Babies, babies, everywhere....2 Projects!

Good Morning Everybody - Babies, babies, everywhere....

I have 2 great projects to share with you - and it's all about the BELLY!!! Yup, I am going to be a new Auntie! My sister is pregnant with baby #3 - and her third GIRL!!! Since this baby was a surprise, it was pretty unanimous that we (a few of her relatives + me) throw her a baby shower!

Project #1
Here is my inspiration for the invite - I am a subscriber to many blogs and this one is just lovely! Click here for Melstampz.blogspot.com - what a great idea but the inspiration was just what I needed for my invites. Of course, I had to tweak my version!

So, here is my version! Do you like it? I hope my sister loves it! They were really fun and easy to make! I must give credit to Templates by Chia - houseofstirfry.com/chia for the FREE template. I did have to play around with getting the cutting just right since I placed the template on the fold of the "shoulders." The tiny heart is a punch I purchased at the dollar bins @ Target. Then, I squeezed a layer of pink Stickles over the heart for a touch of sweet and sparkle!

I have a couple of tips to share: #1 - I went to Walmart and purchased the sew-on snaps for $1.67 - CHEAPPP!!! I did have to play with the bottom of the template to create the snap-flap. But it fit perfectly on a 8.5X11" Solar White white cardstock. I really loved the way it turned out!

Here is a side shot - just so you can see how it opens.

The stitches took some playing with since I did not want to run 30 of these baby onesies through my sewing machine.

Ahhh, Copic markers to the rescue! The E40 Brick White marker worked it's magic and gave me the right amount of shadow and white color for me to make my hand stitches! I really think this gave the onesie it's POP!

Project #2

Since we are on the Baby Theme, funny that a friend of my sister's (same one mentioned above) friend just had a Baby Boy!

For this card I used stamps from The Angel Company (Everyday Events - Elephant & For Baby stamps). The cardstock is Bordering Blue by Stampin' Up, patterned paper from My Mind's Eye, Copic & Spica markers, Crystal Lacquer, light blue organza ribbon from Jo-Ann Stores, a roll of small shipper's twine (source unknown), blue rhinestone sticker from Me & My Big Idea.Here is a close-up of the elephant! I love the way the Crystal Lacquer gives it dimension even when I used foam tape dots for a real 3-D look. If you can see, I used my Burnt Umber ink from Palette Hybrid Ink to edge my papers for a small finishing! You can really see the Silver Spica Marker I used for the "metal" looking wheels!

"A baby is an angel whose wings decrease as his legs increase” ~Author Unknown www.thinkexist.com

Thanks for stopping by...have a great day!

Have you ever just let yourself color?

I mean color like you were in kindergarten with a big box of crayons, er, Copics? :) I am totally O.K. with this card looking like a child colored it - of course I'm talking about my inner child, duh! This card was inspired by my hubby's cousin Carm asking me for a card for a 13 year old boy! What a fun way to be inspired! I thought of my son Dominick who is 12 and thought what would he think is a fun card, hmmm?

I looked at my stamps in a totally different way! Those great Elzybell's stamps took me into a different realm of creativity! I saw a setting sun in the sweetest sunflower {and using a second stamped image and pop dotted and placed offset on top of the other "sun" actually made me smile!} Then, I saw in my mind's eye in those surf boards sticking out of the sand when sitting on the beach and memories of my son running past me with his surf and boogie boards just waiting to be used! This is what art does for me - a fun way to escape reality for a while and allowed myself to have fun!!!

I had to tell myself what kid wouldn't think this card ROCKS! Well, let's hope he thought that, and Carm, you'll have to tell me what his reaction really was!!!
Did he notice a sunflower for the sun? Let's hope not!

One quick tip:

I've been using my pop dots in an unusual way these days - I'm only using them here under the boys' head and not under his feet! Gives more of a 3D look for a closer face, not the whole boy!!!

