Art and Soul Creations

Easter Wishes

2012-02-13T06:00:00.001-05:00

Hi Everyone,

Each month Sparkle N Sprinkle hosts a Sketch Challenge. It runs from the 1st to the end of each month. The winner receives a stamp set of their choice. This is a fun challenge and I'd love to see you enter.

Today I thought I'd spotlight a card I designed using the February Sketch Challenge over at Sparkle N Sprinkle.

Here is the Feb. Sketch

Here is my card.

I used images from new set 457 Celebrate Life.

This new set is so darling. It's perfect for those Easter cards you send out.

There is still plenty of time to work on your card and enter it in the contest.

Thanks for stopping in today, see you soon

It became a butterfly

2012-02-12T06:00:00.001-05:00

Hi Everyone
I have a card I want to share with you today using a beautiful butterfly punch,punch 901, from Just Imagine Crafts/Kreaxions.
I received a new stamp set the other day and it ties right in with the butterfly punch.

The great thing about these punches is the fact that they punch borders, corners, circles, they do what ever you want the punch to do.

I also used a great circle cutter that is available from Just Imagine Crafts as well.

You can see that punch used on this card punched in the corners showing 2 different corner presentations and I used the same punch to punch around the edge of the circle.

I added glitter to the various punch out areas and that makes the punched areas really stand out.

That is it for today. Thanks for stopping in and I will see you soon.

Barbara

Sparkle N Sprinkle Spring Fling Blog Hop Winners Announced

2012-02-11T13:39:00.000-05:00

Congratulations!!!

Here are the winners for the Feb 9-10 Spring Fling Blog Hop………………………..

Grand Prize #1 : Janet33234 -Any full-sized Stamp set of your choice on cling cushion

Grand Prize #2 : Stampnk -Any Stampette set of your choice on cling cushion

1st Place: Jaybee46 - Any two Glitter Tinsels

2nd Place: Denise Bryant - Any 3 small embossing powders

3rd Place: Cat Darling - Any 3 small glitters

Will the winners please e-mail Brenda at : brenda@sparklensprinkle.com with your name, address, phone contact and your prize selection as soon as possible. Note: If you live in the Ruskin, Fl. area and prefer to pick up your prize at the Shoppe, that’s okay too. However, Brenda still needs you to e-mail her your information for our files and to let Margaret know you’ll be in to collect.

We’d also like to thank all those who participated in this blog hop and left comments for our fabulous design team! We hope you enjoyed the hop. I see a lot of familiar names from previous hops and we’re so happy that you continue to join us. For all those who joined our hop for the first time – welcome!

Our next hop is scheduled for Mar 22-23 and is called Flower Child…………hope you’ll join us

Sparkle N Sprinkle's Spring Fling Blog Hop

2012-02-08T22:00:00.000-05:00

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to the Sparkle N Sprinkle Spring Fling blog hop! If you hopped here by way of Eleanor's blog then you are in the right place! Otherwise, you might like starting from the beginning at the Sparkle N Sprinkle blog to become eligible for FIVE great prizes. There are 2 grand prizes and 3 “random” prizes that are attached to 3 different designers blogs.

This month’s hop is celebrating Spring, St. Patty’s Day and Easter. Each of our Sparkle Team Designers is sharing their designs based on something from the 3 upcoming holidays.

A reminder that through the end of the month, the Sparkle Team presents Art Deco, People, Fantasy & Gail Burton images on special - 15% off!!! To view all our specials for the month, including some fabulous glitters, embossing powders and other SNS products, just click here to go to the specials section of the Sparkle N Sprinkle store.

Important things first!

Two lucky people will win a Grand Prize - a Stamp Set of the winner's choice mounted on cling cushion. As you visit each artist's blog, there is the possibility of winning one of THREE more prizes! It's a secret though. No one knows who "those three" are except for Brenda, the team coordinator...so be sure to leave a comment on EACH blog to be eligible.

I chose to focus on Easter cards so here is the 1st card I'd like to share with you today:

Benjamin Bunny has hopped over and joined the blog hop.

He stopped by to give you an Easter idea.
He can be found in this set

Click here for the directions for this card.

Next to hop in for you to review, is the Lamb and Chicks from new set 457 - Celebrate Life
Here is the new set

This new set is so perfect for Easter. Love it!
Click here for directions for this card.

And last on my agenda is a couple of chicks,also from the new set.

Click here for directions for this card.

This new set really inspired me for the upcoming Easter season. Hope it inspires you, too.

Thank you so much for stopping by today. I hope you've enjoyed my cards as well as all the other designers cards on the hop.

Don't forget, to become eligible to win a Grand Prize, please leave a comment on EACH blog. Winners of the mini prizes are selected when they leave a comment on the mystery designers blog also.

Good luck and have fun on the rest of the hop. Click here to hop on down the bunny trail to see what Gerlinde has created for you. Have fun!!!

From one Glamorous Babe

2012-02-08T21:50:00.001-05:00

Hi Everyone,
This is the first of 2 posts for thursday. I am actually posting early, on Wednesday nite.
This card is made as a shaped card. I decided to use a nesting flowers die from Quickutz. This is a cool die. Thought I use this die to make a shaped birthday card.

I think I am hooked on these hilarious ladies. And the sentiments just make the cards even funnier.This is no exception.

See what I mean!!! LOL

Please make sure to peruse the many great stamps available over at Art Impressions.I'm sure you will find exactly what you're looking for.

Thanks for stopping by and stop in at the Sparkle N Sprinkle blog hop in the next post for this date.

Maude's Birthday Wishes

2012-02-08T06:00:00.005-05:00

Hi Everyone
Welcome to Wednesday!!!! I've made a birthday card and Maude, from Art Impressions, is giving out the birthday wishes. You know Maude, she's sarcastic as all get out. And, only a great friend can send a birthday wish like this.

Maude can be found in the Golden Oldies section of the Art Impressions shop. Take a few minutes to check out that section. You will see there are a lot of great stamps in that section that will fit so many different occasions.

Just a reminder, tomorrow I will have 2 posts, so, stop by tomorrow for my usual Thursday Art Impressions post and..... the Sparkle N Sprinkle Spring Fling Blog Hop post. There will be lots of inspiration and prizes at the blog hop. Hope you can make it.

Thanks for stopping in today. See you soon,

Friends are your umbrella

2012-02-02T06:00:00.002-05:00

Hi Everyone

Whoa!!!!! It's February 2 and today is Groundhog day. Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow. So you know what that means, 6 more weeks of winter.So far the winter here hasn't been too bad. Lets hope the next 6 weeks are as mild as the last.In the meantime..................

The challenge this week over at Art Impressions, is an Easel card. I really love doing these types of cards. They are fun and they can be interesting to figure out how to display and to photograph.

This card was no exception. I got started on this card and I decided how I was going to fashion the easel then I decided on the cloudy background. Next, I decided I wanted the umbrella to be a 3-D umbrella, so I took care of that.

Here is the card closed

And the card is sitting opened

Here are 2 more shots that will give you a better look at the umbrella's dimension.

Hope you've enjoyed this card. Go ahead and try an easel card, they are easy to do and look so cool sitting open.

Supplies used:

Art Impressions stamp - Set 4048

Colored Pencils

Gamsol

Cloud stencil

Inks used - Distress Ink-Pumice Stone, India Ink - Black

Dimensional Foam

Thanks for stopping in today, see you soon.

Friends Who Last

2012-02-01T06:00:00.002-05:00

Hi Everyone,
I can't believe it, it's February already. And what happened to January??? It just flew by didn't it!!??!! And tomorrow is Groundhog Day. Hmm..... will we have an early spring or do we get 6 more weeks of winter. Tomorrow we'll know for sure. LOL

Hope you are having a great week so far. I thought I'd use one of those Art Impressions girlfriend stamps. These ladies have so much personality, don't they.

It's always fun to get together with our girlfriends and have a fun time laughing and catching up.

I got out my colored pencils and gamsol and colored and shaded these hot mama's. They are a "hoot".

Make sure you stop in at the Art Impressions online store and check out all the stamps in all the different lines that Art Impressions offers.

Supplies used:

Stamps from: Comfy on Couch set-UM4050

Prisma Color Pencils

Gamsol

India Ink

Sizzix Embossing Folders

Inka Gold - Gold

Cardstock- Core'dinations CS, Teal Blue CS, White CS

Yellow Gold Ribbon

Stop back tomorrow for another great Art Impressions creations.Hope to see you then,

Barbara

It's for baby

2012-01-29T06:00:00.002-05:00

Hi Everyone,
Today is my turn to post over at Just Imagine Crafts and I wanted to show you one of the new punches I just received.Its punch 921 and it has the prettiest little flowers in it. I thought it would look so cute with this little Dress up Girl from Art Impressions.

I love the look this punch gives the card.
Supplies:
Punch - Kreaxions
Designer CS
Stamp - Art Impressions

Make sure to check the new design team call here. It has been a great time working with the talented ladies on the Just Imagine Crafts team. And I love working with the wonderful Kreaxions punches.Check out the DT call and submit your application.

Thanks for stopping in today.

Barbara

Happy Anniversary

2012-01-26T06:00:00.002-05:00

Hi Everyone

It's Thursday and you know that means....... its time for the new weekly Art Impressions Challenge.And this weeks theme is Anniversary, I've had these bells for a while and they reminded me of an anniversary.

I just love the look of white embossed cards and I decided to make this anniversary card white with silver.

The front panel used the Cuttlebug Cut and Emboss Die -Whimsy.
The back part of the card used the Couture Creations Embossing folder - Entangle.
Embossing Powder - Sparkle N Sprinkle Silver Detail EP257
White CS
White Ribbon
Art Impressions Stamps - Wedding Bells L2358, Happy Anniversary F1412

Hope you have a great day. Thanks for stopping in today,

Celebrating Girlfriends

2012-01-25T06:00:00.002-05:00

Hi Everyone
Hope you are having a great Wednesday!! Today's card is to all the girlfriends in our lives.What would we do without our girlfriend's.You know, the ones who you call or email or send a text to.The ones who know the real you and know you better than you know yourself. So when it's time to send them a card, visit Art Impressions for just the right image and sentiment. Check out the girlfriends section of the Art Impressions shop, I'm sure you will find just the right stamp to fit the occasion.

Oh... the sentiment on this card is so true, isn't it!!!

Supplies used:
Art Impressions Stamps from the Weigh In Set UM4049
Copic Markers- YR61, YR15, YR65, E47, E43, E51, E41, Y21, V05, C-5, B32
Flower Shaped Die - Quick Kutz Nesting Flowers
Spellbinder Die - Ribbon Tags Trio S4-323
Embossed border on side of card - Sizzix Tim Holtz Alterations- Springtime Backgrounds and Borders Set
Ribbon

Well that does it for today. Thanks for stopping in today. I will be back tomorrow with a card for the Art Impressions Weekly Challenge. I hope to see you then.

Happy Birthday Logan

2012-01-23T06:30:00.034-05:00

Hi Everyone,
Today was the the 1st birthday party for Frank's great grandson, Logan. His actual 1st birthday was Wednesday, Jan. 18 and today we all celebrated with a big party, presents, balloons and food. Logan is so cute. He was born 7 weeks early but you'd never know it. Today he is well and growing like a weed.

So since the party was today, I just had to make a card to take.

The shoes are from Stampendous - Baby Shoes. The words and the balloons are in a set from Sparkle N Sprinkle - Set 406 Me and Mommy. I have very few baby stamps, but with the few baby stamps I had on hand I used them to make this card.

Frank needed a card too, so I made another for him to take as well. I used this giraffe stamp, I've had it for years and I must say it is an all time favorite of mine. I remember when this stamp was introduced back in 2001, and, it is still available today.This guy is great!!! It's from Rubber Cottage and its RC149J Giraffe - Lg. The tree I used just reminds me of trees on the African plains, I felt it would enhance the giraffe stamp. It is an Art Impressions stamp Q-2281 Desert Tree. I like this stamp as well. I have so many stamps that I truly love, it's hard to get rid of them when you really love them. (I've had very few stamps that I've gotten rid of over all the years of my stamping.)

