Hambo Stamps Nerd

Welcome to our Operation Write Home Memorial Day Weekend blog hop!

Our theme for this hop is Thank You cards based on Operation Write Home sketches, if you visit my blog to see my cards regularly you know I love sketches!  

I'm not going to spend a lot of time "talking" today because there is so much eye candy to see on this hop, I do have a supply list below if you are curious about the products I've used to make my card.

Supply List:

Hambo Stamps Nerd digital stamp set

Papers:  Via Vellum Black & Cyan, World Win Treasures Smoke, Doodlebug Design Lipstick Dotted Line

Ink:  HP LaserJet

Copic Markers:  Skin – E000, E00, E01, E11, R21, Hair – YR21, E34, E25, Shirt – B00, B02, B14, Pants – E41, E42, E43, E44, Belt Buckle – C0, C2, C3, Glasses – BG0000, G0000, B0000, Shoes – W0, W1, Flowers – R81, R83, R85, YG01, YG13, YG25, YG67

Tools/Accessories:  Spellbinders Square die, Papertrey Ink Envelope Liner die

I used OWH sketch #99 for my card layout.

...and I have blog candy!

Leave a comment so I can draw a winner for my blog candy Monday evening - good luck!

Most of all, have fun hopping =)

Thanks for visiting my blog today -

Clear Dollar Stamps Garden of Life

I have two clean and simple cards for you today.

I've been thinking in 3's because I've been playing with a die and this little flower from the Clear Dollar Stamps Garden Of Life digital stamp set has inspired me.  It's a beautiful set, I've barely scratched the surface using one tiny flower for my card  and hope to use more of the set very soon!   

The die cuts three squares in a row and I was wondering if I could use it to create a digital card.  It took a little while for me to size the flowers down, flip a couple of them so they weren't all the same and put each one in just the right spot so I could cut three in a row with the die.  I've grown used to using Spellbinders dies that I can see through and this one is made by Papertrey Ink and solid so it was a challenge. 

My second card was C.A.S.E.d from Dana at Dana's Dabbling Studio.  I thought her clean and simple layout was so nice I wanted to try it myself.

I used the negative part from the die cut to draw around the flowers with a Copic 0.5 Multiliner and as you can see I need practice starting and stopping.  

I have a supply list for my cards below:

Stamps/Images:  Clear Dollar Stamps Garden Of Life

Cardstock/Papers:  Mohawk Bright White, SU Brocade Blue

Inks/Markers: HP Office Jet 6000, Memento Tuxedo Black

Accents/Tools:  Papertrey Ink Take 3 die, PTI banner die, PTI Sentiment, Copic 0.5 Multiliner, Cuttlebug Dots Embossing Folder, Scor - Pal

Techniques:  Digital Stamping

Today's cards are also for our Operation Write Home Midweek Throwdown challenge themed X3.

Thanks for visiting my blog today!

Challenges:

Operation Write Home Stars & Stamps - X3

Yolanda's Car

Since I'm not on any design teams right now I have more time to make cards using images I've collected but been too busy to do anything with.  Today's card is one of those (:  This fun image was made by one of our former Operation Write Home blog admin team Yolanda and was a freebie on her blog Imagine Make Share, which is now Slow Down Sunday.

The image is colored with Copic markers in the Blue Green family most likely BG11 - 13, the designer paper is digital by My Time Made Easy, the sentiment is from a Papertrey Ink acrylic stamp set and my layout is Splitcoaststampers sketch challenge #355.

Thanks for visiting my blog today -

From 2007 - 2013 The Growth of a Designer

2007

I've been blogging about paper crafting since 2007, last Sunday I took a trip down memory lane.  On my blog that is, I started at the beginning of 2007 just for fun.  I must say my style has changed for the better!

I've picked a card from each year my blogs' been in existence for my post today.

The card above is from a post I did in August 2007.  I used Watercolor H20's to color the flower and it looks like a couple of Stampin' Up! background stamps and hardware.

2008

It appears I was coloring with Copic markers here.  My blog post was pretty vague...

