Gingerbread House

I simply adore this Gingerbread House! The stamp is from The Artful Stamper, and the stamp is called Ginger House .

I stamped it twice on watercolor paper using Onyx Black Versafine ink, then embossed with JudiKins Detail Clear embossing powder. I colored one image using my Tombow (water based) markers and a damp paintbrush.

On the second image I just colored selected candies to cut out and pop up over the main image using foam tape. Since I love dimension, I do that every time I get the chance! LOL!


I added White Opal Liquid Pearls to the roof. I wanted a look that was more smooth than puffy. I added White Liquid Applique to the center of one of the chocolate candies. Can you see the different looks you get with the different products? I used Brown Liquid Applique on the chocolate candies to give them a little texture. Tip: If you don't want your Liquid Applique to be really puffy, just let it dry naturally, not using your heat tool.

The sugar/ice on the ground was created by adding a thin layer of Frosted Lace stickles. You can see that I also added Stickles to some of the candies.

I have no idea where the designer paper came from. It was a scrap in my stash. And I LOVE IT when I can use up scraps! The cardstock is Classic Red Prismatics and Classic Yellow Green Prismatics .

Thanks so very much for stopping by.

Sweet Baby James

Yesterday was election day here in Louisiana, and I have to tell you I lost some sleep over the results of a couple of races. My dear friend, Jeff Thompson, was running for Congress in a vacant seat to replace the retiring incumbent, Jim McCrery. Jeff lost by a narrow margin, and my heart is broken. He's one of the finest men I know, and I have the utmost respect for him. He has a beautiful family, is a Christian, and has strong morals and values. The rest of the country lost....not just my friend Jeff. :-(

Sorry, I'll get off THAT soapbox now!

This adorable image is called James and it's from The Artful Stamper .

All designer papers on this card are from the Memory Box Frost paper collection. I paper piece James night shirt, so I actually stamped twice, once on the patterned paper, and once on watercolor paper. I used Onyx Black Versafine ink, then embossed with JudiKins Detail Clear embossing powder.

The image stamped on watercolor paper was colored using Tombow (water based) markers. I cut it out, as well as the night shirt, then adhered them to an oval panel cut with my Spellbinders Petite Ovals Nestabilities. I cut the wing and layered it separately so I could pop it up with foam tape to all a little dimension. I added Frosted Lace Stickles to the wings for a little sparkle.
The cardstock I used is all from the Prismatics Mystic , paper pack. Each of the corners were cut using a Cuttlebug die from the Vintage corners set.

I'm trying to make myself pay a little more attention to the inside of my cards. So I used the negative from the oval I cut out for the front of the card, adhered it to a piece of the Prismatics Mystics light. Now, if I could only figure out what sentiment to stamp in there. I don't know that this really *looks* like a Christmas card. So please give me some idea as to what sentiment I might use. All suggestions are welcomed!

That's it for me tonight! It's time to start spazzing out to get ready for the coming work week. LOL!

I have a LOT of new things to show you this week, so be sure to stop back by. Until then...

Dancing Stockings - OCC Guest Designer

I was so excited when Amy Sheffer asked me to be the guest designer for the Our Creative Corner blog challenge! What an honor! So many of those fabulous designers are already my friends...and they ARE super fantastic stampers...so I'm kinda nervous to be in such esteemed company!

The challenge was to use sewing and/or faux stitching on the card. And it had to be any color other than white. So I chose to use the Artful Stamper Dancing Stockings . I LOVE that image...it's so fun!

I inked the stamp with Versamark ink, then embossed with JudiKins Detail Gold embossing powder. Actually, I stamped it twice more on scratch paper to get the center stocking and the tops of all three stockings for layering.


The stamped image was colored with Tombow (water based) markers. I shaded around the stockings with brown to add depth. The top of each stocking was colored and cut out, then popped up with dimensional tape. I also colored the middle stocking and popped it up for added dimension.

After all the coloring and layering was done, I layered the main panel to Dark Majestics Purple Prismatics cardstock. The notecard is also Dark Majestics purple.


The background layer is Majestic Purple Light , Herbal Garden Medium and Classic Red Prismatics cardstock. The Classic Red should be back in stock by the first of the week. I have a shipment en route as we speak...sorry about that!

