Berry Delicious & PMSSC01 Sketch Challenge Submissions

That pie crust is super-delicious looking and if you enlarge the image, by clicking on the picture itself, hopefully you will see what I mean!

The Lord blessed me with some free time this last week and I thought I would get a lot of stamping done....Unfortunately, my 'mojo' has been missing (my friend Sandy claims to have found him in the Walmart Parking lot .... she grabbed him up and is keeping him....err, using him, LOL...with her until the next time she drives out my way....like I said Sandy, make good use of the time you have him because he is NOT yours and he HAS to return home very soon...LOL!).

Ahh well....last night I was finally able to put a card together (even though Mojo is away, my pretty papers helped to inspire me...smile) for the Card of the Month Challenge at Sweet N' Sassy Stamps Yahoo group. For more info on the SNSS challenge, view the Card of the Month messages (posts) by visiting the following link:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sweetnsassystampers/

(I'm not positive, but you may need to 'join' the group in order to view the messages)

OK....Enough rabbit chasing.....

Anyway, the challenge was simple....we were to make an Autumn Themed Card using any of the SNSS images. Earlier in the week I had gone shopping at our brand new Michaels and picked up a Recollections "Autumn" 5X7 card stock paper pad....I love these things, they are fairly inexpensive and offer a variety of papers which can be used with card making.

For this card, I used 5 different pieces of the patterned papers along with the SNSS Digital Pie Image from the 'Sweet As Pie' SNSS Digital Image Set.

The image is colored with Copic Markers. I added a little dimension to the pie by coloring the pie crust a second time and after cutting it out attaching it using SU dimensionals. To get the 'sparkly' look that sugar gives to a baked pie crust, I added a little bit of Martha Stewart's 'crystal fine glitter using a Sakura Glue Pen. For added dimension, I also added a little of the Crystal Effects (SU) to the little 'berry' sections of the pie. For the larger berry resting on top of the pie , I applied a tad of SU's chunky blue glitter. And finally, I added a few streaks of light' using an Inkssentials Opaque White Pen.

Other embellishments and tools:

1/8" wide navy blue grosgrain ribbon (SU)

Heart brad and Shimmer Brads (Making Memories)

Scalloped Decorative Border Punch (Martha Stewart)

Scalloped Corner Punch (Marvy Uchida)

Base Cardstock Bashful Blue (SU), Dark Chocolate (PTI)

Sentiment is computer generated

Now, on another note....

To date I have 8 FABULOUS cards submitted by 4 Talented Crafters for the PMSSC01 Sketch Challenge.

The sketch was designed for 'Got PMS' by my longtime 'sista- friend', Micki Harper....you can view her blog at:

http://artfulxpressions.net/

If you would like to participate in the challenge (and I hope you will), you have until Midnight (eastern...New York....time zone) September 19, 2009 to submit your cards.

For details of the sketch challenge, visit the following link:

http://gotpms.blogspot.com/2009/07/sketchy-debut.html

Now... take a quick look at all of the cards submitted so far:

Deedee's Card:

http://stampinsunshine.blogspot.com/2009/08/pms-sketch-challenge.html

Terri's Card:

http://triesmakingcards.blogspot.com/2009/08/new-challenge-blog-out-there-got-pms.html

Jess's 3 Cards:

http://jesskittelson.blogspot.com/2009/08/got-pms-papers-markers-sketches-entry.html

http://jesskittelson.blogspot.com/2009/08/justrite-stamper-pms-comfort-military.html

http://jesskittelson.blogspot.com/2009/09/pc-got-pms.html

Penny's Cards:

http://scrappinpenny.blogspot.com/2009/09/sketch-card.html

http://scrappinpenny.blogspot.com/2009/09/dont-say-I-didnt-warn-you.html

http://scrappinpenny.blogspot.com/2009/09/unscripted-sketches-and-got-pms.html

If you have submitted a card and do not see it posted above, I have failed to find your submission....I don't want you to miss out on the challenge drawing, so please email me at BarbgWV@gmail.com with your card information and I will add it to the list above.

