{ the Lockhart puppy meets the Challenge }

I've been exploring SCS beyond just looking at the most recent daily gallery postings and am amazed at how much I've been missing. Motivation is often an issue for me, coming up with an idea completely from scratch. So I was thrilled when I took the time to look into the Wednesday Card Sketch Challenge. This was the result of Beate's email answer to a question I had about dimensions in particular layout I'd seen posted in the daily gallery. After reading more about the Challenges, I decided the Sketches Challenge would be a good vehicle of motivation for my creative inspiration.

So , with that, I pulled out a stamped image I've wanted to wanted to finish for a long time , but hadn't because I wanted it to be special. The Lockhart Stamp Company, in my opinion, has some of the highest quality stamps out there. The fineness of the detail is exceptional and the images possess a contemporary elegance ranging from whimsical to classic in design. You can purchase the Lockhart stamps from Ellen Hutson, LLC along with a wide variety of papers, inks, "tools, toys, and treasures". The card I had inquired about ended up being SC118, the identification number assigned to that particular week's Sketch Challenge. I was off and running and when I finished my card was pleased with the result.

{ Two New RAKS this week }

It always adds, no matter how good the day, an extra boost to open the mail box and find an unexpected card waiting to be opened. Twice this past week I've been so fortunate.
Debbie Seyer sent me this dainty card with one of my favorite sentiments inscribed on it. dream! Thank you Debbie. Please take time to take a look into Debbie's stamp room.

I also received this this beautiful card from Susan Liles . The soft colours of the flowers is repeated not only in her ribbon choice but also in the soft detailing on the embossed background. I've subscribed to Susie's blog for a long time and always enjoy seeing her new work. Be sure and take a look too.

I apologise to both ladies for the poor quality photography. I was trying something new. It looks like it might be best to limit my creativity to card making until I can take a class or two in photography and lighting. Thank you again, ladies!

{ the 4 sistas }

My favorite ladies have been sitting on the shelf patiently waiting for me to return to them. The sistahoodbellas reminds me of my family from left to right - my sister Sally, my Mom, me, and my niece, Nina - a bit of a stretch of the imagination for all except Nina, but age is a mental state and we are all forever young.
The image was coloured with Lyra Rembrandt Polycolour oil based pencils from Dick Blick and gamsol. I've used the Prismcolour Pencils that most card colourists seem to prefer, but I have personally seen little difference in the two brands. The paper is a combination of SU and Basic Grey. The embellishment is covered in the same Basic Grey mat paper and topped with a little pink Prima. I cut the scalloped edge with my Create-a-Cut. This particular bella stamp, sistahoodabella can be stamped as a group or the individual images can be inked and stamped separately or in pairs. I've enjoyed having the many options. The set also comes with two sentiments.

{ Beate's Butterfly }

So many possibilities with this beautiful butterfly. The Hostess, Reason to Smile, set was a part of the Blog Candy package I won from Beate. It was difficult to settle on just one of the possibilities, but the elements of this card just fell into place.

I stamped the image using Taken With Teal Craft ink then "dusted" it with a white Color Box Cat Eye that I've had since I first started stamping. This lightened the image and blended well with the Cool Caribbean paper. After it dried I randomly dotted the flowers as well as the butterfly body with Crystal Effects. Once this dried I used my Stardust Glitter pen to add the "sparkle which I purchased from Ellen Hutson, LLC. The papers are a combination of Overton House Designs - Mint Expresso Stripes, DCWV Old World Stack, and the SU Au Chocolat paper I received from Beate. The lovely reversible ribbon was also from Beate. The hardware is SU Hodge Podge and the sentiment is from the PaperTrey Word Stamps set. The top of the butterfly is raised while the base is attached flush to the paper giving it the appearance of momentarily lighting on the card before it flutters on.

Once again I would like to thank Beate for the blog goodies. It couldn't have been more perfect. I also found out while corresponding with her that we live only an hour or so apart. Now I'm looking forward to attending her stamping classes on what I hope will be a regular basis.

{ stop and smell the Primas }

Gone 2 the Dogs!
Somewhere during the process, while I was busy laying out all the goodies from Beate's blog candy, shooting the pictures, uploading them to my computer, cropping, editing, and posting the Thank you.. Thank you.. to my blog, I noticed The Dog was absent. She usually is underfoot, if not in one of her many chairs, peacefully snoozing or intently observing while I work. I checked the living room where I take most of my pictures and noticed that the "goodies" setup had been rearranged - wet nose prints on paper and Primas scattered about the floor, but Zoe wasn't insight. So I set out in search, with camera still around my neck, finally finding her on the back porch in her favorite patio chair blissfully "smelling the Primas".