2009

These look a little better to me!  Here's an excerpt from my blog post on these:

I saw this technique on Stamp TV and loved the idea.

2010

I remember this cutie, I was on the Bugaboo Stamps design team and getting better using Copic my markers.

2011
Was definitely a year of paper crafting discovery and fun!

2012

Stamps by Papertrey Ink. colored with Copic markers.

2013

I made this card a couple of months ago using a Birdie Brown digital image.

The cards from way back are kind of hard to look at and post for everyone to see today but in doing so I can see the growth I've achieved as a paper crafter in the last 6 years.

All in all kind of a fun way to spend a few hours on a Sunday afternoon.

Thanks for visiting my blog today -

Hambo Stamps April Showers

I have a card to share today that I made to submit for publication when I was on Hambo Stamps design team.  It didn't make the cut so I can show it on my blog now.

Since it was for publication I have a supply list below:

Stamps - Hambo Stamps April Showers digital stamp

Ink – HP LaserJet

Coloring Medium – Copic markers:  Y06, Y15, Y17, V01, V12, YG01, YG13, YG25, YG67, B0000, B01

Papers/Card stock – Mohawk Bright White, Via Vellum Black, Copic X Press It, Papertrey Ink Plum Pudding & In Bloom patterned paper

Tools/Accessories – We R Memory Keepers 1/8^th inch Corner Chomper, Cuttlebug 5X7 Dots embossing folder, Papertrey Ink Envelope Liner Die

In Arizona we don't have many April Showers as it's in the 90's here already and rain generally cools off our weather for us but it is bright and happy.

Thanks for visiting my blog today -

Challenges:

Make It Monday - Anything Goes

Memory Box Spearmint

My card today is for our Operation Write Home Stars & Stamps Midweek Throwdown challenge, the theme is Stripes.  I used a sketch and Memory Box Spearmint patterned papers for my layout, the sentiment is a quote I saw on Pintrest.  The envelope liner, ribbon and base card are from Papertrey Ink.

It was a quick and fun card to put together with no stamping or coloring.

I hope you'll have time to play in our Operation Write Home Stars & Stamps Midweek Throwdown challenge this week!

Thanks for visiting my blog today -

Challenges:

Operation Write Home Midweek Throwdown - Stripes

Bugaboo Stamps Spring Stuff Bee

Ahhh, the house is quiet, the kids have returned to school after their two week break and I have a fun card to share with you!  I printed several of these cute Bee's from Bugaboo Stamps Spring Stuff collection that were too large for the card I was working on at the time.  

I used one of my favorite sketches from Splitcoaststampers #403 along with a scrap of digital patterned paper from My Grafico.  The sentiment is from Papertrey Ink and I colored the Bee with Copic Markers:

Y13, Y15, Y17, R21

T3, T5, T7

BG0000, BG000, B01

Thanks for visiting my blog today!

Lilyboo Designs New Easter Bonnet

I have an almost one layer Easter card to share with you today! 

In the end I decided to trim it and mat it on a panel of Astrobrights Eclipse Black for a little extra.  

I had lots of fun coloring my Lilyboo Designs New Easter Bonnet digital image with Copic markers and Copic refills.  I also used Lilyboo Designs Easter Eggs to help make my scene.  I merged the two digital images in my Publisher program after turning them into png files in Photoshop Elements.  I also used my Publisher program to draw the box around the scene, it comes out so much nicer than when I do it by hand.  No smeared ink either!

Lots of Copic markers!

I used the Copic ink refills to color in the background area.  I use a Q Tip dipped in 91% Isoprophyl Alcohol to wipe on the background area then saturate the other end with the refill color I'll be using and spread it around.  It gives a more even look than coloring a large area with the markers.  Sometimes it's best to repeat the process if it isn't as smooth as you'd like it.  I also go back and outline everything with the same color marker as the refill and blend, blend, blend.  

My card looked bare so I added a Spellbinders tag from the Tags Trio set and stamped it with an Easter sentiment from Papertrey Ink and pulled a yellow metallic ribbon through the tiny hole.

