Sunday, March 29, 2009

Missing Home...


Oh, was I a bummer today....I was so homesick!! Well, I made a card I am gonna send my Grandma....so I feel better! I am OBVIOUSLY on a purple kick...LOL! This little stinker is part of the Cute Critters Set from Clear Dollar Stamps. I watercolored him ( again!) and layered him on black. The base card is black, with a white layer and then DCWV Glitter Stack Lavendar. I really wanted the glittery paper to show, so I just put a little ribbon and some pearls to fill the empty spots. Voila...done.
Went to the Casino today, too....NOT a winner...hehehe. I hope you all have a wonderful Monday! I go back to work in the morning, so I am headed to bed. Geesh, I don't think I have been to bed before midnight for the last 7 weeks I have been off work! Something to get into the habit of again. Enjoy your week!
Rubber Hugs,
Julie

Saturday, March 28, 2009

I LOVE Charlie Horse!!


And the new Charlie Daisy is NO EXCEPTION!! I got him last week, and couldn't wait to ink him up!! Yesterday on my blog hop, I stopped by
Lori's Blog , just like every other day! She had a post announcing the April Guest Designer Challenge!! The challenge was to use PURPLE....go FIGURE, one of my FAVORITE colors!!
So out came my sweet little Charlie Daisy set....isn't he too cute with that butterfly on his little nose? Clear Dollar Stamps has an entire line of adorable Charlie stamps...be sure to go check them out!! I am addicted!
My friend, Cindy, has been doing some gorgeous stitched cards, so I wanted to do some on my Charlie card. I love the oval frame, so that is what I chose. Stitched it in purple...then stamped the scene inside with StazOn. I watercolored Charlie and the flowers, then sponged the sky. The background is a little flower stamp that comes with the set...perfect, eh? I added the little gems to give Charlie some BLING...hehehe.
Well, I have yet another "bright" idea I wanna do with my CDS stamps and some purple. It is snowing here today, can you beleive that?? See you later...
Rubber Hugs,
Julie

Friday, March 27, 2009

Finally Friday



I decided today I was gonna make some Easter Cards!! I dug out some old stamps I got MANY YEARS ago from D.O.T.S. ( now known as CTMH), inked them up with StazOn and watercolored them. My favorite colors are purple and yellow....can ya tell? LOL These were super EASY layouts and were both made in about an hour...it takes time for Watercoloring to dry.
I will be back in a bit with yet ANOTHER Purple Creation. I am gonna make a card for the Guest Designer Challenge call at Clear Dollar Stamps!! I ADORE CDS, and I would love NOTHING MORE than to be one of their guest designers.... See you soon~
Rubber Hugs,
Julie

Thursday, March 26, 2009

A Tisket, A Tasket...I Made a Little Basket



I have been entertaining teenagers all day....( 4 girls, to be exact) so I haven't accomplished too much. But I did manage to get this little basket put together. I saw this little cutie patootie on Claire's Blog. She has some of the cutest little baskets and boxes that are her OWN patterns, and she so generously shares her templates!! Go check her out!!
This was a super simple little project...using the template, I just printed onto the backside of the PP and cut it out. She even gives great tips on how to make them work smoother!! I did the blue liner using the same template, just turned it inside out...my PP was only one sided, so I had to do a liner....darn! Mine isn't anywhere near as cute as hers, but I am happy for my first attempt!
Well, as soon as the girls disperse ( goodness only knows when that will be...they have been here since dinner lastnight) I will get to work on a couple of Easter Cards I have had bright ideas for...LOL! We have a NASTY storm a'brewin', so if it gets bad, I will not be back til tomorrow!! Stay safe, and have a wonderful evening!!

Rubber Hugs,
Julie

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

MojoMonday....on Tuesday...LOL!



I loveMojoMonday!! It gives me incentive to do something different and to put my creativity to the test. Wellllll....it gets me creating, at least...LOL!
This is the sketch for this week...I like things that are off-set, so this one appealed. I finished it up lastnight, and here is the card For MM#79.

