Ketto #4: Ginger

This is my last (new) Ketto for a while. I am going to, "use the hell out of these stamps before you (I) get any new ones"! That was a direct quote from my easy going husband and sole financial investor. He usually doesn't pay any attention to my ever growing craft room, but he did happen to see my invoice from Stamping Bella and wasn't buying the whole "I saved money on shipping by placing a $50 order" line. I tried. Now I have to ambush the mail lady before she gets to my house. It was so much easier just to hide the stuff in the trunk until he went to bed.

Ketto #3: Wasabi

I am having lots of fun with these images from Stamping Bella. I really like the whole Asian theme that seems to be quite popular lately. I need to add some papers and embellishments to my arsenal of supplies that go with the theme a bit better. I ended up overdosing on Dew Drops to compensate for my lack of appropriate embellishments. I think it's a real "purdy" card though.

I've still got one more Ketto to introduce you to next post.

What a Big Shot!

I am LOVING my new Nestabilities and Cuttlebug embossing folders! I cannot believe I have gone this long without them and my HK Big Shot. These are tools I never knew I was missing until my cutting edge enabler (a.k.a. Midnight Scramper/MacKenzie) starting using the stuff to make the most amazing cards and creations.

I used TGF "Ian" and Cuttlebug Halloween embossing folders and Spellbinders Labels Four, Copics, lots of Stickles and love of course!

Happy Father's Day

Even though I don't celebrate Father's Day with my own father, I still enjoy making heartfelt cards for other folks. This one is for Jennifer who's dad just married my friend, Dani. This is a photo from the wedding in Lake Tahoe. It was a beautiful ceremony and a touching picture.

I used my Very Vanilla SU craft pad and the ink was "oily"(?). There was a puddle of oil in the lid which I noticed AFTER I stamped the card. I just embossed the word "happy" to try and get it to stand out better. It actually shows up better in person than in the photo. Has anyone ever experienced this with their pads?

Introducing Ketto #2: Maisy

This is Maisy. I think she is just too cute. Again, a bit of a challenge to stay within the lines when coloring, but I think I managed just fine.

I thought that the "wings" was a fitting sentiment, and I like the way the tag turned out using the free flourish set I received from Rubbernecker stamps. They have a fantastic selection of stamps and accessories. They carry a line of stamps called Stamp Oasis that I just adore.

My FIRST Ketto: Suzette

After many months of covetous stalking on Stamping Bella's site, I finally saved up enough pennies to buy my first four (I can't stop now!) Ketto images. These are some of the cutest images ever!

This is Suzette. I think that she is just fabulous. So fun to color, although it would be easier to color if the image size was a bit larger (she's only 2 3/4 X 1 1/2 inches aprox.). The stamps come just rubbah, no acrylic mounting or anything, and they are a bit pricey ($7 to $8), but they are so worth it. These are some of the most unique images I have in my arsenal of rubber and I LOVE them!

Next post: Maisy

Da Bears!!

A friend of mine requested a "specialized" (said with an affectionate lisp) card for her dad for Father's Day. Since her dad Russ, is a huge Chicago Bears fan, that seemed like the obvious choice for his card.

I found some really cool images online and antiqued them to give the card a vintage feel. The more modern images were too garish and difficult to plan a card around (for me anyway).

I ended up with so much ephemera (my BIG word for the day) that I made a back up card for her just in case she really didn't care for the first one.

This one turned out a bit cleaner and just neater in general. Not bad for my first football cards.

I even decorated the inside which I usually overlook with most of my other cards.

Blog Candy

I was just blog surfing and found a fabulous blog candy giveaway here. I don't know how to get all fancy and post the photo of the candy, but if you stop by the blog you can check it all out.

Gushy Geisha Girl

I just can't stop coloring this Geisha image from The Greeting Farm. She is so sweet and demure. I get a chance to create something soft and feminine for a change. I made a pink and black card with this image for one of my best friends a while back (circa TGF blog hop), and when she saw the card she about fell out of her chair. She adored the card (and the image in paticular) so much that she got the geisha tattooed on her leg! It is still in the healing stage, so I'll post a picture when it's completely healed. My girlfriend's name is Dani, but my husband has always called her, "Gushy geisha girl", hence the title of this post.

Zombies RULE!!!

"What if the hand that feeds me is surprisingly tasty?"

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, this zombie stamp from starving artistamps! I have had him/her colored for quite some time, but never found the right layout or paper or mood. I really have to be in the right mood, or everything goes in the crapper (please pardon my "fancy" talk).
I tried to use Paper Glaze to make the eyes appear glassy, but the glaze never quite turned completely clear, so my zombie just looked like she had cataracts. I peeled the glaze off, removing the eye all together and had to turn to my trusty googly eyes to save the poor little critter. The larger eye even glows in the dark! I really like things that glow in the dark.

I've had these cute brads (from Oriental Trading Co.) for at least a year, and I finally used one! I also used my Cuttlebug embossing folder and highlighted the embossed area with my finger and some pigment ink for the background.

Simple, but cute. I'm glad to have finally used this stamp and now I can move on to the other monster stamp I ordered. Not to mention the fact that I am eagerly awaiting my order from Stamping Bella. I ordered four Ketto stamps and some new CB embossing folders (had to have the swiss dots!) I have been eyeing those Ketto images on various sites and blogs and I finally broke down and ordered some. I cannot wait to get inspired with my new goodies. They should be here tomorrow, so there is a reason to get up in the morning.

I guess it's time.

Well, I guess it's time to let the real me out of her cage. I didn't want to freak anyone out with my twisted sense of humor, but I can't help myself any longer.

This is probably my most favorite card to date that I have made. I have put together about 10 of these, and only have 2 left. I send them out to my sick and demented friends. They LOVE this card. The fingerprints are mine. The blood spots? Well, those were "donated".