Party with Penny Timeless Blog Hop

Hey, everyone!  It's party time.  Better  yet, it's "Party with Penny" time.  You have all been invited to join the fun celebrating Penny Black's newest release called "Timeless".  It's a whole new collection of stamps and dies with something for everyone.  And when Penny Black says "party", that means "blog  hop".

You probably arrived here from the incredibly talented Heather Telford's blog.  If you haven't started from the beginning of the blog hop, you can go to the Penny Black blog for a full list of all the  participants, aka "hoppers".

To say that I had fun with this new release would be a huge understatement.  Once I started making cards, it was really difficult to stop.  So, today I have three cards to share with you.  And while this release has a large variety of stamp and die styles, today I indulged my love of sweetly cute with all three cards.

30-539 Tea Time, 30-557 Lovely Birthday, 51-006 Flutters, 51-423 Airy, 51-499 Diamond Cut, 51-521 Tea Time Cut Out

My "Have a Lovely Day" card was built layer by layer.  The Diamond Cut background die created the base for the Airy diecut and of course, the Tea Time critter.  And just because I could, I added a purple Flutter-by in the corner.  That sweet and tiny sentiment is from the Lovely Birthday transparent set.  I love those tiny sentiments; you can squeeze them into any space.

30-536 Always Love, 51-499 Diamond CutOut,51-502 swirly stitches, 51-527 Always Love CutOut

If a cute little critter can sneak into a tea cup, why not into a mixing bowl?  The Always Love mini set includes the cupcake and sentiment, too.  I couldn't resist using that Diamond Cut background die again, this time coloring it with Distress inks.

30-542 Critter Celebration

I challenged  myself this time to eliminate the white space that I seem to be so fond of.  I used Memento Luxe inks to blend a background upon which I mounted my cut out image from the Critter Celebration set.  Looks like these teddies are celebrating a birthday with some time enjoy a beautiful sunset and a few butterflies.  Again, I added a teeny tiny sentiment.  Like the other images, I used Copic markers to color these critters.

Now, for some really good news:  Penny Black says it wouldn't be a party without a giveaway, so there will be five lucky winners of a $50 shopping spree to the Penny Black online store.  Just leave a comment on any blog hop post (this one included) to be eligible to win.  The giveaway closes on Sunday, March 10 at 11:59 PM PST and winners will be announced on the Penny Black blog on March 18.

Ooops, my time is up.  Time for you to keep on hopping!  Your next stop on the hop is to the magnificent Therese Calvird's blog, Lost in Paper.  I wonder if Therese loves being "Lost in Paper" as much as I love "Running with Scissors"?

Penny Black Happy Heart Day Blog Hop

Welcome to "Party with Penny", an invitation to join in the fun for the next several days as Penny Black reveals Happy Heart Day, their newest collection of stamps and dies.  

This party is starting with a blog hop!

I am delighted and honored to be included with so many talented artists.  You should have arrived here from the blog of the awesome Sherry Hester.  If you want to start this hop from the beginning, you can go to the Penny Black blog for a complete list of the blog participants.

 The Happy Heart Day release makes my heart sing and my face smile big.  Teddy Bears, bunnies, hearts, love, birdies, hugs, bees, sweet girls, and sunshine … oh, my.  The possibilities are endless.  No matter your style, you will find stamps and dies to make cards for many occasions:  Valentine's Day, birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, encouragement and even "Miss You".  

51-484 Lovely Border, 51-494 Love and Miss You;  51-495 Key...cut out, 30-522 Love in Bloom, 30-535 Space Reserved

I stamped the Valentine tree using grey Memento ink and colored the hearts using Copic markers.  On separate cardstock and using my MISTI stamp positioner, I stamped the Teddy from the Space Reserved transparent set, colored it with Copics and then fussy cut the image and attached it to the card face using Scotch mounting tape.  I created that lovely heart border using the Lovely Border die.  Just for fun, I added a gold "key to my heart" from the Key...Cut Out die set.  Finally I added the sentiment by cutting out "Miss You" from the Love and Miss you die set.

The stamps and dies I used to make this card and the rest of the Happy Heart Day release are now available in the 
Penny Penny Black online store.  No more waiting!

Teddy Bears are such fun to color and mixing stamp and die sets allows endless variation.  Who are you reserving that space on the bench for?  I think my two littlest grandchildren would just fit! 

