A tinge of fall in the air

A scarecrow is a device, traditionally a human figure dressed in old clothes, or mannequin, that is used to discourage birds such as crows from disturbing crops

Here's a cute 'inspired' scarecrow card. Thought he kind of looks like a Johnny Depp character! I used my chalks to color him in. Made a little bow out of some hemp/twine. I normally use a sharpie when drawing my inspiration (case-D) work... and I really love working with shadows, the thick and thin lines of the outlines.

Sweet Stuff

Gratitude, appreciation, or thankfulness is a positive emotion or attitude in acknowledgment of a benefit that one has received or will receive.

Created the background paper on this Sweet Stuff (from SU!) thanks card. Just used an alcohol dipped cotton ball with some pink re-inkers dripped on and dabbed the glossy paper. It gives the card a different affect. Used one of my white plucked flowers and sponged a little pink color to the edges. Added stickles to the lollipop.

A bookmark is a thin marker, commonly made of paper or card, used to keep one's place in a book and so be able to return to it with ease.

This card was inspired by Markies Mom I love her dots everywhere!!

This idea for a book mark is very cute. I haven't been able to find the jumbo paper clips, so instead I used a heavy chip board folded in half. I still think it works. I have also been inking white flowers that I buy cheap from Hobby lobby. I just pluck them off their stem and disregard the stamen. On this flower too, I also placed dots. Who wants a book mark???

Sissy's first day

Yay, the house is quiet... only for about another 1-1/2 hours. Sissy only has a half day of school today.

Hang in there

When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on. ~Franklin D. Roosevelt

Here's a little image I was 'inspired' to create. The bear head and right arm pop up. I noticed in my re-creation the orignial had about 3-5 layers for those popped up images. That's hard for me to draw the same image over to layer... so mine only pop up once. Love the swiss dots background. I have the gold links from some bead stuff I used to do... they work great for dangles. Reminds me now that I see the pink ribbon... I've got to get more for my stash... ran out!

Just a note

As regularly happen exchange between two persons, which is also termed as a relationship between pen mal working letters as basically kind of humanly communication and friendship to each other.

I made to 3"x3" boxes this past week following the SCS tutorial here. I also made matching envelopes from a template I created, but have to find a recipe to be able to lick them shut. Maybe that will be today's goal. I put five little note cards in each box.

Bubba Starts 10th Grade

Today was the first day of school for Bubba! No football uniform this year. Wising him a great day!!!!

Very Punny - Tickled Pink

Going along with the challenge last week that SCS
I was inspired to pull out my Very Punny stamps from Stampin Up!! I think green and pink are a good color combination... and the pink relates very well to this very cute little piggy. Cuttlebugged the scallop, all others are punched out with SU! Supplies.

Fisherman - Zindorf

Zindorf blog is the great place I go to get this inspiration. My guy is hand drawn, since I don't have many of the stamps she uses. Her tutorials are wonderful!!! I try to do each and every one. This week, she has chosen a few odd ones, that either (sorrry, I don't like) or are more complicated of a challenge that I don't have time for. But the fisher guy was earlier in the week.

Have fun!

Simple

Although I check out SCS every day, I don't often follow their challenges until a few days later and then am inspired by others cards. Here's my most recent inspiration!!! The pink patterned paper is something we learned at stamp camp last week... using alcohol on a cotton ball and dripping ink from the re-inkers directly on the alcoholled ball... then we dabbled it happhazzardly on a glossy paper. Gives it a marbled affect. Stamps by Judith for the flowers.

Pottery Barn inspiration

Pottery Barn—the well-known chain of home furnishing stores in the United States—in reality does not have a "you break it, you bought it" policy[1], but rather writes off broken merchandise as a loss, as do most large American retailers.[2]

So, Sissy and I were browsing the mall a few weeks ago and happened into Pottery Barn... some nice stuff in there (hee hee) and in the back I saw these really cute frames (everything was black and white) with a single letter in them. I had an AHA moment... I could recreate them, MUCH much cheaper... and here is my version of our surname letter... simple font... and a 4"x6" frame from Big Lots for only $3. They had frames up to 8"x10"... some with the upper case letter, white frames with white letter in a black background, lower case letter with a single line box around the letter... so many different ways to make them (all in black and white)... What a perfect housewarming gift!!!

Cream Filled Donuts

Go to Highlowaha
to see my standing in our creative Olympics. Here is today's challenge.... to create a card for National Cream Filled Donut Day (in September)... I love the blue and brown combination. The little fun monkey, my version and background paper with donuts!!! He's holding a donut that's popped up!!! I'm trying to go for the gold in the Decathlon... so wish me luck!!

Web Spooky Insert

A spider web, spiderweb, spider's web or cobweb (from the obsolete word "coppe", meaning "spider" [1]) is a device built by a spider out of proteinaceous spider silk extruded from its spinnerets. Insects can get trapped in spider webs, providing nutrition to the spider; however, not all spiders build webs to catch prey, and some do not build webs at all

Was inspired by this cute card from SCS. I'm thinking here that I have a rough time doodling spider webs, palm trees and bare trees with just their twigs on them. Oh yes, I can make it somewhat look like the subject, but I always need to have something right in front of my eye, each time.... I can't remember how to draw them. Something I need to work on.