The interesting thing about this card is that Logan's bedroom is decorated with giraffes and I had no idea.

How cool is that!!

Well that is it for now, thanks for stopping in and I will see you soon.

Sparkle N Sprinkle Sketch Challenge

2012-01-22T01:57:00.001-05:00

Hi Everyone,
I just want to remind everyone that there is a cool sketch challenge going on over at Sparkle N Sprinkle. The challenge ends on January 31, so, you still have time to make a card based on this month's design and post it to the sketch challenge page.

Here is this months challenge

And here is my take on the challenge:

The sketch challenge is a monthly challenge and runs from the first thru the last day of the month. I'd love to see your take on this sketch, oh.... and the prize is a stamp set of your choice. So get your Sparkle N Sprinkle stamps out and design a card.Hope to see your card entered.

I used the stampette set called Chianti - set 450. I think this set is really great. I love the images and you can do a lot with these.

Thanks for stopping by, see you soon.

Sparkle N Sprinkle Blog Hop Winners Announced

2012-01-21T15:26:00.000-05:00

Hi Everyone!!!

First I want to thank you all for visiting during the Sparkle N Sprinkle blog hop and leaving comments on my blog. I read each comment and I love to hear what you have to say. I hope that you will be back for the next blog hop on Feb. 9-10. Hey, that's right around the corner so, I better get started on my creations.

Brenda just announced the winners over at the Sparkle N Sprinkle blog

Here are the winners for this hop. If you are a winner please e-mail Brenda at brenda@sparklensprinkle.com with your full name – address – phone contact and your choice of item(s) for the prize you won.

CONGRATULATIONS TO:

Grand Prize #1 - Full-sized stamp set of your choice on cling - Cheryl B

Grand Prize #2 - Stampette set of your choice on cling - Kaiahobid

1st Place - (from Lana Clarke’s Blog) 2 Glitter Tinsels - Aurora Selvaggio

2nd Place – (from Gerlinde Townsley’s Blog) 3 sm embossing powders – Karen Land

3rd Place – (from April Williams Blog) 3 sm glitters – Robyn Rinehart

Congratulations to the winners and thanks again for hopping with us and I'll see you soon.

Sparkle N Sprinkle Deco Divas – Love is in the Air Blog Hop

2012-01-18T22:00:00.052-05:00

Hi Everyone,
If you are looking for the Art Impressions post, please scroll down to the next post.

Welcome to the Sparkle N Sprinkle Deco Divas – Love is in the Air Blog Hop! If you hopped here by way of the Sparkle N Sprinkle blog , then you are in the right place. Otherwise, you might like starting from the beginning at the Sparkle N Sprinkle blog to become eligible for the four great prizes.

A reminder - through the end of the month, the Sparkle Team presents St. Patrick's Day, Easter and Spring along with all Becca Barton images on special - 15% off!!! To view all our specials for the month, including some fabulous glitters, embossing powders and other SNS products, just click here - monthly specials.

Important things first!

One lucky person will win the Grand Prize - a Stamp Set of the winner's choice mounted on cling cushion. As you visit each artist's blog, there is the possibility of winning one of THREE more prizes! It's a secret though. No one knows who "those three secret artists" are except for Brenda...so be sure to leave a comment on EACH blog to be eligible (including the SNS blog).Winners will be announced Saturday, Jan 21st between noon and 3PM - Mountain Standard Time over on the Sparkle N Sprinkle blog.

Each of the Sparkle Team Designers will be sharing their thoughts on how their cards fit into the romance theme.I know I speak for each of the designers when I say "We hope you enjoy viewing our cards as much as we did in creating them."

I used stampette set 453 Happy Heart on my first card. As soon as I looked at this new set, I thought of valentine cards from when I was a kid. You may remember them, they were so cute and whimsical. So I decided to make an easel card to try to carry on that look.

Here is this darling stamp set I used.

Card Closed

Inside of card

Easel car opened

This turned out easy to make. So if you haven't tried an easel card yet, don't shy away from them. They are not hard to make. Click here for the detailed instructions.

I'd like to share with you a 2nd project which is a card and an envelope combination. I used a petal card to use as an envelope.

The picture above, is of the petal card closed with doilies attached to the petals and a belly band was added to keep the envelope closed.

In keeping with the love/Valentine theme here is the special card that is inside the envelope. This is an odd card in that it is hinged on the bottom instead of on the top or the side. Don't you just love things that are a little different.

I used 2 stamps from stampette set 454 and I also used 2 different punches in designing this card.

Here is a view of the petal card that I am using for the envelope and the card resting in the envelope with the belly band in front. You can click here for detailed instructions.

Don't forget, to become eligible to win a Grand Prize, please leave a comment on EACH blog, and follow the directions on the last blog. Winners of the mini prizes are selected when they leave a comment on the mystery designer's blog AND answer the final question at the SNS Home Blog.

I want to thank you for stopping in today to check out my card creation. Now it's time to hop on over to Julie Zippel's blog to see what she has designed.

Oh, don't forget to leave a comment.

A Child's Card

2012-01-18T21:50:00.004-05:00

Hi Everyone,
Today I have two posts for you, this one is for Art Impressions Weekly Challenge, and the other post is for the Sparkle N Sprinkle Deco Divas - Love is in the Air Blog Hop. So please check out my other post, if you have time. There are prizes to be awarded on the Blog Hop.

The Art Impressions Weekly Challenge theme this week is: Card for a child/ children.I thought I would make a card for a toddler.

This little cutie is adorable. She is called Little Dress Up Girl. I used a few Copic's to color her, added a frame to the crown ovals and a little bling and some ribbon and the card is just about done. Next I attached some vine ribbon and some pretty little pink flowers and it's finished.

Supplies Used:
Art Impressions - Little Dress Up Girl H940
Ink - India Ink Black
Copic Markers - RV14, RV21, RV06, RV13, G21, G00, Y000
Spica Glitter Pen - Lemon
Spellbinders Dies - Crown Ovals S4-303, Classic Ovals S4-112
May Arts - Vine Ribbon
Embellishments - Ribbon Rose, Rhinestones - Michaels

Well that is it for this post. Please try to check out the other post for today as well (it's the Sparkle N Sprinkle Deco Divas - Love is in the Air Blog Hop)

A Window into Watercolor

2012-01-18T06:00:00.007-05:00

Hi Everyone,
Tomorrow I will have 2 posts. I will have my normal Thursday Art Impressions Weekly Challenge post and I will also have a Sparkle N Sprinkle Deco Diva's Love is in the Air Blog Hop post. So I hope to see you back here tomorrow to get more inspiration and to possibly win blog hop prizes.

Today is my regular Wednesday Art Impressions post and I decided to do a watercolor project. Since I picked up a few new dies last week, the one I used on this card seemed to be the perfect die to use for the scene I made.

Here is the watercolor panel I made, the wheelbarrow, from the In My Garden set.

After I finished this A-2 panel I decided to use a Window die to highlight the scene from the window. I also used a Sizzix embossing folder to give the card front that brick look.

Here is a peak inside the card to see the scene

And finally if you flip the scene page you have an area to write a note or stamp a verse.

Supplies used:
Stamps - Wheelbarrow from In My Garden 3545, AA1283, AA3017, AA3384, AA1368, A1371, AA1370,C3493,
Marvy Pads and Markers - Jungle Green, Brown, Silver Gray, Violet, Salvia Blue, Rose Marie
Die - Poppystamps - Grand Madison Window
India Ink Black - Used to stamp the Wheelbarrow
Ribbon

I really like the watercolor series of stamps that Art Impressions offers. Click here to check them all out.

Thanks for stopping in today, hope to see you soon.

Pure Delight

2012-01-15T06:00:00.003-05:00

Hi Everyone,

I am so amazed its mid January already.It's really cold here in N.KY., and we've been spoiled by a warmer that usual winter, so far. I just received my new punches from Just Imagine Crafts/Kreaxions and I LOVE LOVE LOVE this punch I've used on this card today!!

I've used punch 910 Vinca to make a border on the bottom of the card. And I love the way this punch seems to compliment the stamp I've used on this card.This stamp reminds me of summer, so I hope it will warm me up.

The bow was made using the E-Z BowZ Maker. Easy to use to make spectacular bows of various sizes.Try it and you will love it.

Supplies used
Punch - Just Imagine Crafts/Kreaxions - punch 910-Vinca
Stamps- Sparkle N Sprinkle -Hummingbird Party set 452S
Inks - Distrss Ink - Festive Berries, India Ink Black
Copic Markers - G21, RV14, Y17
Spica Pens (by Copic)- Buttermilk,Baby Blue, Olive, Mint
Cardstock- Designer Paper, Pink Shimmer CS, Cream CS
Embossing Folder
Frame - Spellbinders Classic Frame S5-012
4-in-1 punch #910
E-Z-BowZ Bow Maker
Ribbon

Have a great week

EXTRA, EXTRA, Read all about it!!!!

2012-01-14T00:30:00.000-05:00

Hi Everyone,

I have some exciting news to share with you all.

You may or may not know this, but, Unity has been in the process of making changes to their website to give YOU the flexibility of ordering {ippity} stamps right off their website. So these changes are in place now AND I am really glad to let you know that you can now order Unity stamps and {ippity} stamps on the same order!!! ONE STOP SHOPPING!!!

When you place your order, it will ship directly from Unity. To make ordering easy when you are on my ippity blog, I have set it up so that if you click on my picture (above the post section) on ippitydoda.blogspot.com , you will be directed to the Unity site right into the order section and you should see a message that says you selected Barbara Bruder as your ippity chick. If that doesn't happen you should be on the chicks screen so just scroll down and find my picture then click the choose button under my pic and name and you will be linked up to me for ordering capability.By choosing me, I will get credit for your sale. I know, you are wondering about the cool freebies that I used to send with my orders. Well, I plan on still sending you freebies, however, these little goodies will come directly from me so they will come separate from your order.

OK, if you go over to the Unity site on your own then what do you do??? Well on the Unity site, in the left hand column, there is a link that says... ippity - ORDER on the Unity website. Clicking on that link, takes you over to a screen where all the ippity chicks pictures are. Find your chick (ME), click on the word chose and now you are able to buy stamps and the chick you've chosen, will get credit for the sale.

Now here is more exciting news!!!

This weekend is Angie's 39th birthday ...... and she is celebrating by giving you a 39% discount on ALL stamps that you order this weekend. So that's 39% off Unity and {ippity} stamps. I'm telling you, that is a super deal!!! Just remember to use the code ang39 in the discount code section on the order page to receive the discount!!!

Well what do you think??? I think it's a win-win for you and me.

Leave a comment on ippitydoda.blogspot.com and you will get a chance to get in the drawing that will take place Monday.

In celebration of being able to combine Unity and ippity on your order here is a card design using a super Unity set.

Let it Snow

set 794A

This set celebrates winter in all it's elegant, frosty glory.This set contains 20 stamps.WOW!!

It is available on the Unity site and don't forget the 39% discount using the code ang39.

Well, have a great day and hope you find something that catches your eye. If you do let me know, please leave me a comment!!

Pink Pink and More Pink

2012-01-12T10:41:00.000-05:00

Hi Everyone,
Well it's Thursday already and it's time for this weeks Art Impressions weekly challenge. The theme this week is pink, pink, and more pink. So here is my take on the theme.

Here is Bea, in all her glory, in her winter white dress and her pink shawl and her glorious hat, having tea at a party. Not much coloring on this card. just pink and a few other colors for the flowers on the hat.

Stamps used- E2816 Another Year, Bea Q2787
Copic Markers - RV14, RV21, G21, Y21
Dies used - Cheery Lynn Designs - Nautical Wheeler Doily (for the doily), Spellbinders - Labels Fourteen S4-290.
Card stock - White CS, Brown CS, Pink CS
Inks - Distressed Ink Gathered Twigs, India Ink Black, Fresco Florentine Rose
Ribbon

Hope you have a great day, it's supposed to snow here this evening. See you soon!!