And what is a party without a giveaway?   Penny Black is generously giving away a $50 shopping spree to the Penny Black online store to THREE lucky winners.  To enter, leave a comment on any blog hop post (this one included).  The giveaway closes on Sunday, December 23rd at 11:59 PM PST and winners will be announced on the Penny Black blog on December 31st.

You have now completed the "Party with Penny" blog hop.  I hope you have commented on the blog posts to become eligible to win one of the shopping sprees.

Remember, the complete Happy Heart Day release is now available in the Penny Black store.

And, Penny Black, I know I was last in the lineup due to my habit of running with scissors.  Hopefully, the strategy worked and my scissors and I have done no harm.

Soon It Will Be Christmas Day!

A quick check of the calendar proves it is December.  It is not only December, but it is the eve of St. Nicholas Day.  When we were kids, this is the day we hung our stockings.  St. Nicholas brought mostly oranges, nuts and some candy and we were as excited as if it were a new bicycle! 

In honor of St. Nicholas Day I have made two Christmas cards using a couple of my favorite Penny Black stamps. 

First, here is Snowy, stamped with the woodblock stamp of that name dating back to the year 2002:

Kay Miller is a Simplicity Sister on the Penny Black blog and recently she posted this card, using a color combination of kraft, red and white.  I had to give it a try and love the result:


I have two little grandchildren that will be receiving these cards for Christmas.  It's hard to believe that Evelyn Rose is now 2 1/2 and Jack Lincoln is a year old and walking! 

I have almost finished with my card making projects; next step: mailing them out!

Thanks for stopping by.

 

 

Penny Black Tags

Because every Christmas stamp collection includes a set to make your own gift tags, I own Penny Black's transparent set Christmas Tags.  I never set aside enough time during the holidays to make my own gift tags, so this set had never been inked!  I sat down lately and challenged myself to get a start on the gift giving season by making tags well in advance of when I might need them.

I stared at the stamps and tried to generate enthusiasm for the task at hand and then something strange happened!  Instead of seeing gift tags, I saw elements that could be used for making Christmas cards!

And here's the rest of the story:

30-199 Christmas Tags; 40-084 Circles and Lines

These tags reminded me of ornaments and I decorated them a bit with gold embossing powder, a sentiment and a few sequins.  I love that Circles and Lines background stamp ... reminds me of the decorations hung at our local mall!

30-199 Christmas Tags; 51-021 Love and Joy; 51-130 Geometrics

 

In real life, this card is made up of a deep green base .. the lighting gives it a bluish cast, which makes it less Green Bay Packer and more elegant.  I trimmed the tree with the little bow image included in the set.  I love the Geometric die cut and use it often to anchor smaller images.

30-199 Christmas Tags; 51-130 Geometrics; 51-021 Love and Joy

 

And for this card, I used the little gift package image, mounted on another of the Geometric die cut shapes. 

Christmas cards are a great place to showcase the deep colors of the season as well as a great place to add sparkle.  I have never been able to make all my Christmas cards the same.  There are so many amazing stamps and dies available, how could I settle on just one design for all my cards?

I had a great time finding ways to use this Christmas Tag set for making cards.  And I know it will be a great set to use when I finally make the tags for gift giving.

Thanks so much for stopping by to see what I've been up to.  The summer has flown by as usual, but I must admit I am looking forward to cooler temperatures.

Lulu

The Penny Black transparent set Lulu Spring is a great set for Easter and springtime cards.  But because I run with scissors, I used this set to make a little girl birthday card.  Don't you love extending how you can use your stamp sets??

30-166 Lulu Spring; 40-327 A Little Bird; 51-033 Silver Linings; 51-027 Triple Banner

I have owned a pair of "fringe-making" scissors for at least 9 years and have never used them.  This morning I came upon them and decided they have free-loaded long enough. I also fussy cut the little girl image.  I love making scenes and these clouds were the perfect finishing touch!

I have a few more "neglected" stamp sets on my desk.  There is no telling where this sassy little muse will take me. 

Thank you for your visit .. hope you are taking time to be creative today.

Snips 'n Snails "n Puppy Dog Tails

I am playing with some older Penny Black stamps.  This one is Boys Will Be Boys and it brought back memories of when my four boys were youngsters.  I don't like to think they were made of snips and snails and puppy dog tails, but they were busy, fun and wonderful.  Their only sister would tell you they were also annoying.
 

30-122 Boys will be Boys; 51-128 Doodles

I stamped the largest image in the set with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored it with Copics.  I fussy cut everything and remounted it on an oval diecut.  It just looked more interesting this way!  I added the "smile" sentiment and red dots for interest and balance.
 
