DSP Makes the Card

Hi Stampers. Well, I'm rested from my LIM Blitz. I have done some fiction reading. I seem to be on a vampire binge and after reading several True Blood novels, I'm on to Laurel K. Hamilton series. I've caught up on Bible study homework, and baked a couple of quick breads (zucchini pineapple), for the family. I slipped in this card yesterday, cause I just had to make something.

Sometimes dsp can just about make the card. Though I have labeled myself as a clean and simple stamper, I believe you can use dsp and still make the card, well, C&S. I think achieved that with dsp from DCWV's Mariposa matstack. I added some SU lace, a button, a bit of twine and a lacy circle die from Nestie. The base is white. The sentiment is from SU's sorta' new Whimsical Words. It is stamped in Memento london fog.

Now for a bit of personal but good news. I try not to complain about finances for several reasons. Of course, the main one is that I know God is the Great Provider. I confess that it gets the better of me when faced with challenges. The "plan" my husband and I had for ourselves, was like that of most retirees who have worked and have pensions and social security coming. The dh has been getting his for more than a decade and we lived off it, but I was looking forward to mine. So, I turned 62 in July and applied for everything. Because of some unwise choices I made, my pension was two thirds of what I expected. This wouldn't have been an issue except that I can no longer take care of my dh on my own. For my health and sanity, I had to hire some nursing assistance for a few hours a day. Poof, there went the plans. Well, God is so good. No, I didn't win the lottery. I just worked the budget is all. Made some changes to our lifestyle, and was blessed my my youngest dd, whose family we moved in with and it looks like we can do this comfortably. Yes, I will have to curtail spending on stamping toys, but I can't kid myself, I have a boatload of stuff already. We all know it's the nature of the beast to want more. I just have a good feeling about the rest of my life in comparison to two months ago and I know I'm so blessed. Praise God!

Blessings to You Readers
Erica

Less Is More & My Final 10th Entry

 

Well readers, I did it. I have made my contribution to the Less Is More Challenge no. 33. I had a blast doing it. It really made me push the envelope. I started my first card in a mess of craft room. By the time I got to no.6, I knew I needed to clean-up if there were to be a chance I'd finish all 10. And so I tidied up my room and moved on to finish the remainder. There are a few hours left and I hope the Divas will be able to give us some good news on Saturday morning. I probably won't join the next challenge. Yes, I cleaned up my room, but I let a few other chores fall by the wayside. I will stop by to enjoy the entries and comment as time allows me to.

This card is not just for Mother's Day. I think anyone who is away from home and misses ther mom, could brighten her day (especially if she's a great cook), by sending her this card. It's a known fact, that mothers everywhere don't want to wait until Mothers Day to feel loved. The image and sentiment are from Close To My Heart. The letters are from a Sizzix alphabet I found on clearance a year or two ago. I don't exactly love it, but it was on sale, so I had to have it. All the papers used are CTMH and I colored with Copics.

And now I can spend a little time catching up on my reading and apply myself to my Bible Study course.
Its been fun Divas.

Blessings,
Erica

Coming Down to the Wire at LIM

Here's my 9th entry. I think I'm gonna do it. I confess I made this card a few weeks ago, but I have not posted it. I was going through my clear stamps and realized that I often buy a set of them for the sole purpose of using only one stamp. That's not good. So I purposed to have a re-look and try to use at least 3 from any sets that have more than 5 images. Often, I have put the sets into storage binders and taken them from their original packaging which is the case for this. I like the varied butterflies and the way the artist drew them. I didn't feel any coloring was necessary on them. The sentiment is from the same set and they are stamped in Ranger Van Dyke brown. And I used my Memory Keepers corner punch to give the card a bit of pizzaz along with a piece of SU chocolate chip 3/8 inch wide ribbon (retired).

There is less than 15 hours to post at LIM. If you haven't yet submitted, what are you waiting for. And if you have, I hope you've entered your fair share. My 10th card is coming.

Blessings,
Erica

LIM Challenge no. 33, card no. 7

Good evening stampers. Here's my 7th entry to Less Is More. This is a bit different and I got my inspiration from a blog I just happened on called Random On Purpose. You'll see the the card I CAS'd there. I like the way she placed the dsp.  It really is an easy peasy card. The DSP was hanging out in my stash and the sentiment is from a very old tried and true SU set, called Sincere Salutations. I stamped it in Memento Paris dusk and used a Nestie to get that edge. Neenah solar white is my base.

