Mark it with B

Sprinkles on a Sweet Day

2008-10-18T15:26:00.004-04:00

I just bought a cute picture for my kitchen/hallway. It is a dessert on a table and it says, "life is sweet." I guess that's why I decided on this message today.

I love the sprinkles in this stamp set. I thought they would make a great background. I am sure I will use these a few more times before I move on to something else...watch for more!

This is a loose translation of Heather Rolin's layout challenge . My new home is decorated in a contemporary theme, which is probably why I went with this design.

The sets I used are, All About Birthdays (sentiments), and Christmas is the Time for Cookies by me for

H &M Stamps

Thanks for visiting...come back soon!

~Bev

My Saltbox

2008-10-01T08:12:00.003-04:00

I am working four days a week...

How's THAT for an excuse to not blog? I did get up at five this morning to draw. I decorate cakes all day at work, so for three weeks (that's how long I have worked this job) I have been TIRED. My body is finally getting past the aches and pains of being on my feet for 8 hours...so I am FINALLY getting into a routine which includes ART.

I made this card when I enjoyed an afternoon of stamping with two of my new friends here. These two women are AMAZING. They are both legally blind (not blonde...) and have to use special machines to see what they are doing. Their dedication and persistance put me to shame.

The paper background is by Reminisce. The other side of the paper is the same pattern in red. I LOVE black. I use it on almost all my cards, except for the vintage ones. I prefer to use a dark purple...almost black on those, so the image isn't as harsh.

George and I are getting settled in. He dug up the whole front yard and bagged it. SO MUCH red mulch. I prefer dark mulch. We also need to replace a whole lot of plants. Tropical plants are a whole new thing for us. We love them, we just need an education in them!

For this card, I also embossed the brads with green and yellow. The stamps are from my Old English set for H&M Stamps.

Well...off to work. It's MY Friday!

~Bev

A Little Cottage is Always Very Snug...

2008-09-12T06:52:00.003-04:00

You would be surprised how different it is, to take a stamp image you yourself designed and turn it into a card...

This card began as a whole scene, then I actually cut off the beautiful sky I chalked and turned it into this oval window. I love the feel of looking into a frame like this. It makes me feel like there's a world in there (think I said that a couple of cards ago...).

The background is stamped with little stamps from this set, which is called, Old English. The accessories (fence, tree, path and many more) are from the accessories set is sold separately.

This cottage reminds me of a cookie house. And speaking of cookies, I just got a job decorating cakes at the local WalMart! Hmmm...maybe I will get inspired and do a cake set...not that THAT hasn't been done before!

~Bev

I Love Autumn!

2008-09-10T08:06:00.003-04:00

If I only had more storage! I am still working on organization, so my work is sporatic at best...hang in there with me. You guys know how we stampers need a place for EVERYTHING! Without that, I have PILES upon PILES...everything gets buried...

OK, enough excused...

This card is has a touch of Autumn, as I am experiencing Autumn without the colors I am used to up North. I usually go straight for the oranges, reds and umbers, but this year will be different...as I have a new venue.
I brayered the plum gingham, vintage CTMH B&T paper, with River Rock ink from SU!. The lace edge is from Crafty Secrets' Kitchen Classics. I stamped the cs with the flying crow from "Old Fashioned Hayride", one for the sets I illustrated for H&M Stamps...actually, the very FIRST set I ever designed.

I curved the font, to make it fit the oval, which I cut with Coluzzle. The little glass beads are from Walmart.

Gotta go...got some drawing to do.

~Bev

Finally...I am back, and armed with stamp sets!

2008-09-07T15:05:00.004-04:00

Hey Everybody!

Big News! My very first original stamp sets are available online for purchase! There are five of them, and I am working on 10 more for release next year. Check them out! Right now you can get FREE SHIPPING! Go to: http://www.handmstamps.com/

As for my move to Florida, we're "in". George and I still have alot of loose ends to take care of, but we did manage to take a trip to IKEA to purchase tables for me to work at in my very own craft room. Storage pieces will have to wait, and I have to try a different connection for my computer (wireless doesn't work here), but other than that I am able to function enough to get back to blogging...

