Skip Winner and OWH Sketch 159

Sunday Blessings my friends. I want to apologize for being almost a week late posting the winner of last Saturday's OWH Blog Skip. So without further to do.... random.org picked... drum roll please..............

Winner of the Tonic Border Punch

Donna Nuce  

Congratulations Donna!

Donna, please email me your address so I can get you punch to you. It's: marlened00 at gmail dot com   [yes, those are 2 zeros following my name]

This past week has been crazy, but I'm thankful the Good Lord has allowed me to keep my sanity. Those of you that follow my blog know my mom, who is 90, is in bad shape in the Nursing Home. Mom's been having chest pains so they're looking to see if she's developed heart problems or if it's something else. There is no definite conclusion yet, but it's been a whirlwind of visits, phone consultations. and keeping the family updated.

I did manage to get some craft time in this weekend. Here's my take on Clean and Simple, and this week's OWH Sketch Challenge.

I've had the Hero Arts stamp set, All The Time, since it came out and have wanted a clock embossing folder to go along with it. I finally found this one by Darice at my local craft store. The clock and sentiment are stamped using Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink by Ranger. I matted the embossed piece and sentiment on kraft cardstock.

I've never had an embossing folder as temperamental as this one. Now, I use really sturdy cardstock when I emboss... but this folder embossed so deeply that it actually tore the cardstock at the circles. OMG... are you kidding me?? NEVER had this happen before!! On the bright side, I now have embossed clock die cuts to use on something else.

I used my Cuttlebug and had to do away with the normal "B sandwich". I solved the problem by placing several pieces of cardstock on  the A spacer, my EF on top of that, then a B plate on top of that. It was crazy but I was determined a piece of cardstock and a hand cranked machine were NOT going to get the best of me. [giggle]

Now it's time to get a 'cuppa joe', put my feet up, and relax a little. Thanks so much for stopping by... hope you enjoyed your visit!

SuperBowl Sunday Yes or No?

Good morning peeps... is everyone out there staying warm? I'm not doing such a good job. Right now I'm wearing enough layers of clothing to be classified as an abominable snowman! As for the SuperBowl... NO NO NO!!!  Sorry to say I belong to the handful of people who does not like football. I know, right? The horror! Besides, I've got way too much to get caught up on.

Yesterday my computer didn't like me and would let me online, so I'm getting caught up now. Did you all participate in yesterday's Blog Skip over at Operation Write Home Stars & Stamps blog? Wasn't it fantastic? And oh my, so much talent and inspiration. You can still skip around to the blogs by clicking here. Today the new Sketch Challenge is up on OWH and you can click here.

I went clean and simple... sort of, for my card. I really liked it at first but now the background looks a little naked. I should have embossed that piece of rose paper, or used Versa Mark Ink and stamped a pattern. I used black to mat my papers and give them some pop. I tweaked the sketch a little but all the main elements are there.

The center panel is an embossed tag from Heidi Swapp. The tags come with clear embossing on them. I spritzed the tag with Heidi's Color Shine Irridescent Spritz called Primrose. The spritz doesn't stick to the embossed design. When you wipe the excess spritz off the pretty design shows as white. The other papers are from Authentique's 6x6 paper pad called Lovely. Some black gems and twine finish it off.

Here's the sketch for this week.

That's it for me. I have to go get caught up on the Blog Skip and leaving love for the participants. Thanks so much for stopping by... hope you enjoyed yourself!

OWH Blog Skip - Cards With Critters

Good morning everyone! I hope wherever you are you're staying safe and warm... and ready for some fun. Today Operation Write Home is having a blog skip {like a blog hop, only shorter} and our theme  is Cards with Critters!

If you came here from Patricia's blog then you're in the right place. If you're just checking in be sure to go over to OWH's blog and start from the beginning. The link is here.

I have two cards to share. First up is this cute little Hedge Hog. I left the sentiment off so that our heroes can send it for any occasion. The flower is a satiny material and squishes flat so there's no lumps or bumps to get caught in a postal machine.

The background paper is from Authentique 6x6 paper pad called Lovely, and the edges are sponged with Ranger's Tattered Rose Distress Ink. I spritzed a small paper doily with Heidi Swapp's Color Shine Irridescent Spritz in Sweet Cherry. The stamp, which I've had for awhile, is Buzz in the Air from Penny Black and is colored with Copics. The ribbon is from May Arts.

Next I have a card using an Elephant.

My background paper is from My Mind's Eye 6x6 paper pad called Blush. The elephant is from Hero Art's Stamp & Cut set called, of course, Elephant. [A die and 3 clear stamps] I colored the elephant with Copics and paper pieced her ear. The ribbons are from May Arts and the sentiment is from a set I've had for a long time. Sorry, don't remember where it's from.

Blog Candy Alert!! Would you like to win this brand spankin new border punch from Tonic Studios? Of course you would! All you have to do is leave a comment on this post and I'll pick a random winner on Tuesday, Feb 5th. You'll have until Saturday, Feb 9th, to claim your prize. If no one claims it I will randomly draw another winner.

You're next stop on the Skip is the amazingly talented Bobbi at Bobbi's Treasure. Please be sure to leave Bobbi some love, and while you're there take a few minutes to look around her wonderful blog.

Thank You for stopping by... hope you enjoyed your visit!