Eight is a comin'. But there's only one more day. Get on your horse. The final ride is gonna be rough. Go LIM, GO!

Blessings,
Erica

Less Is More Challenge 33, Card Entry no. 6

 

Yes, blog readers, it really is no. 6. I started Saturday morning and have posted every day since. I looked through all of my faves scattered all over my PC, printed out and in binders, and some scratchy drawings I did of sketches I'd see when I was somewhere other than at my laptop. This one is my very own original. And I thought I'd better do a one layer card, since that's a monthly feature at Less Is More. At first I stamped one balloon in the middle. But as I looked at it and realized how teeny tiny it is, and how big the sentiment, I realized it would look better with three. Don't the stamp experts say everything should be done in threes when it comes to stamping? The fact that I noticed this makes me think perhaps I'm understanding the concept of balance and other artsy stuff that the pros talk about.

So, the base is....what else...Neenah solar white and the images are both Studion "G" dollar stamps from Michaels.
They were part of my less than $10 haul earlier this week. I stamped in Memento Paris dusk. The coloring was done with Copics and SU markers.

I have a 7th submission ready to go and I'll post it tomorrow in the PM. Then onward to create 8 thru 10. WHEW! Stay with me fearless stampers.

Blessings,
Erica

Less Is More Challenge no. 33, card 5

 
Hi Stampers. I'm posting card no. 5 for LIM. They are over 300 entries and there is still lots of time left if you haven't played yet. I stopped by Michael's today with only a $10 bill in my purse. The store is all geared up for Halloween, which I don't do. It bothers me a bit that Thanksgiving is given such short shrift. Then we leap head first into Christmas. T-Day is my favorite holiday of the year.

With very careful shopping, I purchased 8 stamps and one punch, that with my 10% senior discount allowed me to spend $8.54 cents. They're all dollar stamps and a tiny flower center punch. I was very careful in choosing my stamps because I really do have enough stamps. But these images spoke to me, especially at $1.00.

So my card uses neenah solar white for the base, a scrap piece of SU certainly celery and the EK Success notebook border punch. I dry-embossed a small Cuttlebug folder, I purchased when the CB first came out and I couldnt get enough folders. The Congrats is from Wordsworth clear stamps. Don't you just love when you find a greeting that is vertical? It's stamped in Mary Matchables crimson red. My few Marvy inkpads are very old, but they still stamp fresh. Very little re-inking is needed. Well, hope you like my card. I'll be back tomorrow with no. 6.

Blssings,
Erica

Less Is More Challenge 33, card no. 4

Good Monday evening stampers. How's the first of the week treating you? Mine wasn't too bad. I found out that I will have lots of family in for Thanksgiving. Some I haven't seen for quite some time. It will be a busy time for me.

To see my previous submissions, just scroll down. They're all in row. Might break in after the 5th entry with a little Mojo Monday...I'm liking the sketch.

My card base is Neenah solar white. I've embossed the front using a newish SU embossing folder called flower garden. I used chalks to color the flowers and butterfly, and I think it looks pretty good. The butterfly is a die from Cheery Lyn Designs. They are based right here in Phoenix, just like Spellbinders. Hmmm, wonder if they would have a warehouse sale like Bazzil Papers. These dies are finely detailed, but take quite a few passes through the CB to get the "cut". A bit annoying, but probably worth the work, as they are beautiful. I will likely invest in a few more. I sprayed with fixative to keep the chalk in place and vibrant. The sentiment is from Hero Arts clear stamps and is stamped in Rubber Monger (very old stamp pad) steel blue.

Well, off to eat a simple dinner, then on to Gordon Ramsey's Hell's Kitchen. I love his brash personality and I get a kick out of the wannabe chefs competing. The winner will be chosen tonight.

Blessings,
Erica

LIM Card no. 3 of 10

Good Sunday evening stampers. I hope your second of the weekend was wonderful and you're ready for Monday. There are five days left to submit at Less Is More. Remember they are trying to get 1000 submissions this week. Don't bunch up your cards because that won't help the numbers. Just post them individually on your blog.

Here I've made a sympathy card. I used a new folder from Sizzix made for the Basic Grey line. It came as part of a duo and the other folder is a lovely snowflake one. I just love the depth of embossing this folder gives. The sentiment is from a clear set of which I'd removed the packaging for storing in a binder. I like that it's not bold and has that pretty flourish at the end. The base is Neenah solar white and a green mat as well as the small border are probably SU always artichoke. I stamped in Memento tuxedo black.

