Monday with Friends, the Easter Version

Hello Friends!  Today  begins the new challenge with the Friends of Speedy TV.  The challenge for today is to create an Easter card.  I struggled with my card, something fierce, but not because it was an Easter card.  You see, we had a monster week at my house last week and I think I may have burned the candle at both ends a bit!  On Saturday, at the first performance of my daughter's play, I began to feel sick.  It progressed and I spent most of yesterday in bed.  I would feel a bit better and make a bit of my card.  I spent all day on this baby!

I didn't have any Easter sentiments in my Mark's Finest Papers arsenal, so I used a computer generated sentiment to accompany my pansies from the Spring Flowers Stamp Set.  I die cut out the sentiment and sponged around the edges to match the purple tones in my pansies.  

I hope you will find time this week to play along with the Friends of Speedy TV challenge.  There is a prize on the line this week, the fabulous Pussy Willows stamp set.  In another bit of good news, there are three more fabulous stampers joining the Friends of Speedy TV design team.  I'd like to welcome Tammylee, Barb and Davi to the team!

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: Spring Flowers (MFP); Paper: Very Vanilla, Always Artichoke, Springtime Vintage dsp; Ink: Elegant Eggplant; Accessories: WCC, blender pens, MME Lush double stitched ribbon, sponge dauber, Nestabilities, M's rhinestones, stampin' dimensionals, paper snips.

Mark's Finest Papers, A Heinrich Company Blog Hop Day 4 - Mother's Magnolias

Hello! Welcome to the fourth and final day of Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's March Blog Hop!

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Lighthouses Featured March 20
Flaps My Wattles Featured March 21
Wild Horses Featured March 22
Mother's Magnolias Featured March 23

I think today's sample card could work well for a variety of occasions, so I didn't stamp a sentiment inside.  I originally made this as a Mother's Day card and then pondered the idea of it as an Anniversary card as well.  I think of my husband as a protector, teacher and friend, as well.  However, my mother might really appreciate the lace, rhinestones and border punches more than my hubby.  I think I will work that sentiment into a more masculine card on the next go round!


Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!) All four winners will be announced on March 24, 2012 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 11PM EST on Friday March 23, 2012.

Lois
Vicky
Anne
Pat G.
Karen H.
Patty P.
Mary
Marilynn
Chrissy
Karen K.
Pam
Debbie
Nancy
Bonnie
Harriet
Kathy
Brenda
Toni
Tangii
Anna S
Mark's Finest Papers


Our big promotion  this month! With the purchase of the March New Release Package, you will receive this stamp set for FREE!

Our March New Release Mini:

Brick Wall

Thanks for stopping by.  Don't forget to hop on over to see what Tangii has in store!

Details - Stamps: Mother's Magnolias (Mark's Finest Papers); Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, October Afternoon dsp; Ink: Tuxedo Black; Accessories: Copic Marker's, black lace, scor-tape, MS arch lattice punch, stampin' dimensionals, rhinestones.

Mark's Finest Papers, A Heinrich Company Blog Hop Day 3 - Wild Horses

Hello! Welcome to the third day of Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's March Blog Hop!

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Lighthouses Featured March 20
Flaps My Wattles Featured March 21
Wild Horses Featured March 22
Mother's Magnolias Featured March 23

I went super simple for today's card.  I really like this horse and tried to color it to the best of my ability.  I made it the star of the show today and sponged in a scene behind it.  I tried to keep my embellishments to a minimum with a simple corner punch and a linen thread bow.  I think this will make a great masculine birthday card!

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!) All four winners will be announced on March 24, 2012 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 11PM EST on Friday March 23, 2012.

Lois
Vicky
Anne
Pat G.
Karen H.
Patty P.
Mary
Marilynn
Chrissy
Karen K.
Pam
Debbie
Nancy
Bonnie
Harriet
Kathy
Brenda
Toni
Tangii
Anna S
Mark's Finest Papers


Our big promotion  this month! With the purchase of the March New Release Package, you will receive this stamp set for FREE!

Our March New Release Mini:

Brick Wall

Thanks for stopping by.  Make sure you head over and see what Tangii has created for you today.

