Joan's Touch Challenge #11

Good Morning Ladies,
Back to my regular posting time today. I am up and at it already. It was a beautiful day yesterday.
I am working on a project for Joan's Touch Challenge #11 that is taking me a bit of time. But I have created a project in between that I am bringing to you today.
You can see and join in the challenge here....http://joanstouch.blogspot.com/2014/04/challenge-11.html
The requirements this week are as follows:
Make an altered project
Use a product that can be purchased at http://www.atjoansgardens.com/
This is a fun challenge this week. Here is my first project...

This project started life as a plain paper mache' ornament. I love to make ornaments but this cube one has been laying around naked for far to long. To start this ornament I need to give color to the paper mache' I grabbed my Tim Holtz distressed stains. I added the white wash stain first to the entire cube. While the white wash was still wet I went over each side with Broken China stain. These stains can be purchased at Joan's Gardens. The white wash stain was my first stain and of course I got it at Joan's. This started my Tim Holtz distressed stain collection that I dearly love. I wanted a little shimmer so I grabbed my Tattered Angels Sea Glass mist and misted the whole ornament. Next I grabbed my Graphics 45 Typography pad. It has all of these wonderful quotes that fit perfect on the cube. Those were attached to each side. They were first inked with a brown cat's eye ink pad. You can get the cat's eye ink pads at Joan's Gardens from Terri. I ran out of one of my chalk cat's eye ink pad and Terri ordered it for me and I got it fast as lightening. Graphics 45 pads can also be ordered from http://www.atjoansgardens.com/ . Thinking that this cube was a little to plain I grabbed my gold deco pen and went about lining the cube with it. Rolled roses created with a sizzix die were added to three sides. The forth side got a gold nome charm. The top of the ornament features stamps from the same Graphics 45 pad. Scroll down to see the rest of the ornament.

Thanks for another great challenge Joan and Terri!
I am off to work on my other project now.
Happy Scraps,
Mrs. Swandog

Graphics 45 Typography

Good Evening Ladies,
I ran out of time to blog this morning. Sorry about that. I had my card ready and photos taken. Just no time to post. But here I am now and my card is Graphics 45 Typography

Yes I do love Graphics 45 more than any other paper company on earth. So much fun to work with. The typography is fun. I fell in love with the box of crayons. So that was my jumping off point for this card. I cut the box of crayons out and inked the edges in brown. I then mounted it on another ;piece of paper from the pad. What the heck all edges were inked in brown. I cut the creativity strips and added them to the stripes. I thought the letter blocks went perfect with the creation I already had in place. Next was the stamps. I popped these up in the corners and one on the crayon box collage. Now I had to draw outside the lines. So I took to my old stash and found the star ceramic buttons. They were the right color and added interest to the card. So they were the finishing touch to this card.

 A close-up of the crayon box.

A view of one of the popped up stamps.
Happy Scraps,
Mrs. Swandog

Graphics45 Horse Book Box

Good Morning Ladies,
The weekend is over and it's back to the weekly routine. Routine is good right? I have a friend who went to the stamp show in Ohio this past weekend. I can't wait until she comes over and does a show and tell with all of her new goodies!
I have a project for today....not a card but a Graphics45 Horse Book Box

This project started with a paper mache' book box that has been hanging around for several years. I needed to shake things up a bit from only making cards lately. I had plans for it at some time I am sure. But those plans were long forgotten. I have been using my Graphics 45 pads and not letting them sit and just looking at them. I love Graphics 45 and it is time to let it shine. The book box was stained using Tim Holtz distressed stains. I applied the honey stain first. It was a bit bright so I added vintage photo over the top of the honey. This gave me a pleasing color. The vintage embossed horse head came next. It looked great with the color of the book box. I then grabbed my Graphics 45 pads and found that one of the sheets in the Botanical Tea was the right color and was fitting for the horse head. A gold art deco pen was used to do the outlining of the box. See below for more photos of this book box.

 The book box open.

 The front inside. I tucked a brass top hat charm in the corner. It works with the horse head.

 Inside bottom of the book box.

 This is the back of the book box.

 A side view of the book box closed.

 A view of the spine.

The book box cracked open.
A gift can be placed inside. Maybe a pocket watch or some other treasure.
Happy Scraps,
Mrs. Swandog

Dog Inchies

Good Morning Ladies,
It was a bit chilly yesterday, but we ventured out to the RV show. Looked at a lot of RV's but I like mine best it turns out.
My card for today is Dog Inchies

I admit when inchies were a hot thing I did not join in. Surprising I know. I picked up this set of dog inchies by inkadinkado last week. I had not seen dog inchies back when they were hot. I also have in my stash the paper cut inchie cubes with all colors. These two things came together years apart but work perfect together. They were stamped in black Memento ink. They seemed to need something else. What goes better with dogs than a tree. Terri over at Joan's Gardens sent me this die cut with my order and it worked perfect. It is Memory Box die Vercelli Tree Outline #98850. A black and white checked ribbon around the bottom and white stitch lines across the top put the finishing touches on this card.