New Set at Sparkle N Sprinkle

2012-01-11T06:10:00.000-05:00

Hi Everyone
I have 2 posts today so if you are looking for the Art Impressions post, please scroll down to the next post.

I also wanted to let you know that Sparkle N Sprinkle is introducing 2 new sets today. And I have just finished a card using stamps in set 451 Hummingbirds & Flowers. I love this set and I know you will too.This set contains 9 stamps and I just used 2 of them on my card, today.

Isn't this hibiscus flower beautiful!!! Wait til you see the rest of the stamps in this set and there is also a stampette set that compliments this set. The stampette set has 5 stamps in the set and it is really sweet as well.

I used colored pencils and gamsol to color the flower.Also I used a new embossing powder that looks great with the colors I used on this card.

I also used:

Hibiscus Flower 3576-451G

Smallest Things 2582-451A

Spellbinders Classic Scalloped Ovals LG S4 -111

Spellbinders Fancy Tags Three S5-031

Spellbinders Classic Circle LG S4-114

CayenneEmbossing Powder EP435

Well that is it for now.

Ole MacDonnald

2012-01-11T06:00:00.001-05:00

Hi Everyone,
Just had to use this stamp since I just received it from Art Impressions. It's is a funny stamp and I love the name, Rhode Island Rockettes. I decided this needed some straw so I used yellow card stock that I had run thru my paper shredder. Then I used a thin wood veneer paper and I stretched a red mesh onion bag over it, Kinda reminds me of chicken wire.

What a cute group of hens. LOL

Stamps used: J1896 Ole MacDonald, U1832 Rhode Island Rockettes

Card Stock: White CS, Dark Brown CS, Wood Veneer Paper, Yellow CS (Straw)

Red Mesh Onion Bag

Copic Markers:C-0, YR15, R29

Corner Rounder

Thanks for stopping in.

An Invitation

2012-01-07T17:10:00.000-05:00

Hi Everyone,
I am inviting you to join me over at my other blog, ippitydoda for a fun week.Beginning Mon. Jan. 9, I am this weeks Growing In Unity gal, so please stop by every day this week (Mon. - Fri.) for some inspiration using Unity Stamp Co. stamps. I have 5 projects lined up using {ippity} stamps and I hope you like what I have in store for you. There are two prizes to be awarded, one prize comes from Unity and the other prize comes from me. So here is the deal. Leave a comment and your name will be added to the hopper. If you comment all 5 days you will have your name in the hopper 5 times, which gives you better chances to win.

I am looking forward to seeing you over at ippitydoda for 5 days of fun and inspiration. see you all there.

The Sparkle N Sprinkle Monthly Sketch Challenge

2012-01-06T06:20:00.010-05:00

Hi Everyone
Have you entered the Sparkle N Sprinkle Monthly Sketch Challenge yet??? No. Well I just want to remind you that this cool challenge is going on all month every month. So click here to check it out. Time to get your designing hats on and post to your blog or to Splitcoast. What have you got to lose??? Well, you could win a free stamp set. How cool is that!!!

Not Going to Tell

2012-01-05T06:00:00.001-05:00

Hi Everyone
Today is the 1st Art Impressions weekly challenge for 2012 over on their blog and the theme is "anything goes". Don't you just love that theme, that means the door is wide open on your creation. I must be in a red mood because yesterday I posted a red card and today's is too. I used Lucy and Trudy U2779 and they reside in the Golden Oldies section over at Art Impressions in their store. The verse is "chicken" I - 1889.

Front view and inside view

Don't Lucy and Trudy look perfect in red and purple. And check out their furs. These two are just too cute and of course Art Impressions always has a funny verse that fits their oldies images. Spellbinders Labels 14 S4-290 is used with the verse and Spellbinders Grand Labels Four LF190 is behind Lucy and Trudy. I used an embossing folder to further enhance that label. See those flourish borders, they are Valerian Flourish from Memory Box. Love their dies. I picked up 5 new ones yesterday.

Thanks for stopping by today,see you soon.

All You Need is Love

2012-01-04T06:00:00.001-05:00

Hi Everyone,
Now that the holidays are over it's time to check out something for Valentine's Day. It will be here very soon.

Aren't these little guys cute. They are in the Tiny Tots collections over at Art Impressions. This particular stamp is called Valentot Love T4004.Cute, cute cute. I used Love Background - T2357 on those hearts and added a doily cut from pink card stock.A little glitter in the letters and adding a bow and the card is ready for giving.

Have a great day and stop back tomorrow for the 1st Art Impressions weekly challenge for this new year.

See you soon,

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T00:36:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year Everyone!!!
I am just so amazed it's 2012 already! Can you believe it!!

I have a few housekeeping items to take care of before I get to my post.

First, I announced the winner of the Sparkle N Sprinkle December Sketch Challenge and it's Katyd. Katy please email me so I can arrange to get your prize out to you. Check out the Sparkle N Sprinkle January Sketch Challenge. It's a monthly challenge so you have all month to enter!!

Next, I participated in the Year in Review Blog Hop and I want to sincerely thank each of you for stopping by to check out the 12 cards I chose to spotlight from the past year.I also said I was awarding 2 prizes to 2 of the persons who commented on my post. So without further ado, the winners are:

Meg - Stamp set winner

Dee in NH - Glitter winner 2 1/2 oz jars - Two different colors

Lastly, I want to welcome 3 new followers who've signed up to follow me. Thank you!!

OK now it's time to get on with my post for today!!!!

Well, today it was my turn to post over at Just Imagine Crafts/Kreations and I want to share what I created for their post.

The stamps are from Inkadinkado and the reason I chose these stamps is because they are birds. First, I just love birds, but more importantly, these birds reminded me how fast 2011 FLEW by. I bet 2012 will fly by fast too.

Just Imagine Crafts has some amazing punches and the punched border on this card was made using punch 918 curves. It really compliments the birds stamp I used. Swirls and curves.
I've had a few comments on my bows, so, just to let you know, most of my bows are made using my favorite bow maker tool, E-Z BOWZ. That tool is available thru Just Imagine Crafts also.

Well, I think this is going to be an interesting year, but they all are, aren't they?? See you soon.

The Year in Review - a blog hop

2011-12-29T09:00:00.002-05:00

Hi Everyone,
Do you believe it, another year has come and gone. There is so much creativity out here in blog land, and I was invited by Karin over at With an "i" for Paper to participate in a review of 2011 and so can you. Just pick out your favorite cards from the past year, and post them on your blog. Then come over to Karin's blog at With an "i" for Paper and pop your name in the Linky spot and let the oooing and aahhing begin. All Karin asks is that you limit the number of cards you choose to 12 (That's one for each month of the year) and post a photo of the button below at the top of your post and link back to With an "i" for Paper.

Before you get started, I have 2 prizes to award to two lucky commenters. The 1st prize will be a stamp set and the 2nd prize will be 2 - 1/2oz. jars of glitter (2 different colors), so don't forget to leave a comment to be eligible. If you comment, I will enter your name in a drawing and the drawing will take place Jan 1, 2012. Good luck to all!!

So now sit for a minute or two and lets review my year. I have 12 cards for you to check out. Believe me, this has been a hard task, to choose just 12 cards. These are really in no particular order.

#1.

Stamps by Art Impressions

Images by Art Impressions

Image by Sparkle N Sprinkle, Punch by Just Imagine Crafts Kreations

Stamps by Art Impressions

Stamps by ippity Stamps

Images by ippity Stamps, Punch by Just Imagine Crafts Kreations

Images by Sparkle N Sprinkle

#10

Stamps by ippity Stamps, Punch by Just Imagine Crafts Kreations

#11

Stamps by Sparkle N Sprinkle

#12

Images by Sparkle N Sprinkle

Thanks Karin, for hosting this hop, it was fun to review all my card for 2011.

I hope you had a nice visit here, leave a comment to be eligible for a prize and then hop back to Karin's blog, With an "i" for Paper, to visit the others who have signed up to participate in The Year in Review.

I am looking forward to 2012 and it will be interesting to see what the new year has in store for all of us. Hope you have fun and Happy New Year.

Love

2011-12-28T09:16:00.000-05:00

Hi Everyone,
Well Christmas is over and Hanukkah is winding down so now I am focusing on Valentines Day cards.I love the reds and pinks of the cards and with that in mind I set out to see what I had in my stash that I could use to make this card.

The heart is a die cut and I stamped it with the text you find on the mini love background I2531. And what is Valentines Day without roses. I used 2 different images Long Stemmed Rose M2005 and Rose Bud M2006. The word Love is the perfect word for the card front and it's stamp E2548. Add a little ribbon and some cool corners and here is your Valentine's Day card for your sweetie.

The New Year is right around the corner so I am wishing you a Happy New Year and please stay safe. I will see you next year.

Don't forget I am reviewing 12 cards from 2011 tomorrow here on my blog so please stop by and there will be others that are partaking in this blog hop so there is sure to be fun and prizes. Oh prizes, Hmmm..... I wonder what I can give away that will be a wonderful prize. Let me see...................

Guess you will have to stop in tomorrow to find out all the particulars.

Barbara

Blog Hop coming

2011-12-27T17:16:00.001-05:00

Hi Everyone
I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas. I know I sure did.

Today I am cooking green beans and when they're done they will taste like down home green beans. I start out with a can Allen's Italian green beans and I use a big can. I put them a large pot and add 1 large quartered onion and a ham bone. (We eat a lot of ham and when we are done I freeze the ham bone and use it in soup or green beans.) I cook the green beans on the stove top about 7 hours. I start out getting the beans to boil, then turn the burner down pretty low, just barely bubbling and then put the lid on and let them cook. I stir them once in a while and after 5-7 hours they are done. And they are so good. Most of the time I cook them at night. I will get them ready about 10p.m. and let them gently simmer all night while I sleep. They are done when I get up and boy are they yummy.

OK now I guess I have you hungry now, don't I. Well its almost dinner time.

Oh..... I just want to let you know I will be participating in a blog hop over at With an "i" For Paper this Thursday Dec 29. The theme will be A Year In Review. My post will spotlight 12 of my favorite cards from this past year. So stop back Thursday to see which cards I will be showing.

Tomorrow I will be posting a card from Art Impressions so I hope you stop in for that as well.

That is it for right now

Merry Christmas to All

2011-12-24T16:04:00.000-05:00

Hi Everyone,

Just a quick note to all my friends and followers!!!

Boxes of Cherry Bombs

2011-12-23T17:54:00.000-05:00

Hi Everyone,
Well are you done?? Are you still wrapping?? Are you just doing the last minute things?? Me too.

Last night I made some "Cherry Bombs". I know, you are asking what are "cherry bombs"? And just to let you know,these do not go KaBoom. And they are so easy to make, and if you are done with everything else you could still make them. No lie!!! OK here goes, I used those small cupcake/muffin tins, some small cupcake papers, a brownie mix and maraschino cherries. Line the tins with the cupcake papers. Make the brownie mix according to the box. Fill the cupcake papers (less than 1 Tbsp per paper) and then add 1 cherry to the center of the batter and bake for about 15 min. at 350. Don't over cook and as soon as a tooth pick comes out clean, pull them out of the oven. These are so yummy. They make about 3 doz. and I made these to take to my friends at the bank branch close to my house and to my friend Robin, tomorrow nite.

I want to show you the boxes I made to take those cherry bombs over to the bank employees.

Here are the 3 boxes that are going to the bank and each will be filled with the brownies. To make the boxes I used white CS and after I cut these out, I sprayed them with Denim ColorWash. Next, I over sprayed with Pearl Glimmer Mist. Then I cut and adhered the snowflakes to the 4 sides of the boxes and these are done.

Here are the close ups of the boxes.

These turned out so nice. OK now I am going to fill these with Cherry Bombs.

