This is a view of the inside of the envelope, too.
The swirl stamp is by Rhonna Farrar of Autumn Leaves (?).........    The photos of the cards out of the envelopes were taken before I sent these submission to Stampington.  I try very hard to remember to photograph everything I send as a submission because I very rarely have them returned...........cards, that is.  If I send in a book or a journal, I send postage money so it can be returned to me. 

This little card was on the next page.  I love this little girl image .......another B-Line Design stamp.
I stamped her 2X and cut the dress out of the decorative paper and layered it over the little girl image.  She just looks like she might be missing someone.  ")   Sentiments are by Stampin' Up!
This paper is by SEI (Mimosa) and the page that has the little flowers on it is just loaded with them.  They are perfect to cut out and layer..and snip so you can curl them up and make them look three dimensional.

Three cards on one page!  Stamps on this page were B-Line Designs (Beverly Seymore) and Stampin' Up!  I just loved the image of the man and woman kissing and they were dressed in black and white.  So, I thought "Wedding!  The embossed white paper I used for the ribbon around the envelope on this one is a piece I had been saving of ages...........and it was just perfect for a wedding congrats! 

The Birthday Girl is one of my favorite images from B-Line.  The envelope is a flocked cardstock.

The paper I used for "family reunion" is from Scenic Route......
alas, it is no more :(..........I bought several of Sarah Milne's craft papers that have a design running up the left side of the papers.  This one had a tree and just begged for those little birds of Beverly's to be stamped onto it.  ")    I used one of Allie Gower's "Metal Works" flowers for the center of the ribbon.............and they didn't even give her credit for it!!!  I've
sent in several cards to Stampington with her Metal Works on them and this was the first they've published.  (sorry, Allie :( 

I think this is my favorite card that I made for this challenge.  (Catherine Moore stamps, of course!
I stamped the lady three times to get skin tone, the dress and the bowtie; then, I cut the dress and tie and layered over the skin tone image.  I used Copic markers to color in the hair and face features.  And, then stamped the tea tray from the same papers as the dress and used it to embellish the paper ribbon around the envelope.  (These are my very favorite colors!)

Ooops! technical problems..............

I have 6 cards published in this issue of Stampers' Sampler, but at the moment
either this website or my computer is not letting me upload any more pics.
Gotta go check out the problem.  Will upload more photos when I figure it
out.  ")

View of card outside envelope

This is a view of the card outside the envelope.  As you can see, I also used a sticker on the inside of the envelope.  I used a coordinating black/white dotted paper on the inside.  I used another flower sticker on the lower right-hand corner of the card and added a tiny rhinestone to it.

Cards published in the Stampers' Sampler Dec/Jan 2011

The Stampers' Sampler always has a template challenge entitled "Tempting Template".  For this issue it was an open envelope with a 3"X5" card.... index card style.  I loved this challenge!  I immediately had papers all over my studio.  ")  This image from B-Line Designs is one of my favorite rubber stamps.  I stamped her with black ink and colored her in with pencils.  I used a stick-on label on which to stamp the sentiment (from Stampin' Up!).  The envelope and "ribbon" are papers from DCWV's Bella Boutique stack pack.  The "celebrate" medallion used on the ribbon is also a sticker from this pack.  There are many flocked papers in this collection.  The pack contains:  black and white, ecru and ivory papers.

RSM Holidays 2010

This is the RSM magazine that has my White Rabbit card publication.   I love this cover done by Annie Frazer of Minnesota.

Published in RubberStampMadness Holidays 2010-2011

I love this image of the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland.
This card was chosen by the staff at RSM for their "Alice Revisited" section.  I had taken a class with Allie Gower on using Copic markers and used those markers and the techniques learned on this image and the teapots, cups and watch in the border.  I love using those markers!  I really wanted my image of the rabbit to have a "storybook" look.  I kept remembering all those pastel pictures from books I used to read and tried to give this image a similiar look.  I'm so glad RSM liked it!   RubberStampMadness is truly a rubberstamper's magazine.  I love that their focus is still rubber stamping.......as I am addicted to it!

(Rubber stamps used are from Tweety Jill)

Night at last!

This is what they had all waited for......night fall and time to light the candles in the jack-o-lanterns!
The large one in the middle is the one that everybody helped carve for Dillon since he was not feeling well.   This was the highlight of the day.....er, night.  ")

Thank you very much, Aunt Sharla and Uncle Chris for all that you did today!

