Blog candy winner!

Hi! The winner of my blog candy for the Memorial Day OWH hop is: MIRIAM P. Thanks so much to EVERYBODY for your thoughtful comments on my blog. It was such a fun hop!

A day to remember our heroes!

Hi! When I saw this cute (pre-colored/also available in b&w) digi posted by Nikki at MelonHeadz Illustrating today, I knew I had to make a quick card with it for Memorial Day! Thanks, Nikki!! I also used OWH Sketch #123, this week's sketch. Here is the sketch, which I flipped, followed by my card:

To me it looks like the little guy is holding a sparkler, so I added a touch of Stickles! I hope you had a great Memorial Day weekend!

Hambo paper piercing challenge

I didn't play in the Hambo Hoedown last week so I didn't get the freebie but we can use any Hambo image to join back in the Hoedown. I chose Hambo Stamps' little Indian digi, because it's one of my favorites and perfect for piercing. As you can see, I pierced his buckskin costume, shoes, even his headband; also pierced around the tag. I had fun looking for tiny beads at AC Moore to add to the Native American theme!

Enjoy the rest of your holiday weekend!

OWH Memorial Day Sketch Bloghop!

Welcome to Bits of Cheer, my stop on this year's giant Operation Write Home (OWH) Memorial Day Sketch bloghop! We were challenged to make card(s) for today using the sketches in the OWH archive! AFTER VIEWING MY BLOG AND AT ANY TIME DURING THE HOP CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO THE OWH STARS & STAMPS BLOG TO CHOOSE WHICH BLOG YOU'D LIKE TO HOP TO NEXT! I made three cards for this weekend's big event; I hope you enjoy them! My first card is based on OWH SKETCH #44 - I really wanted the American flag to pop on this card, so I only colored the flag, using Prismacolor pencils and Gamsol odorless mineral spirits. Image: "Porch Flag" rubber stamp, Serendipity Stamps. Sentiment: Studio 18 MLT, inked with Inkadinkado Stamping Markers.

My second card uses OWH SKETCH #2 - Image: "Patriotic Pinwheel" rubber stamp, Serendipity Stamps, inked with Inkadinkado Stamping Markers. White gel pen.

Just one more card, based on OWH Sketch #52 - I had fun paper piecing the hairband and blouse. Image: "His Little Ones Patriotic Girl", Inspired Stamps. Die-Namics Dizzy Doilies Duo, My Favorite Things. DP: Fine and Dandy Girl 6x6 DP Pad, My Mind's Eye. Pink Lace on a Roll: Recollections (Michael's). Sentiment: Stampendous. Shiny shoes and eyes: Glossy Accents.

BLOG CANDY! I will draw a name on Wednesday from everyone who leaves a comment for me here (don't forget to include your email address) and send a little surprise package to the winner!! NOW: You should hop back over to the OWH Stars and Stamps blog, where you will find thumbnails linking you to all the blogs on today's hop. Have fun and have a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend. God bless our fallen heroes and those who are protecting and defending us today! Sherry

Pearls, swirls and lots of love

The challenge at Sugar Creek Hollow this week is "Pearls and Swirls." The theme of today's Midweek Throwdown challenge at OWH is "love you" cards. So I thought I'd combine the two challenges:

I was looking at those ready-made pearl/rhinestone flourish stickers today but then I thought I'd use this Inkadinkado flourish rubber stamp and try to make my own. So I heat embossed it and added pink and white pearls. The sentiment is by Janet Dunn for Studio G, Hampton Arts. I like the size of this sentiment and think the curvy font goes well with all the swirly flourishes on the card. I think this qualifies as a "shabby chic" style (Sugar Creek Hollow is vintage, shabby chic and primitive cards)! Thanks for stopping by!

One of my paintings

This is my recent oil painting of a photo I took at George Washington's Birthplace, near Fredericksburg, Virginia. It is really beautiful there, (much!) less crowded than Mount Vernon, and probably one of the lesser known parks. My painting is 8x10". Enjoy!

I still plan to set up a separate blog for my artwork, but, for now, I think a painting qualifies as a "Bit of Cheer!"

OWH Sketch 122

Here is OWH Sketch 122, followed by a card I made for my niece, Kristin, who graduated yesterday with an MBA!

DP: World Traveler 6x6" DP Pad by Teresa Collins Tag, trims, crochet flower: Jolee's Boutique (Michael's) Epoxy sticker: Glitz I love those new trims at Michael's; this crochet flower is probably too thick for an OWH card. I'm so proud of my niece for finishing her graduate studies at Johns Hopkins!! I have a feeling she's ready to celebrate! Thanks for stopping by!

Stampers Best OWH Blog Skip May 19th!

Hello and welcome to my stop on the Stampers Best OWH Fundraiser blog skip! You should have arrived here from Natasha’s blog http://cleversoiree.blogspot.com. If you need to, you can always start the skip over at Stars and Stamps, the OWH blog. All of the cards on the hop feature stamps from the selection at Stampers Best that benefits OWH. Here’s a link directly to the OWH page at Stampers Best. For my first card, I used the delightful new Stampers Best stamp (designed by OWH President Sandy Allnock) called CIARA IN CAMOUFLAGE.