Thanks for visiting my blog today -

The Crafts Meow Vintage Rides

Our Midweek Throwdown challenge today at Operation Write Home Stars & Stamps is Ombre` Stamping or card making...  the definition of Ombre` is a color palette that is the same color scheme going from dark to light or light to dark.  

I have a new stamp set from The Crafts Meow called Vintage Rides and as I started to color this car I thought it might just work for this!  I colored the car with Copic markers:

R000, R11, R32, R35

C00, C2, C3

B0000

My card layout is also Operation Write Home Stars & Stamps sketch challenge #160.  The card stock colors I've used are Papertrey Ink Smokey Shadow, Stampin' Up! Blush Blossom, Groovy Guava, Neenah Red Pepper Linen, Astrobrights Eclipse Black and Copic X Press It Blending card.  The birthday stamps I've used on my two cards are from Papertrey Ink too.

I colored several cars using almost the same Copic markers numbers but in different color families so see how they'd turn out.  I really like this yellow one! 

Here's what I used:

Y00, Y11, Y35, Y38

C00, C2, C3

B0000

I copied the layout for this card from a card that I made a few years ago that I came across.

The card stock colors are Astrobrights Galaxy Gold, Solar Yellow & Eclipse Black, Neenah Pewter, Copic X Press It blending card and the top yellow strip is from Bazzill I think, it was a scrap.

I hope you'll take a shot a Ombre` cards for Operation Write Home this week, after I got started it was fun!

Thanks for visiting my blog today -

Challenges:

Operation Write Home Stars & Stamps - MWT Ombre`

Operation Write Home Stars & Stamps - Sketch challenge #160

Papertrey Ink Fillable Frames Sentiments

I have an anniversary card to share today that is clean and simple.  

I used a sketch from an online class I took recently and really like how it came out.  I used an old Stampin' Up! Heart punch, then used the negative white card stock and cut a circle using a Spellbinders die and matted it on a slightly larger Spellbinders circle.  The banner tail is from the Papertrey Ink Double Ended Banner dies and the sentiment is one of theirs too.  

A quick, simple and fun card to make!

Thanks for visiting my blog -

The Craft's Meow Vintage Rides

I have a clean and simple birthday card today, I've been playing with Ombre` Stamping, maybe that should be Ombre` coloring/card making.  I recently purchased this cute stamp set from The Craft's Meow called Vintage Rides, I think it's going to make some cute cards for Operation Write Home and our church for their birthday cards.  

This little car was super easy and fun to color with Copic markers:

BG0000, BG10, BG32, BG34

C00, C2, C3

B0000

I only found two shades of paper to go with my card so I took the easy way out and cut them on the diagonal and used them.  The Happy Birthday is a stamp made by Papertrey Ink. and the papers are Hero Arts layering weight card stock in Pool and Bayou.  I also used Astrobrights Eclipse Black and X Press It blending card.

Thanks for visiting my blog today -

Stampers Best Turtley Awesome OWH Fundraiser

Welcome to our Operation Write Home Stars & Stamps Animal Pun blog skip!

If you've arrived here from Kristie's blog you're in the right place, if you just happened upon my blog and would like to start at the beginning click here to go to the OWH Stars & Stamps blog.

We are previewing the new Stampers Best Operation Write Home fundraiser stamp sets and I'm excited to be part of our blog skip line up today!

My card uses the new Stampers Best Turtley Awesome OWH fundraiser stamp set

and is colored with Copic markers:

Shell - YG01, YG13, YG25, YG67

Body - YG61, YG63, YG67

Toe Nails - YG11, YG61

The layout is from a sketch, the papers are Papertrey Ink's Green Boutique designer paper, card stock is Stampin' Up! from the "In Colors" collection 2008 as well as Astrobrights Eclipse Black and X Press It blending card.

Tools & Accessories:  Spellbinders Ovals dies, Corner rounder, Papertrey Ink Envelope Liner die.

With the launch of the new Stampers Best OWH Animal Puns stamp sets they will be buy two get one free!