Here is a card made with my stamp set, "Old Fashioned Hayride". What fun!

My camera is charging, so as soon as I can, I will post more angles and close-ups of this card. Finally time to use the Fall stuff (although it's in the 90's here and doesn't feel at all like Fall!)

This card is for Heather Rolin's layout challenge, HMSC11. It's a loose translation. Rocking stamps is one of my favorite things to do. I used three colors: Old Olive, Summer Sun and Bravo Burgundy. I curved the cute sentiment and cut the three corn cobs out of glossy paper. I used a sponge here and there, and edgers to make the scallops. The image in the oval is chalked, and the sky was done with my good 'ol CTMH cloud stencil. The paper and cs are vintage CTMH.

With all the adorable cards I have seen on this blog, I have some catching up to do!

Have fun with your stamps,
~Bev

Molly and Me

2008-08-11T15:56:00.003-04:00

I must apologize for not posting for the last several weeks. I have been busy getting ready for my move south. Packing, cleaning and closing on property...Goodness!

However, I had to send you a picture of my grandbaby Molly who is nine months old already. I am going to leave her behind, along with Noah, my grandson.

It will be hard.

So until I have a minute to create, have fun. Oh! And in September I have a BIG surprise to share with all of you...stay tuned...~Bev

Happy Birthday to my George

2008-07-17T13:17:00.005-04:00

George is my hero...this card is for him. We will be moving to Florida to retire, by the end of the summer. This is a BIG birthday!
I used Crafty Secrets Layout Challenge for this week: CSSC25. I finally got some new stamps sets! OH! This layout is also special because Darlene used it to make a card for the last challenge, and then Pammyjo used it to honor Darlene on her birthday which was also this week...Happy Birthday to you, Darlene!

One thing I seem to always do on chalked images when using vintage stamps...I erase some of the chalk to give the image a shadow.
I used two of my newly purchased CS sets: Hardware, and Card Sentiments. The paper is from Leisure Arts (Elements) and Karen Foster Designs (Old Script) The black cs is really cool...it's called Core'dinations. The core of every sheet of black cs is a color. This one is beige. I sanded it to bring out the core. Not all their cs is black, this series is called, Black Magic.

I discovered something cool when I sanded the edges of my focal point square...the inked edges sand away, leaving the edge looking torn and really vintage. I was so excited to see an inked edge to that...I have done it with white core cs before, but never this! I also sanded the brads and melted the ribbon.
The lock and key represent my heart, and that George holds the key...so romantic...

I love Crafty Secrets stamp images. I guess I really am a romantic at heart!

~Bev

Second Post Today...

2008-07-10T14:56:00.002-04:00

I am playing catch-up today...this card is for two challenges: Crafty Secrets' Vintage Black challenge CSSC24, and Heather Rolin's layout challenge on her blog... HMSC2. (see last post for a link to her website)

I just love to play with realistic images, and recreate scenarios on cards. This one was too much fun! I heat curled the ribbon with my heat tool, and curled the stamps, too!

If you look at some of my past posts, like the windblown blouse, or the wallpaper card, you will see the lacey border stamp.

For this card, I trimmed away some of the extra acrylic on the stamp, and adhered the image to the block on a curve, so I could make these plates. I used my empressor stylus to make the plate indentations.

I just ordered three more sets of Crafty Secrets stamps...it's about time, too

~Bev

H&M Stamps Release!

2008-07-10T10:52:00.003-04:00

Congratulations, Heather! Two new stamp sets are released today, and this card is made with one of them. I love the little flip flops, and dressed them up with some beads I picked up in Walmart...in the bead section.
Shabby Chic, the sister style to Vintage, was my choice here. I used my empressor tool to make weather-worn wood (say that 3 times fast!) reminiscent of New England cottages at the beach in CT, where I spent some happy hours as a child. Ah, the memories...

