The Cutest L'il Jailbirds ... Ever!

Aren't they?!?

Today's card was created for my Hallowe'en card stash using this adorable "Jailbird" stamp from Inkadinkado. Too cute, no?!? For a ginormous closer look, clicky on the photo.

I stamped my image twice on card stock, then paper-pieced the middle 'jailbird' on the original stamped image. The sentiment is part of the stamp and jess I love that spooky-kewl font!

I added some old patterned paper from my half-vast collection of patterned paper, some black rick-rack, and three foam spiders. I added the l'il gold flat-back pearls for 'eyes.'

For all the creepy product info, check out the supply list, below.

Sooooooooooooo, this weekend I was out with Sheila when we got pulled over by a traffic cop. Sheila tried to talk Sheriff R. Landon out of the ticket, but he wasn't impressed ... and Sheila got an expensive ticket for speeding.

When we got back to her house, she pulled out her checkbook to pay the fine.

"Wait! Don't you want to fight that ticket?" I asked.

"Of course not," Sheila replied. "I just want this out of the house before Ken sees it."

"Doesn't Ken pay the bills with this checkbook?"

"Good thinking, Deb!"

So Sheila wrote out the check, made payable to "Cash," then scribbled on the memo line: "One Pullover, $125."

~Hugs,

• Card Stock: "Summer Sunrise" from Papertrey Ink; "Tangerine Tango" by Stampin' Up!
• Designer Paper: KI Memories
• Stamp: Inkadinkado
• Ink: "Tuxedo Black" Memento Dye Ink by Tsukineko
• Accessories: "Medium" Black Rick-Rack by Wrights; Foam Spiders, Unknown; Gold Flat-Back Self-Adhesive Pearls by Michaels
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine by Provo Craft; Nestabilities Die; Foam Tape; Scotch ATG 714 Adhesive
• Finished Size: 5 1/2" x 4 1/4"
  

Dig Those Snazzy Dresses:

Happy Tuesday, race fans!

Today's card project was created for no-good reason using this vintage-inspired stamp from Inkadinkado's "Tin Can Mail" collection.

I scored my Cosmo Cricket DP working off the pattern in the paper, then sanded the score lines and applied some "Old Paper" Distress Ink.

I paper-pieced the gals' dresses using more paper from this collection, then tied on some Sinamay ribbon and a bit of waxed linen thread.

For the rest of the exciting product deets, check out the supply list, below.

Soooooo, yesterday, I accompanied Sheila while she had a biopsy on this crazy-lookin' lump on her leg.

She was pretty nervous and mentioned it to her nurse.

"Not to worry, dear," the nurse assured her, "you're just having a little autopsy."

We laughed till we cried!

And she's fine ... totally benign. Yay!

~Hugs,

• Card Stock: "Vintage Cream" and "Dark Chocolate" by Papertrey Ink
• Designer Paper: "Hello Sunshine" Collection by Cosmo Cricket
• Stamp: Inkadinkado
• Ink: "Old Paper" Distress Ink by Ranger; "Chocolate Chip" Dye Ink by Stampin' Up!
• Accessories: Sinamay Ribbon; Waxed Linen Thread by 7gypsies
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine; Nestabilities Die by Spellbinders; Scor-It Board; Sanding Block; Foam Tape; Scotch ATG 714 Adhesive
• Finished Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"
  

Could This BE Any Brighter?!?

Happy Monday, all and one ... hope your holiday weekend was wonderful!

And let me start by apologizing to all of you for not getting to posting comments on your blogs these past few days. I'm having a devil of an allergy season ... one of the very worst ... and have actually spent more time sleeping than I have awake!

Today's card project was created for SCS's Sketch Challenge, SC223. For a look at the sketch I followed, clicky HERE. To go straight to the SC223 gallery, clicky HERE. For a ginormous view of my card, clicky on the photo.

For the low-down on all the dirty deets, check out the supply list below.

So, this weekend the DH, who's a computer tech, got a call from a customer. The nice lady told the DH that her computer wasn't working properly. After she described the problem, the DH told her to bring the computer over for service.

He told her, "Unplug the power cord and bring it up here and I'll fix it for you."

About ten minutes later, she showed up at the door... with the electrical cord in her hand.