I like the roughness of the paper, using open scissors to create the edging on the paper. A little ribbon from the $1 at target. I don't quite have out all my fall and halloween stuff, so right now the inside of the card is blank!

Caution to the Wind

Cattails are wetland plants, typically 1 to 7 m tall (T. minima is smaller: 0.5-1 m), with spongy, strap-like leaves and starchy, creeping stems (rhizomes)

Here is a Zindorf esq inspired card that I saw at SCS. I'm trying to think if it would work as a Sympathy card? What do you think?

I love these simple images because I can feel like part of the group and draw my own silloutes! The image is embossed (still learning that technique) Sponged on a little Ranger Ink, and cuttlebugged the background. Black matting really pops these images!

Harmony

Feng shui (traditional Chinese: 風水; simplified Chinese: 风水; pinyin: fēng shuǐ; pronounced /ˌfʌŋˈʃweɪ/ fung-shway or sometimes /ˌfʌŋˈʃwiː/ fung-shwee in English) is an ancient Chinese practice believed to utilize the Laws of both heaven (astronomy) and earth (geography) to help one improve life by receiving positive Qi. [1] The original designation for the discipline is Kan Yu (traditional Chinese: 堪輿; simplified Chinese: 堪舆; pinyin: kānyú; literally: heaven and earth)[2].

Can you guess what I created here?? If you go to Highlowaha a fun and highly inspirational community of creative thinking people, you will see that we are having our on little Olympics/Decathlon. This is my toilet paper tube entry. We needed to create something for our desk with the calming Feng Shui attributes. The symbol is one of many ways I saw to stroke "harmony". Very simple, yet elegant!

Stamp Camp Cards

Went to stamp camp the other night and had a lot of great laughs! And also worked on three cards. Although many times I've created a similar card, I learn a few techniques I haven't tried or that I forgot about. Color combinations ....ohhhh that's a big one!! Like pink and burgandy!

We were working with different background techniques. The one in the sympathy card above used aluminum foil.... scrunch it up a bit, ink it and press your paper into the foil, it comes up with a speckled image that is unique. Thanks for looking and have a wonderful weekend!!

Anniversary

Nothing particular here today, just making some basic, if you will, Anniversary cards. Patterned Paper from TAC. Putting together some pretty layers

InspireMusement

Okay, bare with me. I have been part of a community High Low Aha for the last few months that is fun and inspiring, and creative. Check it out here if you dare!! They are always looking for new people to join, so read it, become a lurker and then join up!! This week is related to the Olympics, so I'm posting a new product idea that relates to the decathalon that we are participating on this site.

If the text is to small when you click on the picture this is what it says:

Incredible tiny micro-baubles that you gently press into your palm, forehead or suboccipital, to stimulate brain activity, articulation and creative drive . These minute minuscules of atmospheric molecules are almost naked to the eye, but will give you strength in productivity, in positive reenforcement factors, and work their magic to encourage you in all areas that you have minimal cranial creativity. Only $19.95 plus s & h, and applicable taxes and only if your last name ends with y!

A tiny division of the Artfuldodger Co - All rights reserved - Innovative New Product Division - Fake!

Barbed wire fence

Here's another Zindorf inspired card, one of her most recent tutorials. Since I don't have any of the stamps she uses, I try my best to draw the images she has. I know that this image is from Stamps by Judith. I can't tell you how much I love, love, LOVE following these tutorials. I'm still learning shading, just can't get where it's light and dark from which angle the light source comes from. I also loved using the white gel pen to color in the flowers!!

Pucker up and blow!

Though the exact origin and significance of the candle blowing ritual is unknown, the history of placing candles on top of the cake is well documented. This tradition can be traced to Kinderfest (kinder is the German word for 'child'), a 18th century German birthday celebration for children.

Was inspired to create these cards from someone's creative design on SCS. I had just gotten some new pink paper and thought how wonderful! I can attempt to recreate this fun design... a nice simple birthday card, fun cake and a candle, Used my white gel pen to color in the frosting and the cake stand. The left one is the pp and the right one is the back side, I just added the white gel dots to get that floaty look!! Added a little pink shading to the right side of the cake for depth.

Thinking of you

I was looking through some of my pictures and I think I missed a few Charley cards... I made Charley's mom 20 cards, but think I forgot to take pictures of the Pooches Gracias! cards. Oh, now I'm bummed! But I do have a few more that were not part of the slide show... Thinking of you! I love the pink and brown together! Used the Cuttlebug for the scallop.

I started cleaning out my craft room, trying to figure what I can get rid of, what I don't use and what I don't like. I got rid of a Fiskars template 'thing'.... now that I have the Cuttlebug, who wants to outline ugly images... tomorrow Vietnam Veterans comes by to pick up stuff... odds and ends, clothes a too tiny bike etc... it feels good to clean out. I'll have to do more!

