Bug or Windshield?

We all have to remember that sometimes you're the bug and sometimes you're the windshield. We all have those days where we get to be the smushed bug having the worst day ever and others it may be our turn to do the smushing. Right? Well, this philosophy is behind today's card. I think I have used the stamp set by Clear Dollar Stamps called Sometimes You're the Bug and its companion set called Bugs and Kisses. It is favorite of mine for several reasons. How about we take a look and I will explain.

And the inside of the card...
I have loved this set from the first time I saw it on the CDS site. I saved my pennies and bought it as soon as I could. The set that goes along with it is even more fun. It provides so many additional options like more license plates and even a string of cans to use for a" just married" theme. And as you may know, for me to like a set, it has to be fun to color. It passes that test too!

I was recently lucky enough to have a customer find my Etsy shop and order several of my "bug" cards so I decided to replenish my supply with the design above. The sentiment and image seem to make a popular combo and I have sold lots of these cards. Who wouldn't like to get such a cute card in the mail?

I want to draw your attention to a component of the card other than just the image. Notice that adorable button? Well, it is a bit of a folly for me considering its cost but I LOVED it. I splurged and bought 4 of them so I could use it on a few copies of the same card design. That button was $.75 which doesn't seem like a lot but when you consider the cost of all the materials used on an A2 card, a button that is so pricey really drives up the overhead for my shop. Oh well! It works beautifully and it matched so perfectly. I got it at JoAnn's by the way. They have a whole series of clear/painted buttons that have that artsy, handmade look.

I think that will do it for me today. I still have a few things to tackle so I bid you farewell and wish you a terrific day. Do something fun!

Papers- Paper Studio cool small flowers. Stamps- CDS Bugs & Kisses and Sometimes You're the Bug. Inks- Memento Tuxedo Black; SU gable green classic. Tools- SB ribbon tag trio die & long classic scalloped rectangle-lg. Embellishments- purple ribbon (Michael's); 1/8in white satin ribbon (Offray); La Mode buttons. Pens- Copic (110, C3, C5, C7, YG23, YG25, B0000, RV29, spica silver); Zig (pure black).

Another Challenge with a Few New Stamps

Howdy, y'all! I have a cute (in my opinion!) new challenge card to show you and I used a new stamp set to make it. I am so excited about this new set. I think it is very versatile and it is tons of fun to color. More about it in a minute though. I have to tell you that today's card is also my offering for the Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge #81. I love their stamps but I haven't gotten the opportunity to order any just yet so I used what I have to play along with them this week. How about a picture first and then a few details? Here ya go!

It is a little card...4 1/4 inches square. This is that fun little size that makes it possible to use standard A2 envelopes which saves on extra postage. It makes such a fun little greeting! My sketch, as I mentioned above, came from Taylored Expressions. Now, about my stamp set! It is a newer set from Clear Dollar Stamps and it is called Everyday Jar-gon. It includes tons of adorable images that can be used together. I promise you will be seeing me use it again. There is a jar with several lid options as well as various "fillings" that go in the jar like gumballs, cookies, and even a gold fish! The sentiments included are perfect for the images and I have to say that I just love the font they are written in. They can be used with several stamps that I already own too. Yay! I used Copics to color my image and I even tried one of those yummy new colors. The top of the jar, above the water, is colored with the new pale blue Copic, B0000. It is fantastic for coloring glass. It gives just enough shading to mimic a glass item. I have played around with reflections and shadowing and it is great for that too.

I also want to mention that I used the Spellbinder Blossom die to cut the blue flower shape under the green Prima flower. I have had it for months and have not used it yet. How crazy is that? I am very happy with that shape. It looks great nested with other sizes or used with plain circles. It is really versatile. The stamped image panel was cut with the new Spellbinder's Labels #8 die set. I have been saving my pennies so I could order the Stampin Up Bigz Top Note die but I am pretty glad I waited now. This set includes 6 sizes of basically the same shape as a top note which makes it much better for matting images.

