Today's cards (yes, 2!! can you believe it??LOL)....

Good Wednesday Morning!! I have two cards to share with you today!! Only by accident though :-) I was working on my card for the Great Swaps Girls sketch challenge and printed the sketch out...and came up with the top card (ruby red). So I go to post last night and realized I used the same set as Jessie. Sorry Jessie, but don't you just love this set?? :-) Anyway, I felt I needed to make another card! I had fun making both...but the bloomin beautiful card is my favorite!! My DH likes the Live your dream card best. I watercolored the bloomin beautiful image and the bee. The bee has been pop dotted, I really like how it stands out on the card. For the flowers from the Live Your Dream set I used a blender pen and reinkers to apply the color. I then cut the flower out and trimmed the stems and then used dimensionals so they pop off the card. Enjoy!!! Have a great day everyone!!!

Blessings

Vickie

Recipe

Stamps: Live Your Dream, All Holidays

Paper: Old Olive, Soft Sky, Sahara Sand, Confetti White, Fall Flowers Designer Paper

Ink: Soft Sky, Creamy Carmel, Old Olive, Basic Black

Accessories: Wide Old Olive Grosgrain Ribbon, Dew Drops, Nestabilities, 1 3/8" circle punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, blender pen

Stamps: Bloom Beautiful, All Holidays

Paper: Ruby Red, Groovy Gauva, Confetti White, Ginger Blossom Designer Paper

Ink: Black Stazon, Groovy Gauva, Ruby Red, Garden Green, Really Rust, Summer Sun, Sahara Sand

Accessories: White Tafetta Ribbon, Dew Drops, 1 13/8" circle punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, piercer

TLC166...Two Way Open Card

Good Morning!! Today is going to be a busy day for me! I have a Dr Appt this afternoon and then I need to finish prepping for my card buffet this Friday night! *whew* I am just tired thinking about it!! :-)

Anyway, today's card is for the Monday Technique Lover's challenge TLC166 over at splitcoast! I really enjoyed making this card! I just LOVE how all the colors came out! I used Versamark on the En Francais background stamp and then dabbed Gold Pearl Ex over it. Sorry for the poor picture quality but I had the hardest time trying to get a good picture because of the gold glimmer! LOL I hope you like it!!

Have a great day everyone!!

Blessings

Vickie

Recipe:

Stamps: Bloomin Beautiful, Hugs and Wishes, En Francais Background Stamp

Paper: Blue Bayou, Cream Confetti, Porcelain Prints Designer Paper

Ink: Black Stazon, Blue Bayou, Wild Wasabi, Soft Sky, Versamark, Gold Encore

Accessories: River Rock Stitched Ribbon, Gold Pearl EX, half back pearls

Good Morning!! I hope everyone is have a wonderful weekend! I have been staying busy! I have nothing planned for today except to finish a book I have started and to make a couple of cards for my upcoming card buffet nite! I have couple of ideas in my head for a card and scrapbook page so I may even work on them...isn't the best kind of days?? :-) I couldn't sleep so I have been up for an hour or so and this is the card I put together! The hummingbird was already cut out and so was the flowers...so this card came together real quick! It is times like this I am glad I held onto images instead of just throwing them away....however, the downside is it seems I have them laying everywhere! Oh well, it worked out well this time!! LOL I hope you have a great day everyone!!

Blessings

Vickie

Recipe:

Stamps: Pretty Amazing, All Holidays

Paper: White Confetti, Regal Rose, Mellow Moss, Pretty in Pink, Pretty in Pink Designer Paper (hostess level 1)

Ink: Always Artichoke, Regal Rose (craft), Basic Black, Versamark

Accessories: Dazzling Diamonds, Regal Rose button, linen thread, white glitter buttons

SBSC135...Still trying to get caught up with some challenges...

Hey everyone!! I am still trying to get caught up! I am not sure I will ever get caught up! These scrapbook pages are from the challenge two weeks ago. They sure were a hit this evening! This is a very cute set!! You can't tell from the pic's but some of the images are popped off the pages. Too cute!! Well I am a bit tired, so I am off to bed! I hope to post my card for Beate's weekend challenge some time tomorrow!!