Try it next time for yourself!

Thanks for stopping by and taking a peek at my kindergarten coloring experience!

{{{Recipe}}}
Stamps: Elzybells Sunflower & Surfer Boy
Cardstock: Gerogia Pacific White
Markers: Copic & Spica
Pop Dots


"Children are the sum of what mothers contribute to their lives." -- Unknown

Modern Colored Cornucopia

I must say I {{{love}}} this color combo - tan & black & white!!! This crisp color combo makes a masculine color theme to a very Fall theme! Tear those layers for a real elegant touch - and this is the cheapest embellishment you can do to ANY card!!!

This card was fun to make, and fun to think outside the "normal" colors - and by normal I mean golds, greens, oranges, rusts, tans, browns, etc. I challenge you to go outside the box and color outside your comfort zone! It's fun!!! If you do something fun with unusual color, email me your card - I'd love to see them!!!

{{{Recipe}}}

Stamps: CHF Kim Hughes Cornucopia, Clear Dollar Stamps Autumn Set Circular Thankful for You sentiment

Cardstock: Stampin' Up - Kraft & Black

Ribbon: Offray

Embossing Folder: Swiss Dots Provo Craft

Copic Markers
Pop Dot to the Cornucopia

Thanks for stopping by and please leave a comment, I would love to hear from you!

By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name. Hebrews 13:15

Another Halloween Card

Just a little behind on my posting, but I had a wonderful time spent cardmaking last weekend with my friend, Carm, who just happens to be my hubby's cousin! Either friend or family, she's the {{{best}}}!!! We had an entire afternoon alone spent cardmaking! We came up with this card for Halloween! I'm not a huge Halloween person, but these last few stamps have inspired the creative juices to flow and this is one of our cards we created!

We pop dotted the witch over this great tree stamp from Darcie Heater's stamps! Sometimes the simplicity of a stamp makes the whole card perfect!!!! Thanks for stopping by and leave a comment, I love to read what my readers have to say about these cards!!!

{{{Recipe}}}
Cardstock: Stampin' Up
Stamps: Amuse Art Stamps (Witch), Eat Cake Graphics (Sentiment & Moon/Clouds), Inky Antics (Trick or Treat sentiment on Envelope, Darcie Heater Stamps (Tree)
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black
Punch: Oval Scallop from Marvy Uchida
Markers: Copic & Spica Markers
Embellishments: Pop Dots

Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyways. -- Anonymous


With inky fingers &

Swing on my front porch!

Now that it's officially Fall, my favorite time of the year, I thought I'd post a card I made with a dream in mind: to really have my swing hung on my front porch! Ahhh, a girl can dream, right? My DH is hoping to get it hung up for me soon! I love to let the day drift away while I swing in a cool breeze!!! {{{Sigh}}}

****Back to Reality****

Until then, here is my card that shows my Screen Door card featuring a cute stamp from Clear Dollar Stamps! They have the most adorable stamp, but I tweeked it a bit!!! See...

After getting out my supplies, I got down to work!

My wire is some leftover stuff I have no idea where it came, my garage???, from but I wanted it to look like the chains that porch swings hang from. I have a paper piercer that I used to twist my wire around with a pair of pliers, and then carefully glued that down to my card front.

The tedious job of cutting out the swing out with my X-Acto knife was, ummmm {{{{fun}}}}! I managed to color, glue it down and add my embellishments! Whew, that was fun! I also cut out the small potted plant on the same stamp for a cute embellie next to corner of my card. I was going to enlarge it, but it became extra out-of-focus! So you have a small pic - sorry!

Thanks for looking!!!

