of these women. I've decided to skip the questions & to pick blogs differently this time.  Starting with my most recent followers here are 7 with under 100 followers. Maybe you'll find someone you really connect with.

Judy: http://princess-judy.blogspot.com/

Chris: http://thecardphilelady.blogspot.com/

Jan:  http://cardsbyjankeen.blogspot.com/

Karen:  http://karencreatescards.blogspot.co.nz/

Sharyn:  http://mycraftyplace281.blogspot.com/

Kathy:  http://stampsatplay.blogspot.com/

Dottie:  http://somethingcraftybydottie.blogspot.com/

Here are the rules for the nomination: (But this is all about fun, so you'll notice I followed my own rules)

1. Be sure to thank the blog that nominated you and be sure to link back to their blog.
2. Answer the 11 questions that the blogger asked you.
3. Nominate 11 of your favorite blogs with under 500 followers and ask your own 11 questions.
4. Make sure to let each blogger know about your Liebster Blog nomination on their blog (leave a comment and link back to your Liebster Blog post).

Happy Spring

Today really looked like Spring here--blue sky & sunshine with temperature in the 60s. Hopefully my card will bring a touch of Spring to those of you still in Winter's grip.  Pink is my favorite color, so I was delighted to see the Dynamic Duos challenge to use soft pink & soft gray.  I pulled out an old favorite ChatterBox double-sided paper.  I have 2 full sheets & part of another one, so time to let a bit more of it go to someone else--LOL! This is my first card using some of the flowers in the beautiful pink box of pink goodies I won from Mrs. A. I used MFT dies Dizzy Doily & Contempo Cage & Penny Black's leaves.  The sentiment is by Stampendous stamped in Memento Gray Flannel.  Hard to tell, but the birdcage has a beautiful sheen from my Wink of Stella pen.  I used to think you shouldn't combine pearls & gems, but then I saw people doing it & why not?!  Love using these soft pink pearls along with the gray gems--gonna need to keep them on hand.  The pink & gray papers were snippets, so I'll also enter Pixies Snippets Playground.  

Two more days to get ready to bring home our puppy. We've been re-reading our book on Standard Schnauzers & reminding ourselves of things we need to do. I'm so glad I won't be working for a few weeks so I can really focus on giving him a good start in our family. Thanks for all the well-wishes.  You'll be seeing a lot of pictures & hopefully he'll have a name!

No Stamping!

It wasn't planned, but I ended up with a card that has no stamping!  I used MFT dies: Mini Rolled Roses, Dizzy Doily & Royal Leaves. The background is dry embossed with a Cuttlebug folder & the sentiment is done with stickers. I used the current MFT Wednesday Sketch & Color Palette Challenge 3: Kraft, Grapesicle, Berrylicious & Sour Apple. I had 2 old pieces of printed paper close to the lavender & blue colors, so alternated them for my row of rolled roses attached to a strip of ribbon. A scrap of green cardstock was used to diecut the leaves.  One of the printed papers has shades of both colors, so I used that for my background piece. 
The dry embossing gives a bit of texture, although hard to see in the picture. I buy gems in the big packages on sale & used a fairly large one in each flower center--love the look! I'd call the paper a watercolor look, so I'm entering my card in the new Virginia's View Challenge.

     

Lots of snippets, so I'll also enter at Pixies Snippets Playground. Thanks so much for taking time to visit my blog--your comments always brighten my day.

Merry Monday Guest Designer

What a thrill to see my name under "Winner" for the Merry Monday challenge to use aqua, silver & white!  Today I get to join the DT with my card for the new challenge to use Chocolate Brown, Green, Gold & White or Cream.
I stamped Penny Black's "christmas lights" in Memento Olive Grove onto my card front which is die cut with Spellbinders Reverse Wonky Rectangles.  I love this heavy weight off-white cardstock from Michael's.  The ornaments are covered in Champagne Pure Glitz Stickles & I used a Gelly Roll Clear Star pen over the pine needles--love the effect it gives!  I heat embossed the Impression Obsession sentiment using Zing! Chestnut powder, die cut it with MFT Fishtail Flags & added 3 tiny brown pearls.  
Very CAS card--hope you like the look & that I've inspired you to join in the challenge.  A huge thank you to the very talented Merry Monday team for picking my card & having me as a Guest Designer!

Aqua Tulips

One of the things I've always loved about stamping is that you can make the images any color you want, so this time my tulips are aqua. There's actually a really good reason--the Viva la Verve color combo is aqua, green & brown.  I stamped & embossed 3 flowers using ODBD Tulip Corner, cut them out individually & actually colored with my Copics (BG05, BG09, G02, G07)!  This time my project didn't end up in the trash, so I'm making progress.  
My sister sent me a check for my birthday knowing I'd been wanting a particular die. This is the first card using my new Lil' Inker Stitched Rectangles, which I love! The sweet metal butterfly was picked up at the stamp store in Berkeley where my sister & I met my blogging friend, Sue, a couple years ago. Now I'm wishing I'd gotten several of them.  The metal qualifies my card for the current ODBD challenge. Volunteered to work today since I have most of 3 weeks off starting Wednesday--my "adoption leave" for being a puppy momma! Thanks so much for stopping by my blog.  I'll catch up with you soon.
Edited to add: Just realized I could also enter this in Verve's Spring Has Sprung challenge.