Voila! a Jack-o-lantern at last!

Cody was very pleased with his jack-o-lantern.......and he should be!   I love the mouth on this one!   He did such a great job on it.

Cody starts Carving

Cody finally started carving his pumpkin.  Jacob was very interested in every cut.  ")   Aunt Sharla was finally able to sit down and relax a little.

Watching Over it All

Cody was so interested in watching everyone in the process of opening up these pumpkins and carving that he was last to get started on his own.

Funny man!

Here's the little funny man with his jack-o-lantern.  As you can see, Uncle Chris helped quite a bit with the carving.  Jacob was so excited to have his photograph taken with the finished product that he nearly dropped it to the ground.  ")

Tiny hands..........

Uncle Chris is guiding Jacob's hand as he carves a face into his pumpkin.  (Mom is getting his pic as he carves.)  Jacob is three and thinks he can do anything the big guys do.  ")

Addy's jack-o-lantern

This is Addy's jack-o-lantern.  I love that she carved "Boo" on each side of his head.  Also like the little "birthmark" on his cheek!   What an imagination!

Emma's jack-o-lantern

This is Emma's finished product.  She was quite proud of it.  I love the slant of the eyes and that diamond shaped nose!  '0

Like Little Rat Terriers!

I loved the enthusiasm and tenaciousness that these girls had digging out these pumpkins!  They didn't rest a moment until they were completely through.  It was obvious that they were having a great time together.  The redhead is our only granddaughter and the other little girl is her best friend.

This is Mason's finished jack-o-lantern.  Notice all the stitches on his face.  ")   Mason thought this might make it look a little more scarey.

A Guiding Hand

Uncle Chris instructing Mason on the use of one of the carving tools.  Mason cut all the features into his pumpkin himself.  I thought he did a great job for a 6 year old.

What about me???

Jacob (in the forefront) just couldn't wait for Aunt Sharla to cut the top out of his pumpkin.  The girls were already digging out the insides of their pumpkins.  They were anxious to get to the seeds so they could save them to roast that night.

Fall Break - Pumpkin Carving

Featured are the results of a loooong afternoon at Nana's with lots and lots of help from Aunt Sharla and Uncle Chris.  It was Fall Break for all the Bruner grandchildren.  Their aunt and uncle took them for breakfast, a trip to the Philbrook Museum of Art, to the pumpkin patch, bought lunch and brought the pumpkins and lunch to Nana and Papaw's.  As soon as the subs were devoured, the kiddoes were out the door and claiming their pumpkins.  Uncle Chris opened carving tools and started demonstrating safety and then showing and guiding little hands at the work of carving.  From the youngest to the oldest (well, not really the oldest as he was inside lying down with a sick stomach), they all went at this adventure with gusto!

Sandy's Journal (cont'd)

The sun was part of a tag I got from StampDiva
(stampdiva.com).  I cut the front part off.   Above the sun is a phrase....one in English and one in French (from French General).   ("Mon ame se situe au soleil."  "My soul lies in the sun.)


I just realized that this is the last photo I took of the album.........I forgot to photograph the back and it is beautiful!   Mary Mata has some collage sheets.   I cut a large picture to cover the middle of the back cover.....it was of an Italian goddess overlaid at the bottom with a piece of a lire and
up the side with a postage stamp.  Also at top was a beautiful sunflower.  The colors were cantelope, aqua, sepia and just a touch of pale sage.   Stunning!  (Maybe I can see Sandy when they get back and I can photograph it.)

Sandy's Journal (cont'd)

I love these papers from Scenic Route (no longer in business, but Sarah Milne, the designer has an
online shop....just Google her name).  The Paris faux postage is from Mary Mata.   The sentiments on the left paper were so appropriate.

Sandy's Journal (cont'd)

I loved using the Mona Lisa in this pocket!  Sandy will be in Italy on her tour.........I'm hoping for a postcard from there.  ")   I thought the library card might come in hand for jotting down a schedule, or places seen, etc.

Sandy's Journal (cont'd)

This is another Paris tag from Cavalini.   I need to do my own journal with those in it!  LOL

Sandy's Journal (cont'd)

The little butterfly marks the opening to the envelope.