Well, have a great evening and take a deep breath and try to stay stress free. It's almost over.Santa will be here tomorrow nite!!!

Let it Snow

2011-12-22T06:31:00.003-05:00

Hi Everyone,
Well I thought you'd like to see the card that I designed for this weeks Art Impressions Weekly Challenge. The theme this week, is die cuts and punches. After looking over my stash I decided to use the cute snowman in the Mouthfuls selection. The set number is CS4003Mouthfuls-Snowman and even though there is a stamp in the set that represents the twig arms, I decided to use real twigs. It turned out so cute.

I used a Sizzix swirl die cut 656187 and Oh.... those purple snowflakes..... they are from punch 312 from Just Imagine Crafts/Kreations.The large purple snowflake in back of the snowman was made from a punch and a template. I added a green ribbon to be a scarf. And that snow bank was made using sticker paper and glitter.

Well that is it for today, Saturday evening is Christmas Eve and I am sure we will all be awaiting the arrival of Santa. Stop in after Christmas and see what's coming up next here at Art and Soul. I have some projects that are far far behind and I will be working on those next week to finish those up and get them mailed out.

In the meantime, have a Merry Christmas and a safe one too.

Thanks

2011-12-21T06:00:00.002-05:00

Hi Everyone
Since Christmas is really almost here I thought I would focus on a Thanks card. We will all probably need a few of these to thank all the wonderful people that will be giving us gifts.

I used the bench that is in set 3545 In My Garden, which is in the watercolor series. This is project 7 set 2. I also used the Thanks stamp E464. I love the font on this stamp, it's really elegant.

Please stop in tomorrow, if time permits, to check out my take on the next Art Impressions Weekly Challenge theme.

Have a great day,

A Box and a Lid and Packages

2011-12-20T06:00:00.001-05:00

Hi Everyone,
Yesterday I mentioned I had bought a box with no lid at Target, in the $1.00 section. Well here is what I got and what I fixed for the lid. It turned out pretty cute.

(Where was my brain. LOL I didn't think to take a pic of the box before I added the lid so you will see the gift tag on the side in some of the pic's.)

Here is the box, I just thought this was adorable and knew I could use it this season. But alas NO LID.

Here is the lid I designed. I had a cute Sizzix die from a few years ago and thought it would be perfect on the lid.

Here is a shot of the box with the lid. Doesn't that die cut snowman look great with the ones on the box??!!

I tucked the back part of the lid to the inside and I think it gives it a clean look and it is now hinged.

Here is the box with the lid up.

This turned out to be a easy project and my shimmer paper matches that purple on the box pretty close.

Here are a few of the gifts that I got wrapped Sunday. There is another bag that got changed to a holiday bag and boxes and bows and .......

well that is enough for now. I will be back tomorrow with my usual Wednesday post showing another Art Impressions creation. I still have a few gifts to wrap and I need to make money holders, so, I am still busy and those elves haven't showed up yet to help me. Dang, I wonder when they will finally get here. LOL

Hope to see you tomorrow.

The Sunday Wrap

2011-12-19T06:37:00.001-05:00

Hi Everyone,
Well I spent the better part of my Sunday getting gifts wrapped. I just had to show you something I redid to change it from a takeout bag to a bag that now has a Christmas gift in it.

I'm sure this has happened to us all at one time or another. You buy a gift. It doesn't come in a box and you are stuck trying to figure a way to have this gift make a really beautiful presentation.

OK, here is what I decided to start with. A take out bag from a local restaurant.

This bag is big. It's 12" across X 15 1/2" tall and when it is open it is 9" front to back. Yep it's big!!! So I knew I could use scrap book paper to dress it up and hide the restaurant label on the front and back.

Next I decided to add a bag bonnet to the top, just to give it some added pizzazz. The die I have is from AccuCut and the bonnet is really for a regular size gift bag. However I decided to fold it the opposite way to give me the width I needed for this huge bag. So as I cut the paper out, I kept moving the cut mat so the slit would not be cut. After I cut the bonnet out I folded it in half long ways and made the slit myself.

Here is the bonnet.
Oh, I used a snowflake embossing folder and added that dimension to the bonnet. And here is the finished project.

I can't show the bag with the gift in it because the person getting this, reads my blog and she might see it. All I will say is, the gift is so big it hangs out of this big bag and you can tell what the gift is. This bag turned out really nice looking and you'd never know it came from a restaurant. LOL (Maybe I should have used a garbage liner bag. It would have been big enough, however, that wouldn't have any personality. LOL)

I also had to make a lid for a box that came with no lid. Got the box at Target in the $1.00 section and it is cute, but no lid. Stop in tomorrow for a quick peek at how I fixed that, and, to see all the other gifts all wrapped up, and ready for Santa to deliver them.

Counting today, 6 more shopping days. See you tomorrow.

Believe

2011-12-18T06:00:00.002-05:00

Hi Everyone,
WOW!!! Christmas is a week from today!!! You know, we always know when Christmas will be here, and it seems it sneaks up on us each and every year. At least it does that to me. Today I am wrapping my gifts. I hate to wrap gifts just a few hours before the recipient opens the gift so I am getting that chore done today. I shouldn't call it a chore, I love to wrap. Always have, even when I was a kid. And I have always loved to make bows too.

In the meantime I have a cute card for you today. I used a stamp from Sparkle N Sprinkle. This stamp is in set 385, its stamp 3048-385E Santa Believe. Every stamp in this set is a perfect stamp for that last minute holiday card you need to make. These will look great on tags too.

I used the perfect punch for Christmas cards/projects from Just Imagine Crafts/Kreaxions. It's the Holly Punch 914. This has become my Christmas go to punch this year. And after this week I will be putting this one away for a while. I mentioned I like to make bows, I used the E-Z BowZ Maker on this card. In fact I use this bow maker on almost all the bows that I have on my cards.

I will be back with a few more posts this week so if you need a break, stop back in for a few minutes to see what I will have for you. Have a great week and try to stay stress free!!

Jelly Beans

2011-12-15T14:12:00.000-05:00

Hi Everyone,
I know it's definitely not Easter yet, however I just felt this little guy calling me. So, I went ahead and used him on this card. The card I designed is also showing on the Art Impressions blog for this week's weekly challenge. The theme this week is to use buttons. So, here is what I came up with:

Isn't he cute. He is a nice break from all the hustle and bustle of this season. Speaking of the season, are you ready for Christmas? No? Me neither!! I have gifts to wrap and I need to see if I am done or need to buy something last minute.

Here are the supplies I used on this card:
Art Impressions Stamps - Giant Bunny G1076, Smell Jelly Beans C1677
Spellbinders Die (For Creatoia by Xyron) Badge
Spellbinders Dies - Ribbon Tags Trio Three S4-323, Nested Eggs S4-264
Twine
Buttons
Pink Glitter CS, Pink CS

OK it's time to get back to the Christmas season, so, have fun and don't get too stressed!!

See you soon

Joy

2011-12-14T06:06:00.001-05:00

Hi Everyone,
Today is my regular post day over at Art Impressions. I used an OH SO CUTE stamp and it's one of the cutest stamps for the Christmas season that I have in my stash. And of course it's from Art Impressions, so I thought I'd share this with you all.

Supplies used:
Art Impressions Stamps - Shepherd and Sheep - J745 , Joy - G2164
Copic Markers - E15, E33, E04, YR000, C-0, C-2
Spica Glitter Pens - Chocolate, Garnet
Inka Gold - Gold, Silver
Card stock - Dark Blue, Blue Shimmer, Yellow/Gold Shimmer, White
Spellbinders Fancy Tags - S4-235
Embossing Folder
Inks - India Black, Fresco - Roman Midnight

Stop back tomorrow for the next Art Impressions weekly challenge. Hope to see you then.

Gift Tags

2011-12-13T10:21:00.000-05:00

Hi Everyone,
I have a quick post to share with you. It's a tag I designed for my tag exchange that takes place tonite. I meet with a great group of ladies each month and tonite we are meeting for dinner and we are exchanging tags. We've done this for a few years.

Supplies used:
Trees Stamp - Just for Fun
Pine cone and lighter green sprig - Tim Holtz Sizzix Tattered Pine cone
Flourish - Tim Holtz Sizzix Elegant Flourishes
Darker green sprigs - Martha Stewart Punch
Poinsettia - Spellbinders Die
Ink - Fresco - Giovanni's Garden
Card Stock - Red CS, Green CS, Brown designer paper, Med. Green CS, Yellow CS
Gold Accents - Inka Gold by Viva, Pearl Pen by Viva
Tag Die - Accucut
Ribbon

This is such an easy tag to make, hope you try to use some or all of the elements I used.

Well have a great day and I will see you soon

Barbara

Heated Pearls

2011-12-08T06:09:00.013-05:00

Hi Everyone,
This week over at Art Impressions, the weekly challenge theme is......a new technique to myself or to the design team.

Well I don't know how new this is to the team members, but I decided to use this technique and to show you all. This is a very easy look to achieve, you just need Elmer's Glue and Pearl Ex or Perfect Pearls or any shimmery powder and a stipple brush.

First spread glue all over CS panel and then sprinkle the glue with 2-3 colors of powder. Next stipple the glue and powder all over the panel. Now, get your heat tool out and heat it. It will bubble up, and that is the look you are trying to achieve.

Here is a closer pic of the actual technique.

card.

I applied the glue to black CS and it looks so much better than using a white CS.I thought this background would be a great accent to the Dahlia Flower stamped image I chose for this card.

Supplies used:

Stamps - Art Impressions Dahlia P3343

PearlEx - Gold, Copper

Paper/Card stock - Black CS, Copper CS, Deep Red Shimmer CS

Ink - India Ink Black

Coloring used on Flower - Metallic Cream Chalks (Pebbles)

Sizzix Die - Tim Holtz Alterations Flourishes

Ribbon

Well, I hope you like the look, and you've got to try this, because this technique is so easy do. Hmmm....I wonder what this would look like with a white pearl and a silver powder, and a Christmas stamped image, maybe a snowman or a snowy scene.

See you all soon,

Envelope Art

2011-12-07T06:00:00.000-05:00

Hi Everyone,
How about taking a short break from worrying about Christmas presents and decorating and all the other things that goes with this holiday season.

Art Impressions has stamps that can help you decorate the front of the envelope. Just think of everyone who would get to enjoy your art. The mail clerks and the mail man and of course the person who the envelope is addressed to.

Wouldn't you love to send this out, or better yet receive this?? I added a few dots to add additional interest to the envelope. Don't forget, don't use glitter. Jams up those electronic machines and is a no-no when sending mail to the service persons. But I have used the Spica glitter pens from Copic to add that sparkle we love to add to the images, with not a problem.(But I would not use the Spica pen on mail to a service person.)

The stamp set used on this envelope is from the Country EA2 set UM4061.
Click here to check out all the stamps in the Envelope Art series.There are quite a few and I am sure you'll find something that suits your needs.

Tomorrow, Art Impressions will be introducing the next weekly challenge, so try to stop in to see what the theme is.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Barbara

Ornaments

2011-12-06T06:00:00.001-05:00

Hi Everyone,
I love this low fat cheese and I have been throwing these containers away til a few weeks ago. I figured I would find something to make with these. So, what do you get when you take a cardboard cheese container,

paint the inside and out, add designer paper and stamped images and some die cuts?? Ornaments of course!!!

I used 2 different snowman stamps to make these cute ornaments.

Here is the back side of this ornament. I used glitter inside and out and added snowflake ribbon to the edge of the box. ( I should have photographed that.) These are going to Louisville, Friday, to go to a Holiday Craft Show. Hope everyone likes these.

My Saturday

2011-12-05T18:03:00.001-05:00

Hi Everyone,
Hope you all had a great weekend. I want to share with you my Saturday afternoon. A dear friend of mine, Angie, was invited to participate in a small Holiday Craft Show, in Cincinnati at the Red Tree. What a cool place that was. The show was 1-5 and I arrived at about 2:00 p.m. and spent the afternoon with Angie.

