Cardabilities DT Reveal SKetch #26

Hello crafty friends,
Say Adios February... and Hola new Cardabilities sketch! Woo Hoo!
Here's sketch #26 by the sketch master Karan Gerber:

 Here's my card:

Here's a new Mini-Me (Tilda) I had to ink up --- oh, how I luuuv the Maggies! This is Congratulations Tilda. She's sooo cute, don't ya think?

There's loads of paper piecing on this card (Her dress, party hat, & gift). I added a dash of Copics to the DP so it would blend together & add a bit if depth. Her shoes got a coat of Glossy Accents to give them that patent leather look. Her dress ruffles got a bit of Stickles for shimmer. The balloons are a MS punch. I used my Copics to color the foam Thickers to match my paper.

I get asked if the no mouth thing on the Magnolia stamps bother me, well umm, let me see...

                                                           that would be no  :) Hee! Hee!

So you think you can craft? Show us your card abilities by creating a card with this sketch. Linky it to the Cardabilities blog by March 14th and YOU could be the winner of the prize pack from The Paper Make-Up , our fab sponsor for sketch #26.

Please stop by & check out the fabulous creations the rest of the DT has to sketchspire ya!

Thanks so much for peeking!
Gotta Go!

The 411:

Stamps: Congratulation Tilda- Magnolia Stamps, Big Birthday Wishes- PTI
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Chestnut Roan- Colorbox
Paper: It's Your Day- Fancy Pants, Vintage Cream cs- PTI, Blue- Bazzil
Tools: Nesties, Balloon Punch- MS, Scallop Border punch- SU
Other: Thickers AC, Stickles, Glossy Accents, Copics, White gel pen- Signo, craft floss

Mini-Me Luuuuuuv

Hi ya friends,
Hope you had a great crafty weekend. I spent Saturday at the Scrapbook Expo at Anaheim & did a bit o' damage! Yikes! but I'm doing my part to help the economy, right? ;)

Today I have a card for several challenges going on out there in the blogosphere & just in the nick of last minute for the monthly challenge at Magnolia-licious Highlites.
Here's my card:

I used this week's BEAUTIFUL color palette from CR84FN: Light Pink, Bright Pink, & Chartreuse

 I definitely need to make another card with these colors :)

This cutie Mini-Me Tilda is called Tilda with Many Hearts. She and the hearts are colored with Copics & then I added Cotton Candy Stickles to the hearts. That made them look like those cookies with crystal sugar :)
Here's a closer peek:

Don't look too closely at my coloring- a couple of my markers were on dry & desperately need to refill them. WoW! What a difference it makes :(
I used some Crystal Lacquer on her boots for that patent leather feel :) & her dress trim got a bit o' Stickles for sparkle. Then come the embellies of Prima flowers, a PTI button, bling, ribbon, lace, & a ticket from Whimsy Stamps.

Challenges for this card:

Magnolia-licious Highlites: Recipe- use heart, pink, silver (silver floss on button), white (lace)
CR84FN: Colors- light pink, bright pink, chartreuse
Just Magnolia- Mina's sketch
Magnolia Down Under- Flower Power
Magnolia Stamp Lovers: buttons & bling
Stamp Something: Flowers
Pink Elephant: Buttons, lace, ribbon
I Did It: Use Die cuts or punches (circle & heart Nesties)
Sweet Stamping- Oh so Girly
Res-Q Challenge: Make a square card

Phew! That may be my all time record! My blog pal, Anne (Stargroves), always makes this looks so easy ;)

Thanks for peeking today!
Gotta Go!

The 411

Stamps: Tilda with Many Hearts- Magnolia, Ticket Sentiments- Whimsy Stamps
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Chestnut Roan, Creamy Brown- Colorbox, Hibiscus Burst, Simply Chartreuse- PTI
Paper: Lily Kate DP- BasicGrey (Ooooh, I luv this paper!), Cream Bazzil
Tools: Circle, Heart, Scalloped Heart Nesties
Other: Copics, Prima flowers, ribbons: satin edge & ruffle ribbon, Stickles, Bling, Crystal Lacquer, Lace trim, button-PTI, Silver floss, White gel pen-Signo

ABC Challenge: O is for...

