It's a big day around here! Sweet Sketch Wednesday 193

 

Hello Friends! Today is a big day at our house. First, our daughter gets to attend her first friend Birthday Party. She is super excited! And I am so excited for her to have been invited. (there is a long back story there, I will spare you the details) The second reason today is a big day is that my Dear Husband is returning from a 9 month tour to Afghanistan TONIGHT!! Yes, Tonight! We are all super excited! I have missed his handsome face.

Anyway ...

Since my card making has slowed to the pace of molasses, my card stash has diminished, and I needed to make a card for today's party. I took my inspiration from my favorite challenge blog, Sweet Sketch Wednesday and ran with it. This one is sketch #193, which was super fun to work on! I found the hardest part, for me was to get that triangle right! I dont have a triangle die so I had to wing it...

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog! Your comments really do make my day and bring a smile to my face.

I thought I would share my daughter's cute little message to her friend that she wrote inside the card. She is 5, in Pre-K and is doing pretty great with her writing! I helped her with the spelling... 

Card Details:

Stamps: TE Delightful Day

Paper: Echo Park Hello Summer

TE June 2012 KI Kit coodinating papers

Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, CDS Spring Leaf, CDS Fresh Papaya

SU Baja Breeze, SU Pumpkin Pie

Tools: Scallop circle & Circle dies

Accessories: TE coordinating ribbons & brads

Copics

I made a card!!! Sweet Sketch Wednesday #190

Hello Friends! I am so happy you have visited my blog today, it has been close to two months since I have posted anything, and goodness, a good 5 months since I have made a card! I did make a couple cards last weekend but I didnt post them. I am (hoping to) ease my way back into crafting, participating in challenges and blogging. My best friend, and inspiration is Cassie Trask is the busiest person I know with homeschooling her kids, keeping up with their extra activities, she is still able to make her way to the craft cave and do what she does best, papercraft. If she can do it, I should be able to as well, right?? At least that is my hope! After all, my three kids are in school...

How I got my modivation up to make a card is kind of silly, but none-the-less it worked. I pre-addressed and stamped an envelope for a person who I really wanted to send a card to. Now who wants to waste a perfectly good envelope with postage? Not this girl, so a week after affixing the postage to the envelope, I made the card, and will slip it in todays mail.

This card was made for my favorite go-to challenge blog, Sweet Sketch Wednesday. Today I followed sketch #190 by the talented Sally Dube.
It may have taken me two hours and a bunch of unnecessary cuts of paper, but I throughly enjoyed making this card. Thank you  to all the Sweet Sketch ladies for the additional inspiration I needed today!

Details:

Stamps: MFT PI Happy Mail

Paper: TE March 2012 KI Kit, Echo Park This&That Graceful dp

Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black

Copics

Tools/Accessories: Moroccan Screen embossing folder

This&That decorative brads

Techniques: Copic Airbrush, Paper piecing

 

Again, I thank you for visiting my blog! I hope to have more for you soon!



Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #163

Hello Everyone! I am super THRILLED to get to share this card with you all today! Not because it is a great creation, or because my coloring is fantastic or because of my take on the sketch. I am thrilled to share this with you because I have not made a card or crafted in THREE MONTHS! It has been so long since I have used my copic markers that I definately need to study up on my technique. (not that it was great to start with!) It has been so long since I have posted on my sadly neglected blog, that all the updates to Blogger suprised me!

There has been alot of changes here at Casa Bryant, from going to a family of 3 to a family of 5 in a short 7 months to my husband deploying on his sixth combat tour back at the end of May, leaving me with said three children to manage on my own. This is my quick excuse of why my crafting and my blog have been neglected. BUT! My hope is, in making this card for my friend's daughter's birthday, my crafting mojo will return and I will find time, or make time to get back to my passion, paper crafting.

Onto the card... (dont look at it too closely hehe) I made this card for the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge,#163. I turned the sketch on its side to accomodate my image, which is called "Sweet Party" from Taylored Expressions. All my ingredients are exclusively from Taylored Expressions June Key Ingredients kit.

Thank you so very much for stopping by my blog today! I hope to be posting regularly again now that I am getting used to things in our 'new normal'. School starts in a short two weeks so ... please stop by again soon! I would love to hear your comments!

Taylored Expressions #154 * I love a Crafty Cuppie *

Hello and Good Evening Friends! Happy Friday!

