Love Me Some Halloween!

Good morning! Did you have a great weekend?

I had another busy one filled with "gallivanting" as my family likes to call it! ;) At the rate I am going, I will probably be two sizes bigger! 

A couple of weeks ago I bought this adorable stamp/die set from Hero Arts at Simon Says Stamp.  I created the background panel for both cards using a combination of stamping and Zig Clean Color Markers.  I added a bit of Black Soot Distress ink to the edges too.

The boots were cut out using the coordinating die and each image was colored with colored pencils.  I heat embossed the sentiment on black paper in orange.  For a finishing touch, I adhered a few sequins.

Brian and I had a family meeting at Misericordia yesterday, so I wanted to bring a few things to Cort, like her Halloween costume, Halloween T-shirts, pumpkin shoes, and matching headbands. 

I had a moment packing her stuff yesterday of sadness.  

This will be the first Halloween she doesn't spend with me.

I've been lucky to share 20 of them with her.

I know it is part of the growing process.....but it certainly wreaks havoc on this mama's heart.

Brian keeps me busy....so I don't notice her absence as much...hence the gallivanting! 

;)

Butterfly Background Stamp-JustRite

Good morning! I hope you all had a great weekend!

I have another January JustRite release to share with you.  It is this incredible, gorgeous, butterfly background stamp.  It doesn't seem to matter how many butterfly products I have, they never get old!

I stamped it in Versamark and embossed it in white.  I gave it a rainbow water color wash using my Zig Clean Brush markers.  I stamped the 3 butterflies on a separate panel in coordinating colors. 

I stamped an additional butterfly in white on a piece of vellum.  I fussy cut it and adhered it to the center butterfly. 

I added silk ribbon and some gemstones to finish off the card. 

So glad you stopped by for a visit! 

;)

You Make Me Smile!

Good morning! Yesterday, I was up on the SRM Blog with this little number.  

I am on the 2015-2016 design team for SRM, and couldn't be more thrilled! 

I used a new set by Jane's Doodles called, Fancy Doodles. 

For all of the info and details of how I created the card, pop on over to the SRM Blog!

 

Have a wonderful weekend my friends!

JustRite's February Release-Hello Buttercup!

Good morning and happy Saturday to you!

I have yet another new stamp set by JustRite to share with you this frosty cold morning!

This set is called, Hello Buttercup!

I love flowers and can't seem to get enough of them....oh...and did I mention that I am water coloring everything these days? ;)

So yet another set was embossed in white and colored with my Peerless water colors. 

I cut the image out with my Spellbinders pierced circles and Lacey circles. I stamped the sentiment in Versamark, embossed it in white, and gave it a bright orange water color wash.

I added seam binding, string, button, and a pearl. 

Check out what the other girlies did with this pretty set!

JustRite InspirationKathy Jones
Sheri Holt

Angela Barkhouse

Michele Kovack

Kristi Schurr

Chicago was hit with about 14 inches of snow last week, and like a crazy woman I was out there in the midst of the blizzard trying to take pictures.  (without getting my camera wet!)  So here are a few that I captured.

My Bischon/poodle mix, Skippers.  He wasn't all that crazy about the snow and stood by the back door to be let into the warm, cozy house. ;) 

This little gal, Myla, LOVES the snow and couldn't get enough of it! 

We have a warm up this weekend which is causing lots of icky wet mud.  And when you have two dogs, that can be a disasterous combination!

Nothing like having to leave a beach towel by the back door to wipe 8 muddy/wet paws!

I am off to catch up on some laundry and cleaning.

Have a great weekend my friends!

JustRite's February Release-Thank You Daffodil

Are you sick of me yet? I think I broke a few records with the amount of posts I've had this week! ;) I have another new set to show you from JustRite.  It is a lovely set called, Thank You Daffodil.  I am totally addicted right now to my Peerless watercolors....and seem to be water coloring everything I can get my grubby little hands on!  I embossed the flower in white first on water color paper.  If you are interested in seeing how I created the background, you can find the tutorial HERE.  

I used a Dear Lizzy die cut and added black glossy enamel to it.  

I am going to keep today's post short and sweet...... :) 

JustRite Inspiration

Kathy Jones

Michele Kovack

Marisa Job

JustRite's February Release-Honeycomb and Whisper of Wings

Good morning! I actually have TWO cards to share with you today!  The first card uses a cool new background stamp called, Honeycomb.  I stamped it with Versamark on vintage dictionary paper.  I embossed it in white.  I then added touches of pink and blue with my Tim Holtz Distress markers.  I used the Spellbinder's Rose Creations die to create my flower.  I added a dimensional sticker, a bit  of ribbon and string, and a satin flower to finish off the card. 

I think this is just the coolest background stamp ever! (And it's on sale people!!)


My second card uses a set called, Whisper of Wings.  I am so into the feather trend these days!  I stamped each feather individually with Versamark. As I stamped each one I sprinkled it with two different embossing powders.  Either orange and gold, or pink and gold.  I added a bit of twine to look like I was tying the feathers together, and added little satin flowers.  I stamped the sentiment on clear acetate and wrapped the acetate to the back of the card to adhere.  This way no adhesive would show and the acetate sits up a bit from the card. A few gold sequins became the finishing touch. 

I truly love this set!  

For more inspiration using these gorgeous sets, be sure to visit the other girls' blogs!