OVALS!
Hi friends,
Today I'm sharing a card for this week's challenge at The ABC Challenge. The featured letter is "O" as in "Ovals."
Here's my card:

I used my Beaded Ovals Nesties for the challenge. I wove sheer ribbon through the holes & added pearls all around to frame that gorgeous cross. The cross was made with the Nesties Cross Collection & it is spectacular! I cut it out in ivory pearlescent cardstock & it is a thing of beauty. The embossing & detail is amazing! Can you tell I'm in luuuv?! Hee! Hee! I used 3 of the crosses & layered them with foam tape. I've had this die for such a long time & I don't know if I've ever used it :( To continue with the neglect, I also used papers from the La Boutique Collection from K&Company. I've had these papers forever- I don't think they even print this anymore! :( I do have one little problem with this card. I don't know anyone getting married so I have no one to give it to! Oh well, I'll add it to my stash o' cards & I'll have one ready for when someone ties the knot :)

The letter "O" is brought to you by

and they're offering a gift certificate to one lucky participant. That could be you, but you must play along to win! Thanks One Stop Card Crafts!

Please be sure to LINKY your card creation to the ABC Challenge Blog by Monday night (2/28) and be sure to check out the oval-ly fantastic creations the rest of the DT has created for ya!
Thanks for peeking!

The 411

Paper: The Luxury Stack- DCWV, La Boutique- K&Co, Ivory Pearls Paper- Coredinations
Tools: Nesties Cross Collection- Limited Edition Set, Beaded Ovals Nesties
Other: Pearls, Sheer Ribbon, Satin Ribbon- Offray, foam squares

PTI Make it Mondays Challenge #3

Hello friends,
I have a card to share for this week's:

The technique this week is one I know quite well: Using Scor-Tape with glitter.
Here's my card:

 (sorry, the Kraft looks dark in this pic :(
I've used the technique two ways. First around the edges of my card base to create a frame and second, on the bookmark (strip of Aqua Mist cs). I also used my scor-pal to create an embossed edge (a la Nichole) along the glittered edge. I think this is the first time I've inked up this set All Booked Up- honestly, I don't know why cuz I loved it from the get go. I love to read & this is the *perfect* set for reading appreciation.
It's a pretty simple card, but has lots of dimension!
The colors are so yummy & are this week's color challenge at JUGS: Aqua, Melon, & Kraft

Copic Colors Used: R01, R02, R05, BG10, BG15, E0000, C00, C1

Since we're on the topic of reading... I have a little story to share.
I was always a good reader, but I didn't always like to read. I read because I had to, not because I wanted to. One day, when I was in 3rd grade, my mom brought home a bag of books people donated to poor kids. Well, we were those poor kids. I had a reading log to fill out so I browsed through the bag & picked a Sesame Street book called "The Monster at the End of this Book" --->They had me at the title! Hee! Hee! I read it intrigued to go on to the next page, but the character in the book kept telling me NOT to turn the page and each time I turned the page something funny would happen! Finally, I got to the page before the last page---> the page where the monster was. I was nervous. I was excited. My heart was pounding in my chest with anticipation. I turned the page & roared with laughter! I immediately had to read it again, & again, & again! That little Sesame Street book awakened a love I would have for the rest of my life---> READING. After that, I read because being engaged & totally losing myself in a story was magical!
Here's what that little book looks like:

It was out of publication for many years, but when I found it again as an adult (which is a whole other story ;) I bought 3 copies. 1 that's in our home library of children's books, the 2nd is in my classroom library, and the 3rd is in my safe along with my important documents---> seriously! So every year, on the first day of school, as I got a new batch of kiddos, this is the book I would read to them with the hope that they, too, would find the magic of reading for themselves. I don't know that this book has won any literary awards, but it has won the hearts of every child I've ever read it to. And that's worth a whole lot more.

Thanks so much for peeking today & for allowing me to share my fav book of all time with ya!

The 411

Stamps: All Booked Up- PTI
Paper: Kraft cs- SU, Melon Berry cs, Aqua Mist cs, Vintage Cream cs- PTI
Ink: Crumb cake-SU, Melon Berry- PTI, Memento Rich Cocoa
Tools: Labels 7 Nesties, circle punch
Other: Scor-Tape, ultra fine glitter crystal- MS

It's a Beautiful Life

Hi there friends,
Today I have a card for this week's color inspiration at CR84FN. I'm not one for color challenges (don't really know why), but as soon as I saw these colors, I just had to play along.
Here's the color palette:

swoon... anything with gray and pink works for me.