This is the inside sentiment.
Happy Scraps,
Mrs. Swandog

CTMH Country Horses

Good Morning Ladies,
I went after work last night and picked up my camper. Glad to have her back home after the long winter. I will have to get her loaded with the everyday camping things. Soon we will journey out. First trip is to take my dad and uncle out to fish.
My card for today is CTMH Country Horses

This card started with the CTMH country set. The mare and foal were stamped on Bristol paper and colorized with Prisma pencil and Gamsol. They were then cut using a Sizzix Frame-lits die set. The sentiment was stamped in Archival ink in the color of coffee and cut the same. A button was added to this. The background paper is from a stack in my old stash. To top this card off I added suede fringe trim. This trim had much longer fringes but was too overwhelming to the card. So I cut the fringe shorter.

This is the inside sentiment. I felt this card could be used for a house warming or for the new addition to a family.
Happy Scraps,
Mrs. Swandog

The Great Outdoors

Good Morning Ladies,
It's a rainy day out there today. But it still feels somewhat warm. The dogs don't mind so I'm all good with it.
Today's card is The Great Outdoors

This card was created using the Great Outdoors cling mount set from TPC. All stamped images were stamped with Archival ink in the color of coffee. The edges of each card stock piece is inked with a cat's eye brown ink pad. The map paper is from my old stash. A clean and simple guy card.

This is the inside sentiment.
Happy Scraps,
Mrs. Swandog

Joan's Challenge #10 Distressed

Good Morning Ladies,
I have another busy day ahead. Going to my day job and training dogs again this evening. I love to be busy. If  I wasn't busy I don't know what I would do.
Joan's Challenge #10 Distressed is what the card today is all about. You can check out the challenge here... http://joanstouch.blogspot.com/2014/04/challenge-10.html
The requirements this week are as follows:
Use something from nature
Make it purple and white
Distressed edges
You must use a product that can be purchased from http://www.atjoansgardens.com/
The last requirement for me is not a challenge for me. Joan's is my favorite place to order from. I have lots and lots of product from there in my room. Terri is the go to gal for all your wants and needs.
Here is my entry.

 When I think about distressing and torn pieces I think of La Blanche stamps. So I started with the vintage boy image from La Blanche stamps. I stamped him in Memento ink on La Blanche paper. The stamp and paper was purchased at Joan's. I then sponged Tim Holtz distressed ink in Dusty Concord. You can buy Tim Holtz distressed ink at Joan's. I then tore the edges and sponged on more ink. Let the distressing begin. I took a piece of white card stock and distressed the edges with my Tim Holtz edge distresser. A base layer of purple card stock was distressed next. The white card stock was to stark so I spritzed it with purple Dylusions ink spray. I let that dry overnight and distressed the edges again. Now for something from nature. I added the purple grass. It was cut from an Impression Obsession die #DIE060-I. I purchased this die from Joan's. I added the white bunnies next. Who says bunnies are only for Easter? These bunnies were cut from Impression Obession die #168-C rabbit set. You can purchase this die from Joan's. I do not own this die set as of yet. How did I come to get these bunnies? When you order from Terri over at Joan's she sends a die cut set or piece. That's where these bunnies came from. And now I will have to order the die they are so cute! To top this card off I added two rolled roses cut from a Sizzix die and a pearl sprig.

 A close-up of the bunnies.

One of the distressed edges.

My boy was popped up.
Another great challenge Joan and Terri!
Happy Scraps,
Mrs. Swandog

Simple and Sweet the Stamps of Life

Good Morning Ladies,
Weight pull training is underway for the dogs. Dude is back to agility. Life is good!
My card for you today is Simple and Sweet the Stamps of Life

This card was created using the Stamps of Life PB&J set. The jelly jar was stamped on Bristol paper and colorized with Prisma pencil, Gamsol, and silver metallic pen. The sentiment and inside sentiment were stamped and cut using a Sizzix Frame-lits set. The dsp is from a DCWV pad. 

This is the inside sentiment of this gate fold card.
Happy Scraps,
Mrs. Swandog

Graphics 45 French Country Sunflower

Good Morning Ladies,
I headed out to Hobby Lobby yesterday to pick up some staple. Like glue, card bases, pop-dots, you get the idea. I have had something on my list for quite some time. I picked that up to yesterday. What is it you say. It is a Sizzix magnetic platform. For wafer thin dies they say no more taping the dies. I have not had a chance to try it yet, but I'm sure it will be a winner.
My card for today is Graphics 45 French Country Sunflower

 This card was created using the Graphics 45 pad French Country. I love sunflowers and this pad has it's fair share of sunflowers. I covered the base card with the diamond paper. I cut a stamp from the first page in the pad. The tag type piece was matted using the opposite side of the diamond paper. I then cut the sunflower from the first page and popped it up. The sentiment is from TPC.