{{{{Front Porch Swing on My Screen Door Card Recipe}}}}

Cardstock: DCWV & HOTP

Stamps: Clear Dollar Stamps & Impress Rubber Stamps

Ink: Palette

Markers: Copic

Misc. Brad from Memory Makers, wire (source unknown), Martha Stewart clear craft glue, Rhinestone accents by Best Ocassions Walmart.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

Be Joyful Card

Want to hear something funny? I woke up feeling really good today! My fatigue has been better since my Iron Infusions (3 down, 2 to go) from my iron deficiency trouble. I'm not sure what to give credit, but all I know is that it feels really good to feel good!

So, how appropriate, my Screen Door card with the sentiment "Be Joyful" is the card I'm featuring today! Click my Etsy store link to order your very own Screen Door template! Just think of anything that is outside your door, and the card possibilities are endless! You'll {{{wow}}} anyone who gets a handmade Screen Door card!!!
Here is the close-up of that most adorable laughing daisy face! Too cute!

{{{Be Joyful Card Recipe}}}

Paper: GP Cardstock Walmart; Yellow "door" from DCWV sanded for worn look

Ink: Palette Hybrid Ink Noir

Stamps: The Angel Company Be Curious Set (TAC2634); Inky Antics Tiny Smile

Coloring Medium: Prismacolor Pencils & Blender Pencil

Misc.: Green brad source unknown; vinyl screen (any hardware store)

Door Template: See my Etsy Store for details

The true work of art is but a shadow of the divine perfection. ::: Michelangelo ::: artquotes.com

It's a Jungle In Here!

Hi Everyone!

Some days just feel so crazy. Today was one of them! Kids, school, health, or lack of it, doctor's appointments, nurses, needles - Ugh!!! Needless to say, it was a jungle of a day!

Here is a card from My Screen Door collection. This card features stamps from The Angel Company, Wild Animals set. The sentiment is also from this set. When you open my door, it says "Its a jungle in here!" Well, don't that just say it all! Thanks for taking a peek thru my door!

Have a wonderful evening!

{Supplies used: Stamps from The Angel Company, Cardstock from DCWV, Prismacolor Pencils, screen door template, vinyl screening from hardware store, brad - misc. source}

I know how to do anything - I'm a mom.-- Rosanne Barr
http://www.great-inspirational-quotes.com/mother-quotes.html

Monday Sketch-a-roni Playing Along!

I played along with a fellow blogger's sketch challenge! Yep, it's a first for me. Usually I'm showcasing a card I've made, created or cased but I used the first day of school to use my ahhhh-quiet-time to get my creative juices flowing from Heather Scott's Oz-SomeStamps blog. Thanks Heather, for the inspiration! Thanks for looking...

It's hard to tell that I used Crystal effects in the middle of my sunflower as well as a gold Spica glitter pen on the petals. I hope my close-up gives a little justice to the flower.

Supplies used: Sands of Time Cardstock, The Angel Company, Georgia Pacific, Bazzill Papers; Cuttlebug Embossing Folder by ProvoCraft; Spica Markers & Copic Markers Y38, Y35, E29, E25; Stamps by The Angel Company, Full of Sweetness set, Garden Joy set; Palette Hybrid Ink Burnt Umber; Crystal Effects; Misc. Brads & ribbon unknown source.

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."~ Dr. Seuss www.inspirationalspark.com

Edited to add: Sorry about this posting link on Heather's blog, having minor computer/digital camera issues...but all is well now and this link should work. Thank you for your patience.

First Day of School and Oldie but Goodie Stamp!!!

Today was the first day of school for my kids! They were so excited, but secretly I was excited a bit more! My sweet Kindergartener (1/2 day, blah!) gave me the sweet gift of 2 1/2 hours to myself. This is what I found to do - write another blog post! Here is the sweetest card made with an oldie but goodie from The Angel Company stamp, Kevin! Although retired, you just cannot help but think how sweet a flower from this sweet boy would really be - maybe that's what us stampers like - uh, the world we create on paper! Sometimes it is just a little nicer a place than if you look at all the yucky stuff in the world today! Check out my Etsy store if you'd like to purchase this card or other Screen Door Designs!

