Man Stripes

Good Morning Peeps!

As you may have noticed, moustaches are the rage right now. I've had this moustache dies/stamp set by HeroArts for a while and just got around to using it. [It's not as easy using a 'stache as you might think.] I seem to neglect masculine cards and decided it was time to solve that problem.

The DUDE and sentiment stamps are from Simon Says Stamp card kits. I fussy cut around the DUDE stamp to leave a small white edge to mimic the 'stache. I turned the sentiment into a banner, added 3 black liquid pearl dots for buttons, and called it done.

Not only did I get 4 cards from a leftover pieces of striped paper, but I finally found a way to use my moustache die/stamp set, and have masculine cards to send in to Operation Write Home! Now I call that a successful craft session.

My back porch swing is calling me so I'll say bye for now. Thank you for stopping by... hope you enjoyed your visit!

Chalkboards and Banners

Howdy peeps! If you're wondering what chalkboards and banners have to do with each other, I'll tell you. Absolutely nothing... unless you are combining two challenges. And  I’m getting a last minute dive for the deadline for both. Nice Marlene, great way to start a new year. L

Last Wednesday the challenge on Operation Write Home's Midweek Throwdown was to make a card using the chalkboard technique. Now, I love how it looks, but have never been brave enough to try it. I Googled "Chalkboard Cards" and found lots of good samples, tutorials, videos, and Pinterest Boards. This technique was lots of fun and now I’m wondering why I was so scared!

Also on last Wednesday was a Banner Challenge on the ScrapZee online group. We were, of course, supposed to use a Banner on a card. So…. by combining both challenges I came up with this card. The background is a pretty “Valentine” red, but the photo has a nasty orange hue.

Thanks for stopping by, hope you enjoyed your visit!

I appreciate and real all comments.

Supplies:

Technique Tuesday stamp set, Bright Idea

Hero Arts Stamp&Cut set, Fun Flags [one banner die and 3 banner clear stamps]

Authentique double sided paper, Smitten collection, Fusion & Written

VersaMark Watermark ink pad

Ranger  Sea Foam White embossing powder.

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!

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!

Revisiting a forgotten technique.

Gooood morning friends, and 'Happy Hump Day'! I think my Mojo is workin in overdrive this week. I'm not complaining because it's been kinda slow lately. A new Member Challenge was posted Monday over at CardSwaps. Elaine has a water color technique for us, and I had so much fun with this forgotten technique that I couldn't stop creating. It makes for a quick, easy, and stunning CAS card.

The first method [cards on the right] is by coloring directly on a stamp using either water based markers or watercolor crayons, mist the stamp with water and stamp on paper. I don't have the crayons and my water based markers have long since gone to the craft pile in the sky, so I improvised. Ahhhh, good 'ole Improv! I used Ranger Distress Ink in three shades on my stamp, and misted it with water.

The second method [cards on the left] is to use reinkers and drop a couple drops of color directly on a stamp block, then use a brush dipped in water to spread the color on the block and stamp the color on paper. Then, stamp an image over the color after it dries. Time for Improv again. :)  Using Distress Ink pad I pounced the pad on a stamping block and misted it with water, then used a water pen to swirl the ink.

I know you're supposed to use watercolor paper but I couldn't find mine, so I used white cardstock. When the color dried I found a very nice, almost velvety texture, where I had stamped. [Happy surprise.]

Ink: Ranger Distress in Dried Marigold, Wild Honey, Peeled Paint, Crushed Olive, and Bundled Sage. Memento Tuxedo Black.

Stamps: Exotic Bloom by Hero Arts, Sentiment by WordStamp.

I won't rattle on and take up more of your time. It's fun revisiting techniques you haven't done lately. Try it!

Thank you so much for stopping by, hope you enjoyed your visit!