Blessings
Vickie

Recipe:
Stamps: Unfroggetable, Lily Pad Wheel,Brushstroke alph
Paper: Wild Wasabi, Brilliant Blue, Pumpkin Pie, Confetti White, Jersey Shore Designer Paper
Ink: Wild Wasabi, Brilliant Blue, Pumpkin Pie, Apricot Appeal, Bashful Blue, Going Grey, Creamy Carmel
Accessories:Corner Rounder punch, Aquapainter

Good news....Bad news...:-)

Good Morning!! First for the bad news....I am having trouble loading my tutorial to my PC :-( My dear hubby had to work last night, so he supposed to help me tonight. So (crossing fingers), I am hoping to post it in the morning. Okay now for the good news!! I have been accepted to join the Great Swaps Girls!! I am so thrilled to be a part of this group!! All of the ladies are so awesome and talented!! Yeah!! You can't tell I am excited can you?? LOL

Okay, for today's card....I didn't realize it until I uploaded the card this morning, but it reminds me of my card from yesterday! Hhmmm....sorry about that! I do LOVE how the flowers turned out though....they remind me of magnolias! I stamped the flower on white confetti paper and then sponged sahara sand around the edges and a dab in the middle. I really LOVE this color combo as well. This is definitely one of my favorite cards I have made with this set. I hope you like it as well!! Have a great day everyone!!

Blessings
Vickie

Recipe:
Stamps: Embrace Life, Linen Background Stamp
Paper: Sahara Sand, Soft Sky, White Confetti
Ink: Basic Grey, Sahara Sand, Soft Sky, Wild Wasabi
Accessories: Soft Sky Stitched Ribbon, white-half back pearls, sponge, blender pen, corner rounder punch

Wonderful You card.....

Good Morning!! This week seems to be going by sooo fast! Some days there just isn't enough hours in the day! LOL I have scrap nite this friday and I am looking forward it!! I am hoping to have a new layout finished by then! I think it is turning out too cute!! Here is a hint....I used the Unfrogettable set!! Hopefully, I will post the picture on Friday morning :-)

Anyway, I just LOVE how todays card turned out! I have been wanting this stamp set (Wonderful You) for awhile now!! I am so glad I finally got it!! A nice easy layout!! Just about everything has been distressed using the cutter kit. The flowers have been watercolored and then cut out! I also used the white gel pen to enhance the center. I just LOVE how the flowers turned out!! Well I hope you like it!! Have a great day everyone!! Remember to check back tomorrow for the tutorial on the Carousel pouches and your chance to win one filled with treats!!

Blessings
Vickie

Recipe:
Stamps: Wonderful You, Tres Chic Background Stamp
Paper: Always Artichoke, Rose Red, Natural Cream
Ink: Mellow Moss, Always Artichoke, Regal Rose, Rose Red
Accessories: Always Artichoke grosgrain ribbon, styled silver hodgepodge, cutter kit, white gel pen

Forever flowers....

Good Morning!! It is such a pretty spring day today! Way to pretty to be at work or even indoors. We have had so much rain my yard is a total mess! We will definitely be working in the yard the next couple of days :-)
Anyway, I can't remember where I seen this sketch...probably splitcoast! At first I thought this was a pretty neat sketch, but when I went to put the card together I struggled with it! It just seemed a bit bare until I wheeled forever flowers across the bottom of the card. I just love this wheel and stamp set, Together Forever. I may have never bought this set if it wasn't for one of my best friends getting married!! (Hey Nettie!!) For the life of me I cannot remember the name of the Designer Paper I used! LOL I know it is retired....arrrgggg.....sorry, it is terrible getting old! LOL
I wanted to thank everyone for the wonderful emails about the Carousel Pouches!! Stay tuned...I will be posting my first tutorial on how to make these!! Yeahhh!! I am a bit nervous, so just bare with me :-) I hope to have it posted this Thursday!! I will also be giving away a couple of them (of course, filled with treats!!) so make sure you check back!!
One final note...Stampin' Up is finally ready to accept credit cards (Visa, Mastercard and Discover) starting tomorrow afternoon!! Yeah!!! So anyone who would like to place a order, just let me know and it will be shipped directly to you!!

