Halloween treat bags

I was at a resturant last year that served it's silverware in this skinny white paper bags that I thought would be good for something crafty so I asked the manager is she would be willing to donate so to a good cause (my art studio lol) and she readily agreed.  What I didn't expect was th 200-250 she bagged up for me!  They have been sitting here all of this time when I got the brilliant idea of making Halloween treat bags for my grandkids Halloween parties at school.  We also made some to donate to a church for their anual Trunk or Treat event.  My sis and I spent several afternoons stamping, punching, stuffing, and attaching upwards of 115 treat bags.  Below are two samples on how they turned out.  The second set was attached with some monster cupcake pics that I made but never used.  Aren't they cute?  Love, Elle

Pretty in blue

I titled today's post "pretty in blue" because I ADORE the blues in the card that I just made.  Every time I think I have a new favorite another line of paper comes along and catches my eye and my heart.  Aren't these papers from Little Yellow Bicycle divine? 
I started off masking Tilda along with the romantic window stamp from Magnolia-liscious.  This is the first time that I tried masking and I must say that it was super easy!  I received a new flower die from My Favorite Things and thought it would be the perfect accent for my card.  I colored with my trusty Copic markers, layered my card, and added my sentiment and voila'!  Easy peasy.  I hope that you enjoyed today's post.  Love, Elle

Fall card

I am so behind that I missed a TOMIC challenge that involved this sketch!  I decided to do a Fall based card using Fall colored flower soft for the flowers.  I love the pagers and the rolled flowers as well as the sweet, sweet grass she is sitting on.  It feel good to be creating again.  I will have another new card in a day or two! Off to do some exercising upstairs in my little 'gym'.   Love, Elle

It's Birthday Time!

It's birthday time for my grandson Jacob so of course I had to hand make his card.  He is very into Karate so what better image than  Karate Tilda to use. Isn't she adorable? I tried to elliminate that pigtails but didn't have much success so a girl it is!  Jacob will be turning 12 next Sunday- I can't believe it-he was just born!  Jessica and Brian decided to have a party for him this year and he has asked if he can bring his girlfriend.  Isn't that cute?  Of course there will be no dating but they talk on the phone and hang out at school.  They don't want anyone to know about them because they don't want to be teased.  You know how middle school can be!  For this card I colored her with Copics, making her belt green to match his level.  I made my own Washi tape using 1" scor tape, some tissue paper, and some background stamps.  It was so much fun!  The possiblilities are endless.  I got the idea from the Monday Make It video over at Papertrey Inc. 
I die cut the number twelve in black and green so I could have a shadow effect and tied a bright green bow for my accent.  What do you think?  It sure is nice to be back!!!!  Love, Elle

My Life

I have been absent from blogging for a bit but wanted to stop in and say "hey"!  I have been busy dealing with health issues and needed to get them out of the way to the best of my abilities so I could concentrate on some artistic endeavors.  I have been working on a few cards and will be posting them soon.  I like to have a couple done before I drag out my lightbox and take pics.  How is everybody?  Great, I hope!  Love, Elle

Gatefold card

I thought that I would share with you a quick little project that I put together.  A gatefold card.  These are so much fun to make!  I wanted to practice coloring flowers so I picked this three-flower stamp for my card.  I love the softness of the lines and choose an equally soft color palette.  Take a look and let me know what you think! Love, Elle

Back to school!

Since all of the kiddies are headed back to school this time of year I thought I would make a card to honor such an occasion!  I use to love getting new pencils, paper, crayons, markers and folders when I was a child.  Oh, the anticipation.  I am not sure what this Tilda is called but I fell in love with it when I received it in an image swap that I participated in a year or so ago.  (great way to expand your image collection!).  She reminded me of Jessica (dd) with the glasses and all.  Jessica has worn glasses since she was 20 months old.  I loved using my new large scalloped border die from My Favorite Things on my card today. I also used one of their dies to make my Rolled Rose flower (blue).  I really like the way this one turned out.  Isn't she adorable?  Love, Elle

Two ways to use your paper

Today I thought I would share with you some experimenting that I did using dp two different ways.  (of course I didn't write down the source of the paper-sorry!).  The first card shows Priscilla, the adorable pixie from stampingbella.  This stamp set comes with the most darling set of 4 different pixies.  Too cute!  I used some of my nestabilities as well as a die from Papertrey Inc. to add my elements.  Of course there had to be three pretty buttons to add just the perfect touch. 
Here is the first card:

The second card showcases another stamp from Lockhart stamp company.  I love aprons and remember my grandma always wearing her Sunday best apron as she cooked for her large family and friends.  This time I did some paper piecing, using a different paper for the bib than I did the skirt of the apron.  I really wanted to showcase it so I circled my image with rhinestones giving it just the right touch, don't you think?  Which card to you like better?  I am partial to the Pixie card.  On the other hand I really like the apron.......decisions, decisions!  Love, Elle

Recipe Card

I have been a bit handicapped when trying to put together a project and this recipe card certainly shows it.  I love the new mini stamps and wanted Tilda to look like a charm hanging off the ribbon bow.  I colored her with colored pencils and copic markers (mostly for the face/skin) then added diminsional glaze to give it that charm look.  The recipe is a must try-YUMMY!  I kept this card simple.  I hope that you like it!  Love, Elle

My Little Adventure

Before I share my little adventure with you I would like to take a moment to thank everybody for their prayers and well wishes as well as the lovely comments left on my blog.  Heartwarming to be sure.
My little adventure.  I recently celebrated a birthday and every year Charlie (dh) takes me to the InkSpot (a quaint little shop housed in a victorian home in the heart of Kirkwood, Missouri) and lets me pick out some goodies.  I had recently purchased a paper pad from Papertrey Inc. that is full of yummy fruits.  Apples. Watermellon. Pears. Cherries. Strawberries.  I have been itching to use them and was searching for the perfect stamp to compliment my paper.  What better collection than Lockhart Stamp Company!  There were some sample cards made using three "perfect" apples that fit the bill but they didn't have the stamp.  Wahhhhhh!  Why does that always happen?  I meondered over to the counter where the owner was talking to what I thought was another customer and asked if the stamp can be ordered.  Low and behold the other "customer" pulled the stamp out and handed it to me.  What?  A used stamp?  Not on your life. (the stamp was actually brand new-aren't I the snob!) The other customer was none other than Karen Lockhart, owner and designer!  Oh my goodness was she nice!  Not only did I get to meet Karen, she showed me all of her designs, all of the unrealeased stamps, (in her notebook all of her designs where in color) she also gave me tips on coloring them with colored pencils AND copic markers!  Be still my heart.  I love this company and spend time periodically pouring over the stamps on her website.  If you click on them they show up in color.  The site does not do them any justice.  You should see them in person!  You should see what she has in store for us!  Karen is one of the nicest, most giving person that I have met in a long time.  I feel really blessed!  What an adventure!  Not only did I get the stamp, Karen also signed it "Happy Birthday, Michelle from Karen Lockhart".  I will cherished it always.  Love, Elle