A side view of the popped sunflowers.

A close-up view of the sentiment.
Happy Scraps,
Mrs. Swandog

Happy Baa....thday Sheep

Good Morning Ladies,
Easter Sunday was nice and relaxing. We went with different food this year. We had steak, baked potato, and a veggie. With pecan and chocolate pies for dessert.
My card for you today is Happy Baa....thday Sheep

This card started with the Happy Baa...thday stamp set from Local King Rubber. I think this sheep is just the cutest thing. I stamped him on Bristol paper with memento ink in black. His body was then filled in with stickles. He was then cut with a Spellbinders die set as well as the black mat behind him. The card stock that covers the base card is from  a DCWV stack. This is a paper I thought I would never use. But it went perfect with this crazy looking sheep. The flowers were created using a Sizzix rolled rose die with a crystal sprig tucked behind them. The pink polka dotted ribbon tops this card off.

 A close-up of the sheep.

The inside of the card has the sentiment from the same set. The Australian Shepherd dog is from Dog Stamps Plus
Happy Scraps,
Mrs. Swandog

Boston Terrier Jumps

Good Morning Ladies,
Happy Easter!! Here's wishing you a lovely dinner with family and friends, plenty of Easter candy and the peace of the day.
My card for today is Boston Terrier Jumps

Looks like fun! The fence image is from The Artful Stamper. It was stamped in black memento ink on Bristol paper. The image was then colorized with Prisma pencil and gamsol. I tried placing many different things in front of this fence and nothing seemed to speak to me. So I had it laying on my work space for about a week. I was looking through a stamp grab bag from Viva Las Vegas Stamps and found this happy jumping Boston Terrier. I knew he was the perfect gentleman to add to this card. He was stamped on Bristol paper with memento ink and hand cut. I decided he needed to be jumping for something and what better than a butterfly. The butterfly was cut from a Cheery Lynn die. This scene was then matted with brown card stock. The card base is covered by Graphics 45 paper from the French Country collection. A sheer ribbon and rolled rose top this card off.

A close-up of the Boston Terrier and Butterfly.
Happy Scraps,
Mrs. Swandog

Joan's Challenge Dies Only

Good Morning Ladies,
I am up bright and early this morning as usual. I will have some time at home this morning. A welcome break as the earth seems to be turning faster these days.
I have a second card entry for Joan's Challenge Dies Only You can see and join the challenge here: http://joanstouch.blogspot.com/2014/04/challenge-9_14.html
These are the requirements for this week:
Use any color
Use dies only ( no stamps)
Use at least 2 layers
You must use something you can purchase at http://www.atjoansgardens.com/
Terri has posted the new dies from IO. There are so many new cute and awesome dies. Go check it out!
Here is my card....

This was a fun card to create. The card started by using Memory Box die Flower Mound #98144. This was cut out of a piece of blue card stock and then layered over red card stock. The next die that was cut was Memory Box Twiggy Tree #98143. It was cut out of brown card stock and applied on top of the blue card stock. The tree sets the scene. The next die to add was Impression Obsession (io) grass die #DIE060-I. This die was added over the tree trunk. The next die was Poppy Stamps die Large Walking Cat #873. I had way to much blank space above the tree so more had to be added to the scene. I added Memory Box die Marshmallow Clouds #98344 in the blank space above the tree. Still not looking as I wanted it too I grabbed Memory Box die Woodland Branch #98187. I placed the branch across the cloud thinking I would add some birds but I had a little paper boo boo in the top corner right at the branch. So I decided to add leaves to cover that boo boo. So I pulled out Memory Box die Tender Leaves # 98313. I was glad for the boo boo because the leaf die was what I needed to complete the bare branch. The little birds were created using Memory Box die Resting Birds #98527. They finished this card off. All dies used on this card were purchased from Joan's Gardens.
The wide variety of dies that Terri has to offer over at Joan's Gardens is amazing.
Happy Scraps,
Mrs. Swandog

Wash Your Cares Away

Good Morning Ladies,
This morning I have a quick tag for you Wash Your Cares Away

This tag was created for a beauty basket I made for my mom's birthday. The stamped image is from CTMH. I stamped it on an ATC card from Strathmore. It was stamped in Memento ink and colorized with Prisma pencil and Gamsol. The flower was created using the Cheery Lynn Black Eyed Susan die. A pearl sprig tops this tag off.
Happy Scraps,
Mrs. Swandog

Mama and Baby Giraffe

Good Morning Ladies,
I had a pretty sleepless night. To much dreaming with a lot of awakening. So a little late on the post this morning.
My card for you today is Mama and Baby Giraffe

My image is on of the first stamps I bought all those years ago. It is by Taylor Made. This company has been out of business for several years. I stamped the image on white card stock and embossed it with ranger embossing powder. I then colored in the yellow and sponged Tim Holtz walnut distressed ink over the entire image. Map paper covers the base card. I strung beads on waxed cord and added them to the side. I have not used beads for awhile and have many in my old stash. You may be seeing more beads in upcoming projects. While I was looking for beads I found my vintage coin box and topped this card off with one.