So, my very dear DH is out of town for the next few weeks, which as an army wife, eh, that is no big deal. What nags at me is the fact that this is just the begining of a very busy year ahead for me. To simply sum-it-up, he is away for 3 weeks, few days home, away for 2 weeks, then 6 weeks home and then away for 9 months. In the midst of all that, we are foster parents to an 8 year old boy whom we are officially adopting at the end of April and we are being asked to take a (somewhat special needs) sweet 4 year old little girl into our home as a legal-risk foster placement. Good Gravy ..

So, Yes, I am venting, and with this card, I am reminding myself, and am asking all my friends to remind me to "DO SOMETHING CREATIVE EVERYDAY!" Just like good ole' Crafty Cuppy, which happens to be my very first Taylored Expressions stamp, given to me by my very best BFF, Cassie. This card inspired by Taylor's newest sketch over on Taylored Expressions' blog. 

Card Details:

Stamps: TE Crafty Cuppie

Paper: MME Dilly Dally, TE Watermelon, TE Lagoon, Buttercream cs

Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Copics

Tools/Accessories: Circle Nestabilities, Black self-adhesive pearls

Coordinating TE Kit ribbon

Thank you so very much for your visit and your kind words. Both are cherished so very much!

Clear Dollar Stamps SEPTEMBER Blog Hop .."Tangy Trio Color Challenge"

 It is already the third Sunday of September. Where does time go? Dont get me wrong, I am all for time going by fast. This year just cant go by fast enough ... well, except for the fact that my little boy turns 8 in just a few days! 8?? Really, where does the time go?



Anyway, it is time for the Clear Dollar Stamps' September Blog Hop!! Come play along with us! There are PRIZES TO BE WON!! I dont know anyone who doesnt like a prize!


Now, you should have made your way here from the delightfully talented Shell's blog. If not, go ahead and visit Lori's blog and start the hop from the begining!

This month, Linda has challenged us with a TANGY TRIO COLOR Challenge!

These are the newest colors in the Clearly Coordinating Collection at Clear Dollar Stamps! Arent they just Yummy!! Orange Whip, Kiwi Delight and Berry Blast, the Tangy Trio, not only have great cardstock, but coordinating COPICS (YR04, YG23, & RV14), TOMBOWS, RIBBONS AND FLOSS!! Yippee!!

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Card Details:

Stamps: CDS Seasonal Swag

Paper: CDS Kiwi Delight, Berry Blast & Orange Whip,

 CottonBall White, Jillibean Soup Blossom Soup dp

Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black

Copics: Orange Whip YR04, Kiwi Delight YG23, Berry Blast RV14

Tools/Accessories: CDS Elegant Accents dies, Oval Nestabilities, Corner Rounder, Seeing Spots embossing folder

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Blog Hop Details:

There are prizes to be won just for hoping around and leaving comments! Every comment you leave for the DT increases your chances of winning!

This month's prize is definately worth joining in on the hop..We are changing up the prizes a little bit .. ONE lucky winners will recieve a $25 gift certificate to the Clear Dollar Stamps digi store!

 **Winner will be randomly chosen from comments received on two DT member blogs. Winners will be announced on the CDS blog Thursday, September 22 **


Ok! Your next stop is the amazing and inspiring Sarah's blog! Thank you so much for joining in on this month's hop! Did you leave lots of love for everyone? Remember the more comments, the more chances you have to be a winner! Good Luck!!

Sweet Sketch Wednesday #115 & Friday Mashup #20

Happy Saturday friends! Today, I was able to spend some quality time crafting. (yay!) I was inspired by the sketch over at Sweet Sketch Wednesday (#115) , and the challenge over at Friday Mashup (#20). At Friday Mashup, we are challenged to create a project using buttons or a cupcake or Mash It Up and use a cupcake AND buttons! Hold the phone! My favorite cupcake, Cuppie was just itching to come out and play! I chose this set, Udderly Sweet from Taylored Expressions, because this card is intended for my friend, Erica K. who is from University of Nebraska. Coincidentally, so is my BFF, Cassie. humm interesting, right?



Card Details:

Stamps: TE Udderly Sweet

Paper: Echo Park Country Drive dp, Choice Snowwhite,

classic yellow green textured cs

Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black

Tools/Accessories: TE Cloud duo die, MFT white felt, Copics

Coordinating Ribbon (Aug TE KI Kit), misc buttons,

yellow sew-easy floss

Thank you so much for stopping by! I would love to hear what you think!

