SSS28 With Thanksgiving

Well, it's time for another Sweet Stop Sketch Design and this week Korin has given us another fantastic sketch. When I first saw the sketch, I thought it should be fairly simple....well, low and behold, I had so much trouble putting a card together this week. I tried several different images but nothing was coming together. I think I know what my problem was though...I REALLY wanted to use this pumpkin paper and the coordinating stripe paper for the design. Have you ever had such a strong desire to use a particular craft product that it ended up being the 'ruler' over your entire creation....that is what happened with me! I had a difficult time finding an image that would work with the papers and the main image panel...most everything I had in my stamp inventory was either too big or would not work with a rectangular theme. So, I went into my digital image inventory finding several cute images but again, most of them would not work...so, I went back to my Sweet N' Sassy 'Harvest Fruits' digital image. And here is another reason I enjoy using digi stamps....you can make them fit most any size you would need...sometimes you can use the 'stretch and skew' tool in paint and it will help to make your image fit also....anyway today all I had to do was make the Harvest Fruit image smaller, print and color and I was finally 'good to go'!

I hope you will join us at the Sweet Stop Challenge....click on the badge in my right sidebar and it will take you to the Sketch Challenge. If you decide to play along, be sure and post a link to your creation in the Mr Linky comment box at the end of the challenge post.

And be sure to visit all of the Sugar Baby Design Team Blogs where you will find a ton of inspiration...each Sugar Baby is listed on my sidebar...again, just click on their name and you will be directed to their individual blogs.

A few of the card D-tails: the card is 3" x 6"

Card Base: Vintage Cream (PTI)

Pattern Papers: K&Company Tim Coffey Fall Pumpkins and Fall Stripes

Inside Sentiment is Computer Generated with Scripture "Psalm 100:4-5"

Embellies/Tools: 1/8" wide grosgrain ribbon, Bow Easy, Giga Rectangle Scalloped Punch (marvy uchida), Paper Piercing Tool (Making Memories), Mini Brads (Making Memories), Sponge, Color BoK Ink

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend...spend time with your family and friends and then...

Make time to create but remember to have fun and enjoy the experience!

Barbg(WV)

SSS27 Peek A Boo

OK...I am going to try and make this a short post...The Memorial Service for my friend's husband is being held this afternoon. I have double duty--playing the organ for the prelude of the service and I'm in charge of a dinner for all of the family and friends attending the Memorial Service, which will be around 200 people. But, before the Memorial Service, I also have a luncheon to do for about 50-60 people who will be attending a meeting in the early part of the day. At any rate, my mind is going in what seems like a 1000 directions, so I'm going to give you just the basic information about my card for the Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge SSS27.

My image is 'Peek A Boo' from 'Digital Ink'. They have a super sale going on right now....every digi image on their site is 1/2 price through October 31st....go and check them out...they have a ton of images to choose from with a variety of styles being offered.

Here is the Digital Ink link:

http://digital-inkco.com/

Card D-Tails:
My pattern papers are from Making Memories 8X8 Specialty Multipack 'Autumn Splendor'. The image is colored using my Copic Markers and I've added a touch of sparkle with a few Copic Spica Glitter Pens. I free handed the "Peek A Boo" sentiment and added some doodling around the image.

I used a Martha Stewart Maple Leaf punch for the leaf embellishments in the top left corner and added a Making Memories Velvet Brad to the center.

Other tools/embellishments: SU Top Note die, PTI 5/8" wide grosgrain ribbon, dimensionals, SU corner punch.

I also Paper Pierced around the edge of the Top Note Die cut layer and then did a faux stitch using my Brown Micron Pigma Ink Pen.

OK...be sure to check out the Sweet Stop Sketch this week and I hope you will decide to join us and play along....if you do, be sure to add a link to your creation using the Mr Linky gadget or add the link in a comment at the end of the SSS27 post.... For your convenience, I'll add the link here:

http://sweetstopsketches.blogspot.com/

And, the Sweet N' Sassy Samps Website has a beautiful new digi image available, "Pinecones and Holly" illustrated by Leah Cornelius...I'm telling you, it is gorgeous. You'll find it here:

http://www.sweetnsassystamps.biz/shop/

And finally, don't forget to check out what the other Super Talented Sugar Babies have done for this sketch...I'm telling you they have some AMAZING creations to share and I'm sure you will find a ton of inspiration while browsing their blogs....You will find each blog by clicking on their names located on my sidebar under, 'Sweet Stop Sugar Babies".

As always, take time to enjoy your family and friends and then,

Make time to create but remember to have fun and enjoy the experience!