The Cuttlebug folders I used to emboss the Prismatics Paper are Christmas Ornaments , Swiss Dots , and Argyle .

I pierced the paper using my SU! Mat Pack, and faux stitched using Tombow markers. I decided that was safer than trying to change thread on my Janome three times and stitch a straight line! LOL! To complete the card, I embellished with Stickles Glitter Glue is Yellow , Christmas Red , Stardust , Lime , and Magenta .

The reason for THREE pictures is because I had a heckuv a time getting a good photograph of this card...probably because the gold embossing powder reflects light. But I hope you get the idea and found a little inspiration.

My thanks to the OCC team for having me as their guest designer. It has been my pleasure! Be sure to head on over to the Our Creative Corner blog to see what the other designers have made!

And my thanks to each of you for stopping by. I hope you're having a fantastic weekend!

Jolly Santa...and a winner!

I'd like to think you all came here to see a card, but I'm sure you ALSO came to see the winner of the Dreamy Treat! There were 74 entries at the time I used the random thingy to pick the winner. This is the result:

Here are your random numbers:
26
Timestamp: 2008-09-21 21:05:49 UTC

So....the winner is
catdidit said...

What an awesome surprise! Yay for Ann!

LOVE this card! I love the nontraditional Christmas colors you have used, very beautiful!

September 18, 2008 8:13 AM

Congratulations Cat! Please send me your snail mail address and I will get the JustRite Curlz Font & Border Kit right out to you! And my personal thanks to all the rest of you for your sweet comments and for playing along!

Now...on to the card! This adorable image is from the Artful Stamper, called Santa Claus .

Honestly, this card was so, so easy to make! I stamped it on watercolor paper using Onyx Black Versafine ink, then embossed with JudiKins Detail Clear embossing powder. I colored with Tombow (water based markers), adding a little gray shading to his beard.

I used White Liquid Applique on his cap, and sprinkled it with Crystal Ultrafine Glitter by Art Institute Glitter. Then I heat set from the underneath to make it puff a little. I added a thin layer of JudiKins Diamond Glaze to his glasses to give them a glass look.

The sentiment is Ho Border also from The Artful Stamper. I stamped it on acetate using StazOn ink, then placed it over the designer paper piece and attached it with Red Mini Brads .

The red and green cardstock is from Prism Papers . The designer paper is from One Heart One Mind. And it totally made this card super easy.

I had a fun day yesterday. I met a friend for lunch, then we went to see The Women . It was a GREAT movie....but you need to see it with a girlfriend because it is definitely a chick flick!

The wedding was very nice, but I have to admit that I only stayed a respectable amount of time. I was anxious to get home to my stamps! LOL! I must tell you a little secret....I actually bought a card to go with my wedding gift! I know...My bad!

If this post looks a little different in your browser, it's because I'm writing it in Draft Blogger to test scheduling posts for a later date. I haven't done this before, and I have no idea how it works! I do know that it isn't letting me manipulate things as I usually do! Grrrrrr!

I hope you all had a great weekend. Thanks for stopping by! I will be back soon with something new.

Cat Nap - and another Dreamy Treat opportunity

I'm getting a strong message that everyone wants to win the JustRite Stamper! :-) Well here is another chance to register to win. Only one comment per post from now through Saturday. The winner will be announced Sunday evening. On this post, please tell me how you found the Dreamy Treat opportunity, and what is your favorite accessory for the JustRite stamper.

Did you know that we have a card gallery on the store's website? One section is just for JustRite Projects . Be sure to check it out!

Some of the NEW JUSTRITE PRODUCTS are in the store NOW! The rest of the new products arrived in their warehouse today and they have already started shipping them. I am crossing my fingers that they will be here Friday evening. I also ordered more of the JustRite stampers and some more accessories...so let's hope they arrive on Friday as well.

Don't miss the rest of the Dream Team's JustRite creations this week:

Charmaine - Wednesday 9/10

Kurtis - Thursday 9/11

Laurie Friday 9/12

Tosh Saturday 9/13

Now...is that what you came here for? Or did you really want to see a card? LOL! This stamp is from one of my favorite stamp companies, the Artful Stamper . Their images are just adorable, and they are sooooo much fun to color. The name of this stamp is Cat Nap .
I stamped it on watercolor paper using VersaMark Ink and embossed with JudiKins Detail Gold embossing powder. The stamped image was colored with Tombow (water based) markers. I used a damp paintbrush for blending and shading.
I stamped again on watercolor paper and cut out the head and holly so I could pop them up for dimension. You can see the dimension in the last photo.