Blessings
Vickie

Recipe:
Stamps: Together Forever, Forever Flowers Wheel, All Holidays
Paper: Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Natural Cream, Designer Paper (retired)
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Wide Old Olive grosgrain ribbon, gemstones, Nestablilities

I am a bit late, but this card is for Beate's Weekend Challenge WSC44!!

Good Morning!! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! Mine was great! I didn't get as much Spring cleaning done as I hoped, but I did stamp!! LOL At least my priorities are straight!! Anyway, today's card is for Beate's weekend challenge!! I just love how soft and pretty this card turned out!! The two half back pearls adds just the right touch!! I used my new Pretty Peony's set... I LOVE this set!!! This weekend was the first chance I had to play with it! I have definitely been missing out! :-) Have a great day everyone!!! See you tomorrow!!

Blessings,

Vickie

Recipe:

Stamps: Pretty Peony

Paper: Brocade Blue, So Saffron, Confetti White, Le Jardin Designer Paper

Ink: Bashful Blue, Blue Brocade, Mellow Moss, Always Artichoke

Accessories: half-back pearls (pretties kit), White Taffeta Ribbon, sewing machine

Carousel Pouches...

Aren't these the cutest ever??? I just LOVE how these turned out! I seen these carousel pouches on one of the ladies who went on the SU cruise!! ( I am sorry, but I don't remember her website) She used the new owl set that will be coming out in August!!! Too cute, I can hardly wait to order it!! It did take a little trial and error to get the dimensions right, but they were so worth it!! They are very quick and easy!!!

Well, I may post one more project this evening :-) No worries though there will be plenty for the upcoming week!! It just feels so good to be stamping again!! I hope everyone is having a wonderful relaxing day!!

Blessings

Vickie

Recipe:

Stamps: Spring Solitude, Live Your Dream

Paper: Blue Bayou, Soft Sky, Wild Wasabi, Confetti White, Afternoon Tea Designer Paper

Ink: Wild Wasabi, Soft Sky, Blue Bayou, Close to Cocoa

Accessories: Punches: Scalloped, 1 3/8" circle, 1 1/4" circle, piercer, soft sky stitched ribbon, Carousel Notes

Finally a new post to share!! :-)

Good Afternoon everyone!! I think (I hope) I am finally back!! I have been working on some new projects so I should have several new items to share with you this week! I tell you it feels next to impossible to get caught back up after missing a couple of days!! LOL

Anyway, here is the widely popular carousel purse!! Isn't it too cute?? I cannot take any credit what so ever for this baby!! I shamelessly CASE'D this from Jan Tink!! She is one wonderful talented lady!! I actually got to meet her last spring at the Cincinnati Stampin Pamperin Weekend!! If you haven't checked her blog out you are definitely missing out!!!

Blessings

Vickie

Sorry for being MIA!!!

Good Friday Morning!! Please accept my apologies for disappearing the past week! It has been one longggg week :-) I cannot begin to tell you how glad I am that it is finally friday! Last weekend was super busy...unexpected family. I even took Monday off to recoup, but came down sick. So sick, I actually went to see the Doctor!! LOL I didn't actually start to feel better until yesterday evening. *whew* I am so glad that is over :-) Between getting caught up at work, hostess club and the purse class tonight, I haven't had any time! Can you believe I haven't stamped in a week?? LOL I think I am suffering from withdrawals!! I am soooo looking forward to this weeks challenges...lots of ideas are brewing!!! I should be back on my regular schedule after tonight!!! Also, I know it may be a bit early, but I am going to give away my first blog candy!!! I will post the details tomorrow!!!

Sorry for the long post with no picture! I just wanted to touch base with everyone!!! Thanks for all the kind emails!! You gals are the best!!! Have a great day!

Blessings
Vickie

Happy Friday!

Good Friday Morning!! I hope everyone is gearing up for a wonderful weekend!! Mine is going to be super busy!! If I get any stamp time in...it will be very late at night. *sigh* That is the way it goes sometimes :-) I may need to take Monday off to recoup!! LOL

Anyway, today's card is for the Splitcoast sketch challenge SC171. I know, I know...once again I have used the Embrace Life set and Afternoon Tea Designer paper!! The good news is I have some great new sets coming!! I can hardly wait!! :-) Today's card is fairly simply....cutting out the leaves was a bit tedious, of course :-) But again, sooo worth it!! Enjoy!!