{ Green Thumbs grow sweet strawberries }

I've fallen in love with the Green Thumb set offered by PaperTrey Ink. There are so many possibilities with this versatile set , I believe you could stamp using nothing but this set for a very long time and not exhaust the possibilities. That seems to be one of the outstanding hallmarks of this company of creative ladies.

You cannot see the edge effect on this card but I "scalloped" the front edge of the cream blank back far enough that after the green and the red scallops were applied the closed card finished with a crisp straight edge of cream from the back portion of the card. In retrospect, it would have been easier to have taken the picture from a different angle then trying to type an explanation. :)

{ proud winner of Beate's candy }

Not long ago the famous and fantastic Beate offered blog candy to celebrate the 125,000 hit on her Fresh & Fun blog. I ended up the lucky winner from a long list of 298 comments.
My package of goodies came today! I plan on mounting the "Reason to Smile stamp" set this evening and putting together some cards over the weekend. The May Arts ribbon is fantastic! I never imagined so much! I’ve wound it all on chipboard cards for safe storage. I was really pleased with the SU Designer paper. I didn’t have any of it. This will give me an opportunity to work up some cards before I place another paper order. And the Primas.. I love the colourful flowers! Such a nice package of candy!! Thank you so much, Beate! After i took the picture I realised I forgot to include the pretty card she included. You can see it here.

{ i've been tagged! & so have you! }

What a surprise when I checked my email this morning! Chris Smith of From My Ink Pad to Yours "tagged" me on her blog. Chris, I'm honoured that you selected me. I enjoy looking in on you and your great ideas. Be sure and stop by Chris's blog, I'm sure you will agree with me about her work.

Ok, now my task is to tag five more people that hopefully have not already been tagged.

1. Julie Phillips - Julie is an extremely patient lady and a creative and seasoned stamper. Be sure and check out her work at Paper Joy. By the way Julie, you can expect a package the middle of next week. Not exactly what we had discussed, but hopefully something better.

2. Sharon Harnist - Just read her resume if there is any doubt about how talented this lady is. I enjoy reading her blog and always draw inspiration. You can find out all about her at PaperFections.

3. Kendra - The title of Kendra's blog was a natural hook for me, and I enjoy returning now to see her new creations and read about her teaching career. Look in on Kendra and say hello. You can find her at The Dog Ate My Stamps. hehe.. he.. :)

4. Emily Giovanni - I'm sure the lady had been "tagged" most likely more than once, but I wanted to share her with those of you who on the off chance have never looked in on her. You can find her and her incredible work at Stamping and Stuff

5. Melissa Kulessa - This is one talented lady! Melissa not only creates wonderful cards but she also designs Blog Banners and watermarks. You can see her work at Stamping Through the Tulips . And soon you will be able (keeping my fingers crossed) to see my Blog Banner that Melissa is designing for me and the Dog.

I hope you will enjoy these ladies and their blogs as much as I have.

{ friends, flowers, & April Blogger RAKs }

I originally made this card for a special friend and ended up liking it so much I decided to use it for my Blogger's April Birthday Card. The card for my friend is still setting on my worktable. I need to get it in the mail so she will have something to set on her windowsill before the flowers of spring give way to the flowers of summer.

This was my first attempt at masking. I was surprised it was so easy (maybe that's because I didn't do anything intricate). But now I'm ready to tackle something a bit more difficult.Who knows, maybe it will show up on my Bella Swap cards.

The red ric-rack was cut with my Create-a-Cut. I was one of the best tool purchases I've made in sometime. Be sure and check out Ellen Hutson's Store for all sorts of unique tools, stamps, paper and all things up to date and in demand.

{ the whippersnapper at work}

Gone 2 the Dogs.!
Zoe seems to think ALL of the chairs in the house belong to her... even the chair in my workroom. I'm not sure if she was looking for a treat or wanted to try her paw at stamping. Do you think she looks guilty?