Do you like the little silver "dog tags"? I drew them onto silver paper (A.C. Moore), cut them out and attached them to the little keychain that I found in the jewelry making section of A.C. Moore. I don't have the name of the tiny "Thanks" sentiment stamp I used. DP: 29th Street Market "Classic" Antique Shining Star; double-sided. My Mind’s Eye (Find at Michael's). Spellbinders Nestabilities. Copics. Ciara is paper-pieced from stash. Glossy Accents. Provocraft stars embossing folder, sanded with flower-shaped sanding tool. I also made a card with the Stampers Best stamp called MY COUNTRY. I love the silhouette of kids saluting the flag and the vintage feel of this stamp.

DP: A.C. Moore. Ribbon: Angela’s Happy Stamper. STAMPERS BEST has amped up the excitement for the blog skip! Check out their special offers: • They will DOUBLE the donation to OWH for any fundraiser stamps purchased this weekend (Saturday, Sunday, and Monday only)! For each fundraiser stamp sold, $2 will go to OWH! • For every order that includes an OWH Fundraiser stamp, you get a FREE Statue of Liberty Cling Stamp. • As always, all orders over $35 get free shipping (USA). As a BONUS offer, any orders over $35 that include at least one (1) OWH fundraiser stamp will also receive a FREE 3-pack of Clear ClingStamp Storage Cards ($5 value). Remember these special bonuses are available Sat., Sun. and Mon. only. Beautiful patriotic-themed stamps and special values -- it doesn’t get much better than that! Here is that link again which takes you directly to the OWH fundraiser stamps at Stampers Best. http://www.stampersbest.com/home.php?cat=18 When you choose from the beautiful selection of OWH fundraiser stamps at Stampers Best, your purchases directly benefit OWH and beautifully enhance the cards you create for our heroes and their families. How great is that? Next stop on the blog skip: Roni Have fun! God bless our heroes in the Armed Forces! Thanks for visiting Bits of Cheer; I hope you'll stop by again soon!

Midweek Throwdown: tropical colors

I need to buy more tropical colored Copics, but for now I made do with the colors I have:

The pretty flowerpot stamp is by Karen Lockhart. Thanks for stopping by!

Five inchies

The monthly Our Daily Bread Designs challenge at the OWH Stars & Stamps blog is to use five of something on our card. I used 5 inchies, as well as 5 rhinestones:

Thanks for stopping by!

OWH Sketch 121

Here is this week's OWH sketch, #121, followed by my card:

I had been thinking that I hadn't used my Scor-Pal in a while; then I saw this week's sketch. Instead of putting strips at the bottom, I used scored lines. I had a bit of (ahem) trouble with my border punch, so I had to add a 3rd butterfly. Speaking of which, that's a Martha Stewart butterfly punch. Another rainy day here in Arlington, VA; good day to make a couple of cards!

Patriotic 4th of July card

Hi. The Midweek Throwdown challenge at the Stars & Stamps blog is to make cards with a patriotic theme. Here's one I put together using a MelonHeadz digi and Inspired Stamps Labelmaker Alphabet:

Have a good weekend!

Hoedown Challenge

Hi and welcome! The new digi for the Hambo Hoedown progressive challenge is this cute Catching Butterflies image (comes w/ 2 sentiments). The challenge this week is to use flowers:

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great weekend.

Black & White challenge

The challenge at Sugar Creek Hollow this week is to use black & white. DPs are from Meadowlark 6x6 DP Pad; not sure where I got the chair rubber stamp. If you recognize it, let me know.

OWH Sketch 120 & catching up on VCMP!

This first card does double duty; it is based on OWH Sketch 120 and it is for Rebel Challenge #8--owls! This little clear stamp set is "Thinking of Hoo" by My Favorite Things. DPs from DCWV The Green Stack:

The next card is for Rebel Challenge #7-patriotic cards. I didn't get a 2nd "sister" card made, at least not yet! I enjoyed using these colors, with "tie a yellow ribbon" in mind!

I still have a few more challenges to try to catch up! Thanks for stopping by.

We have a winner!

Good morning, everybody! I drew a winner for my paper piecing challenge through Random.org. The winner is: LeeMae Thanks to all 30 crafters who made paper pieced cards for heroes' kids! Just think of those 30 happy little faces! LeeMae, I will send you my children's book; hope you and the little ones in your life enjoy it!

Blue & Gray: VCMP Challenge #7

Allison's fun challenge is "Blue and Gray"! I used the new Ciara stamp designed by Sandy for Stamper's Best. Ciara is sporting some special blue & gray camo for the Virtual Card Making Party!

Thanks for visiting!

OWH VCMP Challenge #6: Use a die

Last fall, Donna M., a fellow OWH'er, sent me an envelope chockful of die cuts after I mentioned that I don't have a Cricut. It was very sweet of her, and it was during the time of my bad hip trouble, so it really cheered me up! So for this challenge, I combined the heart/music note and ornate frame die cuts she sent me. I think they make a nice focal point together!