One last thing I want to point out is the ribbon I used. Pretty, huh? Well, it was free! A few weeks ago, it was a free gift from Archiver's during a big Make & Take weekend. They offered a free ribbon sampler made by American Crafts exclusively for Archiver's. It came with 40 feet of ribbon and they are all delicious. My only complaint is that you only got 4 ft of each ribbon. Now, I am hooked but can't buy any more just yet, if ever. I just hope that these ribbons will be sold at some point in the future. Four feet each is just a tiny taste!

I think I have jabbered enough today. Lots of details in this post! Anything I didn't mention is listed below. If I have forgotten something, drop me a note and I will be glad to tell you about it. Have a great Sunday and enjoy the rest of your holiday weekend. Buh-bye!

Papers- October Afternoon Fruit Stand; SU ultrasmooth vanilla CS (thanks to my CS swap buddy!). Stamps- CDS Everyday Jar-gon. Inks- Memento Tuxedo Black. Tools- Spellbinders blossom & labels #8 dies; corner rounder. Embellishments- Prima daisy flwr; favorite findings buttons; DMC #746 emb cotton; American Crafts ribbon. Pens- SU (taken with teal, old olive, always artichoke) Copic (YG95, BG72, BG18, B21, B32, B0000, 0, spica lemon); Marvy blender. Sketch- TESC81.

A little something for Dad

Father's Day is almost here so I figured a card for all the dads out there was in order. I, like so many others, struggle with masculine cards. I find it very hard to find a balance between attractive and too "froo-froo." My very own hubby appreciates silly so a lot of the cards I make for him lean to the whimsical side but there is always a need for cards that guys in general will appreciate. Today's card is my attempt to make such a card.


My Watermill stamp from Clear Dollar Stamps came to mind for a nice masculine image so I used that one and paired it with a conservative plaid. I used a strip of leftover card stock instead of ribbon with my little buckle. The inside is blank for a handwritten greeting.

Since my Monday's are almost always crazy, I will leave you today. It is time for me to hurry scurry to get a few things done. I hope your week is off to a great start. Thanks for stopping by!

Papers- Gina K Pure Luxury; Deluxe Designs Max's Room Plaid Blue; Bazzill blue CS. Stamps- CDS Watermill. Inks- Memento Tuxedo Black. Tools- SU word window punch. Embellishments- MM nickel mini buckles. Pens- Copic (R27, R59, G21, G94, G99, E57, B000, B91, B93, B95, B97, W1, W3, N1, N3, N5) Font- Rockwell Condensed 18pt.

Bugs and Kisses!

Hello Hello! I have a really cute card to show you today before I am off to finish vacation shopping. I am going to be READY for a rest after all the prep that has gone into our trip. Why is that the mom always has to get everyone else ready? When is it that kids start thinking for themselves? Enough about vacation though...I have a card!

Today's card uses 2 stamp sets by Clear Dollar Stamps which I have used for cards here before. I may never get tired of them! I used Sometimes You're the Bug and Bugs and Kisses. I simply love all the choices these sets provide. The little license plate sayings are my favorites. I wanted to make a basic "Love Ya, Thinkin About Ya" card so it needed to be fun and sweet. I had chosen my DP a while back because it had that groovy kinda 60's feel that reminds me of VW bugs. It was a little busy so I went very simple for my card design overall. There are lots of layers but very little embellishment. So, take a look!

Sorry about the angle of my photo. If I take pictures too late in the day, the sun makes weird shadows on my deck but it is still the brightest place to shoot. I promise the card is straight and even though! I think I might have drained my BG13 Copic marker for this one. Looks like a refill order to Merri Artist after vacation is needed! The sentiment is part of the stamp set so it really was an easy card to put together...no printing the sentiment separately, no choosing something witty to go with my image, etc. I think my kids will be the first recipients of this card. I made extras to list in my Etsy shop so I hope a few hippie chicks come looking. :-D

I will leave you with my supply list and hit the road for some vacation stuff. Have a great weekend! Thanks for stopping by!