So, check out Heather's newest stamps here:http://www.handmstamps.com/

~Bev

There's No Place Like Home...

2008-07-03T20:22:00.002-04:00

This card is for the WT172 Challenge, "Ways to Use It", using scoring. I use the empressor stylus all the time...and I love it. Here, I made "wanescoting" and moulding, sanding the cs after scoring it. I used dp that looks like wallpaper, and so just had to get out my "Bird Notes" stamps from Crafty Secrets again. Chalked the image, erased some, and used the Kitchen Classics from Crafty Secrets to make the lace border. Pretty simple card, but naturally, it took me some time.

Darlene's Challenge Card

2008-07-03T08:18:00.005-04:00

I have made some great acquaintances on SCS, and Darlene is one of them...love this card. Darlene used one of my favorite techniques...chalking. I've got to find our where this paper is from. I have been searching the 'net for vintage look paper...this is so pretty! Any help in this area would be appreciated.

Thanks for playing, Darlene!

~Bev

My Vintage Roses A Color Challenge

2008-07-01T06:44:00.004-04:00

It was Valentine's Day. George surprised me with a bouquet of beautiful yellow roses, edged in pink. I love roses...who doesn't? The only problem was, we were leaving for Florida the very next morning.

I usually dry a single rose from each bouquet, but this time I took the whole bouquet, tied twine around it and hung it in the basement. When we returned a week later, the colors were even more vibrant than when they were fresh!
So this is the challenge...Look through your inks and find the most vibrant colors to represent what you see here...or play up the palest ones. I don't care, as long as you are happy with your result. I will post all the entries here. As a lover of vintage, these roses should translate to a card beautifully, but the colors would do well with any style.
Take time to smell the roses, and don't forget to end your week with a BLAST!
~Bev

Dreams...Blowing in the Wind

2008-06-29T13:05:00.005-04:00

Blowin' in the Wind...Bob Dylan, Dream a Little Dream of Me...the Mama's and Papa's...why do I always get a tune in my head when I type here?
I think this is a dreamy card. I picture a woman on a hill (like Scarlet O'Hara in Gone With the Wind), hair and ribbons blowing, dreaming of someday, somewhere (oh no!...Somewhere, Out There...An Amercan Tale...remember that movie? Maybe I am having TV withdrawal...too much time on the 'puter, maybe?)
Anyway...I used a paper folding technique I saw on DIY with Anna Griffin. Here is the link: http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/sc_techniques/article/0,2025,DIY_14232_2351794,00.html

The buttons and word, "dream" are from SeeD stamp sets I have. The lace is from Crafty Secrets Kitchen Classics again...love those stamps!

The ribbon is held in place with monoadhesive and a glue dot for the bow. I distressed, as always.

This is my card for the Buttons and Bows challenge as SCS Crafty Secrets Challenge every Tuesday. If you like Vintage, why not join in?
~Bev

Song Birds Flying

2008-06-29T10:40:00.003-04:00

I know it's time to get up when I can hear the birds singing...at 5 A.M. George and I are early birds.
These stamps from Crafty Secrets are so darling. I am hooked on their stuff!
This is also for the layout challenge on SCS.
I chalked the images, and then erased to make all the pages white...that includes the ones on the little backgroung squares.
The decorative paper is from My Mind's Eye. I originally bought it for scrapbooking way back in February when I was vacationing in Florida. I put it away and forgot all about it. I pulled it out this weekend and it added a whole new feeling to my cards.

I used my little circle punch to bite off the corners of the focal point...don't have a ticket corner punch, and I guess I don't need one!

Darlene, the next post will be the buttons and bows challenge. Gotta download my pictures off my camera first, and this old computer only has one usb port where I can reach it!

Now off to breakfast with George. He's finally back from golf.