This is the inside sentiment.
Happy Scraps,
Mrs. Swandog

Sweet and Nutty Birthday

Good Morning Ladies,
It is suppose to get warmer today. I am hoping that happens. Again all I ask for is the warm sun on my face.
Today I have a fun card.... Sweet and Nutty Birthday

This card was created using the stamp set for April by The Stamps of Life. This is a club you can join and they send you a set of stamps each month at a really super price. You can also join the die hard club. You then get a stamp set and the die set to match. That is the club I belong to. I stamped the peanut butter and jelly jar on Bristol paper. They were then colorized with Copic markers and metalic silver marker.They were then cut out and put on top of a Sizzix thinlit die inked in blue. The background paper is from a DCWV stack. A blue glitter ribbon tops this card off.

The inside sentiment.
Happy Scraps,
Mrs. Swandog

Joan's Challenge #9

Good Morning Ladies,
The weather was going in such a nice direction. And then it snowed last night. I thought it won't stick. But alas I wake up this morning and there is a blanket of snow on the ground. Yuck. On the bright side it is a new week and a new challenge. Joan's Challenge #9 you can see and join the challenge here... http://joanstouch.blogspot.com/2014/04/challenge-9_14.html
The requirements for this week are as follows:
Use any color
Use dies only ( no stamps)
You must use at least two layers
You must use a product sold at Joan's Gardens, and mention you are doing the challenge for Joan's Touch
Here is the link for Joan's Gardens.... http://www.atjoansgardens.com/
Stop on by the site. Terri will be more than happy to help you get the things you want. The shipping is what it costs her to ship. And she gets it to you fast! Plus how many places can you call and get the owner on the phone. This is not your big box store. It is owned and ran by Terri. Who by the way is the nicest person!
Now here is my card....

Here is a list of the dies used on this card and all purchased at Joan's Gardens...
Cheery Lynn Designs die Cathedral Lace Frame #DL148
Cheery Lynn Designs die Spring Flower Burst Doily #DL221
Poppy Stamps die Pine Tree Border #809
Memory Box die Woodland Deer #98679
I also used Sizzix circle die set #657551 ( I think Terri can order this one for you)
Thanks for another great challenge ladies!
Happy Scraps,
Mrs. Swandog

Graphics 45 Basset Hound

Good Morning Ladies,
I am up and off to an early start this morning. Lots to do today in short order.
My card for today is Graphics 45 Basset Hound

This card started with the Basset Hound image from Mostly Animals. This is a company that is gone forever, but the images are my favorites. I stamped the image on Bristol paper and colorized it with Prisma pencil and Gamsol. He was then hand cut. I started to look around to see what paper he might look good with. My choice was Graphics 45 Botanical Tea. He was matted in a brown textured fabric like paper. The die I used to create the flower is from Cheery Lynn. It is the black eyed susan die. The fern leaf is from Memory Box. I added a pearl sprig behind the flower. A double ribbon of pink and brown tops this card off.

A close-up of the flower.

A close-up of the Basset Hound.

This is the inside sentiment.
Happy Scraps,
Mrs. Swandog

Joan's Challenge #8 border

Good Morning Ladies,
I missed yesterday. To many days in a row working. I had to take a break from everyday life. Although I did make a card or two I did nothing else. Oh, but I did make a quick trip to Bailey's with my hubby.
I have a third and final card for Joan's Challenge #8 border. You can view and join the challenge here... http://joanstouch.blogspot.com/2014/04/challenge-8.html
The requirements this week are as follows:
Use a plaid, striped or checked paper.
Use a border around an image.
Use any color
Use a product that can be purchased at Joan's Gardens
Here is the link to Joan's Gardens... http://www.atjoansgardens.com/

Here is my  card...

 This card started with the Magnolia snail stamp #M714. He was stamped on Bristol paper and colorized with Prisma pencil and Gamsol. He was then hand cut. Next came the circle  saying. This stamp is from a CTMH set. This as well as all the circles on this card was cut with Sizzix Thinlits circle die #657551. I do believe Terri can order this for you. I went with striped paper. I seem to have a lot of choices in stripes. To top this card off I use Memory Box Night Sky Border #98682. This border die was purchased from Joan's.

The inside sentiment is from Hero Arts.
Happy Scraps,
Mrs. Swandog