Details - Stamps: Wild Horses (Mark's Finest Papers); Paper: Mark's Finest Papers; Ink: Tuxedo Black, Pool Party, Going Gray, River, Rock; Accessories; Copic markers, paper snips, linen thread, corner punch, stampin' dimensionals.

Mark's Finest Papers, A Heinrich Company Blog Hop Day 2 - Flaps My Wattles

Hello! Welcome to Day 2 of Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's March Blog Hop!

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Lighthouses Featured March 20
Flaps My Wattles Featured March 21
Wild Horses Featured March 22
Mother's Magnolias Featured March 23

For today's sample, I bring you 'Mark's Finest' barred rock chickens fresh from the new Flaps My Wattles set.  I stamped these birds, colored them minimally, and fussy cut them.  Next, I drew my own speech bubble to fit the sentiment and cut that out.  Finally, I gave my birds some scenery via some distressed hills and a framed sunshiny day.

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!) All four winners will be announced on March 24, 2012 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 11PM EST on Friday March 23, 2012.

Lois
Vicky
Anne
Pat G.
Karen H.
Patty P.
Mary
Marilynn
Chrissy
Karen K.
Pam
Debbie
Nancy
Bonnie
Harriet
Kathy
Brenda
Toni
Tangii
Anna S
Mark's Finest Papers


Our big promotion  this month! With the purchase of the March New Release Package, you will receive this stamp set for FREE!

Our March New Release Mini:

Brick Wall

Thanks for stopping by.  Don't forget to check out what Tangii has to offer you today! 

Details - Stamps: Flaps My Wattles (Mark's Finest papers); Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Recollections dsp, unknown green polka dot paper; Ink: Tuxedo Black; Accessories: Copic Markers, paper snips, copic multi-liner; May Arts burlap twine, stampin' dimensionals.

Mark's Finest Papers, A Heinrich Company Blog Hop Day 1 - Lighthouses

Hello! Welcome to the first day of Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's March Blog Hop! 

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Lighthouses Featured March 20
Flaps My Wattles Featured March 21
Wild Horses Featured March 22
Mother's Magnolias Featured March 23

As noted above, today we are featuring the new Lighthouses set.  I used the largest lighthouse image in the set and a birthday sentiment.  What fun this was to color!!  I kept it clean and simple, letting my lighthouse shine (pun intended).  I did a little embossing, some die cutting and applied a couple of rhinestones and then called it a card.  

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!) All four winners will be announced on March 24, 2012 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 11PM EST on Friday March 23, 2012.

Lois 
Vicky 
Anne 
Pat G.
Karen H. 
Patty P. 
Mary
Marilynn 
Chrissy 
Karen K. 
Pam 
Debbie 
Nancy
Bonnie 
Harriet 
Kathy
Brenda
Toni
Tangii
Anna S
Mark's Finest Papers


Our big promotion  this month! With the purchase of the March New Release Package, you will receive this stamp set for FREE!

Our March New Release Mini:

Brick Wall

Thanks for stopping by.  Don't forget to head over and see what Tangii has for you today!

Details - Stamps: Lighthouses (Mark's Finest Papers); Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black; Ink: Tuxedo Black; Accessories: Copic Markers, Nestabilities, square lattice embossing folder, rhinestones, stampin' dimensionals.

Monday With A Punch

The Friends of Speedy TV are all getting together to challenge you and offer up a new stamp set for one player.  Today's challenge is all about border punches.  I opted for just a little bit of a border punch and I went with my trusty scalloped border punch.   Oh my, do I love that punch!  I also love the set I used called Pucker Up.  The lemon images are brilliant and I love the fun sentiments.  I kept my design kind of simple because I wanted that luscious lemon to be the focus.  My gingham kept calling to me, so I used it...in triplicate! 

It's a busy day in my world!  My little 5 year old is auditioning for a play after school today and I begin day 1 of a two day training in deescalation and restraint.  Fun times!  If my little one makes the play, she may have practice after school every day this week with two performances on Saturday.  I'm ready for the adventure.  I feel some stamping coming on during the after school play practice hours.