Oh well, Pollyanna here is going to be glad to share with you my Screen Door card with Kevin! Enjoy!






In some posts to come, I will be featuring the how-to's on making these cards! Look forward to more to come....

Supplies used: CS: Die Cuts with a View & Georgia Pacific; Stamps: Kevin by The Angel Company; Prismacolor Pencils with Colorless Blender pencil (works like Gamsol); my original Screen Door template & vinyl screening; brad: misc. source unknown.

Art is the only way to run away without leaving home. ~Twyla Tharp, www.quotegarden.com

Some stamps just make me giggle!

Some days just feel like I'm at the funny farm all day long! They are just so adaptable to so many occassions! Check out my Etsy Store for ordering cards or my Screen Door template! Anyway, thanks for stopping by and giving my cards a look-see!


Sentiment inside says: "Happy Birthday from all of us at the funny farm."
Supplies used: Stamps: Inky Antics, Art Gone Wild; CS: Misc. sources; Brad: source unknown; colored with Prismacolor Pencils & Gamsol




"I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way--things I had no words for." Georgia O'Keefe

My 10 Year Old Daughter's Card

Hi everyone!

I have to make mention of how creative my daughters (all of my kids, actually) are-maybe by association with me (tooting my own horn, huh?) or maybe genetically!?! Either way, I love to see them in action. I gave her some supplies, one of my favorite sets from Melanie Muenchinger from Gina K's sets, Hand-in-Hand, as well as some double sticky tape, ribbon, and white ink! I am amazed! This is what she came up with! WOW! Are you as impressed as I am? She is so sweet and when I told her I'd put her card on my blog, she got the biggest grin ever! Thank you my dear sweet Gianna for such a sweet card! She gave this card to her grandparents, "Meema & Pop."

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies used: Stamps: Gina K; White ink, VersaMagic Cloud White; Cardstock: Stampin' UP, Mega & Giga Scalloped Circle Punches: Marvy; Ribbon: Walmart, Provocraft Scalloped scissors.

"And Jesus said unto them ... , "If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to younder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible to you."Romans 1:17

"A-Door-able!" Country Woman Magazine Feature Article

Well, as promised I got my scanner working. Don't ask me how! I am thrilled to share with you my featured craft project article. I am so excited to be featured, along with my story. You've heard that I was in a creative slump. My husband was fixing some screening on some windows and had scraps in front of me. (Us stampers, scrappers, etc. throw nothing away!) Well, once the idea popped into my head of a sweet country screen door, I got my drawing pencils out and came up with my screen door sketch. The possibilities are endless and if you can imagine it on your front porch, you can imagine it on your screen door card. Back in 2007 I submitted my screen door card into the Country Woman Magazine's Craft Bazaar Contest. Well, as I may have mentioned before, uh hem, I won 2nd place! Much to my surprise I was contacted again just this past month, with a letter and a complimentary issue of the magazine showing where my article was - and I screamed! My kids all came running and we had a quick celebration together!


So, here is what I was shown! Thanks for looking!






With Inky Fingers,
Michelle :)

Buggy Blossom Card

Hi friends!


Stamping Bella has some ***adorable**** stamps that are just too cute! I am not sure if the recipient of this card will see this post or not, but that's ok. I am just too excited to share about this card. She is the sweetest person, who happens to do the best job on my hair EVER! And let's face it, I was a huge fuzz ball this morning and now, I'm back. Well, I am sending this note to her to do double duty...but mainly I am sending her a tip that I forgot! Can you believe it? I am always too excited and talking too much to stop and think for a moment! Whooo me? I was so embarrassed and now I've talked about it.... Anyway, here is my card - isn't she cute?


Thanks for looking!

Stamps: Stamping Bella Bug, sentiment stamp: The Angel Company; CS: DCWV scallopped matchbook card, scraps; Ink: Momentum Tuxedo Black; Markers: Copic; Ribbon & silk flower embellishments: miscellaneous stash.

