Artisan contender #5...........(I think)

Hey everyone,

We've been gone for the last week camping and am now trying to get back into the goove of things.  You didn't even know I was gone did ya?

So now I'm trying to catch up, laundry to do, email to catch up on, grocery shopping, senior pictures (God help me!), dentist and eye dr. appts, etc...........


I actually posted this card in March and then decided a few days later to use it for the Artisan Award.  So I took it off my blog.  I'm going to repost it now and hope it comes out right.  I hope to have new stuff for you in a few days. 

Thanks for stopping by. 

Blessings, b.



Happy Spring!

I know those of you on the East Coast aren't seeing any signs of spring yet but it is getting here real quick.  We hit 70 degrees today and the Swallows are redecorating their nests under the eves.  My weeds are very happy.  I need to get out there and get rid of them..............the weeds, not the Swallows.

So anyhow I thought I would make a springy card today.  I have a thing for Robin birds.  Our oldest daughter's name is Robin and she had quite the collection of Robin bird things.............until she decided she hated her name and either got rid of most of them or they are in hiding.  Ahh, such is the life of a teenager. 

So anyway, I went to the Stamping 411 site to see how easy their sketch was this week.  Verdict: very easy.  So here is my card:

Sanded and Woodgrain background stamps, Itty Bitty Backgrounds and Trendy Trees.  Kraft, old olive, ruby red, whisper white, brocade blue, bashful blue, and choc. chip cardstock.  Bashful blue, choc. chip, ruby red and sahara sand ink.  Little leaves Sizzlit die, 2step bird punch (occasions mini), 1/8 circle punch, small heart punch (occasions mini), large oval punch and small oval punch.

Ever since I got the bird punch I've been wanting to make a Robin bird.  There has been alot of punch art around the web lately so I thought I'd jump in too. 

I had a few issues with the nest.  I couldn't quite figure it out at first.  So I looked at pics of real nests and came up with this. 

I made the eggs with the small heart punch in the Occasions Mini.  Here is how I put the nest together.

1 large oval in kraft, 1 large oval in choc. chip., 1 small oval in choc. chip and a sliver of a large oval in kraft. 

Layer the large choc. chip oval behind and below the large kraft oval.

Layer the small choc. chip oval on top.

Layer the sliver on top of the small choc. chip oval.  Ta Da!

You can see here how much everything sticks out.  I put dimensionals under the nest and under the bird. 

I wasn't sure about this sentiment.  I kept thinking of putting it on the white part but was too afraid of messing up the whole thing.  So I played it safe and put in underneath.   Yeah, I'm so not a "living on the edge" type of person. 


Alrighty then, the finale of The Bachelor is on right now and so I gotta go see who he picks.  I'm sure it'll be Vienna.  I was sorry to see Ali go. 

Thanks for stopping by and checking things out. 

Blessings, b.

2 birthdays, coming right up!

Hey everyone!  Are you feeling the heat today?  They were predicting upper 90's - 100 this whole week coming up, but its only been in the lower 90's so far.  Gotta be thankful for the little things. 

I've been hiding out in my stamping corner this afternoon with Mr. Darcy anyway.  I needed to make 2 birthday cards and he helped tune out distractions.  Ahhh......Mr. Darcy.

I was planning on getting stampy last night but we decided to kick back and have s'mores by the fire again.  Downtime was muchly needed.  Although, I still didn't sleep well.

Like I said yesterday, I had a humdinger of a week.  Next week promises to be the same.  At least next week is the last week of school/work and then I can be less stressed.  Bring on the summer vacation!!  I have so much to do before then.

So anyway, my BIL and SIL have birthdays 4 days apart.  I will admit that in the past, before I became a stampy/crafty girl, that I might have maybe sent 1 card to celebrate both their birthdays.  I only did it once but you know.....still. 

Anyhow, here is my BIL's card

Lovely as a Tree, Sincere Salutations, Sanded and Woodgrain backgrounds.  Kraft (I have to get used to saying, Crumb Cake.....Crumb Cake....Crumb Cake), old olive and whisper white cardstock.  Versamark, Sahara Sand, Soft Suede, Whisper White and Old Olive inks.  Top note die, wide oval punch, linen thread, misc. button, clear embossing powder. 

I know, I know.  I know what you're saying, "Beth, haven't we seen enough of Lovely as a Tree lately?  Give it a rest girl!"

I had seen a card on Nichole Heady's blog and thought I could do the same thing with SU! stamps.  This technique is called Emboss Resist.  Just stamp your image in Versamark and then emboss with clear embossing powder and then sponge color over the top.  The embossed image will resist the ink.  Get it? 

Putting a button on there is still manly right?  It needed something.  I stamped the tag with the Sanded background too. 

Here is the card for my SIL

D is for Dog.  Kra....I mean, Crumb Cake, real red, basic black and whisper white cardstock.  Black Stazon, Versamark and whisper white inks.  Distresser from the cutter kit, circle scissor, silver brads, piercing tool and dimensionals.

I have a problem using the Crumb Cake cardstock.  I just love it and can't help myself.  It goes with everything!!! 

She loves dogs and while they have no children they do have a Bernese Mountain-mixed with something else-dog.  That is their baby and he is the sweetest dog! 

Now, I'm generally not in favor of floating dogs, but I couldn't think of anyway to ground him without making this circle look too busy.   Good thing Bernese Mountain dogs aren't afraid of flying.

I also stamped the paw print in Versamark on the red panel, but you can hardly see it. 

Alrighty then.  The BBQ is just about ready for me to fling some chicken on it.  I love BBQ.  I could BBQ everything.  I got some Kingman Mesquite Briquetts and they smell awesome! 

Have a wonderful rest of your day and thanks for stopping by.

Blessings, b.