A scary insert

Although it is summer, I will pop in a few other cards I'm inspired to create with the halloween theme. Saw this cute little spider and had a perfect scrap left over from last year, just perfect! I love the idea of using the white gel pen to add doodles to the black paper. I was strongly influenced to purchase markers (now I'm confused and don't have them in front of me.... Bic or Sharpie) 36 markers for $11 at Target in the school supply aisle!! What a deal, all fun colors too.... so here I experimented with the orange and grey.

More Zindorf Inspiration

I have once again been inspired by all of the wonderful tutorials by Michelle Zindorf

http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/

Her instructions to follow are great! Go ahead and click on her site (My tutorials) and compare my work to hers!! Well, don't compare, just see what type of student I am!!! I don't quite have the brayer color technique down yet, but I sponge my color as best I can. And in almost all cases, I don't have the same stamped image, nor the same ink.... so, I draw my own image and use the ink I have on hand!

It's been fun to follow her work. Also, who would give this stuff away for free? The inspiration and just the way she teaches.... happiness everywhere!!

Bucket List

The Bucket List is a 2007 comedy-drama film written by Justin Zackham, directed by Rob Reiner and starring Jack Nicholson, Morgan Freeman, Sean Hayes, Beverly Todd, and Rob Morrow. The story follows two terminally ill men (Nicholson and Freeman) on a road trip with a wish list of things to do before they "kick the bucket."

The "Bucket List"
Witness something truly majestic
Help a complete stranger for a common good
Laugh till I cry
Drive a Shelby Mustang
Kiss the most beautiful girl in the world
Get a tattoo
Skydiving
See the pyramids
Get back in touch (previously "Hunt the big cat")
See Rome


Ever since the movie came out ... I am starting to work on a list, but one thing I wanted to do was rent a convertable... well, we got the opportunity last week when we were in Myrtle Beach, here are our wheels.... it was fun!!!

Stay tuned to more of my Bucket list ideas.

Shell - You can bug me anytime

Here's a cute little diddy I whipped up with a few supplies (the ribbon) that were secretly shipped to me.

Paper Bag Album

I haven't made one of these for ages! So, I had my sample creations before and searched through other blogs and galleries to get some inspiration! The paper was an Far West pack, added swirls and buttons, fiber and prima flowers. The tags are inked and pop out from bag openings and folds, from behind ribbon and vellum envelopes. This was truly fun to make!!

Light the way

Visiting and photographing lighthouses are popular hobbies as is collecting ceramic replicas. In some locations, lighthouses have become popular travel destinations in themselves and the buildings are maintained as tourist attractions. In the US, National Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend is celebrated on the first weekend of August, and International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend is celebrated on the third weekend. Many lighthouses are open to the public and amateur radio operators often communicate between them on these days.

Seems lighthouse images are popular these days on SCS. Here is an inspired card I made recently. I haven't put any sentiments on the inside yet... not sure if it's a great 'male' card or just a note... card. I just bought some new hemp twine, it seems a bit thicker than what I had before, but I think it does the job adding that bit of a courser touch!

Charley's view on Birthdays!

I've been a busy little bee.... it has been hot outside here in the midwest... so what to do? Stay in the house and create! Charley's mom is in need of more cards with her precious pup as the focal point... so here she is, helping to celebrate birthdays!!! Can you find the hidden or not so hidden heart in the card? That will be my 'trademark' for these cards. These cards are truly mine.... no 'inspiration' needed here... cuz I have such a cute subject!

Cubs lose - so sad - who cares

Ok, when in Illinois, do as they would do... so as part of our last remaining days of vacation, we went to Wrigley Field and a Cubs game. It was very interesting to people watch. Man, you drop a ton of money. I don't even want to tell you how much a single ticket cost. I'm feeling like my parents... I remember when you could buy a decent Brewer ticket for $4.50.... no multiply that times 8!!!

So, we took the Metra train, hopped a CTA bus and then walked a few blocks to get here!

A nice Cub Fan who was sitting in front of us saw that I was taking pictures of our family in the famous Wrigley Field... and said she'd take a few for us. How Nice.... so, here we are before the game started. Like I said, it was fun to people watch, especially the row in front of us.... $6.50 for a beer.... and it must have been some business men... the beers were moving right on down that row. At least no one was obnoxious around us!!

It was a 'neat' day! We left while they were singing

"Take Me Out to the Ball Game" (bottom of the 7th) The Pirates were winning... and why be in that sorry sad crowd at the end of the game. So, we had to find a CTA Bus to get us back to the Metra... it sure was a learning experience for the kiddos... they've ridden the train before, but not the Chicago bus... they didn't understand how it works.... lines that go east and west and north and south. Then we couldn't find how to get up to the Metra platform... went across the tracks (DANGER<>

Maybe I'll put up a beach picture or two.... later!!

Happy Day!

We're back!!

Hello Every boday! We're home from a great vacation! I'll tell more about it later. We are still on vacation week... so, today we are going to Wrigley Field... in Illinois, do as the Illinoisian do... we are sad Brewer Fans.... but will hit the famous field via train and bus!! I'll blog some pictures soon!http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/dayart/aponline/51534.24Cubs-Brewers-Baseball.sff.jpg