Papers- KaiserCraft Allsorts; teal Cs by DCWV; pink and yellow CS by Paper Co. Inks- Brilliance Graphite Black; SU pixie pink. Tools- CB tags die. Embellishments- 3/8in black grosgrain ribbon by Offray. Pens- Copic 110, C5, C7, BG13, B000.

You drive me WILD!

Today is another one of those days when I turn to my little file of stamped images that I colored when I had time. I colored the little VW bug the day I got the stamp set in the mail just so I could practice shading a certain group of red copics. I saved it because I liked how it came out (one of the lucky ones) and figured I might use it someday. Well, someday is today. Here ya go!

I love a black/red/white palette on just about anything so I chose that simple combo to accent my little love bug. I LOVE this stamp! It is so much fun to color! I really need to order the accessories set so I can use it in even more ways. Clear Dollar Stamps are fantastic quality and of course, with clear stamps, they are so easy to position perfectly. I can't sing their praises enough.

My card is pretty simple. I went the uncomplicated route on this one. My little heart is a wedding favor embellishment from Hobby Lobby's wedding department. I printed my sentiment on the computer and the inside is blank for a written message. Easy peasy. My papers were all scraps. That red plaid is at least 7 years old!

My supplies are below. Look for this card in my Etsy shop very soon. I will list this week. Have a great Sunday!


Papers- black, red CS from Hobby Lobby; MM red twine plaid DP. Stamps- CDS Sometimes You're the Bug. Inks- Memento Tuxedo Black. Tools- corner rounder; coluzzle oval & companion oval templates. Embellishments- brushed pewter heart charm from HL; black/white polka dot ribbon- JoAnns. Pens- Copic- R32, R35, R37, B000, N5, N3, N1, C7, 0. Font- Juice ITC 24pt bold.

Bad Days and Good Days

The "Bad Days" part of my title refers to my card for the day and I can't wait to show it to you. The "Good Days" part of my title refers to today, right here on my bog, because today will be my 50th post. I want to take just a minuteto thank you really quick before I get started telling you about my card. I am having a ball writing this blog and showing you my work every week. It thrills me when I log on and see that a new friend or even an old one has left a sweet comment under my card for the day. I love to check my stat counter and see that visitors from all over the world have looked at my work and even better that many return day after day to check in! I hope to keep doing this for as long as I can and also as long as someone pops in to read my chit-chat. Thank you for making this so much fun!

And now, today's card. I used a stamp set that I have coveted for at least a year. I saw it on Clear Dollar's website before I even started selling cards and knew that it would be mine one day. I ordered it and I love it. Which set you ask? It is Sometimes You're the Bug and it is too cute. I will order the companion set, Bugs and Kisses soon but I had to pace myself or my PayPal debit card would have burst into flames. This set is really versatile, not to mention funny and cute too. That VW bug is great to color and I love all the little add-ons like a crack for the windshield and all the license plate options. You will be seeing me use it often. You wanna see it now? I thought so...

I had a lot of fun with this card but it took me many tries to get the embellishments chosen and arranged not to mention how I struggled with my paper choices. Recently, I saw one of my favorite bloggers post a card using papers that not only didn't "match" but they also had nothing to do with the "subject" of the card and I LOVED the final result. This is soooo not my typical way of making cards. I rarely leave my comfort zone of coordinate papers and somewhat themed patterns for my cards. For example, I have a hard time using a botanical print on a birthday card. I am in awe of the creativity I see on the web when it comes to picking paper for a project since I am such a stick-in-the-mud. Well, I tried to climb out of the box and choose a similar palette for my VW bug card. I knew I wanted the car itself to be the funky lime green that VW launched when the Beetle was re-released on the market and went from there. Well, I may just try this approach more often. I felt so liberated! LOL!