Happy Monday!  Thanks for stopping by.

Details - Stamps: Pucker Up (Mark's Finest Papers); Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, DCWV dsp; Ink: Tuxedo Black; Accessories: Scalloped border punch, copic markers, paper snips, black & white gingham, stampin' dimensionals.

Another Peek and A Featured Stamper

Happy Sunday!  I just finished a fabulous meal courtesy of my Mother-in-Law.  We are one day late as many of the family were all out celebrating last night.  She served up corned beef, cabbage, carrots, potatoes, green salad and biscuits.  One of my husband's sisters brought the monstrous multi-layered chocolate cake from Costco.  I think we just made my MIL's weekend.  She had two of her children, three grandchildren, a DIL and one of the grand kid's girlfriends over.  She really enjoys the company and all the kids cleaned up the kitchen.

I didn't want to, but I did have to hurry home to take care of some of my design team responsibilities. This card is made in honor of pinkberry, today's Featured Stamper on Splitcoaststampers.  I chose this card of hers and morphed it to suit my tastes.  This is also a sneak peek of Mother's Magnolias, a new set soon to be released by Mark's Finest Papers, A Heinrich Company.  Stay tuned for details about its upcoming release.

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: Mother's Magnolias (Mark's Finest Papers); Paper: Whisper White, Mellow Moss, BG Sugared; Ink: Tuxedo Black, Pink Pirouette; Accessories:  copic markers, sponge dauber, elegant bouquet embossing folder, mellow moss taffeta, Nestabilities, stampin' dimensionals, glue dots.

An Inspired Saturday

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  Oops, no green here.  I guess you will have to pinch me.  It's been a rather uninspiring day today around the home front.  My hubby baked a loaf of curried lentil bread and it was delicious.  I made it to the grocery store and picked up all the ingredients for my contribution to the Girl's Night feast.  We have a green theme going.  I am bringing Chicken Alfredo with Spinach Fettuccine and cocktails made with Midori.  We have plans to chat it up in the hot tub after dinner and one of the babies goes to bed.

What's that?  Oh, my card.  That is indeed where the inspiration comes in.  You see, one of my friends was shy a card for the birthday girl tonight.  So, I pulled up today's inspiration challenge, saw the striped wallpaper and remembered this amazing card and had a go at it.  I love how it turned out!  I can see dozens of variations coming out of this one.  It's also a sneak peek of a new Mark's Finest Papers set called Flaps My Wattles that is being released very soon! 

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: Flaps My Wattles (Mark's Finest Papers); Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black; Ink: Wisteria Wonder, Groovy Guava, So Saffron, Tuxedo Black; Accessories: corner chomper, glaze pen, stampin' dimensionals. 

Another Peek in Monochrome

I had a chance to play along with today's Free For All challenge.  Dawn is challenging crafters to make a monochromatic card.  That is one of my favorite kinds of cards to make.  I thought to myself, "Why not add a little sneak peek action to it too?".  So there you have it folks.  This is also a look at one of the sentiments from a Mark's Finest Papers, A Heinrich Company set called Lighthouses.  To accompany my sentiment, I die cut and sponged the lighthouse from the Spellbinders Nautical Frame and Accents set.

I'm so glad that Friday has finally arrived.  I have a wee bit of prep for tomorrow.  Not only is it St. Patrick's Day, but it's Girls Night.  In honor of St. Patrick, we are having a green theme.  I have the main dish, a chicken alfredo with spinach fettucine, and the drinks.  That means that I have to get myself to the grocery store first thing in the morning.  Hopefully later tomorrow, I can bake Shamrock Cookies with my girl and set up our leprechaun trap.

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: Lighthouses (MFP); Paper: Mark's Finest Papers, Soft Suede; Ink: Soft Suede; Accessories: Spellbinders Nautical Frame and Accents, sponge dauber, paper snips.

Using Our Dogs

This just makes me smile!  I love that cutie little dog.  Today's card is for Cathy's Ways To Use It challenge called Who Let The Dogs Out?  Cathy says that today's focus must be the dog.  This card is all about my little dog who can't stop thinking about his bird friend!  I borrowed last week's sketch challenge from Splitcoaststamper's today get today's card going.