I used the TAC set S.W.A.K. again!! Those who know me know I LOVE COWS!! Well, this little gal is no exception!! I thought her flowers matched the PP so perfectly!! This is another little HELLO card I will send my Mom....
It is storming here this morning....so I am off the puter! I would DIE if my puter died...LOL!! Have a great day, and I will see you all later!

Rubber Hugs,

Julie

Monday, March 23, 2009

Blowin' In The Wind....

Nooo not the old song...today's weather, here in Arkansas!! WOW I was afraid I was gonna lose a dog when I put them out to potty today!! LOL!!

Anyhoooo, I hope all is well in your corner of the world! I didn't get alot accomplished this weekend, creativity wise, BUT I did clean my space, and WOW it is organized ( ' til I start back at it in a few minutes).

This is a little card I just kinda "put together" on a whim. I want to do more Single Layer cards, and that is what I was after here. I went to one of my favorite 'Fall To' sets, SU's Best Blossoms. This set is just SO versitile! I did a reverse mask of Close To Cocoa, then stamped the leaves in Old Olive and the flowers in Pretty in Pink. The large flower is cut and mounted on dimensionals. The sentiment is an OLD SU set...I HAD stamped it directly onto the card, but due to BAD trimming, I had a funky line, so I had to do a quick fix. Daggone it, now it isn't a real single layer...LOL! I had a little space that needed "something" so my MS butterfly came to the rescue. This card is going to my Mom...she wants a bunch of Thinking of You cards to send to some of her friends. This works!
Well, I am headed to the Craft Desk to play! I hit my head HARD while organizing lastnight, so I will NOT be bending over...LOL! I have an Easter Egg shaped and colored bump on my forehead...good grief! I hope you are all having a WONDERFUL Monday...
Rubber Hugs,
Julie

Saturday, March 21, 2009

I Was A BUSY Girl.....


I had a PRODUCTIVE cardmaking day, Friday! I have been seeing SO MANY neat ideas online, I had to play! This first card is one I saw on SplitcoastStampers
and uses a Ribbon Frame. I thought it was so cute, I HAD to try it...hehehe. I also got to use the S.W.A.K set from TAC...that when I got it, wasn't sure I'd use it...needless to say I LOVE IT!! I watercolored Miss Bunny...isn't she too sweet? Then layered her a couple time....CB a layer and made the Ribbon Frame...put it all together and there ya have it!

The next little trio...I call them my Nautical Trio...LOL...these were CASEd from Clean & Simple Stamping
and I just LOVE them!! I changed the card shape, colors and used punched Anchors rather than a stamp, but I think they work!! I am ALWAYS in need of cards for Males...I have ALL nephews, so these will work! ( I do have ONE gorgeous little Niece, too, so she gets an original every year..LOL)
It is a GLOOMY day here, today, so I see more creating in my future today. Have a FABBY weekend!
Rubber Hugs,
Julie

Friday, March 20, 2009

Springy You're On My Mind


I have SO been playing!! This is a card I made just because...
SHOCK! I got this gorgeous stamp set from The Angel Company, and I mean it is GORGEOUS!! I stamped it with Versamark and embossed with Black EP. I have been trying to work on my use of watercolors and watercolor crayons...this was done with the crayons and a AquaBrush. I am totally thrilled with the outcome...
I got this sketch from Clean & Simple Stamping, a blog I have been stalking lately. There are so many neat ideas there for FAST cards. This took all of about 20 minutes this morning, and that included the painting and cutting!! It is a 4.25" X 4.25" base that is Cuttlebugged. I rarely do cards in other sizes, but I like this one square. I used my Coluzzle, which I hear is being retired...OMG I have to get some blades for my knife!!...to make the circles, and scalloped the Black one. The sentiment is from the SU set, Embrace Life. It is stamped and embossed with Versamark and Black EP. Just put it together, and voila~ I have a few other ideas from the C&S blog I am gonna try today...hope to be back later!!