Blessings
Vickie

Recipe:
Stamps: Embrace Life, Fancy Flexible Phrases
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Textured Groovy Guava, Whisper White, Afternoon Tea Designer Paper
Ink: Basic Brown, Wild Wasabi, Groovy Guava
Accessories: Wide Chocolate Chip ribbon, Nestabilities, Rhinestone Brad, Perfect Pearls, sponge, blender pen, Styled Silver Hardware, small oval punch

Arte y Pico Award!! :-)

Wow, this is such a pleasant surprise!! Lynn from LW Designs has nominated me for this award! I just got through checking her blog out and it is so wonderful!! Her watercoloring is simply awesome!! A very talented lady!! If you get a chance check her blog out!! Thank you so much Lynn for all of your kind comments and for nominating me!!

Here are the rules for the award:
You pick five blogs that you consider deserve this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also contribute to the blogging community, no matter what language.
List the names of the people you chose to receive the award on your blog and link to their blogs. Then go comment on one of their posts to notify them that you have given them this award and link to the post on your blog.
Each award winner has to show the award and put the name of the person who gave them the award and link to their blog.
The Award-winner and the one who has given the award have to show the link to the Arte y Pico blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award.Choosing just five blogs to pass on this award is going to be tough since there are so many great blogs I visit. Stop by and visit these great blogs:

Mountaineer Stamper

Stamp Happy With Laura

Ink Time

My Crafty World

Debbi's Design Stamping

Don't you just love Rubons??? :-)....

Today's card is for the Ways to Use It challenge and the Limited Supplies challenge! I was actually making the card for the Ways to Use it challenge....which is using rubons WT160; when I discovered it fit the Limited Supplies challenge which is white and one other color LSC162! Too funny! I am not sure I could have done this if I had tried!! LOL A nice clean and simple card! I hope you like it!! Have a great day!!

Blessings
Vickie

Recipe:
Stamps: none
Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Whisper White, Bashful Blue Designer Paper (Hostess level1)
Ink: none
Accessories: White and Bashful Blue brads, Love and Happiness Rubons, A Perfect Day Rubons, White Taffeta Ribbon, Die Cut Blooms, 5 petal flower punch

Scrapbook sketch challenge SBSC134...

Good Morning!! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!! At least it is starting to look and feel like Spring!!! If it could just stay this way for several months....*sigh* I am not a big fan of summer :-) I detest the humidity!! LOL

Anyway, speaking of spring...these are the scrapbook pages I came up with for the SBSC134 challenge over at Splitcoasts!! I wish you could see the pages in real life...much prettier! LOL I did add my own second page :-) I LOVE this stamp set Blooming with Love. A perfect Spring set!! Of course there is a lot of watercoloring and cutting out!! LOL However, it definitely made the title pop!! If you have any questions just let me know!! Have a great day!!

Blessings

Vickie

Recipe:

Stamps: Blooming With Love, Big Deal Alphabet

Cardstock: Regal Rose, So Saffron, Sage Shadow, Whisper White, Watercolor paper, Spring Fling Designer Paper

Ink: Sage Shadow, Regal Rose, So Saffron, Really Rust, Pumpkin Pie, Close to Cocoa, Going Grey, Basic Grey, Black Stazon

Accessories: Aquapainter, Wide Regal Rose Ribbon, pewter brads, Photo Corner punch,

What a wonderful Sunday morning!!

It is already so pretty outside this morning! It looks like it is going to be a gorgeous spring day!! What a wonderful way to end the weekend!

Today's card is for the splitcoast Wednesday Sketch challenge SC170. I just LOVE these challenges! I can't believe it took me so long to discover them! LOL Anyway, I used two of my favorite techniques....watercoloring and embossing! I embossed the leaves from the Embrace Life set with basic black craft ink and clear embossing powder, and then I watercolored the leaves with River Rock. Using the same stamp set I stamped two of the flower images in Ruby Red and then cut out each of the tiny flowers and sponged the edges with Ruby Red! Very tedious!!! LOL But I don't mind...it was sooo worth it! :-) Also, I used my tweezers to hold the tiny flowers while I sponged them! It kept my hands ink free!! I think everything else is fairly straight forward! If you have any questions just let me know!! I hope everyone has a wonderful, peaceful Sunday!!

