Shades of Grey

I'm trying to find balance in my life and stop living in such a black and white world --- hence my dabbling in the world of grey. I tried to do it totally in shades of grey but felt the rose needed some colour, so I tried to be subtle.  I did forget though that Copics bleed through the card so I had to cover the inside left side with background paper as well.  Turned out pretty well.

Materials:  Stipple Rose by SU; Markers by Copic; Background Paper by Me & My Big Ideas; Bow made with Boweasy; Cutout scallop, etc. by Spellbinders.

Brighter Forecast!

I had started out making this card for an Ippity Hop challenge but when I finished I realized I had not used any Ippity Stamps!  So, I've decided to keep it for myself as a get well card if I need one!  There are a variety of stamps used on this card - and I will confess I modelled it after one that Stephanie had done one time (thanks Steph!).  Anyway I think its rather cute.  And, since the sentiment came in a Stampin' Up Set called brighter tomorrow --- which also contains a lot of sympathy messages, its the only time I've ever got to use this sentiment!

Materials:  Girl and Raindrops Unity; Sentiment: SU; Puddle is Stampscapes.  Background Paper is SU; Ribbon from Fabric Land. Markers by Copic; Ovals by Spellbinders.

Plum Perfect!

This is actually a sympathy card, but I decided not to say "With Sympathy" or anything on the outside, letting the restful setting just be there.  The card is also for a man to give to another man, so I had to make it doubly manly!  This is more difficult than you'd think!  Anyway, I got to use one of my new Stampscapes stamps and try out sponging in the background which worked out rather well!

Materials:  Stampscapes image; Background paper - block I bought at Michaels!; Markers: Copics of course.

Speed

I just love these Whipper Snapper stamps - they are a lot of fun to colour and they just make me feel happy!  I had a bit of a hard time thinking of how to finish off the front of this card, especially after I added the flames!  I anguished long enough and luckily since its for a birthday later this year, if I change my mind, I have lots of time!
Materials:  Stamps: Whipper Snapper; Sentiment: SU; Tire Tracks: SU Wheel; Markers: Copic.

Bon Appetit

I made this card for my mother-in-law to give to someone as part of a shower gift.  The cookbook she is buying the bride-to-be is not in yet, so this card is kind of like an I.O.U. - I've shown the inside of the card as well so you can see that I put a scan of the cookbook on the inside left - on the flip side of the cookbook scan is a scanned recipe from inside the cookbook.  And, since it's an Italian cookbook, I put some spaghetti and wine and cheese on the right.  I'm giving Sandy the card tomorrow -- hope she likes it!  I left her some room to write a message!
Materials:  Stamps:  Cutlery and sentiment by SU: Books by Whippersnapper: Inside - stamps by SU: Background Paper - SU; Colour by Copic.

Where's a cop when you need him?

This is my brother's birthday card - even though his birthday isn't until December 29th, I want to be ready, and this is his 50th, so I have to be extra ready.  I bought this stamp especially for his cards and because I just love Whipper Snapper's designs as well.  I put the little time piece in the upper right corner because the card looked like something was missing, and the comment about time marching on seemed to fit!
Materials:  Stamps:  Whipper Snapper; Kraftin' Kimmie (the watch); Paper by Provo Craft and Markers by Copic.

Pretty in Pink

This is a get-well/cheer up card, made with a stamp that the lovely Maria gave to me today (thank you!).  The colours and bow are quite feminine, so I hope the man I made it to sell to -- to give to a woman won't feel too weird sending it!  I'll have to mention that he should remember it's for a woman!  Hope they both like it. Strangely the hair in the picture almost looks greenish to me, yet in person it is quite yellow!
Materials:  Stamp: Kraftin' Kimmie; Senitment: Kraftin'Kimmie; Paper: SU: Markers: Copic; Bow by Bow Easy.

Missin' Miss Emmy!

Spent the weekend with little Miss Emily, and now find that I miss her sweet little face, her laughing and her forceful personality!  I recently got these MIss Anya stamps and the one I've chosen here was particularly sweet looking - just like little Emmy! 
Materials:  Stamp: The Greeting Farm Miss Anya Dressy; Background Paper: Provo Craft; Butterflies: Sissix Embosslits; Sentiment: Unity; Ovals - Nestabilities;  Markers -- What else? Copic of course!

PEACEFUL VIEW

I was looking through a stamping magazine that I loved to the point I used to travel with it!  I left it in a hotel in Toronto and never saw it again - and of course can't remember the name.  I saw a card in there using images from a company I had never seen before but went on-line and found it. Their scenes are beautiful - I bought 4 of their stamps at the time and have recently ordered a bunch more (what a surprise).  ! I created this card for a sick friend, who I don't expect will make it - so get well soon didn't seem appropriate. Hang in there friend did.

Materials:  Stamp - Stampscapes; Background Paper: Martha Stewart; Sentiment: Unity

SYMPATHY CARDS

I've posted the two cards together to show the same stamp used for the same purpose/message yet looking somewhat different from each other.  I love the background paper, which I had at one time thought of giving away!  Obviously I am not anxious to use these cards, but do think they are quite striking.
Materials:  Stamp - Close to My Heart; Sentiment - Unity; Background Paper: Provo Craft; Markers: Copics; Punches - SU and Nestablilities