As you can see, I used the fun OWH starburst pattern. That's a Glitz sticker for the sentiment; and the DP is from one of my 6x6 pads. Onward to the next challenge!

Bailey in Bright Colors!

Yvonne's Be A Rebel VCMP Challenge 4 is to use bright colors; that works perfectly with Hambo's challenge this week, which is to use purple, hot pink and orange! I used their new Bailey Flower digi to make my card:

Thanks for stopping by!

Be a Rebel VCMP Challenge 2: Something Hoarded

Carol's challenge is to use something you've been hoarding! What I came up with was this Pure Innocence stamp set by My Favorite Things, which I had bought quite awhile ago with the intention of using it for St. Patrick's Day cards. That hasn't happened so I guess I've been hoarding this stamp! It's brand new and I'm really glad Carols' challenge inspired me to open it up because it's so cute and the little girl's two-piece outfit let me pick out two complementary DPs (yes, I know, I've got it bad) to use for paper piecing. Here's my card:

The sentiment is from the Hero Arts OWH set. Thanks for visiting! Enjoy the VCMP weekend, everybody!

Be a Rebel: OWH Virtual Card Making Party!

LEE MAE IS THE WINNER OF MY CHILDREN's BOOK! Congrats, Lee Mae, and thanks to everybody who made a card for a hero's kid! Hello and welcome to my blog, where I'm hosting the first challenge of Operation Write Home's "Be A Rebel!" Virtual Card Making Party! I challenge you to make a card for a child using paper piecing!
I enjoy paper piecing! I think it all started with my love of paper dolls as a child, lol! Here is a link to a tutorial on paper piecing at the Stars & Stamps blog. I like using my little Cutter Bee scissors for paper piecing; remember to turn the paper as you cut. It's easier and you usually get smoother cuts that way. I love the 6x6 Designer Paper pads that are two-sided; it makes coordinating patterns so easy and they often have very tiny patterns, which work well for paper piecing.
Here's a card I made using one of my favorite stamp collections for paper piecing: "Pure Innocence" by My Favorite Things. This clear stamp set is called "Jumping for Joy".

I had one of those days while trying to make this card; in order to fit the stamp onto my largest Spellbinder scalloped oval, I had to cut it out at a funny angle, so I tried to disguise it a bit with the two flowers...
For the sentiment I shaped the clear stamp in a banner shape on the acrylic block and stamped it, then cut it out freehand along the curve of the sentiment and inked the edges.
DP: "Stella Rose" My Mind's Eye Mabel Papers 6x6 Pad. Lace, flowers & rhinestones: Recollections (Michael's).
Copics.
Glossy Accents.
BLOG CANDY ALERT! I will draw a name from cards that are posted below using InLinkz. The winner will receive a copy of my children's book, "Card Auntie's Wonderful Workshop!" It's a picture book about a lady who makes cards for everyone imaginable; there's a link to more info about my book on the righthand column of my blog. I will draw a name on Monday 5/7. Be sure to check back here then, in case I'm looking for your email address! I hope you win my book, but you're already a winner in my book if you make cards for OWH! Have FUN paper piecing cards for heroes to send home to their little ones! I look forward to seeing your creations! Note: LeeMae is the winner! Sherry

Kathryn's cloud sponge painting technique

Kathryn posted a fun tutorial over at the Stars & Stamps blog on sponge painting clouds and waves.

Kathryn's technique involves stamping around the bottom edge of a scalloped circle with a sponge dauber. I played around with it a bit, sliding down the scalloped circle and sponging the top to get the effect of the top of clouds. Thanks, Kathryn, for this fun inspiration!

A case of CASE'ing!

The Midweek Throwdown challenge at Operation Write Home is using flowers. As soon as I saw LeeMae's sample card at the Stars & Stamps blog, I remembered this flower paper I have in my stash and knew I'd have to CASE LeeMae's beautiful card! Here's my attempt:

LeeMae, thanks for this great card idea. It's so easy to do and I love pretty DP as the focal point!

A vintage card for Mom

I created this card for the Mother's Day challenge at Sugar Creek Hollow, using this weeks sketch at Seems A Little Sketchy: First, the SALS sketch:

My card:

This beautiful vintage image is from Digital Two for Tuesday . "Mom" is made with Inspired Stamps' Labelmaker Alphabet. Prismacolor pencils w/ Gamsol mineral spirits. Fiskars border punch. "Happy Mother's Day" rubber stamp by Inkadinkado. My Mom passed away before I started making cards. I think she would have liked this one! Have a great day! Come back soon.

OWH Sketch 119

Here is this week's Sketch at the OWH Stars & Stamps blog:

And here is the card I made. I'm SO glad to have my camera back!

The sentiment digi is by Paula. For the border strip, I punched 4 cicles with my Martha Stewart 1-inch scalloped circle punch. Thanks for stopping by!