Blessings
Vickie


Recipe:
Stamps: Embrace Life, Fancy Flexible Phrases
Cardstock: Ruby Red, River Rock, Basic Black, Ginger Blossom Designer paper
Ink: Basic Black (classic and craft), Ruby Red, River Rock
Accessories: Basic Black grosgrain ribbon, Designer Label punch, 1" circle punch, Large oval punch, gemstones, black brads

It's Weekend challenge time again....

Here is my card for Beate's Weekend challenge WSC42! I was a little hesitant when I saw the sketch...but once I got started, I really enjoyed it! I believe this is the prettiest card I have ever made :-) I used the paper tole technique on the right flower and the left leaf. The second picture shows a closeup of the layers. Sorry the picture isn't very clear, but it was the best one I could get! It should give you an idea of what I did! If you have any questions just let me know. The roughest part was starting out...it took several tries before I was satisfied with my watercolor image! Then I cut out my image out with my nestabilites. The bloom sentiment and bloom definition is embossed with vanilla embossing powder. I stamped the large always artichoke layer with the En Francais background stamp using versamark. Then I colored over it with elegant eggplant chalk. I believe that just about covers everything! I hope you like it!! Have a great Saturday!!!

Blessings

Vickie

Recipe:

Stamps: Bloomin Beautiful, En Francais Background Stamp

Cardstock: Elegant Eggplant, Always Artichoke, So Saffron, Watercolor Paper, Always Artichoke Designer Paper

Ink: Versamark, Black Stazon, Elegant Eggplant, Always Artichoke, So Saffron, Going Grey (marker)

Accessories: Vanilla Tafetta Ribbon, Cutter Kit, Nestabilities, Elegant Eggplant chalk, Aquapainter

Card Buffet Nite!!

Here is a picture from my card buffet nite!! Only half of the ladies are pictured here...some are a bit shy :-) We always have such a great time! I always look forward to spending time with them!!

Good Morning!! I am soooo glad it is Thursday!! It has been a long week:-) I am really looking forward to the weekend! I have been so good...I kept up all my housework (including laundry!!) and I am just about ready for card buffet tomorrow night! I am really looking forward to seeing all my wonderful ladies! We always have soooo much fun :-)

Anyway, today's card was inspired by one from Stampin' Up! using the Tie the Knot Simply Scrappin Kit. I really LOVE this combo of colors!! I have really been on an embossing kick as well :-) A nice easy card!! I hope everyone has a great day!!

Blessings
Vickie

Recipe:
Stamps: Fabulous Flowers, Baroque Motifs, Absolutely Fabulous
Cardstock: Certain Celery, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla
Ink: Chocolate Chip (Craft), Sahara Sand (w/Versamarker), Versamark, Certain Celery
Accessories: Wide Certain Celery Ribbon, Clear Embossing Powder, Vanilla Embossing Powder, Linen Thread, Neutral Button

More Scrapbook pages!!!

Good Morning!!! I hope everyone's day is off to a great start!! I am feeling soooo much better today!! Thank you so much for all your kind comments about my Bloom Where You are Planted scrapbook pages!! (Maria from CA, I tried replying to your email but it came back undeliverable. I think your system is reading my email as spam?? Here are the dimensions for the Bloom Where You Are Planted pages you requested!! The pattern paper on the first page is 6x6 and then on the second page it is 1.5 x 7.5. Remember my scrapbook pages are 8x8. If I left something out or if you have any other questions just let me know sweetie!!) I am really enjoying the sketch challenges over at splitcoast! If you get a chance give them a try!! Too fun!!

Today's layout is for challenge SBSC131. Again, I did add a second page. This time I actually stamped! LOL Another bold summery layout! Don'tcha just love the tart and tangy set?? It goes wonderful with the Summer Picnic Designer Paper!! Enjoy and I hope eveyone has a wonderful day!!

Blessings
Vickie

Recipe:
Stamps: Tart and Tangy
Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Real Red, Summer Picnic Designer Paper
Ink: Real Red, Pretty in Pink, Close to Cocoa, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Apricot Appeal,
Accessories: Pumpkin Pie Ribbon, A Perfect Day Rubons, Ticket corner punch, gold brads, die-cut blooms, 3/4" circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, 1 1/4" circle punch