The Lil' Mermaid

Wow! I am finally back and doing a challenge again! When I saw this Midnight Madness Sketch, I knew exactly what stamp I wanted to use. This mermaid image is a new, hot off the press, stamp from Stamp Shoppe Creations. She is colored with Copic Markers and accented with the Spica pens to add a little "glitz". I then used two Sizzix swirls and glued them together to make a splash. Then adding a few of the Rain dots from Cloud 9 for more drops of water. Thanks for looking!

Blog Candy???

Next week our Store blog should be up and running!! As soon as it is, we will be announcing some blog candy...so keep checking out this blog. Here is my Relaxing penguin. It was a request from my friend Jane and he has been popular in the store. NOTICE the strip of embossing is from the new cuttlebug winter border set. We have all our new Christmas folders in, so be sure to check them out before they are gone. I used a previous MoJo Monday sketch challenge for the layout. The penguin is colored with Copics and accented with some Spica pens. If you are in Wausau, Wisconsin this weekend, be sure to come to the Stamp & Scrap Expo. We will be debuting our stamps there!

Whipper Snapper Cutie!

I made this card as part of a sketch challenge....love the Whipper Snapper girl and the happy birthday by A Muse. Designer Paper is by Memory Box I used faux stitching, primas and a bit of bling to dress up the card....perfect for a girl in your life! ~michelle~

World's Best!

Check out this adorable fellow from Whipper Snapper! He just screams summer to me! He's a hoot to color with Copics! I used Spicas on his spatula for a metallic glint! The cardstock is pre-cut by The Paper Cut...and any alphabet stickers will do ya!

This is a fun window card that opens to reveal a recipe, and then opens again for your message.

Hope he makes you grin too! :)

~michelle~

Stanley Cup Champions

While stamping this past weekend with Michelle, my fellow blogger, my son watched the final game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Detroit Red Wings. My son, Dustan was ecstatic. Saturday he decided he wanted to make a sympathy card for Grandpa who was rooting for the Red Wings. Michelle had a penguin stamp (Sorry I don't the company) which he colored with Copics. Adding a little bling with the Spica pens and glitter dots filled made some "icy" accents. Then he thought the penguin should be holding something, so he made a sign with the toothpick for the stick. Grandpa now has the card on display in his office! Go Penguins, Go!!

I wouldn't have a leg to stand on!

I told you I like these stamps from Hambo! They always have the perfect sayings to go with the main images. The "leg to stand on" saying is stamped on the inside. I colored the Flamingo with Copics and highlights with the gel pen. For the water, I drew some lines to look like ripples with my fine line black pen. Then I colored with B21, B23 and B00 to look more the southern waters. Once I had the image colored, the next thing is to figure out how to lay it out. I went back to the MojoMonday blog to find a sketch I thought might work. (See the above sketch) Using some creative license I used the wave die from Sizzix instead of a ribbon and the Labels 4 from Nestabilities instead of a plain rectangle. I loved the look! I felt that the outside seemed too plain, so I used my handy ScorBug and made some faux stitches. I also colored the background dots of the paper with the new pastel Spica glitter pends. Now my card is finished!! Hope to stop again soon!

High Hopes!

This critter has High Hopes for a Happy Birthday! This image is adorable using the *out of the box* technique. Stamp your image on white cardstock and color with Copic Markers. Highlight with a white gel pen. Then cut a portion of the white off....so your image is *out of the box!*
The desiger paper is by Heidi Grace.

One last TIP: Pull our your markers and match them with a fun sheet of paper....it's easier to match them *before* you color them!!

Hope you all had a Happy Memorial Day Weekend! ~michelle~

What a Beautiful Mess!

What a beautiful mess!!! ....reminds me of mine!!!! I love it!!! GRIN!

So here is a little image from Stamping Bella that Heidi handed me all colored....I got to dig and forage in that *beautiful mess* posted above and finish the card! I cut the image out and popped it up on foam tape. The image is colored with Copic Markers and highlighted with both Spica Glitter Pens and a white gel pen. The sentiment is simply cut out and attached with brads.

Hint: Use large abstract patterns as *scenery*. In this case I see mountains! ~michelle~

Stamping Bella Graduation Card

Another Stamping Bella image, they are so much fun to color!! A very simple card....used faux stitching and doodling, ribbon is by The Paper Studio and was perfect for the simple look of the card. The glitter dots are by Dress It Up! You may not be able to see it, but the roses, tassle and scroll are accented with Copic Spica Glitter pens. ~michelle~

Teacher Appreciation Week

Teacher Appreciation Week comes up May 3-9 this year. I have been spending a little time in my son's classroom this year and have been really glad that it's not my lot in life to have to keep those 20 little first grade critters under control all day every day!! *grin!* It has been sweet to see how far each of them has progressed with their reading though....and their pride as it *clicks*

This is a little card I made for his reading teacher. She's about to be off on maternity leave, so I thought I'd just thank her early!

Teacher Stamp: Stamping Bella

Crayon Stamp: Whipper Snapper

Thank You Stamp: Impression-Obsession

Carstock: White, Black

Coloring: Copic Markers, Spica Glitter Pens

~michelle~

Shop Some More!

I just had to make one more of these cards! I'm loving the Fancy Pants paper with their fun colors and designs. I again colored the images with Copic Markers and then popped them up on foam tape for dimension.