Since we are going on about dogs today, I thought I might feature our girl!  Kali is a 7 year old mixed breed.  The shelter from which we adopted her advertised her as a Black Lab and Great Dane mix.  She's a very tall lab!  I think the only bit of Dane in her is her height because her personality is all Lab.  We love her to pieces and she loves us right back.  Beware if you come to the house and she doesn't know you.  Her hackles stand up from the back of her neck to the tip of her tail.  She stands on the bench, puts her front paws on the top rail and barks with all her might.  God be with you if you drive a mail truck or a UPS truck!  Anyway, here is a shot of our little lady lounging on the deck:

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: Warm & Fuzzy (GKD); Paper: Whisper White, Taken With Teal; Ink: Tuxedo Black; Accessories: Nestabilities, copic markers, Moroccan Screen ef, rub-on, stampin' dimensionals, copic multiliner.

A Sketch and a Sneak Peek

Whoa!  I can't remember that last time I played a Splitcoast sketch challenge.  I liked it, even though I didn't follow the sketch completely.  My main image was a bit big for the dimensions in the sketch, but I just went for it!  I am guessing that the circle element should have been solid.  I opted for a thin ring, just to be different.  I like how it turned out.  I think this is a little bit outside of my norm and it's good to stretch.  The more I look at it, the more I like it. 

Sneak Peek?  Yep, this is a little sneaky peek of a soon to be released Mark's Finest Papers, A Heinrich Company set called Wild Horses.  That's quite a scene, isn't it?  Stay tuned for upcoming release information.

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: Wild Horses (Mark's Finest Papers); Paper: Mark's Finest Papers card stock, BG Perhaps dp; Ink: Tuxedo Black; Accessories: Copics, Touch Twin Markers, small oval punch, Nestabilities, stampin' dimensionals, quickie glue pen, Mark's Finest Papers organdy ribbon.

Friends on Monday and a Prize

Hello, it's Monday and you know that means today's card is my sample from the Friends of Speedy TV challenge.  Today's theme is all about friendship.  I think my card reflects my feeling about the time that I spend with my girlfriends.  Generally, we are all around the table with a hot drink, catching up and what not.  My card is pretty simple today.  I stamped, colored and clear embossed my tea cup to make it stand out from my background.  I sponged some blue around the circles to pick up the blue flowers in my tea cup and the blue in my striped paper.  I popped up my sentiment and tied a double bow.  

Now for the news about the Prize:  One lucky winner will be drawn from all those participating in the Friends of Speedy TV challenge to receive a Mark's Finest Papers, A Heinrich Company stamp set.  The stamp set up for grabs this week is Black Eyed Susan For Encouragement.  Be sure to link up your card on Speedy TV with the Inlinkz tool for your chance to win!

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: Floral Tea (MFP); Paper: Whisper White, Old Olive, Sweet Pea dsp; Ink: Basic Gray, Taken With Teal, Rose Red, Old Olive, So Saffron, Versamark; Accessories: Nestabilities, Pear Pizzazz seam binding, stampin' dimensionals, glue dot, sponge dauber, clear ep, heat tool.  

What? Snow?

Imagine my shock when my telephone rang at 5:11 a.m. this morning and it was our school counselor telling me that school is two hours late today.  I work at the school, so a call from the school counselor isn't shocking as she is ahead of my on the phone tree.  The shocking part is that there is barely, and I mean barely, any snow at my house.  In fact, there is just ice on top of my barbecue cover, deck and porch rails and the tops of the vehicles.  There is nothing on the ground.  I'll have to see when I make it to work what the weather did about 10 miles away from here.

Now, you might also be thinking...what is she complaining about.  She can be 2 hours late to work with no consequences.  When school is late, it is only late for the students.  Staff have to be there as close to on time as humanly possible (and weather permitting).  The even bigger drag is that there is no morning kindergarten today and I have one kindergarten who will be seriously bummed about this.  Her teacher had a training yesterday and they had a sub.  My daughter likes the sub (a regular sub), but misses her teacher after a normal weekend.  Four days without her teacher is like torture!  I haven't encountered this yet at school, so I don't have a tried and true plan about what to do for childcare???  Normally, she goes to school half the day and then goes to an Early Learning program on site for the other half of the day.  I guess I will wing it today and see how it goes. 