Angie makes the nicest pieces, pins, pendents, ornaments etc. She uses photos and makes vintage looking pieces. Oh, what a fabulous job she does!!!! Here are some pictures from her booth Saturday!

Her work is superb!!!!

While I was sitting at Angie's booth I met Pam Kern, who had the booth next to Angie and she had great items as well. Here is a link to her blog http://fluffandfinery.blogspot.com/. She and her husband were there and we all had a wonderful time meeting and greeting people as they were browsing.

Hope you enjoyed looking at the pictures of Angie's work. You may want to visit her blog, Hopemore

See you soon,

Barbara

Christmas is on its Way

2011-12-04T06:00:00.002-05:00

Hi Everyone

I want to share a card I just made for Just Imagine Crafts/Kreations.And oh my, just think Christmas will be here in 3 weeks!!! Whoa, where has the year gone??? I know you all are getting ready for the holidays and I thought 'd share this card with you. I've wanted to make this card for a while.

I made the wreath by cutting sprigs that are on the Tim Holtz Alterations Sizzix Tattered Pinecone die. I arranged them in a circle and rhinestones were added. That verse in the center says it all, doesn't it!! To finish this card off, I knew I wanted to use a punch on the corners but I wanted to make the corners stand out more. So, using gold card stock cut to 1 1/2" squares, I used punch 902 from Just Imagine Crafts/Kreations to punch just one corner of the small squares and then I added those to the corners of the card front.

Well that is it for today. Thanks for stopping by, and have a great week.

Christmas and Paper Piercing

2011-12-01T06:00:00.001-05:00

Hi Everyone
Today's creation came out better than yesterdays. (Yea!!) This week's challenge at Art Impressions is...
paper piercing using Christmas stamps.

Supplies used:
Art Impressions Stamps - Roley Penguin K3053, Mini Poinsettia G2766
Ink - India Ink - Black, Fresco Chalk Ink - Mona Rouge
Copic Markers - R29, R46, R37, Y35
Silver Ribbon
Card Stock/Paper - Red CS, Green Core'dinations CS, Designer papers(2)
Paper Piercer

Thanks for stopping in and I will see you soon,

Letters to Santa

2011-11-30T06:00:00.001-05:00

Hi Everyone,

Did you all have a great Thanksgiving?? I sure did. Now it's time to get those cards and letters out to friends and family and of course to Santa.

This is the cutest stamp of some forest critters getting their cards out in the mail. I used silver mirror card stock and it really is like a mirror, sorry for the glare on the card, it's reflecting me taking the picture. The mirror CS is just too much like a mirror. So next time I will have to remember that, if I ever use it again. Maybe I will look around for a dull silver instead. This card posed other problems but this is what I wound up with and I am still not super happy with it. The first go at this card had a totally different background and it felt too busy for the image. Oh well.

Please stop in tomorrow for a look at the the next Art Impressions Weekly Challenge theme.

Supplies used:
Art Impressions Christmas Mailbox - U1530
Copic markers: R00, R14, R29G94, YG67, O, C-2, C-5, YR65, W7, E25, E71,B21, B24, B32, B95,BG10, BG72, V04, V09, V17,
Ink - India Ink
Paper/Card Stock - Mirror CS, Green CS, Designer CS
Corner Rounder
Just Imagine Crafts/Kreations - Holly Punch 914 (used on the Corners)
Spellbinders Big Scalloped Rectangles LG - S4-255
Sparkle N Sprinkle Glitter - Fire Engine Red G1007, Sparkling Snow G1003

Thanks for stopping in today, see you soon

Cardinals and Snow

2011-11-27T08:00:00.001-05:00

Hi Everyone,
I just picked up 3 new Northwoods stamps last week. I fell in love with these stamps because they have cardinals on them. I happen to love cardinals. I made this card using one of those stamps.

Supplies used:

Northwoods stamp - O8287

Martha Stewart Around the Page Punch - Double Arches

Copic Markers - R14, G29, C-2

Pearl Pen - Ice White

Distress Ink - Gathered Twigs

Sparkle N Sprinkle Glitter - Sparkling Snow G1003

Ribbon

Card stock - Green, Cardinal Red

These little guys are in my background almost every day. Maybe that is why I love cardinals so much. Of course they just happen to be the state bird for Ohio and Ky. and probably a few other states as well.

Have a great week and I will be back with cards using the other new Northwoods stamps I picked up, in a few days.

The winner over at ippity do da is...

2011-11-26T18:13:00.000-05:00

Hi Everyone,
I am so sorry I forgot to post this winner yesterday over on my {ippity} do da blog. So, as they say, it's better late that never. Last Saturday, the {ippity} chicks had a blog hop and I decided to award a prize to someone who left me a comment on my ippity blog, so without further ado, the winner of my prize is Trisha from Upstate New York.

Trisha you will be receiving set IPK-157 Thanks for All Things.

This is such a sweet set. I really like the tree and the flowers and.... well, the whole set!!!

I hope you like it as much as I do.

Trisha,you will have til Tuesday Nov. 29 at 5:00 p.m. to claim your prize. Otherwise I will draw another name. Please email me at bbruder at fuse dot net and send me your full name and mailing address. I will get this out to you ASAP.

Thanks to all of you who followed on the blog hop.And thanks for all the comments. I am looking forward to the next blog hop.

Have a great rest of your weekend and I will be seeing you soon.

Oh by the way, I will have some sneak peeks for the December {ippity} releases on Thursday Dec. 1, so stop over at the {ippity} do da blog for those. You're gonna like these.......

May the Love

2011-11-24T06:00:00.011-05:00

Hi Everyone,
Well today it's Thanksgiving and I want to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving Day!! Hope you are all having a wonderful day with family and friends. Oh I bet the food is to die for, too.(LOL)

Today is Thursday and it's time for the next weeks Art Impressions weekly challenge. This weeks theme is "flowers".

So with that in mind, I made flowers using Nested Poinsettias, using vellum paper. Next I stamped beautiful snowflakes on designer paper and heat embossed the snowflakes using white detail embossing powder. I added a sentiment and some ribbon and the card is finished.

Supplies used:
Art Impressions Stamps - May the Love H774, Med. Snowflake H2753
Spellbinders dies - Nested Poinsettias S4-219, Ovals S4-110, Scalloped Ovals S4-111
Paper/Card Stock - Designer Paper, Vellum, Teal Blue CS
Embossing Powder - White Detail
Copic Markers - R81 (Used to color the Poinsettias)
Ribbon
Brads

Joy

2011-11-23T06:00:00.002-05:00

Hi Everyone!!
Thought I'd share with you an Art Impressions Polar Pals favorite of mine, Sitting Polar Pals. These guys are so cute.
With the holidays right around the corner, thought these cuties would look great on a holiday card.

Supplies used:

Art Impressions Stamps - Sitting Polars - P4081, Joy - D2554

India Ink

Embossing folders - Tree and Swirls Background

Copic Markers - R000, R29, B18, B24, C-2, YG45

Glitter

Ribbon

Card stock/Paper - Dark Green CS, Designer Paper

I will be back tomorrow with the Art Impressions weekly challenge, so if you have time, drop in to see what I've created.

I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Noel

2011-11-17T06:00:00.001-05:00

Hi Stampers,
Today I want to share with you the card I designed with the Art Impressions weekly challenge in mind. The theme is Red, Green and Metallic, so I decided to use some designer cs and gold cs and ribbon and fir trees and here is the card........................

Supplies used:
Card stock - White, red, designer cs, gold cs
Embossing folder - Sizzix - dots (used on the designer cs)
Spellbinders dies - Lace Doily Motifs S5-063, Grands Label One LF-161
Ink - Distress Ink - Pine Needles
Emboss Powder - Clear Detail
Art Impressions Stamps - Mini Noel E2760, Mountain Fir G3237, Large Mountain Fir J3238
Ribbons - Red and Green chiffon

Hope you are inspired and design a card with red, green and metallic. Then go over to the Art Impressions blog and enter your card. You could be the next weekly challenge winner!!

Whatdya mean

2011-11-16T06:00:00.001-05:00

Hi Everyone,
It's been warm in my neck of the woods and Vera went to the golf course to get in one more game before the winter sets in. So here we are overlooking the 18th green and .......listen to what Vera has to say!! (Click on the picture to see the verse better.)

Too funny!! And check out all the cool stamps at Art Impressions!!

Supplies Used:

Art Impressions Stamps - Vera - L1243, Otis - J1524, Whatya Mean - G1781

Cardstock - Dark green cs, mottled green cs, white cs, pink cs

Ink - India Ink Black

Copic Markers - YG67, G21, Y11, E93, E71, E08, RV21, B000, V04

Spica Pens - Sand, Silver, Clear

Spellbinders Oval - S4-110 (Trimmed to make a sharper oval)

18th Hole Flag - handmade

Don't forget to stop in tomorrow for next weeks challenge.

And the winners are....

2011-11-12T14:31:00.000-05:00

Hello Everyone,
First, a huge thank-you to all of you who took the time to hop along to see all the creativity the Sparkle N Sprinkle designers had come up with. Your comments were so sweet and I believe that the easel card was an overwhelming hit!!! I am so glad you liked it.

Sparkle N Sprinkle has announced their winners and if you haven't had an opportunity to check the names yet, click here to check the names of the winners over at the SNS blog.

Speaking of winners, it's time for me to announce the winners here on my blog.

I am giving away two 1/2 oz. jars of Starfire Glitter.(My favorite glitter color)

Winner #1 - abraddock (Anita Braddock)
Winner #2 - frann

Congratulations to both of you.

Please contact me at bbruder at fuse dot net to give me your name and mailing address.

I am working on a few projects that have to be done and out of here so I am off to finish up on those.

Thanks again to all of you and congrats to the winners!!

See you soon

Sparkle N Sprinkle's It's Cultural Thing Blog Hop

2011-11-10T05:00:00.086-05:00

Hi there!!!!

This is my second post today. If you were looking for my Art Impressions post, scroll down and you will see my Merry Christmas post for Art Impressions. Otherwise, welcome to Sparkle N Sprinkle's It's A Cultural Thing Blog Hop!
If you hopped here by way of Angie Blasingame's Blog, then you are in the right place!  Otherwise, you might like to start from the beginning to become eligible for four great prizes.

Design Elements, Asian, Medallions and Andrea Roberts stamps on special - 15% off at Sparkle N Sprinkle! To view all our specials, including stamps, glitters, EPs, and other fine SNS products, just click here. Since Asian stamps are one of the types of stamps that are on special this month, I thought I'd use the Asian theme in my creations.
I used the Medallion and the Hope stamps found in set 181 Asian-Carp. The card I designed is a easel that opens to the side.

This is the front of the card.(Closed)

Here is the card, opened

This is a closer view of the floor of the card, where the card sits, opened up.

This card design is using the bonsai image also in set 181.This is a very clean and simple card. One stamped image.

The last card I want to share with you, is one I designed by using 2 stamps from the Fan Geisha set 302. The bamboo background and the Fan Geisha are in the Fan Geisha set. The Chinese character that I added to this card represents the word Love, which is in the Asian - Carp set 181. The fan that is attached to the card was a gift from a friend and I saved it specifically for this blog hop. It was the perfect embellishment for the card.

We hope you will enjoy viewing all our cards as much as we did in creating them. To become eligible to win a Grand Prize, please leave a comment on each blog, and follow the directions on the last blog. Winners of mini prizes are selected when they leave a comment on the mystery designer’s blog AND answer the final question at the SNS Home Blog.

Here is a complete list of all the designers who are participating in today's blog hop.