{ Sweet Pea }

Why is it the more we have on our plates the more we are able to accomplish. This weekend was a good example. I often find myself clicking through everybody's blogs, moaning and groaning to myself that I just can't figure out how everyone but me has the time to make all the wonderful cards they post on their blogs. This weekend my brother, his wife and their two dogs came for a visit. They stayed with my mother, but I spent the good part of the weekend at her house enjoying my family. I also designed and finished two cards, photographed them and uploaded them for my blog subscribers to see. An amazing feat as I often labor over a single card for days. Part of the insentive may have been my new PaperTrey Ink Green Thumb set. The card elements came together quickly andas soon as I finished it I was ready to make another.

{ so many RAKs it feels like Autumn }

What a great card!! Every time i look at this card from Monica Ackerman it puts a smile on my face. This is a precious stamp and I would enjoy knowing where it is from. Monica's "Just So You Know" is a new addition to my blog roll. Be sure to take the time to look. I will be looking in often on Monica and Abby her beautiful Golden Retriever. Thanks again, Monica~ :)



I received this sparkly card from Joanne Johnson. The stamping, the layering and the embellishments came together beautifully in this detailed card. Joanne you did a great job on it, and it is most appreciated. Thank you so much. Let me know your blog information so I can give you credit. In the meantime you can see Joanne's work on SCS (stamps4sanity).




This darling pocket card is from Simone Collins. Simone is a SCS Blogger and you can see what she has been up to on her blog Daily Dose of Spazz,. Not only did Simone stamp the card, but she also stamped the envelope and the note she included with the card. It looks like it may have been a wheel. I'm making a note to do that on my envelopes and enclosures in the future. Thanks so much Simone!

{ raking in the RAKs }

I'd like to thank Nancy Elrick for this soft coloured Birthday Wish. This is one of my favorite SU stamp sets, Nancy, and for those of you who cannot tell from my photo, she overlayed the stamped image with the acetate Birthday Wishes square. Nancy is a member of the SCS Bloggers RAK Group and you can view her blog at Nancy's Creative Mess . Be sure to take a look and while you are at it wish her son, Alex, a happy birthday!

{ Easter Easter }

One of the first cards I made when I started stamping was a crystal paned window card, and it was always a favorite of mother's. I made it at a "stamp camp" and the window was rectangular with no enhancements. I though it might be nice to make another for her using some of the tools and techniques I've acquired over the past couple years. The circular scallop punch was off set on purpose to accomodate the closeness of the window opening to the outer edge of the card. { I've since added a new tool to my "stuff I need to acquire" list so the openings can be better placed }.
The closure is fastened with one of the new Basic Grey Magnetic Snaps.

I fixed Easter dinner for Mother and worked on a new batch of cards.

{ a special birthday card }

..from my Mom.. from the woman who gave me life.. who has nurtured me.. supported me and loved me for the past 63 years.


Thank you Mom for everything and thank you for my beautiful card.

{ a bevy of birthday RAKs from my beautiful Splitcoast bloggers RAK buddies }

I don't think I've ever received so many cards on my birthday! What a wonderful surprise. Thank you ladies for making it so special.
Kirsten DuBosque at Confessions of a Naptime Stamper shares an April birthday and made this adorable Bella card. Not only do Kristen and I share a birthday month, but we both also live in Florida and of course everyone who lives in Florida enjoys fishing. You couldn't have picked a better bella for my card Kristen, thank you so much. This is definately one of the nicest bella cards I've ever seen!

Leslie Brown sent me this adorable "Birthday Basket" in my favorite colour! Be sure and take some time to check out Leslie's "Continuing to Create" blog. Not only does she have great cards but also yummy blog candy. Thanks so much, Leslie!
I'd love to find this template to use on summer beach bag cards for some of my friends. If someone finds it before me, please let me know. I can also see that I need to do some ribbon and Prima shopping soon!

Alisa Blankenship created and sent me this bright and cheerful card and included the nicest note along with it. You can see more of Allie's work at Allie's Inky Hugs. She is another quickly becoming addicted to the Bellas. (tucking that note into my Future RAKs to Send box.) Thanks so much for my birthday card Allie!


My last but certainly not least card was from Melissa. You can see more of her work at Stamping Through the Tulips (what a great name!) Melissa, you are going to have to share your technique for inking the Cuttlebug embossed background with me sometime and you've sold me on this particular pattern. I don't have any of the "words" templates yet, but this will definitely be my first. Thanks for the great birthday card!

{ my first RAK }

A beautiful card of a perfect rose with sentiments of Beautiful Memories from Wanda (buttons2) at SCS welcoming me to the world of RAKing holds the distinction of First RAK Received. Thank you so much Wanda for thinking of me.