It's a good feeling to take out those older sets and ink them up.  It's almost like they're new again!
 
And by the way, I think that little puppy looks a lot like Cooper would if I turned him upside down!!
 
Thanks for visiting. 

Mother Goose by Penny Black

I don't make very many welcome baby cards, but I do have some very young grandchildren.  I think it is time Grandma sent them a card. 

30-179 Mother Goose; 51-052 Texting

This is the girl version using Penny Black's transparent set "Mother Goose".  Who doesn't love a shaker card?  I am totally unable to use just a single layer die cut sentiment since I've been stacking them three deep!  Sadly, the Glossy Accents and Wink of Stella effects don't show up in my photos.

30-179 Mother Goose; 51-095 Hearts in Circle; 51-025Love Expressions

And by swapping out colors, I can change the look to little boy!  I didn't have sequins that worked with this color scheme, so I just used the Hearts in Circle creative die to make a whole bunch of hearts at one time!  In real life, the embellishments sparkle!

I hope you are able to spend some time doing your favorite thing this weekend.  It is amazing how quickly August is going by.  The Alabama kids have been back to school for a week, even with the temperatures in the 90's. 

Cooper is responding well to his meds and the low activity routine.  He is walking with all four legs on the ground, something that he hadn't been doing lately.  We all miss playtime and long walks, but are committed to healing his owie leg.



Thanks so much for stopping by!

Amazing!

Amazing is the name of the Penny Black transparent set that includes the sentiment tag and sentiment on this card.  The white panel is one layer, with masking used to make the flower appear it is behind the tag.  I think what most endeared this set to me is the polka dotted border on the tag.  It looks like multiple layers, but that is how the stamp is made.

30-243 Amazing;30-113 Petal Party; 40-310 Star Ivy

I created the black and white background matt using Penny Blacks's Star Ivy slapstick stamp, embossing with white on black cardstock.  Black, white and red is a favorite color combination of mine.

The set includes several other tags and sentiments, making it a stamp set you can use in many ways for many occasions.

Cooper's diagnosis is a partial tear of his ACL.  We have the choice between conservative treatment or surgery.  Both options carry the requirement of weight loss and low level activity for several months.  For now we are spending time researching and thinking.  Cooper is faced with losing so much of what makes his life enjoyable; more food, going for walks, running in the yard, and playing catch with his toys and tug of war with his blanket.  He is still feeling the effects of the sedation and the trauma of a day at the vet's today.  Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.  I think I am feeling some trauma myself.

Thank you for stopping by. 

Fun with Penny Black

Don't you love it when you get a great idea and it actually finds its way onto a card?  That's what happened when I had an assortment of Penny Black transparent sets on my desk.  I haven't used these sets very much, but once I had this idea the ink pads came out and some stamping began!

30-247 Life's Journals; 30-306 U R the Gift; 40-327 A Little Bird

I masked the mouse image and stamped over it with the library card image, and because I had finished the card before I thought to add the "RECORD", I just stamped that on a scrap of cardstock, cut it out and pasted it onto the library card.  I also stamped an extra mouse and pop dotted it to the original stamped image.  The ink bottle is high lighted with Glossy Accents, which doesn't show well in the photo.  Of course, then I added the Happy Birthday sentiment, making the card a good addition to my stash.

I love that kraft paper.  I learned about it from Sandy Allnock.  It's called Dessert Storm (an unfortunate label, but I love the paper) and made by Neenah.  Did you know you can go to your local Staples store with special paper requests and they can order for you and when it comes in, you go pick it up.  No postage fees!  I love this shade of kraft .. not too light, not too dark.

Cooper goes to the vet tomorrow for an exam of his leg and x-rays under sedation.  He is so frightened at the vets' that he is too tense for a good exam.  It will be hard to leave him there for the day as he was so upset when we did this for his teeth cleaning.  But meds aren't fixing the problem and we need to get him back on all four legs again!

Have a great week!  The Georgia grandkids are back to school today!  And one is entering high school.  Truly, time flies!!  Thanks for your visit!

Let's Chat by Penny Black

This transparent set Let's Chat by Penny Black contains thirteen stamps!  My intention when I pulled this set out was to use the sentiment "happy hello".  And then I just added more stamps to my Misti until I liked the arrangement.  Even though the colors are bright, this could be a guy card because of the graphic design.