I think that's all for me this weekend. Off to bed I go where I hope to get  a bit of reading done before I drop off. I've recently become a big fan of vampire novels.

Blessings,
Erica

Less Is More #2 for Challenge no. 33 Anything Goes

Here's my second entry of the day and my second card of the day toward my promised 10 this week. If you haven't seen my first one, go to previous posts and be sure to go to Less Is More. This is a great chance to get your feet wet if you're unaccustomed to making clean and simple cards. Mandi and Chrissie will gently give you advise how to improve your card and keep you on track.  You can't hone your craft if everyone just oohs and aahs all the time? Yes, your card is beautiful, however, have you answered the challenge the way it was written, or did you decide you'd maybe get the card size right and the theme, but didn't keep the white space showing.

In my case, my white space isSU basic gray cs, then SU riding hood red, then a scrap of white which has been dry embossed with an old Cuttlebug folder and cut using a square scalloped Nestabilitie. Perfect card for the less fussy personaliltly in your life.

I'm going to try for three today. So stay tuned and join us.

Blessings,
Erica

Let the DSP Take Center Focus

Good Evening stampers. Hope you are getting through 'hump day'. The weekend is near! I promised a few fussy cards. And here I delivered. I believe my true style is C&S, however, now and then, I come across beautiful dsp pads on sale and begging for me to leave the store with them. Once I arrive home, they are given a place of honor on my craft table where I regularly leaf through them oohing and aahing. Alas, I don't know what to do with them. There are several bloggers who do amazing things with these papers and I make an attempt here and there to CAS their work. For this card, I didn't do that. Instead I used my own personal method to come up with this. First I thought of what greeting the paper lent itself to, the size of the greeting, how and if, to mat the greeting, and finally what if any, embellies might be used. Once I had a plan, it was simple to make.

Recipe: Base of neenah solar white, 5" x 5" card
SU garden gree mat
DCWV Mariposa matstack
CTMH blue (don't make me look for the hue)
Rangers Distress peeled paint dye inkpad
Sentiment Stampendous
Nestie deckled rectangles
Sizzix "Branch with Leaves"
McGill butterfly punch (large)
Martha Stewart small butterflies
A little bit of bling

And as Joan would say.....
"mood when done", I like it. Now I only have 71 dsp papers to stare at and wonder what to do with.

Blessings,
Erica

Less Is More Challenge 32

 

Hi Stampers. I had a good weekend...that means I got lots of stamping done. I've decided on the little giftie I will make for my DH's co-workers this Thanksgiving. I'm so tickled as they appreciate the thoughfulness, often emailing me to say so. According to my DH, several have them lined up on their desks for a decorative look. I'm honored. It's a good thing they don't check the blogs out there with amazing work that makes mine look amateurish. Oh well, it is the thought that counts and I think they know that.

So over at LIM, the Divas are rolling along and are back around to the one layer card. I believe this is my most difficult to think up. I have to pour through my stamp sets...not a bad thing to do, but it can be time-consuming.

I thought of the many coffee drinkers in my life and how much I enjoy this year's Mother's Day present of a Tassimo coffee maker. It makes incredibly strong coffee, so I make it in my Starbucks' tumbler and use the "add water" feature. It makes a satisfying brew which I enjoy thouroughly as I catch-up on email and stamp in my room each morning.

My card recipe follows:

Neenah solar white A2 base, folded on the 4 1/4 side
Stamp set...Fiskars Latte Love clear stamps
Button and stripped twine from my stash
Images stamped with Memento tuxdo black
colored with various Copics

A few issues I had with my card were (1) how to color the steam, (2) should I or shouldn't I ground it by coloring underneath the cups. I did, but think I overdid it, and (3) did I achieve balance when placing the images?

My conclusion...a lot of white space requries a lot of practice and regular checking on the pros' blogs. I will return almost daily for the remainder of the week with quite busy cards to share.

Blessings,
Erica

Just What I Wish

This is what I wish for many people I know. We realize all our days won't be filled with good things. However, if we have just one of those perfect days now and then, it makes the rest worthwhile. Personally, every day, I thank God for good things that I take for granted. If we live in developed countries, I thank God I don't have to go miles to get fresh water. I can't imagine one of my daily chores to be fetching a pail of water. I get so very angry with what is wrong with this country, but there isn't anywhere else I'd rather be. I'm sure most all of you would agree. Wait, there is an exception. I have thought about moving to Canada. I have vacationed there. If I could handle the cold (anything below 70 is cold to me), I'm sure I'd like it there.