Sandy's Journal (cont'd)

The white page is a large envelope I added to the book.   I added two of these......more storage for Sandy to put keepsake papers and items.  I added a faux postage stamp.....my friend Judi gave me a booklet full of these little beauties (and a box full of other things!  ").

Sandy's Journal (cont'd)

I love these pages!   These are the map pockets sewn into place.  I added the Milano postcard and the Paris tag.............they just made the pages!

Sandy's Journal (cont'd)

Added a beaded flower to this page.

Sandy's Journal (cont'd)

Here the deeper pockets are sewn on and I have added a vintage Christmas postcard to the pocket for Sandy.   On her trip, she is going to buy a Christmas ornament from every country that they visit. 

Sandy's Journal (cont'd)

I used a map tag from Graphic45 and slid brown ribbon stitched in aqua though it.   I felt like it really added a lot to this page and the color was perfect.

Sandy's Journal (cont'd)

I love seeing the threads on the spine crossing over the brown ribbon!  One more signature to go!

Sandy's Journal (cont'd)

Another page of water themed papers!  :)  I used deeper pockets for these pages as Sandy and I had a long conversation about postcards.........namely her buying me some (I sent some money!) and sending a couple of them from one or two ports of call.  ")   I'm sure she will have some long folded pamphlets, too, that will need deeper pockets.

Sandy's Journal (cont'd)

Here you see the map pockets with the brown pages before the pockets are sewn on.  Just couldn't resist using the map paper for her journal.  ")

Sandy's Journal (cont'd)

I really like the seashell papers with the luggage labels for pockets.  I also like seeing the brown waxed linen thread in the seam on this paper.

Sandy's Journal (cont'd)

I decided early on that each signature would have pockets in the middle.   I also decided that they would sewn in.....to withstand many items being tucked into them.  I used many different colorful papers for the pages......I wanted this to be a fun journal for Sandy to have with her.  (This paper is from Scenic Route.....no long a company, but Sarah Milne is the designer and has an online shop.....just Google her name.  ").

Sandy's Journal (cont'd)

I added three ribbons completely across the covers and spine od the journal.  I pulled the top and bottom ribbon inside the covers and glued them down.   I left the center ribbon ends free to use a tie for the journal.  When I began to sew the signatures in, I crossed over the middle ribbon and really liked the look of it.  I love this vintage French taffeta ribbon!   I have bought it several times (stampdiva.com) in a couple of the colors, but always come back to this lovely chocolate.

Sandy's Journal (cont'd)

This is a view from the spine of the book.  I used the gold filigree paper trim to cover the middle section of the front of the book.  (shown in an earlier photo)

The Making of Sandy's Journal

I have taken two journal classes:  my first one at WaterWorks in Tulsa many years ago; and, one with Sara Hanlon in April 2010.  I first made my covers and spine and covered them as one unit in some very fibrous handmade papers.  I decided how many signatures I would have and proceeded to punch the holes through which I would sew them to the spine. 

Dedication

On July 13, my cousin lost his only son in a car wreck.  His son was a US Marshall and a County Deputy Sheriff.  Tom & Sandy had already booked a European cruise and tour and I'm glad they did not cancel it..............I feel like this will be a healing process for them.   In light of the cruise, I made a journal for them to take to write in, stick pamphlets, postcards, etc into pockets.  They are taking the cruise with some very close friends who have always been there for them.  I dedicate this journal to their son, Jeff and his remaining wife and two little sons.

Card published in RubberStampMadness 2010

I love Catherine Moore Character Constructions rubber stamps.  So many art dolls to make!  ")   This little jewel is from her Bird and Paperie collection.  I think this little doll has the prettiest face.  I stamped her head and cape on grey paper and cut out and laid aside.  I stamped the arms and top of her costume with black ink onto light orange paper and cut out.  I next attached the arms to her body and then the top of the costume to the cape/head.  I used a petal from a discarded artificial poppy for her skirt; I attached the skirt to the back of the costume.  Next I cut two 1/4" strips of black/white striped paper about 2 1/2" long and folded accordian style for the legs.  I free-hand cut the boots from black cardstock and attached them to the ends of the legs.  For the card, I used a grey with white swirls to give the illusion of the wind blowing.  (That seems to be one of my childhood memories of Halloween!  LOL)  I attached a paper spider web with spider in the center to the upper left-hand corner of the card.  I cut the top row from a Bingo card and attached it to the lower left side of the card and added an orange, decorative brad to the upper corner of the Bingo strip.  Then I attached the doll to the card slightly over the spider web and with her feet on the Bingo strip.  I hand drew a scroll and wrote the message on it with a black Micro pen.  I edged the card, the message and a paper Bingo button with orange ink.  I attached the message to her outstretched hand and tucked the button under her other arm.
I was thrilled when Roberta Sperling called to tell me that the card had been chosen for the Fall 2010 issue............I felt it was a very good submission after having my cover art chosen for the Summer 2010 issue.