JustRite Inspiration

Heidi Blankenship

Debbie Olson

Michele Kovack

Eva Dobilas

Kristi Schurr 

Marisa Job

Have a wonderful day my friends!!

JustRite's January Release, Celtic Lattice

Good morning! I am home with the kiddos for a COLD day!  The wind chill is way below freezing so the schools are closed.  Gotta love Chicago weather! ;)

JustRite has been showing their new releases for January/CHA all week.  I am so happy to show you two sets today.  One set is a pretty background stamp called Celtic Lace.

I cut the Lori Whitlock teacup card using my Silhouette, stamped Celtic Lace with Versamark and embossed it in white. I sponged a bit of pink ink around it for a bit of soft color. 

The sentiment is part of the Caring Thoughts set.  It was also stamped in Versamark and heat embossed in gold.  I cut it into a banner shape.  The flower was cut using the Rose Creations Spellbinder's die and felt.  I added a bit of twine, and a couple of tiny paper daisies I had in my stash from K & Company.

Here is a side view of what the card looks like. It does lay flat when not propped on the brad. Perfect for mailing.  

Be sure to hop on over to the other talented ladies' blogs for more inspiration! 

JustRite Inspiration

Eva Dobilas

Darsie Bruno

Sheri Holt

Michele Kovack

Kristi Schurr

Angela Barkhouse

Have a great day my friends!!!

JustRite's November Release-Caring Thoughts

I have another new release to share with you today from JustRite!  It is a pretty sympathy set called, Caring Thoughts. Sympathy cards are often very difficult to make.  I like to make them ahead of time, so I have it when I need it.  I have been on a gold and silver kick lately, so I decided on that color scheme.  I embossed the flowers in gold embossing powder by WOW.  

The background was created using a stencil, embossing paste, and silver embossing powder. I slipped a piece of gold glitter cardstock underneath so it would peek out a bit.  I added my sentiment, stamped and embossed on vellum, added ribbon, and a scattering of sequins.  

Here is the whole set....

Be sure to stop by the other designer's blogs for more ways to use this set! 

 JustRite Inspiration

 Becca Feeken

 Eva Dobilas

  Debbie Olson

 Heidi Blankenship

 Kathy Jones

 Michele Kovack

 Marisa Job

 Angela Barkhouse

 Kristi Schurr

Have a great day!

Thank you for stopping! 

And in case you were wondering....I DID survive the social security office! ;)

I also have some Halloween pics to share soon!

JustRite's November Release-Sentimental Flowers!

Good morning!  JustRite is starting their November release today, and today's first set is a beautiful one!  The set is called Sentimental Flowers.  I love sets that I can color.  I stamped the image with Versamark and emboossed it in gold.  I used my Inktense pencils to color it in. 

I used one of the smaller flowers to place in the center of my ribbon.  I added a few sequins and pearls for interest. I also used Spellbinder's Resplendent Rectangles  to matte my image. 

Here is the set in its entirety. So pretty, right?

The design team always does such a great job of showcasing each set, so be sure to pay them a visit. 

JustRite Inspiration

Becca Feeken

Kristi SchurrHeidi Blankenship

Eva Dobilas 

Marisa Job

Michele Kovac

Darsie Bruno 

Angela Barkhouse

Kathy Jones

I am off to the social security office this morning with phone, book, and snacks in tow. It's going to be a looooooong morning.  :(

Tropical Snowflake Card! (Oxymoron at its Best!)

I am thrilled to be up on the Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L blog today! Why you ask? Because we are having a blog hop with  WOW! Embossing Powders.  Their embossing powders are absolutely stunning!  

If you want all of the details on this little tropical number, you will have to head on over to the Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L blog. 

Who says wintry snowflake cards have to blue or white? I love breaking the rules once in awhile! 

Be sure to stop by the Scrapbook Adhesives blog for your chance to win some fabulous prizes!

And last but not least, I decided after much thinking, to start a FB page for Cortney and her modeling journey.  I would love if you became a fan.  She needs all of the love and support she can get! (And her mama too!)  Click HERE if you would like to become a fan! And thank you in advance if you do! :)

JustRite's October Release- Mums and Oak Leaves

Good morning to you friends!  I have TWO cards to share with you today!  It uses 3 new sets by JustRite.  I have been on a watercoloring kick lately and wanted to use my Inktense pencils to color this first image.  I stamped JustRite's new set, Oak Leaves in Versamark ink and embossed it in white. 

I colored the leaves with my Inktense pencils and a water brush.  I stamped the acorns a second time and fussy cut them.  I popped them up with dimensional foam circles.  I added a bit of twine, rhinestones, and sentiment.  I swiped all of the edges of the rectangles with Versamark and sprinkled them with gold glitter embossing powder by WOW!.  I love the subtle sparkle it gives. A few sequins finished the card off. 

My second card uses two new sets.  The Crackle Background stamp and the Mum set. I again stamped it with Versamark and embossed it in white.  I used my Inktense pencils and a water brush to color  the mum.   The Crackle background was stamped with a dark brown ink on kraft paper.

I added a sentiment, string, pearls, and a button to finish the card. 

And how about a little enabling?  ;)  Christmas is right around the corner!!

Be sure to visit the other designer's blogs for more inspiration using these fun new sets!

JustRite Inspiration

Debbie Olson

Becca Feeken

Michele Kovack

Kazan Clark

Amy Tedder

Darsie Bruno

Marisa Job

Kathy Jones

Kristi Schurr

Angela Barkhouse

TGIF! Happy Friday to you all!