~Bev

Girly Grad Card

2008-06-29T10:22:00.002-04:00

We received the cutest invitation to a graduation party. It was pink and black, with a ruffled edge. It was made by the graduate, with the help of the computer. I thought it would be fun for her to get a card in the same colors with some similar design elements, so I made this card for Kari...
I had purchased Reminisce's "Salt and Pepper" paper for scrapbooking. I haven't scrapbooked in months! I pulled out the paper that I bought last February when I was on vacation, and found treasures! (You will see them in the bird song card that follows, and I will be using them in upcoming cards for sure!) The other side of this black with white dots is white with black dots...distressed, too. I love the way the k came out. I covered the chipboard with pink paper and then sanded the edges...time consuming but worth it. The dazzling diamonds are held in place with heat and stick powder. I used my slit punch to do the bottom edge.
I know it looks like this didn't take much time, but I take hours to make a card. It is very theraputic. This one's for you, Kari! May all your dreams come true!

~Bev

Heather's Card

2008-06-22T07:31:00.007-04:00

Heather Rolin, owner of H&M stamps http://www.handmstamps.com/, created this cute card for the color challenge, using the last of her rick rack. Isn't it cute? Thanks for playing Heather!

We have some players! (besides me)

2008-06-15T14:39:00.010-04:00

It is so great to have some beautiful artwork done by my friends here on my blog! It's almost as great as having them over to stamp together...almost.

This card was done by my friend Darlene akronstamperdpk. I think it's darling! I was curious about these colors done in the vintage style...they did just fine.And are you ready for this? Here is a card by Beverly Cole...but it's not me! Beverly (beestamper) discovered my name on SCS and gasped as she contacted me...what a riot!
Hi Beverly..your card is COOL!

Here is my sample for this challenge.

I needed to make just ONE MORE card with this Kitchen Classics set from Crafty Secrets. The colors in this challenge were fun to use. The stamp set has cherries in it, and I thought I would naturally use them, but as I played around with the designs, this card emerged.

"Spice of" was done with the Playful acrylic alphabet from CTMH. The ribbon is also CTMH, as are the cardstock and the gingham. I chalked alot, as usual including the shakers and the bg. the dots are from a leftover when I made the kids dot card for Darlene's Crafty Secrets challenge a couple of weeks ago.

I will post more friends' cards as they arrive...y'all come back!

My Free Geranium's New Home...and a Challenge!

2008-06-15T08:35:00.005-04:00

This was too beautiful not to share...Remember my free Geranium from the Log Jam on Mother's Day? It lived on my kitchen windowsill for more than a week, when I decided to purchase some friends for it. What a punch of color for my front walkway! I have used these colors in cards. My friend Linda loves Summer colors. What do you think, Lin? Wanna make me a card? Anyone else interested in joining in? Let's see what we can come up with.

I Remember Mother's Day

2008-06-12T18:55:00.008-04:00

It's the Worst Day to Eat Out...but Who Cares?

This year George took me to the Log Jam in Lake George. The food was OK, but I got a free geranium! Free is good!

(I have to apologize for the dates on my pictures. I will figure out how to get rid of them...it can't be that hard!)

This card is for a couple of challenges at SCS...CSSC20: Crafty Secrets Calendar Challenge, and SC180, the Wednesday Layout Challenge.

I used Crafty Kitchen Classics set and the Remember is from SeeD's Aged and Elegant set.

I used my empressor tool to make faux wainscoating...love doing that.

Another thing I love doing is creating cardstock that looks sort of like vintage fabric designs.

I use small stamp images and lots of chalk. My chalk eraser is used to make clean areas around images, which is something one would see in vintage fabrics. I have not mastered this technique, but it's fun learning.

I added some waxed flax and tiny beads that I picked up at Walmart, because the card needed something. I am pretty happy with it.

On to the next challenge!

Love those Crafty Secrets Stamps!