Just a Peek!

Just a peek at one of our houses in the Haunted House Halloween Banner Class that will be taking place Saturday, September 26 at 10:30AM...........cost of class is $25....call to reserve your place today:  246-9674.

New Class

Haunted Halloween House Banner                     This is the class that I will be teaching at Croppertunities on Saturday, September 25 at 10:30AM                                                          Come on out and have some fun with us!   The cost of the class is $25............which will include 9 houses, all papers and embellishments and the coils to hook the banner together with the Zutter Cutter......a great bookmaker, too!   Call today to reserve your place:  246-9674  !!!

Art House Co-op Sketchbook Project

If you love working in art journals, try this challenge by Art House Co-op.  You choose a journal and a theme (or they will assign you one) and you can also pay to have it digitalized....they will send you the journal and you have until January to work in it.  Thousands of journals will then tour the US and finally end up at the Brooklyn Art Library where they can be viewed on line.  I entered with my son-in-law (who actually encouraged me to do this) and I am very excited about it!  Can't wait to get the book and start working in it.  Try it!

Finished card

This is the finished project.  I truly enjoyed working on this card.  The projects that our art club has embarked on this year have been challenging and great fun.  Everyone had such neat ideas for this round.

Back of Bingo card for Sara

I cut a piece of cardstock to cover the back.  I swiped the cardstock with Celadon, Robin Blue and Amber Clay.  Then I colored the "B" with Tangerine, Robin Blue and Ochre.  I attached the letter to the upper left corner of the panel and used a black pen to finish out the word  (...ingo).  I used the stamped image of the head at the bottom of the panel.  I used punched birds and a punched moon to finish the panel.  Finally I wrote the sentiment to Sara.  

On the back of the tag, I used the Tangerine, Celadon and Ochre to color it.  I stamped the bird
with brown ink and used a black pen to write the sentiment.

Altered Bingo Card for Sara

This is the Bingo card that I altered for my friend Sara in our art group.  I started with ColorBox fluid chalks (cateyes) and colored in the background.  I chose: Amber Clay, Parchment, Celedon, Robin Blue, Ochre and Tangerine.  I stamped the Post Card w/birds onto a pale orange cardstock with black ink.  I used a cotton swab to color the breasts of the birds with the Tangerine.  Then I cut a postalz sticker to fit the postage stamp area of the image.    I stamped and cut out 2 images of the paperdoll.  I glued the wings to the card and glued the first image over the wings.  I cut out the post card image and attached three sides with 1/8" WonderTape, leaving the right open to make a pocket for the tag.  I cut the tag out of cardstock and used Parchment, Tangerine and Robin Blue fluid chalk to color it.  I cut out the stamped wings image and attached it to the front side of the card.  I used a black pen to write my sentiment.  The chocolate ribbon was then tied to the tag.  Next I attached the second paperdoll image with dimensional tape directly over the first image, allowing the feet to "stand" on the metal trim that I attached over the bottom of the card.  I used the Robin Blue chalk to color the wings and Crimson fluid chalk to color the cheeks.   From a small bingo card, I cut out the number 4 and "B" column heading and attached it to the card with the tiny Tim Holtz paperclip.  Finally I added the flower with the button center to the hands of the paperdoll.