Rubber Hugs,
Julie

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Spring...even if for a day....


Oh, Goodness, it is GORGEOUS out today!! We are expecting 85 degree weather today...PERFECT!!
Today's card was made....yes...for a swap! I used SU Embrace Life..I LOVE this set! I am a flower girl for sure, and this one is so pretty! I colored the large flower with Gold Shimmer Watercolors, so it glimmers IRL. I used the watercolors on the ribbon, too, for a perfect match. The rest is pretty self explanatory...LOL. Seeing the picture, I can see I didn't get the flat-head eyelets perfectly straight~I hate when that happens...
Well, I have a Doctor appointment again today, so I am outta here. I DID break down and get the glasses I need yesterday...with a Bifocal, mind you. Yes, I am getting old...WaaaWaaaWaaa.
Have a wonderful, creative day!
Rubber Hugs,
Julie

Monday, March 16, 2009

Another Dreary Monday....And a Blog Candy ALERT

Where-oh where- is the SUN?? It is Monday,and we NEED sunshine...LOL! I had a TOTALLY lazy weekend...it was great! I got some cards and ATC's made for swaps..I can't show ya just yet as I know the gals visit my blog...One of them is my dear friend Cindy !! You ALL need to go check out her blog RIGHT AWAY!! (There is FABBY Blog Candy) She is having an exciting week, to say the least. Today is her weddding anniversary-Yesterday was her Blogaversary- AND she just became a Stampin' Up Demonstrator in Canada!! Unfortunatly for me, I can't buy from her, as she can't sell over the border, BUT all you lucky Canadians can...she is a great gal, and will give you WONDERFUL service!! HERE is her SU Website.

This is one of the cards made this weekend while we gabbed and giggled. I have been a SU Addict for a bazillion years, and she is pretty new to it, so we played together making some samples for her to use at Demos. This is one I came up with using Pocket Sillouettes. Super fast and easy card...reverse masked the center square in Close To Cocoa, then stamped with Close to Cocoa and Positively Pink. I had stamped the sentiment directly on the white cardstock, but the rubber wasn't trimmed closely enough, and left a line. I did my favorite save...hehehe....restamped, cut and mounted over it with dimensionals. Added the Ribbon and mounted it all on a card base of Positively Pink. I apologize for the bad pic!!
Well, that is it for this morning...I will have more later! Be sure to stop and see Cindy....enter her Blog Candy Drawing and check out her new SU site!!
Rubber Hugs,
Julie

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Happy Bunny Tails....


Doesn't he have the sweetest little behind? Well, I thought so...LOL! This is a little guy from TAC's I Love Easter. I stamped him in StazOn and colored him with watercolor pencils and a blending pen. The rest is PP by The Paper Studio from Hobby Lobby. This is the Splitcoaststampers
SCS219 which I actually got to do!! The little flower brads are actually a lavendar punch with a flat-top eyelet. I like how it just finished the card off!
I really don't have alot more tonight...I am tired and gonna relax in front of the TV for a bit. ( Dunno how I can be tired, I had a nap after dinner...LOL!) Have a great evening, and I will see you all tomorrow!!