Barbg(WV)

Thank You

Hopefully all of you are having a wonderful week and are spending some time with your family and friends. Since the husband of my best friend passed away recently...for me, spending time with family and friends is much more precious...realizing again, we have no guarantee of even one more moment, much less one more day, with those we love. My husband and I will be celebrating the life of our friend, Paul, this coming Saturday during a Memorial Service. Our friend, who is no longer with us...Our friend, who's earthly battles have now ended...Our friend, who is now in the very presence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ...We will remember you and will be thankful for the life you shared with us.

It is only because of God's grace that I'm allowed another day to think about His love and be thankful for His blessings in my life.

I am also reminded of how fortunate I am to not only have the privilege of serving the Lord each day, but also to have friends and family who encourage me through prayer and when necessary, aren't afraid to 'roll up their shirt sleeves' and 'get down and dirty' once-in-awhile. I could never accomplish the many tasks I do each day without their help and encouragement.

With this in mind, I decided it is time to make a few Thank You cards for some very special ladies at our church who have been faithfully 'serving the Lord with gladness' for more than 35 years. The faithful and loving spirit of these ladies is evident to all those who's lives they touch. 'My' ladies range in age between 76 and 88 years old....many of them are widowed but a few still have their, first and only, husband at their side....all of them have endured times of trial and testing within their lives and yet all will be quick to assure you God has been and continues to be, faithful through it all. Their love and service has been a huge source of inspiration in my life and over the next few weeks I hope to make each of them a card expressing my gratitude for sharing their life and testimony with me....I so wish each of you could know these ladies...I'm sure you would love them as much as I do!

Today's card features a 'Stamp of the Month' Image from Paper Pretties. I've had it for a little while, but this is the first time it has been inked...'bout time, don'cha think', Christie (for those who don't know her, Christie is the Pretty Mama of the Pretty Girls)!

To share a little of the Card D-Tails:

The dress is paper-pieced, times two! Meaning, I stamped the image one time on 2 different pieces of pattern paper...one image is cut out and attached to the stamped image...the second image is cut out and then I attached only segments of that piece to the first...hopefully that makes some sense...feel free to ask questions if you need more info. I also paper-pieced the bow in her hair, but I think it would have looked better if I had just colored it with my markers.

Sophia's hair, face, arms, and legs are colored with Copic Markers, but you will notice that I got a little too 'heavy handed' on her face...I tried 'cleaning it up' some using my colorless blender, which usually works pretty well, but not so this time...so I just left it as is, I think it will be OK.

I added a little felt flower with a white pearl in the center, to the flower portion of the image.

Used a couple of punches, added a few red pearls, added an Organdy White Ribbon to which I added the 'Thank You' sentiment (it is included with the image) as a 'tag' tied with white string.

Base Cardstock is PTI Select White

Pattern Papers are DCWV 'Mi Casa'

Inside the card I used a sentiment from Sweet N' Sassy's 'True Friend' set...a couple pieces of pattern paper and a few more felt flowers and pearls. I attempted to use one of my Copic Multiliner pens to make a curvy branch for the flowers, but that silly pen wasn't working very well last night, it kept 'skipping'...oh well.

Just a Reminder:

Tomorrow (Thursday) is Free Digi Day at Sweet N' Sassy Stamps...be sure to visit the website and grab it while it's free...after Thursday, the 'Free' offer goes away!

You will find the links for 'Paper Pretties' and 'Sweet N' Sassy' on my sidebar.

Be sure to spend time with family and friends

and then,

Make time to create but remember to have fun and enjoy the experience!

Barbg(WV)

SSS26 Sketch with a Spin

Snowflakes....Snowmen....Snowballs....winter time fun!

Close Up View (Click on the picture and you will see the 'sheen' of the Styrofoam)

The Sweet Stop Sketch SSS26

http://sweetstopsketches.blogspot.com/

Every third week at The Sweet Stop, Korin is giving us a Sketch Challenge with a Spin! Well, this week the 'spin' is to 'recycle' something and use it to make your card. Now, I've heard of these types of challenges and have seen a few interesting ideas, but I've never participated in such a sketch. But now my time has come...Korin has tossed out the 'recycle' challenge to the Sugar Babies! Without a doubt this has been the most difficult challenge in which I've ever participated. I've worked and re-worked the card I'm sharing with you today...to the point that I've just given up...it is what it is and that is all there is to it!