I. Kid. You. Not!

~Hugs,

• Card Stock: Papertrey Ink
• Designer Paper: Stampin' Up!
• Stamps: Flower by Inkadinkado; Sentiment by Papertrey Ink
• Accessories: Epoxy Sticker; 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon; Vintage Button; Cotton String; Jump Ring
• Tools: Die Cut Machine; Nestabilities Large Square Die; Border Punch by Fiskars; Tiny Tag Die by Provo Craft
  

Simple Pleasures? Free Paint Sample Cards!

Happy Hump Day girls and boy! So today is "Be Nasty" Day ... yikes! Hey, don't look at me: I don't write 'em I just repeat 'em.

ONward H-C-M's:

Today's card project was created for SCS's Clean and Simple challenge, CAS09. This week challenge is to "add interest to your card by distressing." For all the challenge-like deets, clicky HERE. To go straight to the CAS09 photo gallery, clicky HERE. For the ginormous view of my card, clicky on the photo.

I stamped my image on a swiped free paint sample card from Lowe's ... or Home Depot ... using solvent ink, then distressed the edges. I matted the distressed image on black card stock and distressed those edges. You should see all the l'il piles of paper fluff I have floating around my studio!

I added two brads, wrapped a twill ribbon around the card, then tied on a button with jute twine. So easy, even I a child could do it!

So last night, Sheila asked me to sit with Reid-the-Wild-Child for a bit.

"Auntie," Reid announced, "I have a really, really, really funny joke for your blog."

"Oh, goodie, tell me!"

"What did the Zero say to the Eight?" Reid asked.

"I give up ... what did the Zero say to the Eight?"

"Nice belt!"

Give it a minute ... it'll grow on you.

~Hugs,

• Card Stock: Bazzill Basics; Papertrey Ink
• Other Paper: Paint Sample Card
• Stamp: "Simple Pleasures" by Inkadinkado
• Ink: "Jet Black" Staz-On Solvent Ink by Tsukineko
• Accessories: Brads by Close to My Heart; Twill Ribbon by Offray; Button by Making Memories; Jute Twine
• Tools: Edge Distressing Tool by Heidi Swapp; Dimensionals; Scotch ATG 714 Adhesive
  

Birds, Birds, Birds x 3 ...

BIG news stampers! Today is "No Housework" day! 'Course I celebrate that day nearly everyday, but isn't it nice to know that it's official?!?

Today's card project was created using l'il bitty inchie stamps from Inkadinkado. Sooo stinkin' cute, aren't they? They start to lose their adorableness when you're cuttin' 'em out and creating l'il mats for all nine of 'em, though.

I stamped my bird-inchies using "Indian Corn Blue," "Cranberry," and "Outdoor Denim" dye inks from Close to My Heart. If you're interested, all inks are available HERE. And I must say that while I love everything SU, I worship these dye inks. There! I've said it and I'm not sorry!

The sentiment, from Stampin' Up, was stamped on PTI's Stamper's Select card stock, then double matted. And finis! A bird-like, springlike, "how you doin'" card.

For the rest of the l'il bitty deets, check out the supply list, below.

So, this weekend, Sheila and I decided to spend the day at our favorite beach.

As we sat sunning, we saw a fisherman capsize his boat about 40 yards out.

We called out and asked him if he needed any help ... such as he could get from us.

"No, thanks, I'm okay," he answered, but he continued to hold on to his overturned boat.

So we sat back down and watched him watching us.

"Hey," the fisherman called to us, "are there any gators out here?" Uh, oh, a tourista.

"Naw, they haven't been around here for years." Sheila answered.

With that, the guy finally decided to start swimming toward shore ... at a very leisurely pace. About halfway in, he hollered, "So, how'd they get rid of the 'gators?"

"Oh, nobody did anything special." Sheila said.

"Really?" the swimming-fishing-tourist-guy asked.

"Nope; the sharks got 'em!"

WoWzA, he turned out to be a super-fast swimmer!

~Hugs,

• Card Stock: Bazzill Basics; Papertrey Ink; Stampin' Up
  
• Stamps: Bird Inchie Stamps from "Birds & Butterflies" Set by Inkadinkado; Sentiment from "Seasonal Whimsy" Set by Stampin' Up
  
• Ink: "Indian Corn Blue," "Cranberry," and "Outdoor Denim" Dye Inks by Close to my Heart
• Tools: Foam Dimensional Tape; Scotch ATG 714
  

Let's Rock 'n Roll:

Happy Tuesday, happy "Submarine Day," and a very Happy St. Paddy's Day to all. Before you go out submarine diving, be sure to stop off for some green beer ... makes the submarine diving go that much easier.

