If it starts to rainin' will just head to the barn...we're country boys and girls gettin' down on the farm...

Good morning, y'all! I know, try not to faint...I am posting 2 days in a row. Can you believe it? *wink* I have something really fun to share today, so hold on to your hat!

A couple of weeks ago, my friend Libby posted a fun card on her blog and shared that she wanted to start a feature on her blog called Texas Tuesday. You all know how I love my cowgirl & country stuff, so I commented and said I wanted to play along. Turns out I wasn't the only one! It snowballed into a fun little group of us Texas girls playing together on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month...and if you want to join us, you're welcome to!

So without further ado, here's my card:


I chose this Summer Bard & Windmill stamp from Serendipity...I just love this image! I had a hard time with the layout, so I went with an old faithful backup. After you spend an hour coloring an image, you're kind of spent! *grin*

So here's my process:
Step 1: Stamp image in Memento Black on Neenah Solar White cardstock.
Step 2: Color image with Copic markers while watching 4-6 episodes of Will & Grace.
Step 3: Trim image and sponge edges with Antique Linen & Tea Dye Distress Inks.
Step 4: Distress edges with Tonic distressing tool.
Step 5: Mat with Dark Chocolate cardstock (PTI) and distress edges.
Step 6: Cut scalloped edge of Chocolate cardstock with Medium Scalloped Die (PTI)
Step 7: Sand strip of green Core'dinations cardstock from Cosmo Cricket textured collection. Sponge edges and raised bits with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.
Step 8: Distress edges of green strip and mat with scalloped brown strip.
Step 9: Sponge edges of Kraft A2 card base with Tea Dye Distress Ink.
Step 10: Adhere green/brown strip onto left side of card base.
Step 11: Add main image popped up on foam dimensionals.

Phew! It seems pretty straightforward, but there was a LOT of hemming and hawing on this one! I tried patterned paper, background stamps, ribbon...but I think this textured cardstock works perfectly. I hope you like it!

Now...there's more fun for you...you get to check out some friends who played along in our little Texas Tues-Step. At first, we were a group of cowgirls...but Mark Jetton from Deadbeat Designs played along, so maybe we can be cowpokes? Anywho, here's a list for ya:

Libby Hickson
Linda McClain
Betty Schaub
Geeta Suggs
Mark Jetton

So scoot on over and say howdy to my friends, and I'll see ya later! Have a fabulous day!

Stupid law of the day from right here in TX:
When two trains meet each other at a railroad crossing, each shall come to a full stop, and neither shall proceed until the other has gone.

Thanks, y'all, and yes, I'm alive!!

Hey y'all, I just wanted to hop on real quick to say I got home from the hospital on Friday of last week and am recovering quite nicely. The first part of the week was rough, but I'm up and moving around better now. Thanks for all of your thoughts, prayers, emails, cards, and EVERYTHING! Y'all are the best :)

I was hoping to feel up to stamping today, but so far, no luck there. I'm still not very comfortable sitting up for long periods, and twisting and bending isn't the most fun. So I don't have a project for the Serendipity October Challenge for you yet, but I promise I will in the next few days, k?

While you're waiting, you can check out the Serendipity Blog and the rest of my SSDT teammates for some amazing Holiday gift ideas!

Amy
Anya
Jennifer
Kathie
Sue
Yvonne

Have a fabulous day!

Call my baby lollipop...tell you why...his kiss is sweeter than an apple pie...

Hey, y'all! Thanks for coming back to visit me today! I'm back to post my card for the Serendipity Stamps monthly challenge. This month, we were to make a monochromatic card. Hmmm....no coloring? YIKES! I decided to make a set of card using my new Snowflake Flourish stamps. Aren't they gorgeous?

All of the inks used are Memento, except on the gold colored card. That one was done with Antique Linen & Tea Dye Distress Inks. I cut down four white panels to 3 1/4" x 4 1/2" and stamped the Let Heaven & Nature sentiment in Tuxedo Black. Then I stamped the large and small snowflakes in light and dark inks and sponged around the edges. Then I distressed the edges with my Tonic distressor tool, adding some faux stitching texture, and matted with black. Before I popped up the main panel onto the Kraft card base, I added half of a scalloped oval punched from black cardstock, set a white eyelet in the center, and tied a strip of coordinating ribbon through.  The finishing touch was some Diamond Stickles on the snowflakes...perfect! These are super easy to make, and easy to mail...perfect for holiday cards!