You can buy them here at Stampers Best.  

 Your next stop is Kathryn, thanks for visiting my blog and happy skipping!

Lilyboo Designs I don't wanna go...

I have a Lilyboo Designs card for you today!

This digital image is called I Don't Wanna Go... 

I had fun coloring it with Copic markers:

Jeans - B91, B93, B95

Shirt - YR04, YR15, YR16

Hair - YR24, E23, E34, E37

Skin - E00, E01, E11, R21

Shoes - C0, C1

Dog - E40, E41, E42

Grass - YG03, YG17, YG23

Background - B0000, B000, B01

I started with a sketch for my layout, the papers used are Astrobrights Eclipse Black, Stampin' Up! Brocade Blue, X Press It and Basic Grey Lime Rickey designer paper in orange.  The dies I used are by Papertrey Ink and Die-namics as well as the sentiment being from PTI.  

Another fun boys birthday card for my stash!

Thanks for visiting my blog today, I hope you'll join me tomorrow for the Operation Write Home Stars & Stamps/Stampers Best skip.

CAS Die-namics Birthday

I have a clean and simple birthday card to share today using a Die-namics Chevron die and a Papertrey Ink birthday sentiment.  The strips of colored card stock are from my scraps beside my paper trimmer, the dark blue was large enough to cut a mat for around the white panel and I stamped "happy birthday" in Stampin' Up! Night of Navy classic ink.  

Quick simple and fun!

Thanks for visiting my blog today -

Stomp Stamps Moto X

As you can see from the sentiment on my card today I'm still working on Birthday cards!

My goal is to get ahead on my stash and have some masculine type cards ready for future use, it's a daunting goal because masculine cards are challenging for me.  

I'm always up for a good challenge though! 

I used an old wood mounted rubber stamp today made by Stomp Stamps.  I don't think they are in business any longer, when I "googled" the name I didn't get anything, even on E Bay...  the date on the wood block is 2003.

I thought this might be a good birthday card stamp for teen boys and young men? 

It's been awhile since I've been involved in off road  motorcycle racing so I did a Google search for Yamaha dirt bikes for an idea of how to color my image.  I haven't attempted Honda dirt bikes yet as I'm pretty sure they are red and it's one of the hardest colors to use in small areas.  One day...

I colored this fun dirt bike stamp with Copic markers:

B21, B23, B24, BG10, BG0000, B01

E00, E01, E11

N1, N3, N5

C0, C2, C3

T1, T3, T5

The card stock colors I used are Astrobrights Eclipse Black, Color Mates Grey, Discount Cardstock's Cobalt Blue & X Press It blending card.  The gears embossing folder is made by Sizzix and the little gears are from a Quickkutz die and I used some silver eyelets.  The tag is a Spellbinders Tags Trio die and the sentiment is from a PaperTrey Ink stamp set.

Oh!  I almost forgot my layout is Operation Write Home Stars & Stamps sketch #161!

I flipped the sketch because I'm using a rubber stamp and couldn't "flip" my image as it's not digital and used a rectangle instead of an oval.  

Thanks for visiting my blog today -

Challenges:

Operation Write Home Stars & Stamps - Sketch #161
Operation Write Home Stars & Stamps - MWT Tic TacToe
Make It Monday - Anything Goes

Paper Smooches My Guy

I have a fun Paper Smooches card to share today.  I have just a couple more masculine birthday cards to complete and this weeks Operation Write Home Stars & Stamps sketch challenge was perfect for my layout!

I saw banner tails where the two panels are under the focal panel.

After coloring the cute Paper Smooches golf cart from the My Guy stamp set I went looking for masculine papers and found a Making Memories "Just Chillin'" paper pad in my stash - perfect!  I'd colored three golf carts and the paper pad had coordinating papers so I went for it.  Using just three 8 X 8 sheets of the patterned papers I was able to have three cards that are the same yet different and not much scrap left over.  

