MDS---playing with my blog again:)

If any of you stopped by earlier today, you would have seen the multiple pictures with blank posts (similar to this pic). I created this background in MDS and the brand new header today! It took a while to get them to load properly, so I apologize if you stopped by during my 'construction' time. This pic shows the first draft of what I decided on. The brads on the white portion ended up hitting text, so I moved them to the outside on the DSP. This paper is Sweet Pea, and I LOVE it! My last background was Sweet Pea as well, just a calmer print. With Summer closing in on us, I wanted to brighten up my blog a bit. The sidebar tools will be done tonight use MDS accessories and punches. So, when I get it all done, let me know what you think. I am hooked on MDS, and I LOVE that I can now design my own blog!

April Showers Bring May Flowers...

These were made for an online swap group. We were to make a card relating to showers and one to flowers... Here's my shower card for April... The rainboot stamp is from Studio G...$1 bin at the box store a while back. I have no idea where the sentiment came from, I have had it at least 3-4 years. I cut an oval and attached some clear embossed Bermuda Bay cardstock for a wet looking puddle. I drew ripples (that's what they are supposed to be...LOL!) with my white gel pen. The boots are stamped and covered in Crystal Effects. I used my Bermuda Bay marker to make splashes, which are dotted with Crystal Effects. I LOVE this sentiment and was glad to discover it deep in a box in the garage:)

Bermuda Bay, Summer Sun, Whisper White, other than stamps...all materials are SU!

On to the May Flowers...

Now, this was a FUN card to make. This is NOT my original idea, though I wish I were this creative! I found a card very similar to this with this amazing flower idea on a SU Demo Forum. The lady who I was inspired by is LeAnn Gaff, who was inspired by Beth Prout. I believe in giving credit where credit is due, and these women did such a beautiful job that I had to try it out! The flower petals are the 3/4" circle punch, overpunched with the Large Oval. The stem is a segment of the Wide Oval, and the leaf is the 1" circle punch, segmented. The center of the flower is the largest flower from the Boho Blossoms punch, and in the center of that is a Filigree Designer Brad. The background is the NEW SU Impressions Folder called Square Lattice. I LOVE this new folder! Tons of punches used on this card, including the Modern Label, which frames the sentiment. I cannot wait to make more of these!

Cameo Coral, Summer Sun, Whisper White
Punches Galore :)
All SU on this card!

Elegant Anniversary

Here is my Anniversary card for a swap. I like how it turned out, and it's really quick and simple. All supplies are SU! The more I use the Two Step Bird Punch, the more I really like it. The birds wings also make beautiful tulips. There will another blog post soon (tonight or tomorrow) with a card using that.

It's been a really crazy week here at my house. We've had days of rain and thunderstorms here in NC, and it affects my mood as well as makes the kids a little nuts with being stuck inside. I am hoping for some sunshine soon! I hope all of my followers are doing well! To the 'Inky Ones', I will be making my rounds visiting all of you over the next two days.

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: StazOn Jet Black, SU Going Gray
Paper: SU Glossy CS, Basic Black, Whisper White and Brushed Silver
Accessories: SU Bird Punch, Scallop Edge, Scallop Oval, Large Oval, Small Heart. Big Shot, and SU Texturz Plate (Damask), White Organza Ribbon.

Cottage Wall Mojo 123

The swap group I am always talking about does sketch swaps monthly. For the first time, we just used one from Mojo Monday (link in my sidebar). It's a great site for inspiration and I print the sketches each month and keep them in a book. You will never run out of ideas, Mojo Monday is my lifesaver! So, this one goes back to the Jan Sketch Book at Mojo, sketch 123. I chose ROUND. Rich Razz, Whisper White and Old Olive are the only cardstocks I used. DSP is Cottage Wall, stamp set is Vintage Vogue from this past SAB. Faux jumbo brads using the 1/4" circle and Crystal Effects. Flower is Boho Blossom, and the new 3-pack Bitty Shapes flower punch. White Signo Gel Pen in the scallops. I hope the recipient likes it. Now, I need to make an extra for myself! The sketch pictures are below! This card is SUO!

House Mouse Mystery Card...

I have been talking a lot lately about the online swap group I am ejnoying being part of. Well, this month, one of the swap themes was a Mystery Card Kit. Basically, you send components that could be used to create a card to your partner, and they make a card out of your kit, using only what you sent. It was FUN! Being a SU Demo, I am always the one planning and cutting cards, it was a super treat to get one sent to me! I did cut down all the layers, and ran the main image through the Big Shot with the Bigz Clear Scallop Square die. I LOVE that die, it's so easy to center things with it! I pierced each scallop, and watercolored the image. Here's a close-up of the image...

I colored this adorable House Mouse image using WaterColor Wonder Crayons and my trusty Blender Pen. The mouse is Close to Cocoa, Blush Blossom, and Pretty In Pink. The flower is Mellow Moss, Pale Plum and Perfect Plum. The shading is Sahara Sand. I really enjoyed coloring this!

My friend who sent me this also included a scrap with this sentiment stamped on it. The front was full, so I stuck it on the inside.

So, I have no idea where the ribbon, flowers, paper, etc is from. The die and coloring supplies are SU as that's about all I use. Thanks Meg for sending me such a fun Mystery Card Kit!!!

Teacher Appreciation Gift...

My oldest daughter is in Preschool and has the most wonderful teachers! So, for Teacher Appreciation Day, I whipped them each up a small Thank You gift. (Both were the same, just different letters on the front). The box is made with the Scallop Envelope Die from SU, it's basically two of them glued together with sides added. Easy. Below are pictures of the notecards I filled these with, and I also included envelopes. I hope they liked them today! I also cooked dinner for each of them, which I am sure they will appreciate!

And, here are the notecards I stuck in the box. They're quick and easy, and time was of the essence this week!

To the gift bags, I tied this card that I made for them as well.

These are some amazing women, I am glad that God graced my daughters life with them this year.

Close To Bermuda Birthday

Here's a quick card I threw together last night for my club hostess meeting today. I am not a Close To Cocoa fan at all, but am trying to use up some of the colors that are leaving. And, I did like how it turned out with Bermuda Bay! I found a very similar card on a Demo site, and loved the layout. She had ribbon under the circle pieces and a bow tied on the side. Lo and behold, I don't have enough Bermuda Bay ribbon left to do this for as many cards as I needed to prep. So, I dug around and found my Bermuda Bay DSP, and cut strips of the Polka Dot design page. Not the same as ribbon, no, but in a pinch, it will do. I made the bow tie style ribbon piece by folding a 4" piece in to the center on both ends, adhering with a small dot of Tombow, then wrapping a 1 3/8" piece around the center, adhering in the back with another drop of Tombow. All in all, I like this card, and was happy I found a quick substitute for the ribbon! I hope my club enjoys making it later today.

Stamps: Circle Circus, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper/Ink: Bermuda Bay DSP and CS, Close to Cocoa, Whisper White, Signo Gel Pen
Punches: Modern Label, Word Window, 1 1/4 and 1 3/8" Circles, Scallop Edge

Have a great weekend everyone! I am anxious for my stamping buddies to get here, I have had a rough week, and there company always lifts my spirits!