Get involved with a great cause, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and help people like my friend fight this nasty disease! MR, you are my hero!


A man paints with his brains and not with his hands. Michelangelo brainyquote.com

Computer Scanner Problems!!

I have a sweet nephew who is going to get a phone call to help me figure out why my scanner is giving me such trouble! As soon as I get it up and running, I will post my featured article from my Screen Door card that won 2nd place last year in Country Woman's Magazine's Craft Bazaar Contest! Well, you can only imagine how excited I was to get a 1 1/2 page feature this year in Aug/Sept '09 magazine!!! I will get this posted as soon as possible! Thanks for your patience!!! Now where's my phone....

With Inky Fingers,
Love,
Michelle :)

Getting ready for Christmas!

Hi everyone! Here to share another fun (and stamp lifted) idea from Splitcoast Stampers! These Gift Card Holders are just adorable! I am getting ready to sell them at my kid's school. We have a gift certificate program that allows us to purchase a gift card from hundreds of merchants, and in return for buying them through school, we earn percentages from each purchase. We have a choice to enrich the school, our classrooms as well as paying down our tuition bills (Catholic Schools!). So, here are a sampling of what I've been making. I am thrilled to showcase these here on my blog!

By the way, I got the most wonderful surprise from a lady in Texas whom I don't even know! Not only did Connie make my day, but I was feeling very blue, had a terrible head cold as well as getting my "." over the weekend and Sunday was my birthday! Needless to say, her kind words came at the best time. I guess the Lord Jesus knows what we need when we need it! Thanks again, Connie!!! Here is what she said:

Hi Michelle,

I saw your winning entry of the screen door cards in Country Woman magazine and just wanted to let you know I think they are adorable! I looked at your website and saw your other creations. You are very talented. And I admire you for being a Stay at home Mom. This world needs more of them.

From one artistic mom to another.

Congratulations!
Connie Thompson
Del Rio, Texas

WOW! Talk about blown away!!! I almost cried! OK, so enough of my blabbering...here are my Gift Card Holders!

If there is a specific stamp or pattern you'd like more info on, please email me and I will be happy to give credit where credit is due (i.e. paper, rubber stamp company, etc.). Thanks!

Quote: In all created things discern the providence and wisdom of God, and in all things give Him thanks.-------St. Teresa of Avila

Thanks for looking,

With Inky Fingers,

Michelle

No excuses...

...for why I have not posted in almost 3 months. Hmmm, something like summer vacation, painting and moving the kids bedrooms as well as the school startup craze is over and everyone is in school does not qualify me for any excuse, right? Well, since then with one of our daughters diagnosed with several food allergies and new recipes to be found, besides the fact that I've had to relocate my craft "room" to the basement to make room for the "new room" my DH is building me solely devoted to "all Michelle's craft stuff!" is not a good enough excuse either!

So, without further adieu, here are my latest creations - there has not been a stop in creative flow here!!!

"Howdy" Supplies used: Howdy: Stamps: Stampin' UP, Papers: The Angel Company Rusty Chic, Fibers/Jute: Misc. sources, Buckle: Memory Keepers

"Enjoy" Supplies Used: Stamps: Stampin' UP, Paper: DCWV & Georgia Pacific Cardstock White, Inks: Purple Hydrangea by Versa Chalks, Rhinestone stickers: Walmart

"Pinwheel" HB Card Supplies used: Stamps: The Angel Company sentiment, Papers: Stampin' UP and K & Company, Ribbon: Offray Grograin, Red Brad by Oriental Trading, Misc.: Toothpick & scallopped scissors.

Positive Thought Quote: Be interesting, be enthusiastic... and don't talk too much. Norman Vincent Peale (gee, I must have missed that one since sometimes I don't know where the words come from, they just flow by the TON!)

Thanks for looking,
With Inky Fingers,