Have a fun and safe Holiday Weekend...and until next time,

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

Barbg(WV)

Pretty Dancer

I've had this Prettie's Image colored (with Copic Markers, of course) for quite awhile. Last night while going through some of my papers, I found this pretty and sparkly patterned paper from a DCWV Paper Stack and thought it would work well with my little Ballerina Girl. Deciding to keep the design fairly 'clean and simple', there are not a lot of elements to this card. The card base is Shimmery White from Stampin' Up! The little 'skirt' is covered with clear micro beads...makes it look really sparkly while adding a little dimension. I layered the main image with the new shade of Pink from the IN COLOR selection of Stampin' Up cardstock. I then added a few pink rhinestones, a large pink/yellow paper flower from Prisma, a beautiful vintage Pink button from PTI along with a simple little bow using a rose colored string from "No Time To Stamp Online Store'! For the inside of the card, I just added a simple border using the same pattern paper as is seen on the card front. That's it...simple and easy...nothing fancy.

Hope you like it.

Don't forget about my PMSSC01 Sketch....See http://gotpms.blogspot.com/2009/07/sketch-debt.html

Until next time,

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

Forgetmenot Sympathy

Ugh, I feel as if I'm in a 'rut', so-to-speak, with my card making designs....always reaching for the same embellishments and using design styles that are all so similar....but when I need to put something together rather quickly, I tend to gravitate toward what I 'know' and what I have within easy reach...and so this card feels that need. This is the second card I will be sending to Jess to use for the Military Brigade Care Team...an organization which helps encourage military spouses in the event of a tragedy. If you would like to help Jess by making a couple of sympathy cards, or want more information, please visit the following link:

http://jesskittelson.blogspot.com/2009/08/comfort-military-spouse-and-win-some.html

I'm sure Jess and the organization can find a good use for as many cards as they can collect! Thank you for taking time to help support this group.

Well, I have several different activities scheduled for the rest of this week...but I will get back here if I can find some time to fit in another card or two.

Hope everyone has a great week.

Until next time,

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

Barbg(WV)

Card Details:

Digital Image: Forgetmenot (Sweet N Sassy Stamps), Computer Generated Sentiment

Cardstock: Gina K Pure Luxury 80# Ivory, Chocolate Brown & Lavendar Moon (PTI), Linen Textured used for inside layer (don't remember where I got this piece but it is a gorgeous paper).

Pattern Papers: 8X8 Noteworthy Aubrey (Making Memories), Mother Hubbard 'Baby' (American Crafts)

Image colored using Copic Markers

Embellishments and Tools: Stickles (Ranger), Brads (SU), 1/16" circle punch (McGill), 7/8 " Sheer Organdy Pink Ribbon (Michaels), 05 Pigma Micron Brown pen(Sakura), Small Corner Rounder Punch (SU), Glue Dots & Dimensionals (SU), 7/8" Ivory Lace (for inside card-- is from Limelight Crafts)

Harvest Blessings

Fall is fast approaching and as much as I hate saying 'goodbye' to my summer, at least I won't have to listen to my hubby complaining about the heat....He hates summer as much as I hate winter. Anyone who really knows me, knows I love the hot summer weather...and it would be even more wonderful if I had a pool in my backyard...but then the Lord knows I'd probably NEVER leave the poolside and therefore wouldn't get any work done, at home or at church! Most people think I'm teasing when I say that I don't care if I have a mansion in Heaven... I just want to sit on one of those big floating pool chairs with an ice-cold glass of lemonade and float along the lazy rivers of Heaven while the Son- shines brightly along the way!

Oh well....for now, I'm still here on this ole earth and decided to 'welcome' our Fall season with a card using the sketch challenge SSS18 from Sweet N' Sassy along with one of their newer images, 'Something to Crow About'...image illustrated by Tami Mayberry.