There is so much going on with this card...several different textures and products...but for the main idea of 'recycling' I decided to use white disposable Styrofoam plates. After cutting off the curved rim portion of the plates (I will be saving these to use as 'ink palettes' for my Copic Markers), I punched out my large scalloped circle layer and several snowflakes. The main image is from an Inkadinkado Clear Set #98408 and is stamped onto Papertrey Inc Select White C/S, colored and punched out with a plain circle punch to layer on top of the Styrofoam scalloped circle. I then stamped the main image onto another Styrofoam plate and once the ink was dry cut out the 'snow portion' and attached it to my colored main image for added dimension. The 3 sentiment tags are cut freehand from scraps of Styrofoam and are attached to the scalloped circle edge using Zip Dry Glue.

All of the 'sentiments' on the front of the card are my own ideas and written freehand using a Copic Multiliner SP Pen....On the inside of the card, I stamped one of the sentiments from the Inkadinkado Snowman set which reads: "Christmas brings out the kid in us all".

I will admit, I do like the idea of using the Styrofoam plates for winter type scenes as they have a natural 'shine' or 'sheen' that works well for snow and ice type themes.

Because there is so much going on with this card, I'm not going to take the time to give you all of the D-Tails...if there is something for which you would like more information, just send me an email and I will try to help you.

Are you up for this challenge.....I hope you are!

I can hardly wait to see what your creative minds decide to 'recycle' or 're-create'!

If you are BRAVE enough to join us for this week's challenge, please use the Mr. Linky feature at the end of the SSS26 post and give us a link to your creation. And, if for some reason Mr. Linky is not working, please leave a comment with a link to your project.

Now, be sure to spend time with your family and friends!

And until next time,

Make time to create but remember to have fun and enjoy the experience!

Barbg(WV)

Edited to add: Be sure to check out the other Sugar Baby Designs for this challenge...they have some awesome creations...you can find the Sugar Babies listed in my sidebar...click on their name and it will take you directly to their blog...And while you are there, it is always nice if you want to leave them a 'little love' ...now, go have some fun!

SSS25 Harvest Bowl

Views of Inside and an Upclose View of Main Image

Click on pictures for better viewing

Wow! It's the weekend already...this week has just flown by, at least it has for me. And because it's Saturday, The Sweet Stop has a new Sketch Challenge for you and you can view the sketch by clicking on the following link:
http://sweetstopsketches.blogspot.com/

And of course, the card I've posted today is using this fabulous sketch!

I stamped the main image 2 times, colored one image completely and colored only the outer edges of the second image...I then cut off the outside border of the completely colored main image and attached it to the other image using dimensionals.
I then decided I wanted just a few pieces of the fruit to have some dimension, so I stamped the image a third time, colored the left apple, the lower right pear and red grapes, cut them out and attached them using glue dots...this gives it just a slight bit of dimension. Once the image was complete, I covered the bowl and the 3 pieces of fruit with crystal effects, dusted on just a tiny bit of dazzling diamond glitter, and then let it dry completely...IRL, the red grapes look as if they have a bit of frost on them...(have you ever had frozen grapes... they are fun to eat in the summer and they usually have a bit of 'frost' on them when you take them from the freezer).

The main image is attached to the 3" circular pattern paper piece and the circle is attached to the main layer using dimensionals. In the end, there is quite a bit of dimension going on with the main image area...which in my humble opinion, is a great look for this card.

After adding 2 Red medium sized shimmer brads to the top right portion of the card, I added the ribbon... making the bow using my fantastic Bow Easy tool...that darn tool is just so cool, and only cost $6.00 from Sharon's Store...I do believe it is one of my MOST FAVORITE tools!

For the inside, I printed the digital sentiment onto a textured piece of solid paper from the Mi Casa Solid Stack... added more strips of pattern paper--on which I used the Diamond Lace Border Punch for one of the layers... and to finish the inside...Of course....I just HAD to add another ribbon and bow!

Sounds like a lot of work, but it all goes together quite quickly...well, it does once you have your plan....

I hope each of you will take some time to view the sketch and think about playing along with us, we would LOVE to have you join us. And if you decide to play along, be sure and link your card to the Mr. Linky feature at the end of the SSS sketch challenge post. If for some reason Mr. Linky is not working, please leave a comment with a link to your project in the comment section of the post. I do take time to view each card posted for the challenge and would be so happy to find YOUR name amongst the talent!