Rubber Hugs,
Julie

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Chilly Wednesday...again






Ok, so Spring ISN'T in the air, but it is in my craft room!! I am so ready for sunshine and flowers...it is 30 degrees here again, today!! Snow is in the forecast, and it is MARCH! Mother Nature must be PMSing again...ARRGH!~
Enough whining...
Lastnight I came across a card I made MANY years ago...it was a flower pot! It was TOO big for any envelopes I had, so I just kept it cuz I liked it. Well, I decided to make a template for a flower pot card that would fit in a standard invitation envelope, and this is the result. SUPER easy, and kind cute, and can be for ANY occasion!
I did this in 3 pieces...the topper, which is cut on the fold, and the pot ( cut 2) and adhered to the topper. I wanted to use this pretty paper I got at Hobby Lobby by The Paper Studio, so I hunted through my stamps for something that I thought co-ordinated and found this from the retired SU set, You Are My Sunshine. Colored the flowers and pots in the colors of the PP and put it all together. The sentiment is from TAC's Tag Tid Bits.
This next card is one of many failed cards for the Peach and Mint swap. LOL I kept THIS one because my Mom asked m to send her some cards that she can send to some of her friends. She just wants to write little notes to let them know she is thinking of them. Mom told me she has several friends who are battling cancer, and some are terminal, and sending a Get Well card just wouldn't be right. So this will qualify as a note card, don't ya think. It was very quick to put together...I can reproduce these as needed.
Well, that's it for now...more tomorrow. I am gonna play with my Camera some tomorrow, too. I have gotten great pictures for people and objects with it, so I have to figure out how to get great pictures of cards with it!! This scanner just doesn't do these colors any justice!! Have a great rest of your evening...
Rubber Hugs,
Julie

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Peach and Mint


Oh goodness, I have been STRUGGLING with this color combo the past couple of days, and I have NO idea why!! I LOVE peach and mint together...I have done several cards in the past in this combo, but today...Oh, well, I finally got one I like! If you could see into my mind, I had a really neat concept, but it fell flat on it's hiney ( didn't it, Cindy...LOL)
This is pretty much a CASE of a card I saw...probably on SCS...I apologize to the orignator. Lots of Cuttlebugging...The butterfly is a MS punch, and is attatched so it can have a 3D look, but the scan smooshed it. I really need to take pics with the camera!
I hope you are all having a super week. We are getting a Thunderstorm tonight...hey, its better than snow! Physical Therapy again tomorrow...oh goodie. I will see you later in the day with something else....
Rubber Hugs,
Julie

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Shamrock Salute


Happy Sunday evening, Stampers!! I needed a couple more St. Patrick's Day cards, and this is what I came up with. Digging through my die cuts that various people have sent me, I came across this Shamrock. It was Christmas green, and I really wanted to make some softer St. Patty's Cards. Sooooo I traced the die cut like a template onto the SU PP, and cut them out by hand. I LOVE the look of this shamrock! The small shamrocks are a punch, so that was a breeze....hehehe. I am hating this scan, but the colors DO match perfectly IRL! This was super simple, and the only stamping on the card is the sentiment...OH GOODNESS!!
Well, I am headed back to the table to play some more. I am SO getting into the clean and simple cards...I think I need to make some fancy-schmancy ones for a change, don't you?
Have a SUPER night, and I will be back...
Rubber Hugs,
Julie

Blog Candy PSA

If you are like me, I am an AVID BLOG HOPPER!! I have happened across some blog candy I HAVE to share with everyone!!
Kim is offering some INCREDIBLE Blog candy in celebration of 100,000 hits!! There are stamps from Whipper Snapper, Artful INKables, and Our Daily Bread. BUT what really caught my attention is the stamps from Clear Dollar Stamps, which I ADORE, and they are the Charlie Horse stamps!! OMG!! Please go check her out!!

I will be back later with some creations I have been working on.
Rubber Hugs,
Julie

Friday, March 6, 2009

Hooray for Friday!