Oh, and don't forget, I have a Sketch Challenge with a Prize and you still have plenty of time to participate....It will end at Midnight, Eastern Time Zone on September 19, 2009....Check it out at:

sketch challenge- the sketch and details-

http://gotpms.blogspot.com/2009/07/sketchy-debut.html

sample cards-

http://gotpms.blogspot.com/2009/08/da-pmssc01-samples.html

prize-

http://gotpms.blogspot.com/2009/08/da-prize-da-prize-da-prize.html

The prize will be randomly selected from all qualifying submissions....I hope your card will be among those submitted!

Sweet N Sassy Information:

SNSS Sweet Spot Sketch Challenge SSS18:

http://sweetstopsketches.blogspot.com/2009/08/sss18-winner.com

The SNSS Online Store:

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

I hope all of you have a wonderful week filled with a multitude of Sweet Blessings!

Until next time,

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

Barbg(WV)

Card D-Tails:

Image: 'Something to Crow About' (SNSS)

Cardstock: Gina K pure luxury 80# Ivory, Gina K pure luxury 80# White

Pattern Papers: Mi Casa Stack (DCWV), Mi Casa Solid Stack (DCWV) These are GORGEOUS papers.

Image Colored with Copic Markers

Grid Technique used on the linen and green papers, using the Scor-Pal Tool.

Embellishments: 7/8 Sheer Organdy Green Ribbon, Silk flowers (WM), Paper Flowers (Prisma), Shimmery Brad (Making Memories), Buttons (Michaels), Linen thread (Limelight Papercrafts), Glue Dots & Dimensionals (SU), Zip Dry (Beacon Adhesives)

PS: I already have the next PMSSC02 Sketch Challenge ready to go and a sample card to go with it.....I can hardly wait to post this next challenge as it is MY very own sketch and is the first time I've ever submitted a sketch for anything! I think you are going to love it.....and I promise you that is said with all humility :)

I'm busting at the seams to show you, but it will have to wait until September 15th....hope you will be excited with me!

The Lord Bless You

I've got to get to the church for music practice, so this will be a quick post. This is one card I've put together for Jess and her Military Brigade Care Team. For the main image, I used a Squigglefly Digital Image 'Numbers 6:24-26. The inside view uses a Papertrey Ink Image from the Heartfelt Basics Set. Nothing fancy done on this card....the pattern papers basically did the work for me.

Jess, I'm going to try and make one more and then I will get them in the mail and on their way to you.

Enjoy and until next time,

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

Barbg(WV)

Help Support the Troops...

...but this time the call for 'help' is directed toward comforting a specific group of military spouses in the event of a tragedy. A couple of weeks ago (or maybe even longer) Jess began 'following' my blog. In the comment section of my 'Sketch Challenge' post, Jess included not only a link for her PMSSC01 card, but also a link requesting help with collecting 'Sympathy' themed cards. Jess' husband is an active duty military member. Jess volunteers her time with her husband's Military Brigade Care Team . In the event of a tragedy, Jess will be available to help support and encourage the spouse during this difficult time. And now, she has come to us with a request for help...collecting sympathy cards to be used by the Military Brigade Care Team for those whom will be facing this sad news.

Having been a military spouse for more than 25 years, I want to help Jess get the 'plea for help' out to my friends. By itself, the plea is worthy of our help, but to make things even more exciting, Jess has 'set the stage' in the form of a challenge! Those who participate with the challenge NLT the end of August will be entered into the drawing for some fabulous 'eye candy' packages. For more information about the Challenge, the Eye Candy, and Jess' involvement with the Brigade Care Team, please visit her blog by clicking on the following link:


http://jesskittelson.blogspot.com/2009/08/comfort-military-spouse-and-win-some.html


I'm going to work on my card(s) for this great cause, today....and will share them later this weekend.


Until next time...Have a fun weekend.