As far as embellishments on this card, I think they are all pretty easy to figure out except for maybe the keys. Those were some brads from Making Memories that I hoarded from years past. I removed the prongs and attached a jump ring around 2 of them before crumbling a glue dot to stick up under the bottom key. So, whatdaya think? I am happy with my results. I can't wait to stamp this car again and use another color scheme and message. I bet you'll see it again soon. Until then, have a wonderful weekend. Yep, it's Friday already! Tune in next week because I have a few new projects on my desk and a new stamp set to play with so there will be plenty of fun stuff to see. BYE!


Papers- Doodlebug black bouquet; Paper Pizazz green gingham; Reminisce basic graph. Stamps- Clear Dollar Sometimes You're the Bug. Ink- Memento Tuxedo Black. Embellishments- favorite findings black buttons; MM key brads; MM brass jump rings; 1/4in black grosgrain ribbon by Scrap Essentials. Pens- Copic (YG13, YG17, C1, C3, C5, B000, RV19, R37).

Markers + Scraps = One Quick Card

Haven't we all found ourselves in need of a quick card? I know I have and I usually scurry around trying to make something quickly that is both attractive and appropriate. It seems I always have plenty of child's birthday cards on hand but beyond that, I'm in trouble.

Well, several days ago, when I received my watermill stamp from Clear Dollar Stamps, I just had to ink it up and color it right then. I am so glad I did! It was a perfect image for a quick sympathy card. I checked my scrap drawer for a few coordinating scraps and my card was born. Let me show you...

This may just be the fastest card I have ever assembled. Obviously, the coloring was time consuming but I did that when I wasn't "under the gun." I often grab a few pens and a pile of previously stamped images and sit in front of the TV with my hubby. I love to color and it is even more fun when I don't have to rush or have a card in mind to match any papers to my image. Little did we know this relaxing passtime could get us out of time crunch too!

I was also happy to see that with very little embellishment, this card was quite pretty. The focus stays on the colored mill and simple message instead of on the umpteen layers of designer papers and glitz that I love to pile on my cards. I guess my point is that a card doesn't always have to be a huge design job or even a place to stick a lot of expensive embellishments. I would say that for many of us, our cards are being given to people that don't scrap, stamp, or make their own cards. We forget that the vast majority of people in our world don't have a clue about the latest line of papers or stamps or even shimmery glitter glue so they certainly don't expect these things on a card in their mailbox. I daresay, maybe they just look at the sentiment from us. Hmmm...am I right? Now, I am not saying that I am done puttin on the glitz or worrying about minute details in the cards I make! I just think I need to remember that sometimes it is ok for a card to be simple and more about what it says than how it says.

Papers- DCWV blue and red textured CS; Hobby Lobby kraft CS. Stamps- Clear Dollar watermill; Hero Arts small greetings. Inks- Memento Tuxedo Black; Ancient Page chocolate. Tools- piercer. Embellishments- wooden buttons off of old clothing. Pens- Copic (G24, G82, G21, B23, B000, B12, B01, E35, E37, R27, N3, N5, 0) Zig (a. burgundy, gray suede, evergreen, root beer float, pure black)

OCC Sketch Challenge...and a few CUPCAKES!

I was thrilled to see that Clear Dollar Stamps was hosting this week's challenge at Our Creative Corner. I have several sets from CDS and I love every one but when I searched through my collection, I did not see any images that went well with this week's sketch. I guess I need to do some shopping! So, I ended up using an SU set, Crazy for Cupcakes and some paper from my DCWV Sweet Glitter 8x8 pad.

I really love this sketch and I know I will be using it again. I think it would work equally as well with an A2 card too. Mine is a 5.25in square card.



The inside of the card is blank for now but I will probably add a birthday sentiment or poem before I list it for sale or send it to someone. The pink portions look a little brighter in my photo than they really are. As I have mentioned before, I struggle to get good lighting at this time of year. Short of laying in the grass out in my backyard at precisely 10am or 5:30pm, I don't know what to do but take pictures the best I can and explain my shortcomings.