On the road in Arkansas

Well, we ran away from home July 24.......our 45th wedding anniversary was July 23.....we thought we deserved some time away.  ")   We literally just wandered around western Arkansas.....north to south.   It was so relaxing!  We were gone for five days and nights and are ready to go again!.......anywhere!   We loved the beautiful Oachita National Forest, Oachita Lake, and many of the national parks in this beautiful state.  We drove to the top of Magazine Mountain...highest in Arkansas....centrally located.  Lots of winding roads and fishing streams.  We even visited a CCC site that was well documented and had almost every foundation left from every building that had been there.....housed 200 men back in the 30's, 40's........but they tore it down in 1947 (really sad that they did.....it's really some interesting history for that state).  We visited many, many rock shops.....even found crystals lying around in some of the state parks (just tiny ones).  Met some very interesting people......which we love to do.  ")   It was a great trip for us and we returned very refreshed!  Also checked out some fishing sites with cabins that we may go back to visit very soon.

Great class!

We had a great class Thursday night.  There were seven ladies in the class.  I'm so glad they are excited about adding rubberstamping to their cards.  We had some really creative ideas floating around.  They were also ready to tell me some other techniques and items that they are interested in making.   Lots of neat things happening in this area for scrappers and stampers!

Croppertunities, July 15, 6:30PM

SUMMER BLOOMS RIBBON-SLIDE CARDS
This is the third card we will be making at the card class Thursday night.  Introducing many of the participants to rubberstamping.....and some to card-making.  Hoping for a big class.  ")
INSTRUCTIONS:  Fold a piece of 8 1/2"X 5 1/2" decorative, double-sided cardstock in half.  Punch out a 2" circle and use reverse side to stamp sentiment with black ink.  Use a craft knife to cut a slit 5/8" long about 1/4" in from top and bottom of the circle.  Cut a piece of blue gingham 1/2" ribbon 6" long.  Slide ribbon through the back of gthe circle.  Use a tacky glue to glue the ends over to the inside of the card....leave open until dry.  Attach the gold butterly slight over the ribbon.  Add tiny gems to the dots around the large flowers and one to the center of the little black flower.

Croppertunities, July 15, 6:30PM

SUMMER BLOOMS RIBBON-SLIDE CARDS This is another card that we will be making in the class Thursday night at our local scrapbook store, Croppertunities, 12 West 2nd St, Sand Springs, 918-246-9674.  After the class, I will be posting instructions.                                         INSTRUCTIONS:  Fold an 8 1/2" X 5 1/2" piece of decorative, double-sided cardstock in half.  Using the reverse side of the cardstock, stamp a butterfly with VersaMark inkpad and cut out.  Outline the wings of the butterflies with clear Stickles and let dry.   Also, cut out a 2 1/2" X 1 1/2" ribbon slide.  Use a corner rounder at each corner of slide.  Using a craft knife, cut a 5/8" slit at the top and bottom of the ribbon slide.  Next, cut a 1/2" blue gingham ribbon 6" long and slide through the back of the ribbon slide.  Attach the ends over onto the inside of the card with a tacky glue.  Do not close card until glue is completely dry.  Glue one of the butterflies to the upper right-hand corner of the card.  Fold the wings of the remaining butterly up along each side of the body and attach directly over the other butterfly with glue dots.  Add large amber jewels to the centers of the three large flowers at the bottom of the card.  (I chose to put the jewel on the left directly on the ribbon.)

Croppertunities, July 15, 6:30PM

I'm teaching a card class at our local scrapbook store.  My husband's nephew and niece just bought it!  Not many rubberstampers in this group, so I'm starting with some basic cards.....I have already taught one class (Father's Day) at this store and we had a great time.  So, I'm looking forward to teaching there again.                                INSTRUCTIONS:  Fold an 8 1/2" X 5 1/2" piece of decorative, double-sided cardstock in half.  Use a green inkpad to edge the entiere card.  Use clear Stickles to outline all the black flowers and set aside to dry.  Punch out a 2" flower from a scrap of yellow cardstock.  Use a black inkpad to stamp the bird image in the certer of the yellow flowers.  Outline the flower with clear Stickles.  Using the reverse side, cut a 1 1/2"X 1 1/2" square and stamp the sentiment with black inkpad; trim the corners with the rounded corner punch.  Edge the square with green inkpad.  After the Stickles is dry on the flower, use a craft knife to cut 5/8" slits at the top and bottom of the flower.  Cut a 1/2" blue gingham ribbon 6" long.  Slide the ribbon through the back of the flower ribbon slide.  Use a tackly glue to attach the ends of the ribbon to the inside of the card; let dry completely before closing the card.  Add a clear jewel to the little red flower in the lower right-hand corner and to the tiny black flower on the left side of the card at the top.