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

Back to School

While visiting our oldest daughter last week, my granddaughter wanted us to see the 'big school' she would begin attending next week. She is so excited to be old enough to go to her 'big school' and was even more excited to get to go school shopping while we were visiting. She wanted a Pink Princess Back Pack and Lunch Box, a Pink pencil box, and Pink Folders....Can you guess her favorite color, LOL...PINK! We were so busy while there, I didn't even think to pick up my camera and take pictures, but I asked her Mom to be sure and take a picture of her first school day for me....I can hardly wait to see her all dressed up for this very important day.

This Sweet N' Sassy Digital Stamp Image is perfect for a card to celebrate Cierra's first 'Big School' Day! The image is colored with Copics. After coloring, I added Crystal Effects to the desk and apple. I covered the 'heart' on the dress with Red Stickles and used my Copic Glitter Pens to accent areas of the stack of books, pencils, and the flower on the pencil holder. I free-handed the floor design and then colored it with copics. After posting the picture, I realized I must have moved the ribbon upwards while moving the card around on the table for picture taking....awe, well....I'm too lazy to re-take the picture...but the little shoes are colored red and she is wearing pink socks.

Hope everyone has a wonderful week!
Until next time,

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

Barbg(WV)

Card D-Tails:

Digital Stamp Image and Sentiments by Sweet N' Sassy Stamps

Image Colored with Copic Markers

Cardstock: Gina K White 80# Cardstock (Gina K Designs), Pretty In Pink, Real Red (SU), True Black (PTI)

Pattern Paper: DCWV 'The Grade School Stack"

Embellishments: 5/8" Grosgrain True Black Ribbon (PTI), 3/8" Red Plaid Ribbon (Michaels), Pencil Button (Michaels), Crystal Effects (SU),Spica Glitter Pens (Copics), Stickles (Ranger), Scalloped Fancy Border Punch (Martha Stewart), Dimensionals, Glue Dots (SU)

High Hopes Hello

(Click on the picture to enlarge image for better viewing)

Well, I still have a hacking cough and an awful headache, but I just felt like getting into my crafting area might help take my mind off this awful chest cold. With that said, this image has been sitting in my box of stamped images for quite awhile now. I finally decided to color it and use it for today's card. My typical start to creating a card is to choose an image and then some pattern paper. After choosing colors from the pattern paper, I then color the image. Once that step is done, I go looking for a sketch....and today's sketch design is from Amy Rysavy's Blog: Prairie Paper and Ink. Amy's Blog is full of fantastic inspiration and some totally awesome video tutorials....Go check it out by clicking on the following link: http://prairiepaperandink.typepad.com/amyr/

Every Friday Amy posts a sketch challenge along with a sample for the sketch. The Sketch I chose for today's card is AMYRS5 and can be viewed by clicking on the following link:

http://prairiepaperandink.typepad.com/amyr/2007/12/bella-cards.html

After clicking the above link, you will find 3 different pictures posted...the sketch I used is the second picture in the post. It is one of her earlier sketch challenges but I thought it would work with my image and the paper I wanted to use for the card. While my card isn't 'exactly' like Amy's sketch (I didn't round the corners of my 1st layer), it is very close.

That fabulous pattern paper used on my card was sent to me (along with several other similar patterns) by Deedee Anderson ( I love them Deedee, thanks so much!)....Deedee also has awesome talent! I hope to feature her work and blog in the coming months, but in-the-mean-time, please take a look at Deedee's talent by clicking on this link:
http://stampingsunshine.blogspot.com/

Card D-Tails--
Stamp: 'Miss Zoe' by High Hopes Stamps
Cardstock: Neena Solar White, Lemon Tart & Avocado by PTI, Kiwi Kiss by SU
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Image Colored with Copic Markers
Sentiment: Written Freehand
Embellies: Stickles, Crystal Effects, Dimensionals, 3/8" wide Grosgrain Brown Ribbon, Silk Flowers, Glittery Brad, White Pearls
Score Pal used to make the 'tile' effect on the top yellow layer

So, until next time,

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