Here's my card:

I used a new stamp set I won from a challenge at JUGS :) It's called A Beautiful Life from Gina K  & it's a beautiful stamp set. The tulips are colored with Copics & then I added Glossy Accents to them. The edge of the frame has ultra-fine glitter so it's a bit sparkly (although you can't tell in this pic :(
It's a pretty simple card for me :)
Copic colors used: V12, V15, V17, V91, V93, V95, YG91, YG93, YG97

This card also qualifies for the following challenges:
Cute Card Thursday- shiny cards
Paper Play- Add shine
Creative Cottage: Florals

Thanks for peeking today!
Gotta Go!

The 411

Stamps: A Beautiful Life by Melanie Muenchinger for Gina K, Signature Greetings-PTI
Paper: Gray- Bazzill, Blush Blossom- SU, Lush- My Mind's Eye, White CS- Neenah
Ink: memento black
Other: Pearls- Kaiser, Glossy Accents-Ranger, Nesties Labels 14, Ultra-Fine Glitter Crystal- MS

Takin' Notes

Hi ya friends,
As you probably know, I teach Spanish to mostly High School Freshman. I'm really enjoying the change & on most days, it's very entertaining! Lots of comedic personalities! Well, I have a student who L-O-V-E-S to draw. Instead of taking notes in my class---> he's drawing. (How dare he not hang on my every word, right?!)
      Well, one day I confiscated his sketch book & started looking through it & I was blown away! His illustrations were quite frightening, but the detail was incredible. I asked him if he was in art classes & he said he really hadn't done much formal study. I told him how I work with people's stamps & digi images & he seemed genuinely interested. I said, "I'll tell you what, if you take notes during Note-taking time, I'll create a card with an image you create & you could give it to your girlfriend. That will score you some points with her- trust me ;)" So he accepted my offer & on the spot, in a matter of seconds, he drew a picture. He was pretty excited & handed me his illustration & then I said, "Oh wait, you need to sign it. Artists sign their work." so he was happy to do so.

Here's the card I made with his image:

I used one part of it (the bunny on the cliff) because the other part was a little frightening- LOL!
The bunny is looking up at a moon that resembles a mix between Mr. Burns of the Simpsons & Freddy Krueger! LOL!
I colored it with Copics & added flower soft for the grass.

I gave it to him & he was excited (which made me feel like a million buck$!) Of course, the other kids around wanted to look at it & suggested I sell my cards to Hallmark! Hee! Hee!

A few days later, I asked him if he had given it to his girlfriend and he said, "No way! I'm keeping it!"
Awww, make that 2 million bucks!

Just thought I'd share a little of how, as a teacher, I'm helping to create the future artists & graphic designers of the future :)
And is he taking notes during Note-taking time???
---> You betcha!

It's a Good Thing My Mom Lives Abroad

Hola & Hello Friends,
I wanted to share some news that may be upsetting to some of you, as it has caused me untold grief. Viewer discretion is advised.

On Monday, September 14th, a great loss occurred in Studio K (a.k.a my craft room). I hadn't been in my craft room for awhile, cuz my mom had been in town for a while & had been staying with me for the past few days. On Sunday, I took her to the airport & she flew back home. Anyhoo, I went in to Studio K to spend a lovely crafternoon when I noticed IT was GONE!
THIIIIIIIIIIIIS:

 MY STARBUCKS CUP ANNA GRIFFIN BOUGHT FOR ME AT CHA!!!!

So I immediately wrangled up the usual suspects & lined them all up. I demanded to know the whereabouts of my treasured Anna cup. Of course all three looked at me like deer in the head lights & denied they did or knew anything about the disappearance. I briskly pointed to the wall hanging that reads "If Mama ain't happy, ain't NOBODY happy!" and asked again. I got the deer in the head lights look again. Then my little one said, "Maybe Abuelita threw it out." I gasped as this scenario because it COULD be a possibility. It could have also been a tactful way to distract me, so I told them they were still primary suspects & should not try to flee the country house. I called my mom (abroad) and here's how the conversation went:

Me: Hi mom, did you happen to see a Starbucks cup in my craft room?  (say no, say no, say no)
Mom: No, the only time I went in there was to help you clean up a bit... oh wait, you don't mean an empty cup, do you?
Me: (Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!) yes, it was empty but, but, please tell me you didn't throw it out!!!
Mom: well, i thought it was trash. it was an empty cup. You drink Starbucks almost everyday. You always leave the cups around....
Me: i have to go now...
click... mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

What the H-E- double hockey sticks!!! Aggggghhhhhhhh! tear, tear, tear...

and that's why it's a good thing my mom lives abroad.
and that my glue gun only holds glue sticks.
I knew I should have bought that glass display case from Mike's.

sigh......
 

btw, "double hockey sticks" means L L, just in case...