Linda Loew   http://www.lindamloew.blogspot.com
Amanda Reed http://cardscatsandcopics.blogspot.com
Shona Erlenborn   http://shonasstampingstage.blogspot.com/
Angie Blasingame http://hopemorestudio.blogspot.com/
Barbara Bruder   http://www.artandsoulcreations.blogspot.com/ YOU ARE HERE
April Williams http://stampwillydesigns.blogspot.com/
Julie Zippel   http://backtobasicsandbeyond.blogspot.com/
Eleanor Jenkins http://stampinginva.blogspot.com/
Karin Martin   http://karin-withaniforpaper.blogspot.com
Gerlinde Townsley http://mycreativecorner-gerlinde.blogspot.com
Marie Berquist   http://craftemarie.blogspot.com/
Patti White http://iliveforsnsglitter.blogspot.com/
Sandy Meier http://simplysandylee.blogspot.com/
Dawn Thomas   http://belladonnasgarden.blogspot.com/
Donna Ellis http://creativesmiles2.blogspot.com/

Oh but I have a surprise for you and this applies to my blog only. On top of the prizes that Sparkle N Sprinkle is awarding, I will be awarding 2 prizes also. If you leave a comment on my blog, I will enter your name in a hopper to be eligible to win one of 2 prizes. Each prize will be a 1/2 ounce jar of Starfire glitter G1017. This is one of my favorite glitter colors, by the way. OK if you leave a comment here on my blog AND become a new follower on my blog, I will enter your name in the hopper 2 times. I will randomly draw 2 names out of the hopper on Saturday and the winners will have 48 hours to email me to claim your prize. So, you could be a winner here and on the Sparkle N Sprinkle blog, too. How cool is that!!! 
Thank you for stopping by here to view my cards and remember to leave a comment to become eligible for a prize from Sparkle N Sprinkle or a prize from me.

 Please click here to hop on over to April's blog to see what she has in store for you.

Merry Merry Christmas

2011-11-10T00:30:00.000-05:00

Hi there !!!!
This is the 1st of 2 posts today. So thanks for stopping in for my usual Thursday post using Art Impressions stamps This post is showcasing my card that I made for this weeks challenge over at Art Impressions - and the theme is ribbons. I used 2 different ribbons on this card and I decided to use one of my favorite ribbons which is the snowflake ribbon and the other ribbon I used showcases a technique that I really love doing, ribbon braiding.

First off, these little guys are in the Polar Pals collection, and they are just so cute. I have the whole collection so I will be showing you more of these cuties over the next few weeks.

Next, I used a snowflake ribbon, and I must admit, I loved this when it was introduced a few years ago and still love it. I will probably never tire of it.

Last, I learned to braid ribbon a while ago, and I really think it gives a beautiful look and it makes a great accent to your card or project.

Well, as I mentioned, I have 2 posts today, the 2nd post is the Sparkle N Sprinkle's It's a Cultural Thing Blog Hop so stop back for that one later on, it's sure to be a great hop.

Thanks for stopping in and now I have to finish up on my Sparkle N Sprinkle Blog Hop post. Hope to see you over on that post as well.

Wine gets better ...

2011-11-09T06:34:00.001-05:00

Hi Everyone
Just received some new Art Impressions stamps and some of those are words. Seems I am always lacking in verses/words. When I ordered the verse I used on this card, I figured it would go great with this stamp. Click here and take a few minutes to check out the words and sayings at the Art Impressions shop.I am sure you will find just the right words to go with your stamps.

Supplies used
Better with Age - F3565
Gigi and Monique - U2837
Copic markers - C-2, C-5,E43, E15, E71, R39, R29, RV69, V05, YR61
Ink - Distress Ink Gathered Twigs
Card Stock/Paper - Dark Green CS, Med. Green CS, designer papers.
Spellbinders Labels 22

Tomorrow will be the next Art Impressions weekly challenge, so stop over there to check out the next challenge theme.

A Child is a Precious Gift

2011-11-06T06:00:00.001-05:00

Hi Everyone,
I just received some punches that I had ordered from Just Imagine Crafts/Kreations and the one I chose to use on this card goes great with the flowers in the stamped image.I chose punch 903-Flowers.

In using this punch, I was trying to make a lace look alike and I am really happy with the way the "lacy" border turned out. The Kreations punches are so versatile, and the selection is great. The 4-in-one punches are perfect in that you can get 4 different looks with one punch. I can always find a punch that will work with the project I'm working on.

Thanks for stopping by today, and have a great week.

Fun and Funky Fold

2011-11-03T06:29:00.003-04:00

Hi Everyone,
It's time for the new weekly challenge over at Art Impressions. This weeks theme is Fun and Funky Folds. Once I decided on the fold the rest kind of fell into place. The card design is called a Double Display card. Here is a link for the cut and folds for this easy to do card.

This first picture shows the card closed. You may notice the paper clips I had to use to keep the card closed as I photographed it.(See them just peeking out at the top of the card.)

Opened, this card makes quite a statement.

The card, as I mentioned, is really easy but it doesn't appear to be. Give it a try!!

Supplies I used:

Spellbinders - Lace Doily Motifs S5-063

Tim Holtz Alterations by Sizzix - Elegant Flourishes 656639

Art Impressions Stamp - Christmas Village Window M3184

Copic Markers - E33, E43, BG01, Y1, B00, YG41, C-1

Spica Pens(Made by Copic) - 09 Sky Blue, 20 Chocolate, 07 Olive

Sparkle N |Sprinkle Glitter - G1030 Fascination

Ribbon

Thanks for stopping by today, see you soon.

The English Countryside

2011-11-02T06:30:00.003-04:00

Hi Everyone
I decided to take a break from making holiday cards.So I got out my English Countryside stamps from Art Impressions to do a little water coloring.The main stamp I used is in set 3498. Don't know about you, but I think the watercolor series of stamps are really great!! I think this set is one of my favorites. I have series 8 that is sitting waiting for me to get started so I will probably work that up soon. In the meantime here is the card from series 6.

Supplies I used:

Set 3498

Bare Branch D3489

Marvy Markers:43, 55, 5, 45, 49, 79, 15, 9, 60, 28

Marvy ink pads: 18

Card stock/paper: Blue shimmer CS, Silver CS, Dark Blue CS, Lite Blue CS Watercolor paper

Watercolor brush

Tomorrow is the day the new weekly challenge will be posted over at Art Impressions, so don't forget to stop back for the new theme.

The Sketch Challenge at Sparkle N Sprinkle

2011-11-01T06:00:00.002-04:00

Hi Stampers,
I just want to let you all know that a new sketch challenge is being introduced over at Sparkle N Sprinkle. This is a new monthly feature and will give you an opportunity to submit a creation based on a sketch. The winner will receive a stamp set of their choice.

Please check the new challenge out and design your creation and then link it up to the blog using the inlinkz button.

The sketch designers have submitted their cards to give you all examples so please check it out and have fun.

Thanks for stopping by and I will see you soon.

Bricks Along the Journey

2011-10-31T00:13:00.000-04:00

Hi Everyone
Sunday I went to a great silent auction to raise money for breast cancer research. The function is known as Bricks Along the Journey. Just thought you'd like to take a few minutes to see some great art submitted by a lot of artists in order to raise money for the research. This was the 10th year for this event and it was my 2nd year for submitting. All of the submitted artwork has a brick included in the creation, somewhere.

I have posted about one fourth of the bricks that were entered. This was a silent auction and they also had a raffle for a whole host of prizes. I didn't win any of the raffled gifts but my bricks were auctioned off. Yahoo!!!There were 2 bids on the bid sheet so I know someone took my creation home with them. I believe the opening bid was either $50. or $75. The winning bid was higher than the opening bid.

Without further ado, click here to go over to the new page that houses the pics of some of the fantastic bricks that were submitted this year.

Thanks for stopping by,

Barbara

Happy Birthday

2011-10-27T06:00:00.000-04:00

Hi Everyone,
Well today is Thursday and you know what that means?? It's the beginning of the Weekly Art Impressions Challenge . Each Thursday Art Impressions introduces a new challenge. The theme this week is A Card for a Young Boy. And as I tried to figure out what Art Impressions image I was going to use, I remembered that I had a carousel horse and all kids love to go to the amusement park to ride the rides. I used a Happy Birthday sentiment, and covered it with a semi-transparent glitter - Sparkling Snow. I thought this card would be too cute for a a young boy.

Supplies used:

Carousel Horse -T1255 Art Impressions

Happy Birthday sentiment - G669 Art Impressions

Sparkling Snow Glitter - G1003

Copic Markers - YG45, B28, E15, E43, Y35, R29

Spica Pens (by Copic) - Olive, Buttermilk

Card stock/Paper - Designer Paper, White CS, Yellow CS

Embellishments-Gold Acrylic Stone

Frame - Spellbinders S5-012

Hope you are inspired and I will see you soon.

Fir Trees

2011-10-26T06:00:00.002-04:00

Hi Everyone,
Barbara here with another of my Wednesday Creations. This card came about because a few of my friends are going to a cabin in the Tennessee woods for a weekend of fun and hiking. And that got me thinking..... hmm....They will be out in the forest, a forest with some fir trees and before I knew it I had made this card.

I wanted to use a card shape that was just a little different so I used this labels shape die and since it is so large, I folded it in half. It makes a nice thinner card (6 3/4"X3 1/2"). Next I stamped on the other label shape, layered it on the front, and was just a perfect fit. The flourishes add the finishing touch.

Supplies I used:

J3238 - Large Mountain Fir -Art Impressions

G3237 - Mountain Fir (Smaller version of the Large Mountain Fir) Art Impressions

Copic Markers - E33

Inks: Fresco Chalk Finish Dye inks: Indigo Velvet, Giovanni's Garden, Medici Marble

Card Stock - White CS, Green Parchment looking CS

Swirl - Sizzix Die

Glitter - Parisian Mist

Card Shape - Spellbinders Grand Labels One, Layered shape - Spellbinders Labels Four

Don't forget to check the Art Impressions blog Thursday for the next weekly challenge, it's going to be another fun one!!!

Snowflakes

2011-10-23T06:00:00.000-04:00

Hi Everyone,
Since it is getting closer to Christmas and the holidays, I thought I'd share with you a card that I will be sending out this holiday season. I used one of the brand new punches that are available now over at Just Imagine Crafts/Kreations, and it is so perfect for your holiday and winter season cards and layouts.

This great snowflake punch ,punch 312, makes a beautiful border and corners and..... well look at what this punch enabled me to create.

Make sure you save those punched out snowflakes, they'll look great on your card too!!!
This is a 6" square card. I used the C insert to punch the corners on that shimmery blue panel. I decided a border punched on a center band would look great on this card.The band started out as 1 3/4" wide and I punched it on one side for the 1st punch then I turned the card stock band around to punch the other side. As I alternated the sides I punched, I just lined the punch up with the large snowflake. Next I attached the band to the card front and then I added my sentiment to the center. Then I glued the larger and the small flakes to the card and it's finished and in no time flat.

Well have a great week and I will see you soon.

Lace

2011-10-20T12:20:00.000-04:00

Hi Everyone
Today I have another card for you, using Art Impressions stamps. I used some beautiful lace that I picked up Sunday in my shopping at the last antique show of the season.

I have a few stamps along this theme, kind of country-ish and I just really like the look they give. When I was coloring this image I wanted to add colors that would remind one of dusk. As I was finishing this up, I added a little gold color using a product called Inka Gold. Its at the bottom edge of the rick rack circle. This product has bee's wax in it and it goes on with a sponge and according to the label, its called a gloss paint. It's a nice product and I am going to be looking at other effects I might be able to get with this.

Supplies used:
Country Lamp Post -L1211
Copic Markers - V04, C-5, E40, YG45, Y28, Y11, Y000, C-0
Inka Gold - Gold
Inks: India Ink - Black, Distress Ink -Tea Dye, Fresco Chalk Dye-DaVinci Violet, Fresco Chalk Dye-Sistine Sky, Fresco Chalk Dye- Indigo Velvet
Sponge daubers
Card stock/paper - Dark Blue CS, Blue Speckle CS, White CS, Designer Paper
Old Lace from antique dealer

That is all for now. Hope you get some ideas using lace.