Hi Stampers!! Well, today had been a BEAUTIFUL day here in Arkansas!! It actually hit 77 degrees!! My dogs and I spent a lot of time in the backyard today, they were in Puppy Heaven...LOL!
Tonight I decided I better get on some swap cards...I hate being late. This one is for a Sketch Swap at Just Cards. I used my little Hedgie stamp from CDS. He is part of the Cute Critters Set. I watercolored him and cut him with my Coluzzle. Mounted him on Bashful Blue and Chocolate Chip Circles cut with Nesties. I have TONS of PP scraps, and this one is from SU. I love how it works with the Barely Banana. The sentiment , which comes with the set, was stamped in Chocolate Chip and then layered to match the Hedgie. Added the ribbon and studs and was DONE!
Tomorrow I have more St. Patrick's Day cards to whip up for swaps. I got a couple of cute stamps and some stickers to make those with. I hope they turn out...LOL! I am NOT a sticker fan, but they were so cute, I couldn't resist! All in all, I have 8 more swap cards to make this weekend...wish me LUCK!
I hope your day was wonderful, and your tomorrow will be, too! See you soon! Be sure to check out my Sisters' Blog on the sidebar...what a group of talented ladies. AND Candice has some FABBY Blog Candy up for grabs!!
Rubber Hugs,
Julie

Thursday, March 5, 2009

SomeBunny Special



I FINALLY got to play with the Mojo Monday sketch!! I just got this TAC set from my friend, Joani, and I was dying to play with it!! It is called " I Love Easter". I stamped this little bunny with Staz-On and colored him with watercolor pencils and a blender pen. Then just layered him up...several times....and finished it off with a bow and button. I adore this little Bunny, and I will use him alot for Easter and Spring cards, I am sure!


I found out today...NO SURGERY...for now. I chipped a bone in my knee, that is where all the pain is coming from, but evidently, it should heal itself. I will have 3 weeks of Physical Therapy and then the doctor will re-evaluate. I am SO hoping that the PT works, and I heal!! I dread being cut on....


A real Sweetheart of a Blogger has given me the sweetest award!! Sally is UBER talented, so please go check out her wonderful Blog! I am to pass this on to 10 other blogs that I love...there are just SO MANY, and this is difficult.
I will send it to ALL of my SBS#27 Sisters!! They are ALL wonderful!! They are listed on my sidebar...please visit them!
Well, as the clock will report, it is past my bedtime! I hope you all have a wonderful day tomorrow, and I will see you around BlogLand! Sweet Dreams~
Rubber Hugs,
Julie

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Sympathy Card


I had a friend ask me for a simple sympathy card today. A friend where she works had a premature baby boy on Saturday, and, bless his little heart, he didn't live but 2 hours. God has a new Angel. This card is what I came up with. I wanted to keep it simple, yet, pretty. I used SU Upsy Daisy...again. I really am loving this stamp...it can be elegant or playful. It looks like I stamped the "With Sympathy" crooked, but I looked at the stamp and it is mounted crooked...well, can't save this one, and chances are few will notice, so I let it go. I can't believe I let it go, but she wants it for tomorrow morning, and I don't have time to redo it. You can't see in this picture, but I have a double scored line above and below the ribbon done with my Score Pal. It just added the perfect little touch. Well, I am headed to bed. I promise NOT to use Upsy Daisy tomorrow...LOL!
Rubber Hugs,
Julie

Terrific Tuesday!


Hiya Stampers!! I have had a busy weekend...yeah, I know, I have been sitting on my tush due to my knee, but still have been busy..LOL! I did a BUNCH of Clean and Simple cards for my card box....I will show you those sometime. Some of them are really neat! I have ALSO been trying to go through all of my Pattern Papers! I have SO many that I have hoarded over the years, and some of them are totally OUT of style...hehehe...kinda like clothes, eh? Well, I have found several that I really like, and have decided that THEY are gonna be the base of some creations. This card is one that is made around the PP. I really like the color combo as it is out of my comfort zone. I have 2 different cards made with this paper, and will show you the other one later today. I wanted to get this one posted before I go out for dinner.
I used SU Upsy Daisy set...it is only the second time I have inked it since I got it...another thing I need to do, USE MY STAMPS MORE!! Anyhoo, I stamped with Orange craft ink and embossed with clear EP. Did Orange and Navy layers, and put it all together. I had a blank space in the corner, so went with the corner punch...Simple and neat. I will be back later with the other one...I used one of my Critters from Clear Dollar Stamps...
Rubber Hugs,
Julie