The white part of the Santa Hat is White Liquid Applique sprinkled with Art Institute Crystal glitter. (I will have the glitter in the store soon.)

Gosh, I didn't mean for this post to be so long...but I had a lot to tell you!

Thanks so much for stopping by...and don't forget to register for the Dreamy Treat! Someone is going to win, and it could be you!

Ginger and Coco

Isn't this stamp the cutest thing???? It's another Artful Stamper stamp, and it's called Ginger and Coco .

I stamped it on watercolor paper using Onyx Black Versafine ink, then embossed with JudiKins Detail Clear embossing powder. The stamped image was colored with Tombow (water based) markers. The shading and blending was done with a damp paint brush.

I stamped the cup portion again on a scrap of watercolor paper, cut it out and popped it up to add a little dimension.

For the icing on the hands and feet I used White Opal Liquid Pearls, then put Stardust Stickles over the top when it was dry.

The tag was made with my Tag Trio set from Spellbinders. The word "Sweet" is from a Gina K stamp set called North Pole . It was tied with a piece of May Arts silver metallic string .. The brown cardstock is Suede Brown Prismatics , and the blue carstock is from the Baby Blue Prismatics collection, and the red cardstock is Classic Red prismatics.

Did you notice anything different about the two cards? If you did, then you aren't seeing things! LOL! On the second card I added dots of Baby Blue Liquid Pearls then sprinkled Crystal Art Institute Glitter over them. I just thought it was too plain without those. But now I'm not sure if I like it better or not.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you're all having a great week!

Autumn Pumpkin and Gustav Update

Just a quick update on what's going on here with Gustav. All shelters here are full. Evacuees are being told to go further north to find shelter. All public and private schools will be closed through Wednesday, as well as the universities. The American Red Cross and FEMA have set up shelters in many of those facilities. Local off-duty firemen and policemen are being told to call for further instructions on reporting to duty.

I am impressed by the thoughtful preparation...as opposed to Katrina. Governor Jindal was scheduled to speak at the Republican National Convention next week. Those plans have been put on hold so that he can be here during this time of crisis.

It's hard to imagine that we will have a tropical storm here beginning in less than 24 hours.The weather here today was extremely nice...warm and sunny. I even enjoyed the pool for an hour or so. Perhaps that's what they refer to as "the calm before the storm".


So....on to the card. As you can see, I haven't yet been able to leave the Artful Stamper stamps. But at least I've moved back from Christmas to Thanksgiving! LOL!

This stamp is called Autumn Pumpkin . I stamped the image on watercolor paper using VersaMark Ink , and embossed with JudiKins Detail Gold embossing powder.

The stamped image was colored with Tombow markers . I stamped the bottom portion again on a scrap watercolor paper, then colored, cut out, and popped up the leaves at the bottom of the image for dimension.

The sentiment is Thanksgiving Blessings by Impression Obsession.

The designer paper is some I've had in my stash for ages! The rich orange cardstock is from the Papaya Puree Prismatics pack, and the brown is Suede Brown .

I ask that you continue to pray for the evacuees and their families. Even though evacuation in south Louisiana was mandatory, many chose not to leave their homes. They will most certainly need your prayers to get through the storm ahead.

Thanks once more for all your emails, comments and kind words. They are MUCH appreciated. As long as I have Internet access and power, I will be around.

{{{HUGS!}}}

Three Christmas Stockings

You're just going to have to forgive me for making yet another Artful Stamper card. I seem to have no self control....I just LOVE these stamps!

This one is pretty simple. In fact, it's simplicity was one of the things I liked about this card. After looking at the photos of it, I think I need to use this stamp again and "kick it up a notch" when I have a little more time to spend on it. The stamp is called Three Stockings .

I stamped it on watercolor paper using VersaMark Ink then embossed with JudiKins Detail Gold embossing powder.

The stamped image was colored with Tombow (water based) markers. I did a little shading using a damp watercolor brush.

