I’m back (but never really left)…

…I just took a break from posting to the blog. I continued to make cards over the past couple of months, but just posted the cards to my Splitcoaststampers Gallery (duchiedog). Cathy has been taking a break from card-making because she is very busy with her job. She did make a card for my sister and brother-in-law’s 25th Anniversary, but I don’t think she took a picture of it to post. So, for the time being, I’m holding the fort and will get back to posting to our blog. At times, I felt I was just duplicating the info I was adding to SCS, but I do like having something special where I can just ramble on, if I want to!

I decided to participate in a couple of swaps over at SCS. The first one was an embossing folder swap and the challenge was to use at least two embossing folders, texture plates, etc. It is hosted by a fellow Canadian (in Mission, BC). Here is the card I made:

I used Sketch Challenge 168 from SCS, here:

I used PaperTrey white card stock as my base because I really like the thickness of it. The cute little chickadee and egg image is from Inkadinkadoo that I picked up at Michael’s for $1.50. The sentiment is from Stampin’ Up!’s Teeny Tiny Wishes set. The image was stamped in Momento Tuxedo Black Ink and coloured with lots of copic markers. The other layers are Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, Bashful Blue and So Saffron. I used 3 different embossing folders – Swiss Dots and D’vine Swirl (both from Cuttlebug) and Stampin’ Up! Background I. I used some Pretty in Pink grosgrain ribbon and a few pink self-adhesive rhinestones to embellish the card. The image is popped up for a little additional dimension.

The second swap I signed up for is a Riley image swap. I love the little Moose images and thought it would be fun to get a few in return, hopefully some that I don’t have. For this swap, we were to use a sketch from SCS # 244 seen here:
and here is my card:

I used Kraft as my card base and used some patterned paper that had a blurred map picture. I layered that with some Chocolate Chip cs. I stamped Riley in his car using Momento Rich Cocoa and coloured it with various copic markers. I cut it out and layered it (with Really Rust) using Nestabilities Labels 2. I added some brown brads to the right side of the patterned paper layer. I popped up the main image to give it a little more dimension. The sentiment is from Papertrey’s Everyday Button Bits set, stamped in Rich Cocoa. I’m ready to mail these off and then wait patiently to see what I get in return!

The last (I think) swap I just signed up for is “For the Love of Chocolate…and Everything SWEET!” swap. I decided to make two cards to swap so I would qualify for a prize! I only had to make 4 cards for each spot, so I thought I would get this one out of the way too! I did a lot of stamping this weekend as you can see! Here is my first card: I used Taylored Expressions’ Berries & Cherries pie image and stamped it with Momento Rich Cocoa and coloured it with copic markers. I had cut it and layered it (Chocolate Chip) with Nestabilities rectangle and scalloped rectangle dies. The card base is PaperTrey white card stock and I stamped the cherries using Stampin’ Up!’s Chocolate Chip and Real Red markers. The middle layer is red with white polka dot patterned paper I’ve had in my stash for ages. That is layered with Chocolate Chip and I used my scallop border punch to match the frame on the main image. I tied some 5/8″ cholocate chip grosgrain ribbon. The sentiment is from Gina K.’s “100% Sweet” set by Rupa Shevde. I punched it out with Stampin’ Up!’s Modern Label punch and Magnetic Movers & Shapers Punch Windows and I just added a couple of red self-adhesive rhinestones.
For the second card: I used the ice cream and spoon image from the “100% Sweet” set and coloured it with copics. I’ve been wanting to play with my copics a little more to get better colouring with them. I’m enjoying them, and I hope you can see the different shades within the colours. I layered the main image with Basic Black. The card base is also Basic Black and I added some “ice-cream and friends” themed patterned paper that I have also had laying around forever. I punched sentiment with a 1 1/4″ circle punch and added a circle scallop layer with Rich Razzleberry. I finished off the card with some pink gingham ribbon and a black button, tied with some white embroidery floss. I’m so glad to have done these swaps. Thanks for having a look and I’ll be back soon with a few new cards.

I’m about ready to watch the Canada/US hockey game – GO CANADA GO!!!