Card D-Tails:
Stamped Main Image: Fruit Bowl 2029 (Karen Lockhart): http://www.lockhartstampcompany.com/2000FruitsVeggies_2006.htm
Inside Digital Image: Harvest Fruits (Sweet N' Sassy Stamps)
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black
Cardstock: Base is Gina K Pure Luxury Ivory/Image stamped onto Neena Solar White
Image colored using Copic Markers
Patterned Papers: Mi Casa Stack & Mi Casa Solid Stack (DCWV)
Embellishments/Tools: 3/8" sheer Ivory Ribbon (Michaels), Bow Easy (purchased from Sharon Johnson's Online Ribbon/Tool Store), Diamond Lace Border Punch (Martha Stewart), 3" Circle Punch (Marvy Uchida), Shimmer Brads (Making Memories purchased from Eclectic Paperie), Dimensionals and Glue Dots, Diamond Dust Glitter and Crystal Effects (SU)

Have a great weekend....and be sure to spend time with your family and friends!
Until next time,

Make time to create but remember to have fun and enjoy the experience!
Barbg(WV)

Hi Friend SNSS Freebie Day

WooooooooHoooooooo.....it's Freebie Thursday at Sweet N' Sassy Stamps....but I only have a minute to tell you about it....got to hurry out the door for music practice at the church. So...I went to SNSS this morning and grabbed the free image....printed it out....colored it up....used a sketch design by Julie Masse of 'StampinwithJulie' blog ( http://stampinwithjulie.blogspot.com/2009/09/prettie-sketch-wednesday-and-some-news.html ) and then quickly pulled this little friend together so I could show you what you can get FREE...but that offer is for today only! Go and grab it today because if you wait until tomorrow or later, you will have to shell out some bucks to get it!

While you are at SNSS take a look at the fantastic new images being released today, they are super...I've already purchased mine and will be using them soon!

OK....here is the link for SNSS~~~~

http://sweetnsassystamps.biz/shop/index.php?main_page


Alrighty, I'll try to get back tonight with the details for this card....I REALLY have to get out the door RIGHT NOW.......

Until next time,

Make time to create but remember to have fun and enjoy the experience!
Barbg(WV)

Edited to add:
I wrote the above post in such a rush this morning that there are few points I failed to mention....first, the free image is a DIGITAL image. If you go to the SNSS website you will find this free digital image. The image is illustrated by Leah Cornelius, a new digi designer for SNSS! Secondly, today, you can get the complete set, which includes the image I used on my card and 2 sentiments, Free!!! What a super fantastic way to begin your digital stamp collection. If you are unfamiliar with how to use Digital stamping...go to my sidebar and look under 'Digital Stamping...How it all works -- Tutorials'....Deedee Anderson has created these tutorials to help beginners learn how to print, crop, flip, and rotate digital images. There are other sites with tutorials for digital images also, but at this time I do not have permission to use their information on my blog...but nearly all stamp companies, who offer digital images, have information about downloading and working with digital images on their specific website. I resisted using them for so long, but once I got started I have come to enjoy them very much and now prefer to order digi's...especially for images that I know probably won't be used for a long period of time (having said that, they will stay on your files until you delete them). Digi's are much less expensive than clear or rubber stamps and work with most of the common printers and inks....it's the paper you use to print them on that makes the most difference...and for printing my digi's, I prefer Neena Solar White or PapertreyInc select white....and occasionally I use Gina K's 80# and/or 120# weight papers. Some people have great success with Stampin' Up! white and Georgia Pacific White (from Walmart) but because I use Copics for coloring those papers don't do as well for ME, having said that, I know some who use those papers with Copic markers and have great success.
OK...enough about that.

My card D-Tails:
base cardstock: PTI select white
Image printed onto PTI select white
Image colored with Copic Markers
Embellies/Tools: Pearls, Stickles, EK Success Diamond Lace Border Punch, Marvy Uchida 3" Scallop Circle Punch, Martha Stewart 1" circular punch, 5/8" wide Red Grosgrain Ribbon (SU), white cotton embroidery thread, Spritzer (SU), Glue Dots, Dimensionals (SU).

Simple Thanks

Wow....the last few weeks have been full of twists and turns and have kept me hoppin'. Everything seems to be calming down now, though....my best friend, Becky, is coping fairly well following the sudden death of her husband...my grandson is doing very well following his 'swine flu' scare (the rest of the family has followed suit with this flu, but they are all on the mend now)...and today I was able to take the time needed to put together a little thank you gift for each of the particpants of my very first sketch challenge "PMSSC01" (those packages will be put in the mail tomorrow for Terri, Michelle, Jess, Penny, Grace, and Deedee...thanks ladies for being patient with me).

Today's card is a very simple 'Thank You' card...when I need to 'reproduce' cards, I tend to keep it very simple...I really don't enjoy mass production of cards, but sometimes you just have to do it and this was just one of those times.