But you aren't here for my woes.  Maybe you came to see my crocus?  There is one, just one, like this in my front flower bed.  I noticed it peeking out at me on Saturday when I went down the driveway to get the mail.  I feel sorry for the little guy.  He's probably cold right now with all this snow.  Oh wait, there's no snow here. Tell me, why are we late for school again?

Happy Tuesday!

Details - Stamps: Winter Crocus (Mark's Finest Papers); Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, OA Ducks in a Row dp, SEI Mimosa dp; Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, More Mustard; Accessories: Copic markers, Pebbles rub-ons, black and white gingham, stampin' dimensionals, sponge dauber.

A Monday With Sympathy

The Friends of Speedy TV are making sympathy cards for today's challenge.  It's never fun to make them when you need them.  I like to have some done in advance, so I think this makes a good challenge.  With my sympathy card, I went for the idea of wheat fields waving in the wind and how peaceful can seem.  I tried to make everything else understated.  I went with neutral tones and did a little bit of sponging.  My embossing folder really gave me a crisp impression, so I went back over it with my bone folder to try and tone it down too.  I rounded a couple corners to soften up all the straight edges and popped up the image and sentiment panel.

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you have a chance to play along with us this week at Speedy TV.

Details - Stamps: Buffalo Spring (Mark's Finest Papers), A Walk In The Woods (Mark's Finest Papers); Paper: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla; Ink: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso; Accessories: Just My Type ef, Finial Press ef, dotted scalloped ribbon punch, 1/8" early espresso taffeta ribbon, sponge dauber, scor-tape, stampin' dimensionals.

Flashin' Back on Saturday

Hello Folks!  Happy Saturday to you.  It's a cloudy and wet day in my world.  My hubby has gone to cut wood and my daughter has run across the yard to play at her grandmother's house.  That means it's time for me to do a few chores and get my craft on.  But before I head to my craft room, I thought I would play along with the most recent Flashback Friday Challenge.  Jen W.  is the current hostess and is challenging us to find out first paper pieced project!  I reached way back to May 2008 to find this little number.  I originally created it for a Featured Stamper challenge on Splitcoaststampers.  So the design is not my own, but based on this card by Jennifer Meyer. 

This card really embodies what I love about playing along with Flashback Fridays.  Just look at my photography and how out of focus my card is in this picture.  I have come a long way.  I can see this in my card design too.  I love to have some perspective and be able to identify where I have grown!

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: Merci, Birthday Whimsy; Paper: Barely Banana, Pixie Pink, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, striped dsp from DCWV the stack III; Ink: StazOn Black: Accessories: SU Light Pink organdy, Scrap Essentials Neutrals twill tape, random red grosgrain from my ribbon drawer , SAMJ, corner rounder, glue dots, stampin' dimensionals.

Seven Years

That's right!  It's been seven years of the Ways To Use It challenge on Splitcoaststampers.  Today, we celebrate as our fearless leader, Michelle, offers up denim or jeans as today's theme.  I inked up this little Pure Innocence cutie after I located the patterned paper in the background that looked like denim to me.  I paper pieced her pants, top and shoes.  I colored her hair and skin (don't look too closely, I am a beginner colorer).  I am really pleased with my button find.  I like that I was able to work the denim color in there too!!  I nabbed a My Favorite Things sketch  to get going and used up a rejected piece of embossed card stock that was just sitting on my crafting table. 

Hope you have time to play along! 

A little aside...we are almost to the weekend folks.  I survived Family Fun Night and a Parent Advisory Committee.  I sure am ready for it, are you?  Hang on and it will be here soon!

Thanks for stopping by. 

Details - Stamps: Being Cute Is What I Do (MFT), Because You're Special (MFT); Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, PC Slab V; Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black; Accessories: Copic Markers, Branches With Leaves #2 ef, random button, white baker's twine, glue dots, stampin' dimensionals.