30-244 Let's Chat

These "hot" colors remind me of our hot Alabama in August weather.  And today is the day I decided I could not stand the weedy patch of landscape that surrounds the dying rose bushes, so I spent some time cleaning up that space.  I guess I decided the rose bushes should be allowed a "death with dignity".  I murdered the petunias last month and three of the four Knockout rose bushes are dead or dying.  I am going to assume the sprinkler system is not aimed correctly to water the non-survivors.   So much for trying to raise flowers again.

This has been a week of appointments for Cooper and me.  I finally made and kept an appointment with the dentist and Cooper had to see the vet for his right rear leg that doesn't want to spend much time in contact with the ground.  It's a close call, but we spent more at the vet than the dentist and I had two teeth taken care of.

So far I don't see much improvement in Cooper's limping situation but my teeth are great!

Thanks for stopping by!  Enjoy these last summer days.  The kids here go back to school next week. 

Enchanted Garden by Penny Black

It's a very stormy day and there is no better time than now to play with some of my "older" Penny Black stamps.  Both of the cards use images from Penny Black's transparent set Enchanted Garden.  I love that it's possible to obtain such different looks from the same stamp set! 

30-205 Enchanted Garden; 51-007 Tagged

I've colored with Prismacolor pencils on kraft, added some white enamel dots (sadly, the color from the flowers bled through).  The butterflies just found their way onto the card somehow! 

30-205 Enchanted Garden

I love a black and white color scheme.  I thought about adding a little red heart, but chose instead to stay with only the two colors.  This contemporary style heart is quite versatile and need not be filed away until Valentine's Day! 

I am revisiting stamp sets that I've loved when I first added them to my collection and then set aside for a newer set.  I don't believe there is a finite number of ways to use our stamps.  And setting them aside for awhile and then revisiting can be very inspirational.

Chores are done for the week; except that daily make meals thing.  Honestly, I have grown weary of planning and cooking meals.  Maybe not even the cooking so much, but the planning!!  Maybe I need to focus on being more grateful that I live in a country of abundance and the problem is choosing.

Have a great day!  Thanks for your visit.

Sunshine in the Rain

"Sunshine in the Rain" is the name of this classic Penny Black slapstick stamp. 

40-058 sunshine in the rain; 30-014 salutations

I love paper piecing!  Cutting and pasting is so relaxing.  After pasting all the elements into place, I added some shading with Copic markers.  Glossy accents make the boots and umbrella shine!  I am going to enter this card in Simon Says Stamps Wednesday challenge encouraging the use of Penny Black stamps and dies.

Our friends really are "sunshine in the rain", which makes me love this image even more.  And I hereby resolve to start sending more of my cards instead of collecting them.  I know finding a card in my mailbox really makes my day, so why aren't I sharing those good feelings??

We are experiencing much more sunshine than rain here in northern Alabama.  And the heat is holding steady in the 90's.  I feel sorry for the kids in their crisp new school clothes who will be starting school here next week.

There is an announcement on the Penny Black blog today welcoming a new designer to their team.  Be sure to check it out!  Her watercolor art is beyond amazing.  She is Micheline (Mimi) Jourdain who has been guest designing for the blog for a while and is now a permanent designer. 

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope your life includes friends who are your sunshine in the rain!

Jumbo Love

The Wednesday challenge on the Simon Says Stamp blog is "anything goes" and they are spotlighting Penny Black stamps and dies.  How could I resist?

Add ca30-209 Jumb Love; 51-025 Love Expressions

I've used the adorable little ellie from Penny Blacks transparent set Jumbo Love along with the sentiment from the creative die Love Expressions.   Sounds like the perfect match to me!!

I am resolving to spend more time in my craft room during this unrelenting spell of hot weather.  It's July in Alabama and I am annoyed that it is hot and humid!!

I know Simon Says Stamp would love to see what you can do with Penny Black stamps and dies.  It's not a requirement, but it is an opportunity to use those great Penny Black stamps!  Click here for information.

Thanks for stopping by! 

Penny Black Christmas in July

It's been a week of Christmas in July on the Penny Black blog.  I know I've said it before, but this time I really mean it .. this is my favorite snowman of all time .. it's Penny Black's Snowy, a woodblock stamp from 2002! 

2521 K Snowy; 51-058 joyous wishes; 51-066 crystal trio
 

I've used Penny Black Creative Dies for the snowflakes and sentiment.  I added texture to the scarf and hat by going over the Copic coloring with the blender pen.  Since it's been in the 90's here in Alabama, it was a relief to think about snowflakes and the holidays.