Here is the complete card. Can you feel mother's love? Can you taste the apple pie and coffee?
Remember...be kind to your mother~

Bev

Vintage Polka Dot Kids

2008-06-04T06:41:00.006-04:00

I am so glad I had a chance to use my new circle punches. This card is for the Crafty Secrets CSSC19 challenge. And what a challenge for me! You should have seen my table top! What a mess...then, I suddenly remembered I have a vintage apron!

Soooo, I ran down to my daycare and scrambled through the dress-up clothes in the old picnic basket. Found it!

A circle punched background distressed with sandpaper...

Distressed CTMH Cranberry cs card...

Crafty Secrets Kitchen Classics stamps...when I was a kid I was told I looked like a Campbells Soup Kid...that's me on the right.

SU chalks, and dry embossed dots done with their brass template, and distressed with sandpaper...

Rickrack done with edgers...very carefully! And distressed with, you guessed it...sandpaper!

the B's are from an old set of CTMH alphabet stamps.

I am hooked on acrylics. I have enough trouble seeing what I am doing. After age 40 my eyes couldn't even see the name on my lipstick.

I have some very special work to do today. It's a secret right now, but in time I will share with you all what I am up to! (Yes, it has to do with paper crafting.)

Any guesses??

Paper Pieced Redbird

2008-05-31T08:40:00.003-04:00

Saturday...Saturday...Saturday

Can you hear Elton John? (He's in my head as I type this)

Anyway...

Paper piecing with Vintage stamps is not only fun, it's interesting and the results can be surprisingly energizing!

I have a TON of old CTMH paper. Seeing I am frugal (or as I tend to say more often, cheap), I have to use it up before I can purchase new packs...and I WANT new SU paper to match my ink collection I am purchasing through my club with MsMyra (Hi Myra!).

Why SU! cs? To do the COOL color challenges on KWerner's Blog. LOVE HER!

Once again, using what I have, I used discontinued CTMH Majestic Mountain ink. It's not as harsh as black, and I believe makes for a better vintage look.

The birds are vintage B&T from CTMH in Holiday Red. I used CTMH Giddy Up paper which looks sort of like a window screen to me.

The stamps are Crafty Secrets' Bird Notes set. Aren't they cute?

So thank-you, Beate Johns for the remembrance of paper piecing...not a new idea, but the replay is very satisfying.

~Bev

Vintage Flatware

2008-05-29T06:53:00.000-04:00

I am so new to challenges, and I am trying my hand at taking pictures of my cards and scanning.

Sorry, as I am still learning. It's a bit frustrating...I will conquer this!

Anyway, I love these vintage stamps. They are Crafty Secret's Kitchen Classic set.

The sentiment is a See D's stamp, from their Thank-you For set.

This is for the challenge, SC178.

I random stamped the background using old CTMH inks I have...Majestic Mountain (a REALLY old color), Hollyhock and Fawn.

I chalked over the images and erased around some of them to look like vintage fabric.

Sanded the CS and layered the flatware images.

Used a glue dot to attach the ribbon.

thank-you, thank-you, thank-you

2008-05-20T12:54:00.000-04:00

I love free stuff, don't you ?

This stamp, "From the Garden," was one of my hostess gifts from the Stampin' Up! club I belong to.

To make these cards, I used the Spotlight Technique. The paper is CTMH Hollyhock, and so is the ink. I made 10 cards by stamping the image on white a couple of times and slicing it up.

The Thank-you's are my handwriting in white gel pen.

White brads finish each card, and I placed them is various positions to balance the white spotlight strip.

My Newest New

2008-05-09T12:00:00.000-04:00

Whenever I start something new I wonder how long it will be until I will want to start something ELSE new!

This is my NEWEST new...my blog. This is a place where I will share like so many others have before me.

Some blogs are boring. Some are so cool, I have to visit them every day...I just HAVE to!

So welcome. I enjoy making new friends. I hope you will be one of them.

~Bev