Just chillin'

I actually made this card a few weeks agao just before school starrted. I just had to try this technique I found on a blog called Dawn's Stamping Thoughts. She has some of the most awesome tutorials!!! I will try to get a link posted to her site. You will definitely want to check out some of her video tutorials.
For this one I was able to use some scraps of designer Christmas paper from Basic Gray. I just cut the scraps into little pieces and then laid them out on a piece of sticky strip with one side of the adhesive exposed. Some areas of the adhesive are left open and you sprinkle a colored embossing powder over it. I used silver on this card. The embossing powder sticks to the adhesive. Then you just heat it up as usual and trim you finished piece down to the size you need. I added a scalloped border of matching silver paper along the edges.
The stamped image is from Close To My Heart called Chillin' and I believe it is still available. I shaded him lightly with Copic markers and colored his scarf with Stampin' Up! markers. The card base is stamped with a flourish image using Versamark for a very subtle pattern. I have a really hard time leaving empty spaces on my cards!
With the long weekend I hope to get in some quality stamping time this weekend!! I hope everyone has a great holiday, however you choose to spend it!!
Took a few minutes to find Dawn's video tutorial for this technique and add the link. You can view her easy to follow instructions here if you need a more visual description of what I have done to make this background.

More birthday monkeys

Here is another card using the monkey images by Stampendous. It is very unusual for me to leave a card without embellishments but I think this would make a great card for a little boy. Of course, little boys aren't interested in ribbons and glitter. It was really hard to leave it alone!
The image is stamped with Momento Tuxedo Black and then colored with an assortment of Copic and Stampin' Up! markers. The designer paper is from Basic Gray and the cardstock is from Stampin" Up!: Brilliant Blue, Basic Black, and Whisper White.

I had hoped to get in some stamping time today, but hubby and I ended up going to my son, Robbie's house. I watched Kyli while they worked on Rob's car. They got it running good again which will make things much less complicated for everyone involved. Got home just in time to cook some dinner and it is finishing up while I make this quick post. I went through some of the stuff I had been working on and never uploaded and thought I'd share this one with you.

Stamps: Stampendous
Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White, Basic Gray dp
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: SU and Copic markers, Spellbinder's Nestabilities, SU Mat Pack, Stickles, Pink Blings, Rich Razzleberry ribbon

My first blog post!

Hi!
Is there anyone out there?
I decided it was time to start a blog. While I was in school full time along with a full time job, I rarely had time to stamp, let alone start anything new on the internet. Then, I figured no one would actually be interested in reading my blog anyway. Then something really amazing happened the other day and I decided it was time to start a blog so I would be able to share the excitement with everyone! I can't yet say much about what the exciting news is, but very soon I will be sharing some really cool stuff right here on my very own blog! So stayed tuned and check back in soon.
Until then, I will share a sample of my stamping adventures! The card to the left is made from an image by Eureka! stamps. I have been on a mission lately to use some of the scraps that have threatened to take over the stamp room. Therefore, I can't say for sure who made the pretty holly paper I used for the background. The image was heat embossed with black pigment ink and clear embossing powder. I love the texture this adds to the image. There is also no danger of the ink smearing when watercoloring. I used Stampin' Up!'s watercolor crayons and an Aquapainter to watercolor the image. I love these crayons!! They are one of my favorite mediums for coloring stamped images!
I love layers on my cards, but to achieve the look of layers without adding the bulk, I used a Krylon paint pen to add a gold edge around each layer of paper.
Well, I had Kyli, my 18 month old granddaughter, last night and then spent the day hanging out with my son. Lots of fun, but now I need some rest!! Thanks for checking in with me and I hope to see you back soon! I can't wait to share my big news!