TIP: Use the Copic Colorless Blender to give your images some added interest. I did on the sweater, skirt and her hat.

TIP: Use the Spica Glitter Pens to add some more fun interest. I colored the heart on the credit card and added a dotted design. I added coordinating spica accents on each of the shopping bags as well. Also I glitzed up her sunglasses! ~michelle~

Sometimes A Girl Has GOT to Shop!!

Sometimes a girl has to get out and have some retail therapy!! Whether it's at the mall, your favorite thrift store OR your *favorite* Stamp Shoppe! These stamps are a hoot to send to your girlfriend...invite her along for the fun!

The designer paper on this is Fancy Pants...what a fun color combo! The stamps are by Stampavie....so simple to color!

My hint: Use those Copics to make your own designs on plain images. I decorated my shopping bags and the purse with Copics and the Spica Glitter Pens!

Another hint: Use the Copic Airbrushing System Set to give your sentiments a touch of color.

One final hint: Cut out your images and pop them up on foam tape for some fun dimension on your cards!!! ~michelle~

Congrats!

I had the occasion to make a baby card...and I'm about 4 months late....so I decide to go for more of a *boy* card!

This little image is by High Hopes, colored with Copics and I highlighted the buckles and glass with Spica Glitter Pens. Designer Paper is by Cosmo Cricket....perfect with it's subtle woodgraining and distressing for a little boy...just ask me how I know!!

I'm not sure the company on the ribbon...but I know I got it at the Stamp Shoppe, and I need to get some more, I love it for little boy projects! The Rub-ons are by Making Memories, the brads by Dress It Up!

~michelle~

A Warm Hello!

I love these little ladies from Stampavie! They remind me of Holly Hobbie, excepting I get to color them any way I wish!!!! This one is all dressed up in Copics and the flower centers and scissors are glitzed up a bit with At You Spica Glitter Pens.

I have her layered over some nestabilities ovals....the embossing is subtle and oh so nifty!
Ribbon is by May Arts, the Fiskars Threading Water punch is perfect for a touch of white *lace.*
Designer paper is by Cosmo Cricket. A Warm Hello is by Hero Arts.

The flower is from the Ruffled Bloom set by Stampendous! I used the vellum embossing technique and my copics to dress it up a bit. Hope she makes you smile! ~michelle~

Blimey...I missed it!

This little Leprechaun was going to wish you a Happy St. Patty's Day, but he's a little late! This guy comes from High Hopes rubber stamps. He's colored with Copic markers and Spica pens to add some glitz to his gold accents. A few gold gems...dropping a few lucky coins. The oval mat was cut with the nestablilites. The sentiment is from Peddler's Pack. Hope this fellow puts a smile on your face and a spring in your step!

Just for You!

Just had to love those temperatures yesterday....SPRING is coming, I'm sure of it!!

This little ladybug from Whippersnapper designs was just begging to hop on this card! I colored her with Copic Markers and highlighted her with Spica Glitter Pens.

She is layered on two panels that have been cut with the Nestablilities Labels Two dies. I loved the shape, it gave little Miss Lady a place to stand!

The designer paper is by Cosmo Cricket and makes for a cheery card. I used some Conchos from Scrapworks to surround my gems for a fun and different looking embellishment. They are easy to use...just place your gem and then pop a concho over the top and flatten the little legs on the back with your piercing tool or bone folder.

I framed my ribbon with Fiskars Threading Water edge punch...love the lacey look it gives the card and the interest it adds to the ribbon.

Just for you is by Printworks. The card is finished off with faux stitching and distressing done with Making Memories scuffer.

Celebrate Life!

Hee hee! I thought you needed to see another one of these sweeties!

I colored her with Copics and the Spica Glitter Pens. Glitter paper is by Doodlebug.

Hint: Use glue dots to attach your image to glitter paper if your normal adhesive won't stick.

Flowers are by Prima, tag is by Making Memories.

Hint: Use wide ricrac to *frame* your image for a fun look. ~michelle~

Penny Black Thanks!

Check out this cute snowboarder chic from Penny Black! I colored her with Copics and a black Spica Glitter Pen for accents. The pouf on her hat is white flocking. I put some snow under her board with some Art Institute glitter. The Snowflake Cuttlebugged layer has been distressed and resembles a ginormous snowball to me! Happy Thursday to you! ~michelle~

Wisdom From A Snowman

Who can't use a little advice from a snowman this year?! This fun stamp is by Inky Antics and is colored with Copic Markers and Copic's At You Spica Glitter Pens. The designer paper is by Heidi Grace Designs. The only other embellishment on this is a tiny button sewed on the card with embroidery floss. Just a little tip.....no naked buttons on cards....finish them off with some ribbon or coordinating floss to make them pop! Stay Warm! ~michelle~

Hap-bee Holidays!

These little bees are shivering in these Wisconsin temperatures.....but they're all decked out with flocked hats, and glittery wings. Copic At You Spica Glitter pens are used to glitz up the sentiment, their noses and antennae. Base Cardstock is Bazzill, designer paper is by Fancy Pants. Glitter dots are by Dress It Up! Art Institute's Pearlescent gliter has been added to the snowflake and *mountains* along the bottom of the card. The cut snowflakes are from another sheet of Fancy Pants designer paper. Faux stitching finishes off this untraditional holiday card.
~michelle~