Simply Create challenge

I did tell you that once in a while I'd be designing a fancy card. This one is for my darling granddaughter, Sienna, who turned 3 earlier this month. Mom's throwing a big B-Day party, which I unfortunately won't be able to attend. So I just had to go all out with the card. This is a Paper Pretties stamp and I've added ds papers from my stash and bling. First time I used that swirly type bling. The butterflies are an MS punch as is the border punch on the pink mat. And don't you just love that ribbon...from a ribbon club I belonged to a while ago. The sentiment is included with the birthday girl image and it's tied with a bit of floss to the bow. I do wonder if I've stamped the image correctly. Maybe the table was supposed to be down and the little girl up, but I did try to place it that way and it didn't look right to me. I may have to visit their site and look for some examples. Oh, and lots of Copics were used for the coloring. Not sure if the exposure editing I used really show the shading, but I didn't do too badly with it.  Well, anyhow, I'm entering this for Simply Create. In their latest challenge, they ask for bold & bright designs. I think it fits the bill.

My  next blog is going to be for the foodies. I'm heading out to shop for ingredients to make a little Bonko get-together for my dd. I have some yummy recipes to prepare. I'll let you know how it all turns out and take some pics too.


Hugs & Blessings,
Erica

White cards

As I attempt to create more C & S cards, my photography and more importantly, my photo editing skills, are going to be sorely tested. That's because most C&S cards that I see use white bases with very little "color." My white of choice is Papertrey's basic white. Can I say that I wouldn't be caught stamping without it?? And, best of all, it's still $6.00 for 40 sheets. Now that's a bargain. It's great for Copics and dry embosses beautifully. So for this card, I embossed with an SU folder and added a little liquid pearls to most of the flower centers. The stamp is from Clear Dollar Stamps. The set has circles which easily punch with most any appropriate sized circle punch and then there are sentiments to fit into them. I blinged it up with the same blue liquid pearls. I really like how this card came out and it's already been sent to one of my dear stamping friends to thank her for some very kind words she said to me recently. They were right on time as I was having a stressful morning with my handicapped husband.

Hugs & Blessings,
Erica

Keeping It C&S

Sooo, away we go....Bikes are in big-time. And they reallly work for C&S cards. What else could you do to a bike. It says it all. I love bike riding and silly as it may seem, I always keep a working bicycle in my garage. Now, that's not to say that I actually ride it. But I want it there in case I decide to. I have many wonderful memories of riding as a child. Even those that involve falling off are precious to me.
Here, I've used SU's newest papers pear and daffodil and my famous Papertrey white. I used Memento danube blue ink and I used a technique found on Stamp TV for the lines seperating the sentiment and bike. There's a little scoing going on at the top and bottom too but I don't know if it's showing up.
I'd want this card if I was under the weather. I'd want to believe that I could ride that bike as soon as possible.

On an entirely different matter, I've added a blinkie for Katie at Paper Haven's new blog which will help raise money for her family and illness. I have never done this before, but I'm so very moved by Katie's journey. She is an inspiration. Check out Paper Haven on my bloglist to ready her regular posts.

Edited to Add....yes, that's a cat hair you see next to the bicycle. What can I say, my Starr kitty loves to be around whenever Momma snaps the camera.

Hugs & Blessings,
Erica

Checking in on a Saturday

I've been making cards like crazy today. Found a new site which I'm going to put on my bloglist or get the blinkie for when I have a chance. They are all about clean & simple. I've decided that is what I go to most often. I'm really just not a frou frou (sp?) kinda stamper. It actually pains me and I struggle all day to make frilly cards. You know the ones I mean....Becca Feeken-type cards. And believe me, I don't even come close to her creativity. So, I give up! Oh, every now and then you may see me attempt one, but not regularly. Clean and Simple goes along with my attempt to curtail my craft purchases. I have committed to not buying any of the numerous machines shown at CHA. I will only be using my faithful Cuttlebug. I have committed to not buying any more inkpads...only refills for what I own. I have enough pencils, markers, chalks, watercolors to last a lifetime. All I really need is paper (and maybe a length of ribbon) once in a while.
Here's a birthday card that's almost C&S. Pre-made card from "My Mind's Eye" box o' cards and a  nice big sentiment stamp. A simple punched up flower and a cloth brad I've had forever. Basic black bling and there you have it. I think I'm sending this to Joan Bardee's at Paperlicionus mom for her 89th birthday.
Hugs & Blessings,
Erica

I'm not gonna cry....

Now legionnaires, is it something I said? I do know I only have two kind-hearted readers who have added me to their bloglist, alas, even they haven't been here and I keep hearing they're bored what with the blizzards they're having. My card prior to this one was IMO, one of my best...But wait...there's still time to see it if you scrooolll down. Alright, that was a shameless plug and I know it. It's just that I actually did three challenges last week. Ah well, enough whining. I am, after all, a a commander of a fearless legion.

So, my big bro used to hunt...the poor guy is recovering from hip surgery as I write. He used to "bag deer"....gross. He tried to get me to eat venison. Just couldn't do it, you know Bambi and all. So, I made this card for him as he is celebrating his 70th birthday in early March. It's an SU stamp set. I colored it with chalks and then distressed one layer, then matted it on choc. chip by SU. I stamped with Memento rich cocoa, and the HB with its nice masculine font is from an SU set. As I "stretch and reach" for a more clean & simple style, I think I've achieved it here.

Hugs & Blessings,
Erica (who is hoping someone will see this one).

Another Challenge....

Yet another challenge taken...only, I have forgotten which one it is!! DUH! I wanted to use my newest Nestie die, lacy circles. I love it. Now that I have quite an arsenal of these dies, I realize need to be more selective with my choices. I have several sets I never use. I'm glad I'm not tempted to get the Grand Calibur and those humungous dies. Gosh, they're pricy. My motto...if it doesn't fit into my Cuttlebug, I won't be buyin' it. And that's OK. Now, having written that, there are several stamping companies who have intro'd dies into their line-up that I might give a try.

So, today's card has an SU base, but the ds paper is cs from the front of a ready-made card by My Mind's Eye. I cut the 2 small circles from the same cs and the mat is from the back of the card. That's SU lace.
I really like how this birthday card turned out. Now if only I could recall where the challenge is.

Hugs & Blessings,
Erica