After assembling my card I added White Liquid Applique to the top of the stockings and cured it with my heat tool. Then I added some Stickles Glitter Glue over the Liquid Applique for a bit of sparkle. I'm not sure, but I think I used Frosted Lace.

Well....I finally took the plunge and ordered some of the Copic Markers last night. Am I about the last stamper in America to finally give in? Geez.....just figuring out which colors to order was a monumental task! I think there are over 300 colors in the Sketch markers. Fortunately, my friend Tosha made some suggestions, so that helped things along quite a bit. I will let you know when they get here...and we will find out if I'm Copic Challenged! :-) I've been reading the I Like Markers blog for a while now. Let's hope that helps!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you have a fabulous Friday!

Angel Baby

Yes...it's another Artful Stamper card. Sorry, I just couldn't help myself! I think this little angel is so, so sweet. His name is James .

I stamped on watercolor paper using VersaMark ink, then embossed with white detail embossing powder.

The stamped image was colored with Tombow markers. Again, I used a damp paint brush for shading rather than a blender pen. I'm really beginning to like that technique!

I cut a piece of vellum and stamped just the halo of the angel, then embossed it with JudiKins Detail Gold embossing powder. The vellum was adhered over the background cardstock layer which was Cuttlebugged (is that a word?) with the snowflakes folder.



I cut out the colored image, then cut the wing off the angel. It is adhered to the background layer. The rest of the angel is popped it up with Scotch foam tape for dimension.

All cardstock is from the Baby Blue Prismatics paper pack. To complete the card I added some Frosted Lace Stickles to the angel's wings. I try to do that last so I don't smudge it before it dries.

I don't think I quite have these stamps out of my system yet....so I know you will be seeing another one soon. :-)

Thanks for stopping by tonight. I sincerely appreciate your sweet comments.

Christmas Boot

I'll bet you're not surprised to see an Artful Stamper card tonight, are you? I couldn't stand NOT to ink up one of these babies! The tough part was deciding which one to ink first! LOL!

This stamp is called Christmas Boot .I just LOVE the image, and it really was a lot of fun to color. You KNOW how much I love to color!

I stamped it on watercolor paper using VersaMark ink, then embossed with JudiKins Detail Gold embossing powder. I stamped just the top portion of it again on a scrap of watercolor paper to have the leaves and candy cane so I could pop them up for added dimension.

The stamped image was colored with Tombow (water based) markers. Instead of using a blender pen, I moved and shaded the colors with a damp watercolor brush. I've never been a fan of those with the water barrel, so I use a regular watercolor brush and keep a paper towel nearby to control the amount of water on the brush.

To embellish the completed image I added Christmas Red Stickles to the berries and the center of the bow on the boot. I also put Gold Stickles on the candy cane stripes. The completed card measures 5" x 5".

I hope you all had a great weekend. Mine was virtually perfect since I got in some quality stamping time. It's amazing how happy that makes us, isn't it?

Thanks so much for stopping by.

The Artful Stamper - NEW at Stamper's Dream!

I am sooooo excited about the new stamp line at Stamper's Dream from The Artful Stamper . It is a Canadian company that has the MOST AWESOME images!

When I had my retail store in town, I carried this line, and all my customers just loved them....so I think you will too!

I would love to tell you that I whipped up these cards tonight when the shipment arrived, but it isn't so! LOL! These samples were sent to me by Larry, the owner of The Artful Stamper. Are they spectacular, or what?

The stamp used in the first sample is Downhill Frosty . Don't you just love that little guy?

The sample with this adorable little puppy uses I've Been Good Too! I love the way they popped up the puppy and the ornament to give it dimension. Sorry I couldn't get a better photo of that one. I will try again tomorrow.


This sample is absolutely gorgeous in real life. Their coloring is fabulous, and there is a lot of dimension since so much of the candy is popped up with foam tape. The stamp they used is called Ginger House .

I have to admit that the last one is one of my favorites. I have a real weakness for doves, and this one is at the stop of the greatness list! The stamp is called Season of Peace , and it's absolutely elegant! And as you probably know, elegant is my favorite kind of stamp!

I hope this has given you a fair assessment of how wonderful these stamps are, and how much potential they have.

And I almost forgot to tell you...the newly released Basic Grey Paper Pads also arrived today. I guess I got too excited about the new stamps, huh? LOL!

Thanks so much for stopping by....have a great weekend!