I am back from my nine days in Wisconsin where I spent my days taking care of baby Jack who needed to stay home for one more week after his surgery.  I am delighted to report his recovery is complete and could not have gone better  He is a delightful baby and has an amazing big sister in Evelyn.  Leaving was difficult after spending so much time with the grandbabies. 

It's Saturday and once again you can find me on the Penny Black blog. 

 

If you would like to see photos of the adorable little ones, just click here and you will be transported to my Runs with Scissors column, where I have happily posted pictures.  Thanks for stopping by!!

Winged Beauty by Penny Black

Oh, my!  I have sadly neglected my blog lately.  I blame it on the fact I've not been "Livin' the Dream" lately.  For some reason, this spring saw several members of our family dealing with surgeries, not to mention my two month bout with shingles!  But that's all behind us and it's time to get back into the craft room and stamp the stress away.

40-376 Winged Beauty; 40-385 Collage of Wishes; 51-140 Diamond Border; 51-027 Triple Banner

The bird and branches images are from Penny Black's slapstick set "Winged Beauty".  I've tried stamping them in various colors, but I always go back to neutral tones.  I am amazed at the amount of detail in these small stamps.  I seemed to lose some of the detail when I colored the images. 

I am sending this card to my much younger brother for his birthday in a couple of weeks.  I'm  not sure what he thinks of my hand made cards, but I know his wife appreciates them!

I've added Liquid Pearls opal accents to the branches and the Diamond Border diecut.  I like the texture it adds and it is not too "blingy" for a guy!

I am flying to Wisconsin tomorrow to take care of baby Jack so Mom can go back to work after being with him for two weeks post surgery.  It was pretty serious surgery, but Jack came through like Superman and isn't even holding a grudge!!  We are so grateful that all is well.  And I am grateful and thrilled to be able to spend a week spoiling him (shhhh, don't tell Mom and Dad).

It's been tough on my mojo lately, but once I spend time with Jack and Ev and other family in Wisconsin, I know I will come back renewed, refreshed and lonesome!

Tomorrow I will be running with scissors on the Penny Black blog ... I think there will be some red, white and blue for the holiday!!  Thanks for stopping by!!  Have a fun and safe Independence Day.

Tic Tac Toe Challenge

There is a new challenge up at the Hero Arts Blog.  Some of the Hostess alumni are joining in for this month long challenge.  Of course, there are prizes!





This hydrangea stamp is one of my all time Hero Arts images.  And of course, it is a wood block stamp which makes it more special. 

My three in a row choices are heat embossing, birthday theme and watercoloring.  The Hydrangea was stamped with black VersaFine ink, heat embossed with clear embossing powder, water colored using my new Zig Clean Color brush marker, and then fussy cut to place it on the La Letter background.  I added some white enamel dots to give the flower some dimension.

You have until the end of June to enter the Hero Arts Tic Tac Toe challenge.  You can pick any three options in a row to create your card using Hero Arts stamps, dies and stencils.

Thanks for stopping by!  Hope your summer is off to a good start. 

Sunshine and Smiles

Hello again!  I have finally joined the human race after a lengthy and painful bout of shingles.  My advice:  if you are in the recommended group for a shingles vaccine, run don't walk to receive it.  I lost more than two months of my life, had to cancel two planned trips by air and then had to cope with learning to live without pain meds.

But that's all over now and thankfully I was able to spend some time stamping and keeping up with my visits to the Penny Black blog.

Penny Black has been celebrating a new release called Sunshine and Smiles for the past couple of weeks.  My Runs with Scissors column today includes cards made with the new release as well as a card or two using some of my older Penny Black stamps.



This Penny Black image from the transparent set I Heart You is very much about Sunshine and Smiles, even though it is from a previous release.  Just a fun image to color. 

 Hope you'll stop by the Penny Black blog ... Cooper's hanging out there, too.

May Flowers by Penny Black

We've had the April showers; time to share some gorgeous May flowers.  Cooper is checking out the petunias; hope you will visit the Penny Black blog to see the cards I've made using some beautiful Penny Black stamps.






Thanks for stopping by.  See you at the Penny Black blog where I am running with my scissors.

Time to Smell the Roses

I'm running with scissors today on the Penny Black blog.  And Cooper is smelling the roses.






Hope you'll stop by for a visit.  Click here.

Masculine Cards with Penny Black

With Fathers' Day coming up as well as the need for cards for the men in our life, it's time to make some masculine cards. 

Add caption

I'm running with my scissors on the Penny Black blog today.  For more masculine card ideas be sure to stop by.  Just click here.