WOW, I missed all of July so I'll have to be bold!

I do have a card that I may be using for the Card Chain Challenge at the Society of Stampaholics.  I like the CAS style of the sketch and thought my card turned out fun, but I'm not sure if I might try something else. You can try the color challenge or one of the themes of the month.  It's fun to receive a card from somewhere in the world once a month.  Please visit and I hope you will sign up too.

I was playing with the Hero Arts (HA) Neons and did use the HA Zig Zag stamp in Neon Yellow for the background.  Surprisingly, it rather melts into the background, but seems to give a warmth to the card.  The Neon Pink is outrageously bold and eye-catching, but it certainly works to make a cheery card.  

Betty Boop Time

I have a co-worker who just LOVES Betty Boop and I hadn't made one card last year of Betty Boop for her.  This year, her Christmas present will have Betty Boop cards.  I'm very pleased with how they turned out.  They actually surprised me.  My favorite is Betty in Purple, so I'm saving her for last.  I used Copic markers to touch up and change some colors on the images, but most are close to what I printed out.  I hope you enjoy them.  (smiles all around)

Some great inspiration

I really liked Card Patterns' sketch this week and as I began picking colors in the color inspiration from the Simon Says Stamp blog challenge kept popping up as the "best" colors to use.  I rarely make one card that I can enter into more than one challenge. I really like the way it turned out.  A little yellow and a bit of green with shades of pink.   I made this from leftover paper and ribbon with a flower made from a tissue paper box.  Yes, recycling is my middle name.  I left all that blank space alone too.  Good on my part.  I hope you like it.

I can't get buildings out of my Mind!

I can't get buildings out of my Mind!  After I made the first card, I just couldn't stop building cards with (yep) buildings.  The base cardstock is black with a panel covered with gold wrapping paper.  My May 31st post gives the low-down on making the card, but I couldn't stop. The wrapping is quite reflective and catches colors surrounding it.  Even after these, I still wanted to do more.  I checked the Hero Arts June sketches and was wondering how to work at least one building into it.  I thought maybe I could turn one of the sketches upside down and BLAM!  There it was perfect for a CAS card.  See if you can identify the sketch I turned upside down.  The card uses the colors of the French flag of blue, white, and red.  A friend wanted a card to send to his friends in France and I thought I'd use the colors for the building colors.  GOOD IDEA!  I entered the card below in the Hero Arts Flickr June challenge under the sketch portion of the challenge.  I imagine you're going to see more buildings.  

.  I used the wonderful Hero Arts Newspaper Skyline (S5573) and the new set Heyday Thoughts (330054).  I don't think I can make a card without using a distress ink. the blue on blue paper is Faded Jeans and the red on red is Fired Brick.   I embossed black paper with white embossing powder for the black and white building.  I really like the way this turned out, but was tempted to add something else, didn't but was severely tempted.  

No more Lily Pad Cards - sniff!

I have so thoroughly loved Lily Pad Cards with its cheery quips and wonderful challenges, guests, videos and of course the "CCC", Card Chain Challenge!  This is the last day, when I clicked on my link, I did not expect to the the "Gone for the Duration" sign up... so to speak.  So sorry to see them close, but at least I can join the CCC over at Deborah's Society of Stampaholics, from which it first appeared.  I have a badge on my side-bar, but it's too bad you can't get there by clicking, you'll have to take this link to the fabulous S.O.S. on your own two feet.

Die Cut Divas is doing a WRAP!

You all know I like to recycle and Paula, one of the Die Cut Divas divas, gave me the perfect challenge offering for June.  WRAPPING PAPER!   I have the not so hot and the SO HOT examples for you to think of how to use wrapping paper in your cards

DO YOU HAVE WRAPPING PAPER???  I thought this was a NO BRAINER, until I went to find some.  Since we have yet to unpack some of the items from the move, like our wrapping paper, which is mostly Christmas, I COULD NOT find any on the first try.  I found one scrap of wrapping paper on the next search and HIT PAY DIRT on the third.

First up is the "folk heart" paper - that's what I call it - not sure I really like the card, but, its basic background is wrapping paper.  I mounted a cut out heart on the Lacy Circle die-cut and added some buttons from some button ribbon, then some twine in red and white, blue and white, and pink and white.  I remembered the Hero Arts clear set "Just a Note" (CL404) with its scissors and push pin, mainly because the push pin was still on my desk.   It's a rather rowdy card, but all I could think to do (hadn't found the gold yet).


Now to finer flights of fancy.    I found this gorgeous gold wrapping paper left over from some Christmas paper.  It has a wonderful material-like back to it and was crumpled up in the bottom of my homemade paper stand, just like the paper for the folk hearts above.  BUT this was a dream.  I glued it to the back of a regular manila file folder, smoothing out most spots, but leaving that crinkled feel and texture to it.  It is difficult to ink up, but I like the results.  After I got my sun stamped (really the Hero Arts Cling Starburst Background, - 330056) I thought buildings needed to sit in the early rays of the morning or evening, as you prefer.  I stamped and white-embossed the buildings on black paper (Hero Arts Newspaper Skyline - S5573), cut them out and attached them individually to the gold panel with glue dots.  I don't have a cloud die-cut or stamp, BUT, I had just purchased a Hero Arts clear stamp set "Heyday Thoughts" (330054) and found my cloud (really a thought bubble) and a great hot air balloon.  OH JOY!  I used the clear "Hello" stamp from the Hero Arts clear set "Everyday Sayings" (CL342) to give a little hello.  I just couldn't put the panel on until I wrapped the black and white twine and tied a bow.  I am VERY HAPPY with this card.  I don't want to give it up.... sigh


If you can't find the die-cut on this card, it's the sun peeking behind the tallest building.

Time to visit small t creations

Here tonight to tell you about blog candy - yes, the best candy ever!!!! AND totally FAT FREE!   Just clink on the link for small t creations, right here and see how little creations make it big!  I love her "Warm Wishes" card set.  Simple and they make you feel warm inside.