Be sure to check out what my awesome teammates have done with this challenge!!

Amy

Anya

Jennifer

Kathie

Kelli

Lynda

Sue

Yvonne

Thanks for coming by to say hi! I'll be back tomorrow with some new Bella goodness! Have a fabulous day!

'Cause you're beautiful like a flower, more valuable than a diamond, you are powerful like a fire...

Hey, y'all, Happy Thursday! How has your week been so far? Mine has been good, but very busy! And I haven't even started back to school shopping yet! *gulp*

I was up really late last night, but I really wanted to stamp something since I hadn't been in my room since Monday. So I decided to do a Clean and Simple version of this week's Sketch Challenge on Splitcoast.

I got some new stamps from Serendipity last week, so I decided to ink up this image from the Butterfly Cube...isn't it gorgeous? First I cut and embossed my Neenah Solar White cardstock with my Large Deckled Rectangle Nestabilities and sponged Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, and a little Memento Black inside the die. Then I stamped the butterfly image in Memento Black, removed the die, and colored them with Copic markers. I then added some white accents on their wings with my white gel pen from Ranger.

My card base is Berry Sorbet from Papertrey, and I added a black strip punched with my Martha Stewart border punch. I had intended to tie ribbon around the card base into a bow, but it just didn't look right, so I did a little grosgrain/button treatment. Then WHOOPS! I forgot the circle panel of the sketch...so I whipped out my little circle piercing guide and pierced three rows in the top right corner. *whew!* This "quick little card" ended up taking me an HOUR...which I guess for me is pretty good, but I sure wish I could do 10 minute cards sometimes! Oh, well...I enjoy the time I spend usually more than I enjoy the finished product, so I guess it's the process.

Anywho, I better run...just wanted to pop in and say hi and post this real quick. I'll see you tomorrow with my Bellariffic Friday card, k? Have a fabulous day!

So I'm here today because God kept me...I'm alive today, only because of His grace...

Hey, y'all, what's up? First I want to thank all of you who visited me yesterday and left sweet comments...you made my day!! Did you enjoy the Verve Blog Hop as much as I did? I hope so!

I have a fun card to show you today...I was so excited to hear that Mercy was starting her sketch challenges again. I have been a huge fan of her sketches, so this was fabulous news! She posted the latest one on Tuesday, so I decided to sit down tonight after everyone was in bed and play a little bit. See what you think.

Isn't that a great sketch? I inked up a new stamp from Serendipity Stamps called Never Give Up...I love this sentiment. I think it is super versatile...what a great card for encouragement, friendship, or just because. It was perfect for this sketch, don't you think?

Of course I had to pair it with my favorite paper from the Basic Grey Lemonade collection...love this print! Added some embossing, sponging, stitching, and then topped it off with a ribbon/button combo. I love how it turned out, if I do say so myself!

Well, I gotta hit the sack, so I'm gonna keep this short and sweet...thanks for hanging out with me today, and don't forget to check out Mercy's new sketch on Tuesday! Have a wonderful Sunday!



Stamps: Never Give Up (Serendipity)
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Neenah Solar White, Kiwi Kiss, Soft Sky, Basic Grey Lemonade
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa
Accessories: Ribbon, Button (SU), Dimensionals, Nestabilities, Sewing Machine, Thread, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Sponges, Kaiser Craft Pearls

Giving is such a part of living...Oh, I wish it could be Christmas all year long...

Morning, y'all!! Happy Wednesday! I have something fun to share with you today...the Serendipity Stamps team is celebrating Christmas in July! I could use a little cooling off...it's been over 90 in the evenings around here. YUCK!

I fell in love with the Snowman with Birdhouse image the second I saw it, so I knew that's what I wanted to use.

Whatcha think? Isn't he the CUTEST?? Sidenote: I have to say (if you can't tell) that this entire card was inspired by Anna Wight...she's a rock star!