So, for today's card project, I decided to revisit an old stampin' technique: Rock and Roll. I'm pretty sure you all know how to do this but if you don't, here's how: ink up your stamp in your lighter shade of ink, then roll the edges in a darker ink. Then stamp. Easy-peasy!

I stamped my flower image after inking it in "Sunflower" ink and rolling the edges in "Autumn Terracotta" dye ink. I over-stamped my l'il flowers using "Cranberry" dye ink, then popped on some red Crystal Pearls. All these yummy inks are available HERE.

I'll bet you're thinking that this card is kinda "Fall-ish." Really, it's more "Drag-like." Read on:

So this weekend Sheila and I went shoe shopping. We loves us some shoes!

Somehow, as I was trying on some really cute strappy sandals, the shoe salesman got his tie stuck in the shoe. Of course, I didn't know this, so I walked off to the mirror to check-out the strappy-sandals-view. When I got to the mirror, I finally noticed him crawling behind me; I was dragging the poor guy by his tie!

"Oh, lookie, Deb," Sheila said, "he wants to go home with you!"

Umm, turns out he didn't ... but the strappy sandals did! And when the DH saw what I paid for the l'il darlings, back they went ... together with this card.

~Hugs,

• Card Stock: Papertrey Ink; Stampin' Up!
• Stamps: Large Flower by Inkadinkado; Small Flower from "Season of Friendship" Set by Stampin' Up!
  
• Ink: "Sunflower," "Autumn Terracotta," and "Cranberry" Dye Inks by Close to My Heart
• Accessories: Crystal Pearls by Mark Richards

Because You're Special ... and Have Some Vintage Bakery Twine to Share

Hey, there you are! Allow me to be the first to wish you a happy "White Tee-Shirt Day." Well, it's also "Don't Cry Over Spilt Milk Day" ... go on, pick one and move on.

Today's card project was the result of me finally cleaning up my work table ... hence, there's l'il bits and pieces of every card I made in the last few days consolidated in this one. Almost like left-overs ... without the heartburn ... sorta.

I ran some dark navy blue card stock through the 'Bug in the "Birds and Swirls" embossing folder, and ran a scrap of "Riding Hood Red" card stock through my paper crimper.

I stamped my cute l'il sentiment stamp with "Riding Hood Red" dye ink on SU card stock, trimmed it closely, then mounted it on dimensionals. I added some vintage bakery twine, an SU double-ended swirl clip, some red Crystal Pearls, three cream-colored eyelets and finis! Easy-peasy!

So, those of you who talk to me regularly know that we've been having all kinds of Internet and cable issues for the last week or so. We've tried everything to fix it ... the DH personally examined every square inch of wire in our home. Nada.

We called Service and scheduled an appointment, but when they finally arrived, everything worked just fine. Go figger ...

As soon as they left, of course, everything went back to normal: nothing worked.

This time, I decided to make the call. So, naturally, within seconds I'm on 'hold' ... and heard this message: "We apologize for the inconvenience and realize that you are still holding. Please do not hang up, as this will further delay your call." It's no wonder nothin' works ...

PS: As for the vintage bakery twine ... does anyone have any that they're willing to part with? I'm almost out and NEED more ...

~Hugs,

• Card Stock: "Riding Hood Red" by Stampin' Up; Navy by Bazzill Basics
• Stamp: "Because You're Special" by Inkadinkado
• Ink: "Riding Hood Red" Dye Ink by Stampin' Up
• Accessories: Vintage Bakery Twine; Double Swirl Clips by Stampin' Up; Cream Eyelets, Unknown; Red Crystal Pearls
• Tools: Paper Crimper by Marvy Uchida; Dimensionals

Hugs & Kisses ...

Soooo, happy "Umbrella Day!" Hey, I don't write 'em, I just repeat 'em. Now, be sure to poke someone with your umbrella today, okeedokee?!?

Today's last-minute Valentine was created super-fast. Really! I stamped the "Lace Heart" stamp on Stamper's Select card stock with "Riding Hood Red" dye ink, and cut it out trimming closely.

The "Kisses" sentiment was stamped with Versamark, embossed with Tsukineko Detail Embossing Powder, and also cut out.

I created the ampersand and "Hugs" text with the 'Bug "Olivia" die set, punched the lacy trim with MS's "Doily Lace" border punch, and created a scallop border with Kraft card stock and my slit punch. I used the Crop-a-Dile to set nine white eyelets in the scallop border and finis!