Stampin Sisters in Christ #101 & Friday Mashup #18

Looking for this week's Clearly Inspired Challenge? Click HERE to see my post.

Hello Friends! Happy Monday! Well, I hope it is a happy Monday for you. I am doing my best to enjoy my day. I did get a phone call from my DH yesterday, so that is helping today be a bit more bareable.
Well, today I have this cute little hedgehog to share with you. Isnt he just so happy? His smile is so contageous, well, as contageous as a stamped image can be.. haha..
This card is for two challenges, the first being Stampin Sisters in Christ, where the challenge is to use forgotten once 'must have' items. My forgotten item is the pink rhinestones that the hedgehog is holding. I love rhinestones, especially the self-adhesive ones, and it seems, I always forget about them.
The second challenge is The Friday MashUp. The challenge over there is "True Love Sparkles & Shines"  make a glittery card or an anniversary card, or mash them up and make a glittery anniversary card! I think the rhinestones and the sentiment on the card mash into a nice glittery anniversary card.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Details:

Stamps: CDS Berry Happy Hedgehog

Paper: MME Life of the Party Lime Twist dp, Pomegranate text cs,

 Neenah Solar White

Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black

Copics: E31, E33, E37, R37, R22, YG67, YG61

Tools/Accessories: Pink Rhinestones, Dienamics open scallop border die,

Lacey Circles Nestabilities, misc chipboard flower

PaperTake Weekly sketch #49

Welcome to Friday and the upcoming weekend everyone! The other day I decided to get some more practice / play time with my copics. I stamped this great image from Taylored Expressions and got to work.

Happy with my image, I needed to showcase it! I found this great sketch at PaperTake Weekly, and it worked perfectly for my image. Now, keep in mind that I am learning about copics on my own thru tutorials, dvd's and practice. I do love coloring and have been having so much fun with my copics. I would love to hear your copic tips, ideas and what you think! 

Details:

Stamps: Cuppie in Seattle

Paper: Deep Sea (CDS), Lagoon (unknown),Pomagranate (unknown),

Basic Grey Wander dp, Neenah Solar White

Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Deep Sea Hybrid Ink (CDS)

Copics: W1, C1, C5, E33, E43, RV13, BV23, YR68,YR04,

G05,G17, Y11, R29, R37

Tools: Ticket Corner Punch, Word Window, Sponge Dauber, Pumpkin Pie Brads 



Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge #122

Hello! Happy Tuesday! Well to tell the truth, Tuesday is my least favorite day of the week, but this card makes it a little better, I just love how this turned out, so cheerful! I made this card for the Taylored Expressions sketch challenge for this week. I paired the Udderly Sweet stamp set from TE with the Farm Fresh collection of dp from October Afternoon. Also, just as a side note, this is my second attempt at using my new copic markers, I think I am getting a little better handle on how to use them. Just a little better...

Details:

Stamps: Udderly Sweet (TE)

Paper: October Afternoon Farm Fresh dp, Chocolate Chip,

Rose Red, Snow White

Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Chestnut chalk ink

Copics: C-1, C-5, BV29, YG06, G17, G05, R46,

RV13, E93, R20,Y11, Y17

Tools/Accessories: Circle Nestabilities, Modern Label punch

Eyelet edge punch, dimentionals, lg Chocolate chip brads

My first stab at Copic Markers .....

Hello! Happy Monday! On Saturday, I got this suprise box in the mail...A box full of Copics! What?!? Yes.. over 60 Copic markers. Seriously.. I was so excited, I couldnt wait to try them out! I watched a couple tutorials and just went for it. I obviously messed up on the ground/grass, tried to compensate with my die cut grass. I love love to color in stamped images, so these copics just dazzle me to the core. 
Thank you so much for stopping by, I would love to hear what you think, and I would love any suggestions, techniques and ideas you would like to share.
Here are the details on this card .. I forgot to write down the copic color numbers. 

 Details:

Stamps: Fabulous Fruitstand (CDStamps)

Paper: October Afternoon Farm Fresh dp, Snow White cs,

Chocolate Chip

Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers

Tools/Accessories: Corner Rounder, Word Window, misc buttons,

grass die (mft)