Ok, anyway, I stamped Frosty in Black Stazon on Hot Press Watercolor Paper. It's so nice and smooth, so you get a great stamped image, which is important with images like this one. Then I watercolored him with reinkers and a waterbrush, and a hint of Blender pen in tiny spots. I decided to make him a little bit of a "Texas Snowman"...if you've never seen one, they're always a little brown from mud, since we never get enough snow to make a real one. *grin* Once he was colored, I distressed and sponged the edges, and added some Liquid Applique as snow accents. Then I matted the image with Chocolate Chip and stitched around the edges.

After sponging the edges of my Kraft card base, I layered some Bo Bunny Double Dot paper with crazy stitching around the edges. The main image was popped up on dimensionals. Following Anna's tutorial, I created a glittery crystal snowflake from a Maya Road Chipboard snowflake, and adhered it to the card with dimensionals. Then I wrapped some twine around the yellow layer, and secured it by threading it through the snowflake and a button and tying a knot.

I hope you've enjoyed my little bit of Christmas in July...I know I did! Make sure you check out the other samples from the Serendipity team.

Amy Cokley
Jennifer Woodward
Kathie Bailey
Kelli Richardson
Lynda Benden
Sue Eldred
Yvonne Hagane

Also, Mary mentioned that there will be a Christmas in July sale very soon! So make sure you sign up for the newsletter here to be updated as details are released. Have a fabulous day!

Baby, baby, I'm taken with the notion to love you with the sweetest of devotion...

There’s a new little baby Diva almost here and today we’re celebrating with a suprise shower hop! So come along with us and do the hop, hop, hop to help celebrate the arrival of Charmaine’s new little oodabug! This shindig started at the Verve Stamps blog, so if you’ve just happened along, be sure to hop on over there to start from the beginning!

I created this cute little number because Charmaine strikes me as a non-pastel kinda girl. So Isabelle should have a shabby chic card too, no? Take a peek.

I used the baby carriage stamp from Serendipity, paired with a sentiment from Practically Perfect. This card features lots of sponging, with some stitching and distressing. Fun stuff!

I have to run to my Copic Class...I'll be back this afternoon to add in details. K?

Thanks for stopping by! Now hop on over to Jen Tapler's blog for some more cuddly goodness. Have a great day!

There's hope...it doesn't cost a thing to smile...you don't have to pay to laugh...you better thank God for that...

Happy Wednesday, folks! How's your week so far? Mine is good, just busy! Caleb is out of town for Music Camp, and my two year-old nephew is staying with us for the next couple of days. That should be interesting...it has been a LOOOONNNGG time since we've had a little one in our house! I'm sure he'll show us all the things we need to "childproof" and put up high. *chuckle*

Last night I sat down to stamp for a minute and noticed the Sketch Challenge had already been posted on Splitcoast. SCORE!


I apologize for the fuzzy sentiment...I took a new pic, but can't seem to get it right. Maybe it's the cardstock color? Either way, I'm having issues.

I've had this Three Dresses image from Serendipity colored for a while now, just waiting for the right card. The sketch this week was perfect! The image was stamped in Black Stazon ink on Fabriano Hot Press Watercolor Paper and colored with a waterbrush and reinkers. Once the ink was all dry, I added some detail with my Inkssentials Opaque White Gel Pen, then sponged around the edges with Close to Cocoa and Chocolate Chip ink. After adding a Chocolate Chip mat, I used my sewing machine to stitch around all the edges. The next panel is Barely Banana cardstock, embossed with the Swiss Dots embossing Folder, sponged with Cocoa and Chocolate ink, and stitched around the edges. For the panel across, I chose Prism Intense Pink, matted with Chocolate Chip and stitched to my Kraft base layer with a zig-zag stitch. After stamping the sentiment in Chocolate Chip ink, I decided I needed a little "something" for pizzaz, so I punched a Chocolate scalloped oval with one of my Marvy punches and cut it in half. After layering it onto the left side, just under the image, I punched a hole in it and tied some wide Olive Grosgrain ribbon around and in a knot. I love how it accents the image and sentiment without competing with either one.

Well, peeps, I better run...I have a feeling I won't get much done these next two days! *grin* Have a wonderful day, and I'll see ya later!

Just like the white winged dove sings a song that sounds like she's singin'...