On to my card. I was gifted with this Hero Arts 'Spring Tulips Sketch' stamp. I believe it's quite old. I love the sketchiness (a word?). I paired it with this sentiment from...OK, I just spent 20 mins. looking for the sentiment. I can't find it and since I'm supposed to be ironing, you're not gonna find out today. If you're desparate to know, I'll look again...promise. On the paper. Base is Neenah solar white and the dsp is retired CTMH. I colored with water color pencils....rarely used, but I am fond of them.

So, this is my second post of the day. To enter a challenge (I did) and win some fun "A Muse" goodies, scroll down, or see previous posts. I'm not sure how my blog works, but I do know I'm happy reading other's blogs when I can scroll down...less time taken.

Blessings,
Erica

Challenge OLW63

Good afternoon stampers. I was over on one of my fave blogs, Simplicity. Raihala put me onto a new-to-me challenge blog, Styles Ink. The challenge is a one layer baby card. They have goodies too, just for entering. So go and check it out.

Card recipe:
card is a top-fold  SU Shimmery White 5 x 4 1/4 (a bit odd size, I know)
Recollections clear stamp set Bouncin' Baby Boy (lots of adorable stamps that could work for boy B-Day too)
Memento Danube blue for stamping images...the shoes and "B" are separate.
Memento sky blue marker to color in the sneakers...tried the sky blue to stamp images, but way too light to show up on photo.
Oh My! Well, that's it since we're requested to do a one layer card.

I edited this in Picnik and since I don't have a photo box, I was having difficulty getting the white to show up properly. I was trying to avoid all the background I usually include in my photos this time. I should have taken a more sideview photo, cause it doesn't actually show up as a card. Sorry about that.

Blessings,
Erica

Less Is More challenge 31

Afternoon stampers. I am going simple with the LIM here challenge today. The challenge is metal. I can do that. Well, I tried a "new to me" technique from one of the contributers and it didn't happen, so I stuck with an old standby, embossing powder. The base and mat are of white linen cs. For some height and depth, I added the mat. I know, kinda basic, huh? Both images are Michael's Studio G dollar stamps. The embosing powder is Rangers Queens Gold. A teeny bit of bling for the 'dot' in the letter i and it couldn't get much more simple than this, right?. Both stamp images are dollar stamps. I may try for something "new" later in the week.

A BIG SHOUT OUT CONGRATS to LIM and its DIVAS Chrissie and Mandi for hitting followers. I never doubted they wouldn't.
"Wishing them a Bright and Shining Future.

Blessings,
Erica

Challenge 51 for Simply Create

Hi Stampers,
This is going to be a very short post for the Simply Create challenge up and running. I seem to have been automatically thrown into a new way to access my blog. I don't recall getting info on this change and I'm having some difficulty getting used to it. So bear with me.

My card uses, of course, a House Mouse image and my pencil box has dollar stamps, a button, twine and a magnetic closure. I'm going to stop now and "publish.." Here's hoping (and praying) I get used to this new to me process fast.

Blessings,
Erica

Two for One Challenge

Good afternoon stamping friends. I've had this Tilda from Magnolia for a while and only inked it up once. Today, I went to Just Magnolia and found their challenge, and I wanted to join, so I did. The submissions here are truly awesome, so competition is keen. I rarely see this Tilda used. A quick perusal of the submissions didn't show me anything. I enjoy coloring her stockings and I like that she's in a sitting position. I have written down different ways I can pose her, so I think I'll get some good use from her.

In order to play BINGO, you follow the rules. Cute way to challenge yourself, huh?

My card uses the elements on a diagonal and include gems (pearls), flowers (Michaels' wedding five point flowers colored with copics), and ribbon/lace (lace from my stash). The balloons are done with a Nestie die and the sentiment is Nestie diecut and is from SU's Circle of Friendship (retired). I used an MS border punch and a doily. Papers are all SU except for the ds which is My Minds Eye's pad called Simply BEautiful. Leaves are done with MS punch. I've used all copics to do the coloring.

I've also entered this card in Cute Card Thursday Challenge no. 180. There you need to use at least one punch. I've used

     MS border punch (on two panels)

     Nestabilities Lacy Circles (largest and smallest dies)

     Nestabilities birthday balloons (my name for it)                                                 

     McGlll multi-flower punch (the tiny center pink flower)

     Punch A Bunch (leaves)

                                                                    
See you all this weekend.  Two fun challenges I'll be in are Simply Create and Less Is More See my sidebar blinkies for direct links if you want to play.

Blessings,
Erica