Have a great day,

The Toy Shoppe

2011-10-19T06:00:00.000-04:00

Hi Everyone,

I thought you'd like to see the Christmas Toy Shoppe card I just completed. It turned out so cute.

Christmas is going to be here before we know it and I am trying to get a head start on my cards for the upcoming Christmas holiday season.

I used one of the Art Impressions Doorways stamp sets, 3525- Christmas Toy Shoppe. This is really easy to put together to make your scene. Hope you try this set out!!

Supplies used:

Christmas Toy Shoppe - 3525

Paper - Handmade Red Lokta Paper - Brick, White CS, Black CS

Copic Markers- YR65, Y000, 28, Y17, Y06, E000, E15, E18, E33, E37, E08, E43, E93, G85, YG45, R46, B000, B28, B45, BV29, V09, V12, C-0, C-5

Thursdays post will be another Art Impressions card creation. See you then.

Have a great day

2011-10-18T00:11:00.002-04:00

Hi Everyone,
I mentioned in my last post that I worked a convention and used some Hero Arts/Sizzix Products. Well I brought home a stamp set with the dies and I designed this card. This was my favorite set. The stamps and dies to cut out the images come packaged together. No more intricate cutting. How cool is that!!! I stamped the dogwood image 4 times and cut out each one, using the die that comes with the set. I colored the stamped images with those wonderful Metallic Cream Chalks by Pebbles. The butterfly on the card is in the set as well. I just placed the dogwoods next to each other to form a swag, of sorts.

As I worked with the cream chalk product, I absolutely fell in love with the way this cream blends. Easy to use and the results are quite stunning!! And no chalky mess since this is a cream.And since this is a metallic cream you still get that beautiful metallic sheen.

Well, that is it for now. Stop back Wednesday for a post using Art Impressions stamps.

Have a great day,

What a busy weekend

2011-10-16T21:27:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone,
Well the weekend is just about over and it's been a busy one for me!!!

I have a few pictures to share with you.
First off, Friday and Saturday, I worked at the Creating Keepsakes Scrapbook Convention at the Duke Energy Convention Center in downtown Cincinnati. I worked at the Stamplistic booth and demo'ed the new Hero Arts/Sizzix stamp and die sets and the Hero Arts/Sizzix stamp and embossing folder sets. I also used the Metallic Cream Chalks by Pebbles to color the stamped images.I had never used these in the past (where have I been), but let me tell you, I fell in love with those cream chalks. So easy to use and what beautiful colors in the palette. Wait til you see some of the cards I've made with this( new to me) product. The blendability of these cream chalks is great, and did I mention how pretty the end result is?? (LOL) Stamplistic also offered a M&T in the booth and that was manned by Mara, and you could make a fabulous medallion using Holly Berry stamps. Customers were given the option of making it into a pin. There was a steady stream of customers doing that. Jennifer, the owner of Stamplistic and my friend, was there to answer questions and ring up the purchases.

Here is where sat and demo'ed. I used the Vagabond and it is such a great tool. This was the first time I used it and found it so easy to use, and cut and embossed super. Customers were very fascinated with this little powerhouse of a tool.

Thought you'd like to see the display of the Medallions and those were a huge hit!!! Great examples of what you can do with those medallion stamps. These also make fabulous Christmas ornaments.Lots of cutting but so worth the effort. And this picture really does not do these justice. They are 4-5 layers and so, so fabulous!!!

Here are 2 of the many cards that were on display.

Those 2 days were fun and I saw so many familiar faces. It was great to catch up with people I haven't seen for a long time.

OK, now its on to Sunday..........

I went to the last show of the season at the Burlington Antique Show. I usually always find something at this show. Today the weather was so warm and sunny. It was extremely windy though. That made for some booths having to run after stuff that was blowing off the tables. And the place was packed with vendors as well as customers.

I loved this topiary, should have got it but passed it by.

This was at the same booth. Too cool.

OK, I was on my way thru the last aisle and I saw this witch, on a bike. So, this became the last place I stopped. Everything in this booth was metal art. This witch is so great!!!

There were so many other pieces in this booth, it was late and they were packing up, but I just had to show you a few other pieces. Sorry the composition of the pics is so poor. I was tired and I was trying to get these before they got packed away.

This was the last show of the season. The next show will be in April 2012. That will be here in the blink of an eye, however, that means winter is quickly approaching. Arrrr........

Here are the treasures that I wound up toting home.Ribbon, wooden blocks, and some vintage papers. Be on the lookout for some of that ribbon appearing on some upcoming cards.

Hope you have a great week and I will see you soon,

Tags for the holiday

2011-10-13T06:00:00.001-04:00

Hi Everyone,
Just thought you might like to see a tag I made for the Art Impressions challenge for this week.

I thought I'd use one of the stamps I just received from Art Impressions. I ordered the whole Polar Pals collection, and they are so darned cute!!!! The stamp I used is called Walking Polars.

I made this to resemble a snow globe. I cut a circle and stamped it, and colored with Copics. Next I covered the whole circle with VersaMark and then covered it with an embossing powder called Shimmer and heat set it. Next I used a Labels Four die and cut a label out of black cs. I then cut the label in half, and turned it upside putting the flat cut side down and mounted the globe right under the label.And there is your snow globe. I added some snowflake ribbon to finish this off.

Supplies used:

Art Impressions - Walking Polars M4079

Embossing Powder - Shimmer EP137 Sparkle N Sprinkle

Spellbinders Labels Four S4-190

VersaMark

India Ink Black

Copic Markers: Y17,Y21, Y28, YG45, B24, R29, C-1

Ribbon

Tag made using die from AccuCut

Card Stock - White, Blue Shimmer, Black

Thanks for stopping in today, see you soon

EEK, It's a Spider

2011-10-12T05:23:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone,

Check out Sylvia. She's out for a walk and it looks like she's run into a spider. She's scared of spiders.Petrified is probably more like it!! And from the looks of things she's in big trouble. LOL

Supplies used.(Stamps are from Art Impressions)
Sylvia - J1550
Tree and Leaves - T883
Sm. Spider Web - H3042
Sm. Spider - AA3049
Grass Line - A1371

Copic Markers:YR09, YR61, E33, V12, V17,
0, R37, E51, 100
Inks: Fresco Chalk Dye Ink -Sistine Sky, Giovanni's Garden, India Ink Black
Sizzix Die - Tag
Card stock- Black, Blue, White
Ribbon

Sylvia is such a cutie and so versatile.

Have a great day!!

Barbara

A Pumpkin Patch

2011-10-09T22:29:00.000-04:00

Hi Stampers,
I wanted to share with you a card I made a few weeks back. I learned how to make this card a long time ago. Years ago!!!It is super easy to make but you can't just pop it in an envelope and mail it, it has too much volume. It really should go in a box. I call this design "The Pocket Card". I hope you like it.

I plan on making a video showing how to make this card but it will be a few weeks before I can get to that. So as soon as I get that done I will let you all know and you can see how his card is made. This type of card would make a great Christmas scene

I built this scene using stamps from Heartfelt Creations. As you can see, this card will stand on its own.

That's all I have for you right now. I am going to leave you somewhat intrigued but I will start on the video.

Hope you have a great start to your week. Stop back Wednesday for Art Impressions inspiration.

The Pumpkin Patch

2011-10-08T06:10:00.001-04:00

Hi Everyone

I am little late in this post, but I wanted to share with you a card I designed with the Art Impressions weekly challenge in mind. This weeks theme is Stripes.

I used the pumpkin stamp and added some die cut leaves and ribbon and a bow.

Supplies used:

Art Impressions Pumpkin stamp P2101

Ink-Distress Ink -Ripe Persimmon, Brilliance Pearlescent Orange

Spellbinders leaf S4-

Card Stock - Brown - Core'dinations, Pop Tones Orange & Green

Crimper

Cuttlebug Folder

Sponge

Hand Punch

Ribbon

Please stop over at the Art Impressions blog and check out this week's blog challenge and enter a card. You might win a $10.00 gift certificate to spend in their store.

Thanks for stopping in today,

Have I got a deal for you.

2011-10-07T14:45:00.001-04:00

Hi everyone,
Have I got a deal for you. If you sign up to follow my ippity blog, (ippitydoda.blogspot.com) I will put your name in the hopper for a drawing for one new stamp set. One winner will receive:

This set (IPK-157) is so cute and as you know, (or maybe you don't know) all ippity stamps are red rubber, mounted on cling. Ready for you to use on your acrylic block. Also, ippity stamps are a line of stamps made by Unity Stamp Company and this stamp line is only available from ippity chicks and are not available in the traditional brick and mortar stores. And yep, I'm a chick!!! So that means you can buy your {ippity} stamps directly from me at creativeessences.

So please go over to ippitydoda, become a follower, and you'll be eligible to win this great brand new set, with the drawing to be between Noon and 2:00 P.M. Tuesday October 11.The winner will be announced over at ippitydoda.

Next, you'll want to check out the new sketch challenge blog. It's called Chick Challenges with {ippity} and they are hosting their first ever sketch challenge that you will definitely want to enter. Click here to check it out.

Thanks for stopping in and see you soon.

{ippity} blog hop winner and new sets

2011-10-05T22:43:00.000-04:00

Hi Everyone,

Here are the new ippity releases for October .

And if you scroll down you will see the name of the winner of the stamp set I am giving away.

The new sets are here

IPK 157 Thanks for all things

IPK 156 Time for ... friends and wine.

Aren't these new sets great. Set 156 is perfect for a girls night out party or a wine tasting party invitation, or a whole host of other things. And the set 157, well what can I say, thank you cards are always in order.
The above new stamp sets are in stock and ready to be shipped to your mailbox Don't forget, free shipping on every order.

OK OK On to some other fun stuff:

October 1 - 5 the Chick Challenges {with ippity} blog, had a blog hop and they are awarding 2 stamp sets to be announced on their blog. I was in the blog hop on day 1 and I also am awarding a new stamp set to one of the new followers to my blog. Due to a blog glitch, I actually posted my blog hop on my other blog, artandsoulcreations.blogspot.com. So I had new followers sign up over on that blog to follow me. I have a blog that is dedicated to {ippity} stamps and I would love it if you would follow me over there as well. It is called ippitydoda so please check out that blog as well.

Here is the winner chosen from all the new followers to my blog.

Dee in N.H.

Congratulations Dee please email me (bbruder at fuse dot net) with your name, address etc. so I can send you the stamp set!!!!
You will be receiving the stamp set below. Dee you will have 48 hours to email me your info so I can mail your stamp set!!!!

Thank you all so much for signing up to follow my blog. There is another hop in the works so stay tuned for more inspiration and prizes.

Walk a Path

2011-10-05T06:00:00.002-04:00

Hi everyone,
I have a card that I needed to make for a guy and thought you'd like to see what I came up with.

I think we all find cards for the men in our lives difficult to make from time to time. Hope this will inspire you for the next card you need to make for that guy in your life.

Supplies used:

Egret - G3258

Eagle Head - I3232

Walk a path - F3241

Ribbon

Card Stock: Brown Shimmer CS, Brown CS, Bronze CS, Dark Brown CS, Cream CS

Copper Leaf Pen

Thanks for stopping in today and stop back tomorrow for more Art Impressions inspiration.

Sparkle N Sprinkle World Animal Day Blog Hop

2011-10-03T05:00:00.067-04:00

Hi There
Welcome to the Sparkle N Sprinkle World Animal Day Blog Hop.If you arrived here from the Sandy's blog then you are in the right spot. If you just happened by, you will want to start at the Sparkle N Sprinkle blog to get all the details on the prizes and please make sure to leave comments along the way.

Tomorrow Oct. 4 is World Animal Day and since we are celebrating the critters in our life, I have designed 3 cards and 2 of the cards are in honor of the critters in my life. I have 3 cats and have had cats in my life ever since I have been 3 years old.