Hey y'all! Happy Tuesday! I have been a busy bee for the last few days, sorry I went missing. But I'm back, and it's time for the very first Serendipity Stamps Design Team Challenge! This month, our challenge was a Garden theme. Hmmm...that's a tough one...I don't know if I have any "Garden" themed stamps...*wink*

I chose the English Rose stamp (yes again! I think I'm addicted...), and stamped it in Memento Tuxedo Black on Neenah Classic Cream cardstock. I decided to colored the image with Copic Markers...boy did that image pop out so easily! Then, using my Stampamajig, I placed the "And the Song" Longfellow quote alongside the roses...I was so happy it fit so perfectly! Once that was all finished, I cut and embossed my main image panel with the Deckled Rectangle Nestabilities, and sponged the edges heavily with my Close to Cocoa inkpad.

To create my card base, I cut a piece of Neenah Classic Cream cardstock to 5 1/4" x 10 1/2" and folded it in half to create a square card. I cut a 5" square panel of Prism Suede Brown Dark for the base panel, and added a panel of River Rock cardstock that I embossed with the Textile Embossing Folder and sponged with Old Olive and Close to Cocoa ink. Of course, I needed a little more color, so I added a strip of Prism Intense Pink cardstock and punched the edge with my Martha Stewart punch. As a finishing touch, I added some sparkly, sheer ribbon, tied in a bow.

Well, I hope you like seeing something a little different than my normal stuff...I love working with these stamps! What do you think?

If you're still with me (yay for you!) don't forget to check out all the fabulous creations from the other Serendipity DT members.

Amy
Anya
Jennifer
Kathie
Kelli
Lynda
Sue
Yvonne

Have a fabulous day!!

It's the heart afraid of breaking that never learns to dance...It's the dream afraid of waking that never takes the chance...

Good morning, everybody! How's your weekend going so far? Great, I hope! I've been catching up on some stamping and laundry (ugh) and enjoying my boys. They are really silly and fun these days, and they always keep me cracking up. So fun!

Well, I promised you something fun and different yesterday, and I aim to please! Lately I've been wanting to expand my style and work with more detailed images, but I really didn't know where to start. I had noticed some really fabulous horse images on my friend Lynda's blog, and after following the link, I found a fabulous new company called Serendipity Stamps. Holy cow! In a matter of minutes I had a wish list of over $300. YIKES! A few weeks later, I saw a call they had posted for a design team, so I threw my name in the hat. I was so excited to get an email from Mary, the owner, a little while later, saying that I had been selected to be a part of their team!

So today, my friends, I am sharing my very first Serendipity Stamps card with you! You ready?

Is this stamp not GORGEOUS??? It's called English Rose, and it called out to me immediately. I stamped it in Black Stazon on a Fabriano notecard and watercolored it with a waterbrush and reinkers. I wanted these to look like my favorite Tropicana rose, so I used Blush Blossom on the rose as a base color, and then Tangerine Tango as a shadow. You can let your layers dry and go back in with more color to make your shades more intense, which is something I love about watercoloring. I did a wash over the image with a light yellow-green (I think it's Adirondack Citrus), and then did shadows with Old Olive. Then I remembered that rose stems are usually brown, so I went back with Close to Cocoa ink on the stems.

To finish off my card, I stamped the swirly Thank You Sentiment stamp in the bottom left corner in Black Stazon. That stamp was only a BUCK! Yep, $1! SCORE! And Mary says the dollar stamp section is always changing, so keep your eye on it. *grin*

And speaking of score, Mary is running a FREE SHIPPING special until June 10th. (my favorite kind...y'all know how I hate paying for shipping) Here's the blurb from the newsletter:

Free shipping on orders over $35!

Applies to U.S orders of any product.

Applies to Canadian orders of only unmounted stamps.

Overseas orders will receive a $5 shipping refund.

Non-US orders will receive an email notifying of shipping differences.

Shipping Special Ends June 10th

So just in case you were feeling enabled, I thought I'd share! *grin*

And in case you're still reading, make sure you check out the rest of my fabulous teammates...talk about amazing!

• Amy Cokley
• Jennifer Woodward
• Kathie Bailey
• Kelli Richardson
• Sue Eldred
• Yvonne Hagane
• Anya Schrier

So, what do you think? Do you likey? I hope so! You'll be seeing more in the future...fun stuff like horses, barns, and more flowers! Oh, and quote stamps...y'all I am in love! *happy sigh*

Have a great Sunday...see ya tomorrow for some Our Craft Lounge goodness!