Soooooo on Sunday, Sheila and I decided to go thrift-store shopping. In one store, we were browsing through a display of country-style musical instruments.

After looking over the flutes, dulcimers, and recorders, Sheila picked up a shiny, one-stringed instrument she took to be a mouth harp. She put it to her lips and, much to my amazement, twanged a few notes on it.

After watching from a distance, a clerk walked up and said, "I hate to tell you this, Honey, but you're tryin' to play a cheese slicer."

I. Kid. You. Not!

~Hugs,

• Card Stock: "Riding Hood Red" by Stampin' Up; Kraft and White by Papertrey Ink
• Stamps: "Lacy Heart" by Stampin' Up; "Kisses" by Inkadinkado
• Ink: Versamark Watermark Ink; "Riding Hood Red" Dye Ink by Stampin' Up
• Accessories: White Eyelets
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine; Cuttlebug "Olivia" Alphabet Dies; Martha Stewart "Doily Lace" Border Punch; Slit Punch by Stampin' Up; Crop-a-Dile by We R Memory Keepers; Quicky Glue Pen by Sakura; Cutter Bee Scissors; Dimensionals

Two Hearts as One ... Ribbon Sold Separately

So, how's your Cartoon Day workin' out so far? Mine's okay but it could be better: I'm havin' a heck of a time finding a Rocky & Bullwinkle that's not a rerun ...

ONWARD Hoarding-Card-Makers:

So, I'm really in love with the detail in this kewl Inkadinkado background stamp; it looks just like lace. Oh, and I love the name, "Inkadinkado," too, don't you? Hey, poetry!

In fact, I purposefully buy stamps from Inkadinkado jess so I can say, "Oh, this old thing?!? It's an Inka-Dinka-Do!" So, that's my excuse for buying Inka's. My rationale for buying Stampin' Up rubber is that they're, "investment stamps." I have excuses for other brands that I pull out when necessary.

I stamped both of my images with Staz-On solvent ink, then double mounted 'em, wrapped a grosgrain ribbon around the middle and thru a metal double-heart brad.

In order to make my background fit on my mats, I trimmed off a strip and used it on the inside of my card:

See?

TIP: Always save your trimmed off strips! If you're not thrilled about using them on the inside of your card, you can also use them to embellish your envelope. Not for you? How about using the excess stamped images for punchies, brad washers, photo corners, faux photo turns, and, of course, tiny mats!

So, hey, I hear we're getting a professional baseball team down here! The word is that the new team will be called "Humidity." I like it! Now disgruntled fans here in Florida can say, "It's not the Heat that's so bad, it's the Humidity."

~Sportingly,

• Card Stock: Bazzill Basics; Papertrey Ink
• Stamps: "Lace" by Inkadinkado; Sentiment by Vickie Enkoff
• Ink: "Ultramarine" Staz-On by Tsukineko
• Accessories: Grosgrain Ribbon; Entwined Hearts Brad
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine; Nestabilities Die; Scrap Fusion PA; Dimensionals
  
  

The Best and Most Beautiful Things ... Are Old Stamps

Happy Monday, boys and girls!

Today's card project was created for Sharon's "Stamp Simply" blog challenge. This week, Sharon challenged us to "dig deep into our cabinets and pull out a stamp that we once truly loved and just haven’t touched in ages."

I'm not sure exactly how old this stamp is, but it seems like I've had it for-evuh. And, if Helen Keller was alive, she'd be pretty old, too ... in fact, 128 years old. So, there you go: everything about this stamp is old!

I showed my dear old stamp some lovin' by stampin' it on vellum card stock using Brilliance ink. I matted it on black card stock, then folded two corners back and secured them using brads ... old brads.

Here's another view for all you left-handers:


I matted my card with DP from Crate Paper's old "Avenue" collection, mounted the sentiment panel using old glue, and embellished my card with some old paper flowers. I kid, the flowers aren't young.

Well, that's about it for today; I'd tell you about how my Swedish car broke down, but I'm sure you don't want to hear another Saab story ...

Hey, thanks so much for swingin' by!

~Hugs,


Card Stock: Bazzill Basics; DCWV
Vellum Card Stock: Papertrey Ink
Designer Paper: "Avenue" Collection by Crate Paper
Stamp: Inkadinkado
Ink: Brilliance "Graphite Black" by Tsukineko
Accessories: Paper Flowers; Brads
Tools: Flower Punch

Hello, Pretty Bird ...

Welcome to the jungle!

