Who Doesn't Love Penny Black

From elegant to frivolous there's a stamp for all reasons when you choose PB and it's a good bet that most everyone has at least one of their precious images. I was surprised when I sorted through all of my stamps and realized how many I have (still not enough, tho). Under the circumstances, I thought it was time to enter a PB challenge and have a little show off fun with one of my favorite cuties.  This week's challenge was a sketch so I followed it faithfully and came up with this card for a friend who has a birthday coming up very soon. I was really lucky to find the cute sentiment that matched so perfectly and when a card making buddy directed me to CAS-ual Fridays and their challenge to use a pun on your card I couldn't resist.

I colored him with Copics, added some digital designer paper, my 'punny' sentiment and a bit of bling along with a yellow gingham ribbon and some yellow Prima flowers. That's it. No muss, no fuss. Just fun.
Enjoy!

Tilda Wants a Hug

Well, here's something that doesn't happen very often for me. In fact, I don't remember it ever happening so I had to take advantage. I made this card this weekend as a birthday card for one of my nieces, only to discover that it qualified (I hope) for several challenges. Now, I envy the ladies who find scads of challenges to enter. Me, I just don't have the patience to follow through on this project so today I'm taking advantage. I love this little gal 'cuz she just radiates love and good will and friendship. I cut the card from the Wild Card Cricut cart and the heart doily from the MS Elegant Cakes cart, corner embellishment by Sizzix, Prima flowers, paper-pieced pinafore and socks, and MS punched butterflies with rhinestone bling. I left the inside pretty simple so I could write a love note to a dear little girl when the time comes.That 2 inch doily is from Martha Stewart.  Have to say, this shade of turquoise is one of my favorites, which made this card a real pleasure to make.

Here are the three challenges I entered this week:

7KidsCollegeFund (Monochromatic) Pat, I hope I followed the instructions correctly this time :)

Simply Magnolia (Bows and Bling)

Just Magnolia (Doily)

Think Pink

I'm hooked on Cheery Lynn Dies. Don't believe me? Check out this simple card. Just some delicate floral dp covered by a Cheery Lynn A2 frame die and topped with two of their magnificent butterflies. So much detail on these little winged delights. Can you tell I love 'em? Anyhoo, just visited their blog and decided to enter this card in their weekly challenge - this week to use a frame.

A pearl flourish to finish it off and it's done. Wouldn't it be nice if everything in life could be so clean, simple and lovely?

Fight Like a Girl

Tilda is in quite a feisty mood these days. She heard about a friend whose husband is not well and she just had to send these nice folks some words of encouragement. Well, she put on the gloves and got busy! She was a RAK and I hope maybe just for a moment she was able to provoke a smile. Tilda's turning out to be quite a versatile young lady and this is one fight that I really, really hope she wins!

Serenading Tilda

Quick post this a.m. Tilda has a song in her heart that she wants to share with everyone. I think she's looking for any excuse to celebrate and show off her musical talent. Maybe 'cuz spring's not far off and she's in a chirpy frame of mind? Regardless, here she is all dressed up and ready to go!

My only problem is, my treble clef sign keeps getting twisted around backwards! Oh well, good intentions you know :)
Hope the weekend treats you all well.

Pretty in Purple

Spring's not too far off now, with daylight saving time right around the corner so I thought Tilda would like to try on her new fancy frock with its matching parasol.  I may be getting ahead of myself since it's only early February, but our recent summer heat wave has really inspired me. I hope the nice weather lasts a while but even if it doesn't we can always re-create it with pretty images on paper.

This was a RAK for a card group friend. She let me know she received it, so it's okay to post. I colored with Copics and kept her pretty CAS. It doesn't show up here but the design on the background paper is silvery and very shiny.  Maybe one of these days I can get a new digi camera so my scanner doesn't have to do all the work.

Some RAKs featuring The House Mouses!

Had a bit of fun last week making and sending a few RAKs to friends on one of my card groups. The idea to make February "RAK" month came from one of our group members and I thought it was one of the best ideas I'd heard in ages. I've had a few rather stressful months lately and one of the bright distractions has been these great groups of ladies (and man, won't forget you Joe) with their encouraging comments and examples of creative paper crafts to keep me thinking positive thoughts. This was a great opportunity to kinda pay it forward just a little bit, and say thank you to everyone who's really kept my spirits up.

This was sent as a birthday card.

This is my cute little "Irish" mouse, a month early, but still cute!

I just grin every time I look at this. Their expressions are priceless!

My only regret is that I really didn't have enough time to make RAKs for everyone, but I won't forget. Eventually I hope I can reach out to those who I missed this go-around. You all deserve it. In the meantime, thank you all for your kind words, for the concern you expressed, for the laughs and inspiration. You're all special people.

Dreaming of the Tropics

No, in case you're wondering, I'm not delusional. I don't think we're in the middle of summer and I'm not particularly yearning for warmer weather; after all, we've had a really mild winter here in SoCal so far.  The truth is, I have a friend who is moving to a beautiful tropical island this month and I just wanted to give her a little reminder of what she has to look forward to. 

The beach background is a Sizzix border die, the ocean 'waves' are from an EK Success edger punch, the turtle is Jolee's, the starfish ribbon: RRR, and of course Tilda and her inner tube riding the waves. I added some Prima pearl flourishes and a rather strange looking gold foil sun.
.... and, if you hadn't already guessed, Tilda and her tube are popped up on an Action Wobble!!!! 

February, the month of Love

Everyone's thinking hearts and flowers, red and pink, chocolates and diamonds - wait a minute - Diamonds?? Well, wishful thinking aside, in case you didn't know where this was going, February 14 is Valentine's Day and I would be shamefully remiss if I didn't remember some of my favorite peeps on this prestigious day! My stamp is from House Mouse, the hearts are Sizzix embossed with SU's Iridescent Ice (which I love, BTW), the cute ruffly ribbon is RRR and the paper from Doodlebug's Sweet Cakes paper pack. The flowers are from my flower bin, mostly purchased from Michaels with a couple Wild Orchid pink rose buds tucked in for good luck. I haven't decided which fave peep this is going to yet, I just know it's not my nephew Kevin. Every year it gets harder to make cards for him, he's growing so fast (11 now) and all boy. So, female members of my family, be on the lookout. This may be headed your way :)

I've entered this in the following challenge this week:

House Mouse & Friends Love Theme with more than one heart