PTI Make it Mondays Challenge #2

Hi friends,
Here's my card for this week's Make it Mondays Challenge at Papertrey Ink:
A Vellum Sentiment Strip

My version of KISSing (Keep It Simple Sweets)~ I let the DP do the heavy lifting for this card. I used a new MS punch that punches holes as it creates a border making it a cinch to faux stitch :) Yessssss! I'm loving this punch!

I'm keeping it real,
I'm keeping it short.
I'm keeping it real short :)

Thanks for peeking today!
Gotta Go!

The 411

Stamps: Everyday Classics, YOF: Roses- PTI
Ink: Hawaiian Shores- PTI, Memento Black
Paper: Beautiful Blooms, Pure Poppy, Black, SS White~ PTI, Old Olive- SU, Vellum CS
Other: Sizzix Sizzlet die; leaves, pearl- Kaisercraft,  MS Border Punch- Cherish

Have Embellies- Make a Card

Hello friends,
Question: What comes first, the card or the embellies? Well, I've been having fun playing with the CB quilling dies :)  ---> You play with your toys too, don't ya?  Well, I had some pretty cool flowers made, but nothing to do with them. So, I decided to make a card with the help of this week's Mojo Monday Sketch.
Here's the sketch:

Here's my card:

I used all three different flowers for my card- they're not as elaborate as they could be, but I was just playing with my toys after all. ;)  I've been obsessed very interested in making my own flowers lately so I know I won't be putting these away anytime soon


This card also qualifies for the challenge at Crafty Creations- Three little words.
aaaaand... Craft Us Crazy- Anything goes. Woo hoo! I think they're like the only challenge blogs not doing Valentine or hearts! If you've made a valentine card with hearts, you've got LOADS of challenges to linky to out there!
Thanks so much for peeking!
Gotta Go!

The 411:

Stamps: Signature Greetings- PTI
Ink: Terra Cotta Tile- PTI, More Mustard- SU,
Paper: Terra Cotta Tile CS, Lemon Tart CS- PTI, Very Vanilla CS, Crushed Curry-SU!, Marrakech DP- BasicGrey
Tools: Deckled Edge, Rectangle, Circle, Scalloped Circle Nesties, CB Quilling Dies
Other: Pearls, ribbon, button- PTI

Cardabilities DT Reveal SKetch #25

Hi ya friends,
Happy Valentine's Day! It's a beautiful day to celebrate love and friendship... and CHOCOLATE!!! mmmm :) Today is extra sweet because it's time for a brand new sketch reveal from Cardabilities.
Here's the sketch:

 Here's my card (2 ways):

I absolutely am insano over the Moonrise collection from SEI & am slowly using it :) every inch of paper on my card is from this collection. I did something special with the butterfly~ can you tell? I used left over pieces from the heart & key die to create the butterfly body. I cut through the center of the key to create the antennae. I likey! Then it's my usual go crazy with the Viva decor pearl pen in gold :) I stamped the Lovely Labels stamp with versamark & heat embossed with gold embossing powder.

This is a great sketch which lends itself to lots of uses. Come play with us by linking your card creation to the Cardabililtes blog. For this sketch you're not just playing for fun~ noooooooooo... You could win some goodies from Whimsie Doodles! You've got til the end of the month to play along.

Thanks so much for peeking today! And like my card sentiment reads "Hope your day is as happy as happy gets!"