My supplies are below. As always, thanks so much for stopping by my little place on the web. I love to see that you have visited!

Papers- DCWV Sweet Glitter 8x8 pad; lime & pink CS. Stamps- SU Crazy for Cupcakes; AMuse celebrate. Inks- Memento Tuxedo Black; SU classic regal rose. Tools- Coluzzle long oval and long oval companion templates; CB mini tag die. Embellishmnets- MM lime green 1/8in eyelets; SU Certainly Celery poly twill ribbon from SAB bundle. Pens- Copic- YR65, YG13, RV10, RV13, RV14. Spica pink glitter pen.

Fluttering By Just for You

We made it! It is the end of the week and time for a relaxing weekend. Hoo-RAH! I'll be quick with my post so I can get back to packing my scramp bag since I will be working away from home this weekend. I made a smaller card to show you today so let's get to it.

Recently I was reading one of my favorite blogs, PaperSmiles by Nancy Morgan (check her out on my blog list!) and she mentioned that her favorite size card to make is a 4.25in square card. I had never made this size before but now I see why she loves it. They use minimal supplies and they fit in a standard A2 size envelope so no special size envelope orders or extra postage. What a plus! It makes a perfect little greeting and I will be using this size again. So I bet you want the details! I'll explain a little too.

I didn't have any printed paper that went with what I had in mind so I made my own. I used various line stamps to create my own plaid and I like it. I can't wait to make some more. For my flowers, I wanted one in the amethyst to match my SU CS so I colored a Kaiser flower with a Copic and it worked beautifully too. I think the rest speaks for itself. If not, shoot me a question and I will explain further. As always, this card will be available in my etsy shop for purchase. Otherwise, the supply list is below. Thanks for stopping by and Happy Weekend!

Papers- SU Pattern Pack 1 (wild wasabi); SU Almost Amethyst CS; kraft CS. Stamps- Just Celebrate; Paper Studio Stitches; Clear Dollar Stamps Plaid Factory; Hero Arts Small Greetings. Inks- Tsukineko Graph Blk Brill; SU Close to Cocoa, Almost Amethyst, and Certainly Celery. Tools- corner rounder. Embellishments- Kaiser Krafts paper blossoms; ScrapEssentials cloth flowers; 1/4in brown nail head brad. Pens- Copic BV02, W1, YG13, E35, G82, E29.

Giddy Up!

When I was a little girl, I spent many an hour dreaming of owning a horse and almost as many hours were spent playing horse with my little brother. Now, my daughter has the horse dreams. She went a little crazy when I bought this stamp set from Clear Dollar Stamps. It is a good thing that stamps are reusable because I have lost track on how many times this one has seen ink! I almost always think of bandannas and denim when I use a horse theme on any project so my paper picks for this card were a quick choice as well. Every time I stamp ole Charlie Horse here, I use the same Copics to color him. I bet he is tired of always being the same color! I think the techniques are pretty self explanatory on this card but if I can answer any questions about Charlie's card or others, please leave me a comment. I do love to dish about scrap stuff! Heck, I love to dish about anything so I don't mind if you leave a comment about the weather. If you would like to purchase this card, it is available, along with many others in my etsy shop, here. My supply list is below. Thanks for stopping by!

Papers- K&Co 12x12 Bandanna Flat; Karen Foster Denim Pockets; DCWV brown textured white core; Xerox ivory. Stamps- Clear Dollar Stamps Charlie Horse. Inks- Tsukineko Graphite Black Brilliance; Tim Holtz Distress Fired Brick. Tools- EK 3/4 & 1in circle punches. Embellishments- MM pewter ribbon charms; 1/2in poly twill tape; ScrapEssentials pewter brads. Pens- Copic RV11, 110, E33; Amer Crafts Galaxy Mercury Silver Med Pt; Sakura Jelly Roll Silver Med Pt.