This little guy reminds me of Buddy, the newest member of my feline family.Buddy just appeared at my house one day and has never left. I think someone dumped him. Buddy looks just like Morris, the cat but he's just not as famous, but we aren't telling him. Click here for directions.

The other 2 "cuties" in my house are Lucy and Coco and they are rescues. They are mother and daughter and I have had them for 10+ years.They are pals and are always together and this stamp just reminded me of the "girls".

Click here for directions for card below.

I've included a third card so lets take a quick trip over to Africa to look at one more critter.

Nope not another cat, this one is a Zebra. I have always loved this stamp and wanted to show you how cool this critter is. Click here for directions for the zebra card.

Your next stop on the critter hop is Dawn. Hop over and check out the critters in her blog.

Thanks for stopping and don't forget to leave a comment to become eligible for a prize.

Chick Picks Blog Hop

2011-10-01T02:13:00.002-04:00

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2011

Chick Picks Blog Hop

Welcome to the Chick Picks Blog Hop, celebrating the official launch of our brand new challenge blog, Chick Challenges {with Ippity}! Chick Challenges was created by the Unity Endorsed Ippity Chicks to provide you with inspiring sketches, creative project ideas, and the chance to win some fabulous Ippity stamps!

Our blog hop will run from Oct. 1 to Oct. 5. Each day, we will feature 5 new Ippity Chicks and their projects. We will be sharing projects made using our favorite Ippity stamp sets. To sweeten the deal even more, Chick Challenges is giving away Ippity stamp sets to (2) lucky commenter's!

To win, you must:

1) become a "follower" of the Chick Challenges blog (www.chickchallengeswithippity.blogspot.com);

2) visit each stop on the hop and leave a comment; and

3) come back to the Chick Challenges blog and tell us what YOUR favorite Ippity stamp set is.

(You can view all of Ippity's stamp sets by clicking on the "catalog" tab at the top of the Chick Challenges blog.)

Here is the hop order for Day 1:

Chick Challenges: http://www.chickchallengeswithippity.blogspot.com/

Jenny Johns: http://www.jenscupofcreations.blogspot.com/

Angie Reece: http://www.stampingsoftheshug.blogspot.com/

Barbara Bruder: http://www.artandsoulcreations.blogspot.com/ that's me

Maria Levine: http://www.riacreations.blogspot.com/

Patricia Cousins: http://www.mycraftycreationspatricia.blogspot.com/

Chick Challenges blog: http://www.chickchallengeswithippity.blogspot.com/

**************BLOG CANDY from here at ippitydoda:***************

And to sweeten the deal even more, and to be eligible to win a stamp set from me, here at ippitydoda, sign up to follow my blog and don't forget to leave me a comment. I will randomly draw a name from all the new followers on my blog. I will announce my winner, here on my blog, on October 6. The winner will receive one stamp set. Winner will have 48 hours to respond with all the mailing info to receive a free {ippity} set. If the set goes unclaimed after 48 hours, I will draw another name.
That means you could possibly win a free set from me and a set from the Chick Challenges blog.

****************************************************************

OK OK enough of the necessary info stuff, lets get to the fun stuff.
Let me show you my projects:
I decided to show off set IPK150 The BEST, and it actually is a perfect set to welcome you to this blog hop "event".

This set is soooo versitile. The stamps in the set are perfect for cards as well as scrapbook layouts.
Check out the complete set here.

My next project is another card is along the same lines. Welcoming you to the neighborhood (the Blog). I hope you plan on coming back to have more fun at Chick Challenges and here at ippity do da.

The stamps used to make this card are in set IPK131 House A Home.

Check out the complete set here.

My final project is a great set that is perfect for cards for children, Fathers Day, graduation or many other reasons that you will come up with. It would be perfect in that layout for Dad's day or how about when your son or daughter won that swimming event and came in first. You know, all those times that you want to recognize the effort put into whatever they did.

The stamps used on the card are again from set IPK 150 The BEST.

Click here for a complete viewing of that set

Thanks for stopping in at ippitydoda today and now it's time to hop over to Maria Levine's blog Click here to view her creations, and don't forget to leave a comment before you leave.

World Animal Day

2011-09-30T00:01:00.001-04:00

Do you love critters? We do! Join us on Monday & Tuesday October 3-4 to celebrate World Animal Day as we honor those beloved creatures who share this earth with us. As always, there are fantastic cards and prizes! See you then!

It's Halloween Time .... almost.

2011-09-29T06:00:00.000-04:00

Are you sending out Halloween cards?? No???

Instead of a card you could also attach the design to the front of a trick or treat bag or a gift bag. So think outside he box and have fun with this.

This image is one stamp and isn't it cute!!!! I colored it with Copics and cut out the blank area in the center and mounted a grey brown colored CS to that area. I added a little PearlEx to give it some pizzazz . I have a fence border punch from Martha Stewart and used that to frame the card on 3 sides. Added a little ribbon and this card is finished.

Supplies used:
Stamps - Art Impressions U1546
PearlEx
Punch - Martha Stewart fence
Ink-VersaMark
Black Detail EP - EP171 Sparkle N Sprinkle
Copic Markers - C-1,E43, E57, YR09, YR68, YR69,YG03
Spica Pen - clear (Made by Copic)
Ribbon

Make sure to stop over at the Art Impressions blog and check out the challenge this week. It's all about Halloween. So get out your stamps and enter, you could be the winner of a $10.00 gift certificate to use in their store. Have a great day.

The Snowman's coming

2011-09-28T06:00:00.004-04:00

Well we have just reached the fall season and where I live they are calling for some pretty cold temps at
night within the next few days. You know what that means, ole man winter is coming quicker that we want him to. So here is a card that will remind you of the upcoming winter weather.

Even though winter brings snow, you have to admit, snowmen are so adorable.

Check out this guy. He is one of the sets in the Mouthful collection.

Click here to see the complete snowman set.

Supplies used:

Gray/Blue speckled CS

Holographic Paper

Silver CS

White CS

Designer Paper (Scarf and Hatband)

Glitter

Microbeads

Ink - India Dye ink, Fresco Chalk Ink - Indigo Velvet

Copic Markers: C1, R29, E33, E43, B24

Thanks for stopping in,

Barbara

And the Sparkle N Sprinkle Blog Hop winners are.......

2011-09-24T22:26:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone
Announcing the winners are from the Sparkle N Sprinkle Blog Hop:
Grand Prize – Stamp Set of her Choice – Karen Ladd
Prize One from Barbara Bruder – 2 tinsel glitter colors of her choice! - Margaret Tower (flamingo girl)
Prize Two from Marie Berquist – 3 embossing powders of her choice – Shartl (apedoaak)
Prize Three from Julie Zippel – 3 glitters of your choice – Aileen Freeman
Sparkle N Sprinkle decided to add a SURPRISE PRIZE!
One new Stampette Set of her choice awarded to Carrie (cardmakingqueen).

Congratulations to all winners.Visit the Sparkle N Sprinkle blog for instructions on how to receive your prizes.

Sparkle N Sprinkle has a new Blog Hop coming up Mon. Oct 3-4 in celebration of World Animal Day.I am really anxious to see all the creations that the rest of the designers have come up with. I hope I see you at the hop and there will be more prizes that will be up for grabs. See you then.

For the Girls

2011-09-24T06:15:00.002-04:00

Hi everyone

First I would like to thank all of you who stopped by and left a comment on my blog during the Sparkle N Sprinkle blog hop. I received so many comments about the holographic snowflakes. That card stock is available at Sparkle N Sprinkle here at their online store. My sincere apologies for not adding that link for you in my blog hop post. Speaking of blog hops, there is another Sparkle N Sprinkle blog hop scheduled Mon. Oct.3 and Oct.4. Oct 4 is World Animal Day so stay tuned for additional information the hop, you know we will be celebrating our love of critters.

OK let me share with you a card that I created for Art Impressions. They have their weekly challenge going on right now and this weeks theme is "For the Girls".

I used a few of the stamps that I feel represent "girls". Lace and hats and shoes and female faces are the stamps that made me think of girls. Actually they made me think of my mom. She is gone now but I still feel her every day. She would have liked this card.

Supplies used:
Shoe - H1969
Hat - L2268
Joy - D2554
Helene Profile - E2518
Nora Profile E2517
Silver CS
Card Stock - Lilac and purple
Copic Markers
Distress Inks

Please stop over at the Art Impressions blog and check out the entries for this weeks challenge. Design a card and enter it in the challenge, you might be the next winner of $10.00 gift certificate to spend at the Art Impressions store.

Thanks for stopping in, stop back tomorrow for a card using one of my new punches.

See you then.

Magical Winter Moments Blog Hop

2011-09-22T05:00:00.002-04:00

Hi Everyone,
Welcome to Sparkle N Sprinkle's September blog hop. This month we are showcasing cards for the upcoming joyous and holiday season. A reminder that through the end of the month, Sparkle N Sprinkle is offering all the Christmas, Hanukkah, Winter, Christian, Jewish, Sympathy and Lisa Hillaker artist stamps on special - 15% off! To view all our specials, including stamps, glitters, EPs, and other fine SNS products, just click here.


Important things first: The Grand Prize is a stamp set of the winner’s choice.  As you visit each artist’s blog, there is the possibility of winning one of THREE more prizes! No one knows who “Those Three” are, so be sure to leave a comment on each blog. 

Winners will be announced Saturday, September 24 between 11AM-3PM on the Sparkle N Sprinkle blog.

If you arrived here from the blog of Shona Erlenborn then you are at the right spot. To see the complete hop list click here.

I have three projects for you to check out today. The first is a card that celebrates the Hanukkah season.

The Menorah is here and the verse is in set 388

Everyone likes penguins so here are two cards from the new Pengie sets.

Here he is, Sir Pengie now appearing in set 438. This guy just stole my heart.

That big snowflake is covered with Sparkling Snow glitter G1003

And next on my agenda is a card using Noelle's Pengie and she can be found in set 439.

Those snowflakes were made using holographic paper I have in my stash and it really makes those snowflakes stand out.

Now, before you move to the next blog, please leave a comment to be eligible for a chance to win a great prize. The next designer you will be visiting is Julie Zippel. Julie has a really great creation for you to check out.

Thanks for stopping by my blog , have a great day and I will see you soon.

Happy Birthday

2011-09-21T06:00:00.003-04:00

Hi Everyone,
When it comes to card making, birthdays are not like all the different seasons/holidays of the year.If you are like me, I kind of wait to see what the new stamps that are coming out on the market are going to look like before I make my Christmas cards or a fall/Halloween or an Easter card. I might want to get that newest stamp or maybe I just use a stamp from my stash. When it comes to birthdays it seems that there is always a birthday coming up for someone in the family or a friend.And I usually just go to my stash and decide who the card is for, what they like and go from there.

This is a card I designed for a friend who's birthday is coming up soon. I used my newest Martha Stewart Punch around the Page set. I must say, this is my favorite so far. Even though we are going into a season of browns and oranges and reds I decided to use a shimmery yellow cs and that is how this card started. I selected a pretty stamp from Art Impressions, mini sunflower F2692. And as I looked for a Happy Birthday sentiment, E597, I found that I had one that was written all the way across, however I needed one where the word "happy" was above the word "birthday". I didn't have one so I decided to take the stamp I have and make it look the way I needed it to.
Here is a trick to change the look of the sentiment:
I just stamped the sentiment, and I then stamped it again underneath the first stamping, lining up the word Birthday underneath the word Happy. Wella, I now have the sentiment in more of a square shape instead of a rectangle and it looks better on this card.

Supplies I used:

Art Impressions Stamps - Mini Sunflower F2692, Sentiment E597

Inks - Distress Ink - Vintage Photo, Fresco Chalk Ink Cortez Sun

Copic Markers - Y11, Y17, YG45

Paper/Card stock - Shimmer Yellow, Shimmer White, Yellow CS

Ribbon

Tomorrow and Friday will be the Sparkle N Sprinkle Blog Hop stop back for that and Saturday I will have with another card design using Art Impressions stamps. See you tomorrow.