Hugs and Muahs,





The 411
Stamps: Lovely Labels- Gina K, Flight of the Butterfly- SU
Paper: Moonrise- SEI, Black cs- SU, Gold Foil cs- AC
Ink: Onyx Black- versafine
Tools: Labels 8 Nesties, Butterflies 2 -Spellbinders, Heart & Lock Die set- CC Designs
Other: Gold embossing powder, gold ribbon, Viva Decor Pearl pen~ gold

PTI: Think Big Challenge

Hi friends,
I'm back in the nick of time to join PTI for their "Think Big" Challenge. Like my last card, I wanted to keep with the simple stamping tradition of PTI for this card.
Here it is:

I used the largest flourish from the Fancy Flourishes Stamp set for the stem & leaves for my quilled flowers. Those flowers were made with the CB Quilled Chrysanthemum dies (that I've had forever & haven't used :(   I used Bitty Dots Basics in Lemon Tart for those & added little pearls in the centers. The sentiment comes from (my fav) In Bloom stamped in Simply Chartruese ink. I created a frame along the edges with my Scor-Pal, a la Nichole :) I seriously don't know why I haven't used these dies before cuz these flowers are so easy & quick to make.

Once again, thank you for taking a peek at my card today.
Gotta Go!

PTI Make it Mondays Challenge

Hi friends,
Papertrey Ink is having lots of contests for their 4th anniversary. One of them is the "Make it Mondays Challenge." There will be a video posted focusing on a technique & a challenge to recreate it yourself.
The first challenge was to create a "Go-to Sentiment card"
Here's my card:

One of the things that draw me to PTI is how they KIS & CAS (Keep it Simple & create Clean and Simple cards). Those 2 are Kryptonite left & right hooks for me~ but I'm always inspired by what they come up with. So in keeping with the PTI tradition, I decided to follow suit for my "Thinking of You" card.
The Deets:
I used 7 stamp sets for my card! This was the first time YOF: Gladiolus saw some ink :) I stamped it with Versamark ink & embossed it with a mixture of clear embossing powder & ultra fine glitter so it's a bit sparkly IRL (I know you can't tell on this pic :(  I masked the portion I was going to leave for the sentiments when I stamped the Gladiolus. I framed the sentiments with a run on my Scor-Pal (another fab Nichole technique). Then I distressed all the edges & finished it up with a few pearls. I have to admit it was quite challenging to try to arrange all the stamps so they would fit around the main sentiment & some are a bit crooked :( grrr. But I liked the technique.

I look forward to more Make it Mondays Challenges! It's always fun to learn new techniques & different ways to use our goodies.
Thanks so much for peeking today!
Gotta Go!

The 411

all products used are PTI unless otherwise specified
Stamps: Year of Flowers: Gladiolus, Limitless Labels, Through the Trees, Holiday Treats, Blooming Button Bits, Tea for Two Additions, Scattered Shower Additions
Paper: Sweet Blush cs, Gray cs- Bazzil
Ink: Versamark, Fresh Snow, Gray
Other: Pearls, clear embossing powder, ultra fine glitter, tonic distressing tool

ABC Challenge: N is for...

Neutrals!
Hi ya friends,
Sheesh, I feel like I've been gone forever, but I'm here with my first card for the DT at The ABC Challenge Blog. The letter "N" is brought to you by Whimsy Stamps.

Here's my card:

I used a digi from Meljen's Stamps called Swirly Daisy Pot and for the sentiment I thought Stitched Hello would be a great compliment (& it's a freebie offered on the Meljen's design blog :).
There's lots of paper piecing on this card- the flowers, the pot, the "Hello." The flowers are popped on dimensionals & got a bit of Copic & Glossy Accents. The leaves were first colored with Copics, then painted over them with some Blingz paint, & then a dab of Glossy Accents. They look pretty IRL- a litlle like marbles. The mossy grassy part in the pot is flower soft.

You've got til 6pm next Monday to Linky your card to the ABC Challenge blog & possibly get your hands on some goodies from Whimsy Stamps!

Thanks so much for peeking today & have a great crafternoon!
Gotta Go!

The 411

Stamps (Digi): Swirly Daisy Pot, Stitched Hello- Whimsy/Meljen's stamps
Ink: Creamy Brown- Colorbox
Paper: Linen Closet- DCWV, Kraft- PTI, Gold CS- PTI
Other: Frameabilities- Scalloped Edge Frames- Spellbinders, pearls, Viva Decor Pearl pen- Cream, Twine, Glossy Accents, Blingz Gold Glimmer, Copics, Flower Soft- Sage

Winter CHA Winner

Hi friends,
The Random.org gods have spoken and...

#5 Fairy Cardmaker you're the fairest of them all!

Please click on the "email me" button  on the sidebar & send me your 411. I'll get the mag out to ya!
Like the Terminator..."I'll be back" to share a project soon :)
Gotta Go!