I am working on some cards for the SNSS Sugar Baby Design Team, but of course, I can't share those with you right now....hehehehe....you will have to check back each Saturday to see what we have going on, and I will tell you, there are some totally AWESOME cards being crafted for all of you to enjoy. Be sure and click on the Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge badge on my sidebar to see the latest challenge and play along with us!

And don't forget to check out the Sweet N' Sassy Stamps Website every Thursday for a FREE Digital Image...Every Thursday Korin will be offering a free image, but the offer is good for that day only...check it out by clicking on the following link:
http://www.sweetnsassystamps.biz/shop/

Hope everyone has a wonderful week....stay healthy!

Until next time,

Spend time with your family and friends and then,
Make time to create but remember to have fun and enjoy the experience!
Barbg(WV)


Card D-Tails:
Stamp: Inkadinkado
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black
Papers: Select White C/S (PTI), Basic Black C/S (SU), Pattern Papers Black & White (Me & My Big Ideas)
Embellishments/Tools: satin white ribbon (Michaels), Border Punch (Martha Stewart), Bow Easy (from Sharon's Ribbon/Tool Online Store)

SSS24 Sugar Baby Poppies

I have some fun and exciting news to share with all of you today...I've decided to do something I've often said I'd never do....(Someday I'll learn the meaning of 'never say never')....I've accepted an invitation from Korin Sutherland ( owner of Sweet N' Sassy Stamps) to be part of her Sugar Baby Design Team. This newest team will work with the Sweet Stop Blog -- a Sketch Challenge blog where each Saturday you will find a new and exciting Sketch Challenge along with the sample cards from each member of the Sugar Baby Team!

But,here's the BEST news... you will be allowed to use any stamp product of your choice AND any stamp image from whatever designer/company your sweet little heart desires.... how FANTASTIC is that!

I was so thrilled with this innovative idea that I just HAD to say YES.

Today is the beginning of the first Sugar Baby Design Team. Each week we will design a card or project using the most current Sketch from the Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge. I hope you will join us and participate with the sketch challenges each Saturday. And I'm sure you will find a boatload of inspiration as you visit each blog of the super and awesome design team...you'll find them listed under my right sidebar entitled, 'Sweet Stop Sugar Babies'.

For this first Sugar Baby Challenge, I've opted to use a digital image from Sketching Stampers Digi Stamps, called "Poppies":

http://sketchingstamperdigi-stamps.blogspot.com/

I've printed the image onto Neena Solar White Cardstock and colored it using Copic Markers (I know...do I really have to tell you that again, LOL). The pattern papers are from an 8 X 8 paper pad called 'Poppy Paper Stack' by Sei...they are so gorgeous, I just love them...so much so, that I have been 'hoarding' them for a very long time.

The white layer beneath the main image is embossed using a Cuttlebug Folder. That luscious rose pink ribbon is 100% silk and I used my Bow Easy to make the bow....the Bow Easy is absolutely fabulous and easy to use. Both the ribbon and the Bow Easy were purchased from Sharon Johnson's 'Stamp Simply Ribbon and Tools' online store located on her blog, 'No Time To Stamp'.

(http://notimetostamp.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/)

On another note: Thursday night, my middle daughter and I spent several hours together consoling one another while my son-in-law and one of my grandson's spent their time in the ER.... my grandson had experienced what we thought was 'just a severe asthma attack'. Several hours later and after a couple of breathing treatments, some x-rays, a blood test, a mouth swab and lots of waiting, it was finally determined that our 'little guy' has the swine flu! He was given Tamiflu and observed until 4 a.m. Friday morning. The whole scenario played out very quickly and progressed rapidly...it certainly had his Mom (my daughter) and Me very concerned and praying diligently. If you have young children, please don't assume that a little cough and temperature is just a 'bad cold'....call your doctor and make an appointment to be certain it is nothing more serious. If my grandson's asthma had not been affected, we probably would not have sent him to the ER as soon as we did and his treatment may not have been as effective. The doctors told us that the swine flu can progress quite rapidly, causes the person to feel extreme fatigue, and as my grandson did--begin crying because 'everything just hurts' he said. God was good and my grandson is now home resting.....which will be all he is allowed to do for the first couple of days... he will also be out of school all next week. This was a scary situation and we are so very thankful to God for the positive outcome with this situation. Now, we have to try and keep the other 3 kiddo's well, along with Mom and Dad.

I pray all of you and your loved ones will stay healthy....

Thank you for stopping by today and I pray you will all have a wonderful and blessed weekend.

Until next time,

Take time to enjoy your loved ones and then,

Make time to create but remember to have fun and enjoy the experience!

Barbg(WV)