Grateful for You

Erin's Inspiration Card

I think Erin Lincoln would be so much fun to be around.  Her personality makes the PTI MIM videos some of my favorites. This week her challenge is to use color & texture to add interest to a 1 layer card--although hers is 2 layers according to most definitions--LOL!  I don't have flower stamps like she used, but I immediately thought of Snowflake Flurries.  I love that set & justified buying it because the images can be whatever you want--not necessarily snowflakes. One layer cards are really not in my repertoire, so thought this was a good time to practice with Erin's card to guide me.  
And boy did I have to practice! Looks quick & easy, but I must have spent at least 2 hours stamping on scrap paper!  I tried various colors & ended up with Memento Sweet Plum, Lulu Lavender & Rhubarb Stalk.  The text & small single dots are done in an old Hero Arts silver shadow ink.  I used 3 additional PTI sets: BG Basics Text Style, Harvest Berries & Lovely Layers.  The sentiment is embossed twice, but I think the font is too small for the second layer to make a difference.  
For added texture I used the PTI Canvas & Linen Impression Plate (click on the close-up) & tied on a bow.  I came close to giving up, but glad I didn't.  This will go to a blogging friend.
I know many of you still have snow & freezing temperatures, so thought I'd share a picture of my neighbors daffodils by our mailbox.  Spring is coming!  Hopefully I won't forget to move the clocks forward tonight--don't want to be an hour late to work tomorrow--LOL!  Hope you're having a lovely weekend.  Thanks for taking time to come by.  Edited to add: Also entering Die Cut Divas.

A REAL Challenge...for me

Since I love making Christmas cards, it's no surprise that the Merry Monday challenge has been one of my favorites since I found it last year.  I was so honored to have my card picked as the winner last week & I hope you'll check out my Guest Designer entry for the challenge starting March 10.  This week's theme is Country Charm with Stitches & Buttons.  My first thought was "oh no--2 things I seldom use"--LOL! Probably should have looked for a different stamp, but I've been wanting to ink up this one by DeNami that was in the giveaway I won from Lisa.  I framed it with the double circle, also by DeNami, & colored with markers. Stickles on the flame & berries add a touch of sparkle.  I used the Tim Holtz woodgrain embossing folder & hand stitched with floss to try & get something of a country feel. Gingham would be more country, but I don't have one with the right shades of red & green.  This striped ribbon matches & is a favorite I seldom use. Some cards have to be re-done before being sent out.  

What do you think?  Is the woodgrain with stitching too foreign to the sweet image? I'm adding this to Pixies Snippets Playground. Glad you took time to come by. Beautiful sunny day after wind & rain yesterday, but that's typical for Oregon & I'm not complaining!
  

First Easter Card

I was intrigued with Yana's video showing her technique for watercoloring with spray mists.  My spray mist collection is huge, so had to give it a try.  I used Heidi Swapp Bronzer & Tattered Angels English Ivy on watercolor paper.  I like the interesting almost grunge effect I got and, of course, the shimmer.  The current ODBD challenge is to make a shaped card, so I die cut my piece with Spellbinders Labels 17.  Then I stamped the largest image from ODBD Fancy Labels using VersaMagic Niagara Mist.  The ODBD Vine Cross is stamped in Memento Olive Grove, watercolored with the Bronzer & then stamped again in the green. The card front is spritzed with the Tattered Angels & the piece is mounted with foam tape.  Couldn't decide on any embellishments, so ended up leaving it as is.  This was an interesting experiment & I plan to try it again with other colors.  I'm also entering my card at Pixies Snippets Playground. I always get a little behind on my blog reading when I work, but I'll catch up with you soon.  So glad you took time to stop by. 

Deck the Halls--yes, another Christmas card!

I love making Christmas cards & have always worked on them throughout the year.  Now it's even more fun since there are always challenges to inspire me.  

I failed to get my holly card done for the previous Merry Monday challenge, but that's OK since emboss resist is one of my favorite techniques & just what I wanted to use for a card with Impression Obsession Holly Branch, F8786 & Deck the Halls, B3828 for the IO current challenge. I used Distress Ink victorian velvet & iced spruce--non-traditional colors, but I think they work for an elegant card.  The embossing folder is Cuttlebug & I added shimmer with my new (thanks to Cat!) Wink of Stella pen.  
May use this layout again with traditional colors--pretty quick to make.  I love hearing what you think, so let me know.
Yesterday was great--wonderful weather for our drive to see the puppies who are now 6 weeks old. Snapped this picture of Mt Jefferson through the car window as we were on the freeway, but you can get an idea of how beautiful it is.  The puppies have grown, of course, & are more active & vocal.  
We tried to compare the boys a bit more this time, but couldn't pick ours yet.  2 weeks & he's coming home with us--can't believe it's almost here!  Off to work--hope you have a wonderful weekend.