To color the golf cart I used Copic markers:

Golf Cart - E40, E41, E30

Seat - E42, E43, E44

Golf Bag 0 B21, B23

Clubs - C00, C2

Misc. - R27, Y00

Background - B0000, B01

Thanks for visiting my blog today -

Challenges:

Operation Write Home Stars & Stamps - Sketch #162

Papertrey Ink Fillable Frames Sentiments

My card today is for the project I've been working on for our church, birthday and anniversary cards.

I used Operation Write Home Stars & Stamps sketch challenge #159 for my clean and simple layout.

The heart is an old Stampin' Up! punch that I cut out the negative piece with a Spellbinders Circle die then matted on a red circle from the die set popped using foam tape.  I then cut out two Papertrey Ink Double Ended banner dies in red and white and stamped "anniversary wishes" in Memento Tuxedo Black ink.  The red band at the bottom is a strip of the Neenah Red Pepper Linen card stock.  

My second card uses basically the same design but I made it flat for easier mailing.  The border die is by MFT Die-namics and I trimmed it to fit across my card.

Here's the sketch:

Thanks for visiting my blog today -

Challenges:

Operation Write Home Stars & Stamps - Sketch #159

Cuddly Buddly Lilyboo Sprinkle Some Love

My card today is for a new release at Cuddly Buddly by Lilyboo Designs, this cute digital image is called "Sprinkle Some Love".

I matched my Copic markers to the ancient (2008) Papertrey Ink 12 X 12 Pinks designer paper to challenge myself using new Copic marker colors.  The layout is Splitcoaststampers sketch #423 that I flipped.  I also used an old Word Window punch and my Corner Chomper.  The love you is part of a sentiment in another stamp set I have.

Thanks for visiting my blog today -

Eureka Stamps Lamb

I had the privilege of making a first birthday card for a friend of mines grandson the other day.  She came over with pictures and some fun ideas and put me to work.  It took a few days for the plan to formulate in my mind!  Above is the card on my kitchen table closed and on top of the lined envelope.  

It measures 5"x7".  The Lamb is a rubber stamp made by Eureka Stamps that I've had for several years.

I colored it with Copic markers:

YG01, YG13, B41, T1, T3, T5, T7, R0000, R000

I used two of her photos on the inside and had the hardest time trying to figure out where oh where to put a birthday sentiment and a place for her to write him a message.

I didn't give her much space but the back of the tag is blank so she can use that too.

This was a fun card to make in a larger size than usual and with photos.  I braved under my desk to find the pad of patterned paper by Martha Stewart and my youngest son's closet for the 12x12 card stocks. I don't have a die for an envelope liner in 5"x7" so I had to make my own, it was pretty easy to do I'm happy to say. 

The "celebrate you" is part of a Papertrey Ink clear stamp and the tag die is also by Papertrey Ink and I trimmed the end off to make it fit under the photo.  Rounded the corners with the We R Memory Keepers Corner Chomper to match the other rounded corners on my card.

I realized our challenge for Operation Write Home Stars & Stamps Midweek Throwdown this week is "Fun Fold" cards, my card fits the challenge but is not an A2 size, so I suppose it only half fits the challenge theme! 

Thanks for visiting my blog today -

Penny Black Circular Design Background

I've been working on some cards for our church recently.  They are in need of birthday cards for all ages and Anniversary cards right now.  

I've also been taking an online Clean & Simple Card Making class working my way through it in my own time.  I've been longing to be able to do the online card classes like this but have just been too busy, it feels so good to have the time now for fresh inspiration.

My first birthday card is inspired by the Clean & Simple Card Making class.  It has one layer, I used my Penny Black Circular Design background stamp, masked off the center to leave it blank and added a box with my white gel pen.  The gift packages are an old Quickkutz die and the sentiment is from Papertrey Ink.  I heat embossed the sentiment, something I haven't done for a long time because I'm not wild about how the card stock warps when you do it.  

My second card is also inspired by the Clean & Simple card making class using more Quickkutz dies.

I'm not sure I like all the white space but I'm experimenting and learning as I go.

Thanks for visiting my blog I need to get busy making more birthday cards!