Today's card project was created for no good reason using craft punches and a kewl bird stamp from Inkadinkado. This is such a beautiful stamp, and so realistic, too ... 'cuz all birds fly scattering a trail of flowers and faux gemstones behind 'em! As always, for a closer look, simply clicky on the photo.

Using designer paper from Memory Box, I punched out six trees and using scraps of walnut-ink-stained card stock, I punched out the bare trees.

I adhered all my trees to my card stock base, matted with DP from Basic Grey, popping some of them up on dimensionals.

Using a lining pen, I drew in the ground line and some grass clumps (doesn't that look just like grass!?!), and added some shading with Copic marker W3.

Finally, I used a stamp positioner to stamp my bird using "Graphite Black" Brilliance ink, and added some rhinestone-bling.

Now, be honest, doesn't this scene look just like Central Park ... on LSD?!?

~Hugs,

PS: I've received a couple of emails from peeps askin' about my supply list. Lately, I haven't been including a list and, apparently, some of you actually enjoy seeing which supplies I've used in a project.

I'm happy to include it in my posts, but I'd really appreciate some feedback regarding supply lists ~ do you care, do you read them, or do you think they're a waste of both of our time and energy since you already have all this krap, too? Lemme know whatcha think, okeedokee? Thanks!

Card Stock: Papertrey Ink; Designer Paper: "Periphery" Collection by Basic Grey, "Inspire" Collection by Memory Box; Stamp: Inkadinkado; Ink: "Graphite Black" Brilliance by Tsukineko; Pen: American Crafts; Copic Marker; Tree Punch: Punch Bunch; Bare Tree Punch: McGill; Faux Rhinestones: Michaels (a gift from my pal, Anna); Walnut Ink: 7gypsies; Adhesives: Scrap Fusion PA by Ivy Scraps, Dimensionals: Unknown, Obtained in a Sticky Share

"What a Weasel" ... a Blog Challenge Entry

Today's card project was created for Allison's "Suggestive Sunday" blog challenge. This week, Allison asked us to create a card for a friend who has been jilted by a member of the opposite sex.

I used two dies from the large Classic circle Nesties set to create the red circle, then stamped my text on Xerox 110# card stock, matting 'em with DCWV card stock.

I added a couple of scallop-edge borders, some oval tabs, and some bright red eyelets.

Super-quick ... and a profoundly deep message: does it get any better than this?!?

Thanks so much for sharing part of your busy day with me!

~Hugs,


Supplies ~ Card Stock: Xerox 110#, DCWV, Patterned Paper: Unknown; Stamps: Poetic Words, Inkadinkado; Ink: "Graphite Black" Brilliance by Tsukineko; Eyelets: American Crafts; Adhesive: Scrap Fusion PA by Ivy Scraps

"Tag, You're It!" A 15 Minute Project and a Blog Challenge Entry

Happy Thursday, race fans!

Today's "15 Minute" project was created for the "Tag You're It" blog challenge. This week, the uber-kewl Anne and Sam's challenge theme is "fairies." So I made a tag for the tag challenge ... with a fairy ... a fairy tag for this week's "Tag You're It" fairy tag challenge! I do go on, huh?

This tag was created in a New York minute using a pre-made Bazzill card stock tag. I simply stamped my images in Versamark on scrap card stock and heat embossed with "Java Jolt" embossing powder ... my v-e-r-y favorite embossing powder ... then cut them out and adhered them to my tag:

I added a metal word charm, a skeleton key, and some funky fibers and voila! Done!

Easy-peasy and ready to serve in just 15 Minutes!

I have a question for all you heat embossing pros: My Marvy heat tool is on it's last legs (sob ~ good-bye, old friend), and I'm in need of some recommendations for a new gun. I hear lots of good things about the Milwaukee Heat Tool, Model 1400, but I'm wondering if there's something else available as good, or better, that you'd recommend. If it cost less, well, so much the better! LOL, I want it all and I want it now! Seriously, I truly appreciate any heat gun info you can pass along.

Thanks so much for sharing part of your busy day with me ~ I {heart} you guys lots and lots!

~Hugs,


Card Stock Tag: Bazzill; Card Stock: DCWV; Stamps: Fairy by Inkadinkado, Flower Circles by Papertrey Ink; Ink: Versamark; Embosssing Powder by Comotion; Metal Word Charm by Making Memories; Skeleton Key by 7gypsies; Split Ring: Unknown; Fibers: Various; Adhesive: Scrap Fusion by Ivy Scraps